GIVING 奉獻
Taiwan heroine pours heart out to world
Aussies say "no thanks" to 20 million Christmas gifts
SYDNEY - How many unwanted gifts did you get under the Christmas tree? If you're Australian, the number is likely to be more than one, amounting to a nationwide total of 20 million "useless" presents, according to a survey.
The survey, commissioned by online marketplace eBay, found that although Australians spent A$8.5 billion ($7.5 billion) buying gifts this Christmas, at least A$1 billion worth of these presents will either be left to gather dust in a cupboard, binned, regifted, exchanged or sold.
Examples of unwanted gifts ranged from underwear, socks, bath products and inappropriately sexual items to a tandoori spice rub for chicken given to a vegetarian and a dog bowl for a dogless recipient, a brick and cellulite cream, an eBay statement said.
The eBay survey of more than 1,200 people also found that more women than men received unwanted gifts this year, while youth aged between 18 and 24 years got the most unwanted presents, which they were likely to throw out or hide away.
An earlier survey showed that more than 825,000 gifts will go straight into the garbage bin in Australia this Christmas because their recipients just hated them.
With Australia's economy still battling to shake off the effects of the global financial crisis, more than a third of Australians had planned to spend less on Christmas gifts this year, compared with the previous year, according to a recent survey by the Melbourne Institute and Westpac Bank.
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Poll: In bad times, folks find ways to help
USA TODAY
As the recession deepened, more Americans volunteered their time to churches and other religious charities. Almost four in 10 Americans say they volunteered at a church or other religious organization in the past 12 months, according to a USA TODAY/Gallup Poll.
In September 2008, three in 10 had volunteered with a religious charity. The weak economy and rising unemployment did not keep Americans from donating money to their churches or other favorite charities. The national telephone poll of 1,053 adults, conducted Sept. 22-23, found that 53% of Americans gave money to a religious organization and 66% gave to other charities. The poll has a margin of error of +/-4 percentage points. The percentage donating money was almost the same 12 months earlier, when 52% said they gave to religious groups and 65% said they gave to other charities. Four out of 10 Americans say they volunteered time to a non-religious charity. On average, those who donate to religious charities give $1,858 a year, she says. Those who give to secular charities give an average $941 a year. Religious charities are seeing an increase in volunteerism among younger and older people. Thirty-six percent of those 18 to 29 say they volunteered with a religious organization in the past 12 months, compared with 23% a year earlier. (Excerpt)
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有一位吝嗇的基督徒，對傳教士呼籲捐獻感到惱怒，有天他火大的對傳教士說︰「牧師，聖經不是宣告生命之水是免費的，恩典也不需付錢？」「是的」牧師回答「但它需要管子將水送到人那裡，而管子需要錢」
A tightfisted Christian, annoyed by the appeals of his preacher for funds, burst out one day, “Pastor, doesn’t the Bible declare that the water of life is free, that grace is without money?” “Yes,” replied the preacher, “but it takes pipes to channel the water to the people, and pipes cost money.” (from Illustrations of Bible Truths # 520)
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一個在紐約州的農場是一個池塘和一條小溪流。 當我最後看見他們時，正是雨季，兩者都充滿乾淨，純淨的水，甚至水因太滿以至於漲到岸邊。 而在乾季，他們的不同就顯露出來。 這條溪，仍然沿著原來路線流水，保持純淨並且閃耀； 繼續從地下湧流並且自由地繼續流下去。 而這個池塘，既無水入也無水出，儲存它的寶貴的水分只讓它的水成為污濁和停滯。 我們的主試圖教他的門徒相同的功課︰ 我們透過給出去而獲得卻因保留而失去。 在分享神的憐憫之後，得以保持和增加我們自己的純潔， 我們在這樣豐富裡得到神的平安以致於向在我們的周遭它溢出。
On a farm in New York state is a pond and a little brook. When I last saw them, it was in the rainy season, and both were full to the brim with clean, pure water. It is in the dry season the difference in their natures shows up. The stream, constantly flowing to water the banks all along its course, still keeps pure and sparkling; it continues to draw from the underground springs at its source and to give freely as it goes along. The pond, neither receiving nor giving, hoards its precious moisture only to have its waters become foul and stagnant. It is the same lesson our Lord was trying to teach His disciples: We gain by giving and lose by keeping. After sharing the mercy of God and thus maintaining and increasing our own purity, we receive the peace of God in such abundance that it overflows to all around us. (from Illustrations of Bible Truths # 262)
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蘇格拉底有一位可靠的僕人，常看見別人給他主人禮物，有一天他對蘇格拉底說︰主人，我沒什麼其他的可給你的，現在我將自己給你。 蘇格拉底看見僕人的熱心就說「好，我要如此作」。 他先給僕人禮物，又提升他的僕人成為眾僕人之首， 他有一天打電話給僕人並且說︰「我現下給你的比我從你得到的更好」。
Socrates had a trusted servant who, seeing others giving presents to his master, came to him one day and said, “Because I have nothing else to give you, Master, I here give you myself.” Socrates saw the earnestness of the servant and said, “Do so.” After bestowing upon him gifts, and advancing him to the head of his servants, he called him one day and said, “I now give you back to yourself better than when I received you.” (from Illustrations of Bible Truths # 283)
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一位剛信主者宣佈他的決心，奉獻一切給主。他說，"牧師，如果我有五十頭豬，我會給主耶穌二十五頭。"牧師說："非常好"。"如果你有三十頭你會給主十五頭嗎？""當然我會，"他說。"如果你有十頭你會給主五頭嗎？？"牧師再問。"你知道我會的"他回答。然後牧師說："是否你有兩個，你給主一頭呢？""牧師，不要這樣問我，你知道我只有兩頭豬。（
A new convert declared his determination to give all that he had for the Master. He said, “Pastor, if I had fifty pigs, I'd give twenty-five of them to the Lord.” “That's very nice,” said the pastor. “If you had thirty would you give fifteen to the Lord?” “Of course I would,” said the new Christian. “If you had ten would you give five of them?” asked the pastor again. “You know I would,” he answered. Then the pastor said, “If you had two, would you give one to the Lord?” “Now Pastor, don't ask me that. You know I have only two pigs.” (from Illustrations of Bible Truths # 263)
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一間衰弱、老舊的教會建築需要重新裝修，因此傳道者做了一個激動的呼籲，並且雙眼直視著整個小鎮裡最有錢的那個人。信息結束後，那位有錢人站起來並且宣佈，「牧師，我要貢獻一千塊。」就在此時，一塊灰泥從天花板上掉下來，砸在那位有錢人士的肩膀上。他立刻站起來且大聲喊著說，「牧師，我要增加我的捐獻到五千元。」在他坐下之前，一塊灰泥又掉到他身上，他又一次竭力的喊著說，「牧師，我要把我剛才的捐獻金額變成兩倍。」他坐下之後，更大一片的灰泥落在他的頭上。他再一次站起來吼叫，「牧師，我決定奉獻兩萬元。」這情況促使一位職事也立即大喊著說，「再擊打他，主阿，再擊打他一次吧！」
The crumbling, old church building needed remodeling, so the preacher made an impassioned appeal, looking directly at the richest man in town. At the end of the message, the rich man stood up and announced, “Pastor, I will contribute $1,000.” Just then, plaster fell from the ceiling and struck the rich man on the shoulder. He promptly stood again and shouted, “Pastor, I will increase my donation to $5,000.” Before he could sit back down, plaster fell on him again, and again he virtually screamed, “Pastor, I will double my last pledge.” He sat down, and an larger chunk of plaster fell hitting him on the head. He stood once more and hollered, “Pastor, I will give $20,000!” This prompted a deacon to shout, “Hit him again, Lord! Hit him again!”
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在星期三晚上教會的聚會，一個非常富有的人站起來要講他的見證，他說:我是一個百萬富翁。 在我的生命當中，我因奉獻所有得到神極大的祝福。 我一直記得，這是我信心的轉捩點。 就好像發生在昨天一般。
當我才剛賺到第一塊錢時，那晚我參加教會的聚會。 那晚的講員是一位宣教士。 他講有關於他事奉的工作。 我知道我只有一塊錢，是要全部給出去為神的工作或完全不給。 在那個時刻，我決定把整個一塊錢給神。 我相信神祝福我的決定，所以今天我成為一個富有的人。
當他做完見證時，每個人都被這個人的見證所感動。 但是當他坐下時，一個身材矮小的老婦人坐在同排，傾斜的看著他說:很奇特美好的故事，你敢再冒一次險嗎？
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彼底和拉利已有許多年沒有相見了。因此，他們想要長談彼此的生活，爲了嘗試去彌補那些年來彼此交往的空白。最後，彼底邀請拉利去參觀他的新公寓。他說：「我已有一個妻子和三個小孩，我很樂意您來探望我們。」
「非常好。您們住在那裏？」
「這是地址。在公寓的后邊那裏擁有足夠的停車位。停放您的車，然後延着路走向前門，用腳將門踢開，走向電梯並用您的左肘按鈕，然後走進電梯！當您到達第六樓時，沿着廊道一直走，直到在門口上看到我的名字。接着，使用您的右肘按門鈴，我就會請您進來。」
「很好。但是告訴我….爲什麽這些將前門踢開、按電梯鈕的事情，都要用到我左右肘呢？」
「當然，因您該不會是空手來的吧！」
Pete and Larry had not seen each other in many years. Now they had a long talk trying to fill in the gap of those years by telling about their lives. Finally Pete invited Larry to visit him in his new apartment. “I got a wife and three kids and I'd love to have you visit us.”
