Father Heart: A Tribute

Jerry and Barb Osbron

Pastor Jerry Osbron passed from death to eternal life on Thursday morning, February 16, Philippine time.

Although we had known that he had been seriously ill the past weeks, still I received the news of his homegoing with deep sadness and grief.

Even if time and distance has separated Jerry from us these past two decades, there is that special place in my heart reserved for him alone.

Jerry, as many of us fondly call him, has always been like a father to me.

I first met him one Sunday many years ago, in mid June of 1979. My husband Ernie and I, only a year married, had just moved to Bacolod City that week. At the top of our priorities was to look for a God-honoring, Spirit-led church, one where solid Bible teaching and a vibrant worship experience were available... a church where our spiritual gifts could be honed for service, a local church providing spiritual authority and covering, one where we could grow as members of the local body of Christ.

We were welcomed at the door by a long-haired, medium built, American man. I will never forget the kindness of his face and the warmth of his smile. His handshake was firm and sincere.

As soon as we stepped into 18, 18^th Street, Ernie and I knew we were home. Somehow we knew... we had found what we were looking for.

As a newcomer to the city of Bacolod, almost 33 years ago, I was missing my mother and my father. My husband and his family were very kind to me, but the love of a good father can never really be given by anyone else.

Jerry became my spiritual father from Day One. He always will be.

And this is why, even as I rejoice that he is finally home, where he has longed to be, my heart grieves the death of this man who has loved me and my whole family with a love so selfless and so unconditional... I dare say, there will never be a person like him in my life.

I know that all of us who came under the shelter of his love feel the same way. He taught not so much by words as by example.

Nevertheless he was an anointed teacher. He was an avid student of the Book, and offered us golden nuggets of Bible truths Sunday after Sunday. His teaching was not meant to remain as mere information but challenged and fired us to apply what we heard in our daily lives. We never wanted to miss going to the worship services because we knew what was in store. Going to the 18^th Street church was always a worship experience. Jerry and Barb taught many of us how to worship God freely, openly, and from the heart. We were known as the Baptist Conference Church of Bacolod, but we were probably the only Baptists who raised our hands in worship in the early 1980’s.

We would have a different home Bible study every night of the week... the Monday nights at Tito Awi and Tita Apa Valderrama’s place, the Tuesday nights at Nora Tinsay’s... the Wednesday nights at Baby and Stella Mora’s.... Then on Sunday afternoons, a group of us gathered for what we called Body Life meetings at the living room of the Osbron Residence also on 18^th street.

And in between all those days, there would private counselling sessions with Barb and Jerry for our personal concerns. They never said “No” to any of us. They listened... they prayed. The welcome mat was always rolled out for us.

We felt loved... we felt accepted... we felt valued and cared for.

Jerry was often reprimanded by his leaders for being too “Charismatic” in his ways, but that did not deter him.

He opened his home for counselling to the city of Bacolod. He is a prime example of a second mile Christian. He would even give from his own pocket to help people who were in financial need.

When a daughter of one of us was attacked by malicious vandals, her name in bold letters written on the walls of her school together with some unkind adjectives, Jerry would wake up early in the morning to paint over those words.

From him we all learned what it meant to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.

From him we all learned what true forgiveness means... I will never forget what he said about forgiveness.

“You know you have forgiven when you touch the scar on your arm, and it doesn’t hurt anymore.”

Even as I write these words, I cannot help my tears from falling.

He worked tirelessly, giving Bible studies to the farm workers of our members... one by one the outreach daughter churches were born...

He was a man who believed in advancing the Kingdom of God in this part of the world.

If there is one word that can describe Jerry Osbron, it is this word: father.

He walked his talk. He lived before us the Father heart of God.

When a friend of mine found out she was pregnant outside wedlock, she went to Pastor Jerry, broken by guilt and shame. What was his response? He put his arms around her, and said, “Dear daughter, you are not judged and condemned, you are accepted and loved as you are.”

He offered to baptize those who had chosen to follow Jesus through the waters of baptism, even if they were not going to become members of the church he pastored. He allowed open communion, meaning that any believer, be he a member of BCCB or not, was welcome to the Lord’s Table at this church.

Again, we knew that the leaders of his denomination had reprimanded him for this.

