The Best Gift Of All.

Yes indeed, salvation is the best gift of all.  This gift is available to anyone who believes Jesus Christ is the Son of the Living God.  On this joyous occasion of the birth of our Lord my family and I wish everyone a Blessed Christmas And A Happy New Year!

My "Haiku" Moments.

I am fascinated by a form of Japanese poems known as "Haiku".  Here are my "haiku" moments.  Enjoy them!

1) His presence I smell                                            5) TV Set toppled
    Nearness only a breath away                                   It's top right-hand corner chipped
    Nothing Else to fear.                                                It's a miracle.

2) Far the eyes can see                                            6) Income only matters
    Eternity before us                                                     Still adamant and cocksure
    Now is the present.                                                  Engulfed in darkness.

3) The Sun beating heat                                           7) Breeze from overhead fans
    Shadows forming encroaching                                 Conversations below loud
    Where Else to hide.                                                 Joy - a cup of Kopi-O.

4) Postings in facebook
    Purposes achieved conveyed
    Need to scratch my back.

Seeing And Hearing.

Here is my observation on:

The US Presidential Election.

I have watched the 3 televised debates.  I have also done some reading up on the 2 candidates.  What both have in common are:  they are former lawyers and they are christians. I see the election as a choice  between "humility" versus "aggresiveness".  I will characterise the challenger as the later.  I thought after 9/11 America had already paid a heavy price and learned the lesson of humility.  America as "No.1" and "The Policeman of the World" does not resonate with the International Community anymore.  If the challenger is to have his ways there will be a "trade war" and "nuclear war tensions" looming:  he had said he would brand "China a currrency manipulator" and that "Iran will not be allowed to gain access to nuclear power". For peace sake the choice for the Americans is clear.

The Singapore Conversation.

The talk of the town is the Singaore Conversation - what Singaporeans want for Singapore in the next decade.  For the cynics and skeptics the exercise is a waste of money, time, etc.  I see the Conversation as an exercise "to manage expectations" among the 60% of the population who voted for the Government in the last General Election.  As for the 40% who voted against the Government they have already made their grievances and unhappiness known such as the high cost of living, income inequalities, unaffordable housing, transport woes, high medical costs, immigration policies, etc.  A similar exercise a decade ago "The 2003/2004 Remaking of Singapore" may jog your memory.  What is of paramount importance is for the Government to do the "right" things. The urgent right thing it needs to do now is to implement a "minimum wage" of $1000 p.m. for our low wage workers.  I see this as a way to provide a comfortable living for these workers and it also gives them dignity.

Money's Worth

It is in such inflationary time like now that one can hardly find value for one's money.  The weekly marketing budget of $50 we hand to the cashier at the supermarkets hardly pay enough for our daily necessities such as rice, oil, fruits, toiletries, etc. and the money just disappears.  But this is not the case when I patronise an unique hawker stall in my neighbourhood - "Xian Jin Mixed Vegetable Rice" #01-02 Blk 216 Bedok North St. 1.  With $2 you can choose any 3 dishes - one meat and two vegetables or 3 meats combination, etc.- to go with your rice or porridge.  The stall also sells "Bah Kut Teh" @ $2 per bowl.  Beside the stall front is a drinks storage container dispensing free orange squash if you need a cuppa.  The stall caters to the breakfast and lunch crowds and it is not uncommon to see long queues.  The 3 workers manning the stall are always friendly and jovial.  What more can anyone ask?  Cheap and good food and friendly service in one corner of Singapore!

A Caricature of Oneself.

As an individual, everyone has his views, habits, likes and dislikes, idiosyncracies, etc. If we are not careful, we may create a "Caricature of Oneself" if we completely shut ourselves to other people's thinking, views, philosophies, etc.  I am sometimes guilty of such behaviour myself!  We like to hear our own voices and think our viewpoints, ideas, etc are only relevant and important.  We forget others' thinking and philosohies are just as important and we need to listen them out.  Hopefully from these exchanges we all understand one another better and thereby learn from one another.   After viewing PM's National Day Rally Speech, I  felt that he had lost a golden opportunity for an "epoch-making" moment to set the stage for the next level of Singapore's development and progress in the political arena.  Correct me if I am wrong, I did not see any Opposition Parties' MPs at the Rally.  I was thinking and  hoping he would exhibit courage and this time round he would embrace opposition views and ideas.  It is alright to speak of the Nation's many successes and the action he is taking to tackle the many issues and challenges confronting the country.  But alas! he has forgotten the angst and anger of the 40% of the electorate who has voted against the Government.  Should not part of the speech be addressed to their concerns and the Opposition Parties who represented them!   "Inclusiveness" should not be defined selfishly  to include only people on the same page but must include all people with different views and ideas. The opportunity has been lost and the drawing of a "Caricature of A Great Nation Like Singapore" has yet to start!

