Personality can open doors, but only character can keep them open.
Elmer G. Letterman
Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.
Helen Keller
2007年11月30日 星期五
2007年11月29日 星期四
With Yannie for three days
Janet went on a training trip today and not until Monday back.I have to be with Yannie for three whole days without mother's cooking.I pray that I do cook and we need not eat outside.
As Yannie doesn't like eating outside,I need to prepare meals for her sake. It's thankful things are not that tight this week BUT not so next week.
As Yannie doesn't like eating outside,I need to prepare meals for her sake. It's thankful things are not that tight this week BUT not so next week.
2007年11月28日 星期三
Good Listener & listening
A brother shared with me his great pressure experienced during this stage of his ministry. I sat there listen to him for almost 45 min.
I am not really a man of patience but gradually I can help myself be a better listener as the Lord is changing me day to day. Being a good listener may need to have the following conditions:
1.Have a listening ear of course.
2.Have a compassion for what you hear and not too swift to make judgement
3.Attend to what you hear and being in empathy with other
4.Not a time to be problem solver but just a time to affirm others in needs
I need to have listener too in mutual learning.
I am not really a man of patience but gradually I can help myself be a better listener as the Lord is changing me day to day. Being a good listener may need to have the following conditions:
1.Have a listening ear of course.
2.Have a compassion for what you hear and not too swift to make judgement
3.Attend to what you hear and being in empathy with other
4.Not a time to be problem solver but just a time to affirm others in needs
I need to have listener too in mutual learning.
2007年11月27日 星期二
Silver & Gold
To speak is silver,Silence is gold.
A word aptly spoken
is
like apples of gold
in
settings of silver. (Proverb 25:11)
A word aptly spoken
is
like apples of gold
in
settings of silver. (Proverb 25:11)
2007年11月26日 星期一
The Good in the Right
I took a cursory reading on a book by Robert Audi about the theory of intuition and intrinsic Value on my bus journey this morning.
He concluded on 5 ways of doing Ethics :
1. Top Down approach -- Rule Based
2. Bottom up approach -- Case based
3. Inside Out approach -- Virtue based
4. Work from Values to Principles ---Utilitarianism
5. Reflection from the Middle
He attempted to integrate both from the rule and the case based ethics,using & extending the Kantian framework with the Rossian intuitionism
I heard of utilitarianism,consequentialism approach and also Aristotelian based virtue ethics. His creative thoughts on re-working from the middle and opt for reflections from it is a good trial.
In the end of the book he put forth ten normative commitments appropriate to the overall intuitionist theory developed in the book :
1. We should not injure or harm people
2. We should not lie
3. We should keep our promise
4. We should not treat people unjustly and should contribute to rectifying injustice and to preventing future injustice.
5. We should make amends to our wrong doings
6. We should contribute to the good.
7. We should express gratitude,in deed or at least in words of thanks,in a way that befits good things done for us by other people,where other things equal,our obligation is stronger if what was done for us was not owed to us.
8. We should develop or at least sustain our distinctive human capacities.
9. We should contribute to increasing or at least preserving the freedom of persons,giving priority to removing restraints over enhancing opportunities.
10. We should,in the manner of our relations with other people,treat them respectfully.
So these ten commitments,namely on
1. Prohibition of injury
2. Veracity
3. Promissory fidelity
4. Justice
5. Reparation
6. Beneficence
7. Gratitude
8. Self-Improvement
9. Enhancement and preservation of freedom
10.Respectfulness
are ways of living our better lives around the world !
He concluded on 5 ways of doing Ethics :
1. Top Down approach -- Rule Based
2. Bottom up approach -- Case based
3. Inside Out approach -- Virtue based
4. Work from Values to Principles ---Utilitarianism
5. Reflection from the Middle
He attempted to integrate both from the rule and the case based ethics,using & extending the Kantian framework with the Rossian intuitionism
I heard of utilitarianism,consequentialism approach and also Aristotelian based virtue ethics. His creative thoughts on re-working from the middle and opt for reflections from it is a good trial.
