In 2015, we added this Section to focus the needs of the baby boomers who are in the retirement age. The senior group in our society consists of large percentage of our population. Due to deteriorating physical and mental capacities, seniors' needs are great. In a fast pace modern life styles, seniors need attention so they can have a decent care during final stage of life. We are focusing the biblical teaching on various issues associated with this group. If you are a senior or caretaker of seniors, may you find encouragement and may you rejoice in our Lord.

Psalm 71:18  
18 And even when I am old and gray, O God, do not forsake me,
Until I declare Your strength to this generation,
Your power to all who are to come.

在2015年，我們增加了本章節，專注面臨退休年齡層的嬰兒潮們的需求。高年齡層在我們的人口中，佔很大比例。由於身體和心理能力狀況，隨著年齡漸增、會不斷退化；老年人的需求、是巨大的。在快節奏的現代生活方式，老年人的需要、必須要被關注；使他們在生命的最後階段，能有過得去、合適的照顧。我們的重點是，在這方面相關各種問題，提供聖經給我們的教導。如果你是一個年長者或正在照顧年長者，盼望你能得到鼓勵，靠主歡喜。

18 神啊，我到年老髮白的時候，求你不要離棄我，等我將你的能力指示下代，將你的大能指示後世的人。(詩篇 71:18  )

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. A Chinese Poem by Rev, Yuan 浪淘沙------九十感懷                  袁衛得牧師

* A Chinese Poem by Rev Leo    老人院           樓鎧 牧師 (5/2015)

* Trace of Time and Grace of God 時間的痕跡與神的恩典(8/2016, New)

. Time is of essence! Do it NOW! 時間是非常緊迫重要！現在就做吧！(4/2015)

* Seniors' Quality of Life  年長者的生活品質 (NEW 1/2015)

* Seniors and New Technology 老人家和新科技

* Unthinkable tragedy of a Second Fall 再次跌倒會造成無法想像的悲劇 (2/22/2015)

* Is that all there is for this life?        那是今生、所有的一切嗎？(7/2015)

This following Chinese poem from late Rev. Yuan has been a great inspiration to many seniors who seek a safe place for their remanding days in this world. It is indeed a great reflection of life in a perverted and chaotic world. We sincerely recommend it to you for your mediation. For modernists, this poem reflects the death trap of the thermodynamics second law . For humanists, this poem reflects the vanity of all human activities without Jesus Christ, the light of men as portrayed in John 1: 4.  For all, this great poem echoes  Ecclesiastes 12:1-12. This poem also reminds us that one of the great secrets in life for happiness is to meditate on God’s revelations such as Ps 119, particularly on the habit of the day and night meditation of God's words. The following is a reminder from a few Scriptural verses for the people who are totally depressed by the second law of the thermodynamics:
Ps 118: 8, 14, 17, 29
Romans  8:18-30

Hebrews 2:14-15

2 Tim 1:3-7

袁牧帥的感恩頌詩,對許多耄耋族是”與我心有戚戚焉”. 袁牧師的詩反應了一生的經歷; 對科學家而言,也述及對熱力學第二定律死亡陷井的無奈; 對人文主義者,這詩描繪了沒有主耶穌人類之光 (約翰福音 !:4) 引領的悲哀; 也回應傳道書第十二章的心境.  這首詩也提醒: 晝夜默想上帝在聖經的啟示如詩篇119 是人生得福的途徑. 因此我們推薦袁牧師的大作給您.
對於因熱力学第二定律特別沮喪敏感的朋友,以下是聖經的提示與安慰:
詩篇 118: 8, 14, 17, 29
羅馬書 8: 18-30

來 2:14-15

提 摩 太 後 書 1:3-7

浪淘沙------九十感懷                  袁衛得牧師

世事盡如煙，耄耋殘年，江河滾滾不留連；                  遍地滄桑無覓處，仰首蒼天。
浪跡北磯邊，如夢境遷，征途何去問尊賢；                  企望晨光循引導，主道奔前。

The following Chinese poem is from Rev Leo on the Nursing Home and the urgency for the seniors to come to Jesus Christ for their salvation before it is too late.

老人院           樓鎧 牧師

自古聖賢有教導, 幼有所養老有終,
先祖五代同堂住, 孝道相傳代代從.
如今提倡小宗庭, 兒女婚嫁勞燕紛;
農業社會已轉型, 城市上班離鄉村.
應運而生養老院, 老翁老婦相聚住,
飲食起居有照顧, 教會供應靈糧處.
老人面臨人生終, 思量前頭下一步,
生命燈滅何處去, 天堂地獄那條路?
奉勸年長老前輩, 快快齊來信耶穌,
凡信祂的有永生, 不信之人地獄宿.
神愛世人遣耶穌, 降世為人施拯救;
十架犧牲代贖罪, 認罪歸主永千秋.

