Come To The Water

On the Road to Damascus

“The Lord your God is with you. He will take great delight in you; he will quiet you with His love. He will rejoice over you with singing” Zephaniah 3:17

The search for God is vividly described in Psalms 69:2-3, 

'I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the flood engulfs me. I am worn out calling for help; my throat is parched. My eyes fail, looking for God.'

Many understand the sensations of hunger and thirst as basic needs of the body. Others, however, hunger and thirst not for food and water but desire emotional, intellectual and spiritual nourishment. Still others crave for moments of spiritual ecstasy as vividly portrayed in the sculpture by Gian Lorenzo Bernini of St Teresa of Avila in the Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria in Rome. 

Ecstasy of St Teresa of Avila 

St Teresa described this experience, "I saw in his hand a long spear of gold, and at the iron's point there seemed to be a little fire. He appeared to me to be thrusting it at times into my heart, and to pierce my very entrails; when he drew it out, he seemed to draw them out also, and to leave me all on fire with a great love of God. The pain was so great, that it made me moan; and yet so surpassing was the sweetness of this excessive pain, that I could not wish to be rid of it. The soul is satisfied now with nothing less than God. The pain is not bodily, but spiritual; though the body has its share in it. It is a caressing of love so sweet which now takes place between the soul and God, that I pray God of His goodness to make him experience it who may think that I am lying."

Neuroscientists studied the ecstasy of a religious experience, through studying the excitation of different parts of the brain during deep meditation. An article in the New Scientist entitled ‘In Search of God’ described scientific experiments by Andrew Newberg and Eugene d’Aquili during which eight meditation practitioners underwent brain imaging. These neuroscientists noted a relative deactivation of the parietal lobe that regulate attention and self awareness but the limbic system which regulate emotions became activated. Apparently the same findings will occur for Tibetan monks as for Franciscan nuns, indicating that whatever the religious beliefs, there is a common pathway in the brain for the ‘touching God experience.’ 

Skeptics have used these findings to argue that God has no real existence, that the presence of God is actually just a result of chemical induction of brain functions. On the other hand, one can argue that God made and designed us so that we would have the neuro-ability for this interaction. Blaise Pascal said, "There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of every man which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God, the Creator made known through Jesus.”

The Cliffs of Solva, Wales

The hunger and thirst for a special relationship with God is a natural yearning because we are created in God’s image. The wonderful news is that while we search, God reaches out to establish a warm and personal relationship with us. 

“The Lord your God is with you. He will take great delight in you; he will quiet you with His love. He will rejoice over you with singing” (Zephaniah 3:17). 

St Paul, thought that he knew God. He was so adamant and bigoted in his belief that he strenuously persecuted the Christians. However, while steeped in this activity of searching out Christians to persecute, Christ found Paul instead. It was a spectacular and vivid visitation on that road to Damascus. Later, Paul wrote to the Church at Philippi about this unsurpassing find 

'But whatever gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything as a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage that I may gain Christ.' Phil 3: 7-8

 

Jesus offers to all of us the same privilege of a relationship with God. He admits us into this special relationship on the condition of our faith and belief in Him. For the religious mystics amongst us, we can indeed delve into the realm of the limbic system activation when we meditate. But be it as it may, this experience profound or ordinary, only occurs by the grace of God; a gift we receive which we do not deserve. 

The prophet Isaiah wrote, 

Come, all you who are thirsty, Come to the waters. Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him while He is near.' Isaiah 55:1,6   

And Jesus said come to the waters

Stand by my side

I know you are thirsty you won't be denied

I felt every teardrop when in darkness you cried

And I strove to remind You 

That for those tears I died

You said You'd come and share all my sorrow

You said You'd be there for all my tomorrow

I came so close to sending You away

But just as you've promised

You came there to stay

I just had to pray

Your goodness so great I can't understand

And dear Lord I know that all this was planned

I know you're here now and always will be

And Your love loosed my chains

And in You I'm free

But Jesus why me 

Jesus I gave You my heart and my soul

I know that without God I'd never be whole

Saviour You opened all the right doors

And I thank you and praise You

From earth's humble shores

Take me I'm yours.

