RZ's Daily Spark of Life

Good things don't happen by accident.

RZ's Daily Spark of Life

If there is no opinion, everything is enjoyable in the church life.

RZ's Daily Spark of Life

You can't change other people, but you can change yourself.

RZ's Daily Spark of Life

Mother nature is a creation to be defended, not a divinity to be worshiped.

RZ's Daily Spark of Life

Good things come to those who act first. =)

The Mystery as the Secret

Colossians 1:26-27: The mystery which has been hidden from the ages and from the generations but now has been manifested to His saints to whom God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

"Christ is the mystery, the secret, and the crucial focus of the divine economy. " I really like the point of the mystery being the secret. Practically speaking, to preach gospel to get people saved is not by our eloquence of speech, but it's by Christ's speaking within us; to overcome stress and anxiety is not by positive thinking, but it's by taking Christ as out enjoyment; to study the Bible is not by our own wisdoms and reasonings, it's by Christ's revelations to us.

RZ's Spark of Life

I don't want the summary of my life to contain the following three phases: "could have", "might have", or "should have."

RZ's Daily Spark of Life

I am so excited that I am so scared, laughing at myself life is not fair.

RZ's Daily Spark of Life

strength of character, will power, determination, honesty, courage, experience, talent, dedication, drive and nerve

RZ's Daily Spark of Life

"Good timber does not grow with ease; the stronger the wind, the stronger the trees."

RZ's Daily Spark of Life

Sorry a lot of things have happened in my life in the last few weeks so I don't have time to reflect. Now as most of the things are settled, hopefully the Spark of Life would be more regular. =)

God rarely calls upon you at a time of your own choosing.

RZ's Daily Spark of Life

"The man who can drive himself further once the effort gets painful is the man who will win." - Roger Bannister

RZ's Daily Spark of Life

I don't like trying it multiple times and hopefully get it right one time. I only want do it once and get it right the first time.

RZ's Daily Spark of Life

work well, laugh often, love much =]

RZ's Daily Spark of Life

In the spirit of opening up to one another, my biggest fear is that you found out what my second biggest fear is. der... :P

indoor rock climbing

I went to rock climbing the first time in my life. I liked the changllenge the feeling the thrill when i reach the top. =) Now i understood why do people love rock climbing so much. Let's go next week again!

RZ's Daily Spark of Life
It's all in the mind. Don't look back. Don't look down. Only the pure of heart can make it to the top.

RZ's Daily Spark of Life

Don't be greedy. Patience is the virtue.

RZ's Daily Spark of Life

You know what doubles sin? What doubles sin it is saying to yourself, I will do this because i know i can pray for forgiveness once it's done. To say to yourself that you can have your cake and eat it too.

RZ's Daily Spark of Life

Small misfortune happens when over-excitement meets naiveness. sigh...

Oh well, that was a expensive lesson.

RZ's Daily Spark of Life

You probably shouldn't save the backup files to the same computer that you are trying to backup. ^_^

awww =)

RZ's Daily Spark of Life

You never know what's coming for you.

RZ's Daily Spark of Life

I am uncompromisingly and unapologetically a Christian. =)

Anatol's graduation

I went to a lot of graduations in the last few days. I only brought my camera with me for Anatol's graduation.

This is Frank. He graduated yesterday but I didn't take a picture with him. One day is not too late.

Today's superstar: my CS lab partner Anatol!!!

My suggestion: human bridge!

We sang a hymn for him. Lovely. =)

RZ's Daily Spark of Life

The finance class at berkeley is impractical because it doesn't take emotional risk into account. =)

In the last few days I was too busy with bCalc.net and finals, RZ's Daily Spark of Life will be more regular after I am done.

www.bCalc.net is up!!!

Please check out website www.bcalc.net for our online graphing calculator. (Please don't not use IE)

It's a class semester project from CS169 Software Engineering.

For some fun, go the parametric tab and copy paste the following:

x(t) = sin(t)(e^(cos(t))-2cos(4t)-sin(t/12)^5)
y(t) = cos(t)(e^(cos(t))-2cos(4t)-sin(t/12)^5)
t=0 to t=70

Click it and see what happens!

And click zoom in (+). Wow!

No more TI83!

RZ's Daily Spark of Life

I don't know where do you get your infos, but I stop caring about that a long time ago.