There is a general saying that time passes without compassion. Cold fact of time is that the arrow of time is always forward and cannot be reversed. This is clearly demonstrated in human history. We would like to comment on trace of time in serval examples.
有一個普遍的說法，歲月不饒人，時間的流逝，是無情的，永不復返的。時間的冷酷事實是，時間箭頭總是向前，不能反向的。在人類歷史上，清楚地顯示了這個現象。我們可以看看並評論幾個時間痕跡的例子。

First, there are many ruins in the world which clearly indicate the passing of great ancient civilizations or dynasties.  Examples are many including Pyramids in Egypt,  Great Wall in China, Sanctuary of Aphaia in Greece, and many other ruins which show ancient glories in the past. All those cultural artifacts display the trace of passing time in human history.
首先，在世界許多廢墟裡，可以清楚地看到，過去古國或朝代偉大文明的遺跡。例子有很多，包括埃及的金字塔，中國的長城，希臘Aphaia的殿所和許多其他遺址中所顯出逝去的古代輝煌文明。所有這些文物，均代表著人類歷史上，時間流經的痕跡。

Secondly, our lives are also displaying the trace of time. Like ruins of the ancient civilizations, our bodies also show the effects of time of various deterioration of our bodily functions.
其次，我們的生命裡也顯示了時間的痕跡。就像古代文明遺址，我們的身體也顯示了各種的機能，均會隨著時間的影響而退化。

Physicists told us that the chaos of a system will increase as time passes unless  more energy is added to it. This situation was codified as the Second Law of Thermodynamics. In other word, chaos and death are unavoidable in this sinful and perverted world.
物理學家告訴我們，一個系統的混亂，會隨著時間的推移而增加，除非有更多的能量加入此系統。這種情況被編纂為熱力學第二定律。換句話說，混亂和死亡，在這個罪惡和墮落的世界，都是不可避免的。

This is indeed the fundamental issue facing all mankind today and throughout human history. Many people seem to accept the aging process and evil of this world as a matter of life and just keep on going as best as they can. If we accept the evolution theory, then indeed we are doomed because there is no way out; no matter how hard we try through any means including medical research, self righteousness, and rationalization. If we believe in Christian creationism that God created us, some may ask why God permits this to happen. But if we study the Bible, we know that this was not so in the beginning. The world was created perfect and there was no death. Sin entered the world through Adam’s rebellion against his Creator and hence death occurs to all his descendants because all sinned. One may also ask: should not God come to rescue us since we are his creation. He must have compassion to His creation. Indeed, He is almighty and full of compassion to mankind. Throughout human history, He sent prophets, time and again,  to warn man to repent away from the world's wicked ways. Man never learns from history and continues his evil ways. Finally. God sent His only begotten Son Jesus Christ to be a propitiation through faith in Jesus' blood for anyone who would receive Him as the personal Savior. 
這的確是人類有史以來最大的議題。許多人好像認命地接受身體衰退過程與世界的邪惡，只好盡力生活下去。如果我們接受進化論，我們的確是無望的，因為不管我們怎樣努力包含醫學研究、個人修行、或理性圓說、都是徒勞無功的。如果我們相信上帝造人，許多人會問上帝怎麼可能讓罪惡橫行、死亡稱霸。然而，聖經告訴我們，起初並不是這樣的。起初上帝造人與造世界都是完美的﹗罪是經由亞當背逆上帝而進入世界，死就臨到他的子孫，因為眾人都犯罪。也許有人會問，上帝的慈愛在那裹，難道祂不固念祂所創造的嗎？上帝的確是大有能力而且對人類是大有恩惠憐憫。在人類歷史上，祂多方多次派遣先知警告人要悔改歸正、放棄邪惡。最後，上帝派祂的獨生子耶穌基督作挽回祭 ， 是憑著耶穌的血 ，藉著人的信，來拯救願意接受耶穌為個人救主的人。

If you are a keen observer of this world or as you grow old, you will deeply seek to find the Truth of this life and this world. We do not need philosophers or gurus to teach us. We all know that this is tied to the issue of eternal life. 
如果你對這個世界有敏銳的觀察力，或者你漸漸進入老年，你會用心地，想要找到這個生命和這個世界的真理。我們不需要哲學家或大師教我們。我們都知道，這是與永生的問題有關。

Two thousand years ago, God sent His beloved Son Jesus Christ to this earth to show mankind the way to eternal life. His proclamation of Heavenly Kingdom in Galilee has echoed in many hearts throughout last 2000 years including our era. Here are a few Scripture verses that may help those still struggling in the issue.
兩千年前，神差遣祂的愛子耶穌基督到這個世界，告訴人類，尋求永生的方法。祂在加利利對天國的宣布，在整個過去兩千年裡，也包括我們的時代，仍然迴響在人心中。這裡有一些經文可以幫助，那些仍然在這問題裡掙扎的人們。

