A Thought

This thought came across my mind and I halted and pondered. This may sound weird but it's true!

It's a random thought about Cars! Cars people!

Well, for majority students studying overseas, the main dishes that haunt you persistently will be mainly your accommodation, Uni days, homesicks, and just things that go about one's life. For Brisbane, public transportation has been innovative, modern and efficient, definitely if compared to KTM in Malaysia, not to mention the bumpy airconless steam-powered bus (sorry for exaggerating about the condition! Just couldn't help). I still remembered when we first came to Brisbane, King George Square, Roma St and Central Station are just like airport terminal. It's amazing to see the massive gap between the modernization and development between my beloved country and this GuiLao's place. Anyway, my point is that, as an international student, one will not really think of getting a car to zoom around, unless the place one resides is really inconvenient, or that one has just too much cash to deposit on. The downsides are that the car maintenance is exclusively expensive, parking fees cost you a fortune though the cars are mesmerizingly cheap.

Ok. Here is my thought. My friends and I have been blessed by many who drive. Isn't it great if someone give you a lift, cutting down your hassle of walking and catching the public transport, and send you straight to the destination. Deep down in my heart, I am so blessed and I am really thankful for you all (you know who you are :P). Therefore, the thought of getting a car has always been tugging at my heart (though foreseeably,it won't be occurring). For me, I want to serve people, especially the bros and sis in lifegroup and church. It just touches your heart so much to be able to stand in the need of someone. I think it is a great act of service, to bless others.

However, funny but true, if you are attached or engaged, the act of service might be disturbed. For once you might be fetching a full car of lovely peeps with Chris Tomlin singing Let God Arise, but the next moment, you will either be driving a person you are infatuated and fallen into with Elton John humming Can You Feel The Love Tonight or "Sorry, I am not heading home now. Can you follow XXX?" Or presumably, once you are fetching a full house of Guys, but the next moment, you are driving a full house of girls (your sweetheart's housemates or mates staying near your sweetheart) :P Isn't it amazing!

Well, for me, if I am blessed with a car, no matter what, I will bless others as long as my days are available. I believe my sweetheart then will understand :P Putting God's children first, loving God's people and seeing them being blessed, just warm your heart.

For now, I love Translink!

Little Updates

Hi People! Realize that I have been hiding myself from blogging, or perhaps blogging has never been something that I am really passionate of. Somehow I opt to be a blog reader than a blogger. You will agree with me of the pros and cons for both. Reading people's blogs can boost you, bring insights, encourage you, motivate you, trigger you to ponder and contemplate over life issues, and sometimes, to stalk people unnecessarily just to find yourself digging into the life of someone you probably wouldn't know. Having said that, blog is meant to share with others, if one would like to keep it private then keep it that way; if not, you are just exposing yourself to the world of technology.

My last post dated two months ago. Within these two months, eons have taken place. Being pushing myself to excel in my studies for the glory of God, not just living up to the recognition that I am a Scholar which doesn't really have its say, serving in Lifegroup, doing life with lovely bros and sis, churching, attended a worship night with Bethel Church from Redding, CA at Citipointe Church Brisbane, being through the final exams, tightened up my schedule especially for the planning of Campus Christian Movement 2011 as being the Events' Coordinator with a team of people to work with, meeting datelines, doing sponsorship drive, and of course doing some shoppings prior to my departure back to Malaysia for the summer holidays. Oh yeah, it has been crazy few months grabbing and hunting stuff on some Australia online shopping websites, credit to my shepherd who taught me so much not just along the line of spirituality, but how to hunt for good priced stuff. Apparently Catchoftheday.com.au has been one of the top listed website. The prices are amazing, not to mention the freebies caught online. Consequently, I found myself jogging my way to the Toowong Post Office week in and out to collect my parcel. Having said that, I love the place that I am currently residing in. With uncertainty holding back my dear housemate's future whereabouts, we decided to give it a go. Praise the Lord we managed to seal a new lease with no rental increment prior to Buibui's departure back to Malaysia. Everything is just in time. Signing a new lease basically means we do not need to worry about survival and accommodation headache upon returning from summer break. Apparently, Auchenflower is just one of the most convenient and sustainable place to live me. Let me throw you some lights upon this.

1. It is located at Zone 2. 5-10 mins bus trip to Brisbane CBD, where my campus is located. Amazingly, there are heaps of buses to catch, you don't need to rush and make yourself a fool chasing after buses.

2. 10 mins walk to the Church Office, which has been a place that I often patronize since God opened the door to serve in the worship ministry.

3. 2 mins bus to Toowong Village where grocery is done.

4. Jogging track stretching along Brisbane River down my apartment all the way from Toowong to Gardens Point.

5. 10 mins bus trip to UQ St Lucia where church is held weekly. There is direct bus to catch down the road to UQ, which means I do not need to change bus as I did for the entire 12 months in 2009 when residing at the old place.

6. Brisbane Basketball Incorporation with awesome indoor basketball courts is just a stone throw distance from my place. I can shoot hoops for free on monday, tuesday, thursday and friday!

