心有千千結

                  很不容易才天亮，睡得不好，腦中想著很多的事，不能入睡，抑或是睡不著就不斷的想起許多的事，我也攪不清了！

                   想起小伊的故事( Raymond Li 的分享)，情結？情意結？難道這就是情意結，一些一直影響著我們生命而不自知的東西，左右著我們對生活中的每一個決定，每一個細節，毎一個對發生在我們生命中的事的反應，那份執著的背後，就是那情意結的驅使？對心理學一竅不通的我，也啟發了點點興趣！

                  也許本是雞毛蒜皮不值一題的小事，小魔鬼也能利用那似是而非的道理，混和著那隨伴著我們一起長大的情意結，小事變大，大事變得更大，以至引發用暴力去傷害、殘殺他人，甚至毀滅自己，為了令他人內疚一生？為了洩一口氣？不值呀！

                  聽者心酸，聞者落淚，神啊！你在那裡？你能俺面不看嗎？

                  我們每個人背後也有一個個的故事，惰意結？？何止一個，是一個接著一個，我們無法去改寫過去了的故事，然而如何將這個故事延續下去，就決定在於選擇權仍在我們手裡的時候，如何去決擇取捨。事實上，很多時我們處事的態度是可以一笑置之的，用不着那麼執著緊張！退一步真的可以海闊天空呀！

                解鈴還需繫鈴人，縱使主耶穌你曾應許，凡勞苦擔重擔的可以到你那裡來，你就使他們享安息，我們也得願意來到主的跟前，讓主耶穌將我們心中的千千結一個一個的解開，化為蝴蝶結那樣輕盈飄逸，心意結那樣美麗有意思！他明白我們的處境，他知道我們難受，就讓我們快要踏入新的一年的時候，彼此勉勵提醍，我們生命餘下的故事由主耶穌去寫，主耶穌不單止能修補我們心靈的傷痛，更能賜予我們一個新的開始，因為舊事已過，一切都變成新的了！

                  但願新的一年，隨伴我們餘下生命的都是一個個充滿愛心的心意結，美麗，飄逸！每天都是輕輕鬆鬆，平安喜樂的渡過！

獻上無限的祝福！

若詩

小伊的情結 Icarus’ Complex

從檀香山乘飛機回溫哥華需要差不多五個小時。航機在夜幕低垂下跨越太平洋, 初秋的倦陽還未甦醒, 人已經抵達YVR 機場。

在歸途中看膩了小說, 偶然放眼窗外, 仰望無際的穹蒼, 始覺察到漆黑的夜空原來點綴著數不盡的晶瑩星宿, 以不同的光度作不規則的閃爍。俯望下面是連綿雲海, 在月華映照下散透出暈暈銀光, 令我這個鬧市凡夫看呆了眼。

根據機艙電視瑩光幕上顯示的航程資料, 飛機正在 35,000呎高空以每小時490 哩的時速飛行, 而機艙外面的氣溫是華氏 -50度 (攝氏 -45.5 度)。

一個人居然可以在這種高速和惡劣的氣溫下在高空安然坐賞夜色, 想起來真是難以置信。 這是科學的成就。 自古以來人類不斷在憧憬要衝上雲霄, 要飛得比班頭雁 (bar-headed goose) 還高, 比信天翁 (albatross) 還遠, 比游隼 (peregrine falcon)更快。 中外的神話都有人飛上天的故事。

希臘傳說中有一位出色的雅典工匠代達羅斯 (Daedalus), 因為開罪了米諾斯王 (King Minos), 連累兒子小伊 (伊卡洛斯 Icarus) 一同被軟禁在克里特島 (Crete) 的迷宮內。 小伊年少氣盛, 血氣方剛, 不過為了自身和父親的安全, 雖然無辜受罰, 仍要將一腔怒火抑壓強忍, 不能在監視他們的人面前披露半點。後來伊父暗暗用臘和羽毛做了兩雙翅膀, 用來和兒子逃出生天。他把兒子帶到迷宮的最高點, 臨跳下前千叮萬囑, 叫兒子緊隨他飛行的方向, 切不可飛近太陽。

小伊稍作猶疑, 就跟著父親振翅凌空跳下。 孔武有力的他, 只須拍動三數下翅膀, 人已經向前滑翔上升, 轉瞬間將囚禁他多年的迷宮拋得老遠。小伊驚喜交集, 身體內的腎上腺素劇增, 飽和了每一個細胞。 眼前碧海藍天, 清風撲面, 自由在握, 身體心靈不再受任何禁制, 多年積壓著的冤屈恨怨, 都一併爆發了出來, 轉化成為一股一發不可收拾的蠻橫力勁。小伊仰天長嘯, 猛力拍動雙翼往上衝, 將父親的忠告完全置之腦後, 直至翅膀上的臘因太陽的熱力開始溶化才驚覺, 可惜為時已晚, 猝然從高空墮入海中, 落得個粉身碎骨。

