2021.07.24/25

From the Pastor’s Desk: Rev. Raphael Chow

As an everlasting theme among poets and scholars, lily has been known as The Fairy of Charming Gown.  Yan Chen, a Song dynasty poet, once wrote the following tribute to lily,

Mountain Flowers Enlightened by the Sunset,

Diffusing fragrances, Albeit short of Nurturing.

With A Gentle Breeze from the Forest Tip,

The Scent of the Lily is Blown around the World!

There are numerous lily species, ranging from about a foot to towering 6 feet tall.  Their petals vary from oval shape to slender contour, some are single stem while others are multiple!  Some flowers upturn gazing the sky, yet some droop towards the ground.  Among the 120 odd species that have been identified, every single one of them is elegant and noble, bearing sparkling and graceful flowers, with verdant leaves.  Their stems are upright and undiluted, with flowers of abundant hues.  There is the white Easter Lily normally seen around Easter.  There are the yellow Bell Lily (Lilium Euxathum), the Sacred Blue Lily, the red Pine Lily (lilium catesbaei), and the spotted-petal Tiger Lily (Lilium lancifolium), etc.  The most enchanted one would undeniably be the black pearl lily, with dark purple petals, gleaming leaves and buttery shade core.  At just one glance, you would have to stop and stay!

In addition to being elegant, lily is also sweet smelling (though there are scentless species)!  No wonder we heard couplet like

“ Deep in the Night, House Saturated with Aroma,

Appearing to be Awakened from Drunk!”

Once, I passed by a lily bouquet in a shadowed room, I was attracted to its lush smell instantly.  I was intoxicated by that aroma for a good few minutes, reviving my mind and soul!  Another time I sensed traces of fragrances while walking in the rural area.  Passing by a babbling brook and a shallow shoal, with sparse saplings and dense weeds or thorns around, I spotted a cobalt blossom in the distance.  The closer I got, the more intense was the fragrance. I finally caught a glimpse of over 100 tall lilies after a turn of the path.  Pastel blue, joined up with pale purple and matched with golden stamen, you will just get inebriated without the breezes, the music and even the delightful bird songs!  These wild lilies just stood there without being humble or overbearing, asking people to enjoy and appreciate them.  You only needed to experience one episode to have this unforgettable feeling of being fully blessed.

Paul talked about “the pleasing aroma” in 2 Corinthians 2:15, which might be the aroma of sacrifice to God.  Yet the aroma in 2:14 might be the scent of sweet balm. Though unable to confirm, we might still try to relate it to the sweet fragrance of the lily.  In any case, when we get among people, would people be able to experience this sensation of being amidst the lily bush?  Though there are thorns around, people can still get revived.  When we get among our fellow brothers and sisters, would they feel like amid blooming lilies, yearning for elegance and purity with this drowning fragrance!

“(He is) The Lily of the Valley and in Him alone I See,

All I Need to Cleanse and Make me Fully Whole.

In Sorrow He’s my Comfort, in Trouble He’s my Stay,

He Tells me Every Care on Him to Roll …”

May our lives carry the fragrance of the Lord always, as the lily of the valley!

2021.07.24/25
作者: 周力行牧師

素有「雲裳仙子」之稱的百合花是千百年來詩人學者當用的題材。陳岩就曾以詩稱頌百合：「幾許山花照夕陽，不栽不植自芬芳。林梢一點風微起，吹作人間百合香。」

百合花的種類繁多，有的只高尺許，也有長至六尺的。百合花瓣有的呈橢圓狀，有的則是細而且長，有單莖的，也有多莖的，有花開朝天的，也有低垂向地的。今天，已知的百合品種超過120種。但無論那一品種，都是花形典雅高貴，花朵晶瑩雅致，葉子青翠娟秀，莖幹亭亭玉立又落落大方。百合花的顏色也多不勝數。有在復活節時最常見白色的麝香百合(Easter Lily)，有黃色的鐘花百合(Lilium Euxathum)，有藍色的尼羅百合(Sacred Blue Lily)，有紅色的松樹百合(Lilium Catesbaei) ，也有花瓣有班點的老虎百合(Tiger Lily, Lilium lancifolium) 等。而最幻麗的莫過於黑色的黑珍珠百合，紫黑色的花瓣，油緣的葉子，暗黃的花芯。只一眼望去就足以吸引你停下來，不願離開。

