It’s go time!! Everyone is back to school. Whether your child is away at school, homeschooled, or a mix of both, their schedule (and yours) just got crazy busy. But even during crazy schedules, your faith can play a pivotal role in keeping everyone calm.
You can give your children faith that overcomes back-to-school burnout! Here’s how:
When pressures are thrust upon your children, whether it’s grades or performance of any kind, take those moments and teach your child to distinguish between the pressures of this earthly kingdom and God’s kingdom. In this world, your child will be expected to earn his or her way to success. In God’s kingdom, their success is a free gift on account of the finished work of Jesus.
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:8-10
God’s Math Matters
Don’t let those two worlds collide. When it comes to math homework, they must study, practice, and get good grades to advance. When it comes to their faith, let it be a sacred place in the goodness of God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense = GRACE.
Since we are on the topic of math, here’s a quick equation to illustrate God’s kingdom:
Jesus + Something = Nothing
Jesus + Nothing = Everything
Heroes of Faith History Lesson
When you try to add “something” to Jesus (your performance), you’ll get nothing. But when you rely completely on Jesus and his promises, you receive everything (no performance required)! The heroes of the Bible were heroes of faith, not works. Read Hebrew 11 for a “heroes of the faith” history lesson.
Need more faith? Even faith is a gift:
“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Romans 10:17
And when God speaks, His word works. It is declared to you that you are receiving faith.
An SOS with no distress
This might be difficult to grasp, even for adults. When your children read passages that contain rules like the 10 commandments or language that talks about obedience, teach them the SOS rule. The commandments can serve two functions; First they “Show Our Sins” and most importantly they “Show Our Savior.” We are unable to keep the commandments perfectly, but Jesus did … for us.
God’s Kingdom
We are dual citizens. We live in this broken earthly kingdom and in God’s kingdom. When we walk by faith in Jesus, we follow the commandments and love our neighbor not to earn God’s love, but because we already have it.
So how then shall we live and teach our children about “doing good works” in God’s kingdom compared to the earthly kingdom?
I really can’t say it any better than this:
“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Timothy 1:15-17
The Great Flip is online faith-filled martial arts for ages six and up. Learn self-defense, safety and faith-filled empowerment with steaming videos and lesson plans at The Great Flip.
The Great Flip is an American Heritage Girls national program alliance
https://thegreatflip.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/keep-calm-banner.png34566912coachjodyhttps://thegreatflip.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/the-great-flip-tag-rgb-300x85.pngcoachjody2024-08-08 19:17:282024-08-12 21:06:54Faith That Overcomes Back-to-School Burnout
You don’t have to put your child in a martial arts academy to learn self-defense skills. You can teach them at home. I will equip you to teach the top 12 self-defense skills using my online martial arts videos and lesson plans. Learning these valuable life skills might lead to a new interest in martial arts, but if it doesn’t, you can still increase your child’s confidence and courage with this online learning experience.
My online self-defense program at The Great Flip is inspired by the martial art called Brazilian jiu-jitsu. I’ll provide the benefits below. But first, let’s look at the Top 12 self-defense skills for every child age six and up.
To watch a free videos, keep scrolling …
Top 12 Self-Defense Skills
Six Stand-up Techniques
The Break Fall
The Technical Lift
The Break Fall + Technical Lift Drill
Wrist Escape
Choke Escape
Punch Protection from Standing
Six Ground Techniques
The Hip Escape
The Bridge
Ground Protection Drill
Closed Guard + Hip Escape Drill
Mount Escape
Punch Protection from the Ground
Why Brazilian Jiu-jitsu (BJJ) is best for children’s first exposure to self-defense
BJJ is a “grappling sport” introducing children to movements on the ground which is realistic to self-defense situations. Most self-defense altercations (more than 80 percent) finish on the ground. No other martial art addresses the ground game like Bjj.
BJJ allows students to live drill techniques with success.
BJJ empowers smaller-framed people to use techniques and leveraging vs. force to overcome a larger opponent.
BJJ introduces children to physical contact in a safe environment.
BJJ is referred to as the “gentle martial art” giving children a positive martial arts experience.
Do you homeschool? Check out my Homeschool Martial Arts Resources!
Every plan includes a downloadable certificate and training track to guide you and your students through the Top 12 Self-Defense Skills. Let’s get started!
Hi I’m Coach Jody
I created The Great Flip to give my daughters a fun, playful and empowering introduction to the martial arts. Your children (girls and boys) will gain valuable character development skills by learning self-defense, safety and faith-filled confidence with The Great Flip resources.
My videos follow this format:
My videos stream from Vimeo.com;
Each video is approximately three minutes in length, easy to watch, rewatch and train with students ages six and older (the whole family can get in on the action too);
I teach one technique per video, you’ll see me teach the technique, then watch students of various ages try the technique. You’ll observe the progression of mastery as the students progress with age and ability.
No martial arts experience is required! Simply watch the online videos and train! I have designed the videos so anyone can watch, learn and train together.