人手製做的羽翼可以飛上天當然是古遠的神話, 不過小伊的心態我們倒可以領會。 那一股錯綜複雜, 介乎自覺與不自覺之間, 由受創傷的記憶或有衝突性的知覺醞釀而成的理念, 分析心理學稱之為「情結」(Complex) 。兩位心理學宗師弗洛伊德 (Sigmund Freud) 和榮格 (Carl Jung) 對情結的見解並不一致, 不過我較為接受榮格的解釋。由於人類的內心世界 (精神, psyche) 架構複雜微妙, 心理上醞釀出情結並非是一種不尋常的情況。 情結可能會縈繞著一個人的思維, 令人感到心煩意燥; 情結每每又會在不知不覺之間 轉化成為一股力量, 驅策著一個人的行徑, 意願, 夢境甚至幻想, 所以負面的情結會為人帶來痛苦及危機。 情結有多種的類別, 如果大家對這方面有興趣, 可以翻查以下列出的參考資料。

寫到這裡, 我就想起聖保羅在羅馬書第七章提到那操縱人心的「罪的律」(羅7：23)。他提到自已的掙扎〝因為我所作的, 我自已不明白, 我所願意的, 我並不作, 我所恨惡的, 我倒去作…(羅7：14) 〞, 與及良知和情欲的交戰 (羅 7：18 – 24) 。 因為保羅以第一身, 現在式寫這一段書信, 有些聖經學家以衛道觀點出來為保羅的人格作辯證。 我只覺得保羅這三言兩語, 已經顯示出他對人性有深入的了解; 我特別欣賞他的「真」和「懇」, 覺得很值得我們去學效。

其實無論是善與惡的抗衡, 或是自覺與不自覺的掙扎, 我們的內心時刻都處於一個不能靜止的狀態。耶穌基督說：〝凡勞苦擔重擔的人, 可以到我這裡來, 我就使你們得安息 (…I will give you rest 太11：28 ) 〞 。 耶穌基督跟著解釋說：〝我心裡柔和謙卑, 你們當負我的軛 (yoke), 學我的樣式, 這樣, 你們的心裡就必得享安息 (…you will find rest for your souls 太 11：29), 因為我的軛是容易的, 我的擔子是輕省的 (太11:30)〞。

軛是套在牲口頸肩上的曲木, 讓牠可以拉動擔子, 亦有將兩隻牲口用一個軛並肩套在一起的。軛在神學上有委身, 服從, 負重擔, 甚至結連 (哥後6:14) 等意義。而希伯來語〝負某人的軛〞(take someone’s yoke on) 是含有去跟隨某人做門徒的意思。馬太福音記載耶穌多番斥責法利賽入假冒為善, 言行不一, 有神學家認耶穌這幾句話 (太11：28 – 30) 一方面是勸導眾人學祂柔和謙卑, 好讓心靈得到安歇；但絃外之音, 耶穌是要眾人提防法利賽人, 因為〝他們把難擔的重擔, 捆起來擱在人的肩上, 但自已一個指頭也不肯動 (太23：4) 。

原來學負耶穌基督的軛是可以令煩擾的心境寧靜下來, 可以駕馭, 甚至紓解, 那複雜的情結。 耶穌沒有應許只要我們將所有的爛攤子擺在祂的跟前, 祂就會為我們一一解決。當然祂可以, 那就要看是否合乎祂的旨意。其實耶穌當日己經邀請我們去作祂的門徒, 去委身, 去服從, 與祂並肩背負擔子。路還得要走, 不過再不是孤身上路, 有祂扶上一把, 就是更難受的困擾我們亦有膽去面對。負耶穌基督的軛, 我們就可以從苦痛中去領略出喜樂, 從軟弱中去重振堅強; 不但可以擺脫情結的驅策, 反而可以將那股驅策我們的力量轉化過來為主作工。

祝各位聖誕快樂, 主恩常偕。
Raymond Li, 04/12/2012


REFERENCES (參考資料)

• Bibleseo

• Bible Search

• Parable of Yoke, CULTWATCH

• Articledashboard.com

• Richard Reeves’ pockets

• Jungian Analysis New York Complex

• Analyticalpsychology.wordpress.com (types of psychological complexes)

• Fonda’s Jung Notes

• Wikipedia

• Analytical Psychology

• 維基百科

The "NorthRidg​e is for Liars" campaign

How do you feel about being part of a church that is full of liars and hypocrites?Would you feel awfully uncomfortable being lied to left, right, and centre constantly? Came across this of late. Wonder what you think?

