Faith & Life

The Regret of a Death Row Inmate

I came to deeply realize how brutal the sin I committed in heaven is and how great God Elohim’s love is. As our Bulawayo Zion is situated near National University of Science and Technology, we have been granted the grace of meeting different kinds of people from different walks of life. One day, I met an old man as I was waiting for the appointment to study with new members. This man started walking towards where I was seated, carrying a plastic bag filled with old books and clothes. When he arrived, I greeted him, and after that, he just started to narrate the story of his life as follows: “My son, I am sorry to bother you but I…

Shava Macdonald from Harare, Zimbabwe

The Greatest Doctor

During the Warring States period in ancient China, there was a famous doctor named Bian Que. His two older brothers were also doctors, but they were less famous than Bian Que. One day, the king of Wei asked Bian Que, “Who is the greatest doctor among you and your two brothers?” Then Bian Que replied, “My oldest brother is the greatest, my second oldest brother is the next, and I am the weakest and poorest.” The king wondered and asked him why. He said, “My oldest brother can tell at a glance what is wrong, and helps people avoid getting sick. So, they do not even recognize that he has already managed their conditions to prevent illness. My second oldest…

Finding My Friend and Heavenly Family

I was Chinese but naturalized as a Korean citizen. In the beginning, it was very difficult for me to accept the truth of the Church of God because I had not followed any religion for a long time. However, I had often read the Bible, thinking it was a good book, which helped me determine to believe in God. I could agree with the words the church members taught me because it was all from the Bible. For a while after that, I couldn’t go to church because I had to go to China. Even after I came back to Korea, to be honest, I felt burdened about going to church, so I purposely avoided contact with Zion members. However,…

Kim Gyeong-ae from Ansan, Korea

Mission Trip with Blessings Granted to the Early Church

Argentina, the second largest country in South America! The distance from the end of the north to the end of the south is nearly 3,700 km [2,300 miles]. Because it is so large, each area has different temperatures. The northern part is hot throughout the year, but the annual average temperature of Ushuaia, the southernmost city known as the entrance to the South Pole, is just around 5°C [41°F]. Maybe because diverse environments and cultures coexist in one country, people here, especially young people, like to travel. Due to prolonged economic hardship, most people live on tight budgets and it costs a lot to go to faraway cities. But many youths in Argentina like to travel with small bags and…

Short-term Mission Team to Buenos Aires, Argentina

Mother’s Love Is Special

Some say that our life on earth is based on love. In fact, when you look into how a person is born into this world and grows over time, that sounds right, because we are all connected with one another through love while taking care of and giving help to one another. We can find various forms of love as in the relationship between a boyfriend and a girlfriend, between friends, between parents and children, and between brothers and sisters. Besides, there are people who love money or their possessions. Then, what is the essence of all forms of love? I personally thought love sprang from selfish motives. I thought, ‘If I want to protect someone, it is because I…

Bayasakh Oyunbat from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

The Most Beautiful Fingers in the World

When I was an elementary student, I was led by my aunt to a big hospital. When I went there without knowing the reason, I saw someone I was familiar with in a patient gown. It was my mom. She was happy to see me but soon, she screamed. “Ouch! It hurts.” When the doctor poured antiseptic on her hand wrapped in bandages, she said it hurt but she smiled at me as soon as she saw me. Since she smiled, I didn’t take it seriously though I saw her fingertips stained with blood. Mom left the hospital in one month. I received a call to meet her before going home, and waited for her with excitement. She came a…

Ahn Ji-yeong from Kaohsiung, Taiwan

My Father

It was when I went to my parents’ house for the first holiday after my marriage. Resting in a room, I heard Dad and my husband were talking in the living room. Later, my husband came into the room and so I asked, “What did you and Dad talk about?” “We talked about politics.” “He talks about politics?” I was surprised. I thought he was not interested in politics. On the following national holiday, Mom and I went out to have a sauna, while Dad and my husband were left at home. As Dad would watch TV in his room or workout on his day off, I thought they would spend their time individually. But when we returned home in…