Matthew 4:15-17 

15 The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, By the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—
16 The people who were sitting in darkness saw a great Light,
And those who were sitting in the land and shadow of death,
Upon them a Light dawned.” * 17 From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”  
馬太福音4:15-17 
15 「西布倫地、拿弗他利地，就是沿海的路，約旦河外，外邦人的加利利地， 16 那坐在黑暗裡的百姓看見了大光，坐在死蔭之地的人有光發現照著他們。」17 從那時候，耶穌就傳起道來，說：「天國近了，你們應當悔改！」

The gospel of Jesus Christ has been preached particularly throughout the world in our age to anyone who wants to receive Him to obtain eternal life to escape the awful effect of the trace of time.
尤其在我們這個時代，耶穌基督的福音一直在世界各地被佈道宣揚，給每個願意接受祂的人獲得永生，來逃脫時間痕跡的可怕影響。

For those of us who are Christians, this was indeed the greatest gift from God to us who believe that God sent His Son Jesus Christ to save us. Not only, we can escape the grip of time in the future, but also, we can receive God grace in our time of needs.
這的確是上帝最偉大的禮物，給我們這些是基督徒的人，因為我們相信上帝派祂的兒子耶穌基督來拯救我們。我們不僅在未來，可以不必對時間有抱怨。而且，我們可以在今生我們需要的時候，得到上帝的恩典。

For those of us who have a few or a lot of white hairs on our heads, we know by experience that life is full of uncertainties and afflictions as well. Just for this year(2016) alone, there are lots of tragedies including  Islam extremist terror attacks in Nice, France;  in Orlando, Florida; and in many places of the world. Put aside the terrorist attacks, life itself has enough difficulties and strifes that we truly need God’s grace to sustain us!
對於我們這些頭上有些許或是很多白頭髮的人，我們體驗過，知道生活是充滿了不確定性和苦難。單就今年（2016年），就有很多的悲劇，包括伊斯蘭極端分子的恐怖襲擊在法國尼斯，在佛羅里達州奧蘭多，和在世界上的許多地方。拋開恐怖襲擊，生命本身有足夠的困難與爭吵，我們真正需要神的恩典，來支撐維護我們！

We therefore beseech you that Jesus Christ is indeed the great gift from God for anyone seeking very hard to escape the grip of the Second Law of Thermodynamics or the grip of Time. Please listen very carefully to Jesus proclamation on Heavenly Kingdom. Time is of essence to receive this great gift from Jesus Christ our Lord.

Meditate on the following John 1: 9-14:
9 There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

因此，我們懇求你，耶穌基督的確是來自上帝的偉大的禮物，給每個真心尋能夠逃脫熱力學第二定律或時間所困綁住的人。請細心聽聽耶穌基督"傳揚天國"的呼喚。能收到我們的主耶穌基督這個偉大的禮物，時間是很重要的因素。請默想以下：
約翰福音1：9-14
9那光是真光，照亮一切生在世上的人。 10他在世界，世界也是藉著他造的，世界卻不認識他。 11他到自己的地方來，自己的人倒不接待他。 
12凡接待他的，就是信他名的人，他就賜他們權柄做神的兒女。 
13這等人不是從血氣生的，不是從情慾生的，也不是從人意生的，乃是從神生的。 14道成了肉身，住在我們中間，充充滿滿地有恩典有真理。我們也見過他的榮光，正是父獨生子的榮光。

If you are one of those “ as-of-matter-of-fact” straight forward persons, then receive the following:
16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

如果你是"實事求是"，往前衝的人，請看看以下約翰福音 3:16:
16 「神愛世人，甚至將他的獨生子賜給他們，叫一切信他的不致滅亡，反得永生。

We sincerely hope that we shall all receive this True Light when it shines gracefully on us in this world darkened by sins and evils. May you be blessed  as the  psalmist proclaimed in this psalm:
Psalm 36:9      New King James Version (NKJV)
9 For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light.

我們真誠地希望，當這真光照耀這因罪惡而黑暗世界的時候，我們都能衷心地接受這真光。
願我們都能有如下的福氣：
詩 篇 36:9
因為在你那裡有生命的源頭，在你的光中我們必得見光。

One of the most depressing things in the world is to visit convalescent facilities for old folks. Why? Because it shows that decaying effects of human bodies are so devastating that the care of a senior  is indeed overwhelming.  As a part of modern societies we live, family members are sometimes scattered at various job locations in a country. So most of time, seniors are left to themselves without  daily care of their children.
 

世界上一個最鬱悶的事情，就是去探訪老人療養設施。為什麼呢？因為它表明，人體衰老退化的結果是如此殘酷地讓人失能殘廢；而年長者的照顧需求，更是一個極大的負擔。隨著我們生活社會的現代化，家人們常因工作、而散居在國家不同的地點。所以大多數時間裡，老年人都是過著沒有孩子在旁照顧的獨居生活。

So this means ultimately that we may all end up at an old retirement facility. This is a phenomenon that most seniors will face and should be in their thinking and planning. One of the things in this trend needs mentioned as well. That is, seniors will face a new living situation of giving up all their old friends and have to make new friends in the retirement homes. This  in itself is a major cause of isolation and a blunt impact  to many seniors. 
 

