Mail from Marilyn Ho!

Here's how our dear sister celebrated Christmas in Australia! 

 

18th December 2010, Saturday.

There was this church that had people from Austria (But trained in Japan therefore mainly Japanese girls) dancing to a ballet of Joseph and Mary and their adventure to Bethlehem and having baby Jesus. (The Nativity story) Interesting, no speech, nothing. Just ballet dancing across the stage. 

22nd December 2010, Wednesday.

We had an OCF (Overseas Christian Fellowship, its an Christian organisation for students that come from overseas which Mel and I join.) prayer meet on our usual Wednesday nights but since it was leading up to Christmas, we decided to have a Potbless Christmas dinner where everyone brings a dish and we hang out, meet new people and share the joy of this special season.

23rd December 2010, Thursday.

Mum and dad (Auntie Belinda and Uncle KQ) went for a church friend's Christmas dinner celebration.

While Mel and I prepare for our next Christmas dinner the day after (Friday) and watch a late night move.

24th December 2010, Friday.

A evening service in church for Christmas eve where dad and I serve as ushers. 

And Mel and I are going to a friend's place for Crabs (They love crabbing), Cranberry sauce (A common "jam" used to eat with meet especially meatballs) and Carolling. This is another potbless. You can tell, we love our food and parties.

25th December 2010, Saturday.

Yes, you guessed it, another dinner celebration! ;)

At our house again with our parent's friends. (All the aunties and uncles) While we little bubs try to tune in with that generation.

26th December 2010, Sunday. Boxing Day.

In Australia, there is this Christmas decoration competition that happen on houses where they register and compete for the main prize. ( I think its cash) These houses put up a great show. They can turn their plain old black tiled roof into santa's workshop with loads of lights happening, fake snow shipped in, Bubble machines shooting at you and blasting music to add to the atmosphere. Though we don't really have the "Orchard Road Deco" to enjoy, we have this. People usually have a little box placed outside of their amazingly well decorated house for people to drop in coins if they want. Usually they would use this money for a charity the family is supporting. Last year, it was reported that the house that won first prize had a total cost of a 10,000 dollars plus worth of electricity (I mean, c'mon imagine the whole neighbourhood's electricity is connected to you house. ITS JUST LIKE THAT!) and decorations. It was definitely insane. but it was beautiful. So we would be having a trail of OCF friends following us once I find out the top few houses that got judged and admire its beauty in the dark night sky.

That's just about it for us Ho's here in Perth, SEE YOU GUYS IN JANUARY 2011! :D

In Daddy God's love,

Marilyn.

Its Christmas again!

You better watch out,
You better not cry,
Better not pout,
I'm telling you why:
Santa Claus is coming to town.

As you walk around shopping malls during this season, you'll hear the familiar Christmas songs and melodies being played from the stereos of shops and malls. You may even catch yourself singing to the tune of "Jingle bells" and "Santa Claus is coming to town". But hey!? is that the song you should be singing?
Even as we enjoy the festive season and all the hype of buying presents and the christmas sales! We must remember the true meaning of Christmas. The ONLY reason why Christmas is a time of celebration!

Take time to pause and remember that Christmas is a time where God's greatest gift to all mankind was brought to earth - a baby boy named Jesus.

In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 1 John 4:9-10

Mark 10: No Glory Without the Cross

As I recently read a section from "The Ordinary Hero" by Tim Chester, he brought out an interesting observation from Mark 10:35-52 by drawing a parallel between the incident when James and John asked to be at the right and left hand of Christ; and the incident of the healing of Bartimaeus.

Though in our bible study we brought out the contrast of the faith of Bart versus the faith of the rich young man (which I still think is a more suitable contrast based on the context), nonetheless Tim Chester has a slightly different take on the stories.

Notice that in both incidents, Jesus asked exactly the same question to both James/John (10:36) and Bart (10:51): "What do you want me to do for you?". It seems that Mark when he wrote the gospel was trying to draw us to see that parallel, that though Jesus asked exactly the same question in both incidents, the reply was different.

James and John requested for glory (10:37) but Jesus said that they will suffer like He would (10:39), that the pattern for following Him is suffering followed by glory. Yet they didn't see it, especially right after Jesus predicted His death for the third time, while they were on their way to Jerusalem where Jesus would face persecution and suffering and death (10:34). They were blind to that truth. Rather they should have been like Bart who replied to Jesus: "I want to see". They need to see that the Christ must suffer, see the importance of the way of the cross and to see the pattern of suffering followed by glory.

As for Bart, we were told simply that Bart requested to see, and Jesus made him see, and he followed Jesus (10:51-52). Whilst Bart was never mentioned again...we know that Jesus was on the way to the cross, and Bart "followed Jesus along the road" (10:52).

No glory without the cross.

If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Mark 10:34

- Keith

SHOTS 5 ASIDE

Are you badly in need of some exercise before THAT dreaded IPPT?Finished your EOY exams and starting to feel bored? Miss having a kick about with the lads? Or you simply just miss the speed, fun and finesse of futsal...

Young or Old, Skilled or Unskilled, this is an invitation to BTPC's one day Futsal League "Shots 5-a-side" to get to know more soccer kakis, and at the same time hear the Christian gospel.

Details:
5 teams(max)
6 players per team(5 on court, 1 sub)
Each game lasts 9 minutes with no half-time break
Duration will be 3 hours
Champion and Runner-up teams will stand to win prizes.

Take a shot at it!!

The Gospel Message

A friend showed me this video and I thought this was a really cool way to tell people about the gospel message! Since nowadays, people are almost always online, feel free to share this with your friends through the youtube link!

Have fun watching it and don't forget to show it to your friends!

Tchoukball Lessons

Tcoukball is back! Lessons starting from 9th January. Conducted by our qualified coach Richmond! Interested? Email us now!