We need you, fathers!

Have always heard and read about how a father relates to his child can affect the child tremendously. For a gal, how she sees men and relates to them. 
For a boy, how he becomes a man and treats women.
Lately, God revealed to me about how I was and still am affected by my own earthly dad. 
He helped me see the fault lines in all that I couldn't understand in the past. 
It's not just about my dad but also the circumstances that I was in and then not knowing Christ, I was blind. 
As I talked to others, I began to piece the missing puzzles together and though on this side of the earth, I can't see the complete puzzle yet but God has the picture ready, even before my birth.

I had a complete family but I have always felt that I grow up in a single-parent family. 
Someone said that the reason why our fathers aren't what we hope them to be is also because of the circumstances they were brought up in. 
They weren't given the nutrients they needed to grow. 
How and what can they give when they haven't received?
Some people say, those who don't have a father figure in their lives find it hard to relate to God as our Abba Father. 
For me, it's the complete opposite. 
It is because now that I know a perfect heavenly Father, I can learn and choose to see my earthly father with His eyes. 
It's tough, when viewpoints and personality are as the east is from the west. 
It's tough when there wasn't a foundation to begin with. 
I rely on His courage and His word each time.
So FATHERS, be involved! 
You play a crucial role in how your kids bloom. 
Never let them feel that they have a single parent when it's a duet.

Not approving of gay lifestyle isn't stigmatisation

MR BRYAN Kwa Jie Wen's letter ("Stop stigmatising sexual minorities"; Forum Online, Monday) sends the wrong message to the public: That supporting gay rights improves public health and that society is the cause of suicide in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. Of the 428 new HIV cases acquired via sexual transmission in 2013, heterosexual transmission accounted for 40 per cent of infections, while homosexual and bisexual transmission accounted for 54 per cent of the cases.

Those engaging in high-risk sexual behaviour can go for anonymous HIV testing. In Singapore, no one is denied medical services based on their lifestyle.

Are LGBT activists looking for tolerance or normalisation and, thus, celebration of the homosexual lifestyle?

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in 2007 ("Why we should leave Section 377A alone: PM"; Oct 24, 2007): "Homosexuals work in all sectors... they are free to lead their lives, free to pursue their social activities. But there are restraints and we do not approve of them actively promoting their lifestyle to others, or setting the tone for mainstream society."

Pink Dot has its annual gathering at Hong Lim Park every year. There are student groups "supporting" LGBT youth in our tertiary institutions.

What, then, causes the LGBT community to still feel stigmatised and marginalised?

By not agreeing and supporting their chosen lifestyle, am I considered to be stigmatising, marginalising, discriminating against them or worse, "literally driving them to their death" as Mr Kwa put it?

There are underlying causes as to why anyone chooses a particular lifestyle. Personality, family background and life circumstances contribute to every decision made by an individual.

To attribute the cause of suicide to mainstream society shows irresponsibility and disrespect of life by an individual.

Singapore is a "communitarian" society. The state should shape policies by promoting and upholding things that are good for society.

Unless our society is prepared to accept all deviant lifestyles regardless of the consequences, any meaningful understanding of diversity can only be made via a conception of the common good.

Man's ways fail

Yesterday was a day of breakthroughs in terms of how I perceive certain issues...
I was all planning to eat lunch alone after bible study before another event and 'bumped' into a couple whom I rarely see though we are in the same church. 
We went for lunch, heard their wonderful testimonies of how God's promises came true in their life as they trusted Him...
I am addicted to testimonies. (Revelation 12:11) 
They never fail to uplift the spirit and show how real and unique our God is in each one's life. 
You will not hear the exact same workings of God in each life. 
I was and still am very encouraged by what they have shared.

After my event, again I have my own plan as usual. 
I planned to go home and rest. 
Then a fren wanted to meet up on another day and I just tried my 'luck' to see if she happened to be free for dinner instead for easier planning of time. 
Wow, she was and I thank God that I met her yesterday. 
Shared with her many issues that happened last year and she amused me with her joy for me that God had protected me from the mess that happened for the past 5 years. 
She said I escaped from the beehive! 
I know what she meant. 
A month of tears in exchange for joy and release thereafter! 
I gain much much more than I ever thought I have lost. 
When I think about how when I was 'sick' over a decade ago, I was and am saved from a confirmed disaster if it were to happen the human way.
Man's ways fail. 
I can never thank God enough for His love, mercy, grace and favour upon me. 
He totally knows my weaknesses, sees through my brokenness, puts all His people on my path, strengthens me with Himself and His people, saves me from the pits I dug for myself because of my vain thoughts and desires, because of my lack of faith in His perfect timing...
He drives home this point: 
Wait for Me. 
Wait upon Me.
It is not easy in the flesh but we truly are not to walk in the flesh. 
Thank you, my friends. 
Each of you plays an important role in my life. 
May you find God's people in your midst, treasure them and know that you sharpen and give courage to one another in this walk with Christ.

Pre-abortion counselling the right move

I READ with great encouragement the article, "Her ordeal sparked effort to help women" (May 1).

Ms Jennifer Heng's path in life was not a smooth one, having experienced two abortions by the age of 19.

It was through her religion that she overcame her trauma and is now a happily married mother - and the founder of the Dayspring New Life Centre, which provides counselling and shelter for pregnant women with no support from their families and spouses.

In 2013, there were 39,720 live births and 9,282 abortions reported in Singapore. This means that almost 19 per cent - or one in five - of all pregnancies were aborted that year.

Looking at the statistics, I applaud the move by the Ministry of Health (MOH) to extend pre-abortion counselling to all pregnant women seeking to terminate their pregnancies ("Pre-abortion counselling for all"; April 14).

Together with the MOH and different non-profit organisations, I hope that women are provided with the relevant information and support to make an informed decision, especially since abortion has great medical, psychological and emotional effects on women.

Whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved

For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”
How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? 
And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? 
And how shall they hear without a preacher?
And how shall they preach unless they are sent? 
As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace,
Who bring glad tidings of good things!” (Romans 10:13-15)

Many times people talk about these verses as referring to spreading the Good News of our Lord Jesus Christ to other countries.
Today, it hit me that because of our own fears, agendas, legitimate concerns tho not based on faith in God, prejudices and bias and many other factors, we have failed to preach the gospel of peace, of healing, of authentic love, of hope, of His truth to those we presume not deserving of God's love, mercy and grace. 
Our harvest is right here, in Singapore, where people are flocking in from abroad.
As I always say and believe, the barriers in life, in loving God and sharing this love to others are in our mind and heart. 
I always ask God, "Why did I suffer so much before I allow Him in? 
What if I never had a friend who stood with that unlovable, self-righteous me then, to give me hugs and shower me with prayers and being there for me, would I ever know who Jesus is and how valuable I am to Him?
I would never know unless someone brought me glad tidings of good things and the peace that I crave all my life. 
I thank God that my friends did not deem me hopeless then. 
I would be totally hopeless now.
DON'T choose who you want and don't want to share Christ with. 
That's self-righteousness, not of God.
Remember: Each of us is made in God's image and Jesus died for everyone, regardless of the nature of our sins.