Day 7-Mark 2

  • Jesus said, “The Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,” and he healed a paralytic. (After forgiving his sins first, He said, “Get up and walk,” and the paralytic walked.) Jesus stated that He came not for the righteous, but for tax collectors (perhaps meaning the marginalized) and sinners. He also said that the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. Before Jesus, there were no people who spoke of sin, righteousness, man, or the Sabbath in this way. Therefore, Jesus’s perspectives signified a shift in a new paradigm.
  • While praying, I remembered the conversations from the neighborhood meeting last week and the words of Buddha I heard on a podcast recently. One of the locals, a scientist, argued that there is more evidence for the existence of aliens than for God, and if one believes in God, they should also believe in aliens. I couldn’t say anything at that time, but since yesterday, I’ve been contemplating both Buddha’s words and that person’s statement in my prayers. Today, I realized that this person’s view was based on their limited experience, thinking it to be the whole truth. This reminds me that in my long faith journey, I must always be careful not to be confined by my limited experiences.
  • While praying, I realized that clear evidence of God’s existence is ‘sending Jesus’. This evidence has been transmitted through Jesus’ disciples and countless people until now. Some claim there’s more evidence for aliens, but can we dismiss the evidence provided by witnesses who risked their lives? Jesus himself said that God sent him, and he spoke only what God commanded. After his departure, He said the Holy Spirit would testify within us. Despite numerous pieces of evidence (healing ministry, casting out demons) and witnesses, people still say there is no evidence.
  • From another perspective, believing in the existence of God is not a matter of scientific realm (proof, evidence), but of faith. Faith is an area accepted regardless of the presence or absence of evidence or witnesses. We explore how (How?) the given world (created by God) is made and proceeds. We can find principles and explain them to people with scientific proof. However, we cannot explain why (Why?) the universe came into being or why certain phenomena occur (e.g., why cells in my body act the way they do, or why oil floats on water). We can only explain the phenomena of the universe (How?) that have already occurred. Scientifically proving and explaining the birth and principles of the universe is truly amazing. However, the creator of the universe exists as a great being beyond. Accepting His existence is not a matter of proof but of faith. I believe in the evidence of modern science, and I also believe in Him, who can only be understood in the realm of faith. Just as Jesus brought a paradigm shift in faith with words people had never thought of at the time. Additionally, I should also carefully approach my established knowledge and experiences of faith.

<Application>

1.Reorganize the history that discouraged me last night (my computer data organized over half of last Saturday disappeared), study again about the civilization of Central and South America and read an overview of the Gospel of Mark.

2.Pray for Samantha’s growth in faith and include her in our family prayers.(Done)

Day 6-Buddha’s Teaching

“I listened to a podcast and took some notes.”

The common characteristics of individuals holding 62 views, according to the Buddha’s teachings, are:

<The 62 views arose from feelings and experiences>

1. Beings who do not know and cannot see can only hold views based on what they themselves have felt, and these feelings are merely influenced by their own views and experiences. Even when they elaborate on the past and the future, they are speaking of their limited experiences. They judge based on their experiences in the here and now.

2. All experiences stem from one’s own limited experiences, and they become firmly entrenched as feelings, leading to such judgments; in reality, they are limited. All experiences originate from one’s own limited experiences.

3. Through the six sense bases, we continuously experience the feeling of personal views due to the sensory contact that occurs when encountering various objects.

4. The feelings arising in these six sense bases, their occurrence, disappearance, sweetness, danger, and escape must be thoroughly understood as they are. This is what transcends all these views.

5. While discussing such matters, one should be able to praise the Buddha.

6. Lives asserting various doctrines about the past and future are all caught in the net of the 62 views. They seek to ascend but do so while ensnared in the net, truly becoming completely trapped in it as they try to rise.

7. Thoughts arising from limited experiences only serve as hindrances to achieving true enlightenment.

<Overcoming>

-One must detach from the clinging to experiences. (In reality, it’s not what I actually feel.)

