务实

我相信每一位爱主的弟兄姊妹,一定在实际的生活中经历体验过神的恩典和大能。然而,也一定同样经历过挫折和失望。有时,失望到几乎绝望的程度,甚至怀疑神到底是否存在。心中呐喊:“神哪,你在哪里?为什么祷告没有回应?糟糕的事情也没有任何好转!?”当然,这可能有很多原因,但有一点我们需要清楚明白的,就是我们的神是务实的神。

我来澳后不久,就听说在我家住的附近有一所教堂要出卖。当时我很焦急,神家的产业怎能出卖呢?万一卖到外邦人手中怎么办呢?那对主的名岂不是极大的羞辱吗?我祷告,想办法,但我微薄的力量似乎没有起到任何作用,那教堂还是卖了!当时我的心非常难过,甚至埋怨神,怀疑神,为什么神不用祂大能的手和伸出来的膀臂保护自己的产业呢?

后来我有机会去了以色列,到了耶路撒冷。当时我的心好激动啊,我好像回到了属灵的家。然而,当我看见在锡安山我们神圣殿的旧址上,坐落的是一座清真寺!而且已经坐落在那里一千三百多年了!我的心同样痛苦的感觉又涌上来了。为什么?神哪,为什么?!那不是以主的名分别为圣的殿吗?主啊,你的荣耀在哪里呢?为何任由仇敌掳掠、毁坏、占据?我在痛苦中苦苦寻索,渐渐体会,原来我们的神不是务虚而是务实的神。原来,祂不象人爱面子,被别人戴高帽,吹捧几句好话就头脑发昏忘乎所以。

“爱面子”似乎是人类共同的弱点。特别是我们华人,更常常是“死要面子活受罪”。现在西方流行的所谓“政治正确”也是犯的同样的毛病。有些人,被人家说一句:“你好有爱心啊!”自己就不知是谁了,为了保持这句话,什么代价都肯付;什么真理的原则都可以出卖。到头来坑己害人,全是虚的!因此,亲爱的弟兄姊妹让我们理解我们的神是务实的神,当祂不回应我们的祈求时,让我们冷静想想,用心揣摩,很可能问题出在更本质的原因上。正如圣殿的被毁,不是神无能保护,也不是神不听以色列人的呼求;乃因以色列人的犯罪,这才是更本质的原因。(待续)

The Christian’s of a Happy Life

Title:                The Christian’s of a Happy Life(中文译本《信徒快乐秘诀》,译者-彭子材)

Author:           Smith, Hannah Whitall, 1832-1911.

Imprint:         Barbour Books, 1985.

Collation:      163 p., 130*204 mm.

ISBN:             0-916441-27-X

Class Code:  进深 T C S O -HWS

  • Summary

Since its first publication in 1870, <The Christian’s of a Happy Life> has remained one of the Christian world’s favorite books, with good reason. For Hannah Whitall Smith truly believed God intended His creation to enjoy a happy, prosperous life, and she intended to show each reader God’s path to that happiness.

Written for the average reader, yet overflowing with substance for thought, this book is practical, personal, powerful – an invitation to lead life at its fullest and most blessed.

  • About the Author

Hannah Whitall Smith (1832–1911) did not have an easy life. Of her seven children, only three lived to adulthood. In spite of, and perhaps because of, her unhappy circumstances, she was able to advise Christians on how to find and keep the joy of the Lord in A Christian’s Secret of a Happy Life, her widely read and much loved book of Christian Holiness theology. Constant themes in her writings include the assurance of salvation and freedom from anxiety, as she portrays the richness of God’s love and His desire to relate to us as the perfect Parent, Savior, Protector, and Friend. Hannah was also active in the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union.

Becoming A Vessel of Honor

Title:              Becoming A Vessel of Honor

Author:         Brown, Rebecca,1956-  .

Imprint:       Whitaker House, 1990.

Collation:     305 pages;134*213 mm

ISBN:             0-88368-322-9

Class Code: 进深 B A V O -RBMD

  • Summary

This book is written for all those children of God who hunger and thirst after a close personal relationship with Him. It is for those who long to hear His voice in their innermost being, who will not be satisfied with anything less than the experience of His presence and glory. It is for those who value such a relationship with our wonderful Creator enough to be willing to pay the price in their own lives to achieve it–the pain of daily carrying the cross. This book is for those who are willing to strive for holiness in obedience to our beloved Master, the Lord Jesus Christ.

The purpose of this book is to help you understand the rapidly expanding world of the occult so that you can not only cleanse yourself from any involvement in it, but also so that you can avoid its traps.

—Rebecca Brown, MD

Subjects include:

  • The key to spiritual power–personal holiness
  • The armor of God–how to use it effectively
  • The sin nature–how to understand it and control it
  • Defilement of God’s temple–how to avoid it
  • The Holy Spirit vs. demon guides–knowing the difference
  • Deliverance–case studies and guidelines

This book contains secret satanic war plans previously not found in print. It reveals how the followers of Satan are openly confronting the followers of Jesus Christ. You must learn the key to spiritual power before you need it!

A must for every child of God!

  • About the Author

Dr. Rebecca Brown has written three best-selling books: <He Came to Set the Captives Free>, <Prepare for War>, and <Becoming a Vessel of Honor>, which have been translated into over twelve languages and are used worldwide as teaching and ministry tools. She and her husband, Daniel, collaborated on another best seller, Unbroken Curses. This dynamic couple has a powerful international ministry of spiritual warfare.

The Wounded Healer

Title:                The Wounded Healer: ministry in contemporary society

Author:           Nouwen, Henri, 1932-1996.

Imprint:         IMAGE BOOKS, 1972.

