When we face challenges, they hardly ever arise alone. We live multi-faceted lives with stress on all sides. How we handle one challenge, always affects how prepared we are for another.
Consider the chess game, if I block a bishop check with my knight, it becomes pinned to my king and is therefore not able to defend itself from an additional attack, nor is it available to ward off additional attacks or effect an attack of its own. Once another check is delivered and another, a barrage of attacks leaves many of my pieces unprotected, and the game has spiraled out of control.
In the same way, if I respond to a coworker in anger concerning a situation, my emotional well-being will be affected, and how I respond to my wife later will likely be adversely affected. On the chess board, a strong player can foresee the opponent's attacks. In life, we can't always be prepared for them.
There is a term for this in thermodynamics; it's called entropy. In a closed system, entropy is always increasing, order is decaying, the system tends toward chaos. I'm not certain the principle has been directly correlated to the study of psychology, but it is a simple observation in my own life. I wake up after a good night's rest rejuvenated, but an argument with my wife or perhaps a breakfast accident soils my pants, begins my day's progress to complete inner turmoil and chaos.
In a closed system, entropy only decreases when an outside force acts on the system. In my life, that may be a good night's rest, perhaps it's meditation on God's word, or a calming conversation with someone who helps me gain perspective.
When you find yourself growing agitated and increasingly so as the day goes by, remember that Christ is the rest you seek, and He will reset your entropy level.
Showing posts with label chess. Show all posts
Showing posts with label chess. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 1, 2017
Sunday, February 21, 2016
Sans Voir
For centuries select chess masters have demonstrated their superior skill of playing chess games in an exhibition mode called Sans Voir or blindfolded chess. These events often pit one player blindfolded against another who could see and move his pieces with a referee conveying moves and moving the blindfolded player's pieces. Sa'id bin Jubair is thought to have been the first to have performed this feat.
Even more impressive is the multi-game sans voir exhibition. Some of the best chess players in history (Morphy, Pilsbury, and Alkehine) were able to play multiple blindfolded games simultaneously against other chess masters and dominate their opponents.
https://sites.google.com/site/caroluschess/modern-history/blindfold-chess\
While I have studied chess and practiced play for many years, I have no hope of ever becoming a chess master let alone playing chess sans voir and winning games against other chess masters. I have a great deal of respect for those who have honed their skills and mastered openings, middle game strategies, and end game techniques so much so that they can envision the board and keep track of the pieces as they move in their own minds without the use of the chess board itself.
Let me ask this question then, what does it take to practice faith sans voir? So many times I hear the term "blind faith" criticized as ridiculous, foolish, or uneducated. Let me say that when I practice blind faith trusting the God I serve, it is only because I have practiced faith with sight and have trained my senses to discern good from evil (Hebrews 5:13-14). Ridicule me if you will. Perhaps you have never played a chess game before so you do not understand the feat it is to play sans voir. Perhaps you don't appreciate what experiences have led me to the point where I can practice my faith sans voir.
Even more impressive is the multi-game sans voir exhibition. Some of the best chess players in history (Morphy, Pilsbury, and Alkehine) were able to play multiple blindfolded games simultaneously against other chess masters and dominate their opponents.
https://sites.google.com/site/caroluschess/modern-history/blindfold-chess\
While I have studied chess and practiced play for many years, I have no hope of ever becoming a chess master let alone playing chess sans voir and winning games against other chess masters. I have a great deal of respect for those who have honed their skills and mastered openings, middle game strategies, and end game techniques so much so that they can envision the board and keep track of the pieces as they move in their own minds without the use of the chess board itself.
Let me ask this question then, what does it take to practice faith sans voir? So many times I hear the term "blind faith" criticized as ridiculous, foolish, or uneducated. Let me say that when I practice blind faith trusting the God I serve, it is only because I have practiced faith with sight and have trained my senses to discern good from evil (Hebrews 5:13-14). Ridicule me if you will. Perhaps you have never played a chess game before so you do not understand the feat it is to play sans voir. Perhaps you don't appreciate what experiences have led me to the point where I can practice my faith sans voir.
