有情天的詩歌。。。
詞曲:葛兆昕 諶慧瑟
哦主， 求你保守我的心我的意念
使我能夠遵行你旨意
我願將你話語深藏在我心
作路上的光，成為我腳前的燈
哦主，求你堅固我信心我的力量
使我得以勇敢向前行
因我知道有時我仍會軟弱
求你帶領我，使我不會再退縮
我需要有你在我生命中
好讓我一生能學你的樣式
使我能成為你所喜悅的兒女
使我的生命能夠彰顯你榮耀
2008年2月29日 星期五
2008年2月28日 星期四
救恩 Salvation
這幾天媽媽有時會把自己關在房間裏不出來，後來才知道她在為「家訊」寫稿，要把她得救的過程寫出來。看了她的見證，讓我回想起自2006年初起，我受了一位牧師的激勵，開始經常為媽媽的救恩禱告，向她積極地傳福音，到她決志信主的過程。感謝神的帶領，藉由不同的事情和弟兄姐妹感動她，應允了我的禱告，讓她願意全心相信接受主，在去年接受了堅信禮。受了我媽媽改變的鼓勵，我更堅定地相信禱告的力量，也下定決心開始要為我爸爸的救恩努力，相信神的應許絕對不會落空，爸爸一定會有信主的一天。
提摩太前書五章八節説「人若不看顧親屬，就是背了真道，比不信的人還不好，不看顧自己家裏的人，更是如此。」這句話雖然是指肉身生活上的需要，但是同樣也能應用到屬靈上的事情，願與弟兄姐妹共勉。
I noticed that mom stayed in her room a lot these days. Later on I found out she was busy writing an article for our church newsletter. She wanted to share with brothers and sisters about how she came to accept Jesus Christ. I was reminded by her testimony that in the beginning of 2006, a pastor challenged us during his sermon that we should pray for the salvation of our family and friends. Because of his encouragement, I decided to consistently pray for my mom. Thanks be to God! She accepted Christ and received "confirmation" ceremony (she was baptized at young age) last summer. I know that God answered my prayer. Encouraged by my mom's example, I have decided to start praying for my father. I know how powerful a prayer is, and I know my father will come to know Christ someday.
1 Timothy 5:8 says “If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” This mainly talks about physical care of one’s family, but can apply to spiritual needs as well. Let’s use this verse to encourage each other.
提摩太前書五章八節説「人若不看顧親屬，就是背了真道，比不信的人還不好，不看顧自己家裏的人，更是如此。」這句話雖然是指肉身生活上的需要，但是同樣也能應用到屬靈上的事情，願與弟兄姐妹共勉。
I noticed that mom stayed in her room a lot these days. Later on I found out she was busy writing an article for our church newsletter. She wanted to share with brothers and sisters about how she came to accept Jesus Christ. I was reminded by her testimony that in the beginning of 2006, a pastor challenged us during his sermon that we should pray for the salvation of our family and friends. Because of his encouragement, I decided to consistently pray for my mom. Thanks be to God! She accepted Christ and received "confirmation" ceremony (she was baptized at young age) last summer. I know that God answered my prayer. Encouraged by my mom's example, I have decided to start praying for my father. I know how powerful a prayer is, and I know my father will come to know Christ someday.
1 Timothy 5:8 says “If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” This mainly talks about physical care of one’s family, but can apply to spiritual needs as well. Let’s use this verse to encourage each other.
2008年2月25日 星期一
嗚~ 對不起，警官先生 I am very sorry, Sir.
晚上九點四十分左右，把女兒從Pacific University 音樂會場接出來後往回家的路上開。才剛轉了一個彎就看到後頭有一輛警車對著我猛閃燈，於是我連忙把車停下來，車上的媽媽、女兒、和我三人都搞不清楚為什麼會被攔下來。警察還沒走過來時，我就已經把車窗搖下來，駕照也準備好了。他一過來劈頭就問我知不知道為什麼被攔下來，我一副很無辜的樣子，對他搖搖頭説我不清楚，他説我看到黃燈沒有停下來。。。雖然我車開得並不快，也不記得有搶黃燈，但我知道應付警察最好的方式就是痛哭流涕承認錯誤痛改前非請求原諒。他既然這麼説，依照我開車的習慣，可能真的是有這麼回事，於是我可憐兮兮地對他説：「我不記得我有這麼做，但我真的不是故意的，非常非常對不起。。。請原諒我吧！」
他向我要了駕照和保險証，檢查完了以後看了我一眼並問我一句：
「你的駕駛紀錄如何？」
「大概還好吧。。。」
説完他往警車走去。過了好一會兒，他走回來了。
「你知道什麼是耐心嗎？」
「我想我現在知道了。。。」
「耐心是一種美德，耐心就是看到黃燈停下來，耐心可以讓你避免車禍，耐心可以讓你省下２５０元！」
「我相信你是對的。。。」
「我現在只給你一個口頭警告，你可以走了。」
「非常謝謝你，警官先生。」
他微笑了一下：「OK!」
咻～（擦汗！）２５０元，不是開玩笑的。離開以後，不上道的老媽竟然説：「妳省了２５０元吔，可以打八鍋還有找！」
Around 9:40pm, I picked up Vivian from Pacific University concert hall and was on our way home. Suddenly I saw a police light flashing behind me right after I took a left turn, so I pulled over to the road side but none of us knew what I did wrong. I got my drivers license ready, rolled the window down, and waited for the police to come forward. The first question he asked was
"Do you know why I pulled you over?"
