Monday, February 28, 2011

Panama Updates (4)

Dear all,
Thank you for your prayer support.

Thanksgiving:
1) 20 students @ Panama IEC Music Camp, they learnt music and Jesus at the same time... Many parents and other families enjoy the closing ceremony which included a drama done by the campers... :P
2) Sharing @ Alliance youth fellowship re: Messages in games
3) Karen arrived safely in Panama
4) Toronto STM for Music Camp safely arrived in Canada

Prayer items:
1) Please continue to pray for Youth Ministries in different Panama churches
2) Lung, brother from the Alliance youth fellowship have his problem changed from brain infection to lung infection. Although not in lift threatening situation, still critical. Please continue to pray for him and his family.
3) Our schedule
Feb 28: Alliance Youth fellowship
Mar 1: Visiting brothers and sisters at Arraijan (a city around one hour drive from Panama)
Mar 2: Panama IEC youth fellowship leaders training
Mar 6: Preaching at Living Water Alliance church
Mar 7: Leaving Panama for Toronto


For more updated photos, you can click *here*...





Monday, February 21, 2011

Panama Updates (3)

Dear all,
Thank you for all the support.

Thanksgiving:
1)Sharing @ Alliance youth fellowship was wonderful. We talked about how to utilize the media and internet to encourage the fellowship among the fellowship.
2)Almost 40 people attending 10th Anniversary of IEC Daniel fellowship, which started because of the Panama youth camp.
3)With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, I share His words at IEC Spanish (using English, of course!), IEC Cantonese, and Iglesia Evangelica China de Arraijan, a city around 45 mins drive from Panama City.
4)Enjoying Amador, the great harbour front of Panama city, with the STM from Toronto.

Prayer items:
1)Father of the youth pastor of IEC passed away last Friday (18th) night, please pray for Pastor Louisa and her family.
2)A brother from the Alliance youth fellowship, Lung, was admitted into the emergency Sunday (20th) night. Out of life threatening situation but still critical. Please pray from him and his family.
3)Music Camp @ IEC, Feb 21-25. 20 kids camping at church to learn more about music and God.

For more updated photos, you can go here: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=276047&id=514761224&l=81e9b95bba

Thanks
kelvin




Men and Women

One day, there was a catastrophic event that caused all living creatures on Earth to die. To sort things out, everyone went to heaven.

God said, "I want the men to form two lines. One line for the men who ruled their women on Earth and one for the men who were ruled by their women."

The line of men who were ruled by their women was 1,000 miles long, and in the line of men who ruled their women, there was only one man.

God said, "You men should be ashamed of yourselves. I created you in my image and you were all whipped by your mates. Only one of my sons made me proud. Tell them, my son, how did you manage to be the only one in this line?"

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

"I don't know," the man replied. "My wife told me to stand here."



"Joke of the week - www.TBS.com"




Thursday, February 17, 2011

Panama Updates (2)

Dear all, thank you for your prayer support.

Thanksgiving:

2011 Panama Youth Camp:
The camp was very thankful. The 120 kids are great. There are some challenges during the camp, like without running water or fridge is not cool enough. But God definitely got His hands there and many of the kids willing to committee or re-committed themselves to Christ.

Here are some pictures:
Camp album 1/2 http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2004510&id=168600074&l=b34a8fc43e
Camp album 2/2 http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2004526&id=168600074&l=6aa66a79e1

If you have Facebook account, you can see some pictures and videos thru these links

Camp album 1/2 http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2004510&id=168600074
Camp album 2/2 http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2004526&id=168600074
Talent Show http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10150107000081225
Campfire / sharing night http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10150107085466225

Alliance Youth Fellowship:
Monday night Valentine's gathering got around 30 people. Pray that they are being encourage about true love by Pastor Howard Ngan of NTCAC (Toronto).
I had a chat / training with the leaders on Tuesday. Definitely we can see the potential and ability in their hearts, just their confidence is lacking a bit. Please keep praying for them.
We will have another training session this coming friday, and most likely next friday too.

IEC (Panama Chinese Church - Iglesia Evangelisa China de Panama) Daniel Fellowship:
Almost 40 people showing up in the past two meetings. Around 30% are Panama-grown, Spanish speaking. Wonderful spiritual sharing and instructions from the youth leaders.

Here are some prayer request:

(1) My schedule ahead
-Feb 18 Alliance Youth Fellowship leaders training
-Feb 19 IEC Youth Fellowship 10th Anniversary
-Feb 20 IEC Chinese Worship
-Feb 21-25 Music Camp @ IEC
-Feb 25 Alliance Youth Fellowship leaders training

(2) Panama Youth Ministry
As different churches putting more effort in youth and 2nd generation ministry, there are more and more attending churches in Panama, Panama City and other gospel stations around Panama.
However, at the same time, challenges surfacing during these growth.
-Rev. Beltran is a missionary from Columbia. He is now the pastor of Alliance Church serving all Spanish-speaking congregation. His wife has been diagnosed with some kind of tumor in her body, fortunately, latest news is those cells are not cancer.
-Pastor Esther, the pastor of Living Water Alliance, is also the pastor of the Alliance Youth Fellowship. She was diagnosed with Lymph Nodes Cancer and is now being treated in HK. Pastor Michael, her husband, will head back to HK in March to take care of his wife.
-The Alliance plans to build a youth centre to help out with the youth ministry in Panama. Original budget was about $400k. However, due to the inflation rate and other unexpected cost, that might cause to a increase in the building cost. Please pray for the financial supply.
-Among those trained leaders of the IEC Daniel fellowship, most of them either getting married or moving back to China. The next generation need time to develop their potential to pick up the ministry. Please pray for the development.

(3) Other STM
- Calgary West Alliance (Living Water Alliance)
- North Toronto Alliance (Panama City and Chitre)
- A group of youth from Toronto (IEC Music Camp)

Please keep us in prayers.
Thanks
Kelvin




TheStar DiManno: Unlike Forsberg, some guys just don’t know when to quit

Rosie DiManno

2011-02-16 06:11:00 PM
Here today, gone tomorrow, back the day after that.

