Brian Burke’s approach to making the Leafs a respected contender is simple. He soaks up something important from almost everyone he meets, and seeks out those he can learn from. Some of the most important lessons he’s picked up along the way: be decisive, realize assets come in many forms, and while you can’t always be compassionate, fairness is not negotiable.
“As you walk along the path, you have to be willing to find something on the side that helps you.”
“I called Bill Polian (Indianapolis Colts president). This is eight or nine years ago probably, well before we had a salary cap. I said, ‘We’re going toward a salary cap, I know we’re going to have one.’ I (didn’t) have the first idea how to handle a salary cap, how to manage a salary cap and I certainly don’t want to learn on the fly. I don’t want to hit the ground walking on this. If they put in a cap, what do I do? He said, ‘C’mon in. Talk to our cap guys.’ So I spent the better part of a day going over how they manage the cap.”
“Later on in the day, I’m sitting in Bill’s office and he had a depth chart and there was a little red box on three of the offensive linemen. I said, ‘What’s the little red box?’ He said, ‘They’re all unrestricted free agents.’ Of course, I’m thinking old system NHL where you’ve got to get something for everybody. And I went, ‘Oh my God, what are you going to do?’ and he looked at me like I had two heads. ‘What do you mean, what am I going to do? I’m going to replace them.’ I said, ‘You’re not going to get anything for them?’ and he said, ‘Yeah, I’m going to get back all the cap space.’ People say to me, you’ve got to get something for Tomas Kaberle. No, I don’t. I get $4.2 million back if he decides not to stay at the end of the year.”
“He’s a valuable contributor and he’s a real good guy. If we keep him for the year and he walks, he walks. I get $4.2 million back. I let Ruslan Salei walk in Anaheim. We didn’t get anything for him but I needed him to make the playoff run we did when we went to the conference finals (in 2006). I told him at the deadline, ‘I’m not moving you. I need you to play the next 20 games, have the spring of your life, then I’ll help you get the big dough somewhere else.’ He did.”
“Lesson learned, in the cap system first things first. You do not have to get a return on every asset like you did in the old system. The cap room comes back to you, that’s an asset. There’s an example.”
“My two outside guys, the guys I would rely on most for advice, would be Bill Polian and Ned Colletti. Ned Colletti (L.A. Dodgers GM) was there when we won the Cup in Anaheim. I was happy that he was there. Bill Polian and I won our championships the same year, which was really cool.”
“I remember calling Bill Polian before I did the Pronger deal (in Anaheim). I said, ‘I think I can get Pronger from Edmonton but it’s a horrible, horrible price. We’re overpaying badly.’ And Polian said, ‘You can get Chris Pronger? Hang up the phone, call Edmonton and make the deal.’ I said, ‘It ties up so much of our cap on defence.’ And he said, ‘No one has ever won a championship in the NFL without spending on defence. Hang up the phone and call.’ I was going to make the deal anyway, it didn’t push me over, but there’s a seasoned, championship executive in the most popular sport in North America and that’s the decisiveness a guy like that has. That was a lesson: Boom. Do it.”
“With Colletti, it was the same thing. . . . He said, ‘Do it, get him.’ These guys are valuable . . . if you’re having a dispute with ownership, and we haven’t had one here and we didn’t have one in Anaheim. Guys frequently have friction with their owner. Call a guy, ask what he would do, how he would handle it. Problems with the media . . . ‘We’ve got a problem guy here, what do you do with your guy if you have problems.’ They’ve been great influences and great help.”
“I used to drive up to Manhattan Beach and have coffee with Ned at 6 in the morning. I could leave my house at 5 o’clock. Up at 4:30, shower, drive up to Manhattan Beach, meet Ned at this little breakfast place and talk about what we’re trying to do with our teams. I went to spring training with them. I went to Vero Beach to see them in spring training. I went up to see games at Dodger Stadium, met with his key people. His key people met with us last year during the Edmonton/Calgary trip. I think he’s coming here this year over the New Year’s break to see the world junior and see us play two home games.”
“I was asked to be in a think tank at Wharton this summer, at the University of Pennsylvania. It was mind-boggling, the people they had in the room. People from all of sports. It was kind of like Sesame Street. Three of these things belong together, one of these things is not the same. I was like, ‘How did I get in this room?’ They were talking about issues that face sports — the economy, sponsorship dollars — and (team president/CEO) Mark Murphy was there from the Packers. I’ve always admired Mark Murphy. He was a great player, an important player in the NFLPA and now he’s on the management side, struck up a friendship, exchanged e-mails . . . To me, I think you can always learn.”
“There’s lots of lessons. Working for Pat Quinn was like getting an MBA. He’s a brilliant guy and a great teacher.”
“You know what I’d really like to do? I’d like to be able to speak French. I keep telling myself I’m going to learn and I haven’t done it yet. It’s a function of time more than anything. As far as hockey goes, you can do everything better. The day you stop learning, the day you stop improving is the day, really, you’re on the back nine. As long as you’re willing to learn and think you’re going to learn, then I think you’re still climbing the hill.”
“I think most GMs become friends with the GMs in their town . . . I have struck up a friendship with (Blue Jays’ GM) Alex Anthopoulos. I’m really impressed with him. I think he’s a really good guy, a really smart guy. Paul Beeston is a wonderful asset in terms of bouncing things off of, a very bright guy. I really like Bryan (Colangelo, the Raptors GM). He’s a really good guy but I don’t like to be seen with him in public. He’s taller than I am. He’s better looking than I am. He speaks better than I do and he dresses better than I do. So whenever I appear with him, I come off looking short and barely literate and not well-dressed. I like Bryan but I don’t like getting on stage with him.”
“I know what I don’t know, which I think is a key to be successful. There’s 30 teams and 30 farm teams. Each team in the NHL has somewhere between 40 and 50 contracts. There’s always unsigned draft choices in junior and in Europe. There’s no way you can mentally master the database as a GM. Anyone who says he knows every player in the league – knows in terms of how he plays, which way he shoots, what his propensities are – any GM who tells you that is lying. This year, there’s going to be three, four new guys on every team. Some of whom, I’ll have seen in junior, some of whom I’ll have seen in the American league but some of whom, I’ll have never seen. You got to start by conceding that you’re not going to know every player. So you darn well better have people who do. I place great weight in the people that work for me. I do take their recommendations and when they say, this is what we ought to do, that’s what we do.”
“I do believe in star power in the front office. I do believe it’s critical to have heavyweight candle-power in the front office. I had Bob Murray in Vancouver with Dave Nonis. These are GM-calibre guys working underneath me. Here, we’ve got Dave Nonis again. Dave Poulin, again GM-calibre guy. Claude Loiselle, same thing. I think it’s a top-heavy group and I think that’s important. You want to be successful, look at Kenny Holland (in Detroit). He’s got Jim Nill who is a GM-calibre guy.”
“The blueprint is never going to change for me but you inherit different assets everywhere you go.”
“If you’re picking 24 to 30, that’s not much different than a second-round pick. Everywhere I’ve gone we’ve tried to add free agents. We tried to add assets that don’t cost the team any corporate assets. I place great stress on coaching. We have an integrated system as far as our farm team goes. Our farm team plays the exact mirror-image system that our big club plays, which is amazingly not true everywhere. So when a kid comes up and plays for the Leafs, the only thing different is the building. He knows the forecheck, he knows the PK, he knows all that stuff. I believe in strength in coaching at the minor-league level. I think Dallas Eakins is just a top young coach.”
“Basically, I take the assets I have, who can play in this system, who can be a top six, who can be a bottom six, give them a chance and start putting people on airplanes.”
“The assets you have in a cap system are players, draft choices, cash, cap room and tagging room, which is the ability to sign players into future years. You need to have cap space in future years. You need to have contracts available too if you want to add players so you have to be under 50 contracts. Those are all assets.”
“Compassion is not the right word. What you owe your players is fairness. You can’t always be compassionate. You sometimes have to trade a guy whose wife is expecting, which is not compassionate. But I think if you say to the player, ‘Look I don’t have a choice. We need to do this deal’ and you explain it, which is fair. You owe your players fairness. The standard player’s contact, the word ‘compassion’ does not appear in there, but fairness is something every employee is entitled to. I value that with my non-playing employees too. The Christmas break is an example of that. But also, if there’s a rumour in the paper tomorrow . . . if you write that so-and-so is going to be traded and there’s nothing to that, I go right to that player and tell him, ‘Look, we’re not talking to anyone about you.’ I can’t guarantee you’re not going to get traded. Stop sweating it. You are not on the market here, this guy is full of crap. Compassion is something you always want to have for your players and you try to provide. Sometimes you can’t. But fairness, you owe them all the time, 365.”
Sunday, October 10, 2010
How Brian Burke intends to build a winner - thestar.com
Call it the Brian Burke Method, the plan to make the Maple Leafs a respected contender once again. Burke’s approach hasn’t changed much since he was part of a belligerent Maine Mariners squad that won the Calder Cup as AHL champs in 1978, or since he was a young general manager in Hartford seeking advice from the legendary Bill Torrey.
“The most important decision a GM makes is who coaches the team. I’m fortunate that we had a great coach in place here. That’s truly where it all begins and ends. It doesn’t matter how many good players you give the guy if he can’t coach. Then my philosophy is real simple, which is build from the net out … if you don’t have goaltending you can’t win.”
“The second most important position is defence. I’ve always spent more money and more effort on defence than any other position. I think it’s like pitching in baseball. You can have eight all-stars, eight Hall of Famers in the field, and if they’re not behind a pitching staff that’s competent, they’re not going to win.”
“Everyone thinks I was a defenceman because I’m big and my statistics were very poor. I was a forward. If you look at Stanley Cup winners in general, their defence corps was solid, if not spectacular.”
“Then, the rest of it for me is, we want to have a certain attitude. We want to play an entertaining style. We don’t trap. We pursue the puck in all three zones. We hit in all three zones. We fight. And we try to score a lot of goals. We’re not afraid to trade chances because our D is good because our goaltending is good, we’re not afraid to trade chances, which leads to an entertaining hockey game.”
“Then we go top six, bottom six. The top six are my skill guys, my speed and my first power play. Then the bottom six are the hard-hat guys. The blue collar guys, the lunch pail guys. Use whatever analogy you want. These are the guys who do the unglamorous jobs that are necessary to win a hockey game, kill penalties, block shots, win faceoffs, basically they’re the grunts but you can’t win a championship without grunts that are proficient.”
“My teams play a style that’s designed to entertain. I am in the entertainment business and I think star power is important. If you look, everywhere I’ve gone I’ve always had star players and I’ve always had a stud on defence. So with (Dion) Phaneuf, I think people would have seen that one coming because I’ve always had a stud back there. But as far as Phil Kessel, I’ve always had a star up front too. I do believe in terms of generating interest in selling tickets, you do need to have a star player so there’s no coincidence that Phil Kessel and Dion Phaneuf are here.”
“I think the draft is critical to rebuilding, don’t get me wrong. You look at this year’s draft, without a first (round pick), I think we really did a good job putting assets in the cupboard. I think our scouts did a great job. So I’m not downplaying the draft, the draft is vital. I don’t intend to keep trading first-round picks. We felt we needed to do that to add Phil Kessel and we felt we had the ability to do it because of the other free agents we had signed. I don’t intend to keep doing that. I think long-term successful teams keep their picks and draft.”
“I’ve never consciously said, let’s have an M.O. Let’s have something the writers can say, this is what he does. I would say, I’ve always given my players a chance. I’ve never come in and blown the team up right away. I’ve always given the players a chance. Second thing is, I’m not a big trade deadline guy. If I’m in contention, I try to add small pieces at the deadline. I like my team to get together earlier in the season. I do place great value on belligerence. I think if two teams are otherwise equal, the tougher team is always going to win. And I do believe in treating players fairly. We have a different Christmas trade deadline here. I think we’re very honest with our players here. I think the players here are treated fairly and know they’re treated fairly so that’s it, that’s my philosophy.”
“My whole philosophy of building teams, I owe to Bill Torrey (legendary Islanders GM). After we won (in Anaheim), I called him and thanked him. I asked him once, you won four straight Cups — people can argue that might have been one of the greatest teams ever — I’m a young GM, can you educate me on this? He said, it’s very simple. You have to win four playoff series to win a Stanley Cup, 16 games. He said, your whole team should be built for 16 games. He said, in the course of those four series, you’re going to play a big team. You’re going to play a really fast team. You’re going to play a team that relies on special teams, more like a trap team might in Jersey, a team that has great special teams. Then you’re going to see a hybrid of one of them. In no particular sequence. You’ve got to be big enough to beat the big team. Quick enough to beat the speed team. Special teams have to be good so you need power play specialists and PK specialists. Then, the hybrid, you need a blend of all it. And goaltending, obviously they had great goaltending.”
“I evolved it with Bob Murray and Dave Nonis over time to be even more tightly defined. And someone will come along after me and define it even more … but, to me, it’s top six, bottom six and top four, bottom two on the D. That’s what I’ve used since I got to Hartford. I never elucidated it there. I never talked to the media about the blueprint there but that’s clearly the way I thought we were going to go. As a rookie GM, you don’t want to be making bold statements about how you build a team. It’s your first day on the job, you keep your mouth shut.”
“I tell the team this when we go to training camp. We actually talk about this analogy. I tell them, you go to the symphony and in the front row is the first violin and she’s elegant. She’s got a beautiful long dress on and there’s a spotlight on. She’s got nice earrings and everyone came to listen to her. But there’s a guy built like me in the back row blowing on a tuba. They don’t start till they both sit down. Now she’s going to make a lot more money than I do. She’s probably going to have a longer career than I have. But if we’re going to get picked up and put on a record label, they need me too.”
“Then after we all leave, someone cleans up the hall and moves the chairs back. So there’s a job for everyone. A successful organization has to have contributions at every level.”
“You go by a job site. There’s a guy digging a ditch, a guy pounding nails, a guy stringing wire and a guy welding pipe. Four different jobs, four different pay scales but the building doesn’t go up unless every one of them shows up for work. It’s the same thing I tell our players. If you’re a fourth-line guy, if you’re Colton Orr, you have great value on our team. If you’re a third-line guy who kills penalties, takes faceoffs, blocks shots, you have great value on our team. There’s a spot for you on this team. Everyone is valuable. Everyone is important. But you’ve got to be able to do one of those jobs. You’re no good to me unless you’re a top six or a bottom six. If you’re not good enough to be a top six, you’d better bring some sandpaper or a skill specialty or some courage to it. Like a Freddie Sjostrom is an important player on our team because he can kill penalties and he’s fearless blocking shots and he’s got character. That’s an underlying thing to all of this. I want people with character.”
“I’ve been fortunate, I’ve had two great mentors in hockey. Lou Lamoriello who I played for (at Providence College) and Pat Quinn who I worked for the first time (at Vancouver). This isn’t self-learned. I worked for two giants. The other guy who was a great influence in my professional career was Gary Bettman but that was on the business side. Between those two guys, Lou and Pat, I didn’t have to pick up a book and learn hockey all on my own. I had two great teachers.”
“Are there things I thought were true that aren’t true now? I don’t think so. I played on a championship team (Maine Mariners, the Flyers’ affiliate) in the American league. I played a very minor role on that team. I’ll make that disclaimer up front. But we had all the elements. Keith Allen was the GM of the Flyers at that time. We had an excellent coach; we had great team toughness. We had clear special teams guys who were terrific. We had the MVP of the league that year (Blake Dunlop), we had the best defenceman in the league that year (Terry Murray) but we also had grunts that killed penalties and blocked shots.”
“That’s where it started. I remember thinking, we played the Nova Scotia Voyageurs in the second round, and I remember talking to Dennis Patterson who was our captain — he now scouts for the Flyers — and I remember saying, if we beat these guys, we’re going to steamroll New Haven. That’s who we played in the finals. We beat then 4-1 because we were so much bigger and so much tougher. We matched their skill and we were much more belligerent. Lessons learned.”
The conversation continues on Sunday, as Burke talks about star power, the salary cap, and who he goes to for advice.
“The most important decision a GM makes is who coaches the team. I’m fortunate that we had a great coach in place here. That’s truly where it all begins and ends. It doesn’t matter how many good players you give the guy if he can’t coach. Then my philosophy is real simple, which is build from the net out … if you don’t have goaltending you can’t win.”
“The second most important position is defence. I’ve always spent more money and more effort on defence than any other position. I think it’s like pitching in baseball. You can have eight all-stars, eight Hall of Famers in the field, and if they’re not behind a pitching staff that’s competent, they’re not going to win.”
“Everyone thinks I was a defenceman because I’m big and my statistics were very poor. I was a forward. If you look at Stanley Cup winners in general, their defence corps was solid, if not spectacular.”
“Then, the rest of it for me is, we want to have a certain attitude. We want to play an entertaining style. We don’t trap. We pursue the puck in all three zones. We hit in all three zones. We fight. And we try to score a lot of goals. We’re not afraid to trade chances because our D is good because our goaltending is good, we’re not afraid to trade chances, which leads to an entertaining hockey game.”
“Then we go top six, bottom six. The top six are my skill guys, my speed and my first power play. Then the bottom six are the hard-hat guys. The blue collar guys, the lunch pail guys. Use whatever analogy you want. These are the guys who do the unglamorous jobs that are necessary to win a hockey game, kill penalties, block shots, win faceoffs, basically they’re the grunts but you can’t win a championship without grunts that are proficient.”
“My teams play a style that’s designed to entertain. I am in the entertainment business and I think star power is important. If you look, everywhere I’ve gone I’ve always had star players and I’ve always had a stud on defence. So with (Dion) Phaneuf, I think people would have seen that one coming because I’ve always had a stud back there. But as far as Phil Kessel, I’ve always had a star up front too. I do believe in terms of generating interest in selling tickets, you do need to have a star player so there’s no coincidence that Phil Kessel and Dion Phaneuf are here.”
“I think the draft is critical to rebuilding, don’t get me wrong. You look at this year’s draft, without a first (round pick), I think we really did a good job putting assets in the cupboard. I think our scouts did a great job. So I’m not downplaying the draft, the draft is vital. I don’t intend to keep trading first-round picks. We felt we needed to do that to add Phil Kessel and we felt we had the ability to do it because of the other free agents we had signed. I don’t intend to keep doing that. I think long-term successful teams keep their picks and draft.”
“I’ve never consciously said, let’s have an M.O. Let’s have something the writers can say, this is what he does. I would say, I’ve always given my players a chance. I’ve never come in and blown the team up right away. I’ve always given the players a chance. Second thing is, I’m not a big trade deadline guy. If I’m in contention, I try to add small pieces at the deadline. I like my team to get together earlier in the season. I do place great value on belligerence. I think if two teams are otherwise equal, the tougher team is always going to win. And I do believe in treating players fairly. We have a different Christmas trade deadline here. I think we’re very honest with our players here. I think the players here are treated fairly and know they’re treated fairly so that’s it, that’s my philosophy.”
“My whole philosophy of building teams, I owe to Bill Torrey (legendary Islanders GM). After we won (in Anaheim), I called him and thanked him. I asked him once, you won four straight Cups — people can argue that might have been one of the greatest teams ever — I’m a young GM, can you educate me on this? He said, it’s very simple. You have to win four playoff series to win a Stanley Cup, 16 games. He said, your whole team should be built for 16 games. He said, in the course of those four series, you’re going to play a big team. You’re going to play a really fast team. You’re going to play a team that relies on special teams, more like a trap team might in Jersey, a team that has great special teams. Then you’re going to see a hybrid of one of them. In no particular sequence. You’ve got to be big enough to beat the big team. Quick enough to beat the speed team. Special teams have to be good so you need power play specialists and PK specialists. Then, the hybrid, you need a blend of all it. And goaltending, obviously they had great goaltending.”
“I evolved it with Bob Murray and Dave Nonis over time to be even more tightly defined. And someone will come along after me and define it even more … but, to me, it’s top six, bottom six and top four, bottom two on the D. That’s what I’ve used since I got to Hartford. I never elucidated it there. I never talked to the media about the blueprint there but that’s clearly the way I thought we were going to go. As a rookie GM, you don’t want to be making bold statements about how you build a team. It’s your first day on the job, you keep your mouth shut.”
“I tell the team this when we go to training camp. We actually talk about this analogy. I tell them, you go to the symphony and in the front row is the first violin and she’s elegant. She’s got a beautiful long dress on and there’s a spotlight on. She’s got nice earrings and everyone came to listen to her. But there’s a guy built like me in the back row blowing on a tuba. They don’t start till they both sit down. Now she’s going to make a lot more money than I do. She’s probably going to have a longer career than I have. But if we’re going to get picked up and put on a record label, they need me too.”
“Then after we all leave, someone cleans up the hall and moves the chairs back. So there’s a job for everyone. A successful organization has to have contributions at every level.”
“You go by a job site. There’s a guy digging a ditch, a guy pounding nails, a guy stringing wire and a guy welding pipe. Four different jobs, four different pay scales but the building doesn’t go up unless every one of them shows up for work. It’s the same thing I tell our players. If you’re a fourth-line guy, if you’re Colton Orr, you have great value on our team. If you’re a third-line guy who kills penalties, takes faceoffs, blocks shots, you have great value on our team. There’s a spot for you on this team. Everyone is valuable. Everyone is important. But you’ve got to be able to do one of those jobs. You’re no good to me unless you’re a top six or a bottom six. If you’re not good enough to be a top six, you’d better bring some sandpaper or a skill specialty or some courage to it. Like a Freddie Sjostrom is an important player on our team because he can kill penalties and he’s fearless blocking shots and he’s got character. That’s an underlying thing to all of this. I want people with character.”
“I’ve been fortunate, I’ve had two great mentors in hockey. Lou Lamoriello who I played for (at Providence College) and Pat Quinn who I worked for the first time (at Vancouver). This isn’t self-learned. I worked for two giants. The other guy who was a great influence in my professional career was Gary Bettman but that was on the business side. Between those two guys, Lou and Pat, I didn’t have to pick up a book and learn hockey all on my own. I had two great teachers.”
“Are there things I thought were true that aren’t true now? I don’t think so. I played on a championship team (Maine Mariners, the Flyers’ affiliate) in the American league. I played a very minor role on that team. I’ll make that disclaimer up front. But we had all the elements. Keith Allen was the GM of the Flyers at that time. We had an excellent coach; we had great team toughness. We had clear special teams guys who were terrific. We had the MVP of the league that year (Blake Dunlop), we had the best defenceman in the league that year (Terry Murray) but we also had grunts that killed penalties and blocked shots.”
“That’s where it started. I remember thinking, we played the Nova Scotia Voyageurs in the second round, and I remember talking to Dennis Patterson who was our captain — he now scouts for the Flyers — and I remember saying, if we beat these guys, we’re going to steamroll New Haven. That’s who we played in the finals. We beat then 4-1 because we were so much bigger and so much tougher. We matched their skill and we were much more belligerent. Lessons learned.”
The conversation continues on Sunday, as Burke talks about star power, the salary cap, and who he goes to for advice.
Friday, October 08, 2010
女人心事 -- 等待
羅乃萱(電郵：shirley.loo@familyheartware.com)
如果愛一個人，他變了心，要等他回心轉意嗎？
在電郵中收到這樣一個問題，令我苦思良久。
起初的反應是，大家又不是談婚論嫁。男若無情，女的也沒有義務要等下去，是嗎？
總覺得，死有輕於鴻毛，有重於泰山之別。等待，又何嘗不是一樣？
漫無目的的等待，只是浪費與虛耗寶貴的青春。
「他說從來沒愛過我，但我不信！」說的那麼斬釘截鐵，背後卻是一種無法稀釋的執狂與意亂情迷。要明白，一個男人能開口這樣決絕說「不愛」的話，他「說謊」的成分其實很低很低啊！
「坊間不是說過真愛要等待的嗎？」對啊！但問題是，單方的付出與執迷，只會是一場糾纏不清的苦戀。
聽過這樣一個故事。她在大學時代跟同窗的他拍拖，兩個人相愛相親，她認定他就是未來的結婚對象。豈料，情海猝然翻波，他說要跟她分手，藉口是：「大家還年輕，認識多些異性朋友再看看。如果對方是真命天子的話，一定有緣可以再會！」實情卻是，第三者介入，他移情別戀去也。
那段失戀的日子，她曾哭得死去活來，覺得「沒有他的日子活不下去」。後經摯友提醒：「如此不負責任的男人，值得妳為他流眼淚嗎？」思前想後，決定要忘記背後，重新出發。最後，上主為她預備一個絕頂配偶，兩個人婚後育有一對子女，其樂融融。
某天，她忽然發現，那個曾愛過的他，在她的博客留言：「我仍單身，你呢？」
「我的生活很愉快。有一個愛我的丈夫，一對活潑可愛的兒女，更重要的是，找到愛的源頭，就是讓我委身一生的上主。我會為你禱告，願主祝福你！」
基督教時代論壇 第一二○六期.二○一○年十月十日
如果愛一個人，他變了心，要等他回心轉意嗎？
在電郵中收到這樣一個問題，令我苦思良久。
起初的反應是，大家又不是談婚論嫁。男若無情，女的也沒有義務要等下去，是嗎？
總覺得，死有輕於鴻毛，有重於泰山之別。等待，又何嘗不是一樣？
漫無目的的等待，只是浪費與虛耗寶貴的青春。
「他說從來沒愛過我，但我不信！」說的那麼斬釘截鐵，背後卻是一種無法稀釋的執狂與意亂情迷。要明白，一個男人能開口這樣決絕說「不愛」的話，他「說謊」的成分其實很低很低啊！
「坊間不是說過真愛要等待的嗎？」對啊！但問題是，單方的付出與執迷，只會是一場糾纏不清的苦戀。
聽過這樣一個故事。她在大學時代跟同窗的他拍拖，兩個人相愛相親，她認定他就是未來的結婚對象。豈料，情海猝然翻波，他說要跟她分手，藉口是：「大家還年輕，認識多些異性朋友再看看。如果對方是真命天子的話，一定有緣可以再會！」實情卻是，第三者介入，他移情別戀去也。
那段失戀的日子，她曾哭得死去活來，覺得「沒有他的日子活不下去」。後經摯友提醒：「如此不負責任的男人，值得妳為他流眼淚嗎？」思前想後，決定要忘記背後，重新出發。最後，上主為她預備一個絕頂配偶，兩個人婚後育有一對子女，其樂融融。
某天，她忽然發現，那個曾愛過的他，在她的博客留言：「我仍單身，你呢？」
「我的生活很愉快。有一個愛我的丈夫，一對活潑可愛的兒女，更重要的是，找到愛的源頭，就是讓我委身一生的上主。我會為你禱告，願主祝福你！」
基督教時代論壇 第一二○六期.二○一○年十月十日
Monday, October 04, 2010
面前的牌子
何靜 <國證網絡--給您,同行者>網絡編輯
一個失明的男孩坐在路邊，擺了一頂帽子在腳旁，面前放了一個告示牌寫著：
「我是一個可憐的瞎子，請幫助我」。帽子裡只有幾枚硬幣。
一個男人經過，停下腳步，從口袋裡掏出了幾枚硬幣投入帽子裡。然後，他拿起牌子把它翻轉過來寫了一些字，再放回男孩的面前。男孩也察覺了。
奇怪地，開始有很多人在看過牌子後往帽子裡投錢，帽子很快開始裝滿了錢。
午後，改寫了告示牌的男人來看看事情發展得怎麼樣了。男孩認出了他的腳步便問道：
「你就是那個改寫牌子的人嗎？你到底寫了什麼？」
那人說：「我不過是寫事實，跟你原來的意思差不多，只是用了另一種說法。」
他寫的是：「雖然我的眼睛看不見，但你的幫助，能讓我的心靈看見生命的美好！」
兩個牌子，說的都是事實，卻流露著截然不同的人生觀。
第一個牌子告訴人失明的男孩多麼不幸，只聚焦在他所失去的東西上。
第二個牌子告訴人男孩雖然失去了視力，但仍能擁有和享受生命中美好的事物。而人們的幫助，能發揮正面的影響力。
今天的社會，充滿了各種不幸和苦難。人生也難免遇到挫拆和逆境，我們需要正能量──以正面的思想來看事物，以積極的態度來過生活。同一個處境，換個角度來看，能帶來完全不同的感受、行動和影響。
耶穌的教導也是充滿正能量的，祂曾說：「不要為明天憂慮，因為明天自有明天的憂慮；一天的難處一天當就夠了。」（馬太福音6:34）這是因著相信神必看顧而對生命生出的安全感。祂又教導我們面對生活要「常常禱告，不可灰心」。對於面對試探或困境，聖經教導我們要深信神必會開出路，我們必能忍耐得住。這不是充滿樂觀積極的思想嗎？可是對基督徒來說，這種正向思維並不是靠自己而來的，而是因著對神的信心和認識，相信祂是一位慈愛豐盛的神，無論在任何處境中必會看顧我們，保護我們，因祂是我們的父親，我們是祂所愛的兒女。
耶穌的使徒保羅也是正能量的表表者，他曾說：「我知道怎樣處卑賤，也知道怎樣處豐富；或飽足，或飢餓；或有餘，或缺乏，隨事隨在，我都得了祕訣。」（腓立比書4:12）這是何等豁達的人生觀啊！「我靠著那加給我力量的，凡事都能作。」這是何等超凡的信心啊！
在國證網絡事奉的日子，也不全是風平浪靜的，也有經歷困難的時候，特別是經濟上的經常不敷常教人擔憂，人力和資源上的欠缺常教人疲乏；然而，換個角度來看，神的恩典蓋過了一切的不足，祂讓我們經歷了看似不足卻是豐富的境況。在經濟最壞的時候，我們從沒有打出一個牌子說：我們不夠錢用啊，弟兄姊妹們，奉獻給我們吧。我們面前的牌子所說的是：我們仍有很多神所託付的事工要做，你的支持，能讓更多人走近神，親近神。
你面前的牌子寫著甚麼呢？無論你在那一種生活境況中，請常常默念神的愛、生命的美好，在內心思念每一個你所愛的人、數算每一件值得感恩的大小事情。如果你面前的牌子寫滿了自憐和苦澀的句子，把它改寫過來，讓你的生命充滿從神而來的正能量！
一個失明的男孩坐在路邊，擺了一頂帽子在腳旁，面前放了一個告示牌寫著：
「我是一個可憐的瞎子，請幫助我」。帽子裡只有幾枚硬幣。
一個男人經過，停下腳步，從口袋裡掏出了幾枚硬幣投入帽子裡。然後，他拿起牌子把它翻轉過來寫了一些字，再放回男孩的面前。男孩也察覺了。
奇怪地，開始有很多人在看過牌子後往帽子裡投錢，帽子很快開始裝滿了錢。
午後，改寫了告示牌的男人來看看事情發展得怎麼樣了。男孩認出了他的腳步便問道：
「你就是那個改寫牌子的人嗎？你到底寫了什麼？」
那人說：「我不過是寫事實，跟你原來的意思差不多，只是用了另一種說法。」
他寫的是：「雖然我的眼睛看不見，但你的幫助，能讓我的心靈看見生命的美好！」
兩個牌子，說的都是事實，卻流露著截然不同的人生觀。
第一個牌子告訴人失明的男孩多麼不幸，只聚焦在他所失去的東西上。
第二個牌子告訴人男孩雖然失去了視力，但仍能擁有和享受生命中美好的事物。而人們的幫助，能發揮正面的影響力。
今天的社會，充滿了各種不幸和苦難。人生也難免遇到挫拆和逆境，我們需要正能量──以正面的思想來看事物，以積極的態度來過生活。同一個處境，換個角度來看，能帶來完全不同的感受、行動和影響。
耶穌的教導也是充滿正能量的，祂曾說：「不要為明天憂慮，因為明天自有明天的憂慮；一天的難處一天當就夠了。」（馬太福音6:34）這是因著相信神必看顧而對生命生出的安全感。祂又教導我們面對生活要「常常禱告，不可灰心」。對於面對試探或困境，聖經教導我們要深信神必會開出路，我們必能忍耐得住。這不是充滿樂觀積極的思想嗎？可是對基督徒來說，這種正向思維並不是靠自己而來的，而是因著對神的信心和認識，相信祂是一位慈愛豐盛的神，無論在任何處境中必會看顧我們，保護我們，因祂是我們的父親，我們是祂所愛的兒女。
耶穌的使徒保羅也是正能量的表表者，他曾說：「我知道怎樣處卑賤，也知道怎樣處豐富；或飽足，或飢餓；或有餘，或缺乏，隨事隨在，我都得了祕訣。」（腓立比書4:12）這是何等豁達的人生觀啊！「我靠著那加給我力量的，凡事都能作。」這是何等超凡的信心啊！
在國證網絡事奉的日子，也不全是風平浪靜的，也有經歷困難的時候，特別是經濟上的經常不敷常教人擔憂，人力和資源上的欠缺常教人疲乏；然而，換個角度來看，神的恩典蓋過了一切的不足，祂讓我們經歷了看似不足卻是豐富的境況。在經濟最壞的時候，我們從沒有打出一個牌子說：我們不夠錢用啊，弟兄姊妹們，奉獻給我們吧。我們面前的牌子所說的是：我們仍有很多神所託付的事工要做，你的支持，能讓更多人走近神，親近神。
你面前的牌子寫著甚麼呢？無論你在那一種生活境況中，請常常默念神的愛、生命的美好，在內心思念每一個你所愛的人、數算每一件值得感恩的大小事情。如果你面前的牌子寫滿了自憐和苦澀的句子，把它改寫過來，讓你的生命充滿從神而來的正能量！
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
復興的異象 A Vision for Revival
加拿大廣東話青少年事工是否經已進入夕陽時份?
