Insights
Words from the thoughts of our students and those they influence.
This insights page is devoted to those within Calvary Family Hybrid Hapkido who wish to share their "insights", life experiences, and lessons learned. Each person within our family have their distinct personality and collectively we are Calvary Family Hybrid Hapkido. Unlike other "martial art" schools, we believe that there is more to our make up than simply learning to fight. We believe in the total development of each member spiritually, mentally and physically. This page demonstrates the intellect and talents of those within our family-Calvary Family Hybrid Hapkido.
A Child Will Lead
I Did Not Forget
A Funny Thing Happened On The Way
A Talk Among Friends
My Favorite Bully
A Pearl of Wisdom
How To Forgive
A Child Will Lead
“Daddy!” A loud voice screamed in the middle of the night, “Daddy!”. Quickly I jumped from my bed and ran to her bedside. A small child was lying there under her blanket and crying. I took her in my arms “Daddy, I had a dream.” She uttered while sobbing. I held her while attempting to speak words of comfort. “What did you dream about baby?” I asked. And here is where her story begins.
“I was alone”, she began, “there were others around me, but still I felt alone. I wandered around, doing what I wanted to do, acting like there were no rules, just living life any way I wanted.” “That doesn’t sound too bad does it?” I replied. “I know Daddy, but something still didn’t feel right. I lived by my own rules, but I still felt empty.”
“Where there others around you?” I asked. “Yes” she said. “And what were they doing?” “Nothing. They were just like me, just living.” “Daddy,” she continued. “Yes” I replied. “There was a man in my dream too.” She paused “People were being mean to him. They called him names and teased him. They even beat him. I felt bad for him Daddy.” She began to cry again. I sat there quietly on her bed allowing her to continue when she is ready. “He seemed nice Daddy. He was a teacher but the people didn’t want to learn. I should have told those people to leave him alone, but I didn’t,” she said shamefully. “I just watched. People gathered around like a big mob and they kept beating him Daddy. I wanted them to stop, but I didn’t know what to do. They made him carry big pieces of wood to the top of a hill, then,” her voice trailed off to silence. She looked up at me, her eyes full of tears “They put nails in his hands and feet, they pushed thorns in his head. I yelled for them to stop daddy, I did. I did yell for them to stop.” she sobbed, “but they didn’t listen. Then he looked at me, right at me and I heard him say something Daddy. His mouth didn’t move, but I heard him say something to me.” “What did he say baby?” I enquired. She looked at me innocently and whispered, “He said “For you”.
We sat there that evening on her bed holding one another. Bekah, my daughter, explained to me that this person in her dream was Jesus. I smiled as she taught me about Him. A scripture came to me as we sat there, Isaiah 11:6 “…and a little child will lead them.”
I learned that night that when she screamed out me, it was not out of fear, but out of love and excitement. She cried over the pain He suffered. She rejoiced over the acceptance of His love. On this night, truly a child did lead.
Isaac Costley
“Daddy!” A loud voice screamed in the middle of the night, “Daddy!”. Quickly I jumped from my bed and ran to her bedside. A small child was lying there under her blanket and crying. I took her in my arms “Daddy, I had a dream.” She uttered while sobbing. I held her while attempting to speak words of comfort. “What did you dream about baby?” I asked. And here is where her story begins.
“I was alone”, she began, “there were others around me, but still I felt alone. I wandered around, doing what I wanted to do, acting like there were no rules, just living life any way I wanted.” “That doesn’t sound too bad does it?” I replied. “I know Daddy, but something still didn’t feel right. I lived by my own rules, but I still felt empty.”
“Where there others around you?” I asked. “Yes” she said. “And what were they doing?” “Nothing. They were just like me, just living.” “Daddy,” she continued. “Yes” I replied. “There was a man in my dream too.” She paused “People were being mean to him. They called him names and teased him. They even beat him. I felt bad for him Daddy.” She began to cry again. I sat there quietly on her bed allowing her to continue when she is ready. “He seemed nice Daddy. He was a teacher but the people didn’t want to learn. I should have told those people to leave him alone, but I didn’t,” she said shamefully. “I just watched. People gathered around like a big mob and they kept beating him Daddy. I wanted them to stop, but I didn’t know what to do. They made him carry big pieces of wood to the top of a hill, then,” her voice trailed off to silence. She looked up at me, her eyes full of tears “They put nails in his hands and feet, they pushed thorns in his head. I yelled for them to stop daddy, I did. I did yell for them to stop.” she sobbed, “but they didn’t listen. Then he looked at me, right at me and I heard him say something Daddy. His mouth didn’t move, but I heard him say something to me.” “What did he say baby?” I enquired. She looked at me innocently and whispered, “He said “For you”.
We sat there that evening on her bed holding one another. Bekah, my daughter, explained to me that this person in her dream was Jesus. I smiled as she taught me about Him. A scripture came to me as we sat there, Isaiah 11:6 “…and a little child will lead them.”
I learned that night that when she screamed out me, it was not out of fear, but out of love and excitement. She cried over the pain He suffered. She rejoiced over the acceptance of His love. On this night, truly a child did lead.
Isaac Costley
I Did Not Forget
Tom was a busy man. He worked 10 hours a day and also had a part time job. Being happily married for 8 years, Tom and his wife Lacy have been blessed with 2 beautiful children Michael 7 and Sarah 4. Tom adored his children, at least that is what he kept reminding himself to justify why he spent so much time away from home. Bills had to be paid, the house note was due, two cars, utilities, numerous credit cards, college student loans and on top of that they had not even begun to invest towards their retirements or the children’s college education.
“Dad” asked Michael, “Can we go to the park today?” “Not today,” replied his dad, “I need my rest, see Daddy has been working all week and Sunday is the only day that I have to rest. But I promise Tuesday I’ll come home a little early and we’ll go to the park.” Forgetting the disappointment of the moment Michael smiled with joy in anticipation of Tuesday’s time with dad.
“Mom, where is Dad?” asked Michael. It’s Tuesday and Michael has remembered his dads promise. “He will be here in a few minutes, he is on his way.” The phone rings at that very moment. “I bet that is Daddy calling to make sure I’m ready huh Mom?” “Yeah I bet it is.” said mom smiling. “Hello. Hi Tom, Michael is here. What? Oh Tom, but he’s right here waiting. Ok, I’ll talk with him.” Michael hears all of his Mom’s side of the conversation. He knows something isn’t right, but he just doesn’t know what. Lacy hangs up the phone “How long until dad is here mom?” “Daddy can’t make it today honey.” Replies Mom, “He has had a very busy day and he has to work late to catch up.” Well we can go when he comes home right?” asks Michael still wanting to spend time with his dad. “No honey not today.” After work daddy needs to go to the gym, he needs to wind down a little.” “Oh” sighs Michael as he began to walk away. Lacy stood there not knowing what to say. What was there for her to say?
“Hey sport!” yelled Tom as he entered into the house and picked up Michael placing him within his arms. “Daddy made it through another week.” Michael couldn’t help but to laugh as his father swung him in his arms. He didn’t really understand what his father meant, but he was happy just to be with his daddy. “Wanna go and get a milkshake with your Dad?” “Yep!” Michael yelled in excitement. Tom puts Michael down, kisses Lacey and watches Michael run into his room to put on his shoes. The Baskin Robbins is only 5 minutes away, but Michael didn’t care. He just wants to spend time with his dad. As they got into the car Tom’s cell phone rings. The entire ride to Baskin Robbins Tom remained on his cell phone talking to someone else instead of Michael. “May I take your order?” asked the woman behind the counter as Tom continued his conversation on the cell phone “Yeah, Get him a small chocolate shake, nothing for me.” Michael didn’t say a word to his father the entire ride home. How could he, his father remained on the cell phone the entire time. As they pulled up to the house Tom reached across his son, opened the door and said “Tell your mom that I have some work that I have to finish and I’ll be home later.” He closed the door behind Michael, leaving him standing in the driveway alone. “Thanks Dad.” said Michael to no one there.
