Contrary to popular belief, chess is a serious sport, and it is a game that young people should be encouraged to take part in. It is an important game in many respects, the main benefit being that it contributes to the development of strategic thinking as well as concentration, analytical skills and problem solving. These are traits that are very important for school going children.
Honoured guests,
Chess is by far one of the oldest and most played games in the world. It cuts across intellectual, age and language barriers and can therefore be enjoyed by people from across the world. It has stood the test of time, and even new technology-driven games have not killed the game of chess, which makes veteran players like myself very happy.
I learned to play chess under unfavourable conditions, while on Robben Island serving a 10 year prison sentence. Political prisoners used to sustain and strengthen themselves during incarceration through sports like soccer, rugby, table tennis, morabaraba, bridge, patience and casino card games as well as chess. We used to make chess boards from thin cardboard and chess pieces from corks.
Given the opportunity, I would have loved to learn how to play at an earlier stage of my life. That is because knowing how to play the game can prove to be invaluable for any young person. That is why we want to convince parents and teachers that chess is one of the most powerful educational tools available to strengthen and enhance a child's mind.
No amount of video games can teach a child the same level of patience, strategic thinking, concentration, analytical skills and the attention to detail that they would gain from this timeless intellectual game. A successful chess player will not only successfully analyse the situation in front of him or her, but will draw lessons from a host of previous actions.
Chess therefore enhances the ability to make thoughtful, considered, strategic decisions under pressure. These are the same skills that are essential for effective examination performance at school, and also for decision making when one is entrusted with serious leadership positions at work or in the community.
Most importantly, the fact that advanced chess players demonstrate increased expertise in the making of tough and abstract decisions, makes them excel in subjects such as mathematics. The reason is that chess helps one to significantly improve memory. This skill can easily be transferred to subjects where memory is necessary such as mathematics.
As government, we will promote this game in schools so that we can ensure that children who enter grade one matriculate with Mathematics as a subject.
Honoured guests,
It is evident that chess is more than just a game or a hobby. It is a way of life. You will then understand why we are encouraging young people to play chess at an early age.
In summary, the benefits that accumulate from the teaching and promotion of chess in schools include the following:
1. The game teaches patience. You have to give the opponent time and space to think and make his or her own move.
2. It teaches that a decision must be an outcome of a serious thought process.
3. Chess teaches discipline, for example as chess players would know, "touch is a move". When you touch, you must move, you have to be disciplined.
4. Chess teaches fairness. You alert the opponent before you strike, and keep them informed of your moves and intentions. Players know that once the king is under threat you alert your opponent by saying "check". When you are convinced that he or she can no longer protect the king, you say "checkmate" to indicate that you have closed the game.
This decorum will teach the children that an opponent during a sports game is not an enemy but just a contestant that they must cooperate with. They will learn to deal with opposition of any kind in a mature and tolerant way.
These are benefits that should make us all promote this important game to our youth.
- Remarks by His Excellency President Jacob Zuma at the Gala Dinner of Moves for Life Chess Programme, Gallagher Estate, Midrand
Sunday 31 October 2010
Monday 25 October 2010
True Training
The great thing, if one can, is to stop regarding all the unpleasant things as interruptions of one's "own", or "real" life. The truth is of course that what one calls the interruptions are precisely one's real life - the life God is sending one day by day; what one calls one's "real life" is a phantom of one's own imagination. This at least is what I see at moments of insight; but it's hard to remember it all the time.
- C. S. Lewis, The Quotable Lewis
Training will not be an interruption of my life. Training will be my life, if only for a time.
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven." - Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV)
"That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil - this is the gift of God." - Ecclesiastes 3:13 (NIV)
"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." - 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV)
The next 9 months of training will also be a good time to fast from the internet (on weekdays) and spend more time reading the Bible and praying.
"For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come." - 1 Timothy 4:8 (NIV)
Links: Discipline and Security (23 Oct 10), Training and Development (14 Nov 10), Training vs 'Tekan' (3 Dec 10)
- C. S. Lewis, The Quotable Lewis
Training will not be an interruption of my life. Training will be my life, if only for a time.
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven." - Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV)
"That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil - this is the gift of God." - Ecclesiastes 3:13 (NIV)
"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." - 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV)
The next 9 months of training will also be a good time to fast from the internet (on weekdays) and spend more time reading the Bible and praying.
