Mandate

Wednesday, March 8, 2017

Every coach who takes on the challenge to coach a team will have his or her own sets of philosophy whether he or she realizes it or not. That philosophy, whatever it may be, is an intrinsic worldview that has been shaped over the years through our experiences and more importantly our belief system. It's within us. It shows in how we coach others, the values that we project and the principles that seeps into the team.

I was recently blessed with the FCA Coaches' Bible. Within the first few pages of it was a section entitled "Coaches' Mandate", in which FCA listed down 13 Mandates of a coach. I challenged my life group leaders to look into these mandates and pick at least 1 of it that they want to grow in. Something for us to think about and challenge ourselves to keep in step with.


It was a good exercise, more so as the league is under way. Many times as a coach, I find myself guilty forgetting certain philosophies and principles that I want to establish within my team amidst the heat and excitement of the competition. As I looked through the mandate, I picked two particular mandates to focus on:

1. "Attend carefully to my private and public walk with God, 
knowing that the athlete will never rise to a standard higher than that being lived by the coach."

I remember reading John Maxwell "Law of the Lid" years back and this mandate reminded me of that. If we want to train and grow others, we can only train and grow them to the standard that we are at.

2. "Depend solely upon God for transformation, one athlete at a time."

I got to constantly remind myself that I CANNOT transform people. I'm merely a tool used in that process of transformation. Transformation of the heart and spirit comes solely from Him alone. It's the hard truth that many times I forget.



What is your focus?


What are your philosophies in coaching people under your care?

Read more...

L.I.F.E

Friday, February 3, 2017

It's that time of the year where floorball is back in full force. The Penang Floorball League will kick start in about 2 weeks time and seems like everyone is pretty pumped up for it. 

Just last night, I had a short yet a re-affirming conversation with one of my players after training. We were clearing up the rink boards after training, then I caught myself saying to one of my players (out of jest of course) "Sometimes I wonder why we subject ourselves to all this trouble and effort of time, money and sweat..." we laughed about it and joked about how we're not getting paid for all these effort and time but yet we still choose to slog it through. 

Why?

I've had had numerous second thoughts about floorball. The thought of quitting no doubt has haunted me before (and still haunts me every now and then). I guess the question (and the answer) that stands in between quitting and keep on "slogging" through is why am I subjecting myself to this sport.

Rewind to a few days back, I had a meeting with some of my core leaders. The first question posted to everyone which we all needed to answer is pretty much summed up as the above - why are we getting ourselves so involved in floorball. Why do we choose to spend our time and possibly money for a passion that seemingly reaps 0% return of investment? A good question to ponder on especially at the start of a new year.

For me personally, I'd sum it up in the acronym L.I.F.E... I want to be:

I've always been passionate about sports and I love my group of players. I see so much potential in them both as a player and a person. The more I coach the more I realized that in order for a player to continuously be passionate about the sport and to grow in it, it is CRUCIAL that we start sharing LIFE with them. Christ is the greatest example of one who decided to come and generously and genuinely share life with us in the form of man, assimilating into our finite human world just to get personal with us.  

But what exactly do I mean by sharing LIFE?

Meaning to go beyond the spectrum of just talking about sports. To intentionally create life-changing and for me personally, God-seeking moments where not just superficial friendships are fostered, but trust and genuine care for one another is built. 

The world we have today is broken in so many ways. I'm not being self-righteous here. I am broken too and I'm not here to profess that I can fix all the brokenness in the world. We all desperately need God in our lives. However, I do profess that sports in general - for me at this point would be specifically floorball - can help people deal, face, overcome, be strengthened and be more courageous in handling life's challenges when we merge the competitiveness of sport and its power to be shape lives and use it to impact players. 

In just about a week plus or so, the league will begin. Another exciting season of seeing players and clubs challenging one another for the title. Much time will be spent on the league for many of us. Meanwhile this week, a group of us will be initiating Life Groups with some of our players with the hope of getting to know them at a more personal level, to spend time encouraging and praying for one another. That would also mean more time is taken up. Then the question of why do we spend so much time on floorball will pop up again eventually and when it does, I want this post to be a reminder to me and others likewise that we do what we do because we simply love the sport, the people and the King. 

1 Peter 2:9, one of my favourite verses says; 

"You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."

