2022.02.26/27
From the Pastor’s Desk: Rev. Raphael Chow

Dear brothers and sisters of RCAC,

Before the tree is in proximity and the flowers is seen comes a gust of delicate fragrance, it must be the plum blossoms!

Tiny flowers growing on strong thin stems, each plum flower usually has five petals in double layer. White centre with pastel peripheries, complemented with creamy stamens, what a rich display!  This floret is also plentiful in hue: red as the sunset, white as the skift, green as the jade!  The plum tree can grow to 10 metres, with curved trunk and swirling branches.  When it flourishes, it bears a resemblance to the twinkling and gleaming stars.  You will sure be dazzled with such a picturesque scene!

Plum tree neither soars as the pine and the cypress, nor exhibits gracefulness of the willow.  She lacks the elegance of the lily or the stunning beauty of the rose!  She never joins up the floral spring contest, or shows off its splendour. No one notices her silhouette in the flourishing spring.  Yet when all florets wither in the ice and snow, she turns up to be so energetic and vibrant with its enchanting bloom!

She is not lonely without butterflies flying around, and is not gloomy without honey bees trailing after.  Plum blossom is not fearful and never lose heart towards the snow fall. The more severe is the cold, the more bullying from the snow storm, she blooms with even more delicacy.  She stands in the blizzard with pride, yet not arrogant.  Going together with her is not the temperate spring breezes, but the freezing frost bites. Moisturizing her is not the warm rivulet, but chilling iciness all over the place.  Lightening her up is not the brilliant sun, but the winter afterglow.  Nevertheless, being endorsed by the harsh winter snow, she brings about the intoxicating fragrance of the plum blossoms.

“With deep ice at the cliff, stands the smart blossoming branches”

Though the plum blossom is pretty, it is not long-lasting.  It blooms at the beginning of the freezing winter, and it withers when spring creeps in.  The lifespan of the plum blossom might be brief, its fragrance is long-lasting!  If you visit the plum blossoms, its fragrance will adhere to your clothing and stay with you for a few days!

For ages, plum blossom denotes dignity and resilience, aristocracy and fine-looking, refined and unique.  Likewise, it also symbolizes the Christian life: instead of going with the flow of and imitating the world, we follow God’s will and be transformed by the renewing of our mind, understand and practice a God-pleasing life in all aspects (Romans 12;1-12).  However, life will be full of challenges as we go against the world, just like the experience of Paul:

“²³ … I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. ²⁴ Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. ²⁵ Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, ²⁶ I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. ²⁷ I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. ²⁸ Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.” (2 Corinthians 11:23-28)

Going though these difficulties, Paul overcomes these challenges without failing or tumbling.  Christians are able to overcome the world. (1 John 4:4, 5:4) Let’s follow the example of Paul, as Paul followed the example of Christ. (1 Corinthians 11:1)

Hope to see traits of the plum blossom in your life, glorifying our Heavenly Father in the same way!

Your servant in Christ
Rev. Raphael Chow

2022.02.26/27
作者: 周力行牧師

列宣家親愛的弟兄姊妹： 

未近其樹，未見其花，卻幽香襲來，正是梅花。

梅花小小，長在細而勁的枝上，一般花瓣五片，上下二層，外粉內白，花蕊淡黃，甚為繽紛。梅花顏色甚多，有紅得像晚霞的，有白得像瑞雪的，有綠得像碧玉的。樹可高達十米，樹身彎曲，繁枝末節盤旋而上，開花之時 宛如繁星點點，如詩如畫，令人目眩。

梅花，沒有松柏的百丈蒼蒼，沒有楊柳的婀娜多姿，比不上百合的高貴典雅，比不上玫瑰的嬌美絢爛。她從不與百花爭奪春天，也不炫耀自己的美麗。在百花爭豔的春天，不曾有人注意她的身影，在冰天雪地之中，在所有花卉謝幕以後，它卻顯得生氣勃勃，綻放迷人花朵。

沒有彩蝶圍飛不落寞，沒有蜜蜂追隨不悵惘。梅花不懼風雪，從不低頭，越寒冷，越風欺雪壓，花開越盛越秀氣。她獨有一身傲骨，挻立於風雪；卻沒有一點傲氣，驕橫自大。陪伴她的不是和煦春風而是凜冽刺透骨的寒風，滋潤她的不是和暖的溪流而是漫天蓋地的冰雪，照耀她的不是明媚的陽光而是寒冬的殘輝。卻是經過了嚴冬風雪的洗禮，才綻開滿有醉人芬芳的梅花。正是 “已是懸崖百丈冰，獨有花枝俏”。梅花雖美，卻並不長久：梅開恰寒冬，梅謝正春來。梅花生命雖短，其香氣卻是持久，賞梅而去，梅香在襟䄂中，繞身數日不絕。

