Think

It is easy for us to see children as God’s gift to us. It is more challenging to see adolescents in the same light. And yet they are. Eugene Peterson believes that adolescence is an experience to be embraced as a gift from God.

  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 […]

  “WHEN MY TEENAGER IS ASLEEP, I check his mobile phone to see who and what he has been messaging.” Sounds familiar? Or perhaps it’s trying to enter their Facebook or reading their diaries … maybe these thoughts have crossed your minds or you may even plead guilty. I’m sure as parents of teens we […]

WORD FROM THE EDITOR CHINESE NEW YEAR’S DAY, also known as chun jie or Spring Festival in China and to Chinese emigrants in all parts of the world, falls on Feb 14 this year. As Chinese everywhere, including ethnic Chinese worshipping in our churches in Singapore, celebrate this major Chinese festival, it is perhaps timely […]

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 […]

THE POLITE VOICE on the phone was unmistakable. “Jacqueline, please drop everything and come into my office now.” As my mind set off its “battle-ready” mode to review all possible crisis protocols, I thought, “Good grief, what could possibly have happened now?”

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 […]