MMA

Check out this video of MMA and UFC, commonly known as Mixed-martial arts, which is used to compete in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. UFC is a huge sport in America now, making lots of revenue using the medium of pay-per-view. I used to not be a fan of this stuff...I thought it was just too violent and bloody (yeah, even some guys are sensitive to this real-life stuff). Just too dangerous, ya know? Yet all of my American friends back at home watched this stuff in intensity and mimic the workouts that are associated with it.

After a lot of rule changes and an added structure to the sport, UFC has become safer (albeit the blood is still there) and has become popular with alot of young men around the world. My friend Jordan Jackson learns this stuff and he even showed me a few moves at home which I know is painful. Many men learn it not only to learn how to fight, its a great workout and regimen. Even women these days are getting into this stuff, as there is a women's competition now.

Maybe if I have the time and motivation, I would like to learn something like this. Watching this stuff brings out the gruff man in me and makes want to bulk up. Maybe I can learn hapkido now here in Korea and mix it up with MMA in the future.

A good, healthy body is not a bad thing.

Changed and Transformed

I just got back from America to visit my family, in particularly my grandparents who are currently ill. It was a sad period to be coming home, but at the same time the sudden realization of how life is so precious, especially in a broken world made me enjoy my time there. I had such a good time back at home.

Living a fast-paced life here in South Korea has got its benefits and of course its cons as I'm always doing something: whether it be teaching them girls English, studying Korean, hanging out with my friends, going to Bible study groups, or studying Hapkido, its hectic but fun.

I was called back home to Maryland this past week to visit my ailing grandparents and to pay my respects to them. To see them in their states was saddening and a stark reminder about how I need to take my life seriously and live it for Jesus Christ. Yet at the same time I am thankful to God that I had a chance to spend time with my grandparents and get to know about my Indian (from South Asia) heritage more. Not that being Indian enhances who I am and that brings a wholeness to my life, but it was neat to see where my roots came from in my other-half of my racial make-up.

During this time period I was really blessed to spend time with everybody who was dear to me during the past five years of my life. These people dear to me also have a trusting, loving relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ and they take their redeemed lives seriously, unlike alot of American Christians who are church-goers but aren't Gospel-touched over-floers.

My boy Jordan Jackson, my best friend, was unfortunately cut from the DC Capitol Police academy program. He passed the initial boot camp training and graduated from his training down in Georgia, which was a huge praise. What was remarkable was his faith through this whole time, in fact he was encouraging my father who was sad for him when he heard the news! My boy Jordan knows that Jesus has a plan for him during this time and it was remarkable to see my boy's child-like faith in Jesus continue to outpour in this time of his life.

My friend Jon Soule was blessed with his first child. To hold his new little life in my hands was a special moment, being like an uncle seeing that Jon and I have been friends since 1997. It was unreal but another huge blessing in my life and of course, his. I know that despite his funny, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Republican, gut-toting Conservative exterior he's aiming to be a Godly father.

My brother Sean was blessed with a wonderful new home. His wife Catherine and him have worked especially hard these years to make this happen while this whole time maintaining their trust that the Lord has got a plan for their lives; He opened up a new sale to build their new home in. I was the first guest to christen the home and stay in their guestroom.

My parents are rocks of faith in Jesus. Caretaking for ailing grandparents is no easy task and requires patience and love. Being witnesses to them is even more difficult, but Christ's love conquers all and it was so comforting to see how much love my parents invested to spend time with my grandma and grandpa despite their ills. Only the Spirit of the Lord can do that.

My friend Paul Brown is going to be another expecting father. He's about my age and he's already striving and getting ready to be a Godly father. And now he's going back to school to get some training in computers. A solid, all-around Christ-loving guy.

My boy Charlie is a wonderful dad and he too loves the Lord. It was so cool to see him and his wife take care of their young one at the dinner table Friday night and giving her the care she needs.

What about me? The theme of change has just rocked my world last week. Some of my friends haven't changed at all, and some people I know my life are still stagnant. Yet I think back about my wonderful trip last week and thinking about change...and not Obama's Hope for Change (which he is struggling with back home). I'm talking about people who love the Lord and being honored for that.

