Iconic Weapons: Staff

Oh, what could be a more memorable and foundational weapon than the staff? The sword, perhaps? Certainly none other.

Whether it be known as a rod, stick, baton, or by some other name, the staff is an ageless weapon, lodging itself across time and space. I recently started practicing with a collapsible baton, the modern implementation of this iconic weapon. The staff is so simple and effective as to find its way into the hands of martial artists everywhere, no matter when one looks about.

A Long & Storied History

Obviously, the staff is just a stick being used as a weapon. Therefore, it is impossible to claim anyone “invented” it at any particular time. The only thing one might say about its inception is that God brought it into existence when He created the world. Though, it would be some time in the course of recorded history before we can point to early manuscripts for the systematized use of the staff.

For example, the Combat Manuel of 1467 by Hans Talhoffer is one such book with instructions on the use of polearms. Obviously, this is a much later publication, almost up to the modern era. Royal Armouries Ms. I.33 from around the 1320s may be the oldest European manuscript on the usage of arms, though it does not depict any techniques using a staff or other pole weapon which I could see, displaying only the use of swords. I should note I was unable to read the text, so perhaps there is more to it than would seem to me.

Regarding manuals, obviously we have books from antiquity, but the systematic recording of martial instruction has come to be much more common in modern times. That is not to say ancient peoples never wrote down such things, though we are hard-pressed to find mass-produced copies of combat manuals.

Of course, the further back in history one looks, the harder it is to find evidence of anything. It was also more cumbersome to produce records in times past, and likely was often not done in the interest of time and effort. I am well aware of this as I type on a computer and upload my words to the Internet. Ancient peoples did not have such tools.

Yet, we still know of the staff’s use as a weapon in history, not just for utility or as a symbol of authority. In our English culture and tradition, a weaponized staff might more commonly be known as a “quarterstaff.” Ash wood was favorable in the West for its lightweight, yet durable nature. Learning its use was considered foundational for Western martial artists.

Visual depictions of techniques are a critical component of martial arts manuals
Image Source

A staff, being merely a stick, was easily produced and readily available. The forms for other pole weapons such as spears, halberds, and the like could be seen as extensions of the use of the staff. Due to its ubiquitous nature, competence in its use was a societal expectation, particularly among the early English.

This cultural aspect of an assumption of martial prowess with the weapon would later break off from the English in a way during the modern period, to be maintained by us Americans as part of our separation from the British people. And of course, firearms would supplant many older weapons during that transition. Yet, it is important to remember our history to appreciate where we are today and how we got here. I would also be remiss if I did not exhort the English to remember who they are and restore what they have lost.

In the Far East, one might know such a weapon as a “bo staff.” Of course, “bo,” can potentially just mean “stick” or “staff” in Japanese. This is similar to how “katana” means “sword.” Other Asian languages would have their own variations of this term, but the Japanese may be the most prominent and influential among martial artists in the West, particularly Americans due to our close relationship with them. Thus, their term for the weapon is the one used here. A bo staff in Asia might commonly be made of bamboo, also popular for its sturdy and lightweight structure.

In the Far East, perhaps more so than other parts of the world, oppression and Lawlessness – in the Christian understanding – have prevailed, by and large, from antiquity to the modern era. As such, tyrannical restrictions on the keeping and bearing of arms are often noted as a reason for the prominence and usage of the staff in Asian cultures.

For example, if samurai or other agents of tyranny came to confiscate whatever they deemed a weapon, a staff could serve a dual purpose for fishing, carrying water, cooking, etc. This made it less likely to be taken away by any jackboot thugs in the East.

Notable Uses of the Staff

Perhaps the greatest advantage of the staff is its reach. It allows a warrior to strike a target from a greater distance than he could with just his hands. Of course, with its durability and leverage, a staff also allows for greater strikes than the body alone can perform.

The reach advantage is notably apparent when one modifies his staff with a blade attached to the end, turning it into a “spear.” Spears filled much the same role as the modern rifle across the ancient world, being cheap, effective, and too good to pass up.

Photo by Alireza Heidarpour on Pexels.com

A man named Richard Pike once claimed in a pamphlet he wrote in 1625 that he defeated three swordsman in a duel while armed with a staff. Such a feat seems incredible if true, no matter what reach advantage may be afforded by the staff. Perhaps his opponents were overcome with rage and unskilled. Nevertheless, such claims do make for inspiring boasts with the humble spear.

Historical martial artists and reenactors have long known of the advantages of spears over other weapons, particularly swords. This becomes especially apparent during group fights with multiple opponents on both sides. Long polearms such as a spear or staff afford teammates the ability to help one another by obstructing incoming attacks to their neighbors and reaching across to attack enemies over a wider area in ways that swords and other, shorter weapons simply cannot do.

An Enduring Legacy

As time progressed, humans used their ingenuity to enhance and refine the staff. This led to smaller versions of it, integrated with metal or other hard pieces. The truncheon could be considered such a development. Even in a world where guns were becoming prominent and pushing combat to further distances, much of the action still took place up close.

This was true a century ago, as it is today. No matter how far away guns allow combatants to engage, there is still a great deal of conflict that occurs right in our faces, close enough to grab the enemy with our bare hands. At those distances, projectile weapons may become a liability, lending to the continued relevance of the staff in one form of another.

Nowadays, it is much more common and practical for one who prefers a fighting stick to use a so-called “baton,” especially in light of telescoping versions which can be collapsed into a smaller size when not in use. In fact, “baton” literally means “staff used as a weapon.” Though in modern vernacular, one probably thinks of a baton as a short stick and a staff as a long stick, similar to the hard distinction between a “sword” and a “knife.”

