Peace be with you

On Dec 19 RHG Christmas’ dinner, Brother Peter's best description about our greeting to each other as "pandemonium" was so true. But we loved it. Although Photographer Peter was too busy himself to take any picture, I had this picture of our happiness ingrained in my mind. And I like to use the following Bible passage to describe how I feel and I hope you agree too. 

Mark 10:29-30 "I tell you the truth," Jesus replied, "no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields--and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life.

You are my brothers and sisters in this present age. And you have become part of my eternal hope too.

Thank you all and I love you.

albert

CBS-Monday Sharing Bloc on Genesis 22

The Monday Chinese Bible study group (CBS-Monday) has been studying Genesis 22, how Abraham was tested for His faith. The following are the members' personal favourite Bible verse in times of trials and temptations, to encourage and to strengthen each other's Faith in difficult times....

From Eva....

你 們 不 要 論 斷 人 、就 不 被 論 斷 ． 你 們 不 要 定 人 的 罪 、就 不 被 定 罪 ． 你 們 要 饒  恕
人 、 就 必 蒙 饒 恕 ．        (路6:37)

From Winnie....

這 相 信 的 女 子 是 有 福 的 ． 因 為 主 對 她 所 說 的 話 、 都 要 應 驗 。(路1:45)

From Roy....

你 們 要 稱 謝 耶 和 華 、 求 告 他 的 名 、 在 萬 民 中 傳 揚 他 的 作 為 。
要 向 他 唱 詩 歌 頌 、 談 論 他 一 切 奇 妙 的 作 為 。
要 以 他 的 聖 名 誇 耀 ． 尋 求 耶 和 華 的 人 、 心 中 應 當 歡 喜 。
要 尋 求 耶 和 華 與 他 的 能 力 、 時 常 尋 求 他 的 面 。(詩105:1-4)

From Rita....
          

		我 曾 耐 性 等 候 耶 和 華 ． 他 垂 聽 我 的 呼 求 。
		他 從 禍 坑 裡 、 從 淤 泥 中 、 把 我 拉 上 來 、 使 我 的 腳 立 在 磐 石 上 、 使 我 腳 步 穩 當 。 (詩40:1-2)

 

耶 和 華 阿 、 求 你 不 要 向 我 止 住 你 的 慈 悲 ． 願 你 的 慈 愛 和 誠 實 、 常 常 保 佑 我 。   (詩40:11)

From May
我 雖  行 過 死 蔭 的 幽 谷 、 也 不 怕 遭 害 ． 因  你 與 我 同 在.    詩23:24a 


From Francis
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.  Psalm 121:2
我的幫助從造天地的耶和華而來.   詩121:2
  Yet man is born to trouble as surely as sparks fly upward.
"But if it were I, I would appeal to God; I would lay my cause before him. He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted...."
Job 5:7-9
  人生在世必遇患難, 如同火星飛騰.  至於我, 我必仰望神, 把我的事情託付衪.
衪行大事不可測度, 行奇事不可勝數.   約伯記 5:7-9


From Celine...Psalm 55:22
"Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved."
(I like the key word  "sustain"; we must truly learn to let go of our burden and worries, then God will take them from us, give us strenghth and keep us from falling.)

Jeremiah 33:3
"Call to me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and hidden things which you have not known."
(If we need help, try adjusting our antennae and tune in to God's wave length. Believe me, it has worked for me during the crisis that I encountered  in Paris.)

Mark 11:24
"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."
(Notice the word "receive" is in present perfect tense) 

From Stella

Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

From Raymond and Karina

Raymon and I have each picked out our own favourite bible verses:

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

2 Corinthians 1:3-7 ( title: THE GOD OF ALL COMFORT)

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.

The above verses remind me running to the Father no matter what, He loves us and forgives us no matter what.

karina 

From Irene.... (whose birthday is 29/11)

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

- Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

因我自己知道我為你們所定的計劃，是使你們得平安，而不是遭受災禍的計劃；要賜給你們美好的前程和盼望。’這是耶和華的宣告。

- 耶利米書 29:11 (NCV)

From Albert....

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1:9

From Jane...

This is the very first Bible verse that I learnt to memorize in Sunday School at age three.  I had no idea that it is identical to Albert's, with the exception that I learnt it in Chinese back then.  I have applied it to many, many moments of needs, even as a young child.

"你當剛強壯膽!  不要懼怕, 也不要驚惶;  因為你無論往那裏去, 耶和華你的上帝必與你同在."

約書亞記 1:9

Let's share .....

"I think they should have looked into this a bit more and made more plans to deal with a bit of snow." 

