客旅人生 (調：昨夜的渡輪上; 詞：黎傳道)
若問日後日子
得失我總會再遇
盪漾像個海
成敗好像時常對峙
甜蜜伴著苦澀
思想彷彿似心痴
日後望這景
心中愁煩倍覺唏噓
旅途上 成就你我個人故事
真漢子 無讓感慨成為障礙
莫問前路可知！
今天耶穌為嚮導，
「夜盡露曙光 旅途何妨再次開始 」(x2)
來11:13「這些人都是存著信心死的，…又承認自己在世上是客旅，是寄居的。」
上星期六 (11月17日) 我們一班男子漢聚會，談到「為誰辛苦為誰忙」，多數的答案離不開是為了生活、工作、家庭和兒女等‧‧‧事實上，作為香港人的我們，真有不忙就不太正常的看法；有人或許是怕閒散多於怕忙碌！因為忙碌往往是身份重要性的指標。遺憾的是，香港大多數上班一族，他們的忙碌其實已超越了世人的合理水平，因為很多人忙得不可開交──連跟自己的配偶、兒女和親人的相處的時間都嚴重不足，又或者連自己的健康都自顧不下，試問這樣的忙碌真是你我所願的嗎？不要說忙來忙去都是為了二餐一宿的工友們，就算是成功的商家或專業人士，真的能全情陶醉於自己的忙碌中嗎？又或者問：「大忙人所能成就的，真的是滿載成功？立己立人？實質而持久地造福社會？
主耶穌說得好[太 16:26]: 「人若賺得全世界，賠上自己的生命，有什麼益處呢？人還能拿什麼換生命呢？」使徒保羅也提醒我們[林前 10:23]：「凡事都可行，但不都有益處。凡事都可行，但不都造就人。」這些教訓都指向一個極重要的考慮，就是人生的意義何在？在基本的生存、平安和昌盛的訴求外，還有沒有更超越和長久的目標呢？對信徒來說：「若我們相信我們得救不是出於偶然，那我們的人生會不會只是一個偶然現像呢？若不是，我們所強調的永恆價值跟我們人生的旅途又有何關係呢？」
敬愛的肢體們，但願我們都能認清人生的價值和目標，不要隨便迷失於世界的潮流裏，願主幫助我們認真的找到生存的意義，以至我們能好好的渡過這既短暫又重要的客旅人生吧！
黎傳道
Monday, November 19, 2007
Saturday, July 14, 2007
後現代和互聯網
剛看到以下影片教育的未來(Did you know?) ，很有意思。巧合地，香港宣道會華基堂主任湯頌年牧師於2000年9月發表的文章中提及「二十一世紀──後後現代」的讀後感，指出後現代社會的特點是資訊爆炸、人際關係疏離、自我膨脹，人從前能肯定自己擁有真理，現在卻變成不能確定。而文中引用美國（U.S.A.）的調查，指出了信徒參與教會聚會的熱誠減退，這正是教會需要面對的問題。
後現代的文化潮流對教牧及信徒的衝擊很大，甚至使基督教成為邊緣群體，不但不能影響文化，甚至反被文化所影響。在十八、十九世紀，屬靈信息及資訊必須在教會裡透過牧者才能傳遞給信徒；但在現今資訊發達、知識爆炸的社會，平信徒可以透過不同管道接觸屬靈信息，例如在網際網絡（internet）上不同的網站找釋經的資料。然而，在複雜的社會環境下，知識、資訊爆炸卻造成極大的混亂，信徒在云云資訊中難以分辨真理、判別是非。
後現代人崇尚個人主義、自我膨脹、沒有秩序、混亂、找不到出路，《聖經》及牧者的權威備受衝擊。在後現代多元的社會，「真理」似是而非，究竟孰是孰非？哪裡才是出路呢？信徒很渴望有人與他一起作決定，從迷惘中走出來。若牧者能與他一起經歷基督的愛和真理，以滿足其需要，教會自然有凝聚力。正如文章所言，後現代是從理性到混亂的狀況，故我的教會便針對這個問題，與信徒同行，成為支援的群體。此外，後現代社會另一現象是人際關係疏離，人的心靈空虛，缺乏安全感。
在混亂的後現代社會中，教會必須作一定位，否則便很容易會隨波逐流，迷失在潮流之中。教會如何定位？耶穌基督頒佈兩條誡命，我們教會就是用這兩條腿走路：一方面是成為愛的群體，廣傳福音，使萬民作門徒，作差傳的事工。另一方面是愛上帝，愛鄰舍如同自己，所以我們學習彼此相愛、愛鄰舍，透過社會服務來學習和實踐愛的關係網。
[箴 14:12]指出有一條路，人以為正，至終成為死亡之路。(There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.)今天人類正朝著一條不歸路前進，問題是這條路會通往那裏？作為信徒的我們，能否憑著我們的信仰和聖經的啟廸來跨越一些迫在眉睫的危機呢？
Howard
後現代的文化潮流對教牧及信徒的衝擊很大，甚至使基督教成為邊緣群體，不但不能影響文化，甚至反被文化所影響。在十八、十九世紀，屬靈信息及資訊必須在教會裡透過牧者才能傳遞給信徒；但在現今資訊發達、知識爆炸的社會，平信徒可以透過不同管道接觸屬靈信息，例如在網際網絡（internet）上不同的網站找釋經的資料。然而，在複雜的社會環境下，知識、資訊爆炸卻造成極大的混亂，信徒在云云資訊中難以分辨真理、判別是非。
後現代人崇尚個人主義、自我膨脹、沒有秩序、混亂、找不到出路，《聖經》及牧者的權威備受衝擊。在後現代多元的社會，「真理」似是而非，究竟孰是孰非？哪裡才是出路呢？信徒很渴望有人與他一起作決定，從迷惘中走出來。若牧者能與他一起經歷基督的愛和真理，以滿足其需要，教會自然有凝聚力。正如文章所言，後現代是從理性到混亂的狀況，故我的教會便針對這個問題，與信徒同行，成為支援的群體。此外，後現代社會另一現象是人際關係疏離，人的心靈空虛，缺乏安全感。
在混亂的後現代社會中，教會必須作一定位，否則便很容易會隨波逐流，迷失在潮流之中。教會如何定位？耶穌基督頒佈兩條誡命，我們教會就是用這兩條腿走路：一方面是成為愛的群體，廣傳福音，使萬民作門徒，作差傳的事工。另一方面是愛上帝，愛鄰舍如同自己，所以我們學習彼此相愛、愛鄰舍，透過社會服務來學習和實踐愛的關係網。
[箴 14:12]指出有一條路，人以為正，至終成為死亡之路。(There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.)今天人類正朝著一條不歸路前進，問題是這條路會通往那裏？作為信徒的我們，能否憑著我們的信仰和聖經的啟廸來跨越一些迫在眉睫的危機呢？