-There should be an enlightenment about the pile of things (accumulations) stacked up like a heap

<Teachings>

  1. Do not get trapped in your own views.
  2. Do not cling to feelings that arise from your limited and confined experiences.
  3. Do not consider views that stem from your limited experiences as everything.

<My opinion>

In fact, it seems likely that many of the religious experiences people claim to have had are also caught in these 62 views that Buddha spoke about.

But how should one explain the following kinds of religious experiences?

Example) “How can one explain situations where things happen as a result of obeying the word? It was neither my will not something I wanted to do, but situations arose when I obeyed… cases of the sick being healed. These situations don’t seem to be views arising from feelings based on my experience.

<The teachings of Buddha, known as ‘The Net of Views,’ organized by an expert>

The Buddha’s teachings include a discourse on the 62 views that human beings can hold, known as the “Brahmajala Sutta” or “The Net of Views.” This discourse, found in the Digha Nikaya of the Pali Canon, categorizes various beliefs and philosophies into 62 types. These views broadly encompass the range of beliefs about self, universe, life, and beyond.

The common characteristics of individuals holding these 62 views, according to the Buddha’s teachings, are:

Attachment to Views: Individuals holding these views are often deeply attached to their beliefs, seeing them as absolute truths. This attachment can lead to a lack of openness to other perspectives.

Ignorance and Delusion: Many of these views arise from ignorance (avidya) about the true nature of reality. This ignorance leads to delusion, causing individuals to misunderstand or misinterpret their experiences and the world around them.

Suffering: The Buddha taught that attachment to views is a source of suffering (dukkha). Clinging to these beliefs, especially those related to the self or ego, can lead to conflict, dissatisfaction, and a continual cycle of suffering.

Impermanence and Non-Self: Many of these views conflict with the Buddhist concepts of impermanence (anicca) and non-self (anatta). Individuals often hold views that assert permanent, unchanging entities or self-identities, which Buddhism considers to be a fundamental misunderstanding of reality.

Hindrance to Enlightenment: Holding rigidly to any of these views can be a hindrance on the path to enlightenment (nibbana). They can bind individuals to samsara, the cycle of rebirth and suffering, and prevent the realization of ultimate truth and liberation.

The Buddha’s teaching in the Brahmajala Sutta is not just a critique of these views but also serves as a guide to understanding how attachment to any fixed view can impede spiritual progress. The Buddha emphasized the importance of direct experience, critical inquiry, and the development of wisdom and compassion over adherence to dogmatic beliefs.

Day 5-Mark Chapter 1

The Gospel of Mark is the first written record among the Synoptic Gospels. The other Gospels have referenced this book. Therefore, while reading this Gospel, I will also refer to a New Testament introduction to gain a deeper understanding.

In the chapter I read today, it describes various acts performed by Jesus after He was baptized. He primarily expelled demons and healed the sick. This includes healing a woman with a fever, a leper, and many other sick people. In the scenes of expelling demons, one can see that Jesus’ words are very concise and resolute. For example, His sayings like ‘Be quiet! Come out of him!’ or ‘I am willing. Be clean!’ are examples of this.

Furthermore, the text mentions that the demons recognized Jesus (the one sent by God), but Jesus did not permit them to speak. This might be because the time for Jesus had not yet come. Jesus specifically instructed the leper not to tell anyone, but to show himself only to the priests and testify to Jesus after being cleansed. Jesus clearly stated that Satan exists in our world, and we live in this world. Also, He said that if we abide in the Father, we can do the works He did. Therefore, every morning I declare the expulsion of Satan by the power of Jesus’ blood for our family and pray for protection from Satan’s power. Going forward, I will pray following the firm command of Jesus as I saw today.

<Application>

1.Samantha had a traffic accident last week. I will pray for her specific protection. She is still young in faith and needs special protection for the time being.

(Done): I have started praying from today.

