【本期主題】起初的愛心
恩言英文編輯群根據啟示錄第二章四節中所提到的「起初的愛心」向本教會林牧師和潘牧師提問，兩位牧師帶領我們進入了這個看似平常卻需要我們時時自我提醒並深思熟慮的屬靈操練…
【本期主題】起初的愛心
辛立牧師從另外一個角度探討本期主題。他提到「我們珍惜『起初的愛心』，離不開經歷和明白『被愛的事實』；也離不開在接受別人的愛心之後，正確回饋、持守同樣的愛。」他用路加福音10: 25-37來闡釋這個「被愛的事實」和我們應有的省思，立論鏗鏘有力，別有洞見，非常值得讀者細讀。
【本期主題】起初的愛心
恩言訪問了教會長青團契的巫慶朗長老，林民柱弟兄，程長龍弟兄和李威鳳姊妹，請他們談談服事常碰到的瓶頸: 愛心漸漸失去。巫長老提醒我們「對神有真正的認識，這才是事奉的原動力」；林民柱弟兄說，忙碌的現代社會，個人各顧各的事，也容易造成愛心冷淡。程長龍弟兄和李威鳳姊妹不約而同提到「屬靈同伴鼓勵」的重要，因為「孤單的柴火容易熄滅」。他們的經驗和觀察值得我們省思。
【本期主題】起初的愛心
這位從台灣校園歌曲風行時代即創作出無數膾炙人口歌曲的音樂創作者，他的歌「起初的愛」告白他疊宕起伏的人生以及生命中場認識了神的愛 。誠如作者所言: 因為這首歌，是他回到起初，在基督的愛裡完成的。
【雲彩輯】行向水深之處
在感嘆命運不公的同時，又為不屈服於命運安排的哥哥而自豪。從廚師到教師到工程師到翻譯到現在的警備員，二十年來身殘志堅的哥哥一直在教會友人的關懷下，靠著自己的辛勤勞動來養活著自己！
【From the English Editor】
A Look Back: An Idea Conceived, A Magazine Born
It is amazing how God works through His children’s passion and gifts, conceives an idea within their soul, and gives birth to ministries that bless others.
【From Our Pastors】
“First love” is about having a passionate love for God even if it means suffering for Him…. His applied Word both renews and matures us for our life of love wherever we are and wherever we go.
【Guest Feature】
This heavenly blessing prompted James to write, “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction” (James 1:27).
【Special Feature】
The imperfect couple learns to love like their perfect Maker, God Himself, who unconditionally and sacrificially seeks the interest of his wicked and ungrateful bride.
【Special Feature】
Jason Bourne, Steve Jobs, and Jesus
But the children of Adam and Eve have forgotten their identity, so they have lost their purpose, too.
【Faith Professed】
The Christian life wasn’t meant to be easy. And God used my struggles to bring me closer to Him.
【Faith Professed】
I began to research and try to figure out the facts that supported whether Jesus’ death and resurrection were true, or whether the Bible was really trustworthy.
【Faith Professed】
This was the first time my conviction broke my heart, and I bawled at the weight of my sins.
【Faith Professed】
I had understood the doctrine but had not made a change in my life because of it.
【Faith Professed】
I have also learned that through my trials and struggles that God does everything for a reason and that I need to trust Him with His plan for my life.
【Faith Professed】
Perhaps I shouldn’t be alive today, but God showed me mercy and healing since the beginning of my life.
【Faith Professed】
Declaring God As Lord and Savior
I had come to the abrupt realization that to live without God was a truly terrifying thing.
【Kinship Corner】
My Experience with the Seniors
Their loyalty convicts me of my own selfishness and laziness; how I, though physically able, sometimes choose not to give time and priority to encourage others.
【Living Faith】
I've come to realize that this yearning for God does not come from a place of emptiness, such as needing something from God or an emptiness of hardly knowing Him.
【Living Faith】
Nobody But You: A Devotional Reflection
Six months after my husband passed away, the loneliness haunted me so strongly. I was like a lost island.
【Mission Around the World】
Once the center of worldwide mission, England is now in need of missionaries to point her back to a living God.
【Mission Around the World】
Experiencing Mexico Outreach: Memories from Two Participants
It’s good to take a step back and give God the control so that He can do His work… regardless of language barrier or cultural differences, all people redeemed by God’s grace are His children!
【Book Review】
In Praise of Praise: An Author’s Guide to Loving Through Words
Christians might avoid praising others for fear of engendering pride. But the Bible gives God-centered praise to people, and we can, too.