Tak Jin-seul from Anyang, Korea

Laughter Defeats Even Cancer

Do you know we have special forces in our body? They are natural killer cells(also known as NK cells). Viruses or germs that get into the body from the outside can be destroyed by antibodies. However, cancer cells are an enemy growing inside the body, so antibodies alone are not enough to destroy them. NK cells are necessary in this case. When NK cells detect an infected or tumor cell, they release perforin in close proximity to the target cell, which forms pores in the target cell membrane and allows water and salts to pass rapidly into the cell. This ultimately causes the target cell to burst. So, NK cells are our immune system’s most powerful front-line defense. One of…

“Let’s Have a Family Meeting!”

There are class meetings at school, and companies hold various kinds of meetings such as a team meeting and an executive conference. A meeting is natural and essential for operating an organization. A family is also an organization that forms society, and meetings are needed for mutual understanding and compromise. When people are asked, “Do you hold a family meeting?” most of them say, “We hardly see each other,” “No, my child is still too young,” “What are we to talk about in a meeting?” “They just need to listen to what I say! We don’t need a meeting!” Like this, most people think that they don’t need a family meeting. Living a busy industrial life, parents are busy with…

A Family That Greets Becomes a Warm and Connected Family

A sincere greeting is one of the simplest yet most powerful ways to build good relationships. Even within a family, exchanging greetings creates more opportunities to make eye contact, opens the door to conversation, and brightens the atmosphere at home. When you make it a habit to greet your family warmly—even for the smallest moments—you naturally become someone who connects well with others outside the home too. A family that values greetings becomes a home filled with warmth, closeness, and positive energy. This month, don’t miss a single chance to greet one another—freely, warmly, and wholeheartedly! Tip Use a bright smile and a cheerful voice. Include the person’s name or nickname in your greeting. Add a loving gesture such as…

Experiencing God Who Is With Us Every Day

Our short-term mission trip to Medan, Indonesia, was truly a journey of prayer. Even before we departed, we united our hearts and fervently prayed to Heavenly Father and Mother to help us achieve our mission goals. Though we had nothing to boast about—neither in language skills, nor physical strength, nor even in our faith—we simply longed to be the mission team that sought God the most, despite our shortcomings. Once we arrived in Medan, we continued holding morning and evening prayer meetings. Even as we preached, we remained in prayer. Finally, a sister received the blessing of bearing the first fruit of our team. One of the Korean sisters said that she felt she lacked in prayer when preaching the…

Jeong Eun-song from Ansan, Korea

Sharing Food, Adding Warmth — The Potluck Party!

A potluck party is a gathering where everyone brings a dish to share. It’s a wonderful tradition that lightens the host’s burden, since they don’t need to prepare all the food alone. Guests also feel more at ease—rather than simply showing up and eating, they contribute something meaningful to the table. The result is a beautifully varied spread of dishes, each prepared with care. And as each person shares the food they made, the joy around the table naturally doubles. The food is shared, the warmth grows, and heartfelt connection fills the room. This month, try hosting a potluck party with your family or neighbors. Share food, deepen relationships, and enjoy a gathering that fills both the table and the…

The Gospel Journey That Transformed Me

It was around the time I had been working at my job for nearly four years after graduating high school. I found myself in a season of reflection, questioning the purpose of my work and my life. Just then, some around me suggested I try participating in overseas short-term mission work. Though I knew its value and wanted to challenge myself, I felt too unsure of my language skills to even dream of joining. Still, relying solely on Heavenly Father and Mother, I took a leap of faith and said yes. The mission destination, which I applied for along with a sister from my church, was Curitiba, Brazil. We memorized a few short phrases in Portuguese and began preaching in…

Choi Mi-ran from Seongnam, Korea

Love Is Heard in a Gentle Voice

Sound has a powerful influence on a listener’s mood. Natural sounds such as falling rain or ocean waves, as well as soft, soothing sounds like a lullaby, help release tension and bring a sense of calm. Instrumental music, including classical music, has been shown to have positive effects not only on our emotions but also on brain function. By contrast, loud mechanical noises from construction sites or the blaring of car horns often trigger stress and discomfort. Sound is composed of many elements, including volume, pitch, tone, and rhythm. The words we speak are also a form of sound produced in the throat. In everyday conversation, it is easy to assume that the most important factor is the content of…

Small Talk Is Not Small at All!

