Taekwon-Do: A Prerequisite To Ministry?

The day after my sons' Taekwon-Do tournament, they received an email from their senior instructor. He thanked everyone for representing their club so well at the tournament. He stated that he was proud of each and every one of them, and that he hoped they enjoyed the day as much as he did. He repeatedly encouraged people to be free to express to him any concerns or questions about the tournament.

I read that email several times and thought, "Wow, I think I would like to join this society, buy a dobok, and learn Taekwon-Do, just so I can be part of this wonderful group of people."

I'm not going to lie. I've lived in Alberta three years. My sons and I have volunteered in children's ministries for several churches, but since we've moved here, I've yet to feel part of a church family.

The church for which we volunteer now recently held an after-church, volunteer appreciation banquet. My sons and I were overlooked and therefore not invited. Instead, the pastor in charge was elated when he found out we weren't going and asked my family if we would help provide childcare for the volunteer parents who were attending. We had lots of fun and even my husband, who, having just come home from working all week, helped out so he could be with his family. But still, it would have been nice to have been invited.

Also, when my sons and I volunteered to do the children's worship for a spring retreat, we were never sent an email of thanks. Instead, one of my sons was informed about a complaint: that I need to sing into the microphone so my voice could be heard as well as Tim's. No thanks or compliments preceded or followed the complaint.

I think maybe the churches should observe or join Taekwon-Do to learn by example how to treat others. Not only that, but many times from the pulpit I hear this comment from the pastor: "Don't send me any emails of complaints. I don't want to hear them." Maybe Bible College isn't enough to train men and women to be pastors. Maybe people who want to be pastors should join Taekwon-Do first to learn to respect and appreciate others, as well as to have a willing heart to hear people's concerns.

"Don't be selfish;

don't try to impress others.

Be humble,

thinking of others as better than yourselves."

Philippians 2:3 (NLT)

Are Churches Rivals?

Yesterday, I attended Chris's and Matthew's Taekwon-Do tournament. I used my camera to take videos of them sparing and doing their patterns in front of the judges. Now they can watch the videos at home and determine for themselves where they need improvement.

The tournament included students from BC, Alberta, and Saskatchewan. Chris and Matthew each won a silver and a bronze medal in their age and belt level category.

I was very impressed and surprised with the atmosphere of the tournament. Everybody had a great deal of respect, discipline, and humility. No one ever boasted about their achievements in front of their opponents. (In fact, such action is prohibited.) Before the tournament, there was a short speech from a master about how everyone is to consider each other as equal and no one is to view him/herself as better than another. "We are to be like one large family," he said, "encouraging one another."

Parents were not permitted to give pointers to their children or yell out critical remarks, and they were urged to remain in the bleachers. There were no fights or disputes about points or awards. There were no tears falling down a young child's face. There were no cries of dismay. After every sparring match, the opponents shook hands and praised each other's effort and skill.

Throughout the whole tournament I kept thinking, "Wow! This Taekwon-Do society is based on Biblical principles!"

It's sad that many of our church's sports teams don't practise these principles. I have one son, Chris, who is on church baseball team, and last year, both my sons, Daniel and Chris, were on the team. When I went to one of last year's games, I couldn't believe the poor sportsmanship and un-Christ-like attitudes, the angry words and expressions, the disrespect and rudeness, the degrading and discouraging remarks, and, in general, the high level of competition between churches. Doesn't the Bible say we all belong to one body, the body of Christ?

"So it is with Christ's body.

We are many parts of one body,

and we all belong to each other."

Romans 12:5 (NLT)

The Bible also says that we are to encourage each other and build each other up.

"So encourage each other

and build each other up."

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NLT)

It is sad that secular martial arts societies practice principles that Christians don't.

They Will Fight You, But Fail

Today, two of my brothers, Chris and Matthew, are going to the ICTF Western Canadian Taekwon-Do Championships. I'm sure it sounds more impressive than it actually is. My mom is going there to watch. It's a full day. I have to stay home and catch up on some work since I was sick this last week.

Here are some pictures of my brothers in their flashy doboks.

They're a bit nervous, but they don't need to be, because in the Bible it says:

"'They will fight you, but they will fail.

For I am with you, and I will take care of you.

I, the LORD, have spoken!'"

Jeremiah 1:19 (NLT)

When God is with you, there's no reason to be afraid. Even when facing an impending career choice, a daunting homework assignment, an upcoming medical examination, an unwritten blogger post, or a panel of tournament judges who wave little flags to authoritatively indicate the balance of skill that exists between you and your opponent.

