tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14557056924866625312024-03-13T08:43:46.582+08:00The Gibsons GazetteThe Singapore Brit!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00310058146575829582noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455705692486662531.post-54938668281144422742018-04-18T20:24:00.000+08:002018-04-18T20:24:14.836+08:00Singapore Gibsons 2018<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Greetings from the Singapore Gibsons.</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2018 is a year of preparation for us. </span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">For Tim and Shendy it is preparing the Church in Singapore and further afield to be bright arrows by training in the art of building Prayer Altars.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">For Melody it is preparing for her vocation in the Market Place as she seeks the Lord's guidance for her next job (as she presently works in an interim job).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">For Gideon it is his final year of NS and preparation for the season of studying at Uni. He is presently applying for which university to go to whilst enjoying being a Sergeant and Guardsman.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Matthew is preparing for his football matches and next years O levels!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">This year Tim is travelling a lot within and outside Singapore to train in Prayer Altars. He has already been to Sri Lanka and forthcoming trips are JB, Ipoh (with Shendy), Penang and Campbodia. As a family we are going to the UK in July (except Gideon). This will be for Tim's niece's wedding in Northampton. </span></div>
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The Singapore Brit!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00310058146575829582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455705692486662531.post-56743860386127386812017-01-03T15:06:00.002+08:002017-01-03T15:06:55.186+08:00Into 2017<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivKC0Gl7l7w1SMXp_7r0hkYTw5EMeEDZGeCz_fFxZrC-NAp0kkjkFfpEXTPcnYWAsS0hbeB7kxFJg1Q5twvi55jX42xZ9AEN_VCEeCKs3enhu5b6mGoBQg8Q5mU_KfWbzpMsy9u3IOPdxp/s1600/gibsons+2017a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivKC0Gl7l7w1SMXp_7r0hkYTw5EMeEDZGeCz_fFxZrC-NAp0kkjkFfpEXTPcnYWAsS0hbeB7kxFJg1Q5twvi55jX42xZ9AEN_VCEeCKs3enhu5b6mGoBQg8Q5mU_KfWbzpMsy9u3IOPdxp/s320/gibsons+2017a.jpg" width="320" height="240" /></a></div>
<p>Welcome to 2017! This year Melody graduates, Gideon goes into National Service and Matthew continues in Secondary School. Tim expands his teaching on Prayer Altars into many other churches in Singapore and will also travel to other nations to do the same. Shendy continues to be a wonderful support in the ministry to Tim and continues to work in the kids old primary school, looking after the day care children.</P>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5RJSZjf-X0T7s1YQijp0j0hH1BvOYy7fOGwZIwqWuucgSNi7k8Q4Qi9WzLp2oU5I2ytPu6p_Cr_0wGRjbS8W-v8TU3mHSIt6Jd_vGctbvKKAqENpKkfCCEpzkyw-MR7QhhGNc7-QBX6mw/s1600/gibsons+2017b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5RJSZjf-X0T7s1YQijp0j0hH1BvOYy7fOGwZIwqWuucgSNi7k8Q4Qi9WzLp2oU5I2ytPu6p_Cr_0wGRjbS8W-v8TU3mHSIt6Jd_vGctbvKKAqENpKkfCCEpzkyw-MR7QhhGNc7-QBX6mw/s320/gibsons+2017b.jpg" width="320" height="240" /></a></div>The Singapore Brit!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00310058146575829582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455705692486662531.post-12929802173470699762016-05-05T17:46:00.001+08:002016-05-05T17:46:38.564+08:00Latest update May 2016<P>Hi all. Just to update you on what's happening with us in Singapore.</P>
<P>God is good and we are all doing well. I (Tim) am still pastoring the English service of Church of Singapore (Bukit Timah). We are now looking at the theme Building Altars of Transformation. Indeed, as we build these altars there's wonderful things happening, miracles and transformed lives. One lady had been healed of breast cancer and another of Gall stones (lump shrank and stones dissolved miraculously). You can hear my latest message at <A HREF="https://soundcloud.com/cosbt-english-9am"> https://soundcloud.com/cosbt-english-9am</A>.</P>
<P>Melody is back from her miracle trip to Europe and is now doing a work assignment under her university with VidSee online film company. Gideon is preparing for A levels at the end of this year and Matthew is enjoying Secondary one. Shendy is still helping in the Daycare teaching at Woodlands Ring Primary School near our house.</P>
<P>Following is a picture of me (Tim) a friend sent of yesteryear that I hadn't seen before. It was when I was at Imperial College living in chaplaincy accommodation and just starting to learn guitar!</P>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKApvK7RdeKH5X288E8Tg0HsmHkARC0hE4LiezmpCCjGlayVaz8ClY5BgSK9m8bu8yXtsoW1iFFmjTDrehzGQOfeTYjqMcxueuXkbxqm3nhqgykgzKukjbhhvjQcqjTfnv6f8oQMSpk6Eb/s1600/TimGuitar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKApvK7RdeKH5X288E8Tg0HsmHkARC0hE4LiezmpCCjGlayVaz8ClY5BgSK9m8bu8yXtsoW1iFFmjTDrehzGQOfeTYjqMcxueuXkbxqm3nhqgykgzKukjbhhvjQcqjTfnv6f8oQMSpk6Eb/s320/TimGuitar.jpg" /></a></div>The Singapore Brit!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00310058146575829582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455705692486662531.post-63399232544754530232015-05-03T22:17:00.003+08:002015-05-03T22:19:49.953+08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg99XMFsVyDCfkUP34AI19HPSFWwdyw6i2LrMBYuAse_ZWkMxb_43lWKWKpKlAWSJA-OEYTnZVbCxhTLp7QCtgnHeeSH16nr5nFyPmRevlIazBtxPDBXzf6ooLx6OZcroTDAQYWdIF3VTbl/s1600/2015-03-09+22.35.20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg99XMFsVyDCfkUP34AI19HPSFWwdyw6i2LrMBYuAse_ZWkMxb_43lWKWKpKlAWSJA-OEYTnZVbCxhTLp7QCtgnHeeSH16nr5nFyPmRevlIazBtxPDBXzf6ooLx6OZcroTDAQYWdIF3VTbl/s320/2015-03-09+22.35.20.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>So much has happened since I last wrote. I won't bore you with all the details but just give you a quick write up of what's been happening.</p>
<p>After six years we finally went back to England as a whole family for Christmas 2014. It was an excellent, if cold, time back visiting old friends and family. The highlight was spending Christmas in Sidmouth, renting a house by the sea with my brother, Andy, and his wife, Sara. My parents came over on Christmas day for a delicious Christmas meal and the time overall was truly memorable. Other things we did were to tour London (seeing William and Kate and George coming out of Buckingham Palace), visiting my school friend, Ian and his family in Oundle, spending time with my sister, Julie, and her family, visiting the Doctor Who exhibition in Cardiff and friends , Ian and Karen, and neighbouring Caerphilly castle.</p>
<p>Soon after our return to Singapore I (Tim) fell ill with a full body rash and felt lousy. Indeed for 20 days I was either in bed at home or in hospital. During this time I found out I had skin cancer and needed a growth on my arm removed. There was also a scare that I may have blood cancer, of which I am still having tests up until this day - but I believe God has healed me.</p>
<p>Shendy has a new job teaching in a nearby day care centre. Melody is doing well at university and will be going to Switzerland for five months in August. Gideon is still preparing for his A levels next year and Matthew is preparing to graduate from Primary school.</p>
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The Singapore Brit!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00310058146575829582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455705692486662531.post-84318773516393373882014-02-17T18:52:00.003+08:002014-02-17T18:52:44.293+08:00Galloping into the Year of The Horse<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOXQRKNHS_UlGUtnLCLAnpVbta36GSkD9Ni49N5XlKFrNrvvXq-oEyjal8TJpHbfHYSxivuCBDuuHq87gwo1VQZdeimwD0INu8r9X15TX_NE0px9BalyHVK9VL5rSbBXiV3__g_ZgUbmAV/s1600/IMG_2383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOXQRKNHS_UlGUtnLCLAnpVbta36GSkD9Ni49N5XlKFrNrvvXq-oEyjal8TJpHbfHYSxivuCBDuuHq87gwo1VQZdeimwD0INu8r9X15TX_NE0px9BalyHVK9VL5rSbBXiV3__g_ZgUbmAV/s320/IMG_2383.JPG" /></a></div>
<P>We had a busy Christmas time but found time to go as a family to Legoland in Malaysia for a great relaxing and fun holiday at the end of 2013. As we entered into 2014 we all had fresh hope for a good year and have started the year galloping into His goodness!