“Mom, tomorrow is my t-ball game. I’m going to show you and daddy how good I am.” “Daddy, forgot that he needs to do work around the house tomorrow.” answered his mom.
“Mom, tomorrow we all go to Six Flags right?” asked Michael with excitement in his voice. “Yes, we are going, but daddy forgot that he has to work. But you and I will have a lot of fun.”
“Mom, tomorrow is my Junior High Wrestling match. I’m going to show you and Dad the new moves I’ve learned.” “Dad forgot that he has a meeting with some co workers.”, is his mothers reply.
“Mom, today is our championship football game. Dad said he will be there”, says the 17 year old Michael, “but I know how that goes.” “Hey.” Says Michael’s mom “Your dad supplies food and a place for you to live young man. Don’t you speak about him that way. He really tries to come to your events.” “Yeah, well his trying never seems to be doing.” says Michael.
The lights are shining brightly upon the football field. The crowd is screaming, the cheerleaders are cheerleading, and #28, Michael is standing proudly on the sideline waiting for his offense to be called back upon the field. “If it wasn’t for the pouring rain, tonight would be the perfect night”, thinks Michael, “that and if Dad would not forget and actually come.”
It’s 7 pm and Tom is still sitting at his desk at work oblivious to the time. The crackling sound of the thunder startles him and he drops his pen. As he reaches down to pick it up a letter falls from his breast pocket “Dear Dad” it began, “I want to thank you for all that you have done. When I was younger I didn’t understand. Sometimes I even thought I hated you. You couldn’t take me fishing as much as I wanted, you couldn’t come to all my games like I wanted and sometimes you couldn’t even have dinner with us. But now I understand better. You weren’t making your job the priority, all the time, it was the family being the priority. You worked to bring in the money that we had to pay the bills and keep us safe. I’m sorry for some of the things I have thought in the past about you Dad. If you can’t make it to the game tonight, I understand, you are taking care of the family. I realize now Dad, that you never forgot. You were remembering to take care of us. Love your son.” Tom felt the sting of the tears swelling in his ears. He collect his paperwork into a neat pile and thought to himself that it can keep until tomorrow, deadline or no deadline. He closed his briefcase and began to walk out of his office. Almost out the door, Tom turns back around and looks at the paperwork on his desk. He walks back to his desk and pulls out his pen…
It’s the fourth quarter, with only a few minutes left to play in the game. Michael keeps looking up to the stands. His mom is not sitting in her usual place. “Where is she?” he says out loud to his friend “There she is.”, points his friend. “She is coming this way.” Michael’s heart pounds, happy that his mom has made it to his last game, forgetting the disappointment of her not being there sooner. Soon she is standing by the fence that separates the fans from the players. Michael looks at her drenched from the rain, but something is different. He hands are to her side, no umbrella and her chin is quivering but not from the chill of the rain. He walks toward her…
It is a slightly breezy and chilly Sunday. The trees are swaying gently from side to side. A group of people are standing in a circle on the plush lawn slightly damp from the drizzling rain. A police officer makes his way to the middle of the circle and pulls something from his coat “Excuse me Ma’am. I found this on the night that this happened and I thought that you may want it.” Lacy opens the letter and begins crying more as she reads it. Somehow, she is able to bring a slight smile to her face. She turns to Michael, “This is for you.” “Dear Son. Thank you for understanding but I still must say that I am sorry. I thought that being a good father meant that I pay the bills on time, keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer. I thought a good father meant that I supply you with the physical things that you need and want in life. What I didn’t see was that what you wanted and needed most in life was time with me. So tonight I’m giving you what I always should have given you, my time.”
Michael stood up from his chair, walked over to the rectangular hole in the ground, and whispered “Thanks Dad. You didn’t forget.”
Isaac Costley
(I know that often times we put our work, our time at the gym and our time with our friends ahead of our time with our family. Sometimes we do it purposely and other times we do I ignorantly. We never know when we are to be called home to be with the Lord. Let us remember, our children often times do not understand why we are absent, they only know that we are ABSENT. What do you say, Wanna change their perception?)
Tom was a busy man. He worked 10 hours a day and also had a part time job. Being happily married for 8 years, Tom and his wife Lacy have been blessed with 2 beautiful children Michael 7 and Sarah 4. Tom adored his children, at least that is what he kept reminding himself to justify why he spent so much time away from home. Bills had to be paid, the house note was due, two cars, utilities, numerous credit cards, college student loans and on top of that they had not even begun to invest towards their retirements or the children’s college education.
“Dad” asked Michael, “Can we go to the park today?” “Not today,” replied his dad, “I need my rest, see Daddy has been working all week and Sunday is the only day that I have to rest. But I promise Tuesday I’ll come home a little early and we’ll go to the park.” Forgetting the disappointment of the moment Michael smiled with joy in anticipation of Tuesday’s time with dad.
“Mom, where is Dad?” asked Michael. It’s Tuesday and Michael has remembered his dads promise. “He will be here in a few minutes, he is on his way.” The phone rings at that very moment. “I bet that is Daddy calling to make sure I’m ready huh Mom?” “Yeah I bet it is.” said mom smiling. “Hello. Hi Tom, Michael is here. What? Oh Tom, but he’s right here waiting. Ok, I’ll talk with him.” Michael hears all of his Mom’s side of the conversation. He knows something isn’t right, but he just doesn’t know what. Lacy hangs up the phone “How long until dad is here mom?” “Daddy can’t make it today honey.” Replies Mom, “He has had a very busy day and he has to work late to catch up.” Well we can go when he comes home right?” asks Michael still wanting to spend time with his dad. “No honey not today.” After work daddy needs to go to the gym, he needs to wind down a little.” “Oh” sighs Michael as he began to walk away. Lacy stood there not knowing what to say. What was there for her to say?
“Hey sport!” yelled Tom as he entered into the house and picked up Michael placing him within his arms. “Daddy made it through another week.” Michael couldn’t help but to laugh as his father swung him in his arms. He didn’t really understand what his father meant, but he was happy just to be with his daddy. “Wanna go and get a milkshake with your Dad?” “Yep!” Michael yelled in excitement. Tom puts Michael down, kisses Lacey and watches Michael run into his room to put on his shoes. The Baskin Robbins is only 5 minutes away, but Michael didn’t care. He just wants to spend time with his dad. As they got into the car Tom’s cell phone rings. The entire ride to Baskin Robbins Tom remained on his cell phone talking to someone else instead of Michael. “May I take your order?” asked the woman behind the counter as Tom continued his conversation on the cell phone “Yeah, Get him a small chocolate shake, nothing for me.” Michael didn’t say a word to his father the entire ride home. How could he, his father remained on the cell phone the entire time. As they pulled up to the house Tom reached across his son, opened the door and said “Tell your mom that I have some work that I have to finish and I’ll be home later.” He closed the door behind Michael, leaving him standing in the driveway alone. “Thanks Dad.” said Michael to no one there.
“Mom, tomorrow is my t-ball game. I’m going to show you and daddy how good I am.” “Daddy, forgot that he needs to do work around the house tomorrow.” answered his mom.
“Mom, tomorrow we all go to Six Flags right?” asked Michael with excitement in his voice. “Yes, we are going, but daddy forgot that he has to work. But you and I will have a lot of fun.”
“Mom, tomorrow is my Junior High Wrestling match. I’m going to show you and Dad the new moves I’ve learned.” “Dad forgot that he has a meeting with some co workers.”, is his mothers reply.
“Mom, today is our championship football game. Dad said he will be there”, says the 17 year old Michael, “but I know how that goes.” “Hey.” Says Michael’s mom “Your dad supplies food and a place for you to live young man. Don’t you speak about him that way. He really tries to come to your events.” “Yeah, well his trying never seems to be doing.” says Michael.
The lights are shining brightly upon the football field. The crowd is screaming, the cheerleaders are cheerleading, and #28, Michael is standing proudly on the sideline waiting for his offense to be called back upon the field. “If it wasn’t for the pouring rain, tonight would be the perfect night”, thinks Michael, “that and if Dad would not forget and actually come.”