教會團契是否只經到達功成身退的階段?
使者以溫哥華廣東話青少年事工作為借鏡，與大家分享溫哥華教會青少年團契的經歷...
復興的異象 A Vision for Revival Part One (Click here)
復興的異象 A Vision for Revival Part Two (Click here)
教會團契是否只經到達功成身退的階段?
使者以溫哥華廣東話青少年事工作為借鏡，與大家分享溫哥華教會青少年團契的經歷...
復興的異象 A Vision for Revival Part One (Click here)
復興的異象 A Vision for Revival Part Two (Click here)
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Bishops invite commuters back to church - thestar.com
Dressed in their religious garments, teams of Anglican bishops and priests fanned out at GO Transit stations in the GTA Thursday to hand out pamphlets encouraging people to go back to church.
It was their second annual “Back to Church” outreach, part of an international initiative that started several years ago in the United Kingdom.
As thousands of commuters emptied out of Union Station, some appeared to think it was a stunt. Many wore grim expressions as they accepted the “invitations” and “good morning” greetings.
Others brushed past, looking annoyed, even walking out into the street to escape Archbishop Colin Johnson, in his full religious vestments, making like a pitchman trying to sell his brand.
It’s part of a push to get people back to church, and many commuters clearly didn’t know what to think.
“It’s weird,” Eric, who wouldn’t give his last name, said with a frown.
Some said they liked the idea. One woman said that if Jesus were here, that’s what he would be doing.
Another man, Greg Hood, 34, an accountant, looked bemused. He said he thought this was “another gimmick.”
Why wouldn’t he?
This is the corner where all kinds of brisk business take place. Competing for attention with the bishops were people with literature advertising Sears designer suits and others selling “daily deals” in Toronto.
When apprised of the fact, that they had competition, Robertson joked, “I thought this was our corner.”
Competition is what the Anglican bishops say is what has pushed them out into the streets to meet with people.
Bishop Philip Poole, who was stationed in Mississauga, said, “We’d be lying if we said that attendance is soaring and that all is well.”
Mostly, however, people are growing more secular and devoting less time to church, the bishops say.
“Competition is everywhere,” Johnston said. “The pace of life is a lot busier. We’re just hoping to make them stop and think.”
If last year’s event is any gauge, more people will be in the pews come Sunday.
After last year’s event, Johnston says Anglican churches in the Toronto diocese saw 1,800 more people coming up the church steps the following Sunday.
The bishops, however, said the objective is not just to get more business for their own churches. They say it’s to encourage people to get involved in their own houses of worship and put religion back into their lives.
It was their second annual “Back to Church” outreach, part of an international initiative that started several years ago in the United Kingdom.
As thousands of commuters emptied out of Union Station, some appeared to think it was a stunt. Many wore grim expressions as they accepted the “invitations” and “good morning” greetings.
Others brushed past, looking annoyed, even walking out into the street to escape Archbishop Colin Johnson, in his full religious vestments, making like a pitchman trying to sell his brand.
It’s part of a push to get people back to church, and many commuters clearly didn’t know what to think.
“It’s weird,” Eric, who wouldn’t give his last name, said with a frown.
Some said they liked the idea. One woman said that if Jesus were here, that’s what he would be doing.
Another man, Greg Hood, 34, an accountant, looked bemused. He said he thought this was “another gimmick.”
Why wouldn’t he?
This is the corner where all kinds of brisk business take place. Competing for attention with the bishops were people with literature advertising Sears designer suits and others selling “daily deals” in Toronto.
When apprised of the fact, that they had competition, Robertson joked, “I thought this was our corner.”
Competition is what the Anglican bishops say is what has pushed them out into the streets to meet with people.
Bishop Philip Poole, who was stationed in Mississauga, said, “We’d be lying if we said that attendance is soaring and that all is well.”
Mostly, however, people are growing more secular and devoting less time to church, the bishops say.
“Competition is everywhere,” Johnston said. “The pace of life is a lot busier. We’re just hoping to make them stop and think.”
If last year’s event is any gauge, more people will be in the pews come Sunday.
After last year’s event, Johnston says Anglican churches in the Toronto diocese saw 1,800 more people coming up the church steps the following Sunday.
The bishops, however, said the objective is not just to get more business for their own churches. They say it’s to encourage people to get involved in their own houses of worship and put religion back into their lives.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
菲律賓已因人質慘劇蒙羞 若掩飾真相更為世人不齒
【明報專訊】菲律賓警方顢頇無能，在營救康泰旅行團被挾持事件中，表現未符合專業要求，菲律賓總統阿奎諾三世雖云答應調查事件，並向中國政府和特區政府交代，但是從昨日事態發展看來，菲國官方對此事隱然已有定見，其調查操作未符合嚴謹、嚴格的要求。我們認為，中央政府或特區政府應該向菲律賓政府提出，由中國政府或特區政府派專家參與或觀察調查，以確保調查符合國際準則的要求；若菲國主動邀請，更是打破港菲關係困局的契機。
阿奎諾表現惹港人反感
菲就事態調查有定見？
前晚血腥慘劇發生之後，阿奎諾三世在一官員簇擁下，曾到現場視察，他對在場香港記者的提問，置若罔聞，從電視鏡頭所見，阿奎諾三世與陪同官員有說有笑，一派輕鬆模樣，與現場不久前槍聲卜卜，8名港人被血腥屠殺的景，格格不入。另外，在記者會上，阿奎諾三世不但竭力為警方辯護，其口若懸河的說辭，港人聞之，覺得不是味兒。以危機管理而言，阿奎諾三世的表現難言合格，因為他不但未能安撫香港市民的不滿，反而更激起憤慨。所以，此階段危機管理，阿奎諾三世其實演出了一場公關災難，迄昨菲國官方還未公開就慘劇表達歉意。
阿奎諾三世以總統身分日理萬機，對事態的掌握，一般而言靠官員或幕僚匯報，若報告有偏頗，自然影響阿奎諾三世的取態。昨日，有菲國官員接受香港記者訪問時，強調救了多少人質，若側重於此，則遇事旅行團全團20人，加上領隊1人，當地菲籍司機和導遊各1名，總共23人，現在死了8人，以人數計算，菲國可以自詡行動成功。這個半杯水滿、半杯水空的不同角度，決定了事態的性質，就看阿奎諾三世收到的是什麼料而已。
雖然阿奎諾三世力撐警隊，不過，除了本港輿論，連菲國當地的傳媒，都一致批評這宗營救人質災難，與菲國警方處理不當有關。面對群情洶湧，昨日，阿奎諾三世嘗試補救，例如，他率同副總統和外交部長等高層官員，與中國駐菲大使劉建超和港府副入境事務處長黎棟國會晤，答允調查事件，並會派出高層代表團分別到北京和香港交代事件。另外，昨日下午，他還給行政長官曾蔭權回覆電話，解釋前日未接聽電話，乃幕僚見他事忙，未通知他。連串事態顯示原先強硬取態，有所調整。不過，態度轉變，並不等於菲國承認營救犯錯。
例如，昨日菲律賓總統府發出聲明，以阿奎諾三世的名義，縷述事態梗概。他在記者會批傳媒直播引發槍手大開殺戒，在聲明中則說「傳媒播出挾持者家人被強制帶離現場的畫面，激怒了挾持者，並鳴槍示警」。說法不同，內容則一樣，主要把責任歸咎他人，連槍手的弟弟被捕，目的也是如此。所以，從種種象顯示，菲國所謂調查，使人懷疑是否先有答案，再找證據。其實，電視直播不構成阻礙救人，若當局應對恰當，皆大歡喜和氣收場，或是警隊攻堅，乾淨利落解決危局，則菲國政府的威望自然大升；所以，一切視乎營救安排是否做得好，電視直播根本不是問題。
另外，有熟悉蒐證程序的人士認為，從電視鏡頭所見，未見菲國人員全面封鎖現場，仔細蒐集例如彈頭等物品，因為找到彈頭，與槍支的來福線比對，就可以知道中槍死亡的死者，是由哪一支槍所殺，而現場其他物品，也是呈現車廂內和槍戰情的最佳證據，但是未見妥善保護和蒐集，菲國所謂調查的誠意，可見一斑。
菲國就這宗挾持人質事件，暴露整體應變能力之不足和警方之窩囊，已經使國家在國際蒙羞；為挽回形象，我們認為，菲律賓政府首要坦誠交代事件，絕對不應有掩飾之心，若調查報告只為推卸責任，則必會引發更大反彈。首階段的危機管理，已經落筆打三更，若調查報告不為世人接受，則菲律賓的形象更會一落千丈，甚而為人所不齒。
市民不應遷怒菲傭
旅遊警示應包括治安紀錄
因此之故，我們認為，特區政府應該透過中央政府向菲律賓政府提出，由中國政府或特區政府派專家到菲國，參與或觀察調查，以確保日後菲國的調查結果，較有公信力。
關於這宗慘劇，現階段還有兩點值得討論。
首先，市民看到菲國警察表現窩囊，使8名港人被殺，都義憤填胸，不過，市民應該認知，這個只是菲國警察不濟的結果，與本港以十萬計家庭一起生活作息的菲傭，絕不相干，絕大多數菲傭對於菲警的表現，都不以為然，所以，市民不要遷怒於菲傭。昨日傳聞有市民因而怒炒菲傭，若真有其事，那是絕不應該。市民應與菲傭如常生活工作，無必要、也不應該改變。
其次，本港現行旅遊級別警示，只視乎一個國家或地區是否有突發變故，包括天災或政爭集會等（例如較早前泰國紅衫軍的反政府活動），至於其恆常社會治安狀，則不在參考之內。但是菲律賓長期治安不靖，針對外國旅客和華人的搶劫案，去年就有138宗。就以前日凌晨，馬尼拉亦發生綁架殺害韓國人事件，多名槍手截停載有多名韓國人的車輛，槍殺一人，擄走兩人，其後釋放，槍手動機不明。所以，同一日，馬尼拉就發生兩宗針對旅客的案件，這樣的治安環境，是否適合港人前往旅遊，當局應該研究。我們認為，一國或地區、城市的治安紀錄，應該成為旅遊警示參考的一部分，以完整反映是否適宜旅遊。
阿奎諾表現惹港人反感
菲就事態調查有定見？
前晚血腥慘劇發生之後，阿奎諾三世在一官員簇擁下，曾到現場視察，他對在場香港記者的提問，置若罔聞，從電視鏡頭所見，阿奎諾三世與陪同官員有說有笑，一派輕鬆模樣，與現場不久前槍聲卜卜，8名港人被血腥屠殺的景，格格不入。另外，在記者會上，阿奎諾三世不但竭力為警方辯護，其口若懸河的說辭，港人聞之，覺得不是味兒。以危機管理而言，阿奎諾三世的表現難言合格，因為他不但未能安撫香港市民的不滿，反而更激起憤慨。所以，此階段危機管理，阿奎諾三世其實演出了一場公關災難，迄昨菲國官方還未公開就慘劇表達歉意。
阿奎諾三世以總統身分日理萬機，對事態的掌握，一般而言靠官員或幕僚匯報，若報告有偏頗，自然影響阿奎諾三世的取態。昨日，有菲國官員接受香港記者訪問時，強調救了多少人質，若側重於此，則遇事旅行團全團20人，加上領隊1人，當地菲籍司機和導遊各1名，總共23人，現在死了8人，以人數計算，菲國可以自詡行動成功。這個半杯水滿、半杯水空的不同角度，決定了事態的性質，就看阿奎諾三世收到的是什麼料而已。
雖然阿奎諾三世力撐警隊，不過，除了本港輿論，連菲國當地的傳媒，都一致批評這宗營救人質災難，與菲國警方處理不當有關。面對群情洶湧，昨日，阿奎諾三世嘗試補救，例如，他率同副總統和外交部長等高層官員，與中國駐菲大使劉建超和港府副入境事務處長黎棟國會晤，答允調查事件，並會派出高層代表團分別到北京和香港交代事件。另外，昨日下午，他還給行政長官曾蔭權回覆電話，解釋前日未接聽電話，乃幕僚見他事忙，未通知他。連串事態顯示原先強硬取態，有所調整。不過，態度轉變，並不等於菲國承認營救犯錯。
例如，昨日菲律賓總統府發出聲明，以阿奎諾三世的名義，縷述事態梗概。他在記者會批傳媒直播引發槍手大開殺戒，在聲明中則說「傳媒播出挾持者家人被強制帶離現場的畫面，激怒了挾持者，並鳴槍示警」。說法不同，內容則一樣，主要把責任歸咎他人，連槍手的弟弟被捕，目的也是如此。所以，從種種象顯示，菲國所謂調查，使人懷疑是否先有答案，再找證據。其實，電視直播不構成阻礙救人，若當局應對恰當，皆大歡喜和氣收場，或是警隊攻堅，乾淨利落解決危局，則菲國政府的威望自然大升；所以，一切視乎營救安排是否做得好，電視直播根本不是問題。
另外，有熟悉蒐證程序的人士認為，從電視鏡頭所見，未見菲國人員全面封鎖現場，仔細蒐集例如彈頭等物品，因為找到彈頭，與槍支的來福線比對，就可以知道中槍死亡的死者，是由哪一支槍所殺，而現場其他物品，也是呈現車廂內和槍戰情的最佳證據，但是未見妥善保護和蒐集，菲國所謂調查的誠意，可見一斑。
菲國就這宗挾持人質事件，暴露整體應變能力之不足和警方之窩囊，已經使國家在國際蒙羞；為挽回形象，我們認為，菲律賓政府首要坦誠交代事件，絕對不應有掩飾之心，若調查報告只為推卸責任，則必會引發更大反彈。首階段的危機管理，已經落筆打三更，若調查報告不為世人接受，則菲律賓的形象更會一落千丈，甚而為人所不齒。
市民不應遷怒菲傭
旅遊警示應包括治安紀錄
因此之故，我們認為，特區政府應該透過中央政府向菲律賓政府提出，由中國政府或特區政府派專家到菲國，參與或觀察調查，以確保日後菲國的調查結果，較有公信力。
關於這宗慘劇，現階段還有兩點值得討論。
首先，市民看到菲國警察表現窩囊，使8名港人被殺，都義憤填胸，不過，市民應該認知，這個只是菲國警察不濟的結果，與本港以十萬計家庭一起生活作息的菲傭，絕不相干，絕大多數菲傭對於菲警的表現，都不以為然，所以，市民不要遷怒於菲傭。昨日傳聞有市民因而怒炒菲傭，若真有其事，那是絕不應該。市民應與菲傭如常生活工作，無必要、也不應該改變。
其次，本港現行旅遊級別警示，只視乎一個國家或地區是否有突發變故，包括天災或政爭集會等（例如較早前泰國紅衫軍的反政府活動），至於其恆常社會治安狀，則不在參考之內。但是菲律賓長期治安不靖，針對外國旅客和華人的搶劫案，去年就有138宗。就以前日凌晨，馬尼拉亦發生綁架殺害韓國人事件，多名槍手截停載有多名韓國人的車輛，槍殺一人，擄走兩人，其後釋放，槍手動機不明。所以，同一日，馬尼拉就發生兩宗針對旅客的案件，這樣的治安環境，是否適合港人前往旅遊，當局應該研究。我們認為，一國或地區、城市的治安紀錄，應該成為旅遊警示參考的一部分，以完整反映是否適宜旅遊。
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Friday, July 30, 2010
女人心事 男人堆 羅乃萱
女人心事：男人堆
羅乃萱
電郵：shirley.loo@familyheartware.com
時代論壇 第一一九六期.二○一○年八月一日
好久沒試過，對著一大群男士演講。說真的，這趟輪到我有點不習慣。
那天，比原定早到會場，見到司琴、司他都是弟兄，他們都是一臉認真在練。負責的弟兄叫我走到隔壁教室先享用茶點，見到三、五位弟兄已在那兒喝咖啡、吃餅乾，禮貌周周地在聊天。心想，如果這是一群姊妹，一定吵得笑聲「拆天」，但他們卻是那麼安靜有序。
聚會開始，參加的弟兄一個一個獨自進場。
第一個環節是唱詩。領詩的弟兄還叫眾人跟他用手語唱歌，這全男班的聽眾會如何反應？說時遲那時快，眾弟兄已舉手齊唱，全人投入，蔚為奇觀。是因為姊妹不在身邊，他們唱得特別「放」嗎？
輪到我出場，特意跟他們玩了一個「生命最重要人物」的遊戲，請他們把生命中覺得最重要的五個人寫下，然後逐一刪掉。曾跟不少姊姊們玩過，她們想了很久才寫，又覺得五個不夠，那弟兄呢？
他們竟快速完成，就算要逐一刪掉人名時，也是一貫的冷靜沉著，一筆劃過，沒有姊妹般拖泥帶水的忸怩。最後，問他們感受如何……
「很容易，一想就想到刪哪一個……」聲明不問他們筆下的優先次序，只是覺得這樣快筆一刪，有點匪夷所思。
這次演講的主題是如何成為妻子的「閨中密友」，本以為這是個極適切的題目，那知弟兄告訴我：「有人一看就說，跟太太關係很好，不用聽！」所以邀請困難。只是，姊妹對「如何做丈夫的好妻子」這類題目，卻少有這樣理性的「抗拒」。最後，請他們一位上來，按著所分享的原則做角色扮演，弟兄一臉嚴謹的說：「我的太太不會講這些話，怎回應？」最後，還是願意就「扮」。
兩個多小時的講座結束，跟那群弟兄微笑話別之際，真的感受到上主做男做女的不同，但在不同中又能彼此欣賞、包容，卻是何等的美啊！
羅乃萱
電郵：shirley.loo@familyheartware.com
時代論壇 第一一九六期.二○一○年八月一日
好久沒試過，對著一大群男士演講。說真的，這趟輪到我有點不習慣。
那天，比原定早到會場，見到司琴、司他都是弟兄，他們都是一臉認真在練。負責的弟兄叫我走到隔壁教室先享用茶點，見到三、五位弟兄已在那兒喝咖啡、吃餅乾，禮貌周周地在聊天。心想，如果這是一群姊妹，一定吵得笑聲「拆天」，但他們卻是那麼安靜有序。
聚會開始，參加的弟兄一個一個獨自進場。
第一個環節是唱詩。領詩的弟兄還叫眾人跟他用手語唱歌，這全男班的聽眾會如何反應？說時遲那時快，眾弟兄已舉手齊唱，全人投入，蔚為奇觀。是因為姊妹不在身邊，他們唱得特別「放」嗎？
輪到我出場，特意跟他們玩了一個「生命最重要人物」的遊戲，請他們把生命中覺得最重要的五個人寫下，然後逐一刪掉。曾跟不少姊姊們玩過，她們想了很久才寫，又覺得五個不夠，那弟兄呢？
他們竟快速完成，就算要逐一刪掉人名時，也是一貫的冷靜沉著，一筆劃過，沒有姊妹般拖泥帶水的忸怩。最後，問他們感受如何……
「很容易，一想就想到刪哪一個……」聲明不問他們筆下的優先次序，只是覺得這樣快筆一刪，有點匪夷所思。
這次演講的主題是如何成為妻子的「閨中密友」，本以為這是個極適切的題目，那知弟兄告訴我：「有人一看就說，跟太太關係很好，不用聽！」所以邀請困難。只是，姊妹對「如何做丈夫的好妻子」這類題目，卻少有這樣理性的「抗拒」。最後，請他們一位上來，按著所分享的原則做角色扮演，弟兄一臉嚴謹的說：「我的太太不會講這些話，怎回應？」最後，還是願意就「扮」。
兩個多小時的講座結束，跟那群弟兄微笑話別之際，真的感受到上主做男做女的不同，但在不同中又能彼此欣賞、包容，卻是何等的美啊！
Sunday, July 25, 2010
扶育幼苗的十字架 - 大專團契在社關的角色
扶育幼苗的十字架
大專團契在社關的角色
杜琪
(《時代論壇》第一一九五期.二○一○年七月廿五日)
從年初的菜園村反高鐵，到立法會補選及六四晚會，八十和九十後都成為社運的焦點；然而另一邊廂，大專基督徒團契近年卻被批評定位模糊、不復當年勇。面對社運熱潮，他們又怎樣面對？
今期我們走訪了六間大學團契的團友，分別是香港大學、香港中文大學、香港科技大學、香港浸會大學、香港城市大學和香港理工大學，總結現時大專基督徒團契關社的三種面向：服務弱勢團體、關注社會議題，及喚醒同學的社關意識。
沒藉口他們就沒人理
科大團契一直都有服務弱勢群體，曾在食物銀行服事，後來亦有與中大團契一起到美門浸信會透過籌備聚會服事露宿者和戒毒人士。由於資源缺乏，聚會中他們主要負責帶敬拜、演話劇。科大團契團長池嘉豪憶述：「會搞吓氣氛，我們不是談大道理，因為沒這個地方、沒服事的人、他們就沒人理會，只是一盤沙。」他歎息：「真的沒有人理會他們，屋企不理，政府又不理，最多只是畀錢。」話劇是聖經現代搞笑版；讀聖經是為了學生字；聚會的禱文只是祈求天氣不要太冷，或是避寒中心快些投入服務。池嘉豪認為，社關組要讓同學看到場所才算真實，否則只會是「齋talk」。
中大團契除了與科大合作外，也有為校政問題發聲，例如校內的女工合作社續約問題和在醫學院餐廳員工自殺的事件等，團契亦有舉辦祈禱會，並討論校內員工制度問題。
不合理，要發聲
至於城大團契近幾年則探討過扶貧、性小眾、公平貿易和政制等議題，例如邀請女同學社探討同性戀議題；參與七一遊行、國際不再恐同日、菜園村反高鐵事件；與基督徒學生運動（SCM）合辦五區查經等。城大團契不願弱勢受欺凌，拒絕一言論述，要成為光與鹽，學習為他者犧牲。
中大團契近幾年也積極參與社關，○八年曾討論最低工資問題，調查了新鴻基旗下大型商場清潔工人的待遇，發現工資都少於十八元，工時長，甚至不可休息。之後他們出了一份調查報告，剛畢業的中大團契團友黎鑑鋒指：「我們感到不合理，郭氏兄弟中有基督徒，所以我們跑到新鴻基總部示威，希望他們會正視。」最後團契等人獲得公司高層接見，並獲傳媒關注。另外他們也討論過家暴條例和參與反高鐵遊行；另亦有畢業團友與公眾一同「護送」民主女神像往中大後發起祈禱會。
親身體驗才能自發
理工團契雖然沒有社關組，相對地同學對政改和校政的關注都較少，所以他們集中培育同學的社關意識。過去一年，理大團契的主題是「Change Ourselves, Change Our Campus」，讓同學先關注最貼身的校園，再學習自發回應整個香港的問題。在一次週會期間，碰巧反高鐵集會在立法會外舉行，職員會便領同學一起參加，也有呼籲同學嘗試苦行，思考為甚麼有人願意為反高鐵如此付出，希望他們從抽離討論化為內心的感受再回應行動。
而浸大團契過去一年設有社關組研究政治，就菜園村和政改兩個熱門問題邀請教授分享意見。他們認為基督徒要有一個關注社會的心，作為一個大學生，就更需要在這方面發聲。同時，浸大團契也帶同學到菜園村探訪，希望同學能夠親身觀察體驗。
