reminder: 2015 Yeah Show coming soon to Australia

Melbourne and Sydney

Steven is the special speaker in the 2015 Yeah Show April 18 in Sydney and on April 19 in Melbourne. 
Info on the above poster.

related material

2013 Yeah Show Steven's testimony to Christ

credit vid to 嵐嵐-自語 tudou
English translation of For Mother: Weary

I guess the nose injury at the time did indeed affect Steven's singing, which I'm sorry to say, sounded off tune and quite flat in parts - too bad. Poor thing, his face looked quite battered with those unsightly bandages pasted on it. Be that as it may, hopefully his heartfelt opening of his heart and his testimony to Christ helped those in the audience with their own demons to overcome.

If interested, do check out the "Christianity" tag on this blog to loosely trace Steven's conversion path into Christianity, specifically the links below whereby Steven talked in length about his conversation to Christianity in print, in videos and in audio on his mother's illness and her death.

Talking about yeah show, its 2015 promo song on youtube.  Honestly, the song is both boring and bland and not at all arousing of emotions. Also, sorry to say, the overall group singing was weak although Steven sang well enough. Anyway, Steven will be the special speaker in the 2015 Yeah Show on April 18 in Sydney and on April 19 in Melbourne. 

Edited: April 6 2014 WE! Talk Channel

eta: Scroll down to the last video for transcript on Steven's conversion to Christianity.
note: From Steven's outfit, this interview is a very outdated interview taken around 2013 Mother's Day event.  Btw, Steven looks really good in vids.  Basically, he is repeating what he said in this 'footprints' radio interview -- except now we have the treat of watching him on video.  Goto youtube link1, link2, link3 to watch him on a hd 1080p resolution.  So envious that Steven's flawless complexion can withstand the scrutiny of extreme close ups - how amazing is that? And he's dressed so colorfully - haha!

WE! Talk 第一集 - 馬浚偉-十年.音樂
about his new music album


第二集 - 馬浚偉-自責.打擊
talks about his mother's last surgery and his lingering guilt that he 'pushed' her to take the surgery.
Similar to this radio interview on his late mother -- Footprints - transcript



WE! Talk 第三集 - 馬浚偉-難關.釋懷  Adversities. Steven's letting go
Segment on sister's Christian faith during SARS and how she dealt with their mother's death.



WE Channel @ youtube

Verbatim transcript

S: At that time I was very angry. I felt no one can help me, only that God was being too much (unfair). She (sister) said  Don’t worry, God will help you. When I heard that I had goose bumps. God gives you such powerful strength? Honestly, it (her speech) did not help me at the time. I did not believe in Christ then. My mother passing away subsequently afflicted me with a mood disorder. A year or so later, my maternal grandmother passed away and then came my younger sister being diagnosed with cancer.  And then my other sister because of pregnancy complications had problems too. So a successive series of problems bombarded me one after another, ultimately making me a total wreck. (tn: his and Sonija Kwok's scandal only added to his accumulated stress)

My older sister(s) (jie jie) and younger sister (mui) are Christians. At the time I was surprised at how differently they handled their problems vs mine. At the time, I said: (tn: to God)  ‘What’s wrong with you? (yao mou gau co?) You (God) don’t have to oppress me this much wo?’  But whether it’s my younger sister, (she herself has cancer but is still very positive) or my jie jie, she’s literally being poisoned (tn: edema?); there she was lying unconsciousness, her body swelled up as if being pumped full with air, and then her unborn child suddenly lost audible heat beats so immediately had to do a cesarean surgery to get the baby out. I collapsed. (tn: her son subsequently born mentally impaired)