Enough of my current updates. I will share more with what God has been doing and tugging in my life and heart for the past weeks, about my 21st Birthday, the Church Legacy Conference, being impacted by different ones as well as embarking on the journey of sweeping victories in God and cultivating the getting my nose digging into books and His words. I would like to see a different and fruitful summer holidays this round!

To then, Love!

Joshua Kong

Be Contented. Give Thanks.

If you were born with a Golden Spoon in your mouth, growing up perfectly fed and in your little round cosy bubble, getting everything you desire and thinking that your life is going to be forever smooth, have you ever pondered what your life will be and the significance of the difference it means if you were born in a less fortunate family?

If you have been grumbling, dissatisfied with what you have now, being never contented, not realizing how blessed you are, have you ever wondered if you were born in a destitute family, not even be able to secure an opportunity to study in the higher education or to say the least, you have to dream to have certain thing, that anyone else can get without much consideration?

What is this life, given to us, that we are never contented, admiring and have green eyes of what others possess?

What is the cry, for you to carry a Big W Bag while seeing someone holding a LV Limited Edition bag?

It is sick and tiring, if we need to be forever self-conscious, thinking of how others will think of us, how people judge us, how do I present myself in front of others, will I be mocked? Etc.

Bible teaches us that we are not meant to judge, for at the end days, there is only one who has the authority to judge the whole earth, none other than God. For we cant live a life to please everyone, but we can and should live a life that pleases God. When God smiles.

Strengthen yourself so that current will not swipe you away. Do not conform to the world.

Friends, Be Who You Are. And in ALL circumstances, Give Thanks to the Lord and Rejoice Always.

Racing for Time

I have to admit that I am not a frequent or hardcore blogger, but at least, I blog when the mood kicks in.

One day in His court is better than thousand days elsewhere. Sometimes I wonder, how long will be a day in His court? Time flies so swiftly before you realize. 6 man months gone, what have you achieved?

The 1st semester of my 2nd year was indeed tough and the result came swallowing you down. It wasn't that bad, or perhaps my expectation was higher? But still, I praise God for my result.

Every student's dream during holidays is to hid yourself in the blanket until the sun sets, plan for breakaway, hang out with dear Johns, or just have a life of simplicity. For me and some of my peers, we are totally on the opposite river. Day in and day out we are busy preparing and planning for events, conference, serving in Lifegroup, church, attending and chairing meetings and etc. But somehow, I found that inward joy bursting out, knowing that I am serving a Big Big God. I pray that my motivation, empowerment and strength will be all for him and from him, knowing that my labours in Him are not in vain. Frankly speaking, every meeting, every practice is fun filled. Everyone is excited. The spirit is just overwhelming.

I am now into a new page of life, especially in the ministry that I am serving in. Thank you so much Joseph for your encouragement and opportunity for me to serve as a little young drummer, with no experience and proper training, is a long milestone for me! Let me roll the beat for you God! Six Eight? Triplet?

The orientation and market day for Campus Christian Movement is just days away, harvest ground, here we come!

Daniel 1 Lake Wivenhoe Camping trip was one of my most enjoyable camps ever. You missed it if you know you were not there :P CCM 1st Inaugural Student Conference is 3 days away! High expectation for a fun and spirit filled Conference!

Last but not least, Amazing G Race on the 31st July! Wooohooohhhh!!! People, come join us in this wonderful event and see if you are amazing enough, or me! Gear up to the challenge and the fantabulous prizes are waiting for you!

For more information, visit http://ccmqut.blogspot.com/

What Lies Ahead

Sometimes I wonder, what lies ahead.

Today, my 3rd semester in Brisbane officially ended. Head held high charging to uni early in the morning, I battled with my last paper, and came out wounded. It wasn't the 1st time I hurt, the truth is that I suffered bruises and wounds here and there throughout the 4 papers that I sat for. It wasn't a vintage semester, undeniably, all the subjects were real challenging, even from the beginning of the downgrade of some assignments, though recovery achieved in the second leg, the final exam was a piece of hard nut to crack. Lord I trust in you. It is not a matter of how good grade I can achieve, but I just desire to honour You in my studies. May be I have given my best, may be not.

Gone the semester, welcome the winter break. It gonna be one whole month. My foreseeable schedule is fully packed. To further substantiate the fact, I gave up the National Conference and Games (NCG) in Canberra. Initial plan of returning home was shrugged off hardly way early.
Coming on:
1. Daniel 1 Breakaway Camping @ Lake Wivenhoe.
2. Meetings...
3. Inaugural Campus Christian Movement Student Conference at Watson Convetion Centre
4. Amazing G-Race

Amazing G-Race is gonna leave a page in my life. I am heading the organising team, so who can we beat? :P Keep the event in prayer.

During the exam month, I hadn't sport a lot, and the cold weather was pushing my perspiration back into the body. Let it all out please! First thing first after my exam, I found myself running up and down on the basketball court once again. Reignited. Something that I am passionate of, something that I hope I can be really good at.

