Welcome to the GMAF Newsletter! We pray it will encourage you in your Martial Arts and Outreach for Christ.
"Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
Jesus Christ
"For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light."
The Apostle Paul
"Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign Lord comes escape from death." (Psalm 68:20)
Here are some thoughts about this important subject from a GMAF member.
"I find no conflict of any kind between my faith and my involvement in the martial arts. I look at it as an opportunity to develop friendships, get in shape, take care of this body that God has given me, and learn techniqies that may allow me to protect myself, someone I love, or even a total stranger someday if the need presents itself. In fact, I met one of my most cherished friends and brothers in Christ as a result of starting to study the martial arts.
Our Master said in Luke 22:36, "He said to them, "But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. " This verse tells me that Christ is clearly in favor of us having the ability to defend ourselves. I cannot count how many times the Israelites were involved in warfare, and the battle we fight with Satan and his demons is compared to a war in several places as well; see 2 Cor 10:1-6, 1 Peter 2:11, and Ephesians 6:10-18 for examples. In the last passage listed here, interestingly enough, the apostle Paul compares the spiritual preparation a Christian goes through to the armor and weapons carried by a Roman soldier.
I do study two of the most violent arts I know of; they are jujitsu and kung fu. My jujitsu instructor is an ordained Christian minister and my kung fu instructor has told me openly that he will not force me to learn anything I am uncomfortable with. However, I feel that as long as one distances him/herself from the esoteric, spiritual side of the martial arts as much as possible, there is no problem in studying them. I am not deeply involved in the spiritual side of the arts, and my exposure to that has been limited strictly to the practice of chi kung exercises.
Donald R. Holmes II
Here is an interesting story Bill Pitcher sent to us. The spiritual point is clear.
"I read recently the story of a 10-year-old boy who decided to study judo despite the fact that he had lost his left arm in a devastating car accident.
The boy began lessons with an old Japanese judo master. The boy was doing well, so he couldn't understand why, after three months of training, the master had taught him only one move.
"Sensei," the boy finally said, "shouldn't I be learning more moves?"
This is the only move you know, but this is the only move you'll ever need to know," the Sensei replied. Not quite understanding, but believing in his teacher, the boy kept training.
Several months later, the Sensei took the boy to his first tournament. Surprising himself, the boy easily won his first two matches. The third match proved to be more difficult, but after some time, his opponent became impatient and charged; the boy deftly used his one move to win the match.
Still amazed by his success, the boy was now in the finals. This time, his opponent was bigger, stronger, and more experienced. For a while, the boy appeared to be overmatched. Concerned that the boy might get hurt, the referee called a time-out. He was about to stop the match when the Sensei intervened. "No," the Sensei insisted, "let him continue."
Soon after the match resumed, his opponent made a critical mistake: he dropped his guard. Instantly, the boy used his move to pin him. The boy had won the match and the tournament. He was the champion.
On the way home, the boy and the Sensei reviewed every move in each and every match. Then the boy summoned the courage to ask what was really on his mind: "Sensei, how did I win the tournament with only one move?"
You won for two reasons," the Sensei answered. "First, you've almost mastered one of the most difficult throws in all of judo. And second, the only known defense for that move is for your opponent to grab your left arm."
The boy's biggest weakness had become his biggest strength.
We don't often view our weaknesses in the same way, but we should. I am reminded of the time that Paul prayed fervently for God to remove some affliction unknown to us, what he called a "thorn in the flesh." Refusing to remove it, God said to Paul, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness." (2 Cor. 12:9).
That seems to make no sense, and yet we see throughout the Bible how God is able to work despite the weaknesses of men and women, showing forth his power -- David with his small stature against Goliath the giant, Gideon a man of no significant background leading a greatly outnumbered band of men, Jesus taking on humanity in the form of a helpless baby. In fact, the greatest demonstrations of God's power have come when men and women have felt the weakest. Remember that the next time you feel inadequate."
"Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me....For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Cor. 12:9b-10).
Sifu Ron Shively of Karate For Christ sent us quotes from an excellent course about Soul Winning by E.W. Kenyon. Here is his challenge.
"Until soul winning becomes the business of our life we will not lead many men from darkness to light.
Soul winning is the art of arts. We should study carefully the lives and methods of the great soul winners. Get every book possible on the subject, but never neglect the Bible by being so occupied with other books.
"He that winneth souls is wise." You can see it is the world's greatest business proposition.
Think what it can mean! You are tied up with Jesus Christ in winning individuals to Him. It is a Divine drama -- taking men out of the hands of the enemy, out of bondage, failure and weakness and giving them strength, joy and success.
Jesus likened it to fishing. He said, "Come after me and I will make you fishers of men." (Matthew 4:19)
A fisherman is a skilled man. We should study to show ourselves approved unt6 God, soulwinners that need not be ashamed in the way we handle the Word.
We are selling the greatest thing in the world. It brings the greatest joy, success, and dividends. The joy that it gives to the one who finds Christ, the blessings that go into the home, can never be estimated.
