Sensei Michael

This was originally published when Sensei Michael was in China. Many westerners who come over to oriental societies have to immediate grapple with one reality – the strong culture and presence of gifts-giving and even bribery that takes place in our societies. It can range from the blatant (Indonesia or Vietnam) to the indirect (China or Philippines) to the “legalised and regulated” (Singapore!). I remembered my first encounter with gifts as a teacher – I got a very expensive book from a parent. It was very, very difficult for me to return that gift without offending the parent so I approached my principal for advice. Public servants in Singapore (of whom teachers are a part of) have very strict instructions regarding gifts (declare value, report to superiors, etc), to avoid any problems or even appearance of bribery. I decided to make that book publicly available to all my colleagues. Over at my school, I encountered Korean parents – and I realised that Korean parents took their gift-...

I have people, both those who seek God and those who are just curious, ask me this. What I want to say, first and foremost, is that Christianity is not a set of rituals you perform to get you to heaven. Neither is it a set of rules you follow that teach you ‘How to be good’. No, Christianity is our relationship with God our creator, who loves us. It can be traced to an event occurring nearly 2000 years ago, at the birth of Jesus Christ. The most important aspect about God is His great love for us, and His desire for us to have a beautiful and wonderful life. “…I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly.” John 10:10 “And God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good…” Genesis 1:31 We men have always wanted to walk our own way, to decide our paths, but inevitably we have always did the wrong thing. Our history of wars speaks clearly of this – peace is so untenable. Even within our personal lives, how many of us dare to claim never to have evil thoughts? “...

It has been a wonderful year of 2003. During that year, I lived a life many could only dream of. I had struck out as a realtor and moved on to manage a private investment fund. This private investment fund has consistently returned about 10% every month, and allowed me not to need a job. With the time given to me, I have learnt web design, have continued to minister to children in chapel worship and have even cut a worship album. I founded a company to train pupils in leadership and entrepreneurial skills. I worked only an hour or two each day from home, and supported my wife (by being a house-husband!). And of course, since I still love teaching, relief teaching became a part of me. Everything came crashing down on me about Oct 2003. It was nobody’s fault but mine. I knew very well that I could manage about 2%-3% per month without major risks to my capital (due to capital protection measures I took). But I was consumed by greed and wanted bigger yields. I was arrogant and thought my f...

It was always with great amusement that I read in the message boards about the players calling upon the ‘dice gods’ and blaming them for horrible dice rolls (expecially those users of Dicey). Personally, I do believe, not in the ‘dice gods’ but in the Dice God, the Maker of All That Moves, the Creater of the Laws of the Universe. And my Friend. I remember myself feeling really down recently due to some events at my workplace. I was making the move for US1, when I decided to roll for a Tech. I prayed and told God this, “Lord, I would really love to get a good Tech now. Can I have that please?” I got Industrial Technology. My wife, a long-time companion and support to me, heard me sighing in half wonder and I told her what had happened. She encouraged me to give a testimony of how He had remembered me even in the small insignificant thing called dice in a small insignificant pursuit called games. I believe the time is due for me to give him the praise that is due Him. It all began early ...

As a youth, I have seen the lives of many Christians about me. Some of them made me so sick – they were really hypocritical. But there were two who stood out. I was an atheist then, and I always mocked at them when they talked to me about their Christian God. But the fact that they still remained friends with me, and still talked to me about this Christian God made me think – what is so special about this religion that they just do not hate me or tried to run me down? Perhaps it was the Bible? Perhaps I could find out something from there? The thing that made them tick? And the study of the Bible was indeed the very event that brought me on the road to knowing and finding God. Life with God is very different from life on your own. Truly, I understand why those who are self-sufficient do not want to be Christians – they don’t feel they need God. But surely for all who are humble enough to seek Him, He will give guidance and strength for the rigours of life. I am one who has known God si...

Somewhere along life’s journey, you get to experience some events that will change your viewpoint of who you are and who you really mean to God. I have always believed I have the charm and people skills to succeed in everything I do. How wrong I was! If it were not for the Lord’s blessings upon my life in my past two careers, I would not have met the people who mentored me and who gave me the support and chances to excel. If it were not for the Lord’s blessings upon the works of my hands, I would not be able to do half of what I was doing them. Ten Talents Media was a personal disaster for me. I am a good teacher, but I needed people around me for me to sound off. I needed the security of a fixed salary in my life, without which I become quickly discouraged and fearful. I had none of them when I run Ten Talents Media. Not only that, but I made a mistake of not making back-up plans in case my primary market (my former pupils) failed – which was what exactly happened. But most important ...