A gift for when life is not rosy

EASTER PEOPLE: PHILIPPA SMALE takes a look at major and minor characters in the Bible's accounts of the days before and after Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection

LIBBY'S husband, John, was in the Navy. He was away at sea on the day of their 12th wedding anniversary. When the postman arrived that morning Libby received a letter informing her that she had to go into hospital for an operation - but no card from John. She thought that he had forgotten.

By midday Libby was an emotional wreck. She had convinced herself that John did not love her and would not care that she was going to have an operation.

Then there was a knock at the door. Libby opened it to find a man holding a long, thin white box.

‘This is for you. Sign here,' he said.

As he left, Libby opened the box. Inside were 12 long-stemmed red roses nestling in tissue paper. There was also a note: ‘These are for the wonderful 12 years we have shared together. All my love, John.'

Libby burst into tears of joy.

An hour later there was another knock. It was another box with another dozen roses and another note: ‘These are for all the years I hope we will share together - a lot more than 12! All my love, John.'

John's gestures of love could have seemed excessive. The sensible side of Libby said that a card would have been enough. But the memory of those gestures would later carry her through difficult times.

What can look excessive can be expressive - as an event in the life of Jesus reveals.

Only days before his crucifixion Jesus was a guest at a dinner party. A woman walked up to Jesus with a jar of very expensive perfume and poured all of it over his head. In the customs of the day it was a sign of respect to anoint someone with oil or perfume. But was it really necessary to use a whole jar of expensive perfume?

Jesus' disciples were not too pleased. They thought it was a waste of money (see Matthew 26:6-13).

Jesus saw it differently. It was an extravagant gesture of love. It helped him to face the hardships of the coming days when he laid down his life for others in a gesture which itself expressed God's extravagant love for all humankind.

When extravagant love was shown to Libby she was glad. When it was shown to Jesus he was glad.

And through Jesus, God shows it to us. What will we do with his gift?

- TSA UK War Cry

Prayer Request

1. Pray for the Helping Project 2010 and fund raising. We need all the help and support from all members. Pray for good weather, safety, God presence upon all those who are helping.

2. Pray for Sister Carmen for her speedy recovery after her leg surgery.

3. Pray for Mother Day Event on 8th May 2010

4. Pray also for our Flag Day 2010. We need all the help and support from all members. Pray for good weather, safety, God presence upon all those who are helping.

5. Please pray for our Corp future development and ministries.

Announcements

1. Good Friday Service - 2nd April 2010, 8pm, Corps
Brother & Sister are encourage to fast on that day.

2. Cell Group
There will be no Cell Group on Holy Week

3. Easter Sunrise Service - 4th April 2010, 7am, YMCA
Brother & Sister are encourage to attend this service. Breakfast will serve after the service.

3.1 Easter Service - 4th April 2010, 10:30am, Corps
Colonel Keith and Beryl Burridge will be visiting us. There will be a semi-lunch coffee fellowship after the service.

4. Flag Day 10 & 17 April 2010, TSA Children Home
Brothers & Sister are encourage to take a tin each to help on street collection.

5. Helping Hand - Walkathon, 1st May 2010, 9am, Botanical Garden
This is the fund raising project for Myanmar region. Another special collection will be held on 18 April 2010.

6. Prayer Cell - Everyday Friday, 8pm, Corps
Brother & Sister are encourage to come together to prayer for all member of the church and the list of prayer request.

Giving can take some doing

PHILIPPA SMALE takes a look at major and minor characters in the Bible's accounts of the days before and after Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection

SCENES on the TV news of the earthquake in Haiti had moved them. At the Salvation Army centre for homeless people where Joe was staying, there had been many fundraising events - such as coffee mornings and auctions - for the relief effort. Joe was an enthusiastic helper and was glad when they raised more than $400.

But something niggled him. He had not given any money himself. He wasn't exactly flush, and surely no one would expect him to give up the few quid he did have.

The final fundraiser was a talent night. It cost $3 to enter. Joe's friends urged him to have a go. He could play the guitar and sing. But $3 was $3.

