We went to the East Ping Chau yesterday.It's my first time going there living in HK these years.East Ping Chau is the most eastern island in HK. There are all over 250 passengers on ferry together. Over four hours on board of the ferry time and we were on two islands,one in the west and the other on the east of the Sha Tua kok border.
The sedimentary rocks are famous on the East Ping Chau. We were not allowed to pick up any rocks on the island or else I'll bring some back for memory. It's a good trip and worthy of the time to go to an isolated place when we cannot go by ourselves. I' ve been to the Potoi Island in the southern part of HK where it's also famous for the strange rock shapes. So both the south and the east islands have been visited !
2008年12月26日 星期五
2008年12月23日 星期二
December Birthdayers lunch together
On Christmas Eve,we had a special birthday lunch gathering for all who's born on December. I am one among the nine colleagues.It's my first time being invited and joining them.According to what they say,it's already a tradition to have all these December Birthdayers to lunch together. Well,it's a chatting time and got to know who's going before others in December days.I am the first on my 3rd day and the last one is on the 30th.
2008年12月11日 星期四
讀黃華輝兵器譜五十人生
少年不知愁滋味，為賦新詞強說愁，
回首歲月，假如有機會，你會選擇從頭來過嗎？....
人到50，可以為過去一事無成而唏噓，為未來的生涯作規劃或許容易得多。
10歲為讀書而努力，失去正常視力；
20歲為泡妞而左右逢源；
30歲開始為置業安居賣命，人生的束縛才正式開始；
40歲後該是事業高峰，把握最後的拼搏。
50歲了，該是收成的時候，除了繼續深受老花之苦外，身體若無大礙、若還有工作、若位處高職、若子女快完成學業、若不用再供樓、若沒受迷債所累、若還有點積蓄、若沒有給亡命司機撞傷，該是人生最美好的了，向前望沒有太多顧慮，往後看可以挽回的很少，惟有找點自己喜歡做的，好好享受最後10年浪漫，
過了60歲身體漸走下坡，不由你控制，做甚麼都可能不濟，多麼痛苦。
年過半百的人經常與死神靠近，無力感特別強烈，眼見身邊年老的親人一個一個在病榻中渡過，柔弱的身軀受盡折磨，自己和家人同樣難過，尊嚴盡失，含恨而終。朋友聚頭在殯儀館多於酒樓飲宴，留意訃聞多過看新聞。
城市人很難有在大樹下死去的那種浪漫，恐怕待在老人院病牀上等死的機會較多，窗外嘈雜的人聲車聲與湧入的廢氣，院內那種靜待死亡的氣氛更感凝重。
本月初我也過半百，讀著上述文章，也真有感歲月不饒人，但願一息尚存，仍能發揮當作的。想起Nick Vujicic沒有手腳仍奮勇向前，我們又怎感道人生過了大半，沒有作為呢 ? 神留下這些見證生命者，都是給我等已過半百者積極向前的動力。誠哉斯言!
回首歲月，假如有機會，你會選擇從頭來過嗎？....
人到50，可以為過去一事無成而唏噓，為未來的生涯作規劃或許容易得多。
10歲為讀書而努力，失去正常視力；
20歲為泡妞而左右逢源；
30歲開始為置業安居賣命，人生的束縛才正式開始；
40歲後該是事業高峰，把握最後的拼搏。
50歲了，該是收成的時候，除了繼續深受老花之苦外，身體若無大礙、若還有工作、若位處高職、若子女快完成學業、若不用再供樓、若沒受迷債所累、若還有點積蓄、若沒有給亡命司機撞傷，該是人生最美好的了，向前望沒有太多顧慮，往後看可以挽回的很少，惟有找點自己喜歡做的，好好享受最後10年浪漫，
過了60歲身體漸走下坡，不由你控制，做甚麼都可能不濟，多麼痛苦。
年過半百的人經常與死神靠近，無力感特別強烈，眼見身邊年老的親人一個一個在病榻中渡過，柔弱的身軀受盡折磨，自己和家人同樣難過，尊嚴盡失，含恨而終。朋友聚頭在殯儀館多於酒樓飲宴，留意訃聞多過看新聞。
城市人很難有在大樹下死去的那種浪漫，恐怕待在老人院病牀上等死的機會較多，窗外嘈雜的人聲車聲與湧入的廢氣，院內那種靜待死亡的氣氛更感凝重。
本月初我也過半百，讀著上述文章，也真有感歲月不饒人，但願一息尚存，仍能發揮當作的。想起Nick Vujicic沒有手腳仍奮勇向前，我們又怎感道人生過了大半，沒有作為呢 ? 神留下這些見證生命者，都是給我等已過半百者積極向前的動力。誠哉斯言!
2008年12月10日 星期三
Ability & Character
Ability can take you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there.- Zig Ziglar
It's true many people have great ability but as Ziglar says it takes character for us to stay safe on top once we arrive. Servanthood leadership just tells us to have such awareness all the time.
Lord God help me to be humble always in facing the needs.
It's true many people have great ability but as Ziglar says it takes character for us to stay safe on top once we arrive. Servanthood leadership just tells us to have such awareness all the time.
Lord God help me to be humble always in facing the needs.
2008年12月9日 星期二
Two Quotes 引句二則
Be wise like an adult,think like a child
智慧要如成人，心思要像孩子。
To speak is silver,silence is gold.
說話是銀，沈默是金。
智慧要如成人，心思要像孩子。
To speak is silver,silence is gold.
說話是銀，沈默是金。
現今世界上的七個奇蹟
大姊從台灣傳來下列記述，很有意思 :
有一組學生在課堂上被問到，列出他們心裡認為 '現今世界上的七個奇蹟' 大部分學生的答案是 :
1. 埃及的金字塔
2. 印度的泰姬陵
3. 美國的大峽谷
4. 巴拿馬運河
5. 美國的帝國大廈
6. 羅馬的聖彼得大教堂
7. 中國的萬里長城
當老師在收學生的答案時，其中有一個小女生遲遲無法寫完。老師就問問這個她說，如果她有什麼問題而寫不完的話，老師可以給她一點協助。這個小女孩說：「是的，老師 我有個小小的問題...我腦海裡有好多世界上發生的奇蹟，但是，我沒有辦法決定該選哪七個才好...」
老師說：「沒關係，請你告訴我們，你想到了什麼，我們來幫幫你的忙!」 小女生猶豫了一下，她說：「我覺得，世界上的七個奇蹟是...」
1.我們能看見世界上美好的事物 To See
2.我們可以聽的到蟲鳴鳥叫和快樂的歌聲 To Hear
3.我們能觸摸新奇有趣的東西 To Touch
4.我們能品嚐美味的食物 To Taste
5.我們可以感覺到親友的關懷 To Feel
6.我們可以隨心所欲的大笑 To Laugh
7.我們能愛人與被愛 To Love
小女生說完後，整的教室突然間安靜了下來...
因為，在我們的生命中，人們常常忽略了'最簡單而最平凡的'才是我們生命中的奇蹟~
有一組學生在課堂上被問到，列出他們心裡認為 '現今世界上的七個奇蹟' 大部分學生的答案是 :
1. 埃及的金字塔
2. 印度的泰姬陵
3. 美國的大峽谷
4. 巴拿馬運河
5. 美國的帝國大廈
6. 羅馬的聖彼得大教堂
7. 中國的萬里長城
當老師在收學生的答案時，其中有一個小女生遲遲無法寫完。老師就問問這個她說，如果她有什麼問題而寫不完的話，老師可以給她一點協助。這個小女孩說：「是的，老師 我有個小小的問題...我腦海裡有好多世界上發生的奇蹟，但是，我沒有辦法決定該選哪七個才好...」
老師說：「沒關係，請你告訴我們，你想到了什麼，我們來幫幫你的忙!」 小女生猶豫了一下，她說：「我覺得，世界上的七個奇蹟是...」
1.我們能看見世界上美好的事物 To See
2.我們可以聽的到蟲鳴鳥叫和快樂的歌聲 To Hear
3.我們能觸摸新奇有趣的東西 To Touch
4.我們能品嚐美味的食物 To Taste
5.我們可以感覺到親友的關懷 To Feel
6.我們可以隨心所欲的大笑 To Laugh
7.我們能愛人與被愛 To Love
小女生說完後，整的教室突然間安靜了下來...
因為，在我們的生命中，人們常常忽略了'最簡單而最平凡的'才是我們生命中的奇蹟~
現今世界上的七個奇蹟
大姊從台灣傳來下列記述，很有意思 :
有一組學生在課堂上被問到，列出他們心裡認為 '現今世界上的七個奇蹟' 大部分學生的答案是 :
1. 埃及的金字塔
2. 印度的泰姬陵
3. 美國的大峽谷
4. 巴拿馬運河
5. 美國的帝國大廈
6. 羅馬的聖彼得大教堂
7. 中國的萬里長城
當老師在收學生的答案時，其中有一個小女生遲遲無法寫完。老師就問問這個她說，如果她有什麼問題而寫不完的話，老師可以給她一點協助。這個小女孩說：「是的，老師 我有個小小的問題...我腦海裡有好多世界上發生的奇蹟，但是，我沒有辦法決定該選哪七個才好...」
老師說：「沒關係，請你告訴我們，你想到了什麼，我們來幫幫你的忙!」 小女生猶豫了一下，她說：「我覺得，世界上的七個奇蹟是...」
1.我們能看見世界上美好的事物 To See
2.我們可以聽的到蟲鳴鳥叫和快樂的歌聲 To Hear
3.我們能觸摸新奇有趣的東西 To Touch
4.我們能品嚐美味的食物 To Taste
5.我們可以感覺到親友的關懷 To Feel
6.我們可以隨心所欲的大笑 To Laugh
7.我們能愛人與被愛 To Love
小女生說完後，整的教室突然間安靜了下來...
因為，在我們的生命中，人們常常忽略了'最簡單而最平凡的'才是我們生命中的奇蹟~
有一組學生在課堂上被問到，列出他們心裡認為 '現今世界上的七個奇蹟' 大部分學生的答案是 :
1. 埃及的金字塔
2. 印度的泰姬陵
3. 美國的大峽谷
4. 巴拿馬運河
5. 美國的帝國大廈
6. 羅馬的聖彼得大教堂
7. 中國的萬里長城
當老師在收學生的答案時，其中有一個小女生遲遲無法寫完。老師就問問這個她說，如果她有什麼問題而寫不完的話，老師可以給她一點協助。這個小女孩說：「是的，老師 我有個小小的問題...我腦海裡有好多世界上發生的奇蹟，但是，我沒有辦法決定該選哪七個才好...」
老師說：「沒關係，請你告訴我們，你想到了什麼，我們來幫幫你的忙!」 小女生猶豫了一下，她說：「我覺得，世界上的七個奇蹟是...」
1.我們能看見世界上美好的事物 To See
2.我們可以聽的到蟲鳴鳥叫和快樂的歌聲 To Hear
3.我們能觸摸新奇有趣的東西 To Touch
4.我們能品嚐美味的食物 To Taste
5.我們可以感覺到親友的關懷 To Feel
6.我們可以隨心所欲的大笑 To Laugh
7.我們能愛人與被愛 To Love
小女生說完後，整的教室突然間安靜了下來...
因為，在我們的生命中，人們常常忽略了'最簡單而最平凡的'才是我們生命中的奇蹟~
Challenges facing us
Rev. Kenneth Lo shared with us Caleb's commitment this morning. Joshua 14:7-9 is his concluding texts.
He first shared during the past thirty years China experienced tremendous changes and FEBC too went through days waiting for even hardly a letter from audiences in the beginnings.
Then came days in the great economic reform years in late seventies with rapid multiplications in church growth and increases in numbers of Christians in both the eighties & nineties. Gospel broadcast then might really play her significant role in facilitating such phenomenon though without voicing forth the real causes by any interested ones.
The third round came when FEBC seems going slow in chasing up changes in IT environment with many similar broadcasts came up the scene.WE became not the only one send forth airwave messages. Either we go out of scene or have to think again in our strategies.
With impacts from the recent Financial tsunami, FEBC continues need having Heart for China, Heart for church and Heart for mission facing these great changes. We need think of setting up local stations,not just gospel stations ; expand new partnerships and focus on software/people instead of working just on hardwares. Also, building up healthy churches and healthy workers for God is our ultimate mission in this whole picture.
Through reflecting on Caleb's life, possibly four stages in view :
Faith in God,
Commitment,
Perseverance as well as
Receiving crown,
Let us aim to be a Caleb instead of being a useless drumstick (作 迦勒 而不作 雞肋!)
A big smile on our own in this reflections.
So work to be a FEBC Caleb and not being a FEBC Drumstick!!!
He first shared during the past thirty years China experienced tremendous changes and FEBC too went through days waiting for even hardly a letter from audiences in the beginnings.
Then came days in the great economic reform years in late seventies with rapid multiplications in church growth and increases in numbers of Christians in both the eighties & nineties. Gospel broadcast then might really play her significant role in facilitating such phenomenon though without voicing forth the real causes by any interested ones.
The third round came when FEBC seems going slow in chasing up changes in IT environment with many similar broadcasts came up the scene.WE became not the only one send forth airwave messages. Either we go out of scene or have to think again in our strategies.
With impacts from the recent Financial tsunami, FEBC continues need having Heart for China, Heart for church and Heart for mission facing these great changes. We need think of setting up local stations,not just gospel stations ; expand new partnerships and focus on software/people instead of working just on hardwares. Also, building up healthy churches and healthy workers for God is our ultimate mission in this whole picture.
Through reflecting on Caleb's life, possibly four stages in view :
Faith in God,
Commitment,
Perseverance as well as
Receiving crown,
Let us aim to be a Caleb instead of being a useless drumstick (作 迦勒 而不作 雞肋!)
A big smile on our own in this reflections.
So work to be a FEBC Caleb and not being a FEBC Drumstick!!!
2008年12月7日 星期日
On Timothy Trainings
I reflected upon The training of Timothies this morning during the team devotion.
Paul's reminders to Timothy in II Tim 3:10-15 focused on two things : His following Paul's life and ministry as well as his anchorage in the bible.
Our passing on to trainees should also be upon these two areas. Our own life impacts matter a lot to them. Their own absorption of the bible and thorough understandings also matter a lot.
The thing is how can we do it in the best way under various limitations in terms of time,environment,manpower and economics. Anyway I thank God for the provisions and get to know them in the three years time frame within the courses.
Lord grant me the wisdom to do things pleasing unto you !
Paul's reminders to Timothy in II Tim 3:10-15 focused on two things : His following Paul's life and ministry as well as his anchorage in the bible.
Our passing on to trainees should also be upon these two areas. Our own life impacts matter a lot to them. Their own absorption of the bible and thorough understandings also matter a lot.
The thing is how can we do it in the best way under various limitations in terms of time,environment,manpower and economics. Anyway I thank God for the provisions and get to know them in the three years time frame within the courses.
Lord grant me the wisdom to do things pleasing unto you !
2008年12月3日 星期三
Birthday Reflections
I assumed my new role from 09 onwards as executive director of my training ministry.
A special dedication prayer ceremony being held past Monday.
I shared three hearts and two ideas (三心兩意)in response to Dr. Lung's short message.
Three hearts (三心) are Church, Mission and China Hearts received from Rev. Kenneth Lo.
Two ideas (兩意) are both unexpectedness (意料之外) and adamant perseverance (意志堅定) in moving forwards.
I shared too during the ceremony my own weaknesses in being too fast in time orientation. Laughing at myself need a 3 min.-behind watch to keep me slow,Jenny sent both Janet and I a pair of watches with Greek wordings as my reminder and alert me to be what I said.
It's a great joy to receive such special gift in my 50 yrs birthday.
Actually today is my 50th date. My Staff team treated me a lunch for a joyful fellowship. Afterwards when back to office they gave me a surprise to have a dish of fried pork meat on my desk. Waw,all could taste well!!!
May the Lord's compassion and grace be sufficient for me in days ahead.
It's said in the discourse by Confucius,
三十而立、四十不惑、五十知天命、六十不逾距、七十從心所欲 ....
Have I known His will for me when attaining fifty ?
A special dedication prayer ceremony being held past Monday.
I shared three hearts and two ideas (三心兩意)in response to Dr. Lung's short message.
Three hearts (三心) are Church, Mission and China Hearts received from Rev. Kenneth Lo.
Two ideas (兩意) are both unexpectedness (意料之外) and adamant perseverance (意志堅定) in moving forwards.
I shared too during the ceremony my own weaknesses in being too fast in time orientation. Laughing at myself need a 3 min.-behind watch to keep me slow,Jenny sent both Janet and I a pair of watches with Greek wordings as my reminder and alert me to be what I said.
It's a great joy to receive such special gift in my 50 yrs birthday.
Actually today is my 50th date. My Staff team treated me a lunch for a joyful fellowship. Afterwards when back to office they gave me a surprise to have a dish of fried pork meat on my desk. Waw,all could taste well!!!
May the Lord's compassion and grace be sufficient for me in days ahead.
It's said in the discourse by Confucius,
三十而立、四十不惑、五十知天命、六十不逾距、七十從心所欲 ....
Have I known His will for me when attaining fifty ?
老師 ! 辛苦了，我會努力
前兩天收到
一位提摩太寄來動感的說話如下:
你燃點了生命，照亮了我的前途,
你的教導，指引了我人生的方向。
天涯海角有盡處，只有師恩無盡期。
老師! 你像那桃樹，散發著聖潔的芬芳
願你永遠健康 !
一位提摩太寄來動感的說話如下:
你燃點了生命，照亮了我的前途,
你的教導，指引了我人生的方向。
天涯海角有盡處，只有師恩無盡期。
老師! 你像那桃樹，散發著聖潔的芬芳
願你永遠健康 !
2008年11月30日 星期日
2008年11月27日 星期四
對基督徒非常有幫助的30條建議 *
資料來源：電子郵件轉寄資料，目前尚未在網路 找到出處
1. 下次如果覺得自己了不起時，試試行在水上。
2. 當魔鬼提起你的過去時，請提醒牠的未來。
3. 你不是幸運，是蒙福。
4. 若想要真正活著，得先徹底死去。
5. 機會也許只敲一次門，但試探與誘惑卻總是在 按門鈴。
6. 我們常在強壯時，忘了 神。
7. 那些只在星期天呼喚"天父"的人，在一星期餘下的日子活得像孤兒。
8. 不要以自我為中心，要以基督為中心。
9. 沒有基督，沒有平安；認識基督，得到平安。
10. 為什麼我們不常向朋友提起神？因為我們不常向 神提起我們的朋友。
11. 應當把你的一切獻給基督，因為他把他的一切都給了你。
12. 你現在所追求的，值得基督為它死嗎？
13. 使你向 神靠近的人，是你真正的朋友。
14. 神愛我們，不是因為我們是怎樣一個人，而是因為他是怎樣一位神。
15. 神的應許像夜空的星星。夜越深，星星的光芒越亮。
16. 沒有基督的生命，是無望的盡頭。有基督的生命，是無盡的盼望。
17. 我雖不知道未來掌管著什麼，但我知道誰掌管著未來。
18. 把你的重擔交給主，讓它留在主那。
19. 不要畏懼明天，因為神已在那。
20. 當你除了 神，一無所有時，你將知道神就是你全部的需要。
21. 放手交給神，別再向神講述你的風暴有多大，當向風暴講述你的神有多大。
22. 能夠滿足人心的，是造人心的那一位。
23. 請常常保持著你心的光，因為你不知道，誰會藉著這光走出黑暗。
24. 當我們只顧工作的時候，我們獨自工作；當我們祈禱的時候，神工 作。
25. 神無所不在，所以我們可以隨處禱告。
26. 一個沒有需要的人永遠見不到神蹟。
27. 敬拜提醒我們生命的價值，但世界卻使我們忘記它。
28. 步履艱難的時候，別一味的禱告，卻不邁向神要你走的路。
29. 禱告會為我們作很多事，憂慮同樣可以。
30. 神祝福你，是要你成為別人的祝福。
1. 下次如果覺得自己了不起時，試試行在水上。
2. 當魔鬼提起你的過去時，請提醒牠的未來。
3. 你不是幸運，是蒙福。
4. 若想要真正活著，得先徹底死去。
5. 機會也許只敲一次門，但試探與誘惑卻總是在 按門鈴。
6. 我們常在強壯時，忘了 神。
7. 那些只在星期天呼喚"天父"的人，在一星期餘下的日子活得像孤兒。
8. 不要以自我為中心，要以基督為中心。
9. 沒有基督，沒有平安；認識基督，得到平安。
10. 為什麼我們不常向朋友提起神？因為我們不常向 神提起我們的朋友。
11. 應當把你的一切獻給基督，因為他把他的一切都給了你。
12. 你現在所追求的，值得基督為它死嗎？
13. 使你向 神靠近的人，是你真正的朋友。
14. 神愛我們，不是因為我們是怎樣一個人，而是因為他是怎樣一位神。
15. 神的應許像夜空的星星。夜越深，星星的光芒越亮。
16. 沒有基督的生命，是無望的盡頭。有基督的生命，是無盡的盼望。
17. 我雖不知道未來掌管著什麼，但我知道誰掌管著未來。
18. 把你的重擔交給主，讓它留在主那。
19. 不要畏懼明天，因為神已在那。
20. 當你除了 神，一無所有時，你將知道神就是你全部的需要。
21. 放手交給神，別再向神講述你的風暴有多大，當向風暴講述你的神有多大。
22. 能夠滿足人心的，是造人心的那一位。
23. 請常常保持著你心的光，因為你不知道，誰會藉著這光走出黑暗。
24. 當我們只顧工作的時候，我們獨自工作；當我們祈禱的時候，神工 作。
25. 神無所不在，所以我們可以隨處禱告。
26. 一個沒有需要的人永遠見不到神蹟。
27. 敬拜提醒我們生命的價值，但世界卻使我們忘記它。
28. 步履艱難的時候，別一味的禱告，卻不邁向神要你走的路。
29. 禱告會為我們作很多事，憂慮同樣可以。
30. 神祝福你，是要你成為別人的祝福。
2008年11月26日 星期三
來四14-16 : 尊榮的大祭司
從希伯來書看主耶穌的形像
神子 (1章) : 遠超過天使 (1:4)
人子 (2章) : 與弟兄相同 (2:17)
使者 (3-4章) : 引領進安息 (3:1 / 4:9)
大祭司 (5-7章) : 乃照麥基洗德等次 (5:10 / 6: 20 / 7:11-19)
中保 (8-10章) : 是最美祭物 / 成更美之約 (8:6 / 9:11 / 10:10)
創始成終者(11-12章) : 信心榜的成全 (12:2)
牧人 (13章) : 牧者之牧 (13:20)
對牧養提摩太、培訓門徒的七個啟迪
1.神子 崇高位份 / 生命尊貴作貴重器皿
2.人子 與人認同 / 道成了肉身在人中間
3.使者 人生嚮導 / 使人得享救贖的安息
4.祭司 求告主名 / 具備慈悲忠信的服事
5.祭物 犧牲捨己 / 獻身捨已忘我的服事
6.信心 仰望耶穌 / 討神喜悅的首要條件
7.牧人 忠於牧職 / 大牧之小牧勿一言堂
神子 (1章) : 遠超過天使 (1:4)
人子 (2章) : 與弟兄相同 (2:17)
使者 (3-4章) : 引領進安息 (3:1 / 4:9)
大祭司 (5-7章) : 乃照麥基洗德等次 (5:10 / 6: 20 / 7:11-19)
中保 (8-10章) : 是最美祭物 / 成更美之約 (8:6 / 9:11 / 10:10)
創始成終者(11-12章) : 信心榜的成全 (12:2)
牧人 (13章) : 牧者之牧 (13:20)
對牧養提摩太、培訓門徒的七個啟迪
1.神子 崇高位份 / 生命尊貴作貴重器皿
2.人子 與人認同 / 道成了肉身在人中間
3.使者 人生嚮導 / 使人得享救贖的安息
4.祭司 求告主名 / 具備慈悲忠信的服事
5.祭物 犧牲捨己 / 獻身捨已忘我的服事
6.信心 仰望耶穌 / 討神喜悅的首要條件
7.牧人 忠於牧職 / 大牧之小牧勿一言堂
2008年11月25日 星期二
Shek O Trip
I went to Shek O on vacation last Saturday with Janet. WE were there last Lunar New year just after my father joined with the Creator. It's good to walk along the beach and listen to waves echo with swimmers playing around.
