UNITY 團結
一個女傳道驚訝的問:「你屬於我們嗎？」
那傳道就和蔼地回答說:「我們是指什麼人？我是屬基督的！」
他看到這回答不能滿足那位女傳道，
於是他繼續說：「我喜歡奧古斯丁的信條：
那整全的基督為我的拯救，
整本聖經為我的學習，
整個教會為我的團契及
整個世界為我的牧區。
這樣我應該是一個真正的基督徒，而不是一個宗派人士了。」
“Oh,” said a woman to a minister, “do you belong to us?” “Well,” said the minister, “who are ‘us’? I belong to Christ.” Then, seeing that this explanation still did not satisfy her, he continued, “I like the Augustinian creed: ‘A whole Christ for my salvation, the whole Bible for my study, the whole Church for my fellowship, and the whole world for my parish, that I may be a true Christian and not a sectarian.’” (from Illustrations of Bible Truths # 913)
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有兩個基督徒各雍有相同的小屋子，也只專注在自己的茅房上。他們各有自己宗派的觀念，一個是浸信會的，另一位是長老會的。經過多次口舌之爭後，他們就不再跟對方交談。
有一天，兩人各自在自己的屋頂上工作，在不能不碰臉之際他們相遇了。其中一人脱下了帽子，抓著頭對另一方說：「Johnnie！你和我！我覺得．．．我們為基督在我們教會的旨意這話題所討論的，這都是非常愚蠢的爭議，盡管真理不再，我們仍為自己所說的真理據理力爭，我們完全遺忘了基督在我們中間的心意，無論怎樣都是錯了！是完全可以肯定的。绝對可以因著範得自己是對，就發出不禮貌，不和陸，無情──其實上，是仇視別人。絕對不可以！那些是魔鬼的工作，不是出於神的！同樣的問題出現在教會和這房子上。您在這邊工作，而我在那邊，雖則我們各自都做好了自己的功夫！但我們將來在上面仍會有最後的相聚。老鄰居！請你伸出手來！」他們就握手，從那以後就成了最好的朋友。
There were two Christians occupying the same cottage, each bound to keep his own side of the house well thatched. They were sadly divided denominationally, one being a Baptist and the other a Presbyterian. After repeated battles with words, they were not on speaking terms. One day these men were at work on the roof, each thatching his own side, when they met at the top and were forced to look into each other’s faces. One of the men took off his cap, and scratching his head said to the other, “Johnnie, you and me, I think, have been very foolish to dispute as we have done concerning Christ’s will about our churches, until we have clean forgot His will about ourselves; we have fought so bitterly for what we call the truth, that it has ended in spite. Whatever is wrong, it’s perfectly certain that it never can be right to be impolite, unneighborly, unkind—in fact, to hate one another. No, that’s the devil’s work, not God’s! The same thing may be the matter with the church as with this house. You are working on one side, and I am on the other, but if we only do our work well, we will meet at the top at last. Give me your hand, old neighbor!” So they shook hands and were the best of friends ever after. (from Illustrations of Bible Truths # 880)
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有一個古老的傳說是有關一群騾子，他們每晚被一群從附近的森林出來狼攻擊。當狼來了的時候，騾子們都凶猛的向著不同方向踢出去。因此招致它們自己受傷，有嚴重的有輕微的，但敏捷的狼卻安然無恙。最後，一隻聰明的老騾子呼招一起休息參加會議，並公佈它的計劃。那天晚上，狼如常一樣從森林汪汪地叫著過來，騾子不再馬上起飛腳，他們都跑起來，把他們的頭圍成一個圓圈
There is an old legend about a herd of mules that was attacked nightly by a pack of wolves from a nearby forest. When the wolves came, the mules began kicking viciously in all directions. Consequently the mules maimed and injured each other while the agile wolves escaped unharmed. Finally, a wise old mule called the rest together for a conference and made known his plans. That night the wolves came yelping from the forest as usual, but instead of the mules kicking, they all ran and put their heads together in a circle and began kicking outward. The wolves were put to flight, and the mules did no harm to each other. (from Illustrations of Bible Truths # 881)
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也許你聽說過，關於人到了天堂後藉著聖彼得會面的小組。
在一個美麗的草地，他們看到一些人聚集，就問彼得說：「他們是誰？」
彼得說：「他們是長老会的。」
他們又走了一段路，走到一道美麗的小溪，