Our National Pledge.

On 9th August 2012 Singapore will celebrate its 47th Birthday.  On this joyous and auspicious occasion my best wishes for many more years of happiness, prosperity and progress for THIS LITTLE RED DOT!  Do you know as citizens of this country we are expected to keep in our hearts  the oath  of allegiance?  Yes, you have guessed  it right - Our National Pledge:-                                         
                                          We, the citizens of Singapore,
                                           pledge ourselves as one united people,
                                           regardless of race, language or religion,
                                           to build a democratic society
                                           based on justice and equality
                                           so as to achieve happiness,
                                           prosperity and progress
                                           for our nation.

I will like to delve into the phrase "to build a democratic society".  Are there any laws in our Constitution or the existence of any Institutions which impede or make our progress difficult  " to truly build a democratic society".  If this is indeed so, should not an "Ombudsman" be appointed to look into the matter so that our Nation can progress!  Happy National Day!

Paul's Remedy: Live By The Spirit

For the past few days, the talk of the town is the City Harvest Church's scandal.  For the first time in many years God's name is mentioned more frequently than usual in  many of the  news and social media.  While doing my quiet time, Paul's letter to the Galatians in Gals. 5:16-21  caught my attention.  Hear what the verses say "So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.  For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit,  and the Spirit what is contrary in the sinful nature.  They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.  But if you are led by the Spirit,  you are not under law.  The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits or rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies and the like.  I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God."  This clearly speaks of God's remedy for many of  today's woes  and pains.  My random thoughts specifically on the CHC's case are as follows:-

I) Proper & Good Governance of Church Funds:  The church funds are regulated under the Charities Act.  Are there proper accounting and transparency?; are the duties of the Governing Board and the Management Team properly spelt out and segregated? etc.  I remember not long ago many churches were renovating, retrofitting and building  and re-building their churches - congregations were asked to make donations for their building funds; what I found disgusting was the wanton waste of monies - renovations done one or two years ago were demolished and re-built.  My common sense tells me never to donate to such funds!

II) False Teaching &False Prophets:  God tells us to guard against false teaching and false prophets.  Colossians 2:8 states: "See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ."  And more 2 Peter 2:1-3 say "But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you.  They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them - bringing swift destruction on themselves.  Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute.  In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up.  Their condemnation has long been hanging over them and their destruction has not been sleeping."  My question is "Is there a Body within the churches which will study and vet such teachings - whether they are biblically correct, etc.?" or is there room for Government to step in when something is basically wrong!?  I remember not long ago many of our overseas students were "captured" by cult teaching and cult groups.  I have heard horrendous stories of children disobeying, renouncing and forsaking their parents!

Do You Shop Till You Drop?

During my recent trip to Hong Kong I captured the above 2 contrasting photos - of a road-side artiste potraying the legendary "Beggar" in Chinese mythology and a life-style shop "Goods of Desire" (Its acronym G.O.D.).  I am always fascinated by such artistes who always managed to keep in such "Stillness" for hours without a wink.  And of course by G.O.D.  With the ongoing Great Singapore Sale I am sure many of our ladies are shopping to their hearts content. Let's hear what God has to say about our lust for more in Ephesians 4:19 - "Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more."  The "Beggar" in the midst of the hustle and bustle of  of many shoppers and shops in the shopping malls set me thinking.  Do we shop for "what we need" or for "what we want"?  Over to you!

What Hougang By-Election Means?

1) For The Workers' Party - The Workers' Party brand name was dented when its incumbent MP for the constituency Mr Yaw Shin Leong was sacked when accusations of his sexual misconduct surfaced.  He not only refused to account for his misbehaviour but fled the country.  This caught everybody by surprise more so the Party's leadership.  For Mr Low Thia Khiang (its Secretary-General) it is indeed a tough job holding  a tight ship together - note that immediately after the PM has called for a by-election a few opportunistic and selfish members tendered their resignations citing reasons like not being appointed party cadres, etc.  It is a goodish thing that such conceited and selfish individuals are expunged from the Party. The Workers' Party cannot afford another miss-step. Its MPs must be "whiter than the white uniform of the PAP members".

2) For The People's Action Party - The PM stood on high moral grounds - accusing the Workers' Party of not accounting and explaining to the Hougang consitutuents for the scandal.  He had been unwillingly forced to call for a by-election within 3 months (Note a court case is still pending of how the Constitutional provisions are to be interpretated for by-elections).  Lest he forgets in the last General Election a PAP candidate in a GRC constituency was substituted  by a doctor candidate when accusations of sexual misconduct against the former candidate  were reported by the press.  Then there were no accounting and explainations for the sudden withdrawal of the candidate.

