Welcome to the GMAF Newsletter! We pray it will encourage you in your Martial Arts and Outreach for Christ.
"And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one."
Jesus Christ
"And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all."
The Apostle Paul
We received a question last month about Biblical directives concerning Chi. Here is one thought. Please send us your thoughts and we'll share them in future newsletters.
"Hwa-Yu T'ai-Chi Ch'uan is the art of Six Combinations Eight Methods. The first Combination is: 'The Body Combines with the Mind (Mind-Intent).' Extraneous thoughts should be excluded from the mind and concentration utilized. The Mind-Intent moves the Chi so that it may sink deeply and penetrate the bones. The Mind-Intent and Chi must interact in a lively manner in order to achieve both smoothness and circularity. The first Method is Chi. 'Chi works internally, concentrated by ones spirit.' T'ai Chi is a powerful martial art when the body and mind combine and the internal energy force flows freely and smoothly through the body. In T'ai Chi we 'use our Yi to lead our Chi.' That means the Mind-Intent guides Chi through the body for perfect movement. We also say 'The mind is the leader and the body is the follower.' The ancients understood the principle of Body/Mind Combination. A person's body will have health and strength 'if' he/she obeys this principle. If they do not, their body will be weak and suffer during their life. Martial artists are successful when their mind and body unify and move as one (harmony of motion).
The same is true in the Spiritual world. Jesus Christ is the Head of His Body, which is made up of those He has saved by His Grace. The Body, the Church, can have great health and strength 'if' it Combines with Jesus Christ, the Head of the Body and the Mind of God. Unity of Mind and Body is the Goal. Jesus told His Father He wanted those who believed in Him to be one, 'even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one.' The perfection Jesus prayed about was reaching a goal (teteleiomenoi - from telos ), accomplishing and completing something. The 'goal' Jesus had in mind during His prayer was 'they may be one, even as we are one.' What a wonderful goal! Christ wants us to experience a oneness with each other similar to the Oneness He has with His Father. When we achieve that goal, whether in small or large groups of Christians, we will be healthy, strong and vital.
How do we do that? How do we experience oneness in the Body of Christ? It begins with each Christian experiencing oneness with Christ. We, as members of the Body of Christ, must physically, mentally and emotionally 'combine' with Christ, our Spiritual Mind. We are already spiritually 'one' with Christ. That happened the instant God forgave us and placed us into the Body of Christ. When we 'combine' with Christ and cooperate with His Will (Mind-Intent), we can move from that oneness with Christ to a oneness with other believers. Paul wrote the Ephesians: 'I Therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling.' Notice the strong emphasis Paul makes on the issue of Unity in the Body of Christ. That unity begins with our emptying our minds of extraneous thoughts (those things unnecessary to the spiritual work before us) and focusing every fiber of our being on God's Will (His Mind-Intent).
The Christian's Chi is the Holy Spirit of God. The Spirit comes into each of us at the moment of our salvation. The Spirit immediately places us into the Body of Christ. The Spirit moves throughout our body and mind to support, encourage, comfort and direct us in doing the Will of God. The Classics say 'Let the chi circulate throughout the entire body freely and without hindrance so that the body will follow the dictates of the mind.' Christians must do the same with the Spirit of God. We must allow Him to circulate throughout our entire body freely and without hindrance so we as members of the Body of Christ will follow the dictates of The Mind of God. The Apostle Paul told Christians: 'And grieve not the holy Spirit of God.' (Ephesians 4:30) We must not do anything that would hinder the movement of the Spirit within our lives. We must keep our body and mind open to His leading so we can know the Will of God. We must be under His Control. Paul told Christians to 'be filled with the Spirit.' (Ephesians 5:18) That is an issue of who is in control of our thoughts and actions. Those who practice T'ai Chi know how hot the body becomes internally during practice. Internal energy builds the heat that warms and nourishes the body. Incorrect practice or a lack of practice will leave the body lukewarm. The same is true for a Christian. Paul told believers to 'Quench not the Spirit.' This means Christians should not hinder the Spirit of God in His Movement. We must do nothing that would put out the fire He is building in us as individuals and as members of the Body of Christ. An important lesson for Christians and martial artists.
The Power is already ours! Jesus Christ is our Mind. The Spirit is our Chi. Christians are members of the Body of Christ. Christ (Mind-Intent) directs the Holy Spirit (Chi) to move with great power through unified believers (Body). The resulting combination leads to a great movement that is to God's Glory. That is our Grand Ultimate Goal."
Several of our GMAF members are planning to attend two Martial Arts events this Fall. You may want to join them! Here are basic details and people to contact for more information.
