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The Sea

Written by Editor1

2023.06.24/25

From the Pastor’s Desk:Rev. Raphael Chow

On a childhood day, for reasons I have long forgotten, I went mountain climbing. The mountain had an altitude approximately half that of Victoria Peak in Hong Kong. At that time, the sky was devoid of clouds, and it was a pure blue. Standing at the summit, I gazed southward and saw the continuous and magnificent mountain ranges. Looking eastward, I beheld the vast expanse of the azure sea, stretching afar. The sea resembled a silky carpet, smooth as a mirror, perfectly complementing the splendor of the sky. Another time, during the peak of summer, after swimming in the sea, I leisurely enjoyed the surrounding scenery on the beach. Suddenly, what astonished me was the sound of the tides. The rhythmic tides gently lapped against the rocks on the shore, tenderly washing over the fine sand. Accompanied by occasional breezes, the leaves rustled and sang. This duet of nature can truly rival the works of master composers. Occasionally, seagulls joined in as guest performers, creating a rich variation in this trio. These scenes, once witnessed with your own eyes, will stay with you for a lifetime, bringing you everlasting enjoyment.

The ocean can also be fearsome and awe-inspiring. When a tsunami arrives, it can easily destroy cities and leave countless people homeless. The ocean is always cold, mysterious, and full of hidden dangers. Even the warm currents in the ocean are not very warm (about 4 degrees Celsius). The deeper you go into the sea, the darker it becomes. There are reefs, hidden currents, and dangerous animals, including fierce predators and species with deadly toxins.

The meaning contained within the ocean in the Bible is exceedingly rich. The ocean signifies the mighty power of God: the sea is created by God (Psalm 95:5; Acts 4:24; Revelation 14:7; Jonah 1:9), and God has set the boundaries of the sea (Genesis 1:2, 9-10; Psalm 104:5-9; Job 38:8-11). However, at the same time, the ocean is also a source of opposition against God: the waves of the sea are arrogant (Job 35:8-11) and always attempt to surpass the boundaries set by God (Jeremiah 15:22). There are fierce beasts in the sea (Genesis 1:20-21; Psalm 104:24-26). Moreover, terrifying and powerful beasts that oppose God also emerge from the sea (Daniel 7:3; Revelation 13:1). In the Book of Daniel, for instance: “3 Four great beasts… came up out of the sea. 4 The first was like a lion… a second beast, which looked like a bear… another beast… looked like a leopard… 7 After that, in my vision at night I looked, and there before me was a fourth beast—terrifying and frightening and very powerful. It had large iron teeth; it crushed and devoured its victims and trampled underfoot whatever was left…” (Daniel 7:3-7).

Whether it is the sea or the beasts, their power is limited. Our Lord controls the great sea (Mark 4:35-41; Matthew 14:45-52) and also destroys the beasts (Isaiah 27:1). Moreover, our Heavenly Father will one day annihilate evil: “And the beast was captured… And the false prophet… were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur” (Revelation 19:20). The sea will exist no more, and the former heavens and earth will pass away (Revelation 21:1). Instead, a perfect sea of glass, bright as crystal, will take its place (Revelation 4:6; 15:2). At that time, all cold, mysterious, dark, and dangerous circumstances will cease to exist with the vanishing sea.

I eagerly anticipate the embrace of eternal warmth, light, peace, and joy within it. “But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13).

