TAG - Thomas, Amber and Grace ('T'he 'A'mazing 'G'race): 2008

A brand new year again
looking for fresh start,
Closer relationship with family members,friends,
and most of all, Jesus.

John Newton and the lyrics to Amazing Grace 《约翰牛顿与奇异恩典》

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me.
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

When we've been here ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first begun.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

奇异恩典何等甘甜
我罪已得赦免
前我失丧今被寻回
瞎眼今得看见

如此恩典使我敬畏
使我心得安慰
初信之时即蒙恩惠
真是何等宝贵

许多危险试炼网罗
我已安然度过
靠主恩典安全不怕
更引导我归家

将来禧年圣徒欢聚
恩光爱谊千年
喜乐颂赞在父座前
深望那日快现

Wikisource has original text related to this article: Amazing Grace

John Newton, the author of the lyrics to Amazing Grace, was born in 1725 in Wapping, London, United Kingdom.[1] Despite the powerful message of "Amazing Grace," Newton's religious beliefs initially lacked conviction; his youth was marked by religious confusion and a lack of moral self-control and discipline.[1]
After a brief time in the Royal Navy, Newton began his career in slave trading. The turning point in Newton's spiritual life was a violent storm that occurred one night while at sea. Moments after he left the deck, the crewman who had taken his place was swept overboard. Although he manned the vessel for the remainder of the tempest, he later commented that, throughout the tumult, he realized his helplessness and concluded that only the grace of God could save him. Prodded by what he had read in Thomas à Kempis' Imitation of Christ, Newton took the first step toward accepting faith.[1]
These incidents and his 1750 marriage to Mary Catlett changed Newton significantly. On his slave voyages, he encouraged the sailors under his charge to pray. He also began to ensure that every member of his crew treated their human cargo with gentleness and concern. Nevertheless, it would be another 40 years until Newton openly challenged the trafficking of slaves.[1]
Some three years after his marriage, Newton suffered a stroke that prevented him from returning to sea; in time, he interpreted this as another step in his spiritual voyage. He assumed a post in the Customs Office in the port of Liverpool and began to explore Christianity more fully. As Newton attempted to experience all the various expressions of Christianity, it became clear that he was being called to the ministry. Since Newton lacked a university degree, he could not be ordained through normal channels. However, the landlord of the parish at Olney was so impressed with the letters Newton had written about his conversion that he offered the church to Newton; he was ordained in June 1764.[1]
In Olney, the new curate met the poet William Cowper, also a newly-born Christian. Their friendship led to a spiritual collaboration that completed the inspiration for "Amazing Grace," the poem Newton most likely wrote in Kineton, Warwickshire[citation needed] around Christmas 1772.[1] The lyrics are based on his reflections on an Old Testament text he was preparing to preach on, adding his perspective about his own conversion while on his slave ship, the Greyhound, in 1748.
Newton's lyrics have become a favourite for Christians, largely because the hymn vividly and briefly sums up the doctrine of divine grace. The lyrics are based on 1 Chronicles 17:16-17, a prayer of King David in which he marvels at God's choosing him and his house. Newton apparently wrote this for use in a sermon he preached on this passage on New Year's Day 1773, and for which he left his sermon notes, which correspond to the flow of the lyrics[2]. (He entitled the piece "Faith's review and expectation.")
The song has also become known as a favorite with supporters of freedom and human rights, both Christian and non-Christian, in part because many assume it to be Newton's testimony about his slave trading past.
The hymn was quite popular on both sides in the American Civil War.

《奇异恩典》是怎样创作出来的？
“作者约翰牛顿的见证: 作者成长于一基督徒家庭，母亲信仰虔诚时常祷告，在她熏陶下约翰很早就知道上帝的救恩。
然而当他投入航海业，成为一位水手之后，他染上恶习，吃喝嫖赌无恶不作；把上帝的恩典视作理所当然，不知珍惜甚至滥用与祂敌对。
他从事奴隶贩卖的勾当，并曾在运送奴隶的船上工作，后来反而沦落非洲。1747年在一个狂风暴雨的海上，他向神祈求保佑，平安度过之后他开始在信仰上有所追求，但他并没有立即放弃贩卖奴隶；不过几年之后他就因为更深入认识基督教的理念，于是决心痛改前非，奉献一生，宣扬上帝的福音，成为19世纪伟大的传道人。
在他的墓志铭上摘录了：“约翰牛顿牧师，从前是个犯罪作恶不信上帝的人，曾在非洲作奴隶之仆。但借着主耶稣基督的丰盛怜悯，得蒙保守，与神和好，罪得赦免，并蒙指派宣传福音事工。”这首诗歌就是他一生得拯救的见证。 2004年一期「今日美国」杂志的问卷显示纽顿在诗歌方面的见证，因为「奇异恩典」是全美国人最喜爱的一苜诗歌。
所以这首感人至深的极奇异恩典amazing grace其实是首圣诗，西方歌手演唱此曲的版本很多。在这段音频中表达出了原曲圣洁祥和的慑人气氛。 grace原意为"优雅、优美"，此处解释成"上帝对人类的慈悲、恩宠"。

TAG - Thomas, Amber and Grace ('T'he 'A'mazing 'G'race)

Monday, December 29, 2008

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TAG - Thomas, Amber and Grace ('T'he 'A'mazing 'G'race)

Monday, December 29, 2008

End of 2008

Tuesday, January 08, 2008

New Year 2008

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John Newton and the lyrics to Amazing Grace 《约翰牛顿与奇异恩典》