Monday, March 17, 2008

越南之旅-河内

正坐在三轮车上的“自拍像”,摄自河内,二〇〇八年


“哔!哔!波!波!...叭!哔!...叭!...”大量摩托车及少量的其他交通工具的喇叭声不绝于耳,车身从左至右,从右到左的,鲜少有空隙可让行人冲或走过马路...想过...但心里怕怕的!万一被车撞到了可不得了!心想:“难道这是越南的一大特色吗?”这便是初到越南时的第一个印象。“哈!越南!好刺激呀!”

第二天问过导游,才知道过马路的窍门是:“不停顿片刻的慢慢走动!”既是说“快跑”,“停顿”或“走走停停”都会制造机会让车子撞到你。而唯有当你“不停顿片刻的慢慢移动身子”,车主便会配合着你的移动而调整车速及行驶方向。(感觉上他们是凭“良心”开车的,非常有人性。)当然,有时行人也得配合车子啦!

“众骑士”,摄自河内,二〇〇八年


越南的孩童是可爱的。(见下图)当时我正在一座塔的第二层楼拍外景,不料举头看到这几名身着校服的小姑娘,正倚身在高塔的第三层围墙边,当时心想:“偷偷替她们拍一张也无妨!”哪知心机却让她们给看穿了!有几名便朝着我笑,有的则看似害羞而不敢正眼瞧我。拍毕,我便大声回予她们几口粗声粗气的干笑!逗得她们都乐了!

“笑开怀”,摄自河内,二〇〇八年


在导游的引领下,有幸跟太太一起参观了越南美术馆。

越南画家的油画与雕塑水平都很高,但我更喜爱他们的木刻版画作品。特别是当他们以孩童的形象来进行主题创作时 ,更能体现出一种单纯的生命力!除外,版画的刻工与油印的效果也很精美,令人赞叹不已!(哈!离开美术馆后,我另外参观了越南人文博物馆,在那里购买了两张木刻版画作品。后来又在军事历史博物馆的纪念品店里选购了另两幅漂亮的版画作品,真可谓是满载而归!)步出美术馆不久,便在商店屋外看见一位老者用单手推着一部儿车,(见下图)便快手快脚(慢一秒也不行,路上人来人往的,会将想拍的主题遮住。)的将他俩收录相机内。

“老与少”,摄自河内,二〇〇八年

大姑娘身着蓝色牛仔裤,暗绿色的风衣,骑着脚车,手持着许许多多色彩缤纷的卡通大气球,年龄嘛...大概二十出头吧!在马路上来来去去,去去又来来...看似是常在几个固定地点进行气球兜售。(见下图)哈!总算有机会看到顾客找上她!

据我个人的观察,越南的流动小贩或做其他买卖的举凡卖气球,打火机,皮包等等等等,大多数都只卖一至两样物品或食物。卖芒果的,便只卖芒果。卖香蕉的,便挑起篮子卖香蕉。卖茶的,便坐在行人道旁专心卖茶。

有一回,一名卖茶的老妇人给一名跟她语言上完全不能沟通的新加坡华人男子倒一杯越南小浓茶...,结果坐在老妇人旁边的朋友便干脆拿起了两张越南钞票在这新加坡男子眼前晃动,以提示他所需付的价格...。(这名新加坡华人男子就是我!)

“买卖气球”,摄自河内,二〇〇八年


在越南的第三天早晨,我和太太决定前往旧市中心去参观画廊,哪知后来才知道在我们所住的旅馆后方隔一条街便有一间画廊。就这样,在一名旅馆员工的好心带领下,顺利的观赏到越南的道地绘画作品。

观赏后,便在四处闲逛起来。走着走着,便看到马路边沿有一座呈长方体状的帐棚(见下图)。帐棚的侧对面停放着一辆挂着精美亮丽彩带的新娘轿车,哈!原来有人家在办喜喜事!帐(喜喜)棚内里安置着一张长桌,两边分坐着好几名看似是家属的男男女女,正享用着桌上的佳肴茶水。喜喜棚入口处外的正前方有两名身着深灰色西装的男子。(后来我才知道他俩都不是新郎,也许只是弟兄吧!)

