Feb 27, 2008

希伯來書 10-11

11:36-38 (新譯本)
又有些人遭受了戲弄、鞭打，甚至捆鎖、監禁；被石頭打死，被鋸鋸死，被刀殺死。他們披着綿羊山羊的皮到處奔跑、受窮乏、遭患難、被虐待；原是這世界不配有的人。他們飄流無定，在曠野、山嶺、石洞和地穴棲身。

既然從前有人因信有着上述的遭遇，我想我們也必須明白今天相信的人也許有機會遇上不同方式的困苦。有着這個思想準備或許當苦難真的到來時會比較能夠容易適應及站立得住。

我們都是小信的，請憐憫我們。但不要按照我們的意思，讓祢自己的心意成全。

Feb 26, 2008

Hebrew 8-9

Hebrew is a book of profundity. When reading a book like this I wonder even more how we can be sure that we do interpret the scriptures the right way. Would be not become heretical if we get it wrong? As an educated skeptical person in a labyrinthine world, I find it difficult to freely talk about the bible. It is just so recondite.

Nonetheless, it is truly amazing that over the centuries with profuse human errors, Christianity has survived through this day. It's not one book but 66 books!

On the other hand, we should acknowledge that new information are emerging to perfect our knowledge on the bible. Yet as an ordinary Christian I am not sure about our position. Perhaps taking the bible seriously is something everyone ought to do as a first step.

Clear K.O. = 完全技術性擊倒！

Some of you might have known that I wanted to research on a topic about "the psychologically dissonance between Christian belief and humans' sufferings." I specially wanted to understand the thought process about the the once-believed disbelievers. Somehow these sites just emerge to me all of a sudden. Here are two:

http://exchristian.net/
http://exchristian.hk/home/

I read them very briefly and tried to understand their points of views. It is way too early to draw conclusions about their reasons for disbeliefs. However, I would understand some of their thoughts and struggles for I was almost one of them.

The disbelievers generally present very strong argument for their positions. As a Christian, I am a bit shameful to boldly claim that most of us---so called Christians, including myself---would get completely KNOCKED OUT in a debate setting. 如果真的要與他們在擂台對戰，作為基督徒的我們不消片刻就會被完全技術性擊倒！

當然信仰不是為了爭拗而存在，然而每個人也該按能力了解自己的信仰。要求一個70歲沒完成小學的公公或婆婆去有系統釋經似乎是強人所難，但要完成中學課程的人時常看聖經也是合乎於理。

「但司提反靠着聖靈和智慧說話，他們就抵擋不住。」(使徒行傳6:10)
雖然是難望項背，但我們也能從聖經來的智慧去更認識自己的信仰。

Feb 22, 2008

詩4-6(新譯本)

4:1-3
耶和華啊！求尔留心聽我的話，顧念我的歎息。
我的王，我的神啊！
求你傾聽我呼求的聲音，因為我向你禱告。
耶和華啊，求你在清晨聽我的聲音，我要一早向你陳明，並且迫切等候。

5:4-5
耶和華啊，求你回轉搭救我，因你慈愛的緣故拯救我。
因為在死亡之地無人記念你，
在陰間有誰稱謝你呢？

Feb 20, 2008

腓利門書1(新譯本)

腓利門書1:8-9, (新譯本)
8-9我在基督裏雖然可以放膽吩咐你作應作的事，然而像我這上了年紀的保羅，現在又是為基督耶穌被囚禁的，寧顠憑着愛心請求你。
13-16
我本來想把他留在我這裏，使他在我為福音被囚禁時，可以替你服事我，但還沒有得到你的同意，我就不願意這樣作，好叫你的善行不是出於勉強，而是出於甘心，也許他暫時離開你，正是為了使你永遠得着他，不再是奴僕，而是高過奴僕，是親愛的弟兄‧‧‧


聖經中最短的書卷---腓利門書---所帶出的訊息卻是令人震憾及充滿着愛的。

保羅在當中了顯示了信心的解讀，將似乎是不愉快的事傳譯為令人有得着的。「也許他暫時離開你，正是為了使你永遠得着他，不再是奴僕，而是高過奴僕，是親愛的弟兄‧‧」

另外在講求個人權利的今天，有誰不會去到盡？
「這是我應得的！」
「這不公平啊！」
告廣口號也有云「你值得擁有」

有誰會放棄自己的權利？但這正是基督教的教導。

世界主流的思想與基督教的是如此大相逕庭，難怪約 1:10謂
「 他在世界，世界也是藉著他造的，世界卻不認識他。」

Feb 18, 2008

提多書1-3(新譯本)