因此，這意味著將來，我們都可能、會在一個舊的養老設施裡終老。這是一個大多數老年人將面臨的現象，並應該要好好的思維和規劃。在這種趨勢中、需要提及的一件事就是說，老年人將面臨、要離開放棄他們所有老朋友、必須在養老院結交新朋友、新的生活環境。這本身就是孤立的一大原因，重重地、影響打擊許多老年人。

What can a senior do in planning to face this ugly reality?  Early recognition of this reality and a reasonable preparation is a key to a senior's wellbeing and quality of life. Since the reality of life  consists of physical and spiritual realms, it is of ultimate importance that a senior shall seek the eternal life blessing through Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Savior as soon as possible. Please do not wait till your death bed confession which may or may not happen; especially your medical situation at the end may not be lucid enough to receive this eternal blessing.

面對這個醜陋的現實，年長者該如何準備呢？提早認知這個現實和合理的準備，是影響老年人健康與生活品質的主要關鍵。由於生命現實中，包括物質和精神領域的需要；這是很重要的，一名年長者應該盡快接受信仰耶穌基督為個人的主及救主，來尋求、得到的永生祝福。請不要等到你的臨終告白時，才信耶穌，因為這事不一定會發生;尤其是在最後的醫療情況中，可能無法平靜、明確清楚地、得到這祝福。

Why this warning is so important to the senior group? Because as a believer, we have the leading , comforting  protection, and provision from our Lord Jesus Christ during this phase of our lives. What can be better for us than from our Creator who knows us inside out. It is indeed imperative for us to have this guidance and provision in order to have a  reasonable quality of a senior life!  Also, we have eternal life as our hope and strength during our suffering. So to all seniors and for your benefits sake, please do this long before you reach a convalescent  home.  Just go to any convalescent hospital to convince yourself of  this necessity of yours! Please do it now by reading how to become a christian in webpage "What & How" in this website.

為什麼這個警告，對年長族群是如此重要？因為作為一個信徒，在今生的這個最後過程中、我們有主耶穌基督的引領和​​護慰和供應。沒有什麼可以比，從裏到外地瞭解我們的創造主，對我們更好。這的確是勢在必行的，我們一定要有這個導引和供應，以便老年生活有適當的品質！並且在我們病痛患難中，有永生的期待與安慰。因此，對於所有的老年人來說，為你的利益著想，請​​你在達到一個療養院之前、早做準備。只要到任何療養院看看，就能廹切地說服你自己、有這個必要性！時間就是非常緊迫重要的因素！如何成為基督徒​? 到本站"怎麼辦？"網頁. 現在就做吧！

Following are a few scriptural verses that reveal this reality:
以下是一些揭示這一現實的聖經經文：
          
Psalm 23 
23 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.
3 He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

詩篇23

1 耶和華是我的牧者，我必不致缺乏。 2 他使我躺臥在青草地上，領我在可安歇的水邊。 3 他使我的靈魂甦醒，為自己的名引導我走義路。 4 我雖然行過死蔭的幽谷，也不怕遭害，因為你與我同在，你的杖、你的竿都安慰我。 5 在我敵人面前，你為我擺設筵席，你用油膏了我的頭，使我的福杯滿溢。 6 我一生一世必有恩惠、慈愛隨著我，我且要住在耶和華的殿中，直到永遠。

To seniors, quality of life is not an abstract idea but a day to day reality. For seniors, quality of life is manifested in ability to walk, ability to dress, and ability to handle personal cares without others' help.

對老年人來說；生活品質，不是一個抽象的概念，而是每天過活的現實。老年人的生活品質，是能夠不需要別人的幫助下，能夠自己活動走路，能夠自己更換衣服，有能力處理個人的日常需要。

How to improve quality of life is a day to day struggle for seniors.

The Bible reminds us that humankind has body, soul, and spirit. So, the quality of life needs to cover quality of living in body, soul and spirit. Thus, the first step is to become a believer of Almighty Savior Jesus Christ.

如何提高老年人的生活品質，是要每天努力面對，解決老年人的問題。
聖經提醒我們，人類有靈、魂和體。因此，生活品質要涵蓋靈、魂和身體的品質。所以，第一步是成為全能的救主耶穌基督的信徒。

The following are a few suggestions:
下面是一些建議：

1. Do daily exercise such as walking and lifting some weights will increase life span and life quality.
2. Try to belong to a church so that you may be enriched by the care and love of the church.
3. Try to be safety conscience. The first thing is to watch your steps to prevent a fall which is very painful and costly to recover.
4. Senior does not eat much.  So watch the nutrition groups such as fruits, vegetables, and protein.
5. Try to serve other seniors if you can.
6. Learn computer if you can. So you can escape your isolation.
7. Learn to pray so that you can access Compassion of the Lord in time of needs.
8. Learn to listen or sing alone the hymns you love so you can enjoy your life.

