Faith & Life

Like Morning Coffee That Awakens the Day

Mornings in our home begin with the New Songs. Just as a fragrant cup of coffee clears the morning haze, the beautiful melodies of the New Songs uplift my soul and awaken my spirit in the early hours. These days, my husband hums the New Songs as he gets ready for work. It seems that even in the midst of a busy morning, the New Songs give him a moment of calm much like the comfort of a warm cup of coffee. The New Songs have filled the empty spaces in my life. It is my friend that helps me live each day with gratitude, even amid the challenges of this world. It is a spiritual alarm that reminds me…

Kim Eun-hee from Gwangju, Korea

A Bold Pitch at the Brink

In 1942, during the U.S. professional baseball season, a pitcher introduced an unconventional new pitch known as the “Eephus ball.” Unlike the typical fastball, the Eephus was remarkably slow, traveling only about 80 to 90 km/h (50 to 56 mph), roughly half the speed of a standard pitch. It followed a high, looping arc before dropping sharply toward the batter. This unusual trajectory and reduced speed threw many hitters off, making it difficult to time their swings effectively. The pitcher behind the Eephus ball was Rip Sewell. A successful professional player at the time, Sewell suffered a devastating foot injury in an accident, leaving him barely able to walk, much less throw fastballs. With his career hanging in the balance,…

Keeping Your Feet From Doing As You Please on My Holy Day

“If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath and from doing as you please on my holy day, if you call the Sabbath a delight and the LORD’s holy day honorable, and if you honor it by not going your own way and not doing as you please or speaking idle words, then you will find your joy in the LORD, and I will cause you to ride in triumph on the heights of the land and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob.” For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” Isa 58:13–14 The Sabbath is a day of blessing—a sacred time to worship God in reverence and to grant rest to our weary souls. It…

Kim Shin-hyeong from Gwangju, Korea

Over All, Put on Love

In Zion, the grace and love of God abound. Yet at times, I find myself face-to-face with the sinful nature hidden deep within my soul—unable to overlook a brother or sister’s small mistake, quick to point out their faults instead of offering understanding. In those moments, I feel a deep sorrow, thinking, “I must have committed a grievous sin in heaven.” One day, I came across a Bible verse that opened my eyes and brought quiet conviction: Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over…

Yu Jeong-su from Incheon, Korea

Inspiration, the Stirring of the Soul

“Eureka!” This was the cry of Archimedes, the ancient Greek mathematician and physicist, when he discovered a way to determine whether a king’s crown was made of pure gold. The idea struck him while bathing, as he observed water overflowing in proportion to the volume of his body—an insight that led to the discovery of what we now call the principle of buoyancy, now known as Archimedes’ principle. When a new idea takes hold and leads to a breakthrough, we say we’ve been “inspired.” Inspiration is often defined as “a brilliant thought or stimulus that sparks creativity or action.” People draw inspiration from their surroundings, transforming it into art, invention, or meaningful change. The Chinese characters for “inspiration (靈感)” mean…

Kim Min-seong from Suwon, Korea

Beautiful Words

There are moments when a single word can shape the entire mood of a situation. A sharp remark, spoken in irritation, can escalate conflict, while a gentle, considerate word can defuse tension and restore peace. The choice of words and the direction a conversation takes often rests entirely in our hands. If a fleeting decision can produce such different outcomes, what kind of speech should be found in a believer who follows God? A person finds joy in giving an apt reply—and how good is a timely word! Pr 15:23 In the friction of human relationships, controlling our words is not always easy. Pride can flare, and we may feel the urge to win or prove a point. Yet the…

Son Chae-eun from Daegu, Korea

The Path to Heaven

It was not long after I had begun driving. Since it was my first time taking the route from work to home on my own, my mom brought her car to my workplace and led the way, driving ahead of me on the commute home. After we arrived safely and I stepped out of the car, she said to me: “Why were you driving so close behind me? What if you had hit me?” “I was afraid another car might slip in between us,” I replied. Quite literally, I had been anxious about losing sight of her. I followed her car closely, almost as if I were chasing it. “Oh, even if a car had come between us, I would’ve…