His reply? We have heard him say this often enough: “I would rather err on the side of mercy than on the side of judgment. For I am secure in my calling – first and foremost I am called to build the kingdom of God and bring people to heaven. It is never my desire to build my own kingdom.”

Words will never be enough to tell the many stories in my heart about this great man of God. Several times he and his wife had visited Ernie and me in the middle of the night, to help me deal with an angry, unforgiving heart. This example of kindness and love melted my heart to pieces.

Jerry was the person who gave me spiritual understanding when my heart was hungry for something more and something deeper. He said, “Your heart is hungry for the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Open your heart to him. He is going to help you soar above the clouds, way above conventional Christianity. Give Him permission to take you beyond the limits of your comfort zone.”

To this man, my mentor and spiritual father, I owe much of what I am today. He taught me how to turn to God for my spiritual hunger to be fed.

“I can only teach you so much. But God is a bottomless well of living water.”

He taught me how to be filled with the Holy Spirit, and how to be a prophetic intercessor.

He taught me how to unlearn the cerebral Christianity that I held on to in spiritual pride... instead, he showed me the path of emptying my heart, that it may be filled with true spiritual riches.

There is a special place of honor in my heart for this man. To me, he is one of God’s greatest gifts.

I will always be grateful to him for having been a model, but of course... the glory belongs to God alone.

Those of us who sat at the feet of Jerry Osbron for the fifteen years that he pastored the Baptist Conference Church of Bacolod can say with confidence that in truth, this man can be given credit for laying the strong and solid foundation of this local body of believers.

Pastor Jerry was a kingdom person. His life was a living sermon.

Farewell, dear and beloved Jerry. I know that the loving Father has already welcomed you into His presence, and I have no doubt that as He put His arms around you, He has already whispered in your ears, “Well done, good and faithful servant... welcome into your eternal rest.”

Though we are sad for the physical loss, our hearts rejoice that you have reached Heaven’s shores.

We will see you again in Eternity. Thank you for your life. You have been such a blessing to all of us, more than words could ever express.

With a Breath of Kindness

"Decanting Gold" by Dorling Kindersley

³¹Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat.
³²But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail.
And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.

- Luke 22:31-32



²⁶At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised,
"Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens."
²⁷The words "once more" indicate the removing of what can be shaken
—that is, created things—
so that what cannot be shaken may remain.
²⁸Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken,
let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably
with reverence and awe,
²⁹for our "God is a consuming fire."

- Hebrews 12:26-29



Do not judge according to appearance,
but judge with righteous judgment.

- John 7:24

Man looks at the outward appearance,

but the LORD looks at the heart.

- 1 Samuel 16:7

In his excellent book, The Way of the Heart, Henri Nouwen writes,

Over the last few decades we have been inundated by a torrent of words. Wherever we go we are surrounded by words...

Words, words, words! They form the floor, the walls, and the ceiling of our existence...

In such a world, who can maintain respect for words?

All this is to suggest that words, my own included, have lost their creative power. Their limitless multiplication has made us lose confidence in words and caused us to think, more often than not, "They are just words."

...The result of this is that the main function of the word, which is communication, is no longer realized. The word no longer communicates, no longer fosters communion, and therefore no longer gives life. The word no longer offers trustworthy ground on which people can meet each other and build society.

Henri Nouwen, The Way of the Heart (Harper Collins, New York, 1991), pp. 45-46

The main lesson that God taught me in Rasa was how to wait on Him.

And in order to do this, I had to learn two things: when to be silent, and when to speak.

Learning how to wait knowing that there is a purpose being achieved in my waiting... and learning how to use my words in a godly, creative way.


Henri Nouwen was so right in saying that our words today no longer offer trustworthy ground on which we can meet one another...or reach out to one another.

Our words, as well as our silences, contrary to God's original intention, have become effective weapons that we use against one another.

The day Hans spoke to us on dealing with our critical spirits is deeply embedded in my memory. It was one lesson I needed to learn for in my early years of marriage, I realized that the easiest way I could hurt my loved ones would be to hurl unkind words at them!

Although outwardly I appeared as sweet and demure, deep inside I was self-righteous and judgmental. It was easier for me to say kind words to my friends than it was for me to do the same to my husband.

