Genuine relationships – including all relationships, ranging from most general to most personal ones – can be broadly defined in different ways. Whatever its definition is, it requires continual, mutual commitments. Certainly, the relationship with God stands most vital, which in turn keep reminding me about the importance of the relationships with the people around me. I wrote about that in The Sabbath, a devotional sharing. This post shares an overview on what had happened for my past-one year. Of course, building genuine relationships is a never-ending process.

1.  CONCERNING MY PRESENT FAMILY

          First and foremost, I thank God and am glad that my parents and my brothers have accepted the Lord and are now walking with him. I have even decided to join them in the same Mandarin-speaking church (because I had been attending one communicating in English). Although there are still moments of trials, I pray we can grow strong and serve together for and with God. For The Ever-Greater Next-Moments is one of the devotional sharings most inspired by what had been happening in me and my family.

          At the time being I have been continually keeping in touch only with my immediate family members (i.e. parents and brothers). Well, guess I gotta be more intentional in this area. Family is always the safest zone in my life whether I feel troubled or joyful.

谢谢你，爸，因为你坚强努力地工作赚钱养家。
你的毅力要成为全家人的榜样！

谢谢你，妈，你为家庭所付出的心思我们知晓。
还有你下的厨，我在沙巴时只能怀念，却不能品尝，唉！

也谢谢你们，垲峻（我的大哥）和阿豪（我的弟弟），我们兄弟要继续努力。
若上帝允许，我们将来要创大大的业！哈哈！

也谢谢你，阿姨，虽然我们很少联络，
但你每月的支助重重祝福了我在大学生涯的日子！哈哈！

也谢谢你们，二伯伯，三伯伯，大姑姑，大舅舅和二姑姑二姑丈。
虽然我也没常与你们联系，但你们所给的帮助，鼓励和指示都使我受益不浅！

阿公、阿嫲，和公公、婆婆，祝你们身体健康。
我每次回去都盼望着要吃你们做的爱心甜品和拿手好菜！哈哈！

          Definitely, supports by the rest of the family are most acknowledged and appreciated. Thank you all!

2.  CONCERNING MY OWN DREAM FAMILY

          Besides, finding a life-companion remains my desperation. I had had a crush on a girl, as I had described in Finding A Girlfriend (the crush being resulted from a possible-to-be-misunderstood eye-contact), and, realistically saying, (1) I am still approaching to know the real her (hopefully not in vain) and (2) she also has yet to know the real me (if she’s ever interested to). Nevertheless, …

… even on a person one may have a crush,
if to share together there is nothing much,
nothing then it would be but a mere-emotional rush
if not a short-lived crush that awaits to be crushed.

Yet at that moment I will know what to do;
I just cannot and must not force my way through.

          Throughout this past-one year, I deliberately put to test my feelings towards her, and what I’ve found is that she has remained rather passive (or in a non-initiating role) for most conversations or matters except (1) some greetings and (2) official matters (such as those related to my portfolio as an Exco of Student and Residence Service), and thus, I think, the existence of many barriers between us is obvious. Sigh… Whatever it may be, from now on, “Sever the desire, but not the relationship” is how I should respond, I believe.

          Then, as a new beginning in this area of my life, Trusting In God As A Single spells out my heart, soul and mind regarding this major-issue in my campus (and future-working) life, in search of the right one lady.

          I’d just like to thank her here for the encouragements she offered during some of those trying moments which I took the initiative to share with her in writing. Well, we are still friends. God will always give her the best.

3.  CONCERNING MY FRIENDS

          In the perspective of friendship, at the appropriate time, the Men’s Breakthrough Weekend (MBTW) organised by Skyline Church has been a blessing. While I am desperate for my right lady with whom I can share my whole life – and her life – I thank God for the men in my MBTW group (two married and one in courtship) that as we open-up each of our hearts and share a bit here and there, prayers are offered and advices are given by the elders, even for our own quite-personal matters. Although the MBTW has just begun during mid-year of 2009, I believe it will eventually result in more strong bonds of friendship. Am I Accepted Or Not? is a little devotional sharing related to friendship.

