Inspiration from God

上帝怎能允許這樣的事情

Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane
Clayson
asked her "How could God let something like this happen?"
(regarding the attacks on Sept. 11).
葛理翰牧師的女兒接受Jane Clayson 的訪問，被問到：
上帝怎能允許這樣的事情（指911攻擊事件）發生？
她回答得十分恰當且深具洞見。她說：


Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response.
She said, "I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are,
but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools,
to get out of our government and to get out of our lives.
And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out.
How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection
if we demand He leave us alone?"
『我個人相信上帝對這件事和我們一樣非常傷心；
只是，這麼多年來，我們一直叫上帝不要管我們的學校，
不要管我們的政府，以及我們的生活。
上帝是正人君子，我相信他就靜靜地站到一旁。
我們既然強令祂遠離我們，
又如何能期待祂保護我們並且賜福我們呢？』


In light of recent events...terrorists attack, school shootings, etc.
I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered,
her body found recently) complained she didn't want prayer in our
schools,
and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in
school...
the Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal,
and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK.
看看最近發生的事情，包括恐怖攻擊、校園槍擊等等，
我認為事情最早開始於 Madeleine Murray O'Hare女士
（她被殺害，屍體最近被發現）。她埋怨校園裡的禱告，
她不想要校園裡有禱告，大家答應了。然後有人說，
最好不要在學校裡讀聖經，因為聖經說不可殺人、不可偷盜、
要愛鄰舍如同愛你自己，而大家答應了。


Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children
when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped
and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed
suicide).
We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said OK.
然後Benjamin Spock博士說，
我們的兒女做錯事的時候不應該責打他們，
以免他們幼小的人格受到損傷，恐怕傷害他們的自尊
（ Spock的兒子是自殺死的），而大家同意了。


Then someone said teachers and principals better not discipline our
children
when they misbehave. The school administrators said no faculty member
in this school better touch a student when they misbehave
because we don 't want any bad publicity,
and we surely don't want to be sued (there' s a big difference
between disciplining, touching, beating, smacking, humiliating, kicking,
etc.).
And we said OK.
然後有人說，我們的兒女在學校做錯事的時候，
老師和校長最好不要管教他們。學校行政人員說，
教職員不可以碰做錯事的學生，因為不想事情鬧開，
更不想挨告（管教和碰觸、打、摑、踢、侮辱等，有很大的差別），
而大家同意了。


Then someone said, let's let our daughters have abortions if they want,
and they won't even have to tell their parents. And we said OK.
Then some wise school board member said, since boys will be boys
and they're going to do it anyway, let's give our sons all the condoms
they want so they can have all the fun they desire,
and we won't have to tell their parents they got them at school. And we
said OK.
然後有人說，讓我們同意我們的女兒墮胎，
甚至她們可以不必告知父母，而我們同意了。
然後有一些聰明的學校委員會成員說，因為男孩終歸是男孩，
他們早晚會做那件事，給他們保險套吧，要多少給多少，
好讓他們盡興，並且我們不必讓他們的父母知道
他們從學校拿到保險套，而大家同意了。


Then some of our top elected officials said it doesn't matter
what we do in private as long as we do our jobs. Agreeing with them,
we said it doesn't matter to me what anyone, including the President,
does in private as long as I have a job and the economy is good.
然後有一些我們選出來的高級官員說，我們私底下做什麼沒關係，
只要我們做好份內的工作。我們同意他們這樣說，我們也說，
任何人，包括總統，私底下做什麼沒關係，
只要我有工作而且經濟看好。


Then someone said let's print magazines with pictures of nude women
and call it wholesome, down-to-earth appreciation for the beauty
of the female body. And we said OK.
然後有人說，讓我們編印有裸女照片的雜誌，
稱之為對女性胴體的健康的、務實的欣賞，而大家同意了。


And then someone else took that appreciation a step further and
published pictures of nude children and then further again
by making them available on the Internet. And we said OK,
they're entitled to free speech.
然後有一些人更進一步地印製兒童的裸體照，
甚至在網際網路流通這些照片，而大家同意地說，
他們這樣做是言論自由。


Then the entertainment industry said, let's make TV shows and movies
that promote profanity, violence, and illicit sex. Let's record music
that
encourages rape,drugs, murder, suicide, and satanic themes.
And we said it's just entertainment, it has no adverse effect,
nobody takes it seriously anyway, so go right ahead.
然後娛樂業者說，讓我們製作充滿血腥、暴力、
不正當的性行為的電視節目和電影；讓我們錄製鼓勵強姦、嗑藥、
謀殺、自殺、和凶惡的主題的音樂，而我們說：
那只是娛樂，不會有不利的影響，不會有人當真，盡管做吧。


Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience,
why they don't know right from wrong, and why it does not bother them
to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves. Probably,
if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out.
I think it has a great deal to do with "WE REAP WHAT WE SOW."
如今我們問說，為什麼我們的兒女沒有良心？
為什麼他們不能分辨對錯？
為什麼他們不以殺害不認識的人、同學、和自己為不安？
假如我們想得夠久並且夠深的話，可能我們會得到答案。
我認為，這正是「種瓜得瓜」。


Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder
why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers
say,
but question what the Bible says.
實在好笑，人們棄上帝如弊履，卻苦思何以世界步步下落地獄。
實在好笑，我們相信報紙所說的，卻質疑聖經所記載的。


Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like
wildfire
but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord,
people think twice about sharing.
實在好笑。你可以在網路上轉寄笑話，使它們像原野之火般的蔓延；
但是，當你寄出談論上帝的篇章，
人們卻遲疑要不要轉送出去與人分享。


Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely
through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed
in the school and workplace.
實在好笑。猥褻的、粗俗的、不雅的、和淫穢的文章
透過電腦通路無阻礙地流傳；
而學校和工作場合卻禁止人公開討論上帝。