Jesus said, 

'I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.'

Lionel

The Compassionate God

 

Michelangelo's Last Judgement, Sistine Chapel

'Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression.... You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; You will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.' Micah 7:18-19

I was converted to Christianity from a religion of ancestral worship and of praying with joss sticks to very fierce looking gods in the Chinese temples. I remember going to Haw Par Villa and staring in fear at the figurines of souls being tortured in hell. My mum would whisper in my ears this would be the fate of naughty children. My vivid memories when visiting the Chinese temples were the large statues of fearsome Taoist mythical gods down on me. They look merciless. 

My childhood home at Kim Chuan Road was about 200 metres from a neighbour who was a temple medium. Visitors would come to ask the medium to tell their fortune or bring offerings. Then he would performed a ritual in which he would go into a trance, whipped his body and cut his tongue with a sharp sword. I was so afraid each time I heard the clanging of gongs and cymbals; more so when returning home from school I had to pass by the house-temple just a few feet away as the medium went into a trance. 

There is a annual procession of the Nine-Emperor Gods from Lorong Tai Seng near where I lived, to Kusu Island. We were brought to watch the processions which were loud and noisy. The men who carried the palanquins of the gods would go into a trance, move and shake uncontrollably as the palanquins were made to sway from side to side. Firecrackers were lighted and thrown at the feet of the pall bearers. I was always frightened.

So, accompanying our parents to worship in these temples or being made to join the processions of the gods, children became acquainted with good and evil and the reality of hell. We grew up trapped in a fatalistic view of life and its inevitable cycles of naughty deeds and punishment. The only recourse, it seems, was to appease these Gods by offerings, incense, prayer and worship.

How can we can escape the entrapment; the fierce  stares of these idols? How can we escape the gates of hell? How can we atone for our sins? 

Fortunately from this religious background of deeds, rewards and retribution, I found the God of Christianity and discovered that my sins can be forgiven. I no longer need to live in fear of hell and recrimination. I discovered the compassionate God of Christianity whose forgiveness is well extolled in Psalm 103. 

'Praise the Lord, my soul and forget not all His benefits - who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pits and crowns you with love and compassion.' Psalm 103:2-4

'The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.' Psalm 103:8

'He will not always accuse nor will he harbour His anger forever; He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.' Psalms 103:9-10

'Praise the Lord, my soul and forget not all His benefits - who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion.' Psalm 103:3-4

As a father has compassion on His children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.' Psalms 103:13

However, this forgiveness is not simply dispensed automatically as with modern day ATMs. Instead it is related to the salvation found in Jesus Christ. It starts with the realisation of sin and evil and culminates in the compassionate forgiveness of sin in Jesus Christ. The truth of John 3:16-17 turned me from living in fear to living in faith.

'For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.' John 3:16-17

This dual and intertwining dispensations of salvation and forgiveness is magnificently portrayed in the painting of The Last Judgement by Michelangelo on the altar wall of the Sistine chapel, St Peter's Basilica, Vatican City. Michelangelo depicted human characters and their passages to hell or heaven, the consequences of life. At very centre of this human drama is the compelling image of Jesus Christ, whose forgiveness rescued us from condemnation to salvation.  

This same epiphany is also exclaimed in Charles Wesley's hymn  'And Can It Be'. Kindly listen to it, beautifully sung by the 200 voices choir of Chennai India.

And can it be that I should gain

An interest in the Savior’s blood
Died He for me, who caused His pain
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love! How can it be
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

He left His Father’s throne above
So free, so infinite His grace
Emptied Himself of all but love
And bled for Adam’s helpless race
‘Tis mercy all, immense and free
For O my God, it found out me!
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light
My chains fell off, my heart was free
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee
Amazing love! How can it be
That Thou, my God shouldst die for me?

No condemnation now I dread
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine
Alive in Him, my living Head
And clothed in righteousness divine
Bold I approach the eternal throne
And claim the crown, through Christ my own
Amazing love! How can it be
That Thou my God, shouldst die for me?

