I still don’t understand why they are in dialogue with China
A response to “Why we are in dialogue with China”, the interview that His Eminence Cardinal Parolin gave to Gianni Valente (that is, an interview cooked up between the two).
I read the interview several times, now I read it again (even if the reading repels me) in order to honestly make my comments.
I am grateful to His Eminence for recognizing that “it is legitimate to have different opinions”.
(1)
First of all, we note the insistence with which His Eminence affirms that his point of view and the purpose of his activities are of a pastoral, spiritual, evangelical and faith-based nature, while our thinking and acting is only in a political key.
What we see instead is that he venerates the Ostpolitik diplomacy of his master Casaroli and despises the genuine faith of those who firmly defend the Church founded by Jesus on the Apostles from any interference by secular power.
I will never forget my amazement at reading a report in the Osservatore Romano a few years ago on a speech that he had given where he describes the heroes of the faith in the central European countries under the communist regime (Card. Wyszynsky, Card. Mindszenty and Card. Beran, without mentioning them) as “gladiators”, “people systematically opposed to the government and eager to appear on the political stage”.
(2)
We also note the repeated mention of his compassion for the suffering of our brothers and sisters in China. Crocodile tears! What suffering is he talking about? He knows very well that they are not afraid of poverty, nor the limitation or deprivation of liberty, nor even the loss of life. But he has absolutely no respect for all of this at all (they are “gladiators”!)
He also speaks of wounds that are still open and his intention to treat them by applying “the balm of mercy”. But what wounds is he talking about?
Towards the end of the interview, at one point he says: “To be frank, I will tell you: I am also convinced that part of the suffering experienced by the Church in China is not so much due to the will of individuals as to the objective complexity of the situation”.
So he knows very well that in the Church in China it is not (if not infrequently) a case of personal offenses or resentments, but persecution by an atheistic totalitarian power. Use the balm of mercy? It is not a question of personal offenses to be forgiven. It is a slavery from which to free oneself.
Mercy for the persecutors? For their accomplices? Rewarding traitors? Castigating the faithful? Forcing a legitimate bishop to give way to an excommunicated one? It this not more like rubbing salt on these still open wounds?
Let us return to the “objective situation”. The painful state was not created by us, but by the regime. The communists want to enslave the Church. There are those who refuse this enslavement, there are those who suffer, unfortunately there are those who embrace it.
Faced with this reality is it possible not to speak of “power, resistance, conflict, compromise, giving in, surrender, betrayal”?
Parolin wants us to talk about communion and collaboration. But are the conditions right? Where is this unity? How can we collaborate? Thus, we must analyse the two fundamental points that need clarification.
(3)
What is the unity you want to achieve?
a) His Eminence praises Chinese Catholics and states that “there are not two Catholic Churches in China”. If I’m not mistaken, I was the first to affirm this at a meeting of the Synod of Bishops, because, in both communities, the faithful in their hearts are loyal to the Pope (today with the increasing number of opportunists in the community run by the Government I no longer dare to apply this affirmation to the entire Church in China).
But Parolin cannot deny that, for the moment, there are two communities with two structures based on two different, opposing principles. One structure is founded on the principle of the Primacy of Peter on which Jesus established his Church, the other structure is imposed by an atheistic government intent on creating a schismatic Church subject to its power.
b) Eliminating this division and achieving unity must be the desire of every Catholic, but not with one wave of a magic wand, let alone by manipulating the Letter of Pope Benedict.
In the Letter by Pope Emeritus there is this paragraph (8.10): “Some (bishops), not wishing to be subjected to undue control exercised over the life of the Church, and eager to maintain total fidelity to the Successor of Peter and to Catholic doctrine, have felt themselves constrained to opt for clandestine consecration. The clandestine condition is not a normal feature of the Church's life, and history shows that Pastors and faithful have recourse to it only amid suffering, in the desire to maintain the integrity of their faith and to resist interference from State agencies in matters pertaining intimately to the Church's life. “Father Jeroom Heyndrickx citing out of context the phrase “the clandestine condition is not a normal feature of the Church's life,” has made it his mission to spread the word throughout China (where he enjoyed great freedom of movement): “there should be no more underground communities, everyone must come to the open and become part of the community subject to the Government”.
