Opinion

  IN MY GROWING YEARS I looked up to my father as my hero and model. Many people in our neighbourhood knew that he was a very serious person who did not tolerate nonsense. Interestingly, after I became a father myself, people said the same thing about me, especially the friends of our children. But […]

WORD FROM THE EDITOR IF THERE IS ONE TOPIC that is generally valued, it is education, if possible, universal. Different countries may place either greater or lesser emphasis, but all the same, it is something that is now considered a human right, and quite rightly so. In this country, since the first Methodist school was […]

WORD FROM THE EDITOR THE PHENOMENAL RISE of spectator sports played by an army of professional sportsmen has changed the nature of the activity – from simple enjoyment of the game to an obsession for winning. The Olympic motto of going “faster, higher & stronger” seems paramount with a premium on winning medals. To quote […]

WORD FROM THE EDITOR WE ARE OFTEN OBLIGED TO ACT in ways which are not directly or materially beneficial, but are morally and socially desirable behaviours. Many of them can be traced to long-held values derived from a variety of sources. One of them is derived from the notion held in European tradition that noble […]

WORD FROM THE EDITOR THE EXPRESSION “time flies” is atranslation of the Latin tempus fugit, and is no stranger to all who live in this age of speed. We live in a global culture where virtually everything must be done as speedily as possible, and if possible, instantly. To help achieve the virtually impossible, we have […]

WORD FROM THE EDITOR “BAH! HUMBUG!” Those familiar with Charles Dickens’ tale of Ebenezer Scrooge will understand the emotions behind his savage outburst at the carollers. His very name has become synonymous with meanness and greed. Visited by ghosts of Christmas Past, Christmas Present and Christmas Yet to Come, it was the last who terrified […]

WORD FROM THE EDITOR IN A MULTI-LINGUAL SOCIETY such as ours, we should be especially mindful of how we speak and write, partly not to be misunderstood, but mainly to convey information accurately and to communicate effectively. In short, we must express ourselves clearly. Unfortunately, we are apt to become careless, especially when we think […]

WORD FROM THE EDITOR IS IT TRUE that men find it more difficult to share their problems or feelings than women? It seems they would rather talk about the economy, politics or about their cars and their last game at the golf course than how they are coping as husbands and fathers at home. But […]

WORD FROM THE EDITOR THESE ARE PERILOUS TIMES we are living in. The threat of ugly terrorism is lurking in every corner of the world. No nation, big or small – not even the superpowers – is spared the wanton and senseless killings by the wily terrorists, supported by their sophisticated networks. And so nations, […]

WORD FROM THE EDITOR IN CELEBRATING the 44th anniversary of becoming an independent nation, we give thanks to God for the marvellous way in which this island republic has been able to weather the many challenges that we have faced and successfully overcome. at Singapore has taken its place as one of the newly-developed nations […]

R E F L E C T I O N S BY REV GABRIEL LIEW IMAGINE. It was Thanksgiving and the preacher was ready to begin. He stepped up to the pulpit, cleared his throat, “Ahem” and began. He said, “Let us give thanks, for our marvellous bodies, for legs that walk and run, for […]

FOR spiritual refreshment I have been reading the book, A Basket of Fragments, by Robert Murray M’Cheyne (Christian Focus Publications). M’Cheyne died when he was 29 years old. That is less than the time I have been in vocational (so-called “full-time”) ministry! But I am amazed by the spiritual depth I find in his writings […]