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    November 08

    我今天為他人做了什麼

    我今天為他人做了什麼?

    多馬‧孟蓀會長

    他人的需求隨處可見,我們每個人都可以做一些事來幫助別人。

    我親愛的弟兄姊妹,今天早晨我滿懷對耶穌基督的福音及對各位的愛,向各位問候致意。我很感激有此榮幸站在各位面前,也祈求我能把受到啟發要說的話,深刻有力地向各位傳達。

    幾年前,我讀到傑克‧麥康尼醫師所寫的一篇文章。麥康尼醫師從小在美國維吉尼亞州西南部的山區長大,他父親是衛理公會的牧師,母親則是家庭主婦,家 裡有七個孩子,家境清寒。他敘述在他童年時期,每天全家人圍坐在晚餐桌前時,父親總是會輪流問每個孩子:「你今天為別人做了什麼?」1這 使得孩子們都下定決心要日行一善,好向父親報告他們確實幫助了別人。麥康尼醫師稱這項作法是他父親留下的最珍貴傳承;由於父親的那份期望以及那句話鼓勵了 他和他的兄弟姊妹,使他們終生都在幫助他人。在他們長大成人後,這項為人服務的動機也轉化成一股由衷想要幫助他人的渴望。

    麥康尼醫師曾經主導結核病蒂內測試法(tine test)的研發工作,參與小兒麻痺疫苗早期的研究計畫,督導泰諾(Tylenol)藥劑的研發,在發展MRI核磁共振造影(MRI)過程裡,也扮演舉足 輕重的角色。除了醫療生涯裡這些輝煌的成就外,他還創設了一個名為醫療義工團的機構,讓退休的醫療人員有機會在義診診所裡擔任義工,為沒有健康保險的工人 看病。麥康尼醫師說他自從退休之後,原來的閒暇時間「頓時化為烏有,變成了週週工作60小時的無薪工作。不過,〔他〕反倒因此更有活力,生活中有一種前所 未有的滿足。」他說道:「在生命裡有一項看似矛盾的道理,那就是擔任義診醫師的我反而比病人獲益更多。」2如今全美各地有70多處這樣的診所。

    當然,我們不可能人人都成為麥康尼醫師,創設醫療診所幫助貧困的人;但是,他人的需求隨處可見,我們每個人也都可以做一些事來幫助別人。

    使徒保羅勸誡我們要「用愛心互相服事」。3請大家和我一起回顧摩爾門經裡便雅憫王這句耳熟能詳的話:「你們為同胞服務時,只是在為你們的神服務而已。」4

    救主這樣教導門徒:「因為,凡要救自己生命的,必喪掉生命;凡為我喪掉生命的,必救了生命。」5

    我相信救主是在告訴我們,除非我們能無私忘我地為人服務,否則人生幾乎了無目的。只為自己活的人最後必枯萎淍零,宛如行屍走肉一般;而無私為人服務的人,反而會成長茁壯──宛如救了自己一命。

    在1963年10月的總會教友大會上--我在那場大會上被支持為十二使徒定額組成員--當時的大衛奧‧麥基會長這樣說:「人類最大的幸福來自於無私忘我地為人謀福祉。」6

    往往,我們與他人比鄰而居,但卻未真心溝通。在我們的能力範圍之內,總有人伸手呼喊著:「在基列豈沒有乳香呢?」7

    我深信,本教會的每一位教友都想要為人服務,幫助有需要的人。我們在洗禮的時候曾經立約要「承擔彼此的重擔,使重擔減輕」。8你的心有多少次因為看到他人的需要而產生惻隱之心?你曾經有多少次想要成為那伸出援手的人?但是在每天忙碌生活的干擾下,你又曾有多少次把那些事留給其他人去幫忙,覺得「喔,反正一定有人會去照顧那些需求。」

    我們都被忙碌的生活羈絆得難以脫身,但是,我們是否曾經停下腳步,仔細看看自己在忙些什麼。我們可能會發現自己一直埋頭做一些「芝麻綠豆」的小事。換句話說,從人生全盤計畫的宏觀角度來看,我們往往投注大部分的時間去關心無關緊要的事情,而忽略了更重要的目標。

    我在很多年前聽過一首詩,至今仍然記得,我一直用它來引導我的生活,這是我很喜歡的一首詩:

    我曾在夜裡哭泣,
    只因眼光短淺,
    對於他人的需要,我心盲未見;
    但我從來不曾
    因為對人太過仁慈
    而感到絲毫悔恨。9

    弟兄姊妹們,我們周遭都有需要我們關懷、鼓勵、支持、安慰、仁慈相待的人,他們可能是我們的家人、朋友、認識的人,也可能是陌生人。我們就是主在這世上的手,有責任為祂的兒女服務、提升他們;主要靠我們每一個人來達成這些事。

    各位可能會哀嘆,我每天勉強度日,盡力做到一切我必需做的事,怎麼還有餘力為人服務呢?我還可能做什麼呢?