In the Commission for the Church in China we pointed out this grave error, but both the Secretariat of State and the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples ignored this warning, obviously supporting Father Heyndrickx’ theory.
It was only two years later, when this mistake had already done immense damage, that we managed to include some notes in the “Compendium” booklet to try to distinguish the reconciliation of hearts from unity in structures.
c) Parolin says that one should not maintain “a perennial conflict between opposing principles and structures”. But obviously this does not depend on us alone, because one of the two structures is under Government power, which certainly exercises control over it and shows no sign of giving it up.
Pope Benedict says that the journey of unity “is not easy and cannot be accomplished overnight” (6.5, 6.6).
But our diplomats want a miracle and they want it now, and not only. They also accuse others of clinging “to the spirit of opposition to condemn his brother or use the past as an excuse to stir up new resentments and closures” and of not being ready “to forgive, this means, unfortunately, that there are other interests to defend: but this is not an evangelical perspective”.
These are really cruel reproaches to address to faithful members of the Church, who for many years have suffered every kind of deprivation and oppression for their fidelity to the true Church!
When the other party has no intention of respecting the essential nature of the Catholic Church and on our part one wants unity at all costs, there is only one possible choice, that of forcing everyone to enter the “bird’s cage”.
d) With the solution of the “enlarged cage” will this encourage people to walk together? To embark on a new path? With serenity? With confidence?
It is said that it will be a gradual process, but let us suppose that the authors already have the next steps to be taken after the legitimization of the illegitimate in mind.
What will become of those Bishops who are legitimate according to the law of the Church but who are not recognized by the Government? Will they be “accepted”? That is, admitted to the cage? Will it finally be “a” legitimate episcopal conference? (With the Government holding the key to the cage?)
Parolin and company recognize that this solution is not perfect, it is a lesser evil. You can endure and suffer an evil (damage), but you can never do wrong (sin), great or small.
Our suffering at the creation of a schismatic Church by others may be inevitable, but we cannot assist in its creation.
Moreover, a schismatic church created by the party is not a cause for fear, it will fade with the fall of the regime. Instead, a schismatic church with the Pope's blessing would be horrifying!
(4)
Having clarified the nature of the unity to be reached, it is easy to consider the following problem: How do we achieve this unity?
With reconciliation (ad intra) and dialogue (with the Government).
a) Reconciliation is not without difficulty but possible, because it depends only on our goodwill, dialogue with the Government is more difficult.
b) Pope Francis in Seoul had said: “The first condition of a dialogue is consistency with one's own identity.”
It is a matter of honesty, of justice. We need to know and let it be known where we want to arrive, that is, what our conscience dictates as a desirable outcome to dialogue. In our case, obviously it is: “a true religious freedom which not only does not harm but favours the true good of the nation”.
Will we be able to manage this dialogue? Is there a hope of success? Is there at least a minimum foundation to hope in the present situation when the Chinese Communist Party is more powerful and overbearing than ever? When, both its words and actions point to an even more rigorous control of every religion, but in a special way of the so-called “foreign” religions.
The Communists no longer feel the need to save appearances. Photographs show that it is the State that manages the Catholic Church in China, which is no longer Catholic but Chinese, schismatic. (The joint meeting of the Patriotic Association and the so-called “episcopal conference is [always] led by a government official”) The Popes refrain from using the word “schism” for compassion for those who find themselves not of their own will under severe pressure.
From what we can observe see, the Holy See is acquiescing to this unacceptable reality. (Is it really sure that this is for the good of the Church?)
In order for a dialogue to be true, it must start from a position of equality. There is no real dialogue between the jailer and the prisoners, between the victor and the vanquished. But our own seems to start from a position of weakness. Reliable source says that the Vatican Delegation could not discuss the case of Bishop James Su Zhi Min who has been in the hands of the government for more than twenty years, because our interlocutors refused. In my opinion, our delegation should have left the negotiating table and come home. Accepting their refusal is like kneeling down to them from the outset.
