I Can't See What I'm Stepping On

What an adventure!!! I was supposed to meet up a bunch of friends for Mandy Lee's birthday dinner at south side of Lamma Island at 18:30. When I get to the pier at 18:00, realizing the next ferry leaves at 18:45. I can't wait that long. I didn't know what to do, I just hopped on the ferry that goes to the North side of Lamma Island and figure out a way later to get to the south side. When I hopped on the ferry and called Mandy. She told me that there is only one way: Hike. It takes 45 min. I was like it should be ok. I get to hike and do some exercing and plus I've walking like half of that path before. So I started walking and enjoying some Lamma Island culture. As I was walking further into the Island and suddenly realizing it's getting dark and should have got a torch(flash light). Well it wasn't that bad; I can still see the path. After I past the beach and start walking up into the mountain, it was getting little bit scary. It wasn't really dark yet, but that tone of the surrounding it's just give me little chill. You know that sky tone right after sunset. Anyway, I kept walking fastly (just want to get there). When I get to this part with more trees covering the path..man it was dark!!!! It was good it wasnt that long. So i kept hiking and still manage to see the path. It was actually a good walk smelling the nature and looking at the sea view. I only bumped into two people on the path.

The scariest part finally arrive. I had to walk thru another forest again. By this time, it's dark out there. I can barely see my feet, my hands and the path. I think my eyes had adjust to the darkness already, so that;s why I can still see some thing, but it's actually pretty dark. All the objects in front of me is like a black blob. There is bench that looks like some one standing there. There was this huge white garbage bag that looks like some one dressed in white. When I past by it, i heard noises(I think there is actually person there, u know I.I. from China). I didn't know what I will be stepping on(dog poo, snail, insect and dead animal; i was wearing flip-flops). At that point I was praying, singing worship songs and asking God for protection. There could be like animals jumping out from the forest. I was so close calling them to tell someone to pick me up. This last like about 10 min. Finally, I get to see some light as I get near my destination. However, there are still some part that is still complete darkness. by this time, I'm so tired but still in this jogging mode. Finally, I got there at the seafood restaurant and enjoy some great time.

Was it worth it? Yeah!! Beside the seafood and great time with my friends, the adventure was so meaningful. I never walked alone in dark, by myself without a torch. At least, in Blair Witch Project, the three people had flash lights. Thank the Lord for His protection, guidance and strength. To be honest, I was really freaked out at that part when I wasnt sure what I was seeing. One good part was the whole path was paved.

So remember, wait for the next ferry.

Just Excited

After the previous long blog, just wanted to do a short one tonight. I'm just very excited with Who May Ascend Live Album CD/DVD of The Vine. Making the music videos for the DVD is the my first and biggest editing project ever. For the last 3 weeks, I had so little sleep but it was just so great to see the video comes "alive". I'm happy that so many people liked the lastest rough cut of one of the video, some even say it looks pro. Just thinking back of almost 11 months ago, editing the 1st video for 180 and looking at the "Lift" video now, I thank God for just pushing me so much to learn how to edit to this level in such a short period of time. I;m excited because this is the first work of mine that will be sold part of a CD/DVD. Beside that, I;m excited that I can really use my skill to glorify His name. That was my dream and calling when I came to HK to start my multimedia career.

This week is going to be another crazy one. "Who May Ascend?" video in progress. Alrite, pretty late now, need to sleep.

One more thing to be excited about, worshipping with my of my closet friend again tonite gave me so much joy. Welcome back, Bro.

A Car, a Destination and a Mountain

There is a destination that I always wanted to go to. This place is not easy to get to. I had tried in the past years to get there. I thought I have the right directions or the right transportation to get there. So many times God told me that you are not ready to go there yet, but I didn't listen. I tried to get there with the fastest way. Took the fastest cars to get there but got in few accidents. I was so scared of accidents that I didn't want to go there anymore and just stayed home.

Recently, God told me that "Joe, you can start your journey to there, but it's going to take a while". When I heard this, I was full with joy because this is like the first time ever that God told me to start this journey.

"If you want to get there, you really really have to listen to my instruction,' God said.
"Sure, Lord, I will," joyfully I replied.
"I'm giving you this car to go. This car is ugly but the safest car out there. I will not give you the complete directions. You will need to stop at the certain gas stations to get new directions and petro in order to go on. The most important thing to remember its that you can't drive above 50km/h. Yes, Joe, it's so slow but you will get there, I promise. People will honk at you or tell you to go faster or yourself might want to go faster. Ignor all that, just drive under 50km/h. There will be some bumps, hills, several winding turns, but it's ok, as long as you drive slow and it will be ok. You will get there, I promised. Don't use no GPS system, this car will block all the signal. Accomodation and food are no problems. I prepared all that for you already. Rooms are booked and reservation are made. You will get there, I promised. Now go and remember, drive under 50." God said.