    就在一年前,教會新聞在我生日之前訪問我。在訪談結束之際,記者問我,如果世界各地的教友要送我禮物,我心目中最好的禮物會是什麼。我回答:「去找出正遭逢困難、生病或孤獨的人,然後為他們做點事。」10

    今年我深受感動,因為接到了世界各地教友寄來的數幾百封生日賀卡和信函,他們告訴我,他們如何讓我的生日願望實現了,那些服務的舉動從組裝人道援助用品袋到清理庭院都有。

    好幾十個兒童會向他們的小朋友提出挑戰,請他們為人服務,然後他們把所作的服務記錄下來寄給了我。我不得不承認,他們作紀錄的方法實在很有創意。很 多是把一頁一頁的紙裝訂起來,製作成各式各樣的小冊子。有的是小朋友畫的、或著色的卡片或圖畫。有個很有創意的兒童會寄來一個大瓶子,裡面裝了好幾百個他 們所謂的「溫馨絨毛球」,每個絨毛球都代表兒童會的一位小朋友在那一年為人服務的一項善舉。我只能想像,當小朋友說出他們的服務行動、然後把一顆「溫馨絨 毛球」放進瓶子裡的時候,內心所體驗到的那份快樂。

    在我接到的許多禮物裡,往往附有小紙條,我現在只能從那些數不清的小紙條裡,與各位分享其中幾個。有個小孩寫道:「我爺爺中風了,我會握著他的 手。」有位8歲的小女孩說:「我和姊姊為媽媽、為家人服務,把玩具櫃整理好、清理乾淨。我們花了好幾個小時才完成,可是很好玩。最棒的是:我們讓媽媽感到 驚喜、讓她很開心,因為我們沒有等她吩咐就去做了。」有位11歲的女孩寫道:「我們支會裡有個家庭的經濟情況不太好,他們家有三個小女孩。有一次她們的爸 媽必須出門,所以我去幫忙照顧那三個小女孩。後來那位爸爸要拿5塊美金給我。我說:『我不能收〔你的錢〕』。我的服務是義務照顧這三個小女孩。」有一位住 在蒙古的兒童會小孩寫道,他到井邊去打水,所以媽媽就不必做這件事了。有個4歲男孩顯然是由兒童會老師幫他寫的:「我爸爸去接受軍事訓練好幾個星期,我的 特殊任務就是給媽媽抱抱和親親。」有位9歲的女孩寫到:「我摘草莓給曾祖母吃,我覺得心裡好快樂!」另一個小孩說:「我跟一個孤單的小孩玩。」

    有位11歲的小男孩寫著:「我到一位姊妹家裡請教她一些問題,也為她唱了一首歌。能拜訪她真好,她很快樂,因為從來沒有人去拜訪她。」讀到這張特別 的小紙條,使我想起很久以前十二使徒定額組理查‧伊凡長老寫的一段話,他說:「一般年輕人很難明白,從日理萬機退居到不參與世事,是多麼地寂寞。……這些 老人長久以來一直是家庭的核心,是大家求助的對象,接著,幾乎是突然地,卻變得只能在一旁看著別人繼續向前走──而漸漸過著孤寂的生活。……我們必須經過 漫長的歲月才能了解,徒有家具的空房間是多麼地空虛冷清。光是雇用看護、請福利機構或專業人士提供照料是不夠的,其實還需要有人讓塵封已久的記憶再度鮮活 起來,讓他們快樂地活在當下。……我們無法讓他們的年輕歲月倒流,但我們可以幫助他們在人生晚年享有溫馨的光輝,透過我們的體貼關懷……和不虛偽的愛,讓 這段歲月更加美好。」11

    男女青年班級裡的青少年也送了許多生日賀卡和小紙條給我,他們製作毛毯送給醫院,到救濟食物發放中心服務,代替已逝者接受洗禮,和從事其他無數的服務善舉。

    婦女會向來都不乏助人善舉,這次她們提供的服務更勝於平時所做的,聖職小組也是如此。

    弟兄姊妹們,當孟蓀姊妹和我花了好幾個小時展讀這些禮物時,我的心裡感到莫大的感動與感激。在我現在講述這段經歷,同時想到由於「施」與「受」而蒙得祝福的那些人時,此刻我的內心極為感動。

    這讓我想起馬太福音第25章裡的一段話:

    「你們這蒙我父賜福的,可來承受那創世以來為你所預備的國;

    「因為我餓了,你們給我吃,渴了,你們給我喝;我作客旅,你們留我住;

    「我赤身露體,你們給我穿;我病了,你們看顧我;我在監裡,你們來看我。

    「義人就回答說:『主啊,我們甚麼時候見你餓了,給你吃,渴了,給你喝?