His Servant
Pastor Raphael Chow

教牧心聲

大海

Written by Editor1

2023.06.24/25

親愛的列宣家弟兄姊妹：

孩提時的一天，也忘記了是什麼緣故，就去了登山。山的海拔約有太平山的一半。那時，萬里無雲，天是純淨的一片蔚藍。在山頂處向南遠眺，只見山脈連綿，好不壯麗。向東俯瞰，卻是寶藍色的大海，一望無際。大海彷如絲綢的地毯，光滑如鏡，把天的瑰麗襯托得近乎完美。另一回，盛夏時分，我在海中暢泳後，就在沙灘上悠哉游哉的欣賞著周遭景色。突然，令我心豁然而開的，是潮汐之音。海潮有節奏地輕輕拍打着岸邊的岩石，又温柔的沖刷着灘上的細沙，加上不時的和風掠過，樹葉就沙沙和唱。這大自然的二重奏，真能比美音樂大師的作品。偶爾，海鷗也加入客串演出，就成為豐富的三重奏變奏。這些景象，恐怕只要曾出現在你眼前，便隨你一輩子，讓你一生受用。

大海也可懼可畏。海嘯到來時可以輕易的摧毁城市，讓無數人家園盡失。大海總是冰冷神秘又危機四伏。就是海洋中的暖流也不是很温暖的(約攝氏4度)；越進入海的深處越是黑暗；海中又有礁石，有暗流暗湧，也有危險的動物，包括兇猛的獵食類及帶劇毒的種類。

大海在聖經中蘊藏的意思甚為寛廣。大海表明上帝創造的大能：大海是上帝所造 (詩95:5; 徒4:24; 啟14:7; 拿1:9)，上帝也劃定海的界限(創1:2, 9-10; 詩104:5-9; 伯38:8-11)。但同時，大海也是對抗上帝之源：大海的浪是狂傲的(伯35:8-11)，總是要越過上帝所定的界限(耶15:22)，有猛獸在其中(創1:20-21; 詩104:24-26)。更甚的，是敵擋上帝、可怕且有大能力的獸也是從海中上來(但7:3; 啟13:1)。以但以理書為例：「3有四個大獸從海中上來… 4頭一個像獅子…5又有一獸如熊… 6…又有一獸如豹… 7其後我在夜間的異象中觀看，見第四獸甚是可怕，極其強壯，大有力量，有大鐵牙，吞喫嚼碎，所剩下的用腳踐踏…」(但7:3-7)。

無論是海是獸，他們的可怕，僅此而已。我們的主控制大海(可4:35-41; 6:45-52)，也消滅獸(賽27:1)。不單如此，我們的天父更有一天會把邪惡除去「那獸被擒拿…假先知，也與獸同被擒拿。他們兩個就活活的被扔在燒著硫磺的火湖裡」(啟19:20)。海不再有了，以往的天地也過去了(啟21:1)。相信，取而代之的是完美的玻璃海，明亮如水晶(啟4:6; 15:2)。那時，冰冷神秘黑暗危險等，就隨着大海不再了。 

我期待著在其中享受永遠的温暖光明平安喜樂。“但我們照他的應許、盼望新天新地、有義居在其中。。”(彼後3.13)

主僕，
周力行牧師

教牧心聲

Happy Fathers Day

Written by Editor1

June 17/18, 2023

From the Pastors’ Desk: Pastor Karen Quan

Dear brothers and sisters of RCAC,

Psalm 103: 13 (NiRv) A father is tender and kind to his children. In the same way, the Lord is tender and kind to those who have respect for him.

Did you know that the origin of Father’s Day for North America began during a sermon just across the BC border? In 1909, Sonora Smart Dodd was in worship, listening to the preacher teaching regarding the newly established holiday called “Mother’s Day” in Spokane, Washington. Sadly, Sonora’s mother passed away during childbirth when she was only 16 years old. As the eldest child and only girl, she helped her father to raise her 5 younger brothers. The more she listened to the sermon, the more she thought about her father, who served as both Mother and Father to all the children.

Sonora greatly respected her earthly father and felt strongly that fathers should also be recognized with a special day. She spoke to the Spokane Ministerial Alliance and suggested her father’s birthday, June 5 but finally the group decided on the 3rd Sunday of June. It would take until 1972 for President Nixon to establish the day as a permanent national holiday for the United States.

