liveline issue 13
DESCRIPTION
A Publication By Aldersgate Methodist Church in SingaporeTRANSCRIPT
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活力线ISSUE 13 | JAN 2010
The dangerous truth about gambling andwhy the stakes are too high PAGE 10A
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31 Y
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EXCLUSIVEPHOTOS FROM
YOUTH CAMPIN BATAM
THE HOTTEST
GADGETSAND APPS
8 CREATIVE(AND CHEAP)
WAYS TOCELEBRATE
VALENTINE'S
Hooked
ANSWERING GOD'S CALL IN CAPE TOWN PAGE 26
www.aldersgate.sg
PAGE 8
PAGE 32
PAGE 34
LiveLine is a publication of Aldersgate Methodist Church, Singapore.
Views expressed in LiveLine belongto the contributors’ and do not
necessarily reflect that of the churchor the editorial team. Materials inLiveLine may only be reproducedwith permission from the editorial
team or the contributors.
ADVISORS
Pastor Chiang Ming ShunPastor William Sam
EDITOR IN CHIEF
Andrew Ang
MANAGING EDITOR
Shirley Pee
EDITORS Geraldine Ang
Tiffany AngGracia ChiangLeslie ChiangTeresa ChongDerrick HoLoh Ka Wai
Rudy David WongYip Poh Lin
CONTIBUTORS
Pastor Chiang Ming ShunPastor William Sam
Benjamin ChenChen QiuluanGracia Chiang
Eric ChiokHenry HanGrace HoCara Ow
Shirley PeeAdeline SeowGordon Yuen
SKS Books!"#$%&'()
PHOTOGRAPHY
Jacob Kong
IN THIS ISSUEJANUARY 2010 | ISSUE 13
CONTRIBUTING TO LIVELINEIf you have enjoyed reading LiveLine and want to contribute a short write-up on your Bible reflections, your Pastoral Care Group (PCG) activities or even share a great place to shop, do drop us an e-mail to let us know. We’ll be most happy to liaise with you for your valued contributions. You can send your contributions
Designed by CHRISTINE CHAN
Printed by PICA DIGITAL PTE LTD
METHODIST MINUTEFind out what governs the practices of the Methodist Church in Singapore
AROUND ALDERSGATEView photos of the 2009 Youth Camp; Henry Han shares his thoughts on serving in the sound crew; the Chinese Ministry celebrates the Mid-Autumn festival; and much more.
LIFESTORYBen Chen recounts his ordeal of trying to gain admission at a local university.
SHOUTOUTTogether with her grandmother, Grace Ho retraces her roots in Fujian, China.
TRAVEL TALESChen Qiuluan shares her three-month missions experience in Cape Town, South Africa.
ALL ACCESSWhat are the hottest gadgets and apps of 2010? Gordon Yuen has the scoop; Eric Chiok has found the perfect compilation of top praise and worship songs; and SKS Books recommends a few good reads related to combating addictions.
Regulars
On the CoverA DICEY PROBLEMThe Integrated Resorts are just about ready to open, will you be able to resist the lure of the slots? Pastor Chiang Ming Shun gives his take on how Christians should approach the issue of gambling. PAGE 10
THE WAY OUTGracia Chiang speaks to Rev Tan Lye Keng, Executive Director of the One Hope Centre to find out how gambling addicts or their loved ones can intervene to help them get over their addiction. PAGE 16
!"#$%耗资几十亿元建造的两个赌场娱乐城即将开张营业，身为基督徒的我们应不应该在那儿工作？小赌怡情有错吗？章明舜牧师将通过这篇文章一一为大家解答。PAGE 18CO
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LOVE ACTUALLY...is all around! 8 fun and creative ways to spend V- Day without burning a hole in your wallet.
FLEURS D'AMOURWhat do carnations symbolise? Do yellow and red roses mean di!erent things? Shirley Pee has the answers.
Special Section34
35
DISCLAIMER
JANUARY 2010 | !"#$%&'!($)&'*| 01
Editorialforeword
S ingapore’s much anticipated Integrated Resorts (IRs)—one at Sentosa and the other at Marina Bay—are slated to open in early
2010. Debates for and against the IRs had been dealt with at length at the government and community levels. Besides casinos, the IRs also boast other mega attractions, such as a theme park, food and beverage outlets and swanky shopping malls. They are poised to be the launch pad to Singa-pore’s tourism industry going forward.
The boost in tourism dollars aside, the IRs are also expected to create about 35,000 jobs, directly and indirectly. From the government’s perspective, the IRs will bolster Singapore’s competitiveness in her fight for a slice of the region’s tourism pie. Some critics, however, charge that the IR is just a euphemism for a casino-based vacation resort.
For us Christians, what should our stand be? Should we avoid the IRs at all cost, or is it alright for us to visit them as long as we stay clear of the casinos? More fundamentally, is gambling permitted as
long as we don’t turn it into an addiction? Is it alright for us to take up employment within the IRs? In this issue, you will find some news, views and interviews about these issues (Page 10).
Be inspired by Chen Qiuluan’s travel tale as she shares her missions expe-rience in Cape Town, South Africa (Page 26). Grace Ho, on the other hand, was on a personal mission of another kind when she headed for China in October 2009. Find out how Grace attempted to trace her ancestral roots in Fujian (Page 24).
For the many of us who missed out on the fun, fellowship, and spiritual bonding at the recent Youth Camp, let us bring you some colourful highlights of the happenings during the four-day event in Batam (Page 8). And since Valentine’s Day is round the corner, we thought you might like a few meaningful suggestions on how to show your loved ones you care without burning a hole in your wallet (Page 34).
We hope you’d enjoy reading this issue of LiveLine as much as the editorial team enjoys bringing it to you.
Singapore's Big Gamble
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新 加 坡 期 待 的 综 合 娱 乐 城（Integrated Resorts, 简称IR）——一个在圣淘沙，一个在滨海湾——将于2010年初开幕。政府和社会大众曾就是否要设立IR进行冗长的辩论。除了赌场外，IR也宣称有其他亮点，例如主题公园、餐馆和购物商场等。这些都是为了推动新加坡的旅游业向前迈进。除了制造旅游收益，预计IR
将直接或间接创造3.5万个就业机会。从政府的角度来说，IR将提升新加坡的竞争力，以便分享区域旅游业这块大饼。但有人批评说，新加坡的IR把狮城塑造成一个赌博的度假胜地。对于我们基督徒来说，我们的
立场应该是什么？我们应竭尽所能避开IR，或是只要不到赌场就可以到IR去？更根本的问题是，是否只要不沉迷于赌博就可以赌？我们可以在IR工作吗？在本期的《活力线》里，我们将分享一些相关的新闻、观点和访问（第10页）。除此之外，在这期的《活力
线》里，我们也可以阅读到陈秋銮在南非开普敦的事工经历（第26页）和何佩娥于2008年10月间到中国福建寻根的经历（第24页）。我们的教会最近在!淡岛主办
了一个既好玩又增进灵修的青年营。对我们多数错过的人来说，可以在《活力线》中一睹这4天活动的精采片段（第8页）。还有，情人节快到了，我们也想向大家分享一些既经济又能传情达意的建议（第34页）。我们希望如同我们编辑组开心
的将这期《活力线》呈现给你们一样，你们也会阅读愉快。
by andrew ang
狮城大赌注*+,
编辑的前言
TOP LEFT: The Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resort.
S ome 26 years ago, an eight year old boy attracted the attention of ten other kids and the shopkeeper of a grocery shop in one small
town in Johor Bahru. Reason? Well, that young boy was on
his annual trip back to his father’s home-town during the Lunar New Year festival. Once a year, the family of six will pack themselves into the family car and travel up North.
With some 20-cent and 50-cent coins from his ang bao, the boy made his way to the grocery shop to buy some bubblegum and ‘Ken Ken’ cuttlefish. Chewing his bub-blegum, he saw some kids gathering round a small machine.
Edging nearer to that crowd, he was told by the shopkeeper that dropping some coins into the machine would buy him the chance of winning lots of coins.
The boy gave it a try and slotted his first coin into the machine. No payout. He gave it a second go and hit jackpot! The rushing sounds of the coins diving into the winning tray brought everyone in the shop to his side.
The feelings were great! Everybody was green with envy at the amount of coins won! The only unhappy person was the shopkeeper as the little boy emptied every coin in the machine!
The little boy was wise in not staying put to continue his fun with the slot machine. He walked happily back to his grandfather’s house with the intent of showing o! his winnings to the rest. He became the talk of the little town.
The boy mentioned in this story is none other than me.
That adventure on the slot machine had a happy ending for me. But I am under no delusion that it will always be so. Fur-thermore, I have no intention of paying a hundred dollars for another go at it.
If it is at all possible to turn back time and return to that same grocery shop in JB, I will hold Luke 12:15 close to my heart: “Then he (Jesus) said to them, ‘Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abun-dance of his possessions.’” I will just buy my bubblegum and cuttlefish and not do anything else.
