Blog

Dear God,

I don’t know how long I have to live
And I don’t have much left to give
But while I am here, let me say
Thank you for giving me today

Give me the strength to do what I must do
And remind me always to speak what is true
Not hold back because of my fear
Of what people will do to me if they hear

I am sorry that I put money over you
And I forgot that you gave me a job to do
I see what the gift you gave me is, now I understand
What I am worried about is not what you have planned

You made me special; that is no lie
And I will serve you before and after I die
My voice is weak now, and I can’t sing a song
But still, my honest heart is equally strong

I walked to Walmart on my night off to make up for the shift I missed
But I coughed and spread germs on the boxes I punched with my fist
I was too sick to be working, and I worked myself to death
I had no energy and couldn’t catch my breath

I thought money would save me
That my job was my source
And forgot that even money
It is not the strongest force

Yes, I tried to come to work tonight and do the best I can
But in my pure heart, I knew it wasn’t right, and it was not my plan
Maybe the point wasn’t how much work I did or how much I earned
It was to be reminded of the lesson I had learned

Money was all I desired
But it only crushed what you inspired
My income was what I believed
Would be the only way to set me free

But when it disappeared
and I lost the path ahead
That’s when you came to see me
And I remember the words you said

When we first met, I didn’t know you were God
Because you looked extremely odd
You were a horse with a shiny silver horn
But, of course, a unicorn always comes to heal what has been torn

Forgive me for the fact that I forgot
That even the rich will someday rot
That truth always wins in the end
But we will remember the kindness of a friend

I have seen what happens when people value money over life
That’s why there is so much murder, theft, hypocrisy, and strife
Life is not about getting what we think we deserve
And if someone wants to be the best, then others they must serve

But not serve those who promise us financial gain
Because their words are deceptive and will only give us pain
They don’t actually mean or deliver the things they claim
And when their world crumbles, they always shift the blame

But if I abort myself by chasing a pot of gold
Then I forgot the meaning of the rainbow, as you told
For a second, I forgot, but I remember now
That my life matters just like a horse, chicken, or cow

I can’t think straight, and it seems I lost my mind
But you are the one who gives sight to the blind
So give me the eyes to see the inner heart of all
So I do the right thing when you give me the call

And now I know my gift is Something only I can do
Because I can’t refrain from speaking the things I learn from you
I will see you even if you take a different form
Because you will come when I need you to save me from the storm

Sometimes faith is hard because the world can be so loud
And what you speak to me is drowned out by the crowd
But I heard you speak to me, and that’s enough
To keep me going even when life is rough

You told me to go home because there is writing I must do
To remind myself the experience I had with you
You’ve done so much for me, but let me ask for one more thing
That you will heal my voice so I can praise you as I sing

And tell others that you will find them both inside and outside of church
And that they will find the answers if they don’t give up the search
And to those who can’t believe because they are full of doubt
Just like with Thomas, you’ll show up, and they’ll know what you’re about

Some call you Jesus, the light, truth, or the way
But that was not how you showed up to save my day
To me, you are always my unicorn named Honesty
Because I remember your words with every rainbow I see

You said rainbows are made when the light touches my tears
That’s why when I see the rainbow, it opens up my ears
And I listen to what my favorite unicorn has to say
Because you speak words to me in a most unusual way

I don’t understand exactly what you’ve planned
And there is still so much I don’t understand
But I need your horn of truth to guide me along the way
Because my God is a unicorn, even though it sounds totally gay

Matthew 6:19: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! 24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

I learned something extremely valuable while playing chess recently. I have a better success rate with the French Defense than I do Scandinavian or Caro Cann. This will be important information that I need to include in my book I am writing. This video is an explanation of my opening theory about these openings and how it fits my play style.

This is the story of Chad who wants to give his friend a gift.

Chad had been training his friend Matt in soccer. Matt had improved greatly at the game, but Chad noticed that Matt never brought a ball. It was no big deal because Chad brought the soccer ball that he had practiced with for years. It didn’t look so good, but it still worked fine. One day, Chad asked Matt if he even had a ball.

    “Matt, do you have a soccer ball to practice with at home?” asked Chad.

    “No, I never bought one because when I am at home, I am usually helping my father with work on the farm. I just practice with you once a week,” said Matt.

    “You are improving greatly, but I will buy you a ball so that you can practice on the days I am not available, and if you like, I can help your father with his farm to free up some time for you to play,” said Chad.

    “You would do all that for me? I don’t deserve you,” said Matt.

