Keith Green

This is a man who had touched the lives of many..

"On July 28, 1982, there was a small plane crash and Keith went home to be with Jesus. The crash also took the life of his three year old son Josiah, and his two year old daughter, Bethany. Melody was home with their one year old, Rebekah, and was also six weeks pregnant with their fourth child, Rachel. Keith was only 28 years old."

To listen to more of his songs, Click here!

Visitation

These Boys visited me today at BBHQ = )

A love Song

Just in case you are unaware, the composer of this Chinese Love Song, "Wo Yuan Yi", actually wrote it to our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. "I am willing to do whatever for YOU". = )

Good Weekend

It was a good weekend.
Spending time with friends in Church & loved ones.

Bought this white Polo-T shirt together with Jeremy.
He got a black one.

In the evening, it was family time with my eldest sis, two younger bros & their families; and mom.
The above pic is my playful nephew. Thanks be to God!

First A.M. Parade

It's an encouraging sight to see many Volunteers present today. "Our Chaplain, Pastor David Seow, Andy Chua, Kiat Sheng, Jeffrey Lee, Tim Kiew, Zu Han, Zhe Hao, Sheng Xiong, Jeremy Chua, Yong Siang, Cheng Hoong, Jasper Siew... and 10 Sec 1 Boys". The above photos were taken while we were on our way for lunch (opposite of BNSS, Techview).

After lunch, many were kind of LOST! as to what to do in the afternoon?! In the end, most of the guys went home. Zu Han, Tim, Cheng Hoong & myself went to catch a movie, "The Seeker" and we met Irwin and his girlfriend at Tampines Mall. We had dinner after the movie and shopped around before returning home. It's been a long day...

11:01

11:01/11:1 is always a timely remember of Hebrews 11:1.
This verse is close to my heart since 1995,
when i was doing my BA in Tasmania.

It says,
"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for
and certain of what we do not see."

Selah.

New Found Friend!

This is OCT Dennis Ong of 28th Singapore Company, Shuqun Secondary School (west side). He was at BB Shop today and bought quite a number of awards & gifts for his company. Dennis is currently serving national service (NS) as a Medic in the army & will complete his NS on 6 Feb 2008 or commonly known as ORD (Official Run-Out Date).

Interestingly, Dennis is the second person today to allow me to blog about them! He is a pleasant young man, who is currently actively serving in the BB Ministry.

Keep up the good work Brother! Let us never grow tire of doing what is good and know that our labour in the Lord is not in vain.

It is written in Numbers 23:19
God is not a man, that he should lie,
nor a son of man, that he should change his mind.
Does he speak and then not act?
Does he promise and not fulfill?

Rare MG Car

What a Gem? Simply a Beauty! Owned by ex-BB Member of 1st Singapore Company, Mr Freddie Lee. Permission has been granted verbally by Mr Lee to blog this white beauty = )

the Boy who loves reading

To: The Boy who loves Reading
whose birthday falls on Today.
Happy 16th Birthday to you, Jer! = )

The Torment of Teresa

Read all about it. It's inspirational. Click!

Other noble religious traditions promise serenity, detachment from striving and release from the suffering of the world. Christianity, in contrast, teaches that grace is found in the worst of that suffering, and through a figure who despairs of God's presence in his parting words. This anguish is not convenient -- "Why hast Thou forsaken me?" is hardly the best religious marketing slogan. But for millennia this abandonment has offered hope that God might somehow be present even in shame, loneliness and betrayal, even on the descending path of depression, even in the soul's hardness and doubt, even in the silence of God himself -- and that all these things may be the preface to glory.

Through her pain-filled letters, Mother Teresa offers this assurance: Even when all we have to offer is ashes, and all we feel is emptiness, something beautiful may come of it in the end. But her decades of lonely sorrow are not an easy source of comfort. And Graham Greene might have been speaking of this abandoned mystic when he wrote: "You can't conceive, my child, nor can I or anyone the . . . appalling . . . strangeness of the mercy of God." -

By Michael Gerson

Wednesday, September 5, 2007; Page A21 - The Washington Post

New subjects at O Levels

Extracts from The Straits Times, dated 25 Oct 2007:

"EIGHT secondary schools will partner the polytechnics to offer three new 'O' level subjects in applied disciplines starting January.

These new Applied Subjects will be reflected in the students' GCE 'O' level Examination Certificates and be recognised for admission into Junior Colleges and Polytechnics, the Ministry of Education (MOE) said in a press release on Thursday.

The three Applied Subjects, to be offered to Express and Normal (Academic) students, are Creative 3D Animation, Fundamentals of Electronics and Introduction to Enterprise Development.