          I thank my cell group, viz. Faith’s group, for being committed to the warm, friendly and relaxing Friday-evening moments every week, and Clive, Steven and Willy, thank you for what you’ve shared during the MBTW. And thank you, Nicolas, though my busy-ness might have taken its toll on our once-usual times of prayers and sharings. Also thank you, Zheng Feei and Chee Tze, for the occasional tea times where we could open our hearts to one another. And Liu Qing, thank you, too, for the encouragements you gave during some of those doubting moments which I had written about to you. And Rona, you who are staying over there in the Philippines, thank you as well, for the continual, authentic sharings through the chat-room and emails even though we’re far apart. And thank you all, those who have cared, prayed or concerned for me, your name may not have been mentioned here, but I pray God bless you always! Thank you.

4.  CONCERNING MY MINISTRIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

          In addition, relationships with bosses (in the case of students leaders, officers, deans, lecturers… etc), colleagues and subordinates are essential, with due regard to the importance of teamwork. Yet, it cannot be denied that problems exist among coursemates, housemates, colleagues (in student-led organisations), and so on. Leadership is another devotional sharings inspired amidst the trying times for the past-one year of my life especially as a student rep.

          I thank all UMS staffs and all my colleagues and all coursemates and all fellow-workers alongside me in the Messiah. Thank you all for your commitments; you know that I am talking about you

5.  OVERCONCERNING ABOUT THE FUTURE

          Lastly, there has been a battle in my mind: Over-concerning, or rather worrying, especially about the uncertainties lying in the future. Sometimes I just concern too much, about anything, at any time, any where… to the extent that such worries affect my relationships, performance in my studies, carrying out of my duties… etc. Nonetheless, there have been various ups and downs.

          All in all, I thank you, God. I thank you not so much for the circumstances around me, but specially for your goodness and loving kindness to all people regardless during good or bad circumstances. About the worries, I guess I need a paradigm-shift; help me.

FINALLY

          Undeniably, I have made mistakes. For instance, failing to manage myself in busy-ness and sometimes neglecting the importance of genuine relationships, or when students complained about campus bus service or inquire about some simple things, I got impatient quickly and responded too bluntly at times; I’ll continue to examine myself in these and many other areas of my life, and change accordingly.

          Finally, I am still praying specifically about what I would like to focus on as (by the 25th of September, 2009) I have entered into the fifth year following the Messiah. May God bless you, too, as he leads you in all the things that you do.

International Forum between the University of the Philippines Los Banos (UPLB) and University Malaysia SABAH (UMS) : YOUTHS AND ASPIRATIONS

Written by:
Ooi Christopher,
BSc. (Food Science and Nutrition)
School of Food Science and Nutrition
Universiti Malaysia Sabah

Date of Forum: 27 May, 2009

Excerpt:

This article describes my life during campus years in line with the forum’s theme ‘Youths and Aspirations’. It begins with a foundation that I live on, and continues with my youths and aspirations based on that foundation. Within the elaborations are briefed about the Student Body of my school, the School of Food Science and Nutrition in Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), the Student Representatives Council of UMS, and Sky Campus Community (SCC, a non-governmental organisation), based on my experience. The article ends with a list of challenges I think we as students face with. Footnotes are inserted wherever deemed necessary as a reference for further information.

(This article focuses on the general aspects of YOUTHS AND ASPIRATIONS. It was revised upon blogging due to the grammatical errors and long-winded contents in the 1st printed version that we distributed during the forum. Information about UMS’s schools and academics was not included in the forum; it was given in details during an appointment with the School’s Dean and Deputy Dean on 28th of May, 09, and is also briefly attainable at the official website of UMS: http://www.ums.edu.my)

BUILDING ON A STRONG FOUNDATION

       First and foremost, having spent nearly 2 years in Universiti Malaysia Sabah, I thank God for the abundant blessings he has bestowed on me and my family throughout the moments of our ups and downs. I firmly believe that, for a growing life, not only during our campus years but also throughout all life stages, our aspirations should be founded on two indispensable living-principles – (a) relational or communion-based and (b) educational or knowledge-based principles.

a.       Relational or Communion-based Principles

It is my daily mission to realise the importance of genuine relationships (vertically) with God and (horizontally) with my neighbours – that is, the people who are closely related to me (e.g. my family) and those who are around me (e.g. my friends). And to me as a Christian, Lord Jesus the Messiah should be the centre of our focus and attention for all strong and genuine relationships.

b.       Educational or Knowledge-based Principles

Practical education equips me as richly as it is made clear to all Malaysian citizens in the National Education Philosophy (NEP) of Malaysia:

“Education in Malaysia is on-going efforts towards further developing the potential of individuals in a holistic and integrated manner, so as to produce individuals who are intellectually, spiritually, emotionally and physically balanced and harmonic, based on a firm belief in and devotion to God. Such an effort is designed to produce Malaysian citizens who are knowledgeable and competent, who possess high moral standards and who are responsible and capable of achieving high level of personal well-being as well as being able to contribute to the harmony and betterment of the family, the society and the nation at large.”[1]

       In my opinion, both the relational and the practical, educational principles can be based on and integrated by Mark 11:29-31 of the Bible:

In Mark 11:29-30 is written “The most important is… you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength…”, which indicates our communion with God, the heart, soul, mind and strength of that verse corresponding respectively to the NEP’s four knowledge-based attributes – the spiritual, emotional, intellectual and physical attributes, and, integrating to the horizontal relationship with such vertical, revitalising communion as well as with those four attributes and other characteristics compacted in the NEP, we can apply in our lives what the Lord Jesus calls his second-most important commandment to mankind – that is, “…You must love your neighbour as yourself” [v. 31]. And Mark 12:29-31 ends with an emphasis: “… No other commandment is greater than these.”

YOUTHS AND ASPIRATIONS ROOTED IN A STRONG FOUNDATION

       The two indispensible living-principles lay the foundation on which I can discover boundless possibilities of successful and secure aspirations. It is a continuous process; I believe that, for us as campus students, our youth is a period as good to be grounded in that foundation as to apply it in our lives. Thus, a campus student should not just rely on academic achievements. I have personally taken part in various activities such as organising different programmes, trips, and farewell dinner for my school, SSMP, involving in the Stage-designing Unit of UMS’s Ang Pow Festival (i.e. an annual Chinese Festival for all UMS residents and the public), and participating church activities. Today, I am a member of UMS’s Student Representatives Council. Now, as a leader, juggling between academic and non-academic matters, it has never been easy to remain passionately motivated and motivative. I made many mistakes, and I find continual learning crucial for continual leading.

Youths

In The Student Body Of SSMP – 2008

       Being an undergraduate in the School of Food Science and Nutrition (SSMP) in UMS has never been more exciting. In addition to the profesionalism of the academecians are the opportunities for the students to get involved in practicals as well as non-academic activities. In the year 2008 I took up responsibility to help the Student Body in organising a practical programme called “Healthy Lifestyle (or Gaya Hidup Sihat in Malay)” especially for the Nutrition-course students. In that programme we practised what had been taught during lecture, namely the way to measure Body Mass Index and to educate nutritional knowledge to the general public.

       Among the other various activities that the school’s Student Body also organises are AIM Night (an annual dinner specially organised for final-year undergrads), field trip or visitation to food factories or farms (as an exposure to the working place), family day (to orientate new students), Food Bites publication (magazine of SSMP’s Student Body), seminars and talks (to equip students with extra knowledge), inter-school sports competition (to promote health awareness and harmony in UMS) and, just recently hosted by SSMP in the year 2009, the National Food Carnival (to harness inter-university-and/or-college connection nationwide) – I only managed to commit myself in helping to organise the first three activities mentioned here besides the “Healthy Lifestyle” practicals, but those involvements in fact paved the way for me to become what I am today, that is, a member representing SSMP in the Student Representatives Council of UMS.

In The Student Representatives Council (MPP) – 2009

       The Student Representatives Council (MPP) of UMS has the vision to dignify UMS students in a global arena. MPP declares its five missions as 5Ks – that is, (1) Kesarjanaan, (2) Kokurikulum, (3) Kebajikan, (4) Kesahsiahan, (5) Kesepaduan, the Malay words respectively for (1) Academic excellence, (2) Non-academic achievements, (3) Welfare, (4) Morality and (5) Unity, and its motto echoes this way: “To generate the supremacy of the community.” The general policies it upholds include the National Principles (or in Malay, the Rukun Negara), student right, the responsibility to liaise between university administration and students, organisational effeciency and effectiveness, and balanced growth in four attributes – the intellectual, spiritual, emotional dan physical attributes – mentioned also in the NEP. The challeges that MPP faces with are to increase students’ commitment, involvement and co-operation in the events organised, the policies proposed, in handling campus issues and in coming out with new resolutions about those issues, as well as to continually gain students’ trust in the MPP. The bureaucratic organisational chart is also one of the main challenges since many resolutions failed to be realised on time with such time-consuming system.

