Game Without Rules

By Kalman Maduro

In this book, the author builds on a simple premise and ideology that everyone wants to get to heaven but too many are failing to do the works that are required to get there. He likens the eventuality of that person reaching their goal to one being on a journey having no map or well-thought-out plans of the proper route to take. As a result, they become derailed in a quest for the eternal goodness. They become twisted and mangled in thoughts and deeds, beguiled by an adversary who wants to take them in another direction. And the job of the adversary is made easy, because he seduces and paints the false picture that the secular pleasures in life are rather what is fulfilling and brings these to fruition center stage in their lives any and all such things to do with an unscrupulous social life and the full works, to include marriage and divorce in which they get caught up and led astray. He also does not omit to administer the sweet pills of greed, pride, and selfishness. At the end of the day, what it boils down to is that one can otherwise miss the mark on their journey, particularly if they figured they could reach their destination based upon wishful thinking only and not play by the rules. The reading has been made very interesting by lots of humor built in, but there is nothing fictional about the rules we ought to adhere on this journey.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Aug 1, 2019
• ISBN: 9781644628782

Book preview

1

Think—T-H-I-N-K—is a small fellow, a small word that beckons all to come and borrow of himself freely, to aid reasoning; measure and examine prenotions and purpose; take the weights of consequences and ramifications on their proper scales—which all further lends assistance in the attainment of goals and objectives. This, we find, is a support system in itself which gives way to sound judgment and resolve, culminating finally, as the brainchild of your efforts. The wisest of conclusion is born!

I’ll say your life depends on him, then in your rather prompt response, you will say, what does that really mean?

My mom had a way of saying that if you ever had to repeat the story I am telling you, please do not say that you simply heard it somewhere, you can say that I Ruby told you so. Well, you can say that Kalman Maduro told you this one: Many times you are messing up, is simply because you are failing to consult him:

• He is your ineluctable path to a successful journey.

• He is sine qua non to your fruitful living.

• He is your noble trusted friend.

• Respect, treat and recognize him as your preceptor and your life support system.

So, superficially, it’s a very simple message, a simple statement, but one so powerfully didactic it may very well be the missing X factor in the "absolute personal equation" of your life’s journey, and a statement which ultimately overwhelmed the determination of your fate (failure to think –a dependency of your fate). Did I wake you up? Get the fact of life: You just can’t afford to forget. You are about to face the Trial of your life here!

No joke! You may, at this point, disdainfully exclaim.

I will, for the moment, pretend to understand your skepticism, but while I explain in so many ways throughout the course of this book, I ask one thing of you, hortatively: please keep an open, open mind. For it is written, My people are destroyed for the lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge (Hosea 4:6).

So humble yourself and harden not your hearts. I trust in your intelligence. See, you have already discerned my Christian faith! So fasten your seat belts, and let’s go for the ride that will edify your mind, body, and spirit.

It will be a golden opportunity for you to review and assay you / to apply the litmus tests / to configure or reconfigure you / having solved for X.

Let’s try another adage. What you sow is what you will reap.

Ah, yeah. I’ve heard of that one before!

You see, the writer feels that this world has, for the largest part, imprecated itself. Yes! In an otherwise gorgeous and extremely beautiful world, some rather untoward and painful events seem to continually beset us. Do you imagine, for a moment, that the chips are simply just falling where they may? Or is it perhaps because we have forgotten what type of seeds we have planted? My thoughts are that we may have, at least, just agreed on one thing: there is a further need to prenote and agree on the guide posts of our philosophical values. So let’s reason together; let’s get started.

I will go first! Tools of the trade would have taught us that you work toward a solution only after making determination as to exactly what you are, in the first place, trying to solve. I am of firm conviction that one of our world’s biggest problems is the fact that everyone wants to go to heaven, but too many are duped, goaded, corralled, ushered (or whatever the right words are) to the wrong que and (actually) consummate the purchase for the wrong ticket! Why purchase a ticket for a musical concert if you indeed had your eyes set on tickets for the Super Bowl?