Creative 3D Animation will bring students through the whole development cycle experience of a 3D animation production, from preproduction to production and postproduction. It will be offered by Dunman Secondary, Pasir Ris Secondary and Temasek Secondary, which will be partnering Temasek Polytechnic."

Our Condolence

Photo by & Extracts from asiaone.com.sg

Death of an army Physical Training Instructor (PTI)

Last Saturday morning, 2nd Sgt Lim Chee Wee (23yo) was on his way from Jurong West to Kallang for a physical training class. He never made it. At about 7.45am, his scooter collided with another motorbike along the Pan-Island Exrpressway near Jurong West.

The other rider fell towards the road verge but 2nd Sgt Lim fell on the road and was run over by a lorry. He was rushed unconscious to National University Hospital, and was pronounced dead at about 8.50am.

First Warrant Officer Lem added: 'He had a very upright character and was a well-disciplined soldier.'

'To me he had all the good points a commander would want in his men: he was hardworking, reliable, dependable and able to get on well with his colleagues. We will miss him.'

C. S. Lewis

He is an author that many are now familiar with.
C.S. Lewis has captivated generations of children with his fabulous The Chronicles of Narnia.


Seven classic stories in which magic meets reality
and good triumphs over evil.

Other books written by the same author:
1. The Four Loves
2. The Great Divorce
3. Mere Christianity
4. The Problem of Pain
5. The Screwtape Letters
6. Surprised by Joy
7. Miracles
8. A Grief Observed

From Your Captain's Desk

Today is the eve of the General Certificate Education (Ordinary) Level Examinations or commonly known as, the G.C.E. (O) Level Examinations. On behalf of 72nd Singapore Company, we would like wish our Boys the Blessings of God. In addition, a gentle reminder to be "Sure & Stedfast". Peace Be with you. Shalom.

From Our Sponsoring Church

Always more than the year before
We celebrated Bethesda Community's fourteenth anniversary last Sunday with about 700 present. There is every great reason to rejoice because our numbers have been growing each year - from less than 300 people about five years ago, to more than double that number last Sunday.

Senior Pastor and Council thank every BC'er for supporting the Chuch vision to grow and a willingness to make whatever sacrifice necessary to bring friends in. We know that reaching people takes time, effort and money - three things which many people are unwilling to give. In bringing friends in and caring for them, BC'ers had done so with perseverance and the love of Jesus. This is indeed commendable!

Let's continue to pray for our friends that even as they had joined us, they will also enter GOD's Kingdom and be part of the Church family.

Two Words

Jesus wept - John 11:34
It speaks volume of the heart's condition of Jesus.
That's how it feels like to lose our "freedom".
Nonetheless, we have Hope.

One Last Time

Good Old Days

It was wonderful catching up with Benjamin Yang this evening. He "sms" me today and asked if i could go for a movie at Cathay tonight. Initially, i'd plans to meet up with Jeffrey Lee instead, as its his 21st Birthday today (19 Oct 2007). Happy Birthday, Jeffrey!

But, unfortunately, his army camp have indented dinner for them. It means that they're unable to book out early. As such, the original plan to dine with him and a few other BB Officers and Primers was cancelled.

Nevertheless, it is good to catch up with "Old Friends". I got to know Benjamin Yang when he was in Primary School. Today, he is 34 and married. Benjamin, together with many other Boys & Girls attended the very first P.S.L.E Camp that i was involved in. It was back in 1987/88.

Thereafter the camp, over 30 pupils became Christians. Many surrendered their lives willingly to God. You may say they're young. But certainly, no one was coerce into accepting Christianity as a personal religion or faith.

I still remember vividly that even on the last day of the camp, Boys and Girls still came up to us and requested us to show them the way to God through prayers.

As far as i can recall, these were the names of those who prayed and accepted Christ Jesus as their personal Lord & Saviour.... Andy Liu, Foo Kee An, Adrian Toh, Vincent Wee, Benjamin Yang Yuyong, Jimmy Chua, Ivan Tan, Jason, Alan Ng, Tun Lin, Grace Chua, Jasmine... and many others. Those were the Good Old Days... incidentally, the acronym is *G.O.D.

Thank GOD for Good Old Days.

*The original person to notice this acronym is Chan Cheng Hoong.

"Super" Mercedes Benz

You will be amazed at the length of this Mercedes Benz. It's unbelievable that someone actually owns such an old model in Singapore! Parked at BBHQ today! = )

P.S.L.E Camp

The 55J Singapore Company of Fengshan Primary School (FPS) collaborated with Griffiths Primary School (GPS) and Bethesda Community Services Society (BCSS, Before & After-School Care / BAC) to run its very first combined P.S.L.E Camp at GPS from today till Thursday, daily from 9am-5pm.

