週一下午四時三十分，我坐在喬治福克斯大學的音樂廳裏，看著波特蘭青少年愛樂交響樂團的團員陸陸續續地從外頭進來，為晚上的音樂會作準備。這個號稱大波特蘭地區最好的青少年交響樂團，成員有六、七十位，年紀從八年級到大學二、三年紀不等。有人遠從華盛頓州的溫歌華地區來，有人更來自南邊的撒冷。他們固定每週一及週六的傍晚練習。看著這些年輕人每個人手上拿著樂器努力演奏，我不禁想著，是多少心血、努力、和忍耐，多少的時間和資源的投注，才能造就出其中的一個成員？若是這些孩子沒有從小開始學習、放棄遊玩機會、犧牲睡眠時間；父母們沒有盡心盡力地培植、不斷地鼓勵（有時得威脅：），並不辭辛勞地接送往返，他們就不會有今天。如果他們沒有共同的目標，不願意與人合作、彼此傾聽、互相幫補，只想表現自我，也就不能共同演奏出偉大的交響樂章。這不就和我們基督徒的生活與生命一樣嗎？
流淚撒種的、必歡呼收割。那帶種流淚出去的、必要歡歡樂樂的帶禾捆回來。-- 詩篇126：5-6
要作完全人．要受安慰．要同心合意．要彼此和睦．如此仁愛和平的 神、必常與你們同在。-- 哥林多後書13：11
Monday 4:30pm, I am sitting in the Bauman Auditorium of George Fox University watching the members of Portland Youth Philharmonic Orchestra coming in from the side door getting ready for the evening concert. PYP is claimed the best youth orchestra in this area. This orchestra consists of 60-70 young musicians (from eighth grade to college age) from many different places like Eugene, Salem, Portland, and Vancouver WA, they rehearse in the evenings of every Monday and Saturday. Watching them playing together, I can't stop thinking that without the perspiration and perseverance of these young people and their parents, there will be no PYP. Had they not given up their free time (sometimes sleep time too) practicing since their young age, had their parents not encouraged (or sometime threatened) them to do their best and transported them between places, they wouldn't be sitting on stage today. If they wouldn't listen to each other, follow the conductor's lead, and only want to show off their own techinques, they would not be able to produce the great music as a team. Isn't this the same as our lives as Christian?
Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him. -- Psalm 126:5-6
Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. -- 2 Corinthians 13:11
2007年11月5日 星期一
2007年11月3日 星期六
機遇 Fleeting Opportunity
兩週以前宣教年會後，我們與邱牧師及師母有一個小小的團契，並在聚餐後唱起了詩歌。唱著唱著某人就提起了「機遇」這首歌，把大家的思緒帶回了從前，一下子久違的福音電視節目像時兆之聲、星期劇院、還有一些人的名字都出來了。這首歌是趙蔚然牧師作詞作曲，我相信那個年代過來的人都不會忘記這首歌。歌詞這麼說：
像天空繁星忽現忽隱，像水面浮萍飄流不停，人生的機遇稍縱即逝，切莫等待切莫遲延切莫因循。
像晴空白雲連綿不盡，像江上帆影迎向光明，美妙的人生永無窮盡，我心嚮往我靈渴羨我願追尋。
因為當時的我實在太小了，所以是誰主持的節目，裏頭演過什麼，我都不記得了。我唯一記得的是，只要時間一到，我就會端著小板凳，坐到小小的電視機前，等著聽這首歌，等著聽主持人那溫暖深厚的嗓音。他們總帶給我一種祥和平安的感覺。時間過了這麼久，我依然清楚地記得這首歌與一些雲起雲落片段的依稀印象，還有那種渴望、追求、和淡淡的惆悵。。。
當年是由台視合唱團唱的。我找了好久才在網上找到劉罡（讀音"剛")唱的版本，歌詞些許不同，他也加入了一點旁白，並在旁白中提到了臺灣的一個小鎮。我不知道他是說那一個鎮，但希望它也能給你相同的感動。
如果你無法從上面的MediaPlayerControl聽到的話，可以從這裡到連結網站去聽。
Two weeks ago after our mission conference, we had a potluck with Pastor and Mrs. Chiu. During our fellowship time, we started to sing some praises. Someone proposed to sing the song "Fleeting Opportunity". It brought us back to many years ago when I was little and when some of the TV gospel shows were broadcasting on TV channel. It reminded us some of the shows and names, especially the one which always played the song "Fleeting Opportunity" as the show starting.
Because I was too young at that time, I don't really remember who the host was and what had played in the show. I didn't even know what the show was about. But I can remember clearly that I would take my little stool and sat in front of the TV. I liked it because it always gave me a very peaceful feeling. I would listen to the song, watch the the clouds on the screen arising blocking the sun and the sun would finally come out again, and feel the longing and a very slight touch of heaviness in the song. Hope you like it as I do.