<P>Shendy continues to work part time in her daycare centre and helps in the Church in many may. Melody is into her next semester of university and is enjoying her course on Mass Media. Gideon did well in his O levels and earned a place at St.Andrew's Junior college. He just started his first term and loves the school very much. Matthew continues his time at primary school and is really crazy about football. As for myself (Tim), i'm refreshed and moving with greater faith, believing God will do great things in the church and in us this year.
<P>I will add occasional testimonies as the year progresses as to what is happening with us.
<P>See ya.The Singapore Brit!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00310058146575829582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455705692486662531.post-89196484401477096202013-02-04T22:55:00.001+08:002013-02-04T22:55:13.417+08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB6s4TeDs8GtYwalOrw1leO-T-t6_J-ANwSj3jpZgWCppuWtdMsgNLJePtxHF4O0pIjHFujXvqrjxOtHURL6nVXWpnkEsqFdslFPagDhu03LYJ0PKRZ4_TdrjBjea6nQZwqgIRwIeYOjcv/s1600/TimShenWedding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB6s4TeDs8GtYwalOrw1leO-T-t6_J-ANwSj3jpZgWCppuWtdMsgNLJePtxHF4O0pIjHFujXvqrjxOtHURL6nVXWpnkEsqFdslFPagDhu03LYJ0PKRZ4_TdrjBjea6nQZwqgIRwIeYOjcv/s320/TimShenWedding.jpg" /></a></div>
<p> <i>The picture above is of Shen and myself as we were getting married.It is a picture I just unearthed and I even used recently in my preaching! I look at it and thank God that He has been faithful in leading on from that time to where we are now.</p></i>
<p>Well, it's already February and I haven't updated this blog with our family news. Time really flies as you get older! Much has happened but I want to be brief and cover the major points so as not to bore you too much.</p>
<p>Last year marked a new beginning for me personally in the ministry. I realized that I was struggling in pastoring the English Service and the Lord intervened in the June church camp when I was called up by my senior Pastor and one of the board members. It was agreed that I was not functioning well in the present state so I needed a change of accountblity structure and mentoring on my leadership skills. As a result I have had over six months of revitalized ministry and am really thankful for the Church helping me in this. My stint as a pastor started off reluctantly as I am not naturally gifted with pastoral leadership/people management skills and it is not my main calling. However, God has 'pushed' me here to learn and mature and this last six months have been the most fruitful of all in my 10 years as a pastor (not in numerical terms but in personal maturity and developing of skills). Thank God for this valuable experience.</p>
<p>This year we are restructuring the English Service and developing the leaders. As well as my usual pastoral duties I will be going to the Phillipines in April to do Missions Training and am speaking in a church camp in Malaysia at the end of May plus other smaller speaking engagments inbetween. Shendy is still working in a day care centre and helps me in the ministry. Melody has just finished her A levels and is waiting for the results. In the meantime she has a job in Chloe (a shop in Takashimaya, Orchard Road), as Fashion Advisor. Gideon is building up for his O levels and is very involved in the Boys Brigade and helps me in Church. Matthew is enjoying life and loves football. He is in the school football team and they are presently competing in an inter-primary school tournament.</p>
<p>.Well, I told you it would be brief. I hope to add to this blog more frequently with shorter posts.The Singapore Brit!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00310058146575829582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455705692486662531.post-21390105386530092122012-12-27T12:16:00.000+08:002012-12-27T12:16:40.215+08:00End of 2012 comments<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaCvuoRZh7brEIsWoWwjmPkv0bAMWMlAbFreneQoyOYACj8O4Qp_ROotAoUjISc-e3w4z9I5aUD9_iFioGk00ZkX0gEpZ20lgHKboS6R50BKN3IgnLkO7-KvLRVKxpvzYhcUrnlYZXEaxt/s1600/IMG_1962.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="239" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaCvuoRZh7brEIsWoWwjmPkv0bAMWMlAbFreneQoyOYACj8O4Qp_ROotAoUjISc-e3w4z9I5aUD9_iFioGk00ZkX0gEpZ20lgHKboS6R50BKN3IgnLkO7-KvLRVKxpvzYhcUrnlYZXEaxt/s320/IMG_1962.JPG" /></a></div>
<p>Well, we have come to the end of another year. In January we will write a proper Gibson Gazette, with commets from all of us, but now I will just take the time to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.</p>
<p>Personally, 2012 has been a year of highs and lows, thankfully starting on lows and ending mostly on highs! It is a year I almost gave up in my present ministry to experiencing a breakthrough to greater freedom and clarity.</p>
<p>Anyway, watch this space for our full family news....</p>The Singapore Brit!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00310058146575829582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455705692486662531.post-16331964703916992252012-01-11T16:56:00.010+08:002012-01-11T17:04:23.246+08:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz_h7klThVEC-jeVYZyUa3zyelghVS8mlrU2S34RS822R0DbChP_LZXO1DWaT6XtgdTKscFUVQuhkNOtKLaUafjCYIVeYrgOn7nQOO7e1LuOlEG6VmWjznG9BcDz6JPm864lG0PuNjfO0W/s1600/IMG_0044.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz_h7klThVEC-jeVYZyUa3zyelghVS8mlrU2S34RS822R0DbChP_LZXO1DWaT6XtgdTKscFUVQuhkNOtKLaUafjCYIVeYrgOn7nQOO7e1LuOlEG6VmWjznG9BcDz6JPm864lG0PuNjfO0W/s320/IMG_0044.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696296222294134962" /></a><br /><br /><br />GIBSON GAZETTE 2012<br /><br />Dear Heirs of Christ,<br /><br />Greetings to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, the name above every other name. 2011 has quickly passed us by and, as we enter into the year 2012, we truly thank God for His grace and mercy to us. Indeed we are so amazed by God goodness and His faithfulness. Indeed He has been true to His Word because He has indeed extended our borders like Jabez and He has used our family in a incredible way. For this we give God the glory and honour that are solely due to Him and Him alone. Last was indeed a great year not only for ministry but a breakthrough for our family too.<br /><br />Following are snippets of Praise that we want to share to give glory to God:<br /><br />1. The Lord has indeed expanded Tim's ministry both locally and overseas. Locally he has been invited to minister in a few churches of different denominations. He has also been invited regularly to speak at the chapel in a local Bible College and also minister regularly in churches in Malaysia. His book 'The Big Picture - Picture Perfect' has been receiving good reviews overseas and Tim has also made a Revelation multimedia teaching DVD that has been well received, especially by Bible students. The Lord has also brought him to Philippines, Cambodia and Myanmar to minister to these developing countries and he will share in more detail in his column.<br /><br />2. For Shen it has been an amazing year that she saw how God used her in Mel’s old Secondary School as the Parents Support Group Chairperson. The Lord just open doors for her to minister to the parents with challenges with their teenagers, doing a few talks in the school. The Lord has also opened doors for her to connect with the teenagers to befriend them and to minister to them. At the end of the year she led a group of Parents with teachers and students to dance for Christchurch's 60th anniversary and it was a memorable time for all of us. At the same time, the Lord has been gracious to use her and Tim as a couple to minister together in Cambodia and in Cebu, Philippines. It really humbles and amazes us to see how God can use us in teaching church planters with words of knowledge and prophecy.<br /><br />3. On the home front, the Lord has indeed blessed our children and thank God they have grown spiritually and physically. Melody has just turned 17 and she has been great in helping us to look after her siblings when we went on mission trips and other ministry. Gideon is now 15 and he went to Cambodia for his first mission trip and certainly the Lord has transformed him (do read the column where he shares in detail). Matthew is now 8 years old and he is certainly the life of the family (do read his sharing in his column).