大约26年前，在柔佛新山的一家杂货店里，一个八岁小男童吸引了店主和其他十个小孩的注意。 原因何在？ 当时正逢农历新年，小男童回
到父亲的家乡探亲。每年一次，他们一家六口就会挤进一辆私家车里，北上新山。 男童从红包里拿了几个两毛钱
和五毛钱银角，走到杂货店买香口糖和肯肯（KenKen）鱿鱼干。口里正嘴嚼着香口糖时，他看见一群孩子围绕着一架小机器。他挤入人群中，店主告诉他，把一些银角塞进机器里，将有机会赢得更多银角。 于是，男童便把一个银角放进
试一试。第一次，没收获。再试一次，他居然中奖了。银角滚滚洒落盘里的叮当响声把店里所有人都吸引到他这边来。 这感觉真棒！每个人都以既羡
慕又妒嫉的目光看着这一堆银角！唯一闷闷不乐的是店主，因为男童把机器里的钱都赢个清光。 男童还算聪明，没有继续玩下
去。他开心的走回祖父家里，并打算向大家炫耀自己的战利品。这男童成为小镇里人人闲聊的主角。这个故事的主角不是别人，而
是我自己。 我和吃角子机的历险记有个开
心的结局。但我并不幻想结局永远都是那么完美的。再说，我也不打算花一百元来再博一博。若时光真能倒流，让我回到新
山那家杂货店，我会把路加12:15牢记在心：“于是（耶稣）对众人说，你们要谨慎自守，免去一切的贪心。因为人的生命，不在乎家道丰富。”我只会买我的口香糖和鱿鱼干，其他的，我都不会参与。
Pastor’sreflection
02 | "+,$"+-$*| JANUARY 2010
我与吃角子 机的历险记
from the desk of
Pastor William Sam !"#$%
牧师的反思
In A Moment of Greed
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Methodistminute
ANSWER The Methodist Church in Singa-pore has The Book of Discipline which lays down the principles, practices and proce-dures to be followed in the running of our Church. It not only lists our Doctrinal Statements and General Rules, but also establishes the structure and administration required in the Church.
Topics that are covered in The Discipline include: The responsibilities and duties of a Pastor; the sale, transfer, lease or mortgage of Church property; the method of admit-ting people as members in the Church; the care of members and the mainte-nance of records and reports; and more.
In John Wesley's time, this book was known as the Large Minutes. Later in the United States of America, it was known as The Doctrines and Discipline of the Method-ist Episcopal Church in America.
Today it remains as an ever-evolving document as we adapt to changing circum-stances and aspire to best practices.
解答 新加坡卫理公会有一本法规，列明管理教会须遵守的原则、常规和程序。它不但列出我们的教条和常规，也确立教会所需的结构和执行方法。法规中的纲领包括：牧师的职
责；教会资产的买卖、转移、租赁和抵押；接受教友入会籍的方式和关顾会友，保存记录及报告等等。在约翰卫斯理的年代，这本法规
也称为《大议案》①，后来在美国教会被称为《卫理宗信条与教规》。如今,我们固然因环境的变迁而竭
力探讨最合宜的法则，法规依旧是一份不断演进的文件。
注解①卫斯理深信阅读、聆听和默想圣经，加上其他属灵操练能使基督徒生活更丰盛。因此，他把这重要的操练列在《致小团－班会的指南》(Directions given to the Band-Societies, 1744)、《教义议案》(Doctrinal Minutes, 1744–47）和《大议案》(Large Minutes, 1744–89）的纲领中。
What governs the practices of the Methodist Church in Singapore? 是什么在管制新加坡卫理公会的运作？
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Why does God
to exist?
allow suffering and
PAINSend your sticky questions in to LiveLine at [email protected] and we'll get them answered.
04 | "+,$"+-$*| JANUARY 2010
happenings in and
aroundaldersgateAMC CELEBRATES MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL WITH SONGS & FELLOWSHIP .... SEE PAGE 6
YOUTHPHORIA!88 YOUTHS + 3 COUNSELLORS + 4 DAYS IN BATAM = ENCOUNTER '09
— MORE PHOTOS ON PAGE 8 —Up In The AirJoel Tan and IvanLim at the 2009Youth Camp.
JANUARY 2010 | !"#$%&'!($)&'*| 05
Early last year, our church installed a new classical organ in the sanctuary—a 28–stop protege model by
the Allen Organ Company. The 'stops' or voices on the organ reproduce the range of musical sounds that the congregation would hear from a real pipe organ. The pipe organ has been honoured as the 'King of Instruments' over the centuries because of its majes-tic and moving sounds that enhance worship and hymn-singing. Played in softer modes, it can also be remarkably peaceful and meditative.
On 23 October, members and friends of AMC came together for “An Evening of Hymns and Sacred Music” to dedicate our new organ for God's work. Guest organist for the dedicatory recital was Dr Evelyn Lim, who teaches music at the Methodist School of Music (MSM). Those familiar with Evelyn will know she is also the pipe organ master at Singapore’s state-of-the art Espla-nade Theatres on the Bay. A multi-award winner, she performs frequently, both locally and internationally.
Supporting Evelyn were guest violinist Chu Tzy Ren, cellist Janelle Kam, and six handbell ringers from MSM. Members of our choir also lent support with their beautifully harmon-ised voices. The congregation expe-rienced the versatility of the organ through a delightful set of pieces rang-ing from the playful "Cuckoo" to a warm rendition of "What A Friend We Have in Jesus" and the majestic "Now Thank We All Our God". Each of us left with uplifted spirits and the sound of joyful music ringing in our ears.
Pipin' Up
SERVICE IN SOUND
ORGAN DEDICATION
MINISTRY FOCUS
Henry Han reflects on serving in the sound crew
AMC dedicates a new organ for God's work
BE A PART OF GOD'S WORK AND SERVE The church has just upgraded the sound, video and lighting equipment and needs volunteers to come forward to serve as projectionists, videographers and sound crew. If you have the desire to serve in these areas or other ministries, please contact the church o!ce.
by adeline seow
I have been serving in the Sound Rein-forcement Ministry, which falls within the purview of the AMC Worship and Music Committee, for the last 20 over
years. Our role in the body of Christ is to support worship services by enhancing the audio presentation, thereby assisting every worshipper to connect and participate in the service more e!ectively.
So what does a sound technician do? Most often, we are seen as the guy who turns a few knobs here and there to increase or reduce the volume of the sound, much like how we operate our tele-vision and Hi-fi system at home. Well, it is more complicated than that, for a combi-nation of both art and science is necessary to get the right sound.
Art, because a well-trained technician must have a good appreciation of music and vocal presentations in order to create a sound mix that is pleasing to the ears. Science, because to get good sound, you need a whole range of sophisticated equip-ment to mix, add e!ects, and reproduce the sound in a controlled manner for the audience, failing which you will be deliv-ering irritating noise instead of music. Not everything has to be loud and heard all the time, because every vocal and instrument has a place in the shape of the sound. Our
job is to make each of them sound right before mixing them to fit and blend into the overall shape.
Serving in the sound ministry has been a wonderful experience for me because it is my passion and it gives me the opportu-nity to be used by God in His kingdom here on Earth. God is always at work around us and I am grateful to be chosen to be a part of what He is doing for His church, the body of Christ. God is never short of people, because when we reject His invita-tion to serve Him, He can always call upon others to replace us. But when we respond, we accept His fellowship and allow Him to teach us to serve. It’s a great feeling!
However, being the imperfect humans that we are, things will not always be smooth sailing and we will face discour-agement, burn-out and conflicts along the way. But when we serve according to the talents that God gave us, He will bless us with passion and commitment to over-come all obstacles—simply because He is in control of every situation and He uses every experience we undergo to mould us to be more like Jesus. He will not test us beyond our limits but uses every test to make us better sons and daughters.
Be a part of God’s work and serve. It is a privilege.