"For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come." - 1 Timothy 4:8 (NIV)
Links: Discipline and Security (23 Oct 10), Training and Development (14 Nov 10), Training vs 'Tekan' (3 Dec 10)
Sunday 24 October 2010
Determinism and Free Will
"Life is like a game of cards. The hand that is dealt you represents determinism; the way you play it is free will." - Jawaharlal Nehru, First Prime Minister of India (1947-1964)
"From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us." - Acts 17:26-27 (NIV)
"From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us." - Acts 17:26-27 (NIV)
Saturday 23 October 2010
Discipline and Security
To be a captain in the lives of offenders committed to your custody, you must first be a captain of your own life. If security is the foundation for rehabilitation, how much more is discipline the foundation for personal development!
"The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair... The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." - Proverbs 1:1-3, 7 (NIV)
Wisdom before wife, discipline before development!
Links: True Training (25 Oct 10), Training and Development (14 Nov 10), Training vs 'Tekan' (3 Dec 10)
"The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair... The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." - Proverbs 1:1-3, 7 (NIV)
Wisdom before wife, discipline before development!
Links: True Training (25 Oct 10), Training and Development (14 Nov 10), Training vs 'Tekan' (3 Dec 10)
Friday 22 October 2010
Oct 15 to 21
Oct 15: "Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you." - 2 Thessalonians 3:16 (NIV)
Oct 16: "Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners - of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life." - 1 Timothy 1:15-16 (NIV)
Oct 17: "For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men - the testimony given in its proper time." - 1 Timothy 2:5-6 (NIV)
Oct 18: "I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands." - Psalm 119:60 (NIV)
Oct 19: "Pray that the LORD your God will tell us where we should go and what we should do." - Jeremiah 42:3 (NIV)
Oct 20: "The sins of some men are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them. In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not cannot be hidden." - 1 Timothy 5:24-25 (NIV)
Oct 21: "But godliness with contentment is great gain." - 1 Timothy 6:6 (NIV)
Oct 16: "Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners - of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life." - 1 Timothy 1:15-16 (NIV)
Oct 17: "For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men - the testimony given in its proper time." - 1 Timothy 2:5-6 (NIV)
Oct 18: "I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands." - Psalm 119:60 (NIV)
Oct 19: "Pray that the LORD your God will tell us where we should go and what we should do." - Jeremiah 42:3 (NIV)
Oct 20: "The sins of some men are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them. In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not cannot be hidden." - 1 Timothy 5:24-25 (NIV)
Oct 21: "But godliness with contentment is great gain." - 1 Timothy 6:6 (NIV)
Sunday 17 October 2010
More Precious than Rubies
Proverbs 31:10-31 is about the wife of noble character. But more importantly, it is about wisdom. Indeed, the book of Proverbs is more than just a book about the complete wife. It is a book about the complete life.
"Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her." - Proverbs 3:13-15 (NIV)
"Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her." - Proverbs 8:10-11 (NIV)
"A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies." - Proverbs 31:10 (NIV)
Instead of focusing on finding a Proverbs 31 woman (who cannot be found anyway except by God's grace), why not focus on being a Psalm 112 man? This is the way of finding wisdom, 'fear[ing] the LORD [and] find[ing] great delight in his commands' (Psalm 112:1, NIV).
God does not promise to give each of us a wife (or husband). But God does promise to give each of us wisdom - if we ask Him!
"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." - James 1:5 (NIV)
Seek wisdom before seeking a wife (or husband). Wisdom before wife!
"Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her." - Proverbs 3:13-15 (NIV)
"Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her." - Proverbs 8:10-11 (NIV)
"A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies." - Proverbs 31:10 (NIV)
Instead of focusing on finding a Proverbs 31 woman (who cannot be found anyway except by God's grace), why not focus on being a Psalm 112 man? This is the way of finding wisdom, 'fear[ing] the LORD [and] find[ing] great delight in his commands' (Psalm 112:1, NIV).
God does not promise to give each of us a wife (or husband). But God does promise to give each of us wisdom - if we ask Him!
"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." - James 1:5 (NIV)
Seek wisdom before seeking a wife (or husband). Wisdom before wife!
