What is God's plan and what's my part?

If you believe that in the future one person is to lead not only one race, not only one small group, but the whole world, then the question is what is God's expectation for you according to that plan (if that is his plan).

If that is God's plan, then surely God would want to see the whole world willingly and joyfully accepting him as their leader. Then the question is what I can do to make that environment possible. Is it possible that one person's leadership is welcomed by the whole world not by power, not by money, but by something like love--in a way, or, any way out of the volition of the whole people? And if it is possible, then how? And what can I do to contribute to that?

If there are people who would want to destroy him for any reason, what is the way to even eventually change them into his friends, who would willingly welcome him?

What is God thinking, knowing all the situation and just letting us fulfill our part of responsibility? Whatever the situation is, God is the center, and we need to struggle to find a way together with God.

Arrogance: listening to allies and enemies

Just talking to myself:

My arrogance has to be detected and destroyed.
If you cannot sincerely listen to and try to understand your ally or his advise, then, how can you expect yourself to sincerely listen to and try to understand your enemy?
It's a long way to go.
But going is better than not going
Just one step at a time.

"Discussion for the sake of discussion"

I hear it said sometimes, "Do not make argument for the sake of the argument."
But, how about the "discussion for the sake of the discussion"?
I don't know what exactly is the definition of "discussion", but I tend to think that discussion for the sake of discussion is not good, either, of course depending on the situation.

If you want to have a meaningful discussion, I think the participant should have some agreements first, such as:
* as much as you have your points or reasoning (or justification), you have to admit the other person also has this all, and respect this fact
* in other words, the attitude of "I am right and you are wrong (no matter what)" has to be thrown away
* each present his/her points, reasoning, and then each try to understand the points, reasoning of the other
* then discuss on each presented thing based on the attitude listed above

If these points are not agreed upon, then the discussion will end up pouring oils onto fires of each side's "I am right and you are wrong.", participants all get angry and exhausted, and thus the situation will not only not be settled, but be even worsened (and some observer with some intention will be very satisfied...)

But, maybe it is not realistic to expect such discussion on some heated matters...

Only Truth remains

I think it's true that the time is coming that everything hidden will be exposed.
Our value system will be exposed--how I see the people; in which level do I see people; what's the standard of my judgment; what I think is good; what I think is evil;
--all these will be exposed; I will have to face it; face who I really am;
My relationship with God will be exposed; what exactly is my relationship with God anyway?

I will be pushed to the situation to say either yes or no
I will do it only based on my value system; so it will be exposed
That's why it is said that the only person who will judge you is yourself, or, your conscience
Things change but only truth remains
For me to remain, I have to be "true"
This may be God's doing to give everybody a chance to be "true".

Thank God for this "unexpected thing"!

When some unexpected situation comes up, your reality shows up, or, the culture you carry will be exposed; your hypocritical nature, your lack of sincerity, your self-righteousness, your sarcasm, your arrogance, your cowardice, etc.,

Then, you may be shocked, or so disappointed to see your reality.
You may wish to become un-you and throw all the accusation upon "you"
You may not want to continue your life anymore.
Then, you may want to curse that "unexpected thing" which somehow happened

However, think again, what if that "unexpected thing" did not happen?
Then you might not even realize who you really are, or, what kind of culture you, in fact, are carrying (regardless of what you say or what you think)
Just carrying a wrong picture about yourself without realizing the internal mess that has to be dealt with (before you go to the next world)

From that perspective, that "unexpected thing" was an expression of God's love and care,
with his heart, so much wanting to help you to get to your eternal freedom
So, it's hard, but if it is God's doing, then, why do you keep lamenting so much?

Just say, "Thank you, God..." and,
try to take a next step with God
One step at a time

Thank God for the threatening!

I don't think things just pop out overnight; everything has a long history behind it, which we may not, or can not be aware of.
Therefore, we don't need to be caught up with external stressful aspects, but we do need to stay in the core; as long as our heart is right, basically we will be fine, or, we will be guided into the right direction (however, right direction could mean anything...)