Or a year later, or four years later — or in the case of Martina Navratilova a decade later, 47 and an aging baby-boomer heroine with a first-round win at Wimbledon in 2004, oldest tennis player ever to take a professional singles match.

Breaking up with sports is the hardest thing to do for elite athletes. Whether Hamlet-like — Favre-like — indecisive about retirement or fleetingly firm in hanging ’em up, only to reverse themselves as time goes by, it is an often agonizing and discombobulating adjustment to civvy street.

They pine for the cheers, they ache for the existence left behind and they genuinely miss what they used to do so well. Few attempt comebacks for the money. What most yearn for is the person they once were.

Glory days, they will pass you by, as Bruce Springsteen sang. Retrieving them is usually a mug’s game.

Only a handful manage to seize again the shimmery éclat that was: Michael Jordan, the first time he had a re-think, picking up his career where he left off and leading the Chicago Bulls to three straight NBA championships; George Foreman, a serial comeback artist but especially in 1994, 45 years old when he knocked out Michael Moorer, 25, to become the oldest boxer in history to capture a heavyweight title; and Roger Clemens, revising retirement plans in a last hurrah with the Houston Astros, winning the 2004 Cy Young Award in the process. (Leaving aside, for the moment, that ignominious appearance before a U.S. House committee probing steroid use in baseball.)

At the other end of the spectrum, there was Stephane Richer — admittedly, not remotely in the same league as the aforementioned stars — who re-retired in 2009 after precisely one (1) practice with the Washington Capitals. Sometimes reality bites hard. And quick.

Lance Armstrong announced Wednesday that he was done with competitive cycling, wryly calling it “Retirement 2.0’’. In an interview with Associated Press, the 39-year-old teased: “Never say never’’ about perhaps changing his mind down the line, then added: “Just kidding.’’

Is he?

His comebacks have been legendary — first from testicular cancer and then, following seven straight Tour de France titles and a subsequent four-year withdrawal from competition, a return to the circuit in ’09, though never reclaiming the grandeur and hounded by accusations of using performance-enhancing drugs.

More ill-advised were the unretirements that damaged legacies: Muhammad Ali, who sadly demonstrated that being the “greatest of all time’’ doesn’t make you immune from the ravages of time, losing back-to-back decisions to Larry Holmes and a then-unknown Trevor Berbick.

Bjorn Borg, still using a clumsy old wooden racket, was handed his hat by one young player after another after a decade away from the courts. And Mark Spitz, the most gold medal-decorated swimmer in history until Michael Phelps came along, tanked when, at age 41, he tried and failed to qualify for the Olympics.

It’s particularly poignant when early retirement is imposed on athletes because of injury and they can’t accept that their tickets have been punched prematurely. Some try and try to resurrect halted careers, putting body and mind through exceedingly harsh travails.

Peter Forsberg was arguably the best two-way forward in the NHL until suddenly plagued by a befuddling foot ailment in 2003. The former league MVP, who spent most of his career with the Colorado Avalanche, leading them to two Stanley Cup titles, and two-time Olympic gold medallist repeatedly dipped that foot in and out of unofficial retirement in the years that followed. Multiple surgeries later, he drifted back to Sweden, practising on and off with the Modo junior team, never abandoning hope that he’d one day play again in the NHL.

That day came a week ago.

Convinced that he’d finally conquered the problem that caused his foot to feel like it was weirdly sliding around in his skate, and wearing a specially fitted brace on the extremity, Forsberg approached the Avs in January, suggesting a comeback. The struggling team eagerly said YES!

He began practising with the Avs on Jan. 22, agreed to a $1 million prorated contract and, after a visa issue was resolved, dressed for his first game back on Feb. 11, 3 ½ years after his last one, against Columbus. Though scoring no points, a seemingly vintage Forsberg enjoyed 17:38 of ice time, displaying his familiar puck-handling dexterity.

But the foot hurt afterwards, and more so next game out against Nashville.

On Monday, the usually stoic Forsberg — nickname Foppa — had to pause several times to fight back tears at a press conference where he announced the experiment was over.

Teammates were taken aback by the abrupt decision. On the flight back from Nashville, he’d given no indication what was on his mind during a long chat with captain Adam Foote.

But Forsberg, 37, had promised his fiancee that if he couldn’t adequately defend himself on the ice, he’d pull the plug on his comeback. And he’d regretfully concluded that he couldn’t. And the foot was throbbing. And the dream died.

“We can fly to the moon, we should be able to fix the foot,’’ Forsberg said, attempting humour. More touchingly, he said he felt “like a little kid that had candy stolen.’’

And he conceded: “I can’t do it anymore.’’

Accepting the truth of that, in his heart, puts Forsberg ahead of the game, unlike so many others.




證明你喜歡他/她的17條依據

十七
你經常看他/她的網誌,facebook,blog,無名...等等

十六
當你和他/她打電話打到很晚,他/她掛了電話,你仍然想念他/她,即使電話只掛了2分鐘

十五
你一遍又一遍讀他/她的短信/SMS

十四
你和他/她一起走路的時候,走得很慢很慢

十三
他/她在你周圍的時候,你敢到害羞

十一
當你想到他的時候,你的心跳一會跳得快,一會跳得慢


你聽到他/她的聲音的時候會笑


當你和他/她在一起的時候,你看不見周圍的所有人,你的眼中只有他/她


當你想到他/她的時候,你會聽抒情的慢歌


你想到的全都是他/她


你聞到他/她的氣味就很興奮


你意識到當你看著他/她的時候,你總是在笑


為了見到他/她,你會為他/她做任何事


當你讀這篇文章的時候,有個人一直在你的腦中浮現


你不停的想他/她,以至於你都沒有發現這裡沒有第十二條


你翻上去找第十二條,然後默默地笑自己....

(http://lovediary.thesharestory.com/view/4d5c9a22def47)




Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Righteous

Genesis 6:9 These are the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God

Saying that Noah was "righteous" and "blameless" does not mean that he never sinned. Rather, it means that Noah wholeheartedly loved and obeyed God. For a lifetime he walked step by step in faith as a living example to his generation. Like Noah, we live in a world filled with evil. Are we influencing others or being influenced by them?

