MMACHAPLAIN

FIGHTING BY ADAM LYNN

stephan — Thu, 23 May 2013 00:58:02 +0000

As of late I have been noticing a trend in fight training… not to say good or bad, but just a trend. In the race to develop ourselves, or our talent into the next great fighter we tend to gear most of our work and training to what they’re supposed “style” is. Solid theory, I practice it myself…great for strategy sessions and live sparring. Necessary also for competitions, knowing how your attributes stack up against your opponent and how to exploit them. So how do we enhance that?
We need to work on the glue… the motions, the reactions and the resolve in which your body moves. Technique’s for example… I know a lot of fighters that have a hard time throwing the left leg ( from a right handed stance). They get stuck in the mindset of ” it feels awkward” and therefore do not practice it. Why not find the spot where it feels good, get your reps in and then figure out a way to get there. There are so many angles and positions in MMA that we can be effective anywhere, it just needs to be practiced and drilled and practiced and drilled…So important too is the intention behind the skill. We all can throw a right hand/left hook, but what or who is driving that punch? Am I trying to dart in and hit then evade, or am I confident and composed in front of you..able to see whats coming? Not what you throw but how you throw it.
These skills have to be developed, they are natural in only a select few of us… Don’t be a house of cards.

FAITH BY W. COPOLUS

stephan — Wed, 08 May 2013 20:33:28 +0000

The next question my brother asked is: isn’t it true that Jesus never claimed to be God or the Son of God, as Dan Brown, the author of The Da Vinci Code, claims, and isn’t this merely the later assertion of church leaders trying to start a new religion?

My response: While we don’t have any recordings of any of Jesus’ sermons or speeches, nor do we have any record of anything written by Him, we do have manuscript copies of the writings of various eye-witnesses to the life and teachings of Jesus. Matthew, one of Jesus’ hand-picked disciples and apostles, wrote his Gospel in the mid first century, with many believing his to be the first Gospel written, between 50 and 70 A.D. Matthew was an eye-witness to much of Jesus’ ministry, miracles, sermons/speeches and resurrection. Matthew attributes statements to Jesus (Matt 16:13-17) in which Jesus agreed with Peter that He (Jesus) was the Son of God, and to witnesses hostile to Jesus (Matt 27:37-43) that He (Jesus) claimed to be the Son of God (this term was understood in that culture to be a claim to be God).

In the Gospel of Mark, who is believed to be another eye-witness, Jesus was reported to forgive sins (Mark 2:3-7), an act understood to be the function of God alone; at His trial (Mark 14:60-62, Matt 26:62), Jesus claimed to be the Son of God, predicted He would be seated at the right hand of the Father, and would return to earth in a cloud; as a result, Jesus was convicted and condemned (Mark 14:63-64) for who He claimed to be (God) rather than any particular act on His part.

John, another of Jesus’ hand-picked disciples and apostles, wrote his Gospel in the late first century, with most scholars concluding this is the last Gospel written, with many dating the book to the early 90’s. Like Matthew, John was also an eye-witness to much of Jesus’ ministry, miracles, sermons/speeches and resurrection. He reports (John 5:15-18) that Jesus claimed to be doing the work of God the Father; (John 10:27-33) that Jesus claimed the authority to give eternal salvation and that He was one with the Father.

John attributes the following famous quote to Jesus (John 14:6): “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” The word “truth” means the same as or equal to the original. In claiming He was “the truth”, Jesus was claiming to be the same as or equal to God. Jesus said anyone who believes in God, believes in Him (14:1); anyone who knew Jesus also knew God (14:7); anyone who saw Jesus also saw God, the one who sent Him (14:9, 45); and that Jesus’ words were God’s words (14:24).