Life is leisure time and leisure time is life.
Life is leisure time and leisure time is life.
2008年11月23日 星期日
From Nick Vujicic's quotes
生於澳洲的力克(Nick Vujicic)雖然先天殘障，
沒有雙手，卻可擁抱數以萬計聽眾；
沒有雙腳，行蹤卻遍佈24個國家。
他近日在香港的名句如下:
在艱辛的日子堅持面對是很困難的,但是如果經常埋怨失去什麼，你便會忘記自己所擁有的。」
若神沒有賜你一個你想要的神蹟，其實是想你成為別人的神蹟。
若你將快樂建立在短暫的物質享樂上，快樂也不會持久。
沒有雙手，卻可擁抱數以萬計聽眾；
沒有雙腳，行蹤卻遍佈24個國家。
他近日在香港的名句如下:
在艱辛的日子堅持面對是很困難的,但是如果經常埋怨失去什麼，你便會忘記自己所擁有的。」
若神沒有賜你一個你想要的神蹟，其實是想你成為別人的神蹟。
若你將快樂建立在短暫的物質享樂上，快樂也不會持久。
2008年11月19日 星期三
All running out well
We've been on training trip for the past ten days and it's coming to the end the coming two days. All is smooth and blessed by the Lord. I am so grateful that the Lord just provided all we need and it runs out well in everyway.
The Timothies are all dedicated followers but some have difficulties in doing homework due to lower educational level. All in all,we thank the Lord for giving us these new badge of people in training for the coming three years!
The Timothies are all dedicated followers but some have difficulties in doing homework due to lower educational level. All in all,we thank the Lord for giving us these new badge of people in training for the coming three years!
2008年11月4日 星期二
What We Evangelicals Do Well
I read a piece on evangelicalism by Scot McKnight today and quote it as follows:
Temper fashionable cynicism by focusing on our strengths. I’m proud to be an evangelical. I think we do many things well. Some will roll their eyes at those first two statements. Why? Criticizing evangelicalism is fashionable and evangelicals have joined the fashion, sometimes with apocalyptic fervor. I wonder if the relentless critique of (sometimes hardheaded) evangelical pastors, theologians, and authors--not to mention blogs and internet sites--is not the place we ought to urge the beginnings of reform. I’m sure that most critics have their heart in the right place: they want evangelicalism to be more biblical and more robust. (I hope those are my motivations in my own critiques.) But there sure are a lot of critics. This is what I mean:
Some evangelicals think evangelicalism is not Reformed enough because it has lost touch with its Reformed roots. Some think evangelicalism ignores its Wesleyan heritage. Indeed, it would not be hard to find an evangelical survey that omits John Wesley. Some think we have fallen prey to political parties. Others think we need to recover the liturgy and lectionary, while others think we need to re-embrace the lost heritage of the Great Traditions of the classic creeds. Some think evangelicals have forfeited intellectual rigor as a populist movement, while others think evangelicals have become far too theological, creedal, and intellectual. Some think we have failed to preach prophetic texts and have lost enthusiasm for the Second Coming while others disparage every attempt even to suffer such literalism. Some think we’d be much better off if we were all charismatic, while others think charismatics are not real evangelicals. Some think we need to be more socially active while others raise the red flag at the first sign of the social gospel.
Some think evangelicalism is on its deathbed and that the only way forward is the emerging movement, while others think the emerging movement is dancing with the devil. Some think seeker services are the cat’s meow, others the end before the end. The worship wars get at least two responses: a hearty, dismissive “Get over it!” and a “Dig in your heels because if we give in here we will slide down the slippery slope!” For some, prohibiting entrance of women into ministry is the litmus test for fidelity, while for others it’s so utterly obvious that opposition is Luddite. Some today draw swords to affirm complementarian male-female relationships in the home and the church, while others think of the issue, “Times have changed.”Yes, we can always do better. But I’ve got a question for you: What do you think (we) evangelicals do well? I will mention a few--more could be listed--but I'm asking you to speak up in the comments section, because this is a post for evangelicalism.
We are good at being properly ecumenical.
Evangelicalism is a movement and not a denomination. We align ourselves with others--all others, in fact--who embrace the gospel. Because of this conviction, evangelicals are found working across denominational lines, forming parachurch organizations united around a common gospel theology, and joining hands in public with whoever wants to work with us. A genuine evangelical transcends her or his denomination in the unity only the gospel can bring. Think Christianity Today and John Stott.
We are good at urging everyone to experience the new birth.
The irreducible minimum of evangelicalism is the gospel and the need to respond to it and the work of God through the new birth. So, we preach the gospel and we evangelize with that goal in mind. We pray that God will anoint our lives and our words so that others might be born from above. Think Billy Graham and the urgings of youth leaders.
We are good at recognizing the importance of theology.
Evangelicals believe the Bible and in the hard-fought conclusions of Christian orthodoxy. And we believe those ideas really do matter. What we believe is more than what we happen to think. We believe the truth of God can be put into living statements for our day. Think Carl Henry and our publishing houses.
We are good at the need for personal transformation.
Evangelicals expect Christians to be good and to be holy and to be loving and, if they are not, we know there’s something wrong. We stare at the pages of the Bible that call for moral transformation in the power of the Spirit, and we believe it can happen today. Think Dallas Willard and the spiritual formation movement.
Yes, we can do better. I wish a recognizable woman’s name would have come to mind for two of those categories. But we are doing well.What do you think we do well? Here’s the test: Can you affirm what we are doing well without saying one critical word? Try it. I think we’d all like to hear what you have to say.
Scot McKnight is the Karl A. Olsson Professor in Religious Studies at North Park University
Temper fashionable cynicism by focusing on our strengths. I’m proud to be an evangelical. I think we do many things well. Some will roll their eyes at those first two statements. Why? Criticizing evangelicalism is fashionable and evangelicals have joined the fashion, sometimes with apocalyptic fervor. I wonder if the relentless critique of (sometimes hardheaded) evangelical pastors, theologians, and authors--not to mention blogs and internet sites--is not the place we ought to urge the beginnings of reform. I’m sure that most critics have their heart in the right place: they want evangelicalism to be more biblical and more robust. (I hope those are my motivations in my own critiques.) But there sure are a lot of critics. This is what I mean:
Some evangelicals think evangelicalism is not Reformed enough because it has lost touch with its Reformed roots. Some think evangelicalism ignores its Wesleyan heritage. Indeed, it would not be hard to find an evangelical survey that omits John Wesley. Some think we have fallen prey to political parties. Others think we need to recover the liturgy and lectionary, while others think we need to re-embrace the lost heritage of the Great Traditions of the classic creeds. Some think evangelicals have forfeited intellectual rigor as a populist movement, while others think evangelicals have become far too theological, creedal, and intellectual. Some think we have failed to preach prophetic texts and have lost enthusiasm for the Second Coming while others disparage every attempt even to suffer such literalism. Some think we’d be much better off if we were all charismatic, while others think charismatics are not real evangelicals. Some think we need to be more socially active while others raise the red flag at the first sign of the social gospel.
Some think evangelicalism is on its deathbed and that the only way forward is the emerging movement, while others think the emerging movement is dancing with the devil. Some think seeker services are the cat’s meow, others the end before the end. The worship wars get at least two responses: a hearty, dismissive “Get over it!” and a “Dig in your heels because if we give in here we will slide down the slippery slope!” For some, prohibiting entrance of women into ministry is the litmus test for fidelity, while for others it’s so utterly obvious that opposition is Luddite. Some today draw swords to affirm complementarian male-female relationships in the home and the church, while others think of the issue, “Times have changed.”Yes, we can always do better. But I’ve got a question for you: What do you think (we) evangelicals do well? I will mention a few--more could be listed--but I'm asking you to speak up in the comments section, because this is a post for evangelicalism.
We are good at being properly ecumenical.
Evangelicalism is a movement and not a denomination. We align ourselves with others--all others, in fact--who embrace the gospel. Because of this conviction, evangelicals are found working across denominational lines, forming parachurch organizations united around a common gospel theology, and joining hands in public with whoever wants to work with us. A genuine evangelical transcends her or his denomination in the unity only the gospel can bring. Think Christianity Today and John Stott.
We are good at urging everyone to experience the new birth.
The irreducible minimum of evangelicalism is the gospel and the need to respond to it and the work of God through the new birth. So, we preach the gospel and we evangelize with that goal in mind. We pray that God will anoint our lives and our words so that others might be born from above. Think Billy Graham and the urgings of youth leaders.
We are good at recognizing the importance of theology.
Evangelicals believe the Bible and in the hard-fought conclusions of Christian orthodoxy. And we believe those ideas really do matter. What we believe is more than what we happen to think. We believe the truth of God can be put into living statements for our day. Think Carl Henry and our publishing houses.
We are good at the need for personal transformation.
Evangelicals expect Christians to be good and to be holy and to be loving and, if they are not, we know there’s something wrong. We stare at the pages of the Bible that call for moral transformation in the power of the Spirit, and we believe it can happen today. Think Dallas Willard and the spiritual formation movement.
Yes, we can do better. I wish a recognizable woman’s name would have come to mind for two of those categories. But we are doing well.What do you think we do well? Here’s the test: Can you affirm what we are doing well without saying one critical word? Try it. I think we’d all like to hear what you have to say.
Scot McKnight is the Karl A. Olsson Professor in Religious Studies at North Park University
2008年11月3日 星期一
2008年10月29日 星期三
Jobs' patience
I read James 5:7-11 about Job's patience.
In preparation for the coming Sunday school course in Nov-Dec, I read particularly NT's references to the person of Job in OT.
What highlights the figure of Job in NT is not just his suffering and God's sovereignty but his perseverances.
How can we nourish our perseverances amid present time financial turmoils ?
The keys are two:
1. Look to the coming of the Lord as the farmers in James'time looking to the two rains in harvesting of the crops.
2. Look to the OT prophets like their speaking in the name of the Lord.
How can we show our patience ?
1. By standing firm before the Lord
2. By not complaining with one another.
As we do these,we can testimony to the Lord's goodness in two aspects:
1. His compassion
2. His mercy
In preparation for the coming Sunday school course in Nov-Dec, I read particularly NT's references to the person of Job in OT.
What highlights the figure of Job in NT is not just his suffering and God's sovereignty but his perseverances.
How can we nourish our perseverances amid present time financial turmoils ?
The keys are two:
1. Look to the coming of the Lord as the farmers in James'time looking to the two rains in harvesting of the crops.
2. Look to the OT prophets like their speaking in the name of the Lord.
How can we show our patience ?
1. By standing firm before the Lord
2. By not complaining with one another.
As we do these,we can testimony to the Lord's goodness in two aspects:
1. His compassion
2. His mercy
2008年10月24日 星期五
Sick after two weeks time
I got a bit flu and sore throat after twelve days'training in Mainland.
I take rest at home without going outside today. It's kind of weakness feel and I need to restart from a better body.
I take rest at home without going outside today. It's kind of weakness feel and I need to restart from a better body.
2008年10月2日 星期四
2008年9月29日 星期一
反思安息日 (創二1-3)
一. 動與靜 (His Craftmanship & Rest) 創作與休閒
停頓的意義 已經完畢 (2節)
工作與休息為對比平衡
工作的限止 (Stop)
工作後休息 (Rest)
工作與休息為完滿整合
六整日完工 (Labor)
第七日安息 (Sabbath)
二. 好與聖 (His Beauty & Sanctification) 審美與祝聖
六日看著是好的 ! 第七日卻定為聖日 ! (3節)
工作中有欣賞 (Appreciation)
退場下有紀念 (Commemoration)
三. 空間與自由 (His Freedom & Presence) 親密與臨在
「歇了」一切創造的工 就安息了 (3節)
「歇了」是甚麼意思 ? 是給予空間 !
是全然休息嗎 ? cf 約5:17 我父作事直到如今我也作事
何謂「安息」 ?
是天父繼續親密臨在 覆庇一切受造 !
創世時的安息 (His Sabbath Rest)
迦南地的安息 (His Canaan Promise)
救贖主的安息 (His Salvation Freedom)
cf 來 4: 1-11 另訂安息
太11:28-30 享受安息
約 8:31-32 真正自由
停頓的意義 已經完畢 (2節)
工作與休息為對比平衡
工作的限止 (Stop)
工作後休息 (Rest)
工作與休息為完滿整合
六整日完工 (Labor)
第七日安息 (Sabbath)
二. 好與聖 (His Beauty & Sanctification) 審美與祝聖
六日看著是好的 ! 第七日卻定為聖日 ! (3節)
工作中有欣賞 (Appreciation)
退場下有紀念 (Commemoration)
三. 空間與自由 (His Freedom & Presence) 親密與臨在
「歇了」一切創造的工 就安息了 (3節)
「歇了」是甚麼意思 ? 是給予空間 !
是全然休息嗎 ? cf 約5:17 我父作事直到如今我也作事
何謂「安息」 ?
是天父繼續親密臨在 覆庇一切受造 !
創世時的安息 (His Sabbath Rest)
迦南地的安息 (His Canaan Promise)
救贖主的安息 (His Salvation Freedom)
cf 來 4: 1-11 另訂安息
太11:28-30 享受安息
約 8:31-32 真正自由
2008年9月24日 星期三
Life Pairs
I've been thinking intently on the following pairs for thoughts on lives as a kind of reflection ---Sharing with you too.
How's our actual lives ? Do they like either one or both of the followings ?
Avenue or Adventure
Barrier or Bridge
Competition or Communication
Desire or Duty
Escape or Example
Fear or Faith
Gain or Give
Hate or Hope
Illusion or Insight
Judgement or Joy
Kite or Key
Load or Leisure
Money or Meaning
Noise or Norm
Oversight or Overcome
Pain or Peace
Quit or Quiz
Rest or Race
Sale or Sail
Take or Taste
Uniformity or Unity
Victim or Victor
Worry or Welcome
X or XL
Yawn or Yeah
Zero or Zenith
How's our actual lives ? Do they like either one or both of the followings ?
Avenue or Adventure
Barrier or Bridge
Competition or Communication
Desire or Duty
Escape or Example
Fear or Faith
Gain or Give
Hate or Hope
Illusion or Insight
Judgement or Joy
Kite or Key
Load or Leisure
Money or Meaning
Noise or Norm
Oversight or Overcome
Pain or Peace
Quit or Quiz
Rest or Race
Sale or Sail
Take or Taste
Uniformity or Unity
Victim or Victor
Worry or Welcome
X or XL
Yawn or Yeah
Zero or Zenith
4S in our Worsip
Ken's proposal for a meaningful worship hinged upon three keys words:
Into His Sanctuary.- Glory & Throne---
感恩、讚美、敬拜
Into His Sovereignty- Love & Communion
認罪、愛慕、共融
Into His Service- Word/Table & Mission
聖言、聖餐、差派
I add one more,
Into His Spirit - Power & Sanctified
能力、聖潔、充滿
Into His Sanctuary.- Glory & Throne---
感恩、讚美、敬拜
Into His Sovereignty- Love & Communion
認罪、愛慕、共融
Into His Service- Word/Table & Mission
聖言、聖餐、差派
I add one more,
Into His Spirit - Power & Sanctified
能力、聖潔、充滿
基督教信仰跟生活關係
為大學生知識份子，我們的信仰可以下列綱領探討，
我認為較為淺白簡單，具基本教義，且符合超越個
人救恩探討。
對「基督教信仰跟生活關係」可以下列三環來理解
生活，同時談創造的主、救贖的主及更新的主
1. 創造的主 --> 宇宙及生命的主人 / 人對環境的責任
神學上 : 誰是天國的君王 ? 是宇宙的主 !
要面對 : 甚麼是美善 ? 在此闡釋 美善 Beauty
生活上 : 每天的忙碌 及 真安息所在
2. 救贖的主 --> 罪惡及救贖的需要 / 人對基督的回應
神學上 : 誰使罪惡得釋放 ? 是公義的主 !
須處理 : 甚麼是公義 ? 在此闡釋 公義 Justice / Righteousness
生活上 : 與社群的關係 及 真平安所在
3. 更新的主 --> 歷史及人類的命途 / 人對未來的盼望
神學上 : 誰掌管歷史向流 ? 是意義的主 !
宜反思 : 甚麼是價值 ? 在此闡釋 盼望 Hope
生活上 : 人生的歸宿 及 真滿足所在
我認為較為淺白簡單，具基本教義，且符合超越個
人救恩探討。
對「基督教信仰跟生活關係」可以下列三環來理解
生活，同時談創造的主、救贖的主及更新的主
1. 創造的主 --> 宇宙及生命的主人 / 人對環境的責任
神學上 : 誰是天國的君王 ? 是宇宙的主 !
要面對 : 甚麼是美善 ? 在此闡釋 美善 Beauty
生活上 : 每天的忙碌 及 真安息所在
2. 救贖的主 --> 罪惡及救贖的需要 / 人對基督的回應
神學上 : 誰使罪惡得釋放 ? 是公義的主 !
須處理 : 甚麼是公義 ? 在此闡釋 公義 Justice / Righteousness
生活上 : 與社群的關係 及 真平安所在
3. 更新的主 --> 歷史及人類的命途 / 人對未來的盼望
神學上 : 誰掌管歷史向流 ? 是意義的主 !
宜反思 : 甚麼是價值 ? 在此闡釋 盼望 Hope
生活上 : 人生的歸宿 及 真滿足所在
2008年9月21日 星期日
2008年9月18日 星期四
2008年8月28日 星期四
The Pencil Parable
Joshua sent me the pencil parable. It's also an analogy for Phil 2:13 and Ephesian 2:10.
In the beginning, the Pencil Maker spoke to the pencil saying,
"There are five things you need to know before I send you out into the world.
Always remember them and you will become the best pencil you can be."
A Pencil Parable
1.You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in Someone's hand.
2.You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, but this is required if you are to become a better pencil.
3.You have the ability to correct any mistakes you might make.
4.The most important part of you will always be what's inside.
5.No matter what the condition, you must continue to write. You must always leave a clear, legible mark no matter how difficult the situation.
The pencil understood, promising to remember, and went into the box fully understanding its Maker's purpose.
Now replacing the place of the pencil with you; always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best person you can be.
1. You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in God's hand. And allow other human beings to access you for the many gifts you possess.
2. You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, by going through various problems, but you'll need it to become a stronger person.
3. You will be able to correct mistakes you might make or grow through them.
4. The most important part of you will always be what's on the inside.
5. On every surface you walk, you must leave your mark. No matter what the situation, you must continue to serve God in everything.
Everyone is like a pencil...created by the Maker for a unique and special purpose.
By understanding and remembering,let us proceed with our life on this earth having a meaningful purpose in our heart and a relationship with God daily.
You were made to do great things!
Five elements are embedded in it.
1.The usefulness of the pencil is in the user's hand
2.The sharpening action & painful experience is necessary for its continual operation.
3.It might make mistakes in the writing process.
4.It's what's inside that's important for the pencil.
5.It leaves indelible marks in the whole writing work for readers.
We are all the same in the hands of our Creator for our usefulness and achieved purposes.
In the beginning, the Pencil Maker spoke to the pencil saying,
"There are five things you need to know before I send you out into the world.
Always remember them and you will become the best pencil you can be."
A Pencil Parable
1.You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in Someone's hand.
2.You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, but this is required if you are to become a better pencil.
3.You have the ability to correct any mistakes you might make.
4.The most important part of you will always be what's inside.
5.No matter what the condition, you must continue to write. You must always leave a clear, legible mark no matter how difficult the situation.
The pencil understood, promising to remember, and went into the box fully understanding its Maker's purpose.
Now replacing the place of the pencil with you; always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best person you can be.
1. You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in God's hand. And allow other human beings to access you for the many gifts you possess.
2. You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, by going through various problems, but you'll need it to become a stronger person.
3. You will be able to correct mistakes you might make or grow through them.
4. The most important part of you will always be what's on the inside.
5. On every surface you walk, you must leave your mark. No matter what the situation, you must continue to serve God in everything.
Everyone is like a pencil...created by the Maker for a unique and special purpose.
By understanding and remembering,let us proceed with our life on this earth having a meaningful purpose in our heart and a relationship with God daily.
You were made to do great things!
Five elements are embedded in it.
1.The usefulness of the pencil is in the user's hand
2.The sharpening action & painful experience is necessary for its continual operation.
3.It might make mistakes in the writing process.
4.It's what's inside that's important for the pencil.
5.It leaves indelible marks in the whole writing work for readers.
We are all the same in the hands of our Creator for our usefulness and achieved purposes.
