今天是情人節，很多人都在慶祝，花盡心思去討好意中人。對於戀愛我從來都不太在行，但對於愛情，還可以說一說。愛是可以單方面的，戀愛卻是雙方面的。
愛是可以單方面，因為上帝的愛是單方面的。在我們還不懂上帝的愛時衪已深深的愛上了我們，而且愛得瘋狂。到我們明白並接受衪的愛時，我們才學懂怎樣和上帝戀愛。愛就是一件很瘋狂的事情。
因為愛，衪使地動天搖，崩山碎石，烈風大作，衪卻只在微聲中溫柔的呼喚衪愛的人。(王上19:12)
因為瘋，衪使日頭停住，約有一日之久。在這日以前，這日以後，衪專心聽衪愛的人的禱告，沒有像這日的。(書10:13-14)
因為狂，衪使日影往後退十度，改變宇宙的運作，是給衪所愛的人在病榻中禱告求延壽的兆頭。(王下20:10-11)
因為愛得瘋狂，衪成為人的樣式，經歷母腹中的孕育、學言語、學走路，走上十字架的路。衪是瘋狂了，因為衪愛的人從來也不值得衪這樣的愛著。
上帝愛人愛得瘋狂了。
衪視那些為小事，因為那些瘋狂的小事叫愛情。
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Even on the most minor thing…
Book-aholic like me can’t survive without reading daily. The use of bookmark is very common. Last year, I brought all my bookmarks to China and gave out to the teachers. I survived my reading life without bookmark by using all kinds of different book marking tools, post-it, movie tickets, pen, $$ (yes, a dollar bill, so if you borrow book from me, please don’t’ take the money if you find one.), hair band…etc whatever that can slip between the pages. Thank God that Pastor Tam has prepared us ‘red pocket’ for Chinese New Year, I received two (one during prayer meeting in the morning and the other during fellowship as there are residual after the morning distribution.) I got two new bookmarks!! Yesterday, I was cleaning up my room, sorting through the miscellaneous items, found brand new bookmarks! It’s not a big miraculous amazing thing but surely God’s care is so considerate and so tender that He cares even on the most minor thing. Lovely.
A good problem to solve...
As 2008 started for a little more than a month, it is time to put practical plan and thought of whether I should go for a short term mission this year. The experience last year was great and hoping to be involved in missions again. This year... need to plan to apply for some legal documents for a more convenience access for traveling into China. The application process will be complicated as it requires another legal document from Macau before applying for the 'China Returning Card'. I have 'phobia' in legal documents application in Macau. This applicational process is a must, in order for future access for mission works in China. I know now is the time to plan to encounter such 'phobia'. Time matters... applying for Macau ID Card, 'China Returning Card' and missions will happen all together this year... only in His plan... please pray...
Sunday, February 10, 2008
仍是最深刻一次
昨日是第一次參與新小組，對於分享都是很自制的，因為不想分享得太多、不想分享得太深、更不想分享得太老練。這晚的分享都很真誠、很由衷，因為是分享到自己是怎樣聽聞福音的經歷。每次以言語去分享那晚信主的過程都會再一次被主耶穌的愛觸動，每一次都會哽咽。
那次主到訪是一生都不會忘的事情，猶如香港某涼茶鋪多年前香港最後一個港督到訪，我相信店舖老板永不會忘記的一個客人。店舖長年都會掛著當時拍下的照片，久而久之老板都會跟客人分享的一個特別的經歷。那個只是一個小島一時的權威人士，已教被訪的人有如此的榮耀，更何彷那是創造天地萬物永遠作王的主宰呢。
那晚主到訪的經歷仍是最深刻一次。那次主為我死在十字架上的事實是前所未有的刻骨，那次看到自己確是個罪人而且非常醜陋，那次是面對爸爸破產的事實又絕望既又有倚靠的安穩，那次的眼淚是又憂愁又釋放又自卑又平安又有希望，是很複雜的一種心情。跟小組員分享時也忍不住心中對主的恩情。我想若在生命中曾出現一位令自己改變一生的人，這個經歷和那時的心情是不滅的。
那次主到訪是一生都不會忘的事情，猶如香港某涼茶鋪多年前香港最後一個港督到訪，我相信店舖老板永不會忘記的一個客人。店舖長年都會掛著當時拍下的照片，久而久之老板都會跟客人分享的一個特別的經歷。那個只是一個小島一時的權威人士，已教被訪的人有如此的榮耀，更何彷那是創造天地萬物永遠作王的主宰呢。
那晚主到訪的經歷仍是最深刻一次。那次主為我死在十字架上的事實是前所未有的刻骨，那次看到自己確是個罪人而且非常醜陋，那次是面對爸爸破產的事實又絕望既又有倚靠的安穩，那次的眼淚是又憂愁又釋放又自卑又平安又有希望，是很複雜的一種心情。跟小組員分享時也忍不住心中對主的恩情。我想若在生命中曾出現一位令自己改變一生的人，這個經歷和那時的心情是不滅的。
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
“In the Name of Jesus” by Henri J.M. Nouwen
This is the first time reading a Nouwen book. I read a few of his devotion books in the past, didn’t really like it much may be because it is Chinese translated, the essence of the writing lost through the translation.