Monday, August 31, 2015
Discovered Attack
A discovered attack is one that takes place by the removal of a piece blocking an attacker. For instance, if the black bishop is between the black rook and the white queen, once the black bishop is moved, an attack is 'discovered' against the queen. The bishop may place the white king in check forcing the exchange or loss of the queen for a lesser piece, it may take a white pawn or piece without retaliation because of the attack on the queen, or it may simply take up a strategic location on the board. The discovered attack is also very effective when it is against the king (discovered check), and it is involved in the double check which is perhaps a topic for another day.
In life, as in chess, a discovered attack (or check) is a result of being caught unaware or unprepared. Perhaps, you took note of the threat earlier as positional play developed, but at some point whether through the opponent's strategic play or through your own error, your pieces were left exposed. A discovered attack may come in the form of a late night party causing you to want to sleep in or call in sick instead of waking up for your early class or going to work.
In life, as in chess, a discovered attack (or check) is a result of being caught unaware or unprepared. Perhaps, you took note of the threat earlier as positional play developed, but at some point whether through the opponent's strategic play or through your own error, your pieces were left exposed. A discovered attack may come in the form of a late night party causing you to want to sleep in or call in sick instead of waking up for your early class or going to work.
Saturday, July 5, 2014
Tempi - Specific Theory of Relativity of Chess
That title is perhaps ambitious. Tempi is the term in chess that defines the efficiency of moves. It takes into account the number of moves made, which is equivalent to a measure of time, as well as the placement or quality of moves made, which is associated with position on the board or space.
In the game of chess, you may make moves that lose or gain tempi. It's easy to lose tempi, but to gain it, you must take advantage of your opponent's weaknesses or error.
In life, there is nothing more important than timing. Esther became queen because she was born for "such a time as this". Being in the 'right place at the right time' is a common phrase to describe a situation when an otherwise average person stands out from peers in accomplishing an extraordinary task.
As in chess, gaining tempi in life can only be accomplished through careful attention to circumstances. Having a big vision is not enough; you must also act on the vision.
In spiritual life, following God's plan requires you to know your mission and stay on task. Jesus began His ministry by identifying His purpose when He showed up to the temple and read from Isaiah, "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."
If you want to gain tempi in life by being in the right place at the right time, you only need to find the purpose and plan God has for you, and do it.
19
Saturday, January 4, 2014
Society-Defined Morality = Group Think
Imagine if I attempted to impose Chess rules on a game of Checkers. Even though these games share the same playing board, they have different pieces, tactics, and objectives. Now imagine governing a game of Mancala using Chess rules. These 2 games don't even share the same board!
Society-defined morality suggests that whatever society deems to be moral is moral. Whatever society believes to be good (subjective as there is no objective measure) is good.
This is a popular philosophy of those attempting to eradicate conservative, Christian values. Many times, these are people who consider themselves intellectuals. For a moment, let me put aside my Christian views on topics, and explore this topic logically.
If society defines morality, then if there is some future society that esteems cannibalism to be good, then cannibalism is good in that society as their morals are defined by their society. Furthermore, if a current society in a foreign place determines that cannibalism is good, then cannibalism is good in that society. One step further, if a previous society of Americans had determined that cannibalism were okay, then cannibalism was good at that time until American society changed its opinion.
Much like governing the Checkers and Mancala games by Chess rules, as long as we subscribe to the society-defined morality, one society cannot judge another society. Americans cannot judge future or past American societies or any foreign societies based on our current morality because it is completely defined by our society.
In other words, to believe in society-defined morality, I must agree that slavery was good while society approved of it and homosexuality was wrong until society approved of it. Americans should not meddle in the affairs of other nations (including the World Wars), nor should we attempt to influence other nations. When Martin Luther King, Jr. stated, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere," who defined injustice and justice?
To disagree and say that a former society was wrong about their assessment is to trade one oppressive set of norms (those of the conservative Christian) for our current society's as well as completely reject the originally professed position that society defines morality.
When one thinks this through logically, it is easy to see that one of the following must be true:
A) society-defined morality is correct; no closed society can ever be wrong in its actions, but interactions between societies are messy (say when one society imposes its standards on another).
B) society-defined morality is incorrect; humanity is constantly evolving into a more perfect society with some abstract and undefinable yet absolute morality that we cannot understand until infinite time has passed.
C) society-defined morality is incorrect; there is an absolute standard set by some outside entity (consistent with the conservative Christian view).
