Beyond Words

Cloud ( I )

2010-01-10T06:43:00.001-08:00

'Look, this looks like a fish!'

'No, I say it looks like a rabbit, the ears are still moving now!'

When I was small, I loved to look at the sky for watching clouds.Even children with unrestrained imagination cannot find enough imagination to describe the pieces of white clouds that change in thousands shapes. Children chatting with each other about the clouds and more than half day have been passed.

Of course, the cloud is neither a fish, nor a rabbit, of course no ears. But what has so important there?The important point is the view has just took my breath away, and makes me stunned and I cannot control myself not seeing it.

Do not know starting from what time the scene of nature seems to be going on track more and more, everything all around are getting more and more normal.Nothing comes as a surprise, and nothing comes as special. Even there is something which really surprised me,I would merely say: " Why make a fuss."

Cloud is still changing, sometimes it looks like a fish and sometimes it looks like a rabbit, and also the ears can move sometimes, but now I no longer see these anymore.Is this really called grow up?

Wind ( III )

2009-12-31T02:02:00.001-08:00

Jesus use wind as analogy for the work of Holy spirit; it has quite a very deep meaning. Wind has no traces when it comes and goes. People cannot fully understand the reasons behind, but these are the experiences of both you and I.

Remembering that when I was in the elementary school, I've read the follow, "Wind blows is the result of air movement." No matter how many forms of winds are there, wind basically is the air.

One church fellowmate asked me, "Why does God has to play hide-and-seek with people? Why does He not communicate with people in a more specific, more realistic way, so that we can beleive Him in a easier way."

I think he has spoken the same thoughts of many brothers and sisters. However, our lives, our actions and our presence, are not all inside Him? If someone feels the wind blowing towards our face is not so specific, the air we breath in every minute is not real, what other better ways does God still has?

Wind ( II )

2009-12-18T20:18:00.001-08:00

During summer time there are always typhoons for several days. When typhoon is hoisted, everyone anxiously pay attention to the direction of typhoon. In fact, what we can do is only waiting; waiting for typhoon to past.

The summer is very hot when there is no typhoon. Today, we have electric fans and air conditioners, hence the problem is not so big. In my childhood's time, we enjoy to relax in the cool of evening. After dinner, in the nearby open space, adults chat and kids play.In fact, we are enjoying the breeze; actually it is waiting, waiting for the wind to come.

God is like the wind, that kind of freedom, that kind which is beyond our imagination. When we face Him, what we can do is also waiting; waiting with full of desire, hope and openness. We beleived that God will do as he promised and have his word.

Wind ( I )

2009-12-10T16:49:00.000-08:00

There are days with heavy rains and thunder storms, but also has the days that are calm and with gentle breeze. Wind, makes people filled with terror while it roars; wind, pass gently and swiftly so that no one have ever noticed. Wind is so hard to catch and unpredictable.

It happened the same in Mt. Sinai, while God revealed himself to the Israelites, a strong and heavy wind was rending the mountains and crushing the rocks. When God revealed to Prophet Elijah ,wind was only tiny whispering sound. God is so elusive, unpredictable.

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways." (Isaiah 55:8) Human with their own intellect know that God do exist, but people find it difficult to understand Him, we only know when He tell us. " The only Son, God, who is at the Father's side, has revealed Him" (John 1:18)

In front of the Lord Jesus, the wind subsided.

Stars (IV)

2009-11-25T01:45:00.000-08:00

The most famous star in the history is the one which led the Magi to find our Savior, Jesus Christ. Although we say it is the most famous, but actually no one knows what kind of star it is, and its name. Someone may guess it may be a comet; when it came near to the earth and produced a special effect, and sent out bright shiny glory light. Perhaps this may be true.

However, I think that the Christians should also act as that star, guiding people to look for the Savior.They do not care about their own status or their fame, but are only proud of to be a Christian.