“婚庆-等候”,摄自河内,二〇〇八年

就这样,等着等着的,新郎与新娘迟迟不现身,便同太太到邻近的一家咖啡店坐着品尝越南咖啡。(见下图)越南咖啡好喝!香浓中又带有一种厚重感,喝后令人精神一爽!深深觉得人活着即便只是单单享用越南咖啡也是挺有意思的!

终于,新郎与新娘从一条窄巷子里走了出来!周围围着一大群亲朋好友!新郎全身散发着一种难以言喻的干净感,头发呈波浪状,人长得黑黑实实的。新娘则有一双大眼睛搭配着一只高而立体的鼻子,就像一尊活雕像,美丽极了!尔后,两位新人便进入后车厢,骄车便从停车处缓慢转出,引发了一丁点的交通阻塞,停滞了一小阵子,骄车便开走了。(哈!开了眼界哩!原来越南的婚庆是这种形式的!)

“越南咖啡”,摄自河内,二〇〇八年


我跟太太在越南共同度过了六周年结婚纪念日。

这种日子当然免不了要给她送花。

但她却偏偏在纪念日的前一天早上便已经按捺不住,逼不及待的直喊着要买花!(逼于无奈!)便只好在路边的卖花摊位买了一支红玫瑰给她。哪知这红玫瑰还蛮惹眼的,太太拿握在手上,搭巴士也好,走路也好,总觉得会引来不少旁人的目光(尤以女性居多-她们看看花,接着看看我,然后若有所思的眯眯笑!)。除外,这朵红玫瑰的生命力也挺顽强的(它越洋过海的来到新加坡),直至现在它都还没有凋谢,这倒底是什么品种的红玫瑰呀???

“卖花香”,摄自河内,二〇〇八年

第四天一早,雨天,我们便搭乘的士到越南人文博物馆。在那里,我还得到优待-馆员允许我不必缴付摄影票(那里规定要拍照就得额外支付5000Dong),理由是一来他觉得我们人数少,没跟团!二来是因为他觉得我的华语讲得比他好(他本身也学习华文和讲华语),可当他的华语老师???这理由还真怪!所以便免付了。

观赏完毕,才知道馆外有呈献水上木偶表演。我当时可乐坏了!(因为早在一天前我们便有意思要在旧市中心观赏水上木偶表演,但无奈当天和预售的票都卖光了!本还以为会错失了这个唯独越南才有的木偶戏...。)便在柜台处缴付了40,000Dong(两人份的票价。)选了最前面的好位,便看起来啦!哈哈!当时的观众连我们也数算在内也不过是七至八个人,冷冷清清的,但难能可贵的是唱者,鼓手,伴奏的和幕后的木偶操作员都很落力的演出!每一幕剧只有短短的几分钟,一幕演完后另接一幕。如此,持续不断的...。节目里有斗牛比赛,捕鱼,蛇追老鼠,游泳比赛和角力比赛等。最后一幕表演是所有的吉祥物都在水面上游动一并配合着声乐...直至歌曲终了,所有幕后的木偶操作员也一起出现在幕前(见下图)对着我俩招手(当时观众席只剩下我跟我太太,其他人早已提前离开了!),我俩也回予他们以示友善...。

总的来说,越南是非常值得去的,虽然只有短短几天,但却过得充实!我想下一回也许会去胡志明市走走吧!

“幕后英雄”,摄自河内,二〇〇八年

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Man-mermaid

"Man-mermaid", Ink On Paper, Year:1996(Private Collection)

This is a "man"!

[This is a "man"!],Ink On Paper, Year:1994.

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Watching Television

"Watching Television", Ink On Paper, Year:2000.

Enjoyment

"Enjoyment", Ink On Paper, Year:1993.

Love Story #02

"Love Story #02", Oil On Canvas, Year:2003.