1. 進行日常鍛煉，例如步行和舉重，可以延長壽命和提高生活質量。
2. 嘗試歸屬於一個教會，使您可以擁有，教會豐富的關心和愛護。
3. 要有維持安全的意識。第一件事就是看你的步伐，以防止跌倒；因為它會造成非常痛苦的傷害，需要費時、費力、花錢、才能恢復。
4. 年長者吃食量不大。所以，要多吃有營養的食物，如水果，蔬菜和蛋白質。
5. 如果行有餘力，也嘗試服務其他老年人。
6. 如果你能夠的話，要學習電腦。這樣你就可以逃脫一些隔離感。
7. 學會祈禱，這樣在有需要時，就可以尋求主的憐憫。
8. 學會聽或獨自吟唱一首讚美詩，來享受你的生活。

The following is a few scripture reminders.
以下是幾個經典的提醒。

1. Matthew 11:28-30,  Jesus said:
28 Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.

1.馬太福音11：28-30，耶穌說：
28 凡勞苦擔重擔的人，可以到我這裡來，我就使你們得安息。 29 我心裡柔和謙卑，你們當負我的軛，學我的樣式，這樣你們心裡就必得享安息。 30 因為我的軛是容易的，我的擔子是輕省的。」

1 Corinthians 13:13
13 But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.

林前13:13
13 如今常存的有信、有望、有愛這三樣，其中最大的是愛。

2 Corinthians 4:16-18
16 Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. 17 For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, 18 while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

哥林多後書4：16-18
16 所以我們不喪膽，外體雖然毀壞，內心卻一天新似一天。 17 我們這至暫至輕的苦楚，要為我們成就極重無比、永遠的榮耀。 18 原來我們不是顧念所見的，乃是顧念所不見的，因為所見的是暫時的，所不見的是永遠的。

May our Lord Jesus Christ richly bless you for your effort to know Him and to love Him ever more, Amen.
願我們的主耶穌基督、豐富祝福你的努力來認識祂，永遠愛祂，阿們。

Seniors and New Technology

The world changes very quickly these days, particularly in computer/phone technology. The whole world advances except for the poor and the senior. The poor was left behind because of no money.  The senior was left behind because of lack of energy. As the whole world involves around new advances of the information technology, the senior group faces great challenges indeed.

Daily life becomes even more isolated for seniors because they do not know how to use a computer or a smart phone to reach the world. New technology brings in new convenience if you know how to live with that technology. Otherwise, it is a curse or a frustration to say the least.

in the 21 century, it is wireless and it is on-line! Our seniors need to be students of technology again. The church needs to provide help in this area by offering basic classes to  seniors so that they can live with necessary knowledge to survive in  the technology era.

老人家和新科技
近年來，世界的變 化非常快；特別是在電腦/手機的技術。整個世界都在進步，除了窮人和老年人。窮人是因為沒有錢。老年人是因為缺乏精力。圍繞整個世界是科技進步的新信息，老人家確實面臨很大的挑戰。
 
老人家因為不懂如何使用電腦或智能手機來和世界溝通， 使得日常生活變得更加孤立。如果你知道、如何在生活中使用這些技術；新技術會帶來新的便利，而不是讓人討厭或沮喪挫折的感覺。
 
在21世紀，它是無線的，它是上網的！我們的老年人需要學習這些技術。教會需要在這方面、提供幫助老年人；使他們有必需的知識，能在這技術的時代生存。

Lately, we encountered a few of our senior friends suffered bad falls. One of the golden rules for better quality of life is by all means to avoid a fall. A fall is bad enough. Two or more falls are detrimental to your health or even life itself.
 

最近，我們遇到了一些年長的朋友、因嚴重跌倒，而遭受苦難。要保有良好生活品質的黃金法則，就是要想盡各種方法，來避免跌倒。一次跌倒已經夠糟糕了。再次或兩個以上跌倒是不利於你的健康，甚至危及生命。

There is a popular saying: if I were deceived by you; the first time is shame on you but the second time is shame on me.  
有一個大家熟知的說法：如果我被你欺騙；第一次會為你感到羞恥，但第二次可恥的人可是我。

You may ask why a senior does not take all precautions to prevent the second fall. 