D) there is no spoon.
Society-defined morality is the epitome of group think by its very definition. Let the intellectuals cringe at their colleagues who profess such mindless submission to society-defined morality. True, rules of conduct must be established by someone. If there is no outside entity to set objective standards, then we are indeed all to be governed by this mindless group think where we can rise to the level of our collective incompetence. Consider the "wave" at a sporting event... it is clear evidence that a committee will make a decision that is dumber than the sum of its members.
Society-defined morality suggests that whatever society deems to be moral is moral. Whatever society believes to be good (subjective as there is no objective measure) is good.
This is a popular philosophy of those attempting to eradicate conservative, Christian values. Many times, these are people who consider themselves intellectuals. For a moment, let me put aside my Christian views on topics, and explore this topic logically.
If society defines morality, then if there is some future society that esteems cannibalism to be good, then cannibalism is good in that society as their morals are defined by their society. Furthermore, if a current society in a foreign place determines that cannibalism is good, then cannibalism is good in that society. One step further, if a previous society of Americans had determined that cannibalism were okay, then cannibalism was good at that time until American society changed its opinion.
Much like governing the Checkers and Mancala games by Chess rules, as long as we subscribe to the society-defined morality, one society cannot judge another society. Americans cannot judge future or past American societies or any foreign societies based on our current morality because it is completely defined by our society.
In other words, to believe in society-defined morality, I must agree that slavery was good while society approved of it and homosexuality was wrong until society approved of it. Americans should not meddle in the affairs of other nations (including the World Wars), nor should we attempt to influence other nations. When Martin Luther King, Jr. stated, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere," who defined injustice and justice?
To disagree and say that a former society was wrong about their assessment is to trade one oppressive set of norms (those of the conservative Christian) for our current society's as well as completely reject the originally professed position that society defines morality.
When one thinks this through logically, it is easy to see that one of the following must be true:
A) society-defined morality is correct; no closed society can ever be wrong in its actions, but interactions between societies are messy (say when one society imposes its standards on another).
B) society-defined morality is incorrect; humanity is constantly evolving into a more perfect society with some abstract and undefinable yet absolute morality that we cannot understand until infinite time has passed.
C) society-defined morality is incorrect; there is an absolute standard set by some outside entity (consistent with the conservative Christian view).
D) there is no spoon.
Society-defined morality is the epitome of group think by its very definition. Let the intellectuals cringe at their colleagues who profess such mindless submission to society-defined morality. True, rules of conduct must be established by someone. If there is no outside entity to set objective standards, then we are indeed all to be governed by this mindless group think where we can rise to the level of our collective incompetence. Consider the "wave" at a sporting event... it is clear evidence that a committee will make a decision that is dumber than the sum of its members.
Friday, August 9, 2013
Inaccuracies, Mistakes, and Blunders
In the game of chess, there are 3 categories of erroneous moves. Inaccuracies are those moves that are second best; these fail to strengthen your position as the best move would. Mistakes are moves that weaken your position. Blunders are moves that lose pieces, pawns, and ultimately the game.
In the game of life, these same 3 categories of errors also exist. Inaccuracy: There are choices you make when you fail to strengthen your position- maybe you slacked off during college instead of studying. Mistake: There are choices you make when you weaken your position- perhaps you compromise your standards. Blunder: There are choices you make that cost you dearly- perhaps an extramarital affair.
A chess player has many opportunities to play and improve. What about in life? When you are young, your parents should serve as your life coaches. They should give you opportunities to make the 3 types of errors and talk through them evaluating how things would have turned out had you made a different choice. To improve at chess and life, you must pay attention in times of practice and preparation (childhood and youth), so that your tournament play (adult life) is at its best.
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Positional Advantage
While a material advantage is easily identified, a positional advantage is not. In the game of chess, one gains a positional advantage by much deeper and subtle strategy than is generally employed to gain a material advantage. These are sometimes gained by the sacrifice of a pawn or piece. It is easy to tell if your opponent has a material advantage, but it is not so easy to tell when your opponent has a positional advantage. Just as with a material advantage, you must make calculated moves in line with the ultimate goal in order to capitalize on a positional advantage. Without careful planning, you will squander your positional advantage, and whatever sacrifice you made to gain it will be for naught.