A commuter expressed his feelings to Vancouver Sun; after the snow and ice build up causing Canada Line failure over the freezing cold weather the past few days.

 

The first thing that came into my mind was the parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25) awaiting the arrival of the groom; some ready with oil in their lamps and others caught by surprise.

 

How prepared are you for life's little/mega surprises?

How did you handle the last one?

Who did you seek help from?

What have you learnt from the experience?

 

Last but not least, how do we prepare ourselves for eternity?

How certain/ready are we about entry into God's Kingdom after our life on earth has come to an end?

 

by share-ware

News........ Good News?

1. "It's not always popular to do what you believe in your heart is right.", Gordon Campbell's resignation on Wednesday.
2. "Humbled Obama seeking common ground."
3. "Japan's leader appears either assertive or incompetent".

What comes to your mind as you read these headline news from Vancouver Sun on November 4, 2010.

How do they relate to your Christian thinking?
What Bible truth relates to similar teachings?
How can you and I apply this to our daily living?

please share....

little faith
 

Dear Abby,

Two days ago I gave this friend of mine, who is not very close to me, a belated birthday gift.  The reason behind this was the Bible verse I read that morning, "it is more blessed to give than to receive" which prompted me to make good our relationship, with the help of God.
 
I felt very happy that day when I gave her the gift; it was like a stone off my chest in the sense that I was able to confront this situation with the Lord, asking Him for forgiveness and wisdom to reach out in love.
 
My friend never responded to me about the gift, not that I expected anything from her.  Instead, she commented to another friend that it was not good of me to start the habit of giving gifts again.  Worst of all, when she found the printing of the Chinese word "Buddha" on the plastic bag which the gift was packaged in, she questioned my  Christian motives.  Little did she know the time I have spent in choosing and creating the card, the Bible verse book mark enclosed and the way it was packaged in love and sealed with a prayer.

"Why, why, tell me why..." was the song that ran through my mind, before I remembered that everything happens for a reason and there is a lesson to be learnt in all circumstances.

Can someone enlighten me?
What should I do?
How should I react?

by "nobody"

HOW DO YOU RESPOND?

As the Creator of the universe, what does God expect of the people (and you) He has made?
Is He satisfied if "I am doing my best" or "I am sincere and that is what counts?"?
How can I know God's expectations?
How can I measure up to them?


HOW DO YOU RESPOND?

(solution I John 5-6) 

by sharing buzz

感恩節 2010

- 籍著 Stella 的 e-mail, 透過 Albert 的指引, 學習到怎樣祈求智慧, 去面對困難.
- 經過 BSF 的教導, 認識到一個新的方法去更新一些"老"習慣, 求"厭惡"之心.
- 從 Loretta 口中, 得知 Herbert 決意信主大好的信息.
- 從 陳傳導講道中, 體會到痳瘋病人的感恩, 不單在乎言語上的表達, 更須要用行動去認同. (路17:11-19).
- 得悉 Mimi 再次投入主日學的事奉.
- 歡喜知道 Moniza 靈命上的堅立與長進.
- 眼見 Walter 忠心的事奉, 和 SMSL 年青人感恩節的表演分享.
- 回顧過去的日子, 十二年前衪主動的接觸我, 經歷過三次患病, 仍不斷的啟發和帶領我去確信衪偉大的救恩, 活出豐盛的生命.

感謝主!!!

"內中有一個(痳瘋病人)見自己已經好了, 就回來大聲歸榮耀與神, 又俯伏在耶穌腳前感謝衪."  (路十七15-16)

主內
靜宜

My utmost for His highest

Some years ago I was given the daily devotion My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers in the original version.  It sat on my book shelf for two whole years before I finally started reading it because I am never fond of the old style English that the book was written in.  After I finished one year's devotion, a special updated version written in modern day language became available on the market.  So I spent another year going though the same passages, learning and liking the messages behind the Bible verses all the more.  Finally last Christmas, I found at a Christian book store a more condensed version of the daily devotion in a calendar form.  So that have kept me going until now.

"How can I meditate on the very same Bible passages for three consecutive years and not be bored with it?" Ever so often, the thought does cross my mind. 
Perhaps that is how powerful God's Words are (like a two sided sword).  Perhaps the Holy Spirit is faithful in guiding me through different phrases of life, putting to good use the Bible Truths.

Today's passage is "Come to me..." from Matthew 11:28. 
Three years ago, I found comfort in Jesus' promise of rest for those who go to Him. 
The second year, I enjoyed Jesus' personal invitation to me, a nobody, but treated like His most precious. 
This morning, my eyes were caught in the second part of the same verse "...all you who are weary and burdened..."