And so, rather than cringe under the accusing and condemning eyes of Taoist mythical gods, I seek forgiveness from a compassionate God, the same way that David did in Psalm 51:1-3

'Have mercy on me, O God, according to our Your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know that my transgressions and my sin is always before me' 

Like the Wesleyan hymn this prayer is well articulated by a modern hymn All We Like Sheep by Don Moen

All we like sheep have gone astray

Each of us turning our own separate way

We have all sinned and fallen short of Your glory

But Your glory is what we desire to see

And in Your presence is where we long to be

O Lord show us Your mercy and grace

Take us to Your holy place forgive our sin 

and heal our land we long to live

In Your presence once again

Taking our sickness, taking our pain

Jesus the sacrifice Lamb has been slain

He was despised rejected by men He took our sin

Draw us near to you, Father through Jesus Your Son

Let us worship before You cleansed by Your blood

Have you been to Jesus for this cleansing power? The cleansing of the soul from sin is not just by right or good deeds or making restitution. The cleansing is provided entirely by the grace of God.

Lionel

Is God Absent?

 

'God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble.' Psalms 46:1

All over the world, people are reeling under the scourge of the Covid-19 pandemic. As of today, 194,476,739 persons have been infected and 4,167,020 have died. It is not only those who have succumbed to the infection who are suffering, many others suffer economic hardships. Businesses are forced to close, many families are left destitute. It is altogether a dismal time.

In this situation many Christians prayed and waited for relief from God but after more than two years help seem to be withheld. Many may feel that God is silent, God is absent in this predicament. Is God Absent? 

The absence of God in the face of extreme suffering and persecution was explored in a historical fiction entitled Silence written by Japanese Catholic Shusaku Endo. It was made into a film directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Liam Neeson and Andrew Garfield.

Most of us are unaware that Japan had a strong Christian community in the 17th Century. In the southern islands of Kyushu and Shikoku, Christian daimyos (warlords) ruled. However during the Tokugawa Shogunate, there was a brutal persecution of Japanese Christians. Christians were tortured, made to repudiate their faith and forced to go into hiding. The Christian population in Japan dwindled significantly.

There is an extremely good synopsis and analysis of the film Silence placed on YouTube by Josh Keefe which I recommend you watch to understand the issues surrounding the silence of God. 

The author Shusaku Endo wrote, "I had long read about the martyrdom in the lives of the saints – how the souls of the martyrs had gone home to Heaven, how they had been filled with glory in Paradise, how the angels had blown trumpets. This was the splendid martyrdom I had often seen in my dreams. But the martyrdom of the Japanese Christians I now describe to you was no such glorious thing. What a miserable and painful business it was!" ( Ref 1)

It is timely for us to reflect on the age-old questions, Why does God allow suffering? Why in the midst of suffering was God silent? Where is God? 

My friend, William Wan sent me an article written by Dr Patrick Zukeran; a good commentary of the movie as well as a Christian apologetic on this question of Silence and Suffering (Ref 2). 

Zukeran wrote, "I believe Endo wants us to understand the struggle of persecuted Christians and wants us to understand they wrestle with their guilt for the rest of their lives....another lesson Endo wants us to learn is that God is not silent; He remains with His people in their suffering and never abandons His people.  Throughout church history, Christians have faced brutal persecutions. Even Christ, the Son of God suffered the most dreadful death on the cross. Therefore, God understands the pain we experience, He grieves at the wickedness of men, and He promises to be with us always."

Eventually the priest in the film, Father Rodrigues broke, unable to bear the psychological torture of having to witness the physical torture of the Japanese Christians. He stepped on the image of Christ. As he stepped on that image, instead of anger in the eyes of Christ, he saw eyes of understanding and love and he visualised, "Even now that face is looking at me with eyes of pity from the plaque rubbed by many feet. “Trample!” said those compassionate eyes. “Trample! Your foot suffers in pain; it must suffer like all the feet that have stepped on this plaque. But that pain alone is enough. I understand your pain and your suffering. It is for that reason I am here.”