I guess the fact that my husband was so loving and understanding made me take many things for granted. With a grateful heart I realize that God stepped in and taught me valuable lessons early enough to undo whatever relational damage there was in our marriage, as well as to forever change the way I speak. This helped me chart a new course that would positively affect the future events in our family life.


During the Life Revision retreat, one of our daily exercises was to listen to a fellow participant share his or her reflections on the Bible passage for the day, after which we were to write down a one sentence resonance about it.

A "resonance" was the first thought or impression that came to our hearts after hearing what was said.

Have a ready word, Hans instructed us. But know when to say it, and know just how much to say.

We were given a few minutes to think before writing down our resonance statement, and then we were to read only that one sentence we had written. No explanation or elaboration was allowed.

This was an exercise in learning how to listen well, to the other person who was speaking, and to one's own heart as well.

We were also forewarned that there may be times when a "negative" or "critical" resonance would come up. Then, we would have to decide whether to speak it out, or just keep it to ourselves.


Because of the way our world has become inundated with words, we do need to re-discover godly speech. And godly speech begins in the heart, Hans reminded us... out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.


Yes, our world today needs to recover the art of speaking words that heal, rather than words that hurt...words that build up, rather than words that tear down.

Godly discernment is the key to speaking words that give life.


The word discern comes from two Latin words dis, which means "apart" and cerner, which means "to sift," forming discernere: "to separate or to distinguish or to perceive."



From the Latin cerner comes the derivative crineai which, according to Hans, describes a sifting process, as in sifting chaff from wheat.



Other everyday words from the Latin crineai are:

criticize - meaning, "to sift, or to shake"

crisis - a shaking in body, soul, or spirit

critical - a make or break point



Each day we are given the opportunity to go through a sifting process.

An element of shaking is required in order to effectively sift or separate chaff from grain, gold from sand.

But God intends good to come out of any crisis that we undergo. Out of my crisis experiences, I can emerge as a changed person. It is an opportunity for me to adjust my position... and shift my focus.


To stay away from evil, we must rightly discern what is chaff and what is grain.

To speak words of life, we need to hold on to the gold, and let go of the sand, in our relationships.


Panning for gold is a slow and tedious process; a large amount of sand will often yield only one or two nuggets of gold.

The inexperienced will easily give up. A gentle swirling motion will bring the lighter particles to the surface of the water, the weightier ones, including gold particles will remain at the bottom of the pan.

The untrained eye cannot discern the gold, which can easily be mistaken for unwanted dirt and therefore hastily discarded with the sand.

Indeed, how much easier it is for us to see the sand, the imperfections in other people!

To come to hasty conclusions.

To focus on surface issues.

To dwell on the peripheral and the external.


The Father says that we are not to look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are unseen.

And the Father teaches us not to judge the external appearances, but to look at the heart.



Excerpts taken from my Rasa Diary:

When you criticize, don't stop until you find the gold.

In criticizing, be in covenant with the BEST in the other person.

Why be pre-occupied with the tiny speck in the other person's eye when I have a much larger speck, in fact, a beam, in my own eye?

Live a new life by not being so easily shocked by what another person does or says! Look for the gold, accept him or her in the Beloved.

- Hans Burki, Life Revision Retreat, June 1997

Hans spoke such words of wisdom to us, that after listening to him, I was deeply moved. Indeed, we can be so shaken by the events and circumstances of our lives that we lose our orientation, or our focus.

But since that time, I have asked God that in whatever sifting process I go through, the precious and the substantial will remain. May my eternal perspective and faith in His goodness never be lost!

Yes, I have resolved to always try to look for the gold in the other person. To listen not to his words, but to his heart.


It is a lifelong process, but I must press on. And it is my continuing prayer that with God's help, the words that come out of my mouth will be words of life.


Dear Father, again I pray:

Give me eyes that see beneath the surface...

Give me a heart that understands the way You do...

And let my words be few,

let my words be redemptive,

let my words give grace to those who hear,

let my words build faith in others,

let my words reflect the compassion of Your heart.

May I be a life-giver, like You.

Die Kornsieberinnen ("The Wheat Sifters")

by Gustave Courbet

Oh, the comfort — the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person — having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but pouring them all right out, just as they are, chaff and grain together; certain that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and then with the breath of kindness blow the rest away.