長久以來，梅花寓意傲骨嶙峋，清高俊朗，脫俗而別具一幟。這也正好象徵信徒的生命：不隨波逐流，模仿這世界，反倒按神的旨意讓心意更新改變，在生命的各層面明白又活出神悅納的生活 (羅12:1-2)。但這生命必定有挑戰，因為與世界為敵，就如保羅的經歷一樣：“23我受更多的勞苦，更多的坐監，受了過量的鞭打，常常有生命的危險。24我被猶太人打過五次，每次四十下減去一下，25被棍打過三次，被石頭打過一次，三次遇著船壞，在深海裡飄了一晝一夜；26多次行遠路，遇著江河的危險、強盜的危險、同族的危險、外族的危險、城中的危險、曠野的危險、海上的危險、假弟兄的危險；27勞碌辛苦，多次不得睡覺，又飢又渴，多次缺糧，赤身挨冷。28除了這些外面的事，還有為各教會掛心的事，天天壓在我的身上。”(林後11:23-28) 。經過如此艱難，保羅卻沒有失敗跌倒，反而是勝過了這一切挑戰。信徒是可以勝過世界的(約壹 4:4; 5:4)。讓我們效法保羅，因他是效法基督的。(林前11:1)

盼望你生命也看見梅花的特質，同樣的榮耀天父。

主僕,
周力行牧師

Nov 13-14, 2021
From the Pastor’s Desk: Rev. Raphael Chow

Dear brothers and sisters of RCAC,

Shallow Water Amid the Wetland, Reed Clusters Gracefully Boost;
Swaying in the Breeze Stylishly, Unadorned Plainness Passionately Revealed!
[Chant on Reed]
Reed grows and ripens by the water. They do not have the glamour of the peonies, nor the gorgeousness of the roses, let alone the romance of the lotus and the elegance of the lilies! Even with a large field of reeds, it falls short of offering people the reckless shock or the astounding gasp! Yet, there is always exception, as with the endless reed field spreading over thousand acres in Qià Chuān Wetland in the province of Shǎnxī!
Reed always keeps its initial form, with no extra decoration or embellishment, merely topped with the reed flower. Clothed with the upright hollow stem, it stands peacefully in tranquility. It waltzes gracefully in the gentle wind, following the rhythm of the nature, liberating its wonder!
Grass, climbers, creepers all wither when fall creeps in; but the reed blooms! The flourishing reed ears up! The golden spikes swing and sway by the water, crafting a charming picture and an amazing poetry! The reed ears flutter in the breeze like snow, yet with more elegance than snow; like defoliation, yet with more feathery than the falling leaves! It sets the scene for “Snowflakes in the Breeze, Rustling of the Reed Amidst”! Under the sunset glow by the reed field, you would experience the magnificent and marvelous creation of God.
Without charming flowers of the cherry blossom and delicious crop of the groundnuts, the reed can reach a height of 20 feet which turns out to be the ideal habitat and nesting ground of the water fouls. The flowers dry up quickly in the frosty season. With no blossom and no leaves in the winter serenity, the hidden root keeps on nurturing new life unnoticeably.
The reed hints robustness. Being tenacious, it adapts well to different environment, even under extreme conditions. The reed flower also implies a modest love. It peacefully grows by the water, bearing bronze flower that is neither dazzling nor eye-catching. It fulfills its purpose of life with full blossom, willfully pouring out itself for mother nature.
We seem to see the spirit of the reed on Apostle Paul:
11 To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. 12 We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; 13 when we are slandered, we answer kindly. We have become the scum of the earth, the garbage of the world—right up to this moment. (1 Corinthians 4:11-13)
I believe Paul chose his path of life because of Jesus’ love, that’s why he said,
… (the Son of God) who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)
Yet this is not the end, Paul proclaimed that “there is in store for him the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to him …, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:8)
Wish you a life resembling the reed: be a blessing to the community and be the glory of God!

