Tactical Hapkido Alliance

09/04/2026

08/31/2026

A Note About My Books

The release of Messages from the Wood Shop has brought a few things to my heart that I would like to clarify. When self-publishing through Amazon, authors can choose their own pricing structure. My wife and I intentionally set the book at the lowest price Amazon allows, which means I receive no commission from its sales.

The Heart Behind the Bub Books

We have made the same change to the Bub children’s books, lowering them to the minimum price as well. These stories have lived in my heart since my children were little and publishing them was something I had always dreamed of doing.
Like Messages from the Wood Shop, the Bub books were never created to make money. They were created to share joy, imagination, and the love I poured into those stories decades ago.

Created with Purpose

Both Messages from the Wood Shop and the Bub books come from a place of passion. They express what God has placed within me whether through the creativity of a father telling stories to his children or through the spiritual insights the Lord gives me while I work in my wood shop.

I am already working on the second edition of Messages from the Wood Shop. It will be larger, deeper, and filled with even more of what God continues to speak.

Simple, Honest, and Authentic

These books were not edited by a major publishing house. I created them in Microsoft Word, checked the spelling, and formatted them using Word’s layout and I am completely at peace with that.
They are simple, honest, and authentic, just like the messages themselves. I am grateful that God has used me, in my own humble way, to share these reflections with anyone who chooses to read them.

Please Enjoy These Books for What They Are

• Expressions of faith
• Works of passion and craftsmanship
• Acts of obedience

Thank you for allowing me to share my heart.

God Bless

~GM Barry Rodemaker

08/31/2026

NEW BOOK RELEASE Messages from the Woodshop
I’m excited to announce the release of my new book, Messages from the Woodshop.
These are the Spirit led reflections the Lord gives me while I’m working in the shop moments where He speaks, corrects, encourages, and reminds me of His goodness. Every message in this book was written with one purpose: to magnify the name of Jesus Christ.
If you’ve ever felt God speak to you in the quiet moments of your day, or if you simply want to draw closer to Him through honest, heartfelt devotionals, this book will bless you.
📖 Available now on Amazon
https://a.co/d/07GZNf7S
Thank you for your support, and may these messages encourage you as much as they encouraged me while writing them.

Message from the Wood Shop: A Faith-Driven Reflection from the Hands of a Craftsman The Shop as a Sanctuary There’s something special about my wood shop. As I cut, sand, shape, and work with the skills God has given me, something stirs within. While my hands are busy, the Lord is often at work in....

08/30/2026

https://www.tacticalhapkido.com/annual-conference.html

08/29/2026

Early Opportunities

While training at the Harrisburg Institute of Taekwondo under Grand Master Joseph Fox, I had experiences that shaped not only my martial arts journey but the course of my life. As a young black belt, I received opportunities most students could only dream of.
One arose when fellow black belt Art Michaels began writing articles for Inside Taekwondo, a division of Inside Kung Fu magazine. Grandmaster Fox invited me to participate in photo shoots, where I demonstrated kicks and techniques never imagining how far those images would travel.

An Unexpected Rediscovery

Years later long after those early days, and long after the hair I once had decided to retire one of my students called from an airport.
“I just picked up a book called The Ultimate Taekwondo Guide,” he said. “You’re in it.”
I laughed. “What? No way.”

But when I finally got my hands on the book, there I was: a young, strong, determined black belt, frozen in time. The photographs captured the techniques, poses, and passion of my youth. Seeing myself in print after so many years was surreal, humbling, and, honestly, a little funny.

Recognizing the Source

Recently, I came across the book again and created a collage from those old photographs. As I studied the images, one truth became unmistakably clear: none of those moments would have existed without Grand Master Joseph Fox.

A Lasting Influence

I offer my deepest respect to my late instructor, Grandmaster Fox, whose absence is still felt tremendously. His influence on my life, character, and martial arts career cannot be overstated. He opened doors, believed in me, and gave me opportunities to grow not only as a martial artist, but also as a leader and a man.

His guidance continues to shape:

• The way I teach
• The way I mentor
• The way I carry myself, both in and out of the dojang

With Gratitude

I am deeply grateful for everything Grandmaster Fox invested in me and for the trust he showed by including me in his literary endeavors. Those early experiences became stepping stones toward a lifetime of teaching, writing, innovation, and service to the martial arts community.

Carrying the Legacy Forward

Grandmaster Fox’s legacy lives on in every student I teach, every instructor I certify, and every lesson I pass forward. I am honored to be part of his lineage, and I will continue to carry his influence with pride and gratitude.

~GM Barry Rodemaker