After all we are not the vanquished. Do our diplomats not know that the faithful of the clandestine community constituted, and perhaps still constitute, the majority? That they have churches and cathedrals in various places? That in the city, where obviously they cannot have churches, they say Masses in private homes so as not to be disturbed by the public security authorities who are also aware of everything. Unfortunately, as of February 2018 we can expect a much stricter control by the Government on the activities of these our brothers and sisters, also because the Government knows that by now it also has the consent of the Holy See.
c) While supporting the need for external dialogue with the government, the Vatican has stifled dialogue within the Church. With a supremely rude gesture it dismissed the Pontifical Commission for the Church in China set up by Pope Benedict without so much as a word. The only competent Chinese voice in the Vatican was Archbishop Savio, sending him as Nuncio to Greece. So much for “finding synthesis of truth”! So much for “discovering God's plan together”! They are convinced that they “have considered everything properly”.
(5)
The most repugnant thing I find in the whole interview is the dishonest exploitation of expressions of the Letter of Pope Benedict, making it appear as if he was a faithful supporter of the Pope Emeritus, whereas in reality he and the then Prefect of the Congregation for 'Evangelization of the Peoples have thwarted all of Pope Ratzinger’s efforts to bring the Church in China back on the right path.
At the beginning and end of the interview he made two citations respectively.
a) In Chapter 4 Paragraph 7 Pope Benedict says: “The solution to existing problems cannot be pursued via an ongoing conflict with the legitimate civil authorities; at the same time, though, compliance with those authorities is not acceptable when they interfere unduly in matters regarding the faith and discipline of the Church.. “
b) In Paragraph 6 he had said: (Citing “Deus caritas est”) “The Church cannot and must not replace the State. Yet at the same time she cannot and must not remain on the sidelines in the fight for justice..”
In both quotes, Parolin took advantage of the first half, leaving out the other half, losing the balance of Pope Benedict’s thought.
(6)
Given the recent controversies, I feel the desire to clarify my relationship with Pope Francis who, whenever I meet him, fills me with tenderness.
It is true that my revelations of a private interviews may have caused him embarrassment and for this I am sorry. But I am still convinced that there is a void between the way of thinking of His Holiness and the way of thinking of his collaborators, who readily take advantage of the Pope's optimism to pursue their goals. Until proven otherwise I am convinced that I have defended the good name of the Pope from the responsibility of the erroneous judgement of his collaborators and that he has communicated his encouragement to my brothers in China who are, as we say in China, “in the burning fire and in deep water”.
If, by chance, one day a bad agreement is signed with China, obviously with the approval of the Pope, I will withdraw in silence to “monastic life”. Certainly as a son, even if unworthy, of Don Bosco I will not make myself the head of a rebellion against the Roman Pontiff, Vicar of Christ on earth.
Let us pray for Pope Francis “that the Lord will preserve him, give him strength, make him happy, and save him from the hands of his enemies.”
同時也有1部Youtube影片,追蹤數超過24萬的網紅Kyle Le Dot Net,也在其Youtube影片中提到,As you know Saigon is broken up in many different districts. The numbered districts get all the attention. But did you know that Tan Binh is home to t...
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what religion is water of life church 在 周慧敏 Vivian Chow Facebook 的最佳貼文
聖誕快到,藉著《HIM》大碟的推出,我再在這裡分享我在去年聖誕寫下的見證文章。
祝福大家,愛你們!
...................................................................................................................
