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I am reaching for the goal of black belt. I am so very close now. This Kata, Bassai Dai, which means “to storm a fortress”, is one more goal, helping me to reach nearer to that ultimate goal of black belt.

What would I tell someone who is reaching for a goal, but it seems so hard and even sometimes impossible?

Life has disappointments and frustrations. Keep searching to find a way. Sometimes waiting is necessary, (that’s hard too) and always keep praying. Keep persevering. Keep faith in God, because the truth is, He cares. He says, don’t worry, because He will take care of everything.

This verse explains this well for me:
Isaiah 41:10 says, “fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed for I am your God, I will help you, I will strengthen you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand”

I hope to help others reach their goals in martial arts. I also, want to help others know about God, as I am reaching for the Spiritual goal everyday- to follow Jesus.

” I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus”. Phil. 3:14

A bo staff is a weapon that was originally used very early in Okinawa Japan. In 1477 the emperor of Japan made it illegal for people to use swords, so people came up with their own weapons to use for self defense. Later the people of Japan needed to defend themselves against the violent clans in power. So the farmers decided to use equipment as weapons. It is said that the watering buckets they carried on a long stick across their shoulders was turned into a bo staff. The original staff was heavy, and made from wood and iron. Later the wooden bo staff was created.

I really enjoy practicing weapons. It is a lot of fun. I have created two different bo katas, one basic and the other more advanced. I also practice nunchakus which is a different kind of weapon.

The majority of karate is using weapons like our elbows, knees, hands, and feet. In sparring, gear is worn during training to protect, while using blocks, and also attacking with kicks and strikes and many more tactics.

A Christian deals with spiritual battles every day. A spiritual weapon is the bible, it helps you through your whole life with struggles, worries, temptations, and everything you need.

“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” 2 Cor. 10:4

Here are some Spiritiual weapons for a Christian to use:

1. The Word of God – The Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. Eph. 6:17
2. Prayer – Praying always in the Spirit. Eph. 6:18
3. Worship – “he appointed singers unto the Lord, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the Lord; for his mercy endureth for ever.” 2 Chron. 20:21
4. Thanksgiving- Phil. 4:6-7
5. Submitting to the Commander of the Army – God – “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” James 4:7

We are told to put on the armor of God and use it. It protects from spiritual forces of darkness, and attacks with truth. (Ephesians 6:10-18

The breastplate of righteousness
The shoes of peace
The shield of faith
The helmet of salvation
The sword of the spirit
The waist belt of truth

Oss!

Sensei Isaac

-Co-written by Sensei Isaac/L.M. – Manger of Operations

I made this for my family. They all loved it. I hope you enjoy.

Oss!

Isaac

Ingredients

• 6 boneless skinless chicken thighs
• 6 strips bacon
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic 
• Smoked paprika

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
• Mix the brown sugar, salt, and pepper, garlic together
• Start by seasoning the chicken with brown sugar mixture.
• Wrap the chicken up in the bacon. Put in baking dish.
• Sprinkle with paprika
• Bake for about 45 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken thighs reaches 165 degrees F.

• 

Because baked is better than fried!

Ingredients

1/3 cup flour

2 tablespoons smoked paprika

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon black pepper

2 teaspoon salt

3 tablespoons butter

10 chicken wingettes just means tips removed, thawed

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Bake on lower rack.
• Line a baking sheet with foil. Dot the foil with the butter, there is no need to melt it ahead of time but you can if you would like.
• In a medium sized bowl, combine flour, paprika, garlic powder, and salt and pepper.
• Coat both sides of each wing fully in the flour mixture and place on the baking sheet. Make sure the butter pieces are evenly spaced out among the wings.
• Bake wings for 30 minutes.
• Turn wings over and bake for an additional 15 more minutes or until crispy and fully cooked.

Martial arts is good for many things. About a little over a year ago, I decided to start exercising more. I do martial arts about 5 days a week, for about 2 hours each day. I also run around two miles, 3-4 times a week with my brother, Max. When my dad arrives home from work, my brother and I lift weights with him, for about an hour. I really enjoy this. I have also realized that running helps me when I feel stressed.