~ Dinah Craik (A Life for A Life, 1859)

Related post: Learning to Rest in His Love

Learning to Rest in His Love

Looking Back: A Page from my Rasa Diary

My heart says of you, "Seek his face!"
Your face, LORD, I will seek.

- Psalm 27:8

It was in the late 1970's that I first heard of Hans Burki and the Life Revision Seminars that he conducts yearly in southern Switzerland. Since then I had dreamed of sitting at the feet of this Spirit-filled man for a whole month, to learn what there is to learn about deeper things of God.

In May 1994 Hans himself came to Bacolod City, and I had the opportunity to attend his 4-day seminar on Solitude and Contemplation. This gave me an idea of what the real seminar would be like. Even then, that short seminar became a spiritual landmark for me, one of the major turning points of my life.

In mid 1996, I mailed Hans the "inner biographical experience" required as part of the application letter to get into the seminar. I was surprised when Hans wrote back three weeks later informing me that I had been accepted into next year's seminar.

God surely must have had a purpose for me. Step by step many obstacles were overcome even though my faith was beginning to waver towards the end. A friend encouraged me in early May of 1997 saying that God wanted to simply stretch my faith.

No other description of the process could have been more adequate. The finances needed, my illness just a few days before the departure date, my foot injury. To top it all, on the day I was due to fly to Manila, May 26, an unexpected storm paralyzed all air travel to Manila. All flights for that day were cancelled.

By God's intervention, Ernie was able to book me on a special flight to Manila early the following day, May 27.

At 11 o'clock p.m. of that same day, my plane bound for Zurich took off. I suddenly remembered what I had told my dear friends in church who had prayed with me all through those months: "I will know that God wants me to have my dream realized only when I am on board the plane bound for Switzerland."

The plane landed at the Zurich International Airport at 12 noon of the next day, May 28. My Swiss host Siegfried Schurch, at whose home in Winterthur I was to stay before and after the retreat, met me at the airport.

I reached Rasa on May 31, at 4:45 p.m.

"Rasa" by Nick Yoon

Rasa is a small village on a mountain terrace 900 meters high in the southern part of the Swiss Alps. From the train station in Verdasio, one takes a small cable car to reach it. Funivia is the local term for the cable car, which seats only up to six persons at a time.

"Funivia Verdasio-Rasa" by Neil Pulling

That afternoon about 15 of us met at that cable car station. Though strangers to one another, we were bound for a common destination, and united by a common desire - to experience God in a life-changing way.

Hans was on the other side, standing by the railing, ready to meet each one of us personally. After I introduced myself to him, he shook my hand and said quietly, "You made it."


For 28 days, twenty-three of us met daily for large group sessions, once in the morning, and once in the evening.There was also time for small groups, as well as personal reflection.
The afternoons were given as unstructured time for us to do with as we wished.

In late spring the mountains were so beautiful, the trails so inviting, and the weather so cool. Nature beckoned to us all. The bird songs were endless. Some of us would often find ourselves sitting beside mountain streams, or on top of a hill, enjoying the serenity of the surroundings.

I discovered that what Hans said about Rasa is true: "There are two things that Rasa has plenty of - fresh air and the Holy Spirit."

I thought that had come to Rasa not as a deeply-wounded person. Whatever benefit there was to be gained was to simply add on to what I already knew.

How ignorant I was of God's ways! What I thought was going to be a learning experience turned out to be an "unlearning process," a letting go of misconceptions and faulty foundations of my spiritual life. This, despite the fact that our mentor, Hans, was an interesting study in understatement! He never spoke more than 15 minutes at a time, wanting to make sure that it was God's words, and not his own, that we heard.

I left Rasa a humbled person. (Read: Jacob's New Name)


What did I learn? Maybe the question should be, What did I not learn?

At Rasa I did not learn to fill my days with frenetic activity and restless struggle.

I did not learn how to stuff my mind with more information, but rather, to unload it.


It was a new experience to learn to turn my face toward God, as a flower naturally follows the sun and basks in its warmth.

I learned what it means to rest, to wait, to say yes.

Yes to the person that I am, and yes to the person that I have not yet become.

Yes to the other person as he is, and yes to the person that he has not yet become.

Above all, I learned the most important thing for me to learn: that at the heart of God is silence, a silence that heals, a silence that understands, a silence that doesn't demand, but only loves.