And I still had to film a series at the same time. I was filled with rage;  I felt no one could help me; that God was being so unjust. And then came SARS (2003) when God gave me the first signal. My 2nd sister is a nurse. During the SARS period, the medical field workers were worried and their families also worried for them, and maybe they themselves were also feeling the stress so many of them declined to work.  Even watching the TV news made me scared too. So I said to my sister, why not skip work? What if you were infected, what would you do? But my sister said this to me: “Steven, think what if you or father suddenly got infected with SARS, but us nurses and doctors all fled, who’s going to treat you?" I was struck dumb. I did not know how to counter her. And then she said:  "Don’t worry, God will watch over me. He will give me strength." When I heard it I immediately had goose bumps. I thought to myself, God gave such powerful strength to you? How come you can always tell me that God would do this and God would do that. Even when my mother died my 2nd sister though of course was heartbroken was calm, she comforted me that mother was now in the heavenly home. I told her don’t talk to me of such things. This incident (SARS) was a big breakthrough, and thereafter I began to see God’s hands on little things.

But it wasn’t until 5 years ago (2007?) that I truly opened up my heart to Him. But since 2003 SARS henceforth there were many little things, be they family or outside, that there were many little angels were by my side.  Christ’s most profound power was changing my attitude and my mindset. What He gradually instilled in me was this sense of comfort. Henceforth, whatever problems or setbacks or adversity, I like to treat them as a blessing in disguise. I persistently tell myself or those with me when confronted with a problem, or a challenge, or a setback, or a hurt; I would treat it as a blessing in disguise. Tested, went through, subsequently it’s a xxx (?3:53)

First off, I also like this one aspect of Christ whereby on that day He forgave us, He said: "Just treat it like they did not know they were wrong; they did not know they did wrong." So in real life, would I point out a person’s transgression to him/her, I would. View from a different perspective, maybe that person is facing problems that I don’t know about, I apply the message of Christ that most touched me - that He forgave us and took over the burden on our behalves because we did not know we were wrong. Of course there’s no way I can do it as well as Christ but I’ll lean towards this perspective to view the situation. Actually even before I became a Christian, I had hoped that there were less extreme or negative dissemination of messages (tn: in films?). But as actor, one shouldn’t be that way. But as to how it (Christian) affects my acting career I’m truly grateful to Christ for this one thing which is, I can slowly let go; no more burdens. Actually not having burdens to me is very important. So this is a very big blessing from Christ so that I can be very relax and very professional in expressing what I want to express myself as an actor, a singer, or any stage performances. Success or failure, gains or losses, truly don’t think about it. Even releasing this album: wai, are you worried about your songs, or maybe when my series is airing, ai, what’s there to worry about? Put everything in God’s hands. So long you did the proper process, that’s enough. It all depends on how serious you were during the process, and that you did your best during the process; don’t worry about the result. Something when God wants you to do you will willingly do it. Something that God does not want you to do as to even arrange very inexplicable happenings xxxx (5:50) so instead I become light-hearted.

Interview

Interview 馬浚偉 by godplatform part3

Steven relates how believing in Christ has helped him be more at peace with himself and with the world.
Except while driving by himself, Steven does not swear nor use profanity.
Steven has a strong social conscience, cares deeply of society condition
Steven talks about today's young generation, how internet and cyber networking have greatly stunted their social skills to communicate with other people in real life.

Steven talks about how deeply he cares about the society he lives in.  

Steven is asked how his generation differs from today's generation.  Steven says that today's generation is different from his because they are shaped by the society they grow up in, especially the existence of internet and the iphone with lots of apps functions to occupy their time and mold their thinking.  Nowadays the young people are slowly losing the interpersonal skill to communicate face to face with other people because of the internet and iphone app culture.   I totally agree with Steven's sentiment.

Steven Ma on SOBEM Christian Radio

youtube source

Christmas Special Feature.
Steven says he has believed in Christianity for a few years already but he is rather low-key about his faith so not many people know about it. That he is so lowkey is because first - this belief in God - is both a fate and blessing that can only be felt personally.  It is not something that you can get just because someone told you to. You must feel it personally yourself.