AMC's sound artists
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AROUND ALDERSGATE
秋节，月亮圆又圆。在华族的传统节日中，想必大家肯定不会对“中秋节”感到陌生吧？
在这节日里，我们可以吃月饼，赏月（现在似乎已经不流行了），孩童还可以提灯笼游行⋯⋯然而，在这样一个传统节日里，也有象征“团圆”之意。“团圆”一词，也可以表达上帝与失丧的人重聚。雅德门卫理公会华语事工于去年
9月26日举办了《中秋庆团圆》联欢会。许多弟兄姐妹在下午二时就已经到聚会场所进行布置准备工作。大家忙着把一串串灯笼挂在树上，排列桌椅，准备音响⋯⋯不到六时，整个会所已经布置完成了。乍看之下，教会增添了一层薄薄的中秋欢庆气氛。大家对这次聚会抱有许多感受与
盼望，最期待的，莫过于上帝大大地使用这次聚会，让人们有机会认识主耶稣。“但愿上帝在聚会当中与我们同在”，大家心里默默地祈祷着。晚上七时，招待员在教会外严阵
以待，准备接待来宾。朋友们三三两两地走入教会，渐渐地把二楼崇拜厅的空位都填满了。七时三十分，在司仪的声声欢迎中，联欢会正式开始。主要节目是由歌手林安咛姐妹献
唱。一首又一首好听的歌曲，加上她那充满感性的嗓子，把会众都吸引住了。演唱当儿，她也不忘把她的见证向会众分享。她向会众述说了她信主前的失落，及信主后生命的充实。整
个献唱与分享约一小时后结束，会众就移步到楼下享受茶点。未信主的朋友在离开崇拜厅前，还获得一盒小小的“关怀月饼”。到了楼下，场面气氛更加地热闹
了。孩童们带着灯笼向父母炫耀，并绕着教会游行，许多的茶点正等着会众享用。大家吃喝，聊天，有说有笑。当中穿插着排舞表演及排毒操示范。许多人对这些节目颇有兴趣，兴致勃勃地想要参与。就这样，大家一起跳舞，学习排毒操，同欢共乐地度过了一个欢乐的中秋聚会。这次的联欢会有大约两、三百人
出席，当中不乏有许多未信主的朋友。不知他们有否被弟兄姐妹的热诚招待打动？不知福音的种子是否藉者林安咛姐妹的见证安置在他们的心中？无论如何，感谢主让这次的联欢
会顺利举行。盼望上帝使用这次聚会在人们心中动工，感动他们。愿他们有朝一日成为上帝的儿女。
欢庆中秋 感恩上帝
大家对这次聚会报有许多感受与盼望 ，最期待的，莫过于上帝大大地使用这次聚会，让人们有机会认识主耶稣。
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JANUARY 2010 | !"#$%&'!($)&'*| 07
11月21日傍晚6时30分,我们的诗歌布道会即将在一个小时后开始。诗班在台前开嗓子在作最后练习。三位司琴也全神贯注地弹奏，一边用眼角瞄着诗班指挥。威风凛然的指挥则从容地在诗班前“比手划脚”。回头望见晚上的主席，也已盛装以待，在细心默读着讲稿。圣殿里不见牧师和传道，大概他俩在办公室里忙着打点其他的事。大家都在忙的当儿，我跑到教会楼下的停车场歇一歇。到来教会的人还不多，对望着附近的组屋还真有点如诗歌所云：孤星如帆，点缀浩瀚穹苍。练习终告一段落，来宾也陆陆续续地到来。讲员吴燕
屏传道（左）也带来了几位与她同教会的姐妹。诗班员正开心地与亲友问安。当中年长的诗班员大概心里紧张兮兮，毕竟我们诗班还是首次主办布道会。所幸指挥老师请来神学院的“五虎将”给我们的诗班助阵，其中一位还独当女高音将给听众带来两首感人肺腑的诗歌。序幕拉开，一席百人听众在主席的带领下同唱“耶稣
爱你”。之后大家静听诗班呈献的曲子。顿然觉得，一年下来的练习总算没白费，从听众的表情，可看出上帝给我们安排的诗歌“不喧不嚷如风声山间回绕”，紧紧扣住了大家的心弦。今晚到来的未信主的朋友大约有十来位。感谢主！讲
员非常清楚地把福音讲述出来，给新朋友心中栽下了福音的种子。这次的诗歌布道会激起我们的信心，把好消息传给他
人，让更多人了解到：救恩在上帝，不需繁华梦里求。
⋯⋯顿然觉得，一年下来的练习总算没白费，从听众的表情，可看出上帝给我们安排的诗歌“不喧不嚷如风声山间回绕”，紧紧扣住了大家的心弦。
! $%&
不需繁华梦里求
诗歌布道会分享
昨日的GTL小组揭幕就像风一样，转眼间过了一年多，而我们也完成了第一系列的小组材料。想当初少年主日学老师们为着少年班的转换有诸多的忧虑：从主日学到小组、从老师—学生关系到导师—组员关系、从教室教学到以4W为小组聚会内容等，但现在所看到的尽是神的恩典。所谓万事起头难，第
一系列的小组材料是基要信仰课程，给以导师们的最大挑战是要按自己的能力来编写适合少年们的材料，我看到导师们都很尽
力按自己的能力完成艰巨的任务。除此之外，导师们也有要负责破冰游戏、小组敬拜及代祷，一路来跟着主的脚步往前走。有时，GTL也有邀请讲员主讲和青少年有关课题，如交友约会、考试预备。给予导师们最大的鼓舞
就是看到组员们的成长。组员对新的改变很感兴趣，除了有更多的双向交流外，他们也开始参与小组的事奉，这是迈向成熟基督徒的一个里程碑。在去年十一月底，GTL
小组一群人结伴到马来西亚的龟咯（Kukup）观光。
这项两天一夜的出游活动不但让大家放松心情，它也进一步加强了GTL的凝聚力。“不要叫人小看你年
轻，总要在言语、行为、爱心、信心和纯洁上，都作信徒的榜样。”（提前
4:12）现在的青少年将是教会未来的主人翁，GTL小组的其中一个使命是以小组为事奉的训练平台，让这批青少年能更易融入华语事工的事奉禾场。但愿大家能在祷告中常常纪念我们。
GTL[\]! '()
随着主的脚步往前走
青少年关怀牧养小组分享
AROUND ALDERSGATE
08 | "+,$"+-$*| JANUARY 2010
ENCOUNTER '09
THIS PAGE: Donovan Lam finds himself
in a sticky situation; OPPOSITE (CLOCKWISE):
A group photo before the stocking battle begins;
Benedict Ooi (left) with Nigel Wong during the
Christmas Quiz; the worship team; Amanda
Choo concentrates on roping in an item; Dawn Jacob during the forum discussion; leg-warmers
serve as mailboxes for notes and gifts; Ashley Yuen trying to remove
the toothpaste on the bar with her
face; the Encounter 2009 participants;
Fay Yeo expressing disappointment after
giving the wrong answer during the Christmas Quiz;
Shernise Khor; stockings as swanky headwear; Janniza Yee and Yee Minyi; Gracia Chiang
trying to walk in astraight line afterlots of spinning.
STRENGTHENING BONDS WITH GOD AND FRIENDS
JANUARY 2010 | !"#$%&'!($)&'*| 09
10 | "+,$"+-$*| JANUARY 2010
JANUARY 2010 | !"#$%&'!($)&'*| 11
diceyproblem
The billion-dollar casinoresorts are almost ready to
welcome their first guests, but while casinos are now lawful, they may not be beneficial.
Can you resist the lureof the slots?
by PASTOR CHIANG MING SHUN Illustration by JEONG SUH
12 | "+,$"+-$*| JANUARY 2010
Let me say first that I am a patriot. I want the best for Singa-pore and I would love to see her grow and prosper. I want Singaporeans to be gainfully employed
so that they can support their loved ones and build a terrific future for their fami-lies and for Singapore.
In a few months, the Integrated Resorts (IRs) will be up and running. With hundreds of job positions avail-able in each resort, there is no doubt that many Singaporeans will reap the benefits of being employed in the IRs.
Much has been said about how these IRs will boost the Singapore econ-omy. They are the way ahead to greater development and prosperity, it has been argued. It has been loudly asserted that all Singaporeans will benefit and that unparalleled steps will be taken to curb “problem gambling”.
But, the question I feel that still has to be asked is whether a Chris-tian should work in an IR. Before we attempt to tackle that question, let’s ask some simpler and less controversial questions first.
Should a Christian work as a pros-titute or as an unlicensed “Ah Long” moneylender? No, because these are illegal activities which are also immoral.
Can a Christian work in a beer factory or be a wine producer? This is a matter of personal conscience. The Bible does not prohibit the drinking of alcohol. There are numerous examples in the Bible of wine, as a gift from God, being used in celebration.
Genesis 14:18 tells us that Melchize-dek, King of Salem, brought out wine to greet and bless Abraham.
In John 2:3-10, Jesus turned water to wine at the wedding at Cana.
And 1 Timothy 5:23 contains the Apostle Paul’s advice, “Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.”
What is forbidden in the Bible is drunkenness.
“Woe to those who rise early in the morning to run after their drinks, who stay up late at night till they are inflamed with wine,” says Isaiah 5:11.
Ephesians 5:18 commands us instead, “Do not get drunk on wine,
which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.”
Our Methodist Social Principles state that “we recognise overeating, alcoholism and smoking as major factors which contribute to illness and premature deaths. We discourage over-eating and the consumption of alcohol and tobacco and fully support all educa-tional programmes to change these unhealthy lifestyles.”
So drinking alcohol per se is not wrong. It becomes blameworthy when done in excess and drunkenness results.
GAMBLING IS A SOCIAL SICKNESS Some forms of gambling are legal in Singapore. Should a Christian gamble then? No, although it is legal, gambling is still morally wrong.
The Bible neither defines gambling clearly nor states that it is wrong. But, renowned author Pastor David Holdaway explains that Jesus said to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” (Matthew 22:37) You cannot trust in God and in Lady Luck at the same time. Can a Christian really believe that God will provide our needs through gambling? Does He want us to use His resources in that way?
Jesus also said that we are to love our neighbours as ourselves (Matthew
22:39). We cannot do this and seek to gain at our neighbours’ expense. Hold-away rightly asks whether it benefits our society that a few seek to gain at the loss of others. He points out that gambling destroys the distribution of wealth by taking from the many to give to the few.
The third-century Church Father Tertullian said, “If you say you are a Christian while a dice thrower you are saying what you are not.”
Our Methodist Social Principles clearly state that, “Gambling is an expres-sion of one’s desire to instant wealth. It is a form of bondage and a social sickness motivated by greed and covetousness. It is also a menace to society as it compro-mises the best interests of moral, social, economic and spiritual life of the community.”
Since gambling is “a form of bond-age”, “a social sickness” and “a menace to society”, the Methodist Church in Singa-pore affirms that “we do not subscribe to any form of gambling.” We consider any form or amount of gambling to be wrong.
This is notwithstanding that some gambling is legal and permitted in Singapore by the authorities. After all, not everyone is Christian and holds the same beliefs. Non-Christians may draw a distinction between gambling and “problem gambling” which is gambling taken to excess.
TAKE A JOB ELSEWHERE Some may assume that drinking alco-hol and gambling are one and the same, but these are not to be compared. Drinking alcohol is wrong when taken to extremes. You can drink and not get drunk. However, Christians believe that gambling is wrong from the word, “go”. It is wrong not just when you are
addicted to gambling, it is wrong when you start, whenever you do it, no matter how much you speculate or wager.
Recently, the famous evangelist Billy Graham wrote, “The Bible says, ‘In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread.’ (Genesis 3:19) It doesn’t say, ‘By the flip of a coin shalt thou eat thy lunch.’ I realise that in most petty gambling no harm is intended, but the princi-ple is the same as in big gambling. The
Gambling is an expression of one’s desire to instant wealth. It is a form of bondage and a social sickness motivated by greed and covetousness.
JANUARY 2010 | !"#$%&'!($)&'*| 13
SHOW HAND
Will you visit theTHEME PARK and/or
other attractionsin the IRs?
replied 'YES' while therest were undecided.
Most respondents responded positively but an almost equal number said they will not visit the IRs' casinos.
More than 60 percent of respondents say Christians should not gamble at all.
93%
LiveLine surveyed 30 Christian adults, aged 21 to 64, to spillthe beans on their gambling experiences and their views towards the Integrated Resorts. Here are the results: Will you WORK
in the IRs?
Will you visit the CASINOS in the IRs?
