A friend of mine was lamenting at the fleeting moment of the beautiful setting sun. A moment of glorious terrestrial wonder gone very quickly, and we entered the dark night. Another friend wisely added that we should not lament on such but to be thankful for the chance to see such a wonderful sight. Just like the saying goes: “Don’t be sad that it is gone but rejoice that it happened.”

Many of us fail to enjoy the presence of our loved ones when they are around. Some even spent the entire time complaining about them. All these will continue until the day someone passes away. Then all the ‘missing them’ and regrets start to flow. Is that how we want to go through life in an endless cycle of grumpy comments and regrets?

I am sure we do not want to. We want to be able to enjoy all the moments of goodness and beauty. Well, we must learn to appreciate the times of difficulties. They are what make us stronger and grateful for the good times. Of course, may the Lord be kind to us to meet with more good times than bad.

We live in an evil world. Many things are not as clear cut as before. What seems to be a malevolent act may yet be a malicious one. Evil has learned to disguise itself better in a materialistic world obsessed with pleasure for self. Dying to self and treating others as more significant would be a rare commodity today. Yet it is what we should be doing.

We speak of how we follow Christ; how much we love Him and wants to be like our Lord. Well, words are all we have. To put them into action seems like a fool’s doing.

Brothers and sisters, do not be too sure that many will meet again in heaven. There are many pitfalls in the journey of faith, and we have to be aware of them. Do not gain what is temporary in this world and lose what is eternal in the world to come. Live and live well. May we all have a sure reunion date in heaven.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

我的朋友为着即将流逝灿烂辉煌的日落而失落伤感。天际间荣耀光辉瞬间消失，我们就进入黑暗的夜晚。另一个朋友启发性说道我们不应该为此伤感相反的应当感激能有此机会观看到如此绚烂的景色。正如俗话说，“不要为着流逝的伤心，而是为着所发生的雀跃。”

很多人失败於与跟所爱的人在一起享受的时刻。甚至一些用尽在一起的时间彼此抱怨。这会持续直到当有人离世。之后所有的“念想”和懊悔开始发酵。这是我们要在无止境的乖戾批评和悔痛的循环中如此度过一生吗？

我十分肯定这不是我们所要的。我们要好好的享受生命中美善的时刻。是的，我们要欣赏困难时光。它们使我们更加坚强，让我们在对美好的时刻心存感激。当然，愿主怜悯我们使我们有更多的美好时刻多过於不好的。

我们是活在邪恶的世界里。很多东西不如从前那样清晰明了。那些看似恶意的举动很有可能是存有恶意的。邪恶可以更好地乔装在沉迷于物欲泛滥对己所带来快乐里。舍己和对待别人更重要已属罕见。这应是我们当尽之责。

我们谈我们应当如何跟随基督，我们有多爱祂以及要学像我们的主。很好，这尽在我们所说的话里。将其实践看似很愚蠢的。

弟兄姐妹，不要以为理所当然我们会在天堂相见。在信仰的旅程中有许多的陷阱，我们要对它们警觉。不要获取在世界中那短暂的而失去了来世的永恒。好好地活并活好。愿我们对天上团聚的约会有十分把握。

111上帝赐福,
在基督里服事的,

Barry Leong
（林忠彬翻译）

I was at a wedding recently at a newly renovated church. As I came out of the carpark and headed towards the sanctuary, I saw another guest on the way there also. She was wearing torn and tattered jeans with a spaghetti striped t-shirt. For a while, I thought that she was just a tourist visiting the place. Then I saw her among the guests in the sanctuary. I am not judging but definitely no fan for her fashion sense nor propriety. I know this is a ‘fashion’ statement for some but really something not for me. Well, to each his own. Also to me it is gross disrespect to the couple getting married that day. If you are really poor and that is the best you have, then I apologize.

Following the West in such ‘torn and tattered’ look is really something ridiculous. Torn jeans came about because they were not able to buy new ones. You will never see a well-to-do in the west wearing one unless they are out to ‘advertise’ themselves. So, such dressings do tell of a cheapening of oneself. I really do not encourage anyone to wear them unless for some really dirty and manual work. There really is a time for everything.

Scripture does tell us of a great banquet where all the guests are expected to be attend the wedding in wedding garment. These people were not appropriately dressed and were thrown out. Let that be a warning to us to be ‘wearing correctly.’

Of course, the wedding garment referred to here is the righteousness that we should have. It can only be achieved by putting on the righteousness of Jesus Christ. Without which we are not allowed into heaven because we are just not worthy. Our sins need to be washed away and a new “garment” put on us.

Brothers and sisters, do not follow the ways of the world. Even worse is that it is followed blindly. Follow the way of life, put on the righteousness of Jesus Christ and live a good life.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

最近我参加了一场在刚装修好的教堂的婚礼。从停车场走向圣堂的时候，我看到一个宾客也走向圣堂。她穿着破烂和皱皱的牛仔裤以及细吊带的T恤。我以为她只是来这里观光的旅客。之后我看到她也是在圣堂众多宾客之中。我不是在论断，然而，我不单完全对她的穿着的品味无法苟合，也认为那是不合乎礼数。我知道对其他的人来说那是时尚潮流，但是，这实在不适合我。罢了，各有品各的品味。我也觉得这极不尊重那天结婚的新人。如果你是穷到这是你最好的，那我愿意在此道歉。

跟随西方“破烂和皱皱”的风格实在是荒谬的。破烂的牛仔裤问世乃是因为他们无力购买新的。你在西方永远不会看到有钱人如此穿着，除非他们为此打广告。这样看来，如此的穿着只是告诉你是在贬低自己。除了干些脏活和手活，我实在不鼓励你们这样子穿。万事都有其时。

圣经告诉我们有一场的大宴席和所有被请的宾客都要穿着婚礼的礼服。那些没有穿着礼服的被丢在外。让这一个成为我们的穿着要“合乎礼仪”的警告。

当然，礼服乃是指着我们身上的义。这只有披戴耶稣基督的义才得以实现。若没有基督的义我们无法进入天堂因为我们不配得。我们身上的罪需要被洁净，然后，穿上新的“袍”。

弟兄姐妹，我们不要跟随世道。更糟糕的是你盲目的跟随。跟随生命之道，披戴耶稣基督的公义，过一个丰盛的生活。

上帝赐福,
在基督里服事的,

Barry Leong
(林忠彬翻译）

On the way to the MRT station, I will pass by several ATMs from different banks. The difference this time was that several of them had very long queues. Upon closer looking, I realized that they were there to get new notes for CNY. The other ATMs have no queue. The banks had to deploy staff to make sure that the withdrawal of new notes was done orderly.

I could understand the need to exchange for new notes in the past. Those were the days when money was literally “dirty.” Singapore was not that prosperous, and the notes circulating were dirty and tattered. So, when CNY comes about, there was always a rush to exchange for new notes. After all, the Chinese believes that a new year will have a new hope.

I cannot understand the need for it today. The notes we used today are relatively new and clean. Nobody will begrudge anyone for using them for new year angpows. In fact, the government encourages people to use such notes. Printing new notes does cost quite a sum of additional cost to the nation.

Old habits die hard. Once a habit is formed, it is very difficult to change. In fact, you will be ridiculed when you try to be different. That is even if you are really the one doing the right thing. No one likes to be told and proven wrong, especially in the ‘traditions’ that they hold so dear without knowledge of why.

How about us in the matter of our Christian life? Are we living in some ‘bondages’ that we cannot get out of because they were there in the beginning and shall be forever? There was a time having the piano in the church was taboo. Then, it was the drums. Now they are common place and should have. But these are over many painful arguments and breakups in churches. Do we really have to go through all these because people refuse to adapt and change that which is not essential?

Brothers and sisters, hold on to what is important and change what needs to be replaced. Time and tide demand that we move on from obsolete practices, like new notes in CNY. After all, a fifty-dollar note is equally good whether it is new or not so new.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

我在前往地铁站的路途中会经过几家银行的提款机。这一次与往常的不一样是其中几个排了很长的人龙。靠近一看，我方知他们为了农历新年而提取新钞。其他提款机门可罗雀。银行必须让职员站岗使提取新钞得以有序的进行。

我可以明白过去换新钞是必须的。那时候现钞真的是名副其实的“肮脏”。新加坡曾经不是那么繁荣而在市面上流通的现钞既肮脏又皱皱的。因此，当农历新年的来到，人们是曾经是迫不及待地换新钞。毕竟，华人相信新年有新希望。

我不明白至今还是有这样的需要。今天我们所使用的现钞相对地来说是新兼干净的。没有人会因为别人把它作为红包钱而抱怨。其实，政府是鼓励人们使用这些的现钞。印新钞真的会加重了国家一笔相当大的成本。

旧有的习惯难改。一旦一个习惯成形，它会很难改变。其实，当你尝试与人不同的时候，你会被人嘲笑。这就算是你是在做正确事的人。没有人喜欢被人告知或证实是错的，特别是仍然紧紧守护在所谓的不知所以然的“传统”中。

在我们的基督徒的生命又是如何呢？我们是否活在一些无法摆脱的“捆绑”中因为一开始就已经在那里并永远的存在？有一段时间教堂里摆设钢琴是禁忌。之后是鼓。现在它们已经是常见和必须的。但是，这是经过了许多的痛苦的争论和教会的分裂所带来的结果。我们真的需要经过这些只因为人们拒绝适应和改变那些不是根本性的东西吗？

弟兄姐妹，守住什么是重要的以及改变那些需要被取代的。时间和潮流要求我们在向前走的时候放弃旧有的做法，好像农历新年的新钞。毕竟，无论是新的或不是太新的五十元现钞都是一样的好。

上帝赐福,
在基督里服事的,

Barry Leong
（林忠彬翻译

We just had our first combined prayer meeting on 26^th January 2024. It was a wonderful meeting to discern the Lord’s will for SJCp henceforth. As mentioned during the meeting, SJCp belongs to all the members in the church and not the vicar, the PCC or the pastoral team. Therefore, the discerning must be done by the entire church or those willing to come together to pray for the church.

While preparing for the meeting, the Lord impressed to me to share from Joshua 5:13-15. On the verge of the conquest of Canaan, Joshua was praying and the Lord appeared to him. His strategy of the conquest of Canaan was to follow all that God told him to do. The first of which was to be strong and courageous.

Indeed, we need to be strong and courageous. To walk by faith that the Lord leads us, we need to be fearless. That is because the Lord’s way is not the way of the world. Does the battle of Jericho looked anything like the way people should fight a war. The enemies probably laughed their heads off at the ridiculous way of Joshua’s troop marching around. But marched around they did, shouted they did and won the battle they did. The way of God is not the ways of the world. The world looks for profit and what’s in it for me. The Lord looks at how to benefit others. The existence of the church is to do the will of God, to love others. To share with them that they, too, will not be in need. To reach out even before they can ask for help. To truly live out the love of Christ. To do this will need us to truly live by faith. IF we are always looking at the problems, or perceived problems, then we will be paralyzed to be of any use to the Lord. So, what reason is there for the Lord to continue to bless us? Are we not blessed to be a blessing?

Brothers and sisters, living by faith will need us to do things away from the norms of the world, especially in the area of ‘give us today our daily bread.’ The way of the Lord needs us to be strong and courageous.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

我们刚在2024年正月26日举行了第一次的联合祷告会。这实在一个极美好的聚会来辨识主对圣约翰堂前面路的心意。正如在聚会中所说的，圣约翰堂是属于教会所有的肢体，而不是属于牧正，执事会或是教牧团队的。如是，这应当由全体的教会或是那些愿意聚集在一起同心为教会祷告的来辨识。

当为聚会准备的时候，主定意要我分享约书亚记5:13-15. 当对迦南地征伐之际，主向正在祷告的约书亚显现。他对征伐迦南地的战略乃是跟从主神对他所说的。首当其要的是刚强壮胆。

是的，我们需要刚强壮胆。走在主引领的信心之路，我们需要无畏惧。这是因为主的道不是世界之道。耶利哥之役岂是像人们争战那样。仇敌可能对约书亚的军旅以可笑的行军方式嗤之以鼻。但是，如他们环111绕行军，如他们呼喊，如他们得胜战役。上帝行事之道迥异于世界。世界以利益为至上以及我可以在其中捞到什么好处。主却是要使别来得祝福。教会的存在乃是行出上帝的旨意，爱人。与人分享，使人们也不缺乏。我们可以在人们还没有寻求帮助之先就伸出援助之手。真实的活出基督的爱。为实践此需要我们凭信心而活。如果我们只单单关注问题，或察觉问题，我们将会瘫痪以致主无法使用我们。这样，还有什么原因促使主继续的来祝福我们？我们岂不是被祝福成为别人的祝福吗？

弟兄姐妹，凭信心而活需要我们不跟随这一个世界行事的方程式，特别是在“赐给我们日用的饮食”上。主乃是要我们刚强壮胆。

上帝赐福,
在基督里服事的,

Barry Leong

眼看四方●耳听八面

自己的担子自己挑（箴言 22:6）

我在书局里的架子前挑选文具，突然从身后传来碰撞声，随即身后的架子就有物件掉到地上了。我转头一看，一个六、七岁的小男孩正好跑过。他边跑边看了看地上的物件，再瞄了我一眼就继续跑开了。正当我准备把他“请”回来，他的妈妈在架子的尾端出现了。她看看地上的物件和站在一旁的我，就转头温和地对小男孩说：“回来！你是不是把东西撞倒了？”。小男孩走到妈妈面前，轻轻的点了点头。妈妈接着很温柔却很坚定的对孩子说：“既然是你撞倒的，怎么不先把东西捡起来？”。这时候，小男孩挨近妈妈身边，捉住妈妈的手，轻声地说：“你去捡。”我一听，有点失望，于是趋前准备拾起地上的物件。怎料，与此同时我听见妈妈对他说：“是你自己撞倒的东西，为什么是我去捡呢？应该是你自己捡啊！”

可是太迟了，我已经“顺手”把物件捡起来放回原位了。其实，我有点后悔。年轻的妈妈看见我已经把物件放回原位了，就转头对孩子说：“看吧，阿姨帮你把东西放回去了，你该怎么作呢？”小男孩转过头来，虽然害羞却很真诚的对我说了很的一句“谢谢”。我微笑着对他点点头，也转过头去给妈妈一个微笑。

我的微笑是赞赏小男孩的诚实和礼貌；但更重要的是要给这位年轻的妈妈一个肯定！这是一位有智慧的妈妈。这位妈妈首先没有袒护自己的孩子，却也没有“冤枉”孩子，而是先问清楚状况。之后她提醒孩子要去承担他的小错误（撞倒物件）所带来的后果（将物件放回原位），她很坚定孩子要学习“自己的担子自己挑”，而不是为了省下麻烦或怕孩子尴尬难堪就直接帮他“收拾残局”。这位妈妈在这件小事上，耐心等待孩子去面对他该面对的结果，并教导他负起他该负起的责任。虽然后来有一个“耐不住”的阿姨先把物件放回原位了，妈妈也要他学习向这位阿姨说“谢谢”。这是担当！这是教养！

虽然我确实“后悔”自己动作太快，“剥夺”了小男孩学习承担后果的机会，但是当我看到这位妈妈，我有信心这个小男孩能在妈妈的影响和调教下成为一位有修养、有正义、有担当的人。

以马内利！

主的使女，
秀娟

Carrying One’s Own Burden (Proverbs 22:6)

I was at a bookshop, selecting stationery from a shelf when suddenly a bang was heard from behind, followed by an object falling from a shelf behind me. I turned around and spotted a 6–7-year-old boy running past. He saw what was on the floor while running and took a quick look at me before continuing his evasion. I was about to “invite” him back when his mother emerged from that end of the shelf. She assessed what was on the floor and then turned and spoke to the child gently, “Come back! Did you knock that down?” The boy came before his mother and nodded. “Since you knocked it down, why don’t you pick it up?” The boy leaned closer to his mother, held her hand, and said softly, “You pick.” I was a little disappointed when I heard that and went ahead to pick up the object. At the same time, I heard the mother saying, “It is you who knocked something down; why should it be me to pick it up? You should do it yourself!”

But it was too late; I had “conveniently” picked it up and restored it to where it was. In fact, I regretted it a little. The young mother, seeing the item back in its place, turned to her child and said, “See, aunty has put it back for you, what should you do?” The boy turned around, sincerely though still shy, and said a clearly audible “Thank you.” I smiled and nodded to him; I turned towards his mother and smiled too.

Smiling at the boy was my way of appreciating his honesty and courtesy; more importantly, it is my appreciation toward this young mother! For here we have a wise mother. Firstly, she was neither defensive nor accusing but rather established the facts. Next, she reminded the child to be responsible for little mistakes (knocking down objects) and the consequences (restoring items back where they belong); she was determined that the child learns “carrying one’s own burdens” and avoided picking up the child’s mess just for the sake of saving the trouble or the child’s embarrassment. In small matters like these, this mother exercised patience in waiting for the child to face his consequences and taught him how to shoulder his rightful responsibilities. Though this aunty hasn’t “held back” and had already put the stuff back, his mother still required him to learn to say “thank you” to this aunty. This is responsibility! This is upbringing!

Though I really “regretted” being too quick, hence “depriving” the boy of an opportunity to face the consequence, when I look at this mother, I am confident this boy will, through his mother’s upbringing and influence, be an educated, righteous, and responsible person.

Emmanuel

His Servant Maid,
Lena
(Translated by Gan Pak Lim)

无动于衷？（马太福音 24:12）

主日上午，走进地铁车厢准备到教会，身边一起走进车厢的还有三位白发苍苍的乐龄人士。地铁里人蛮多的，三位长辈左看右看，确实没有空位能给他们坐下。他们有点摇晃地站着，我也左看右看，发现大部分的人果然都在看手机或闭目养神；有的则是双眼望着眼前的三位长辈，却无动于衷。

“多管闲事”的我有点按耐不住了，就在一排座位上盯上一个年轻人。她手里拿着手机，眼睛望着站在她面前的三位白发人却依旧坐着，继续摇着脚，开心的讲着电话… 我伸出手在她面前晃了晃，然后指着三位长辈，她站起来，让位了！但只有一个空位。其他的人依然无动于衷。既然这闲事都管上了，于是我提高声量问：“请问有没有人可以让位啊？这里有老人家！”最后，另外两位客工站起来了。三位长辈缓缓地坐下来，他们同时对我说了声“谢谢！”那一刻，我竟然感到有一点点儿莫名的难过…

虽然说在地铁及巴士上让位是新加坡人一个美好的文化，这也是很多外国朋友所公认和欣赏的。但坦白说，这不应当只是文化，这应当是一种美德，是文化和修养结合所产生的美德及好习惯！

后来我也明白了，我之所以难过是因为坐着的人虽然眼睛“看见”白发苍苍的三位长辈，他们却“无动于衷”；他们其实知道应该怎么作，也可以马上反应，但是他们却“无动于衷”；虽然他们看见有年轻的女生站起来让位，他们其实也该醒觉，也可以跟着站起来让位给长辈，但是他们仍然“无动于衷”。可怕的是，“无动于衷”很多时候是“冷淡无情”的前奏！

弟兄姐妹，求主提醒我们，能敏锐地看见并回应身边有需要的人；求主督促我们，不要睁着眼睛却看不见（或假装看不见）摆在眼前可以作的事、应该作的事；求主怜悯我们，不要让我们的心随着冷淡的世界也变得冷淡了。

以马内利！

主的使女，
秀娟

Indifferent？（Matthew 24:12）

On a Sunday morning, I boarded a train to make my way to church; along with me were three other silver-haired elderly. It was a crowded train and the three elders looked around to confirm that there was no seat available. Their stance was a little wobbly, so I helped to look around too. I observed that most passengers were engrossed with their mobile phones or were resting; while some could see the elders before them but were indifferent.

“Nosy” me could not hold it in any longer, I set my eyes on a young lady. She was on a phone call while looking at the elders before her, yet she continued to shake her legs and talk on. I stretched my hand out, waved it before her and pointed to the elders. She stood and gave her seat up. But that was just one seat, the others remained indifferent. Since I have meddled in this matter, I raised my voice to ask, “is there anyone who can give up their seats? There are elderly here!” Finally, two foreign workers stood up. The three elders sat down slowly; they turned towards me, smiled and thanked me. That moment, I felt a sense of sadness beyond description unexpectedly,

Although giving up seats on public transportation is a beautiful culture among Singaporeans, it is also something recognised worldwide. But honestly, this should not only be just a culture, but it should also be a virtue and habit that derives from the combination of culture and cultivation!

It was sometime later that I realised that my sadness came from the people who “saw” the 3 elderly but were “indifferent”; they do know what they should do and could have responded immediately, yet they were “indifferent”. Even though they saw the young lady has given up her seat, they should be aware that they can give up their seats to the rest of the elderly. But they remained “indifferent”. The frightening thing is that “indifference” tends to be the prelude to “cold-heartedness”!

Dear brothers and sisters, may God remind us to always look out and to respond to those in need; may Christ urge us not to keep our eyes open but yet can’t see (or pretend not to see) what needs to be done or could be done before us; may Lord have mercy upon us, not to allow our hearts to grow cold in this indifferent world.

His Servant Maid,
Lena
(Translated by Eunice Chang)

I was watching a documentary on the practice of human sacrifice, especially children, in the ancient world. It was gruesome and the stupidity of the practices were appalling. Superstitions and ignorance were the main causes of such practices. Ancient Israel was warned not to offer their children to Molech as per the gentiles then. Yet, they did that, and King Solomon even built temples and altars to worship Molech.

One may laugh at the notion of child sacrifices today. Well, think again. In some less developed countries children were sold off to work as prostitutes and child labour. In other, they maimed them and put them out to beg for money. Is this some form of child sacrifice?

What about the developed countries? They are too civilized to do such abominable acts, correct? No! Not exactly. It comes in other forms.

Many parents sacrifice their children for their own successes. They have no time for their children. Yes, they provide the material goods and basic living needs. But they neglect their emotional, mental and spiritual needs. Children are also sacrificed to the rat race. Many do not really care about what the child really needs or wants. They are to chase the pack and try their level best to be in front, even if it ‘kills’ them.

And many today (most people) sacrifice themselves and loved ones to the small little screen in front of them. It is not wrong if everyone is doing it right? NO! Those ‘not helpful’ stuff in our mobile phones is taking your time away from the important things in your lives. A family dinner is disrupted by family members spending their time on frivolous messaging and social media. Friends do not meet up but “communicate” via Fb, Ig, etc. Can we really say that we “know” our friends?

Do not sacrifice yourself or your family members to the ‘woes’ of today’s world. Technology is good but only to the point of being a useful servant and not the master. Remember when God created the human beings, He commanded them to be master of the world and to take care of it.

May the Lord help us have wisdom.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

我正在观赏一部古代世界以人为祭的习俗纪录片，尤其是儿童。这种恐怖及愚蠢的习俗是极其令人震惊的。迷信和无知是这些行为的主要成因。古代的以色列被警告不能像外邦人一样，将他们的孩子献予摩洛。然而，他们却作了，所罗门王甚至建造殿宇和祭坛以膜拜摩洛。

今天人们可能会嘲笑献孩童为祭的概念。但是，再想想，在一些比较落后的国家，儿童被售卖且沦为雏妓和童工；又或者造成他们残障，好让他们外出乞讨。这不正是变相的献儿童为祭吗？

那么发展中的国家又如何？他们过于文明，故而不会作出这些可恶的行为，对吗？不是！绝对不是。它是以另一种形式出现。

很多父母为自己的成功就牺牲了他们的孩子。他们没有时间陪伴孩子。是的，他们供应物质用品和基本的生活需求。但是他们却忽略了情绪、精神和属灵的需要。儿童也在老鼠赛跑中被牺牲了。很多人并没有真正关心孩子真正需要或渴望什么。他们必须在追逐的队伍中，尽最大的能力名列前茅，即使他们会被“杀害”。

今天有很多人（大部份的人）为眼前的小屏幕牺牲了自己和所爱的人。是不是每一个人都在作的事就没有错误了呢？不是！我们手机里那些“没有用处”的东西，正从你生命中重要的事物剥夺你的时间。家庭聚餐因为家庭成员都把时间花费在无聊的讯息及社交媒体而被中断了。朋友无需见面但是却能通过脸书、Instagram等等方式“沟通”。我们真的可以说我们“认识”我们的朋友吗？

不要为今天世界的“困境”而牺牲自己或你的家人。科技是好的，但前提是它要成为有用的仆人而不是主人。要谨记当上帝创造人，祂命令他们要成为世界的主人，并要管理世界。愿主帮助我们得着智慧。                                                                                                        

上帝赐福,

在基督里服事的,

Barry Leong
(林秀娟会吏翻译）

An employer briefed his employees about some work to be done. One of them totally ignored it and did nothing. Another was not paying attention to the instructions and did them diligently but wrongly. The third took his time to listen very carefully and went about doing everything meticulously. Which employee got the year-end bonus?

We enter 2024 as a year of prayer. It is not a new venture. It is a continuation of what we were supposed to do. Just that we now do it with more intent and effort. Churches nowadays face the problem of having too many voices. Many churches are managed and run using management and accounting principles of the world. Not that they are wrong. They are good. However, the context for them is different. The secular world is out to make money, the more the merrier. The church exists to benefit the people of God – in body, mind and soul. Its course will, very likely, go against the grain of the world. Meaning you may be losing money or doing something that management principles tell you exactly not to do. For example, the world wants you to go after those “high value” individuals. The Lord wants us to look for the down and out. The direction are poles apart. What do we do? Remember that we are the Lord’s people.

The church must come together to pray sincerely and humbly. Seeking the direction of God and discerning how to carry it out. It will mean that all of us must come together without prejudices, pre-conceived ideas or pretense. We need to come on our knees, humble ourselves and listen. There is no one more important than another. We are all equal before God. He will speak to all of us, not just special people.

Brothers and sisters, it is time to pray and pray hard we must. The situation in the world today will remind you of the day coming to an end. Let the last part of the race be run well. Do not lose out at this very end. May the Lord be with us all.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

一位雇主正在指示他的员工一些该作的事。其中一位完全不理会也什么事都不做。另外一位心不在焉的听，虽然勤奋的作却犯了错误。第三位用时间小心聆听并一丝不苟的把所有的事都办妥了。哪一位员工会会得到年终花红呢？

我们步入2024年将为祷告年。这不是一个新的尝试，而是延续我们该作的事，只是我们现在是更加刻意且用心的去作。今天的教会所面对的一个问题就是声音太多。许多教会是以世界的管理及会计原则来经营和运作。这些并不是错误的，它们都是好的，然而，它们的处境并不一样。世俗的世界是为了赚取金钱，且越多越好。教会的存在是为了上帝子民的益处——在身体、思想和灵魂。这个过程很可能会与世界的觅食之法相抵触。意思是你或许会丧失金钱或作一些管理原则告诉你不可行的事。例如，世界要你去追随那些“高价位”的人，主却要我们寻找卑微和被遗忘的人。这两个方向是背道而驰的。我们会怎么作呢？请记得我们是主的子民。

教会必须一起来虔诚及谦卑的祷告，寻求上帝的方向并辨明该如何去执行。这意味着所有的人必须放下成见、先入为主的想法和伪装，一同前来。我们需要跪下，谦卑自己并聆听。没有一个人比其他人更重要。我们在上帝面前都是平等的。祂会对我们所有的人说话，而不只是一些特定的人。

弟兄姐妹，是时候祷告并要殷勤的祷告。今天世界的局势会提醒你末日快要来到。让我们好好跑完最后一段的赛程，不要在最后的时刻挫败了。愿主与我们所有的人同在。

上帝赐福,
在基督里服事的,

Barry Leong
（林秀娟会吏翻译）

Time flies, another year is coming to an end. A new year is dawning. There will be some who rejoice for a new beginning, while others regretting over lost opportunities. Whichever side you are in, the truth is that it is too late to do anymore to salvage or increase. The only way to look forward and make the necessary adjustments.

Life is never about standing still. It moves on like the earth rotates on its axis whether you like it or not. Just to be sure, the world does not rotate around you or your fancies. It moves without regards of anybody. So, we have to be the one to move with the passage of time.

I know many people say that making new year resolutions is a waste of time and effort. Most do not keep them anyway. Well, most. How about you keeping them? Do not worry if other people keep it or not. It is your own life that matter to you. If they want to spend their time on a little screen escaping from reality, then it is their choice. There was a time when I was saddened and irritated when I see people (especially church members) wasting their time on their mobile phones, social media and so forth. One day, I asked myself, “I can warn them but their lives are theirs to live.” I found my peace that day. If they want to waste theirs, that is their choice to make. As for me, I will “Seize the Day.” That’s my choice.

God in His great mercy had given all of us a lifespan on this earth. It is not too long that we have to suffer the ills of this earth for too long. It is not too short that we may not enjoy anything while here. The time, however limited, can be put to good use. Spend the time with family (without the phone), enjoy the creation and create something for yourself too.

As we come to the end of the year, let us sit back and reflect a little. Don’t be sad of opportunities lost. Don’t be too happy with successes. They had gone by already. It is almost time for a new challenge. Be ready and face up to the new task(s) at hand. Live a fulfilled and exciting life. Don’t live the life of others via a screen. That’s their life not yours. Your life is precious. Happy New Year!

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

时光如梭，又一个年到了尽头。新的一年暮临。有一些人为着新的开始而雀跃，有些人为着流逝的机会而懊悔。不管你是属于哪一边，真相是这已经是太迟做任何的抢救或提升。唯一可以做的是向前看以及做出必要的调正。

生命不是止静如水。不管你喜欢还是不喜欢，它如地球在其轨道上不停的转动。你要晓得，世界不是围绕你转动或来实现你的幻想。它完全不理会任何一个人而不停的转动。如此，我们必须是那一位与时并进的人。

我知道很多人说拟定新年计划是浪费时间和精力。不管如此，大多数人已经不再这样做了。是的，大多数。你可否继续的留住它呢？不要在意如果有人留住它或不留住它。这对你的生命是多么的重要。如果他们为了逃避现实而将时间用在一个小荧幕的面前，这是他们的抉择。有一段时间我看到人（特别是教会的会友）将时间浪费在手机，社交媒体等等而感到伤心和恼怒。有一天，我问自己，“我可以提醒他们，但是，他们过的生活是他们的。”那天我感到十分平安。如果他们浪费，那是他们作的决定。对我来说，我会抢占每一天。这是我的抉择。

上帝在祂的大怜悯赐给我们在世的年岁。不会太久我们将会从这一个已经病入膏肓许久的地球受苦难。我们可以在这里享受的时间不会太短。但时间有其限制，可以善用之。用多点时间来陪伴家人（不要有手机），享受自然的创造物和也为自己创作一些什么东西。

我们已经来到了一年的尽头，让我们坐下来和作些许的反思。不要因为失去机会而伤心。也不要为着成功而过度高兴。它们都已经过去了。这是时候面对新的挑战。准备好和面对手中新的任务。过一个丰满和兴奋的生命。不要透过小荧幕过别人的生活。这是他们的，不是你的。你的生命是宝贵的。新年蒙恩！

上帝赐福,
在基督里服事的,

Barry Leong

Recently, rats falling on to the plates of customers in a restaurant hogged some conversations. “How can a well-known restaurant have rats running around,” said one of my friends. Well, the investigation showed that they had not cleared out the garbage on time. When there is garbage, there will be rats and other undesirable insects and creepy crawlies. This is a fact.

For many people, they do not have garbage in their houses. However, they have plenty of rubbish in their hearts. All this rubbish brought about diseases, aches and pains in their lives. They also age faster than other people. Many will attribute these diseases to other causes. But I would like to commend to you that hurts and grievances in the heart that are not dealt with can cause very serious diseases, for example cancer or strokes.

Some people will go for therapies or counselling for a very long time in their lives and not being helped. Others merely gave up. These are not answers to the problem of the heart.

I would also commend to you that the answer is Jesus Christ. Give it all to Jesus, empty the hurts and grievances to Him. There is no other way, Jesus is the only solution. After we empty the garbage to Jesus (yes, He is willing to take the bad things from our lives), let the heart be filled with the Love of God. Jesus said, “Come unto me all who are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest.” He will fill us with love, joy and peace. Our lives will no longer be the same again.

A joyful heart is the best medicine. And the only way to have true joy is to trust and believe in Jesus. There is no other way but to believe and trust in the one true God – Jesus Christ.

Brothers and sisters, during this season of Christmas, let us remember that Jesus came that we may have abundant life and love. He will turn our mourning into dancing, our sadness to joy. Do not be dazzled by the lights of this world but be captured by the true light of the world.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

最近因为老鼠掉落在一间餐馆顾客的盘子里霸占了舆论的焦点。我其中一个的朋友说，“这怎么可能一间如此响叮当的餐馆会有老鼠乱窜。”结果，经过调查之后发现是因为他们没有及时清理垃圾。当哪里有垃圾，那里就有老鼠和一些令人讨厌和毛骨悚然的爬虫类。这是一件的事实。

这对许多人来说，他们的住处没有垃圾。但是，他们心中却是有许多的垃圾。这些的垃圾带来了生命中形形色色的疾病和楚痛。他们也会比别人更快地苍老。很多人会将这些疾病归咎于其他的原因。可是我要严谨对你说，若不处理心中的伤害和忧伤，将会导致如癌症抑或中风严重的疾病。

一些人的生命经过了一段长期寻求治疗或辅导并没有任何的起色。有的人断然的放弃。这不是心中问题的答案。

让我对你说这一个答案就是耶稣基督。你将一切给耶稣，一切的伤害和忧伤完全倾倒在祂的身上。这别无他路，耶稣是唯一的解答。我们向耶稣倾倒垃圾之后（是的，祂愿意接受从我们生命中一切的不好东西），让我们的心被主的爱所充满。耶稣说，“凡劳苦担重担的人，可以到我这里来，我就使你们得享安息。”祂用爱，喜乐和平安充满我们。我们的生命将会是不一样的。

喜乐的心是最好的良药。信靠和相信耶稣是得着这喜乐唯一的途径。除了相信和信靠这一位真神—耶稣以外，别无他法。

弟兄姐妹，在这一个圣诞的季节，让我们纪念耶稣来乃是使我们有丰盛的生命和爱。祂会将我们的哭泣转为跳舞，伤心转为喜乐。我们不要被这一个五光十色的世界所迷惑，而是被世界的真光所吸引。

上帝赐福,
在基督里服事的,

Barry Leong

In a recent trip overseas, I saw the 3D presentation of a massive waterfall in Terminal 2 of Changi airport. It was awesome in its realism. Without the door underneath it, no one would have guessed that it was just a moving image. So, the saying is true, you cannot believe your eyes.

We are in a world now that we cannot believe everything we see or hear. There was a time when photo evidences or audio recording are indisputable. Now it is not so. They can be fake, deep fake. How can we be sure anymore? We can’t and therefore the society becomes suspicious of everything. All of us will become increasingly isolated for fear of being scammed or harmed. What kind of world are we heading to?

Well, the bible tells us so. We are to hold on to the faith passed down. Do not go around seeking ‘new’ things, latest fad. Live a good moral life. Follow the teachings in the bible and do not be anxious. Trust in the Lord.

The problem with us is that we are too ‘curious’ for our own good. Jesus told us that nobody knows the time of His second coming, not even the Son of God. Yet, here we are trying to speculate. Is it even necessary. Or is it an excuse not to live the life of following God regardless?

Yes, we were told to watch out for indications. However, it is not to watch out for watch out sake. Not to become excited or to throw caution to the winds. Like those in the early church who proclaim that Christ was coming again, stopped work and laze around. The apostles rebuked such with great force. We, today, must not end up doing similar things.

Yes, we are happy that Christ is returning. But we better be sure that we are living lives that are worthy of the gospel. Let us not be complacent to think that we are safe because of teachings that say that you are ‘once saved always saved.’ Those teachings come from preachers who are interested in your resources, not your well-being.

Brothers and sisters, live well and prosper. Christ is definitely coming again, but till then stay dressed and prepare for action.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

在最近的一次海外行程，我在樟宜机场第二搭客大厅看见了3D演示的巨大瀑布。它的真实度真是太令人惊叹了。若不是底下的一道门，没有人会猜到这只是移动的影像。所以，俗语所说是真的，你不能相信你的眼睛。

我们现在正处在一个我们不能完全相信一切所见所闻的世界。曾几何时，照片证据或影像记录都是无可争辩的，现在却不是了。他们可以假造，精密的假造。我们如何可以再确信？我们不能，所以今天的社会已经对凡事都心存怀疑。我们所有的人将会因为害怕被欺骗或受伤害而越来越孤立。我们正进入什么样的世界？

是的，圣经是这样告诉我们的。我们要持守所传达下来的信仰。不要四处寻找“新的”事物、最新时尚。活出美好的道德生活，跟随圣经里的教导并且不要焦虑。要信靠主。

我们的问题是，对自己的利益太“好奇”了。耶稣告诉我们，没有人会知道祂再来的日子，连神子也不知道。然而，我们却在此尝试推测。这有必要吗？或者这只是不愿意不计一切跟随上帝的藉口？

是的，我们被告知要观察豫兆，然而，也不是为观望而观望。不要过于激动或将谨慎抛于脑后。就如当年在初期教会里那些宣告基督要再来的人，他们停止工作，懒散度日，使徒是极力的斥责这样的人。今天，我们必须结束作类似的事。

是的，我们很高兴基督要再来。但是我们最好也确定我们所活出的生命是与福音相称的。让我们不要因为有些教导说“一次得救就永远得救”，就自满的以为我们是安全的。这些教导是来自那些只对你的资源而不是福利有兴趣的传道者。

弟兄姐妹，要活得美好和强盛。基督一定会再来，但现在要开始装备妥当，准备行动。

上帝赐福,
在基督里服事的,

Barry Leong
（林秀娟会吏翻译）

A middle-aged woman was having a video call with her daughter. After some casuals talk the daughter asked the mother to transfer money to her. Then she went on a series of affectionate language, which made the mother very happy. The mother went to the computer to begin the process of transferring money. Just before she confirmed the transfer, the doorbell sounded. She went to open the door and was shocked to see her daughter back from overseas early to surprise the mother. The video call with her daughter was still on. She was shocked. Then the public service message came out to warn people to be beware of AI scammers. That was a public service advertisement, but it spoke of the dangers today.

We are approaching a time where we must be careful with our resources. When the banks made it easy for you to handle your money, they also made it easy for you to lose it all. There was a time when a thief could only take so much from you. Now they can wipe you out in minutes.

What we need to be aware of is the deception out there with regards to our faith. Don’t think that we cannot be fooled. We definitely can be fooled. The bible tells us that if God had not cut short the days, all of us will be lost. So, we can be lied to and yes, we will likely believe it.

We must do everything to safeguard our faith. Do not take it for granted. The devil wants us to take it easy and be complacent. That’s when we are most vulnerable. Be aware. stand firm and resist the devil.

Know your own faith in a deep and meaningful way. Stay in an orthodox church and be earnest to learn about the faith, intellectually and spiritually. Join the fellowship groups, cell, or ministry groups. We must never think that we can be lone rangers in our walk with God. Together is the way to travel in this spiritual journey. Work it out, love one another and hold fast to Jesus. Then and only then we will have a fighting chance.