<br /><br />This year the Lord gave our family this scripture Zephaniah 3:17:<br />“The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”<br /><br /><strong>TIM TALKS</strong><br /><br />2011 was the best and worst year for me! Best in that, as has been mentioned, many ministry doors have opened and the ministry itself has gone much deeper and with greater anointing, especially overseas. However, at the same time, it has been the worst year ever in terms of spiritual attacks in the form of health problems and ministry discouragement etc. Teeth problems, blood pressure rising, back and leg problems. Praise the Lord that through it all He has been my strength and shield, an ever present help in trouble <br /><br />The highlight of last year for me was when I went to Myanmar (Burma). Fifteen years ago I went to see my friends from Bible School, Nish and Rani, start a church plant in Yangon (Rangoon). This time, fifteen years later I witnessed how the church has grown and also was privileged to end their new Bible School with the last course and speaking in the Graduation ceremony. I went at the same time Hilary Clinton was there and sensed it is a tremendous time of transition for the country. Another highlight was being able to do a series on Revelation in our church plus in another church and produce a multimedia teaching DVD that has been in high demand and is something I am very proud of. <br /><br />A final highlight I want to share is how God provided for my heart’s desire – an iPad2! Several brothers from my service came together to buy this as a Christmas gift – my best Christmas gift ever. Thanks <br /><br /><strong>SHEN SAYS</strong><br /><br />Last year was a very fruitful year for me. I was able to do more talks in my children's school and got to pray with other parents and be a support to those parents who have very challenging teens. At the same time I was busy doing more talks in late July and early August. I was diagnosed with Vertigo disease which the doctor said was due to too much stress and overworking! Of course I was asked to have complete bed rest by my family. During that time I really sought God and took time just to be still to be strengthened by Him. <br /><br />During that time I felt useless because I couldn't do anything for my family but God was really good to us. He knew that my hubby and kids were getting sick of outside food, He sent a sister who came to our home with a pot of curry chicken and a beef casserole. On top of that, she left some money for me to get some help to clean my home.<br /><br />Another sister came to visit me and upon seeing that my stove was old and the tiles in the kitchen were broken, sent her men to come and repair my kitchen tiles and even bought me a brand new stove. Our hearts were just so overwhelmed with God's goodness and these sisters were indeed angels sent by God to us. The Lord is good and within a short time I recovered and continued serving in my daughter's former school. Just last November, I got a group of parents with the school teachers and students to dance for the school's 60th anniversary and it was also a fund raising project and by the grace of God, the funds have been raised. All glory to God.<br /><br />I use to admire when a godly man and his wife served the Lord together in missions and I used to ask the Lord when it is the time when I could serve the Lord with my man hand in hand. This is year that the Lord has given us breakthrough in serving Him together. We were able to go to Cambodia, Siam Reap to celebrate our 17th anniversary. It is great to see that we could do missions and also to have a time for ourselves.<br /><br />In December, we were able to go to Cebu, Philippines and taught the church planters. It was really an enriching time for us. We felt such liberty in ministering to God's people in a developing country. The main breakthrough was when I was able to do a women's ministry and just to encourage them, praying for them and seeing them wanting more of God's presence, not willing to leave, this really brought joy to my heart. They requested me to bring some sisters to do a women's conference for them this year and I am really excited and look forward to do this. Please kindly pray for me as we are seeking the Lord how to do this women's ministry in Cebu and beyond.<br /><br /><strong>MELODY MUTTERS</strong><br /><br />Last year was just like 2010 for me, like a roller coaster. As all of you know , I did quite well in my 'O' levels and got a place in Pioneer Junior College. Honestly, I was not happy being placed in PJC initially as it had always been my desire to go to St Andrew's JC. However I felt that God wanted me to be in PJC for a reason, because He never places us in a place by accident. Even though there were times I disliked JC so much because of the immense pressure and stress but I always had God to cling on to and hold on to Him as my source of comfort and refuge. Though I still might have chosen another path if I had to make the choice between JC and Poly I know that, when I out of JC, I will look back and say now I know why God placed me there. No matter whether I can see the big picture or not, I still thank God for His abundance for even allowing me to be in the JC.<br /><br /><br />Another thing I want to thank God for is His grace and mercy which enabled me to pull through JC1 and be promoted to JC2. To be awfully honest, last year could be said to be my toughest year. JC was a new experience and a totally different place compared to the secondary school. Academic wise so much was expected from me and much work had to be done independently. I felt miserable at times but I was grateful to God for helping me to find good friends and also seeing me through the year. He has also given me lifelong friends since my secondary school days. They have always encouraged me and been there for me.<br /><br />One more thing is finally I have my own room to myself since last December. It must have been my earnest prayer to God that He has touched my parents and since then instead of moving to a bigger place, which we are not so keen because we love our place which is very convenient for school, market, local shops, eating places and even with a mega shopping centre and an MRT nearby. My parents did a makeover of our home and now both me and my brothers have our own rooms. I really appreciate my dad for going out of his way to make us feel so blessed and not forgetting my mum too.<br /><br />All in all I am just so thankful that I am promoted & able to take my 'A' levels this year. 2011 has been a tough but fruitful year and I wish that this year will be better. I do hope you will covet me in your prayers as I will be taking a huge milestone this year, the dreadful 'A' levels. <br /><br /><strong>GIDEON GURGLES</strong><br /><br />Last December I decided to join Youth Impact (my youth church) to for a mission trip to Cambodia. The whole trip was about S$800 and for a student with no savings this meant a lot to me. However my parents were very encouraging but they told me that they would come out half and the rest I needed to raise my own funds. I spent days thinking of how to raise the money in such a short time and how many cars I needed to wash before I raised the amount. Just then, my mum's good friend, aunty Margaret heard about my trip through my mum and she started to raise the funds for me. She raised half for me and decided to teach me how to bake Carrot Banana Cakes to raise my own funds. I made about 10 cakes and most of my mum's friends bought the cakes from me. Within a day I raised more than $800! <br /><br />After weeks of preparation and training, I finally got on the plane with 70 other youths to Cambodia. I was so excited about the fact that God is able to use me to bring people to Him and to testify of His greatness. When we reached Cambodia, we took the van for 6 hours ride to a village called Pusat. We went to the children's home to play with the children, taught them Christian songs and did street evangelism. During the street evangelism, I shared the gospel to the strangers for the first time and some of them got saved. It was something that I would never do in Singapore. There was this incident where we went into a house and saw this man resting. We shared the gospel to him and when we asked if there was anything we could pray for him, he said that his jaw had a lump and it was very painful. After praying, we could see vividly that the lump had gone down and then we prayed again and this time the whole lump was gone. After witnessing this first hand miracle experience my faith in God was truly built up.