Christmas 2015

We are creatures of habit.  That is the way that God made us.  With this thought in mind, have we ever considered how much of tradition is just a habit that we have?


This time of year we are faced with much that is in the way of "Tradition" and have seemed to loose sight of it in 21st century America.  The spirit of Christmas is not Santa Claus, gift giving or partying it up, although our modern Christmas has many roots in this.


Any student of the Bible can surmise that Jesus was not born on December 25th because St Luke tells us that "Sheppherds were in the field watching their flocks by night"  he was probably born in Spring or Fall.  Many hundreds of years ago, it was thought to be a good idea that the Feast of Christmas should be celebrated around the Winter solstice. 


Why this date?


Because on the shortest day of the year, the greatest light that humankind has ever known came into the world!


Before this time, many activities happened in pagan cultures to denote the shortening of winter days, and although many people still miss the meaning, let us not forget this!


As an interesting parallel, I find that in the Martial Arts, many styles focus on "traditions" that are more cultural than factual or useful.  bowing to a picture of a dead master becomes an act of worship or mindless habit rather than respect and gratitude for what that master did for his art.


In Christianity, we tip our hat to the baby Jesus and either keep him in a barn (His birth story) or leave him in on the cross (his sacrifice and death).


How often do we let him reign in our hearts?


Have a Merry Christmas!


Sincerely 

Your Brother in Christ

And  Senpai in Karate 

先輩

 

Milestones

This post is dedicated to a friend at karate, but to all who strive to reach a goal.

Recently my Kyoshi asked when I worked (evenings and nights) because he wanted to test one of my class mates for black belt.
He has been training for just as many years as I have, but just wanted to be a good fighter and has never been concerned with rank. He truly believes that the belt is "just a piece of cloth"
True as that may be, I want you to think about is this way:  It represents a milestone.

Websters online dictionary defines milestone this way:

an important point in the progress or development of something : a very important event or advance

In a previous post on self confidence I conveyed the story that when I was a novice (yeah... I still feel like one 27 years later as well!) the black belts would tell me "A black belt means that I am just beginning to learn"

They were right. A black belt means you have learned the basics to an acceptable degree of the martial arts school curriculum that you are involved in.  The senior instructors in the school / organization will review your abilities and confer on you that "piece of cloth" we call a black belt.

Now, depending on the school, the test may be rigorous or . . .  shall we say less than rigorous. I say this because there is a common occurrence in martial arts schools that a person can "purchase" their way to black belt with no real-world skills.  We have all heard the story how a person that claims to be a black belt in Karate easily loses a fight to a person who has never stepped on the mat a day in his life.  I readily admit that there are good street fighters out there than hold their own and win against a person trained in the arts.

So, what is my point?  My point is to simply state that this "piece of cloth" represents a milestone in your training and, for that matter in your life.  Although there are many programs out there that teach martial arts and self defense, and a person can "buy" a black belt, you my friend have paid for this through blood, sweat and tears!

That piece of cloth is a representation of those years of sweat and practice.  It is a representation of your dedication and development and marks an important event.

That event being "you are just beginning to learn."

I am by no means an expert in Japanese or Okinawan traditions, customs or culture but I do understand a few things. An upperclassman in a school (Japanese:  Senpai) has a responsibility to look out for and encourage the class mates in the ranks below him (kōhai).  As Westerners we have a difficult time understanding collective societies that value the group over the individual.  In America, it is all about us. In other cultures the family name, or group affiliation is more important.

I am encouraging you to test out.  In many many ways, you have already earned it.  Oh, and being Senpai I offer my help in practice at the inconvenient times, when I work until midnight and come to the Dojo with only 3 1/2 hours of sleep under my . . . belt (pardon the pun).

To my readers, I say this: any event that marks a milestone in your life should be stepped through and taken. If you have "done the time" in training and work, treat that pinnacle event as what it is: a milestone!

In other words, you earn(ed) it!

Sincerely 

Your Brother in Christ

And  Senpai in Karate 

先輩

The Biblical Church Part 9 Education

There are thee pertinent Bible verses that come to mind:

• My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6)

• Where there is no vision, the peopleperish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he (Proverbs 29:18)

• Put on the Whole armor of God  (Ephesians 6:10-18)

Knowledge

Ignorance of the law in court is no excuse.  Ignorance of how a piece of machinery works, if we try to repair it can result in an injury or fatality. Yet why do people think that ignorance of the word of God will still build a strong church or ministry?  Christian education in a church is just as important as preaching the gospel and winning people to God!  Soldiers are given basic training, then advanced training for their military occupation.  If the Church is an Army, we should be involved in spiritual combat training as well.  I’ve heard much talk from churches but little action!

