父愛

兒子三番四次犯錯。每次犯錯以後，知道所犯的錯得罪了父親叫他心傷，心裡想：「我得罪了我的父，叫他傷心。我要悔改，求他寬恕。可是我屢次犯同樣的錯。還有面目回去嗎？」就沮喪，躱藏起來獨自後悔。他立志不再犯同樣的錯，可是卻知道憑自己不能作甚麼。所以，他還是回頭往家裡去。見到兒子，父親立時擁他入懷裡，心裡想：「今天我所愛的兒子回來，我不再念記他以往的叛逆。」雖然兒子回轉了，在父親懷中的他心裡卻想吃麥當勞豬柳蛋漢堡早餐。那時已是10:28，不可能及時買回來。兒子卻仍然想著這事，便對父親說：「我想吃麥當勞早餐。」父親答應他，說：「好，我們現在去買。」兒子問：「現在不是已經太遲了嗎？」父親又說：「我們現在就去，給你吃豬柳蛋漢堡。」他們就出了門。當他們到那兒，已經是10:45。父親對兒子說：「我兒，待會你見到服務員，只要向他取已為你預備的豬柳蛋漢堡。」兒子見到服務員，便說：「請給我為我預備的豬柳蛋漢堡早餐。」服務員問：「你要喝甚麼早餐飲料？」兒子選了橙汁。一會兒後，服務員拿著放食物的紙袋，說：「這是你的早餐。裡面還有多一份的薯餅。」父親還辦了許多別的事：為兒子開路、預備大大碟均衡午餐、汽車和司機。這一天就像兒子的生日一樣，他樂透了，為父親所做的一切感動。

好父親不會永遠記著兒子的過錯。他的心腸如此温柔。縱然心一次又一次被刺痛，仍然深愛他的兒子。天父就是你就是我的好父親。他對我們的愛比我們的過犯更大。我們懇切悔改，求他寬恕。他就重新接納我們。我們以信心懇切求父賜給我們能力，克服自己剛愎的私心。他必叫我們重獲新生。我們這樣相信，因為我們知道他不願一人沉淪，乃願人人都悔改得救；除他以外，也沒有賜下別的名，叫我們可以靠著得勝得救。他當配受極大讚美！

我們只有一個盼望，就是天父的大愛。

願我們每思每行都與他同在。阿門。

本週經文

從古以來，人未曾聽見、未曾耳聞、未曾眼見在你以外有什麼神為等候他的人行事。你迎接那歡喜行義、記念你道的人；你曾發怒，我們仍犯罪；這景況已久，我們還能得救嗎﹖我們都像不潔淨的人；所有的義都像污穢的衣服。我們都像葉子漸漸枯乾；我們的罪孽好像風把我們吹去。並且無人求告你的名；無人奮力抓住你。原來你掩面不顧我們，使我們因罪孽消化。耶和華啊，現在你仍是我們的父！我們是泥，你是窰匠；我們都是你手的工作。耶和華啊，求你不要大發震怒，也不要永遠記念罪孽。求你垂顧我們，我們都是你的百姓。你的聖邑變為曠野。錫安變為曠野；耶路撒冷成為荒場。我們聖潔華美的殿─就是我們列祖讚美你的所在被火焚燒；我們所羨慕的美地盡都荒廢。耶和華啊，有這些事，你還忍得住嗎﹖你仍靜默使我們深受苦難嗎﹖（賽64:4-12）

Let him be the shepherd

I was troubled last night and this morning about my own sins and disobedience to God. I thought of the bible verses chosen for our fellowship last year:

Let us go in with true hearts, in certain faith, having our hearts made free from the sense of sin and our bodies washed with clean water: Let us keep the witness of our hope strong and unshaking, for he is true who has given his word: And let us be moving one another at all times to love and good works; Not giving up our meetings, as is the way of some, but keeping one another strong in faith; and all the more because you see the day coming near. (Hebrew 10:22-25 BBE)

I got to ask myself:

• What sets our hearts free from the sense of sin? There is not a doubt that human beings are all sinners that have fallen short of grace from our God. While some admit there is a god, some do not. While some confess their sins to God, some do not. While some think the end justifies the means, some do not. While some think it is moral to do one thing, some think otherwise. Should there be no absolute goodness, all the good deeds one does is just to fulfill the selfish sense of goodness of one's own. To the creator of all things, we all fall short of his grace, as we do not know the truth to live by it. The Lord our God is however a loving god. He would rather save us from our sins than letting us go astray. He is the key to truth. He is the one who sets our hearts free of the sense of sin.
• What does that mean? Only he can cleanse my hearts. I must admit that I do not have the power to lord over my sins. I must willingly admit him into my heart and let only him take the throne of my life. He is my shepherd and I must follow only him in every moment of my life. He is the only key to life.

ACM Seattle t-1

Today marks the beginning of a 3-day event of the evangelical concerts and workshops organized by ACM Canada. Those close to me know I was in the choir for ACM's Seattle visit last year. Again I am participating as a choir member this year. The speaker and most other ACM partners from various cities worldwide arrived at Seattle yesterday. Last night we had our rehearsal for the concert. While I was glad that the ACM members arrived safely and had already started giving their best to God, I felt uneasy adjusting to new commmands one day before the actual event. We also had to make adjustments during rehearsal last year, since the worship leaders weren't watching over us during practice. I prayed that the Lord would humble me. For we are all serving in His name, we should serve with argeeing hearts. They had to be very tired after the flight while rehearsing with us. May God give me the strength to forgive as the Lord himself forgives those who forgive others. May he invite my dear friends to come and prepare the hearts of the audience. May he let us serve him with all our hearts, spirit, minds and strength for his glory.