Nov 13-14, 2021
周力行牧師

“淺水之中潮濕地，婀娜蘆葦一叢叢；迎風搖曳多姿態，質朴無華野趣濃。”《詠蘆葦》

蘆葦，沿水生，傍水長。它沒有牡丹的驕豔，沒有玫瑰的絢爛，沒有睡蓮的浪漫，更沒有百合的典雅高貴。縱使一大片蘆葦，旣不帶來莽蒼浩瀚的震撼，也沒有定山破岩的氣魄。洽川濕地的蘆葦蕩一望無際，遍十萬畝，那是世間罕見的例外了。蘆葦，總是保持與生俱來的容顏，沒有修飾，也不妝點，只是頭戴蘆花，身披挻直中空葦衣，安然靜立。每當微風吹過，蘆葦不疾不徐，優雅地隨風舞動，伴著大自然的節拍，獨自盛放精彩。

入秋時份，萬草蕭索，卻是蘆花綻開之時。盛漫的蘆花吐出蘆穗。搖曳的金黃蘆穗，輕歌曼舞地把水邊的濕地，轉換成另一幅美妙的詩，迷人的畫。輕風過處，蘆穗飛揚，彷如漫天飛雪，卻是比飛雪更優雅；好比落葉，卻比落葉更輕巧。正是“風飄細雪落如米，索索蕭蕭蘆葦間”。在一抹紅霞，夕陽西下之時，佇倚蘆花叢，就讓人更深的體會神創造的偉大及巧妙。

蘆葦沒有像櫻花般醉人的花朵，也沒有像落花生一樣美味的果實。可以生長至20呎高的蘆葦叢，卻是水邊雀鳥的棲息之地，也是他們的菢雛之窩。蘆葦在短暫開花以後在冬天就凋謝枯萎。冬天時份，當萬物俱靜，不見花也不見草時，在地下的蘆根，卻已在孕育著新生命。

蘆葦被寓意為堅韌。蘆葦的生命力頑強，能適應不同的環境，甚至在惡劣的環境中也能成長。蘆葦花也被寓為謙卑的愛：它只是默默地長在水邊，棕褐的花旣不耀眼，也不奪目，只是在它的地方，堅毅的生長着，盛開繁茂的花朵，盡自己生命的責任，甘願為大自然付出一切。

在使徒保羅身上彷彿也看見蘆葦般的生命：“11直到如今、我們還是又飢、又渴、又赤身露體、又挨打、又沒有一定的住處．12並且勞苦、親手作工．被人咒罵、我們就祝福．被人逼迫、我們就忍受．13被人毀謗、我們就善勸．直到如今、人還把我們看作世界上的污穢、萬物中的渣滓。”(林前4:11-13)我深信，保羅願意選擇這樣的生命路，是因為主耶穌的愛，所以他說“他是愛我、為我捨己。”(加2:20)。但這卻不是終結，因為保羅也宣告說有公義的冠冕為所有忠心於主的人存留(提後4:8)。

願你生命也像蘆葦，在安靜中成為眾人的祝福，更成為神的榮耀。

Jul 24-25, 2021
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!

Jul 24-25, 2021
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。

Mar 27-28, 2021
From the Pastor’s Desk: Rev. Raphael Chow

Turning March, the lavender in the garden wakes up unnoticeably!  When I did spot it, it was grinning to me with its new gray green foliage, as if greeting a long missed friend! I returned a blissful smile.

Lavender is one of my favourite flowers.  With bluish violet florets, thin gray green leaves grow on its slim stem, displaying lilac blossom on the tips!  Flowers dangles, covered with starry fine hair!  These charming florets liberate a drowning mint-like scent, with a hint of the pungent of the camphor.  An extraordinary light sweet aroma!  It is such a beautiful portrait to imagine yourself hanging around in a lavender field, seeing piles and piles of this sweet plant in the breezes.  This unique fragrance refreshes our heart and mind, sweeping away all the worries and frustrations!

Lavender originates from the Mediterranean area, e.g. Spain and Portugal.  It is now mainly grown in Provence in France, Hokkaido in Japan, Caucasus mountain in Russia and Ili River Valley in China.  Lavender is a resilient plant, capable of withstanding the tough winter.  When spring comes, it surges to life, releasing its charming fragrance in tranquility once again.  No wonder it is called the “Fragrance Plant of Serenity” and the “Queen of Herbs”!

Lavender is not only pleasing to the eye, its fragrance helps to calm mood, relieve pressure and energize spirit. Its essential oil helps detoxification and beautification.  Other usages include painkilling, relaxation, improving sleep and anti-depression.  A small pot of lavender can soothe the mind!  I would pick a lavender stem occasionally, crush it to release its fragrance, which will drown me for a good part of my day.

Lavender is also a special plant. You never see a lonely one, but usually in a big bush.  Besides, lavender needs pruning, too.  It flourishes in spring if it is given good trimming and fertilizing the winter before.