默默做，不高調
近年有批評指大專基督徒的社會參與意識比過去低，FES作為他們的「後台」之一，得出的觀察是……？
香港基督徒學生福音團契（FES）以夥伴及顧問形式一直給予大專基督徒支持，提供平台。而香港專上學生福音團契（ICCF）則結合各間大專團契的基督徒，例如最近有「80後880分鐘露宿體驗」，就是讓同學嘗試「瞓街」，反思貧窮；另有一個小組探討政改方案並撰寫建議書給政府。而在○七年九月，ICCF也為記念緬甸僧侶被軍政府射殺，於天星碼頭舊址舉辦祈禱會。
今年FES在六月舉辦SWAM camp（Summer with a Mission），與同學探討福音的本質應該是整全的，不能只說不做。而該機構其中一個較為大專同學認識的，是持續舉辦超過十年的「一杯涼水」計劃，目的是藉著安排青年人到不同社關機構做實習，以作前線體驗；另亦會邀請神學老師為同學談信仰與社關。FES資深幹事駱穎佳指：「我們做教育和鼓勵的角色，站在背後做很多神學信仰裝備，但不會走得太前，相比其他組織是比較低調，但並非沒有參與，例如每年六四我們有活動，天星碼頭的保育事件也有同學參與。」
對於近年大專基督徒的社關意識提高，駱穎佳認為不只是團契，而是整個大專界的社會關注都高了，對基督徒同學有衝擊和影響：「例如早前的社會保育運動中，同學見到菜園村、天星事件有這麼多人去聲援，他們都會反思信仰角度，思考社會關懷。」不過他認為現在較缺乏出眾的基督徒學生領袖：「少，但不是沒有。他們多是默默地做。社關意識可能在大學時期萌芽，有些人就去了做社工，亦有到機構服事。」
真心關懷不需要大道理
大專基督徒為甚麼要做社關？他們和社工又有甚麼分別？一直以來是團友思考的問題，但答案其實可以很簡單：效法耶穌。
中大團契的黎鑑鋒認為，社關組作為一個平台，讓有志關社基督徒一起探討處理：「社關和福音有關聯，社關是宣教學其中一環，基督教不只傳福音，還要辦學校和老人院，關心社區，基督徒和社關是無可分割的。」
他舉例指，馬太福音中只有兩章談及耶穌的死亡，但是有二十多章是講耶穌走到人群中治病，傳揚上帝國的信息。他認為作為基督徒應該好好學習，關心社會事務。
至於科大團契的池嘉豪則表示要實踐信仰，學習基督精神，不能只坐在房間裡：「效法耶穌的捨己精神，我們要學習放低自己的心，社關就是其中一個操練。」不過他也指出關懷窮苦者，基督徒和社工的動機其實分別不大：「有人問我們和社工有甚麼分別，作為基督徒好像都不敢說沒有分別，怕會失卻神聖的意義，不過我們的信仰驅使你不得不關注他們。當你去關懷時，別人感受到溫暖，就已經有價值。社關不應淪為一件工具，真誠關懷一個人的生命、身體是不需要甚麼偉大的理論。」
繼續探索社關路
團契每年都會「改朝換代」，更換職員會成員，這會帶來甚麼局限？將來又會是……？
學生的社關意識不足是莊員們面對的問題，科大團契的池嘉豪表示：「對同學來說，社關活動太新鮮，卻看不到重要性，他們可能認同要憐憫弱勢，但缺乏從基督徒這身分去關心。另有些人對團契的期望和普通教會差不多，只是想唱詩歌查經。」
另外，上莊人數不足，資源有限，也會使團契的活動難以實行，不過有時太多人也會造成紛爭，所以社關和其他團務的平衡就很重要。中大團契的林進耀指：「多了理性思考、分析社會問題，相對地就會少了屬靈操練。分析到某一個位時，甚至會覺得自己底子不夠，失去動力，陷入困局。」新一學年中大團契打算把社關組轉做查經組，讓團友們更容易把焦點轉移回自己的信仰。「可能坊間已經有不同組織做了分析，但我們可以多想一步，究竟一群基督徒可以做些甚麼呢？自己的基本功不足，所以想兩條路一齊行，一條是社關，一條是信仰。」
港大團契團長陳楚思認為團契的社關路須繼續摸索，不想變成很個人、從負面及仇恨的角度去看社會議題：「基督徒要適當地彰顯基督的愛。」城大團契的呂律懷亦認為公義是十分重要的：「要爭取更多社會公義，團契應該尋找新的路、新的使命，訓練社會及教會的領袖，發光發熱。」至於理大團契的梁瑋晴則指出，團契是一個跳板而非終點，當中的學習會令人睇得更高更遠，開托思維，繼續追隨信仰。「院校團契只是一個過渡，學生始終會離開，重要的是把你學到的帶回職場和教會裡。」
港大團契準備今年重新設立社關組，陳楚思表示會參考其他大學的情況，而兩位使命祕書（職員會成員）都是讀社會科學學科的，很關心社會，期望能把這信息傳遞。
大專團契在社關的角色
杜琪
(《時代論壇》第一一九五期.二○一○年七月廿五日)
從年初的菜園村反高鐵，到立法會補選及六四晚會，八十和九十後都成為社運的焦點；然而另一邊廂，大專基督徒團契近年卻被批評定位模糊、不復當年勇。面對社運熱潮，他們又怎樣面對？
今期我們走訪了六間大學團契的團友，分別是香港大學、香港中文大學、香港科技大學、香港浸會大學、香港城市大學和香港理工大學，總結現時大專基督徒團契關社的三種面向：服務弱勢團體、關注社會議題，及喚醒同學的社關意識。
沒藉口他們就沒人理
科大團契一直都有服務弱勢群體，曾在食物銀行服事，後來亦有與中大團契一起到美門浸信會透過籌備聚會服事露宿者和戒毒人士。由於資源缺乏，聚會中他們主要負責帶敬拜、演話劇。科大團契團長池嘉豪憶述：「會搞吓氣氛，我們不是談大道理，因為沒這個地方、沒服事的人、他們就沒人理會，只是一盤沙。」他歎息：「真的沒有人理會他們，屋企不理，政府又不理，最多只是畀錢。」話劇是聖經現代搞笑版；讀聖經是為了學生字；聚會的禱文只是祈求天氣不要太冷，或是避寒中心快些投入服務。池嘉豪認為，社關組要讓同學看到場所才算真實，否則只會是「齋talk」。
中大團契除了與科大合作外，也有為校政問題發聲，例如校內的女工合作社續約問題和在醫學院餐廳員工自殺的事件等，團契亦有舉辦祈禱會，並討論校內員工制度問題。
不合理，要發聲
至於城大團契近幾年則探討過扶貧、性小眾、公平貿易和政制等議題，例如邀請女同學社探討同性戀議題；參與七一遊行、國際不再恐同日、菜園村反高鐵事件；與基督徒學生運動（SCM）合辦五區查經等。城大團契不願弱勢受欺凌，拒絕一言論述，要成為光與鹽，學習為他者犧牲。
中大團契近幾年也積極參與社關，○八年曾討論最低工資問題，調查了新鴻基旗下大型商場清潔工人的待遇，發現工資都少於十八元，工時長，甚至不可休息。之後他們出了一份調查報告，剛畢業的中大團契團友黎鑑鋒指：「我們感到不合理，郭氏兄弟中有基督徒，所以我們跑到新鴻基總部示威，希望他們會正視。」最後團契等人獲得公司高層接見，並獲傳媒關注。另外他們也討論過家暴條例和參與反高鐵遊行；另亦有畢業團友與公眾一同「護送」民主女神像往中大後發起祈禱會。
親身體驗才能自發
理工團契雖然沒有社關組，相對地同學對政改和校政的關注都較少，所以他們集中培育同學的社關意識。過去一年，理大團契的主題是「Change Ourselves, Change Our Campus」，讓同學先關注最貼身的校園，再學習自發回應整個香港的問題。在一次週會期間，碰巧反高鐵集會在立法會外舉行，職員會便領同學一起參加，也有呼籲同學嘗試苦行，思考為甚麼有人願意為反高鐵如此付出，希望他們從抽離討論化為內心的感受再回應行動。
而浸大團契過去一年設有社關組研究政治，就菜園村和政改兩個熱門問題邀請教授分享意見。他們認為基督徒要有一個關注社會的心，作為一個大學生，就更需要在這方面發聲。同時，浸大團契也帶同學到菜園村探訪，希望同學能夠親身觀察體驗。
默默做，不高調
近年有批評指大專基督徒的社會參與意識比過去低，FES作為他們的「後台」之一，得出的觀察是……？
香港基督徒學生福音團契（FES）以夥伴及顧問形式一直給予大專基督徒支持，提供平台。而香港專上學生福音團契（ICCF）則結合各間大專團契的基督徒，例如最近有「80後880分鐘露宿體驗」，就是讓同學嘗試「瞓街」，反思貧窮；另有一個小組探討政改方案並撰寫建議書給政府。而在○七年九月，ICCF也為記念緬甸僧侶被軍政府射殺，於天星碼頭舊址舉辦祈禱會。
今年FES在六月舉辦SWAM camp（Summer with a Mission），與同學探討福音的本質應該是整全的，不能只說不做。而該機構其中一個較為大專同學認識的，是持續舉辦超過十年的「一杯涼水」計劃，目的是藉著安排青年人到不同社關機構做實習，以作前線體驗；另亦會邀請神學老師為同學談信仰與社關。FES資深幹事駱穎佳指：「我們做教育和鼓勵的角色，站在背後做很多神學信仰裝備，但不會走得太前，相比其他組織是比較低調，但並非沒有參與，例如每年六四我們有活動，天星碼頭的保育事件也有同學參與。」
對於近年大專基督徒的社關意識提高，駱穎佳認為不只是團契，而是整個大專界的社會關注都高了，對基督徒同學有衝擊和影響：「例如早前的社會保育運動中，同學見到菜園村、天星事件有這麼多人去聲援，他們都會反思信仰角度，思考社會關懷。」不過他認為現在較缺乏出眾的基督徒學生領袖：「少，但不是沒有。他們多是默默地做。社關意識可能在大學時期萌芽，有些人就去了做社工，亦有到機構服事。」
真心關懷不需要大道理
大專基督徒為甚麼要做社關？他們和社工又有甚麼分別？一直以來是團友思考的問題，但答案其實可以很簡單：效法耶穌。
中大團契的黎鑑鋒認為，社關組作為一個平台，讓有志關社基督徒一起探討處理：「社關和福音有關聯，社關是宣教學其中一環，基督教不只傳福音，還要辦學校和老人院，關心社區，基督徒和社關是無可分割的。」
他舉例指，馬太福音中只有兩章談及耶穌的死亡，但是有二十多章是講耶穌走到人群中治病，傳揚上帝國的信息。他認為作為基督徒應該好好學習，關心社會事務。
至於科大團契的池嘉豪則表示要實踐信仰，學習基督精神，不能只坐在房間裡：「效法耶穌的捨己精神，我們要學習放低自己的心，社關就是其中一個操練。」不過他也指出關懷窮苦者，基督徒和社工的動機其實分別不大：「有人問我們和社工有甚麼分別，作為基督徒好像都不敢說沒有分別，怕會失卻神聖的意義，不過我們的信仰驅使你不得不關注他們。當你去關懷時，別人感受到溫暖，就已經有價值。社關不應淪為一件工具，真誠關懷一個人的生命、身體是不需要甚麼偉大的理論。」
繼續探索社關路
團契每年都會「改朝換代」，更換職員會成員，這會帶來甚麼局限？將來又會是……？
學生的社關意識不足是莊員們面對的問題，科大團契的池嘉豪表示：「對同學來說，社關活動太新鮮，卻看不到重要性，他們可能認同要憐憫弱勢，但缺乏從基督徒這身分去關心。另有些人對團契的期望和普通教會差不多，只是想唱詩歌查經。」
另外，上莊人數不足，資源有限，也會使團契的活動難以實行，不過有時太多人也會造成紛爭，所以社關和其他團務的平衡就很重要。中大團契的林進耀指：「多了理性思考、分析社會問題，相對地就會少了屬靈操練。分析到某一個位時，甚至會覺得自己底子不夠，失去動力，陷入困局。」新一學年中大團契打算把社關組轉做查經組，讓團友們更容易把焦點轉移回自己的信仰。「可能坊間已經有不同組織做了分析，但我們可以多想一步，究竟一群基督徒可以做些甚麼呢？自己的基本功不足，所以想兩條路一齊行，一條是社關，一條是信仰。」
港大團契團長陳楚思認為團契的社關路須繼續摸索，不想變成很個人、從負面及仇恨的角度去看社會議題：「基督徒要適當地彰顯基督的愛。」城大團契的呂律懷亦認為公義是十分重要的：「要爭取更多社會公義，團契應該尋找新的路、新的使命，訓練社會及教會的領袖，發光發熱。」至於理大團契的梁瑋晴則指出，團契是一個跳板而非終點，當中的學習會令人睇得更高更遠，開托思維，繼續追隨信仰。「院校團契只是一個過渡，學生始終會離開，重要的是把你學到的帶回職場和教會裡。」
港大團契準備今年重新設立社關組，陳楚思表示會參考其他大學的情況，而兩位使命祕書（職員會成員）都是讀社會科學學科的，很關心社會，期望能把這信息傳遞。
Monday, July 19, 2010
我不懼怕癌症
(quote from 知信行 雲彩見證 )
我不懼怕癌症 / 陳素琴
醫生證實我又有癌。我們夫婦仍弄了豐富晚餐慶祝女婿生辰。壞消息破壞不了愛的氣氛。
每年一月我都例行做乳房檢查，多年如是。二○○五年一月，想到自己快七十歲，不會有問題的，不用照了吧？三月照腸鏡後，醫生說我沒甚麼毛病，問我等三、五年再照行嗎？我說：「三年好了，反正我已沒太多器官留下了。」上帝藉這話語提醒我，駕車回家途中就想，沒甚麼器官可照了嗎？八年前，第一次接受膀胱癌手術，切除了不少器官，如今檢查一下又怕甚麼呢？照就照吧！踏入家門，隨即致電醫院，約好三月二日做乳房檢查。
三月五日，醫院來電說有些問題，可能照時出現錯誤，叫我回去再照。之後證實真有問題，立刻做切片檢查，發現問題不簡單，希望盡快替我動手術。醫生問我有沒有問題，我說沒有。醫生覺奇怪，說我是個很平和的病人。
仍照常生活
三月八日女婿生日，那天清早，醫院來電說：「素琴呀，你好好坐下，我告訴你……」一聽就知道有問題。對方說：「你左乳房的癌細胞非常惡毒，是走得很快的那種。你要盡快做手術。」當時根本沒心理準備，就說：「我要做些甚麼？」對方說：「你應先找個做手術的醫生，看看他怎樣安排。」那一刻，我似乎沒甚麼特別感覺，因八年前已接受了膀胱癌手術，當時以為自己一定會死去，結果上帝給了我八年的生命，活到現在，我已很感謝上帝。即使這次要回天家，也已賺了八年。現在為何要擔心自己尚有幾年生命呢？
那天我告訴女兒醫生證實我有癌。女兒怕我心情沉重，說：「媽媽，今天不要在家吃晚飯了。我們到外面慶祝吧。」我說：「生癌罷了，我又不是第一次，怕甚麼？」結果我們夫婦二人弄了一桌豐富的晚餐，快快樂樂地為女婿慶祝生日。壞消息破壞不了愛的氣氛。
仍樂意付出
接著那段日子，就是照心電圖、檢查身體其他部位有沒有癌細胞等，天天四處奔走，出入醫院，開始有點累了。教會關心我的弟兄姊妹，尤其當時我參加的陽光團契（主要由新移民組成）的團友，看見我好像很忙似的，又不知為甚麼。就說：「你說出來吧，我們像一家人。我們覺得你有事，你說吧，為甚麼不說呢？」於是我告訴她們：「是的，我被證實患了乳癌，現在繼續檢查，研究治療的步驟。」雖然如此忙，我心中卻不煩惱。家人也都很平靜，女兒、女婿只是有一點擔心。我對天父說：「上帝呀，求你的旨意成就。你要我怎樣就怎樣好了。」
三月廿四日，做手術的前一天，我到醫院在患處插了好幾支針以定位，準備翌日早上做手術；但我有個負擔，要帶一位剛信主的姊妹去看看她明天面試的地方。因我曾替她找工作，擔心她不懂去面試的地方，就叫她那天下班後無論幾點鐘都要過來我家，讓我先帶她去一趟。我知道這份工作對她非常重要，若不成功，她的家庭會大受影響。她說：「素琴姨，不用了。你現在有病……」我說：「如果你不過來，我反而進醫院也不平安。」
那天下著微雨，她與丈夫晚上開車過來。我帶她去時，胸口插著針；但她是不知道的。看起來，好像是我幫她忙，其實是她幫助了我。因為第二天我做完手術回家，正要上樓休息，她第一個打電話來，說：「素琴姨，我被錄用了！」我聽了真得安慰，這通電話比補品還要珍貴。我心滿了感恩。
藉我賜恩福
接著我要做電療和化療，見電療醫生、化療醫生、心理醫生......，最後我決定只接受電療。我想都快七十歲了，如果接受化療延長壽命一、二十年，也許到時已糊糊塗塗，離世時已沒有尊嚴。那麼，我為甚麼要接受化療延長年日呢？我希望自己走時，很平安地聽著讚美我上帝的詩歌送我走。雖然醫生說有復發的可能，也不排除癌細胞會擴散到其他器官，那就非他可以負責的了；但我對他說：「沒問題，我願意接受。」
電療期間，除週末外我每天去醫院，共去了卅二次。有些姊妹很擔心，整天為我禱告，祈求上帝醫治我，又為我流淚，可我自己沒流過淚。我告訴她們：「如果上帝仍要用我，祂會留下我；如果上帝覺得我可回去了，我就回去。」如常在風平浪靜中，就不能造就一個好水手。上帝也是藉著苦難磨煉並賜福給我們，讓我們靈命成長。上帝的心意如何，只有祂知道。
主耶穌說：「我父作事直到如今。」我好有福氣，在上帝豐盛的愛中，祂容許我這個軟弱不配的人有份參與祂的事工；藉著我的病，在接受電療期間，讓一些朋友蒙福。
有一位姊妹，帶了她的父母來看我，結果她父親在我家決志信耶穌，半年後，接受浸禮。他很感謝上帝，知道生命是上帝賜予的。當時，那位父親患病，醫生預測只有五個月生命，現在已經過了一年。現在她的母親也願意認識主耶穌。感謝上帝，透過我的生命見證祂的愛和大能，領別人歸主。
有些姊妹介紹我認識有乳癌先兆的朋友，我向她們傳福音，講見證，有些在動手術前決了志。一個患乳癌決了志的姊妹，二○○五年五月底化療完畢，說我是個樣本，見證上帝的愛。我很感謝天父，賜我這種福氣見證祂、榮耀祂。我和其他蒙恩的朋友，都有我們教會陽光團契、飲福團契和恩福團契的弟兄姊妹禱告支持。真感謝他們每一位！
芝加哥有對夫婦朋友，時常來電問候，我都說自己平安快樂。他們奇怪我兩次患癌，何來喜樂、健康；於是二○○五年聖誕期間一家四口（他們有兩個女兒）專程來西雅圖探望我。臨走前，他們說：「現在我們真知道上帝與您同在，所以您能喜樂。」他們回芝加哥後，就參加教會聚會。真太好了！
在紐約有位認識幾十年的朋友，一直拜偶像。我電療期間，她覺得自己的乳房有畸形發展。醫生懷疑她患乳癌。她整天在家哭哭啼啼，想著自己快死了；但又不甘心就此死去，因她有個兒子。一次，我打電話給她，她哭得很悽涼；問她為甚麼哭，她說自己不想死。她問我的感覺怎樣，我說：「死也好，生也好，是上帝掌管，不是我自己的主意。」隨後與她分享自己八年前動手術的見證，那是她知道的；這次我再動手術，她看見我仍是這樣樂觀，願意把自己的生命交出，由造物主帶領我前面的路，她大受感動，在電話中決志信耶穌。
感謝上帝，之後她去檢查，證實虛驚一場。我擔心她因沒病就不信了，問她：「這樣，你還信耶穌嗎？」她大聲說：「信！上帝救了我，為何不信？」之後她去教會參加禮拜。我找了個朋友照顧她。她二○○六年復活節受洗，上台作見證說，是我在病中帶領她信耶穌蒙恩得救的。
後來我和先生在教會鍾傳道辦的一個英文入籍班中講見證。班上有不少是我的同鄉──台山人，又住在我家附近，我跟他們談道。之後鍾傳道告訴我，那晚有六個人決志信耶穌。真想不到上帝會使用我這個一次又一次患癌病的人分享經歷和感受，讓人看見我在病中因為有主的緣故，根本沒憂愁，反而那麼喜樂，覺得信了耶穌得著安全感。如果沒有安全感，無論多麼富有，多麼有成就，一切都是虛空。
活得有意義
我和丈夫查理晚年才信耶穌。夫婦同行，常想到和述說上帝的愛、上帝的事，並一同學習和討論聖經。查理也很支持我傳福音，生活過得很有意義。深覺晚霞滿天，美極了！盡我們的能力，與人分享主的恩典，何等美好！根本沒有時間也沒有必要為健康擔心。
二○○六年復活節那個星期，一位姊妹說，吃完晚飯要帶一個家庭（父母和他們的兒子）來我家。問她要我講些甚麼，她說：「不是要你說些甚麼，相信到時聖靈會帶領你說話的。」由於時間緊迫，他們來之前，我請查理為我禱告。他的祈禱很有趣，他說：「萬能的上帝呀，這個青年化學博士信耶穌的時間比我們長，尚且不能說服他的醫生父母。他父母身體健康，生活安定，我們兩個人怎可能說服他們呢？上帝呀，你大有慈愛和憐憫，你感動他們吧！」
他們到後，我對醫生夫婦說；「醫生呀，你們有個很愛你們的兒子。」他們笑了笑，我說：「如果他不愛你們，就不會帶你們來我這裡了。」很感謝天父上帝，讓我之前和當時經歷了一連串手術和危難，當我向這對醫生夫婦分享自己患病的經歷時，他們專心聆聽，四十分鐘沒移動過，目不轉睛地看著我，流著淚替我擔憂。他們知道我的病況，即使醫生也無法保證能醫好我。最後他們在我家決志信耶穌。真感謝上帝！我們流著淚緊握著手，兒子與父母互相擁抱，好激動的場面！我們都哭了。那是感恩的淚！
上帝會通過祂的信徒，作福音的管道，將救恩臨到人，帶人歸向祂。祂用豐盛的恩典，使用我這軟弱患病的人，回想起來，令我很激動，又很安慰，這一切在病中給我很大鼓勵！
我可以選擇
每次接受手術，我都會說：「我將會走。」一九九七年做膀胱癌手術，那時我在上帝的學校算是小學生。二○○五年做乳癌手術，算是讀中學。將來會升大學，回天家。團契的姊妹笑說：「你還讀研究院呢！」我說：「如果上帝使用我，就會把我留下來。我不管讀到何時，不管患多少次癌病，也不會動搖。」
每個人都會死，有死於車禍，有死於心臟病……，也許，我將死於癌症。上帝用不同的「交通工具」接走祂的兒女。我堅信當我走時，天父上帝一定會鄭重地吩咐守衛的天使，說：「你們要特別小心地把我的女兒接回來；因她曾為我的名受過一些苦。」我一定會像個公主一樣被接回天家。我生，有上帝與我同在；我死，上帝一樣與我同在。或去或留，我一點兒也不為自己擔心。但我們未走前，還有很多路要走，應該明確地決定自己要做些甚麼，以下有兩條路：
一、像一般老人家一樣，對著那些剩餘的「穀種」，吃了怕窮，不吃怕死。在公園剝花生，餵白鴿；不分晝夜地追看錄影帶，或講長氣電話，熬過晚年。
二、像我一樣充滿喜樂，有救恩的喜樂、聖潔的喜樂、行義的喜樂、事奉的喜樂，還有上帝特別恩准的受苦的喜樂！
讓我們一起走第二條路吧！
懇請讀者把見證轉寄給你所認識的弟兄姊妹或未信主的親友，一同分享神的慈愛 與恩典，也藉此讓更多人有機會聽聞福音。
本文由國證網絡知信行發送
我不懼怕癌症 / 陳素琴
醫生證實我又有癌。我們夫婦仍弄了豐富晚餐慶祝女婿生辰。壞消息破壞不了愛的氣氛。
每年一月我都例行做乳房檢查，多年如是。二○○五年一月，想到自己快七十歲，不會有問題的，不用照了吧？三月照腸鏡後，醫生說我沒甚麼毛病，問我等三、五年再照行嗎？我說：「三年好了，反正我已沒太多器官留下了。」上帝藉這話語提醒我，駕車回家途中就想，沒甚麼器官可照了嗎？八年前，第一次接受膀胱癌手術，切除了不少器官，如今檢查一下又怕甚麼呢？照就照吧！踏入家門，隨即致電醫院，約好三月二日做乳房檢查。
三月五日，醫院來電說有些問題，可能照時出現錯誤，叫我回去再照。之後證實真有問題，立刻做切片檢查，發現問題不簡單，希望盡快替我動手術。醫生問我有沒有問題，我說沒有。醫生覺奇怪，說我是個很平和的病人。
仍照常生活
三月八日女婿生日，那天清早，醫院來電說：「素琴呀，你好好坐下，我告訴你……」一聽就知道有問題。對方說：「你左乳房的癌細胞非常惡毒，是走得很快的那種。你要盡快做手術。」當時根本沒心理準備，就說：「我要做些甚麼？」對方說：「你應先找個做手術的醫生，看看他怎樣安排。」那一刻，我似乎沒甚麼特別感覺，因八年前已接受了膀胱癌手術，當時以為自己一定會死去，結果上帝給了我八年的生命，活到現在，我已很感謝上帝。即使這次要回天家，也已賺了八年。現在為何要擔心自己尚有幾年生命呢？
那天我告訴女兒醫生證實我有癌。女兒怕我心情沉重，說：「媽媽，今天不要在家吃晚飯了。我們到外面慶祝吧。」我說：「生癌罷了，我又不是第一次，怕甚麼？」結果我們夫婦二人弄了一桌豐富的晚餐，快快樂樂地為女婿慶祝生日。壞消息破壞不了愛的氣氛。
仍樂意付出
接著那段日子，就是照心電圖、檢查身體其他部位有沒有癌細胞等，天天四處奔走，出入醫院，開始有點累了。教會關心我的弟兄姊妹，尤其當時我參加的陽光團契（主要由新移民組成）的團友，看見我好像很忙似的，又不知為甚麼。就說：「你說出來吧，我們像一家人。我們覺得你有事，你說吧，為甚麼不說呢？」於是我告訴她們：「是的，我被證實患了乳癌，現在繼續檢查，研究治療的步驟。」雖然如此忙，我心中卻不煩惱。家人也都很平靜，女兒、女婿只是有一點擔心。我對天父說：「上帝呀，求你的旨意成就。你要我怎樣就怎樣好了。」
三月廿四日，做手術的前一天，我到醫院在患處插了好幾支針以定位，準備翌日早上做手術；但我有個負擔，要帶一位剛信主的姊妹去看看她明天面試的地方。因我曾替她找工作，擔心她不懂去面試的地方，就叫她那天下班後無論幾點鐘都要過來我家，讓我先帶她去一趟。我知道這份工作對她非常重要，若不成功，她的家庭會大受影響。她說：「素琴姨，不用了。你現在有病……」我說：「如果你不過來，我反而進醫院也不平安。」
那天下著微雨，她與丈夫晚上開車過來。我帶她去時，胸口插著針；但她是不知道的。看起來，好像是我幫她忙，其實是她幫助了我。因為第二天我做完手術回家，正要上樓休息，她第一個打電話來，說：「素琴姨，我被錄用了！」我聽了真得安慰，這通電話比補品還要珍貴。我心滿了感恩。
藉我賜恩福
接著我要做電療和化療，見電療醫生、化療醫生、心理醫生......，最後我決定只接受電療。我想都快七十歲了，如果接受化療延長壽命一、二十年，也許到時已糊糊塗塗，離世時已沒有尊嚴。那麼，我為甚麼要接受化療延長年日呢？我希望自己走時，很平安地聽著讚美我上帝的詩歌送我走。雖然醫生說有復發的可能，也不排除癌細胞會擴散到其他器官，那就非他可以負責的了；但我對他說：「沒問題，我願意接受。」
電療期間，除週末外我每天去醫院，共去了卅二次。有些姊妹很擔心，整天為我禱告，祈求上帝醫治我，又為我流淚，可我自己沒流過淚。我告訴她們：「如果上帝仍要用我，祂會留下我；如果上帝覺得我可回去了，我就回去。」如常在風平浪靜中，就不能造就一個好水手。上帝也是藉著苦難磨煉並賜福給我們，讓我們靈命成長。上帝的心意如何，只有祂知道。
主耶穌說：「我父作事直到如今。」我好有福氣，在上帝豐盛的愛中，祂容許我這個軟弱不配的人有份參與祂的事工；藉著我的病，在接受電療期間，讓一些朋友蒙福。
有一位姊妹，帶了她的父母來看我，結果她父親在我家決志信耶穌，半年後，接受浸禮。他很感謝上帝，知道生命是上帝賜予的。當時，那位父親患病，醫生預測只有五個月生命，現在已經過了一年。現在她的母親也願意認識主耶穌。感謝上帝，透過我的生命見證祂的愛和大能，領別人歸主。
有些姊妹介紹我認識有乳癌先兆的朋友，我向她們傳福音，講見證，有些在動手術前決了志。一個患乳癌決了志的姊妹，二○○五年五月底化療完畢，說我是個樣本，見證上帝的愛。我很感謝天父，賜我這種福氣見證祂、榮耀祂。我和其他蒙恩的朋友，都有我們教會陽光團契、飲福團契和恩福團契的弟兄姊妹禱告支持。真感謝他們每一位！
芝加哥有對夫婦朋友，時常來電問候，我都說自己平安快樂。他們奇怪我兩次患癌，何來喜樂、健康；於是二○○五年聖誕期間一家四口（他們有兩個女兒）專程來西雅圖探望我。臨走前，他們說：「現在我們真知道上帝與您同在，所以您能喜樂。」他們回芝加哥後，就參加教會聚會。真太好了！
在紐約有位認識幾十年的朋友，一直拜偶像。我電療期間，她覺得自己的乳房有畸形發展。醫生懷疑她患乳癌。她整天在家哭哭啼啼，想著自己快死了；但又不甘心就此死去，因她有個兒子。一次，我打電話給她，她哭得很悽涼；問她為甚麼哭，她說自己不想死。她問我的感覺怎樣，我說：「死也好，生也好，是上帝掌管，不是我自己的主意。」隨後與她分享自己八年前動手術的見證，那是她知道的；這次我再動手術，她看見我仍是這樣樂觀，願意把自己的生命交出，由造物主帶領我前面的路，她大受感動，在電話中決志信耶穌。
感謝上帝，之後她去檢查，證實虛驚一場。我擔心她因沒病就不信了，問她：「這樣，你還信耶穌嗎？」她大聲說：「信！上帝救了我，為何不信？」之後她去教會參加禮拜。我找了個朋友照顧她。她二○○六年復活節受洗，上台作見證說，是我在病中帶領她信耶穌蒙恩得救的。
後來我和先生在教會鍾傳道辦的一個英文入籍班中講見證。班上有不少是我的同鄉──台山人，又住在我家附近，我跟他們談道。之後鍾傳道告訴我，那晚有六個人決志信耶穌。真想不到上帝會使用我這個一次又一次患癌病的人分享經歷和感受，讓人看見我在病中因為有主的緣故，根本沒憂愁，反而那麼喜樂，覺得信了耶穌得著安全感。如果沒有安全感，無論多麼富有，多麼有成就，一切都是虛空。
活得有意義
我和丈夫查理晚年才信耶穌。夫婦同行，常想到和述說上帝的愛、上帝的事，並一同學習和討論聖經。查理也很支持我傳福音，生活過得很有意義。深覺晚霞滿天，美極了！盡我們的能力，與人分享主的恩典，何等美好！根本沒有時間也沒有必要為健康擔心。
二○○六年復活節那個星期，一位姊妹說，吃完晚飯要帶一個家庭（父母和他們的兒子）來我家。問她要我講些甚麼，她說：「不是要你說些甚麼，相信到時聖靈會帶領你說話的。」由於時間緊迫，他們來之前，我請查理為我禱告。他的祈禱很有趣，他說：「萬能的上帝呀，這個青年化學博士信耶穌的時間比我們長，尚且不能說服他的醫生父母。他父母身體健康，生活安定，我們兩個人怎可能說服他們呢？上帝呀，你大有慈愛和憐憫，你感動他們吧！」