In the end of the book he put forth ten normative commitments appropriate to the overall intuitionist theory developed in the book :
1. We should not injure or harm people
2. We should not lie
3. We should keep our promise
4. We should not treat people unjustly and should contribute to rectifying injustice and to preventing future injustice.
5. We should make amends to our wrong doings
6. We should contribute to the good.
7. We should express gratitude,in deed or at least in words of thanks,in a way that befits good things done for us by other people,where other things equal,our obligation is stronger if what was done for us was not owed to us.
8. We should develop or at least sustain our distinctive human capacities.
9. We should contribute to increasing or at least preserving the freedom of persons,giving priority to removing restraints over enhancing opportunities.
10. We should,in the manner of our relations with other people,treat them respectfully.
So these ten commitments,namely on
1. Prohibition of injury
2. Veracity
3. Promissory fidelity
4. Justice
5. Reparation
6. Beneficence
7. Gratitude
8. Self-Improvement
9. Enhancement and preservation of freedom
10.Respectfulness
are ways of living our better lives around the world !
2007年11月25日 星期日
唐崇懷牧師談讀書治學
讀唐崇懷牧師寫治學之方，他歸納綜合九法于下，甚得益處，茲節取如下，盼取其神髓真意自勉
一. 學思並行
孔子《論語》明訓：學而不思則罔，思而不學則殆。
孔子所說：知之為知之，不知為不知，是知也釋。
知與不知應由坦誠著手。知則可述，不知則問，是知之途。此外知與不知之辯乃在於問，能問，肯問，不恥下問，這是不知的必要表現，也是知的必然表現。我們只能在知和不知之間中求知，致知。
二、考讀溫習
學問、思考相輔相成，故曰思所學應以問考續之，如此方可證實所學之道。
溫習始於讀了再讀的背誦，但溫習不單是背誦，還在於思考，反復思想促進考問運作和嘗試體驗的實際操作和實踐。這就是論語之“學而時習之”的正解。實踐有兩種體現：一是操作性實踐（Practice），就是指實在操練和熟練運作。另一種是行動性實踐（Praxis）指將意識界的認知付注行動來真是理論的實在。
三、假物推進
人的體力時間、精神思想都是有限的，唯學無止境。若不能善以假物，我們只能望洋興嘆，束手無策。讀書治學應當自認不足有限，謙卑虛心求進；應當懂得利用一切有利條件去學習，不該閉門造車，自恃自是。
四、精博並兼
一般來說，治學在於求精，但求精之先當有博學。不循先博後精之序，必會陷入鑽牛角尖，偏倚自恃的極端思維以管窺天的鄙俗中。博者有三：一為庸俗之博，二為平觀之博，三為概觀之博。庸俗之博在其量；平觀之博在其廣；概觀之博在其通，各有所長。
五、抓概鉤要
陶淵明曾以“不求甚解”，論述治學之方。所謂不求甚解者，並非懶惰，隨意放棄追求，而是指治學之方應當抓住要點，去繁就簡，不要受書中繁瑣諮詢左右迷惑。讀書不應過份注意枝節，造成捨本逐末，應能抓住概要，獨立思考。
六、專一恒心
讀書不專，有如走馬觀花不見其美，又如囫圇吞棗，不知其味，心無所得。為學而無恒，一知半解，終必半途而廢，功虧一簣。專一和恒心本如孿生姊妹；專一加上恒心，鐵可磨針。恒者有三：時恒，向恒，心恒。時恒指讀書習慣應定時讀，定數讀；向恒者指應定向循序讀，主次，首尾，本末不可亂序，先通一，而後志於二；心恒者則指堅舍不輟，從一而終。
七、尋疑求解
西人將研究作再尋(Research)作解。其實，疑者有三：無知之疑，不信之疑和求知之疑。無知和不信不在話下，唯求知之疑應當接受鼓勵。聖哲奥古斯丁之“我疑故我在”及安瑟之“因信求知” (Fides Quaerens Intellectum) 皆為尋疑和再尋疑之正用，善用和至用。所謂尋疑乃存細緻及寬闊心思，微觀宏觀的並用。