Howard
Saturday, April 07, 2007
The Story of Three Trees
Dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, have you ever heard about “the story of three trees” (author unknown). It is simple and yet inspirational. It goes something like this:
Once upon a mountain top, three little trees stood and dreamed of what they wanted to become later on. The first little tree looked up to heaven and said, "I want to hold treasure. I want to be covered with gold and filled with precious stones. I'll be the most valuable treasure chest in the world!" The second little tree said, "I want to travel mighty waters and carry powerful kings. I'll be the noblest ship in the world!” The third little tree prays, “I want to grow so tall that when people look at me they'll raise their eyes to heaven and think of God. I will be the tallest tree in the world.”
Years passed. One day three wood cutters came along. The first wood cutter looked at the first tree and said, "This tree is perfect for me." With a swoop of his shining ax, the first tree was felled. The second wood cutter looked at the second tree with satisfaction, and the second tree was felled. The third tree shivered when the last wood cutter came by. Even though it was tall and pointed bravely to heaven, the merciless wood cutter hastily cut it down.
The first tree rejoiced when the wood cutter brought it to a carpenter's shop. Nevertheless, it was only made into a feed box for animals and was then placed in a barn. The second tree smiled when the wood cutter took it to a shipyard. However, it was cut and fit into a simple fishing boat and was then taken to a little lake. The third tree was confused when the wood cutter cut it into strong beams and left it in a lumberyard.
The years went by, and the trees forgot about their dreams. One day, a couple came to the barn. The wife gave birth to a baby and she carefully placed him upon the hay in the feed box which was made from the first tree. The baby’s name was JESUS. The first tree was shocked to learn that it was then holding the greatest treasure of all time. Years later, a group of men got in the fishing boat made from the second tree. One of them fell asleep. While they were out on the water, a great storm arose and danger was imminent. The sleeping man was awoken. He muttered a command the storm was gone! At this time, the tree knew that it had carried the King of Kings as it had wished.