The man you lead to Christ may become a key man in some community, turning a whole section of men to Christ.
You want to realize that you have been engaged by the Master to do this kind of work; that your time is not your own; that every unsaved man is an opportunity.
You are selling the greatest blessing, and the price you are asking is their confession of the Lordship of Jesus and their acceptance of Him as their Savior.
For every soul you win, you get stars in your crown. They get Eternal Life and blessings beyond words."
E.W. Kenyon
"Mokuso." "Muk Nyum." "Meditation." Many people say it is a vital part of martial science. Some call the martial arts "moving meditation." Many young students are told meditation is important to achieving "enlightenment." Zen meditation includes focusing thoughts on a single point, repeating a sound or word, praying to deities and practicing martial arts. What should Christians do when the teacher calls them to meditate? God has not left us to wonder! He has instructed us in the deepest form of meditation.
First, a little background on meditation. The idea of the word in the Bible is "to consider, weigh or ponder over something so as to be able to perform well." Meditation comes from words that mean "to care for, to concern oneself, to speak to oneself." What should a Christian martial artist consider, weigh or ponder? What should we care for and concern ourselves about when we meditate? What should we say to ourselves as we meditate? God's Word gives us the answer.
Joshua was one of Israel's greatest leaders and warriors. He and the army of Israel killed thousands of enemies and conquered more than 30 kingdoms. How did Joshua do it? Before Joshua fought his battles, God told him what to do. Here was Joshua's secret.
"Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful."
Joshua 1:6-8
When we meditate, we can and should meditate (consider, weigh, ponder) on God and His Word. Consider a verse or principle of God's Word. Think about it, ponder it, weigh it in your heart and mind. Ask God's Spirit to reveal deeper insight to you as you meditate on Him.
Other parts of God's Word tell us the same thing.
"But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night."
Psalm 1:2
"I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word."
Psalm 119:15-16
"Though rulers sit together and slander me, your servant will meditate on your decrees."
Psalm 119:23
"I lift up my hands to your commands, which I love, and I meditate on your decrees."
Psalm 119:48
"May the arrogant be put to shame for wronging me without cause; but I will meditate on your precepts."
Psalm 119:78
"Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long."
Psalm 119:97
"I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes."
Psalm 119:99
"My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises."
Psalm 119:148
What else about God can we ponder during meditation? His Power, His Majesty, His Great and Mighty Deeds!
"I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds."
Psalm 77:11-12
"Let me understand the teaching of your precepts; then I will meditate on your wonders."
Psalm 119:27
"I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider wht your hands have done."
Psalm 143:5
"They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works."
Psalm 145:5
"I lift up my hands to your commands, which I love, and I meditate on your decrees."
Psalm 119:48
The greatest truth we can meditate upon is God's Unfailing Love.
"Within your temple, O God, we meditate on your unfailing love."
Psalm 48:9
The Apostle Paul directed Pastor Timothy in the art of Christian meditation. It is an excellent guide for us.
"Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all."
1 Timothy 4:13-15
This concept gives new meaning to the idea of "meditation" as a Christian martial artist. When it's time to meditate, consider the heighth of Truth in God's Word. Weigh the depth of the Mighty Deeds of His Hands. Ponder the length and width of His Unfailing Love for you and others. See God seated on His Heavenly Throne. Hear His Loving Voice. Feel His Grace and Mercy on your life. See Jesus on the Cross. Hear His Words of forgiveness. Feel the pain He experienced on your behalf. See Jesus rise from the grave. Hear His Words of Love for all who would follow Him. Feel the riches of His Grace.
Should Christian martial artists participate in meditation? Absolutely! To the Praise and Honor of God our Savior!
May our prayer be that of the Psalmist.
"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer."
Psalm 19:14
Please let us know if you have moved, changed jobs, received a belt promotion, started studying a new martial art, started a Christian martial arts ministry, etc. We want to be sure your listing in the GMAF Internet Directory is all you want it to be.
We are so pleased to hear from Master Frank Barlow. Sensei Barlow recently suffered two heart attacks and has been recuperating at home. He wrote to say he is feeling better. Please remember Sensei Barlow in your prayers. You might also send him a note of encouragement.
The following are notes to us about Christian Martial Arts ministries. We appreciate your prayers for every GMAF member and their Gospel outreach.
"God is blessing the dojo over here. We led ten to twenty people to the Lord in the last month and they keep coming. We have about 100-120 students already in the six months we've been open and we haven't really taken in to the streets yet. Our goal is 500 students by end of next year, and yes we are working on starting a church here. God is awsome if He sees that you trust Him and Him alone to make it happen. The moment you think you can do it on your own wits, you lost the blessing. Only Christ and Him glorified."
Sifu Guro Adam Spence
A GMAF member wrote: "Do you know where I can find any martial art patches with scripture, or anything that praises God on them?" If you know of any Christian MA patches, please let me know and I'll publish in the next Newsletter.