Seven Lessons I Learned From My Mother – Lesson 1: Concerning Home

In the spirit of Mother’s day, I am starting a new series called “Seven Lessons I Learned From My Mother”. I have searched deeply through my memory and have identified seven most important lessons from my mothers that made me who I am and are good indications of who I will become in the future. Those lessons include my mother’s advices on dwelling place, work, friends, life, marriage, faith etc. I am grateful and thankful for her. I will periodically release those stories one by one. So stay in tune. =)

Story:
When I was about six years old, I was playing at the balcony at my house. A mother bird was building a nest under our roof. I still remembered this vividly because my mother was very serious when she said this. She told me that “You see this mother bird who works very hard to build this nest for her children? We shouldn’t destroy it, because everyone deserves a home to rest. So Richard, when you grow up, no matter how much you dislike someone, never do things that will mess someone's home! Never destroy someone’s home! Home is the only place where people or animal find rest.”

My Reflection:
It’s strange how I still remember this story. Now I start to realize the significance of home. Home is a place for all living creatures to find rest, peace and satisfaction. No matter how hard the day is, nothing beats a resting place at night - a quiet and peaceful realization life is so simple and beautiful.

If I ask you to give me one word that describes the central theme of the bible, many would say “God”, “Christ”, “Church”, “Life”, “Truth” etc. They are all correct. They are just talking about the same thing from a different angle. If someone would ask me to use one word to describe bible, I would say it’s about “Home”. The whole bible is about how God wants to have a home in us and how we need a home in God! God and man are both satisfied in homes. =) I want to impress you the importance of home, because that’s what God wants in eternity! That’s why God wants to all those troubles to create men and save men. Even the omnipotent God needs a home to rest! So who gives us the right to destroy people or animals’ home?

Daily Spark of Life:
Never destroy someone’s home.

RZ's Daily Spark of Life

We have to come to know the Lord without any strings attached.

I will see you in 50 years later at presidential debate!

RZ's Daily Spark of Life

If we don't do it, who is going to do it? If we don't do it now, when are we going to do it?

RZ's Daily Spark of Life

I have always been more curious than cautious, which sometimes makes me want to regret for my curiosity.

RZ's Daily Spark of Life

May all my days be Yours, Lord, My heart be given to love You,

RZ's Daily Spark of Life

I hate to say “I told you so”, but today I couldn't resist to say "I told you so!"

There is a great mystery, a wonderful story

I just got the eagerly anticipated CD from New York city young people. Words cannot describe my joy. Loving it to the uttermost...

http://www.nycypcd.org/hg/index.php

I especially like track #10. God's love is amazing, regardless of our human conditions. Everytime I think about this make my heart smile. =) That would be my Daily Spark of Life:  God fell in love with man; For only God's love can make man just the same as He in life and in nature.

http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php?t=ns&n=6

There is a great mystery,

A wonderful story;

For ages 'twas hidden,

Now shown in His wisdom;

'Tis a divine romance

Of God and man in time;

Beyond understanding,

Yet seen in God's speaking.

God fell in love with man;

For only God's love can

Make man just the same as He

In life and in nature.

We are His expression,

His bride, His enlargement;

Forever, together,

As living, insep'rable as one couple

Eternally.

Though He was rejected

By men who were blinded;

His love is constraining,

His heart still unchanging;

Thus in incarnation

Came He as salvation;

His name is called Jesus,

And He came to seek us.

Though born as a sinner,

His blood has redeemed me.

He suffered on Calv'ry,

Then raised up in glory,

To regenerate me.

Now joined in one spirit 

I love to enjoy Him,

For I've been forgiven!

His love is so tender,

To Him I'll surrender;

His name is so precious,

I gladly call, "Jesus!"

His Person's so charming,

My heart ever winning;

I'll hold back no longer,

I'll love Him forever.

RZ's Daily Spark of Life

Challenges, obstacles, adversities and trials cause some people to break; other people to break records.

RZ's Daily Spark of Life

History is so great as I really learn how things happened, not as what's being taught to me. =)

RZ's Daily Spark of Life

I am glad that for the first time in his life he realizes that the things he does have real consequences.

We just need to follow the Lord...

We just need to follow the Lord...

RZ's Daily Spark of Life

Having a vision for my life allows me to live out of hope, rather than out of my fears. =)

RZ's Daily Spark of Life

Be more concerned with your character than with your reputation. Your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.

RZ's Daily Spark of Life

Today is so hot and it's not even funny. =P

RZ's Daily Spark of Life

"One life stamps and influences another, which in turn stamps and influences another, on and on, until the soul of human experience breathes on in generations we’ll never even meet." - Mary Kay Blakely

RZ's Daily Spark of Life

When faithfulness is most difficult, it is most necessary.