<br /><br />During the school outreaches, we played games with the children and performed skits for them. During a school outreach, we were given opportunity to share the gospel to the teachers and to my amazement there were some teachers who accepted the gospel. On the last day of our time in Pusat, the children in the children's home put on a performance for us and prayed for us. As we said our last good-byes, all the children started to cry. This really touched me because they were just so happy when we played with them and took time to know them. On our last day, we went to Phnom Penh and went to the slums to share with them about God's love and our church. We did a rally in the slum and there were about thirty children gathered together to hear the gospel. This experience has definitely made me appreciate my life in Singapore more.<br /><br />This whole experience had indeed brought me closer to God and my faith has grown. The things that I have seen and learnt certainly helped me to be grateful and content with every little thing that comes my way. I would like to take this opportunity to thank those people who contributed to help me to go on this trip and my team members who helped me. I am already looking forward to my next mission trip. <br /><br /><br /><strong>MATTHEW MURMURS</strong><br /><br />Hi I am 8 years old and this year I am in Primary 3. Last year the Lord did amazing things in my studies. I got very good marks for my English and Mathematic but I only got a C for my Chinese. I was worried that I would be put in not a very good class because of my Chinese but the Lord is good. During our family devotion I shared about my fear and God did a miracle that I was put in the second best class. The Lord also has given me a good tutor from church who also taught my elder sister and brother before. <br /><br />Last year, I found that I am closer to God because He has always listened to my prayers. I got first for my track & field and our class was the only one chosen for that level to participate in Stars Night. I was put in the band and I now learn how to play clarinet. My desire is to play Clarinet for God. Please kindly continue to pray for my Chinese that I will do better this year with the help of my tutor & God:)<br /><br />That's all for our family news. It is a bit too long but we hope you enjoyed reading it and continue to pray for us. It is your prayers that have really enabled us to be committed to do God's will. We are grateful to God for every remembrance of you. We truly appreciate your friendship, encouragement and prayer support which means a lot to us. It makes serving a joy and a pleasure because of friends like you. This year we believe God is going to do greater thing in our family and in the church. This year, the Lord has impressed on us that He will do a RESTORATION work in our lives. The things that the locusts have eaten, He will repay us back. Therefore we will be strong and be of good COURAGE because He is the author and the finisher of our faith. Of course the world will go darker through the years but we are confident because Christ alone is our security and that's why we can stand firm in Him. We pray that this year will be a year of fruitfulness, favour and the richest blessings from God to you. <br /><br />SHALOM!<br /><br />Lots of love & blessings from,<br /><br />THE GIBSONSThe Singapore Brit!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00310058146575829582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455705692486662531.post-73969544499871467442010-03-10T17:58:00.002+08:002010-03-10T18:06:25.026+08:00GIBSONS GAZETTE MARCH 2010<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKYMLDDbBsckxH5ybXT4PrRponUkxix489YFJnYI0G2n0hU6rnTKs4aLF4MDGvGwW03xPZ89JjFZad3T8XAM6YPGKqx0GaN0P02VSXm8JU1OUjDKmhXIBsInwZcG1Qhpn1FrtPu49cTED3/s1600-h/familyfun.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKYMLDDbBsckxH5ybXT4PrRponUkxix489YFJnYI0G2n0hU6rnTKs4aLF4MDGvGwW03xPZ89JjFZad3T8XAM6YPGKqx0GaN0P02VSXm8JU1OUjDKmhXIBsInwZcG1Qhpn1FrtPu49cTED3/s320/familyfun.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446944377470396242" /></a><br />Dear All,<br /> <br />Greetings to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, the name above every other names. 2009 had quickly passed us by & as we thought about the year, we truly thank God for His grace & mercy to us. It hasn't been an easy year for the whole economy with recession but we give thanks to God for His continued providence to us. It has been a year of many of our loved ones who have promoted to glory. At the same time, we are grateful to God for many of our good friends both here & overseas who have been constantly supporting us in many ways through your encouragement, prayers & even your love gifts which meant a lot to us.<br /> <br />As a family, the Lord has done great and mighty things in our family. He has shown Himself to our 3 lovely children. He has shown Himself as Jehovah Jireh to Melody. He has shown Himself as El-Shaddai to Gideon and He has shown Himself as Jehovah Rapha to Matthew. You will see their reflections and testimonies in their own little column.<br /><br />One of the highlights of last year was when the church celebrated Tim's 44th birthday with a big chocolate cake and a gift of vouchers for him to have tailor made shirts and trousers. We truly want to thank God for giving us a group of great and dedicated people who truly have loved and supported us all these years. All glory to God.<br /><br />This year the Lord has given our family this scripture:<br /><br /><br /><em>“Blessed is the man (family) <br />Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,<br />Nor stands in the path of sinners,<br />Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; <br />But his delight is in the law of the LORD,<br />And in His law he meditates day and night. <br />He shall be like a tree <br />Planted by the rivers of water,<br />That brings forth its fruit in its season,<br />Whose leaf also shall not wither;<br />And whatever he does shall prosper.” <br />Psalm 1:1-3: (NKJV)</em><br /> <br /><strong>TIM TALKS</strong><br /><br />Last year may have been lean economically but it marked something of a spiritual awakening for me personally and also within our church. I ended the year with a series of messages on “Spiritual Urban Legends”, revealing dumb things we believe as Christians and what the Bible really says on these issues. This series let me to get real with God and seek Him above all else. <br /><br />In our Church as well we have been seeing a renewal, starting in our Tuesday night prayer meeting. We used to have a set format of worship, word and ministry but now we can have a full two hours of worship or a mix of worship and sharing all as the Lord leads. One session I was leading worship and we sang one pre-learnt song in over an hour and a half of worship. God is drawing us to Himself to send us out of that place of intimacy into the harvest to be fruitful in 2010. I’m excited about ministry in 2010 and am already preparing to go on my first mission trip to the Philippines at the end of this month. When I went there last year the Lord used me to speak at crusades, see many healings including one elderly man who was completely healed of paralysis in his left arm and teach hungry leaders about living by faith. I expect He will do greater things this year! <br /><br />As the rest of my family has much to say I will cut my sharing short now and had over to my beloved wife....