GMAF NEWSLETTER

May-June 2002

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

"If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you."

Jesus Christ

"But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus."

The Apostle Paul

"It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man."

King David

Many members of GMAF have been going through tough times the past several months. Some are ill. Others have family members who need surgery. A few have lost jobs. Some are facing persecution. I appreciate your e-mails asking for prayer. We are praying for you during these tough times.

The Apostles knew about tough times. They wrote often about how God's children can face trouble and opposition. God did not leave us defenseless.

"Now the just shall live by faith ... Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

(Hebrews 10:38;11:1)

The writer to the Hebrews made a bold statement to his readers. He wrote that the "just" will live by "faith" and "faith" is the "substance" of things hoped for and the "evidence" of things not seen. Every Christian knows that "faith" is necessary for salvation ("For by grace are ye saved through faith" ), but many of us forget that "faith" is how we are supposed to live on Earth. Living by "faith" is not strange or unusual. It is the normal Christian life. We don't depend completely on God for eternal life, then depend completely or even partially on ourselves for this life on earth. The just live by "faith."

As examples, the writer mentions Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sara, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Rahab, Gedeon, Barak, Samson, Jephthae, David, Samuel and the Prophets. Through faith these people "subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise. God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."

Let's get a few word definitions to help us understand what God means here.

"Faith" is pistis . It is a "firm persuasion based on hearing." We are firmly persuaded by what we hear. We are convinced without doubt because we know the One Who tells us is True.

"Substance" is hupostasis . It means "reality, assurance, essence, substance, foundation, guarantee." In Hebrews 1:3, Jesus Christ is called the charakter tes hupostasis of God. He is the "representation of the reality" of God's Character. When you see Christ, you see the God and His Character. Christ could be seen, heard and felt. He was real to His disciples. He is the Reality of God. So it is with things in our life. The "faith" we have in Christ is our "reality," our "substance," our "guarantee.

Faith is the reality "of things hoped for" (elpizomenon ). This is what we "expect with desire." We have many passions in life. It may be a person, a belief, a job, opportunities to help others, things. Faith is the reality of whatever we expect with desire. Faith means that what we hope for is "reality."

Faith is also "the evidence of things not seen." "Evidence" is elegchos . It is the "proof by test." The word was used of truthful evidence against the accused that led to a conviction and reproof. "Things not seen" is pragmaton ou blepomenon . It means things that can't be seen by the eyes. Faith is the "proof" of things we cannot see with our physical eyes.

If we are facing tough times and have great hope that things will improve to our liking, what do we do? We believe God. We have faith. It is the reality of things we hope for. It is the proof of what we cannot see.

"Faith" is delightful and difficult, easy and hard at the same time. We are human. That means we are imperfect and needy. We make mistakes. We mess up. We hurt and feel things deeply. We worry. We care deeply. We want so much for things to be better than they are. What does God give us to deal with all these concerns? "Faith." We believe what He says. We ask, then listen. We don't lose heart.

How do we live a "faith-life?" We keep believing God's Word. We keep walking forward, one step at a time. We cast our cares on Christ because He cares for us. We pray instead of worry. We have faith because the faith God placed in our heart and mind at the moment of salvation is the "substance" and "evidence" we need to get through the tough times. It is more than enough.

If you would like to send your thoughts about Christianity and martial arts for inclusion in the GMAF Newsletter, please address them to mmcgee@gmaf.org.

In our training we learn the hard way about the necessity of timing. Balance, timing, technique, and breath make up the four crucial ingredients of martial arts. God expects us to have the same four-point focus in our ministry as our martial training: balance, timing, technique, and breath.

God wants us to have timing. If our timing is not correct in our martial art we get hit or kicked, or we will not be in the right place to do the technique. We practice our timing in our martial arts over and over again, looking for any sign of imperfection. Yet, in our lives we virtually ignore the timing. Many times we have no sense of what is happening around us and what part we play in the grand plan unfolding. One never knows why God chose for us to be at a place in a certain time, but we can be sure it is to do two things: Love His people and spread His name. Timing is an amazing thing. A word spoken in season will take root even if the person has heard the same message a thousand times. Work done in God's time yields a thousand fold when compared to the same work done in our time. Like a crop planted in the wrong season, our hard work gives little result if not done in the proper time. We can work hard or we can work in God's season and reap the harvest. The Lord puts us in the situation he wants us in when it comes to helping people and doing His work We never have to worry about our timing if we trust God and we understand that we have been put here for such a time as this. We need not run all over the globe trying to find our place. God will place us where he wants us. We will be invited to do His work in His time and in the place he wants us. God wants us to have His timing.

