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July 27, 2006

Love -- the essence of kung fu

here it is, I can't say it better than Mr. Dobson. He did Aikido, but kung fu is the same.

It's all about love.

July 21, 2006

friend involved in church politics

Please pray for a friend of mine, he was a youth minister outside of StL, and out of nowhere, the church called a surprise meeting and fired him. They cited a bunch of bogus charges, that if true should have been brought to his attention way earlier and dealt with one by one. Poor leadership on their part.


UPDATE: 10-11-06; the Lord provided, and he is now a youth minister at another umc church just north of Springfield. thank you all for your prayers.

funny quote about humility

I heard this from someone, don't know who.


"in my humble oppinion, humility isn' for me."

July 20, 2006

Humility # 4 -- humility defined

my mom, made a good point.

any attribute is more than simply an attitude or a concept. I has to be more than a mere perception, it has to go beyond that into action.

you cannot think you are humble and simply be humble. BEing humble implies living that concept, not simply understanding it.

Humility defined is this: "seeing yourself through God's eyes." This means seeing yourself as you truly are, not as others tell you you are, or as you see yourself, but as you truly are, in God's eyes.

And seeing yourself through God's eyes, you then act accordingly.

Many people misunderstand Humility as making yourself lower, which isn't all wrong for humility does indeed convey the idea of bowing low, or submitting to some higher authority. However, humility can be taken too far in that extreme and taken to mean making yourself lower than in reality you are. A humble man should display confidence in his ability because he knows what he can do. This is not always possible to do perfectly, because we do not have perfect knowledge of anything, even ourselves.

to be continued...

Still stranded...

ok, so I am still stranded in StL. I have watched all of season 6 of Macgyver, and am sooo bored.

Last night was the worst thunderstorm I have ever seen, the wind I hear was blowing at 85 mph in some places. It blew a large portion of the roof off the building, most of StL is without power, and (the coolest part) I almost saw a funnel cloud form over top the building. Cool huh?!! It felled trees left and right in our neighborhood. So, I did the natural thing . . . went outside and started clearing the road, and directing traffic . . . in the middle of the storm.

What?! You wouldn't have?

Then it started raining, then it split a tree in half (just wind mind you) and so Finally Jon came home and he came out and helped me. Then another lady came out and helped, then two guys in a car stopped and helped us move the big branch, then a few other people stopped and helped and before long we had moved the equivalent of an entire tree out of the middle of the road. It felt good and it was loads of fun.

It just proves my theory of leadership. That a leader is someone who goes on before, which means that often he goes alone, until others follow. It worked this time.

TAYL

July 18, 2006

Stranded!!!!

Ok, here is the picture: I go to StL for a weekend, and all of a sudden, my car decides now is a nice time to get all hot about it, litterally. It starts overheating, so I take it in, with promise of a short term loan from my brother, to get fixed.

Not so easy, its gonna cost me $1300 approx. to fix all that's wrong with it! Now, if I postponed the least priority and fixed the high priority, I could fix it for about $730 but still, that's a lot of money. Especially when I have about a buck fifty to my name and no ship coming in soon.

It's gonna be fun to see how God takes care of this one, that's for sure. Meanwhile, I am missing work, and in StL with nothing to do. Fun!!!!!! :(


ADENDUM:

So I figure I am already here longer than expected, and I am out of clean clothes. I put a load of clothes in the washer, and while I am doing so, a loud obnoxious bell starts going off in the hallway.

I am thinking, "what is this?" So I walk up to the bell, and read it: FIRE BELL. ohh, boy. I run into the apartment, put my shoes w/o socks on and grab my keys and phone and run outside. I get outside. I am all by myself, I see no smoke no fire. So I walk around the building, see nothing. So I go back inside, thinking I misunderstood the meaning of the bell. I do a walk through my apartment looking for someone, I tried to call the office, but couldn't get through. While on the second floor, I hear a fire truck pull up, and run back downstairs. Sure enough, that was the fire alarm. But there didn't seem to be a fire. so they all went home.


and then, after everybody left, it went off again. I think the alarm is busted.

fun filled exciting day so far.

