Aug 01-02, 2020
Rev. Simon Lee, Senior Pastor RCAC

Dear brothers and sisters of RCAC,

Daily I sit in front of my computer and pray that God will show me afresh how to be a pastor during the current pandemic. I also shared with our team that I have run out of things to say for “From the Pastor’s Desk.” I am “Zoomed out” already in Zoom meetings too many that I can count, they include worship services, board meetings, staff meetings, committee meetings, Bible studies, lectures and talks… Yes, Lydia and I do what we can helping some people with counseling over the phone, grocery shopping or moving. But the nagging question on my mind is always “what else can I do?” All through my many years of ministries, I have never felt so handicapped and so helpless, not even during SARS when I was serving as a professor at Alliance Bible Seminary in Hong Kong. It has been a humbling experience but a valuable one where I am learning truly to serve God not by my knowledge or experience, but by His power and wisdom. As in the days of old, the words to me from the Lord Almighty are “’Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit’. (Zech. 4:6)

Although I am not like Solomon who said …he was but “a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in,” (I Kg 3:7) I too feel like a child not knowing what to do, and therefore daily ask the Lord for wisdom. His prayer is therefore mine today: “And now, O Lord my God, … I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in.  And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude.  Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?” (I Kings 3:7-9). Indeed, at such times as these, we all need to have the true wisdom from God.

Pastors without borders

Recently I have been reminded of the good work of Doctors Without Borders, an international humanitarian group dedicated to providing medical care to people in distress, including victims of political violence and natural disasters. They do not work in the well-equipped hospitals and comfortable clinics in their own peaceful country, but rather go out to the war-torn frontiers of conflicts around the world. They improvised when they do not have their sophisticated equipments and facilities. They do what they can without complaining.

Shouldn’t pastors be like that, as we all remind ourselves constantly, going out to rescue those in need or are perishing, like the good shepherd who goes out for the one lost sheep while keeping the 99 other sheep in safety? We pastors are so used to serving big groups and congregations; but now we need to do the same thing, one person at a time. Indeed, in modern day concept, it is inefficient and very time-consuming, but Jesus would do no less.  We need to be “pastors without border”!

Church Without Walls

Many of our members are attending online classrooms (Schools) without walls, taking all sorts of courses and lectures. This is indeed a good sign, members eager to use the extra time they have in learning more about the Bible and theology. Indeed we are discovering or rediscovering that we can carry on all these learning without attending physically the schools and classes, especially during the shutdowns in the pandemic. Modern technology has made all these good information more readily accessible. I myself have participated in some of these ministries with thousands of people worldwide signing on. My only hope is that we will not be top-heavy, flooded only with head knowledge, and that we will put into practice all the things we have learned. We should take advantage of the classes without walls and schools without walls. Our Church should also move further in the direction of a Church without walls. Indeed much of our ministries have already moved online.

It is also heartening and exciting that our members who are away in the States, Hong Kong or Singapore… are joining in our prayer meetings, Praise Dance and fellowship meetings, by Zoom. I joke that our ministries have become international! But seriously, should we really think about how in the new normal, we should “do church” differently. Right now we are reaching more people online as seen in the increased number of people connecting with their devices.  We should not wait for people to come to us in the Church building, rather we should go to them online and by other means. Indeed, the church should be “the called out ones” (ekklesia) to be set apart from the world for God, as the holy ones (saints). But we are not called just for the purpose of physically attending services, meetings, and activities, rather to be equipped as “ambassadors for Christ.”  We are to go into the world again to be “disciples” and “witnesses” of Christ in the community and to the ends of the world (physically and virtually). We need to be “Church without walls!”

For this reason, as I had shared earlier, after much thought and prayers I believe we need some fundamental changes in three directions:

1. Transform and buildup the Church with more cell groups (「化整為零」：轉化教會建立小組)
2. Transform and equip members to be “ambassadors of Christ” (「基督使者」：轉化信徒人人皆兵)
3. Transform our Church community to a “Community Church” (「社區教會」：轉化群體深入社區)

In the coming weeks, we shall think through these three directions in the new normal. We will not be able to go back to our old normal, but moving onto a better normal. Starting August 1, RCAC will start the slow process or “reopening,” first to meet with all preventive measures in small groups while maintaining physical distancing. Please refer to RTC: Return to Church Guidebooks for the protocols and follow the detailed guidelines. We shall wait longer to begin larger group activities such as fellowships, and even wait longer for return to worships at the Church. Be kind, be calm, and be safe. Be patient. God’s timing is the best.