    「甚麼時候見你作客旅,留你住,或是赤身露體,給你穿?

    「又甚麼時候見你病了,或是在監裡,來看你呢?』

    「王要回答說:『我實在告訴你們,這些事你們既做在我這弟兄中一個最小的身上,就是做在我身上了。』」12

    我的弟兄姊妹們,願我們都會用傑克‧麥康尼醫師和他的兄弟姊妹每天晚餐時被問到的那個問題來問我們自己:「我今天為他人做了什麼?」願這首耳熟能詳的聖詩能夠深深觸動我們的靈魂,長駐我們心裡:

    今日我可曾在世界上行善?
    可曾幫助困苦的人?
    可曾鼓舞憂者,使人感覺歡愉?
    若未為此乃我失敗。
    可有人因我願為他分憂,
    感覺今日負擔減輕?
    病患與勞苦之人,可有人扶持?
    需要我時,我願幫忙?13

    我們大家所蒙召從事的服務,是在為主耶穌基督服務。

    當祂徵召我們從事祂的偉業,就是在邀請我們更接近祂。祂對你我這樣說:

    「凡勞苦擔重擔的人可以到我這裡來,我就使你們得安息。

    「我心裡柔和謙卑,你們當負我的軛,學我的樣式;這樣,你們心裡就必得享安息。

    「因為我的軛是容易的,我的擔子是輕省的。」14

    我們若真正聆聽,就會聽見那聲音從遙遠的地方傳來對我們說話,就像它曾向他人說的一樣:「好,你這又良善又忠心的僕人」。15我祈求每一個人都有資格獲得來自主的這項祝福,我這樣獻上祈求,是奉救主耶穌基督的名,阿們。■

    July 26

    Google Maps API for Flash

    Google Maps API for Flash

    How do I start?

    1. Sign up for a Google Maps API Key
    2. Download the Google Maps API for Flash SDK
    3. Read the Developer's Guide
    4. Read the API Reference
    5. Join the announcements group to receive important updates.

    What is the Google Maps API for Flash?

    This API lets Flex developers embed Google Maps in Flash applications. Similar to the JavaScript version, this ActionScript API provides a number of utilities for manipulating and adding content to maps through a variety of services, enabling you to embed robust, interactive maps applications on your website.

    New! The Google Maps API for Flash now supports AIR Development (experimental) within the FlexBuilder© application development environment!


    Google Mapplets

    Google Mapplets

    How do I start?

    1. Browse the Developer Guide.
    2. Write a Mapplet and add it to Google Maps.
    3. Join the announcements group to receive important updates.

    Featured Video

    See how Mapplets benefit Google Maps users:

     

    What are Mapplets?

    Mapplets are mini-applications that run within Google Maps. You can create Mapplets that add new features or overlay your data on Google Maps.

    Mapplets are similar to the Maps API. The main difference is that Mapplets run on Google Maps, while the traditional Maps API is used to create maps on other websites.

    Why create Mapplets?

    • Mapplets expose your brand to millions of Google Maps users while letting you control the content.
    • You can link back to your website and monetize your Mapplet as you see fit.
    • Google provides free hosting, free bandwidth, and an official directory where users from all around the world can find your Mapplet.
    • Mapplets are so easy to write that you can create your first one in just 5 minutes!
    • There's no special signup and nothing you need to download.

    Google Web Toolkit

    Google Web Toolkit


    How do I start?

    1. Download the latest version of GWT
    2. Use the Getting Started Guide to write your first app
    3. Work through the in-depth GWT Tutorial
    Productivity for developers, performance for users
    Google Web Toolkit 1.7 Now AvailableNew!
    Writing web apps today is a tedious and error-prone process. Developers can spend 90% of their time working around browser quirks. In addition, building, reusing, and maintaining large JavaScript code bases and AJAX components can be difficult and fragile. Google Web Toolkit (GWT), especially when combined with the Google Plugin for Eclipse, eases this burden by allowing developers to quickly build and maintain complex yet highly performant JavaScript front-end applications in the Java programming language.
    Learn how Google Web Toolkit works, the features it offers, and how you can quickly develop performance AJAX applications across all major browsers.
    Get started using Google Web Toolkit. Walk through the installation and first steps needed to get a GWT application up and running. From there, work through the fundamentals of GWT development with an in-depth GWT tutorial.
    Everything you need to know about how to use Google Web Toolkit.
    Google Web Toolkit is an open source project with an active community building additional libraries and tools. Join the GWT developer forum to find out what people are up to. If you're interested in building from source, or contributing ideas or modifications to the project, check out the contributors guide.