Obviously, St. Paul absolutely agreed with me, he talked to the faithful, "among whom you shine like lights in the world." ( Philippians 2:15)

Stars (III)

2009-11-18T00:31:00.000-08:00

" Why the stars twinkle? " Really annoying, why the children always ask such questions? More than this. They will also ask you why the sun will rise from the east and sink to the west, the rain will fall, the wind will blow, the flowers will blossom, the grass will grow. A series of such questions, not merely annoying, but make you angry. The stars do twinkle, what makes you feel so special, so strange?

" Why the stars twinkle? " I had asked such question before as I had been a child before. However, I do not know starting from which day, or from which moment, I have already grown up, and is no longer a child, and no longer ask such question again. I won't feel that stars twinkle are anything speical, anything strange, because now I understand all and I have all the answers. Perhaps I would say I believe as is.

"Why the stars twinkle?" Actually the stars cannot twinkle, because when their light reach to the earth planet, through various densities of the atmosphere, there will occur flashing phenomenon when we watch with our naked eyes.

The children listened attentively, and seem like the scales fell from their eyes, but suddenly they will ask with suspicion again and show a face of mystery, "So, why......? "

Look up at the night sky filled with uncountable twinkled stars, the answers no longer appeared in my mind but a question, "Why the stars twinkle?

Stars (II)

2009-10-28T22:24:00.000-07:00

When thinking of stars, I really cannot help to forget the trip to Holyland - the night at the wilderness of Sinai; the night sky filled with uncountable twinkled stars. May be Abraham saw the same during his time. According to the Bible, God took Abraham to the outside and said, "Look up at the sky and count the stars, if you can. Just so," he added, "shall your descendants be." [Genesis 15:5]

From the uncountable stars Abraham had to believe himself that he had numerous descendants which too many to be counted and to be continued. For him, this was not a small test, especially that he was already so old and had no sons. However, Abraham had believed. Why did he believe in God? Obviously this is a mystery, but, did not believe is also a mystery?

From St. Bonaventure writings, he said, " He, therefore, who is not illumined by such great splendor of created things is blind; he who is not awakened by such great clamor is deaf; he who does not praise God because of all these effects is dumb; he who does not note the First Principle from such great signs is foolish. Open your eyes therefore, prick up your spiritual ears, open your lips, and apply your heart, that you may see your God in all creatures, may hear Him, praise Him, love and adore Him, magnify and honor Him, lest the whole world rise against you. For on this account the whole world will fight against the unwise." [Journey Of The Mind Into God 1:15]

Stars (I)

2009-10-20T20:12:00.000-07:00

I love to looking at the stars, but really I do not know how to look at and identify the different shapes and positions of the constellation. I really admire those friends who look at the stars in the sky as reading a map, pointing here -this is the Orion, and pointing there - that is the Great Bear…..

The ancient people believed that each person had a corresponding star in the space. He might know from reading his star to foretell his good or bad fortune. Of course, the degree of reliability is not big, but there may be some truth in it. No matter how insignificant a man is, everyone has a position, a unique position, sparkles in the dark side of the earthy world, shines in the endless night of life. No one has to compare with others, and has to evaluate with others.

It's so harmony, so coordinated in the night sky which is spreaded with stars. I am thinking, if one day, the human no longer strive for to seek the guidance of astrology and physiognomy , but take the stars as a learning model, will it be quite different in this competitive world ?

The Moon ( II )

2009-10-06T07:07:00.001-07:00

Although the brightness of the moon can not compare with the sun, but it has the same attraction. From the ancient to the modern China , there are lots of poems and songs using the moon as topic. There should have sun at the daytime, otherwise how can we definite as daytime? But at night, moon might not be there. however, it is there.

Its so faraway,the soft moonlight from thousands miles, shines on the gloomy earth, lights up our heart. It doesn't only reflects the light of the sun, and also reflects the feelings of human. "The moon does wax, the moon does wane, people have joys and sorrows" A famous poem of SuShi (poet of China), by using the moon to show the human life is so short, reveals deep emotions. Think of the friends and relatives, brought back the memories, feels exciting or sad, sorry or grateful? At that time, all kinds of feelings flow out from the heart.