他們到後，我對醫生夫婦說；「醫生呀，你們有個很愛你們的兒子。」他們笑了笑，我說：「如果他不愛你們，就不會帶你們來我這裡了。」很感謝天父上帝，讓我之前和當時經歷了一連串手術和危難，當我向這對醫生夫婦分享自己患病的經歷時，他們專心聆聽，四十分鐘沒移動過，目不轉睛地看著我，流著淚替我擔憂。他們知道我的病況，即使醫生也無法保證能醫好我。最後他們在我家決志信耶穌。真感謝上帝！我們流著淚緊握著手，兒子與父母互相擁抱，好激動的場面！我們都哭了。那是感恩的淚！
上帝會通過祂的信徒，作福音的管道，將救恩臨到人，帶人歸向祂。祂用豐盛的恩典，使用我這軟弱患病的人，回想起來，令我很激動，又很安慰，這一切在病中給我很大鼓勵！
我可以選擇
每次接受手術，我都會說：「我將會走。」一九九七年做膀胱癌手術，那時我在上帝的學校算是小學生。二○○五年做乳癌手術，算是讀中學。將來會升大學，回天家。團契的姊妹笑說：「你還讀研究院呢！」我說：「如果上帝使用我，就會把我留下來。我不管讀到何時，不管患多少次癌病，也不會動搖。」
每個人都會死，有死於車禍，有死於心臟病……，也許，我將死於癌症。上帝用不同的「交通工具」接走祂的兒女。我堅信當我走時，天父上帝一定會鄭重地吩咐守衛的天使，說：「你們要特別小心地把我的女兒接回來；因她曾為我的名受過一些苦。」我一定會像個公主一樣被接回天家。我生，有上帝與我同在；我死，上帝一樣與我同在。或去或留，我一點兒也不為自己擔心。但我們未走前，還有很多路要走，應該明確地決定自己要做些甚麼，以下有兩條路：
一、像一般老人家一樣，對著那些剩餘的「穀種」，吃了怕窮，不吃怕死。在公園剝花生，餵白鴿；不分晝夜地追看錄影帶，或講長氣電話，熬過晚年。
二、像我一樣充滿喜樂，有救恩的喜樂、聖潔的喜樂、行義的喜樂、事奉的喜樂，還有上帝特別恩准的受苦的喜樂！
讓我們一起走第二條路吧！
懇請讀者把見證轉寄給你所認識的弟兄姊妹或未信主的親友，一同分享神的慈愛 與恩典，也藉此讓更多人有機會聽聞福音。
本文由國證網絡知信行發送
Thursday, June 24, 2010
陷阱... 潘小濤反對民主黨方案的唯一理由
潘小濤﹕反對民主黨方案的唯一理由
【明報專訊】民主黨的改良版政制方案，雖已獲北京及特區政府接納，卻令民主派支持者徹底分裂，連我也深感困擾，苦苦思索究竟應否該支持。本周一，我敬重的張楚勇、呂大樂等幾位政治及社會科學學者，聯名撰文呼籲各界接受改良方案；我同樣尊重的同事李慧玲及「華叔」司徒華，也力挺此方案。他們認為，改良方案的民主成分更高，拿到手後再爭取終極普選，並行不悖。他們言之成理，令我一度動搖，但最後還是拒絕了，理由只得一個！
毫無疑問，相對曾蔭權的「起錨方案」，民主黨版本在推動政制向前走（民主化），優勝很多。根據改良方案，2012年新增10個立法會議席中，5席為地區直選，餘下5席的功能組別，由區議員提名、交沒有功能組別投票權的全港選民，一人一票選舉產生。換言之，屆時立法會選舉，全港選民每人至少兩票，一票地區直選，另一票區議會功能組別。當然，一些富貴特權人士，手上還握有公司票、董事票及商會票等，遠不止兩票，而是十票八票。
這個變相直選方案，開始時頗受特區政府、建制派及北京的奚落。全國人大常委會副秘書長喬曉陽在北京指出：「有關建議是一個變相直選，有違《基本法》及人大常委會的規定。」中聯辦副主任李剛會見普選聯成員後表示：「《基本法》的立法原意，就是功能界別的立法會議員，應該由屬於特定的專業行業和組織的選民選舉生成。如果把選民的基礎擴大到全社會，這不符合基本法的立法原意……不是符合全國人大的決定。」
中共所作政治承諾兌現率極低
但民主黨及泛民成員堅拒再退讓，「起錨方案」的民意支持度下滑，不獲通過的機會很大，即使勉強通過，社會嚴重分裂，各走極端之下，抗爭升級，到時政府想有效施政？難矣！更何，「起錨方案」其實是保護小圈子及政商界既得利益者，與政制向前走相去十萬八千里。因此，權衡利害，也明白民主黨的底線後，北京終於轉；「阿爺」都要「打倒昨日的我」，等而下之的特區政府、左派、工商界等，還能死守「起錨方案」嗎？
北京的讓步其實很有限，而公民黨等人擔心，民主黨方案並沒表明何時取消功能組別議席（包括新增的5席區議會），這一步的民主進步，可能換來合理化功能組別，讓這隻魔鬼可繼續存在，改良方案便會成為終極普選的藍本了。
不過，除此之外，我反對的理由很簡單，就是中國共產黨的歷史告訴我，它對國民、對弱者所作的政治承諾，兌現率極低。中共還在打江山的1940年代，其喉舌《解放日報》及《新華日報》，不知寫了多少篇頌讚民主自由制度的社論，美國國慶日、美國總統傑佛遜及林肯生辰，兩報例必呼籲在中國引入美式選舉，反駁中國人質素不高、很貧窮而不適合民主選舉的歪理；1945年底，毛澤東到重慶出席國共和談時，回答路透社記者書面提問，表明中共追求的「民自民主新中國」，就是要包括中央在內的各級政府都由普選產生；中共建國前，承諾與各黨派合組聯合政府，並在《共通綱領》中列明：「各級人民代表大會由人民用普選方法產生之。」民主、人權等公民權利，同樣白紙黑字寫在《憲法》上。
政制進一步 可能只是陷阱
但是，這些莊嚴的政治承諾，在中共大權在握後，不是變味，就是被完全否定，甚至為了捍衛「一黨專政」體制，反其道而行幾十年。香港回歸前，北京向全世界宣布，除了國防、外交，香港內部事務一概自治；1993年，港澳辦主任魯平在《人民日報》發表談話，指「（07年後）香港如何發展民主，完全是香港自治權範圍的事，中央不會干涉」。結果呢？全國人大釋法，否決07、08雙普選，甚至2012年也只能維持一半議席直選；其後，出現兩套治港班子，「西環」（中聯辦）開始肆無忌憚的插手香港事務，以致出現「中環」（特區政府）和「西環」兩個管治香港的權力中心。到今次政改，中聯辦更掛甲上陣，儼如香港「太上皇」，還奢談什麼「一國兩制、高度自治」呢？
正因為中共在歷史上是如此不可信，時至今日，北京仍沒有在香港終極普選上展現任何誠意，講明何時取消功能組別，那麼，我們憑什麼還要相信它最終會給予香港真普選呢？既然讓步與否，結果都一樣，我為什麼還要放棄原則，接受一個令功能組別被合理化而可能萬古長青的政制方案呢？
因此，除非北京表明何時香港可進行真普選，否則，今日政制向前進一步的結果，很可能只是陷阱！
【明報專訊】民主黨的改良版政制方案，雖已獲北京及特區政府接納，卻令民主派支持者徹底分裂，連我也深感困擾，苦苦思索究竟應否該支持。本周一，我敬重的張楚勇、呂大樂等幾位政治及社會科學學者，聯名撰文呼籲各界接受改良方案；我同樣尊重的同事李慧玲及「華叔」司徒華，也力挺此方案。他們認為，改良方案的民主成分更高，拿到手後再爭取終極普選，並行不悖。他們言之成理，令我一度動搖，但最後還是拒絕了，理由只得一個！
毫無疑問，相對曾蔭權的「起錨方案」，民主黨版本在推動政制向前走（民主化），優勝很多。根據改良方案，2012年新增10個立法會議席中，5席為地區直選，餘下5席的功能組別，由區議員提名、交沒有功能組別投票權的全港選民，一人一票選舉產生。換言之，屆時立法會選舉，全港選民每人至少兩票，一票地區直選，另一票區議會功能組別。當然，一些富貴特權人士，手上還握有公司票、董事票及商會票等，遠不止兩票，而是十票八票。
這個變相直選方案，開始時頗受特區政府、建制派及北京的奚落。全國人大常委會副秘書長喬曉陽在北京指出：「有關建議是一個變相直選，有違《基本法》及人大常委會的規定。」中聯辦副主任李剛會見普選聯成員後表示：「《基本法》的立法原意，就是功能界別的立法會議員，應該由屬於特定的專業行業和組織的選民選舉生成。如果把選民的基礎擴大到全社會，這不符合基本法的立法原意……不是符合全國人大的決定。」
中共所作政治承諾兌現率極低
但民主黨及泛民成員堅拒再退讓，「起錨方案」的民意支持度下滑，不獲通過的機會很大，即使勉強通過，社會嚴重分裂，各走極端之下，抗爭升級，到時政府想有效施政？難矣！更何，「起錨方案」其實是保護小圈子及政商界既得利益者，與政制向前走相去十萬八千里。因此，權衡利害，也明白民主黨的底線後，北京終於轉；「阿爺」都要「打倒昨日的我」，等而下之的特區政府、左派、工商界等，還能死守「起錨方案」嗎？
北京的讓步其實很有限，而公民黨等人擔心，民主黨方案並沒表明何時取消功能組別議席（包括新增的5席區議會），這一步的民主進步，可能換來合理化功能組別，讓這隻魔鬼可繼續存在，改良方案便會成為終極普選的藍本了。
不過，除此之外，我反對的理由很簡單，就是中國共產黨的歷史告訴我，它對國民、對弱者所作的政治承諾，兌現率極低。中共還在打江山的1940年代，其喉舌《解放日報》及《新華日報》，不知寫了多少篇頌讚民主自由制度的社論，美國國慶日、美國總統傑佛遜及林肯生辰，兩報例必呼籲在中國引入美式選舉，反駁中國人質素不高、很貧窮而不適合民主選舉的歪理；1945年底，毛澤東到重慶出席國共和談時，回答路透社記者書面提問，表明中共追求的「民自民主新中國」，就是要包括中央在內的各級政府都由普選產生；中共建國前，承諾與各黨派合組聯合政府，並在《共通綱領》中列明：「各級人民代表大會由人民用普選方法產生之。」民主、人權等公民權利，同樣白紙黑字寫在《憲法》上。
政制進一步 可能只是陷阱
但是，這些莊嚴的政治承諾，在中共大權在握後，不是變味，就是被完全否定，甚至為了捍衛「一黨專政」體制，反其道而行幾十年。香港回歸前，北京向全世界宣布，除了國防、外交，香港內部事務一概自治；1993年，港澳辦主任魯平在《人民日報》發表談話，指「（07年後）香港如何發展民主，完全是香港自治權範圍的事，中央不會干涉」。結果呢？全國人大釋法，否決07、08雙普選，甚至2012年也只能維持一半議席直選；其後，出現兩套治港班子，「西環」（中聯辦）開始肆無忌憚的插手香港事務，以致出現「中環」（特區政府）和「西環」兩個管治香港的權力中心。到今次政改，中聯辦更掛甲上陣，儼如香港「太上皇」，還奢談什麼「一國兩制、高度自治」呢？
正因為中共在歷史上是如此不可信，時至今日，北京仍沒有在香港終極普選上展現任何誠意，講明何時取消功能組別，那麼，我們憑什麼還要相信它最終會給予香港真普選呢？既然讓步與否，結果都一樣，我為什麼還要放棄原則，接受一個令功能組別被合理化而可能萬古長青的政制方案呢？
因此，除非北京表明何時香港可進行真普選，否則，今日政制向前進一步的結果，很可能只是陷阱！
Monday, June 21, 2010
帶孩子去教會 (知信行 2010-06-22 雲彩見證)
帶孩子去教會 / 劉曉紅
知信行 2010-06-22 Cloud of Witnesses Every Week（雲彩見證）
我對培養孩子絞盡腦汁，不過說實話，真感覺像是在和孩子鬥智。
在我剛到美國、接觸到教會的姊妹們時，許多姊妹不只一次誠心誠意地對我講：「把孩子交給主，你看我們的孩子在教會裡成長得多好。」每當我聽到這樣的話，心裡總有一個反抗的聲音：「你們說的也太神乎其神了吧？我的孩子當然是我最愛了，即使你們的主能把她管教好，萬一有個不留神的時候，把我的孩子疏忽了怎麼辦？而且那麼多沒信主的孩子也有很好的。」那時我的女兒不到九歲。
我承認，在教會裡成長的孩子是很好，但是讓我把自己的孩子完全地交給主，心裡既不情願，也不放心，而且我對如何培養孩子也很動腦筋。自女兒出生，我就開始計劃，按著書本所寫的，從語言能力、運動能力，和社交能力的發展等方面，觀察她的發育情況，盡量超前進行一些開發。女兒五歲半就提前上小學，而且一直是各方面能力都挺強的好學生。
不過說實話，也真感覺像是在和孩子鬥智。記得小時，她和小朋友一起玩，人家要玩她的玩具，她不給，我就對她講：「有玩具大家一起玩吧！」她似乎懂了。下次她想玩人家的玩具時，就先對我講：「媽媽，有玩具大家一起玩。」然後就理直氣壯地去拿人家的玩具，人家不給就不行。我為了避免矛盾，就又對她講：「自己玩自己的玩具吧！」她聽了我的話，下次小朋友再想玩她的玩具，她非但不給，而且嘴裡還振振有詞地喊著：「自己的玩具自己玩！」我真想不到，這麼小的孩子她會把你的話反過來用，為她的行為服務。
到了上小學時，我買了幾本如何教育孩子的書。有一天我要求她整理她的玩具、房間時，她二話沒說就找來我的書，翻到一頁，指給我看：「媽媽，您看，這裡寫著不要過分要求孩子整理房間，會壓抑孩子的創造力。」當時還真讓我啞口無言；但我不能就這樣輸給孩子，鎮靜了一下就說：「你看，這書上講的是過分要求。媽媽的要求不過分。」孩子終歸辯不過大人，不吭聲了，但並不是心悅誠服。
孩子是一個有頭腦、有自由意志的人，隨著年齡的增長、知識的增多、眼界的開闊、外界環境的變化，以及充滿的各樣誘惑，想讓孩子在一個寬鬆的環境中，身心都健康地發展並非容易的事。特別是我們到美國時間不長，對美國的文化、歷史背景的了解遠遠不夠；而孩子又生活在美國孩子之中，所以如何教育她既能溶入美國的社會生活，又能抵擋各種不良誘惑，實在有點超出我們的能力。因為孩子大部分時間是生活在我們的視線之外，她內心深處的東西更無從知道。而且父母的話不是很有能力的，特別是對十幾歲的孩子來說，她會覺著父母的觀點太落伍，所以有些事最先瞞的就是父母。我女兒就經常在我耐心地和她講了半天之後，擺出一副無可奈何的樣子搖搖頭說了一句：「代溝啊，代溝！」我曾不無擔憂地對丈夫說：「等女兒到了青春期，我也快到更年期了，都處於情緒易變期，娘倆可能有更多彆扭。」
於是，我想起了姊妹們的建議：「把孩子交給耶穌」。我也想起第一次帶女兒去教會時，她聽了耶穌的生平後，對我說：「媽媽，我覺著信耶穌挺好的，不過我還是長大了再說吧！」於是我試探地問她：「現在你長大了，是否該考慮信耶穌了？」「您還沒信呢？」一句話噎得我無言。我定了定神說：「我在努力。」
我是從小接受無神論教育，唱著「從來就沒有救世主，也不靠神仙皇帝」那首國際歌長大的一代人。以前聽的聖經故事，以為是神話故事。來美國之後偶爾去教會，也覺著有信仰很好，也希望自己有朝一日能信耶穌，但好像找不到感覺，進入不了角色。而且我總認為，信耶穌的多是軟弱的、有病的、失戀的、心靈受創傷的；或者是甚麼都有了而只需要精神寄託的成功人士。像我們這些心理健康、無病無災，又處於奮鬥之時的「忙人」，似乎少了點那種去教會的閒心。有時丈夫要去教會，我不表現熱情；但這時為了孩子，突然有了一種緊迫感。孩子也「忙」，除了忙作業，還要忙著和同學講電話、網上聊天、在網上聽音樂、看電視劇，還要打遊戲機。
為了不引起她的逆反心理，我故意若無其事地說：「咱們就算陪陪你爸去吧，你和老爸老媽在一起的時間沒多少，得好好珍惜。」於是，從那時起，我們開始參加查經、敬拜。
女兒剛開始時並不很情願，恰好我們參加的團契在各家輪流舉行，我就勸她先各家轉一遍再說。後來我們去參加一個福音營，去的時候她還猶豫不決。那天天氣非常惡劣，風雨交加，我們開車一個多小時才到達目的地。女兒看著海浪翻滾的大海，不停地說：「傷感！傷感！」
那天講的是馬可福音十章17至27節：「耶穌出來行路的時候，有一個人跑來，跪在祂面前，問祂說：『良善的夫子，我當作甚麼事才可以承受永生？』... ...耶穌看著他們，說：『在人是不能，在上帝卻不然，因為上帝凡事都能。』」聽了一天道，心情好多了。晚上看著那麼多人決志信耶穌，非常感動。回到家裡已經是深夜。第二天早晨不到六點，女兒就叫我們起床去福音營，真是「太陽從西邊出來了」，因為平時她上學七點起床，我還得像定時鬧錶每十分鐘不停地叫幾回。我們就是在那個佈道會上決志的。
第三天，她又早早起床，叫我們去聽見證會。當主持人問誰來作最後一個見證的時候，我女兒舉起了手，上台後又跟主持人說可不可以讓她爸媽也上來，結果最後一個見證成了我們全家的見證，真是讓我吃驚；因為我們沒準備要上台去作見證，而且她平時不是很愛講話，有時家裡來人還需提醒才打招呼，那天居然在幾百人面前自己主動要求上台作見證。從那以後，她就願意去參加查經、敬拜了，而且提前就做好準備。最終我們全家受洗歸入基督，那時女兒不滿十四週歲。
回想信耶穌一年多後，孩子還真有變化：
1.對罪敏感。記得有一段時間，我家的互聯網總是有問題，對她來講，不能在網上聽音樂、與同學聊天，也是件痛苦的事。有一天，她對我說：「可能是上帝對我的懲罰吧，我去書店時偷看了部分《達文西密碼》那本書。」 我還真一驚：「你認識還挺深刻的，你幹甚麼事瞞得了父母卻瞞不了上帝，以後再遇見此類事又管不住自己的話，就禱告求上帝幫助你。」
2.知道謙卑，上進心也更強了。原本她學習也不錯，但總是漫不經心。課餘學畫、學長笛，也學得還可以，就是不夠主動。繪畫和長笛老師都鼓勵她，以激發她的熱情，她卻依然漫不經心。我若旁敲側擊說些讓她努力的話，她就會說：「中國人的家長就是這樣，永遠不知足，要是美國人的家長早就很高興地說：『Very good! Excellent!』了。」我也不好再說甚麼。她信耶穌以後，也堅持查經，到教會聽道、敬拜。知道聖經裡講：「你要盡心，盡性，盡意愛主你的上帝。」（馬太福音廿二37）「上帝阻擋驕傲的人，賜恩給謙卑的人。」（雅各書四6）她現在學畫，學長笛，不用我說就自己知道努力，更加主動了。她今年上十年級，三門主要課程都在榮譽班（honor class），其中兩門課是十一年級的課程，十年級學生唯一可選的一門大學預修課（AP Class），她也選了。這時，倒是我怕她累壞了，問她要不要調到普通班，她說不要。週五晚上如果學校沒有活動就參加查經，週六要到中文學校做三小時義工，週日到教會聽道，參加敬拜，然後是繪畫課，忙得不亦樂乎。網上聊天、打遊戲機的時間自然就少了。發自內心的變化遠比受外界壓力所引起的改變要大有功效，而且是由衷的、心甘情願的。原來沒信主耶穌時，我總覺著基督教讓人與世無爭，年輕人會不會沒有了奮鬥精神。信主後才知基督徒不是消極地與世無爭，而是因為有了永恆的追求，心裡充滿了愛和平安喜樂，按著聖經的教導：「凡事包容，凡事相信，凡事盼望，凡事忍耐。」（哥林多前書十三7）所以看淡了屬世的東西；因為有了更高的追求，有了盼望、有了信靠，做事情會更加有信心、有力量。
3.更知道關心體貼別人了。聖經裡強調：「如今常存的有信，有望，有愛；這三樣，其中最大的是愛。」（哥林多前書十三13）要「愛人如己」（馬太福音廿二39）；聖經裡給人的十條誡命中第一條帶應許的誡命就是：「當孝敬父母，使你的日子，在耶和華你上帝所賜你的地上，得以長久。」（出埃及記廿12）在教會，她參加力所能及的服事工作，如演出、搞衛生等。在家裡對父母不逆反，因我們一同學習聖經，同為上帝的兒女、主內的弟兄姊妹，似乎那條代溝填平了許多。我們可以像朋友一樣聊些她的事情，給她些建議。她人也變得開朗、喜樂了。暑假回國探親，她還提醒我別忘了給她繪畫老師、長笛老師帶點小禮物。她在家裡是獨生女，儘管我們盡量理智地不嬌生慣養她；但她仍然是主要被關心的對象。現在看到她懂得關心別人了，我真是心裡暗喜，在不知不覺中孩子就有改變了。有上帝與孩子同在，按著聖經的原則教育孩子，我們做父母的真是既省心又放心，孩子也開心。
領孩子一同來到主耶穌面前，把孩子交給主，真的是明智的選擇。如聖經所言：「敬畏耶和華是知識的開端。」(箴言一7）「因為耶和華賜人智慧；知識和聰明，都由祂口而出。」（箴言二6）
知信行 2010-06-22 Cloud of Witnesses Every Week（雲彩見證）
我對培養孩子絞盡腦汁，不過說實話，真感覺像是在和孩子鬥智。
在我剛到美國、接觸到教會的姊妹們時，許多姊妹不只一次誠心誠意地對我講：「把孩子交給主，你看我們的孩子在教會裡成長得多好。」每當我聽到這樣的話，心裡總有一個反抗的聲音：「你們說的也太神乎其神了吧？我的孩子當然是我最愛了，即使你們的主能把她管教好，萬一有個不留神的時候，把我的孩子疏忽了怎麼辦？而且那麼多沒信主的孩子也有很好的。」那時我的女兒不到九歲。
我承認，在教會裡成長的孩子是很好，但是讓我把自己的孩子完全地交給主，心裡既不情願，也不放心，而且我對如何培養孩子也很動腦筋。自女兒出生，我就開始計劃，按著書本所寫的，從語言能力、運動能力，和社交能力的發展等方面，觀察她的發育情況，盡量超前進行一些開發。女兒五歲半就提前上小學，而且一直是各方面能力都挺強的好學生。
不過說實話，也真感覺像是在和孩子鬥智。記得小時，她和小朋友一起玩，人家要玩她的玩具，她不給，我就對她講：「有玩具大家一起玩吧！」她似乎懂了。下次她想玩人家的玩具時，就先對我講：「媽媽，有玩具大家一起玩。」然後就理直氣壯地去拿人家的玩具，人家不給就不行。我為了避免矛盾，就又對她講：「自己玩自己的玩具吧！」她聽了我的話，下次小朋友再想玩她的玩具，她非但不給，而且嘴裡還振振有詞地喊著：「自己的玩具自己玩！」我真想不到，這麼小的孩子她會把你的話反過來用，為她的行為服務。
到了上小學時，我買了幾本如何教育孩子的書。有一天我要求她整理她的玩具、房間時，她二話沒說就找來我的書，翻到一頁，指給我看：「媽媽，您看，這裡寫著不要過分要求孩子整理房間，會壓抑孩子的創造力。」當時還真讓我啞口無言；但我不能就這樣輸給孩子，鎮靜了一下就說：「你看，這書上講的是過分要求。媽媽的要求不過分。」孩子終歸辯不過大人，不吭聲了，但並不是心悅誠服。
孩子是一個有頭腦、有自由意志的人，隨著年齡的增長、知識的增多、眼界的開闊、外界環境的變化，以及充滿的各樣誘惑，想讓孩子在一個寬鬆的環境中，身心都健康地發展並非容易的事。特別是我們到美國時間不長，對美國的文化、歷史背景的了解遠遠不夠；而孩子又生活在美國孩子之中，所以如何教育她既能溶入美國的社會生活，又能抵擋各種不良誘惑，實在有點超出我們的能力。因為孩子大部分時間是生活在我們的視線之外，她內心深處的東西更無從知道。而且父母的話不是很有能力的，特別是對十幾歲的孩子來說，她會覺著父母的觀點太落伍，所以有些事最先瞞的就是父母。我女兒就經常在我耐心地和她講了半天之後，擺出一副無可奈何的樣子搖搖頭說了一句：「代溝啊，代溝！」我曾不無擔憂地對丈夫說：「等女兒到了青春期，我也快到更年期了，都處於情緒易變期，娘倆可能有更多彆扭。」
於是，我想起了姊妹們的建議：「把孩子交給耶穌」。我也想起第一次帶女兒去教會時，她聽了耶穌的生平後，對我說：「媽媽，我覺著信耶穌挺好的，不過我還是長大了再說吧！」於是我試探地問她：「現在你長大了，是否該考慮信耶穌了？」「您還沒信呢？」一句話噎得我無言。我定了定神說：「我在努力。」
我是從小接受無神論教育，唱著「從來就沒有救世主，也不靠神仙皇帝」那首國際歌長大的一代人。以前聽的聖經故事，以為是神話故事。來美國之後偶爾去教會，也覺著有信仰很好，也希望自己有朝一日能信耶穌，但好像找不到感覺，進入不了角色。而且我總認為，信耶穌的多是軟弱的、有病的、失戀的、心靈受創傷的；或者是甚麼都有了而只需要精神寄託的成功人士。像我們這些心理健康、無病無災，又處於奮鬥之時的「忙人」，似乎少了點那種去教會的閒心。有時丈夫要去教會，我不表現熱情；但這時為了孩子，突然有了一種緊迫感。孩子也「忙」，除了忙作業，還要忙著和同學講電話、網上聊天、在網上聽音樂、看電視劇，還要打遊戲機。
為了不引起她的逆反心理，我故意若無其事地說：「咱們就算陪陪你爸去吧，你和老爸老媽在一起的時間沒多少，得好好珍惜。」於是，從那時起，我們開始參加查經、敬拜。
女兒剛開始時並不很情願，恰好我們參加的團契在各家輪流舉行，我就勸她先各家轉一遍再說。後來我們去參加一個福音營，去的時候她還猶豫不決。那天天氣非常惡劣，風雨交加，我們開車一個多小時才到達目的地。女兒看著海浪翻滾的大海，不停地說：「傷感！傷感！」
那天講的是馬可福音十章17至27節：「耶穌出來行路的時候，有一個人跑來，跪在祂面前，問祂說：『良善的夫子，我當作甚麼事才可以承受永生？』... ...耶穌看著他們，說：『在人是不能，在上帝卻不然，因為上帝凡事都能。』」聽了一天道，心情好多了。晚上看著那麼多人決志信耶穌，非常感動。回到家裡已經是深夜。第二天早晨不到六點，女兒就叫我們起床去福音營，真是「太陽從西邊出來了」，因為平時她上學七點起床，我還得像定時鬧錶每十分鐘不停地叫幾回。我們就是在那個佈道會上決志的。
第三天，她又早早起床，叫我們去聽見證會。當主持人問誰來作最後一個見證的時候，我女兒舉起了手，上台後又跟主持人說可不可以讓她爸媽也上來，結果最後一個見證成了我們全家的見證，真是讓我吃驚；因為我們沒準備要上台去作見證，而且她平時不是很愛講話，有時家裡來人還需提醒才打招呼，那天居然在幾百人面前自己主動要求上台作見證。從那以後，她就願意去參加查經、敬拜了，而且提前就做好準備。最終我們全家受洗歸入基督，那時女兒不滿十四週歲。
回想信耶穌一年多後，孩子還真有變化：
1.對罪敏感。記得有一段時間，我家的互聯網總是有問題，對她來講，不能在網上聽音樂、與同學聊天，也是件痛苦的事。有一天，她對我說：「可能是上帝對我的懲罰吧，我去書店時偷看了部分《達文西密碼》那本書。」 我還真一驚：「你認識還挺深刻的，你幹甚麼事瞞得了父母卻瞞不了上帝，以後再遇見此類事又管不住自己的話，就禱告求上帝幫助你。」
2.知道謙卑，上進心也更強了。原本她學習也不錯，但總是漫不經心。課餘學畫、學長笛，也學得還可以，就是不夠主動。繪畫和長笛老師都鼓勵她，以激發她的熱情，她卻依然漫不經心。我若旁敲側擊說些讓她努力的話，她就會說：「中國人的家長就是這樣，永遠不知足，要是美國人的家長早就很高興地說：『Very good! Excellent!』了。」我也不好再說甚麼。她信耶穌以後，也堅持查經，到教會聽道、敬拜。知道聖經裡講：「你要盡心，盡性，盡意愛主你的上帝。」（馬太福音廿二37）「上帝阻擋驕傲的人，賜恩給謙卑的人。」（雅各書四6）她現在學畫，學長笛，不用我說就自己知道努力，更加主動了。她今年上十年級，三門主要課程都在榮譽班（honor class），其中兩門課是十一年級的課程，十年級學生唯一可選的一門大學預修課（AP Class），她也選了。這時，倒是我怕她累壞了，問她要不要調到普通班，她說不要。週五晚上如果學校沒有活動就參加查經，週六要到中文學校做三小時義工，週日到教會聽道，參加敬拜，然後是繪畫課，忙得不亦樂乎。網上聊天、打遊戲機的時間自然就少了。發自內心的變化遠比受外界壓力所引起的改變要大有功效，而且是由衷的、心甘情願的。原來沒信主耶穌時，我總覺著基督教讓人與世無爭，年輕人會不會沒有了奮鬥精神。信主後才知基督徒不是消極地與世無爭，而是因為有了永恆的追求，心裡充滿了愛和平安喜樂，按著聖經的教導：「凡事包容，凡事相信，凡事盼望，凡事忍耐。」（哥林多前書十三7）所以看淡了屬世的東西；因為有了更高的追求，有了盼望、有了信靠，做事情會更加有信心、有力量。
3.更知道關心體貼別人了。聖經裡強調：「如今常存的有信，有望，有愛；這三樣，其中最大的是愛。」（哥林多前書十三13）要「愛人如己」（馬太福音廿二39）；聖經裡給人的十條誡命中第一條帶應許的誡命就是：「當孝敬父母，使你的日子，在耶和華你上帝所賜你的地上，得以長久。」（出埃及記廿12）在教會，她參加力所能及的服事工作，如演出、搞衛生等。在家裡對父母不逆反，因我們一同學習聖經，同為上帝的兒女、主內的弟兄姊妹，似乎那條代溝填平了許多。我們可以像朋友一樣聊些她的事情，給她些建議。她人也變得開朗、喜樂了。暑假回國探親，她還提醒我別忘了給她繪畫老師、長笛老師帶點小禮物。她在家裡是獨生女，儘管我們盡量理智地不嬌生慣養她；但她仍然是主要被關心的對象。現在看到她懂得關心別人了，我真是心裡暗喜，在不知不覺中孩子就有改變了。有上帝與孩子同在，按著聖經的原則教育孩子，我們做父母的真是既省心又放心，孩子也開心。
領孩子一同來到主耶穌面前，把孩子交給主，真的是明智的選擇。如聖經所言：「敬畏耶和華是知識的開端。」(箴言一7）「因為耶和華賜人智慧；知識和聰明，都由祂口而出。」（箴言二6）
Friday, June 18, 2010
MAM Training Camp today...
