信徒生活第十九課 (Christian Living) - 5/27
第十九課 耕耘群體生活
經文：主為我捨命,我們從此就知道何為愛,我們也當為兄弟捨命。(約翰一書3:16)
思想要點：群體生活需要委身。
要點：只有聖靈能創造出真正的團契相交,但聖靈根據我們的選擇和委身來培育這樣的團契。
群體生活需要耕耘,耕耘需要誠實,謙卑,禮貌,保密和經常聯絡,也要委身投入事奉。
誠實是指以愛心交談,謙卑坦誠地說明問題,而不害衝突因為衝突是建立親密關係的必經之道。
謙卑是神的教導,我們需要承認自己的弱點,忍耐人的短處,接受別人的指正和將功勞讓給他人。
禮貌是尊重別人的差異,體貼別人的感受和容忍激怒我們的人,關鍵要了解其行為的原因和背景。
保密不是指對犯罪的保持緘默,而是指不要到處傳講不必要的閑言閑語。
我們需要頻繁,定期地與契友聯系和進行聚會因為我們相信為了靈命的健康,我們需要團契。
思考問題︰我如何在小組及教會中,協助培育真正群體生活的特點?
這一課的PowerPoint，謝謝Helen製作。第十九課
The Best Free Software for Youth(You)
Security
avast! 4 Home Edition
www.avast.com
This slick, skinnable antivirus app looks like a high-tech media player, but it’s really a virus fighter. It scans files on demand and on access, including e-mail attachments. No scheduling—you have to pay for that—but it can send a warning on detecting malware. A boot-time scan option removes tenacious malware. And it’s 64-bit compatible.—Neil J. Rubenking
AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition
free.grisoft.com
This program splits its user interface between Control Center and Test Center, which can be a bit confusing. But it does what an antivirus app should: It scans files on access, on demand, and on schedule. It also scans e-mail, both incoming and outgoing. According to Grisoft, it’s totally Vista-ready.—NJR
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Comodo Firewall
www.comodogroup.com
The new kick-ass choice for free firewall protection, Comodo Firewall keeps hackers out and keeps unauthorized programs from accessing the Internet, even tricky ones that sneak around normal program control. And it resists being forcibly terminated. It works as well as all but the very best for-pay firewalls.—NJR
SpyCatcher Express
www.tenebril.com
When we last tested it, Tenebril’s SpyCatcher did very well both at cleaning out spyware and at preventing further infestation. The free SpyCatcher Express edition has almost all the features found in the paid version. It lacks antiphishing and a few high-end tools, and you have to check for updates manually, but it does the job.—NJR
StartupMonitor
www.snpsoftware.com
StartupMonitor alerts you to programs that try to install themselves whenever you boot up Windows. Unlike most similar utilities, this one is unobtrusive and won’t interfere with program installations that reboot automatically.—Ed Mendelson
SuperStorm Freeware
www.thegreatpuzzle.com/superstorm.php
SuperStorm Freeware protects a sensitive file (up to 200KB) by encrypting it and hiding it inside a JPEG image, and then securely deleting the original. A for-pay Pro edition has no size limit and can encrypt with a user-defined password. SuperStorm can extract anything hidden by the Pro edition, and it uses a simple drag-and-drop interface.—NJR
Windows Defender
www.microsoft.com
