給朋友們的一件聖誕禮物

親愛的朋友:

普天同慶的聖誕節又到了， 祝大家聖誕快樂，心裡平安喜樂。

在此我又心動動想同大家分享小小点滴。

考吓你們聖誕節是什麼節日？ 應該連小孩子都識答: 耶穌出生囉！ 對，100分。 但我有一個長版的答案。 聖誕節是記念二千多年前，上帝的獨生子---耶穌基督降生於無枕無床的馬槽裡的日子。 試問誰會選擇在如斯的環境下出生？ 衪是萬王之王，應該起碼是在皇宮金殿出世吧。 祂用這卑微的身份，一生取奴僕樣式，目的是讓我們容易親近祂，認識祂，明白祂對我們的愛。

主耶穌在地上三十三年，行神跡奇事，趕鬼，教導真理，幫助人，醫治人的身心靈，賜福予人。 祂最後甘願把自己獻上，代替我們世人的罪，去承擔一切，被害被釘在十字架上，這種最殘忍的刑罰。 祂死後被埋葬，三天後復活，顯現在人前，升天回天父那裡去，完成了整個救贖人的計劃。

我相信主，確知衪是又真又活，祂每日與我同行，從來都不会撇下我不理，儘管我是滿有罪的。 祂賜我心內平安喜樂，有盼望，有愛去生活，無論是開心的、傷感的、委屈的、困難的、祂也必保守看顧我。 我親愛的朋友，願你在今個聖誕裡，感受到神是多麼的愛你，祂犧牲、永不止息的愛，祂愛我們到底。 願你打開自己的心門，讓耶穌進入你心深處，你的一呼一吸神都保護。 願你放膽去接受耶穌基督作你的救主，接受這份滿有恩典的聖誕禮物。 耶穌愛你，耶穌賜福你。

心內滿滿感恩的Betty上

Some thoughts on "Evan Almighty" 「嚟多件衰鬼上帝」隨想

看完"Evan Almighty", 很有感動與大家分享点滴。 無論是基督徒或是無宗教背景的朋友都值得一看, 我自己就得著很多很多。

相信大家對挪亞方舟這個故事都不会太陌生。 跟據聖經創世記六章記載, 挪亞是一個義人，他的一切心思意念都付合神的心意, 他是與神同行的。 挪亞那時代的世界是十分敗壞的, 神要使洪水泛濫在地上, 毀滅地上衪自己所創造的一切有血肉的。 但神在公義審判的同時也顯出慈愛, 祂吩咐挪亞造一隻方舟, 與挪亞立約, 讓他一家八口 (挪亞及其妻、挪亞的三個兒子和媳婦)、各飛鳥牲畜昆蟲一公一母, 双双對對的送進入方舟, 好保全生命。 挪亞就照神的吩咐照樣行了, 結果洪水泛濫在地上四十天, 地上有氣息的都死了, 只有挪亞和那些與他同在方舟裡的命是活着的。


"Evan Almighty" 的劇情就是現代版的Evan方舟。 Evan 在他事業初露光芒的時候, 接到以"擬人法"化身的黑人上帝order去建方舟, 建一隻在挪亞時代一模一樣的方舟。 神叫Evan 只管放膽去造方舟, 神会為他預備其他的, 並一切所需的, 當然包括"乘客"。 這是一個不可思議的命令, 相信任何一個正常人都会拒絕。 對於正生活得安安穩穩, 前途無可限量的Evan 來說, 按他自己訂下的計劃多的是, 現在正忙得半死, 那有空去建方舟! Evan 用盡一切方法逃避神的呼召, 神卻用耐心慈愛, 不同的印證(一對對雌雄的動物 --- Evan 方舟的乘客, 先後出現並緊隨Evan) 去叫Evan 學習順服。 是的, 順服是要學習的, 是要存心的, 即是要付上代價, 要犧牲自我, 1st priority 乃是神, 不是自己的想法好處...... 神應許我們祂為我們成就一切, 遠超過你我所求所想, 祂是供應者, 祂必供應我們需要的一切。



Evan 在信心路上雖然有起有跌, 除了首要過自己"理性"一関外, 跟着得面對周圍譏笑他建方舟荒誕行為的陌生人、朋友同事、什至至愛親人也無法諒解他...... 到最後他甘心樂意, 從零到一手一脚的, 堅守所承認的指望, 不至搖動, 仰望耶和華, 帶着壯膽堅固的心把方舟建成，並在洪水來的時候, 拯救了很多從前說三道四的陌路人和朋友。 更在建舟的過程中, Evan得以修補與家人的関係, 大家因着愛, 同負一個信念, 彼此更接近更和諧。



在電影裡, 有一句對白深深打入我心。 有一記者用挑戰的態度問Evan為何覺得自己会被神揀中, 把這麼重要的建舟拯救工作給他做時, Evan的回答是:"神不是只揀選我, 其實神是揀選了我們每一個人!" 對呀, 其實神在我們尚未成形以先, 已曉得我們, 人或許不認識主, 但主在創立世界之前, 已揀選了你。 問題是我們是否願意成為祂的孩子, 存心謙卑, 放下自己, 尋找衪的必尋見！ 願主賜福你們。

My testimony

Dear my friends,

Please accept my apology of not updating my blog for quite some time. Have to admit that i am a bit busy these days... Now, let me share with you all my testimony which was given last last Friday during a gathering organized by my hospital's Christian Fellowship. Praise to our Lord that we had over 60 staff participated :>