<br /><br /><strong>SHEN SAYS</strong><br /> <br />Just last May, Tim, myself and a group of 13 brothers and sisters from our church went to B.C orphanage in Cambodia. It was a very enriching trip as we went there to love the children, to counsel, mentor and be a blessing to them. We went through Master life (disciple material) with them and gave talks to encourage the principal and the teachers of the school. We went there to bless but we were blessed by them more. One of the highlights of the trip was when we went to Phnom Penh for one night and we were able to bring our sponsored daughter, Sreynine, from the orphanage to spend a night with us. She was truly delighted as this was the first time she had ever stayed in such a hotel. I was really excited with this bonding time and Tim showed her photos of his parents, siblings, in-laws, nephew and niece. We had a good time of watching Disney cartoons and eating snacks in front of cable TV. The next day we brought her to the Central Market to do some shopping. This time we just wanted to pamper her. She was overwhelmed with all the clothes, shoes & bags that we bought for her. It really did not cost us much to bring such simple joy to a child's face. Indeed the Lord has commanded us to be His vessels of blessings to the fatherless, the downtrodden and the insignificant ones. Finally it was time for us to say goodbye. It was a difficult farewell but she encouraged us that she loves us and will pray for us. I will always treasure the time we spent together.<br /> <br />Last year was a struggle for me as I saw people I treasured pass on to be with the Lord. One of our cell members, Jack, who was 26 years old went home to be with the Lord last July. He was always the joy of our cell group. It was not easy for us as he had faithfully come to our cell group in his wheelchair for about 8 years. I gave a eulogy at his funeral about how his life had taught us how to have simple faith. One incident that demonstrated this was when he came to our cell group and a fan was broken. It was so hot and we did not know what to do. Jack was in his wheelchair and he wheeled right to the fan, prayed for it and it started spinning (even today it is still going strong). What a miracle! <br /><br />My youngest male cousin passed away on in November. He was 54 and had Downs syndrome. Praise the Lord that he gave his life to Jesus and was baptised a few days before he passed on. Indeed no one should be deprived from hearing the gospel and knowing the Lord. His death was such a testimony that many of his siblings came to know the Lord. He had few friends when he was alive but on his death, many people from church came to say a final goodbye and send him off in style. <br /><br />Just before Christmas, I received a phone call from Malaysia (K.L) that my close friend, Mary aged 56, had passed away after battling with cancer. She had been such a close friend to Tim, myself and the children. Needless to say, I just knew I needed to fly there to bid my final farewell to her. The airfare was expensive but thank God that someone gave me a Christmas gift which covered it. God is always good in providing for me at the right time. Her funeral was beautiful, like a wedding. Her casket was covered with roses & there was a slideshow of her life with many of our happy times together. I shared a eulogy about her. Our family had spent some time with her in June. She was not in her best health and I tried to encourage her but she encouraged me instead. She was full of joy and she shared with me that her only wish was to be in Jesus’ everlasting arms. She mentioned that 'my heart and my flesh will fail me but God is my portion and the strength of my heart.' She had grown so much in the Lord during her illness. She still wanted the best for others and still gave us her best hospitality, never thinking about her own needs. She has taught me sacrifice really is. <br /><br />Each death has truly taught me something. John 12:24: 'I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds’. No doubt I do deeply miss them, but they will be fondly remembered in my heart. I have learnt to move on in life and to sow into people's lives. This is the legacy I hope to pass on.<br /> <br /><strong>MELODY MUTTERS</strong><br /><br />Last December, I went to the Philippines for a mission trip with Youth Impact. There were about 100 youth who went to bless the people. Before the trip, I was not sure whether I could raise the funds for my trip because it was the recession period. However, my mum reminded me that I should look to God and not men. I decided to make 20 boxes of muffins and within a short period I raised $700 and even some more for my expenses. Indeed God once again showed me that He is truly Jehovah Jireh, my provider.<br /><br />Every day was quite a busy day for us. Usually, in the morning and afternoon, we would go for street/village evangelism to invite people to the church rally in the night. During street/village evangelism, we also had time to share Christ with the people and pray for them. They really inspired me because, when they were healed after prayer, they were really excited and you could see joy in their faces. We also did mercy ministry by bringing cartons of clothes from Singapore to them. They were so happy when they were given a piece of clothing and they wore the immediately. They were so happy, even with little things. The Filipinos really touched me a lot. Their living conditions are so bad that I wonder how someone could live in such conditions. All these things did not deter them from knowing Jesus and they showed ka great openness to know more about Jesus.<br /><br />The Filpinos not only had receptive hearts but they were very friendly and they loved people talking to them and making friends with them. The children there adored me and I adored them too. This trip was really fruitful to me because I was given many opportunities to share Christ with the locals there. I also overcame my fear of praying for people who needed healing as I was afraid that the person might not get healed even when I prayed. However a new faith has arisen through this mission trip and I know that if I have faith as small as a mustard seed, I can move mountains.<br /><br />Another thing that really inspired me was when we went to a church on a little island called Olango on Sunday. There was no band but only a guitar and the church was small, dirty and the roof had lots of cracks. However the people didn’t seem to worry and all they desired to do was to meet God, worship Him and let His spirit fill their lives again. It really dawned on me that my Church in Singapore is so good with a dynamic worship band, a nice building which is fully air conditioned, yet we get too comfortable that we forget that it is all about God and not us.<br /><br />Another thing that touched my heart was the love that they had for us. I remember a girl called Amalta. She barely knew me, but when I was about to leave the island, she called my name and said she would miss me and that she loved me. She just gave her love so easily and I came to the realization that this is what I should be like, to be like a child loving everyone around me, having a child like faith.<br /><br />Overall, this was my second mission trip and it was a really wonderful, awesome and fantastic time. I am really grateful to God for your partnership, support and love to me. It certainly had made me more thankful to God, being happy for simple things. I really miss the Philippines and am excited about my next mission trip. I know that the goal of sharing the gospel has not stopped, but it continues right here in Singapore. Once again thank you for giving me the opportunity to be a blessing to the Philippines and in return I am blessed too. <br /> <br /><strong>GIDEON GURGLES</strong><br /> <br />I am delighted to give my thanksgiving to God. Last year was a big exam for me (Primary School Leaving Exam). I am grateful to God that He helped me to get good exam results. It was a national exam and I got A* for Maths and 3 As for English, Chinese and Science. I have always struggled with Chinese, but truly nothing is impossible with God! At the same time I was in the top 10% in my school and I got s scholarship of $350 from the Government. <br /><br />I went to our church Kids camp for the last time before being promoted to the youth camp. Last year Kids' camp's speaker was my dad and He preached on 'The Promises of God'. God is awesome and when I honour Him, He promises me success. <br /> <br />After the national exam, I was confused as to which Secondary school I should go to. I was spoilt for choice. However when my mum prayed with me, we felt that God wanted me to go to a Christian school, to have a Christian influence so that I can impact the nation. The Lord has brought me to Presbyterian High School which is quite a good school and they focus more on character development. The school intends to mentor us to be mature and responsible citizens.