July 13, 2006

Humility # 3 -- humility in Scripture

the word humility is used in only 7 verses in Scripture (KJV)
as follows:
Pr 15:33 -
The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.
Pr 18:12 -
Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.
Pr 22:4 -
By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.
Ac 20:19 -
Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:
Col 2:18 -
Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
Col 2:23 -
Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.
1Pe 5:5 -
Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

The word humble is used 24 times (all not showed here due to space limitations)

God puts us through hard times to humble us:
De 8:2 -
And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.
De 8:16 -
Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end;

It would seem that a person must be humble to repent and to be blessed by God:
2Ch 7:14 -
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

It would seem that God only listens to the humble:
2Ch 34:27 -
Because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God, when thou heardest his words against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, and humbledst thyself before me, and didst rend thy clothes, and weep before me; I have even heard thee also, saith the LORD.

It would seem that God does not forget the humble and sees after them:
Job 22:29 -
When men are cast down, then thou shalt say, There is lifting up; and he shall save the humble person.
Ps 9:12 -
When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them: he forgetteth not the cry of the humble.
Ps 10:12 -
Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up thine hand: forget not the humble.
Ps 10:17 -
LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear:
It would seem that to be humble more important than riches:
Pr 16:19 -
Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
It would seem that to be honored, you must first be humble:
Pr 29:23 -
A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.
Isa 57:15 -
For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
Jer 13:18 -
Say unto the king and to the queen, Humble yourselves, sit down: for your principalities shall come down, even the crown of your glory.
Mt 18:4 -
Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Mt 23:12 -
And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
It would seem that God favors those who are humble, but is not too kind to those who are not:
Jas 4:6 -
But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
Jas 4:10 -
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
1Pe 5:5 -
Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
1Pe 5:6 -
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

July 12, 2006

Faith or Science jokes

First Joke:

With all of the scientific and technilogical advances we have made, the scientific community decided that they no longer needed God. They could clone people now so God was obsolete. So they got together and elected an ambassador to go tell God to take a hike cause they didn't need Him anymore.

He with fear and trembling performed his duty well, and God patiently listened to him. After he was done, God told him, "that's interesting. Why don't we have a competition to prove whether or not you truly don't need me. We will have a man making competition, and we will do it like I did in the garden."

"no problem" said the scientist as he bent over to pick up a handful of dirt. "No no," said God, "Get your own dirt."

Second joke:

An athiest and a pastor were engaged in a hot debate about whether God truly existed.

The athiest said, "God doesn't exist. It's obvious, you can't see Him, hear Him, touch Him, or measure Him with a yard stick. Therefore He doesn't exist."

To which the pastor replied, "Ok, then I don't believe in gravity. Gravity doesn't exist."

"What do you mean gravity doesn't exist!" exclaimed the exasperated athiest, "Gravity is a proven fact."

"Well, by your standard, you can't see it, hear it, touch it or measure it with a yard stick, therefore gravity doesn't exist." Well, this continued on for quite a while, the athiest getting more and more agitated as they went along. Finally the athiest stormed out refusing to continue. He was driving home and had a car accident and died, and he found himself standing in heaven before God. "No!" he exclaimed to God, "this isn't right, You don't exist!"

God looked him in the eye and said, "Uhmm, I don't think you understand the gravity of the situation."

enjoy!

*propiatory note, although the first one is not mine, I heard it from someone, the second was written by me.

July 11, 2006

Humility # 2 -- humility or humiliation?

One definition here says that a humility is the state of being modest or not of the oppinion that they are better than any one else. Very true. They also make a valid and important distinction between humility and humiliation.

See they define humiliation as the act of being made ashamed.

I always thought that everyone knew the difference between these concepts. But I was wrong, I had a friend of mine who told me once that he always thought humble and humility were two different things. He saw being humble as making yourself lower, while humility was feeling ashamed. In reality, humility is the state of being humble. They were the same thing, just two different forms of the same word with the same definition.

One could say that humiliation was forcing humility upon someone when they didn't want or seek after it. But can you humiliate a humble person? Hmm, would a humble person respond differently to an attempt to humiliate them? I think they would. I think a truly humble person would be very difficult to humiliate. And this is when humility transforms into meekness. When humility merges with inner strength they give birth to meekness.

Sometimes, humiliation can result in humility. Sometimes it can result in hatred. What makes the difference? Could it be in how we choose to respond to our situation? I think so.

When my elder brother, Jason, went to college; he prayed that God would teach him humility. Today, he strongly encourages people to pray that prayer, but not lightly. For God will answer it, and He may humble you by humiliating you. But it is so worth it, for the Bible says that before honor, comes humility.