Let this be a reminder. 
We are Chosen. 
We are His possession.
We are to declare and to share.

Read more...

38 weeks and counting!

Monday, December 26, 2016

38 weeks! 2 more weeks left before little teddy turns into little human :P

Read more...

The Star

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

My first entry since 2013 and in about 10 days time, we'll be crossing over to 2017.

2016 has been momentous to say the least. 

It's our first year or marriage, Jo and I.

Another milestone was for me to decide stepping out of full-time ministry with the church and get back into the working world. Tasted the world of sales and from henceforth am able to say it is really not my cup of tea. Then now finally settling into my current attachment with the State Sports Council - I guess God has a funny way of placing me where He sees fit.

Of course, this year's biggest highlight is none other than our soon to arrive little junior. Speaking of which, he is currently 37 weeks, termed to come out anytime now though estimated due date is on the 8th January 2017. Do pray for Jo, myself and baby to be safe and healthy. 

With so many adjustments and adapting to be done this year, needless to say I find myself struggling to find a firm footing in terms of direction and passion. Somewhat brings me back to the transitional period between uni life and moving into adulthood - the season of wrestling, unraveling, questioning and bargaining with God in regards to calling, passion and desire. 

How fitting it is for me to blog this down during the Christmas season which reminds us of the nativity story once again. The wise men and shepherd had to keep their eyes on the star in order to coordinate their way to meet baby Jesus. How we all need the Star in our lives to be our compass! This season I truly need the Lord to speak and direct or perhaps re-direct my passion, heart and essentially my calling again. 

The fact that we need to swallow is that life will always have transitional seasons. So as we celebrate Christmas, let's be joyfully reminded that life can throw at us all it has and what will keep us going is to be watchful of that shining Star. You may feel life your drifting aimlessly this season then my encouragement and note to self is to be like the wise men and shepherds - look at the Star. 

Blessed Christmas to all! 

P/S: Will try to blog a little more often. I think I need it.

Read more...

Dedicated to Adelene Joyce William.

Sunday, December 29, 2013

Sometimes I really don't understand how God function, perhaps I never will until I cross over to the other side. Adelene Joyce William, a dear friend passed away on the 27th December 2013, only 28 years of age. Why God? Why? A soft-spoken well-mannered friendly person who was passionate for God passed away after fighting with Lupus for the past 5 years. In times like this I really wrestle in trusting God as the sovereign Lord... But Adelene, in spite of her wrestling in coping with Lupus, never forsake her faith in Christ. I guess Adelene was a living evidence of what trusting God as the sovereign Lord of all meant. 

Over the years, we lost touch. And I regret much for that. That's the thing about life. It's so easy to get entangled by the hectic routine of life and even ministry that we get caught losing touch with dear friends whom God has placed in our lives. Nevertheless, I am truly grateful for the close friendship I had with Adelene. I missed having our conversations over the phone and trying to get her to meet me somewhere in PJ area instead of small town Banting, or joking around with her about small town Banting. Though soft-spoken, she always had a good witty humour or a one-liner come back. 

Thank you Adelene for being a true friend.
For being a fighter.
For being a living evidence of living a life filled with faith.
Thank you for making an impact in my life and in many others.

It's overwhelming to let you go, at such a young age. 
But God knows best and His timing is perfect right? 
I will see you on the other side when I get there one day. 
For now, I will forever remember Banting with the memories of AJW :)
As for you, you deserve the eternal comfort and rest my dear friend! 
We shall meet some day :)

Love,
Chris

Read more...

Effects

Monday, September 9, 2013

The decision and action we make today will affect the future course of our lives and the lives of others. Whether that repercussion is good or bad, only God will know. 

Read more...

Wedding bells are ringing!

Monday, September 2, 2013

Utterly excited about this coming weekend. I'll be attending my childhood friend's wedding dinner. Congrats to Queen Shelby and King Andrew for tying the knot! My prayer is that God's richest blessings will be upon the both of you and may He shower the both of you with everlasting love :) 


Ah, there's just something "jiwang" about witnessing a childhood friend's wedding. Am excited! 

On another note, extra ang pau next year. Nyek nyek nyek. 

Sorry, I just had to put a squatto picture of you!
CONGRATS!
You did find your "teman sejati" ;)

Read more...

  © Blogger template Brownium by Ourblogtemplates.com 2009

Back to TOP