Just thinking…. if we have a dream that is right, aren’t problems just doors to be opened to reach that dream or vision?

The Wondrous Word of God
“Theme Song for HopeKids Camp 2007″

Music by Wan Yueh
Words by Rags,

Will be posting photos as its available here. Some confessionals … by the middle of the first day (after teaching the 3rd lesson), I had big doubt the plan’s going to work. For the first time, we seriously tone down the fun element with the balance of deeper things. We made ’Annual Camps’ as platform for discipleship and solid feeding. I thought that idea will seriously flat out. Without the camp highlight of skits by the teachers this year, it was with much prayers (after the 3rd lesson) that it turned out a fantastic camp.

No skits from the teachers but instead these are what we had…

• 4 skits by kids. Purely 100% kids effort.
• More leadership from kids
• Ok, we did have a skit by the teachers but it was an impromptu one. It was hilarious
• 12 lessons (yes so many that its a miracle that we could complete them) about God’s Word ie. How it came about, canonization, translation and distribution.
• A fresh & fantastic new team
• A 5 metre volcano which really did erupt during Camp Night.
• A great volunteers appreciation time by the family group
• An original theme song “Wondrous Word of God”
• Much deeper connection with the kids

It was really a great time! And most importantly we are another step towards the renewal of the spiritual generation. There’s no better work at least for me! Well done folks! God has really used you and its my privilege to partner with all of you. You know who u are. 

A Teaching Session

The Team (Partial)

Teacher Yung in Tots Camp

Participant in Tots Camp

Back to work. 1 day before camp. Rest, water and prayers makes the biggest difference. I feel awaken. Best thing to be before this weekend 

Switchfoot’s “Awakening” Music Video

Switchfoot is a christian (sort of) band I knew before they made it. Someone introduce them to me after hearing my music. He say I sound like them. Ah hem! Not sure if the person’s sober but I’m not interested in such details.

Kids Camp is two days away. My strategy to combat sickness.

1) Pray and get prayers
2) Sleep a lot
3) Drink lots of water
4) Be positively happy

Still no chance to see a doctor yet…
When I’m sick I tend to think of how mortal we are. How incapable we are by ourselves. How dependent we should be. This is the time when trust really makes sense. Yeap, when I’m sick I think of my Father a lot.

This is a ‘CryBaby’

This is a ‘Really Nice Compressor’ …. really! see the picture.

Going to HopeKids camp this weekend so doing my first podcast (or rather video cast) for our Leadership Huddle as most of us will not be around for.  Anyway cracking my brain to see how to edit it.

For those who needs an education about what it is, ask the Ninja

Else its basically just web content (audio for podcast, video for vcast) you can subscribe to be pushed to your audio devices like mp3 player on every availability of it.

Ever blame others? Ever blame others with good intentions? Ever said to yourself…
“I’ve tried my best in the situation. My intentions are good. So it must be other people’s fault”.

The truth is… we are human beings, the big messed up race. When there’s a problem, look for the nearest thing to blame. The bad deal of that is, the problem doesn’t get solved.. because the issue is out of control when perceived to be external. I think we are in control, always… we have the authority and the power to make a difference. No matter how little it may be. The blaming game is the one of the biggest hinderance to team work. It’s the bogeyman in my ministry.

How do I handle the blaming game? 
1. I (as far as I’m conscious abt it) don’t play it. I’m more aware about my part and contribution to an issue than anything else. So whatever the issue, I have a part to play. Can’t change others, change myself.
2. I do crucial confrontation or courageous conversations. What are they? Beats me…Still trying to figure out. Reading and learning, getting it all up there in my head. Its not quite in the system of things and definitely not yet in the heart. Yes dealing with it, doing it to the best of my ability but perhaps doing it all wrong. 

How about you? Share your tips on how you deal with the blame game?

Peter lead games for the first time. He was enthusiastic and confident. It was a great time for the kids to kick start the service..

Matthew was the other new volunteer. He just did lights but it’s enough to make him decide to join us. Good to see people wanting to join us each week. The team’s been going through some rejuvenation. The new with the old. The young with the older. We face the challenge of imparting God’s vision for kids here in HopeKids to all our new WORMS. It is beyond doing it just because we like kids as I read in a lot of registration forms. It’s about renewal of the spiritual generation. It’s not child’s play.

Wie Wie was her enthusiastic ‘host’ self and did the appetizer well. She has special connection with the younger kids and it showed. Wan Yueh did well leading praise while playing guitar herself despite some musicians duty mixed up earlier. The kids, I feel.. still too conscious of the environment, more like spectators than worshippers to me. We need to connect kids to Christ, help them to be fully devoted to God…urgently…don’t have much time, they seem to be growing up too fast.

I shared a more serious than usual message about Saul’s encounter with Jesus on the way to Damascus. The challenge is to let God lead as we are blind to his ways. Nevetheless its still fun. The art of preaching a good children service is the right balance of wacky fun and biblical seriousness.

Had a good short 1 to 1 time with Benedict in line with our value to know kids personally.

It’s another good seed planted on 20 May @ HopeKids but where are all the girls? The boys outnumbered them almost 3 to 1.

Did some time with God…, turned to Isaiah 52:7….When we serve Him to proclaim peace & bring good news, it must be beautiful to Him. Sometimes I wonder how can I be beautiful? I’m not Sandra Bullock or Chow Yuen Fatt. I’m not even good. But yet beautiful I know I am. And so are all who are commited to serve Him. So all ye people …you’re beautiful… and say it in James Blunt type of way

Since I’m beautiful I did more time with God… Isaiah 52:11-12 Yippee yeah,  Go, obey .. and be purified in the process. Leave not in haste or in flight… (for those who are late and rush to children’s church)  In other words be cool, be steady. God is in front of you and behind you. He is before you to guide you and behind you to support & direct ya… all the way til the end. You are sandwiched in His Great Presence.