Genesis 15:6 And he (Abram) believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness.

Although Abram had been demonstrating his faith through his actions, it was his belief in the Lord, not his actions, that made Abram right with God. We, too, can have a right relationship with God by trusting him. Our outward actions-church attendance, prayer, good deeds-will not by themselves make us right with God. A right relationship is based on faith--the heartfelt inner confidence that God is who he says he is and does what he says he will do. Right actions will follow naturally as by-products.

Genesis 18:14 Is anything too hardt for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son."

"Is anything too hard for the Lord?" The obvious answer is, "Of course not!" This question reveals much about God. Make it a habit to insert your specific needs into the question. Asking the question this way reminds you that God is personally involved in your life and nudges you to ask for his power to help you.

(From Life Application Study Bible Devotion)




Tuesday, February 15, 2011

我們所需要的神蹟

我們所需要的神蹟
(11.02.02 靈修勵語)

最感動我的神蹟是這樣的:有一位年屆七十歲的姊妹,在主裡領受呼召,差往自己的鄉間建立教會,她忠於主命,就拿著一筆可觀的積蓄,老遠從美國飛返家鄉。到了家鄉,她被安排住在荒僻鄉間的一所簡陋小屋裡。剛坐下來,迎接她的竟然是百多隻蚊子,短短幾小時間,就被蚊子針個遍體鱗傷。終於她忍耐不住,起來收拾包袱,決定連夜趕回美國。就在她踏出門口的一剎那,聖靈在她中心動工,吩咐她留下來。

老婆婆是敬畏事奉神的忠僕,不敢不留,但面對這困苦,又不知如何面對。最後,她只好跪下來,求主憐憫。這一刻神蹟就出現了!聖靈在她心中大大的加力,她勇敢地站起來,就拿起拖鞋,開始打蚊,打了幾個小時,把這個地方所有蚊子清理了。自這第一天的經歷開始,她就在這鄉間倚靠著神的恩典,全力為主作工。

今天正在尋求與神相遇的人,或許聽到上述的見證,會覺得沒有甚麼大不了。因為我們還是喜歡看見那些轟天動地的大能見證,我們要求醫治、靈語、異象和奇特啟示。對於不能刺激官能,平平無奇的事件毫不動心。因為人性就是只喜愛隔岸觀火地去觀賞神蹟,卻不願意去親身承受那背負十字架的生命能力。

然而,這就是今日我們所需要的神蹟!當你願意經歷神,你就要付上代價。首先,神要成為你的神,在你心靈深處以祂的大愛和大能觸動你,叫你將生命完全奉獻給祂;其次,神要用十架的大能介入你的生命裡,要幫助你去面對那些你無力面對的困難,好叫你勝過自己的軟弱,為主的名忍受一切不能忍受的環境。

讓我們重新思想與神相遇的意義,今日,神以祂的大愛切切呼喚你,神要的是你,祂要你真心真意愛上這位與你復和的神。




Monday, February 14, 2011

Valentine's gift

A young woman was taking an afternoon nap on Valentine's Day.

After she woke up, she told her husband, "I just had a dream that you gave me a diamond necklace for Valentine's Day. What do you think it means?"

"You'll know tonight," he said.

That evening, the man came home with a small package and gave it to his wife. Delighted, she ripped off the wrapping paper.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Under the wrapping paper, she found a book called, "The Meaning of Dreams."

"Joke of the week - www.TBS.com"




Sunday, February 13, 2011

Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen?

Gen 4:6-7
6 The Lord said to Cain, "Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen?7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it."

From Life Application Study Bible Devotion:

How do you react when someone suggests you have done something wrong? Do you move to correct the mistake or deny that you need to correct it? After Cain's gift was rejected, God have him the chance to right his wrong and try again. But Cain refused. The next time someone suggests you are wrong, take an honest look at yourself and choose God's way instead of Cain's.




Monday, February 07, 2011

Panama Updates

Thank God for having me here in Panama.
Things are great and so far so good. I have been going out with the youth fellowship of IEC (Panama Chinese Church - Iglesia Evangelisa China de Panama) for the weekend and we have a good chat.

This coming week (Feb 7-11) will be 2011 Panama Youth Camp. Theme: My Future is not a Dream.
There are 116 kids there, 51 of them are first time campers. Please pray for their hearts.
Also please pray for the message by Rev. Michael Lau from York Region LBC of Toronto.

and here is a list of gatherings / workshops after the camp

Feb 12 Alliance Church Young Adult fellowship leadership training (by Rev. Lau)
Feb 14 Alliance Church Young Adult fellowship Valentines day EM (by North Toronto CAC)
Feb 15 Alliance Church Young Adult fellowship leadership training
Feb 16 Alliance Church prayer meeting (sharing about Youth and Young Adult ministry)
Feb 19 IEC Youth Fellowship
Feb 20 IEC Chinese Worship

And here are some pictures:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=276047&id=514761224&l=81e9b95bba

Thank you for your support.
kelvin




Tuesday, January 25, 2011

合理與不合理

吳志森:菜園村事件的合理與不合理


2011年01月26日 蘋果
菜園村收地,衝突再起。特區政府開動宣傳機器,把村民抹黑成貪得無厭的惹事之徒。在雞蛋與高牆之間,主流傳媒又一次站在高牆的那一邊,以目前香港的傳媒生態,這樣的結果,我一點都不感到意外。


為了使既有的生活方式得到延續,幾十戶村民用賠償金集資買了農地,請專業人士規劃生態村,錢付了,地契有了,規劃也做好了,萬事俱備,獨欠入村的路權。過路費是新界買地的規矩,這也罷了,但路權原來是海鮮價,昨天是三十萬元,今天突然猛漲到五百萬元,又提出更苛刻的條件,要價都是不明來歷的中間人。有路權,新村馬上動工,搬村事成,就可騰出舊村讓高鐵工程順利展開。搬村就卡在路權的問題上,村民無法接受天價的苛索,只能死守舊家園,要求政府介入,讓事情得以解決。

官員的口徑是:這是私人糾紛,政府不會介入。有評論附和說,路權費應收多少,應參考市價作為標準,也可請仲裁機構評斷,收地風波,只有一個標準:是否合理,合理就應支持,不合理就要反對。

高鐵來了奪人私產這種放之四海而皆準的評論,表面看來無可辯駁,但最關鍵是:甚麼才算合理?村民幾十年來選擇了這種半農半工的生活方式,但一聲高鐵來了,就要毀人家園,奪人私產,這算合理嗎?如果可以的話,他們願意繼續保留菜園村,過着日出而作,日入而息,帝力於我何有哉的務農生活,但「帝力」卻偏偏找上門來,別無選擇,只能含着淚水,把經營幾十年的家園連根拔起,這算合理嗎?