The "NorthRidge is for Liars" campaign Southeast Michigan Church Stirs Controversy with Self-Incriminating Ad CampaignCampaign raises question: Can a church open to imperfect people attract members?


NorthRidge Church is raising questions and eyebrows throughout southeast Michigan with an outdoor advertising campaign launched last month. The campaign, titled "NorthRidge is For Liars," features billboards and transit ads that make bold statements about the openness of the church to people who aren't perfect. The ads direct people to beliefbeyond.com where visitors can get the story behind the controversial statements and the church.

"We've heard from people who've said they couldn't be part of a church that is full of liars, losers and hypocrites," said NorthRidge Senior Pastor Brad Powell, referring to the statements made in the series of three ads: NorthRidge is for Liars, NorthRidge is for Losers, and NorthRidge is for Hypocrites.

Powell and members of the NorthRidge staff have been responding to the flood of calls and emails, saying this is just the kind of response they expected, even hoped for from the irreverent campaign.

"If people tell me they're put off or embarrassed, the first question I ask them is, 'why?' The fact that a church is open to flawed individuals is an attractive truth. It's a truth that allows ALL of us to be part of a church—not because we're perfect or 'better-than-thou'—but simply because we want to follow Christ," explained Powell.

Powell sent an email to all NorthRidge members prior to the launch of the campaign to prepare them for the potential challenges they'd face from friends and colleagues who see the ads.

"We're going to be blitzing our area with a new campaign to get people thinking in new ways about church in general and NorthRidge in particular," the email explained. "We're doing it by communicating the truth about who NorthRidge Church is really for: liars, hypocrites and losers. The church is supposed to be a place where all can come and find forgiveness, acceptance, and hope in Christ."

While some have found it difficult to explain, many members have contacted Powell to say the campaign has given them a starting point for discussions about the church."I saw this billboard today and was touched that we would be this welcoming," wrote one member. "I had a coworker with me, and I had the honor of explaining the sign. [I said] that we are all flawed, and God doesn't expect you to get your act together before we come to Him. He will take you just as you are." But for those who are still uncomfortable with the campaign, Powell has a challenge."I'd challenge them to rethink what they're looking for in a church," concludes Powell. "NorthRidge is for normal, flawed, broken people. It's a place, unlike most think of church, where we don't pretend to be something we're not, where we don't judge other people for who they are by nature. It's a place where we are all on the same level as we seek to discover and get to know God and His power to use and transform our failures for His glory.

"While this is the first major marketing campaign for the church, the approach is not new for NorthRidge or for Powell, who is also the author of Change Your Church for Good."We've always presented ourselves in somewhat irreverent ways," explains Powell. "In fact, my book draws on the NorthRidge congregation's experience of shaking up a stagnant body of believers and restoring life and joy to a church that was dying. You don't do that by playing it safe.

"The "NorthRidge is for Liars" campaign will run on billboards, buses, mall displays and online through early November in the Plymouth, Northville, Ann Arbor, Saline, Brighton and Howell areas. More information about the campaign is available at beliefbeyond.com.

NorthRidge Church was founded in 1921 and is a Christian community dedicated to meeting the needs of people where they are in life. Through its congregations in Plymouth/Northville, Ann Arbor/Saline and Brighton/Howell, the church seeks to be a center for discovering, developing in and experiencing Christ.

More information at northridgechurch.com.SOURCE NorthRidge Church

I’d like to hear your feedbacks!
Irene
P.S. Incidentally, don’t bother going into www.beliefbeyond.com, it’s no longer available. The campaign was held a couple of years back by the way.

A touching poem for Remembrance Day

04/11/2012


The following poem is an excerpt from the sermon by Rev. Simon Chin on Remembrance Day of 2006.

Apparently the poem was scribbled on a tattered piece of paper sandwiched inside a pocket sized Bible. It was retrieved by a staff of the Army Medical Corps from the body of a soldier KIA in the North Africa theatre during WW2.

I think this is a befitting poem for the spirit of Remembrance Day.