八、類別致用
書一旦讀多，資訊資訊繁雜難以控制，常會混亂，應當加以分類。一般書可分為三大類：一為泛讀類，能略解書中大意即可。讀之只為增進通識，是文化文明的前提，一讀即可。二為精讀類，需要反復誦讀不斷品味玩索，是謂當熟讀精讀之書。最後一類是資考之書，這類書應當先予泛讀知其內容，有其概要、知其所在，儲存以資隨時參考。
九、抄錄啟發
以上分法有人以目治、口治、必治、及手治識別之。稍一看即可的書，為目治之書；看完還需背誦，為口治之書；背書尚需再深思者為必治之書。最重要者還得算手治之書，就是指那些看了，背了，思考了，還得將書中精華提要抄錄下來的書。抄錄有兩種：一為抄錄珠璣，妙語，絕句，一為抄錄大綱提要。前者是一種享受回憶，後者有助推理、思考、治學。
讀書起碼有四個階段：讀其為內容其一，讀其治方其二，讀其啟發其三，讀其魂魄其四，如此方能得其言、知其意，觀其奇，全其志，而承其業。
上述從唐牧師取的撮要，盼有助我們少讀書者，懂得如何讀，多讀及吸收。
一. 學思並行
孔子《論語》明訓：學而不思則罔，思而不學則殆。
孔子所說：知之為知之，不知為不知，是知也釋。
知與不知應由坦誠著手。知則可述，不知則問，是知之途。此外知與不知之辯乃在於問，能問，肯問，不恥下問，這是不知的必要表現，也是知的必然表現。我們只能在知和不知之間中求知，致知。
二、考讀溫習
學問、思考相輔相成，故曰思所學應以問考續之，如此方可證實所學之道。
溫習始於讀了再讀的背誦，但溫習不單是背誦，還在於思考，反復思想促進考問運作和嘗試體驗的實際操作和實踐。這就是論語之“學而時習之”的正解。實踐有兩種體現：一是操作性實踐（Practice），就是指實在操練和熟練運作。另一種是行動性實踐（Praxis）指將意識界的認知付注行動來真是理論的實在。
三、假物推進
人的體力時間、精神思想都是有限的，唯學無止境。若不能善以假物，我們只能望洋興嘆，束手無策。讀書治學應當自認不足有限，謙卑虛心求進；應當懂得利用一切有利條件去學習，不該閉門造車，自恃自是。
四、精博並兼
一般來說，治學在於求精，但求精之先當有博學。不循先博後精之序，必會陷入鑽牛角尖，偏倚自恃的極端思維以管窺天的鄙俗中。博者有三：一為庸俗之博，二為平觀之博，三為概觀之博。庸俗之博在其量；平觀之博在其廣；概觀之博在其通，各有所長。
五、抓概鉤要
陶淵明曾以“不求甚解”，論述治學之方。所謂不求甚解者，並非懶惰，隨意放棄追求，而是指治學之方應當抓住要點，去繁就簡，不要受書中繁瑣諮詢左右迷惑。讀書不應過份注意枝節，造成捨本逐末，應能抓住概要，獨立思考。
六、專一恒心
讀書不專，有如走馬觀花不見其美，又如囫圇吞棗，不知其味，心無所得。為學而無恒，一知半解，終必半途而廢，功虧一簣。專一和恒心本如孿生姊妹；專一加上恒心，鐵可磨針。恒者有三：時恒，向恒，心恒。時恒指讀書習慣應定時讀，定數讀；向恒者指應定向循序讀，主次，首尾，本末不可亂序，先通一，而後志於二；心恒者則指堅舍不輟，從一而終。
七、尋疑求解
西人將研究作再尋(Research)作解。其實，疑者有三：無知之疑，不信之疑和求知之疑。無知和不信不在話下，唯求知之疑應當接受鼓勵。聖哲奥古斯丁之“我疑故我在”及安瑟之“因信求知” (Fides Quaerens Intellectum) 皆為尋疑和再尋疑之正用，善用和至用。所謂尋疑乃存細緻及寬闊心思，微觀宏觀的並用。
八、類別致用
書一旦讀多，資訊資訊繁雜難以控制，常會混亂，應當加以分類。一般書可分為三大類：一為泛讀類，能略解書中大意即可。讀之只為增進通識，是文化文明的前提，一讀即可。二為精讀類，需要反復誦讀不斷品味玩索，是謂當熟讀精讀之書。最後一類是資考之書，這類書應當先予泛讀知其內容，有其概要、知其所在，儲存以資隨時參考。
九、抄錄啟發
以上分法有人以目治、口治、必治、及手治識別之。稍一看即可的書，為目治之書；看完還需背誦，為口治之書；背書尚需再深思者為必治之書。最重要者還得算手治之書，就是指那些看了，背了，思考了，還得將書中精華提要抄錄下來的書。抄錄有兩種：一為抄錄珠璣，妙語，絕句，一為抄錄大綱提要。前者是一種享受回憶，後者有助推理、思考、治學。
讀書起碼有四個階段：讀其為內容其一，讀其治方其二，讀其啟發其三，讀其魂魄其四，如此方能得其言、知其意，觀其奇，全其志，而承其業。
上述從唐牧師取的撮要，盼有助我們少讀書者，懂得如何讀，多讀及吸收。
Nehemiah's swift prayer
Neh 2:4 is the shortest prayer ever found in Nehemiah's ministry.Altogether there are ten prayers in the book of Nehemiah (1:4-11,2:4,4:4-5,5:19,6:9b,14,13:14,22,29,31)
I focused this morning on 2:4. It's the shortest one.
4 characteristics arise of this prayer:
1. Transcend Space--- Towards the God of Heaven
2. Transcend Time --- After three-four months from the time of in-depth Nourishment