Looking back, I picked up a number of sports, from badminton to basketball, basketball to soccer etc, but I haven't really achieve much. "Half pail of water", the Chinese saying goes. Perhaps if I had given myself in the primary years in the sports, I will be a super star now. Jay Chou, come on! It didn't taste nice when you meet those state or national players who were once the same par as you, or even below the par when you both started. Only If. But wait, there might be a twist, as most sportsmen didn't study much. God is great, I am just too succumbed to say that. He has a plan, if Plan A works, Plan B can never work. But yes, all of us have a choice to make. A choice that honours God, is above all.

However, though I am not a superstar, nor a star, sports allow me to make sea of friends, and a channel to speak the word God into people's life. Life is tough, is never easy and it doesn't speak complacency. Once you halt, you stop growing and you stop seeing things. Challenges are omnipresent. Seeing the pain and hardship of many ones, it hurts you too.

Lord, be it a fruitful, productive and joyful holiday ahead. For you are in me, and I am in you. Love.

The Journey

It has been a long long journey. The past 5 months have been real hectic. Everything went on with great momentum. Since I landed in Brisbane after the well-fed summer break, I haven't had a chance to really lay back and take a break off everything. I was deported to another family of Daniels, therefore bridging up relationship with new brothers and sisters in Christ. I will say that God is just indescribable and unfathomable, even in His divine art of creativity by breathing a purpose into every creation, that one will see value/s in another person's life. There is always something to learn from, as the saying goes, iron sharpens iron. They are great people everywhere, but what matters most is how we can grab the most out of it, not indicating that we make use of people, but that we pick up and learn from each other.

Throughout this period of time, multitude of things took place, be it encouraging, rejoicing, saddening or disheartening, I know that everything occurs with a purpose, that everything has its time. There is much to be worried about, yet there is much to let go. Life is all about transforming, moulding and shaping into a man after God's heart. I know that it is always easier said that done, where many occasions we cried out to God, that we truly want to be the man and woman of God, many convictions were made, vows taken, pages of diary been written, going all out burning with passion like the hot buns just taken out from the oven, but yet, at times, we realize that we are feeble, weak and fragile. The passion might die off halfway, being discouraged as Satan knocked fervently at our doorsteps and we opened the door, or subconsciously found ourselves dwelling in the trend on the world that we lost track.

Things that marked my first 5 months of 2010:

1. My brother did awesomely well in his SPM Public Examination: 11A+ 1A but this still could not earn him a well deserved top scholarship. In His hands.

2. Mom has to go for an operation, but by the Grace of God,the operation was called off, moderating from time to time. In his hands. Thanks everyone for your prayer.

3. Involved in CCM events' planning.

4. Served as a drummer for Daniel 3 Worship Night, ever since I last played, but went out of beat and screw up. If You called me to be a drummer in Your House, I will be your forever drummer , O Lord.

5. Fished the very 1st time in my life, hooked a shark even.

6. Missing you. I am not sure when we shall meet again, or how much we have changed, but I trust, I believe. His plan is perfect for He never fails. In His hands.

7. Uni life is a pain in the neck. But I know everyone has to taste it. All Glory to God, be it. In His Hands.

8. Participated in the MASCA QUEENSLAND SPORTS CARNIVAL and Asean Basektball Games, but will definitely miss the National Conference and Games in Canberra.

9. Made new friends, found a new tea shop. Fell in love with pies. Love cooking.

10. Attended Oceania Convention.

.................. Anticipating what's ahead.

I wanna be. I wanna be. I wanna be. Sometimes I ponder and contemplate, how awesome it will be if my whole life is just all about His Business, participating full time in His plan and dimension.

Something that embedded onto my heart recently - May I be the Sea of Galilee, not the Dead Sea. More of You. More than Life. All the way.



4.

Five Loaves and Two Fishes

A little boy of thirteen was on his way to school
He heard a crowd of people laughing and he went to take a look
Thousands were listening to the stories of one man
He spoke with such wisdom, even the kids could understand

The hours passed so quickly, the day turned to night
Everyone was hungry but there was no food in sight
The boy looked in his lunchbox at the little that he had
He wasn't sure what good it'd do, there were thousands to be fed

But he saw the twinkling eyes of Jesus
The kindness in His smile
And the boy cried out
With the trust of a child
he said:

"Take my five loaves and two fishes
Do with it as you will
I surrender
Take my fears and my inhibitions
All my burdens, my ambitions
You can use it all to feed them all"

I often think about that boy when I'm feeling small
Find More lyrics at www.sweetslyrics.com
And I worry that the work I do means nothing at all

But every single tear I cry is a diamond in His hands
And every door that slams in my face, I will offer up in prayer

So I'll give you every breath that I have
Oh Lord, you can work miracles
All that you need is my "Amen"

So take my five loaves and two fishes
Do with it as you will
I surrender
Take my fears and my inhibitions
All my burdens, my ambitions
You can use it all
I hope it's not too small

I trust in you
I trust in you

So take my five loaves and two fishes
Do with it as you will
I surrender
Take my fears and my inhibitions
All my burdens, my ambitions
You can use it all
No gift is too small



So what can your loaves and fishes do?