Before his conversion to Christianity, the 2 most important festivals to him were Chinese New Year and Mid-Autumn Festival, and of course Mother's and Father's Day. But now, Christmas has taken on a new meaning and a warmth, nlike before when it was just another festival to him.

Steven has always had a habit of praying (meditation) but now saying his prayer before bedtime has become a habit. His 2nd older sister and brother-in-law and younger sister are also Christians, too.

The past month was really exhausting for him because he had been working ceaselessly on a script for a film production company. He was bone tired, to say the least.

He feels he does not have the qualification to preach Christianity to others because he is unable to eloquently expound Christianity to non believers or to novice Christians. What he will say to those whose faith is still weak is for them to pray to God for guidance.  And for the non-believers to pray before sleeping, hopefully God will grant them peace.

Steven may go to Canada in May next year for a concert/stage performance if  everything plans out. 

Video: News Report on Steven's testimony to Christ

Basically repeating what has been reported on the news article.
video on Steven's testimony to Christ
视频：马浚伟接受专访 分享信仰生命路程

Steven Ma's Testimony to Christ 2012 Nov 2

video with transcript - Ascribing his sisters' strong faith for his own conversion to Christianity

Life’s Anxiety and Security – Steven Ma
It has been two years since our last interview with well known artist, Steven Ma. In this interview, this reporter took advantage of this opportunity to have Steven shared some hitherto unpublicized personal experiences and feelings. Hence, through this magazine Steven reveals publicly for the first time his conversion journey to Christianity.

In his 20 odd years of taking care of his cancer late mother since very young, Steven's life was filled with all kinds of anxieties including suffering depression from losing his mother in 1999.

But now he finds much security in his faith, and a rationale reason for gratitude on death.

When friends found out that I was going to interview Steven soon, all asked me this very same question: “Isn’t Steven a Buddhist?”

 Let Steven himself respond to the question: “Since young I attended Catholic schools. When I grew up I was an atheist all along. But many people thought I believed in Kun Yam (Chinese Goddess of Mercy); actually they misconstrued. Even my mother when alive was not a believer of Kun Yam, just that she was very fond of Kun Yam’s countenance so collected Kun Yam figurines as an art collection. So whenever I was outstation for work, I always bought a Kun Yam souvenir for my mother. At that time, the house was filled with Kun Yam souvenirs so friends thought we believed in Kun Yam. Actually we weren’t.”

SARS Evinced the Fearlessness of Doctors
When Steven was six years old, his mother unfortunately was diagnosed with nasopharyngeal (nose-throat) cancer. At junior high, Steven had already shouldered the care-taking responsibility of his mother. Having to tackle and resolve problems at such young age on his own cultivated his ‘believe in myself’ personality, therefore, he had never felt the need to follow any religious faith, until the year of SARS when his Christian 2nd older sister uttered a statement that changed his whole outlook on life.

“My 2nd older sister and 2nd brother-in-law are devout Christians. 2nd sister is a nurse while 2nd brother-in-law is a physical therapist. 2nd sister, of course, had hoped that I would one day believe in Christ but they rarely imposed their faith on me. The first time I was moved by their faith would have to be back in 2003, the year of SARS. At the time the situation was truly dire, many doctors and nurses couldn't endure it so one after another left the hospital. But of course, there were many who willingly stayed back, and some of them even contacted SARS and unfortunately died from it. When I saw how dangerous the epidemic was, I became panicky and called up my 2nd sister who was on duty that day.”

Steven said to 2nd sister: “Don’t work today. If something happens to you, what am I to do?”

Listening to her younger brother who loved her deeply, she replied: “My faith will support me.”

Steven’s voice became agitated, he said: “That’s not enough wo! Dr. Tse Yuen Yee was also a Christian but she was infected anyway. I’m not asking you for anything but at this moment would you at least let me as your younger brother be a bit selfish?”