Your pastor in Christ,

Pastor Simon

Aug 01-02, 2020
李耀全牧師

親愛列宣家的弟兄姊妹，
每天我坐在電腦前，祈禱上帝啟示我在目前的大流行中如何擔當牧者的職份。我曾與我的團隊說，我在「教牧心聲」要分享的事與話都已說盡了。在過去這段日子，我參與在互聯網Zoom會議包括崇拜，長議會議，教牧同工會議，委員會會議，查聖班，授課和講座等…, 真是數之不盡的。 師母Lydia和我盡我們所能去關心牧養一些弟兄姊妹，透過電話關懷、幫忙購買蔬果雜貨或搬遷等。但是，在我腦袋裡總是困擾我的問題是「我還可以做什麼呢？」。在我多年的事奉歲月中，我從未感到如此被牽制著和無助，相比我在香港非典型肺炎其間在建道神學院任教時更甚。這是一個使我自愧的經歷，無地自容。但這也是一個寶貴的經歷，因為我進一步學習到服侍上帝不是靠自己的知識或經驗，而是靠祂的大能和智慧。就好像昔日神喻先知般，全能的神這樣對我說「不是倚靠權勢，不是倚靠能力，而是倚靠我的靈。」(亞4:6）。
我雖然不像所羅門能說：「 ……但我還年輕，不知道應當怎樣處事。」（王上3:7），我也感到自己像個小孩，不知道該怎麼做，因此向主求智慧。所羅門的禱告是我今天的祈禱：「耶和華我的神啊，… 我還年輕，不知道能夠怎樣處事。僕人住在你揀選的子民中；這些子民很多，多得不能數算。所以，求你賜給僕人一顆明辨的心，可以判斷你的子民，能辨別是非，因為誰能判斷你這眾多的子民呢？」（王上3:7-9）。確實，在這些時候，我們需要從上帝那裡尋求真智慧。
無國界(界限)牧者
最近，我又想起了無國界醫生組織（Doctors Without Borders）的出色工作，該國際人道組織致力於為因政治暴力和自然災害的受害者提供醫療服務。他們不在自己國家設備齊全的醫院或診所工作，而是跑到飽受戰亂災禍困擾的世界各地去工作，他們在沒有完善的設備和設施下盡力去拯救生命，沒有絲毫抱怨。
牧者不應該是這樣麼？我們同工各别都不斷提醒自己，走出去拯救面對困境或正在生死邊緣的人，就像好牧羊人去尋找一隻迷失的羊，同時又保障另外99隻羊的安全。我們慣常服侍一大個群體和一班會眾；現在我們同樣的服侍但每次只能單獨一個人。確實，在現代的觀念，這是低效率和費時，但耶穌會照樣做並且從不苟且。作教牧同工的，需作無界限牧者。
無圍牆教會
我們許多會眾都正在參加各種網上課程和講座。這確實是一個可喜的事，大家積極利用自己的額外時間來學習聖經和神學。實際上，我們發現或是重新發現，我們無需親自到學校上課也可以進行許多學習，特別是在大流行禁聚令期間。現代技術進步促使資訊更容易傳達，我本人也曾參與其中的一些事工，全球數以千計的人同時參與。我唯一的盼望是，我們應該好好利用沒有圍牆的課室和學校，把學到的知識付諸實踐，不會只是知識泛濫充斥在頭腦上。列宣家也應朝著沒有圍牆的教會的方向邁進，我們許多事工已經轉到網上進行。
同樣令人振奮和激勵的是，我們許多身處在美國，香港或新加坡外遊的會友參加用Zoom平台進行的禱告會，讚美操和團契聚會。我開玩笑說我們的事工已經國際化了！但認真的考慮說，我們應該思想在新常態下如何「當教會」；目前，透過不同的電子產品連接的人數不斷增加，我們可以在線上接觸到更多的人。我們不應該在教堂裡等待人們來找我們，而應該透過互關網和其他方式去接觸他們。教會是「被神呼召的群體」（ekklesia），願意為神與世界分隔開，分別為聖（聖徒）。但是，我們被呼召不僅僅是個人參加敬拜聚會，事工和活動，而是為了裝備成為「基督的使者」。我們要再次進入人群，在社區和世界全地（實質上和虛擬上）作基督的「門徒」和「見證人」。我們需要成為一間「無圍牆教會」！
因此，正如我之前所分享的，經過多翻思索和祈禱，我相信我們需要在三個方向進行一些根本性的改變：
1. 「化整為零」：轉化教會建立小組
2. 「基督使者」：轉化信徒人人皆兵
3. 「社區教會」：轉化人群深入社區
在未來的數週，我們將在新常態中仔細思想這三個方向。我們將無法返回從前的常態，而會轉向更好的常態。從8月1日開始，列宣已開始逐步「重新開放」，首先是小組聚會，當然一定要合乎所有防疫措施及保持社交距離。詳情及所有防疫措施，請參閱「返回教會指南」(RTC)。至於集體聚會例如團契週會或者是崇拜，我們還需要等待一段時間。大家「保持友善，保持冷靜和保持安全」。我們需要耐心等候，上帝的時間是最好的。
主僕
李耀全牧師

Jul 25-26, 2020
Rev. Simon Lee, Senior Pastor RCAC

Dear brothers and sisters in RCAC family,

Last Friday (July 17, 2020) I received news that Dr. J.I. Packer (巴刻博士) has gone to be the Lord at the good old age of 93. I am going to miss him as one who has been my theological mentor since my Regent days. He and others at Regent College (including Dr. Bruce Waltke) shaped my evangelical faith, and my love for the Word and my understanding of God. May his life inspires you and I to live for God.

Like many people, my first encounter with Dr. Packer was through his books which I read in my early university days in the 70’s, Fundamentalism and the Word of God (基要主義與神的道) and Knowing God (認識神). As a layman, he and his books made theology understandable and relevant. When I eventually started to study full-time (1978) at Regent, Packer also came to Regent (1979) and I was so happy to have him as my professor in theology. Some people may have regarded Packer’s lectures as dry and unappealing (by North American standard), but one has to discover his depth of knowledge and wisdom, his skilful and articulate use of language and his brand of British humour, to really appreciate him as a lecturer. Going to his theology classes was like taking a Bible class, always centered in the Bible and on Christ and always focuses on building Christ’s church. I attribute my interests in the Puritans, and my love for the Word of God in serving the church, to Packer, my theological mentor. Eventually, he and Dr. Klaus Bockmuehl became my supervisors in my Master of Theology thesis. Packer was one of the teachers who encouraged me to pursue further theological studies.  I always take pride in these two teachers, as I regard them both as two of the foremost evangelical voices in modern times.

Regent has always been known for the training of the laity. When China Graduate School of Theology started in Hong Kong in the 70’s and 80’s, Regent was a model to the School. Packer was invited to give lectures in CGST and CGST began the Diploma of Christian Studies (Dip.CS) patterned after Regent’s program. I was privilege to have witnessed the genesis of that program, helping to connect the two Schools. Since then, Regent has maintained a long-standing relationship with theological education in Hong Kong.

In January, 1998, J.I. Packer visited Hong Kong again to celebrate the establishment of the James I. Packer Chair of Theology at Regent. There were several events including a special seminar for pastors in Hong Kong called ‘the pursuit and practice of holiness: the work of the Holy Spirit and the pastoral role’ (聖潔生活的追求與實踐-聖靈工作與牧者的職分) and I was honoured to be a respondent from a pastoral perspective (I had become a professor at Alliance Bible Seminary in 1994). Coming right after the handover of Hong Kong in 1997, it was such a memorable and important event.  I was even presented as mementos an autographed copy of “Knowing God!”

I attended Lausanne II, the Second International Congress on World Evangelization, held in in Manila in the Philippines in July 1989 (right after the Tiananmen Incident in June) and served as an interpreter in the conference. There was a special presentation on the Holy Spirit with J.I. Packer and Jack Hayford  as speakers. Hayford spoke first on the Signs and Wonders of the Holy Spirit. I will never forget how Packer came after Hayford and spoke on being “In Step with the Spirit” and proclaimed that there is nothing more powerful than the work of the Holy Spirit in the conversion of sinners. That message echoes powerfully in my mind till now.

As a prolific author, Dr. Packer has inspired me very much in my own writing career. Most of his books were written with the lay people in mind. Books like “Hot Tub Religion” and “Finishing our course with Joy” are some examples among the score of books he has written over a long span of his career. Packer did not write his magnum opus in theology, but his many books speak volumes and are immensely helpful to all Christians in instructions for living a life of godliness and holiness. There lies his legacy. I salute my esteemed teacher, J.I. Packer.