If the sun symbolizes the God is illustrious,brilliant; then the moon symbolizes His gentle and understanding. So what happened on the past is not important. The importance is God is here, He understands.

"but I continue my pursuit in hope that I may possess it, since I have indeed been taken possession of by Christ (Jesus)." ( Philippians 3:12 )

The Moon ( I )

2009-10-06T06:28:00.001-07:00

This is the first time for me to found that the moon was so bright, when I returned to mainland China to visit the relatives twenty years ago.There were no street lights and neon placards, only the bright moon on the sky with soft moonlight, shinning from thousand miles away. Even a pile of stones, a puddle, a tussock, a path, these all could be seen clearly.

Back to Hong Kong, found that the moon had lost its brightness, hidden in the neon lights of Tsim Sha Tsui and the fireworks of Victoria Harbour. The nights in cosmopolitan same as daytime, the fashionable guys, the advertisements of the cinemas, the delicious dish of the restaurnants, the display of the department stores, all these were so dazzling, so attractive.

In the eye-dazzling neon lights, I feel exhausted, confused and lost. Raise the head inattentively, take a glimpse to the bright moon, I realized the reason why.

"For with you is the fountain of life, and in your light we see light." ( Psalms 36:10 )

Sunset

2009-09-18T04:35:00.000-07:00

The sun sets slowly in the west. The glow of the sky at sunset, the clouds is so colorful, so brillant, which is so eye-catching, its eternally changing worth us to see thousands times.

Although the sunset at that moment shows with poetic, so enchanting; but there is a little sadness in the heart. "Fading light, yet it is almost dusk" - a famous Chinese poem to describe the sunset, the depressive feeling of the poet. Sunset is so beautiful, but why not stay forever at the moment? Why the night must come, let the memories to recall.

Perhaps some may say, ' Is there anything to sorry for ? Tomorrow is another new day, a new sunrise and sunset ? ' Time is such a thing, there will not always rising sun or dusk?

Tomorrow the sun will rise up or not, I am not sure. However, I know that one day, in the city of God 'Night will be no more, nor will they need light from lamp or sun, for the Lord God shall give them light.' (Revelation22.5) If this come true, we will not have to afraid of sunset.

The Sun (III)

2009-09-10T09:53:00.001-07:00

There is a big difference between sunny days and days which are not sunny. When the sun shines brightly, it seems everywhere becomes greener, becomes vibrant, full of life, full of vigor and vitality. Stuck on the gloomy days, people will naturally feel boring, lifeless, and worry.

In fact, all these are feelings only. The heat and light of the sun are the basic requirements for all the creatures in the world. Plants and animals cannot lack of it. Even living in the twentieth century, we always trapped ourselves in an air-conditioned environment, but when there is cloudy days, we would say: "Today the weather is really bad."

Indeed, 'The heavens declare the glory of God; the sky proclaims its builder's craft.' (Psalms 19:2); however, the sun has occupied a special position. Psalms describes: 'For a sun and shield is the LORD God.' (Psalms 84:12) A good weather or a bad weather - can it help us to experience our different feelings with the Lord - more close to Him on some days; and distant from Him on some days?

The Sun (II)

2009-08-24T00:16:00.000-07:00

Do not know the reasons why, under the sunlight, the mulberry tree seen through the window, has become particularly charming, especially lovable. The scorching sun which discloses between the thick branches and leaves appears with shy.

Think about it, the tree is always the same tree; green leaves are still green, brown sticks are still brown.However, take a look , it actually has added an extraordinary splendor, a ray has put on it, and it shows more vitalities.

I have heard such a traditional spiritual phrase - grace is built on one's own nature. All the times, I am only half understood its meaning. Now while I am looking at the mulberry tree which is immersed in the sunlight, suddenly, I feel the scales fall from my eyes.