Another GMAF member wrote: "I've noted that a number of members and associates have mentioned a desire to launch a ministry in their respective churches. Perhaps we can solicit the opinions, suggestions and experiences of those who have successfully completed this task. I would think having a "downloadable" source of information would assist in the implementation of this type of ministry."
This is an excellent idea! If you know of such a source, let me know and I'll mention it in the next GMAF Newsletter. If one doesn't exist, let's look into starting one!
We welcome Sa Bom Nim Connie Gulick to our fellowship. Ms. Gulick is a 4th Dan in Taekwondo and a certified instructor with ATA. Ms. Gulick owns a dojang in Tijeras, New Mexico. It is called Mountain Pine Songahm Taekwondo. Here is what she wrote about her martial arts minstry.
"My ministry is through treating each person with respect and love. I pray for my students (I'm sure they pray for me!) And I try to be consistent with how God would want me to be ... My class is open to all people of whatever belief, race, creed, whatever. The adults and I are able to discuss our beliefs with each other which is, I believe, the way witness should be: example and discussion.
Many years ago, I served as a Missionary Journeyman (2 years) with the Southern Baptist Convention in Los Teques, Venezuela. I was the dorm supervisor for the girls' dorm in the Seminary there. I was a summer missionary to Philadelphia area in 1976. I grew up as a member of a church, and attended a private Baptist college."
Please write Sa Bom Nim Gulick and welcome her to the Fellowship!
We welcome Pastor Michael Jurna of the First Baptist Church of Olivehurst, California. Pastor Jurna began his MA career in 1975 in the art of Tang Soo Do/Moo Duk Kwan. His military career took him to various other disciplines and styles including Shodan in Tae Kwon Do, Tang Soo Do and Aikijujitsu and Nidan in American Kenpo Karate and the Okinawan Shorin Ryu system of Seidokan Karate Kobudo and Toide. Pastor Jurna also has Kyu or Gup ranks in Shito Ryu, Shudo Kan, Chinese Boxing (Animal System) and Hapkido and training in Tai Chi Chuan (Yang Style), Parker Kenpo, Chinese Kempo, Matayoshi Kobudo, Iai and Aikido.
Pastor Jurna recently started the Christian Martial Arts Academy in Olivehurst. The class meets on Mondays and has an enrollment of 23 students. Pastor Jurna teaches Seidokan Shorin Ryu Kobudo and Toide at the academy. Since 1991 Pastor Jurna has started 3 Schools - all with the purpose of reaching out to win lost souls for Jesus Christ and bring them into the Local New Testament Church.
Here is some of what Pastor Jurna wrote about his interests in fellowshiping with other Christian martial artists.
"I like to share information with other Christian MA as well as receive information. My instructors manual is a culmination of 20 plus years - unfortunately only a small portian is in print. Would love to hear from other Instructors who have instructors manual's and do some comparison and possible exchange of files.
My goal is to eventually network with enough Christian MA and Schools to promote a Christian MA Tournament where more than Kata is used to determine the outcome of competion. Many times there are ties which competitors are asked to either re-do the KATA or perform a second KATA or the judges determine a winner by show of hand. I want to see a competition where all ties go to the WORD and competitors are asked to quote from memory - of course a list of suggested scripture for belt / age level would be posted."
Please write Pastor Jurna and welcome him to the Fellowship!
We welcome Tim Harley from Martinsburg, West Virginia. He is a Senior Project Engineer for Beneco Enterprises. Tim is married and has two children. Here is what he wrote about his relationship to Christ. It is an inspiration.
"I accepted Christ at a young age (somewhere between 7 and 9) but I got lost among all the differing doctrines out there and when I was 20 (serving in the United States Air Force), I kinda dropped out of the race. I thought I could never possibly please God.
But God is good and true. He never left me nor forsook me. About 7 years ago, after having married and had two children, He began to deal with my heart in a major way. My life came to a point where I was forced to come to grips with what I truly believed. In retrospect, I can see how God laid a plan to bring me back to Him, but at the time, I was really wandering and really confused.
Doors opened up to me that should have otherwise been closed and slowly but surely, God revealed to me how important it was for me to 1. Come back to Christ as the head of my life. 2. Be the husband and leader in my home as according to His plan, and 3. raise my children in the way that they should go.
A little over three years ago, I went to my knees and gave it all back to Him - my life, my home, my all. And it has been the most rewarding thing I have ever done. And I have learned that I cannot earn my way to heaven. But my worth is solely and completely in Christ. He loves me and I choose to believe in Him."
Tim currently studies Aikido at the Naval Research Lab in Washington DC. He also has some training in Tae Kwon Do and spent time boxing and wrestling. Tim doesn't know any Christian martial artists and looks forward to some good fellowship with us through GMAF. Please write Tim Harley and welcome him to the Fellowship!
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.
You are invited to read previous GMAF Newsletters.
If you would like to join Grace Martial Arts Fellowship ©, contact Mark McGee.
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