Share with you --- 我的見證

各位同事, 好高興今日同大家分享我一Ｄ經歷。 認識我的朋友, 知道我叫Betty; 不認識我的, 我自我介紹我叫楊医生, 但係我都係仲意大家叫我Betty, 後生又親切Ｄ。我來了東華東医院差不多兩年了, 當中有半年在東區醫院, 現在在B/C1胸肺病房工作。

其實今日大家被同事熱切邀請來到這个名為”活出生命的樂章”聚会, 已经有心理準備要聽耶穌, 我唔講大話, 大家亦估得很對, 我確實会同大家分享我認識咗我生命中最重要是真是活的掌權者 --- 主耶穌基督的經歷。

我自小就在基督教學校讀書, 要上聖經堂背主禱文造金句咭, 聽咗好多耶穌基督傳道的故仔, 係, 當時真係當故仔那樣聽, 故仔好精彩, 有趕鬼醫治行神跡。 耶穌用小孩給衪的五餅二魚竟然胃飽在聽耶穌講道的五千人, 還有餘下的餅和魚; 耶穌在參加迦南婚宴裡, 因為客人太多, 沒有酒了, 衪又能把水变為酒; 耶穌更加對撒但魔鬼的引誘無動於衷, 把魔鬼連連擊退……, 但這一切一切, 在當時的我完全体会唔到, 都唔知耶穌同我有什麼關係, 唔会去想什麼是愛, 我為何而活, 我從何而來, 只是抱著交功課的態度。

直至中六後到加拿大繼續升学, 努力讀書的同時, 開始留意身邊井井有條的大自然, 路邊野花沒人栽種卻也如斯美豔, 究竟是誰創造的呢？ 與此同時, 有基督徒帶我返教会, 聽牧師講解神的話, 知道”上帝”便是我尋尋覓覓的答案, 在小學中學上聖經堂學到的, 一同擁現, 我深深明白我已經找到。如果沒有神, 一切都是虛空, 我努力讀書拿學位找份穩定工有好收入做好人, 甚至結婚嫁個好老公生兒育女, 做人生必經做的, 但最終老病死是人不能用聰明智慧金錢權力去改變的, 只有相信了天上的阿爸父, 創造這個宇宙萬物、我們人類的上帝, 祂很愛我, 因為我是衪寶貴的女兒, 衪要我的生命活得豐盛有意義, 祂告訴我生命在這世上其實是寄居的, 我在這世上死去後, 回到天堂, 衪為我預備的, 才是永恆的生命。

你們或者会話, 好玄呀, 我講到好遠甚至好深奥, 但其實好簡單好容易体会, 因為你只管放胆去信靠主, 自己去經歷一吓就会發覺祂是又活又真的。 我決定相信主耶穌基督後, 心裡快慰, 那份喜悅是沒有什麽可以比美, 因為我已經找到一生的依靠。

然而, 我這段”蜜月期” 只有一天之久, 因為當時與我同在加拿大的姊姊擔心我信主後太興奮, 做了”二五女” 打長途电話給在香港的媽媽, 我所愛的媽媽是反對我信主的, 第二天下課回家, 便見到媽媽從香港飛來加拿大了！ 晴天霹靂, 我當時的心態就像被神高高抱起, 正在享受與衪重聚的時刻, 突然, 重重的跌入谷底, 好黑看不見出路…… 我一向是乖乖女一名, 從來未有大聲頂装父母, 我的媽媽斷定我今次是不聽話不孝順, 明知她不喜歡基督教都要去信, 是與她作對。 而她一向是家中話事的, 她絕不容許我不聽她的說話…… 故事的發展, 相信大家用Ｄ想像力都可以估到, 像做戲一樣。 大吵後, 我好鍚的媽媽只叫我回答她一條問題, 要繼續認她作媽媽, 做她聽話的女兒, 還是我堅持信我的主, 媽媽她不要我這個女兒了……

當時我這個初信主的人確實有惱怒主, 為何要這般試我, 祢不是話愛我鍚我的嗎？ 但感謝主的帶領, 看完聖经禱告後, 很快的, 我對主的信心回來了, 我知道祂是與我一起作戰, 我並不孤獨, 衪要我在困苦, 正常人不能理解處理的事上, 學習依靠衪, 祂必幫助我。 雖然到此時此刻, 我的媽媽失驚無神都会借Ｄ耳來說基督教基督徒的是是非非, 在吵架時嚇我要拋悼我所有的聖經靈修書, 但比起十多年前她反對我信主的激動情度, 現在真的好多了, 起碼我可以正常返教会, 聖經放在書架上也沒有被拋進垃圾筒。 朋友們, 你們或会覺得我好傻, 我為何有這麼大的信心, 不如放棄吧, 值得嗎？ 朋友呀, 是值得的, 因為在每一次患難中, 我都感受到主耶穌與我同在, 衪是又真又活的, 雖然肉眼看不見, 但衪卻是唯一的, 從前現在將來的主。 想同你們分享的實在太多, 時間不夠, 讓我用現時在東東工作的前因後果結尾。

