Point of Difference

Not posted a post like this for a long long time. But this is a really opportune time.

Practicum has essentially come to an end for me. Had my final teaching lesson for practicum today (didn't really teach though), and even though I still have 2 more weeks at Temasek Secondary School, I'm left with just some marking and some invigilation. The past 9 weeks have been really great. I don't think I would have enjoyed it as much if I had been posted back to any of my alma matars.

Practicum began with an interesting message, was at the TRACkers graduation ceremony and my cousin (who was the speaker) preached from John and of all verses, John 12:24-26.

"Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anybody serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there will My servant be also. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honour him."

These words have come to me at so many points in the past 2 years. The "Falling, Spinning" VCF musical, the events that happened during that musical, the joy and the deep pain that came after that. These verses has always comforted me, for more of the backstory, you can read it here.

It was the most fitting of ways to be begin practicum. A reminder to be fallen, a fallen seed that bears fruit. Nine weeks later, I cannot say that I have done well. It has been a powerful learning journey, and I think I have learnt more than my students.

My final posting will be in about 5 to 6 weeks time. I do not know where I will be going; but before coming into this profession God said that the path would be made straight for me, and it has been very straight so far. So I will be praying that I will remember why I do this and that I will not lose that call to be the difference.

This song doesn't exactly have very good lyrics, but there it has a certain annointing on it. A call to be the point of difference in this world.

Point of Difference
The tide is turning, this is redemption's hour
In the midst of a world lost for love
You are all we have now
The lost returning, salvation is all around
In the midst of a world broken down
You are all we have now

You are God and this hope is ours

So Father open the skies
Flood the earth with Your light
This is love that breaks a world indifferent
As we lift up our eyes
Fill our hearts with Your fire
In a world the same
We'll be the difference

Or hearts are burning a fire that won't burn out
In the midst of a world that's grown cold
You are all we have now
The earth resounding, the anthem of Your reknown
As we lift up our eyes and look to Your glory

Call us out, let the world see You are God
And this hope is ours
Call us out let the world see You are God
As we sing

Open the skies
Flood the earth with Your light
This is love that breaks a world indifferent
As we lift up our eyes
Fill our hearts with Your fire
In a world the same
We'll be the difference

Our eyes are broken
Every chain now broken
We're in this world
But we are different

Let Your love become us
As we live to make You famous
We're in this world
But we are different

(C) Words and music by Joel Houston

Here is an edited version of the song; it will probably be pulled from youtube soon.

facelift...

Giving my blog a long needed facelift... so everything is in the midst of renovation right now. Will be releasing my blog address to my students (if they haven't yet found it) towards the end of practicum, so time to do some sprucing up.

Removed all the links to the YMPACT and VCF guys, save for the Flowerpots of course! If you really want the links, they can still be found in the coding. Got tired of updating them, besides, Clayton does a fantastic job of keeping his links updated!

Added a lot of GAS inducing links as well. Most, save for the first link, are guitars that are probably beyond me. But well, who knows! More gear stuff will be added soon... I hope!

Will be updating the links section as well. Will be incorporating links to mathematics and english resources.

Taken from Sheldon's blog:

Your Scholastic Strength Is Developing Ideas

You can take a spark of inspiration and turn it into a full fledged concept. You are talented at brainstorming, visualizing, organizing, and independent thinking. You should major in: Natural sciences Computer science Creative writing Mathematics Architecture Journalism

What Should You Major In?

Homework I love you????

Homework I love you, I think you are great
It's wonderful fun when you keep me up late
I think you're the best when I'm totally stressed
Preparing and cramming all night for a test

Homework I love you, what more can I say?
I love to do hundreds of problems each day
You boggle my mind and you make me go blind
But still I'm estatic that you were assigned

Homework I love you, I tell you it's true
There's nothing more fun or exciting to do
You're never a chore, for it's you I adore
I wish that our teacher would hand you out more

Homework I love you, you thrill me inside
I'm filled with emotions, I'm fit to be tied
I cannot explain when you frazzle my brain
Of course that's because I'm completely insane.



Honestly, it isn't fun giving homework.