Our life is short, but our life is real, and whatever people have influence on it, it is essentially yours and nobody has a control over it, not even ....
So, you have to be smart, wise, and just be responsible for your eternal life
Something may seem to be scary but ask yourself if that is the only possible perspective; is there any way to see it "out of box"?
You are the only hope for you

And anyway it is a great chance for you to see who you really are, and also who you are becoming :-)

Thank God for my hatred!

There must be at least one person who always touches your nerve, or, irritates you
Sometimes my feeling would come to the level of even "hatred" if not "anger"
And you wonder, "Why did God put this person around me?"
Then you almost doubt, "How can a loving God like you do such a thing?"

However, one clear thing is that you don't want that feeling (especially, for it to last forever!)
And the only way to be free from that feeling is to overcome it

Then, just change your thinking a little bit--"What if that person did not exist?"
There is a creative process to find out amazing God's love behind that situation, depending on how you use your God-given creativity and imagination, and how you communicate with your "personal" God, including how you be honest with yourself, etc.
There is a whole different world, and the process varies uniquely depending on each person, but the conclusion in general is: you will thank God for putting that very person right in front of you!
The worst enemy has become the doorway to your "personal" God.

Life is a chance. You will find your amazing creativity given by God--your capability to create heaven in the midst of hell.
Nobody can take this away from you.
Then you know that you are ... of ..., and your ... is ...!

Do not get pressured by external details

Young man, don't get caught up with external details and thus get pressured
Of course, external details are important, but it is not there to pressure on you
Don't forget the most important thing, which is that you are here to exist for others

If you start thinking of giving, or, if you want to give and try to give, then many things will be given to you including external details
So, as long as you focus on internal giving, then God will provide what you need, including external details.

God's word and I

When I said to God, "God, I want you to use me to reach out to others.", I felt he seemed to be happy, or, at least happier than when I did not say that to him.
Then he started to give to me many inspirations, insights and realizations, etc.
So, I was very happy thinking, Wow! now I have something to give...
Then I started to give...

Then I realized, in fact, he gave me these words not that I could lecture them on the people
But, in fact, the words he gave to me were the words I needed to practice.
Then I realized that God has an interesting way of educating people
If he is using my mouth to speak to the people, then I need extra sincerity to listen to what my mouth says, and I have to be the first one to sincerely practice what my mouth is saying
I may be wrong, but so far that's how my conscience is telling me to think

It is so easy for me to make that mistake: when the word is given to me, it is so easy to use that word to judge others, but, in fact, the purpose of that word having been given to me is for me to practice it and grow first, which may be the first step to help others

Is truth creating barriers or destroying barriers?

When the truth is revealed, we have some options:

1. Try to connect to the spirit/heart behind the letter of the truth
2. Try to connect to the letter of the truth, ending up holding it as a dogma, becoming a slave to the letter of the truth

Which option to choose? It is up to each individual and not up to the religious institution you belong to.

But, let's think, which option more likely end up causing fights (or, building barriers)?

And which option more likely end up reconciliation (or, taking down the barriers)?

You have to denounce with honestly and fairness

When you have to denounce someone, do not add your version of story to try to make you look good (or make him look bad). You may think it's helpful but it isn't. You have to be very honest with the fact, and maintain objectivity, which would send a silent message of who you are to the people, and which would give to people the reason why they would want to listen to you.

Of course when you are denouncing someone, you may be already feeling, "That's not fair!" type of feeling. But, denouncing without controlling that type of emotion would not benefit anybody including yourself.

And if you are denouncing someone because you are ordered to do so from higher clerical authority, you are either fortunate or unfortunate to have to do such a thing, but I believe it is a God-given chance to show to him who you really are. Just make sure one thing: If the denunciation turned out later to be invalid, you cannot just say, "I denounced because I was absolutely obedient to the authority, so it's not my fault." This excuse will not work anymore. It may have worked twenty years ago, or even ten years ago, but not today anymore...