In order to gain a positional advantage in life, you also may need to make short-term sacrifices. You may need to work part-time to go back to school, so you can get to a new position at work. Maybe you need to cut back pizza and soda, so you can get into a different position physically. Perhaps, you will need to spend some time investigating deep spiritual truths to find your position metaphysically. Whatever the case, make up your mind to do whatever it takes to gain the positional advantage you need, and then be certain not to squander it.
In order to gain a positional advantage in life, you also may need to make short-term sacrifices. You may need to work part-time to go back to school, so you can get to a new position at work. Maybe you need to cut back pizza and soda, so you can get into a different position physically. Perhaps, you will need to spend some time investigating deep spiritual truths to find your position metaphysically. Whatever the case, make up your mind to do whatever it takes to gain the positional advantage you need, and then be certain not to squander it.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Material Advantage
In any sport, it is helpful to have a competitive advantage. Gaining this advantage requires study, training, practice, and finesse. In the game of chess, there are 2 types of advantage, material and positional. Material advantage is the more clear cut and measurable type of advantage. It involves having an extra pawn or piece (or more). Gaining such an advantage depends on one or more efforts on your part, such as: careful planning and execution of a strategy or capitalizing on the opponent's mistake or blunder.
When you have an extra pawn or piece, your opponent can become helpless against your pawn advancements or attacks. Still, a material advantage alone is not sufficient to grant victory. Once you have the material advantage, you must not become arrogant and lose focus of the big picture. Afterall, the object of chess is not to have the most pieces in the end; it is to capture the enemy king. A material advantage can become crippling to a player and force a loss (your king is inhibited by your own pieces) or a draw (you have too much power focused on restricting your opponent's moves with no immediate threat).
Similarly, in life, a material advantage can lead to victory but also has the potential to prohibit it. You must stay focused on your goal, capitalize on open doors and opportunities, use every pawn and piece wisely, and execute well-defined plans.
When you have an extra pawn or piece, your opponent can become helpless against your pawn advancements or attacks. Still, a material advantage alone is not sufficient to grant victory. Once you have the material advantage, you must not become arrogant and lose focus of the big picture. Afterall, the object of chess is not to have the most pieces in the end; it is to capture the enemy king. A material advantage can become crippling to a player and force a loss (your king is inhibited by your own pieces) or a draw (you have too much power focused on restricting your opponent's moves with no immediate threat).
Similarly, in life, a material advantage can lead to victory but also has the potential to prohibit it. You must stay focused on your goal, capitalize on open doors and opportunities, use every pawn and piece wisely, and execute well-defined plans.
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Managing the Clock
Learning the game of chess requires time and study. Tactics and strategies take practice and repetition. When one is learning to play, first timers generally fall into one of two categories when it is their turn:
1) They are anxious to make the move they've already determined to make.
2) They are careful to reevaluate and over analyze the new board.
To become a good player, however, neither of these approaches is good technique. A good chess player must learn to balance careful board analysis with his or her preconceived plans. Tournament chess play, generally includes a play clock. Good players learn to manage the clock. Moves require careful thought, but too much thought on a few moves may cost too much time. Making the best move in an appropriate amount of time is ideal. Making the best move in too much time will lose the game but so will making the worst move in no time.
Similarly in life, we must learn to manage the clock. This can be applied to your lifetime, your education and career stage, your family life and composition, and even your work day itself. What is the goal of your life? How are you managing the clock on accomplishing that goal? Have you developed a long-term plan? Are you properly analyzing your progress and your opportunities?
1) They are anxious to make the move they've already determined to make.
2) They are careful to reevaluate and over analyze the new board.
To become a good player, however, neither of these approaches is good technique. A good chess player must learn to balance careful board analysis with his or her preconceived plans. Tournament chess play, generally includes a play clock. Good players learn to manage the clock. Moves require careful thought, but too much thought on a few moves may cost too much time. Making the best move in an appropriate amount of time is ideal. Making the best move in too much time will lose the game but so will making the worst move in no time.
Similarly in life, we must learn to manage the clock. This can be applied to your lifetime, your education and career stage, your family life and composition, and even your work day itself. What is the goal of your life? How are you managing the clock on accomplishing that goal? Have you developed a long-term plan? Are you properly analyzing your progress and your opportunities?
