A friend of mine was lamenting at the fleeting moment of the beautiful setting sun. A moment of glorious terrestrial wonder gone very quickly, and we entered the dark night. Another friend wisely added that we should not lament on such but to be thankful for the chance to see such a wonderful sight. Just like the saying goes: “Don’t be sad that it is gone but rejoice that it happened.”

Many of us fail to enjoy the presence of our loved ones when they are around. Some even spent the entire time complaining about them. All these will continue until the day someone passes away. Then all the ‘missing them’ and regrets start to flow. Is that how we want to go through life in an endless cycle of grumpy comments and regrets?

I am sure we do not want to. We want to be able to enjoy all the moments of goodness and beauty. Well, we must learn to appreciate the times of difficulties. They are what make us stronger and grateful for the good times. Of course, may the Lord be kind to us to meet with more good times than bad.

We live in an evil world. Many things are not as clear cut as before. What seems to be a malevolent act may yet be a malicious one. Evil has learned to disguise itself better in a materialistic world obsessed with pleasure for self. Dying to self and treating others as more significant would be a rare commodity today. Yet it is what we should be doing.

We speak of how we follow Christ; how much we love Him and wants to be like our Lord. Well, words are all we have. To put them into action seems like a fool’s doing.

Brothers and sisters, do not be too sure that many will meet again in heaven. There are many pitfalls in the journey of faith, and we have to be aware of them. Do not gain what is temporary in this world and lose what is eternal in the world to come. Live and live well. May we all have a sure reunion date in heaven.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

我的朋友为着即将流逝灿烂辉煌的日落而失落伤感。天际间荣耀光辉瞬间消失，我们就进入黑暗的夜晚。另一个朋友启发性说道我们不应该为此伤感相反的应当感激能有此机会观看到如此绚烂的景色。正如俗话说，“不要为着流逝的伤心，而是为着所发生的雀跃。”

很多人失败於与跟所爱的人在一起享受的时刻。甚至一些用尽在一起的时间彼此抱怨。这会持续直到当有人离世。之后所有的“念想”和懊悔开始发酵。这是我们要在无止境的乖戾批评和悔痛的循环中如此度过一生吗？

我十分肯定这不是我们所要的。我们要好好的享受生命中美善的时刻。是的，我们要欣赏困难时光。它们使我们更加坚强，让我们在对美好的时刻心存感激。当然，愿主怜悯我们使我们有更多的美好时刻多过於不好的。

我们是活在邪恶的世界里。很多东西不如从前那样清晰明了。那些看似恶意的举动很有可能是存有恶意的。邪恶可以更好地乔装在沉迷于物欲泛滥对己所带来快乐里。舍己和对待别人更重要已属罕见。这应是我们当尽之责。

我们谈我们应当如何跟随基督，我们有多爱祂以及要学像我们的主。很好，这尽在我们所说的话里。将其实践看似很愚蠢的。

弟兄姐妹，不要以为理所当然我们会在天堂相见。在信仰的旅程中有许多的陷阱，我们要对它们警觉。不要获取在世界中那短暂的而失去了来世的永恒。好好地活并活好。愿我们对天上团聚的约会有十分把握。

111上帝赐福,
在基督里服事的,

Barry Leong
（林忠彬翻译）