Praise Report-Winter IX 2011 冬季感恩事項(九)

9.Thanks for joining the BSF to relearn 謝謝能參加英文查經班再學習 

I apologize that I write this praise report in Chinese, I just share yesterday's spiritual journey. You can copy it to Google translation or e-mail me that I will translate for you in English when my time is available.


年初讀到聖經希西家王生病求壽,以賽亞書三十九章是全卷書的轉捩點.當時心中受感說出今年是轉捩年.最近幾年活得愈來愈精彩,當了一輩子的胖子,沒想到這兩年終於將這頭銜拱手讓人.沒想到的是還真多,沒想到生病以後竟然有機會整理十幾年前的錄音講道,並放到部落格中分享給國內外的網友.最沒想到的是竟然能參加英文查經班重新學英文與查經,太棒了!!!


在最軟弱與最不可能進步的事上學習,需要順服謙卑與信心仰望.真沒想到讀經的內容與生活中的遭遇是百分之百的吻合.年初小組長的姊姊心臟有病生命好像隨時都不保似的,常令在旁的親人緊張得快得心臟病.我心中受感說出:我們到神面前是需要成為[經過試驗的石頭],才能用來建聖殿的材料.沒想到言猶在耳,隨即我就發現罹癌第三期.我自己也成了那要[經過試驗的石頭],用生命應證信仰,用生活考驗信心.


我非常感謝神,若沒有疾病的狂風暴雨,使我更覺生命的可貴與需要珍惜感恩.小組長不但為我傳了二十幾則代禱與感恩簡訊,組員們更是同心關懷支持與禱告.就連查經班負責人於日前在小組分享都專程來,問候並確定我的健康狀態.想到當初我頑強拒絕友人二年的邀請,如今才知是神的恩手帶領我回到這有神對我命定在其中的屬靈群體中.這英文查經班是繼我母會外,神為我預備近年來另一個屬靈的家.


今年秋天開始查考的是使徒行傳,這是使我重生得救的重要經卷.再次讓我看見耶穌升天後成為看不見的形體時,是以聖靈內住在我們心中的方式,藉此與我們建立並發展全新的關係.這幫助我從過去一向習慣靠自己努力的自義觀走出,何等的幫助與突破啊!更沒想到的是.途中卻轉而查考希伯來書,藉此又助我傳傳統信仰的律法主義走出,更深地認識耶穌是偉大尊榮升入高天永遠長存聖節無暇為我祈求體恤我軟弱的大祭司,何等可貴啊!


生命的曲折難測,正如未預期會經過希伯來書的查考一般.但正是藉此神使我得勝,不致陷於試探中;使我得力,不致陷於軟弱的失迷中;使我得安息,不致陷在被逼迫與誤解中因服事的重壓與天然的焦慮而被打垮.原來這一切都是經愛主的精心設計與呵護才臨到的.因為在耶穌裡的新生命是祂精挑細選,親手打造賜給我的傑作與禮物啊!

Praise Report-Winter VIII 2011 冬季感恩事項(八)

8.Thanks for having a house to repair 謝謝能有房子整修 
感謝讚美神!原本希望搬回老家我能省房租較輕鬆,卻沒想到我老爸卻交給我大姊名下老舊充滿問題的房子.從八月起至今一連串的惡夢與疲勞夾雜著意外不斷,雖然如此我仍感恩能有房子可整修.整修房子的過程也是不斷拜託人接觸人與分享福音的過程.上個月竟然帶領了認識不到三個月的油漆兼職工人信了主.我問他我對他最大的影響是甚麼,他說：帶領我認識神的真善美!誰想到呢？

這個十字架造型的地磚是我感恩節在自己家中完成的,可說是神送給我的禮物.因為原本打算走實用路線,把握時間迅速完成即可.沒想到工人因為工程過度繁瑣勞累等原因而請辭.神卻在一週內將十字架的藍圖放在我心中,並且使用老媽時代留下的磁磚建造.何等具有紀念性與屬靈意義啊！各種磁磚厚薄大小不同我是不可能處理好的,沒想到卻在動工後短短幾小時內便宣告完工.這更顯明是出自神之手,在祂幫助之下沒有難成的事.當工人半路落跑時,神卻永不丟棄我,祂的愛就是這樣永不止息!

這個月以前我幾乎天天為整修房子累到快要昏倒,甚至因而佔用了探訪病中大姐的時間.如今聖誕節的腳步近了,我也暫停整修進入休息期.聖經上教導人要凡事謝恩,因為知足加上敬虔就是大利了！不過我仍不敢想像老爸所提供的房子,外牆既沒有防水補土也沒貼磁磚,第一次油漆有些地方薄到輕輕一碰就看見壁面水泥,如相片所示.不但有些門窗老舊打不開,包括大門口的第一扇窗,頂樓還要用鐵絲綁助壞掉的木門,老哥卻說有些窗戶一輩子沒開也沒關係.這房子頂樓會漏水二樓陽台更是漏水得不像樣,站在一樓騎樓下就會像落湯雞,甚至屋內也會滴水.老爸卻完全沒有自覺,甚至說我花錢像流水,鈔票像是自己印的.有次還對我說:你不知道錢可以拿來買米嗎?我真是欲哭無淚,苦不堪言.若果真鈔票自己就能印,有錢可以像流水般的用,為此我滿心感謝,哈哈.