Rev. Ma references this book of Nouwen in his class. Out of my curiosity and ‘read-aholic’ addiction, I ordered this and a few other books of his, plus one book from my long time favorite author, Nicole Johnson. Once I picked up “In the Name of Jesus”, I can’t stop but finished it in a day, even I have 3 other assigned books to be read to fulfill my ministry and course obligation.
Here are some excerpts from the books which draw to me new perspectives on leadership, Christian service and spirituality…
From Relevance to Prayer --
“… Christian leader of the future is called to be completely irrelevant and to stand in this world with nothing to offer but his or her own vulnerable self.”
“… The leaders of the future will be those who dare to claim their irrelevance in the contemporary world as a divine vocation that allows them to enter into a deep solidarity with the anguish underlying all the glitter of success, and to bring the light of Jesus there.”
“A mystic is a person whose identity is deeply rooted in God’s first love… it is the discipline of dwelling in the presence of the One who keeps asking us, “Do you love me? Do you love me? Do you love me?” This is the discipline of contemplative prayer.”
From Popularity to Ministry –
“… He wants Peter to feed his sheep and care for the, not as “professionals” who know their client’s problems and take care of the, but as vulnerable brothers and sisters who know and are known, who forgive and are being forgiven, who love and are being loved.”
“Laying down your life means making your own faith and doubt, hope and despair, joy and sadness, courage and fear available to others as ways of getting to touch with the Lord of life.”
and this is my favorite one…
“The mystery of ministry is that we have been chosen to make our own limited and very conditional love the gateway for the unlimited and unconditional love of God.”
Amen??
From Leading to Being Led --
“… getting in touch with the mystery of leadership for a large part, means to be led.”
“What makes the temptation of power so seemingly irresistible? May be it is that power offers an easy substitute for the hard task of love. It seems easier to be God than to love God, easier to control people than to love people, easier to own life than to love life.”
“The world says, “when you were young you were dependent and could not go where you wanted, but when you grow old you will be able to make your own decisions, go your own way, and control your own destiny.” But Jesus has a different vision of maturity: It is the ability and willingness to be led where you would rather not go.” (In light of the passage where Jesus said to Peter, “when you were young you put on your belt and walked where you liked; but when you grow old you will stretch out your hands and somebody else will put a belt around you and take you where you would rather not go.” John21:18)
“Powerlessness and humility in the spiritual life do not refer to people who have no spine and who let everyone else make decisions for them. They refer to people who are so deeply in love with Jesus that they are ready to follow him wherever he guides them, always trusting that, with him, they will find life and find it abundantly.”
“… since God’s presence is often a hidden presence, a presence that needs to be discovered. The loud, boisterous noises of the world make us deaf to the soft, gentle, and loving voice of God. A Christian leader is called to help people to hear that voice and so be comforted and consoled.”