Yes, you may share a paid online plan with a group of families, co-ops, and schools. I just ask you to not share your account outside of each group to protect my hard work and your passwords.
If you want more structure with easy-to-follow lesson plans you will love the Confident and Courageous plans. These plans offer faith-filled talking points with each lesson plan.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at jody@thegreatflip.com. I answer every email personally. I’m excited to share my ministry and resources with you. We could use more children with self-defense, safety and faith-filled empowerment skills!
See you on the mat!
Give your child the gift of confidence and courage and teach them the Top 12 Self-Defense Skills.
The Great Flip online martial arts is an American Heritage Girls national program alliance. Coach Jody is a contributing writer for True Girl, a ministry of Dannah Gresh and other Christian ministries.
Best Christian Homeschool Resources.
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https://thegreatflip.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Screen-Shot-2023-01-05-at-2.18.27-PM.png4641510coachjodyhttps://thegreatflip.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/the-great-flip-tag-rgb-300x85.pngcoachjody2024-08-05 20:49:412024-08-12 20:56:43The Top 12 Self-Defense Skills For Kids
Do your children need a little confidence boost? Teach them self-defense skills! I taught my girls self-defense skills using a martial art called Brazilian jiu-jitsu. My confidence was boosted too!
Teaching martial arts skills has a positive impact on your children’s confidence (and yours!). Here are seven benefits you can give your children. You can teach martial arts skills using The Great Flip online martial arts resources to begin your journey.
This newfound sense of security can alleviate anxiety and make children feel more comfortable and confident in their daily lives.
#1. Self-defense skills.
Martial arts training equips children with the knowledge and ability to defend themselves. Knowing they can protect themselves in potentially threatening situations boosts their confidence. This newfound sense of security can alleviate anxiety and make children feel more comfortable and confident in their daily lives.
#2. Physical fitness and body awareness.
Martial arts involve physical training, which improves overall fitness, strength, and coordination. As children become stronger and more flexible, they gain a greater sense of control over their bodies. This enhanced body awareness contributes to improved self-image and confidence.
#3. Setting and achieving goals.
Martial arts training often follows a structured curriculum. By setting specific goals and working towards them, children experience a sense of accomplishment as they progress. Each achievement boosts their confidence and motivates them to set new goals, fostering a growth mindset.
#4. Discipline and focus.
Martial arts emphasize discipline, self-control, and concentration. Through consistent practice and adherence to rules and protocols, children develop discipline and learn to focus their attention. These qualities are transferable to other areas of life, helping children excel academically, socially, and emotionally. The ability to concentrate and stay focused also enhances their confidence in various situations.
#5. Overcoming challenges and fear.
Martial arts training presents various challenges, both physical and mental. Children learn to push past their limits, face their fears, and persevere through difficulties. As they overcome these challenges, their confidence grows. They realize that they can tackle obstacles and achieve success with determination and effort, instilling a sense of resilience and self-assurance.
#6. Positive social interactions.
Martial arts classes provide opportunities for children to interact with peers and instructors in a structured and supportive environment. They learn to communicate effectively, cooperate, and develop teamwork skills. These positive social interactions build their self-esteem, as they feel accepted and valued within the martial arts community.
#7. Positive role models and mentorship.
Martial arts instructors often serve as role models and mentors for children. They provide guidance, support, and encouragement, helping children develop a positive self-image and belief in their abilities. The presence of a trusted adult who believes in their potential can significantly boost children’s confidence.
It’s important to note that the impact of martial arts on confidence can vary for each child, depending on factors such as their personality, individual progress, and the quality of instruction. Nonetheless, martial arts training generally promotes self-assurance, resilience, and a positive mindset, leading to improved confidence in children.
Coach Jody writes devotions for True Girl, a ministry of Dannah Gresh at Pure Freedom.
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You can empower your child to respond with confidence and courage when faced with a bully. I think every child will experience some form of bullying during their childhood. Whether it’s subtle or extreme, bullying is devasting to a child’s self-esteem. Teach your child these four tips to boost confidence and courage to overcome bullies.
Speak Up!
Your voice is the first line of self-defense. Ask your child to list all the ways his/her voice can be helpful if a bully is approaching.
A voice can:
Communicate boundaries.
Escalate or de-escalate a situation.
Yell for help.
Build up or tear down.
Express emotions.
Role-play with your child and encourage the development of their voice as a form of self-defense. Help your child choose the right words and correct tone of voice when communicating their feelings based on different situations. Teach them to be direct but not bossy, assertive but not aggressive. Begin with a calm voice, but as a situation changes, teach them it’s okay to be loud if necessary.
(As a self-defense instructor, I encourage children to be loud when counting repetitions in a warm-up exercise. For example, when doing jumping jacks, I will count 1-5, then encourage them to count aloud 6-10. Some children need to control their voice (tone it down, be loud without screaming.) Some children need to be encouraged to be loud. There’s something empowering about letting out a good loud shout! Create space to develop your child’s voice.
