A Most Delightful Place, A Sacred Place, My Favorite Place!

Do you have a favorite place?  A place that you would go if you had the opportunity?  A place that brings you joy? A place of delight?  A place that brings you refreshment?  When my wife Sandy and I first began traveling abroad in the summer of 2001, we tagged along on a mission trip sponsored by Missouri Baptist University where I had been teaching, by that time, for a number of years.

We traveled to England and spent two delightful weeks doing physical labor as we worked on the rehab of a 16th century manor house that had been transformed into a youth camping center.  That place -- The Oakes -- became one of my first favorite places.

Sandy and I were able to return there in May of 2004 and see first-hand the on-going development and growth of a wonderful community led my our good friends, Dan & Billie Thaw. We experienced a true sense of joy as we visited the Oakes and met even more people who were continuing to contribute to its renewal. It has become a special place where the light of truth is being shared with many young people from across the entire United Kingdom.

On that same visit to the UK, Sandy and I were also able to travel to Ireland for the first time.  There we spent a delightful time touring in Dublin, Bray and the surrounding Counties.  One place, though, completely captured me.

It became my favorite place in all of Ireland (granted, I have been everywhere in Ireland, but I'm quite confident that this place will be hard to beat if I ever get back to the Emerald Isle).  The place is called Glendalough -- the valley between the two lakes.  It is the site of an early Celtic Christian community founded by St. Kevin, who lived in the generation just after Patrick.

Later during this tour of the UK, Sandy and I were invited to visit friends in Brecon, Wales.  Our hosts took us out for a day of sight-seeing in the South of Wales.  We drove along the Wye River Valley and came upon one of the most sacred sites in all of Wales -- Tintern Abbey.  It was just above and overlooking this Abbey that Woodsworth wrote his "Few Lines . . ."  My heart had been captured my yet another special place.

Though the Oakes, Glendalough and Tintern Abbey remain my favorite places in England, Ireland, and Wales, my fondness for them has, I must confess, grown somewhat dimmer these days.  Having now returned to the East, one place in all of Korea has become and I'm sure will continue to remain, my most favorite of all.  I first visited this place in July of 2004 when the students who were taking my short summer course at Handong International Law School (HILS) suggested that we take a break from our studies and enjoy a Saturday touring sights in a nearby town.

They drove me to Gyeongju -- the ancient capital of Korea -- and then up the mountains surrounding Gyeongju to a place called "Bulguksa" -- a Buddhist monastery. The experience I sensed upon walking up to the central structures of this place was much like the feeling I had had at Glendalough and Tintern Abbey -- I knew that I was venturing upon a sacred place.  Interestingly, Bulguksa's founding dates back to about the same time as the founding of Glendalough -- around the 8th century.

This past weekend, I had the privilege of making my fourth visit to Bulguksa.  Each time I've been there, I've seen something new.  This time I paused along a path and looked back toward the main stairway that leads up to the central worship area.  I took the picture you see here.

On my three previous visits, I followed the guide book and stopped at a point well to the far west of this main stairway.  This is the perspective you see in all the photo's.  Its a beautiful sight, no doubt (just take a look below), but I now realize that this view does not convey the fullest sense of the beauty of Bulguksa -- the beauty that shines as you see how the structures built there are so carefully balanced with the surrounding natural setting.  I had unknowingly limited my perspective by just looking from the well-known perspective.

What I needed to do was to look at things from a new perspective.  When I did, the wonder and beauty of this place only expanded in my mind.  It has become my favorite place in all of Korea in a new way.  The early blossoms of Spring hint at a coming beauty that will explode across the hillsides as more and more of the cherry trees bloom.

As you walk along the paths that lead you through the grounds, the delight and beauty of this place only become more and more apparent.  Each time I visit, my spirit is lifted and I feel a sense of refreshment that is much more that just what comes from a vigorous walk on a brisk day.  It is more than a physical rejuvenation, it is truly soul sustenance.  In fact, it is difficult to put it into words, because words in themselves seem a too limited means of conveying what the whole of my person experiences in this place.

Simply put, it is now my favorite place. I can't wait to go back!