Worry Can Tear You To Pieces

Dictionary.com defines the verb "worry" when not applied to an object as: "to torment oneself with or suffer from disturbing thoughts." However, I like the meaning of worry when applied to an object better: "to seize, especially by the throat, with the teeth and shake or mangle, as one animal does to another." The first definition of worry is a metaphorical application of the second. Worry can tear a person to pieces, destroying his/her peace of mind and joy of heart, leaving him/her in torment, gasping for breath, and grappling for energy.

The Bible says that as a child of God, we have access to His peace at all times and in every situation. Why? Because the Lord is always with us.

"Now may the Lord of peace Himself

give you His peace at all times

and in every situation.

The Lord be with you all.

2 Thessalonians 3:16 (NLT)

We never need to worry. We can give all our worries and cares to God because the God of this Universe and the Creator of All cares about us.

"Give all your worries and cares to God,

for He cares about you."

1 Peter 5:7 (NLT)

Do You Care How Many People Look At Your Facebook Page Today?

Narcissism is becoming more and more an increasing problem in our the world. People are drawing further away from the truth of God's Word, and focusing more and more on themselves, caring less and less about the feelings of others.

A narcissist is someone who views everyone else as nothing more than a servant. Life completely revolves around such a person. When others fail to satisfy or meet his/her needs, a narcissist usually detaches him/herself from them, or becomes cruel and abusive towards them. A narcissist feels no remorse for his/her negative actions. In a narcissist's mind, his/her sins are justified and others are to blame. A narcissist also cannot take criticism from others because he/she views him/herself as a perfect and an exceptional being, while everyone else has only flaws and imperfections. Many narcissists never marry, because no one is good enough. Or if they do marry, they end up deeply hurting or destroying the love of their partner, wounding them for life.

Many past and present leaders in countries all around the world are narcissists. Yet we continue to idolize them, spend millions of dollars to promote them to higher positions, and then elect them to lead our countries. What is going on? If Jesus were to run for the leadership of a country today, he would probably get less than 1% of the people's votes. Even many alleged Christians would find Him too conservative in His views. Let's face it: Jesus wouldn't be very popular because He would be solidly against abortion, gay marriage (did I just say that? oops), pre-marital sex, and majority of our divorces. And yet who do we find to blame for the mess our world is in?

Social media has become nothing more than a breeding ground for narcissism to develop in people's hearts and minds. Forget about blaming parents for their children's narcissism. If people would spend in God's Word the time they currently spend on the Internet, watching TV, and using social media, our world would be a different place, and our rising leaders would be different from the men and women we see today.

God has commanded us to love each other, just as He has loved us. For our world to be a better place, we need to obey God's commandments and focus less on loving ourselves and more on loving God, and others.

"So now I am giving you a new commandment:

Love each other.

Just as I have loved you,

you should love each other."

John 13:34 (NLT)

Don't Just Train For Physical Health, Train Also For Spiritual Godliness

Fitness is important to my sons. Two of them, Matthew and Tim, get up at five (or six if they don't have classes) every morning, even in the freezing cold of winter, and run six kilometres. Matthew and another of my sons, Chris, train twice a week in Taekwon-do. Downstairs, we have a weight room.

This year, I've decided to join in. Matthew has taken on the role of my personal fitness trainer and I think he missed his calling as a sergent in the army. He is brutal! However, I do enjoy the bike machine, and I even enjoy weight lifting. But don't tell him I said that.

The Bible says physical training is good because it benefits us as we live life here on earth. Physical training keeps us healthy and strong, and when we are healthy and strong, we can do more for God.

However, training in godliness is much better because it benefits us both in this life and in the life to come.

"Physical training is good,

but training for godliness is much better,

promising benefits in this life

and in the life to come."

1 Timothy 4:8 (NLT)

It is important to train yourself physically so that you stay healthy, but it is even more important to train yourself spiritually, so you will live a godly life.

If I Had Wings I Would Fly Away

"Oh, that I had wings like a dove; 

then I would fly away and rest!"

Psalm 55:6 (NLT)

I am sure we have all felt like David at one time or another — that if only we had wings, we would fly away to rest and escape the troubles of this world.

What about when we are stuck in rush hour traffic? I can't be the only one who has wished my car had wings to avoid the stress of driving in chaos. But even if our cars could convert into some sort of aircraft, we still would never be able reach that desired place of complete rest.

Thankfully, however, there is coming a day when each of God's children on earth will fly away from all the troubles, sorrows, heartaches, and fears of this world and rest eternally in the presence of God.

David should have written: "Oh, one day I will have wings like a dove; then I will fly away and rest!"

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I bought this bomber jacket for my son Matthew when he was in grade twelve. It's going to come in handy as part of someone's costume for the "Sky" VBS dramas. The intrusive cat in the picture is Osha. I can never take a picture in the house without him being in it.