Microsoft bought Windows Defender’s technology about two years ago, but the software colossus doesn’t seem to have done much with it. The product’s ability to remove entrenched spyware is mediocre, and it’s not a lot better at keeping spyware out of a clean system. But it’s free and built into OneCare and Vista, so use its on-demand scanner for a “second opinion.”—NJR
ZoneAlarm
www.zonelabs.com
The venerable ZoneAlarm doesn’t have all the features of ZoneAlarm Pro’s firewall. Its program control asks you whether to allow programs rather than consulting the SmartDefense Advisor database. It doesn’t have the component control or OSFirewall features, so it won’t block “leak test” techniques. But it’s tough as nails; malware can’t disable it.—NJR
Productivity
OpenOffice.org
www.openoffice.org
If you’re looking for an alternative to Microsoft Office, try OpenOffice.org. Though not as full-featured as the offering out of Redmond, the suite includes a very capable word processor and spreadsheet that are compatible with MS Office files. There’s also a presentation app, a diagramming tool, and a database. OpenOffice.org may be all the suite you need.—BZG
信徒生活第十八課 (Christian Living) - 5/20
第十八課 一起經歷生命
經文：你們要分擔彼此的難處,這樣做就是遵守基督的律法。(加拉太書6:2)
思想要點：我的生命需要其他人。
要點：生命需要分享,神要我們去經歷生命,這種經驗分享為團契。
團契生活包括無私互愛,真誠分享,實踐服事,犧牲的付出,同情安慰和所有新約聖經中有關彼此的命令。真正的團契生活讓我們經歷真誠,互相的關係,同情以及怜憫。
真誠是指我們要坦誠交心和掏心分享,能分擔痛苦,傾訴感受。
互相的關係是給予也是付出,是雙方面的努力。
人類兩種基本需要:被了解的需要與被接納的感受。同情能幫助我們在別人受苦時分擔他的需要和感受。
沒有怜憫就沒有真正的團契生活,團契相交發生在怜憫勝於公義的時候,我們的動機是來源於神對我們的怜憫。在團契中,錯誤不是遭責備乃是抹消。神要我們赦免他人的錯誤,赦免需及時,但信任則需時間去重建,重建關係需要有鼓勵與督責的環境。
參加團契生活是基督徒生命中必要的一部分。
思考問題︰我該如何走出第一步,與其他信徒建立一分真誠,敞開的關係?
這一課的PowerPoint，謝謝Helen製作。第十八課
信徒生活第十六課 (Christian Living) - 5/6
第十六課 最重要的事
經文：因為全律法都包在”愛人如己”這一句話之能內了。(加拉太書5:4)
思想要點：生命全關乎愛。
要點：基督教信仰兩個重要的里程碑:敬拜和愛。
人生最重要的里程碑也是敬拜和愛,愛是我們人生第二個目標。
生命全關乎愛,因為愛是永遠長存的,沒有愛就沒有價值。
愛要用一生去學習,在與別人的交往中學習,我們需經常回顧與別人的關係。
愛是一切的基礎,是信仰訓練的第一步,神要我們愛每一個人,特別是家人。
愛是人生最好的應用,最能表達愛的方式是付出時間,去愛的最好時刻就是現在,愛的禮物是專注,也是人生最重要的成功。
思考問題︰捫心自問,關係是我人生中最重要的事嗎?要如何確保它的優先地位?
這一課的PowerPoint，謝謝Helen製作。第十六課
信徒生活第十七課 (Christian Living) - 5/13
第十七課 有所歸屬
經文：我們這許多人,在基督里成為一身,互相連絡作肢體,也是如此。(羅馬書12:5)
思想要點：我不單被召信神,更是屬於神。
要點：我們的歸屬在神的教會,教會是真理的柱石和根基。
教會是基督的身體,而我們就是身體中的重要器官。
我們當活在教會的群體之中,讓身體器官與身體連接,必須通過與教會弟兄姊妹的交往。
參加教會生活表明你是真基督徒。
在教會中,我們要不以自我為中心,努力增長靈命,避免倒退,並且委身侍奉。
神給予教會和我們五個目的:敬拜,團契,訓練,服侍和傳福音。
你相信基督帶來救恩,你委身服侍則帶來團契生活。
思考問題︰我對當地教會的投入,能否表現出我愛教會,並且委身於神的家庭。
這一課的PowerPoint，謝謝Helen製作。第十七課
Protecting your mind from evil
Protecting your mind from evil
by Rick Warren
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Rick Warren |
We have to be choosy. We have to control what – or who – we allow into our minds. What’s true of computers is true with humans – garbage in, garbage out.” Your mind is a special gift from God. It can potentially store 100 trillion thoughts. And it is a tool that God wants to use in your ministry to fulfill his purposes.