Saturday 16 October 2010
Daily
Things could be better. But then, they could be worse - but for the grace of God!
"Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him."" - Lamentations 3:22-24 (NIV)
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father
There is no shadow of turning with Thee
Thou changest not; Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be
Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning, new mercies I see
All I have needed, Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
"Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway." - Proverbs 8:34 (NIV)
"This, then, is how you should pray: 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.'" - Matthew 6:9-13 (NIV)
"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?" - Luke 9:23-25 (NIV)
First things first. One step at a time. One day at a time.
O to grace, how great a debtor
Daily I'm constrained to be
Let Thy goodness, like a fetter
Bind my wandering heart to Thee
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it
Prone to leave the God I love
Here's my heart, O take and seal it
Seal it for Thy courts above
"Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him."" - Lamentations 3:22-24 (NIV)
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father
There is no shadow of turning with Thee
Thou changest not; Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be
Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning, new mercies I see
All I have needed, Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
"Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway." - Proverbs 8:34 (NIV)
"This, then, is how you should pray: 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.'" - Matthew 6:9-13 (NIV)
"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?" - Luke 9:23-25 (NIV)
First things first. One step at a time. One day at a time.
O to grace, how great a debtor
Daily I'm constrained to be
Let Thy goodness, like a fetter
Bind my wandering heart to Thee
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it
Prone to leave the God I love
Here's my heart, O take and seal it
Seal it for Thy courts above
Friday 15 October 2010
Oct 8 to 14
Oct 8: "Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." - Colossians 4:6 (NIV)
Oct 9: "Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD." - Psalm 119:1 (NIV)
Oct 10: "How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word." - Psalm 119:9 (NIV)
Oct 11: "Finish your outdoor work and get your fields ready; after that, build your house." - Proverbs 24:27 (NIV)
Oct 12: "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)
Oct 13: "I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free." - Psalm 119:32 (NIV)
Oct 14: "May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word." - 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 (NIV)
Oct 9: "Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD." - Psalm 119:1 (NIV)
Oct 10: "How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word." - Psalm 119:9 (NIV)
Oct 11: "Finish your outdoor work and get your fields ready; after that, build your house." - Proverbs 24:27 (NIV)
Oct 12: "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)
Oct 13: "I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free." - Psalm 119:32 (NIV)
Oct 14: "May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word." - 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 (NIV)
Monday 11 October 2010
Today
Today is the day my York friends begin a new academic year.
Today is the day one of my church friends enters Officer Cadet School.
Today is the day I enter the Home Team Academy and start training to be a uniformed prison officer for the next 9 months.
"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." - Psalm 139:13-16 (NIV)
Links: Why Prisons? (6 Oct 10), 9 Months (9 Oct 10)
Today is the day one of my church friends enters Officer Cadet School.
Today is the day I enter the Home Team Academy and start training to be a uniformed prison officer for the next 9 months.
"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." - Psalm 139:13-16 (NIV)
Links: Why Prisons? (6 Oct 10), 9 Months (9 Oct 10)
Sunday 10 October 2010
10 reasons why NS was for my benefit
On 10 Oct 10 (10/10/10), coming to 4 years after I completed my national service (NS) on 5 Nov 06, here are 10 reasons why NS was for my benefit - not all to do with NS in and of itself.
1. NS gave me the opportunity to meet people from different backgrounds.
2. NS gave me the experience of working in a uniformed organisation, something which will come in handy as I start work with the Singapore Prison Service.
3. NS gave me the experience of working as a junior officer in a uniformed organisation.
4. NS led me to start this blog on 29 Sep 05, 400 days to my operationally ready date (ORD).
5. I became a Christian during my NS days (I think).
6. In any case, I was baptised during my NS days.
7. NS taught me to trust in God, especially through Romans 8:28, 1 Corinthians 10:13 and 2 Corinthians 12:7-10.
8. NS meant that I would stay with my family in Singapore in 2005 and 2006, in the years immediately after my father passed away in 2004.
9. NS meant that I would go to York in 2007, which in hindsight was exactly the right time for me to go to York.
10. NS, and the news that my application for Masters funding was unsuccessful, meant that I would return to Singapore for good in 2010. I'm gradually seeing God's hand in this.
