I preached on Romans 15:14-33 this morning.
Mission and Workers --- Be the Gospel priest and servant
Mission & Vision --- Proclaim God's name outside the known place
Mission & Courage --- With God's strength and Holy Spirit's power
Mission & Prayers --- Together with me Pray to God
2007年9月30日 星期日
2007年9月28日 星期五
Fined due to delay
Three days ago I did not renew my borrowed books from public library as I thought then I still had time to do.This morning I happened to remember I need have renewed them past two days.
Well the result is I was fined fifteen dollars for the 8 overdue books.
The lesson I got still unmistakably is this : when you have time and need doing something,better finish it all at once or you'll regret later. The past two days I was occupied with meetings and phone calls and last night even had to conduct a memorial service and no room really left for my mind to do this routine things on the web.Anyway I borrowed another 8 books in return.I might not think of going to the library if not for these returned books .
Loss sometimes means gain for the reading of another new books !
And this is Life!
Well the result is I was fined fifteen dollars for the 8 overdue books.
The lesson I got still unmistakably is this : when you have time and need doing something,better finish it all at once or you'll regret later. The past two days I was occupied with meetings and phone calls and last night even had to conduct a memorial service and no room really left for my mind to do this routine things on the web.Anyway I borrowed another 8 books in return.I might not think of going to the library if not for these returned books .
Loss sometimes means gain for the reading of another new books !
And this is Life!
2007年9月27日 星期四
Griefs & Memorials
YK passed away a few days ago. Our church lady pastor's elder sister also rested in the Lord. Another sister's mother also joined the Creator God without much notices. I have to conduct the memorial service for MT tonight.
Griefs are numerous these days and we also have to expect our own in the not too distant future in all our mid ages people.
Facing death is natural and we call it sleep in our Christian understandings. The uncertain thing in facing it is the way of passing away is unknown and sometimes unexpected. This itself causes much griefs and sorrows.
But griefs can be meaningful in making us think. Tears can be vital in clearing our mind amid the hectic living.Sorrows can be beneficial in holding our human pride and unanswered prayers can help us to be humble before the Redeemer.
Griefs are numerous these days and we also have to expect our own in the not too distant future in all our mid ages people.
Facing death is natural and we call it sleep in our Christian understandings. The uncertain thing in facing it is the way of passing away is unknown and sometimes unexpected. This itself causes much griefs and sorrows.
But griefs can be meaningful in making us think. Tears can be vital in clearing our mind amid the hectic living.Sorrows can be beneficial in holding our human pride and unanswered prayers can help us to be humble before the Redeemer.
2007年9月26日 星期三
The transformer of loneliness
Joy is the transformer of loneliness.
A phrase from my desktop calendar to date which I seldom notice everyday but just happened to take it this morning.
Joy is the relief agent in our tense life.
In reading Romans I won't forget it's also one of the main consequences of a justified sinner that he or she can be joyful because of having God. (Romans 5:11)
A phrase from my desktop calendar to date which I seldom notice everyday but just happened to take it this morning.
Joy is the relief agent in our tense life.
In reading Romans I won't forget it's also one of the main consequences of a justified sinner that he or she can be joyful because of having God. (Romans 5:11)
Cybermission
In order to find out certain mission data,I searched for mission websites and downloaded useful cybermission powerpoints. To me it's so convenient and thankful to the Lord for the uses.
These days web information are freely useful for all. We indeed are in an age of info but still we need to have not just info but interactions too. Info is not difficult for all but interactions still take time for purposes.
These days web information are freely useful for all. We indeed are in an age of info but still we need to have not just info but interactions too. Info is not difficult for all but interactions still take time for purposes.
2007年9月25日 星期二
2007年9月24日 星期一
Drowsy mind
I do not feel quite fresh this past two days,especially having a sleepy mind.
Last night I slept for three hours from about 7:30 till 10:30p.m. but not in deep sleep state for the rest of the night. So I have to bear a drowsy mind for the day.
Morning in office still OK with Poutonghua class and meeting in the morning.We have accepted a new colleague for I-Hua after the meeting and thank the Lord for it. He' ll start anew from October onwards.