《周慧敏2013信仰見證文章》
2013聖誕快樂
Dear all
成為基督徒後,聖誕節對我的意義不一樣了。聖誕再不是關於聖誕老人、聖誕禮物、或聖誕狂歡派對的節日,聖誕是紀念著耶穌基督的愛而普世歡騰的日子。這天,提醒我祂賜給我們的恩典,讓我時刻都感受到被愛與能愛的幸福。所以,這個聖誕,我希望向您們表達愛和思念的同時,也藉著這個特別的日子為我的信仰作見證。
其實,訓練了自己40多年建立而來的一套信念,理應根深蒂固,能讓我心甘情願地放下這套建立已久的信念,由零開始,真的不可思議,神的力量遠遠超乎人能想像的。
未信主前,我曾經視個人修為作生活一大指標。因為自信,我認為依靠他人或宗教是軟弱的行為,所以,並不理解和輕視聖經強調因信才能得救的重要性。一天,我與朋友偶然談起宗教,意識到基督教以外的宗教大都強調自我修為的重要,然而,那套準則,幾乎是凡人不可能達到的。再者,我想到若聖經所說的屬實,那麼因我沒有信主,未接受基督的救贖,我即使在個人修為上到達到甚麼境界,都是沒有資格進天堂的罪人。相反,就算聖經所說的不實,我即使成為基督徒,其實都沒半點捐失,因為我不會在個人修為上退步。想到這裡,我決意用開放心認識基督教,了解聖經所強調的信,生命就這樣逆轉。
記得第一次到教會,適逢2009年的復活節崇拜,那天我的心情異常激動,我抖震的聲音無法唱出半句聖詩,但我在心裡,卻重覆地向神說著一句話:「天父,我回家了!」
初信主的那段日子,特別需要私人空間,好讓自己專注尋求神,免於因瑣事分心。但因為我是公眾人物,這個要求談何容易,我無法控制人,只能憑信心祈求神。一年下來,我與丈夫到教會崇拜,與教友查經,一切與尋求神有關的事宜,都被聖靈保護著,進行得很順利。記得決志當晚,我決心棄掉家裡一切與拜偶像有關的物件,禱告承認自己的罪,接受耶穌基督的救贖,感受到前所未有的輕鬆、平安,與寧靜。
聖經讓我明白得救不是靠自身修煉,而是靠基督的救贖,無人能夠憑行為自誇。就是因為世上沒有完美的人,世人就無需把個人修為的高低定位,因為永遠高處未算高。當我放下剛硬的心看清自己的罪,我喜見自己逐步放下了舊我,放下了盲目靠個人力量的一套自信,放下呈強的擔子。摒棄了成年人的外殼,讓我從孩提階段再生,而建立起對人對事的謙讓。越是懂得把自身的不足放大,把自滿縮小,我發覺自己更有勇氣包容憐惜人的軟弱。信仰令我的價值觀改變了很多。現在,我不會執著世界的眼光,更不時提醒自己不以自己的準則要求或論斷別人。就是因為信念明確,自己就更有能力去取捨和追求,尋到真正喜樂的根源,和那份靠個人力量無法相比的強大信心。
如果不是神的安排,很難想像在我尋找祂的道路上,能走得這般通暢無阻。回想這段路,其實神的使者早已陸續在我的生活裡出現,為我的信作預備,保守我的心直到受浸。隨著2010年浸禮的進行,我的舊我就如跟著基督死去般浸進水裡去。我從水裡起來那刻,我就如跟隨著基督復活,成為新造的人。哥林多後書5章17節記著說:「若有人在基督裡,他就是新造的人,舊事已過,都變成新的了。」
受浸後,相信神會藉著更多試煉,讓我學習信靠和順服祂,而得以在靈裡成長,以神喜悅的方式生活。今後,因著信,我已得著平安的心,欣然面對未來的考驗,走在光明與愛的道路中,盼望基督再來。我感謝神讓我看清自身的不足,給我謙卑的心去繼續尋求,好好愛神,愛人,愛自己。
2014年,是我踏進演藝界的第28個年頭。這些年來,與大家建立了的一份友誼,相信是我回顧演藝生涯裡得著最珍貴的禮物。過去,我接收了很多愛,今天我可以藉著同樣的藝人身份和崗位透過工作回報支持者,是我最大的福氣。感謝神讓我們相遇,以愛互動。2013的聖誕,無論您們身在高處或低處,願您們都能感受到祂給我們的愛,而得著那份平安與喜樂!
親愛的,聖誕快樂!God Bless!
Love
V :)
2013 Merry Christmas
Dear all
Christmas has a new meaning to me after I have become a Christian. The festival, no longer about Santa Claus, Christmas present or rave party – it is now a time to celebrate the love of Jesus Christ and the joy to the world. This day reminds me of the grace given by God, I feel so blessed that I am able to love and be loved. At this Christmas, when I am telling you how much I love and miss you, I would like to take this special opportunity to witness for Christ.