好了,在警察推土機官員和建制力量等國家機器面前,村民脆弱得只像一群螻蟻,他們只有向現實低頭,同意搬村。但在發出復耕牌的問題上,當局諸多阻撓,直到去年九月才完成,覓地搬村也遇到重重障礙,最後終於買了土地,卻卡在路權的問題上。

合理與否看賠多少新界土地勢力複雜糾葛,政府袖手旁觀,區區幾十戶村民的力量,處理路權問題,只能任由宰割。要村民獨力應付這種無限度的苛索,算合理嗎?入村的路權是獨市生意,根本無市價可言,找仲裁機構評估,也非要雙方同意不可,這些提議你認為合理嗎?
主流媒體的評論,擺脫不了傳統的「中環價值」:發展新的就要拆毀舊的,合理與不合理只能看賠償多少,市區重建是這種思維,基礎建設也跳不出這個框框,「維持現有的生活方式」,就等於阻住地球轉。如果菜園村民真的貪錢,他們應該拿着賠償炒樓,何必費勁堅持過這種永遠不會發達的務農生活?

一位八十後青年烽煙,引述網上流傳,改編自納粹時期一位德國牧師的懊悔發人深省:「當日政府要領匯打橫行,我沒有注意她,因為我不是住公屋;當日政府要拆皇后碼頭,我沒有守護她,因為我不是保育人;當日政府要掃平菜園村,我沒有保衞她,因為我不是社運人;當日政府要強拍舊唐樓,我沒有理會她,因為我不是買該區;如今田生的人已經在我家門外,可是已經沒有人剩下來幫我了。」
-------------------------------------------------
菜園村事件見證了香港人(除了少數社運人士)對弱勢社群的冷漠無情!




Tuesday, January 18, 2011

全心相信神愛我們

(靈修勵語11.1.19)

全心相信神愛我們

我們向神打開生命多少,就經歷神多少。

打開生命,是一項不容易行動,因為這表示了你願意放下你對生命的控制和擁有權,交由神去管理你自己。向神打開生命,彷彿就是失去了自己似的;然而神不是要剝奪我們所有的,把一切都霸佔在祂手中。神要豐豐富富祝福我們,由祂介入我們的生命開始,去叫我們有智慧、心力、勇氣進入人生。

對神有信心,也就是願意相信神是以純全、善良和可喜悅的心意去愛我們,而且祂是可靠的。於是,每一次我們信神是愛,也就是來到神面前,讓祂愛我們,在我們身上施恩憐憫。你向神打開那一部份的生命,生命的那一部份就因基督得到自由、能力和保守。而信心就是一度通向神的橋樑,我們憑信跨越了恐懼和憂慮,來到耶穌的面前與祂同行,享受祂的平安和喜悅。

當年紀大了少許,對人生會多了體驗,我們就明白人一生滿有擔子,甚至一種關係就是一項承擔、一份關懷和難以計較的付出。當我們愛自己的能力也是如斯薄弱,實在承受不了還要愛更多的親人朋友。面對自己的十字架我們可以支持嗎?面對人生逆境我們可以承受嗎?對自己認識深一點的人,自然發現生命實在脆弱,誰可受得起這一生擔子的挑戰?

然而,靠著向那位慈愛施恩的神打開生命,我們凡事都得勝有餘了。我自小學習唱「恩友歌」,其中幾句使我常引以為誡:「多少平安屢屢失去,多少痛苦白白受,皆因未將萬事,帶到主恩座前求。」一個開放生命給神的人,就經歷到神原來並非想奪去我們的東西,而是想賜福我們的生命。我們越多交托和放手讓神參與生命,也就越多經歷神自己;我越是常常到主面前,也越是發現生命的確很豐富。

願意經歷神的人是坦誠向神傾訴一切苦處,又肯相信神是愛我們的人。所以,每天靈修不是一項命令,而是一條通道向神打開生命,通向這能力之源。

願你憑信經歷神的愛。




Tuesday, January 11, 2011

做神要你做的你

(靈修勵語11.1.11)

做神要你做的你,你就經歷到生命的平安、力量和滿足。

做自己真是一門極不容易的學問。我們不外乎一個軟弱的罪人,受罪污染到本性常常活在敗壞之中,又活在一個充滿罪惡的世上。做合神心意的我?對人來說是一個難題。

今天我們的恐懼、憂慮、憤怒和緊張是從那裡來的呢?可以說,就是因我還未懂得做我。我們豈不是承擔那超越我們能力的壓力,憂慮失去那本就不屬於我的物件,憤怒一個不按我要求好好待我的世界,緊張去活在一種我把握不住的生活裡嗎?

讓我們認真想一想,是否我做我時還未能流暢和得力。

今日我們感到生命乏力有兩個可能,其一是我們強求做超越本身能力的事,於是我們生命盛載不起這擔子。另一個原因是我們不去承接自身的能力,而這能力就是神原本早已賦與我們的。其實,只要返回內心去肯定做神創造了的你,當你面迎人生逆境時,你裡面就有能力面對困難了。

我們由那裡開始呢?由返回神的面前開始,當我們與神之間的關係貧瘠不堪,我的生命既無神的介入和參與,我就缺乏神所賜的能力去應付人生的千百種要求,也無法做神要你做的你,雖然是老生常談,但人若不常常活在主裡面,我們就不能做甚麼。

甘心做你自己,就是最好的你。

然後,我們經歷到美好的人神關係,我們在神裡面就能做好自己,神就出手在我們生命的本質上培育我們,豐豐富富的神極之樂意叫我們豐豐富富的活出我們的生命,因為我們是祂造的,我們生命的目標就是透過這個有限的生命,好好以神的恩典服事他人,完成使命之際,我們會感到心滿意足,生命好得無比!