Wow, so much instructions. Can I handle all these? Ok the instruction was pretty simple, drive slow and stop at gas station whenever I need to.

So I started driving. Seriously, the journey was so smooth. Stopping at the gas station really helps me to recollect some snack for the travel and petro for my car. Oh, I feel so much joy whenever I get the instruction envelopes. Another few km closer. Driving slow was good. You get to see a better view and more time to enjoy the journey. Over all the road are not that bad except some crazy winding roads and rocky roads up and down hills. However, I drove slow, it was ok.

After a few days, I had the curiousity to drive above 50km/h. It's not that I'm impatient, but 1 or 2 km above makes no harm. I tried. Wooo, it felt pretty good. However, I had to slow down immediately. I really don't want the same old accident to happen. That 2 km/h over was in my mind the whole time. At the same time , God didn't really told me to slow down or tell me to stop. So as the journey kept on going, I tried little bit faster and faster. I really wanted to slow down at times, but the speed was too fun. Well, I still goes to the pit and get my instructions. However, as soon as I get the instructions, i fastly read them and just trying to get to the next gas station.
Faster, faster, faster. 59km/h!!

"JOE!!! What are you doing." I slammed on my break and stopped. "God!!?" I cried out.
" I didn't stop you because I thought you will slow down and go back to 50 km/h. I didn't want to stop you because you are really enjoying the journey. But I have to stop you because I LOVE you,"God said.
" Why did you stop me i want to get THERE!!!," yelling back at God but in my heart I know that I screw myself over again.
"Hey, I tell you the truth. You don't drive all over the place anymore. That' s good. You improved a lot, but you drove too fast!! This car cannot handle more than 60km/h. I don't want the car to suddenly die down and you get into some accident again. Joe why didn't you listen to me. Also, those instructions, you are reading them so fast. You miss out some short cut hints that was in fine print. Joe, you are not ready to drive." God replied.
"What do you mean, don't tell me I have to go back home again or get stuck here", I questioned God with so much anger.
"No, you are not going back home. Right now, you don't get to drive. Get out of the car."
I really didn't want to but learning from experiences, forcing to start the car will just not work.
"Then what, God?," I said
"Look that way."
All I saw was this big huge mountain. I didn't know why I never saw it before. some how it just appeared.
"My son, you need to walk now. Walk to the mountain and climb it. You won't know what's behind it until you climb to the top. This time no other instruction, but just walk toward it. I'm still promising you food and shelter. You will get there, but you just have to walk. OH yeah, there is only one path. It's narrow but it will lead you there. so walk now"

Did I walk immediately? No. I sat on the ground for few hours and think, think and think. Ok, so this is new. Before God always tell me to go home. This time I'm still able to get to the destination. I just have to walk. But those mountains, they are huge. This is sooo hard. After much pondering, I decided I will walk. A second chance from God, why not?!! Now I start.


A Short story by Joseph Chow.

Update on Video Page

New promo for Who May Ascend and Beijing Mission Trip 06. My Video Page

It Sucks, but it's GOOD

Only the last few years as a Christians, I slowly really grasp the concept of God knowing the "bigger picture." The phrase " for the greater good" is a always been like a connection with my faith toward the Father. Lately, I've been challenge by God to really really believe in the "greater good". What do I mean? I guess before when I face challenges, my spiritually side knows that those challenges are there to make me grow and mature, but physically and emotionally, I don't want to overcome those challenges. I rather just fall some times or I was so spiritually that I overcame them so easily by His help. Lately, I finally had the strongest internal battle between the physical and the spiritual. Recently, God has given me a great test and took something away from me. Spiritually, I really really know that it will make me become a better Christian, but physically, it really sucks. Things are going so well, and suddenly God just took it away. It sucks. It just feel like enjoying a great movie in a theater, and it suddenly, the movie just stopped and I was told to leave. I was in the beginning of a movie and thought I will get to see the climax. No, I can't yet. I know I will get to see teh movie again but don't know when.

Anyway, the last few days, the battle was so strong that I had to cry out to God every day to help me not to fall. I don't want the Enemy to take a foothold of me. At the same time, I wanted to cry out all my emotion pain. I never worshipped and pray so hard in my life. Friends, I wanted to tell you that I won the battle. Yes, it really sucks that it has been taken away from me, but He is so good. I realized that there are so much in front of me that I need to focus, and all those things are glorifying Him in every aspect. One more thing that I learn that we enjoy the blessing so much that we sometimes forget to thank the Blesser or return something to Him in respond for His love. I praised the blessing more than the Blesser. I learned a great leason. So, yeah, it suck, but it's good.

