May 31, 2009
中國主日啟應禱文
全體會眾：上主啊，在中國主日的崇拜當中，特別是六四二十周年將臨的歷史性時刻，我們在祢面前聚集，為著我們的袓國，向祢懇切祈求。
啟：創造宇宙萬物及掌管歷史的上主，我們祈求祢賜下聖靈，引導我們明白真理。
應：上主啊，讓我們不單祇明白真理，亦有勇氣去正視我們祖國的歷史，敢於面對民族的傷痛和瘡疤。
啟：滿有慈憐與仁愛的上主，我們祈求祢賜下寬恕與包容的心給我們。
應：上主啊，讓我們不僅可以寬恕與包容，亦同時能夠認識清楚歷史的真相，有動力和決心去改正國家民族過去所犯的錯誤。
啟：安慰人心和復甦生命的上主，在踏入六四二十周年紀念的重要時刻，我們祈求祢賜下盼望和信心給我們。
應：上主啊，讓我們不單祇這一代為著紀念六四及爭取民主自由仍然堅持下去，也為著我們的下一代能夠努力不懈去延續這使命，我們懇切向祢呼求。
啟：與受苦者同行的上主，我們祈求祢去堅固所有八九民運死難同胞的家人和親友的身心靈。
應：上主啊，我們祈求祢不單祇與他們同行，保守及鼓舞他／她們，讓他／她們體會到在世界不同的角落裏，仍然有無數朋友支持及關心他／她們。
全體會眾：上主啊，雖然六四事件已經發生了二十年，讓我們千萬不要忘記歷史的傷痛，更要激勵我們不要懼怕權勢，有膽量去尋求真相，在人群中宣告和實踐公義與和平的信息，好叫我們的祖國和十三億同胞能真正蒙受祢的恩典和祝福，奉主耶穌基督的名字祈求，阿們。
[link: cfhks.org.hk]
May 29, 2009
In light of some recent events, I would like to recommend John H. Walton’s The Lost World of Genesis One: Ancient Cosmology and the Origins Debate to all of you. Here is the blurb:
In this astute mix of cultural critique and biblical studies, John H. Walton presents and defends twenty propositions supporting a literary and theological understanding of Genesis 1 within the context of the ancient Near Eastern world and unpacks its implications for our modern scientific understanding of origins.
Ideal for students, professors, pastors and lay readers with an interest in the intelligent design controversy and creation-evolution debates, Walton’s thoughtful analysis unpacks seldom appreciated aspects of the biblical text and sets Bible-believing scientists free to investigate the question of origins.
And here are the propositions as layout in the table of content:
Prologue
Introduction
Proposition 1: Genesis One Is Ancient Cosmology
Proposition 2: Ancient Cosmology Is Function Oriented
Proposition 3: “Create” (Hebrew bara’) Concerns Functions
Proposition 4: The Beginning State in Genesis One is Non-Functional
Proposition 5: Days One Through Three in Genesis 1 Establish Functions
Proposition 6: Days Four Through Six in Genesis 1 Install Functionaries
Proposition 7: Divine Rest Is In a Temple
Proposition 8: The Cosmos Is a Temple
Proposition 9: The Seven Days of Genesis 1 Relate to the Cosmic Temple Inauguration
Proposition 10: The Seven Days of Genesis 1 Do Not Concern Material Origins
Proposition 11: “Functional Cosmic Temple” Offers Face-Value Exegesis
Proposition 12: Other Theories of Genesis 1 Either Go Too Far or Not Far Enough
Proposition 13: The Difference Between Origin Accounts in Science and Scripture is Metaphysical in Nature
Proposition 14: God’s Roles as Creator and Sustainer are Less Different Than We Have Thought
Proposition 15: Current Debate About Intelligent Design Ultimately Concerns Purpose
Proposition 16: Scientifice Explanations of Origins Can Be Veiwed in Light of Purpose, and If So, Are Unobjectionable
Proposition 17: Resulting Theology in This View of Genesis 1 Is Stronger, Not Weaker
Proposition 18: Public Science Education Should Be Neutral Regarding Purpose
Summary and Conclusions
FAQs
Notes
Index
I do believe that between ID/Creationism and Darwinian Evolution, there indeed exists an alternative. Check out the endorsements and you will know that it is really worth a look as an argument on the possible third way on Genesis 1.
