Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Psalm 23


1The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

A Shepherd would give His life for me whenever necessary. Who and what else would I ever need or ask for?

2He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside quiet waters.

He did not lead me to a five-star luxury resort hotel like my dream vacation; but to a quiet place where all my basic needs are near by.

3He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.

While those who ever walked on the right paths suffered more than others, for His name sake, the world expanded with the better view of love and life.

4Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Here comes the heart of this psalm: the leaping relationship from I - He to I –Thou.  And in stead of removing the darkest valley out of our life, as we’d wish, the Shepherd is staying with us and comforts us when we are most desperate and lonely.

5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

The Shepherd recognizes and reassures me that I am his child and keeps me calm even and especially when I face the worst enemy of my life. The shepherd anoints me as if I am worthwhile.

6Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.(NIV)


This is the state of Heaven: Nothing to do with the gold mansions and the pearls streets as elsewhere described; but being with you - our Shepherd/Father - in Your goodness and love… forever.


Monday, January 19, 2015

Preaching 101 準備 講道


·       Find a scripture (text) that would fit into our contemporary life (context)

·       Get a story or two (as genuine as possible) that would illustrate your point clearly and simply

·       Set your sermon within the length of 20-25 minutes (few would endure a lengthy sermon)

·       Inside your mind, when ready, you preach to yourself – and choose only those which have touched your own heart; throw away those you could care less

·       It is okay to be nervous – even the most well known preachers get nervous often

·       Remember you are there to deliver a message from the Bible - from the Lord - so you are one of the listeners as well