It’s 7 pm and Tom is still sitting at his desk at work oblivious to the time. The crackling sound of the thunder startles him and he drops his pen. As he reaches down to pick it up a letter falls from his breast pocket “Dear Dad” it began, “I want to thank you for all that you have done. When I was younger I didn’t understand. Sometimes I even thought I hated you. You couldn’t take me fishing as much as I wanted, you couldn’t come to all my games like I wanted and sometimes you couldn’t even have dinner with us. But now I understand better. You weren’t making your job the priority, all the time, it was the family being the priority. You worked to bring in the money that we had to pay the bills and keep us safe. I’m sorry for some of the things I have thought in the past about you Dad. If you can’t make it to the game tonight, I understand, you are taking care of the family. I realize now Dad, that you never forgot. You were remembering to take care of us. Love your son.” Tom felt the sting of the tears swelling in his ears. He collect his paperwork into a neat pile and thought to himself that it can keep until tomorrow, deadline or no deadline. He closed his briefcase and began to walk out of his office. Almost out the door, Tom turns back around and looks at the paperwork on his desk. He walks back to his desk and pulls out his pen…
It’s the fourth quarter, with only a few minutes left to play in the game. Michael keeps looking up to the stands. His mom is not sitting in her usual place. “Where is she?” he says out loud to his friend “There she is.”, points his friend. “She is coming this way.” Michael’s heart pounds, happy that his mom has made it to his last game, forgetting the disappointment of her not being there sooner. Soon she is standing by the fence that separates the fans from the players. Michael looks at her drenched from the rain, but something is different. He hands are to her side, no umbrella and her chin is quivering but not from the chill of the rain. He walks toward her…
It is a slightly breezy and chilly Sunday. The trees are swaying gently from side to side. A group of people are standing in a circle on the plush lawn slightly damp from the drizzling rain. A police officer makes his way to the middle of the circle and pulls something from his coat “Excuse me Ma’am. I found this on the night that this happened and I thought that you may want it.” Lacy opens the letter and begins crying more as she reads it. Somehow, she is able to bring a slight smile to her face. She turns to Michael, “This is for you.” “Dear Son. Thank you for understanding but I still must say that I am sorry. I thought that being a good father meant that I pay the bills on time, keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer. I thought a good father meant that I supply you with the physical things that you need and want in life. What I didn’t see was that what you wanted and needed most in life was time with me. So tonight I’m giving you what I always should have given you, my time.”
Michael stood up from his chair, walked over to the rectangular hole in the ground, and whispered “Thanks Dad. You didn’t forget.”
Isaac Costley
(I know that often times we put our work, our time at the gym and our time with our friends ahead of our time with our family. Sometimes we do it purposely and other times we do I ignorantly. We never know when we are to be called home to be with the Lord. Let us remember, our children often times do not understand why we are absent, they only know that we are ABSENT. What do you say, Wanna change their perception?)
A Funny Thing Happened On The Way
It was an eerie night. The sky was clear, the moon glaring and the stars twinkling. The cool wintry breeze delicately stung the open skin of my face. The snow had melted away and the roads were relatively clear. The truth is that I should not have been driving at all. I was tired, very tired from a long days work. I fought to keep my labored eyes open. My find was focused upon my body being under my warm quilt on my bed. But there was one problem, I just could not shake this craving for ice cream. It sounds silly I know, but all day all I wanted was ice cream, vanilla ice cream, Breyer’s vanilla ice cream. As I drove closer and closer to home that craving intensified, I could picture the ice cream sitting on the top shelf of my refrigerator freezer calling out to me. I pictured myself grabbing it and eating not some of it, but all of it. As I pulled into my driveway my heart rate increased, my respiration became shallow and fast, my palms became clammy and I began to sweat. My body demanded that ice cream. But to my surprise when I opened my freezer door I noticed all the ice cream, my ice cream, was gone. And that is how I came to be in my car at 10:30 at night on my way to the store to satisfy my craving.
Why is this car so close behind me I thought just moments before the lights of this car began to flash. It’s a police car. Was I speeding? Are my lights on? Maybe he doesn’t see the temporary tag in the window. All of this ran through my mind as to why I have been pulled over, me, at 10:30 at night on a mission to get my ice cream, now pulled over.
Good evening I’m Officer Mahner of Fountain P.D. The reason I have pulled you over tonight is because you were driving 40 mph in a posted 30 mph zone.” Spoke this officer as if he had said this thousands of times before. “I need to see your drivers license, proof of insurance and registration please.” As I searched for those things I had to think of something to say in the hope of not getting a ticket “I can’t believe I’m being pulled over for coming out to buy some ice cream.” I began “My wife is pregnant and is having one of her cravings so I had to come out for her, now this.” Ok, I wasn’t telling the truth, she’s not pregnant but I didn’t want a ticket, plus I could see that touched something within Officer Mahner. “Here you go officer,” I said as I handed him what he had requested. “Tell you what Mr. Costley let me talk with my dispatcher. If everything comes back ok, I’ll let you go with just a warning. That’ll save you about a hundred bucks.” “Thanks Officer I appreciated it.”, I responded.
The wait seemed like forever. Then a second police cruiser pulled up, “This isn’t good.” I thought. “Mr. Costley our night is just getting worse.” he said “What, are you going to tell me, that the store is out of my Breyers vanilla ice cream?” Ok, I didn’t say that to him, but I was thinking it. “There seems to be a warrant out for your arrest, something about you failing to appear in reference to a dog control complaint.” I was stunned, a dog control complaint? This hardly sounds like the type of warrant you would like to have. If I must have a warrant make it something glamorous, something that will impress my fellow inmates, something like jumping off a 200-story building with no permit, preferably with a parachute. But no, I have to get arrested and brag to the inmates that my dog was a bad doggie. “Are you serious?” I responded as if a police officer would joke about something like that. “We have two options” he continued “We can park your vehicle at the side of the road or we can have it towed.” It was so nice for the officer to continue to speak in the plural by saying “us” and “we” as if we were partners. “Well if I have a say in this matter “partner”, I say lets just get my ice cream and call it a night.” Ok, I didn’t say that either, but I was thinking it.
“Sir I need for you to step out of your vehicle.” he said “Oh, so now I’m a sir.” No, I didn’t say that either, but guess what? Yep you got it, I was thinking it. The officer led me to the back of his cruiser “Spread your legs and put your hands behind your head.” Man, he is taking this seriously I thought. “Guess no ice cream for me tonight huh?” I said trying to be my usual funny self. His only reply came from the sound of his handcuffs closing tightly around my wrists.
“Nice cruiser” I said trying to make a little conversation while on the way to the hoots Gail. “I bet that you have never had a criminal like me before huh?” “No, I can’t say that I have.” Responded Officer Mahner while laughing. I wasn’t sure if he was laughing at my joke or laughing at me going to jail. “It shouldn’t take very long to get out tonight. Maybe a couple of hours.” he said.
As we walked into the jail I was disappointed. This didn’t look anything like the jails on Law & Order, or N.Y.P.D Blues or even Barney Miller on T.V., plus all of the Sheriff’s Deputies were nice! Even the fellow inmates were nice, but not too nice. The T.V. was playing, the VCR actually worked, and the inmates were watching “A Bugs Life.” I was buggin’, trippin’; you know, astonished! As I was lead into the waiting room to “be processed” I puffed up my chest, put a little dip in my stride and acted like was somebody. I could even here Jessie Jackson echoing in my mind “I am Somebody. I am Somebody.” Then suddenly a different vision entered into my head. All I could picture was Richard Pryor and Gene Wilder in the movie “Stir Crazy” as they were walking past the inmates in prison while stating loudly “We Bad, We Bad”. I laughed at loud. The transsexual, cross dressing, crack addicted, gang member, accountant seated to my right looked up at me thinking I was laughing at him. I wasn’t then, but I am sure am now. Everyone kept looking at me, staring. This is not the best time to “look cute”. Then I realized why they were staring… My zipper was down!! Not really, but I wanted to keep your attention to this story. The real reason that they were staring was because I was wearing my Calvary Family Hybrid Hapkido T-shirt.
