And on Day 25, we celebrate the greatest Giveaway of all — the gift of salvation in the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.

From all of us at Thir.st, a very Blessed Christmas!🎄

When happens when young people dare to dream and their elders supported them? In 2015, the youths of Hinghwa Methodist Church Singapore had a dream that they could write songs that would touch the heart of God and the lives of others. 3 years on, the intergenerational team is releasing their debut album, "Light Has Won".

You're invited to their album launch concert tonight at 7.30pm. More details in link:
https://thir.st/blog/light-has-won-hinghwa-methodist-church-has-a-song-to-sing/

A very Happy New Year to everyone! Here's the final version of our monthly email before we transition to a weekly RSS edition. 🙂

https://mailchi.mp/7f4090642c1d/hello-from-thirst-january-2019?e=e54387a014

5 KEYS TO KONMARI YOUR SPIRITUAL WALK

1. Tidy up by categories, not symptoms
2. Talk to God about everything
3. Put everything in a big pile
4. Keep only what sparks joy in Jesus
5. Confront courageously and clean up consciously

For the full story: https://thir.st/blog/how-to-konmari-your-spiritual-life-in-2019/

We sit down with two-time Grammy award-winning duo for KING & COUNTRY to talk about their journey so far as well as their new album, Burn The Ships.

for KING & COUNTRY will be in Singapore for a night of worship on 11 February 2019. Tickets are available from $28 onwards. More details in the story: https://thir.st/blog/thirst-talks-for-king-and-country/

“Kintsugi is the art of repairing broken pottery with gold or silver. The value of the broken pottery is then believed to be much higher than before. I think my life has really been kintsugi in action, and know God has picked up all my broken pieces, allowed my breaking so that His gold can be seen.”

Adia Tay’s debut single Comfort & Shelter from her debut EP Kintsugi drops today on all major music platforms.

For her full story: https://thir.st/blog/out-of-the-ashes-a-life-restored-adia-tay-on-finding-comfort-and-shelter/

Enjoy $5 off your tickets to FOR KING & COUNTRY here: bit.ly/fkc2019

According to researcher Dr John Gottman, these are the "four horsemen of the apocalypse" in any relationship:
1. Criticism
2. Contempt
3. Defensiveness
4. Stonewalling

For the full story: https://thir.st/blog/how-to-handle-anger-relationship-couple/

#THIRSTACOUSTIC presents: Without time in the secret place, we lose sight of who we are and get comfortable doing things on our own, for ourselves. A cover of the Faye Wong classic, 我愿意 was the Mandarin song that paved Isaac Ong’s way to The Voice Singapore/Malaysia in 2017. To this day, it is his tribute to the God he loves and worships with his entire life.

For the full story: https://thir.st/blog/worshipping-even-when-it-hurts-to-sing/

We believe that #SingaporesGotTalent and are on the lookout for original songs of worship. Songwriters, drop us a message if you want to give God the glory with your gift!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aq-pLTfL1Ww

"We need to engage in constructive conversations. As we grieve for the loss of another Singaporean son, we should ponder what his sacrifice means for the nation."
https://thir.st/blog/why-i-serve-national-service-nsman-reflections-aloysius-pang/

I started asking myself a few honest questions:

- “Am I serving in ministry because I love God, or because I’m concerned about how my parents and leaders see me?”
- “Is there any leader I can turn to if I have problems in the family and need to voice out? And will they view all pastors differently after that?”
- “Is Christianity really a religion that I personally subscribe to, or am I just a follower of what my parents have raised me up to be?”

I had more questions than answers.
For the full story: https://thir.st/blog/pastors-kid-pain-of-being-compared/

"The bulk of us are not having a wardrobe crisis – we're having an identity crisis," shares Audris Quek, the 23-year-old founder of Paradigm Shift the Label.

"When I almost audibly heard the words 'Paradigm Shift' in October 2017, and I asked God what He meant, He told me: 'That will be the fashion label we will start in the future.'"

The newly launched ethical fashion label aims to break mindsets that skinnier and skimpier are better, remind women of their worth and provide good jobs for people in Nepal.

For the full story: https://thir.st/blog/ethical-fashion-for-good-paradigm-shift/

What is a hongbao to you? To many it might just be money in a packet. But to one family, a hongbao was about lack, loss and love.

Based on a true story, journey into the past with Uncle Jeffrey, 72, and his 12 siblings as he reflects on the heart behind a hongbao. For without great love, there can be no true abundance.

Read more on: https://thir.st/blog/lessons-late-father/

https://youtu.be/LiJ1m0CV6iM

"You have reminded me of just how important it is to love not just in speech but in action, to love even when it’s costly, and to make our short lives on this earth count. We have lost a bright young star indeed."

For the full story: https://thir.st/blog/actor-aloysius-pang-death-legacy-love/

Have you ever considered this: Not everyone can return home to be with their families this festive season.

He or she could be a colleague who recently fell out with family. Indeed, he might be a friend scheduled to work during the celebrations. Or she might be someone’s daughter who’s studying overseas and can’t afford to return home.

There are so many “aliens” (Deuteronomy 10:18-19) in our midst. Away from their families, they’re in our everyday lives: Along the roads, in coffee shops – perhaps even working in the same company as us!

Whoever you choose to invite for a meal this year, remember that Jesus Himself frequently ate with the marginalised in society so He could minister to them. There’s always space for one more rice bowl at the Father’s table.

For the full story: https://thir.st/blog/friend-to-the-foreigner/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yx4LobVcjVQ

A blessed Lunar New Year to all!♥️🎊

In the slew of interactions with people (and goodies) we haven’t seen all year, uncomfortable conversations and situations are bound to arise.

As surely as pineapple tarts will make their appearance at each house we visit, our mettle will be tested in the various scenarios presented in this video. Will we stand our ground and respond with grace? Or will we fall prey to the 7 deadly scenes of CNY?

For the full story: https://thir.st/blog/7-scenes-cny/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJbtnhPemus