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4月29日

如何榮耀神的名?

在准备中史作业,讀到 日內瓦<信仰問題>如何榮耀神的名?”

 

加尓文答:” 关鍵在於信心、順服、仰望、追求神所希望的,並認定一切皆是祂的供應:「全然信任衪,一生順服於衪的旨意事奉衪,於一切所需要的都仰望衪,寻求救恩和一切衪喜悅的東西。最後是要在心中和咀唇都認定衪是一切祝福的賜與者。」

 

 

要在未來四周考試交功課報告事件上榮耀衪这是最清楚不过的答案!分享之

 

 

Augustine

4/29/2009   2.28am

4月20日

Feedback on Spoon Feeding

Hi, Fellow Students

Thank you for sharing the minutes of the joint Faculty-Student Program Review meeting, and the survery findings. In general, the findings and the description do reflects our feeling and learning from the teaching programs....

I felt more needed to be said about our program, and particularly on the comment of spoon feeding.... May I elaborate it here as my true feedback ...

1) Someone told me about the story... A duck, a rabbit, and an eagle,were recruited for a training program, in which the duck was taught how to run, and the rabbit was taught how to swim, and the eagle taught how to crawl. It was such a comprehensive program aiming to equip the recruiters all the skills to survivalship in the future. As a result of the program, none of the animal has any strengths any more. They lost confidence in what they were supposed to do best to fit into this all-rounded program.

Are we in such all rounded program with all good intention? Was there any tailored training to the individual so that the eagle can fly better, faster, higher and the duck can swim better faster catching more fish?

Having heard this story, I reasoned that the M Div program is supposed to be an all-rounded program aiming not so much to train specialist or specially talented persons, but to teach them the lesson that all the strengths he or she has are from God. Depend on God, rather than his/her already aquired skills to face the work of the God ahead of them.

For this reason, I think the current progam is pusing us to our limits, so that we know what are our limits and receive faith from God to develop/ face our weaknesses. In this sense, it is good for us.

(2) On another account of the same story, was there adequate freedom and discretion given in the current curriculem design so that we can take the electives we want, do the research that attracted us, spend more time in one theologian's thinking, dig a little deeper in certain aspects of thoughts, discuss among ourselves from freely things that surrounds us with our learning from school?

Probably not. Has there been adequate discussion among ourselves on new theological concepts learnt? implication to our lives and churches? Develop the abiility to comprehen what are happening ourside in our community and in our churches, and be able to response sensibly to those issues? Probably not!

Is the Student Union leading us to pay attention not to our own needs but the needs of the community? Probably Not !

We are given several good books to read. Yes they are good. But they absorb all our energy and time. Were we draw to read articles in journals that discusses the current issues in theology and develop our ability to appreciate and critique them as we were in other Master Level programs? Probably not!

In other academic training program, master level students are trained to be critical, critical to the authority, and critical to then truth as reflected and understood by then academicians. In theology, we are trained to be submissive, to be obedient to the auithority. Who and how can we give rise to a Luther or Malenchthon in the medieval church in Wittenburg? Our Dean always reminds us we are trained to theologians. Do'n't look down upon us, in the challenge of truth.

(3) Having all said, I do feel that there are other non spoon feeding measures we can introduce to enrich the program of studies... for example...

a) Allow some discretionary paper to research into an area of interest as alternative to exam. This was implemented in Medieval Church, Missionary, and Theology 2 course, which is good.

b) Host seminars / debate among Senior, junior students to debate a theology and practical issues facing our churches and community. This could be done by formal or informal special interest groups within the stiudent union body, just as Sports groups are organized;

c) allow a 15 min Q and A in each morning session after 10:30 for those who interested to stay behind for more discussion with the speaker or among the students themselves;

d) Host putonghua day on every Friday to encourage awareness of our students in China Church needs...

When a duck encounters God in its swimming and non-swimming activities, when an eagle stops flying and think what else it needs to learn... wouldn't the duck or the eagle be blessed for who they are even when they cannot run or cannot crawl?

This is not to be critical... but just want to wirte down my feelings in this middle of exam period. Anyone tired of reading comment here?

 

Augustine 20-4-2009


4月19日

接納別人的幫助

Ying Ying

 

接納別人的幫助是強者的表現因為相信自己將來必能回報及償還不一定是對曾幫助自己的人回報,但相信一定會在將來自己有能力時候,回報其他有需要的人.

 

我在去美國留學的時候, 接受過一個機構一張去美國的飛機票, 在美國的時候有一個 Host Family 提供家庭照顧,這些人和機構, 我現在都無法回報,但我可以幫助其他留學生在港學習,也可资助國內不認識的學生學費.

 

幫助人是一個 chain.  You never know you are on the giving side or the receiving side.  Please accept the blessing from others, believing that you are strong enough to return the blessings to others who need it in the future.

 

When I was in my most despair studying Greek II Intensive, Uncle Sam of our CGST Canteen said to me, “A lot of people in the future will benefit from your blessings.”  Then I realize my responsibility to get blessed so that I can bless others.

 

The responsibility is there.   Accept it nobly, Ying Ying.

 

 

Augusitne  4-19-2009  5pm

4月17日

一篇凌晨五點的禱告

一篇凌晨五點的禱告

 

我們在天上的父,救贖的耶穌,感動的聖靈,我感謝你。

 

在此學期中,功課壓力的高峰期間,我們更要仰望你。你是我們的高臺,你是我們的避難所,你是我們的力量。你是智慧的泉源,你是我們學習的依靠。你與我們同在,使我們充滿力氣。你對我們的啟發,是我們唯一覺悟。我們所有的好處,不在你以外。

 

主,我們感謝你。你容許我們在你面前歎息。你聆聽我們的申訴。你帶領我們在這天國的窄路上前進。面對那永不止息的功課,我們疲累了。我們感到挫敗了。面對家庭、事奉、功課抉擇,我們掙扎,我們反抗,我們枯乾了。我們家人中,有面對面死亡的,有重病的,有初生的,存抑鬱孤苦的,主啊!你都知道。我們的掙扎,你都看顧。

 

主,我們向你求一謙卑的清心,讓我們單單定睛仰望你。讓我們先求你的國你的義,再求自己的需要。

 

多謝你賜我們憂患,使我們能安慰;賜我們挫敗,使我們得享死裡復活的滋味;賜我們掙紮,使我磨練信心依靠;賜我們疲累,使我們面對載負的極限;賜我們知道不足,所以我們能追求完備;賜我們傷痛憂患的家人,使我們學習載負別人的需要,體會他人的感受。你賜給我們反叛的子女,是在提醒我們一樣的反叛,而子女不再是我們能操控,能要求的對象。他們是耶和華你的產業,是我們成長路上的朋友。當我們為自己的需要而求,為自己的苦毒向你申訴時,你溫柔的手再次觸動我們心靈,告訴我們這一切的苦毒,都是你陶造我們的功課。

 

主,求你賜下謙卑,使我們不求自己的需要,而只求你旨意的成就。求你讓我們成長、改變、學習、領受你賜給我們每人不一樣的功課。

 

在這生命力課面前,讓我們謙卑,信靠,喜樂,在軟弱中變得剛強壯膽,迎難向上,喜樂地面對自己不足,樂意地接受成長路上的挫敗。溫柔的面對家人的哀傷,以你的大愛去面對傷痛。在臉上,在氣息上,在別人面前,永遠流露你的良善、尊榮。奉主名求,啊們。

 

志堅  17-4-2009 淩晨5.21am

4月12日

未得之民 - 我的首次城市宣教事奉

未得之民 - 我的首次城市宣教事奉

周志堅

11/4/2009

 

 

 
“卡刷…….卡刷” 。從入大門開始,我們經歷了五次開鐵閘,人進去,數人數,關鐵閘、再開另一邊鐵閘的重重卡閘。我們一行廿一人,由牧愛會文牧師、師母、和範傳道率領,經這廚房、洗衣房,到達石壁的監獄的體育館。

 

這是我第一次入監獄,參與堅浸為石壁監獄每年一次復活節探訪活動。

 

面前是一隊監獄樂隊,聞說是由甲組重犯組成。甲組是因為刑期超過十二年,因表現良好,被福利官推薦入監獄樂隊,作為獎品。樂隊有八名成員,兩個結他手、兩個琴手、一個鼓手、一個歌手、兩位混音師。大部份成員己在監獄洗禮信主。

 

這是一次近距離接觸。眾人好像見到老朋友一般,熱情地寒喧。原來這類活動,一年一次,而他們又是監獄團契成員,一個月探望一次,與堅浸教友同領聖餐,己建立了友誼。今天是復活節假期,囚友放假分組活動,可自由要求參加。

