GMAF NEWSLETTER

OCTOBER 2001

Welcome to the GMAF Newsletter! We pray it will encourage you in your Martial Arts and Outreach for Christ.

Thoughts from the Master

"It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you."

Jesus Christ

"But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye have been saved): and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places IN Christ Jesus."

The Apostle Paul

Wisdom Notes

"O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me."

Psalm 139:1

"Known By God"

Pastor Mark McGee

These are times that try men's souls. People around the civilized world feel small, vulnerable, breakable, alone. They share fears and anxiety openly. They weep easily. They search for answers to life's deepest questions.

The message we have is that they are known by God. They are not alone. God knows them and loves them. They are important in His Sight. He watches over His children.

King David of Israel was often in battle. He knew the fears and challenges of war too well. He often cried out for God's Grace and Mercy. At the darkest points in David's life, God reminded David that he was known, loved and cared for.

"O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it." (Psalm 139:1-6)

During these difficult times and throughout the dark days ahead in our world, let us remember how special we are to God. Let us remind others about their relationship to Almighty God. He knows them. He loves them. He will care for them. How precious is our message of hope.

"How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!" (Psalm 139:17)

"The Game of Life"

Second Base: Church in Christ

Pastor Robert Xavier

"And the Lord added to the Church daily those who were being saved." (Acts 2:47)

Second base is where we are fitted in the Body of Christ as members, each with his own important design and function to benefit the whole. Second Base is where we identify the power of the living God dwelling IN US and US IN HIM.

"But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye have been saved): and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places IN Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 2:4-6)

The building where the Body of Christ meets is not the Church. God does not dwell in temples made with human hands. His desire from the beginning has been to dwell within our hearts: "God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands." (Acts 17:24)
The Lord has chosen to dwell in us. We are temples of the Holy Spirit. "What! Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which ye have of God and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) Together we form the Church, whether we meet in a building or in a field.

Church is a family of individuals at different stages of growth who belong

to each other by a deep tie of relatedness: the Blood of Jesus.

(Next month: Perspectives on the Church )

MET IN THE STAIRWELL

(Submitted by Master Richard Mieir)

You say you will never forget where you were when you heard the news,
Sept. 11, 2001. Neither will I.

I was on the 110th floor in a smoke filled room with a man who called his
wife to say "Good-Bye." I held his fingers steady as he dialed. I gave
him the peace to say, "Honey, I am not going to make it, but it is OK...I am
ready to go." I was with his wife when he called as she fed breakfast to
their children. I held her up as she tried to understand his words and as
she realized he wasn't coming home that night.

I was in the stairwell of the 23rd floor when a woman cried out to me for
help. "I have been knocking on the door of your heart for 50 years!" I
said. "Of course I will show you the way home - only believe on Me now."

I was at the base of the building with the pastor ministering to the
injured and devastated souls. I took him home to tend to his Flock in
Heaven. He heard my voice and answered.

I was on all four of those planes, in every seat, with every prayer. I
was with the crew as they were overtaken. I was in the very hearts of the
believers there. Comforting and assuring them that their Faith has
saved them.

I was in Texas, Kansas, London. I was standing next to you when you heard
the terrible news. Did you sense Me?

I want you to know that I saw every face. I knew every name-though they
did NOT all know Me. Some met me for the first time on the 100th floor.
Some sought me out in their last breath. Some couldn't hear me calling to
them through the smoke and flames, "Come to Me...this way...take my
hand." Some chose, for the final time, to ignore Me. But, I was there.

I did not place you in the Tower that day--you may not know why, But I
DO.

However, if you were there in that explosive moment in time, would you
have reached for Me? September 11, 2001 was not the end of the journey
for you.

But someday your journey will end. And I will be there for you as well.
Seek Me now while I may be found. Then, at any moment, you know you are
in the stairwell of your final moments.

GOD

We would love to share your inspirational thoughts with GMAF members. Please send your studies, essays and other writings for publication to mmcgee@gmaf.org. We will include them in future GMAF Newsletters.

Previous Newsletters

You'll find every GMAF newsletter at http://www.gmaf.org/gmaf_newsletters.html . These newsletters are a gold mine of information about Christianity and the Martial Arts.

Fellowship News

Many GMAF members have told us their favorite part of the monthly newsletter is Fellowship News. It's wonderful to see Christian martial artists praying for each other across the United States and around the world. No distance is too far for Christians. The instant we pray, God hears. We can impact the lives of our brothers and sisters through our prayers. God answers prayer. It is pleasing to Him. Thank you for caring so much for each other!

Here is a note from Master Joseph Lumpkin of Karate for Christ.

