再遇恩師

年幼時, 身邊的長輩都充滿智慧, 非常有能力。一直長大學習時, 慢慢發覺這些“大人”也其實不太了不起。開始質疑父母的教導, 對老師的想法有異議。畢竟社會已離開傳統, 敬意還是要賺回來的。

已兩年沒見恩師, 今天終與“同門師兄”和她小聚。她比以前更值得尊敬值得學習, 更有魄力, 更有基督的模樣, 樣子比心目中還年輕。我卻老了。

這短短的兩小時她向我啟示了很多的道理, 留下了給我修練的挑戰 - 聆聽的鍛煉。眼睛不只要看事情的“整體”, 還要看不屬地上的整體。生命裏要有聖靈, 不能輕看禱告, 凡事得由愛作出發點。這些都是簡單的道理, 但卻很難明白。直到她以身作則, 終於發現自己已忘記充滿聖靈的生活是怎樣。

她說: 當學習做一件事時, 若不能跟着指示成功完成任務, 就不能稱作“明白”。

我一點也不明白聖經。我可以將意思表達, 卻不能跟足教導。以這種資格竟然當上了領導的崗位,真是很慚愧。作為老師是一生的責任, 一日背上了就得終生作學生的榜樣。

兩年裏忽略了太多, 也被“知識”麻醉了太久。希望身邊的學生能以她帶給我的改變有所得益。更希望下次能以超越了世界的思想繼續從她身上修練更高深的“武功”。

Isaiah 31:1-3 - Thinking that horses can help

Just like the people back in the days putting their security in horses and chariots, we put comfort in things other than God. We ALL do. Like money, our own intellect, friends, relationships etc all these things make us feel comfortable. When we lack something, we want to fill it up again so we feel secure.

Ever tried forgetting to bring your mobile phone out? A horrible experience. For the whole day, you'll feel insecure that somehow an important phone call would've come through, or that your car will break down but you won't have a phone to call for help etc. Then you come back home to see that the only missed calls are from friends asking you to go to lunch or something.

Or if we forget our wallet. That's less scary than not having a phone because you can always borrow money. The more insecure thing is to have remembered your wallet, but you only have $1.25 with you. You might think that "Oh I just won't spend any money then". But it doesn't work like that, people who've experienced it will know. You fear that you'll naturally end up buying a magazine when you walk past the kiosk, or buy a cup of coffee when you walk past the stand or do other natural things, and THEN as you pay you won't have enough money.

Recently I've been asking God to grant me something, ultimately because I think it'll give me comfort and security. That doesn't make sense because God is supposed to be our comfort and security... our eyes shouldn't be on other things. But I still want that....

Isaiah 27:1-5 - A Strong God

The first section of the passage talks about God slaying Leviathan, which probably symbolises Satan's messenger person since in Revalations 13 it talks about the beast out of the water. It would be so cool if this description ends up to be literal and we all get to see this sea dragon!

The second section talks about God cultivating a vine, which I assume is the church. Which includes me, and I hope you.

God is great. He is a strong God who can slay anything in His path. But He doesn't. He has mercy on His people and for that very reason we are still here.

Solomon (person)

Solomon is the 3rd and the last king of the united kingdom of Israel and Judah. His decendents were the monarchs of Judah only, not Israel. Most famously known for his prayer for discernment to God, and is considered to be the wisest king in the Bible. His wisdom is known throughout the earth, and notably the Queen of Sheba came just to witness his wisdom. He also built the first Temple, which has been planned by David his father. He's believed to be a possible author of the part of the Book of Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Songs.

Name: Solomon (means peaceful or a sage)
Gender: Male
Spouse: 700 wives and 300 concubines (1 Kings 11:3) of which included Pharoah's daughter as a wife
Parents: Father is David and Mother is Bathsheba
Period of Activity: he reigned during 971 - 931 BC, but don't know when he's born.

Book of Isaiah

The Book of Isaiah is the 23rd book of the Bible in the Old Testament. It's quoted many times in the Bible in the New Testament.

Author: Traditionally believed to be Isaiah the prophet, but some argue that he only wrote the first part.

Themes: Idolatry, Worship, Jehovah is the true God, Prophecies about the Kingdom of God

Isaiah (person)

Isaiah was a famous prophet from the Bible who is also traditionally believed to be the author of the Book of Isaiah. He was the prophet most famous for his prophecies about Jesus' coming.

Name: Isaiah (means Salvation of Jehovah)

Gender: Male

Spouse: married to "the priestess" (Isaiah 8:3)

Parents: Father is Amoz (Isaiah 1:1)

Period of Activity: 700's BC "during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah." (Isaiah 1:1)

Bible Info

A recollection of my slowly developing knowledge about the Bible, its authors, different stories and characters.

Books

Isaiah

People

Isaiah

Solomon

Isaiah 11:6-9 - The peaceable kingdom of God

A tranquil, peaceful and harmonious description of His Kingdom. Animals which are traditionally considered to be predators like the lions, leopards, bears, wolves etc are being put next to traditionally peaceful/defenseless animals like the lamb, little children etc.

That's the way it's supposed to be. Before Genesis 9, I believe that no animals attacked humans. Little children probably can put their hands near the mouths of the cobras and be totally safe. The carnivores are also grazing along with the cows, which is a bit strange. Animals might've always been herbivores before Genesis 9 as well, just like humans were. Nature and all creation is under birth pain at the moment, we probably all want to rid ourselves of the curse.

For me, the scariest creatures are probably ALL insects, wild cats (especially at night), rats, birds and all other dirty things. Whenever there's an insect in my room, my whole body tenses... and then call for help without removing my eyes from the insect. Yes, my eyes are ALWAYS set on the insect, because they are tricky monsters, whenever you lose sight of them, even for half a second, they WILL disappear and hide. Imagine living harmoniously with dirty moths... or sleeping on the same bed as rats. A horrible visual. But maybe moths in heaven are not dirty, nor are rats. Maybe birds no longer swoop at anybody and leaves their "marks" on anyone. Maybe insects no longer surprises people with their unhygenic bodies, or scare anyone by landing on them... That would be an awesome place to live in. Definately a tempting environment to live in indeed.

Thank you Lord for making an environment so comfortable for us. But come to think of it, maybe I'll be the one who will be changed, not the creatures. A new attitude in heaven perhaps? That way every living thing can live harmoniously as well, who knows?