A collapsible baton made of steel – a modern innovation of the staff

Hardened steel combined with telescoping capability makes the expandable baton a martial artist’s dream. It is portable and unobtrusive as a sidearm in its collapsed state, which is always nice and comfortable. It leans into our human desire for convenience and portability.

Also, when moving around unsavory types, such as those who would cause trouble when they become aware of the presence of weapons, the telescoping baton is more easily concealed to hide it from disruptive and prejudicial eyes. Yet, it still retains all of the effectiveness of older, static designs, if not more so with conventional construction materials.

Related Weapons

As touched upon with the sometimes dubious distinction between a “knife” versus a “sword,” the line between one thing and another can be difficult to draw. So it is when trying to delineate between different weapons related to, or evolutions of, the staff. Some have been mentioned here, others have not.

Is the mace an alteration of the staff? Arguably. Should the Irish tradition of the shillelagh be mentioned in an article discussing the staff? Probably. What is the fundamental difference between the staff and spear? Not much.

Such it is with iconic weapons. Yet, I felt inspired to write about the staff and extol its virtues. It is an elegant, simple, and profound weapon. I appreciate it very much. God be praised.

All Pensive Warrior blog posts are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Strategic Storytelling

Strategic storytelling is the communication of ideas using a narrative structure to persuade, inspire, or inform. It is important for all of us seeking to communicate well since stories are how humans receive and remember information. Dry facts have their place, but should be supplementary to an engaging narrative that takes the focus of any message.

We all know this. Have you ever sat through the lectures of an ineffectual teacher who droned on about data points without ever hearkening you to remember a thing? That person lacked storytelling capacity. How about the teacher who could make any topic interesting and memorable? Indeed, that was the one who knew how to craft the mundane into the remarkable.

Learning and exercising this skill is equally important to all of us who hope to get our point across and move others to action.

Ageless Wisdom

Christians should be especially aware of this reality. Respect for this design is why the Lord presents narrative stories to demonstrate the importance of all the commands He gives. It is not enough to plainly tell someone to do something or to abstain from it. You must also explain to them why with relevant examples which they can see themselves in.

To elaborate, this is why the Lord does not just forbid coveting your neighbor’s wife (Exodus 20:17). Instead, he gives that prohibition, and provides numerous expositions which demonstrate the negative consequences unto those who do not listen. One such case is David’s lusting after Bathsheba, which leads to an affair, which then leads to a pregnancy the two are not prepared to come to terms with (2 Samuel 11). The consequences of the aforementioned sins lead David to deceive and conspire to murder his neighbor, Uriah.

This story demonstrates the cascading disasters that come from failing to heed the Lord’s command. The narrative is potent in one’s memory, far more than any simple admonition. One can say “do not commit adultery'” until he is blue in the face, but it is the real story that commits such lessons to our core.

What We’ve Known All Along

To no surprise, contemporary wisdom would echo the same sentiments from times of old. Modern research shows what we have always known. Humans can remember a remarkable amount of fine details, provided they are woven together into cohesive narratives. That is what made the difference between the two aforementioned professors. The one with the storytelling skills will produce the most successful students.

Storytelling is an effective way to communicate ideas and get people to remember them because it is the way our brains are designed to process information. Not only that, but it can also be important in getting people to care. CEOs and entrepreneurs are often heard extolling the virtue of storytelling for business success. A good narrative is what makes you memorable among your competitors and establishes an emotional investment in your clients. You may have the best product or idea to date, but you must still convince others it is so.

Don’t Fix What Isn’t Broken

I can certainly attest to the power of storytelling in my own learning and commitments in life. Why am I able to remember the lessons our Lord teaches in His Holy Scriptures. Well, does He not couch them so eloquently in timeless stories which speak to the heart? Why yes, He does. And so, the learning comes quite naturally with His Word when you study to show thyself approved.

With that said, if strategic storytelling is a good enough strategy for God, I would say it is definitely good enough for you and me. After all, I spoke of my own experience in statistics classes with two different professors: one who could make the subject interesting and memorable, and another who could not. I have no doubt many of you in the hearing of these words have had much the same experience in life if you are more than a few years old.

Wait Not For Tomorrow

With all that said, how does one go about such things? It really is a simple thing, though not something anyone would accomplish without a plan. Like anything strategic, you must have practiced what you intend to do before the time comes to do it. Let us discuss what that looks like.

  • Decide what message you intend to convey
    • Are you persuading, informing, reminding, etc.?
    • Consider your target audience and their reception
  • Outline your story points
    • Introduction, body, and conclusion
    • Approximate word count/speaking time for each point
  • Practice and refine before delivery
    • Consider both verbal and non-verbal delivery

I would be remiss if I did not say that strategic storytelling is much like writing any other speech or essay. You may simply use a condensed version of the same strategy for those things. The key is to avoid walking into important conversations with the intention to discuss things you have not practiced explaining beforehand.

Just as you do not want to be thinking about what to do in the middle of combat, but rather, want to have practiced what you will need to do beforehand; so too do you not want to be thinking of what to say in the middle of a conversation. Instead, you want everything to be thought of and practiced well ahead of time.

An Example to Leave You With

While the whole process from inception to delivery would go beyond the scope of this article, I would like to conclude with an example of strategic storytelling. For now, I will share just the end result. If I were endeavoring to convince an adult to read more who has expressed frustration and discouragement with the activity due to difficulty he has experienced, I would say something like this:

[Begin with soft voice and hands folded]

“I know reading is difficult. It is an exercise for the mind, and like any exercise for the body, it is overwhelming at first. When you push your muscles in a way they are not used to, they respond with burning and soreness. So too it is when you push the mind.