Brothers and sisters, let us be aware, be ready for action. The time will come when it is difficult to be a Christian living out his faith.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

一位中年妇女正在与她的女儿视频。他们嘘寒问暖之后，女儿要母亲转账给她。女儿用百般的甜言蜜语来讨母亲的欢喜。母亲就来到了电脑面前开始了转账的程序。在她确认转账之前，门铃响了。她就去开门。令她惊讶的是女儿为了给妈妈一个惊喜，提前从国外回来。她与女儿的视频还在持续中。她十分的吃惊。之后，她收到了一份来自公共服务的短信，要人们提防人工智能的诈骗。这是公共服务的一个广告，但是它却是讲述了今天的陷阱。

我们已经来到了一个要我们谨慎我们一切资源的时代。当银行为了方便我们而简化了处理金钱事务的程序，这也会让我们容易失去它们。过去贼只能从你那里窃取那样多。现在他们却可以在一分钟里将你所有掏空。

我们要提防的是外面对我们信仰的欺骗。不要以为我们不会被欺骗。我们铁定会被欺骗的。圣经告诉我们若不是上帝缩短那些日子，我们总没有一个得救。这样，要嘛我们不是被欺骗，要嘛我们就相信。

我们要为自己的信仰做好一切的防备。不要以理所当然的态度来面对。魔鬼要我们轻看信仰并感到满足。这是我们最软弱的时候。应当小心，要站立得稳来抵挡那恶者。

你要对你的信仰有深度和意义的认识。你要在一间正统的教会里以理智和在灵性上认真的学习真道。你要参加团契、小组或服事的团队。我们不要以为自己可以单独与神同行。在灵性的路上是要与其他人同行。我们要行道，彼此相爱和对耶稣的坚守。这样，只有在这之后我们有争战的机会。

弟兄姐妹，让我们谨慎，准备行道。基督徒艰难行道的那日子将会来到。

上帝赐福,
在基督里服事的,

Barry Leong

It was a clear and beautiful sea. The surface is calm and tranquil. It looks like the perfect place for a little dip in the water. Well, for the naval officers who know, that place is famous for very strong under-current. It can be so strong that one can be swept into deep territories before realizing it. By then it will be too late to try to get back to shore. The ability to swim against the tide is beyond normal human strength.

We all love a rosy picture. As long as things are going well, we do not want to touch or change it. Sometimes we just want to bask in the sunshine there, not wanting to move forward. That is a very human response. However, we must know that the sky is not always blue and good things do not last forever. We must be prepared for eventuality. Also, we should be aware of any hidden dangers lurking in the dark.

To be aware of such things and not be a wet blanket with regards to many things, we need wisdom from on high. The church must come together to pray and discern the needs for the church. We cannot take prayer lightly. There is the urgency to pray and pray hard. Individually, we must pray for the church not just our personal needs. We are one body, therefore, we must protect the body. Then the aspect of corporate prayer must come into play. If the church is important to you, then come to pray for the church and the body of Christ.

There are way too many people who are complacent on the good things that we are presently enjoying. By all means enjoy them. But do not take them for granted. We are where we are because of the mercy of God. A country like ours needs God to survive let alone thrive the way we did. When we become arrogant and forget to rely on God, then we are bound for hard times ahead. Praying and relying on God is the only way for us to make sure that the good times keep rolling for us and our children.

Brothers and sisters, pray unceasingly. Seek wisdom from on high and live by it. May the Lord have mercy on us.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

这是一片十分清澈和美丽的海面。它的表面安静和祥宁。这看起来能够在其中畅游完美的地方。当然，海军军官们都晓得这里是出了名的暗流汹涌。这些汹涌的暗流可以大到在你还没有意识到之前，就将你带进入到深海里。这时候试着要回到岸边是已经太迟了。单靠着人单薄的力气与潮水搏斗也是无济于事。

我们都喜爱一片美景。只要一切事都进展顺利，我们不想碰触或改变它。有时候我们甚至在当中享受而不想前行。这是非常人性的回应。可是，我们要知道天色不是常蓝，好的事物并不是永远的长存。我们需要准备面对事物变化的可能性。

另外，我们也要警惕潜伏在黑暗中的危险。要意识到这些事情，也不要做扫兴的人，我们需要从上头来的智慧。教会需要常在一起祷告和分辨什么是教会所需要的。我们不要轻视祷告。现今时代祷告和努力不懈地祷告更加急迫。每一个人不单为着自己的需要祷告，也要为教会祷告。我们是一个身体，如此，我们一定要保护这一个身体。这样，公共的祷告会就有必有扮演其角色。如果教会对你来说是重要的，那么，一起来为教会和基督的身体祷告。

有很多人正在为着自己所享受的美事感到满足。无可厚非可以好好地享受。但是不要视为理所当然。我们之所以有今天的成就全都是因为上帝的怜悯。我们的国家需要上帝才能生存，让我们承先启后对国家的繁荣。当我们骄傲以及忘记了依靠上帝，那么，等着我们前面的是挑战。唯有不断的祷告和依靠上帝才能确保我们与下一代有永不断绝的福祉。

弟兄姐妹，让我们不断的祷告。寻求从上头来的智慧和活出它。愿上帝怜悯我们。

上帝赐福,
在基督里服事的,

Barry Leong

While having breakfast at Toast Box I saw the couple on the next table throwing away the egg yolks of their four eggs. They ate only the egg white, what a waste. I believe that they belong to the generations that were ‘fooled’ by the doctors who advocate that egg yolks are bad because of perceived ‘high cholesterol.” That was a wrong teaching, which had been debunked for quite some time, from long ago. Hard for me to believe that a young couple would be so outdated. They will probably be teaching the same ‘myths’ to their children and all around them.

The danger of misunderstanding or wrong teachings does not endanger one generation. They perpetuate down many generations. The bible does tell us that at least four generations will be ‘cursed’ from not knowing and following God. Therefore, the right teachings must be constantly taught and emphasized. Some may think that repetitions will bore people away. Nevertheless, it is necessary to drum that in.

Conversely, the correct teaching will benefit not just ourselves but those that follow us. Just as the bible also said that many generations will be blessed by following God, correct teachings pass down for the years to come.

To note is that the ‘wrong teaching’ comes from people who meant good. Doctors want to help people live a healthy lifestyle. So, they teach the latest ‘good’ known to them; for example: the misunderstanding of cholesterol. They should have a critical mind and think about such research constantly, update and recant whatever is wrong instead of perpetuating it.

Likewise, our teachers of Holy Scripture. We must constantly learn and be critical of teachings coming from elsewhere other than the bible itself. Checking them against scripture carefully before endorsing them. The church had been around for 2000+ years. There are long proven doctrines and some dubious ones. We have to be clear, lest we lead people into the wrong kingdom.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

我在土司工坊吃早餐，看到邻座一对夫妇将他们四粒鸡蛋中的蛋黄都丢掉了。他们只吃蛋白，多浪费啊。我相信他们应该是属于被医生“蒙蔽”说蛋黄是无益的年代，因为蛋黄被认为会造成高胆固醇。这是错误的教导，也已经在很多年以前就被揭穿了。让我难以置信的是这对年轻夫妇竟然如此过时。他们恐怕也对他们的孩子和周围的人教导了同样的“神话”。

误解或错误教导的危险不会只殃及一个世代。它们会蔓延很多个世代。圣经告诉我们，不认识也不跟随上帝的，将被“咒诅”至少四个世代。因此，正确的教导必须被持续和强调。有人可能以为不断的重复会令人厌烦，尽管如此，仍有必要持守教导。

反过来说，正确的教导不只是让我们受益，也福及跟随我们的人。就如圣经也如此说，跟随上帝的，世世代代都将蒙福，正确的教导也将要一年又一年的被传达下来。

必须注意的是，“错误的教导”可以是来自本意是好的人。医生原本要帮助民众活出健康的生活方式，所以，他们就将自己所知道最新且“好的”教导民众；例如，对胆固醇的误解。其实，他们应该有批判性的头脑，不断地思考这项研究，继续跟进并舍弃任何错误的教导，而不是延续它。

同样的，对圣经的教导，我们必定要持续的学习，对圣经以外的教导要有危机感。在附和它们之前，必须先小心查阅。教会存在已经2000多年了，其中有经过长久印证的教义，也有一些是令人质疑的。我们对此必须是清楚的，否则我们将领人进入错误的国度。

上帝赐福,
在基督里服事的,

Barry Leong
（由林秀娟会吏翻译）

An observation of the people going up the escalator in the MRT station. The people standing on the left will give way to those going up the right side of the escalator. The interesting part is the people walking up the right side. At first, they walk up quickly, then they stop when the escalator is several steps away. They will then wait till they reach the end of the escalator before walking off. This action, though no harm, caused the whole line behind him to have to stop. I was wondering what is so difficult to walk several more steps?

Then it occurred to me that is the way many people approach their work. They charge through the initial phrase with all gusto. When they come near the end, they tend to slow down very much. I guess they are already beginning to consider the next phase or project. This is dangerous as the last stretch, no matter how small, can trip you up. It is better to see through to the end before we stop to celebrate.

Pretty much is our spiritual life. Some of us are really enthusiastic when we first found Christ. We worship and serve God in the most fervent manner. As time goes on, we slowly take things for granted. Maybe a belief that we have already made it. Believing that our spiritual life is so good that we will be able to face up to anything thrown at us.

Think again my friends. King Hezekiah was a man after God almost all his life. Then he came to a point of death but was granted an extension of fifteen years because he was faithful. What happened? He turned away to worship other false gods and idols. Let that be a warning to us to fight till the very end. Do not let the guard down.

The easy way, as preached by the false teachers, is a very wide door. Many choose to go through that because following the true God seems so difficult. But Jesus did warn us to take the narrow door. Stay firm and fight the good fight. Finish the race with faithfulness and steadfastness. This is the example of our apostle Paul and a good example for us to follow.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

我在地铁站观察人群乘搭电动扶梯向上走。站在扶梯左边的人会让路给从右边上去的人。有趣的是从右边向上走的人。起初他们走得很快，但当扶梯还剩下几步的距离，他们就会停下来。等来到扶梯的尽头，他们才会再继续行走.。这个动作虽然没有伤害性，但他后面整列的人也因此跟着停下。我猜想，多爬几步是有什么困难吗？

因此让我想到这也是很多人面对工作的方式。他们兴致勃勃地从开始的阶段冲刺，当接近终点的时候，他们就很明显的减缓下来。我猜想他们已经开始在思想下一个阶段或项目。这是很危险的，因为最后的阶段，无论多小，都可以将你绊倒。能够坚持到最后才停下来庆祝才是更好的。

我们的属灵生命也近乎如此。有些人在最初找到基督的时候是真的热忱。我们以最火热的态度敬拜及事奉上帝。时间过去了，我们逐渐把事情看成是理所当然的。或许我们相信自己已经作到了，也相信我们的属灵生命很好，以致我们能够面对投向我们的任何事物

再想想，我的朋友。希西家王是一生都跟随上帝的人。当他面对死亡的时候，却因为他的忠心而生命得以延续50年。之后呢？他转而去敬拜假神和偶像。让这成为我们的警戒，要争战到最后，不要放松警惕了。

就如假教师所传讲的，简单的途径就是一扇宽大的门。因为跟随上帝看来极为困难，很多人就选择通过这道门。但是耶稣也警戒我们要走窄路。要坚定并打美好的仗，以忠诚及坚持的心完成比赛。这是使徒保罗为我们所立下可效法的美好榜样。

上帝赐福,
在基督里服事的,

Barry Leong
（林秀娟会吏翻译）

I was resting between sets at the gym when I saw a man with a t-shirt that had a slogan “The Best never Rest.” Sounds impressive indeed. A very proud statement, especially in the gym context. Oh! Just to add that he was not a big muscular guy but a skinny one. Quite an irony and laughable.

“The Best never Rest” is a wrong egotistical idea. The best must always rest. It is in the resting period that we recover and grow. In the context of bodybuilding, rest is absolutely vital for maximum results. The soldiers in the special forces do not rest in their training because they are trained for extreme conditions where rest may not be possible. They are learning to cope with those. However, such extreme conditions are not the norm. The norm is to rest and recover.

Many full-time workers, who are serious in their work, put rest as the lowest priority in their schedule. This is the outcome of wrong thinking and wrong expectations from members of the church. Full-time workers in church are not supermen. They are as human as another member. They can fail in every aspect, especially in bodily health if pushed too hard. Our physiology tells us that the harder we push, the less will be done. The law of diminishing returns sets in.

To rest is not to idle but to recuperate for greater works. Jesus does that all the time. He will take time off to be in solitude and pray; not in some “church retreat.” It is alone time with the Father. To take a nap, or to go for a walk is to rest from the rigour of the day to re-center. To move away from the problem and sort the noises out.

Brothers and sisters, we must not let the world push us into a frenzy. Whether we are working in church or the secular sector, proper time away must be observed for our wellbeing. At no time should we think that we are different as if we are super beings. Jesus urges those who are heavy laden, to come to him and rest.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

我正坐在健身房的两套器材之间休息，就看见一位男士的T恤上有一句口号“最优秀的人永不言休”。听起来果真不同凡响。一句非常骄傲的话语，尤其是在健身的环境里。哦，顺带提一下，他不是肌肉男，只是瘦小的人。相当讽刺也令人觉得可笑。

“最优秀的人永不言休”是一个错误且自负的观念。最优秀的人一定要休息。我们在休息的阶段才能重振及成长。在健美的范畴里，要达到最佳状态，休息绝对是重要的。在特殊部队里的军兵不会在他们的训练中休息，因为他们要受训以面对可能无法休息的极端境况，他们必须学习去适应。然而，这些极端的境况不是一般可见的。一般上就是要休息及复原。

很多在工作上很严谨的全职同工，把休息放在他们时间表里最低的位置。这是来自教会会友错误观念及错误期望的结果。教会里的全职同工不是超人，他们就如其他会友一样只是凡人。若被强逼到极限，他们可以在任何方面经历失败，尤其是身体的健康。生理学告诉我们，逼得越紧，收益越减。收益递减的定律开始出现。

休息不是慵懒，而是为更大的工作养精蓄锐。耶稣就经常这么作。他会安排时间独处及祷告；不是在一些“教会退修会”，是与天父独处的时间。打个盹儿或散散步就是从严苛的一天里得到休息并重新聚焦，也可以从问题中移开，并将噪声整理出来。

弟兄姐妹，我们不能允许世界将我们推进狂热中。无论我们是在教会或世俗的地方工作，为了我们的健康，要注重适当的休息时间。绝对不能看自己像超级生物，以为我们异于常人。耶稣也催促凡劳苦担重担的人可以到祂那里得安息。

上帝赐福,
在基督里服事的,

Barry Leong
（林秀娟会吏翻译）

I was queuing for food at a hawker centre. In front of me two 60+ year old ladies struck up a conversation. Lady A asked the other (lady B) to participate in the Healthy 365 program, a national health promotion programme. A encouraged B to go collect the free step tracker. She continued to “brag” about all the benefits that she had gotten from points gained by using the tracker. The other sounded jealous about the free tracker but was not interested in the 5K steps needed. Her excuse – “lao liao lah” (old already). Throughout their conversation, the “old” word was used nonstop. The conversation finally ended, much to my relief, when it was A’s turn to order her food.

Why must one blame everything on growing old? It is an inevitable fact; we will grow old. The body will slow down, and everything will seem more difficult. Try to keep healthy and fit, old already. Learn something new, old already. Go out and enjoy a trip, old already. Then spend all the time lamenting that others have such exciting, interesting and good lives. Really? What has “old” got to do with “trying”? It has everything to do with giving excuses. We can learn and try new things regardless of our age. Stop complaining and start living an abundant life.

Caleb would not be such a revered figure if not for his faithfulness and disregard of his age. Taking on a difficult task at an advanced age and completing it was to thump his nose to “old”.

We are never too old to serve the Lord. When we are not strong enough to do heavy lifting, we can take on lighter loads. When even that becomes difficult, we can be there to be encouragers and prayer warriors. No, we are never too old. So! Onwards Christian soldiers, march on.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

我正在小贩中心排队买食物。在我前面有两位六十多岁的老妇人开始在交谈。甲妇人请乙妇人参加健康365的活动，一个全国提倡健康的活动。甲鼓励乙去领取免费的计步器。她继续“吹嘘”她从使用计步器累积积分后所得到的各种好处。另一位听起来则对免费的计步器比较羡慕，却对需要走五千步的要求不感兴趣。她的藉口是—“老了啦”。在她们整段的交谈中，“老”字不断被提起。当轮到甲去买她的食物，交谈终于结束了，让我确实松了一口气。

为什么总要把所有的事都归咎于年华老去。我们会变老，这是无可避免的事实。身体会变得缓慢，所有一切也开始越来越艰难。尝试维持健康及强壮，已经老了。学习新的事物，已经老了。出去享受一次旅行，已经老了。然后就花费所有的时间哀叹别人有如此这般精彩、有趣且美好的生活。果真如此吗？“老了”到底和“尝试”有什么关系呢？若要找藉口就会和所有的事有关了。我们可以不在乎年龄的去学习和尝试新事物。停止埋怨，开始去过丰盛的生活。

迦勒若不是因为他的忠心及无视年龄，他就不会成为令人尊敬的人物，在年迈的时候承担艰巨的任务，而完成任务则是他对“老”的嗤之以鼻。

我们绝不会太老而不能事奉主。当我们不够强壮去提取重物时，我们可以提轻一点的担子。即使那也是艰难的，我们可以在那里成为鼓励者和祷告勇士。不会，我们绝不会太老。所以，前进，基督精兵，向前迈进！

上帝赐福,
在基督里服事的,

Barry Leong
（林秀娟会吏翻译）

Humans are complex creatures. No one can really understand what they want. For example, many people always talk about the day they will retire from their work. They look forward to it and ready to enjoy the “freedom”. Well and good if it were true. There are many who are not ready for retirement. No, it is not for lack of finances. It is the sudden availability of time and “freedom” that many cannot cope with. A sudden sense of lostness occurs, though it will be soon overcome. At these times, there are many grumbling about not knowing what to do, very bored and so on.

What is worse is the loss of identity, especially so for those who holds high position in their working life. All of a sudden, you are a nobody to many who once tries to pander to your every need. You may expect them to give you the same respect. Well, wake up and face reality, they won’t. Thank God if they still do. Do not think, even for a minute, that you deserve the respect or admiration. You will be sorely disappointed.

The way to prepare for the increase of time available is to prepare early for a “second career.” No, this is not another job. It is something that you have always wanted to do but pushed back because of lack of time. Examples of which would be learning a musical instrument, painting or even cooking. You now have time to use to pursue your interest(s). Do it, prepare for it. For me, I am preparing to be a certified fitness personal trainer to help people rehabilitate after recovering from an illness like stroke. So, I take up a course in my free time to achieve that.

As for the loss of identity, Jesus taught us to deny ourselves. When I practice denying myself now, I should be quite ready by the time I retire. As Mike Tyson had commented: “When I think of myself as a nobody, I do not get offended. I get offended when I think that I am somebody.” Knowing that you are important in God’s eyes is enough. We do not need the praise of man. We can then live with true freedom.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

人是复杂的活物。没有人可以真正明白他们要的是什么。例如，很多人都谈关于他们从工作岗位退下来的那日子。他们期望那日的来到和预备好享受“自由”。如果那是如所期望的就好。很多人还没有预备好退休。这不是在经济上不足。这是很多人突然之间无法适应多余的时间和“自由”。这是有一种突然不明的失去感萌现，虽然很快会克服它。在这时候，很多人就会埋怨不知道要做什么，烦闷等。

更糟糕是特别那些在职业生涯中坐拥高职身份的失去。顿时间，你在那些曾经凡事迎合你一切需求的人面前成为泛泛之辈。你可能还期望他们能够给与你一样的敬重。你醒过来面对现实，他们不会的。感谢神如果还如此作。你不要想，那怕是一分钟，你觉得自己是值得人对你的敬重或是敬佩。你会全然的失望。

最好的方式来面对时间的增加是尽早对第二职业的准备。不是，这不是另一个工作。这是你因着时间的不够一直拖延想要作的事。这可能是你要学习某一个乐器，画画或许是厨艺。你现在可以用你的时间来追求这些兴趣爱好。勇敢地踏步前进，预备好面对它。至于我，我正在准备成为一个有执照的个人体能训练者来帮助那些从疾病，如中风，中康复的人。因着如此，我用空闲的时间参加一个课程来达成之。

至于身份的失去，耶稣教导我们要舍己。当我现在操练舍己的时候，我应该可以在退休前做好准备。正如迈克泰森所说的，“当我想到我谁也不是的时候，我不会被冒犯。我被冒犯是因为我觉得我是某人。”你要知道你在上帝的眼中看为重要就已经足够。我们不需要人的赞赏。这样我们就可以用真正的自由活着。

上帝赐福,
在基督里服事的,

Barry Leong
（林忠彬传道翻译）

A young lady was walking on the road and as usual her head was buried deep into her phone. As the event unfolds, she stepped into a rather wide crack on the pavement and fell forward. Her phone left her hand and went flying. I could see very well that the phone screen was totally wrecked when she picked it up. Well, that’s the usual scene of today, is it not?

It is common sense to look where you are going. So, my guess is that common sense is not so common after all. Many may sympathize with the young lady. Well, I will be honest to say that I don’t. You can choose whatever you want to feel. I will not judge anyone for their stands.

What we see as common sense is no longer valued as wisdom passed down. They are taken as cliches, old fashion and outdated. Maybe, some are and others not. It will be good to seriously evaluate them and decide what we can live by.

Of course, another ‘cliche’ is “When it is too good to be true, it likely is.” If only people would be more careful in assessing the deals before they jump in. Then there will be less people getting scammed by the various creative scams around. The safe environment that our country provides had, unfortunately, lowered our sense of alertness to dangers. Well, that’s usually followed by “another fool is born by the day.”

We want to live a wise and good life. Having the right values in life is the only way we can live beyond unhealthy social norms. Really, ask yourself a question: “Is there a real need to look at your phone constantly, searching for messages and feeling important that you are needed?” Could that be why the mental illness problem is on the rise in our society today?

“Be still and know that I am God” says the Lord. When we start to live in the present and is always aware of His presence, then we can live a very good life. A life that is not just morally correct, but healthy in body, mind, and soul. Practice the presence of the Lord in your life.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

一个年轻女子走在路上的时候，一如既往将自己的头埋进到手机里。随后事件的发展，她踩进了路面一个大裂缝就向前扑倒了。她的手机就从手中飞了出去。当她拾起手机的时候，我很清楚的看到手机的荧幕完全摔破了。这是今天我们常看到的场景，不是吗？

这是正常不过的常识看着你要去的地方。随之以来的是，我估计常识已经不再是常见的了。很多人可能会同情这一个年轻女子。我很诚实的说我不会。你可以做任何的选择作出你要的感受。我不会审断任何一个人的立场。

我们看到了的是常识已经不再看为传承下来有价值的智慧。它们被看为是陈词滥调，古板和过时的。可能，一些是如此，一些不是。这将会是好事严肃地来评估它们并决定哪一些是合适宜的。

当然，另一个陈词滥调是“当它好得令人难以置信时，它很可能是。”只要人们在签约之前更小心奕奕的评估配套。这样受到各种创新的诈骗技俩而受诈骗的人数就会减少下来。很不幸的，我们的国家给与安全的环境大大地降低了我们对事物危险的警觉性。这通常随之而来的是“又一个傻瓜诞生了。”

我们要过一个智慧和素质的生命。如此拥有生命里正确的价值是唯一使我们可以活出超越不健康社会规范的生活。真的，问一问自己一个问题，“这真的需要时常看着你的手机查看信息和你才会觉得自己有被看重的感觉？”这是造成今天的社会里精神病上升的原因？

“你们要休息，要知道我是神”神如此说。当我们开始活在现在就会晓得祂的同在，这样我们就可以活的精彩。生命不单在道德行为上完善，也要有强健的身心灵。在你的生命中操练神的同在。

上帝赐福,
在基督里服事的,

Barry Leong

(林忠彬传道翻译）

死的东西，活的人 （马太福音 25:35-40）

我病了几天，但是仍然需要到超市买点食物。在排队准备结账的时候，我注意到收银员一面为在我前面的顾客结账，一面不时的转过头来看我。轮到我结账的时候，这位年轻的收银员很严肃的看了我几秒钟，然后一面扫码一面问我，“小姐，你不舒服吗？你的脸色很不好哦。”我楞了一下但也很快的回答，“对，病了几天，刚刚恢复但是还是很累。”她点点头，“要照顾身体啊，记得吃药，记得吃东西，记得喝水，好好休息…”其实，接下来她说什么，我也记不清了，但是心里至今仍非常非常感动。

收银员的职责就是扫码、结账、收钱… 其他的基本上就不关她的事了，更何况还是对一个彼此都不认识的陌生人。但是这位收银员不一样。虽然她手上拿着“死的东西”（我买的物品），她的眼睛却看到“活的人”（我）；她做着每天同样重复的程序，但在“例常及习惯”的过程中，她对周围的人、事、物及环境却没有麻木，反而有所察觉。更宝贵的是，她愿意跨越她的工作范围，开口去关心一个与她无关且“脸色很不好”的顾客。

主耶稣在世上服事的时候，祂的眼光看见了路边毫不起眼、被人轻视的瘸腿瞎子；祂在拥挤的人群中，愿意停下脚步回头看了看患上血漏，悄悄来摸祂衣裳的病妇；祂在忙碌紧凑的工作和生活中，没有拒绝会吵闹蹦跳，还会问很多问题的小孩子上前来靠近祂… 主耶稣是怎么作到的？很显然的，主耶稣的目光没有放在“死的东西”上，祂的目光一直都在祂所深爱“活的人”身上。

弟兄姐妹，求主帮助我们，让我们看得清先后、分得出轻重。更求主赐给我们有敏锐的心，不要把时间精力过份的放在“死的东西”、“会朽坏的东西”、“不能带进永恒的东西”…上面。看一看还在我们身边，原本是我们该爱的家人、亲人、朋友、邻舍…的身上吧，即使对方可能只是一个陌生人。

以马内利！

主的使女，
秀娟

Non-living Things, Living Beings (Matthew 25:35-40)

I was sick for a few days but still needed to go to the supermarket to buy food. While I was waiting in the checkout line, I noticed the cashier glancing at me occasionally while serving the customer in front of me. When it was my turn, the cashier gave me a serious look and asked “Ma’am, you look unwell, are you feeling under the weather?” I was taken aback by her but soon replied “yes, I was sick for a few days and feeling tired even though I have recovered. She nodded in acknowledgment and said “Do take care, remember your meals, hydrate yourself, and get lots of rest…” I cannot remember exactly what she said but I am still very touched by her till this day.

The cashier’s duties are to scan codes, check out, collect money… The rest is basically none of her business, let alone to a stranger who doesn’t know each other. But this cashier was different. Although she holds “non-living things” (the items I bought) in her hands, her eyes see “living people” (me); she goes through the same repetitive routine every day, but in the process of “routines and habits”; she was not numb but aware to the people, things, objects, and environment around her. What’s more valuable is that she is willing to go beyond the scope of her work and speak up to care about a “downcast looking” customer who has nothing to do with her.

When our Lord Jesus served on earth, He saw the insignificant, the despised crippled and the blind; while there was a crowd pressing around him, he was willing to pause and give attention to the woman who had had a discharge of blood and was secretly touching the fringe of His garment. In the hustle bustle of work and life, He did not reject the many hyperactive and inquisitive kids coming near him… How did He achieve this? Clearly, Lord Jesus did not focus on the “non-living things”. His attention was always on the living which He deeply loved.

Brothers and sisters, may the Lord help us to set our priorities right. Even more so, may the Lord grant us perceptive hearts so as not to spend too much time and effort on “non-living things”, “things that are perishable” and “cannot be brought into eternity”. Look out for those around us, the ones we should loving, be it our immediate family, friends, relatives, neighbours… and even strangers.

Emmanuel
His Servant Maid,
Lena
(Translated by: Pak Lim)

As I pondered on the rush we are now in planning and preparing for 2024, which has less than 3 months away, I cannot help but feeling helpless at the passage of time. It wasn’t long that we were doing that for 2023, now we are at it again for 2024. During the year, all the planned programs were executed in various fashions. Whether executed smoothly or with much difficulties, they all passed. The euphoria of the events was soon forgotten and the next one awaits. Jokingly, I told my staff that very soon they may be preparing for my retirement. Well, time flies and never to return.

The fast pace of time is inevitable. There is really no point in lamenting over it. What we should be concerned about is how had we spent those precious time? Were they spent on frivolous things that just ‘rob’ our lives away? Or are they spent on things of more value?

I know that some of you (if not all) are thinking that I am talking about wasting time on the phone. No, I am not. Watching videos while on the go can be of benefits depending on the content. One can learn quite a bit of information even from some seemingly silly shows. Some catching up with loved ones or friends are good for keeping informed of their well-being. So, I am not talking about these.

Time is a limited commodity in our lives. The measurement of our lives is time. So, we need to treasure it. We need to be guarding it so jealously that we may seem stingy about it. Because every minute is a minute of your life GONE. How you use it is, therefore, vitally important.

May I suggest some ways. Firstly, devote considerable amount of time learning about Jesus and imitating Him. There is nothing more crucial than that. All other successes stem from this one foundation. Secondly, spend great amount of time with family members. Quantity thumps quality here. Do not be fooled into the quality time spent nonsense. Then give some time to your friends (as opposed to acquaintances). They are hard to come by and should be treasured. Whatever time that is left, use it for yourself. Do something you like. Do not neglect yourself.

May the Lord help you to treasure every minute of that precious life.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

时间飞逝, 我们又要为2024年来计划和做准备了. 我们在为2023年做此事的时候似乎不是太久远. 我无助的觉得在流逝的时间里无能为力。现在2024年也只有三个月的时间。这一年里，所有计划好的事工都以不同的方式推动开来。无论顺利的推动还是遇到困难，一切都已经过去。事工带来的欣快感很快地被忘记，下一个在等待着要来。我开玩笑地对我团队说他们可能要很快为我的退休庆祝。遗憾的是时间飞逝永不再返回。

时间快速前进是无可避免的。我们无需为它感到悲伤。我们应当关注的是我们如何使用了这些逝去的宝贵时间？它们是被花在轻浮无用生命的事情上吗？还是用在了有价值的事情上呢？

我知道你们有一些人（也可能是所有人）不假思索地想我在谈论浪费时间在手机上。不，我不是。在旅途中取决于观赏视频影像的内容也可以带来益处。你甚至也可以在那些看似无厘头的影片增长知识。跟自己所爱的或朋友交流也何尝不是一件好事。我不是在谈论这些事情。

时间是我们生命中有限的物品。时间是用来衡量我们的生命的指标。如此说来，我们要珍惜它。我们需要用心的守护它如同我们对它的吝啬。因为每一分钟就等于是你的生命中逝去了一分钟。如此，你如何用它是何等的重要。

我可以建议一些方法。首要的，用很多的时间来学习有关耶稣并效法祂。这没有任何的东西是比这一个更至关重要。其他一切的成功都是取决于这一个基础。第二，让家人占据你大量的时间。这里量取胜于质。不要愚昧接受质量就够的讲法。然后给你的朋友一些时间（知交而不是浅交）。他们来之不易，值得珍惜。不管还有剩余多少的时间，用在自己的身上。做一些你喜欢做的。不要忽略你自己。

愿上帝帮助你珍惜美好生命里的每一分钟。

上帝赐福,
在基督里服事的,

Barry Leong

（林忠彬传道翻译）

I was in the MRT this morning. In the first train, before I change to another, a young lady walked in with her backpack on her back. The small pouch on the back pack was not zipped up and all the expensive belongings were exposed. They can be easily removed without her knowing in a packed train. After much deliberation within myself, I told her. She zipped up the bag promptly and kept quiet. Upon changing to another train, another lady came into the packed carriage with her handbag fully opened. She was fully engrossed on her other phone. Yes, she has two phones. I know because I saw the other phone along with her purse and other valuables. Again, this makes it easy for any pickpocket.

Keeping your belongings safe is a simple thing that we should be doing. But many are too distracted in the things around them that they don’t do it. There are many people who got scammed because they want to get the cheaper ‘luxury’ goods. The scammed amount had totalled to be a large amount. Meaning many people were careless. Do not blame it on the type of phone used, blame it on yourself. My mother, when she was walking this earth, taught me that one is unlikely to be cheated if one is not greedy.

Brothers and sisters, do not be distracted by the world. It can be anything, phone contents or situations around you. Be alert as not to be deprived of some of worth to you. I am always amazed and sad for the people who ‘lose’ their children in shopping malls. Why can’t they just pay a little attention?

Well, my brothers and sisters, the world will distract you from following God in a meaningful way. In this very colourful world, there are many ‘wonderful’ things to catch up with. God will usually be the one that many will put aside first. This will result in a very sad ending for whoever does this. The only way to go is God first, all others come second. Then and only then will everything fall into their proper places. Life will then be beautiful with the most wonderful blessings in place.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

今早我在地铁里。在我转换到另一线地铁之前，一个年轻的女孩背着她的背包进到了地铁。这一个背包的一个小口袋的拉链没有拉上导致所有贵重的物件都曝光。人们很容易在如此拥挤的地铁里偷走这些贵重物件。我在内心里斟酌许久之后，就示意她要拉上小口袋的拉链。她立刻拉上口袋的拉链后就保持安静。在我准备转换地铁线的时刻，另一个女孩子提着开大口的手提包来到拥挤的车厢里。她全神贯注于她的另一只手机。是的，她有两只手机。我知道因为我看到了另一只手机和钱包以及其他贵重的物件。这又再成为小偷的目标。

你将贵重的东西保管好是一件我们应当做的简单的事。但是很多人被周围的事物所分心导致无法做到。很多人被诈骗因为他们要得到便宜的奢侈品。这些诈骗的总数可以汇成一个天文数字。这意思是有太多人粗心大意。不要责怪使用手机的类型，应当怪罪自己。当我母亲还在世的时候，教导我若我不贪心就不会被欺骗。

弟兄姐妹，不要被世界所诱惑。这可以是任何东西，电话的内容或是你所遭遇的情况。总要警醒，不要轻易失去对你有价值的物件。我对那些在商场里弄“丢”自己的孩子感到诧异和伤心。为什么他们无法专注一点？

是的，我亲爱的弟兄姐妹，这世界会使你不专注行在上帝的道路。在这一个多姿多彩的世界中，实在有很多“美好”的东西令人向往。上帝往往是许多人最先放在一边。这会促使这样做的人陷入悲惨的结局。唯一正确的做法是上帝第一，其他次要。这样，也只有这样，其他东西才会归到正确的位置上。生命才会拥有被祝福充满般的绚烂色彩。

上帝赐福,
在基督里服事的,

Barry Leong

（林忠彬传道翻译）

Enroute to the train station, I passed by a multi-purpose void deck. Two boys were kicking their football around the area, bouncing off the walls and leaving ball marks on them. The irony was great when the ball hit a sign on the pillar. It was a sign to indicate prohibition of ball games in the area. It is sad to see people disregard official prohibition signs – ‘No parking’, ‘No smoking’ etc. In the case of these two boys, I also put the blame on the lack of teaching and disciplining by the parents. As a Chinese saying goes, “子不教父之过,” meaning it is the fault of the parents if they do not discipline their children.

I know that many will say that many parents tried to teach their children. I do not doubt that. However, what are the areas that we major in teaching them? Most likely, the academic subjects in schools are given top priority. The teaching of morals, not so much. Teaching them to revere God, least importance. (I know not all are like that. There are some who do well in the moral and spiritual. Sadly, they are the minority.) To tell you the truth, that is putting the cart before the horse. If the main teachers of your children are social media, Tik Tok, YouTube and others, then the best of luck to you if they ever do well in the various aspects of life. The time taken away from their day to invest in what’s important outweighs the time left for meaningful work. (By the way, it applies to adults too.)

I know I am a lone voice crying out in the wilderness. But ask yourself if it is true. If it is not, disregard all these as noises in the wind. If it is, then what are you going to do about it?

Brothers and sisters, our young are our assets in the future. They need to have good role models and good timely teaching. Do not leave their education, in all aspects of life, to others. Take it upon yourself. Be the voice they listen to. Be the example that they will follow. Let them imitate you as you imitate Christ.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

在前往地铁站的路上，我经过一个多用途的底层。两名男生就在附近踢足球，足球弹跳到墙上留下了球印。极大讽刺的是足球打在柱子上的一个告示牌。这个告示牌其实是在说明此处禁止球类游戏。很难过看到群众无视于政府的告示。“禁止停车”、“禁止吸烟”等等，就这两名男生的情况来说，我会归咎于父母的疏于教导及管教。华人有一句话说，“子不教父之过”，意思是如果父母不管教他们的孩子，就是父母的过错。

我知道有很多人会说许多父母都已经在尝试教导他们的孩子，我对此并没有怀疑。然而，我们在教导他们时着重哪些方面呢？很有可能，学校的学术课程会是首要之选。道德的教育就没那么重了。教导他们尊崇上帝是最不重要的（我知道不是所有的父母都这样。有些在道德和属灵上就作得很好。可惜，这也只是少数）。说一句实话，这是本末倒置了。如果孩子的主要老师是社交媒体、抖音、优酷及其他，他们若还能在生活的其他方面作得好，那么你就是非常幸运的。从他们的一天中分出来，投入到重要事情上的时间，远远超过了留给有意义工作的时间。（顺便一提，这也适用于成人）。

我知道我是在旷野中呐喊的孤独声音。但是你问问自己这是否是真的。如果不是，你就把这些当作风中的噪声。如果确实如此，那么你将如何作呢？

弟兄姐妹，我们的年轻人是我们将来的资产。他们需要有美好的榜样和良好及时的教导。不要把他们生活中各方面的教育交给别人。要自己承担，成为他们听从的声音，也是他们会跟从的榜样。让他们效法你像你效法基督。

上帝赐福，
在基督里同工的，
Barry Leong

（林秀娟会吏翻译）

I was walking past a Chateraise outlet and was attracted to the whole array of cakes and desserts. I mean who wouldn’t. They were colourful, beautiful, and looked sumptuous. Many of the pastries seemed to be calling me: “Come and get me!” For some of you who may not know, I am on a ‘Carnivore diet.’ In short, I eat only meat and nothing else. And the most difficult part of this diet was the urge to want sweet sugary food. Chateraise was, therefore, one of the worst places to be at for me. The temptation was very great. Nevertheless, with much reluctance, I walked away. When I was far enough, I suddenly felt a sense of victory. I did not cave in and fall into temptation. I had kept my promise to keep away from sugar, the main culprit for diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

The Christian, called to be holy, will find many “Chateraise” in their journey of faith. Whether knowingly or unknowingly, one will stumble into some form of temptation in disguise. The main three categories are Money, Sex and Power. They will appear in various forms. They were rawer in form in the past eras. Nowadays, they are more difficult to distinguish and identify. For example, the thirst for power can be disguised in the chase for fame and control. The chase for fame is made innocuous by the wide use of social media. A Christian will not know for sure where the line should be drawn. Pornography is a multi-billion industry in certain countries, who have great influence over others. Slowly, they move into the main stream as nothing wrong with it. The loud minority shouting through their ‘megaphones’ (social media), slogans and words that have no real meaning to confuse the rest of the world. Many will lose sight of their compass.