3) For The Hougang Residents  -  The Workers' Party touted "Hougang As The Bastion of Democracy in Singapore"  Yes indeed,  since 1991 it has always supported the Worker's Party.  This comes about through much sacrifice.  It refuses to bow down to the PAP's intimidation of withholding of estate upgrading programmes and withdrawal of amenities like market and hawker stalls, bus services, etc. The Workers' Party stated it is because of Hougang that the Party managed to capture the GRC of Aljunied in the last General Election.  Bravo to Hougang residents!

4) For All Singapore Citizens - Is there a lesson all can learn from Hougang?  With the PAP's gerrymandering of the electoral boundaries, it secures 81 seats in Parliament although it receives only 60% of the votes.  Do you think this is fair?  After the last GE the Government has apologised for its mistakes and promises to put things right. It now talks about an "inclusive" society!   An "inclusive" society must encompass citizens with differing political ideas, viewpoints, thinking ,etc. and this includes the constituents of Hougang!



    

Our Idols - Counterfeit Gods.

Just finished reading the book entitled "Counterfeit Gods" by Timothy Keller.  I find that the book speaks profoundly to me about the "idols" we may harbour unconsciously in our hearts.   Success, money, true love, the life you have always wanted may turn out to be "counterfeit gods"  The recent financial crisis of 2008/2009  put to rest the argument that these pursuits are important.  Many are disillusioned and disenchanted!  There is only one God in the Bible who can only truly satisfy our cravings.  Now is the time for believers to find Him again and for non-believers to find Him for the first time.  The writer, Timothy Keller is also a pastor.  His exposition of the characters in the Bible like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Esau, Leah, Rachel, Jonah and others and their own confrontation with their own idols makes interesting reading and deeper understanding of our God Almighty.  Ever wonder why the first "two" commandments in the ten commandments as enumerated in Deuteronomy 5 stated categorically that " you shall have no other gods before me and you shall not make for yourself an idol."

The Truth Is Out.

Finally the truth is out.  As is the norm in every profession, you can always find "black sheep".  In launching the "Financial Advisory Industry Review" the Monetary Authority of Singapore has revealed that in the insurance industry the insurance agents together with their parasitic and unscrupulous bosses have ripped-off their clients by as much as 106% of their annual premiums as "commissions" into their pockets.  Now you know how those insurance miscreants manage to live in big bungalows and drive posh cars. This unethical and immoral practice must be common in the last one or two decades or more.  What happened?  Has our regulator been sleeping in his watch?  I wonder how many of our "baby boomers" and the present co-hort of our young people who have just entered the employment market have been "conned" into buying such products.  Can an avenue be opened to them to seek redress or compensation or ways they can be rescued from such "scams".  Hope that MAS can play a helpful role in this area for people who want redress!.  I will applaud if financial literacy education can be incoporated into our schools' curriculum.  This will safeguard our young adults from falling prey to charlatans in the insurance, investment and financial institutions.

Honesty Vis-A-Vis Sophism

Everyone believes in the truism "Honesty Is The Best Policy".  In a recent local newspaper's survey Singaporeans value "Honesty" highly.  However in the now on-going Parliamentary debates I notice many of the MPs of the Ruling Party (if I may say so the legally-trained ones) put forth clever arguments and sophism to misled and hookwink the citizens.  Let us take the controversy surrounding whether a by-election is essential for the Hougang single-seat constituency as a result of the sacking of the MP Yaw Shin Leong by the Workers Party. The Ruling Party has said it would consider carefully "whether and when to hold a by-election" as they are many important national issues to attend.  The WP has argued that the Constitution provided for a by-election for a single member constituency (SMC) to be called within 3 months or as soon as practical.  An NMP Eugene Tan has stated  a by-election  is automatic if we believe in democratic representation. Our records of the by-elections held and not held since the 1980s speak for themselves.   Futhermore the mainstream media (their entire editorial desk/journalists) got into the act by trying to sway the readers to the Ruling Party's thinking.  As per normal the mainstream media has let down its readers by not giving the true picture and playing its part by educating the citizens.  After the last General Election Singaporeans do not need our MPs for their sophism and to be sophists.  We just want plain simple truths!

Paul's Strategy.