提多書2:7-8(新譯本)
無論在甚麼事上你都要顯出好行為的榜樣，在教導上要純全，要莊重，言詞要純正，無可指摘，使反對的人因為無從毁謗，就自覺慚愧。

讀了這兩節經文，實在有點汗顏，有誰敢說自己是無可指摘呢？但在信仰生活上，這卻是基督徒應有的標準，這個標準是一點也不能低的。

至放何為純全、莊重，保羅當時表逹的意思跟今天的有否差異，實在不敢妄自推測，應該要好好看一下參考書才可正確解讀。

Feb 16, 2008

Praying, singing hymns or reading the bible are meaningless if my sin is right in front of me. Would a holy God be willing to deal with someone who consciously let sin triumph? Please examine my heart and help me fight the sinful traits in me. You know all the spiritual darkness and calculations within me. Remind me that every time I am willing to bring my sin in front of Your throne, Your mercy and grace will embrace me every single time, for you are the forgiving God. Nobody can accuse me except You. Make me a soldier with protection from Your words and Your people.

2 Thessalonians 1-3 (CEV), 3:13

Dear friends, you must never become tired of doing right.

Feb 14, 2008

神願祢來陶造我，使我在靈裏果子更多
奇妙聖靈請將心窩潔淨，剔出污穢願能成聖
恩主我求能像祢，心內柔和與謙卑
憑熱愛熱誠感染萬千生命，彰顯美善靈性

1 Thessalonians 1-2 (New American Standard Bible)

1 Thessalonians 2:3-6;13
3-6
For our exhortation does not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit; but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts. For we never came with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed---God is witness---nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, even though as apostles of Christ we might have asserted our authority.
13
For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe.

原來傳道的只係要神的話原原本本的說出來，信的只要真相信聖經是神的話語。

You loved me when I was so unlovely
You led me when I was lost
You loved me with righteousness and mercy
And You loved me at the highest cost
There's no greater love than this
There's no greater love than this
that a man would give his life for a friend
There's no higher sacrifice
that a man would give his life
that a man would give his life for me.

Colossians 3-4 (New International Version)

Colossians 3:12-1412
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

It is not surprising that our love deteriorates as we only learn from observing one another, just like what the "one family" advertising campaign says these days. There are so much imperfections within us. Without an immutable source of love---God---, most of our effort is destined to failure. I think it is not that we do not want to love, but that on our way to love, we fail again and again and thereby get discouraged. After all, we are only human beings.

I believe as we get to know God more, we are undoubtedly influenced by His constant character. We become more like Him, and thereby we become more capable of loving one another. If I throw my temper at a friend, I might be relieved but my friend would get upset. But if we are dealing with God, since his character is not influenced by ours, we can be confident that it's we who will be changed.

Prayer Feb 12, 2008 - Holding too tight

親近祢，心要親近祢
親近祢，心要貼近祢
親愛主，在祢榮光中，不住親近祢，不住敬拜祢
親近祢，在乾旱之地
親近祢，聆聽祢聲音
主我願貼近祢的心
順服祢旨意，討主祢歡喜
祢的愛使我靈甦醒，使我靈歡喜，我切慕敬拜祢

詩1-3(和合本)

詩31-6(和合本)

3:1		〔 大 衛 逃 避 他 兒 子 押 沙 龍 的 時 候 作 的 詩 。 〕 耶 和 華 阿 、 我 的 敵 人 何 其 加 增 ． 有 許 多 人 起 來 攻 擊 我 。
3:2		有 許 多 人 議 論 我 說 、 他 得 不 著 　 神 的 幫 助 。 〔 細 拉 〕
3:3		但 你 耶 和 華 是 我 四 圍 的 盾 牌 ． 是 我 的 榮 耀 、 又 是 叫 我 抬 起 頭 來 的 。
3:4		我 用 我 的 聲 音 求 告 耶 和 華 、 他 就 從 他 的 聖 山 上 應 允 我 。 〔 細 拉 〕
3:5		我 躺 下 睡 覺 ． 我 醒 著 ． 耶 和 華 都 保 佑 我 。
3:6		雖 有 成 萬 的 百 姓 來 周 圍 攻 擊 我 、 我 也 不 怕 。

Dear God,

I have to admit that I have been holding things too tight.