Somehow, being Jesus’ disciples is a lot like the lavender.  We don’t compete against each other, but share our charisma together.  We won’t get defeated by one blow, but get through the harsh test by staying together.  We don’t care only for ourselves, but we go into the world, think for the world and go against the world.  We don’t just look over the world, but going to be the salt and light of the world (Matthew 5:13).  Jesus’ disciples need pruning and trimming, too.  We are so grateful of our Heavenly Father pruning and trimming us constantly, so that we are capable of bearing more fruits (John 15:2).  When people get to be among Jesus’s disciples, their souls and minds should be soothed: getting the blessings from the gospel and a full acceptance.  Thus, people’s lives can be changed, become new persons in Christ and be blessings to others.

Would you like to live a life like the lavender?

Mar 27-28, 2021
周力行牧師

踏入三月，園子裏的薰衣草已不知在何時醒了過來。當我發現時，它那初長而灰綠的小葉帶着含蓄的淺笑在向我點頭，彷彿是久違不見的朋友在問好。我也報以欣悅的微笑。

薰衣草是我所喜愛的數種花卉之一。薰衣草有着紫藍色小花，細長的莖干上長着窄長而灰綠的葉片，襯托着末梢上淡紫的花朵。花型如小麥狀，上面覆蓋星型的的細毛。迷人的紫色小花沁發淡而醉人的芳香，薄荷裡帶着微微旳辛辣，淡得異常的甜香。置身薰衣草田，每當和風吹過，宛如紫色波浪層層迭迭上下起伏，異常美麗。加上薰衣草獨特的淡淡的芬芳，沁人心脾。這時，一切的煩惱，一切的鬱結，都被一掃而空。

薰衣草原產於地中海地區如西班牙及葡萄牙。現今已傳至世界各地。今天，世界四大產地是法國的普羅旺斯，日本的北海道，俄羅斯的高加索山，以及中國的伊犁河谷。熏衣草的生命力極強，能抵禦嚴寒。每每冬去春來之時，乾枯的薰衣草又再度生長起來，又再靜靜的展示迷人的花朵，散發醉迷的淡香。薰衣草也是全球最受歡迎的香草之一，被譽為「寧靜的香水植物」及「香草之后」。

薰衣草不單是悅人眼目，其芬香更能穩定情緒，舒緩壓力，提振精神。薰衣草精油可以清熱解毒，也能美顏。薰衣草粉除了能養顏美容外，更有止痛鎮定，緩解神經，改善睡眠，消除沮喪等作用。一盆默默開放的薰衣草能安撫心靈。我不時在園子裡摘下一株薰衣草，搓揉着，讓它的香氣透徹地散發，足夠半天的陶醉。

薰衣草也有它的特色。我未見只有一株薰衣草獨立生長的，都是一叢一叢的。薰衣草也需要修剪打理。若然每年在冬季以前修剪施肥，在翌年則生長得更茂盛。

在某角度看，主耶穌的門徒也像薰衣草。不是爭妍鬥麗，而是聚集一起時就發出迷人的美麗；不是一擊即敗，而是經得起嚴冬的考驗；不是獨善其身，而是共同進入世界，服侍世界，也抗衡世界；不單是只能觀賞，更是在世界之中是鹽是光(太5:13)。門徒的生命也需要修剪及打理。感謝天父，因他不停的修剪我們，讓我們結果子更多 (約15:2)。當世人進入眾門徒之中，心靈可得安撫：一方面得着福音帶來的祝福，另一方面得着完全的接納。如此，生命就得改變，在基督裡成為新人，繼而成為他人的祝福。

你的生命像薰衣草嗎？

Dec 05-06, 2020
From the Pastor’s Desk: Rev. Raphael ChowOther than winter sport enthusiasts, I doubt if any person would welcome the coming of the winter season.

In North America, winter brings freezing breeze, persistent cloudy grey sky, shortened daytime, and the boring, detestable long night.  When winter comes, nowhere can we see bright-green leaves and nowhere can we find colourful flowers.  In winter, butterflies are gone, bees are hiding.  All we can see is evergreen trees and leafless branches.  Around us is either the lifeless water, or grey-greenish grass, either empty streets, or pedestrians shaking in cold.  Winter is not my favorite season.

However, winter does have its merits.  An article in Reader’s Digest states that winter slims us down naturally, quickens our minds, helps prevent infection, alleviates allergies, allows us to sleep better, and strengthens our heart (exercising in cold weather is even better, because the heart needs to pump more blood to compensate heat lose, therefore beef up the heart muscle).  Another article in TIME magazine claims that winter reduces crime, abbreviates military confrontation, fights bugs, reduces physical pain, and potentially prolongs our lives (This one is probably a stretch, although experiments show that cold weather allows worms and mice live a longer life.).  The benefits of winter season might not be known to everyone.