The psalmist begins Psalm 103 by praising God and then describes the many ways that God shows his love and forgiveness for his people. The kids in Bible Time have been memorizing Psalm 103: 8 which speaks for God’s mercy & compassion. How he’s slow to anger and full of love. So the kindness of God is compared to the kindness of human fathers who all desire the best for their children. What an amazing gift of love for us as humans, who are so undeserving of his faithfulness.

Whether we have the privilege of celebrating with our earthly fathers today or not, scripture reminds us that our Heavenly Father is always with us. His tenderness has been poured upon us through our earthly fathers. While for some of us, even though our earthly fathers have passed on, it is also important to remember and cherish those who serve as Father Figures in our lives. Let us praise our Perfect Heavenly Father for his tenderness & kindness. May we also make time to recognize those individuals who have loved us so generously.

Your servant in Christ,
Pastor Karen Quan

教牧心聲

父親節快樂

Written by Editor1

2023.06.17/18

親愛的列宣家弟兄姊妹：

詩篇103:13 (新譯本)「父親怎樣憐恤兒子，耶和華也照樣憐恤敬畏他的人；」

您知道北美「父親節」的起源是在卑斯省邊界南面的一次崇拜講道中開始的嗎？1909 年在華盛頓州斯波坎市(Spokane, Washington)，索諾拉·斯馬特·多德(Sonora Smart Dodd) 在崇拜中，聆聽牧者講述關於新設立的「母親節」的教導。令人遺憾的是，索諾拉的母親在她年僅16 歲時因難產去世。作為家中的長女和唯一的女兒，她需要協助父親撫養5個弟弟。她一邊聽道一邊想念著她的父親，他父親的角色既是所有孩子的父親，也是母親。

索諾拉非常尊重她地上的父親，並強烈認為也應該為父親設立一個特定的日子被得到認同。為此她與斯波坎的Spokane Ministerial Alliance進行了交談，並建議以她父親的生晨6 月 5 日為父親節，但該小組最終決定6 月的第三個星期日。直到1972 年，尼克遜總統才將這一天定為美國的永久法定假期。

詩篇103篇詩人以讚美上帝開始，然後描述上帝以不同的方式向祂的子民展示祂的愛和寬恕。列宣家的小孩子在聖經時間一直在背誦詩篇 103:8，第8節講述上帝的恩典和憐憫。祂不輕易發怒且有豐盛的慈愛。上帝的慈愛可比美地上父親的慈愛，都希望自己的兒子得到最好的。對我們這些不配得祂信實的人來說，這是一份何等奇妙的愛的禮物。

無論我們今天是否有幸與地上的父親一起慶祝，聖經都提醒我們天父永遠與我們同在。祂的溫柔已透過我們地上的父親傾倒在我們身上。對於我們其中的一些人來說，即使我們地上的父親已經離世，不要忘記和珍惜那些在我們的生活中扮演父親角色的人也很重要。讓我們同聲讚美我們完美的天父祂的溫柔和慈愛；同時願我們也同樣表彰那些如此慷慨地愛我們的人。

主僕
關潔玲傳道

教牧心聲

Give thanks and let us build the future together

Written by Editor1

2023.06.10/11

From the Pastor’s Desk:Rev. Collins Kung

Dear brothers and sisters of RCAC,

February 2, 1991 was a turning point in my life. With the feeling of reluctance, I said goodbye to my grandparents, parents, younger brothers and sisters and I immigrated from Hong Kong to Vancouver with my wife and her family.

On the day we arrived, a good friend of my wife happened to come to Vancouver from Toronto to visit her fiancé. We contacted her and arranged to meet up to worship on Sunday, February 3. Her fiancé picked us up and we came to Richmond Chinese Alliance Church. Looking back on this incident is amazing, none of us had visited RCAC before, it was just because her fiancé said that he wanted to listen to Rev. David Ng’s preaching, and Rev. David Ng was the senior pastor of RCAC at that time. RCAC became the first church I worshiped in Canada. From that day on, my wife and I stayed in this church family until today. I firmly believe that this is God’s leading. I also believe that every brother and sister who comes to RCAC has their own story and God’s guidance.