Your Servant in Christ,

Simon Lee

 

Jul 25-26, 2020
李耀全牧師

上週五(2020年7月17日)，我收到消息知道巴刻博士(Dr. JI Packer)息勞歸主，享年93歲。我非常懷念我的老師，從我就讀維真神學院到今天，他和另外一位老師華爾基博士(Dr. Bruce Waltke)塑造了我的福音派信仰，並加深對神的話的熱愛和認識神祂自己。願他一生的榜樣成為您我為主而活的鼓勵！

與許多人一樣，我與巴刻博士的第一次接觸是在70年代上大學初期，拜讀他寫的兩本書，分別為：《基要主義與神的道》和《認識神》。作為一個平信徒大學生，閱讀他的書幫助我理解神學並發現神學的廣泛應用性。當我在1978年到了維真神學院(維真)作為一位全時間的學生，巴刻博士也在1979年來到了維真任教。我當時很高興他能夠成為我的神學教授。有些人可能認為巴刻博士的授課很枯燥且沒有吸引力(按照北美標準)，但要真正欣賞他作為一名講師，就必須要透過發現他的知識淵博與智慧深厚，對語言的熟練和表達技巧以及對英國式的幽默才能夠體會。參加他的神學課程就像參加聖經課程一樣，因為他的授課總是以聖經和基督為中心，並且始終專注於教授關於建立基督的教會。我對清教徒的興趣和對神的話語的熱愛歸功於我的神學導師巴刻博士。之後，他和另外一位神學教授Dr. Klaus Bockmuehl成為我的神學碩士論文的導師。巴刻博士總是鼓勵我繼續投入在神學的研究上。我一直以這兩位老師為榮，因為我認為他們是當代福音派的兩位重要代表。

維真一直是被譽為以訓練信徒為主的神學院。在70/80年代，當中國神學研究院開始在香港建立時，就是以維真為藍本。當時，巴刻博士應邀在中神演說，後來中神也開始了一個與維真近似的基督教研究的證書課程。我當時有幸能夠見證這個課程的成立，並幫助兩家神學院開始建立關係。至今，維真繼續在香港的神學教育上仍有所貢獻。

1998年1月，巴刻博士再次訪問香港，慶祝成立以巴刻博士為名的神學教席。 還記得當時有數項活動，包括在香港為牧師舉辦的特別研討會，題目為 “聖潔生活的追求與實踐-聖靈工作與牧者的職分”。 我很榮幸在那一場研討會上代表與會者，從牧者的角度，回應巴刻博士的演講。(我在1994年已成為建道神學院的教授)。 那一場研討會發生在1997年香港回歸後，更是有意義和令人難忘。 在那一次的演講中，我更收到了巴刻博士的“認識神”親筆簽名本，甚有紀念價值！

1989年7月(6月天安門事件之後)，我參加了在菲律賓馬尼拉舉行的洛桑2：第二屆世界福音國際大會第並在會議中擔任翻譯。當時巴刻博士和Dr. Jack Hayford分別以聖靈論作為演講主題。 Hayford首先談到了聖靈的神蹟和奇事。 我永遠不會忘記巴刻博士是跟隨Hayford之後發表演講的，題目為“與聖靈同行”，並宣稱罪人能悔改歸主，乃聖靈最偉大的工作。 到現在，該段的信息依然在我的腦海中迴盪，記憶猶新。

巴刻博士的著作非常多，他也啟發了我自己的寫作生涯。 他的大部分書籍著作都是為了平信徒所寫的。 就像是“Hot Tub Religion”和“Finishing our course with Joy”。巴刻博士並沒有什麼巨大神學著作，但是他的許多書歷經翻印多次，證明了他的寫作對所有基督徒在過敬虔和聖潔的生活中提供了極大的幫助。 這就是他留給後人的產業。 我要向我的老師巴刻博士致最崇高的敬意。與肢體共勉！

主僕
李耀全牧師

Jul 11-12, 2020
Rev. Simon Lee, Senior Pastor RCAC

Dear brothers and sisters of RCAC,

It has been 4 months since the lockdown due to the pandemic. During this time, every week I sit down literally at the Pastor’s Desk, which now is my study desk at home, and wonder what I can say from my heart that would be of any encouragement to our brothers and sisters at RCAC.  Now four months after, to be honest, I am starting to feel dry at times and wonder whether there is anything more to say during this difficult time that has not already been said. This is in contrast to the beginning of this period when I return to more writing and felt I really had something to say and was able to reclaim writing (from my professorial days) as my form of ministry to you all. Those around me and I also notice that at times I may be repeating myself, which surely are signs that I am running out of things to say. I confess to my team regularly I am learning to be a pastor like a rooky all over again. Let me hasten to add this does not mean God has nothing more to say, and it is more an admission of how inadequate I feel right now, and that I and all our pastors need your prayer support too. Let’s support each other in prayer.

Almost every day we hear Dr. Bonnie Henry say, “Be kind, be calm and be safe” at the end of her updates on the pandemic, and it is indeed good and simple wisdom that we should heed. We have looked at what it means to “be kind” and “be calm” and they are attitudes we should have in facing the current pandemic. Having these attitudes enables us to take critical actions to “stay safe.”

• How to “stay safe”?

To “stay safe” means that we try our best to not get sick by staying away from the danger of coming into contact with, and being infected (and affected) by the coronavirus which is actively present everywhere.

By now we all now know that washing our hands frequently, not touching our face (eyes, nose and mouth), clean different surfaces regularly with disinfectant, wearing masks when in close contact with others, maintaining physical distancing (1-2 metres), avoid crowds and other similar preventive measures all help to lower the risk of infection. Also, keeping ourselves healthy with healthy diet and exercises (physically active) help us to be less vulnerable. Physical distancing and lowering the numbers of contacts with people (avoiding big gatherings) also help us and others from getting sick. If we have symptoms, we should stay home.

But to “stay safe” is more than being vigilant and alert on our own when we are facing a threat; it is to habitually live a life that is ready to face any attacks (e.g. COVID) as our preventive behaviour is already second nature to us. Dr. Bonnie Henry has written a book in 2009 and reissued in 2020 called, Soap and Water & Common Sense, where she documented her lifelong interest in public health and preventive medicine, and where she gives us a guide to staying healthy in a germ-filled world. Dr. Henry says, “I often call it ‘uncommon sense,’” believing that ‘common sense’ (conventional wisdom) like frequent handwashing often does work and we should practice it regularly. Prevention is better than cure. Maybe it is better to think of it as “staying safe” (habitually) rather than just “stay safe” in times of danger.

• To “stay safe” is to live a full, healthy and holistic life

I like to add also “to stay safe” is to recognize that each human being is a physical-psycho-socio-spiritual whole, and therefore our physical health is intimately tied to our psycho-socio-spiritual well-being. Our mental health, our healthy networks of support and our spiritual resources all contribute to maintaining physical health. Psychologically, we need cognitively and emotionally to come to terms with our current reality and stay healthy. If we are stable in our personal psychological well-being (be calm), then we will be able to relate lovingly with our neighbours (be kind), as everyone is suffering the effects of the pandemic.  When anxiety and pain becomes unbearable and there is no solution in sight, we need spiritual resources that lift us up and give us a transcendent perspective. All these things help to cut down the pressure we experience and lower our health risk so that we can feel and be more secure (stay safe).