My Niece

"My Niece", Ink & Wax Pencil On Paper,Year:2000.

Silence

"Silence", Ink On Paper, Year:1994.

Crisis

"Crisis",Ink On Paper, Year:1994(Private Collection)

Deliverance

"Deliverance", Ink, Pencil and Acrylic On Canvas, Year:2005(Private Collection)

AIDS

"AIDS", Ink On Paper, Year:1993.

Sweet Dreams

"Sweet Dreams", Ink & Wax Pencil On Paper, Year:1999.

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

My Nephew-Superman

"My Nephew- Superman", Ink & Wax Pencil On Paper, Year:1999.

Colouring

"Colouring", Ink & Wax Pencil On Paper, Year:1999.

Great Man Statue

"Great Man Statue", Ink On Paper, Year:1999(Private Collection)

Leader

"Leader", Ink On Paper, Year:1994.

Porcupine

"Porcupine", Ink On Paper, Year:1999(Private Collection)

Round-Head

"Round-Head", Ink On Paper, Year:1994(Private Collection)

Saturday, March 08, 2008

浪子回头

“跨时空系列(六号)-浪子”,胶彩画布,二〇〇五年


在我的基督徒生命里曾有过近两年(一九九七年至一九九八年)的倒退期。
那时候的我咀上完完全全的否认上帝的存在,但内心里却又知道他是实实在在的存在着的...这挺矛盾的。
当时对上帝有颇大的误解-常以为任何发生在自己身上的一切大小好事和坏事都出自他!恰巧当时周围又有太多的“朋友”常对我的“人格”进行强烈的批评!而至终导致我将这种“批评”当作上帝给予我的“批评!”(事实却不是这样的,当我真正明白过来时,那已经是几年以后的事了...。)事后便常想:“我想学好才相信基督耶稣的,但这等“批评”又那麽的令我难以忍受-这就好比站上舞台上又让人脱光了衣服一般!”至终便告知自己:“我想学好但又学不成,那便索性坏到底吧!”就这样,我离开了教会。
离开教会后的生活过得非常颓废,常沉迷于烟酒及对生活不满的咒骂声中!简言之:“像个行尸走肉!”如此这般的过了两年,直至一九九八年底才希望与神重新建立关系。(哈!当时已经走投无路了!)
有一次,奇妙的事情发生了!当我翻阅新约圣经时,看到了耶稣所讲的一个比喻:[你们中间谁有一百只羊,失去一只,不把九十九只留下在旷野,去寻找那失落的,直到找着呢?既找着了,就欢欢喜喜地放在肩上,回到家里,请朋友邻舍来,对他们说:“请大家和我一同欢乐,因为我失去的羊已经找到了!”](路加福音15章4-6节,新译本)读毕,我内心又惊又喜!我问上帝:“这真是出自你吗?”后来又读到了另外几节经文,是记载在路加福音15章11-24节,新译本:[耶稣又说:“某人有两个儿子。小儿子对父亲说:‘爸爸,请把我应得的家业给我。’父亲就把财产分给他们两兄弟。过了不多几天,小儿子收拾一切,到远方去了,在那里生活放荡,浪费钱财。他花尽了一切所有的,那地方又遇上了严重的饥荒,就穷困起来;于是他去投靠当地的一个居民。那人打发他到田里去放猪,他恨不得吃猪所吃的豆荚,可是没有人给他。他醒悟过来,说:‘我父亲有那么多雇工,又有丰富的食物,我却要在这里饿死吗?我要起来,到我父亲那里去,对他说:爸爸,我得罪了天,也得罪了你,不配再称为你的儿子,把我当作一个雇工吧!’于是他起来往父亲那里去。他还在远处时,他父亲看见了他,就动了慈心,跑过去抱着他,连连与他亲嘴。儿子说:‘爸爸,我得罪了天,也得罪了你,不配再称为你的儿子。’父亲却吩咐仆人说:‘快把那最好的袍子拿来给他穿,把戒指戴在他手上,把鞋穿在他脚上,把肥牛犊牵来宰了,我们要吃喝快乐,因为我这儿子是死而复活,失而又得的。’他们就欢乐起来。] 到了这里,我简直不能相信自己所看到所读到的,我心想:“这不是我第一次读到这几段经文,但这次读起来却是那么的真实感人,而且为什么这些经文里的寻找迷途羊的人和浪子的父亲跟我以往对天父的形象相差了十万八千里?以前天父的形象是不可侵犯是非分明又很会处罚人的‘严父!’但这里让我看到的却是充满爱心不计前嫌的父亲。”这时天父正通过经文对我说:“回来教会,重新认识我,你以往对我有所误解,我不是你想象中的那样...。”
今天(二〇〇八年),偶尔依然会有人批评我的人格,但我已经学会不将这等评语当作是来自父神的了,因为我已经认识到父神是慈爱的,他爱我,并且也不会向我追讨罪的刑罚。

