Why do Americans celebrate Thanksgiving?
What should we thank God for, and how should we praise Him?
Are you thankful to God ? See what the Bible has to say about thanksgiving ?
Lincoln’s original 1863 Thanksgiving Proclamation came spiritually speaking at a pivotal point in his life.
During the first week of July of that year, the Battle of Gettysburg occurred, resulting in the loss of some 60,000 American lives. Four months later in November, Lincoln delivered his famous“Gettsysburg Address.” It was while Lincoln was walking among the thousands of graves there at Gettysburg that he committed his life to Christ. As he explained to a friend:
"When I left Springfield [to assume the Presidency], I asked the people to pray for me. I was not a Christian. When I buried my son, the severest trial of my life, I was not a Christian. But when I went to Gettysburg and saw the graves of thousands of our soldiers, I then and there consecrated myself to Christ."
As Americans celebrate Thanksgiving each year, we hope they will retain the original gratefulness to God displayed by the Pilgrims and many other founding fathers, and remember that it is to those early and courageous Pilgrims that they owe not only the traditional Thanksgiving holiday but also the concepts of self-government, the “hard-work” ethic, self-reliant communities, and devout religious faith.
Abraham Lincoln’s inspiring Thanksgiving Proclamation“Gettsysburg Address.”
Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.
But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
2011年11月23日 星期三
Thankfulness !
Thankfulness is the presence of gratitude and the absence of murmuring.
Thankfulness is an attitude of appreciation for everything that is received; murmuring is an attitude of complaint for everything that is withheld.
Thankfulness is rooted in humility; murmuring is rooted in pride.
Thankfulness says, “This is more than I deserve.”; murmuring says, “I deserve more!”
Thankfulness is the doorway to contentment; murmuring is the doorway to dissatisfaction.
Thankfulness travels on the highway of joy; murmuring travels on the highway of gloom.
Thankfulness causes the disposition to be sweet; murmuring causes the disposition to become sour.
Give thanks in everything—1 Thessalonians 5:18
Give thanks for everything—Ephesians 5:20
Pray about everything with thanksgiving—Philippians 4:6
Do all things without murmuring—Philippians 2:14
Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth! Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before Him, singing with joy. Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are His. We are His people, the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving; go into His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and His faithfulness continues to each generation. Psalm 100 NLT
Thankfulness is an attitude of appreciation for everything that is received; murmuring is an attitude of complaint for everything that is withheld.
Thankfulness is rooted in humility; murmuring is rooted in pride.
Thankfulness says, “This is more than I deserve.”; murmuring says, “I deserve more!”
Thankfulness is the doorway to contentment; murmuring is the doorway to dissatisfaction.
Thankfulness travels on the highway of joy; murmuring travels on the highway of gloom.
Thankfulness causes the disposition to be sweet; murmuring causes the disposition to become sour.
Give thanks in everything—1 Thessalonians 5:18
Give thanks for everything—Ephesians 5:20
Pray about everything with thanksgiving—Philippians 4:6
Do all things without murmuring—Philippians 2:14
Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth! Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before Him, singing with joy. Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are His. We are His people, the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving; go into His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and His faithfulness continues to each generation. Psalm 100 NLT
2011年11月17日 星期四
2011年11月16日 星期三
Life's Waiting
Steve Fong sent from Macau the following reflections of the day
Grand Prix is car racing for speed while life is a grand waiting for lots of cheer or upset.
Waiting to get birth,
waiting to grow up,
waiting to enter good schools,
waiting to get high grades,
waiting to graduate,
waiting to get girl/boy friends,
waiting to get jobs,
waiting to get rich (physical and mental),
waiting for job,
waiting to get next generations,
waiting to be old,
waiting for upset,and
finally
waiting to die and to meet God.
Grand Prix is car racing for speed while life is a grand waiting for lots of cheer or upset.
Waiting to get birth,
waiting to grow up,
waiting to enter good schools,
waiting to get high grades,
waiting to graduate,
waiting to get girl/boy friends,
waiting to get jobs,
waiting to get rich (physical and mental),
waiting for job,
waiting to get next generations,
waiting to be old,
waiting for upset,and
finally
waiting to die and to meet God.
2011年11月14日 星期一
From Gary Friesen
Foundational Principles of resolving conflicts
The Bible provides us with a simple yet powerful system for resolving conflict. These principles are so simple that they can be used to resolve the most basic conflicts of daily life. But they are so powerful that they have been used to mediate and arbitrate bitter divorce and child custody actions, embezzlement situations, church divisions, multi-million dollar business disputes, malpractice lawsuits, and terrible sexual abuse cases.