Often our reading of our Bibles is only just 'reading'.  Thus we miss out of what God is trying to impart to us.  I came to this awakening/revelation after reading Mr James R Ettwein's meditation on Feb 17 2012 entitled "In the Middle of the Night" in the Upper Room.  The bible verses worth ruminating and applying them for ourselves are Phillipians 4: 6 - 7: "Do not be anxious about anything, but  in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  Are there cares/concerns and anxieties weighing you down?  Paul says "do not be anxious about anything" and he follows up with the Holy Spirit-filled strategy "present your requests to God" - telling Him of your anxieties/fears/whatever and to give you peace!  After that, the peace of God which transcends understanding should encompass you as you have unburdened your heart and your mind.  So just don't be anxious, present your  requests and experience God's peace!  May the Holy Spirit indwells in you always!

Sight & Sound Of A Broken Glass.

I recorded the above video of the sight and sound of a broken glass on a recent visit to the Singapore Art Museum.  I think it is a reflection of the fragility and brevity of this life.  Enjoy it!

Ministers' Pay Debate - Discerning The Forest From The Trees.

If you have missed last week's 3 days of Parliamentary Debate on the Ministers' Pay, you have missed witnessing an important juncture of our Parliamentary democracy.  The debate was engaging and robust from Members of Parliament from both the Ruling Party and the Workers' Party.  I saw the beginning and evolving momentum of a 2-Party system in the Parliament - an anathema to some of the "Old Guards" in the Ruling Party. In fact some members of the Ruling Party tried to hammer out a bi-partisan consensus on the motion which to the credit of the Workers' Party refused to come on board. I see the fundamental and logical arguments of the Workers' Party based on the following sequence of the 3 principles:

1) Political Office is a calling, a privilege - who better to  represent this calling than Mr Chen Show Mao himself who gave up a lucrative legal job to become an MP.  An MP is elected by the people first before he can become a Minister.  And the Minister is not selected from the private sector by the Prime Minister.

2) Competitive Salary - As the Minister has first to be an MP, logically his pay should be bench-marked against an MP's allowance which the WP calculated to be $11,000 pm (the norm in the senior level civil service pay) From here the WP extrapolated the entry-level Minister's pay to be 5 times($55,000 pm) and the PM's 9 times ($99,000 pm)

3) Clean Wage - The WP stipulated that the bonus payments for Ministers should not be more than 5 months (the Review Committee recommended 13.5 months) as an average worker gets about 3 to 4 months bonus in a very good year.

The WP stated that the Cabinet is a Constitutional extension of the Parliament and thereby under the Legislative control of the Parliament.

Well, this will not be the last time we hear of Ministers' pay.  But at least I get educated on the matter - who say competitive ideas/viewpoints have no merit?

Wishing You A Blessed & Prosperous Chinese New Year Of The Dragon.

MY FAMILY AND I WISH EVERYONE A BLESSED AND PROSPEROUS CHINESE NEW YEAR OF THE DRAGON!  EVERY DAY GIVEN TO YOU IS A MIRACLE.  CHERISH AND APPRECIATE YOUR BLESSINGS!


               GONG XI GONG XI WAN SHI RU YI!

Wisdom of Solon

It has been said that lower-class people talk about people; the middle class, things; and the upper class, ideas. I think wisdom is for all classes.  Solon was a stateman, lawmaker and poet of Athens (638BC - 559BC)  He was invited by King Croesus of Sardis who was then considered one of the richest person in the world to witness the monstrous wealth and the riches of his kingdom.  Croesus was so proud that he asked Solon who could match his opulence.  Solon replied that he knew of a citizen in Athens by the name of Tellus who was honest, ordinary man, good father, grandfather to his sons' children and died in glory fighting for his country. He added his countrymen believed in simple things, vision and might not be of importance and significance to the King.  He elaborated that man's life is subject to chance and vicissitudes of life - disaster can befall anyone anytime by surprise so no one can consider one successful until one has died well and his fortune still intact in the end. Fearing that he might have angered the King, his friend Aesop (famous for the Aesop's fables) who was also there advised him thus "Either we must come to mighty men at all or we must try to please them"  Solon replied "Either we must come to mighty men, or  we must tell them the truth"  Subsequently, King Croesus was defeated by King Cyrus of Persia and was taken prisoner.  Before he was to be burned at the stakes, he cried out the name of Solon 3 times.  King Cyrus asked him who was this man Solon.  Croesus told him of this wise man of Greece who taught him of his foolish prosperity, foresaw his present misery and advised him to consider that no man is  happy until he died well. The happy ending was Croesus was honoured  as one of the Counselors in King Cyrus's Court.  In the last financial crisis which has yet to take its full course many high-flying Hedge Fund managers and bankers were made to eat humble pies.  As they said "it ain't over till it's over"