Roots and Starlight (poetry collection)

Bring Heaven Down

Yung Suk Kim

Untouchable and vast is heaven.
Countless stars come and go,
yet nothing is lost forever.
They simply exist in new forms.
When you feel small, look up.
Sense the mysterious love that reaches beyond you.
Breathe in heavenly hope.
Bring heaven down to earth.

*Source: Roots and Starlight

Not Vanity

Source: Roots and Starlight (poetry collection) by Yung Suk Kim

Audiobooks

Technology helps us. Now, my self-published books on Amazon are available with computer-generated audio. This is good news for those who have difficulty reading. You can listen to a sample of the voice on the site. For example, go to Amazon for my book, Jesus as the Locus of Reconciliation. with audio.

You can see all my audiobooks here on https://www.audible.com. They are also available on Amazon.

HEBEL

 Source: Mindful Journey and Reflections

Mindful Journey

A sample chapter on Genesis 19

I’ve kicked off writing a sample chapter for my new book project titled: The Fourth Horizon: Hermeneutics, Homiletics, and the Mental World. This chapter tackles Genesis 19, the famous yet controversial story of Lot. I will de(re)construct the narrative with a focus on the embodied, critical mind perspective. I hope this chapter will serve as a guide for the rest of the book.

 

Concepts and content

"Thoughts without content are empty, intuitions without concepts are blind." (Kant, Critique of Pure Reason)
*Content: sensory experience; Concepts: conceptual framework

Four Pillars for Becoming a Successful, Prolific Writer (YouTube video)

 PDF (PowerPoint)

Four Pillars to Becoming a Prolific, Successful Writer

There are four pillars to becoming a prolific, successful writer:

• Distinct Ideas: With millions of books in existence, you must define what makes your book necessary. Originality isn't magic; it comes from cultivating experiences, traveling, reading, and engaging with others. To catch these ideas, you must write every day.
• Mastery of Time: Great ideas need room to breathe. You must carve out quality time for deep work, but also master the art of the "in-between" moments. Whether walking, resting, or sitting on a bench, use every spare five minutes effectively.
• Holistic Health: Writing is a physical activity as much as a mental one. A strong body supports a strong mind. You need physical vitality to maintain the mental endurance required for a long writing career.
• Personal Rhythm: You must discover a workflow that fits you. While you can borrow techniques from other writers, you must eventually build your own custom system of efficiency, rhythm, and speed.

To become a prolific and successful author, four essential conditions must be met.

First, one needs a viable and unique concept. In a world saturated with books, an author must answer the critical questions: "Why does this book need to exist?" and "Who will read this?" Distinct ideas are rarely just innate; rather, they are cultivated through life experiences, brainstorming, travel, reading, and conversation. Capturing these ideas requires the discipline of writing daily.

Second, writing demands dedicated time. Profound ideas cannot take root without nourishment. An author must secure quality time for deep focus but also learn to utilize "fragmentary time" wisely—seizing five minutes on a bench, during a walk, or before sleep to advance their thinking.

Third, one must maintain physical and mental stamina. Writing is an act of endurance. Because the mind and body are inextricably linked, physical strength fuels mental clarity and creative energy. A healthy body enables sustainable writing.

Finally, an author must develop a personalized methodology. While one can learn tips from others, true efficiency comes from discovering one's own rhythm, speed, and workflow. Ultimately, success relies on finding a unique style and tempo tailored to the individual.

 PDF (PowerPoint)

CAN DO

I have published about 20 books so far (excluding four edited volumes) and expect to publish 10 more, bringing my total to roughly 30 books by retirement. 

Today, I ran the projections, and I know it’s possible. I mention this not to boast, but to instill a "can-do" spirit in myself and to ground my belief in reality. There is a difference between subjective confidence ("I believe I can" or "I can do it") and objective confidence ("The evidence shows it is possible" or "It can happen"). 

My projection is based on reality, consistent effort, and clear direction. I am committed to making this happen.