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From January to February of 2021, I attended the Tween Tower Discipleship Program organised by Scripture Union Malaysia. The three-week program was open for 13 and 14-year-olds (tweens) and took place online in the midst of MCO (Movement Control Order). We had over 30 participants from all over the country. We had a lot of fun, games and activities but a lot of learning too.

Here is what I experienced:

The first week was themed "Our Faith." The plenary talk speaker shared with the reason Jesus had to come and dies for us, why we can live our best lives if we give our lives to Him. We were also taught that just because someone is born or grew up in a Christian family, does not automatically make us a Christian. Then we were allowed to choose one of two workshops. I attended the workshop on "Cultivating Spiritual Habits."

In the second week, themed "Our Community." The speaker, Tony, who spoke from Australia, talked to us on the importance on building and having a godly community around us. He shared how church and even Christian friends in school can keep us accountable and help us in our walk with. Then, I attended the workshop on "Building Godly Friendships," where I learned practical steps of choosing friends and being a good friend to others, in the hope of influencing them know Jesus.

Finally, the third week explored who we are in Jesus. The theme was "Our Identity." The plenary talk affirmed that we we made in God's image and who He calls us to be if we give our lives to Him. This session definitely stood out to me the most. It made me realise that there was no need to be so self-conscious and overthink my life choices because God has a plan for me. The workshops this time was continuing in the same topic but divided between genders. In the breakout session with the girls, our speaker shared how we can find our identity and our place in life as a Christian tween from God's Word, as we adapt to secondary school life. It really taught me that when I am secure in my identity I will that I don't need be afraid and and step out of my comfort zone to reach out to people.

Overall, this program answered a few lingering questions about God, faith and my life that I had in my mind before. Although I have a lot to learn and a lot to grow, I hope it will help strengthened my relationship and trust in God, as well as make me see things in ways I never thought I could.

On January 12, 1888, a blizzard roared out of the skies of Canada and fell upon the Northern Plains of the United States. People of Montana, the Dakotas, and Nebraska felt the temperature drop 18 degrees in just three minutes. It kept falling, the wind kept howling, and the snow kept blowing. And within hours, a relatively warm winter’s day became a frozen siege that took the lives of at least 250 people. 

The air was so thick with crystals that people couldn’t breathe. Visibility was so poor that people couldn’t see their hands in front of their faces. Meteorologists call this zero/zero visibility. A person can’t see up or horizontally. As a result, a woman near Sioux Falls froze to death with her key in her hand just steps from her door. A husband and a wife died while walking in circles past each other in their farmyard. Most of the people who died, did so because they simply couldn’t find their way out of the storm.

The ones who survived relied upon bearings and markers to show them the way. Like Mr. Cotton, the schoolteacher, and the two boys Andreas and Johann Graber. They set out from the schoolhouse in the direction of the Graber homestead. The wind laced needles of snow in their eyes. The drifts pulled on their feet. The whiteness covered the roads and trails. Soon they realized they had no idea where to go.

Then the air cleared, for just a moment, and they spotted a row of trees. The boys recognized them as the fruit and nut saplings their father had planted. The trees lined a path from their front porch.  If they could move from tree to tree, they would be home.

Maybe that is what you need. The sudden storm has left you blind, disoriented.  Do you need a series of markers to guide you home? Make one. Through the years I have found this question a good one to ask in times of crisis. “What do you still have that no one can take?” Granted, the storms can take much, but they can’t take all. So, right in the midst of the snowstorm, make your list...

• The promise of heaven
• A family who cares for me
  
• A God who knows me
  
• God’s word to guide me
  

Make the list; then, like the boys in the blizzard, let it lead you to a safe place.

(published with permission)

In July 2019, our own Joel got to to interview Jinnyboy TV's Brandon Ho about his life, career and faith as part of Scripture Union's webseries, 'Bytes!'

Brandon is a 28 year-old Malaysian celebrity, who previously hosted 8tv Quickie, radio shows and also competed on Amazing Race Asia.

He currently contributes to Jinnyboy TV as well as publishes his own video on his own YouTube channel.

"​Having interviewed and chatted with some celebrities during my time with radio, I've always wished to see the day when young Christian celebrities discuss their faith and share their passion for Jesus so openly!" Joel said.

"Not that I have always been an avid follower of Brandon Ho but spending this time just chilling with and interviewing him was truly inspiring... The exuberance of his faith is infectious and it really brought a sense of gratitude that I get to carry stories like these. In the end, the lesson I learn is that whatever road we're on, we all have a mandate to use our platforms and roles to spread the ultimate light - that is Jesus! So grateful to be able to do what I do."

Watch the two part interview below:

It’s quiet. It’s early. My coffee is hot. The sky is still black. The world is still asleep. The day is coming.

In a few moments the day will arrive. It will roar down the track with the rising of the sun. The stillness of the dawn will be exchanged for the noise of the day. The calm of solitude will be replaced by the pounding pace of the human race. The refuge of the early morning will be invaded by decisions to be made and deadlines to be met. For the next twelve hours I will be exposed to the day’s demands. It is now that I must make a choice.

Because of Calvary, I’m free to choose. And so I choose.

I choose love. No occasion justifies hatred; no injustice warrants bitterness. I choose love. Today I will love God and what God loves.

I choose joy. I will invite my God to be the God of circumstance. I will refuse the temptation to be cynical… the tool of the lazy thinker. I will refuse to see people as anything less than human beings, created by God. I will refuse to see any problem as anything less than an opportunity to see God.

I choose peace. I will live forgiven. I will forgive so that I may live.

I choose patience. I will overlook the inconveniences of the world. Instead of cursing the one who takes my place, I’ll invite Him to do so. Rather than complain that the wait is too long, I will thank God for a moment to pray. Instead of clinching my fist at new assignments, I will face them with joy and courage.

I choose kindness. I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone. Kind to the rich, for they are afraid. And kind to the unkind, for such is how God has treated me.

I choose goodness. I will go without a dollar before I take a dishonest one. I will be overlooked before I will boast. I will confess before I will accuse. I choose goodness.

I choose faithfulness. Today I will keep my promises. My debtors will not regret their trust. My associates will not question my word. My wife will not question my love. And my children will never fear that their father will not come home.

I choose gentleness. Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice, may it be only in praise. If I clench my fist, may it be only in prayer. If I make a demand, may it be only of myself.

I choose self-control. I am a spiritual being. After this body is dead, my spirit will soar. I refuse to let what will rot, rule the eternal. I choose self-control. I will be drunk only by joy. I will be impassioned only by my faith. I will be influenced only by God. I will be taught only by Christ. I choose self-control.

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithful-ness, gentleness, and self-control. To these I commit my day. If I succeed, I will give thanks. If I fail, I will seek His grace. And then, when this day is done, I will place my head on my pillow and rest.

(published with permission)