<br /> <br />I have just turned 13 and I am truly enjoying the Youth Group and my secondary school. Please continue to pray that I will be disciplined in my time management and be a role model to my peers.<br /><br /><strong>MATTHEW MURMURS</strong><br /> <br />Hi I am 6 years old and this year I am in Primary 1 in Woodlands Ring Primary School which is very near to my home. This is the school which Melody and Gideon both went to. I am enjoying my school and have lots of friends. However, please pray for me as I need to learn Chinese and am struggling in this!<br /> <br />The Lord was really good to me last year. He showed me He is Jehovah Rapha who heals all my sickness. As you all know, I was born with an imperforated anus (no anal opening). Since birth until last year my mum had to help dilate me because I could not pass motion on my own as I had serious constipation. Each time when my mummy did this for me it was very painful and she felt heartbroken too. My mummy always asked me to trust God for healing and one night I asked my mummy why God had not healed me even though I kept praying. However, mummy just asked me to keep pressing on to believe that God would hear my prayers one day. Then one day in September I was in great pain and I just prayed to God to help me pass motion on my own. At last the Lord heard my prayer and I could do it all by myself. I got all my family to come and rejoice with me in the toilet! Since then I am proud to say that I do not need my mummy's help. <br /><br />Last November, we had our Kindergarten graduation concert & I acted as a Tin Soldier. I really enjoyed it and everyone said I was cool and handsome.<br /> <br />That's all of our family news for now. It is a bit too long but we hope you enjoy reading it and continue to pray for us. This year on March 26 it is Tim's parents 50th golden wedding anniversary and it is also our 16th wedding anniversary. We will be there to celebrate with them and the rest of the extended family, relatives and friends. We will only bring Matthew because Melody and Gideon still have lessons going on. We would appreciate your prayers as we are going on a budget flight (Air Asia). Please do cover us in prayer for our flight journey and itinerary. <br /><br />We are grateful to God for every remembrance of you. We truly appreciate your friendship, encouragement and prayer support, which means a lot to us. It makes serving a joy and a pleasure because of friends like you. This year we believe God is going to do greater things in our family and in our church. We stand together with you in prayer that God will accomplish His purpose in your life and that this year is the year of favour for you.<br /> <br />SHALOM!<br /> <br />Lots of love and blessings from,<br /> <br />THE GIBSONSThe Singapore Brit!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00310058146575829582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455705692486662531.post-33453066097386343792009-02-12T20:34:00.004+08:002009-02-12T20:50:05.328+08:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0stkDiv7eey3mfS8QPxtYToV8gPfrOMZy4q7Ed6Zek1Euz26Q5SYYRQcP2EWKMgvkNHM_NFFdL8TGEoq5-wGY4xzcEnQMScKUgiztV9n0FNreL7ep3K6XK0T1Lo8YBrdnwwaWzmhEni1q/s1600-h/PICT0622.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301892252153464242" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0stkDiv7eey3mfS8QPxtYToV8gPfrOMZy4q7Ed6Zek1Euz26Q5SYYRQcP2EWKMgvkNHM_NFFdL8TGEoq5-wGY4xzcEnQMScKUgiztV9n0FNreL7ep3K6XK0T1Lo8YBrdnwwaWzmhEni1q/s320/PICT0622.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Dear All</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Time flies!<br /><br />2008 has just passed and we are now in 2009. We are sorry that it has taken a while for us to write to you but it is better late than never. Last year was a year of great breakthrough for us. The Lord has indeed done a great thing in our family, children & for us as a couple. We want to truly thank each of you who have given your support in any way to us, especially those who pray & intercede for us. We know we would not be able to accomplish anything of worth without your prayers and words of encouragement.<br /><br />One of the highlights of last year was that God gave us a trip to the UK to visit Tim's family in May & June. We are grateful to God for many of our brothers & sisters who sowed a seed of faith into our trip. It had been 8 years since we made a trip to the UK. Of course it was Matthew's 1st time & God blessed our trip with a brand new car for us to drive around in.<br /><br />We were able to visit Shen's niece, Elaine & her children in London. It was great to hear Shen's niece's wonderful testimony of how the Lord helped her to settle down in London with support from good friends. We had a great time encouraging & praying with her.<br /><br />We were also able to visit & stayed with Tim's good friends, Ian & Claire who accepted the Lord a few years ago. The Lord has blessed them with 3 beautiful kids after not being able to have children in the early years of their marriage. It was really a time to bonding with them & singing worship songs through late into the night. They had gone through some rough patches & we were grateful to God that we could be a listening ear to them, to encourage them & pray with them.<br /><br />It was also great that we could share with Tim's parents the goodness of God. This time, Tim's elder brother & wife, his elder sister, husband & 2 children were so opened to what we shared & they witnessed what the Lord has done in our lives. We are really grateful to God for this special trip in which we could bond with them & also to witness for Him.<br /><br />Though it was only 3 weeks but we prayed that whatever we sowed in their lives will bear much fruit. Needless to say we also had fun time touring some of England. We will share more in each of the sections below.<br /><br />After our UK trip, one of the great things God did for us as a couple was that we were able to go to Cambodia for a mission trip. We have adopted a girl who is 11 years old and who lives in an orphanage in Cambodia. It was the 1st time we went on a mission trip together as a couple after about 10 . We went with 40 people from our church & some from other churches. Shen will share more in her section.<br /><br />As for our children, we want to thank God that they truly excel in their studies & have even shown leadership skills. Melody got a S$250 bursary award for making it to top 25% in her school & Gideon got a S$250 scholarship award for making it to the top 10% in his school & S$120 for the leadership eagles award. Do rejoice with us in what the Lord has done in our family.<br /><br /><strong>TIM TALKS</strong><br />Overall 2008 was a year where many of my desires started to come into being such as going more regularly back to England to spend time with my parents and siblings, travelling more in South East Asia teaching and preaching and seeing the English service that I am Pastoring grow and come together more. England never looked more beautiful after 8 years absence and it was great to explore my Parent's glorious new surroundings in Devon and to meet up with all the family in a holiday camp in Warmwell, Dorset where we saw many of my childhood haunts including Corfe Castle and the Tank museum that the boys particularly loved.<br /><br />Last year was a season of travelling and I wend to the Philippines, Cambodia and Malaysia on missions teaching trips. In Cambodia I taught the 250 orphans about the Trinity and had to think and pray hard about how to teach at their level. Also we took an Encounter Retreat in Cambodia earlier in the year where we took the leaders through an inner healing programme. I also started teaching more in other of our sister churches in Singapore and Malaysia as part of our combined Bible School, AIMS. This year too I will be travelling to other churches in Singapore and Malaysia to teach and will be returning to Cambodia and the Philippines later in the year.