Prayer items for MAM2010
1. Despite the cancellation of MAM Sudbury, praise the Lord that we have MAM Niagara Falls and MAM London with a total of 17 members.
2. Please pray for the preparation for each team, as the trip is only 2 months away.
3. Pray for the unity among teams, as team members are coming from different churches with different expectations and experiences.
4. Pray for the relationship with God for all members, as it will be a tough spiritual war.
5. Please remember all the leaders, as many challenging decisions will have to be made ahead.
1. Despite the cancellation of MAM Sudbury, praise the Lord that we have MAM Niagara Falls and MAM London with a total of 17 members.
2. Please pray for the preparation for each team, as the trip is only 2 months away.
3. Pray for the unity among teams, as team members are coming from different churches with different expectations and experiences.
4. Pray for the relationship with God for all members, as it will be a tough spiritual war.
5. Please remember all the leaders, as many challenging decisions will have to be made ahead.
Sunday, June 06, 2010
[明報即時新聞] 中大教授指校方教壞學生
中大哲學系教授劉國英指出，中大校方以政治中立為由拒絕擺放民主女神像，是教壞學生。
港台節目城市論壇，移師中文大學放置民主女神像和六四浮雕的草地前舉行。劉國英表示，針對校方聲稱要尊重言論自由，因此要堅持政治中立的原則，拒絕擺放民主女神像，哲學系的同事一起發表聲明，指校方犯了邏輯上的謬誤。他不滿校方以假推理來教壞學生。
劉國英又指出，校方高層竟然一致決定反對擺放民主女神像，相信有高層是受到政治壓力，有難言之隱。
他說，大學校長的主要職責是捍衛言論自由，若不能承擔來自北京的壓力，可以由全校人來承擔。
支聯會副主席李卓人說，多年來展示民主女神像都未試過被沒收，質疑特區政府追隨內地敏感日子實施監控。
文化評論員鄧小樺指政府破壞過往慣例，更不斷測試港人底線。
港台節目城市論壇，移師中文大學放置民主女神像和六四浮雕的草地前舉行。劉國英表示，針對校方聲稱要尊重言論自由，因此要堅持政治中立的原則，拒絕擺放民主女神像，哲學系的同事一起發表聲明，指校方犯了邏輯上的謬誤。他不滿校方以假推理來教壞學生。
劉國英又指出，校方高層竟然一致決定反對擺放民主女神像，相信有高層是受到政治壓力，有難言之隱。
他說，大學校長的主要職責是捍衛言論自由，若不能承擔來自北京的壓力，可以由全校人來承擔。
支聯會副主席李卓人說，多年來展示民主女神像都未試過被沒收，質疑特區政府追隨內地敏感日子實施監控。
文化評論員鄧小樺指政府破壞過往慣例，更不斷測試港人底線。
Sunday, May 30, 2010
[明報] 市民六四遊行兼諷政改 / 學校封殺六四討論 會考生上街探真相
市民六四遊行兼諷政改
【明報專訊】昨日遊行市民中，不單要求平反六四和結束一黨專政，亦有不少人是衝政改而來，特首曾蔭權日前的「起錨」政改宣傳口號更成為市民戲謔目標。65歲的吳先生手持「大海航行毛（冇）舵手」標語，指現時政府的政改建議缺乏路線圖，是「超錯」而不是「起錨」。
批大海航行無舵手
黃女士自製一張「政改=鐵達尼」的船形紙牌，諷刺所謂政改建議有如鐵達尼號沉船，根本是沉沒、沒有希望，不能起錨。
除示威牌外，當遊行隊伍被警方因交通情暫阻前進時，示威者亦一改以往「開路、開路」的要求放行口號，改為「起錨、起錨」，引來示威者一陣大笑。
警方扣起「新民主女神像」事件，亦令一些市民對普選聯與中聯辦副主任李剛會面感到不滿。社民連立法會議員梁國雄批評，普選聯剛見完李剛，食環署及警方即對支聯會作政治打壓，「還想溝（通）什麼？」
蔡耀昌﹕見李剛無關六四
代表普選聯與李剛會面的支聯會副主席蔡耀昌指出，與李剛溝通只是談政制，與六四無關，「我做什麼都頂天立地去做、光明磊落去做」。支聯會秘書、民主黨主席何俊仁亦說，若以為與中聯辦會面，對方就不會打壓六四活動，這是太幼稚的想法。他強調，無論如何溝通，他都會繼續參與六四活動，要求中央政府平反六四。
學校封殺六四討論 會考生上街探真相
【明報專訊】六四事件今年已是21周年，昨日六四遊行參加者當中卻不乏80後以至90後青少年，他們在網上及其他途徑得悉六四事件，加上近期的高鐵事件及內地多名維權人士被捕，令他們覺得要走出來，向社會表達新一代的想法。
20多歲的Karen、Moon和Elizabeth，昨日身穿囚衣遊行，囚衣的號碼滿有意思，分別為「8964」及「5288」，Karen說，「5288」是「我愛爸爸」的諧音，以紀念劉曉波和譚作人等遭以言入罪的內地維權人士。
就讀中五的Jason和何先生結伴參與遊行，兩人直言課堂上沒機會接觸六四事件的資料，為了認識真相，二人決定首次參與紀念六四的活動。Jason說，近兩年刻意找很多有關六四事件的資料看，朋友之間也一起談到這個問題。被問到在學校有否討論時，何先生說﹕「不是答不到，是封殺我們。」
自稱末代會考生的鍾曉晴與十多名90後青年組成「香港90後大聯盟」到場，她表示自高鐵事件後，覺得要為社會做點事，加上政改問題，為表達對政府不滿，即使會考部分科目尚未完結，亦聯袂參加六四遊行。
老牌政黨「不代表我們」
15歲的梁同學和13歲的陳同學年紀較小，但想法卻十分清晰，兩人都表示，不少老牌政黨和特區政府根本不能代表他們，亦不明現時青年人的想法，故參加六四遊行，以表達平反六四的訴求及表達青年人的意見。
【明報專訊】昨日遊行市民中，不單要求平反六四和結束一黨專政，亦有不少人是衝政改而來，特首曾蔭權日前的「起錨」政改宣傳口號更成為市民戲謔目標。65歲的吳先生手持「大海航行毛（冇）舵手」標語，指現時政府的政改建議缺乏路線圖，是「超錯」而不是「起錨」。
批大海航行無舵手
黃女士自製一張「政改=鐵達尼」的船形紙牌，諷刺所謂政改建議有如鐵達尼號沉船，根本是沉沒、沒有希望，不能起錨。
除示威牌外，當遊行隊伍被警方因交通情暫阻前進時，示威者亦一改以往「開路、開路」的要求放行口號，改為「起錨、起錨」，引來示威者一陣大笑。
警方扣起「新民主女神像」事件，亦令一些市民對普選聯與中聯辦副主任李剛會面感到不滿。社民連立法會議員梁國雄批評，普選聯剛見完李剛，食環署及警方即對支聯會作政治打壓，「還想溝（通）什麼？」
蔡耀昌﹕見李剛無關六四
代表普選聯與李剛會面的支聯會副主席蔡耀昌指出，與李剛溝通只是談政制，與六四無關，「我做什麼都頂天立地去做、光明磊落去做」。支聯會秘書、民主黨主席何俊仁亦說，若以為與中聯辦會面，對方就不會打壓六四活動，這是太幼稚的想法。他強調，無論如何溝通，他都會繼續參與六四活動，要求中央政府平反六四。
學校封殺六四討論 會考生上街探真相
【明報專訊】六四事件今年已是21周年，昨日六四遊行參加者當中卻不乏80後以至90後青少年，他們在網上及其他途徑得悉六四事件，加上近期的高鐵事件及內地多名維權人士被捕，令他們覺得要走出來，向社會表達新一代的想法。
20多歲的Karen、Moon和Elizabeth，昨日身穿囚衣遊行，囚衣的號碼滿有意思，分別為「8964」及「5288」，Karen說，「5288」是「我愛爸爸」的諧音，以紀念劉曉波和譚作人等遭以言入罪的內地維權人士。
就讀中五的Jason和何先生結伴參與遊行，兩人直言課堂上沒機會接觸六四事件的資料，為了認識真相，二人決定首次參與紀念六四的活動。Jason說，近兩年刻意找很多有關六四事件的資料看，朋友之間也一起談到這個問題。被問到在學校有否討論時，何先生說﹕「不是答不到，是封殺我們。」
自稱末代會考生的鍾曉晴與十多名90後青年組成「香港90後大聯盟」到場，她表示自高鐵事件後，覺得要為社會做點事，加上政改問題，為表達對政府不滿，即使會考部分科目尚未完結，亦聯袂參加六四遊行。
老牌政黨「不代表我們」
15歲的梁同學和13歲的陳同學年紀較小，但想法卻十分清晰，兩人都表示，不少老牌政黨和特區政府根本不能代表他們，亦不明現時青年人的想法，故參加六四遊行，以表達平反六四的訴求及表達青年人的意見。
Friday, May 28, 2010
[時代論壇] 多個基督宗教團體就516補選發聲明
（5月27日消息）
時代論壇
基督徒學會、基督徒關懷香港學會、合一運動同學會、天主教正義和平委員會及天主教勞工事務委員會就516補選發表聯合聲明，全文如下：
《基督徒團體就516立法會補選》發表之聯合聲明
強烈不滿特區首長曾蔭權帶頭破壞選舉法治
對於香港立法會在上星期日(5月16日)進行補選的投票率偏低，我們認為特區政府有不可推卸的責任，並且不應、也不能以為投票率偏低，就代表港人支持2012政改方案。
健全的選舉制度是任何一個文明及民主的社會的基礎之一。選舉必須以秉持公平、公正和客觀的原則，而政府是必須以中立的角式來執行有關標準，讓市民可以透過普及而平等的選舉，表達意見和選出代議士。因此，不管是選區劃界、投票站安排、選民登記名冊的處理，以至選舉宣傳規則等，都必須保持穩定及連貫性，以減少爭拗和影響選舉的公正性。
香港雖然仍沒有全面落實普選，但多年的議會選舉機制，亦尚算是公平和公正。然而，在五月十六日的立法會補選中，特區政府不但沒有盡其本份，令選舉順利進行，一眾重要官員反而於事前在言論上不停出口術，令人質疑港府會否真誠及盡力維護是次選舉能在公平和客觀的情況下進行。
特區政府一而再的反對是次選舉，認為是不必要的選舉，正因為在主觀意志上不認同，所以在是次選舉中屢次出現的不公平情況，實在是非常嚴重的失職及濫權行為。
成為公民教育負面教材
政府新聞處資料顯示，特首曾蔭權、政務司司長唐英年、財政司司長曾俊華、律政司司長黃仁龍以及林瑞麟，均在07年立法會港島區補選及08年立法會選舉到票站投票，並呼籲市民履行公民責任，踴躍投票。然而，傳媒在選舉前幾個月，已經追問他們的投票取向，但他們一直選擇迴避，直至5月14日晚上十時三十分，特首曾蔭權與特區政府一眾高官突然發表聲明，表示不會於5月16日投票。此舉對香港的民主進程造成極負面的影響：試問杯葛由自己所主辦主持的合法選舉的官員，怎會是真心相信和支持民主的人，香港市民又何以可以相信他們會真心為香港爭取民主？
帶頭浪費納稅人公帑
無論認同與否，是次立法會補選是由特區政府負責及推行的。林瑞麟卻一而再的表示補選需花費一億五千萬，但特區一眾官員的行為，卻是鼓勵市民無需投票，因此他們是浪費納稅人公帑的始作俑者。
選民無故在選民名冊給除名
大批選民向傳媒表示，在選舉當天前往投票時，發現被選舉事務處取消了選民資格，有七年未遷居，04年及08年都收到投票通知書的選民，無故被撤銷資格，當局無法交代原因。不少人則因遷居後沒更新住址或地址出錯，但過往仍可返回原區投票，今次卻被取消資格。雖然有學者及政界人士曾建議特區政府仿效外地，推行自動登記制度，讓年滿18歲持身份證人士自動成為選民，因為按外國經驗顯示，自動登記制度能令更多公民參與民主選舉，也避免了選民無故在選民名冊給除名等充滿政治陰謀色彩事情的發生。很可惜，特區政府十多年前便着手研究自動登記選民制度，前政制事務局在2000年曾表示以此作長遠目標，但又提出因設立電子資料庫及處理剔除喪失投票資格人士的操作細則上存有技術問題，一直議而不決，在科技進步的今天，這幾乎是不可思議的。
推遲宣傳
特區政府於4月26日才開始推出立法會五區補選的宣傳廣告，而且政府推出的補選宣傳廣告也與高官態度一脈相承，無論是電視或者平面廣告，也全面剔除呼籲市民投票的字眼， 今次五區補選的平面廣告設計與2007年港島區補選如同倒模般，卻明顯刪走「請踴躍投票」的句子。政府今年也罕有未為五區補選租用巴士車身廣告作宣傳，明顯是不光彩的小動作，以減少市民投票的意欲。
街板
特區政府於3月26日決定在立法會舉行五區公投補選期間，容許現任立法會及區議會議員毋須按過去規定，拆除所有宣傳街板，並同時適用於房委會提供街板位置。港府此舉明顯是因為政治理由而改變過去在選舉中保持中立的立場，並破壞了公平選舉的原則，結果導致候選人懸掛街板的位置不足，被迫放在不見人煙的位置，而選管會亦因此缺乏有利的位置放置宣傳板，呼籲市民投票。
票站安排
民建聯兼鄉事派議員張學明透露，有鄉事人士因不滿五區補選公投運動，有意拒絕借出學校作票站，令鄉郊地區選民要到較遠的地方投票。港府有責任找出其他的位置讓市民投票，而並非安排市民到偏遠甚至需要登記個人資料才可以進入票站的私人屋苑投票，嚴重侵犯市民的私隱權。
特區政府有責任澄清沒有違法
一些政協委員、人大代表在跟中央高層領導人會面時大肆扭曲香港的政治情況，惡意攻擊五區總辭公投行動違反《基本法》與挑戰中央政府，同樣令人不齒及遺憾。中聯辦主任彭清華於3月7日在出席全國人大會議港區代表分組會議時，以強硬態度批評五區公投宣傳口號極端、聳人聽聞，認為是「公然挑戰基本法」，違背了香港主流民意。作為是次補選活動的主辦單位，特區政府有責任澄清事實，以正視聽，很可惜的是，政府卻不作任何回應，使現時合憲合法的選舉制度不能還以清白。
費用
為了舉辦5.16補選活動，財政司司長曾俊華建議下年度向選舉事務處增撥1.72億元至2.47億元開支，較原來預算撥款的約7,400萬高出兩倍多。增撥的1.72億元中，約1.59億元為補選開支，當中約300萬為5.16補選日宣傳費用，政制及內地事務局局長林瑞麟相信有關開支可以覆蓋五個地方選舉的宣傳工作。然而特區政府有責任向公眾交待公帑的支付，因為如上述所言，政府做的宣傳工作甚少，而且毫不起眼。此外，大專2012 五位候選人的郵遞單張沒有寄出，雖然可減省郵遞支出，選管會有責任向公眾交代拒絕提供免費郵遞的理由。
結語：行政手段干預選舉，民主大倒退
凡此種種，皆顯示特區政府沒有充當其中立公正的角色，相反卻以行政手段干預投票率及選舉結果，嚴重損害選舉的公平公正性，使香港出現了這種只在不文明的獨裁政權下才會發生的情況，壓根兒就是民主進程的大倒退。我們強烈要求政府必須加以交待，並要求立法會組成獨立委員會，調查有關官員的責任，以挽回香港人對選舉制度的信心。
（www.christiantimes.org.hk，時代論壇每日快拍，2010.5.27）
時代論壇
基督徒學會、基督徒關懷香港學會、合一運動同學會、天主教正義和平委員會及天主教勞工事務委員會就516補選發表聯合聲明，全文如下：
《基督徒團體就516立法會補選》發表之聯合聲明
強烈不滿特區首長曾蔭權帶頭破壞選舉法治
對於香港立法會在上星期日(5月16日)進行補選的投票率偏低，我們認為特區政府有不可推卸的責任，並且不應、也不能以為投票率偏低，就代表港人支持2012政改方案。
健全的選舉制度是任何一個文明及民主的社會的基礎之一。選舉必須以秉持公平、公正和客觀的原則，而政府是必須以中立的角式來執行有關標準，讓市民可以透過普及而平等的選舉，表達意見和選出代議士。因此，不管是選區劃界、投票站安排、選民登記名冊的處理，以至選舉宣傳規則等，都必須保持穩定及連貫性，以減少爭拗和影響選舉的公正性。
香港雖然仍沒有全面落實普選，但多年的議會選舉機制，亦尚算是公平和公正。然而，在五月十六日的立法會補選中，特區政府不但沒有盡其本份，令選舉順利進行，一眾重要官員反而於事前在言論上不停出口術，令人質疑港府會否真誠及盡力維護是次選舉能在公平和客觀的情況下進行。
特區政府一而再的反對是次選舉，認為是不必要的選舉，正因為在主觀意志上不認同，所以在是次選舉中屢次出現的不公平情況，實在是非常嚴重的失職及濫權行為。
成為公民教育負面教材
政府新聞處資料顯示，特首曾蔭權、政務司司長唐英年、財政司司長曾俊華、律政司司長黃仁龍以及林瑞麟，均在07年立法會港島區補選及08年立法會選舉到票站投票，並呼籲市民履行公民責任，踴躍投票。然而，傳媒在選舉前幾個月，已經追問他們的投票取向，但他們一直選擇迴避，直至5月14日晚上十時三十分，特首曾蔭權與特區政府一眾高官突然發表聲明，表示不會於5月16日投票。此舉對香港的民主進程造成極負面的影響：試問杯葛由自己所主辦主持的合法選舉的官員，怎會是真心相信和支持民主的人，香港市民又何以可以相信他們會真心為香港爭取民主？
帶頭浪費納稅人公帑
無論認同與否，是次立法會補選是由特區政府負責及推行的。林瑞麟卻一而再的表示補選需花費一億五千萬，但特區一眾官員的行為，卻是鼓勵市民無需投票，因此他們是浪費納稅人公帑的始作俑者。
選民無故在選民名冊給除名
大批選民向傳媒表示，在選舉當天前往投票時，發現被選舉事務處取消了選民資格，有七年未遷居，04年及08年都收到投票通知書的選民，無故被撤銷資格，當局無法交代原因。不少人則因遷居後沒更新住址或地址出錯，但過往仍可返回原區投票，今次卻被取消資格。雖然有學者及政界人士曾建議特區政府仿效外地，推行自動登記制度，讓年滿18歲持身份證人士自動成為選民，因為按外國經驗顯示，自動登記制度能令更多公民參與民主選舉，也避免了選民無故在選民名冊給除名等充滿政治陰謀色彩事情的發生。很可惜，特區政府十多年前便着手研究自動登記選民制度，前政制事務局在2000年曾表示以此作長遠目標，但又提出因設立電子資料庫及處理剔除喪失投票資格人士的操作細則上存有技術問題，一直議而不決，在科技進步的今天，這幾乎是不可思議的。
推遲宣傳
特區政府於4月26日才開始推出立法會五區補選的宣傳廣告，而且政府推出的補選宣傳廣告也與高官態度一脈相承，無論是電視或者平面廣告，也全面剔除呼籲市民投票的字眼， 今次五區補選的平面廣告設計與2007年港島區補選如同倒模般，卻明顯刪走「請踴躍投票」的句子。政府今年也罕有未為五區補選租用巴士車身廣告作宣傳，明顯是不光彩的小動作，以減少市民投票的意欲。
街板
特區政府於3月26日決定在立法會舉行五區公投補選期間，容許現任立法會及區議會議員毋須按過去規定，拆除所有宣傳街板，並同時適用於房委會提供街板位置。港府此舉明顯是因為政治理由而改變過去在選舉中保持中立的立場，並破壞了公平選舉的原則，結果導致候選人懸掛街板的位置不足，被迫放在不見人煙的位置，而選管會亦因此缺乏有利的位置放置宣傳板，呼籲市民投票。
票站安排
民建聯兼鄉事派議員張學明透露，有鄉事人士因不滿五區補選公投運動，有意拒絕借出學校作票站，令鄉郊地區選民要到較遠的地方投票。港府有責任找出其他的位置讓市民投票，而並非安排市民到偏遠甚至需要登記個人資料才可以進入票站的私人屋苑投票，嚴重侵犯市民的私隱權。
特區政府有責任澄清沒有違法
一些政協委員、人大代表在跟中央高層領導人會面時大肆扭曲香港的政治情況，惡意攻擊五區總辭公投行動違反《基本法》與挑戰中央政府，同樣令人不齒及遺憾。中聯辦主任彭清華於3月7日在出席全國人大會議港區代表分組會議時，以強硬態度批評五區公投宣傳口號極端、聳人聽聞，認為是「公然挑戰基本法」，違背了香港主流民意。作為是次補選活動的主辦單位，特區政府有責任澄清事實，以正視聽，很可惜的是，政府卻不作任何回應，使現時合憲合法的選舉制度不能還以清白。
費用
為了舉辦5.16補選活動，財政司司長曾俊華建議下年度向選舉事務處增撥1.72億元至2.47億元開支，較原來預算撥款的約7,400萬高出兩倍多。增撥的1.72億元中，約1.59億元為補選開支，當中約300萬為5.16補選日宣傳費用，政制及內地事務局局長林瑞麟相信有關開支可以覆蓋五個地方選舉的宣傳工作。然而特區政府有責任向公眾交待公帑的支付，因為如上述所言，政府做的宣傳工作甚少，而且毫不起眼。此外，大專2012 五位候選人的郵遞單張沒有寄出，雖然可減省郵遞支出，選管會有責任向公眾交代拒絕提供免費郵遞的理由。
結語：行政手段干預選舉，民主大倒退
凡此種種，皆顯示特區政府沒有充當其中立公正的角色，相反卻以行政手段干預投票率及選舉結果，嚴重損害選舉的公平公正性，使香港出現了這種只在不文明的獨裁政權下才會發生的情況，壓根兒就是民主進程的大倒退。我們強烈要求政府必須加以交待，並要求立法會組成獨立委員會，調查有關官員的責任，以挽回香港人對選舉制度的信心。
（www.christiantimes.org.hk，時代論壇每日快拍，2010.5.27）
Thursday, May 20, 2010
MEN & WOMEN
真的漢子 -- 怕被女人掌控的男士
區祥江
電郵：info@christiantimes.org.hk
始祖犯罪之後，神對女人下了一個判語，你丈夫必管轄你。兩性本來一起管理大地的，現在變成丈夫管轄妻子。從管理變成管轄，令兩性的關係增添不少張力。時代不同了，或許女性仍然有被管轄的感受，但不少男士的呼聲，是自己沒有要掌控太太的動機。反之，他卻感受到被掌控。
認識一位四十歲左右的男士，她母親對他的教導十分嚴格，凡事要他跟她的意思去做，否則就會遭到責打。所以，他對強勢的女性有一種恐懼，盡量逃避接觸她們；若走投無路，他就會絕地反擊，以強勢反壓對方。
這種對強勢女性的反應，令他與工作間的女上司、家中的太太、教會的女執事合作時，只要輕微感到對方要對自己指指點點，想要掌控自己，他就會產生防衛的機制，強烈的作出還擊。
這情況在家中最常見。試想一對雙職的夫婦，太太工作回家後仍要擔負大量家務，想要丈夫協助時，她因受壓語氣表達急了一點；丈夫卻太敏感，以受掌控的角度來看太太合理的要求。可能太太在心中埋怨：自己的丈夫為何不多作主動？不用自己發出要求就辦妥事情，有多好。
當然，以男士需要獨立自主的心態來說，我們不喜歡被命令去做太太認為迫切的事。我們想按自己的時間表，去完成太太要我們辦的事。
是的！時代變了，夫婦的角色應以平權和彈性協商為主調，我們男士也不要樣樣事從地位的高低、權力的大小來了解夫婦的關係。我希望這位男士能放下母親操控自己的傷害，以平和的心來看待女性的要求。
第一一八六期.二○一○年五月廿三日
區祥江
電郵：info@christiantimes.org.hk
始祖犯罪之後，神對女人下了一個判語，你丈夫必管轄你。兩性本來一起管理大地的，現在變成丈夫管轄妻子。從管理變成管轄，令兩性的關係增添不少張力。時代不同了，或許女性仍然有被管轄的感受，但不少男士的呼聲，是自己沒有要掌控太太的動機。反之，他卻感受到被掌控。
認識一位四十歲左右的男士，她母親對他的教導十分嚴格，凡事要他跟她的意思去做，否則就會遭到責打。所以，他對強勢的女性有一種恐懼，盡量逃避接觸她們；若走投無路，他就會絕地反擊，以強勢反壓對方。
這種對強勢女性的反應，令他與工作間的女上司、家中的太太、教會的女執事合作時，只要輕微感到對方要對自己指指點點，想要掌控自己，他就會產生防衛的機制，強烈的作出還擊。
這情況在家中最常見。試想一對雙職的夫婦，太太工作回家後仍要擔負大量家務，想要丈夫協助時，她因受壓語氣表達急了一點；丈夫卻太敏感，以受掌控的角度來看太太合理的要求。可能太太在心中埋怨：自己的丈夫為何不多作主動？不用自己發出要求就辦妥事情，有多好。
當然，以男士需要獨立自主的心態來說，我們不喜歡被命令去做太太認為迫切的事。我們想按自己的時間表，去完成太太要我們辦的事。
是的！時代變了，夫婦的角色應以平權和彈性協商為主調，我們男士也不要樣樣事從地位的高低、權力的大小來了解夫婦的關係。我希望這位男士能放下母親操控自己的傷害，以平和的心來看待女性的要求。
第一一八六期.二○一○年五月廿三日
Thursday, April 01, 2010
Overrated not necessary to be bad...
NHLers diss Phaneuf as overrated - thestar.com
Overrated? You want overrated, Dion Phaneuf will tell you about overrated.
Overrated is the emphasis onlookers put on goals – his goals; the ones that total zero since he arrived in Toronto 21 games ago – when the only thing that really matters to him is whether his Maple Leafs are improving and winning.
What also doesn't matter to Phaneuf is a Sports Illustrated player poll that ranks him as the Most Overrated Player in the NHL. In its latest edition, the magazine asked 272 players in the league to name the player whose reputation exceeds their performance.
Phaneuf ran away with the title, capturing 21 per cent of the vote. Next was the Rangers' Wade Redden with 7 per cent followed by Montreal's Scott Gomez with 6 per cent. Fourth and fifth were Sean Avery, also of the Rangers, and Edmonton's Shawn Horcoff, both at 5 per cent.
"Everyone's got their own opinion," said a non-plussed Phaneuf after the Leafs' practice on Wednesday.
Does it bother you?
"No, not one bit," said the defenceman. "That players don't like playing against me, is that what it is? It comes with the territory of being a well-known player. Everyone has their own opinion and I respect that. To be honest with you, it doesn't hurt my feelings any."
Presumably, since there is no time reference on the poll, it was taken with the memory of Phaneuf's Calgary struggles still fresh. As SI points out, Phaneuf was on the ice for more opposition goals (122) than any other player last season. Given that he doesn't lack self-confidence, there are undoubtedly players around the league delighting in knocking him down a peg or two.
But in Toronto, the 24-year-old has mostly lived up to his billing, providing both leadership and solid work in his own end that has helped the Leafs tighten their defensive game.
The one thing element missing, however, is offence. For a guy who had 20 goals in his rookie campaign and followed that with seasons of 17, 17 and 11, the drought was unexpected. Phaneuf has been stuck on 10 since arriving from the Flames on Jan. 31. That despite 69 shots on net and ample time on the power play.
"The bottom-line is we've been playing good hockey as a team and to be completely honest with you, I'd rather us win hockey games and me score less goals than me score more goals and us not win as many games," said Phaneuf.
"To say that in better wording, I'd rather have less goals and make the playoffs than have more goals and not make the playoffs."
The Leafs are going to miss the playoffs this season whether Phaneuf scores or not but his point is understood. Toronto is 11-8-2 since he arrived in town on the same day as goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere and forward Fredrik Sjostrom. They were 17-28-11 before that remake.
"I've gone through it before," Phaneuf said of his slump. "Am I happy not scoring? No."
Phaneuf's lack of production is, in part, because opposing teams know he has a booming shot from the point and they're giving him little room to get it off or rushing him when he does. Toronto coach Ron Wilson said that may force Phaneuf to make some adjustments.
"He might have to change up a few things if other teams are focusing on taking away his shot; moving and getting himself in different positions," said Wilson. "I think that's what lots of guys do over the course of their career."
"I think I'm a little surprised that the puck hasn't gone in but it's not for lack of effort or anything like that. I don't want him to compromise what he does defensively."
Overrated? You want overrated, Dion Phaneuf will tell you about overrated.