像天空繁星忽現忽隱，像水面浮萍飄流不停，人生的機遇稍縱即逝，切莫等待切莫遲延切莫因循。
像晴空白雲連綿不盡，像江上帆影迎向光明，美妙的人生永無窮盡，我心嚮往我靈渴羨我願追尋。
因為當時的我實在太小了，所以是誰主持的節目，裏頭演過什麼，我都不記得了。我唯一記得的是，只要時間一到，我就會端著小板凳，坐到小小的電視機前，等著聽這首歌，等著聽主持人那溫暖深厚的嗓音。他們總帶給我一種祥和平安的感覺。時間過了這麼久，我依然清楚地記得這首歌與一些雲起雲落片段的依稀印象，還有那種渴望、追求、和淡淡的惆悵。。。
當年是由台視合唱團唱的。我找了好久才在網上找到劉罡（讀音"剛")唱的版本，歌詞些許不同，他也加入了一點旁白，並在旁白中提到了臺灣的一個小鎮。我不知道他是說那一個鎮，但希望它也能給你相同的感動。
如果你無法從上面的MediaPlayerControl聽到的話，可以從這裡到連結網站去聽。
Two weeks ago after our mission conference, we had a potluck with Pastor and Mrs. Chiu. During our fellowship time, we started to sing some praises. Someone proposed to sing the song "Fleeting Opportunity". It brought us back to many years ago when I was little and when some of the TV gospel shows were broadcasting on TV channel. It reminded us some of the shows and names, especially the one which always played the song "Fleeting Opportunity" as the show starting.
Because I was too young at that time, I don't really remember who the host was and what had played in the show. I didn't even know what the show was about. But I can remember clearly that I would take my little stool and sat in front of the TV. I liked it because it always gave me a very peaceful feeling. I would listen to the song, watch the the clouds on the screen arising blocking the sun and the sun would finally come out again, and feel the longing and a very slight touch of heaviness in the song. Hope you like it as I do.
2007年11月2日 星期五
一首詩 A Poem
不知道爲什麼，忽然想起中學時代最愛的一首詩，不是鄭愁予「我嗒嗒的馬蹄是美麗的錯誤。。」，也不是徐志摩「我揮一揮衣袖，不帶走一片雲彩」，更不是余光中「一萬匹飄著白鬣的藍馬」，而是徐訏（讀“需”）「最後的戀歌」：
我要唱最後的戀歌，
像春蠶吐最後的絲，
願你美麗的前途無限,
而我可憐的愛情並不自私。
開闊的河流難被阻塞,
偉大的胸襟應容苦痛,
人間並無不老的青春,
天國方有不醒的美夢。
秋來的樹木都應結果,
多餘的花卉徒亂天時,
長長的旅途佈滿寂寞,
暗淡的雲端深藏燦爛的日子。
願我有歌可常留此間,
讚美那天賜的恩寵,
使我在人間會相信奇蹟,
暮色裏仍有五彩的長虹。
如果我沒記錯，這首詩曾被譜成一首校園民歌。我喜歡詩裏那種偉大寬廣的胸襟，雖然富詩情但不酸腐。仔細推敲，還真有基督徒的心情 --暗淡的雲端深藏燦爛的日子。。。願我有歌可常留此間，讚美那天賜的恩寵，使我在人間會相信奇蹟, 暮色裏仍有五彩的長虹。。。！
This is about a Chinese poem, too difficult to translate into English...
我要唱最後的戀歌，
像春蠶吐最後的絲，
願你美麗的前途無限,
而我可憐的愛情並不自私。
開闊的河流難被阻塞,
偉大的胸襟應容苦痛,
人間並無不老的青春,
天國方有不醒的美夢。
秋來的樹木都應結果,
多餘的花卉徒亂天時,
長長的旅途佈滿寂寞,
暗淡的雲端深藏燦爛的日子。
願我有歌可常留此間,
讚美那天賜的恩寵,
使我在人間會相信奇蹟,
暮色裏仍有五彩的長虹。
如果我沒記錯，這首詩曾被譜成一首校園民歌。我喜歡詩裏那種偉大寬廣的胸襟，雖然富詩情但不酸腐。仔細推敲，還真有基督徒的心情 --暗淡的雲端深藏燦爛的日子。。。願我有歌可常留此間，讚美那天賜的恩寵，使我在人間會相信奇蹟, 暮色裏仍有五彩的長虹。。。！
This is about a Chinese poem, too difficult to translate into English...
美麗的星期五 Beautiful Friday
我知道神聽了我們的禱告，也憐憫我們的軟弱。記得我那個遇到試煉的好朋友嗎？感謝神！今天聽説最令人擔心的問題只是虛驚一場，另外一個要解決的麻煩似乎也有了眉目！除了感恩，我還能說什麼呢？祂在我們最驚慌無助的時候作我們倚靠的膀臂，又因祂的恩慈安慰我們，賜給我們力量和盼望。
今天的陽光看起來似乎分外耀眼，照得我眼睛都出水了！天父，你真是愛我們！願我這個朋友也能真真實實地感受到你的愛，親眼看見你，並早日成為你的兒女。
因為我遭遇患難、祂必暗暗地保守我；在祂亭子裏、把我藏在祂帳幕的隱密處、將我高舉在磐石上。-- 詩篇27：5
耶和華是我的力量、是我的盾牌；我心裏倚靠祂、就得幫助。所以我心中歡樂。我必用詩歌頌讚祂。 -- 詩篇28：7
I know God listened to our prayer. He is really compassionate and gracious. Remember that friend who is facing some challenges these days? Praise the Lord! We learned that the most worrisome issue was proven to be nothing, we have also seen some promising sign on the other problem. Whatelse can I say besides giving thanks to God?