       It was not until after I received a vision from the Lord, was encouraged by my lecturers and friends, and was motivated by various speeches and readings that I chose to step out of my comfort zone and register myself as a candidate for the annual campus election in October 2008, which I then won with a slight majority and made it into UMS MPP. Up to now, I am in charge of the portfolio, Exco of Student Housing and Services (Exco 3P), alongside with my counterpart, Hazimin bin Awang (a student rep of the School of Social Science), until the dismissal of the Council towards the end of 2009.

       This is the vision of Exco 3P: To ensure that student hostels and the facilities within as well as the various services in the campus are kept in good condition and in a well manner, and to see improvements realised duly, for the benefit of all UMS residents. And this is our mission: To liaise between the university administration and the students of UMS for the welfare of the latter – conveying any of the former’s messages to the latter, voicing any of the latter’s needs to the former, and proposing solutions to any existing-problem before attempting with best effort to carry out those solutions – so as to realise our vision, continually.

       Other than making connections and cooperating with the Student Bodies of our respective schools to take care of students’ welfare and with the Committee of Student Welfare to handle issues in all student residential colleges, our responsibilities also include coordinating campus bus services and conducting ad-hoc matters such as surveying students’ response/satisfaction towards our services and the recent issue regarding the privatisation of campus bus service. Besides, we at times are also privileged to welcome visitors in UMS ranging from honoured guests to secondary school students. The MPP also has occasional retreats, the previous one being done at Membakut, Sabah.

In A Non-Governmental Organisation – 2008-2009

       Before I become a student rep I also joined a non-government organisation, called Sky Campus Community (SCC), formed under Skyline[2], the church I belong to in Sabah. We had Emotional Quotient Seminar (EQS) – the main speaker of which was an internationally recognised consultant and former professor in the University Malaya (UM)[3], Prof. Dr. Leonard Yong, who formulated the L.E.O.N.A.R.D. Personality Inventory (LPI)[4], Sex and Sensibility Seminar, mission trip to the interior of Sabah at Timbua village, outings to various places (such as Sapi Island, Kiansom Waterfall, Kinabalu Park… etc) in the state dubbed the Land Below The Wind, and freshies night/dinner. The target participants of SCC events consisted largely of UMS students. One of the most unforgettable experience for me was to present in front of the camera to introduce and report our mission trip at Timbua village through SkyNews (i.e. a video-news production) to the church. In short, my participations in SCC have been none other than a blessing to me, exposing me to and equiping me with various life-values, knowledge and skills.

       Notwithstanding, upon having been elected to be a member of UMS MPP, I have since then withdrawn myself from the core organising team of SCC, called ‘the Ablazers!’, and have become a participant of rather than a contributor to the organised events, in order to fully concentrate on my service in MPP, a ministry which I regard as a calling from God as I did equally SCC ministry. Such positional switch to MPP, as I have mentioned above, has been tough, and many of my weaknesses has been exposed, just like what Dr. John C. Maxwell wrote in his book, that “Defining moments defines your leadership”[5], and till now I am still a learning leader, learning from my mistakes.

       Nonetheless, as the saying goes, ‘A wise person learns from his mistakes. A wiser one learns from others’ mistakes. But the wisest person of all learns from others’ successes.’ I believe God works universally, and I agree with Dr. Maxwell’s saying that “Every person has a potential to teach us something.” Futhermore, we should always learn to serve within people of different ethnicities, religions, traditional backgrounds… etc, a practice which in fact has always been emphasised by all the prime ministers of Malaysia since our Independence Day on the 31^st of August, 1957. For example, the One-Malaysia Concept is recently propagated by our incumbent prime minister Dato’ Seri Mohd. Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak to “preserve and enhance unity in diversity”[6]. I believe that the gist of all these can be applied from what Mark 12:17 of the Bible indicates, and it can be written this way: “Give back to the Nation the things that are the Nation’s, and to God the things that are God’s”.

Aspirations

       Having personalised the two indispensable living-principles mentioned in the beginning of this article, I also find influencing them to my family, my friends and the society vital, too, as a leader, and that is why I have joined all the aforesaid activities and events. In the near future, what God holds for me I may not have clearly understood yet, but this is a calling for me: I will become a businessman-leader who contributes also to needy people and the nation’s welfare. I am currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science and Nutrition, the minor subjects of which, in UMS, are compulsory business-related studies. If God wants to, after graduation I will further my studies through a master’s degree if not a PhD. study in Food Science and Nutrition (probably also taking a certificate/diploma programmes on Psychology, for I am interested in it) and, perhaps, I will work as a tutor if not a lecturer first, since I am also fond of teaching and public speaking, and then take some courses if necessary – maybe the Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) – before venturing into my own business, throughout the process of which I pray that the mission reaching out to needy people will not die out in my heart, whatever situation I may be in.