The jailer told me to have a seat. I couldn’t believe how many people were in the jail waiting to be processed. It looked like a Jerry Springer special. I sat in seat after seat, continuously moving. “Nope this seat isn’t good.” I would say to myself. One guy smells like alcohol. Another other guy smells like weed. Another guy just smells. A different guy is scratching… All Over. Another guy is talking to himself, actually to his imaginary friend, but you get the idea. And another guy wanted me sit beside him just a little too much. Finally I decided to go into one of the cells. A real cell with concrete floors and walls. Even the bench was made of concrete. No one was in this cell; so I decided to do what every red blooded American would do if he were in jail… sing “Roxanne” just like Eddie Murphy did in the movie “48 hours”. No one seemed amused except for me, especially because I didn’t know the words to that song. I leaned back, actually I laid down on the concrete bench, shut my eyes and began to fall asleep. Yep in jail I closed my eyes and began to fall asleep. I felt at peace with no fear. Then suddenly without warning I was wakened from my slumber. The sound of my snoring echoed off the walls and scared me back into consciousness. Other inmates had come into the cell as I was sleeping and they all laughed at me as I jumped up from out of my sleep.
Hours went by. All I could do was walk around while watching the T.V. People continued to stare at my T-Shirt. Finally someone asked me about it. “What is Hybrid Hapkido?” he asked. At first instinctively I began to him about our self-protection and defense system. Then suddenly I realized there were other things that I could talk with this person about. I began to tell him about our logo. Why we use a triangle, why God is at the top of the triangle, why there is a warrior and why he is kneeling with is hand upon his sword. I explained his shield, his feet, his breastplate, his sword, his belt, and his helmet. I explained to him what “Putting on the Full Armor” meant in terms of our class and more importantly in terms of our lives. I wish I could say that he dropped to his knee’s and accepted the Lord that night, but he didn’t. He simply nodded and turned back to the movie.
An old student of mine arrived at the jail. No he wasn’t arrested like me. He is a Deputy and had brought someone in for processing. Of course he asked me why I was there and I told him about my dog warrant. He did as everyone else had done that night, he laughed at me. Soon after he had me released. Just 6 hours after my chance meeting with Officer Mahner it was over.
I could look at the course of events of this night and wonder “Why me?”. I could be bitter over losing 6 hours of my life, spending them in jail over a dog complaint. But instead I take ownership of this event. Because of my lack of action and follow through a warrant was issued for my arrest. The blame lies with me. Furthermore, I believe there was a purpose to me being arrest far beyond the embarrassment. People in the jail saw my shirt. They saw “God, Family, Country”. They saw “Putting on the Full Armor”. Many of them did not speak to me or I to them, but they saw. Maybe my purpose was to be a witness. To reach them where they were. A seed was planted not just in the man who spoke with me about my shirt, but also within those who saw my shirt. Just as Paul and Silas were a witness to other prisoners while they were in prison (Acts 16), I too was given the opportunity to be a witness.
We need to remember that often times we go through things so that we can help others or so that we are better equipped to help others in the future. Often times those in need will not or cannot come to us, so in Gods wisdom, He sends us to them.
Remember, He who brought us to the situation is also strong enough to bring us through the situation.
Isaac Costley
It was an eerie night. The sky was clear, the moon glaring and the stars twinkling. The cool wintry breeze delicately stung the open skin of my face. The snow had melted away and the roads were relatively clear. The truth is that I should not have been driving at all. I was tired, very tired from a long days work. I fought to keep my labored eyes open. My find was focused upon my body being under my warm quilt on my bed. But there was one problem, I just could not shake this craving for ice cream. It sounds silly I know, but all day all I wanted was ice cream, vanilla ice cream, Breyer’s vanilla ice cream. As I drove closer and closer to home that craving intensified, I could picture the ice cream sitting on the top shelf of my refrigerator freezer calling out to me. I pictured myself grabbing it and eating not some of it, but all of it. As I pulled into my driveway my heart rate increased, my respiration became shallow and fast, my palms became clammy and I began to sweat. My body demanded that ice cream. But to my surprise when I opened my freezer door I noticed all the ice cream, my ice cream, was gone. And that is how I came to be in my car at 10:30 at night on my way to the store to satisfy my craving.
Why is this car so close behind me I thought just moments before the lights of this car began to flash. It’s a police car. Was I speeding? Are my lights on? Maybe he doesn’t see the temporary tag in the window. All of this ran through my mind as to why I have been pulled over, me, at 10:30 at night on a mission to get my ice cream, now pulled over.
Good evening I’m Officer Mahner of Fountain P.D. The reason I have pulled you over tonight is because you were driving 40 mph in a posted 30 mph zone.” Spoke this officer as if he had said this thousands of times before. “I need to see your drivers license, proof of insurance and registration please.” As I searched for those things I had to think of something to say in the hope of not getting a ticket “I can’t believe I’m being pulled over for coming out to buy some ice cream.” I began “My wife is pregnant and is having one of her cravings so I had to come out for her, now this.” Ok, I wasn’t telling the truth, she’s not pregnant but I didn’t want a ticket, plus I could see that touched something within Officer Mahner. “Here you go officer,” I said as I handed him what he had requested. “Tell you what Mr. Costley let me talk with my dispatcher. If everything comes back ok, I’ll let you go with just a warning. That’ll save you about a hundred bucks.” “Thanks Officer I appreciated it.”, I responded.
The wait seemed like forever. Then a second police cruiser pulled up, “This isn’t good.” I thought. “Mr. Costley our night is just getting worse.” he said “What, are you going to tell me, that the store is out of my Breyers vanilla ice cream?” Ok, I didn’t say that to him, but I was thinking it. “There seems to be a warrant out for your arrest, something about you failing to appear in reference to a dog control complaint.” I was stunned, a dog control complaint? This hardly sounds like the type of warrant you would like to have. If I must have a warrant make it something glamorous, something that will impress my fellow inmates, something like jumping off a 200-story building with no permit, preferably with a parachute. But no, I have to get arrested and brag to the inmates that my dog was a bad doggie. “Are you serious?” I responded as if a police officer would joke about something like that. “We have two options” he continued “We can park your vehicle at the side of the road or we can have it towed.” It was so nice for the officer to continue to speak in the plural by saying “us” and “we” as if we were partners. “Well if I have a say in this matter “partner”, I say lets just get my ice cream and call it a night.” Ok, I didn’t say that either, but I was thinking it.
“Sir I need for you to step out of your vehicle.” he said “Oh, so now I’m a sir.” No, I didn’t say that either, but guess what? Yep you got it, I was thinking it. The officer led me to the back of his cruiser “Spread your legs and put your hands behind your head.” Man, he is taking this seriously I thought. “Guess no ice cream for me tonight huh?” I said trying to be my usual funny self. His only reply came from the sound of his handcuffs closing tightly around my wrists.
“Nice cruiser” I said trying to make a little conversation while on the way to the hoots Gail. “I bet that you have never had a criminal like me before huh?” “No, I can’t say that I have.” Responded Officer Mahner while laughing. I wasn’t sure if he was laughing at my joke or laughing at me going to jail. “It shouldn’t take very long to get out tonight. Maybe a couple of hours.” he said.
As we walked into the jail I was disappointed. This didn’t look anything like the jails on Law & Order, or N.Y.P.D Blues or even Barney Miller on T.V., plus all of the Sheriff’s Deputies were nice! Even the fellow inmates were nice, but not too nice. The T.V. was playing, the VCR actually worked, and the inmates were watching “A Bugs Life.” I was buggin’, trippin’; you know, astonished! As I was lead into the waiting room to “be processed” I puffed up my chest, put a little dip in my stride and acted like was somebody. I could even here Jessie Jackson echoing in my mind “I am Somebody. I am Somebody.” Then suddenly a different vision entered into my head. All I could picture was Richard Pryor and Gene Wilder in the movie “Stir Crazy” as they were walking past the inmates in prison while stating loudly “We Bad, We Bad”. I laughed at loud. The transsexual, cross dressing, crack addicted, gang member, accountant seated to my right looked up at me thinking I was laughing at him. I wasn’t then, but I am sure am now. Everyone kept looking at me, staring. This is not the best time to “look cute”. Then I realized why they were staring… My zipper was down!! Not really, but I wanted to keep your attention to this story. The real reason that they were staring was because I was wearing my Calvary Family Hybrid Hapkido T-shirt.