感謝神讓我在整修房子的過程中,一路學到不少經驗和功課.家人找工人以相對便宜的價錢來粉刷房子,但是品質卻是如此粗糙不堪.以為已經完工卻不知製造出大大小小各種麻煩的問題難以善後,就從這油漆四處亂滴就可知其一二,包括地上及門窗各處都有油漆噴痕滴下.

我感謝神當我在整建房子時,一路有許多人幫助我,包括未信主的剛認識的鄰舍店家朋友真心相挺.不過蓋房子真的很辛苦,尤其是完全沒有經驗弱不禁風的我更甚.以下三張相片就是油漆後牆壁所產生的裂痕,這還是所費不貲的竹碳環保漆呢!

在整修房子時我也遇過存心不良或為偷工減料不擇水段的工人,不但排水管沒有埋較低水位造成積水,且無法順利排水.沒想到雇工卻不循正軌重鋪水泥來處理,卻在轉瞬間用鐵鎚敲排水口,不但破壞了壁面,未解決洩水不利的問題,反將防水PU打破了一個洞.在這過程中我沒有迅速敏銳與回應神的提醒,不該為了省錢而雇用這讓我有所餘慮的工人,為此承受不少壓力.我一點也不想和完全不依正道服事的惡霸工人怒目相視或結仇,有誰能排解你雇錯人所帶來的慘劇呢?防水PU破洞若不能立即有效填補等於是白做且為未來埋下一顆不定期的爆破彈.凡此種種難以勝數,但我仍感謝神,因為經驗是用錢買不到的,而且在花了九牛二虎之力後終於善後,終結惡夢一場.

真沒想到一個房子的問題竟可以如此多如牛毛,但能怎麼辦呢?我也希望好好照顧大姊名下的房子,卻沒想到這是如此耗大費時的工程.單為了二樓陽台的防水與順利排水,光四十公斤的水泥就用了四五包之多.這幫助我更深刻體會耶穌說蓋房子要先計算花費的比喻.

日子難過天天過!感謝神,我就在不知知覺中處理渡過了所有的困難.包括小偷的來訪留下腳印帶來的震驚,為聘工人騎機車摔跤差點跌落房子附近的下水道.此外,為了省錢自行煮臘打臘過程中,因不慎著火差點釀成火災等等.這一切都是實務訓練,使我更落實更了解物質基礎對人的影響,也使我更加勇敢與堅強.說真的,有錢還真省不得,表面的節省卻是花了更大的時間成本,有時品質卻非慢工出細活.

有錢卻不要賺,為何?因為小小的工程,工人挺難找的.但神都待我有恩,適時帶領不同人在不同的階段來幫助我.這陽台的磁磚也是我母親時代所留下,藉此我也學會了如何貼自己家中的十字架.

感謝神,雖然房子離完工階段似乎遙遙無期,但似乎剛好可以磨練我的急躁與想照自己的行事曆生活難以調整的傾向與習慣.以下兩張圖片一張是房子過度潮濕陰暗,以致油漆不久後就蜘蛛網四處密佈.另一張則因整修房子水泥工人留下污痕,剛油漆過的房子還得補漆.

以下這樓梯梯面問題多多且易令人滑跌,我自己在未作任何處理前就滑過兩次.的確單單買這樓梯止滑條,還不包括工錢,就使荷水縮水許多.知道的人不多,目前所有的房子修膳費主要是用我生病所得微薄的保險理賠金支付一切.而我思右想終不知如何妥善對抗這陳年頑垢與種種污穢.但沒想到磨石的結果,所有的粉塵飛滿了屋內所有角落與物品,其辛苦度不言自明.這就是壓垮我工人讓他最終辭職走人的最後一根稻草吧!

Praise Report-Winter VII 2011 冬季感恩事項(七)

   

1989. Therefore, I view the family union is a grace from the above. My family had the union time because my eldest niece had engaged and married last month. 

自從我母親在1989年過世後,我多半在遠離家鄉的外地求學生活與工作.因此家庭不多的團聚機會,對我而言都是從天上掉下來的恩典.因著最長的外甥女在上個月訂婚與結婚,所以我的家人有特別相聚的時間.

7. Thanks for having a family union 謝謝能有家庭團聚
I studied, lived and worked far away from my hometown after my mother died in
My father, sister-in-law, my eldest niece with her husband,Craig Tsai, and I took photo together. 
這是和我爸爸,大嫂美玲與長外甥女盈穎和她先生瑞峰的合照.

This was Ying-Ying's engagement with her grandmother who is one hundred years old now.

這是盈穎訂婚時和一百歲的祖母合影.

I never forgot how much joy our family had when my eldest niece was born. 

