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The legacy of Norman Vincent Peale

This is just one aspect of many cultic teachings that he has taught… unfortunately, he was even endorsed by Billy Graham, and the evangelical churches in the U.S. has continued to uncritically accept his heretical teachings throughout 20th century. Below is a quote from TrueDiscipleship website (accessed on 2022-09-28):

In 1984 Norman Vincent Peale was interviewed on the Phil Donahue program and said, “It’s not necessary to be born again. You have your way to God; I have mine. I found eternal peace in a Shinto shrine …I’ve been to Shinto shrines, and God is everywhere:” Shocked by this, Phil Donahue responded, “But you’re a Christian minister; you’re supposed to tell me that Christ is the way and the truth and the life, aren’t you?” Peale replied, “Christ is one of the ways. God is everywhere.” (Christian News, May 12, 1997, 11.) Would anyone who holds to Christ being there Lord deny him in such a blatant manner? This is beyond question a horrible statement that rejects Christ’s Lordship.  Donahue was shocked and rightly so, but the church was not. He received no backlash or correction for this. Peale was a universalist, believing that everyone is going to heaven as long as they believe in god, any god. That is not a Christian position.

천지창조하신 하나님이 빠진 교회들

하나님은 없다라고 가르치고 있는 세상속에서 교회도 같이 창조주 하나님은 없다라고 합창을 하면서 하나님의 말씀을 가르친다고 행세질만 하니 사람들이 교회를 나오긴 나오는데 예수님께서 보여주시고 가르쳐주신 신앙이 아닌 인본주의적인 사람들이 안전한 공간에서 다른 사람들을 만날 수 있는 공간이라 생각되서 교회에 나오게 된다. 계속해서 위대하신 하나님보다 과학이 더 위대하다고 과학을 찬양하라. 아이들도 진화론에 내포된 무신론주의에 빼앗긴 상황에서 어른들만 구원받으면 너무 불평등한건 아닌가? 더 나가 사람의 선조되신 원숭이님도 예배에 참석하게 해서 말씀을 들어야 하게 하는 것이 新無神論 목사들의 도리가 아닌가?

Hiking: Pino trail

4 hours. 20 lbs. backpack. 1 liter of water consumed. With Eric.

A panoramic view

Tried out 500 ml of water that was flowing across the trail. Water tasted sweet! 약수물~!

Update: I realized in the US you aren’t supposed to be drinking from natural sources. My childhood experience of drinking water from local mountain has me unafraid to drink mountain water.

奇貨可居

原: 史記, 呂不韋傳; 資治通鑑, 等等

奇貨可居 (기화가거,qíhuòkějū,きか-かきょ) special item [is of a] good purchase
Something that deserves an investment. A good opportunity. A worthy item to purchase for future.

During the Warring States period, even though the country of Jo (趙) was in a decline, the capital city of Handan (邯鄲) was still flourishing with a lot of trade with other countries. Yeobulwi (呂不韋), a grand merchant (豪商) of the country of Han (韓), also frequented Handan for business. One day, by chance, he found out Jacho (子楚: 異人), who was a bastard son of Prince An-guk (安國君) of Jin (秦), was being held as a hostage in that city.  At the time, Jin often invaded Jo so Jacho was despised, and he was treated badly. Yeobulwi saw this situation as an opportunity, and decided to help Jacho by first visiting his residence, which was a shabby place. Yeobulwi said, “King Soyang (昭襄王) is of old age, and your father is set to become the next king of Jin. But Queen Consort (正妃), Lady Hwa-yang (華陽夫人), has no sons, and there are over twenty sons born through concubines. Among them, who do you think would be the next Crown Prince? Surely, the confidence isn’t on your side.” Jacho wasn’t sure of the intent of this conversation and replied, “There isn’t anything anyone can do about that, is there?” Yeobulwi suggested that he would help Jacho with money, so he could send gifts to the Queen Consort to win her favor, while recruiting talented people around him. Yeobulwi promised that he would also go to the country of Jin and try to help appoint Jacho as the Crown Prince. At this, Jacho held Yeobulwi’s hands in gratitude and said, “If things work out as you’ve said, then let us rule Jin together.”

Finally, Jacho was installed as the Crown Prince with the help of Yeobulwi’s wealth and scheme. And, as Yeobulwi had strategized, Jacho succeeded as King Jangyang (莊襄王, 250-247 BC) of Jin in year 250 BC. As he had promised, Yeobulwi was appointed a minister as soon as he was enthroned, and Yeobulwi was able to gain unprecedented power and wealth.