The Mideast GMAU/USKA Meeting of the Masters Clinic is September 17 &18 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Special guest instructors include Grandmaster Johnny Pachivas, 10th Dan, Executive Director of the United States Karate Association International; and Patriarch of Pachivas Pankration and Grandmaster Douglas Grose, President of the American Jiu Jitsu & Karate Association. Host Shidoshi Johnny Russell told us: "Our hope and mission is to provide professional training and wisdom from the minds of today's top martial arts masters; Instruction that is engulfed with the Love of Christ, and carried out in the spirit of Christian fellowship." You can e-mail him for more information.
The "Gathering" seminar is coming up October 9-10 in Sacramento, California. There will be 15+ Master-Level Instructors teaching for two days. This is a wonderful opportunity to train and learn from some phenomenal teachers. We are still working on details but we estimate the hotel cost will be $40 per person (covering two nights) and the seminar fee will be about $125 (this reflects a group discount, the regular fee is $200). The event will also host a Christian Martial Arts conference with several organizations represented. We will be meeting both days to share ideas and develop plans for Christian training seminars in the future." Contact Sifu Guru Adam Spence for more details. You can call him at 916-825-3378 or 916-797-9775.
We are pleased to bring you the fourth installment of the testimony of Dr. Karl Marx, Grand Master of Keichu-Do Karate of Santa Maria, California. If you would like to write Dr. Marx, you may do so at the following address: Keichu-Do Outreach Ministry, 3530 Orcutt Rd., Santa Maria, California 93455. You may also e-mail Soke Marx. I'm sure he would enjoy hearing from other Christian martial artists. You may visit Dr. Marx's web site at http://www.oakknolls.com/keichumain.htm .
"Allow me, if you will, to elaborate by listing just a few things God has done in my life, through His Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.
- The fact that I was even conceived let alone actually born. Because of medical complications of my mother.
- Living through a bad case of double pneumonia back in 1945. Being nine was tough.
- God's protecting me from the quicksand pit my two friends stepped into, and saving them.
- The Lords comforting protection when I was in the boys home. 8th grade was tough. However, it was better than being in the reform school. I did learn about survival.
- Getting into the seminary on scholarship was a miracle in itself. And they let my dog Trigger come with. That had never ever been done before.
- Living through all the fights, that I could have been seriously hurt or killed in, is His mercy.
- Keeping me from going to the State or Federal Penitentiary is definitely (a miracle.)
- Keeping the Louisiana police Grand Jury from subpoenaing me is also a miracle.
- Getting a contract on my life stopped, was a definite sign from God to me. Once a hit man is contracted, there is little chance of stopping the hit. But God saved me.
- Giving me my salvation in 1970, was a super big gift. Being saved is just what it says but even more. Saved from a near-death experience, is one thing but being saved from hell and damnation is a much bigger reward. Christ died in my place, Praise Him.
- Using me as a tool for introducing others to Christ, is by far a true wonder. Me a three time loser, three divorces, former drug and alcohol abuser. Then becoming a pimp and a small time drug dealer. Add to that being involved in the Louisiana Cajun Mafia, into heavy criminal activities, even being suspected of being a hit man, all this rotten life style and God forgives me for these sins. That would be enough but not so. Now He uses my skill in martial arts to reach people who might not other wise come to know Christ, and His saving grace. Now that has to be ( a sign ) of God's use of the foolish like me.
- When I backslid, and became involved in the occult, Christ never gave up on me. Even after the Silva Mind Control, graduation, and being ordained in the Japanese Cult, known as the (so called) Perfect Liberty Religion. Christ still loved me, and even when I was into Physic garbage, the Cosmic principles in Chinese and Korean dualistic philosophy of Yin and Yang. Tarot cards, and the I-Ching were another of my many stupid resources. Spells, and out of body celestial traveling to name but a few. Even after all that God forgave me. Now that is a Wonder. So you want signs, and wonders, Ha! Well, you have them.
There were numerous others, too many to list here, that prove to me that God is real, Jesus Christ is alive, and the Holy Spirit is present in my life. There are so many times that my sleep apnea caused me to fall asleep at the wheel while driving my car and the Lord woke me up every time before an accident happened. I have had so many close calls in my life, were there was no way out, and when all appeared to be impossible, the impossible happened. Take the time I almost died of lead poisoning from a gun shot. I didn't even know there was still a piece of lead in my arm. I was eating breakfast at a cafe in Crowley Louisiana, and a local pharmacist saw that something was seriously wrong with me. He took me to a medical doctor whom he woke up at 6:00 in the morning, just to treat me. Now that was a definite miracle, or wonder. You can call it whatever you wish.
