Freezing points exist for substances in liquid form. Many have experienced a process that solidifies liquid. A chemist poured a beaker of supersaturated liquid onto a "seed", and the liquid turned into solid and formed a mountain of white, soggy salt. Fascinating? A "seed" could lower the freezing temperature of a substance and solidify it, which is normally liquid at room temperature.
Our life can lie at a boundary, where the organic body is aging while the spirit tends to be sanctified. Could there be a seed that solidifies our spirit into a perfect state? How could we practice to find the seed that energizes the process on a spiritual level? The concept is that changing a form to another is far different from the life pattern we've ever experienced. How could the seed we are looking for activate our lives and transform a non-material into an eternal form? Could the wanted seed exist in one form or be changing?
A seed could be an encounter or a sort of energy, or is God Himself; literally, I do love walking along the Crystal Springs Trail near Highway 280, where I could get connected to the seed. So, the trail is my access to the powerful solidifier.
Written on November 10, 2009
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Steps to Gaining Spiritual Strength
Paul describes the dangers of not growing spiritually by making a comparison with “milk” for a baby and “solid food” for a full age. When Paul refers to being “unskilled in the word of righteousness”, he does not mean a lack of information, but rather a lack of practice. By saying “full age of those who by reason of use”, he means to those who practice their faith and apply the principles of God’s word to their lives, and can distinguish between good and evil at any time. (Hebrews 5:12-14)
Keeping your mind and heart pure and sensitive is essential to good spiritual health; an ill-preventive measure is a vital part. Paul’s steps to gaining spiritual strength are:
1. Reduce weight (Hebrews 12:1-2)
"Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us." Overweight could not endure to race for the prize.
2. Be at peace with others (James 3, Philippians 2:1-4)
Apply Paul and James criteria to conflict to see whether or not we were involved in human wisdom or divine wisdom. Most conflicts are about ego, pride and control; no matter how hard you try, you can’t make those spiritual, those are not what Paul defines as works of the flesh and they are destructive. What started as a bitter seed reaps a bitter harvest.
3. Pursue holiness (Hebrews 10:10, 10:14, 12:14, Ephesians 4:22-24)
Christian holiness is described “as consecrate to God’s service, and in so far as they are conformed in all things to the will of God. Personal holiness is a work of gradual development. It is carried on under many hindrances, hence the frequent admonitions to watchfulness, prayer, and perseverance”. Sanctification is a state of being perfect, though not yet attained.
4. Listen to God (I Thessalonians 1:4-6, 4:1-7)
Spend time on the word of God and let it challenge you and keep you accountable. Spend time with God in prayer and allow God to speak to your heart.
5. Live in grace (I Thessalonians 2:10-13, 3:11-13, 4:9)
Grow with reverence and respect to God in our appreciation for God and His salvation, and grow in appreciation of other believers.
God wants us to have a spiritually healthy life; it comes from fully committing ourselves to Him and allowing Him to show bad things in our lives, but be eager to get rid of them and stay clean so that we can experience and adopt all God has for us and thus influence others for Christ. The key is practice and sustainable practice with hope. (I Thessalonians 4:1-8)
Written on September 15, 2009
Keeping your mind and heart pure and sensitive is essential to good spiritual health; an ill-preventive measure is a vital part. Paul’s steps to gaining spiritual strength are:
1. Reduce weight (Hebrews 12:1-2)
"Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us." Overweight could not endure to race for the prize.
2. Be at peace with others (James 3, Philippians 2:1-4)
Apply Paul and James criteria to conflict to see whether or not we were involved in human wisdom or divine wisdom. Most conflicts are about ego, pride and control; no matter how hard you try, you can’t make those spiritual, those are not what Paul defines as works of the flesh and they are destructive. What started as a bitter seed reaps a bitter harvest.
3. Pursue holiness (Hebrews 10:10, 10:14, 12:14, Ephesians 4:22-24)
Christian holiness is described “as consecrate to God’s service, and in so far as they are conformed in all things to the will of God. Personal holiness is a work of gradual development. It is carried on under many hindrances, hence the frequent admonitions to watchfulness, prayer, and perseverance”. Sanctification is a state of being perfect, though not yet attained.