3. Transcend Words --- No sound here of his wordings before the King
4. Transcend Rituals --- Open eyes instead of closed eyes
I just studied essays from Rev. Joseph Tong on the theology of prayers.
It's good to reflect more on it as there are much confusion on the practice of prayers due to spirituality movements these days.
I focused this morning on 2:4. It's the shortest one.
4 characteristics arise of this prayer:
1. Transcend Space--- Towards the God of Heaven
2. Transcend Time --- After three-four months from the time of in-depth Nourishment
3. Transcend Words --- No sound here of his wordings before the King
4. Transcend Rituals --- Open eyes instead of closed eyes
I just studied essays from Rev. Joseph Tong on the theology of prayers.
It's good to reflect more on it as there are much confusion on the practice of prayers due to spirituality movements these days.
Prompt response
I received the returned fill-in application forms from mainland colleagues past few days right after coming back HK last week. My impression on this is that their responses are prompt.It indicates their eagerness to join our training in coming days.
Of course we have not met together to discuss their applications not until next week or early December.It means my past outreaching trip for recruitments have certain results. Of course whether it turns out to have all being accepted still unknown,it will be great to have known them anyway.
Of course we have not met together to discuss their applications not until next week or early December.It means my past outreaching trip for recruitments have certain results. Of course whether it turns out to have all being accepted still unknown,it will be great to have known them anyway.
2007年11月23日 星期五
2007年11月22日 星期四
The problem of Theodicy
I read James Crenshaw's book Defending God today.
He used psalm 104 and 77 as contrasts to begin the discussion.
Psalm 104 is portrayal of Divine benevolence while Psalm 77 that of Divine betrayal.
Seven ways of treating the issue are as follows:
Retributive
Disciplinary
Revelational
Probative
Illusory
Transitory
Incomprehensible
He used psalm 104 and 77 as contrasts to begin the discussion.
Psalm 104 is portrayal of Divine benevolence while Psalm 77 that of Divine betrayal.