RZ's Daily Spark of Life

Our life is like driving across from California to Florida at night. All we can see is 200 feet in front of us, but we will eventually get there. =]

RZ's Daily Spark of Life

Weeping together makes a special bond in human beings.

my new chef hat C=:)

The oyster sauce chicken tonight was a hugh success. Loving it.

C=:)

That's my new chef hat.

RZ's Daily Spark of Life

"People are eternally divided into two classes, the believer, builder, and praiser, and the unbeliever, destroyer and critic."

RZ's Daily Spark of Life

Person X: "Do you belive it?"

RZ: "Of course."

Person X: "Then why do you seem surprised?"

RZ: "Because it's one thing to believe it. It's another thing to see it." 

Christ has come to be life =]

RZ's Daily Spark of Life: I know this zoe life runs its course and triumphs INEVITABLY.

Christ has come to be life, the processed divine Trinity.
God the Father's the source, a fountain emerging to be.
God the Son as a gushing up spring,
And the Spirit's a river for life imparting
Oh how can this miracle be? The Triune God flowing in me!
Oh, I've got rivers of life flowing out of my innermost being!

As this life flows through me, I'm supplied abundantly.
His life nullifies sin! Power springs now from within!
To be free, overcoming spontaneously.

Yet this life though it frees, is not meant for mere victory.
God is full of intent and never could flow aimlessly.
So this life has a totality, a consummate issue encompassing me.
Life moves and life grows, life shapes as it flows
Now I share in this life's destiny.
Oh, I've got rivers of life flowing out of my innermost being!

We'll abide mutually, God and man revealed to be
Lamb, Wife, Spirit, and Bride.
Come! Drink! And riverside,
Grows the tree, our enjoyment for eternity!

So I've no cause to frown as one who's received this zoe.
I know life runs its course and triumphs inevitably.
I'm required just to stay in the flow,
If I do the drinking then God gives the growth.
So there's joy in my heart, and a spring in my step,
And a smile on my face as I sing,
Oh, I've got rivers of life flowing out of my innermost being!

RZ's Daily Spark of Life

Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow. Don’t walk behind me, I may not lead. Walk beside me and be my friend. =]

RZ's Daily Spark of Life

I give up. You win. You are playing a game within a game within a game.

RZ's Daily Spark of Life

Person X: "RZ, ...?"
RZ: "You shouldn't ask the question you don't want to know the answer to."
Person X: "fair enough."

RZ's Daily Spark of Life

It is GROSSLY unfair. I can't believe that you blamed me partially for the unfairness. I hate it too. =/

RZ's Daily Spark of Life

I found out that the easiest way to make God laugh is me telling Him about my plan. =]

RZ's Daily Spark of Life

Prayer is our greatest weapon, our sweetest occupation, and our highest privilege. =)

Brothers' monthly dinner

We just had brothers' monthly dinner at front house. It's always good to get together and enjoy the meal and sing a few songs.

Personally, I really like singing together at the time in the evening right before sunset and daylight fades. I felt like i am a little shadow which runs across the grass and loses itself in the sunset...

And they love my chicken. =D

ChefBoy RZ's Daily Spark of Life

The thing with cooking is that if you are gonna eat three meals every day until the day you die, why not be good at it? =]

RZ's Daily Spark of Life

2000 years ago, the early disciples were driving Honda! Because Acts 2:46 records that "day by day, they continue steadfastly in one accord..."

RZ's Daily Spark of Life

The path of the [uncompromisingly] just and righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines more and more (brighter and clearer) until [it reaches its full strength and glory in] the perfect day...

Proverbs 4:18

RZ's Daily Spark of Life

What doesn't kill me only makes me stronger. =]

RZ's Daily Spark of Life

"RZ, stop talking to me." o_O

RZ's Daily Spark of Life

"RZ, your idea is terrible! No, i mean it's brilliant. It's brilliant in a terrible way. Okay, it's terribly brilliant." o_O

RZ's Daily Spark of Life

Few people know the secret of success, because it always disguises itself as hard work.

=) =) =)

I waited five and half years for today. Do you have any idea how much i have suffered in the last five and half years? Well, today marks the end of that.

Praise the Lord! 

RZ Daily Spark of Life

I am taking a week off not to think about life. Daily Spark will resume after spring break.

RZ's Daily Spark of Life

Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. Period.

Many people knows Matthew 6:33, "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, all these things will be added to you." Whenever people cite this verse, I would like to know where their heart is.  I am not better than anybody. I have to confess that sometimes my heart is on the second part. The first part is just the mean to get to the second part. What's the way to get these things added to me? Oh,  I need to seek first the kindom of God and His righteousness. This is true, but this is not what God wants.