Are you laughing?
你笑了嗎？

Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it
to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe,
or what they WILL think of you for sending it.
Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us
than what God thinks of us.
好玩的是，你沒有轉寄這篇給你通訊錄上所有的朋友，
因為你不確定其中一些人所信的是什麼，
或者你不確定他們會怎麼猜想你為什麼寄給他們。
可笑的是，我們時常擔心別人怎麼看待我們，
而比較少擔心上帝怎樣看我們。


Pass it on if you think it has merit. If not then just discard it...
no one will know you did. But, if you discard this thought process,don't
sit back
and complain about what bad shape the world is in!
把這篇轉出去，假如你認為它言之有理的話。
若不然，你可以置之不理，因為沒人會知道你如何做，
但是，你若不理會這個思考的過程，
你就不可以坐在旁邊埋怨這個世界情況糟糕。

posted by fjcc @ 7:15 AM

他是一位退休教授，跟老妻過著優游的生活，

posted by fjcc @ 7:10 AM

brick

A young and successful executive was traveling down a neighborhood street, going a bit too fast in his new Jaguar. He was watching for kids darting out from between parked cars and slowed down when he thought he saw something.
As his car passed, no children appeared. Instead, a brick smashed into the Jag's side door!
He slammed on the brakes and backed the Jag back to the spot where the brick had been thrown. The angry driver then jumped out of the car, grabbed the nearest kid and pushed him up against a parked car shouting, "What was that all about and who are you? Just what the heck are you doing? That's a new car and that brick you threw is going to cost a lot of money. Why did you do it?" The young boy was apologetic. "Please, mister...please, I'm sorry but I didn't know what else to do," He pleaded. "I threw the brick because no one else would stop..." With tears dripping down his face and off his chin, the youth pointed to a spot just around a parked car. "It's my brother, "he said. "He rolled off the curb and fell out of his wheelchair and I can't lift him up." Now sobbing, the boy asked the stunned executive, "Would you please help me get him back into his wheelchair? He's hurt and he's too heavy for me." Moved beyond words, the driver tried to swallow the rapidly swelling lump in his throat. He hurriedly lifted the handicapped boy back into the wheelchair, then took out a linen handkerchief and dabbed at the fresh scrapes and cuts. A quick look told him everything was going to be okay. "Thank you and may God bless you," the grateful child told the stranger. Too shook up for words, the man simply watched the boy! push his wheelchair-bound brother down the sidewalk toward their home. It was a long, slow walk back to the Jaguar. The damage was very noticeable, but the driver never bothered to repair the dented side door. He kept the dent there to remind him of this message: "Don't go through life so fast that someone has to throw a brick at you to get your attention!" God whispers in our souls and speaks to our hearts. Sometimes when we don't have time to listen, He has to throw a brick at us. It's our choice to listen or not.

posted by fjcc @ 4:13 PM

Thanks

I AM THANKFUL:
FOR THE WIFE
WHO SAYS IT'S HOT DOGS TONIGHT,
BECAUSE SHE IS HOME WITH ME,
AND NOT OUT WITH SOMEONE ELSE

FOR THE HUSBAND
WHO IS ON THE SOFA
BEING A COUCH POTATO,
BECAUSE HE IS HOME WITH ME
AND NOT OUT AT THE BARS.


FOR THE TEENAGER
WHO IS COMPLAINING ABOUT DOING DISHES
BECAUSE IT MEANS SHE IS AT HOME,
NOT ON THE STREETS.


FOR THE TAXES I PAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I AM EMPLOYED .



FOR THE MESS TO CLEAN AFTER A PARTY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE
BEEN SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS.


FOR THE CLOTHES THAT FIT A LITTLE TOO SNUG
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT.



FOR MY SHADOW THAT WATCHES ME WORK
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I AM OUT IN THE SUNSHINE



FOR A LAWN THAT NEEDS MOWING,
WINDOWS THAT NEED CLEANING,
AND GUTTERS THAT NEED FIXING
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE A HOME .


FOR ALL THE COMPLAINING
I HEAR ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT
BECAUSE IT MEANS
WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH. .


FOR THE PARKING SPOT
I FIND AT THE FAR END OF THE PARKING LOT
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM CAPABLE OF WALKING
AND I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH TRANSPORTATION .


FOR MY HUGE HEATING BILL
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I AM WARM.


FOR THE LADY BEHIND ME IN CHURCH
WHO SINGS OFF KEY BECAUSE IT MEANS
I CAN HEAR.



FOR THE PILE OF LAUNDRY AND IRONING
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I HAVE CLOTHES TO WEAR.



FOR WEARINESS AND ACHING MUSCLES
AT THE END OF THE DAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN
CAPABLE OF WORKING HARD.



FOR THE ALARM THAT GOES OFF
IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM ALIVE.


AND FINALLY, FOR TOO MUCH E-MAIL

BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE
FRIENDS WHO ARE THINKING OF ME.


SEND THIS TO SOMEONE YOU CARE ABOUT. I JUST DID.


Live well, Laugh often, & Love with all of your heart!

