ragamuffinkid

How time flies. Christmas is once again just around the corner. I have always loved Christmas. It always gives me that warm and cosy feeling which I savor. But then again, it also makes me feel a year older too.
I was actually quite stressed up over the weekend to prepare for the biopsychology module … [...]

by Chris Tomlin
(Verse 1)
What hope we hold this starlit night
a King is born in Bethlehem
Our journey long, we seek the light
that leads to the hallowed manger ground
(Verse 2)
What fear we felt in the silent age
four hundred years can he be found
But broken by a baby’s cry
rejoice in the hallowed manger ground
(Chorus)
Emmanuel, Emmanuel
God incarnate here to [...]

by Sheila Walsh

I was the only one
Star of the show
Thought I could make it on my own
Then came the big surprise
out of the blue
What is the clown supposed to do

Why did I walk away?
You were my life
Patiently taught me how to fly
That was my big mistake
I need You so
Please hold me tight, don't let me go

Suddenly I'm falling out of the sky
Don't let me go or I will die

Whose hands are these on my trapeze?
I'm falling free You rescue me so willingly
Whose hands are these on my trapeze?
Take hold of me or there will be a tragedy on my trapeze

It was the year 1990 and I was still serving my full-time national service with 38SCE. This was one of the songs that hit the top 10 on 98.7 FM that year. Very popular indeed. But few people knew that this song by Michael W Smith was actually a gospel song. It was also a song which expressed exactly how I felt that time when I was trying to figure out my place and purpose on this earth. And so, when I first heard this song, it became sort of my personal prayer by singing it to God whenever I was booking in on Sunday night, when I was out in the field for exercise, when I was all alone by myself ...

For almost 20 years thereafter, the journey had its ups and downs. But overall, it ended up pretty fruitful and enriching in many ways.

And once in a while, I'll still sing this to Him in the darkest of nights ... but this time, it is more to remind myself that if He has brought me thus far, I can still trust Him to see me through for the rest of my journey, though I can't see what lies ahead or when will this journey end.

And if you are looking for your place in this world, look no further than Jesus, the alpha and the omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. He will see you through if you wholly surrender your life to Jesus and let Him be the Lord of your life.



The wind is moving but I am standing still
A life of pages waiting to be filled
A heart that's hopeful, a head that's full of dreams
But this becoming is harder than it seems
Feels like I'm ...
Looking for a reason, roaming through the night to find
My place in this world, my place in this world
Not a lot to lean on, I need Your light to help me find
My place in this world, my place in this world

If there are millions down on their knees
Among the many can You still hear me
Hear me asking where do I belong
Is there a vision that I can call my own
Show me I'm ...
Looking for a reason, roaming through the night to find
My place in this world, my place in this world
Not a lot to lean on, I ne

Read this story before. But this is the first time I watch the video version. And this is how much the Heavenly Dad loves you, regardless of who you are or what you have done.

These are amazing!  Call this fun therapy too -  using fun to alter people's behaviour.

How can you encourage people to use the litter bin, rather than littering.


How can you encourage people to use the stairs, rather than the escalator.


More to come!

For two weekend services - one in youth, and one in adult, this song just kept reminding me of the verse - "The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever." (Isaiah 40:8).



Performed by New Life Worship.

One thing I know that I have found
Through all the troubles that surround
You are the Rock that never fails, You never fail

One thing I know that I believe
Through every blessing I receive
You are the only One that stays, You always stay

Chorus:
You never change, You're still the same
You are the Everlasting God
You will remain after the day is gone and the things of earth have passed
Everlasting God

God is sovereign!

On a side note, I've finished all my tutorials! Hooray! But ... coming very soon, my Extremely Xplicitly Agonizing Month.

救命啊！ T_T

By Brian Doerksen

Faithful One so unchanging
Ageless One You’re my rock of peace
Lord of all I depend on You
I call out to You, again and again
I call out to You, again and again

You are my rock in times of trouble
You lift me up when I fall down
All through the storm
Your love is the anchor
My hope is in You alone

I saw these banners being hung around the campus - "Congratulations", "Convocation 2009". Some people who started their course the same time as I do are graduating. I wish I'm one of the graduates for this year's convocation, but too bad, I still got another long journey ahead.. sigh...