Collation:      100 pages;138*207 mm

ISBN:              0-385-14803-8

Class Code:   进深 T W H   -HJMN

  • Summary

The Wounded Healer is a hope-filled and profoundly simple book that speaks directly to those men and women who want to be of service in their church or community, but have found the traditional ways often threatening and ineffective. In this book, Henri Nouwen combines creative case studies of ministry with stories from diverse cultures and religious traditions in preparing a new model for ministry. Weaving keen cultural analysis with his psychological and religious insights, Nouwen has come up with a balanced and creative theology of service that begins with the realization of fundamental woundedness in human nature. Emphasizing that which is in humanity common to both minister and believer, this woundedness can serve as a source of strength and healing when counseling others. Nouwen proceeds to develop his approach to ministry with an analysis of sufferings — a suffering world, a suffering generation, a suffering person, and a suffering minister. It is his contention that ministers are called to recognize the sufferings of their time in their own hearts and make that recognition the starting point of their service. For Nouwen, ministers must be willing to go beyond their professional role and leave themselves open as fellow human beings with the same wounds and suffering — in the image of Christ. In other words, we heal from our own wounds. Filled with examples from everyday experience, The Wounded Healer is a thoughtful and insightful guide that will be welcomed by anyone engaged in the service of others.

  • From the back cover

In this hope-filled and profoundly simple book, Nouwen offers a radically fresh interpretation of modern ministry. Here he inspires devoted men and women who want to be of service in their church or community, but have found the traditional ways of ministry alienation and ineffective.

According to Nouwen, ministers are called to identify the suffering in their own hearts and make that recognition the starting pint of their service. For Nouwen, ministers must be willing to go beyond their professional, somewhat aloof role and leave themselves open as fellow human beings with the same wounds and suffering as those they serve. In other words, we heal from our wounds.

  • About the author

HENRI NOUWEN was a Dutch-born Catholic priest, professor, and pastor, who gained international renown as the author of over 30 books on the spiritual life, including such classics as The Wounded Healer, The Inner Voice of Love, and The Return of the Prodigal Son. Nouwen’s books have been translated into more than 30 languages and have sold upwards of seven million copies worldwide, resonating with people across the religious, spiritual, cultural, and political spectrum. Since his death in 1996, ever increasing numbers of readers, writers, teachers, and seekers have been guided by his literary legacy.

The Satanic Revival

Title:               The Satanic Revival

Author:           Bubeck, Mark, 1928- .

Imprint:        Here’s Life, 1991.

Collation:      263 pages;153*228 mm

ISBN:              0-89840-314-6

Class Code:   进深 T S R   -MIB

  • Summary

…reveals what is happening across our nation today, but Mark Bubeck doesn’t stop there. He shows how spiritual revival among today’s Christian believers is the biblical answer to this engulfing plague of Satanism.

This book provides practical tools for you to be part of the greatest spiritual awakening of the century. Your family and loved ones can use the weapons of your warfare to withstand Satan’s unprecedented assault. Together, we can defeat the powers of darkness.

This book shows you how.

  • About the author

Dr.Mark I. Bubeck is the bestselling author of The adversary and Overcoming the Adversary. He serves as president of the International Center for Biblical Counseling in Sioux City,  Lowa.

A Chance To Die

Title:               A Chance To Die: The life and Legacy of Amy Carmichael

Author:          Elliot, Elisabeth, 1926-2015.

Imprint:        Fleming H. Revell, ©1987

Collation:      382pages;168*235 mm

ISBN:              0-8007-1535-7

Class Code:  见证 A C T D -EE

  • Summary

<A Chance to Die> is a vibrant portrayal of Amy Carmichael, an Irish missionary and writer who spent fifty-three years in south India without furlough. There she became known as “Amma,” or “mother,” as she founded the Dohnavur Fellowship, a refuge for underprivileged children.

Amy’s life of obedience and courage stands as a model for all who claim the name of Christ. She was a woman with desires and dreams, faults and fears, who gave her life unconditionally to serve her Master.

Bringing Amma to life through inspiring photos and compelling biographical narrative, Elisabeth Elliot urges readers to examine the depths of their own commitment to Christ.

  • About the Author

Elisabeth Elliot (1926-2015) was one of the most perceptive and popular Christian writers of the last century. The author of more than twenty books, including Passion and Purity, The Journals of Jim Elliot, and These Strange Ashes, Elliot offered guidance and encouragement to millions of readers worldwide.

Thrice Through The Valley

Title:                Thrice Through The Valley

Author:           Valetta Steel with Ed Erny

Imprint:         Valetta Steel, ©1986

Collation:      158 pages;107*178 mm

ISBN:              CCCN-86-50200

Class Code:  见证 T T T V -VSEE

  • Summary

The inspiring story of a courageous woman who survived three tragedies that took the lices of her husband and children.

‘Mrs. Steel, it’s getting colder. The rain is turning to ice. There has just been an accident on the 37 bypass. I’m sorry to have to tell you that your children and their friend have just been killed.’

Suddenly I felt as if I had been pushed over a high cliff into a wild, seething sea, unable to swim. But remarkably, at that very moment, I felt myself in the strong embrace of the Spirit of God.

I was lifted upward, above the cold winter trees, sweetly, securely, into the warm presence of my Father. With a calm, which I instinctively knew had its source from beyond my own being, I heard myself say, “Officer, I know where they are. They are with God.”

  • About the author

Valetta Steel is a missionary with OMS International in Taiwan. A graduate of Indiana University-Purdue University. Valetta attended Spring Arbor College before marrying Henry Steel, whose battle with Hodhkin’s Disease is documented in the book <Under the Sentence of Death>,now in its eighth printing.