Your Inner Voice
A child’s inner voice might dictate the way they express themself outwardly. Talk to your child about the voice inside their head. If they believe things that are not true, give them affirming words to replace the negative voice. Share God’s voice (God’s Word found in the Bible) with your child. Read God’s promises to your child and encourage them to memorize and internalize and recognize God’s voice. What’s your favorite Bible verse? Read it out loud together.
Practice using your voice to speak kind words to each other.
Stand Up!
Taking care of your body is a powerful form of self-defense. Defend your body with posture and healthy habits.
Body language matters
Poor posture can make your child appear weak. Bullies seek victims who look weak. But strong body language can make them appear strong. Even if they don’t feel confident, they can still look confident by standing tall with proper posture.
The ole “place a hardcover book on your head” trick works to improve posture every time. Place a book on your child’s head and walk around the room keeping the book balanced. Make sure their head and eyes are up looking forward. Make a game out of this experiment.
Healthy Habits Matter
Good nutrition and exercise defend your body against obesity and strengthens your immune system to fight off germs. Personal trainers and nutritionists agree that a healthy body is 80 percent good nutrition and 20 percent exercise.
Here are four healthy habits to defend your body:
Drink more water and less sugary drinks.
Get enough sleep.
Eat healthy whole foods and less processed foods.
Exercise every day for at least 30 minutes and decrease screen time!
Back-Up!
Manage Your Distance
Prior to COVID, I spent a lot of time explaining “distance management.” Now, I say those two magic words “social distance” and children understand spatial orientation when it comes to the space between people.
Personal Space
Now that children understand the idea of “social distancing,” you can apply self-defense strategies to their personal space and safety.
Your personal space is typically the space inside your arm span. Extend your arms out in front of you. This is your personal space. When confronted with a bully or someone walking toward you, protecting your personal space will keep you safe (from germs and physical confrontation).
When your child’s voice is not respected, then your child will need to be prepared to defend his/her personal space. Roleplay by stepping toward your child. Teach them to keep their arms up while at the same time stepping back or around to maintain their personal space. Continue to practice a strong voice during the exercise.
If a person gets too close, your child can use their hands to defend themself. If they don’t want to use their hands, they can learn the push-kick self-defense technique. Request a free video to learn this skill at www.thegreatflip.com.
Keep this activity fun, playful, and empowering. Carefully balance on one foot and place the other foot just above your training partner’s knee. Now, push your partner away. If you don’t have a training buddy, carefully use your foot to push open a door. This is the push kick.
Power Up!
Bullying prevention is complex. Begin with those three tips and your child will experience confidence and courage. Add this fourth and final tip for a complete Bully Prevention Activity with your child.
This 24-page Anti-Bully Handbook (now in Ebook and Print formats) will help girls identify forms of bullying and give them the tools she needs to change the bully culture by engaging their whole self; body, mind, and spirit.
The Great Flip Anti-Bully Handbook features:
A Bully Inventory
Digital bullies
Devotions: God’s Power vs. Girl Power
Devotion: Three Ways to Plug into God’s Power
Role-Playing
Self-Defense Physical Activities
No-Fight Self-Defense “Voice, Body & Distance.”
Health and Safety Tips
Two Online Self-defense Skills Video
The Wrist Escape Video
The Push Kick Video
The activity book can be done as a family activity or with a group of peers. It’s done best with adult mentors facilitating the activity to help the girls navigate the sensitive topic of bullying.
To learn more about self-defense training and create an online martial arts experience at home, contact Jody Token, the creator and coach of The Great Flip, an online martial arts for ages six and up.
Parents Take Child’s Protection Into Their Own Hands with Online Martial Arts.
St. Louis – Parents no longer need to outsource self-defense training for their children. They can teach it themselves using an online martial arts resource called The Great Flip.
“Not everyone is ready for the big martial arts experience and expense,” says Jody Token, The Great Flip, creator and coach.
“I developed The Great Flip to teach my daughters self-defense skills and increase their confidence. I believe everyone can teach and learn self-defense skills using my online videos and lesson plans,” says Token.
Token, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu purple belt practitioner and instructor, says jiu-jitsu is the preferred martial art when it comes to its application to self-defense. Jiu-jitsu is a grappling sport focused on ground techniques. More than 80 percent of self-defense altercations end on the ground.
Parents subscribe to The Great Flip and gain access to more than 60 technique videos, downloadable lesson plans, and a certificate of completion. Token is the author of “My Anti-Bully Handbook” for tween and teen girls which comes in an ebook or printed format.
Token adds her unique “faith over fear” Christian worldview to complete a child’s empowerment experience. The Great Flip is an American Heritage Girls national program alliance. Token is a contributing writer for True Girl, a ministry of Dannah Greah. The Great Flip is a preferred homeschool resource.
Schedule Coach Jody Token for an interview and feature her on your next podcast.
https://thegreatflip.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/press-release-art-Protect-our-Children.jpg424952coachjodyhttps://thegreatflip.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/the-great-flip-tag-rgb-300x85.pngcoachjody2024-06-03 21:15:212024-08-12 21:13:46Parents Take Child’s Protection Into Their Own Hands with Online Martial Arts
By the end of this summer, your children age six and up can learn the Top 12 Self-Defense Skills.