God has looked after me in so many ways. When I was on my way to France back in 1977, I was told in New Jersey that I needed a Visa to enter France. No one had explained that to me before hand, so there I was stuck, I could not go on or come back, I had no money for a new plain ticket. We called the US Embassy office but the lady there said I could get my Visa if I arrived at her office in 45 minutes. There was no way I could get a cab to New York during the rush hour from Jersey. My only hope was to fly to London England and apply at the French Embassy. I did and was turned down, I walked all the way ( about four miles) to the American Embassy in the rain carrying a heavy suite case, and couldn't even get in. It was a Saturday and only the guards were on duty. I walked all the way back to the French Embassy, and just sat down in the middle of the sidewalk and cried. Finally, someone called the police who graciously saved me from the elements. At the police station they made several phone calls to our American Embassy to no avail, no one would help me. I was desperate, wet, cold, and broke, with only enough money to buy a little food.
One of the security guards at the US Embassy had given me a little change to buy a train ticket back to the Airport. As I sat there, wondering why God had allowed such a terrible thing to happen to me, I began to pray for guidance, knowledge and Wisdom. I needed to think clearly enough to find a solution. Then I thought why not call someone in France for advice. The problem now was that no one at the police station spoke French and I couldn't understand the person we called in France because he talked to fast and all I knew was a little Cajun French. As we spoke I prayed for God's help, and at that very moment two ladies walked into the police station. One of the women had just been mugged and her purse stolen and the other lady was kind enough to help her into the office.
Guess what? Yep! You're right. God did it again the lady helping the victim heard me asking everyone in sight if they spoke French. She said that she spoke fluent French and she took the phone from me and received all in information I needed to get to France. Praise God, she was able to give me instructions in English. The fellow in France called a women in England who was French and married to an Englishmen. Her husband explained how I was to catch the train, and what city their home was in. He informed me that he and his son would meet me at the station. The trip was rather long, and on the way I was able to witness to a nice little old lady about Jesus and what He has done in my life. Upon arriving at my destination I was met by the nicest man and his son.
I still had no clue as to why God had put me into such a position, but I hadn't slept in quite a while so I really didn't care. All I wanted was sleep. It was my host's wife's birthday and they were celebrating at a neighbors home. By midnight I couldn't keep awake any longer so I asked to be excused. Mr. Wood, my gracious host, walked me next door to his home and showed me were I would be sleeping. At 1 o'clock AM, I Awoke with a start. OH! dear God! not an anxiety attack. Not here, not now. I hadn't had one in a year, why now? As I walked back and forth in the living room, embarrassed, and wondering how I was to explain to these fine people that I was really harmless, just acting a bit crazy. My host and hostess returned home at 2:00 am. and I found out the big answer to my confusion. WOW! GOD is so good. It seems that this family was not Christian, but had a great deal of interest in Christianity. I talked, explained, taught and testified, until 4:am in the morning. The Holy Spirit must have been holding me up, because Mr. Wood accepted Christ as his Savior and Then I was able to fall asleep for what felt like two days.
I was given the grand tour of jolly old England, and London herself. Big Ben, The Royal guard, The Queens castle and all that sort of rot, what! Ha! It had all been part of Gods plan from the beginning, or I messed up and the Lord, true to His Word, made something good from something not so good. All in all I was able to spend three days in England and to see things I never thought I would be able to see. I was even given a plane ticket to France and my Visa. What an experience. God sure blessed me. I was his servant and He used me in a wonderful way. God does that, His blessings are so wonderful to behold and experience. Words can not express the feeling. It is better than a glass of cold water when you haven't had water in two days. His Love and Grace are so wonderful it might kill someone if they felt it for a whole hour at one time. HA! Like being tickled to death."
NEXT MONTH: Dr. Marx tells us about the Most Important Thing.
Master Ron Shively of Karate For Christ sent us this note about special training called "Wolf Pack."
"This is a type of drill that is used in sparring to best illustrate defending against more than one opponent, usually 2 to 3 attackers.
One person has focus mitts, the other has a kick shield. The object is to keep them off of you by either punching the mitts, or kicking the shield. If you spend too much time punching, the kick shield will run into you and butt you from behind. While the focus mitts will slap together behind you in a loud bang to get your attention, or possibly bop you on the head to remind you he's there.
Usually the 3rd person also has a kick shield. Whether with 2 or 3 people, your attackers usually work together to try and corner you. The object is to keep moving about and prevent from being cornered.
We also used handcuff drills to handicap the defender, while forcing him to use just his legs. Here there is just one person with a kick shield, but he's chasing you around the room while you keep him at bay with your kicks.
Usually these drills last 1 minute, 2 minutes, or 3 minutes tops. This type of workout is strictly free form and totally exhausting. But it is safely realistic. By this I mean that no one is really getting hurt, while you're finding out just how much speed and power you need to defend yourself against an attacker."
Here is a question from one of our members. Please send your responses to Mark McGee and we'll include them in the October GMAF Newsletter.