Honestly, I have trained myself to follow my own rules for more than 40 years. These principals are supposed to have deep-rooted in my mind. But I have changed, I am willing to let go my long-established self-belief and rebuild a new me. God’s power, far beyond our imagination, is truly amazing.
Prior to my believing in God, I regarded personal development as an ultimate goal in my life. I was always self-confident, regarding the dependence on others or relying on religion is a kind of weakness. You can imagine - it was reasonable that I didn’t understand and even look down on what is emphasized in the Bible – salvation only comes from faith in God. One day, my friends occasionally chatted with me about religion, I then realized that the other religions (other than Christianity) stress on the importance of self-development. But the standards set by them are almost impossible to accomplish. Then I thought more about it - if what the Bible tells us is true, I would consider myself not yet qualified to believe in God - because I have not obtained salvation from Jesus Christ, that means no matter how well I have developed myself, I am still a sinner, still not eligible to get into the gate of heaven.
But, how about the Bible is wrong? I won’t lose anything even if I decide to be a Christian – I am still the same person and my personal quality will not be affected. I decided to open my heart to learn about Christianity, to understand the faith emphasized in the Bible. My life has been changed since then.
I remember it was the 2009 Easter Service, the first time I went to church. I was extremely excited and I couldn’t sing the hymn at all with my trembling voice. But in my heart, I kept praying to God: “Father, I am home! I am home!”
In my early stage of becoming a Christian, I tried to minimize distractions from trivial issues and spare more room for myself to focus on seeking God’s mercy. But being a public figure, it is not easy to have a lot of privacy, I couldn’t do anything but only pray to God for help. For the whole year I felt very blessed by the Holy Spirit, everything relating to my seeking of God went on smoothly, such as going to church with my husband and gathering with fellow Christians for bible study groups. On the night when I made a commitment to follow Jesus, I decided to clear away everything at home that is in relationship to false idol worshipping. Then I prayed to God and confess my sins, and received salvation from Jesus Christ. Immediately, I felt so relaxed, peaceful and calm, I have never felt as easy.
The Bible teaches me a lesson – salvation comes from Jesus and not self-development, nobody can boast about themselves a well developed person. In fact, no one is perfect and there is no need to judge the level of self-development. After I have let go of my stubborn mind and seen my own sin, I am happy to see that I have gradually left my old self behind and no longer solely depend on my own confidence or strength. I don’t have to gear up and show my strong sides anymore, I am free from the hardship. Abandoning the adult self, I am reborn as a kid and I have more courage to accept the weakness of human. My value changes after I am in God - no longer persistent to man’s value. And I always remind myself not to judge others with my own criteria. Now I have a clear direction towards seeking God, I am more powerful to let go and seek for the ultimate source of joy, as well as the great faith which self-strength can never compare to.
I cannot imagine without God’s mercy, how can I walk so well on the path leading to Him? But when I look back, God’s messengers have gradually come into my life and prepared me for my change, as well as preserving my heart till my baptism. At my 2010 baptism ceremony, the ‘old me’ died, just like Jesus Christ immersed into water after his death. At the moment I was raised from water, I was reborn just as Jesus’ resurrection and became a new person. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” 2 Corinthians 5:17.
After my baptism, God allows trials and testings to help me grow deeper in my trust in Him. I learned to grow in the Holy Spirit, and to live my life in a way pleasing to God. I now have a peaceful mind and I am contented to face the coming challenges, walking on the path of light and love and wait for Jesus to come again. I am really thankful to God for guiding me and grant me a humble mind to seek for Him, to love God, love everyone and myself.
The coming year 2014 is my 28th year being an artist. I am very happy that we have built friendship and stayed close, this is the most treasured gift in my career. In the past I received a lot of love from you, today I am glad that I am able to return my love as an artist, this is a real blessing. Thank God for letting us gather together and interact with love. At 2013 Christmas, no matter you are struggling or enjoying life, I hope that you can feel the love, peace and joy from Him!
My dear, Merry Christmas! God Bless!