That’s right, you can teach martial arts this summer using my online resources at The Great Flip. Your children will learn self-defense, safety and faith-filled empowerment skills!
If you want easy-to-follow lesson plans, you will want the Confident and Courageous plans. These plans offer step-by-step instructions, valuable safety tips, and faith-filled talking points with every lesson.
Every plan also includes a progress training guide and a certificate of completion.
Once you have a martial arts plan, you gain access to martial arts videos and downloads.
Each video is approximately three minutes long, easy to watch, rewatch and train
I teach one technique per video, you’ll see me teach the technique, then watch students of various ages try the technique. You’ll observe the progression of mastery as the students progress with age and ability.
No martial arts experience is required! Simply watch the videos and train! I have designed the videos so anyone can watch, learn and train together.
Before you jump in the car and head down to your local martial arts academy and spend too much money, you can teach a homeschool martial arts class.
Parents love teaching martial arts at home! The martial arts will accomplish the health-based and skills-based goals of your physical education requirements. It adds strong character development skills and overall self-confidence. This confidence spills over into all aspects of life. Here is a recent blog post about boosting confidence with martial arts. Click here.
Want to know more about the Top 12 self-defense skills? Click here.
Train. Gather your family together for the training sessions and/or get a few of your favorite friends to train. To make the event most affordable, share a plan with other families.
One more thing … I couldn’t resist this flashback tune:
“There’s a hundred and four days of summer vacation,
‘Til school comes along just to end it,
So the annual problem for our generation,
Is finding a good way to spend it
Like maybe” – From Phineas & Ferb Theme Song
Like maybe … teach your children the top 12 self-defense skills!
See you on the mat!
Coach Jody
A faith-filled devotion
Five Surprising Ways To Care For Your Body this Summer.
(okay, maybe six)
Take care of your body this summer. Eat whole food instead of processed food, drink water instead of soda, get enough sleep and exercise instead of prolonged screen time. These are simple ways to decrease obesity and increase our immune system.
But God’s word says something else brings health and nourishment to your body and bones. Check out this proverb:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.”
Proverbs 3:5-8
Why trust God? Because he loves you and he is trustworthy!
“For this is how God loved the world (put your name here): He gave his one and only Son so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16.
This is a trustworthy promise for you! Let that sink into your body and bones.
When you trust in the Lord, you have less stress. When you have less stress, your anxiety reduces. When your anxiety reduces, your body becomes healthy and your bones grow strong. When your body and bones are healthy, you desire to trust God and seek after the life Jesus has intended for you through the power of his Holy Spirit.
I offer this proverb, not to increase your list of things to do (I know you have plenty of that). Instead, I offer the proverb as a promise from God. When he says “trust in the Lord …” Remember He is trustworthy.
What are five ways to bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones, according to Proverbs 3:5-8?
Trust in the Lord
Don’t lean on your own understanding
Submit to him
Do not be wise in your own eyes
Fear the Lord and shun evil
Okay, so technically, there are six points there, but I put five and six together.
Now, gather your friends and family to review these tips to bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. Grab a journal and/or calendar. If tackling all five is a bit overwhelming. Pick one healthy habit each week and document your progress.
Here are a few words about food, water, sleep, exercise, and a cool tip about reading the book of Proverbs.
Eat whole foods.
If your food doesn’t grow from the ground or eat from the ground, it’s probably not whole food. (Oh, how I wish I could grow Oreos in my garden.) Learn how to cook something healthy. Go to the grocery store together and pick a fruit or vegetable you’ve never tried before. Eighty percent of your health and wellness is determined by what you eat. Only 20 percent is a result of exercise. Here’s a helpful hint when searching for a new health recipe; I always put the word “easy” in my search.
Drink water.
Reduce your intake of sugar and/or caffeine. Find a water intake calculator and refillable sports bottle to reach your goal. Squeeze fresh lemons in your water. Yum! Put fun stickers on your water bottle as a reward.
Get enough sleep.
Tweens and teens need 10 or more hours of sleep each night. What time should you go to bed to get enough sleep? Try to wake up at the same time every morning. Your body functions better when you have a set bedtime and morning time routine.
Physical exercise.
Reduce screen time and exercise. Create a fitness experience. Start a fitness challenge with your family or friends. Play a new sport. Run around the house. Do jumping jacks. Do something active for at least 30 minutes every day. What will you do to achieve this goal?
The Top 12 Self-Defense Skills fit right here. Just saying!
There are 31 chapters in Proverbs. There are 31 days in the month. Read one chapter of Proverbs each day! It’s okay if you don’t understand everything you read. Keep reading and receive faith. (Remember Romans 10:17 and here’s a good one from Isaiah 55:1 “So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
This devotion was featured in part at True Girl, a ministry of Dannah Gresh.
Click on these to browse Christian Homeschool resources.
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In this blog, I offer three ways for mothers and daughters to plug into God’s amazing grace and mighty power that far exceeds girl power. Be sure to review the lies about the girl power movement with your daughter.
