Hey there friends! I know it's been a while I've been on hiatus, but I'm back. You may notice a change. I'm still doing these in the van when I get the chance, so no change there. Maybe you're new and you don't know any better - welcome!

Black Belt Ministries is now 4SIX Ministries

I had to "rebrand" (just change the name) the ministry because some people were all twisted up about the term "Black Belt." They were under the misconception that traditional Karate-do is full of eastern religion and whatnot - which it is not.

When some of the original Okinawan masters wanted to get Karate-do into the school system, the Japanese Ministry of Education had that same concern. So one of the OG masters (ITOSU Ankoh 1830-1916) wrote a very nice letter to them saying that Karate-do did not develop from Buddhism or Confucianism but it is primarily for the benefit of health. But you see, the problem is this:

The martial arts and Christianity have had the philosophies and religions of men imposed upon them.

They have both been transformed into things they were never meant to be.

So here we are. To avoid any misconceptions or preconceived notions, welcome to the name change. New name, same mission. "So why 4SIX?" you may ask. Good question.

1. In Zechariah 4:6, God said to Zerubbabel, "Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit." Of course that's first and foremost. To be led by and walk in the Spirit. It's not about me. It's not about my agenda. It's not about trying to get things done on my own or in my own power, but His.

2. In Hosea 4:6, God said, "My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge. Destroyed. Well that ain't good! A lack of knowledge about what? Back up to verse 1 and He says there is no knowledge of Himself in the land. God's people are destroyed - they perish for a lack of knowledge of Him. And if we're being brutally honest about it, there's no excuse for that.

My goal all along has been to help myself learn more about the Lord and to bring you along on this journey. It's all about us learning together. So let's get back at it.

Until next time, learn and grow in the grace and the knowledge of the Lord.