Unfinished work of God
Lord,Work through me
To plan with wisdom,
To guide with vision,
To lead with humility,
To listen with understanding,
To work with excellence,
To succeed in a way that honors you.- Roy Lessin
"It is God who work in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure."- Philippians 2:13 NKJV
To plan with wisdom,
To guide with vision,
To lead with humility,
To listen with understanding,
To work with excellence,
To succeed in a way that honors you.- Roy Lessin
"It is God who work in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure."- Philippians 2:13 NKJV
2008年8月18日 星期一
A special lunch
Janet and I joined a fellowship with OMF in a luncheon today. Two board members with their seniority were promoted to be the consultants with the effect of this lunch. Many of the board members were not seen after more than a year.We took some photos with them
2008年7月30日 星期三
四句話與保羅異象人生
一本內地同工的著作談及保羅的異象人生
其中的篇章是按下列四句對聯加以發揮 :
明鏡止水以持心
泰山喬嶽以立身
臨淵履薄以處事
時雨春風以待人
1. 保羅如何持心
明鏡之心
止水之心
2. 保羅如何立身
忠心事主，不屈不撓
費財費力，至死方休
捍衛真道，大義凜然
3. 保羅如何處事
拒絕個人崇拜
容納不同意見
金錢上光明正大
應對險惡境遇
4. 保羅如何待人
對待同工
對待青年
對待信徒
其中的篇章是按下列四句對聯加以發揮 :
明鏡止水以持心
泰山喬嶽以立身
臨淵履薄以處事
時雨春風以待人
1. 保羅如何持心
明鏡之心
止水之心
2. 保羅如何立身
忠心事主，不屈不撓
費財費力，至死方休
捍衛真道，大義凜然
3. 保羅如何處事
拒絕個人崇拜
容納不同意見
金錢上光明正大
應對險惡境遇
4. 保羅如何待人
對待同工
對待青年
對待信徒
2008年7月15日 星期二
2008年7月13日 星期日
7 G s
I read a book Beyond leadership : Balancing Economics,Ethics and Ecology
By Warren Bennis and Parikh J (Chinese translation)
In page 11 it mentions 7 key Gs that destroy this world's stability in the global trend.
Gaps (差距) --> Increasing Rich & Poor
Gulfs (差異) --> Language & Culture differences
Guilt (負疚) --> Privileged Classes' oppression of the unprivileged
Grudge (積怨) --> The resentments of the under-privileged
Greed (貪婪) --> The unscrupulous means of the merchants in interest gains
Glitches (干擾) --> Unanticipated factors in political life
Games (博弈) --> Politicians maximizing International problems for selfish gains
In the same vein, when I think of our church life and ministry, we might also have the above 7 G s in our wrongdoings that hinder the progress of His kingdom. (Phil 2:1-5 ; Gal 6:1-5)
Gaps --- in uneven spiritual growth among the body (靈程)
Gulfs --- in individual background and education levels (背景)
Guilt --- in offenses out of close interactions (傷痕)
Grudges --- in uneven bearing of ministry by a few (怨懟)
Greed --- in selfish gains and target setting in church planning (驕縱)
Glitches---in unexpected sinful acts of church leaders (醜聞)
Games ---in adopting political means instead of engaging in spiritual prayers (詐虞)
We can transform our ways through another 7 Gs
Gentleness -- Your gentleness make me great (溫和) Ps 18:35
Generosity -- In giving we acquire real joy (慷慨) Acts 20:35
Goodness -- Those peacemakers who are sons of God (良善) Mt 5:9
Gateway -- Be a pointer of the lost to His land (引路) Ja 5: 19-20
Guidepost -- Set the direction for others to follow (方位) Mk1:35-37
Gladness -- The joy of the Lord is our strength (喜樂) Neh 8:10
Gratitude -- This is the will of the one Who saves us (感恩) I Thesal 5:18
By Warren Bennis and Parikh J (Chinese translation)
In page 11 it mentions 7 key Gs that destroy this world's stability in the global trend.
Gaps (差距) --> Increasing Rich & Poor
Gulfs (差異) --> Language & Culture differences
Guilt (負疚) --> Privileged Classes' oppression of the unprivileged
Grudge (積怨) --> The resentments of the under-privileged
Greed (貪婪) --> The unscrupulous means of the merchants in interest gains
Glitches (干擾) --> Unanticipated factors in political life
Games (博弈) --> Politicians maximizing International problems for selfish gains
In the same vein, when I think of our church life and ministry, we might also have the above 7 G s in our wrongdoings that hinder the progress of His kingdom. (Phil 2:1-5 ; Gal 6:1-5)
Gaps --- in uneven spiritual growth among the body (靈程)
Gulfs --- in individual background and education levels (背景)
Guilt --- in offenses out of close interactions (傷痕)
Grudges --- in uneven bearing of ministry by a few (怨懟)
Greed --- in selfish gains and target setting in church planning (驕縱)
Glitches---in unexpected sinful acts of church leaders (醜聞)
Games ---in adopting political means instead of engaging in spiritual prayers (詐虞)
We can transform our ways through another 7 Gs
Gentleness -- Your gentleness make me great (溫和) Ps 18:35
Generosity -- In giving we acquire real joy (慷慨) Acts 20:35
Goodness -- Those peacemakers who are sons of God (良善) Mt 5:9
Gateway -- Be a pointer of the lost to His land (引路) Ja 5: 19-20
Guidepost -- Set the direction for others to follow (方位) Mk1:35-37
Gladness -- The joy of the Lord is our strength (喜樂) Neh 8:10
Gratitude -- This is the will of the one Who saves us (感恩) I Thesal 5:18
2008年7月7日 星期一
Leadership reflections and qoutes
From reading John Adair and Peter Reed's book I dropped down the followings;
The need to achieve common TASK
The needs that each INDIVIDUAL has by virtue of being human
The need to be held together as a working TEAM
Leadership is ACTION not POSITION
Never tell people how to do things,tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity
Leadership is the most personal thing in the world for the simple reason that it is just plain you
Do not tell me how hard you work,tell me how much you get done
Leadership is of the Spirit,compounded of personality and vision,its practice is an art
Management is of the mind,more a matter of accurate calculation,of statistics,of methods,timetables and routines,its practice is a science
Managers are necessary,leaders are essential.
Managers manage change,but leaders manage growth
A leader is best when people barely know that he exists,not so good when people obey and acclaim him,worst when they despise him.
Fail to honour people and they fail to honour you.
But of a good leader who talks little when his work is done,his aim fulfilled.
They will all say,"We did this ourselves"
The task of leadership is not to put greatness into humanity,
but to ellcit it,for the greatness is already there
Objectives should be
CLEAR
SPECIFIC
MEASURABLE
ATTAINABLE
WRITTEN
TIME-BOUNDED
REALISTIC
CHALLENGING
AGREED
CONSISTENT
WORTHWHILE
PARTICIPATIVE
The need to achieve common TASK
The needs that each INDIVIDUAL has by virtue of being human
The need to be held together as a working TEAM
Leadership is ACTION not POSITION
Never tell people how to do things,tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity
Leadership is the most personal thing in the world for the simple reason that it is just plain you
Do not tell me how hard you work,tell me how much you get done
Leadership is of the Spirit,compounded of personality and vision,its practice is an art
Management is of the mind,more a matter of accurate calculation,of statistics,of methods,timetables and routines,its practice is a science
Managers are necessary,leaders are essential.
Managers manage change,but leaders manage growth
A leader is best when people barely know that he exists,not so good when people obey and acclaim him,worst when they despise him.
Fail to honour people and they fail to honour you.
But of a good leader who talks little when his work is done,his aim fulfilled.
They will all say,"We did this ourselves"
The task of leadership is not to put greatness into humanity,
but to ellcit it,for the greatness is already there
Objectives should be
CLEAR
SPECIFIC
MEASURABLE
ATTAINABLE
WRITTEN
TIME-BOUNDED
REALISTIC
CHALLENGING
AGREED
CONSISTENT
WORTHWHILE
PARTICIPATIVE
2008年7月6日 星期日
Good time in training
We had good time in our recent Timothy training though our original training site was overwhelmed and almost destroyed due to the GuangDong Heavy Rainfall. Yet the Lord provided us another timely place to continue on with all peace and safety.
We had an outing after Sunday service and it's a fun time too amid serious 11 days class sessions. We took some pictures and I posted some here for you to share.
Do I look nice among the younger guys ? All are in their late 30s or early 40s. Only one is below 30.
We had an outing after Sunday service and it's a fun time too amid serious 11 days class sessions. We took some pictures and I posted some here for you to share.
Do I look nice among the younger guys ? All are in their late 30s or early 40s. Only one is below 30.
Several essays sent
Last evening we joined our Church Eleazer Fellowship to have buffet in Cathay Pacific in the HK Airport that lasted till 8:30p.m. I was entirely tired after a whole day and went straight to sleep without thinking a lot about preparation for this morning's devotion sharing.
I woke up at 4:00a.m. and worked on my devotional sharing.Within an hour I already finished preparing for the purpose. My theme is "Spirituality Today" through reading Leo's book by Robert E. Weber. I borrowed the book yesterday after Sunday service.
This morning in office I finished another essay for I-Hua's coming Bulletin. The theme is on "Quake Relief and Worker Training: Importance and Urgency"
Sometimes I really wonder my own ability & speed on writing matters.
Two days ago I completed another wanted essay requested from LongZhong in Shangdong.Though my deadline is supposed end of August,I already sent him the wanted essay "Table talk from the heart of a pastor" Praise the Lord!
I woke up at 4:00a.m. and worked on my devotional sharing.Within an hour I already finished preparing for the purpose. My theme is "Spirituality Today" through reading Leo's book by Robert E. Weber. I borrowed the book yesterday after Sunday service.
This morning in office I finished another essay for I-Hua's coming Bulletin. The theme is on "Quake Relief and Worker Training: Importance and Urgency"
Sometimes I really wonder my own ability & speed on writing matters.
Two days ago I completed another wanted essay requested from LongZhong in Shangdong.Though my deadline is supposed end of August,I already sent him the wanted essay "Table talk from the heart of a pastor" Praise the Lord!
2008年6月12日 星期四
Thoughts on Change
The recent earthquake in China is of such a sudden that no one expects such immense casualty.
The PRC-Taiwan resuming talk is an expected one for changes of the Strait relations
The Three -Self church and House church relationships are still intense among certain regions of China that for quite a long period of time it will hardly lead to a breakthrough
Changes are of such varying phenomena that man can not speak to its fullness.
But as Christians we have certain changes that are significant and awaits deep thoughts:
1. Change of a master-- We are in Christ and not in sin (II Cor 5:17)
2. Change of our identity-- We are the People of God (I Peter 2:9)
3. Change of our home -- We are not of this world (Phil 3:20)
4. Change of our behavior -- We are to put on new man (Eph 4:22)
5. Change of our mind -- We are to be renewed in thoughts (Roman 12:1-2)
6. Change of our body -- We have to be resurrected and have an entire new body (I Cor 15:51-52)
7. Change of our destiny -- We are to be in new heaven and earth someday (Rev 21:1)
We have to face changes daily and rejoice in it.
The PRC-Taiwan resuming talk is an expected one for changes of the Strait relations
The Three -Self church and House church relationships are still intense among certain regions of China that for quite a long period of time it will hardly lead to a breakthrough
Changes are of such varying phenomena that man can not speak to its fullness.
But as Christians we have certain changes that are significant and awaits deep thoughts:
1. Change of a master-- We are in Christ and not in sin (II Cor 5:17)
2. Change of our identity-- We are the People of God (I Peter 2:9)
3. Change of our home -- We are not of this world (Phil 3:20)
4. Change of our behavior -- We are to put on new man (Eph 4:22)
5. Change of our mind -- We are to be renewed in thoughts (Roman 12:1-2)
6. Change of our body -- We have to be resurrected and have an entire new body (I Cor 15:51-52)
7. Change of our destiny -- We are to be in new heaven and earth someday (Rev 21:1)
We have to face changes daily and rejoice in it.
2008年6月1日 星期日
2008年5月28日 星期三
Thinking God
Knowing God needs effort and is a mystery.
We are not God and God is over us. We cannot fully describe God.But that doesn't mean He is unknowable.
Three distinctions:
1. He Himself and models representing Him are different.
2. More than one way to describe Him.
3. All different ways have limitations.
We are not God and God is over us. We cannot fully describe God.But that doesn't mean He is unknowable.
Three distinctions:
1. He Himself and models representing Him are different.
2. More than one way to describe Him.
3. All different ways have limitations.
2008年5月27日 星期二
Two quotes
Mr. Yip,our Mandarin teacher,brought us his wife 鄭佩霞's collection,a specialist consultant in Chinese Calligraphy.I then dropped down a few quotes as follows,for they are meaningful:
入門在師傅，
深造在個人。
學書在法，
其妙在人。
I think our church discipleships also need to have teacher as entrance guide,but for deep results and fruit bearing,it all hangs on individual's efforts.
Norms and rules are just standards,
wits and whims are with the person.
入門在師傅，
深造在個人。
學書在法，
其妙在人。
I think our church discipleships also need to have teacher as entrance guide,but for deep results and fruit bearing,it all hangs on individual's efforts.
Norms and rules are just standards,
wits and whims are with the person.
Creativity
I read Kierpal Singh's book on cross cultural creativity.
There are four elements he considered significant:
Transparancy,
Change,
Innovation and
Imagination
There are four elements he considered significant:
Transparancy,
Change,
Innovation and
Imagination
2008年5月22日 星期四
Breakfast Felleowship
It's my turn to share during devotion this morning. But Rev.Lo suggested instead my treating colleagues to breakfast. So I treated them instead of delivering devotion messages as planned. It's kind of habit from time to time for us to have breakfast together in the past. It's good for table talk to enhance working relationships outside the office.
Table share runs in many directions.You can share whatever you think of.Either daily incidents or reflections of recent events,from global issues to mini-events,from past history to future anticipations.It's our practice to take turn to treat each other and facilitate such kind of conversations.
Relationships are of a curious thing. It's such delicate and needs carefully attended to. Meals are great time for friends and family members to talk in an open way,not so serious but can be sensitive to know more of one another.
Table share runs in many directions.You can share whatever you think of.Either daily incidents or reflections of recent events,from global issues to mini-events,from past history to future anticipations.It's our practice to take turn to treat each other and facilitate such kind of conversations.
Relationships are of a curious thing. It's such delicate and needs carefully attended to. Meals are great time for friends and family members to talk in an open way,not so serious but can be sensitive to know more of one another.
大麥餅的文章
在辦公室找一本字典查考生字時，偶然找到以前一位同工留下的書簽，因而進到她的網站，發現她仍繼續創作寫作，感到文字很有意思。在此謹節取她一二篇作品如下,有興趣者可往下列網頁http://www.prayerkitchen.com/
文/黃少芬
1. 一顆露珠，依偎在葉子的溫柔上
誕生在蒼涼，安息在天亮
晨光一變臉，露珠瞬間消逝，成為鑽石嘲笑的對象
風的吻別，也無力埋葬出現片時的哀傷
沒有翅膀，如何與鷹較量
也沒有玫瑰的芳香，總是在清醒與迷醉間徬徨
上帝的使者告訴它，在至聖之處永遠保存不顯眼的嗎哪
如它一樣，每個夜間降下*
如它一樣，臉孔平凡
至聖之處，有上帝的榮光
露珠不跳動
卻在晨曦中輕舞耀眼榮光
光耀的生命比曇花還短
榮耀的路比生命還長
* 民數記11：9記載：夜間露水降在營中，嗎哪也隨著降下。
-----------------------------------------------------------------
2. 如果你心中有愛
在雪地上也能赤腳行走
但是
如果你的愛不能跟人分享
你會越走越疲累
如果你心中有愛
說話的時候就會滴下蜜糖
但是
如果你的愛不能跟人分享
過了期限的蜜糖會失去芳香
把愛留給自己的人
也把別人拒於門外
其實，你不懂得愛
文/黃少芬
1. 一顆露珠，依偎在葉子的溫柔上
誕生在蒼涼，安息在天亮
晨光一變臉，露珠瞬間消逝，成為鑽石嘲笑的對象
風的吻別，也無力埋葬出現片時的哀傷
沒有翅膀，如何與鷹較量
也沒有玫瑰的芳香，總是在清醒與迷醉間徬徨
上帝的使者告訴它，在至聖之處永遠保存不顯眼的嗎哪
如它一樣，每個夜間降下*
如它一樣，臉孔平凡
至聖之處，有上帝的榮光
露珠不跳動
卻在晨曦中輕舞耀眼榮光
光耀的生命比曇花還短
榮耀的路比生命還長
* 民數記11：9記載：夜間露水降在營中，嗎哪也隨著降下。
-----------------------------------------------------------------
2. 如果你心中有愛
在雪地上也能赤腳行走
但是
如果你的愛不能跟人分享
你會越走越疲累
如果你心中有愛
說話的時候就會滴下蜜糖
但是
如果你的愛不能跟人分享
過了期限的蜜糖會失去芳香
把愛留給自己的人
也把別人拒於門外
其實，你不懂得愛
2008年5月20日 星期二
Four Prayers
Monday going with Mom to hospital for body check.It's fast and mom said before the doctor told us anything I already knew the answer.It's strange for her to say that to me and it's in my mind for thoughts.
Then Yesterday during I-Hua prayer meet Rev. Kenneth Lo told me to pray more for new colleague workers.
These two incidents made me think of my future in terms of prayers and vision from God.
This morning as I thought of the future,I asked four things from the Lord.
1. Revival for all christian colleagues,both in getting His Word and devoted to more prayers
2. Workers for His Kingdom,both with wisdom and strategies in projects and ministries
3. Health for His servant workers,both in handling projects and finishing well.
4. Projects for extending His work,both sticking to necessity and relevancy.
Then Yesterday during I-Hua prayer meet Rev. Kenneth Lo told me to pray more for new colleague workers.
These two incidents made me think of my future in terms of prayers and vision from God.
This morning as I thought of the future,I asked four things from the Lord.
1. Revival for all christian colleagues,both in getting His Word and devoted to more prayers
2. Workers for His Kingdom,both with wisdom and strategies in projects and ministries
3. Health for His servant workers,both in handling projects and finishing well.
4. Projects for extending His work,both sticking to necessity and relevancy.
今天，汶川不是地名
《唐山大地震》作者錢鋼寫了下列文字，我特別記取下來 :
今天，汶川不是地名。
今天，汶川，是我們每個人的名字。
在悠遠的汽笛聲中垂首默立，任5月的雨水和淚水交匯。這是揮別的一刻：向母親、父親、兒子、女兒、妻子、丈夫、戀人、老師、學生、朋友、同事、鄰居……向5月12日下午2時28分前的平淡、忙碌、盼望、失望、憂愁、歡喜……那些習焉不察的溫馨日子。
因為汶川，我一次次想起唐山。我不由驚訝：唐山地震32年之後，無論是逝者還是生者，此時全都完整地存在。32年，唐山，有過無數祭奠，社會、集體、家庭乃 至心靈。它不再僅僅是別離和悲傷，而成為與親人友人間的相會與祝福。唐山地震讓24萬生靈消失，可是，它留下了一個名叫「唐山」的完整生命。那位向汶川災 區捐款億元的唐山孤兒，讓你看到廢墟上生命的成長。
今天的汶川祭奠，一定也只是短暫的告別。生命，並非僅僅呼吸和心跳。生離死別，不是生命的邊界。親人們沒有離去，一切都將延續。在廢墟上嬰兒嘹亮的啼哭聲裏，一個叫做「汶川」的新生命，今天降生。
活覑，並不容易。用更好的「活覑」告慰親人，要有更大的勇氣和智慧。今天，是抗震救災第九天，嚴峻的考驗正一一逼近，我們需要更內斂的情感和明澈的理性。
願所有逝者安息！
請所有生者擦乾眼淚，繼續！
今天，汶川不是地名。
今天，汶川，是我們每個人的名字。
在悠遠的汽笛聲中垂首默立，任5月的雨水和淚水交匯。這是揮別的一刻：向母親、父親、兒子、女兒、妻子、丈夫、戀人、老師、學生、朋友、同事、鄰居……向5月12日下午2時28分前的平淡、忙碌、盼望、失望、憂愁、歡喜……那些習焉不察的溫馨日子。
因為汶川，我一次次想起唐山。我不由驚訝：唐山地震32年之後，無論是逝者還是生者，此時全都完整地存在。32年，唐山，有過無數祭奠，社會、集體、家庭乃 至心靈。它不再僅僅是別離和悲傷，而成為與親人友人間的相會與祝福。唐山地震讓24萬生靈消失，可是，它留下了一個名叫「唐山」的完整生命。那位向汶川災 區捐款億元的唐山孤兒，讓你看到廢墟上生命的成長。
今天的汶川祭奠，一定也只是短暫的告別。生命，並非僅僅呼吸和心跳。生離死別，不是生命的邊界。親人們沒有離去，一切都將延續。在廢墟上嬰兒嘹亮的啼哭聲裏，一個叫做「汶川」的新生命，今天降生。
活覑，並不容易。用更好的「活覑」告慰親人，要有更大的勇氣和智慧。今天，是抗震救災第九天，嚴峻的考驗正一一逼近，我們需要更內斂的情感和明澈的理性。
願所有逝者安息！
請所有生者擦乾眼淚，繼續！
Insights and prayers from the Earthquakes
The recent Sichuan great earthquake gives me these reflections:
China is going to have great changes among the world in terms of her image.Firstly she has a high and efficient administration in relief coordination. Secondly,the mutual love and brotherhood bond between the peoples of the whole nation is great. Thirdly,though she's not a democratic country,what she achieves out of this casualty may be greater than those democratic places and launch new researches among political scientists in their field studies. Fourthly the China Media profession just showed exceptional degree of her expertise and with high appraisals & good comments all around the world.
My high hope therefore in coming years of China's becoming a really great power among world countries. It's indeed too sad to see so many deaths and broken families out of the earthquake. It's however great gain for friendships across the Straits as well as showing China's great national virtue of people caring for one another.
Lord our God! May your great wisdom be shone upon our comrades and bring them out of afflictions. May your salvation be upon all the political leaders so that they may know how to rule your land out of justice and love.
China is going to have great changes among the world in terms of her image.Firstly she has a high and efficient administration in relief coordination. Secondly,the mutual love and brotherhood bond between the peoples of the whole nation is great. Thirdly,though she's not a democratic country,what she achieves out of this casualty may be greater than those democratic places and launch new researches among political scientists in their field studies. Fourthly the China Media profession just showed exceptional degree of her expertise and with high appraisals & good comments all around the world.
My high hope therefore in coming years of China's becoming a really great power among world countries. It's indeed too sad to see so many deaths and broken families out of the earthquake. It's however great gain for friendships across the Straits as well as showing China's great national virtue of people caring for one another.