有一個就問：「誰人在那裡聚集？」
彼得回答說：「他們是路德會的。」
然後，他們來到了一個非常高的牆，他們就問：「我們聽到牆後有声音，有是屬什麼人呢？」
「嘘！」彼得說：「請保持安靜！」然後彼得輕聲地說出宗派的名字並說：「他們認為只有他們是唯一在這地方的，我們不希望他們失望。如果他們發現其他人也上了來，他們會有什麼感想？」
Probably you’ve heard of the group who were supposed to have arrived in heaven and been met by St. Peter. In a beautiful meadow they saw some people assembled and asked Peter who they were. Peter replied, “They are Presbyterians.” They walked on a distance to a beautiful brook, and one asked, “Who are the people gathered over there?” And Peter answered, “They are Lutherans.” Then they came to a tremendously high wall and one asked, “Whose are the voices we hear behind that wall?” “Shh!” said Peter. “Please be quiet!” Then he whispered the name of that denomination and said, “They think they are the only ones up in this place, and we don’t want to disillusion them. If they find out that others have made it up here, too, how will they feel?” (from Illustrations of Bible Truths # 882)
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在浸信會的大家庭中，有其中一個家庭的成員離世，而他们的牧師由剛好不在城中。他們只可以請另一個宗派的牧師主領葬禮。那牧師就表示要先得自己宗教的會長應可，故他就致電給會長問：「我可以埋葬一浸信會的會友嗎？」會長回覆：「你絕對可以埋葬所有浸信會的會友！」
A Baptist family had a death in the family while their minister was out of town. They asked a minister of another denomination to conduct the funeral service. He said he would have to check with the bishop, so he wired him, “Can I bury a Baptist?” The bishop wired back, “Sure, bury all the Baptists you can!” (from Illustrations of Bible Truths # 100)
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很久很久以前，所有動物都決定應該嚴肅的去面對新世界的問題。因此他們籌組了一所學校。
他們採用了跑步，攀登，游泳和飛行的活動為主要課程，為了更方便管理的課程，所有的動物都必須參與所有的科目。
鴨子在游泳上非常出色，事際上比他的教練更好。但他飛行的成績就只得及格而已，而跑步速度表現得就更差。他不得不放棄練習游泳，放學後就去練習跑步。這引致它腳上的網膜嚴重磨損，而且他游泳的水準也變得普通。但他的水平還是被接納，也沒有人擔心到他這點改變，除了那鴨子。
兔子的跑步成績在同班同學中冒出，他腳上的肌肉和神經發展得非常成熱，卻叫他在游泳的時候抽筋。
松鼠在攀登課程最優秀，但他在飛行課程中就不斷的遇上挫折，因為教導飛行的老師要他從地面開始，而不是從樹梢上下來，他過度練習起飛卻令自己“筋肉僵硬”，所以在攀登的成績現在就只得丙級，而跑步就只有丁。
鹰是一個問題兒童，他是個堅決不願死板的人，上攀登課堂時，同學全都攀上樹頂了，他還是堅持自己是最會攀登的，堅持認為可以採取自己的方法到達那裡。
Once upon a time, the animals decide they should do something meaningful to meet the problems of the new world. So they organized a school.
They adopted an activity curriculum of running, climbing, swimming and flying. To make it easier to administer the curriculum, all the animals took all the subjects.
The duck was excellent in swimming; in fact, better than his instructor. But he made only passing grades in flying, and was very poor in running. Since he was slow in running, he had to drop swimming and stay after school to practice running. This caused his web feet to be badly worn, so that he was only average in swimming. But average was quite acceptable, so nobody worried about that- except the duck.
The rabbit started at the top of his class in running, but developed a nervous twitch in his leg muscles because of so much make-up work in swimming.
The squirrel was excellent in climbing, but he encountered constant frustration in flying class because his teacher made him start from the ground up instead of from the treetop down, He developed “charlie horses” from overexertion, and so only got a C in climbing and a D in running.
The eagle was a problem child and was severely disciplined for being a non-conformist, In climbing classes he beat all the others to the top of the tree, but insisted his own way of getting there. (Charles Swindoll, Growing Strong in the Seasons of Life 312).
