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.

CNY Review

There are times when mixed feelings struck you and you are helpless. There are times as you gaze upon the sky shooting through the stars and you mind goes floating.

It's the 6th day of the Chinese New Year. Vividly this year everyone can sense that the atmosphere of celebrating the festive season had gone down the hill. Shopping wasn't that frenzy anymore. Miraculously the traffic was quite smooth and clear. No severe traffic congestion. For the past years, there are a few indicators telling you the momentum.

1. Traffic. Registered number plates tell you where they are are returning from.
2. Shopping attitude. Number of buyers and sellers.
3. The greatness of fireworks and firecrackers. The economic downturn does not pose a significant effect on this.
4. House visitation. Or even renovation works.

I talked to a few people. Some said they slept in during new year. Some cut down their annual house visitations. Few friends went travelling with family. We used to call that "避年/Avoid Celebrating New Year". I will say the economy influences the way it is.

10 more days to go. I have been back for almost 2 months. Time flies. Indeed! Friends bidding adieu, back to their own reality. All the best to you all. Wherever you go, wherever you are, remember God is with you, watching and taking care.

That's the Way

Blessed Chinese New Year everyone!

Lunar festive season has always been one of the major events that I look forward every year. Personally, it is the atmosphere, the process of preparation and just by looking at the effort being poured out by every household to conduct a tedious overhaul, spring clean and perhaps making some renovations to further titivate the house. Apart from being the precious moments where relatives and friends gather together to savour over the reunion dinner, you gotta have fireworks and firecrackers to light up the day! Albeit being illegal, setting off fireworks and burning fire crackers has always been the tradition of the Chinese. You never lose your root, you keep it tight and strong. Therefore, there are still many who take the risk of being caught by the law keepers to spare a specific amount of money to further boost the celebration atmosphere. Keep it the way Sibu-ans.

Visitations can be mental draining and exhausting. But definitely, it might be the only chance in a year to meet up someone. For years down the journey, my family's schedule of visitation and welcoming has mostly been the same. Perhaps just being used to it.

Reflecting the past few days, apart from the awesome fireworks and deafening bombing, I overheard some conversations and witnessed some scenarios or scenes that are worth to be pondered about.

1. What do we actually live for? Is it just about birth, getting old, illness and death? Or just striving the best to earn the top earning career, buy big cars and houses, or to marry successful husband or woo some beautiful gals? Who is Christ to you?

2. One superstition and old thinking or perhaps never gotten to read and understand the bible - If Jesus is great, how come he (a pastor) died in the accident while the passenger was alive? Who is mortal?

Out of all the visitations so far, I was impressed by this lovely family where all the children and grand children gathered together having joyful moments with their parents/grandparents. Wonderful catch up over the dinner table, watching the 50th Anniversary video clip of their parents/grandparents together in the living rooms. Kids and teenagers having close kinship.... I reckon it is hard to find many of this family.

It warms your heart when the host shows great hospitality, either the adults or the children. Oh lovely kid - Wilson and the charming teenage girl who served me! =)

Be grateful. Be thankful. Count His blessings!