To gain a basic understanding of this system for biblical peacemaking, we invite you to study the foundational principles that are briefly discussed in the topics below.
1. Getting to the Heart of Conflict - Conflict starts in the heart. Therefore, if we fail to address the heart in a conflict, then any solution will fall short of true reconciliation.
2. The Four G's - The biblical system for resolving conflict is captured by "The Four G's": Glorify God, Get the log out of your own eye, Gently Restore, and Go and be reconciled.
3. The Slippery Slope - A visual tool for understanding the ways people tend to and ought to respond to conflict.
4. The Seven A's of Confession - A guide to making a sincere and complete confession.
5. The PAUSE Principle - A biblical approach to negotiation.
6.The Four Promises of Forgiveness - A great way to remember what you are really saying (and committing to) when you say "I forgive you."
7. The Peacemaker's Pledge - Complete summary of biblical peacemaking, suitable for churches or organizations to commit to together.
8. Relational Commitments - A way for a church to make a mutual commitment to work together to pursue unity, maintain friendships, preserve marriages, and build relationships that reflect the love of Christ.
9.The Gospel of Peace Mirrored Through Peacemaking - A summary statement of how the gospel of Jesus Christ is at the core of biblical peacemaking.
The Bible provides us with a simple yet powerful system for resolving conflict. These principles are so simple that they can be used to resolve the most basic conflicts of daily life. But they are so powerful that they have been used to mediate and arbitrate bitter divorce and child custody actions, embezzlement situations, church divisions, multi-million dollar business disputes, malpractice lawsuits, and terrible sexual abuse cases.
To gain a basic understanding of this system for biblical peacemaking, we invite you to study the foundational principles that are briefly discussed in the topics below.
1. Getting to the Heart of Conflict - Conflict starts in the heart. Therefore, if we fail to address the heart in a conflict, then any solution will fall short of true reconciliation.
2. The Four G's - The biblical system for resolving conflict is captured by "The Four G's": Glorify God, Get the log out of your own eye, Gently Restore, and Go and be reconciled.
3. The Slippery Slope - A visual tool for understanding the ways people tend to and ought to respond to conflict.
4. The Seven A's of Confession - A guide to making a sincere and complete confession.
5. The PAUSE Principle - A biblical approach to negotiation.
6.The Four Promises of Forgiveness - A great way to remember what you are really saying (and committing to) when you say "I forgive you."
7. The Peacemaker's Pledge - Complete summary of biblical peacemaking, suitable for churches or organizations to commit to together.
8. Relational Commitments - A way for a church to make a mutual commitment to work together to pursue unity, maintain friendships, preserve marriages, and build relationships that reflect the love of Christ.
9.The Gospel of Peace Mirrored Through Peacemaking - A summary statement of how the gospel of Jesus Christ is at the core of biblical peacemaking.
2011年11月13日 星期日
2012教會事工介紹及回應
今天崇拜中介紹明年教會主題事工， 其後收到STEVE的回應如下:
一句恩言 - 屬靈書卷現在多有电子版, 若感受恩言, 可放其在电子記事版上, 隨時翻閱。
ニ位禱伴 - 原以為可借來找伴侶, 但你說是要同性, 對一些人冇難度, 對我則大有難度, 若非相識十多年, 或在同行工作, 且要撇除收費电話的問題, 可能找到禱伴。若要花這麼多氣力, 如我再花多一些來找伴侶。
週三学習 - 週三在澳工作, 所以這應不包括我。何妨其他教友現在很多工作或進修多在晚上, 若有20-30人參加已经俗, 想多是主婦及長者。
四本好書 - 這个不難, 當然吸收獲益程度因人而異。
五位對象 - 對我而言, 這只有靠轉堂時播聖詩來間接達成。 事關家人已信主, 在港親戚接近零。
週六行動 - 週六在港仍要做研究, 但仍可在下午與莫 Sir 及內地生遠足, 或參加以利亞团 (講笑, 亞团Ｄ姊妹一是保守, 一是受過苦, )。
七起親主 - 這个當然是主日敬拜神, 但我之後找人食飯最難, 好冇引。
守ハ時約 - 現時工作繁忙, 加上來年经濟惨淡, 行得十成頗有難度。
一句恩言 - 屬靈書卷現在多有电子版, 若感受恩言, 可放其在电子記事版上, 隨時翻閱。
ニ位禱伴 - 原以為可借來找伴侶, 但你說是要同性, 對一些人冇難度, 對我則大有難度, 若非相識十多年, 或在同行工作, 且要撇除收費电話的問題, 可能找到禱伴。若要花這麼多氣力, 如我再花多一些來找伴侶。
週三学習 - 週三在澳工作, 所以這應不包括我。何妨其他教友現在很多工作或進修多在晚上, 若有20-30人參加已经俗, 想多是主婦及長者。
四本好書 - 這个不難, 當然吸收獲益程度因人而異。
五位對象 - 對我而言, 這只有靠轉堂時播聖詩來間接達成。 事關家人已信主, 在港親戚接近零。
週六行動 - 週六在港仍要做研究, 但仍可在下午與莫 Sir 及內地生遠足, 或參加以利亞团 (講笑, 亞团Ｄ姊妹一是保守, 一是受過苦, )。
七起親主 - 這个當然是主日敬拜神, 但我之後找人食飯最難, 好冇引。
守ハ時約 - 現時工作繁忙, 加上來年经濟惨淡, 行得十成頗有難度。
Lit! A Christian Guide to Reading Books
Lit! A Christian Guide to Reading Books. Wheaton, IL: 2011. 202 pgs by Tony Reinke
Tony Reinke:
The most simple answer is that I read different books for different reasons. Partly this is determined by what I want my books to accomplish. For that I use a series of reading categories that set my personal reading priorities in place. Six categories frame my book choices:
Reading Scripture
Reading to know and delight in Christ
Reading to kindle spiritual reflection
Reading to initiate personal change
Reading to pursue vocational excellence
Reading to enjoy a good story
For one who reads little, here are reasons why Reinke's book is easy to read
He avoids overly cerebral vocabulary or references
He gives easy-to-follow advice on how to read actively
It's less than 200 pages long
It demonstrates the truth of Romans 10:14 namely, why faith is inextricably tied to language
Tony Reinke:
The most simple answer is that I read different books for different reasons. Partly this is determined by what I want my books to accomplish. For that I use a series of reading categories that set my personal reading priorities in place. Six categories frame my book choices:
Reading Scripture
Reading to know and delight in Christ
Reading to kindle spiritual reflection
Reading to initiate personal change
Reading to pursue vocational excellence
Reading to enjoy a good story
For one who reads little, here are reasons why Reinke's book is easy to read
He avoids overly cerebral vocabulary or references
He gives easy-to-follow advice on how to read actively
It's less than 200 pages long
It demonstrates the truth of Romans 10:14 namely, why faith is inextricably tied to language
2011年11月10日 星期四
環保專講
何建宗博士於11月11日(星期五)，早上8：30 - 9：30在10/F禮堂，有環保教育講座，主題為生態倫理。
何博士對生物學、生態學、環境資源等有豐富認識，為香港公開大學環境學系主任
環保
個體愛心 Love
生活方式 Life Style
資源保護 Resource Protection
問題
環保的成效 Eric NEP New Environmental Paradigm ~ 32-33/40
環保與回收 Ellen 紙張100 / 塑膠 Little
環保與持續 小農 大廈BEAM計劃 Building Environmental Assessment Method - the voluntary initiative to measure, improve and label the environmental performance of buildings.
環保與經濟 Karen 長遠成功 環保在鄉間 資源保護
環保與衛生 Amy 最好方法
何博士對生物學、生態學、環境資源等有豐富認識，為香港公開大學環境學系主任
環保
個體愛心 Love
生活方式 Life Style
資源保護 Resource Protection
問題
環保的成效 Eric NEP New Environmental Paradigm ~ 32-33/40
環保與回收 Ellen 紙張100 / 塑膠 Little
環保與持續 小農 大廈BEAM計劃 Building Environmental Assessment Method - the voluntary initiative to measure, improve and label the environmental performance of buildings.