[Tilt head and point right index finger up]

Yet, have you ever stuck through an exercise routine or other rigorous activity which pushed back against you at first? And what happened then? Did it remain difficult forever, or did you eventually grow to handle it with ease?

[Smile and give a cross-sweeping hand gesture]

I know for me, when I push new bounds with my muscles, they falter at first. Yet, it it is not long before they come back stronger and what once was hard soon is done with ease.

[Lift voice and use an upsweeping hand gesture]

I promise you, it is the same with reading. It is an exercise for your mind, and so it tests your limits at first, pushing you down with its rigor, just as would any test of physical strength.

[Draw out voice and shake head gently; optional hand wave or finger wag]

But that hardship does not last forever. If you keep on reading, your mind will grow stronger just like your muscles, and it will not be long before passages which pained you before come to give you no pause. I assure you of that, for it was the same for me.

[Smile and make eye contact upon closing statement]

None of us are born strong readers. That is something we make of ourselves. You can do the same. I believe in you.”

Now, Go Forth

None of us humans are born competent at anything worth doing. We all must start somewhere, and every journey begins with the smallest steps. Be bold in telling your story, and fear not to share it.

All Pensive Warrior blog posts are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

New Book Available

Happy New Year! Good tidings unto you and all your kin. May the Lord bless you and keep you this year as in every other, for all His ways are perfect and lead us unto goodness and peace.

With the coming of this new year, I have published a new book! This is the second in the Prayers of a Warrior series. The book is available on Amazon, which you can navigate to by clicking here. You can also click the “Books” button at the top of this webpage.

This new installment focuses on the topics of “Discretion & Discernment.” Scriptures were selected which both speak to these topics directly, as well as those Scriptures which seem to contradict themselves at face value. The entries seek to exhort Christian warriors to grow in these disciplines and reconcile in their Theology any apparent contradictions within the Word of God so as to be both steadier in one’s own walk, and to be prepared to give a correction to critics who would claim the Bible is inconsistent.

With that said, here is a bonus entry written in the same style you will find in the book.

Acts 17:11

Now the Bereans were more noble-minded than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if these teachings were true.

Day by day, must we adhere
And keep God's Word in us most near
Always eager to know more
And of wisdom true, ne're to abhor
Examine those who claim God's call
Test their ev'ry word, yes all
Against the Word we know is true
To see what then is right to do
And then, shall righteous men be found
Our brothers with whom love doth abound
And so, the wicked, brought to light
Who sought to keep you in the night
By this, our family sets to grow
And still more kin, we come to know
By this, we also bless our heart
To see that we are set apart

Beckon me, Lord, unto Thy Word each and every day. May I never neglect this pursuit, lest our enemies be given an edge over me when I am found wanting for understanding. Protect me from such moments of weakness that may present a triumph for deceivers by instilling a passion within me to continually reprove myself with Your Truth. In this way, may glory be unto You, and edification unto others. By this, may I be ever ready to rightly divide truth from lies. Amen.

All Pensive Warrior blog posts are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

To Love Thy Enemies

This is a poem I wrote a while back, but my posting schedule did not permit it to be shared until now. In a moment of disappointment in my fellow man, and in the reminder that our enemies are not just people who avowedly oppose us; but also those unwitting pawns whose heart and deeds do not align, often at the behest of financial incentives. We can become the enemy of a man so easily, and often because we are following the will of another.

I was also reminded that to love one’s enemies is not a noble or enjoyable task. Indeed, it is not noble, as strong a sentiment as it may seem to suggest it is. In practice, we find there is no honor in it, at least not for the time being. Though, I know that as with all suffering, so shall loving thy enemies be as all things at the conclusion of the matter. That is, such things are promised to be worth it in the end. For all suffering done as the Lord’s servant produces good character, and a lasting hope. I hold onto that.

Just as important to remember is to humble ourselves in recognizing our enemies may be closer than anyone else could ever be. The Holy Scriptures in 1 Samuel 2:1, 1 Samuel 20:33, & Matthew 10:34-36 remind us of how even our own family members may at times be as such. The many wars fought between different Christian groups provide endless examples of how brothers and sisters in faith may even find themselves on opposite ends of a conflict in this fallen world. As C.S. Lewis notes in Mere Christianity, we may look back and laugh about such squabbles one day in Heaven. Though until that day, such things are certainly no laughing matter.

With all that said, the Advent season is upon us. During this time, it is important to remember that by coming in the flesh to save us from the consequences of our rebellion against Him, the Lord did exercise love for us – His enemies – in so doing. Is there honor in that? Indeed, as hard as it may be to see when in the midst of such events. Rather, these are things often understood with time.

To love thy foe is no simple trite
No easy task and for sure, no delight
For to love an enemy is to love and hate
The one who is vile, yet does not relate
What a burden it is to hate one's own home
The people who smile, yet spurn you as their own
Those banal ones of ill, most evil dressed nice
Who have not within, but a heart cold as ice
To love what one hates is no simple deed
It requires all one can muster indeed
It is not for the faint, nor the weak of will
It shall take all you have until you are ill
You shall be an outcast in the land of your birth
You shall know all the scorn that one can unearth
All the good that you do is regarded as dirt
They shall tell you all's well, and give naught but hurt
But God's child holds hope, for he knows what's to come
He knows of the day to deliver us from
All the evil dressed so nicely and neat
He knows that true good, one can never defeat
God's child does know to suffer most long
In a world where he knows that he does not belong
For suffering doth produce a good heart
And is key to him who is set apart
And as small as a comfort it may ever be
To know of such purpose for the ill he does see
It is all that one needs to endure through each day
And to keep in good cheer along such a way

All Pensive Warrior blog posts are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Numbers 22 Commentary

It is a lovely day today as I sit down to carry this task, and a lovely day still as I prepare to send these words out. Today is November 1st, All Saint’s Day. Praise be to the Lord for the endurance of His saints. We thank Him for all who have gone before, those He sustains today, and those yet to come.