2nd sister solemnly said to her younger brother: “Steven, if everybody thinks like you then every medical personnel would listen to his/her family member and leave the hospital. If one day you contacted SARS, or that father was infected with SARS, then who would take care of you both?”

At hearing his 2nd sister’s response Steven instantly got goose bumps; fighting back anxiety he said no more.

Steven said: “She said: “This inner strength came from God, it made me reflect deeply on my faith, which is the spirit of self-sacrificing for others."  At that moment, I didn’t know how to change her mind because she had a valid justification.”

Felt God’s Son’s Love in Movie
In 2004, the movie, The Passion of Christ, by renowned Hollywood actor, Mel Gibson, finally got on the silver screen.The movie depicts the last twelve hours of Jesus Christ’s tribulations before he died. The cast used Latin, Hebrew, and Aramaic (Jesus’ mother tongue) in their dialogs, effectively drawing the audience into the scenes as if they were personally experiencing  the whole drama.  Audiences all over the world were deeply moved.

He said: “One day I rented the movie home to watch. When I saw Jesus betrayed, saw him carrying the cross making the painful trek, and being crucified on the cross, my tears flowed unbidden. The movie depicted these scenes very realistically, and moreover, the actor portraying Jesus truly matched the image of Jesus in my heart. At the time I did not believe in Christ yet. As I watched I thought: “For real somebody truly went through all this? So pitiful! There is truly such a person (Jesus)?” If that is true then it is not just a movie but something that has a direct relationship with my life, because a real person actually sacrificed himself to wash over the worldly sins. Moreover, when he was being crucified on the cross he still pleaded with His heavenly Father to forgive those who had wronged Him for they knew not what they did. When I heard these words I fell apart. If I could meet Jesus of His time I would be a very happy person because that person though knowing I had sinned was still willing to use “for he did not know he has sinned” excuse to forgive me and even sacrificed his life for me.”

Afterwards, Steven happened to encounter some fellow Christian brothers and sisters from HK Artists Christian Fellowship, and had listened to numerous sermons from different pastors, allowing him to further understand Christianity. About four years ago Steven prayed for guidance for enlightenment, later he told his 2nd sister and pastor of his conversion decision.

Found Peace in God’s Embrace
Believing in Christ for four years, Steven is most happy he now has an older brother to share his burdens with.

He said: “Among my parents' 5 children, I’m the only son. I think a man has to shoulder all responsibility, so from young I seldom shared my troubles with family members. After believing in Christ it’s like having an older brother listening to my outpouring of feelings. I had always wished for an older brother, to be able to lay my burdens on him. God eases my hurt and wounds; my life no longer lonely. Hereafter, I have a listener, a God who understands my feelings and is tolerant of my flaws and weaknesses. Before him I can completely admit my own helplessness. This gives me much comfort.”

In March, last year, Japan had a 9 point magnitude big earthquake that in turn caused a devastating tsunami; the event shocked the whole world. After watching the news on tv Steven had a nightmare.

He said: “My house faces the street Princess Margaret Rd. That night I dreamed that there was a huge wave over Princess Margaret Rd (公主道) (tn: in Ho Man Tin). I became panicky. At that moment I suddenly heard a voice speaking in Mandarin said to me: “Child, don’t be scared! Everything’s fine!” The huge wave immediately subsided. And the dream ended. I went right back to sleep. The next day when I woke up I felt very relaxed. This dream had given me the security I never had in the past.”

The Lord truly understood what Steven most wanted in his whole life. From young, having to take care of his cancer mother Steven lived in constant fear and anxiety everyday. He constantly worried that should his mother suddenly have a relapse he might not be able to react quick enough, thus making her suffer even more. This cultivated in him a heightened sense of danger, and imbued in him a sense of insecurity. 