兩年前, 我剛剛考完胸肺科專科試, 很開心, 因為之前好努力去温習, 整個個程雖然辛苦但主愛我看顧我, 成功pass 了，一心一意打算繼續在伊利沙伯醫院, 這個我在實習醫生的時候已经結下不解之緣的”家”, 工作, 那裡有我喜歡的同事病人環境, 雖然忙但開心。 誰知在考完試後的第二天, 接到東華東內科負責人的電話, 詢問我有興趣否轉到東東工作, 他們需要一個胸肺科医生。 我的第一個反應當然有Ｄ開心, 有人睇得起, 但隨後的是一句多謝, 我愛QE, 傻啦, 我不会走的。 但神給我的路是我不能猜到的, 衪為我預備的是多於我所想我所求的, 我是一個不喜歡轉換環境的人, 我來到東東返工是帶着恐懼的, 要面對新老板上司同事, 最初甚至東東在那裡也不知道, 與此同時, 我將会是東東唯一的胸肺科医生, 我只是一個剛考到專業試的初哥, 從前在QE, 九龍医院有好多经驗老到的上司可以有事問他們, 完全在深切保護低下, 現在呢, 只是我一個呀! 但是再一次感謝主, 祂讓我更明白祂的心意, 衪要我在東東裡做好職份, 我可以有較多的時間去関心我的病人, 不是作一個只医身体有病的病人的醫生, 乃是一個靠着神給我力量, 用愛去医治病人身心靈的医生; 也不是一個點頭打招呼的同事, 乃是一個要活出主愛人樣式的, 傳揚天国福音的門徒。 這一切,我依然在學習當中, 我也偶会發脾氣做了壞的見證犯了罪, 請大家包容, 提醒我, 我会靠着主繼續努力。

但各位朋友同事呀, 在這裡, 我確實関心你們, 為你們的靈魂著急, 我已經得着認識主耶穌這份礼物, 我不斷經歷神是真的活的, 不是與你無関的, 請把握今日這個机会, 打開自己的心, 問吓每日忙忙忙, 究竟為了什麼, 擔子是否很重, 是否有很多不公平不合理的事情, 在工作上不免見到好多人病死的時候, 知道人是不能避免的。 請把這一切交回給愛你們, 創造你們的主, 承認我們人是有罪的, 明白上帝的兒子耶穌已經擔當你的罪被釘死在十字架上, 你們只要接受耶穌作你的救主, 你作衪的兒女, 就是這樣單純的信, 你們必得着從神以來的喜樂平安盼望。 願主祝福你們, 耶穌愛你們。

Dear my friends,

Please have a look at this video of a 4-finger pianist. She is really beautiful.
http://dopejam.multiply.com/video/item/6

We live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in th ebody or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. 2 Corinthians 5:7-10

Tomato

TO all mothers - an article written by my sister

Here Today; Gone Tomorrow
Why Motherhood Cannot Wait

By Eunice Young


I never liked kids before I was pregnant. I used to find them annoying. However, I felt I ought to give birth because I believed it was a wife’s duty to give her husband a complete family; it was a daughter’s duty to continue the family tree; and it was a woman’s sacred duty to give birth. However, I never thought of the duties that came with being a mum. Once I decided to get pregnant, instead of being only a wife, a daughter, and a woman, I became a mum.

Since I had always been living a life without babies and kids before I was pregnant, and I was never really interested in being around children, taking care of them was an absolute challenge to me. Therefore, as a mum-to-be, I thought the best way to learn about how to be a mum was from parenting books. I read a lot of those “bibles”, and I tried to understand, and listen to expert advice. 99% of the experts suggested we should not let our babies control our life. On the contrary, we had to “train” our little ones to accommodate our daily routine, then our life would not be manipulated by them. Following the experts’ instructions, I put Trystin in his crib in his own room right after we came back from the hospital. He started to cry once I put him down, but I tried not to answer it. I let him wail until he was so exhausted he fell asleep by himself. I also let my maid look after him and put him to bed. I continued to force myself to follow the “parenting bible” to treat my son like a stranger or even an enemy for the first few days. I followed this regime blindly until the middle of one night, my maid brought Trystin to my room. He was crying and needed to be fed. I breastfed him as usual, and I tried to pass him back to my maid once he had finished. However, I felt a tremendous pang in my heart when I looked down at him, asleep in my arms. What kind of mother was I to pass so contented and so innocent a child to a complete stranger? How could I possibly let him sleep by himself in a cold room, when all he was asking me for was the warmth and protection of my love? Who was I to deny him that?

Therefore, from that night on, I did not follow expert advice anymore. I followed my instincts and put my children at the center of my life. I believe we should give up our career and be a full-time mum to look after our children during their formative years, till the age of around seven. There are three reasons to support my argument.

The first and foremost reason is the responsibility that comes with being a mum. Many mums like me grew up under the belief that we have to be grateful because our mother made the ultimate sacrifice of bringing us into this world. However, after I became a mum myself, I realised this was not even a half-truth. I could not pass on this illusion like some old family heirloom. The 9 months of pregnancy and the act of giving birth is NOT a sacrifice a mum made for her baby. It has always been a “selfish” decision; the baby never asked to be born. For whatever reason, the mother decided to give it life. This is a decision with life-long consequences, and her job is not completed upon giving birth. Rather, the responsibility begins with the baby’s first cry, and does not end until she has raised the kind of person she can be proud of – a task she may not even complete in her own lifetime.