百合花不但雅致，更是蘊含醉人的香氣(雖然有些品種並無氣味)，以致詩人以「夜深香滿屋，疑是酒醒時」。有一次，我在一處幽暗的房間無意間經過一束百合，就被它那濃烈的花香吸引住了。那香氣，讓我沉醉了二刻鐘，心靈復甦不少。曾遇過這景象：在郊野的路上走，有一陣的、淡淡的香氣傳來，沿路走去，只見淺溪流水，旁邊淺灘，樹木稀疏，雜草叢生，偶有荊棘，遠處隱隱見一花卉，呈淺藍色。走近時，香氣漸濃，走過一灣，只見一地上百株盛開的高身百合展現眼前。淺淺的藍，配上淡淡的紫，插上鮮黃的花蕊，令人神往陶醉。這環境，和風是不需要的，音樂是多餘的，就連小鳥美妙歌聲也不必要了。這一地的野百合，只寧靜地站着，不卑不亢，讓人仔細的欣賞，盡情的享受。只要身在其中只一次，就足以令任何人感到祝福滿滿，一生難忘。

保羅在哥林多後書2:15中論及的“馨香之氣”想是獻祭物與神的香氣。但在2:14中的“香氣”則可指香膏之芬香。雖則不能肯定，但以百合花的芬香作理解也未必不可。總意是當我們走進人群之中，是否能帶給他人身在百合叢中的感受，縱然有荊棘，也能讓人身心復甦；當人走進我們這信徒群體之中，是否好像被盛開的百合花所包圍，令人嚮往的純潔高雅，叫人迷醉的芬芳馥郁！

「恩主是谷中百合花，我唯一需要祂，祂能洗淨我，使我聖潔無瑕。悲傷時祂來解憂，患難時祂保佑，一切憂慮全放在主肩頭… 」

願你我生命，好像谷中百合，常帶着恩主的香氣。

2021.07.17/18
作者: 李耀全牧師

親愛的列宣家弟兄姊妹：

(筆者按：上期在疫情中向君王讚美和禱求 (一) 筆者已指出君王詩篇的重要性。因為君王詩就是彌賽亞詩(messianic psalms) ，是指向主耶穌基督(彌賽亞) 。)

一篇彌賽亞君王的詩篇(詩二)
讓我在此突顯詩篇第二篇其中的一些重要元素。 詩篇第二篇:可能是大衛在所羅門加冕時，(如徒 4:25、26 所指，（撒下 7:12-16）)是為他的“兒子” 寫的(2:7)。若這情況屬實，那麼我們會記得所羅門自己的兄弟，曾兩次試圖從他手中奪取權力（王上1:5-53; 2:13-25）。這事會否引起我們聯想到與針對主和他的受膏者的“陰謀”有所關連？( 詩2:1-3）在日後君王的加冕禮中引用這詩篇時，那些包圍以色列週圍的敵國就是指向“外邦人和列國的騷動”。事實上，詩2:6中這應許：“我已經在錫安我的聖山上，立了我的君王”，也可以應用於所羅門加冕以來，隨後所有的君王身上。

從耶穌基督身上所見的彌賽亞君王
至終，在彌賽亞君王主耶穌基督的時代，那些反對及威脅基督君王的人是指希律王和本丟彼拉多等當權者，他們會受到「新生王」的威嚇。我們回想起東方博士的到來，為著訪尋「猶太人之新生王」。希律王聽到這個消息後非常害怕，他試圖假裝自己也想朝拜這位君王，並敦促博士在找到新生王後回來向他報告耶穌的下落。當希律發現自己被博士愚弄後，就屠殺了伯利恆及其附近兩歲以下的所有男孩。在這場可怕的種族滅絕發生之前，耶穌和他的父母已作了埃及的難民。