He said: “In all things, I still hope for the best but even more, I prepare for the worst. My thoughts veered very much towards catastrophe. Even today, there are things I cannot change. Like whenever I’m inside a plane I worry. Worry that the airflow may affect the flight. Before believing in Christ I would become anxious and would take all kinds of travel sickness pills. Once inside the plane I would instantly fall asleep. But now before boarding the plane I’ll say a prayer to God for a safe trip. But if accident happens I’ll tell Him I don’t fear death, as everybody will die once sooner or later, just that the dying be quick and not be drawn out torturous before going to the heavenly home.

“Also, when staying in a hotel, the higher the room is the greater the anxiety. So I always check out the emergency escape route in case of fire. That’s just my personality. Before believing in Christ I've had even more anxieties. Actually having a heightened sense of danger is not a bad thing, just that in my case it may be exaggerated thus putting myself in a constant vigilant mode. But what to do, it was cultivated in me since young.”

So what had happened to young Steven to make him think that life is littered with dangers?

Steven Accompanied Mother through Adversity. 

Steven was six years old when his mother was diagnosed with cancer and during that period she had had three relapses. She was 48 years old when she passed away after losing the 22-year battle with cancer. She had always lived with Steven, who together with his father took total responsibility to care for her.  audio ref para#3: Steven's emotional recount of his mother's death (revealed for the 1st time the deep-seated secret of his guilt over her death.   

Steven said: “Mother’s cancer first two relapses got worse each time it happened. And each time she lost more of her faculties after a relapse until in the end she was left with only one eye with blurry vision at that. The senses of taste, hearing, and smell as well as the neck flexibility were all atrophied. Those past 22 years I accumulated an abundance of anxieties and fear because Mother would suddenly go into convulsion, (tn: or suddenly spurt blood ) or suddenly passed out so in the middle of the night Father would come knocking on my door to have me sent Mother to the emergency care in the hospital. Or I would suddenly receive a hospital phone call informing me of my mother’s health condition such and such. That was our daily life. If she was “just a little bit off” I immediately thought ahead of what could happen to her and to be prepared. So I lived everyday in constant anxiety and fear. Now, I refuse to have a telephone installed in my bedroom because I don’t want it ringing in the middle of the night, nor do I like people knocking on my bedroom door (in the middle of the night).”

In 1999 Steven’s mother passed away. Missing his mother greatly Steven slipped into depression, (tn: and even considered suicide) and after a prolonged period he gradually came back up from the pit. Reminiscing on his mother, Steven abruptly clenched his fists, and said: “When Mother was alive, caring for her had become my life goal. When she left I felt as if I'd lost my whole heart. ” (tn: ref audio #3: and then there is the festering guilt that he had hastened her death because she gave in to his plea to take the surgery despite her intial reluctance.) 

Family always holds the first spot in Steven’s heart. Though not from a wealthy family, his family of seven was very close knitted. Growing up in Sham Shiu Po Pak Tin Estate, he and his sisters were close to each other as they played together in the public park playing the seesaws and slides. When grown, his young little sister was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. His 2nd sister close to childbirth got infected during her pregnancy, subsequently impairing her newborn son’s brain. And then there was his mother years’ long torture by cancer. (tn: And his maternal grandmother suffered some kind of illness and like his late mother also spurted blood in his presence.) Steven would rather all those things have befallen him instead. (tn: He omitted to mention his own heart disorder.)

Hope to look past life and death
Having taken care of his mother for 22 odd years, Steven is quite knowledgeable in nutritious food and basic medicinal remedies. Years ago he even published a book entitled: “I am a sick patient’s family” sharing with his readers his experience in caring for his sick mother. In recent years, Steven was also invited to an organ donors organization to share his outlook on life and death.

Recalling his mother, Steven became misty-eyed but still he hopes to transmit through different platforms a positive outlook towards sickness and death. He said: “First, don’t fear death; 2nd: cherish your family. Why don’t fear death? Because everybody will die one day. No matter how scared, still will die in the end. If live with fear everyday then it is the same as never having truly lived. Before believing in Christ, death to me is a deep sleep. After believing in Christ I know I will go to a better place,  and will reunite with brothers and sisters. Feel more peaceful thinking thus. I’ve already told my family and friends. When I die they must, must, send me off in a Christian memorial service.