I shook my head and answered innocently "No, I don't".
"You didn't stop for the yellow light! Yellow means stop unless you are in the immediate area of the intersection."
Even though I didn't drive fast and I didn't remember doing anything like that, but I knew the best policy to deal with a police officer is to admit your wrong doing and beg for mercy. Also, according to my driving habit, it is possible that I have done it, so I said to him looking apologetically and regretfully "I don't remember doing it, but I didn't mean it... I am very very sorry, please forgive me!"
He asked for my driver's license and insurance card, looked at it and asked me "How is your driving record?"
"Ok, I guess."
He walked towards his car, after a while, he came back.
"Do you know what patience is?"
"I think I do now..."
"Patience is a virtue; patience is to stop when seeing a yellow light; patience will keep you from an accident; patience will save you $250!"
"I believe you are right..."
"I will just give you a verbal warning this time. You can go now."
"Thank you very much, Sir."
He smiled, "Ok!"
Whew! $250! It's not a joke. After we left, my mom said happily "Hey, you just saved $250! It is good enough for losing 8 mahjong games of $30 a pot and some change"...
他向我要了駕照和保險証，檢查完了以後看了我一眼並問我一句：
「你的駕駛紀錄如何？」
「大概還好吧。。。」
説完他往警車走去。過了好一會兒，他走回來了。
「你知道什麼是耐心嗎？」
「我想我現在知道了。。。」
「耐心是一種美德，耐心就是看到黃燈停下來，耐心可以讓你避免車禍，耐心可以讓你省下２５０元！」
「我相信你是對的。。。」
「我現在只給你一個口頭警告，你可以走了。」
「非常謝謝你，警官先生。」
他微笑了一下：「OK!」
咻～（擦汗！）２５０元，不是開玩笑的。離開以後，不上道的老媽竟然説：「妳省了２５０元吔，可以打八鍋還有找！」
Around 9:40pm, I picked up Vivian from Pacific University concert hall and was on our way home. Suddenly I saw a police light flashing behind me right after I took a left turn, so I pulled over to the road side but none of us knew what I did wrong. I got my drivers license ready, rolled the window down, and waited for the police to come forward. The first question he asked was
"Do you know why I pulled you over?"
I shook my head and answered innocently "No, I don't".
"You didn't stop for the yellow light! Yellow means stop unless you are in the immediate area of the intersection."
Even though I didn't drive fast and I didn't remember doing anything like that, but I knew the best policy to deal with a police officer is to admit your wrong doing and beg for mercy. Also, according to my driving habit, it is possible that I have done it, so I said to him looking apologetically and regretfully "I don't remember doing it, but I didn't mean it... I am very very sorry, please forgive me!"
He asked for my driver's license and insurance card, looked at it and asked me "How is your driving record?"
"Ok, I guess."
He walked towards his car, after a while, he came back.
"Do you know what patience is?"
"I think I do now..."
"Patience is a virtue; patience is to stop when seeing a yellow light; patience will keep you from an accident; patience will save you $250!"
"I believe you are right..."
"I will just give you a verbal warning this time. You can go now."
"Thank you very much, Sir."
He smiled, "Ok!"
Whew! $250! It's not a joke. After we left, my mom said happily "Hey, you just saved $250! It is good enough for losing 8 mahjong games of $30 a pot and some change"...