CHALLENGES AND CONCLUSION

       In spite of the many youthful events and the very ambitious aspirations that each of us as campus student has, many challenges lie before us in the present and the future. For example, some people may think by common-sense that to remain academically competent in lieu of the various involvements is most challenging. Some others concern about choosing the right friends and eventually the one-right life-partner, which (honestly speaking) are not any less difficult! I agree with all that, and all the more with Maxwell’s popular saying, “The one thing that you need to know to be a great leader is that there is more than one thing you need to know to be a great leader” and  “Leaders are developed daily, not a day”. In this way, then, remaining firm in a strong foundation we will strain on forward for the aspirations God has laid in each of our hearts, for the good of those around us.

Proverbs 16:1,9

“Preparations of the heart belong to human beings,
but the response of the tongue is from the Lord…
… A person plans his way,
but the Lord directs his steps.”

Postscript and Acknowledgements:

Preparing for this forum has indeed caused me to reflect and realign my life, especially with the ideal theme ‘Youths and Aspirations’. It is my prayer that through this sharing every forum panelist (or the readers of this article) is benefited and blessed. In addition, I count it my privilege to also introduce UMS, specifically about its School of Food Science and Nutrition, with regards to the student activities, internationally. Last but not least, I would like to thank the administration of UMS and its counterparts in UPLB for giving me the opportunity to present this sharing. Thank you all and God bless you!

[2] Skyline SIB Official Homepage: http://www.skylinesib.com

[3] Offical Portal of UM: http://www.um.edu.my

[4] Source: Official website of L.E.O.N.A.R.D. Personality Inventory. http://www.leonard.com.my/

[5] Source: Leadership GOLD © 2008 by John C. Maxwell.

[6] Source: One-Malaysia Portal. http://www.1malaysia.com.my/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=358&Itemid=93&lang=en

Alighting from the bus this afternoon, I realised that I did not do the things I should have done properly. Passing a friend by, my mind was so focused on things and works that I overlooked greeting him/her or, even worse, his/her greeting to me. Waking up at 5am almost every day, instead of spending time in communion with God I had almost every time gone back to sleep.

Things like that happen often, and I am usually struck with a sense of guilt and sometimes depression at the moment I found that I did not do the things I should have done; something or someone is missing in my heart. That often makes me feel bad; that often makes those around me to feel bad. The disciples were not attentive, “… he found them asleep…” [Matt 26:43] and that, as we know, was followed by a disaster.

In today’s perspective, owing to mankind’s weakness many disastrous incidents happen, but we must not give up, “… All things are possible for God” [Mark 10:27]. Nevertheless, while no one knows whether the little things that we are doing will result in fruitfulness or a disaster, the important principle is that immediately when we hear from God we obey, now. What made Good Friday and Easter Sunday significant to us is this: hope is bestowed to the hopeless, and reconciliation to the deserted.

“Never let the sense of failure corrupt your new action.”

Oswald Chamber

Therefore, I must not let mere-guiltiness disable me. Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus; the assurance of forgiveness stems only from faith in the unique Son of God – “… I resolved to know nothing except Jesus the Messiah, and him crucified…” [1Cor 2:2]. From such faith comes the confidence to dare to fail and try again (not the license to sin and sin again).

And I believe this is the essence of Easter Sunday commemorating Jesus’ resurrection: “… not be based on human wisdom but on God’s power…” [v. 5]. It is an ever-renewing life to see God’s greatness despite our weaknesses; it is the reality of Emmanuel – God is with us.

Friends, are you and I living in communion with the Risen Lord daily and continually? Or is that kind of reality… far from us?

“It’s sad, so sad; it’s a sad sad situation… Sorry seems to be the hardest word…” How many of you know that song by Elton John? Well, actually it’s not that I am sorry for this, but I had truly been through a really sad SAD situation – a sad Single, Available and Desperate situation. This is because I kept thinking, “I’m single, available and desperate, but not ready yet.”