We all know that medical expenses related to a bad fall could reach thousands of dollars. Why not spend time and money to build the safety rails or even level the floor so that causes of a fall can be eliminated.
你可能會問，為什麼年長者不採取一切預防措施，來防止再次跌倒。我們都知道，嚴重跌倒，需要花費的醫療費用，可能達到數千美元。為什麼不花時間和金錢去打造護欄，甚至整平地面等等的安全環境，消除所有會引起跌倒的原因。

So don't blame on others but blame yourself if you are a senior who does not hear this warning. A fall causes both physical pains and great financial losses. So take heed to prevent a fall because a bad fall  is detrimental to your quality of life!
如果您是年長者，不要怪別人，但怪自己不聽這些警告。跌倒不僅要忍受身體痛苦、生活不便，更要承受巨大的經濟損失。所以要謹慎防止跌倒，因為嚴重的摔倒、是非常不利於你生活的品質！

Talking about this subject, I can not but think of the fall that Adam and Eve took. That was indeed a real disastrous fall. That fall caused all of us the loss of the paradise and let death entered the world. What a suffering that all of us have to endure because of that fall.
談到這個問題，我不能不想到，亞當和夏娃的墜落。這確實是一個真正的災難性跌倒。那個跌倒，讓我們所有人失去了伊甸園，讓死亡進入了世界。我們所有的人遭受那個跌落所引起的痛苦，確實悲慘無比。

Yet, the good news is that God has opened a door to let us back to the paradise if we would believe in His only begotten Son Jesus Christ. So learn a great lesson from the first fall and do not repeat the same mistake and fall again. Please listen to Romans 3:24-25 carefully:

然而，好消息是，上帝已經打開了一扇門，讓我們回到天堂，如果我們相信他的獨生子耶穌基督。所以要學會第一個跌落引起的大教訓，不要重蹈覆轍、再次跌落。請仔細聽羅馬書3:24-25：

Romans 3:24-25
24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; 25 whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed;

羅馬書3：24-25
24 如今卻蒙神的恩典，因基督耶穌的救贖，就白白地稱義。 25 神設立耶穌做挽回祭，是憑著耶穌的血，藉著人的信，要顯明神的義。因為他用忍耐的心寬容人先時所犯的罪，

So remember well: blame the Devil for the first Fall. But take heed: blame yourself for the second fall if you do not believe in Jesus Christ. In other words, blame the first death on the Devil and the second death on yourself if you refuse to believe in Jesus Christ. 
所以請好好記得：首次跌落、歸罪於魔鬼。但要留意：如果你不相信耶穌基督而第二次跌落，只能責怪自己。換句話說，首次的死、歸咎於魔鬼；如果你不相信耶穌基督，第二次的死只能怪自己。

The following bible verses may serve a great reminder:
Revelation 20:11-15 
Judgment at the Throne of God
11 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them. 12 And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds. 14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. 15 And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

下面的聖經經文，可作為一個大大的提醒：啟示錄20：11-15
末日的審判
11 我又看見一個白色的大寶座與坐在上面的，從他面前天地都逃避，再無可見之處了。 12 我又看見死了的人，無論大小，都站在寶座前，案卷展開了；並且另有一卷展開，就是生命冊。死了的人都憑著這些案卷所記載的，照他們所行的受審判。 13 於是海交出其中的死人，死亡和陰間也交出其中的死人，他們都照各人所行的受審判。 14 死亡和陰間也被扔在火湖裡。這火湖就是第二次的死。 15 若有人名字沒記在生命冊上，他就被扔在火湖裡。

It is interesting to note the following:

1. Young children ask a lot of questions "Why this?" and "What that?"

2. Young people likes to explore many places to experience the life?

3. The more age we have, the less questions we raise. Most of old people appear to accept the life as is and seldom to ask "Why?"

觀察到下面幾個有趣的情況：

1. 年幼的孩子們，很喜歡問“為什麼呢？”和“那是什麼？”

2. 年輕人喜歡去探索很多地方，體驗不同的生活？

3. 年紀越大，提出的問題越來越少。大多數老人似乎接受了、生活的一切，很少問“為什麼？”

Lately, it bothered me that people live and people dies, yet many people are kind of resigning to the fate of death. If we open our eyes to observe this world, we see that contents of life among each generation or each century  are quite similar. Societal issues are similar as well. Life consists of the following:

    1. A growth process from baby, child, teens, adult, middle age, and old age.

    2. Life activities include education, working, family building, recreation, and relationships.

    3. Societal issues are food, clothing, sheltering, laws, transportation, wealth distribution,

        education, health, environmental protection, and justice.

    4. Conflicts are from local, region, to global scale. Also from individual to society to nation. 

        Scope of conflicts could be racial, cultural, moral, religion, economic, territory, and gender, etc.

最近，有關生老病死；我注意到，有很多人是順服著死亡的命運的態度，令人擔心。如果我們用眼睛，仔細去觀察這個世界，我們會看到，每一代人或每個世紀中生活的內容十分相似。社會各種問題也相似。生命包括以下內容：

1. 從嬰兒，兒童，青少年，成人，中年，老年的一個成長的過程。

2. 生命的活動包括接受教育，工作創業，建立家庭，生養兒女，娛欒，交誼。

3. 社會的議題，包括食品，服裝，居住，法律，交通運輸，財富分配，教育，健康衛

   生，環保，和正義。

4. 衝突包括從本地，區域，全球引發的不同規模。也從個人到社會到民族。衝突範圍可

   以種族，文化，道德，宗教，經濟，地域，性別等。

Yet, out of all hustling  and bustling activities of all lives, the mother of all questions for an individual is still "the eternality of life" question or put  it in another way, "Is that all there is for this life?