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鐵錘，螺絲批，木刨，直尺和砂紙一齊會議。討論題目為：「我們車廠員工間出現的問題」。由鐵錘弟兄主持會議。但有幾個成員建議鐵錘離開會議，因為他太吵了。鐵錘卻回答說：「如果我要離開這個店，螺絲批弟兄也必須離開。你們以為扭阿扭，就可以完成一切事。」
螺絲批弟兄就開口：「若這是你們的願意，我會離開。但木刨弟兄也必須離開。他的工作是完是表面的。他的努力都沒有深度（更深的含義）。」
為此木刨弟兄回答說：「直尺弟兄也照樣要退出，因為他永遠只是衡量他人，彷彿自己是唯一的一個正確的。”
直尺弟兄也控訴砂紙兄弟，“你也應該離開，因為你是如此粗野，卻是擦人別人的不是。」
The hammer, screwdriver, plane, ruler, and sandpaper were having a conference. The topic: What’s wrong with our garage personnel. Brother Hammer presided. Several suggested he leave the meeting because he was too noisy. Replied the Hammer, “If I have to leave this shop, Brother Screw must go also. You have to turn him around again and again to get him to accomplish anything.”
Brother Screw then spoke up. “If you wish, I will leave. But Brother Plane must leave too. All his work is on the surface. His efforts have no depth (deeper meaning.”
To this Brother Plane responded, “Brother Rule will also have to withdraw, for he is always measuring folks as though he were the only one who is right.”
Brother Rule then complained against Brother Sandpaper, “You ought to leave too because you’re so rough and always rubbing people the wrong way.”
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一個男人正從橋上走過，他看到有另一名男子想自殺， 於是大叫，“你在作什麼？人生還有很多追求的事！」。他繼續說：「你有冇信仰？」
「有！」這想自殺的人就回答
「我都是！」那男子說
「我是浸信會的」這想自殺的人說
「我也是！」那男子說
「是傳統的浸信會的還是改革後的浸信會?」那男子問「你是1890年改革派的浸信会還是1912年改革派的浸信会?」
「1912」這想自殺的人回答
那男人聽見後就大叫「異端！」並將想自殺的男子他推下河。
A guy is walking across the bridge when he sees a second man, who is about to commit suicide. “What are you doing? You have so much to live for!” the first man exclaims. He proceeds to ask, “Are you religious or atheist?”
“Religious,” the second guy replies. “So am I,” the first man says.
“Are you Baptist?” “Yes.” “So am I,” the first man replies.
“Are you Baptist Church of God or Baptist Church of the Lord?” the first man asks. The second replies, “Baptist Church of God!”
Are you Baptist Church of God, schism of 1890, or Baptist Church of God, schism of 1912?”
“1912,” the second man replies.
“Heathen!” the first man exclaims, and pushes the man into the river.
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Quotes引證 :
There is no 'I' in team
TEAMWORK means never having to take all the blame yourself.
Teamwork means more "we" and less "me.
Together Everybody Achieves More
兩隻狗爭一根骨頭，第三隻狗咬著骨頭跑掉了。
Two dogs strive for a bone, a third runs away with it.
Coming together is a beginning, keeping together is progress, working together is success.