Given a choice, I would probably not have chosen to do NS. But God had other plans. Better plans. To take a verse out of context, 'surely it was for my benefit that I suffered such anguish!' (Isaiah 38:17, NIV)
1. NS gave me the opportunity to meet people from different backgrounds.
2. NS gave me the experience of working in a uniformed organisation, something which will come in handy as I start work with the Singapore Prison Service.
3. NS gave me the experience of working as a junior officer in a uniformed organisation.
4. NS led me to start this blog on 29 Sep 05, 400 days to my operationally ready date (ORD).
5. I became a Christian during my NS days (I think).
6. In any case, I was baptised during my NS days.
7. NS taught me to trust in God, especially through Romans 8:28, 1 Corinthians 10:13 and 2 Corinthians 12:7-10.
8. NS meant that I would stay with my family in Singapore in 2005 and 2006, in the years immediately after my father passed away in 2004.
9. NS meant that I would go to York in 2007, which in hindsight was exactly the right time for me to go to York.
10. NS, and the news that my application for Masters funding was unsuccessful, meant that I would return to Singapore for good in 2010. I'm gradually seeing God's hand in this.
Given a choice, I would probably not have chosen to do NS. But God had other plans. Better plans. To take a verse out of context, 'surely it was for my benefit that I suffered such anguish!' (Isaiah 38:17, NIV)
Saturday 9 October 2010
9 Months
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven." - Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV)
This is the last weekend before I enter the Home Team Academy and start training to be a uniformed prison officer for the next 9 months. The days of blogging everyday are over, but I hope to continue with verse(s) of the day.
"Finish your outdoor work and get your fields ready; after that, build your house." - Proverbs 24:27 (NIV)
First things first. One step at a time.
Links: Why Prisons? (6 Oct 10), Today (11 Oct 10)
This is the last weekend before I enter the Home Team Academy and start training to be a uniformed prison officer for the next 9 months. The days of blogging everyday are over, but I hope to continue with verse(s) of the day.
"Finish your outdoor work and get your fields ready; after that, build your house." - Proverbs 24:27 (NIV)
First things first. One step at a time.
Links: Why Prisons? (6 Oct 10), Today (11 Oct 10)
Friday 8 October 2010
Offering
"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will." - Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)
Doing and Not Doing
I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me.
I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do - this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members.
What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God - through Jesus Christ our Lord!
- Romans 7:15-25 (NIV)
Whenever I think about the things I have done which I should not have done, and the things I have not done which I should have done, I have to remind myself that God is in control, and He is both sovereign and good. Everything that Heallows ordains to happen (and not happen) is for His glory and our good, whether we realise it or not. One day I will understand.
"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." - Genesis 50:20 (NIV)
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." - Romans 8:28 (NIV)
"In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will." - Ephesians 1:11 (NIV)
I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do - this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members.
What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God - through Jesus Christ our Lord!
- Romans 7:15-25 (NIV)
Whenever I think about the things I have done which I should not have done, and the things I have not done which I should have done, I have to remind myself that God is in control, and He is both sovereign and good. Everything that He
"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." - Genesis 50:20 (NIV)
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." - Romans 8:28 (NIV)
"In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will." - Ephesians 1:11 (NIV)
Oct 1 to 7
Oct 1: "Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed - not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence - continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose." - Philippians 2:12-13 (NIV)
Oct 2: "I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead." - Philippians 3:10-11 (NIV)
Oct 3: "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things." - Philippians 4:8 (NIV)
Oct 4: "the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel" - Colossians 1:6 (NIV)
Oct 5: "This is what the LORD says: "Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," declares the LORD." - Jeremiah 9:23-24 (NIV)
Oct 6: "In my anguish I cried to the LORD, and he answered by setting me free." - Psalm 118:5 (NIV)
Oct 7: "Do any of the worthless idols of the nations bring rain? Do the skies themselves send down showers? No, it is you, O LORD our God. Therefore our hope is in you, for you are the one who does all this." - Jeremiah 14:22 (NIV)
Oct 2: "I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead." - Philippians 3:10-11 (NIV)
Oct 3: "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things." - Philippians 4:8 (NIV)
Oct 4: "the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel" - Colossians 1:6 (NIV)
Oct 5: "This is what the LORD says: "Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," declares the LORD." - Jeremiah 9:23-24 (NIV)
Oct 6: "In my anguish I cried to the LORD, and he answered by setting me free." - Psalm 118:5 (NIV)
Oct 7: "Do any of the worthless idols of the nations bring rain? Do the skies themselves send down showers? No, it is you, O LORD our God. Therefore our hope is in you, for you are the one who does all this." - Jeremiah 14:22 (NIV)