4. Listen to God (I Thessalonians 1:4-6, 4:1-7)
Spend time on the word of God and let it challenge you and keep you accountable. Spend time with God in prayer and allow God to speak to your heart.
5. Live in grace (I Thessalonians 2:10-13, 3:11-13, 4:9)
Grow with reverence and respect to God in our appreciation for God and His salvation, and grow in appreciation of other believers.
God wants us to have a spiritually healthy life; it comes from fully committing ourselves to Him and allowing Him to show bad things in our lives, but be eager to get rid of them and stay clean so that we can experience and adopt all God has for us and thus influence others for Christ. The key is practice and sustainable practice with hope. (I Thessalonians 4:1-8)
Written on September 15, 2009
Sunday, September 6, 2009
C'est Si Bon, Paris!
C'est Si Bon, it's so good to have a journey to Paris. My wife and second daughter are the first-time travelers touring in Paris now. My daughter will study at La Sorbonne University for the next three months after her educational Japan trip funded by her college. I could imagine the happy hours and romantic snapshots they have around the City of Love, at Chateau wineries, and along the River Seine. There comes so many art pieces in sight I would dream of. Hello my dear there!
In a moment, I realized how God has planned for our family to experience His grace. The miracle started from the story of our trying crepes at a French restaurant in Burlingame near where we live, and my son was chosen to work with his French supervisor, a bio-scientist, and experienced more French food during his summer internship at the Stroud Lab of UC San Francisco (Dr. Stroud, UCSF). With God, all things are possible; God can put all together for good.
Walking in the fullness of God's blessings is so real, so natural, and so wonderful. Their joy in Paris is mixed with my favorite French songs delivered by Janet Seidel (JanetSeidel.com), and the wow truly thrills my soul.
Cheers, Paris, with Chateau red wine!
"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."
(Romans 8:28)
Written on September 6, 2009
In a moment, I realized how God has planned for our family to experience His grace. The miracle started from the story of our trying crepes at a French restaurant in Burlingame near where we live, and my son was chosen to work with his French supervisor, a bio-scientist, and experienced more French food during his summer internship at the Stroud Lab of UC San Francisco (Dr. Stroud, UCSF). With God, all things are possible; God can put all together for good.
Walking in the fullness of God's blessings is so real, so natural, and so wonderful. Their joy in Paris is mixed with my favorite French songs delivered by Janet Seidel (JanetSeidel.com), and the wow truly thrills my soul.
Cheers, Paris, with Chateau red wine!
"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."
(Romans 8:28)
Written on September 6, 2009
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Leadership in Tough Times
- In memory of those Injured on Typhoon Morakot
In knowing how Typhoon Morakot devastated across Taiwan, I cried out with sadness in my heart as many might have.
Wealth and fame can always set stages spotlighted with temptations. Going beyond is of supernatural abundance in life. In an extremely high standard, Jesus Christ is the only leader immune to making a mistake without a learning process. In our belief, kindness, mercy, and tolerance in love can shape a life toward perfection. Yet wisdom only appears when one has strong faith and enthusiasm with God's inspiration and with disciplinary practices in good times and bad times. Apostle Paul is a divine role model; Paul is full of wisdom and his influence has been so significant.
President Ma is, indeed, a nice guy; I met him a few times and supported him with hours of mine dedicated to his campaign for his first-term Mayor of Taipei City back in 1990s. He grew up in a fairly privileged family and received good education with little to no hard times. The only tough time he might have had could be when his father passed away. Wisdom hasn't ever seemed to fill President Ma nor did he surrender to lift in the fullness of blessings. Our forgiveness has become so precious and costly when we understood the truth where the panic leadership delayed responses to the disastrous flood, followed with inadequate statements to the public. It is a painful lesson ever. Then, who holds tomorrow?
Our prayer for Mr. Ma and those injured... In Him, I pray:
" Tough Times Never Last, But Tough People Do! "
Written on August 18, 2009
In knowing how Typhoon Morakot devastated across Taiwan, I cried out with sadness in my heart as many might have.
Wealth and fame can always set stages spotlighted with temptations. Going beyond is of supernatural abundance in life. In an extremely high standard, Jesus Christ is the only leader immune to making a mistake without a learning process. In our belief, kindness, mercy, and tolerance in love can shape a life toward perfection. Yet wisdom only appears when one has strong faith and enthusiasm with God's inspiration and with disciplinary practices in good times and bad times. Apostle Paul is a divine role model; Paul is full of wisdom and his influence has been so significant.