“For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13
I remember when my daughter first saw this verse. She thought she could defy gravity! Imagine the possibilities! She could win first place in her cross-country meet. Ace her math test. “I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me!” she exclaimed. But no matter how hard she tried, she didn’t get first place and that math test was harder than she expected. She felt exhausted and defeated.
What is the source of your strength? Better asked … Who is the source of your strength? Girl power or God’s power?
Girl power is driven by results and must be earned. The promise is conditional. If you work hard enough and win, you get credit. If you work hard and fail. You feel like a failure. The burden is always on you to perform. It’s no wonder girls suffer from depression and anxiety more than at any time in history. Girl power is fake power.
But God’s power is unconditional, never-ending and a free gift from Jesus. This Bible verse, penned by the apostle Paul, promises Christ-followers the power of Jesus in all circumstances. Christ’s strength will empower you in any situation, in good times and in bad. If you win, he celebrates with you. If you lose, God strengthens you with his comfort and peace. God’s power is real power.
A girl can do anything not because of who she is or how hard she tries. A girl can do anything because of whose she is and His name is Jesus!
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” Romans 1:16
In the spirit of “Lies Girls Believe” (shout out to Dannah Gresh at True Girl 😍) I’d like to expose the lies of the girl power movement and offer three ways to plug into God’s power.
You and your daughter can read each of these contrasting statements and give examples of the difference between girl power and God’s power in your life.
Girl power is self-centered vs. God’s power is others-focused.
Girl power seeks to do whatever makes you happy. It’s self-centered and self-seeking, but God says his power will compel you to love Him and love others first.
“And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:37-39
Girl power demands “it’s my body, it’s my choice” vs. God’s power declares you to be “fearfully and wonderfully made.” Psalm 139
“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Girl power puts men and boys down to gain power vs. God’s power created men and women equally for each other.
Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” Genesis 2:18
Girl power is fueled by emotions vs. God’s power is fueled by truth.
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” Jeremiah 17:9
“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6
Girl power requires work vs. God’s power is a free gift.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
Can you think of other examples?
Plug into God’s power.
The girl power movement instructs girls to look on the inside for power. I’m not sure about you, but when I go digging for power inside of myself, I wind up exhausted and empty. My power source is a moving target depending on my mood and emotions.
God’s power is an external source. It comes from the outside.
Here are three ways to plug into God’s power!
Have you ever used an electrical appliance such as a toaster or hairdryer? Do you wonder where the power comes from? What happens if it’s not plugged into a power source?
If you want to shine for God, you must plug into his power. Your light does not come from the inside out. Instead, it comes from the outside, in. To power an appliance, plug it into an outlet. To get God’s power, plug yourself into his outlets called the “means of grace.” The means of grace are the outlets God guarantees from his word to deliver faith, the forgiveness of sins and the power to shine. Here are three outlets to receive God’s power so you can shine bright.
#1. God’s Word.
The Bible is God’s primary outlet. His Word unfolds the grand narrative of salvation through Jesus. Simply listen or read the Bible and receive the promise of faith.
“So faith comes from hearing and hearing through the word of Christ.” Romans 10:7
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” Romans 1:16
You might not understand what you are reading (yet!) but keep hearing the word of Christ. Trust God to give you this unending gift of faith when you listen to His word. His light will begin to shine in you!
#2. Baptism
The Bible is filled with water! Well, not literally, but from Genesis through Revelation almost every reference to water points to baptism and its power to forgive sins, rescue from death and the devil, and give salvation to all who believe. Jesus commanded his disciples to baptize all nations (Matthew 28:18-20). When the water and the Word are splashed, poured or immersed on you, you can shine bright and proclaim, “I am baptized into Christ,” and be certain that the comforting words of Romans 8:1 are true:
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
#3. Communion
One of my pastors likes to say, “If the water seals it, then the food feeds it.” The sacred meal referred in several ways such as Holy Communion or the Lord’s Supper, is an outlet to receive God’s power to shine. When we eat and drink his body and blood under the bread and wine, we receive the forgiveness of sins and a bright boost of faith power.
Martin Luther said, “this is a profound wonder and unexplainable mystery.”
Stay plugged into Jesus and receive God’s unending power! Look at you! God’s power is your strength!
The Bible offers spiritual disciplines too!
Prayer, fasting, worship, service in your community, and honoring the Sabbath Day are just a few that came to mind.
These spiritual disciplines are not meant to be legalistic activities. We do not do things to earn God’s love. We practice these disciplines because we already have the fullness of God’s love through his son Jesus. Spiritual disciplines are given to us directly by God. God promises to meet you in these activities to bless and comfort you.
So plugin and receive God’s unending power! You can do all things through Christ who will strengthen you!
Jody Token is the creator and coach of The Great Flip, online self-defense, safety and faith-filled empowerment for girls age six and up.