I was puzzled to the fact that if I am tired and carrying a big burden, where do I find strength to go anywhere, let alone to the Lord?
Is the Lord asking too much of me at a time like this?  What is the real solution behind His Words? 
It took me some time before I finally resolved that I was actually asked to drop everything, my burden and problems, and go to Him empty handed.
It then became clear to me that until I have done my share of letting go, there is no room for Christ' help in my situation.

Then I glanced over the title of this book, My Utmost for His Highest.  Along the same line of thinking, until I have surrendered to Him my Utmost, whether it is a life style, a habit, a way of thinking, feelings towards others, excuses for actions, greed or priority to matters, I will never see "His highest".

"The amazing thing to me is that at every stage of my life these daily devotionals have been appropriate to what I was going through."  Commented Amy Grant

Praise the Lord....
for not only giving us His son Jesus for our Salvation, but also His Words and the Holy Spirit,
to guide and teach us all the days of our lives!!

In Him,
jane

Cobweb

Three days ago I discovered this cobweb strung between the right hand front mirror of my car and the side door. Taking a closer look, I was fascinated by its fine, delicate and detailed architecture. For some reason beyond my "limited" common sense, I decided that the wind force at driving speed will be enough to cause its destruction. When I checked again the very next morning, I was surprised to find the cobweb totally intact. And on the following morning, I found the cobweb in the exact same condition.

Yesterday afternoon, as my passenger friend was stepping into my car, he too noticed the cobweb. Without any hesitation or uttering a word, he swiftly swiped away the cobweb with one hand, leaving no trace that it had ever been there.

My thoughts lingered all day about this simple episode, hinged on the magnificence of God's Creation. What was the point of existence of a "seemingly" fragile master piece that possessed strength enough to withstand the wind, yet collapsed so easily in human hands? Undoubtedly, I am also aware of the fact that the spider will never give up his ability to rebuild another web, probably within a very short time frame.

Later on, I was captured by the reading,

God has a plan that is unfolding and each of us has a role to play.
Do you know what your role is?
Have you ever asked God to reveal to you His purpose for your life?

Remembering Paul and the early apostles,
"Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the Will of God.." (I Cor 1:1)
"To the church of God..... those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy together ...." (I Cor 1:2)

I found myself relating to the cobweb with prayers of thanksgiving, pleading the Almighty to reveal the purpose of my life, in accordance to His Will.

by "Spider person"

Changes

Rick Warren's daily devotion for today is titled "Four hearing aids for God's Words". 
Based on "....... Humbly accept the Word planted in you." (James 1:21), the four elements were:
 1. Be careful.
2. Be calm.
3. Be clean.
4. Be compliant.
 However, what hit home for me was the one simple comment "How willing are you to be changed?", even after we have received God's Words.
So often after we heard touching testimonies and motivating sermons, read inspiring devotions and prompted by Bible verses; if there is no desire in us to change or to be "transformed", we are still stagnant in our Spiritual growth.  There is no life in us!  Just the "old" self year after year.
 Why are we resistant to changes?  I guess sometimes it requires a leap of Faith beyond our comfort zone.  Other times might be our pride getting in the way of our submissiveness.  Worst of all is my thinking that it is the other party that needs to be changed and not me.

 "My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love.... in order that they may know..... Christ."  (Col 2:2)
Paul's purpose driven life's calling is to change the world with the message of Salvation in Christ.
 Paul then challenged us to change and be transformed,
"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him,
 rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the Faith as you were taught
  and overflowing with thankfulness."       (Col 2:6)
 What have I learnt lately from God's Words?  How is that making a difference in my life?  How have I grew to the likeness of Christ?
How willing am I to be changed to His liking?
Would you like to share?


by "A piece of puzzle"
 

I stumbled....

As I was working away on my BSF homework, I stumbled .........
over one paragraph of the notes:

There are some strategic moments in the lives of leaders and nations in which the decisions they make cast a long shadow over the future of that leader, nation, and people in that realm.


And the following challenge question:

"When we are faced with making choices, will we believe what God says even if it means changing what we have previously thought?"

What is your answer? How do you normally base your choices and decisions on?

Jesus took the twelve aside and told them, "We are going up to Jerusalem......" (Luke 18:31)

Looks like God's Plan, God's Will is only disclosed to those who follow Him closely.
This led me to ask myself..... how close am I to our Lord and Saviour?
When the Lord is ready to disclose His Will to me, how receptive am I?

How should I pray for myself and others to draw closer to Christ and to be more sensitive to His commands?


jane

A story about Stewardship that I come across reading today

I come across this little story and wish to share it ........