From career to family to looking for a spouse I want to be my own master. I behave as if I am a permanent resident on earth rather than a transient visitor here. Please help rectify my road ahead. On things that I hold tightly help me let go. Strengthen my faith so that I understand it is for my sake that you proscribe things/people in my life. Let me realize it is YOU I should ingratiate rather than gaining social approval from others, for you are the omnipotent and omniscient One. Who knows one's way better than one's Creator?

Thanks for the uncertainties, which teaches me that I am no god. Also thanks for the sudden braveness to share my belief with my friend. What's more precious than knowing You? Please grant me peace and concentration on my remaining study. Guide me toward the way you take delight in after this program.

Your son

「支持您！支持您！支持您！」？？？

「支持您！支持您！支持您！」

這是Twins的fans在阿嬌自藝人相片風波後首度露面的「口號」。但我實在不明白，到底fans在支持什麼？

如果有fans是在奧巴瑪或希拉里角逐代表民主黨參與總統選舉的聚會中說「支持您！支持您！支持您！」，好明顯fans就是支持兩人出選總統選戰。

單純「支持您！支持您！支持您！」是說不通的吧。

更說不通的是在阿嬌短短一分多鐘的「交代」中，她談及以往自己是無知，以致對社會及身邊的人造成傷害，日後會繼續努力，好好面對人生，在這個交代的前題下說「支持您！支持您！支持您！」代表什麼呢？

支持您以往是無知？
支持您對社會及身邊的人造成傷害？
支持您繼續努力？
支持您好好面對人生？
還是以上皆支持？

fans們到底支持什麼？？？ 自己一直又在支持什麼？？？ 是否真的搞得清？？？
還是根本不用管？反正支持就是支持啊！

Feb 11, 2008 護教之本

我望着前路，是迷亂悵惘一遍
幾多挫折打擊，未明白造物旨意
我踏着細沙，在海邊走過，晚風中心裏聽祢聲

聽颯颯海風，在寧靜細語低訴
眺望濤濤海波，在無言默默宣告
主浩大能力，海天皆響應
每一刻變幻，亦在祢的旨意裏

神祢在掌管，時間萬有空間
在祢的手裏一切定有時
神我的一生，神祢定有預備
莫計得失只想祢來導引


歌羅西書1-2（和合本）

1:15
愛子是那不能看見之神的像，是首生的，在一切被造的以先。
1:22
但如今他藉着基督的肉身受死，叫你們與自己和好，都成了聖潔，沒有瑕疪，無可責備，把你們引到自己面前。
2:6
你們要謹慎，怕有人用他的理學和虛空的妄言，不照着基督，乃照人間的遺傳和世上的小學，就把你們擄去。

就以上三節經文可以看出準確的聖經知識是信仰基礎中不可缺少的一環。
- 神是看不見的神，也不是喜悅偶像的神，不可能叫人拜有實物的東西，如某人或偶像。
- 我們若已與基督和好，都成了聖潔，無可責備，或偶有過犯，但除神以外沒人可定我們的罪。
- 數不盡的異端利用他們的教誨迷惑了不少人。

從我有限的心理學知識中知道減低罪疚感的其中一個方法就是行善，但基督教的奇妙之處就是不直接叫人行善，而是先白白認信得救。有了生命的改變人自然會行善。奇妙。

Feb 10, 2008 被嚴重貶值的耶穌

腓立比書 3-4（新譯本）

腓3:7-8
然而以前對我有益的，現在因着基督的緣故，我都當作是有捐的。不但這樣，我也把萬事當作是有損的，因為我以認識我主基督耶穌為至寶。為了他，我把萬事都拋棄了，看作廢物，為了要得着基督。

與Philippians 2:3-8 (NIV)對比，今天的經文更將「價值」這概念帶出。

耶穌不把自己當神，成為人，愛苦致死，且以最沒有尊嚴的方式死去。這些「不必要」的受苦是為救人，亦可以說成是耶穌為救人不做神而做人受苦致死也覺值得。
保羅不把自己當作法利賽人，也不看重自己的身份，卻以認識基督為致寶，換句說話，保囉保羅認為認識基督而放棄這些是也是值得。