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Weak Squares
In the game of chess, there are various tactics and strategies of play. These depend on the stage of the game (opening, middle game, end game). Mastery of the game of chess requires diligent study of not only the stages of the game as they unfold but also tactics and strategies. There are a variety of development books, training videos, tutors, and websites dedicated to study of puzzles and concepts fundamental to improving one's game.
Several years ago, I borrowed a chess book and read it a number of times. I was able to grasp and implement almost every concept presented in the book except for the chapter discussing "Weak Squares". The concept is simple enough - vulnerabilities exist in the form of landing posts inviting the opponent to attack. The identification of the squares and implementation of the concept is quite a different story. I learned to develop my pieces, station them in principle posts, couple them together, but I could not figure out where my weak squares were (this is still my problem).
(Spiritual) Life Application 1
No matter what stage of life you are in (young, middle aged, old, etc.) and no matter what your position (student, employed, unemployed, employer, married, single, divorced, parent, etc.), you have weak squares. These are not just weaknesses that you struggle with; these are weak points in your life where the enemy is allowed to post his minions to inhibit your progress, distract your attention, or divert your resources. Identifying your weak squares is no simple task and defending them requires a significant amount of effort. While weaknesses are errors or sins (just as the stranded pawn or piece), weak squares are innocent looking habits that lead to sinful behaviors (just like an unprotected square on which an enemy knight can perch on your king side where you've castled). Consuming pornographic material is a weakness (sin). Driving a routine pathway home in which you pass by tempting billboards could be a weak square (habit that can lead to sinful behavior). It is easy to spot and work on weaknesses, but these are really symptoms of the weak squares of your life.
(Spiritual) Life Application 2
No matter what stage of life you are in (young, middle aged, old, etc.) and no matter what your position (student, employed, unemployed, employer, married, single, divorced, parent, etc.), you have goals (spiritual maturity). In order to attain these goals, you must identify a path to victory. In chess, you can never prepare for every possible scenario that will face you, but you can practice and prepare for types of situations. Your opponent also has weak squares, and you must know how to identify them and capitalize on them in order to be the victor. The path to accomplish your goals is much like this chess strategy; you can't wait until an opportunity arises - you may not be able to identify it or you may miss it. You must be actively looking for opportunities to advance while playing at the top of your game (living in Godliness).
Several years ago, I borrowed a chess book and read it a number of times. I was able to grasp and implement almost every concept presented in the book except for the chapter discussing "Weak Squares". The concept is simple enough - vulnerabilities exist in the form of landing posts inviting the opponent to attack. The identification of the squares and implementation of the concept is quite a different story. I learned to develop my pieces, station them in principle posts, couple them together, but I could not figure out where my weak squares were (this is still my problem).
(Spiritual) Life Application 1
No matter what stage of life you are in (young, middle aged, old, etc.) and no matter what your position (student, employed, unemployed, employer, married, single, divorced, parent, etc.), you have weak squares. These are not just weaknesses that you struggle with; these are weak points in your life where the enemy is allowed to post his minions to inhibit your progress, distract your attention, or divert your resources. Identifying your weak squares is no simple task and defending them requires a significant amount of effort. While weaknesses are errors or sins (just as the stranded pawn or piece), weak squares are innocent looking habits that lead to sinful behaviors (just like an unprotected square on which an enemy knight can perch on your king side where you've castled). Consuming pornographic material is a weakness (sin). Driving a routine pathway home in which you pass by tempting billboards could be a weak square (habit that can lead to sinful behavior). It is easy to spot and work on weaknesses, but these are really symptoms of the weak squares of your life.
(Spiritual) Life Application 2
No matter what stage of life you are in (young, middle aged, old, etc.) and no matter what your position (student, employed, unemployed, employer, married, single, divorced, parent, etc.), you have goals (spiritual maturity). In order to attain these goals, you must identify a path to victory. In chess, you can never prepare for every possible scenario that will face you, but you can practice and prepare for types of situations. Your opponent also has weak squares, and you must know how to identify them and capitalize on them in order to be the victor. The path to accomplish your goals is much like this chess strategy; you can't wait until an opportunity arises - you may not be able to identify it or you may miss it. You must be actively looking for opportunities to advance while playing at the top of your game (living in Godliness).