Rev. Ma references this book of Nouwen in his class. Out of my curiosity and ‘read-aholic’ addiction, I ordered this and a few other books of his, plus one book from my long time favorite author, Nicole Johnson. Once I picked up “In the Name of Jesus”, I can’t stop but finished it in a day, even I have 3 other assigned books to be read to fulfill my ministry and course obligation.
Here are some excerpts from the books which draw to me new perspectives on leadership, Christian service and spirituality…
From Relevance to Prayer --
“… Christian leader of the future is called to be completely irrelevant and to stand in this world with nothing to offer but his or her own vulnerable self.”
“… The leaders of the future will be those who dare to claim their irrelevance in the contemporary world as a divine vocation that allows them to enter into a deep solidarity with the anguish underlying all the glitter of success, and to bring the light of Jesus there.”
“A mystic is a person whose identity is deeply rooted in God’s first love… it is the discipline of dwelling in the presence of the One who keeps asking us, “Do you love me? Do you love me? Do you love me?” This is the discipline of contemplative prayer.”
From Popularity to Ministry –
“… He wants Peter to feed his sheep and care for the, not as “professionals” who know their client’s problems and take care of the, but as vulnerable brothers and sisters who know and are known, who forgive and are being forgiven, who love and are being loved.”
“Laying down your life means making your own faith and doubt, hope and despair, joy and sadness, courage and fear available to others as ways of getting to touch with the Lord of life.”
and this is my favorite one…
“The mystery of ministry is that we have been chosen to make our own limited and very conditional love the gateway for the unlimited and unconditional love of God.”
Amen??
From Leading to Being Led --
“… getting in touch with the mystery of leadership for a large part, means to be led.”
“What makes the temptation of power so seemingly irresistible? May be it is that power offers an easy substitute for the hard task of love. It seems easier to be God than to love God, easier to control people than to love people, easier to own life than to love life.”
“The world says, “when you were young you were dependent and could not go where you wanted, but when you grow old you will be able to make your own decisions, go your own way, and control your own destiny.” But Jesus has a different vision of maturity: It is the ability and willingness to be led where you would rather not go.” (In light of the passage where Jesus said to Peter, “when you were young you put on your belt and walked where you liked; but when you grow old you will stretch out your hands and somebody else will put a belt around you and take you where you would rather not go.” John21:18)
“Powerlessness and humility in the spiritual life do not refer to people who have no spine and who let everyone else make decisions for them. They refer to people who are so deeply in love with Jesus that they are ready to follow him wherever he guides them, always trusting that, with him, they will find life and find it abundantly.”
“… since God’s presence is often a hidden presence, a presence that needs to be discovered. The loud, boisterous noises of the world make us deaf to the soft, gentle, and loving voice of God. A Christian leader is called to help people to hear that voice and so be comforted and consoled.”
Monday, February 4, 2008
He said: "I Love You!"
It's a long day today, but it is really nice to hear him say, "I Love You" to wrap up the day. As I got home from the exhausted day, he ran up to me giving me a big hug with his little hands... so sweet... your heart just melt... that's the exact word we all need at "home". I love you too, baby. 
Sunday, February 3, 2008
God on High...
God on High...
From "Les Miserables"
Music by Claude-Michel Schoenberg
Lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer and Alain Boublil
God on high
Hear my prayer
In my need
You have always been there
He is young
He's afraid
Let him rest
Heaven blessed.
Bring him home
Bring him home
Bring him home.
He's like the son I might have known
If God had granted me a son.
The summers die
One by one
How soon they fly
On and on
And I am old
And will be gone.
Bring him peace
Bring him joy
He is young
He is only a boy.
You can take
You can give
Let him be
Let him live.
If I die, let me die
Let him live, bring him home
Bring him home
Bring him home.
From "Les Miserables"
Music by Claude-Michel Schoenberg
Lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer and Alain Boublil
God on high
Hear my prayer
In my need
You have always been there
He is young
He's afraid
Let him rest
Heaven blessed.
Bring him home
Bring him home
Bring him home.
He's like the son I might have known
If God had granted me a son.
The summers die
One by one
How soon they fly
On and on
And I am old
And will be gone.
Bring him peace
Bring him joy
He is young
He is only a boy.
You can take
You can give
Let him be
Let him live.