47%
33% 77%
43%said 'YES'said 'NO'
10% said 'MAYBE'
0
10
20
YES NO MAYBE
30
40
50%
26.5%
47%
26.5%
GAMBLINGPARTICIPATION THEN NOW
67% 23%Yes, I engage in gambling activities
No, I do not gamble
VIEWS on GAMBLINGAsked whether they have everengaged in any form of gambling, a majority
said 'Yes'. However, most of them saythey do not gamble at all now.
PARTICIPATION inGambling Activities
3%
33%
Occasional gambling is OK as long as it does not become an addiction.
Christians shouldnot gamble at all.
Gambling isnot wrong.
64%
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14 | "+,$"+-$*| JANUARY 2010
86of respondents who gamble cited 4D,
TOTO and SPORTS BETTING astheir first regular gambling activities, according to the government's 2008 Survey on Participation in Gambling
Activities Among Singapore Residents*.It was also found that most regulargamblers start gambling habitually
before the age of 30.
LOTTERY LURES
%
*NOTE: 2,047 SINGAPORE RESIDENTS RESPONDEDTO THE SURVEY CONDUCTED BY MCYS.
JANUARY 2010 | !"#$%&'!($)&'*| 15
only difference is the amount of money involved.”
Should a Christian work in a casino then? No, because if we consider gambling a social sickness and a menace to society, why promote it or facilitate the involvement of others in gambling? It is hypocritical to believe that gambling is wrong and then work to make it possible for others to gamble.
Now on to the tough part. Should a Christian work in any part of an IR? The operative word in the term IR is “integrated”. The amusement centres, restaurants and hotels are all integrated with the casino; they are run by casino operators and are part of the whole gambling enterprise, making gambling more acceptable and attractive.
Now consider this: In X Brothel, the beds take up five per cent of the total floor area. X Brothel has valet parking and a cafe for customers as they wait their turn. Even if you do not work as a prostitute, would you want to work at that cafe or as a valet, knowing that you are supporting prostitution? I think not. I hope not.
Likewise, I think there are other places a Christian can find employment at. There are many other local hotels, restaurants and entertainment centres.
What about visiting the IR? This is a matter of personal conscience. But mull over this—would you eat at a cafe in a brothel?
Personally, I was really thrilled to read that Universal Studios will have a theme park here in Singapore. I spent two memorable and electrifying days at the Universal Studios park in Florida years ago and it would have been great not to have to travel back to the US to repeat the experience. I have no doubt that Singaporeans will be enraptured by the Universal Studios theme park. Sadly, I will not be visiting the theme parks at the IRs.
WHAT IS LAWFUL MAY NOT BE GOOD In 1 Corinthians 10:23, the Apostle Paul quotes a common saying before teach-ing an alternate perspective, “All things are lawful,” but not all things are bene-ficial, “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. And in verse 24, Paul instructs us, “Do not seek your own advantage, but that of the other.”
Going back to the issue of alco-hol, I have many friends who are wine aficionados. I am partial to sweet wines
myself. However, Methodist pastors abstain from alcoholic beverages to avoid stumbling other Christians. We abstain not for our own benefit, but for the sake of others.Christians do not see things the same way as the rest of the world. Gambling, working in a casino, working elsewhere in an IR, these are all lawful in Singapore. But for a Christian, perhaps they just are not beneficial, perhaps they don’t build up at all.
HEADS OR TAILSIs occasional gambling alright? Is trad-ing stocks considered as gambling? Find the answers to these tricky questions.
Q: I’m an occasional gambler but not anything near an addict. Is that okay?A: Christians consider gambling an immoral activity. It is wrong whether you do it a little or a lot. It is like adul-tery, which is wrong even if you do it occasionally.
Q: Can investments or trading in stocks and shares be considered as gambling?A: It is a matter of degree. All invest-ments carry risk. The key is motivation: Is your motivation in investing a desire to be a good steward of God's resources, or is it greed and a desire to get rich quickly? (A Christian should also
consider carefully what companies to invest in. Should a Christian invest in tobacco and/or armament companies?)
Q: I gamble but I always return some of my winnings to God. Does that make up for it?A: No, because God doesn't need money from immoral means. He rather wants you to be holy and righteous. It is never about how much you give, but who you are. Jesus approved of the poor widow who gave her two mites quietly, not the smug rich man who prayed for others to see. Consider also: Is it acceptable to prostitute yourself if you give some of your earnings to God? How about if you break into houses, or mug people? Giving any of your ill-begotten gains to the church will not result in the church approving of your nefarious activities.
Q: I need the extra cash from time to time. Surely God can understand?A: We can all do with extra cash. The question is how we go about raising it. There are legal and moral methods, and there are immoral and illegal methods. Gambling is immoral. Furthermore, in the long term, gamblers always lose money as the house always has better odds. Gambling is not a logical or prudent way to earn money.PH
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Is your motivation in investing a desire to be a good steward of God's resources, or is it greed and a desire to get rich quickly?
16 | "+,$"+-$*| JANUARY 2010
GRACIA CHIANG (GC): How did One Hope Centre start?REV TAN LYE KENG (RT): One
Hope Centre (OHC) is a non-denomina-tional, non-profit Christian outreach and recovery centre, birthed through years of prayers by a network of churches based in Geylang. A vision emerged after hearing the heartbeat of God for the poor, marginalised and broken. OHC officially commenced operations in August 2004.
Our helpline was set up by Febru-ary 2005, just a month before the tragic death of the problem gambler Simon Lee
and his family. Because of this incident, our helpline received numerous calls from people who were seeking help.
When we found out that Singapore was going to have two Integrated Resorts (IRs) with casinos, we were convinced that God had prepared OHC to provide hope to hopeless gamblers and their families.
GC: What made you get involved in this area of ministry?RT: Having served as a pastor for 30 years, I believe that I have been called for a special purpose—to serve as a link between the
church and the world community, and to extend the church’s ministry beyond the walls of the local church.
We are at war with gambling addic-tion. Helping addicts and their families is not just society's responsibility, but also God’s new mission for His church. Since my gift is in the area of pastoral care and counselling (I've gone through two clin-ical pastoral educations and trained as a pastoral counsellor), I feel I should offer the best of my God-given ability to serve those who are filled with hurt, anger, guilt and grief.
I truly realised the harm caused by gambling in 2005, when I was appointed as OHC’s pastoral counsellor. I noticed that everyone who came to seek help was helpless and in despair. When they—espe-cially the family members—talked about their feelings, they could not control their tears. Their helplessness, as well as their tears, were reasons why I stayed on at OHC and became its first full-time executive director.
GC: What kind of people come through your doors and are there any trends?RT: OHC has handled more than 500 cases. Many lives have been transformed and even saved from the brink of death. Countless families have also been restored. Many backslided Christians have re-dedi-cated their lives to Christ, and more than 50 gambling addicts and their family members have been baptised.
Our statistics show that a person can be addicted to any gambling activity from
There's hope yet for hopeless gamblers and their loved ones. Rev Tan Lye Keng, Executive Director of the One Hope Centre (above), thinks it's not the end of the roadfor those battling the destructive addiction
INTERVIEW BY GRACIA CHIANG
Break Free
PHO
TOS C
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RTE
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ENG/O
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ENTR
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A Saturday Family Support Group Combined Meeting at
the One Hope Centre
JANUARY 2010 | !"#$%&'!($)&'*| 17
card games to football betting. Gambling problems span across all races, age groups, marital statuses, educational qualifica-tions and religions, although Chinese gamblers, adults in their mid-30s to mid-50s, married individuals and those with 'O' level or secondary school education seem to make up the majority of our cases.
Gambling addiction has risen because of the popularity of online gambling and there is also a worrying trend of youths who are falling prey to addiction.
GC: How does the Centre offer help?RT: As gambling affects many aspects of a gambler’s life and relationships, recovery has to be holistic. OHC's recovery process comprises 10 steps. They are: the helpline, recovery support and family support groups, personal and family pastoral care
and a sponsor, an assessment interview followed by a personal covenant, counsel-ling for addicts and their families, finan-cial counselling and a repayment plan, mediation with loan sharks and banks, life skills training, basic discipleship, and church integration.
The main problem gamblers have is not loan shark harassment, but their own fears. Getting rid of the negative emotion is the key to stop becoming a loan shark victim. Fear makes it [tough] for debtors to withstand the threats by loan sharks. Thus, they pay their debts even if they do not have sufficient financial resources and end up paying without any goal.
Dealing with loan sharks has to be part of the overall recovery process. Addicts who are not serious about their debt recovery and getting rid of the root causes are not ready. They need to show true repentance of their wrongdoing and the willingness to face all consequences.
Our recovery support groups enable hurting people to honestly share their thoughts, feelings and experiences with others from similar backgrounds, so
that they know they are not alone. These groups provide a safe place for wounded people to tell the truth, talk through a crisis, identify options and make deci-sions. They create a forum where individ-uals support and encourage one another to break the addictive cycle and vicious circle of debt.
Participants are also encouraged to admit their wrongdoing to their family members and invite them to come for our family support groups. From our clients’ testimonies, we see that it is not easy for gamblers to embark on the road of recov-ery; it is impossible for them to do it alone.
GC: Where does the Christian faith come in? RT: OHC's gambling addiction recov-ery ministry is based on the theological understanding that even though human
beings are sinful, yet our heavenly Father’s love is like the father's love in the prodi-gal son story, waiting for his lost son to come home.
No matter how sinful we are, God’s grace in the salvation of our Lord Jesus Christ is sufficient to save all of us. Furthermore, His intention is not only to save us, but to also transform us into Christ-likeness through the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus not only offers hope to the hopeless, but also gives them new life. I'd dare say that God will not abandon or turn His back on all those who are seek-ing help. Thus, OHC’s aim is not only to provide hope for the gamblers and their families, but also to lead them towards holistic recovery and salvation.
GC: What are your concerns in 2010?RT: With the opening of the two IRs, more people are expected to be tempted to gamble. Let us get ready to face the chal-lenge and respond to God’s call to fulfil His mission to be effective witnesses to our nation, declaring that Christ is the hope for the hopeless.