FAMILY by Adam Lynn

stephan — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 23:11:30 +0000

So two weeks ago, as per his request, I took some photo’s for my dad. Pretty normal right? After all it was his 63rd birthday, I guess that’s the least I could do…but before I could participate I had to wash the abundance of industrial strength self tanner from my unsuspecting hands. You see, ” Johnny Blue”, as he’s known affectionately, bodybuilds recreationally, trains people professionally and just plain exercises compulsively. So the plan was to capture his greatest glory, (3% body fat, 17 inch bi’s… aka Mr. March)
and I have to say, glorious it was indeed. From toes to neck, a thick lather of Jamaican sexy, dusted with non stick PAM “JB” bent, bulged and flexed for his stills with the experience and composure of true professional. Having bared witness to all this I’m left with a sense of gratification? At least I think so… As with so many of are families we have had our friction, saw things differently and of course there’s always the ever present lack of communication. However, on that day, at that time I saw a portrait of the man I could become…Things could be worse.

FAITH BY W. COPULOS

stephan — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 00:02:17 +0000

The next question about Christianity my brother had for me was: isn’t Christianity just a religion of exclusivity, judgment, narrow mindedness and intolerance, therefore less appealing than any of the other world religions? I responded first by considering some of the other world religions. Judaism teaches only a Jewish believer can obtain salvation, as one of God’s chosen people. Islam teaches only a Muslim can obtain salvation, as a follower of Muhammad. And various cults (such as Mormonism and Jehovah’s Witness) teach only members of their specific group can obtain salvation. So I asked my brother why is the question always asked about Christianity, implying Christianity is an exclusive, intolerant, judgmental, narrow minded religion, and never about the other religions?

Next, I pointed out that Jesus said “For God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” He didn’t say God so loved Christians. He said God so loved everyone. Nor did He say if Christians believe in Him they will have eternal life. He said everyone who believes will have eternal life. And He didn’t say salvation is available to those who go to a particular church or denomination, or who are members of a particular race, nation, or culture. Salvation is a free gift from God offered to everyone, including every race, nation, and culture. Christianity is the most inclusive religion.

Lastly, I pointed out that God is loving of every sinner, just not their sin. Jesus said “Healthy people don’t need a doctor- sick people do. I have not come to call those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.” Time and time again Jesus chose to be with those recognized to be unrighteous, those suffering from sin related issues; He forgave their sin and told them to sin no more. The bible teaches that God wants no one to perish, so He sent Jesus to pay the price for our sins and to die for us, while we were still sinners. Christianity is the only religion that teaches it is not about what we can do to earn salvation, but about what has already been done by Jesus on the cross for each and everyone of us. And the gift of salvation is a free gift from God.

True Christians do not believe they are saved because they are deserving or righteous. True Christians understand they are sinners and unrighteous in their own right, deserving of God’s wrath and judgment, just like every other fallen human being. But, because of the great and wonderful sacrifice of Jesus, our sin has been exchanged for His righteousness; when God looks upon a sinner, He no longer sees the sin, but sees the righteousness of His Son, instead. And because of the righteousness of Jesus, the sinner (who has placed his faith in Jesus) passes from death and condemnation to eternal life. The only question for us to decide is will we accept or reject the free gift. TO BE CONTINUED…

FAMILY BY BRANDON WONG

stephan — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 18:31:59 +0000

Over the past few years I have really learned to appreciate the time spent with family members. There are cousins that I barely know, and some extended family that I’ve only met once. As a kid I didn’t appreciate family outings because it was an intrusion of my fun time. However, I now find myself asking an endless list of questions relating to my family history when I have the opportunity. Unfortunately, I don’t have much time physically spent with my family. But, I truly do value these times. I realize that there will soon be a day that I will be the one to organize family gatherings, so I better start preparing now.

The majority of my family lives two thousand miles away. The only communication that I have with most of them are through birthday and Christmas cards. I give them a synopsis of what’s going on in my life at that moment, and telling them that I hope to see them soon. It does feel great to tell them about things that I’m only used to telling to friends. In some ways I feel like they are really getting to know the child, nephew, or cousin they thought they knew. It’s strange how much easier it is to reveal things in writing, rather than speaking. All this to say, that oddly enough, I feel closer with most of family now that I’m further away.

