Don't Be Afraid

Fear.

Which characterizes Scooby-Doo without his Scooby Snacks.

Evolutionists might say that fear is a vital and crucial experience for living things to survive (This is not to say all of them say this, but some do, and all kinds of people call themselves "evolutionists" these days). The logic is simple: fear is motivation to ensure the self-preservation and continuity of that living thing. 

I don't agree. In fact, I'm fairly convinced that fear is what cripples us and holds us back. I might even bring this further to say that, having our fear taken away would make us thrive and prosper  under the right circumstances.

I recently read this article which contemplates the origins of students' fear of failure. The writing style is to me a bit ponderous, but the message is pertinent and timely. Give it a read - it'll apply to you in some way or another as nearly everybody in this world has either been/will be a teacher, student or a parent at some point in time.

The article really struck me like lightning. I really ask the Lord to help me examine the inner workings of my heart and mind, as it will manifest in the impact I have on my students. What fears and insecurities linger on? How can I cast them away before they perniciously seep into the innocent children under my charge?

I want to be a teacher that motivates through acceptance, approval, adventure and a sense of wonder, not fear. 

I must really set it in my mind that I will not see a '"C" student' as any less precious as the child prodigy producing the works of Shakespeare. 

Neither should I use my own achievements at their age as a yardstick to measure them.

Something that the Elder/Apostle John once said comes to mind: 

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. 1 John 4:18

The Fullness of His Glory

It's been a busy day, but I managed to read something good. The article is about how an awe for God and an appreciation of His glory transforms our approach to life. But there was one particular line that struck me:

"If you are not committed to loving gospel community, you will minister out of frustration and discouragement, displaying God's glory in an abstract form, but not in its living, life-changing vitality."

Quite obvious, so why don't we realise and understand?

The Doctrine of Family

Have you heard of what a "doctrine" is? If you haven't, Dictionary.com says that:

doc·trine [dok-trin]noun1.a particular principle, position, or policy taught or advocated,as of a religion or government.

Does it make sense? Perhaps what I would say is that a doctrine is a particular truth that we hold on to which not only governs our understanding of things but also our actions. In other words, your so called "doctrine", if held properly, will be so obvious from our behaviour that sometimes you don't have to mention it aloud.

One interesting "dok-trin" that we Christian fellars have is about family. We call God our Father and Jesus, who is God's son also calls us his brothers (and sisters) (Hebrews 2:11). That makes us all family.

For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!" (Romans 8:15)

So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God's holy people. You are members of God's family. (Ephesians 2:19) 

This doctrine means that even if I've never met Ah Kau, Jack, Djibundu, Maria or Doriasamy before, the fact that they are Christian would mean that our first time meeting should be something like long lost siblings. We are family even before we first met physically, because we share the same Father and same Brother.

You might say that is quite daft to be in a family of hundreds of millions, but this doctrine is very real to me and I can tell you why.

Firstly, it is in God's word, and every time I try to challenge something in God's word, I normally lose one. The track record suggests that it is true, but I realise this reasoning might not be compelling to you.

So, the second reason is that I experience this doctrine firsthand, and it is in fact a big part of my life.

Tiong Clan at the Airport, Minus Youngest Tiong

Let's begin with my hometown of Melaka, which we like to call "the birthplace of everything". When I think of going back, the first people I would think of is my biological family, of course. However, our Tiong clan is also subsumed within the bigger umbrella of my church family.

Those who have heard me talk about MGC can testify to the affection I have for the church family there, and right now I think it is only my calling to Kampar that keeps me 300 kilometres north. The situation is not always cotton candy and popcorn but when the chips are down you just know we will stand together for what's right.

Two live specimens from Melaka. No creature was harmed in the shooting of this photo.

My "family" in Kampar has always treated me as a member from day one. Sure I may sometimes be the annoying, out-of-town, outlandish whippersnapper who can't string together two words in Cantonese but I think the uncles and aunties do see me as a son, and the younger folks as a brother. On my part, I genuinely think of them as family too.

Kamparians in a Kampar restaurant.

Recently, I had to go to PJ alone for some course over 5 days. I don't know anything about PJ and wondered where I could stay. Somehow, most my friends in PJ are ladies and it might be a bit weird for a guy to stay at a girl's place on his own for a whole week. That's why a family in PJ opened their home to me and in doing so, further strengthened my belief in this "doctrine".

The lost boys and lost girl having dinner in PJ.

My young brother chilling out on the beanbag.

Two other guys and I had the privilege of staying with them over that week, and it is definitely one of the fondest memories of my year. I am really grateful for the bonds we have made and really look forward to our future interactions, and watching the three lively and friendly children grow up :)

There are many others I have not included in this post just because there are too many to mention, but they have all made an indelible mark on my heart and played a role in shaping me into who I am today.

My prayer is for everybody to be able to experience these kind of deep and giving bonds, and I praise God because I know that this would not be possible if we did not have the same Father and Brother. It all comes back to Jesus :)

Haze Craze

Typically, I like to wake up by walking up to an open window and taking a deep breath of the morning breeze. This is all the more so in Kampar, which has a lovely view and a range of mountains that have held its charm on me from day one.