“Great. Where do you live?”
“Here's the address. And there's plenty of parking behind the apartment. Park and come around to the front door, kick it open with your foot, go to the elevator and press the button with your left elbow, then enter! When you reach the sixth floor, go down the hall until you see my name on the door. Then press the doorbell with your right elbow and I'll let you in.”
“Good. But tell me...what is all this business of kicking the front door open, then pressing elevator buttons with my right, then my left elbow?”
“Surely, you're not coming empty-handed.”
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有一個農夫和他的寵物狗，孤單地住在愛爾蘭的鄉下，它的狗最後死了，農夫於是到教區神父那請求是否可以為狗做彌撒，神父說；『不，我們沒有為動物的服務。但離這不遠的地方，有個新教派，說不定他們會有瓣法。』
農夫對神父說；『我會去問問，但是你想想如果我奉獻五萬塊錢夠不夠用作這樣的彌撒儀式？』神父說；『你怎麼不早說，你的狗是天主教徒呢？』
A farmer named Muldoon lived alone in the Irish countryside with a pet dog he doted on. The dog finally died and Muldoon went to the Parish priest and asked if the priest would say a mass for the animal. Father Patrick replied, “No, we cannot have services for an animal in the church, but there's a new denomination down the road, no telling what they believe, but maybe they'll do something for the animal.”
Muldoon said, “I'll go right now. Do you think $50,000 is enough to donate for the service?” Father Patrick asked, “Why didn't you tell me the dog was Catholic?”
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有人問基督教徒， 天主教徒和猶太教徒關於十一奉獻。
基督徒說:我一定奉獻10分之一，有時還更多一些。天主徒說:我將我所需用的先取出來，其餘的我全數交給教會。
猶太教徒說:我把鈔票撒向天空，凡是神所要的， 祂就取去，剩下來掉在地上的。就歸我。
When the Baptist, Catholic, and Jew were asked how they tithed.
The Baptist replied, “Ten percent of my earnings right off the top and sometimes I give an offering of more.”
The Catholic said, “I take what I need and give the rest to the church.”
Then the Jew stated, “I throw it all up into the air. What ever God wants, he takes. What ever comes back down, is mine.”
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小明和母親一同參加主日崇拜的時候，忽然覺得想嘔吐 。
『媽，我想嘔吐！』
媽媽告訴他，﹕『趕快跑到外面去。跑到草坪那邊的樹叢後面。你可以在那裏嘔吐，沒人會看見的。』
小明快跑出門。還不到一分鐘，他回到媽媽身旁。他臉上表情舒服多了。
『小明，你有沒有跑到樹叢那邊？』
『媽，我不需要跑那麼遠。我跑到前門就看到一個箱子，上面寫著”為軟弱病痛者”。』
Little Johnny was in church with his mom for Sunday Mass when he felt wave of nausea hit him.
“Mom, I think I'm going to throw up!”
She told him, “I want you to run outside as fast as you can. Run across the lawn and go behind the bushes. You can throw up behind the bushes and nobody will see you.”
So Little Johnny runs as fast as he can, out the door. Less than a minute later, he returned to his seat next to his mom. He had the look of obvious relief on his young face.
“Did you make it all the way to the bushes, Little Johnny?”
“I didn't have to go that far, mom. Just as I got to the front door, I found a box that had a sign on it that said 'For the Sick.'“
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當牧師奧微爾接起了電話，對方傳來稅務員的聲音：
「喂！是牧師奧微爾嗎？」
「是的，」牧師說。
稅務員說：「我打電話是想知道，你的會友有一位叫施伯醫生的嗎？」
「喔！我知道，他是我的會友沒有錯，你想知道什麼事嗎？」牧師說。
稅務員說：「是這樣的，在去年的報稅單上，他說奉獻了一筆數目很大的錢給教會，他想減免這筆錢的稅。他真奉獻了這筆錢嗎？」
牧師說：「我必須去問我們的財務負責人，將他的資料找出來看，才能回答你這個問題。不過，他說他到底奉獻了多少？」
「兩萬五千元。」稅務員說：「你能告訴我這是真的嗎？」
牧師停頓了好一陣子，然後說：「這樣罷，你明天再打電話給我，我會告訴你這是真的。」
When Pastor Ovall picked up the phone, Special Agent Struzik from the IRS was on the line.
“Hello, Pastor Ovall?”
“Yes, this is.”
“I'm calling to inquire about a member of your congregation, a Dr. Shipe. Do you recognize the name?”
“Yes, he is a member of our congregation. How can I be of service?”
“Well, on last year's tax return, the doctor claimed that he made a sizable tax-deductable contribution to your church? Is it true?”
“Well, I'll have to have my bookkeeper verify this information for you. How much did Dr. Shipe say he contributed?”
“Twenty five thousand dollars,” answered Agent Struzik. “Can you tell me if that's true?”
There is a long pause. “I'll tell you what,” replied Pastor Ovall, “Call back tomorrow. I'm sure it will be.”
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一張一美元的鈔票遇見一張20美元的鈔票並且說，「喂，你一直在哪兒呢？ 我很久都沒有在周圍看見你了。」
這20 元美鈔回答說，「我常常在娛樂場，豪華客輪並且周游世界，並且剛剛回到美國，又參加了兩場棒球比賽，再到商業區轉了一圈兒，就這些吧。 你怎么樣？」
一美元的鈔票說，「你知道，都是老地方︰ 教堂，教堂，教堂。 」
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在美國南方一間教會的黑人牧師講道很有能力，當他講到以賽亞書40章這段聖經時，他向會眾說：「各位兄姊，這間教會需要開始走。」下面一位執事回應說：「阿們！」牧師繼續說：「各位兄姊，這間教會需要用跑的。」這位執事又回應說：「哈利路亞！」，最後，牧師說：「各位兄姊，這間教會需要用飛的。」這位執事更大聲回應說：「阿們！ 哈利路亞！」然而，牧師說：「教會若要用飛的，就要付代價，花一些錢。」這位執事在下面回答說：「那我們還是用走的。」
A one dollar bill met a 20 dollar bill and said, “Hey, where've you been? I haven't seen you around here much.”
The twenty answered, “I've been hanging out at the casinos, went on a cruise and did the rounds of the ship, back to the United States for awhile, went to a couple of baseball games, to the mall, that kind of stuff. How about you?”
The one dollar bill said, “You know, same old stuff: church, church, church.”
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Quotes引證 :
一個人的心比他們的銀行帳戶的規模大小要做更多慷慨的事情。
Generosity has more to do with the size of a person’s heart than the size of their bank account.
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GOALS 目標
永不停止追求卓越
超越存在--生存.
超越接觸—感受.
超越看見—觀察.
超越閱讀--吸收.
超越聽到--聆聽.
超越聆聽—了解.
Never stop reaching for more
Do more than exist-live.
Do more than touch-feel.
Do more than look-Observe.
Do more than .read-absorb.
Do more than hear-listen.
Do more than listen-understand.
John H.Rhoades
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在管理學的經典著作(生根建造)( Built to Last)這本書裡，作者說了一段耐人尋
味的故事叫「黑帶的故事」 o其中說到一個練武的學生，在辛苦學習多年之後終於得到黑帶的榮譽。富他跪在他的老師面前準備接受那象徵結業的黑帶時，他的老師說。在你獲頒這條黑帶之前，你還得通過一項考驗」。你必須回答這個問題：「這黑帶的真正意義是什麼？」這個學生回答說：「它象徵一個段落，是我辛勞學習的肯定與回報」。老師回答道：「這樣看來你還沒畢業呢！一年之後再來見我」。一年之後那個學生又回來跪在老師面前，老師依舊問道：「這黑帶的真正意義是什麼？」這次，這個學生回答說：「是一個榮譽的象徵，它代表本門武術的最高成就」o老師又一次回答：「你還是不配得到這條黑帶，回去吧！一年之後再回來」。一年之後，這個學生在一次回來跪在老師面前等著接受黑帶的授與。老師一樣在問他：「這黑帶的真正意義是什麼？」最後，這個學生終於令老師滿意地回答說：「黑帶代表一個開始，是一個永不停止的學習、努力，以及向更高的標準挑戰的開始」。
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行百里者半九十
《戰國策》
這句成語是說，走百里的人，應該要走到九十里時才可以認為自己已走
了一半路。比喻做事情，以最後階段最重要，而且愈到最後愈要小心，在完
成之前千萬不可鬆懈，否則就功虧一簣了。
有一則故事說到，一位老樵夫教徒弟爬樹。不管弟子爬到多高，作師父
的多不出聲，既沒叫他小心，也不叫他留意。一直到小徒弟爬完了，快要到
地面時，他才說了一句：「留心了」！旁人看了覺得很訝異：「為什麼你在
徒弟都快爬完了，才叫他小心呢？在他最危險的時候，你怎麼反而靜默無聲
呢？」
「因為人愈到最後愈容易鬆懈，愈是在他認為萬無一失的時候，往往也
就是他最容易疏忽的時候。」老師父說。
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三百年前，引發美國大覺醒的愛德華滋( Jonathan Edwards, 1703-58) ，曾在兩年內寫下七十條決心誓詞為要戰勝世界、肉體與邪惡。他寫這些誓詞時年僅十九歲，雖然他當時與其他和他一樣年紀的孩子都面對世俗的誘惑，但他卻顯得相當成熟穩重，十二年後，大覺醒就在這位屬靈的偉人手下展開。以下摘錄其中十條最
短的誓詞：
1. 決心只要還有一口氣在就好好活著。
2. 決心即使生命只剩最後一小時，也不作任何使自已遺憾的事。
3. 決心在感到痛苦時就想想殉道者所受的苦。
4. 決心留意尋找愛心、慈善幫助的對象。
5. 決心不作任何報復行動。
6. 決心不向不講理的人花一絲一毫的脾氣。
7. 決心時時刻刻按良心過活。
8. 決心在飲食上保持高度的節制。
9. 決心排除任何對信心有礙的事物。
10. 決心在言語上保持誠實
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Quotes引證 :
The man who moved mountains began by carrying away small stones.
