趙士德牧師夫婦

 

January 2010

 My Dear Friends,

首先,請允許我衷心感謝你的盛情紀念我和我的家人。我們在台灣 15年的時間,是一段幸福的時光。我們在那時交的朋友,現在還繼續在交往,甚至像家人一般的親密。

是的,我也有學生因為我過去的教導現在相當出色,不過,我相信,這一切無論是對台灣或加拿大的教會都是好的。

過去曾是年青的我們,現在的身體和心靈正遭受逐漸老化的摧殘。當然,這是自然和正常的現象,不需要害怕或不喜歡。必須在上帝的恩典裡坦然接受。當面臨低潮時,最好要記住,這不是新的或最近才發生的,而是一直存在的問題和困難,但我們的上帝始終如一,是信實的。

正如使徒保羅告訴提摩太:『為主忍受苦難,完成主的托付』保持信念,這不是照我們的意思,乃是照上帝的意思。

這是我們的責任和榮幸繼續忠實於我們的上帝,並把它傳承給那些後來要走同樣道路的人。

福音不變,而且永遠免費。不管發生什麼事,請緊緊抓住它,願上帝保佑大家!

 

First, let me thank you sincerely for your kind remembrance of me and my family. Our time in Taiwan—15 years—was a happy time. We had friends there who have stayed our friends—and even as family.

Yes, I also had students who have done well in spite of me, but that has, I believe, been good for the church in Taiwan—and also in Canada.

But age takes its toll over the body—and mind—once young now suffers the problems associated with growing old. Of course, this is both natural and normal—not to be feared and disliked. It has to be accepted with grace. When times are apparently difficult, it is best to remember that this is not new or recent. There have always been problems and difficulties—but the God we serve remains faithful and ever the same.

As the Apostle Paul told Timothy, “keep the defrost,” preserve the faith which we received. It’s not ours to do with as we wish, but His.

It is our duty and privilege to remain faithful to what we have received and pass it on unchanged to those who follow the same road.

The gospel remains unchanged and ever free. Hold to it, May God bless you all,

Christ Costerus