"Karate for Christ is a ministry. We have never asked our members for any money, dues, or fees, but I now want to ask one favor.

In the last 2 years as we have geared up for our world wide push. We now have members and classes all over the world. As the ministry has increased we saw a need to introduce our own style of Christ based Martial art. This was done to free us and our members from any secular body or person that might want to "pull rank or interfere" with your ministry. (It is our belief that God works individually with each of us in our ministries. By attaining ranking in Shinsei Jujitsu we free our members from secular teacher and martial arts orgs that are not Christian. We are now offering ranking and seminars in this new style. It has been a great success and has spread quickly into all sectors. On Jan 18 2002 at 3PM I will be teaching Shinsei Jujitsu at the United States Jujitsu Federation winter camp in Biloxi. MS. This is the first time that a Christian organization has been asked to participate at such a high level in a World based organization. It is important that Christian Martial artists be there to show their numbers and support. The USJJF controls the World Games for Jujitsu for the USA . It is a member of the World Games Association and will be the ruling body for the USA as jujitsu is introduced into the Olympics in 2002. WE NEED TO HAVE A CHRISTIAN VOICE AT THE WORLD GAMES AND IN THE OLYMPICS. PLEASE TRY TO ATTEND THE WINTER CAMP MEETINGS ON 1/18/2002 ON FRI AND SAT IN Biloxi MS.

Beginning on Friday and ending on Sunday there will be one highly ranked instructor after another. Each will have 1 to 1 1/2 hrs to teach you his or her favorite and most powerful techniques. It will be well worth your time. Plus, you will attend as part of the Karate for Christ family, meet other members, have fellowship, and send a huge message to the USJJF that we are a force and voice in Martial arts. All ranks, styles, and backgrounds are welcome.

For more info please go to our website at www.karateforchrist.com and link to the USJJF page.

We now have tapes for the entire Shinsei Jujitsu system. This is a 6 hour tape covering all of the basic moves in the style. If you wish to learn more about our style and attain ranking in Shinsei we will try to provide free tapes for every one interested. Just drop us an email with your name and mailing address.

We just received a new shipment of patches. They are $6 each plus $1 shipping for any number of patches. If you are ordering 5 patches or more the price drops to $5 each.

It is my hope that Karate for Christ will continue to grow and the youth of our world will be touched by the ministries that are springing up throughout the world. Martial arts is a wonderful way to reach the youth, Teach the Gospel, and teach the discipline it will take to lead a Christian life.

May God Bless you and keep you through his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

Joseph Lumpkin
President of Karate for Christ

Here is a note from Kevin Schaller.

Here are some more details on the upcoming ATAMA National Training Conference:

Redwood City Police Athletic League Gym

2107 Broadway St.

Redwood City, CA

(approximately 30 minutes south of San Francisco)

Saturday Oct 27th 10:00am-4:00pm (Board meetings and elections immediately following last session)

Sunday Oct. 28th 10:00am-3:00pm

Partial list of presenters:

Rick Alemany

Tom Callos

Alexander Archie

Mike DeAlba

Harry Glackin

Bill Grossman

Jose Guzman

Max Pallen, Sr.

David McNeill

Len Riley

Harry Sherman

Kevin Schaller

Pre-registration: (Due October 20th)

ATAMA Members Non-Members

1-day $40 / $50

2-day $65 / $75

Day of Event

ATAMA Members Non-Members

1-day $50 / $60

2-day $75 / $85

Special offer for non-members, join ATAMA and get the first year dues FREE!

Contacts: Pati Grossman (650)875-4111 Rick Alemany (415)665-3848 Alexander Archie (775)843-1225

Hotels:

Best Inn ($70) (650) 589-5089

Comfort Inn ($70) (650) 952-3200

Days Inn ($75) (650) 369-9200

Holiday Inn Express ($119) (650) 366-2000

This note is from Don and Charlene Engelhardt of Faith Fighters for Christ.

The Koininia Martial Arts Conference 2001 for the North Central US Region will be Oct. 19 & 20 at the Massillon YMCA in Massillon, Ohio. To get more info, go to www.angelfire.com/oh/ff4christ. Click on MENU and then the links for the Conference. There will be praise & worship, panel discussions on martial arts ministry, workshops on Breaking, Principles of Power, & Principles of Water in Martial Arts workouts. We would love to see you and your students there. God bless!---

In Christ's Service,
Don & Char Engelhardt

(I know you will join us in praying for each of these Christian martial artists and their ministries.)

New Members

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 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.

Grace Martial Arts Fellowship is a service of GraceLife Ministries.

Taking God's Grace to the World!