Lord our God! May your great wisdom be shone upon our comrades and bring them out of afflictions. May your salvation be upon all the political leaders so that they may know how to rule your land out of justice and love.
2008年5月14日 星期三
Purposes in Suffering
Walter Kaiser mentioned 8 types of suffering in old testament when exegeting on Lamentations in A biblical approach to suffering.
They are as follows:
Retributional or punishment
Educational or purifying
Redemptional or substitution
Empathy or Identifying
Doxological
Witnessing
Revelational
Eschatological
They are as follows:
Retributional or punishment
Educational or purifying
Redemptional or substitution
Empathy or Identifying
Doxological
Witnessing
Revelational
Eschatological
Reflections on sufferings (Romans 8:18-25)
一.苦難是真實的 !!
現在的經歷 (時刻發生)
歎息的聲音 (勞苦歎息)
服在虛空下 (短暫片時)
身不由得己 (不能掌控)
敗壞的轄制 (惡似當道)
共同的課題 (未能免疫)
二.榮耀是要來的 !!
算得甚麼 (不足介意)
切望等候 (眾子顯現)
得以進入 (自由在望)
尊貴身位 (兒子名份)
榮耀更新 (身體得贖)
信心眼晴 (盼所未見)
Most of us will have faced that most delicate situation of meeting a person who is suffering. We tend to go down one of two different avenues.
One is to offer well-intentioned advice often in the form of well-worn cliches that the person will have heard several times before.
The other is not to say anything at all risking the danger of leaving the person under the impression that God has no idea what is going on and is unable to help.
How are we to understand suffering and its place in our lives?
Should we try and rationalise it away,trying to come up with a solution that sits as comfortably as possible? Surely we should look to Scripture first?
This is what Walter Kaiser does. By looking at the Old Testament book of Lamentations Kaiser does not offer any easy solutions but rather shows us how a Sovereign and Loving God can work through even the most painful moments.
Why Bad Things Happen How different religions view the reasons for undeserved human suffering --Ellen Leventry -- (Former Beliefnet editor)
For centuries people have been asking, "Why, God, why?" when disaster strikes. And for centuries, religion has been trying to answer the question of how a loving or just God could allow humans to endure such suffering. While Western traditions strive to teach that God's power and goodness are, indeed, compatible with the suffering of innocents, many Eastern faiths view undeserved suffering as a result of a cosmic law of moral cause and effect. Read on to see what each of the five major world faiths has to say about why bad things happen to good people.
Buddhism
According to the first two Noble Truths of Buddhism all of life is suffering and suffering is caused by attachments to worldly things. This attachment, which can take the form of greed, hatred, and ignorance in this life and past lives, can, unless mitigated, return as more suffering (karma). According to the Dhammapada, "By oneself the evil is done, and it is oneself who suffers: by oneself the evil is not done, and by one's Self one becomes pure." Suffering is not necessarily punishment from a divine being, but rather something that must be transcended by not clinging to material objects or relationships. According to Lama Surya Das, bad things happen to good people "because there are myriad karmic causes conspiring to bring about any particular event, which then becomes cause for other effects to take place."
Christianity
The question of the unjustified suffering of the innocent is at the heart of Christianity, which holds that a sinless man (Jesus) suffered and died for the sins of humanity. Some Christians see suffering as God's punishment of sinful people or the world as a whole. Others see such suffering as a way a loving God tests the faith and fortitude of survivors. According to St. Paul, Christians should rejoice in suffering because it produces endurance, hope and character (Romans 5:3-5). Still other Christians see innocents' suffering as evidence of the inscrutable will of a God who "works in mysterious ways" toward an ultimate but unknowable good. Some Christians offer no explanation but, like Job, seek to trust in God. In the past, Roman Catholic Christians were taught that they should "offer up" pain, with the idea that through faith, suffering that seems meaningless can be redeemed and transformed. The fourth-century saint Augustine says, "God would not allow any evil to exist unless out of it he could draw a greater good. This is part of the wisdom and goodness of God."
Hinduism
Many Hindus view suffering as punishment for misdeeds committed in this lifetime or past lives. Even a seemingly innocent person who has not eradicated bad karma from past lives through charitable deeds is susceptible to such payback. Individuals' suffering should be placed in the broader context of a cosmic cycle of birth, life, destruction and rebirth. Hindus believe victims will be reincarnated and may be happier in their next life.
Islam
The very word "Islam" means "submission." Many Muslims understand that to include suffering --enduring pain or loss is a way of submitting to the will of Allah. Some suffering is Satan's doing or is the work of his cohorts in the spirit world (the "jinn") and is allowed by Allah as a test of humility and faith. Many Muslims believe suffering and adversity strengthen one's faith, as pain often leads to repentance and prayer and good deeds.
Judaism
Sometimes it is believed that suffering is caused by a weakness in one's devotion to God. Generally, it is believed that God gave humans free will to feel pleasure and pain, and His purpose in allowing deep suffering of the innocent must be good even if mysterious. God suffers along with the sufferer. Many believe that God's sense of justice, and therefore the reasons for human suffering, are unknowable. To some Jews, knowing why God allows suffering is not as important as knowing that God will punish the perpetrators. All Jews place high importance on working to help those in need; the concept of tikkun olam, or repairing the world, will help allay undeserved suffering. Interestingly, suffering is the only issue listed in the Talmud that could lead a person to lose faith in God.
現在的經歷 (時刻發生)
歎息的聲音 (勞苦歎息)
服在虛空下 (短暫片時)
身不由得己 (不能掌控)
敗壞的轄制 (惡似當道)
共同的課題 (未能免疫)
二.榮耀是要來的 !!
算得甚麼 (不足介意)
切望等候 (眾子顯現)
得以進入 (自由在望)
尊貴身位 (兒子名份)
榮耀更新 (身體得贖)
信心眼晴 (盼所未見)
Most of us will have faced that most delicate situation of meeting a person who is suffering. We tend to go down one of two different avenues.
One is to offer well-intentioned advice often in the form of well-worn cliches that the person will have heard several times before.
The other is not to say anything at all risking the danger of leaving the person under the impression that God has no idea what is going on and is unable to help.
How are we to understand suffering and its place in our lives?
Should we try and rationalise it away,trying to come up with a solution that sits as comfortably as possible? Surely we should look to Scripture first?
This is what Walter Kaiser does. By looking at the Old Testament book of Lamentations Kaiser does not offer any easy solutions but rather shows us how a Sovereign and Loving God can work through even the most painful moments.
Why Bad Things Happen How different religions view the reasons for undeserved human suffering --Ellen Leventry -- (Former Beliefnet editor)
For centuries people have been asking, "Why, God, why?" when disaster strikes. And for centuries, religion has been trying to answer the question of how a loving or just God could allow humans to endure such suffering. While Western traditions strive to teach that God's power and goodness are, indeed, compatible with the suffering of innocents, many Eastern faiths view undeserved suffering as a result of a cosmic law of moral cause and effect. Read on to see what each of the five major world faiths has to say about why bad things happen to good people.
Buddhism
According to the first two Noble Truths of Buddhism all of life is suffering and suffering is caused by attachments to worldly things. This attachment, which can take the form of greed, hatred, and ignorance in this life and past lives, can, unless mitigated, return as more suffering (karma). According to the Dhammapada, "By oneself the evil is done, and it is oneself who suffers: by oneself the evil is not done, and by one's Self one becomes pure." Suffering is not necessarily punishment from a divine being, but rather something that must be transcended by not clinging to material objects or relationships. According to Lama Surya Das, bad things happen to good people "because there are myriad karmic causes conspiring to bring about any particular event, which then becomes cause for other effects to take place."
Christianity
The question of the unjustified suffering of the innocent is at the heart of Christianity, which holds that a sinless man (Jesus) suffered and died for the sins of humanity. Some Christians see suffering as God's punishment of sinful people or the world as a whole. Others see such suffering as a way a loving God tests the faith and fortitude of survivors. According to St. Paul, Christians should rejoice in suffering because it produces endurance, hope and character (Romans 5:3-5). Still other Christians see innocents' suffering as evidence of the inscrutable will of a God who "works in mysterious ways" toward an ultimate but unknowable good. Some Christians offer no explanation but, like Job, seek to trust in God. In the past, Roman Catholic Christians were taught that they should "offer up" pain, with the idea that through faith, suffering that seems meaningless can be redeemed and transformed. The fourth-century saint Augustine says, "God would not allow any evil to exist unless out of it he could draw a greater good. This is part of the wisdom and goodness of God."
Hinduism
Many Hindus view suffering as punishment for misdeeds committed in this lifetime or past lives. Even a seemingly innocent person who has not eradicated bad karma from past lives through charitable deeds is susceptible to such payback. Individuals' suffering should be placed in the broader context of a cosmic cycle of birth, life, destruction and rebirth. Hindus believe victims will be reincarnated and may be happier in their next life.
Islam
The very word "Islam" means "submission." Many Muslims understand that to include suffering --enduring pain or loss is a way of submitting to the will of Allah. Some suffering is Satan's doing or is the work of his cohorts in the spirit world (the "jinn") and is allowed by Allah as a test of humility and faith. Many Muslims believe suffering and adversity strengthen one's faith, as pain often leads to repentance and prayer and good deeds.
Judaism
Sometimes it is believed that suffering is caused by a weakness in one's devotion to God. Generally, it is believed that God gave humans free will to feel pleasure and pain, and His purpose in allowing deep suffering of the innocent must be good even if mysterious. God suffers along with the sufferer. Many believe that God's sense of justice, and therefore the reasons for human suffering, are unknowable. To some Jews, knowing why God allows suffering is not as important as knowing that God will punish the perpetrators. All Jews place high importance on working to help those in need; the concept of tikkun olam, or repairing the world, will help allay undeserved suffering. Interestingly, suffering is the only issue listed in the Talmud that could lead a person to lose faith in God.
2008年5月13日 星期二
Pain and sufferings
Monday's great earthquake in China Sichuan made us suffer together with those directly involved as seen from pictures and reports.
Suffering itself is a mystery which humans cannot possibly understand but it has the result of making us strong not realized in an open way.
Helen Keller's following words notifies us this way:
"Although the world is full of suffering,it is full also of the overcoming of it.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."
May the mystery of earthquake pain in China help many to be strong in His time and comfort.
May the family with tremendous losses be providentially comforted from the Almighty God whose love man cannot fathom but is real and genuine in His own way and in His time.
May all the rescue action & teams be strengthened and save those who can be saved.
May the sufferings of China give her perseverances in moving forward.
Suffering itself is a mystery which humans cannot possibly understand but it has the result of making us strong not realized in an open way.
Helen Keller's following words notifies us this way:
"Although the world is full of suffering,it is full also of the overcoming of it.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."
May the mystery of earthquake pain in China help many to be strong in His time and comfort.
May the family with tremendous losses be providentially comforted from the Almighty God whose love man cannot fathom but is real and genuine in His own way and in His time.
May all the rescue action & teams be strengthened and save those who can be saved.
May the sufferings of China give her perseverances in moving forward.
2008年5月10日 星期六
「神要抺去我們一切的眼泪」
無名的傳道者一詩的作者邊雲波，最近在溫哥華分享侍奉路途，他引用啟示錄7章17節：「神也必擦去他們一切的眼泪。」下列節取自網頁所載 :
主耶穌曾說：「若有人要跟從我，就當捨己，背起他的十字架來跟從我。」
背著十字架會沒有眼泪嗎？我們在服侍中，免不了有這樣那樣的難處，有些同工在人面前滿臉笑容，但在神面前卻是獨自流泪。他從幾方面說了同工們可能會掉的眼泪，一是捨己的眼泪、二是背負十架受苦的眼泪、三是被人誤會受傷的眼泪、四是難以理解困惑的眼泪、五是軟弱失敗痛悔的眼泪、六是靠主得勝喜樂的眼泪。縱使我們為了服侍主會有流泪的時候，但神終必安慰我們，擦乾我們一切的眼泪。
捨己的泪、受苦的泪
有些人在學有所成，事有所就的時候，神就呼召他們，他們要放下自己原來好的環境，走上捨己這條道路。趙君影牧師在大學畢業後蒙主呼召出來傳道，但趙牧師的父親在上海是很富有的人，當時做傳道的是被人看不起的工作。所以父親就勸他，如果他不做傳道的話，就能繼承他的家財萬貫。但要是他要出來傳道的話，就要與他一刀兩斷父子的關係。
後來趙君影牧師還是堅持要出來傳道，那時做傳道人沒有固定的收入，一切都視乎奉獻多少而定。家裡經常吃著稀飯，也沒有什麼糧食。有一次趙牧師受邀去講道，卻沒有路費，於是夫妻兩人商量下就把結婚戒指當了。以後他們寫了一首感人的詩歌，其中的歌詞是：「我眼流泪，我心破碎，主啊，我心愛你！或遭敵對，或遇誤會，主啊，我心愛你！主啊！我心愛你，現在愛你，永遠愛你；任憑海枯石欄，主啊！我心愛你！」邊雲波說，他們的眼泪成為了日後很多人的激勵。如果我們曾經放下了什麼，他相信這樣的經歷是為了幫助別人的，所以應當喜樂和感到安慰。
另一方面，一些服侍主的同工放下的不是今世的財物或物質上的享受，而是在感情上面對很大的爭戰。邊雲波以前聽過焦源濂牧師的講台見證，焦牧師在還沒有奉獻以前，在團契中認識了一位當時很愛主的姊妹，兩人幾乎已達到訂婚的階段。但當焦牧師上神學院的時候，他那女朋友離信仰越來越遠，想走在世上通達的道路。他們二人談話，誰也勸不了誰，最終兩人的關係只能一刀兩斷。因為信仰的緣故而放棄感情的事，也不是一件簡單的事情。
接著他又談到一位在新疆傳道的趙西門弟兄的經歷，趙西門寫了一首感動萬千人心的詩「十架歸路」，但經過了幾十年的牢獄和勞動改造，竟然連自己寫的詩也忘了。看似很可笑，但他為主受苦的辛酸，有多少心酸的眼泪！
受傷的泪、困惑的泪
他亦分享了自己的經歷，十幾年中他一直求主復興中國的教會，但為什麼越禱告越糟糕？逼迫還越厲害。聖經不是說，「神的膀臂豈是縮短、不能救贖嗎？」感謝神的是一次靈裡的領受，讓他明白到「大山可以挪開，小山可以遷移，但主的慈愛必不離開你。」就因這一次的領受，讓他能夠再次能站立起來。他說，縱使世上千變萬化，但神的慈愛永不改變。中國的教會亦從50年代初期的70萬，激增至80年代和90年代的7000萬。一切都是神自己的作為，是他自己的軟弱所以看不到而已。邊雲波說，感謝主聽我們的禱告，神的道路高過我的道路，祂的意念高過我的意念。
另外，他又談到有時在服侍的過程中，無論在工場上、羊群中或弟兄姊妹的關係上，會遇到出乎意外的誤會。有時候也會有難以理解困惑的泪，如：為什麼會發生這樣的事情？事工為何會這樣？這樣也免不了有眼泪。但神的作為和奧妙不是我們能理解和測透的，有一天神會讓我們知道。神有自己的命定，有些是我們知道的，有些是神不讓我們知道的，所以我們只有憑著信心接受。對於基督徒和傳道人，我們的道路不是走過來的，從始至終都是信過來的。他勉勵眾位，若有心靈受傷或心裡困惑的，主應釦畯抪|擦乾一切的眼泪。
痛悔的泪、得勝的泪
此外，我們服侍主時亦不可能沒有軟弱或失敗，彼得也曾經三次不認主。邊老師說，我們都是人，有自己的軟弱，但神有無盡的恩典，如果遇到失敗的時候，在某樣事情上得罪了主，讓主的名不得益處，那麼就讓我們像彼得一樣，流下痛悔的眼泪。最後亦有靠主得勝喜樂的眼泪，有些人看我們是很難得勝，但靠著主就得勝了，這樣有感恩的眼泪也是自然的。
他總結說，「我們在神面前流的眼泪，主必不輕看。有一天我們會發現，主的恩典十分豐富，我們只會說我們虧欠了主，但主沒有虧欠我們。求主加添我們的力量，流泪撒種的，必歡呼收割！」
主耶穌曾說：「若有人要跟從我，就當捨己，背起他的十字架來跟從我。」
背著十字架會沒有眼泪嗎？我們在服侍中，免不了有這樣那樣的難處，有些同工在人面前滿臉笑容，但在神面前卻是獨自流泪。他從幾方面說了同工們可能會掉的眼泪，一是捨己的眼泪、二是背負十架受苦的眼泪、三是被人誤會受傷的眼泪、四是難以理解困惑的眼泪、五是軟弱失敗痛悔的眼泪、六是靠主得勝喜樂的眼泪。縱使我們為了服侍主會有流泪的時候，但神終必安慰我們，擦乾我們一切的眼泪。
捨己的泪、受苦的泪
有些人在學有所成，事有所就的時候，神就呼召他們，他們要放下自己原來好的環境，走上捨己這條道路。趙君影牧師在大學畢業後蒙主呼召出來傳道，但趙牧師的父親在上海是很富有的人，當時做傳道的是被人看不起的工作。所以父親就勸他，如果他不做傳道的話，就能繼承他的家財萬貫。但要是他要出來傳道的話，就要與他一刀兩斷父子的關係。
後來趙君影牧師還是堅持要出來傳道，那時做傳道人沒有固定的收入，一切都視乎奉獻多少而定。家裡經常吃著稀飯，也沒有什麼糧食。有一次趙牧師受邀去講道，卻沒有路費，於是夫妻兩人商量下就把結婚戒指當了。以後他們寫了一首感人的詩歌，其中的歌詞是：「我眼流泪，我心破碎，主啊，我心愛你！或遭敵對，或遇誤會，主啊，我心愛你！主啊！我心愛你，現在愛你，永遠愛你；任憑海枯石欄，主啊！我心愛你！」邊雲波說，他們的眼泪成為了日後很多人的激勵。如果我們曾經放下了什麼，他相信這樣的經歷是為了幫助別人的，所以應當喜樂和感到安慰。
另一方面，一些服侍主的同工放下的不是今世的財物或物質上的享受，而是在感情上面對很大的爭戰。邊雲波以前聽過焦源濂牧師的講台見證，焦牧師在還沒有奉獻以前，在團契中認識了一位當時很愛主的姊妹，兩人幾乎已達到訂婚的階段。但當焦牧師上神學院的時候，他那女朋友離信仰越來越遠，想走在世上通達的道路。他們二人談話，誰也勸不了誰，最終兩人的關係只能一刀兩斷。因為信仰的緣故而放棄感情的事，也不是一件簡單的事情。
接著他又談到一位在新疆傳道的趙西門弟兄的經歷，趙西門寫了一首感動萬千人心的詩「十架歸路」，但經過了幾十年的牢獄和勞動改造，竟然連自己寫的詩也忘了。看似很可笑，但他為主受苦的辛酸，有多少心酸的眼泪！
受傷的泪、困惑的泪
他亦分享了自己的經歷，十幾年中他一直求主復興中國的教會，但為什麼越禱告越糟糕？逼迫還越厲害。聖經不是說，「神的膀臂豈是縮短、不能救贖嗎？」感謝神的是一次靈裡的領受，讓他明白到「大山可以挪開，小山可以遷移，但主的慈愛必不離開你。」就因這一次的領受，讓他能夠再次能站立起來。他說，縱使世上千變萬化，但神的慈愛永不改變。中國的教會亦從50年代初期的70萬，激增至80年代和90年代的7000萬。一切都是神自己的作為，是他自己的軟弱所以看不到而已。邊雲波說，感謝主聽我們的禱告，神的道路高過我的道路，祂的意念高過我的意念。
另外，他又談到有時在服侍的過程中，無論在工場上、羊群中或弟兄姊妹的關係上，會遇到出乎意外的誤會。有時候也會有難以理解困惑的泪，如：為什麼會發生這樣的事情？事工為何會這樣？這樣也免不了有眼泪。但神的作為和奧妙不是我們能理解和測透的，有一天神會讓我們知道。神有自己的命定，有些是我們知道的，有些是神不讓我們知道的，所以我們只有憑著信心接受。對於基督徒和傳道人，我們的道路不是走過來的，從始至終都是信過來的。他勉勵眾位，若有心靈受傷或心裡困惑的，主應釦畯抪|擦乾一切的眼泪。
痛悔的泪、得勝的泪
此外，我們服侍主時亦不可能沒有軟弱或失敗，彼得也曾經三次不認主。邊老師說，我們都是人，有自己的軟弱，但神有無盡的恩典，如果遇到失敗的時候，在某樣事情上得罪了主，讓主的名不得益處，那麼就讓我們像彼得一樣，流下痛悔的眼泪。最後亦有靠主得勝喜樂的眼泪，有些人看我們是很難得勝，但靠著主就得勝了，這樣有感恩的眼泪也是自然的。
他總結說，「我們在神面前流的眼泪，主必不輕看。有一天我們會發現，主的恩典十分豐富，我們只會說我們虧欠了主，但主沒有虧欠我們。求主加添我們的力量，流泪撒種的，必歡呼收割！」
2008年5月8日 星期四
Lunch with a young man
A young seminary student came to our office this morning. He said he aimed to be on time following our steps.To my pleasure our examples also have impact on this young man in his mid-twenties. Both Kenneth Lo and I are punctual man and we would not waste time or being late on appointments.
We then went out to have lunch talk together.It's our advice to this future church worker that he has to be prudent in response to God's calling as well as being careful in choosing life-partner.It seems hard to eat the lunch with such kind of admonitions.
Anyway it sounds good advices to him when presently all the talks around us are not necessary with godly discernment that's pleasing to Him.
We then went out to have lunch talk together.It's our advice to this future church worker that he has to be prudent in response to God's calling as well as being careful in choosing life-partner.It seems hard to eat the lunch with such kind of admonitions.
Anyway it sounds good advices to him when presently all the talks around us are not necessary with godly discernment that's pleasing to Him.
Classical & Open view of God
Classical view holds that God is immutable,impassible and timeless.
Open view emphasizes God's dynamic and interactive nature with His creatures.
Traditionally God is in full control & being the predictor of future.
An Open God collaborates with man to shape out the future.
Contrasts between the above two views are one section of my talk in coming training session.I have to deal with Trinity and Bible Inerrancy too. Together with the meaning of doctrine conclude my outline of the first course on doctrine in coming June.