Generally, conversations fall into two categories: those with a clear purpose and those without. Purposeful conversations include calling a service center when a device breaks, asking a store clerk about a price, or presenting strategies to a supervisor to increase sales. These exchanges exist to share information or make a request, driven by a specific need or goal. But people cannot go through life speaking only when necessary. Imagine running into a distant relative after a long time, meeting a neighbor in the elevator, or bumping into a coworker from another department in the break room. If you stay silent simply because there is no clear reason to talk, an awkward silence quickly follows. The atmosphere becomes uncomfortable, and both…

Family Meals—Joyful and Happy!

Just a few decades ago, family meals were an ordinary part of daily life. Families shared a hearty breakfast before leaving home and, upon returning, enjoyed a relaxed dinner while talking about their day. At mealtimes, everyone gathered around the table as if by unspoken agreement. It was a routine—simple, yet never to be neglected. Today, however, in many households, family meals occur only when scheduled in advance. Breakfast is often skipped or hurried, and dinner is pushed aside by studies, work, and countless other priorities. The rise of dining out and the convenience of ready-made foods have further reduced home cooking. As a result, many people eat alone, even while living under the same roof. This is a kind…

A Heart Warm Like Hot Water

Due to the impact of COVID-19, our family’s financial situation became difficult. Wanting to help even a little, I started working part-time at a barbecue restaurant near our home. I usually came back quite late after my shift. Around that time, I noticed something: My high school daughter was always using the bathroom right when I got home. I didn’t know why she chose that exact moment to shower, but I didn’t ask. One night, I arrived home later than usual because I stayed to have dinner with the restaurant owners. My daughter immediately asked why I was late and told me she had already showered. Then she added softly: “I try to shower just before you get home so…

Jeong Nam-suk from Gimhae Korea

The Day We Ran Out of Sesame Oil

I was about to make bibimbap for dinner when I stopped in my tracks—I’d run out of sesame oil. I thought about substituting perilla oil, but a quick check of the fridge showed that it was gone too. I was surprised; we had never once run out of oil before. In a hurry, I texted my mom: “Mom, we’re completely out of sesame oil. Could you send some—either sesame or perilla is fine.” Whenever I asked Mom for something, a package would show up at my doorstep within two days, without fail. But this time, even after a full week, nothing arrived. A few days later, my younger sibling called me late at night. She’d spoken to Mom and told…

Gwak Jeong-ah from Hwaseong, Korea

The Pecking Order at Home

“Son! Dad’s really thirsty—could you get me a glass of water?” Feeling exhausted after work, I asked my eldest for help. He paused for a moment, then turned to his younger brother and said: “Go get Dad a glass of water.” The youngest glanced at him, then headed straight toward the kitchen to find Mom. “Mom! Dad’s thirsty and wants a gla—” Before he could even finish, my wife called out to our eldest daughter: “Sweetie, Mom’s a bit busy—can you get Dad some water?” To which she replied, without missing a beat, “Tell Dad to get it himself.” And just like that, my simple request traveled all the way around the house only to return right back to me.…

Jang Seong-min from Seongnam, Korea

Lift the Corners of Your Mouth

A simple movement can instantly brighten your mood. It can bring out your most beautiful expression, make you look more youthful, and even leave a pleasant impression on others. What’s the secret? Just lift the corners of your mouth. The facial muscles used for lifting the mouth corners are called the levator anguli oris. These muscles play an important role in expressing emotions and communicating feelings. When you smile, you not only show happiness, joy, and satisfaction—you also share those positive emotions with others, and your own mind begins to feel them too. This month, try practicing this small habit of lifting the corners of your mouth. You may find that your happiness rises right along with your smile! Tip…