Joe battled with himself right up until the last minute. He then put his $3 in the box and took his turn.

Joe's decision seemed to echo an event thousands of years ago.

A few days before his crucifixion Jesus was in the Temple in Jerusalem with his disciples. While they were there a widow came to the Temple treasury to give her offering. She slipped in among the rich people who were contributing lots of money, and she put in her two small coins. She did not know that anyone was watching; she just knew that God wanted her to give all she had. But Jesus was watching, and praised to his disciples what she had done (see Mark 12:41-44).

Clearly the widow was not the last person in history to get a feeling that God wanted her to give what she had, even if it was not very much.

No one would have blamed Joe if he had decided to keep the money - he had a perfect right to it. And he had already put in a lot of hard work to help raise funds. But Joe knew he had to do something.

Many people get a similar feeling. Money is not necessarily the issue. They may feel that God wants them to give their valuable time to listen to someone who is upset, or their know-how to help a neighbour with an emergency repair to their home or car.

What God asks every one of us is that we put all our trust in him - and that can be difficult.

Joe didn't win the talent night - but he did come third. The prize was a voucher for a meal at McDonald's for him and a mate. He was happy.

- TSA UK War Cry

Wonder woman

Claire Brine considers the new movie about Alice in Wonderland, and says challenges can be conquered

WHATEVER you do, don't be late. You've got a very important date. It's with a girl called Alice, and it takes place in a curious world called Underland. People wanting to get there are travelling to cinemas nationwide where Alice in Wonderland - a new twist to the classic Alice stories - is on release.

When she was a child 19-year-old Alice (Mia Wasi­kowska) visited Underland but now can't remember much about it. Her only recollections of the place she called Wonderland come in the form of dreams about a blue caterpillar and a smiling cat - and she doubts that such creatures are real.

Now that she has grown up, she must turn her mind to more important things, such as her impending engagement to Hamish Ascot. But when she sees a waistcoat-wearing white rabbit at her engagement party, curiosity gets the better of her. She chases after the animal, falls down a rabbit hole and lands in Underland.


Helena Bonham Carter as the Red Queen
Before long Alice is surrounded by a collection of talking animals and flowers, none of them convinced that she is the Alice they are looking for.

The inhabitants of Underland need a heroine strong enough to save them from the miserable reign of the evil Red Queen, Iracebeth. They need someone brave enough to fight and slay her dragon-like pet, the Jabberwocky. But they can't see how this Alice fits the bill. And that means that the rightful ruler of Underland, the White Queen, is likely to remain powerless.

The future looks bleak - until Alice meets the Mad Hatter. He recognises her instantly from her previous visit and believes she is the right girl to restore the White Queen. Alice is afraid of the Jabberwocky, but the Mad Hatter has complete faith in her.

The dangerous Jabber­wocky is a huge obstacle for Alice to overcome. She doubts that she can win the fight. But the Mad Hatter knows that defeating the creature is possible. Alice just needs to believe it.


Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter
In the real world there can be situations which we feel are impossible to overcome. Someone we love dies and we feel too weak to cope. A friend betrays our trust and we are too angry to forgive. We think that we are hopeless and will never amount to anything.

When life feels like a bad dream, we don't have to be defeated by it. Whatever we come up against, we can have faith in God to help us through. With him by our side, anything can happen. And whatever problems we encounter, we don't have to face them alone.

Jesus says: ‘For God, everything is possible' (Matthew 19:26 Good News Bible).

If we trust in God and follow him, our life can change. Our problems may not go away, but we can face them in ways we never expected. We can draw on God's strength to help us cope. We can accept God's help in forgiving those who have let us down. We can take comfort from God's promise that he is always with us and loves us unconditionally.

Impossible? Don't you believe it! - TSA UK War Cry

Prayer Request

1. Please pray for Bro. Jonathan, who have left for KL to further his study. Pray for God protection and help him in his education.