Friday, March 07, 2008

Happy-Go-Blessing!

"Happy-Go-Blessing!", Ink, Oil & Acrylic On Canvas, 102cm x 76cm, 2008.


Child-like faith is pleasing to Father-God when one remains in his heart as pure as a child (as seen as an adult-body, child-head figure sitting in the car) towards Him. Christian life begins in rest (as Christ Jesus has finished the redemption work at the cross, reversed curses into blessings and victory, and now seated at the right hand of God in heaven), and sitting represents rest. One of child-like faith must always remain “sitting” (resting) in Christ, yet at the same time working/moving on with life (seen as the figure in the car which is at the same time moving). The pair of hands pushing the car represents God leading the rested one to the way that he should go in life.

How well one can rest leads to how well one can perform. Eventually, someone of child-like faith in God can receive/enjoy great blessings from Him (represented by the presents and white manna falling from heaven), even in gloomy moments (seen as the dark clouds looming in the background).

Saturday, March 01, 2008

The Ten Commandments

"The Ten Commandments", Ink & Acrylic On Canvas, 2004( Singapore Art Museum Permanent Collection)


In year 2005, when the moment I knew Singapore Art Museum decided to buy this artwork with another one (which I did not show here), I was extremely happy because these two artworks (which I personally like very much) had eventually found a good “home”.

“The Ten Commandments” artwork is also the first artwork that I use ink on canvas after fourteen years. (In year 1990, I used ink on canvas for the first time for my “The Boring Picture” series.) During the process, I enjoy seeing the lines overlap one and another, especially when the figures get more and more 3-dimensional, and slowly appear clearly one by one... I also use acrylic paint to paint many “S” alphabets on the “Big Man” body (Alphabet “S” stands for “Sin”, and “S” shape also looks like the shape of the snake.).

Overall, I enjoy the whole concept and the process of making the artwork.

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

谈“鱼”

静物七号,油画木板,二〇〇〇年(新加坡美术馆永久收藏)

记得年少时,我住在大芭窑四巷七十三座十二楼的一个三房式的组屋单位。当时家里有七个成员,外加一名新加坡女佣则可算是八个人在那里“生活”吧!
我爸当时是一名德士司机,据我妈说我爸有时会与朋友一起去钓“晚鱼?”清晨回家便会把钓到的鱼放进雪柜里...后来我妈又说当我爸整晚都钓不到鱼时,清晨便会到巴刹去买几条回家???...为什麽要这麽做???但我确确实实是有看过雪柜里的鱼(当然只有一次),印象中是貌似“黑昌”般的形状,蛮大的(当然也分辨不出是钓的还是买的,也不敢问我爸!)。
忘了是什麽时候,应该也是年少时吧!我家养了一条黑鲤鱼(它来历不名,也不知是谁将它带过来的...是女佣吗?还是祖母?忘了!)。我祖母将它放在厨房厕所的铝制门外,每次进厕所都会经过看到它...大约有一尺长,黑黑的,阴森森的,总之心里毛毛的,甚怕它!而且它有时会跳出鱼缸而摔在地面,鱼鳃一张一合的,吓人呀!莫说是我,即便是女佣也曾因为要将它从地上捡起而被它的背鳍(秘密武器)刺破了手而血流如注。后来它怎么样了?好像是家人将它拿去放生了。
小学二年级时(希望我没记错),同班两位女生向我描述电影“大白鲨”的情节,绘声绘影!精彩绝伦!归家后便吵着要女佣带我去看。哈!她竟然一口便答应下来,还预早买了票...我期待着...。
静物五号,油画木板,二〇〇〇年(新加坡美术馆永久收藏)

