Here's a look at the Top 5 most-read stories this 2023.
This 2023, it has been our joy and privilege at Salt&Light to bring you story after story of God’s love, peace and hope.
We sincerely hope that our work has encouraged, edified and encouraged you in one way or another.
As we bid farewell to the year that has passed, here’s a wrap-up of the Top 5 stories that you loved this 2023.
#5 “God, if you can move mountains, what more can You do with these cancer cells?”: Stage 4 cancer survivor Calise Teo
“I’d just delivered a baby and was looking forward to another child in our family. I was so shocked and scared,” said Calise Teo of the moment she received the diagnosis of advanced breast cancer. Photo courtesy of Calise Teo.
On her 37th birthday, just four months after giving birth to her third child, Calise Teo received the devastating news that she had Stage 4 breast cancer that had spread to her liver, bones, kidneys and spine.
In an instant, her life was turned upside-down. It was not long before she was unable to do simple daily tasks like dress herself or walk.
In the midst of the pain, Calise clung tightly to Psalm 23:4 as she fought for her life: “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
And through it all, she prayed: “If You can move mountains, what more can You do with these cancer cells?”
Then four months into her treatment, the scan came back with a miraculous result.
#4 She knew he was “the one” but struggled with her feelings even until her wedding day
Through the ups and downs and married life, Grace Tan and David Cheng turn to prayer to bind them together. Photo courtesy of Grace Tan.
Grace Tan did not consider David Cheng as a life partner, nor did he consider her, until both heard God tell them separately that they would marry each other.
But when they started dating, Grace struggled with the lack of romantic feelings in their relationship. After a tumultuous beginning, desperate requests for confirmation and a brief entanglement with another man, Grace finally decide to commit to David.
In doing so, and pressing on through the ups and downs of marriage and family life, she has learnt what it truly means to love and give unconditionally like Jesus did.
“When I make that decision to love my family unconditionally, naturally the emotional aspect also flows,” said Grace. “It brings a peace and joy that romantic love alone can’t.”
#3 Scammed of a million dollars, her father almost lost his mind. But he emerged with an even greater treasure
“God is near to those who choose to believe in Him, and He sets us free to live on this earth in His power,” said Juinn Yee. Photo courtesy of Juinn Yee.
Scammed of a million dollars by a business partner, Juinn Yee’s father suffered a full-blown mental breakdown that saw him admitted to a psychiatric ward.
Yet through a series of divine visions from others, he and his daughter encountered Jesus in supernatural way.
“As I shook, Dad also started shaking. Then, he wailed. It was as though the floodgates of his sorrow were opened. I had never seen my Dad cry before,” recalled Juinn Yee of the encounter.
“I felt refreshed and renewed, and I knew that I had encountered God in person. That day, my faith in God was sealed and it was no longer just an intellectual faith. This God is real, merciful, powerful and living in our very midst. He is not some distant God to be feared.”
#2 “God worked a great miracle for Freddy”: How prayer helped heal son of former Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo
Young Freddy was given just a 10% chance of survival, but God heard the prayers of the many who interceded for him. Photo courtesy of Mrs Jennifer Yeo.
When Frederick, the three-and-a-half-year-old son of former Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in 2004, the family “felt as if the roof had collapsed on us”.
In his book, Series Two, George Yeo: Musings, released earlier this year, Mr Yeo detailed how young Freddy’s cancer came back twice, prompting them to send their son to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital in the United States in hopes of saving his life.
Throughout their ordeal, it was the prayers of family, friends – including Li Xiuqi, the daughter of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong – and even strangers, that upheld the Yeos.
“All these prayers changed the outcome for Freddy who was initially given less than 10% chance of survival … God worked a great miracle for Freddy,” Mr Yeo’s wife, Mrs Josephine Yeo, told Salt&Light.
Freddy recovered from the leukaemia and in 2021 graduated with a medical degree from University College London. He is now a junior doctor in the United Kingdom.
Mrs Yeo added: “When we pray, we connect with God who is Love and it is this amazing love that heals us and brings about miracles for us.”
#1 Joseph Chean, passionate advocate for missions, called home to be with the Lord
Joseph Chean’s sudden and tragic passing triggered an outpouring of grief in the Christian community in Singapore and beyond.
News of Joseph Chean’s tragic passing on November 15 sent shock waves through the Christian community locally and abroad.
The former National Director of YWAM Singapore and Strategic Coordinator of Antioch 21 was involved in a car accident in Turkey, while on a short break after leading a YWAM Discipleship Training School in a nearby country.
Tributes poured in for the well-loved leader as people renewed their commitment to missions, about which Joseph was deeply passionate.
Pastor Jeff Chong, Chairman of LoveSingapore, said: “What he started must not end with him. I believe there are thousands of lives he has inspired to bring the Gospel to the nations. For those he leaves behind, the greatest tribute we can give him is to pick up the mantle of the Great Commission to the ends of the Earth.”
And that’s a wrap for 2023!
If just one of our stories made a positive impact on your life and faith this year, then it would have made all the work that we do here at Salt&Light worth it.
We can’t wait to bring more amazing stories of God’s unfailing love and everlasting hope to you in 2024!
From the team at Salt&Light to all of our readers, have a Blessed New Year!
RELATED STORIES:
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