Brothers and sisters, we are to be holy as the Lord is holy. How are we to know? Read the Scripture, pray for enlightenment from the Holy Spirit. Do not give concessions to anything. Even foothold conceded will result in a collapse later. Live well, live strong. The days are getting shorter. Those who have ears, let them hear.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

我走过一间Chateriase蛋糕直销店，就被整排各式各样的蛋糕和甜点所吸引。这种诱惑谁不会被吸引。它们五颜六色、好看又丰盛。每一份糕点似乎都在召唤我,“来买我呀！”你们当中可能有人知道我正在进行“肉类饮食计划”。简单的说，我只能吃肉。 这种饮食计划最困难的地方就是对甜糖食物的食欲。因此对我而言，Chateraise是其中一个最糟糕的地方，诱惑实在是太大了。不过，费了很大的劲儿，我还是走开了。当我走远了，我突然有得胜的感觉。我没有屈服并陷入试探之中。我守住要远离糖粉的承诺. 糖可是糖尿病和心血管疾病的罪魁祸首。

基督徒被呼召成为圣洁，在信心的道路上会遇见很多 “Chateraise”. 无论是有意或无意，都可能会坠入各种被伪装的试探里。三个主要的类别是钱财、性及权势，它们以不同的形式存在。在过去，它们的形式更为原始。但今天，它们更难以区分和识别。举个例子，对权势的渴慕可以被伪装成对名声和掌权的追逐。因为社交媒体的广泛使用，对名声的追逐也变得仿佛无害了。一个基督徒肯定不知道应该如何划分那条线。在某些国家，色情是一个数十亿的商业，而且对他人的影响深远。它们也将逐步的成为主流而不再被认为是错误的。声量大的少数群体通过他们没有真正意义的“扩音器”（megaphones 社交媒体）、口号及文字大声宣泄，以混淆世界的其他地方。很多人就因此迷失了方向。

弟兄姐妹，我们要成为圣洁，因为主是圣洁的。我们怎么能知道呢？阅读圣经，祈求圣灵的感动。不要对任何事情作出让步。任何让步都会造成日后的崩塌。活得好、活得健壮。白天越来越短了。有耳可听的应当听。

上帝赐福，
在基督里同工的，

Barry Leong

（林秀娟会吏翻译）

交通灯坏了！

（以赛亚书 11:3）

我来到交通灯前等着过马路，随手按了行人灯的按钮。灯不亮，原来灯坏了。于是，我仍继续站在行人灯旁边等着。

身后来了一个年轻人，走过我身边的时候，看了我一眼（更正确的说是“白了我一眼”），脸色很难看。他随即走到我身边的行人灯，很用力的拍了几下按钮。那一瞬间，我接收到他没有说出口的讯息：“Aunty，你在做什么？为什么不按按钮？”但是，就在他很用力“拍打”按钮之后，他瞪着按钮楞了两秒，随后就转身默默走到离我三、四步的地方。白眼不翻了，脸也不臭了… 坦白说，我完全不怪他，因为我自己也曾经因为“没人按”行人灯而不高兴。不瞒你说，我也确实有“错怪其他行人”的尴尬经验。

其实我们都太着急了。因为着急，就没有先把事情弄清楚；因为着急，就没有给别人机会解释；因为着急，就马上以自己的经历作为标准来断定事情；因为着急，我们就迫不及待的要定别人的错误；因为着急，我们就没有考虑事情的发展其实是会有其他可能性的。

原来，眼睛所见的都未必就是事实或真相，但是有多少时候我们偏偏就很习惯的去“以为”，也很坚信自己的“以为”就是真的、就是对的、就一定是事实；又有多少时候我们也因为这些“以为”就作出不恰当甚至不正确的反应（翻白眼，给脸色），结果在发现真相的时候，真正尴尬的却是自己。

我祈求上帝，打开我们的眼睛，让我们不要只是看见事物的外表，而是同时能看见外表以下的“真相”。也求主帮助我们，不要着急；在还没有看见真相之前，不要妄下定论，免得误会了别人，更尴尬了自己。

以马内利！

主的使女，
秀娟

Pedestrian Crossing Lights – Faulty!
(Isaiah 11:3)

I was at a pedestrian crossing. Upon pressing the button to cross, I found that the switch was faulty. Nonetheless, I stood there waiting.

A young man came along. He walked past me and then looked at me (more precisely, he glared at me.). He pressed the button hard and furious several times, displaying his unhappiness. Even though no words were exchanged, I could sense that he wanted to say this to me: “Aunty, what are you doing? Why didn’t you press the button?”. After multiple attempts of vigorous pressing, he looked at the button and the light post. Then, quietly, he moved a few steps away from me. He was no longer rolling his eyes. His face was no longer sour… Honestly, I didn’t blame him. I was once in a similar situation. I was unhappy when people beside me at the pedestrian crossing had not pressed the button. It was embarrassing that I had also “blamed others” for not pressing the traffic light button.

We are always rushing. Rushing without clarifying; rushing without giving others a chance to explain; rushing using our own standards and experience to judge; Because we are always rushing, we are quick to pass judgement on others; Because we are always rushing, we neglect to consider other possibilities.

In reality, what we see with our naked eyes may not always be the truth. Often times we are in the habit of making false assumptions and drawing hasty conclusions. We think that our assumptions are accurate and absolute truths. There may be many instances where our assumptions lead us to react negatively (i.e. displaying displeasure, rolling our eyes). However, we are embarrassed when the truth is revealed.

I pray that God will open our eyes. He will not let us judge when we have only scratched the surface. Instead, he will enable us to look deeper and discover the truth. May God also help us to slow down, not to rush so that we will not draw hasty conclusions and accuse others wrongly and in turn embarrass ourselves.

His Servant Maid,
Lena
(Translated by Mr & Mrs Timothy Tung)

Another major event in Singapore had just been concluded. We had just elected our fifth elected president (9^th president of Singapore). Another agenda in Singapore was completed and life moves on. Of course, it will take a few days for the excitement and talks to die down. So, what is the next big thing for us to be excited about? Not in the immediate future but the General election will be one.

We are people who are easily distracted by the things of the world. Different things for different people. To some, it is videos and others mobile gaming. For some, it is just aimless scrolling of messages received in their phones, although mostly extremely trivial messages.

But many allowed such trivial, non-essential things to take up a large portion of their time and effort. They are willing to forgo family relationships, success in life and career and other vital aspects of life for such inconsequential time-wasting pastimes.

I wonder what is the attraction that the general public is willing to forgo the significant for the non-significant? Is it because there is really too much time on their hands that they are bored? When people are concerned of their livelihood in the past, they have no time for such minor stuff. Today we have more of most things – reasonable living standards, time on hand, travel, varieties of food choices. Yet today people are screaming for so-called work life balance. I suspect that they want to spend all their time on their distractions and have all the perks of life for free.

Brothers and sisters, the days are getting shorter. Be wise and see the changing landscape in the world towards Christ and His followers. Do not waste your time on matters that have no meaningful value in eternity. It is time to move away from the distractions of the world and start to build “our houses on solid rocks.” Do not think at any moment that there will always be tomorrow, for tomorrow never comes. Waiting for somebody else to do it is not an option for it bears no value to you. It is of great value to the person doing it, but zero value for you. Be wise.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

新加坡的一项重大事项刚刚尘埃落定。我们刚刚选举了第五位民选总统（新加坡的第九位总统）。新加坡的另一个议程已经完成，生活恢复日常。当然，还需要几天的时间才能平复兴奋的心情和言论。接下来还有什么大事项可以令人兴奋的呢？或许不在近期，但是大选将会是其中一项。

我们是容易被世界的事物分散注意力的人。不同的人面对不同的事物。对某些人来说是视频和电子游戏。其他的人则是漫无目的的滑动手机里的讯息，虽然大多数是极其微不足道的讯息。

但是有很多人却允许这些微小且无关重要的事物占据他们大部份的时间和精力。他们宁愿为这些无关重要且浪费时间的消遣而舍弃家庭关系、生活的成就、事业以及生命中重要的事项。

我想知道，有什么吸引力可以促使公众愿意为不重要的事物去舍弃重要的事物？难道真的是因为他们手上有太多时间以致他们烦闷了？在过去，人们因忙于生计就没有时间专注在小事上。今天我们拥有更多的东西——合理的生活水平，手中的时间，旅游、食物的种类。然而今天的人却在呼喊所谓工作与生活的平衡。我怀疑他们是要把所有的时间花费在令他们分心的事上，却免费享受生活中的所有好处。

弟兄姐妹，日子越来越短了。要有智慧，且要看看今天的世界为针对基督和祂的跟随者而不断改变的景观。不要浪费你的时间在那些对永恒毫无价值的事上。是时候从世界上令人分心的事物上挪开，开始建立“我们在磐石上的房屋”。不要总是以为依然还有明天，因为明天未必会来到。等待别人去作不是一个选择，因为这对你毫无价值。对作事的人是有极大的价值，但对你而言毫无价值，所以要有智慧。

上帝赐福，
在基督里同工的，

Barry Leong

（林秀娟会吏翻译）

I was at the ever-popular bookstore browsing through books and stationery. Then I came across year planners, planners for 2024 to be exact. I used to buy these for my church staff every year in the past. The advent of schedulers in phones had superseded such a practice. Nevertheless, I took one up to look at the cost of the planner. There was no change to the price adjusted for inflation. Hmmm, seems like nothing had changed much.

No, much had changed. Many had moved on from paper to digital means. Events need only be entered once and it repeats automatically for you as per instructions Colour coding and tagging are easily done. Amendments do not leave unsightly marks behind. Space to record any data is literally unlimited. Not to mentioned that you can keep years of data without adding to the bulk. The ability to link to other information, like maps or pictures, is an invaluable feature. Furthermore, it can be synchronised to many different platforms and you can have your schedule with you all the time, information at the touch of your finger. How convenient!

Sadly, a good time management tool does not guarantee good time management. The willingness to update the calendar is an arduous task. When information comes in fast and furious through all kinds of platforms – emails, messaging apps, verbal invites or reminders – updating the calendar is not as easy as thought to be.

The next issue is looking up the schedule and follow them. That is another set of problem depending on the personality of the person. And you do have other factors like people not respecting your concept of time-keeping. Or, letting your time be taken away because of unnecessary messages, videos or podcasts. Yes, there are many things to consider for good time management.

Well, brothers and sisters in Christ, keeping your life well organised will need discipline. Consider the time that you have. It is not as much as you would like to think. Use it wisely to build relationship with God and people.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

我在一间永远闻名遐迩书局的书堆和文具中浏览。之后我来到年度计划本的面前，更准确地说是2024年度计划本。我过去都会买这些给我教会的同工。在电话里先进的规划程序已经取代了这一个做法。无论如何，我拿起一本年度计划本看一看价钱。在通货膨胀之下它的价格保持不变。看样子并没有很大的改变。

不是，这有很大的改变。很多人已经从纸张转换到电子工具。它只要一次的输入，它就会自动性的按着你的指令行事。颜色的标签和标示都不费吹灰之力完成。更改之后也不会留下任何的痕迹。数据记录的空间是无限量的。更不用说你储藏多年的数据也不会增加容量体积。链接功能如地图和图画更是有无价的功能。再者，它还可以跟你不同的平台同步化，而你只要在弹指之间就可以在任何时间内想要你的日程。这是何等方便啊！

悲哀的是，有时间管理的工具不能保证有好的时间管理。愿意更新日程是一项艰难的任务。当讯息—邮件，方程式的短信，口头的邀请或提醒从不同平台如潮水般快速地涌入，更新日程变成了不是我们想象中简单的事。

下一个问题是看日程以及跟着它走。这是另一种的问题，取决于个人的性格。你还有其他的因素如其他人不尊重你对时间的操守。或者，让你的时间在那些不必要的信息，视频和播客中白白逝去。是的，在做好时间管理上有许多事情需要考虑的。

在主里的弟兄姐妹，好好的守住和规划你的生命是需要纪律的。想一下你拥有的时间。这不如你所想象中的那样多。智慧的使用它与上帝和人建立关系。

上帝赐福,
在基督里服事的,

Barry Leong

Celebration of Dragon Boat Festival had hardly passed, and it is “Hungry ghost month.” Other than the fact that shops are already selling mooncakes for the next festival, they had to make money from selling incenses and paper offerings. The lack of wisdom and spiritual blindness of the world without Christ became more apparent to me when I saw people kneeling there at the drains, and I know they are “highly educated professionals,” burning “money” and other offerings. We may think that only “silly uneducated old folks” will do such things and being superstitious. But these were young urban professionals holding a minimum of a basic degree from a reputable university.

Spiritual blindness has nothing to do with age or secular education. It has to do with knowing the truth or not. The truth is Jesus Christ (John 14:6). Wisdom can only begin when one has the right relationship with the Lord (Proverbs 1:7). Christians will have to make sure that they do not fall into superstitious beliefs (in Christian garbs) themselves. The only way to do that is to know the Lord and His Scripture well.

Parents play an important role in helping their children know the Lord. Knowing the Lord does not mean coming to church on Sunday and finishing your duty for the week. It encompasses the whole lifestyle. Where do you think those kneeling at the drains making those offerings learn it from? Their parents of course! If we do not take the spiritual life of our young seriously but place greater emphasis on “less important” learning of the world, then I can almost guarantee a rude awakening somewhere down the line.

We must not lie to ourselves, and how sad it would be if we do. The spiritually blind, making offerings out of fear, know deep within that they are lying to themselves. Our eyes are opened by the knowledge of God, and we should not live like them. It is important for us to know where to put our priorities and not to live a life lying to ourselves. Get right with God and help the young to do the same.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

对端午节的庆祝终于过去了，现在是鬼月。商店也已经开始为下一个来到的节日销售月饼外，他们还是得靠着销售香火和冥纸来赚钱。没有基督的世界，导致了智慧的缺乏以及灵性的瞎眼，当人们在沟渠前跪拜烧冥钱和祭物的时候，我更清楚意识到这一点，而且我知道他们都是受过高等教育的专业人士。我们可能想说这只是“没有上过学的傻老人”会做这样的事和如此的迷信。但是这些是城市中至少在名流大学中获取本科专业文凭的专业年轻人。

灵性的眼瞎跟岁数或教育没有任何关系。它是与对真理的认识与否有关系。真理就是耶稣基督（约14:6）。智慧的开端是当你与上帝有正确的关系（箴言1:7）。基督徒需要确定自己不会陷入到迷信的信仰（身穿基督徒教的外衣）中。唯一要做的是深知主和祂的话语。

父母拥有重要的职责来帮助自己的孩子们认识主。认识主意思不是每一个主日带他们来到教会来完成一个星期的责任。它涵盖了生活的方式。你觉得那些跪在沟渠前祭拜是从哪里学来的？当然是他们的父母！如果我们不认真看待年轻人的灵性，却是学世界将“次等”放在重要的位置上，我似乎可以保证接下来一定会有一个无礼的觉醒。

我们不要自我欺骗自己，如果是如此的话，那是何等的悲哀。灵性的眼瞎，因为出于惧怕而祭拜，他们内心深处晓得是在欺骗自己。上帝的知识使我们的眼睛得以打开，我们不应当像他们那样活着。我们要晓得什么是我们优先等次以及过一个不欺骗自己的生活是很重要的。我们要与上帝有一个正确的关系，也帮助年轻人做相同的事。

上帝赐福,
在基督里服事的,

Barry Leong

I was listening to several people talking about their diets to lose weight. One of them was on low carb diet and was talking about reducing rice consumption. On hearing that one lady immediately say she cannot because she must have rice. After that she just went on saying that how she must have rice and not able to eat anything without it. The conversation ended there and the group dispersed to join others.

I pondered on the “I cannot not” response. There are many people who are not willing to even try anything with that one verse “I cannot not.” That sums up the entire conclusion on whatever proposal for that person. This is not the way that he wants to go. Perfectly fine, to each his choice.

Most people are entrenched in their way of life without questioning the validity of it. A person growing up in a privileged position will always think that they cannot do menial work. People who argue that our ancestors grew up with rice forgot that they grew up with unpolished rice. Those rice are full of nutrients and much less carbohydrates. The rice that we eat in Singapore, especially today, are polished rice that has nothing except carbohydrates. That would greatly raise the amount of sugar in our bodies. The reluctance to even take a relook at what the true nature of the issue is the main problem. Then we can never change for the better. The famous “we have always done it this way” is the way we stay stagnant and regress. One cannot progress with such thinking.

The church is dealing with many challenges that our forefathers do not need to deal with it urgently. They were not common to the point of being a threat. Furthermore, the society then may even be averse to the issue in question, for example LGBT. Those were not accepted in society and the church need only continue with business as usual, such as poverty or slavery. Today, those background issues directly threaten the orthodoxy of the gospel and the church. We must think and change by engaging in the scripture diligently. It must never be the whims and fancy of the majority of the church. Orthodoxy is difficult. We cannot change it to suit our convenience.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

我听着几个人在谈论关于他们的减肥饮食计划。其中一个采用减少低碳水化合物的食疗正在讲解减少白米饭的摄取。一个女士听到了后立刻说她“不可以”因为她一定要吃白米饭。她接续说到了她如何无白米饭不欢以及没有饭她无法吃任何东西。他们谈话就到此为止，然后他们就分散参加其他的组别。

我思考这一个“我不可以”的回应。有很多人甚至不愿意尝试任何与这一句“我不可以”有关的话。这就总结了对这一个人会对任何尝试提议的结论。这不是他要的方法。没问题，这是他的选择。

很多人在生活中从不对它的合理性产生任何的质疑。一个从小在优越的环境中成长的人认为自己无法做卑微的工作。人们辩护自己的祖宗是吃白米饭长大的却忘记了他们是吃糙米长大的。糙米是充满养分并低糖量。今天在新加坡所吃的净是除了含糖的白米。它们会大大提升我们身体里的糖分量。我们的主要问题是不愿意好好的看清楚什么是问题的真实性质。这样我们就无法变得更好。有一句名言如此说“我们一直以来这样做事。这是使我们停滞和倒退的方式。这样的思想使你无法前进。

教会正面对我们先贤先圣不用马上面对的许多迫切的挑战。当时它们并不常见也不致构成威胁的程度。再者，以前的社会甚至会对所讨论的如彩虹群体的问题产生厌恶。早期教会只需要继续一如既往的忙于自己的事务，例如贫困和奴隶制度。今天，这些社会问题直接危及了福音和教会的正统性。我们要殷勤的浸淫在神的话语里做出思考和改变。它绝对不可让教会大多数者的怪异想法和幻想所主宰。正统是艰辛的。我们不能为了自己的方便而随意做出改变。

上帝赐福
在基督服事的，

Barry Leong
（林忠彬翻译）

A young friend of mine talked to me about some criticisms that he received. He was visibly disturbed by them but he wanted to do the right thing. So, he asked what would I do if I am in his situation. I laughed and told him that the both of us will handle them differently, due to our wide age gap. Also, I encouraged him not to feel bad about any feedback or criticism, no matter how severe. I told him that when you live long enough, you will be criticized no matter what you do. Also, we are likely to criticize others too.

He insisted on an answer, so I said these. Firstly, be thankful that someone listened to you enough to commend and have the courage to give you feedback. Feedback is the foundation of our improvement. I am not about to think that I am so good that I am at the apex. Then carefully think through the feedback; are they correct or just misguided? If they are correct, then make the change. There is no harm but good that will come out of it. If misguided, then ignore them. There is really nothing good that will come out of trying to defend yourself, just a waste of precious time.

To be humble enough to receive such “harsh” comments may take many years of denying yourself. I told my young friend that I am already in my sixties, what is there that I have not heard? Some are good, I followed. Some not so good, I ignore. No big deal, life goes on. Be happy.

Finally, I added: “There will always be time that you did well, and other times when you did poorly. Do not bash yourself but seek to do better each time. Listening with a humble heart will get you further than fighting back. Furthermore, for the same thing there will be people who felt you did well, and others who feel otherwise. Accept both views for they have their merits. Keep improving for the glory of God and not anything else.”

Then the two of us laughed, continued to make fun of each other and enjoyed another cup of coffee. Dying to self is an important part of humbling. Laughing at ourselves is an important part of dying to self.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

我的一位年轻朋友与我谈起他收到的一些评论。他明显可见的已经被这些评论所搅扰，但他仍希望能正确的处理。于是他问我，如果我处在他这样的境况我会怎么作。我笑着对他说，基于我们之间有很大的年龄差距，我们的处理方式必会截然不同。同时，我也鼓励他不管评论有多恶劣，都不要介意任何的回馈或批评。我告诉他你只要活得够久，你无论作什么总会被人批评的。此外，我们也可能批评了别人。

他执意要一个答案，于是我就告诉他了。首先，要感恩还有人愿意聆听并提出意见，同时有勇气给你回馈。回馈是我们求进步的基础。虽然我并不认为自己已经在高峰之上。然后，仔细思考这些回馈；它们是正确的抑或只是误导？如果它们是正确的，那么就作出改变。因为从中所产生的没有伤害而是好处。若是误导，那么就忽略它们。尝试袒护自己真的不会得到什么好处，同时也只在浪费宝贵的时间。

要足以谦虚地接受这种“严厉”的评论，可能需要很多年的自我否定。我告诉我这位年轻的朋友，我已经六十多岁了，还有什么是我没有听过的？有些是好的，我就听从。有些不是好的，我就撇开。没有多大的事，生活还是要继续。要快乐。

最后，我再说，“你总会有作得好的时候，也会有作得差的时候。不要抨击自己，但每一次都要寻求作得更好。用谦卑的心聆听会比反击让你走得更远。更甚的是，同样的一样事，会有人觉得你作得对，而其他的人却觉得相反。接受两种观点，因为它们各有优点。为上帝的荣耀继续进步，除此别无其他。”

于是，我们俩都笑了，继续取笑对方，再享受另一杯咖啡。向自己死是虚己很重要的一部份。自我嘲笑则是向自己死很重要的一部份。

上帝赐福，
在基督里同工的，

Barry Leong

（林秀娟会吏翻译）

I came across a particular type of diet recently. The diet also opened a can of worms regarding some commonly assumed understanding of certain drugs and nutrients that cause certain diseases. So, I spoke to some medical professionals and realized how closed up their minds are. They rejected the hypothesis outright without even giving it a second look. When I presented to them the statistics that questioned their present standing, they merely ignored them. Frankly, I am beginning to lose much confidence on the medical profession today; are they more interested in making more money or healing patients?

The question for us to ponder is not who or what is right or wrong. It is important for us to “question” all the premises and make conclusions as best as we can with as much data as possible. Just living on “as it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever” thinking will trap our minds in a closed loop. There will be no checking of facts, no changing of ways. One will live on whatever truths or lies that they are fed with.

There was a time when medical professionals advocate that people should not eat more than two eggs per week. Then it was changed to okay to do so if you are exercising. All these times, people were eating much more eggs than “recommended” without problem but in fact benefitted from eating them. Till today, there are still people who think that eggs are not good for their health.

The other thinking is “eat in moderation.” If something is bad for you, it should be eradicated totally and not eat in moderation. This phrase is a “get out of jail” clause for many people who refused to think.

Brothers and sisters, be careful of everything that are fed to you – body, mind and soul. You should, at the very least, do some proper thinking over them before taking them in hook, line and sinker. The bible tells us that in the end times, people will only want to hear whatever tickles their ears. Let the truth free you. Seek the truth, read the bible.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

我最近得知一种特别的饮食类型。这种饮食类型也同时揭露一些普遍假设对某些会引发疾病的药物及营养素的的理解。于是，我与一些医学专业人士谈论并发现他们的思想是多么的封闭。他们甚至不加考虑地就彻底拒绝了这个假设。当我拿出足以挑战他们现有立场的统计，他们还是视而不见。坦白说，我开始对今天的医学专业人士越来越失去信心；他们是想要多赚钱还是要医治病人呢？

需要我们思考的不是谁或什么才是对或错。对我们而言，重要的是要对所有的前提存有“质疑”，并在越多资料的情况下，尽力作出最好的结论。若一直存有“起初这样，现在这样，以后也这样”的思想，就会把我们困在封闭的空间里。那么也不会有事实的查验，也没有改变的方式。那么人就会继续活在他们被灌输的真理或谎言里了。

曾经有医学专业人士主张大家每星期不吃超过两颗鸡蛋。之后就改成如果你有运动，还是能吃的。现在大家吃上比“推荐”更多的鸡蛋也没有问题，事实上还从中获益了。可是直到今天，还是有人认为吃鸡蛋对他们的健康是无益的。

另外的一个想法就是“适量进食”。如果某些事物对你有害，就应当完全将之根除，而不是适量进食。对很多拒绝思考的人来说，这只是躲避的词句。

弟兄姐妹，要小心所有灌输给你的事物——身体、思想和灵魂。你必须尽其所能，在将它们照单全收之前，先对它们作一些适当的思考。圣经告诉我们在末世的时候，人们只会听他们觉得顺耳的事。让真理赐你自由。寻求真理，查阅圣经。

上帝赐福，
在主里同工的，

Barry Leong
（林秀娟会吏翻译）

A boy saved an entire bus of school children because he did not have a mobile phone. While on the way home, the bus driver suddenly fainted and remained motionless. The bus was without control. The boy rushed to the front, caught hold of the steering wheel and stopped the bus. The whole bus was saved from a potential terrible accident. He was the only one who knew what was happening because he was not engrossed on the phone. The boy was honoured by the city and was also awarded the key to the city. The bus driver also made a full recovery. During the post award celebration, the reporter asked the boy how he felt. He only said: “My parents are just old school.”

No! I am not talking about addiction to the phone, though much can be said. Despite the honour that the boy received, all he can think of is to own a phone and to be “addicted” to it like the rest of the people. Had he owned a phone; the whole bus could be dead. It is difficult for people today to understand the weight of different things, comparing honour with merely owning a phone. What is important is not as vital as instant gratification. To be able to make a difference is not as important as just being another one in the crowd.

Brothers and sisters, we are in this world but we are not of this world. We are to be different from the rest in the way we live – in holiness and love for one another. We are to be disciples of Christ and live for the glory of God. Are we to give these up for something as trivial and temporal as owning a phone that will be obsolete very quickly.

The eternal weight of Glory is way too precious for us to give up. We have to learn to look beyond the temporal and seek eternity. What matters and what’s not, the ability to differentiate them need us to have wisdom of the Lord. Live a life that is close to the Lord, see the world through the eyes of the Lord (via Holy Scripture). Then we will live a worthwhile life.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

有一个小男生救了整辆校车的学童，只因他不拥有一部手机。在回家的路上，巴士司机突然晕倒并失去了知觉，巴士也失去了控制。小男生冲上前去，抓紧了方向盘并将巴士停下。整辆巴士从一场潜在的可怕车祸中被挽救回来。他是唯一一个知道发生什么事的人，因为他没有沉迷在手机上。小男生被这个城市授予荣誉，并获得通往城市的钥匙。巴士司机也完全康复了。在颁奖礼之后的庆祝会上，记者问小男生他有何感受。他只是回答说：“我的父母也只是老派的人。”

不！我不只是在谈论对手机上瘾的事，虽然确实有很多可以讲论的。除了小男生所领取的，他其实也可以要求拥有一部手机，接着就像其他的人一样”沉迷“在其中。如果他之前真是拥有手机，整辆巴士恐怕就无人幸免了。要今天的人去明白不同事情的轻重是很困难的一件事。得到荣誉与仅仅拥有一部手机作比较。何为重要还比不上及时的满足。有能力作出不同也不再重于只成为人群中的一员。

弟兄姐妹，我们活在这世界但却不属于这世界。我们在生活方式上必须是有所不同的——活在圣洁中并对彼此有爱。我们要成为基督的门徒并为上帝的荣耀而活。我们是否会为了琐碎及暂时的事物，犹如拥有一只会快速过时的手机而放弃这些呢？

荣耀的永恒份量极其宝贵，是我们无法放弃的。我们必须学习跨越时间及寻求永恒；什么是重要的及什么不是，要有分辨它们的能力，我必须有主的智慧。活出与主亲近的生命，透过主的眼睛去看世界（藉着圣经）。我们就能活出有价值的生命。

上帝赐福，
主里同工的，

Barry Leong

（林秀娟会吏翻译）

A son asked his father a question. “Three frogs were sitting by the pond. One frog decided to jump into the pond. How many frogs were left at the side of the pond?” The father replied: “Two.” “Wrong!” The son replied. The father quickly said: “Ah! I know, it’s none left. Because the other two followed the example of the first frog.” “Wrong again! The answer is three,” said the son “a decision remains a decision until the action is carried out.”

So often we have many things that we want to do but had been pushing them back for one reason or another. But we know deep within us that the delays were cause mainly by our commitment to them. We have all the good intentions to do so. Only problem is that good intention remains good intention. It is not put into action. We give ourselves too many excuses, so much so that nothing moves.

There are many of us who long for a deep relationship with the Lord. But often the cares and worries of the world stop us from doing so. However, relationship with the passing temporal things of the world seems to be able to proceed on without deterrence. I wonder if we had taken the gift of eternal life too lightly, and so do not treasure it. Eternal life was freely given, but God had to pay an extremely heavy price for us.

We must not take it for granted. Remember that nobody wins a prize without completing the race. To complete the race is not that difficult either. We just need to cling close to the Lord. He did not say that we cannot enjoy the things of the world. We just need to put some priority into knowing God in a more intimate way. Building relationship needs both hands to clap. God is always doing His part. The question is, therefore, are we doing our part?

Let us make a full commitment and put that into action. Stop making excuses. Trust and obey is the only way to cling tightly to Jesus. We need to stop enjoying the heavy yoke, and start to enjoy the light and easy yoke of Jesus.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

有一个儿子问他的父亲一个问题：“三只青蛙坐在池塘边。其中一只决定跳入池中。请问池塘边还留下几只青蛙？”父亲回答说：“两只。”“错！”儿子回答。父亲赶快说：“啊！我知道，没有留下一只。因为其他两只会跟随第一只青蛙跳入。”“又错了！答案是：三只。”儿子回答“因为决定仍旧只是决定，除非它付诸行动。”

我们经常有许多我们想要完成的事，但却因为各种理由将它们耽搁了。其实我们深知这些耽延主要在乎我们对事情的委身。我们的用意原是好的。唯一的问题是好的用意仍旧是好的用意，它并没有付诸于行动。我们给自己太多的藉口，以致一无所成。

我们当中有很多人都渴望与主有更深切的关系，但是世上许多的关注及担忧却拦阻了我们。然而，我们对世上短暂易逝的事物却能够毫无阻碍的持续关系。我猜想是不是我们已经把永生的礼物看得太随意，以致我们并不珍惜它。永生是白白赐给的，但上帝却要为我们付上了极重的代价。

我们不能视之为理所当然的。要牢记没有人可以不完成竞赛就能赢得奖品。要完成竞赛其实也不是一件难事。我们只需要紧靠着主。祂并没有说我们不能享受世上的事物。我们只需要优先考虑以更亲密的方式去认识上帝。建立关系是双向的，上帝一直都在作祂要作的，问题是，我们是否尽了我们该尽的本分？

让我们全然委身并付诸于行动。不要再找藉口了。信靠与顺服是我们紧靠耶稣的唯一方式。我们需要停止享受劳苦的重担，开始享受耶稣那轻省的担子。

上帝赐福，
在基督里同工的，

Barry Leong
（林秀娟会吏翻译）

眼看四方+耳听八面

路上的“提醒人” （加拉太书 6:1-2）                

轻轨列车到终站了，我正准备下车就发现坐在我身边的大哥头歪身斜，毫无动静的坐着。哦，他睡着了。正当我伸手拍拍他的手背准备叫他下车的同时，另一位年轻的小姐也伸手拍了拍他的肩膀。大哥醒了，向我们点点头。我们三个人彼此都不认识，彼此也没说一句话。但是我和年轻小姐的心意是一样的：要把大哥叫醒，免得他睡过头再随列车回绕，浪费了时间也耽误了行程。

在人生的路上，我们难免有疲累的时候，有时也会想停下脚步休息一下，也可能会不小心就打盹睡着了。只是休息之后还要记得重新启程，不能休息“过头”而耽误了行程。不过，倘若在我们不小心睡着的时候，身边能有‘提醒人’给我们拍拍手拍拍肩膀，提醒我们“该醒醒了”，这应该是极美的一件事。当然，每个‘提醒人’所用的方式可能不同：有的温柔，有的大声；有的婉转，有的直接；有的静默，有的唠叨… 重点是他们都要我们“记得下车”，继续行程，不要一直“睡下去、错下去”。

人非圣贤，谁能无过，基督徒更应当明白这个事实。但坦白说，生命中会令我们遗憾的事，还不是我们会犯错，而是犯错了自己却还懵然不知。不小心“睡着了”、“盲目了”（不知善恶好歹、不辩真实虚伪、不分真情假意…），不但不自觉，身边也没有‘提醒人’，结果越走越偏，越陷越深… 最怕是连再绕一圈走回头路的机会也没有，到时就真的很遗憾了。

我不敢祈求一生无错误、无过犯；但我祈求主在我的身边赐给我‘提醒人’，在我睡着的时候帮个忙唤醒我，让我能及时醒悟，再继续前进。我珍惜身边这样的人！

以马内利！

主的使女，
秀娟

A “Reminder” on the Road
 (Gal 6:1-2)

The light rail train reached its terminal. As I was getting off the train, I realized a passenger who was sitting next to me was still sleeping soundly in a slanted posture. When I stretched out my hand to pat his hand to ‘wake’ him, another young lady also did the same. The passenger woke up and nodded his head in appreciation at us. We did not know each other, nor a single word was said. But both of us had the same thought: to wake him up, so that he would not be wasting his time and delaying his trip by oversleeping and missing his stop.

In our journey of life, we will likely encounter tiredness. We may stop to take a break but we may also unintentionally fall asleep. But after resting we must restart our journey. WE cannot afford to oversleep and delay our journey. However, if we do fall asleep unintentionally, it will be a beautiful thing if we have a person to wake us up. Of course, there are different ways reminders come about: some gentle, some loud, some indirect, some direct; some quiet, some nag and nag…the important point is they will remind us to “wake up” and continue the journey.

No one is perfect and mistakes are inevitable. Christians should be more understanding about this fact. But frankly speaking, our regrets aren’t the mistakes we make. It is that we are blinded to the fact that we are making a mistake. Unintentionally falling asleep, blindness (unable to differentiate what is good or bad, true or false, real or fake), hopefully there is someone to ‘wake’ us up. If not, we will stray even further heading deeper into the trap. The worst scenario is when there is no chance to make a U-turn. When this happens, it is the most regrettable.

I dare not say that I will not make any more mistakes or committing some sins; but I pray to the Lord that he sends a person to remind me, to wake me up when I fall asleep, so that I may not fall. I will be able to wake up and complete my journey well. I treasure these kinds of people.

Immanuel!

His Servant maid,
Ds Lena

Interpreted by Ps Ling Zhongbin

The passengers had just alighted the train and headed for the escalator to exit the station. It was a long queue at the bottom of the escalator. A little girl told her grandmother to join the queue, as any good Singaporean would do. The grandmother, however, wanted to jump queue. The little girl was quite adamant on queuing. The grandmother (not really old) told her that she need not queue as she was old. The girl told her to queue regardless. The girl did right and the ‘old’ lady was just another example of the ‘entitled group’ of people.

I believe that society in general is kind towards those who are less advantaged. Many are willing to give way to them. Some amount of priority is given to them, like priority seats in buses / trains. But such should be taken with gratefulness and grace. It should not be taken for granted. Anyone giving his seat to you is his grace towards you. Not giving it to you is his right. So, I really hope that we, as Christians, should learn to be thankful when grace is extended to us.

Do not at any time think that being thankful is natural. It is not. It is deliberate. Many mouth thankfulness but most times never quite meant it. Consider the awkward silence when an opportunity to give thanks to God during prayer meetings or gatherings. If thankfulness comes naturally, people will be rushing to do so, not waiting for the leader to move on to the next item.

Learning to be thankful helps us learn to trust God more. Knowing constantly what He does and cares for us enables us to be more intimate with Him. We can then look at the upheavals in life with a cool calm manner as we know who is really in charge. More importantly, knowing that He loves us.

Brothers and sisters, do not neglect counting your blessings. Give thanks to God for them constantly. Then and only then can we live a fulfilled blessed life.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

地铁乘客刚刚下地铁并往离开地铁站的自动扶梯。在自动扶梯的入口已经排成长龙。一个小女孩做着其他好新加坡人会做的事，就是要她的奶奶排队。可是，这一位奶奶要插队。这一个小女孩十分坚决要排队。这奶奶（不是太上年纪）告诉她因为她老了，所以可以不用排队。无论如何小女孩仍要她排队。小女孩做对事，这一个“老”妇人又成了一个被“标签人群”的例子。

我相信普遍上来说，社会对这些弱势群体是存着善心的。很多人愿意对他们做出礼让。社会也给他们一些相应的优先权，如在巴士/地铁的优先座位。但是，这应当要存着感激和感恩的心来领受。这不应被当作是理所当然。任何人让位给你是他对你恩典的施予。不让位给你是他的权利。所以，我真希望为基督徒的我们，当恩典施予我们的时候，应当要学习感恩。

我们不要时常觉得存感恩的心是很自然的事，并非如此，这是要刻意去行的。很多人都是口是心非。我们想一想，当在祷告会或聚会中向上帝感恩时那种安静的尴尬。如果感恩是自然的，人们会争着去作的，而不是等着主领者快点接续下一个的节目。

学习感恩帮助我们更信靠神。我们常知道祂所行的并眷顾我们，就能使我们更加的亲近祂。这样我们就可以以沉静的心来看待生命中的巨变，因为我们知道谁在掌管。更重要的是，我们知道祂爱我们。

弟兄姐妹，不用轻忽数算生命中的祝福。常常向神感谢。这样我们才能活出一个被祝福充满的生命。

神赐福,
在基督里与你们同工的,

Barry Leong

A very active Christian in church went for a staycation in an expensive hotel. In many aspects, this person was respected in the church as a ‘emerging’ model Christian. Then a very sad incident happened. On checking out of the hotel, it was found that this person was smoking in the non-smoking room (evidences of cigarette butts and smoke smell). In the end, the person had to pay up to three times the room rate as restitution. That is not the worse part, the whole farce of a model Christian is now exposed. The person had been able to use correct Christian language everywhere he went, but it turned out that behind the back the life tells a different story.

We are not about to judge if a person is allowed to smoke or not. Nor are we about to judge anyone on anything at all. The whole idea is not to put up a farce to appear good. If we are indeed struggling with some form of bad habits (smoking, vaping, pornography, etc), we must be brave enough to ask for help. The effort of trying to hide them is much greater than asking for help and will likely bring more shame. Facing it up front and getting assistance can help us rise above the problem(s).

What more, Jesus is not one who will judge us. Nor will He accept us only if we are good enough. He loves us even when we are sinners. As long as we acknowledge Him as Saviour and Lord, we are His disciple. And as His disciple, we must keep growing and changing to become more like our Lord. There is no need to ‘hide’ behind some disguises. We are all ‘work in progress’. No one is perfect (Yes, I know that some in the church think that they are already so. We should just ignore those ‘self-righteous’ people). Christ made it possible for us to be accepted as we grow to be more like Him.