He expects balance. An unbalanced Christian is a detriment to the salvation of others. We should be loving and caring. We should be balanced between heaven and the world. We should understand that people need comfort and friendship here before they will be open to our words about salvation. Condemnation, hate, judging, or confrontations yield nothing but pain and distance. They are acts of hateful, ignorant people. We must lead by example, by trust, and by love, not by force, manipulation, threats, or coercion. We must have balance in our ministry.

We must have technique. We must know how to pray. We should understand how to listen for God's instructions. We must know how to listen to others and have compassion. So many times it is in the telling of the story that people begin to heal. Sometimes the story must be told many times and the person comforted and prayed for many times before healing begins. We must know the Word in order to teach the word. We must have technique.

We must have breath. Breath is the most important thing in life. It is the thing we die most quickly without. Breath is the Spirit of God. God breathed in to Adam and he became a living soul. God inspires us. The word inspires means that God breathes in to us. We must have the spirit of the Living God. We must have the Holy Spirit. We must have breath. Without the spirit of God in us we can not know his timing, we can not have his loving balance, nor can we hear his instructions or understand his Word. Without balance, timing, technique, and breath we are poor warriors for God or self.

"For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."

2 Corinthians 5:1

As the Scriptures say, this earthly tent, our bodies, will die. However, we will live in a building made by God, eternal in the heavens. Our stay here in this world is only temporary. We must understand our life here is intended to prepare us for life in the hereafter.

Our whole outlook on life changes, our motives, our value system, our goals and our purpose, as we begin to understand what the Lord has prepared for us in Heaven. God has given us a picture of heaven in the following Scriptures:

• "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end."
• "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake, which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death."

The Natural Man

• The natural man is blinded into believing he will gain entrance to heaven based upon his good performance while here on earth.
• He ran those bases alright, but he never really touched any of them, and when he stands before the Great Umpire, he will not have much of an excuse. Sadly enough, most of the human race will face this Day without proper preparation, when salvation could have been theirs as a free gift.
• No one will accidentally slip and fall into hell. They will climb into it, over every barrier God places in their paths in an effort to turn them around.

The Carnal Christian

• The carnal Christian does not understand that eternity is affected by the choices he makes today. Often he will choose to meet his natural needs by his own means, not submitting to the Lord's plan for his life.
• His growth will be stunted by his disobedience and self-centeredness and, as a result, many of the souls which he could have led to the Lord have been unable to see Jesus in his life.
• Although the promise of all his tears, mourning, pain and sorrow being wiped away still remains, he will suffer loss, indescribable loss, when he realizes he has wasted his life, as he sees it burning away.

"According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one's work will become manifest; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is. If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire."

1 Corinthians 3:10-15

The Spiritual Christian

• The spiritual Christian takes the gift of salvation very seriously. He/she grows as the Lord provides, and serves as the Lord leads. They are not ashamed at the Lord's coming. There is no fear of home base. They look forward to home with great expectancy, knowing they will be totally free from the presence of sins' many afflictions and adversities to live with the Lord's blessings forever.

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.

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 impact the lives of our brothers and sisters positively through our prayers. God answers prayer. It is pleasing to Him. Thank you for caring so much for each other!

We are receiving many requests for information about where to find Christian martial arts teachers across the United States. Our most recent requests are about instructors in Maryland, Honolulu and Kailua, Hawaii, Kansas City, Missouri, Dayton and Columbus, Ohio, Chicago and Aurora, Illinois. Please let us know who we can contact in those areas. It's exciting to hear from so many Christian martial artists who are anxious to train with other believers. Let's continue to pray for more Christian instructors!

Here is a prayer request from Jeff McLaughlin with INCMA.

"From Christian Haerringer - Austria:

In Graz/Austria there will be a Kalachakra this year. The Dali Lama will come and about 50000 Buddhists. Many churches organized information evenings for Buddhists to find Jesus Christ. The next one will be on 7. and 8. 3. Please pray for those who come! God bless You!"

Jeff McLaughlin
International Network of Christian Martial Artists
http://incma.com

Here is a note from Pastor Daniel of the World Ishudo Federation in India.

"Greetings from the World Ishudo Federation, India. I would like you to please assist in the mentioned. We are in the process of Organising our Annual Ishudo Training seminar in India.

Ishudo is " Ishu " , Jesus in the Indian National language of Hindi. Do in Japanese means way [you already know that ]. Ishudo is the way of Jesus. We call it the complete Martial Art. My Father, Pastor Solomon Isaac [Founder of Ishudo ] trained in the ancient Indian martial Art of kalari. Black belt magazine had published an article on our Art in March 94.

We also plan to organise our First world title fights of the world Ishudo Federation [ rules are similar to semi contact point sparring and full contact point sparring] , weights are 3 [light , middle and heavy weights ] .

Could you help us in announcing the dates of the Seminar / world Title bouts as well as help us look for suitable Opponents from the USA for our Indian Champions. It would also be a great time for us to meet and for you to see the way the Lord is touching thousands thru the martial arts Ministry in India.