However, although I've been in Kampar for more than a month now, I have been cruelly shorn of this pleasure. That's right, itu haze sudah mari. 

To be honest, it scares me a little when it's at its more serious levels. I'm asthmatic, and the haze has triggered in me probably the longest niggling (and sometimes serious) sickness in a while. 

What a start it has been to my working life, then... or so one might think.

You know, in spite of this thorn on my flesh (or in the air), I really am thankful for so much.

Work has been a very engaging experience so far and I've been handling many things beyond my ken. 

Fortunately, I have very supportive and nurturing colleagues/superiors who know their stuff and have good attitudes. Our relationships do not end at work, and at home (they are my neighbours) we occasionally get together. It's been delightful getting to know their children, who are an interesting lot to say the least! 

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, work has been purpose-driven. 

I know that, on top of all those stuff typical young graduates have in mind like remuneration, job advancement, training and so on, I am very convicted about the part God wants me to play in this Westlake International School. My personal hope is that it can really be an oasis for children to grow in a holistic and Godly manner: powerful learners, others-centred and compassionate.

And...  I know that my hope is not in vain, because a similar conviction is shared by the other members of the team. What can I say but that God is doing something?

So, what's a little haze? Inconvenience and discomfort are something, but I have a God on my side that has given me a mission, and I won't let these hinder me. 

28-06-12

Maybe it’s because I’m a storyteller, or maybe it shows that I’m an intrinsically relational person or maybe it’s both; I have this thing within me that keeps wanting to let someone know about the exciting times that I’ve been going through for the past few days.

Phew! It has been quite hard to take it all in.

Moving in and sorting out my apartment in Kampar has been almost ridiculously pleasurable for me. Yes, my mind tells me that moving house, cleaning and unpacking are mundane exercises, but even as I mop the floor, rearrange furniture and stack my books on the bookrack, I feel a little tingle: This is my life that I’m building now, and this is my home as an independent adult.

It has taken a while. Since the age of 14, I’ve been living away from home but was ever a dependent.

Sure, we’re made to be relational beings who need companionship and therefore, we’ll never be fully independent. However, there is a time when a man can say that he is coming into his own, and I wonder if this is it.

Don’t get me wrong, I think I am silly and childish in more than just a few ways, but that won’t stop me from trying to be the man I have to be.

As ye olde Catholic brothers would say, it’s time to Ora Et Labora! 

Next Chapter

You know what, my elder sister had her wedding recently :)

The Car Weareth Its Drapes

I am obviously very happy that my sister is married, and a welcome bonus is that I think I had a great time learning more about my own family, particularly my dad. This is because we have had some important guests who are my dad's friends from his university days - the Horrells from England.

David Horrell speaking at the wedding with my Third Uncle as interpreter.

David and Margaret Horrell are a bit older than my dad; they already had kids when my dad was studying architecture in Canterbury. It being their first time in Malaysia, it's also my first time meeting them. I'm glad then that we've spent more than week together now travelling to Penang, Singapore and of course Melaka. 

My dad is really pulling out all the stops for them, and no surprise, for they have been great friends. In fact, he confesses that they've had a great impact on him during those formative years as a young adult. As I continue to hang around them and talk here and there, I sorta understand why (and how).

We all have our own stories, and my dad's seems quite a humdinger thus far. After all, it's got my mom and the rest of us in it (eheh)

My sister's looks like it's going to be a really good one too. I like my brother-in-law and his family a lot. They arrived in Malaysia about a week before the wedding (they're from the US). Naturally, my brother (no law) and I had to play our part as hosts so, like with the Horrells, had the benefit of spending quality time with them too.

From Left: Ricardo, Maria, Diego, Sister, Mum, Dad, Uncle Phillip Lim

The Castros are not only good fun but I think a very good family. If things work out and my sister is going to move her life over to California, I can imagine that will be some life :)

All in all, I think it has been a holiday well spent; learning more about my father's story and celebrating my sister's commencement into a new chapter of her's.

Even so, I'm beginning to feel some restlessness of my own. We all have our own stories, and I reckon I have much more to write on mine. 

I just hope that it'll be a good one, with bits in it that you can tell people on different occasions, whether they're feeling down and a need some lifting or if they just want a good laugh, or even for the kids' bedtime story. Better still, maybe I can write something that can inspire people.

Or at least teach them to beware low hanging beams

It's time for me to get on with things, and get on with the writing. Whisper it if you may, but I'm feeling fairly assured and confident about what lies ahead. Sure, things might get rough but a good story needs some conflict and drama, don't you think?

What's more (and you might poo poo me for saying this), there's another Hand besides mine that holds the pen, and it's Him who lays down the paths where I cannot see, and establishes my way. I cannot hope for a good story apart from Him.

*Photo credits to Grismond Tien and Jensen Chen

Is That Your Final Answer?

Or, as we say in Malaysia...

Jawapan Muktamad?

When somebody graduates, he or she is inevitably put through a number of feelings and decisions that are of a rather novel flavour. They are also not to be taken lightly. 

Another rite of passage.

I got a proper job offer yesterday, and I'll be taking it up.