Thursday 7 October 2010
Psalm 131
1. Humble yourself before the LORD.
"My heart is not proud, O LORD, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me." - Psalm 131:1 (NIV)
2. Be still before the LORD.
"But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me." - Psalm 131:2 (NIV)
3. Hope in the LORD.
"O Israel, put your hope in the LORD both now and forevermore." - Psalm 131:3 (NIV)
"My heart is not proud, O LORD, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me." - Psalm 131:1 (NIV)
2. Be still before the LORD.
"But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me." - Psalm 131:2 (NIV)
3. Hope in the LORD.
"O Israel, put your hope in the LORD both now and forevermore." - Psalm 131:3 (NIV)
Wednesday 6 October 2010
Why Prisons?
Many people have asked me this question and I don't think I've thought about it enough. So why Prisons?
Mission
As a key partner in Criminal Justice, we protect society through the safe custody and rehabilitation of offenders, co-operating in prevention and aftercare.
Vision
We aspire to be captains in the lives of offenders committed to our custody. We will be instrumental in steering them towards being responsible citizens with the help of their families and the community. We will thus build a secure and exemplary prison system.
Yes, but why did I join Prisons?
1. To serve society.
The Singapore Prison Service is not an end unto itself. It is part of the Ministry of Home Affairs, which in turn is part of the Singapore Civil Service. Even before joining Prisons, I decided that I wanted to work in the public sector.
2. To protect society.
Having decided that I wanted to work in the public sector, Prisons gave me the opportunity to contribute to a safe, secure and stable society. And I personally believe that safety, security and stability comes before anything else.
"You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety." - Job 11:18 (NIV)
"My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest." - Isaiah 32:18 (NIV)
"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek." - Hebrews 6:19-20 (NIV)
For Your covenant is sure
And on this I am secure
I can stand on every promise of Your Word
3. To change society.
With - and only with - safety, security and stability in place, inmates can (and should) change. Here is where I can make a difference to society, one inmate at a time.
With - and only with - the assurance of salvation, we can (and should) 'press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me' (Philippians 3:12, NIV).
Making One's Calling and Election Sure
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love...
Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
- 2 Peter 1:3-7, 10-11 (NIV)
Links: 9 Months (9 Oct 10), Today (11 Oct 10)
Mission
As a key partner in Criminal Justice, we protect society through the safe custody and rehabilitation of offenders, co-operating in prevention and aftercare.
Vision
We aspire to be captains in the lives of offenders committed to our custody. We will be instrumental in steering them towards being responsible citizens with the help of their families and the community. We will thus build a secure and exemplary prison system.
Yes, but why did I join Prisons?
1. To serve society.
The Singapore Prison Service is not an end unto itself. It is part of the Ministry of Home Affairs, which in turn is part of the Singapore Civil Service. Even before joining Prisons, I decided that I wanted to work in the public sector.
2. To protect society.
Having decided that I wanted to work in the public sector, Prisons gave me the opportunity to contribute to a safe, secure and stable society. And I personally believe that safety, security and stability comes before anything else.
"You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety." - Job 11:18 (NIV)
"My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest." - Isaiah 32:18 (NIV)
"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek." - Hebrews 6:19-20 (NIV)
For Your covenant is sure
And on this I am secure
I can stand on every promise of Your Word
3. To change society.
With - and only with - safety, security and stability in place, inmates can (and should) change. Here is where I can make a difference to society, one inmate at a time.
With - and only with - the assurance of salvation, we can (and should) 'press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me' (Philippians 3:12, NIV).
Making One's Calling and Election Sure
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love...
Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
- 2 Peter 1:3-7, 10-11 (NIV)
Links: 9 Months (9 Oct 10), Today (11 Oct 10)
Tuesday 5 October 2010
Still Believing God for His Best
It is not easy... it is very, very hard. God seems to ask the hardest things from us. He wants us to suspend our common sense, close our eyes to everything around us, put aside our knowledge of earthly reality and logic... and TRUST HIM. Yes, trust Him!