There is a story about a man crawling across the desert and he comes to a rusty old pump with a little glass jug of water with a lid on it and a piece of leather parchment. He grabs the jar of water and just before he drinks it, he reads the parchment which says, “Stop! Don’t drink this. Use the water in the jar to wet the leather gasket on the pump. Then you can pump as much water as you like for drinking. Then fill the jar up and leave it with this note for the next traveler.

I think this is a good illustration on the instant gratification verses following and wise use of our gifts for greater reward. What do you think?  Any comments? 

Sharing Bug

First Day of School

After some four months of summer vacation, I actually found myself looking forward to another year of BSF (Bible Study Fellowship).  Despite all the time commitment, the daily discipline of homework, the sharing and fellowship among new friends in class, it was such joy when I arrived at the church

I See .....I SAW...."I See"

 At a bus stop, I SAW ....a well dressed young gentleman seated in a wheelchair, engaged in conversation with an elderly lady while waiting for the bus.  In the beginning, when I first saw this "odd" couple, I cannot help but felt sorry for the young man, handicapped at such a young age.  At the same time, I pitied the elderly lady taking the bus on her own, unattended.  However, as I drew closer, I noticed the young man's face beaming with sunshine, gesturing with his hands to express himself in an exciting conversation.  On the other hand, the old lady was listening ever so attentively

失羊的比喻 (路15:1-7)

對一般的基督徒來說, 這迷羊的比喻一定不會陌生.  可是星期天的崇拜中, 神藉著梁尚財傳道口中, 竟然帶出一些與眾不同非凡的信息; 加增了我對這個比喻的理解和體驗.  願意嘗試用我微不足道的文字, 與大家一同分享:

1.         試問誰是那第一百隻迷失的羊?

當代的法利賽人和文士曾經指控”稅利和罪人”(路15:2)

現代的基督徒馬上會聯想到一些未信的朋友, 那些迷失方向或離開教會的弟兄姊妹.

想不到梁傳道提醒我們, 當我們在日常生活中犯錯的時候,

祇 有 祝 福

感恩午餐之後，腦海中所想的是零零碎碎的片段，十年了，讓我也套用那
耳熟能詳的一句話，”人生有幾多個十年呢？”

還記得那天第一次到這禮拜堂聚會，我們帶著兩個小孩坐在後排的座位，
簫公子轉個身來高興地見到有新來的朋友，

善要親近

Dear Bernie and Celine,

 

Thank you so much for the sharing and discussion last night on Romans 12:9C ...."善要親近".

 

You brought to our attention our need to "choose" what is good and the focus on being closer to God in order to learn from His goodness.

In His Time.....

- Moses took 40 years to lead the Israelites across the wilderness, so that all the rebellious generation have passed away without entry to the promised land.
- Jesus allowed Lazarus to be "dead" and buried in the tomb for four days before raising him to life.  (John 11:17)
- Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abram in his old age,

Consequently.......

 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens,
but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household,”     (Ephesians 2:19)

For those of us checking the RHG web page faithfully each day will notice this Bible verse posted on line for Aug 30.
It is a wonderful verse telling us of our divine status after we have received Christ as Lord and our personal Saviour.

In complete reverse, I read the same morning ....
But unless you repent, you too will all perish.  (Luke 13:3, 13:5)
 
Did you notice that this passage was repeated twice in Luke 13, just two verses apart?
That this negative command is so simple, yet so direct?
The consequences of non-repentance is hell, eternal separation from God...
The consequences of repentance is entry into the heavenly Kingdom of God...

Can you think of friends or family members who have not accepted Christ yet?
Wait no longer.... start praying for them today....
Surrender them to the Lord by name and pray that He will work.

Just Remember...
There is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.   (Luke 15:10)

by little faith

My dream Church

I am so impressed with the fellowship I experienced at the Mayne Island that I thought I should share the following.

Although the weather might not cooperate at times, everyone is in a high spirit.  I feel the closeness in spite of the fact that we are a group of people who are attending different Churches.  Looking back, I did not think that is an issue until Ping brought it up at the sharing and ask everyone what their vision of the dream Church would be.

Thanks for all the sharings....

Thanks for all the sharings.
I'm not good with words.
This is my sharing..... a hymn from last week's Sunday worship, and my prayer for everyday this week.

May the mind of Christ my Saviour live in me from day to day,
by His love and power controlling all I do and say.

May the word of God dwell richly in my heart from hour to hour
so that all may see I triumph only through His power.

May the peace of God my Father rule my life in everything,
that I may be calm to comfort the sick and sorrowing.

May the love of Jesus fill me as the waters fill the sea;
him exalting, self abasing, this is victory.