GOOD RIDDANCE
GET HELP
" Abstain from gambling totally, notjust gambling responsibly
# Address the root cause of gambling,so that the sin of greed does not continue corrupting your life and ruining your home
$ Challenge and correct illogical and false beliefs, expectations and attitudes regarding gambling
% Use stress management techniques to lower arousal and anxiety, rather than turning to gambling to cope
& Go for marriage/family counselling to re-establish trust between you and your spouse and among family
members
' Develop budgeting skills and accept financial responsibility, learning how to meet financial obligations without gambling
( Avoid exposure to places, things and people related to gambling
) Engage in non-gambling leisure activities
* Attend a recovery group or family support group
[Addicts] need to show true repentance of their wrongdoing and the willingness to face all consequences.
Nine ways to kick your gambling addiction
Find support at these organisations if you have a gambling addiction ONE HOPE CENTRE A Christian organisation that assists victims of gambling and abuse6547-1011www.onehopecentre.org
RAY OF HOPEA service provided by Christian Care Services to help gambling addicts1800-7867-669www.care-centre.org/RayOfHope
NATIONAL COUNCIL ONPROBLEM GAMBLINGA government body that raises public awareness on problem gambling and provides information on rehabilitative programmes1800-6-668-668www.ncpg.org.sg
18 | "+,$"+-$*| JANUARY 2010
JANUARY 2010 | !"#$%&'!($)&'*| 19
赌博的险恶政府虽然已经允许耗资几十亿元建造的两个赌场娱乐城在新加坡合法营业，它们的存在未必是有益的。这两个娱乐城即将准备迎接他们的第一批客人，你是否能够抗拒赌场霓虹灯的诱惑？
+ 章明舜牧师
让我先说明，我是个爱国的新加坡人，我希望新加坡国泰民安。我要看到国家发展进步，欣欣向荣。我希望国人都能有工作以便维持家
庭，并为国家和家人创造美好的将来。 再过几个月，我国两个综合娱乐
城就会开始运作。到时，各个娱乐城将有好几百个职位空缺，许多新加坡人无疑能从中受益，找到工作。 关于综合娱乐城能如何刺激新加
坡经济的言论，我们听了不少。有人辩称，综合娱乐城是促进国家发展和繁荣昌盛的良方。所有新加坡人都会因它们而获益，同时政府也会采取前所未有的措施来制止“问题赌博”。 然而我认为，我们还是要问：基
督徒是否应该在综合娱乐城工作？在回答这个问题之前，让我们先提出较简单和不具争议性的问题。基督徒是否应该以卖淫为生，或
当个非法放贷的“阿窿”？当然不可以，这些都是非法和不道德的工作。 基督徒可否在啤酒厂工作或酿葡
萄酒？这就取决于个人的良知了。圣经并没有禁止人们饮酒。圣经里有许多例子说明，在庆典中常用的酒，是神恩赐的礼物。创世纪14:18告诉我们，撒冷王麦
基洗德带着饼和酒出来迎接和祝福亚伯兰。 约翰福音2:3-10阐述耶稣如何在迦
拿举行的婚礼上把水变成酒。提摩太前书5:23也记录使徒保罗
的劝告：“因你胃口不清，屡次患病，再不要照常喝水，可以稍微用点酒。” 圣经所禁止的是醉酒。 以赛亚书5:11说：“祸哉，那些清
早起来，追求浓酒，留连到夜深，甚至因酒发烧的人。”以弗所书5:18指示我们：“不要
醉酒，酒能使人放荡，乃要被圣灵充满。”我们卫理宗的社会原则说明：“
我们认识到暴饮暴食和抽烟是促使人们患病和早死的主要因素。我们不鼓励暴食、饮酒和抽烟，并全力支持所有为了改变这些不健康生活方式的教育活动。”因此喝酒本身并没有错。但因暴
饮而引起醉酒行为便该受到责备。
赌博是一种社会病态在新加坡，某些赌博方式是合法的。那基督徒应该赌博吗？不可以。虽然一些赌博方式是合法的，然而赌博在道德上还是错的。
圣经没有清楚的为赌博定义，也没有说那是错的。但英国著名牧师及作家 David Holdaway 解释，耶稣曾说：“你要尽心、尽性、尽意爱主——你的神。”（马太福音22:37）你不能同时信赖上帝和幸运女神。基督徒能相信上帝会通过赌博来供应我们的需求吗？"会要我们这样的运用"的资源吗？耶稣也叫我们爱我们的邻居如同
爱自己（马太福音22:39），因此我们不可以牺牲邻居的利益以便取得私利。Holdaway牧师问得好，输的人多，赢的人少，这对我们的社会有益吗？他说，赌博破坏了财富的分配，把从大多数人身上取得的金钱，分给了少数赢家。
Third Century教会的Tertullian神父（初期教会的神学家）也说：“如果你在赌桌上说你是个教徒，你等于在说你不是。”卫理宗的社会原则明确表示：“
赌博表现了一个人对急速获得财富的渴望。它是一种由贪念引起、梦想一夜致富的赌奴行为和社会病态。由于赌博影响了社群在道德、社交、经济和精神生活上的根本利益，因此它对社会是一种危害。” 既然赌博是一种“奴隶行为”
和“社会病态”，并“对社会是一种危害”，新加坡卫理工会教会表明：“我们不赞同任何赌博行为”。我们认为任何一种赌博形式，以及不论赌注大小都是错的。 即使某些形式的赌博是新加坡政
府核准和合法的，我们的立场还是坚定不移。毕竟，并不是所有人都是基督徒和持有同样的信仰理念。 非基督徒可能会区分赌博和“问
题赌博”，也就是过度的赌博行为。
基督徒不应在赌场工作有些人以为喝酒与赌博都是一样的，其实两者并不能相提并论。喝酒，如果暴饮才是错的。酒可以喝，但不要醉。不过，基督徒认为赌博从开始就是不对的。赌博并不是当你赌上瘾才算错，你一开始赌就犯错了，不论你什么时候赌，不论你赌多或少。近期，闻名全球的布道家Bi l ly
Graham 写道：“圣经说，‘你必汗
流满面才得糊口’（创世纪3:19），它没说，‘抛一个银角才得糊口’。我了解到，多数的小赌是无害的，但在原则上却和大赌是一样的，唯一的差别是钱的多寡。”那基督徒应该在赌场工作吗？不
应该。既然我们认为赌博是社会病态和会危害社会，为何还要促使或协助别人参与赌博呢？如果我们相信赌博是错的，而我们的工作却是方便别人去赌博，那岂不是很虚伪？ 接下来是比较复杂的情况。基督
徒应该在综合娱乐城的其他部门工作吗？综合娱乐城的关键词在于“综合”。其中的游乐场、餐饮店和酒店都是与赌场综合起来。它们都是由赌场业者经营的。它们都是整个赌博企业的一部分。它们的存在使赌博更有吸引力，更能让人接受。 现在让我们考虑这个情景：在X妓
院，床位占了百分之五的总面积。X妓院提供待客停车服务和咖啡店以供顾客等候时使用。在这种情况下，即使你不是当娼妓，你明知在那里当停车司机或咖啡店助手也会辅助卖淫业，你还会愿意接受这些工作吗？我想不会吧。我希望你不会接受。 同样的，我想基督徒还是可以在
其它公司找到工作的。新加坡还有许许多多的酒店、餐饮店和娱乐中心。 参观综合娱乐城，这就要取决于
个人的道德心。但你不妨考虑这一点：你会到妓院里的咖啡店用餐吗？当我知道环球影城将在新加坡设
立主题公园时，我真的十分兴奋。两年前，我在美国弗罗里达州的环球影城主题公园渡过刺激和难忘的两天。如果能够再回美国重温这段经验，那就太好了。毫无疑问，国人将会被新加坡的环球影城主题公园深深吸引住。可惜，我将不会涉足综合娱乐城的主题公园。
合法不代表有益处在歌林多前书10:23里，使徒保罗在教导另类观点之前，引用一句俗语：“凡事都可行。但不都有益处。凡事都可行，但不都造就人。”接着，在第24节中，他指导我们：”不要求自己的益处，乃要求别人的益处。” 回到喝酒的课题，我有很多朋友
777
赌博并不是当你赌上瘾才算错，你一开始赌就犯错了，不论你什么时候赌，不论你赌多或少。
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你问我答
你会去参观综合娱乐城里的主题公园和其他的景点吗？
的被调查者回答“会”；其他的被调查者则回答“可能”
大多数的被调查者说“会”，可是也有不少被调查者说他们不会
到综合娱乐城的赌场去。
大多数的被调查者觉得基督徒不应该赌博。
93%
《活力线》 调查了30名年龄介于21至64岁的基督徒，看他们对赌博和即将开门营业的综合娱乐城有什么意见和想法。以下是调查的结果： 你会选择在综合娱
乐城里工作吗？
47%
33% 77%
43%
10%
说“不会” 说“会”
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你有参与赌博 活动吗？ 以前 现在
67% 23%有，我有参与赌博活动
没有，我从来都不赌博
67%的被调查者承认曾经参与过赌博活动（如：万字票、多多、麻将等等）。但是，他们现在
大多数都已经不再赌博了。
你有参与赌博活动吗？ 你对赌博有什么看法？
你会到综合娱乐城的赌场去吗？
3%
33%
小赌怡情并没有错，只要懂得适可而止就行
基督徒不应该赌博
赌博并没有什么不对
64%
说“可能”
会 不会 可能
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都是葡萄酒爱好者。我本人也偏好葡萄甜酒。然而，卫理教会的牧师都自我克制的戒绝酒精饮料，以避免影响其它基督徒犯错。我们戒绝不是为了本身的利益，而是为了其它人。 基督徒对事物的看法和其他人
不一样。在新加坡，赌博、任职于赌场和综合娱乐城的其它部门，都是合法的。但对一个基督徒来说，或许这些都是没有利益，都是站不住脚的。
偶尔小赌是对还是错？炒股票算是赌博吗？章明舜牧师为您解答。
问：我偶尔小赌，但绝没有到上瘾的地步。这样的小赌可以吗？ 答：基督徒认为赌博是不道德的活动。任何赌博形式和赌注大小都是错的。不论你赌多或少都是不对的。就象通奸，即使你偶尔通奸，这还是错的。 就拿通奸的情况来作比喻。你
在婚后和你配偶以外的人发生性关系是错的。但只是拥抱和亲吻有错吗？或只是和前男友或女友继续发生关系？或许你的丈夫和朋友到脱衣舞吧，“光看不碰”，这是否有错？ 以上这些情况都是错的。耶稣说，只要你以情色的眼光看其他女人，你就已经犯了通奸罪。罪孽从思想开始，恶魔常常吹促我们理论
罪孽，让我们觉得犯一点小错是无害和可以接受的。可是，只要一滑落，你还来不及觉察，就已经深陷其中了。 打打麻将来消遣娱乐、建立感
情并没有什么不对。但这可以在没有赌博的情况下进行。比如，与其让赢家或输家还钱，倒不如大家轮流请客吃饭。
问：投资和股票交易也算赌博吗？ 答：这得取决于投资交易的程度。所有投资都带有风险。关键在于你的推动力是什么：你是否有欲望要好好代管神的资源，而推动你去进行投资活动？或者是贪念和希望获得即成财富促使你去投资？基督徒也应该考虑清楚要投资
什么公司。基督徒是否应该投资在
烟草和军火公司？
问：我赌博，但我一定把赢来的一部分收获奉献给神。这是否能为我的赌博行为赎罪？ 答：不能，因为神不需要来自不道德活动的钱。他更要你保持虔诚和正直。关键不在于你能奉献多少，而是在于你的人格。耶稣赞许悄悄奉献少许钱的穷寡妇，而不是那个傲慢嚣张的富翁。再考虑这一点：如果把卖淫的一部分收入奉献给神，那你是否能接受去当娼妓？又或许你去破门行窃、打人抢劫，你把部分贼庄捐给教堂，这会不会使教会赞同你的邪恶活动？
问：我时而需要多一些钱来过生活，神一定会明白吧？ 答：我们每个人都希望能有多一些钱。问题在于如何筹得这笔钱。筹钱有道德和不道德得方法，也有合法和非法的途径。赌博是不道德的方法。何况长远来说，赌徒永远会输钱，因为赌场总占有一些有利因素。赌博是一种没有逻辑和不精明的赚钱方法。
打打麻将来消遣娱乐、建立感情并没有什么不对。但这可以在没有赌博的情况下进行。
寻求专业援助
难题解答
如果发现自己或者是身边的亲人赌博赌上了瘾，你可以向以下任何一个机构寻求援助：
一望中心 ONE HOPE CENTRE成立于2004年8月，一望中心是一个为协助因赌博恶习而陷入困境的民众服务的义务福利机构。6547-1011www.onehopecentre.org
希望的曙光 RAY OF HOPE希望的曙光是新加坡基督关怀复康之家为帮助有赌瘾问题的人士战胜赌瘾而设立的事工。1800-7867-669www.care-centre.org/RayOfHope
全国嗜赌问题理事会 NATIONAL COUNCIL ON PROBLEM GAMBLING为了解决嗜赌问题，政府于2005年8月成立了全国嗜赌问题理事会。1800-6-668-668www.ncpg.org.sg
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I graduated from Ngee Ann Poly-technic in 2007, but due to my preoccupation with my final year project, I neglected to apply for a place in university. The year thus passed with me enlisting into
National Service without a place in any university. I told myself I would not let that happen again the following year.
Soon after the 'A' Level results were released in February 2008, I asked around for the university application deadline for polytechnic applicants. To my horror, I discovered that applications had closed a few days ago. Once again, I was too caught up with work and had missed the submission deadline.
Naturally, I was extremely upset with myself and my tardiness. I didn’t dare confess to my parents that their son had done it again. I confided in a few church mentors and friends, who assured me that God has a plan for everything, that He would surely work things out for me, and that I have to keep trusting Him. Despite their comforting words, I couldn't get over the fact that this predicament was one that I, and I alone, had brought upon myself.