You may have heard the story of the mountain climber who tried to reach the peak even when it was dark at night. He slipped and fell into stark darkness and found himself hanging by the safety rope that mountain climbers use. As he hung in darkness and was not able to see anything, he reached for the rope and clung on to it. In desperation he cried out, "Help me God!"
The story goes that he heard a voice telling him "Cut the rope. Trust me," but he could not bring himself to cut the rope and trust God. Desperately, he clung on to it until rescuers found him the next day, frozen to death just a few feet above the ground. This may just be a story but just the same, we too may be hanging on to our rope or something or someone, some false security that may become our downfall.
The key is to listen to His voice saying "cut the rope, trust Me." Keep on trusting regardless of what is going on around you, even when things seem hopeless. We have learnt this valuable lesson through the years of serving Him.
When we truly trust the Lord with all our hearts, we are finally giving Him permission to minister to us without us getting in His way. He will not fail us. God will not force anything on us, but He does want us to let go completely and let Him do His work in our lives...
By NOT trusting Him... we are retaining our control over our situations. We get in His way and mess up the whole situation and then we blame Him. Being human, we really have no control anyway. Rather than telling God exactly what we think He should do for us, why not ask Him to do what He thinks is best for us?
In the years that I have served Him, I have learnt to believe that God wants to give me the best. He only asks me to believe in Him so that He can make me the person He wants me to be - a person of true faith. I am learning day by day, to trust God with everything and for everything!
"Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal." - Isaiah 26:4 (NIV)
- Neville Tan (former inmate turned pastor), The New Iron Man... not an easy road
Link: Believing God for His Best (14 Jun 10)
You may have heard the story of the mountain climber who tried to reach the peak even when it was dark at night. He slipped and fell into stark darkness and found himself hanging by the safety rope that mountain climbers use. As he hung in darkness and was not able to see anything, he reached for the rope and clung on to it. In desperation he cried out, "Help me God!"
The story goes that he heard a voice telling him "Cut the rope. Trust me," but he could not bring himself to cut the rope and trust God. Desperately, he clung on to it until rescuers found him the next day, frozen to death just a few feet above the ground. This may just be a story but just the same, we too may be hanging on to our rope or something or someone, some false security that may become our downfall.
The key is to listen to His voice saying "cut the rope, trust Me." Keep on trusting regardless of what is going on around you, even when things seem hopeless. We have learnt this valuable lesson through the years of serving Him.
When we truly trust the Lord with all our hearts, we are finally giving Him permission to minister to us without us getting in His way. He will not fail us. God will not force anything on us, but He does want us to let go completely and let Him do His work in our lives...
By NOT trusting Him... we are retaining our control over our situations. We get in His way and mess up the whole situation and then we blame Him. Being human, we really have no control anyway. Rather than telling God exactly what we think He should do for us, why not ask Him to do what He thinks is best for us?
In the years that I have served Him, I have learnt to believe that God wants to give me the best. He only asks me to believe in Him so that He can make me the person He wants me to be - a person of true faith. I am learning day by day, to trust God with everything and for everything!
"Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal." - Isaiah 26:4 (NIV)
- Neville Tan (former inmate turned pastor), The New Iron Man... not an easy road
Link: Believing God for His Best (14 Jun 10)
Monday 4 October 2010
Work and Worship
So why do we work? There are many biblical reasons for working: economic - to create wealth; financial - to support oneself and a family; personal - to experience fulfillment and significance; social - to avoid being a burden on others; relational - to support other people through collaborative effort.
God is interested in the good of the whole of society. So when I am asked about worship I reply firmly, 'My work station is my worship station.' Worship is the total submission of our whole person to the glory of God as we recognise our dependence on Him. My desk should therefore be a place of worship. Indeed, the Hebrew word for work and worship is the same - avodah. God is our real employer.
In his letter to the Colossians, Paul urges us: 'Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters' (Colossians 3:23). I remember a personal assistant telling me that when she passed the reception desk on her way into work each morning, she reminded herself, 'It is the Lord Christ I serve.' This avoids the danger of settling for satisfactory underperformance. I try to pray every morning as I start work because I want to remind myself that I am not dependent on myself or on any economic system, but on God. Work is a ministry, empowered by God, for the benefit of ourselves and others, and ultimately for His glory.
