2007-02-25 19:00:37Jacky
殯儀者的話
讀 經：以弗所書 4：17－32
金 句：「不可含怒到日落。」（以弗所書4：26）
全年讀經：民數記28－30章
在湯瑪斯林其（Thomas Lynch）所寫的暢銷書「殯儀業：從陰郁的交易中探討生命」當中，他藉書中密西根州一個小鎮的殯儀業者，來反應自己的想法。二十五年來，他見過大約五千次葬禮。這些經歷深刻地影響了他的思想。
「我總想儘快地解決糾紛，」湯瑪斯林其說：「因為我親眼目睹有的人離家上班，卻再也沒有回來。」
多少次，我們曾在早上怒氣衝沖地奪門而出？或是在夜裡熄燈時，心中仍燃著熊熊的怒火？喔，最後我們是會把問題解決的，不過，還不是現在。讓對方在冷漠的死寂中再多受一陣子苦吧－我們心中這樣想。然而，如果我們像湯瑪斯林其先生那樣，經常面對心碎的生者，必會影響我們的想法和行為。
「不可含怒到日落，也不可給魔鬼留地步。」（以弗所書4：26－27）聖經如此勸誡：「以恩慈相待，存憐憫的心，彼此饒恕，正如上帝在基督裡饒恕了你們一樣」（32節）。重點並不在於別人對我們做了什麼，而在於基督為我們做了什麼。
沒有比現在更好的時機去道歉、饒恕別人、及修復無價的情誼了。殯儀業者很清楚這一點。DCM
付諸于行、躬行實踐：
是什麼阻礙了我立即處理憤怒？
當對方對和好的意圖不予回應的時候，我當如何做？
請看羅馬書12：17－21 YYY
慢慢地生氣，快快地悔改。
A Word From The Undertaker
Read: Ephesians 4:17-32
Do not let the sun go down on your wrath. --Ephesians 4:26
In Thomas Lynch's popular book The Undertaking: Life Studies From The Dismal Trade, he reflects on his work as a funeral director in a small Michigan town. In 25 years, he has overseen some 5,000 burials. How has it shaped his thinking?
"It tends to make me want to resolve conflicts a little quicker," Mr. Lynch says, "because I've seen people go off to work who don't come home."
How many times have we huffed out of the house in the morning or turned out the light at night with anger smoldering in our hearts? Oh, we probably intend to resolve the conflict eventually, but not now. Let the other person suffer awhile in silence, we think. But if we dealt with heartbroken survivors as often as Mr. Lynch, it would change the way we think and act.
"Do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil," the Bible counsels (Eph. 4:26-27). "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you" (v.32). The issue is not what others have done to us, but what Christ has done for us.
There's no better time than right now to apologize or offer forgiveness, and to restore a priceless relationship. The undertaker knows. --DCM
PUTTING IT INTO PRACTICE
What keeps me from taking care of anger immediately? What do I do when another person does not respond to attempts at reconciliation? See Romans 12:17-21.
Be slow to anger and quick to repent.
FOR FURTHER STUDY
When Anger Burns
Read: Ephesians 4:17-32
Do not let the sun go down on your wrath. --Ephesians 4:26
In Thomas Lynch's popular book The Undertaking: Life Studies From The Dismal Trade, he reflects on his work as a funeral director in a small Michigan town. In 25 years, he has overseen some 5,000 burials. How has it shaped his thinking?
"It tends to make me want to resolve conflicts a little quicker," Mr. Lynch says, "because I've seen people go off to work who don't come home."
How many times have we huffed out of the house in the morning or turned out the light at night with anger smoldering in our hearts? Oh, we probably intend to resolve the conflict eventually, but not now. Let the other person suffer awhile in silence, we think. But if we dealt with heartbroken survivors as often as Mr. Lynch, it would change the way we think and act.
"Do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil," the Bible counsels (Eph. 4:26-27). "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you" (v.32). The issue is not what others have done to us, but what Christ has done for us.
There's no better time than right now to apologize or offer forgiveness, and to restore a priceless relationship. The undertaker knows. --DCM
PUTTING IT INTO PRACTICE
What keeps me from taking care of anger immediately? What do I do when another person does not respond to attempts at reconciliation? See Romans 12:17-21.
Be slow to anger and quick to repent.
FOR FURTHER STUDY
When Anger Burns