人最糟糕的是有沒有目標。試想像一下，你在早上起床，你什麼也不做。你在這一分鐘做你喜歡的事，但下一分鐘呢？下次你做什麼工作呢？其實你能奉獻你的整個生命，我們可以使用我同的生命的特有素質，在某處實現在一些有益的事上。
The worst is to have no target. Imagine you get up in the morning and you do nothing. You enjoy one minute. Then there is another minute. But what do you do next? Can you dedicate your whole life to this? Somewhere within us is the desire to feel that we are useful and that we have some quality. Arsene Wenger
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GOD 神
美聯社
2009年12月22日
以色列拿撒勒報—一批考古學家週一公佈，他們發現拿撒勒第一個住所的遺址可追溯至耶穌時代。新約聖經記述耶穌孩童時曾住在當地；這個發現對了解當時村落的模樣提供了新線索。在岩洞中發現該遺址和附近較早前發現的墓穴，顯示拿撒勒是一條偏遠的村落，四英畝土地上約有五十所房屋。以色列古物管理局發掘總監，考古學家亞歷山大表示，這顯然是低收入猶太人，為避過羅馬侵略者而偽裝成岩洞的住處。
The Associated Press
December 22, 2009
NAZARETH, Israel - Archaeologists on Monday unveiled what they said were the remains of the first dwelling in Nazareth that can be dated back to the time of Jesus -- a find that could shed new light on what the hamlet was like during the period the New Testament says Jesus lived there as a boy.The dwelling and older discoveries of nearby tombs in burial caves suggest that Nazareth was an out-of-the-way hamlet of around 50 houses on a patch of about four acres. It was evidently populated by Jews of modest means who kept camouflaged grottos to hide from Roman invaders, said archaeologist Yardena Alexandre, excavations director at the Israel Antiquities Authority.
House Uncovered in Nazareth Dating to the Time of Jesus
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在一個天主教國小裡，孩子們在自助餐前排隊拿午餐，桌子最前面放了一大堆一大堆蘋果。修女貼了張紙在這個蘋果托盤上︰只能拿一個，神正在看。 沿著這條午餐線更進一步移動，在桌子的另一個端是一大堆巧克力餅乾。 一個孩子寫著︰愛拿多少隨便你，神正看蘋果。
The children were lined up in the cafeteria of a Catholic elementary school for lunch. At the head of the table was a large pile of apples. The nun made a note, and posted on the apple tray: “Take only ONE. God is watching.”
Moving further along the lunch line, at the other end of the table was a large pile of chocolate chip cookies. A child had written a note, “Take all you want. God is watching the apples.”
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有一天我求神教導我如何在地上生活，神靠近我的耳朵對我說︰要像太陽一樣早起，也不要太晚睡；像月亮一樣在夜間發光並順服更大的光；像鳥一般，能吃、唱歌、喝、飛翔；向花一樣雖愛太陽卻忠於自己的根源；像一隻忠誠的狗，卻只忠於你的主；像水果一般，有漂亮的外表，也有健康的內涵，而以上所有，就像天堂︰為神預備的家。
One day I asked God
One day I asked God for instructionsOn how to live on this earth...
God brought His voice close to my earand said…
Be like the sun; Arise early, and do not go to bed late.
Be like the moon; Shine in the darkness,but submit to the greater light.
Be like the birds.Eat, sing, drink, and fly.
Be like the flowers,Loving the sun, but faithful to your roots.
Be like the faithful dog, but only to your Lord.
Be like the fruit.Beautiful on the outside,and healthy on the inside.
And above all things,be like the heavens:A home for God.
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當初，鉛筆製造者曾對鉛筆說，"在我派你進入世界之前，你需要知道五件事…?並且永遠記住，你就會成為最棒的鉛筆。"
第一：你可以做許多了不起的事，條件是你必須讓別人握著你。
第二步：您會不斷的被人削減，但這是讓你成為更好鉛筆的必經之途。
第三： 你有能力更正任何自己可能犯的錯誤。
第四： 你最重要的一部分永遠在你自己裡面。
第五： 無論什麼狀況發生，你必須繼續寫下去。無論多麼艱難，你必須一直留下一個清晰、 易讀的標記。
鉛筆了解後，答應一定會記住，懷著充分明白製造者意旨的心走進販售盒裡。現在換成你 ； 永遠記住鉛筆所記得的，永遠不要忘記，你也可以變成最棒的。
In the beginning, the Pencil Maker spoke to the pencil saying,“There are five things you need to know before I send you out into the world. Always remember them and you will become the best pencil you can be.”
First: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in Someone’s hand.
Second: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, but this is required if you want to become a better pencil.
Third: You have the ability to correct any mistakes you might make.
Fourth: The most important part of you will always be what’s inside.
Fifth: No matter what the condition, you must continue to write. You must always leave a clear, legible mark no matter how difficult the situation.
The pencil understood, promising to remember, and went into the box fully understanding its Maker’s purpose.Now replacing the place of the pencil with you; always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best person you can be.
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當羅伯特歐文，臭名昭著的自由思想家訪問亞歷山大坎貝爾安排預賽的大討論，就是要跟隨，他們在農場四處走動，直到他們到了家庭掩埋地下。 「有一個優勢，我有基督徒，」吹噓歐文先生。 「我不怕死。大多數基督徒都懼怕死亡，但是，如果我有幾個項目的業務獲得解決，我樂意在任何時候死去。」「嗯，」坎貝爾先生回答說，「你說你不害怕死亡;你有沒有希望在死嗎？」「沒有，先生說：」歐文經過深思熟慮的停頓。 「那麼，」坎貝爾先生說，指著一牛站在附近，「你是在一個水平上的動物。他吃了，直到他滿意了，在樹蔭下攪拌站關閉蒼蠅，既不希望，也不懼怕死亡。」
When Robert Owen, the notorious freethinker, visited Alexander Campbell to arrange the preliminaries for the great debate that was to follow, they walked about the farm till they came to the family burying ground. “There is one advantage I have over the Christian,” boasted Mr. Owen. “I am not afraid to die. Most Christians have fear in death, but, if some few items of my business were settled, I should be perfectly willing to die at any moment.” “Well,” replied Mr. Campbell, “you say you have no fear in death; have you any hope in death?” “No,” said Mr. Owen after a thoughtful pause. “Then,” said Mr. Campbell, pointing to an ox standing nearby, “you are on a level with that animal. He has eaten till he is satisfied, stands in the shade whisking off the flies, and has neither hope nor fear in death.” (from Illustrations of Bible Truths # 854)
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過去的最大的無神論者之一是羅伯特 • G.英格索爾。雖是無神論，他仍有一位著名的牧師朋友亨利‧華德‧畢查。牧師的研究中，有一個由一些製造商致贈、精心設計的地球球體。此精緻工藝品上方有還有其他的星群。這個球體激發了英格索爾的好奇心，一天他拜訪他的牧師朋友，他一面旋轉一面讚嘆著說："這正是我想要的！"是誰做的？””你說誰製造的？上校？"亨利反問他。"你說誰做這個球體？哪有甚麼人做它？他是突然出現的啦！"
One of the greatest atheists of the past was Robert G. Ingersoll. In spite of his atheism, he had for a friend the famous preacher, Henry Ward Beecher. In the preacher’s study was an elaborate celestial globe which had been sent him with the compliments of some manufacturer. On the surface in delicate workmanship were raised figures of the constellations and stars which composed them. The globe struck Ingersoll’s fancy one day when he was visiting the preacher. He turned it around and around with admiration. “That is just what I want,” he said, “Who made it?” “Who made it, do you say, Colonel?” repeated Beecher. “Who made this globe? Why nobody, of course. It just happened.” (from Illustrations of Bible Truths # 863)
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一個生來瞎眼的男孩經歷一次手術以重建他的視力，視力的恢復很緩慢，有一天母親帶他到戶外未遮住他的眼睛，男孩第一次看到雲和地球，男孩哭了，對母親說︰媽媽﹗為何你從未告訴我世界如此美麗？母親忍住淚水說︰我試著告訴你，但你仍然無法明白。
A little boy who had been born blind underwent an operation to restore his sight. The light was let in slowly. Then one day his mother led him out of doors and uncovered his eyes, and for the first time he saw the sky and earth. “O Mother!” he cried, “Why didn’t you tell me it was so beautiful?” She burst into tears and said, “I tried to tell you, dear, but you could not understand me.” (from Illustrations of Bible Truths # 871)
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有兩個人被派去調查某區的地表是否蘊藏鐵，其中一位是科學家和礦物學家，他知道自己的有限，就帶著一些探測工具去，另一位輕浮自大的人則說︰我只相信我所見的，我看不見的我就不信。他快速走片這片地然後說︰鐵？太荒謬了，我沒看到鐵，沒有鐵在這裡。他並將它的說法寫在報告上。另一個人他不相信他眼所見的而專注在探測儀器上，這探測針顯示有豐富的鐵蘊藏在這片土地上，所以他在他的報告上寫著︰我的眼睛看不見，但是我的磁鐵認出它。
Two men were sent to check a rumor that iron lay beneath the surface of a certain piece of ground. One, a scientist and mineralogist, conscious of his own limitations, took along some instruments. The other, a buoyant, self-confident individual, said, “I believe what I can see; and what I can’t see I won’t believe.” He walked rapidly over the field and said, “Iron? Nonsense! I see no iron; there is no iron here.” And that is what he stated in his report. The other man did not trust his eye at all but looked at his instruments. The needle on one pointed to the fact that a rich deposit of iron did lie beneath the earth’s surface. As he made his report he said, “My eye couldn’t see it, but my magnet discerned it.” (from Illustrations of Bible Truths # 872)
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第二世紀時，有一個基督教來到異教徒統治著前面，要他放棄他的信仰。"如果你不這樣做，我要把你放逐。"國王威脅他。男子笑著回答他："你無法把我從基督裡驅除出去，因為祂說，'我永不離開你，也不撇棄你。 '"國王生氣地反駁，"然後我充公你的財產，並把你所有的土的沒收。那人笑了笑又說，"我的財富都在上面，你拿不到它們。"王瘋狂地叫道，"我會殺了你 ！""為什麼，"那人回答說，"我已經死了四十年 ；我已經與基督同死，向世界死了，我的生命與基督一同藏在神裡面，你碰不到它。"絕望的國王回頭問他的顧問們："這傢伙狂熱到這個地步，你們還能做什甚麼呢？"