Just saw this youtube video. Guess it speaks a thousand words. Watch and be amazed on how God can use the very young one of 13 years old to shake the world.

A newsclip from CBN


This is the recording of the kid who called the radio station:

When I first heard this song being played on my lappy, I was struggling to hold back the floodgates of my eyes. And no, it's not from Hillsong.

Start from 1.30 mins onwards. End at 8.20 mins.



Written and performed by Jason Upton

Verse 1

I've been running trying to find my refuge
Never stop long enough to see
All the while You were right there waiting
Let me in the shadow of Your Wings

Chorus
Under the shadow
Under the shadow
Under the shadow of Your Wings
I will find my rest
Under the shadow
Under the shadow
Under the shadow of Your Wings
I will find my rest
find my rest

Verse 2
I get so thirsty trying to find Your presence
I forget to stop and take a drink
All the while You're just right there wanting
To pour Your healing water over me

Bridge
It's only in You
It's only in You, Lord

Heard this song being played from my laptop this afternoon while I was doing some reading on gender and education. Suddenly, it brought me back to the first 3 months of 1984 when I was also listening to this same song almost every morning while I was transiting at Toa Payoh Interchange to school. Brought me back memories of this girl I met during those first 3 months ... whom I fell in love with ... but she did not know, and I did not have the guts to take the first step to ask her out for a date. Her name was Iris. She was a sweet and gentle girl, and I believe she still is. Well, call it the dream girl whom every boy would go after. After those 3 months, we moved on to other schools. We never met until I bumped into her one evening 10 years ago along Robinson Road. That was the last time. I would like to think that she's happily married to a loving hubby with many lovely kids. Whenever I hear this song being played on the air or my laptop, I would somehow remember her and I wish she will always be happy.

(Performed by Bread. Words by David Gates)

And Aubrey was her name,
A not so very ordinary girl or name.
But who's to blame?
For a love that wouldn't bloom
For the hearts that never played in tune.
Like a lovely melody that everyone can sing,
Take away the words that rhyme it doesn't mean a thing.

And Aubrey was her name.
We tripped the light and danced together to the moon,
But where was June.
No it never came around.
If it did it never made a sound,
Maybe I was absent or was listening to fast,
Catching all the words, but then the meaning going past,

But God I miss the girl,
And I'd go a thousand times around the world just to be
Closer to her than to me.

And Aubrey was her name,
I never knew her, but I loved her just the same,
I loved her name.
Wish that I had found the way
And the reasons that would make her stay.
I have learned to lead a life apart from all the rest.
If I can't have the one I want, I'll do without the best.



But how I miss the girl
And

This reminds me of Good Friday in less than two weeks time :)

Verse 1:
The greatest day in history, Death is beaten
You have rescued me
Sing it out Jesus is alive
The empty cross, The empty grave
Life eternal You have won the day
Shout it out Jesus is alive
He's alive

Chorus:
Oh happy day, happy day
You washed my sin away
Oh happy day, happy day
I'll never be the same
Forever I am changed

Verse 2:
When I stand, in that place
Free at last, meeting face to face
I am Yours Jesus You are mine
Endless joy, perfect peace
Earthly pain finally will cease
Celebrate Jesus is alive
He's alive



Chorus:
Oh happy day, happy day
You washed my sin away
Oh happy day, happy day 
I'll never be the same OHH NO
Forever I am changed


Bridge:
Oh what a glorious day
What a glorious way
That You have saved me
Oh what a glorious day
What a glorious name
YEAHHH

Chorus:
Oh happy day, happy day
You washed my sin away
Oh happy day, happy day
I'll never be the same
Forever I am changed



What a glorious glorious day,
I'll never be the same

Mom will always be mom, yeah?

To all moms and moms-to-be out there, Happy Mother's Day!

This video was long overdue. But since the December 2008 team was supposed to share the trip experience at next month's missions connection, thought it will be good to show the video, which is aimed at capturing the East Timorese' spirit of hope, the spirit of never-say-die, the spirit of keeping the dream alive.

Somehow, I just felt that strange tinge of warmth that flowed through me when I watched the final output.

Enjoy.