Love
V :)
what religion is water of life church 在 more Facebook 的最佳貼文
雖然字多,但跟大家分享一下,聖誕對於周慧敏來說,是什麼意義 ;)
《周慧敏2013信仰見證文章》
2013聖誕快樂
Dear all
成為基督徒後,聖誕節對我的意義不一樣了。聖誕再不是關於聖誕老人、聖誕禮物、或聖誕狂歡派對的節日,聖誕是紀念著耶穌基督的愛而普世歡騰的日子。這天,提醒我祂賜給我們的恩典,讓我時刻都感受到被愛與能愛的幸福。所以,這個聖誕,我希望向您們表達愛和思念的同時,也藉著這個特別的日子為我的信仰作見證。
其實,訓練了自己40多年建立而來的一套信念,理應根深蒂固,能讓我心甘情願地放下這套建立已久的信念,由零開始,真的不可思議,神的力量遠遠超乎人能想像的。
未信主前,我曾經視個人修為作生活一大指標。因為自信,我認為依靠他人或宗教是軟弱的行為,所以,並不理解和輕視聖經強調因信才能得救的重要性。一天,我與朋友偶然談起宗教,意識到基督教以外的宗教大都強調自我修為的重要,然而,那套準則,幾乎是凡人不可能達到的。再者,我想到若聖經所說的屬實,那麼因我沒有信主,未接受基督的救贖,我即使在個人修為上到達到甚麼境界,都是沒有資格進天堂的罪人。相反,就算聖經所說的不實,我即使成為基督徒,其實都沒半點捐失,因為我不會在個人修為上退步。想到這裡,我決意用開放心認識基督教,了解聖經所強調的信,生命就這樣逆轉。
記得第一次到教會,適逢2009年的復活節崇拜,那天我的心情異常激動,我抖震的聲音無法唱出半句聖詩,但我在心裡,卻重覆地向神說著一句話:「天父,我回家了!」
初信主的那段日子,特別需要私人空間,好讓自己專注尋求神,免於因瑣事分心。但因為我是公眾人物,這個要求談何容易,我無法控制人,只能憑信心祈求神。一年下來,我與丈夫到教會崇拜,與教友查經,一切與尋求神有關的事宜,都被聖靈保護著,進行得很順利。記得決志當晚,我決心棄掉家裡一切與拜偶像有關的物件,禱告承認自己的罪,接受耶穌基督的救贖,感受到前所未有的輕鬆、平安,與寧靜。
聖經讓我明白得救不是靠自身修煉,而是靠基督的救贖,無人能夠憑行為自誇。就是因為世上沒有完美的人,世人就無需把個人修為的高低定位,因為永遠高處未算高。當我放下剛硬的心看清自己的罪,我喜見自己逐步放下了舊我,放下了盲目靠個人力量的一套自信,放下呈強的擔子。摒棄了成年人的外殼,讓我從孩提階段再生,而建立起對人對事的謙讓。越是懂得把自身的不足放大,把自滿縮小,我發覺自己更有勇氣包容憐惜人的軟弱。信仰令我的價值觀改變了很多。現在,我不會執著世界的眼光,更不時提醒自己不以自己的準則要求或論斷別人。就是因為信念明確,自己就更有能力去取捨和追求,尋到真正喜樂的根源,和那份靠個人力量無法相比的強大信心。
如果不是神的安排,很難想像在我尋找祂的道路上,能走得這般通暢無阻。回想這段路,其實神的使者早已陸續在我的生活裡出現,為我的信作預備,保守我的心直到受浸。隨著2010年浸禮的進行,我的舊我就如跟著基督死去般浸進水裡去。我從水裡起來那刻,我就如跟隨著基督復活,成為新造的人。哥林多後書5章17節記著說:「若有人在基督裡,他就是新造的人,舊事已過,都變成新的了。」
受浸後,相信神會藉著更多試煉,讓我學習信靠和順服祂,而得以在靈裡成長,以神喜悅的方式生活。今後,因著信,我已得著平安的心,欣然面對未來的考驗,走在光明與愛的道路中,盼望基督再來。我感謝神讓我看清自身的不足,給我謙卑的心去繼續尋求,好好愛神,愛人,愛自己。
2014年,是我踏進演藝界的第28個年頭。這些年來,與大家建立了的一份友誼,相信是我回顧演藝生涯裡得著最珍貴的禮物。過去,我接收了很多愛,今天我可以藉著同樣的藝人身份和崗位透過工作回報支持者,是我最大的福氣。感謝神讓我們相遇,以愛互動。2013的聖誕,無論您們身在高處或低處,願您們都能感受到祂給我們的愛,而得著那份平安與喜樂!