We appear so puzzled as if the answers to these rather simple questions are abstruse and rocket science to figure.

But I have placed my confidence in you that you have already figured this one out. By nature, we lean on our own understanding and, of course, can potentially be led astray.

It’s simple!

We forget that like any undertaking or aspect of life, there is a process, analogous to taking a trip—that is, the beginning of a long journey:

With that train of thought, how then did you forget to plan the trip?

I’m believing that you will agree with me that if it is your intention to build a house, you would have firstly:

• counted the cost,

• acquired your building plan, and secured your blueprints,

• and in the earliest stages of construction, thought it wise to ensure a solid foundation to sustain one of the most important factors, which is the structural integrity of the building.

Let us bethink the scenario leading up to this: with regards your trip—kindly explain the omission of a Road Map and your GPS alert system, as you venture into foreign territories over the hills—furthermore giving consideration to your lack of skills in environmental science and ecology. It is so vital not only to be cognizant of what you need to fulfil your objectives for the smoothest flight with as less turbulence as possible on your trip, but also the need to be cognizant of the things that you do not need, which as a result you would have to omit from the equation and planning for a successful journey.

Please don’t lose the point or run ahead—remember, I still have time on the clock to continue my argument, so as agreed, keep an open mind and stay calm, because in the context of this whole message, your GPS is not what you thought! There would not be an argument if you refer to it all as philosophical anthropology, but in the realm of things here; GPS is not the global positioning system you use in your automobile but, rather, the following:

• Greed,

• Pride, and

• Selfishness of man!

Back to basics, and the founding principles this message portends to address:

Your journey—the path of your life from point A to point B:

Have you decided on a method of transportation?

You noted that it’s a far country, so I take it that it would obviously be by airplane.

No doubt that you checked your passport that it had not yet expired, but did you check if there are any restrictions or special requirements in order to visit that country? And in addition, did you work through the finances to see if you had sufficient cash to carry you through?

Okay, I got it! I see!

You are just going cross-country, so you decided to take the shortcut through the woods and over the hills to the next city—and though you have not done this before, your own intelligence will guide you through the safest route. No need to consult the geologists, engineers, or others who have taken the trail before. And to add insult to injury, as they would put it, you have not only disregarded the need for maps and the like, you have actually defenestrated all other Manuals and other things that would later be of some importance in your life as well.

Smart move, amigo! (Just being sarcastic, of course).

It would be vain to linger in or belabor the point! But before I let go here, it is of critical importance to bring to your attention the perilous journey over the hills where the mountain lions live—and as if I have to tell you then, what can happen to you (if you are not prepared).

And oh, also please note that life is a one-time journey—one chance to do it right!

Forgive me for being so silly. I knew that I did not have to tell you that part!

But isn’t it ironically somewhat confusing that sometimes people can take obdurate positions and attitudes, with rebuttals which, in essence, say, It’s my life. I’ll do what I want, when and how I please. Friends, there are no words to explain how spiritually detrimental such assertion play out!

This writing will examine and expound on several other areas (some not so obvious) in which we err and contravene what has been stipulated in the Manual’s oftentimes not unwittingly but deliberate selfish choices (at our own perils).

Think about it! And shall we continue?

2

Like as a Lion that is greedy of his prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.

—Psalm 17:12

But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

—1 Timothy 6:9

In a rather elaborate way, Greed, at some time on your journey, has introduced himself as being one that will look out unconditionally for you. I am the good guy, he says. "My goal is to treat you and your needs with the utmost of priority. But what he did not say is that in the process, he will make sure you become an addict—scilicet, the more you get, the more you will want! He proclaims and sets no boundaries for himself on such ideological premise.

He sets no moral standards or values!

He is presumptuously in pursuit of the procurements of values to satisfy a craving!

