Words of the Bible

Return to God and Celebrate the Passover

After Solomon’s death, Israel split into two kingdoms: Judah in the south and Israel in the north. The kingdom of Israel did not celebrate the Passover for a long time. In 726 BC, Hezekiah king of Judah accepted the advice of the prophet Isaiah and repaired the ruined temple. Then he decided to celebrate the Passover. “All you people of Israel, come to Jerusalem and celebrate the Passover to God!” At the king’s command, the couriers went throughout Israel and Judah with letters from the king and from his officials. “People of Israel, return to the LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, and celebrate the Passover. Do not be like your fathers and brothers, who were unfaithful to…

Invertebrates, the Irreplaceable Beings

In regard to a person or an object that is hardly noticeable, people say they have a weak presence. Presence means a feeling that a person or an object exists, which speaks for the amount of people’s interest in the object. Then, which animal has the strongest presence? Is it the elephant which is almost as big as a house, or the whale as big as a few buses put together? Or maybe it is the lion, the king of the jungle, since the world operates within the law of the jungle, or the shark which dominates the ocean. However, the presence in nature is not always in proportion to the size of the body or strength. There are animals…

Endurance: The Power to Persevere

Despite having significantly inferior physical abilities compared with other animals, humans possess an overwhelmingly superior capability—endurance. In the hunting era, when humans lacked strength, speed, and natural weapons such as sharp horns, teeth, or claws, endurance was their only means of survival. Unlike cheetahs, ostriches, horses, or antelopes, which rely on bursts of speed, early humans depended on persistence hunting, relentlessly pursuing prey for hours until it collapsed from exhaustion. This extraordinary endurance allowed them to overcome their physical disadvantages and thrive. According to researchers, the human body is uniquely designed for long-distance running. Features such as a cooling system that expels heat through sweat glands, strong neck ligaments that provide stable vision over long distances, long and resilient Achilles…

The Power of Complementary Strengths: Eisenhower and Patton

Dwight D. Eisenhower, Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces during World War II and later the 34th President of the United States, emerged as one of the most influential figures of the conflict. Not only did he cultivate strong relationships with over 50 allied nations, but he also demonstrated remarkable diplomatic skills, mediating intense conflicts and managing complex international interests with precision. His leadership paved the way for the monumental D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944, when approximately 160,000 Allied troops—primarily from the United States and the United Kingdom, alongside forces from Canada, France, Australia, Poland, and Norway—launched a decisive assault on the Normandy coast. Successfully breaching Germany’s main defensive line, this operation marked a pivotal turning point, shifting the…

On the Meaning of Life

This anecdote was introduced by Will Durant, an American historian and philosopher, in his book On the Meaning of Life. One day, a gentleman visited Durant and confessed that he saw no reason to continue living. However, Durant himself could not provide a specific answer. Motivated by this conversation, Durant sent letters to 100 renowned individuals across various fields, asking fundamental questions about life’s purpose: Where do you find inspiration and energy? What motivates you to keep striving? Where do you find comfort and happiness? What do you hold most valuable? The recipients were diverse—writers, entertainers, artists, scholars, businesspeople, scientists, religious figures, and even individuals serving life sentences. Each responded with their own perspectives: “The only thing I truly desire…

Perceiving the Kingdom of Heaven

Humans perceive the world through their five senses. Stimuli received through sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch are converted into electrical signals and transmitted to the brain. The brain then synthesizes and interprets this information, forming recognition. As this process of sensation and perception repeats countless times, the accumulated data becomes the foundation for interpreting future sensory experiences. Thus, all recognition begins with sensation. However, human senses are inherently limited. Vision can detect only light waves within the 400–700 nanometer range, making X-rays, ultraviolet rays, infrared rays, and radio waves invisible to the naked eye. Likewise, hearing is restricted to frequencies between 20 and 20,000 hertz, rendering extremely high or low sounds inaudible. To overcome these limitations, scientists have sought…

Energy Robber or Energy Giver

“You’ll quit anyway.” “We won’t work out.” “Will that really help?” Even after setting clear goals and plans, hearing such discouraging words can drain energy and weaken resolve. People who habitually express negativity deplete the motivation of those around them, leaving them feeling powerless. Just as thieves quietly steal belongings, individuals who rob energy with demoralizing words and dull the atmosphere can be called “energy robbers.” It is best to distance ourselves from those who constantly say “no,” spread harmful rumors, or engage in relentless complaining. However, when avoidance is not possible, we must learn to protect ourselves. One way to do this is by cultivating independent thinking—developing resilience against negativity so that our emotions are not easily swayed by…

Invisible Love

The airplane slowly taxis onto the runway, and its jet engines humming before igniting with immense force. As it accelerates to 200 km/h (124 mph), the pressure difference above and below the wings reaches its peak, generating lift force1. The moment the lift force surpasses gravity, the massive 400-ton aircraft ascends effortlessly into the sky. With a smooth climb, the plane soars upward, leaving the ground behind as the vast expanse of the sky unfolds in breathtaking view. Soon, it reaches cruising altitude, gliding steadily through the heavens. 1. An upward force that counteracts gravity. It is generated by the movement of air from high to low pressure, enabling an airplane’s wings to lift the aircraft into the sky. The…