詩篇第二篇預言之發聲，從第2節可見，也在第7-9節再次出現：“…你是我的兒子，今天我生了你…” 在基督的生命中，我們不難看到耶穌與父神之間獨特關係的應對，因耶穌是從神而生的（路1:32-35；參徒13:33；來1:5;5:5）。在耶穌受洗時，天上有聲音清楚地宣告：“這是我的愛子，我所喜悅的。”(太3:17)。基督就是那要來永遠拯救祂的子民的終極完美君王、救主和主宰！

君王詩篇的終極應驗
我們也看到基督統治萬國的投影（參啟 2:27;12:5;19:15），而今日作為基督徒，我們現在清楚明白，這是指向基督再來要建立的屬靈國度的統治。啟 22:1-8 為我們記載了君王詩篇的終極應驗：一個新天新地，上帝的兒子耶穌基督將在那裡永遠掌權。

這就是我們對彌賽亞君王耶穌統治的終極盼望，祂要至終結束人類的一切罪惡和苦難。彌賽亞王要戰勝一切反對祂的人，祂要賜福給屬祂的子民：”你們要以敬畏的態度事奉耶和華，又應當存戰兢的心而歡呼。你們要用嘴親吻子，否則他一發怒，你們就在路上滅亡，因為他的怒氣快要發作。凡是投靠他的，都是有福的！”（詩 2:11,12）

對我們今天的應用
今天，在我們面對所有自然災害和世界各地由於不公義和權力鬥爭而導致的的衝突時，亦可能會以本詩的起首:“為什麼” 向神發問出相同的問題。我覺得很有趣讀到：“哪坐在天上的必發笑；主必嘲笑他們。那時，祂必在列怒中對他們剛話，在震怒中使他們驚恐……”（詩 2:4,5）。神嘲笑人類的愚蠢又引致祂發怒。無論是什麼導致我們目前所經歷的災難，讓我們緊記，基督仍然是萬有的君王和至高無上的主宰。讓我們投靠祂而蒙福。擁戴祂為王！

主僕,
李耀全牧師

2021.07.17/18
From the Pastor’s Desk: Rev. Simon Lee

Dear brothers and sisters of RCAC,

Psalm 2 was probably written by David (as indicated in Acts 4:25, 26) for his “son” (2:7), Solomon, in his coronation (2 Sam 7:12-16). If this indeed is the situation, then we will recall that Solomon’s own brother twice attempted to seize power from Solomon (I Kings 1:5-53; 2:13-25). Is this alluded to in the “plot” against the Lord and his anointed? (Ps. 2:1-3) When the psalm was used in subsequent coronations, then the enemy nations, “the Gentiles and the raging nations,” that surrounded Israel must then be in view. Indeed, the promise found in Ps. 2:6: “As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill” must be applied to all the kings in subsequent coronations since Solomon’s coronation.

The Messianic King as seen in Jesus Christ
Ultimately in the time of the messianic King, the Lord Jesus Christ, the threat against the king would then be applied to King Herod and Pontius Pilate, the people who set themselves against Christ. We recall the visit of the magi from the East who came looking for the one that is born the King of the Jews. King Herod was so fearful when he heard the news that he tried to pretend that he too would want to worship this king and urged the wise men to come back to report to him on the whereabout of Jesus after they have found him. When Herod realised that he was outwitted by the magi, he massacred all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity that were two years old and under. Jesus and his parents became refugees to Egypt before this horrible genocide took place.

The prophetic voice of Ps. 2 is seen again in v. 7 – 9: “… You are my Son, today I have begotten you…” In the life and reign of Christ, we cannot fail to see the correspondence of this to the unique relationship between Jesus and His Father, for Jesus was born of God (Luke 1:32-35; cf. Acts 13:33; Heb. 1:5, 5:5). In the baptism of Jesus, a voice from heaven clearly declared, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (Mt. 3:17). Christ was the ultimate ideal king, saviour and Lord who was to come to save His people forever.

The final fulfilment of royal psalms
We also see allusions to Christ’s reign over the nations (cf. Rev. 2:27; 12:5; 19:15), which we Christians now clearly understand refers to the spiritual reign of the heavenly kingdom which Christ came to establish. Rev. 22:1-8 records for us the final fulfillment of the royal psalms: a new heaven and new earth where God’s Son Jesus Christ will reign forever.