Seven ways of treating the issue are as follows:
Retributive
Disciplinary
Revelational
Probative
Illusory
Transitory
Incomprehensible
2007年11月21日 星期三
差傳 5 C (徒十五 36-41)
一. 差傳與其延續性 (v.36) CONTINUATION
1. 他們---回到宣傳主道的各城
2. 他們---看望弟兄景況
二. 差傳與培育同工 (v.37) CO-WORKERS
1. 約翰馬可----是引起爭議的人物
2. 巴拿巴的栽培用心
三. 差傳與同心合意 (v.38-39) CONVERGENCE
1. 保羅與巴拿巴因爭論而分開
2. 他倆不同看法產生二個隊工
四. 差傳與教會祝福 (v.40) COMMENDATION
1. 交託神的恩-----教會的支持
2. 差傳不只是個人的事情，是教會的事情
五. 差傳與教會成長 (v.41) CONSOLIDATION
1. 走遍----是差傳本來的意義
2. 堅固----是建立教會的生命
1. 他們---回到宣傳主道的各城
2. 他們---看望弟兄景況
二. 差傳與培育同工 (v.37) CO-WORKERS
1. 約翰馬可----是引起爭議的人物
2. 巴拿巴的栽培用心
三. 差傳與同心合意 (v.38-39) CONVERGENCE
1. 保羅與巴拿巴因爭論而分開
2. 他倆不同看法產生二個隊工
四. 差傳與教會祝福 (v.40) COMMENDATION
1. 交託神的恩-----教會的支持
2. 差傳不只是個人的事情，是教會的事情
五. 差傳與教會成長 (v.41) CONSOLIDATION
1. 走遍----是差傳本來的意義
2. 堅固----是建立教會的生命
On Cross Cultural Competence
I read a book on cultural competence by a Rotterdam professor.
The end result of his concluding remarks are as follows:
The theory of cultural competence is still under construction.
Perhaps a name for managers should be :
Managing rather than management
Remain a fluid and hybrid gerund rather than
become a solid and homogeneous noun
Hybrid improvisation rather than
intentional.deliberate design
Vibrant local cultures rather than
dominant imperialist Westernization
In turbulent periods,
Orderliness is limited to short-lived transactions,
Intelligence is reduced to local expertise,
Determinacy covers only those events close together in time and space,
Organizations is not sufficiently homogeneous to support concerted action,
Environment is not sufficiently determinant to encourage accurate long term prediction,
The way out of turbulence may lie in continuous improvisation in response to continuous change in local details,designing replaces design
My reflection out of the above sayings is this,
The -ing replaces the -ed,
The continuous tense replaces the continuity
The cross-cultural competence grows in the shadow of power and passion,which is the ending phrase of the whole book.
The end result of his concluding remarks are as follows:
The theory of cultural competence is still under construction.
Perhaps a name for managers should be :
Managing rather than management
Remain a fluid and hybrid gerund rather than
become a solid and homogeneous noun
Hybrid improvisation rather than
intentional.deliberate design
Vibrant local cultures rather than
dominant imperialist Westernization
In turbulent periods,
Orderliness is limited to short-lived transactions,
Intelligence is reduced to local expertise,
Determinacy covers only those events close together in time and space,
Organizations is not sufficiently homogeneous to support concerted action,
Environment is not sufficiently determinant to encourage accurate long term prediction,
The way out of turbulence may lie in continuous improvisation in response to continuous change in local details,designing replaces design
My reflection out of the above sayings is this,
The -ing replaces the -ed,
The continuous tense replaces the continuity
The cross-cultural competence grows in the shadow of power and passion,which is the ending phrase of the whole book.
2007年11月20日 星期二
An Eagle's Life
This morning devotion was given by a Reverend Fung from FEBC Canada.
His short message was on Psalm 103:1-5,especially focusing on last verse.
An eagle,for renewal of own strength,upon age 40,has to lead a life for 150 days alone in a cave.
Three things will be achieved within this period for survival and renewal purposes. Firstly the eagle will detach own old peak,then use the new grown one to destroy her worn-out claws,finally used the new grown claws to pluck off all her skin hairs.
The eagle then experiences once again a new stage,hopefully living for another 30 more years.The life span of an average eagle would be 70.
How's our human growth amid middle years ?
Are there any transition like off our skin hairs analogous to an eagle ?
He satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. ( Ps 103:5)
His short message was on Psalm 103:1-5,especially focusing on last verse.