President Ma is, indeed, a nice guy; I met him a few times and supported him with hours of mine dedicated to his campaign for his first-term Mayor of Taipei City back in 1990s. He grew up in a fairly privileged family and received good education with little to no hard times. The only tough time he might have had could be when his father passed away. Wisdom hasn't ever seemed to fill President Ma nor did he surrender to lift in the fullness of blessings. Our forgiveness has become so precious and costly when we understood the truth where the panic leadership delayed responses to the disastrous flood, followed with inadequate statements to the public. It is a painful lesson ever. Then, who holds tomorrow?
Our prayer for Mr. Ma and those injured... In Him, I pray:
" Tough Times Never Last, But Tough People Do! "
Written on August 18, 2009
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
A Better Lift
I have been profoundly grateful from reading Joel Osteen's new book, "Become a Better You", while practicing hard to revive and reconcile my thinking patterns with the conduct. I soon recognized faith and denial are always choices along the path, while realizing joy and hard times are parallel in life. I've thus kept praying for God's favor to broaden my bandwidth so that I can deal wisely with many things at a time; a subtle lift can literally improve my life and influence others. How could I not live like a champion?
The book was linked to my memory of Larry King's show in his interview with Joel Osteen and Joel's wife, Victoria, at the year end of 2008. In the interview, Joel Osteen explained measures of faith: "Everyone has a measure, yet the matter is how you are responsible in your daily life and how you love your life." And he also said that things would get worse if you don't get up and do what you can do at best because God has given you all the choices. Joel talked about his income from the non-profit organization, and said he took no money out of the church but a salary for some $70k a year, and the rest of all the income was from sale of his books. He pointed out that God would not dislike people to be wealthy; God has blessed him to bless others, even when he became wealthy, and a focus on helping others with money should be a faithful mean in life. Joel believes a positive attitude will lead to a positive cycle that influences and motivates others, particularly family members.
One thing for sure: I am on the empowered way to getting connected with those who live their lives of faith, passion, and wisdom.
Referenced link:
http://www.joelosteen.com
Written on August 5, 2009
The book was linked to my memory of Larry King's show in his interview with Joel Osteen and Joel's wife, Victoria, at the year end of 2008. In the interview, Joel Osteen explained measures of faith: "Everyone has a measure, yet the matter is how you are responsible in your daily life and how you love your life." And he also said that things would get worse if you don't get up and do what you can do at best because God has given you all the choices. Joel talked about his income from the non-profit organization, and said he took no money out of the church but a salary for some $70k a year, and the rest of all the income was from sale of his books. He pointed out that God would not dislike people to be wealthy; God has blessed him to bless others, even when he became wealthy, and a focus on helping others with money should be a faithful mean in life. Joel believes a positive attitude will lead to a positive cycle that influences and motivates others, particularly family members.
One thing for sure: I am on the empowered way to getting connected with those who live their lives of faith, passion, and wisdom.
Referenced link:
http://www.joelosteen.com
Written on August 5, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Hello to Good Old Times
Those pictures and e-mails forwarded from my daughter who visits Tokyo for an educational program at a national institute of Japan have reminded me of the great moments in my honeymoon trip to Osaka, Kobe, Kyoto, Nara, Nagoya, Fuji, Tokyo, and Nikko, the north to Tokyo, with taking Shinkansen (bullet train) from East to West and enjoying light food in those cities. We were so delighted by walking on the country roads while touring shrines, gardens, and traditional ceremonies in Kyoto and Nara area, and by having thinly sliced sashimi and sukiyaki, a dish in the nabemono (Japanese steamboat) style. Also, her real-time messages have refreshed my memory for the time with Japanese colleagues who shared local food with sake, whiskey, and jokes at nights of Shinjuku, a typical place of nightlife style of Tokyo, and at small restaurants in the large buildings above the subway.