The Power of an Unbreakable Spirit

Henri Matisse, a master of color and one of the most influential figures in 20th-century graphic art, was not always destined to be a painter. Initially, he studied law and worked as a court clerk, leading an ordinary life with only a casual interest in art. However, his path took a dramatic turn when he suffered from appendicitis—an illness that was severe at the time. During his prolonged recovery, his mother gifted him a set of paints, which unknowingly changed the course of his life forever. Enchanted by the world of art, Matisse defied his father’s objections and started anew as a painter. He later revolutionized modern art by founding Fauvism, a movement characterized by bold, unrestrained colors and expressive…

A Steadfast Person

Ten days at sea, with relentless waves pounding the hull. Upon disembarking at the port, an arduous 80-ri (19.5-mile) journey over rugged stone paths finally led to a small thatched-roof cottage in Daejeong, Jeju Island, Korea. This was where Chusa Kim Jeong-hui, caught in unforeseen political strife, would spend his exile. During the late Joseon Dynasty of Korea, Kim Jeong-hui was a descendant of a prestigious family and one of the era’s most revered scholars and artists. He held key government positions, including Seongkyunkwan Daesaseong (Headmaster of Seonggyungwan, the highest educational institution similar to a national university) and Ijo Champan (Vice Minister of Personnel in the Ministry of Personnel), and as a diplomatic envoy to China, he actively exchanged knowledge…

Trust Score

During the intense struggle for maritime dominance from the 15th to 17th centuries, the Netherlands, despite being a latecomer, emerged as a leader in global shipping, controlling nearly 80 percent of Europe’s merchant fleet. One of the key factors in surpassing Spain and Portugal was the strong trust placed in Dutch merchant vessels—trust that was deeply rooted in the legacy of Captain Willem Barentsz. In 1596, Captain Barentsz embarked on his third voyage to discover the shortest sea route to Asia via the Arctic Ocean. Determined to surpass rival nations’ well-established routes, his expedition set sail with high hopes. However, their journey took a tragic turn when the ship became trapped in ice. Stranded in the frozen wilderness, the crew…

Since You Have Asked for Wisdom to Govern My People

Solomon, who became king of Israel after David, showed his love for God by walking according to the statutes of his father David. Before the temple of Jerusalem was completed, he went to Gibeon to offer a thousand burnt offerings to God. That night, God appeared to Solomon in a dream. “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” “You have shown great kindness to me to sit on my father’s throne. However, I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. I am here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. Who is able to govern this great people of yours? So give…

Snowflakes! No Two Snowflakes Are Alike

On a snowy morning, even the cold winter feels cozy and warm. Thick snow covers everything white, and snow flowers that bloomed overnight on every tree branch look like there’re going to fall off at any moment. This quiet winter scene, where time seems to have stopped, is a gift from the heavens. The scenery covered with snow, where the sun shines through the clear air, is dazzlingly beautiful. The snow scenes are beautiful, but if you take a close look at the snowflakes, you will find they are even more splendid than what they look like on the outside. Open your eyes big and take a close look at the snowflakes, and you will find beautiful jewels, the gifts…

Because You Say So

One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, a large number of people crowded around Him to listen to Him teach the word of God. Then He saw two boats at the water’s edge, and got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon Peter, and taught the people from the boat. When Jesus had finished speaking, He said to Peter. “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” When Peter let down the nets as Jesus had told him to, he caught such a large number of fish…

How Can We Meet God?

Everything Is Made by Someone

If Something Is Invisible, Does That Mean It Does Not Exist?

Turn Away and Repent! Then Sin Will Not Be Your Downfall

When the secretary is reading the Book of the Law, the king is weeping, tearing his robes. In the eighteenth year of the reign of King Josiah, the king finds the Book of the Law while repairing God’s temple, and mourns. King Josiah gives these orders to his servants: “Go and inquire of the LORD for me and for the people and for all Judah about what is written in this book that has been found. Great is the LORD’s anger that burns against us because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book; they have not acted in accordance with all that is written there concerning us.” When the servants go to the prophet to carry out…

The Value of Salt

There is something that is in the soil, rocks, butterflies, elephants, blood, muscles, and even in amniotic fluid. What is this? It is salt. Now it is easy to get salt thanks to the development of techniques which produce salt artificially. However, in the past, salt received special treatment, so there was even a saying in Korea, “A salt seller is better than a governor.” Salt has been with humans throughout history and playing an important role. Now, let’s learn about the value of salt. Salt and History In the primitive ages when humans lived by hunting, they were able to ingest salt by hunting and eating fish or birds. However, as they began to farm and grain became the…

If I Just Touch His Clothes

There was a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. Meanwhile, she heard about Jesus. When Jesus was passing, she came up behind Him in the crowd and touched His cloak, because she thought, ‘If I just touch His clothes, I’ll be healed.’ Jesus turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched My clothes?” His disciples did not know why He asked that. But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. Then the woman came and fell at His feet and, trembling with fear, told Him the…