During this pandemic, I have been struck by how the vast majority of people are gravely concerned about our physical health and not wanting to get sick. When we finally realized that we are in a deadly pandemic due to COVID-19, most people have taken it seriously, and some even have been taken over by panic and anxiety, especially when tens of thousands of people around the world are dying each day as a result of the Coronavirus. When western medicine has yet to come up with a cure and when the vaccine has yet to be developed, suddenly folk remedies and alternate medicine become rampant, all promising miraculous cure or prevention, and they do not lack people who believe in them. We all want to have a miracle drug to keep us healthy physically, the sooner the better.

However, somehow we all, to varying degrees, resist the public health and preventive measures that have been suggested as we do not put much weight to the psychological and social factors and dimensions of our health, not to mention the spiritual. As said, we are psycho-social beings living in a society together, and any outbreak can start with one person or a small pocket of people. So personal health must be maintained communally through public health. This is one other reason why the church our faith community is so important as we can practice “staying safe” together (“staying together by staying apart”) and be of mutual encouragement to each other, and learn to “be kind” and “be calm.”  The Church should be a place where our spirituality is awakened and where we together can draw strength from the power of God.

• The safest place on earth

The safest place on earth; where people connect and are forever changed is a book by Christian psychologist, Larry Crabb, published in 1999. The book talks about how the church, rather than being a place for people to display their goodness and hide their failures in fear of censure, it should be open, supportive, and compassionate in dealing with our weaknesses. The pandemic has brought out much of our weaknesses, but we can together accept each other in the Christian community and make the church “the safest place on earth.” Due to the pandemic, people who suffer losses in personal health, even deaths within the family, loss of job and security…, should be able to find the Church community a place where they can find peace, compassion, support and comfort. Is RCAC such a church?

In the New Normal, we have already observed that a new anxiety has crept into our lives, the anxiety of wanting to go back to the old normal quickly, and the impatience with the slow and cautious reopening that we are going through even as we enter Phase 3 of the reopening in our Province of BC.  We need to continue to stay vigilant and not let down our guard lest we trigger a second outbreak of the Coronavirus, like what is already happening in a few countries around the world. Therefore we may need to continue for a while the way we have been “doing Church.” We need to keep staying safe. May we find that safety in our home and family, as well as in our Church community.

In August, we are planning to resume in a safe way some of our activities (including the summer children events) within our church building, I urge you all to follow the protocol we have set up so that we can “be kind, be calm and be safe,” by being the Church that displays the character of Christ, kind, calm and loving.

In facing the pandemic, we have considered carefully the instruction of Dr. Henry to “be kind, be calm and be safe”, from a health perspective as well as a Christian perspective. I would like to conclude this series with the words of Paul: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:6-7) Amen.

Your servant in Christ

Rev. Dr. Simon Lee

Senior Pastor

Jul 11-12, 2020
李耀全牧師

列宣家親愛的弟兄姊妹,

自疫情蔓延以來，至今已封鎖了四個月。每週我也真正地坐在牧者的辦公桌前(From the Pastor ’s Desk)，而現時已轉移至家中工作間的書桌前，不斷思索著如何透過文字事奉，把心中的肺腑之言(教牧心聲)和教會的兄弟姊妹分享，藉以作為鼓勵，為大家打氣。現已是足四個月了，感謝主！數月前開始每週撰寫「教牧心聲」時，心中實在有無窮無盡的話(有若過往擔任教席時寫作的生涯) 。現時老實說，自己總覺要講的話大致上已講盡，在寫作事奉方面，有時也會有點需要搜索枯腸，已江郎才盡，有難以下筆之感。如身邊的人所指出而我也有所覺察，我的寫作未免偶現重複冗贅。同時我常向我的同工團隊表白，我好像初哥新手一般，正在重新學習做好這份牧職。這絕非表示沒有神的話語可傳，而是我在承認自己的不足，為此，我和我們所有的教牧同工也需要您的祈禱支持，我們要彼此服侍。

邦妮·亨利醫生在每天更新疫情報告時，我們均可聽到她以：“保持友善，冷靜和安全”作為結束，我們實在應聽取她那精簡優良的智慧。於此之前我們已分別探討了“友善”和“冷靜”的含義，這是對病毒蔓延當前應持守的態度，以讓我們能採取關鍵行動來“保持安全”。

• 如何“保持安全”？

“保持安全”是指我們盡最大努力去避免染病，盡量遠離與無處不在的活躍冠狀病毒接觸並受到感染的風險。
我們現在都知道，必須經常洗手，勿觸摸臉部 (包括眼睛，鼻子和嘴巴)，時常用消毒劑清潔不同的表面，與他人緊密接觸時要戴上口罩，保持身體距離1至2米，避免人群及其他類似的預防措施皆有助於減低感染的風險。此外，通過健康的飲食和鍛煉身體以保持健康，有助於我們增強免疫力(減少脆弱性)。保持人與人之間的距離和減少與人的接觸次數 (避免大形聚集)也有助於我們和他人免於受病毒感染。若有病癥便需留在家中。

可是，“保持安全”不只是在我們面臨威脅時須保持警覺和警惕。而是在生活上養成習慣，且準備面對任何攻擊侵襲（例如冠狀病毒），讓預防行為自然地成為我們的第二天性。邦妮·亨利醫生於2009年撰寫了一本書，並於2020年再版，名為《肥皂和水與常識Soap and Water & Common Sense》，書中記錄了她一生對公共衛生和預防醫學的興趣，並為我們提供了在充滿細菌的世界中保持健康的指南。亨利醫生提到：我經常稱其為  “另類常識” (uncommon sense)，她認為像經常洗手一般的“常識”(屬於傳統智慧) 經常奏效，我們應該時常這樣做。預防遠勝於治療。也許最好的是養成“保持安全”習慣，而不是僅在發生危險時才“保持安全”。

• “保持安全”就是過充實，健康及整全的生活

我還想補充的是，“保持安全”是要認識到每個人都是生理-心理-社會-靈性的整體，因此我們的身體健康與我們的心理-社會-靈性方面，全人是緊密關連的。我們的心理健康，健康的支持網絡和靈性方面皆與維持身體健康息息相關。從心理方面來說，我們需要在認知和情感上適應當前的現實以保持健康。如果我們在個人心理健康上能保持穩定（保持鎮定），那麼我們就能夠與其他人進行友善的聯繫（保持友善），因為每個人都在遭受疫情大流行的影響。當焦慮和痛苦變得難以忍受並且看不到解決之方時，我們需要靈性資源來使我們振作起來並提昇我們超越的視角。所有這各方面也有助於減輕我們承受的壓力並降低患病風險，從而使我們能夠感到並更為安穩（保持安全）。