Here lies the ultimate hope we have in the reign of Jesus the Messianic king, bringing an end to all evils and suffering of humankind. The Messiah king will triumph over all who are against Him, and He will bless His own people: 11Worship the Lord with reverence and rejoice with trembling. 12Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way, For His wrath may soon be kindled. How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!” (Ps. 2:11,12)

Application to us today
Today, in the midst of all the natural disasters and human conflicts as a result of the injustice and power struggles around the world, we may pose the same questions that the psalmist asked of God starting with the word “why?” I am amused to see the words: “He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision. Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury…” (Ps. 2:4,5). God laughs at the follies of men which led Him to show His anger. Whatever led us to the present devastation we are experiencing, let us remember Christ is still king and sovereign over all. Let us take refuge in Him and be blessed. Crown Him with many crowns!

Your servant in Christ,
Rev. Simon Lee

2021.07.10/11
From the Pastor’s Desk: Rev. Simon Lee

Dear brothers and sisters of RCAC,

From July on, we are in Step 3 of the reopening of our province, 16 months since the pandemic hit us. So, we are all looking forward to more social interaction and perhaps even some travelling. Many of us also long to be back to worship and fellowship at our Church. Hopefully with people being fully vaccinated, we will feel safer from the risk of being infected by Covid-19. Prayerfully we are approaching the end of the long tunnel. Above all, let us continue to praise and pray to Christ the King.

Throughout this past many months, nothing had been certain except uncertainty. Who really knows what is happening and what we can do? As Christians, we may even have asked, like I have, where is God and is He in control? That is why for the whole of 2021 we are looking into the theme: Crown Him with many Crowns, with the hope and belief that Christ is still in control as He reigns as King. In the Spring quarter we had began to look at the life of the Lord Jesus Christ (from the first half of Matthew), recognising that He is indeed the Messiah, the Son of God.

The Messiah as seen in the psalms
Indeed, throughout the Old Testament, the Messiah, the anointed one, was promised to the Jewish people. The people in Jesus’s days were constantly looking for the Promised One who would deliver them from their bondage and misery under the control of the Romans, and some of them even wanted to make Him their king. As we have seen, Christ came not to overturn the earthy kingdom of the day, but to establish the Kingdom of God (heaven). But how do we know that for sure and how shall we then live?

In the summer quarter we are going to study 10 psalms with the hope of learning from the psalmists in knowing how to cope and pray amid all sorts of troubles and despairs, find hope and continue to praise God for His faithfulness and deliverance. These are all familiar psalms in which we hope that we can dig deeper to find the secret of living with hope and joy in Christ in this period of uncertainty.

A Royal psalm introducing us to the Messiah
While in this quarter we are not going specifically into any “Royal Psalms” (as we had planned earlier), I would like to share with you one here, Psalm 2, to help you appreciate the theme of the messiah as king. There are at least 10 psalms (2, 18, 20, 21, 45, 72, 101, 110, 132, 144) grouped under this title. Royal Psalms often come from the context of the Davidic king’s coronation, royal wedding, battles or victories. As the kingdom of Israel was a type of the heavenly kingdom, these psalms have many elements that apply to the kingdom of heaven and therefore to the reign of Jesus Christ. Therefore these psalms are also called Messianic psalms, as King David was a type of Jesus Christ (the messiah). These psalms are important as they help us to honour Christ as King, to celebrate the hope we have in seeing God triumph over evil. Let me highlight some of the important elements of Ps. 2. (To be continued next week)
Your servant in Christ,
Rev. Simon Lee

2021.07.10/11

作者: 李耀全牧師

親愛的列宣家弟兄姊妹：

從七月開始，本省已進入了重新開放的第三階段，這是自病毒大流行襲擊我們以來的第16 個月。所以，我們期待著更開放的社交互動，甚至可以出外旅行。我們中間有許多人也渴望回到我們教堂來敬拜和參加團契等活動。希望隨著絕大多數的人全部接種疫苗，我們會感到更安全，免受病毒感染的風險。我們已進行教會內部的維修預備開放。懷著禱告的心，我們已正在接近走到長廊的盡頭。最重要的是，讓我們在任何境況都繼續讚美並向君王基督祈禱。