Odd, isn't it? How our society tells us that if we want to succeed we must look out for #1. It's all about us, selfishness. We cultivate pride, and attitude in order to build ourselves up. But Scripture tells us of another way, a better way, a way that actually works. It tells us to NOT think highly of ourselves, to NOT promote ourselves above others and that is how we will be honored. It tells us that we cannot know God without humility, and knowing God is our deepest purpose in life. That tells us something about humility right there doesn't it.

July 10, 2006

downloadable essay - Tides of Darkness

Download file

feel free to download and use at your discretion. I only ask that you give credit where credit is due, and that if you find it helpful, let me know so that I can rejoice with you.


thanks!!

July 09, 2006

Humility # 1 -- asking the important questions

What is humility? Can any of you define it? How important is humility? Can any of you measure it? Can you recognize it when you see it? Can you know if you have it?

A proud man sees himself as humble, so does a humble man see himself as proud? If you have achieved humility, and recognize it, does that by default make you lose it?

What is humility?

the hard times, a poem

I don't write poetry. It's a general rule, with few exception. And although I really don't consider this a poem, it would seem that some do. I was reminded of this by a friend just recently and I thought I would repost it, so it would be easier to find.


During a particularly rough time of school, I was out late at night talking with a co-worker about our frustrations with life. During the course of our conversation, I told her:


There is never
Risk without Reason.

There is never
Hurt without Hope

There is never
Pain without Purpose

And it is all
Part of His Plan.

A poem, heh, who knew.

:)

July 07, 2006

downloadable essay - Walking the Talk

Download file

feel free to download and use at your discretion. I only ask that you give credit where credit is due, and that if you find it helpful, let me know so that I can rejoice with you.


thanks!!

My Martial Bio

I was 5 years old when I first had my exposure to the martail arts, the Karate Kid. Mr. Miyagi was my hero, that man was the epitome of the Warrior Philosopher. A master of martial arts, and a man full of wisdom who used his two primary skills to truly benefit someone through a mentorship relationship that was built on the martial arts but extended far beyond mere combat techniques.

I was 6 years old when I first had my exposure to kung fu, the tv show. Kwai Chang Caine, he moved so smoothly and so powerfully (I was 6, give me a break) I fell in love with this element of kung fu. This began a lifelong obsession later tempered into a passion that had me reading books, watching movies, picking the brains of everyone who had any fighting experience trying to build a regimine of techniques. I practiced my basic stances, punches, kicks, and even tried to create joint manipulation techniques.

After many years of personnal practice and very slow progress, I had still not found an opportunity to really train under a real teacher. I was picky, I wanted to train under a kung fu teacher, not just any martial art. I also wanted a Christian teacher, who would not try to fill my head with any false doctrines. I prayed, Lord I will give it up if you want me too, but if you want me to train send me a godly man to teach me. And He did. My eldest brother began training while in college under Mark Kimzey who was an instructor of Xing Yi Quan (Hsing I Chuan; pronounced Shing ee Chwan) who was teaching kung fu at the college

My elder brother also began training under him when he went to college. He made it to green sash and after much begging and pushing on my part for him to show me stuff when he came back from school, he was given permission to teach me what I needed to test for my white sash. So he would come home for a visit and show me something. I would practice everyday and then he would show me something else. Finally, my father and I drove to St. Louis and I tested for my white sash on January 4th, 2001. That July I moved to St. Louis to begin my college, also at mobap. I trained both at college and at Shifu (father teacher) Kimzey's house testing for my black sash in Kanses City, MO on October 30th 2004. I graduated from college and received my Laoshi (teacher) title on April 30th 2005. In May of 2006 I moved back to my parents and began working closely with my church and trying to teach what I have learned.

I still make regular trips to St. Louis to see my teacher and train with him. I am a member in good standing in the American Tang Shou Tao Association and a pending member of the Gospel Martial Arts Union.

I currently hold the rank of 1st degree black sash and the title of instructor (laoshi) ATSTA Shen Long Xing Yi Quan style of Kung Fu and I serve the Master building His Kingdom as best I can.

downloadable essay - Master Swordsman

Download file


feel free to download and use at your discretion. I only ask that you give credit where credit is due, and that if you find it helpful, let me know so that I can rejoice with you.


thanks!!

July 06, 2006

Making Contacts in the Martial Community

Today on my way home from work, I stopped in to check out the local Martial Arts Academy in Mt. Zion. Devore Martial Arts Academy and I introduced myself to the instructor there, Jeff Devore.