Today is mid-autumn festival and will have early day off from 3:30p.m. onwards.
Lord help me to be in fresh state in my service.
Last night I slept for three hours from about 7:30 till 10:30p.m. but not in deep sleep state for the rest of the night. So I have to bear a drowsy mind for the day.
Morning in office still OK with Poutonghua class and meeting in the morning.We have accepted a new colleague for I-Hua after the meeting and thank the Lord for it. He' ll start anew from October onwards.
Today is mid-autumn festival and will have early day off from 3:30p.m. onwards.
Lord help me to be in fresh state in my service.
2007年9月23日 星期日
With I-Hua
I am asked to share of my thoughts after joining with I-Hua. With disperse thoughts I just lay down the following reflections:
1. It's good still have a clear goal with a small team doing common things together i.e. Work together for Healthy Workers and
2. It's profitable to have senior and experienced colleagues be my guide in service.
3. It's joyful to know Chinese church leaders in their various forms and differences that enrich my understandings of Chinese church needs.
4. It's challenging to see God and rely on Him to bring Timothy to join in trainings and this itself should not be works of men but entirely of God's help and be His chosen vessels.
5. I live in an uncertainty and have to be be flexible all the time in my preachings and trainings alternating between the twos.
6. The depth of the training hinged upon my time devoted to preparations. It's not that easy to have undisturbed silence in focusing on the preparations with phone calls and office-talks.
7. To build up links and networks need both time and partnerships. To be distinctive in our trainings need our own focusing and clarifying thoughts. I still have to learn to pick up and use good discernment in it.
8. We are not specialist with high levels in our equipment and so our target groups in service should be clear in view ourselves.
9. How to use our time the best still is under scrutiny upon outreaching needs, Timothy trainings and other local needs.
10.Devoted too much administrations may hinder concentration in trainings. Recruited trainers should be skillful in teachings and entirely dedicated to it to have fruitful results
2007年9月22日 星期六
A Free Saturday
I was not feeling well today and thanks God it's a free day for me.
I need more sleep and space after continual work for a few weeks without rest.
Watching detective Conan with Yannie at home in the morning and sleeping in the afternoon is my today's vacation.
I need more sleep and space after continual work for a few weeks without rest.
Watching detective Conan with Yannie at home in the morning and sleeping in the afternoon is my today's vacation.
2007年9月20日 星期四
Three hours
I finished this month's minimum work within just three hours this afternoon when I went back to O office. I did not intend to do anything but I just returned after the ECF colleagues' meeting in the morning. The monthly donor letter and the cover page of the EA prayer news have been settled within the hours. I did pack some of my stuff files too. I supposed to evacuate all the five years file but still has not cleared them.
2007年9月19日 星期三
Paul's Pains
I read George Mattheson's book "The spiritual development of Paul" last night and he mentioned Three kinds of Pain experienced by Paul. George was a Scottish pastor last century who lost sight but wrote a very beautiful hymn "O Love that wilt not let me go"
The first pain is Paul's eye disease. It's caused during Damascus conversion by the great light of Jesus. It's his body thorn not put away though after continual pleading.
The second pain is Paul's own inner conflicts through understanding of human nature mentioned clearly in Roman 7. Though according to NP explanation of Pauline theology it may not necessarily be Paul's own testimony.
The third pain is his receiving personal attack through interactions with the members in Corinthian churches and Galatia region.
These three kinds of pain are also common among our life and service.
Personally I thank God that I am still physically OK and clear of psychological guilt in conscience. But from time to time in the past I also have received attacks in personal relationships due to misunderstandings and various causes.
May Paul's pain just alert us in our humility before the Great God.
May Mattheson's song & His great Love always grasp us and not let us give up.
The first pain is Paul's eye disease. It's caused during Damascus conversion by the great light of Jesus. It's his body thorn not put away though after continual pleading.
The second pain is Paul's own inner conflicts through understanding of human nature mentioned clearly in Roman 7. Though according to NP explanation of Pauline theology it may not necessarily be Paul's own testimony.
The third pain is his receiving personal attack through interactions with the members in Corinthian churches and Galatia region.