All the Trees of the Forest Sing for Joy

This past Saturday, Sandy and I enjoyed an outing with three of our colleagues from the international faculty. We traveled together to Gyeongju, the ancient capital city of Korea, and Bulguksa, a monastery that is nestled up in the mountains above Gyeongju. The cherry blossoms were at their height and many of the other trees and shrubs were beginning to show their many hues of new-growth green.

Cherry trees fill the hillside along the pathway up to the entrance of Bulguksa.

Just inside Bulguksa's main gate, we come to a lovely mountain pond.  The newly constructed monastery enclave can be seen in the background above the stone bridge.

Here's a close-up of the cherry blossoms with the new-growth of green leaves beginning to unfold.

As we walk along the path that encircles the garden pond, we can look back toward the monastery gate.

Another stone bridge leads over a slow-flowing, spring-fed stream that trickles down the mountain and fills the pond.

More cherry trees surround the monastery's 10-foot tall bell suspended in the center of this structure. The bell's low-tones mark the hours of prayer.  The entrance to the old monastic enclave can be seen along the left side of the photo.

This is the most popular perspective on the ascending stairs to the main temple enclosure.  The second stairway (in the distance) is called "The Stairway to Heaven."

Here we are with Lynn & Debi in front of one of the other temple buildings.  Lynn's husband Roy took the photo.

Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord. ~ Psalm 96:12-13

Souls Refreshed in Seoul

We just returned from the most delightful weekend trip visiting friends, Kurt and his wife J.Sun, in the soul (Yongsan) of Seoul. We made the trip on the KTX bullet train that speeds cross-country in less than two hours.  Here are a few photo's from our travels.

Geunjeongjeon at Gyeongbokgung Palace

A Gapsa Guard protecting the Palace Gate

The King's Throne in Geunjeongjeon

On the steps in front of Jibokjae (a reception hall for foreign envoys).

A study within Cheonchujeon next to Sajeongjeon -- "Hall where the king should thnk deeply before deciding what is right or wrong."

Mr. Park, a gentleman who volunteered to serve as our guide throughout the grounds of Gyeongbokgung.

Changing of the Gate Guard Ceremony

The viewof Seoul from Kurt & J.Sun's apartment on the 22nd floor of their building.

J.Sun, Sandy and Kurt in the gardens outside the Dragon Hill Lodge on Yongsan Base. Kurt is a Captain in the U.S. Army and the son of good friends from back in St. Louis.

Korean War Memorial Museum

Sunday afternoon shopping along the streets in the heart of Seoul.

"I passed along and observed the objects of your worship . . ."

With these words, the Apostle Paul introduced his message to the Stoic and Epicurean philosophers on Mars Hill.  Before he attempted to start preaching the Gospel to the people of Athens, Paul had taken time to walk around and carefully observe their culture, their religious practices and their ways of living life.

Every culture, every place has objects of worship.  For Korea, Buddhism has had a substantial impact upon the formation of its culture.  This past Saturday, I was invited to travel to Gyeongju, the ancient capital city of Korea, and to tour Bulguksa Temple by my good friend and young brother, Kris and his wife Mary, who is a 3d year law student soon to graduate from Handong International Law School.  In many ways, Gyeongju is the Athens of Korea.  As we stepped through Bulguksa's gates, we began to realize that we were entering a very special place.

Bulguksa is known as "Buddha's country temple."  Within the monastery are two of the oldest pagodas in Korea.  They are among the country's national treasures.  While we were passing along through the temple grounds, we observed both the objects of worship (the picture at right is another national treasure -- a golden buddha measuring nearly 20 feet in height) and their worshippers. 

We met one elderly Korean lady who serves within the temple (most likely an "Anna" of this temple) and, though, we could not communicate with her in words, she was drawn to Kris and Mary's little 18 month-old daughter, Sadie Rose.  She displayed the warmth and tenderness of a grand mother, and her face glowed when Sadie Rose gave her a smile.

I wonder if what I sensed as we made our way around the temple and its cloister walk was something like what Paul experienced as he perused the Athenian altars.  Just as the Apostle heard echoes of God's truth in the words of the Greek poets and philosophers (see Acts 17:26-28), I perceived the wisdom of the ages in several decorative scrolls upon which monks from the temple had written some sayings of the Buddha. 