讚揚和祈求我主我王(詩篇選讀)

在過去的多個月來，除了「無法確定」(uncertainty)之外，沒有什麼是「可以確定」(certainty)的。誰能真正知道疫情將如何演變以及我們能做什麼？會眾作為基督徒，連我在內，一樣會問究竟神在哪裡，祂是在掌管一切嗎？這就是為什麼在2021年的全年中，我們都在研究這個主題：擁戴我主為王。我們存著盼望和信心基督是君王，祂仍然在統治及掌管。在春季期間，我們已開始從馬太福音前半部分研讀主耶穌基督的生平，認識到祂確實是彌賽亞，神的兒子。

我們將在夏季期間研讀 十篇的詩篇，期望能向詩篇作者學習如何去應對各種困難和絕望，藉著祈禱找到盼望並能繼續讚美神的信實和拯救。這些詩篇都是我們所熟悉的，盼望我們能藉深入發掘，在這個「不能確定」的時期，在基督裡找到活出滿有喜樂和盼望生活的秘訣。

詩篇所顯示的彌賽亞君王
事實上在整本舊約中，受膏者彌賽亞是神對猶太人的應許。昔日在耶穌時代的人一直所尋找那被稱為「應許者」(the Promised One) 。故此期望耶穌能夠將他們從在羅馬人的控制與奴役和苦難中解救出來的，他們中有些人甚至想擁立他為王。正如我們在上季所見，基督來不是要推翻當時地上的國度與政權，而是要建立神的國度(天國)。但是，我們如何確定地知道這一點，並且我們應怎樣生活？

一首向我們介紹彌賽亞君王的詩篇
雖然在本季度我們不會專注於研讀任何“君王詩篇”（如我們於前所安排計劃的），但在這裡我想與您分享詩篇第二篇，以幫助您理解及欣賞彌賽亞為君王的主題。至少有十篇詩篇有關這標題（2、18、20、21、45、72、101、110、132、144）。君王詩篇通常以大衛後裔的君王加冕、皇室婚禮、戰爭或勝利等為背景。由於以色列國是天國的預表，這些詩篇中有許多內容/元素與天國連繫，因此也適用於描述耶穌基督的統治。因此這些詩篇也被稱為彌賽亞詩篇(Messianic Psalms) ，因為大衛王是耶穌基督(彌賽亞)的預表。這些詩篇很重要，因為它們幫助我們尊崇基督為王，慶賀我們從遠處看到神戰勝邪惡的盼望。 (下期續)

主僕,

李耀全牧師

July 03/04, 2021

From the Pastor’s Desk: Pastor Jeanie Auyeung

Seeing the need for the gospel in Richmond, a six-person committee was formed by the Vancouver Chinese Alliance church in June 1977, to plan and start a new church. Ten members from the Vancouver Chinese Alliance Church committed to this new church with the vision to expand God’s kingdom.  This vision was echoed by members who lived in Richmond. The first worship service of about 50 people was held at Bethel Mennonite Church on No. 5 Road until the purchase of our present location in February of 1979.

The church grew after moving to the new facility.  With the congregation growing, the old building was torn down to construct a larger building. A new building was completed in June of 1984.  In 1999, a new wing of the church was constructed to meet the needs of increasing attendance.

By God’s grace, our church has flourished since 1977 for forty-four years.  Over the years, brothers and sisters from all over the world have committed to build God’s kingdom together, and within these past years, many have been nurtured to grow spiritually. We have over thirty brothers and sisters who have dedicated themselves to the Lord serving as pastors, missionaries, and Christian workers in different places all over the world. May we follow the dedication of those who were before us, take up the mission of the kingdom of God, and pass on God’s grace and blessings to our coming generations, so that we can bless the community and enable more people to share the Lord’s grace.

I would like to congratulate the church on its forty-fourth anniversary with the following “not in-styled poem” to encourage each of us, to stand firm in one spirit, contending as one church for the gospel, in order to expand the kingdom of God.