You have to denounce based on the fact, or correct information

If you have to denounce someone, then you should denounce him based on the correct information.

If you do it with incorrect information, then you will end up showing off your ignorance, or incapability/unwillingness to properly deal with the truth, and eventually you will lose your own credibility and the trust from the people. Those who care about you might advise you this point, but those who don't care might just praise you for your amazing wisdom.

Sad thing is that it is not easy to find people around who really care about you. So many just might want to utilize you for their own cause. Sigh...

God's agenda and your agenda

You have to be able to distinguish between these two things: 1. God's word; 2. Presenting God's word to push your agenda (which may not be the same as God's)

God's word is always important, but when you present (or use) God's words to accomplish your agenda, that is not a right thing to do. And especially when you are holding a position of certain clerical authority, that could be an abuse of power, which could even consist a crime.

For example, if you think denouncing someone is God's will, then you could use all kinds of God's words to make it happen. Yes, I'm sure you will always find certain words which perfectly fits your need. But the question is, "Is denouncing someone really God's will or not?" I'm sure you will look for God's word to justify your cause, and you will certainly find some.

Therefore, always the important thing is your motivation, and your purpose in doing anything. For whose sake are you doing it? In this process, you have to be totally honest with yourself, and your conscience.

Before reacting to your "enemies"...

Before trying to make a strategy to defeat your enemies, or, before you react and try to defend yourself, first, you need to humbly come to God, and seek for his advice. Then, at least you will find peace in your mind, and also love, as well as hope. Then, you will be able to see the situation more "objectively".

If you react to the situation and get caught up with emotions...who would like to see that? We need to always try to prepare the way in which God can be involved in our midst.

In other words, we need to be able to see who is the real enemy. Who wants to see us expressing negative emotions just for the sake of justifying myself and blaming the other? You are smart enough to know these things. But, somehow religion has an amazing power to blind the people, always with the same pattern of thought: "I am right and you are wrong." Then you lose sincere humility to "listen to others" and "try to understand them". Then attacking others and feeling righteous, then eventually regret so bad, but maybe a hundred years later. Amazing thing is that you do not seem to be afraid of the "history" which will record every detail of what you say, and what you do.

Do not worry by yourself

After all, it is all God's doing.
Therefore, you should not just worry by yourself.

...Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the scriptures:
'The very stone which the builders rejected
has become the head of the corner;
this was the Lord's doing,
and it is marvelous in our eyes'?
Therefore, I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a nation producing the fruits of it." (Mat. 21:42-44)

This is God's doing.
If his goal is clear and he is very serious about the goal, surely he will guide us to accomplish that goal. If he is very serious about creating one family under God, then he will help all of us to be the people who will live as one family under God. (at this point I find myself very far from the expected level) So, it is a very necessary process in order to achieve that goal. And of course you need to be concerned about the whole, but first you need to be serious about what is your role looking from "God's perspective" in this whole picture--especially your role to create yourself as that person. You have a lot to do, and in a way, it's a long way to go.

However, as long as you hold on to God and do everything together with him, there is always a hope.

How can I stop the habit of lying?

This is another lesson from Korean dramas:

Lying is so destructive. Once you make one lie for any reason, then you will have to make another lie so that your initial lie will not be exposed. Then you may have to do something else to hide those lies again. This includes: you may have to make someone shut his mouth; you may have to make someone a liar; you may have to make something as not happened; you may have to have someone disappear; etc. This would cause all kinds of crimes. such as murder, bribery, threatening, abuse of power, character assassination, etc.

So, the best thing is you never lie. Determine to make it a habit of not lying.

However, the more important thing is the reason why you lie. If you don't deal with the reason, you will lie anyway, which will take you to your demise. Therefore, first, you have to deal with the reason part.

Try to find out who is asking you, hoping you, or pushing you to lie. Who would receive benefit out of your lying? Think from long term.

Also, what is your justification of the lie. There must be some reason you are justifying your lying.