In South-east Asia, especially Hong Kong, however, many mums ask their maids to do the job for them. The maids, on the potentially dangerous assumption that they are highly experienced and responsible, will take care of the children. They will make sure the children are fed when they are hungry; bathed when they are dirty; entertained (often put in front of the television) when they are bored and put to bed when they are tired. However, will the maids take care of the children in the way you exactly want? Indeed can you trust them to treat your children perfectly while you are not around? Even if you are fortunate enough to find someone who loves your children as much as you do, and treats your children as well as you, would you want this person to replace you, and be the most important person in your children’s hearts? How would you feel if your children want her more than you? How would you feel if your children call her “Mum”? By relying on your maids, or other people as the prime caretakers of your children, you are not only taking away your own children from yourself, but also taking away their mum, their most significant person. They are losing the most precious, unconditional love in the world, the love and care of their mother. Your children, during their infant years, are helpless and vulnerable. They need and want their mother, not the maid, to be around all the time. Indeed when they are feeling unwell, unsure or frightened, the only person they look for is their mum. It is the baby’s basic instinct to seek its mother’s comfort, care and love. It is an irreplaceable relationship; the closest blood tie. The bonding and trust begun in the womb should continue to grow long after birth.

Your little infant just arrived in this world. It sees new things, and it encounters new experience every day. It is like a piece of pure white paper. What and how to write on this piece of paper is in the hands of the mother. The first seven years are the most crucial. These are the years when the child grows and learns at an incredible rate. These are the years when it forms its personality; when it learns and builds its values; and when it grows through experience to become the person you want it, and lead it to become. The mum should be there to share all its first experiences: its first smile; its first word; its first step; its first “I love you”. The mum should be there to share its joy and happiness; to comfort and support it through difficult times; to show it the right values; to teach it righteousness, and above all, to be its role-model. It is the mum, not the maid, not the school, and not any other caretakers, who should show her child the world, to set an example for her child, and lead it along brighter paths. Therefore, besides taking care of the child, a mum also has the responsibility to raise her child with appropriate values and beliefs. There is an old Chinese saying 「 養不教；父之過」” If the child is only being raised, but not taught properly; it is the fault of the parents.”

To some, responsibility has a negative association that may not be very attractive. However, believe it or not, fulfilling her responsibility to look after her own children can be the greatest source of a mum’s pride and pleasure. Every smile, every laugh, and every step forward that the little one makes touches the bottom of the mother’s heart. These are the moments when she realises all her effort, all her time, and all her frustration are worthwhile.

Some mums may agree that it is their responsibility to take care of and raise their children. However they may think they simply cannot afford to give up their job. They believe that the more money they make the more of their children’s needs they can satisfy, and eventually the happier the children they raise. But is money the most important ingredient for a child’s happiness in their formative years? And, how much money is enough to raise a happy child? Not as much as we think.

For a child under seven, material satisfaction is far less important in its life. It has not learnt the concept of a material world, so it does not know how to appreciate it like we do. Material goods are immaterial to a child’s happiness. What is more if not most important to it is not how much money the mum can bring home, it is the time and love the mum can give it. It is parental love and security that the child is seeking. This unconditional love is what the child cares for, and the more the child feels loved the happier the child will be. The time a mum spends away from home on her work would be better spent with her child, for the child derives no benefit from an absent mother. The child will not be very happy if it can only see its mum at nighttime, or during weekends. The child needs its mother’s attention and love, and the more the better. It is the love that satisfies the child, not the money.

Indeed, indulging the child with material goods will only make it take things for granted, and will also hinder its development. A child will not appreciate a new toy when it already has them in abundance, and the more it possesses the less its satisfaction will be. Instead of stuff that just gathers dust, a child needs stimulation to foster its development. Fun and play with mum will definitely stimulate its imagination and help hone its ability to interact with others. A stroll along the beach, collecting shells or pebbles and building sandcastles will stimulate its creativity. But while sitting in front of a 48” LCD television alone when its mother is out working may stimulate its eyes and ears, it does not stimulate its brain as much as mum can. Nor is it stimulating the child’s body. Starving it of company and exercise, it is tantamount to training the kind of passive couch-potato no parents can be proud of.

Raising a successful child, a child who is happy, well adjusted, and morally grounded, is to raise an attached child, a child who feels loved and attached all the time; and a child who has a close and trusting relationship with its parents. How you care for your child in the first years of its life is crucial to developing trusting and sensitive ways of thinking. In later years, these good emotional habits influence the development of more specific skills for success: communication, compassion, and self-esteem. A child who feels loved and attached all the time during its childhood brings the compassion and trust it learnt in its first relationship into later relationships. This relationship shows it how to trust itself, and this self-confidence sees it through significant adversity. The child carries its high self-esteem through the rest of its life. It becomes part of its well-being and makes it resilient. A loved child not only perceives itself as valuable, but also, with its kindness, grows up to add value to the lives of others. Therefore, it is not money we need to raise a happy and successful child, so much as time and love. Love cannot be calculated by monetary value, and it definitely cannot be traded, or substituted, no matter how much money you have. The most valuable things in a child’s life are free.

A full-time mum can derive great satisfaction from always being with her child. She is simultaneously experiencing both motherhood and a second childhood herself. She is learning with her child every day, and she is seeing things through its eyes. She is exposed to a whole new world of imagination and fantasy; a world of purity and innocence; a world of love and trust. Having the chance to share all her child’s formative experience, the mum is able to enjoy all the precious moments in the child’s world. The mum is reborn, and she is rejuvenated by the growth of her child.

