I guess in my opinion it seems that which army you enlist in is the type of martial (military) arts you learn. The Dojo is one facet of one army & Christ is the other.

A famous bodybuilder Bill Pearl, once was in a bar. There having a dance with his girlfriend. A multi black belt seeing his physique and being intoxicated tried the macho methods of one ups man ship using martial arts and abusive language.

Bill kept telling him to stop and leave him alone. Bill did not bodybuild to build fighting skills, but that what martial arts are - fighting skills.

Bill kept trying to move away but kept getting followed. At last it had to be settled physically. One punch later Bill settled it and left the establishment. Bill was not a christian he could only use what he had.

Bill's strength and reflexes and physical toughness were prodigeous. Bill was the only body builder with the potential to defeat Arnold in competition, his muscles were not just there for looks.

A person can be a force of protection for others without learning the mental/spiritual/physical diciplines of physical combat.

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Edward F Sutton

Kindness and caring go a long way towards calming angry people.

I have considered taking a self-protection type of class, but find that I am at ease and calm when outside by myself because I am never alone, and God will protect me as long as I walk with Him - and believe me, I don't go anywhere (especially at night) without asking Him to walk with me.

I'd have to agree that we spend our time more wisely preparing ourselves for His Kingdom than preparing ourselves to protect ourselves from this one.

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Sarah Moss
*Prayer Changes Things!*

Edward

I'm having a little trouble understanding your post, or at least your position. On the one hand you lambast the martial arts as being violent, glorifying the individual, and relying on self, yet on the other hand you praise Bill Pearl as "the only body builder with the potential to defeat Arnold in competition". Both activities have the same root; self-reliance. The bodybuilder's god is his or her body.

Second, if MY "strength and reflexes and physical toughness were prodigeous" I wouldn't study the martial arts, either!

My point was that being able to defend your self or others could be done without martial arts training.

Body building/ strength training is not based on combat/violence but could easily be used for that just like martial arts. I agree with you self reliance is not the best motives to live by and focus your life on. However looking & feeling better is a nice spin off from non compedative bodybuilding.

However you are very right, such activity can easily become an idol. Even though both offer alot of physical conditioning. (At nearly 50 & sedentary I could use some. how'd I get this old the last thing I remember I was seventeen & strong in the extreem. 30+yr TIA maybe?)

It is very easy for me as a human to love & defend the things I like & comedown on what I am not interested in just out of personal likes and dislikes. Maturation for myself and any body is to grow beyond it for the persuit of revealed inspired truth inspite of personal preferences.

The bone is thick sometimes, but it's dawning on me that you like martial arts & it's obvious that I like bodybuilding & strength training. Just like each other we defend what we like, and have reservations about what we don't like. (sorta like buttermilk spread on cucumbers being introduced to a vegan enclave.)

Epiffiny -city-, OK --- now I can relate to you better. But don't expect Ed doing breathing excercises at 05:00 and I won't expect Durk shown on TV from Malta in the "strongest" contests. But now I can relate to Durk better.

A digression:
Are you into tech stuff ? If so jump on over to the Tools & Technology Forum. Hope to see you there if you are into tech stuff.

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Edward F Sutton

quote:

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Originally posted by Mrs Sarah Moss:
Kindness and caring go a long way towards calming angry people.

I have considered taking a self-protection type of class, but find that I am at ease and calm when outside by myself because I am never alone, and God will protect me as long as I walk with Him - and believe me, I don't go anywhere (especially at night) without asking Him to walk with me.

I'd have to agree that we spend our time more wisely preparing ourselves for His Kingdom than preparing ourselves to protect ourselves from this one.

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I'm with you Sarah! So long as I leave myself in God's hands, He will take care of me. I have no business taking time away from doing what He calls me to do, to spend my time on taking care of the things He has promised to take care of.

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The Lord is the strength of my life and my portion forever.