青少年 Teenagers
上星期六是Vivian學校所屬奧勒岡州第15學區高中組一年一度的音樂獨奏比賽。從早上八點開始到下午四點，各種不同的樂器，管樂、弦樂、打擊樂、鋼琴，等等，有上百名學生代表學校報名角逐州比賽的代表權，Vivian參加了大提琴和鋼琴兩項比賽。感謝神，她很幸運地贏了兩個第一，她的一個好朋友也是學校同學得了小提琴第一，所以她們將要代表學區參加四月的州比賽。
比賽中有一個小插曲。。。她那天穿的是一件條紋襯衫、黑長褲、和黑涼鞋。出門前我就對她的服裝不大滿意，但也沒有要求她去換衣服。在她進去比大提琴之前，我發現她很瀟灑時髦地只扣到第三顆釦子，我覺得十分不妥，所以要求她把第二顆釦子也扣上，為了這個她還跟我有一點小摩擦，她覺得這樣已經很好了，這種形式的打扮本來就該這樣。但我堅持她不可以用她的眼光來衡量，要以我們成人、評審專業的眼光來看什麼才是合適的衣著。後來她看我要發火了，加上媽媽在一旁也勸她，所以她應了我的要求，覺得很「土」又不甘不願地扣上了。
大提琴拉完之後，評審女士先是誇她怎麼怎麼好，技巧也好，音樂性也好，然後很強烈的一聲「但是！」，話鋒一轉，開始批評她的衣著不適當，花了將近十分鐘的時間，説她不應該穿露腳趾的涼鞋，不該穿開釦子的襯衫，應該穿長裙，並勸誡她「如果」她被選擇去參加全州的比賽，她要想到評審們不是專業的音樂家就是大學教授，她一定要穿著合宜， 等等。我心想還好她多扣了一個釦子，否則這位評審一定會多加一條「袒胸露背」的罪狀。。。
有些人可能會認為這位評審的要求太多了，但是我很高興她願意很誠實並公開地給Vivian上了一課。這些話從我的嘴裏說出來，和從她的嘴裏説出來效果大不相同。這樣Vivian 就能明白，不是只有她的媽媽是保守的，有人要求得比我更嚴格，所以她以後會多想想，也許會願意更接納我的意見。唉！青少年！
Last Saturday was the day of the yearly Oregon OMEA District 15 high school solo competition. The competition went from 8:00AM to 4:00PM, includes winds, strings, percussion, and piano. More than one hundred kids represented their school to participate in this event to compete for the right to represent their school in the statewide solo competition. Vivian enrolled in both piano and cello and luckily she won the first in both competitions. One of her classmates and good friends won the first in violin category, so they will compete in the state solo in April.
There was one episode in the competition... Vivian wore a blue striping shirt, black pants, and black open-toe shoes to the competition. I was not satisfied with her outfit before we left from home, but I didn't ask her to change. Before she walked in to the string competition room, I noticed that she only buttoned to the third button, so I asked to button the one higher. She was not happy with my request because in her opinion, that was the "right style", it was supposed to be that way. But I insisted that she should not think from her perspective, instead she should consider what the adults and adjudicator will think. She saw that I was very insistent and about to get mad, plus my mom joined my team to persuade her, so she followed my request.
After she played the cello, the adjudicator started with how well she played, good technical skill, good interpretation, very music, all that kind of stuff... followed by a strong "BUT..." Then she started to criticize her outfit. She disagreed with open-toe shoes, pants, and buttoned shit. She also advised her to think from the professionals’ angle, not from a high-schooler. I thought to myself, fortunately I insisted in her button one more button, otherwise she would be added one more problem of "expose too much"...
Some people might think the adjudicator asked too much, but I am happy that she gave Vivian her honest and open comments, and taught her a good lesson. The effect of the same words is very different when it came from an adjudicator’s mouth. This way, Vivian will be able to understand and accept the fact her mother is not the only one being "conservative", there are some people are even stricter than me. And she might be more willing to accept my opinion accept my opinions. Sigh....teenagers!!