古典神觀
神是創造主、判官與君王
神聖主權與不變
神在創造護理及救贖上的單向權威
人類自由上受限制
神超越時間
未來是命定的
神全知未來的一切
邪惡也為神所計劃彰顯祂的榮耀
人只是回應祂，救恩全由神所出
禱告不能阻撓神的定旨
神對我們生活旨意已有定見藍圖
開放神觀
神是救主、愛人與友伴
神聖交往與應變
神在護理及救贖上與受造者一起顯其能力
人類是自由的
神是在時空中與受造者有真交往
神與人一起創造未來
未來對神是開放的
神容許罪惡為愛與自由冒險付代價
神與人一起成就救恩
禱告是能影響神回心轉意
神對人的生活不是先有定規圖則
Open view emphasizes God's dynamic and interactive nature with His creatures.
Traditionally God is in full control & being the predictor of future.
An Open God collaborates with man to shape out the future.
Contrasts between the above two views are one section of my talk in coming training session.I have to deal with Trinity and Bible Inerrancy too. Together with the meaning of doctrine conclude my outline of the first course on doctrine in coming June.
古典神觀
神是創造主、判官與君王
神聖主權與不變
神在創造護理及救贖上的單向權威
人類自由上受限制
神超越時間
未來是命定的
神全知未來的一切
邪惡也為神所計劃彰顯祂的榮耀
人只是回應祂，救恩全由神所出
禱告不能阻撓神的定旨
神對我們生活旨意已有定見藍圖
開放神觀
神是救主、愛人與友伴
神聖交往與應變
神在護理及救贖上與受造者一起顯其能力
人類是自由的
神是在時空中與受造者有真交往
神與人一起創造未來
未來對神是開放的
神容許罪惡為愛與自由冒險付代價
神與人一起成就救恩
禱告是能影響神回心轉意
神對人的生活不是先有定規圖則
2008年5月7日 星期三
The Heart of Mentoring
David Stoddard's book on the Heart of Mentoring lays out 10 principles for thoughts:
1. Our Heart Matters
2. The journey counts
3. Being Open and Transparent
4. Passion needed
5. Pain comforted
6. Priority stressed
7. Character Matters
8. Spirituality is the fuel
9. Our Lagacy lasts
10.Go for it
1. Our Heart Matters
2. The journey counts
3. Being Open and Transparent
4. Passion needed
5. Pain comforted
6. Priority stressed
7. Character Matters
8. Spirituality is the fuel
9. Our Lagacy lasts
10.Go for it
2008年5月6日 星期二
Deacon Training
Last evening we had our first ECF Deacon training in TSTCC. I am the first to teach with Leo. All together 41 were present,with six of us who were among the organizers 35 came with the 43 registered.
It's good to have thoughts on the meaning of Church in the first place.Quite simple in ideas but since we had to introduce new ones and the course time seems not enough to the best use. Anyway we had good discussions and reflections on the church being the People of God instead of just a building place. Questions also put forth on the relation between the church and God's kingdom. It's all on God's people for the meaning of the church and the Rule of God on that of the Kingdom.
I do think it's a good start for all the participants as well as the speakers for sessions to come,all together we are going to have seven to end it before June17.
It's good to have thoughts on the meaning of Church in the first place.Quite simple in ideas but since we had to introduce new ones and the course time seems not enough to the best use. Anyway we had good discussions and reflections on the church being the People of God instead of just a building place. Questions also put forth on the relation between the church and God's kingdom. It's all on God's people for the meaning of the church and the Rule of God on that of the Kingdom.
I do think it's a good start for all the participants as well as the speakers for sessions to come,all together we are going to have seven to end it before June17.
2008年4月28日 星期一
10 Strategic Ways To Be Time Rich And Stress Free
I might be a good time manager but it's good to learn from the web articles on time management for further thoughts. Below is ten pointers for our time management.
1. Retrain your self-talk, to remove selfish from your vocabulary and replace it with self-care.
2. Give yourself time for delays and unexpected events.
3. Balance out your commitments.
4. No is not a bad word, in fact, it's not only a complete sentence it's a great stress reducing word.
5. Maximize your commute and errands.
6. Improve your home environment one room at a time.
7. Being spontaneous is a very exhilarating feeling that gives you a real sense of freedom. Make sure to leave time in your life every week to be spontaneous.
8. Highlight those time wasters.
9. Under promise and over deliver.
10. Define what life and work without stress would look like to you.
http://www.leadershiparticles.net
1. Retrain your self-talk, to remove selfish from your vocabulary and replace it with self-care.
2. Give yourself time for delays and unexpected events.
3. Balance out your commitments.
4. No is not a bad word, in fact, it's not only a complete sentence it's a great stress reducing word.
5. Maximize your commute and errands.
6. Improve your home environment one room at a time.
7. Being spontaneous is a very exhilarating feeling that gives you a real sense of freedom. Make sure to leave time in your life every week to be spontaneous.
8. Highlight those time wasters.
9. Under promise and over deliver.
10. Define what life and work without stress would look like to you.
http://www.leadershiparticles.net
2008年4月27日 星期日
Away from blog
It's been a while I write blog.
Just be back home last Friday. Past two days were busy with weekend meetings and a marriage held on Sunday.
Our trainings are fine and finished with a good ending.
Just be back home last Friday. Past two days were busy with weekend meetings and a marriage held on Sunday.
Our trainings are fine and finished with a good ending.
2008年4月13日 星期日
Another two weeks
We have the final Timothy training for another two weeks tomorrow.I'll bring my computer with me this time and see whether I can be in touch with world wide web with my mobile intelligences.
2008年4月10日 星期四
CCEL Christian Mysticism Practice
I registered at the Christian Classics Ethereal Library in the Christian Mysticism discussion group and received the following words :
"Mysticism is the art of union with Reality. The mystic is a person who has attained that union in greater or less degree; or who aims at and believes in such attainment.
It is not expected that the inquirer will find great comfort in this sentence when first it meets his eye. The ultimate question, “What is Reality?”—a question, perhaps, which never occurred to him before—is already forming in his mind; and he knows that it will cause him infinite distress. Only a mystic can answer it: and he, in terms which other mystics alone will understand." -- Evelyn Underhill--
“Love is the ultimate realization as your origin and your destiny as creation.You have three aspects of being; love, loving, and loved. And as being love,you only have two things to do; that of expressing love and that of being loved. When your love perceives the all in its loving as loved,you will experience the Oneness of Heaven on Earth.”
"Humility is the ability to see what needs to be done in accordance with divine creative principles and allowing it to unfold without ego attachment; a surrender to consciously serving God's unfolding glory."
Most people often equate humility with humiliation or self abasement. These are only illusions we hold of ego judgment often used to assuage guilt or create self importance, and they serve only to keep us trapped in illusion.
Becoming humble only takes a moment, however, staying that way requires years of devoted practice with few who ever master it in a lifetime.However, the effort is worth it as it leads to conscious union with God.
-- Robert Lodge Groves--
It's a fine reflection on the practice and meaning of love & humility.
"Mysticism is the art of union with Reality. The mystic is a person who has attained that union in greater or less degree; or who aims at and believes in such attainment.
It is not expected that the inquirer will find great comfort in this sentence when first it meets his eye. The ultimate question, “What is Reality?”—a question, perhaps, which never occurred to him before—is already forming in his mind; and he knows that it will cause him infinite distress. Only a mystic can answer it: and he, in terms which other mystics alone will understand." -- Evelyn Underhill--
“Love is the ultimate realization as your origin and your destiny as creation.You have three aspects of being; love, loving, and loved. And as being love,you only have two things to do; that of expressing love and that of being loved. When your love perceives the all in its loving as loved,you will experience the Oneness of Heaven on Earth.”
"Humility is the ability to see what needs to be done in accordance with divine creative principles and allowing it to unfold without ego attachment; a surrender to consciously serving God's unfolding glory."
Most people often equate humility with humiliation or self abasement. These are only illusions we hold of ego judgment often used to assuage guilt or create self importance, and they serve only to keep us trapped in illusion.
Becoming humble only takes a moment, however, staying that way requires years of devoted practice with few who ever master it in a lifetime.However, the effort is worth it as it leads to conscious union with God.
-- Robert Lodge Groves--
It's a fine reflection on the practice and meaning of love & humility.
2008年4月9日 星期三
Wise & Fools
I read Proverbs 10 this morning.
The contrasts between wise and fool is an often picture.
I notice in particular the prevalence of descriptions of the mouth of the evil.
Then parts of our human body like the eyes,our back,foot,heart are all in the author's mind. That means our entire body is for God.
It mentions the importance of diligence and not being lazy.
We have to guard against careful uses of words and beware of our time for God.
The contrasts between wise and fool is an often picture.
I notice in particular the prevalence of descriptions of the mouth of the evil.
Then parts of our human body like the eyes,our back,foot,heart are all in the author's mind. That means our entire body is for God.
It mentions the importance of diligence and not being lazy.
We have to guard against careful uses of words and beware of our time for God.
2008年4月7日 星期一
Photo taken by ECF STCC
MY Greetings for the 5th anniversary of ECF Saint To Canaan College are the following words as sent on Jan 19 this year.
S tudying aimed for Personal Growth
T raining fit for life & continual learning
C haracter built for blessings of our Society
C hristians gained for His Kingdom
The school asked me to send a photo for the above wording in their celebratory occasion,being their Board member.
I asked them instead use a photo taken end of 2006. They then sent me the attached photo. It looks nice ! Isn't it ?
S tudying aimed for Personal Growth
T raining fit for life & continual learning
C haracter built for blessings of our Society
C hristians gained for His Kingdom
The school asked me to send a photo for the above wording in their celebratory occasion,being their Board member.
I asked them instead use a photo taken end of 2006. They then sent me the attached photo. It looks nice ! Isn't it ?
培育者的故事
As Parents nurture children,Paul brought Timothy to the Lord and brought him around in missionary journeys to build him up with his own stories.
From the Two Timothy letters,Paul's stories to Timothy in discipleship including 5-fold sharings:
His conversion stories (I Tim 1:12-16)
His being sent stories (I Tim 2:7, II Tim 1:11)
His suffering stories (II Tim 1:8-12)
His present stories (II Tim 4:6-15)
His anticipated / future stories (II Tim 4:16-18)
Our reflections in ministry:
Any fresh stories to tell in our lives to the one we are following ?
Are we hiding our own weaknesses to tell the stories ?
To grow we have to tell stories and being courageous to tell.
A recent study among 954 primary 5-6 students of their ratings of parents' stories:
Duration,Silence,Q & A < 10 % (9.1% / 9.2% / 9.9 %)
Content,Liveliness,Sweetness 10-20 % (16.9% /15.8% / 13.5%)
Patience and Readiness > 20 % (26.6%)
Patience and readiness is the highest among these ratings!
We need patience to bring up our Timothies.
From the Two Timothy letters,Paul's stories to Timothy in discipleship including 5-fold sharings:
His conversion stories (I Tim 1:12-16)
His being sent stories (I Tim 2:7, II Tim 1:11)
His suffering stories (II Tim 1:8-12)
His present stories (II Tim 4:6-15)
His anticipated / future stories (II Tim 4:16-18)
Our reflections in ministry:
Any fresh stories to tell in our lives to the one we are following ?
Are we hiding our own weaknesses to tell the stories ?
To grow we have to tell stories and being courageous to tell.
A recent study among 954 primary 5-6 students of their ratings of parents' stories:
Duration,Silence,Q & A < 10 % (9.1% / 9.2% / 9.9 %)
Content,Liveliness,Sweetness 10-20 % (16.9% /15.8% / 13.5%)
Patience and Readiness > 20 % (26.6%)
Patience and readiness is the highest among these ratings!
We need patience to bring up our Timothies.
2008年4月2日 星期三
Bio-electric current of diagnostic and therapeutic device
I went four times to have treatments on my feet pain and High blood tension.
The main principle is to have electric currents go through the JINLUO 經絡 of human body to stimulate and soothe the veins to activate its softness for smooth blood flow. Then the chinese medical doctor will use his hands to press on the JINLUO spots to relieve pressures in the whole human body to obtain results.
It's painful for the first time but increasingly it becomes easier.
The main principle is to have electric currents go through the JINLUO 經絡 of human body to stimulate and soothe the veins to activate its softness for smooth blood flow. Then the chinese medical doctor will use his hands to press on the JINLUO spots to relieve pressures in the whole human body to obtain results.
It's painful for the first time but increasingly it becomes easier.
2008年3月27日 星期四
Revelation as tradition development
I read David Brown's book Tradition and Imagination.
His contribution to me is trying to solve and steer a middle course between modernism and postmodernism dialogue.
Modernism seeks for integration,objectivity and historical truth.
Postmodernism seeks for situatedness & coherence.
In between the middle course dialogue being facilitated from imagination
His contribution to me is trying to solve and steer a middle course between modernism and postmodernism dialogue.
Modernism seeks for integration,objectivity and historical truth.
Postmodernism seeks for situatedness & coherence.
In between the middle course dialogue being facilitated from imagination
2008年3月26日 星期三
Lovely flowers show us God's faithfulness...
If God cares so wonderfully for flowers...
won't He more surely care for you? Matthew 6:30
Singing birds tell us of His tender care...
Look at the birds...
Your heavenly Father feeds them.
And you are far more valuable
to Him than they are. Matthew 6:26
Soft rains remind us of His refreshing grace...
I will send down showers in season;
there will be showers of blessing. Ezekiel 34:26 NIV
Sunny days reflect the light He brings...
I am the light of the world. Whoever
follows Me will... have the light of life.
John 8:12 NIV
All of spring proclaims the hope God gives our hearts!
See! The winter is past; the rains are
over and gone. Flowers appear on the
earth; the season of singing has come.
Song of Solomon 2:11-12 NIV
Blessings,
--Holley Gerth
DaySpring Writer
If God cares so wonderfully for flowers...
won't He more surely care for you? Matthew 6:30
Singing birds tell us of His tender care...
Look at the birds...
Your heavenly Father feeds them.
And you are far more valuable
to Him than they are. Matthew 6:26
Soft rains remind us of His refreshing grace...
I will send down showers in season;
there will be showers of blessing. Ezekiel 34:26 NIV
Sunny days reflect the light He brings...
I am the light of the world. Whoever
follows Me will... have the light of life.
John 8:12 NIV
All of spring proclaims the hope God gives our hearts!
See! The winter is past; the rains are
over and gone. Flowers appear on the
earth; the season of singing has come.
Song of Solomon 2:11-12 NIV
Blessings,
--Holley Gerth
DaySpring Writer
Lovely flowers show us God's faithfulness...
If God cares so wonderfully for flowers...
won't He more surely care for you? Matthew 6:30
Singing birds tell us of His tender care...
Look at the birds...
Your heavenly Father feeds them.
And you are far more valuable
to Him than they are. Matthew 6:26
Soft rains remind us of His refreshing grace...
I will send down showers in season;
there will be showers of blessing. Ezekiel 34:26
Sunny days reflect the light He brings...
I am the light of the world. Whoever
follows Me will... have the light of life. John 8:12
All of spring proclaims the hope God gives our hearts!
See! The winter is past; the rains are
over and gone. Flowers appear on the
earth; the season of singing has come. Song of Solomon 2:11-12
--Holley Gerth-- DaySpring Writer
won't He more surely care for you? Matthew 6:30
Singing birds tell us of His tender care...
Look at the birds...
Your heavenly Father feeds them.
And you are far more valuable
to Him than they are. Matthew 6:26
Soft rains remind us of His refreshing grace...
I will send down showers in season;
there will be showers of blessing. Ezekiel 34:26
Sunny days reflect the light He brings...
I am the light of the world. Whoever
follows Me will... have the light of life. John 8:12
All of spring proclaims the hope God gives our hearts!
See! The winter is past; the rains are
over and gone. Flowers appear on the
earth; the season of singing has come. Song of Solomon 2:11-12
--Holley Gerth-- DaySpring Writer
2008年3月25日 星期二
Daily rest
I read from China Source March article by Mark Swallow the following quote of Sabbath Rest from Emily Dickinson
A Sabbath Poem
Some keep the Sabbath going to Church --
I keep it, staying at Home --
With a Bobolink for a Chorister --
And an Orchard, for a Dome --
Some keep the Sabbath in Surplice --
I just wear my Wings --
And instead of tolling the Bell, for Church,
Our little Sexton -- sings.
God preaches, a noted Clergyman --
And the sermon is never long,
So instead of getting to Heaven, at last --
I'm going, all along.
The author advices us
Firstly draw a time line for initial check-up of our life & time use,then
Combating a kind of Rest is Guilty Type Philosophy,finally
Think about how Jesus did in His life.
May we have restful spirit in our daily life today.
A Sabbath Poem
Some keep the Sabbath going to Church --
I keep it, staying at Home --
With a Bobolink for a Chorister --
And an Orchard, for a Dome --
Some keep the Sabbath in Surplice --
I just wear my Wings --
And instead of tolling the Bell, for Church,
Our little Sexton -- sings.
God preaches, a noted Clergyman --
And the sermon is never long,
So instead of getting to Heaven, at last --
I'm going, all along.
The author advices us
Firstly draw a time line for initial check-up of our life & time use,then
Combating a kind of Rest is Guilty Type Philosophy,finally
Think about how Jesus did in His life.
May we have restful spirit in our daily life today.
2008年3月24日 星期一
An Improved poem
Steve told me the following of my Poem,
Your 7-word, 4-sentence Tang poem is fantastic,esp. with the use of a housing estate for sentence beginning.Just some knowledge sharing, when I learnt Tang poem in childhood I got that we should emphasize on the accent of the last word for sentence 1, 3, and 4. It is what we call 押韻.
I then changed it as follows:
海 風迎面輕吹拂
怡 人美景現足前
半 日閒暇如芬花
島 上客閒心滿輝
Your 7-word, 4-sentence Tang poem is fantastic,esp. with the use of a housing estate for sentence beginning.Just some knowledge sharing, when I learnt Tang poem in childhood I got that we should emphasize on the accent of the last word for sentence 1, 3, and 4. It is what we call 押韻.
I then changed it as follows:
海 風迎面輕吹拂
怡 人美景現足前
半 日閒暇如芬花
島 上客閒心滿輝
2008年3月23日 星期日
More leisure quotes
A life of leisure and a life of laziness are two things. There will be sleeping enough in the grave.Employ thy time well,if thou meanest to gain leisure.
--Benjamin Franklin--
He enjoys true leisure who has time to improve his soul's estate.
-- Henry David Thoreau--
The most desirable thing in life after health and modest means is leisure with dignity.-- Cicero--
We give up leisure in order that we may have leisure, just as we go to war in order that we may have peace.--Aristotle--
--Benjamin Franklin--
He enjoys true leisure who has time to improve his soul's estate.
-- Henry David Thoreau--
The most desirable thing in life after health and modest means is leisure with dignity.-- Cicero--
We give up leisure in order that we may have leisure, just as we go to war in order that we may have peace.--Aristotle--
South Horizons & Leisure Quotes
"Leisure is time for doing something useful; this leisure the diligent man will obtain, but the lazy man never”-- Benjamin Franklin --
"Leisure is a form of silence, not noiselessness.
It is the silence of contemplation such as occurs when we let our minds rest on a rosebud, a child at play, a Divine mystery, or a waterfall.”--Fulton J. Sheen--
"Leisure is the Mother of Philosophy.”--Thomas Hobbes--
.
"All intellectual improvement arises from leisure”--Samuel Johnson--
"Leisure is a form of silence, not noiselessness.
It is the silence of contemplation such as occurs when we let our minds rest on a rosebud, a child at play, a Divine mystery, or a waterfall.”--Fulton J. Sheen--
"Leisure is the Mother of Philosophy.”--Thomas Hobbes--
.
"All intellectual improvement arises from leisure”--Samuel Johnson--
Basketball Throw
Around 7:00a.m. we went to a nearby park basketball court. As Yannie has to face her PE basketball throw exam,Janet suggested her to have pre-exercise. I assumed to be her trainer though no good at basketball,at least not like Janet as she's the school team player in high school years.
I told Yannie to notice three things in her throw.
One is direction, 向度
another strength 力度 and
the third height 高度 in her throw.
Good throw primarily needs to be accurate towards the target,together with balanced strength and sufficient height in the throw.
These three are also important in our life outlook :
Correct direction exerting effort in strength,together with high esteem in our walk.
After the exercise,Yannie stayed back home for studies and we went on a trip to South Horizons in HK Island to walk along the seashore with leisure talk on vacation.
I told Yannie to notice three things in her throw.
One is direction, 向度
another strength 力度 and
the third height 高度 in her throw.
Good throw primarily needs to be accurate towards the target,together with balanced strength and sufficient height in the throw.
These three are also important in our life outlook :
Correct direction exerting effort in strength,together with high esteem in our walk.
After the exercise,Yannie stayed back home for studies and we went on a trip to South Horizons in HK Island to walk along the seashore with leisure talk on vacation.
Food gifts
I enjoyed monkey head fungi during supper time which's good for my stomach.I also got smoked salmon today from afar.
Thanks to God for His kindness as we serve Him with a grateful heart for His loving provision.
Thanks to God for His kindness as we serve Him with a grateful heart for His loving provision.
Floral Show 2008
We went to the 2008 Floral show this afternoon after the service. It's Janet's interest to attend before the close tomorrow. Last year we went once and this is the second time we went together. Yannie did not like to go and she stayed home for rest and studies.
We took a number of photos and the new one I just put on the web page.I did not quite enjoy myself for the show but admited it's beautiful to see all the different flowers. We bought one called 驅蚊草 for HK 20 dollars to bring back home.
I went to the Hong Kong Library just opposite the flower show before meeting with Janet together.It's still my habit to read books with personal interest.I borrowed 5 books all related to bible and theology.
We took a number of photos and the new one I just put on the web page.I did not quite enjoy myself for the show but admited it's beautiful to see all the different flowers. We bought one called 驅蚊草 for HK 20 dollars to bring back home.
I went to the Hong Kong Library just opposite the flower show before meeting with Janet together.It's still my habit to read books with personal interest.I borrowed 5 books all related to bible and theology.
2008年3月22日 星期六
Life 's alphabets
How's our lives ? Do they like either or both of the followings ?