一個生活比喻：您認為一件貨品的實質價值等同或比售價為高才會買那件貨品，要不然就有不值的感覺。

耶穌今天在我們心中的價值會直接影響我們的行為，這個也不用多說明，但要如何提高耶穌在我們心目中的價值，卻是個奧秘，也可以是個論本題目吧？

Feb 9, 2008

開啟雙眼，讓我看見
祢的榮美，超越世上的一切
深深體會，耶穌祢愛多寶貴
與祢面對面，我心感動已無言
我仍要說
我要高舉雙手讚美，我要抬頭仰望頌讚稱謝
全心全意敬拜祢，不住發出讚美
我要到寶座前讚美，我來就近祢主討祢喜悅
一世一生在殿中，永遠唱着讚美

Philippians 1-2 (NIV)

Philippians 2:3-8 (NIV)
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!

To put the concept of the above bible verses into our lives is intrinsically difficult, because we have no direct encounter of God in the sense that we met Jesus face to face in person. Have Jesus ever given birth to child like a woman does? If not, how could he understand the labor pain of women? How could we be sure that God does understand our difficulty?

I indeed have such kind of difficulty. Though it is easy to understand the the logic behind: if God himself did experience sufferings of mankind, then I could be reassured that my situation was understood, not merely by someone but God, who is G.O.D.!

But In case you have been put into a situation that you felt NOBODY really understood how you felt? But then somebody just appeared and understood your situation and all the struggles/joy/sadness that you were experiencing? It must have been such a great relief/comfort. Drawing inference from the person who understands you to God is probably our best way to conceptualize the idea and get comforted by Him.

Feb 8, 2008

我心切切渴慕祢，乾旱疲乏無水之地
祢是我一切，我心完全屬於祢，只願更多與祢相親
我要切切尋求祢，乾旱疲乏無水之地
祢是我一切，我心不住思念祢，只願與祢面對面

我要永永遠遠來愛祢，我要永永遠遠渴慕祢
祢是我一切，我心不住思念祢
只願與祢面對面

弗4-6
6:6-7 (新譯本)
作事不要只作給人看，像那些討人歡心的一樣，卻要像基督的僕人，從心裏遵行神的旨意，甘心服務，像是服侍主，不是服侍人。

Prayer Feb 7, 2008

Dear God,

耶和華求祢臨新，願我主聽我聽音
讓我盡力作為活祭，呈獻在祢的面前
願我的禱告，如香陳列在，在祢的聖殿之中
讓我舉手求祢同在，頌讚歸於榮耀的祢

Please heal the deepest wound in my heart, for you know I am helpless. What good can a prisoner do in order to free himself? Are we not all under the tyranny of sin? Even we want to do good, we hurt, not just ourselves but also others.

當舉目皆是苦難，幫我知道我可以做什麼？當眼見世界跟祢的道背道而馳，請先叫我站穩住腳。讓我有智慧及謙卑的心去傳說祢的話語。若將祢的話語曲解為己用，那是何等可怖的事。

Help me see beyond the outcome, for you have your will, which might seem bad or good to us. Please help those who are in great distress, maybe in career, maybe in relationship, maybe in faith, maybe in others. I am not sure if you will answer it, but whether you choose to answer or not, I will keep praying. Is it not what you ask us to do?

Good night.

Your son.

藝人照片事件

藝人照片事件曝光了差不多兩星期了。

作為基督徒的我們可以選擇如何參與這件事，包括：

怪罪相關藝人的無知及不小心，指他們自取其辱，偷食也不抹嘴
娛樂圈真的腐敗不堪，無得救（我的第一反應）
警方選擇性執法，公義何在？
欣賞相關照片（老實講都想睇）
約 8:4－５ 就對耶穌說：“夫子，這婦人是正行淫之時被拿的。
　　摩西在律法上吩咐我們，把這樣的婦人用石頭打死。
　　你說該把她怎麼樣呢？”
仲有更多更多可能性‧‧‧

但我估耶穌的反應可能是：
路 23:34 當下耶穌說：“父啊，赦免他們！因為他們所做的，
　　他們不曉得。”兵丁就拈鬮分他的衣服。
約 8:11 她說：“主啊，沒有。”耶穌說：“我也不定你的罪，
　　去吧！從此不要再犯罪了