Brothers and sisters, as long as we are willing, we can and able to grow to be more like Christ. It will not be a one-day affair. It will be a lifelong endeavour. Let us move along this journey together.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

一个在教会里非常活跃的基督徒在一间非常昂贵的酒店里住宿。他在任何方面都可以算是一位“新兴”的模范基督徒。然而一件伤心的事发生了。在他办理退房的时候，他被发现在不可抽烟的房间里抽烟（证据是烟头和烟味）。最后，他得要付出房间原价的三倍价钱作为赔偿。这不是最糟糕的部分，而是有关这一个模范基督徒的假面具被揭穿了。他曾经到任何地方都可以使用对的基督徒术语，但是在生命的背后又是一个不同的故事。

这不是由我们来论断一个人可不可以抽烟。这也不是由我们来审断任何一个人的任何事情。整个想法是不要伪装或假冒为善。如果我们仍在坏习惯上挣扎（抽烟，电子烟，色情网站等等），我们应当勇敢的寻求帮助。我们为隐藏它们而付出的努力已经远超过寻求帮助的努力，也可能会带来更大的羞耻。直视问题然后寻求帮助可以使我们胜过问题。

更宝贵的是，耶稣不想要审判我们。祂也不是我们做得足够好才接受我们。当我们还在做罪人得时候祂就已经爱我们了。我们只要接受祂是救主和主，我们就是祂的门徒。我们是主的门徒，我们就得要成长和改变，这样我们就更像主。假装与隐藏是不需要的。我们都是“建造中”。没有一个人是完全的（我知道在教会里一些人认为自己已经是这样了。我们无需理会这些“自命清高”的人）。在我们成长更像祂的同时，基督让我们有被接纳的可能。

弟兄姐妹，只要我们愿意，我们可以成长像基督。这不是一蹴而就的事。这是靠毕生的努力。让我们一同迈向这一个旅程。

上帝赐福,
在基督里同工的，

Barry Leong

Elon Musk, one of present time greatest entrepreneur, gave an exclusive interview to a news reporter. The background to this was that he sent messages on some of his views on several issues via Twitter. The messages got on the nerve of quite many people and there was a backlash of negative comments. The reporter asked him during the interview if he would still send those messages had he consider the negative feelings that he will stir up. His reply was: “I don’t care. If speaking the truth meant that I will lose some money, so be it. I will still say what I think is truth.”

The world had gotten to be very sensitive over many issues, especially in the so-called Western “free world”. People get offended as long as what you say does not agree with their point of view. Right or wrong does not matter. As long as you are not in agreement with them, then they will come after you. Because of such behaviours, people stay away from speaking what they feel is truth. Western politicians are very apt in avoiding the truth so that their votes will not be affected.

To make matters worse is the chasing after ‘likes and views’ in their posts in the various social media platforms. A young man posted many hate speeches, even though he said they were wrong in an interview, on those platforms because ‘likes and views’ are all he is interested in.

Christians have the truth of God. The question is how many of us are actively telling people about it. Or are we too afraid that we may be ‘attacked’ by people who do not like to hear the truth about their future dire condition and the only solution. Being afraid to tell others about the truth of Jesus Christ is bad enough. Not convicted of the truth ourselves is worse. What can we share if we are not convicted of Jesus Christ ourselves? If that is the case, what are we doing in church ‘praising and worshipping’ God? Are we kidding ourselves?

Brothers and sisters in Christ, it can be said that we are in the last days. It will only become more difficult to believe in Jesus Christ, let alone share with others. Let us stand firm in our belief of Jesus Christ for our salvation and eternal life. Do not lose sight on this last stretch.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

马斯克，今天伟大的企业家之一，与记者有一个精彩的访谈。访谈的背景是他曾经在推特平台上对一些事发表了他个人的观点。他的观点令许多人坐立不安以及引起了许多负面反弹的评论。在访谈中，记者询问他，如果他知道他在推特上所推对事件的个人观点会引起负面反弹，他还会发表吗？他的回答：“我不在乎。如果因为我说了实话而亏钱，就让它发生吧。我还是会说我认为真实的话。

”世界对很多事件非常的敏感，特别是西方的“自由世界”。很多人感受到被冒犯因为你所说的不符合他们的观点。对与错不是所在乎地。在乎的是你没有与他们站在同一阵线上，结果他们就咬住你不放。因为在这样的淫威之下，很多人就远离那些说实话的人。西方的政治家很多都轻忽略真理，这样他们的选票不会受到影响。

为着使事件发酵，他们就在社交媒体所上载的，一味的追逐“点赞和观看”。一个年轻人上载了许多仇恨的言论，他所关住的只是在社交媒体上的“点赞和观看”，虽然他在一次访问中也说这些观点是错误的。

基督徒拥有上帝的真理。问题是我们当中有多少人主动的告诉别人有关上帝的真理。还是我们害怕会遭受到那些不喜欢听到有关他们未来可怕的结局和唯一解决办法的人的攻击。害怕告诉别人有关耶稣基督的真理是很糟糕的。我们不被真理所说服是可怕的。如果我们自己不先被耶稣基督所征服，我们还有什么可分享。如果这是事实，我们在教堂里敬拜赞美到底是为了什么？我们是在愚弄自己吗？

在主里的弟兄姐妹，可以这么说，我们已经生活在末日中。信耶稣将是越困难的事，让我们与其他人分享。为了我们的救恩和永生的生命，让我们坚定的站在耶稣基督的信仰中。我们不要在最后的冲刺中失去焦点。

上帝赐福,
在基督里同工的，

Barry Leong

I must admit that I love to watch Thai advertisements. They are really creative and even educational at times. The recent one that I watched was about a landlady and her “unreasonable” actions towards the tenants. In one scene, she even threw and broke the weighing scales used by a tenant. Unfortunately, these “unreasonable” actions were videoed by some passerby and uploaded into the various social media platforms. Many criticisms / comments were posted and without exceptions were negative towards the landlady. Then the scenes turned to show the truth about what the landlady was doing. Her breaking of the weighing scales was because of her warning to the tenant not to use dishonest scales. As he did not learn from the warning, she threw and broke those scales. She was actually a kind, helpful and honest person who went around to help the poor and needy. Contrast that with the portrayal in social media platforms. What you see is not what is reality.

The various social platforms are dangerous places. Used correctly they are good platforms for interactions with friends or even work. Most times, however, they are already being misused. They become sources of misinformation. People forwarding information without verifying them, causing even greater confusion. It is worse when the one forwarding the messages is someone of repute. There are those whose whole life story can be found in their social media account. All the laws, PDPA whatsoever, will not help you when someone wants to use that knowledge about you for dubious purposes. It is a dangerous world out there, both physical and cyber. Be careful my friends. As I am writing this. I saw messages coming in about a former military colleague passing on. All kind of condolences were pouring in. Then someone called the family and found that it was not true. It is a cruel and terrible prank by someone.

Brothers and sisters, be wise. Do not trust any information via such platforms without verifying. Do not forward any message without verifying. Well, you get my drift.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

我得承认我喜欢看泰国的广告。这些广告非常的有创意，有时甚至产生教育性的作用。最近我看到一则有关一个女地主如何无理的对待她的租户。有一幕是她摔破租户用的秤。很不幸的，这一个无理的动作被路过的人拍了下来，然后上载在几个社交媒体里。这导致女地主受到了一面倒的负面评论。接下来的广告乃是播映了女地主所作的真实画面。原来她将租户的秤摔破，是因为租户屡次不听劝，使用欺诈不诚实的秤。因为他不理会警告，所以她就将秤给摔破。其实，她是一个善良，乐于助人和诚实的人。她常帮助周边的穷人和需要帮助的人。这与在社交媒体所看到的样子是判若两人。你所看到的未必是真实的。

社交媒体是一个危险的地方。若使用对的话是一个可以与朋友互动甚至工作上好的平台。可惜的是，在大多数的时间里，它们被错误的使用。它们成为了伪资讯的温床。人们转发这些资讯之前从不先核实，这造成了更大的混乱。更糟的是所转发的信息是有关某人的声誉。有许多人将自己一生的故事上传在自己的社交媒体的账号上。若有人借用有关你的资料从事非法的活动，所有的法律，包括了个人隐私保护法令，也无能为力。我的朋友，你应当小心为妙。当我在写这些的时候，我收到了一则有关我前战友去世的讯息。这导致了很多的慰问如水一样涌进来。之后有人就联系这一个家庭才发现这不是真的。这是被某人故意搞出来十分残酷和恶劣的恶作剧。

弟兄姐妹，我们应当满有智慧。我们不要在这些社交媒体里相信还没有被核实过的任何讯息。我们也不要转发任何还没有经过核实的短信。很好，你已经明白我的意思了。

上帝赐福，
主里同工的，

Barry Leong

A lady was advising me to not eat more than two eggs per week. She cited her doctor, supposedly a consultant, for advising that. I eat more than 20 eggs per week. I ignored her ill-informed advice but also amused at the lack of knowledge of a “consultant doctor.”

Granted there was a time when people mistakenly believed that you could ingest cholesterol through eggs orally. This was debunked eons ago. Yet, there are still doctors telling people to avoid eggs. Eggs, incidentally, are a ‘super food’ that is high in a lot of nutrients.

There are always lessons and knowledge that we learnt over the years. As time goes by, situations and technology change. It only gets faster as we move on ahead. Things that were once familiar are now becoming obsolete, for example – coinaphones. Someday even cash will become obsolete.

In short, we must keep learning and improving. Our knowledge base will grow old and outdated as more research data becomes available. There is no place for complacency. Staying put is in reality regressing. Progress or be left behind. And this is coming at you and me at a speed that is unimaginable. It will drive all of us mad.

Brothers and sisters, what is in store in the future if this is the case? Can we even catch up? Will we run out of breath before we catch up or keep getting dragged along? That will likely be the case if we do not have the anchor in our lives. The anchor, my friends, is the Word of God – Jesus Christ. He is the sure and steadfast rock that holds our lives steady. He will never change and is totally trustworthy.

It is time for us, brothers and sisters, to be clear of our beliefs, our stand in Jesus Christ. Without Jesus, we will be left chasing the wind. We will never win. With Jesus, we will be victorious. The world will try to tell us that it is folly to follow Jesus. The reality is that following Jesus is the only way to remain sane and victorious.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

一名女士建议我在一个星期内不能吃超过两个鸡蛋。她引述她的医生（应该是一名顾问医生）的话向我建议。 我一个星期内吃超过20个鸡蛋。我无视她无知的言论但同时也很惊讶一名 “顾问医生” 的学识不足。

确实有一段时间，大家都错误地相信食用鸡蛋会让你摄取胆固醇，但这说法在好几个世代前都已经被推翻了。然而，还有医生告诉大家要避免鸡蛋。顺带一提，鸡蛋其实是富有大量营养的“超级”食物。

多年以来，我们都学习了不少的学问和知识。年复一年，境况和科技在改变。在我们前进的同时，变化也越来越快。曾经是熟悉的东西如今也被淘汰了，例如——投币电话。有一天甚至连现金也会被淘汰。

简单的说，我们一定要持续地学习及进步。我们的知识库存会随着研究数据的垂手可得而变得陈旧及过时，没有自满的余地。原地踏步实际上就是倒退。进步抑或落后。这一切都在以无法想象的速度冲向你和我。它会令我们抓狂。

弟兄姐妹，如果是这样的情况，未来将会是怎么样的？我们能追得上吗？我们会在追上之前就气喘吁吁，还是继续被拖拉着？如果我们的生命中没有了锚，恐怕就会出现这种情况。我的朋友，锚，就是上帝的话语——耶稣基督。祂稳固支撑我们生命，是即真实又坚定的磐石。祂永不改变且是完全值得信靠的。

弟兄姐妹，是时候坚定我们的信仰，以及在耶稣基督里的立场。没有了耶稣，我们只是捕风。我们永远不会赢。有了耶稣，我们就是得胜的。世界会试图告诉我们，跟随耶稣是愚蠢的。事实上，跟随耶稣是保持明智及胜利的唯一途径。

上帝赐福，
在基督里同工的，

Barry Leong

I was getting rather discouraged about the situation of the world as I read more reports from the news media. The very loud minorities shouting their anti-society, anti-God types of messages. The very silent majority not reacting to such messages in meaningful ways to counter them. Slowly, the gen Z and A will be influenced to accept them as truths. Well, it is truly the last days as mentioned in the bible.

What is the use of our meagre effort to stem the tide? What can we change? We are but ordinary Christians living in the last days. The Lord’s commands for us to love one another and to bring the gospel to the world are getting even more difficult to carry out. It is more than possible to be persecuted today if we do speak out the truth. Can we risk it, or even want to risk it? We keep silent in the name of keeping the peace. Is it correct to do so? It is no wonder that many people just want to give up.

But is it correct to give up or be discouraged to the point of doing little? Of course not! We cannot stop because we are facing some uphill difficulties. No matter what happens we must carry on. There are many things that are out of our control or abilities to do something about them. Yet, there are others that we can and must participate in making a difference. It would be sad that we just give up and resort only to mind our own business. So, keep our heads high and continue doing the work of God. It is difficult, especially in today’s world, but we must carry on.

However, we cannot depend on our own strength. We need help from beyond us. It is even more urgent for us to pray fervently and to act according to our convictions. It is time to stand up as Christians, proclaiming the truth of God.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, we must make the decision to be very serious about the work of God. Let the fire of the Holy Spirit ignite us. Let us not be afraid to stand out as role models for the world to follow. The battle against evil of the world rages more intensely than ever. It is time for all hands to be on deck. Onwards and upwards, our best we will show.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

当我从新闻媒体读到更多有关的报道，我对世界的境况更加沮丧。声音非常响亮的少数人正高喊他们反社会、犯上帝的讯息。而非常沉默的多数人对此类讯息却没有以有意义的方式作回应来反击。逐渐的，Z及A世代就会受影响并将讯息接受为真实的事了。确实的，这真是圣经所提及末世的时候。

我们微薄的努力如何能制止风浪？我们可以改变什么？我们只是活在末世的普通信徒。主所给我们要彼此相爱以及向世界传福音的命令真是越来越难实行了。今天若我们为真理发言就更有可能遭受逼迫。我们可以冒险，或甚至要去冒险吗？我们以维持和平为由保持沉默。这么作是正确的吗？这就难怪很多人要放弃了。

但是，因为能作的极少就放弃或沮丧是正确的吗？当然不是！我们不能因为我们正在面对升级的困难就停止。无论发生什么事，我们必须坚持下去。确实有许多事情是我们无法掌握或没有能力去处理的。然而，仍有其他是我们可以也必须参与以作出改变的。如果我们就此放弃且只顾自己的事，这将是很悲哀的。所以，昂起头来继续作上帝的工。这是艰难的，特别在今天的世界里，但我们一定要持续下去。

然而，我们不能依靠自己的能力。我们需要从上面来的帮助。我们现在更紧急的是要迫切祷告并按着我们的信念去行。是时候以基督徒的身份站出来宣告上帝的真理了。

主内弟兄姐妹，我们一定要对上帝的工作做出非常严肃的决定。让圣灵的火点燃我们。让我们毫无畏惧的站出来成为世界能效仿的榜样。与世界恶者的争战要比过去更加激烈，是时候让我们同心协力了。前进及向上，我们要显露最好的一面。

上帝赐福，
基督里同工的，

Barry Leong

The recent Bud Light (a beer brand) boycott was a reality check for the “woke” supporters in the US. The US had caused a lot of controversies, both within and without, by their advocacy of “wokism”. This ideology is too extensive to discuss here, suffice to say that it is totally against the word of God in nature. Examples of its beliefs include LGBTQ+, abortion rights, YAP (Youth Attracted Person, basically pedophile). You get the idea. The last thing you want to be complacent about is that US is far away. The strong influence of social medias and the tenacity of the US pushing such terrible messages cannot be underestimated. The only counter to such influences is a strong church, and a strong church needs to know the word of God well.

Biblical literacy within the church is very low, even in Singapore. The desire to know God’s word had gone down. It is all about experiencing the feeling of God. Sing a few uplifting songs, listen to some uplifting motivating messages, feel good. That’s all that matters. Modern Christians are getting soft, really soft. The superficial understanding of scripture and its demands will put many into the wrong side of heaven. This is not helped with the weak culture of the churches today.

Part of the problem is weak pastors who dare not speak the truth with conviction. They are more interested in quantity than quality of members. Of course, both are important but not helping people to live right with God is an abomination.

The other part of the problem is the members. Many treat the church as a community center rather than a place to grow in holiness. We can understand that living a holy life in the context of today’s world will definitely disadvantage anyone. At the end of the day, a strong church culture is built on simply ‘read the bible, pray every day, live it out, love one another.’ It is simple but extremely difficult.

Brothers and sisters, it is easy to quote ‘I had fought the good fight” but let us work hard to live it out.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

最近百威啤酒（Bud Light啤酒品牌）遭受抵制，对美国“觉醒”的支持者是一个真实的检验。美国因为鼓吹“觉醒主义”，对内和对外都引起很多的争议。这种意识形态太广泛了，无法在此讨论，却也足以说明它在本质上是完全违反了上帝的话语。例如，其信念中包括支持同性恋社群、堕胎的权力、YAP（Youth Attracted Person恋慕年幼者，基本上就是恋童癖）。你明白了。你最不愿意沾沾自喜的就是美国太遥远了。社交媒体的强大影响力，以及美国顽强推动这些可怕信息的态度是不容小觑的。唯一能够应对这些影响的是一个强大的教会，而一个强大的教会必须深入的理解上帝的话语。

即使在新加坡，在教会以内对圣经的认知是非常低的。对认识上帝话语的渴慕也逐渐消失了。这主要是在于经历上帝的感觉。唱几首挑旺的诗歌，激励人心的信息，使人感觉良好，这才是所在乎的。现代的基督徒越来越软弱，真的软弱。对圣经及其要求的理解很肤浅，这将会把很多人置于天堂错误的一边。今天教会的脆弱的文化对此却毫无帮助。

一部分原因是软弱的牧者不敢坚定的说出真理。他们在乎会友的人数多于会友的素质。当然，两者都是重要的，但不能帮助人与上帝和好相处却是可憎的。

另一个原因就是会友本身。很多人把教会当作是社区中心过于一个在圣洁中成长的地方。我们可以明白要在现今的世界里活出圣洁的生命，肯定会对一些人不利。但最终，一个强大的教会文化是建立在“阅读圣经，每日祷告，活出生命，彼此相爱”。这看似简单却是极为艰难。

弟兄姐妹，要引用“美好的仗我已经打过了”是容易的，但让我们努力把它活出来。

上帝赐福，
在基督里同工的，

Barry Leong

A motorcyclist was riding precariously near the blind spot of my car. I slowed down to let him pass. He went on ahead and continued to weave in and out of traffic dangerously. I must admit that I gave way to him because I was more afraid of him damaging my car than he killing himself.

Further down the road, a car screeched to a halt because a girl crossed the road recklessly. The girl was not even one bit stirred by the near death event. From where I was I could see that her ears were plugged with ear phones, probably pumped to the loudest volume possible. I understand that some places in the world is trying to outlaw crossing the road while “hooked” on to some mobile devices – iPhones, iPod, etc…

I wonder if we try to live life on the dangerous edge and think that it is a cool thing to do. I can only warn that one who lives on the knife edge, dies by the knife edge. Why do we cut the line so fine? Is it a fad? Is it a habit? I do not know. What I do know is that many live that way. Too much James Bond movies perhaps!

Many think that they could leave the matters of heaven till later. We always have tomorrow. Sometimes, tomorrow never comes. Will those who survive us have to live in regret for us? Or one must live in regret for eternity? Personally, those are very bad ideas.

Don’t continue to sit back in a carnal sense of security and play the game of a sinful life. We have been warned that unless we turn from our ways we will perish. In a twisted way of bravado many laughed off God’s forgiveness. Don’t boast that you will be a Christian in your old age and in the meantime prefer the pleasures of this world despite the danger. Although the door to God is always open when you call, but that is assuming you get a chance to call.

Don’t live life dangerously, live it comfortably – believe in God NOW.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

一个电单车骑士摇摇晃晃出现在我的车盲点位置里。我放慢车速让他超过我的车。然而，他持续在我的前头危险驾驶。我必须承认我让路给他是因为我怕我的车损毁多过他自杀。

车子继续前行，有一部车子突然紧急刹车因为有一个女孩子漫不经心的过马路。这一个女孩接近死亡却一点都慌张。从我的距离我看到她的耳朵是挂上了耳机，耳机的音量应该是开了最大声。我明白在一些的国家正在尝试取缔“迷上”手机产品过马路的行人—苹果手机，苹果电子产品等等。

我不是太明白我们将自己的生命放在危险之中还认为那是一件十分酷的事。我只能警告地说，活在刀尖的，一定死在刀尖上。为什么我们将分界线画得如此细腻？它是潮流吗？它是惯性吗？我不知道。我知道的是很多人如此的活着。可能是因为有太多007的电影吧！

很多人以为他们可以把永生的事留给以后有时间再谈吧。我们还有明天。有时候，明天没有到来。那些辛存下来的人为我们遗憾而活着吗？还是你为永恒遗憾？在我看来，这些都是不好的想法。

请不要继续活在肉体所带来的安全感以及玩儿着充满罪恶的人生游戏。我们被警告除非我们转离自己的恶行，不然我们将会沉沦。在弯曲悖谬的虚渺的道路上人们轻视上帝的赦罪。你不要自夸你会在老年的时候成为基督徒，而此时此刻，尽管有危难，但你却是更乐衷于世界中的享乐。虽然你呼求的时候，向着上帝的门却是敞开的，但是，这乃是取决于你先有机会呼求。

请不要过危险的生命，活出舒适的生命—现在就相信上帝。

上帝赐福，
在基督里同工的，

Barry Leong

The advent of Facebook some years back caused quite a stir, and everybody wanted to get into the action. Fast forward to today, nobody is interested in Facebook anymore (other than some older folks). The new favors for the time being are Tik Tok, Snapchat, Instagram (also on the way out). I wondered to myself, how short is the attention span of people nowadays. Many are so engrossed in the content that has nothing to do with them or important enough to note, that they are willing to endanger their lives crossing the road with eyes glued to them rather than cross the road safely. To attract people the content in these social media gets more ridiculous and there is no consideration for morality. They are there just to catch eyeballs and to make money from the ‘attention.’ Selling your body had also taken a very different turn. Shame is no longer the consideration here.

In an affluent society, people get bored with their “entertainments” very quickly. They seek more excitement, and at an increasing pace. Many things have a very short “in favour” lifespan. Ultimately, the destruction of others (including finally self) becomes the most exciting. Less affluent societies have no time for such as they are too busy trying to keep subsistence level.

We live in an evil age where evil things are committed at an increasingly young age. The bible tells us that in the end times, the evil becomes more evil and the holy becomes more holy. It is not that one can become more holy but in the light of increased evil, the holy becomes relatively holier.

Are we the salt and light of the world as we should be? Or are we so immersed in the world that we are no different? Will the church still make a difference in the next few generations? Well, your guess is as good as mine. But we can at the very least make sure that we are not the one to lose sight of God.

For your careful consideration.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

当脸书在几年前崛起的时候造成了轰动，这令大家都跃跃一试。时至今日，没有多少人再对脸书有兴趣（年纪稍长些的人除外）。目前人们的宠儿是抖音，快照族和Instagram（也一样在失宠中）。我很诧异，今天人的专注力是极其的短。人们可以全神贯注於跟自己无干或不顾一屑的内容，甚至让自己的生命在过马路的时候置于危险之中，而不是安全的过马路。这些社交媒体为了吸引人，它们的内容只会越离谱和越离道德规范。使人目不转睛纯粹只是要吸引眼球和金钱。出卖自己的身体也不在意。羞耻不再是在这里面所关住的。

在富裕的社会里，人们很容易对自己的“娱乐”产生乏味。他们找寻更刺激和更快节奏感的。很多有利的事物是很短命的。最终，别人的毁灭（最后也包括我自己）成为了最令人奋性的。不富裕的社会没有时间给予这些媒体社交，因为他们忙于维持生计。

我们是活在邪恶事件越趋年轻化的一个邪恶的世代。圣经告诉我们，在末日，邪恶越邪恶，而圣洁越圣洁。这不是说你越来越成为圣洁，而是，在邪恶的日趋上升之际，圣洁的变成相对的更圣洁。

我们还当持守我本是世上的盐和光吗？还是我们也是浸淫在世界里跟世人没有两样？教会还能在前面的几代里明哲保身？你的猜测跟我是一样对的。但是我们至少可以确信我们千万不要对上帝失去信心。

给与你慎重的考虑！

上帝赐福。
在基督里同工的，

Barry Leong

My group of old friends are all literally old. Basically, we are at the age that needs to talk seriously about retirement. We discussed various issues related to retirement – financial preparedness, post-retirement activities, etc. One of the issues was the ability to put down or letting go of the positions once enjoyed. The lost of identity is very real for some of them. Suddenly, one is no longer ‘important’ or ‘wanted.’ Though the discussion was light-hearted, it did bring out some dark aspects of retirement. This is especially so if you are not prepared to let go of your once status and everything that came with it.

There are those who look forward to retirement from the working world. Yet there are those who are not ready to give it up. So, when retirement hits, it is a difficult pill to swallow. The lost of many things – steady income, status, a structured work life (even though one has often complained about it) – is very difficult to face. A sense of lostness, even if you do not acknowledge it, takes over you.

So, many people who had not consciously prepare for this impending retirement scramble to search for meaning. Everything that was once so clear is now fuzzy and unclear. The need for clarity, acceptance and recognition has to be met. How do we go about it is important. Otherwise, we will become a ‘nuisance’ to others without knowing it. We may lie to ourselves that we are trying to help, but they do not want your help. We cause unnecessary troubles for the people that take after us when we do not let go and still try to strive for acceptance and recognition. Such are very prevalent in people holding high ranking positions and full-time pastoral staff in religious institutions.

My friends, the time will come when we have to bow out. The curtains will come down. Prayerfully, we will step down with grace and not “give trouble” to those after us. King David served faithfully in his generation. Likewise, we should do so. Then we step back and enjoy the fruits that we had cultivated while in active service to the Lord.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

我的一群老朋友是真的已经老了。基本上，我们到了要认真谈论退休的年龄了。我们谈到了与退休相关的课题—财务的贮备，退休后的活动等等。其中一个的课题是愿意放手曾经称心如意的工作职位。对一些老朋友来说，失去身份是真实的。突然间，自己不再是重要或者被看重。虽然这是一次很轻松的谈论，却也看到了退休不乐观的一面。特别是如果还没有作好预备放下你的地位以及地位所带来的一切。

有一些已经期待从这一个工作的世界中退休。然而还有一些还没有准备好放手。这样，当退休的日子来到之际，这是难以接受的。对很多东西的失去—稳定的工资，地位，有规划工作生活（虽然你经常埋怨过），会是非常难面对的。失去的感觉，就算你不是很在意，也会吞噬你。

这样，很多人因为没有意识要为即将到来的退休作准备，因而要为所带来的混乱寻找其意义。以前本来是清楚，现在却是变成模糊和不清楚。当务之急是急需对此课题的澄清、接受和认知。我们要如何做很重要。不然，我们不意识它将会是他人的“麻烦”。我们会骗自己说我们可以对他人提供帮助，但是，他们不需要我们的帮助。当我们还不愿意放下以及拼尽全力死抱住接纳和认知，我们将会带给那些关心的人不必要的麻烦。这在那些持有高职位和在宗教团体里全时间的教牧人员的身上是很普遍的。

我的朋友，我们鞠躬的时刻将会临到。幕也将会下垂。期盼我们以感恩的心退下来，而不是带给后辈麻烦。大卫王忠心的服事他的时代。照样的，我们也应当如此。这样，我们退下来的时候就能享受我们在全职服事主所获得的果子。

上帝赐福，
在基督里同工的，

Barry Leong

A boy asked me about the concept of inflation after overhearing the conversation between some adults. Simply put, I told him, inflation is the devaluing of your money over time. That is to say that your dollar can buy less next year than this year. “What if you can buy more?” he asked. That is deflation where prices keep falling. I explained to him that it is worse in a deflation than in an inflation situation, as you do not really know when to buy. Thus, everybody holds back and causes the economy to be unpredictable and fear set in. Better to spend within reasonable limits.

God’s economy is vastly different from man’s economy. When the world says “Take”, God says “Give.” The world says “Keep,” God says “Share.” These are the ways that most people today cannot comprehend or choose to do. It is easier to follow the ways of the world, after all that is how we were taught and brought up. The question is therefore, how much do we want to have faith in God to provide? After all, you may say that some pastors do insist on “prudence.”

I agree that we must be prudent but not to the extent of being stingy. Like it or not, all that we have is given by God. You may think that you worked hard and using your cleverness “earned” them. If it is not God who, out of His mercy, gives you the ability and health to “earn” those, you will have nothing. The question is not so much whether it is given by God, it is. The question is why God gave them to me and what does He want me to do with them.

The bible tells us that we will have enough because God will supply all that we need. That is what faith is all about. Do not get too hung up on worrying that we will not have enough for the future. With God there will be enough and there will be a future. Take heart and do not fear. All that we do for God will not be forgotten and counts for eternity. All that we hoard will be lost and taken against us in eternity.

Brothers and sisters, think carefully about what it means by “it is more blessed to give than to receive.”

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

一个男孩无意中听到大人对话后问我有关对通货膨胀的概念。我简单的告诉他，通货膨胀是钱币的贬值。这就是你的钱明年买的比今年少。他问：“如果你可以买得更多呢？”那是通货紧缩导致价钱持续的往下跌。我向他解释了通货紧缩是比通货膨胀更糟糕，因为你不知道什么时候买。这样，每一个人会按兵不动而影响了经济的不可预测性并导致了恐慌。在合理和适当管控的消费会是更好的。

上帝的经济与人的经济是有巨大差别的。当世界说：“赚取”，上帝说：“施予”。当世界说：“积存”，上帝说：“分享”。这样的方式是很多人无法明白或选择去做的。跟随世界的方式是容易的，况且我们是如此被教导和灌输长大的。所以，问题是，我们愿意对上帝的供应有多少的信靠？不然，你可能说那是因为有一些传道人太执着于“开源节流”。

我赞同我们要开源节流，但是，不能到吝啬的地步。喜欢或不喜欢，我们所拥有的都是上帝所赐的。你可能想这是靠着你的勤力和聪明“赚”来的。如果这不是出于这一位怜悯的神赐予你力量和健康来“赚取”，你是一无所有的。问题的重点不管这是不是上帝的赐予，而是为什么上帝给与我这些以及祂要我如何使用它们。

圣经告诉我们，我们会是足够的，因为上帝会供应我们所需用的。这就是信仰意义的所在。我们不要被忧虑所紧箍以为我们永远不够。靠着上帝我们永远足够并对未来有希望。放心不要惧怕。上帝不会忘记我们为祂所做的并会在永恒中被记念。我们囤积的将要失去，然后会被带到永恒中对我们提出申诉。

弟兄姐妹，好好的思想这一句话的真正意义，“施比受更为有福。”

上帝赐福，
在基督里同工的，

Barry Leong

The DJs on the radio were discussing a report about some scientists who were able to record plants emitting a cry for help when stressed. Apparently the sound, of a decibel that is below the hearing range of the human ear, can be ‘heard’ from several metres away. With other characteristics of life (growing, die, needing food and water), the plant is as much a living thing as any other animal in the world. To ‘kill’ a plant is, therefore, equivalent to killing an animal. That would put some teachings about being vegetarian for purposes of not ‘killing’ a life totally out of the window. If a part of the worldview is wrong, then the whole needs to be reevaluated.

Christians need to know their beliefs well; more than ever now than before. The way truths are distorted by the politics in some big countries in the West, God have mercy on us when such distortions start to land on our soil (mind). Name calling and screaming in social media are their weapons of choice. In that country, you cannot be sure if someone is a woman or a man. Calling them with the wrong pronoun can get a person into deep trouble with the law.

All these problems arises because the word of God is being thrown out by this nation. Sad to say that this nation is powerful and exerts its influence on other parts of the world and insists that all must follow suit. Rights to them is only when you abide by their rules and not you are doing what right for yourself. So, they now want others to accept the LGBTQIA+ agenda. To them the word of God is not important. After all, most people there do not really know the bible.

So, brothers and sisters in Christ, keep the word of God close to your heart. Live and breathe in it. Know it well and not be deceived by the evil deceptions of the devil in this world. Night is approaching and we can do nothing when it arrives. So, let us work while it is day. Equip yourselves in word and prayer. Steel your belief and trust in Jesus Christ. Prayerfully, we may be able to stand to the very end.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

电台主播们正在讨论一项报告，是有关一些科学家能够收录到植物在受到压力时所发出的求救呼声。很显然，这些声音的分贝虽然低于人耳的听觉范围，却是在几米以外也能“听见”的。拥有其他的生命特性（生长、死亡、需要养分和水），植物其实就如世上其他的动物一样，也是活物之一。“杀害”一棵植物也相等于杀害一只动物。这也将一些人以不“杀害”生命为目的而成为素食者的教导完全的抹杀了。倘若一部份的世界观是错误的，那么整体上就需要重新评估。

基督徒必须确实知道他们的信仰；甚至比过去更深入。真理已经被西方一些大国的政治所扭曲，当这些扭曲落入我们的土壤（思想），求上帝怜悯我们。名字的称呼及在社交媒体的叫嚣是他们所选择的武器。在那个国家里，你不能确定某人是女人或男人。用错误的代词来称呼他们，会使一个人惹上麻烦的法律纠纷。

这些问题会出现是因为上帝的话语已经被这个国家撇弃。可悲的说，这个国家是强大的，其在世界各地的影响力很深远，也坚持所有的人都必须效仿。对他们而言，只有当你遵守他们的规则时才是权利，而非你为自己作正确的事。所以，他们现在就要其他的人接受彩虹族群或性少数者（LGBTQIA+）的议事。对他们来说，上帝的话语并不重要。毕竟，在那里大部份的人并不真正了解圣经。

因此，主内的弟兄姐妹，要将上帝的话语深藏在心。这是生命和呼吸。熟知圣经，不要被这世界的恶魔所说的邪恶谎言所欺骗。黑夜将要来临。当它来到，我们就什么都不能做了。所以，让我们趁着白日工作。在圣经和祷告中装备自己。坚固你在耶稣基督里的信仰和信靠。祈愿我们都能坚守到最后。

上帝赐福，
在基督里同工的，

Barry Leong

I walked past a shop and saw a box of medical masks for sale. It was “literally” a fire-house sale, downright throwing away price. Yet, no one bothers. I remembered how much it used to cost just to buy some. The government had to give the people free of charge to defray the cost of wearing masks. At the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, the government had to ‘encourage’ people to wear masks when they are out and about. Then it is mandated or else you will be breaking the law. The amount of grumbling was very loud from many sectors. After a little while, people got used to it. Now, it is DORSCON Green. There is no need to wear masks anymore. Yet there are some (I am not criticizing) who saw it fit to wear. I am fine with that. What is not fine by me is their judgmental glare at anyone not wearing a mask.

Human beings love to think they are the only one who knows. They will spend no time casting scorn of others who disagree with them. Well, too many issues. Let me just narrow it a little to our belief. Some will go on whatever social media talks and influences and believe that the world should be such. The confusion of Catholicism with Christianity is a clear example. They seem similar but are vastly different. Yes, we both believe in Jesus Christ, but Christians do not believe in Mary nor the Pope having the status of Jesus Christ. Taking beliefs from different religions and putting it into understanding Christianity will cause much confusion and misunderstandings. Lemongrass is not same as lemon, not even close.

Unless you are willing to take the effort and plough through the study of the bible, do not try to speak like an expert. Be humble in our learning of the scripture. Live out what we know and search for clear understanding in what we don’t. There are practices that are more of culture or tradition than scriptural. Do not mix the two. Christianity use to flourish in the West but never at any moment equate it as a West religion. The West believes less in Jesus Christ than you would imagine. Christ is for all and it is not western.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

我走过一间商店时，看到一盒口罩。就如“字面上”写的，这是火烧屋的削价，直落到最低抛售价。然而仍无人问津。我记得之前要付出高价才能买到一些，政府也因此要为民众提供免费口罩以减轻负担。冠状病毒疫情刚开始，政府必须“鼓励”民众在外出和活动的时候佩戴口罩，之后还成为强制性，否则将视为触犯法律，因此引起各部门怨声载道。不久之后，民众慢慢习惯了。现在，疾病暴发应对系统状况（DORSCON）已呈现绿色，我们无需再戴口罩了。但是仍然有一些人（我不是批评）认为继续佩戴是合宜的。我不认为有什么问题。我觉得有问题的是他们向不佩戴口罩的人所投注的批判性目光。

人总喜欢觉得自己是唯一的知情者。他们会不留余力的藐视与他们背道而驰的人。是的，太多问题了。让我缩小范围谈谈我们的信仰。有些人会浏览网络媒体的言论，然后受之影响也相信世界就是如此这般。最明显的例子就是天主教与基督徒之间的混淆。他们看来相似，实则差异甚大。是的，两者之间都相信耶稣基督，但是基督教却不相信马利亚和教皇也拥有耶稣基督的地位。以不同宗教的信仰来理解基督教是会造成很多混乱及误会的。香茅不是柠檬，它们甚至一点儿都不像。

除非你愿意用心思谨慎研读圣经，否则不要以专家的身份发言。要以谦卑的态度研读圣经。活出我们所知道的；对我们所不知道的，要探索以求更清晰的理解。有很多作法是基于文化或传统多于圣经，不要将两者混淆了。基督教曾在西方蓬勃发展，但却从未将之视为西方的宗教。在西方相信耶稣基督的人，恐怕比你想象中的更少。基督是属于所有人的，而非是西方人的。

上帝赐福，
在基督里同工，

Barry Leong

Coming out of the train, I headed for the escalator as everybody else. Everyone was rushing for one of the two escalators and the queue became very long. I was about to join the queue when I saw that the other escalator also go up but no one was using it. Both escalators go to the same place. It was there to prevent congestion. But ‘monkey see, monkey do’ and people just join the queue. I took the empty escalator and soon enough others from the queue for the other escalator, left and use this escalator.

The world is full of people who ‘blindly follow’. It is getting more and more difficult for people to think (carefully) before they choose to act. One of the reasons is the fear of losing out. Another is the laziness to think. It is also likely the attention is taken up elsewhere and just follow. How dangerous are these reasons? They are very dangerous especially when eternal matters are concerned.

We had seen many people joining all kind of protests in other parts of the world. Putting unfair wages protests aside, some of the ideologies protests are questionable. Do the people who join these protests know what they are protesting for? Many a time, they are protesting because of a lack of clear understanding and blindly join as it “seemed right.” Appears to be right is not necessarily right, it could be absolutely wrong. In some big country, which is really totalitarian in reality, the support of gay pride is misled more than knowing why.

Brothers and sisters, know what you believe. Be clear about it. Do not follow because others do. The bible promised us that whoever seeks God will find Him. There is no worry that a person who truly seek God will be lost. The only worry is that you lose sight of your search along the way and wondered somewhere else.

So, stay your path with God and Him alone. Let not the world lead you astray. Keep away from celebrity faith. Jesus came as a humble man and not as a king so that we do not look at the outer appearance. Follow God, not the queue.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

从地铁车厢出来，我随着大家来到电动扶梯。所有的人都匆忙走向两架电动扶梯的其中一架，于是队伍逐渐变长了。正当我准备加入队伍，我发现另一架电动扶梯也是向上滑动的，却没有人乘搭。两架电动扶梯都正往同一个地点，作用是预防堵塞。但是“有样学样”，大家就跟着队伍走。我走上无人使用的电动扶梯，很快的，原本在另一架电动扶梯排队的人就转移，也改用这架电动扶梯了。

这个世界充满了“盲目跟从”的人。要人们在他们选择行动之前思想（仔细的）是越来越来困难了。原因之一就是害怕失去。另外就是懒惰思想，很可能注意力已经被转移到其他地方且茫然跟从。这些原因到底有多危险？它们都很危险，尤其当它是关乎永恒的。

我们看见很多人在世界各地进行各种的抗议活动。将那些因不公平待遇而引起的抗议搁置一旁，有一些意识形态的抗议是值得怀疑的。这些参与抗议的民众是否知道他们在为什么抗议？很多时候，他们之所以抗议是因为缺乏清晰的理解，也因为“看起来是对的”就加入。看起来是对的未必真的就是对的，反而可以是绝对错误的。有一些大国，现实中就是极权主义，对维护同性恋的尊严其实是误导过于知道为何如此行。

弟兄姐妹，要确知你所相信的。要清楚的知道，不要人云亦云。圣经应许若我们寻求上帝就必寻见祂。一个真正寻求上帝的人，不必担心他会迷失。唯一要担心的是你在路程中会失去寻索的目光而漂泊他处。

因此，在你的道路上要与上帝并单单与祂同行。不要让世界引你入歧途。远离名人的信仰。耶稣以谦卑人而不是君王的身份来到这里，所以我们不是看外貌。跟随上帝而不是群众队伍。

上帝赐福，
在督里同工的，

Barry Leong

Of late there are many discussions about Same Sex Attractions and how the church should respond. There are various positions and they directly contradict each other. So, what should we do? How do we maintain orthodoxy and unity at the same time? This issue became more pronounced in the Diocese of Singapore when the Church of England made a decision to ‘bless’ SSA marriages in their churches. That, of course, is a big NO for DOS. A lot of discussion on breaking up with CoE then ensued.

