6/9-6/15/14

<感恩的頌讚>6/9-6/15/14

「用詩篇、聖詩、屬靈的詩歌彼此對說，從你們的心裡，歌頌讚美主」以弗所書5:19 CSB

“Speaking one to another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;” (Ephesians 5:19 ERV)

「凡有氣息的，都要讚美耶和華。你們要讚美耶和華。」詩篇150:6
 “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!” Psalm 150:6

默想禱告: 那天走出了錄音室, 頭突然感覺有點暈眩, 氣有些喘, 是身體虛弱的癥狀。但我內心卻是充滿感恩的躍動。這是五年來經歷大病後第一次鼓足勇氣站在不透氣的錄音室錄唱詩歌, 感 恩的涙水立時潤溼了眼眶。不要說唱詩歌, 病後两年連講話發音都說不準, 經過六個月的「語言矯正治療」Speech Therapy才慢慢恢復過來, 是一段挺令我洩氣又難受的過程。在英國殖民地長大, 我從小就喜歡音樂, 聽的都是英美流行曲, 搖滾樂隊, 跟教會詩 歌完全沾不上邊。處身殖民地的教育制度, 身不由已, 喜歡倣效娓娓之音, 成了多個樂隊的狂熱粉絲; 日夜哼著“Rolling Stones滾石”, “Led Zeppelin飛舰”, “The Hollies”, “Bee Gees”, “The Eagles”, “Santana”… 的腔調。不錯,生存環境是陶冶一個人文化性情的原素,特別是年輕人,大家都一窩蜂學習走潮流,不知不覺就沉迷下去。回想同年代香港以北, 國內的年輕人各人手捧「紅小書」, 唱「革命歌」, 跳「忠字舞」那種南轅北轍的教育方式, 就證明在 “社會化過程”Socialization Process中, 家庭、社會對每個人建立自己的文化意識實在帶來深邃的影響。甚麼樣的社會就普遍地培養出甚麼樣的群眾價值取向和生活素質。但我們不要只著眼在一個人的出身背景, 而是要注意的是他/她是否經歷到生命的蛻變, 翻轉成為另一種脫胎換骨的生命格局。我因信主耶穌而經歷福音的大能, 生命得徹底的轉化, 如同成了一個「新造的人」, 心思意念從裡到外逐漸被神的話、祂的靈洗滌鍊淨, 連視覺、味覺、聽覺都產生出清新的品味。每 當聽到教會詩歌音色歌辭的莊嚴典雅, 恍惚我的心靈亦同時向上騰升, 引發內心崇拜頌讚的感動。我於是下定決心, 從「摇滾」中跳出來, 加入芝加哥中國 基督徒合唱團學唱聖樂; 十年的操練, 使我終於從俗世音樂杼發內心各種以人為「本位」的情感宣洩, 轉為以「神為中心」的敬拜讚美, 唱詩的時候如同獻 上一束感恩的祭。習慣以往常聽的强烈節奏, 現代詩歌的表達形式我絕對跟得上, 但對比之下, 內涵超於形式的傳統聖樂, 卻是喜歡搞新花樣的現代摇滾式 的所謂詩歌難以匹配, 更難以挑動人心中對神尊崇敬畏的心懷。華理克牧師 Rick Warren在他的每日靈修 6/17/14中說: 「你們要以感謝向耶和華歌唱，用琴向我們的神歌頌。(詩篇147:7) 最快使你感到神的同在莫過於向祂發出頌讚的歌聲…基督教是歌頌的信 仰…當我的心冷卻, 當我需要被更新、復興、充滿的時候, 感恩頌讚是有效的作法。」感謝主, 藉著一位剛考上「惠頓大學 Wheaton College」攻讀鋼琴音樂, 準備日後以音樂宣教的年輕人「梁天悅」弟兄, 為我多年前寫的一首短歌配上鋼琴伴奏, 並且由我、梁慧琪姊妹 (天悦的 母親, 「聽見」事工負責人)和教會小姊妹 “瑤瑤” 以三種語言錄唱, 將這首歌獻給主, 也願意彼此勉勵, 讓我們愛祂更深! 感恩讚美, 奉主耶穌 聖名禱告, 阿們。(陳熾弟兄分享)

Meditation & Prayer: Stepping out of the studio, I was gasping for air and felt a little dizzy. I remember shortly after my stroke 5 years ago, I learned to pronounce words again like a child through speech therapy. My heart was filled with frustration. Yet God’s grace allows me to sing praises to Him again, without any hindrance. It’s really amazing! You see, growing up in Hong Kong, a British Colony, “Rock” was my main staple. (No pun intended) I was mesmerized by the music of many groups like “The Beatles”, “Rolling Stones”, “Led Zeppelin”, “The Hollies”, “Bee Gees”, “The Eagles”, “Santana”…but knew nothing about church music. But the gospel transformed my life, even the way I hear, taste and see. I never realized the power of sacred music; it’s lofty and sublime nature, both in form and substance, has touched my soul deeply. After I became a Christian, I decided to give up “rock”, and joined the Chicago Chinese Christian Chorale, singing solely sacred hymns for ten years. Sing praises is a source of my joy and strength, because it is a God centered worship and thanksgiving mode, as opposed to man centered expression of self-absorbed emotions. Praising Him elevates our spirit so that we are more in touch with his presence. Pastor Rick Warren, in his daily devotion says: (June 17, 2014 Devotion) “The Bible says, "Sing out your thanks to him; sing praises to our God" (Psalm 147:7a LB). Nothing makes you aware of God's presence more quickly than singing your praise to God…Christianity is a singing faith… When my heart is cold, I need to be renewed, restored, and recharged through singing thanks to God.” He spells out an authentic interpretation and understanding of the essence of Christian music. I thank the Lord by allowing me to make a melody to praise Him, with the help of a gifted young musician Enoch Leung, recently admitted to Wheaton College, major in Music, with the vision of serving Him in Music Mission. Along with his mother, Kezia, and a young sister Emily at church, we recorded the song in 3 languages. I want to dedicate this simple tune as a thanksgiving offering to God, who deserves all our worship and praises. In Jesus holy name I pray, amen. (Brother Mike Chan sharing)

<造就門徒、影響世代> Make Disciples、 Impact Our World

Music/Lyrics: Mike Chan     Piano: Enoch Leung

Acapella Beginning: 4 parts Alleluia Chorus

“哈利路亞、哈利路亞、哈利路亞讚美主” (Alleluia Praise His Name)

第一、二節  (粵語、普通話歌詞一樣)

1)  祢是我生命 真理 道路  進入我心靈 更新改變

  主啊我的心  願忠於祢託付  傳揚福音信息

2)  我們站起來  參與事奉  不要怕辛勞  請差遣我

  白日已將盡   願獻我身心  都獻與我主我神

副歌: 賜下復興  影響世代  我遵主旨意  宣講救恩

      高舉十架  踴躍前進  基督旌旗遍全球 (重唱副歌一次)

(馬上唱) 哈利路亞、哈利路亞、哈利路亞讚美主

(最後一句) 榮耀歸衪!

English:

1)  Jesus is the way, the truth and life

You’re my Redeemer, my soul rejoice

Deep inside my heart, (I’ll) be faithful to your Call

Tell the world of your love

2)      Hand in hand we stand, at your Command

Marching to the world declare your Word

Pledge to love your more, I surrender all

To Jesus, my King my Lord

Chorus: Lord revive us, Lord re-new us

             By your great Commission we abide

             Make disciples, Impact our world

             May you name be glorified (Repeat chorus)

Immediately sing Alleluia chorus

Ending:  Be Glorified!