親愛的,聖誕快樂!God Bless!
Love
V :)
2013 Merry Christmas
Dear all
Christmas has a new meaning to me after I have become a Christian. The festival, no longer about Santa Claus, Christmas present or rave party – it is now a time to celebrate the love of Jesus Christ and the joy to the world. This day reminds me of the grace given by God, I feel so blessed that I am able to love and be loved. At this Christmas, when I am telling you how much I love and miss you, I would like to take this special opportunity to witness for Christ.
Honestly, I have trained myself to follow my own rules for more than 40 years. These principals are supposed to have deep-rooted in my mind. But I have changed, I am willing to let go my long-established self-belief and rebuild a new me. God’s power, far beyond our imagination, is truly amazing.
Prior to my believing in God, I regarded personal development as an ultimate goal in my life. I was always self-confident, regarding the dependence on others or relying on religion is a kind of weakness. You can imagine - it was reasonable that I didn’t understand and even look down on what is emphasized in the Bible – salvation only comes from faith in God. One day, my friends occasionally chatted with me about religion, I then realized that the other religions (other than Christianity) stress on the importance of self-development. But the standards set by them are almost impossible to accomplish. Then I thought more about it - if what the Bible tells us is true, I would consider myself not yet qualified to believe in God - because I have not obtained salvation from Jesus Christ, that means no matter how well I have developed myself, I am still a sinner, still not eligible to get into the gate of heaven.
But, how about the Bible is wrong? I won’t lose anything even if I decide to be a Christian – I am still the same person and my personal quality will not be affected. I decided to open my heart to learn about Christianity, to understand the faith emphasized in the Bible. My life has been changed since then.
I remember it was the 2009 Easter Service, the first time I went to church. I was extremely excited and I couldn’t sing the hymn at all with my trembling voice. But in my heart, I kept praying to God: “Father, I am home! I am home!”
In my early stage of becoming a Christian, I tried to minimize distractions from trivial issues and spare more room for myself to focus on seeking God’s mercy. But being a public figure, it is not easy to have a lot of privacy, I couldn’t do anything but only pray to God for help. For the whole year I felt very blessed by the Holy Spirit, everything relating to my seeking of God went on smoothly, such as going to church with my husband and gathering with fellow Christians for bible study groups. On the night when I made a commitment to follow Jesus, I decided to clear away everything at home that is in relationship to false idol worshipping. Then I prayed to God and confess my sins, and received salvation from Jesus Christ. Immediately, I felt so relaxed, peaceful and calm, I have never felt as easy.
The Bible teaches me a lesson – salvation comes from Jesus and not self-development, nobody can boast about themselves a well developed person. In fact, no one is perfect and there is no need to judge the level of self-development. After I have let go of my stubborn mind and seen my own sin, I am happy to see that I have gradually left my old self behind and no longer solely depend on my own confidence or strength. I don’t have to gear up and show my strong sides anymore, I am free from the hardship. Abandoning the adult self, I am reborn as a kid and I have more courage to accept the weakness of human. My value changes after I am in God - no longer persistent to man’s value. And I always remind myself not to judge others with my own criteria. Now I have a clear direction towards seeking God, I am more powerful to let go and seek for the ultimate source of joy, as well as the great faith which self-strength can never compare to.
I cannot imagine without God’s mercy, how can I walk so well on the path leading to Him? But when I look back, God’s messengers have gradually come into my life and prepared me for my change, as well as preserving my heart till my baptism. At my 2010 baptism ceremony, the ‘old me’ died, just like Jesus Christ immersed into water after his death. At the moment I was raised from water, I was reborn just as Jesus’ resurrection and became a new person. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” 2 Corinthians 5:17.
