The Story Behind the Clothing and Gear
Amid all the ungodly messages and images that are so prevalent around us, was led to write about Jesus and God's Truth on shirts and gear.
Since I was young, I always had a strong desire for God, as well as sports/fitness (being active). This included baseball, football, basketball, biking, weight-lifting, boxing, and martial arts. However, it wasn't until later in life (my mid 30's) when I began to seriously engage the art of boxing & mixed martial arts (MMA). Starting in 2008, I was thankful to have the opportunity to travel around the country to train, study, learn and grow at some of the best boxing and MMA gym's in America, such as: Renzo Gracie Academy (NYC), American Top Team (FL), Xtreme Couture (Las Vegas), Legends Gym (Hollywood), Wild Card Boxing Club (Hollywood), Fortune Gym (Hollywood), Hayastan MMA Academy (North Hollywood), Black House-Team Nogueria (San Diego), Throwdown Elite (San Diego) and many more.
Along this path, I intently observed & studied many well respected coaches, trainers, boxers, martial artists, and MMA fighters. I took in the spiritual, mental, emotional and physical aspects - as well as their applications in everyday life (outside of training/fighting). God especially guided me to experience the spiritual, mental and emotional challenges (not just the physical).
Bruce Lee had mentioned... Too much time is given to the development of skill and too little time towards the development of the individual for participation.
Mr. Miyagi and Daniel (The Karate Kid movie) spoke about why one trains to fight... So one won't have to fight (no desire to fight unless absolutely necessary).
Jesus Christ said... Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave (Matthew 20:26-27); and Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted (Luke 14:11).
During this time of living/training like a "fighter", I was also given many open doors/opportunities to intimately experience the amateur and professional fight life (with fighters, coaches, trainers, gyms, managers, agents, promoters, sports media, events/shows, conventions, social gatherings, etc). This was an eye-opening experience (many things are not what we assume/perceive to be - some for the better and some for the worse).
I certainly had my share of trials/testings, hardships and failures. There were plenty of times (when I did not walk in faith) that fears/worries and doubts/unbelief consumed me, which hindered me in so many ways - spiritually, mentally, emotionally and of course physically. I also had to contend with all the vices of my flesh - stubborn/headstrong, pride/ego, anger/hurts, lack of discipline, worldly enticements/idolatry, etc. But there were many other times (when I did walk in faith in spite of difficulties, fears/worries, etc) that God empowered me with peace, calmed focus, direction, joy, amazing feats of both moral and physical strength, courage, wisdom, ability/technique, perseverance and success. Thanks Jesus :-)
God also continued to show me how important (and rewarding) it was to help, build up and encourage others; truly care and look-out for them (be more selfless, considerate, sacrificial). Most of the time, I viewed others as my brothers/sisters (as opposed to only trainers, coaches, teammates, competitors), therefore I could not inflict hostility/pain on them (God would literally hold me back, not allowing me to do so - see Proverbs 3:31 and Ephesians 4:31). Unfortunately, there were a few times when God's Loving Discipline/Correction toward certain obnoxious/oppressive individuals was necessary. For the most part, I learned to be more open, real, honest, humble, and sharing of myself as well as all insights I gained/experienced - hoping for improved skills in everyone (but more importantly, changed ways/lives that please God).
All along, God was revealing Himself/His Nature to both me and others. First, God wanted me to get to know Him more/trust Him more (God building up & strengthening my faith in Him) through the amazing experiences He & I shared together (what He was doing in me & through me). Then, He also wanted to use me to show Himself (His Amazing Self, Ways, Truths, Life) onto others (again, by what He was doing in me & through me). There were times when I did not understand what God was doing at the moment, but afterward looking back I came to realize things. I'm very grateful.
Here's where the clothing and gear begins...
In the fall of 2012, I began training at Freddie Roach's Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood, CA. While at the gym (and practically everywhere else I went), I would look around and notice most of the clothing/gear that people wore/used were extremely ungodly, vain, offensive, immoral, deceitful and evil/occult - via the words/messages and images/symbols shown (here's more info on the occult, esoteric, and godlessness that is so prevalent in this world). This concerned me more and more, as most people weren't aware, or worse yet, they didn't care. So that's when I was led to start writing "Jesus" and short Godly Truths/Messages onto existing shirts and gloves I had (using a permanent marker). I then wore them to the gym hoping to share God and encourage others.
A few examples of what I wore.