Thursday, October 25, 2012
The King Sacrifice
In the game of chess, the king is the most important piece (and the weakest), and the object of the game is to protect him while capturing the opponent's king. One of the most highly esteemed tactics in the game of chess is the sacrifice. This tactic involves giving away a pawn or piece seemingly for free while effecting a counter-attack to gain material or positional advantage. Since the queen is the most powerful piece on the chessboard, when she is sacrificed, the moves are calculated (or desperate), and some decisive advantage is nearly always achieved.
In the cosmic game of chess, the most important piece is also the most powerful piece, the King. We, the pawns, are weak but not expendable. As Jesus says, the Good Shepherd knows His sheep and will go after a single lost sheep (Matthew 18:12-14, John 10). God, in His divine sovereignty, sacrificed the King for the sake of the pawn. If a queen sacrifice for the sake of the king is extravagant in chess, how much more extravagant is God's King sacrifice for the sake of His pawns (Ephesians 1:7-9, 1 John 3:1)?
Romans 5:6-10 tells us:
For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
In the cosmic game of chess, the most important piece is also the most powerful piece, the King. We, the pawns, are weak but not expendable. As Jesus says, the Good Shepherd knows His sheep and will go after a single lost sheep (Matthew 18:12-14, John 10). God, in His divine sovereignty, sacrificed the King for the sake of the pawn. If a queen sacrifice for the sake of the king is extravagant in chess, how much more extravagant is God's King sacrifice for the sake of His pawns (Ephesians 1:7-9, 1 John 3:1)?
Romans 5:6-10 tells us:
For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
The Missing Piece
One previous post dealt with lost pawns (keeping an eternal focus), and another dealt with substituting pieces (traditional marriage) - both leaning on the chess analogy. In this blog, however, I'll borrow an analogy from jigsaw puzzles.
What is the most important piece of a jigsaw puzzle? There are many good answers including...
- the corner pieces - to frame the puzzle
- the edge pieces - to provide boundaries
- the center pieces - to fill in the subject matter
- the first piece - to start well
- the last piece - to complete
- the box top - to set out the big picture
However, I'd suggest that the most important piece is the "missing piece." Recently while my young bride and I worked a small puzzle that she got on a trip to the Texas State Capitol and the Alamo, we wound up missing a piece of the puzzle. This piece in particular was an edge piece, so we were looking for it from the beginning. It was suspicious that we hadn't found it even halfway through working the puzzle, so we could see the writing on the wall fairly early.
What does the missing piece of a jigsaw puzzle represent? It represents incompletion. Something (presumably) out of our control prevented us from reaching our goal. [I say presumably because we could have lost that piece.]
The analogy of the missing piece of a jigsaw puzzle applies to our lives in many fashions.
- your hunt for a job immediately after college - you have no experience
- your desire to attend a sold-out sporting event - you have no ticket
- your pursuit for independence - you have no driver's license (or money, etc.)
Some of these factors are within our control and some are not. Sometimes it is our decision that limits us and manifests itself as the missing piece. Perhaps you want a better job, but it requires better job performance.
In the kingdom of God, we are all pieces of God's eternal puzzle. Some pieces are played early and firmly; others are first mangled and forced in; some are played in the wrong spot; and still others are never played at all. Which piece are you in God's eternal puzzle? Prayerfully and carefully seek out your position. Don't be the missing piece.
What is the most important piece of a jigsaw puzzle? There are many good answers including...
- the corner pieces - to frame the puzzle
- the edge pieces - to provide boundaries
- the center pieces - to fill in the subject matter
- the first piece - to start well
- the last piece - to complete
- the box top - to set out the big picture
However, I'd suggest that the most important piece is the "missing piece." Recently while my young bride and I worked a small puzzle that she got on a trip to the Texas State Capitol and the Alamo, we wound up missing a piece of the puzzle. This piece in particular was an edge piece, so we were looking for it from the beginning. It was suspicious that we hadn't found it even halfway through working the puzzle, so we could see the writing on the wall fairly early.
What does the missing piece of a jigsaw puzzle represent? It represents incompletion. Something (presumably) out of our control prevented us from reaching our goal. [I say presumably because we could have lost that piece.]
The analogy of the missing piece of a jigsaw puzzle applies to our lives in many fashions.