Lee Su-bin from Gangneung, Korea

Helping a Baby Bird

My husband, daughter, and I were returning home when we noticed a small group of children—likely upper elementary schoolers—gather near the front gate of our apartment building. They stood in a circle, peering down at something on the ground. “Is it dead? What do we do?” Their anxious voices made it impossible to simply walk past, so I stepped closer and asked what was going on. “A bird fell from the tree,” one of them replied. “We don’t know what to do.” Lying where the child pointed was a baby bird, motionless and curled up as if lifeless. Unsure of what to do, my husband, the children, and I decided to call emergency services. But the response was disappointing; 119…

Seo Jin-hee from Busan, Korea

How to Practice the New Command

At first, I did not fully understand the meaning of the new command God gave us: “Love one another.” The reason was simple; I found it impossible to gauge the measure of love one should have for another. During a study meeting, I came to realize that the command includes a premise: “As I have loved you.” Only then did I begin to comprehend the depth of love God spoke of. Yet even with that understanding, I couldn’t help but wonder: Can I truly put this into practice? We cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well. 1 Th 2:8 The members…

Jahng Min-gyeong from Seongnam, Korea

Safe Driving

Before taking the written exam for my driver’s license, I attended a mandatory safety course. As I studied the array of road signs and the long list of traffic laws every driver must follow, I couldn’t help but wonder, “How could anyone memorize all this and apply it while actually driving?” But when the instructor began to speak about yielding on the road, my attention sharpened. At the heart of safe driving were two essential principles: consideration and yielding. Whether changing lanes, making unprotected left or right turns, or navigating narrow alleyways and roundabouts, the key to arriving safely at one’s destination lay in observing road conditions, proceeding with caution, and being mindful of fellow drivers. In many ways, we…

Park Min-ji from Seoul, Korea

Because God Loved You

After coming to understand the truth, one question lingered in my mind and refused to leave: “Out of all the people in the world, why did God choose me?” I wasn’t particularly wise, nor had I earnestly sought God. It felt humbling—almost undeserved—to have received such a precious blessing. The LORD did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. But it was because the LORD loved you and kept the oath he swore to your ancestors that he brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Dt 7:7–8 My heart stirs at these words: that I was not…

Jeong Hee-jong from Munich, Bavaria, Germany

A Faith Check

To welcome the new year, I climbed a mountain with a Zion sister for the first time in a while. Though recent snowfall had left patches of snow along the trail, I assumed it wouldn’t be much of a problem and began the hike without hesitation. But it wasn’t long before regret set in. The packed snow had turned to ice, making the path no different from a sheet of glass. While I slipped and fell repeatedly after only a few steps, my companion climbed steadily, never once losing his footing, even without any special gear. The difference lay in his shoes. The soles of his boots were sturdy and well-suited for the terrain. Mine were not. Though they caused…

Kim Ga-gyeong from Gwangju, Korea

Like Learning a Language

Learning a foreign language in an unfamiliar land was far from easy. After much trial and error, I began by memorizing simple greetings, basic words, and short phrases step by step, like a child learning to walk. Gradually, my efforts bore fruit. After a year, I found myself able to carry on everyday conversations with relative ease. With the basics in place, I assumed my language skills would naturally improve over time. I became complacent and allowed my studies to slip. But I was mistaken. My progress stalled completely. In fact, I began to forget words and expressions I had once memorized so diligently. It felt as though I was regressing. Realizing this, I resolved to begin again. The more…

Mun So-yeong from Mexico City, Mexico

Let Me Serve

There’s a saying: “Don’t let familiarity make you forget what is precious.” It’s true when we grow accustomed to people, objects, or situations, we often lose sight of their value. One day, as I flipped through the pages of the New Song book to play the piano, a Bible verse written in the margin caught my eye: Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Php 2:3 I paused to reflect: how many times have I greeted my brothers and sisters in Zion with a warm smile or a gentle tone? The moments were embarrassingly few. In times of stress or frustration, I had—without meaning to—let sharp words slip, wounding those I dearly…