 

為了擴闊視野,在復活節繁重的功課壓力下,我仍然報名參加監獄事工。為了這次探訪,為數近三十名監獄事工教友編排話劇、多次綵排歌舞話劇,為的是在復活節假期內,安排兩天四場演出及短講,宣講基督之愛。成員是參與監獄事奉、經常到不同監獄探訪、查經、表演的多年教友,有男有女,有老有少,包括尚在讀書的學生,退休七十多嵗的婆婆,的士司機、都是熱心人士。我被委派擔任歌手領唱,其他人做話劇、帶遊戲,跳集體舞,每一個參加者都有任務。

 

我從來沒有接觸過囚友。終於有數十位囚友到達會場。聞說有些是各在工作部門的代表,由長官點名參加,有些是不打球、不看電視電影,自願參加。以前假期集體一同必須參加,近年改為自願參加。我們在上鎖的體育館內由有長官及福利官陪同下自由接觸,自由交往。

 

在我想像中的囚友,是有黑社會形像的,較粗豪的。但眼前的囚友,雖然身穿褐色長袖長褲囚衣,拖鞋,但大部份斯文,四分一人戴眼鏡,在外面遇上,不會想到他們曾服刑。據悉他們是乙組囚友,刑期在六至十二年。一些是舊朋友,每年參與,一些是新參加。開始時相當拘謹,撟手而坐,不太投入,後來放開了,互推出來唱K, 玩遊戲。台語版”愛拼才會嬴” 是必選之歌。今年更有印巴、菲裔囚友參加。

 

據文師母憶述,堅道浸信會本好隣舍精神,十多年前由文牧師帶領訪問羈留中心,提供洗衣機、奶粉、探訪照顧當導的越南難民,偷渡懷胎婦人,是最早期接觸監獄,提供關顧探望。後來演變成定期探訪,舉辦節期娛樂節目,接觸囚友,監獄團契、教會囚友查經班、慢慢在監獄成立教會,施浸、牧養、關顧、辦釋囚支援、教友守望,為未得之民,帶來福音盼望。

 

今年復活節,我們話劇、獻唱的主題是原諒覺恕,由一個傷人害己的女主角遭遇,帶出寬恕自己,接納自己,尋求受害人寬恕,帶出慈父接納浪子故事訊息,主耶穌寬恕浪子,失而復得之無條件的接納和寬恕。出人意表的,上下午兩場表演,有十個人舉手決志,由教牧跟進。

 

我暗地仔細觀察囚友觀眾的父應,雖然他們在陌生人前並不多言,但之間有同聲同氣的友誼。我不能瞭解他們的內心。雖然我們的演出未必起到什麼影響和作用,但有一位囚友唱完K後和我們說了一聲謝謝。他們對一些教會朋友為了演出而努力及長年定期探望,相信還是欣賞的。而我則對每位出席朋友以歌聲、以眼神表關注,送上來自上帝的祝福。

 

全場中,我留意到監獄樂隊每個成員由內心發出的笑容,由衷服侍他們的囚友,並為我們唱出他們了洗禮時自作重生得救、因信稱義的新歌。他們的笑聲與平安,一直在我內心流連。在這裡,我又看見上帝的作為,和衪該得的榮耀。

 

宣教是生命的見証,以達至萬國萬民敬拜三一真神,得救重生的大使命。未得之民是世界容易被遺忘,難於接觸福音的人。

 

在這三百多人、高度設防的監獄裡,未得之民之中,親眼我看到了共人性,親口唱出基督的寬恕,親身感覺基督使人復活的生命改變,親眼看到上帝的形像和樣式在囚友身上彰顧,親耳聽到囚友回應神呼召,和同等的被聆聽被接納的的專嚴,活在不同世界的同性異性人真心人性交往,善良的囚友超越性別年歲國籍的友誼,明白到口傳福音的作用及局限,牧師師母多年默默工作,身傳福音的祝福,見証神福音的大能。

 

他們刻板生活中展現燦爛爽朗的笑容,在生命更新過程中渴求支援聆聽。這是一種生命的相連,在基督滿溢的愛下的連結。

 

我震懾伏俯在上帝大能大力下,默然無語。有夥伴問我還要不要來。我肯定的說:” 一定要”。