[link: ivpress.com]
May 26, 2009
轉貼：為人父母的人格特質
羅乃萱
家庭發展基金總幹事
「想要領導別人的人，必須先學會領導自己。」
這是德國靈修學者古倫神父，在其著作《領導就是喚醒生命》一書，開宗明義地道出一個領導者的基本條件，就是要有清晰的自我形象。如果搞不好，就很容易將領導任務和個人的慾求混在一起，慾望得不著滿足時，心中壓抑著的激動就會主宰他的情緒。
這天，捧讀古倫神父的這本近作，讀到他從領導的自我形象，談至十種領導該有的人格特質。本來，作者的原意是給在商場或神職領導人員的建議，但讀讀看看，發覺應用在現代父母身上，也很合適。為人父母，不正是孩子及家庭的領導者嗎？且與大家分享這十種人格特質如下：
- 經驗豐富：「豐富」在拉丁文的意思，又指「智慧、明智」。意思是，對事物有敏銳的鑑賞力。對為人父母來說，不單是俗語所謂「食鹽多過你食米」，而是有種看透世情的睿智，有一雙看穿事物本相的眼睛，如此才能引導孩子判斷是非曲直。
- 成熟的人格：意思是「平靜的內心，沉著鎮定，表裏一致」。成熟的人是客觀清醒的，碰到難題時，不會猶疑退縮，而是內心篤定，知所進退。這樣的父母，才能成為孩子在逆境中的「靠山」與導引。
- 淡泊簡樸：不貪口腹之慾(這樣孩子便不會天天大魚大肉，變成痴肥)，不愛慕物質名牌(這樣孩子便不會揮霍無度)，這樣的父母教養出來的孩子，才懂得處卑賤，也曉得處富貴。
- 謙卑：就是能夠「接納自己的脆弱多變」，也因為這種自知，使人不會高舉自己，站在別人頭上，而是懂得接納與欣賞跟自己一般卑微的凡人。這樣的父母教養出來的孩子，會懂得接納別人的軟弱，絕不苛求。
- 不激動：不會反應激烈，脾氣暴躁，就算泰山崩於前也能安然自處。正是這種父母，才能調教出高情緒智商的孩子。
- 公正：就是公平對待下屬的要求，相信每個人都有被尊重的權利。這樣的父母便不會偏待孩子，對他們都一視同仁。
- 決斷力：該下的決定，便當下去做；不拖延，不卸責。這樣的父母，自然教出果斷盡責的下一代。
- 節儉：不浪費資源、謹慎處理財物的父母，自然懂得教導孩子如何運用及明白金錢的真正價值。
- 敬畏上帝：一個敬畏上帝的人，便一無所懼；一個不敬畏上帝的人，便事事都怕，畏首畏尾。這樣的父母，面對孩子怕黑怕小昆蟲，都會說之以理，安撫之以禱告，讓孩子明白，那住在人心裏面的神，比萬物都大。
- 像個父親：這一代的父母，愛跟孩子「玩成一片」，無尊卑之別。「像個父親(或母親)」就是樂意承擔父母的任務，成為孩子生命的典範及師傅，可是責無旁貸啊！
如果現代父母能積極培養這十種人格特質，便自能調教出獨立自信，具信念與承擔的下一代！
[link: iQuest 格思]
May 25, 2009
From EFC:
A Report on Modern Day Slavery in Canada (2009)
This 30-page report reviews recent experience with human trafficking in association with major international events and recommends action that may be taken by the Canadian, British Columbia and Vancouver governments in preparation for the 2010 Olympic Games and beyond.
Human trafficking, the capture and confinement of individuals for the purposes of sexual exploitation, abuse and enslavement, occurs today at an alarming rate (an estimated 12.3 million people are coerced into forced labour or sexual exploitation around the world). What many find shocking is that it occurs in Canada and that Canada is used as both a transfer location and a destination country for human traffickers.
This report reviews and considers current steps being taking relative to the prevention of trafficking, the prosecuting of traffickers and the protection of victims and recommends further steps that the government of Canada can undertake to better reduce, and one day hopefully eliminate, trafficking in Canada and beyond.
[link: EFC]
May 21, 2009
Do you have an old desktop PC lying around your basement? Are you a windows user all along, yet secretly admire the alternative reality of living outside the powerful domain of Microsoft? Here is a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to walk you through getting Linux (Ubuntu 9.04) running. One of the most detail I have ever seen.
A word of caution: Set it up on your extra PC, not the one you are using day to day! This will allow you to spend as much (or as little) time as you desire to explore the world of Linux; and to make silly/crazy mistakes worry-free…
Have fun!
[link: tomshardware.com]
May 20, 2009
To follow up my previous post on our public library. Here is a piece from Cornell University on Who decides what to buy in a library.
In a University setting, the subject expertise worked with the corresponding faculty members and students to determine some of the purchases. But I doubt if our local public library systems have similar resources to work in the same way. Does anyone know?
And just who might it be the “subject expertise” of the “Wii games” section? Our kids?
Update: Here is the description of that process from Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.