For me, it will be a life-long learning process of entering into this loving, healing silence of God.

Related post: Rasa Revisited

Honoring Barb

Jerry and Barb Osbron, taken on the day they said goodbye to us, fifteen years ago

The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree...

- Psalm 92:12

We held a memorial service to honor the life of Barb Osbron tonight.

My sister in law offered to hold it at their home, to make the affair more intimate, personal, and meaningful.

The Osbrons pastored our church in its early years, from 1978 to 1994. A total of fifteen years.

Those were very happy, formative years because the church was new, and the total membership at the start was less than a hundred. We were like a closely knit family, celebrating the events of our lives together for many years.

Many of the original members have already moved to Manila and other different parts of the world such as the United States, England, Australia, New Zealand, and the Middle East.

About fifty of the original members, the "old-timers" we called ourselves, gathered tonight.

We tried to invite even former members who have already moved to other local churches, and we were happy that many of them came.

The love of Jesus, and our faith in what He accomplished through the cross, was the common thread that bound our lives together.

As we sang the old praise songs that we used to sing, like Something Beautiful, You Are My Hiding Place, In His Time, many of us couldn't keep the tears from falling.

Those were the foundational years of our church, and we all remember what it was like.

Jerry and Barb were our spiritual parents. They truly gave us the best years of their lives.

As Ruby said tonight, she will never forget them because what they taught us had an eternal value. And things with eternal value last for eternity!

From a small group of about 20-30 people in 1979 (thirty years ago!) when Ernie and I first came, meeting every Sunday in the open terrace of the Osbron residence, and at different homes each day of the week, we have grown today to thousands, with multiple worship services meeting every Sunday in different parts of the city, and for care group ministries throughout the week.

It was awesome to realize that two tiny seeds represented by the life of Jerry and Barb have become full grown trees... very many trees that are now bearing fruits.

The evening was indeed a heart warming celebration of the life of Barb. We sang her favorite songs, shared the beautiful experiences we had with her, and enjoyed the special video compilation of old pictures taken of our early years togetther.

At the end of the memorial service, we all sat down to a sumptuous meal, reminiscent of the many meals we had eaten together in the past.

Although we are sad at Barb's passing away, we know the separation is temporary.

Heaven will someday be a glad reunion for all who have Jesus as their Savior and Lord!


I have posted some pictures below.

Cecile, Mayang, Eileen, Neneng, and Ruby

Me, Mayang, Janice, Mylene, Amor, Letty, and Connie

Bodie, Tony, Hernan, and Elena

Cecile, Bolet, and Rebecca

Pastor Joe and his wife, Marilou

Ruby and Jean

Marie Rose and Bodie

Read Pioneer Press obituary and guest book here

The Finish Line

The Finish Line




...the time has come for my departure.
I have fought the good fight,
I have finished the race,
I have kept the faith.
Now there is in store for me
the crown of righteousness,
which the Lord, the righteous Judge,
will award to me on that day—
and not only to me,
but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

2 Timothy 4:6-8

Barbara Osbron went home to be with the Lord at 7:27 this morning, Minnesota, USA time, 9:27 p.m. Philippine time.

I couldn't help but shed tears when the news reached me.

Ernie and I had only been married one year when we moved to Bacolod City in June 1979. We were looking for a church that we wanted to grow up in.

Friends in Manila had already told us about the church pastored by Jerry Osbron. Jerry and Barb were American missionaries from Minnesota.


From the moment we stepped into the church where they served as ministers, Ernie and I knew we had found a family and a home.

For nearly 15 years, until they retired in 1994, Jerry and Barb pastored our church with love, faithfulness, integrity, and passion.

They nurtured our faith, and modeled for us what it means to truly follow the Lord, not with our heads, but with our hearts.

They showed us first hand what a Holy Spirit-led church looked like.

They were faithful gatekeepers, they never abandoned their post.

They were real life examples of God's acceptance and affirmation.


Jerry and Barb became my spiritual father and mother; Barb will always have a special place in my heart.

She taught me how to bake cookies. She would give us lovely Siamese kittens that became a beautiful part of my children's growing up years.

She was my natural childbirth Lamaze instructor and coach for the birth of my three children.

She was my La Leche League motivator who encouraged me and cheered me on as I was just learning how to breastfeed my first born son.