In suffering, Christians identify with the suffering of Christ as He was tortured and crucified. The Apostle Paul wrote about his experience with suffering and concluded,

'so I could know Christ personally, experience His resurrection power, be a partner of His sufferings, and go all the way with Him to death itself.' Philippians 3:10-11

In thinking about the book and film, I learned that though God may be silent at times, He is always present. Yes God is present at times of distress even in this pandemic and God is present always. Ng Kok Song, a friend, said this recently in an international meditation group of business leaders, "God is always present in us, around us, everywhere. If God is not present, everything would dissolve. The problem is that we are absent most of the time, except during particular times of prayer and meditation, where we try to become present to the Presence."

Kok Song's sharing brings to mind Psalm 46:1-3

'God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.'

This song, You are Mine will underscores this immutable fact and comforts us.

I will come to you in the silence

I will lift you from all your fear

You will hear My voice

I claim you as My choice

Be still, and know I am near

I am hope for all who are hopeless

I am eyes for all who long to see

In the shadows of the night,

I will be your light

Come and rest in Me

Do not be afraid, I am with you

I have called you each by name

Come and follow Me

I will bring you home

I love you and you are mine

I am strength for all the despairing

Healing for the ones who dwell in shame

All the blind will see, the lame will all run free

And all will know My name

Do not be afraid, I am with you

I have called you each by name

Come and follow Me

I will bring you home

I love you and you are mine

I am the Word that leads all to freedom

I am the peace the world cannot give

I will call your name, embracing all your pain

Stand up, now, walk, and live

Do not be afraid, I am with you

I have called you each by name

Come and follow Me

I will bring you home

I love you and you are mine

Do not be afraid, I am with you

I have called you each by name

Come and follow Me

I will bring you home

I love you and you are mine

In times like these, help will come from God. 

'I lift up my eyes to the hills, where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the make of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip, He who watches you will not slumber nor sleep.' Psalm 121:1-3

Lionel

Ref 1 Shusaku Endo, Silence. New York: Taplinger Publishing Company, 1969

Ref 2: https://evidenceandanswers.org/article/silence-the-hidden-story-of-the-japanese-christians/

The Silent God

The Covid Cloud? 

'I know that my Redeemer lives and at the last He will take His stand on the earth.' Job 19:25

There are times when God is silent. I am afraid these are such times.

The whole world is living under a cloud; the unrelenting devastation of Covid-19 upon this earth. This pandemic affects health, mortality, economy, livelihood and life itself, of every human being on this planet. Just when we think that the spread of infection was controlled, the virus rears its ugly head again with new variants. 

There is untold suffering. Those affected must have asked Why God? We search for answers, for reasons but God is silent. This pandemic has gone on for over two years unabated. Unanswered prayer but this is not the first nor will it be the last time when God will choose to remain silent. 

Consider the Apostle Paul's 'thorn in the flesh' which God did not relieve despite much prayer. In the end, Paul was prepared to resign to God's will

'He said to me, "My grace is enough; it's all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness." Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ's strength moving in on my weakness.' 2 Cor 12:9,10 (The Message)

Remember Job? Job was a rich and righteous man. Then for reasons unknown to him, he was struck with one calamity upon another. It left him in ruins and devastated his health, wealth, family and even his appearance. Four friends who visited, purportedly to comfort, ended up accusing him of grievous sin for such a severe punishment to befall him. Job searched for a reason for his sufferings but for a long time God was silent.

Today there must be many families who are suffering greatly from this pandemic. Like Job they may be aggrieved that God is distant

'Though I cry, "Violence!" I get no response; though I call for help, there is no justice.' Job 19:7

The unrelenting pressure can break some of us. 