<br /><br />The English service that I am leading is doing very well and I have been getting excellent support from the members. We saw the men's ministry grow in quality and quantity as a team of men took ownership and there's more excitement and sense of God's presence in the service and all activities. It is a joy to be ministering to such a loving and lively body of believers.<br /><br /><strong>SHEN SAYS</strong><br />Last year was truly a year of breakthrough for me to have greater faith in the Lord. It was like a dream to me when we were able to go to England. I could not believe it because it was a great sum of money for us a family to go, but the Lord made it happened. It truly increased my faith in the Lord that He is able to do more than we can think of or imagine.<br /><br />I was also very grateful to God that Tim & I could go on the mission trip to Cambodia. It was a big trip with about 40 people. We were there to bless about 250 orphans from 7 orphanages. The 40 of us were there to conduct a children's camp for them. Of course my desire was also to see our adopted daughter, Sreynine, & to build a bond with her. We all stayed in a hotel near the beach. It was the first time for many orphans to see the beach & they had great time there.It was overwhelming for me to see the many orphans but they were truly happy & glad with simple things. We brought boxes of clothes, goodies & toys for them. Every morning & night we had a time of P&W & it was so encouraging that they worshipped God with all their heart, soul & might. It was inspiring for us to see that they have so much hope in the Lord even though they live in such a hopeless condition. They were so happy with the clothes given to them that they wore them immediately.<br /><br />We all had the opportunity to take a group of orphans & did a discipleship program with them & prayed for them.Before we left Singapore, Tim & myself went to say goodbye to our girl & it broke our hearts when she began to cry. However we were thankful to God that we were able to invest our time & lives into them. We prayed we would make a difference in their lives in times to come. Our trip to Cambodia was provided by our almighty God too. The Lord had impressed upon me that this mission was 'when I am hungry, you give me food, when I am thirsty, you give me drink & when I am naked, you clothed me because when we did to the least of these, we are doing unto me'.<br /><br />I thank God that the Lord opened a door for me to be a relief teacher for a church child care for 6 months. It was a challenge for me because most of them come from dysfunctional families & they are rebellious. However God is good that I am able to input into them some spiritual truths & godly character. At the year end concert, I taught them to sing & dance 'My Redeemer Lives' & there was good feedback from non Christian parents.<br /><br /><strong>MELODY MUTTERS</strong><br />Hi everyone, I am so thankful & grateful to God that I could go to England for the 3rd time. My dad was really cool driving a new car around everywhere. We sang our worship songs in the car & we were able to see the beautiful English scenery. God is truly awesome. I spent a great time with my uncle Andy & aunty Sara who invited me to have a longer stay with them. It was great to share the goodness of God to my grandad & nanny too. I was delighted to bond with my cousin, Laura who is only 2 years older than me.<br /><br />One of the highlights for me was to find a nice & cheap shopping centre, which is difficult in the UK. However God is good & we managed to find 1 near London where everything is 1 pound where I got many great gifts for my friends & cousins.<br /><br />I was not able to go on a mission trip last year but I thank God that I managed to bring my 2 best friends to Youth Impact & they had accepted Jesus as their friend too. Last December, my mum's cell group had a celebration on 26 December, celebrating my 14th birthday to which I was able to invite all my good friends. I had fantastic presents from my friends & my mum's cell group. God has been really good to me all these years.<br /><br />Last year I prayed hard for my streaming & I am proud to say that that I go to the best triple science class this year. Please kindly pray for me as I am taking biology, physics, chemistry, additional & elementary maths.<br /><br /><strong>GIDEON GURGLES</strong><br />Hi everyone, this is the 2nd time time for me to travel to England. God has been really good to me. I was awarded for my leadership skills last year for my contribution to the school & community & as a prefect for the school.<br /><br />Last November our whole family was involved in my mum's good friend's wedding. My dad did the exaltation & marriage ceremony & my mum was the interpreter. Of course, I was the handsome page boy. I don't know whether all the eyes were on the bride or me because everyone looked like they were drooling when they saw how handsome I was (sorry, just joking).<br /><br />Please kindly pray for me as this year I will be taking the Primary School Leaving Exam this October.<br /><br /><strong>MATTHEW MURMURS</strong><br />Hi everyone, I am very happy because this is the first time that I went to the UK. I loved flying on the aeroplane with my own little TV Mobil & enjoyed all my children's films. I am proud to have celebrated my 5th birthday in Devon, England. Grandad & nanny said I was a special boy because I am the only one of my siblings to celebrate their birthday in the UK.<br /><br />Grandad & Nanny got me a Thomas the Tank cake & we had a big meal in a nice restaurant. Of course I received lots of presents from all my uncles & aunties in England. Gideon & I (plus Daddy of course) were very delighted that we could go to the Dr Who exhibition in Earl's Court, London, & we also went to the Thomas Land where I saw all of Thomas the Tank Engine's friends & the fat controller.<br /><br />In all ways I enjoyed myself very well last year. Please pray for me because my Chinese is not good & I will be going to Primary 1 next year. Mummy said I have to be serious in my studies because I will go to the big school which I don't want to.<br /><br />We hope you enjoyed our brief news and do continue to pray for us just as just we pray that God's highest purposes will be accomplished in your lives. This year, the Lord gave us this verse to claim as a family.<br /><br />Jeremiah 17:7-8 <em>'Blessed are those who trust in the Lord & have made the Lord their hope & confidence. They are like trees planted along the riverbank with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green & they go right on producing delicious fruit'.</em><br /><br />Do not be affected by what the world recession but do spend time in the Lord for those whose hope in HIM will not be downcast. We pray that it will encourage & bless you. Here is the Gibsons wishing you a joyous & fruitful 2009.Thank you so much for partnering with us in all of the above in whatever way, big or small. May God bless you all mightily to be a mighty blessing.<br /><br />Lots of love from,Tim, Shen, Melody, Gideon and Matthew.<br />XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX</div>The Singapore Brit!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00310058146575829582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455705692486662531.post-51663912670462328472009-01-08T23:28:00.003+08:002009-02-12T20:52:58.069+08:00New Wine 2009<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipfNK149JThfxwbddscxBbrF2HQA4bMcVzxUmpJOHt7NiMzS2_qoKgy6lYVb7h7yaF-3W3ky5SlwWSkwCzfBweYJ4_jDDnSdrhf-UuUNG3_i_xkzm7djCfbs_xbhdUjTP9WoO7X4vdQ-52/s1600-h/wine_bottle_grapes_lg_clr.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301893021865760658" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 125px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 125px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipfNK149JThfxwbddscxBbrF2HQA4bMcVzxUmpJOHt7NiMzS2_qoKgy6lYVb7h7yaF-3W3ky5SlwWSkwCzfBweYJ4_jDDnSdrhf-UuUNG3_i_xkzm7djCfbs_xbhdUjTP9WoO7X4vdQ-52/s320/wine_bottle_grapes_lg_clr.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><div>The Lord spoke to me that this year (2009) will be a year of turning water into wine. Indeed I preached this message on the first Sunday of 2009 in our church.