Some mums cannot sacrifice their career for their children not because of financial constraints, but because of a need for self-recognition and satisfaction, which they believe can only be attained from career achievement. They believe women should not be made to stay at home and be a full-time housewife. They do not like the traditional stereotype of women chained to the kitchen sink, while men go out and work to support the family. They consider being a full-time mum an inferior role for a woman, and staying at home to look after the kids a waste of their talents – far too much of a sacrifice for them to give up their rewarding career for the drudgery of caring for little ones. They strongly believe women should have their own career in order to prove themselves as capable as men. Their self-recognition is obtained and measured by career success. They are not convinced that taking care of their own children is their responsibility, let alone the best way for a mum to show how capable and how great a woman she can be.

Women with extraordinary achievement in their career are highly recognized in our society. However, when a woman puts her career before her young children, society may have a second opinion of her overall achievement. When a mum is not fulfilling her primary obligation, and neglecting the interests of her own babies, how will people be convinced she has the right values to always give appropriate advice and make wise decisions in her work? When a mum is irresponsible with her own children, will people still see her as a responsible and esteemed professional to work with? Would society still hold her success in esteem, and will she get the self-recognition that she has been seeking? Not in my eyes. Nevertheless, a woman who is willing to give up her career when her children are young is worthy of the utmost respect. A woman takes both self-confidence and perseverance to fully devote herself to her children. This woman does not need to search for self-recognition; she does not need to compete with men to establish her self-worth; she has full confidence in herself, and she has the priorities and values as a great woman. After all, no one has made her stay at home; she has chosen to do so.

Moreover, in giving all her time and effort to raise a successful child, her child’s achievement is her achievement. A career woman with a baby at home will have difficulty in devoting herself fully to her job. No matter how professional a career woman is, she is still a mother, and she still wants to take time out for her child. Therefore, there are always moments she is in denial and feels guilty that she cannot experience and share all its happiness. It is very difficult for her to go full speed in her career, without any second thoughts or hesitation. She always has to balance her time and devotion between her career and motherhood, often to the detriment of both. With a baby waiting at home, the career mum will never get the utmost satisfaction from her job, without feeling guilty for neglecting her duties as a mum. Having a career, either working for someone else or having your own business, you will have to deal with different people and face different challenges every day. You will have to spend time dealing with things that do not contribute directly to the success of your career. On the other hand, a full-time mum will have no such worries. She spends every minute with her baby, and her baby gets every minute she spends with it. Every minute counts towards the most meaningful thing for her. Taking care of your own baby is far more rewarding than having a career elsewhere, where, in a sense, you are raising other people’s babies.

Furthermore, a full-time mum is given a valuable chance for self–development. A new mum experiences a whole new area of life, parenting. She has to learn how to communicate with the child, how to take care of it, and how to teach it all the values and knowledge it needs to know. She has to provide the means for her child to learn and grow and be prepared to learn and grow with it, brushing up rusty knowledge and learning things that were never taught in her day. It is a precious opportunity to pick up interests she always wanted to pursue, but did not have time or the chance to. This is an ideal time for us to learn again, with our children. When we are working, few of us can afford to step out of the office, and do something that we truly want to do. In this ever-changing world, it is crucial for us to keep pace with new knowledge, not so much to close the generation gap, but to not fall victim to a knowledge gap.

Children grow up fast. In retrospect, the first seven years can pass at the speed of a hesitation. If you don’t value the chance to spend every moment with your children now, you may regret it for the rest of your life. Their first few years are the only time you really have to form a strong bond with them and enjoy your motherhood. Don’t think you have a lifetime to spend with your children. You don’t. After they grow up, they will have their own social circle, and will not need their mum to be around anymore. And don’t think of this as a lifetime’s sacrifice. It’s not. You can always pursue your career, make more money or go out and have high tea with your friends every day when they get older and need you less. All you are giving up is a few of your own years to love, cherish, and shape the life that you created and are responsible for! Your children are growing every day, with or without you, and you are the one who has to keep up with them. If you keep thinking you will make time for them tomorrow, they will be gone, taking everything they needed from you with them, whether you gave it to them or not.

分享一則"人生小比喻"

這個故事比喻的真是棒！

有一個人在森林中漫遊的時候，突然遇見了一隻飢餓的老虎，老虎大吼一聲就撲了上來。他立刻用生平最大的力氣和最快的速度逃開，但是老虎緊追不捨， 他一直跑一直跑一直跑，最後被老虎逼入了斷崖邊上。 站在懸崖邊上，他想：「與其被老虎捉到，活活被咬、肢解，還不如跳入懸崖，說不定還有一線生機。」 他縱身跳入懸崖， 非常幸運的卡在一棵樹上，那是長在斷崖邊的梅樹， 樹上結滿了梅子。

正在慶幸的時候， 他聽到斷崖深處傳來巨大的吼聲，往崖底望去，原來有一只兇猛的獅子正抬頭看著他，獅子的聲音使他心顫， 但轉念一想：「獅子與老虎是相同的猛獸，被甚麼吃掉，都是一樣的。」 當他一放下心， 又聽見了一陣聲音，仔細一看，一黑一白的兩隻老鼠，正用力地咬著梅樹的樹幹。 他先是一陣驚慌，立刻又放心了，他想：「被老鼠咬斷樹幹跌死，總比被獅子咬好。」