My personal stand is to maintain a limited fellowship with CoE in the hope that we can win them back to orthodoxy. The limited fellowship does not mean that we condone what they are doing. Totally cutting off and stop communicating with them is a bit of drastic and leave no ground for helping them to repent.

Christians, here in Singapore, must be careful to deal with SSA issues. Merely using ‘love is love’ to justify acceptance of their wrongful act. SSA is an abomination to God. It should be abstained from. We still love the person but not the indulgence in the sin. An attraction not act upon is not a sin. Just like a person tempted to steal but did not do it cannot be called a thief.

Yes, you can call God discriminatory in this. But salvation is discriminatory – you need to repent of your sins and stop before you can be saved. Calling upon Jesus needs you to repent. God set the rules not us. What are we that we think so highly of ourselves to be above Him? Yes, I know Jesus mingled with the tax collectors and prostitutes. But you should know that those people went away changed and not Jesus. Jesus remained pure. It does not mean that the world is such that we should be. We must follow the Word of God.

Remember the words of St. Athanasius of Alexandria: “If the world is against the truth, then I am against the world.” We must stand in the truth of God.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

近期出现很多关于同性恋以及教会当如何应对的课题。大家有各自的立场而其中都是直接相互冲突的。那么，我们应当如何行呢？我们如何能同时维持正统及合一呢？当英国教会决定要“祝福”同性恋婚姻，这个课题在新加坡教区就更加显著了。当然，对新加坡教区而言，是绝对不同意的。随即就出现许多关于与英国教会绝裂的讨论。

我个人的立场是继续与英国教会保持有限的交流，希望藉此能赢得他们回归正统教会。有限的交流不表示我们宽容他们所作的事。但完全断绝及停止和他们联系就有点儿激烈，也没有留下帮助他们悔改的余地。

在新加坡的基督徒，一定要谨慎处理同性恋的问题。仅仅以“爱就是爱”作为接受他们错误行为的理由。同性恋是上帝所厌恶的，这是应当被弃绝的。我们仍然爱这个人但不纵容他沉溺罪中。没有行动的吸引不是罪，就如一个企图偷窃的人但没有付诸行动，就不能被称为盗贼。

是的，你可以说上帝是鄙视这事的，但救恩本是有区分的——你在得救之前就必须先从你的罪恶中悔改并停止犯罪。是上帝立下律法，不是我们。我们是谁，竟能如此高估自己过于祂呢？是的，我知道耶稣也与税吏和妓女相处，但是你也必须知道那些人离开时都改变了而不是耶稣，耶稣依然圣洁。这并不意味着世界就会像我们一样。我们必定要遵从上帝的话语。

记得亚历山大的圣亚他那修所说的话：“如果世界与真理为敌，那么我就与世界为敌。”我们必须坚立在上帝的真理上。

上帝赐福，
在基督里同工的，

Barry Leong

A few of us were looking at a stretch of water. On the surface it looked absolute tranquil. It was so peaceful and calming. It made some of them want to jump in and swim a little. As a person formerly trained to look at the sea, I warned them of the very strong undercurrent there. It was probably strong enough to drag even strong swimmers under water and swept away. Furthermore, there were probably crocodiles in those areas. So, we threw a small slab of meat into the waters and true enough a crocodile suddenly emerged and gobbled up the piece of meat. Well, that was a close call.

We really do not know what lurks beneath the calm surface. Everything will look perfect if we are careless about the possible dangers. Especially for people staying in Singapore for too long. Our government had done their job well in implementing law and order. It is too safe a place where people are desensitized to the perils around. What’s worse is that we take that approach and apply it when we go, or intend to go, to another country. You may think that a contract will be honored by the law and people here, but it may not be so elsewhere. That is probably why people from some other nations often call people in Singapore naive. WE also depend too much on local news instead of finding out more ourselves. There are only that much that the local news, no matter how efficient and unbiased, can inform you. You have to make your own research and judgment. Let others call you a fool if they want but make your own decision and do not waver if you are really convinced that you are right.

Scripture tells us that the world will only become worse morally and spiritually. The money that you had accumulated is nothing but glorified “I owe you” notes. Someday they will just tumble down. Do what’s right and start to lay treasures in heaven. The real good works that we can do is to bring Christ to those who has yet to know Him. Work while it is still day, for night is coming when no one can work.

Brothers and sisters, be wise and alert for the time may be shorter than we think.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

我们几个人在观看着一片水，从水的表面上看，绝对是平静的。一切都那么安静和平稳，甚至有的人还想下水游泳。身为一个曾经受过海事训练的人，我警告他们底下正隐藏着非常强劲的暗流，其强度甚至足以将游泳高手拖入水中并冲走。再者，此地区也可能有鳄鱼出没。于是，我们将一小块肉扔进水里，果然一只鳄鱼突然出现并将那块肉吞噬了。这真的是太惊险了。

我们确实无法知道在平静的表面下潜伏了什么。当我们忽视了可能存在的危险，一切看起来就会是很完美的，尤其是长时间居住在新加坡的人。我们的政府在执行法律和秩序上已经作得很好了。这是个极其安全的地方，以致人民对周遭的危机也麻木了。更糟糕的是，无论我们到哪里，将要去哪里，或到另一个国家，我们依然是采取和应用同样的态度。你或许会认为这里的法律和人民会履行所签署的合约，但其实在别处却未必如此。这也可能解释了为什么一些国家的人经常会认为在新加坡的人是无知的。我们自己也过于依赖本地新闻而不去自行寻找更多的资料。无论多么有效和公正，本地新闻能为你提供的就是这么有限。你必须自己作研究和判断。倘若有人称你为傻子，就任由他们吧，但你要自己作决定，并且在确信自己无误的时候就不再动摇。

圣经告诉我们，世界在道德和属灵上会越来越堕落。你所积攒的钱财也是虚无的，也只不过是一张印刷精美的借据。总有一天，他们会垮下来。要作对的事并开始积攒财宝在天。我们真正能作的善行就是把基督带到还未信主的人面前。趁着白日做工，因为黑夜将到，就没有人能做工了。

弟兄姐妹，要作智慧人，要警觉时间可能要比我们所想像的更短促。

上帝赐福，
在基督里同工的，

Barry Leong

I was watching a movie and the plot was the same as most movies. The entire plot was based on misunderstanding because no one wants to speak honestly about the problem(s) they are facing. Thus, there was mistrust due to misunderstanding because of lack of knowledge of facts. Then a lot of pain ensues. Finally, everything was resolved because the truth was made known. Why go through all those unnecessary pains when it could be avoided by honest and clear communication?

Why are there difficulties in telling people around you the truth(s)? One of the reasons is “face” – the fear of embarrassment of self. (Incidentally, the Asians are the most affected by this). A person stop-short of speaking because it might cause others to chide you or avoid you. People who are popular are unlikely to say the things that others need to hear. They will say nice and soothing things; but harsh truths are to be avoided. Some times things are not said because the people around you ‘advice’ you not to say. It is not going to be accepted, they say. You will be disliked, they say. Hearing too much of such will make you a man with no views of your own.

The devil thrives on the fact that people do not want to say things truthfully to each other. It uses this fact to cause doubt among each another. Chaos and disunity follow, and the winner is the devil.

We need to speak the truth and nothing but the truth. Be not afraid to do so for it may be painful for a while, but the final result is freedom from misunderstanding and bondage.

We want to be able to communicate in a truthful way but also in a sensitive way. Never want to hide but also never out to hurt others. It is not easy to do so and needs great wisdom. All said, we must also be able to accept truths being told to us. Not accepting truth is also bad. It is good to clarify and to come to grips with the issue than to hide from it.

May the Lord help us to speak the truth and also to accept them accordingly.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

我曾观赏一部电影，其中的剧情与大部份的电影相似。整套剧情是讲述人因为不愿意坦诚分享自己所面对的问题而产生误会。于是，缺乏对事实的认知，就造成因为误会而引起的不信任，随即更引发许多的痛楚。最后，当事实被揭露 ，所有的事都化解了。如果事先可以进行坦诚和清晰的沟通，为什么要经历那些不必要的痛苦呢？

对你周围的人坦诚相告为什么是为难的？其中一个原因就是“面子”—害怕自己蒙羞。（顺带说一句，亚洲人受此影响最大。）一个人可能会因为担心别人的责备或疏远就选择沉默不语。公众人物很少会说别人需要听到的事。他们会说好听和委婉的话；但是会避开苛刻的实话。有时候，事情没有被说出来是因为周遭的人“建议”你不要说。他们会说，这将不会被接受。他们也说。你将会不讨喜。听到太多诸如此类的说法会使你变成一个没有主见的人。

魔鬼会挑唆人们不对彼此说诚实话。它利用这个事实在彼此之间造成困惑，接着就有了混乱及分裂，而魔鬼却成了胜利者。

我们必须说实话，没有别的，只有实话。不要害怕如此行，虽然可能会短暂的经历痛楚，但是最终的结果却是从误会及捆绑中重获自由。

我们要以一个坦诚却也敏锐的方式沟通。不要有所隐瞒但也不刻意伤害别人。这并不容易作到，而且需要很大的智慧。总而言之，我们也必须接受别人对我们所说的实话。不接受实话也一样不好。能澄清及处理事情比隐瞒事实更妥当。

愿主帮助我们说诚实的话，同样也能接受实话。

上帝赐福，
在在基督同工的，

Barry Leong

The latest favour of the month is the Turkey and Syria earthquake. Everyday the news bombarded everybody about the death tolls and the plight of the people there. Many people in Singapore, suddenly, want to donate money to help them. Criticism of those who are not helping abound.

Well, what about the earthquake in Pakistan recently. It is now out of favour. A new kid is now around the block. Then what about the earthquake in the Philippines today. Oh! You did not know about it? There were 427 earthquakes in the Philippines over the last year, anyone cared? Anyone cried out to donate money? NO! Because the news did not carry it. Maybe you do not know or do not want to know that news media will only carry ‘sensational’ news.

Some people asked me about sending medical teams to Turkey-Syria to help. When I say no, they were indignant about it. Well, I am not about to send a bunch of untrained people into frigid conditions to do work at places that they were not trained to work at. I cannot be responsible for their demise. Those are for the civil defence trained professionals, and many are being sent by their governments there. The only thing we can do is to pray that they come back alive.

What about donations? Many governments have pledges millions for these. The West and US had given billions to a proxy war but relatively peanuts to such humanitarian aids. Go and think about it.

There are many poor and needy that the Diocese of Singapore is working hard to help. The social arm of DOS needs a lot of funds, but is finding difficulties to raise. Are the immediate needs of the poor here in Singapore not important or is it less sensational?

Brothers and sisters, be wise to the sensationalism of the press. There are work to be done daily. Things that we can and should do. Giving to such sensationalism and publish in the papers are but a PR exercise. The daily and quiet helping of the needy around our locality is really what we are called for. Go figure.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

本月最备受关注的是土耳其及叙利亚的地震。每一天有关死亡人数及当地人民困境的新闻都在轰炸着每一个人。很多在新加坡的人，突然间要捐款给他们。对于那些没有捐款的人，评论更是到处可闻。

但是，对最近在巴基斯坦发生的地震又怎么样呢？现在一个新的关注点出现了，旧的就被遗忘了。那么今天在菲律宾所发生的地震呢？哦，你还不知道吗？去年，菲律宾在一年内就发生了427次地震，有谁在乎？有人大声呼喊着要捐款吗？没有！因为新闻没有传播。也许你不知道或不想知道，新闻媒体只会刊登“煽动人心”的新闻。

有人问我有关差遣医疗队到土耳其和叙利亚作援助的事宜。当我说不，他们就因此感到愤怒。是的，我不会派遣一支未曾受过训练的队伍，在寒冷的条件下到他们不曾接受过培训的地区工作。我不能为他们的死亡负责。那些都是专业的民防人员，很多也是受他们的政府差遣才到那里。我们唯一能作的事就是祷告他们可以平安归来。

那么，捐款呢？多国政府已经承诺为此捐款数百万元。西方国家和美国也给予代理战争数亿元，但是相对之下，对基于人道主义所作的救灾却是微不足道的。去想想吧。

新加坡教区一直都在很努力的帮助许多贫困和有需要的人。新加坡教区的社区援助也需要很多的资金，但是在筹款上却经历艰难。难道本地贫困者眼前的需要就不重要或是不够轰动了吗？

弟兄姐妹，我们在面对媒体的煽动时要有智慧。每一天都有工作要完成，是我们可以作也应当作的。捐助这样的煽情主义并将之公诸于世只是一个公关的行径。每一天安静的帮助我们周遭有需要的人，才真是我们蒙召去作的。去琢磨吧。

上帝赐福。
在基督里同工的，

Barry Leong

A staff member brought the entire staff to a hawker centre to introduce us to some “very delicious food”. So, we went. Much to my (me only) horror, the queue was very long and the wait time was estimated to be more than an hour. I told the rest that they can choose to eat that but I will be eating something else. Waiting for an hour or more for food was not exactly my cup of tea.

In our whole life, we spent a lot of time waiting. Wait to be born, to grow up, to go to school, to work, to get married, to have a family, to grow old and then to die. All these waiting is time wasted. They can be spent in more useful endeavours.

My way of evaluating the use of my time is to assign a cost to my time. Then I decide if the event, whatever it is, is worth my time. Waiting in line for food is not exactly my idea of worth. As my life on this earth gets shorter, the cost of my time is more expensive. To use such expensive time, the work must be worth it. Wasting precious life on frivolous trivialise matters is really a bad investment.

What are the things that worth your time? It depends on you. To some, an extra hour lying down is worth everything, to others it may be a waste of time. The context will be very different. So, you will have to decide for yourself, “how much does your hour cost?”

Spend time with family and friends to build relationship. These are good investment of time. Even if the conversations were trivial, they are worth it. Good relationships are built from time spent together. Quantity time beats quality time all the time.

Whatever the context is, spending time with God is the best investment you can make. The time would be well spent. You may complain about the songs, the sermon or even the way the communion was conducted, but the time you put into the work of God is never wasted. It matters for eternity. So, spend your time well.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

有一位同工带着整组的同工到小贩中心向我们介绍一些“非常好吃的美食”。于是，我们就去了。让我（唯有我）吓坏的是，队伍很长而且等待的时间恐怕要超过一个小时。我告诉其他的同工，他们可以选择那摊，但是我会去吃别的食物。要为食物等待一个小时或以上，确实非我所为。

在我们的一生中，我们用了很多时间在等待。等待出生、等待成长、等待上学、等待工作、等待结婚、等待成家、等待变老，然后等待死亡。这些等待都是在消耗时间，它们其实可以被使用在更有用的努力上。

我评估自己对时间的使用是为我的时间定下一个价值。然后我再决定这项活动，无论是什么，是否值得我的时间。为食物列队等待就不是我认为值得作的。因为我在世上的生命越来越短，我的时间价值愈发珍贵。要使用这么珍贵的时间，所作的就必须值得。把宝贵的生命浪费在虚无琐碎的事上实在是很糟糕的投资。

有什么事物是值得你的时间的？这在乎你。对一些人来说，用额外的一个小时躺下就是一切，对其他的人而言却是浪费时间。其中的背景将是非常不同的。所以，你必须自行定夺，“你的时间有多少价值？”

使用时间与家人和朋友一起建立关系。这是好的时间投资。即使对话的内容是琐碎的，它们仍是有价值的。良好的关系是在共享时间中被建立起来的。一直以来，多量的时间胜于质量的时间。

无论是什么样的背景，与上帝共享时间是你可以作的最好投资。时间必能被善用。你可能会对诗歌、讲道或甚至施行圣餐的方式不满，但是投入上帝工作中的时间是永远不会浪费的。它关乎永恒，所以，要善用你的时间。

上帝赐福，
在基督里同工的，

Barry Leong

It was a sobering day. Just out of habit, I took the desk calendar and flip the page from January to February. Suddenly it hit me that another month had just passed. It didn’t seem too long ago that we were celebrating the advent of a new year. Very quickly we were into the second month of the new year. Well, time really flies.

For a moment, I felt a little melancholic, then I snapped out of it and beginning to think. Yesterdays are getting more, and tomorrows are getting less. It is time to put in more effort into things that really matter and stop wasting time on things that don’t.

The question for many of us is what are the things that really matter to us? I know many of you will give the textbook answer to the pastor, our spiritual lives and duties. Well, I cannot fault you with that answer as it is definitely not wrong. But what about others?

Family relations are important. Did we neglect them because we are chasing the temporal things of this world? Yes, finances and status are important. I cannot deny those. Think! What if you become very rich but have no one by your side because you pushed them away in your pursue of riches and fame. Or, if all that they are interested are the riches you left behind. They never had a relationship with you that really matter to them. As a pastor, I had seen enough of family members arguing over inheritance even before the funeral proceeding was over. Relationship needs nurturing, and that takes time. Believe me, it will be time well spent.

Take the time to create good and beautiful memories. Things from a little screen, you know what I mean, are really a waste of time. An achievement of helping someone, a worthwhile cause, a hearty conversation with a good friend, or even reading a good book. Of course, there are many more to list, but you get the drift.

Most importantly, spend time with the Lord. He is really the one that matters above all else. Neglect it to your own peril. Time, on this side of eternity, is short and precious. Use it wisely.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

那是清醒的一天。我习惯性的拿起桌面日历，将一月份翻到二月份。突然我才醒觉又有一个月份刚刚过去了。我们似乎在不久之前才庆祝新一年的来临，很快的，我们就已经进入新一年的第二个月份。是的，时间飞逝。

在那一瞬间，我感觉有点忧郁，随即却回过神来并开始思想。昨天是越来越多而明天是越来越少了。是时候把精力放在确实重要的事物上，不要浪费时间在不重要的事物上。

我们大多数人会问一个问题，什么才是对我们真正重要的事物。我知道我们很多人会给牧师教科书上的答案，我们属灵的生命和职分。是的，我不能从那个答案挑出你的毛病，因为它确实没有错误。但是其他的又如何？

家庭关系是重要的。我们是否为了追求这世界短暂的事物而忽略了他们？是的，财物和地位很重要，我无可否认。想想！如果你变得非常富裕却无人在身边，因为你自己在追求财富和名声的时候，已经把他们撇在一旁。或者，他们所在乎的是你遗留下来的财富。他们从来不把与你之间的关系看得很重要。身为一位牧师，我屡屡见到家庭成员为继承权争执不休，或许还是发生在葬礼结束之前，关系是需要培养的，而这需要时间。相信我，这是被善用的时间。.

用时间创造美好及美丽的记忆。从小屏幕出来的事物确实是浪费时间的，你知道我所言为何。因帮助别人而有所成就，一个有价值的事业，与好友的暖心交谈，或甚至阅读一本好书。当然，还可以列出很多，但你们必须明白。

最重要的是，用时间与主相处。祂是真正超乎一切且最重要的那位。 忽视祂将后果自负。在永恒的这一边，时间是短暂且宝贵的。以智慧用之。

上帝赐福，
在基督里同工的，

Barry Leong

A blessed Chinese New Year to all of you. Well, very quickly CNY came and will soon end (CNY lasts 15 days). I looked at all that CNY goodies and snacks at all the homes that I went to, including my own, and knew (as I always had) that much of the food will be thrown away. Some will ‘disguise’ the throwing away by giving to others. So, what made us so sure that others want them? They have their own to throw away.

There was a time when we had little and CNY was a time to go around visitation and eating the goodies. Nowadays, there is nothing special about the ‘goodies’ as we have it throughout the year. Also, interaction during visitation was also minimum as many dwells on their favourite small screens. To make matter worse, many of the Chinese younger generation cannot even say a proper CNY greeting in Mandarin. Sigh! CNY may just become another meaningless holiday for many.

When there is too much of a good thing, it becomes nothing special and taken for granted. Remember when ‘Bak Kwa’ was the one snack we aimed for and only more well to do families can afford them. Now, it will sit there hardly touched by anyone. I would like to commend to all of you, my friends, to NOT buy any of these goodies just because it is CNY. We must not be pressured to buy just because it is expected to be seen on the coffee table when people come visiting. You do not need to put on the ritz just because someone is coming to visit. Nobody should come to your house to judge you or your house. And they are not coming to do so. Just keep it nice and clean as per normal, maybe a little decoration for festive feel, would be enough. All that big do is a pure waste of time that is not in tune with the real meaning of CNY.

CNY is about family and relationship. It is a time to put aside work (or phones) to catch up with the people that meant much to you. It is a time to be thankful for every blessing, material or otherwise, that we now enjoy.

Brothers and sisters, be thankful and love one another. It is a more meaningful way of celebrating CNY.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

祝贺大家新春蒙恩。农历新年很迅速的来到也很快要过去了（农历新年历时15天）。我看着所有我去探访的家庭所预备的新春美食和小吃，包括我自己的，我知道（我一直都知道）大部份的食物终究会被丢掉。有的人会将剩余的食物送给他人以掩盖丢弃的行为。但是，我们怎么就确定别人要这些食物呢？他们也需要丢弃自己的那份。

我们曾经生活不富裕，而农历新年是我们到处探访及享用美食的时候。但现在，因为我们一年到头都能吃到，美食就显得没有什么特别了。此外，在探访的过程中也极少交流，因为很多人都沉浸在他们的小屏幕里。更糟的是，很多年轻一代的华人都无法好好的以华语说新春祝词。唉！农历新年对许多人来说，可能只是另一个没有意义的假期。

当好的事物增多了，就会变得不特别，也成了理所当然。要记得，“肉干”曾经是我们很在意的美食之一，却是比较宽裕的家庭才能购买得起的。现如今，却被搁在一边无人问津。我的朋友，我在此劝告大家不要因为是农历新年就购买这些美食。我们不应当因为亲友来访时，期待会在茶几上看见这些美食就备感压力。你不需要因为有人来访就装成高贵。没有人可以来到你家评论你或你的家，其实他们也不会这么作。就如往常保持整洁及干净即可，或许加上一些装饰以增添节日气氛就足够了。大肆铺张纯粹是浪费时间，也不符合农历新年的真正意义。

农历新年是关乎家庭和关系。是把工作（或手机）搁置一旁，与你所关怀的人有联系的时候。也是为我们正在享受的祝福、物质或其他事物感恩的时候。

弟兄姐妹，心存感恩并彼此相爱。这是欢庆新春佳节更有意义的方式。

上帝赐福，
在基督里同工的，

Barry Leong

A lady driver was looking at the warning signals on her car’s dashboard. It indicated that the car tyres are having serious problem. Instead of checking the tyres, the driver decided to continue driving the car. Her reasoning was that the sensors could be faulty. So, she went on happily to fetch four other passengers and went about their chores in the car. When she got back home later in the evening, she told the family about the “faulty” sensors. A family member went to check out the tyres and realized that the tyres were badly damaged. He went on to have them replaced.

Are we so careless as to be oblivious to the warning signals around us? We “ignore” them because we felt that we know better. Big mistakes come from ignoring the ‘insignificant’ warning signs. I really cannot comprehend how difficult it is to have a look when a warning comes on? The best thing to do is to stop and take a quick assessment before proceeding. Much grief can be sidestepped by paying a little attention. Yet, it seems so difficult. Most accidents happened because people choose to ignore the simple procedures to prevent them.

Jesus warned us about the end times. We are to look out as the signs present themselves. It is for us to do whatever possible to keep ourselves from losing our salvation. Scripture teaches us that the situation can be so bad that God had to cut short those times, otherwise none will be saved. So, do not take it lightly. Do not ignore the warnings.

It is vital for all of us to take our spiritual life seriously. It had to be nurtured and cared for. It is through long and arduous discipline that we develop a strong spiritual life. Even then, we have to be cautious. Even a strong athlete has no guarantee that he will not fail.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, I am no alarmist. At the most I am a voice crying in the desert. All I can hope for is that none will be lost to the world for carelessness about salvation. Do not be distracted by the busyness of the little screen in front of you. Be aware of the dangers of the surrounding environment. Stay safe.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

有一位女司机正在看着车内仪表板上的警告讯号。它显示了汽车轮胎已经出现严重的问题。与其检查轮胎，司机决定继续驾驶前进。她的理由是感应器可能出现了故障。于是，她很开心的去接另外四名乘客，并在车里继续闲话家常。当她稍后在傍晚回到家里，她向家人提起“有故障”的感应器。其中一位家人前去检查轮胎，才惊觉轮胎已经严重损坏，于是他就把轮胎更换了。

我们是否也如此粗心大意，以致无视于我们周围的警告讯号？我们是否以为自己懂得更多，以致“忽略”了它们？忽视“微不足道”的警告讯号足以造成极大的错误。我实在无法理解查看显示的警告讯号到底有多困难？最好是即刻停下，快速作一个评估，然后才继续行程。 多一点的关注可以避免更多悲剧的发生。然而，这看起来好像是很困难的事。大多数的意外发生是因为人们忽视了预防意外的简单步骤。

耶稣警告我们有关末世的事。我们必须注意这些征兆的显露。我们必须尽己所能保守自己不失去我们的救恩。圣经教导我们，境况可能会变得更糟，以致上帝会将这些时间缩短，否则就没有一个人会得救。因此，不要掉以轻心。不要忽视这些警告。

我们慎重看待自己的属灵生命是很重要的。它必须得到培育及照顾。这要经过长期且艰难的训练才能发展一个坚强的属灵生命。即便如此，我们仍然要谨慎。即使是一位强大的运动员，也不能担保他永远不会失败。.

主内弟兄姐妹，我不是在危言耸听。我最多也只是旷野中的哀哭声。我所能期望的是没有人会因为疏忽救恩而丧失在世界里。不要因为忙碌于你眼前的小屏幕而被分散了注意力。小心周围环境的危机。保持安全。

上帝赐福，
主里同工的，

Barry Leong

A little girl was telling the mother that she doesn’t want to go home. The mother replied her sternly that everyone needs to go home. Seems like a very innocent conversation between a child and an adult. Well, it was. IF we look at it a little deeper, do we really know what is the meaning of home? What does home mean to us? What is provided by the “home”? I wonder if we know that many in the world today wish that they have a home to return to? Have we taken for granted the safe haven that we so easily want to give up?

Home means many things to many people. Some have a happy one where they experience love and acceptance. Others may not be that fortunate, resulting in not wanting to go back. But somewhere in the heart there is a longing for a home, where love and acceptance are found. Home, the shelter where we are cared for in our most vulnerable moments; where we are build up again when the world had beaten up right down.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, the church must provide the home that many do not have. Be it destroyed by wars, political turmoil, terrible members of the house or otherwise, the church must come in to give the people a home. Christ came to ensure that we have a heavenly home to go back to. A home without tears and pains, where joy and happiness prevail. Love, peace and joy are what we will find there.

Can we also emulate Christ, our Lord, to provide a home for the people here on this earthly existence. Only when the church plays its part in this world can we say that we live out Christ.

Too often church members think of programme instead of people, liveliness instead of love, accreditation instead of acceptance. It is time for us to turn back and start to live a life worthy of the gospel. Concentrate on people instead of programme for it is people that needs God. They would rather have love and acceptance than all the other riches of the world. So! What are we going to do about it?

Brothers and sisters in Christ, go do it. The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

有一个小女孩告诉她的妈妈说她不要回家。妈妈很严厉的回答她说，每一个都需要回家。这看似孩子和大人之间一段非常单纯的对话。是的，确实是。倘若我们看得深入一点，我们是否真的知道家的真正意义？家对我们而言意味着什么？“家”又提供了什么？我在想我们是否知晓，在今天的世界里有很多人期盼自己有一个家可以回返？我们是否把避风港看作理所当然以致轻易就想放弃？

家对很多人而言有很多的意义。有些人有一个快乐的家是他们可以经历爱和接纳的。有些人却没有那么幸运，结果导致他们不想回家。但是在心灵深处却渴慕一个家，是他们可以找到爱和接纳的地方。家，是我们在极为脆弱的时刻会被关爱的避难所；是当世界被打败的时候，我们却再次被重建的居所。

主内的弟兄姐妹，教会需要提供许多人所没有的家。无论是因为战争的破坏、政治的动荡、家中可怕的成员或其他因素而遭受毁灭，教会必须前来给人们一个家。基督来是确保我们有一个天上的家可以回返。 是一个没有眼泪和伤痛，是显明喜乐和幸福的地方。我们可以在那里找到爱、平安和喜乐。

我们是否可以效法我们主基督，为尘世上的人提供一个家。只有当教会扮演好她在世上的角色，我们才能说我们是活出基督了。

很多时候，教会会友只想到节目而不是群众，生动活泼而不是爱，认可而不是接纳。是时候让我们回转并开始活出与福音相称的生命。专注群众而不是节目，因为群众需要上帝。他们宁愿有爱和接纳胜于全世界的财富。所以，我们应当怎么做呢？

主内弟兄姐妹，去如此行吧。起步的方式就是停止言语并付诸行动。

上帝赐福，
在基督里同工的，

Barry Leong

I was at a queue outside the office of a community club. Some were there for the CDC vouchers and others for tickets for a CNY dinner. Most of the people queuing were elderly folks. The officer-in-charge was swamped and overwhelmed by these folks. The same questions were repeated asked by different folks. One of the questions was why they cannot pay using cash and had to use cashless means? They claim that they do not know how or they do not have bank cards, etc. Story short, they want their way.

The world had moved on and at a very fast pace too. The refusal to adapt to the digital age is obviously a futile effort that leads to a very miserable life going ahead. There is no way back or to stay put. The tide of change cannot be resisted. Yes, it is inconvenient to those who refuse to change, insisting on the old ways. Well, I can only say too bad for you, the rest of us are moving on.

Then there is the other group of “entitled” elderly. This “entitled syndrome” is not just a thing for youths. It is very prevalent among the elderly. Just because you are ‘old’ does not mean that others must do things your way. There is nothing to say that you know everything just because of your age. I would say: “Cross the road carefully, old age does not guarantee that someone needs to give way to you. Even more so as you deal with ‘entitled’ young people.” Mutual respect is very important. Respect is given to you when you also respect others. It also makes for a better society.

Brothers and sisters, the church had come about for more than two thousand years. It had gone through many seasons and trials. There is a need for us to learn to adapt to the tide of change. For sure our theology and belief in God do not change. Our expression of our faith, however, can take a different form. We cannot insist on the bible being printed media only. They can be read using electronic means. There is really nothing wrong with that, just different expressions. Let us build a strong foundation in God and express it in a way that is consistent with the times.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

我正在一间民众俱乐部的办公室外面排队。有人在那里领取社里会的邻里购物券，有的是为新春晚宴的入场券而来。队伍中大多数是乐龄人士。负责的职员被这些乐龄人士所淹没且不知所措。不同的乐龄人士正重复着问同样的一个问题。其中一个问题是为什么他们不能使用现金而只能作无现金交易？他们声称他们不知道怎么做，或者他们没有银行卡等等。简单的说，他们一意孤行。

世界正在前进而且是急速前进。拒绝适应数字时代显然是徒劳无功的，也导致未来的生活会非常苦不堪言。没有退路或原地踏步。变化的浪潮是无法抵抗的。是的，对不愿意改变、顽固不化的人来说是不方便的。但是，我只能说是你吃亏了，其他的人已经在前进中。

此外，还有另一组“享有有特权”的乐龄人士。这“享有特权症状”并不只为年轻人所拥有的，它在乐龄群中也非常普遍。不是因为你年长，就意味着其他的人必须依循你的方式做事。没有说法指明因为你年长，你就什么都懂。我要说的是，“过马路要小心，年长不保证就有人需要让路给你。”当你与拥有“特权”的年轻人接触尤其如此。 互相尊重是非常重要的。当你尊敬他人的时候，你才会得到尊重。这也将造就更好的社会。

弟兄姐妹，教会已经历经了两千多年。她也经历了许多时节及试炼。学习适应变化的浪潮对我们而言是必要的。可以确定的是，我们对上帝的神学与信仰是不变的。然而，我们对信仰却可以用不同的形式表达。我们不能执着于圣经必须是印刷的。它们也可以通过电子方式来阅读，这并没有任何的错误，只是表达的方式不同。让我们在上帝里面建立坚固的根基，并且以能与时代同步的方式表达出来。

上帝赐福，
主里同工的，

Barry Leong

I was having breakfast in a nearby hawker centre. Of course, I will need my coffee. A particular coffee stall caught my eye. It had a long queue while other coffee stalls had no queue at all. It cannot be that the coffee was so different that people choose to queue here than to just buy at another stall. And I found out that was the case. The coffee powder was freshly grounded from the beans, changed after every ten cups or so. The price of the coffee was slightly cheaper than the other stalls. And the wait was not as long as I thought would be. Conclusion was that people will flock to you when you offer reasonably priced good coffee. The slight inconvenience of waiting in queue can be tolerated.

As I always believed, provide good reasonable product (service) and the customers will come. It seems so easy but why are there so many people not doing it? That’s the mystery, correct? My guess is that many are too lazy to work a little harder to make that slight difference to stand out. That little bit of hard work seems to be a bridge too far. Thus, the failure of so many of them. Interestingly, there are so many people with time to redo than time to do it well the first-time round.

In this new year, we must take a close look at ourselves. Are we living a life worthy of the gospel? Can we really say that we are an encouragement for others to follow Christ and not a stumbling block? Are we the good product that draws others to Christ? Hopefully, we are not the bad stuff that keeps others out of the kingdom.

Yes, it will need effort on our part. That, my friends, is the burden that we need to bear. We are saved, no doubt about it. We do not need works to get us into the kingdom. But we need to live like citizens of heaven. Those outside of heaven will look at us and see if it is worth the effort to be in. So, we need to put in that little bit of effort to make a change to our lives, to make it a fragrance unto the Lord.

Happy New Year, my dear brothers and sisters. May the Lord bless you all forever more.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

我正在附近的小贩中心吃早餐。当然，我需要我的咖啡。其中一个咖啡摊位吸引了我的注意力。这个摊位前面正排着长龙的同时，其他的咖啡摊位却无人问津。这绝对不会是因为这摊的咖啡有多奇特，以致群众只选择它而不是去光顾其他的摊位。我还是找出了其中的原因。它的咖啡粉是从咖啡豆中新鲜研磨出来的，而且大约在每十杯之后就更换。咖啡的价钱还比其他摊位的稍微低一点，此外，等待的时间并没有我想像中的长久。结论就是当你所提供的是价钱公道的好咖啡，群众就会蜂拥而至。排队等待所带来的些许不便也是可以容忍的。

我一直都相信，能提供公道的好产品（服务），就能吸引顾客。这看起来很简单，但是为什么还是有那么多的人不依循呢？这很奇怪，对吗？我猜测那是因为很多人太懒惰，不愿意更勤劳一点去稍作改变，好让自己脱颖而出。那一点的辛劳似乎就像一座遥远的桥梁。因此，他们当中许多人就失败了。有趣的是，有更多的人宁可花费时间去重做，而不是在第一轮就把它作好。

在这新的一年里，我们必须仔细的看清自己。我们是否活出与福音相称的生命？我们是否真的能说自己是他人跟随基督的一个鼓励，或者是他们的绊脚石？我们是否是吸引他人亲近基督的好产品吗？真希望我们不是使他人离开天国的坏影响。

是的，我们必须努力。我的朋友，这是我们必须承受的担子。毫无疑问，我们是得救了。我们不需要做什么才能进入天国，但是我们必须活出天国子民的样子。那些在天国以外的人会注视我们并看看是否值得他们进来。因此，我们需要付出些许努力去改变我们的生活，并献上馨香之气给主。

我亲爱的弟兄姐妹，新年快乐。愿主祝福你们直到永远。

上帝赐福，
主里同工的，

Barry Leong

Blessed Christmas to all of you. Christmas is ranked by many as the happiest holiday of the year. The lights and presents add to the festive mood of the yuletide season. People celebrate it regardless if they are Christians or not. It seems to be a holiday for all, and not restricted to anyone. Yes, it is indeed a joyous occasion.

But do we really know why it is such a joyous occasion? To be fair, it is in the midst of winter. In where we are, it is during the wet season. Is it not supposed to be dark and gloomy? Yet Christmas brings such joy to people that they consider it special enough to be the happiest holiday of the year.

Is it because of the presents that people receive during Christmas? Or is it due to the lights and decorations that light up the dark and gloomy weather? Has it got anything to do with the big fat man in the red outfit? NO! All of these are not the reason. The lights and presents are there because of the REAL reason.

The real reason for Christmas is the first coming of Jesus Christ, the Word becomes flesh. He had come into the world in order that man can be saved and to have eternal life. Human beings are unable to save ourselves from the tyranny of sin. Without Jesus Christ, we are doomed for eternal death. So, His coming into the world is wonderful news for us. He is the light that had entered darkness and to conquer darkness. That is why we celebrate with great joy. The presents and everything else is but peripherals to the real joy of having Jesus Christ. He is here for the entire mankind. That is why everybody has a strange feeling of unspeakable joy when it comes to Christmas. It is beyond words.

Brothers and sisters, when we celebrate Christmas let us also bring the greatest joy to those who has yet to believe the saviour Jesus Christ. Let no one take away the real reason for Christmas, Jesus Christ.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

祝贺各位圣诞节蒙恩。圣诞节被很多人列为一年之中最快乐的假日。彩灯和礼物也增添了圣诞季节的气氛。不论是不是基督徒，人们都庆祝这个节日。它似乎就是所有人的节日，并不局限于任何人。是的，这确实是一个欢乐的日子。

但是我们是否真的知道它为何是这么一个欢乐的日子呢？公平的说，这是在冬季期间。在我们所处之地，就是雨季。难道不应该是灰暗和阴郁的吗？但是圣诞节却把喜乐带给了人们，以致他们把它看作是特别且是一年之中最欢乐的日子。

是因为人们在圣诞节所收到的礼物吗？或是点燃灰暗及阴郁的彩灯及布置呢？还是跟那位穿着红袍的大胖子有关？不是！这些都不是原因。彩灯和礼物之所以存在是为着那个真正的原因。

圣诞节真正的原因是耶稣基督第一次的降临。道成了肉身。祂来到世界上，使世人能得救并有永恒的生命。人类无法将自己从罪恶的权势中拯救出来。没有耶稣基督，我们就要在永恒的死亡中灭亡。所以，祂来到世界上对我们而言是美好的消息。祂是那一道进入黑暗并得胜黑暗的亮光。因此我们能以极大的喜乐欢庆。礼物和其他一切都只是我们在拥有耶稣基督时得到真正喜乐以外的附属。祂为全人类而来。这就是为什么当来到圣诞节，每一个人都会奇妙的感觉到无法形容的喜乐。这是无法言喻的。.