May I run the race before me strong and brave to face the foe,
looking only unto Jesus as I onward go.

by me

My "Mayne" Experience

1. Be Still, and know that I am God.  (Psalm 46:10)  ...... Ping On's e-mail before Mayne

2. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him (to act).  Psalm 37:7..... from a book mark while packing

3. "Be s-t-i-l-l and know.... that I am God"..... Florence' reminder of this favourite song at Mayne.

4. Quiet! Be still!  Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. Mark 4:39 ..... my intended sharing last day of Mayne

5. The theology of resting in God .... my devotion headline this morning

When did you last experience "Be still"?  What was the outcome?

jane

WHAT A DREAM COME TRUE

We didn’t know working together could be this much fun. At our recent Bible study class we have been talking about the differences between happiness and joyfulness.  We discovered both on our trip to Mayne Island.

We were assigned to help out with the cleaning at each meal; however, everyone was more than willing to pull up their sleeves to do the dishes. As usual, Brother Raymond always hogged every opportunity to clean and wash, as well as, becoming our vegeatable chef. Brother Alex enjoyed cleaning so much, he offered to do it twice. To top it off, we enjoyed all the scrumptious meals prepared by Chef Stella and Sous Chef Peter. What a sight that everyone was working together in harmony. Just like what Philippians 2:2 said “fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.”

The rest of the trip was also highlighted with: singing of hymns without the piano; the sharing of God’s Words every night in a dream like stage; and the constant detours on joy rides around the island because of the broken down GPS were many happy and joyous examples too numerous to mention.

Yes, happiness and joyfulness can happen at the same time.

From a happy camper

Email from my son

The following is an email my son send to my family and he says......Hey guys, read this, it only takes 2 min. some of you might have questions about Christianity, some of you might have questions for God for your plans and sufferings. but this made so much sense.  good luck!

You will enjoy the new insights that Rick Warren has, with his wife now having cancer and him having 'wealth' from the book sales. 

This is an absolutely incredible short interview with Rick Warren, 'Purpose Driven Life ' author and pastor of Saddleback Church in California . 

In the interview by Paul Bradshaw with Rick Warren, Rick said:

People ask me, What is the purpose of life? 

Chit-chat

Recently I have a Chit-chat with my HK friend , she is a christain and mention something that I would like to share with .  There was a sermon talking about a wholehearted living ,  we need 4 criteria to llive life to the fullest, they are :

1)   physical health
2)   emotional health
3)   mental clarity
4)   serving a meaning beyond self = spirituality

Do you agree with that ? Do we have all the above or none of the above ? Please share...........

Yam Yam

"Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go ahead of him." John 6:45

When I was reading through this "familiar" and rather simple passage a few days ago, questions that came across my mind included:

1. Why would Jesus "made his disciples" do anything ? Is it to the best of His own interest or that of the disciples?

2. How did Jesus achieve this? Did He simply commanded? Encouraged? Challenged? Or taught?

3. Why were the disciples to go ahead of Jesus? Is this a test of Faith or the natural consequences of submission?

4. Was there a time in my life that Jesus tried to "make" me do certain things and how was my attitude or response?

5. What lesson did I learn from the passage?

May I learn from your answers (comments on line) ... before I share mine at a later date?

by ?????

How old are you spiritually?


Are you a new born… newly accepted Christ?
Are you a toddler… learning to walk (with Christ) while hanging on to support?
Are you a youth… beaming with energy to serve and learn?
Are you an adult… accepting responsibilities and actively sharing the Gospel?
Are you a senior… sharing your experiences (in Christ) and mentoring?
When was the last time you charted your growth spiritually?
Have you grown through the ages or have you become a “bearded” baby (Rev Lin’s famous joke)?

How accountable are we on judgment day?

The Lord is Gracious!
He reveals His Will to us (5 CS in Alpha) while teaching us special ways to grow:

1. Commanding Scripture …. A discipline in reading.
2. Compelling Spirit …. A training in listening.
3. Common Sense … An exercise in thinking.
4. Counsel of Saints … Art of talking.
5. Circumstantial Signs … An experience of waiting and observing.

May we never stop to grow in His love and saving grace!!
By “Fetus” 

Trigger Finger
 Ever since Monday night, I have been suffering from a trigger finger on my left hand middle finger.  This was not the first for me, rather something that I have learnt to cope with since its first occurrence three years ago.  Usually with a little tolerance and massage in warm water, I always managed to straighten "it" out within an hour.  However, I have waited .....and waited .....and waited since Monday night but the condition only worsened.  Even after I consulted my family doctor on Wednesday morning, awaiting an appointment with the specialist, there was absolutely no sign of recovery.  Apart from the tolerable pain level, there was great inconvenience with driving, washing dishes, weight lifting exercises, e-mailing, playing piano; and carrying groceries or putting up my hair.  For the very first time in my life, I marvelled at God's creation of middle fingers.