情緒平復下來後， 他感到肚子有點餓，看到梅子長得正好， 就採了一些吃起來。他覺得一輩子從沒吃過那麼好吃的梅子，找到一個三角形樹丫休息， 他想著：「既然遲早都要死，不如在死前好好睡上一覺吧！」他在樹上沉沉的睡去了。

睡醒之後，他發現黑白老鼠不見了， 老虎、獅子也不見了。他順著樹枝， 小心翼翼的攀上懸崖， 終於脫離險境。

原來就在他睡著的時候， 飢餓的老虎按捺不住，終於大吼一聲， 跳下懸崖。 黑白老鼠聽到老虎的吼聲，驚慌逃走了。跳下懸崖的老虎與崖下的獅子展開激烈的打鬥，雙雙負傷逃走了。 由我們誕生那一刻開始，苦難．就像飢餓的老虎一直追趕著我們，死亡，就像一頭兇猛的獅子， 一直在懸崖的盡頭等待，白天和黑夜的交替，就像黑白老鼠，不停地正用力咬著我們暫時棲身的生活之樹，總有一天我們會落入獅子的口中。 既然知道了生命中最壞的情景是死亡， 唯一的路，就是安然地享受樹上甜美的果子， 然後安心地睡覺，

只有存著這樣單純的心、少慾望、多一點赤子之心。

最近常常聽到朋友的親友去世的消息，除了安慰了幾句外好像什麼都不能做了恐怕有一天自己亦會成為別人口中的壞消息所以你們有沒有好好的享受你在世上的每一分每一秒? 如果剛才你和另一半或是和家人為了芝麻綠豆的事鬧翻了，現在頭頂還在生煙的話，請你看看那晴朗的天空和那飄渺的白雲，其實你又錯過了美好的一天呀!有些朋友雖然不常聯絡，卻偶爾寄個E-mail、也許是一些笑話、溫馨小品，或是小遊戲給你，這表示他一直在關心著你，他將你放在心裡，也珍惜彼此的友誼。

親愛的朋友,
生老病死是我們人不能改變的必经之路,
但,
我們可以改變自己的心, 讓這段路行得精彩有意義。
我認識耶穌, 知道衪愛我何等的深, 因為衪是我天上的爸爸。
我靠着衪加給我的力量對抗世間的引誘, 我學習去愛身邊的人, 因為耶穌在我還作罪人的時候已经為我釘死在十字架上。
我心裡有平安, 喜樂, 盼望。
願你們也接受這福音, 生活有力有愛。

多謝大家喜歡我的以色列遊記! 再送上上年我往西安絲路的点滴與汝分享 :>


八天西安絲路遊
二○○六年九月二日至九日
同行十二美女+本人浩浩蕩蕩出發

二号晚上約九時安抵曾有十三个皇朝建都於斯的陝西省西安市， 張生導遊接了我們, 看到夜境的鐘鼓樓，吃了一頓飽飽的「德發長」餃子宴，超過十多樣小鴨小兔金魚似的餃子，還有上演了一幕慈禧至愛「火焰珍珠餃」。




之後逛逛”回民一條街”，看到比香港大得多的石榴、街邊烤肉串燒、仿秦兵馬俑、影畫、精巧剪紙、色彩斑爛線條簡單的「農民畫」





三号一早morning call, 酒店早歺算是全程最好 (先甜後苦)，有人煎蛋，中西食物也有。 出發去秦始皇兵馬俑博物館，途中再一睹「八水繞長安, 千年古帝京」，它宏偉的城牆, 始建於明朝，在行程最後一天將踏上城牆。
秦始皇兵馬俑 (bmy.com.cn) 真不愧為世界第八奇跡， 創作氣魄之大不能用筆墨形容。 多虧1974年楊志發農民 (我花了120元買了有他70多歲老人親筆簽名的秦俑書) 因旱災開井發掘出當時以為「泥菩薩」的秦兵俑頭, 後消息傳回中央, 下令開發鑽查, 在臨潼區秦陵镇距秦陵1.5公里, 發現了這个自秦始皇十三歲登位, 第二年便開始在驪山山麓為自己建造陵墓, 用了38年, 動員超過70萬人修建的奇工。 全陵共有四个坑, 按它們發現的時間定名為兵馬俑一、二、三及空空的四号坑。 其中最大的是一号坑, 呈長方形, 東西長230米, 寬62米, 深5米, 總面積14260平方米。 共6000兵馬俑, 沒有一个樣子是相同的, 但同樣是頭髮中間分間, 單眼皮和留有胡子。 他們是按照實戰時軍隊的陣勢排列而成, 有行先死先的前鋒步兵, 右左翼武士俑, 後衛, 手執弓弩遠射兵器的, 駟馬戰車的, 个个似模似樣, 死保秦陵。二号坑估計有1000多兵俑, 500多陶馬。 三号坑則比較少, 佈局是地下軍陣的指揮部。 另外於1980年尾, 在秦陵西側20米處, 發掘出土兩乘大型彩繪四馬單轅的铜車馬, 是我国時代最早, 駕具最齊, 製作最精, 世界最大的青铜器珍品。 一号車為「高車」, 配備弓弩盾牌, 駕車者帶有官帽, 此車用來保護後面二号車的安全。 二号車叫「安車」, 分為前禦室 (趕車人坐) 和後乘室(主人坐, 前右左側皆有窗，後面門, 門窗可靈活啓動)。 真是想像周到。





