WADO RYU: A Fighter's Perspective by Sensei Bill Taylor

Greetings and Salutations karatekas and non-karatekas alike.

A karateka is someone who is a practitioner of the art of karate (the art of the empty hand).
Wado Ryu is the study of the "way of harmony...the way of peace."

Many years ago...back the early 70's (1973-74)...I placed myself in a position where I was having to defend myself on the side of a road...in full view of a factory ending a shift, busy rush hour traffic, in front of God and the world. With a lucky punch...I put down the giant that was attacking me (along with his little friend)...and then I made a quick exit (well it took four cranks of my green Vega to start up so I could make a quick exit)...looking in the review mirror as the giant running...chased my car with a tire tool down Murfreesboro Road.

After a period of licking my wounds...I saw an article in the Daily News Journal...of a school of karate... where the cost would be $15.00 a month. Well...I had a long history of interest in the martial arts since I watched the Mr. Moto movie series...where Mr. Moto...an oriental detective...would use judo to toss around the bad guys. Combined with the The Green Hornet (with Bruce Lee as The Green Hornet's sidekick (literally) Kato)...Bruce Lee movies...Billy Jack...the Kung Fu T.V. show...and even Carl Douglas' song Kung Fu Fighting (where the kicks were "fast as lightning") all were calling me. The School was BUSHIDO SCHOOL OF KARATE. We first met in the basement of Crichlow School...but quickly moved into a storefront on Vine Street. At that time Mr. Newton Harris was the owner (someone I knew from school)...later owned by Mr. Bill Herzer...and then later by Mr. Bill Taylor. NOTE: Mr. Cecil T. Patterson was the American connection between Japan and America for Wado Ryu).

It was there that I first met Mr. Taylor. He was a young kid...who had a natural ability...around 11 years old (I think). I remember blocking a kick by Mr. Taylor...and remember vividly here in 2011 the pain that went up my arm from that kick.

I dropped out after a while...BUT Mr. Taylor continued on...eventually getting his black belt and eventually becoming the owner of BILL TAYLOR'S BUSHIDO SCHOOL OF KARATE.

Many years later...in 2001...when I turned 50 years old...I started back taking karate (a dream and a passion) and continue practicing to this day (2011).

I said all of that...to say this. I have been blessed to be part of a school (Bill Taylor's Bushido School of Karate). Mr. Taylor has released a book entitled WADO RYU: A Fighter's Perspective. The original book was issued in 1995...and this new, expanded, improved edition was issued in 2010.

NOTE: This edition was edited by third degree black belt...Dr. Steven Morris (who began back when I did). Great job Mr. Morris.

This expanded edition...is written from the perspective of a "fighter." Mr. Taylor took what he learned in the school...and utilized it in practical application within the squared circle... the kickboxing realm (under the instruction of Mr. Bill Herzer).

Mr. Taylor kick boxed as Billy "The Kid" Taylor...and won many fights and became a world contender. When he retired from the ring...he took over the ownership of Bushido School of Karate and built the school into one of the oldest and largest martial arts schools in Tennessee.


The purpose of this book is explained in the preface..."This book is being written as a GUIDE for the serious student of Wado-Ryu. I feel the information contained here will GREATLY ENHANCE some one's understanding of this dynamic form of Karate." (Preface Wado Ryu: A Fighter's Perspective)

This book is a great history book. It lays out the roots of Wado including the historical/political times, the perspective of Master Hirinori Otsuka who created our style of karate, the philosophy of Wado Ryu, the techniques of Wado Ryu, the Pinan series of kata (the backbone of Wado, the advanced kata's, and much, much more.

While WADO RYU: A Fighter's Perspective is NOT an instructional manual (books like WADO RYU by Master Hirinori Ostuska and Karate Katas of Wado Ryu and Introduction To Karate by Shingo Ohgami are excellent and recommended by Mr. Taylor)...it is a valuable resource to glean principles that are foundational for this art that we practice. Of course you can read a book all day long...and never become a practitioner of karate...so come and join us.

FINAL THOUGHTS...FINALLY

At 60 years old...I am still kicking...and plan on continuing. I have learned a lot over the years... but with WADO RYU: A Fighter's Perspective...I continue to learn. Check out Bill Taylor's Bushido School Of Karate at: http://www.bskonline.com/

In Wado Ryu...karate always begins and ends with respect. The word used to bow in respect is REI. At this time...I would like to give a collective bow to Mr. Taylor and all the instructors and students at Bill Taylor's Bushido School of Karate. I have much REI-spect for all of you.

Rodney Boyd Ni-Dan

MOO GOT MAIL

Greetings O Ye Mooers and Chewers of the Cud of the Word of God.

Three words for you...(1) Moo (2) Got (3) Mail.

