Living the martial arts is an on going never ending cycle of learning. Over the last 19 years I have had many teachers, some good and some bad, but I have learned something from all of them. Let me explain a little bit about how I feel about Martial arts and teachers of martial arts. Though out life God gives us Individuals that come and go in our lives this is where we get our lessons to learn by. My father was the greatest teacher I ever had, not just in the physical arts but in the emotional and spiritual aspects of the Martial arts. I believe you must have two sides to be a Martial Artist a calm side and a strong side. The strong side is your physical techniques your power inter and outer for self-preservation, this protects the body and organs. The calm side protects your mind your heart and soul. You can not have one with out the other and be complete, The calm side keeps the mindset to complete your techniques in the correct fashion, and the old saying goes, If you cannot control yourself how can you expect to control others. Master Nagamine had a saying (That no matter how you excel in the martial arts nothing is more important than your behavior in life. In the Bible Paul explains this in Romans chapter 13. The way you carry your self and the action you take in life, make you what you are and how people treat you. You give respect and you receive it. It is the greatest thing to be known as an honorable man! I will always be grateful for having a Father that I had and his wisdom that he left to me. Over the year I have had many Teachers, again some good and some bad! The best teacher that I have had taught me because they love there art, not the money they received for teaching it. They taught the arts to keep them alive and to pass them on to the next generation. Money was never in any conversation. (A little piece of gold may be highly valued, but if it gets in ones eye the result will be darkness). The first 15 years of my training was in Okinawan Te. I spent many years working on the makawara boards and learning about developing power and breaking techniques it was a very slow process and very demanding but I soon learned to love it. I will always remember going to class and watching the other students doing beautiful katas and I would be in the corner doing punches and knuckle push ups. My Instructor would say do you want to do katas or do you want to be a teman. Well I stuck it out and it has been a great. Over the last few years I have been studying the katas of Shuri and Tomari Te . This is a true and wonderful way to study Martial Arts, kata has turned into a very fulfilling part of my training. In kata there is so much to learn and the more you study them the more they come to life with meaning. As an instructor Kata is the greatest tool for teaching! One of my greatest teachers Master Roger Genereux Shared a letter with me from Master Shoshin Nagamine written to him many years ago, the letter talked about kata and Kumite , Master Nagamine thoughts were that kumite had some value but that ju-kumite and that katas were a better form of learning . That kata is Martial Arts! Kata teaches true form and correct techniques. I take that as great advice and I will continue to teach that way. Some other lessons I have learned along the way is that I always wanted to learn every thing now, I wanted to know all the katas all the weapon forms all the breaking techniques, every thing! Well I am glad I had Instructors that kept me back and slowed me down and made me learn the basics over and over and over again. I believe that will save my life in the real life battles! So don’t worry if you do not know 18 katas or all kinds of forms just learn to do the basics right! Plus we have our whole life to study what is the big hurry? Martial arts is a way to learn to protect our lives in a physical battle .It is great for keeping in shape and keeping on the cutting edge. Always strive to get better each practice at the dojo and keep good attitudes in your dojos enjoy your study of the martial arts always keep an open mind and listen to your instructors. But the most important thing to remember is Christ is the master of all Masters, his teachings are far more important then any other teachings any teacher will teach! Jesus Christ is the only one that can save a soul no martial Artist could ever accomplish such a feat .We must always live how Christ shows us to live and do his will. Then in the end the master will do our final promotion as we stand before him we will go over our kata of life and he will judge our performance, then he will look to the sensei holding the book, and with it he will get a nod that we were written in its pages and then we wait for our reward, then it comes, (Welcome home son, well done.)

Judge David Johnson Honored
by Ryu-Kyu Christian Martial Arts Federation

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