什麼果子：What Kinds of Fruits?

#2025-0515

The photo on the right was taken during St. James’ “coffee hour” after the English service about a month and a half ago. At that moment, I was drawn to the small red tomatoes beautifully piled in a plastic box on the long table prepared for our gathering.

Yes, the fruits in the transparent plastic box looked truly eye-catching, especially with the shiny reflections of the ceiling lights. Even now, in this picture, they still catch your eye and mine—don’t they? If you look closely, you’ll notice several bright dots—like smiling stars—on the red surface of each one. These dots, or stars, are light reflections, vivid and captivating!

Today, I’d like to share with you some pictures I’ve “reproduced” or “re-created” from that original photo. Though they depict the same small fruits, these new images display a variety of striking colors: ruby red, olive green, light or dark blue, yellowish brown, bluish purple, and other intriguing combinations. Looking at them, can you imagine what qualities they might represent? After all, what kinds of fruits could they be?

Beyond distinguishing cherry tomatoes (round in shape) from grape tomatoes (oval in shape), I suddenly began to reflect on the fruit of the Holy Spirit. According to Galatians chapter 5:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love (仁愛), joy (喜樂), peace (和平), patience (忍耐), kindness (恩慈), goodness (良善), faithfulness (信實), gentleness (溫柔), and self-control (節制).”

At the same time, I thought of a Chinese proverb: “要怎麼收穫，就先怎麼栽種,” which means: What you harvest depends on how you plant.

= = =

相關文章 (See also)：

1)  愛 ● 喜樂 ● 生活     (2023)

2)  Regarding Grapes (葡萄傳說)     (2014)

3)  "Grapes that Are New to Me"     (2020)

4)  能量圖說: Pictures of Energy and Power     (2013)

5)  The Sermon on the Mount (山上寶訓) #07     (2014)

The Commisioning for Licensed Lay Ministers

#2025-0511

This morning, Rev. Lily Chang distributed licenses to those who serve as lay ministers, supporting our Sunday services as lay preachers, LEMs, lay readers, and/or lectors.

I am grateful to be one of the laypersons actively participating in St. James' English-speaking worship services on Sundays. Receiving four licenses this morning made me even more thankful and encouraged about the work that I—and many others—have been doing at and for our church. I thank the Lord for these meaningful opportunities to serve. Through them, our faith can deepen, and our spiritual lives grow—nurtured by Christ’s love and guided by the Lord God.

As we continue this shared journey of service and faith, I pray that all licensed lay ministers remain faithful, humble, and joyful in their ministries. May our words, actions, and presence in worship reflect Christ’s light, bringing encouragement and spiritual strength to our congregation and beyond.

= = =

相關文章 (See also)：

1)  A Glimpse of the Trinity     (2024)

2)  Spring Retreat at Mt. Tiger Head     (2025)

3)  Ms. Katherine Preaching at St. James' Church     (2024)

Hiking Guihuaquan for the First Time

#2025-0508

Where is the Guihuaquan Trail (桂花泉登山步道)?

If you’ve recently been to Tiezhenshan (鐵砧山) in Dajia, you might already know the answer.

Yes—this beautiful trail that Jean and I explored today, with our sister-in-law Lixue as our guide, is nestled on the slopes of Tiezhenshan in Dajia, where Jean’s mother and several of our close relatives live.

Today, Jean and I joined a family gathering that her mother had organized. We enjoyed a delicious meal at Xihai’an (西海岸) in Da’an District. After lunch, we took a short rest at home, then headed out for our first hike along the Guihuaquan Trail. We spent about two hours walking through the peaceful, wooded paths of Tiezhenshan.

Scroll down to see photos that capture the spirit of the trail—and maybe spark your own sense of adventure!

= = =

相關文章 (See also)：

1)  "西海岸" 最美的時刻     (2022)

2)  探親記 (附圖：花、鳥)     (2025)

3)  (步道整修中) We're Walking Along...     (2024)

3)  Read and Sing the Poem "鳥鳴澗" in the Traditional Holo Language     (2020)