As a young mother of three, I would run to her for counsel and comfort. I will never forget her words of wisdom to me during very trying times: "Lidj, remember, this too shall pass."

She was the mentor who taught me the value of pursuing intimacy with God above all other pursuits.

And when my heart was wrapped up in offense, and I was struggling with hurts, she would say to me, without batting an eyelash: "Lidj, what you do with your own hurts is your own business. The choice to forgive is yours. Release those who have offended you. You CANNOT... you MUST NOT, live in unforgiveness!"

Everything in life is a test...and a choice. This was a very important truth that Barb imparted to me.


If there is one lesson that Jerry and Barb engraved in my heart, it is the lesson of learning to forgive.

It is through their ministry that I discovered the many layers of unforgiveness inside my heart, deep seated anger that was effectively hidden underneath.

Those were the early years of my Christian life when I was a perfectionist and took secret pride in being one. Having had a good upbringing and a good education, I could do almost all things well.

But Jerry and Barb saw through it all... and lovingly they helped uncover the layers of pride, and through their gentle ministry of prayer and Godly counsel, the hardened layers of my heart began to soften.

Forgiveness is a choice. Jerry would preach this to us time and time again.

When you retain others in unforgiveness, you burn the very bridge over which you yourself must cross someday.

Forgiving someone who has done you wrong sets two persons free -- that person, and yourself.

I will never forget the valuable lessons I learned about forgiveness from this dear couple who mentored us, poured their lives into our lives.


Barb talked often of someday writing her book. Its title: Stones of Remembrance.

I don't know if she ever got to write it. But I do know that she has left many stones of remembrance in my own life.

Barb taught me the meaning of endurance, of persevering, of never giving up.

Matthew 24:13 says

He who endures to the end will be saved.

God is looking for overcomers, those who will not quit when the going gets rough, those who will not give up in the heat of trial, those who will finish the race. Barb's words of encouragement deeply etched in my memory.

Barb lived what she taught. She was a private person who did not openly share her pain and her trials. I know she has shed many tears behind the scenes.

She alone knows the many thorns that have pierced her mother heart.

But we have seen her endurance, her steadfastness under difficult circumstances. She held on to God; she was a prayerful woman.

She stayed on course, focused on the goal. She never gave up. She fought the good fight.



Today Barb has crossed the finish line. She has overcome, she wears the victor's crown.

And as I remember much of what she has deposited in my life, I do so with the joyous expectation that I will see her again someday.

Goodbye for now Barb, my dearest friend, my mentor and spiritual mother! Thank you for your life. I will always love you. We will be together in eternity.



Below is a hymn by written by Steve Fry that best summarizes the kind of life that Jerry and Barb modeled for us.

Indeed, I will be forever grateful for the life of Barb that has been poured out for many of us.

Let It Be Said of Us

Let it be said of us that the Lord was our passion,
That with gladness we bore ev'ry cross we were given,
That we fought the good fight, that we finished the course,
Knowing within us the pow'r of the risen Lord.

Let the cross be our glory
And the Lord be our song,
By mercy made holy,
By the Spirit made strong
Let the cross be our glory
And the Lord be our song,
'Til the likeness of Jesus
Be through us made known.
Let the cross be our glory
And the Lord be our song.

Let it be said of us: We were marked by forgiveness,
We were known by our love and delighted in meekness,
We were ruled by His peace, heeding unity's call,
Joined as one body that Christ would be seen by all.

Let the cross be our glory
And the Lord be our song,
By mercy made holy, by the Spirit made strong
Let the cross be our glory
And the Lord be our song,
'Til the likeness of Jesus
Be through us made known.
Let the cross be our glory
And the Lord be our song.

(Words and music by Steve Fry)

Read about out Memorial Service for Barbara Osbron: Honoring Barb

Flowers for Anthony

"A really big field of sunflowers (probably more than five million)
at the Abbey of the Genesee, Piffard, NY."

Photo Credit



But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,
and all these things will be given to you as well.

- Matthew 6:33

Anthony Yeo, Singapore's "Father of Counselling", passed away on Saturday, June 20.

He was the Clinical Director for the Counseling and Care Center in Singapore.