These three kinds of pain are also common among our life and service.
Personally I thank God that I am still physically OK and clear of psychological guilt in conscience. But from time to time in the past I also have received attacks in personal relationships due to misunderstandings and various causes.
May Paul's pain just alert us in our humility before the Great God.
May Mattheson's song & His great Love always grasp us and not let us give up.
2007年9月17日 星期一
Equality & Priority
When I read this morning about the proclamation of the Gospel,first to Jews then to Gentiles, it's the Lord's sequence in this proclamation.
And I then read the reward & punishment from the Lord upon those who seek Him,first also to Jews then to Gentiles,again there's a priority here.
In terms of both the Gospel and the reward to Jews then to Gentiles,Paul said that for God does not show any favoritism.
There's a problem arising here.
No favoritism means God is impartial and would have no bias towards man. But in reality there's always a first and an after. With God it's no unequality, but with us there might probably be unequality with this.
How are we getting close to God's way in it ?
Equality means impartiality but doesn't mean no priority. Jesus specially brought along Peter,James and John with Him in His Mount Transfiguration just shows this.
With men equality might mean evenness,sameness and no difference.
With God,equality might mean priority,sequence and His choice.
It 's not our way to understand His impartiality.
And I then read the reward & punishment from the Lord upon those who seek Him,first also to Jews then to Gentiles,again there's a priority here.
In terms of both the Gospel and the reward to Jews then to Gentiles,Paul said that for God does not show any favoritism.
There's a problem arising here.
No favoritism means God is impartial and would have no bias towards man. But in reality there's always a first and an after. With God it's no unequality, but with us there might probably be unequality with this.
How are we getting close to God's way in it ?
Equality means impartiality but doesn't mean no priority. Jesus specially brought along Peter,James and John with Him in His Mount Transfiguration just shows this.
With men equality might mean evenness,sameness and no difference.
With God,equality might mean priority,sequence and His choice.
It 's not our way to understand His impartiality.
Three hours sleep and reading Romans
Last night I went to bed right after dinner from7:30-10:30.Three hours sleep made me better. I was sleepy and not knowing why. It got better then but all through out the night it's not that ideal as I did not fall into deep sleep and still awoke most of the time.
My sleeping problem sometimes disturbs my daytime flow as can be imagined naturally. I have to maintain my own pace in daytime in terms of thoughts and action.
I determine to read through the Romans many times this week as it gets closer to the training dates. Reading books just helps me to get insights from others and the specialists. Still I need to have my own clear view and relationship thoughts for the whole picture. I thank the Lord for this book as Romans is supposed to be my more familiar book from young days. Knowing a familiar one is getting more difficult than knowing a strange one. You need to refresh yourself upon the known and still discern the unknown. It takes humility and wisdom again from the Lord to teach us. Holy Spirit is the ONE leading us into all truths. Lord God ! Help me to grasp your own words this very day !
My sleeping problem sometimes disturbs my daytime flow as can be imagined naturally. I have to maintain my own pace in daytime in terms of thoughts and action.
I determine to read through the Romans many times this week as it gets closer to the training dates. Reading books just helps me to get insights from others and the specialists. Still I need to have my own clear view and relationship thoughts for the whole picture. I thank the Lord for this book as Romans is supposed to be my more familiar book from young days. Knowing a familiar one is getting more difficult than knowing a strange one. You need to refresh yourself upon the known and still discern the unknown. It takes humility and wisdom again from the Lord to teach us. Holy Spirit is the ONE leading us into all truths. Lord God ! Help me to grasp your own words this very day !
2007年9月16日 星期日
II Timothy 4:6-8
Relentless service of Paul in the above verses is my theme for this Sunday morning.
I preached on three points:
1. Wholesome duty
--- Be a good soldier of Jesus Christ,concentrated in one's duties!
2. Wholesome effort
--- Be a finisher in the racecourse,complete the running !
3. Wholesome responsibility
--- Be a responsible worker in handling the truth of God,hold the word!
I preached on three points:
1. Wholesome duty
--- Be a good soldier of Jesus Christ,concentrated in one's duties!