Back when I had America On Line (AOL)...when ever I would get e-mail...it was announce by the words..."You Got Mail). Well...the title of this book MOO GOT MAIL...is a collection of emails sent from me to others...entitled THE RUMINATOR RAMBLINGS.

NOTE: The cover for this collection is by Richard Jacobson...who turned me on to the art of blogging...and who captures the flavour and colour of these Ramblings.

FORWARD with the FOREWORD

This is the opening explanation, reason, excuse for the collection of Ramblings.

You are holding in your hands a collection of The Ruminator Ramblings. These are a series of collected e-mails that I have sent out over the years. It started out as an extension of a Sunday School Class that I was teaching called THE RUMINATORS.

It was taken from Joshua 1:8 that speaks of meditating (hawgaw; ruminate) on the Word of God...or chewing on the Word like a cow (or any other ruminant) chewing a cud. I have been threatening to release this collection for you ...and now the cow is out of the barn...and my threat has been made good. This book is totally unedited...e-mails with all the warts, grammatical errors, spelling errors and bad (depending on how you look at it) humour. I hope they make you laugh, make you think, and inspire you to seek a closer walk with God.

NOTE: The picture is a piece of art by Mr. Randy Bullard...who personalized it for me. It's always time to "chew on the Word."


NOTE: The next picture is the cover of RUMINATOR UNPLUGGED. This is a little project of songs that were written and sung in the 70's. It is like the book...rough, raw, and truly unplugged. Thanx and a Tip O Da Hat to Shane Atkinson (who recorded and produced it) and Jim Oliver and Andrew McKay (who packaged it for me).

The dedication to the book (updated from the first printing of the book) goes as follows:

1. My lovely wife of 39 years (33 years at the time of the first release)... Brenda Sue Boyd. You have experienced first hand many of the things written about...and you still love me...and I still love you...but most importantly, God still loves us both.

2. My pride and joy for the past 23 years (16 years at the time of the first release)...my son Phillip Stephen Boyd. Son...I hope that you have seen me walk out my faith...not perfectly... but at lease passionately. My prayer continues to be...that you would have your own relationship with the Father. I love you son.

3. Anyone who considers themselves to be a Ruminator...after all...once a Ruminator...always a Ruminator. I've got one word foy you...MOO! Thanks and a Tip O Da Hat to Richard Jacobson for the mooooooving cover art work...and tipping me off to the world of blogging. It took the Ramblings to the next level. (This book is pre-blogging days).

4. The leadership of Springhouse Worship and Arts Center (formerly Smyrna Assembly of God)...who has given me the opportunity to practice the gift of teaching. You are brave people...and wonderful brothers and sisters. Thanx and a Tip O Da Hat to...(1) Pastor Ronnie Meek (Senior Pastor) (2) Pastor Barbie Loflin (Assistant Pastor) (3) Pastor Bruce Coble (Missions Pastor) and (4) Pastor Wayne Berry (Creative Arts/Worship Pastor.

5. Bruce and Jill Coble...who are constant sources of encouragement to me and my family...by living their faith out loud.

(6) Last...BUT NOT LEAST...my God, my Lord, my Saviour, my Holy Spirit. My decision to follow Jesus in the fall of 1970 has changed my life forever. From the day...that I asked Brenda in her driveway..."What do I have to do to get saved?"...it has been an adventure. I have found that "The steadfast love of the Lord NEVER CEASES...His mercies never COMES TO AN END...they are new every morning...GREAT IS HIS FAITHFULNESS...(even when I am not)." (Lamentations 3:22-33)

NOTE: This last picture is one of The Ruminator Sunday School Class... a gathering of the herd...who love the Lord with all their hearts. They get to hear the Ramblings live.

FINAL THOUGHTS...FINALLY

Well...there ya go...a shameless review and recommendation of my own book. It is a collection of Ramblings about the mouth, top ten lists, vampires/zombies, attitudes, anger management, being laid low in the wilderness, words, sin, restoration, repentance, stumbling blocks, trials, troubles, tribulations, testings, unrestrained thoughts and words and actions, and everything else in between.

How much does a copy costs? Well...it's FREE...but if you get one in your hands...give whatever you think the fair market value is...to missions, missionaries, or someone who truly needs some money.

Mooey Gracias
Rodney "Mooin' and Chewin'" Boyd

PRAY TO WIN (God Wants You To Succeed)

Greetings O Ye Winners.

Before we begin...let me just say that I realize that there are people who think that Christians are and should be poor losers. Their spirituality is linked to their poverty which they equate with their humility...and anyone who implies that God wants you to WIN and SUCCEED is tantamount to the anti-Christ...and they have their guns loaded with scriptural ammunition to shoot down this heresy.