He pays no attention to race, religion, or cultures to determine from whom he may pilfer. His sole elation is to watch his treasure chest grow! And that’s his chorus!

Take warning: beware of him!

Now, here is a story: three guys went on a treasure hunt, and they did indeed find lots of buried gold in the forest. Two, who had sided with each other, said to the third that since they had been working all day, he should go back into town to get some food for them to eat. While he was gone, the greedier one took the first fatal shot at the other and decided, after the kill, to go in the other direction over the hills with the treasure on his back. He was so far in thought with his plans on how he will be the happiest man and how he will spend his newfound wealth that he did not know what hit him when a mountain lion crept up behind him and ate his ars—— Okay, that is not a word, but let’s make it do.

The morals of the story here is that the deception of Greed is such that too often the minds of the players are deluded and don’t see that rather than sharing the slices of pizza, their actions could cause it accidentally to fall overboard the windward side of the ship, into the deep ocean, and as a result, no one gets to eat! A little humorous, but you get the point.

Greed is a deceptive monster. He wants it all! He suffers no compunction in taking from the poor to build his empire. The same fellow that has robbed you one hundred dollars will later give one dollar discretely to your charitable cause and proclaims his generosity. He will let you know at that time that he is living in accordance with the Word, that he is caring about the poor—for the scriptures say, and he will quote, I love my neighbor as myself.

Meanwhile, let’s see if we can figure this out, for it is sound and abstruse: because of his level of incognizance, he has choused the needy, defalcated from his clients’ accounts, and peculated his community’s property and trust.

A bit to unpack, but the bottom line is that after making his first million, he is not content; he goes for the gusto. His new marker or gold post is the next million, then he jumps to set the record for being in the ten-million mark, and then the hundred-million mark, and then… You get the picture!

I believe when the Bible says that it is easier for a camel to pass through a needle’s eye than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven, it may be synonymous with saying Greed is the ultimate obstruction blocker if you’re aiming to get into heaven’s gate.

I may remind you once in a while along the way to apply your litmus tests.

And please do note that you are not necessarily a greedy person just because you are wealthy. It would not be true to say that God wants us all to be poor. There are many wealthy people who are indeed munificent and do give generously. You just need to know and be aware of the differences here.

Greed will not only unjustifiably claim that he is entitled to the largest share, but he will actually rob you somewhere in the process! He has no conscience! He will kill in the process to secure it all, without equitable consideration! He does not see eye to eye with Mr. Altruistic. They are enemies! But remember, though, thou shalt not steal!

I would not be able to guess what side you were on as you conducted your litmus test on greed, but one thing is for sure, this guy shows up at every concert, every function—let’s say he shows up in too many aspects of your life. You remember when you had to go to hell and back, waiting more than ten years to share the small piece of land Dad left in his will. Uncle Harry wanted the biggest and best portion, Aunt Mary wanted the top corner lot, and how it went on and on and on. And do you remember your childhood neighbor who always wanted to rob you of your marbles? Well, let’s end the list there. It could run the length of the Mississippi.

Do you know what is intriguing though? This incorrigible foe is so notorious that he has even become ironically telegenic. Yes, there is a TV series called American Greed. The stories are incredulous!

Let’s say I run a quick synopsis of one story by you. Perhaps this will help elucidate the whole nature and persona of Mr. Greed.

Two siblings found out that a glitch in a customer’s voucher system will not detect an invoicing filching scheme, so they not only billed for much higher amounts than the actual sale price of the item, but continued to bill and bill and bill until their pilferage and dishonesty was detected. Of course, it turned out that either would blame the other for generating the falsified documents, but don’t forget the deception of Greed. He could be a backstabber as well.

But what if he shows up disguised? In other shapes, forms, and fashions?

Don’t pretend to be so naive. You yourself can make a list of many ways you have seen him appear to friends, family, and other people. The news of the supposed honest investor who bilked million from unwitting investors and ended up in jail with a one hundred and fifty years’ sentence was all over the news.

