CHUCK NORRIS ON MARTIAL ARTS PHILOSOPHY

"Discipline is absolutely demanded by each martial art, an attitude is everything...

Avoid confrontations. If you get to the point where you have to fight, you've already lost the battle. With nothing to prove, there is no need for a confrontation. Try self-effecting humour to defuse an unpleasant encounter.

Never underestimate an opponent. Overconfidence is your own ability is a mistake because when you're overconfident you don't mentally prepare for whatever it is you intend to do. You can be defeated as easily by overconfidence on your part as by another person's skill.

Regardless of your age, cherish the company of good friends, because you can be relaxed with them. At the same time, seek out the company of positive-thinking people, because you can learn new ideas from them that will broaden your own horizons. Try to avoid negative thinkers and thoughts.

Continue to make new friends. Cherish and nourish your friendships. Friends can be your strongest personal support system in difficult times. Always be alert to the possibilities there are in any meeting with a stranger. It can change your life and help you learn... Always remember it's just as easy to make a friend as an enemy.

Be open to learn new concepts and ideas. Don't be judgmental. That's easier said than done, especially if you feel you have the advantage of wisdom because you are older than the people you interact with. Learn to listen with the third ear in order to hear both what is being said and what you believe the other person is really saying.

Retain an open mind. Even if you think the experience of years makes you wise, do what has to be done with a disposition open to change or chance. Sometimes what seems to be a detour will turn out to be the fastest way to your goal.

"Listen to your heart. [Good martial artists] believe that intuition, as opposed to intellection and rationalization, is the most direct way of reaching the truth. I have learned to listen with an open mind without interrupting or having a prepared response. I hear the words in my heart and my gut as well as in my head.

"Don't let material things possess you. Difficult as it may seem to accept for young adults who grow up in materialistic society and want everything at once, the truth is that the things that are most important to a rich life are intangible - health and love of family and friends. Many people, as they get older, also consider possessions to be more important to their sense of self-worth than the intangible things that really make for a happy and fulfilling life.

"Make the best of every day.

"The center of your life should be living. Appreciate every moment of life that God allows you, because life is fragile. Do not sacrifice today for tomorrow that may never come or for yesterday that is gone. Learn from yesterday and live for today. While you are living and striving, do it to the fullest because today will soon become yesterday, and you won't have the opportunity to experience this moment again.

"Never be ashamed to say "I love you". Those three words that mean so much are not said often enough".

To Visit – Chuck Norris website and to learn about “Christian Area” go to:

http://www.chucknorris.com/html/christian.aspx

  “The Way of the Warrior is to Stop Trouble Before it Starts” 

SPIRITUAL WISDOM IN THE PILL

A Messenger of Peace

Here is a word for you from the Word.

Proverbs 6:12-15

A scoundrel and villain, who goes about with a corrupt mouth, who winks with his eye, signals with his feet and motions with his fingers, who plots evil with deceit in his heart—he always stirs up dissension. Therefore disaster will overtake him in an instant; he will suddenly be destroyed-without remedy. NIV

Translated into modern language, that says to me, “Beware of the hard sell.” Here is a man who comes to you and he is just impressing you with every part of his body. He’s talking with his mouth but is not altogether honest; he’s winking with his eye; he’s motioning with his fingers. He’s doing everything he can; he’s totally given up to persuasion. And the Bible says, “Be careful of that man. His motives are not good; there’s evil in his heart. God’s going to bring judgment on that man.”

And when he leaves, he doesn’t leave the peace of God behind him. Have you ever noticed that about some people? They say all the right things while they are with you, but when they walk out of the door there is something left behind that is not the peace of God. That man was not a messenger of peace. His words weren’t honest. His motives weren’t directed toward your good. All his pressure on you to get you to do something—buy something, believe something-was not directed toward your good. It was motivated by his own selfish aims and desires.

So the Bible paints a very vivid portrait there of that type of person and says, in so many words, as I said at the beginning, “Beware of the hard sell—whether it’s in spiritual or material things.”  - Derek Prince