My dear friend

posted by fjcc @ 7:20 AM

The Echo of Godly Peace

http://www.poetryamerica.com/read_poems.asp?id=239054&start=14

The Echo of Godly Peace
(c) By Larry W. Phillips

I hear reverent music,
In this wilderness,
An instrument in the wind,
Echoing, drowning out the silence,
A song of heavenly peace,
Resounding through the forests,
Rejoicing across the mountains,
Saying, his love is in the air,
I can see the notes,
Dancing on the water,
Floating on the clouds,
And filtering into our hearts,
We read the pages of the hymn,
And it soothes our spirit,
It is an aria into the soul,
To ease all sorrow,
And replace all heartache,
It pulls us back from exile,
Into a glen of divinity,
Cross a sea filled with forgiveness,
And into an aviary of bliss,
It stirs senses with hope,
And blends cords of gladness,
With a motif of sundry praises,
Play on, Godly symphony,
Ring psalms of verse,
Far and near,
Reverb joy to everyone's ear,
Sing the proclamation aloud,
Distant and clear,
Grace every bird and beast,
With the sound of piety
Elate every heart,
With your overwhelming peace,
For Lord, your song,
In the wilderness,
Is your spiritual organ,
From the heavens,
We hear it through the temples,
And oer every plain,
For it chimes all tears to happiness,
And gladdens every spirit,
It is a zenith of joy,
And blesses all it touches.

posted by fjcc @ 1:53 PM

方知辛苦是枉然 - 我的迂回路

文/石薇雅

一千個為什么


九十年代中期我兩次受邀請訪問美國，歷時兩年六個月。我一邊工作，一邊在南加州華人教會慕道。每次主日崇拜，牧師或長老總是從“打開圣經某某書卷”開始，然后朗讀一遍當天要講的章節，就開始講道了。有時為了深入淺出也舉些生活中的例子。

開始時，我只听道不讀經。后來覺得這本圣經已經歷時二千年了，怎么還有講不完的道理呢？它果真蘊藏著說不完的內涵嗎？為何自己不好好讀一讀呢？

誰知道一讀就讀出了一堆問題，從《創世記》第一章到第三章，我就記錄了二十個問題。接著的《出埃及記》，我以為它類似中國的《西游記》，神話故事，沒必要去追究它的是非真偽。至于《利未記》，我根本沒有耐心讀下去，它記載古代以色列繁瑣的祭祀禮節，和制造“約柜”嚴格的規定，我覺得它跟我沒有關系。

總之，圣經開頭的五卷書(摩西五經)，所描述的万軍的耶和華，給我的印象至圣至高，不僅威嚴無比，而且專制獨裁；亞伯拉罕獻以撒，則令人毛骨悚然；為了考驗約伯，又眨眼間把這么忠誠的信徒搞得傾家蕩產，斷子絕孫，誰經得起這么嚴峻的考驗？另外，神為什么要听魔鬼的控告呢？

讀起來真使人戰戰兢兢，不寒而栗。這与美國許多人說寫的God is Love大相徑庭。然而我又想，一直聆听這本圣經教誨的基督徒們，特別是我前后住過的九家美國房東，怎么又如此和藹可親，樂于助人，不知疲倦地跟我介紹這位神呢！我處在想讀經又讀不下去，旁徨不安之中。

某天晚上，我打開收音机，原本想听新聞，卻听到了福音電台。布道人是爾灣迦南教會的長老徐華醫生。講道的題目是“圣經是神的話嗎？”我想這正是我的困惑所在，就興奮地拿起筆和紙，把他講的要點記錄下來。

徐華醫生情真意切講述圣經成書的艱難歷程：歷時一千五百多年，前后有四十多位不同階層，不同行業的作者。由于他們都是受上帝的啟示而寫，所以新舊約共六十六卷書卻能做到前后一致，相互呼應，貫徹一個精神，那就是神創造人，愛護人，并拯救人。最后徐醫生還苦口婆心勸勉听眾，別的書可以少讀或者不讀，圣經不可不讀。

我為之震惊。第二天我就按照廣播中的電話號碼，与迦南教會聯系。迦南教會十分熱情，很快為我安排開車順路接我去教會參加主日崇拜。我剛剛在教會門口的簽到本上簽了名，負責福音廣播的姐妹就過來，熱情地跟我握手，還說我是他們福音電台結出的果子之一。

不久，我參加了位于Laguna Hills的中華福音平安教會的查經班。他們正在查《路加福音》。我第一次去就不知深淺地提了一個問題“神既然差遣耶穌降世，成就救恩，為何耶穌三十歲后才開始傳道，只工作了三年半就被釘在十字架上了？如果他從二十几歲就開始傳道，成就不是更大更多嗎？”

我參加查經班的時間長了，我愛提問題也就出名了。好心的信徒們，說我有顆“飢渴慕義”的心，也有人說：“大陸來的人問題就是多。”還有人說：“今晚如果石教授不提問題，就可以早點儿散會了。”

難道都這樣累？

1997年我回到北京，當時的教會有很多限制，我失去了自由提問的机會，覺得很壓抑。后來我轉移到以外資企業白領為主的家庭教會聚會，二十几人中，我的年齡最大，大家稱呼我石阿姨或石老師。我處在青年群体之中，提問有所收，不像在美國時那么暢所欲言了。

可是終究本性難改，不久，我又禁不住向性格爽朗的張姐妹提兩個問題。沒想到她根本不回答我的問題，卻反問我一句：“你信耶穌怎么會信得這么累？你的問題有完沒完？”

她的話像一把錐子，扎到我的心窩里，我既吃惊又尷尬。我想天下有這么多的信徒，他們信主難道都像我一樣，先提一連串的問題，等待解答后，再信主的？或者，他們是迷信盲從？可是他們之中也有許多科學家、博士、卓有成就的學者，也是迷信盲從嗎？我覺得不可能。

于是我就考慮自己讀經的立場和態度，所謂立場，是指我的腳跟站在哪一塊基石上？是站在承認有一位創造天地万物的神，還是站在無神論或怀疑論的基石上？所謂態度，是指我以虛心謙卑的態度尋求神呢，還是驕傲自負、挑剔、刁難而且急躁？ 

我又想，自然誰讀圣經都會遇到許多不懂的地方，不是不應該提問，但非要等到把自己的問題都解決了，才能接受基督救恩，這种態度是不可取的，也确實信得太累了。因為即便是著名的解經學家，也不可能有十分的把握，解答信徒所有的問題。