To do this, one helpful way is to listen to your accuser. To whoever criticises you, do not get offended, but listen carefully what is God's message behind what he says. This takes humility and courage, but this is where God will help you. And this is something we usually do not do--sincerely listening to your accuser, or your enemy. That's why when you hear people arguing to each other, you can tell there argument will never end because they so much hold onto their own view and never listens to other party and never try to understand what the other party really is saying.

This is sad, and in fact, this kind of situation of human relationship must change somehow. Maybe it has to start from your own family, which may have a better chance to build such human relationship--a relationship based on humility and trust. Once you manage to build such relationship with one person, you will be able to do it with other people, too. Anyway, you can think every good thing starts from you, because you are the hero/heroine of the drama!

When you get upset about somebody...

When you get upset about somebody, just be careful not to give into that emotion right away.
Take a full breath first, and then
Think who will be benefited if you hold onto that anger and express that anger.

Of course you may think, yes, I know it's the Devil who will be happy
But, that's not enough
Is there any particular person, or group of people around, who will get benefit out of it?
Of course the Devil may be happy, but the Devil cannot just be happy by himself.
There must be some substantial human being who would want to see you giving into that emotion
and let you fight with someone, and use all the resources of the both, and eventually both die...
Then he will take what he wanted
Are you really sure nobody has such intention around you?

Then, think again.

Because you know it is not reasonable to have such negative feeling toward someone
And in fact, you really do not want to do such a thing
But only for some reason which was instilled from somewhere, you find yourself opposing someone

Beware, somebody may be lying...

Anyway, I am not forcing my idea, but just think about it.

When you have to criticize someone...

If you have to criticize someone for any reason, first you need to have a clear understanding of what you are trying to criticize. It is because if you don't do that, the person who receives your criticism will have an impression of you not understanding what he says. Then, the criticism has no meaning because he will not take it seriously and then he will not accept it. Who would want to accept the advice from someone who seems to have wrong understanding about you?

Therefore, when you have to criticise someone, you have to criticise in the way the receiver of the criticism feels he is understood. Then that criticism might be taken as a proper advice, then that criticism becomes meaningful.

Sadly, we don't usually practice this way when we criticise others. We criticise not based on complete understanding of what he says, then our criticism will not be taken as seriously as we expect, but instead, it will give him very good reason to keep defending himself, making him more assured that he is right and you are wrong.

However, in order to have such criticism, you are required to have a deep sense of humility of truly trying to understand what that person says, and also why he says it. Many people act as if they are trying to understand the others through sincerely listening, but sadly, they, in fact, are not listening. This is because they already have their agenda set clearly, and no matter how they externally show they are trying to listen, they don't. They just "hear what they want to hear and disregard the rest..." What a difficult thing to have a true humility! and especially for those who have some kind of "conviction"

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteosness' sake

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
"Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so men persecuted the prophets who were before you.

This is the assurance from the lord, Jesus.
So, if you find yourself being attacked falsely, do not feel bad. Be assured the history is your witness. History is awaiting to testify to you for your righteousness.

But, in case you are attacking someone, just be careful.
You'd better humbly examine whether the reason for your attacking is based on truth or falsehood involved; whether the motivation of your attacking is the benefit for the whole or not. Of course there is always some possibility of getting deceived without your own realization. But you still have to do your best to examine yourself and avoid that situation. It is because history will judge you, no matter how you (or "majority") think you are right. It's better to be humble before history.

Thank God for challenges!

I think I may have written before, but i believe the challenging time is really given by God out of his deep love for us. In general, challenging time is the time when our hidden problems are getting exposed one after another, followed by the cleansing process, so that we all will more resemble the Christ, or resemble God.

Of course the process could be very painful, which might give you the series of hells and valleys, even to the point of losing your reason to live on. It is, however, the moment of looking into the "looking glass", to find out who you really are.