This year, RCAC celebrated its 46th anniversary. Although we lack a senior pastor, and the pastor of the English Ministries has also left; the entire pastoral team was willing to go the extra mile. The elders work closely with the pastoral team to keep the ministries of the church going. I am especially thankful for the following things:

  • As the covid-19 pandemic subsides and social life returns to normal, most fellowships have resumed in-person gatherings.
  • Since March this year, God has led Brother Frank Law to join our staff team as a part-time custodian. The cleanliness of the church has gradually improved.
  • Since May, God has prepared sister Phoebe Yeung to be our part-time co-worker to assist the development of AYAYA ministries.
  • We currently have three seminary interns, helping them to obtain internship opportunities in RCAC and training workers for the Kingdom of God.
  • With the increase of group members and the attendance has stabilised, Samuel small group has officially become a fellowship,
  • In terms of children’s ministries, the VBS will be resumed this year, hoping to reach more unchurch families.
  • The Tsawwassen Ministry remains stable, the Cantonese Bible studies will begin in September.
  • The Mandarin Alpha Course ended this past Thursday, and the Cantonese Alpha Course began smoothly on Monday this week.
  • The church is planning to hold evangelistic meetings and arrange short-term mission trips in the fourth quarter of this year.
  • We are now planning to resume summer camp in 2024.

We are so exciting for all the above thanksgiving items…

Brothers and sisters, as a member of the RCAC family, what do you have to be thankful for the RCAC?

The development and promotion of various ministries depends on the joint participation of brothers and sisters. Let us be thankful and join hands to hands to build the future together.

Your servant in Christ,
Pastor Collins Kung

教牧心聲

齊來感恩，共建未來

Written by Editor1

2023.06.10/11

親愛的列宣家弟兄姊妹：

一九九一年二月二日是我人生的轉捩點，我帶著依依不捨的心情與我的祖父母、父母親、及弟妹道別，我和太太(師母)並她的家人從香港一起移民來到溫哥華。

到步當日，剛好師母的好朋友從多倫多來到溫哥華探望她的未婚夫，我們聯絡上她並相約在二月三日星期日到教會崇拜，她未婚夫就來接載我們，來到列治文華人宣道會崇拜。回想這事真是奇妙，我們四個人從未踏足過列宣家，只因她未婚夫說想要聽吳主光牧師講道，而吳牧師就是當時列宣家的主任牧師。就這樣，列宣家便成為我第一間在加拿大敬拜的教會。從那天起，我和師母就留在這個大家庭，直到今日。我深信這是神的帶領。我亦相信每一個弟兄姊妹來到列宣家，都有他們的故事，都有神的帶領。

今年列宣家已進入第四十六週年，雖然現在我們還未有主任牧師，英文部牧者亦離了職。然而，整個教牧團隊都願意多走一里路。長老們和教牧團隊緊密合作，讓教會事工繼續推進。我特別為以下事情感恩：

  • 隨著covid-19疫程減退，社會生活復常，大部分團契已回復實體聚會。
  • 從今年三月開始，神帶領羅向輝(Frank)弟兄加入我們的事奉團隊，成為部分時間堂務同工，教會的整潔漸漸改善。
  • 從五月開始，神預備了李楊敏賢(Phoebe)姊妹成為我們的部分時間同工，協助AYAYA事工的發展。
  • 我們現有三位神學院實習生，幫助他們在列宣家獲得實習機會，栽培神國工人。
  • 我們的撒母耳少年小組，隨著人數加增及出席穩定，現已正式升格為團契。
  • 兒童事工方面，今年復辦VBS暑期聖經班，盼望能接觸更多未信主的家庭。
  • Tsawwassen 事工維持穩定，從9月會開展粵語查經。
  • 國語啟發課程本週完結，粵語啟發課程本週順利開展。
  • 教會正在籌劃在今年第四季舉辦佈道會及安排短宣旅程。
  • 我們現正計劃2024年會復辦夏令會。

以上的感恩事項實在令人興奮…

弟兄姊妹，作為列宣家的成員，你又有甚麼事情為列宣家感恩?