SUDOKU

Ever since my friend introduced me to the game of Sudoku, I look forward every morning to the Vancouver Sun to cut out the game (with solutions) for my daily "brain" exercise.  For those of you familiar to this "addiction" of mine in the newspaper, they would know the level of difficulties begin with one star (on Monday) and progresses to five stars on Fridays.  Normally I would give up very easily on Fridays after a few trials, excusing myself to the level of  difficulty beyond my capabilities.  However, for the past few weeks, I attempted the Thursday and Friday Sudokus and discovered to my amazement that level V is not really that difficult as they claimed.  Rather, I have found them easier than level II and III!  How that is possible is really beyond me.  Are they playing a game of psychology so that we are intimidated before we began?  Are they planning on our "presumptions" to make it more difficult than it seems?  Is everything (perceived) in the eyes of the beholder, just like beauty?

Dear Rebecca,

每 次見到你, 提及 SMSL 的近況時, 總是看到妳滿面愁容, 長嘆"可惜".  不錯, 我們這一群主內弟兄姊妹, 在過去的十多年, 共同成長, 共同事奉;  籍著主的愛裏建立情如手足的密切關係.  現在一旦因環境造成, 被逼各散東西, 抱著"無奈"的心情離去, 確是令人傷痛.  我亦曾經求問神的旨意, 為什麼要帶領我們走這一段路?  衪沒有給我正面的答覆, 只有片段的回應, 例如:

1. 天下無不散的筵席, 正如傳道書所云...."拆毀有時, 建造有時." ..."栽種有時, 拔出所栽種的也有時.".
2. 耶穌曾問, "你愛我比這些更深嗎?".  如果我們真心誠意的愛衪, 一定不會介意離開自己的 comfort zone 往普天下去傳福音.
3. "倘若可行, 求你叫這杯離開我; 然而, 不要照我的意思, 只要照你的意思."  (太26:39)... 耶穌的榜樣.
4. "衪就設立十二個人, 要他們常和自己同在, 也要差他們去傳道."  (可3:14)... 使徒的職責.

Offerings

Growing up in a Christian family, my limited understanding of offerings included:

A. Teachings from the O.T.:

     "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house."  Malachi 3:10.

B. Teachings from the N.T.:

    - "All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had to live on." Luke 21:4

    - "Then give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."  Luke 20:25

    - "Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful 

        giver."  2Cor 9:7

叉住條腰

When I was golfing last week with 2 friends, there was a group of 3 behind us - 1 guy and 2 ladies. This guy was constantly 叉住條腰 and staring at us because he must have thought that we were playing too slow. So for the next few hours he was 叉住條腰 and staring at us. There is a rule in golf that as long as you keep up with the group in front, you are fine and the course marshal will not chase after you. We were keeping up the pace and we were really not that slow. This went on throughout the whole golf game.

"After Job had prayed for his friends,
the Lord made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before."   (Job 42:10)

How many of you noticed this Bible verse while reading through the suffering of Job?
Does it not sound like a wonderful deal?  An easy way to receive blessings from above? 
Is our Lord's reward system to his human creation too worldly? 
Is Albert's famous quotation of 市儈 in line with this Bible teaching?

"Do you truly love me more than these?"  (John 21:15)

Imagine Jesus asking you the very same question, what would your answer be?  Would it be different from 5 years ago?  20 years ago?

This answer has never been easy for me.  Before I truly accepted Christ, I think my answer was:
- to give up sleeping in on Sundays to attend church.
- to find time to study His words daily.
- to serve in church.
- to bring my children up according to Bible teachings.
- to ensure my spouse is baptized before marriage.

“在指望中要喜樂”  (羅12:12a)


指望:

1. 信就是所望之事的實底, 是未見之事的確據.  (希11:1)
2. 如今常存的, 有信, 有望, 有愛; 這三樣, 其中最大的是愛. (林前13:13)
3. 他(亞伯拉罕)在無可指望的時候, 因信仍有指望. (羅4:18)
4. 忍耐生老練, 老練生盼望, 盼望不至於羞恥. (羅5:4-5)
5. 也要堅守我們所承認的指望. (希10:23)

Creation of Adam Within the Sistine Chapel Ceiling

Michelangelo delicately expressed the marvellous unity of body and spirit in the figure of Adam in Creation of Adam (1508-12), a striking and incomparable vision of God's omnipotence and the godly potential of humans.

