Once a BB, Always A BB

I first joined BB when I was 13 years old. Since young I have been watching the spectacular round town Christmas Procession and have good impression towards BB band. To me, BB is really cool. The opportunity came as I had to select a uniform body to fulfill the co-curriculum requirement set by the school.

However, the very first few meetings intimidated me regarding the strictness of the rules and the overall operation. These areas include punctuality, greeting the officers and those who are higher in rank, uniform tidiness, punishment for committing mistakes in drilling to name a few. Despite that, I gradually found thrill and excitement throughout the process, driven by the motivation to out-perform my peers. From there I moved on and continued to attend BB parades regularly and seeing more than what I had expected. Although I had always wanted to join the band to pick up certain musical instrument, the opportunity came late only when I finished my PMR public examination due to external commitments and tight schedule.

BB blessed me deeply throughout my teenage years. Reflecting back, BB taught and shaped me into the person I am today. Throughout my years in BB, I learnt much about discipline, self-control, spirit of excellence, unity, obedience, respecting others, taking up responsibility, servanthood heart, how to grow in a big community, and even in the areas of spirituality through NCO Sunday schools and bible study class. I also learnt to be thankful, giving and contributing back to the community and multitude real life skills from camping to cooking through all the award classes that I attended. I had great fun and special experiences through all the camps that I participated in. On top of that, I was honoured to be promoted to be a NCO where I started to pick up leadership skills. Apart from that, I picked up my dream instrument to be a snare drummer, something that I have been passionate about. I had to say from the beats and skills that mustered, it crafted the way to where I am today, serving the Lord as a drummer in my church’s praise and worship team.

All the camps, classes, meetings, competitions, and dozens of activities had made me a better person today. BB motto – forever Sure and Stedfast rings in me until today. I am challenged to make a difference in the world today and to the calling God has installed for me. God calls not the skillful ones, but those who are willing to serve Him. BB has shaped me in my character and personality, in alignment to the teaching of the Word.

To end my testimony, I would like to share a verse in the book of Philippians 3:12-14. It says that “ Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” What are we pursuing after in life? It is important to run with a purpose and not beating the air. We are called to die to oneself, to pick up the Cross that Jesus carried and to glorify God in all the things that we do, even as we drink and eat. Brothers and Sisters, lets count all those we have gained as loss and to value what God values in our life. Through BB, let us grow, build up and encourage one another as His love continue to compel us. God bless!

Of Love

How often do you actually see perfect relationships out there?

I have numerous conversations with different ones. Some I prayed for them, for healing, for hatred and hurts to subside... It took extra effort and trust to share with someone, I appreciate that.

You found the greatest love of all in God. Along the way you learn how to learn, matured, align your thoughts and patterns in line with God, shutting the world out.

Don't love just for the sake of loving. Don't love because you need a companion. Don't love because you are vulnerable to it. Don't love just to show that you have someone.

Find your purpose of loving.

Muck Up or Buckle Up

In life, we consciously or sub-consciously trying to cover things up, to hide. It is true to say that truth will resurface and be unveiled itself. Don't wait till we muck up our life. It is never too late. There is hope in forgiveness. We gotta confess and pick up from where we fall. God's grace is abundant, people might not. But who are they to condemn who we are? In Christ, there is no condemnation.

Follow Christ doesn't mean we will never fall again. What matters more is rising. In fact, we are carrying on with the battle of the flesh every single day, a reality that we can't deny. His throne of grace is reaching out to us everyday. We gotta buckle up. It is better to learn from the humble and listen to those who admit their weaknesses, rather than being impressed by those who proclaim and pretend that they are strong, pure and clean.

²³ The LORD makes firm the steps
of the one who delights in him;
²⁴ though he may stumble, he will not fall,
for the LORD upholds him with his hand. Psalm 37

"If you live gladly to make others glad in God, your life will be hard, your risks will be high, and your joy will be full." - John Piper

Who then, do you live your life to please?

One Thing Remains

I kinda love this song so much recently.

Higher than the mountains that I face
Stronger than the power of the grave
Constant through the trial and the change
One thing remains
One thing remains

Your love never fails it never gives up it never runs out on me

On and one and on and on it goes
It overwhelms and satisfies my soul
And I never ever have to be afraid
One thing remains

In death and in life I'm confident and covered by the power of your great love
My debt is paid there's nothing that can separate my heart from your great love

I have been talking to quite a few people recently about purpose of life and the key to eternal life. I have been digging out all my personal experiences and testimonies just hoping that one touch from Jesus will light their way, and change their perspective towards life. God is great, isn't he?