Avenue or Adventure
Barrier or Bridge
Competition or Communication
Desire or Duty
Escape or Example
Fear or Faith
Gain or Give
Hate or Hope
Illusion or Insight
Judge or Joy
Kite or Key
Load or Leisure
Money or Meaning
Noise or Norm
Oversight or Overcome
Pain or Peace
Quit or Quiz
Race or Rest
Sale or Sail
Take or Taste
Uniformity or Unity
Vapour or Victor
Worry or Welcome
X or X-Ray
Yet or Yes
Zero or Zenith
Avenue or Adventure
Barrier or Bridge
Competition or Communication
Desire or Duty
Escape or Example
Fear or Faith
Gain or Give
Hate or Hope
Illusion or Insight
Judge or Joy
Kite or Key
Load or Leisure
Money or Meaning
Noise or Norm
Oversight or Overcome
Pain or Peace
Quit or Quiz
Race or Rest
Sale or Sail
Take or Taste
Uniformity or Unity
Vapour or Victor
Worry or Welcome
X or X-Ray
Yet or Yes
Zero or Zenith
2008年3月19日 星期三
面對彼拉多的七個問題
1. 約18:33
你是猶太人的王麼? Scandals?! 自己的信仰，還是別人的 ?
(對主須有個人性的認識 !) 識主
2. 約18:35
你作了甚麼事呢 ? Solemn Charge ?! 主的國民要為祂而爭戰 !
(有否站起來維護信仰 ? ) 辯道
3. 約18:37
你是王麼 ? Sovereign King?! 我是且為真理作見證 !
(是否為真理作見證 ? ) 作證
4. 約18:38
真理是甚麼呢 ? Scornful Truth?! 凡屬真理的，均聽從主 !
(真理使得自由，聽從就是順服 !) 聽從
5. 約19:9
你是那裡來的 ? Eternal Source ? ! 安靜沒話
(默然不語的需要) 默然
6. 約19:10
你不對我說話麼 ? Amazed Silence ? ! 默然
(安靜生命的操練) 安靜
7. 約19:10
你豈不知我有權柄 Suspended Sentence 政治權柄是被賦予的!
釋放你，也有權柄把你釘十字架麼 ?
(比世上更高的權柄 ! ) 權柄
你是猶太人的王麼? Scandals?! 自己的信仰，還是別人的 ?
(對主須有個人性的認識 !) 識主
2. 約18:35
你作了甚麼事呢 ? Solemn Charge ?! 主的國民要為祂而爭戰 !
(有否站起來維護信仰 ? ) 辯道
3. 約18:37
你是王麼 ? Sovereign King?! 我是且為真理作見證 !
(是否為真理作見證 ? ) 作證
4. 約18:38
真理是甚麼呢 ? Scornful Truth?! 凡屬真理的，均聽從主 !
(真理使得自由，聽從就是順服 !) 聽從
5. 約19:9
你是那裡來的 ? Eternal Source ? ! 安靜沒話
(默然不語的需要) 默然
6. 約19:10
你不對我說話麼 ? Amazed Silence ? ! 默然
(安靜生命的操練) 安靜
7. 約19:10
你豈不知我有權柄 Suspended Sentence 政治權柄是被賦予的!
釋放你，也有權柄把你釘十字架麼 ?
(比世上更高的權柄 ! ) 權柄
2008年3月18日 星期二
Cemetery walk
We went to the church cemetery this afternoon to see my father,already a year since his leaving.As it's a regular day and nobody's around,it's quiet and travels was smooth.
Then we took another 15 min.to walk up to Pokfulam Road from Victoria Road to see another deceased old lady,already 15 years since her departure.She's our church sister and donated her sold house to us to have a new gathering place. Her family and relatives are in Shanghai.
Going up the cemetery made me think of many past Christians'contributions to life when they were here. Some days later it will be our turn to lay down like them before our works are over.It's the loving-kindness of our Lord to spare us here when there's still time to serve Him.
A bit sad to see mother's loneliness with father's going away!Anyway I always gathered some wisdom each time to walk in a place like cemetery.Life is too short to stay long.
Lord help me to fear you as you are the Almighty One to worship.You are worthy for our bowing down to honor you.
Then we took another 15 min.to walk up to Pokfulam Road from Victoria Road to see another deceased old lady,already 15 years since her departure.She's our church sister and donated her sold house to us to have a new gathering place. Her family and relatives are in Shanghai.
Going up the cemetery made me think of many past Christians'contributions to life when they were here. Some days later it will be our turn to lay down like them before our works are over.It's the loving-kindness of our Lord to spare us here when there's still time to serve Him.
A bit sad to see mother's loneliness with father's going away!Anyway I always gathered some wisdom each time to walk in a place like cemetery.Life is too short to stay long.
Lord help me to fear you as you are the Almighty One to worship.You are worthy for our bowing down to honor you.
Easter Qoutes & meditations
Let the resurrection joy lift us from loneliness and weakness and despair to strength and beauty and happiness. ~Floyd W. Tomkins
And he departed from our sight that we might return to our heart, and there find Him. For He departed, and behold, He is here. ~St Augustine
The story of Easter is the story of God's wonderful window of divine surprise. ~Carl Knudsen
Our Lord has written the promise of the resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf in spring-time. ~Martin Luther
Easter tells us that life is to be interpreted not simply in terms of things but in terms of ideals. ~Charles M. Crowe
Easter cross has a lot of significance for the Christian community.
A cross symbolizes the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, reminding us of the blood that Jesus had shed in lieu of the sins committed by mankind.
It is a sacred symbol that signifies faith.
An empty Easter symbol cross, on the other hand, is indicative of the resurrection of Lord Jesus that represents the triumph of goodness over evil spirit and life over death. Thus this symbol of Easter, cross is indicative of both crucifixion and resurrection.
If on one hand, it signifies sacrifice, and then on the other hand, it is a symbol of new life.
Lord ! May your sacrifice and new life strengthen us as we go forward !
And he departed from our sight that we might return to our heart, and there find Him. For He departed, and behold, He is here. ~St Augustine
The story of Easter is the story of God's wonderful window of divine surprise. ~Carl Knudsen
Our Lord has written the promise of the resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf in spring-time. ~Martin Luther
Easter tells us that life is to be interpreted not simply in terms of things but in terms of ideals. ~Charles M. Crowe
Easter cross has a lot of significance for the Christian community.
A cross symbolizes the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, reminding us of the blood that Jesus had shed in lieu of the sins committed by mankind.
It is a sacred symbol that signifies faith.
An empty Easter symbol cross, on the other hand, is indicative of the resurrection of Lord Jesus that represents the triumph of goodness over evil spirit and life over death. Thus this symbol of Easter, cross is indicative of both crucifixion and resurrection.
If on one hand, it signifies sacrifice, and then on the other hand, it is a symbol of new life.
Lord ! May your sacrifice and new life strengthen us as we go forward !
2008年3月17日 星期一
Kahlil Gibran
I borrowed the Lebanon poet and philosopher Kahlil Gibran's comprehensive volume today.His seven reprimands on souls captured my attention as follows:
Exalt myself by exploiting the weak
Feign a limp before those who were crippled
Elect the easy rather than the difficult
Console oneself with the mistakes of others
Claimed to be strong in patience but docile because of fear
Avoid the mud of life with garments held upraised
Stand in hymnal to God but considered the singing a virtue
Exalt myself by exploiting the weak
Feign a limp before those who were crippled
Elect the easy rather than the difficult
Console oneself with the mistakes of others
Claimed to be strong in patience but docile because of fear
Avoid the mud of life with garments held upraised
Stand in hymnal to God but considered the singing a virtue
2008年3月14日 星期五
Almost three weeks
It's been a while since I wrote blog last time. I came on a training trip for 12 days and without my computer and websites around.
Well all have been fine and I got to know a number of Chinese pastors with good memories. My hermeneutic course with them went on smooth and they seems well absorbed in the process. Thanks the Lord.
Well all have been fine and I got to know a number of Chinese pastors with good memories. My hermeneutic course with them went on smooth and they seems well absorbed in the process. Thanks the Lord.
2008年2月27日 星期三
Willing to wait
Next week is our training trip.I suppose to finish all the needy things. But this week we still have not finalized the recruitment list. Participants still await coming in.
4 new ones will join us but a few cannot come too. So even today we have not finished the list.One get married,one has just been hurt in an accident,one needs to take care of his pregnant wife.It's not easy to prepare with such changes all the time. Even the cook said she might quit her job ! Thanks to God that He would provide our needs amid the changes.We have to trust Him to work out things good for all in His faithfulness.
It happens the quotes today on my desk is the following words:
The person who is willing to wait is happy.
Lord ! Help me to rest in you and be happy to see it's your work!
4 new ones will join us but a few cannot come too. So even today we have not finished the list.One get married,one has just been hurt in an accident,one needs to take care of his pregnant wife.It's not easy to prepare with such changes all the time. Even the cook said she might quit her job ! Thanks to God that He would provide our needs amid the changes.We have to trust Him to work out things good for all in His faithfulness.
It happens the quotes today on my desk is the following words:
The person who is willing to wait is happy.
Lord ! Help me to rest in you and be happy to see it's your work!
2008年2月26日 星期二
13 ways to Rejunvenate
I read 13 ways to refresh your soul by Skye Jethani from the Leadership Journal where many pastors have done to benefit the soul.
1. Take a walk.
2. Pray the daily offices.
3. Say no.
4. Make a "non-utilitarian" friend.
5. Fast from media, even ministry books.
6. Exercise.
7. Laugh.
8. Take a pilgrimage.
9. Find a spiritual director.
10. Meditate on the Lord's Prayer.
11. Begin a hobby.
12. Write an encouraging letter.
13. Break something.
1. Take a walk.
2. Pray the daily offices.
3. Say no.
4. Make a "non-utilitarian" friend.
5. Fast from media, even ministry books.
6. Exercise.
7. Laugh.
8. Take a pilgrimage.
9. Find a spiritual director.
10. Meditate on the Lord's Prayer.
11. Begin a hobby.
12. Write an encouraging letter.
13. Break something.
Rejuvenate
I read 13 ways to refresh your soul by Skye Jethani in the leadership journal which mention various pastors have done to benefit the soul.
1. Take a walk.
2. Pray the daily offices.
In the early centuries, Christians gathered at designated times during the day for prayer. These prayer times, known as "offices," are still practiced by believers today. With the aid of a prayer book, you can pray alone knowing that others across the globe are sharing in your prayers at the same time. David Robinson, pastor of Harvest Fellowship Church in Manhattan, Kansas, says, "Learning to pray along with the Church and for the Church has significantly changed the scope and perspective of my prayers from simply the 'world around me' to the overriding and delivering promises of God's glory."
3. Say no.
Erecting proper boundaries is a critical discipline for a pastor. Even Jesus turned down certain requests. People are always clamoring for our time and energy. Learning to say no, even to good ministries and opportunities, will give the soul room to breathe and find rejuvenation.
4. Make a "non-utilitarian" friend.
Ministry is about people, but sometimes we can see people as a commodity necessary to advance our ministry. We may take a member to breakfast, but in the back of our mind, we know that a stronger relationship with this person is a resource for the church's ministry. Of course, this attitude goes both ways. Many people try to use pastors to advance their agenda as well.
So Brian McLaren suggests at least a few "non-utilitarian" friendships: "This is when we intentionally have a friendship because we like the person and we're not trying to use them for our success. It's to be with people just because you appreciate who they are, and they appreciate you." That kind of friendship creates the safety and grace the soul needs to thrive.
5. Fast from media, even ministry books.
The amount of information available today is never-ending. Even the literature available to pastors about ministry is overwhelming. While some of it is clearly beneficial (like the journal you're presently reading, we trust), sometimes we need to rest from filling our heads with new insights and the pressure to implement them. One pastor told us, "Sermons, articles, and books that reveal how dysfunctional my church is drain me and do nothing beneficial for my soul."
6. Exercise.
Many pastors told us regular exercise is critical to the health of the soul as well as the body. And research has shown that a healthy body positively impacts a person's emotional and mental capacities.
Jeff Weddle from Rhinelander Bible Church in Rhinelander, Wisconsin, says, "Exercise outside is the best way for me to recharge. Some of my best prayers are said on my bike. It also allows me time alone to develop my sermon illustrations and ideas."
7. Laugh.
One pastor, name withheld, says, "After a difficult Sunday at church I like to come home and watch my DVD collection of Tom and Jerry cartoons. The slapstick humor helps me fight the temptation to take ministry, or myself, too seriously." This may explain why subscribers to Leadership routinely rank the cartoons as their favorite feature of the journal. Laughter, as the saying goes, is good medicine.
8. Take a pilgrimage.
Vacations are about relaxation, mission trips are about serving, but pilgrimages, says Tony Jones, "are an outward expression of an inward journey." The word may conjure images of superstitious peasants seeking ancient relics, but some pastors today are finding personal pilgrimages meaningful.
David Fitch, pastor of Life on the Vine in Long Grove, Illinois, plans a pilgrimage every year to visit his childhood home. He says, "I spend a few days walking the streets of my upbringing, contemplating what God has done in my life, praising him, and praying about the future."
9. Find a spiritual director.
Not exactly therapy, not quite coaching, a spiritual director offers something else: a God's-eye view of your soul. Dieter Zander, pastor of spiritual formation at Bay Marin Community Church in Novato, California, visits his director, Father Tom, once a month.
"Just the discipline of going to him and submitting to his insights has been a rich experience for me," he says.
Brian Owen, from Campus Crusade, credits his spiritual director for helping him recognize God's movements in his life. "My spiritual director helps me step back and notice the activity of God in the intimate details of my life. I often leave our sessions with a fresh sense of hope, with greater awareness of God's will."
10. Meditate on the Lord's Prayer.
The Eastern Church has a tradition known as "hesychasm." This is the practice of repeating a short prayer, such as the Jesus prayer ("Lord have mercy" or the extended form, "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner") over and over.
The goal is to focus your mind on God so you can commune with him more intimately. Many short passages of Scripture are used for this kind of prayer, but one of the most common is the Lord's Prayer.
Try sitting in silence for five minutes, and then say the Lord's Prayer reflectively aloud. Afterward, center your thoughts on one word or phrase and allow it to inspire your own prayers to God. One pastor reports using this practice three times a day or whenever he feels frazzled.
11. Begin a hobby.
When we asked pastors how they refresh their souls, many said they rely on a hobby unrelated to ministry. Some hobbies were highly physical, like surfing or rock climbing. Others were more contemplative and creative, like model-building or painting or writing poetry. David Kuo, a Christian who found himself serving amid the political chaos of Washington, D.C., says he found rejuvenation through fly-fishing.
12. Write an encouraging letter.
Proverbs 12:25 says, "Anxiety weighs down the human heart, but a good word cheers it up." The proverb does not specify whether the benefit is for the heart that receives the good word or the heart that gives it. Take time to reflect on a person who has blessed your life and ministry. After thanking God for him or her, write the person a letter of gratitude and encouragement. The exercise might bring cheer to both of your hearts.
13. Break something.
No one denies that ministry is a stress-inducing job, but many church leaders suppress the tension until it manifests itself in unhealthy ways.
Dave Johnson, senior pastor of Church of the Open Door in Maple Grove, Minnesota, tells how he handled stress during a period of rapid expansion and increasing pressure. The church had just been given a plaque for being one of the fastest growing churches in the area. Johnson and an associate hung the award on a tree and shot it to pieces with their rifles.
D
1. Take a walk.
2. Pray the daily offices.
In the early centuries, Christians gathered at designated times during the day for prayer. These prayer times, known as "offices," are still practiced by believers today. With the aid of a prayer book, you can pray alone knowing that others across the globe are sharing in your prayers at the same time. David Robinson, pastor of Harvest Fellowship Church in Manhattan, Kansas, says, "Learning to pray along with the Church and for the Church has significantly changed the scope and perspective of my prayers from simply the 'world around me' to the overriding and delivering promises of God's glory."
3. Say no.
Erecting proper boundaries is a critical discipline for a pastor. Even Jesus turned down certain requests. People are always clamoring for our time and energy. Learning to say no, even to good ministries and opportunities, will give the soul room to breathe and find rejuvenation.
4. Make a "non-utilitarian" friend.
Ministry is about people, but sometimes we can see people as a commodity necessary to advance our ministry. We may take a member to breakfast, but in the back of our mind, we know that a stronger relationship with this person is a resource for the church's ministry. Of course, this attitude goes both ways. Many people try to use pastors to advance their agenda as well.
So Brian McLaren suggests at least a few "non-utilitarian" friendships: "This is when we intentionally have a friendship because we like the person and we're not trying to use them for our success. It's to be with people just because you appreciate who they are, and they appreciate you." That kind of friendship creates the safety and grace the soul needs to thrive.
5. Fast from media, even ministry books.
The amount of information available today is never-ending. Even the literature available to pastors about ministry is overwhelming. While some of it is clearly beneficial (like the journal you're presently reading, we trust), sometimes we need to rest from filling our heads with new insights and the pressure to implement them. One pastor told us, "Sermons, articles, and books that reveal how dysfunctional my church is drain me and do nothing beneficial for my soul."
6. Exercise.
Many pastors told us regular exercise is critical to the health of the soul as well as the body. And research has shown that a healthy body positively impacts a person's emotional and mental capacities.
Jeff Weddle from Rhinelander Bible Church in Rhinelander, Wisconsin, says, "Exercise outside is the best way for me to recharge. Some of my best prayers are said on my bike. It also allows me time alone to develop my sermon illustrations and ideas."
7. Laugh.
One pastor, name withheld, says, "After a difficult Sunday at church I like to come home and watch my DVD collection of Tom and Jerry cartoons. The slapstick humor helps me fight the temptation to take ministry, or myself, too seriously." This may explain why subscribers to Leadership routinely rank the cartoons as their favorite feature of the journal. Laughter, as the saying goes, is good medicine.
8. Take a pilgrimage.
Vacations are about relaxation, mission trips are about serving, but pilgrimages, says Tony Jones, "are an outward expression of an inward journey." The word may conjure images of superstitious peasants seeking ancient relics, but some pastors today are finding personal pilgrimages meaningful.
David Fitch, pastor of Life on the Vine in Long Grove, Illinois, plans a pilgrimage every year to visit his childhood home. He says, "I spend a few days walking the streets of my upbringing, contemplating what God has done in my life, praising him, and praying about the future."
9. Find a spiritual director.
Not exactly therapy, not quite coaching, a spiritual director offers something else: a God's-eye view of your soul. Dieter Zander, pastor of spiritual formation at Bay Marin Community Church in Novato, California, visits his director, Father Tom, once a month.
"Just the discipline of going to him and submitting to his insights has been a rich experience for me," he says.
Brian Owen, from Campus Crusade, credits his spiritual director for helping him recognize God's movements in his life. "My spiritual director helps me step back and notice the activity of God in the intimate details of my life. I often leave our sessions with a fresh sense of hope, with greater awareness of God's will."
10. Meditate on the Lord's Prayer.
The Eastern Church has a tradition known as "hesychasm." This is the practice of repeating a short prayer, such as the Jesus prayer ("Lord have mercy" or the extended form, "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner") over and over.
The goal is to focus your mind on God so you can commune with him more intimately. Many short passages of Scripture are used for this kind of prayer, but one of the most common is the Lord's Prayer.
Try sitting in silence for five minutes, and then say the Lord's Prayer reflectively aloud. Afterward, center your thoughts on one word or phrase and allow it to inspire your own prayers to God. One pastor reports using this practice three times a day or whenever he feels frazzled.
11. Begin a hobby.
When we asked pastors how they refresh their souls, many said they rely on a hobby unrelated to ministry. Some hobbies were highly physical, like surfing or rock climbing. Others were more contemplative and creative, like model-building or painting or writing poetry. David Kuo, a Christian who found himself serving amid the political chaos of Washington, D.C., says he found rejuvenation through fly-fishing.
12. Write an encouraging letter.
Proverbs 12:25 says, "Anxiety weighs down the human heart, but a good word cheers it up." The proverb does not specify whether the benefit is for the heart that receives the good word or the heart that gives it. Take time to reflect on a person who has blessed your life and ministry. After thanking God for him or her, write the person a letter of gratitude and encouragement. The exercise might bring cheer to both of your hearts.
13. Break something.
No one denies that ministry is a stress-inducing job, but many church leaders suppress the tension until it manifests itself in unhealthy ways.
Dave Johnson, senior pastor of Church of the Open Door in Maple Grove, Minnesota, tells how he handled stress during a period of rapid expansion and increasing pressure. The church had just been given a plaque for being one of the fastest growing churches in the area. Johnson and an associate hung the award on a tree and shot it to pieces with their rifles.
D
2008年2月25日 星期一
A New Bookshelf !
Last Saturday morning my home bookshelf collapsed after a lifespan of more than 12 years.
At noon after lunch with the church elder visitors,Janet & I went shopping for a new one. We decided to buy steel plates in 實惠 to set up on our own a new shelf for the large amount of books. We had to remove numerous heavy books from the old shelf before putting them onto the new one.It's another large expenses after the renovation work. We thanked the Lord to have Mr.Y to help us remove the old shelf and helped connect the steel plates together into the new shelf.I was exhausted that evening before our meal time finish putting back all the books on the new shelf.
It's miracle to us just within half day launch a new bookshelf into existence.I never thought of we can have it within the same day. A day before we do not even think of the old shelf would crumble next day. Then we never think of buying a new one immediately and the whole process is such smooth.
Actually miracle happens daily and we have to be aware of it!
Thank the Lord for His timely help and move His messenger to finish the work !
At noon after lunch with the church elder visitors,Janet & I went shopping for a new one. We decided to buy steel plates in 實惠 to set up on our own a new shelf for the large amount of books. We had to remove numerous heavy books from the old shelf before putting them onto the new one.It's another large expenses after the renovation work. We thanked the Lord to have Mr.Y to help us remove the old shelf and helped connect the steel plates together into the new shelf.I was exhausted that evening before our meal time finish putting back all the books on the new shelf.
It's miracle to us just within half day launch a new bookshelf into existence.I never thought of we can have it within the same day. A day before we do not even think of the old shelf would crumble next day. Then we never think of buying a new one immediately and the whole process is such smooth.
Actually miracle happens daily and we have to be aware of it!
Thank the Lord for His timely help and move His messenger to finish the work !
2008年2月24日 星期日
A Psalm of Confidence
I shared psalm 25 this morning.
1.It's basically a personal lament.Yet the end points to prayers for the whole nation.
2.It's a confessing hymn for three times at least it mentions the needs v.2,3,20
3.It's from an old aged or middle aged man.
4.It's an acrostic psalm,that means it adopts the Hebrew alphabets for construction.