One Friday morning, someone came and got the third tree. It was carried through the streets as the people mocked the man who was carrying it. When they came to a stop, the man was nailed to the tree and raised in the air to die at the top of a hill. When Sunday came, the tree came to realize that Jesus had been crucified on it. Subsequently, people would think of God and be grateful to their Saviour every time they thought of the third tree.
Beloved, when things don't seem to be going your way, do you still believe that God has a plan for you? Even though we don't always know what God's plans are for us, it is enough to know that His ways are best for us. (see 三棵樹 for a Chinese translation)
Years passed. One day three wood cutters came along. The first wood cutter looked at the first tree and said, "This tree is perfect for me." With a swoop of his shining ax, the first tree was felled. The second wood cutter looked at the second tree with satisfaction, and the second tree was felled. The third tree shivered when the last wood cutter came by. Even though it was tall and pointed bravely to heaven, the merciless wood cutter hastily cut it down.
The first tree rejoiced when the wood cutter brought it to a carpenter's shop. Nevertheless, it was only made into a feed box for animals and was then placed in a barn. The second tree smiled when the wood cutter took it to a shipyard. However, it was cut and fit into a simple fishing boat and was then taken to a little lake. The third tree was confused when the wood cutter cut it into strong beams and left it in a lumberyard.
The years went by, and the trees forgot about their dreams. One day, a couple came to the barn. The wife gave birth to a baby and she carefully placed him upon the hay in the feed box which was made from the first tree. The baby’s name was JESUS. The first tree was shocked to learn that it was then holding the greatest treasure of all time. Years later, a group of men got in the fishing boat made from the second tree. One of them fell asleep. While they were out on the water, a great storm arose and danger was imminent. The sleeping man was awoken. He muttered a command the storm was gone! At this time, the tree knew that it had carried the King of Kings as it had wished.
One Friday morning, someone came and got the third tree. It was carried through the streets as the people mocked the man who was carrying it. When they came to a stop, the man was nailed to the tree and raised in the air to die at the top of a hill. When Sunday came, the tree came to realize that Jesus had been crucified on it. Subsequently, people would think of God and be grateful to their Saviour every time they thought of the third tree.
Beloved, when things don't seem to be going your way, do you still believe that God has a plan for you? Even though we don't always know what God's plans are for us, it is enough to know that His ways are best for us. (see 三棵樹 for a Chinese translation)
Thursday, March 22, 2007
The Consequence of Moral Uncertainty
When there is no standard or universal truth, people would find it convenient for them to make standards and norms for themselves. Such standards and norms are inevitably subjective and relative. People like them anyway because they give the individuals a sense of freedom and control over what they like or hate. Such a liberal stance bears a great social and moral cost, namely, there is a general feeling and opinion of moral uncertainty as nothing is absolute or universal. One of the consequences of such a situation is that people tend to pick up the values from an egoistic and materialistic perspective. For instance, the theme of "family values" was a key one in the last several presidential elections in the United States. However, most Americans have a different understanding of what family values are about. Worse even, many people can't identify or define what “family values” are because the words' meaning has become so vague and imprecise nowadays.
Morality was once based on virtue while today morality is based on value. Therefore, morality changes as values change. In the last century, marriages are generally taken as sacred or solemn unions between a man and a woman. Today, marriages are probably no more than paper certificates of a so-called official union between either the opposite or even the same sex partners! Beloved, are you having some trouble or uncertainty about morality today? Do you have a good sense of truth and eternal values? If you are confused, please go back to the Bible as God's inspired words and be guided by them (2 Timothy 3:16)
Without God's words and an eventual standard of truth and value, people would be vulnerable to their desires, lusts and temperaments. It is the main cause for school shoot-outs happened from time to time in recent years in the States. It also makes divorces and separations commonplace nowadays in most cosmopolitan cities around the world. From a biblical point of view, it is a classic consequence of pushing out God's Word from our lives and hearts.
The dire consequence of adopting the lifestyles and falling on moral issues against God's Word is the judgment and the wrath of God. Evidence is ample throughout the history of God's dealing with people. The good news is God is still a loving Father and there is always hope in the Lord Jesus! Let's be watchful for ourselves and our society and bear witness to our Father with our Saviour's guidance and promises.
For further reading, see Causes Moral Uncertainty.