Family

stephan — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 21:32:02 +0000

So my parents are finally moving back to the states from being missionaries in Nicaragua for the last three years and this news is so exciting because I haven’t been able to “just stop by” in like 10 years. But my dad asked me to come help him move…sounds nice right, but the reality is that I would have to fly to Idaho from Southern California, then help load up a house worth of stuff, then help drive a moving truck across a state, then unload the truck in their new house, then help move stuff around inside the house, then return the rental truck and finally fly back to California. Probably will take a week at minimum, so there is my dilemma, do I be a good son or make and excuse, oh and did I mention I have a shoulder that dislocates.
In the end I will go help my father, not necessarily because I want to but because it’s the right thing to do.
Its important to be reminded here and there about simple inconveniences because its the “choice” in these small decisions that shapes who we are and what we are living for. Because if you cant make a right choice in something simple you have already made the wrong choice.
Life is shaped in the simplest of details, never forget that…

Faith by Will Copulos

stephan — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 03:57:43 +0000

This is my first blog here at MMAchaplain. In these blogs I would like to focus on questions of faith.

This past weekend my 29 year old son and I saw my 2 brothers. My brothers flew out from New York, where I’m originally from, and we all went to an Elvis Presley Festival/Competition down in Temecula. I’ve never been much of an Elvis fan, nor has my son, but my 2 brothers are. They’re big Elvis fans. My middle brother and the one I competed with in the 1977 NYC Golden Gloves, is probably even a bigger Elvis fan. He has been to Graceland Mansion (Elvis’ mansion in Memphis) and still buys shirts from Elvis’ tailor (Lansky Brothers) in Memphis.
We had a great time in Temecula. I enjoyed the competition and even the music; but more than that enjoyed spending time with my son and brothers. And I had some time to continue a dialogue with my middle brother that has been ongoing over the past 3 years. It is this dialogue that I’d like to focus on in this blog.
Four years ago I was a hard core atheist. I considered myself to be a well educated, enlightened, self reliant, successful attorney and businessman. I had no need or room for God in my life. My bold sense of independent, self reliance grew out of a combination of our American heritage, my up bringing, my public school education (that erroneously taught me Darwinian evolution had already been proven to be scientific fact), and my 7+ years of experience as a Marine infantry officer and JAG. And I was successful enough to retire at age 49. That sort of reinforced my independence and self reliance. However, despite my health and the health of my beautiful wife and children, the loving family that I had, and my professional and business success, something was missing from my life. If I was honest with myself and others, I wasn’t fully content. I thought that I should have been, but for some reason, which I couldn’t understand, I wasn’t…
Then, after sensing I was being challenged to look into the evidence for the resurrection of Jesus, I embarked on a 4-5 month investigation of that evidence. I began reading books and translations of extra-biblical writings, researching internet resources and websites, and thinking about the logical conclusions to be drawn from the circumstantial evidence. After I concluded my investigation, I reluctantly had to admit that the evidence was more than sufficient to support the conclusion that the resurrection was a real historical event. In short, I felt I had been a fool all my adult life, thinking I knew the truth, without ever having looked at the EVIDENCE.
Once I concluded the resurrection was an actual historical event, I slowly came to understand that Jesus must be who He claimed He was, and once I did I quickly received Him as my Lord and Savior. Since then, given the eternal consequences, I began sharing the truth with family and friends, including my non believing middle brother. TO BE CONTINUED…

Adam Lynn Fighting

stephan — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 00:19:19 +0000

What is it about fighting that draws so many of us in? The spectacle, the competition, the inevitable collision of two opposing forces…or simply an occasional night out with your boys to watch the latest and greatest “Biggest Fight in MMA”? Whatever the reason may be the sport of MMA has captured the attention of the entire world, and why not? There is no other arena, be it athletic, business, educational or political in which two individuals can combat each other physically, verbally and psycologicaly…using all naturally available assets to defend your ideology and or prevail in the face, or fists of adversity.
For the truest of us it is not about the fame or the fortune, the tattoos and the mohawks, the tapout t’s and the afterparties…For those involved and dedicated to this way of life it is simply about purpose. Whether that purpose is our teamates that we see everyday, or our students that we are so lucky to have, or are ability to pass on the techniques that were give to us…or is it our next opponent who patiently waits for our will to weaken? For myself and others like me that is the driving factor, my motivation, my end goal…just to have a purpose, where there was none before.