Our goal should be just seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. Period. If the Lord adds these things to me, praise the Lord! If the Lord does NOT add these things to me, praise the Lord too! I am content. It's all good.

Thu@n and Tin@'s wedding

note: I use @ to replace a to prevent internet search.

I just got back from Thu@n and Tin@'s wedding today.  Tin@ is in my small group. I am so happy that they are married. I am REFRESHED. Praise the Lord! 

Thank You Lord for Your love that sought Thu@n and Tin@.

Thank You Lord for Your blood that purchased Thu@n and Tin@.

Thank You Lord for Your grace that led Thu@n and Tin@ to the flock.

Bless them for the church!

It's interesting that during their testimonies, I found out that Thu@n had the exact same view of marriage as me. I am kinda surprised. =) My view on the matter of marriage is: On that day when the Lord comes back, many young people won't be married. Many would never experience marriage. If such be the case, so be it. Cuz we have something much much better. For our human marriage is temporary, but our divine marriage is eternal. 

My only prayer, "Come, Lord Jesus!" =)

RZ's Daily Spark of Life

Always move forward in life. If you stop in the middle of the road of life, you will get run over.

so many happy things happened yesterday

It's rare that so many happy things happened yesterday. =) =) =) One of them is that I finally decided to accept an offer at a company at Emeryville for the summer. I will decline all other offers today. Thank you for all the prayers.

Having a good mood makes me want to cook, especially trying new and exotic dishes. I am in the mood for catfish tonight. The brothers in the front house, be ready!

RZ's Daily Spark of Life

Know it. Love it. Appreciate it.

Someone earlier asked me why does a stock formula work? I explained to him. I told him that don't just memorize the formular, but "Know it. Love it. Appreciate it!"

Yeah, same apply to life. Know it. Love it. Appreciate it! =)

Death cannot hold the resurrection life

RZ's Daily Spark of Life:

Death cannot hold the resurrection life, the more interred, the more it multiplies!

1 Death cannot hold the resurrection life,

  The life of God eternal manifest;

  ’Tis uncreated, indestructible,

  ’Tis Christ Himself, unconqu’rable, expressed

2 Death cannot hold the resurrection life,

  Though all its force against it may combine;

  Death only gives it opportunity

  To show the boundless pow’r of life divine.

3 Death cannot hold the resurrection life,

  The more interred, the more it multiplies;

  All kinds of suff’ring only help it grow

  And fruits of life abundant realize.

4 Death cannot hold the resurrection life,

  Thru every block and barrier it breaks;

  Conqu’ring the pow’r of darkness and of hell,

  It swallows death and victory partakes.

5 Death cannot hold the resurrection life,

  All of God’s fulness it will manifest;

  God’s righteousness and holiness it yields,

  His glorious image by it is expressed.

6 Oh, may I know this resurrection life,

  In every kind of death its pow’r outpoured,

  In my experience ever realize

  This life is nought but Christ my living Lord.

RZ's Daily Spark of Life

You can never understand the faithfulness of God by taking the short-sighted view. =)

RZ's Daily Spark of Life

Life is like "Chutes and Ladders", sometimes you go up, sometimes you go down. Don't give up, roll the dice and try again. =)

Tonight after college meeting, a bunch of us watched intensely as a five-year-old playing "Chutes and Ladder" with a sister. We can relate because our lives are not much different from it.

RZ's Daily Spark of Life

In theory, the early bird gets the worm. In reality, the second mouse gets the cheese. =)

RZ's Daily Spark of Life

When the Lord delays, He delays. When the Lord moves, He moves fast. Quite amazing, actually. =)

RZ's Daily Spark of Life

If I understand, I need to follow the Lord. If I don't understand, I still need to follow the Lord. I need to gain the understanding of the things I don't understand as I follow the Lord. =)

RZ's Daily Spark of Life

I am satisfied and thankful that the Lord has brought me in, where His pleasures and His riches flow so free. =)

RZ's Daily Spark of Life

There are two kinds of happiness: the happiness of ignorance and the happiness of enlightenment. Jubilee is the happiness of enlightenment. =)

RZ's Daily Spark of Life

"Puppies!!!"

Government agency drama episode 4 (finale)

APPROVED
DONE
FINISHED

finally....

Government Agency Drama season 1 is over with a happy ending. =)

In about 30 days I will file a different application in the same department. Hopefully there is not enough drama to produce the second season. =)

Praise the Lord!

