Everything in karate is built on the kihon, or, the basics. Stances, block, strikes, and kicks. Every complex form, sparring tactic, or self-defense maneuver is comprised of the basics. Every revelation is comprised of one or more simple principles that we’re ready to see in a new light. I think about not judging people by our own measures and the way people are tested in karate. C.S. Lewis said that it’s more virtuous for a naturally mean person to be nice than a person who is naturally given to more kindness to be kind. As it is more virtuous for that kind person to be more assertive for a good purpose than it would be for the more naturally aggressive person. We all start at different points and, realistically, most will only grow to a certain extent given their circumstances. I tend to look at people like my father when he gets gruff but I fail to look at the whole picture. His dad died when he was nine and his mother was an alcoholic, yet by the grace of God he is here today with a family for which he provides greatly for, gives generously of his money and time to his church, above all, he strives to love God with all his heart, mind, and soul. I am trying to learn to see everyone that way. Indeed, we should be bearing fruit but I know I have to be patient with where I came from and learn to see the fruit in my life and learn to see people the way Christ does. When we test people in karate, we look to see how often the person showed up, how diligent and respectful they were. Ultimately that will show in their technique, with the right attitude they will stay determined and get better. However, not everyone is going to be Bruce Lee and that’s not any fault of their own, they might have every bit of heart that he did. Turns out, it's your heart that God really cares about. I spar everyone differently, it isn’t about going as hard as possible with everyone. If I’m more experienced I work to help them, going just hard enough to keep them moving. If someone doesn’t want to be touched, if they just want to play then I play and respect the kind of person they are. Of course, there those of us that love to push each other, to really go at it and I can honestly say there has never been any maliciousness or anger. The sparring always stopped at a moments notice if someone had to stop, when someone hit you you acknowledged the hit with a smile and a nod. It’s not about how hard you go, it’s about pushing yourself. Sparring is an exchange, it should really be mutually beneficial for both people. Whenever someone wanted to spar to see who was the better, truth be told there were times when I wanted nothing more than to give them what they were asking for, usually my conscience weighed on me and I’d kindly decline. Then there were those who just wanted to spar because they just enjoyed it and I’d have some of the toughest, but most enjoyable, matches in which me and the other person would have a weird kinship afterward. How a person trained and fought usually spoke volumes about their character, martial arts is very expressive, you learn to read people on a deeper level through their movements.

Everything except sin points to the truth of God and the way He works. We were always told to keep a beginner’s mind in karate, always be willing to learn from those who were higher and lower in rank. When someone came in we would have to teach them movements that were contrary to the way they were used to moving. You had to unlearn old habits and replace them with new reflexes through hours of arduous training. Just like Christianity we must come as children always willing to be taught, always willing to unlearn old ways and have them be replaced by Christ likeness in our constant seeking of Him through reading the word, prayer, and worship.