Guest Post: Lay a Foundation (Life Lessons from Chess) by Paul Fleeman

 

This is a guest post by Major Paul Fleeman, Principal of The Salvation Army's College for Officer Training in Chicago.  It is part of a series that he has agreed to have posted on my blog.

LAY A FOUNDATION
Major Paul Fleeman

Key Bible Verses: He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete." (Luke 6: 48-49)

The opening of a chess game can often make or break the final outcome. Your goal is to take control of the center of the board. The opening establishes your foundation. There are several general principles to follow. Try not to move a chess piece more than once in the opening. It helps to move your two center pawns out so your bishops, rooks and queen have a way to get into the game. Do not bring your queen out too soon.   
                                           
In our scripture we learn the importance of laying a good foundation (Luke 6: 47-49). As Christians we need to rely on the “rock of our salvation” and not on the world. How do we learn about that “rock”?  From the word of God!

My response: Lord, show me a scripture verse I can share to help provide a strong foundation to someone today.

Thought to Apply: We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments were given by the inspiration of God and that they only constitute the Divine rule of Christian faith and practice. (Salvation Army Handbook of Doctrine)

Like what you are reading? Consider the following: 1. Subscribe to my blog (there is a link for that on this page). 2. "Follow" me on twitter. It's a free account, and a great way to meet like-minded friends. My link is: http://twitter.com/tommccomb. 3. Leave a comment (I love your candid feedback and might use your ideas in future posts) 4. Tell someone else about this blog. Thanks for reading, and I hope to see you soon.

Guest Post: Take the Land (Life Lessons from Chess) by Paul Fleeman

 

This is a guest post by Major Paul Fleeman, Principal of The Salvation Army's College for Officer Training in Chicago.  It is part of a series that he has agreed to have posted on my blog.

TAKE THE LAND
Major Paul Fleeman

Key Bible Verses: Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (Matthew 28: 19-20)

A chess board is made up of 64 squares. One of the goals of the game is to spread as much influence as you can over the board with your chess pieces. It goes without saying, if you control more than half of the squares, you have an advantage. If that advantage is enduring, you have greater potential for winning. You have to look into the future a bit.

As Christians, we have received a mandate to spread Christ’s sphere of influence everywhere possible, encouraging others to become disciples. That sphere of influence becomes enduring as we practice what we have been taught with the full understanding that Christ will be with us to the very end.

My response: Lord, today show me someone I can help take one step closer in becoming a disciple.

Thought to Apply: “Put your ear down to the Bible, and hear Him bid you go and pull sinners out of the fire of sin.”  (William Booth)

Like what you are reading? Consider the following: 1. Subscribe to my blog (there is a link for that on this page). 2. "Follow" me on twitter. It's a free account, and a great way to meet like-minded friends. My link is: http://twitter.com/tommccomb. 3. Leave a comment (I love your candid feedback and might use your ideas in future posts) 4. Tell someone else about this blog. Thanks for reading, and I hope to see you soon.

Guest Post: Know Your Audience (Life Lessons from Chess) by Paul Fleeman

 

This is a guest post by Major Paul Fleeman, Principal of The Salvation Army's College for Officer Training in Chicago.  It is part of a series that he has agreed to have posted on my blog.

KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE
Major Paul Fleeman

Key Bible Verse: Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces. (Matthew 7:6 NIV)

During a lesson at the St. Paul Citadel Chess Club, I explained to the students the importance of making the right moves in the game. My objective was to illustrate the importance of making right decisions in life.  I began by sharing that if you count both the “white” and the “black” side’s first move, there are actually 40 possibilities. Add this to the second move and you will discover 71,852 possibilities. The third move includes 9 million possibilities. The fourth move, 315 billion. At that point, Donavan raised his hand and said, “Major Fleeman, I’m only in kindergarten!” I could not help from giggling inside when I realized the information I was sharing was much more interesting to me than my audience.

Scripture warns against throwing pearls to swine. Now I don’t believe He was comparing people to pigs as much as explaining the importance of discerning what and how much to share with your listeners as you tell them of the love of Christ. The fact is, if they don’t understand what we are saying it will only lead to confusion, not discipleship.

My response: Lord, what words can I use to make understanding of the love of Christ clear today?

Thought to Apply: “Sing it o’er and o’er again, Christ receiveth sinful men; Make the message clear and plain, Christ receiveth sinful men.” (Erdmann Neumeister)

Like what you are reading? Consider the following: 1. Subscribe to my blog (there is a link for that on this page). 2. "Follow" me on twitter. It's a free account, and a great way to meet like-minded friends. My link is: http://twitter.com/tommccomb. 3. Leave a comment (I love your candid feedback and might use your ideas in future posts) 4. Tell someone else about this blog. Thanks for reading, and I hope to see you soon.

Guest Post: The Ultimate Focus (Life Lessons from Chess) by Paul Fleeman

 

This is a guest post by Major Paul Fleeman, Principal of The Salvation Army's College for Officer Training in Chicago.  It is part of a series that he has agreed to have posted on my blog.

THE ULTIMATE FOCUS
Major Paul Fleeman

Key Bible Verses: God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen. (I Timothy 6:15-16)

Chess is a fascinating game that has been around for at least 1,200 years.  Since the Medieval times, the pieces have taken on interesting symbolisms such as:

• the pawn – the foot soldier;
• the castle – a place of safety;
• the knight – a leader and protector;
• the bishop – a spiritual advisor;
• the queen – the most active and second in command;
  and of course the king – everything is centered on him. Losing the king is losing the game.

For a Christian, the ultimate focus is what is at the top of the king’s crown.  That is the cross. It is a symbol of sacrifice, of our salvation, and our promise of eternal life. All of this made possible by God’s Son, Jesus Christ.

My response: Lord, show me what I can do to lift up Christ and His sacrifice, to those I may talk to today.

Thought to Apply: As I consider my faith journey moves, may my ultimate focus be on the King of kings and the Lord of lords.

Like what you are reading? Consider the following: 1. Subscribe to my blog (there is a link for that on this page). 2. "Follow" me on twitter. It's a free account, and a great way to meet like-minded friends. My link is: http://twitter.com/tommccomb. 3. Leave a comment (I love your candid feedback and might use your ideas in future posts) 4. Tell someone else about this blog. Thanks for reading, and I hope to see you soon.