One of my fave Bible verses, from Romans 8:28, "In all things, God works for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose." He works, we have faith. Works is an outpouring of faith in Jesus. This past week was a time of seeing that display, while enjoying the company of those whose lives are transformed by the Lord.

Its still a broken world, but we as Christians know that the Lord is still in control and continues to love His bride. Its a great relationship.

So, I'm back in Korea and I am also quarantined due to the swine flu epidemic. Trust me, its not that bad. Its an extra week of vacation and I pray that it'll be a time of rest, prayer, and getting to know the Lord. Its the best quarantine ever.

My goal this final semester at Hakik Girls High School to bring the message of Jesus Christ to my students. Whether it be through my actions and living my life in Him or straight up Holy Spirit-led conversations with students and teachers about my faith. I just want to trust in Him and look at Him, nothing else. Thank you Jesus.

Enjoy them hot days of summer ya'll!

My First Solar Eclipse

On July 22, 2009, I saw my first solar eclipse in my life.

Awesome. More later.

Pajama!

So, I was teaching about Latino Culture and English this past week.

We were discussing the various countries of Central and South America, and up comes my list on the PowerPoint:

Sp___
Me____
P___guay
El S_l_vador
Pa_ama

Look at the last one. Very obvious? Well, to my 1-5 class student Hyun-ha, it was obvious...

"PAJAMA!" she screams out.

I've never laughed so loud in a long, long time.

Thanks Hyun-ha...thanks girl.

Spiritual Warfare

Word up! My friends on the Internet and back at home.

I haven't blogged in such a long time, I forgot to keep my peoples informed about my activities.

Here I am, approaching my third summer in South Korea. Teaching has been alright, its the same, no real breakthroughs, as kids are slogging it out towards the end of the first semester.

My new freshmen are more eager and enthusiastic to learn about English, but I now I can see them struggling.

We approach the summer days, it gets hot, the girls get antsy, exams approach, dark eyes like owls appear, the irritable meter rises, the initial drive to have fun with English gets shifted into lower gear and sometimes goes into neutral.

Sometimes kids fall in asleep in my class, partly because I'm boring (at least that's what I think), and mostly because these little girls go to sleep around 1 or 2AM. Its ridiculous what the Korean public school program puts these adolescents through. It saddens me and I feel so bad for them. Life is the same for them day in, day out as they are supposed to become adults.

The problem is, when they become adults (i.e. college), they go into a world where the pressure when the valve is released can sometimes become too great. Now they have to make decisions when they were always told what to do. Its the Confucian mindset. Do what you're told. Be a good study soldier.

Meanwhile, I got my own battles. In my life, I'm starting to realize more than ever that spiritual warfare is upon us as believers. What is spiritual warfare? It is battle between the principalities of the spirit-realm, its your personal battle as a believer in Jesus Christ and the dark forces of the spiritual realm that want to hinder your walk in Jesus. Its more real than you think.

You go to the Word not just to get your fill of the Holy Spirit, but to also equip yourself for battle. You don't do quiet time to make God happy, He wants a relationship with you not only because He loves us but He wants to equip us to fight in a world where everything is just...wrong...and sinful.

We encounter depression, frustration, anger, mindless thoughts of evil and lust, hatred, and random thoughts that are not holy. I struggle with this daily. I'm not a perfect saint, but I'm a sinner saved by Grace.

The devil is not just some goofy cartoon character you see trying to make you do bad things, he's capable of doing more. He is trying to take every single human being that doesn't trust and believe in God down with him.

He can't touch the saints' salvation. But he can attack them.

He's a schemer, the Bible calls him a liar. He tries to do many things to get to his ultimate goal, to distract you from focusing on the prize...Christ. He sews the seeds of doubt when you question, he pounces on impurity when you let unwholesome thoughts into your mind, he tries to fuel your anger into sin when someone is pushing your buttons, and piles paranoia onto your anxiety about certain situations.

1 Peter 5:7: "Cast all your anxieties onto Him, because He cares for you." This word of Truth helped me fight some thoughts of anxiety today. Wow, I became lifted up. That's the Word of God. Its not about making God happy, God doesn't need anything from us. What He wants is us...all of us.