<br /><br />The first sign of Jesus as recorded in the Gospel of John was the turning of water into wine at the wedding in Cana when they had run out of wine (John 2:1-10). This sign was actually pointing to the ministry of Jesus in the lives of believers that would be accomplished through His death and ressurrection through the shedding of his blood (symbolized by wine). The use of <em>"On the third day"</em> in verse 1 actually points to a later similar phrase in the same chapter, <em>"Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up"</em> (v19) where Jesus was giving them the sign of His own death and ressurrection, the Temple here referring to His own body. When Jesus told Mary that His hour had not yet come (v4), he was referring to the hour (not literal hour but a season of time) of His death that came as the Disciples met for the last supper (John 13:1 - <em>"His hour had come that He should depart from this world")</em> where they partook of the wine together, Jesus revealing this was a symbol of His blood about to be poured our for our sins.<br /><br />So Mary's <em>"They have no wine"</em> (v3) was taken by Jesus to mean <em>"they have no life in Christ, no real abundant, joyful, sparkling life".</em> When His hour did come, and He died for us on the Cross, He made that wine-filled life possible. But we can only live that life if we, like the servants, are obedient to Jesus and fill our lives with His water (by repenting of our sins and asking Jesus into our lives) and then draw out that water to bless those waiting to be served (especially the Lost). As we step out in obedience to the Lord and minister to others as He leads us then we will see the water turn into wine.<br /><br />There are three things I see water turning into wine can represent:<br /><br /><strong>1. Dead tradition into Abundant Living.</strong><br />The six stone water pots were used for ritual purification. Each guest was required by the religious law to wash from these pots before and after the feast otherwise they would bring a curse on the couple. Although ritual purification is mentioned in the Biblical Law this particular ritual purification was a later addition by the religious teachers and had become a dead, even superstitious practice. Because of this tradition these stone pots stood more than half empty. Six is the number of work (man was to work six days and rest on the seventh). Hence these pots represent man living in dead works with dead traditions trying to reach God. In that state we will always be amost empty!<br /><br />We need to simply obey Jesus and be filled to the brim with living water - by asking Him to fill us with His Holy Spirit. He wants to fill us with His new wine, bringing Joy and abundance into our lives - <em>"And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit"</em> (Ehesians 5:18).<br /><br /><strong>2. Natural to Supernatural Living.</strong><br />Pouring the water into the pots was nothing extraordinary, but drawing out that water into jars and it turning into wine was supernatural. If the master of the feast who tasted the wine had seen where the wine came from he would have been fuming mad - <em>"What are you doing to the ritual purification pots? People have washed in that water and you are driwing it our to drink!".</em> Often Christ asks us to do things that seem sacriligious, going against our religious (or superstitious) nature. But if we want the new wine to flow in and through our lives we must break dead religiosity in our lives.<br /><em></em><br />As we obey Jesus in drawing out our lives to minster more to Him and to others then we will see the supernatural released in our lives. We must break out of dead traditions that hold us back in our worship of God and service to others. God maybe prompting you to dance during the worship service but you say, "<em>That's foolish, we don't do things like that here",</em> but in drawing out to do that you will experience the wine of the Lord, the flow of the supernatural in your life. The Lord may be asking you to lay hands and pray for healing for your sick neighbour and you may say <em>"But that's too radical Lord. I will pray for them in secret".</em> If you only allow God to draw you out of your comfort zone and go and lay hands on them you will see God's healing wine flow! If you only believe you will see the glory of God!<br /><br />Would you rather be a boring half-filled pot, standing in the same place day in, day out, performing the same mundane rituals, or would you like to be drawn out by the Lord, overflowing with His abundance and dripping with His Joy-filled, supernatural New Wine?<br /><br /><strong>3. Shame to Joy.</strong><br />At the beginning of this story the bride and groom in that wedding would have been filled with shame. In those days if the wine ran out during the week-long wedding celebrations it was a great shame. Years on people would harshly remember that shameful start to their marriage. But Jesus turned all that around! He turned the sombre, shame filled mood into ecstatic joy and celebration. Not only was there wine but it was the best wine, usually drank at the start of the wedding. Here Jesus saved the best for last. Jesus has the best in store for you. He want to turn all your shame into joy and use you to bring the wine of joy to others living in shame.<br /><br />This year God will do these three things for you if you simply ask Him to fill you up to the brim with His Spirit (as you are filled to the brim with expectation that He will do this then He will) and then allow Him to draw you out in your ministry to Him and others.<br /><br />Let's see the water turn to wine in 2009!<br /><br />Amen!</div>The Singapore Brit!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00310058146575829582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455705692486662531.post-89511349799496191272008-11-01T00:12:00.006+08:002009-02-12T20:54:52.848+08:00Soaring above the Storm - How to thrive in the present financial crisis.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNSCyK4yZWaGJYOweBFkNo6ya6PLjeUrVskbZxHwzU31b-ggwEFeL7Czlx8jCL3zFyfX5bmP37emnWIePzdV_brLRstLoLZYIymz9vBDfYtZScLczZfKpjh2KRnY0dPUYrse7t63s9ohSh/s1600-h/eagle11024.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301893513556894290" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNSCyK4yZWaGJYOweBFkNo6ya6PLjeUrVskbZxHwzU31b-ggwEFeL7Czlx8jCL3zFyfX5bmP37emnWIePzdV_brLRstLoLZYIymz9vBDfYtZScLczZfKpjh2KRnY0dPUYrse7t63s9ohSh/s320/eagle11024.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>To be honest I do not expect to be effected by the financial crisis. Instead, I expect to soar above the storm! Why do I say this? Because, for many years now, I, and my family, have been living by the eternal truths of God's Word, the Bible. In all this time we have found that God is faithful to His Word.<br /><br />Following are a few simple revelations that we have been practicing and believe will work for you :-)<br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>1. Spend less time working</strong>....and more time on what really matters (family friends and relationships, especially your relatioship with God).<br /><strong>2. Have plastic surgery</strong>..........cut all your credit cards! Pay all your crippling debts off as soon as posssible.<br /><strong>3. Travel by BMW</strong>...that's bus, MRT (Singapore's underground system) and walking!<br /><strong>4. Live simply not sinfully!</strong> (1 Timothy 6:6)<br /><strong>5. Be a fool</strong>.....ask for more of God's wisdom (James 1:5) in daily living (foolishness to the world - 1 Corinthians 1:25).<br /><strong>6. Give more</strong>....in tithes and offerings (Proverbs 3:9-10), especially for the poor (Galatians 2:10). Bless Israel (Genesis 12:3) and minister to others.<br /><strong>7. Expect more</strong>....as you seek God's Kingdom purposes and live righteously (see Matthew 6:33 and Isaiah 60:11).<br /><strong>8. Buy gold</strong>...invest in our faith in God that is refined by fire (Revelation 3:18-19; 1 Peter 1:7). Trust God and not the mechanics of wealth transfer (John 16:33).<br /><br />This list is adapted from a message by Benny Ho I was forwarded - just thought i'd spice it up a bit.<br /><br />May you too soar above the financial storm.<br /><br />Tim</div>The Singapore Brit!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00310058146575829582noreply@blogger.com0