The jailer told me to have a seat. I couldn’t believe how many people were in the jail waiting to be processed. It looked like a Jerry Springer special. I sat in seat after seat, continuously moving. “Nope this seat isn’t good.” I would say to myself. One guy smells like alcohol. Another other guy smells like weed. Another guy just smells. A different guy is scratching… All Over. Another guy is talking to himself, actually to his imaginary friend, but you get the idea. And another guy wanted me sit beside him just a little too much. Finally I decided to go into one of the cells. A real cell with concrete floors and walls. Even the bench was made of concrete. No one was in this cell; so I decided to do what every red blooded American would do if he were in jail… sing “Roxanne” just like Eddie Murphy did in the movie “48 hours”. No one seemed amused except for me, especially because I didn’t know the words to that song. I leaned back, actually I laid down on the concrete bench, shut my eyes and began to fall asleep. Yep in jail I closed my eyes and began to fall asleep. I felt at peace with no fear. Then suddenly without warning I was wakened from my slumber. The sound of my snoring echoed off the walls and scared me back into consciousness. Other inmates had come into the cell as I was sleeping and they all laughed at me as I jumped up from out of my sleep.
Hours went by. All I could do was walk around while watching the T.V. People continued to stare at my T-Shirt. Finally someone asked me about it. “What is Hybrid Hapkido?” he asked. At first instinctively I began to him about our self-protection and defense system. Then suddenly I realized there were other things that I could talk with this person about. I began to tell him about our logo. Why we use a triangle, why God is at the top of the triangle, why there is a warrior and why he is kneeling with is hand upon his sword. I explained his shield, his feet, his breastplate, his sword, his belt, and his helmet. I explained to him what “Putting on the Full Armor” meant in terms of our class and more importantly in terms of our lives. I wish I could say that he dropped to his knee’s and accepted the Lord that night, but he didn’t. He simply nodded and turned back to the movie.
An old student of mine arrived at the jail. No he wasn’t arrested like me. He is a Deputy and had brought someone in for processing. Of course he asked me why I was there and I told him about my dog warrant. He did as everyone else had done that night, he laughed at me. Soon after he had me released. Just 6 hours after my chance meeting with Officer Mahner it was over.
I could look at the course of events of this night and wonder “Why me?”. I could be bitter over losing 6 hours of my life, spending them in jail over a dog complaint. But instead I take ownership of this event. Because of my lack of action and follow through a warrant was issued for my arrest. The blame lies with me. Furthermore, I believe there was a purpose to me being arrest far beyond the embarrassment. People in the jail saw my shirt. They saw “God, Family, Country”. They saw “Putting on the Full Armor”. Many of them did not speak to me or I to them, but they saw. Maybe my purpose was to be a witness. To reach them where they were. A seed was planted not just in the man who spoke with me about my shirt, but also within those who saw my shirt. Just as Paul and Silas were a witness to other prisoners while they were in prison (Acts 16), I too was given the opportunity to be a witness.
We need to remember that often times we go through things so that we can help others or so that we are better equipped to help others in the future. Often times those in need will not or cannot come to us, so in Gods wisdom, He sends us to them.
Remember, He who brought us to the situation is also strong enough to bring us through the situation.
Isaac Costley
A Talk Among Friends
Bob and I were standing outside talking. It wasn’t the “typical” male talk but it was typical of our conversations. We stood gazing at the beauty of Pikes Peak, we’ve done this hundreds of times before. The sun had just tucked itself behind the Peak and the colors streaming toward the sky were magnificent. “How could someone not believe in God when they see such beauty?” Spoke Bob. I remained silent in awe of the view.
“Isaac, pick up that stone.” I looked at him in amazement. “What” I responded. “Just pick up that rock.” Laughing, I did it. I don’t know why, I just did. As I stooped to pick up the rock, I saw that Bob was doing the same. I began to smile because I knew a lesson was in the works. “I want for you to throw that stone as far as you can. Your goal is to do your best to hit Pikes Peak.” All I could think of in my mind is that I am lucky that we are not standing in my backyard. Even more, my neighbors are lucky that we are not standing in my backyard. “Well what are you waiting for?” asked Bob. “How about and explanation.” I responded. “Just do it” he said. So I stretched my right arm behind me, kicked up my leg and I let it go like an all star baseball player. “Now that’s a throw I told him,” with a big smile on my face. “Now it’s my turn,” said Bob. “Oooh I’m scared.” I said laughingly. Bob reached back and threw his rock, it soared through the sky and landed a few feet in front of mine. “Ok, so you can throw a rock further than me. Your point is?” I said, a little disappointed that he out threw me. “That was a lucky throw. Wanna try to hit Pikes Peak again” asked Bob. I was already reaching for rock and had it flying threw the air before he finished his sentenced. This time my rock sailed even further surpassing my last mark and more importantly to me, passing Bob’s last throw too. I turned to him and smiled “Ok, your turn?” Bob exhaled, almost like a sigh of disgust, reached down picked up another rock and threw it. It seemed like that rock belonged in the air for as long as it stayed up there. Finally, seeming like hours later it landed, yep you guessed it in front of mine. “You just couldn’t let me have my time in the setting sun could you?” I said while laughing. “Isaac, you took your eyes off of what really mattered and instead you began to measure your attempt against mine. Have you forgotten what we were trying to do? We were doing our absolute best to reach Pikes Peak? We weren’t trying to see who could throw the rock the farthest.” responded Bob. “Yeah, Now I remember.” Admitting that for a moment I lost focus. “But neither one of us came close to hitting Pikes Peak.” I said. “You mean although we tried our absolute best, it still wasn’t enough? We still fell short?” “Yeah” I said seeing where this lesson was leading. “Isaac, lets view Pikes Peak as God. No matter how much we try, we still fall short. We are just not enough. We can give all of our money to churches. We can help those less fortunate. We can love everyone. We can have great works, but still that is not enough.” I began to smile as he continued “But then came Jesus. He made a way. He taught us that we cannot be saved by what we do, but we can be saved by who we know and who we accept. So we threw our rock; the symbolism is: we by our own effort stretched to meet God but we fell short. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast. Eph: 2:8-9.” “You know Isaac” he continued “we didn’t even have to throw the rock. We didn’t have to reach out to God. He is here with us just as we are.” “Sometimes we need to stop working in our attempt to find God and start working on our relationship with God, He knows where we are, He’s not the one lost.” I said.
Many morals can be found within the story. But instead of me telling you what they are, I hope that you are able to see them for yourselves.
Although this story is written from a Christian perspective even the secular community can find a moral to this story. Sometimes our best efforts are not enough. We will not always make it to the mountain top. We may not always be “the best” in what we do, but we remember, we tried our best. Take consolation in your attempt. Keep your eyes on doing YOUR best, not beating who you perceive as being the competition. Often times when this occurs, we take our eyes off of what mattered to begin with. We lose focus. So take a deep breath, re-evaluate and begin anew.
But in the same breath, remember in the Christian perspective your attempts are in vain if you do not know Jesus.
Bob and I were standing outside talking. It wasn’t the “typical” male talk but it was typical of our conversations. We stood gazing at the beauty of Pikes Peak, we’ve done this hundreds of times before. The sun had just tucked itself behind the Peak and the colors streaming toward the sky were magnificent. “How could someone not believe in God when they see such beauty?” Spoke Bob. I remained silent in awe of the view.