My parents found out about this mess through my eldest sister. After being roundly scolded by my parents, we decided that I should go to the National University of Singapore (NUS) Open House and appeal to the Faculty of Science (FoS) as well as the Admissions department.
We went to the Open House hoping for the best, though not expecting very much. The FoS professor whom we spoke to didn't seem very interested and didn't o!er us any assistance. Over at Admis-sions, we were initially given a too-bad-try
again-next-year response. However, as a result of further pleading by my sister, the o"ce administrator gave us the contact details of the assistant manager.
Without procrastinating, I immedi-ately wrote an email explaining to the manager why I wanted to pursue a Bache-lor’s degree in Life Sciences at NUS. I said a short prayer before hitting the “Send” button. Thereafter, I thanked God for His grace and this contact, and committed the outcome to His good hands.
Two days later, the Admissions o"ce responded with a “Late Applications” form. It stated that late applications would only be processed in June, after regular appli-cants who have been accepted declined the o!er. The remaining slots would then be released to late applicants. I was a little apprehensive as this course was known to be quite popular. However, I believed that since God gave me this second oppor-tunity to apply, He would be with me through it all. Having learnt my lesson, I rushed to NUS to submit my application.
Come June or perhaps July, my fate
would be decided. But, God is always in control. In May, NUS called to inform me that I had not paid a $10 administrative fee. I submitted my payment later and didn't think too much of it. Two days later, my heart leapt with joy when my mum called to read me the acceptance letter! I imme-diately messaged my closest friends and mentors and was surprised to learn that I was the first among all my friends who had applied that year to receive an acceptance letter. God had done more for me than I could hope for or imagined. I couldn't stop thanking God for such a wonderful miracle.
To my mind, this whole episode forms an indelible part of an amazing journey in my walk with God. The fact that God took my carelessness and turned it into one of the most amazing miracles I have ever witnessed is just too awesome for words. I am still totally in awe of what God has done for me, and whenever someone asks about which university course I am enrolled in, I can't help but recount this entire incident to him or her with a wide smile across my face!
JANUARY 2010 | !"#$%&'!($)&'*| 23
in His timeProcrastination almost cost Benjamin Chen the opportunity to enrol at a local university but God gave him A SECOND CHANCE
by benjamin chen
God took my carelessness and turned it into oneof the most amazing miracles I have ever witnessed.IL
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O ctober seemed like the perfect month to fulfil a pact that I had made with Grandma —we could finally visit our ancestral village
in Fujian province, and I would get to catch a glimpse of autumn in China.
Most Singaporeans who attempt to trace their roots seek help from elder relatives, clans or plough through gene-alogy books. In comparison, Grandma and I were certainly ill-prepared. Even on the plane ride just before arrival, I had absolutely no idea what I was stepping into. We knew, however, whom we were
travelling with—my granduncle and grandaunt whose immediate relatives still reside in Fujian.
A WHOLE NEW WORLD The Anxi (安溪) county that welcomed me was a stark di!erence from what I saw on my first visit back in 2002. Then, Grandma and I ventured into the undeveloped
county on our own with no connections to trace our roots. Today, bustling streets lined with shops occupy what used to be never-ending stretches of grass plains. We also had relatives to bring us around.
Bus 5 brought us away from the county central and into Cannei (参内) town, where my great-grandfather lived before he migrated to Singapore in the 1920s. Led by my granduncle, we visited several families who warmly welcomed us with Oolong tea—an Anxi specialty. In one such home, a middle-aged man brought out a red genealogy book. The names of all the male descendants of the Huang (Grandma’s surname) clan are written in this book and it is updated every 12 years. From the name of Grandma’s elder brother, I was able to find my great-grandfather’s name and trace my ancestry all the way back to the 1500s!
It was late morning when we decided to stray away from the main roads and venture into the villages. By then, our group of four had swelled to a crowd of at least ten. Any traditional Chinese Singaporean will tell you that addressing older relatives as uncles and aunties will not su"ce! I struggled initially with the respectful addresses, but decided to give up midway and turn my attention towards the surroundings.
The narrow pavements were strewn with poultry droppings, but the red-brick houses against the green padi fields painted a tranquil picture of the countryside. We visited a vacant house where my grand-uncle and grandaunt had performed their marriage ceremony in the 1950s. There, I
back to my rootsWhile tracing her roots with her grandmother in Fujian province, China, Grace Ho found new meaning in the words FAMILY AND HOME
by grace ho
I caught no sight of warm colours in Fujian’s autumn, but felt deeply within me the warmth of family.
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JANUARY 2010 | !"#$%&'!($)&'*| 23
not only witnessed the sights and sounds of exploding firecrackers for the first time, but also forged a meaningful friendship with 11-year-old Guan Yu, an inquisitive distant cousin of mine.
MY ROOTS, MY HOME Back on Bus 5 towards the hotel, I found myself overwhelmed with conflicting emotions. I have successfully traced my roots through my paternal grandmother’s lineage, and in a sense, found family in China. But I also realised that had I traced my roots on the other side of my family, I would be brought to a very di!erent place in China. So where are my real roots? There are so many di!erent starting points. I was not exactly a tourist, but I did not belong either. What is my identity?
In the same month, Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong also made a trip back to his ancestral village in Wuling, Fujian province. I echo his sentiments that “there was no doubt that he himself was a Singaporean, and regarded by the Chinese villagers not as a returning Chinese national, but as a visiting Singaporean” (The Straits Times, 8 November 2009).
I caught no sight of warm colours in Fujian’s autumn, but felt deeply within me the warmth of family. I acknowledge my roots in China, but the trip had rea"rmed my Singaporean identity and it is still here that I call home.