原因很簡單，神是無限的，而人是有限的。即便最高智商的信徒，也無法全部識透天國的奧秘。

巨款換不來的

我開始真正的信靠神，恰恰不是由于解決了理性上的疑問，而是親身經歷神的同在与神的真實。那是1998年11月5日，我受騙上當，丟失了一大筆錢，從而陷入無限悔恨痛苦之中。我真心實意地尋求神，神听了我的禱告。11月14日凌晨，我非常清晰地听到了兩句話：“千千万万錢買不了我的救恩，圣靈与你同在就是印證。”

這奇跡、這經歷對我來說，刻骨銘心、終生受用(此見證已刊登在《海外校園》第42期36頁上)。從此我義無反顧，一心一意跟從神。雖然我原先讀經中的疑問，不可能一下子解決，但是卻變得不重要了。我只為自己過去振振有詞，向神詰難圣經中的問題，并怀疑神的存在，而感到羞愧。

也許有人會說：“如果神也給我行個神跡，那我也會信仰他的。”這就使我想起了圣經中多馬的故事。多馬不相信耶穌已經复活，他說：“我非要看見他手上的釘痕，用指頭探入那釘痕，又用手探入他的肋旁，我總不信。”(《約》20：24-28)。耶穌讓多馬的愿望實現了。但耶穌對多馬說：“你看見了我才信；那沒有看見就信的，有福了。”(《約》20：29)

其實每個信徒信神，都有他(她)特殊的体驗和經歷，也可以說就是神所行的神跡奇事。由于人与人之間有個体差异，各人處境也不同，因此神呼喚人歸向他的方式，方法也不盡相同。這可比喻為一把鑰匙開一把鎖，不是千篇一律的。

圣經新舊約中記載了許多神跡奇事，如治病、赶鬼、异夢、异象、先知預言、神差天使向人傳達信息，以及神為求告他的信徒所作的各种巧妙的安排等等。如今這些神跡奇事，并沒有因耶穌复活升天而間斷。主耶穌已許下諾言：“信的人必有神跡隨著他們......”(《可》16：17) 相信神會在适當的時間，以适宜的方式自然讓你体驗到他的真實，和他与你的同行。

我很羡慕有不少人沒有經過迂回曲折的泥泞路，順順利利地接受了基督。不像我絞盡腦汁，信得那么累。

找到不二法門
如今我總算明白了：圣經不是世界上的一門知識，也不是人間的一种學問，不能光憑理性去理解或要求解釋。然而，圣經也是可以逐步明白的(盡管不是全部)，神也是愿意人們体驗他的真實与同在的。所以《路加福音》24：45說：“于是耶穌開他們的心竅，使他們明白圣經。”

可見光憑個人的聰明智慧讀不懂圣經，是正常的事。親近神，依靠神，開你的心竅，這是讀懂圣經的不二法門。然而這又是急不得的。回想當初我的立場、態度不對，一個勁儿地向神詰難，白白吃了很多苦頭，多么可惜！

現我從讀經的誤區中初步解放出來了。我的立場站對了，態度端正了。我知道讀經方法因人而异，所以我先讀新約，容易入門。舊約則從《詩篇》和《箴言》開始，這樣比較順利些。中英文對照著讀。似懂非懂的地方，用鉛筆畫個問號。完全不懂的地方，畫兩個問號。有啟發的地方畫紅線。對我教育特別大、感應力強的句子，抄在讀經筆記上，以便隨時背誦。有問號的地方，我會請教人或暫時放一放，它們已經不會動搖我的信仰了。

另外，配合著《讀經日引》和《荒漠甘泉》等參考書一起讀，有助于理解和提高。在禱告時，我也祈求神開我的心竅，使我有屬靈的悟性。我的讀經終于從阻力重重、不斷詰難，進入到了點點滴滴、吸取靈糧、見到亮光。

作者為北京某大學退休老教師，現居中國。

posted by fjcc @ 10:11 PM

年薪5万、10万和50万的别样生活

年薪5万有5万的活法，但是他们却仰头看着年薪10万的人；年薪10万有10万的活法，但是他们却抬头望着年薪50万的人；年薪50万有50万的活法，但是他们却低头盼着年薪5万的日子。人永远都无法满足自己的欲望，让自然造就了一个循环系统。

幸福的定义？
5万：幸福是自己以为的。有的人喜欢奢华，有的人喜欢刺激，可是有的人却觉得懒洋洋地“猫”在沙发上晒晒太阳是最幸福的。幸福和心态、心境有关，不同的阶段，处在不同的社会地位时会有不同的理解。
10万：和自己喜欢的人在一起做自己喜欢的事情。
50万：有事可干，有人可爱，有所期待。
你怎样分配你的年薪？
5万：基本上属于“月光”族，但是有可能的话也会尽量存一点钱准备读研究生。
10万：现在刚刚回国，等于是重新开始新的生活，所以每月的钱都用来购置一些生活用品、衣服什么的，但是生活步入正轨以后我会将月薪存一半花一半吧，毕竟还需要一大笔钱来买房子什么的。
50万：不好说。
如果有时间让你去度假的话你最想去哪里？和谁去？
5万：海边，和自己所爱的人。
10万：和父母、先生去新西兰，我读书时父母一直都想去新西兰看看的，但是因为各种原因没有去成，所以我很想带他们去我生活过的地方走走。
50万：吴哥窟。自己去。
你的理想年薪是多少？
5万：这个不好说，能满足自己各方面需要就好。
10万：不同阶段的要求不一样，会变化的。
50万：一直都是在变化的，说不定。
目前的年薪能让你选择你理想的生活吗？
5万：不能。
10万：如果不需要买房子什么的基本上是可以了，我挺容易满足的，我的生活水平一直都还可以。
50万：不能。