願神陶造你生命!




Saturday, January 08, 2011

張文光家書:華叔你是麥子

立法會議員張文光----給華叔天堂的信
華叔:
你離世的晚上,回憶如潮,思念如海。
徹夜難眠,只想給你寫信,但33年戰友,從來沒想過寫信給你,也沒有你的地址,只寫天堂,相信你會收到。
你收到香港人的思念,千言萬語,無盡哀思,懷念你錚錚的情操風骨,懷念你平民教育的理想,懷念你民主普選的壯志,懷念你平反六四的堅持,這一切生命的奮鬥和追求,已成為香港歷史,感動香港人心。
立法會前的皇后像廣場,教協會、支聯會和民主黨,為你豎立了紀念平台,黑底白字,莊嚴肅穆,寫上「華叔,我們永遠懷念你」,市民含淚獻上鮮花,寫下深深的懷念和尊敬。這些冒著寒冷、遠道而來的市民,更有白髮蒼蒼的長者,讚揚你一生的堅持,至死不渝的愛國。
有市民給你寫上:一生正氣,兩袖清風,形容你高尚的情操,我覺得非常貼切。無論教育還是政治,寫作還是抗爭,你都堅持人間的大是大非,一生正氣;無論生前和死後,校長還是議員,你都摒除任何的個人私利,兩袖清風。
情操以外,還有氣節。殖民地時期,你支持香港回歸中國;當選立法會,你拒絕向英女皇效忠;六四鎮壓後,你毅然辭去草委職務;臨時立法會,你寧願落車不做議員。但更重要的,是你領導支聯會21年,為平反六四奮鬥到底,為爭取民主貫徹始終。
去年,你患上末期癌症,但仍竭盡全力,維護民主黨的政改方案,受到同路人的攻擊,最傷感的是七一維園,你坐在輪椅,被人辱罵,我的心難過得要死。但見你不動如山,勇者不懼,仍存留著初相識時,橫眉冷對的硬骨頭,擇善固執的勇氣。你曾說過兩陣對決,將軍中箭仍不下馬,以免動搖軍心。如今,將軍已去,戰馬悲鳴,風中有淚,你是否仍然知道?
每年,六四的燭光集會,都有你的燭光和淚水。今年六四,當維園萬千燭光搖曳,當《祭好漢》歌聲高揚,你已經離開我們,但我仍然相信,你的英靈仍在其中,與我們共度維園的燭光,與港人走過六四的長夜。如今,六四燭光,清明獻花,新年揮春,民主大遊行,中聯辦抗議,都有著我們深深的懷念,懷念我們21年風雨同路的日子。
華叔,去年年底,你仍關心劉曉波獲諾貝爾獎,你多次打電話要我陪你到遮打花園,參加慶祝集會。雖然癌細胞已經入骨,你仍在病床忍著痛楚,看著劉曉波的獎狀,放在一張空櫈上,才安然睡去。華叔,彌留前夕,你仍然在我們耳畔叮嚀,要我們守護教協會、支聯會和民主黨,這一切刻骨銘心的囑咐,我們怎會忘記?
華叔,你離去的一刻,渴望聽到聖經,詩篇23篇說:我雖然行過死蔭的幽谷,也不怕遭害,因為祢與我同在。約翰福音12章說:我實實在在的告訴你們,一粒麥子不落在地裏死了,仍舊是一粒,若是死了,就結出很多子粒來。華叔,你就像那一粒麥子,在社會運動中啟蒙著很多後來人,十年樹木,薪火相傳。今天,上主垂憐,請你安息。
華叔,你說過:功成不必在我,成功我在其中。堅持到底便是勝利。但我們多麼希望,那堅持到底的、必然到來的、平反六四的日子,你與我們同在一起,同在天安門廣場,慶祝人民的勝利。華叔,雖然你已離去,但我們一定會繼續奮鬥,在平反六四的日子,一定會向你報告,告慰你在天之靈。
華叔,你說過:民主的道路是漫長崎嶇,艱難曲折。最初聽到這說話,以為是群眾運動的激勵。當民主派爭取普選的路,竟然超過四分一世紀;當真正的普選,即使2020年仍沒保證。當我們由青年變成中年,而華叔更離我們而去時,我們才深切感受到,這漫長崎嶇,艱難曲折的真正意義,是一生的奉獻和奮鬥。
華叔,你說過:要紀念辛亥革命的一百周年,傳揚林覺民與秋瑾的詩文。自你離去之後,我想起林覺民的《與妻訣別書》說:今日死無餘憾,國事成不成,自有同志者在。也想起秋瑾的《對酒》詩:一腔熱血勤珍重﹐灑去猶能化碧濤。
如今,遺志仍在,同志仍在,長路漫漫,熱血勤珍重,請華叔放心,一路走好。

張文光
2011年1月8日




Sunday, January 02, 2011

支聯會主席司徒華病逝 (明報)

支聯會主席司徒華病逝 (13:14)
http://inews.mingpao.com/htm/INews/20110102/gb71314p.htm


支聯會主席司徒華在沙田威爾斯醫院因肺癌病逝,終年79歲。
司徒華於1931年2月28日生於香港,祖籍廣東開平,1989年起擔任香港市民支援愛國民主運動聯合會(簡稱「支聯會」)創會主席,是民主黨創黨成員,曾任立法會議員達19年。

1952年於葛量洪師範學院畢業後執教鞭多年,1969年起擔任葛師校友會觀塘小學校長至1990年。

1973年擔任教育團體聯合秘書處主席,並領導「文憑教師薪酬事件」,為非學位教師爭取合理薪酬而舉行大罷課。

1974年參與成立香港教育專業人員協會(教協),起初擔任會長,至1992年轉任監事會主席。

1978年發起第2次「中文運動」,爭取中文成為主要教學語言。同年發生因金禧中學校董會貪污、教育署處理不當引發引發大規模社會事件的「金禧事件」,教協與該校師生緊密合作、爭取合理解決事件。