We are in the martial Arts Ministry in India over the past 41 years. Pastor Solomon Isaac is a mamber of the WHSC , Grandmasters council .

My name is DANIEL ISAAC and I am Pastor of CHURCH OF LIVING WATERS , INDIA as well as VICE PRESIDENT of THE WORLD ISHUDO FEDERATION. My dad is SENIOR PASTOR , SOLOMON ISAAC , PRESIDENT OF THE WORLD
ISHUDO FEDERATION .

I have a Television Gospel Show on Miraclenet Television , which is a tv network covering every home in Asia and covers the whole world by way of the Internet.... Please log on to www.miraclenet.tv. You could see my name in the program schedule section on every wed , thus and sat [11pm , wed and thu , 1130am sat] India time. Please try to watch my show on the eqivalent time in the UsA by Internet ..... You could also read more about us by visiting www.angelfire.com/realm/jesus.

Please pray for our Ministry...

Love and Prayers...

Pastor Daniel
World Ishudo Federation.
India.
phone. 91-253-458703"

Here are highlights of news updates from Master Joseph Lumpkin of Karate for Christ.

"Thanks to all who made the 3/30/02 Albany seminar a winning experience. Special thanks to Mike Lee, our host who had a wonderful space and great arrangements.

The next seminar will be April 20 in Mississippi at the dojo of Michael Frazier Jackson, MS.

Coming Big Events are:

Summer camp in June at the dojo of Larry Hartsook GRANDMASTER of TAEKWONJUTSU. He teaches out of the Atlanta, Ga. area. He is assisted by Michael Frederick, Gwenn Kennedy, and Becky Hartsook. Contact Shihan Hartsook for more info. Go to our site at www.karateforchrist.com to email Shihan Hartsook.

August 2002 trip to Korea with Dr. Daryl Covington. Lessons will be taught with Ray Biagtan, 6th Degree Black Belt in Jong Tong Hapkido and world competitor in Muay Thai Kickboxing.

Winter Camp 2003 will be Hosted by Mark Barlow, Ni Dai Soke of Akayama Ryu. We will meet in Orange Beach, Alabama. The Jan. 2002 Winter Camp was an "over the top success". Contact Shihan Mark Barlow through our website at www.karateforchrist.com for more information."

"A reminder that on May 25th there will be a Karate for Christ seminar held at the Dojo of Adam Bradford in West Virginia. Please contact Adam for details. bigsifu@yahoo.com There is no charge for the seminar but a donation to cover the travel costs of the instructors is welcomed."

Here is a prayer request from Bill Pitcher.

"It's 1045 PM and I'm packed and stacked, ready to go. Please keep the team in your prayers over the next 10 days. Also please pray for our families at home. Pray particularly for us as Peggy will be doing a great deal of travelling over the next several days. She's in Lancaster PA at the moment, returns tomorrow night and then goes to help Bill and Julie with Erika for a couple days as Bill recovers from his cornea transplant.

Thanks all."

This note is from Bill Pitcher's wife about their son's surgery. I know they would appreciate your continued prayers. It's also a wonderful reminder of the importance of organ donations.

"Some of you knew and others did not ... but our son, Billy, had to have a cornea transplant yesterday. He is doing fine, as far as the surgery goes ... waiting will be another story. It will be some time before they know how well his vision has been restored.

Bill has a condition called, Keratoconus ... the cause is unknown and his was very progressive and therefore, not really treatable. We are very thankful for the care he has had since last summer when his condition was further complicated by something called, Corneal Hydrops, where fluid gets in behind the cornea making it very uncomfortable besides distorting his vision even more.

I talked to Bill (husband) a short time ago and he told me that Billy's doctor appointment this AM went VERY WELL. The word the doctor used to describe the condition of Bill's new cornea and his improved vision already, was "PHENOMENAL"! They used what I think is called a "pinhole test" for his vision and it came out to be 20/55 ... pretty good over what was 20/800 last summer!! This does not mean that he can actually see that well because there is still distortion and swelling to overcome which is why they use a special test and not the standard one. However, he knew immediately that there was improvement and he is as ecstatic as are we!!!

We will give God the glory for this ... for allowing such knowledge to be available, and for providing a brave family to say yes to donating their child's eyes upon his death."

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

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 Shihan Robert M. Handley to the GMAF. He is an 8th Dan in Ryukyukai Karate-do and 7th Dan in Shojukempo. Shihan Handley is the State Representative in Delaware for the International Tora-do Karate Association, the BKKF Black Kempo Karate Federation of Rhode Island, ISA International Sungja-do Association, Kajukenpo Pai lum Federation. He is Director of the International Ryukyukai Karate Association. Shihan Handley trained with Grand Master Larry S.L. Martin for over 28 years. He also trained with the late Grand Master William R. Gregory and the late Grand Master Saieto of the International Ryukyukai Karate Association.