比賽中有一個小插曲。。。她那天穿的是一件條紋襯衫、黑長褲、和黑涼鞋。出門前我就對她的服裝不大滿意，但也沒有要求她去換衣服。在她進去比大提琴之前，我發現她很瀟灑時髦地只扣到第三顆釦子，我覺得十分不妥，所以要求她把第二顆釦子也扣上，為了這個她還跟我有一點小摩擦，她覺得這樣已經很好了，這種形式的打扮本來就該這樣。但我堅持她不可以用她的眼光來衡量，要以我們成人、評審專業的眼光來看什麼才是合適的衣著。後來她看我要發火了，加上媽媽在一旁也勸她，所以她應了我的要求，覺得很「土」又不甘不願地扣上了。
大提琴拉完之後，評審女士先是誇她怎麼怎麼好，技巧也好，音樂性也好，然後很強烈的一聲「但是！」，話鋒一轉，開始批評她的衣著不適當，花了將近十分鐘的時間，説她不應該穿露腳趾的涼鞋，不該穿開釦子的襯衫，應該穿長裙，並勸誡她「如果」她被選擇去參加全州的比賽，她要想到評審們不是專業的音樂家就是大學教授，她一定要穿著合宜， 等等。我心想還好她多扣了一個釦子，否則這位評審一定會多加一條「袒胸露背」的罪狀。。。
有些人可能會認為這位評審的要求太多了，但是我很高興她願意很誠實並公開地給Vivian上了一課。這些話從我的嘴裏說出來，和從她的嘴裏説出來效果大不相同。這樣Vivian 就能明白，不是只有她的媽媽是保守的，有人要求得比我更嚴格，所以她以後會多想想，也許會願意更接納我的意見。唉！青少年！
Last Saturday was the day of the yearly Oregon OMEA District 15 high school solo competition. The competition went from 8:00AM to 4:00PM, includes winds, strings, percussion, and piano. More than one hundred kids represented their school to participate in this event to compete for the right to represent their school in the statewide solo competition. Vivian enrolled in both piano and cello and luckily she won the first in both competitions. One of her classmates and good friends won the first in violin category, so they will compete in the state solo in April.
There was one episode in the competition... Vivian wore a blue striping shirt, black pants, and black open-toe shoes to the competition. I was not satisfied with her outfit before we left from home, but I didn't ask her to change. Before she walked in to the string competition room, I noticed that she only buttoned to the third button, so I asked to button the one higher. She was not happy with my request because in her opinion, that was the "right style", it was supposed to be that way. But I insisted that she should not think from her perspective, instead she should consider what the adults and adjudicator will think. She saw that I was very insistent and about to get mad, plus my mom joined my team to persuade her, so she followed my request.
After she played the cello, the adjudicator started with how well she played, good technical skill, good interpretation, very music, all that kind of stuff... followed by a strong "BUT..." Then she started to criticize her outfit. She disagreed with open-toe shoes, pants, and buttoned shit. She also advised her to think from the professionals’ angle, not from a high-schooler. I thought to myself, fortunately I insisted in her button one more button, otherwise she would be added one more problem of "expose too much"...
Some people might think the adjudicator asked too much, but I am happy that she gave Vivian her honest and open comments, and taught her a good lesson. The effect of the same words is very different when it came from an adjudicator’s mouth. This way, Vivian will be able to understand and accept the fact her mother is not the only one being "conservative", there are some people are even stricter than me. And she might be more willing to accept my opinion accept my opinions. Sigh....teenagers!!
2008年2月20日 星期三
天狗食月 Lunar Eclipse
今天傍晚六點多從辦公室出來時，看到月亮怪怪的。心想明天就是元宵節了，怎麼月亮還是這副德行？明明前兩天的月亮已經很大很亮了，今天怎麼只剩一半了？想想不對，應該是月蝕吧？後來撥了幾通電話，通知眾親朋好友一同觀賞，這時妹妹才告訴我月蝕的消息。如果沒記錯的話，這好像是我第一次看到月蝕，很有意思。回到家後趕快拿出相機，拍了幾張照片，與您共享。
When I walked out of office this evening around 6:20pm, I noticed that the moon looked kind of funny. I thought to myself that tomorrow is supposed to be the Janary 15 of the lunar calendar and how come the moon was still half? It looked much bigger and 'rounder' two nights ago... So I decided that it was the lunar eclipse. I made some phone calls to family members and friends and asked them to watch the moon, and was told by my sister that it indeed was lunar eclipse. It was the first time I saw lunar eclipse as far as I can remember. I took some pictures after I got home to share with you this interesting view.
此時月亮已經完全被陰影遮住了，旁邊還有兩顆星星。
放大圖。Enlarged picture.
When I walked out of office this evening around 6:20pm, I noticed that the moon looked kind of funny. I thought to myself that tomorrow is supposed to be the Janary 15 of the lunar calendar and how come the moon was still half? It looked much bigger and 'rounder' two nights ago... So I decided that it was the lunar eclipse. I made some phone calls to family members and friends and asked them to watch the moon, and was told by my sister that it indeed was lunar eclipse. It was the first time I saw lunar eclipse as far as I can remember. I took some pictures after I got home to share with you this interesting view.
此時月亮已經完全被陰影遮住了，旁邊還有兩顆星星。 The moon is covered by the shadow. You can see the two stars next to the moon.
放大圖。Enlarged picture.
漸漸走出陰影。
Gradually moving out of shadow.
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