An eagle,for renewal of own strength,upon age 40,has to lead a life for 150 days alone in a cave.
Three things will be achieved within this period for survival and renewal purposes. Firstly the eagle will detach own old peak,then use the new grown one to destroy her worn-out claws,finally used the new grown claws to pluck off all her skin hairs.
The eagle then experiences once again a new stage,hopefully living for another 30 more years.The life span of an average eagle would be 70.
How's our human growth amid middle years ?
Are there any transition like off our skin hairs analogous to an eagle ?
He satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. ( Ps 103:5)
2007年11月19日 星期一
God's Help
I shared Psalm 121 this morning.
God's help is my theme.
God's helping us since He's our Creator and our Covenantal Keeper.
God's help is all comprehensive and covers all areas of our needs.
God's help imparts to all related children,regardless of strong and weak,wealthy or poor,famous or nameless.
How can God's help be reconciled with our present numerous cases of malignant tumors,terminal cases without answered prayers ?
Yet the NT authors still affirm us
with God's granting us His unexpected peace (Phil 4:7)
with His delivering us from various evils (II Tim 4:18)
in advising us to entrust ourselves unto His Faithfulness amid suffering according to His will (I Peter 4:19)
Thanks be to God for His timely help amid our helpless state,according to His lovingkindness.
God's help is my theme.
God's helping us since He's our Creator and our Covenantal Keeper.
God's help is all comprehensive and covers all areas of our needs.
God's help imparts to all related children,regardless of strong and weak,wealthy or poor,famous or nameless.
How can God's help be reconciled with our present numerous cases of malignant tumors,terminal cases without answered prayers ?
Yet the NT authors still affirm us
with God's granting us His unexpected peace (Phil 4:7)
with His delivering us from various evils (II Tim 4:18)
in advising us to entrust ourselves unto His Faithfulness amid suffering according to His will (I Peter 4:19)
Thanks be to God for His timely help amid our helpless state,according to His lovingkindness.
First draft of the training materials
I finished my first draft of the book of Hosea today. It's a day off after my last week's outreaching trip.I swiftly gathered my own outline of the whole book and shall adopt the ready-made notes from FEBC in the past broadcast materials. It's good on the whole and I need not type them all over again.
Sometimes it will be fine to have well prepared notes and you just need to choose how to use them.
Sometimes it will be fine to have well prepared notes and you just need to choose how to use them.
2007年11月17日 星期六
A sharing Time
After the service I spent time together with a brother. It's a relaxed time for us to encourage each other. Fellowship is not just confined to regular meetings but also intentional invitation sharings.I intend to do such kind of talks whenver I can be available on Sundays.
Reflections on Love
I believe love is primarily a choice and only sometimes a feeling.If you want to feel love, choose to love and be patient.
I don't think anyone can DO anything that would make him worthy of love.Love is a gift and cannot be earned. It can only be given.
You can't love anyone until you understand that you can't love everyone.
--- From Real Live Preacher ---
I don't think anyone can DO anything that would make him worthy of love.Love is a gift and cannot be earned. It can only be given.
You can't love anyone until you understand that you can't love everyone.
--- From Real Live Preacher ---
2007年11月16日 星期五
A Memorable Trip
I went on two trips within a week's time.
The southern GwongDong visit was to interact with campus students and even the master degree students. Our studies on the book of Ephesians were encouraging and they had good feedback.
The other trip was to go to TsingDao. We went to four cities within three days and it's really tiring in our hectic travels. We thanked God as one morning a heavy truck on highway almost went onto our small car and we were flowed a bit but amazingly we were not hurt. Of course our time was delayed and we couldn't be on time schedule that very day. Thanks to God that He protected us and we could finish all our tasks for the journey.
Life is changing fast in China and many new generation leaders are going to be raised up under His Grace.
The southern GwongDong visit was to interact with campus students and even the master degree students. Our studies on the book of Ephesians were encouraging and they had good feedback.