Jahng Ji-eun from Pyeongtaek, Korea

A Life Sustained by Mother’s Grace

Back in my school days, I had a hard time waking up in the morning. Even though my mom was busy preparing breakfast, she would go back and forth between the kitchen and my room, trying to rouse me from sleep. When I still wouldn’t wake up, she’d sigh and say, “Waking you up every morning is going to shorten my life.” Thanks to her perseverance, I received a perfect attendance award at graduation, and my mom was honored with a “Proud Mother” award. She was overjoyed, saying she never imagined she’d receive a prize because of her daughter. Even after I became an adult, just a small gesture of care from me was enough to make her smile and…

Shin Mi-ae from Seoul, Korea

Nothing Is to Be Taken for Granted

My younger sister, now a college freshman, was set to attend the Worldwide Academic Year Opening Worship 2025 with our mom. It was the first time either of them had attended such an event, and both were visibly excited. Caught up in their enthusiasm, I offered to pack them lunchboxes. True to my word, I woke up early that morning and prepared their meals. After sending them off, I went back to sleep. When I woke up, a message from my mom was waiting: “We’ll enjoy the lunch, thank you.”
Though I had used only simple ingredients, her words made me feel unexpectedly proud like I had done something truly meaningful. I recalled a time in college when I briefly brought…

Gahng Ji-yeon from Gimje, Korea

The Power of Shared Heart: Empathy

It is said that many companies today prefer to hire new employees with a high empathy quotient. Empathy—the ability to align one’s thoughts and feelings with those of another—is a powerful skill. Those who possess it often demonstrate humility, earning the trust and respect of their colleagues. God, too, teaches us to become such people within the faith. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Ro 12:15–16 The Bible teaches us to clothe ourselves with humility, to share in both the joys and sorrows of our brothers and sisters, and to strive for sincere…

Jo Mun-gyeong from Cheongju, Korea

Sweet as Honey When Offered: “Try a Bite!”

People feel a special kind of happiness when they enjoy delicious food with their loved ones. But there’s a way to make that happiness even richer: before taking the first bite, say, “Try a bite,” or “Please have some.” That tender moment—when you warmly invite a loved one to taste the food first—creates a deep sense of joy that goes beyond the feeling of being full. This month, why not offer the first bite to your family? Whatever the dish, it’s sure to taste as sweet as honey! Tip Cook or buy a dish your family loves. Place a tasty bite on top of their rice spoon. Gently slide the dish closer to them. Offer the first bite directly to…

Words and Glass

While helping with the construction of Zion, I once assisted in applying insulation film to the windows. That’s when I learned an important lesson: although wiping the film with a cloth or microfiber can make the surface look clean, it often leaves behind countless fine scratches. A professional advised us to use only soft flannel for cleaning, as it was gentle enough to avoid damaging the film. Yet even with flannel, scratches could still appear, revealing how delicate the surface truly was. “You see these marks left behind even after cleaning with flannel?” he said, pointing them out. “That’s not damage to the film; it’s the glass itself that’s already been scratched. Once the glass is marred, no matter how…

Ah Yeong-jun from Seongnam, Korea

A Gift

As a child, I would prepare small gifts for my parents on special occasions—their wedding anniversary, birthdays, and the like. My only source of money came from running errands or the modest allowance my parents themselves had given me. More often than not, it wasn’t enough. So I would go to my mom and ask for help in buying a gift—for her. Looking back, it was an endearingly ironic situation. Yet she would always smile, touched not by the gift itself, but by the heart behind it. Spiritually, it feels much the same. I long to bring joy to our Heavenly Father and Mother through the gospel work, yet without Their help, I can do nothing at all. Though my…

Lee Seong-jae from Seongnam, Korea