    “Of course, you’re my best friend and I want to train you to be as good at soccer as me someday!”

A few days later, Chad was driving to the nearest Walmart to buy a new soccer ball for Matt just like he promised, but as he crossed the intersection of Mulberry and Maplewood streets, a car drove at high speed through a red light and smashed directly into his car.

He was shocked but physically unharmed. He was sure his car had taken a beating, but he was more worried about whoever had crashed into him. He got out of his car to look and was horrified to see that the other car was completely smashed. His car was also beaten up on the passenger side, but he knew that he should call 911 immediately because whoever was inside was badly injured and possibly even dead. Chad immediately called 911 and begged them to send an Ambulance right away.

He stayed at the scene of the wreck long enough to be sure that help came. It was also a good chance to grab his cell phone and wallet because he certainly could not drive his car home in this condition. He wanted to make sure he had his most important things because he would not be coming back to this car.

Chad briefly considered checking the other car to see if the person was okay, but then realized that he couldn’t have done anything if they did need help other than calling for help like he already did. He did not have any First Aid training. As Chad had these thoughts, a police officer knocked on his window. He got out and talked to the police officer.

    “Can you tell me in your own words what happened?” asked the officer.

    “Yes, I was driving down Mulberry Street, and I had the green light at the intersection, so I continued. Then a car came from the right-side street driving about 70 miles per hour and ignored the red light.” Chad replied.

    “I am surprised you are not hurt. It looks like both cars will never be driven again. Do you have insurance?” asked the officer.

    “Yes, I have State Farm Insurance, but I am not worried because even if the insurance can’t fix the car, I can buy a new one. It’s also a small town, so I will be just fine walking until then,” Chad answered.

    “Thank you for your time, young man. We will take it from here. Thanks for calling so quickly,” said the police officer.

Chad proceeded to walk to Walmart because it wasn’t far. As it turned out, there were no soccer balls in stock at the moment. Chad even asked if there were more, but a Walmart associate told him they had been sold out and bought by tons of high school teams.

Chad felt defeated because he had made the trip to buy his friend a ball. He knew he wasn’t responsible for the car wreck but still felt guilty and wondered if he should have stayed home. He decided the best course of action was to give Matt his ball instead.

Chad walked home and then grabbed his soccer ball from his bedroom. He was tired and hungry from his long walk, so he ate a few tofu sandwiches and drank water to recover his strength. It was not completely dark yet, so Chad walked over to Matt’s house with the soccer ball. When he got there, a police officer was talking to Matt’s father, Fred. By the time Chad got close enough to hear anything, he only heard the end of the conversation.

    “Because the other driver who was impacted called 911 immediately, an ambulance already took your son to Barnes-Jewish Hospital,” said the officer.

    “Thank you, Officer Biggs; I will go right away,” said Fred.

    “Take me with you too!” said Chad.

    “Chad? What are you doing here?” said Fred.

    “I was the other driver who was hit in the side on Mulberry and Maplewood. I didn’t know that Matt was the driver who hit me, but I saw the damage to the car, so I knew he was hurt. I want to see him at the hospital in case I can be of any help,” said Chad

    “Yes, we must go at once, but why are you holding a soccer ball?” asked Fred.

    “It was a gift for Matt, the ball that we always practice with together, but that’s not important right now!” cried Chad.

They both got in Fred’s car and drove to the hospital as fast as they could. When they got there, Fred spoke to the front desk to find out which room his son Matt was in. When they got to the room that Matt was in, room 256, Matt was there, but he was unconscious and covered in blood. The doctor in charge asked who the two visitors were.

    “Can I help you, gentlemen?” asked the doctor.

    “I am here to see my son Matt, and with me is his friend Chad,” said Fred.

    “Matt is alive right now, but he lost a lot of blood in the accident. He will need a blood transfusion, or he may not live very long. Do you know his blood type?” asked the doctor.

    “His blood is O negative, just like his mother’s was,” said Fred.

    “Nurse Joy, check our supply of O-negative blood,” said the doctor.

After a few minutes, Nurse Joy came back and said that there was no O- negative blood remaining because of how rare it was. No one had been able to donate any recently.

    “If only my wife, Becky, were still alive. Her blood would have been a match, but mine is AB-positive! Why God? Why?” cried Fred.

    “Test my blood! I don’t know if it’s a match or not, but we have to try something. He is my best friend!” said Chad.