"I was reading an article in a martial arts magazine the other day and it was plainly written from an offensive standpoint...sort of "strike first."
I have studied some Jeet Kun Do concepts, and I know that according to Bruce Lee, striking before your opponent strikes is somewhat of the "ultimate" defensive move.
In my club, I impress upon the kids that the arts and skills we train in are ONLY to be used for defense and as a last resort: communication has failed and escape (for the time being) is not an option. At that point, when we or those in our care are threatened with harm, we must act. We train in various defenses and counters/follow-ups: usually strikes/kicks, in combination, to allow us to off balance our attacker and then either escape or a take down/throw and then escape.
Obviously when we have our opponent down following a striking combination to a take down, there are a lot of "finishing techniques" many secular schools teach. We do not train in these at the club. We learn that Jesus holds us to a high standard and that while unpleasant, it is preferable to endure personal insults and avoid combat.
One of my favorite instructors is Frank Cucci, Navy Seal and Jeet Kun Do/Filipino Martial Arts Instructor. When discussing striking/kicking combinations he said, "Will that end the fight? No one knows, but it may give you the time to get out of there."
Isn't that what it's all about? From many of the articles that permeate the mainstream martial arts magazines, you'd think that using defensive force to stop or escape from conflict is not what it's all about."
This is a good question! Should Christian martial arts include "finishing techniques?" We look forward to hearing from you!
Here's an interesting thought from David Havard, one of the founders of GMAF. It's a good one to consider.
"The map is not the territory. A map is simply an explanation of certain aspects of the territory. While individuals may look at their own lives and interactions in means of paradigms or maps emerging out of their experience and conditioning, these maps are not the territory. They are a 'subjective reality' - only an attempt to describe the territory." (Bible knowledge is the map; living it is is the territory...)
Please let us know if you have moved, changed jobs, received a belt promotion, started studying a new martial art, etc. We want to be sure your listing in the GMAF Online Directory is all you want it to be.
The following are notes to us about Christian Martial Arts ministries. We appreciate your prayers for every GMAF member and their Gospel outreach.
"Dear Brothers and Sisters,
I am working with several martial artists, some very important and some not so important by the martial arts worlds standards. Our goal is to network all of us as Christian Martial Artists across the states and also outside the US. The purpose is simple, to establish an available database for all to use as a tool for encouragement, prayer chains, ideas for martial arts ministries, christian martial arts evangalism programs, Christian martial arts seminar advertizing and whatever else fits into that arena. This will not be an organization for disbursment of rank nor a political group built on building up martial artists by pride. We are a group of Christians who simply love the Lord and really want to serve him in the way he has called us to do. Not all of us run Christian martial arts clubs and not all of us are called to that ministry. But we are all called to use are testimonies and sometimes our tallents to bring others to know our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Please return this email with your phone number, email and mailing address (if you desire) and once the data base is complete, we will send an email address book for your Christian Martial Artists Database. If you have other Christian Martial Artists who you feel would be interested, please forward this message to them so they too may be a part of this wonderful opportunity for all of us to become one in spirit, His Spirit.
I look forward to hearing from those who like me want to connect with those in like mind."
Sifu Guru Adam Spence, Christian Martial Arts Network, Koinonia Martial Arts Center - Fair Oaks, California.
"The International Network of Christian Martial Artists is now online & accepting members. Membership is FREE! You can start networking with other Christian martial arts practitioners and instructors from all over the world by joining now at: http://members.tripod.com/~incma."
B.T. West III of Okinawa has a new web site. You can find it at http://home.attmil.ne.jp/a/jesus_saves/index.html/index.html.
We welcome Mark Jannetta to GMAF! Mark teaches Serrada Escrima in Rock Hill, South Carolina. He is interested in starting a Martial Arts ministry at his church and would appreciate any ideas about how to get it started. Please share your thoughts with him.
Another new member of GMAF is Andrew Peterson. He found the GMAF web site by linking from the Christian Ju-Jitsu Association site. Andrew has been a Christian since 1980. He started in the Martial Arts while in High School in the early 70's. He took a break for about 15 years to get married and start a family and go to grad school. He started working out again about a year and a half ago so he could teach his son. Andrew recently earned his Nidan in Uechi-Ryu. Please welcome Andrew to GMAF!
We will have a special article for you in October about "Advice for Starting a Christian Martial Arts Club." Please let us know what advice you'd like to share with your fellow Christian martial artists.
We appreciate your Fellowship in the Gospel of the Grace of God. We are praying for you and your opportunities to serve Christ. Please let us know about ways GMAF can help you in your service. If you know of anyone who might be interested in receiving this monthly newsletter, please ask them to e-mail Mark McGee. We'll be glad to put them on our monthly mailing list.
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