Many years ago, when I first set foot in the Sistine Chapel and saw this famous painting of Michelangelo, a Bible verse registered in my mind from Matthew 11:28:
 "Come to me ...."
 In the past two weeks, I came across two passages that seemed to relate very closely to this same message:
 - In order to get to the pain or hurt in life, you either take the pain to Jesus or take Jesus to your pain.  (How People Grow by Dr Henry Cloud & Dr John Townsend).
 - Personal Contact with Jesus changes everything. (My Utmost for His Highest daily devotion by Oswald Chambers).
 When our Lord and Creator reaches out to our worries and troubles with open arms, all that is required of us is to make contact to find the promised "rest".  Try it, it is fail proof.
 by Nonsense


Creation of Adam beautifully depicts the unity
between the body and soul. This painting
(ceiling 130 feet 6 inches x 43 feet 5 inches)
by Michelangelo is in the Sistine Chapel.

我必成就

正如約10:10, 羅12:12 (RHG 分享), 林前13:13, 約14:14 也排列在我喜歡的經文中.  主要原因是它的章節比較容易記憶, 對一把年紀而善忘的我, 印象深刻一點.  今天早上, 當我重溫約14:14 的時侯, 發覺上一節的經文非常相似, 卻亦有不同的地方.  願與各位分享....

約14:13 你 們 奉 我 的 名 、無 論 求 甚 麼 、我 必 成就, (叫 父 因 兒 子 得 榮 耀) 。
   

約14:14 你 們 若 奉 我 的 名 求 甚 麼 、 我 必 成 就 。

表面看來, 這兩段經文完全一樣, 分別只在"無論" 和"若".  當我們相信神的話語一點一畫都不可廢去的時侯, 這兩節似是重複卻是不同的經文, 莫非關建在乎:

1. 無論- 我祈求的內容, 若是能夠榮神益人, 衪必親自成就.
2. 若- 假若我們願意去祈求, 不是白白等侯, 衪必親自成就.

不知你的看法又如何? 你心中的禱告是否奉主而求? 你有沒有信心去求? 有沒有確信衪為你成就?

抹茶

Peter Chapman sermon on April 18

Peter and Paul
Acts 9: 1-19 and John 21:1-19
April 18, 2010

Could there be two more different personalities than St. Peter and St. Paul. It is worth considering who they were, along with James, the brother of Jesus, because these three men were central figures in the establishment and growth of the early church.

Psalm 25


Reading through Psalm 25 this week, I noticed the exact same Chinese phrase repeated four times in the short 22 verses of this chapter.  The different English translations of that phrase are "Shows" (vv4), "Instructs" (vv8), "Instruct" (vv12) and "Make known" (vv14).  As most of us remember from Alpha, God leads and guides through the 5C's (Circumstantial Signs, Commanding Striptures, Common Sense, Compelling Spirit and Communion of Saints). This chapter focuses not on HOW but on WHO God leads.  The Lord shows, instructs and make known His ways to:

AVATAR

“Avatar” has become the most commercially successful movie ever. While millions marvel at its technological achievement, I particularly appreciate its plot of which multiple messages and analogies can be drawn and derived from.

The movie carries a clear environmental message. While some may consider the movie a knock on Imperialism, I see a lot of parallel in Christianity.
An avatar is a genetically engineered hybrid body of a human and a Navi, the indigenous being on the planet Pandora.  Director Cameron said, “Navii represent something that are our higher selves, the better beings that we would like to think we are.”
Strangely enough, whenever we step into a Christian milieu such as a church or a Christian gathering; we, consciously and subconsciously, conduct ourselves accordingly as if we have landed onto an ecclesiastic Pandora donning our individual Christian avatars.

In my younger and more cynical days I had a simplistic and one dimensional term for this complex phenomenon, I called it “Hypocrisy”. As I grow older, I have come to appreciate the complexity of human nature, and God’s perpetual Grace in transforming us into better beings even as we knowingly, or unknowingly, struggle to maintain some form of equilibrium between these “earthly” and “Christian” forms. As our yearning for spiritual fulfilment is growing stronger by the moment, we still frequently revert back to our customary way of handling things during trying times.
In N.T. Romans7:21-24, St. Paul put this phenomenon into perspective:
“...when I want to do what is good, what is evil is the only choice I have. My inner being delights at the law of God, but I see a different law at work in my body – a law that fights against the law which my mind approves of. It makes me a prisoner to the law of sin which is at work in my body. What an unhappy man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is taking me to death?” (Today’s English Version)
He answered his own question in the next sentence: “Thanks be to God, who does this through our Lord Jesus Christ!”
 