The others will act to you like a mirror or a looking glass.
When you are about to judge someone for some reason, that exactly shows what kind of problem you have which you need to work on (or, which God wants you to work on). If you do not have that problem deep in yourself, then your feeling of wanting to judge someone for that problem will not occur. Therefore, everybody is your teacher, who you need to humbly learn. And remember, those who can learn can grow, and those who cannot learn cannot grow. After all, life is a process of learning and growing, and enjoying the process of learning and growing. Maybe I could say this because I am still not put into the worst kind of challenges that really give me the real hell.

Anyway, we'll see...

Seek, and you will find

A very strange thing...

When someone asks me to look for something, I always ask him/her two questions:

1. "When was the last moment you remember you have seen it?"
2. "and, where was it at that last moment?"

Then, if they have some answers to these questions, I tell them,"Ok, we will find it in five minutes. Look at your watch and start counting!"
Then, within five minutes, the thing would be found (either by me or by them), and usually from a very unexpected place.

I didn't know how many times this would work, but to my surprise, it didn't work just once in 20 cases. However, in that one case, the thing did appear few hours later. Therefore, so far my reflection is: if you seek, with sincere motivation and good reason, then somehow it will be found. But I still don't know why it always happens within five minutes. Is it God? I tend to believe so. If the same thing happens to you, just let me know...

Thank God for religion -- (10) Judge not, why?

Even though religion has so many problems, it has many good points, which may be what God originally expected religion to offer.

Such as the teaching of the universal wisdom, "Judge not, that you be not judged." "For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and the measures you give will be the measures you get..."

It is your choice to denounce someone and you may be right, or correct in what you say. However, if you denounce others too much, then you will naturally be losing the credibility of what you say, or who you are. It doesn't matter whether you are right or wrong. Denouncing someone itself has its consequence, which you have to be aware of... I don't know... but that's what I tend to think.

Witch-hunt today? It's impossible.

"Witch-hunt was done by evil people," my friend said.
Is he really correct?

"Of course, otherwise, how could good people do such evil thing like witch-hunt?"

But, I don't think so. I believe the witch-hunt was done by pretty good people, or, "normal" people, who "claimed to love their church," and surely as you know, "in the name of God and the Pope=living representative of God." They did not want disturbing thing in their beloved church. They wanted "peace" in their church. They may have hated those "witches" or they may have loved them but sympathized with them, and maybe cried and prayed for them with tears so that they could somehow recant...

Therefore, watch out! If you are such good normal people, you might any time become someone who supports "witch-hunt" wholeheartedly, and this is what the future history will remember you about.

Never make this mistake!

Never make mistake in understanding this:

It is not who you are praising that determines your value
It is not who you are denouncing that determines your value

If you happen to praise someone who is popular (or who majority supports), never make mistake to think that you are ok
If you happen to respect someone who is less popular (or who minority supports), never make mistake to think that you have no future

Those things will pass...
Or, those things will change around any time.

The only important thing is YOU!
The only important thing is who you are
Your responsibility or duty as a human being never changes
It doesn't matter whether you are in a hostile environment, or in a relaxed atmosphere
The only important thing--your responsibility is there, never changing
Your responsibility to make your own choice
So, you cannot blame anyone for what action you are taking
You cannot expect anyone to come and defend you about your choice

It is because you are the son/daughter of God, who is in charge
At least over your own life

Yes, you are the main character of the drama
And you best audience is GOD!

Thank God for religion -- (9): arrogance

Religion has a lot of great things, but also a lot of problems.
Religion tends to make people feel and think, "I know the truth." Of course there's nothing wrong knowing the truth; it is a good thing. However, if you are not careful, there is a trap awaiting you right there: "I know the truth, which you don't know."

Once you are trapped in this thinking, then inside of you somehow the system to maintain fairness in your thinking will be disabled. And then you will start to "label" someone as "he doesn't know the truth=someone lower than me", or "someone who is thinking wrong", "someone who is doing wrong", "someone who is criminal", "someone who is a devil", etc. Then in your system the access to the room to accept that labeled person as normal person will be disabled. Once these are done, then you will only hear what you want to hear, and before hearing anything about what he says or does, already you know he is wrong anyway, and according to this filter, you will hear everything.