Morality was once based on virtue while today morality is based on value. Therefore, morality changes as values change. In the last century, marriages are generally taken as sacred or solemn unions between a man and a woman. Today, marriages are probably no more than paper certificates of a so-called official union between either the opposite or even the same sex partners! Beloved, are you having some trouble or uncertainty about morality today? Do you have a good sense of truth and eternal values? If you are confused, please go back to the Bible as God's inspired words and be guided by them (2 Timothy 3:16)
Without God's words and an eventual standard of truth and value, people would be vulnerable to their desires, lusts and temperaments. It is the main cause for school shoot-outs happened from time to time in recent years in the States. It also makes divorces and separations commonplace nowadays in most cosmopolitan cities around the world. From a biblical point of view, it is a classic consequence of pushing out God's Word from our lives and hearts.
The dire consequence of adopting the lifestyles and falling on moral issues against God's Word is the judgment and the wrath of God. Evidence is ample throughout the history of God's dealing with people. The good news is God is still a loving Father and there is always hope in the Lord Jesus! Let's be watchful for ourselves and our society and bear witness to our Father with our Saviour's guidance and promises.
For further reading, see Causes Moral Uncertainty.
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
On Grief and Loss
Generally speaking, there are five stages in one's grieving process such as when a loved one is lost. The first one is denial – yes, it is human nature to deny any great loss to us. Sometimes, we simply hope that the situation that brings us grief is unreal. When we begins to accept what has happened is real, our denial will turn to anger. We become angry at ourselves, our loved one and even God. Anger turns subsequently to kind of a bargaining. As we try to get something out of such bargaining, it will take us eventually to sorrow. We're just inundated and baffled with sorrow. This sorrow can and will turn to acceptance of the tragedy later on.
Christians believe that there is always a good reason for why God brings something, including grief into our life. Indeed, no person could be exempted from grief in one's life. So the question really becomes "What can we do to help our friend to overcome their sorrows and grieves?” First, you have the opportunity to help your friends from their pain by assuring that you are still their friend. This is very important. They may have lost a dear loved one, but they haven't lost you as their friend. You haven't abandoned them and hopefully you are going to be there through their grieving process. You were there to listen to their agony or to talk sensitively with them when they wanted to, so that they know that you're going to be there to help them.
Persons at grief are usually confused by their pain and shut up in an imaginary dark world. Nevertheless, as soon as they reenter the world of normal life, you could offer yourself as a bridge to facilitate their reentry into the real world. All it takes is some time and a lot of love and patience. It takes somebody who could and would spend sufficient time with the bereaved to sense their needs, to sympathize with them and comfort them. It takes a friend who will encourage them as well as to do something supportive for them.
It is a great privilege to help one's friend through a tragedy. You have all you need when you have faith in Jesus Christ and are willing to follow His example (remember how our Lord comforted Martha & Mary at Lazarus' funeral, etc…). Let's trust that healing will come from the Lord Jesus if we are willing to be His vessel of mercy. Let's be encouraged by Psalm 48:14: "For this is God, our God forever and ever: He will be our guide, even unto death."
For further reading: see Helping in a Time of Healing
Christians believe that there is always a good reason for why God brings something, including grief into our life. Indeed, no person could be exempted from grief in one's life. So the question really becomes "What can we do to help our friend to overcome their sorrows and grieves?” First, you have the opportunity to help your friends from their pain by assuring that you are still their friend. This is very important. They may have lost a dear loved one, but they haven't lost you as their friend. You haven't abandoned them and hopefully you are going to be there through their grieving process. You were there to listen to their agony or to talk sensitively with them when they wanted to, so that they know that you're going to be there to help them.
Persons at grief are usually confused by their pain and shut up in an imaginary dark world. Nevertheless, as soon as they reenter the world of normal life, you could offer yourself as a bridge to facilitate their reentry into the real world. All it takes is some time and a lot of love and patience. It takes somebody who could and would spend sufficient time with the bereaved to sense their needs, to sympathize with them and comfort them. It takes a friend who will encourage them as well as to do something supportive for them.
It is a great privilege to help one's friend through a tragedy. You have all you need when you have faith in Jesus Christ and are willing to follow His example (remember how our Lord comforted Martha & Mary at Lazarus' funeral, etc…). Let's trust that healing will come from the Lord Jesus if we are willing to be His vessel of mercy. Let's be encouraged by Psalm 48:14: "For this is God, our God forever and ever: He will be our guide, even unto death."
