Happy Birthday!!!

Today is my dearest daddy's birthday.... hehehe... and next year, it will be another 2 babies' birthday.... Congratulation to Patrick Lau and Sarah Yon ... and Congratulation to Rev. Aaron Chang and Pastor Lydia. hahahaha...

- Happy Birthday! -

Faith?

With new vision, the implementation of new plans always not very welcoming... I remember vividly how much the bishop's wife opposed to the closing of Girls' Bridage when this was annouced. I was sadden because I was the young leader and one of the best in the whole Sabah then and when Girls' Brigade 3rd Tawau Company is closed, it really mean, no more... no one will remembers me... hahaha... well, yes... Bishop's wife then was my Captain. She started the Girls Brigade, run it and it grew from 10 people to about 100 people. It's a legacy I tell you, when you are telling others that one company has so many people. Well, ... it's bitter when the news of closing it came across... I remember heated argument took place in the General Election, asking why such and such things needs to be close down? etc. etc. This, of course including the closing of bible study groups who faithfully meet every week for about 30 years; the women fellowship; the changing of youth fellowship from 3 fellowships to many little small cell groups; etc. etc.

Not many understand the vision cast to us. Most of are asking questions like, why, how and when out for our own benefits. We then realise there's a group of people who oppose to it strongly since day one when changes needs to be taken place. I, the one who is heading the Girls Bridage both in church and in school and 3 chinese youth fellowship asked only one question. "What should I do next?" I asked the question not directly to the then Rector, or any other leaders. The Rector is the one overseeing my work in the youth. I asked that question directly to my God.

See, God never give a vision to one person ONLY. If He wants things to fulfilled, the vision also cast to people, leaders... those who are faithful and willing. Many afraid that this whole thing won't work. We all have very little faith in God and His work. Simply because we are not close to God. We are not OPEN enough to be willing to bear the consequences and/or more works ahead. We afraid because we are not willing to put extra efforts.

Well, be it you believe or not, you have faith or not, you are willing or not... none of those is going to fail God's plan for us. What I am trying to say is, our God is not so small in His power. Your unwillingness, your dissatisfied, your discomfort only means you have now shares in His kingdom, no shares in partnership with Him and no shares in sharing the joy and pain with the Lord.

I am asking myself again... am I willing? Since no one is going to win over God in the first place, why are you trying to be stupid and stubborn? Well... don't judge on things and think you are always right because you think you know the best. I am sure God knows it better than us.

Don't get me wrong. I am not the one who will always say 'yes' to every changes. I am just that the one who is trying to find reasons to say 'yes'. In order to be able to find a good reason, I am praying... simpy because my faith is small too...

Lord, give me strength... let me see..........the vision with a better faith installed in me... !

- Faith? -

Vision?

About 15 years ago, I was told there's 3 types of people when it comes to changes. First, there is this group of people who will always say, "Good Idea". Good. Yes.. they always say YES by submitting towards it, even though they know it's going to be a tough one. Secondly, there's those who will disagree with any idea or changes the leaders put forward. Without knowing the reason or even by knowing the reason for the changes, this type of person will just say NO. Thirdly, there's this group of people who will just do whatever the majority is doing. They don't make decision, they just follow the majority. So, if the majority say yes, they will too say "yes". If the majority say no, they too will say "NO".

Ever since the leaders of St.Patrict Church Tawau back in 1991 saw the vision for the church to implement the cell church structure, I was told that. No doubt, Anglican, being Anglican, we don't really like changes, especially when you talks about vision, we question on 'what vision'? 'how clear'? whose's responsibility? why now? are you sure? if it is not working, who is going to bear the consequences? I remember vividly the circumstances and situation then back in 1991. Leaders were clearly divided into the abovementioned 3 types. Some just say YES, some just say NO and some say, I don't know. For a very simple reason.... "aren't we good enough now?" I must remind you, St.Patrict Church then was growing... spiritually and in numbers (even though it's slow). Hence, the question of 'why now?' came in. I remember the changes involves stopping the choir (we are one of the best in the Diocese of Sabah), the Boys' and Girls' Brigade (we were one of the best in the whole Sabah), and gradually, it affects the youth ministry, the senior citizen ministry, the bible study groups and so on. As one of the core leader in the youth ministry including the Girls' Brigade, I asked the question too... of "why now?", "How effective this can be?"

None of us know the answer. We only given to understand it's a vision God gave to a few leaders at the same time, to run St. Patrick's church by using the cell structure. When it first implemented, some left. Some stayed and some lost their focus. I pulled through, I must say.... those who were before me all gone out for further studies, I was the only one left handling the youth and I was seriously asking the question "is that necessary?"

Well, few years later, my turn to go away for studies. It's 1997, just before the House of Prayer was finish building (I still remember one full time worker and good friend showed me the building before i leave, just in case I will not return), I left for my studies. I heard the first Diocesan worship conference was held at the House of Prayer. I heard news from abroad (England) and sometimes, clicked the website and listened to the sermon online. I was told that the church has grown. Not only St.Patrick's. Faith Christian Centre too... we grew... rapidly... and all over a sudden, from a 800 people's church to now, 3000+ church... I must tell you, it's not by the might of a person or some leaders....

No leader is to be called successful unless they heard what the Lord said and follow through. I give thanks for God for my rector's then, Bishop Albert Vun who are so persistent with the vision given to him by our God. He went ahead with it despites more than half of his leaders (core leaders) think he is wrong in his decision. He went ahead to fulfil God's purpose for His church in Tawau. He choose to listen even though He can't seems to understand how the whole thing should works himself. He choose to believe, he choose to listen, he choose to follow through despites difficulties ahead. Simply because he is so sure that's the vision he received from God!

Well, let me reminds you that there's 3 types of people when it comes to vision too. One, saw the vision and go ahead to fulfil it. Second type, saw the vision and say no to it because they are afraid of losing the battle. Third one, those who will NEVER see vision simply their faith is too small.

Which type of people are you when it comes to vision? If you are the one who will never see vision, are you willing to follow your leader?

- Vision? -