In the second century, a Christian was brought before a pagan ruler and told to renounce his faith. “If you don’t do it, I will banish you,” threatened the king. The man smiled and answered, “You can’t banish me from Christ, for He says, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ “ To this the king angrily retorted, “Then I will confiscate your property and take all your possessions.” Again the man smiled and said, “My treasures are all laid up on high; you cannot get them.” The king became furious and shouted, “I will kill you!” “Why,” the man answered, “I have been dead forty years; I have been dead with Christ, dead to the world, and my life is hid with Christ in God, and you cannot touch it.” In desperation the king turned to his advisers and asked, “What can you do with a fanatic like that?” (from Illustrations of Bible Truths # 831)
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復活之時，有個年輕人說他不想成為基督徒。問他原因，他回答：多年以前，我在一個人的廚房內。他發現我，就詛咒我並且把我踢出去。 他自稱是基督教徒，從那以後我決定決不與宗教有關。 一直到今天我從未信過。 這年輕人被要求完全寫下他不信的原因並且簽署它。 之後這張紙被交還給他並附帶一句話：你在審判的日子被詢問關於的你的理由，你就交上這張紙。
During a revival a young man said that he did not wish to become a Christian. When asked for his reason, he replied, “Several years ago I was in a man’s kitchen. Finding me there, he swore at me and kicked me out. He was a professing Christian, and from that time on I decided never to have anything to do with religion. And I never have to this day.” The young man was asked to write down his reason in full and sign it. Then it was handed back to him with the words, “Take this, and when you are asked for your excuse on the day of judgment, hand this up.” (from Illustrations of Bible Truths # 838)
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傳教士遇見一位他未曾見過的原住民，就問他：你聽過福音嗎？ 「不」他回答，「但我已經看見它。 我知道這附近有個人過去很可怕， 他吸鴉片而且像野獸一樣危險。 但是他已完全改變。 他現在很溫和並且已經停止吸鴉片。
A missionary approached a native whom he had not seen before and asked, “Have you ever heard the gospel?” “No,” he replied, “but I have seen it. I know a man who used to be the terror of the neighborhood. He was a bad opium smoker and as dangerous as a wild beast. But he became completely changed. He is now gentle and good and has left off opium.” (from Illustrations of Bible Truths # 669)
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教會中的一位執事問一位將受洗的年輕人：你何時尋得基督為你的救主？年輕人回答：不是我找到他；是他找到我。
A young man who presented himself as a candidate for baptism was asked by one of the deacons when he had found Christ as his Savior. “I didn’t find Him; He found me,” was the reply. (from Illustrations of Bible Truths # 634)
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有個關於米開朗基羅的故事，他是著名的義大利雕刻師，畫家和詩人，一次他站在已經被建築者拒絕並且被丟到一旁的一大塊大理石之前。 因為他站在那裡眼睛凝視大理石雕刻品，一位朋友接近並且問他正看什麼。 「天使」他回答。 他瞭解那塊拒絕的石頭需要木槌，鑿刀和耐心的技巧。 他開始工作並且鑿出他的一件傑作。 同樣，神在我們裡看見可能性。
It is related that Michelangelo , the famous Italian sculptor, painter, and poet, once stood before a great block of marble that had been rejected by builders and cast aside. As he stood there with eyes staring straight at the marble, a friend approached and asked what he was looking at. “An angel,” came the reply. He saw what the mallet, the chisel, and patient skill could do with that rejected stone. He set to work and produced one of his masterpieces. Likewise, God sees possibilities in us. (from Illustrations of Bible Truths # 636)
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有人問奧古斯汀在天堂被建立之前，神在那裡？ 奧古斯汀回答：在祂自己裡面。 他的確只是自有擁有者，因為他是唯一無限者。 而當路德被問相同的問題歲當時，他回答：神正在建造偶像﹑驕傲和像你一樣好奇者的地獄。
Someone asked Augustine where God was before the heavens were created. Augustine replied, “He was in Himself.” He is indeed that only self-contained Being; for He is the only Infinite One. And when Luther was asked the same question, he answered, “He was creating hell for idle, proud, and inquisitive spirits like you.” (from Illustrations of Bible Truths # 602)
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有一天，當一位牧師坐在他的教堂的辦公室裡接見任何有屬靈的困難的人，當天只有一個人來。「你的困難是什麼？」牧師問。那人回答：「我的困難是羅馬書第九章，在那裡它說，「雅各我喜歡，以掃是我所恨惡的」」。牧師說：「這節的確不容易瞭解；但是哪個部分對你來說是難的？」「當然是後面部分」那個人說：「我不能理解神為什麼憎惡以掃？」牧師回答：「這節經常令人費解，但是我一直以來的困難是這節的第一部分，我從未理解神怎麼能喜歡那個詭計多端，欺騙，奪人長子之名的無賴雅各。
One day, as a minister sat in the office of his church to meet anyone who might have spiritual difficulties, only one person came. “What is your difficulty?” asked the minister. The man answered, “My difficulty is the ninth chapter of Romans, where it says, 'Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.'“ “Yes,” said the minister, “there is great difficulty in that verse; but which part of the verse is difficult for you?” “The latter part, of course,” said the man. “I cannot understand why God should hate Esau.” The minister replied, “The verse has often been difficult, but my difficulty has always been with the first part of the verse. I never could understand how God could love that wily, deceitful, supplanting scoundrel Jacob.” (from Illustrations of Bible Truths # 313)
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主教貝弗裡奇為神的自稱，"我是"提出了一個很棒的例證。"祂不說，我是他們的光、 他們的導引、他門的力量，或他門的城堡，只說 “我是”。'"祂擺了一個填空，讓祂的兒女照祂們喜歡的填寫。如同祂說：他們軟弱嗎？我是力量。他們貧窮嗎？我是富有的。他們碰到困難嗎？我是安慰者。他們生病嗎？我是醫治。他們面臨死亡嗎？我是生命。他們什麼都沒有嗎？我擁有一切。我是智慧與能力。我是正義與憐憫。我是恩典與良善。我是榮耀、 美麗、 聖潔、崇高、卓越、完善、全然自足，永恆。無論在本質上是可親近的，或渴望得著，我是自有永有的。無論是純淨或神聖、偉大或愉悅，良善或是快樂所必須的，我仍是自有永有的。
Bishop Beveridge gave a wonderful illustration of one of the names by which God has chosen to call Himself, “I AM”: “He does not say, I am their light, their guide, their strength, or tower, but only 'I AM.' He sets, as it were, His hands to a blank, that His people may write under it what they pleased that is good for them. As if He should say: Are they weak? I am strength. Are they poor? I am riches. Are they in trouble? I am comfort. Are they sick? I am health. Are they dying? I am life. Have they nothing? I am all things. I am wisdom and power. I am justice and mercy. I am grace and goodness. I am glory, beauty, holiness, eminency, supereminency, perfection, all-sufficiency, eternity. Jehovah, I am. Whatever is amiable in itself, or desirable unto them, that I am. Whatsoever is pure and holy, whatsoever is great or pleasant, whatsoever is good or needful to make men happy, that I am.” (from Illustrations of Bible Truths # 301)
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特拉皇帝對約書亞拉比說："你說你的上帝無處不在，又吹噓祂住在你的國家裡 ；我想見見他。""上帝的確到處存在著，"約書亞回答"，但他無法被看見。沒有任何肉眼可以看見他的榮耀。"皇帝卻一直堅持"好，"約書亞說："我們試試看先來一下祂特使的其中之一。"皇帝同意。拉比正午帶皇帝到戶外，請他注視太陽的光芒。特拉皇帝說："我做不到"。陽光使我眼花撩亂。"說約書亞，""你連神所造其中一個受造物的光芒都無法忍受，還想要看造物主光輝嗎？祂榮耀的光豈不正能消滅你嗎？"
“You teach,” said the Emperor Trajan to Rabbi Joshua, “that your God is everywhere, and boast that He resides among your nation; I should like to see Him.” “God's presence is indeed everywhere,” replied Joshua, “but He cannot be seen. No mortal eye can behold His glory.” The Emperor insisted. “Well,” said Joshua “suppose we try to look first at one of His ambassadors.” The Emperor consented. The Rabbi took him into the open air at noonday and bade him look at the sun in its blazing splendor. “I cannot,” said Trajan. “The light dazzles me.” “You are unable,” said Joshua, “to endure the light of one of His creatures, and can you expect to behold the resplendent glory of the Creator? Would not the brightness of His glory annihilate you?” (from Illustrations of Bible Truths # 305)
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初代教父屈梭多模是真正表現出基督徒勇氣的好例子。當他站在羅馬皇帝面前時，他遭受到被放逐的威脅，如果他繼續作一個基督徒。屈梭多模說："你無法真正把我放逐，因為天地都是我父親的家。"
"但我會殺了你，"皇帝說。
"不，你不能，"再度表現崇高的信心："因為我的生命與基督一同藏在上帝裡面。"
"我將採取走你的財富"。"不，你不能，"繼續反駁，"放在第一位，我有什麼你根本不知道。我的財富在天上，我的心也在那兒"。
"但我會帶你離開所有的人，你會完全沒有朋友。""不，你不能，"信心的見證再一次說話，"我有一個朋友在天上，是你所無法隔離的。我不在乎你，因為你完全無法傷害我。（
Chrysostom , the ancient Church Father, was a beautiful example of true Christian courage. When he stood before the Roman Emperor, he was threatened with banishment if he still remained a Christian. Chrysostom replied, “You cannot, for the world is my Father's house; you cannot banish me.”