OPPOSITE: Grace Ho (left) and her grandma, travelled to Fujian, China last October to visit their ancestral home.
Fujian Province!CHINA
180 times the size of Singapore, Fujian is divided into nine perfectures and then subdivided into 85 counties including Anxi , Grace Ho's ancestral hometown. The province has a population of 44.1 million and is China's largest provincial producer of the longan fruit. Its major cities include Fuzhou and Xiamen.
IN NEEDOF MORENOURISHMENT?
Man does not liveon bread alone, but on every
word that comes from the mouth of God.
MATTHEW 4:4
perhaps it'sthe spiritual one
you need?
Aldersgate Methodist ChurchSunday Service timings 8.30 am: Traditional
10.15 am: Contemporary2 pm: Mandarin
HONG KONG
SHANGHAI
FUJIAN
BEIJING
CHINA
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Mountain HighTable Mountain rises above Cape Town at dusk.
TRAVEL TALES
JANUARY 2010 | !"#$%&'!($)&'*| 27
by CHEN QIULUAN
A journey through the streets ofCape Town to the top of Table Mountain,sharing Jesus' love and experiencingthe greatness of God's faithfulness
28 | "+,$"+-$*| JANUARY 2010
developing country—much like Singapore was in the 70’s. Construction works were taking place at a feverish pitch all over as the city geared itself for the 2010 Fédération Internationale de Football Associa-tion (FIFA) World Cup. But, as I got to see more of the city, I soon realised Cape Town is actually quite a modern and highly urbanised metropolis.
CAPE TOWN BAPTIST (CTBT) WAS THE FIRST OF THREE churches that we worked with. Situated right in the heart of the city centre, it stood proudly in the company of financial institutions, upscale restau-rants, and trendy shopping malls that cater to ubiq-uitous tourists who flock there to catch a view of the famous Table Mountain. Rising above the sprawl-ing city of Cape Town, this flat-topped landmark provided a picturesque backdrop for the church.
Yet, amidst the hustle and bustle, the streets were lined with beggars, drug abusers, drunkards…people that needed Jesus badly. We were forewarned about these social menaces and were told not to give money to anyone, no matter how pitiful they appeared to
be. We could only reach out to them with the love of Jesus.
We had to prepare the groundwork as well as our hearts before God could work through us. Prayer walks and reading of the Bible aloud at coffee shops became daily affairs; they were subsequently followed by street evangelism. We held an open-air drama performance through which we shared our testimonies. We also helped out at a soup kitchen where we dished out free meals to the homeless.
CTBT provided us with the platform to teach and impart our faith during weekly meetings of youths and young adults. Opportunities were also extended to us to share at Sunday evening services.
OUR NEXT CHURCH WAS THE KRAAIFONTEIN ASSEMBLY of God. This is a highly charismatic church with a soulful choir that belted out awe-inspiring songs to the accompaniment of a band. I was truly privileged to be a part of this awesome choir during one of the Sunday services.
We worked hand-in-hand with the church to
TRAVEL TALES
AFTER completing the three-month lecture phase of my Discipleship Training Course in Perth, Australia, I boarded a plane with 22 of my Youth-With-A-Mission (YWAM) coursemates and three leaders to South Africa, where the three-month outreach phase of our course began. In other words, it was action time! ¶ We arrived in Cape Town in the morning and it was quite a sight to take in as I stepped out of the small and crowded airport. My initial impression of Cape Town was that of a
OPPOSITE (CLOCKWISE): Cape Town Baptist Church's pastor, Rev Brian Wood (center) and his wife, Loraine (left) with Qiuluan; slums and shantytowns still exist in touristed Cape Town ; the city of Cape Town at the foot of Table Mountain; atop of Table Mountain with a paranomic view of the Atlantic Ocean; the Cape of Good Hope.
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South Africa
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reach out to socially disadvantaged Captonians — as the locals were called — who were struggling to find Jesus in their lives. Living in the midst of poverty where old and dilapidated settlements seemed only a shade better than the slums, could they possibly see the light at the end of the tunnel?
Undeterred by what we saw, we soldiered on, knocking on doors and sharing the love of Jesus the best way we know how.
AT LOST CITY, OUR FINAL DESTINATION, WE COLLABORATED with a non-denominational, charismatic church with a congregation of 50 people. Situated within a predominantly Muslim neighbourhood, we were awakened every morning by their prayer calls. We were told by the townsfolk that they were observing Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting.
We conducted much of our evangelism on the streets. Even though the area is predominantly Muslim, we were able to engage the locals in conver-sations about Jesus and what we believed in. We even got to pray for some of them!
We wrapped up our time at Lost City with a youth rally. Working with two other YWAM Perth teams, all the youths from different churches invited friends and their non-Christian neighbours to join us for worship, dramas, and sharing of testimonies. We felt blessed to be able to provide a platform for them to decide and receive the freedom that Jesus brings.
DURING MY THREE MONTHS IN CAPE TOWN, ONE OF THE most physically challenging things I did was to climb Table Mountain. At a height of 1,086 metres, it took my friends and I a good two hours to reach the summit. Thinking it might be cold, I suited up in a t-shirt with a pullover, leggings and track pants. But, being a newbie at climbing, I had no clue what lay ahead of me.
As it turned out, the weather was sunny and it was difficult to find shade. The toil of the climb got the better of me and my chattiness dissipated. The steps up the mountain comprised boulders of differ-ent sizes, making every step immensely strenuous. I
had to stop every five or six steps to catch my breath. But through this toil, I felt God speaking to me about my spiritual walk with Him. There were difficult moments, just like this mountain trek, when I had to overcome steep, uphill steps, with the sun beating down on me. I felt nauseous, my tired legs wobbled like jelly, and I just felt the next step up was going to do me in. Uncertain of what else was ahead, I thought turning back might be the better option.
But God is like the faithful friend who carries my bag pack; who asks if I need a drink of water, or a little break; who encourages me to take the next step. God made me believe that I could make it. I forged ahead and discovered a shady rest spot that was only three steps away.
There are also times in my life when my walk with God seems easy, just like those occasional flat stretches of the land that allowed me to quicken my pace. God uses these moments to tell me that my struggles will not last forever. At times like these, God allows me to bask in them — to pause, take a deep breath and admire His creation.
When I reached the summit, I was overcome by a sense of accomplishment and I knew at that moment that all the hard work was worth it. The whole jour-ney was to help bring me to the place of rest.
We are constantly surrounded by huge crowds of witnesses to the life of faith, so let us strip ourselves of every weight that slows us down, especially the sins that so easily trip us up. And let us run with endur-ance the race God has set before us.
Friendly Kraaifontein kids enjoyed following Qiuluan and her group around wherever they went.
TRAVEL TALES
PHO
TO C
OU
RTE
SY O
F C
HEN
QIU
LUA
N; (
OPP
OSI
TE) C
OU
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EY R
IOR
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OTO
I had to stopevery five or six steps tocatch my breath. But through this toil, I felt God speaking tome about myspiritual walkwith Him.
JANUARY 2010 | !"#$%&'!($)&'*| 31
ALL ACCESSTECH TALK The 2010 Hot List ... p32 | MUSIC The best-ever praise & worship compilation ... p33 |
BOOKS Learn how to free yourself from your addictions... p33 | LIFESTYLE Innovative ideas on how tospend Valentine's Day ... p34 | EVENTS Find out about the church camp and more ... p36
, valentine's day special section...page 34
32 | "+,$"+-$*| JANUARY 2010
tech talk
It's that time of the year when we try to figure out what the new year will bring, and similarly in the tech world, we often try to predict what the "Next Big Thing" or "Killer App" might be.
The following are some contenders that might just grab our attention, and in some cases, our wallets too!
In this digital age that we live in, almost everything has somehow found its way to the Internet, including several Bible devotionals, study aids, and the like. Recently, one in particular stood out from the rest: GLO BIBLE (www.bibleglo.com). This interactive media product is in one word (no pun intended)—engaging. God's
Word is vividly brought to life through captivating graphics, cross-referenced texts, and HD videos that span across space and time. Readers can drill-down quickly, visually and intuitively, to fine-grained biblical content that can provide them with a better and fuller visual under-standing of His Word.
What's Hotby Gordon Yuen
An obvious change coming to the web this mid-year will be the proliferation of NON-ENGLISH WEB ADDRESSES, specif-ically Chinese, Arabic, Korean and other languages using non-Latin characters.
It makes it possible, for the first time, to write an entire Internet address in a non-Latin alphabet. Expect to see a rush to secure family surnames, business names, even perhaps missions-related URLs. The possibilities are endless, espe-cially when you consider the population of mobile web users in Asian countries; time to brush up on my Chinese!
" GOD'S WORD BROUGHT TO LIFE
# CHARACTERS WELCOME
$ SURF'S UP
% WHENEVER, WHEREVER
& APP AND FLOW
We tend to expect things to work fast and instantly, for example starting our cars, switching on the lights in a room, or turning on the TV. The new GOOGLE'S CHROME OS (the operating system, not the browser) promises to live up to the challenge and get us up and running on the Internet in 7 seconds or less from the time our PCs are turned on.
One other contender that has already provided a solution and is quietly making a name for itself is HYPERSPACE (www.hyperspace.com). One interest-ing feature in particular is its ability to work even when Windows on your PC is not working, thus allowing the user to continue to access the web for emails. Expect to see the rapid adoption of net-books/laptops running such lean operat-ing systems this year.
The age of mobility is squarely upon us. The coming year ahead will almost cer-tainly see a quantum jump in the num-ber of mobile device users. Specifically, we will see an increase in the amount of time that users will spend accessing content via their SMARTPHONES, even when they are at home or in the o"ce.