I agree that a good portion of this combat is prayer.

 After all, the above mentioned scripture says that we wrestle not against flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12)!  The Bible doesn’t mince words when Paul told Timothy to “Study to shew thyself approved”  or Paul told the Thessalonian church to “Study to be quiet”  nor Solomon who stated “A wise man studieth to answer”  our words and actions must be chosen both prayerfully and carefully!

A biblical church should be a church that teaches sound doctrine.  The doctrine should also be backed up with actions to prove it as well!  Moses commanded the Israelites to teach their children the precepts of God.  To this day in Jewish tradition, they will read a specific passage from the Bible that asks and narrates the reason behind the Passover that it may be learned and remembered! There are other activities, but this one comes to mind the most:  Do this, and REMEMBER why you are doing it!

Vision

Please note on the second point that, unlike many who quote this verse (Proverbs 29:18) I have included the entire rendering.  Mainly due to this reason:  A vision of God and what he expects of us requires knowing the word of God.  God doesn’t operate outside of his word (Bible).  The more we have on the inside through prayer and study, (once again humbly I say this, and within reason, because God can do anything) the more God can use our faculties.  I say this very carefully, because the Book of Numbers tells us that God used a Donkey to speak to an unwilling prophet (Numbers 22:28).  This is a good lesson to remember on humility.  Even with this illustration, it does not mean a soldier can neglect his training to be ready for battle!  Soldiers are given orders to “Take that hill” or “Hold this position” or something else depending on the situation.  A church that supports missions, has a defined community outreach and objectives to meet that end, is evidence that they are doing something!

Battle Gear

No matter what age, soldiers must be dressed and trained for battle!

 

Lastly, if we are soldiers, we must wear all of our spiritual armor.  I call to your attention the various photos of soldiers in Iraq, who wore their helmets, flack vests and goggles.  They were trained and dressed for offensive combat and defensive protection.  In the scripture, the allusion is to a Roman soldier in battle gear.  The first items of armor (Verses 14-17) are concerned with having our vitals protected (breast plate, loins, helmet, shield) .  The helmet of salvation is on our head – where our brain is, concerns mental protection as well as the shield of faith.  Any firey darts (or arrows) can be deflected if our shielding is ready.  The Fifth is having our feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel.  This goes back to education and training!  Armies have always depended on marching on their feet.  How do we know the gospel if we only hear it once?  The offensive weapons are prayer and the Word of God.  Many times, we hear the word of God is likened to a sword, that cuts very fine.  My experience is that people want to use this sword like a club and eventually become seriously injured.  In other words, they step on their tongue or are caught in hypocrisy or scandal.  This was all from using the word of God as a bludgeon rather than a sword!

My point is simply this: Preparation and training does not waste time or energy!

A Biblical church has a mission and diversifies it’s resources to be effective on all fronts!

 

Sincerely 

Your Brother in Christ

And  Senpai in Karate 

先輩

Encouragement to Warriors

I recently heard a clip of the president's commencement speech to the graduates of Westpoint.  I must say that I was more than disappointed, but in a state of disgusted shock. 
Politics is a dirty business, and I don't like to discuss politics because no one has ever been argued into a political point of view or the Kingdom of God!  Proverbs 18:19  As I rolled the speech in my mind I thought to myself:

   If I were the commencement speaker what would I tell the West pointers?

So, this is what I would say:

ladies, Gentlemen, Graduates ....... officers
You represent the finest of the United States military.  A tradition which goes back to the sacred historical beginnings of our republic.  The finest officers that the Army has had  come from these halls.  With this commencement, you will enter active duty, and start a new phase, which is some ways is similar to where you have come from . . .at the bottom of the officers totem pole.  Some of you will serve your required time and return to civillian life, others will have a good army career and others will continue to retirement and help shift and steer where our military goes beyond our years.  