And I wouldn’t believe you if you said you have never heard the phrase "wolf in sheep’s clothing; to include supposed pastors" who are in it for the money and are deceiving many followers. I will advise that you carry the remembrance of that phrase throughout, as you read this book.

Dishonesty and Greed are inseparable best friends. They travel together!

The long or short story here is, Greed should be removed from your list of best friends and moved to the opposite end of the list, which names those that you have to constantly keep an eye on.

And (by the way), did you know, for examples, that Greed goes corporate?

You may best refer to him as being ubiquitous—he is everywhere, in all places, in every shape and form!

Since you did not quite get me on that—yes—you can find him in the churches as well! A recent article read Prominent pastor charged with fraud plans to turn himself in. And there are many such true stories.

The probability is high that you may have even been a victim yourself!

How many times did it make the news where lending institutions, fiduciaries, or some trusted entity violated the trust of clients by some dishonest maneuver; purloin—all in all when it comes down to it, actually stole from—their clients’ accounts?

Let me fill you in on a firsthand example: as this author writes, it has only been two days ago I called my bank to reverse charges by a vendor from whom I had earlier made an online purchase, and who were beginning to continually charge my account monthly for approximately forty dollars, shrouded under the presumption of a subscription, hoping that many people would not notice the inaccurate and false charge. This, in my opinion, is one of the higher forms of ball-face greed and blatant robbery! If I may add, not sure what our government, to wit, law enforcement, is doing about these illicit acts though, ’cause I’m sure credit card companies will confirm that this is an everyday occurrence of ginormous proportions—and further, transactions of the hosts’ accounts that can easily be traced to the perpetrators.

So can I let go of your hand and let you stand here all alone for a moment? I sense that you have wrapped up the discernment of this guy into a science and can identify Greed if he does pursue you, and you will, of course, advise him to stay away. Good job!

Just don’t let it slip your mind for a minute—the mere fact that he is ignorant and does not discriminate makes you a vulnerable target in his sight at any time: you could potentially be his next victims—he will take you in as an individual, partnerships or corporate conglomerate, and if you didn’t know, he even ventures globally. And in any of these, he could not care less if you are small or large.

Mr. Greed is a force to be reckoned with, simply hideous; enormously treacherous—that’s how dangerous this guy is!

And that’s just keeping it all real!

If you are his coworker, you should take your lunch at a different hour!

If he offers you as much as a loaf of bread, let him know that you are on a strict diet.

If he invites you to his wedding, let him know that your doctor had planned your surgery for that same day.

If you later hate yourself for getting caught up with him, just do not say that I did not warn you!

As a final note here: if it was at all possible, I would offer guidance and advice to everyone, to omit this fellow as an entity in the equation of your life’s journey. He is of no use, no value, but since it is inevitable that he will show up, you should note that his value in the equation is equal to zero.

3

When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room.

—Luke 14:8

Let’s visit our acquaintance, Mr. Pride:

He wants to outshine them all! I’ve got to be the best, look the best, be of the highest esteem!

He seeks bossdom! King of the jungle! Does not fail to make his request for plenary powers!

Pride does not like taking orders! He gives orders and demands respect!

He has got to be on the top shelf! With the best of the elites.

Pride seeks his own glory.

And did you know that one of his prized possessions is a double standard?

He fails miserably when he meets at the crossroads with situations that beg compromise.

He even has a slogan, Don’t get in my way, or I will make you pay. He already carries a grudge and will hurt you in the process without thinking about it twice. If you thought I like telling stories to make my point, here is another one: there was once a beauty pageant where, for one contestant, the thought of not winning and taking second best caused that contestant to literally fatally harm to the favorite to win contestant. That’s no joke!

Here too could be so much misconception. For Pride in himself will make you think that there is nothing wrong with his inordinate amount of self-aggrandizement. And he may seemingly have a point. For indeed, one may ask, what’s wrong with wanting to be the best and wanting to win your basketball championship?