Overrated is the emphasis onlookers put on goals – his goals; the ones that total zero since he arrived in Toronto 21 games ago – when the only thing that really matters to him is whether his Maple Leafs are improving and winning.
What also doesn't matter to Phaneuf is a Sports Illustrated player poll that ranks him as the Most Overrated Player in the NHL. In its latest edition, the magazine asked 272 players in the league to name the player whose reputation exceeds their performance.
Phaneuf ran away with the title, capturing 21 per cent of the vote. Next was the Rangers' Wade Redden with 7 per cent followed by Montreal's Scott Gomez with 6 per cent. Fourth and fifth were Sean Avery, also of the Rangers, and Edmonton's Shawn Horcoff, both at 5 per cent.
"Everyone's got their own opinion," said a non-plussed Phaneuf after the Leafs' practice on Wednesday.
Does it bother you?
"No, not one bit," said the defenceman. "That players don't like playing against me, is that what it is? It comes with the territory of being a well-known player. Everyone has their own opinion and I respect that. To be honest with you, it doesn't hurt my feelings any."
Presumably, since there is no time reference on the poll, it was taken with the memory of Phaneuf's Calgary struggles still fresh. As SI points out, Phaneuf was on the ice for more opposition goals (122) than any other player last season. Given that he doesn't lack self-confidence, there are undoubtedly players around the league delighting in knocking him down a peg or two.
But in Toronto, the 24-year-old has mostly lived up to his billing, providing both leadership and solid work in his own end that has helped the Leafs tighten their defensive game.
The one thing element missing, however, is offence. For a guy who had 20 goals in his rookie campaign and followed that with seasons of 17, 17 and 11, the drought was unexpected. Phaneuf has been stuck on 10 since arriving from the Flames on Jan. 31. That despite 69 shots on net and ample time on the power play.
"The bottom-line is we've been playing good hockey as a team and to be completely honest with you, I'd rather us win hockey games and me score less goals than me score more goals and us not win as many games," said Phaneuf.
"To say that in better wording, I'd rather have less goals and make the playoffs than have more goals and not make the playoffs."
The Leafs are going to miss the playoffs this season whether Phaneuf scores or not but his point is understood. Toronto is 11-8-2 since he arrived in town on the same day as goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere and forward Fredrik Sjostrom. They were 17-28-11 before that remake.
"I've gone through it before," Phaneuf said of his slump. "Am I happy not scoring? No."
Phaneuf's lack of production is, in part, because opposing teams know he has a booming shot from the point and they're giving him little room to get it off or rushing him when he does. Toronto coach Ron Wilson said that may force Phaneuf to make some adjustments.
"He might have to change up a few things if other teams are focusing on taking away his shot; moving and getting himself in different positions," said Wilson. "I think that's what lots of guys do over the course of their career."
"I think I'm a little surprised that the puck hasn't gone in but it's not for lack of effort or anything like that. I don't want him to compromise what he does defensively."
Friday, March 26, 2010
Enjoy your work — this is a gift of God.
Then I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him—for this is his lot. 19 Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work—this is a gift of God. 20 He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart.(Ecclesiastes 5:18-20)
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Panama Update (4)
Time really flies, and I can’t believe that I only got two weeks more here in Panama.
The past week were wonderful and a very good experience for me.
(1) 10th Anniversary of Panama Youth Camp
As mentioned in the last update, the camp was very successful. Among 138 participants, 38 of them dedicate their lives to God first time, while many of them rededicate themselves to God, there are four of them willing to offer themselve to God as full-time minister if God's will. Please keep continue to pray for the youth, as a lot of follow-up work have to be done by the local ministry here in Panama. Also, please pray for the ministers so that they will have wisdom and strength to feed these new sheeps.
Here are some photos:
If you have facebook, you can also take a look here at the camp memories for the past ten years.
(2) Dr. Hanson Wong free medical treatments
I have the chance to involve in the medical mission trip by Dr. Hanson Wong. His team travelled around different countries to give free treatments to help people relieved from their physical pain, while at the same time, evangelise them so that they can also be relieved from their spiritual pain.
Among the five days here, I was glad that I was able to help out with two days. In both days, I mainly help in putting the medicine into the needles, while the local ministers preaching to the patients while they are waiting. It was an eye-opening experience for me, as I eye-witnessed how Dr. Wong preached the gospel while needling people (yes, strange, but it works…!), and how many people turn themselves to Christ in the clinic.
This is what the gospel is for: relieving people from their pain, physically and spiritually.
(3) Chinese New Year Celebration Event in Panama
For the past few years, not only that the Chinese community started celebrating Chinese New Year together, they started to have events involving the main-stream community. The church, of course, will not give up this great opportunity and have a booth there at the “market”. We hand out gospel tracts and bookmarks, and people are willing to take them. I was told that there was a university student later called the church because he saw the booth at the event. Praise the Lord. Click here for the photos…
This year, beside the “market”, the Chinese community leaders have a joint venture with the 中國海外交流協會 for a wonderful show and 春茗after the show. More than 1500 people were at the show while 2500+ were at the dinner. ()
So many people showing up at the show and dinner indicating the life style of Chinese community here had been changing rapidly in the last five years. When I came here the first time in 2005, closing down for Chinese New Year is not common and spending $30-50 in these entertainments is almost impossible. Wednesday night, thousands of people are gathering around for the one-hour firework show before midnight, and people are holding up their digital cameras and video cameras. However, while their life-style is improving, at the same time, the door of gospel is also opening wider and wider. Please pray for Panama Chinese community.
(4) Gathering with youth and their families
Having some reunion time with the youth during a picnic trip Monday afternoon and attending birthday party at night make my trip much fruitful. Not only I have a chance to talk with some youth leaders, I also have the chance to communicate with their non-Christian parents.
(5) Joint Alliance Retreat
I have participated in part of the retreat for all Panama Alliance churches. I also have the chance to communicate with the young adult group during the retreat.
(6) Prayer items and upcoming schedule
2.18 – Helping local missionaries to update their computer systems
2.19 – Visitation and Bible studies (Iglesia Evangelica China de Panama)
2.20 – Sharing at Daniel Fellowship 10th Anniversary Gathering (Iglesia Evangelica China de Panama)
2.22/26 – Sharing at Alliance Joint Young Career Fellowship (Iglesia Alianza)
2.25 -- Visiting Santiago Ministry (Iglesia Alianza)
2.26 –Bible study (IEC Panama)
2.27 – Sharing at Daniel Fellowship (IEC Panama)
2.28 – Preaching at Iglesia Evangelica China de Panama
2.29/3.4 – Training for Daniel/Timothy Fellowship (IEC Panama)
3.5 – Leaving for Canada
The past week were wonderful and a very good experience for me.
(1) 10th Anniversary of Panama Youth Camp
As mentioned in the last update, the camp was very successful. Among 138 participants, 38 of them dedicate their lives to God first time, while many of them rededicate themselves to God, there are four of them willing to offer themselve to God as full-time minister if God's will. Please keep continue to pray for the youth, as a lot of follow-up work have to be done by the local ministry here in Panama. Also, please pray for the ministers so that they will have wisdom and strength to feed these new sheeps.
Here are some photos:
If you have facebook, you can also take a look here at the camp memories for the past ten years.
(2) Dr. Hanson Wong free medical treatments
I have the chance to involve in the medical mission trip by Dr. Hanson Wong. His team travelled around different countries to give free treatments to help people relieved from their physical pain, while at the same time, evangelise them so that they can also be relieved from their spiritual pain.
Among the five days here, I was glad that I was able to help out with two days. In both days, I mainly help in putting the medicine into the needles, while the local ministers preaching to the patients while they are waiting. It was an eye-opening experience for me, as I eye-witnessed how Dr. Wong preached the gospel while needling people (yes, strange, but it works…!), and how many people turn themselves to Christ in the clinic.
This is what the gospel is for: relieving people from their pain, physically and spiritually.
(3) Chinese New Year Celebration Event in Panama
For the past few years, not only that the Chinese community started celebrating Chinese New Year together, they started to have events involving the main-stream community. The church, of course, will not give up this great opportunity and have a booth there at the “market”. We hand out gospel tracts and bookmarks, and people are willing to take them. I was told that there was a university student later called the church because he saw the booth at the event. Praise the Lord. Click here for the photos… This year, beside the “market”, the Chinese community leaders have a joint venture with the 中國海外交流協會 for a wonderful show and 春茗after the show. More than 1500 people were at the show while 2500+ were at the dinner. () So many people showing up at the show and dinner indicating the life style of Chinese community here had been changing rapidly in the last five years. When I came here the first time in 2005, closing down for Chinese New Year is not common and spending $30-50 in these entertainments is almost impossible. Wednesday night, thousands of people are gathering around for the one-hour firework show before midnight, and people are holding up their digital cameras and video cameras. However, while their life-style is improving, at the same time, the door of gospel is also opening wider and wider. Please pray for Panama Chinese community.
(4) Gathering with youth and their families
Having some reunion time with the youth during a picnic trip Monday afternoon and attending birthday party at night make my trip much fruitful. Not only I have a chance to talk with some youth leaders, I also have the chance to communicate with their non-Christian parents.
(5) Joint Alliance Retreat
I have participated in part of the retreat for all Panama Alliance churches. I also have the chance to communicate with the young adult group during the retreat.
(6) Prayer items and upcoming schedule
2.18 – Helping local missionaries to update their computer systems
2.19 – Visitation and Bible studies (Iglesia Evangelica China de Panama)
2.20 – Sharing at Daniel Fellowship 10th Anniversary Gathering (Iglesia Evangelica China de Panama)
2.22/26 – Sharing at Alliance Joint Young Career Fellowship (Iglesia Alianza)
2.25 -- Visiting Santiago Ministry (Iglesia Alianza)
2.26 –Bible study (IEC Panama)
2.27 – Sharing at Daniel Fellowship (IEC Panama)
2.28 – Preaching at Iglesia Evangelica China de Panama
2.29/3.4 – Training for Daniel/Timothy Fellowship (IEC Panama)
3.5 – Leaving for Canada
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Panama Update (3)
Dear all, thank you for your prayer support.
The 10th Anniversary of Panama Youth Camp was very successful. Among 138 participants, 38 of them dedicate their lives to God first time, while many of them rededicate themselves to God, while four of them willing to serve as full-time ministers. Please keep continue to pray for the youth, as a lot of follow-up work need to be done by the local ministry here in Panama. Also, please pray for the ministers so that they will have wisdom and strength to feed these new sheeps.
Today. I have the opportunity to help out with an evangelical clinic held by a Chinese-American doctor. Not only I learn how to fill up 600 needles in a hour, I also learn the pain of the patients, as I was needled too...!
Photos will be up soon, stay tuned...
Sunday (14th), I will particpate in Chinese New Year event similiar to what we have in Toronto, although a bit smaller in size. But the traffic should be huge. The Panama Chinese Church will have a booth at the event, please pray for the ministry.
Monday (15th), there will be a boat cruise where the youth fellowship and their families will enjoy the day on the sea. Of course I will be there too...! Please pray for the evangelical work, especially pray for the young people.
All Panama Alliance Churches will have a joint retreat Monday to Tuesday. Although not confirmed with my schedule, as there will be another clinic on Tuesday (and I am very interested in helping out), mostly I will be able to join the retreat Tuesday evening. Please pray for the retreat and please pray for the clinic.
Again, thank you for your prayer support... and... Happy Chinese New Year...!
May God bless you with a fruitful year of Tiger...!
The 10th Anniversary of Panama Youth Camp was very successful. Among 138 participants, 38 of them dedicate their lives to God first time, while many of them rededicate themselves to God, while four of them willing to serve as full-time ministers. Please keep continue to pray for the youth, as a lot of follow-up work need to be done by the local ministry here in Panama. Also, please pray for the ministers so that they will have wisdom and strength to feed these new sheeps.
Today. I have the opportunity to help out with an evangelical clinic held by a Chinese-American doctor. Not only I learn how to fill up 600 needles in a hour, I also learn the pain of the patients, as I was needled too...!
Photos will be up soon, stay tuned...
Sunday (14th), I will particpate in Chinese New Year event similiar to what we have in Toronto, although a bit smaller in size. But the traffic should be huge. The Panama Chinese Church will have a booth at the event, please pray for the ministry.
Monday (15th), there will be a boat cruise where the youth fellowship and their families will enjoy the day on the sea. Of course I will be there too...! Please pray for the evangelical work, especially pray for the young people.
All Panama Alliance Churches will have a joint retreat Monday to Tuesday. Although not confirmed with my schedule, as there will be another clinic on Tuesday (and I am very interested in helping out), mostly I will be able to join the retreat Tuesday evening. Please pray for the retreat and please pray for the clinic.
Again, thank you for your prayer support... and... Happy Chinese New Year...!
May God bless you with a fruitful year of Tiger...!
Sunday, February 07, 2010
Panama Update (2)
Enjoying the past weekend very much.
Friday nite, I shared my experience of "how to be a person following God's will". What I actually did is to share my mistakes in the past and to encourage them to learn more about God thru the Bible.
Saturday, pre-camp was successful. At night, the youth fellowship of IEC go out for visitation as their program. The visitations go better than we expected. My team headed to the new mall for visitation... yeah...! Grandma of one of the youth turn to Christ during this event. Praise the Lord.
Starting Monday, for five days, 136 teens will be at the 10th Panama Youth Camp. Please pray for these teens as most of them have yet to confirm their faith. Also, please pray for the committee, as there will be 170 people in the camp, and many things for the committee to handle: meals, games, bible studies... and please pray for the speaker.
Some photos here... take a look...
Friday nite, I shared my experience of "how to be a person following God's will". What I actually did is to share my mistakes in the past and to encourage them to learn more about God thru the Bible.
Saturday, pre-camp was successful. At night, the youth fellowship of IEC go out for visitation as their program. The visitations go better than we expected. My team headed to the new mall for visitation... yeah...! Grandma of one of the youth turn to Christ during this event. Praise the Lord.
Starting Monday, for five days, 136 teens will be at the 10th Panama Youth Camp. Please pray for these teens as most of them have yet to confirm their faith. Also, please pray for the committee, as there will be 170 people in the camp, and many things for the committee to handle: meals, games, bible studies... and please pray for the speaker.
Some photos here... take a look...
Friday, February 05, 2010
Panama Update (1)
Give thanks to God that brings me safely arrive to Panama.
My first lesson during this trip: "Bestbuy Express".
Yes, I am so outdated. I really cannot imagine that I cannot find a pop machine nor machine for chips or chocolate bar at the airport, but an auto-selling machine for ipods, headsets and camera.
I am thinking... will there be a day that we might have a "Devotion express", that we will have Bibles and devotional books available...
In Panama, my first day already a fulfilled one.
Not only that I had the opportunity to have dinner with some young adults here to update their recent lives, also I spent most of the day learning the latest development of the youth ministry here in Panama City. Things have changed a lot here for just one year.
Here are some prayer items.
(1) I will be speaking for a youth group in one of the Alliance churches here on the topic "How to understand the will of God". Not only pray for the youth here, but also pray for me as I don't think I am experience enough to "give a workshop" but simply "share my experience and mistakes".
(2) There are already a record-breaking 130+ teens register for the youth camp, and more to come. Please pray for the teens so that they can understand more about God.
(3) Two members from Calgary already in Panama but two more will arrive Friday afternoon while two from Toronto will arrive late night. Please pray for a safe trip.
(4) Pre-Camp training will take place Saturday afternoon.
My first lesson during this trip: "Bestbuy Express".Yes, I am so outdated. I really cannot imagine that I cannot find a pop machine nor machine for chips or chocolate bar at the airport, but an auto-selling machine for ipods, headsets and camera.
I am thinking... will there be a day that we might have a "Devotion express", that we will have Bibles and devotional books available...
In Panama, my first day already a fulfilled one.
Not only that I had the opportunity to have dinner with some young adults here to update their recent lives, also I spent most of the day learning the latest development of the youth ministry here in Panama City. Things have changed a lot here for just one year.
Here are some prayer items.
(1) I will be speaking for a youth group in one of the Alliance churches here on the topic "How to understand the will of God". Not only pray for the youth here, but also pray for me as I don't think I am experience enough to "give a workshop" but simply "share my experience and mistakes".
(2) There are already a record-breaking 130+ teens register for the youth camp, and more to come. Please pray for the teens so that they can understand more about God.
(3) Two members from Calgary already in Panama but two more will arrive Friday afternoon while two from Toronto will arrive late night. Please pray for a safe trip.
(4) Pre-Camp training will take place Saturday afternoon.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Go Leafs Go...!
Who are at the bottom? and who are coaching them?
28th Toronto Maple Leafs (Ron Wilson, coaching Maple Leafs 2008-2010)
29th Carolina Hurricanes (Paul Maurice, coaching Maple Leafs 2006-2008)
30th Edmonton Oilers (Pat Quinn, coaching Maple Leafs 1998-2006)
It is disappointed not because they are not winning... but simply because the Leaf Nation really don't have the fire, not even a spark...
Not surprise but shameful when the headline of the hockey town's newspaper headlining "Raptors bright light in city of losers". But who can argue when the Toronto Star comment the Toronto Maple Leafs "Leaf fans, in contrast, can't talk about the June draft (too depressing), the Marlies (in last place), the improvement curve of Phil Kessel (somehow out of shape), or even the cathartic sacking of their coach (at least until after the Olympics)."
Toronto, the hockey town in a hockey country. While Canada are looking for gold in the upcoming Olympics, we are talking about winning the upcoming draft order for the Maple Leafs. Irony? Hang on, not quite there yet...
While many people anticipate the involvement of Brian Burke, not only he is the first non-Canadian Maple Leafs GM, now he is the GM of US Olympics Team. We need an American to structure Canada's most significant hockey club. Just like England Football team needed Eriksson (from Sweden) or Capello (from Italy) to lead the football country. Will there be loyalty? Will there be the fire? Will there be the spirit? Or its only a job for these builders? History will figure it out.
A job is a job.
A career is a career.
A Calling is a Calling.
Hugh differences.
28th Toronto Maple Leafs (Ron Wilson, coaching Maple Leafs 2008-2010)
29th Carolina Hurricanes (Paul Maurice, coaching Maple Leafs 2006-2008)
30th Edmonton Oilers (Pat Quinn, coaching Maple Leafs 1998-2006)
It is disappointed not because they are not winning... but simply because the Leaf Nation really don't have the fire, not even a spark...
Not surprise but shameful when the headline of the hockey town's newspaper headlining "Raptors bright light in city of losers". But who can argue when the Toronto Star comment the Toronto Maple Leafs "Leaf fans, in contrast, can't talk about the June draft (too depressing), the Marlies (in last place), the improvement curve of Phil Kessel (somehow out of shape), or even the cathartic sacking of their coach (at least until after the Olympics)."
Toronto, the hockey town in a hockey country. While Canada are looking for gold in the upcoming Olympics, we are talking about winning the upcoming draft order for the Maple Leafs. Irony? Hang on, not quite there yet...
While many people anticipate the involvement of Brian Burke, not only he is the first non-Canadian Maple Leafs GM, now he is the GM of US Olympics Team. We need an American to structure Canada's most significant hockey club. Just like England Football team needed Eriksson (from Sweden) or Capello (from Italy) to lead the football country. Will there be loyalty? Will there be the fire? Will there be the spirit? Or its only a job for these builders? History will figure it out.
A job is a job.
A career is a career.
A Calling is a Calling.
Hugh differences.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Urbana Day 4
Reflections on Day number 4.
We know that we should not stay in the darkness but walk in the light. However, there are so many wounds and issues that we do not want God to touch us and wanna cover up ourselves in the darkness.
Sometimes we are deep in these kinds of situations that even we hear the saving-call from God, but we seems like get stuck in the crowded stadium while you cannot find the exit.
That's me.
But the evening message give us the solutions: Prayer...!
We know how to pray, but sometimes our prayer just repeating the facts that God already know. We just forget what role did God has in our prayers. We forget His power. We forget His almighty. We forget HIM.
Pray with our full heart. Tell Him what is in our heart. Tell Him truly what we would want to ask Him. That is what the prayer is for.
There will only be one exit in the crowded stadium: Pray truly to God.
We know that we should not stay in the darkness but walk in the light. However, there are so many wounds and issues that we do not want God to touch us and wanna cover up ourselves in the darkness.
Sometimes we are deep in these kinds of situations that even we hear the saving-call from God, but we seems like get stuck in the crowded stadium while you cannot find the exit.
That's me.
But the evening message give us the solutions: Prayer...!
We know how to pray, but sometimes our prayer just repeating the facts that God already know. We just forget what role did God has in our prayers. We forget His power. We forget His almighty. We forget HIM.
Pray with our full heart. Tell Him what is in our heart. Tell Him truly what we would want to ask Him. That is what the prayer is for.
There will only be one exit in the crowded stadium: Pray truly to God.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Urbana Day 3
Coming to day 3, everyone of us feeling tired, and... overwhelming.
So many information regarding mission, so many things about our inner lives, so many things about our future...
Really need time to sit down and digest...
Few things that I need to reflect on today
(1) John 2:11 saying that the miracle of turning water to wine was the first of the signs through which Jesus revealed his glory. If I were Jesus, what kind of changes do I want to become the first sign...?
(2)Since last nite, thru this morning, till this night... "Trust in God's providence" running around my head... Am I trust God enough regarding his providence?
(3)One speaker said, God do not want "helicopter missionary". Yes, I am now involving a few mission projects, but do I really have root in them?
(4)John 15 talking about abiding in God. Learning the word of God without obedience just like knowledge without live. Obedience... A huge hole for me to improve.
(5)Give is always better than get. Speaker today reminding me: Get is not bad, but its all about self-center. Give is something we should learn, experience and put in practice. Am I willing to give without thinking of getting?
.
.
.
.
.
Tomorrow... commitment nite... hmm...
So many information regarding mission, so many things about our inner lives, so many things about our future...
Really need time to sit down and digest...
Few things that I need to reflect on today
(1) John 2:11 saying that the miracle of turning water to wine was the first of the signs through which Jesus revealed his glory. If I were Jesus, what kind of changes do I want to become the first sign...?
(2)Since last nite, thru this morning, till this night... "Trust in God's providence" running around my head... Am I trust God enough regarding his providence?
(3)One speaker said, God do not want "helicopter missionary". Yes, I am now involving a few mission projects, but do I really have root in them?
(4)John 15 talking about abiding in God. Learning the word of God without obedience just like knowledge without live. Obedience... A huge hole for me to improve.
(5)Give is always better than get. Speaker today reminding me: Get is not bad, but its all about self-center. Give is something we should learn, experience and put in practice. Am I willing to give without thinking of getting?
.
.
.
.
.
Tomorrow... commitment nite... hmm...
Monday, December 28, 2009
Urbana Day 2
A few questions today which really makes me to reflect on my own spirituality...
First Question, during the morning Bible study on John 1:35-42:
"If you really trusted God's role in bringing your friends to a place of belief, how would it affect the way you think about evangelism? What blocks you from inviting people to 'come & see'?"
Second reflection, during the exposition session on John 1:43-51...
Together with John 1:35-42, Jesus told the two disciples "Come and See" and they can see the Messiah. Philip told Nathanael "Come and See", that turns Nathanael declaring that Jesus is God.
Then, question to myself, am I good/faithful/trust-worthy enough for other to take my "Come and See"...?
Third reflection... for us, as a pastoral leader, our mission road should be like "Transformation -> Covenant -> Mission".
Do I Transform enough so that my testimony can display what God grace has cast upon me? Is my covenant with God a good testimony of my relationship with God? Will my direction of Mission be not in the right focus?
First Question, during the morning Bible study on John 1:35-42:
"If you really trusted God's role in bringing your friends to a place of belief, how would it affect the way you think about evangelism? What blocks you from inviting people to 'come & see'?"
Second reflection, during the exposition session on John 1:43-51...
Together with John 1:35-42, Jesus told the two disciples "Come and See" and they can see the Messiah. Philip told Nathanael "Come and See", that turns Nathanael declaring that Jesus is God.
Then, question to myself, am I good/faithful/trust-worthy enough for other to take my "Come and See"...?
Third reflection... for us, as a pastoral leader, our mission road should be like "Transformation -> Covenant -> Mission".
Do I Transform enough so that my testimony can display what God grace has cast upon me? Is my covenant with God a good testimony of my relationship with God? Will my direction of Mission be not in the right focus?
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Urbana Day 1
After 15 hours of driving in a mild snow storm, we finally arrived in St. Louis safely.
And... the tiredness did not block the message of God in the very first day, given that its a short one.
First reminder: Despite any expectation of coming to Urbana2009, it won't make any difference unless we allow it to make some difference to us. Yes, I really have to open up my heart in order for His Message to flow thru my mind...
First message from Urbana2009:
John 1:14. God use "Incarnation" to (1) use as a mean to communicate with us (2) sending us a message and (3) be a model for us.
Speaker reminds me that Jesus did not save us by inviting us to his place, but coming to our world instead, a place where not the most comfortable.
My question to myself: Why I am working on campus with students?
Reflection: Simply because campus is the most comfortable place for students.
Yes, that is campus mission...
And... the tiredness did not block the message of God in the very first day, given that its a short one.
First reminder: Despite any expectation of coming to Urbana2009, it won't make any difference unless we allow it to make some difference to us. Yes, I really have to open up my heart in order for His Message to flow thru my mind...
First message from Urbana2009:
John 1:14. God use "Incarnation" to (1) use as a mean to communicate with us (2) sending us a message and (3) be a model for us.
Speaker reminds me that Jesus did not save us by inviting us to his place, but coming to our world instead, a place where not the most comfortable.
My question to myself: Why I am working on campus with students?
Reflection: Simply because campus is the most comfortable place for students.
Yes, that is campus mission...
Friday, October 23, 2009
烏鴉媽媽的故事
森林裡住了烏鴉媽媽, 燕子媽媽和他們的bb
燕子媽媽每天都悉心照顧他的子女,不停餵他們吃東西,用翅膀保護他們,令他們不用受風吹雨打
有一天,燕子媽媽看到烏鴉媽媽不停將自己的子女推出鳥巢,因為烏鴉bb還小,不懂飛,所以一隻一隻掉到地上,他們跌得好痛,好慘,雖然這樣,但烏鴉媽媽沒有放棄,仍然不斷抱他們回巢又不停把他推出去
燕子忍不住就罵烏鴉媽媽狠心,這樣對自己的子女,罵他沒有資格做媽媽
有一日森林大火,烏鴉媽媽的bb因為受到訓練,所以在火未燒到他們的樹之前,他們已經能展翅高飛,
但當燕子bb想飛的時候,因為長期受到媽媽的保護,翅膀未受過訓練,連拍翼的力氣都沒有,所以最後就被火活活燒死,這時燕子媽媽才明白當初烏鴉媽媽的苦心。
那到底是烏鴉媽媽殘忍,還是燕子媽媽有愛心呢?
燕子媽媽每天都悉心照顧他的子女,不停餵他們吃東西,用翅膀保護他們,令他們不用受風吹雨打
有一天,燕子媽媽看到烏鴉媽媽不停將自己的子女推出鳥巢,因為烏鴉bb還小,不懂飛,所以一隻一隻掉到地上,他們跌得好痛,好慘,雖然這樣,但烏鴉媽媽沒有放棄,仍然不斷抱他們回巢又不停把他推出去
燕子忍不住就罵烏鴉媽媽狠心,這樣對自己的子女,罵他沒有資格做媽媽
有一日森林大火,烏鴉媽媽的bb因為受到訓練,所以在火未燒到他們的樹之前,他們已經能展翅高飛,
但當燕子bb想飛的時候,因為長期受到媽媽的保護,翅膀未受過訓練,連拍翼的力氣都沒有,所以最後就被火活活燒死,這時燕子媽媽才明白當初烏鴉媽媽的苦心。
那到底是烏鴉媽媽殘忍,還是燕子媽媽有愛心呢?
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
Saturday, September 19, 2009
"留下的疤"...?
今日聽pp959內7/28既podcast, 聽到同工余子麟quote以前JJ959一個主持人的一個blog post,提及我地身上既疤痕...
留下的疤
天父爸爸,
有一天, 我到超市買了一支去疤的藥膏. 逛了很久也找不到想買的藥膏, 便跑去問了一問櫃檯的服務員.
他想了一想,然後說「你去化妝品部門」我聽了他的回答後, 我說「我不是要蓋疤, 我希望疤真的可以去掉」
他想了一想, 然後又說「那你去藥房那邊試試看..」
我去到藥房問了一下藥劑師, 她介紹了一支可以「六個禮拜完全去疤」的藥膏
可是她拿起藥膏後, 跟我說「這種藥膏應該不可能完全去疤...我想大概去80%左右..」
我把褲子拉起,讓他看看我之前跌傷的膝蓋. 他說「那你可以買去試試看, 不過那麼大的傷口, 之後的疤應該很久才會消失」
雖然最近都在省錢, 不過為了膝蓋的疤趕快消失, 我決定買下那一支藥膏.
自從之前在加油站被自己的腳絆倒而跌倒受傷後, 我每天都會看著自己的膝蓋, 嘆著氣說自己笨,還不斷的問自己「怎麼那麼大一個人也會這樣的跌倒?我是白癡啊!」
痛是很痛, 尤其自己又是那一種粗心的人, 所以經常不小心磨到傷口, 搞到傷口久久也不好起來..
看到傷口, 我覺得無奈極了.
因為它提醒了我自己的笨, 自己的粗心大意, 還時常提醒著受傷後那幾天洗澡時的痛苦, 走路時也是一柺一柺的..
傷口本來就是會自然的好起來. 人類的構造本來就是可以讓受過的傷口自己的復原, 不過卻因為自己的任性和不自律而讓傷口越來越深. 有時侯還因為手太閒太無聊而去抓本來已經好得七七八八的傷口. 就這樣, 傷口又再流血, 再痛...這樣, 疤就越來越深了...
過了一段時間, 我看著傷口, 開始害怕之後疤會永遠都留在我的膝蓋上, 開始後悔, 開始自責
傷口已經不痛了, 血也沒有再流了. 其實每一次自己把傷口抓到流血, 也都沒有之前一次那麼痛了..而因為這樣, 我才知道我正在痊癒當中..