各項事工的發展及推動，有賴各弟兄姊妹共同參與。讓我們齊來感恩之餘，一起攜手，共建未來。

主僕
龔敏光牧師

教牧心聲

Finding Joy in Christ

Written by Editor1

June 3/4, 2023

From the Pastor’s Desk – Pastor Alex Poon

Dear brothers and sisters of RCAC,

Happy and joyful, joyful, and happy – we use these words interchangeably, don’t we?

But they’re not the same. Joy is something deeper than happiness. Happiness comes and goes with favorable happenings. Joy is deeper and does not depend on our happenings. Joy is a heart posture, rooted deeply beyond events and experiences, but felt in our soul.

Where does joy come from? “Rejoice in the Lord” (Philippians 3:1) the Apostle Paul writes from his jail cell in Rome. He’s writing his letter to the church of Philippi he helped start.

“Rejoice in the Lord”, Paul has exhorted the same message before, so he writes, “To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.”

We do need constant reminders to find our joy. To find our joy in Christ.

If I was to ask you, “Are you happy?” What would you want to tell me? Perhaps you would say, “No, I’m not! How could I be?”, “I am busy with work, the rise of prices is making me worry, my children aren’t listening, my parents are ill, and I’m not sure when my next day of rest will be.” These are all deeply upsetting circumstances. I pray for your comfort and peace to arrive soon. Know that Paul would resonate with all your feelings – he is after all, sitting in his jail cell, wrongly accused, waiting to see if he will live past this foreseeable future.

What is his pastoral exhortation then? It’s found in verse 8, “Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.”

Knowing Christ leads to joy, joy that is beyond happiness.

Knowing Christ Jesus deeply, in such a way that experiences him in our distressing times will lead to joy, a joy that binds up fear.

It seems like an impossible task – of knowing Christ this deeply – but it is not. For this is our invitation. This is the trajectory to which we strive. This is the aim, the goal of the long and possible journey.

Do you know Christ?

Do you know how he sees you? Do you know how he looks upon your life’s circumstances today? Do you know his compassion, his ever near presence, his ability to save you in all the ways you need to be saved? Do you know him as Redeemer that he would free you from any sin that we have let ourselves be bound to? Do you know Christ as the Son of God who adopted you into his family? Do you know you can trust and delight in the Father because you have Christ who restored your relationship? Do you know that Christ is light, who can drive out the dark? Do you know Christ is the one by whom all things were made, and he bothered making you? Did you know that you can come to him for his embrace when all seems to go wrong? Did you know you have Jesus who sees you with eyes of love and longs to show you the power of his resurrection life which puts death and sin and evil and Satan in their defeated places?

This is tangible and practical joy we gain from the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus Christ our Lord. A joy that helps us stand each day.

Your servant in Christ,
Pastor Alex Poon

教牧心聲

在基督裡找到喜樂

Written by Editor1

2023.06.03/04

親愛的列宣家弟兄姊妹：

快樂和喜樂－這兩個詞語，我們是否會互相交替使用嗎？

但它們的詞意是不一樣的。喜樂比快樂有更深的層次。快樂與否會因為一些事情所致。喜樂是更深層次的，並不取決於周圍發生的事情。喜樂是內心的表現，深深地植根於我們的靈魂，不受事情和經歷所限制。

喜樂從何而來？“靠主喜樂”（腓立比書 3:1），是使徒保羅在羅馬的監獄裡寫的。他寫信給由他建立的腓立比教會。

“靠主喜樂”，保羅之前曾發出過同樣勸勉的信息，所以他說，“我寫這些話給你們，在我並不困難，對你們卻是妥當的。”