以下一首詩是節錄自陳仲文牧師的講章 (2006年和平紀念主日)。

據悉在第二次世界大戰期間, 一個陸軍醫療部職員從一個北非戰區內陣亡的士兵身上找到一本袖珍版聖經, 當中夾著一張殘破不全的紙, 上面草草寫有這一首詩。

我認為這一首詩很能襯托出和平紀念日的精神。

 
Look God, I have never spoken to you, 主啊, 我從來沒有和您ｌ對話

And now I want to say, ”How do you do?” 現在我要講句, “您好嗎?”

You see, God, they told me you didn’t exist 主啊, 您的存在他們當是虛假

And I, like a fool, believe all this. 我信以為真, 其實我是個大傻瓜。



Last night, from a shell hole, I saw your sky, 昨夜炮彈坑中我仰望您的穹蒼

And I figured then they had told me a lie. 終於明白他們在說謊。

I wonder, God, if you’d take my poor hand? 主啊, 您肯牽我的手? 我愧不敢當,

Somehow I feel you would understand. 我總覺得您深明我的景況。



Strange I had to come to this hellish place, 可笑我身陷人間地獄中,

Before I had time to see your face. 方能得見您的慈ｌ容。

Well, I guess there isn’t much more to say, 唇邊說話, 盡在不言中,

But I’m glad, God, that I met you today. 但心中慶幸今日能興您相逢。



The zero hour will soon be here 零時倒數, 連天戰火豈能休

But I’m not afraid, because you are near. 但我不再徬徨, 因有您在左右。

The signal has come, I shall soon have to go, 軍情告急,我馬上要走,

I like you lots, this I want you to know. 對您的一份親切, 望主您能接受。



I am sure this will be a horrible fight, 大戰一觸即發, 殘酷, 可怕,

Who knows? I may come home to your House tonight. 可能今晚我會魂返天家。

Though I wasn’t friendly to you before, 從前我對您態度奇差,

I wonder, God, if you’d wait at your door? 主啊, 您仍會在天堂大門等我嗎?



Look, I’m shedding tears, me, shedding tears? 我眼眶盡濕, 流下男兒淚?

Oh! How I wish I’d known you those long, long years. 深悔識您太遲, 歲月難追。

Well, I have to go now, dear God, goodbye. 開拔在即, 親愛的主, 我臨別唏噓,

But now that I met you, I’m not scared to die. 能與您相逢, 我雖死無懼。



May peace be with us all!

願平安在我們當中!

Raymond Li

給親愛的女兒

                            剛與女兒說完一席話，心中非常納悶，滿肚子苦惱，無奈淚水也湧到眼腔，卻無法解放心中的苦痛！我想只有已經身為人母的才會了解我的心情！

              神啊，為何我如此拙口笨舌，為何我總是不懂得表達自己，每次的談話也是無可奈何的結束。究竟是什麼時候我和女兒的溝通出了問題？

              親愛的女兒，知否我最怕見到的是什麼？ 而我最想見到的又是什麼？我最怕見到的是我們之間的關係疏離，而我最想見到的也就是你每天興高釆烈的告訴我你當日發生的鎖綷事，我的要求不過份吧？

               馬可褔音 10：51 記載主耶穌問瞎眼的巴底買：＂你要我為你做什麼？＂巴底買呀，巴底買，你知道你是多麽的有福呀！憑著信，你來到主的跟前，又憑著信，從前你是瞎眼的，現在你能看見，我多渴望主耶穌也問我同樣的問題，我要主耶穌為我做什麼？

               主啊！今天我也憑著信，謙卑來到你面前，你是萬有的神，你無所不知，無處不在，沒有東西能令你愛我多一些，也沒有東西能令你愛我少一點！因為你就是愛！兒女是神你所賜的，我只是受托人去照顧飬育他們，我並不擁有他們，我不要金，也不要銀，我只要我的女兒每天開開心心的生活，一生活在主愛中，豐豐富富，無憂無慮！盼望他日我在你面前交帳的時候，你能拍拍我的肩膞，說：你這又良善又忠心的好母親，你已盡了你做母親的責任了！

              主啊！你的稱讚才是我一生所求啊！

母親

Loneliness

Loneliness…  

by Jane

Much intrigued by Irene’s sharing of “loneliness”, I felt compelled to find answers from the Bible, the way that Albert strongly recommended all these years in Bible studies.

Much to my surprise, the word “loneliness” was never mentioned in the entire Bible (NIV).

Instead, I discovered In Genesis:

• · Our Creator is a triune God (three in one Godhead). 
• · We are created in God’s own image. 
• · After Adam, God also created Eve, as his helper and companion. 
• · Animal Kingdom, birds and fishes are created “according to their kinds” in different species. 
• · Noah’s ark…. Animals two by two entered the ark and survived the flood. 