CLICK PICTURES TO ENLARGE
Because Freddie's Wild Card boxing gym is very well known and in the heart of Hollywood, there are many types of people with different backgrounds, cultures and races from all over America and the World who go there... men/women/kids (young to old), a wide range of social/intellectual variances and religious/spiritual beliefs, beginner - amateur - pro boxers & MMA fighters, former fighters, trainers/coaches, managers/promoters, fans, people who want to get in shape, people who want to train like fighters, law enforcement/military, celebrities, media, etc.
The response/feedback I received while wearing/displaying Jesus' Name & God's Messages on the shirts and gloves was interesting. The experiences ranged from... frequent looks of interest and/or confusion my way, head nods of approval, short discussions, deep/intimate conversations, civil disagreements, physical & spiritual warfare, shift's in the atmosphere, re-alignment of some folks back to God, encouragement, prayers, giving out free bibles, sharing messages, devotions, music, etc. Not to mention learning, helping, sharing and growing together with others in life and faith in God (community). This happened with many different people there from all walks of life.
I then began to wear these home-grown minimalist (yet proven very effective) shirts outside of the gym in public wherever I went. Again, interesting experiences, interactions and conversations.
Whenever I wore the clothing/gear I would be sure to pray beforehand (and continue in prayer while wearing them), asking for less of me/self and more of God's Spirit in me & through me. At times I was hesitant, fearful and intimidated (among other things), but regardless of my thoughts/emotions/feelings, I wholeheartedly committed myself to following Jesus - and He always came through! God & I walked together. His Spirit empowered me to persevere & overcome.
But please, don't take my word for it. It's best you find out yourself. Intimately follow Jesus and receive all He has for you & through you.
Jesus said,
"I AM the Way, and the Truth, and the Life;
no one comes to the Father but through Me."
~John 14:6
And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.
~Acts 4:12
Commit your way to the LORD,
Trust also in Him, and He will do it.
~Psalm 37:5
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid (terrified) or dismayed (intimidated, discouraged), for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."
~Joshua 1:9
For physical training is only of little value, but godliness (spiritual training) is of value in every way, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.
~1 Timothy 4:8
Now everyone who competes (like an athlete) is disciplined and exercises self-control in everything. However, they do it to win a crown (championship, prize) that will fade away, but we (followers of Jesus) do it to receive a crown that will never fade away. Therefore, I do not run like one without a definite goal (aim, destination) or box like one who just beats the air [never putting training to practical use]. Instead [like an athlete], I strictly discipline my body and make it my slave [bring it under strict control to the will of God], so that after preaching to others, I myself will not be disqualified [as unfit for service].
~1 Corinthians 9:25-27
But you, man of God, run (flee) from these things (love of money, greediness, foolish and harmful lusts), and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance (endurance, steadfastness), and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith [in the conflict with evil]; take hold of the eternal life that you were called to and have made the good confession [of faith] in the presence of many witnesses.
~1 Timothy 6:11-12
Finally, be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him] and in the strength (power) of His [boundless] might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to [successfully] stand firm against the schemes (strategies, tactics, tricks, deceits) of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places...
~Ephesians 6:10-18
And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.
~Acts 4:12
Commit your way to the LORD,
Trust also in Him, and He will do it.
~Psalm 37:5
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid (terrified) or dismayed (intimidated, discouraged), for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."
~Joshua 1:9
For physical training is only of little value, but godliness (spiritual training) is of value in every way, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.
~1 Timothy 4:8
Now everyone who competes (like an athlete) is disciplined and exercises self-control in everything. However, they do it to win a crown (championship, prize) that will fade away, but we (followers of Jesus) do it to receive a crown that will never fade away. Therefore, I do not run like one without a definite goal (aim, destination) or box like one who just beats the air [never putting training to practical use]. Instead [like an athlete], I strictly discipline my body and make it my slave [bring it under strict control to the will of God], so that after preaching to others, I myself will not be disqualified [as unfit for service].
~1 Corinthians 9:25-27
But you, man of God, run (flee) from these things (love of money, greediness, foolish and harmful lusts), and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance (endurance, steadfastness), and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith [in the conflict with evil]; take hold of the eternal life that you were called to and have made the good confession [of faith] in the presence of many witnesses.
~1 Timothy 6:11-12
Finally, be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him] and in the strength (power) of His [boundless] might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to [successfully] stand firm against the schemes (strategies, tactics, tricks, deceits) of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places...
~Ephesians 6:10-18
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