弟兄姐妹，当我们庆祝圣诞节，让我们也把最大的喜乐带给那些还未相信救主耶稣基督的人。不要让任何人夺去圣诞节真正的意义，耶稣基督。

上帝赐福，
在主里同工的,

Barry Leong

As we become more 富裕affluent and educated, it is important to keep away from being too sure of ourselves. The recent death of a SCDF NS firefighter is a timely but sad reminder for Singaporeans who think that we are safe and sound. Napoleon, at his heights, said “God is on the side of him with the biggest guns.” During his exile, he said, “Man proposes, God disposes.”

The parable that Jesus told of the rich man who wanted to tear down the old barns to build new ones because he thought that he was successful (Lk 12:16-20), should give us a warning of being too conceited. We may just end up losing everything. Also, if our sight is only on this life time, then we will lose, big time, on the future that is to come.

As we come to the end of the year, we must take some time off to look deep into ourselves. What are there that need changing? How are we going about it? What kind of impact or consequence if there is no action taken?

It is good for us to start doing it before we get caught up in the festive celebrations and busyness. Time will fly by very fast and before we know it, it is gone. Another year will come and go.

Do not sit in the well and look up to the sky. Your view will be limited. And your decisions will be short-sighted and lacking. When all had come and gone, we may regret that we did not climb out to see the bigger perspective. Regrets are the worse things in life.

Also do not be the frog in a boiling kettle. Always be aware of the changes around and within you. With everything changing so fast, we may be boiled alive without knowing. Dying as a fool is a very bad way to die.

Brothers and sisters, Christmas and the beginning of a new year is around the corner. Make a choice to live well, a life that is worthy of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

May you have a fruitful and wonderful time during this festive season.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

当我们越来越富裕及接受更多教育的同时，很重要的是要避免对自己过于自信。日前一名民防局国民服役消防员的逝世，对以为自己很安全稳当的新加坡人来说是一个及时但哀痛的提醒。拿破仑在他的巅峰时期，曾说：“上帝站在握着最大的枪的那一边”。他在流亡期间，他说：“人建议，上帝处置”。

主耶稣提及的比喻中，富有的财主筹划着要拆了旧的仓房以另盖新的，因为他以为自己已经很成功了（路加福音 12:16-20），这已经在警告我们不要过于自负。我们可能最终会失去一切。此外，倘若我们的眼目只在乎今生，那么我们在未来的日子，将会失去更重要的时刻。

当我们来到一年的结束，我们一定要拨出时间自我深省。有什么是需要改变的？我们该怎么作？若不采取任何行动，又将会出现什么冲击或后果呢？

能够在我们陷入节日欢庆和忙碌之前就先这么做是很好的。时间急速飞逝，在我们发现之前就已经消失了。一年来去又一年。

不要坐井观天，你的视角将受到限制，而你的决定也将是短视和贫乏的。当一切来了又去，我们可能就要懊悔自己未曾爬出来看看更大的视野。生命中最糟糕的事就是懊悔。

此外，也不要成为沸腾水壶中的青蛙。必须时常关注你周遭和内在的变化。当所有的事物都急速变化，我们可能在毫不察觉时就活生生被煮沸了。成为傻瓜死去是最坏与最笨的死法。

弟兄姐妹，圣诞节和新一年的开始即将来临。作出抉择活得有意义，活出一个配得耶稣基督福音的生命。

祈愿你在这佳节期间，有丰盛及美好的时刻。

上帝赐福，
在基督里同工的，

Barry Leong

I was going for a retreat in Changi. When I reached the hotel, I found none of the other participants there. After a phone call I realised that I was at the wrong hotel. I assumed this was the hotel. However, it was wrong. Fortunately for me the correct hotel was only a few minutes away. So, I managed to get to the correct place without being late.

Of course, that was not life and death issue. At most, I would be reprimanded for being late but I will not lose my life or be damned forever.

There are many, however, are in a precarious position of being wrong to the extent that they may be in eternal perdition. They assume that they “know” what they believe. Unfortunately, most time they do not. I am not saying that they are not intelligent. It is that they merely assume that they know because their parents and grandparents believed. There is no deliberate effort to check if their beliefs make sense. For example, burning paper items and assume that the dead ancestors will receive them in full forms. No address, no recipients, no understanding of what the other world is like. Can the “offerings” even make sense? But they think that they know. Or they do not really care as long as their ‘conscience’ and duties are done.

What should we, as Christians, do? How do we help them know the truth? Well, we must know the truth first. How do we do that? By studying the bible and attending lessons to know more. There are many resources available today. Just a word of caution about resources via the internet; you must verify the teachings with the Holy Scripture yourself. Do not take it as gospel truth just because it was “taught by some big names.” The local church has the responsibility of educating the members. SJCp had been trying to provide biblical teachings and more will be provided next year.

Brothers and sisters, I encourage you to stop assuming and start to know for sure. Let us come together to learn from the Holy Word the God that loves us.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

我正前往樟宜参加一个退修会。当我抵达酒店，在那里却找不到其他的参加者。我打了一通电话才发现自己走错了酒店。我以为就是这间酒店，但是却错了。幸亏我前往正确的酒店只需几分钟的时间。于是我能在不迟到的情况下抵达正确的地点。

当然，这并非关乎生死的事情。最多我可能因为迟到而受责备，但却不至于失去我的生命或永远被诅咒。

然而有很多人却因为犯错而处在岌岌可危的境地，甚至可能落入永恒的灭亡。他们以为自己“知道”自己所相信的。不幸的是，很多时候他们并不知道。我不是说他们并不聪明，只是他们假设自己知道，仅仅是基于他们的父母和祖父母所信的。其中也没有刻意和极力的去察验自己的信念是否有意义。例如，焚烧纸制物品并假设逝世的祖先仍会完好无缺的接收到。没有地址、没有接收者、也对另一个世界一无所知。“祭拜”是否有意义？但是他们仍以为自己懂得，又或者只要他们完成了“良知”及职责，他们并不真正在乎。

身为基督徒，我们又应该做些什么呢？我们怎么帮助他们知道真理呢？当然，我们必须懂得真理。我们如何办到？藉着查阅圣经及参加课程以了解更多。今天有很多资源垂手可及。这里要针对网络上资源稍作提醒；你必须自己以圣经来验证这些教导。不要因为是“鼎鼎大名的人”所教导的，就将之视为福音真理。我们的教会有责任教导会友。SJCp一直都在尝试提供圣经教导，明年也将有更多的安排。

弟兄姐妹们，我勉励你们停止假设，开始确定。让我们从圣经中一起学习去爱我们的上帝。

上帝赐福，
基督里同工的，

Barry Leong

I heard some of the school girls moaning over the Mandarin assignment they had to hand up. One of them was supposed to be their “saviour” because she takes “Higher Chinese.” I found the term “Higher Chinese” amusing. I thought it would be more appropriate to call the subject “Higher Mandarin,” after all they are studying Mandarin. Chinese is a race with many variants (about 302) of the same language, eg. Cantonese, Hokkien, Kuek, Hainanese, etc. Mandarin is but one form though it must be said that it is to be the “commonly” spoken (pu tong hua). The lack of precision in terms used is not confined just to the lay people; even the Ministry of Education makes such an assumption.

I really must urge members to learn to use terms as they meant it to be. The danger of being vague in our language brings forth discord and misunderstanding. People do disagree over issues mainly due to wrong premises. For example, the evolution theory. In your mind, you start to think about the theory that man evolved from monkeys, and further back to the big bang. This is but one variant of the evolution theory albeit the most commonly known. Another variant is that mankind does adapt to their surrounding and evolve accordingly to survive in that environment, eg. people living in the tropics as opposed to those living in the arctic. From the different in premises and without stating it, two people can get into a heated argument. Also, imprecise terms breed misrepresentations and misunderstanding. Therefore, it may be better to keep one’s silence unless we can make it very clear. However, nothing is better than it coming straight from the horse’s mouth.

In a society where people are used to messaging language and cannot spell correctly, or deliberately not spelling correctly, misunderstandings are time bombs ready to explode.

Let us be very careful with the way we use terms and say things in order that we may live harmoniously.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

我听到一群女学生在为她们需要交上的华文作业哀叹。其中一位似乎是她们的“救主”，因为她上的是“高级华文”课程。我觉得“高级华文”（Higher Chinese）这个名词很有趣。我想应该称这门课程为“高级华语”（Higher Mandarin）更加贴切，毕竟她们学习的是华语。华族是一个源自一种语言进而演变出许多种语言（大约302种）的民族，例如，粤语、闽语、客语、琼语，等等。华语则是其中的一个形式，虽然必须说它是“普遍”被使用的语言（普通话）。对词汇缺乏精确的应用并不局限于一般平民；即使是教育部也会作出同样的假设。

我确实要请求会友学习按着词汇的字义去使用这些词汇。含糊不清的使用语文所带来的危机就是造成不和及误会。人们会因为立场的不同而对各种话题产生异议。举个例子，进化论。在你的头脑里开始想到猴子演变成为人的理论，然后再往前追溯。其实这只是进化论中最广为人知的一个演变。 另外一个则是人类因为要适应周围环境，进而演变才能在环境中生存，例如，生活在热带地区的人与生活在北极的人是不同的。来自不同的立场，加上没有说明，两个人就可以进入一场激烈的争执。另外，不精确的词汇也会产生曲解及误会。因此，除非我们可以清楚说明，否则宁可保持沉默。无论如何，没有什么比由当事人亲自讲述来得更好。

在一个人们都习惯于发简讯，又无法准确拼写，或刻意不准确拼写的社会里，误会就是一颗随时准备爆炸的定时炸弹。

我们在遣词用字及言语上必须非常的小心，好让我们能和睦共处。

上帝赐福，
主里同工的

Barry Leong

A man went to church grumbled about the hypocrites he saw, the mistakes made by the song leader, the way offertory was collected, and the content of the pastor’s sermon. It was a very terrible service for him. He would have changed church had it not been the same elsewhere.

Another man in the same service said as he was leaving that it was an uplifting service and left with a joyful heart. Each of them experienced the truth of the words: “What you look for is what you get.”

In Psalms 122, David recalled the gladness he had felt when his companions invited him to accompany them to a religious festival in the temple at Jerusalem (v1,2). He spoke of the sense of oneness he experienced there with people from all the tribes (v3-5). He urged his readers to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. He longed for the food of all the people (v6-8). But as his thoughts focused on Jerusalem as the location of the temple, which represented the dwelling place of God, he pledged himself to seek its prosperity (v9). His whole attitude was positive.

Although there may have been hypocrites in the temple (as in the church today), David was not concerned with them. If he had been preoccupied with some faults in the priests’ performance of their tasks or mistakes the musicians made, he would have missed the joy of true worship. But he went looking for fellowship with believers and with God, and that’s what he found.

Yes, we get what we look for. What did you find in church today?

GO TO CHURCH TO WORSHIP, NOT WHISPER –

TO COMMUNE, NOT TO CRITICIZE.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

有一个人来到教会，埋怨他所看见的伪君子，诗歌领唱所犯的错误，收取奉献的方式，以及牧师讲道的内容。对他而言，这是非常糟糕的崇拜聚会。如果不是其他教会也大同小异，他早就转换教会了。

另外一个在相同崇拜聚会的人，在离开的时候却说这是振奋人心的聚会，并怀着喜悦的心离去。他们各人都体现了“所見即所得”的真理。

在诗篇122，大卫回顾当他的同伴邀请他在宗教节庆回到耶路撒冷的圣殿时他所感受到的喜悦（1,2节）。他述说自己在那里经历了来自各个支派的会众合一的精神（3-5节）。他呼吁他的读者要为耶路撒冷求平安。他渴望所有会众的食物（6-8节）。但是他的思想却专注于圣殿的所在地耶路撒冷，这是上帝降临的地方，他定意要为它求福（9节）。他的整个心态是非常积极的。

虽然在圣殿中可能会有虚假的人（就如今天的教会），大卫并不在乎他们。如果他真的只专注在祭司执行任务时的一些欠缺，或者乐手的错误，那么他就会失去真正敬拜的喜乐。但他去寻求的却是与信徒和与上帝之间的团契，这也是他所找到的。

是的，所見即所得。那么你今天在教会里找到什么呢？

去教会，是为了虔诚敬拜而不是窃窃私语–

是为了彼此交流而不是相互批评。

上帝赐福，
在基督里同工的，

Barry Leong

A motorcyclist was riding precariously near the blind spot of my car. I slowed down to let him pass. He overtook me and continued to weave in and out of traffic dangerously. To be honest I gave way to him because I was more afraid of him damaging my car than he killing himself.

Further down the road, a car screeched to a halt because a girl crossed the road recklessly. The girl was not even one bit stirred by the near-death event. From where I was, I could see that her ears were plugged with ear phones, probably pumped to the loudest volume possible. I understand that some places in the world are trying to outlaw crossing the road while “hooked” on to some mobile devices – iPhones, iPod, etc…

I wonder if we try to live life on the dangerous edge and think that it is a cool thing to do. I can only warn that one who lives on the knife edge, dies by the knife edge. Why do we cut the line so fine? Is it a fad? Is it a habit? I do not know. What I do know is that many live that way. Too much James Bond movies perhaps!

Many think that they could leave the matters of heaven till later. We always have tomorrow. Sometimes, tomorrow never comes. Will those who survive us have to live in regret for us? Or one must live in regret for eternity? Personally, those are very bad ideas.

Don’t continue to sit back in a carnal sense of security and play the game of a sinful life. We have been warned that unless we turn from our ways we will perish. In a twisted way of bravado many laughed off God’s forgiveness. Don’t boast that you will be a Christian in your old age and in the meantime prefer the pleasures of this world despite the danger. Although the door to God is always open when you call, but that is assuming you get a chance to call.

Don’t live life dangerously, live it comfortably – believe in God NOW.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

有一名电单车骑士正摇晃着靠近我汽车的盲点。我减速让他先过去。他越过我后仍继续左右穿梭的危险驾驶。坦白说，我之所以让路给他是害怕他损毁我的车过于他伤害自己。

跟着前方不远处，有一辆汽车因为一名女孩鲁莽过马路而紧急刹车。那女孩却丝毫不受这近乎死亡的事件所惊扰。从我所在之处，我可以看见她的耳朵正插着耳机，很可能还调到最大的声量。我明白有些国家已经开始立法制止人过马路时被一些行动设备“控制”——苹果手机，苹果音乐机，等等…

我在想我们是否尝试在危险的边缘生活却还以为这是很酷的事。我只能警告，那些活在刀锋上的人必死在刀锋下。为什么我们要把线划得那么细？这是潮流吗？这是习惯吗？我不知道。我知道的是很多人就是如此活着的。可能是看了太多詹姆斯·邦德（James Bond）的电影吧！

很多人以为他们可以将关乎天堂的事留待稍后再说。我们总还有明天。其实有时候，明天永远不会来。那些在我们之后还活着的人，会为我们懊悔吗？或者有人必须活在永恒的懊悔中？对我个人而言，这是极其恶劣的想法。

不要继续悠闲在肉身的安全感里，且仍然在犯罪的生活中游戏。我们已经被警告除非从我们的道路上回转，否则我们将被灭亡。在扭曲的虚妄中，很多人嗤笑上帝的赦免。不要夸口你将会在晚年成为基督徒，而现时却宁愿不顾危险地享受这世界。虽然在你呼求的时候，上帝的大门随时是开着的，但那也必须是你还有机会呼求。

不要冒险的活着，要舒适的活着——现在就相信上帝。

上帝赐福，
在基督里同工的，

Barry Leong

I attended a prayer meeting recently. There were slightly over 400 people gather to pray in that meeting. ‘All was well’ and everybody was excited. All shouted ‘Amen’ when the MC was professing that Christians believe in prayer. The entire meeting lasted about 2 hours. I must say that this was quite a hyped-up meeting.

Then it dawned upon me that this organisation has about 20,000 members. All of them are supposed to believe in the power of prayer. In this annual event about 2% came to pray. Slightly less than half the sanctuary was filled. Can we seriously say that they believed in prayer? What happened to the rest of the members? Too inconvenient for them? Maybe, just maybe, they were participating in the prayer meeting at wherever they were. I seriously doubt that.

Okay, I am not being cynical. I am just sad. We have to be honest with ourselves. With the challenges of the world we are in today, we cannot afford to be lying to ourselves. Or even being complacent.

It is time that we are serious about our faith and work hard at living it out. There is really no point in ‘playing church’ or being falsely religious. If we really believe in the power of prayer, especially corporate prayer, then let us stand up and be counted. Let us not hide behind some semblance of piety and think that we are okay. No, we are not okay. Look at the number of members attending prayer meetings. It is really pathetic in many cases. Sad to say that, in some cases, the pastor is only there because he is on duty. So, are we really okay? No, but all is not lost.

I believe in the power of prayer. It stems from my belief of the true and living God who loves me. His word is remains true that He will answer us when we call upon Him. He will never fail.

But we need to truly believe and show it by both actions and words. There is nothing to gain from lying to ourselves. We need to be honest to ourselves and turn from wrongdoings. It is time to be real in our faith. Seek God while He can still be found.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

我在不久前参加了一个祷告会。有稍微超过400人聚集在这祷告会中一起祈祷。“一切都好”而每一个人也很兴奋。当司仪宣称基督徒是相信祷告的，众人也大声说“阿们”。整个祷告会历时大约2个小时。 我必须说这是一个相当振奋人心的聚会。

接着有一个念头浮起，这个机构拥有20,000会友。他们所有的人都应该相信祷告的能力。在这个年度的聚会里，只有2% 的人出席并祷告。圣殿内只坐满不到一半的座位。 我们还能慎重的说他们是相信祷告的吗？其他的会友怎么了？对他们而言，是很不方便吗？或许，或许，他们是在其他所在之地参与了祷告会。我对此实在质疑。

其实，我不是愤世嫉俗，我只是难过。我们必须对自己诚实。面对我们今日所处世界带来的挑战，我们不能容许自欺，甚至都不能自满。

是时候慎重看待我们的信仰，并竭尽所能去将之活出来。实在不需要“游戏教会”或假装虔诚。如果我们真的相信祷告的能力，尤其是集体的祷告，就让我们起立并参与。我们不要躲藏在一些虔诚的虚表背后，为自己还好。不是的，我们并不好。不妨看看参加祷告会的会友人数，很多时候真的是很可怜的。难过的说，有些时候，牧者出席是因为他有职责在身。我们真的是还好吗？不是的，只是还不至于白费心机。

我相信祷告的能力。支撑我的是我相信真实及爱我的永活神。祂的话语一直都是真实的，祂也会在我们呼求祂的时候回应我们。祂永不食言。

但是我们需要确实的相信并以行动和言语表达出来。从自欺中不能有所获得。我们必须诚实的面对自己并从恶行中转回。是时候真实面对我们的信仰。趁着上帝还能寻见的时候就寻求祂。

上帝赐福，
主里同工的，

Barry Leong

Go figures! Don’t just laugh at the similarity. Think of the similar consequences.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

想想吧！不要对它的相似会心微笑。 好好想想它相似的祸害。

上帝赐福，
在基督里同工，

Barry Leong

It was painful for me to see members burying their heads on their phone playing mobile games before the morning service starts. The church was full of people, yet only a few were interacting meaningfully while the rest were like the new perennial monkey – “speak nothing, see nothing, and hear nothing” – burying their heads in their phones. No! They were not preparing their hearts for the worship of God. If anything, they wish they were not there and somewhere else indulging in their fantasies.

Yes, I know that you are going to say that I am going on my perpetual complain about using the mobile phones. No, I am not against the using of the phone as a tool. I am against a new form of addiction, that cannot be enforced like abuse of drugs or gambling. I know that parents lament their inability to ‘control’ their children doing so. Well, the first thing is to start controlling themselves.

I hope I am wrong in this prediction of the future. But I am quite sure that many children, especially boys, will grow up to regret their indulgence in mobile gaming. They will not do well in their education, and their focus is perpetually elsewhere. Addiction in any form – drugs, vaping, mobile gaming – will one day destroy your health, family and career. Shout all you want for the government to ‘protect’ your job. It won’t happen. The global competition had started long before and it is not going to stop. Be good enough or be disqualified. You had your chance for a head start, destroy it at your own peril. Start to think and refocus your direction and life. Do not give the silly excuse of stress. With good planning and consultation with those who gone before, difficulties can be managed.

Most importantly, we have the Almighty God who is our father in heaven. He will lead and guide us, if we are willing to spend the time listening to him instead of the heart trumping sounds of mobile games.

Brothers and sisters, neglect God at your own risk. All I can say to you is the it is not worth it. Love God and Him alone, and you will find true joy, peace and love.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

每当我看见会友在上午的崇拜开始前埋头于手机游戏，确实令我心痛。教会虽有很多人，但是只有一些人会用心的彼此沟通，而其他的却像新版的三不猴（perennial monkey)——“非礼勿言，非礼勿视、非礼勿听”—— 将他们的头都埋在手机里。没有！他们并没有预备自己的心敬拜上帝。或者，他们甚至希望自己并不在场而是在别处沉溺在他们的梦幻中。

是的，我知道你又要说我不断对使用手机作出抱怨。不是，我不是反对把手机当用具使用。我是在针对一个上瘾的新形式，它与滥用毒品或赌博一样是不能被沾染的。我知道父母也因为无力“控制”孩子如此行而哀叹。但是，首先要作的就是先控制他们自己。

我希望我如此预测未来是错误的，但是我可以相当肯定有很多孩子，特别是男生，将来长大会对他们沉溺于手机游戏而感到懊悔。他们将不会在教育上有好成绩，他们的专注力一直都在别处。任何形式的上瘾——毒品、电子烟、手机游戏——总有一天会毁掉你的健康、家庭和事业。你可以大声嘶喊让政府来“保住”你的工作，但什么都不会发生。全球性的竞争早已经开始，也不会停止下来。足以胜任或遭受淘汰。你的机会就在起跑点，你可以冒险把它毁坏。开始思考并重新聚焦在你的方向和生活。不要以压力作为愚蠢的藉口。有好的计划以及向有经验者咨询，困难就可以在掌握中。

最重要的是，我们有全能的上帝，祂是天上的父。如果我们愿意用时间聆听祂的声音胜于手机游戏发出的声音，祂会带领及引导我们。

弟兄姐妹，若忽略上帝就要自负后果。我可以对你说的是，这绝对不值得。爱上帝并单单爱祂，你会找到真正的喜乐、平安和爱。

上帝赐福，
主里同工的，

Barry Leong

There was a time we seek to have pen pals. You write a letter, post it and wait for the reply (sometimes for a long time before you get one). The excitement of receiving a letter was beyond words. And it was likely that you will read the letter many times over, to enjoy the feeling again and again. That was also how we get to know each other over a long distance. We call such a system snail mail nowadays. The only letters we receive now are mostly bills and official corporate notifications. An old man mentioned cheekily while standing beside his letterbox that he should rename it to “bill-box”, as those were the only correspondences coming to him.

Fast forward, technology today had “shortened” the distance and time that we get to know one another. You send a message, through any of the social media platforms, and you expect to receive a reply almost immediately. If not, you send another mail to “chase” for a reply. Search through the “postings” in the social media platforms, like Facebook or Instagram, and you can almost create a profile of someone you had never met in your life once. Now, you may even think that he or she had been your friend a lifetime ago.

People hardly talk over the phone too. We used to complain about our relations using the phone for too long, “cooking telephone porridge” as it was termed. Something that a very quick phone call can settle, end up spending much effort over messaging.

So, I really do not know if technology had made any real progress. It had alienated people, for that I am very sure. There are much less meaningful interactions and relationships among people who matters. We “know a lot and don’t know a lot” if you know what I mean.

Brothers and sisters, I pray that you will get to know the people around you in a real and meaningful way, not via messages or postings. But in a way that’s full of flesh and blood. Also, do know our Lord in the most intimate way and not only via YouTube videos.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

在过往我们曾经想要拥有笔友。你写了一封信，邮寄后等待回音（有时候还需等待许久才得到回信）。收到回信的兴奋感确实是难以言喻的。而你可能还会重复阅读信件很多遍，也不断享受其中的感觉。这也是我们跨越远距离彼此认识的方式。我们今日称此系统为蜗牛邮件。我们现今会收到的邮件大部份是账单及官方公函通知。有一位长者站在他的邮箱旁边，很调皮地说他应该将之改名为“账单邮箱”，因为朝他而来的只有这些邮件。

时间快速前进，今天的科技确实“缩短”了我们彼此相识的距离和时间。你藉着任何社交媒体的平台发了一条讯息，你也期待马上能收到回音。否则，你会再发一条讯息“催促”对方回复。通过社交媒体平台寻索“发布文”，例如脸书、新浪微博，你就几乎可以为一个素未谋面的人开置个人资料夹。现在，你或许也以为他/她是你相识已久的朋友。

大家也难得会以电话交谈。我们曾经埋怨因为关系而长时间使用电话，就是所谓的“煲电话粥”。有时候一通电话就能快速解决的事情，结果却用了很多精力去发送讯息。

所以，我真的不知道科技是否带来真正的进展。但我非常确定的是，它使人孤僻。它在至关重要的人当中，减少了很多有意义的互动及关系。如果你明白我的意思，那么我们就是“知道的很多，不知道的也很多”。

弟兄姐妹，我祈祷你们能藉着真实和有意义的方式去认识你们周围的人，不是通过讯息或发布文。而是以有血有肉的方式。此外，要藉着最亲密的方式来认识我们的主，而不只是通过优酷的视频。

上帝赐福，
在主里同工的，

Barry Leong

Every so often that people talk about wanting to retire from their job early and “enjoy” life. Some succeeded, some failed and others are left wondering what happened. Well, they have a foretaste of it courtesy of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The pandemic forced a period of “no work” and staying in at home. At the beginning, many were “enjoying” the “freedom” of lazing around. Soon enough, reality sets in. Many became bored, not knowing what to do? They were totally unprepared for this “forced slow down.” One cannot do as they pleased, nor go as they want. There was nothing planned in their lives for the unexpected sudden lockdown. Students and working adults alike scrambled for IT equipment for learning and work. What do they do with so much “free” time on their hands now? Some of them had found themselves inadequate as they are not prepared to “jump” into the digital world. Just saying you do not know how to use a computer or IT gadget is not going to cut it as there will be very little help all of a sudden. The steep learning curve will have to be climbed very quickly, like it or not.

We have to think very carefully what we talk and ask for, because we may just get it before we are prepared for it. Retirement is not to be a frivolous word to just mutter out. For many, it must be thought of very carefully and start preparing from a very early stage of working life.

The work of the Lord cannot be put off till a later time when we are “more free” to do. Rarely, there will come a time when we will be “more free”. As the bible warns us that the servant must keep alert for the return of the master and not slack, it is prudent for us to keep alert. We should give the best time to the Lord and not giving “leftovers” to Him.

Brothers and sisters, we must work while it is still day. Night is coming when no work can be done. Concentrate on what is important (evangelism and discipleship). Do not get distracted by the peripheral issues (LGBTQ, gender equality, etc). Those issues are not important compared with the eternal life of a person. Concentrate and focus.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

经常听到有人说要提早从工作中退休，然后“享受”生活。有的成功了，有的却失败，留下其他的人就疑惑发生了什么事。因着2019年冠状疫情，他们预先尝到所谓退休生活了。

疫情迫使人进入“没有工作”并留守在家的时期。起初，很多人会“享受”懒散的“自由”，但很快的就回到现实。很多人开始烦闷，不知该作些什么？他们对这“被迫放慢”的状态完全没有预备。没有人可以随心所欲，或任意而行。他们的生活中，对突如其来的封锁并没有任何防备。学生和工作人士同样为学习及工作所需的讯息科技器具而忙乱。他们如何看待手上宽裕的“空闲”时间？当中有些人因为没有预备好“投入”数码世界而发现自己的不足。到处说你不会使用电脑或讯息科技器具是没用的；因为你会很突然的感觉无助也发现无人会伸出援手。无论喜欢与否，都必须很快的爬上陡斜的曲线。

我们对所说及所要求的，都要经过清楚的思考，因为我们可能提出要求却还没来得及作好预备就实现了。退休不是一个随口嘀咕的轻浮词句。对很多人来说，它必须经过深思熟虑，也必须在工作生涯的很早期就开始作准备。

主的工作不能被忽略至我们“比较清闲”的时候才去行。甚少有这样的一段时间是我们“比较清闲”的。圣经也警告我们，仆人不能散漫，一定要儆醒等候主人的归来，我们必须保持谨慎。我们应当将最好而不是“剩余”的时间献给主。

弟兄姐妹，我们要趁着白日做工，黑夜将来临就没有人能做工了。要专注在重要的事上（传福音及门徒训练）。不要被外在的因素分散注意力（性取向课题，性别平等，等等）。那些课题对比一个人的永恒生命并不重要。要集中并专注。

上帝赐福，
主里同工的，

Barry Leong

Shortly after I started on my sabbatical leave, the government implemented a circuit breaker because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Just before that I was exercising quite vigorously everyday clocking about seven to nine kilometres each day. With the circuit breaker, everybody must wear a mask. To be sure I was quite irritated with that idea. How am I going to continue my vigorously workouts with the mask? (Spoiler: One of my personal sabbatical goals was lose six kilograms and bring “six friends” back.)

An idea struck me as I sat there moping. Athletes had always wore masks to train to simulate high attitude’s thin atmosphere. That made the training a lot more difficult. Immediately I decided that I cannot change the situation, but I can change myself. I continued my everyday workout with a re-usable mask on. Yes, it was more difficult, but it paid off. I reached my goals in a shorter time and felt much better that I could do it.

Our Christian life will need us to persevere on in spite of all difficulties to live a good life. Of course, it is much easier to listen to some “famous” preachers and believe that we need not do so. Regardless of how much money you ‘donated’ to them, you will not go to heaven on their teachings. It is more likely that you will end up in hell. Living a life that glorifies God in an era that is evil and against God is very difficult. Just staying away from the mobile phone for slightly more than an hour to worship God collectively is already very difficult for many; and you want to talk about real sacrifice?

There are many who read the bible and find some part of it difficult to follow. Credit to some, they soldiered on. There are others who will just ignore them and live a truncated gospel. Still others will try to explain away or even change the meaning totally just to feel that they are living the full gospel (think prosperity gospel, or cheap grace).

Brothers and sisters, persevere on and fight the good fight till the end. There is no easy way in this era, only holding on to the truth of Scripture.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

当我开始我的安息年假期不久，政府就因为2019年的冠状病毒疫情而实行了阻断措施。在这之前，我每天都勤力作运动，一天能建走七到九公里。因为阻断措施，每个人都一定要戴上口罩，其实我对这个要求是感到相当烦躁的。我戴上口罩又怎么能继续勤力作锻炼呢？（泄密警告：我其中一个安息年的个人目标是要减去六公斤并寻回  “六个朋友”）。

在我感觉郁闷的时候，一个念头敲击了我。运动员需要经常戴着口罩，在高空气压下接受稀薄氛围的模拟训练。这就增加了训练的难度。我立刻就决定，我虽然不能改变处境，但是我可以改变自己。我每天戴着可重复使用的口罩继续锻炼。是的，这愈发困难，但是值得了。我在更短的时间内达到了目标，也为自己能作到而感觉良好。

我们基督徒的生活需要我们在所有的困难之外，仍坚持到底活出美好的生命。当然，去听一些“著名”的讲员说话，然后相信我们不需要这么作是比较简单的。不管你“捐赠”了多少钱给他们，你将不会靠他们的教导上天堂。很可能，你最终到了地狱。要在一个邪恶且与上帝对抗的世代活出荣耀上帝的生命非常艰难的。对许多人来说，要稍微摆脱手机超过一个小时，以便能集体的敬拜上帝已经是非常困难了；而你还想谈论真正的牺牲吗？

有很多人查阅圣经却发现其中有些部分难以遵从。归功给那些坚持争战的人。有的人会无视这些且活出断章取义的福音。也有一些是尝试辩驳或完全改变原意，好让自己以为是活出全备的福音（例如富裕福音，或廉价恩典）。

弟兄姐妹，坚持到底，至死打一场美好的仗。这个世代没有捷径，只有把握圣经的真理。

上帝赐福，
主里同工的

Barry Leong

When I was six years old, my father was teaching me not to smoke cigarette. The only problem was that he was smoking one at that very moment. As an obnoxious kid, I asked him why he can smoke? He gave some silly excuses that the toilets were very smelly during his younger days. I did not listen to him teaching me as I did not believe in a person who was smoking at the moment and telling me not to do so. Of course, I did not pick up that bad habit as I was intelligent enough to understand the bad effects from my own readings. I took personal responsibility for my own health. To be fair, my father, who I loved dearly, had many good qualities that I had benefitted and learned from. Smoking, however, was not one of them.

Fast forward to recent years. I exercise to keep myself healthy and fit. Why? Because I cannot bring myself to tell my church members to keep healthy and fit if I am not doing so myself. Having a big fat midsection and telling them to take care of the body, the temple of God, is a very bad example and as ridiculous as my father teaching me not to smoke while smoking many years ago. I cannot bring myself to give ridiculous reasons. I have to talk the walk and walk the talk.

This living right has to continue till the end of our lives. We cannot live on the history of doing good. What happened yesterday is gone, today is a new day. It is for us to continue to live well. I used to read the bible conscientiously but I got lazy and stopped does not really cut it as a good example to learn from. We need to persevere. Past glory cannot be used to teach others. Only what you do now can be a testimony. And this testimony is good only as long as you continue to live well.

Christians must really learn to live the life worthy of the gospel. A life that is characterized by the fruit of the Holy Spirit. We may once be lost but now must live like one that is found by God. Do not give excuse to ourselves. What’s gone is history, today we live to create the future, a future with God as Lord and King.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

在我六岁的时候，我的父亲就教导我不要抽烟。唯一的问题是在那一刻他正叼着一根烟。身为一个令人厌烦的小孩，我问他为什么他可以抽烟？他提出一个愚蠢的理由说，在他小时候厕所是非常臭的。我没有听从他的教导，因为我不相信一个当时正在抽烟的人竟然能够教导我不可如此行。当然，我没有染上那个坏习惯，因为我足以聪明的从个人阅读中去明白它的不良后果。我为我自己的健康负责。公平的说，我的父亲，是我心深爱的，有许多好品德是我受益良多并可以学习的。只是抽烟，并不在其内。

快速来到这几年，我常常运动以维持自己的健康及强壮。为什么呢？因为我不能允许自己在告诉我的会友要保持健康和强壮的同时，自己却没有作到。有一个肥大的肚腹却告诉他们要照顾身体，上帝的圣殿，这是非常不好的榜样，这就如多年前我的父亲在他抽烟的同时告诉我不可以抽烟一样的荒谬。我不能允许自己找荒谬的理由。我必须言我所行，行我所言。

正确的生活必须持续到我们生命的终点。我们不能活在光荣的历史中。昨日种种已经消失，今天是新的一天。我们需要继续活得好。我曾经切切实实的查阅圣经，但之后就懒散并停止，这绝不能成为学习的榜样。我们必须坚持。过去的荣耀不能用来教导别人。只有你目前所作的才能成为见证。唯有当你继续活得好，这见证才能是美好的。

基督徒一定要学习活出与福音相称的生命，一个能印证圣灵果子的生命。我们可能曾经迷失，但是现在一定要活出被上帝寻回的生命。不要为自己找藉口。过去的已经成为历史，今天我们活着是要创造未来，是以上帝为主为王的未来。

上帝赐福，
主里同工的，

Barry Leong

Recent news reported a young doctor sentenced to jail and had his license as a doctor terminated because of taking 3200 underskirt photos. Apparently, he was arrested three times for such offences. He was supposed to be a person of learning, considering that he was a doctor. We asked ourselves the question’ “What was he thinking?”

Of course, the lawyers and some others will attribute it to mental illness or stress; typical western way of thinking. The way to do it is to commit a crime, attribute it to mental illness and get away with punishment.

The failure to recognise sin as sin is a very dangerous trend in the world today, especially advocated by the westerners. They will blame the sinful acts on medical, mental, and social reasons. All the blame on the person committing the crime is to be taken out. A person kills his schoolmates – it’s because he or she is under extreme stress from work. People abusing drugs, they are too stressed. They will blame everything except themselves.

It is time to call sin as sin. It is time for people to take personal responsibilities for their failure. Stop blaming it on society, medical or mental. It is just like students who refuse to study / revise and blame their teachers and take poor results on the examination being too difficult. A Cantonese saying goes like this: “One is unable to defecate because the toilet is too new!” Blame it on everything that can be blamed except yourself.

When we start to look at God and start taking personal responsibility for the things we do, then we will realise that the problems of the world are caused by the culmination effect of people’s refusal to admit to their sins. A country, like US, trying to teach other countries about human rights? When they have terrible human rights record themselves? Start to look at the man in the mirror and change. Then the world change.

Brothers and sisters, at the end we will answer to God for all that we have done. There will be no attorney arguing that you are mentally disturbed or socially bruised. There is only Jesus washing away our sins provided that we start to take personal responsibilities – admit our sins, accept Jesus as Savior and start changing our lives. Make the change today.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

最近有新闻报道，一名年轻的医生因为偷怕3200张裙底照片而被判监禁及吊销医生执照。显然的，他因为此类罪行已经三次被逮捕。他应当是一名有学识的人，更何况他还是一名医生。我们要问自己的是，“他到底在想什么？”

当然，几位律师和其他的人都将之归咎于精神疾病或压力；典型的西方思想。只要犯下一宗案件就归咎于精神疾病，然后免于受刑。

不能承认罪恶为罪恶其实是现今世界非常危险的趋势，尤其是西方人所推崇的。他们会将犯罪行为归咎于医药、精神、以及社会原由。所有犯案者的罪责都被拿掉了。一个人杀了他的同学，是因为他或她在工作上承受了极大的压力。人们滥用毒品，因为他们有很大的压力。他们会责怪所有的事物唯独自己。

现在是时候称罪恶为罪恶。也是时候让人为自己的失败自行承担责任。停止归咎于社会、医药或精神。这就如拒绝读书/复习的学生，责怪他们的老师，并因为成绩差而认为是考试太难。有一句粤语是这么说的, “一个人因为厕所太新而无法排泄！”把一切都归咎在所有的事物上，除了自己。

当我们开始注视上帝并开始为所作的事负责，我们就会发现世界的问题其实是人拒绝承认自己的罪所造成的巨大后果。一个国家，就如美国，尝试教导其他国家有关人权的事？其实他们本身却有强调人权的恶劣记录？开始注视镜子中的这个人并作出改变。然后世界才能改变。

弟兄姐妹，最终我们都必须为自己所作的一切向上帝交代。到时就不能再辩护你是不是精神受困扰或被社会伤害。当我们愿意开始担负个人的责任，唯有主耶稣可以洗净我们的罪— 承认我们的罪、接受耶稣为救主并开始改变生命。今天就作出改变！

上帝赐福，
在基督里同工，

Barry Leong

A girl was lamenting her examination results. She could have done better if only she had started her revision earlier, but it was all too late now. The results were set in stone for this round. Hopefully, she learnt her lesson and start preparing for the next examination early.

Interestingly her lamenting including things like blaming herself for spending too much time on her social media and watching useless videos on her phone. Well, is that not something that we already know?

Actually, there are many good things that we know within ourselves and they are not that difficult to do. It merely takes discipline for us to do it and become successful. Also, we know, and probably been warned of all the temptations along the sides, of the way to do everything correct. But more people seem to do everything that they are warned not to do instead of what they should not be doing. Weakness of the flesh.

It is important for those who want to succeed in what they are doing to start doing at the earliest possible moment, mainly NOW. Just like NIKE would say it, ‘Just Do It.’ There is not a moment to lose. Tomorrow is too late already.

If you want to start to have a good spiritual life, start changing. Read the bible and pray everyday already. Don’t start tomorrow, as tomorrow never

comes. If you want to have faith, then start believing. Do not wait for an event to have faith, start believing today. Create the future is the best way to know it. The future starts today, not tomorrow.