At the time of this writing, it is October 27th, in the 2025th year after the death, burial, and resurrection of the Messiah. The skies are bright blue, painted with fluffy wisps of cloud across their face. The wind provides a soothing chill that keeps one dry beneath the garments, and all the world is colored with the greatness of changing leaves, an uplifting relief from the monotonous green sea of summer’s landscape. God be praised.

On this day, Bible Hub prompts several passages for daily devotions. One such is from Numbers 22. This tells the story of Balaam and his donkey meeting God along the road. The man is a prophet of the Lord Almighty, and His enemies are attempting to enlist him to curse the invading Israelites whom God has sent to destroy them. It is a humbling, comforting, and uplifting tale all at once when understood. Come, let us examine.

The Passage

The text opens with the revelation that the Moabites inhabiting the Promised Land are in dread of God’s army which is on the way to expel them (Numbers 22:1-4). They are aware of what is to come, and so they seek a way to potentially subvert the justice that is to befall them, as is their nature in subverting and perverting other things meant for God’s goodness. Balak – king of the Moabites – attempts to sway one of God’s people for his own purposes, a prophet by the name of Balaam (Numbers 22:5-7). Balak sends princes to recruit the man. Unfamiliar with the unyielding righteousness of God and how to gain His cooperation, the enemies of the Lord first think they can simply offer a bribe to gain favor in His sight.

Of course, this does not work out the way they intended. Balaam speaks with the Lord, asking to curse the Israelites on behalf of his clients. As expected, God refuses and then forbids Balaam from going along with such schemes (Numbers 22:8-13). The Moabite princes return to Balak and report back, which prompts the enemy to try again with more princes and greater promises of wealth and prosperity (Numbers 22:14-17). This is a common tactic for Satan and his forces to try and tempt with riches, fortune, fame, and the like (Matthew 4:8-9).

Balaam reiterates he can do nothing the Lord does not empower, but offers to entreat God on behalf of the Moabites once more to see if there is anymore information he can glean. This leads to him gaining permission to go with them, though he is not allowed to do anything outside what the Lord strictly permits (Numbers 22:18-21).

At this point, the anger of the Lord is aroused against Balaam for “going along,” even after God Himself gave permission to go (Numbers 22:22). Obviously Balaam went with a misunderstanding or with the intention to help the enemy, hence the saying “going along,” as in perhaps, “going along with the plans of the Moabites” rather than simply going with them. An unbeliever might read such things and think God is being fickle here, yet with keen understanding of both the Lord and Balaam, we can avoid such blasphemous thinking.

God stands in the road to oppose Balaam, sword in hand, ready to kill the man as he tries to pass (Numbers 22:23-30). Balaam’s donkey protects him, by trying to avoid the Lord, yet Balaam thinks she is making him look foolish in front of the Moabites and beats her three times. The Lord the enables the donkey to speak for herself, and Balaam converses naturally with her. She claims she has been faithful to him all his life and questions why he is beating her, to which Balaam replies he would kill her if he was armed, displaying not only a disrespect for animals, but for weapons as well, given his expression of the willingness to use a weapon so flippantly. The only thing to Balaam’s credit is that he answers honestly when his donkey asks if she’s ever behaved this way before, to which he recognizes she has not.

There is much to be gleamed from this passage. It lends to us the notion that perhaps animals are supposed to be able to speak, but normally cannot due to the curse of sin. Eve talks to a serpent in the Garden of Eden, a creature then transformed into the snakes we know today (Genesis 3:1-15). It may be that animals are able to think and have memories just as humans do, but are restricted from communicating those under ordinary circumstances. However, it may also be normal for animals to be unable to speak like humans, and these circumstances in which they do are indeed extraordinary. Such things are uncertain.

Nevertheless, these instances do remind us of the importance of the Lord’s words later delivered through Solomon: “The righteous care for the needs of their animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel” (Proverbs 12:10). Indeed, on the day of rest, not even the livestock are to be put to their ordinary work (Exodus 20:10), thus establishing the notion of treating animals with the same respect as any person and caring for their needs and health.

At this point, the Lord reveals Himself to Balaam, who bows down and worships before Him (Numbers 22:31-35). The Lord tells Balaam his “way,” or his intentions, are perverse in His sight. Thus, the Lord came to oppose and kill him, but the donkey saved his life. Balaam offers apologies and thinks to go back home, yet the Lord reiterates what He has said before, that Balaam is to go with the Moabites; but not to go along with their plans, saying only what the Lord conveys to Balaam.

Balaam then makes his way to Balak, and the two converse (Numbers 22:36-41). Once again, Balaam tries to make it clear he has no power over what God will declare. Rather, he is but a messenger of sorts who conveys the Lord’s words. Balak prepares an offering still to try and entreat the Lord, an effort we later see will fail. Still, Balaam eventually informs the Moabites how to entice the Lord’s wrath against His people (something not clarified until much later), giving insight into the displeasure we saw from God at Balaam in this scene.

Important Lessons

The three most important lessons I would derive from this passage are:

  • Do not try to skirt the Lord’s will
  • Do not love the things of the world
  • Respect the animals in your care

Balaam is nearly struck dead by the Lord for attempting to bend the rules. He is a shifty man, as we learn about him from his continued story in the Holy Scriptures. As a prophet of God, certainly he must know what is happening with the Israelite invasion. Unless he is completely aloof, he must know there is nothing he can do to please the king of Moab.