在這疫情大流行期間，我為著絕大多數人如何極度關注自身的健康免受感染而感到震驚。當我們最終意識到現正處於致命的疫症蔓延中時，大多數人也會認真地面對，有些人因知道冠狀病毒帶來每天在世界各地有成千上萬的人因而喪生時，引致恐慌和焦慮。當西方醫藥尚未找到治愈方法，疫苗尚未開發時，民間偏方和另類療法突然變得如雨後春筍般湧現。相信這些藥物會帶來奇蹟性治愈或預防能力的，大有人在。我們也期待著可確保健康的有效應藥物能及早面世。

然而，大抵由於我們各自也在心理和社會因素，健康情況等方面有某程度上的差異，在靈性方面的差異更不在話下，我們也會在不同程度上會抗拒或忽視公共衛生和預防措施的建議。如前所述，我們是共同生活在一個社群中的心理社會個體，任何病發都可能始於一個人或一小撮的人。因此，必須通過公共衛生來共同維護個人健康。這也是為什麼我們的教會作為信仰群體是如此重要，以至我們需要共同實行“保持安全”（“藉彼此隔離以保持維繫”）並藉相互鼓勵，以學習和體現如何保持“友善”和“鎮靜。”教會應該成為喚醒靈性之處，並成為我們可以一起從神的力量源頭中汲取力量的地方。

• 世上最安全的地方  

基督教心理學家克萊布（Larry Crabb）在1999年所著的一本書： “世上最安全的地方；人與人彼此聯繫和永遠被改變的所在” (The safest place on earth; where people connect and are forever changed)。該書談論的是，教會不是一個讓人們因著害怕受到譴責而展示自己的善良和隱藏失敗的地方，而是應該在處理我們的弱點時保持坦誠開放，得到支持和同情。病毒大流行顯示出許多人的弱點，但我們可以在教會群體中相互接納，使教會成為“世上最安全的地方”。由於疫情所致，那些個人健康受損，甚至遭遇家人喪失，失去工作和安全感……的人，應該能夠從教會大家庭中找到一個可以得著平安，同情，支持和安慰之所在。我們列宣家教會可會如此？

在新常態中，本省正以緩慢而謹慎的步伐進入第三階段的重新開放，我們已觀覺到新的焦慮–希望能快速回復舊常態的焦慮與不耐煩，已經滲透於我們的生活之中。我們需要繼續保持警惕，不要放鬆警戒，以免引發冠狀病毒的第二輪爆發，就像一些其他國家已經發生的情況一樣。因此，我們可能仍需要以“現時的教會形式”繼續下去一些時間。我們需要能保持安全。願我們能在家，在家庭中以及在教會群體中找到安全。

我們正計劃在8月，以確保安全的方式續漸恢復於教會建築物內進行的一些活動（包括兒童夏令活動），我促請大家遵循教會制定的協議，以便我們能保持“友善，冷靜”。作為教會，可以展現出基督的品格，友善，鎮定和愛心。

在面對病毒大流行之際，讓我們從健康角度及基督教的觀點，仔細考慮按照亨利醫生的“善良，冷靜和安全”的指示。我想引述保羅的話來作本系列文章的結語：“應當毫無憂慮，只要凡事藉著禱告祈求，帶著感恩的心，把你們所要的告訴神，這樣，神所賜超過人能了解的平安，必在基督耶穌裡，保守你們的心思意念。”（腓4：6-7 -新譯本）阿們！

主僕

李耀全牧師
主任牧師

Jul 04-05, 2020
Rev. Simon Lee, Senior Pastor RCAC

Dear brothers and sisters of RCAC,

We started the year 2020 with the theme of “Launch Out into the Deep,” by examining “our identity, stand and mission as a C&MA Church” in the first quarter. The Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic disrupted our plan and by the second quarter we switched to the subtheme of “Jesus calms the storms in our lives /Restore us to Yourself, O Lord.” Now in the New Normal, in the third quarter we are going back to Biblical history and examine the rise and fall of the kings of Israel and Judah, so as to discover lessons for us today for our personal lives and the growth of the Church. The major lesson that Kings teaches us is that failure to honor the revealed will of God results in ruin and destruction.  The nation of Israel reached the height of its power and prestige in Solomon’s day. It began to decline because of Solomon’s unfaithfulness and failure to honor the Mosaic Covenant.

 Biblical scholars do not know who the author of the Kings was, but the historical period Kings covers totals about 413 years which started with Solomon’s coronation as co-regent with David (973 B.C.) and ended with Jehoiachin’s release from Babylonian exile (561 B.C.). However, most of Kings deals with the period from Solomon’s coronation and to the time of the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 B.C., a period of 387 years. At the beginning we see the temple built and at the end the temple burnt. I find these quotations from Constable’s notes very helpful:

“. . . 1, 2 Kings present Israel’s history as a series of events that describe how and why the nation fell from the heights of national prosperity to the depths of conquest and exile.”

“More specifically, 1, 2 Kings explain how and why Israel lost the land it fought so hard to win in Joshua and worked so hard to organize in Judges and 1, 2 Samuel.”

“Plot relates the causes and effects in a story. Thus, the story line in 1, 2 Kings may be that Israel went into exile, but the plot is Israel went into exile because of its unfaithfulness to God. To make cause and effect unfold, plots normally have at least two basic aspects: conflict and resolution. A plot’s conflict is the tension in a story that makes it an interesting account, while a plot’s resolution is the way the conflict is settled. How the author develops these two components usually decides the shape and effectiveness of the plot.”

The theme of our new series is “Launch out into the Deep III: Why Kingdoms Rise and Fall (I and II Kings).” As the title suggests we are exploring the reasons for the rise and fall of the Kingdom of Israel. Out purpose is to discover the role of the kings and leaders in that period in the fate of the nation. We hope we can then apply it to our Church as we face the challenge brought on by the COVID 19 pandemic, to reflect on how the lives of our pastors and leaders can directly affect whether we are going to success or fail as a church.

Our preaching schedule in the summer quarter will be as follows:

Dates	Scripture Reading  (ESV)	Sermon Subject
Jul  4/5	1 Kings  1:28-40; 2:1-4, 2:10-12	Solomon 1: The Rise
Jul 11/12	1 Kings  3:5-15	Solomon 2: Wisdom
Jul  18/19	1 Kings  5:1-6:1	Solomon 3: The Temple
Jul  25/26	1 Kings  8:1-21	Solomon 4: The Dedication
Aug 1/ 2	1 Kings  9:1-9	Solomon 5: The Promise
Aug  8/9	1 Kings  11:1-14; 41-43	Solomon 6: The Fall
Aug 15/16	1 Kings  12:1-24	Divided Kingdom 1: Rebellion
Aug 22/23	1 Kings  13:7-32	Divided Kingdom 2: Disobedience
Aug 29/30	1 Kings  14:1-20	Divided Kingdom 3: Deception
Sep 5/6	TBA	Youth/Christian Education Weekend
Sep 12/13	1 Kings  15:1-24	Divided Kingdom 4: Reform
Sep 19/20	TBA	Sacred Music/Mission(P/E) Weekend
Sep 26/27	1 Kings  15:25-16:7	Divided Kingdom 5: Relapse

In the New Normal we do well to remember that God has revealed Himself in the history of Israel. With each sermon, we shall reflect on this history with an eye on how we as a people of God in Christ’s Church at RCAC must not fail in following the teaching of God, lest we FALL like the people of God in this period of history! We shall cover the history up to I Kings 16 in this quarter from July to September and return to the rest of the history at a later date (projected to Winter, January – March, 2021). This is arranged so that we will return to a New Testament study in the fall. Let’s dig into the Word of God together.