Does your child struggle with low self-esteem or anxiety? The martial arts is a proven confidence-builder! You can teach martial arts with my online martial arts resources at The Great Flip. Request a free video and lesson plan. Your child will learn the Top 12 Self-Defense Skills and earn a certificate of completion. Click here for more information.
https://thegreatflip.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/plug-into-power.jpg9241640coachjodyhttps://thegreatflip.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/the-great-flip-tag-rgb-300x85.pngcoachjody2024-03-04 08:34:362024-05-16 13:47:32Three ways to plug into God’s power
The martial arts will accomplish the health-based and skills-based goals of your physical education requirements in your homeschool. In this blog, you will learn the four tips for an empowering homeschool martial arts class!
Physical education, aka PE, should be an important part of your homeschool routine. Giving your children physical activity of any kind will create a positive attitude toward fitness. This will cause them to value their health. Regular exercise reduces chronic disease and many health problems related to lack of exercise. Physical movement will improve cognitive function which promotes learning in other areas.
PE gives your child a place to explore skill-based activities such as team and individual sports. They will learn sportsmanship and competition while improving their social skills.
But the martial arts check every PE box plus some. Not only does it create positive health and exercise benefits, but it adds strong character development skills such as self-defense, safety awareness, and overall self-confidence. This confidence spills over into all aspects of life, for a lifetime.
Before you jump in the car and head down to your local martial arts academy, you can teach a homeschool martial arts class. Here are four tips to consider:
Choose a Martial Art
Not all martial arts are created equal. If you want a martial art that addresses self-defense, I recommend Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Bjj is a “grappling sport” which means there is a lot of ground movement, much like wrestling.
The overall strategy of Bjj is to control your opponent. It focuses on skills to take an opponent to the ground, controlling one’s opponent, and using a number of techniques to force them into submission.
Studies show that 95 percent of street fights end on the ground. The techniques learned in Bjj enable participants to escape, attack, or get into a more dominant position.
Bjj is also a martial art designed for a smaller, weaker practitioner to subdue much larger and stronger opponents. Participants use techniques and leveraging skills instead of relying on brute force. All martial arts provide confidence and courage, but only Bjj connects the sport to self-defense in a way that everyone, of all ages, can learn.
Create a Martial Arts Class at Home
You don’t need a large amount of space to train at home, but to protect the lamp and china, you might want to create a training/fitness space. I purchased interlocking mats. You can also find inexpensive three-fold gymnastic mats. If you want to get fancy and go all out, you can purchase professional BJJ mats. I spent $40 on two sets of interlocking mats. I have a basement/lower level in my house for my exercise space. Some people use their garage or a spare bedroom. Many homeschool families get together in their co-op and/or church to purchase mats and find a communal space to train together.
You can begin with a few “no-contact” movements and warm-ups, but in order to get the most benefit from the experience, you need a training buddy. Learning a martial art with your child can be a fun and rewarding experience. Inviting your child’s best friend and a group of friends enhances the experience.
Bjj is referred to as the gentle martial art. You and your child can simulate real techniques in real-time with a low risk of injury. Of course, there’s always some risk, but Bjj lends itself to learning real self-defense skills with low risks. My instructional videos focus on escaping, controlling, and submitting techniques inspired by BJJ movements. My teaching style is fun, playful, and empowering for everyone. Click here to request a free video.
Subscribe to a Professional Online Martial Arts Resource
I created an easy-to-follow online martial arts resource called The Great Flip. No experience is required. No high-cost uniforms or belts are needed to participate. Simply download the lesson plans, watch the videos, and train. Everything you need to run a martial arts class is at The Great Flip.
My daughters inspired me to develop an online martial arts experience. After seven years of training BJJ and earning my purple belt, I took a leap of faith to bring the martial arts to everyone with an online learning platform. My daughters appreciated the opportunity to train at home and feel empowered. Children as young as first grade through high school can benefit from my introductory approach. Your child will:
https://thegreatflip.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Screen-Shot-2022-09-19-at-3.08.17-PM.png6301736coachjodyhttps://thegreatflip.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/the-great-flip-tag-rgb-300x85.pngcoachjody2024-01-14 22:38:422024-05-16 13:51:27Four Tips for Empowering Homeschool Martial Arts
As much as my daughters like a great gift, like clothes and gadgets, they love receiving the gift of an experience. Gifts are soon forgotten or lost in the shuffle. But an “experience” lasts a time time.
One of our quirky traditions (among many) in our family is to read a poem with each gift. The poem reveals clues about the content of the gift. To this day, the poem that ended with an exclamation “I just want to go to the beach!” is the most remembered poem and gift to our children. We regularly enjoy gifting “experiences” to each other. They can be as simple as a father-daughter date, a mother-daughter shopping trip or a family game night. Grander “experiences” have included trips to the beach, NYC and mountain vacations.
We also enjoy gifting “experiences” by learning new skills and activities. This year, I bought two adorable Bible-verse-inspired cross-stitch kits for my girls. I guess I’ll find out if they read my blog or not.
If you are seeking unique gift ideas for your children, give them an experience!
Here are five ways to gift an experience to your family:
Match the experience to their personalities.
Match the experience to their favorite activities.
