Things are seldom as they appear – if ever. This is because two factors obscure the reality. Firstly, the object of the observation seldom conducts itself outwardly as it really is within or behind the scenes. Secondly, the ability on the part of the observer is limited at most times so that he is not able to see as he ought to.
And woe to the one who tries to acquire that which he desires by trying to give the appearance of either getting it or already having it.
Truth in the inward parts is not only the desired end but the means to that end.
“I am the way, the truth, and the life…”
Child of fullness and plenty, have you any idea
How empty you may be?
Your stomach is filled
With emptiness.
You laugh
Your laugh is hollow.
Child of laughter and merriment have you any idea
How sad you are?
Your heart has a notion
Of sorrow on the way.
You scoff;
You scoff at you know not what.
Child of scorn and scoffing, have you any idea
How the arrows you shoot reverse?
Your own conscience tells you
Of condemnation imminent.
You despise
That which you do not understand.
Child of pride and knowledge, do you have any idea
Of your ignorance and foolishness?
You know it all
But not as well as you are known.
You pray
For mercy – you have none.
Child of prayer and fasting, have you any idea
How full you will yet be?
You are now empty
On the way to fullness.
You cry;
Your tears are not in vain.
Child of weeping and sorrow, have you any idea
How happy you will yet be?
Your heart is filled
With sadness.
You cry;
Your crying is soon to end…in laughter.
Lethbridge, Sept. 1984
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English - Chinese 上帝經常並在很長一段時間內向祂被召喚出來的人隱藏祂自己，就像祂對古今的所有聖徒和先知所做的那樣。我們非常渴望像這個世界上那樣憑眼見行走，但我們必須學會憑信心行走，藉著我們被賜給對未知的少量知識，該未知者，來讓我們認識祂。儘管祂隱藏自己來考驗我們，但祂一直都在那裡…沒有人可以離開祂的存在。然而，一個人可以選擇這樣做，而選擇這樣做不是被召喚出來的人。空虛本身並不是像人們所想的那樣一個壞跡象。 我因悲痛和悲哀而生病， 煩惱和孤獨； 我的靈魂充滿了呻吟和渴望； 我四處張望； 我伸出手； 我的手空空歸來； 淚水充滿我的靈魂； 我哭啊哭啊哭； 沒有人可以安慰，撫慰，減輕我的痛苦。 日復一日，年復一年， 一旬又一旬， 我等待，我渴望，我哭泣， 我嘆了口氣。 沒有人可以理解。 我等待早晨； 我等待傍晚； 我很傷心寂寞。 我進食，我入睡，我哭泣… 我說我沒有是罪嗎 那讓我變成了這樣—— 絕望、悲傷、孤獨、不滿足， 無用、被蔑視、不受歡迎？ 這不是豐盛的生命； 雖然我的肉體需求得到滿足 來去自由， 然而我無處可去。 一切都是安靜的，平淡無奇的，單調乏味的和黯淡的。 我抱怨嗎 還是我只是說事情的情況 對於那些被神聖命令任命為這樣的， 不為了罪 而為了祂的目的？ 我不知道; 我只知道我很哀愁也很孤獨； 這我知道。 我注意到我並不害怕 就像我曾經那樣； 我不懷疑我走的道路 就像我曾經那樣， 我是嗎？ 我不貪圖鄰人設身的處地； 沒有我願意與他人交換的 然而我認為，如果 不是因為主抓住我的手， 我肯定會想 結束我的性命。 如果不是為了希望更好的事情， 我會如此絕望 我會安排我的結局。 多諷刺！ 有很多值得感恩的， 所需要的都充足地被提供， 好妻子， 一個健康的新生兒子， 健康、整齊、安全和外在的平安， 內心卻是絕望的渴望 因為我不知道是什麼—— 朋友們？同伴？工作？ 重要感？有用感？聲譽？ 榮耀？尊重？認同感？ 激動人心的？刺激奇遇的？ 我不知道。 在靜止的時候我很煩惱。 為什麼？我不知道。 我只知道我很哀愁也很孤獨； 這我知道。 月亮河莊園，一九九一年十月二十九日
It is bad enough to watch a dog vomit though by vomiting it may well expel that which ails it. Then it is a pleasant experience to behold a healthy creature. But bad is bad when one witnesses the return of a dog to its vomit only to lick it up again. I do not know of many more disgusting spectacles to witness in all of existence. Up from the pits of Hell Come the vilest of the vile; These are the has-beens of yester-year, Full of venom and guile. These have known the truth of God; They have known His love and power, His mercy to loveless men; His goodness has made them sour. Why do angels fall? Why do just men call On gods who have nothing to give? Why do fools choose death In order that they may live? Now here is a marvelous thing That would make any devil sing: It is easier to find The seeing man crying to be blind Than it is the blind to see. Lethbridge, Alta., June 1985
The ways and thoughts of the spirit of the Lord are far higher than man is ever willing to acknowledge or can imagine. This work had the crucible of a man with above average intellect who was rather impressed with his powers as well as impressive. What a blessing it would be to see a man set aside his strengths both real and perceived and take on the "weakness" of Christ. I have yet to see a man of high intellect do so. But isn't it written that God chooses the foolish things to confound the wise? Men dwell on different planes. There are those who are subterranean, Less than animals; They will not use even their bodies as they ought. There are those who dwell on lower ground, Their bodies they use acceptably well But no more can they receive. Then there are those who have taken to the hills. They have sought the higher ground Of mind and intellectual things. And with the powers of mind Both given and honed, They have awesome works achieved. Yet there is higher ground still. There are snow-capped peaks of the spirit Where the air is cold and thin, Where the traveler is rare, Where few would care to come, Yet the vista is supreme. Satisfied with the planes below, Ignorant of the plane above, Each on his own level thinks There is nothing better, nothing more. Come up higher, man. You've a long way you can go. But put aside the weights of assumptions, Vanities, arrogance. Put away pride and foolis...