Your servant in Christ,

Rev. Simon Lee

Senior Pastor, RCAC

Jul 04-05, 2020
李耀全牧師

親愛的列宣家的弟兄姊妹，

2020年我們以「開到水深之處」為主題，第一季探討「宣道會：身份、立場和使命」。由於冠狀病毒COVID-19大流行打斷了我們的計劃，到第二季度，我們轉換了「耶穌平靜我們生命中的風浪/主啊，求祢更新我們」為分題。現在，將進入第三季度，新常態中，我們將回顧聖經的歷史，查考以色列和猶大諸王的興衰，作為我們今天的生活和教會的成長汲取教訓。列王紀上、下給我們的教訓主要是，不遵行上帝所啟示的旨意會導致敗壞和滅亡。所羅門時代，以色列國達到了權力和威望的最高峰。由於所羅門背叛神和沒有遵行摩西的立約，以色列國漸漸走向滅亡。

聖經學者不知道列王紀上、下經卷的作者是誰，但列王紀內所敘述的歷史時期共約413年，始於大衛立所羅門為王（公元前973年），至約雅斤從巴比倫被擄獲釋（公元前561年）結束。但是，列王紀大多數是記錄從所羅門登基為王到公元前586年耶路撒冷被毀的時期共387年。開始的時候是聖殿被建造，最後是聖殿被燒毀。我發現Constable以下的註釋非常有幫助：

「… 列王紀上、下通過一系列事件描述以色列的歷史，以色列民族如何及為什麼從繁榮盛世淪落到被擄和流亡的深淵。」

「更具體地說，列王紀上、下解釋了以色列民族如何及為什麼失去了他們在約書亞年代艱辛贏得，以及在士師記及撒母耳記上、下年代努力經營的國土。」

「情節將故事中的因果聯繫起來。因此，列王紀上、下的故事線可能是以色列流亡，但情節是以色列民族違背上帝的教導以致亡國被擄。打開故事的因果關係，情節通常至少具有兩個基本層面：衝突和解決。劇情的衝突是故事中的緊張局勢，使故事變得精彩，而劇情的解決則是解決衝突的途徑。作者如何發展這兩個組合通常決定了情節的起伏。」

第三季的講道的主題乃開到水之深之處III：國度興衰、匹夫有責（列王紀上、下經訓）。主題顧名思義是指出以色列國的興衰直接與國王和領袖的行為好壞正邪息息相關。目的是以史為鑑，反思我們在疫情大流行中教會(神的國度在列宣)的興衰也是與教會的牧者與領袖的生命好歹不可分割，而您我作為教會的一份子，教會成敗，匹夫有責！分題安排如下：

日期                    讀經(新譯本)                               講題內容

7月4/5日            王上1:28-40, 2:1-4, 10-12        所羅門(1): 王朝興起

7月11/12日         王上3:5-15                                 所羅門(2): 王的智慧

7月18/19日        王上 5:1-6:1                              所羅門(3): 建造聖殿

7月25/26日       王上8:1-21                                 所羅門(4): 奉獻聖殿

8月1/2日            王上9:1-9                                   所羅門(5): 神的應許

8月8/9日            王上11:1-14, 41-43                   所羅門(6): 王朝衰落

8月15/16日         王上12:1-24                               王國分裂(1): 百姓叛亂

8月22/23日        王上13:7-32                               王國分裂(2): 神僕受誘

8月29/30日        王上14:1-20                               王國分裂(3): 詭詐受罰

9月5/6日             待定                                             青年事工/基教崇拜

9月12/13日          王上15:1-24                                王國分裂(4): 改革復興

9月19/20日         待定                                             聖樂崇拜/差傳

9月26/27日         王上15:25-16:7                          王國分裂(5): 變本加厲

在新常態中，讓我們謹記上帝在以色列歷史上已經彰顯了自己。透過每次的證道，我們將回顧這段歷史，列宣作為神的子民的教會我們著眼於如何跟從上帝的教導，免得我們像這段歷史時期上帝的子民一樣跌倒！我們將在7月至9月的這個季度中涵蓋列王紀上1-16章的歷史，並在稍後的日子（預計在2021年1月至3月的冬季）繼續歷史的其餘部分。這樣我們將能在今年秋季返回研讀新約。讓我們一起探討上帝的話語。

主僕

李耀全牧師

主任牧師

Jun 27-28, 2020
Rev. Simon Lee, Senior Pastor RCAC

Dear brothers and sisters of RCAC,

• Why do we need to be calm?

“Not Cancelled” is a book published recently, putting together 49 inspiring stories from across Canada of people who have acted kindly, calmly and courageously during the COVID-19 pandemic. Amidst news of people still fearful or not following the guidelines for reopening, and even news of racial discrimination against Asians, I really welcome the book as a breath of fresh air. Yes, we need to encourage each other to be kind, be calm in facing the challenge before us in order to stay safe, as Dr. Bonnie Henry has called us to do repeatedly over the past three months. We need to continue to be vigilant.

From personal experience, I know that I can stay calmer in adverse situations if I know the threat I am facing, and know how to deal with them with the resources I can gather. The more I understand the threats, the more I am prepared to deal with them, and the more I can remain calm. I go into a panic mode when I am caught off guard. As a boy growing up, I was a Boy Scout for many years, and I learned to “Be prepared” and engaged in activities and training to increase my survival skills and ability to respond to difficulties. The more I mastered those skills, the more I felt confident to face different unexpected challenges. So preparedness and availability of resources are keys to staying calm.

The pandemic have come upon us with such speed that we quickly lose our security, stability and equilibrium in life. The threat is greater because the things we are seeing and experiencing are unprecedented and there are so many unknowns. We become restless, nervous, anxious and sleepless, and prolonged anxiety can led to different anxiety disorders. Like SARS in Hong Kong 17 years ago, if anxiety is left unchecked, people can develop Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD), that is, become anxious over everything, or even Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), with obsessive thought and compulsive behaviour, as for example, in uncontrolled and repetitive need to wash one’s hands. So the ability to be calm, cool and collected will help prevent us from such anxiety mental disorders.

• What are some psychological perspectives of being calm?

