아름답기 구슬처럼 되려하지 말고, 돌처럼 되어라.

"아름답기 구슬처럼 되려고 하지 말고, 볼품없는 돌과 같이 되어라." ( 노담의 덕경 39장에서 ) -- 아름다움을 구하면, 아름다움을 얻지 못하고, 그것을 구하지 않으면, 그것이 곧 아름다움이다. 모름지기 구슬과 같이 아름답기를 원하지 말고, 그저 볼품없는 돌처럼 처신하여라. "I say to you that out of these stones God is able to raise up children." (Mat 3:9) / "if they remain silent, the very stones will cry out." ( Lk 19:40 ) -Jesus / "If you make me an altar of stone, you shall not build it of hewn stones, for if you wield your tool on it you profane it." ( Exodus 20:25 ) Do not desire to be beautiful beads, rather be like stones. --- Tao Te Ching ( Calligraphy by Steven G. Lee )

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중국어 접시 -- 영문으로 번역

The text is traditional Chinese calligraphy, and because it’s engraved on a curved lacquer plate with artistic strokes, a few characters are difficult to read precisely. However, I can give you: ✅ An approximate transcription ✅ A meaning summary / translation ✅ Notes on style & origin 🈶 Approximate Chinese Transcription (Some characters may vary slightly due to calligraphic style) 何事西風悲畫扇 不問蒼生問鬼神 免卻平生求名意 江山無盡自逍遙 明月此時應共照 清風徐來入我懷 高士多情堪寄意 心空若水任東西 (A few characters in the middle are worn and faint, so the reading is best-effort.) 🌿 Approximate English Meaning This is a poetic inscription in a classical Chinese style. It reflects themes of nature, philosophy, and freedom from worldly concerns. Why mourn the painted fan in the autumn wind? Ask not the spirits or fate, nor seek earthly fame. Free yourself from the pursuit of name and status— The rivers and mountains are endless, wander freely. At this moment, the bright moon shines upon us all; A gentle breeze arrives and enters my heart. The noble ones are sentimental and worthy of trust, A mind like still water flows east and west without worry. 🖌️ Style Notes Classical Chinese (文言文) Tone resembles Tang–Song poetry Themes: nature, detachment, calm heart, Daoist influence Likely decorative inscription rather than a famous poem Often found on art plates, scrolls, and lacquerware to express elegance and tranquility ✅ What This Plate Represents This is not everyday Chinese—it’s refined, philosophical, and poetic. The plate is likely a decorative art piece inspired by traditional culture, celebrating inner peace and harmony with nature. Would you like? A more polished literary translation Pinyin reading for pronunciation Historical poetry with similar meaning Help finding the origin or artist Just tell me!

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물고기 (사다새와 그믈): 장자

The fish are not afraid of the nets, but they are afraid of the Pelecanus! ~Zhuangzi (BC 369 - BC 287) (물고기는 그물을 두려워하지 않고, 사다새를 두려워 한다. -장자 잡편 외물). 魚不畏網而畏鵜鶘 (莊子 雜篇 外物 No. 26) We sell this calligraphy for $26 million. The sales price is used for all the disadvantaged neighbors. It includes the cost of installation, delivery, insurance and other costs. Calligraphy by Pastor Steven G. Lee Street Gospel Mission/Church/Corps (University Church) 1611 Stanford & Bowdoin, Palo Alto, California 94306

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< 秋天是天地的實果 >

The Full Moon Harvest Day (9/27). Autumn is the fruit of heaven and earth. (가을은 천지의 열매다.) < 秋天是天地的實果 >

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BIG CUTTING IS NOT TO CUT.

BIG CUTTING IS NOT TO CUT. Great cutting is a task to preserve the people so that they can live plain and simple. Politics that make people plain and simple are the real big cutting. --- Tao Te Ching ( Calligraphy by Steven G. Lee ) * This is the only thing I have found, that God made human beings plain and simple, but they have devised many schemes. Comments Steven G. Lee 큰 절단이란 잘라 내지 않는 것이다. 백성이 꾸밈이 없이 소박한 대로 살 수 있도록 보전해 주는 일이야 말로, 위대한 절단이며, 해야하는 일이다. >대제불할< --- (노자의 덕도경)

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Calligraphy by Pastor Steven G. Lee, September 13, 2016

Mankind is not merciful to all creation, for man uses them in sacrifice for living. The heaven and the earth have no mercy to man, for they carry storms and earthquakes. However, God is merciful to man, for God gave his only begotten son to man. --- Calligraphy by Steven G. Lee, September, 2016 인간은 모든 피조물에게 자비롭지 않습니다. 인간은 모든 피조물을 생계를 위한 희생 제물로 이용하기 때문입니다. 하늘과 땅은 인간에게 자비를 베풀지 않습니다. 폭풍과 지진을 몰고 오기 때문입니다. 그러나 하나님은 인간에게 자비로우십니다. 하나님께서 당신의 독생자를 인간에게 주셨기 때문입니다. --- 스티븐 G. 리 서예, 2016년 9월 人類並非對所有受造物都仁慈，因為人類為了生存而犧牲它們。天地對人類也毫不憐憫，因為它們帶來了風暴和地震。然而，上帝對人類仁慈，因為上帝將祂的獨生子賜給了人類。

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Still Time to Turn Around Spoken-word message — a plea, a promise, a warning wrapped in love You think it’s too late. Too many nights gone cold. Too many bridges burned. Too many choices made with shaking hands and a hard heart. You think you’ve outrun the voice, outlived the grace, out-sinned the mercy. But hear me— you’re still breathing. Which means there’s still time. Still time to turn around. I know the road behind you is on fire. I know the mirror lies and the past screams. I know the weight on your chest feels earned, like pain is your inheritance. But there’s a crossroads up ahead— right now. This moment. This breath. And I’m not here to shame you. I’m not here to preach at your scars. I’m here to tell you truth: The enemy wants you silent. God wants you saved. The devil wants you numb. God wants you alive. And even now—after all the damage— He’s not done. You can still come back. You can still fall to your knees and not into despair. Still throw your pride down and pick up hope. Still call His name and not get a dial tone. Because the cross didn’t collapse when you fell. It’s still standing. Still stained with love. Still wide enough to carry every failure, every secret, every lie you told yourself about who you are and what you're worth. You haven’t gone too far. You’re not too lost. And if you’re listening to this— it means the door isn’t closed. There’s still time to turn around. Not tomorrow. Not when you’re cleaner, calmer, stronger. Now. Turn around while the road is still open. While the light still breaks the clouds. While the whisper still says, "Come home." Don’t wait until you can’t hear it. Don’t wait until silence becomes your sentence. You can still turn. Still kneel. Still cry out. Still be caught by grace. He’s waiting. You’re breathing. So there’s still time. Turn around.

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