"Lord, I thank you for pulling me out from the pit again. So many time I just want to fall back into it, but you keep on reminding me that I just can't. Forgive me for not listening to you. I didn't mediate on the prayer that I first prayed two months ago. Lord, thanks for reminding me that prayer. I need to wait upon you. Lord, I pray that today it's going to be another new start again. Thanks for Your love, care, and discipline. Amen"

Just His Words

"How can a young man keep his way pure?
By living according to your word."
~Psalm 119:9

"Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
~ James 1:4

After 3 days.

The last blog was full of anger and frustration. I was in the worse mood ever. After trying to be rebellious and angry at the Father for the last 3 days, it wasn't successful. I was stuck in the the situation where I wanted to just let my feelings hold me back or focus on the Father again. Praise the Lord that He brought me back once again. I want to apologize for agreeing with the statement "Get out of Hong Kong". Where was my forgiveness? I don't know. Now I got it back, wait, I was given back by Him. I had no smile and no joy for the past 3 days. This morning I work up with the biggest smile because I went back to His arms. After 3 days, Jesus had victory over death. After 3 days, with the power of the Holy Spirit and His Love, I was once again a new person. There are so much more for me to do in terms of seeking and hearing His will again.

Last night, like for the longest, I listened to worship music before going to sleep. I turn off all the light and played I Will Be Still by Tom Read. What a good rest I had, and it was this song that really told me to wake up and go back to Him.

"Lord, I thank you for bringing me back to you again. I'm sorry for being angry at you. Thank you for freeing me from being the prisoner of my own mind. Now I trusted that things is going to be better than before and ever. You taught me a good lesson. I will to be still for You. Thanks Daddy."

LINE UP PLEASE!!!!!!

Before I get into my title. Just need to update.

2 weeks went by, what did I do? I finally finished the Beijing Mission Trip Video. I'll post it up on my video page asap. I joined Flight 852 and unofficially became a leader there. I'm looking forward for September once the summer holiday is over and all the kids are back. Last week, I started counting my ministries. SIX!!! Yeah, I was on SIX ministry teams. God told me that I really to have to leave some of them before I get burn out again. I will miss dancing in Revolve the most.(I;m going behind the scene to work on their music). F&B @ 180 had tick my interest in cooking again. Not able to play to much bass anymore at 180. Now I have to focus on the media, Flight and worship team.

In terms of media, August is going to be the most challenging month ever since I came to HK. I will have to spend the entire month working on the Who May Ascend DVD. This is like the biggest project I've ever done. This is my first project that will be view by thousands of people(yes, I believe thousands of the CD are going to be sold). The release date is Mid September. I needed finish everything by early September. PRESSURE'S ON!!! Not only this, God has started giving me a bunch of test and challenges for me, physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. To be honest, I'm so weak on all of these as I'm writing this. The first test had been already a hard test for me already. Can I deal with them? Wait, I shouldn't be dealing with them, God should. Wait, again, can I surrender to Him? At these moment, I can't even confirm. So friends, if I ever get little frustrated, pls forgive me.

Ok, can people learn to line up? After dinner at the New Century Plaza in Mong Kok, my brother, sis-in-law and I decided to get some Mrs Fields' cookies. Buy 3 get 3 free. As we were lining up, these two foreign guys, with a bunch of foreign girls(I'm not mentioning race to avoid any thing sense of racism here), decided to bud in the line. Hong Kong people are soo shy or afraid to stand up for anything. No one said anything. So I decided to stand up for the people. "Hey buddy, you are budding." "He was like 'It's ok, I know I know'" WHAT THE!! I then continue to ask him to go to the back of the line. He explained he's not buying the special deal, so he can just go. I was like "yo, what the heck are u talking about, u still have to line up" THose cookie girls at the counter are just useless. How can they let him bud? I know why, because he was a foreigner and they were afraid to ask him to line up. The worse part was the other guy was like "yo I didn't stick a knife to the sales girl to let us buy it, she was willing to let us in." Man, that was so "inch". Today I was not in a good mood already, and with that I could really explode!! Luckily, some local in the line was backing me up. This guy at the front was funny as he was using his broken English to yelled at the guys. At the end, they got there cookies. As they leave, one of those girl that were with them told us to SHUT UP and gave us the FINGER!! I was like...man I was so close to go up and yell at them too. Then the local guy in front said "Get out of HK, we don't welcome you!" I was laughing so hard.. Where is my brother? It's he was backing me up as my blood brother already. Aiya, anyone film the whole thing? Put it on youtube.

Well, what do I think? It was bad hospitality, I guess, telling tourist they are not welcome to HK and asking them to leave. But for these people, it's the right thing to say. Forgot to tell u that, the two foreign guy can speak Cantonese too. They are showing the worse HK manner themselves..
Anyway, yeah, I stand up for HK people once more....sooo buy 3 get 3 free at Mrs Fields before closing.

Too much stress almost became Uncle bus.