I have messed up this week. All now I can I do is make things right and give my life to Him, so He can clean house and the Holy Spirit can work in me.

The devil? Can be squashed with one pinky by God. To battle, there has got to be a mindset and faith that is set on Christ himself, to be like him and to consciously keep him at that forefront of your daily decision-making and interacting with people, as well as your thoughts. This is not easy, but God gives us His Holy Spirit to make it.

Why is battling not easy? Because we battle our old sin nature while we are being set apart for His glory, called sanctification. Another part of successful spiritual battling is prayer. I'm learning that prayer is like a Samurai's fighting technique, if the Bible is like a Saint's samurai sword, cutting into the world of lies. Lifting up our anxieties and fears about the future, as well as giving Him the praise for His daily gifts and Grace, is getting to the heart of the matter and putting God first.

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus". - 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18.

Look at the highlighted words. There is a stress on constancy...of consistency. I used to be one of those type of Christians who would read my Bible and pray, then I would think my work was done and I expected God to give me a good day. I was such a selfish Christian back in high school. When I had a bad day, in my mind I would think I didn't do my quiet time right or something.

But look at this letter of the church of Thessalonica...always, continually, and all, I mean who in their right mind would be joyful when you got a bunch of haters at work who don't appreciate your hard work? Or when some student punks you in the middle of class and you're embarrassed? Or when a teammate gets mad at you for a play that you didn't mean to make? Or when a loved one is going through a terminal illness?

That's what a Christian is being about. We're supposed to be so radically different from the world that the world would have no excuse or choice BUT to see Christ in us. But everytime, in spiritual battles, we give the devil a foothold, we can put ourselves into dangerous situations where we can right into sin.

A consistent Christian life is not fulfilling duty, its about a lifestyle of honor to the Lord. Its about keeping Him first in our lives at all hours. That's the continual hard part about this new calling in Jesus. We have to give up our old selves and reject the old ways of dealing with things. Is "joys always" meaning we have a big smile everywhere we go and laughing it up because that's what the world calls "joy?" Forget that...I personally am one of those guys who has joy most when I'm alone or when I'm just straight up calm. For another sister in the Lord, she may be just on fire and loud for the Lord. Or for another brother, he could just keeping it chill while enjoying the moment of peace from the Lord. Always is, always shall be.

"For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life." 1 Thessalonians 4:7. We're just a bunch of bums saved by Grace. We're lambs led by the Shepherd Jesus Christ.

But equipped with truth, with Grace, and by giving our anxieties and fears to Him...that holiness that oozes from our bodies will contaminate the people around us and they too will see a changed person in us, in the form of Jesus.

Oh Lord, forgive me for being selfish and losing control of my life. Let's try this again my Savior...that's what Grace is all about.

Ephesians 6:15-19:
15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
19And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
20For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Time for some battling, but remember, we already have the victory...in Jesus!

Hapkido

So in April, after coming back for a third (and possibly final stint) in teaching, I needed something new in my life.

Last year, I was content with just doing my job, connecting with friends when I had time, and leading a normal life. But with the advent of gaining weight while in Korea and America (hey, bears gotta hibernate, right?), and leading a doldrum-filled existence of yelling English at unsuspecting high school girls, I thought that a physical outlet of unleashing the Soni dragon would be good for my google-loo cheeks (my grandma's Indian terminology for "chubby") and my waistline.

I get my co-teacher, Joanna Son, to contact the local hapkido gym to apply for a spot in training for this martial art. I enter this Hapkido Jang ("jang" means "place" in Korean) with virtually no experience in martial arts, the grand master helps me into my uniform, a black garb with a white belt.

Fast forward a month later, and I passed my first hapkido exam. Its just one step on a long road to martial excellence.

However, what is hapkido? When you usually think of Korea, you think of the land of Tae Kwon Do, the land of fast kicking, furious roundhouse kicking youngsters like my cousin who would be formidable foes on the streets of Seoul. Nah, hapkido is an unique martial art.

A Korean dude a long time ago went to study martial arts in Japan, during the colonial era when the Japanese controlled Korea (1910-1945). He studied various martial arts like jujistu, brought it back to Korea, and produced an eclectic artform what is now hapkido.