“But I will slay you,” said the Emperor.
“No, but you cannot,” said the noble champion of the faith again, “for my life is hid with Christ in God.”
“I will take away thy treasures.” “No, but you cannot,” was the retort; “in the first place, I have nothing you know anything about. My treasure is in heaven, and my heart is there.”
“But I will drive you away from man, and you shall have no friend left.” “No, and that you cannot,” once more said the faithful witness, “for I have a Friend in heaven from whom you shall not separate me. I defy you; there is nothing you can do to hurt me.” (from Illustrations of Bible Truths Copyright # 122)
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創世記 1:1 1:1說什麼那些誰解釋現實，除了個人的，無限的上帝？
*對於無神論者，它說創造是神的工作。
*對於多神它說只有一個上帝。
*對於泛神論它說，上帝是除了他的創作和獨立的。
*對於進化論者它說，宇宙是沒有創造和發展。
*對於唯物主義它說，這事不是永恆的，但本身就是創造。
*為它說的存在主義者創造了一個目的。
Genesis 1:1 What does 1:1 say to those who interpret reality apart from a personal, infinite God?
* To the atheist it says that Creation was the work of God.
* To the polytheist it says there is only one God.
* To the pantheist it says that God is apart from and independent of his creation.
* To the evolutionist it says that the universe was created and did not evolve.
* To the materialist it says that matter is not eternal but was itself created.
* To the existentialist it says creation has a purpose. (from Willmington's Bible Handbook)
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馬丁路德已經三天陷入黑暗和鬱抑不愉快的情緒中。到了第三天，他的妻子穿著喪服下樓。他問妻子:「是誰死了？ 」。她回答說:「是神。」路德斥責她說: 「你是什麼意思，神怎會死了？神不可能死的。」她答道:「嗯，那麼是你的表現令我肯定神已經死了！」
Martin Luther once spent three days in a black depression over something that had gone wrong. On the third day his wife came downstairs dressed in mourning clothes. “Who’s dead?” he asked her. “God,” she replied. Luther rebuked her, saying, “What do you mean, God is dead? God cannot die.” “Well,” she replied, “the way you’ve been acting I was sure He had!”
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某間大學的一位教授是以對基督徒學生特別嚴厲有名。每個學期的第一堂課總會針對基督徒學生開玩笑，貶低他們的信仰。有一個學期，這位教授問有沒有基督徒在座，有一個年輕人舉起手， 這位教授問、」年輕人，上帝是否創造了萬物？」 ，年輕人回答 」是的。」
教授問 」如果上帝創造了萬物，那末上帝也創造了罪惡；如果上帝創造了罪惡，那末上帝就是罪惡」，年輕人無法回答， 這位教授很高興地再次證明了基督徒的信仰是一個神話。
那時有一個人舉手說，」老師，我可以問一些問題嗎？」 ，教授回答，」可以」 。年輕人站起來說，」老師，有沒有’冷’這麼回事？」
」當然有，這是什麼問題，你不覺得有過冷嗎？」
年輕人回答，」老師，事實上’冷’並不存在。我們之所以會感覺到’冷’ ，是因為缺少了’熱’ ，絕對零度是因為絕對沒有’熱’ 所造成的， ’冷’事實上並不存在。我們用’冷’這個名詞來形容沒有’熱’ 所造成的現象」
年輕人繼續說，」老師，有沒有’暗’這麼回事？」
「當然有」 ，教授回答，年輕人說，「事實上’暗’並不存在。 ’暗’是因為缺少了’光’ ，我們用’暗’這個名詞來形容沒有’光’ 所造成的現象」
最後，年輕人問，「有沒有’罪惡’這麼回事」
「當然，這個世界到處都有強姦，殺人，暴力」，這些都是罪惡。「教授回答。
年輕人說，」老師，事實上’罪惡’並不是一種本質，乃是上帝所創造好的本質被腐化而產生的。罪惡就像是車子長的鏽或是樹木的腐爛，乃是因為缺少了’善’ 。罪惡就像是手臂上的傷口或是衣服上被蟲蛀的洞，它們的存在並不是一種本質。
上帝並未創造了罪惡。它不像是真理，愛，是一種’善’的本質，就像是光和熱。罪惡只是因為沒有了’善’ ，就像是沒有了’熱’ 的’冷’，沒有了’光’ 的’暗’ 。
教授聽了，無言以對。
At a certain college, there was a professor with a reputation for being tough on Christians. At the first class every semester, he asked if anyone was a Christian and proceeded to degrade and make fun of their belief. One semester, he asked the question and young man raised his hand when asked if anyone was a Christian. The professor asked “Did God make everything, young man?” “Yes he did sir,” the young man replied.
The professor responded, “If God made everything, then God made evil, and if we can only create from within ourselves, then God is evil.” The student didn’t have a response and the professor was happy to have once again proved the Christian faith to be a myth.
Then another man raised his hand and asked “May I ask you something, sir?” “Yes you may,” responded the professor. The young man stood up and said, “Sir, is there such thing as cold?” “Of course there is, what kind of a question is that? Haven’t you ever been cold?”
The young man replied, “Actually, sir, cold does not exist. What we consider to be cold, is really only the absence of heat. Absolute zero is when there is absolutely no heat, but cold does not really exist. We have only created that term to describe how we feel when heat is not there.” The young man continued, “Sir, is there such thing as dark?” Once again, professor responded, “Of course there is.”
And once again, the student replied, “Actually sir, darkness does not exist.” “Darkness is really only the absence of light. Darkness is only a term man developed to describe what happens when there is no light present.” Finally, the young man asked, “Sir, is there such thing as evil?” The professor responded, “Of course, we have rapes, and murders and violence everywhere in the world, those things are evil.”
The student replied, “Actually, sir, “Evil is not a substance but a corruption of the good substance that God made. Evil is like rust to a car or rot to a tree. It is a lack in good things, but it is not a thing in itself. Evil is like a wound in an arm or moth-holes in a garment. It exists only in another but not in itself. God did not create evil. It isn’t like truth, or love, which exist as virtues like heat and light. Evil is simply the state where Good is not present, like cold without heat or darkness without light.” The professor had nothing to say.
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One sunrise two neighboring farmers set out for market in town. Their wagons were pile high with tomatoes that would ripen quickly in the hot noonday sun, so they pushed their horses steadily all morning, not wanting their precious cargoes to spoil on the way.
But the poor beasts were tired by the time they reached the steepest hill outside town, and staring as they might, they could not get up the slope. The wagons sat at the bottom of the hill, with the climbing sun beating down mercilessly.
“There’s nothing to do but let them rest,” said the first farmer, shrugging.” And come to think of it, I could use a little siesta myself. We’ve been on the road since sunup. I think I’ll lie under this tree for a while.”
“But you can’t!” his companion exclaimed. “By the time you wake up, your load will be ruined.”
“Don’t worry, my friend. God will provide. He always does. I’ll just say a few prayers before I doze off.” He rolled over on his side with a yawn.