Minimal Man

stephan — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 23:55:50 +0000

…The “minimal man”- is the man whose desire is to break away from the conceived ideal of what he should be because someone told him it was so..
He is a man whose goal is to define it for himself, not having it defined by all the noisy vomit of the worlds cries-but through the tangible realities of a life filled with challenges, adventure, tests and danger. Like Christopher Columbus who sailed defiantly into the open endless blue surface because he was tired of weaker men saying the world only worked one way.

This quest is of the utmost importance, because without it, how can you know if you grew out of childhood and became a man! The worlds voice defines who you are, what you do and how you can do it…its purpose to control all that you could have been. Like kindling in a fire your life has no value except to keep someone else warm and satisfied. From the time you were born certain individuals in your life have manipulated and crafted you in ways best suited for them…the purpose is simple and calculated, to make you need them …to make you think you were born into crutches.

If you honestly think this couldn’t be true and in no way could be you, then why? Why do you think you have such deep pain and sorrow in your life or why do you constantly search for ways to numb the gnawing voices in your head? Why do you think about suicide as much as a clock thinks about time?
If life has no purpose, no deep meaningful value and all you are is just a boy still suckling from your mothers breast then tear down the foundations of humanity and set the world ablaze…for we are just fools.
The minimal man is striving after less not more…he is craving a simpler life with less distractions, less ridiculousness in what he is about.

Who’s worth living with and whats worth dying for?

The point is to starve ones self to see just what you really are made of, and more importantly just what you can’t live without…emotionally, physically, mentally and spiritually. What’s the point in life if you gain the whole world and in the end lose yourself, how foolish and wasteful your life was.

Today’s the day to stop playing the game and realize that your life and those loved ones around you are at stake, begin to choose to take the first step into that endless blue surface…

The Gospel

stephan — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 05:51:44 +0000

DEFINITION: the good news about Jesus

INCLUDING FIVE MAIN ELEMENTS:
1: prophetic messianic scripture: almost 400 scriptures in a four thousand year period pointing to a coming messiah (savior)
2: sinless life of Jesus: atoning sacrifice
3: brutal death of Jesus: in place of God’s wrath on you
4: resurrection of Jesus: power over death and ability to grant eternal life
5: exclusive claims of Jesus: that only He can forgive sins and save men[/superquote]

GOD’S STORY:
That God created mankind in His image for His glory for relationship, but mankind was tricked by Satan and desired to be gods themselves, man sinned against God and was removed from God’s presence. But God so loved His creation and desired to bring restoration to men and save mankind from His wrath on our sin and from eternal damnation, that God the Father sent His Son, Jesus born of a virgin. This Jesus lived a sinless life—a life you could not live—full of miracles and power—the blind and lame healed, the wind and waves calmed, thousands feed, demonic spirits cast out, the dead raised and sins forgiven. This Jesus foretold His own death and resurrection and this Jesus died a brutal death-a death you should have died. He was beaten, spit upon, tortured, punched, cursed, humiliated and forced to carry His own cross unto death. This Jesus died and there was an eclipse so dark you couldn’t even move and the veil in the Jewish temple was torn in two, there was an earthquake and dead people rose from the graves. But three days later just as Jesus said, He rose from the grave and appeared to women and disciples and to over five hundred a one time then He appeared to the disciple named Thomas and Jesus showed him the scares from the nails in His hands and feet that placed Him on that wooden cross. During Jesus’s life and in His death and after His resurrection He made many claims that only He has the power to save man from sin’s grasp through His shed blood and broken body, He was given the power to forgiving sin and grant eternal life. This Jesus now calls to you, will you trust Him to rescue you from your sin?

HOW:
Repent of your sins, leaving all your old life behind and put your FAITH in Jesus for a new life. It’s either “ALL or Nothing”, Jesus lived a life you couldn’t, Jesus died a death you should have and only Jesus has the power to save you from Gods final outpouring of wrath on all sin and restore you to perfect relationship with God for all eternity.