是态度决定年薪还是年薪决定态度？
“生活本身已经很不容易，所谓生活态度，不过是我们给自己人生的一个定位——态度是可以改变的，所以为什么不确立一个与自己年薪配套的生活态度呢？”
这个问题比究竟是“鸡生蛋”还是“蛋生鸡”更令人困惑。一般而言，认为“态度决定年薪”的人多数比较年轻，她们相信一切皆有可能，只要自己态度对了，年薪是早早晚晚的事情，她们对生活有许多幻想，乐于过着严重“入不敷出”的生活——因为她们觉得“生活态度”更重要。
这样的女子正以几何级数蓬勃增加，遍布大街小巷，她们衣履光鲜，讲究品位，毫不掩藏自己的虚荣心，她们过着“贫穷”但“高品质”的生活——她们相信在不远的将来，她们的薪水一定可以随职位一起水涨船高，因为态度决定一切。你赚得少不是你不花钱的理由，关键是你的生活态度，你可以不孝敬父母不生养孩子不买房不买车不买书不买报不买保险，但是你不可以不按照自己想要的方式生活——你要买名牌的套装，否则你怎么会有职业地位？你要护肤，否则你怎么能使自己的笑容更有竞争力？
当一个人相信态度决定年薪的时候，她是肯为“态度”投资的；只有当她态度百分百，却屡战屡败，她才会改变想法——所以在年纪稍微成熟一点的人群中，多数会赞同“年薪决定生活态度”。钱不是万能的，这个道理大家都懂；有钱的人也不一定幸福，这个我们都知道，但是，钱的多少确实在很大程度上左右着你生活的态度——你总不能长期捉襟露肘地过锦衣玉食的日子吧？谁不希望像公主一样过一辈子——从来不用为工作发愁，永远只做自己喜欢的事情，随随便便就可以成为PARTY的主角，偶尔关心一下穷人，立刻就可以上报纸的头条。我们不得不承认，有钱人确实比穷人更容易有“生活态度”，或者说他们的生活态度不受制于他们的银行账户——他们可以很奢侈，那是因为他们善于享受；他们也可以很朴素，那说明他们崇尚简约；他们还可以做慈善，这说明他们有责任心懂得回馈社会，总之，当一个人有了强大的经济后盾，“生活态度”的发展空间就比普通人大得多了。
也许你会说，难道因为我穷、年薪低就不能拥有和富人同样的生活态度吗？我告诉你，在理论上，一切皆有可能；但在实践中，有些生活态度确实不属于低收入阶层——莫泊桑曾经在一篇小说中写过这么一段话，“在富有的家庭里，一个寻快乐的人做些糊涂事情，最多是被旁人在微笑之中呼他做花花公子。而在日常用度缺乏的家庭里，若是一个孩子强迫父母消耗本钱，必然变成一个坏人，一个恶棍，一个浪荡子弟，在人们的眼中，他是不可被原谅的。”
那些在各种场合优雅地说：“钱对于我不过是一个数字，我不是很在乎钱的，我的生活态度从来不会因为财富而改变。”这样说的人，要么就是太有钱了，要么就是尚未脱贫——你的生活态度怎么可能跟你的收入没有关系呢？一个月挣5000的人，和一个月挣50000的人，差的并不是一个“零”。也许你会说如果是我，我就不会改变——我才不信呢，如果是你，也许你变起来更快呢。
就我个人而言，生活本身已经很不容易，所谓生活态度，不过是我们给自己人生的一个定位——态度是可以改变的，所以为什么不确立一个与自己年薪配套的生活态度呢？在这个问题上，我坚持“借鉴”的原则，但是反对“生搬硬套”——你不要奢谈麦当娜的生活态度，这个世界上有几个麦当娜？天才是不可以复制的，世上没有相同的两片树叶，所以当你确定自己的生活态度时，我建议你不只要考虑到你的年薪，还要考虑到你的年龄、你的健康、你的实际能力以及你未来的目标。生活态度并不是一个很虚的口号，也不是一个包装精美的概念，它是你生活的一部分——所以，不要让你的生活态度折磨你。
“她们过着“贫穷”但“高品质”的生活——她们相信在不远的将来，她们的薪水一定可以随职位一起水涨船高，因为态度决定一切。”
我有一个朋友叫黄集伟，他有一句名言：有些个事儿，你说它是个事儿，它还真是个事儿；有些个事儿，你不把它当个事儿，它就不是个事儿。
仔细琢磨琢磨，还真是那么回事儿——为什么要让你的生活态度折磨你？有的时候，只要稍微改变一下态度，那些个事儿就不是个事儿了。比如说，那个著名的《项链》故事，女主人公为了一次盛大舞会的行头，弄得家里鸡犬不宁，最后发现脖子上没有项链，她去向富有的女友借了一串，不幸的是这串项链丢失了，她不得不借高利贷去买一串一模一样的，更不幸的是，当她用尽一生的时间做各种粗活苦役终于还清贷款的时候，她知道那串丢失的项链原本是假的，根本不值钱。其实想开了，不就是一次舞会吗，自己也已然名花有主，租一套礼服买一串假项链，大大方方自自然然地去了，又能怎么样——当你的收入不能立刻有所改变的时候，适当调整一下态度总是不难的吧？

posted by fjcc @ 2:16 PM

Nehemiah # 11 (2006-10-11)

“The obedient Life”-“new Beginnings”