“Isaac, pick up that stone.” I looked at him in amazement. “What” I responded. “Just pick up that rock.” Laughing, I did it. I don’t know why, I just did. As I stooped to pick up the rock, I saw that Bob was doing the same. I began to smile because I knew a lesson was in the works. “I want for you to throw that stone as far as you can. Your goal is to do your best to hit Pikes Peak.” All I could think of in my mind is that I am lucky that we are not standing in my backyard. Even more, my neighbors are lucky that we are not standing in my backyard. “Well what are you waiting for?” asked Bob. “How about and explanation.” I responded. “Just do it” he said. So I stretched my right arm behind me, kicked up my leg and I let it go like an all star baseball player. “Now that’s a throw I told him,” with a big smile on my face. “Now it’s my turn,” said Bob. “Oooh I’m scared.” I said laughingly. Bob reached back and threw his rock, it soared through the sky and landed a few feet in front of mine. “Ok, so you can throw a rock further than me. Your point is?” I said, a little disappointed that he out threw me. “That was a lucky throw. Wanna try to hit Pikes Peak again” asked Bob. I was already reaching for rock and had it flying threw the air before he finished his sentenced. This time my rock sailed even further surpassing my last mark and more importantly to me, passing Bob’s last throw too. I turned to him and smiled “Ok, your turn?” Bob exhaled, almost like a sigh of disgust, reached down picked up another rock and threw it. It seemed like that rock belonged in the air for as long as it stayed up there. Finally, seeming like hours later it landed, yep you guessed it in front of mine. “You just couldn’t let me have my time in the setting sun could you?” I said while laughing. “Isaac, you took your eyes off of what really mattered and instead you began to measure your attempt against mine. Have you forgotten what we were trying to do? We were doing our absolute best to reach Pikes Peak? We weren’t trying to see who could throw the rock the farthest.” responded Bob. “Yeah, Now I remember.” Admitting that for a moment I lost focus. “But neither one of us came close to hitting Pikes Peak.” I said. “You mean although we tried our absolute best, it still wasn’t enough? We still fell short?” “Yeah” I said seeing where this lesson was leading. “Isaac, lets view Pikes Peak as God. No matter how much we try, we still fall short. We are just not enough. We can give all of our money to churches. We can help those less fortunate. We can love everyone. We can have great works, but still that is not enough.” I began to smile as he continued “But then came Jesus. He made a way. He taught us that we cannot be saved by what we do, but we can be saved by who we know and who we accept. So we threw our rock; the symbolism is: we by our own effort stretched to meet God but we fell short. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast. Eph: 2:8-9.” “You know Isaac” he continued “we didn’t even have to throw the rock. We didn’t have to reach out to God. He is here with us just as we are.” “Sometimes we need to stop working in our attempt to find God and start working on our relationship with God, He knows where we are, He’s not the one lost.” I said.
Many morals can be found within the story. But instead of me telling you what they are, I hope that you are able to see them for yourselves.
Although this story is written from a Christian perspective even the secular community can find a moral to this story. Sometimes our best efforts are not enough. We will not always make it to the mountain top. We may not always be “the best” in what we do, but we remember, we tried our best. Take consolation in your attempt. Keep your eyes on doing YOUR best, not beating who you perceive as being the competition. Often times when this occurs, we take our eyes off of what mattered to begin with. We lose focus. So take a deep breath, re-evaluate and begin anew.
But in the same breath, remember in the Christian perspective your attempts are in vain if you do not know Jesus.
My Favorite Bully
Kelly is the average 6th grade female. She has an A/B average, wears glasses, has braces upon her teeth and keeps mostly to herself. She has friends of course, but usually she keeps to herself. She doesn’t seem to be much of an athlete. She doesn’t always end up last, but she is not the first in her class either.
Everyone noticed that Kelly always seems to be happy. She carries a smile on her face that makes those around her smile also. Kelly is a very observant girl. She liked to watch people. It was kind of her hobby. Her friend Rob always kidded her about that hobby of hers. Rob was as good size kid for a 6th grader. They have known each other since Kindergarten. He was nice to everyone and never made any trouble. But even with his kind personality, there were still those who choose to pick on him. “Got some money for me today Rob?” said 8th grader Michael, while clinching his fist tightly closed. He looked rather large to Kelly. Being two years older than she, Michael used intimidation against those that he saw as being weak. Before he could finish his sentence Rob was already handing him money.
Kelly noticed that day after day Michael would make his way through the 6th and 7th graders scaring them into giving him money and their lunches. Each day it was someone new. No one ever knew when it would be his or her day. Kelly wondered why no one would tell on Michael. “Rob you have to do something about Michael” said Kelly. “Like what beat him up.” Said Rob smugly. “You don’t need to do that, but you can tell the teachers.” Said Kelly. “Yeah right. So all the other kids will call me snitch and laugh at me?” Kelly understood. Even at her young age she understood the problems of peer pressure. It can be a strong influence upon someone her age or of any age for that matter.
The classroom was rather warm. Kelly was sweating and breathing heavily. Echo’s of people “yelling”, she calls them “Ki Op’s” filled the room. “Excuse me Master “C” said Kelly. “Yes Ma’am” he replied “How can I help you?” “There is a friend of mine in school that is being picked on by a bully. I don’t want either one of them to get hurt. I told him to tell the bully to stop and to tell the teachers, but he won’t do it. He’s afraid people will laugh at him and tease him for telling.” “Well will they Kelly?” asked Master “C”. “Will they what?” she asked puzzled. “Tease your friend. Will people tease him?” “Yeah probably?” she said. “And should the teasing stop someone from doing what they know is right, Kelly? Even more, should that teasing stop a friend from doing what is right for a friend?” Kelly smiled “No Sir.” She replied. “You know I could show Rob a few things to do.” Continued Kelly. “You sure could Kelly.” Said Master “C”. “And then if those things don’t work I can bring him to class so he can learn to protect and defend himself.” She concluded. “You know Kelly you can bring him to class any time even before there is a problem. You’re a good friend Kelly. I’m proud of you.”
Kelly went home that night and did as she was trained to do. She discussed what is going on in school with her parents. Together, they came up with a great idea. Kelly couldn’t wait until the next day of school to put this plan into action. She knew that if this didn’t work both she and her parents would meet with the teachers and principle about Michael’s behavior.
The bell rang for recess. All the kids ran onto the playground, but not Kelly. She stood still looking around. “Come on Kelly” encouraged Rob as he ran toward the playground. “I’ll be there in a minute” she said. “I have something to do first.”
“There he is” said Kelly to herself. Michael was walking around scouting out the kids on the playground. Much like a shark or a lion sizing up its prey. As Michael began his walk towards another student Kelly stepped in front of him. “Hi Michael.” She began cheerfully. “What do you want? I’m busy.” Said Michael. For some reason unknown to Michael, he never really picked on Kelly. “I have something for you” she continued. “I hope that you like it.” She lifted up with her hand and gave him lunch bag. “What is this?” he asked. “It’s for you” she said. Michael looked puzzled. “Yeah right. Whatever” was all that he could think of to say. “No really Michael it’s for you, open it.” Slowly Michael opened the lunch bag. To his surprise he found his favorite sandwich and snacks that he likes. He even found one of his favorite drinks. “What is this for?” he asked. Kelly looked at him and continued smiling. “I’m sorry Michael.” She said. “For what?” he responded. “Because it took me so long to do this.” Michael didn’t know what to say. She asked if she could sit with him as they ate lunch together and Michael agreed. They sat, ate, and laughed through the lunch period. When the bell rang for the next class, Michael stood up. “Thanks Kelly.” He said. “For what? This is what friends do for each other right?” she said. “Yeah” said Michael.
From that day forward Michael didn’t bully anyone again. All this time all Michael wanted was a friend. All this time he wanted attention, the attention of a friend, but since he thought that he didn’t have any real friends he decided to live the life that everyone thought he was; The life of a bully.
Each day that Kelly saw Michael playing on the playground with Rob and the other kids she was remind of Proverbs 25:21 “If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.” Now Michael is no longer an enemy, but a friend.