我們確實需要不住的提醒才能找到我們的喜樂。在基督裡找到我們的喜樂。

如果我問你，“你快樂嗎？” 你想告訴我什麼？ 也許你會說：“我並不快樂！我怎會快樂？”，“我忙碌工作，物價上漲令我憂心，孩子不聽話，父母生病，我都不知道我甚麼時候可以休息。”這些都是令人深感不安的環境。我祈禱祢的安慰與平安早日到來。保羅有著你同樣的感受，當時他正因為被巫告收監，前途未卜，能否活著還未知道。

那麼保羅的勸勉是什麼？ 第 8 節說：“我把萬事都拋棄了，看作廢物，為了要得著基督。”

認識基督會帶來喜樂，超越一般的快樂。

深入地認識基督耶穌，以至在困苦的日子裡經歷祂，祂帶給我們喜樂，這種喜樂會驅走恐懼。

如此深入地認識基督似乎是一項不可能的任務，事實並非如此，因為這是給我們的邀請。這是一個漫長而且是有可能的旅程，我們要努力朝向目標竭力追求。

你認識基督嗎？

你知道祂怎麼看你嗎？祂如何看待你今天的生活？基督滿有憐憫，祂無處不在，祂大有能力拯救你脫離罪的綑綁，祂是救贖主，祂是上帝的兒子，祂接受你成為祂的兒女，你可以信靠天父並以天父為樂，因為基督修復了你們的關係。基督是光，驅走黑暗。祂創造天地萬物，創造了你，當你感到疲倦缺乏力量，你可以來到祂的懷抱裡，你有耶穌，祂愛祢，祂看顧你，祂渴望向你展示祂復活生命的大能，這復活的生命打倒死亡、罪惡、邪惡和撒但的攻擊。

我以認識我主基督耶穌為至寶，我滿有喜樂，這喜樂讓我每天得力。

主僕
潘啟華傳道

教牧心聲

Learn to give thanks on the ordinary days of life

Written by Editor1

2023.05.27/28

From the Pastor’s Desk: Pastor Jeanie Auyeung

Dear brothers and sisters of RCAC,

Psalm 103:1-2 Bless the LORD, O my soul; bless his holy name, all that is in me. Bless

the LORD, O my soul; forget not all his goodness. (New Bible translation)

The poet David repeatedly spoke to his own heart, reminding himself not to forget God’s

grace!

During the fellowship gathering of the past week, we offered thanksgiving to God through music and hymns. Our time is filled with joy when we give thanks to God.
The church’s annual year-end thanksgiving meeting also encourages brothers and sisters to count the blessings that God has bestowed on us over the past year, but we often hear people say that there is nothing special to be grateful for. In fact, we often have the wrong idea that we need to be grateful only when something special or important happens.

The Bible teaches us to give thanks in everything. “Everything” includes all things big and small. Not just the things that we think are good, which includes bad times, and also to give thanks for things that we may have taken for granted.

Some years ago, a family brought their two children to church to attend VBS. The two

daughters accepted Christ at VBS and they prayed to thank our Heavenly Father for dinner. The father got angry and scolded the child for not thanking him. But rather thanking God because the father was the one who provided their living. Later on, the parents also believed in the Lord and they was finally knew to pray and thank our Heavenly Father before meals.

Many times, we take things for granted we don’t realize, and don’t think of it as being

God’s grace. When I visited patients in the hospital, I deeply felt that being

able to eat and taste the delicious food is not an ability that we will always have. We often don’t know how to thank God and treasure something until we lose it.