I decided recently, I want to eat healthier and focus on a better well balanced diet. I am cutting out most sugar and dairy. Eating more whole grains, and whole foods.

God has given me this life. I want to be a good steward, and take care of what He has given me.

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;  you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” 1 Cor. 6:19-20

I want to share this recipe with you. These energy nuggets are really, really good. I make them up as often as I can to keep in the fridge.

ISAAC’S ENERGY NUGGETS

2 Cups Oatmeal

1 1/2 Cups Unsweetened Coconut Flakes

1 1/4 Cups All Natural Peanut Butter

2/3 Cup Honey

2 Tsp Vanilla Extract

Mix everything together in a large bowl. Try to form into a small ball. If it does not gather together, and too dry, add a bit more peanut butter, or honey, or both. Do this back and forth, until you taste the right amount of balance of peanut and honey flavor for you. When it is pretty easy to form into a ball, you can place the whole bowl in refrigerator for about thirty minutes, then pull it back out to form all the balls. It just makes the forming part a little easier. But I have also formed the balls right away. When you are all finished, place all the balls in an air tight container, and keep in fridge.

I hope you enjoy.

-Sensei Isaac

It takes a lot of strength of character to be a truly good teacher.  I am committed to being this truly good teacher. I have enjoyed teaching children, adults, including my mom.  I have also taught my younger brother as we train together. 

STRENGTH –

There is the physical strength in Karate.  And there is also, the strength of character or attitude. To be a truly good Karateka (Karate student), one must learn strength of character.  Training one’s attitude to think in ways, which are good, and bring good results.  

A good teacher has been trained this way, while a student, and then is ready to teach others.  A good teacher excels in patience, kindness, humility, meekness, along with the physical skills.  A good teacher will FIGHT to keep his own character at highest level of excellence. 

PATIENCE – 

God is patient with me.  I am always learning in life. I have had some strong, patient, kind, teachers in my life, who have helped me to succeed.  

 I will be patient with you in your process.   I will strive to show or explain in a “different” way, as many times needed, to help you achieve a goal, if that seems necessary.  

MUTUAL RESPECT-

An agreement between student and teacher is highly important.  The student is agreeing, he/she is willing to learn, and respects the teacher.  The teacher is agreeing to teach the student with much respect  in full commitment, to succeed.  

Communication is very important.  So please communicate, and communicate what you need. 

Sensei Isaac

“And the Lord’s servant…must be kind to everyone, able to teach…”

2 Timothy 2:24

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness and self-control” Gal. 5:22-23

 

Strengthening the Fighter

This article written by Sensei Isaac and co-authored – L.M. Sellars, Manager of Operations

True Victory – Is Faith in our Lord Jesus Christ!

“Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well.  This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands.  In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome,  for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.  Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.” 1 John 5:1-5

I will always enjoy experiencing victory through goals and hard work. But the greatest victory ever, is what Jesus did in fighting sin and death, by dying on a cross for my sins, and raising again from the dead. And He gives me strength to fight through the battles of life, achieve Spiritual goals, all the way to my forever home in heaven with Him – victory in Jesus.

I hope you have this Victory!

(Author Sensei Isaac – Co-Author, L.M. Sellars, Manager of Operations)

It can be challenging to exercise strength and passion, balanced with control in Karate. It takes a lot to think through every part of Karate. We take small steps, and then add more, and more. Learning to be strong, yet, wise, be all in with passion, yet have the self-control is a big job.

It’s very much the same as a Christian. God wants us to be all-in with our faith in Jesus Christ. Remembering it’s only because of Him, we have strength and power. This keeps us humble. Self-control is one of the Fruits of the Spirit. I hope I always will be able to train in Karate and keep learning how to exercise all these things in right balance.

But even more, I am determined and decided for the rest of my life to be all-in, to exercise my faith in Christ. One step with Jesus, and another. God builds my character and my life, for His purposes and glory.

“Love the LORD your God WITH ALL your heart and WITH ALL your soul and WITH ALL all your strength. WITH ALL your mind” Deuteronomy 6:5 and Mark 12:30

-Sensei Isaac

(Author Sensei Isaac-Co-author L.M. Sellars, Manager of Operations)