‘Don’t Cry, Joni’ is another song that will surely intensify the desperation of any single, young man who listens to it. I don’t know how about the ladies, but any man who knows this sweet yet sad classic knows that it is all about “Don’t wait too long! Engage her before another man does, or else regret your hesitation.” (I’m talking about finding a life partner.) Of course, not all people – actually, no one wants to – end up so sad as the poor Jimmy in that song ‘Don’t Cry, Joni’ did.

I understand why many people, including my parents and grandparents, keep asking me about whether I have found a girlfriend or not. I have my own reasons why I am not ready for a date or a courtship (yet). And thank God many people shared their experience openly with me. Now, although I may have a girl in my mind, and even though I had worried that I might be ‘25-minutes too late’ to express my affection, through this dilemma of whether to get involved in courtship or not…

**… I am learning…

how love is different from lust,
and how to wait, and how to trust.

I am still learning…
how to stay in touch… although sometimes in the past
the time we spent together… did not seem to last.**

That can be the chorus of one of the songs of my life!

Prepare First, Then Only Look For One

“If you are not prepared for marriage, then it’s better to not get involved (in a romantic relationship) at all!”

Joseph Prince

No matter how ‘desperate’ I am now, preparing myself to be a life partner must precede looking for a life partner, so that even if I am still single, available and desperate, I do not fall into a sad SAD situation in my heart or in my mind. Any thought or feeling of ‘singlehood insecurity’ stems from my own fault – I have forgotten if not ignored the genuine relationship I have had (or I should have been having) with God as well as with my family, relatives and friends.

TO CONCLUDE:

I should now keep in touch with all the friends who are around me. Although I am currently attracted to and infatuated with her, I shall draw the line so that I am a friend to her just like I am to a few other people; I should find out more about her and about myself first. I believe it is wiser that I learn to hear, obey God and live my life in holiness as her friend and as an individual myself first, instead of leaping desperately, impulsively and uncertainly into any commitment – commitment that in any moment arouses me to say any words or to behave in any way which signifies ‘till death do we part’ – with her; I think it is better for me to not have a dating or a courtship with anybody, than to cause that somebody (and myself) to go through a struggle of overcoming the hurts, disappointments and awkwardness of a break-up’s aftermath, unnecessarily. I am desperate for a genuine courtship, not an impulsive or an uncertain one!

“What if someone else gets to her first before I do? What if it’s too late for me?” Oh, come on! (I’ll just repeat **chorus**.)

“We do not fall in love with somebody, we cannot; we may fall into an infatuation, but we grow, not fall, in love (together).”

Benny Ho

So, am I just merely infatuated with her and nothing else? (I guess I have to go back to the conclusion above.)

Note: The target-readers of this sharing, like Finding A Girlfriend, are those who are single, available and desperate, not those who are dating or courting (as I don’t have that kind of experience to write such sharing), much less to say those who are married.

Joseph Prince, a prominent Singaporean speaker, once warned all the girls and women who are still single: “Before you choose a man to be your life partner and decide to marry him, never mistake his zealousness for his faithfulness… A man can be a great leader of various ministries and yet fails to be faithful to God or to his wife.”

Zeal or passion is an outward expression of a person’s inward faith, the genuine source of which is Jesus – “… the pioneer and perfecter of the faith…” [Hebrew 12:2]. First and foremost, I must beware of having mere-passion; I agree with Wigglesworth, “I find you can have zeal without faith.”  I must remember how Peter had sunk not long after walking on the water.

Peter answered him, “Lord, if it’s you, order me to come to you on the water.” Jesus said, “Come on!” So Peter got down out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came to Jesus.

How passionate Peter was… for a while…

But when he noticed the strong wind, he was frightened. As he began to sink, he shouted, “Lord, save me!”At once Jesus reached out his hand, caught him, and asked him, “You who have so little faith, why did you doubt?” As they got into the boat, the wind stopped blowing. Then the men in the boat began to worship Jesus, saying, “You certainly are the Son of God!”

[Gospel of Matthew 14:28-33]

Secondly, acknowledging that passion and faith must come together, I must also know in what manner of passion I am expressing my faith. The faith that comes from any source(s) other than the genuine Source always results in a short-lived if not counterfeit passion, which can be attractive to or repulsive against the people around. Such kind of faith either awaits a rebuke or will be proved fruitless eventually. For instance, remember how James and John were so filled with zeal that they wanted call fire down from heaven!