'Yet when I hoped for good, evil came; when I looked for light, then came darkness. The churning inside me never stops; days of suffering confront me.' Job 30:26-27

Faced with this pandemic, it will help us to consider Job's situation.  Job went to the brink but he did not break. The bible recorded this

'Not once through all this did Job sin; not once did he blame God.' Job 1:22

Charles Swindoll said, "When flat on our backs, the only way is to look is up. It worked." (Ref 1). Even though we may face the darkest of night, even though God seem not to answer us, let us keep faith in Him. Finally God will have His day, finally He will have His say. As Job said, 

'I know that my redeemer lives and that in the end He will stand on the earth.' Job 19:25  

This great assurance has been culturally immortalised by George Frideric Handel's in the third movement of Messiah a masterpiece, I Know that My Redeemer Liveth

I know that my redeemer liveth
And that he shall stand
At the latter day, upon the earth
I know that my redeemer liveth
And that he shall stand
At the latter day, upon the earth
Upon the earth

And though worms destroy this body
Yet in my flesh shall I see God
Yet in my flesh shall I see God

I know that my redeemer liveth
For now is Christ risen from the dead
The first fruits of them that sleep
Of them that sleep

Covid-19 pandemic will pass. Many may think that it will forever affect us and that we have to adjust to a new post-Covid normal. I hope not. Why? Because the Lord will hear us, He will not stay silent forever; He will heal and as Job said at the last He will take His stand on this earth.

In the words of a modern praise song by Bob Fitts The Lord Reigns!

 

The Lord reigns, the Lord reigns The Lord reigns Let the earth rejoice Let the earth rejoice Let the earth rejoice Let the people be glad That our God reigns A fire goes before him And burns up all his enemies The hills melt like wax At the presence of the lord At the presence of the lord The heavens declare His righteousness The people see His glory For You oh Lord are exalted Over all the earth Over all the earth

Lionel

Ref 1: Charles Swindoll. Job, A Man of Heroic Endurance. Thomas Nelson 2004

Too Much Sanity Is Madness

2001 Pat and Lionel at La Mancha

'If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn't do it, it is sin for them.' James 4:17 

In a 2009 article of the Singapore Straits Times, prominent neurologist Dr Lee Wei Ling wrote about her attempts to climb Ben Nevis in Scotland. It was done in bad weather. After accomplishing the feat and drenched many hours later, Wei Ling  herself sought an answer as to why she made the climb. She wrote if asked, her answer would be, 'For some people, it takes a streak of insanity to make life worth living.' 

Reading this article, I am reminded of the Broadway musical ‘The Man of La Mancha’, relating the story of Don Quixote by Miguel Cervantes. The novel, Don Quixote, is a satirical commentary of early 17th Century Spain which was under the yoke of the Spanish Inquisition. At that time, the tyranny of the ruling classes and the Church, severely put down the working classes and limited any freedom of expression. For years no one dared speak out against the brutalities, social oppression and injustices that occurred in that period. Cervantes bravely wrote this novel against the oppression of society.

Don Quixote relates the comical adventures of a schizophrenic old country gentleman from La Mancha, a district near Madrid. He donned a makeshift knight errand’s armour and went about the countryside correcting imaginary wrongs, fighting imaginary dragons and rescuing imaginary damsels in distress. The novel became an instant hit. It is arguably the best written novel for all times. 

Don Quixote and his squire Sancho Panza have become the icons of Spain. It gave rise to the word ‘quixotic’ which stands for behavior that is noble in an absurd way. Cervantes made a statement that individuals can be right while whole societies can be quite wrong and disenchanting. Such individuals should gather the courage to speak up for what is right even if it is sheer madness to do so. 

History relates many examples of individuals who, stricken by a new social conscience brought about revolutionary changes in society. One sterling example was the abolishment of slavery, through the strong social actions of men like William Wilberforce, Granville Sharp and Abraham Lincoln. 

As a Methodist, I am proud that many historians acknowledged the new social conscience, brought on by the growth of Methodism which corrected many injustices in 18th century England and America. John Wesley is popularly remembered as the itinerant evangelist and open air preacher and the gospel he preached inspired people to take up social causes in the name of Jesus Christ.

Nearer home, my sister in law Maureen Fung, realised that during the Covid-19 pandemic, the taxi drivers at the taxi stand near her flat waited for many hours without getting any passengers. So, Maureen went down from her high rise apartment gave to each driver a $50 bill from the relief package she received from government. An odd, quixotic thing to do?