We welcome Master Fernando Restrepo to the GMAF. He is a 7th Dan in Shojukempo and Head Instructor of his Central Falls, Rhode Island Dojo. Master Restrepo trained with Grand Master Larry S.L. Martin for more than 9 years. He also trained with Shihan Larry Sullivin in Kenpo Karate and Ju-jitsu and with the late Professor Nick Cerio and Grand Master William R. Gregory. Master Restrepo is State Representative for the International Tora-do ryu Karate Association, ISA International Sungja-do Association, World Black Belt Bureau, and the International Ryukyukai Karate Association. Master Restrepo is the only Martial Arts Studio in Central Falls that teaches the Spanish Speaking Community.

We welcome Sifu James Darden to the GMAF. He is a 6th Level Black Sash in Chinese Kenpo / Gung-fu and 6th Dan in Kajukenpo Pai Lum. Sifu Darden is Founder of Gung Chuan-do Kung-Fu (Mind & Body Elevation). He is also a World Kickboxing Champion, Weapons Champion and Law Enforcement Tactical Officer for the New Jersey House of Corrections. Sifu Darden is the New Jersey Representative for the International Tora-do ryu Karate Association and the BKKF Black Kempo Karate Federation. He trained with Grand Master Larry S.L. Martin for more than 28 years. He also trained with the late Grand Master William R. Gregory. Sifu Darden is Co-Founder of the International Tora-do ryu Karate Association.

We welcome Shihan Raheem Darden to the GMAF. He is a 6th Dan in Chinese Kenpo / Gung-Chuan do. Shihan Darden is State Representative in Delaware for the International Tora-do ryu Karate Association, the BKKF Black Kempo Karate Federation, ISA International Sungja-do Association and Kajukenpo Pai lum Federation. He trained with Grand Master Larry S.L. Martin for more than 26 years. He also trained with the late Grand Master William R. Gregory. Sifu Darden is Co-Founder of the International Tora-do ryu Karate Association.

We welcome Shihan Christopher J. Dacey to the GMAF. He is a 4th Dan in Shojukempo / Shotokan Karate-do and Okinawan Kempo. Shihan Dacey is Head Instructor of the R.I.Shotokan Karate Dojo in Cranston and St. Peter's Catholic School Shotokan Karate Club in Warwick Rhode Island. He also teaches at Nathan Bishop Middle School Shotokan Karate Club, R.I.Shotokan Karate Hombu Dojo Hq. of Providence. Shihan Dacey is Vice President of the Interscholastic Shotokan Karate Association of Rhode Island. He trained with Grand Master Larry S.L. Martin for more than 16 years. His other instructors include Maestro Giuseppi Guaraldi of Bolonga, Italy JKA, Master Jody Gibson of the Kodokan Dojo Newport, Rhode Island and the late Grand Master William R. Gregory, Founder / Director of the Kajukenpo Pai Lum Federation Family.

We welcome Sensei Kelly Casey to the GMAF. She is a1st Dan in Shojukempo. Sensei Casey is State Representative for the Martial Art Women Against Domestic Violence in North Carolina. She trained with Grand Master Larry S.L. Martin for more than 9 years in the Arts of American Kenpo and Ju-jitsu. Sensei Casey is a member of the International Tora-do ryu Karate Association, Shojukempo and the ISA International Sungja-do Association.

We welcome Calvin Milenk to the GMAF. He is a 1st Degree Black Belt in Kempo. Calvin is married with three children and has started a new career as a corrections officer.

We welcome Dina Fitts to the GMAF. She is a Green Belt in Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan. Dina is mother to a nine-year-old son who also studies Soo Bahk Do.

We welcome David Broome to the GMAF. He studied Judo while serving in the Air Force . He is looking for Christian Aikidoists in the Chicagoland area. David is a former pastor and is currently the Active Older Adult Director of the Leaning Tower YMCA in Niles, Illinois.

We welcome Julie to the GMAF. Julie is a new Christian who lives in Miami, Florida. She is an Orange Belt in Tae Kwon Do. Julie is a college student. She's excited about being a new Christian and martial artist.

We welcome Lawrence Hill to the GMAF. Lawrence is a Christian and practices Taijiquan in the northern part of Middle Tennessee. He is interested in sharing views with others in the Fellowship.

I know you join me in welcoming all of these new members of Grace Martial Arts Fellowship. Please send them a note of welcome and remember all GMAF members in your prayers.

You are invited to read previous GMAF Newsletters.

If you would like to join Grace Martial Arts Fellowship ©, contact Mark McGee.

Grace Martial Arts Fellowship is a service of GraceLife Ministries©.