As you all know, we need some fund to cover our fellowship routine activities (things like last week's picnic expenses, napkin, plate, etc). Fellowship currently has no fund left, so I would like request each of you for some donation this week.
I will set up a donation box, and you can put in any amount you wold like.
奇異恩典 (amazing grace) 這首詩歌相信無論是基督徒或非基督徒朋友都耳熟能詳。I have posted two versions here: 紐西蘭歌手海莉 薇思特娜 (Hayley Westernra) and Celtic Woman's。在她们優美的歌聲中,這首歌聽來令人格外感動。
Hayley Westenra at 高雄世運開幕式演唱
Celtic Woman - Amazing Grace/From "Songs From the Heart" Concert
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found, Was blind, but now I see.
奇異恩典,何等甘甜,我罪巳得赦免;
前我失喪,今被尋回,瞎眼今得看見。
T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear, and Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear, The hour I first believed.
如此恩典,使我敬畏,使我心得安慰;
初信之時,即蒙恩惠,真是何等寶貴!
Through many dangers, toils and snares I have already come;
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far and Grace will lead me home.
許多危險,試煉網羅,我巳安然經過;
靠主恩典,安全不怕,更引導我歸家。
When we've been here ten thousand years, Bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise, Than when we've first begun.
將來禧年,聖徒歡聚,恩光愛誼千年;
喜樂頌讚,在父座前,深望那日快現。
作者約翰牛頓(John Newton 1725-1807)生于英國倫敦。父親是西班牙人,從事航業;母親是英國人,是一位虔誠的基督徒,渴望兒子能受良好教育,並為牧師,她時常為此心願祈禱。約翰自幼隨母熟誦經文及聖詩。不幸在他七歲時,母親病逝,而她的禱告在三十年後才蒙應允。
母親去世後,約翰上了兩年學,因寄宿生活嚴謹而輟。十一歲時隨父親上船過著航海的生活,繼而被徵兵,逃役又被捕回。退伍後,在販賣奴隸船上工作,經常在非洲一帶販賣黑奴。他足跡遍四海,道德日益墮落,不久染上了水手們放蕩的生活習慣,吃喝嫖賭,奸詐欺騙,無所不為。日後因鬧事,反在非洲作奴隸之僕,過了幾年非人的生活,幸而他在英倫的父親聽到這消息後,就差人前往營救。1748年春,從非洲返英的途中,遇到強烈風暴,船險沉沒,他在怒濤中,向 神呼求:「 神啊!求祢救我安抵港口,我將永作祢的奴僕。」船長是一位虔誠的基督徒,使他對基督徒的生活產生愛慕之心。在漫長的航程中,他讀到肯培斯(Thomas Kempis)的「遵主聖範」(The Imitation of Christ),心受感動,矢志悔改。
牛頓與顧柏(William Cowper)合編了一本聖詩集,其中他寫了二百八十首。他詩歌的特色是簡單、清楚、誠懇。 其他我們所熟悉的聖詩如 「郇城歌」(Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken),「甜美聖名」(How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds),都是他的作品。本詩的曲調引用美國古調改編而成. (摘自顧明明姊妹《荒漠甘泉樂侶》)
The Book "Love Dare", as depicted in the movie :"fireproof", is currently available at Amazon. The book is written by the directors of the movie and have received overwhelming positive reviews.