After the uncomfortable incident that happened before, now my relationship with Samantha has completely recovered. I had been uncomfortable due to problems caused by my insincerity. I am grateful for the restoration of our relationship.

2.To understand the Gospel of Mark more deeply, let’s read ‘New Testament Introduction’ by Donald Guthrie. I plan to start reading the introductory part of Mark today.

Day 4-John 17

  • Today’s chapter is entirely about the prayer made by Jesus. I intend to summarize the Lord’s Prayer as I have understood it.
  • The prayer of Jesus is about the authority and eternal life given to Him by God. Eternal life means knowing the only true God and recognizing the fact that He sent Jesus (verses 2 and 3). Among the people of the world, those given to Jesus were originally with God. They lived without knowing God until the coming of Jesus, but now they have come to know Him (verse 6). However, since Jesus had to return to God and leave these people in the world, it became impossible for Him to remain with them any longer.
  • Since the disciples were left in the world, Jesus asked God (the Father) to protect His disciples. Until then, Jesus Himself had protected the disciples, but now He could no longer do so directly (verses 11 and 12). This situation brought concern to Jesus. Therefore, Jesus prayed to God (the Father) to protect His disciples from the evil of this world. The basis of this request is the fact that ‘since Jesus Himself had become holy, now His disciples who believe in Him have also become holy.’ Furthermore, Jesus emphasized that He prays not for the whole world, but only for those (the disciples) given to Him by the Father (verse 9).
  • This content up to this point can be understood as a prayer for the disciples who were with Jesus at that time.
  • In the subsequent part (the lower part), Jesus prayer extends beyond the disciples of that time to include all those who come to believe in Jesus through their (the disciples’) words (verse 20). Jesus prays that the relationship between Himself and God would also apply to us (those who believe in Jesus), and that all of us (believers in Jesus) may become one in Jesus and God (verse 21). This is to make the world believe that God sent Jesus. Moreover, Jesus prays that the world may know that just as God loved Jesus, He loves us (believers in Jesus) too (verse 23). Finally, Jesus prays that when we (believers in Jesus), whom God has given to Him, go to the place where Jesus was before the creation of the world, namely to God, we may see His glory, just as Jesus did (verse 24).

<My Prayer>

  • Father, now I have come to know You. I am grateful for being made aware of You and for the realization that You sent Jesus. Also, thank You for eternal life (since understanding that You sent Jesus is to obtain eternal life). Today, I have read the prayer that Jesus made before He went to You. Although I do not understand everything, I offer this prayer today as I have understood it.
  • While I live in this place (the world: Earth), I pray for protection from evil, just as Jesus asked for me. Also, I pray for protection for my husband (Kevin) and son (Sam), whom I pray for daily, so that they may not fall into evil, wherever they are. I hope that all of us become one in the Lord, always remaining in Jesus and the Father. I also pray for the strength and courage to live according to God’s will. Through such a life, may You reveal to the world that the father loves us.

<Application>

1. I will pray for our family to be protected from evil. This is an important part of ensuring our family’s safety and happiness. (Done)

2. Today, I was supposed to meet with Samantha. The weather is cold, and it’s snowing, so I feel like postponing it. However, unless Samantha cancels, I plan to go as scheduled. Since I agreed to teach her how to use Excel before the meeting, I will also practice that. (Done)

3. Today, I suggested baptism to Samantha, which is conducted at Chestnut Ridge Church, something I’ve been considering for a while.

Completed: When I met Samantha today, I recommended baptism. She said she would like to be baptized with her family’s blessing, especially her husband’s, who is currently in Texas. She promised to get baptized after moving to Texas.