Yet, as we see from God’s reaction and from Balaam’s schemes, he has every intention of helping the Moabites against the Israelites. He goes beyond the Lord’s will of only saying what God permits, telling the Moabites to send women outside the Israelite camp to tempt the men to fornicate and sacrifice to idols, thus turning God against His people in that time (Revelation 2:14).

Why would he do this? Likely because he loves “the things of this world,” so to speak. He expresses concern for looking like a fool in front of the Moabite princes, hence why he lashes out at his donkey. He also goes against God’s will to later satisfy the Moabites. Why would he do these things? For money, prestige, and earthly status would be the obvious explanation. Balaam seems to be a man who loves the world more than God, and that nearly gets him killed. In eternity, he is also now recorded by the Holy Scriptures as a wicked man to be served up as a cautionary tale. He is known as one who deceives people for money (Jude 1:11).

Balaam shows himself to be a cruel man as well. His harsh treatment of his faithful donkey reveals how he would no doubt treat anyone else he viewed as being less esteemed than himself. From his poor example, we learn how to behave well in the inverse. Thus, we learn to listen to a trusted animal when it seems to be disturbed, for we know our animals we care for also care for us. And indeed, do not think it a small thing to mistreat a beast, for they know the rightness or wrongness of what you do, whether they can normally communicate such things or not.

All Pensive Warrior blog posts are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

What To Do When You Don’t Know What To Write

If you have been writing for some time, chances are you have come across times when you feel you should do more, but are totally unsure of how to proceed. If you haven’t yet, you will. It’s always easiest in the beginning because everything feels new and nothing has yet grown stale.

There comes a time in all things, however, when the steam in our metaphorical engines begins to run low. At those moments, it is important to understand what is happening and why, which then makes it clear what precisely one needs to do. Taking breaks, looking at what we’ve done so far, and trying something new might be just the relief one needs.

However, what if you’ve not been writing for some time? What if you’re just starting out and don’t know where to begin? Well, that’s another issue. You’re definitely not tired if you’ve not yet begun. Instead, you may be unsure of what to do because you literally don’t know what to do.

After all, you haven’t done anything yet. In this case, it can be helpful to consider what kind of writing you have enjoyed from others. Also, brainstorm ideas of your own. Lastly, consult an experienced writer for guidance on what precisely to do.

Let’s take a look at each of these issues, similar as they are, yet quite different in the approach to addressing them.

When You Run Out of Ideas

Just like the muscles, the mind can get tired. A man wears himself out after a big push. It may help to envision a gas tank in a motor vehicle. As it runs, gas is used. When that happens, the tank grows closer to empty. When the tank is empty, the combustion engine no longer functions. At that point, the tank must be refilled with fuel in order for it to function again. The only question then is, how do we metaphorically “refill our tank when it is empty?”

Moments like those, often we humans just need to take a break to restore our energy, whether physically or creatively. That can involve trying something new, or examining work from the past. The main focus is to pause the present flow of creation or whatever it is you normally do, opting instead for a change a pace.

That may sound so simple, and in fact, it is. It may not be easy, but neither is it complicated. The best cure for things like “writer’s block” may be to simply take a break and do something else. That is difficult if you have put yourself in a position where you feel you need to perform and time is running out. In those moments, there is tremendous pressure to keep going even if that is the worst possible thing to do, hence why it can be so hard.

“Remember the Sabbath day (Day of Rest) and keep it holy.” – Exodus 20:8

On that account, another thing I would recommend is to have a reserve bank of sorts to fall back on. In keeping with the gas tank analogy, this would be like a small gas can you could use to fill up the tank on to the go. In practical terms, this means having some pre-written pieces ready for publication several cycles in advance of whatever your schedule is. These can be shorter pieces than usual, taking less time to produce. In fact, that may be imperative due to their nature as something you can use for such purposes. You don’t want to be keeping your best work in reserve, necessarily.

That is not to say such pieces should be sloppy. No. Never should you be producing anything of the sort, but rather, always should you be delivering your best work.

“Whatever you do, do it heartily as unto the Lord, not to men.” – Colossians 3:23

“Whatever” means whatever, no exceptions. In my case, when I was posting weekly to this blog, I would fall behind at times due to unexpected schedule changes and so-called “writer’s block.” In these instances, I would have several poems written ahead of time which I could post when I had nothing else to present. Poems are short, easy pieces to produce when you have a lot of experience writing them, and they are something I can consistently ensure is of a high quality. As such, they make the perfect content to fall back on for me.

Likewise, we should all store up more than we need in times of abundance, or great creative energy, so that we have some to spare in times of great lack.

For it is written, “During the seven years of abundance, the land brought forth bountifully. During those seven years, Joseph collected all the excess food in the land of Egypt and stored it in the cities.” – Genesis 41:47-48

In your case, you may need articles, video scripts, comics, or any other number of things. Whatever it is, make sure you have some savings to use on a metaphorical rainy day; content that is “evergreen” and thus can be published whenever to satisfy your audience. If you are part of a team, you may have someone who can step in and take your place for a day or week when you cannot come up with something.

The point is, always be ready to keep your consistent schedule, even when you yourself are unable to deliver. This preparation will allow you to take a break when it is sorely necessary.