If I die, let me die
Let him live, bring him home
Bring him home
Bring him home.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
失望還能久長嗎？
今天神藉衪僕人的分享鼓勵正在跟心靈和腦袋交戰的我。怎麼可以這樣「應」，這麼合時的呢？
「若我們學不會對人失望，而同時對神滿存盼望，我們就必定是徹底地絕望。我們可以對神滿存盼望，是因為神是永活的，可信的；衪掌管衪所創造的世界，也會在世界上完成衪拯救的工作。這種信心並不否定人的責任，但這種信心承認救恩是出於神自己的行動，會產生耐力和順服，會臨使人以禱告仰望神的作為，也會使人感謝神，將榮耀歸給神。」
「若我們學不會對人失望，而同時對神滿存盼望，我們就必定是徹底地絕望。我們可以對神滿存盼望，是因為神是永活的，可信的；衪掌管衪所創造的世界，也會在世界上完成衪拯救的工作。這種信心並不否定人的責任，但這種信心承認救恩是出於神自己的行動，會產生耐力和順服，會臨使人以禱告仰望神的作為，也會使人感謝神，將榮耀歸給神。」
- 《輕易坦蕩事奉主》，陳濟民
神就是這麼的好，失望還能久長嗎？衪是永活的主!
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
失望還是會有的
爸爸說我是聰明，但沒智慧。聽見了很耿耿於懷，雖不認同，但還是認同了。因為還是未學懂怎樣減少因失望而帶來的傷害，還是很單純的去選擇相信。
天父爸爸揀選我這人做關懷和鼓勵的工作總有衪的意思吧。失望還是會有的，總是不斷學習收起自己的成見和心魔的左右。找到挽回的因由從新出發，再接再厲。弄清楚‧‧‧
什麼是重要的、什麼是不重要的；
什麼是個人的、什麼是主的；
什麼是自義的、什麼是公義的；
什麼是血氣的、什麼是屬靈的；
什麼是暫時的、什麼是永恆的。
「原來我們不是顧念所見的，乃是顧念所不見的，因為所見的是暫時的，所不見的是永遠的。」林後4:18
弄清楚以後或許還會選擇面對失望，因為肯承受失望才有希望。按著神的心意失望總比從未投入別人的生命而沒盼沒望好。在爸爸眼中可能還是個沒智慧的人，在世人眼中是個愚蠢的人，但希望在天父爸爸眼中是個忠心的僕人。暫時的失望總比不上永恆的盼望。
「那時聽衪說忠心僕人，十字架可換公義冠冕。」
天父爸爸揀選我這人做關懷和鼓勵的工作總有衪的意思吧。失望還是會有的，總是不斷學習收起自己的成見和心魔的左右。找到挽回的因由從新出發，再接再厲。弄清楚‧‧‧
什麼是重要的、什麼是不重要的；
什麼是個人的、什麼是主的；
什麼是自義的、什麼是公義的；
什麼是血氣的、什麼是屬靈的；
什麼是暫時的、什麼是永恆的。
「原來我們不是顧念所見的，乃是顧念所不見的，因為所見的是暫時的，所不見的是永遠的。」林後4:18
弄清楚以後或許還會選擇面對失望，因為肯承受失望才有希望。按著神的心意失望總比從未投入別人的生命而沒盼沒望好。在爸爸眼中可能還是個沒智慧的人，在世人眼中是個愚蠢的人，但希望在天父爸爸眼中是個忠心的僕人。暫時的失望總比不上永恆的盼望。
「那時聽衪說忠心僕人，十字架可換公義冠冕。」
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
第二課
剛放學，又是很充實的一堂。對於看書雖然應該沒有什麼難度，但因有時間的限制，真是有一點「熬底」。不過仍為到能上課和聽到如此多的生命分享而興奮。若是沒有像保羅如此的事奉觀、生命、委身和屬靈的深度，是很難寫得出如此肺腑的話。他對哥林多教會的愛真的格外疼愛。保羅的生命仍在影響今天的信徒。
上帝的話語，我們必須大口、大口的吃。
上帝的話語，我們必須大口、大口的吃。
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