Yet there are a lot of people fighting for access to that mind of yours. Years ago I read a book on advertising by Jack Trout and Al Reece called Positioning: The Battle for Your Mind. The book opened my eyes to all the people fighting for our attention. The fact is people are intentionally planning, 24-hours a day, to get our attention.
That’s why we have to be choosy. We have to control what – or who – we allow into our minds. What’s true of computers is true with humans – garbage in, garbage out.
To do that, Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 10:5 to “capture every thought and make it give up and obey Christ.” (NCV) The Bible is very specific at giving us five things that we are to guard our minds against. Share these with your staff members and the key leaders of your church.
1. We are to guard our minds against false teaching. First and foremost we need to watch out for doctrinal errors that can divert us from the true Gospel. Scripture encourages us to contend for, “The faith which was once and for all delivered to the saints.” (Jude 1:3 NKJ) That means the message has been around for awhile. In fact, I tell my people “If it’s new, it’s not true” – because the biblical faith we believe is the one that was handed down from “the saints.”
How do you guard your mind against false teachings? Know the truth. If you know the truth, you can instantly spot a lie. Treasury agents are not trained to detect counterfeiting by handling counterfeit bills. They give them real bills and study them so well that when a counterfeit dollar bill is put in their hands, they immediately know that it’s false.
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Rick Warren |
2. We are to guard our minds against temptation. Psalm 101:3 says, “I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless.” (ESV) That’s a good verse to put on your television. When was the last time you actually got up and switched channels because what you were seeing was worthless? A. W. Tozer says “America has lost its ability to blush.”
If we’re going to guard our minds we have to be careful about what we watch because it causes temptation. The Bible says very clearly that sin starts with a thought. You sow a thought, you reap an action. You sow an action, you reap a habit. You sow a habit, you reap a character. And it destroys you. The mind is a strategic battlefield, and if Satan can get your thought life, he’s going to get you. So those harmless fantasies are not harmless at all.
When I start to feel tempted, I often say, “Lord, I mentally put on the helmet of salvation that Scripture talks about in Ephesians 6:17.” What does a helmet do? It protects your mind. When I do this, I’m saying, “Lord, I want you to cover my mind with your blood. I will be guarding my mind from temptation.”
3. We are to guard our minds against counterfeit spiritual experiences. Those who don’t do this end up in a cult. Galatians 1:6-8 says even if an angel tells you something different than what the Word of God says, don’t believe him. A lot of times these so-called Holy Spirit inspired flashes come from the devil – or because you ate a bad pizza. I believe the Holy Spirit works calmly and deliberately.
4. We are to guard our minds against pride. Pride is the sin that God judges quicker than any other single sin. Aaron got prideful, and God smote him. Uzziah got prideful, and God smote him. Pride is the sin that got Satan kicked out of Heaven. As a leader, you’ll be tempted by this. People will tell you things that will puff you up. You have to remain humble and not let pride enter your mind.
5. We are to guard against an overworked mind. As pastors, this is one of our greatest areas of failure. We strain our minds too much. This can cause failure in your life. The constant study, reading, and dealing with people overworks our minds and lowers our ability to make sound judgments. That’s why we need to be taking a day of rest every week. Either we get away or we’ll come apart.
Utalk, Utube, Upick 第五閃
A Tribute to Virginia Tech shooting victims with the song “Amazing Grace”.
May the Lord brings us comfort and encouragement to continue our mission here on Earth untill His Return.