I am only here with you today (as president) and will soon be a wistful memory.  We are both servants of our beloved country and owe it a debt to serve.  But beyond that what do you really owe?  there is a debt to fulfill your Army commitment, and also a debt to the traditions which now live in you as West pointers.  You owe your Country, West Point and most importantly yourself!  You owe yourself the debt to be strong in adversity, humble in learning and proficient in leadership remembering always the humility of serving through leadership.

Remember who you owe:

Your Traditions
Your Country
Yourself

Fight on Warriors!

The Biblical Church Part 3: Order

Order:  You be the Judge!

The second perceptible trait is order.  Words inspire pictures, and the picture that always comes to mind with me is a military troop formation.  In my mind’s eye, I can see soldiers standing in duty uniform doing the drills to ensure uniform width and distance, then standing at attention.  But this is not every ones vision. This term is a lot like liberty. We understand what we can do with liberty or what we cannot do with order, but we never stop to consider the antithesis!
In liberty, we understand we have the ability to live according to the dictates of our conscience and beliefs, but somehow, stopping to think about what we should do with liberty is never considered.  Thomas Jefferson best stated:  

   . . .  liberty can consist only in the power ofdoing what we ought to will, and in not being constrained to do what we oughtnot to will. 



Liberty shouldn't mean libertine.  The thing we should do and be with liberty is model an example.  Modeling example behavior means to inspire others to be the best that they can be in their particular choice of life.  That behavior serves as a role model for the less spiritually or financially fortunate. Whether we want to admit it or not, people look at us and expect to see something different, not the same as everyone else.  And any extreme examples on either side will not attract people, but detract them and repel people.  Think about this:  
 When was the last time you saw an Amish missionary?

Let us look at order:

The antithesis of order is proficiency which is then followed by creativity.  Allow me to paint a mental picture of Order. Imagine a television commercial for office equipment where a group of people in old-fashioned office attire, in a grey dusty room are all moving in unison, with dull, dry insipid faces.  Perhaps like the old movie Brazil or a stereotypical image of the governmental offices in the old Soviet Union. But order is so much more than this.  In the time of the Japanese samurai, they would study flower arranging and calligraphy, which took time, effort and order to create.  Consider the musician that has spent hours learning music theory, technique and chord structure.  All of this takes discipline and order.  It takes hours of practice to play another composers score with ease.  But what happens when this is accomplished?  Out of this order and discipline comes the ability to mix, meld, blend and improvise to make more harmony. It is not destruction but construction!
 I have an acquaintance that plays guitar. He doesn’t like structured music. He just likes to "Jam". I respect that, but believe that there is more to music and for that matter the church!

  Have you ever tried to build something? Whether it is a bird house, install a faucet or fix a fence.  There is a certain amount of order and structure in how things are put together to make them function. This is also true with standard practices in construction and repair work.  Even from menial tasks there is organization that ultimately results in creativity and proficiency.  Ever stop to consider that not just music, but many trades and even degrees are called “arts”?

When we speak of order in the church, the stereotype is often of an antiquated, quiet and even stogy church service that is so insipid it could put you to sleep.  This is one common stereotype.  With the reawakening of the church to the Pentecostal movement Joel 2:28  and Acts 2:4, 39  

we were introduced to another stereotype.  This was with people running and rolling in the aisles,   praying ecstatically and loudly with the Spirit and with understanding   (see Romans 8:26  and Jude 20-22).
Some church movements had no respect for an order of service or a preaching minister. The outsiders view was a cacophony of noises, emotion and pandemonium.
But, somewhere in between these two extremes we see a proper balance in the church.   Many opponents of Eastern philosophy speak of the duality of the Yin – Yang symbol as being bad and evil.  An interesting counter point is that they believe in a proper balance in all things.  This was the founding tenant behind Buddhism.  I do not believe in the Hindu and Eastern religions, but we must concede the point that a proper balance is needed in all things Ecclesiastes 7: 16-17 Ecclesiastes 3. 

Interestingly, Asian culture used this idea in medicine as well as philosophy!

I noted on several occasions that Pentecostal Bishops would remark that even the old time Pentecostals would become offended if the order of service varied from what was expected.  They would state “… if we forget this… then some think  ‘God didn’t move’..”   One minister compared our order of service to the Catholic and Orthodox church:  IE do not tamper with it!!

Its amazing how the more things change, the more they stay the same!

Until next time:

Your Brother in Christ

And  Senpai in Karate 

先輩