After my baptism, God allows trials and testings to help me grow deeper in my trust in Him. I learned to grow in the Holy Spirit, and to live my life in a way pleasing to God. I now have a peaceful mind and I am contented to face the coming challenges, walking on the path of light and love and wait for Jesus to come again. I am really thankful to God for guiding me and grant me a humble mind to seek for Him, to love God, love everyone and myself.
The coming year 2014 is my 28th year being an artist. I am very happy that we have built friendship and stayed close, this is the most treasured gift in my career. In the past I received a lot of love from you, today I am glad that I am able to return my love as an artist, this is a real blessing. Thank God for letting us gather together and interact with love. At 2013 Christmas, no matter you are struggling or enjoying life, I hope that you can feel the love, peace and joy from Him!
My dear, Merry Christmas! God Bless!
Love
V :)
what religion is water of life church 在 Kyle Le Dot Net Youtube 的最讚貼文
As you know Saigon is broken up in many different districts. The numbered districts get all the attention. But did you know that Tan Binh is home to the oldest and first Korean area in Saigon? Phu My Hung attracted the Koreans much later on. Today, many of the best Korean restaurants are found on Thanh Long St. and not in Phu My Hung. You can access the Koreatown minutes away from the airport exit toll booths. It's directly behind the Superbowl, which used to be a Korean mall back in the day.
Not many people know that public swimming pools exist in Saigon. They are largely tucked away from the main road and are grouped with the sports or recreational areas. For fifty cents or more you can take a dip and go swimming. You also have to wear a certain dress code of swim drunks and some kind of swim wear. Bikinis are optional. Why don't I like to swim? I find it kind of gross to be in the same water with 100 other people, primarily kids. This is why I don't even like to swim at the beach. Not to mention how I can't swim. But in an upcoming Ho Tram video, you will see me swim for the first time. We didn't stay too long at the swimming pool here btw, located on CMT8
Another unique thing about Tan Binh is the fact that there's a random farm at the end of Chan Hung Street. A farm in the middle of an urban sprawl. People were actually cultivating produce to sell, not necessarily just to eat. Nearby on the same street there are also many places where you can eat bun thit nuong or bun cha. I was already full so I didn't eat anything, but OldBoy took a few bites and was in heaven. I'll definitely return if I'm ever in the area.
Another thing to note is the fact that Tan Binh is home to many Catholics who live in these neighborhoods centered around a church. During mass, you'll see people walking to and fro the churches. It's an awesome sight and a reminder that religion can bring people together. It also exemplifies how close communities can be. I mean, when I walked down these alleyways I was stopped and asked many times why I was there. People keep an eye out for each other here. Their alleys and neighborhood is all they know. Exploring alleys is another thing that many tourists fail to do. It's exciting and dangerous at the same time. Be careful, but you'll have a good time... unless you have a bad time.
And lastly, to wrap up the half day, eating some be thui or lightly roasted calf meat with the skin and all is pure bliss. It's all about the sauce and it's all about the beer. This is definitely a drinking type of a meat. Unfortunately, I don't drink that often and this wasn't the night for it. This meat basically tastes like a light beef with virtually no fat. The meat is so smooth. It literally melts in your mouth. There's not much flavoring. It's all about the dipping sauce. And the best part is you get the cartilage and skin in there as well. Now, there was a hitch when it came to filming this. The Be Thui places
in the area were not very happy with any camera action. I had to quietly do it. It was a very hostile environment for cameras. This Be Thui Place is at 266 Bac Hai.
I know these aren't all the best places and whatnot in Tan Binh. I just wanted to give you a better idea of what's out there before you say that there's nothing to do in Saigon. There's always something to do.
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About Me: I'm Kyle Le and I live, travel, and eat in Vietnam and many Asian countries. I'm passionate about making videos and sharing modern Asia to the world. I've traveled everywhere in Vietnam, from Hanoi to Saigon - Far North, Central Highlands, Islands, and Deep Mekong Delta - I've visited there. In addition to 10+ countries in Asia from Indonesia to Thailand to Singapore, you'll find all of my food, tourist attractions, and daily life experiences discovering my roots in the motherland on this amazing journey right on this channel. So be sure to subscribe- there's new videos all the time and connect with me below so you don't miss any adventures.
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