Nehemiah 9:38
38 "In view of all this, we are making a binding agreement, putting it in writing, and our leaders, our Levites and our priests are affixing their seals to it." (NIV)
Nehemiah 10:28-29
28 "The rest of the people-- priests, Levites, gatekeepers, singers, temple servants and all who separated themselves from the neighboring peoples for the sake of the Law of God, together with their wives and all their sons and daughters who are able to understand--
29 all these now join their brothers the nobles, and bind themselves with a curse and an oath to follow the Law of God given through Moses the servant of God and to obey carefully all the commands, regulations and decrees of the LORD our Lord. (NIV)
Introduction
As we come to Nehemiah chapter 10, let us remember what we studied in Chapter 9.
We considered last Sunday…
1. The Greatness of God
2. The Goodness of God
and finally,
3. The AMAZING Grace of God
As Chapter 9 comes to a close, we see that God’s people have prayed and fasted and confessed their sins.
…God’s People had sinned and now it is time for some steps of dedication and obedience.
…It is time for a new commitment to God, it is a time of new beginnings.
…So chapter 9 closes with these words:
Nehemiah 9:38
38 "In view of all this, we are making a binding agreement, putting it in writing, and our leaders, our Levites and our priests are affixing their seals to it." (NIV)
…Then Nehemiah 10:1-27 is a listing of the people that are signing or putting their seal on this new, binding, agreement with God.
…Nehemiah is listed first, and there is a list of 84 individuals that were prepared to put their name on this agreement.
…This list includes priests, Levites, and various leaders of the people.
…Those who signed were representing all the people who had heard the Word of God read and explained, and now it was time for a new COMMITMENT!!
…Now as we look at Nehemiah 10 and we consider this new covenant that God’s People are signing, we ask the question:
“Was their commitment sincere, was it genuine?”
“Did God’s people really mean what they were saying?”
…Let us look briefly at 3 evidences that indicate that God’s People were sincere.
…These same evidences should be in your life today if you are sincere with your commitments to the Lord.
1. Firstly, there was SUBMISSION to the Word of God.
As these leaders gathered to sign the new agreement….
…It could be that Ezra had introduced this ceremony by reading first from:
Deuteronomy 29:10-13
10 All of you are standing today in the presence of the LORD your God-- your leaders and chief men, your elders and officials, and all the other men of Israel,
11 together with your children and your wives, and the aliens living in your camps who chop your wood and carry your water.
12 You are standing here in order to enter into a covenant with the LORD your God, a covenant the LORD is making with you this day and sealing with an oath,
13 to confirm you this day as his people, that he may be your God as he promised you and as he swore to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. (NIV)
…We also read in:
Numbers 30:2
2 When a man makes a vow to the LORD or takes an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word but must do everything he said. (NIV)
…A covenant or oath like this was very serious, since it involved the name of God, and if the covenant was broken, it could mean God’s judgment.
…Today, as we have moved from the Old Testament Law to the fullness of New Testament Grace, the arrangements are different.
…Generally, today we do not sign written covenants with God as such…
…Our relationship to the Lord is described as children to our Heavenly Father.
…Our Heavenly Father wants us to obey Him based on Love and Free Will.
…As we consider all that the Cross of Christ means to us, and how we have come out of darkness into light through Salvation…
…A whole new world has opened up to us.
Colossians 3:1-4
1 Since, then, (since you accepted Christ) you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.
4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. (NIV)
…In Christ, everything has changed for you.
…It is not about signing covenants and taking oaths, no…
…Your obedience to God’s Word now comes from a life that is experiencing Peace and Joy.
…Here is a prayer, prayed by a Christian Athlete, Bobby Richardson, that gets right to the point: ….“Dear God, Your will, nothing more, nothing less, nothing else. Amen.”
—Biblical Recorder
…It is not always easy to Submit to God’s Word and God’s Will.
…Saying YES to God’s Word can be very costly!!!
As we reflect on Church History…
(They Said “Yes!” To God)
“What if Martin Luther ignored his soul’s conviction that there was something radically wrong with the sale of indulgences? Would there have been a Protestant Reformation?
Thankfully, Luther said “yes” to God…. It was then that he could preach salvation by grace and by grace alone in Christ Jesus…and the inspiration that was within him—was recorded in 400 books and pamphlets and 125 hymns worth.
What if William Ashley (“Billy”) Sunday had told God he could make more money playing professional baseball?
..Instead he said “yes” to the Word and God’s Will.
…And he went from city to city preaching the Gospel with passion and an unforgettable style—his love for God and his conviction for eternal life with Christ inspired an estimated 300,000 sinners to say...”yes”...to Jesus Christ.”
Corpse Began To Stir
John Sung, the future “Billy Graham of China,” came to America in 1920 to work on his doctorate in Chemistry. He excelled in his studies. Attractive offers of jobs came to him. Also Christ’s call came to him. After a period of great spiritual struggle, he dedicated himself utterly to God.
Soon afterwards, he had a most unusual dream in which he saw himself in a casket. God seemed to say to him, “John Sung is dead—dead to self, but alive to Christ!” Then it seemed that the corpse began to stir. Angels began to weep! “Don’t weep, angels,” said John. “I will remain dead to the world and live only for Christ!” He became a mighty preacher of the gospel. For 15 years, he was “a burning and shining light” in China and Southeast Asia. He was acclaimed China’s greatest evangelist.
…Maybe today you feel that saying “Yes” to God can be such a big struggle.
…You have your own plans, and God’s Word seems to be intruding into what you had in mind.
…How you respond can literally change the course of your life.
…Are Angels weeping as you struggle to say “Yes”?
…Please understand that God has your “highest Good” in mind.
…Whatever He is asking you to do, is not meant to harm you or disadvantage you….
…Submitting and surrendering to God isn’t as difficult as you might imagine it to be.
…I have a number of friends who live in the Hill Country of Missouri, USA.
…I just ran across this story from someone who lives in that area and I thought it had a good point to make…..The story goes like this….
Just Inches From Bottom
In the hill country of Missouri, close to where I grew up, there are areas that bear the scars of past mining operations. One.. area… has many old holes long ago abandoned. Some of these holes are shallow—no more than six to ten feet deep. Others are much deeper, some as much as seventy-five to one hundred feet deep.
One night a neighbor was possum hunting in this area and stumbled into one of these holes. As he went over the edge, he grabbed a limb and held on for dear life. Fearing he had fallen into one of the deeper holes, the poor fellow yelled and screamed at the top of his voice until he was so hoarse he could yell no more. Then he started praying.
Finally his strength played out, and he could hold on to the limb no longer. So he said his last prayer and let go, expecting to drop to his death. Imagine his surprise and joy when he dropped only six inches and his feet rested on solid ground at the bottom of the hole!—Gospel Herald
Application
…Is God asking you to surrender to Him and His Word but you are still hanging on to your past?
…Are you afraid you will lose too much, if you let go of the world?
..you might lose some of your friends,
..or God may ask you to give some of your assets to the work of the Lord,
..or you will have to give up some worldly pleasures.
…Are you hanging on so tight to the world?
…Are you afraid if you let go you will fall into a deep hole and that will be the end of a good life?
…The Word of God is telling you to submit, to trust God and you will find real Peace and Joy.
…Today can be your day to truly let go of the World…
…God will not let you fall to your death, No, it can be a new beginning as you submit.
…Do you feel like a little bird described in one of the poems by Wordworth?
Bird Yields To Wind
Wordsworth in one of his poems tells about a bird that was carried from Norway by a storm. It fought hard against the gale in its effort to win its way back to Norway, but all in vain. At last it yielded to the wind, and instead of being carried to destruction it was borne to the warm shores of England, to the green meadows and forests.—John T. Montgomery
…The bird struggled and struggled, and the poem tells us that At last the little bird yielded to the wind,
…The words of Jesus are so reassuring to us when we are being blown by the wind…
Matthew 11:28-30
28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
…God truly has your best interest in mind.
…He wants you to prosper in this life and the life to come.
…Listen to Jesus’ Words from Matthew in the Message paraphrase, in language that is so clear.
Matthew 11: 28-30 (The Message)
28 "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. 29 Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. 30 Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."
…Missionary, Jim Elliot, puts it this way:
Epigram On Submission
God always gives His best to those who leave the choice with Him. —Jim Elliot