Small, purpose-built SOCIAL MEDIA applications for smartphones will be the killer apps this year. In all likelihood, like the tides, they will experience ebbs and flows, meaning one moment an app will enjoy ‘the flavour of the month’ status, only to be dethroned by another better or cooler app in time. PH
OTO
S CO
UR
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GLO
BIB
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; APP
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JANUARY 2010 | !"#$%&'!($)&'*| 33
music
books
by Eric Chiok
by SKS Books Warehouse
- WHERE TO GET Featured books are available at SKS Books Warehouse | 6227-9700 | www.sksbooks.com
- WHERE TO GET Featured CDs are available at SKS Books Warehouse | 6227-9700 | www.sksbooks.com
The songs on this album need no introduction. Fifty of our all-time favourite contemporary praise and worship tunes fit into three CDs. Integrity Music has done a fantastic job consol-idating these songs for us. Most of them are performed by their original artistes. This is one collection of songs that spans
across the '80s till the present; from Don Moen’s "Give Thanks" to Ross Parsley’s "Lord Most High" to Hillsong United’s "Hosanna". This is easily one of the best compilations I’ve ever come across and it is perfect for anyone who wants to add to their collec-tion of ‘Top 50’ praise and worship songs.
As with any Baloche album, you can expect guitar-driven songs with a good amount of theological teaching in his contemporary lyrics. Baloche’s latest ‘live’ praise and worship album is no exception. Besides the usual praise songs, there is also "Shaken" and "We Will Hold On"—songs that encour-
age Christians to persevere in these di"cult times. These songs certainly make this album relevant to the times. However, the musical arrangements on this album are not as memorable as his previous highly successful album, A Greater Song, which included songs such as "Hosanna", "Your Name" and "What Can I Do".
SONGS 4 WORSHIP 50Various Artists
GLORIOUSPaul Baloche
Grace Notes is a collection of Philip Yancey’s best writing compiled into a year-long daily devotional. It is a great book to kick start the beginning of a new year.
The contents of the book are a compilation of his articles in Christian-ity Today magazine where he is editor-at-large, as well as from some excerpts from his award-winning books such as What’s so Amazing about Grace? and The Jesus I Never Knew. Get set to spend a whole year in daily reading with this latest Philip Yancey’s devotional, a book that will make your heart think and your mind feel.
GRACE NOTESby Philip Yancey
We are frequently bombarded by end-less temptations and immense stress in today's fast-paced world. It is easy to get addicted to alcohol, sex, drugs and gambling. This is a book that will help Christians find a way out of their addictions.
Insight into Addiction not only helps you understand the psychological, physiological and spiritual dynamics of addiction, it also covers the devastating e!ects of addiction to our well-being and how to free yourself from it. In addi-tion, Radman also touches on the topic of developing a new and true personal identity.
You can "experience freedom from the insanity of addiction with fellow strug-glers" when you read this book. Stop the Madness is a unique experiential resource designed for small groups, support groups, and recovery minis-tries. You can find the path to healing and freedom through the fresh and transforming approach or through the time-tested 12-step process. You will not only recover from your addiction through this Bible study, but also receive the ultimate freedom in Christ. Experi-ence the lasting change that flows from the heart.
INSIGHT INTO ADDICTIONby Bill Radmall
STOP THE MADNESS – Finding Freedom from Addictionsby Ben Colter and Paul Hardy
BO
OK
COV
ERS
BY JA
COB
KON
G
34 | "+,$"+-$*| JANUARY 2010
No over-the-top gifts, no extravagant gestures, just thoughtful ways to celebrate
by shirley pee
Love Actually...
lifestyle
Valentine’s Day—a day that retailers bank on to ring up their till and Chinese restaurants disguise their round tables as tables-for-two.
This Valentine’s Day, let’s re-define and reclaim it as a day to celebrate love without the commercialism. You also don't have to wait till that one specific day to appreciate the ones you treasure; go ahead and let them know every day how much they mean to you. It doesn’t have to be fancy and it certainly doesn’t
have to be verbal —a smile, a hug, a sms, a ride home, a back rub—you get the idea; it really doesn’t have to cost you a cent.
Remember, love is never about money so don’t let any retailer tell you otherwise! Spend time together and make your Valentine’s Day memorable and your relationship stronger. LiveLine asked some church members how they would mark the occasion and here’s what they suggested:
Volunteer!
HOP ON A BUS AND GO WHEREVERIT TAKES THE BOTH OF YOU
FOOT MASSAGEGIVE AN AROMATHERAPY
Agree on a budget, COOK A NICE MEAL and have a picnic
Secretly plan a whole-day outing and spend the entire day together
Write letters to those you loveand make sure they know they have
you to count on
Do something unexpected likegrab coffee and blankets and catch the sunrise together
As a couple, or better yet, as a group of couples, agreeto save the amount of money intended for gifts, and give it to the needy.
Spend the day volunteering, spreading the love and bonding with each other.
Spendthe day witheach other,
havingconversations
over hotchocolate.
JANUARY 2010 | !"#$%&'!($)&'*| 35
BABY'S BREATHEverlasting love
CARNATIONS (GENERAL)Bonds of a"ection, health, energy
DAISIESInnocence
LILIES (GENERAL)Virtue, devotion, celebration
PINK ROSESAdmiration
RED ROSES'I love you'
YELLOW ROSESFriendship, joy
TULIPS (GENERAL)Love, elegance
SUNFLOWERSLoyalty, best wishes
Learn the language of flowersby shirley pee
Fleurs d'Amour
In Victorian times when people were more genteel and sub-tle in their expressions, flow-
ers and plants were often used to convey feelings and emotions that might otherwise have been consid-ered too presumptuous or vulgar to express in words.
Di!erent species of flow-ers have di!erent symbolisms but colours also add to the complexity of the floral language. Just to illus-trate, a rose generally means ‘I love
you,’ but a thornless stalk would say ‘love at first sight’ while red together with white signify ‘unity’. A rose bud represents ‘youth and beauty’.
Many of the nuances and vocabulary of this floral language have been lost through neglect and disuse. Even so, it is still useful to arm yourself with the basics so you don’t make a social blunder.
Here are meanings of some flowers commonly found at local florists:
PHO
TOS B
Y (O
PPO
SITE
): IG
OR
TER
EKH
OV (C
UP)
; HEI
DI K
RIS
TEN
SEN (S
PA);
AH
MA
D H
AM
OU
DA
H (M
AP)
;EV
ER/IS
TOC
KPH
OTO
(CA
RD)
; MB
PHO
TO (P
ICN
IC);
(TH
IS P
AG
E) JI
LL C
HEN
/ISTO
CK
PHO
TO
36 | "+,$"+-$*| JANUARY 2010
BASILLove, best wishesNative to Asia, the sweet-smelling basil is widely used in Italian and local cooking.
CHAMOMILEPatienceOften used to make teas, Chamomile has a variety that has a sweet apple-like scent.
MINTProtection against illnessCool and refreshing, mint is a common herb that can be found almost anywhere.
ROSEMARYRemembranceKnown also as the 'dew of the sea', rosemary is commonly used in weddings in Europe.
SAGEWisdom, longevityA part of the mint family, this fragrant herb is native to the Mediterranean region.
THYMEStrength, courageStrong and earthy, thyme is used abundantly in French cooking.
For this Valentine’s Day, instead of giving cut flowers which could cost you an arm and perhaps a leg too, consider gifting potted plants. Besides costing less, they should also
serve your purpose for a lot longer. My favourites are herb plants which are also handy to have around the kitchen. For example, lavender (shown above), which represents devotion, is famous for its aromatic scent. It is used in both perfumes and the famous French herb mix, herbes de Provence.
Here are a few other fragrant and meaningful suggestions:
Love GrowsShow your love with potted plants and herbsby shirley pee
PHO
TOS B
Y M
ON
IKA A
DAM
CZYK
/ISTO
CKPH
OTO
(LAV
END
ER A
ND
SAG
E); V
ICTO
R BU
RNSI
DE/
ISTO
CKPH
OTO
(BAS
IL);
NAT
ALL
IA YA
UMEN
ENKA
/ISTO
CKPH
OTO
(C
HAM
OM
ILE)
; BRA
NIS
LAV
VAC/
ISTO
CKPH
OTO
(MIN
T); E
LEN
A SC
HWEI
TZER
/ISTO
CKPH
OTO
(RO
SEM
ARY
); KL
AUD
IA ST
EIN
ER/IS
TOCK
PHO
TO (T
HYM
E)
upcomingeventsMARCH07.03 Chinese Ministry 14th Anniversary Celebration
28.03 Palm Sunday
APRIL01.04 Maundy Thursday 8 pm at AMC Sanctuary
02.04 Good Friday Service 10.15 am (E)*; 2 pm (M)
APRIL04.04 Easter Sunrise Service 6.30 am (E)
Easter Sunday Service 8.30 am (E); 10.15 am (E); and 2 pm (M)
MAY02.05 AMC 31st Anniversary
JUNE17.06–20.06 Church Camp
visit www.aldersgate.sg for more updates
The Aldersgate Methodist Church annual camp is back! After a brief hiatus last year, this June’s church camp promises more of the FUN, EXCITEMENT and CAMARADERIE that this much-awaited retreat is known for. Seize this opportunity to know your fellow church members better, as we learn, play, reflect, chill, and have a jolly good time together as one big family of Christ. Stay tuned for more details!
KLANA RESORTSeremban, Malaysia
JUNE 17–20
CHURCH CAMP '10
It'sBack!
* = combined service | e = english | m = mandarin
WRITE,take photos, design,
share, voice out
Have a TESTIMONY to tell?Want to CONTRIBUTE photos?
Think you might wantto SERVE?
Contact us at [email protected] LiveLine online at www.aldersgate.sg
JOIN THE LIVELINE TEAM
Aldersgate Methodist Church^_`abcS
98 Dover Road Singapore 139647TEL 6773 1964 | EMAIL [email protected]
www.aldersgate.sg
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