When his disciples James and John observed this rejection, they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?” But he turned and rebuked them, saying, “You don’t know what kind of spirit you are! For the Son of Man did not come to destroy the souls of men, but to save them.”

[Gospel of Luke 9:54-56]

All of us go through moments of trials and temptations. During those moments, in one sense I grieve because of sins – my sins or others’, but in another sense I learn to rejoice because I will, being led by the Spirit of the Messiah, know more about myself – (1) whether my passion is a mere-passion or it is accompanied by faith and (2) if I say I’m moving by faith, whether my faith is drawn from the genuine Source or not – and I will then be able to change myself as I (continually) listen to and obey God’s clear instructions; I will then learn the difference between ‘holding to an outward form of godliness but denying its power’ [2Tim 3:5] and ‘having been rooted in Christ and are being built-up and strengthened in the faith’ [Col 2:7], pursuing the latter with joy and thankfulness, in the moments which are meant to test my faith.

My family was away during my birthday, and of course they remembered me . Well, I have had marvellous birthday celebrations here in Sabah. Last year it was in my previous pastor, Clarence, house together with a few friends. This year was different; I was spending my birthday in the campus, happily. Although I post this a bit late, I would like to thank all of you who remembered my birthday.

To SSMP 2^nd year friends,

Thanks for the birthday party and the nice shirt, it suits me very well.

To Campus ABLAZErs,

The birthday cake was special, indeed! Yet, thanks but no thanks for the water splashing surprise! I’ll never forget that!

To my one of my gangs in the campus,

Thank you for bringing me to KFC and for the nice cup, I’ve already brought it to my office table. HEHE, you know what I’m talking about.

I would also like to thank those who have given great gifts to me. Thank you all!

I’ve just turned 22. This year is a challenging year for me especially in the area of management and academic, not to mention the big theme for me this year – the year of building genuine relationships.

All of you have made 12^th of January memorable for me this year, thank you!

After a moment of mental preparation, I was in tears while sharing on the topic of leadership during an impromptu public speaking session in the Student Council’s Induction Course organised by the university’s Student Affair Department (or Hal-Ehwal Pelajar) at Membakut, Sabah, on the 13^th – 16^th of December, 2008.

To begin with, I spoke to the participants – that is, the leaders within the Student Council – about what I learnt from the book “LEADERSHIP GOLD” by John C. Maxwell. Then, at one point of the sharing I roughly quoted Patrick Morley by saying that “although terrorist bombing is not common in this nation, imagine this: if it happens, the destruction would be disastrous and its aftermath hard to recover. So it is if we fail to control our emotion and anger as a leader: you just need one explosion and that’s it.”

After that, I went stuttering, being deeply troubled in my heart as some thoughts came to my mind and bursting out in tears before choosing finally to articulate it clearly to the audience: “I regret some of the things I did to my juniors last time as a captain during secondary school, now that after graduation I could only pray and hope that they will be influenced correctly by a good leader now and in the future.”

Subsequently, (after calming myself down,) I went on sharing about what I meant a good leader. “An effective leader might not always mean a good leader; Adolf Hitler was very effective, wasn’t he? Nevertheless, a good leader must be effective.” And I ended my sharing with this: “Therefore, even as I read different kinds of books and am open to many advices, I must look off to a good leader and hold on to a main, authoritative reference to truly understand the standard of living. So I present to you that, to me, the good leader is Jesus Christ, the only one who has never done anything wrong on earth and thus was and is and forever will be called the perfect Man, and the main reference is the Bible.”

What I had shared among them I also share with you now. That was just one of the many aspects of being changed by the Word of God. I was a hot-tempered person, and after knowing Jesus I wasn’t immediately changed; I went through a process of renewal by the Word of God and today, although I like you am by no means immune to the temptation to anger, I know at least that there’s an alternative way to overcome and to live a truly standard life, and that way is found in the Spirit of the Messiah as well as the God-breathed words in the Bible.

That way is neither to live by mere sound philosophies nor to merely adhere to laws and regulations – it’s a loss to think that the Bible and Christianity contain only those things – but the way of the Saviour and the Lord of heaven and earth is far more than just philosophies, laws and regulations; that way points to a genuine relationship between God and mankind restored through Jesus the Messiah. (Messiah in Greek: Χριστός, pronounced as khris-tos’ and translated as Christ, which means the Anointed One or the Chosen One.)