那一天总算到了,看着银幕上那大白鲨四尺宽的大咀,零乱的尖牙常垂挂着类似人身上的碎肉块和沾上血迹成条状的碎衣,对人类无情无义,且在那类似:“等的...等的...等的...等的...”的音效配合下,更是令人心又紧又惊!观赏后,心里兴奋!因为我已经与班上的那两位女同学有了共同的话题(但遗憾的是她俩已对这话题不感兴趣了!)。
第一次海钓是在Langkawi附近的海域。当时与一群教会的朋友在导游的带领下分坐两艘船在海上的浅处垂钓。当然我们没有用钓竿,只单单用线钓-我没钓着,而坐在我旁边的一名女孩(现在她已经成了传道娘)却钓着了一只石斑鱼!我试着要帮她将鱼钩从石斑鱼 咀边拔除,但细心一看才发见原来鱼儿竟将鱼钩吞进肚子里。我逼于无奈,便想将鱼钩从鱼肚里硬拉出...当我轻轻一拉...便可见钩拉扯出一丁点的鱼内脏...鱼还活着...我心里顿时一阵刺痛。这时一名朋友也看见了,便告知我别把鱼儿弄痛...就暂且放着,让有经验的导游与船手们来处理。我觉得有理,便搁着不管。后来回岸大伙便吃着刚钓着的几条经烤熟的石斑鱼,至于导游与船手们如何将钩自鱼儿内脏处拔出...我不想问也不想知道...。

“哀伤”,黑墨水笔,一九九九年(私人收藏)
婚后第二年,我太太常出外教书,我为了解闷(我常在家里工作,少出门。),也希望家里多点“生气”,便想养鱼。哈!当时正巧我弟弟有一附有支架的大鱼缸,便决定送我。刚开始时,幻想与野心互相混杂-心情特好!买了普通金鱼,狮头金鱼,黑色眼睛突突的金鱼(不明其正确名称),吃粪鱼(清道夫),窄身体大尾巴的金鱼等。哈哈!每天常对着它们瞧...一开一合的咀...常将粒状食物吃下又吐出来...左右摆动圆滚滚的身体...身上艳丽的色泽...清澈滚动的水,令我神清气爽!
后来,不知怎麽的?鱼儿总是活不久。一只死后我就添一只,两只死后便添一双。如此,恶性循环...是水质不好吗?还是水太脏?又或许是食物给得太多?也可能是鱼儿数量太多,导致空间不足等等等等。就这样,渐渐地,我看它们的次数减少了...当然还是有定时换水...但是...。
两年后,有一天,我在邻居家门前出现,“哈哈!先生,打扰了!我家有一台鱼缸,打算丢掉...但又见你家有两个小孩,他们应该喜欢看鱼儿游泳吧!...你打不打算要?啊哈!我不会养鱼,鱼都死光了...。”邻居回答说:“好呀!我这就到你家去抬回来!”
黑墨水笔,一九九八年(私人收藏)

Saturday, February 23, 2008

舒适地带(Comfort Zone)

油画画布,二〇〇四年

这画现在正挂在我家客厅墙上。

画中模特儿是一名画友的女儿,嗯...当年应该只有小学五年级吧!

白色的长袖上衣是当年结婚典礼用作搭配黑西装的里衣-现在已经不穿了,留着当“静物”用!

海水的“灵感画法”是某年某月的某一天在三巴旺的湖边花了好些时间观察湖面而得着的!

