Rev. Robert Martin Visits St. James', in Taichung

#2018-0923

We had a special guest preacher this morning: The Revd Robert Martin (馬若斌牧師) from Hong Kong!

So far as I know, Rev. Robert works at the cathedral of Hong Kong Anglican Church (香港聖公會) and also at a small church called Emmanuel Church (以馬內利堂), in the Diocese of Hong Kong Island.

"Childlike vs. Childish" -- This is the title of Rev. Robert's sermon for today. What he preached was very impressive to me. And I thought I could use the Chinese phrase "赤子之心" (or 赤子心) as the equivalent of the English idea of "being childlike"; and "孩子氣", as "being childish."

Collin's COBUILD Dictionary on CD-ROM 2006 says:

1. You describe someone as childlike when they seem like a child in their character, appearance, or behavior. (e.g. His most enduring quality is his childlike innocence...) 
2. If you describe someone, especially an adult, as childish, you disapprove of them because they behave in an immature way. (= immature, e.g. ...Penny's selfish and childish behavior...  Don't be so childish.)

Far East Pinyin Chinese-English Dictionary (遠東 拼音 漢英辭典) says:

1. chìzǐzhīxīn 赤子之心： (literally) a child's heart -- man's natural kindness
2. háiziqì 孩子氣： childish; childishness

As children of our Heavenly Father, we should all know that it's GOOD to be childlike, to have the innocent heart of a child, to have the pure heart of a newborn baby; but it's NOT DESIRABLE at all for us to be childish or immature! -- O Lord, help us really grow up; let us grow well, or even a little better!