It seems OK for young people to avoid the question for a while. But living in deteriorating health environment for older folks, it is quite urgent, time wise, that they need to get a firm foundation to their lives. Yet, it is sad that not many old folks have energy or inclination to pursue this key issue! It appears that they are heavily laden and  were beaten down by the wear and tear process of this life.

然而，從所有忙亂和繁華的生活活動中，一個人所有的問題的來源，仍然是“生命永恆”問題，或者以另一種方式說，“那是此生所有的一切嗎？”

對年輕人而言，這似乎可以暫時、避免面對的問題。但是，生活在健康狀況漸漸惡化的環境的老年人來說，這是相當緊迫的，要把握時間；因為他們的生命，需要得到一個堅實的基礎。然而，這是可悲的，沒有多少老人有精力或意願、去追求這個關鍵問題！看來，他們是有著沉重的負擔，和被今生、磨損的生活過程打倒了。

From the historical evidences that all men die, it is futile to seek the solution to this question individually or collectively within human wisdom, rationality, and experience.  Yet, the pursuit of this key question depends heavily upon your perception of the reality of human life.

從所有的人都會死去的歷史證據看來，不管單獨或集體，用人類的智慧、理性和經驗，去尋求解決這個問題的辦法，這是徒勞無功的。然而、尋找解決這一關鍵問題，很大程度上是依靠、你在人類生命現實性上的感知。

If you think that life is of only materialistic aspect, then there is no eternally of life since we all die.

However, if you think life consists of flesh, soul, and spirit, then there are something beyond the physical life of our body. That is where the issue of faith coming in.

如果你覺得這樣的生命、只有物質的一面，那麼，就沒有永恆的生命，因為我們都死了。

不過，如果你認為生命是由肉體、魂和靈組成，那麼，有些東西是、超出我們肉體的生命。這就引出信心的議題來了。

If you accept that life ends when last breath is taken or last heart beat done, then you do not have to ponder this issue. You might as well stop reading this article and do what you think is best for you. But if you think that there is life beyond this life, then you cannot just do nothing and resign to what you are now.

如果你接受、當吐出最後一口氣或最後一個心臟搏動停止時、就是生命終止了，；那麼你不必去思考這個問題。你也許可停止閱讀這篇文章，去做你覺得什麼是最適合你的事。但是，如果你認為還有生命、超越今生的生命，那麼你不可以、不採取任何行動、乖乖地認命於目前的你是什麼了。

As Christians, we believe what our Creator reveals to us as recorded in the Bible concerning His purpose of creation of life, nature of life, and eternity of His blessed fellowship with us. 

So let ask again "is that all there is in this life?" Now if you are not yet believe in Jesus Christ as your Savior and take Him as your ultimate treasure in this world, we beseech you to check it out. You owe yourself to seek Him out. If your life and relationships are perfect without regrets, and you do not want to have an end to your party, then you need to seek Him out as your blessed Lord. If your life and circumstances are hard, misfortunate, and full of frustrations, then it is even more important to check Jesus out to have His blessing for this life and beyond! In any event, we are all like people standing in the check-out line of a supermarket. it is not the question of "if" but "when" our turn of checkout will arrive soon.

作為基督徒，我們相信我們的造物主、記載在聖經中、所向我們揭示，有關祂的創造生命的本意、生命的本質、以及祂賜與我們、願與我們永恆交通的祝福。

因此，讓我們再來問這個”這是此生所有的一切嗎？”現在，如果你還沒有相信耶穌基督為你的救主，把祂當為這個世界上你最終的寶藏，我們懇求你要尋求真象。你自己要去找祂了。如果你的生命和各種關係是如此完美無缺，你不希望你的聚會有一個結束；那麼你需要尋求祂，作為賜福給你的主。如果你的生活和環境是艱苦、不幸的、充滿坎坷；那就更重要，去尋求耶穌賜給你、今生及超越今生的祝福！在任何情況下，我們都像是在一家超市、等待付帳的排隊上。這不就表示是不是會輪到我結帳，而是很快就輪到我們結帳了。

For Christians, we need to ask the same question in a different light, do we live in the abundance of life prepared for us by our merciful, and kind, and loving Lord Jesus Christ or are we still wasting our lives away because we have not joyfully obeyed Him.

對於基督徒來說，我們要常常、不時地用不同亮光不同角度來問同樣的問題，我們是否生活在仁慈、善良、熱愛我們的主耶穌基督，為我們準備豐盛的生活中；還是我們仍然在浪費我們的生命，因為我們沒有全然歡欣地服從了祂。

Perhaps. it is worthy to ponder what does eternal life means? It is true that eternality does not have an end. One thing we need to be reminded of: who care the eternality if it is lonely, hard, and suffering. But the eternal life Jesus gives us is full of His peace, joy, love, and glory to share with us. Furthermore, if you have Son, you have Father and Holy Spirit as well. Another thing needs to be clear; we shall experience the eternal life in this life. We need to rejoice in the Lord and have a sweet fellowship with our God in this life and then we will have unshakable faith to lead us toward our heavenly home.  