The second farmer, meanwhile, strode to the back of his wagon and, putting his shoulder to the rear, began to shove as hard as he could. He yelled at his horse to pull forward, but to no avail. He pushed till the veins stood out on his neck, and he cursed at the top of his lungs, but his cart ascended that hill not one inch.
Just then the Lord and Saint Peter passed along the road as they sometimes did, for often they walk abroad in order to look into men’s hearts. The Lord saw the frantic, swearing farmer struggling with his load. He smiled and laid a kind hand on the wheel, and at once the cart rose to the top of the hill.
The Lord passed on with Saint Peter at his side. The Gatekeeper’s gaze bent downward as if pondering their every step.
“I don’t understand,” he said at last. “Why did you help that man? Even as we came upon him, we heard him cursing most irreverently. And yet you did not help his friend, who offered his prayers for your help.”
The Lord smiled.
“The man I help curse, it’s true, but not with his heart. That is just the way he talks to his horse. In his heart, he was thinking fondly of his wife and children and aged parents, who depend on his labor and need him to return with some profit for his toil. He would have stayed there pushing all day. His friend, on the other hand, calls on me only when he believes he needs me. What he thinks of is sleep. So let him have his nap.” (William J. Bennett, The Moral Compass)
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聖經課的老師在教授一系列關於神是無所不能的課堂後，她考問班上的學生問道:「究竟有什麼是神不能做的？ 」 大家都沉默起來。最後，一個小伙子舉起他的手。老師為大家已經錯過所教導的內容感到失望，無可奈何地問:「嗯，到底有哪一樣是神不能做？」 有一男孩回答:「嗯，他不能討每個人開心。」
A Bible class teacher was examining her pupils after a series of lessons on God’s omnipotence. She asked, “Is there anything God can’t do?” There was silence. Finally, one lad held up his hand. The teacher disappointed that the lesson’s point had been missed, asked resignedly, “Well, just what is it that God can’t do?”
“Well,” replied the boy, “He can’t please everybody.”
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有一位無神論者 向基督徒朋友抱怨，「你們基督徒有許多特別的節日如聖誕節、復活節，猷太人有逾越節和贖罪日 ，回教徒也有他們的節日，每一種宗教都有；但是我們無神論者 就沒有一個被認可的節日，這是很不公平的歧視。」
朋友回答，「你是什麼意思，無神論者 沒有特別的節日，多少年來人們觀察 到有一個特別的日子是為你們設立的。」
無神論者說「我不知道你在說什麼，這一個特別為無神論者設立的是什麼日子？」
「四月一日。」
An atheist complained to a Christian friend, “Christians have their special holidays, such as Christmas and Easter; and Jews celebrate their holidays, such as Passover and Yom Kippur; Muslims have their holidays. EVERY religion has its holidays. But we atheists,” he said, “have no recognized holidays. It’s an unfair discrimination.”
“What do you mean, atheists have no holidays,” his friend replied, “People have
been observing a special day in your honor for years.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” the atheist said, “When is this special day honoring atheists?”
“April first.”
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我們再也不需要祢了
有一天一群科學家聚在一起並決定他們已夠老到不再需要上帝了，所以他們推舉一位去告訴祂說他們不需要 神了。
這位科學家走到 神的面前告訴祂「上帝！我們決定我們不需要祢了。我們已知道如何複製人，並且能作奇妙的事，所以請便吧！」
上帝很耐心也很仁慈地聽着，等到這位科學家說完要離去時，上帝說「很好！看着辦吧！」
「我們來一個造人比賽，怎麼樣？」「好啊！」
上帝補充說「現在，我們要做個如當年我造亞當的人」。
科學家說「當然！沒問題」然後從地上抓一把泥土。
上帝說，「不，不，不‧你拿你自己做的泥土！」
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在一個節日期間、寒冷的傍晚，一個小男孩大約六，七歲，站在礦石的窗前。這個小男孩，並沒有鞋子穿，而他的衣服僅僅是破碎布衣。
一名年輕女子路過，看到小男孩，並從他那蒼白臉色、藍眼睛裡、能夠意識到他所嚮往的眼神，她牽著小男孩的手，並帶他進入商店。她給他買雙新鞋和一套完整的可禦寒衣褲。
他們回來後到外面街上，該女子對小男孩說，「現在你可以回家，願你有一個非常快樂的節日。」
小男孩抬頭看着她，並問她：「你是神嗎，夫人？」她笑着看著他，回答說：『不是，孩子，我只是他的一個孩子。』
小男孩接著說，「我知道，你們一定有一些關係」
One cold evening during the holiday season, a little boy about six or seven was standing out in front of a ore window. The little child had no shoes on and his clothes were mere rags.
A young woman passing by saw the little boy and could read the longing in his pale blue eyes. She took the child by the hand and led him into the store. There she bought him new shoes and a complete suit of warm clothing.
They came back outside into the street and the woman said to the child, “Now you can go home and have a very happy holiday.”
The little boy looked up at her and asked, “are you God, Ma'am?” She smiled down at him and replied, “No son, I'm just one of His children.”
The little boy then said, “I knew you had to be some relation.”
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一名無神論者向一個基督教的朋友抱怨， 「你們基督徒有你的特別假日，像：聖誕節和復活節。猶太人慶祝他們的國定假日，像：逾越節和贖罪日。但是，我們無神論者有沒有公認的國定假日。它的不公平的歧視。」 他的朋友回答說： 「你為什麼不慶祝四月一號的愚人節？」
An atheist complained to a Christian friend, “You Christians have your special holidays, such as Christmas and Easter. Jews celebrate their national holidays, such as Passover and Yom Kippur. But we atheists have no recognized national holidays. It's unfair discrimination.”
His friend replied, “Why don't you celebrate April first?”
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有位老人坐在前門口看雨傾盆而下，雨水很快地漲高，漫過了他的前門進到屋內來。
當救援的船經過他家，救助人對他說，「你不能等在這裏，跟我們來吧！」這位老人還坐在那裏一動不動。他說：「不，上帝會救我。」所以船走了。
過了一會兒，雨水漲到二層樓高，另一艘救生船經過他家，船上的人告訴老人快點離開，上船來。老人還是回答說：「不，上帝會救我。」所以船又離開了。再過了一小時，水漲到了屋頂，第三隻船向老人駛來要救他，老人的回答還是一樣，拒絕離開：「不，上帝會救我。」所以船又開走了。過不多久，老人淹死了，去到了天堂。當他看見上帝時，他問道：「你為什麼不救我？」上帝回答說：「你這個傻瓜，我試過救你，我差遣三隻船來救你。」
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在一間天主教的小學中，學生們排隊拿午餐。因修女們人手不夠，在蘋果堆旁有一個牌子，寫著：「一人限拿一個 （神再看喔）」
在桌子的尾端有一個堆滿巧克力餅乾的盤子，有一個小孩在旁也立了一個牌子：「盡量拿沒關係，神正在看守蘋果！」
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一位小朋想要一份聖誕禮物，他跟主禱告時說：
主啊，請你跟你的好朋友聖誕老公公說，這一年我都表現很好,請他送我一部腳踏車。」
隔天沒看到腳踏車的小朋友又禱告一次： 「這一年我都盡量表現很好，請你的好朋友聖誕老公公送我一部腳踏車。」
結果第三天小朋友還是沒得到腳踏車，於是他到教會偷拿一尊聖母瑪麗亞的雕像藏在家裡床鋪下，並再次禱告： 「主啊，如果你還想看到你媽媽的話，就叫你的好朋友聖誕老公公送我一部腳踏車。」
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有一位大學生在上哲學課，班上正在討論神是否存在的問題。教授的邏輯是﹕『班上有人聽過神講話嗎？』沒人說話。
『班上有人摸過神嗎？』也沒有人說話。
『有人見過神碼？』經過三次沒有人說話以後，教授直接說﹕『世上沒有神。』
這位學生對次不以為然，要求發言。教授說可以發言。於是這位學生站起來，問班上同學以下的問題﹕『班上有人聽過我們教授的大腦講話嗎？』無聲。
『班上有人摸過我們的教授的大腦嗎？』完全無聲。
『班上有人見過教授的大腦嗎？』全班無人敢說話，於是這位學生結論說﹕『那麼，根據教授的邏輯，我們的教授沒有大腦是真實的。』
A college student was in a Philosophy class, where a class discussion about whether or not God exists was in progress. The professor had the following logic: “Has anyone in this class heard God?” Nobody spoke.
“Has anyone in this class touched God?” Again, nobody spoke.
“Has anyone in this class seen God?” When nobody spoke for the 3rd time, he simply stated, “Then there is no GOD.”
The student did not like the sound of this at all, and asked for permission to speak. The professor granted it, and the student stood up and asked the following questions of his classmates: “Has anyone in this class heard our professor's brain?” Silence.
“Has anyone in this class touched our professor's brain?” Absolute silence.
“Has anyone in this class seen our professor's brain?” When nobody in the class dared to speak, the student concluded, “Then, according to our professor's logic, it must be true that our professor has no brain!”