環保與經濟 Karen 長遠成功 環保在鄉間 資源保護
環保與衛生 Amy 最好方法
2011年11月9日 星期三
香港的環保教育機構
1. 世界自然﹝香港﹞基金會 WWF Hong Kong
2. 獅子會自然教育中心
3. 漁農自然護理署 Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department
4. 綠色力量 Green Mission
5. 長春社 Conservancy Association
6. 地球之友 Friends of the Earth (HK)
7. 綠田園 Produce Green
8. 大浪灣之友 Friends of Tai Long Wan
9. 香港生態旅遊學會 Hong Kong Ecotourism Society
10. 嘉道理農場暨植物園 Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden
11. 香港動植物公園 Zoological & Botanical Gardens
12. 自然足印 FootPrint
2. 獅子會自然教育中心
3. 漁農自然護理署 Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department
4. 綠色力量 Green Mission
5. 長春社 Conservancy Association
6. 地球之友 Friends of the Earth (HK)
7. 綠田園 Produce Green
8. 大浪灣之友 Friends of Tai Long Wan
9. 香港生態旅遊學會 Hong Kong Ecotourism Society
10. 嘉道理農場暨植物園 Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden
11. 香港動植物公園 Zoological & Botanical Gardens
12. 自然足印 FootPrint
2011年11月7日 星期一
《道德經》的智慧
亞洲知識管理協會會長廖湘琨博士談成功領袖的行為準則
他從《道德經》第十五章中提出
古之善為士者，微妙玄通，深不可識。
夫唯不可識，故強為之客：
豫兮，若冬涉川；
猶兮，若畏四鄰；
儼兮，其若客；
渙兮，若冰之將釋；
敦兮，其若樸；
曠兮，其若谷；
渾兮，其若濁。
熟能濁以止，靜之徐清？
熟能安以見，動之徐生？
保此道者不欲盈，夫唯不盈，故能敝而新成。
在複雜的世界中，其實存在看一些簡單的規律。
老子用七種行為準則來描述一個成功的領袖：
一、 凡事謹慎 「豫兮，若涉大川。」
二、 深思熟慮 「猶兮，若畏四鄰
三、 恭敬莊重 「儼兮，其若客」
四、 溫和融洽 「渙兮，若冰之將釋」
五、 溫和自如 「渙兮，若冰之將釋」
六、 淳厚樸實 「敦兮，其若樸」
七、 豁達開朗 「曠兮，其若谷」
八、 渾厚深沉 「渾兮，其若濁」
老子特別提出兩個基本規律，作為領袖的思考方法：
1.「濁之以止，靜之徐清」 在混濁亂中平靜下來，使身心清靜如水；
2.「安之以久，動之徐生」 在要定祥和中長久守持，使心平氣和徐徐而生。
能夠按照這二條規律做事的領袖，就可以保持謙虛而不自滿，會不驕不躁，心明如鏡，到時機成熟時，再有條不紊地行動，能夠保持謙虛而不自滿，領袖才有很大上升空間，使自己能夠不斷更新發展。
所以，老子說：「保此道者，不欲盈。夫唯不盈，故能蔽而新成。」
他從《道德經》第十五章中提出
古之善為士者，微妙玄通，深不可識。
夫唯不可識，故強為之客：
豫兮，若冬涉川；
猶兮，若畏四鄰；
儼兮，其若客；
渙兮，若冰之將釋；
敦兮，其若樸；
曠兮，其若谷；
渾兮，其若濁。
熟能濁以止，靜之徐清？
熟能安以見，動之徐生？
保此道者不欲盈，夫唯不盈，故能敝而新成。
在複雜的世界中，其實存在看一些簡單的規律。
老子用七種行為準則來描述一個成功的領袖：
一、 凡事謹慎 「豫兮，若涉大川。」
二、 深思熟慮 「猶兮，若畏四鄰
三、 恭敬莊重 「儼兮，其若客」
四、 溫和融洽 「渙兮，若冰之將釋」
五、 溫和自如 「渙兮，若冰之將釋」
六、 淳厚樸實 「敦兮，其若樸」
七、 豁達開朗 「曠兮，其若谷」
八、 渾厚深沉 「渾兮，其若濁」
老子特別提出兩個基本規律，作為領袖的思考方法：
1.「濁之以止，靜之徐清」 在混濁亂中平靜下來，使身心清靜如水；
2.「安之以久，動之徐生」 在要定祥和中長久守持，使心平氣和徐徐而生。
能夠按照這二條規律做事的領袖，就可以保持謙虛而不自滿，會不驕不躁，心明如鏡，到時機成熟時，再有條不紊地行動，能夠保持謙虛而不自滿，領袖才有很大上升空間，使自己能夠不斷更新發展。
所以，老子說：「保此道者，不欲盈。夫唯不盈，故能蔽而新成。」
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