當盈穎出生時,我抱著她,我們所有的家人都為此有言語難以形容的高興,尤其是我的母親,這是另我一輩子都印象深刻的.

My elder sister and I, we have nice relationship.

這是和二姊桂華的合照,從小她和我感情最好.

My eldest sister with her eldest daughter, son-in-law and my elder sister with her three sons.

大姊和她的長女與女婿,二姊和她三個兒子.

He is my nephew, the second son of my elder sister.

他是我外甥俊迪,我二姊的二兒子.

I took the photo with my sisters and niece when I visited my eldest sister in the hospital.

這是在醫院探訪大姊桂花時和二姐與外甥女的合照. 

Peter is the son of eldest sister, we took the photo with her girl friend.

這是和我大姊的兒子永舜和她的女朋友的合照.

Praise Report-Winter VI 2011 冬季感恩事項(六)

6. Thanks for the sunshine in the winter 謝謝有寒冬的陽光
This early morning about five o'clock, I wash my clothing by hand finally. I seldom do that before, I mean washing my clothing by hand in early morning. I appreciate for the sunshine today after a couple of rainy, cloudy and cold days in this winter. It reminds me how faithful the LORD was twenty years ago in 1989. The similar sunshine shined during my short term missionary in China Mainland. The schedule of our one-month mission team was so intensive that we are hard to find time washing our clothing. I never forgot what a joyful heart we had, because the precious sunshine God provided us after we washed our clothing in a rush. That's gracious miracle shows God's coincidence again in my daily ministrant life.   

You can read today's weather report. 


The title of Our Daily Bread today is 'Never Too Busy'.  It describes how people disregard and treat others with indifference, because they are just too busy in the time you need them. But indifference never happens when I go to God in my life and in prayer. 


Until this Thursday, after about one month of the death of the Little In (UK), I finally have time to reconfirm the bird's gender. I thank the LORD that I was not indifferent, though many obligations also preoccupied me.

Praise Report-Winter V 2011 冬季感恩事項(五)

5. Thanks for the medical check and devotional check 謝謝有醫療追蹤和奉獻支票
I want to give you the praise report about my medical check. Both my thyroid and breast  are healthy!!! My doctor found there were lots of microcalcifications in my left breast last December. I suffered more pressure to get the information because of my breast cancer family history. However, he told me it seemed no change at all during this year last month. As to my thyroid gland, the doctor told me the result was good. His monitor of my thyroid cancer was below 0.2 last week. How does it relieve me, praise the LORD! 

I also thanks for those who care and support my life periodically, including my professors, friends, family, students and co-workers in the LORD. Recently I received two checks, one is from the Christian Campus Bookstore, they pay for selling my book each year. Another one is from a the first missionary in Chingshui, Donna Saun, she sends me her support and love. She wrote me a long letter to persuade me accepting the devotion,  she insisted to give and involve the planting the new church in my hometown. The key is not the amount, but the influence. The LORD encourages me paying the cost to do the right things which He has revealed to me through it. 

   

Donna with her lovely grand son! 多娜宣教師母和她可愛的小孫子!

Praise Report-Winter IV 2011 冬季感恩事項(四)

4. Thanks for the new believes 謝謝有新的信徒
The LORD led me to plant a new church in my hometown, for no church was there. There are three new believes in the New Heaven and Earth Church in LuLiau of my hometown now. The church house is still under constructed as well as the spirituality of those new believers. 
神在今年八月帶領我回到沒教會的家鄉鹿寮拓植教會.到目前為止,鹿寮新天新地教會共有三位新的信徒,都是神親自賜下的.教會的房子仍在建造與整修中,一如這三位新會友的靈性仍需關懷與跟進一般.

Little John is a paint worker, as his part time job. He is the third believer. Little John painted my eldest sister's house which the LORD provides as a church and Taiwan Emotional Educational Center office, you can see in the photo. I care and share the gospel to John, when he work for me. I invited him to attend our Thanksgiving Day Celebration on November 6th, this is the first time to go enter into a church in his life. He raised his hand to say 'Yes, I will.' to Jesus after my preach. Praise the LORD!!! That is totally the work of the Holy Spirit!!! My love bird just died in that early morning, before I went to my mother church for ministry. I knew God comforted me through this new spiritual baby was born. That's my life!

小約翰是第三位新的信徒,他是一位兼職的油漆工. 我雇用他來油漆大姊名下的房子,沒想到神預備這裡作為台灣情緒教育中心和教會的辦公室.相片正是小約翰油漆時的拍照.當小約翰作工時,我關懷並向他分享福音.十一月六日清晨,在我到教會服事前我發現我一隻心愛的小鳥不明原因突然死亡倒斃在鳥籠中.正是那一天我邀請了小約翰到我清水的母會參加感恩節特別慶祝,這是他生平第一次踏入教會.在聽完我講道後,他舉手向神回應說:是的,我願意相信!這完全是聖靈在他心裡所動的善工,讚美主!!!我知道神藉這位屬靈新生兒的誕生安慰我心憂傷.這就是我生活真實的寫照!