2. Wholesome effort
--- Be a finisher in the racecourse,complete the running !
3. Wholesome responsibility
--- Be a responsible worker in handling the truth of God,hold the word!
2007年9月12日 星期三
Bible Readings
Since involved in bible training,I suppose my role should be more time given to readings of the bible. I too need book readings on interpretations of scriptures but the priority should be wholesome bible book readings first. I have to read Romans a number of times again.
I read ch 14-15 this morning and try to read many other parts together for an overall view again.
My past readings on Romans help and hinder my fresh intake of the book.
I read ch 14-15 this morning and try to read many other parts together for an overall view again.
My past readings on Romans help and hinder my fresh intake of the book.
2007年9月11日 星期二
A China Ministry Review Talk
An almost three hour morning talk on China ministry has been in progress today and I have been listening carefully for the input. Representatives from different places have joined together for the discussions. It would be great for my own ministry with an overview and the necessary things being done in future.
Quite a busy week
I found myself teaching,preachings on Friday morning,Saturday afternoon,Sunday morning this week. Hospital visits and memorial service are also around this week. Then there are the board meetings with FEBC and time to meet with OMF colleagues and SSPCC deacons too. All come together in a week. It's quite enough for me amid the preparation of the coming Oct trainings.
Still we have to pray for outreaching opportunities to ask for more candidates for the third Timothy members.
It's great to meet with the CEOs from FEBC elsewhere last night. This morning I 'll join them again for hearing the discussions in the future move and strategy plannings.
Still we have to pray for outreaching opportunities to ask for more candidates for the third Timothy members.
It's great to meet with the CEOs from FEBC elsewhere last night. This morning I 'll join them again for hearing the discussions in the future move and strategy plannings.
2007年9月10日 星期一
Hospital visits
I was in two hospitals today.
I went to HHH first after lunch in office for my own body check every three months. Since it's of the same place,before I came to meet Doctor TY,I paid a visit to both Mr. Hui and Mr. Wong in the nearby aging home.But TY came late after two thirty and I had to be a bit hurry back to office at four p.m. for meeting with missionary colleague LL.
After that I promised to go to Prince Wales Hospital to visit YK. She has been suffered from Brain cancer last two years and she's said to be in a critical and terminal state. Her family members and father were there the time I arrived. It' good I could pray for her before the family. It's good also that SK the lady pastor was there too that she could take good care of YK in meeting with the hospital doctor too.
I went to HHH first after lunch in office for my own body check every three months. Since it's of the same place,before I came to meet Doctor TY,I paid a visit to both Mr. Hui and Mr. Wong in the nearby aging home.But TY came late after two thirty and I had to be a bit hurry back to office at four p.m. for meeting with missionary colleague LL.
After that I promised to go to Prince Wales Hospital to visit YK. She has been suffered from Brain cancer last two years and she's said to be in a critical and terminal state. Her family members and father were there the time I arrived. It' good I could pray for her before the family. It's good also that SK the lady pastor was there too that she could take good care of YK in meeting with the hospital doctor too.
2007年9月9日 星期日
Manager as motivator
I read another book on leader using motivations well as follows:
- Cultivator--- COMMITMENTS Made
- Carator------CARE for your own work
- Student----- KNOW what your do
- Designer--- -LOVE what you do
- Challenger---with clear GOALS
- Expectancy Manager--- Tap full POTENTIALS
- Supporter---- making full WILLPOWER
Manager as Leader
I read a book on Contextual Leadership,9 roles of being a leader in different contexts as follows:
- Custodian
- Trusting
- Trusted
- Nurturing
- Strategic
- Supportive
- Developmental
- Inspiring
- Working
Terminal cases
Quite a number of terminal cancer patients aroused my attention recently. A few are the family members of church body. It's sad to hear the cases and treatments without progress.
I already dropped my pastoral ministry for more than six years,but still knowing that as pastor I should make visits to them as friends and showing my concern.
Lord help me to be by their side with your grace!
I already dropped my pastoral ministry for more than six years,but still knowing that as pastor I should make visits to them as friends and showing my concern.