He seemed like a nice guy, and we chatted for several hours. He has a nice attitude about the whole thing, focuses a lot on the humility and family orientation of his academy. A real generous man, he offered me the opportunity to come out some night and be a guest instructor. I plan on taking him up on his offer some time.

I figured that it would be good to get my name out there in the local community as a new guy, trying to get started teaching. Couldn't hurt, and I would rather learn about someone first hand than listen to other people's rumors.

And who knows what can happen from these chance encounters.


TAYL

July 02, 2006

our three fold purpose

I was just thinking the other day, that it would be good to be able to identify in a statement what our purpose was Biblically.

This proved to be a more difficult task than at first anticipated, I don't think that you can quantify it into just one single statement. So here is my best shot:

We have a three fold purpose, the first and foremost is simply:

1.) In relation to God, to know Him like He wants to be known by us. This was AW Tozer's theme, what he centered his ministry around. It is also what my father likes to focus on and it is central to development in Christianity. If you don' t know God, you aren't a Christian, and if you do know Him, how well? God wants us to know Him very well and that requires a lot of time spent in fellowship with Him both in Scripture as well as in prayer.

2.) In relation to ourselves, to reflect the Glory of God. We are to allow God to re-wire us from the inside out. When He does this we become like a highly polished mirror that reflects to the world God Himself. This means that we model our life after God; we evaluate every thought pattern, every activity, every habit and see if it reflects God's own character and personality.

3.) In relation to others, to make an impact in our environment. We are to go out and serve God by serving others. This will silence our antagonists, put them to an open shame, and make others stand up and take notice. This means stepping out of our comfort zones and helping others to fulfill their purpose by knowing God and reflecting His glory and then helping you to help others.

The interesting thing to note here, is that if you do #1 then #2 naturally follows, and if you do #2 then #3 naturally follows from there. It all starts with getting into an in-depth and lifelong study of God. Not just intellectually, for we will never fully understand Him, but in a personal way through a real relationship. This is done by spending time, a lot of time, with Him in daily, regular Scripture reading and study and prayer.

Isn't God amazing?!

tayl

An update on me

Ok, well a lot has happened to me while my blog was in remodel.

First I want to take the time to give a nice big public thank you to my web administrator/whatever-I-need-computer-person, Jason Wall. He fixed all my problems, YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Your work and time spent is not unnoticed and very appreciated. every one say thank you to Jason.

Now, I no longer live in StL. I moved back home to my parents, Findlay IL. Back into the neighborhood of my other computer geek brother (love and affection only :) ) Jeremy and fam. (Julie, Amie, James, Christine, Anna, and Noelle) who live in Sullivan.

I have been active in the church there (Sullivan SBC) and starting in September will be teaching the 7&8 grade Sunday School Class. Also, I have become an Assistant to the Youth Director Jeremy Rhoades and so now I wear the hat of a youth leader. I have really enjoyed it.

I had to take a step down from my supervisor's position to transfer within Wal-Mart so now I am a Cashier at the Mt. Zion Wal-Mart. I like it ok, but I am bored with it. I just put in for a transfer to the sporting good dept. and hope that will be more interesting.

I have been teaching my eldest brother Jeremy kung fu privately (open invitation for others to attend) at his house on Wednesday before church. His kids join in a lot, and sometimes we can't actually train due to interruptions but it keeps me sharp on my things and gives me the experience in maybe teaching more actively later.

In September, there is the chance that the church will let me teach a kung fu class with an emphasis on building Biblical Character on Sunday nights. That will be a challenge, but I am looking forward to the opportunity. (prayers requested)

I am still planning to join the Air Force Officer program when I eventually pay off my School debt (just my direct to school debt) so I can get my diploma and transcrips (a pre-req). I want to leave Wal-Mart eventually, I am closing in on the 10 year mark and would like to hit it, just to say that I did. Then I want to quit and find another job, prefferably before I quit.

The trouble is that one of the reasons I am here is to save money and reduce expenses so I can pay off debt and establish a better footing financially. Looking for another job would probably mean taking a pay cut, at least initially, until I can get into a job that pays on a professional level. So I am looking at stayin with Wal-Mart for at lest another 2 years so I can reduce as much debt as possible before having to take that step. Meanwhile I am looking around to see what opportunities are out there. Of course, the Air Force is my first pick, but getting into the AF isn't easy (as an officer) so I am planning a second choice. (prayer requested here also)

Well, that seems to cover all my bases for now. Hope to get into the habit of posting regularly again quickly. I missed it.

Talk at Y'all Later!! (tayl)