Her skills obtained through Hybrid Hapkido taught her how to stop a potential violent situation through kindness and understanding first. On this day Kelly became a great teacher and to Michael, she became a good friend.
Isaac Costley
Kelly is the average 6th grade female. She has an A/B average, wears glasses, has braces upon her teeth and keeps mostly to herself. She has friends of course, but usually she keeps to herself. She doesn’t seem to be much of an athlete. She doesn’t always end up last, but she is not the first in her class either.
Everyone noticed that Kelly always seems to be happy. She carries a smile on her face that makes those around her smile also. Kelly is a very observant girl. She liked to watch people. It was kind of her hobby. Her friend Rob always kidded her about that hobby of hers. Rob was as good size kid for a 6th grader. They have known each other since Kindergarten. He was nice to everyone and never made any trouble. But even with his kind personality, there were still those who choose to pick on him. “Got some money for me today Rob?” said 8th grader Michael, while clinching his fist tightly closed. He looked rather large to Kelly. Being two years older than she, Michael used intimidation against those that he saw as being weak. Before he could finish his sentence Rob was already handing him money.
Kelly noticed that day after day Michael would make his way through the 6th and 7th graders scaring them into giving him money and their lunches. Each day it was someone new. No one ever knew when it would be his or her day. Kelly wondered why no one would tell on Michael. “Rob you have to do something about Michael” said Kelly. “Like what beat him up.” Said Rob smugly. “You don’t need to do that, but you can tell the teachers.” Said Kelly. “Yeah right. So all the other kids will call me snitch and laugh at me?” Kelly understood. Even at her young age she understood the problems of peer pressure. It can be a strong influence upon someone her age or of any age for that matter.
The classroom was rather warm. Kelly was sweating and breathing heavily. Echo’s of people “yelling”, she calls them “Ki Op’s” filled the room. “Excuse me Master “C” said Kelly. “Yes Ma’am” he replied “How can I help you?” “There is a friend of mine in school that is being picked on by a bully. I don’t want either one of them to get hurt. I told him to tell the bully to stop and to tell the teachers, but he won’t do it. He’s afraid people will laugh at him and tease him for telling.” “Well will they Kelly?” asked Master “C”. “Will they what?” she asked puzzled. “Tease your friend. Will people tease him?” “Yeah probably?” she said. “And should the teasing stop someone from doing what they know is right, Kelly? Even more, should that teasing stop a friend from doing what is right for a friend?” Kelly smiled “No Sir.” She replied. “You know I could show Rob a few things to do.” Continued Kelly. “You sure could Kelly.” Said Master “C”. “And then if those things don’t work I can bring him to class so he can learn to protect and defend himself.” She concluded. “You know Kelly you can bring him to class any time even before there is a problem. You’re a good friend Kelly. I’m proud of you.”
Kelly went home that night and did as she was trained to do. She discussed what is going on in school with her parents. Together, they came up with a great idea. Kelly couldn’t wait until the next day of school to put this plan into action. She knew that if this didn’t work both she and her parents would meet with the teachers and principle about Michael’s behavior.
The bell rang for recess. All the kids ran onto the playground, but not Kelly. She stood still looking around. “Come on Kelly” encouraged Rob as he ran toward the playground. “I’ll be there in a minute” she said. “I have something to do first.”
“There he is” said Kelly to herself. Michael was walking around scouting out the kids on the playground. Much like a shark or a lion sizing up its prey. As Michael began his walk towards another student Kelly stepped in front of him. “Hi Michael.” She began cheerfully. “What do you want? I’m busy.” Said Michael. For some reason unknown to Michael, he never really picked on Kelly. “I have something for you” she continued. “I hope that you like it.” She lifted up with her hand and gave him lunch bag. “What is this?” he asked. “It’s for you” she said. Michael looked puzzled. “Yeah right. Whatever” was all that he could think of to say. “No really Michael it’s for you, open it.” Slowly Michael opened the lunch bag. To his surprise he found his favorite sandwich and snacks that he likes. He even found one of his favorite drinks. “What is this for?” he asked. Kelly looked at him and continued smiling. “I’m sorry Michael.” She said. “For what?” he responded. “Because it took me so long to do this.” Michael didn’t know what to say. She asked if she could sit with him as they ate lunch together and Michael agreed. They sat, ate, and laughed through the lunch period. When the bell rang for the next class, Michael stood up. “Thanks Kelly.” He said. “For what? This is what friends do for each other right?” she said. “Yeah” said Michael.
From that day forward Michael didn’t bully anyone again. All this time all Michael wanted was a friend. All this time he wanted attention, the attention of a friend, but since he thought that he didn’t have any real friends he decided to live the life that everyone thought he was; The life of a bully.
Each day that Kelly saw Michael playing on the playground with Rob and the other kids she was remind of Proverbs 25:21 “If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.” Now Michael is no longer an enemy, but a friend.
Her skills obtained through Hybrid Hapkido taught her how to stop a potential violent situation through kindness and understanding first. On this day Kelly became a great teacher and to Michael, she became a good friend.
Isaac Costley
A Pearl of Wisdom
The cheerful girl with bouncy golden curls was almost five. Waiting with her mother at the checkout stand, she saw them: a circle of glistening white pearls in a pink foil box.
"Oh please, Mommy. Can I have them? Please, Mommy, please!"
Quickly the mother checked the back of the little foil box and then looked back into the pleading blue eyes of her little girls upturned face.
"A dollar ninety-five. That is almost $2.00 If you really want them, I’ll think of some extra chores for you and in no time you can save enough money to buy them for yourself. Your birthday is only a week away and you might get another crisp dollar bill from Grandma."
As soon as Jenny got home, she emptied her penny bank and counted out 17 pennies. After dinner, she did more than her share of chores and she went to the neighbor and asked Mrs. McJames if she could pick dandelions for ten cents. On her birthday, Grandma did give her another new dollar bill and at last she had enough money to buy the necklace.
Jenny loved her pearls. They made her feel dressed up and grown up.
She wore them everywhere to Sunday school, kindergarten, even to bed. The only time she took them off was when she went swimming or had a bubble bath. Mother said if they got wet, they might turn her neck green.
Jenny had a very loving daddy and every night when she was ready for bed, he would stop whatever he was doing and come upstairs to read her a story. One night when he finished the story, he asked Jenny,
"Do you love me?"
"Oh yes, Daddy. You know that I love you."
"Then give me your pearls."
"Oh, Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have Princess - the white horse from my collection. The one with the pink tail. Remember, Daddy? The one you gave me. She’s my favorite."
"That’s okay, Honey. Daddy loves you. Good night." And he brushed her cheek with a kiss.
About a week later, after the story time, Jenny’s daddy asked again, "Do you love me?"
"Daddy, you know I love you."
"Then give me your pearls."
"Oh Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have my baby doll. The brand new one I got for my birthday. She is so beautiful and you can have the yellow blanket that matches her sleeper."
"That’s okay. Sleep well. God bless you, little one. Daddy loves you." And as always, he brushed her cheek with a gentle kiss.
A few nights later when her daddy came in, Jenny was sitting on her bed with her legs crossed Indian-style. As he came close, he noticed her chin was trembling and one silent tear rolled down her cheek.
"What is it, Jenny? What’s the matter?"
Jenny didn’t say anything but lifted her little hand up to her daddy. And when she opened it, there was her little pearl necklace. With a little quiver, she finally said, "Here, Daddy. It’s for you."
With tears gathering in his own eyes, Jenny’s kind daddy reached out with one hand to take the dime-store necklace, and with the other hand he reached into his pocket and pulled out a blue velvet case with a strand of genuine pearls and gave them to Jenny. He had had them all the time. He was just waiting for her to give up the dime-store stuff so he could give her genuine treasure.
So like our heavenly Father ....
What are you hanging on to?
The cheerful girl with bouncy golden curls was almost five. Waiting with her mother at the checkout stand, she saw them: a circle of glistening white pearls in a pink foil box.
"Oh please, Mommy. Can I have them? Please, Mommy, please!"