Could this imply that loneliness was never part of God’s creation, but simply a breakdown in our relationships with each other and our Father in heaven?

In the New Testament, Jesus was found in lonely places, only by choice:

• Mark 1:45

Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere.

• Luke 5:16

But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.· 

Jesus was alone, purposely;

•  Mark 6:47

Later that night, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land.

• ·Matthew 14:23

After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone,

• Luke 9:36

When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone. The disciples kept this to themselves and did not tell anyone at that time what they had seen.

Yet Jesus was never lonely:

• John 8:16

But if I do judge, my decisions are true, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me.

• ·John 16:32

“A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.

In fact, Jesus gave us the wonderful promise: 

• Matthew 11:28

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Does this not also apply to the broken hearted, discouraged, depressed (although that is another word not found in the Bible), the wounded, the lonely and the lost? 

Let us not forget…. 

• · Malachi 3:7

Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty.

• · Hebrews 13:5 

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

那些年間我們一起走過的日子 若詩

       

       是一個下着毛毛細雨的早晨, 我一邊聽著柔和的詩歌……，如若你 …能看見藍 …天……一邊漫步在只有我一個人的路上，小雨點輕輕的散在路旁含包待放的小花朶，灑在我的瞼龐，落到我的鼻尖，好像天鵝絨一般溫柔, 細膩 ，感覺很浪漫，難怪詩人常用毛毛來形容細雨，很美，美得令人落淚！      
       小時候常獨個兒隔著窗看雨，看著小雨滴滴答答的敲着窗，然後輕輕的滑下，像眼淚，淒美，感性，扣人心絃，扣出能令人幻想無窮無盡的交響樂，詩一般的意境，憧憬着將來我會如何…如何…………神就是在我那少年不識愁滋味的曰子，開我的心眼，讓我能看見……… 讓我能看見神恩典的奇妙！        
………… 神賜給我一班親愛的弟兄姊妹，團契有如在地若天，巴不得每一天都是星期天，牧者的帶領，導師的關懷，每一次聚會，每一個退修會，刻骨銘心，永遠難忘！對神更許下諾言，盡心盡性盡意愛神愛人愛教會！我們用單純做橋樑，用真誠去溝通，用主的愛去關懷，用歡笑，用淚水，一同擁抱著我們的夢想。………

         時移世易，弟兄姊妹們各散東西，連同我們的夢想也一同帶走了……帶走了何止千萬里，是越過太平洋，跨過大西洋，剩下的就只有一串串的回憶！

          如若你…能看見…詩歌然猶在耳，為何我只緬懷過去天堂般的團契生活，卻忘記了對神的承諾……我眼睛能看見監天，卻看不見週邊的人的需要, 而只顅自己的感受！ 我耳能聼到滴滴答答的雨聲，卻聼不見神一次又一次的呼喚提醒我，起初的愛心往那裡去了？愛人的心也硬化變得冰冷了嗎？

          然而，神啊，不是我缺乏愛心，而是很多時是心有餘而力不足呀！年紀大了，經歷多了，思想就愈發變得複雜，對自己就愈發重重保護，對人多了一份猜疑防備，那些年間推心置腹的友誼，促膝 談心的知己，已是尋覓無門，是無可奈何，痛苦可悲的發現呀！

                        少年不識愁滋味，愛上層樓，喋喋不休，為賦新詞强說愁。          

                        而今識盡愁滋味，千言萬語，欲說還休。卻道天涼好個秋！

           那些年間我們一起走過的日子，就讓它藏在我們心坎裡咀嚼回味吧了！

Too Good Not to Share

Too Good Not to Share
Genesis 2:21-22

So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep;
and while he was sleeping,
he took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh.
Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man,
and he brought her to the man.

“The woman was made of a rib out of the side of Adam;
not made out of his head to rule over him,
nor out of his feet to be trampled upon by him,
but out of his side to be equal with him,
under his arm to be protected,
and near his heart to be loved.” 
(Matthew Henry Commentary)

Psalm 46:1

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

"God creates situations so that we might trust Him...
Any lack in our lives is an opportunity for us to grow in our relationship with God,
and an opportunity for us to grow in our abilities
and in our faith ....."      (Charles Stanley Day by Day)


         Happy Moments       Praise God
         Difficult Moments     Seek God
         Busy Moments         Believe God
         Quiet Moments        Worship God
         Waiting Moments     Trust God
         Painful Moments       Pray God
         Lovely Moments       Thank God    (123Greetings.com)

The magic of words.....

“The magic of words…..