Before all of these happened, Yeolbulwi had given one of his dancers to Jacho as a wife, and a son, named Jung (政), born to her became the Crown Prince, and later, he would become the Emperor Si (始皇帝). However, there was a report that this dancer who was wed to Jacho was already pregnant with Yeobulwi’s child, and the child who later became the Emperor Si was actually Yeobulwi’s son. 

Anyway, King Jangyang reigned only for 3 years and died. Crown Prince Jung succeeded him, and Yeobulwi was entrusted with even more power as the Chief Councillor, and he was even called uncle (仲父: next in line to one’s father) by the king. He enjoyed fame and held in one hand the power over Jin, and this was all because he discovered a precious gem in a pitiful place and paid dearly for it (奇貨可居). 

We often are affected by myopia, and miss the future opportunities that could be returned to us. A wise person knows to sacrifice little now for a greater return later. And, to do so with boldness as well. Such force of volition in decision making isn’t common among people, especially in this day and age of information overflow. So, it may take a lifetime of practice to learn to see what is not apparent in our daily transactions

狡兎三窟

原: 史記, 孟嘗君列傳; 經濟類編, 卷三十二/19 中
…狡兎有三窟僅得免其死耳…

狡兎三窟 (교토삼굴,jiǎotù sān kū, こうと-さんくつ), smart rabbit [has] three holes
Semper paratus (“always be prepared.”) Always have a back-up plan.

During the Warring States period (戰國時代) a retainer (食客) of Lord Maeng-sang (孟嘗君), named Pung-hweon (馮愋, 馮驩) received an order to collect the loan payments from the state of Seol (薛). He went and gathered everyone who were in debt to Lord Maeng-sang and then to the joy of everyone gathered there, he proceeded burn all of their documents of obligation. Pung-hweon came back and explained that by burning all those loan contracts he had gained gratitude and indebtedness (恩義) from people.

A year later, Lord Maeng-sang had angered King Min (泯王) of the country of Je (齊), and then he was driven out from his post to the outer parts of the kingdom. At this time, the people of Seol came out to be with Lord Maeng-sang to comfort him for 100 miles. This was the first help by Pung-hweon.

Then Pung-hweon went to the capital city of Wi (魏) and persuaded King Hye (惠王) that his country will made stronger by receiving Lord Maeng-sang. King Hye was convinced, and sent 1,000 pounds of gold and cartloads of gifts. Such gifts were sent to him three times, but following Pung-hweon’s advice, Lord Maeng-sang denied the offer, and did not receive those gifts. King Min, hearing of this, became fearful, and sent a servant with an apology, and reinstated Lord Maeng-sang to his post as a local sovereign. This was the second help provided by Pung-hweon.

As a third help, Pung-hweon advised Lord Maeng-sang to build an ancestral shrine of Je in the land of Seol. As long as the shrine existed, King Min would not be a threat to him, so Lord Maeng-sang’s authority was reaffirmed this way.

The world has always been in chaos and it is full of difficulties, so one must overcome a lot of difficulties in order to succeed in the world. People often say it is now the world of infinite competitions. Once must be well equipped in order to compete with others, and that also means one must also be prepared sufficiently for overcoming difficulties in life. And it can also produce anxiety if you have all your eggs in one basket. If one thing fails, there has to be another ready in place. This is true not only individually, but at the national level as well. There has to be some protective measures in place in case of emergencies.

Fake mask-selling sites; scammers

https://enstadia.com

https://sunflowerwishstore.com

https://familywellness.shop

It’s probably a small team operating these. They will even call you (on Saturday night) if you file a complaint. They’re well-versed in technology, and apt at avoiding detection. If you file a complaint with Facebook, it will be ignored, and any posts mentioning them will be taken down. They will hoard money as long as possible, and run before getting caught. I wonder when the law enforcement will catch these retromingent mofos.

Notes on [brain] fatigue

Self-diagnosis. 2 points if yes, 1 point if somewhat yes, and 0 if no. And then sum it up at the end.

  1. I have a problem with sleeping at night, and I wake up in the middle of night.
  2. I have lost appetite.
  3. I feel tired all the time even though I haven’t used my body that much
  4. I don’t feel like going to work or go outside.
  5. I’m anxious and feel nervous all the time.
  6. I can’t organize my thoughts well.
  7. I have a headache.
  8. My neck and shoulders feel stiff.
  9. I can’t concentrate well.
  10. My eyes feel tired.

Healthy: 0-5, Light: 6-9, Intermediate: 10-15, Danger: more than 15

In the intermediate level, you can potentially experience skin issues.

If it’s over 15, you should go see a doctor — especially if you’re over 40 years-old.