雖然傷口不痛了, 但我卻很介意留下來的疤痕.
雖然已經不會再影響著我的日常生活, 當沒有仔細留意的時候, 我甚至不會察覺它的存在
但疤卻仍然留著, 每逢當我注意到的時候, 也會提醒了我自己曾經跌倒的一次經歷..又或者在夏天穿裙子的時候, 照著鏡子時總是會覺得很不對勁, 那個疤很礙眼.
我希望皮膚可以跟沒有跌倒過一樣
但我知道並不可能..
那我就希望有一天, 自己看到的時候不要再覺得膝蓋很醜...
有著疤的膝蓋也有權利便成讓人驕傲的膝蓋...
我覺得 我慢慢也不太在意了
雖然還是不好看, 看到的時候還是有一點觸景傷情...不過, 已經不太記得發生甚麼事了..
現在我甚至覺得買那一支藥膏很浪費金錢
.
.
.
.
.
反省返自己的生活裡，其實都有好多的疤痕。不單是痕，甚至我有時懷疑我的傷口究竟埋左口未...有時候，我知道我好想去疤，點知其實只係用緊化妝品蓋疤，仲要係裡面已經含濃，自欺欺人地去以為自己已經無事... 點知...
我總以為我並不太在意，但係當其他人係你條疤痕上面灑鹽時，果種"O拿"法，先知道其實自己個傷口原來跟本從未有埋過口...唉...
.
.
.
親愛的天父啊，求求你，協助我，醫我傷，去我疤，讓我能好好的為你去作鹽作光，不再讓你的名蒙羞...
留下的疤
天父爸爸,
有一天, 我到超市買了一支去疤的藥膏. 逛了很久也找不到想買的藥膏, 便跑去問了一問櫃檯的服務員.
他想了一想,然後說「你去化妝品部門」我聽了他的回答後, 我說「我不是要蓋疤, 我希望疤真的可以去掉」
他想了一想, 然後又說「那你去藥房那邊試試看..」
我去到藥房問了一下藥劑師, 她介紹了一支可以「六個禮拜完全去疤」的藥膏
可是她拿起藥膏後, 跟我說「這種藥膏應該不可能完全去疤...我想大概去80%左右..」
我把褲子拉起,讓他看看我之前跌傷的膝蓋. 他說「那你可以買去試試看, 不過那麼大的傷口, 之後的疤應該很久才會消失」
雖然最近都在省錢, 不過為了膝蓋的疤趕快消失, 我決定買下那一支藥膏.
自從之前在加油站被自己的腳絆倒而跌倒受傷後, 我每天都會看著自己的膝蓋, 嘆著氣說自己笨,還不斷的問自己「怎麼那麼大一個人也會這樣的跌倒?我是白癡啊!」
痛是很痛, 尤其自己又是那一種粗心的人, 所以經常不小心磨到傷口, 搞到傷口久久也不好起來..
看到傷口, 我覺得無奈極了.
因為它提醒了我自己的笨, 自己的粗心大意, 還時常提醒著受傷後那幾天洗澡時的痛苦, 走路時也是一柺一柺的..
傷口本來就是會自然的好起來. 人類的構造本來就是可以讓受過的傷口自己的復原, 不過卻因為自己的任性和不自律而讓傷口越來越深. 有時侯還因為手太閒太無聊而去抓本來已經好得七七八八的傷口. 就這樣, 傷口又再流血, 再痛...這樣, 疤就越來越深了...
過了一段時間, 我看著傷口, 開始害怕之後疤會永遠都留在我的膝蓋上, 開始後悔, 開始自責
傷口已經不痛了, 血也沒有再流了. 其實每一次自己把傷口抓到流血, 也都沒有之前一次那麼痛了..而因為這樣, 我才知道我正在痊癒當中..
雖然傷口不痛了, 但我卻很介意留下來的疤痕.
雖然已經不會再影響著我的日常生活, 當沒有仔細留意的時候, 我甚至不會察覺它的存在
但疤卻仍然留著, 每逢當我注意到的時候, 也會提醒了我自己曾經跌倒的一次經歷..又或者在夏天穿裙子的時候, 照著鏡子時總是會覺得很不對勁, 那個疤很礙眼.
我希望皮膚可以跟沒有跌倒過一樣
但我知道並不可能..
那我就希望有一天, 自己看到的時候不要再覺得膝蓋很醜...
有著疤的膝蓋也有權利便成讓人驕傲的膝蓋...
我覺得 我慢慢也不太在意了
雖然還是不好看, 看到的時候還是有一點觸景傷情...不過, 已經不太記得發生甚麼事了..
現在我甚至覺得買那一支藥膏很浪費金錢
.
.
.
.
.
反省返自己的生活裡，其實都有好多的疤痕。不單是痕，甚至我有時懷疑我的傷口究竟埋左口未...有時候，我知道我好想去疤，點知其實只係用緊化妝品蓋疤，仲要係裡面已經含濃，自欺欺人地去以為自己已經無事... 點知...
我總以為我並不太在意，但係當其他人係你條疤痕上面灑鹽時，果種"O拿"法，先知道其實自己個傷口原來跟本從未有埋過口...唉...
.
.
.
親愛的天父啊，求求你，協助我，醫我傷，去我疤，讓我能好好的為你去作鹽作光，不再讓你的名蒙羞...
Saturday, September 05, 2009
insights are what our strategies built on
In today's Toronto Star report of Michael Bryant's case, mentioned the Navigator Limited, the smooth public relations firm hired by Bryant.
Although Bryant's case interest me a lot, catching my eyes more is what the reporter describing the PR firm.
Quote: 'Navigator isn't shy on its website: "Clients have praised us for our ability to take an issue that has been looked at, sometimes for years, and radically shift perspective to reveal new insights. These fresh insights are what our strategies are built on."'
As Christians, we always talk about visions. However, not many vision can be translated into a real and practical picture. Many visions die silently because we try to put our vision into our goals and actions. Well, this seems alright, what's wrong with this?
Strategy is the missing link. The same issue, the same goal, different strategies bring different timing, and definitely different outcome.
As in another Toronto Star report "Traffic signs can make streets dangerous" said, "We look to signs to give us instruction – tell us our rights – rather than making decisions based on the actions of other..."
Its not about what strategy used will be the best, but its the willingness to bear the consequence of the strategy one used.
"We defend rights, but what tends to get left out of the equation are any associated responsibilities. We have a right to vote, for instance, but no real sense that we also have a responsibility to make a serious study of the issues at hand." Toronto Star report reminding us.
We have the right to use any strategy we want, good or bad, and no strategy is actually another strategy, agree or not. However, at the same time, we have the responsibility to take whatever outcome from this strategy and face it.
We tends to blame others when things failed, but the Bible clearly teaches us: Don't try to do anything to impress other human but God.
After all, this may be the best strategy for us to learn throughout our lives.
Although Bryant's case interest me a lot, catching my eyes more is what the reporter describing the PR firm.
Quote: 'Navigator isn't shy on its website: "Clients have praised us for our ability to take an issue that has been looked at, sometimes for years, and radically shift perspective to reveal new insights. These fresh insights are what our strategies are built on."'
As Christians, we always talk about visions. However, not many vision can be translated into a real and practical picture. Many visions die silently because we try to put our vision into our goals and actions. Well, this seems alright, what's wrong with this?
Strategy is the missing link. The same issue, the same goal, different strategies bring different timing, and definitely different outcome.
As in another Toronto Star report "Traffic signs can make streets dangerous" said, "We look to signs to give us instruction – tell us our rights – rather than making decisions based on the actions of other..."
Its not about what strategy used will be the best, but its the willingness to bear the consequence of the strategy one used.
"We defend rights, but what tends to get left out of the equation are any associated responsibilities. We have a right to vote, for instance, but no real sense that we also have a responsibility to make a serious study of the issues at hand." Toronto Star report reminding us.
We have the right to use any strategy we want, good or bad, and no strategy is actually another strategy, agree or not. However, at the same time, we have the responsibility to take whatever outcome from this strategy and face it.
We tends to blame others when things failed, but the Bible clearly teaches us: Don't try to do anything to impress other human but God.
After all, this may be the best strategy for us to learn throughout our lives.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
What I learn from the Epistle to the Hebrews
從希伯來書給我的啟滴
聖靈有話說：你們今日若聽他的話，就不可硬著心，像在曠野惹他發怒、試探他的時候一樣。
弟兄們，你們要謹慎，免得你們中間或有人存著不信的惡心，把永生神離棄了。總要趁著還有今日，天天彼此相勸，免得你們中間有人被罪迷惑，心裡就剛硬了。
我們若將起初確實的信心堅持到底，就在基督裡有分了。
我們既然有一位已經升入高天尊榮的大祭司，就是神的兒子耶穌，便當持定所承認的道。
因我們的大祭司並非不能體恤我們的軟弱。他也曾凡事受過試探，與我們一樣，只是他沒有犯罪。所以，我們只管坦然無懼的來到施恩的寶座前，為要得憐恤，蒙恩惠，作隨時的幫助。
他能體諒那愚蒙的和失迷的人，因為他自己也是被軟弱所困。故此，他理當為百姓和自己獻祭贖罪。
這大祭司的尊榮，沒有人自取。惟要蒙神所召，像亞倫一樣。
因為基督並不是進了人手所造的聖所（這不過是真聖所的影像），乃是進了天堂，如今為我們顯在神面前；也不是多次將自己獻上，像那大祭司每年帶著牛羊的血（牛羊的血：原文作不是自己的血）進入聖所，如果這樣，他從創世以來，就必多次受苦了。但如今在這末世顯現一次，把自己獻為祭，好除掉罪。
按著定命，人人都有一死，死後且有審判。
像這樣，基督既然一次被獻，擔當了多人的罪，將來要向那等候他的人第二次顯現，並與罪無關，乃是為拯救他們。
我們憑這旨意，靠耶穌基督，只一次獻上他的身體，就得以成聖。
因為他一次獻祭，便叫那得以成聖的人永遠完全。
聖靈也對我們作見證；因為他既已說過：主說：那些日子以後，我與他們所立的約乃是這樣：我要將我的律法寫在他們心上，又要放在他們的裡面。以後就說：我不再記念他們的罪愆和他們的過犯。
這些罪過既已赦免，就不用再為罪獻祭了。
所以，你們不可丟棄勇敢的心；存這樣的心必得大賞賜。
你們必須忍耐，使你們行完了神的旨意，就可以得著所應許的。
信就是所望之事的實底，是未見之事的確據。
我們因著信，就知道諸世界是藉神話造成的；這樣，所看見的，並不是從顯然之物造出來的。
亞伯拉罕因著信，蒙召的時候就遵命出去，往將來要得為業的地方去；出去的時候，還不知往那裡去。
因著信，連撒拉自己，雖然過了生育的歲數，還能懷孕，因他以為那應許他的是可信的。
亞伯拉罕因著信，被試驗的時候，就把以撒獻上；這便是那歡喜領受應許的，將自己獨生的兒子獻上。
我們既有這許多的見證人，如同雲彩圍著我們，就當放下各樣的重擔，脫去容易纏累我們的罪，存心忍耐，奔那擺在我們前頭的路程，仰望為我們信心創始成終的耶穌（或作：仰望那將真道創始成終的耶穌）。他因那擺在前面的喜樂，就輕看羞辱，忍受了十字架的苦難，便坐在神寶座的右邊。
你們要追求與眾人和睦，並要追求聖潔；非聖潔沒有人能見主。
耶穌基督，昨日、今日、一直到永遠、是一樣的。
我們應當靠著耶穌，常常以頌讚為祭獻給神，這就是那承認主名之人嘴唇的果子。
聖靈有話說：你們今日若聽他的話，就不可硬著心，像在曠野惹他發怒、試探他的時候一樣。
弟兄們，你們要謹慎，免得你們中間或有人存著不信的惡心，把永生神離棄了。總要趁著還有今日，天天彼此相勸，免得你們中間有人被罪迷惑，心裡就剛硬了。
我們若將起初確實的信心堅持到底，就在基督裡有分了。
我們既然有一位已經升入高天尊榮的大祭司，就是神的兒子耶穌，便當持定所承認的道。
因我們的大祭司並非不能體恤我們的軟弱。他也曾凡事受過試探，與我們一樣，只是他沒有犯罪。所以，我們只管坦然無懼的來到施恩的寶座前，為要得憐恤，蒙恩惠，作隨時的幫助。
他能體諒那愚蒙的和失迷的人，因為他自己也是被軟弱所困。故此，他理當為百姓和自己獻祭贖罪。
這大祭司的尊榮，沒有人自取。惟要蒙神所召，像亞倫一樣。
因為基督並不是進了人手所造的聖所（這不過是真聖所的影像），乃是進了天堂，如今為我們顯在神面前；也不是多次將自己獻上，像那大祭司每年帶著牛羊的血（牛羊的血：原文作不是自己的血）進入聖所，如果這樣，他從創世以來，就必多次受苦了。但如今在這末世顯現一次，把自己獻為祭，好除掉罪。
按著定命，人人都有一死，死後且有審判。
像這樣，基督既然一次被獻，擔當了多人的罪，將來要向那等候他的人第二次顯現，並與罪無關，乃是為拯救他們。
我們憑這旨意，靠耶穌基督，只一次獻上他的身體，就得以成聖。
因為他一次獻祭，便叫那得以成聖的人永遠完全。
聖靈也對我們作見證；因為他既已說過：主說：那些日子以後，我與他們所立的約乃是這樣：我要將我的律法寫在他們心上，又要放在他們的裡面。以後就說：我不再記念他們的罪愆和他們的過犯。
這些罪過既已赦免，就不用再為罪獻祭了。
所以，你們不可丟棄勇敢的心；存這樣的心必得大賞賜。
你們必須忍耐，使你們行完了神的旨意，就可以得著所應許的。
信就是所望之事的實底，是未見之事的確據。
我們因著信，就知道諸世界是藉神話造成的；這樣，所看見的，並不是從顯然之物造出來的。
亞伯拉罕因著信，蒙召的時候就遵命出去，往將來要得為業的地方去；出去的時候，還不知往那裡去。
因著信，連撒拉自己，雖然過了生育的歲數，還能懷孕，因他以為那應許他的是可信的。
亞伯拉罕因著信，被試驗的時候，就把以撒獻上；這便是那歡喜領受應許的，將自己獨生的兒子獻上。
我們既有這許多的見證人，如同雲彩圍著我們，就當放下各樣的重擔，脫去容易纏累我們的罪，存心忍耐，奔那擺在我們前頭的路程，仰望為我們信心創始成終的耶穌（或作：仰望那將真道創始成終的耶穌）。他因那擺在前面的喜樂，就輕看羞辱，忍受了十字架的苦難，便坐在神寶座的右邊。
你們要追求與眾人和睦，並要追求聖潔；非聖潔沒有人能見主。
耶穌基督，昨日、今日、一直到永遠、是一樣的。
我們應當靠著耶穌，常常以頌讚為祭獻給神，這就是那承認主名之人嘴唇的果子。
Monday, July 13, 2009
Trust the next generation - from Christian Times 09.07.05
要信任下一代 - 羅錫為
我們相信下一代嗎？我們有多信任他們？
十年前，我接受一福音機構的聘請回流香港，要把大女兒留在加拿大讀高中最後一年。臨別前，想向她講一番做人道理，她卻對我說︰「爸爸，你對自己從前所說過的話沒信心嗎？」
至於小女兒，她則隨我們夫婦回港，在國際學校唸高中。有時夜歸，做父親的我想給她訓導一下。誰知她這樣說︰「爸爸，你不信任我嗎？」
我的教會自上一任主任牧師以來，已談到栽培下一代作接棒人。我上任後繼續談這個問題，成立領袖培訓委員會，編寫領袖培練材料，卻未有「新一代」的信徒領袖冒現。為何年青一輩不成器？原因是上一代的領袖對下一代沒信心，也其實是對自己不夠信心。
有怎樣的領袖，就有怎樣的追隨者。而追隨者或有一天會當起「領頭羊」。信徒領袖和教牧領袖的交棒過程都一樣，而愈大的教會，愈不放心把責任交給年青人。
在大教會裡，不到四十歲，沒有人認為他有資格當執事、值理。今天教會的領袖，多數是在上一個世紀，乘著香港起飛而上位，在位超過四分一世紀。但是，誰是接班人？在老一輩眼中，年青人都「不夠班」，在職場上自顧不暇，人生經驗都大有不如，遑論才幹、靈性、魄力、和事主的熱誠……
警告︰這種對年青人的不信任心態，正是領袖「換屆」的最大的窒礙！
我們這些老一輩的，要信任，提攜年青人，給他們機會。沒錯，年青人容易犯錯。但誰沒犯過錯？他們確是未夠火喉，但誰生下來就懂得帶領教會？把棒子交給他們，最暢順的方法，是與他們並肩作戰，讓他們跟著去學。摩西就是這樣提拔和栽培了約書亞。
可是，約書亞提攜了誰當接班人？可從約書亞記的「續編」士師記學習一個教訓。
第一一四○期.二○○九年七月五日
我們相信下一代嗎？我們有多信任他們？
十年前，我接受一福音機構的聘請回流香港，要把大女兒留在加拿大讀高中最後一年。臨別前，想向她講一番做人道理，她卻對我說︰「爸爸，你對自己從前所說過的話沒信心嗎？」
至於小女兒，她則隨我們夫婦回港，在國際學校唸高中。有時夜歸，做父親的我想給她訓導一下。誰知她這樣說︰「爸爸，你不信任我嗎？」
我的教會自上一任主任牧師以來，已談到栽培下一代作接棒人。我上任後繼續談這個問題，成立領袖培訓委員會，編寫領袖培練材料，卻未有「新一代」的信徒領袖冒現。為何年青一輩不成器？原因是上一代的領袖對下一代沒信心，也其實是對自己不夠信心。
有怎樣的領袖，就有怎樣的追隨者。而追隨者或有一天會當起「領頭羊」。信徒領袖和教牧領袖的交棒過程都一樣，而愈大的教會，愈不放心把責任交給年青人。
在大教會裡，不到四十歲，沒有人認為他有資格當執事、值理。今天教會的領袖，多數是在上一個世紀，乘著香港起飛而上位，在位超過四分一世紀。但是，誰是接班人？在老一輩眼中，年青人都「不夠班」，在職場上自顧不暇，人生經驗都大有不如，遑論才幹、靈性、魄力、和事主的熱誠……
警告︰這種對年青人的不信任心態，正是領袖「換屆」的最大的窒礙！
我們這些老一輩的，要信任，提攜年青人，給他們機會。沒錯，年青人容易犯錯。但誰沒犯過錯？他們確是未夠火喉，但誰生下來就懂得帶領教會？把棒子交給他們，最暢順的方法，是與他們並肩作戰，讓他們跟著去學。摩西就是這樣提拔和栽培了約書亞。
可是，約書亞提攜了誰當接班人？可從約書亞記的「續編」士師記學習一個教訓。
第一一四○期.二○○九年七月五日
THEY are different from what you think - from Christian Times 09.07.05
他們不是你想像的他們 - 余子麟
我所服務的加拿大基督使者協會，每年都會為年青人舉辦名為「贖．釋．愛」的戀愛關係研討會。去年，我們設下的題目，不是一般的講講兩性溝通，而是探討戀愛和家庭關係帶來的破碎。其中，我們設下了幾個講及性掙扎的講座。活動舉行前，有家長向我們反映，我們和年青人談性掙扎，不會教壞他們麼？所以她不會讓她十四歲的兒子來參加。我心想，到一天你發現你十四歲的兒子已經知道（或在進行）些甚麼的時候，希望你不要太驚訝。
我們常常在報紙上讀到年青人有婚前性行為、濫交、性沉溺等等的報道，但我們總覺得那不會是「我們的」年青人的問題。我想說的是，在報道中的那些一天自慰六次、四年有七個陌生的性伴侶、與十二歲網友進行性交易的人，不一定是你想像中那些讀書不成、黑社會邊青、爛蒲爛玩的壞份子。他們極可能包括讀書成績優異、在校操行良好、在教會做團契職員的「乖乖仔」。
在我們接觸的年青人中，沒有所謂邊青，大部分讀大學，成績不算差，家庭背景良好，有穩定教會生活和事奉。但他們背負的問題（當然不是所有人都是這樣），包括性沉溺、一夜情、同居、召妓、未婚懷孕、濫交、援交、同性戀，甚麼都有。但這些事他們在教會中不會說，也不會認；因為如果說穿了，後果嚴重：停事奉、停聖餐，身敗名裂，教內前途不堪設想。所以，就算有多麼困惑，也只有自己躲起來，選擇性無助。
近二十年，社會對性的觀念出現了革命性的轉變。教會對性教育的觀念，趕得上嗎？不要忘記，性罪是教會領袖失腳最多，最被撒但攻擊的領域之一。我們要怎樣裝備未來的教會領袖，面對未來的性挑戰？
（作者為加拿大基督使者溫哥華事工總監）
第一一四○期.二○○九年七月五日
我所服務的加拿大基督使者協會，每年都會為年青人舉辦名為「贖．釋．愛」的戀愛關係研討會。去年，我們設下的題目，不是一般的講講兩性溝通，而是探討戀愛和家庭關係帶來的破碎。其中，我們設下了幾個講及性掙扎的講座。活動舉行前，有家長向我們反映，我們和年青人談性掙扎，不會教壞他們麼？所以她不會讓她十四歲的兒子來參加。我心想，到一天你發現你十四歲的兒子已經知道（或在進行）些甚麼的時候，希望你不要太驚訝。
我們常常在報紙上讀到年青人有婚前性行為、濫交、性沉溺等等的報道，但我們總覺得那不會是「我們的」年青人的問題。我想說的是，在報道中的那些一天自慰六次、四年有七個陌生的性伴侶、與十二歲網友進行性交易的人，不一定是你想像中那些讀書不成、黑社會邊青、爛蒲爛玩的壞份子。他們極可能包括讀書成績優異、在校操行良好、在教會做團契職員的「乖乖仔」。
在我們接觸的年青人中，沒有所謂邊青，大部分讀大學，成績不算差，家庭背景良好，有穩定教會生活和事奉。但他們背負的問題（當然不是所有人都是這樣），包括性沉溺、一夜情、同居、召妓、未婚懷孕、濫交、援交、同性戀，甚麼都有。但這些事他們在教會中不會說，也不會認；因為如果說穿了，後果嚴重：停事奉、停聖餐，身敗名裂，教內前途不堪設想。所以，就算有多麼困惑，也只有自己躲起來，選擇性無助。
近二十年，社會對性的觀念出現了革命性的轉變。教會對性教育的觀念，趕得上嗎？不要忘記，性罪是教會領袖失腳最多，最被撒但攻擊的領域之一。我們要怎樣裝備未來的教會領袖，面對未來的性挑戰？
（作者為加拿大基督使者溫哥華事工總監）
第一一四○期.二○○九年七月五日
Brenda Lo - from Christian Times 09.07.05
盧業瑂
此心安處是吾鄉
"世界上，沒有任何一個完美的城市或國家。你得到此，同時也失去彼，直到在某處感覺舒心勝過擔心，於是就喜歡上它了。充滿喜樂，保持微笑，就是盧業瑂受歡迎的原因。她的笑容放射出幸福感，讓周圍的人都歡欣無比。"
時間，用在對的事上
「我樂於迎接一切到來的時光，儘管我嘗試去避免一些壞事——只要我們努力，剩下的交給上帝。我從小的夢想就是變瘦、變高（盧笑著說）；但是，話說回來，我真的希望我把時間花在正確的事情上，我希望自己是有負責心，能給聽眾帶來正面思考的一個人。如果他們笑了、開心了、放鬆了，那我就滿足了。」
盧業瑂在一九九五年移居加拿大，或許像許多人一樣，她不確定香港的未來將會如何，而移民的其中一個主要原因，是她在快節奏的生活和壓力下過了這麼多年，便下定決心要改變原來的生活。
盧業瑂早年是香港商業電台的DJ，在寶麗金、CBS Sony和EMI等唱片公司都製作過大量不同的唱片。她也曾數次演出嘉禾及新藝寶等公司出品的電影，還與明星周潤發和鍾楚紅合作演出過《秋天的童話》。
現在，盧業瑂是加拿大中文電台溫哥華分部的高級副總裁，還主持週一至週五，早上十一時至下午一時的音樂熱線節目《Brenda點唱機》，播放從六十年代至今的粵語流行音樂。多元文化電台的高級副總裁一職，只是盧業瑂眾多成就中的一個，對她來說，更重要的是尋求工作和娛樂之間的平衡。
「我很開心自己還能為聽眾服務，同時希望能在大家開始新生活的時候帶給他們一些歡樂。有時能在不平的時候呼喚正義……休假的時候，我喜歡在各個季節在加拿大轉轉。我喜歡看日出和日落、藍天、冰覆蓋著的山巒、樹林顏色的變化、草新鋤過的味道。我還喜歡不同的飲食文化。」
憑著決心和努力，盧業瑂克服了適應一個新環境的種種困難。
「祕密就是去學習、接受和實踐。當然這需要時間，時間常常讓我們回憶過去、比較，然後就抱怨當下。但是你要想到開始為甚麼選擇這條路，其中必然有你要追求的東西，我們不能只看到好的就不管壞的了，就像所謂的『一籃子交易』，就這麼簡單，多考慮正反面地生活下去。要快樂，便不要後悔、不要抱怨，因為悔恨和抱怨只會讓你更痛苦。」
共處，學習欣賞與尊重
由於文化的差異和對生活的態度，盧業瑂認為如與香港相比，加拿大的生活讓她輕鬆很多。「這裡的節奏很慢，我花了很長時間去適應。但一旦跟上了它的步伐，便能意識到必須停下來，嗅嗅這裡的玫瑰了。生命很短暫，很多事物我們必須去感覺、去欣賞。那麼有人就會說加拿大跟不上潮流又缺乏競爭力，但加拿大人會說：管它呢！我們這樣很快樂。比如，要是加拿大的銀行體系沒那麼保守和『落後』，那麼現在我們就會遭遇到比香港更嚴重的金融危機。」
「在香港工作，我們通常跟英國人打交道，還有部分美國人、中國人、菲律賓人和印度人，所以都多少要了解一下。在加拿大生活也需要這樣，畢竟這個國家聚集了大量的各國移民。」
「令人驚訝的是，我們真心嘗試共同生活在同一屋簷下，不僅僅是共處，也從其他文化中汲取營養，像希臘人、意大利人、韓國人、印度人、牙買加人、泰國人、菲律賓人、新加坡人、馬來西亞人、港台和內地的中國人、英國人、俄羅斯人、日本人，甚麼都有。每個民族都有他們流傳下來的節日和傳統，所有其他民族的人也可以去享受、欣賞和尊重它們。」
盧業瑂相信要消除隔閡，相互溝通和大眾的意願是關鍵。「這需要時間，努力和理解，到最後便會有改觀。」
「當然，我會懷念香港的節奏和效率，他們的專業作風和產業知識。最重要的是，香港民眾持續的心態，積極的態度和對卓著業績的自豪感。」
「我也想念那裡的人。香港人有一種固有的心理，他們有向前進的精力和願望。我還想念很多其他的東西，食品、時尚、科技產品，很多很多，各式各樣，物美價廉。」
放下，體驗新的經歷
盧業瑂建議當你遷往一個新國家時，便須有擱置舊我的準備，以體驗新的經歷。
「對那些新到來的香港移民，我的兩點忠告就是：了解自己的優勢和劣勢。接下來，如果可能的話，通過考察和透過當地的朋友，去了解這個國家和文化。」
盧業瑂指出，加拿大的資源相當豐富，只要你知道應該在哪裡切入這個體系，便會有一個很大的服務列表在等待著你，決不要怕去尋求指導和幫助。
「有時候，我從兒童那裡學到很多，因為他們對事沒有成見，沒有束縛。他們有鮮明和清晰的觀點。」
「盡量讓自己準備資金、技術、情商、文化差異和思維方式，丟棄那些舊的習慣（有的是惡習），注意紀律和禮貌。」
「欺詐、犯罪和糊塗事到處都有，只要善良和愛充斥著你。此心安處是吾鄉。」她說道。
第一一四○期.二○○九年七月五日
此心安處是吾鄉
"世界上，沒有任何一個完美的城市或國家。你得到此，同時也失去彼，直到在某處感覺舒心勝過擔心，於是就喜歡上它了。充滿喜樂，保持微笑，就是盧業瑂受歡迎的原因。她的笑容放射出幸福感，讓周圍的人都歡欣無比。"
時間，用在對的事上
「我樂於迎接一切到來的時光，儘管我嘗試去避免一些壞事——只要我們努力，剩下的交給上帝。我從小的夢想就是變瘦、變高（盧笑著說）；但是，話說回來，我真的希望我把時間花在正確的事情上，我希望自己是有負責心，能給聽眾帶來正面思考的一個人。如果他們笑了、開心了、放鬆了，那我就滿足了。」
盧業瑂在一九九五年移居加拿大，或許像許多人一樣，她不確定香港的未來將會如何，而移民的其中一個主要原因，是她在快節奏的生活和壓力下過了這麼多年，便下定決心要改變原來的生活。
盧業瑂早年是香港商業電台的DJ，在寶麗金、CBS Sony和EMI等唱片公司都製作過大量不同的唱片。她也曾數次演出嘉禾及新藝寶等公司出品的電影，還與明星周潤發和鍾楚紅合作演出過《秋天的童話》。
現在，盧業瑂是加拿大中文電台溫哥華分部的高級副總裁，還主持週一至週五，早上十一時至下午一時的音樂熱線節目《Brenda點唱機》，播放從六十年代至今的粵語流行音樂。多元文化電台的高級副總裁一職，只是盧業瑂眾多成就中的一個，對她來說，更重要的是尋求工作和娛樂之間的平衡。
「我很開心自己還能為聽眾服務，同時希望能在大家開始新生活的時候帶給他們一些歡樂。有時能在不平的時候呼喚正義……休假的時候，我喜歡在各個季節在加拿大轉轉。我喜歡看日出和日落、藍天、冰覆蓋著的山巒、樹林顏色的變化、草新鋤過的味道。我還喜歡不同的飲食文化。」
憑著決心和努力，盧業瑂克服了適應一個新環境的種種困難。
「祕密就是去學習、接受和實踐。當然這需要時間，時間常常讓我們回憶過去、比較，然後就抱怨當下。但是你要想到開始為甚麼選擇這條路，其中必然有你要追求的東西，我們不能只看到好的就不管壞的了，就像所謂的『一籃子交易』，就這麼簡單，多考慮正反面地生活下去。要快樂，便不要後悔、不要抱怨，因為悔恨和抱怨只會讓你更痛苦。」
共處，學習欣賞與尊重
由於文化的差異和對生活的態度，盧業瑂認為如與香港相比，加拿大的生活讓她輕鬆很多。「這裡的節奏很慢，我花了很長時間去適應。但一旦跟上了它的步伐，便能意識到必須停下來，嗅嗅這裡的玫瑰了。生命很短暫，很多事物我們必須去感覺、去欣賞。那麼有人就會說加拿大跟不上潮流又缺乏競爭力，但加拿大人會說：管它呢！我們這樣很快樂。比如，要是加拿大的銀行體系沒那麼保守和『落後』，那麼現在我們就會遭遇到比香港更嚴重的金融危機。」
「在香港工作，我們通常跟英國人打交道，還有部分美國人、中國人、菲律賓人和印度人，所以都多少要了解一下。在加拿大生活也需要這樣，畢竟這個國家聚集了大量的各國移民。」
「令人驚訝的是，我們真心嘗試共同生活在同一屋簷下，不僅僅是共處，也從其他文化中汲取營養，像希臘人、意大利人、韓國人、印度人、牙買加人、泰國人、菲律賓人、新加坡人、馬來西亞人、港台和內地的中國人、英國人、俄羅斯人、日本人，甚麼都有。每個民族都有他們流傳下來的節日和傳統，所有其他民族的人也可以去享受、欣賞和尊重它們。」
盧業瑂相信要消除隔閡，相互溝通和大眾的意願是關鍵。「這需要時間，努力和理解，到最後便會有改觀。」
「當然，我會懷念香港的節奏和效率，他們的專業作風和產業知識。最重要的是，香港民眾持續的心態，積極的態度和對卓著業績的自豪感。」
「我也想念那裡的人。香港人有一種固有的心理，他們有向前進的精力和願望。我還想念很多其他的東西，食品、時尚、科技產品，很多很多，各式各樣，物美價廉。」
放下，體驗新的經歷
盧業瑂建議當你遷往一個新國家時，便須有擱置舊我的準備，以體驗新的經歷。
「對那些新到來的香港移民，我的兩點忠告就是：了解自己的優勢和劣勢。接下來，如果可能的話，通過考察和透過當地的朋友，去了解這個國家和文化。」
盧業瑂指出，加拿大的資源相當豐富，只要你知道應該在哪裡切入這個體系，便會有一個很大的服務列表在等待著你，決不要怕去尋求指導和幫助。
「有時候，我從兒童那裡學到很多，因為他們對事沒有成見，沒有束縛。他們有鮮明和清晰的觀點。」
「盡量讓自己準備資金、技術、情商、文化差異和思維方式，丟棄那些舊的習慣（有的是惡習），注意紀律和禮貌。」
「欺詐、犯罪和糊塗事到處都有，只要善良和愛充斥著你。此心安處是吾鄉。」她說道。
第一一四○期.二○○九年七月五日
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Uneasy dream lines
This morning we walk around 25 mins back to AFC.