    V8 JavaScript Engine

    V8 JavaScript Engine

    How do I start?

    • To see how fast V8 is see the benchmarks.
    • For information on getting started with V8, and how to embed V8 in your own C++ application see the V8 documentation.
    • To browse or get the source code, or to contribute to V8, see the V8 project page.

    Google Mac Developer Playground

    Google Mac Developer Playground

    Welcome

    Many developers at Google work on interesting open-source projects, some full time, some in their 20% time. This page is a collection of several such Mac-related projects.

    Some of these projects, like MacFUSE, are mature and supported. Others are unsupported technology demos that we provide solely for experimentation and entertainment.

    For the latest news, visit our blog. If you are looking for more Mac software from Google, check out www.google.com/mac.

    Recent Changes

    We'd love to hear your feedback on our latest toy, The Google Quick Search Box. We're trying to take desktop search to a whole new level.

    Who needs waves? For those of you with a Nintendo Wii Balance Board, try out Earth Surfer, and you can surf the world.

    Manually setting up synchronizing iCal with Google Calendars can be a bit of a pain. Our newest toy Calaboration makes it super easy. Grab it while it's hot.

    For those of you with GrandCentral accounts, please check out Vocito. Vocito allows you to quickly phone people from your desktop using GrandCentral. It integrates in with Quicksilver, Address Book and Automator, and is fully scriptable.

    Tools & Demos

    Quick Search Box Quick Search Box New!
    An experimental, open source search box that allows you to search data on your computer and across the web.
    Earth Surfer Earth Surfer New!
    Connect your Mac to a Nintendo Wii Balance Board to travel over Google Earth.
    Calaboration Calaboration
    Easily set up iCal to synchronize with Google Calender.
    Vocito Vocito
    Quick and easy GrandCentral access from your Desktop.
    Update Engine Update Engine
    A flexible Mac OS X framework that can help developers keep their products up-to-date.
    Top Draw Top Draw
    Generate images using JavaScript.
    Google Toolbox for Mac Google Toolbox for Mac
    A collection of source and tools that may be of use to Mac and iPhone developers.
    Precipitate Precipitate
    Search your Google Docs and Bookmarks from Spotlight or Google Desktop.
    Vidnik Vidnik
    Record video segments using your iSight camera and upload them to YouTube.
    Visigami Visigami
    An image search application and screen-saver that uses Google Images, Picasa, and Flickr.
    AppMenuBoy AppMenuBoy
    Creates a hierarchical menu in the dock of all your applications.
    CoverStory CoverStory
    A nice user interface for analyzing code coverage (gcov) files on the Mac.
    GData GData
    Write Objective-C applications that talk to Google's services through GData APIs.
    Statz Statz
    Update your status across multiple IM and chat networks.
    MacFUSE MacFUSE
    A mechanism that makes it possible to implement a fully functional file system in a user-space program on Mac OS X.
    Quartz Composer Patches Quartz Composer Patches
    A collection of Quartz Composer patches for Leopard that work with the ambient light and motion sensors.

    Google App Engine

    Google App Engine

    More Google App Engine resource links

    Introduction

    Welcome to Google App Engine! Creating an App Engine application is easy, and only takes a few minutes. And it's free to start: upload your app and share it with users right away, at no charge and with no commitment required.

    Google App Engine applications can be written in either the Java or Python programming languages. This tutorial covers Java. If you're more likely to use Python to build your applications, see Getting Started: Python.

    In this tutorial, you will learn how to:

    • build an App Engine application using standard Java web technologies, such as servlets and JSPs
    • create an App Engine Java project with Eclipse, and without
    • use the Google Plugin for Eclipse for App Engine development
    • use the App Engine datastore with the Java Data Objects (JDO) standard interface
    • integrate an App Engine application with Google Accounts for user authentication
    • upload your app to App Engine

    By the end of the tutorial, you will have implemented a working application, a simple guest book that lets users post messages to a public message board.

    Next...

    To get started developing Google App Engine Java applications, you download and set up the App Engine Java software development kit and related components.

    Continue to Installing the Java SDK.