In the movie “Avatar”, as our hero Jake Sully (played by Sam Worthington) initially connected neurologically with his avatar, he was darting back and forth between his human and Navi forms. He had an ulterior motive when he began to cultivate his life on Pandora. He shaped and behaved like a Navi because of his avatar form, but he still carried an earthling perspective. He was overwhelmed by the knowledge gained but failed to digest properly, amazed at all the wonderments but unable to understand much.

Through trial and tribulation, Sam eventually transformed into a true Navi when he gave up his handicapped human form, but not before he let go of his earthling perspective to truly think and feel like a Navi. Consequently, he was connected, in body and in soul, with the spiritual force of Pandora.

How far are we into our development with our avatar in the Spiritual Pandora?
   
How much of a Christian we are in connecting with our Lord?

Raymond Li

Life little lessons – 13

Thinking about the meaning of  “CROSS” in Lent

“C”  Christ died for our sins on the cross.

“R”  Redeemed us by His blood.

“O”  Offered us “new life” to those believed in Him.

“S”  Set us apart as one of His own.

“S”  Sanctify us as we journey home.

                        Walter

Life little lessons – 12

Attitude affects everything we do.  Attitude can impact the organization we work, the church we serve, and the country we live in.  Our attitude can have positive or negative influence on people around us.  Positive attitude brightens people around you and brings forth joy and laughter.  Negative attitude promotes stress, sadness and hinders progress.  It also destroys relationship.  Right attitude changes people’s life, energizes workplace, strengthens family, builds up church, and opens our mind to God.  Wrong attitude leads to self pity and dampens our enjoyment of life.  Therefore, it is wise to maintain a positive attitude at all time.

                        Charles Swindoll, a famous preacher, shared his view on “attitude” as follows:

“The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.

Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. It will make or break a company ... a church ... a home.

The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past. We cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable.

The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude ... I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me, and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you ... we are in charge of our Attitudes.”

In the “Sermon on the Mount”, also known as “Beatitude”, Jesus taught us the way to gain true happiness is to adopt a new attitude on life.

Blessed are the poor in spirit,
      for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
      for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
      for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
      for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
      for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
      for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
      for they will be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
      for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 

                                                                                                 Matthew 5:3-10

                       May we all adopt a positive attitude on life and let our life be a powerful witness for Christ.

Choices submitted by Jane

 

Life is all about choices. 

 

From the moment we wake up every morning, we choose when to jump out of bed, what to have for breakfast, when to leave the house, which route to drive, when to stop for the lights and so on ..... 

We  have a choice of words, to greet or to complain, to sympathize or to gossip, to dictate or to encourage.  A choice of attitude.... towards others, towards our Father in Heaven and towards the work of the Holy Spirit. 

 

Every time I read about the last supper, it never failed to impress upon me the choices that Judas made (to betray Jesus) compared to Jesus' (your Will be done and not mine).

 

Indeed, God gave us the freedom of choice, way back in days of creation of Adam and Eve.

 

However, take heart in the saying that:

 

"We are free to choose .....

        but NOT free to choose the consequences of our choices."

 

There are "natural" consequences, God intended consequences (discipline included), which all point towards God's Will in our life, with or without our recognition of it. 

 

How open am I to God's calling when I make decisions (important or trivial) in my daily life?

How submissive am I to the work of the Holy Spirit in everything that I do?

How accountable am I, especially on Judgement day? 

 

 

Jeremiah 29:11 

 

^" For I know the plans I have for you, " declares the LORD,
"plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
 

 

 May the Lord grant us wisdom to follow His Way in making the "right" decision at this crossroad of our church life.

 

 

"decisions/decisions"

並求別人喜悅以度此歲。

Quotable Quotes from Walter

讓我愛而不受感戴，
讓我事奉而不受賞賜；
讓我盡力而不被人記，
讓我受苦而不被人睹。


只知傾酒，不知飲酒；
只想擘餅，不想留餅。
倒出生命來使人得幸福，
捨棄安寧而使人得舒服。


不受體恤，不受眷顧，
不受推崇，不受安撫；


寧可淒涼，寧可孤苦，
寧可無告，寧可被負。


願意以血淚 作為冠冕的代價，
願意受虧損 來度旅客的生涯。


因為當你活在這裏時，
你也是如此過日子，
欣然忍受一切的損失
好使近你的人得安適。


我今不知前途究有多遠，
這條道路一去就不再復原；
所以，讓我學習你那樣的完全，
時常被人辜負心不生怨。


求你在這慘淡時期之內，
擦乾我一切暗中的眼淚；
學習知道你是我的安慰， 
並求別人喜悅以度此歲。