The sun (I)

2009-06-23T01:37:00.000-07:00

As a Franciscan, talks about the sun, really must remember the works of our founder, St.Francis - "The Canticle of Brother Sun". This is the first poem written by Italian in the history. Schools in Italy, still take this poem as their literature teaching materials. However, what it attracts people is the deepest spiritual sentiment that it reveals, more than seven centuries, countless of souls are deeply attracted and to be followers.

In poetry, Francis called the sun as brother, moon as sister. It's so romance, so pretty. In his eyes, God the creator is the Father of all, human and all creatures of course are all in one. It's undoubtedly that he had achieved the state of "world and my parallel intergrowth, myriad things and I am one". Even as terror as death, Francis also called it as sister. Because through her, man returns to the embrace of God.

You must not say that you have not got the same experience of spirituality of St.Francis. To find a morning and take a walk in the soft sunshine, feeling its soothing warmth; close your eyes, experience the light infiltrates your innermost. Then, if you wish, why not say thanks to the sun.

Sun is everywhere

2009-06-19T03:03:00.000-07:00

When I was small I took bus, I always sat by the window, looking around with greedy eyes. However, one day the setting sun at dusk really scared me. Usually the sun looked like a flame, but suddenly it became so mild and so nice, it seemed to be the first time for me to see its original appearance so clearly. "But why the bus has gone for several streets, it still in the same position at the window, and always follow us?" I asked my mother. My mother sitting beside me, had not yet thought of anything how to answer this child's question, while all other people in the bus already laughed.

Of course, I won't ask the same question now. But if I hear a child asks such question, I won't laugh at him. I will tell him, yes, sun is always be with us. Because it is always willing to shine, to warm us, to protect us. Even in black clouds, it still waiting at the back, even at night time, it is still in the moonlight, telling us it was there. Yes, you are right, sun is everywhere.

On the road to see sunrise in Mt. Sinai

2009-06-14T23:18:00.000-07:00

(sunrise at Mount Sinai, Egypt)
Sunrise, seen more than once.The most unforgettable one is in Mt. Sinai, not at that moment of seeing sunrise in the mountain, is on the way to Mt. Sinai.

Everybody there wanted to see the sunrise. Just like any journey, a group of people joined together, some walked faster but some were slower. Those who walked ahead were afraid of encumbered by those at the back, those at the back were afraid of abandoned by those in the front. After all, how many times for someone to see the sunrise on Mt. Sinai on his life?

In the contradiction, someone must make a decision, even it is not a perfect decision. I was once very much regretted the decision I made during the dark time, which caused very uncomfortable to some brothers and sisters. However, it reminded me of many decisions we made in our lives is imperfect, non-flawless. Imperfect decision by no means wrong decision, it's only the decision made on the way, the way to see the sunrise.

Hopefully, one day, 'until we all attain to the unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the extent of the full stature of Christ' (Ephesians 4:13)

Sunrise

2009-06-14T01:50:00.001-07:00

It's ashamed to say, living to my age, I have really seen sunrise only twice. The first time during my middle school days once I was retreat in Cheung Chau, another time when I was on Mount Sinai on a pilgrimage several years ago. One was on the sea, the other was on the mountain. The same sun but has different appearance.

The sun from the sea, initially appears between the junction of sky and water, then the dawn sparkles, the sun ripples in the blue waves, and seems floating in the sea, but all of a sudden it has already fully exposed. The sun from the mountains, initially appears between the peaks and ridges, the sky color turns to belly white, suddenly the early dawn has become a sparkling sun; changes happened only in just a moment.

Sunrise is just in a blink. Is it worth? Think about it. Worthy to get up at midnight to seek the road in dark with tired eyes? Worthy to listen to the waves, sit and wait for such a long time? It's worthy! Look at the slowly rising sun, one's spirit is raised. Suddenly, a sense of strength fills the heart, full of vitality, full of hope, tiring and exhausting all vanished without a trace.

I don't know why sunrise can give people affirmation of life and encouragement of the future. Perhaps through the light of the morning sun, which breaks through the darkness and disperse the dark and gloomy, who can tell us a deeper mystery?