左上角绘有挪亚方舟的黑白照片是凭着自己对方舟的一点小认识外加一点想象力画出来的!

鸽子嘛...说来话长,不多说了!

红玫瑰花的造型...从旧述写本里找着的!

画中的女孩代表教会,安息在主(白色上衣)里。上帝也让基督成为他儿女的公义,圣洁,智慧和救赎。

这画的重点是:“完完全全的安息在基督里,不再有审判。”

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Fruitful One

Acrylic On Canvas, 2006 (Private Collection)

Bible mentions that Christ is sitting beside Father God’s right hand in heaven, and I (as a child of God) am also in Christ.
This picture shows that I am blessed in a sitting(resting) position.
Praise the Lord! As long as I sit(rest) well in Christ, my life will produce good fruits and prosper.

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Living Water

Acrylic On Canvas, 2005 ( Private Collection )

Rest should be easy (but I often feel difficult in real life)…
Rest is enjoyment (I always long for it)…
I always hope that my Christian life can be “Rest - at the same time Awake!”( Sounds abstract)…
Rest well in Christ, everything will get well and go well! ( I strongly believe it!)
I used to experience “Heavenly Joyful Rest”, and I believe I can experience it more in future!

Water refreshes my body.
I drink water quite often (especially after drinking too much of 3-in-1 coffee)…
I find that Holy Spirit is like water (it is a great time when Holy Spirit leads me in God’s will, especially when I rest well in Christ).

Thursday, January 17, 2008

两极

“自画像”,油画画布,二〇〇四年(私人收藏)


“爱你这幅画的人就会爱它爱得不得了!反之,恨这幅画的,就会恨它恨得入骨!其中并没有中间地带!不是爱,就是恨!”这话是一名良友看了我的一幅画后所给予的评语。
认识我的人都多少懂得一点——那就是我这人性格与情绪偏两极,要不就喜欢你!要不就讨厌你!(哼...是挺难相处的...)
这“两极化”的性情,也直接反映在我的绘画作品里。
先谈一谈“第一极”——负面的吧!记得在一次画展展厅里,就有观者看了我的画后认为我心理有问题而在签名册上留言——叫我去看某位心理辅导官!哈!哈!还曾有一次一名妇女经过我画前赶紧用双手掩面不敢正视我的作品并叫出“哎唷!”一声!更甚的是一名老艺术家在一个画展开幕典礼上向我比中指...(哈!哈!当时并不想跟他多加计较...人家是老头子嘛!)还有许多朋友告知我:“你的作品没什么大不了!我也会画啦!”却不知当时我展出的作品是图鸦性质和反美学的...呵!呵!当然,无所谓啦!
现在接着讲一讲“第二极”——正面的反应看看!看好,开始...讲:“..........哇!.........................好棒!.............天..........................信仰.....................才.................得了!............心。好呀!..................华..................................!!!......................。
好了!够了!
两极化的性情好吗???
不知道!
只知道改不了!
不改!

Tuesday, January 08, 2008

Still Life No.8

Oil on plywood, 30.5cm x 33.5cm, 2000 ( Singapore Art Museum Permanent Collection )


What makes me decide to paint dead fishes?
Because although they are already dead, they still look alive! (especially as their eyes are still open.)
Or maybe at that time I could not find someone who would like to sit for me as a model...so I used fish and fish-head as a replacement! Ha...
And also I like to capture the wet and smooth texture on the fishes!
Ya! One more thing - I love to paint salmon fishhead (painting above: the two black fish-heads with some white colour on the left), because their faces look fierce - like a warrior! (in hokkien, we call it "Jin Jia Sud" - Smart-looking!)

Ponder (静思)

Oil on canvas, 50.5cm x 40.5cm, 2004.