At times I try to put myself in the shoes of a full head of doubts, or even shocks especially when we sing praise and worship unto God, or when someone sharing God-stuff in front. How many of them will actually feel offensive, weird, religion-shock or even, that we are nuts. But when I think deeper, WHO CARES! We do our part, and they need to, have to, must listen and know the Gospel. Our hearts go out to them, all ready to embrace.

"Open up your heart, and let me in. Its never too late." - Come Away by Jesus Culture.

I'll Ask No More

Have been pondering a lot. Had a deep conversation with my housemate last night. Couldn't find an answer to that, but I know He holds the key.

It's a new day. Went for a run in the morning and prepared to go uni. I was showering while my mind was stuffed with all the questions that I have been asking for months and sometimes I just felt fed up and frustrated.

Out of sudden, this phrase came to me. "Just be faithful in the little things given/assigned to you."

I will ask no more. Your hands hold all things together, is your purpose that prevails.

I will shower more often.

The Purpose of Doing All This

Perhaps it is my strength or just that I love doing it, I have been involving or at least been partly participating in organizing quite a number of events, mostly to do with church or Christian movement.

None of it has been easy. Getting your team to roll together with you, tackling with communication issues, ensuring every member knows his/her role and complete the task assigned on time, calling for meetings, and even there is now a new culture formed that is to cook dinner for your team. Many days you drained yourself and figuring out solutions to the problems identified, on the other hand getting your sponsorship team to hunt for good sponsors, either food, cash, vouchers or prizes.

Having said that, I often question myself the purpose and objective of doing all this. What does it mean, and why should I hassle myself getting myself into extra responsibility? At times I couldn't imagine putting myself in the shoe of organizing events outside the Kingdom, that is merely for fun, meaningless and beating the air. If I were tired, what can keep me going?

The only answer and only purpose, certain enough is for the glory of God and His Kingdom purposes. Looking and recalling back, most of the events that we are dealing with have direct contact with non-believers and often we see the events as opportunities and paths to bridge closer relationship with them, to usher them to the truth of life and by the end of the day, One more is added to the Kingdom with all the heavens and angels rejoicing.

It is the Love that compels and motivates us. It is the Passion for Christ and His people that keep us going. We have one thing in mind, that is to serve the One God One Truth One Way wholeheartedly with One Heart One Spirit One Unity. Of the little that we can offer on the earth, may Your name be forever praised, that people will see Your glory and testimonies in life of many ones. We believe, through we what we do and offer, people will come to know Christ!

Back to Sunshine State

I determined to update my blog weekly but well, plan does fail.

I've been back to Brissy for about two weeks now and it took me 10 days to fully unpack my baggage. All I could say, I was worn out - busy in an out days and night! Yet it was fun, exciting, meaningful, and purposeful.

Here goes my journey. Upon checking out from the airport, I made my way to Surfers Paradise to attend one inspiring man's bucks party. For certain that their love story is touching. Joseph, hope you enjoyed your bucks party while you are still single then. Running on from that, I had a meeting on Sunday morning, attended church service, and booomm, came the busiest two weeks in a semester - O-Week and Market Day.

Was under the merciless scorching sun for 7 days, wooing people to join CCM, brief and grab them to join CCM Day Trip O.M.G - Oh My Goldcoast on the 20th March. Rejections did come our way, but that never dampened our spirit of catching the 3 passions to enlarge His Kingdom. Win QUT for Jesus!

It's not just about the quantity or number of people that signing up, though we exceeded our faith goal of 280 members for this semester, we would like to see more joining our weekly Lifegroup, to share life and to do life together. Gospel is the answer. Ensuing on after market days will be relentless calls and messages that consume dollars and dollars, all worth it to invite our new members to our events lifegroups and church. Their turn-ups just made your day! Rejoice! Joy! Gratitude!

Apart from that, we offer our manliness, physical strength and resources to those who are in need. Sometimes the feeling is quite amusing and weird at the same time. Reason is that we helped someone we met less that a day, to find accommodation, inspect house, drove them to sign contract, took a Saturday out to accompany to IKEA to do furniture shopping and just fair bit of misc of setting up and settling down. Love came down! Its all for love! If not, where is the motivation? What is the drive?

Friends, hope you guys feel good and loved among the groups. Catch the vision, run with purpose, the road to salvation is unfolding for you. Come and Believe! Freedom is here. He whom the son set free is free. You are no longer in bondage. Come. Come to the River of Life!

I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. 1 Cor 3:6.

We are the labourers, offer what we can with the days on earth. May all Glory be to God.