離開夢幻的軍团, 途經秦陵, 我国至今未開掘, 因現時考古技術未能好好的保存古物, 其實西安市還有很多皇陵都未被開發。 到達因唐玄宗和楊貴妃而声名遠播的華清池。 其實只是幾个大洞, 公園亭樓是後期建築, 但不竟看到楊貴妃「温泉水滑洗凝脂」出浴的「海棠湯」, 八掛一吓李隆基與楊玉環忘年戀 (60 vs 20 多歲皇帝媳婦愛情, 張生秘史話楊玉環22歲做道姑, 28歲正式做貴妃, 死時38歲)。 黄昏飛往蘭州, 由肥仔導遊繼續, 入住蘭州五星級陽光大厦。




四号早, 看一看古名「金城」的蘭州, 河西走廊的起点, 長安進入西域黄河三渡口之一, 唯一被黃河穿過的, 當年唐玄奘西去印度, 馬可波羅探險及成吉思汗南征北戰必經之路。 一首古謠道：”古老的水車悠悠轉, 羊皮筏子塞軍艦, 吉祥葫蘆牛肉面, 還有百合與洮硯。” 現在的蘭州是西北第二大城市, 置於乾、陽光猛、风塵大、天氣变化大的甘肅省, 出產白瓜、百合、玟瑰, 當然不少得蘭州牛肉麵 (一清二白三紅四綠五黄)。 途經建於元朝的白塔山, 「天下黄河第一橋」的黄河鐵橋, 黄河母親塑像, 290公里到達武威 --- 河西四郡之首。 武威有耀武揚威, 武功軍威之意, 因漢代名將霍去病大敗匈奴平定河西, 又稱涼州 (天寒地涼), 天馬的故鄉。 參觀雷台, 周圍古樹參天, 「馬踏飛燕」銅奔馬便是在台下發現的一座東漢大型磚室墓裡的出土文物。



在離開武威經永昌去張掖的途中, 我們看到明長城的遺址, 山丹明朝長城烽火台的遺跡也可看到, 不禁有点古人「出塞」的味道。



車行數小時後到達第二郡 --- 張掖, 又稱甘州, 俗語說”金張掖, 銀武威, 玉酒泉, 秦十萬”, 乃四郡首富。 它擁有「不望祁連山頂雪, 錯把張掖認江南」的自然风貌和放置了中国最大的室內臥佛像(釋迦牟尼的側身)的大佛寺 (但我們到時正在重修)。



這裡發生了一件驚險事, 有团友發覺遊旅巴沒有油, 之前曾經過很多有油的油站, 但司机沒有進去, 現在司机意識要喟飽車子, 進了一个油站, 但卻發現油賣光了, 心想下一个油站罷, 怎知油也是沒了, 我們當然十分心急和氣憤, 司机不住的用空波滑行的方式慳油, 大家熱切期望上天的準備, 心想不要太早天黑, 途中要一切順利, 好彩最後在對面行車線上有一有油的油站, 大家不禁長長的呼了那口氣, 到了酒泉已很睌了……




五号一上車, 大家當然要肯定車子是吃得飽飽油的, 不要案件重演。 酒泉美其名是「城下有泉, 其水若酒」, 傳說霍去病不忍獨享漢武帝御賜美酒, 傾酒入泉與眾將士共飲, 而這眼清泉就化為美酒, 長年不枯, 置於現今的酒泉公園。 唐代詩人王翰詩曰「葡萄美酒夜光杯, 欲飲琵琶馬上催。 醉臥沙場君莫笑, 古來征戰幾人回。」





驅車到嘉峪關 --- 天下第一雄關, 河西走廊最狹窄的地段, 南祁連山與北馬鬃山只距15公里, 明萬里長城最西端第一重關和古絲路的交通要衝。它建於明洪武五年(1372年), 地勢險要, 建築雄偉, 有「連陲鎖鑰」之稱, 由內城、外城、城壕三道防線組成重疊並守之勢, 形成五裏一燧, 十裏一墩, 三十裏一堡, 一百里一城的軍事防禦体系。





離開嘉峪關途經戈壁灘, 看到海市蜃樓, 白旋风這些天然奇觀, 更有連連不絕的雅丹风貌, 到達古名沙州, 曾名瓜州之盛大聖地 --- 敦煌。



睌上入住敦煌山莊四合院, 我們在東南西北廂房遊玩, 在摘星閣把酒吃糕点爆谷談心, 並攝下本团团員用电筒加攝影特技合力代表作「silk road Sept 2006 」。







六号整装代發, 搽滿防丽, 鳴沙山去也。藍天伴白云, 不熬不冷, 騎着乖乖的駱駝傲遊海拔1650 里, 南北縱橫20公里的神沙山, 欣賞紅黃綠白黑五色沙, 晶瑩閃光。 在鳴沙山流沙環伺之月牙泉, 真不愧有「沙井」之稱, 東西長218米, 南北寬54米, 水深3.4米, 「亙古沙不填泉, 泉不涸竭」, 雖長年處於滾滾黄沙大漠中, 仍終年水源充足, 蔚藍澄澈如鏡。