1985年循教育界功能界別晉身立法局。同年獲北京政府委任為《基本法》起草委員會委員。1989年5月北京民運期間成立支聯會並擔任主席至今,該會以「釋放民運人士、平反八九民運、追究屠城責任、結束一黨專政、建設民主中國」為工作綱領。他在「六四事件」後與民主黨創黨主席李柱銘不再參與草委工作,與中共中央決裂。

1990年組建港同盟,後與匯點合併為民主黨,一直擔任民主黨中央常務委員會委員和黨鞭直至2008年。

1991年起循地區直選晉身立法局,1995年連任並兼任市政局議員;1997至98年因杯葛臨時立法會而「落車」離任,1998、2000年再成功當選及連任立法會議員。

2004年9月宣布不再參選立法會,卸任做了19年的立法會議員。

2010年2月,確診患上第四期肺癌。




Wednesday, December 29, 2010

CMC Day 3 Notes

CMC Day 3 Morning Message

現今的機會 — 今日中國教會及海外華人教會的宣教挑戰
王美鍾院長

反省:我們對現今的宣教有負擔感嗎?

創11:31,12:1-2
— 亞伯蘭的父親理應到迦南,卻停在哈蘭,並死在哈蘭。
— 反省:我們是否安於現狀,而忘掉我們應去的目的地?

中國,我們真的了解中國嗎?
— 建設先進,人才配出
— 經濟、軍事的突出
— 十年後的中國,民族掘起、國家興起,可是屬靈的光境又會是怎樣?

宣教的中國
— 中國製造的商品(made in China) 比比皆是,哪麽中國製造的宣教士呢?Missionaries made in China...!
— 我們可以怎樣去幫助中國的教會明白麥子的宣教呢?
— 福音進中國、福音在中國、福音出中國
— 廿一世紀的海外華人就好像廿一世紀的約瑟,不但成為身處國的祝福,亦能成為父家—中國—的祝福
— 蒙召的目的:成為祝福,成為本國、鄰國、中國、華人的祝福

現今的機會:委身的宣教行動
— 這呼召是一個永恒的呼召

CMC Day 3 Exposition

如何能夠承擔神的使命
出3:1-15
黃子嘉牧師

神給我們使命是要我們承擔神的事工、成就衪的工作。對我們基督徒來說,就是主耶穌給我們的大使命。

遇見神:是神找到摩西,遇見神的地就是聖地。遇見神是承擔神的使命的基礎。

1。認識神是又真又活的(7-8)
— 摩西對神懷疑:以色列民正在受苦。明明已經第四代,為什麼仍在別國受苦?
— 摩西不明白苦難是成熟基督徒必須要面對的(參羅馬書5:1﹣5)
— 我們是否覺得神是又真又活的?
— 要承擔神的使命,必須認識神的又真又活。無論遇見多少困難,也因神而剛強起來。
— 我們出去打仗是神帶我們去的。

2。認識神是聖潔公義的(2-5)
— 明白我們是不完全的,我們是須要神的幫助的
— 明白自己的不配、要求神的憐憫
— 人若自潔,脫離卑賤的事,成為貴重的器皿

3。認識神是恩典憐憫的(9-10)
— 神在苦難之中仍保守以色列人
— 祂看見的、聽見的、知道的,有甚麼難處,是可以向神說的。

4。認識神是自有永有的(13-15)
— "我就是"

5。認識我們是微小的(11-13)
— 上帝的工作,不是靠我們,仍是我們靠衪的靈來成事。

6。認識使命崇高而勇於承擔(3:1,4:20)

CMC Day 3 Evening Message

陳世協牧師
「為什麼是我?」
約書亞記一:一至十八節

今天我們所缺乏的不是對宣教的意識或知識,而是對宣教的行動。
問:「為什麼是我?」

一至五節:
「為什麼是我?」還有其他人嗎!
「神的僕人死了。」(v1-2)兩次提到神的僕人死了。每一代的領袖、每一代神的工人都會死掉、都會過去的。每一代的約書亞都要起來承擔使命。

- (v5)神對約書亞說:「我怎樣帶領摩西,也會怎樣帶領你。」
- 時代的轉變,宣教的年代也改變了。現代的宣教中心經已轉移,宣教士也不再是紅毛綠眼的了。
- 中國人很懂計算,可是就是太會算了,左算右算,都是其他人去更好吧!可是,如果神真的跟我們算,請問又應怎樣算?
- 要成為神的工人,數學不可以太好。若我們太好數學,我們只會繼續坐在我們的安樂窩之內。

六至九節:

- 約書亞真的懼怕。真的,因為聖經不是一次,不是兩次,是三次的叫約書亞要剛強壯膽。
- 約書亞經歴了很多,包括探索迦南地,他亦知道神怎樣帶領摩西,可是他同時亦知道裡面很多難處。
- 可是神就是提醒約書亞衪怎樣帶領摩西。
- 神吩咐約書亞要
1。handle with care
2。謹守神的話語
3。遵行神的話語
- 謹守和遵行神的話語方法:神話語不可離口,晝夜思想,多多講論。多講論,就多思想。多思想,就自然能謹守和遵行神的話語。
- 神提醒約書亞,他是受神的吩咐。「神吩咐」= 有神的應許,帶有神的能力。

十至十八節

約書亞把上帝的話語化為行動。
其餘的兩個半支派,可以留下,不過要先兌現承諾,男丁先帶領其他人過河。必需要有合一的心。

Reflection:
My question was, "Why me? Why not others?"
Nope. Others gone already.
My question should be "Why not me?"

Do I want to respond to God? What will my answer be?





Tuesday, December 28, 2010

CMC Day 2 Notes

CMC Day 2 Morning Message

跨洋之前先跨街 - 胸懷世界,始於腳前
Cross the street before cross the ocean - A "Glocal" (Global & Local) Perspective
Dr. George Verwer

Matthew 9:35-37, Acts 12-13, Isa 6:1-8, 1 John 2

- Not only listen to the Bible but put into action
- Being a missionary can be a career...!
- Am I able to tell God: "God, here am I, send me !!"
- the biggest question: "Am I available (to God)?"

