My Son's Commissioning (17 Jan 2016)

Yesterday was a proud moment for my wife and I. My son commissioned as an officer after 38 grueling weeks of training, both locally and overseas. He has done well and yesterday, he was commissioned among 582 officer cadets (OCTs). Among them are 454 (army), 66 (navy), and 62 (air force). Below are some video clips of the happy occasion.

A) Excited parents waiting from as early as 3pm. Parade starts at 1741 hours.



B) The contingent marches singing the OCS song.




C) My son is among the five carrying the parade colours. He is behind the one carrying the Singapore flag.



D) Singapore President doing the review of the contingents




E) Religious leaders from different faiths praying for the about to be commissioned officers





F) The Commissioning Moment (After the reciting of the SAF Creed)

G) Slow Marching Out by the Newly Commissioned Officers (99/15 cohort)

H) Parents Fixing the Epaulette. We got lost in the crowd and couldn't find him. Thankfully....

I) Finally .. . .. ..  (If you are interested, here's the officer's creed)




J) Proud Moment for Us

All smiles around.

Congratulations Aaron! We're so proud of you.

dad

Midweek Meditation: "Prayer at the End of Pilgrimage" (Stephen Doyle)

Often associated with a journey, the Christian life is a familiar one with ups and downs. This prayer gives thanks to God as one is at the end of a pilgrimage. Written by Stephen Doyle, it also reminds us that the end of one journey also prepares us for the start of the next one.

"Father, we have walked in the land where Jesus walked,
We have touched the soil and rocks where the seed falls.
We have seen the lilies of the field and heard the birds of the air.
We have been warmed by the sun that warmed Him and
      cooled by the breezes that touched His face.
We have been to the sea where He walked,
      and to the river where He was baptized.
We have felt the presence of the Holy Spirit where He first
      sent it, and anguished at the spot where He gave Himself for us.
We have rejoiced at the emptiness of the tomb and the
      fulness of His love in our hearts.
Be with us, as we continue our earthly pilgrimage to the new
     Jerusalem where every tear will be wiped away,
     and we will be with You,
     Your Son and the Holy Spirit, forever.

(Stephen Doyle, OFM)

Transcend the Documentary

There has been a long standing connection between faith and running. Believers are exhorted in Hebrews 12:1 to "run with perseverance the race set before us." The Apostle Paul also uses the image of running and racing when he wrote to the Corinthian Church:

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize." (1 Corinthians 9:24)

Writing to Timothy, Paul proclaims boldly in 2 Timothy 4:7, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."

In an upcoming documentary feature film called "tRANscend," producer Michael Del Monte probes into the connection between running and faith. Interviewing famous runners, authors like Philip Yancey, theologians, coaches, and other professionals, the film highlights that underlying the power and perseverance of every marathon runner is an undying faith. It is the faith that propels the running, and watching this documentary will show us that running the race is not simply a biblical metaphor for Christians, it is a principle for life.

Watch the trailers here and here. You can preorder the film here.

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Trailer #1

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Trailer #2

conrade