我們是有選擇的。

如此段章取義「撻」聖經，實在是罪大惡極！

詩歌

在沒有教會、讀經、團契的日子，常在心中唱着的就是這些詩歌。

謙卑自己，在主跟前
祂可叫您高升
謙卑自己，在主跟前
祂可叫您高升
神呀我的一切在祢算不得什麼
祢充滿着大能，是我沒法相比
祢的心思遠超我的意念
我願謙卑自己，在祢面前

X X X X X X

X X X X X X

憂傷痛悔的心，主必不輕看
慈愛憐恤塗抹了過犯，擙上白雪的靈
憂傷痛悔的心，主必不輕看
求祂常在我隱密處，使我被您監察

求祢不要掉棄我，使我離開祢臉
求祢救我脫離罪惡，換我屬祢生命

X X X X X X

神呀求祢按祢的慈愛憐恤，按祢豐盛的慈悲塗抹過犯
求祢將我的罪業洗除淨盡，潔除我的罪
我向祢犯罪唯獨得罪了祢
祢責備我的時候顯為公義，祢審判我的時候顯為正直
求主祢赦免

祢所喜愛的是內裏的誠實
在我隱密之處必使我得智慧
今我謙卑禱告尋求祢的臉
遠離我惡行，求祢從天垂聽
赦免我們的罪，醫治我們的地
今我謙卑禱告尋求祢的臉

X X X X X X

神願祢來陶造我，使我在靈裏果子更多
奇妙聖靈請將心窩潔淨，剔出污穢願能成聖
恩主我求能像祢，心內柔和與謙卑
憑熱愛熱誠感染萬千生命，彰顯美善靈性

Being a high school teacher?

I have to say that I am a morning person. Many times I got up with a clear thought or idea in my mind as if I had thought over it the whole night during sleep and had made the decision just before waking up. From a Christian perspective, I receive this kind of idea in the morning.

So this time is: being a high school teacher with a concrete goal---bringing impact to the high-form students.

This career option would have been quite unimaginable in the past. First, I can still vividly recall the horrible dump stupid high school teachers in my life. Those who had heart could not teach; but worse, most who did not have heart nor could they teach. Second, though teaching is indeed a professional job, it is generally perceived as less professional in Hong Kong. Moreover, it is not especially attractive in monetary return. There could be many more reason to go, say, getting stuck with basically the same staff in the next 20-30 years---worse than a bad marriage for the relationship is one to many. Worse, the working environment is not rich in stimuli, that is, it is damn boring.

Nevertheless, this is an option to me now. I need a job after my psychology program. I am surrounded by some people who are highly passionate about education. There are many human lives in high school, which God see as precious. From psychology, probably due to contrast effect, being a passionate teacher among a group of dump stupid ones could bring a lot of impact to students. Without this vision teaching is not even an option.

Let's see what will happen.

Prayer Feb 3, 2008

Dear God,

It's been so long since we last "formally" talked to one another. In the previous months I basically only threw questions at you at random. Perhaps while I was walking. Perhaps while I was taking a bus. Perhaps while I suddenly got up. You know the deep sorrow or turbulence in me. Just trying to mingle the fact that You are indeed the source of true love and the fact that indeed I suffer greatly brought me immense distress. With whom can I share such dreadful feeling, something much worse than losing my mother? It is such solitude let me empathize how you once felt when you were on earth---thinking your Father has abandoned you in your horrible suffering.

Nonetheless, I am thankful for all the little exchanges with different people through different channels. Even more thankful for letting me thoroughly understand the limitation of rationality. Also thank you for seeing the incompatibility between Christians and the world. I hope the road I have gone through could be the blessing of others. Please help me capitalize my experience in order to serve others in the way that fits your will.

Please help me focus on acting your will rather than looking at the consequences or outcome, doing which had greatly stumbled me. Please strengthen my faith so that I could see beyond all the imperfections of the world and be a blessing of this daunting place. Please accept my questioning nature for I will surely throw more questions at you. I will never understand why there are so much sufferings on earth. Perhaps it is where Christian come into utility.

Please take away all my burdens and make me realize that there only this much I can do. Make me your faithful servant, for that is the source of real joy and peace albeit there might be pain and tears.

You know I love you and that's why I was so deeply hurt. Please mold me into something that fits your will.

Good night and see you.

Your son,
Sam