也許。應該值得來思考什麼是永生的意義？當然，永恆是沒有結束的。我們要提醒的：誰會關心永恆，如果它是孤獨的、艱辛的、和痛苦的。但主耶穌給我們的永生是，充滿了祂與我們分享的平安、喜樂、愛心、榮耀。此外，如果你有了聖子，你也就同樣有了天父和聖靈。另一件事需要明確指出：我們要在今生、體驗永恆的生命。我們要在今生中，與主同樂、並與我們的上帝有甜蜜團契的經歷；然後我們將有不可動搖的信心，帶領我們走向我們在天上的家。

This is why our Lord define eternal life as:

這就是為什麼我們的主定義永生為：

John 17:1-3 

The High Priestly Prayer

1 Jesus spoke these things; and lifting up His eyes to heaven, He said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify You, 2 even as You gave Him authority over all flesh, that to all whom You have given Him, He may give eternal life. 3 This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. 

約翰福音17：1-3

大祭司禱告

17 耶穌說了這話，就舉目望天說：「父啊，時候到了，願你榮耀你的兒子，使兒子也榮耀你！ ² 正如你曾賜給他權柄管理凡有血氣的，叫他將永生賜給你所賜給他的人。 ³ 認識你獨一的真神，並且認識你所差來的耶穌基督，這就是永生。

The Truth Will Make You Free

John 8:31-32 

31 So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”

真理叫人得以自由

約翰福音8：31-32 

³¹ 耶穌對信他的猶太人說：「你們若常常遵守我的道，就真是我的門徒， ³² 你們必曉得真理，真理必叫你們得以自由。」

Believe in Jesus Christ and you will have eternal life

John 6:39-40

39 This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. 40 For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.”

信耶穌的人得永生

約翰福音6：39-40

³⁹ 差我來者的意思就是：他所賜給我的，叫我一個也不失落，在末日卻叫他復活。 ⁴⁰ 因為我父的意思是叫一切見子而信的人得永生，並且在末日我要叫他復活。」

我們神是獨一的主

以色列阿，你要聽！耶和華 ─ 我們神是獨一的主。

你要盡心, 盡性、盡力愛耶和華─你的神。(申6:4-5)

There is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him.(See 1 Coringthians 8:6)

然而我們只有一位神,就是父,

萬物都本於他,我們也歸於他.

並有一位主,就是耶穌基督,

萬物都是藉著他有的, 我們也是藉著他有的。(歌林多前書 8:6)

Supremacy of Jesus Christ our Lord - Phil 2:9-11; Col 1:15-20

The name which is above every name that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

主耶穌的絕對優越性—無不口稱耶穌為主 (西 1:15-20)

所以，神將他升為至高，

又賜給他那超乎萬名之上的名， 叫一切在天上的、地上的，和地底下的，因耶穌的名無不屈膝，無不口稱耶穌基督為主，使榮耀歸與父神。(腓2:9-11)

Inerrancy of Holy Scripture - Psalm 19:7-9, Matt 5:18

Until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.

聖經的精確性(詩 19:7-9)

Glorious Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ which demonstrates the love of God - John 3:16-18

16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.17 For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 18 He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of Go

主耶穌榮耀無比的十字架

神愛世人，甚至將他的獨生子賜給他們，叫一切信他的，不至滅亡，反得永生。 因為神差他的兒子降世，不是要定世人的罪，乃是要叫世人因他得救。 信他的人，不被定罪；不信的人，罪已經定了，因為他不信神獨生子的名。

(約翰福音 3:16-18)



Obedience to God is much better than offering sacrifices - Hos 6:6

我喜愛良善（或譯：憐恤），

不喜愛祭祀；

喜愛認識神，勝於燔祭。

(何西阿書 6:6)

For I delight in loyalty 

 rather than sacrifice. 

And in the knowledge of 
God rather than burnt 
offerings. 

(Hos 6:6)

The righteous shall live by faith alone - Habbakuk 2:4

義人因信得生  迦勒底人自高自大，心不正直；惟義人因信得生。(哈巴谷書2:4)

Self-denial and be patient in enduring afflictions are the God's ways for us in following Jesus Christ our Lord - Matthew 16:24

於是耶穌對門徒說：若有人要跟從我，就當捨己，背起他的十字架來跟從我。

(馬太福音 16:24)

Goal of Redemption is in Sanctification of the Spirit, through Obedience to Jesus Christ, and be Holy to the LORD. Be Ye Holy, For I am Holy.

(1 Peter 1:15-16; Lev 11:45)

救贖的目的是藉著聖靈，順服耶穌基督，歸耶和華為聖。 你們要聖潔，因為我是聖潔的。（彼得前書1:15-16; 利11:45）

 pastor@reminderfromapastor.org 
(925) 482-6458