Diagnosed with Burkitt's lymphoma in early May, he underwent chemotherapy after which the cancer went into remission. He passed away due to some complications, including a lung infection and pneumonia.

He was 60 years old. (Read Yahoo! news item here)

Other than a text message from a friend informing me about it, I have no other first hand source of news regarding Anthony's last few months here on earth. However, I was able to read some of the online tributes written by people whose lives he had impacted.

When I received the SMS message about his death, just two days ago, a deep sadness touched my heart and I had a leading to write something about Anthony Yeo.

This is strange, because I met Anthony only once before, and that was many years ago, when he was the speaker at the Graduates Christian Fellowship-Inter Varsity Christian Fellowship conference in Bacolod City.

This morning I still felt sad as I remembered Anthony is no longer with his family and friends in this earthly life, and again, that desire to pay tribute to a man I hardly knew rose in my heart.

I brushed the thought aside, but the thought would not leave my mind.

I realized God must be trying to tell me something.

So, I talked to Him about it. After asking God what it was that He wanted me to write about Anthony, there was a sudden flashback in my memory.

There Anthony was, probably in his late forties, and asking this question:

What do you think is the meaning of Matthew 6:33?

What do you think Jesus meant when He said, "...all these things will be given to you as well?"

That was when I remembered.

It was Anthony Yeo who confirmed the desire in my heart, even at that time, to re-evaluate my faith, and begin to deepen my resolve to really live as a kingdom person.

The rest of his teaching during that weekend is just a blur. I actually do not remember most of it, except that he taught on Matthew 6:33. But I do remember going home after that weekend retreat with a renewed commitment to simplify, to live my life as a "no frills" woman, and to just let Jesus lead me closer to His heart.

There was that deep desire to live for God alone, and to seek His will and His guidance in all the choices I made. Yet, hindrances would often get in the way.

I will never forget what Anthony said in answer to that question. He said that the phrase "all these things" actually mean "all the things we need to survive - what we will eat, what we will drink, and what we will wear."

All the things we need to survive.

He was quite direct to the point. The Son of man did not have so much as a pillow to lay his head on. He probably did not have two or three closets full of clothes to choose from. He did not have three or four cars in the garage.

He only did what His heavenly Father told Him to do...

I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself;
he can do only what he sees his Father doing,
because whatever the Father does the Son also does.

- John 5:19

Jesus did not live for Himself, He lived for the Father's pleasure. And He invites us to do the same.


Now, as I write these words, I recall just how gripped I was by Anthony's simple message of kingdom living.

My heart is beating fast, I feel my face getting warm, and tears welling up in my eyes.

God is reminding me just what Anthony had contributed to my life. I am what I am today because a man named Anthony Yeo asked that crucial question fifteen years ago, and my heart heard what the heavenly Father was saying to me through this humble, soft spoken Singaporean man!

I never saw Anthony again after that. But now I understand why my heart was so moved upon hearing the news of his death.

This man had been used of God to impact my life in a way that I am appreciating only now!

I believe with all my heart in the abundance and generosity of God. He has created us for beauty, and joy, and Jesus Himself said that He has come to give life to the full, the abundant life.


James says in James 1:17 that "every good and perfect gift is from the above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."

Anthony's message was not about depriving oneself, but about making God-honoring choices in a world that measures one's worth by one's attainments, accomplishments, and achievements!

Living life from this heavenly perspective adds beauty and dimension to what God has been teaching me the past decade of my life.


I have borrowed a beautiful picture of sunflowers to post together with my tribute for Anthony. Whenever I think of sunflowers, I always think of how heaven must be full of them.

A lot of times, Anthony must have been just a lonely voice in the wilderness, speaking up for the downtrodden and the underdog. In his own, quiet way, he reflected God's heart, and was not afraid to speak his heart out. After living a full life, God has called him home to his eternal rest.


These flowers are for you, Anthony. I thank God for having allowed me to meet you at that juncture in my life journey, sending you to be the messenger that will speak His words that have continued to impact my life up to now.

Here are some of the online tributes to Anthony Yeo:

Tribute to Anthony Yeo, a truly gifted counselor/The Straits Times

Tell Me What To Believe

Tribute to Anthony Yeo/Facebook

Final Farewell to Anthony Yeo

Remembering Anthony Yeo

Our Thoughts Are With Anthony Yeo