CMC Day 2 Exposition

我不甘心無份救恩
約書亞記2:1-24,
陳世協牧師

經文焦點在放喇合的身上
- 兩個對話:
1。耶利哥王的人和拉合的對話
2。約書亞的人(探子)和拉合的對話
- 喇合的身份:妓女
- 喇合不願意救恩没有她的份兒
- 她知道神的作為,郤説是「你們的神」,她雖不敢認,可是郤已經在步向信神的道路上。

有人聽聞福音
- 我們是跘腳石,還是在帶人信主?
- 最大的跘腳石:1。教會中的衝突。2。教會缺乏自律性、自省性。 3。教會跟世界一樣。
- 世人覺得我們教會是愛嗎?
- 我們基督徒與世界有一個正確的溝通的方法嗎?

有人珍惜救恩
- 願意付出來爭取得到救恩的權利
- 上帝有祂的預備,若人願意,神救恩的門便會人而開,好像探子到喇合的家一樣
- 我們認同神工作、神預備的大能嗎?
﹣ 喇合的相信是因為相信、並有相關的行動。(來11:31, 雅各2:25)

單純的信心讓我們認識上帝,並全家得救。
外邦人因為神的作為而產生信心,反觀已信主的郤未能有這個信心。

相信神是永遠不會太遲。。。所以我們也不可小看自己的身份,探子是上帝福音的見證人,連他們自己也不知道。所以我們必須要作隨時的預備(we have to be anytime ready).

Reflective question: "I could have done more, but we didn't"

CMC Day 2 Evening Message

James Taylor 戴繼忠牧師
從中國基督教史看宣教
約書亞記4:19-24

我們必須從宣教士的經驗中反省。。。
石頭的意思:
1. 要使地上萬民都知道,耶和華的手大有能力.
2. 要使你們永遠敬畏耶和華你們的神。』」

內地會宣教六原則

(reflection: 相比戴德生六個月的交通、為什麼我們現在連幾個小時也不願意?)

一。爲百萬靈魂的負擔、心裡焦急
— 海外的中國人、中國教會必須對屬靈的需要與托付放到主的面前
— 每個月一百萬個靈魂奔向一個沒有基督的永恆
》廿一世紀五大未得之民:unreached or underreached 回教徒、佛教徒、印度教、華人、西方人

二。入進隨俗、向誰像誰
— 我們願意入鄉隨俗、學習他們的文化嗎?語言、風俗
— 真正的跨文化

三。信心禱告、神的供應
— 禱告:先學習在本土傳福音
— 禱告:學習默默等候神的供應《耶和華以勒、以便以設耳(以便以謝)》
— 戴德生曾說:「我們需要的並非偉大的信心,而是信靠一位偉大的神。…按照神的方式作神的工作,斷然不會缺乏神的供應。」
— 約書亞:四十年前,神使紅海水乾了,今天衪使約旦河水乾了

四。合一多元、同心合一
— 合一不可忽略多元,多元亦不能破壞合一
— 不擔心宣教士(宣教事工)沒有錢,是害怕有錢但沒有宣教士(宣教事工)
— 宣教中的合而為一:跨文化、超宗派

五。全體動員、各盡其職
— 不可只靠教會牧師領袖,是全教會總動員
— 平信徒也十分重要,使用職埸活出信仰 Your profession as profession (of faith)
》宣教的水果? 不是passion fruit,而是,mango = man + go

六。建立本土的教會、蒙恩施恩

Prayer: 願感動戴德生的靈加倍的感動我們







先有尊嚴,才有威風,請不要顚倒是非,黑白不分

若政府只懂耍威風 人民如何活得尊嚴

【明報專訊】2010年走到尾聲,在經濟層面,內地與香港進一步融合,中國經濟規模正式超過日本,成為全球第二大經濟體,上海成功主辦歷來參觀人數最多的世博會,廣州亞運中國奪得歷來最多的199面金牌;科技方面,「嫦娥二號」探月衛星傳回照片質素之高,使中國成為繼美國後第2個達到米級分辨率高精度成像的國家,高鐵技術冠絕全球,許多國家(連美國在內)爭相輸入。其他成就當然還可以大書特書,國家繁榮昌盛,綜合國力陡增,港人作為中國人的一分子,理應有更多人歸心;然而,證諸近期多個調查結果卻背道而馳,離心港人反而大幅增加。

不滿處理劉曉波趙連海事件
港人對中央不滿對國家疏離

中國愈強大,港人對國家的疏離感卻愈濃烈,對國家有殷殷期盼的人,會感到氣餒和沮喪。內地當局對於港人的感受,可能不當什麼一回事,但是如果相信人類有良知,則港人所見、所思、所感,若內地同胞掌握同樣資訊和可以自由表達,我們相信,他們與港人對國事的反應,不會相差太遠。

昨日,港大民意研究計劃發表一項調查結果,顯示市民對中央政府的信任程度,大幅下降5個百分點至37%,不信任率則上升10百分點至32%,是2003年以來新高。2003年是港府推動《基本法》23條立法,港人與中央最對立、對中央最不信任的時候。

本月21日,港大民意研究計劃發表的另一項調查結果,發現港人自稱為「中國人」的比率只有21%,較半年前下跌7個百分點,而自稱為香港人的比率則上升11個百分點至36%。至於對「中國人」身分的認同感則下跌0.53分至7.1分,是1999年以來新低。

另外,前日,小童群益會發表對45所中學逾2.1萬名學生的調查結果,關於中學生心目中的十大新聞,有3宗屬於維權事件,其中劉曉波獲頒諾貝爾和平獎排首位,因為調查汶川地震豆腐渣工程被囚5年的譚作人排第5位,毒奶粉受害人變被告繫獄的趙連海排第7位。中國那麼大,年內值得紀錄的事有那麼多,而香港中學生眼於這3宗維權事件,顯示年輕一代港人對自由、人權、法治、公義的堅持,也反映本港與內地價值觀的差距。