Carry on the great commission of God’s Kingdom and move forward in Richmond.

Preach the gospel, honour the past, and move on to meet the challenges of the Lord.

Forty-four years we have relied on the Lord’s grace to build our family together.

Do not forget the past visions with the cross always in front.

From “the Four seas and five lakes” we gather to lift the name of the Lord high.

Renew our vision every year to reach new peaks and march to the 50^th year.

2021.07/03.04

作者: 歐陽鑽玲傳道

一九七七年溫哥華華人宣道會的執事會議決，選派六人成立委員會以籌備列治文開設教會事宜，並於當年六月開始借用西人門諾會聚會。溫哥華堂有十位會友參加，亦得到居住在列治文的會友熱烈響應，聚會人數達五十人。

教會於七九年二月購得及遷入現址，聖工得以進展。至八三年，因教會增長，地方不敷使用，舊堂拆卸後興建新堂，於八四年六月落成，沿用至今。教會亦於九九年新翼建成並舉行獻堂禮以增加使用地方。

蒙主恩眷，本會自一九七七年成立以來，已歷四十四載。多年來，來自各方的肢體在此一同成長，共建神家，其間亦造就不少全時間獻身事主的教牧同工。願我們追隨先賢腳縱，肩負神國的使命，將神的恩典與福氣傳遞出去，福蔭社群，使更多人同蒙主恩。

謹以下列不成文體詩句祝賀教會四十四週年堂慶，彼此互勉，同為神家擺上，齊心協力，拓展神的國度。

列市立會肩負神國使命同向前

宣揚福音繼往開來為主迎挑戰

四十四載靠賴主恩神家齊共建

十架在前毋忘往昔異象心志堅

四海五湖肢體共聚主名得彰顯

年年更新再闖高峰邁向五十年

2021.06.26/27

From the Pastor’s Desk: Rev. Collins Kung

Without knowing it, I have lived in Richmond for 30 years, and the townhouse that I live in is more than 30 years old. In the past 5 years, my house has had several water pipe leaks. Fortunately, God blessed us and we found out in time so that there was no damage of our properties, and the Strata Management Company also repaired it for us. In fact, many units of our townhouse complex have the same problem. It is because the water pipes used to build the house at that time were “grey pipes”, which would break easily over the years and it does not meet the current building codes. There are still some water pipes in my house hidden underground. The situation is like a time bomb. I don’t know when it will burst and cause damages.

Praise God, in the last year’s Owners General Meeting, we passed a resolution to replace the water pipes of all units, and all the owners needed to contribute a special levy for the repair. Although it costs a lot of money, it solves the problem once and for all. Unlike in the past, the problem was only addressed in a piecewise manner.

At the end of April this year, we received a notice that the water pipe replacement project will begin in May, and I saw some units have begun the work gradually.  I thought the management company would notify me in advance. However, on Tuesday May 18 morning, when I was preparing my devotion sharing for the pastoral staff meeting on that day, I suddenly heard the sound of an electric drill coming from my neighbor. I went to the neighbor to find out what happened. The worker has started the work at my neighbor’s house. I asked the supervisor, when would be my unit’s turn, he said: I knocked at your door this morning, but no one came to open the door, so we went to the next unit.  I did not hear the door bell and missed the opportunity. But I think it was a special providence of God, because if the workers came to my house and started the work, I would not be able to have my devotion sharing in the meeting on that day. Besides, I did not have the time to prepare the place for them. To make a long story short, the supervisor promised me that he would come to my unit the next day, Wednesday, so that I had enough time to move the furniture and other things at home, and my wife was off from work for a few days, so that we had enough time to do the preparation work. This is indeed God’s protection and care!

Later, I learned that this replacement project was not only to replace the underground water pipes, but to replace all the water pipes within the whole house. So, there were many holes in the walls around the house and even in the ceiling, all of a sudden, the house looks like a battlefield.

For the following two weeks, I have to get up early every morning to shower and brush my teeth and prepare the place before the water supply was turned off. Every day I wonder if the workers will come to work or not. Since they work on a very irregular schedule, a group of people came to work on this part and another group will come for the next steps (such as patching the walls, painting, etc…). I felt that I have to be watchful and wait every day. They may or may not show up, and only on Saturdays and Sundays can they rest. Brothers and sisters, isn’t it our Lord Jesus telling us to be watchful and wait, and prepare for His return?