Seek an experience that brings your family together.
Introduce a new experience to stretch their imagination and try something they’ve never tried.
Connect your child to an experience that is meaningful to them like a service project, cause or missionary.
These goals can be achieved through homemade gift cards, poems, and actual gift cards. Need a few ideas to get the creative juices flowing? How about cooking subscriptions, adventures, hiking, a musical or show, and how about choosing from hundreds of unique “products or services” of the month clubs?
Give the Gift of Self-Defense Skills!
Of course, as the Coach of The Great Flip, might I suggest you give them a subscription to my online martial arts? My online training videos and lesson plans are a fun way to introduce your child (and your whole family) to a new skill like self-defense. My martial arts training is inspired by Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Giving the gift of self-defense skills will be an experience to last a lifetime. You will give them courage and confidence. You will give yourself peace of mind knowing they have life skill like self-defense and safety.
Plus, at The Great Flip, I offer empowering devotions to fill your family with faith in Jesus. The reason for the Christmas season.
Give the gift of an experience this Christmas season!
See you on the mat! – Coach Jody
The Great Flip is an American Heritage Girls national program alliance. Click here to learn more about the AHG and The Great Flip alliance.
The Great Flip is a preferred homeschool, charter and private school resource used for physical education and enrichment activities.
Coach Jody writes devotions for Dannah Gresh’s True Girl subscription box. A True Girl subscription box is a great experience to share with your daughter! Click here to learn more about True Girl.
Enjoy one of my devotions written for the subscription box below.
It’s All Gift
“You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.” Psalm 145:16
Why did God create humans? Some people believe that God made us to serve and obey him.
Sure, we serve and obey God, but that’s not why he made us.
At creation, God made Adam and Eve and gave them all of creation to enjoy and to manage.
In the Psalms, it says God opens His hands and satisfies the desires of every living thing.
It’s all gift.
He made you and gave you the free gift of his Son, Jesus.
Want more gifts?
You receive the gift of faith when you listen to His word. (Romans 10:17)
You receive the gift of forgiveness when you repent. (1 John 1:8)
You receive the gift of the Holy Spirit and salvation in baptism. (Acts 2:38, 1 Peter 3:21)
We do not serve God to get his love. We serve God because we already have it through Christ Jesus!
ACTION POINT: What are some of your favorite gifts from God? Explain.
JODY TOKEN is the coach and creator of The Great Flip, faith-filled online martial arts for ages six and up. Request a free video atwww.thegreatflip.com.
Enjoy this devotion? Click here to read more. These are always great to share with your children!
Follow me @thegreatflip on Facebook, Instagram and Vimeo
https://thegreatflip.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screen-Shot-2023-12-07-at-3.39.54-PM.png5521020coachjodyhttps://thegreatflip.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/the-great-flip-tag-rgb-300x85.pngcoachjody2023-12-07 21:50:312023-12-07 21:50:31Five Ways to Gift An Experience from Coach Jody
You can download The Great Flip “Words of Wisdom” talking points here!
The Words of Wisdom talking points include a Bible verse, a short message and follow-up questions or comments. Feel free to include these talking points before or after an online self-defense training activity.
Words of Wisdom Introduction
Martial arts and spirituality have co-existed for centuries. Many martial arts carry Eastern mysticism origins with them. Symbols on the walls of a dojo or meditations used in the teaching may reflect these origins. Before you join a martial arts gym, you should carefully examine and prayerfully consider what your children are being taught. You can teach martial arts at The Great Flip! You can give your child confidence by teaching them self-defense skills.
Learning a life skill like martial arts will directly combat the top three obstacles our kids face today: Too much screen time, mental health concerns and overall safety. When your child participates in a martial arts class, they will be physically fit, emotionally healthy, and empowered with self-defense skills. Let’s get started!
I’m thrilled to share a Christian worldview here at The Great Flip. I want to give families and educators an online venue to try self-defense skills inspired by the Brazilian jiu-jitsu in their comfort zone with trusted family and friends.
I want to give families a safe place to learn about Jesus and discover his unconditional love. The Great Flip is for all people from all backgrounds and beliefs. I welcome everyone to ponder and meditate on the Christian worldview presented at The Great Flip.
The martial arts experience usually includes a moment of wisdom delivered by the wise instructor. The Sensa, professor, or coach imparts wisdom to the students. They might talk about respect, authority and teamwork to name a few.
Here at The Great Flip, I developed a “Words of Wisdom series.” Each Word of Wisdom is downloadable, just look for the PDF file in the blog. Each Word of Wisdom has a Bible verse, a message and follow-up questions or comments to discuss with the girls in your life.
Feel free to open or close a “self-defense training” event with these talking points. Encourage the girls to memorize the Bible verses and reflect upon the teaching. Check back from time to time. I’ll continue to add The Great Flip Words of Wisdom!
Scroll to the end of this blog for PDF downloads!
Words of Wisdom #1 The Great Flip
I know Jesus takes away my sins. Whenever I come to him in prayer and confess my sins, He is faithful and forgives all my sins. Right? But wait, there’s more!