Moving away from the medical model of mental illness, if kindness is regarded as a Character Strength and Virtue (in Positive Psychology) under the category of “humanity,” then where does “being calm” fits in? We find that “calmness” would probably also fit well in the category of “humanity” as an expression of “love, kindness and social intelligence.” However if we see this as a quality required in adversities, then the category of “courage” (valor) which includes virtues like “bravery, perseverance, honesty and zest” will be appropriate as well. “Calmness” in adversities then is an expression of bravery to face adversities (in a gentle way if I may add), the ability to persevere when trials persist, maintaining one’s integrity and vitality, despite ongoing pressure. “Calmness” is a product of the human will backed by different sources of strength from existential meaning and purpose. From this perspective, calmness is part of personal growth in our development of humanity and courage.

From another perspective, if “kindness” can be measured in EQ or Emotional Quotient or Intelligence, then “being calm” can be seen as a crucial element measured in AQ or Adversity Quotient. The term “adversity quotient” is coined by Paul Stoltz in 1997 in his pioneering book Adversity Quotient: Turning Obstacles Into Opportunities. It is commonly known also as the science of resilience. When it comes to dealing with everyday challenges, or even catastrophic one, AQ has been recognized a more powerful coping mechanism than IQ. It is learning not to quit right from the start or half way when the going gets tough. We need to be vigilant and meet challenges with clarity and calmness.

• How does Jesus model for us staying calm in adversities?

We have already looked previously at how Jesus calmed the storm, and learned that in the same way Jesus can calm the storms in our lives. Another picture that comes to mind is the picture of Jesus when His enemies came to arrest him. The Gospel of John stated that Simon Peter impulsively cut off the ear of Malchus, the servant of Caiaphas the High Priest (Jn. 18:10). Luke adds that Jesus instead healed the wound (Lk. 22:51) and in Matthew, Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword back in its place, for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.” (Mt. 26:52) What a contrast, we can see whereas Peter was “fearless and courageous” (or impulsive?) in his action, Jesus was calm and collected in the whole process, showing an inner peace even when He was betrayed by Judas his disciple with a kiss. How was Jesus able to stay calm in such atrocities?

It is instructive to note that the whole incidence happened after Jesus prayed in the garden of Gethsemane, during which the three closest disciples of Jesus including Peter could not stay awake. Jesus’s prayer battle in Gethsemane and His prayer life throughout His days on earth was a source of strength for Jesus, the reason for being able to stay calm when facing the most difficult challenge of His earthly life. Throughout the life of Jesus, he knew exactly why He was on earth, and he was resolute in His determination to go to cross. He was prepared for every step of the road to Calvary, and remained calm throughout the Passion Week in all his trials and tribulations. Jesus could stay calm because He knew that He was following and fulfilling the perfect will of God. So if we know we are walking in the path of God, we too can stay calm in adversities. Walking close to God prayerfully is key to staying calm and serene.

• What does the Bible teach us about staying calm in adversities?

In our favourite Psalm, Ps. 23, David says, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.” (1,2) The picture is one of calmness, peacefulness, tranquility and serenity. With Jesus as our Good Shepherd, we can be calm. Indeed this psalm has down through the ages brought peace to many Christians in times of need.

From the perspective of courage, in times like these, we are told to “be strong and very courageous,” just as Joshua was told when he faced the daunting task of leading the people of God into Promised Land. Joshua and Caleb had years ago in fact spoken out courageously after they and the rest of the 10 spies returned from their trip of spying out the land of Canaan, but unfortunately they were rejected by the people of the Exodus. Now after almost 40 years they were given the “impossible” task of leading a new generation of Israelites into the Promised Land, claiming it and dividing it among the tribes so as to settle in it. God’s word of encouragement to “be strong and courageous” came to Joshua with the passing of Moses. With these words, Joshua was also instructed to follow closely “the Torah,” with the promise of the blessings of God if he carefully observed this instruction (Joshua 1:1-9).

However I see people who are calm display more than raw courage and strong resilience when faced with danger and threat. There is an inner strength, quiet restfulness and a serene spirit that is the very opposite of impetuousness and toughness. Calmness is not just an outward behaviour when challenged, as it is a reflection of something deeper – the maturity of a person, the inner quality of his/her spirituality. It is heeding God’s calming voice that says “Be still and know that I am God.” (Ps. 46:10)

• How do we practice being calm in the New Normal?

In the model of Soul C.A.R.E.S that I have developed over the years, one of the core competences in pastoral care and counseling is providing spiritual formation and direction that helps a person comes to term with adversities/trauma by nurturing a serene spirit, with the attitude of full surrender to God and His sovereignty. When all fails, we find peace in God because humans are created “with a God-shaped vacuum” (Augustine) that only God can fill, and we will be restless until we find rest in Him. So ultimately, a Biblical way to look at the ability to be calm is to find rest and peace in God. This is achieved by spiritual disciplines through God’s Word and through close communion with God in our daily lives.

In the New Normal, a new anxiety can creep into our lives, the anxiety of wanting to go back to normal quickly, and the impatience with the slow and cautious reopening that we are going through. Be calm means to go in step with the Province and to move cautiously to make sure we do not trigger a second wave of the spread of the Coronavirus. Indeed, let us be kind and be calm.

Your servant in Christ

Rev. Simon Lee
Senior Pastor

Jun 27-28, 2020
李耀全牧師

列宣家親愛的弟兄姊妹,

• 為何需要保持冷靜(be calm)？

＜沒有取消＞ (“Not Cancelled”)是近期出版的一本書，書中匯集了來自加拿大各地的49個振奮人心的故事，內容講述於病毒大流行期間，人們所展現出的友善、鎮定和勇氣。正當普遍人仍然心存恐懼，或輕視拒絕遵照重新開放指引而感到不耐煩，又或是在面對亞裔人士被歧視的個案之際而恐慌，書中的內容像一口清新的空氣令人振奮，值得一讀。是的，正如邦妮·亨利醫生呼籲我們在過去三個月中重覆必須做的，我們需要互相鼓勵，繼續保持警惕性及保持友善、冷靜去應對挑戰，以確保安全。

就我個人的經驗來說，若我能預先知道自己所面臨的挑戰，並可尋找足夠資源來應付它，也就能夠在遇到不同處境時保持冷靜。如我對挑戰的了解越足夠，我就越能作好應對的準備，並更能保持鎮定。但若遇措手不及情況，我難免會感到恐懼。在我成長期間，我曾參加童子軍多年，在其中我學會“常作準備”(Be Prepared)，並透過各種活動和培訓，以提高我的生存技能和應對困難的能力。我越熟練掌握這些技能，就越有信心面對不同和意外的挑戰。因此，時刻作好準備和具備各方資源，是保持冷靜的關鍵。