2. Pray also for Bro. Scott for God to open door for his further study and to obtain a scholarship.

3. Pray for Bro Jihan who just received his full education scholarship to further study at INTI college Penang.

4. Pray for Sister Elizabeth who is now working and living in KL.

5. Pray for the Teeritorial Youth Camp 2010 that will be held in Penang.

Announcements

Cell Group:

This coming Thursday 25th March 2010 - 8:00PM, Youth Cell, well be at Corps.


SAFE Committee Meeting:

21st March 2010, 7:00PM at Corps.
It will be a post mortem meeting. those who in this committee please take note and attend.


Prayer Meeting:

Calling all people to come together to meet regularly to pray for others and Corps.
We will be starting the first session on 26 March 2010, 7:30PM at Corps.


Uniform Wearing:

Encourage those who are the Soldiers to wear uniforms, whoever lost the epauletters or need to order the new uniforms, please contact Capt. Tan.

We can get through testing times

DO you remember the day of your driving test? I remember the first one ... and the second ... and the third. My heart was pounding, my palms sweating, and I felt sick in the pit of my stomach. How was I expected to take a test feeling like that?

Before and after my tests I needed the encouragement of my instructor. Having failed my first two, I doubt whether I would have carried on - and eventually passed at the third attempt - without his support.

Some testing situations are far harder than a driving test. They can shake our faith and cause us to question all we believe. A baby dies. A young mum has cancer diagnosed. A partner walks out.

It amazes me how many people get through such trials with their faith intact. They discover that God upholds them, and they emerge stronger people.

However, there are people who cut themselves off from God at such times. They feel angry, bitter and let down by God or by other Christians who did not do what they expected or needed.

One Bible writer described a testing time for his faith like this: ‘I am worn out, Lord, waiting for you to save me ... My eyes are tired from watching for what you promised, while I ask, "When will you help me?"' (Psalm 119:81, 82 Good News Bible).

I spoke to a woman who had been a member of a church when her baby was born disabled. She became angry and bitter with God, and left the church. She found the test to be too hard.

I wanted to tell her that God believed in her, and that, although we may find some tests too difficult, he sees no one as a failure. The truth is that God loves us, whatever and however we are feeling.

One of the early Christians, Paul, had some tough tests of his own but remained confident of God. He wrote: ‘I am certain that nothing can separate us from his love' (Romans 8:38).

‘Nothing' includes re­dundancy, cancer, divorce or any other problem we may have to face.

Being a Christian does not mean that life will be easy. But we are all on a journey and need to keep going so that we get to the destination that God has promised. The more we rely on him, the better the journey will be.

War Cry 27 February 2010 - TSA UK

Give yourself room for manoeuvre

Driving Lessons' - Drawing on her experience as a learner driver, CATHERINE WYLES looks at the basic theory and practicals of being a Christian

AFTER a few lessons on public roads I was successfully driving in a straight line. But then came the tricky bit - manoeuvring.

Jokes about women and parking are true in my case. I cannot reverse park, and I would rather walk a mile than park between two stationary vehicles. There are bumpers, wing mirrors and kerbs that look all too easy to hit. Manoeuvring is not my strong point.

When we become Christians, we can have some manoeuvring to do because temptations can get in our way.

Even Jesus had to do some manoeuvring away from temptations.

To help himself spiritually, he had been fasting for 40 days. He was hungry, and Satan tempted him with some food: ‘If you are God's Son, tell this stone to turn into bread' (Luke 4:3 Contemporary English Version).

Jesus was preparing himself for a life of ministry and serving others, but Satan offered him an easier path, promising him wealth and power if Jesus would ‘just worship' him (see 4:5-7).

Jesus was seeking to be obedient to his calling, but Satan tempted him to abuse his relationship with God by testing it out (see 4:9-12).

Jesus resisted every temptation.

Satan knows where our weaknesses lie. Often they are the parts of our life where we feel strongest.