Jesus does more than take away sins. He becomes my sin. And in exchange, He gives me all his righteousness. To be righteous means “to be right with God.”
I’m not right with God because I’m a good person or because I do good things. I’m right with God because Jesus becomes all my sin and gives me all his righteousness.
The great reformer, Martin Luther referred to this Bible verse as The Great Exchange. I call it The Great Flip.
What does this promise mean to you? Write a prayer thanking God for this amazing gift.
Thank you, Jesus, for not only forgiving my sins but becoming my sins. Thank you for taking all my sins and nailing them on the cross. And in exchange, you gave me all your righteousness. I stand right with God because of you. Thank you.
Words of Wisdom #2 Saved by Faith, not by Force
In jiu-jitsu, we rely on technique, not force. We learn we can escape a wrist hold simply by applying a technique to break the weakest part of the grip (the finger and thumb). In contrast, the more we force a situation (the more we pull) the more difficult the escape may become.
We cannot force our way into heaven. We cannot earn salvation. Trying harder does not get us any closer. We fall short in every attempt.
All religions tell us we must DO something to earn the affection of God. But Jesus turned the world upside down when he said, “IT IS FINISHED.” His life, death on the cross and resurrection declares … The work is DONE.
You are not required to work for his affection. He already loves you. He has loved you from the beginning of time. He loved you when he formed you in your mother’s womb. He loves you today, right now. He loves you tomorrow and until the end of time. Jesus loves you.
“For God so loved the world (put your name here), that he gave his only Son (JESUS), that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
Make a list of the gifts given to you in these two passages:
He gives faith. “So faith comes by hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Romans 10:17
He gives Jesus.
He gives eternal life.
Thank God for his gift … for you!
Words of Wisdom #3 Girl Power vs. God Power
I believe jiu-jitsu is the best martial art for self-defense because it equips a smaller person to defend against a larger opponent. A girl learns to trust techniques, not her strength.
Today’s culture attempts to convince girls to reach within themselves to find strength. “Girl Power” sounds empowering, but in reality, it’s exhausting. Pressure to perform and expectations to succeed crush a girl’s spirit. Girls suffer from depression and anxiety now more than at any time in history. Girl power falls short. Thank goodness for God’s power! A girl can do anything NOT because of who she is. A girl can do anything because of WHOSE she is! Let His power strengthen you!
How would you describe the difference between Girl Power vs. God Power?
Ask God to fill you with His Power and memorize Philippians 4:13.
Words of Wisdom #4 History is His Story
My favorite children’s Bible is called “The Jesus Storybook Bible” by Sally Llyod-Jones. “The Bible isn’t a book of rules or a book of heroes. The Bible is most of all a Story. You see, the best thing about this Story is – it’s true. There are lots of stories in the Bible, but all the stories tell one Big Story. The Story of how God loves his children and comes to rescue them. Every Story in the Bible whispers his name.”
The Bible is His Story!
Read the story about Jonah and the big fish in the Old Testament book Jonah 1-4 and explain how this story whispers HIS Story.
“The people of Nineveh listened to Jonah, and they started loving God. Many years later, God was going to send another Messenger with the same wonderful message. Like Jonah, he would spend three days in utter darkness. But this Messenger would be God’s own Son. He would be called ‘The Word’ because he himself would be God’s Message.” Excerpt from The Jesus Storybook Bible.
Words of Wisdom #5 What Can A Dead Person Do?
What can a dead person do? Ephesians 2:1 says “And you were dead in your trespasses and sins.” What can a dead person do? The answer is nothing! Can a dead person raise themself to life? Nope, they are dead.
Martin Luther said it this way,” I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him.” (Luther’s Small Catechism)
So how do we become alive? The answer is found in the Bible and in the character of God.
“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ – by grace you have been saved.” Ephesians 2:4-5
Did you decide to be born? Read Psalm 139:13 From the beginning of time, your life, your breath, your purpose and so much more is a gift from God. God knitted you together in your mother’s womb and gave you life. And now, God makes you alive with Christ.
Have you received the free gift of God? Do you know someone who would benefit from this gift? Pray this prayer:
Prayer: Lord, thank you for making me alive with Christ. I would like to receive this free gift. And I believe what you say in John 3:16 “For God so loved (ME) and the world that he gave (GIFT) His only Son (JESUS) that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. Amen. Thank you for this gift! Read Psalms 139:13 and Ephesians 2:8
Words of Wisdom #6 Listen!
Do you wish you had more faith to believe everything Jesus says to you?
If so, you are not alone. In Mark 9:23-24, a man doubted if Jesus could heal his son. His words might be a lot like yours. The man cried out, “I believe; help my unbelief!”
Good news! Jesus came to give faith so you can believe. He says, “Listen.” It’s okay to doubt, question, wrestle, ask questions and study God’s word. But you can trust his promise to give you faith. God says faith will come when you hear his word. Listen and keep listening. And he will give faith and continue to give faith. And this faith will give you the ability to understand and to believe.
What are some ways you can “hear the word of Christ”?