The purpose of this camp is to equip Primary School Pupils to face challenges in Secondary Schools e.g. new subjects, new environment, new friends, BGR, Gangsterism, Peer Pressure, Substance abuse e.g. Cigarettes, alcohol etc.

I was there today and saw our Chaplain, Pastor David Seow. Andy Chua, Captain of 55J, was the Person-in-Charge and Kiat Sheng and a few other volunteers (e.g. Joel Low) were present to assist in the running of this camp. Incidentally, the Principal of GPS is the former Principal of BNSS, Mrs Yap Weng Ha.

The Number - 72nd

72nd is the number we're all familiar with & interestingly, it's my mom's 72nd Birthday today. Her D.O.B is 16th October 1935.
Blessed Birthday to her!
The above is a durian cake bought by my eldest Sis. = )

List of Founder's Man Recipients

In 1995, the leaders of Bethesda Community (BC) heeded the voice of God and approached the Principal of Bedok North Secondary School (BNSS) to consider starting a BB Company. As a result, The 72nd Singapore Company was started in Jan 1996. The former Principal, Mr Thomas Ong, also gave us his blessings and granted permission for some of our Boys from Fengshan & Pingyi Primary Schools (55th Singapore Company) to continue as members of The 72nd Singapore Company.

The followings became Pioneer Badge of Founder's Man Recipients:
1. Jason Low Junyuan (Hai Sing Sec)
2. Edward Tan Kit Han (Dunman High)
3. Francis Xu Junsen (Chai Chee Sec)
4. Andy Chua Kok Hwang (Siglap Sec)

Hereby are our List of Founder's Man from BNSS to date:
5. Ong Chee Keong
6. Jerry Cheng
7. Irwin Yeo Kiat Keong
8. Desmond Oh Rong Wen
9. Nicholas Zheng Junjie
10. Jeremy Chu De Ming
11. Andre Tan Minghui
12. Ben Tang Yee Peng
13. Tan Yong Siang
14. Tan Wei Jie
15. Jasper Siew Cai Jie
16. Isaac Koh Aik Hai
17. Brian Chan Cheng Hoong
18. Jeremy Chua Jie Ming

The followings are active & impressive ex-NCOs/Primers:
1. Jeffrey Lee Jian Kai (NSF)
2. Alvin Goh Jun Wei (NSF)
3. Pang Zu Han (NSF)
4. Tim Kiew Ji Cai (Republic Poly)
5. Yeo Kiat Sheng (Temasek Poly)
6. Oh Zhe Hao (SHATEC)
7. Ng Jun Jie (Temasek Poly)
8. Chan Chin Yong (Meridian JC)
9. Yeo Sheng Xiong (Temasek Poly)

BC's 14th Anniversary

We've come a long way...
Today is Bethesda Community's (BC)
14th Anniversary Celebration!

The origin of BC goes all the way back to a Church called Bethesda Katong (BK). Interestingly, it was featured on Saturday's Papers. This is where the story begins...

I was converted on 20 April 1985 (2 months before National Service) and attended the Young Adult's group at BK together with our Chaplain, Pastor David Seow. Soon after my conversion, BK's elders were convicted by God to build a new Church in Bedok. The goal is to serve half a million of people in Bedok & Tampines.
Thus, the new Church was called
Bethesda (Bedok-Tampines) Church (BBTC).

The followings were ministries that God led me into during my early days in BBTC - Choir, Sunday School, Balanced Youth Club (BYC), running of P.S.L.E & Youth Camps, Worship Leading etc. In 1990, i joined The Boys' Brigade Ministry and became a BB Officer. It was in BB that i got to know these "Boys"... Jason Low, Andy Chua, Edward Tan, Justin Teo, Andy Teo, Peter Tan, Shanthen NRC and many others.


Between 1993-1995, Senior Pastor Philip Tan became
the Founder of Bethesda Community.

And here we are today, celebrating our 14th Anniversary.
Thanks and Praise be to God our Father and Jesus Christ, His Son.

Today's Sermon - Click!

A New Chapter soon...

This is the gate that we've been using since 1999, where two former Principals had given us unrestricted access to run BB Parades on Saturdays. Come 20 Oct 2007, it will be the last time that we're doing so. Thereafter, it'll be "A New Chapter" for BB72 and things will begin to change e.g. BB Parades will be held in the morning (9am-1pm) next year.