To recap, when you’re unsure of what to write and have written lots before:

  • Take a break
  • Examine past work
  • Try something new

As the Lord warns [and comforts] us through Solomon, “There is no end to the making of many books, and much study wearies the body.” – Ecclesiastes 12:12

It is a comfort to us writers to know there is no end to the making of many books, for such is our passion, and a good passion is one that can be pursued to no end. Nevertheless, as much study wearies the body, so too do we need to know when to take a step back and give ourselves a break.

When You Don’t Know Where To Start

The guidance I have offered up to this point has primarily been geared toward those who already have a habit of writing. If you have written lots before, and are feeling stuck, you’re probably just tired and need a break.

However, what if you’ve never written before and aren’t sure where to start? Well, that’s a different story. After all, you can’t be tired of something you’ve never done, so the issue must be something else.

I know in my experience, when I am beginning something new, I often don’t know what to do because I haven’t developed a practice of doing it yet. That makes me unsure of where to start. At that point, I have found the best thing to do is look to those who are doing what it is you’re attempting to begin and imitate them.

This works for writing just as it does with anything else in life. As the Lord tells us through the hand of Paul, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 11:1

So study past works from others you have enjoyed. Your goal will be to understand what about them was good and caught your fancy. This is for two reasons. First, if you can do the same, the work you do will benefit others in that same way. Second, if it interested you, then doing work in the same vein will be what you are passionate about and can do a good job in.

I would be remiss if I didn’t also mention the age-old tactic of brainstorming ideas. Once you have some notion of what you might want to write about, it’s time to begin the planning stage. Many people skip this and go straight into drafting. However, I would caution against that, as it can lead to you writing in circles until you burn yourself out, thus leaving the project unfinished.

Whatever way you decide to do your planning is up to you. The options are many. I like to use an outline, although some may consider that more of an advanced strategy. Idea mapping, free association, creating a collage, etc. Find whatever works for you and makes things enjoyable. If it’s engaging, you’ll be more likely to do it and do it well. If it’s boring and seems like a chore, you’ll find every excuse to avoid it.

You may even ask someone experienced where and how to start. Seeking the advice of a teacher helps jumpstart many things. In fact, this may be the best way to go about getting started, and we all probably resort to this in one way or another. After all, if you study the work of others, you are consulting an experienced writer. So too if you look up writing prompts for guidance. It is just an indirect method.

Going to an experienced writer directly, however, is often the quickest, easiest, most efficient way to begin. A person who knows you and can interact with you will be able to give specific feedback and personalized assignments. That is infinitely better than any writing prompt you found online but must now utilize on your own. A teacher can tell you what to write, look at what you’ve done, and then tell you how to improve. That may be intimidating, but the expediency of it is beyond any other measure.

After all, as we know, “A poor, yet wise lad is better than an old and foolish king who no longer knows how to receive instruction.” – Ecclesiastes 4:13

So, to reiterate, if you’re unsure of what to write and have NOT written lots before:

  • Study past works you enjoy
  • Brainstorm ideas of your own
  • Ask an experienced writer for guidance

Again, the Lord warns us through Solomon, “Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.” – Proverbs 12:1

If you don’t know what to do, it may be that you literally don’t know what to do. In that case, don’t be afraid to ask someone who does.

Give Not Into Fear

What I would say to both the weathered writer, worn down by the waves of time, as well as to the novice who knows not which way to go, is this:

Do not be afraid to do what must be done, whatever that may be. For doing something is better than nothing. We can all improve upon something. However, it is a painful misery to attempt to draw out goodness from nothing at all.

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Knife Fighting: Edge Alignment Practice

Recently, the uncomfortable weather of summer has subsided and the soothing touch of autumn has blown in over the land where I find myself. This brought me outside with comfort for the first time in many months. I took the opportunity to practice “edge alignment.” That is, my ability to keep the sharp edge of a blade in line with a target while cutting through it.

Materials Used: Knife, Refilled Water Bottles, Cut-Resistant Gloves, & Safety Glasses

As you may know, an effective way to test and refine this is to cut into water bottles. If your edge alignment is poor, the bottle will explode spectacularly, spewing water everywhere. It will be knocked to the ground from whence you staged it, or swing to the side if it is suspended by cord. Lastly, the cuts will be jagged, and uneven across its surface.

However, if you have good edge alignment, your blade passes through the bottle without disturbing it from its place, leaving a graceful cut from which water passes neatly through. A masterful cut moves through the water bottle almost as if nothing touched it at all, and the opening seems to appear like a magical seam has miraculously spawned. With such stark, visceral differences in the bottle’s reaction between good and bad edge alignment, it is a useful test of one’s ability in this regard.

Another bonus aspect is when you do make a poor cut, and the bottle explodes in your face, this presents a great opportunity to condition yourself not to flinch when fluids squirt out at you in the midst of battle. After the first poor cut that sent liquid straight at me, I flinched quite a bit. Less so with each instance, until I was not flinching at all by the end. This is important to train oneself to do, so that our attention is not taken off the enemy during combat – a fatal error which can cost innocent lives if allowed for even a moment.

The Test

Using a Mora Companion, I did 6 cuts. Of those, 2 were great, 1 was good, and 3 were bad. After that, I analyzed what I did differently on the good and bad cuts. I noticed that on all the bad cuts, I put a lot more power and strength behind the strikes. With the great cuts, I trusted in the sharpness of the blade to do the work, focusing on accuracy and speed.

A Good Cut

This is common sense in retrospect. Everyone knows you don’t need to put a lot of power behind strikes with a sharp blade, and if you do, you risk compromising accuracy. In fact, I know that! Or at least, I do in my head.

However, as any with martial art, putting it into practice reduces us down to our level of training, forgoing much of what we know for what little we have actually trained. And, in my case, most of my hand-to-hand combat training up to that point was unarmed, where you actually do need to put a bit more power behind strikes. At least, more so than with a blade.