For example, we may have a talent - for instance, in music or at a sport or craft - but rather than thanking God for the gifts he has given us, we praise ourselves. Or we may be good-looking and charming, but we use people for our own enjoyment. Or it may be that people trust us, but we abuse that trust and get away with things because no one suspects us.

Temptation is a reality. We need to be aware of the pitfalls and pray for help.

But there is great news. The Bible says: ‘You are tempted in the same way that everyone else is tempted. But God can be trusted not to let you be tempted too much, and he will show you how to escape from your temptations' (1 Corinthians 10:13).

What an amazing promise! God gives us the strength to say ‘No' and to manoeuvre away from things that might stall our spiritual journey with him.

War Cry 20 February 2010 - TSA UK

Prayer List

1) Pray for Major Kamala for her health and also her challenging work in TSA Penang Children Home. As she trying to organize things and arrange proper management about the staff and care for the children, may God grant her wisdom and strength to carry out the work.

2) Pray for the church members that everyone will continue to stay united and faithful to God. Pray that God will help each one to grow and bold to reach out and tell non believer about Jesus.

3) Pray for Capt Brenda work in starting the women ministries work. May God help her with the wisdom, courage, and strength in her work and send helper for her work.

4) Pray for Bro Weng Cheong's sister marriage. Pray that whatever issue they may facing that God will show a way and send help to overcome problems.

5) Pray for those boy's who are awaiting for SPM result. Pray that God will show them the way and what to do next.

6) Pray for Bro Sam's job interview will be a successful one and may God grant him a permanent job to earn living.

7) Pray for the Children's home that God will change them in their behaviour, attitude and too see you as their Lord and saviour.

8) Pray for Sister Elizabeth who is setting down in KL. As she start her life in that city, may she continue to go to church and trusting you always in her heart.

9) Pray for ourselves and walk close to God daily in our spiritual life.

10) Pray for the work of TSA in the Malaysia. May God send revival in the churches in this country and more people will be save in the name of Jesus.

11) Pray for Capt Tan (Kolok) for his challenging work as the head of Penang corp. Pray for the community work that he has planned and the members of the church will raise up and work side by side with him to perform the Lord's work in Penang. Also pray for his additional duty in the youth ministry as he travel around Malaysia to help out in other corps as well.

Last but not least, pray and listen to God and be patient to wait for his answer.

Whose directions are we following?

Drawing on her experience as a learner driver, CATHERINE WYLES looks at the basic theory and practicals of being a Christian

MY first few driving lessons took place in an empty car park. But, after graduating to second gear, I was allowed out on the road for the first time.


Driving round the car park was easy compared with driving on a proper road. Up until then I had endangered only myself and my poor, harassed instructor. But now other cars were coming at me from all directions and at all speeds.

It was no longer just me that I had to worry about; now I had to deal with other people too. I was thankful that my driving instructor could show me how to respond to each situation.

How we respond is important not only when we are behind the wheel of a car. The way we deal with other people is one of the more challenging aspects of learning how to live as a Christian.

We can discover some principles from Jesus' teaching. He told us, for example, to forgive other people when they make our lives unhappy, to refrain from outbursts of anger and, if we have a husband or wife, to be faithful to them.

Knowing what Jesus said is one thing, but doing it is another. There are times when we don't know how to respond to situations or when we respond in the wrong way.

Just as I needed the instructor by my side to help me in my driving, so we could do with a guide to help us avoid oncoming problems in our lives as Christians.

Jesus promises his followers that they can receive that kind of help through his Holy Spirit.

The early Christian Paul wrote that the Spirit enables people to develop certain qualities: ‘The Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, good­ness, faithfulness, humility, and self-control' (Galatians 5:22 Good News Bible).

If we follow the Holy Spirit's guidance, we will develop qualities that will help us in our relationships and change them for the better. We will have self-control so that we don't lose our temper. We will have kindness so that we treat people with respect and care. We will have patience so that we wait for other people to do things in their own way.

Difficult situations can become opportunities for Jesus to direct us and change us.

If we follow his guidance, he can keep us on the right track.

War Cry 13 February 2010 - TSA UK