The Book of James strongly argues that faith needs to give rise to social conscience, social concerns and social action. 

'Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. Anyone then who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins.'  James Chap 2:15-17 and 4:17

John Stott (Ref 1) narrated a story of a homeless woman who turns to a country vicar for help but he in turn, promised to pray for her. She later wrote this poem, 

'I was hungry, and you formed a humanities group to discuss my hunger.
I was imprisoned and you crept off quietly to your chapel and prayed for my release.

 I was naked, and in your mind you debated the morality of my appearance.

 I was sick, and you knelt and thanked God for your health.

I was homeless, and you preached to me of the spiritual shelter of the love of God.

I was lonely and you left me alone to pray for me. 

You seem so holy, so close to God but I am still very hungry – and lonely – and cold.

Sometimes, it may appear to be madness to try to effect any change. To make the rational decision for inaction and omission may appear to be a sane thing to do for many. Henry David Thoreau wrote, "The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. What is called resignation is confirmed desperation." We lead lives of quiet desperation when we resigned ourselves to the status quo. 

In the Man of La Mancha, there is stirring song, The Impossible Dream

To dream the impossible dream

To fight the unbeatable foe

To bear with unbearable sorrow

To run where the brave dare not go

To right the unrightable wrong

To love pure and chaste from afar

To try when your arms are too weary

To reach the unreachable star

This is my quest,

To follow that star

No matter how hopeless,

No matter how far.

To fight for the right

Without question or pause,

To be willing to march

Into hell for a heavenly cause.

And I know if I'll only be true

To this glorious quest

That my heart will lie peaceful and calm

When I'm laid to my rest

And the world will be better for this

And one man, sore and covered with scars

Still strove with his last ounce of courage

To fight the unbeatable foe

To reach the unreachable star

'Too much sanity is madness and the maddest thing of all is to view life as it is and not as it should be.' It pays to be mad sometimes. 

Lionel 

Ref 1: John Stott “Issues Facing Christians Today. Marshalls Paperback, 1984.

Updated. 1st published 26 June 2009

No Greater Love

1993 Pat and Lionel at The Alamo

'Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends.' John 15:13

The Ultimate Sacrifice and the Greatest Love.

The first time I understood Ultimate Sacrifice was when I watched the 1960 movie The Alamo. This blockbuster movie was produced and directed by John Wayne, who also acted as David Crockett and Richard Widmark played the role of Jim Bowie. I was most impressed by the embittered character Lieutenant-Colonel William Travis, played by Laurence Harvey, who was the commanding officer. He had a very difficult task to defend against an overwhelming force and against all odds; a difficult choice to make to stand his ground and not withdraw or surrender.  

At the Battle of the Alamo, 185 Texans, Tennesseans, Mexicans and others defended the Spanish Catholic Mission and Fortress at San Antonio against 5000 troops of the Mexican Army led by the dictator Antonio López de Santa Anna. After a 13 days siege, despite the brave defense put up by the Americans, the Mexican Army breached the wall and a brutal slaughter of all 185 men ensued. These men paid the ultimate sacrifice, they laid down their lives in the fight for the independence of Texas. 

 The Ballad of the Alamo extol their bravery and their ultimate sacrifice.

   

But the Battle of the Alamo was not a wasted carnage. It delayed the Mexican advance and bought sufficient time for General Sam Houston to raise an army, eventually to defeat Santa Anna and secured the independence of Texas. Under the rallying cry 'Remember the Alamo' the Texans recognised the sacrifice of these man to establish their State.

I was 10 years old when I watched the movie but two scenes made an indelible mark on me. Somehow each scene allowed me to draw lessons of values and virtues which I could apply when I became a Christian several years later. 

The first scene was when LTC Travis drew a line on the sand of the old fort with his sabre having realised the foregone conclusion of the battle. He asked any person wanting to withdraw, escape or surrender to Mexican army, to step across that line. Not one of the 185 men walked across. They all chose to stay at fight even though they knew it was going to be certain death for them.