Having this in mind, I decided to try again. This time, I focused on speed and precision, trusting in the sharpness of the blade to compensate for the lack of power I put in. I did 3 more cuts, and this time, all of them were great.

A Bad Cut
Reflection

There are some important things I learned from this test. Firstly, filling the water bottles as much as possible helps to create pressure inside the bottle, simulating the closed circuit of fluids in the human body. Also, it helps to weigh the bottle down, keeping it in place if it is set atop something without being tied down. Secondly, the initial cut on the bottle seems to provide the most valuable feedback. Once the pressure is lost from the bottle being opened from the first cut, follow up strikes are arguably just for fun.

Lastly, and most importantly, you don’t need much power behind your strikes with a sharp blade. Precision and speed are much more important. Trust in the sharp edge. It will do the work. Any extra power you put behind your swings beyond what is necessary will hinder you, making you far less accurate and ruining your edge alignment. Logically, I knew that before this test. However, actually doing it and experiencing the result firsthand made a world of difference.

Do you have experience training edge alignment with a water bottle cut? If so, what insights do you have to share? Is there anything I missed that should be mentioned? Feel free to let me know.

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For What Is This Song?

This is a piece I wrote for an organization known as Arts in the Park. They hosted me yesterday as an author to showcase my recent book, Prayers of a Warrior, and also to share an original poem prior to their concert.

I researched the organization, as well as the band they were hosting, to prepare a piece well-suited to them and glorifying to God. The result, showcased here, turned out quite well in my estimation.

My photo taken just before sharing “For What Is This Song?”

Why do we make music?

With that question pondered, I would remind us that after God saved the ancient Israelites from the hand of Egypt at the Red Sea, the first thing Moses and the people did was write a new song unto the Lord, extolling His good deeds.

“I will sing to the LORD,” they said, “for He is highly exalted. The horse and rider He has thrown into the sea. The LORD is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise Him, my father’s God, and I will exalt Him.”

At each new mercy and triumph over evil, we read David hearken those who would listen to sing a new song unto the Lord as he himself would do. For each new victory is worthy of remembrance, and what better way to remember than through the immortal words of a song, with music to our ears so oft to stick more than simple prose.

For as this world was created through a spoken word of God, so too do we sow good or ill unto the world with the words we speak and songs we sing.

We carry on such deeds every day when we make music and share new songs with the talent God has endowed us with. In contemplation of that, I wrote these words to share with you and all the world. I call this piece, “For What Is This Song?”

What makes this music to ears that hear?
These tunes men play so near and dear?
What makes a song not just mere sound?
But something where true life abounds?
For to abundant life, are all men called
And to that way, many have stalled
Yet woken from slumber, they may yet be
For a song is not just to hear, but to see
So then, perhaps, music may be
A glimpse of ours, or perhaps a key
To find our way back to our Lord
When all our ways have become untoward
As medicine unto the soul
Just the right song can make one whole
To brighten up the darkest day
And lead one back who’s lost his way
Not just for us to celebrate
Nor just to sing of things so great
But to remind of that most dear
And call us unto God most near
Thanks be to Him for those He made
Who bring us all new songs each day
A glory to our Lord on high
Are these great songs they do supply
May we ever be so blessed, indeed
And never find ourselves in need
Of those so skilled in such great art
Teeming with a musician’s heart

Thank you to all the musicians who rightly use the talent and artistic abilities God has endowed and cultivated within you. I thank you as a martial artist, and as God’s servant. May the Lord bless you and guide you all of your days.

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Independence Day: July 4th, 2025

All this week, Independence Day has been celebrated in various ways across my community in Midwestern America. Watching a fireworks show last night made me nostalgic for a time that has not yet transpired, but which I look forward to most dearly. A time when I will join with all those American Christians who have gone before me and celebrate this day each year in perpetuity, with every generation of my people who have joined to God from across all time. What an age that will be.

For now, I do pray for myself and all my fellow Americans who live this day. I pray we would conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Jesus Christ; and that we would steward the nation we have inherited from God’s people with care and reverence. May we stand boldly against all our enemies and astutely care for all our neighbors, at every chance that may arise. By God’s grace and our good cheer, may we face our forefathers one day without the shame that comes from failing to uphold the virtues we have all known from the beginning.

When God led Moses and the Israelites to form a government in the ancient world, it was a republic which was bestowed upon them. In rebellion against God during the time of Samuel, they established a monarchy in a false rivalry against the Kingship of God. It is not often that nations establish a republican form of government as God taught, nor is it is common that they keep it even when they do.

Yet, as God’s mercies renew every morning, so too do His triumphs through His people renew every generation. Those of us who live in this time all have a chance to play our part in the nation, tribe, and tongue He has created and is gathering for His kingdom. What precisely that part is not only depends on each individual person and his or her calling, but also upon the very real circumstances of the society within which one is found. You may be in a totally Godless or heretical place, tasked with planting the first seeds toward freedom. Or you may be somewhere the Way of God is long-established.

Whatever your lot in life, live it well. God makes no mistakes, and we were all placed where we are for it is the best place for us to be. No matter where you read this from, know that your American brothers and sisters in Christ from past and present are rooting for you, along with all the other saints. Take heart and fear not. You are never too small to do what God has called you to do this day. Had our American forbearers not known this, we would not celebrate this day as we do.

God bless you all. And may God bless the United States of America.