Day 3-John 16

  • In John 16, I was moved this morning by the realization that I can still read and hear the words Jesus spoke 2,000 years ago. Especially, the Gospels, written by the disciples who accompanied Jesus, offer the advantage of conveying facts without the authors’ interpretations or explanations. Understanding or interpreting these events is entirely up to me. Although the Gospel authors might have made some errors while copying previous documents, the core message they intended to convey is likely accurate. The disciples would not have fabricated stories that weren’t present in Jesus’ time, especially when considering they devoted their lives to spreading His teachings.
  • Verse 27 offered a new insight that God loves us if we love Jesus and believe that he came from God. This seems to be a little different from the gospel of Paul, which emphasized repentance and salvation.
  • Let’s look at myself based on the words of Jesus that I read today. First of all, by my personal experience, I believe that Jesus is from God and have confidence in this matter. Now, let’s think about what ‘to love Jesus’ is. He said that ‘to love Jesus’ is to believe and keep the teachings of Jesus. The teaching is, first, to believe that Jesus came from God, second, to free us from sin, and third, to love each other. If I can keep these things, I am a loved one by God. Then am I loved by God now? I am not confident in loving each other. Let’s keep making practical efforts.
  • John 16 (verses 13-15) mainly discusses the Holy Spirit. The Spirit, coming from God, speaks what He hears and foretells the future. Jesus states that everything the Father has belongs to Him, and the Spirit will take from Jesus and disclose it to us. This might seem confusing, but it underscores the relationship between God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, and their role in conveying God’s will to us. The Spirit of God is the same as that of Jesus, and the Spirit uses Jesus’ teachings (the Word) to inform us about the future. The author (John) seems to be somewhat confused about this. Let’s see if there’s anything similar in the Mark’s Gospel that was written in the beginning. (The content is difficult.)
  • In verse 13, the Holy Spirit is said to reveal future events, possibly like the hope and assurance we sometimes feel intuitively when we pray. Recently, when I pray for Sam, I feel no worries, which might be related to this. Verses 23 and 24 encourage us to ask and receive, so our joy may be complete. Previously, we couldn’t ask in Jesus’ name, but now we are encouraged to do so and experience full joy. So, I prayed confidently. I prayed for Sam’s coding submission to PayPal, for its success and for him to receive an internship offer, boosting his confidence.

<Application:>

  1. Share the message received during prayer for Joan’s husband with her. (Done)
  2. I Sent the details via text before leaving for work. In the evening, I heard that he felt much better after taking medicine from the hospital.
  3. I Prayed for Sam’s PayPal coding submission today, hoping he gains confidence from getting a summer internship in 2019, and for him to experience the joy of answered prayers. (Done)

Day 2-John 15

  • In John 15, we are likened to branches, and the father is likened to the vine. This emphasizes that without being attached to the vine, I cannot bear fruit. It is said that if we abide in Jesus, we can receive whatever we ask for. What then does it mean to abide in Jesus? The scripture explains it as living in obedience to the father’s commandments. The greatest commandment given by the father is to love one another. What specific act of love is asked of me today? While meditating, I read John 15:12-14 and thought of Samantha, who I work with. In that moment, I was moved to tears of repentance because I had been irritated with Samantha yesterday. My irritation stemmed from her disliking our job, complaining to me, asking about others’ commissions, and unilaterally demanding computer training from me.
  • In fact, I’ve been feeling reluctant to spend time teaching Samantha the computer recently. I initiated this offer. About a month ago, while meditating on the word ‘Love,’ I offered to teach Samantha basic Excel programs if she wanted, to help her get an office job like me in Texas after she quits her job with Daniel. I thought basic computer knowledge would be helpful for her. So, I suggested we start learning from 2019.
  • However, my heart has changed. Although I made the initial offer, teaching her the computer has felt like a chore I’ve been putting off. I realized that my offer, which I thought was out of pure love, also had a motive for my English speaking practice. My action, which I thought was in obedience to ‘Love,’ ended up being to satisfy my selfishness. I repented with tears. Thinking of the grace I received from the Lord, extending that grace to others is the love Jesus speaks of. He said true love is even giving one’s life for a friend, but here I am, living selfishly.
  • While meditating, I went to the restroom. Then I texted Samantha to ask if she was available this Thursday. She replied that she was. Since I applied the word today, it’s as if I’ve completed my homework. Sitting back down, I read the scripture that if we abide in Jesus, we can receive whatever we ask for. Since I contacted Samantha in obedience to the word, I believe I acted in abiding in Jesus. So, believing that God will grant what I ask for, I prayed for the coding submission for my son Sam’s internship.
  • I’m not sure if it’s for PayPal, Apple, or Google, but I prayed that he would get an internship and a job at the place he desires. Living according to Jesus’ words and asking for anything, I wait to see God’s work.

