Welcome to the GMAF Newsletter! We pray it will encourage you in your Martial Arts and Outreach for Christ.
"Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God."
Jesus Christ
"For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father."
The Apostle Paul
"Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord; that walkest in his ways."
We shared several Christian martial arts web sites in last month's newsletter. Here are more for you to check out.
Note: We included a link to a web site last month with answers to Christian martial artists' questions. We discovered upon further examination that the site was against Christians being involved in martial arts. I sent a note to the webmaster of that site explaining that we do believe Christians can be involved in martial arts and use them to reach others for Christ.
We're pleased to tell you that Master Frank Barlow is recovering well after surgery. He is training again and even asked about any Kendo practioners in the GMAF. If you have training in Kendo, please contact Master Barlow. He thanks everyone for praying for him during his illness, surgery and recovery.
Dr. Karl Marx wrote us the Keichu-Do Karate Demo Team going to Australia in April. Calvary Chapel is paying half of the fare for Team Captain Sensei Jeff Martinez to attend. The Keichu-Do Ministry is raising the other half. Sensei Martinez is a two-time World Karate Champion and Dr. Marx's assistant instructor at the Dojo Ministry. Jeff volunteers his time to teach Keichu-Do to children and adults. Dr. Marx will give a video of the Keichu-Do Demo Team and Church Praise Band to anyone who donates at least $10 (plus postage and handling) to help Sensei Martinez make the trip to Australia to share Christ. You can make out your check for $13 (mail) or $15 (UPS) to: Calvary Chapel of Santa Maria Australian Mission Trip. Send your check and order to: 3530 Orcutt Road, Santa Maria, CA 93455. We'll share more about the Demo Team's ministry when they return from Australia.
Master Robert Xavier will hold another Hwa-Yu T'ai-Chi training clinic in Columbus, Georgia March 18th. It will be held at Cooper Creek Park in Columbus beginning at 10:30am, followed by a time of food and fellowship. Martial Arts classes from the Central YMCA in Columbus are sponsoring the event.
Some members have asked if GMAF has a patch and certificate. We do not at this time, but are certainly open to ideas. Please let me know about what you think would be appropriate. Maybe one of our members could design it!
Sifu Richard Mieir-King wrote us about the 2nd Annual Chinese Martial Arts Friendship Games and Competition in Lakewood, California May 6th. It will be held at the Mayfair High School Gymnasium. Please contact Sifu Mieir if you would like to attend.
New GMAF member John Huff sent us a nice note about a blessing he received from something in a previous GMAF Newsletter.
"Just wanted to drop you a line to tell you how much I appreciate what you are doing and to pass a neat story to you. When Richard Mack had first told me about the page, I visited and printed off the story in last month's newsletter about the young boy that had lost an arm in a car accident and was taught judo ... and so on. I had shared the story with many folks and the printed page had ended up at the bottom of my gear bag. Saturday, Richard had to leave class early. He had asked our co-instructor Eric Lawson to give the Bible lesson at the end of class. We were ready for the lesson and he asked me to give him some verses to read and I thought of the story. To the point, I found the story in the bottom of my gear bag. He used the story in the lesson and everyone loved it! The kids were truly inspired and the adults were obviously touched by God's presence. I felt it, too. Thanks!"
We received a sad note from Sifu Adam Spence. He lost his best friend to suicide. Adam said the man was his spiritual mentor and "was the closest example of Christ that I had ever seen." This brother in Christ had suffered a broken neck and back and lived with great pain and limited strength. The doctors could offer him no hope. Adam said his friend convinced himself it was better for him and others to die. He was concerned about being a burden to his family (wife and three children). Adam said his friend drove to a remote area and shot himself. Adam wrote us: "I feel the absence of his prayers and how vulnerable I am to the enemy. Now I must rely on you out there to pray for me. Keep me in your prayers tonight as I come out of the shock and go into mourning." Please pray for Adam and for his friend's wife and children. They have much to go through during the coming weeks and months.