For further reading: see Helping in a Time of Healing
Friday, February 02, 2007
Assurance of Rejoicing
To the average Christian, it is not always feasible to rejoice in all things. Indeed, things could be very disappointing and even frustrating. How can we rejoice in all things as Paul has taught us (Philippians 4:4)? Indeed, Paul further opines in I Thessalonians 5:16-18 that we should rejoice always, pray constantly and give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for us. Those who have followed Paul's advice would find that rejoicing is a great weapon for us to fight our way through obstacles and mishaps. Proverb 17:22 resonates that a cheerful heart is a good medicine, but a downcast spirit dries up the bones.
I know some of our enthusiastic brothers and sisters might be disappointed at the outcome of our effort to win lost souls to Christ through various kinds of evangelism. Nevertheless, it is definitely not the end of the road to fulfill our Christian destiny. We should rather learn from our experience to foster a keener sense of the purpose and destiny of our lives, to promote discipleship through Biblical education, to ensure mutual understanding and solidarity among us through honest dialogue in the face of conflict in a healthy manner—not just how to "smile and get along" but how to disagree with grace.
If we can stick ourselves to the principle of rejoicing, determination and perseverance in our pursuit, and encourage one another with the promises of our Lord, I am sure God will open another door for our pursuit when the time is ripe. In between, it is a preparation for our future destiny with a joyful heart, a ceaseless hope and a constant prayer seeking God's guidance and blessings. May God the Father and the Lord Jesus help us! Amen.
I know some of our enthusiastic brothers and sisters might be disappointed at the outcome of our effort to win lost souls to Christ through various kinds of evangelism. Nevertheless, it is definitely not the end of the road to fulfill our Christian destiny. We should rather learn from our experience to foster a keener sense of the purpose and destiny of our lives, to promote discipleship through Biblical education, to ensure mutual understanding and solidarity among us through honest dialogue in the face of conflict in a healthy manner—not just how to "smile and get along" but how to disagree with grace.
If we can stick ourselves to the principle of rejoicing, determination and perseverance in our pursuit, and encourage one another with the promises of our Lord, I am sure God will open another door for our pursuit when the time is ripe. In between, it is a preparation for our future destiny with a joyful heart, a ceaseless hope and a constant prayer seeking God's guidance and blessings. May God the Father and the Lord Jesus help us! Amen.
Thursday, February 01, 2007
My Goodbye Message to T.P.I.B.C.
Dear Brothers and Sisters of TPIBC,
I wish to thank all of you in the Tai Po International Baptist Church for your understanding and support during my tenure as the voluntary part-time minister in your church. I must thank also the volunteers, e.g. those who are involved with the children's ministry as most of them were overstretched both in terms of their involvement and tenures.
While some of our beloved members were leaving us, the Lord brought to us new families from abroad and local members like Emily, Dinnie and Alice. Indeed, God even called back Nilda to help us out! To me, they are the signs of our Lord's care and concern towards the church rather than coincidences. What's more, light is shed recently on our awaited and needed fulltime pastor–2 candidates have come forward with promising signs.
After my personal review, it is time for me to leave your church as an interim minister. Hopefully, I could dedicate myself to my endeavor to build up a local men's support ministry. Also, my leave should contribute to a larger space and freedom for the CMC and the congregation together to gauge and consolidate the imminent and specific needs in the church's pastoral ministries. Let me borrow the Apostle Paul's words (II Thess. 2:16–17) as my goodbye blessing to you:“May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.” Amen.
Howard (31/1/2007)
I wish to thank all of you in the Tai Po International Baptist Church for your understanding and support during my tenure as the voluntary part-time minister in your church. I must thank also the volunteers, e.g. those who are involved with the children's ministry as most of them were overstretched both in terms of their involvement and tenures.
While some of our beloved members were leaving us, the Lord brought to us new families from abroad and local members like Emily, Dinnie and Alice. Indeed, God even called back Nilda to help us out! To me, they are the signs of our Lord's care and concern towards the church rather than coincidences. What's more, light is shed recently on our awaited and needed fulltime pastor–2 candidates have come forward with promising signs.
After my personal review, it is time for me to leave your church as an interim minister. Hopefully, I could dedicate myself to my endeavor to build up a local men's support ministry. Also, my leave should contribute to a larger space and freedom for the CMC and the congregation together to gauge and consolidate the imminent and specific needs in the church's pastoral ministries. Let me borrow the Apostle Paul's words (II Thess. 2:16–17) as my goodbye blessing to you:“May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.” Amen.
Howard (31/1/2007)
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