这模特儿好用!耐力好!体力佳!能言善辩!不多休息!不上厕所!总之“不动!”容易生出错觉——被误认为是一尊雕像!但无奈前阵子听说他开始拍拖了!...难请了!唉!难得有望成为顶尖模特儿的...
期望他追妞成功吧!
这画是我的“爱画”之一,也深得周围朋友们的喜爱。画面上清一色的灰色调,空间上的处理,外加隐约不太经意出现在裤管外围的白线搭配...整体让人看了舒服!

Monday, December 31, 2007

头盔先生(Mr Helmet)








生命有时候不就是尤如这组漫画里所表达的那样吗?
很多时候我们费尽心思,想方设法保护自己免受伤害(漫画里主人翁的头盔),但至终却发觉充其量只能让自己免于那麽一丁点儿的小伤害(一颗小石头)...但神是万能的!他让万物互相效力,最终却能让我们免于大害(大石头)。

Thursday, December 27, 2007

Three Nails

"Three Nails", Ink on Paper, 2007. (Private Collection)


I remember before I did this drawing, I was thinking - ever since year 2001 when I began to do a lot of illustrations for schools, I never had chance to show to people because they were all confidential. (Ha! Maybe only school students have had the chance to see them, especially during their examination time.)

So eventually I tell myself: I want to use the similar type of school-illustration images (or we can call it "style") to do this drawing... So, as you can see, the forms and shapes of the figures are very "school-like"...right? Ha!Ha!

Monday, December 24, 2007

The Christian Fellowship

"The Christian Fellowship", Acrylic on Canvas, 2006. (Private Collection)


Ha! Many people like this painting very much! Some people even comment that most of the cakes I have created look like local cakes instead of "international" variety!
Painting shows that Christians resting in Christ will lead to developing sweet character(like a piece of sweet cake) and also can benefit one another...
Yesterday I was celebrating Christmas with many brothers- and sisters-in-Christ at a couple's house. From the beginning till the end of the celebration, the whole scenario was similar to this painting-"Sweet Christian Fellowship!"

Thursday, December 20, 2007

Fruitful John

"Fruitful John", Acrylic on Canvas, 2005, ( Private Collection)


"We love him, because he first loved us." (1 John 4:19)
Years ago, I kept asking myself : " Do I love God?" or " I must love God! or else..."
Eventually, I found out that if I always force myself to love God, I am actually putting myself under law! Which means I try very hard to love him...but seem so difficult to love him in my efforts! So in the end, the only way I can do is just simply enjoy and rest in God's love daily... Slowly, I found out - the more I enjoy his love, the more love overflows from me! In the end, I can just love him naturally and sometimes not aware of it!

Thursday, December 13, 2007

多管闲事

有一等人,专爱管闲事。

跟这等人交往,就算是同桌吃一顿饭也感到压力重重!

首先,他们会非常仔细观察你的一举一动,稍微发现有不顺眼的地方,便会对你进行批评!——这批评是按照他(她)们的个人标准而定的。

批评完毕,便对你说:“这是为了你好!”(这时你已被他(她)们搞得在众人面前显得非常尴尬了!)试问爱做这等事的朋友:“这真是为了对方好吗?”是否知道你(们)这麽做是在为对方立下许多“应该做这!不应该做那!”的“律法”?给对方打上一张不合格的成绩单?(感谢主!在上帝眼里我永远合格。)而且是否有为别人的处境,面子及自尊心着想?更甚的是有些还会向你瞪眼睛,张开狮子口(狮子乃是象征王者,这里比作有的人觉得自己比皇帝老爷还大!)向你叫骂:“你不该讲这话或那话!”感觉上讲话也得看人的脸色讲...为这事,在几个月前我已疏远了一名朋友,不再交往了...。

若你是喜欢做这等事的朋友,我劝你并希望你知道:“没有人是完美的!若果我的态度或谈吐是极度令你反感的话...与其当面令我难堪(事实是你这麽做只会令事情变得更糟!)为何不选择在背地里为我进行祈祷祝福呢?你的恩典在哪里?”


上图:真正的王者——狮子(这里指“基督”)对人表现出爱心,用爱来吸引人亲近他,而非应用王的权柄来审判人。