Never Run a Dead Kata - Addendum to the Foreword

ADDENDUM TO THE FOREWORD
Never Run A Dead Kata

Never Run a Dead Kata was first published in 2014. Being my freshman project I never dreamed that I would have seven + more works published with more books coming. 

Never Run a Dead Kata is a chronicle of my journey on the road to getting my black belt that started for me back when I was in the sixth grade when first saw a series of movies starring Peter Lorre as Mr. Moto, and oriental detective who used martial arts instead of guns in bringing down the bad guys. I would read books about self-defense by Bruce Tegner and throughout the year would watch movies with Chuck Norris (World Champion kickboxer and movie/T.V. star), Bruce Lee (multiple marital arts movies), Tom Laughlin (Billy Jack) along with T.V shows like The Green Hornet and Longstreet (Bruce Lee), all with marital arts themes.

In 1972/73 I answered an ad in The Daily News Journal (local Murfreesboro Tennessee newspaper) about a karate class starting. This story line is laid out in the book. I took for a couple of years but then I dropped out, for various reasons, but the passion for karate was still within me. I did not start practicing again until I turned 50 years old, I am currently 66 years old, and on October 29th I received my 1st degree Black Belt and a few years later was rewarded my 2nd degree Black Belt. My quest for 3rd degree black belt was interrupted when in 2017 I had a cerebellum stroke. As of this writing I continue my journey towards the 3rd degree. I am eternally grateful to Sensei Bill Taylor of Bill Taylor’s Bushido School of Karate for believing in me and continually giving me the opportunity to fulfill my dreams.

The purpose for this addendum is two-fold: 

(1) An update on my quest for 3rd degree: 

Anyone on the journey to receive their black belt goes through the same process, the same curriculum that everyone has to go through. Martial arts is not a team sport (for the most part) but is one individual competing against themselves meeting milestone marks in colored belts from white belt to black belt. The journey never ends as you receive the coveted black belt and progress to various degrees of black belt that represented abilities of various techniques and kata forms, along with the time factor. I was working on my 3rd degree when as I mentioned before I experienced a stroke that knocked me back like a well-placed spinning back kick to my solar plexus. For eight months I was down, but I got back up and am currently, slowly getting back into the groove. Everyone from Mr. Taylor down to young kids are helping me along the way. 

(2) Addressing the thought that somehow you are cursed if you practiced martial arts:

This is the clarification for some who would believe that anyone who is a practitioner (a person engaged in the practice of a profession, occupation, a person who
practices something specified) is somehow involved in mysticism, the occult, satanic worship or have opened themselves up to a curse or are being cursed. 

CURSED: 'ârar (aw-rar')=A primitive root; to execrate (to detest utterly; abhor; abominate - X bitterly curse, to curse; imprecate evil upon; damn; denounce)

As a believer in the Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Jesus the Christ I am well aware of satan (aka the d-evil) and his demonic minions who are constantly attempting to tempt believers. There is nothing new under the sun, according to Solomon.

Temptation has been defined as not necessarily something to lead us into an evil place but “is designed to pull us away from who we really are and pull us away from our purpose or destiny.” (Larry Napier)

“That which has been is that which will be, and that which has been done is that which will be done. So there is nothing new under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 1:9 N.A.S.B., New American Standard Bible)

In the book of Ephesians we are notified of the battle, the enemy’s tactics, the enemy’s resources and how we can stand against the attacks of the enemy. In Ephesians 6:10-13 we see:

· We are to be strong in the Lord (not in ourselves) and in the strength (power) of
His (not our) might.

· We need to put on the full/whole armor of God, so that we will be able to stand
firm against the schemes of the d-evil.

· Our struggle is not against flesh and blood (human enemies) but (in contrast to
human enemies) against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces
in this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness located
in the heavenly places.

· Because of this we are encouraged to take up the full armor of God so that we will
be able to resist in the evil day and having done everything, to stand firm.

Recently I was informed that by practicing martial arts that I was opening myself up to be cursed. This was not a new thing that the person was telling me, and I truly understand how we can open ourselves up for trouble by things that we do, however the statement took the wind out of me for a moment. The reason given was that the martial arts had roots in the Orient and “non-Christian” practices and was demonic. Again, I have heard this for years and do not deny that people may be involved in the mystic martial arts, however that is not my experience. 

For a brief minute I got on the defensive (not self-defense) and tried to reason with them on an intellectual level, that was my first mistake. I told this person that the Apostle Paul could actually eat meat offered to idols with a clear conscience. (1st Corinthians 8:1-13) They told me that I was wrong and was missing the point. I then reached for another example that just because I ate at a Chinese restaurant and gave my money to people who were not Christians, did not mean that I opened myself up to a curse. Again, I was wrong and they were right so I dropped it and went on my way. For weeks I carried this thought about being cursed with me but through encouragement from my wife and other trusted believers I came out of fog.

I was encouraged to read a book by a man named Derek Prince called Blessings and Curses. Now I was very familiar with the writing of Mr. Prince and I had actually read that certain book. I love the writings and teachings of Derek Prince and have for years, however I did not agree with what he said about martial arts. I went home, pulled out the book and went to the index under /m/ for martial arts and went to the page. Under the section entitled The Power Of The Occult it read:

“Acupressure, acupuncture, astral projection, hypnosis, levitation, martial arts (those that invoke supernatural spiritual power), mind control, mind dynamics, para-kinesis, table-tipping, telekinesis, “touch” healing, witchcraft.” (Blessing or Curse by Derek Prince publisher Chosen Books 1990, page 78)

Again, I understand the thought process about various things that “invoke supernatural spiritual power) other than God and I do avoid many things, and yes, there may be some martial arts students and teachers who may “invoke supernatural spiritual power”, however I am not one of them. In all my years as a student of Wado Ryu Karate at originally Bushido School of Karate (1973) and later at Bill Taylor’s Bushido School of Karate (2001, when I turned 50 years old). I have never been asked to renounce my Christian faith, worship non-Christian religions, invoke and supernatural spiritual power to learn karate and earn my Black Belts. Since 1972/1973 until now in 2018 the only thing that has helped me gain my skills as a martial artist is blood, sweat, tears and practice, practice, practice. 

I personally pray before my classes and ask help from the Lord to help me physically, mentally and emotionally accomplish what needs to be accomplished. My God is a supernatural God, where His super comes on my natural, so I don’t need any watered down supernatural help from the d-evil.

A couple of verses out of the book of Romans underscores my conviction about this.

“Therefore, do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil.” (Romans 14:16 N.A.S.B., New American Standard Bible)

“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” (Colossians 3:17 N.A.S.B. New American Standard Bible)

There is an international organization called Karate For Christ who live out their faith in their martial arts in their words and their deeds.

Sensei Bill Taylor was kind enough to write an endorsement that appears on the back of Never Run A Dead Kata for which I am forever grateful.

“A thought provoking account of a martial artist’s journey to the 1st degree Black Belt told in a Christian perspective. Mr. Boyd uses his unique insight and humor to put together and enjoyable read.” (Sensei Bill Taylor 7th Dan, owner/operator of Bill Taylor’s Bushido School of Karate)

Rodney Boyd 2nd Dan Black Belt
2018