Quickly the mother checked the back of the little foil box and then looked back into the pleading blue eyes of her little girls upturned face.
"A dollar ninety-five. That is almost $2.00 If you really want them, I’ll think of some extra chores for you and in no time you can save enough money to buy them for yourself. Your birthday is only a week away and you might get another crisp dollar bill from Grandma."
As soon as Jenny got home, she emptied her penny bank and counted out 17 pennies. After dinner, she did more than her share of chores and she went to the neighbor and asked Mrs. McJames if she could pick dandelions for ten cents. On her birthday, Grandma did give her another new dollar bill and at last she had enough money to buy the necklace.
Jenny loved her pearls. They made her feel dressed up and grown up.
She wore them everywhere to Sunday school, kindergarten, even to bed. The only time she took them off was when she went swimming or had a bubble bath. Mother said if they got wet, they might turn her neck green.
Jenny had a very loving daddy and every night when she was ready for bed, he would stop whatever he was doing and come upstairs to read her a story. One night when he finished the story, he asked Jenny,
"Do you love me?"
"Oh yes, Daddy. You know that I love you."
"Then give me your pearls."
"Oh, Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have Princess - the white horse from my collection. The one with the pink tail. Remember, Daddy? The one you gave me. She’s my favorite."
"That’s okay, Honey. Daddy loves you. Good night." And he brushed her cheek with a kiss.
About a week later, after the story time, Jenny’s daddy asked again, "Do you love me?"
"Daddy, you know I love you."
"Then give me your pearls."
"Oh Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have my baby doll. The brand new one I got for my birthday. She is so beautiful and you can have the yellow blanket that matches her sleeper."
"That’s okay. Sleep well. God bless you, little one. Daddy loves you." And as always, he brushed her cheek with a gentle kiss.
A few nights later when her daddy came in, Jenny was sitting on her bed with her legs crossed Indian-style. As he came close, he noticed her chin was trembling and one silent tear rolled down her cheek.
"What is it, Jenny? What’s the matter?"
Jenny didn’t say anything but lifted her little hand up to her daddy. And when she opened it, there was her little pearl necklace. With a little quiver, she finally said, "Here, Daddy. It’s for you."
With tears gathering in his own eyes, Jenny’s kind daddy reached out with one hand to take the dime-store necklace, and with the other hand he reached into his pocket and pulled out a blue velvet case with a strand of genuine pearls and gave them to Jenny. He had had them all the time. He was just waiting for her to give up the dime-store stuff so he could give her genuine treasure.
So like our heavenly Father ....
What are you hanging on to?
How To Forgive
Recently, I was speaking with a friend who is having problems forgiving someone for a wrong to do him. We have all been there. His reasons for his inability or refusal to forgive (for we all have the ability to forgive) seem to be valid TO HIM. After speaking with him, I received this in another email. Some people may say receiving this was just "happenstance" well I choose to believe it was God. I hope this some how helps him and in turn may help you as well.
One day a while back, a man, his heart heavy with grief, was walking in the woods. As he thought about his life this day, he knew many things were not right. He thought about those who had lied about him back when he had a job.
His thoughts turned to those who had stolen his things and cheated him.
He remembered family that had passed on. His mind turned to the illness he had that no one could cure.
His very soul was filled with anger, resentment and frustration.
Standing there this day, searching for answers he could not find, knowing all else had failed him, he knelt at the base of an old oak tree to seek the one he knew would always be there. And with tears in his eyes, he prayed:
"Lord- You have done wonderful things for me in this life. You have told me to do many things for you, and I happily obeyed. Today, you have told me to forgive. I am sad, Lord, because I cannot. I don't know how. It is not fair Lord. I didn't deserve these wrongs that were done against me and I shouldn't have to forgive. As perfect as your way is Lord, this one thing I cannot do, for I don't know how to forgive.
My anger is so deep Lord, I fear I may not hear you, but I pray that you teach me to do this one thing I cannot do –
Teach me To Forgive."
As he knelt there in the quiet shade of that old oak tree, he felt something fall onto his shoulder. He opened his eyes. Out of the corner of one eye, he saw something red on his shirt.
He could not turn to see what it was because where the oak tree had been was a large square piece of wood in the ground. He raised his head and saw two feet held to the wood with a large spike through them.
He raised his head more, and tears came to his eyes as he saw Jesus hanging on a cross. He saw spikes in His hands, a gash in His side, a torn and battered body, deep thorns sunk into His head. Finally he saw the suffering and pain on His precious face. As their eyes met, the man's tears turned to sobbing, and Jesus began to speak.
"Have you ever told a lie?" He asked?
The man answered - "yes, Lord."
"Have you ever been given too much change and kept it?"
The man answered - " yes. Lord." And the man sobbed more and more.
"Have you ever taken something from work that wasn't yours?" Jesus asked?
And the man answered - "yes, Lord."
"Have you ever sworn, using my Father's name in vain?
The man, crying now, answered - "yes, Lord."
As Jesus asked many more times, "Have you ever"? The man's crying became uncontrollable, for he could only answer - "yes, Lord."
Then Jesus turned His head from one side to the other, and the man felt something fall on his other shoulder. He looked and saw that it was the blood of Jesus. When he looked back up, his eyes met those of Jesus, and there was a look of love the man had never seen or known before.
Recently, I was speaking with a friend who is having problems forgiving someone for a wrong to do him. We have all been there. His reasons for his inability or refusal to forgive (for we all have the ability to forgive) seem to be valid TO HIM. After speaking with him, I received this in another email. Some people may say receiving this was just "happenstance" well I choose to believe it was God. I hope this some how helps him and in turn may help you as well.
One day a while back, a man, his heart heavy with grief, was walking in the woods. As he thought about his life this day, he knew many things were not right. He thought about those who had lied about him back when he had a job.
His thoughts turned to those who had stolen his things and cheated him.
He remembered family that had passed on. His mind turned to the illness he had that no one could cure.
His very soul was filled with anger, resentment and frustration.
Standing there this day, searching for answers he could not find, knowing all else had failed him, he knelt at the base of an old oak tree to seek the one he knew would always be there. And with tears in his eyes, he prayed:
"Lord- You have done wonderful things for me in this life. You have told me to do many things for you, and I happily obeyed. Today, you have told me to forgive. I am sad, Lord, because I cannot. I don't know how. It is not fair Lord. I didn't deserve these wrongs that were done against me and I shouldn't have to forgive. As perfect as your way is Lord, this one thing I cannot do, for I don't know how to forgive.
My anger is so deep Lord, I fear I may not hear you, but I pray that you teach me to do this one thing I cannot do –
Teach me To Forgive."
As he knelt there in the quiet shade of that old oak tree, he felt something fall onto his shoulder. He opened his eyes. Out of the corner of one eye, he saw something red on his shirt.
He could not turn to see what it was because where the oak tree had been was a large square piece of wood in the ground. He raised his head and saw two feet held to the wood with a large spike through them.
He raised his head more, and tears came to his eyes as he saw Jesus hanging on a cross. He saw spikes in His hands, a gash in His side, a torn and battered body, deep thorns sunk into His head. Finally he saw the suffering and pain on His precious face. As their eyes met, the man's tears turned to sobbing, and Jesus began to speak.
"Have you ever told a lie?" He asked?
The man answered - "yes, Lord."
"Have you ever been given too much change and kept it?"
The man answered - " yes. Lord." And the man sobbed more and more.
"Have you ever taken something from work that wasn't yours?" Jesus asked?
And the man answered - "yes, Lord."
"Have you ever sworn, using my Father's name in vain?
The man, crying now, answered - "yes, Lord."
As Jesus asked many more times, "Have you ever"? The man's crying became uncontrollable, for he could only answer - "yes, Lord."
Then Jesus turned His head from one side to the other, and the man felt something fall on his other shoulder. He looked and saw that it was the blood of Jesus. When he looked back up, his eyes met those of Jesus, and there was a look of love the man had never seen or known before.
Jesus said, "I didn't deserve this either, but I forgive you."