Government agency drama episode 3

Today I got to talk to the supervisor. He said he would find out what happened. He said that it has to be done by today. (yeah, right...not again)

So uh I just called a hour ago and the case is still pending. I call the receptionist and she said the supervisor is out of work for today! Why is he leaving so early from work? Fortunately I finally got a hold of the case work. She said that she lost the additional paperwork that I sent her last month. WTH? She asked me to fax the paperwork to her again, and she will absolutely make a decision by tomorrow 12pm.

How can they lost my paperwork? Why didn't they let me know earlier that they lost my paperwork?

I am so anxious. ARGH to the utter most. =/

Episode 4 tomorrow. Lord, I really don't want to see episode 5.

RZ's Daily Spark of Life

So today i fell asleep in class and the professor handed me a pillow. =)

Government agency drama episode 2

Dude, today they didn't even pick up my calls. Today I have been calling them in a hourly interval using different phones. They didn't pick up! Why???!!!

So I called the receptionist. The receptionist doesn't know anything. All they do is tranferring calls.

Here is an exchange receptionist:

RZ: "Hey, I am calling about...."
Receptionist: "The application is still pending. Do you want me to transfer you to the case worker?"
RZ: "No, no. I already have their extention numbers. I tried to call them several times. They didn't pick up their phones! Are they at work today?"
Receptionist: (pause) "yeah.. Let's try one more time, okay?"
RZ: "Please please don't transfer me, it would just go to their voice mail...."
(transfering....) "Hi! You have reach the voice mail of ...." =(

The state law requires that they make a decision on my application within 45 days. I submitted all the paperwork at the end of Dec. It has been two months!!! Of course i don't want to irritate them or piss them off by citing the law. But it's just very frustrating. How can they act so irresponsbilly and not keeping their words? This exposes how ineffecient and bureaucratic the government is. Sign...

Tomorrow I am gonna do the episode 3. Hopofully it doesn't go beyong episode 3. Hopefully this doesn't drag into the retreat and bothers me for the whole weekend.

Looking forward to a good happy finale tomorrow.

RZ's Daily Spark of Life

Today I shall conduct myself in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. =)

Government agency drama episode 1

I have been calling a government agency to process my business's paperwork everyday for the last five days. Everyday i get the same exact response: "it will be done by today." They have been saying "it will be done by today" for the last five days! Do they even understand what "today" means? I am gonna call them first thing in the morning tomorrow and sort it out.

RZ's Daily Spark of Life

Some people just have the innate ability to make the awkward situation even more awkward. I am amused.

RZ's Daily Spark of Life

United States must guarantee basic health care for all Americans.

Health care is basic human right. We cannot wait. We must not wait. We will not wait!

RZ's Daily Spark of Life

On the wedding day, in the divine realm, the focus should be on the bridegroom; in the human realm, the focus should be on the bride.

RZ's Daily Spark of Life

There is no coincidence in a Christian's life. A coincidence is just an event in which the sovereign God decides to remain anonymous. =)

RZ's Daily Spark of Life

With the Lord, I can always find peace in the time of chaos, hope in the time of despair, joy in the time of suffering, and confidence in the time of doubt. =)

RZ's Daily Spark of Life

joke turned out wrong

no RZ's Daily Spark of Life today! =(

RZ's Daily Spark of Life

Every cloud has a silver lining. There is always a good thing that comes from a intense drama or a difficult situation. Treasure and appreciate the good part.

The Lord has brought me this far.

Today is a special day. Even though what happened today maybe something outward, but it's a sign of Lord's faithfulness and everlasting love. Today is a mile stone. The Lord has brought me this far. Praise the Lord for Your faithfulness. =)

I have come a long way, and there is still a long way to go. I love You Lord!

RZ's Daily Spark of Life

"We are contagious and we spread around." - This is meaningful in multiple levels, both positive and negative. =)

RZ's Daily Spark of Life

Someone asked me once: "RZ, how do you know for sure...?"
RZ: "What can I say? When you know, you just know."

RZ's Daily Spark of Life

live a life that gives without remembering and takes without forgetting =)

RZ's Daily Spark of Life

What should I expect in life? RZ: Expect the unexpected! =)

RZ's Daily Spark of Life

Laziness is what drives innovations. We are too lazy to walk so we invented the car. We are too lazy to do math by hand so we invented the calculator. Doing the same amount of work with less and less effort keeps us out of the dark ages. =)

RZ's Daily Spark of Life

Remember how we said that "it" wouldn’t change anything? O well, it has changed me.