- your hunt for a job immediately after college - you have no experience
- your desire to attend a sold-out sporting event - you have no ticket
- your pursuit for independence - you have no driver's license (or money, etc.)
Some of these factors are within our control and some are not. Sometimes it is our decision that limits us and manifests itself as the missing piece. Perhaps you want a better job, but it requires better job performance.
In the kingdom of God, we are all pieces of God's eternal puzzle. Some pieces are played early and firmly; others are first mangled and forced in; some are played in the wrong spot; and still others are never played at all. Which piece are you in God's eternal puzzle? Prayerfully and carefully seek out your position. Don't be the missing piece.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
What Keeps You up at Night?
Recently, I was engaged (as I am twice a year) in chess games. I was engrossed in game after game trying to master tactics and strategies to capture the opponent's pieces and ultimately entrap his/her king.
After a particular evening of play, I found myself obsessed with one specific game where I had misplayed a certain move - not by accident but by poor forethought. The result of my move, was that I lost a pawn, and ultimately I lost the game for this very same poor move. The loss of a pawn is what kept me up that night.
Perhaps you are thinking, "Seriously!?!, a lost pawn is what keeps you awake at night?" It certainly seems trivial as I type it out. Sleepless for pawns. Luke 15 records for us a parable of a shepherd with 100 sheep, but when 1 was lost, he left the 99 to seek the 1.
Now, I know that God does not sleep (Psalm 121:3), but if He did, what would keep Him awake at night would be the lost pawns on His chessboard.
I do not mean to imply that God would have had poor forethought, nor that He would be anxious for their safety since He is in control of all things. I am merely stating that the things that are of concern to God are far more significant than a silly game. Why is it that I am not sleepless for the lost pawns on God's chessboard rather than for the inanimate pawns on a silly gameboard? Am I moved by the things of God? Am I concerned for the eternal, or am I consumed by the ephemeral?
After a particular evening of play, I found myself obsessed with one specific game where I had misplayed a certain move - not by accident but by poor forethought. The result of my move, was that I lost a pawn, and ultimately I lost the game for this very same poor move. The loss of a pawn is what kept me up that night.
Perhaps you are thinking, "Seriously!?!, a lost pawn is what keeps you awake at night?" It certainly seems trivial as I type it out. Sleepless for pawns. Luke 15 records for us a parable of a shepherd with 100 sheep, but when 1 was lost, he left the 99 to seek the 1.
Now, I know that God does not sleep (Psalm 121:3), but if He did, what would keep Him awake at night would be the lost pawns on His chessboard.
I do not mean to imply that God would have had poor forethought, nor that He would be anxious for their safety since He is in control of all things. I am merely stating that the things that are of concern to God are far more significant than a silly game. Why is it that I am not sleepless for the lost pawns on God's chessboard rather than for the inanimate pawns on a silly gameboard? Am I moved by the things of God? Am I concerned for the eternal, or am I consumed by the ephemeral?
Thursday, July 14, 2011
How does Homosexual Marriage Affect the Chess Game?
1) Imagine a chess game with no queens but instead with 4 kings.
2) Imagine a chess game with no kings but instead with 4 queens.
The game of chess is based on the royal wedding relationship between a man and a woman. I have indeed played a game or two with substitute pieces in my day. If I were missing a pawn, a checker may have taken its place. I'm not saying that roles cannot be filled by others. The question is, "How well can these roles be filled by others?"
Just as I may use a checker to represent a pawn in the game of chess, someone else may fill the role of wife with a man or husband with a woman. However, as in the case of the checker in the chess game, there is noticeably something awry with the man filling the wife's role and the woman filling the husband's role.
Clearly if there are 4 kings on the chess board and no queens, the game is hardly a remnant of the traditional game of chess. The 2 major power pieces have been removed and replaced by second equally weak, needy, and prone-to-peril kings. Similarly if there are 4 queens on the chessboard and no kings, the game is just as disimilar to the traditional game of chess. With no kings to protect, with significantly more power in the addition of queens, there is no longer a point to the game in the absence of the king to be protected.
Even more complex imagine a game with 2 white queens and 2 black kings or vice-versa. Opponents would be playing one overburdened with protection and little power while the other is ladened with a powerhouse and no concern for protection. Clearly these opponents will not be playing the same game.
