親愛的弟兄姊妹平安:
50年前的7月16日, 我怯懦靦腆地站在鄰居的窗外, 眼睛盯着那14吋的黑白電視機, 畫面上傳來人類的第一次踏足月球, 岩士唐(Neil Armstrong)踏上他個人的一小步, 這是人類的一大步。當時登陸月球的影像藉世界各地電視台的傳播, 估計觀眾有五億三千萬人, 我是其中的一員。
岩士唐在完成登陸月球的任務後, 探訪了耶路撒冷古城, 在以色列考古學家的引導下, 他踏步在耶穌基督往來聖殿曾經走過的石階; 他說:「我一定要告訴你, 我踏足在這些石階的興奮超越於踏足在月球上。」
「基督也為你們受過苦, 給你們留下榜樣, 叫你們跟隨祂的腳蹤行。」(彼前2:21) 跟隨祂的腳蹤不在耶路撒冷的城牆下, 而在人生的各各他山路上。
這個星期有示威團體在卡迪夫城堡外駐集了三天, 以喚醒威爾斯政府拯救地球減緩暖化, 阻塞汽車通道以減排二氧化碳。相比走路、騎自行車或乘搭公車, 駕車出行是污染最大的交通方式。鼓勵本地農產消費, 減少海運和空運國際運輸的簡約生活模式。多菜少肉, 是我們的良好飲食習慣, 也是減緩全球暖化的有效途徑。我也要努力給下一代留下一個美好的將來。
這個主日下午芥菜種四日三夜的家庭營在Gower舉行, 主題是「最美的一刻」。我定了兩個講道分題:「活在當下」和「珍惜幼年」以回應大會經文:「神造萬物, 各按其時成為美好, 又將永生安置在世人心裡, 然而神從始至終的作為, 人不能參透。」(傳3:11)
在禱告中記念每一位參加者和探營者。「說話有時, 靜默有時」, 在營地裏團契和獨處, 分享和聆聽。
願神與你們同在!
主內
王 興
2019年7月19日
Dear brothers and sisters, 19th July, 2019
50 years ago on July 16th, I stood timidly outside the window of my neighbour, staring at the 14′ black and white TV, witnessing the first person who landed on the moon. Neil Armstrong said that’s one small step for a man, one great leap for mankind. The images of the moon landing were broadcasted all over the world and I was among the 530million viewers.
After his mission on the moon, Armstrong visited the Old City of Jerusalem, accompanied by an Israeli archaeologist. When he stepped on the stairs leading to the temple where Jesus Christ had walked many times, he said, ‘I have to tell you, I am more excited stepping on these stones than I was stepping on the moon.’
‘Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps.’ (1Peter 2:21) We follow His steps not in Jerusalem, but on our rugged path of Golgotha.
There was a protest in Cardiff for 3 days this week. The protestors camped outside the Castle to urge the Welsh government to raise awareness about climate change. They blocked the roads to reduce carbon dioxide. Comparing to walking, cycling and taking buses, driving is the most polluted way of travelling. Choosing local produce can reduce sea and air transportation; eating more veg and less meat is a good habit and also an effective way to slow down global warming. I myself need to work hard to leave a better future for the next generation.
The Mustard Seed family camp is held in Gower from this Sunday until Wednesday. The theme is ‘The Best Moment’. and the passage is: ‘He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.’ (Eccl 3:11) I have chosen two topics: ‘ Live in the Moment’ and ‘Cherish the days of your youth’.
Remembering all participants and visitors in prayers. ‘ A time to speak and a time to be silent.’ Let us have a time of fellowship and a quiet time in the camp, sharing and listening.
May the Lord be with you!
In Him,
Sam Wong