We thank God for His Blessings in BB72 for the past 12 years or so. May His Presence go with us as we begin "A New Chapter" in 2008.

4th October 1883

Sir William Alexander Smith founded The Boys' Brigade on 4th October 1883 at the Free College Mission Hall at North Woodside Road, Glasgow. It is the world's first uniformed organisation for youth and has spread all over the world.

Today, 12 Oct 2007, The Boys' Brigade in Singapore will be celebrating The Founder's Day at The Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce, organised by The Stedfast Association, Singapore.

Happy Founder's Day!

SYFC - 50 Years of Youth Evangelism

"The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendour of the old" - Proverbs 20:29

The following is taken from "Thanksgiving - 50 Years of Youth Evangelism, Singapore Youth For Christ (SYFC), Communique, September 2007":

Today, the idea of a young person is someone with the capacity to explore possibilities and be different. Hence, we see young people trying hard to look, dress and speak in a way that distinguishes their individual styles and preferences. However, the verse in Proverbs characterizes a young person not by his creativity but by his energy.

How this energy is expended becomes very important. When our energy is spent on too many different things, it gets dissipated very quickly; we land up being very tired. And when that energy is devoted to wrong thing, it can be very destructive. When that happens, we can end up having many regrets in life.

In addition, the bible also portrays the youth as one who is given to strong passions. There is a constant emphasis on the need to regulate energy and passions. It seems that youth should learn the importance of being disciplined rather than being different.

What is important then is for all who are young to harness and regulate their energy and passions for what matters. And they should be looking to the One who teaches us about a young man's glory, the One who defines what matters, that is, to "Remember our Creator in the days of our youth.. Ecclesiastes 12:1".

"Happy Birthday to SYFC's 50th Anniversary"

88 Ways to Praise a Child

Wow! Way to go! You're Special! Outstanding! Excellent!
Great! Neat! Well Done! Remarkable! Nice work!
I knew you could do it! I'm proud of you! Superstar!
Looking Good! You're on top of it! You're catching on!
Now you've got it! That's incredible! Good Job!

Click the above Pic to view entire list = )

"O" Levels Candidates

We're behind you in prayers. Remember not to worry about what you do not know. Go with what you know and let the Peace of God guide and lead you. Remember to breath while answering the questions. Panic can cause you to forget to breath. Therefore, do not talk about the Paper before and after it. Return home after each paper, take a 20-30mins nap or rest, bath, have your meals regularly.. Take short breaks in between all preparations. Once you finish your last paper, talk about it as much as you like! God bless your "O" levels examinations!

Spiritual Warfare (Intense)

It's everywhere. Like it or not. It's everywhere. You don't have to wait till the Chinese seven month or Halloween to realise the existence of spirits. AND that's exactly why God sent His Son about 2000 years ago. To destroy the works of satan (another name for the devil) through the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God. That whosoever believes in Him shall have everlasting or eternal life. Don't wait till another day, "Today, is the Day of Salvation". Believe in The Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 5:7-9 (New International Version)

New International Version (NIV)

Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society

7Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

8Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

UWS

"Unusually Wet Sunday"

Indifferent

i've 'discovered' a scary word
i.e. Indifferent.

Just One Word.
But it speaks volume.

It implies a different between...
making or breaking it
living or dying
being rich or poor.

In a nutshell, it can mean...
"not showing or feeling interest."

Selah

Images of Singapore - Dhoby Ghaut

Biblical Investment

In the Book of Matthew 25:14-30, Jesus taught about the importance of using our talents for the furtherance of The Great Commission i.e. winning the lost for God.

It is written...
"But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money." - Matthew 25:18

As a result, this is what he got in return from his Master...
"Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. 'Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'" - Matthew 25:27-30

Chameleon

"Chameleon is a small lizard

that changes colour according to its surroundings."
- Oxford Minireference (1995, p.92)

Seek Wisdom

How did the plant survive in such difficult conditions?

Lessons Drawn
To survive and grow,
the roots must be deep enough
to receive the required nutrients.

Likewise, to survive and grow in our time,
our roots must be deep and rooted in the right place.
Otherwise, we will end up messing our lives.

Thus, it is of utmost importance that we
choose the right company of friends;
that will influence our thoughts & lifestyle positively;
be 100% selective with what we
see, hear, read & take time to grow
i.e. mentally, socially, physically & spiritually.

AND above all, when in doubt, remember to seek counsel from
your parents, teachers, trusted-leaders.

"The way of a fool seems right to him,
but a wise man listens to advice."
- Proverbs 12:15

Pure Joy

The reconciliation of broken families.

Families staying together.
People living in harmony.
Friendship.

People coming together.
Love.