(Ps 9-10/Ps 25/Ps 34/Ps 37/Ps 111/Ps 112/Ps 119/Ps 145)
13 times on prayers
4 times on guidance v.4,8,12,14
3 times on waiting for the Lord v,3,5,21
The simple structure for memory is as follows:
1-7 Prayer for remembrance
8-10 Meditate on God's Goodness
11 Confession
12-14 Meditate on how the Lord treats those who fear Him
15 Look upon God
16-22 Prayer for deliverance
The lessons: Compared with Psalm 1
1. Life is complex and enemies are with us
2. The Lord has His guidance
3. Our guilt
4. Our trust
1.It's basically a personal lament.Yet the end points to prayers for the whole nation.
2.It's a confessing hymn for three times at least it mentions the needs v.2,3,20
3.It's from an old aged or middle aged man.
4.It's an acrostic psalm,that means it adopts the Hebrew alphabets for construction.
(Ps 9-10/Ps 25/Ps 34/Ps 37/Ps 111/Ps 112/Ps 119/Ps 145)
13 times on prayers
4 times on guidance v.4,8,12,14
3 times on waiting for the Lord v,3,5,21
The simple structure for memory is as follows:
1-7 Prayer for remembrance
8-10 Meditate on God's Goodness
11 Confession
12-14 Meditate on how the Lord treats those who fear Him
15 Look upon God
16-22 Prayer for deliverance
The lessons: Compared with Psalm 1
1. Life is complex and enemies are with us
2. The Lord has His guidance
3. Our guilt
4. Our trust
2008年2月21日 星期四
Quote reflections for the day -- To live & to concern
To live is to eat slower,
sleep earlier and
see more.
For these three,I certainly
fail in the first,
so-so in the second and
pass in the last.
Dear Lord ! Help me to enjoy life to go slower,sleep more and see your beauty !
Help me to be caring for others amid life's yoke when most of the time just mind our own business
Concern for others should be appropriate-
too little is selfishness but too much is nosiness
sleep earlier and
see more.
For these three,I certainly
fail in the first,
so-so in the second and
pass in the last.
Dear Lord ! Help me to enjoy life to go slower,sleep more and see your beauty !
Help me to be caring for others amid life's yoke when most of the time just mind our own business
Concern for others should be appropriate-
too little is selfishness but too much is nosiness
Parents Day
We attended the Parents Day in OMF at lunch time. It's an annual meet of the M workers' parents here in HK. Both Janet and I were invited to come. A few elderlies came and we enjoyed the lunch,songs and short messages together. Of course we took photos too for memory.
These aged elders are healthy to attend by themselves,there's one with help of young christian to be among us. Last two years a few went to be with the Lord but we also have new ones as new workers join in.
I thank the Lord to be with them as we already shifted our area of service last year.
Due to my father's death last year near this month,we have not held this one. So it's been two years to meet some of them.
These aged elders are healthy to attend by themselves,there's one with help of young christian to be among us. Last two years a few went to be with the Lord but we also have new ones as new workers join in.
I thank the Lord to be with them as we already shifted our area of service last year.
Due to my father's death last year near this month,we have not held this one. So it's been two years to meet some of them.
2008年2月20日 星期三
Rebuilding your broken world
Gordon MacDonald's Rebuilding Your Broken World is a good book for thoughts.
For sinners,sufferers and strugglers alike,we might have to face this not uncommon,universal experience,revealed both our unguarded strength and unprepared heart,if we have not built any defenses in our unexamined lives.
We need repentance and restoration by the grace of God with the help of the community of Faith. We have to finish the running race when we are defeated and be encouraged in this rebuilding process.
In the introductory quote by C S Lewis,what suggested is but kind words from the author:"Think of me as a fellow-patient in the same hospital who,having been admitted a little earlier,could give some advice."
Insight into the truth of God
Insight into our own state
Insight into our environment of choices.
The freest person in the world is one with an open heart,a broken spirit,and a new direction in which to travel.
The Ten Peace Ledge Principles laid down in this process are :
1.Being Silent & Withdraw
2.Don't Defend Yourself
3.Enjoy the Amusement of God's Messengers
4.Assume the Ministry of the Interior
5.Listen to the Deep Things
6.Receive the Mercy,Live like a Forgiven Person
7.Walk Right through the Pain
8.Look for those Who need Grace and aren't getting it
9.Join with those who know how to Praise God
10.Look for New Themes
For sinners,sufferers and strugglers alike,we might have to face this not uncommon,universal experience,revealed both our unguarded strength and unprepared heart,if we have not built any defenses in our unexamined lives.
We need repentance and restoration by the grace of God with the help of the community of Faith. We have to finish the running race when we are defeated and be encouraged in this rebuilding process.
In the introductory quote by C S Lewis,what suggested is but kind words from the author:"Think of me as a fellow-patient in the same hospital who,having been admitted a little earlier,could give some advice."
Insight into the truth of God
Insight into our own state
Insight into our environment of choices.
The freest person in the world is one with an open heart,a broken spirit,and a new direction in which to travel.
The Ten Peace Ledge Principles laid down in this process are :
1.Being Silent & Withdraw
2.Don't Defend Yourself
3.Enjoy the Amusement of God's Messengers
4.Assume the Ministry of the Interior
5.Listen to the Deep Things
6.Receive the Mercy,Live like a Forgiven Person
7.Walk Right through the Pain
8.Look for those Who need Grace and aren't getting it
9.Join with those who know how to Praise God
10.Look for New Themes
2008年2月19日 星期二
Where there is a will, there is a way!
I received an email new year greeting from E sister in Christ this morning which included the following inspiring story:
From: Where there is a will, there is a way!
Read the story,then watch the amazing and inspiring video
(Try copy & paste the link at bottom on the web)
A young lady in her 30's was a dancer and was trained as one since she was a little girl. Later she got into some kind of accident and lost her entire left arm. She was depressed for a few years. It seemed that someone asked her to coach a Children's dancing group. From that point on, she realized she could not forget dancing. She still loved to dance. She wanted to dance again. So she started to do some of her old routines. But by her losing an arm, she also lost her balance. It took a while before she could even making simple turns and spins without falling. Eventually she got it.
Then she heard some guy in his 20's had lost a leg in an accident. This guy also fell into the usual denial, depression and anger type of emotional roller coaster. She looked him up and persuaded him to dance with her. He had never danced. And to dance with one leg? Are you joking with me? No way. But she didn't give up. He reluctantly agreed. They hired a choreographer to design routines for them. She would fly high (held by him) with both arms (a sleeve for an arm) flying in the air. He could bend horizontally supported by one leg and she leaning on him, etc. They danced beautifully and they legitimately beat others in the competition.
sound on www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnLVRQCjh8c
It's amazing to read the story and would it encourage us to step forward for the Lord in all our difficulties ?
Here I remember a good song started like this :
God will make a way,where there seems to be no way ...
From: Where there is a will, there is a way!
Read the story,then watch the amazing and inspiring video
(Try copy & paste the link at bottom on the web)
A young lady in her 30's was a dancer and was trained as one since she was a little girl. Later she got into some kind of accident and lost her entire left arm. She was depressed for a few years. It seemed that someone asked her to coach a Children's dancing group. From that point on, she realized she could not forget dancing. She still loved to dance. She wanted to dance again. So she started to do some of her old routines. But by her losing an arm, she also lost her balance. It took a while before she could even making simple turns and spins without falling. Eventually she got it.
Then she heard some guy in his 20's had lost a leg in an accident. This guy also fell into the usual denial, depression and anger type of emotional roller coaster. She looked him up and persuaded him to dance with her. He had never danced. And to dance with one leg? Are you joking with me? No way. But she didn't give up. He reluctantly agreed. They hired a choreographer to design routines for them. She would fly high (held by him) with both arms (a sleeve for an arm) flying in the air. He could bend horizontally supported by one leg and she leaning on him, etc. They danced beautifully and they legitimately beat others in the competition.
sound on www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnLVRQCjh8c
It's amazing to read the story and would it encourage us to step forward for the Lord in all our difficulties ?
Here I remember a good song started like this :
God will make a way,where there seems to be no way ...
2008年2月18日 星期一
Values
I read on a book "The future of values -- 21 st century talks"
Present day value talks hold on the key word-- CRR
(Complexity,Rapid change,and Respect)
It asks us to be aware of three things:
1. Conflicts are normal because of plurality and diversity.
2. Uncertainty is expected because of unpredictability and rapid changes.
3. Respect for each other is the control or else would regress to violence and salvage acts.
How's our biblical values being put ?--- also CRR
(Creation,Redemption and Recreation)
It also focuses on three areas :
1. C : Creator God--- Creativity uphold and being co-creating partners in His creation.
2. R : Redemptive God --- Fallen creatures needed His salvation and shared His good news to all nations.
3. R : Re-creation and Returning God--- Eternal hope amid the unbearable circumstances and experiencing the glory of transformed bodies.
Persevere in times of difficulties ! 好事多磨，逆流總會遇浪，要撐到底 !
Present day value talks hold on the key word-- CRR
(Complexity,Rapid change,and Respect)
It asks us to be aware of three things:
1. Conflicts are normal because of plurality and diversity.
2. Uncertainty is expected because of unpredictability and rapid changes.
3. Respect for each other is the control or else would regress to violence and salvage acts.
How's our biblical values being put ?--- also CRR
(Creation,Redemption and Recreation)
It also focuses on three areas :
1. C : Creator God--- Creativity uphold and being co-creating partners in His creation.
2. R : Redemptive God --- Fallen creatures needed His salvation and shared His good news to all nations.
3. R : Re-creation and Returning God--- Eternal hope amid the unbearable circumstances and experiencing the glory of transformed bodies.
Persevere in times of difficulties ! 好事多磨，逆流總會遇浪，要撐到底 !
Clear Stream among the worldly
I am going to preach this coming Sunday on being pure among the dirty.
The text I adopt will be I Thessalonians 4:1-12.
I would emphasize three points:
1. The command to be and persevere in holiness
The happiness of a man in this life does not consist in the absence but in the mastery of his passions. -- Alfred Lord Tennyson --
2. To love one another
Love one another so that others know you are my disciples --Lord Jesus --
3. To be silent and attentive to work
I have discovered that all human evil comes from this, man's being unable to sit still in a room. -- Blaise Pascal --
How can present day church face the heinous sex current and the obscene pictures both around us and on the internet ?
The text I adopt will be I Thessalonians 4:1-12.
I would emphasize three points:
1. The command to be and persevere in holiness
The happiness of a man in this life does not consist in the absence but in the mastery of his passions. -- Alfred Lord Tennyson --
2. To love one another
Love one another so that others know you are my disciples --Lord Jesus --
3. To be silent and attentive to work
I have discovered that all human evil comes from this, man's being unable to sit still in a room. -- Blaise Pascal --
How can present day church face the heinous sex current and the obscene pictures both around us and on the internet ?
2008年2月14日 星期四
Tradition & Renewal
Do something new in my life !(X2)
Do something wonderful in my life O Lord!
Do something new in my life !(X2)
Do something wonderful in my life O Lord!
在我心中行新事，在我心中行奇事，
在我生命中行奇妙事，啊主 !
在我心中行新事，在我心中行奇事，
在我生命中行奇妙事，啊主 !
I shared with colleagues this morning on Mk2:13-28
where 4 events mentioned on Jesus with His disciples captured my attention.
1. Jesus stayed with the tax-collectors and sinners. (13-17)
2. Jesus was accused His disciples,unlike those of the Pharisees and John's disciples,did not fast.(18-20)
3. Jesus taught on the unsuccessful matchings of both new & old,illustrated by cloth and wine.(21-22)
4. Jesus re-interpreted the correct meanings of the Sabbath (23-28)
In the four areas of people relationships,religious practices,different live styles, ritual & dates,Jesus brought our attention to the significance of tradition and renewal.
I think especially on the training ministry application.
We do need to train workers to be open-minded towards new things and can embark on one' own self-reflection.
Do something wonderful in my life O Lord!
Do something new in my life !(X2)
Do something wonderful in my life O Lord!
在我心中行新事，在我心中行奇事，
在我生命中行奇妙事，啊主 !
在我心中行新事，在我心中行奇事，
在我生命中行奇妙事，啊主 !
I shared with colleagues this morning on Mk2:13-28
where 4 events mentioned on Jesus with His disciples captured my attention.
1. Jesus stayed with the tax-collectors and sinners. (13-17)
2. Jesus was accused His disciples,unlike those of the Pharisees and John's disciples,did not fast.(18-20)
3. Jesus taught on the unsuccessful matchings of both new & old,illustrated by cloth and wine.(21-22)
4. Jesus re-interpreted the correct meanings of the Sabbath (23-28)
In the four areas of people relationships,religious practices,different live styles, ritual & dates,Jesus brought our attention to the significance of tradition and renewal.
I think especially on the training ministry application.
We do need to train workers to be open-minded towards new things and can embark on one' own self-reflection.
2008年2月13日 星期三
Valentine Day's love Reminder
Love is not blind - it sees more, not less. But because it sees more, it is willing to see less. -- Rabbi Julius Gordon--
“Immature love says: 'I love you because I need you.'
Mature love says: 'I need you because I love you'”-- Erich Fromm --
“Immature love says: 'I love you because I need you.'
Mature love says: 'I need you because I love you'”-- Erich Fromm --
Disabled children
Our church prayer meet welcomed M's sharing last night on her disabled children service in China.For the last few years,G & M's family helped establish disability project with the help of the local government. Her pictures shown on the faces of the crippled ones,low intelligences are touching and brought back memories of Christ's living among the needy ones when on earth. My reflections are of three-fold:
1. Let's help the whole country uphold the value & dignity of humanity and willing to help their own born unhealthy ones.It's sad to see those deprived people without family compassionate concern.They too are noble in the eyes of God.
2.It's really a persevering effort to see results.The needs are immense while workers are few.
3.God's power is manifest tremendously through these belittled people.We always have to learn the humble lesson and not relying on our own.
1. Let's help the whole country uphold the value & dignity of humanity and willing to help their own born unhealthy ones.It's sad to see those deprived people without family compassionate concern.They too are noble in the eyes of God.
2.It's really a persevering effort to see results.The needs are immense while workers are few.
3.God's power is manifest tremendously through these belittled people.We always have to learn the humble lesson and not relying on our own.
2008年2月12日 星期二
What's wanted and most important ?
Much is now being said about evangelism; but before we get effective evangelism, we have to get effective evangelists. Evangelism is useless unless it is the work of one devoted to God, willing and glad to suffer all things for God, penetrated by the attractiveness of God. New machinery, adaptations and adjustments, are not the first need but more devoted, adoring, sacrificial souls. Evelyn Underhill, 'The Priest's Life of Prayer',1937
The above quote is taken from comtemporary spiritualities reflections.
It's more the soul wanted by God,devoted,sacrificial as said by Underhill,rather than the changing techniques emerged incessantly these days to meet vacant posts on various fields.Not just evangelists but missionaries these days too are becoming vague in both image and profile.Everyone willingly offer himself/herself surely will be accepted to go ahead,to try serving in different capacities.
It's good to rethink the whole matter,to refocus on the real important issues involved in such confusion.New age needs new thoughts in terms of recruitments.But
it's still the person that matters most.
The above quote is taken from comtemporary spiritualities reflections.
It's more the soul wanted by God,devoted,sacrificial as said by Underhill,rather than the changing techniques emerged incessantly these days to meet vacant posts on various fields.Not just evangelists but missionaries these days too are becoming vague in both image and profile.Everyone willingly offer himself/herself surely will be accepted to go ahead,to try serving in different capacities.
It's good to rethink the whole matter,to refocus on the real important issues involved in such confusion.New age needs new thoughts in terms of recruitments.But
it's still the person that matters most.
Use of time
Our training ministry really tries us in the use of time.
In ordinary days outside our training sessions,if not involved in preparing training notes,colleagues would have to figure out how to use time in a proper way.I've found more than enough to prepare the teachings IF we already secure prepared notes.
Unlike church ministries which have so many areas,visitation,function meetings,weekly prayers,we do not have such activities and responsibilities. I may be better still need manage administration but for others,if they cannot focus in studies and in depth preparations,time might become boring during office hours.
Some of their natural choices will be as follows :
Involved in bible readings and spending all the time.
Even trying to search website materials for further knowledges,
Chat with colleagues along and just let time drop away.
If we need doing things outside our responsibilities,it means we already are in quite a loose state of not knowing how to spend time properly.
Well I better think of my own time use during office hours,like writing this blog is also kind of relax reflection. Anyway I remember a seminary president once said no vocation on earth would pay us to read our bible in our ordinary days.For as bible teacher pastors we are privileged to do so just of such nature.
Thanks to the Lord for making us always clear in mission and time use.
In ordinary days outside our training sessions,if not involved in preparing training notes,colleagues would have to figure out how to use time in a proper way.I've found more than enough to prepare the teachings IF we already secure prepared notes.
Unlike church ministries which have so many areas,visitation,function meetings,weekly prayers,we do not have such activities and responsibilities. I may be better still need manage administration but for others,if they cannot focus in studies and in depth preparations,time might become boring during office hours.
Some of their natural choices will be as follows :
Involved in bible readings and spending all the time.
Even trying to search website materials for further knowledges,
Chat with colleagues along and just let time drop away.
If we need doing things outside our responsibilities,it means we already are in quite a loose state of not knowing how to spend time properly.
Well I better think of my own time use during office hours,like writing this blog is also kind of relax reflection. Anyway I remember a seminary president once said no vocation on earth would pay us to read our bible in our ordinary days.For as bible teacher pastors we are privileged to do so just of such nature.
Thanks to the Lord for making us always clear in mission and time use.
2008年2月11日 星期一
Notes on Hermeneutics
I found most books on Hermeneutics are of such divisions.
General principles :
1. Word & Grammar studies
2. Immediate Context
3. Cross references
4. Historical & cultural background
Special principles :
1. Parables & metaphors
Background,structure,cultural details,main point,kingdom teachings,beware build up doctrine,relevancies,whole understandings
2. Prophecies & types
Oracles,types,balance(teachings/conditional/fulfilled?),literal,symbolic,
Christocentric,one's perspective,relevancies
3. Poetics
Stanza,parallelism,metaphor,background,types,messianic functions,whole psalm
4. Apocalyptics
Literary types,text main points,structure,symbolics,theology
Ten main principles derived from the above considerations are:
1. Whole book
2. Paragraphs
3. Grammar
4. Etymology
5. Semantics
6. Background
7. Bible Theology
8. Historical Theology
9. Systematic Theology
10.Homiletics
General principles :
1. Word & Grammar studies
2. Immediate Context
3. Cross references
4. Historical & cultural background
Special principles :
1. Parables & metaphors
Background,structure,cultural details,main point,kingdom teachings,beware build up doctrine,relevancies,whole understandings
2. Prophecies & types
Oracles,types,balance(teachings/conditional/fulfilled?),literal,symbolic,
Christocentric,one's perspective,relevancies
3. Poetics
Stanza,parallelism,metaphor,background,types,messianic functions,whole psalm
4. Apocalyptics
Literary types,text main points,structure,symbolics,theology
Ten main principles derived from the above considerations are:
1. Whole book
2. Paragraphs
3. Grammar
4. Etymology
5. Semantics
6. Background
7. Bible Theology
8. Historical Theology
9. Systematic Theology
10.Homiletics
LOVE: A PARAPHRASE OF 1 CORINTHIANS 13
I received the following paraphrase of I Corinthian 13 today from Betty,a relative in US today.
If I talk a lot about God and the Bible and the Church, but I fail to ask about your needs and then help you, I'm simply making a lot of empty religious noise.
If I graduate from theological seminary and know all the answers to questions you'll never even think of asking, and if I have all the degrees to prove it and if I say I believe in God with all my heart, and soul and strength, and claim to have incredible answers to my prayers to show it, but I fail to take the time to find out where you're at and what makes you laugh and why you cry, I'm nothing.
If I sell an extra car and some of my books to raise money for some poor starving kids somewhere, and if I give my life for God's service and burn out after pouring everything I have into the work, but do it all without ever once thinking about the people, the real hurting people-the moms and dads and sons and daughters and orphans and widows and the lonely and hurting-if I pour my life into the Kingdom but forget to make it relevant to those here on earth, my energy is wasted, and so is my life.
Here is what love is like--genuine love. God's kind of love. It's patient. It can wait. It helps others, even if they never find out who did it. Love doesn't look for greener pastures or dream of how things could be better if I just got rid of all my current commitments. Love doesn't boast. It doesn't try to build itself up to be something it isn't. Love doesn't act in a loose, immoral way. It doesn't seek to take, but it willingly gives. Love doesn't lose its cool. It doesn't turn on and off. Love doesn't think about how bad the other person is, and certainly doesn't think of how it could get back at someone. Love is grieved deeply (as God is) over the evil in this world, but it rejoices over truth.
Love comes and sits with you when you're feeling down and finds out what is wrong. It empathizes with you and believes in you. Love knows you'll come through just as God planned, and love sticks right beside you all the way. Love doesn't give up, or quit, or diminish or go home. Love keeps on keeping on, even when everything goes wrong and the feelings leave and the other person doesn't seem as special anymore. Love succeeds 100 percent of the time. That, my friend, is what real love is!
If I talk a lot about God and the Bible and the Church, but I fail to ask about your needs and then help you, I'm simply making a lot of empty religious noise.
If I graduate from theological seminary and know all the answers to questions you'll never even think of asking, and if I have all the degrees to prove it and if I say I believe in God with all my heart, and soul and strength, and claim to have incredible answers to my prayers to show it, but I fail to take the time to find out where you're at and what makes you laugh and why you cry, I'm nothing.
If I sell an extra car and some of my books to raise money for some poor starving kids somewhere, and if I give my life for God's service and burn out after pouring everything I have into the work, but do it all without ever once thinking about the people, the real hurting people-the moms and dads and sons and daughters and orphans and widows and the lonely and hurting-if I pour my life into the Kingdom but forget to make it relevant to those here on earth, my energy is wasted, and so is my life.
Here is what love is like--genuine love. God's kind of love. It's patient. It can wait. It helps others, even if they never find out who did it. Love doesn't look for greener pastures or dream of how things could be better if I just got rid of all my current commitments. Love doesn't boast. It doesn't try to build itself up to be something it isn't. Love doesn't act in a loose, immoral way. It doesn't seek to take, but it willingly gives. Love doesn't lose its cool. It doesn't turn on and off. Love doesn't think about how bad the other person is, and certainly doesn't think of how it could get back at someone. Love is grieved deeply (as God is) over the evil in this world, but it rejoices over truth.
Love comes and sits with you when you're feeling down and finds out what is wrong. It empathizes with you and believes in you. Love knows you'll come through just as God planned, and love sticks right beside you all the way. Love doesn't give up, or quit, or diminish or go home. Love keeps on keeping on, even when everything goes wrong and the feelings leave and the other person doesn't seem as special anymore. Love succeeds 100 percent of the time. That, my friend, is what real love is!