So! Whether we want to succeed in the physical or spiritual, we have to start now. We do not want to knock on heaven’s door when it is too late. We may not have a chance then. Believe in Jesus while he can still be found. When the door is shut, it will be useless to cry.

Brothers and sisters, it’s now or never; spread the gospel to all your loved one. Do not lose any of them to procrastination. Live eternal life now.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

有一位女生正在为自己的考试成绩哀伤。如果她可以提早开始复习，应该能作得更好，但是现在一切都已经迟了。这一轮的成绩已成定局。希望她吸取教训并为下一次的考试提早作准备。

有趣的是，她的哀伤中也包括了埋怨自己花费太多时间在她的社交媒介，以及用手机观赏无用的视频。确实，这些我们在之前不是已经知道的吗？

其实，在我们之内还有很多有益的事物是不难去做的。主要是需要有纪律的去作以取得成功。另外，我们知道，也可能曾经被警告，在通往正途的这一路上会出现所有的试探。但大部份的人似乎会作所有他们被警告不可行的事，甚于他们不应当作的事。肉体的软弱。

对于那些想要在自己所作的事上取得成功的人来说，在可行的时段越早开始是重要的，主要就是现在。就如耐克（NIKE）所说的‘Just Do It’。没有时间败下阵来。明天就已经太迟了。

如果你要拥有一个美好的属灵生命，就开始改变。应该每天查阅圣经和祷告了。不要等到明天才开始，因为这样的明天不会来到。如果你要有信心，那么就开始相信。不要等待任何事件以建立信心。今天就开始相信。

所以！无论我们是要在身体上或属灵上成功，我们都需要现在就开始。我们不要在敲打天堂大门的时候才发现太迟了。到时我们可能就没有机会了。在耶稣还可以被寻见的时候就相信祂，当大门被关上，哀哭也于事无补了。

弟兄姐妹，就是现在抑或永无机会；向所有你爱的人传福音。不要因为耽延而失去任何一位。现在就活出永恒的生命。

上帝赐福，
主里同工的，

Barry Leong

A very rich woman was convicted in court for corruption of very large sum of money. What was most intriguing was the fact that she pleaded that she was poor while wearing a watch costing over two hundred thousand dollars. Also, the bag that she had cost tens of thousand dollars. I guess the definition of poor defers for different people. By her definition, I will be in the extremely poor category.

There are many people who are perpetually worried that they will not have enough money to live. Yet there are others who earn much less than these people but feel that they have enough. So! What gives?

You can put it to the different mindset. With the “half full” or “half empty” mindset, you determine if you have enough. Is that all there is? Mindset?

Well, you can reason as such in a secular world mentality. Then you can decide how you want to save or use your finances. Poor people should just blame themselves for not working hard to earn enough or down right blame their bad fortune.

How should we Christians think then? I would commend to you to trust the Almighty God who owns everything in the entire universe. Nehemiah 9:21 reminds us that the Israelites lacked nothing during the forty years in the wilderness. They had everything that they need. Time and again God had proven Himself faithful in providing for all of us. There will always be enough, if we are willing to trust and obey.

The danger will come when we start to hoard rather than using the finance given to us wisely to store treasures in heaven. What is the use of a big bank balance when the spiritual life rots internally? Why look at the temporal instead of the eternal?

Brothers and sisters, God never fails. His love endures forever. He will never allow us to lack anything necessary. He wants us to do His will; seek first His kingdom and righteousness, and the rest will be added to us. We will always have enough. Have faith my friends.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

一位非常富有的妇人在法庭上被控告贪污一笔巨款。最不可思议的是她在求情时说自己是贫穷的，而与此同时，她却戴着价值超过廿万元的手表。另外，她拥有的手提袋也价值十万元。我猜想对贫穷的定义，还真的是因人而异。在她的定义中，我将是属于极度贫穷的类别。

有很多人一直以来都在担忧自己没有足够的钱财过生活。然而却有其他收入比这些人少得多的人却很知足。那又是何解呢?

你可以从不同的观念来看。从“半满”或“半空”的观念模式，你可以决定自己是否是足够的。不就是如此吗？观念模式？

或许，你可以藉着世俗的想法自圆其说。然后你可以决定要怎么样节省钱财或使用财富。贫穷的人只能责怪自己不够努力去赚取更多或直接怪自己的运气很差。

我们身为基督徒又应当怎么想？我会鼓励你信靠这位拥有全宇宙所有一切的全能上帝。尼希米记 9:21提醒我们，以色列人在旷野的四十年里一无所缺。他们拥有所需要的一切。上帝一再供应我们每一个人以证明祂是信实的。如果我们愿意信靠及顺服，总是会足够的。

当我们开始囤积而不是有智慧的使用赐予我们的财富以积财宝在天，危险将会临到。有丰厚的银行余额但属灵生命却腐朽，有什么益处呢？为什么注目于暂时而不是永恒呢？

弟兄姐妹，上帝不会失信。祂的慈爱永远长存。祂不会让我们缺少任何我们所需要的。祂要我们成就祂的旨意；先寻求祂的国和祂的义，这些东西都要加给我们了。我们总会有足够的。要有信心，我的朋友。

上帝赐福，
在基督里同工，

Barry Leong

I chanced upon a short video clip where an American man dressed himself in traditional Mexican costume went about interviewing people about their feelings regarding his dressing. Almost without fail, the white American general public felt that he was racist, insulting to the Mexican, and thought that he was very insensitive to the Mexicans. When he turned around and interviewed the Mexican on his dressing, they were so happy and honoured that he dressed in their traditional costumes.

The world, especially the West, is filled with people who live by half truths. People stop thinking but live by ‘shouting’ slogans. Racism, BLM, Climate change, foreign threats, gender equality, and the list goes on. What are the bigger implications, the history behind and the ways forward are not thought of carefully. Raising of placards, pseudo understanding and pointing fingers at other countries, as if such things will change things. No, it wouldn’t. They are momentary distractions to the general masses about the real problems that Western politicians want to avoid dealing with.

And this is coming on fast into our society via the powerful media influence from the West, especially US. The masses, especially non-critical thinking youths, are sucked into these debates and ‘shouting’. When there are too much ‘noises,’ level-headed thinking is difficult and the problem will not be solved fully or partially. Maybe, just maybe, people do not want to deal with it. After all, these are their problems not ours.

Brothers and sisters, we all live in one world. It is the only one we have and we are connected somehow whether you like it or not. Let me give you a very short but only effective answer to solve all these – stop “thinking like idiots” and the ‘shouting’, start to help people follow and live the way of Christ. Christ is the only answer to all these chaos. He is the only way.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

我在一个偶然的机会看到一个短视频，其中讲述一个穿着墨西哥传统服饰的美国男子，在询问群众对他身上服饰的感受。几乎没有例外，美国白人群众都觉得他有种族的歧视，也在嘲讽墨西哥人，认为他对墨西哥人非常不贴心。当他转而访问墨西哥人谈论他的服饰，他们却非常高兴并为他能穿上他们的传统服饰而感到受尊敬。

这个世界，尤其是西方国家，存在着很多只活出一半真理的人。人民不再思考却靠着“呐喊”口号而活。种族主义、“黑人的命也是命”运动（Black Lives Matter）、气候变化、外在威胁、性别平等，及一连串的名词。什么是最大的涵义、背后的历史、以及前面的道路都没有经过谨慎的思考。他们高举布条、伪装了解并指向他国，以为这样就能改变事物。不，绝对不会。它们只是短暂地把群众的注意力，从西方政治家都不愿解决的问题中分散了。

这些正藉着西方国家，尤其是美国的媒体强大影响力，迅速地进入我们的社会。群众，尤其是没有批判思想的年轻人，就被卷入这些争辩及“呐喊”中。当出现太多的“噪音”，就很难有沉稳合理的思考，而问题就不能完全或部分性被解决。或许，只是或许，群众也不要去处理。毕竟这是他们的问题，不是我们的问题。

弟兄姐妹，我们同住在一个世界里。这是我们拥有的唯一一个世界，无论你喜欢与否，我们都互相牵扯着。请允许我给你一个简短但唯一能解决问题的有效答案——停止“像傻子一样思想”以及“呐喊”，帮助群众跟随并活出基督的样式。基督就是一切混乱的唯一答案。祂是唯一的道路。

上帝赐福，
在主里同工的，

Barry Leong

The latest talking point is all about the repealing of section 377A. Churches are spending their time talking and talking and talking. They talk as if the end of the world is at hand because of the repeal of this section. All kinds of seminars and forums have been initiated and promoted. The amount of attention given to it is great. News and articles come into my inbox fast and furious.

Well, to me, it is a waste of my time. I delete them as they come in. I do not promote them. I knew this is coming since the longest time. The bible already tells us about what is going to happen in the last days. This is inevitable. The question to ask is not what we are to do about it. We are to ask ourselves what should have been done right from the early days. All our talks today will not stop it from happening. The last days, end times, will come whether you like it or not. The good news is that the Lord is also coming soon.

We should be spending our time bringing the good news to everybody. We must save as many as we can when it is still day. There is nothing we can do when night comes. The time and energy spent to talk about 377A would be better spent on telling others about God, His love and His salvation. Why get into a discussion that will not yield any viable outcome? Spend the time bringing people into the kingdom. Believe me, the people will appreciate you more.

Another thing of equal importance is to spend time and effort to teach our people the word well. Strengthen their faith and they will live a life worthy of the gospel. Then you need not worry about the any section of the law being repealed. When Christians only know God superficially, they live a superficial spiritual life. It will be easy for wrong morality to creep in. When the US banned the bible and public prayers in schools in 1962, their schools started to become hotbeds for violence and moralistic decadence.

Brothers and sisters, major on the major and not the minor. Preach the Word, live the life of God.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

最近的热门课题都围绕着废除刑事法典377A节条文。教会也在花时间一而再、再而三的谈论。他们似乎认为废除了这条文，世界末日就要临到。许多研讨会及座谈会都主办和宣传过了。它所得到的关注是极大的。送进我邮箱的消息及文章是非常快速及猛烈的。

但是对我而言，这是在浪费我的时间。讯息一进来，我就将它们删除了。我不去推动它们。很久以前我就已经知道这一天会到来。圣经已经告诉我们末世的时候会发生什么事，这是无可避免的。我们该问的问题不是我们要对此作什么。我们要问自己的是从一开始就应该作对什么。我们今天所有的言论不会阻止事情的发生。无论你喜欢与否，最后的日子、末日仍会临到。好消息就是主也快要再来。

我们应该善用时间把好消息带给每一个人。我们必须要趁着白日尽力救更多的人，黑夜来临我们什么都不能作了。用时间及精力来谈论377A还不如用来和他人谈论上帝、祂的爱和祂的救恩。为什么要为不会产生果效的理论进行商讨？要善用时间带领人进入天国。相信我，大家会因此更感激你。

另外一件同等重要的事就是善用时间和心思，用上帝的话语好好教导别人，坚固他们的信心，让他们活出与福音相称的生命。那么你就不必操心有哪一条法典的条文被废除了。当基督徒对上帝的认识是肤浅的，他们活出的就会是肤浅的属灵生命。错误的道德观就能轻而易举的潜入。当美国在1962年禁止在学校使用圣经和公开祷告，他们的学校就开始成为暴力和道德败坏的温床。

弟兄姐妹，要着重在重要的事而非渺小的事。要传扬福音，活出上帝喜悦的生命。

上帝赐福，
主里同工的,

Barry Leong

While waiting to cross the road, a pretty young thing walked to my side. She was also waiting to cross the road. Next thing I saw was smoke coming out of her mouth, but she did not have a cigarette. Then I saw hidden under the jacket on her hand was a vaping device. Ah, she was vaping (electronic cigarette); a habit that is more deadly than smoking. More nicotine enters the lungs and known to be many times more harmful than conventional cigarette smoking. It causes you to age much faster. I wonder if this young girl knows that!

More information and research are available to us now than ever before. We are at the age where we should know better. What’s good or bad is literally at our fingers, courtesy of ‘google.’ We can search and read, almost on the spot, on any subject that we want to know. And “Knowledge is Power.” Yet, there are still people who abuse drugs, smoking, and participate in other vices. Does that mean that knowledge does not save us? It is more likely the ignoring of knowledge that’s the culprit.

Did Adam not know of the consequence of eating the forbidden fruit? He did but ate anyway, thus plunging the entire humanity into perdition. So, knowledge is not power. The proper use of knowledge is power.

The sinful nature of humanity is a very powerful force that causes us to do what is wrong rather than what is right. The devil will always ‘sweeten’ the deal and make it really easy for us to sin against God. You may want to say that smoking is not sin. Well, maybe you are right but hurting your body like so is painful for our loving Father in heaven. And when the harmful effect of smoking is fully manifested, then the sick person always blames God for the illness. Did he or she not think that will happen?

Brothers and sisters, the road to perdition is paved with good intentions, and may I add, with many wrong assumptions. Better to listen to God’s word and take the narrow door to heaven, than to walk the broad way and end up in hell. Follow God and follow well.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

我正等待着过马路，一个年轻漂亮的女子走到我的身边。她也在等待过马路。随即我就看见有烟雾从她的口中飘出来，但是她却没有香烟。接着我就看到她藏在外套下的手有一瓶蒸汽烟。啊，她在抽吸蒸汽香烟；一个比抽烟更致命的习惯。更多是尼古丁会被吸进肺里，据说要比一般惯用的香烟会造成更大的损伤。它将加速你的衰老，我猜想这年轻女孩是否知道！

相比过去，我们现在可以找到更多的讯息和资源。我们处在一个应该拥有更多知识的时代。通过酷哥，要知道什么是对或错是轻而易举的事。我们几乎在弹指之间就可以浏览和阅读任何我们要知道的课题。更何况“知识就是能力”。然而还是有人滥用药物，抽烟并涉及其他恶习。这是不是等于知识并没有拯救我们？其实更像是轻视知识才是罪魁祸首。

亚当难道不知道吃下禁果的后果吗？他知道但还是吃了，因此陷全人类于毁灭之中。所以，知识不是能力。善用知识才是能力。

人类的罪性是非常强大的力量，足以让我们去作错的事过于对的事。 魔鬼常常会“甜化”整件事，让我们更轻易的得罪上帝。你可能会说抽烟不是罪。好吧，或许你是对的，但是伤害你的身体会让慈爱天父心疼。此外，当抽烟的恶劣后果完全显露出来的时候，生病的人就会因为病痛而埋怨上帝。难道他或她不曾想过这些会发生吗？

弟兄姐妹，通往灭亡的道路可以出自好的动机，请允许我加一句，它是带着错误的假设。聆听上帝的话语并选择通往天堂的窄路，胜于走在宽敞大道却以地狱为终点。跟随上帝，好好跟随。

上帝赐福，
在主里同工的，

Barry Leong

A “hyper spiritual” person spoke to me about training the spirit was enough to keep ‘fit’. Only the spirit was important, others were secondary. Then another friend barged in the conversation and chided on his comment by saying: “Oh, come on! Live in the real world.” They argued on and on. Me? I sat there and enjoyed the show. 😊

To the people who do not know Jesus Christ, even some who claims they do, the physical or secular world is the real world. The spiritual world, or the kingdom of God, is not real. It is too perfect, they say, thus it cannot be real. It is a world reserved for some ‘spiritual’ people. And if you ask why it is not for them; they will tell you that they like the ‘real’ world. Simply said, they do not want to acknowledge their failings. Somewhere inside they know of their sinfulness and cover it up by splitting it into the ‘real’ world and ‘spiritual’ world.

First, let me say that there is no dichotomy of the world into two. There is only one world. Either the secular or spiritual, it is one world, different aspects of the one world. The is our Father’s world, the one that God created. It is the human beings trying hard to split it into two to cover up for our sinfulness. It is so that we need not answer for our failures to live a good life. The argument about flesh and spirit had gone on for centuries. Just that it is getting less clear as the ability to think deep and clear becomes weaker. The instant gratification phenomena of today cause people to think less.

Jesus Christ came to make entering the “spiritual’ world way easier. He died for our sins so that we are righteous by faith. The physical and spiritual worlds become one. In Jesus there is no dichotomy. It goes back to the world that God created for us.

Brothers and sisters, reject Jesus and the world will fall apart for you. It’s only in Jesus Christ that all things will make sense. Time to regain your rightful place, believe in Jesus.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

一个“过度属灵”的人与我谈论操炼灵性就足以维持“强健”。只有灵性才是重要的，其他的都是次要的。另一位朋友介入我们的谈话并反对他的言论，“哦，醒醒吧！活在现实世界里吧。”他们继续的争辩。我？我就坐着欣赏演出。😊

对不认识耶稣基督的人，即使有些是自以为认识的，肉身和世俗的世界才是真实的世界。属灵的世界，或上帝的国度是不真实的。他们说这过于完美了，因此不会是真的。这是为“属灵”人所保留的世界。如果你问为什么这不是属于他们的；他们就会告诉你他们喜欢“真实”的世界。简单的说，他们不愿意承认自己的堕落。在他们心灵的某处，他们知道自己的罪性，却将之分隔成“真实”世界和“属灵”世界，以此作掩盖。

首先我要说，没有二等分法可以将世界一分为二，只有一个世界。世俗的或属灵的，只有一个世界，一个世界的不同层面。这是天父的世界，是上帝所创造的。也是人类为了要掩盖自己的罪性而极力要将之分割的。那么，我们就无需为自己无法过一个好生活的失败作交代。有关肉身及灵性的争论已经存在了几个世纪。只是已经逐渐变得不清晰，因为深思熟虑的能力变弱了。现今快速满足的现象也促使人减少思考。

耶稣基督来是要使进入“属灵”世界的道路更容易。祂为我们的罪死，使我们因信称义。肉身和灵性的世界合而为一。在耶稣里，没有二等分法。它回到了上帝为我们所创造的世界。

弟兄姐妹，拒绝耶稣，世界就会为你分割。只有在耶稣基督里，所有一切才会合情合理。是时候复原你的正确位置了，相信耶稣。

上帝赐福，
主里同工的，

Barry Leong

Some years ago, I overheard a mother encouraging her young boy to pursue his dreams. “Do not let anyone stop you,” she said. “You must live your life and fulfil your dreams — marry the girl of your choice, have the career you desire, own a house you want — do not let laziness, meaningless distractions, other people’s ideals be your stumbling blocks,” she continued. And she went on and on for quite some time. “That’s an encouraging mother,” I thought to myself.

Recently, I overheard a conversation of two young adults while having a coffee break with my colleagues. One of them was lamenting on how the parents were putting their fingers into every decision he intended to make for his life – girl friends, career, car. His friend tried to mitigate by saying that the parents cared for him, and afraid that he might make the wrong choice. The reply was amusing: “I am already in my mid-thirties and I cannot make ‘good’ decisions? I have a degree and they do not, yet they think they know better.” The friend asked, “Then why didn’t you go ahead with your choices?” The young man answered: “I didn’t want to break their hearts even though I know my choice is correct. Guess I just have to live with regrets. I love my parents, but only hope that I will not turn bitter and hate them later for their interference. Already I had ‘wasted’ many years.” I wanted to listen more but everyone wanted to go back to work.

As a parent there are times that I think I know better. But I, like the first mother, had also encouraged my son to chase his dreams. Sure! I wanted him to go to certain educational institutes, do certain ‘likely to make money’ courses. But I kept these quietly in my heart, I made the deliberate choice to let him choose. He must like it or else he will not be happy. Of course, I advise him accordingly but fall short of interfering or blackmail him emotionally. Difficult, painful at times, but needed it to be so.

The bible exhorts us, the parents, not to provoke our children to anger. As long as they live their lives in the discipline and instruction of the Lord, that should be sufficient for us.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

好些年前，我听到一位母亲在鼓励她年幼的孩子去追求他的梦想。“不要让任何人拦阻你。”她说。她接着又说：“你必须活出自己的生命并实现你的梦想——娶你中意的女孩子，拥有你喜欢的职业，购买你要的房子。——不要让懒惰、无意义的搅扰、他人的观念成为你的绊脚石。”她继续说了好一阵子。我对自己说：“这是一位有鼓励性的母亲。”

最近，我在和同事喝咖啡的时候，听见两位年轻人在对话。其中一位正在抱怨他的父母是如何干涉他为自己的生活所作的每一个决定——女朋友、事业、汽车。他的朋友尝试缓解就说他的父母是关心他，也担心他会作错抉择。他的回应很有趣：“我已经卅多岁，难道还不能作‘好的’决定吗？我拥有学位而他们没有，但他们却以为他们懂得更多。”他的朋友问道：“那么你为什么不实现你的选择呢？”这位年轻人回答：“我不要伤他们的心，即使我知道我的选择是正确的。我恐怕要带着悔意活着了。我爱我的父母，但是也希望自己不要变得苦毒并在之后会因为他们的干扰而厌恶他们。我已经‘浪费’了那么多年。”我还想继续听下去，但是每个人都准备回去工作了。

身为一位家长，有时候我会觉得自己懂得很多。但是我就如第一位母亲，也鼓励我的儿子追求他的梦想。确实！我希望他能就读某教育学院，上一些“更能赚钱”的课程。但是我把这些都默默的藏在我的心里，我刻意选择让他自己作抉择。他必须喜欢否则他不会开心。当然，我会逐步的引导他，但不会落入干扰或情绪敲诈。很难，有时也会心痛，但却是必要的。

圣经勉励我们作父母的，不要惹儿女的气，只要他们照着主的教训和警戒活出他们的生命，我们就心满意足了。

上帝赐福，
主里同工的，

Barry Leong

I was observing a beautiful little toddler learning to walk under the watchful eyes of the father. She took a couple of steps and fell down. The father just looks at her and she stood up by herself and walked again. Again, she fell and pick herself up each time. She neither cry or scream when she fell, but just finds some way to help herself get up. Her father, meanwhile, continued to keep a watchful eye but did not help.

I could see that we allowed our children to fall and pick themselves up when they were younger as we deemed it the right thing to do. My question to myself was that why we do not allow them, as they grow older, to make mistakes in order for them to learn. As doting parents, we tend to want to put our children in glass houses, well protected. Or is it because we have a hidden agenda of having them ‘fulfil our unfulfilled dreams’? The way they dress, the schools they choose, or even the spouse that they intend to have. These are some of the matters that we parents interfere, causing much frustrations in our children. Something for us to think about.

God the Father keep a watchful eye on us as we navigate life. He allows us to make mistake and do encourage us to stand up from where we fell. He allows us to make our own choices, prompt us to think through carefully before we make those decisions. One thing He never do is to restrict us in our decision. He will guide us through the Holy Spirit and His word (the bible), but He let us make the choice. If we fall, He wants us to stand up and not stay down. He will help when He knows that we cannot cope or unable to do so. And never a day will go by without His watchful eye keeping us safe. It is left for us to stay within the safety confines of God.

Brothers and sisters, don’t be lazy and wants things fed to the mouth without lifting a finger. Don’t expect beautiful bed of roses without the thorns. They will be there, but the loving and watchful eyes of God the Father will always be on us to keep us safe. So learn to live free, enjoy God’s creation and live a moral and happy life.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

我观察一个在父亲注视下学习步行的可爱幼童。她走了几步就跌倒。父亲却只是看着她，她自己站立起来再次行走。她再一次跌倒，每一次又自己站起来。当她跌倒的时候也没有哭闹，只是想办法让自己再站起来。与此同时，她的父亲仍旧注视着，却没有上前帮助。

在我们的孩子更幼小的时候，我们允许他们跌倒并且让他们自己站起来因为我们认为那是对的。我问自己的是为什么我们却不能允许成长中的他们犯错并让他们从中学习呢？身为宠爱孩子的父母，我们希望把我们的孩子放在玻璃屋里悉心呵护。抑或是我们潜意识的希望他们去“完成我们未完成的梦想”呢？他们的穿着、他们选择的学校、或甚至他们要拥有的配偶。这些都是我们身为父母会干涉却又引起孩子不满的事项。这是我们要思考的事。

在我们的人生航行中，天父上帝也注视着我们。祂允许我们犯错并鼓励我们从跌倒的地方再次站立起来。祂允许我们自己作选择，提醒我们在作决定之前要仔细思考。祂从来不在我们作决定的时候限制我们。祂藉着圣灵和祂的话语（圣经）引导我们，但是祂让我们作选择。如果我们跌倒，祂要我们站立起来而不是在原地踏步。当祂知道我们无法应付或无法处理，祂就会帮助我们。没有一日是不在祂眼目的注视下平安度过的。我们就是在上帝安全的护卫中。

弟兄姐妹，不要懒散并要求不劳而获。不要期望一床不带刺儿的玫瑰。它们都会存在，但是天父上帝慈爱和注视的眼目会时刻关注我们，并保护我们的安全。所以要学习活得自在，享受上帝的创造并活出正直及喜悦的生命。

上帝赐福，
主里同工的，

Barry Leong

Every other month an organisation will come to my neighbourhood to collect old items for recycling. I did not participate in it thus far although it was as easy as putting them just outside your house, no forms to fill whatsoever. Last week I decided to clear out a few shirts that I think I will not be using anymore – okay I outgrown them. So, I took out one and soon enough many more came out of the cupboard. I was not really aware of the number of clothing that were no longer useful to me. They were in quite good conditions and so I packed them and left them out for recycling. My cupboard was now cleared of clutter, and I feel good. Little did I realised that an extra shirt here and there built up to many over time. Most time I was just thinking that it was just one shirt, but one shirt times X is X numbers of shirts. They take up space. Shirt is just an example of the things we amass.

There will always be things that clutter up our lives. They may be material things that we had collected over the years and left at a corner in the house unnoticed after the initial euphoria subsided. Or memories lying and gathering dust in a corner of our mind, appearing once in a long while either to haunt us or to bring a quick smile. There may be regrets that pop up often enough to make our lives miserable, even for a little while.

It is vital for us to ‘de-clutter’ them once in a while. Accumulation of such things or memories, either good or bad, will eventually weigh you down. It will become difficult to move forward when there are so many things that weigh us down. They will affect our decision-making processes, and hopefully for the better.

It is not easy to de-clutter but de-clutter we must. Our hearts are tugged by some of the things (memories) we keep. We will always be giving reasons to keep them, just a little while more. Well, the time is now and not later. If we need to be ruthless with ourselves, then let us learn to be.

God want us to live a life of freedom. Live free and live well my dear brothers and sisters.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

每隔一个月，就会有一间机构到我的邻里收取再循环的旧物件。我一直以来都没有参与，虽然这只是简单如将物件放在住家门口的事，也无需填写表格。上个星期，我决定清理一些我想自己不会再穿的衣服——好吧，是我穿不下了。于是，我先拿出一件，随之而来是从衣柜里取出更多的衣服。我没有真正注意这些对我无用的衣服的数量。它们的品质仍是良好的，于是我把它们收拾好，就拿去再循环。我的衣柜被清理干净，我感觉轻松。我没有意识到经过一段时间，一件又一件的衣服竟然积少成多。很多时候，我只是想到就只有一件衣服，但一件衣服乘于X就是X数量的衣服了。它们占用了空间。衣服就是我们累积物件很好的例子了。

常常会有事物扰乱我们的生活。它们或许是我们经年累月所收集的东西，却被搁置在房子的一个角落，也随着原来的新鲜感消失而被遗忘。或许是在我们脑海的一个角落，记忆被隐藏并积累尘埃，长时间里时不时就会出没搅扰我们或带来会心一笑。其中也可能常常浮现一些懊悔让我们感觉痛苦，即使只有那么一瞬间。

对我们来说，隔一段时间“清理”它们是重要的。积累这些记忆，无论好的或不好的，最终会让你们失望。当有太多的事物让我们失望的时候，就会难以前进。它们将影响我们作决定的过程，希望是更好的决定。

要清理并不容易但是清理却是必要的。我们的心常常被我们所收藏的事物（记忆）所拖累。我们常常会找藉口收藏它们，就算是那么一会儿。是的，趁着现在而不是待会儿。如果我们必须对自己残忍一些，那么就让我们学习吧。

上帝要我们活出自由的生命。弟兄姐妹，要活得自由和活得丰盛。

上帝赐福，
主里同工的，

Barry Leong

One of the most recent debates is that of increasing GST. As usual, some advocate no increase but wants more pay-out, and no good solution for the government to work on. It is always easy to gain popularity to give pay-out, but where is the money coming from?

Paying taxes had been a proverbial hot topic since the beginning of time. Everybody wants ‘freebies’ but no one wants to pay for it. Therefore, there are many who will go through great extent to evade the paying of taxes.

I am no saint. I hate to pay taxes as much as anyone. The only difference for me maybe is that I try to convince myself that it is needed. The good facilities around me cannot be taken for granted. The beautiful parks, clean surroundings, efficient public transportation, competent public service, affordable healthcare, etc…. Somebody got to pay for it and part of it comes from our taxes. For me, paying a greater amount of taxes also meant that I am earning more money. Paying more GST means that I am able to buy more. If I want to pay less through GST, then I buy less or cheaper stuff. It is as simple as that. No one can drive two cars at the same time. The one who buys one pay less GST than the person who bought more than one, simple logic.

What does the bible tell us about taxes? Well, render unto Caesar that belongs to Caesar. The money collected is for the good of the nation and society. Yes I know, you will talk about abuses of the system. Well, we cannot deny that there are people who will cheat the system from either end. But does that constitute a reason to throw it out of the window? No! The only way to throw that out is for us to come out with a better system. If not, that system will remain till it happens.

Brothers and sisters, the fallen human will rebel against anything and everything. Look at how the humankind rebel against the rule of God and wanted a king to rule over them instead. As Christians, we should do our best to care for our society so that all of us can be blessed in it. Those in authority will eventually answer to God. As for us, we live a life trusting and honouring God.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

最近备受争议的课题之一就是消费税的增加。及如往常，有些人主张不加税但是却要求有更多的回扣，而没有给政府建议良好的政策。 以回扣取得民心是容易的，但是钱又从哪里来呢？

从一开始，缴付税收就是众所周知的热门话题。大家都希望“免付费”却没有人愿意有所付出。因此，就有人以极端的方式逃避税收。

我不是圣人。我也像其他人一样讨厌缴税。唯一不同的或许就是我尝试说服自己这是必要的。在我周围的美好设施绝不是理所当然的。美观的公园、干净的环境、有效的公共交通、称职的公共服务、负担得起的医疗等等….必须有人缴付这些费用，而其中有些就出自我们的税收。对我而言，缴付更高的税收表示我在赚取更多的金钱。缴付更多的消费税也表示我有更强的购买能力。如果我要缴付少一点的消费税，那么我就减少购物或购买较廉价的物品。就是这么简单。没有人可以同时驾驶两辆汽车。那买一辆车的就比那买两辆车的人少付消费税，这是简单的逻辑。

圣经如何教导我们有关税收的事？该撒的物当归给该撒。所收取的钱财是为了造福国家和社会。是的，我知道，你会提到滥用系统。我们不能否认会有人以不同方式欺诈这个系统。但是这能成为我们将之舍弃的原因吗？不能！唯一能让我们将之舍弃的就是寻找一套更好的系统。否则，这系统必须保留到它发生。

弟兄姐妹，堕落的人类会对抗任何及一切事物。看看人类是如何悖逆上帝的统治而要求一位君王来管辖他们。身为基督徒，我们必须竭尽所能关怀我们的社会，使我们自己也能蒙福受益。那些执政者至终要向上帝交代。至于我们，我们要活出信靠并尊崇上帝的生命。

上帝赐福，
主里同工的，

Barry Leong

I was having dinner one evening at a food court. The cleaner lady came by and asked the people sitting at the other table if she could clear the empty plates. They waved their hands sort of permission given. They did not look at the cleaner nor thank her for clearing the utensils. It was like she was some lowly servant not worthy of a second look. A simple thank you would have been good.

I wondered if they were Christians. If they were, I would be very sad. It is not a matter of theology but just a simple thing of manners or being a human, just simple decency. If we cannot even live out simple decency, then forget about living a life worthy of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Brothers and sisters, in our daily lives, let us live and work to the praise and glory of God. Put aside your ‘great learning’ and live with love and care for the human being near you. All workers are equally important and deserve dignity as much as anyone. In terms of dignity and worth, there is no real distinction in good and honest work. We are doing different jobs according to our different abilities at the moment. There is no one to say that we are stuck forever in the same place. Put in the hard work and diligence, and you can move to the next ‘perceived’ better position.

Hard and honest work deserve our appreciation. Can you imagine if there is no one to clear out the trash from your surrounding daily? What if everyone wants to be doctors or lawyers, and no one desire to be farmers? Then there will be a shortage of food. Then the law of the jungle prevails and there will be no need for lawyers.

Let us learn to appreciate one another for the hard work that they do. A simple thank you or smile would be quite sufficient. No one says that you need to have a big celebration to commemorate such work. Daily appreciation of such work is an encouragement of itself. And we become better people at that.

If we cannot be faithful in little things, it is difficult to be faithful in the big things. That is because they are even more difficult.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

我在一个傍晚到食阁用晚餐。一个清洁女工经过并问隔壁桌的客人她是否可以收拾桌上的空盘。他们以手势表示允许。他们没有看清洁工一眼，也没有感谢她清理碗碟。她似乎只是一个不值得一瞥的卑微仆人。一句简单的谢谢其实还是好的。

我不知道他们是不是基督徒。如果他们是，那么我会非常难过。这无关乎神学课题，却关乎礼貌或作人的基本道理，这是基本的诚意。如果我们不能行出基本的诚意，那么就别提活出与耶稣基督福音相称的生命了。

弟兄姐妹，在我们日常的生活中，让我们以生活和工作赞美及荣耀上帝。将你们的“伟大学习”搁置一旁，为你们周围的人活出爱和关怀。所有的工人都同等重要，也像任何人一样配得尊敬。论及尊严和价值，在美好及诚实的工作上并无真正的优越等级。目前我们就是按着个人不同的能力在做不同的工作。没有人可以说我们将永远停留在原本的岗位。只要努力和勤奋，你们可以转移到下一个“所期待”的更好职位。

辛勤又诚实的工作配得我们的赞赏。你们能否想象没有人为你们清理周遭每一天的垃圾会是怎么样的？倘若每一个人都要成为医生或律师，而没有人愿意成为农夫？那么粮食就会短缺。若出现弱肉强食的情况，律师也无用武之地了。

让我们学习赞赏彼此的辛劳工作。一句简单的谢谢或微笑就足够了。没有人说你们必须大事庆祝以记念这些工作。每一天对这些事工的赞赏就是对事工的鼓励。这也将使我们成为更好的人。

如果我们不能在小事上忠心，就很难在大事上忠心，因为它们其实是更加艰难的。

上帝赐福，
主里同工的，

Barry Leong

I was having dinner at a coffeeshop nearby home. I ordered the food and proceeded to get a seat somewhere. Much to my surprise, there were houseflies all over the coffeeshop and the tables. Why was I surprised? This scene brought me back to the days in the 60s and 70s. With the strict cleanliness laws in Singapore, especially at F&B areas, such amount of houseflies is unheard of. More interesting is the oblivious attitude to the presence of those houseflies. My feeling is that the present young generation does not know the danger of diseases spread by houseflies. What about the older ones? They probably forgot the lessons from the past and desensitized to the surrounding already. Too much faith in the healthcare system in the country.

The situation in the world is definitely getting more complicated. In a way, it is becoming more evil but less obvious. We are too ‘sanitized’ and, therefore, oblivious to the ills in society. No, it is not just from the Christian perspective. Like I say, it is less obvious because we choose “not to see it.” We do not have a problem of hunger in the world, we have the problem of obesity. If we are more willing to share, then both problems can be solved. A certain country can give billions of dollars to another for war but is unable to provide adequate funding to help its own people in crisis. They create troubles in other areas in the world but sells terrible lies and dream to their own people. Unfortunately, many believed them, mainly due to the fact of the great “I” that matters. The world can only solve problems when they really look at humanity as the image of God and return to truth. Then we will have a better world.

Brothers and sisters, in the smaller context – our church and community – we must not be ignorant of the evil that lures in our lives and surroundings. Keep in line with God (by understanding the teachings of Christ through the reading of the bible), put them in to action and keep at it. Our Christian lives, Church and Community will then be one that glorifies God.

God bless.

In Christ’s service,
Barry Leong

我在住家附近的咖啡店吃晚餐。我预订了食物就准备先找个座位。然而我非常惊讶，咖啡店及桌上满是苍蝇。为什么我会惊讶呢？这景象带我回溯到六十及七十年代。在新加坡对整洁环境，尤其是饮食方面的严格管制下，如此数量的苍蝇是闻所未闻的。更甚的是对这些苍蝇视若无睹的态度。我的感觉是现在年轻一代并不知道苍蝇所传播的病菌会带来的危险。那么年长的又如何？他们或许已经忘记过去的教训，因此对周围环境已经不敏锐，也对国家的保健系统过于信赖了。

世界的局势确实是越来越复杂。从一个角度来看，它越来越邪恶却又不是显而易见。我们也过于“净化”，以致无视于社会的病态。这不只是从基督徒的观点来看。就如我所说的，它变得越来越不明显，因为我们选择了“视而不见”。我们没有饥饿的问题，但我们有肥胖的问题。如果我们更愿意去分享，这两个问题就可以迎刃而解了。某个国家可以捐出千万元给另一个国家对抗战争，但是却不能提供足够的经费帮助她自己处在危机中的国民。他们在世界的另一端制造动乱，但是却对自己的国民撒下可怕的谎言及幻梦。不幸的是，很多人却信以为真，主要还是归咎于“自我”的意念。只有当世界以上帝的形象来看人性以及回归真理，问题才得以解决，我们才能拥有更美好的世界。

弟兄姐妹们，缩小范围来看——我们的教会和社群——我们不能忽视恶者在我们生命和周遭的诱惑。遵循上帝（藉着阅读圣经以明白基督的教导），将之付诸行动并持之以恒。我们基督徒的生命，教会及社群就能荣耀上帝。

上帝赐福。

主里同工的，
Barry Leong

During breakfast one morning, a piece of grain fell to the ground. I decided to pick it up after breakfast. After a while, I looked and found that the grain was filled with ants and many more coming towards it. The floor was very clean and void of ants before that grain fell to the ground. How they appeared out of nowhere in such a short time was baffling and amazing. My belief was that the ants were constantly on the lookout for food to gather. And the immediate action when food was found deserves a standing ovation.

I wonder if we are constantly looking out for the coming of Christ. Everyday do we check our lives, make changes to live better lives and be a better person. Do we read the bible to know more about God? Do we observe the world and the changes in it, no matter how subtle and inconspicuous? Are we too complacent? There is always tomorrow to change, no rush. Is that how we are thinking?

Even when we know intellectually and emotionally, do we take immediate action to do something about it? Or waiting and let someone else do it are the orders of the day. There will always be someone else doing it. Well, the easiest way for evil to proliferate is for good men to do nothing.

Work while it is still day for night is coming. Stay alert and dressed for action. These are the teachings in the bible about our duties and watching out for the Lord’s coming. We must not lax and become like the five foolish virgins, not prepared for the coming of the master. It resulted in being locked out in the place of darkness and gnashing of teeth.