…Today, learn to Submit to God’s Word, God has the best in mind for you.
…So we see that the people in Nehemiah SUBMITTED to the Word of God.
Nehemiah 10:29 all these now join their brothers the nobles, and bind themselves with a curse and an oath to follow the Law of God given through Moses the servant of God and to obey carefully all the commands, regulations and decrees of the LORD our Lord. (NIV)
…After SUBMISSION to God’s Word, let us consider a second evidence of their sincerity.
2. Their support for the house of God
… This is found in Nehemiah 10:32-39
Nehemiah 10:32-39
…This section ends with these words:
"We will not neglect (forsake) the house of our God."
Nehemiah is calling the people to care for the Temple of God, in it’s physical appearance and upkeep which is a reflection of where the people are spiritually.
…Nehemiah collected a small temple tax to be used to support the ministry in the House of God.
Nehemiah 10:32 "We assume the responsibility for carrying out the commands to give a third of a shekel each year for the service of the house of our God:
33 for the bread set out on the table; for the regular grain offerings and burnt offerings; for the offerings on the Sabbaths, New Moon festivals and appointed feasts; for the holy offerings; for sin offerings to make atonement for Israel; and for all the duties of the house of our God.
…The Jews were being taught to also give God the first and best, the firstfruits, to God.
…God’s people were to bring the very firstfruits of the harvest to the temple as an offering unto God.
…Today, certainly God blesses those who give God their firstfruits, and not their leftovers at the end.
…Then Nehemiah speaks of tithing.
Nehemiah 10:37 "Moreover, we will bring to the storerooms of the house of our God, to the priests, the first of our ground meal, of our offerings, of the fruit of all our trees and of our new wine and oil. And we will bring a tithe of our crops to the Levites, for it is the Levites who collect the tithes in all the towns where we work.
…The word “tithes” means “a tenth”
…So a tenth of the produce went to the Lord each year for the support of the Levites. (Leviticus 27)
…And from Numbers 18, we learn that the Levites then gave a “tithe of a tithe” to the priests.
…And there were additional steps in the tithing process, making a total of 3 different tithes.
…The principle is simply to put God first and bring your “firstfruits” to him.
…If the Jews of the Old Testament could bring 3 different tithes to the Lord, certainly as God’s people today we recognize that we should be good stewards of God’s blessings on our lives.
…As Christians today, may we not stop at the law of tithing of the Old Testament, but go beyond and add our offerings unto God.
…Jesus words bring us to the core issue…when he says,
Matthew 6:20-21
20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (NIV)
In Nehemiah Chapter 10, we see that it is one thing to Submit to God’s Word, but …
…God’s people also have to apply the Word, there needs to be a difference between them and the world around them.
3. So finally, there was SEPARATION as the people of God.
…This Jewish remnant of faithful people now were going to apply the WORD to their daily lives.
…God was calling them out from living like the idol worshipping Gentiles that were all around them.
…Now the people are making promises how they are going to live according to God’s Word.
Nehemiah 10:30-31
30 "We promise not to give our daughters in marriage to the peoples around us or take their daughters for our sons.
31 "When the neighboring peoples bring merchandise or grain to sell on the Sabbath, we will not buy from them on the Sabbath or on any holy day. Every seventh year we will forgo working the land and will cancel all debts.
(NIV)
…God’s people are called to complete devotion to God, regardless of the cost…
…They are called to be good neighbors with those who the Gentiles, but not to live unholy lives.
…So it is today….
…You and I are called to Holy lives, to live by God’s Word, yet not to participate in the unholy, ungodly practices of this world.
…Pastor Ken, is it really possible to find that balance…how can I be IN this World, but not OF this world?
…We cannot do this in our own strength, don’t bother trying to do it on your own.
…You must rely on God’s Word and an active partnership with the Holy Spirit who will lead us into a proper balance,…
…Enabling us to live a godly life in this ungodly world.
…And through it all, not just surviving, but we can impact those around us for the Kingdom.
…In Nehemiah 10, two special areas of concern are mentioned.
Marriage
Sabbath, the Lord’s Day
Regarding a Jew marrying a Gentile, Exodus 34 warned the people of the danger of constant conflict because of a difference in belief.
Why would a Jew even consider marrying a pagan Gentile anyway?
…Some did it for affection,
…or social status mentioned in Nehemiah 13:28
…or to get ahead in business.
…Maybe the Jews of that day used the argument that we even hear today from some Christians….
… “that through marriage, the Christian will have an opportunity over time to lead the non-Christian to God.
…Statistics indicate that the results are often the other way around.
…In Nehemiah, God is looking for a People who will Submit themselves to His Word, who will separate themselves from the idolatry and unholy practices of the world.
…In God’s great plan of Redemption, as He looked forward in time, He wanted a “pure seed” so that through Israel, He could send His Son to be the Saviour of the World.
…Mixed Marriages did not fit into God’s Grand Scheme.
…Even today, if you are a believer and you are considering marrying an unbeliever, I just want to caution you with God’s Word….
2 Corinthians 6:14-18
14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?
15 What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?
16 What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people."
17 "Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you."
18 "I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."
2 Corinthians 7:1
1 Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. (NIV)
…So we see Nehemiah concerned about God’s People marrying the Gentiles…
…And then the second area of concern was the matter of the Sabbath.
…The Sabbath was to be a time of rest and reflection on spiritual things.
…It was to be a day set aside unto God, to break away from the routine of the week and recognize that they had a special relationship with Almighty God.
…The Gentiles of that day were treating the Sabbath, the Lord’s Day, like any other day of the week.
...They would socialize and do business as usual !!
...For the Jews of the old testament, there were a lot of emphasis on what should not be done on the Sabbath…
…such as not gather wood or not lighting a fire
…the focus was on not doing unnecessary work on that day but devoting it unto the Lord.
…Now as I reflect on the Lord’s Day and how we spend our Sundays as Christians today…
…My mind goes back two generations to my dear grandmother.
…In her time, in her church, on Sunday, Christians were discouraged from even reading the newspaper, or shopping at the supermarket or attending a sporting event.
…Then in my parents generation, they were beginning to read the newspaper and sometimes doing a bit of shopping, etc.
…it is so easy to get caught up with the do’s and don’ts, of things you can or cannot do on the Lord’s Day.
…The real heart of observing the Sabbath is to make it special, and dedicate it to the Lord.
…Perhaps you find your week so full, and you might even find it difficult to be consistent in your church attendance.
…Maybe you can identify with the prayer that is entitled:
“You See, God...”
“You see, God, it’s like this: We could attend church more faithfully if your day came at some other time. You have chosen a day that comes at the end of a hard week, and we’re all tired out. Not only that, but it’s the day following Saturday night, and Saturday night is one time when we feel that we should go out and enjoy ourselves. Often it is after midnight when we reach home, and it is almost impossible to get up on Sunday morning. And you must realize that you have picked the very day on which the morning paper takes the longest to read—the day when (we like to do things with the family)…We’d like to go to church, and know that we should; but you have just chosen the wrong day.”—Twentieth Century Christian
…I know many of you often encourage your friends to come to church, but some are not too interested.
….Like ….
Epigram On Church Inactivity
A man proudly said: “I went to church only two times in my life—the first time they sprinkled water on me, the second time they sprinkled rice.”
A hearer added: “Yes, And the third time, they ….will sprinkle dirt.”
…I commend you today for being in Church to honor the Lord and worship with God’s People and hear the Word.
…But it certainly is appropriate for all of us to say:
“Lord, are you pleased with the way I keep the Lord’s Day overall, or are you disappointed?”
“Lord, if you are disappointed, gently but firmly guide me in making appropriate changes”.
…How is your appetite for the things of this world.
…Do you crave for and long after the things of this world?
…Do you have a taste for this world and all that it has to offer?
Psalm 34:8
8 Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. (NIV)
… the song writer encourages us to keep our eternal perspective….
“Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
look full in His wonderful face,
and the things of this world,
will grow strangely dim,
in the light of His glory and grace.”
I challenge you to:
…Submit to the Word of God
…And to separate and dedicate yourself to serve the Lord.
…May the Angels of Heaven rejoice as you make a full surrender to the Will of God today!!
…Today can be you time of “New Beginnings”!!
Let us Pray!!