Here is an inspirational story a GMAF member sent to us:
"Wishing to encourage her young son's progress on the piano, a mother took the small boy to a Paderewski concert. After they were seated, the mother spotted a friend in the audience and walked down the aisle to greet her. Seizing the opportunty to explore the wonders of the concert hall, the little boy rose and eventually explored his way through a door marked "No Admittance." When the house lights dimmed and the concert was about to begin, the mother returned to her seat and discovered that her son was missing. Suddenly, the curtains parted and spotlights focused on the impressive Steinway on stage. In horror, the mother saw her little boy sitting at the keyboard, innocently picking out "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star." At that moment, the great piano master made his entrance, quickly moved to the piano, and whispered in the boy's ear, "Don't quit. Keep playing." Then leaning over, Paderewski reached down with his left hand and began filling in the bass part. Soon his right arm reached around to the other side of the child and he added a running obligate. Together, the old master and the young novice transformed a frightening situation into a wonderfully creative experience. The audience was mesmerized. That's the way it is with God. What we can accomplish on our own is hardly noteworthy. We try our best, but the results aren't exactly graceful, flowing music. But with the hand of the Master, our life's work truly can be beautiful. Next time you set out to accomplish great feats, listen carefully. You can hear the voice of the Master, whispering in your ear, "Don't quit. Keep playing." Feel His loving arms around you. Know that His strong hands are playing the concerto of your life. Remember, God doesn't call the equipped; He equips the called. And He'll always be there to love and guide you on to great things."
Author Unknown
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 welcome Master Peter Klipfel from Cape Town, South Africa. Sensei Klipfel is a 5th Dan in Seiwa Kai Karate-Do Goju-ryu. He was graded by the late Hanshi Gogen Yamaguchi in Japan. Master Klipfel is affiliated with Hanshi Shuji Tazaki and the IKGA and is Chief Instructor for the Western Cape. Master Klipfel is a 3rd Year Bible Institute student and is involved in hospital visitation, evangelical work and children's ministry. Please visit Master Klipfel's web site.
We welcome Master Richard Mieir-King. Sifu Mieir-King teaches Five Animal and Five Family Style Kung Fu, Yang Style T'ai Chi Ch'uan and Qi Gong in Lakewood, California. He is a member of the Martial Arts Hall of Fame and founder of the Universal Fighting Arts Federation.
We welcome Sifu Bill Wilson of Florence, Kentucky. Sifu Wilson is affilated with the Martial Arts Hall of Fame and has offered to assist Christian martial artists in applying for membership in the Hall of Fame.
We welcome Steve Prince of Emu Plains, Australia. Steve is a 2nd Dan in Seito Matsumura Shorin Ryu Karate. He trained with Masters Ted Lange, Norm Small and Seijun Kina. Steve is Pastor of Grace Bible Church in Emu Plains, Australia
We welcome Dave Storm from Nashua, New Hampshire to GMAF! Dave is a Brown Belt in Chinese Kenpo Karate (Villari System). Dave's looking forward to hearing from other Christian martial artists.
We welcome Drew Arthur from Honolulu, Hawaii. Drew is an instructor of Muay Thai Kickboxing. He works as a Deputy U.S. Marshal in Honolulu.
We welcome John Huff from London, Kentucky. John is a Yellow belt in Isshin-ryu Karate under Sensei Richard Mack in Williamsburg, Kentucky. John has studied martial arts since 1999 and works at Trane Co. in Lexington, Kentucky
We welcome Preston Robinson of Washington D.C. Preston has training in various martial arts and is looking for a Christian instructor in the D.C. area.
We welcome Bob Barton from Madbury, New Hampshire. Bob is a Yon Kyu in Isshin-Ryu Karate. He is married with four children, all of whom study Karate. Bob received Christ during college in 1982.
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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