Lions star Geroy Simon discovered a love of books as an adult and is trying to instill that passion in his children, as a way to keep them entertained and in touch with their heritage.” Vancouver Sun Sept 20, 2012

Interestingly, I found Word/word/words mentioned 959 times throughout the entire Bible, beginning from Genesis 1 (first book of the Bible) and ending in Revelation 22 (end of Bible).
Genesis 1:3 (Creation through God’s Words)
And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
Revelation 22:19
And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll.

John 1:1-2
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.

How should God’s Words be regarded?

Numbers 15:31
Because they have despised the LORD’s word and broken his commands, they must surely be cut off; their guilt remains on them.’”

Numbers 24:16
the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who has knowledge from the Most High, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who falls prostrate, and whose eyes are opened.

2 Corinthians 2:17
Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God.

Let us remember….

Luke 1:37
For no word from God will ever fail.”

歡迎就是聖工

歡迎就是聖工 (Greeting as Ministry)    By Charles Arn
How the usher/greeter’s role fits into the ministry of the church
http://www.buildingchurchleaders.com/downloads/orientationguides/ushergreeter/og07-b.html  (English version)

如何將司事員的任務吻合成為教會聖工

曾經設計多幢惹人注目的建築物, 包括加洲「水晶大教堂」的美國著名建築師菲力. 莊遜 (Phillip Johnson) 認為, 一個結構上最重要的位置就是那「納入點」(goes -into)。一幢建築物的「納入點」就是一處可以讓個人去吸納和體驗該項建設的地方。

一幢建築物的「納入點」就相等如：

高爾夫球賽開始的第一棍

一篇演講詞的開場白

一首交響曲的前奏

一段嶄新關係在第一次會面時所留下的印象

司事員的崗位就是參與教會和認識耶穌基督的「納入點」。

人際間的溝通以最初的四分鐘最具關鍵性。在這短促的一刻, 我們通常都能夠斷定和對方是否投契。 如果話不投機, 橫豎是萍水相 逢, 倒不如以後各行各路。假如印象良好, 不妨考慮做個普通朋友, 再慢慢建立友情。同樣地, 每一個踏入教會大門的人都可能會抱著類似的心態, 負責歡迎的司事員就得把握著機會和接受挑戰。因為每一個進來的都是上帝請來的貴賓, 司事員要立即掌握著先前提及到的關鍵時刻, 給貴賓留下一個良好的印象, 使他們決定再回來參加聚會。

『無論作什麼, 或說話, 或行事, 都要奉主耶穌的名, 藉著他感謝父上帝』(歌 3:17) 。 作為基督徒, 特別是司事員, 我們是基督的代表。

『所以我們作基督的使者, 就好像上帝藉我們勸你們一般, 我們替基督求你們與上帝和好。』(哥後 5:20) 。「使者」英文譯作 “Ambassador”, 是現代的大使, 古代的欽差大臣, 地位尊崇, 用來形容今日的司事員毫不過份, 因為他們是代表耶穌基督向眾貴賓建立那歷史性的第一次接觸。

我在第一期的司事訓練班中向參加者提出以下的問題：

〝作為司事員, 我們想為賓客帶來什麼的感受? 〞, 〝什麼是我們主要的責任? 〞
,
〝我們為什麼要做司事員? 〞,〝我們想做到些什麼? 〞。以下是所得的部份答案:

迎合別人的需要

使人安心
 
使人領略到我們的真心真意

令人感到賓至如歸, 感到舒適

結識新朋友

使人覺得被愛, 被需要

使人感覺到真誠

使已經留下來的感到高興

使人覺得自己重要

為傳福音舖路

這一份清單委實不錯, 你的清單可能會略有加減。這些評語令我想起美國心理學之父  威廉. 詹姆士 (William James) 的說話,〝人性中最強烈的一個意向就是渴望受到賞識 〞。 約翰. 杜威 (John Dewey)解釋, 〝人性的架構當中有一般強烈的驅策力量, 就是一份人望高處, 自我增值的意願〞。 你知道囚犯入獄第一個要求是什麼? 如果你說是新聞報紙那你就答對了。 因為他們要著看關於他們自已的新聞, 他們需要覺得自已重要。

如果大家都同意司事員的主要目標就是令人感覺到被愛護, 被賞識; 我就會跟著問, 怎樣才可以做得到? 我在第一期的司事員訓練班亦問過類似的問題,〝我們怎樣才可以向人顯示出真心? 〞, 〝怎樣去向人表示關懷? 〞

他們的回應是:

溫情的握手

一個微笑

聆聽

話題著重在他們的興趣 

記得他們的姓名

保持目光接觸

洽當的碰觸

這是很好的回應, 或者大家還可以再加下去。

有人曾經說,〝世上只有兩類人, 是「東道主」和「客人」〞。你大概會認識一些終生作客的人, 他們永遠不願意承擔東道主的責任, 去款待去關顧別人的需要, 感受和關注。 他們存在不是為著去服侍人, 乃是要被人服侍。 他們一踏進大門, 並不是先說句, 〝各位好, 今天真高興能夠見到你們! 〞, 反而他們混身都會發散出這個訊息,〝嗨! 我來了, 你們今天會怎樣討好我? 〞

當我們成為基督徒, 我們就不再是客人, 因為我們已經與上帝合夥成為東道主, 去關顧  別人的生命。究竟東道主要做些什麼? 他們要歡迎客人進入他們的生命; 首先要令客人感 到開心,令他們覺得受歡迎, 被接納和被愛。還記得誰是你生命中出色的東道主嗎? 在上帝的家裡, 作為一個優良的東道主並非憑地位或靠任務, 因為有諸內而形諸外, 優良的質素會溢揚自一個人的心態, 生活方式和自我的形像

歡迎應該是每一個基督徒要作的聖工。坦白說, 在教堂大門口的一切焦點事工都不過是 皮毛功夫, 我們這一群學效基督, 還掛著作為祂欽差大臣印記的, 歡迎的真義一定要溶入   我們生命的每一個角落。 如果我們能夠留心聆聽他人細訴心曲, 明理又富同情心, 自然流露亳不矯揉造作的脆弱, 互相交流經驗, 又體貼他們的需要及興趣, 他們必定樂意親近我們。更重要的, 他們就會親近耶穌。


     

美麗的蜘蛛

嘩！蜘蛛呀！又大又黑的蜘蛛呀!

當我一個人在家中的時候，最怕見到的就是蜘蛛，因為跟著來要做的事，就一定要親力親為了。我下半曰的幸福就全在乎我能否戰勝牠，將牠置諸死地的一杀那！但是我真的怕得要命，需然我知道牠不能傷害我什麼，但牠那張牙舞爪，虎視耽耽的姿勢，委實太恐怖！

忽然想起在 Mayne Island Retreat 中我們分享到…這是天父世界…一切美好，當神創造天地萬物之時，眞的一切美好，包括昆蟲，包括蜘蛛？？但是，如果蜘蛛也算美，那麼這個世界根本就沒有醜陋這回事了！

從來未曾換轉位置，從蜘蛛設身處地的想過，牠可能也這樣問神，為什麼神造人那麼醜陋，凶殘？究竟美的定義是什麼?創 1：25，神造走獸、昆蟲，各從其類，神看著是好的，箴言 16：4，耶和華所造的，各適其用，各有各的崗位，蜘蛛盡了神造牠的目的，在牠的崗位上做到最好，就是做一隻令人看到毛骨悚然，不折不扣的蜘蛛，這就是美，這就是好，反之，自稱是萬物之靈的人類，卻心高氣傲，不可一世，遠離神，犯罪不認識神，那麼，即使是貌若天仙，也不及一隻蜘蛛美麗！

讓我們也活出神造我們的目的的生命，在我們的崗位上盡忠職守，不然，我們就連蜘蛛也不如了！

若詩

MORE …….FROM …….MAYNE

MORE …….FROM …….MAYNE

Ever since Mayne, all these "good" Bible verses kept popping up in my daily devotions....too good not to be shared....

“Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” (I Corinthians 12:7) He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. (Ecclesiastes 3:11) Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. (Psalm 34:8) How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! (Psalm 133:1) Praise the Lord. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him! (Psalm 147:1) Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; sing praise to his name, for that is pleasant.(Psalm 135:3) A person finds joy in giving an apt reply — and how good is a timely word! (Proverb 15:23) .... he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, (Ephesians 1:9) …being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippines 1:6)
Cross references:

Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. (I Timothy 6:12)

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

(James 1:17)Philippians 1:6 : Ps 138:8

Philippians 1:6 : ver 10; S 1Co 1:8

Cross references:
Timothy 6:12 : 1Co 9:25, 26; S 1Ti 1:18 1
Timothy 6:12 : ver 19; Php 3:12 1
Timothy 6:12 : S Mt 25:46 1
Timothy 6:12 : S Heb 3:1 Cross references:

James 1:17 : Ps 85:12; Jn 3:27; Jas 3:15, 17
James 1:17 : Ge 1:16; Ps 136:7; Da 2:22; 1Jn 1:5
James 1:17 : Nu 23:19; Ps 102:27; Mal 3:6
 
jane

從歌曲說到愛情

從歌曲說到愛情

六月份例會上 Rebecca 推介了一首徐小鳳唱的〝隨想曲〞。 她特別欣賞內裡的歌詞, 填詞的正是鄭國江老師 (他的確是一位教師) 。詞意超逸, 傲然自得, 配搭上顧家輝的 美妙旋律, 令人唱起來有抒懷淨化(Cathartic), 去瘀生新的感受。

五年前有一齣喜劇「K 歌情人」(Music and Lyrics), 內容講及一個過氣的流行曲歌星 艾力 (Alex), 和一個讀創意寫作的女大學生蘇菲(Sophie), 因為機緣巧合, 從認識到 合作去為一個樂壇新星創作一首新曲, 一波三折, 過程當中彼此互生情愫, 繼而發生誤 會, 最後前嫌盡釋, 大團圓結局。

其中一個片段是二人澈夜不眠, 仍然無法將新曲的曲譜及曲詞填得妥貼, 蘇菲(由 Drew Barrymore 飾演) 向一個沮喪的艾力 (由 Hugh Grant 飾演) 表達她對曲譜和曲詞的見解 。”當你發掘到自己喜愛的曲譜,” 她說, “就好比初次邂逅意中人, 是磁性的吸引, 是 官能上的快感; 熟悉了之後, 就開始瞭解到她(他) 的真我和背景, 這就是歌詞了。 兩者 配合得好,魅力就沒法擋。”

現代人求愛情, 發掘曲譜的人多, 欣賞曲詞的人少。歌聽厭了, 就棄如敝屣, 再去找別 的,  甚至幾首歌一齊來, 免得單調。除了基督徒可以完全接受聖保羅為「愛」立的定義 ( 歌前 13: 4 至 8 節), 很難會有人同意。

摩登的愛情主耍的成份是「性」, 「情」已經是次要, 「情」的傳統觀包括人與人之間 的關係, 例如「親情」, 「友情」等。中國的傳統通常把「情」與「恩、義」相提並論。 所謂「情」深「恩」難報,「情」盡「義」還存, 「義」差不多是維繫關係的最後防線。 可惜在今日「個人主義」的海嘯衝擊之下, 此「情」不再, 負「義」忘「恩」大有人在。

除非甘願去自欺欺人, 今天的基督徒真不容易做。 一方面要學效基督博愛犧牲, 一方面 要慎防引誘, 因為社會的大氣候每每鼓吹我們去自保, 去追求一個多彩多姿的生活, 包括 愛情生活。

我們能夠對一篇耳熟能詳熟的曲譜培養出日久常新的興緻嗎？可以在每次讀同一樣的曲詞時領悟出多一分的真諦嗎？

感謝 主, 憑  您的訓示, 我相信我們能夠。

最後附上兩首改編的 K 歌曲詞, 和各位分享。兩首的原作者都是鄭國江先生, 第一首是徐小鳳的「隨想曲」, 我保留了部份佳句, 新曲名是「隨想曲二」, 第二首是區端強的「陌上歸人」, 曲名為「回頭浪子」***

***(考查三本辭典結果, 忐忑音作「坦」「剔」)  

                

 22/07/2012    李健榮                

回頭浪子

曲  ： 馮添枝  區端強  詞： 李健榮

原創：” 陌上歸人”       詞：鄭國江

(一)

斜陽伴晚煙

我像歸鳥倦

晚霞伴我到教堂前

徘徊十架底

聖壇下俯首許願

靈路太多灣轉

(二)

我忐忑不安

知道 主思念

圖離罪垢但未如願

迷途羊羔心驚顫

不知道在那一天

可再度回到 主身邊

(三)

躊躇近晚天

信自心裡現

盼能回復似從前

回頭浪子心

毅然踏歸天國路

無懼要走幾遠

[ 重覆 (三), (二), (三) ]

不計走幾遠

隨想曲之二

曲：顧家輝               詞：  李健榮

原創：” 隨想曲”        詞：  鄭國江

回望錯失與及成就

名利綑綁倍添我憂

是與非, 功補過, 怎樣可計算?

一生何就何求!

難辨世間愛真與否

唯獨我主愛是永久

在世間他甘心親歷苦與痛

恩典和血同流

******

(重覆)

渴望是心中富有

名和利不需再追求

此刻已得主的眷顧

寧渡一生倚賴神恩手

磨煉要經過春與秋

成熟靠解化哀與憂

願意緊追基督生命的節奏

心裡無慾無求