posted by fjcc @ 12:59 PM

The Purpose of the Desert (October 6, 2006)

The Purpose of the Desert By Os Hillman

Therefore I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her.
Hosea 2:14


If you have an important message to convey to someone, what is the best means of getting the message through? Have you ever tried to talk with someone who was so busy you could not get him to hear you? Distractions prevent us from giving our undivided attention to the messenger. So too, God has His way of taking us aside to get our undivided attention. For Paul, it was Arabia for three years; for Moses, it was 40 years in the desert; for Joseph, it was 13 years in Egypt; for David, it was many years of fleeing from King Saul.

God knows the stubborn human heart. He knows that if He is to accomplish His deepest work, He must take us into the desert in order to give us the privilege to be used in His Kingdom. In the desert God changes us and removes things that hinder us. He forces us to draw deep upon His grace. The desert is only a season in our life. When He has accomplished what He wants in our lives in the desert, He will bring us out. He has given us a mission to fulfill that can only be fulfilled after we have spent adequate time in preparation in the desert. Fear not the desert, for it is there you will hear God's voice like never before. It is here you become His bride. It is here you will have the idols of your life removed. It is here you begin to experience the reality of a living God like never before. Someone once said, "God uses enlarged trials to produce enlarged saints so He can put them in enlarged places!"

He brought me out into a spacious place; He rescued me because He delighted in me (2 Samuel 22:20).

posted by fjcc @ 12:55 PM