One read, "Go on your way with one mind."  It prompted me to think of the admonition in James 1 to single-minded devotion to Christ. Another said, "The fragrance of a flower may last for 1,000 miles, but the aroma of a virtuous life will endure for 10,000 years."  That one reminded me of Paul's description of followers of Jesus as an "aroma of Christ" in 2 Corinthians 2.  Kris and I talked as we walked about the ways we can see God's common grace reaching out and speaking to and through diverse cultures.

It takes time to "observe the objects of worship" in other cultures.  I'm sure Paul spent several days walking about Athens before he found the altar to the "Unknown God."  That altar became his entree to conversation with the people who spent there days hanging out on Mars Hills discussing the latest ideas of the day.  I don't think I'll encounter any Stoics or Epicureans around these parts, but maybe a deeper appreciation of the sayings of the Buddha may equip me to engage one of his followers who are without a doubt are -- like those in the Athens of Paul's day -- a very religious people.

*****************

Here are a few more pictures that Kris took while on our tour through Bulguksa.

The monastery's prayer bell (barrel-shaped copper bell in the center of this structure.

Close-up of the prayer bell.  Note the red, log-sized striker suspended to the right side of the bell.

Mary, Kris and Sadie Rose all bundled-up (It was a bit chilly)

A strange American chap we found posing in front of the Temple.

Fuji Mountain's Majesty

Over the past five days, I have had the privilege of visiting Japan and attending a wonderful conference for missionaries and church planters. The conference was held at the Fuji Hakone Land Hotel, and this was the view of Mt. Fuji from the conference grounds. I felt beckoned each day to stay outside as I was transfixed by the mountain’s majesty.

I was invited to the conference by Laurie Siemers, my good friend and colleague from West Hills, our home church back in St. Louis. The church sends several people to serve with folks from churches in Virginia, Florida and a few other locales who together make-up the U.S. volunteer support team. The team handles the conference logistics as well as putting on a full children's ministry VBS-styled program for the missionary kids.

It’s a wonderful opportunity to serve those on the mission field and to encourage them in deed and in truth. (1 John 3:18). I met both young and seasoned missionaries from the States. In particular, I was greatly impressed by two young couples who had recently arrived in Japan and are currently in language training school. Their commitment and devotion to God's call upon their lives was a true challenge to my heart.

I also met several missionaries and seminary professors who are Korean and are now serving in Japan. I learned in much more personal ways how God shows the reality of His love to the Japanese people by moving these Korean brothers and sisters to serve them when the history between Japan and Korean has been one filled with evil acts against Korean men, women and children by Japanese soldiers, especially during the period of occupation in the early part of the 20th century. God has enabled many Koreans to love and reach out with forgiveness to those who were once their enemies and oppressors.

So while my eyes were filled with the awesomely majestic views of Mt. Fuji and the gloriously gorgeous colors of the autumn landscapes, my heart was even more encouraged by the dedication and devotedness of fellow followers of Christ who have heeded His call upon their lives and are now seeking to respond each day to the challenges of life in a culture that is in many ways is even more individualistic and self-focused than the ways of the West.

I will lift up my eyes unto the hills . . .

An Evening in Daegu

I don't "get out" much these days since I am, in many ways, nearly cloistered off in a hermitage when not teaching in the classroom or preparing to teach while in my study (a much better term than "office" to describe the space in which I do my work here). But there are a few occasions for some broader cultural enrichment.

One of those opportunities came this past weekend when I accompanied Abraham Lee, Director of the University's Office of International Affairs (that's Abraham on the far left in our little group photo), his staff and three international students to a musical performance at a newly constructed opera house on the campus of one of Handong's sister universities located in the city of Daegu -- about a one hour drive from Pohang.

It proved to be a delightful evening at the theater. The performance was Jekyll and Hyde, the musical. The acting troop was from the States so everything -- dialogue and songs -- was in English! Though I was familiar with the plot line from Robert Louis Stevenson's novel, I was quite pleasantly surprised by the quality of the musical's script, set design and overall production.

On the whole, the performance was a powerful statement about the inadequacy of science to resolve the deepest problems facing humanity. Dr. Jekyll's scientific experiments could not overcome the struggles between good and evil within him. Indeed, apart from his pleas to God, Jekyll could not find an antidote against the human harm and deadly actions perpetrated by the evil Mr. Hyde.


If the musical comes to the Fox in St. Louis, I would strongly recommend your attending and enjoying the performance as I did during a delightful evening in Daegu.