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小強一個人躺在青草地上，望著藍天白雲在深思。他開始思想起神。
他高聲說﹕『神啊，你真的在這裏嗎？』
出乎意料地，從雲裏傳來聲音說﹕『是的，小強，你要我為你作什麼？』
小強立刻抓住機會問﹕『百萬年對你算什麼？』
神體恤小強不瞭解無限的概念，就用他能懂的語言回答說﹕『小強，百萬年對我就像一分鐘。』
『噢！』小強說﹕『那麼百萬美金對你算什麼呢？』
『百萬美金對我就像一分錢。』
『哦！』小強突發奇想﹕『你真慷慨，可以給我一分錢嗎？』
神回答說，『可以的，小強，請等一分鐘。』
Little Johnny was lay on a hill in the middle of a meadow on a warm spring day. Puffy white clouds rolled by and he pondered their shape. Soon, he began to think about God.
“God? Are you really there?” Johnny said out loud.
To his astonishment a voice came from the clouds. “Yes, Johnny? What can I do for you?”
Seizing the opportunity, Johnny asked, “God? What is a million years like to you?”
Knowing that Johnny could not understand the concept of infinity, God responded in a manner to which Johnny could relate. “A million years to me, Johnny, is like a minute.”
“Oh,” said Johnny. “Well, then, what's a million dollars like to you?”
“A million dollars to me, Johnny, is like a penny.”
“Wow!” remarked Johnny, getting an idea. “You're so generous... can I have one of your pennies?”
God replied, “Sure thing, Johnny! Just a minute.”
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採訪神
神問道：你想採訪我嗎？
我說：我很想採訪你，但不知道你是否有時間。
神笑道：我的時間是永恆的。你有什麼問題嗎？
我說：你感到人類最奇怪的是什麼？
神答道：他們厭倦童年生活，急於長大，而後又渴望返老還童。他們犧牲自己的健康來換取金錢，然後又犧牲金錢來恢復健康。他們對未來充滿憂慮，但卻忘記現在；於是，他們既不生活於現在之中，又不生活於未來之中。他們活著的時候好像永不會死去，但死去以後又好像從未活過。
神握住我的手，我們沉默了片刻。
我又問道：作為長輩，你有什麼經驗想要告訴子女的？
神笑道：他們應該知道不可能取悅於所有人。他們所能做到的只是讓自己被人所愛。他們應該知道，一生中最有價值的不是擁有什麼東西，而是擁有什麼人。他們應該知道，與他人攀比是不好的。他們應該知道，富有的人並不擁有最多，而是需要最少。他們應該知道，要在所愛的人身上造成深度創傷只要幾秒鐘，但是治療創傷則要花上幾年時間。他們應該學會寬恕別人。他們應該知道，有些人深深的愛著他們但卻不知道如何表達自己的感情。他們應該知道金錢可以買到任何東西，卻買不到幸福。他們應該知道，得到別人的寬恕是不夠的，他們也應當寬恕自己。
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Quotes引證 :
In whatever man does without God, he must either fail miserably, or succeed more miserably. George MacDonald
God is willing to work for us if we are willing for Him to work in us and through us. Warren Wiersbe
Without God, I cannot. Without me, He will not.
God does not exist to solve our problems.
Miracles are not a contradiction of nature. They are only in contradiction to what we know of nature. Augustine
The three most dreaded words are thou shalt not. Notice they are not atheists -- they are saying I don't want to be told what to do with my life. William Donohue
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GOVERNMENT 政府
自由退款
一場有五十萬觀眾的棒球賽事，因天雨取消而需要退款。球隊即將發出退款時，有人制止了，並建議球隊按他們定義的公平發還退款。畢竟，若退款是按各人所付的票價而定，大部分錢會分到富人手上。
他們的建議是：
- 買10美元門票的觀眾可得15美元，因為他們可花費的不多。
- 買15美元門票的觀眾可得15美元，因為這就是公平。
- 買25美元門票的觀眾可得1美元，因為他們已經有很多錢，不需要退款。
- 買50美元豪華位門票的觀眾得多付50美元，因為他們有太多錢花費了。
- 駕車駛經球場但花不起錢看球賽的人，每人可得10美元。即使他們沒有任何付出，但他們是最需要幫助的。
Liberal Refund
Fifty thousand people go to a baseball game, but the game was rained out and a refund was due. The team was about to send out refunds when someone stopped them and suggested that they send out refund amounts based on the their interpretation of fairness. After all, if the refunds were made based on the price each person paid for the tickets, most of the money would go to the richest people.
Their plan says:
- People in the $10 seats will get back $15, because they had less money to spend.
- People in the $15 seats will get back $15, because that’s only fair.
- People in the $25 seats will get back $1, because they already make a lot of money and don’t need a refund.
- People in the $50 luxury seats will have to pay another $50, because they already have way too much money to spend.
- People driving by the stadium who couldn’t afford to watch the game will get $10 each, even though they didn’t pay anything in, just because they need the most help.
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Al Gore is out jogging one morning, notices a little boy on the corner with a box. Curious he runs over to the child and says, “What’s in the box kid?”
The little boy says, “Kittens, they’re brand new kittens.”
Al Gore laughs and says, “What kind of kittens are they?”
“Democrats,” the child says.
“Oh that’s cute,” Al Gore says and he runs off.
A couple of days later Al Gore is running with his buddy Bill Clinton and he spies the same boy with his box just ahead.
Al Gore says to Bill, “You gotta check this out” and they both jog over to the boy with the box.
Al Gore says, “Look in the box Bill, isn’t that cute? Look at those little kittens. Hey kid tell my friend Bill that kind of kittens they are.”
The boy replies, “They’re Republicans.”
“Whoa!” Al Gore says, “I came by here the other day and you said they were Democrats. What’s up?”
“Well,” the kid says, “Their eyes are open now.”
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發大夢/ 春秋大夢/ 夢‧想
美國總統、英國首相和共產黨領導人會面，談起他們各自做過的夢。美國總統說：「我夢見自己成為世界總統。」英國首相笑了笑，說：「我也夢到自己成為了世界首相。」共產黨領導人喊道：「真有趣，我記不起我曾任命過你們兩位！」
Big Dreams
The President of the United States, the Prime Minister of England, and the Communist leader met and started discussing the dreams they had. The President of the U.S. said: “I dreamed that I was made President of the World.”
The Prime Minister of England laughed and said: “I too dreamed I was made Prime Minister of the World.”
The Communist leader cried: “That’s funny. I have no recollection of appointing either of you!”
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當旅客進入小城鎮的酒吧，顧客是看總統新聞發布會上電視。局外人聽了幾分鐘，然後脫口而出：「孩子，比爾克林頓肯定的是馬的後方。」
突然間，幾乎每個人在酒吧毆打他到紙漿。深感不安，對陌生人站起身來，叫道，「哇，這一定是克林頓的國家。」
「不，」酒保回答。 「馬國」。
When the traveler entered the small-town bar, patrons were watching a presidential news conference on TV. The outsider listened for a few minutes, then blurted out: “Boy, Bill Clinton sure is a horse’s rear.”
Suddenly, nearly every person in the bar beat him to a pulp. Dismayed, the stranger got up and exclaimed, “Wow, this must really be Clinton country.”
“Nope,” responded the bartender. “Horse country.”
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教宗訪問美國時，和克林頓總統整整開了兩天的會而不是表定的一個小時。終於面帶倦容的克林頓總統出現在久候的媒體前面，總統笑著宣布這一次高峰會非常成功，他和教宗達成了百分之八十的共識，然後他宣佈 要回去白宮和家庭團聚。
幾分鐘後教宗出現發表聲明，他看起來很累又沮喪，眼睛裏含著淚水，傷心地的宣佈，他和克林頓總統的會議是一個失敗且令人難以相信的。
一位記者發問，「陛下，克林頓總統宣布這一次高峰會非常成功，達成了所討論議題百分之八十的共識」 ，教宗惱火的 回答，「是的，但是我們談論的是十戒。」
During his visit to the United States the Pope met with President Clinton. Instead of just an hour as scheduled, the meeting went on for two days. Finally, a weary President Clinton emerged to face the waiting news media. The President was smiling and announced the summit was a resounding success. He said he and the Pope agreed on 80% of the matters they discussed. Then Mr. Clinton declared he was going home to the White House to be with his family. A few minutes later the Pope came out to make his statement. He looked tired, discouraged and was practically in tears. Sadly he announced his meeting with the President was a failure. Incredulous, one reporter asked, “But your Holiness, President Clinton just announced the summit was a great success and the two of you agreed on 80% of the items discussed”. Exasperated, the Pope answered, “Yes, but we were talking about the Ten Commandments.”
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年邁的父母,擔心跟他們同住的兒子, 一直對自己的前途拿不定主意, 他們就想出一個計謀來探尋.
他們放了一張字條在桌上說他們要離家外出, 又放了10元的現金, 一本聖經及一瓶威士忌酒在旁邊.然後就躲藏起來.
這父親對他的老伴說:若我們的兒子拿了那10塊錢,他就會成為商人;若他取了聖經, 他就將成為一個牧師;但若他拿了威士忌酒, 我怕他會是一個無所成就的醉漢
當他們躲在衣櫥裡, 從鑰匙眼往外看時, 見到他們的兒子回來了, 他讀了那字條.
接著, 他拿起那張10元的鈔票, 塞進了褲袋裡, 然後, 他拿起聖經, 順手翻了翻, 就把它夾在腋下,
最後, 他一把拿起了酒瓶, 打開蓋子, 滿意的,深深的聞了一聞; 他帶著這三樣東西走向自己的房間.
老父舉起手拍著自己的額頭, 說:真糟糕！他比我想像的更差！
老妻急忙問道: 為什麼?