In the process of replacing the water pipes, because the faucets in our bathrooms were old and did not fit well with the new water pipe and caused leaking, the plumber suggested that we buy new faucets at our own expense, and they would replace them for us with no extra charge. As a result, we seized the opportunity and bought three new bathroom faucets for them to install for us. Now, my house has been updated and renewed, and the faucets are no longer dripping like they used to be.

Now, my house has been renewed, and I believe I can live in peace for many years. In fact, our lives must be renewed so that we can continue to serve the Lord. Brothers and sisters, how often do we come before the Lord and let Him renew our lives? In this water pipe replacement project, I experienced and learned four things: God’s divine providence, wait vigilantly, seize the opportunity, and renew my mind.  Hope this reflection will encourage each other.

2021.06.26/27

作者:龔敏光牧師

不經不覺已在列治文市居住了30年，而我所住的城鎮屋(townhouse)房子亦超過30年屋齡，在過去5年內，我的房子曾出現數次的水管破裂問題，幸好神讓我們及早發覺，沒有造成屋內財物的損毀，管理公司亦為我們修妥。其實，我們的城鎮屋有很多單位都發現有同樣的問題，究其原因，是當時建屋用的水管是「灰喉」，隨著年日會容易破裂，不合現時的建築標準，我的房子還有部分水管藏在地裡，情況就好像計時炸彈，不知道何時爆裂，造成破壞。

感謝神，在去年的業主大會中，我們通過議案更換所有單位的水管，大家一齊繳付特別維修費。這個決定雖然花費不少，但卻是一勞永逸，不像從前是頭痛醫頭，腳痛醫腳，沒有全面解決問題。

在今年四月尾，我們收到通知，更換水管工程將會在五月開始，我看見其他單位陸續施工，心想維修公司會預先通知我準備。誰知5月18日星期二早上，我正在準備教牧同工會議靈修分享時，忽然聽到從隔鄰傳來的電鑽聲，我到鄰居查看，原來工人開始為我鄰居維修，我問那位負責的工頭，甚麼時輪到我的單位，他說：今天早上我拍你的門時，沒有人來開門，所以我們去做下一個單位，原來我聽不到拍門聲，錯過了機會。但我想這樣錯過了是神的特別看顧，因為若工人當天就來維修，我就不能開會分享了。況且，我也沒有時間預備好地方，讓他們維修。長話短說，工頭應承我，明天星期三會來我的單位維修，讓我有足夠時間去搬動家裡的家具物品，而師母那幾天剛好不用上班，我們就有時間做預備工作，這確實是神的保守！

後來，我才知道這維修工程不只是更換地底下的水管，而是把全屋裡的水管都更換。所以，我看見這幅牆開一洞，那幅牆又開一個洞，連天花也要開洞，頓時家裡成了一個戰場一般的地方。

接下來的兩個星期，我每天都要一早起床，在停水之前做好梳洗，預備地方，心想不知道那些工人會不會進來工作，他們是不定時的，一組人做完，又有另一組人會來做其他工序(如收復牆壁，油漆等…)，我發覺我每天都在警醒等候，他們或許出現，或許不出現，除了星期六、日，才可以休息。弟兄姊妹，這樣的心態，豈不是主耶穌吩咐我們要警醒等候，預備祂的再來嗎？

在更換水管的過程中，因為我們浴室的水龍頭老舊，接駁了新水管有滲漏的問題，水管工人建議我們自費講買新的水龍頭，他們為我們免費更換。結果我們把握時機，趕快去買了三個合適的配件讓他們為我們安裝。現在，我的屋子好像更新了一樣，水龍頭不再像從前滴水了。

屋子現在更新了，我想有多年的安居。其實，我們的生命也要更新，讓我們能繼續服事主，我們有沒有常常來到主面前，讓祂更新我們的生命？在這件事上，我經歷了神常看顧，我學習了警醒等候、把握時機、心意更新，以此共勉。