Let us learn to jump into action as quickly as possible. The world is fighting back against the rule of God. In all kind of ways – violence, sex and promiscuity, idol worship – they are fighting back. It is not for us to miss out the signs and stay complacent. It is time for us to stand up and be counted for the kingdom of God. Stand up Christian soldiers and lift the banner of Christ high.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

在一个早晨吃早餐的时候，有一颗谷粒掉在地上了。我决定吃了早餐之后才去捡起来。过了一会儿，我往下看，发现谷粒上已经爬满蚂蚁，还有更多逐渐靠近。地上是非常干净的，在谷粒掉下之前也没有蚂蚁。它们是从何处又是怎么样在瞬间出现，实在令人费解和惊讶。我相信这些蚂蚁一直以来都在等待食物的出现。而发现食物后的及时行动，确实是值得欢呼的。

我在想我们是否也持续的在等待基督的再来。我们每一天是否鉴察我们的生命，也为了拥有更好的生命，成为更好的人而作出改变。我们是否勤读圣经以更多认识上帝？我们是否观察世界以及其中的变化，即使是细微且隐秘的？我们是否过于自满？总以为可以在明天才作改变，无需匆促。这是我们的想法吗？

即使我们在智力及情感上都知道，我们是否会对此作出及时的行动？或者等待他人去作，就是现今的状况。总是会有人行动的。最容易让邪恶扩散的方法就是让好人什么都不作。

趁着白日做工，因为黑夜就要降临。保持儆醒并整装待发。这是圣经对我们的本份和等候主再来的教导。我们必须不松懈，否则就像那五个没有预备好迎接主人的愚昧童女。结果就是被丢在外面的黑暗里，在那里哀哭切齿了。

让我们学习及时采取行动。世界正与上帝的律法对抗。藉着各种各样的方式——暴力、性与淫乱、拜偶像——他们正在反击。我们不可以忽视这些征兆并自满。是时候让我们崛起成为上帝国度的一份子。基督精兵坚立并高举基督的旌旗。

上帝赐福，
主里同工的，

Barry Leong

A doctor was down with COVID-19 and was resting at home. A friend sent get-well greetings to him during his isolation. An interesting statement in his reply was “You learn to appreciate your health when you are down with a sickness.” When I heard about this, I said doctors are just as human as anyone else. Most would have thought that they would appreciate health much more than others as they attend to sick people every day. Well, they take it for granted like most people; maybe more as they probably trust medicine more than others.

That aside, many do take the important things in life pretty much for granted. We assume our health, our safety, security, that the sky will not fall on their heads the next moment. The knowingly or unknowingly assumption is that it will not happen to us. The probability is one in a hundred million. That’s what they think. When it hits you, it is 100%.

So, let us treasure and appreciate all that is important to us: our relationships and families, health, country…..

Do not take them for granted for you know not what or when. Ukrainians probably thought that war will not happen. The US will help us. Yes, the US will help US, not us. The parents who sent their children to school one morning and then got the news that they were shot dead. Empty words will not help nor console anyone. They are but a mockery. We know not what or when. It is not will it happen but when it happens. Treasure what’s important, spend time with them.

Do not take our salvation for granted. Read the bible if you choose to believe in those prosperity gospel preachers. There is no such thing as “once saved always saved.” Follow the Lord according to His words, not the words of those who tickle your ears. It may seem tough, but it will save you much agony and pain. The day of reckoning will come, hopefully you will be prepared for that day.

Read your bible, Pray everyday, Trust the Lord, and Obey His words.

In Christ’s service,
Barry Leong

一名医生感染了新冠肺炎，正在家中休息，在他被隔离期间，一位朋友向他问候及祝他早日康复。他的回答中有一句相当回味的话：“当你生病时，你会学会珍惜自己的健康。”当我听到这个消息时，我说医生和其他人一样也是人。大多数人会认为他们比其他人更珍惜健康，因为他们每天照顾病人。和大多数人一样，他们认为这是理所当然的事，也许他们比任何人更相信药物与医学。

除此之外，很多人确实认为生活中重要的事情是理所当然的。我们假设我们的健康，我们的安全，保障，灾害不会在下一刻降临在他们的头上。有意或无心的假设是，它不会发生在我们身上，或然率是一亿分之一，这就是他们的想法。当它击中你时，它却是百分百的。

所以，让我们珍惜和欣赏所有对我们重要的事物：我们人际之间的关系和家庭，健康，国家…..

不要把它们视为理所当然，因为你不知道什么时候会发生什么事。乌克兰人可能认为战争不会发生，美国将帮助我们。是的，美国将帮助美国自己，而不是我们。有一天早上，父母把孩子送到学校，然后得知孩子被枪杀的消息。空洞苍白的话语不能帮助任何人，也不能安慰任何人。它们不过是一种嘲弄。我们不知道什么时候发生了什么事，不是它会发生，而是它将何时发生。珍惜宝贵的事物，多花时间和他们在一起。

不要以为我们的救赎是理所当然的。如果你选择相信那些成功福音的传道人，请阅读圣经。没有所谓的“一次得救，永远得救”。跟随主的话语，而不是那些让你耳朵发痒的话语。这可能看起来很难，但它将为你減轻很多痛苦和苦难。清算的日子将会到来，希望你会为那一天做好预备。
研读圣经，每天祷告，来信靠主，遵守祂的话语。

上帝赐福，
主里同工的，
Barry Leong

Before the Covid-19 pandemic there were many discussions about the so-called work-life balance and working from home (WFH) arrangements. Basically, many people wanted more time away from work so that they have more time for themselves to have a better physical, emotional and even spiritual health. Well, the pandemic hits and many people got their wish to have more time for themselves and WFH. The inevitable happened, instead of better whatever health, they were worse off. More family violence, greater anxiety, loss of direction, etc. Nobody talks about work-life balance or WFH arrangements anymore. The talk now is about intervention in psychological disorders caused by WFH and lack of boundaries.

What do a lot of people do when they have more time on their hands? Sadly, many just waste them on frivolous past times – gaming, messaging, social media contents…. And the lure of such tempting contents will cause one to demand more time, but now they demand it from those around them as workplace requirements are taken away. When there is a failure to make use of the time wanted and now given, dissatisfaction sets in. Temper flares easily, relationship breaks down, violence increases, divorces increased. Also, there is now no barrier in others demanding time from you as they are free and felt that you have plenty of time too. Be careful what you wish for and be ready to deal with it when given.

To many who wisely use the freedom and abundance of time, they benefitted. They were able to achieve better health, more time to exercise. They enhance their relationships, wisely choosing to communicate in meaningful ways. Their spiritual lives become stronger as they put in more time to know God better – reading the bible and praying more.

My friends, water can transport a boat and it can capsize a boat. Ask for wisdom from God and wish carefully. When you do get them, use them wisely. Do not waste the precious resources that God had given you.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

在新冠疫情大流行病之前，有很多关于所谓的工作与生活平衡和居家工作（WFH）安排的讨论。基本上，许多人希望有更多的时间暂离工作，这样他们就有更多的时间留给自己，以便获得更好的身体、情感甚至灵性健康。好了，大流行病袭来，许多人实现了他们的愿望，有更多的时间为自己和居家工作。但不可避免的事情发生了，他们的健康状况不但没有好转，反而更糟！更多的家庭暴力，更大的焦虑，失去方向感等等。现在没有人再谈论工作与生活的平衡，也没有人再谈论居家工作的安排。现在谈论的是干预由居家工作和缺乏界限所引起的心理障碍。

当很多人有更多的时间时，他们会做什么呢？可悲的是，许多人只是把时间浪费在轻浮的打发时间上–玩游戏、短信、社交媒体内容..…而这种吸引人的内容的诱惑会使人要求花更多的时间，但现在他们要求的是周遭的人，因为工作场地的要求被剥夺了。当未能利用想要的和现在给予的时间时，不满情绪就会出现。脾气容易爆发，关系破裂，暴力增加，离婚剧增。另外，现在别人向你要求时间的时候也没有障碍了，因为他们有闲暇时间，也觉得你有很多时间。留心你的愿望，并准备好在实现时处理它。

对许多明智地利用自由和充裕时间的人来说，他们受益匪浅。他们能够达到更好的健康状态，有更多的时间进行锻炼。他们懂得增进关系，明智地选择有意义的沟通方式。他们的属灵生活变得更加丰富，因为他们投入了更多的时间来更好地认识上帝–更多地阅读圣经和祈祷。

朋友们，水能载舟，亦能覆舟。向上帝寻求智慧，并谨慎地许愿。当你得到它们时，要明智地使用它们，不要徒徒浪费上帝给予你的宝贵资源。

上帝赐福，
在主里同工的

Barry Leong

I was at a polyclinic consulting a physiotherapist about an injured shoulder. As I was sitting at there trying to explain my injury, the physiotherapist was busy reading his messages on WhatsApp and was clearly not paying any attention at all. I stopped and after a long while, he looked up and asked me what’s my medical problem. I was about to “shout” in his face. I held back because I am a Christian. So, I was about to start, and he was back to his phone. I know for sure it was not anything official from his facial expressions. He noticed that I was getting very annoyed and quickly printed some sheets of paper and told me to follow the exercises. I stood up and told him to learn to do his job professionally.

I am sure you know of such incidents and probably guilty of it — addiction to the mobile phone, wither games or social media.

The mobile phone is a wonderful tool but a terrible master. There are so many things that we can do on the mobile phone that are absolutely helpful and convenient – paying for transport fares, order food, book appointments, etc. I myself use the phone for all these and appreciate them greatly. That’s if it is a tool. But when it becomes the master, it is even worse than drug addiction. Drug abuse can be outlawed, but not phone usage. The symptoms will be lack of sleep and concentration, increased isolation from the people around you, increased insecurity and anxiety, etc. Many people must look at the phone even when crossing a busy road choosing to ignore the traffic. Drivers “must” look at their phones ever so often and not the road that they are driving on. You probably know more. Many know about all these but choose to ignore them. The excuse? It won’t happen to me – famous last words.

I would strongly suggest to you to take an audit and make some really important decisions to use the mobile phone in a wise and controlled way. Take back the authority to be the master and not a slave to it. You will not regret the decision.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

我在一间综合诊疗所向一位物理治疗师询问有关肩膀受伤的事。当我坐着尝试叙述我的伤势，物理治疗师却在忙着看他的WhatsApp信息，显然完全没有集中注意力。我停止说话并过了好一阵子，他抬起头来问我有什么医疗问题。我几乎要当面“呼喝”他, 但因为我是基督徒，我止住了。就在我要再开始叙述的时候，他又回到他的手机上。从他的脸部表情，我确定那与公事无关。他发现我越来越生气了，于是赶快影印几页纸要我跟着作运动。我站起来告诉他，他必须学习以专业的态度来对待工作。

我相信你也知道类似的事件，甚至可能也犯上同样的错误——对手机上瘾，沉迷游戏或社交媒体。

手机是神奇的工具却也是可怕的主人。我们可以用手机作很多有用和便利的事情——支付交通费、订购食物、安排预约等等。我本人就使用手机作这些事并为此非常感激。但那必须是把它当作一种工具。可是一旦它成为主人，就比嗜毒更糟糕。滥用毒品是触犯法律的，使用手机却不是。它的症状就是缺乏睡眠和注意力，使你和周围的人更加隔离，也使人缺乏安全感并增加焦虑等等。很多人在越过繁忙的马路时都会看着手机而忽视交通。司机“必会”看着手机而不是他们所行驶的道路。你或许知道的更多。其实很多人都知道这些却选择忽视它们。藉口？这些不会发生在我的身上——这是著名的遗言。

我慎重的建议你能作一个鉴察，然后作一些重要的决定:能聪明及节制的使用手机。你不会后悔所作的决定。

上帝赐福，
主里同工的，

Barry Leong

Dear beloved family in Christ

I thank the Lord for the deep joy and great privilege to be your church pastor for the past 6 years. Being God’s under-shepherd, it has been a tremendous shepherding experience filled with laughter and joy, and also tears and sorrow, in our journey of spiritual growth, committed discipleship and pastoral friendship together.

Appreciative thanks for the encouraging support, loving care and fervent prayers for me and Connie and our children in delightful times of fellowship and community life. Thank you so much for all the help, concern and prayers for Connie’s health situation, especially during her multiple hospitalisations and ill health. Thank you also for all the love, help and prayers for our children in their growing teenage years.

It is my honour to labour alongside you together for the gospel with one heart and mind. Grateful thanks to many who served the Lord’s will and purposes in ministry and mission for the kingdom of God and the gospel of Christ.

• Staff team – for your faithful commitment and joyful service
• PCC – for your wisdom, missional heart and fear of God
• Cell leaders – for your commitment and loving care of members
• Ministry leaders – for your love for God and passion for the gospel
• Ministry teams – for your faithful service and commitment in ministry
• Church members – for your fellowship and joy in serving God together

I encourage you to come alongside Canon Barry, Rev Wai Lung and Deaconess Lena in labouring for the gospel in ministry and mission. Keep them in your constant prayers as they shepherd the flock of God with His love, grace and wisdom.

Value your prayers for Rev King Chiew Kwang and myself and our respective families as we transit to our next parish posting. We need the sufficient grace of God and the empowering strength of the Holy Spirit to serve the Lord’s will and purposes for His glory.

As we see the gracious salvation plan in the missional heart of God, may St John’s Chapel keep on being a missionary church of Spirit-filled committed disciples of Jesus Christ, always ready to take the gospel to the nations. “May all who come behind us find us faithful, may the fire of our devotion light their way”.

“Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy. To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.”   (Jude 1:24-25. KJV)

Maranatha
Pastor John

Dear beloved family in Christ

As St John’s Chapel prepare for the pastoral leadership transition at both the English and Mandarin/dialect congregations, let us unite our hearts and gird our minds in spiritual preparation to pray fervently and to see the sovereign hand of God at work in His Church for His glory.

There are three ways in which we can prepare ourselves as God’s people spiritually and mentally for this leadership change. Please take some time to read these three short pastoral reflections by Rev Jeffrey Chang (Grace Christian Church of Staten Island).

1. Getting Ready for a Shepherd

2. Preparing for a New Pastor: Change

3. Preparing for a New Pastor: Pray for the Family

During my army training, we were taught that one likely timing when the enemy may attack is during the pre-dawn period when it is still dark with the sun about to rise and when most soldiers may be sleepy and not so alert. Similarly, for the church, a major leadership transition is an opportune time when the Adversary Satan will strike the Church of God to bring about disunity, distraction and discouragement. Hence, we must pray fervently and trust the Lord confidently.

I call upon St John’s community to

1. Keep our eyes on Jesus Christ, our Good Shepherd       (Heb 12:1-2)
2. Keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace           (Eph 4:3)
3. Keep on serving the Lord well in ministry and mission  (1 Cor 15:58)

“The Lord is the strength of his people;
he is the saving refuge of his anointed. 
Oh, save your people and bless your heritage!  
Be their shepherd and carry them forever.”   Psalm 28:8-9

Maranatha
Pastor John

Dear beloved family in Christ

It has been four weeks since the official announcement of the clergy postings by diocesan bishop Titus, under the divine guidance of the Lord. My heart is filled with gratitude for your encouraging words, kind understanding and fervent prayers for me and my family and also for St John’s Chapel community.

As I was thinking and praying about how to edify and encourage God’s people during this period of pastoral transition for both the English and Mandarin/dialect congregations, I came across a short article entitled “6 Truths to Encourage You During Pastoral Transition” by pastor Ben Simpson (Eastwood Baptist Church, Kentucky, USA).

(weblink:  https://www.9marks.org/article/6-truths-to-encourage-you-during-pastoral-transition/  )

Pastor Simpson shared briefly on six truths to encourage God’s people during pastoral transitions:

1. God will be with this church at all times.
2. God is in control.
3. God plans good out of this transition.
4. It’s okay to weep.
5. Ministry must go on.
6. The church must not scatter. 

As you reflect on these essential points, may your heart and mind be strengthened by the Spirit of God and by the Word of God. Let us keep our eyes on our Good Shepherd Jesus Christ, following Jesus closely and press on in serving His will and purposes in the work of His eternal kingdom.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”   Hebrews 12:1-2

Maranatha
Pastor John

Dear family in Christ

In the Fifth Commandment, the Lord commanded his people to “honour your father and your mother” (Exodus 20:12). This weekend, Mother’s Day is commemorated all around the world. It is a day set aside to remember, honour and thank our mothers for all their labour, love and sacrifice.

As God’s people, what can we do to edify and encourage the mothers in our church community or in your family?

1. PRAY:  Coming alongside the mothers in regular prayer support goes a long way to give renewal of strength in their mothering responsibilities. Through prayer, the mums look to God and depend on Him for His grace, help and wisdom. The collective prayers of the church community will bring encouragement and joy to them.
   
2. ENCOURAGE:  Appropriate words of encouragement spoken at the opportune time can uplift and strengthen the hearts of mothers, especially if they are experiencing struggles and stress in their life. To “encourage” means to “give courage”. Many times, mothers really need the courage to persevere on in the midst of their difficulties.
   
3. LISTEN:  Be ready with a listening ear to hear the cry of their hearts for their children, their elderly parents, their marriage and their struggle to keep a healthy work-life balance. Their problems and issues may not be solved immediately, but your presence and care will help to ease their pain and lighten their heavy burdens.
   
4. HELP:  Do offer your help in practical ways. It can be giving a helping hand in church when any need arises. It can be helping to look after their young children, so that they can have some “me-time” or they can serve in ministry. Being there for them in practical ways will be a great help and blessing.

Praying and wishing all mothers a Blessed joyous Mother’s Day.

Blessings
Pastor John

Dear church family

We praise and thank God for his guidance and help for our church Annual General Meeting processes this year. Thank you, dear brothers and sisters in Christ, for your proxy form responses, participation, suggestions, encouragement and prayers.

It is my joy to introduce the Parochial Church Council (PCC) for year 2022-2023.

Vicar’s Warden:      Kenneth Sng

People’s Warden:   Hidehito Ie

Hon. Secretary:       Elly Chiu

Hon. Treasurer:      Tan Pei Ching

PCC members:        Benjamin Kirk, Enoch Ng, Florence Ho, Gan Pak Lim, George Chen, Kevin Lee, Nellie Nam, Sally Lee

Synod representatives (2020-2023):  Elly Chiu, Ho Boon Sing, Justin Chan

Sub-committee chairpersons: Hidehito Ie (Personnel), Benjamin Kirk (Property), Nellie Nam (Finance), Vicar (Missions)

We welcome sister Sally Lee (Mandarin congregation) to the PCC team. Our grateful thanks and appreciation to sister Sheryl Sim for her faithful service and ministry unto the Lord at PCC for the past years.

We thank God for every PCC member’s commitment and heart in their latreuo worship of God in serving the Lord well. Value your prayers for the PCC team to continue being good stewards of church resources for the work of God’s eternal kingdom and in making wise decisions and sound policies under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Maranatha
Pastor John

Dear church family

We thank the Lord for his wisdom and help for our church AGM process this year as we culminate proceedings at the virtual AGM this Sunday 24 April at 3.00 pm. All electoral roll members and regular worshippers are most welcome to attend.

A word of thanks to electoral roll members who submitted your proxy voting form and to all participants at the pre-AGM Town Hall discussion meeting last Sunday. I encourage all church members to take time to read the Vicar’s report and the various ministry reports. May it encourage your heart to see the Lord’s gracious leading at St John’s Chapel in ministry and missions.

Praise God for every provision of finances for year 2021 for manpower, ministry and missions. I have been encouraged by your obedience to God in returning your tithe to Him and by your generous and sacrificial freewill giving to the Lord. I am thankful for our PCC team in their collective godly wisdom in being good stewards of the church funds for the work of God’s eternal kingdom.

Thanks be to God for the commitment of many brothers and sisters in our church who serve faithfully and humbly in the various church ministries. Your example and dedication is a great encouragement to many of us as we seek to fulfil God’s will and purposes in the proclamation of the gospel.

I am grateful to the Lord for our committed and dedicated staff team. They have served tirelessly and faithfully despite many Covid-19 challenges. They have served with joy and purpose, even in the midst of painful trials, health concerns and family issues. Thanks be to God for His grace and goodness.

As we see the gracious salvation plan in the missional heart of God, may we be a missional church of Spirit-filled committed disciples of Jesus Christ, always ready to take the gospel to the nations and eagerly awaiting the Return of the King, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Let us be God’s living church in these Last Days for the glory of God.

Maranatha
Pastor John

Dear church family

We commemorate Palm Sunday today. Our Saviour Jesus Christ set his heart to walk the way of the cross to Calvary. He rode into Jerusalem city on a humble donkey (Matthew 21:1-11). The excited Jewish crowd shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”  But five days later ,loud voices cried out, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”.

As we enter Holy Week, may our hearts focus on Jesus Christ and His sacrificial obedience to the will of God the Father.

1. Washing the disciples’ feet (John 13:1-17): Servanthood, humility and love for one another must be the hallmark of a committed disciple of Jesus.

2. Passover meal (Matthew 26:17-29): Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper (body and blood) as an important remembrance of God’s new covenant of His grace and mercy.

3. Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-46): Jesus was in deep agony and sorrow, yet He was fully obedient to the will of His Father.

4. Betrayal, arrest and trial (Luke 22:47 – 23:25): Jesus was mocked, beaten and humiliated, yet He was meek, “like a lamb that is led to the slaughter”.

5. Crucifixion and death (Luke 23:33-56): In great suffering and painful shame, Jesus gave His life sacrificially on the cross in atonement for our sins and the sins of the world.

6. Resurrection (Matthew 28:1-10): Hallelujah. He is Risen. Praise and thanks be to God for the victory over sin and death, and the blessed hope of eternal life in Jesus Christ.

Let us set aside time during this Holy Week to focus on the Lord Jesus Christ and be strengthened by God’s Word. May I encourage you to attend the three Evening Devotions from 11 to 13 April (via livestreaming) and the three onsite worship services (Maundy Thursday 14 April, Good Friday 15 April and Resurrection Sunday 17 April). Please see attached flyer for details.

“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”   2 Corinthians 5:20-21

Maranatha
Pastor John

Dear church family

Virtual Annual General Meeting on Sunday 24 April (3.00 pm)

We thank God for the coming virtual Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 24 April. It will be a time when we see God’s gracious sovereign hand upon our church in the transformation of lives and in serving Him in ministry and mission in the work of His eternal kingdom.

On 5 April Tuesday, our church admin team will email the AGM 2022 reports and the proxy voting form weblink to all electoral roll (ER) members. Some ER members without email access will receive the printed AGM report by postal mail. May I encourage all church members to read the ministry reports and financial reports and give thanks to God for his grace and goodness in the church’s mission of proclaiming the gospel.  

Proxy voting form

Our church constitution requires one third of Electoral Roll members to form the AGM quorum. Under the Virtual AGM guidelines, your proxy voting form is important because it is counted as part of the quorum. Your proxy form appoints the Chairman of AGM (the Vicar of St John’s Chapel) as your proxy to attend, speak and vote on your behalf. We appreciate if you can submit your online proxy voting form, latest by 20 April, Wednesday 12 noon.

Pre-AGM Town Hall meeting (on Zoom)

We are organising a pre-AGM Town Hall zoom meeting on Sunday 17 April (3.00 pm) to address any questions, clarifications or comments concerning the AGM reports. Please use this Town Hall platform to present your thoughts, ask questions or seek clarifications. Kindly email your questions to admin@patmos.org.sg   by 13 April.  The virtual AGM on 24 April will not include any Question & Answer segment.  

All electoral roll members are welcome and encouraged to attend the Town Hall zoom meeting on 17 April and the AGM zoom meeting on 24 April. Pls register your attendance at admin@patmos.org.sg

Value your prayers for a Christ-centred AGM that honours the Lord and edify God’s people.

Maranatha
Vicar

Dear church family

A few weeks ago, someone texted me this poster message which made me laughed aloud – “If you don’t have friends who have Covid, that means you have no friends.” It is a sad reality currently that people around our social circles have been infected with Covid or are close contacts … family members, house neighbours, work colleagues, school classmates, church mates, good friends, etc.

Our Daily Bread (ODB) Ministries has put together some Bible-reading resources and devotionals to help those who may have been infected with Covid or have loved ones and friends who were infected. There is even a practical section to help parents plan some activities for their children under isolation with Covid.

Please access this weblink for the resources.  https://odb.sg/covid-recovery-pack/

Below is a message taken from the ODB website:

Quarantined? In Isolation? Whether you’re at home or in a quarantine facility, being isolated is tough. Worry, frustration, loneliness, claustrophobia, boredom . . . you may find yourself going through all these emotions over the next few days. And, if you’re taking care of a child who needs to be isolated, your challenges will probably multiply. Not only will you have to cope with your own emotions, but you may also be worrying about how to keep a bored, hyperactive child occupied.

How can you turn to God in such a challenging time? How can you find comfort and strength in His Word? In our “Covid Recovery Pack”, you’ll find specially-chosen resources to help you stay close to God and draw on His strength and patience over the next few days.

May God’s abiding Word be your source of strength and comfort, and also to those whom you know, on the road to a full recovery.

Blessings
Pastor John

Timeline plan for AGM 2022

Dear church family

This past week, many in Singapore and our Anglican church community mourned the loss of our Diocesan Chancellor and dear brother in Christ, the late Richard Magnus, who was called home to the Lord on 14 March.

In the midst of so many well-deserved tributes, heartfelt appreciation and encouraging eulogies reported in the news media about Mr Richard’s life of public service, one personal note stood out for me. His son Keith Magnus told The Straits Times reporter: “(My father) lived his life with integrity, purpose, dignity, service, honour and the highest set of moral values. He was a good friend to many from all stations of life and a loyal servant of our Lord Jesus Christ, whom he loved and has now been reunited with.”

Thanks be to God for such a humble and God-fearing “loyal servant of our Lord Jesus Christ”, whose life shone so brightly for Jesus in public service and in the church of God. To God be the glory.

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”  Matthew 5:16

Maranatha
Pastor John

Timeline plan for AGM 2022

Dear SJCp family

Notice of Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Sunday, 24 April 2022

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, our Singapore government gave official approval for AGMs to be held virtually for religious organisations. This special “temporary measures” approval remains applicable currently, until it is revoked or amended by the Government with six months’ notice.

In the light of the current Covid-19 Omicron wave and also the capacity restriction on non-congregational meetings (50 people maximum), our diocesan bishop, together with the Standing Committee, highly recommends that all parishes hold their AGM virtually, without any onsite attendance.

In consultation with and agreement of our Parish Church Council (PCC), we have decided to hold this year’s AGM virtually via zoom webinar, as per the last two years. The AGM date is on Sunday, 24 April 2022 at 3.00 pm. The AGM process will be similar to what was done for AGM 2021.

Please see the timeline plan for AGM 2022.

We seek your active participation in the AGM process. Value your fervent prayers for our church community to continue serving God’s will and purposes faithfully to the glory of God.

Maranatha
Vicar

Dear church family

In the Church calendar, Ash Wednesday falls on 2 March this year, which marks the beginning of the LENT season. LENT is a 40-day period of reflection, repentance and renewal. Theliturgical colour is purple, signifying penitence and mourning. It is a time of deep spiritual reflection and honest heart-searching repentance. It is a season when we give ourselves devotedly to grow in Christlikeness. This growth in Christlike character requires spiritual disciplines in extended times of fasting, praying and reading the Scriptures.

At the Ash Wednesday service, the priest places some ash on our foreheads and says, “you are dust, and to dust you shall return” (Genesis 3:19b). This is a clear reminder that our bodies are frail and mortal. Because of sin, man has fallen short of the glory of God. But thanks be to God for the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In Christ, we are set free from our bondage to sin and death.

During this Lent season, firstly, let us reflect and give thanks to God for the life and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Jesus walked the way of the cross in submission and obedience to His Father’s will. May our hearts be ever grateful to Jesus and follow his example of humble obedience.

Secondly, let us repent of our sins as we open our hearts to the powerful work of the Holy Spirit. God will forgive us when we truly repent and have a transformative inward change of heart. May we seek to live a life of holiness and godliness.

Thirdly, let us renew our first love for God and our commitment to discipleship in the kingdom of God. Take time to slow down during Lent and spend time with Abba Father in the Word and in prayer. Be restored in your soul and inner being. May we grow daily in our relationship with God and in Christlikeness.

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.”   Psalm 51:10-12

Maranatha
Pastor John

Dear beloved family in Christ

In their September 2021 issue of Excelsis Coaching Newsletter, John Lim and Song Kheng, founders and life coach trainers for Excelsis Coaching Asia, had written on the topic “Coaching: God’s Guidance in times of Uncertainty”. I have shared part 1 last week. Please see part 2 below.

I pray that you have found their counsel practically useful and may you also be able to use it to help others in drawing strength and guidance in the Lord during such challenging times.

Blessings
Pas John

Coaching: God’s Guidance in times of Uncertainty   (part 2)

How do we enable people to depend on God?

As coaches, we intentionally move away from telling and advising. We create a safe space, prayerfully listen and use the following coaching questions to help people tune in and depend on God:

• How are you going through this pandemic?
• What do you need God’s guidance in?
• What emotions are you feeling in your heart?
• What is your common sense telling you about this matter?
• What are the counsels of your God-fearing mentors/friends?
• What are some open doors or close doors you are noticing?
• What are some experiences with God in the past that may give you guidance regarding who you are (your identity) and what you should do?
• How has the Lord spoken to you through His word regarding your situation?
• What are your calling and spiritual gifts? How will God’s calling and gifting guide you in your decision?
• What is the Lord speaking to you through the Holy Spirit?
• What do you sense during prayer and after praying?
• We have seen many examples of fasting in the Bible to seek God’s guidance in crisis, how might fasting be relevant in this situation?
• From a scale of 1-10, how yielded is your heart to the Lord in this matter? (10 being fully yielded to God)

Romans 12:2, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

May we take the time to seek God, receive His peace, discern His will and live as children of the Light in this uncertain world. May God use you to equip His people for the advancement of His Kingdom!

Dear beloved family in Christ

In the course of my ministry, I met a wonderful Christian couple, John Lim and Song Kheng, who are the founders and life coach trainers for Excelsis Coaching Asia. In their September 2021 issue of Excelsis Coaching Newsletter, they wrote on the topic “Coaching: God’s Guidance in times of Uncertainty”. I have received their permission to share the contents of this newsletter with you.

I hope that you will find the guidance useful as you seek and depend on the Lord during such challenging times.

Blessings
Pas John

Coaching: God’s Guidance in times of Uncertainty  

As you and I struggle to cope in this pandemic, the challenge we face is akin to driving alone through a dark and unfamiliar road with faulty headlights. We are fearful of getting into accidents, missing

important warning signs and losing our way or our lives. As I asked the Lord for help, He reminded me to “Be still and know that He is God”. The Lord is our guide and we are not alone.

How do we receive God’s guidance in this challenging time?

Isaiah 26:3-4 “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal.”

First of all, go to our Lord Jesus, our Rock eternal who can keep us in perfect peace when we fix our mind on Him. We can have peace because Jesus knows the future. He is the Alpha and Omega,

the beginning and the end. Jesus is God; He is timeless and limitless.

Secondly, we can depend on Him to guide us. Some of the ways the Lord guides us are:

•   He guides us through His Word (2 Tim 3:16)
•   He sovereignly guides us through divine encounter (Acts 9:3-6, Rom 8:28)
•   He directs us inwardly by the Holy Spirit (Acts 16:6, Rom 8:14)
•   He directs us by counsel from mentors/friends (Prov 11:14)
•   He directs us by opportunities or open doors (1 Cor 16:9)
•   He guides us through the peace by prayer (Phil 4:6-7)
•   He directs us when we have a yielded spirit (Rom 12:1-2)
•   He directs us through our spiritual gifts (1 Cor 7:7)
•   He directs us through our common sense (Proverbs 16:9)
•   He directs us through fasting (Ezra 8:21)

(part 2 will be shared at next week’s church bulletin)

Dear beloved family in Christ

I remember growing up as a young Christian teenager, we often sang this beautiful hymn “Count Your Blessings” at church services. Let me share the first stanza.

When upon life’s billows, you are tempest tossed, When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, Name them one by one, And it will surprise you, What the Lord hath done.
Count your blessings, Name them one by one. Count your blessings, See what God hath done.
Count your blessings, Name them one by one. Count your many blessings, See what God hath done.

This hymn was written in 1897 by prolific hymn-writer Johnson Oatman Junior, in partnership with well-known gospel music composer E.O. Excell. It has become a classic over the past 125 years and generally considered to be Oatman’s finest hymn. This hymn has encouraged millions of Christians all over the world to count their blessings and be surprised by all that God had done for them, especially in the midst of difficulties and struggles in life. Someone had reflected that this hymn is “like a beam of sunlight, it has brightened up the dark places of the earth.” During the great revival in Wales (1904-05), “Count Your Blessings” was sung at every service, along with Welsh favourites such as “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah” and “O That Will be Glory”.

During these challenging times, may we take time to reflect on God’s bountiful blessings in our life. Even as some of us may be going through painful struggles and difficulties in life, may you experience God’s spiritual blessings of His love, joy and peace in your hearts. May you lean on Abba Father closely for his sufficient grace and empowering strength day by day.

May our hearts be filled with gratitude to God for all his gracious blessings, like king David in Psalm 103:1-5: “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”

Blessings
Pastor John

Dear beloved family in Christ

Whether it is New Year’s Day (1 January) on the Gregorian calendar or the first day of the Chinese Lunar calendar, there is always much joy and celebration all around.

Why is the celebration of the New Year so important?  Some possible reasons include:

• Relief to have “survived” the previous year with its difficulties and heartbreaks and emerging a stronger, better person.
• Gratitude for wonderful memories and happy times with family and friends.
• Hope for improvements in our life and circumstances and growing in maturity.
• Opportunity for a fresh start, eg. spiritual walk, educational progress, family adjustments, etc.

In our Anglican church experience and biblical teaching, this issue of celebrating something new spiritually has been embedded in our prayer tradition. Let me share some examples.

1. At our Baptism, we rejoice that “we are raised with Christ to new life in the Spirit”.
2. At our Confirmation, we thank God that He has “given your servants new birth in baptism by water and the Spirit”.
3. When we confess our sins to seek God’s forgiveness, we ask God to “grant that we may serve you in newness of life”.
4. During Holy Communion, we pray: “may we who share Christ’s Body live his risen life”.
5. On Ash Wednesday, we plead with God to “create and make in us new and contrite hearts”.
6. In Pentecost season, we ask God to “deliver us from the death of sin and raise us to new life in your love”.

May our lives be renewed and strengthened in the power of the Holy Spirit day by day to the glory of God.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

Maranatha
Pastor John

Dear beloved family in Christ

This coming Lunar New Year festivities may be subdued understandably because of continual Covid-19 restrictions and concerns. Where there are opportunities to meet up with family relatives, good friends and friendly neighbours, let us pray for a meaningful and joyous time together.

As you enjoy the delicious food and friendly conversations, may the Lord bless and guide you in his love and grace to bear a good testimony for Jesus and reflect the glory of God in your life.

1. RESPECT – Always be ready to give due honour and respect to our family elders and appreciate them for being such a blessing in our lives.
2. UNDERSTAND  – Take time to hear the life stories of family and friends and understand their hopes, fears and struggles during such challenging times.
3. CARE  – May the Lord grant you a sensitive heart to discern the needs of your family, friends and neighbours, so that you can minister, show care and help them.
4. PRAY – As you share in conversation together, commit your family and friends to the Lord prayerfully in your heart for God’s grace of salvation.

The harvest field need not be just about crossing the seas to a foreign land. But it is seeing the cross at the places and among the people where God has positioned you.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”   John 3:16

Maranatha
Pastor John

Dear beloved family in Christ

The psalm writer wrote in Psalm 130– “Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord! O Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleas for mercy! If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared. I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning. O Israel, hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is plentiful redemption. And he will redeem Israel from all his iniquities.”

Psalm 130 formed part of the Songs of Ascent, which was a collection of 15 psalms (120 to 134) traditionally sung by Hebrew pilgrims as they ascended the mountainous roads up to Jerusalem city to attend the annual Jewish festivals at the Temple. The theme of Psalm 130 was to encourage the people of God to place their hope in Yahweh’s forgiving love. Israel, God’s chosen people, had been disobedient to Yahweh’s commandments. In His mercy and compassion, Yahweh forgave the sins of Israel when they truly repented. Indeed, the steadfast love of the Lord endures forever and He will restore mercifully and redeem plentifully His beloved people.

Let us remember in prayer for the salvation of the millions of modern Jews in Israel and all around the world in this 21^st century. God’s steadfast love remains for the people of God (please read Romans chapter 11 for scriptural insights on this issue). The gospel of Jesus Christ must be proclaimed to the Jews, so that many can hear and come to salvation faith in the Messiah Jesus.

Let us place our hope in Abba Father’s forgiving love. Whatever difficulties or struggles that you may be facing in your personal situation or that of your family members, do not lost heart and do not be discouraged. Take heart, receive God’s steadfast love, seek refuge in the Lord and be strengthened in your soul in the power of the Holy Spirit. Meditate on this regularly: “Hope in the Lord!  For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is plentiful redemption”.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”  Romans 15:13

Maranatha
Pastor John

Dear beloved family in Christ

One of the greatest joys as a disciple of Jesus is to belong to the koinonia community of believers in the Body of Christ.

Jesus commanded his disciples to love one another. As we do so obediently, it will bear a powerful testimony to a watching world. “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35). This is our family trademark, as explained in this devotional article by Revd Bill Crowder, a Bible teacher with Our Daily Bread Ministries.

The Aran Islands, off the west coast of Ireland, are known for their beautiful sweaters. Patterns are woven into the fabric using sheep’s wool to craft the garments. Many of them relate to the culture and folklore of these small islands, but some are more personal. Each family on the islands has its own trademark pattern, which is so distinctive that if a fisherman were to drown, it is said that he could be identified simply by examining his sweater for the family trademark.

In John’s first letter, the apostle describes things that are to be trademarks of those who are members of God’s family. In 1 John 3:1, John affirms that we are indeed part of God’s family by saying, “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” He then describes the trademarks of those who are the children of God, including, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God” (1 John 4:7).

Because “love is of God,” the chief way to reflect the heart of the Father is by displaying the love that characterizes Him. May we allow His love to reach out to others through us — for love is one of our family trademarks.  (Revd Bill Crowder, ODB Ministries)

May our community at St John’s Chapel be marked joyfully by our Christlike love for one another.

“We love because He first loved us.”   1 John 4:19

Blessings
Pastor John

Dear beloved family in Christ

On New Year’s Eve, a dear brother in our church sent me a hymn entitled “God will take care of you”. The Lord used this song to encourage my heart wonderfully. It is sung beautifully to orchestra music by a group of young people. You can hear the song at this weblink  https://youtu.be/u4Ez8m2ozf4

This hymn was written and composed in 1905 by a Baptist evangelist Rev Walter Martin and his wife Civilla, when they were guests at a Bible school in New York. On a Sunday morning when Rev Walter was about to leave for church service as the guest speaker, his wife was suddenly taken ill, making it impossible for her to accompany her husband. Rev Walter seriously considered cancelling his speaking assignment as it would require him to be away for quite some time. At that moment, their young son said, “Father, don’t you think that if God wants you to preach today, He will take care of Mother while you are away?” Having been inspired by her son’s words, Civilla wrote the words of this hymn on that very afternoon. When Rev Walter returned, he went to the organ immediately and composed the music.

I can resonate personally with the circumstances which led to the composition of this hymn. During my regular overseas travels when previously serving as the Dean of Vietnam, it was often difficult emotionally to be away from my wife and young children. God is gracious and good. He always assures my heart that He will take care of them, often through the care and love of the church family and close friends. Thanks be to God.

As I carry various pastoral burdens in my heart concerning our St John’s Chapel family, I am reminded that God will take care of you.

As you cry out to God for your family and friends in their various difficult situations, remember this: God will take care of them.

As you enter the New Year 2022 facing various challenges, struggles and pain, remember this: God will take care of you.

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”  1 Peter 5:6-7