病毒大流行如此快速地擴散，使我們在短期內失去了生命中的安全感、穩定和平衡。威脅之大，是因為我們所經歷的是前所未有的，而且尚存很多未知之數。我們因而變得焦躁不安，緊張，焦慮和失眠，長時間嚴重的焦慮(超過兩週)可能會導致各種情緒病症。就如17年前香港的SARS一樣，如果對焦慮不加以控制，可會使人形成廣泛性焦慮症（GAD），即對所有事物都變得焦慮不安，甚至患上強迫行爲失調症（OCD），影響患者產生強迫性思維和行為。例如，在無法控制情況下不住反覆洗手等。因此，能夠保持鎮定、冷靜和泰然自若的的能力，會有助於防止我們患上此類精神失調病症。

• 一些有助於保持冷靜的心理觀點

倘若撇開從精神病症的醫學模式來看，如 “仁慈友善”(be kind)是正向心理學的範疇品格的力量與美德中「人性」之一，保持冷靜(be calm) 又怎樣可與它扯上關連？我們發現 “冷靜”也很可能在“人性” (humanity) 範疇中 “愛，善良和社會智慧” 之表現。如果我們認為這是逆境中所需要的勇敢(courage)素質，那麼它可視為“勇敢、毅力，誠實和熱情” 等美德之內。

如此，逆境中的“冷靜”就是勇敢面對逆境的一種表達（我認為它要加上柔和的方式），即使在不斷的壓力下，仍能持續不斷地保持個人的正直和活力。保持“冷靜”是人類意志的產品，出自生存意義和目的之各種力量來源。從這個角度來看，冷靜是我們人性和勇氣發展中個人成長的一部分。

從另一個角度去看，如果可以用情緒商數(EQ)，或以智能商數來衡量“善良”，那麼“保持冷靜”也可以被視為用逆境商數(AQ)來衡量的關鍵要素。史托茲（Paul Stoltz）在1997年的創新性著作《逆境商數(AQ)：將障礙轉化為機會》中提出了“逆境商數”(AQ)一詞。一般稱之為毅力(Resilience) 科學。當面對日常生活挑戰甚至是災難性挑戰時，逆境商數被公認為比智能商數(IQ)更有應對的能力。可以學習在艱難開始時不馬上退出或中途放棄。我們需要保持警惕性，以清晰和冷靜的態度以應對挑戰。

• 主耶穌如何為我們樹立在逆境中保持冷靜的榜樣？

在此之前，我們曾看到主耶穌如何平息風暴，並瞭解到祂可以平息我們生命中的風暴。我聯想到的另一幅圖畫是在耶穌的仇敵逮捕他之時的景象。約翰福音指出，西門彼得衝動地削掉大祭司該亞法的僕人馬勒古的耳朵（約18:10）。路加補充說，耶穌反而把他醫好了（路22:51），耶穌在馬太福音中對彼得說：“收刀入鞘吧！凡動刀的，必死在刀下。” （太26:52）我們可以看到一個對比，彼得在行動中“無所畏懼，勇敢”（或出於一時衝動？），然而耶穌卻在整個過程中保持冷靜和鎮定，即使被猶大以親吻背叛，祂仍能表現出內心的平靜。究竟耶穌如何能在如此暴行中保持冷靜？

甚有啟發意義的是，整件事的發生也在耶穌於客西馬尼園祈禱之後，那段時間，包括彼得在內三個耶穌最親密的門徒也無法保持儆醒。耶穌在客西馬尼園的禱告爭戰以及他在世上整生中的禱告生活，正是祂力量之來源，這就是祂在世生活中面對最艱鉅的挑戰時刻，仍能保持平穩安靜的原因。在耶穌的一生中，祂確實地知道自己來世之目的，並且祂堅定地準備著去面對十架。祂為通往各各他的每一步作好準備。在受難聖週中，他在面對所有的審訊和磨難中都保持冷靜。耶穌可以保持平穩冷靜，是因祂知道自己正在遵行並實現神的完美旨意。因此，如果我們知道自己正在遵行神的道路，那麼我們也可以在逆境中保持冷靜。藉禱告與神緊密連繫，就是保持冷靜與安寧的關鍵。

• 如何在逆境中保持冷靜的聖經教導

在廣為人所喜愛的詩篇23篇中，大衛描述：“耶和華是我的牧者，我必不致缺乏。祂使我躺在青草地上。領我在可安歇的水邊。”（1-2節）詩詞呈現出靜止、平靜，安穩、安寧的畫面。因著有主耶穌作為我們的好牧者，我們就可以保持平穩安寧。這詩篇在已往世代中流傳久遠，確實曾為許多基督徒在需要時，帶來心靈的平安。

從勇氣的角度來看，處身於這樣的時代，我們被指令要“堅強並極為勇敢”，就像約書亞在面對帶領神的子民進入應許之地的艱鉅任務時，神吩咐他所行。實際上，昔日當約書亞和迦勒及其餘10名探子從偵查迦南地的旅程回來時，曾勇敢地說出此言，卻不幸地被以色列人拒絕了。在接近40年之後，他們被賦予“不可能”的任務，要將新一代的以色列人帶進應許之地，為他們分地及安置他們在那地安居樂業。摩西離世後，約書亞想起神對他的勉勵 -“要剛強壯膽！”。神更提醒約書亞，若他認真地緊守遵行律法書上的吩咐，必然會蒙神賜福（書1：1-9）。

然而，我所看到，在面對危險和威脅時，鎮定的人表現出的不僅僅是勇氣和強大的應變能力。內在的力量，平靜安穩和寧靜的心靈與衝動浮躁和強硬相反。平靜不僅是面對挑戰時的外在行為，還反映內在出更深層次的質素- 一個人的成熟度，他/她的靈性內在質素。這來自聆聽神平靜之言：“要休息(保持靜止)，要知道我是神。” （詩46:10）

• 如何在新常態中保持平靜?

在我多年以來發展的Soul C.A.R.E.S. 牧養與輔導模式中，教牧關懷和輔導的核心策略模式之一，就是藉提供心靈重塑和導引(spiritual formation and direction)，輔助遭遇逆境及心靈創傷者，培養寧靜的心靈(serene spirit)和完全順服神及尊崇神主權的心態。當人走投無路時，正如奧古斯丁所言，我們在神裡面才可以找到安息，因為受造的人類是在內心存在著“只有神才能夠填補的空缺”，否則我們會坐立不安，直到我們在他裡面得到安息。因此，歸根究底，以聖經的角度去看得著平靜能力的途徑，唯有在神裡面才可找到安息與平安。就是藉著神的話語，與神的密切交往，透過靈裡的操練來在日常生活中實行出來的。

在新常態中，新的焦慮又會不經意地滲入我們的生活中，我們因急於恢復正常而再焦慮，或對我們正在經歷的謹慎進行重新開放的緩慢感到不耐煩。保持冷靜意味著與本省同步，謹慎地進行，以確保我們不會引發冠狀病毒傳播的第二波潮。真的，讓我們保持友善和冷靜吧!

主僕

李耀全牧師
主任牧師