I hope this blog (which is an online journal) will help us keep up with each other, share our goals, and how becoming a Warrior of the Word is impacting our lives. I hope to start seeing you guys posting here often.
For now, let me reprint the document Ken sent us regarding advancement:
The Black Belt, ...Our Spiritual Goal!
All students in the martial arts desire to someday achieve the coveted rank of ABlack Belt.@ However, in ancient Japan there were no ranks! The ranking system came along with the more modern development of the martial arts. Actually, in ancient times there were simply students and masters! It is believed that a student began with a white uniform [Gi] which had a white belt [or sash]. With time the uniform became soiled and darkened with age. The black belt represented an aged belt, which represented a seasoned warrior! A master=s belt would be Ared@ with the blood on his victories, ...and sometimes his non-lethal failures from which he also learned!!
Learning the way of the sword was literally a matter of life or death! It was a turbulent time, much like the old west during the development of this country. The law was nonexistent and you were either of the class of the Astrong@ [Samurai] or the Aweak@ [peasant]. You lived or died by your ability to defend yourself and your family!
We are not much different today in our spiritual warfare against the powers Paul wrote about in Eph 6:10-18, and Christ warned against in John 10:10! We live or die by our ability to defend our minds, families and brothers and sisters in Christ by our ability to utilize the only offensive weapon God has provided us with, ...and actually the only one we need because of its effectiveness, ...The Word Of God [Heb 4:12]! Our goal should be to be the most effective Asword's man/warrior@ we can be, leading and protecting our family, while serving in our church and community with godly character which draws others to Christ. Remember Christ=s lessons on leadership....a true leader is a servant! Thus, our true goal should be to be the best servant we can be!!!
Now, let's talk goals in our training. Following is the ranking system we have chosen to utilize. Each rank is in essence a "Spiritual Goal." May it serve to inspire and motivate you in your achievements, but may it never cause you to be proud or boastful in those achievements! To God be the Glory!
The Abeginner@ grades are referred to as the AKyu@ grades and require the following accomplishments:
6th Kyu = white belt = 0-8 verses learned
5th Kyu = yellow belt = 8 verses learned [GoKyu]
4th Kyu = Orange Belt = 16 verses learned [YonKyu]
3rd Kyu = Green Belt = 24 verses learned [SanKyu]
2nd Kyu = Purple Belt = 32 verses learned [NiKyu]
1st Kyu = Brown Belt = 41 verses learned [IkKyu]
The second level of grades is that of the "student." There are also five grades to this level.
1st Dan = Black Belt = 50 verses learned [Shodan]
2nd Dan = Black Belt = 100 verses learned [Nidan]
3rd Dan = Black Belt = 175 verses learned [Sandan]
4th Dan = Black Belt = 250 verses learned [Yodan]
5th Dan = Black Belt = 325 verses learned [Godan]
The third level of Agrades@ is that of the expert. There are three grades to this level.
6th Dan = Red/White Belt = 425 verses learned [Rokudan]
7th Dan = Red/white Belt = 525 verses learned [Shichidan]
8th Dan = Red/White Belt = 625 verses learned [Hachidan]
The forth level of Agrades@ is that of the master. There are two grade to this level.
9th Dan = Red Belt = 800 verses learned [Kudan]
10th Dan = Red Belt = 1000 verses learned [Judan]
Each time an individual is tested they must be ready to demonstrate their knowledge of all the verses they have learned up to that point and not just the verses they have learned since their last grade! Verses will be pulled randomly from a list of those verses they have "hidden in their heart" [learned].
Can a person actually train their mind to achieve the level of 10th degree, ...a thousand verses? Muslims learn the Koran! How many verses are there in that? It should be obvious that an individual could spend their entire life striving to attain, then maintain the ultimate level of 10th Dan in their spiritual training, but that is the point! To spend your entire life immersed in God=s word, not to earn a grade, but to be transformed [Rom 12:2] into what God would have you become....
Yours in Arms,
Ken [7th Dan]
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