上述3項調查,都在趙連海被投獄、阻撓劉曉波或其他人士出席諾貝爾和平獎頒獎禮之後進行,港人知道不可能使內地變得自由、尊重人權、崇尚法治和彰顯公義,只能藉不信任中央、不認同自己是中國人來表達不滿。這是十分無奈的表態。港人在有尊嚴情下還能夠表達感受,內地同胞連這樣的表達自由也沒有,如何談得上活得有尊嚴。

今年3月,總理溫家寶在兩會期間發表的《工作報告》,首次寫入「尊嚴」二字,提出要讓人民生活得更幸福、更有尊嚴。剛過去的周日,溫家寶在電台節目與聽對話,就他的「尊嚴論」界定4種情,居首的是要保障每個人享有憲法和法律所給予的自由和權利;其次是無論職業不同、財產不同、民族不同,每個人都完全平等,特別是在法律面前完全平等;第三要使弱勢群體有尊嚴地生活;第四是要尊重犯錯誤和犯罪的人的人格,使他們獲得新生。我們認為,若第一和第二條做到了,則綱舉目張,整體社會的公平、公正,公義就得到彰顯,人民基本上都可以有尊嚴地生活。

不過,即使溫家寶一而再提出「尊嚴論」,證諸現實,人民的遭遇卻非如此。就說趙連海,他由毒奶粉受害人,被控以無厘頭的尋釁滋事罪名,入獄兩年半,然後趙連海「被撤回上訴」,「被保外就醫」。其間專政機器恩威並施,整個案件宛如大網垂天,趙連海和其家人的尊嚴哪裏去了。我們相信趙連海「被保外就醫」,已經離開看守所,但是人在哪裏?當局的安排和處理,有如使趙連海在監外執行刑期而已,更糟糕的是,並無罪名在身的趙連海家人,也與趙連海一起跟外界隔離,變相陪趙連海在監外「服刑」。天下間最荒謬的事,恐怕莫過於此。

至於劉曉波,在遼寧錦州監獄服刑,自不待言,他的太太劉霞呢?自從諾貝爾委員會宣布劉曉波獲獎不久,劉霞就不能再與外界聯絡,她人在何方?人身安全如何?外界一無所知。就算頒獎禮過去快3個星期,劉霞仍未露面。劉曉波以「煽動顛覆國家政權」罪名身陷囹圄,劉霞犯了什麼罪?她的法律權利何在?當局憑什麼把她隔離「軟禁」?在劉霞身上見到的無法無天、胡作非為,據溫家寶的尊嚴準則,劉霞的尊嚴被剝奪了,但是當局耍了威風就會得到人民尊重?相信答案恰恰相反。

要人民活得尊嚴推政改
溫總一再呼籲未獲迴響

今年以來,溫家寶多次高調提出政治體制改革,更有「風雨不改,至死方休」之語,不過,無論溫家寶講得多麼聲情並茂,960萬平方公里神州大地未見迴響,堂堂共和國總理的說話,還算不算數?溫總的高調政改與領導層其他人的靜默,到底說明或反映什麼問題,值得關注。

以往,對西方的人權壓力,內地當局以「生存權是最大的人權」回應,隨經濟勃興,近年較少引用這個提法了。這是進步。溫家寶要使人民活得有尊嚴,則是更進一步提升。中國經濟急速崛起,政治體制未相應調整,而官員貪污腐敗成風,使得經濟發展面臨瓶頸,社會矛盾極其尖銳,政治體制改革可說刻不容緩。以目前中國的物質條件、中共完全掌控大局情況下,中國正在處於100多年來進行政治改革、推動民主進程的最有利時機,只要中共願意主導改革,我們相信,中國可以走上真正繁榮、自由、民主、法治的大國之路。




Monday, December 27, 2010

CMC Day 1 Notes

CMC Day 1 Morning
黄子嘉牧師

從聖經看宣教

1. (from introduction of speaker) The elder of the church who hire 黄子嘉牧師 told us when hiring, the church said to Rev. Wong:"我們是一個國度的教會,若是為了國度的緣故,你要出去多少次,都未有所謂。" The elder testified: "要從神的國度看,不要小氣。"
2. Kingdom of heaven (in Matthew) = Kingdom of God (else in the Bible)
3. To truely understand Kingdom of God, have to live in the kingdom of God, summit to God, 順服於神的管治之下。
4. 要明白神的國,要明白主耶穌到世上的意義:傳神的國的福音,要人悔改。
5. 約翰福音中"見"跟"到"是一樣的。(3:36, 8:51-52)
6. 我們傳福音 = 我們把神的國度帶到我們生活之中,帶到我們的社會之中。

CMC Day 1 Exposition

陳世欽牧師
列下7:1-20
豈可閉口不言?

從閉口不言到傳神的話語

1. 認清一切全是恩典 (5-7)
-感恩的心、催迫我們不能不說
-謙卑的心
-屬靈的驕傲是屬靈的盲點

2. 深感他人迫切需要 (8-9)
-明白他人身處的境況
-明白自己的保留是不對的
-明白自己的責任是要報好消息

3.跨越自己、承擔挑戰 (3-5,10-11)
-累、還是要去
-機會轉眼即逝

CMC Day 1 Evening

Raymond Lee
Esther 4:12-17

What is your role God have in you for the world?

Say Esther, it may be a bad time as a woman, bad time as a Jew, even a bad time as a queen. But that is not an excuse for us to ignore the role God has given to us.

There is always a reason behind His plan, no matter how bad the situation it is, if it's your role, it's your role.

CMC Workshop Day 1

網路宣教

- 你們要去使"網民"作我的門徒
- "沉迷上網" 現在已經沒有一個確實的定義或標準
- John Edmiston : Ten Ways the Internet Is Changing Evangelism and Missions
資訊、理性、尋索、統合、動員等等
- Because of the web search, no one can claim they are the lone expert
- Parents / adults have to make sure what they say, what they teach
- using website to bring people back to Christ
- Why no visit to Christian website? they focus on experience, interest, caring... Does the website has characterizes? professionalism, reformation, usage, enjoy the process of usage not the process of building
- for Christian? Or including non-Christians too?