I perceive the similarities in spiritual realm.  Time of hardship suffocates us.  However, like the cold weather in winter, hardship purifies our soul, advances our faith and love, just as St. John of the Cross expressed in his Dark Night of the Soul.  Who would welcome “dark nights,” be it physical or spiritual?  Yet, let us ponder on the psalmist’s writing: “It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes.” (Psalm 119:71).  The Apostle Paul also says “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church.” (Colossians 1:24).  In addition, Peter contents that “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.” (1 Peter 2:21). The life journey of Christians should be one filled with hardships.

Hardship, or suffering, however, is not the end.  Paul proclaims that “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” (Romans 8:18)  Spring for sure will come after winter, just as sun rise is certain after dark night.  Seeds which survived winter will grow into strong fruitful plants.

A day in winter reminds us that the Lord is graceful.  He is still in control, working on us and blessing us.

May our lives glorify the name of our Lord in winter time as in any other time.

Dec 05-06, 2020
周力行牧師

大抵只有熱衷於冬季運動的健兒會雀躍冬季的來臨， 嚴冬並不是一般人所歡迎的季節。

在北美，伴隨嚴冬的是令人瑟縮的凜冽寒風，是灰白又灰黑又陰暗的雲層，是吝嗇得可憐的白日，是令人煩厭的漫長黑夜。嚴冬所到之處, 沒有幼嫩青翠的樹葉，沒有五彩繽紛的花卉，沒有翩翩起舞的蝴蝶，沒有忙碌於花叢中的蜜蜂。處處所見要不是四季如一的長青樹, 就是沒了樹葉的枝條； 不是灰綠一片的草地, 就是死寂一片的池水；不是空無一人的街道，就是瑟縮趕路的途人。我不愛冬。

但嚴冬為大地帶來的祝福。按讀者文摘的一篇文章，冬天讓人更有效地燃燒體內積聚的脂肪，又令人的思想更敏捷。寒冷的天氣不單降低一般的過敏症, 又改善血糖過高的患者， 更能減少身體的炎症。冬天令人在晚上使人更容易熟睡，又暗地裡令人的心臟機能增強 (若在寒冷的天氣中運動則效果更佳， 因為心臟需要把更多的血液送往全身以保持體温， 以致心肌得到更多的運動)。而時代雜誌更指出冬天令犯罪率下降，令戰爭減少， 就是昆蟲的出沒的次數也明顯地減少了。不但如此，嚴冬令身體的痛楚減少 (寒冷令血液內能減低痛楚的去甲腎上腺素Norepinephrine提升)，更有可能延長人類的壽命 (在老鼠身上的實驗得到證實)。我想，嚴冬的好處不為多人所知。

我深信， 在屬靈的層面也相若。艱難的境況往往令我們喘不過氣來。但這些嚴冬時份， 能練淨信徒屬靈生命的雜質，更能增強信徒對神的信心，對神對人的愛心，正如十架約翰在他的著作《屬靈的黑夜》 (Dark Night of the Soul， by St. John of the Cross) 所說的，沒有人會歡迎人生的黑夜， 那怕是生活的挫折或是屬靈的黑夜。但詩人說：「我受苦是與我有益，為要使我學習你的律例。」 (詩119:71)。保羅也說：「現在我為你們受苦、倒覺歡樂，並且為基督的身體、就是為教會、要在我肉身上補滿基督患難的缺欠。」(西1:24)。彼得更說：「你們蒙召原是為此，因基督也為你們受過苦，給你們留下榜樣，叫你們跟隨他的腳蹤行°」 (彼前2.21) 。 基督徒的人生路本來就應該是充滿挑戰艱難的。

但痛苦不是最終的結局。保羅說： 「我想現在的苦楚、若比起將來要顯於我們的榮耀，就不足介意了。」 (羅8:18) 。嚴冬以後， 必然是春天; 黑夜過後， 必然是日出。經過嚴冬的種籽， 必然長出茁壯的幼苗， 最後結果纍纍。

嚴冬之中，偶爾一天美麗的陽光提醒我們神仍然是恩典的神，在掌管一切，在塑造我們， 更在祝福我們。

願你我的生命能經得起考驗，在嚴冬的疾風暴雪中，仍能屹立不倒，榮耀主名。