But aren’t we mixing apples with oranges?

Pride’s posture is akin a script taken from the medical world in one sense:

You have the prescription, but unless you buy a pair of magnifying glasses to read the very fine prints, your doctor wouldn’t tell you of the severe side effects. You are to believe your blood pressure will be restored to normal levels, but my darn, why has my doctor not sincerely explained that I will be damaging my liver in the process (one of the most important organs in my body). And do not get this incorrectly either; you know for a fact that our doctors for the most part are like heaven-sent!

On the flip side of Mr. Pride, what he did not tell you is that in too many cases, his unscrupulous tactics to win the game is by cheating. He would have no problems with that! And that’s why you are cautioned to dissociate yourself from this side of town where this guy hangs out.

El Hombre, okay—I’ll give the male side a break this time—Mrs. Pride appears in so many different sizes, shapes, and colors that she may cause your head to spin. Careful! She also comes in a variety of flavors!

One form, for example, that can leave you speechless is that there are those who pursue her so desperately that they would even pay dues to make it. They have learned that since I can’t make it on my own, I will supposedly gainfully affiliate with and survive well under the aegis of the club. Sounds like I am against clubs? No! Not at all. Fraternities, sororities, various associations, and the like may hold some interesting and purposeful properties, but when the flip side of Ms. Pride sets in, and you have to prove you are up to par to join by drinking a full gallon of rum, that’s only one of the areas where the flip side of Pride gets not only very ugly and nasty but also inequitable and downright inept!

Be ever so mindful of your indulgence in the wrong aspects of Pride.

She will hug you, take you in, comfort you, and if you seem to be advancing beyond her accomplishments, you will suddenly hear a loud horn blow—it will be as if someone has just suddenly snapped you backward and screamed, Watch out! And besides, she has the capability to turn on a dime on you just to ensure you are taken out of the way!

Okay, so just when you thought you would be able to identify Mr./Mrs. Pride in a lineup, you failed to match cases with their real persona! No problem—I’ll just slake your memory with a little more:

In times of minor conflicts or full-blown battle, Pride will not take no for an answer and will not back down! He/she must be forced to surrender!

And true to their disposition, Pride is a global phenomenon.

In his pursuit of the glory to be noted as the star of the show, he accepts any challenge in his quest to be the first to conquer and colonize and to build his empire.

Do you have a few seconds for the chorus? (Literally, I’m begging to repeat this one more time).

So can I let go of your hand and let you stand here all alone for a moment? I sense that you have wrapped up the discernment of this guy into a science and can identify Pride if he does pursue you, and you will of course advise him to stay away. Good job!

Just don’t let it slip your mind for a minute, the mere fact that he is ignorant and does not discriminate makes you a vulnerable target in his sight at any time: you could potentially be his next victim—he will take you in as an individual, partnerships or corporate conglomerate, and if you didn’t know, he even ventures globally. And in any of these, he could not care less if you are small or large.

He is a force to be reckoned with, simply treacherous—that’s how dangerous this guy is!

Take heed—don’t say that I did not warn you!

If you invite him to your wedding, you are starting a war if he notes that one of his rivals was assigned a seat above the row in which he is to sit. Be mindful of his disposition.

He should not be a welcomed guest on your buddy list.

If he happens to be a family member, in the very rare cases, you should always take his side and commend him for his brilliance. Be mindful and double-check your calculations if you must disagree with him.

When you sit for a drink, it is okay to repeatedly tell him that the day you were planning to go on the hiking trail, how he had come up with the most brilliant idea.

He likes to be reminded that when you all went fishing how he was the one that caught the biggest fish.

Okay, know when to end it—darn it! Don’t allow this fellow to cause you to sin your soul by feeding him sweet lies.

In our final note here, we should be reminded that Mr. Pride also equates to zero as you try to figure out your journey’s puzzle attempting to solve for the missing values—that is, as you try to determine what needs to be left in or taken out, what exactly is the value of this,