“I once attended a Christian funeral service. Felt very peaceful. God tells us that the believers will return to the heavenly home, and will live in a better place and will no longer feel mortal pain, but will return to the Lord’s embrace. This gives me a comforting reason when grieving for a death.”

Steven thinks that since everybody will die someday, when alive then should live a good life, and also at the same time take responsibility for one’s deeds. As actor he said: “Don’t look down on movies or tv shows because they do impart an educational value. Every time I acted in a series I know I was embodying an educational character conveying different information to the audiences, so I will take responsibility for my series and will not participate in series that I think have no values. This has always been my principle. Which is why I’ve no regrets with any of my series. If in tv series production, we can maintain this kind of attitude and be steadfast in our stance, we can disseminate our God's given ideals.”

credit: baidu sm; Torrie_恩 2012-11-1 23:53

weibo 3/12/2012 christianity

3/12 1:35  Many people have asked me when did I first start believing in the Lord. Actually, my  accepting the Lord was made long time ago. All this time I feel that I'm unable and more so, unwilling and uncommitted, and also don't dare, therefore, have never in the capacity as artist being high profile in expressing. (tn: his conviction) Today I have matured. And soon a bigger decision looms before me. I only want to say that I am very ordinary, and that my prayer is solely to wish every one of my relatives around me, brothers and sisters to have peace, health, and also I wish that under Heaven lies a world without boundaries, and equality to be had by all.  I don't know how nor do I have the ability to preach. Actually,  I just want to wish you all peace, health and happiness.


TN: I sincerely hope Steven would not get publicly involve in the matters of religion or politics, for that matter.  These areas are just way too polarizing, too volatile, not to mention too alienating and too personal a subject to touch especially by a public figure without getting burn.

Steven has already mentioned his conversion to the Christian faith way back when on his weibo Oct 2010.

-- in Chinese---

Steven Ma Grateful to Stephen Chan for keeping his word.

Reposting of this article disallowed.

2011/05/27On.cc  Recently, Steven has been said to have changed his religious faith therefore is now been highly utilized by Stephen Chan.  During the recording of Apprentice Chef, Steven denied the above claim, and strongly stressed that in the past he has never subscribed to religious faith, although he has attended 藝人之家 ( a group of baptist group comprised of HK artists) but has not yet being baptized.

Steven says candidly that earlier on he has had wanted to leave the nest. At that time, Stephen Chan invited him for a negotiation discussion.  Steven says he desired his own culinary show and to sing, so his present jobs are the realization of Mr. Chan's earlier promises made to him.  Steven is grateful to the latter's responsibility and that he keeps his promise.

TN: I'm so glad Steven clarifies that he became Christian not because of Stephen Chan's influence.  Like I have mentioned earlier, Steven had already publicly revealed on weibo his Christian faith after much spiritual searching on his own not because of somebody's influence.


steven ma.org weibo

related material: executives in contention over Steven Ma

christian

Steven weibo


9/25/2010 02:09 One night in 1999, I was distraught and feeling helpless, the outcome was I got to know Him! He accompanied me for a long time and had supported me many times. But I kept questioning and doubted. But, now I truly believed, just like how it was back then that year when I first got to know Him. Maybe I have changed, but He has never changed! So, this late at night, just wanting to share a small piece of my testimony! May peace and happiness be with you all!

**********************
TN: I'm so totally shocked by Steven's revelation that he is a Christian now because he had always maintained that he had no religious faith. I'm so happy Steven has found Christ or maybe it was the other way around. I couldn't be any happier for Steven than right now. Christ has carried me through tough times, too! May he find peace in his faith.

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*1999 - Steven's mom passed away.