The other trip was to go to TsingDao. We went to four cities within three days and it's really tiring in our hectic travels. We thanked God as one morning a heavy truck on highway almost went onto our small car and we were flowed a bit but amazingly we were not hurt. Of course our time was delayed and we couldn't be on time schedule that very day. Thanks to God that He protected us and we could finish all our tasks for the journey.
Life is changing fast in China and many new generation leaders are going to be raised up under His Grace.
2007年11月7日 星期三
Today's reflection
Wisdom is to understand that the world is ever-changing.
Stabilty is to be assured that the Lord's love is never changing.
Both wisdom and stability are needed towards an orderly & progressive society.
Stabilty is to be assured that the Lord's love is never changing.
Both wisdom and stability are needed towards an orderly & progressive society.
Swatow Trip
I shall go on an outreaching trip tomorrow to Swatow.
We shall talk on the book of Ephesians.Four themes awaiting us for delineation.
1. Our spiritual life and its growth
2. Counseling & a leader's growth
3. Teamwork and unity
4. Christian family & related issues.
Pray for travel mercy and smooth interactions.
We shall talk on the book of Ephesians.Four themes awaiting us for delineation.
1. Our spiritual life and its growth
2. Counseling & a leader's growth
3. Teamwork and unity
4. Christian family & related issues.
Pray for travel mercy and smooth interactions.
A Quotation
Humor is our way of defending ourselves from life's absurdities by thinking absurdly about them ---Lewis Mumford--
2007年11月5日 星期一
A Fellowship Meal
I met with three deacons of an ECF church last evening .
They asked my ideas on how to deal with the church during the absence of a suitable leader in charge. Actually they got one but due to retirement of approaching age and himself not thinking suitable on the role.
These days searching for right pastors are extremely difficult and I gave them three advices
1. Patiently wait for one given from heaven of God's provision,which they already do so for more than a year.
2. Come to consensus among themselves to find one as representative to lead among the equals.
3. Seek a few young seminary graduates and be their mentors and watch them lead and serve.
Anyway they have to be united themselves for any options to be successful.
The best might be option one which can hardly be found.
The second best is the third one which they too have to make effort to bring it into presence.
The second option can only be possible if,they have someone retires earlier,and willing to focus time & energy within own church.
I prayed for them before leaving,already two and a half hours' talk.
They asked my ideas on how to deal with the church during the absence of a suitable leader in charge. Actually they got one but due to retirement of approaching age and himself not thinking suitable on the role.
These days searching for right pastors are extremely difficult and I gave them three advices
1. Patiently wait for one given from heaven of God's provision,which they already do so for more than a year.
2. Come to consensus among themselves to find one as representative to lead among the equals.
3. Seek a few young seminary graduates and be their mentors and watch them lead and serve.
Anyway they have to be united themselves for any options to be successful.
The best might be option one which can hardly be found.
The second best is the third one which they too have to make effort to bring it into presence.
The second option can only be possible if,they have someone retires earlier,and willing to focus time & energy within own church.
I prayed for them before leaving,already two and a half hours' talk.
2007年11月4日 星期日
Laos Mission needs
Yesterday's mission Sunday focused on the Laos needs.
It's the first time I heard of the needs though in Mekong regions like Vietnam and Myanmar I have been visiting before. For Laos it's quite a restricted region for the gospel to spread around. Mainly it's still through the loving service of Christian professionals and their presence among the people.
It's also an enjoyable time after the service to chat with couples and had lunch fellowship time together.
It's the first time I heard of the needs though in Mekong regions like Vietnam and Myanmar I have been visiting before. For Laos it's quite a restricted region for the gospel to spread around. Mainly it's still through the loving service of Christian professionals and their presence among the people.
It's also an enjoyable time after the service to chat with couples and had lunch fellowship time together.
Church History
A Concise History of Christian Thought by Tony Lane,a book I borrowed last Tuesday on day off from the HK Library,is a quite good book on church history. I tried to memorize the different years and creeds and important representative figures in different periods in my LEISURE hours. It will be good if I got to teach on church history someday. Already more than a quarter of century since seminary years and of course my church history knowledge have all gone. It's great to face the creeds,councils and church Fathers again in a concise text.
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