Centuries earlier another commander, Joshua had thrown down the same challenge. Joshua challenged the Israelites,

 'But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve... But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.' Joshua 24:15

Like that line in the sand, it was a pivotal choice to make. The Israelites like the Texans made the right choice, they replied Joshua "Be it far from us to forsake the Lord to serve other gods!" Joshua 24:16. 

This challenge is a fundamental choice all Christians need to make very early in their belief and conversion. There is no turning back.

The second scene was the closing sequence of the movie. Mrs Sue Dickinson, wife of the artillery officer, placed her daughter on a donkey and slowly out of the Alamo, one of the few survivors. As mother and daughter passed by the slain men strewn on the grounds of the Alamo, the soldiers of Santa Anna's army stood up and saluted. It was a very sad yet poignant moment. A lovely song the  'Green Leaves of Summer' sung by the Brothers Four played in the background recounting precious moments of life including the time to die.

A time to be reaping

A time to be sowing

A time just for living

A place for to die

Twas so good to be young then

To be close to the earth

Now the green leaves of summer

Are calling me home

It was the time of men laying down their lives so that others may live. Jesus Christ also spoke of this ultimate sacrifice,

'Greater love has no one more than this: to lay down his life for his brother.' John 15:13

The sacrifice at the Alamo is relevant but Jesus Christ was speaking about an even greater love, an even greater sacrifice - His sacrifice on the cross at Calvary. Because of His great love for all men, Jesus suffered a gruesome death to pay for the sins of men. Jesus laid down his life to save us from our sins - the ultimate sacrifice. Jesus died so that we can live - The Greatest Love.

'Jesus is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.     This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son (Jesus) as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.' 1 John 2:2 and 1 John 4:10

Christianity is born of the sacrifice and the blood of Jesus Christ.

In 1993, Pat and I visited The Alamo. We went not as tourists; it was more like a pilgrimage to honour the 185 men, to think of their sacrifice and to stand silently where they were slain. It was evening and the sun was setting as it was when Travis drew that line in the sand. 

In that serenity, we made a silent family prayer and rededicated our lives - 'As For Me And My House We Will Serve The Lord.'

Lionel

   

 

La Vie En Rose

'The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.' Psalms 34:18

This is a beautiful love song. La Vie En Rose literally means life in pink. It can be  translated as life in rosy hues and or life seen through happy lenses. I was drawn to its tune and lyrics but even more so to the French singer and composer of this song, Édith Piaf. 

Her life was very tragic. Edith was called la môme, the orphan sparrow, reflecting her difficult childhood of extreme poverty. Her mother, a café singer, abandoned her at birth, and she was taken in by her grandmother, who brought up the young girl in a brothel. Piaf became blind at age three, a complication of meningitis, but recovered her sight four years later. A few years after that she joined her father, a circus acrobat, accompanied him wherever he performed and sang in the streets of Paris eking a meagre living. 

Later in life Edith Piaf was involved in several serious car accidents. She suffered from failing health, due partly, to alcohol and drug abuse. She died young, aged  47 years, from lung cancer. 

Her death was mourned internationally and in France, thousands lined the route of her funeral procession. She was able to move audiences with her passionate rendition of songs of love and loss with her unadorned but unique sultry voice. 

Edith Piaf led a tragic life, yet this song of life seen in happy hues gave no hint of her unfortunate circumstances. Furthermore, this song was composed by her in the final years of World War 2. It was a statement refusing to acknowledge the ravages of war but instead expressing a hope for a better age. No wonder this song is far more than a hit; it is honoured by some as the unofficial national anthem of the French. 

Hold me close and hold me fast

The magic spell you cast

This is la vie en rose

When you kiss me heaven sighs

And though I close my eyes

I see la vie en rose

When you press me to your heart

I'm in a world apart

A world where roses bloom

And when you speak

Angels sing from above

Everyday words seem

To turn into love songs

Give your heart and soul to me

And life will always be

La vie en rose

This song, its lyrics and the circumstances surrounding its composition, reminds us that life can be lived optimistically in spite of difficulties and tragedies. Such an attitude can help us through the most difficult times. Indeed it can help us journey the tough times of the Covid-19 pandemic. In the same way, St Paul wrote to encourage Christians:

'We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.'