滑沙後回敦煌山莊洗白白吃午飯, 一定要提及這重要的一歺食物中毒宴！ 有一团友因疑中暑, 设多吃, 結逃過一劫, 容後再續。 午後重点推介 --- 莫高窟。

敦煌石窟是敦煌地區石窟的总稱, 包括莫高窟、東西千佛洞、榆林窟和肅北縣的五个廟, 共812个洞窟。 它是建築 (最高40多米)、雕塑 (最小10厘米)、壁畫 (包括尊像,故事，神話, 經變, 佛教史迹, 供養人, 裝飾圖案七種畫) 三位一体的綜合性佛教艺術, 敦煌学的發源地。
其中莫高窟全長1680米, 分南區僧侶信衆礼佛場所, 北區仍僧侶修行居住地方。据唐碑記, 前秦建元二年(366年), 有沙門樂僔, 戒行空虛, 執心恬靜, 嘗杖鍚林野前, 行至此鳴沙山東麓, 忽見金光, 狀有千佛……造窟一龕。 我們參觀了數个有代表性的窟如下:
第96窟莫高窟的像徵, 大像窟, 九層樓, 邊建於唐695年四層重檐式建築, 塑像曾塗裝金彩, 後改為五層, 九層。 高34.5米彌勒倚坐佛像, 世界第三大佛像。
第158窟涅槃像全長16米, 中唐晚期開鑿, 頭南腳北累足而卧, 表情自然而安詳, 不像釋迦已壽終正寢, 反像出遊後的小憩。 十大弟子舉哀圖晝於南壁, 尤以阿難和迦叶為主, 下圖更有我国與西域各族赴涅槃会
位於莫高窟第17窟乃藏經洞, 於1900年被當時守窟道士王圓綠打開, 惜那時中国政府腐敗, 無力保护文物, 致數萬件經書壁畫彩塑被外国掘宝者掠走, 成為中近史最令人傷心的一頁。
第130窟是27米南大像, 石胎泥塑的倚坐像, 盛唐原作, 供養人乃晋昌郡太守樂廷瓌及其夫人太原王氏修建, 南壁晝有夫人頭飾拋家髻, 綠衫紅裙, 身後有二女和侍女九人, 顯示其虔誠和富有。







時間很快過去, 飛往烏魯木齊, 阿里木導遊接了我們, 有一团友開始嘔吐, 又有另外一員心胸悶悶的, 我們取消了當晚晚歺, 大夥兒早早回酒店休息, 心想可能是輕微中暑或水肚不服…… 同行有中西医生团友, 往藥房購了一些藥, 試試看。 當時我倘算正常人一個, 還吃了葡萄, 上牀睡覺。

七号零晨, 我的惡夢開始。 我頑皮的肚子沒有止息的在動, 每隔十數分鐘便要上廁所, 拉出來的全是水加葡萄皮, 心知不妙, 但又堅信自己身子好, 什麼也拉光便好了, 好不容易天亮了。 續發現有共四員腸胃不適的情况, 大家乖乖的吃白粥, 出發去天山天池。 我的肚子也很合作的讓我「平安」欣賞风境, 雖然依然有拉肚子, 但是是能夠控制的。 天山天池沒有我想像中「嘩」一声的感覺, 可能之前曾見過九寨溝的超然山水, 總算到此一遊。



午歺繼續吃粥, 有一团友回酒店休息, 我決定吃粒止呵藥, 完成今天行程去南山牧場。 事與願遺, 肚子不肯罷休, 不放過任何一个參觀我国偉大廁所的机会, 那粒止呵藥是沒用的, 到了南山牧場, 又一个失望, 心情沈重, 不住光顧收費但要自己沖水的廁所, 在上車前「解決」的一次, 我知道不對勁了, 拉肚子失控！ 在車上發抖, 有「細菌入血」的感覺, 只好承認往医院走一趟。 原來另外一永安卅人团也有十人不適, 三人入院。 在阿里木導遊及一团友陪同下, 步進烏魯木齊武警医院已是睌上十時。 費用真的便宜, 一元掛号, 坐下當值医生問症, 但不時有其他病人加入…… 抽了血還認真的要驗大便, 結果白血球高少少, 大便有發炎跡像，医生要我留医。 我堅持只打点滴抗生素, 又說了自己知自己事, 自動「DAMA」, 即病人要求出院, 院方不負責云云。 結果$ 60 多元藥, 包名「Lomofloxacin 400mg」的抗生素 (與levofloxacin 差兩个字串法) 和pepcidine胃藥, 滴了2-3小時加500cc鹽水, 精神好多了, 回酒店睡也。 雖然依然有拉肚, 但密度減了很多, 睡前不忙禱告感謝主賜我平安。






八号早上, 乖乖吃白粥, 留在酒店不跟大隊去吐魯番 (雖然我極期火焰山及烤全羊……), 由廸丽努小導遊小姐陪同再往武警医院滴多一次抗生素。 返回酒店好好休息, 碰到2名提早回港休息的团友, 互相慰問一番。 在房裡看了不少CCTV精彩節目, 整理旅遊筆記, 心裡盤算下次再來新疆的行程, 其他团友終於回來了。


九号是行程最後一天, 早上吃的依然是白粥, 收拾行李, 飛回西安, 禁不了在机上吃了点白飯, 很是感動。 回到西安上了城牆, 逛了碑林外的書院一條街 (但沒夠時間入碑林細味古人書法), 下午有点括出去的吃東來順羊肉火煱, 能夠吃美味食物真是人生一大快事！ 十号零晨抵港, 真的掛念爸媽, 掛念香港。










總括來說, 對於我們中國人, 西安絲路絕對是應往走走的地方。