The sun shines so bright today that it makes my eyes watery! Hevenly Father, You really love us!! Please help my friend truely experience Your love and become one of Your children.
For in the day of trouble He will keep me safe in His dwelling; He will hide me in the shelter of His tabernacle and set me high upon a rock. -- Psalm 27:5
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song. -- Psalm 28:7
今天的陽光看起來似乎分外耀眼，照得我眼睛都出水了！天父，你真是愛我們！願我這個朋友也能真真實實地感受到你的愛，親眼看見你，並早日成為你的兒女。
因為我遭遇患難、祂必暗暗地保守我；在祂亭子裏、把我藏在祂帳幕的隱密處、將我高舉在磐石上。-- 詩篇27：5
耶和華是我的力量、是我的盾牌；我心裏倚靠祂、就得幫助。所以我心中歡樂。我必用詩歌頌讚祂。 -- 詩篇28：7
I know God listened to our prayer. He is really compassionate and gracious. Remember that friend who is facing some challenges these days? Praise the Lord! We learned that the most worrisome issue was proven to be nothing, we have also seen some promising sign on the other problem. Whatelse can I say besides giving thanks to God?
The sun shines so bright today that it makes my eyes watery! Hevenly Father, You really love us!! Please help my friend truely experience Your love and become one of Your children.
For in the day of trouble He will keep me safe in His dwelling; He will hide me in the shelter of His tabernacle and set me high upon a rock. -- Psalm 27:5
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song. -- Psalm 28:7
2007年11月1日 星期四
給我一塊臭豆腐 Give Me A Piece Of Stinky Toufu
下班後在回家的路上，開車經過一片農莊。忽然間聞到一陣似曾相識的味道，說不出是什麼，但是它奇妙地牽動我腦海裏有關臭豆腐的聯想，一時之間有關臭豆腐及我所熟悉的各種小吃的記憶排山倒海而來。想當年我當師大路「路長」（同學封的）的時候，不只是吃遍了師大路、龍泉街的小吃，公館就不用提了，更是遠征士林，淡水，圓環，饒河街，西門町。。。什麼沒吃過啊？但我最鍾愛的仍然是臭豆腐。我最愛的那一「擹」，是在中學時代，老家鎮上菜市場邊邊的一個老爺爺做的。他做的臭豆腐，味道特別「香」，皮炸得酥酥薄薄的，心是軟軟嫩嫩的，再配上他獨門的蒜蓉辣椒和泡菜，真是好吃得沒話説。尤其以前，總得背著父母（爸媽愛乾淨，不吃路邊擹的東西），和同學一起在週六下午，或是補習結束回家前偷偷地去吃。因為是「偷吃」，那滋味就更好了（人性本惡啊）。。。想到這裡，就想起以前的同學，不知她們現在都過得如何？不想了，再想下去思緒汎濫，一發不可收拾，還是那位好心的，趕快給我一塊臭豆腐吧！！
I was reminded the taste of a Chinese delicacy -- stinky toufu -- by a strange smell when driving by a farm land on my way home today. Stinky toufu is my favorite food out of all the so called "roadside cafes". The one I loved the most was prepared by an old grandpa. His little food cart was right outside the traditional marketplace in my home town. I used to go with my middle school classmates on Saturday or after we came out of the afterschool class prepared for we losers. They smelled so good with crispy skin and soft and tender inside. It is especially good with his sauce and pickled vegetable. Because my parents didn't allow us to eat at the roadside cafe for health reason, so it tasted even better when we went secretly(human sinful nature I guess)... Man, I really miss it...and my partners-in-crime... Don't know how they are doing now. Maybe I can google their names and see if I can find them. But, before I do that, can someone give me a piece of stinky toufu to ease my craving?
I was reminded the taste of a Chinese delicacy -- stinky toufu -- by a strange smell when driving by a farm land on my way home today. Stinky toufu is my favorite food out of all the so called "roadside cafes". The one I loved the most was prepared by an old grandpa. His little food cart was right outside the traditional marketplace in my home town. I used to go with my middle school classmates on Saturday or after we came out of the afterschool class prepared for we losers. They smelled so good with crispy skin and soft and tender inside. It is especially good with his sauce and pickled vegetable. Because my parents didn't allow us to eat at the roadside cafe for health reason, so it tasted even better when we went secretly(human sinful nature I guess)... Man, I really miss it...and my partners-in-crime... Don't know how they are doing now. Maybe I can google their names and see if I can find them. But, before I do that, can someone give me a piece of stinky toufu to ease my craving?
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