悲劇之後
昨天，在弗吉尼亞理工大學發生了美國歷史上最慘重的槍擊案。包括槍手在内，一共33人死亡。想必新聞報紙，網際網絡上會在今後幾個星期做更詳細的報道。
在這件慘案發生之後，我想美國上上下下都在思考一個問題：WHY？
有無數的人都想知道這個槍手是誰？他爲什麽做出這麽極端的行爲？但我覺得這並不是重點，因爲了解他的動機並不能阻止已經發生了的慘案，也不會讓這個槍手得到同情。因爲世上没有什麽事值得他去奪取他人與自己的生命。相反的， 我想有些人只是想確定他是多麽的pathetic，可以借機唾棄他。因爲人們想知道這罪魁禍首是誰，有誰可以來怪罪。
講到怪罪，我想這是第二個正常的反應。英文叫做play the “blame game”：“校方與警方的處理不當”，“學校裏的保安太差”，“美國槍支管理不夠健全”，“大衆傳媒中的血腥暴力太多”。。。 這些議題一定會在今後幾周内閙得紛紛揚揚。沒錯，有些機構是應該承擔一些責任，但我認爲解決這些事只是治根不治本。更奇怪的是，這些問題也在八年前Columbine高中槍擊案后提出來過，但從昨天的悲劇來看，這些議題只不過成爲了大家發洩的對象，頂多有幾個電視專題節目與幾部電影出來給大衆提個醒。並沒有很多人堅持不懈的來解決這些不足。過不了多久，人們會又把他們的注意力集中到LA的油費又上漲了多少，那個明星又進到rehab啦。
唯一可能會讓人重視並行動的， 是關係到他個人的利益。像這次吧，這個槍手是亞裔，有傳言説是中國留學生。我想所有的華人都要捏一把冷汗了。这牽涉到種族問題，有可能會波及到自己，所以趕快想一下對策，預防將來的不便。如果不是中國人，我們可能會松一口氣，慶幸躲過了這一劫。这看起來似乎很合情合理，但想一想年輕而被結束的生命，想一想在悲痛中的親友家人，我們的打算豈不是太自私了一點？
我以上講的，可能觸到了某些人的神經，會讓人覺得不舒服，那我的目的就達到一半了。在這裡澄清一下，並不是我在這裡裝高姿態。以上的三個反應，我都在聽到報道后作出過。但這並不是基督徒所應有的反應，我自己也没有正確的答案，下邊是我的一些心得，就挑戰一些大家了：
你是否有悲傷？還是繼續麻木？包括槍手在内，33個照著神的形象創造的生命已經終止了。有幾個有永恒生命的把握？我們會不會因爲傷亡的人數少而對這件事忽略，會不會因爲這離我們很遠而覺得無關緊要？主耶穌為我們每個人而死，因爲每個人都在他的眼中看為至寶。我們能學傚耶穌的胸懷來愛人嗎？
你是否有“真心”禱告？還是把這件事“交托”給神，跟神報個到，做到基督徒的“基本職責”了？神不喜悅已經定型的禱告文：“神哪，求你看顧＿＿＿＿＿，安慰＿＿＿＿＿＿＿，帶領＿＿＿＿＿＿＿，願你得榮耀。。。（孩子這裡心不在焉的禱告，完全是一種完成任務式的求禱！阿門！） 万軍之耶和華只聆聽從心裏發出的呼求聲。我們願意為在這次悲劇中受影響的人們靜下心來，真切的為他們帶禱嗎？
你是否有反思，還是把這件事當作普通新聞。過了三分鐘的熱度，就回到原來的生活？我們在主日學中學到，所有事都不是偶然的。我們是否願意花一些時間來思考：通過這件悲劇，神給我們的啓示是什麽，我們應當的行動又是什麽？
讓以上成爲你我的挑戰。
信徒生活第十三課 (Christian Living) - 4/15
第十三課 討神喜悅的敬拜
經文：你要盡心、盡性、盡意，盡力愛主——你的神。(馬可福音十二章30節)
思想要點：神要的是整個的我。
要點：對於神我們是要將自己完全奉獻給神，全力地敬拜他，不計代價，過討神喜悅的敬拜生活。
討神喜悅的敬拜的四個特點：正確、真誠、有意念和有實際行動。
敬拜必須基于聖經的真理和教義原則，也必須是真實衷心的。
最好的敬拜風格是最真實地表達出你對神的愛，敬拜的方式有對有錯，我們須加以注意和糾正，但我們也需要包容每個人各有不同的敬拜途徑，只要他的敬拜行為是符合聖經原則的。
敬拜時是我們的靈對神的靈的回應,無須憂慮別人的看法,神要我們為他而活。
思考問題︰目前哪一样更討神的喜悦——參与公眾敬拜，抑或是我個人的敬拜？我應該怎麼做？
這一課的PowerPoint，謝謝Helen製作。第十三課