Lord help me to be by their side with your grace!
2007年9月6日 星期四
Recruiting New colleagues
A pastor came and might join us in training this morning.Pray for increase of the team as the Lord brings more coworkers in coming days. Our next trip will be from mid-October onwards.
Average 47
The average age for HK sent out missionaries is 47 !!
We all longer for coming up of prospective & promising new generation workers on field. The afternoon board meeting with HKACM members just discussed on the phenomenon. We have either to do more researches on it or launch anew of the annual GTAN meet as the youth mission conference.
I already focus on China training and may not be like before spend time to work on it as others.
Anyway it's good to talk and pray more for the progress.
We all longer for coming up of prospective & promising new generation workers on field. The afternoon board meeting with HKACM members just discussed on the phenomenon. We have either to do more researches on it or launch anew of the annual GTAN meet as the youth mission conference.
I already focus on China training and may not be like before spend time to work on it as others.
Anyway it's good to talk and pray more for the progress.
2007年9月3日 星期一
Romans and Ancestor Worship
We already compiled a new course for the third Timothy Training with 30 courses and three or even four appendix talks.
For October second Timothy training I shall prepare on the book of Romans. And one appendix talk will be on Faith and Chinese Culture on which will focus especially on Ancestor worship.
I already started to gather above two kinds of references. Romans will be more familiar with as I studied the book long time ago being a young Christian. For ancestor worship enough material can be found on websites for general references.
For October second Timothy training I shall prepare on the book of Romans. And one appendix talk will be on Faith and Chinese Culture on which will focus especially on Ancestor worship.
I already started to gather above two kinds of references. Romans will be more familiar with as I studied the book long time ago being a young Christian. For ancestor worship enough material can be found on websites for general references.
2007年9月2日 星期日
The three -week Interaction Summer Trip
I did not attend yesterday's ECF China meeting .
But I picked up this morning the special bulletin from the team who went on last month's interaction trip. Most of the sharings are positive & treasured their time together.
It's encouraging to see young people 's mutual impacts on each other through coming together.
The sermon outline in the front inner page on meaning of life is impressive.
The text is on James 4:13-17
Well-done Stephen & all the colleagues in your overall arrangement !
But I picked up this morning the special bulletin from the team who went on last month's interaction trip. Most of the sharings are positive & treasured their time together.
It's encouraging to see young people 's mutual impacts on each other through coming together.
The sermon outline in the front inner page on meaning of life is impressive.
The text is on James 4:13-17
- Our Life is a kind of Test --- Be Patient and Persevere ! Our Forward Look Journey
- Our Life is a Temporary duty --- Be Hopeful ! Our Wide-Outward Journey
- Our Life is an Entrust --- Be Faithful and trustworthy ! Our Upward Look Journey
Well-done Stephen & all the colleagues in your overall arrangement !
Sermon on Psalm 16
I preached on Psalm 16 this morning.
It's a golden psalm by David and the meaning of which is an inscription psalm which is both precious and mysterious. Precious to the author himself personally and mysterious as it's quoted by both Peter and Paul in Acts 2 and 13 respectively,pointing towards Christ's resurrection.
I divided into 4 points in my delivery.
1. We have the Lord as master ----Our orientation in life.
2. We have Him as our inheritance ----Our dependence in life
3. We hold Him in our daily presence ----Our devotion in life
4. We find great joy in Him ----Our satisfaction in life
Our great joy in having the Lord
as our master,our inheritance,our daily presence and our ultimate satisfaction!
It's a golden psalm by David and the meaning of which is an inscription psalm which is both precious and mysterious. Precious to the author himself personally and mysterious as it's quoted by both Peter and Paul in Acts 2 and 13 respectively,pointing towards Christ's resurrection.
I divided into 4 points in my delivery.
1. We have the Lord as master ----Our orientation in life.
2. We have Him as our inheritance ----Our dependence in life
3. We hold Him in our daily presence ----Our devotion in life
4. We find great joy in Him ----Our satisfaction in life
Our great joy in having the Lord
as our master,our inheritance,our daily presence and our ultimate satisfaction!
訂閱：
文章 (Atom)