One would be hard pressed to even call these scenarios a chess game.
With such a round peg into the square hole scenario, it seems only too elementary to say that nature itself rejects homosexuality. The rules for traditional chess will need to be rewritten, and depending on the gender of choice, not only must strategy be redivised, a completely new purpose must be invented. Ultimately, if homosexual marriage is to be allowed, then by design and practice, it cannot be "traditional" marriage. One would be hard pressed to even call the potential scenarios marriage.
2) Imagine a chess game with no kings but instead with 4 queens.
The game of chess is based on the royal wedding relationship between a man and a woman. I have indeed played a game or two with substitute pieces in my day. If I were missing a pawn, a checker may have taken its place. I'm not saying that roles cannot be filled by others. The question is, "How well can these roles be filled by others?"
Just as I may use a checker to represent a pawn in the game of chess, someone else may fill the role of wife with a man or husband with a woman. However, as in the case of the checker in the chess game, there is noticeably something awry with the man filling the wife's role and the woman filling the husband's role.
Clearly if there are 4 kings on the chess board and no queens, the game is hardly a remnant of the traditional game of chess. The 2 major power pieces have been removed and replaced by second equally weak, needy, and prone-to-peril kings. Similarly if there are 4 queens on the chessboard and no kings, the game is just as disimilar to the traditional game of chess. With no kings to protect, with significantly more power in the addition of queens, there is no longer a point to the game in the absence of the king to be protected.
Even more complex imagine a game with 2 white queens and 2 black kings or vice-versa. Opponents would be playing one overburdened with protection and little power while the other is ladened with a powerhouse and no concern for protection. Clearly these opponents will not be playing the same game.
One would be hard pressed to even call these scenarios a chess game.
With such a round peg into the square hole scenario, it seems only too elementary to say that nature itself rejects homosexuality. The rules for traditional chess will need to be rewritten, and depending on the gender of choice, not only must strategy be redivised, a completely new purpose must be invented. Ultimately, if homosexual marriage is to be allowed, then by design and practice, it cannot be "traditional" marriage. One would be hard pressed to even call the potential scenarios marriage.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Title Imagery
Chess:
The pinned knight is caught defending his faith; he is immobile but not powerless while still in the game. Each pawn and piece serves to attack and defend in different ways. The knight does so in somewhat indirect ways. The knight is the only attacker who alone forces the enemy to take the knight or move his own king to evade check; the check presented by a knight cannot be blocked. It is one of the weakest pieces in the game, and it aids in victory only when coupled with other forces and while in the hands of a master. A knight (or a bishop) and king alone cannot win a game of chess. Any amateur can win a game when he has a queen or a rook coupled with his king, but to win a game with a bishop and knight takes a higher level of skill. Sometimes, I feel like a pinned knight, directly in the line of fire from an enemy piece, immobile while protecting the King Himself or another useful servant piece.
Culture:
The knight generally carries weaponry and armor just as a believer must take the sword of the spirit and put on the armor of God. However, in an alternate light, among the weaponry a knight would carry is a sword. Swords are powerful when wielded by a disciplined, diligent study of swordplay; the old adage stands true especially in today’s time, “The pen is mightier than the sword.”
The pinned knight is caught defending his faith; he is immobile but not powerless while still in the game. Each pawn and piece serves to attack and defend in different ways. The knight does so in somewhat indirect ways. The knight is the only attacker who alone forces the enemy to take the knight or move his own king to evade check; the check presented by a knight cannot be blocked. It is one of the weakest pieces in the game, and it aids in victory only when coupled with other forces and while in the hands of a master. A knight (or a bishop) and king alone cannot win a game of chess. Any amateur can win a game when he has a queen or a rook coupled with his king, but to win a game with a bishop and knight takes a higher level of skill. Sometimes, I feel like a pinned knight, directly in the line of fire from an enemy piece, immobile while protecting the King Himself or another useful servant piece.
Culture:
The knight generally carries weaponry and armor just as a believer must take the sword of the spirit and put on the armor of God. However, in an alternate light, among the weaponry a knight would carry is a sword. Swords are powerful when wielded by a disciplined, diligent study of swordplay; the old adage stands true especially in today’s time, “The pen is mightier than the sword.”
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