I once saw an interesting news item — a 4-week-old little squirrel in the UK was

seriously injured by an owl attack in 2019. A wildlife rescue

organization discovered her and entrusted her to the Harrison family, who was experienced in caring for squirrels. They gave the little squirrel a cute name “Bella” and took good care of her until she recovered. In the spring of 2010, the squirrel recovered well and they released her into the wild. Usually, squirrels who have just left home for a week will return home. But after they have returned to the wild, they will no longer approach humans. Unexpectedly, one day, a familiar little figure was sitting at the front door of the Harrison’s home. Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be Bella! Later, Bella went home to visit them without fail for the next 8 years after she

was released into the wild. She even went home when she was pregnant. After giving birth to 3 cute baby squirrels and when they grew stronger, they returned to the woods together.

This heart-warming story reminds us that even a squirrel never forgot the kindness of those who took care of her. How can we, who have received the Lord’s love so freely, forget the Lord’s kindness? Let us learn from David and count the Lord’s grace one by one. God’s grace is truly innumerable to us, to our family, and to the church. Because of all the grace bestowed by God, we must offer thanks and praise to Him from the bottom of our hearts!

Your servant in Christ,
Pastor Jeanie Auyeung

教牧心聲

學習在平凡中謝恩

Written by Editor1

2023.05.27/28

親愛的列宣家弟兄姊妹：

詩103:1-2“我的心哪！你要稱頌耶和華；在我裡面的一切，都要稱頌他的聖名。我的心哪！你要稱頌耶和華；不可忘記他的一切恩惠。”(聖經新譯本)

詩人大衛重複地對自己的心說話，提醒自己不要忘記神的恩典！

在過去一週的團契聚會中，我們以感恩為主題，藉著詩歌一同向神獻上感恩。教會每年的年終感恩會也鼓勵弟兄姊妹數算神在過去一年內向我們所施的恩典，但常聽到人說沒有甚麼很特別需要感恩的事情可以分享。其實，我們常有錯覺，以為有特別或大事發生才要感恩。

聖經教導我們要“凡事謝恩”。“凡事”包括了所有的大小事情，也包括了我們認為好與不好的所有事情，更是包括了我們認為是理所當然的事。

一個家庭多年前曾把兩個孩子帶到教會，參加暑期兒童聖經班。兩女兒在兒童聖經班信了主，回家吃飯時禱告多謝天父。作父親的很生氣，罵孩子不多謝他，卻多謝天父。後來，他夫婦倆也信了主，知道吃飯時禱告多謝天父。

許多時候，我們對於一些習以為常的事情認為是理所當然，不曉得，也不覺得是神的恩典。在醫院探病時，深深感到：原來，能吃飯、能嘗到食物的美味，不是必然的。我們往往在失去時再復得，才能感受到，才懂得感謝神。

曾看到一則有趣的新聞 － 英國一隻只有4週大的小松鼠，於2019年被貓頭鷹攻擊受了重傷，野生動物救援組織發現後，將牠託付給照護松鼠經驗豐富的哈里森一家。他們替小松鼠取了個可愛的名字「貝拉」，並細心照顧直到牠康復。2010年春天，松鼠已恢復健康，他們便將牠帶到野外放生，回歸大自然。一般來說，剛「離家」一星期的松鼠們都還會不時回家走走，但不久後就回歸野性，不再接近人類。沒想到有一天，一個熟悉的小小身影端坐在哈里森家前門，仔細一看，居然是貝拉！其後，貝拉竟然在野外放生後接著的8年，從沒間斷地回家「探親」。生孩子時更「回娘家」待產。生了3隻可愛的小松鼠寶寶、等到孩子們都長得強壯後，才一起重返樹林。

這溫馨故事提醒我們，連松鼠也會不忘恩，我們這白白蒙受主恩主愛的人，豈可忘記主恩？我們要學習大衛，逐一數算主恩。神的恩典在我們個人、家庭、教會身上實在實在難以盡數，因著神所賜的一切恩惠，我們要從心底向神獻上感恩讚美！

主僕
歐陽鑽玲傳道

教牧心聲