Hapkido incorporates lots of locks, grips, and defensive schemes that utilizes an opponent's energy against them. Someone grabs your collar, force them into a hold where they have to submit. Someone bear hugs you, hit em hard below the belt and kick em! Somebody grabs your wrist, get out and put them in a tough position.

Of course, there is the kicking element, but unlike tae kwon do, which uses a series of fast and speedy kicks to surprise the opponent, hapkido places emphasis on power. Hapkido is about combining energy and unleashing it, while using your opponent's against theirs.

I have studied the art for a month and some change, and its really invigorating my physical and mental life. After a rough day's work, I enjoy going to the place and getting all the nerves and energy out of my system by getting a new workout in.

I lost weight, toned up a little, and my goal is to become more mentally and physically sound. Now I got my South African friend Jonathan to join me for his first session tonight, I have a sparring partner to practice my moves with on a more consistent basis. Its not about fighting, its about health and defense.

Thank you Lord for the opportunity to learn martial arts. Its cool to move and move freely and learn something new, something that will impact me for the rest of my life here on earth.

Random Thoughts

1. "Scream It!" - I picked up the martial art of Hapkido recently. A Korean martial art, its an eclectic style that combines kicks and short range attacks with a lot of defensive locks and throws to disable your opponent. Its only my third week, but the workout is intense but very invigorating. One of my favorite parts of the art is the guttural scream that you are supposed to do before a kick, a roll, a stance, or a punch.

"Yah!" "Aigh!" I scream and attempt a kick...and barely pass muster. But, the release is good and gets alot of energy out of your system and towards your opponent and barrier. I was watching one of my favorite basketball players in the NBA, Carlos Boozer, and I love it how he just roars when he gets a basket while getting fouled. He yells in success while slapping a teammates hand...invigorating.

Screaming, not in anger, I believe is great for letting out energy. You don't have to be the Karate Kid, but yelling like Carlos Boozer when you get the job done or trying to kick has its uses.

2. Teaching - its cool. The kids are getting more stressed as mid-terms near, but I try to give these test taking robots some relief with my class, because learning should be fun and more experience driven. This year's freshmen class is a bit different from last year's class; they're a bit more laid-back and more active (an oxymoronic statement), so classes, thanks to our Lord, have been more smoother this year.

3. The Weather - its been up and down. Two weeks ago it was warm and the cherry blossoms were out in full bloom. This week has has been frigid and windy. Well, that beats when the humidity turns up to 90% and I'm sweating enough salt to supply Mickey D's for the week.

4. Trip to China - I'm headed to China for the first time in my life, and I'm kinda excited to take it to the Middle Kingdom and experience the culture there. We'll see what Shanghai has to offer. Three day road trip starting next Saturday.

5. 9th Wonder - the name of this hip-hop producer who takes old samples and just absolutely kills it with some wonderful snares and melodies. Just how hip-hop should be. Check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2OtuN-JkbQ&feature=related.

6. Rice and kimchi - Korean food is a miracle food. Good for my mind and body, keeps me invigorated throughout the day.

7. In the midst of troubles, I can be a light.
Economic pains, seasonal rains in the midst of life,
A little girl's father lost her job,
While people running amuck, savings lost,
They just got robbed,
While ouncing to make a living,
I sit here pondering what I could be giving,
My money, my time, my talents, my skills,
I sit selfishly trying to pay my own bills,
It kills me to see a fake world gone wrong,
A little girl sits her in chair, her face so long,
Hope living in me, shine forth Holy Spirit,
If you ain't living the life, no one will hear it,
They put on a smile, yet looks so sad,
Cuz no one will ever listen to them about their dad,
Who drinks, and curses in the middle of the night,
While their little brother needs help from pain n' strife,
A helpless omma sees no hope,
A child broke, no one to cope,
"Step into the game my young one,"
I hear God call to me, I the adopted one,
"I put you here for a reason, get it done,"
I talk to this girl for one night, moment number one,
Next thing you know, through God's Spirit I hear,
"Well done, have no fear..."

One.

Marky