「因為我們的兒子將成為一名政客.」
An older couple had a son, who was still living with them. The parents were a little worried, as the son was still unable to decide about his future career. So they decided to do a small test.
They put a note on the front hall table that they had left. Around the note they put a ten-dollar bill, a Bible, and a bottle of whiskey. Then they hid, pretending they were not at home.
The father told his wife, “If our son takes the money, he will be a businessman, if he takes the Bible, he will be a pastor, but if he takes the bottle of whiskey, I’m afraid our son will be a no-good drunkard.”
So the parents hid in the nearby closet and waited nervously. Peeping through the keyhole they saw their son arrive. The son read the note that they had left. Then he took the ten-dollar bill, looked at it against the light, and slid it in his pocket.
After that, he took the Bible, flipped through it, and put it under his arm. Finally, he grabbed the bottle, opened it, and took an appreciative whiff to be assured of the quality. Then he left for his room, carrying all three items.
The father slapped his forehead and said: “This is worse than I could ever have imagined!”
“What?! asked the wife.
“Our son is going to be a politician!”
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小明和幾個男生在操場上吹牛。每人都炫耀自己老爸有多偉大。一個說﹕『我老爸跑得最快。他可以在射箭以後開始跑。我不騙你，他比箭還先到！』
令一個說﹕『哈！那有什麼了不起！我老爸是打獵手。他可以先開槍，卻是比子彈先抵達！』
小明聽完兩人將的，直搖頭。然後他說﹕『你們兩人對”快”是孤陋寡聞。我老爸是一個公務員。他四點半下班，三點45分就到家了！』
Little Johnny was talking to a couple of boys in the schoolyard. Each was bragging about how great their fathers are.
The first one said: “Well, my father runs the fastest. He can fire an arrow, and start to run, I tell you, he gets there before the arrow!”
The second one said: “Ha! You think that's fast! My father is a hunter. He can shoot his gun and be there before the bullet!”
Little Johnny listened to the other two boys and shook his head. He then said: “You two know nothing about fast. My father is a civil servant. He stops working at 4:30,... and he's home by 3:45!”
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一群政客開車到一條鄉間小路，一不小心車子滑出了路面，撞上一棵樹，掉到一塊老農夫的田裏，這老農夫見狀，便上前一探究竟，就挖了個動把他們全埋了。幾天後，警察看到這部撞爛的車子，便問這個老農夫說；『他們全死了嗎？』這個老農夫說；『有些說他們沒死，但你也知道政客是老說謊的。』
A bus load of politicians were driving down a country road when all of a sudden the bus ran off the road and crashed into a tree in an old farmer's field.
The old farmer after seeing what happened went over to investigate. He then proceeded to dig a hole and bury the politicians.
A few days later, the local sheriff came out, saw the crashed bus, and then asked the old farmer, “Were they ALL dead?”
The old farmer replied, “Well, some of them said they weren't, but you know how them politicians lie.”
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在鄰居家裡的派對上， 我和范喬治因為總統的政策槓上了，最後他問我為什麼對共和黨如此死忠。
我告訴他因為我爸，我爺都是共和黨員，我乃承接了家庭的優良傳統。
「這算是那門道理？ 如果你爸和你爺都是偷雞模狗之輩怎麼辦？」
「 那，我想我可能就像你一樣是一名道地的民主黨員了。」
During a neighborhood party here, I got into an argument with my neighbor, Van, about presidential politics. Finally, he asked me why I was such a dedicated Republican.
I told him that my Father and Grandfather were Republicans before me and that I was carrying on the family tradition.
“That's it?” said my exasperated neighbor. “What if your Father and Grandfather had been horse thieves?”
“Well...” I replied, “I suppose then I'd be a Democrat like you.”
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一個小男孩急需100塊錢，他的媽媽告訴他說去求上帝，他禱告了二個禮拜，但是都沒結果，於是他便寫一封信給上帝去要100塊錢，當郵局收到這封要寄到上帝那的信，他們打開看就決定寄去給總統，總統讀了印象深刻，很受感動，所以他就叫秘書寄5塊錢給這小男孩，他覺得5塊錢對這小男孩已經很多了，這小男孩收到5塊錢很高興，於是他又提筆寫了一封謝謝的信給上帝說；『親愛的上帝，很謝謝你給的5塊錢，我查覺到你是經由華盛頓送了這筆錢，但那些笨人一如往長扣了95塊錢，但無論如何，謝謝你。』
A little boy needed $100.00 very badly and his mother told him to pray to God for it. He prayed and prayed for two weeks, but nothing turned up. Then he decided to write God a letter requesting the $100.00.
When the postal authorities received the letter addressed to God, they opened it and decided to send it to the President. The President was so impressed, touched and amused that he instructed his secretary to send the little boy $5.00. He thought $5.00 would be lot of money to the little boy.
The little boy was delighted with the $5।00 and sat down to write a thank you letter to God, which read as follows: Dear God, Than you very much for sending the money. I noticed that You had to send it through Washington; as usual, those morons deducted $95.00. Thanks anyway!
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華盛頓的幽魂一天晚上，柯林頓總統在白宮被喬治˙華盛頓總統的幽魂叫醒。柯林頓問說：『喬治，我能夠做什麼事是最能夠幫助美國的呢？』『立下一個既誠實又光榮的榜樣，像我一樣』喬治如此地建議。隔天晚上，湯姆˙傑克森總統的幽魂飄過黑暗的臥室。柯林頓就問：『湯姆，我能夠做什麼事是最能夠幫助美國的呢？』湯姆建議說：『減稅，並且精簡政府人事。』再隔天晚上，柯林頓睡得不好，並且看到另外一個行影在陰暗中移動。那是林肯總統的幽魂。柯林頓仍問：『林肯啊，我能夠做什麼事是最能夠幫助美國的呢？』『去戲院吧！』（譯者註：林肯總統在戲院中被刺殺）
One night, Bill Clinton was awakened by George Washington's ghost in the White House. “George, what is the best thing I could do to help the country?” Clinton asked. “Set an honest and honorable example, just as I did,” advised George. The next night, the ghost of Thomas Jefferson moved through the dark bedroom. “Tom, what is the best thing I could do to help the country?” Clinton asked. “Cut taxes and reduce the size of government,” advised Tom. Clinton didn't sleep well the next night and saw another figure moving in the shadows. It was Abraham Lincoln's ghost. “Abe, what is the best thing I could do to help the country?” Clinton asked. “Go to the theater.”
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Quotes引證 :
“A democracy is a form of government where one party doesn’t do things as they ought to be done, and the other party tells how much better they would be done if it were in power.” (More Toasts, Gertrude Stein)
Diplomacy has been defined as the art of letting someone else have your way.
(More Toasts, Gertrude Stein)
For every action, there is an equal and opposite government program.
Canada was supposed to get British government, French culture, and American know-how. Instead, it got French government, American culture, and British know-how.
Being Politically Correct means always having to say you’re sorry.
A Republican is a Democrat who got rich.
Do not criticize your government when out of the country. Never cease to do so when at home. Winston Churchill
Don’t vote. It only encourages them. Bumper sticker
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GREED 貪心
一天，在斯普林菲爾德裡，林肯的一個鄰居被孩子的哭聲音吸引。他看見林肯和他的兩個孩子經過，而兩個兒子都在大哭。「這些孩子怎麼了？」鄰居問。「和全世界的事情都一樣！」林肯回答：「有3個胡桃，並且每個男孩都想拿二個」。
One day, in Springfield, a neighbor of Lincoln's was drawn to his door by the sound of crying children. He saw Lincoln passing by with his two sons both crying lustily. “What is the matter with the boys?” asked the man. “The same that is the matter with the whole world!” answered Lincoln. “I have three walnuts, and each boy wants two.” (from Illustrations of Bible Truths # 340)
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Leo Tolstoy, the famous Russian writer, had a deep insight into human nature. In one of his books he speaks of a Russian peasant who was told that he could have all the land he could measure by walking in one day, from sunrise to sunset. The agreement stipulated that by sundown he must be back at his starting point. The man envisioned great holdings. Early in the morning he began walking; but as he realized that every foot of land on which he stepped belonged to him, he began to run at a feverish pace. The agreement stipulated that by sundown he must have returned to his starting point. His greed was so great, however, that more than half his time had elapsed before he turned back. He had to run at top speed to beat the setting sun. It was a real struggle. If he were not at the appointed place, he would lose all. He finally made it. But even as his foot touched the starting point, he fell dead from exhaustion. All that he gained in the end was sufficient land for his dead body—six feet of earth. That was his final inheritance. (from Illustrations of Bible Truths # 341).
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美國一個銀行發生搶劫案，搶匪才剛把錢藏好，就被警長逮捕了。由於搶匪是印地安人，不會講英文，警長只好去請翻譯官來幫忙翻譯。
經過一陣疲勞轟炸式的拷問，搶匪還是堅持不肯說出錢藏在那裡。沒有辦法，警長只好扮起黑臉，咆哮地告訴翻譯官：「告訴搶匪 ，再不說，就把他斃了！」
翻譯官忠實地把警長的意思傳達出去，大概翻譯得太好了，搶匪嚇得語無倫次的說：『錢藏在鎮中央的井裡，求你叫他饒我一命。』
翻譯官神情凝重地告訴警長：「這小子真有種，寧死不招。他叫你斃了他吧！！」
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