2008年2月10日 星期日
On Humour
The wit makes fun of other persons; the satirist makes fun of the world; the humorist makes fun of himself.--James Thurber--
Humor is our way of defending ourselves from life's absurdities by thinking absurdly about them. -- Lewis Mumford --
Humor is a rubber sword - it allows you to make a point without drawing blood.--Mary Hirsch--
Humor is our way of defending ourselves from life's absurdities by thinking absurdly about them. -- Lewis Mumford --
Humor is a rubber sword - it allows you to make a point without drawing blood.--Mary Hirsch--
6 Reflections on the recent Obscene Internet pictures
It's an offense in law to reveal what's private pictures to public,the offender should be put to shame to face justice.
It's sad for the careless negligence of the one who put the computer pictures onto the hands of the intended offender. He/she already got their trouble lessons for the carelessness.
It's a public concern for the media and family as a whole to do good and be kind towards the younger generation who awaits to be educated to differentiate right from wrong.
It's a lesson for the police authority to be prudent in delivering speech in handling the arrest notices in a so called democratic society.
It got to be an humiliating experience for Hong Kong society to face such trouble and put it right for the whole world as onlookers.
It puts the church of God to pray more for the degrading phenomenon to be put to an end. Morality and ethics are sensitive issues these days around global world and await wise and courageous people to act as vanguard.
It's sad for the careless negligence of the one who put the computer pictures onto the hands of the intended offender. He/she already got their trouble lessons for the carelessness.
It's a public concern for the media and family as a whole to do good and be kind towards the younger generation who awaits to be educated to differentiate right from wrong.
It's a lesson for the police authority to be prudent in delivering speech in handling the arrest notices in a so called democratic society.
It got to be an humiliating experience for Hong Kong society to face such trouble and put it right for the whole world as onlookers.
It puts the church of God to pray more for the degrading phenomenon to be put to an end. Morality and ethics are sensitive issues these days around global world and await wise and courageous people to act as vanguard.
Psalm 84
I preached on Psalm 84 this morning. It's about the new year blessings.My theme is about spiritual blessings.
From the above psalm,I preached
The eagerness for God's temple,
The effort to worship at Zion and
The trust and reliance on God of the Psalmist
The above three form the repeated refrains at verse 4,5 and 12 of the passage.
It's rather cold this morning and the worship was in NT Fanling. The church leaders had lunch with me afterwards for fellowship. It's good to see the church relationships living just like a family.
From the above psalm,I preached
The eagerness for God's temple,
The effort to worship at Zion and
The trust and reliance on God of the Psalmist
The above three form the repeated refrains at verse 4,5 and 12 of the passage.
It's rather cold this morning and the worship was in NT Fanling. The church leaders had lunch with me afterwards for fellowship. It's good to see the church relationships living just like a family.
2008年2月7日 星期四
Lunar New Year
We've been mostly at home this Rat Lunar New Year.
Hopefully clean-up work can be finished today and we can enjoy at rest at home! After more than three weeks temporary stay in LM's place,we can be at peace with ourselves
Just a few email greetings and phone call from afar received.
Thank God to have a silent and peaceful New Year.
Hopefully clean-up work can be finished today and we can enjoy at rest at home! After more than three weeks temporary stay in LM's place,we can be at peace with ourselves
Just a few email greetings and phone call from afar received.
Thank God to have a silent and peaceful New Year.
2008年2月5日 星期二
Meet at the lifts
This morning as we came to office we faced an interesting phenomenon.We were greeted by a few colleagues at 9/F lift. The key man was absent and those earlier came just needed to wait. We already came latter than usual as Janet and I went to have breakfast nearby this morning. WE seldom used breakfast outside but a day before Lunar new year holiday we did so as we stayed late last evening due to aftermath renovation work clean up. Janet slept almost at 1:00a.m.
Colleagues came latter were all greeted by those came earlier at the lift door. They were surprised to see the gathered crowd once stepping out the lift. I even suggested Peter who took his hand mobile to take video clips of their puzzling faces. Someone said it never happened before and it's interesting to have such episode for memory before the Rat Year.
Well,it's an interlude of the new year eve. May be the theme of the coming year is on
"Surprise"
Colleagues came latter were all greeted by those came earlier at the lift door. They were surprised to see the gathered crowd once stepping out the lift. I even suggested Peter who took his hand mobile to take video clips of their puzzling faces. Someone said it never happened before and it's interesting to have such episode for memory before the Rat Year.
Well,it's an interlude of the new year eve. May be the theme of the coming year is on
"Surprise"
2008年2月4日 星期一
Fence and Friends
Do not protect yourself by a fence, but rather by your friends.
--Czech Proverb--
When the character of a man is not clear to you, look at his friends.
--Japanese Proverb--
Prosperity makes friends, adversity tries them.
Treat your friend as if he might become an enemy.
-- Publilius Syrus--
--Czech Proverb--
When the character of a man is not clear to you, look at his friends.
--Japanese Proverb--
Prosperity makes friends, adversity tries them.
Treat your friend as if he might become an enemy.
-- Publilius Syrus--
Renovation finished
After three weeks,the renovation work in Mei Foo finally finished. Last night it's handed over us on time. Janet and I had a lot of clean up work to follow. Two more days will be lunar new year and busy shopping work has to be done too within these last days.
We thank God for the completed work though it's really expensive for us.
We thank Him for the love and concern from b/s in Christ.
We thank the Lord for the workman hastened the work for us before the new year.
We thank Him for having temporary home to stay during the work period.
We thank our gracious God for safety under the past two weeks'cold weather.
All these are not necessarily so if not by His grace.
We are but nothing without His providence and care.
Praise Him our Lord for all His loving kindness!
We thank God for the completed work though it's really expensive for us.
We thank Him for the love and concern from b/s in Christ.
We thank the Lord for the workman hastened the work for us before the new year.
We thank Him for having temporary home to stay during the work period.
We thank our gracious God for safety under the past two weeks'cold weather.
All these are not necessarily so if not by His grace.
We are but nothing without His providence and care.
Praise Him our Lord for all His loving kindness!
A Royal Waste of Time
Martha Dawn used the title "A Royal waste of time" to describe our worshipping God.
Worship is not a matter of attracting large numbers of people or displaying our own selves. It's rather a focusing on God Himself and He is the splendor of our infinite centre.
Being church in building community and forming character.
Being church in making the right choice and facing the challenges.
The church has to display her beauty as a colony of God's kingdom in a consumer culture.
Worship is not a matter of attracting large numbers of people or displaying our own selves. It's rather a focusing on God Himself and He is the splendor of our infinite centre.
Being church in building community and forming character.
Being church in making the right choice and facing the challenges.
The church has to display her beauty as a colony of God's kingdom in a consumer culture.
2008年2月3日 星期日
Ideas ,Ideals and Ideology
I was given the responsibility to supervise future new intern for our training ministry.
The proposal I drafted focused more on individual development.
The feedback given is more on the ideas,ideals and ideology of
what we are supposed to do presently.
Ideas
--Healthy workers and Healthy churches.
Ideals
-- Character and Ministry development
-- Paul and Timothy's Relationship and Care.
Ideology
-- How to build up mainland churches ?
-- How to build up healthy mainland churches ?
-- How to impart vision for mission from the mainland churches ?
The proposal I drafted focused more on individual development.
The feedback given is more on the ideas,ideals and ideology of
what we are supposed to do presently.
Ideas
--Healthy workers and Healthy churches.
Ideals
-- Character and Ministry development
-- Paul and Timothy's Relationship and Care.
Ideology
-- How to build up mainland churches ?
-- How to build up healthy mainland churches ?
-- How to impart vision for mission from the mainland churches ?
2008年2月2日 星期六
The gentleman
My friend Joshua Liu quoted the following words
for thoughts:
君子博学深谋,而不遇时者众已，
且芝兰生于深林,不以无人而不芳，
君子修道立德，不谓穷困而改节。
for thoughts:
君子博学深谋,而不遇时者众已，
且芝兰生于深林,不以无人而不芳，
君子修道立德，不谓穷困而改节。
2008年1月30日 星期三
The real loser
The zest for success sometimes will distort the real purpose in attaining success.
But the opposite extreme is also not worth following---Just doing nothing but waits for miracles.
The real loser is the one who avoids losing.
But the opposite extreme is also not worth following---Just doing nothing but waits for miracles.
The real loser is the one who avoids losing.
2008年1月28日 星期一
從赦罪的主而來的反思
我把馬可二章1-12節經文稍作改動，成了今早同工會的靈修分享
主那穌所作的對教牧有的四個反思 :
面對突發--講道中不速之客
面對求助--四人邦帶來朋友
面對批評--經學家心中論斷
面對需要--啟迪眾人蒙赦罪
主那穌所作的對教牧有的四個反思 :
面對突發--講道中不速之客
面對求助--四人邦帶來朋友
面對批評--經學家心中論斷
面對需要--啟迪眾人蒙赦罪
2008年1月27日 星期日
With the young people
Yesterday afternoon I spent time with our church's youths in a bible study session.
They invited me to have two afternoons for Jan and Feb to have bible studies.
Long time ago did I spend time with young people in bible study. It's my delight to have them in Mark 2:1-12 past afternoon.The theme was on Jesus'claim on forgiveness on the lame visitor by his four friends who had faith on Him.
Through the passage I delivered several points for thoughts:
1. Interruption management.
Jesus handled the preaching interruption well and brought to the amazement of those who were there with His claims.
2. Both are easy (Visible healing and invisible forgiveness)
It's both easy for His claim to forgive sins as well as His power in healing the crippled.
3. Mind reading.
Jesus knew pretty well the complaints in the hearts of the Scribes sitting there which they considered His saying to be blasphemous.
4. Affirmed faith
The helping act of the visitors was rewarded and it's faith that healed the crippled and his sins were released.
5. The precedence of forgiveness over healing
It seems not making any sense when Jesus told that his sins were forgiven instead of healing him immediately. But He claimed both in forgiving and healing for people coming to Him through faith. He demonstrated instead the priority of forgiveness of mens' sins.
They invited me to have two afternoons for Jan and Feb to have bible studies.
Long time ago did I spend time with young people in bible study. It's my delight to have them in Mark 2:1-12 past afternoon.The theme was on Jesus'claim on forgiveness on the lame visitor by his four friends who had faith on Him.
Through the passage I delivered several points for thoughts:
1. Interruption management.
Jesus handled the preaching interruption well and brought to the amazement of those who were there with His claims.
2. Both are easy (Visible healing and invisible forgiveness)
It's both easy for His claim to forgive sins as well as His power in healing the crippled.
3. Mind reading.
Jesus knew pretty well the complaints in the hearts of the Scribes sitting there which they considered His saying to be blasphemous.
4. Affirmed faith
The helping act of the visitors was rewarded and it's faith that healed the crippled and his sins were released.
5. The precedence of forgiveness over healing
It seems not making any sense when Jesus told that his sins were forgiven instead of healing him immediately. But He claimed both in forgiving and healing for people coming to Him through faith. He demonstrated instead the priority of forgiveness of mens' sins.
2008年1月23日 星期三
Quotations on Biblical Interpretations
"If God has condescended to address men in the full particularity of their peculiar historical and cultured environments, then we have got to immerse ourselves fully and sympathetically in those environments, with their customs and values, ways of thinking and patterns of imagery, before we can understand either his demand or their response."
—D.E. Nineham,The Church's Use of the Bible Past and Present (London: SPCK, 1963), p. 161.
"As a Protestant I cherish the New Testament teaching on the priesthood of believers—that each Christian has the right to his own interpretation, but also that each Christian has the responsibility to get it right. If an individual Christian wrongly interprets and then misapplies the Word, the scope of his error may not be very wide. But when the leaders of the church do this, the impact can be vast. For this reason Paul tells Timothy to 'be zealous to show yourself approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed'; and why James declares that 'Not many of you should become teachers.'"
—Daniel Wallace, "Biblical Gynecology" (2001).
"... the main reason for studying texts, particularly old ones, is to expand the mind by introducing it to the immense possibilities in human actions and thoughts — to see and feel what other men have seen and felt, to know what they have known. Furthermore, none of these expansive benefits comes to the man who simply discovers his own meanings in someone else's text and who, instead of encountering another person, merely encounters himself."
—E. D. Hirsch, Validity in Interpretation (New Haven: Yale, 1967), pp. 25-6.
"[Dynamic equivalence] translations (again, most Bibles today) often change the language, images, and metaphors of Scripture to make understanding easier. But for serious study, readers need a translation that is more transparent to the 'otherness' of Scripture. We need a translation that allows the Bible to say what it says, even if that seems strange and odd to readers at first glance. If God is 'other' than we are, we should be willing to work at the 'otherness' of the Bible, in order to understand what the Lord is saying through his Word. The purpose of the Bible is not to make Jesus like us, but to make us like Christ. The Bible is designed to change us, to make us different, heirs of Abraham according to the promise fulfilled in Christ (Acts 2) ... By seeking familiar modern meanings, these newer translations make it much harder to see the deep biblical pattern of Paul's thought. They obscure the words and metaphors by which the Spirit has woven a coherent tapestry of meaning that stretches from Genesis to Revelation. This practice removes the information we need to understand, because it hides the Bible's dynamic unity and coherence ... Biblical metaphors drop into our hearts like a seed in soil and make us think, precisely because they are not obvious at first. The translator who removes biblical metaphors to make the text 'easier' for readers may defeat the purpose of the Holy Spirit, who chose a metaphor in the first place. Metaphors grab us and work on us and in us. They have the spiritual power to transform our minds. The abandonment of basic biblical metaphors in many translations follows naturally from [dynamic equivalence] theory, because the target languages may not use such expressions. But it is the foreignness of metaphors that is their virtue. Metaphors make us stop and think, Now what does that mean? ... The Bible creates a vast context of meaning through cross references and allusions, phrases and metaphors, echoes and types. For readers to discover this type of biblical meaning in their translations, translators of the Bible must be constantly aware of parallel passages, expressions, and images. Where this does not happen, much of the text's actual meaning may be lost, often to be replaced by modern meanings.
—Raymond C. Van Leeuwen, "We Really Do Need Another Bible Translation," Christianity Today, Vol. 45, No. 13 (October 22, 2001), p. 28.
"Individualistic reading of the Bible is unbiblical."
—Raymond C. Van Leeuwen, "We Really Do Need Another Bible Translation," Christianity Today, Vol. 45, No. 13 (October 22, 2001), p. 28.
"In the holy scriptures you can make no progress unless you have a guide to show you the way ... The art of interpreting the scriptures is the only one of which all men everywhere claim to be masters ... The babbling old woman, the doting old man, and the wordy sophist, one and all take in hand the Scriptures, rend them in pieces and teach them before they have learned them. Some with brows knit and bombastic words, contrary to one another, philosophize concerning the sacred writings among weak women. Others (I blush to say it) learn from women what they are to teach men; and as if even this were not enough, they boldly explain to others what they themselves by no means understand. I say nothing of persons who, like myself have been familiar with secular literature before they have come to the study of the holy scriptures. Such men when they charm the popular ear by the finish of their style suppose every word they say to be a law of God. They do not deign to notice what Prophets and apostles have intended but they adapt the most incongruous passages to fit their own interpretation, as if it were a grand way of teaching—and not rather the faultiest of all—to misrepresent a writer's views and to force the reluctant scriptures to do their will.
—St. Jerome, to Paulinus (Letter LIII), A.D. 394.
"Liberal preachers have tended to use Biblical texts as ornaments, attached to already arrived-at conclusions and convictions — a 'resource' rather than a 'source.' As an atheist put it: 'You hear what the psychologist says, what the historian says, what the New York Times editorial writer says, and then the sermon concludes with, And perhaps Jesus said it best..."'
—Martin Copenhaver, 'The Making of a Postliberal,' Christian Century, Oct. 14, 1998, p. 937.
"Since we ought to be satisfied with the Word of God alone, what purpose is served by hearing sermons every day, or even the office of pastors? Has not every person the opportunity of reading the Bible? But Paul assigns to teachers the duty of dividing or cutting, as if a father in giving food to his children, were dividing the bread and cutting it in small pieces."
—John Calvin
"I am persuaded that without knowledge of literature pure theology cannot at all endure, just as heretofore, when letters have declined and lain prostrate, theology, too, has wretchedly fallen and lain prostrate; nay, I see that there has never been a great revelation of the Word of God unless he has first prepared the way by the rise and prosperity of languages and letters, as though they were John the Baptists …. Certainly it is my desire that there shall be as many poets and rhetoricians as possible, because I see that by these studies, as by no other means, people are wonderfully fitted for the grasping of sacred truth and for handling it skillfully and happily. ... Therefore I beg of you that at my request (if that has any weight) you will urge your young people to be diligent in the study of poetry and rhetoric."
—Martin Luther, Letter to Eoban Hess, 29 March 1523. Werke, Weimar edition, Luthers Briefwechsel, III, 50.
—D.E. Nineham,The Church's Use of the Bible Past and Present (London: SPCK, 1963), p. 161.
"As a Protestant I cherish the New Testament teaching on the priesthood of believers—that each Christian has the right to his own interpretation, but also that each Christian has the responsibility to get it right. If an individual Christian wrongly interprets and then misapplies the Word, the scope of his error may not be very wide. But when the leaders of the church do this, the impact can be vast. For this reason Paul tells Timothy to 'be zealous to show yourself approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed'; and why James declares that 'Not many of you should become teachers.'"
—Daniel Wallace, "Biblical Gynecology" (2001).
"... the main reason for studying texts, particularly old ones, is to expand the mind by introducing it to the immense possibilities in human actions and thoughts — to see and feel what other men have seen and felt, to know what they have known. Furthermore, none of these expansive benefits comes to the man who simply discovers his own meanings in someone else's text and who, instead of encountering another person, merely encounters himself."
—E. D. Hirsch, Validity in Interpretation (New Haven: Yale, 1967), pp. 25-6.
"[Dynamic equivalence] translations (again, most Bibles today) often change the language, images, and metaphors of Scripture to make understanding easier. But for serious study, readers need a translation that is more transparent to the 'otherness' of Scripture. We need a translation that allows the Bible to say what it says, even if that seems strange and odd to readers at first glance. If God is 'other' than we are, we should be willing to work at the 'otherness' of the Bible, in order to understand what the Lord is saying through his Word. The purpose of the Bible is not to make Jesus like us, but to make us like Christ. The Bible is designed to change us, to make us different, heirs of Abraham according to the promise fulfilled in Christ (Acts 2) ... By seeking familiar modern meanings, these newer translations make it much harder to see the deep biblical pattern of Paul's thought. They obscure the words and metaphors by which the Spirit has woven a coherent tapestry of meaning that stretches from Genesis to Revelation. This practice removes the information we need to understand, because it hides the Bible's dynamic unity and coherence ... Biblical metaphors drop into our hearts like a seed in soil and make us think, precisely because they are not obvious at first. The translator who removes biblical metaphors to make the text 'easier' for readers may defeat the purpose of the Holy Spirit, who chose a metaphor in the first place. Metaphors grab us and work on us and in us. They have the spiritual power to transform our minds. The abandonment of basic biblical metaphors in many translations follows naturally from [dynamic equivalence] theory, because the target languages may not use such expressions. But it is the foreignness of metaphors that is their virtue. Metaphors make us stop and think, Now what does that mean? ... The Bible creates a vast context of meaning through cross references and allusions, phrases and metaphors, echoes and types. For readers to discover this type of biblical meaning in their translations, translators of the Bible must be constantly aware of parallel passages, expressions, and images. Where this does not happen, much of the text's actual meaning may be lost, often to be replaced by modern meanings.
—Raymond C. Van Leeuwen, "We Really Do Need Another Bible Translation," Christianity Today, Vol. 45, No. 13 (October 22, 2001), p. 28.
"Individualistic reading of the Bible is unbiblical."
—Raymond C. Van Leeuwen, "We Really Do Need Another Bible Translation," Christianity Today, Vol. 45, No. 13 (October 22, 2001), p. 28.
"In the holy scriptures you can make no progress unless you have a guide to show you the way ... The art of interpreting the scriptures is the only one of which all men everywhere claim to be masters ... The babbling old woman, the doting old man, and the wordy sophist, one and all take in hand the Scriptures, rend them in pieces and teach them before they have learned them. Some with brows knit and bombastic words, contrary to one another, philosophize concerning the sacred writings among weak women. Others (I blush to say it) learn from women what they are to teach men; and as if even this were not enough, they boldly explain to others what they themselves by no means understand. I say nothing of persons who, like myself have been familiar with secular literature before they have come to the study of the holy scriptures. Such men when they charm the popular ear by the finish of their style suppose every word they say to be a law of God. They do not deign to notice what Prophets and apostles have intended but they adapt the most incongruous passages to fit their own interpretation, as if it were a grand way of teaching—and not rather the faultiest of all—to misrepresent a writer's views and to force the reluctant scriptures to do their will.
—St. Jerome, to Paulinus (Letter LIII), A.D. 394.
"Liberal preachers have tended to use Biblical texts as ornaments, attached to already arrived-at conclusions and convictions — a 'resource' rather than a 'source.' As an atheist put it: 'You hear what the psychologist says, what the historian says, what the New York Times editorial writer says, and then the sermon concludes with, And perhaps Jesus said it best..."'
—Martin Copenhaver, 'The Making of a Postliberal,' Christian Century, Oct. 14, 1998, p. 937.
"Since we ought to be satisfied with the Word of God alone, what purpose is served by hearing sermons every day, or even the office of pastors? Has not every person the opportunity of reading the Bible? But Paul assigns to teachers the duty of dividing or cutting, as if a father in giving food to his children, were dividing the bread and cutting it in small pieces."
—John Calvin
"I am persuaded that without knowledge of literature pure theology cannot at all endure, just as heretofore, when letters have declined and lain prostrate, theology, too, has wretchedly fallen and lain prostrate; nay, I see that there has never been a great revelation of the Word of God unless he has first prepared the way by the rise and prosperity of languages and letters, as though they were John the Baptists …. Certainly it is my desire that there shall be as many poets and rhetoricians as possible, because I see that by these studies, as by no other means, people are wonderfully fitted for the grasping of sacred truth and for handling it skillfully and happily. ... Therefore I beg of you that at my request (if that has any weight) you will urge your young people to be diligent in the study of poetry and rhetoric."
—Martin Luther, Letter to Eoban Hess, 29 March 1523. Werke, Weimar edition, Luthers Briefwechsel, III, 50.
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