Cheung Chau - an outlying island in Hong Kong

Rainbow (3)

2009-06-04T14:28:00.000-07:00

According to the bible, a rainbow appears after floods, it's the mark of agreement made between God and Noah and all living beings. 'When I bring clouds over the earth, and the bow appears in the clouds,I will recall the covenant I have made between me and you and all living beings, so that the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all mortal beings.' (genesis 9:14-15)

It's hard to believe that God is so forgetful, he has to make a mark to remind himself. Actually, is man himself so forgetful? Man has forgotten he is made and loved by God, but believes the lies of snake, forgets everyone is his brother and sister and takes an internecine struggle.

Indeed, rainbow is a mark, not to remind God, but to remind ourselves; not to remind us that we have been falling down, have been lost, but to remind us even fall down, even lose, we can try again, because rainbow appears after rain, because HE still loves.

Yes, we can re-start again. Thus, falling down once will not be a life-long regret, losing once will not become endless perished, 'so that the waters shall never again become a flood'.

'I am writing this to you so that you may not commit sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous one. He is expiation for our sins, and not for our sins only but for those of the whole world.' (1John 2:1-2)

Rainbow (2)

2009-05-19T20:48:00.001-07:00

Want to see the rainbow, not only depends on the rain and sunshine, but also the correct standing position, and the appropriate viewing angle.It doesn't guarantee everybody can see the same on the same sky.

Rainbow doesn't only appear after the rain. If you have been to Niagara Falls, where the water rushes like ten thousand horses galloping ahead, down a thousand miles, rainbow could be seen above. One day strolling after rain, moisture rises slowly from the tar surface of the street, rainbow appears unexpectedly, indistinctly.

Although the Gospel has not recorded, I thought Jesus has seen the rainbow more than me. Several unremarkable Galilee fishers, the tax collector Zacchaeus - scorned by everyone, the immoral Samaritan woman, Jesus see rainbow inside them that other people couldn't. Not only so, he lets them see the rainbow inside themselves. Therefore, the sinned woman became a evangelist, the tax collector acted as a model of repenting, the fishers became disciples that change the world.

What needs to be fear in your life? Feared can't see the rainbow after raining. No matter what position and angle Jesus stands, but he always see the rainbow inside us. Why don't we follow Him, let us also be able to see.

The Heavens Rainbow (1)

2009-04-30T08:17:00.000-07:00

Rainbow - which we have seen many times, but every time we see it , there always have excitement that can be informed, and amazing that cannot be described.

We feel excited, because the rainbow will not always be there every time when you want to see; and the chance of raining and sunshine appear simultaneously is few, it will not appear as long as you wish. Sunny days or rainy days, cloudy days or misty days, who can control? It is colorful, appears indistinctly, thousands of miles across the sky, both majestic and magnificent, makes people feel amazing!

In my high school days, my Physics teacher told me that the formation of rainbow is the result of refraction of rains in the sun. However, it is strange that such an interpretation has not diminished my passion. What the science pinpoints is 'how', not 'why'; telling people how the rainbow forms, but not why.

Thus, some people see the rainbow and say that it is only a natural phenomenon, nothing special to them, and then engrossed into their own work and life - the life without rainbow.

Some people see it , with exciting and admiration. What just happened - the heavy rains and strong wind, they won't care. Because the rainbow leads them to look deeper and farther.

And how about you? my friends!

Preface

2009-04-30T03:03:00.000-07:00

Why do I write? Because I have something to say, I have something to share.
Four years ago after I departed from Hong Kong to pursue further studies, I began to write, because no one there could understand my Cantonese.
Since I cannot communicate with other people through my Cantonese, the only solution is to write.
What to write? Write about the heavens, the earth, all living creatures, plants and flowers.
Hope from all these things can get a glimpse of the traces of God, experience His presence, want to share the experiences with others.
The writings inspired from the nature can make people returned to nature, returned to His embrace.

Cantonese - the Chinese dialect used in Hong Kong