What if you are aware of this kind of dynamics going on inside of you, then you might be able to take more control over this system, and you might be able to keep the room in you to listen to and understand the person who you would "label" normally.

This system--by making you think you know the truth, and thus making you see others through some filter--causes building barriers around you, pushing people away even without your being aware of it. Thus you will have enemies and it totally doesn't make sense to you how come those people dare to say things and do things to you. You will never understand and all it makes sense to you is that "they must be the devil, the poorest soul in the world, who, sadly, has no choice but to walk into the hell"

Of course, it is a different story if you are a Christ. Then you could surely say, "I know the truth, and you don't." and it's true! But then you would know how to handle that. So, the answer is, we all should become a Christ!

How can I be so arrogant to judge someone?

If those who claim to know the truth better start to label others as heretics or cults, and persecute them and make every effort to destroy them -- this is ugly.

What if those who claim to know the absolute truth start to label others as heretics, and persecute them and make every effort to malign them -- this is uglier.

That would involve much higher arrogance of "I know the absolute truth, which you don't." However, sad to say, the nature of human being cannot change overnight, and this thing keeps happening again and again. It is a sad thing because when you are performing this type of arrogance, you would not find peace and happiness in yourself, and nor God feels joy looking at you. This is an action of creating hell around you, which your conscience would know.

But, what is more fearful is that I have to admit that's exactly what I am doing!

You will hear what you want to hear and disregard the rest...

"...all lies and jest still a man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest, mmm...."
A phrase from the "Boxer" by Simon and Garfunkel

I think we have already decided what we want to hear, and we will hear what we want to hear and somehow do not hear what we do not want to hear... this is really true!

Thus, the ability required of us is: even though we have decided what we want to hear, can we still be able to hear what we do not want to hear? If you lack this ability, do not even expect that the conflict will be over one day. That's just a self-deception.

First you need to try to hear what you do not want to hear even though you have decided what you want to hear. Oh, even before that, first you have to realize and admit that you already have decided what you want to hear. No more self-deception, please.

Then, the next thing you should do is to examine the content of what you have decided to hear. Is that conclusion really valid? or, is it not too early to come up with that judgment? That's the moment you really need to be humble before the truth. Surely it takes courage to be humble, or it takes "love" to be humble. And that's the moment you might realize what you lack.

I believe this would greatly help to solve the communication breakdown. That's why we often need some negotiator who could help both sides to practice this. So, what's the next thing...

Now ask yourself, "Are you not that negotiator? or, do you need to wait for another?"

What kind of answer are you satisfied with?

I think everything is up to you.
Do you really want to know the answer? or, how seriously (or, to which extent) do you want to know the answer? That's the question.

If you would want the real answer, you wouldn't be satisfied to make your judgment by examining partial information, but you would want to know the information from every aspect. You will end up making some judgment anyway, but this would just show what kind of understanding you are satisfied with.

If you insist on one judgment as absolutely right, then you would naturally tend to make something or somebody to be absolutely wrong. But then there is always somebody who insists on different judgment as absolutely right. You will not find solution if both keep insisting his position. Therefore, we should not dwell with being satisfied with the answer based on the partial information, but always humbly seek to find the better answer based on the whole information.

In other words, if you are saying to someone, "I am right and you are wrong," then that is the very moment you need to humbly examine yourself about how much information do you have to have come up with that conclusion.

Why am I so lazy?

Why am I so lazy? It is because I don't love...
If you love someone, let's say, like your little child.
And what if he got an accident, and he is dying now!
Can you be "lazy"?
Even to the small degree if you have love for someone, you will not be lazy especially when you know he is dying.

So, why are you lazy? It is because you don't have love. Or, in other words, even though you have potential love inside, it is so "potential" and did not have much chance to come out. So, it is not like you don't have love. Of course you do have it but it has to come out and you need to experience that you have it. To do so, you need an object of your love.

Then, where can you find the object of your love? Well, you think about it... and let me know if you find the answer :-)