<Application>

1.Contacted Samantha to set an appointment. (Completed)

2.Prayed for Sam’s PayPal internship (Coding). (Completed) → Ended up getting an internship at “Hulu.”

Day 1-John 14

  • “Jesus said, ‘If you knew me, you would have seen the Father as well.’ He also stated that He knows the Father’s will and acts according to His instructions. This means that living our lives following Jesus’s actions is the life God wants for us. Let’s remember and emulate Jesus’s actions. Jesus cared for the marginalized, the poor, widows, the sick, those in sorrow, those questioning their identity, seekers of God, and the unjustly treated.”
  • Our family is currently planning and preparing for the future. The core of our plan is ‘to be a channel of blessing by providing what is needed for those who need real help.’ For this life, we must achieve financial independence within 7-8 years. The sooner, the better. Our planned early retirement is based on these values, and we should not forget this even 7-8 years later. Another reason for early retirement is that delaying it might limit our physical ability to help others. We want to share our material and spiritual resources with those in need as we live the rest of our lives, believing this is the path to our happiness.
  • When buying a house for retirement, we must carefully consider the size and number of properties. We need both financial resources and time. Being greedy for multiple rental properties can lead to a loss of time. Our current plan includes buying one property in Loudoun County, Virginia for Steve and one for us, and not owning more than two in Morgantown. A rental business that can cover our monthly expenses is sufficient (e.g., $4000 monthly rental income). We pray to find houses in Loudoun County that suit our purpose, just as we were provided with a home when we needed one in Daejeon (to be shared later). We aim to create a retirement system where we can live meaningfully without being slaves to money. In retirement, we hope to manage our finances and engage in activities we love, using our family as a conduit for God to reach out to the marginalized and the poor.

<Application>

  1. Finalize the stories that came up from Washington in a call with Hana (done during the day): At the beginning of the year, when our families (Hana’s and ours) gathered, our younger brother-in-law suggested building a large building (a house and academy combined) in Washington for us to live together, and we had planned to pool seed money to buy a house after two years. These plans were very different from our future plans, and we couldn’t make a decision at that time, leaving the answer unclear. (Done): I, Joan(older sister), and Hana(younger sister) finalized this discussion over KakaoTalk (deciding to drop the idea) and agreed to live in the same neighborhood as our children, if possible, in the future.
  2. Look for houses in Loudoun County to live in and prepare a list, gather specific information to inform Sam (including plans for model house videos and visit dates). –> Husband(Kevin, Sam, and I visited the model house later.(Done). Also, Sam (my son) has been saving money for his future.

Introduce Myself

Welcome to my blog! I’m the author and heart behind these writings. Since 2019, my life, like many others, has been reshaped by the COVID-19 pandemic. This unprecedented time has prevented me from attending church in person, leading me to explore and deepen my faith within the sanctuary of my own home, alongside my family.

This blog is a candid and heartfelt journey through my daily biblical reflections. Each day, as I turn a new page of the Bible, I delve into its teachings, seeking wisdom and understanding. Initially, I was reticent to share my Quiet Time (QT) experiences, feeling uncertain about opening up such a personal aspect of my life. However, I’ve realized the power of sharing these moments.

My aim is to offer authentic, unfiltered insights from my readings, hoping to inspire and encourage others on their faith journey. Whether you’re seeking solace, understanding, or a sense of community in these trying times, I hope my reflections resonate with you and provide a guiding light on your path. Join me as we navigate these waters together, discovering the profound impact of faith in everyday life.