2 Corinthians 4:8,9. 

Similarly, King David was pursued relentlessly twice in his lifetime, at first by King Saul and then by his own son, Absalom. He wrote many Psalms of his plight but he never buckled under his circumstances; he always hoped in God to deliver him from his enemies.

'Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord'.' Psalm 31:24

'For You have been my hope, Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth.' Psalm 71:5

Why, my soul are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Saviour and my God.'  Psalms 42:5

Instead of being downcast we can remain optimistic through bleak times. Remember the old Sunday School Song? 

Have faith hope and charity

That's the way to live successfully

How do I know?

The Bible tells me so.

Life is not always a bed of roses but it should always be seen through rosy hues, La Vie En Rose!

Lionel

Try A Little Kindness

'Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgive you.' Colossians 3:12-13

My friend, Dr William Wan, pastor, theologian, lawyer is the General Secretary of the Singapore Kindness Movement. This movement was formed in 1997 with the aim of encouraging daily acts of kindness. It was felt that it is timely to invest some effort to promote kindness so as to achieve a more gracious Singaporean society. Probably the Singapore government realised that in an urban and fast-living environment, there is not much time nor attention left to care about anyone else other than oneself. 

But kindness has its rewards. Remember your childhood Aesop Fable of the Lion and the Mouse? 

A timid mouse chanced upon a lion sleeping in the forest. It ran across the lion's nose hoping to cross the lion but woke the sleeping beast instead. Woken up from his nap, the angry lion caught the mouse by its tail. The mouse begged for mercy stating that if it was spared it will repay the kindness someday. The lion, amused that a little mouse could ever help the king of the beasts, nevertheless felt kind and let the little mouse go.

Some days later the lion was caught in the coils of a poacher's net. Unable to break himself free, he roared ferociously to no avail. Realising that the lion was in distress the tiny mouse ran to his aid. Looking at the net that entrapped the lion, the mouse started to gnaw at the coils. Eventually the ropes burst and the lion was set free. 

The lesson from Aesop was  'No Act of Kindness No Matter How Small is Wasted' and many a parent taught her children kindness by reading this story to them.

It is strange to think that kindness can be taught. Why feature a kindness movement in a successful and prosperous city like Singapore? Should we think that teaching kindness is only meant for children?  That these little things and acts do not matter for adults? Adults can easily skip the small acts of kindness as  we aspire to so more significant deeds. Unfortunately we will miss this Sesame Street lesson - 'If you try a little kindness, you'll be surprised how good it makes you feel'.  

When William took on a leadership role in the Singapore Kindness Movement I was surprised. After so many years in Christian ministry in very exacting leadership positions, why take on a namby-pamby job promoting kindness? Then I realised that kindness is the anchor act of Christian love. How would we love our neighbour as God commanded us if not to show kindness? 

Loving one's neighbour is not just a sentimental response. It is the practical giving of one's self and its shows the love we have for others. In Matthew 25:34-36 Jesus said that acts of kindness will be the evidence of our Christianity,

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat,

I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink,

I was a stranger and you invited me in,

I needed clothes and you clothed me,

I was sick and you looked after me,

I was in prison and you came to visit me. 

And so, my good friend William got it right. If you want to be a good Christian, try a little kindness.

If you see your brother standing by the road

With a heavy load from the seeds he sowed
And if you see your sister falling by the way
Just stop and say, "You're going the wrong way"

You've got to try a little kindness
Yes, show a little kindness
Just shine your light for everyone to see
And if you try a little kindness
Then you'll overlook the blindness
Of narrow-minded people on the narrow-minded streets

Don't walk around the down and out
Lend a helping hand instead of doubt
And the kindness that you show every day
Will help someone along their way

In the same way John Wesley taught his followers, the Methodists to do good deeds, in an almost feverish pitch:

Do all the good you can,
By all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can,
At all the times you can,
To all the people you can,
As long as ever you can.

Lionel