Faith & Life
This helps believers who hope to become the fragrance of Christ live a right life of faith.
The Life Shaped by My Thoughts
“Our lives are shaped by our thoughts.” This is a well-known quote from Dale Carnegie, a pioneer in human relationships and personal development. He meant that the direction of our lives often follows the direction of our thoughts. For example,…
The Value of a Ring
A young man once went to a wise man and said that people seemed to think very little of him. He asked for some advice. The wise man gave him a ring and told him to go to the marketplace…
The Attitude of Learning
“Each time you fall, pick something up.” These are the words of Oswald Avery, a bacteriologist from Canada. Failure doesn’t mean the end. If you can learn even one thing from it, that failure becomes a stepping stone toward reaching…
When It’s Time to Let Go
In 2016, the Korean vessel Sun Peony was sailing smoothly from Thailand to Taiwan, carrying about 7,800 tons of liquid chemicals. But then, it was caught in a typhoon. The ship’s bow storage area was damaged by the rough waves,…
The Fable of the Chestnut Grove
A man was walking through the mountains when a bird with unusually large wings suddenly flew past him and disappeared into the bushes. Curious, the man picked up his slingshot and followed the bird. He spotted it perched on a…
The Cactus in the Desert
In order for living things to survive, they need nutrients. Plants, which cannot move once they’ve taken root in the ground, obtain nutrients through photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is the process by which plants use the power of sunlight to create a…
The Methuselah Syndrome
There was a time when websites that helped people reconnect with old classmates were hugely popular. More recently, a film about a middle-aged woman searching for her long-lost school friends became a hit. Why are we often drawn to memories…
The Three Diligences (三勤戒): “Be diligent, be diligent, and be diligent”
In the Joseon Dynasty of Korea, there lived a renowned agronomist, philosopher, and poet named Jeong Yak-yong, also known by his pen name, Dasan. During his exile in Gangjin, Dasan opened a small village school to ease his loneliness. Among…
I’m Grateful to Be a Mom
It was one Sunday morning. I woke up after sleeping in, only to find the sun already high in the sky. Lying next to my sleeping son, I wanted to sleep a little longer too. But I couldn’t because I’m…
Jeong Mi-yeong From Seoul, Korea
Words That Changed the Mood
While busily preparing dinner, the mother accidentally poured vinegar into the stew instead of sesame oil. She was startled, but since the food was already made, she couldn't bring herself to throw it away, so she just put it on…
If You’re Not Sure What to Do
Before building a house, you first need to picture what the finished home will look like. That way, you can figure out what steps to take, what materials you’ll need, and how to make a solid plan. This idea doesn’t…
Unyielding Will
There once was a marathon runner from Ethiopia named Abebe Bikila. In the 1960 Rome Olympics, though an unknown athlete at the time, he ran the marathon barefoot, and won with a new world record. The world came to know…
The Incubation Period of Thought
When we face a difficult problem or try to come up with an idea, there are times when we think for a long time but can't find an answer. However, sometimes, while doing another task for a moment or taking…
What Does It Mean to Succeed?
“To laugh often and much. To earn the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children. To earn the praise of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends. To appreciate beauty. To find the best in others.…
The Fig Tree and the Fig Wasp
The name fig in Korean literally means “fruit without a flower.” But in truth, no fruit in the world can grow without a flower. What looks like a small green fruit before a fig ripens is actually a flower in…
A Melody of Hope Echoes Through the Slums
In the slums of Venezuela, where children are left unprotected against violence, drugs, and firearms, many end up joining criminal gangs simply to satisfy their hunger. These children live in the dark back alleys of society, without dreams or hope.…
Proof of Love
This is a story from a home in the United States. Whenever her son wanted to talk, the mother always listened seriously. One evening, the mother and her son were sitting together in the kitchen. As the son was talking…
The Principle of Presumed Innocence
The principle of “presumed innocence” is a legal concept that means a person is considered innocent until proven guilty by a court of law. This idea took shape during the French Revolution and was later adopted into modern constitutions. Before…
Why She Learned to Spin a Wheel First
Margaret Bourke-White, an American photojournalist, was known for her fearless work. When World War II broke out, she risked her life to cover the front lines. Even after surviving a torpedo attack that sank the ship she was on, she…
Purpose, Goals, and Plans
To achieve a purpose, you need to set goals. A purpose is more abstract—it’s the ideal or direction you’re aiming for. A goal, on the other hand, is something concrete you need to reach in order to fulfill that purpose.…