“In the beginning, the Word existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God.” – [John 1:1-3]

As the saying goes, “Like father like son”; “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son…” [John 3:16] the Word also so wanted to be genuinely related with mankind that he humbled himself in this way: “The Word became flesh and lived among us.” [continued from John 1 above, verse 14] That Word is God’s only Son.

This has come to pass after a cry was heard at a little manger in Bethlehem, on Christmas day. It was a cry of an innocent baby bearing the consequence of mankind’s sins. And, going through human growth from baby to childhood to adult, he has taught us by setting himself as a sinless, perfect example (and thus, as a good leader) while he was on earth and, more than that, he suffered, died (not for his own sin but to take away our sins) and rose from the dead before sitting down at the right hand of the throne of God, from whom he came [Hebrew 10], for us to follow him and his standard of living. Today, such genuine relationship continues through his Spirit, until the time we see him face to face during Perfection in the Last Day – until eternity.

That is the Good News according to the Bible. And that is why I celebrate Christmas. Friends, do you celebrate Christmas? Is the reason behind that celebration the Good News according to the Bible or something else? Don’t replace what is perfect with what is imperfect. “No human is perfect…” shouldn’t end just there; it should instead end this way: “… except Jesus the Messiah.”

Let me end this sharing with a song,

Jesus loves me, yes I know,
for the bible tells me so.
Little ones to him belong,
they are weak but he is strong.

Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so!

(This is a sharing for Christmas in the year of 2008 with 888 words including reference, excluding this last sentence, counted with Microsoft Word.)

From 30th of Nov to 2nd of Dec: I was one of the representatives sent from UMS Student Council to Melaka for a patriotic convention – Rukun Negara Convention

Then, I went home for 3 days and went to a musical called Heartbeat in Damansara Utama Methodist Church (DUMC), before going back to Sabah on the 6th of Dec.

Those events were unplanned, I didn’t expect to go home before I knew about the convention. Well, thank God for the opportunity just to catch up with my family and meet my friends in Petaling Jaya last week.

The convention was held in A Famosa, Melaka, a beautiful place. And in the musical were performed international dances. I was very blessed. After arriving at Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA), my friend straight away brought me to another Christmas event called Carols by Candlelight organised by Sutera Harbour. You can view some of the pictures in my Facebook! albums (Rukun Negara Convention, Heartbeat Musicals, Carols by Candlelights).

Above all, a few days after those events, I would like to share something in my next post about what I have learnt. Stay tuned…

A list of thanksgivings for things that has happened in November, 2008.

Managing Money

The church started a sermon series on Money. Different pastors teach on topics ranging from tithing, giving and saving to investments, debts and lending, incorporating them with biblical perspectives as well as guarding them against the system of the world. I’m very impressed when pastor said, “If you love God with all your heart and mind and strength, that doesn’t mean that you’re a good parent/leader/student; you have to learn to be one.” Practical skills are important in our life on this earth. I find this series of sermons very practical for me as a student.

Growing in exercising spiritual gifts

Pastor John gave us a list to assess our spiritual gifts. My result from highest to lowest score: (1) Administration, (2) Leadership, (3) Help, (4) Discerning of the spirits, (5) Word of wisdom, (6) Teaching. We’re told that the score changes from time to time, but the basic principle is to use the gifts God has given us to serve him and the people around us. God multiplies the gifts he has for us as we keep desiring and practising the gifts that he has already given.

Exams

Alright, I made a blunder in some of the subjects… Yet thank God overall still OK (according to my target, hopefully). Hmmm…

Overcoming Temptations and Habitual Sins

Temptations are bound to come… When God’s words is not in my heart (or in other words, if I forget God’s Word), I often find myself yielding to temptations and evil thoughts, resulting often in evil actions, and before long I find myself falling into habitual sins. The root problem is whether God’s Word is in my heart or not. If he is not in my heart (or in other words, if I forget/ignore him), it means lies and deceptions. God help me to live a repentant life, to stop sinning, and to continually do his will. Examples of habitual sins: mumbling, grumbling and complaining.

High School Musical 3

I watched the movie High School Musical 3 with my cell group friends just a few days after it was released (before exam). The songs compositions and dance choreographies were very nice, though the messages that are sent out should be understood in the correct perspectives. We had a discussion after the movie. It was good.

Lifestyle

I ate a lot during this exam month… grumbled a lot, too… Hmmm… talk about discontentment… Got to learn the way to live a lifestyle with contentment…