I am still using the earbud (Sony) that I bought 25 years ago at Akihabara, the famous electronics retail city. The Sony earbud was very expensive at a price of some US$50 as it was the newest premium model that performed extremely well with high resolution, even well as of today. I also bought my first CD player, the entry model of Yamaha, at Akihabara, to pair with my first high-end British amplifier (Naim Audio) and French speakers (3a) that my three children had experienced and learned the music with... for so many years. I deeply love those stories centered on kids' birth, their escalated growth as well as son's flattering voice added to the young family. And I believe the music, mostly classical, has enriched the lives of all three; indeed, I spent years studying all the historic composers of classical music, starting Vivaldi on "The Four Seasons", as well as listening to the related CDs rent from a few stores in Taipei. Some nice CDs I purchased many years ago still rest on my bookshelf, and yet I enjoy listening to those I like most with my new BalckBerry and the old Sony earbud. Time flies!
The Real-Time data traffic stimulates and inspires us so intelligently. Her journey for cultural context simultaneously touches my heart with renewal... streaming for more joyful times to come.
Written on July 21, 2009
I am still using the earbud (Sony) that I bought 25 years ago at Akihabara, the famous electronics retail city. The Sony earbud was very expensive at a price of some US$50 as it was the newest premium model that performed extremely well with high resolution, even well as of today. I also bought my first CD player, the entry model of Yamaha, at Akihabara, to pair with my first high-end British amplifier (Naim Audio) and French speakers (3a) that my three children had experienced and learned the music with... for so many years. I deeply love those stories centered on kids' birth, their escalated growth as well as son's flattering voice added to the young family. And I believe the music, mostly classical, has enriched the lives of all three; indeed, I spent years studying all the historic composers of classical music, starting Vivaldi on "The Four Seasons", as well as listening to the related CDs rent from a few stores in Taipei. Some nice CDs I purchased many years ago still rest on my bookshelf, and yet I enjoy listening to those I like most with my new BalckBerry and the old Sony earbud. Time flies!
The Real-Time data traffic stimulates and inspires us so intelligently. Her journey for cultural context simultaneously touches my heart with renewal... streaming for more joyful times to come.
Written on July 21, 2009
Thursday, July 2, 2009
A Real-Time Lifestyle
If you know "Twitter", then you know it is getting hot and MySpace is getting weak. Why?
The "Real-Time" technology boosts communications globally, swiftly, and interactively. We will fall behind if we do not catch up or, at least, know some.
My second daughter has been so blessed since she believed in Christ at her age of 12 with Taipei Ling Leung Church near where we lived. When she started worship, I did not meet our God yet. In fact, she has taken a lead in some vital aspects.
My story is:
With technological innovation and tool development, my daughter appears to be fairly popular to her friends and friends of friends on communications and updates. Why is that?
You may be surprised how the young generations use new technologies; they, in a large number, can effectively communicate "on the move" and "on real-time". She is now in Tokyo for a nine-week educational program funded by UC San Diego. Her web links (e.g. Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, blog) explore all things on real-time. She's kept updating activities by using her expensive Japanese-operated cell phone with a free texting service that enables e-mail traffic for free.
My wife and I do not worry about our daughter's activities. In reality, we have to learn to adopt the new paradigm shift and the new norm of value; literally, it is a new lifestyle!
The extension of my story is:
Many jobs that have lost will not come back... Are we inspired on a real-time encounter?
Written on July 1, 2009
The "Real-Time" technology boosts communications globally, swiftly, and interactively. We will fall behind if we do not catch up or, at least, know some.
My second daughter has been so blessed since she believed in Christ at her age of 12 with Taipei Ling Leung Church near where we lived. When she started worship, I did not meet our God yet. In fact, she has taken a lead in some vital aspects.
My story is:
With technological innovation and tool development, my daughter appears to be fairly popular to her friends and friends of friends on communications and updates. Why is that?
You may be surprised how the young generations use new technologies; they, in a large number, can effectively communicate "on the move" and "on real-time". She is now in Tokyo for a nine-week educational program funded by UC San Diego. Her web links (e.g. Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, blog) explore all things on real-time. She's kept updating activities by using her expensive Japanese-operated cell phone with a free texting service that enables e-mail traffic for free.
My wife and I do not worry about our daughter's activities. In reality, we have to learn to adopt the new paradigm shift and the new norm of value; literally, it is a new lifestyle!
The extension of my story is:
Many jobs that have lost will not come back... Are we inspired on a real-time encounter?
Written on July 1, 2009
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