- Ken Costa, God at Work
"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will." - Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)
God is interested in the good of the whole of society. So when I am asked about worship I reply firmly, 'My work station is my worship station.' Worship is the total submission of our whole person to the glory of God as we recognise our dependence on Him. My desk should therefore be a place of worship. Indeed, the Hebrew word for work and worship is the same - avodah. God is our real employer.
In his letter to the Colossians, Paul urges us: 'Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters' (Colossians 3:23). I remember a personal assistant telling me that when she passed the reception desk on her way into work each morning, she reminded herself, 'It is the Lord Christ I serve.' This avoids the danger of settling for satisfactory underperformance. I try to pray every morning as I start work because I want to remind myself that I am not dependent on myself or on any economic system, but on God. Work is a ministry, empowered by God, for the benefit of ourselves and others, and ultimately for His glory.
- Ken Costa, God at Work
"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will." - Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)
Sunday 3 October 2010
More on Life as a Vapour
A Singaporean student in London was killed after being hit by a vehicle and dragged almost 2km in the early hours of Thursday morning.
I don't know the victim personally, but I have several friends studying in London and I was a student visiting London not too long ago myself. I can't imagine what it must be like for the victim and her family. I pray that the God of peace would be with them all.
"Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that."" - James 4:13-15 (NIV)
Link: Life as a Vapour (31 May 10)
I don't know the victim personally, but I have several friends studying in London and I was a student visiting London not too long ago myself. I can't imagine what it must be like for the victim and her family. I pray that the God of peace would be with them all.
"Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that."" - James 4:13-15 (NIV)
Link: Life as a Vapour (31 May 10)
Saturday 2 October 2010
Sovereign Grace
I hear religious-minded people say all the time with good intentions, "God will never place a burden on you so heavy that you cannot carry it."
Really?
My experience is that God will place a burden on you so heavy that you cannot possibly carry it alone. He will break your back and your will. He will buckle your legs until you fall flat beneath the crushing weight of your load. All the while He will walk beside you waiting for you to come to the point where you must depend on Him.
"My power is made perfect in your weakness," He says, as we strain under our burden.
Whatever the burden, it might indeed get worse, but I know this - God is faithful. And while we change and get old, He does not. When we get weaker, He remains strong. And in our weakness and humility, He offers us true, lasting, transforming, and undeserved grace.
- Greg Lucas, Wrestling with an Angel
"To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." - 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (NIV)
Really?
My experience is that God will place a burden on you so heavy that you cannot possibly carry it alone. He will break your back and your will. He will buckle your legs until you fall flat beneath the crushing weight of your load. All the while He will walk beside you waiting for you to come to the point where you must depend on Him.
"My power is made perfect in your weakness," He says, as we strain under our burden.
Whatever the burden, it might indeed get worse, but I know this - God is faithful. And while we change and get old, He does not. When we get weaker, He remains strong. And in our weakness and humility, He offers us true, lasting, transforming, and undeserved grace.
- Greg Lucas, Wrestling with an Angel
"To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." - 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (NIV)
Friday 1 October 2010
Sep 22 to 30
Sep 22: "I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better." - Ephesians 1:17 (NIV)
Sep 23: ""For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD." - Isaiah 55:8 (NIV)
Sep 24: "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." - Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV)
Sep 25: "Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ." - Ephesians 4:15 (NIV)
Sep 26: "He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD." - Psalm 112:7 (NIV)
Sep 27: "Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is." - Ephesians 5:17 (NIV)
Sep 28: "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." - Ephesians 6:18 (NIV)
Sep 29: "The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." - Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)
Sep 30: "Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." - Philippians 2:4 (NIV)
Sep 23: ""For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD." - Isaiah 55:8 (NIV)
Sep 24: "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." - Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV)
Sep 25: "Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ." - Ephesians 4:15 (NIV)
Sep 26: "He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD." - Psalm 112:7 (NIV)
Sep 27: "Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is." - Ephesians 5:17 (NIV)
Sep 28: "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." - Ephesians 6:18 (NIV)
Sep 29: "The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." - Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)
Sep 30: "Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." - Philippians 2:4 (NIV)
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