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” – 2 Corinthians 3:17

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Heroes From History: Miles Standish

Miles Standish was one of the Pilgrims who founded Plymouth Rock, a British colony that would be a progenitor to the United States of America. He was a kind and courageous warrior. Standish was known for fighting against evil, yet never allowing appearances to beguile him away from righteousness. When life beckoned him to fulfill needs and roles he did not sign up for, no complaint was found on his lips, for he was always ready to lend a hand toward doing good deeds.

Origins and Colonization

Miles Standish was born in either 1584 or 1587, most likely in Lancashire, England. However, it is also debated he was born on the Isle of Man. Regardless, he eventually fought the Spanish Catholics during their invasion of the Netherlands in the Eighty Year War. English troops had been sent to support Dutch Protestants during the conflict.

Stationed somewhere in Holland, this is how Standish became acquainted with John Robinson and other would-be Pilgrims prior to the voyage that would establish Plymouth Rock. When the time came, Standish went out to Cape Cod as their military captain. He was responsible for surveying the land; deciding where to establish the colony; and preparing for its defense against foreign and native threats. He helped design and build fortifications; install cannons; and organize trade routes and security, amid many other important duties.

Service In the New World

Standish is reported to have become a practicing Christian either on the journey to the New World or shortly after arriving. He was also one of the few colonists who did not become sick during the first winter at Plymouth Rock. Despite being brought on as a military captain for the colony, Standish was applauded for jumping into the role of a bedside caretaker during the harsh and desperate season. He is noted as working tirelessly to feed and nurse the sick colonists back to health in that trying time, all while maintaining a cheery attitude and a smile on his face.

Standish was also reportedly well-versed in several languages. This made him an important liaison between the English and natives. It was also critical due to the close contact with colonies of hostile foreign powers such as the French and Spanish. Some of the pivotal actions taken by Standish during his time with the Plymouth Rock colony involved launching strikes against hostile natives planning to eradicate the colony, securing trade routes, taking down a rival colony run by an alcoholic, and bringing criminals into custody. He was critical to the survival of Plymouth Rock in many ways, and thus to the eventual birth of the United States of America.

Miles Standish Coat of Arms
This is the coat of arms of the family of Miles Standish.

Some of Standish’s peers reportedly thought he was too quick to use force, and his enemies were noted to describe him as hot-tempered. However, the reliability of these claims is questionable due to both the sources of them and in light of the fact that Standish was recorded using diplomacy to resolve numerous situations. Of course, enemies would speak ill of him and view him as reckless when they are the ones forcing such a response out of him. Never would such foes have a chance to see otherwise. Also, some of his “peers” who deemed Standish too quick to use force may have been unacquainted with the application of force in general, and thus unable to adequately assess when it may or may not be necessary. Therefore, their perspective on such things may be inappropriately skewed.

Inspiring Character

Three things that endear me most to Miles Standish are his selflessness and willingness to do all he could, even beyond what he was enlisted to do; his composure under pressure and resistance to the provocations of personal attacks on his immutable characteristics; and his courage to face confrontation when no other options were afforded to him.

As mentioned, when the people of Plymouth Rock suffered an outbreak of illness and food shortages, Miles Standish was one of the few people to remain healthy and strong. Despite being enlisted as a soldier to guard the colony, he happily jumped into the role of a nurse to help the other colonists survive the winter and get back on their feet. William Bradford claimed that, among others, Standish cared for the sick and “spared no pains, night nor day, but with abundance of toil… willingly & cheerfully, without any grudging in the least, showing herein [his] true love unto [his] friends & bretheren.”

This reminds me of the words of the Holy Spirit, written through Paul in Colossians 3:23-24. “[W]hatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.” Though Miles Standish was a warrior drawn into the role of a healer, he did so with all exuberance and good cheer, as it was the task set before him which needed doing in that time.

When Standish was sent to apprehend Thomas Morton of Merry Mount, the latter was incapacitated from drunkenness at the moment Standish arrived. Finding Morton inebriated, Standish took the man in without incident, enduring and deflecting the drunkards derogatory remarks. This is noteworthy, as if Standish’s critics were correct that he was prone to use force when it was unnecessary, this would have been the perfect opportunity to do so. Cutting down a drunken fool who could barely stand would be child’s play for a man of Standish’s skill. Yet, he instead brought in his mark without any casualties.

The March of Miles Standish
Miles Standish fought against and worked alongside native forces, depending on their disposition.

Lastly, Standish is described by many different historical figures as being short in stature. Oftentimes, he is spoken of in a cruel way on account of his height, being called names such as “Captain Shrimp” by hostile Englishmen. His peers even spoke of him appearing as a “silly boy,” and natives were noted to doubt his ability and courage based on his appearance before coming to respect him following his actions. Standish never allowed such things to affect his job. He is described as never looking for conflict, nor avoiding it when it became necessary. Though everyone looked down on him initially, often quite literally, he won over the admiration of allies and enemies alike through hard work. That is perhaps his most commendable aspect.

A Life Well Lived

Miles Standish lived an incredible life, and this is only a brief snapshot of some of his accomplishments. He was a kind, caring, and courageous man, always working for the betterment of others, be they friend or foe. Standish is noted as having led expeditions against native tribes who were hostile to the English at times, and also caring for natives at others. The manner in which he dealt with those he encountered always depended on them, rather than on him. As for Standish, he seems to always have treated others with the utmost dignity, respect, and love that they afforded for him to give.

I certainly hope to be the same kind of man who will destroy an enemy swiftly and efficiently if he leaves me no other choice, but who will nurse him back to health if he will relent before it is too late. As for my allies, I would hope I live a life where I am also seen much the same way; as a man who has proven his integrity against any doubts others may have initially harbored. May we all conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the lives God has purchased for us (Philippians 1:27).

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