Under the sun, its a bit hot, but I think its good for myself to clear up my mind a bit as I don't really have a sleep last nite. I dreamt for the whole night.
Lately I have been dreaming a lot, but unlike the usual me, I cannot remember my dreams when I woke up. I know I have dreamt something but so few that I can remember. And even i can remember some, I don't quite get the meaning of it.
Just like last week, in the dream I saw the news of the death of president of USA IOC (of course, the name in the dream is definitely is not the real name), and I cannot figure out why I have that dream.
And last night, I dream that I was at a custom counter, and the custom office mistakenly send my backpack to re-check-in on transit. He was very nervous. (No way in real life that any custom office will help you, neither they will feel guilty when they find out that they are wrong.) When he was nervously figuring out what to do to fix it, there is a CCF alumni coming over and saying that she can use her authority at the airport to help me find my backpack.
Hmmm.... so strange... so here and there.
Under the sun, its a bit hot, but I think its good for myself to clear up my mind a bit as I don't really have a sleep last nite. I dreamt for the whole night.
Lately I have been dreaming a lot, but unlike the usual me, I cannot remember my dreams when I woke up. I know I have dreamt something but so few that I can remember. And even i can remember some, I don't quite get the meaning of it.
Just like last week, in the dream I saw the news of the death of president of USA IOC (of course, the name in the dream is definitely is not the real name), and I cannot figure out why I have that dream.
And last night, I dream that I was at a custom counter, and the custom office mistakenly send my backpack to re-check-in on transit. He was very nervous. (No way in real life that any custom office will help you, neither they will feel guilty when they find out that they are wrong.) When he was nervously figuring out what to do to fix it, there is a CCF alumni coming over and saying that she can use her authority at the airport to help me find my backpack.
Hmmm.... so strange... so here and there.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Jesus was crucified in weakness, but lives by the power of God.
This is the third time I am coming to you. Every charge must be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. I warned those who sinned before and all the others, and I warn them now while absent, as I did when present on my second visit, that if I come again I will not spare them-- since you seek proof that Christ is speaking in me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you. For he was crucified in weakness, but lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but in dealing with you we will live with him by the power of God. Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?--unless indeed you fail to meet the test! I hope you will find out that we have not failed the test. But we pray to God that you may not do wrong--not that we may appear to have met the test, but that you may do what is right, though we may seem to have failed. For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. Your restoration is what we pray for. For this reason I write these things while I am away from you, that when I come I may not have to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord has given me for building up and not for tearing down. Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.
(2Co 13:1-11)
這是我第三次要到你們那裡去。「憑兩三個人的口作見證，句句都要定準。」 我從前說過，如今不在你們那裡又說，正如我第二次見你們的時候所說的一樣，就是對那犯了罪的和其餘的人說：「我若再來，必不寬容。」 你們既然尋求基督在我裡面說話的憑據，我必不寬容。因為，基督在你們身上不是軟弱的，在你們裡面是有大能的。 他因軟弱被釘在十字架上，卻因神的大能仍然活著。我們也是這樣同他軟弱，但因神向你們所顯的大能，也必與他同活。 你們總要自己省察有信心沒有，也要自己試驗。豈不知你們若不是可棄絕的，就有耶穌基督在你們心裡嗎？ 我卻盼望你們曉得，我們不是可棄絕的人。 我們求神，叫你們一件惡事都不做；這不是要顯明我們是蒙悅納的，是要你們行事端正，任憑人看我們是被棄絕的吧！ 我們凡事不能敵擋真理，只能扶助真理。 即使我們軟弱，你們剛強，我們也歡喜；並且我們所求的，就是你們作完全人。 所以，我不在你們那裡的時候，把這話寫給你們，好叫我見你們的時候，不用照主所給我的權柄嚴厲的待你們；這權柄原是為造就人，並不是為敗壞人。 還有末了的話：願弟兄們都喜樂。要作完全人；要受安慰；要同心合意；要彼此和睦。如此，仁愛和平的神必常與你們同在。
(林後 13:1-11)
(2Co 13:1-11)
這是我第三次要到你們那裡去。「憑兩三個人的口作見證，句句都要定準。」 我從前說過，如今不在你們那裡又說，正如我第二次見你們的時候所說的一樣，就是對那犯了罪的和其餘的人說：「我若再來，必不寬容。」 你們既然尋求基督在我裡面說話的憑據，我必不寬容。因為，基督在你們身上不是軟弱的，在你們裡面是有大能的。 他因軟弱被釘在十字架上，卻因神的大能仍然活著。我們也是這樣同他軟弱，但因神向你們所顯的大能，也必與他同活。 你們總要自己省察有信心沒有，也要自己試驗。豈不知你們若不是可棄絕的，就有耶穌基督在你們心裡嗎？ 我卻盼望你們曉得，我們不是可棄絕的人。 我們求神，叫你們一件惡事都不做；這不是要顯明我們是蒙悅納的，是要你們行事端正，任憑人看我們是被棄絕的吧！ 我們凡事不能敵擋真理，只能扶助真理。 即使我們軟弱，你們剛強，我們也歡喜；並且我們所求的，就是你們作完全人。 所以，我不在你們那裡的時候，把這話寫給你們，好叫我見你們的時候，不用照主所給我的權柄嚴厲的待你們；這權柄原是為造就人，並不是為敗壞人。 還有末了的話：願弟兄們都喜樂。要作完全人；要受安慰；要同心合意；要彼此和睦。如此，仁愛和平的神必常與你們同在。
(林後 13:1-11)
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
Google takes aim at Windows
Google takes aim at Windows
Jul 08, 2009 08:12 AM
MICHAEL LIEDTKE
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
SUN VALLEY, IDAHO – Google Inc. is working on a new operating system for inexpensive computers in a daring attempt to wrest away Microsoft Corp.'s long-running control over people's computing experience.
The new operating system, announced late Tuesday night on Google's website, will be based on the company's nine-month-old Web browser, Chrome. Google intends to rely on help from the community of open-source programmers to develop the Chrome operating system, which is expected to begin running computers in the second half of 2010.
The Mountain View, Calif.-based company disclosed its plans for the operating system shortly after an online technology news service, Ars Technica, and The New York Times telegraphed the news on their websites.
Google is designing the operating system primarily for ``netbooks," a lower-cost, less powerful breed of laptop computers that is becoming increasingly popular among budget-conscious consumers primarily interested in surfing the Web.
The operating system represents Google's boldest challenge yet to its biggest nemesis – Microsoft.
A high-stakes duel between the two technology powerhouses has been steadily escalating in recent years as Google's dominance of the Internet's lucrative search market has given it the means to threaten Microsoft in ways that few other companies can.
Google already has rankled Microsoft by luring away some of its top employees and developing an online suite of computer programs that provide an alternative to Microsoft's top-selling word processing, spreadsheet and calendar applications.
Meanwhile, Microsoft has been trying to thwart Google by investing billions of dollars to improve its own Internet search and advertising systems – to little avail so far. In the past month or so, though, Microsoft has been winning positive reviews and picking up more users with the latest upgrade to its search engine, now called "Bing." Microsoft is hailing the makeover with a $100 million (U.S.) marketing campaign.
Now Google is aiming for Microsoft's financial jugular with Chrome its operating system.
Microsoft has drawn much of its power – and profits – from the Windows operating system that has steered most personal computers for the past two decades.
Google's chief executive, Eric Schmidt, and its co-founders, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, have made little attempt to conceal their disdain for Windows in recent years.
Schmidt maintains Microsoft sometimes unfairly rigs its operating system to limit consumer choices – something that Microsoft has consistently denied doing. Google fears Microsoft could limit access to its search engine and other products if Windows is set up to favour Microsoft products in the default settings.
Page and Brin have frequently derided Windows as a clunky operating system susceptible to computer viruses and other security problems.
Google made a veiled reference to Windows' perceived shortcomings in its blog posting.
"We hear a lot from our users and their message is clear – computers need to get better," wrote Sundar Pichai, Google's vice president of product management and Linus Upson, Google's engineering director.
A Microsoft spokesman didn't immediately respond to an e-mail request for comment sent early Wednesday morning.
Schmidt and Brin are expected to discuss Google's new operating system later this week when they appear at a media conference hosted by Allen & Co. at the Sun Valley resort in Idaho.
Despite its own power and prominence, Google won't have an easy time changing the status quo that has governed the personal computing industry for so long.
As an example of how difficult it is to topple a long-established market leader, Google estimates about 30 million people are now using its Chrome browser – a fraction of those that rely on Microsoft's market-leading Internet Explorer. And there have been various attempts to develop open-source software to undermine Microsoft with relatively little effect.
The Chrome operating system will run in a new windowing system on top of a Linux kernel – computer coding that has been the foundation for the open-source software movement for nearly two decades.
Google has already introduced an operating system for mobile devices, called Android, that vies against various other systems, including ones made by Microsoft and Apple Inc.
The Android system worked well enough to entice some computer makers to begin developing netbooks that will eventually run on it.
Google, though, apparently believes a Chrome-based system will be better suited for running applications in netbooks.
"We believe choice will drive innovation for the benefit of everyone, including Google," wrote Pichai and Upson.
Jul 08, 2009 08:12 AM
MICHAEL LIEDTKE
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
SUN VALLEY, IDAHO – Google Inc. is working on a new operating system for inexpensive computers in a daring attempt to wrest away Microsoft Corp.'s long-running control over people's computing experience.
The new operating system, announced late Tuesday night on Google's website, will be based on the company's nine-month-old Web browser, Chrome. Google intends to rely on help from the community of open-source programmers to develop the Chrome operating system, which is expected to begin running computers in the second half of 2010.
The Mountain View, Calif.-based company disclosed its plans for the operating system shortly after an online technology news service, Ars Technica, and The New York Times telegraphed the news on their websites.
Google is designing the operating system primarily for ``netbooks," a lower-cost, less powerful breed of laptop computers that is becoming increasingly popular among budget-conscious consumers primarily interested in surfing the Web.
The operating system represents Google's boldest challenge yet to its biggest nemesis – Microsoft.
A high-stakes duel between the two technology powerhouses has been steadily escalating in recent years as Google's dominance of the Internet's lucrative search market has given it the means to threaten Microsoft in ways that few other companies can.
Google already has rankled Microsoft by luring away some of its top employees and developing an online suite of computer programs that provide an alternative to Microsoft's top-selling word processing, spreadsheet and calendar applications.
Meanwhile, Microsoft has been trying to thwart Google by investing billions of dollars to improve its own Internet search and advertising systems – to little avail so far. In the past month or so, though, Microsoft has been winning positive reviews and picking up more users with the latest upgrade to its search engine, now called "Bing." Microsoft is hailing the makeover with a $100 million (U.S.) marketing campaign.
Now Google is aiming for Microsoft's financial jugular with Chrome its operating system.
Microsoft has drawn much of its power – and profits – from the Windows operating system that has steered most personal computers for the past two decades.
Google's chief executive, Eric Schmidt, and its co-founders, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, have made little attempt to conceal their disdain for Windows in recent years.
Schmidt maintains Microsoft sometimes unfairly rigs its operating system to limit consumer choices – something that Microsoft has consistently denied doing. Google fears Microsoft could limit access to its search engine and other products if Windows is set up to favour Microsoft products in the default settings.
Page and Brin have frequently derided Windows as a clunky operating system susceptible to computer viruses and other security problems.
Google made a veiled reference to Windows' perceived shortcomings in its blog posting.
"We hear a lot from our users and their message is clear – computers need to get better," wrote Sundar Pichai, Google's vice president of product management and Linus Upson, Google's engineering director.
A Microsoft spokesman didn't immediately respond to an e-mail request for comment sent early Wednesday morning.
Schmidt and Brin are expected to discuss Google's new operating system later this week when they appear at a media conference hosted by Allen & Co. at the Sun Valley resort in Idaho.
Despite its own power and prominence, Google won't have an easy time changing the status quo that has governed the personal computing industry for so long.
As an example of how difficult it is to topple a long-established market leader, Google estimates about 30 million people are now using its Chrome browser – a fraction of those that rely on Microsoft's market-leading Internet Explorer. And there have been various attempts to develop open-source software to undermine Microsoft with relatively little effect.
The Chrome operating system will run in a new windowing system on top of a Linux kernel – computer coding that has been the foundation for the open-source software movement for nearly two decades.
Google has already introduced an operating system for mobile devices, called Android, that vies against various other systems, including ones made by Microsoft and Apple Inc.
The Android system worked well enough to entice some computer makers to begin developing netbooks that will eventually run on it.
Google, though, apparently believes a Chrome-based system will be better suited for running applications in netbooks.
"We believe choice will drive innovation for the benefit of everyone, including Google," wrote Pichai and Upson.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Shame??? What is the reflection behind it???
This past weekend, when I saw the news of Pride Parade, my heart really fell off. Especially when I saw David Miller shout proudly,"I am really proud of our city, Toronto". I really don't know how proud will that be when SIN is being allow to march across the heart of your city.
When the high-profile-seeking politicians claiming this parade is a "celebration of diversity", do they really understand what is the word "diversity" means? Upcoming "Jesus in the City Parade" on September 19, will they carry the same smile, marching together and shouting the same wordings proudly? Thanks God that among the three main Canada political parties (PC, Lib, NDP), our PM Stephen Harper was not in the parade. This may be the only thing I feel glad about this year Pride Parade.
When NDP Leader Jack Layton saying that this is the way of showing human rights, then my question may be: Where is my right to insist my believe of same sex marriage and premarital sex is wrong? When my religious freedom, freedom of speech are part of my human right, then why will I be classified as "discrimiation" when I declare my objection to those SINs in the public?
I have to clarify, I don't hate those gays and lesbians. I do love them and accept them, making friends with them, eat and play with them, however I would also love to see them turning away from their sin at the same time.
When we talk about human rights, we are at all talking about our "rights as human". Then where is the right for the one who create human? This make me think about the Bible story of "Tower of Babel". We want ourselves to rule the world, but where will God be then? Where is God? or are we trying to prove HIS absence?
Hopefully, as Christians, we should step up and be united. Feel pride to parade for Jesus...!
When the high-profile-seeking politicians claiming this parade is a "celebration of diversity", do they really understand what is the word "diversity" means? Upcoming "Jesus in the City Parade" on September 19, will they carry the same smile, marching together and shouting the same wordings proudly? Thanks God that among the three main Canada political parties (PC, Lib, NDP), our PM Stephen Harper was not in the parade. This may be the only thing I feel glad about this year Pride Parade.
When NDP Leader Jack Layton saying that this is the way of showing human rights, then my question may be: Where is my right to insist my believe of same sex marriage and premarital sex is wrong? When my religious freedom, freedom of speech are part of my human right, then why will I be classified as "discrimiation" when I declare my objection to those SINs in the public?
I have to clarify, I don't hate those gays and lesbians. I do love them and accept them, making friends with them, eat and play with them, however I would also love to see them turning away from their sin at the same time.
When we talk about human rights, we are at all talking about our "rights as human". Then where is the right for the one who create human? This make me think about the Bible story of "Tower of Babel". We want ourselves to rule the world, but where will God be then? Where is God? or are we trying to prove HIS absence?
Hopefully, as Christians, we should step up and be united. Feel pride to parade for Jesus...!
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Good reflection material...
No matter you agree with the author or not, this article from the Toronto Star should giving us something to really think about what is happening to Toronto, our home.
Toronto making me mad as hell
You've heard of road rage, air rage, cubicle rage, retail rage and even gym rage. But is it possible to suffer from city rage?
On Sunday, I returned home from a barbecue to an unpleasant discovery: A fiend had smashed into my locked shed and absconded with my lawn mower.
"Can you believe this?" I asked my wife, who seemed more concerned with the length of our grass than the actual theft. "Our Lawnhog was abducted in broad daylight. What is happening to this city?"
As I stood in the crime scene, examining the shed's mangled door frame, my blood boiled. It wasn't just the electric mower or the oversized black urns (stolen last year) or the fact someone had once squeezed through our kitchen window while we were sleeping, swiping a few household items, including the keys to our car.
No, as I walked toward the front porch, across a slab of sidewalk spray-painted with graffiti, my anger went beyond property theft.
These days, admittedly, everything about Toronto is making me mad: Construction, dirty parks, appalling customer service, endless fees, abysmal leadership, dysfunctional council, inept urban planning, potholes, expensive goods, dilapidated neighbourhoods, aggressive panhandlers, the ongoing futility of our hockey squad.
Toronto the Good has become Toronto the Enraging.
The other night, after ordering sushi, I glanced at the bill and noticed I had been charged for the plastic bag in which our food was delivered. Granted, five cents is no big deal. Still, as I choked down sashimi, I could feel a bad case of city rage burning in my mouth like wasabi.
It wasn't the money. It was the principle.
"Can you believe this?" I asked my wife. "What are we supposed to do? Courier a canvas bag to the restaurant before we order? Next time, maybe I'll ask if the poor delivery guy can balance our miso soup on his head instead of using a bag."
Then there's the municipal strike, which started yesterday. Whether this labour action is short-lived or long lasting, one thing is clear: Once again, honest, hardworking, law-abiding taxpayers are being held hostage by a system that always puts them last.
That should be Toronto's new motto: Where Citizens Are Taken For Granted.
A disruption to garbage pickup after we just started paying new fees for garbage pickup?
Charging residents with "illegal dumping" after they left bags outside a designated transfer station yesterday because pickets had blocked their access?
Sometimes I wonder if we wouldn't be better off if a crime syndicate took over our waste removal system.
Thug: "How much are you throwing out this week, bub?"
Citizen: "Ah, let's see, two bags and a box of recycling."
Thug: "That'll be three bucks. And don't worry about it. You'll never see this stuff again, if you know what I mean."
As it stands now, we do all the work – recycling, reusing, sorting, hauling freakishly big bins to the curb – and keep getting told that we're not doing enough. We pay a lot of protection money for not a lot of protection.
The shuttering of daycare centres is also galling. Shouldn't "taking care of children" be deemed an essential service in a civil society? Believe me, young parents are already struggling with a raft of recessionary realities.
That's right, I forgot, "reality" is never a factor in a municipal strike.
And let's not get started on the cancellation of island ferry service, parks maintenance or summer camps. Why, it's enough to make a person drink – assuming, that is, LCBO workers aren't also on strike tomorrow morning.
What is happening to this city? It is making us furious.
Toronto making me mad as hell
You've heard of road rage, air rage, cubicle rage, retail rage and even gym rage. But is it possible to suffer from city rage?
On Sunday, I returned home from a barbecue to an unpleasant discovery: A fiend had smashed into my locked shed and absconded with my lawn mower.
"Can you believe this?" I asked my wife, who seemed more concerned with the length of our grass than the actual theft. "Our Lawnhog was abducted in broad daylight. What is happening to this city?"
As I stood in the crime scene, examining the shed's mangled door frame, my blood boiled. It wasn't just the electric mower or the oversized black urns (stolen last year) or the fact someone had once squeezed through our kitchen window while we were sleeping, swiping a few household items, including the keys to our car.
No, as I walked toward the front porch, across a slab of sidewalk spray-painted with graffiti, my anger went beyond property theft.
These days, admittedly, everything about Toronto is making me mad: Construction, dirty parks, appalling customer service, endless fees, abysmal leadership, dysfunctional council, inept urban planning, potholes, expensive goods, dilapidated neighbourhoods, aggressive panhandlers, the ongoing futility of our hockey squad.
Toronto the Good has become Toronto the Enraging.
The other night, after ordering sushi, I glanced at the bill and noticed I had been charged for the plastic bag in which our food was delivered. Granted, five cents is no big deal. Still, as I choked down sashimi, I could feel a bad case of city rage burning in my mouth like wasabi.
It wasn't the money. It was the principle.
"Can you believe this?" I asked my wife. "What are we supposed to do? Courier a canvas bag to the restaurant before we order? Next time, maybe I'll ask if the poor delivery guy can balance our miso soup on his head instead of using a bag."
Then there's the municipal strike, which started yesterday. Whether this labour action is short-lived or long lasting, one thing is clear: Once again, honest, hardworking, law-abiding taxpayers are being held hostage by a system that always puts them last.
That should be Toronto's new motto: Where Citizens Are Taken For Granted.
A disruption to garbage pickup after we just started paying new fees for garbage pickup?
Charging residents with "illegal dumping" after they left bags outside a designated transfer station yesterday because pickets had blocked their access?
Sometimes I wonder if we wouldn't be better off if a crime syndicate took over our waste removal system.
Thug: "How much are you throwing out this week, bub?"
Citizen: "Ah, let's see, two bags and a box of recycling."
Thug: "That'll be three bucks. And don't worry about it. You'll never see this stuff again, if you know what I mean."
As it stands now, we do all the work – recycling, reusing, sorting, hauling freakishly big bins to the curb – and keep getting told that we're not doing enough. We pay a lot of protection money for not a lot of protection.
The shuttering of daycare centres is also galling. Shouldn't "taking care of children" be deemed an essential service in a civil society? Believe me, young parents are already struggling with a raft of recessionary realities.
That's right, I forgot, "reality" is never a factor in a municipal strike.
And let's not get started on the cancellation of island ferry service, parks maintenance or summer camps. Why, it's enough to make a person drink – assuming, that is, LCBO workers aren't also on strike tomorrow morning.
What is happening to this city? It is making us furious.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
L.O.V.E.
昨天<同事三分親>問了一條問題：究竟甚麼是愛情？
陸哲話係犧牲，珠珠表妹覺得係等待，明亮的答案最現實 ─ 「愛情是現在，活在當下，總之要珍惜眼前人。」
可是最痛苦的莫過於有些人好似李公子一樣，覺得愛情是其中一方需要妥協、要讓步，在於比較誰愛另一方多一點，認為喜歡對方比較多的一個，多數是處於下風。
其實我就覺得Vincent的一個問題很好：誰佔上風有甚麼關係？喜歡一個人，不是要令那個人開心，自己就開心了嗎？
唉!好坦白講，「所愛的人開心你就開心」這句話講就易，試問世上又有幾多人可以做到無怨無求呀？
我自己就覺得如果一個人可以愛對方多於對方愛你，其實都係一件好事。其實可以去到一個不求回報的愛情，實在有太多東西可以在當中的過程中學習。
得與失其實是很難衡量的。
陸哲話係犧牲，珠珠表妹覺得係等待，明亮的答案最現實 ─ 「愛情是現在，活在當下，總之要珍惜眼前人。」
可是最痛苦的莫過於有些人好似李公子一樣，覺得愛情是其中一方需要妥協、要讓步，在於比較誰愛另一方多一點，認為喜歡對方比較多的一個，多數是處於下風。
其實我就覺得Vincent的一個問題很好：誰佔上風有甚麼關係？喜歡一個人，不是要令那個人開心，自己就開心了嗎？
唉!好坦白講，「所愛的人開心你就開心」這句話講就易，試問世上又有幾多人可以做到無怨無求呀？
我自己就覺得如果一個人可以愛對方多於對方愛你，其實都係一件好事。其實可以去到一個不求回報的愛情，實在有太多東西可以在當中的過程中學習。
得與失其實是很難衡量的。
Thursday, June 04, 2009
Money can influence economy, but not our Hearts
明報新聞網
20年了，即使中國經濟騰飛，港人始終沒有忘記平反六四的心願。15萬人或坐或站，迫爆維園球場與草地，以15萬點燭光悼念六四死難者，爭取民主中國；維園場外，支聯會聲稱約5萬人未能入場，在外圍參與晚會。首次在港出席悼念晚會的學運領袖熊焱，見證港人的堅持，大為感歎，形容香港是全中國、全世界的驕傲。
15萬燭光 港人驕傲 維園爆滿5萬人未能入場
新一代發言致悼辭 平反六四薪火相傳
近半人獻出第一點光 明報民調 出席原因﹕四分一人憂下一代遺忘
「很壯觀，很有感染力！」Y世代對六四事件印象模糊，匯知中學教師昨晚帶同30名學生來到六四燭光晚會，有多年來對六四毫無認識的中六學生參加晚會後，才發現港人對平反六四有很大的決心。
17歲學生：參與可能有助平反
六四出生 左派之後﹕一日不平反 一日不慶祝
20年了，即使中國經濟騰飛，港人始終沒有忘記平反六四的心願。15萬人或坐或站，迫爆維園球場與草地，以15萬點燭光悼念六四死難者，爭取民主中國；維園場外，支聯會聲稱約5萬人未能入場，在外圍參與晚會。首次在港出席悼念晚會的學運領袖熊焱，見證港人的堅持，大為感歎，形容香港是全中國、全世界的驕傲。
15萬燭光 港人驕傲 維園爆滿5萬人未能入場
新一代發言致悼辭 平反六四薪火相傳
近半人獻出第一點光 明報民調 出席原因﹕四分一人憂下一代遺忘
「很壯觀，很有感染力！」Y世代對六四事件印象模糊，匯知中學教師昨晚帶同30名學生來到六四燭光晚會，有多年來對六四毫無認識的中六學生參加晚會後，才發現港人對平反六四有很大的決心。
17歲學生：參與可能有助平反
六四出生 左派之後﹕一日不平反 一日不慶祝
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
Song of My Heart
作曲：謝國維 填詞：黃偉文 編曲：謝國維 監製：伍樂城
劉：大眾也喜歡珠光寶氣
沒有空完全明白你的美
謝：只得我 望見你 關起了心扉
猶如合上 貝殼的傳奇
若世間疏忽 從未細味
劉：讓那些蠢人 庸人嫌棄你
合：切莫讓人 影響了你 信仰你的真理
＊謝：如滄海深處 埋藏著遺珠（劉：埋藏著遺珠）
其實你好處 個個也不知
劉：唯獨我先可以 明白上帝構思
合：於沙礫裡 找到 璀璨珍珠
劉：人家冤枉你 平凡悶孩子（謝：如像孩子）
但是你心事 我不信
合：無聊沒意思
謝：沒有人識得欣賞
合：但天知 誰可以＊
劉：大概這種 非一般的美
謝：慧眼太少 旁人未賞識你
劉：因再 極客氣 差點算謙卑
謝：從來沒對 愛 有所預期
謝：若世界疏忽 從未細味
劉：讓那些蠢人 庸人忘記你
合：要是別人 都不愛你 有我這邊等你
REPEAT＊
謝：你是誰你是誰
劉：可有地方發亮
合：旁人忙著誇獎色相
劉：沒有空管你的修養
合：唯獨我 留下拍掌
劉：如滄海深處 埋藏著遺珠
謝：其實你好處 個個也不知
唯獨我先可以 明白上帝構思
劉：於沙礫裡 合：找到 璀璨珍珠
劉：人家冤枉你 平凡悶孩子
但是你心事 我不信
合：無聊沒意思
劉：就算誰都不欣賞
謝：但偏偏 合：我可以
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)