We have beaten the English but they’re back because you won’t stand together. William Wallace
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VISION 異像
每年六月中，差會都在總部附近舉辦為期兩週的準備宣教師訓練營。獲挑選入訓練營的都是準宣教十。這年，有十二位準宣教師受訓。
這些準宣教師年齡不一，當中有一對是六十多歲的夫婦，退休後才加入我們的差會，也有很多年輕夫婦攜著幼兒入營，還有一些是單身人士。他們都有一些共同之處，就是喜歡選一些富挑戰性的地方作工場，有五個人選了蒙古，另外四個人將去東歐，有六人去共產國家，有兩人到巴基斯坦，最開心有三人選了印度，也有一些還未決定。嚴鳳山，「我愛咖喱鄉」，105頁。
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福爾摩斯跟屈臣一起去露營，當天晚上睡覺睡到一半的時候，福爾摩斯把屈臣搖醒了。
福爾摩斯說：你往天上看，看有什麼感想？
屈臣說：天空滿天的星斗，讓我覺得這世界是如此的廣大！天空這樣遼闊，不禁讓我覺得人是多麼的渺小啊！
屈臣說完，看福爾摩斯凝視天空這麼久，都不發一語，便問福爾摩斯：那你覺得呢？
福爾摩斯神色凝重的對屈臣說：我覺得我們的帳蓬被偷走了。
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馬其頓的亞歷山大大帝，東征西討，使希臘化文化遍及歐亞非三大洲。約在主前333年開始，他攻克大部份小亞細亞、敘利亞、埃及；次年又率兵粉碎巴比倫及波斯兩帝國，直搗印度。當他在波斯灣安營時，手拿地圖問道：「明天我該打誰呢？」一幕僚答曰：「將軍，再沒有了！」
亞歷山大聽罷不禁當眾失聲痛哭：「天啊！難道再沒有我可征之地了嗎？」
然而就在次年（主前332），他突發高燒而逝世，年僅33歲。在病榻上，他算計他的戰績，懷念他可愛的家鄉，一切宛如幻夢一場！於是他下達了一生中最後的一項命令：死後把我的棺木挖四個洞，把我的雙手雙腳放在洞外，叫人知道我空空的來，也空空的去！
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美國黑人民權運動領袖金恩的演說，他是這麼說：我有一個夢想，夢想有一天，這個國家將實踐自己信念的真諦：「我們相信這些真理是不辯自明的：人人生而平等。」
我有一個夢想，夢想有一天，在喬治亞州的紅色土丘上，早先的奴隸的子孫及早先地主的子孫，能在一桌情同手足地一起坐下吃飯。我有一個夢想，夢想有一天，甚至連密西西比州，一個因不公平和壓迫的熱浪而難熬的沙漠之州，也會變成自由、公平的綠洲樂土。我有一個夢想，夢想有一天，我的四個小孩將生活在一個他們所受到的評論不是因為他們的膚色，而是根據他們人格的內涵的國度裡。今天，我有一個夢想，夢想有一天，阿拉巴馬州將會變成黑人男孩和女孩可以和白人男孩及女孩手拉手的地方，像兄弟姐妹般走在一起……。
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理智的人會調整自己來適應世界；不理智的人會不斷地試著調整世界來配合自己。因此，所有的進步都要靠不理智的人來完成。（蕭伯納，George Bernard Shaw）真正的改革或徹底改變，大部分是由具有異象的的人所提出。（《改變世界的家》，173）
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滕近輝牧師說過一個見証：「一九五七年我在香港的一間神學院教書。我從來沒有想要作牧師，那時有一間教會，很小，大概只有五十幾個人聚會，而且多半都是講上海話的老太太。有一天他們派了兩位執事來見我，請我作他們的傳道人。按我原來的意思是絕對不會去牧會的。但是奇妙的是，在前一天晚上我作了一個夢，夢見自己作牧師了。我從來沒有按夢作事的，但那一次就是這樣作了。我夢見自己作了牧師，而且看見我作牧師的那個禮拜堂的一面牆，有個玻璃門，裡頭有一盆盆的花草，這個記憶一直到現在。所以當兩位執事來請，我就一口答應了。我自己都不了解，但是內心卻已經預備好了。我原是在聖經學院教書的，但是我講道的對象卻是老太太們，他們當中識字的很少，但有一個好處：他們熱心禱告，是個禱告的教會。那是我工作開始的情況。感謝神讓我學習對老太太們講道。這對我實在是個挑戰，是神給我的訓練，心裡常掛記他們聽得懂嗎？在這種學習之下，我就學會把信息講得很淺顯，使他們能夠明白也能夠得到幫助。這是我一開始的時候神給我的功課。」
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丟格尼（Diogenes）是古希臘的偉大教師，他品德崇高，為人正直，只可惜性好批評，說話很刻薄。
他的一生大半住在雅典，但卻常喜歡批評雅典的墮落；歌頌斯巴達的質樸。當時雅典與斯巴達是古希臘兩個最著名的城邦，但是兩者截然不同。雅典崇尚民主自由，以航海經商為業，所以社會風氣浮華而驕奢；斯巴達則軍權專政，以農牧為業，民眾生活單純而樸實。
有一天他的朋友實在受不了了，就反駁他說：「你要是真的認為斯巴達那麼好，又這麼瞧不起雅典，那你為什麼不甘脆搬到斯巴達去呢？」 丟格尼回答說：「無論我真正希望的是什麼，我的責任是留在最需要我的地方。」
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Quotes引證 :
Dream, but don’t quit your day job. The Wit and Wisdom of Forrest Gump
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