     The nurse took a small sample from poking Chad’s finger and filled a vial with it for the lab to test. They were told to wait a few minutes for the results. Chad was restless and frustrated.

    “Why was tonight such a terrible night? Why was Matt driving so far and recklessly just outside Podunk? How did an errand to buy a soccer ball turn into a medical emergency involving blood types? “Chad thought to himself.

Music was playing nearby. Chad stood up and walked towards the sound. He found the hospital gift shop that was full of many things. Chad was not sure if he should buy anything for Matt or not because his last gift idea destroyed his car and sent his best friend to the hospital. But then Chad saw something so beautiful he couldn’t look away. It was a bouquet of plastic white roses that looked just as good as the real thing. He immediately went to the counter and bought it but was not sure why he did. In any case, he walked back to Matt’s room, and the doctor told him that his blood was O-negative, just like Matt’s. They quickly arranged to take a much larger amount from Chad’s arm this time to give to Matt. Nurse Joy suggested Chad get something to drink after giving so much blood so he could rehydrate and restore his blood.

Chad sat down in the cafeteria and drank a bottle of water. He was joined by Fred, Matt’s father. Fred thanked Chad for being there at the right moment.

    “It was the least I could do. I don’t know why Matt was speeding or where he had been, but I suppose if he had crashed into something or someone else, there might not have been anyone to call for an ambulance,” said Chad.

    “Why were you driving on Mulberry?” asked Fred.

    “I was going to Walmart because I was going to buy a brand-new soccer ball to give him. I have been coaching him in soccer,” said Chad.

    “Matt did mention that he played soccer with you. I didn’t really think you would waste your time playing soccer with a poor farm boy.”

    “Matt is my friend, and the reason I am so good at soccer is because I practice a lot. Practicing every day and also teaching my teammates how to improve is all part of the game.” Said Chad.

    “But Matt isn’t even on your official team. Why should he bother playing a game when he doesn’t stand a chance at making a living from it.” Said Fred.

    “First of all, you don’t give Matt enough credit. He is, after all, just a man the same age as me who grew up in Podunk. If I can play soccer and pay my bills from my career in sports, then Matt probably could, too, if he wanted to. But I think it’s deeper than that,” said Chad.

    “What do you mean?” asked Fred.

    “Fred, why did you marry Becky?” Chad asked.

    “Because I loved her. Because I wanted to spend my life with her and have someone there every morning when I woke up that I could talk to and drink coffee with, someone to live for, someone to work hard for,” said Fred.

    “It’s really that simple, Fred. Sometimes, you love the players, and sometimes, you love the game. I love Matt and he loves soccer just like I do. Why wouldn’t I do what I can to make him happy? Why wouldn’t I do anything I could to help him recover from that car accident?”

    “Thank you, Chad. I don’t know anyone who cares for people like you do. You’re not like other guys your age,” said Fred.

Chad and Fred fell asleep in the hospital waiting room. In the morning, the doctor came and told them that Matt was awake and asked where the white roses came from. He asked to speak to whoever gave him the white roses.

    Chad went to see Matt in his hospital room. Matt seemed surprised that Chad had given him the white roses.

    “Chad, do you know what the white rose means?” asked Matt.

    “Not a clue, but they were beautiful. I had to give you something while I waited for the test results,” said Chad.

    “What test results?” asked Matt.

    “They had to test my blood to see if it could be used to save your life after the car accident,” said Chad.

    “I asked God to give me a sign that he still loved a sinner like me. And here you gave me the symbol of the pure heart. The white rose symbolizes selfless love,” said Matt.

    “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God,” said Chad.

    “And I did, Chad. I did see God.”

Finally, I have succeeded in making a customized Western Shogi set on my C0-40 board by using the westernized images from lishogi.org

This has the ideal appearance of what I think the appearance should be when playing Shogi. In this version, each piece still fits onto a square like in chess, but they retain their arrow pointing in the forward direction they go.

All I had to do was the work of resizing and aligning things perfectly. I am getting pretty good at using Inkscape. Because lishogi.org does not have personal blogs, I am posting this here because I am also a lover of the game of Shogi. And really, this is chess related because Shogi is just Japanese chess.

I personally think it would be awesome if the other lichess.org based sites like pychess.org and playstrategy.org also allowed this piece set for Shogi games. I also would like to know who actually designed these pieces that lishogi.org uses so that I can credit them. I am not claiming ownership of the design of the pieces, but they are all part of an open-source project and the SVG files were downloadable just like all the other sets.