Of course compared to 3rd world countries...they ARE winning and succeeding...and as of yet...have not sold everything they have and given it to the poor. They like to complain from the comfort of their American dream home and type things out on their computers...as they sip a cool iced tea in their climate controlled rooms...and consider this the spartan lifestyle.

NOTE: I realize there are extreme abuses of money...and overlooking of the poor...but this book is not about the attitude of the abusers...who ascribe to the root of all evil (which is not money...but the love of money). This book is about PRAYER. With that said...here is a RECOMMENDED RUMINATOR READING. In 2011...there is a lot of talk about WINNING (good and negative). The most recent negative is the actor Charlie Sheen...who was released from his T.V. show Two and A Half Men...due to his destructive lifestyle and strange tirades against the creator/producer of that show. The spotlight was on Charlie...as he released twitters with many..."sheenisms." These "sheenisms" became fodder for the media...and he would usually end with a defiant statment about his progress...by saying "WINNING." This is not the "winning" that Pat Boone is talking about...it is more about winning...by...losing.

Pat Boone is one of my favorite singers, movie star, and author. As a singer he has sold 45 million albums and recorded 38 top 40 hits...along with being an early rock pioneer in the since (for good or bad) homoginized black music (Ain't That A Shame, Tutti Frutti, etc.) He made this type of music accessible to the world. He was a musical contemporary to Elvis Presley (they were friends). As a movie star he was in 12 movies (along with having his own T.V. show in the 50's/60's). As an author...he has written over 25 published books. In the early 70's... Pat funded Randy Stonehill and Larry Norman's first albums (without Pat Boone...no Jesus Music)and then founded Lamb and Lion Records for contemporary Christian artists...including himself. Pretty good for a local boy from Donelson Tennessee...a direct descendent of Daniel Boone and cousin to Richard Boone and Randy Boone.

Pat's singing and writing were influential in my spiritual walk as I was encouraged by his Christian albums (Songs From The Inner Court is one of Pat's best)...and his books (A New Song, Dr. Baalam's Talking Mule, A Miracle A Day Keeps The devil Away, etc.) Today's review is on one of those overlooked jewels...PRAY TO WIN (God Wants You To SUCCEED).

On the surface it looks like this is another one of those motivational, positive thinking, get rich quick books...BUT...it is not. Oh it is motivational...it is positive...and encourages you to not think negatively...but it is a book about SUPERNATURAL COMMUNICATION with the Creator of the universe.

As a Speech-Language Pathologist (who is writing my own book about Speaking and Hearing The Words of God from the perspective of a Speech-Language Pathologist)...I was intriqued and delighted to read the first chapter of PRAY TO WIN...entitled LANGUAGE WITHOUT LIMITS: An Introduction to Prayer Probes. This is in Part I called...HOW TO START A SUPERNATURAL CONVERSATION.

The book jacket describes the contents of the book:

--The nine prerequisites for effective prayer
--How to distinguish His true answers from false messages
--The key to meaningful reading of the Scriptures
--How to discover His will for you
--The power of group prayer
--His two special communication codes
--How to become an effective participant in His answer to your prayer

I love Pat's style of writing...because it draws you in...and you feel as if he is talking to you. It is very down to earth...not overly theologized...but nitty gritty. It is filled with humor and stories of first hand accounts of answered prayer...and reported accounts of answered prayer from people know personally to Pat...some famous...some infamous...some not so famous.

When you finish reading PRAY TO WIN...I believe you will be motivated to PRAY.

"Commit to the Lord whatever you do...and your plans will succeed." (Pro-Verbs 16:3)

"The Lord delights in the way of the man whose steps He has made firm...though he stumble, he will not fall. For the Lord upholds him with His hand. I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. They're always generous and lend freely, thier children will be blessed." (Psalm 37:23-26)

" But seek first His Kingdom and His Righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (Matthew 6:33)

These are the three verses that ends PRAY TO WIN (God Wants You To Succeed). I would like to add one more about prosperity and success.

"This book of the Law (the Word) shall not depart from your mouth (where you are speaking) but you shall meditate (ruminate/chew on it) day and night (all the time)...for then (cause and effect of speaking and meditating on the Word) you will make (as you do what you meditate) your way prosperous (overflow) and then you will have good success (accomplishement)." (Joshua 1:8)

True Biblical prosperity and success to me means (1) prosperity=enough to meet your needs and an overflow to help meet the needs of others (2) success=accomplishing the purposes of God in your life. Of course we have to learn "the secret" found in Philippians 4:10-19 as God supplies all your needs and strengthens you.

If you combine PRAY TO WIN...with Ed Coles book NEVER QUIT (see the Recommended Ruminator Reading review on Ed's book)...you have a one-two punch to knock the devil out.

I give this book five hooves up...along with a big Moooooooooooooooo.

Love and Winning Kisses
Rodney "Succeeding" Boyd