GMAF NEWSLETTER

January - February 2003

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

"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."

Jesus Christ

"And after he had spent some time there, he departed, and went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples."

The Apostle Paul

"He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed."

King Solomon

We preach Christ crucified and raised from the dead. People who respond to that profound Truth by receiving Christ as their Savior are given God's Gracious Gift of Eternal Life. We rejoice with each person as they acknowledge their sin and receive God's forgiveness. Then what?

The ministry of preaching doesn't end with a person praying the sinner's prayer. That's just the beginning. What follows is the ministry of discipling where we mentor the new Christian as they grow in the knowledge of God's Word.

The ministry of discipling is building relationships based on the Principles of God's Word. Every Christian may not be called to be an evangelist or pastor or missionary, but every believer can build relationships. We can spend time with young Christians. We can tell them what God is doing in our lives. We can listen as they tell us what God is doing in their lives. We can have fun with believers as we enjoy the beautiful world God has given us. We can rejoice with them and cry with them. We can pray with them. We can study God's Word with them. We can have positive, beneficial and memorable moments with them. We can do what Christ told His disciples to do: "Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you." We can do what Paul did as he traveled from town to town: "strengthening all the disciples."

The ministry of discipling is the process of living a life that others want to follow. Jesus was the Highest Example of that process. He invited His disciples to walk with Him through every aspect of His Life so they would know Him, follow Him and live like Him for the rest of their lives. Following Jesus was not an easy thing to do. Christ purposely made it difficult. Discipleship is not for the weak. It is a way of life for those who are strong of heart and sturdy of step. We've written in the past about the "Do" of Christianity. It is not a part-time gig. Discipleship is not something we do for an hour a week or a few weeks a year; it is a way of living that fills us with passion and desire for the Presence of God. Jesus always made it clear to His followers what He expected of them as disciples. Though it turned many away, it became a fire in the belly to others.

We look at the Gospels as Doctrine about what to believe. We also look at the Gospels about what to do. Another way to look at the Gospels is about relating to others on this planet. The Gospels contain the wonderful story about Christ's love for people and how He related to them. He shows us how to think about others, pray for others, talk to others, fellowship with others, work and play with others, empathize with others, care for others, defend others, teach others, lead others. The Gospels are a Manual for living with people in a real world that's full of laughter and tears, hope and pain, joy and disappointment.

Our ministry of discipling is similar to Christ's Example. He leads us and we follow Him. We lead others and they follow us. We teach them how to lead and others follow them. It is a time-honored, proven method of discipling.

"And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."

"And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him."

"And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me."

"Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me."

"Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me."

"Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me."

"And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him."

"And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice...And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers...My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:"

"If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour."

Paul's experience was the same as Christ's. He began his new spiritual life by following Jesus and learning at His Feet. The day came when Paul became a leader and people followed him as he preached Christ crucified and raised from the dead. Paul told them in a clear voice that they were following Jesus Christ, the Son of God. He persuaded them to continue in the Grace of God and not to be moved off the straight path they had begun. He was even so bold as to tell Christians to follow him even as they followed Christ. Paul presented himself as a living, breathing, walking, talking, real-life example of Christ's Life on earth. He told them how to live and how to act toward each other. Paul lived his life in a way that would show others how to live in and for Christ.

" Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God."

"The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation."

"Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me."

"Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ."

"Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children."

"Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample."

"And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost."

"Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another."

"For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you...Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us."

"See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men."

"But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness."

"Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart."

"These things command and teach. Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity."

"Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee."

"Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ."

How long does it take to disciple one person? If we look at making disciples as something that can be accomplished quickly, we will miss the beauty of God's Gift of developing life-long relationships. We are members of a great and wonderful Spiritual Body. God is building the Body of Christ for eternity. Discipling takes a least a lifetime.

One of the most beautiful and insightful portions of God's Word about the relationship we have with each other in the Body of Christ is Paul's first letter to the Corinthians. Read what he wrote about the Body and think about the people in your life. It is clear that we need each other.

"For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular."

Christian Martial Arts is about preaching and discipling. It's about building relationships that last for eternity. It's about being examples of Christ's Life on earth. It's about helping people when and where they need help. Our prayers are with you in this New Year as you share Christ and His Love.

"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us."

Grace Martial Arts Fellowship is pleased to introduce the ministry of Dr. Steve Shober. He is is a Doctor of Naturopathic Ministries and Master Herbalist. Steve is Director of Biblical Health Ministries in Wisconsin and has a keen interest in helping Christians enjoy a healthy lifestyle. As Christians and martial artists we have a special interest in being healthy and strong. We asked Steve to share his insights with us in each newsletter this year to help us better understand the gift of health God offers to His children.

Biblical Health Ministries (BHM) is a new Christian ministry designed to teach, encourage and guide individuals on health issues from a Biblical, natural perspective. BHM desires to be "Your guide on the pathway to restoration -- spiritually, emotionally and physically." This ministry is based upon Biblical principles and scientific facts. As in all matters of science and the Bible, when the scientists get their facts right and when we believers correctly interpret the Word of God (rather than hold to cherished beliefs or preconceptions), there is beautiful agreement between the two. This article (and subsequent ones) is written to show God has an overall health plan for us in His Word and has provided for us more marvelously than we generally perceive.

Introduction: Understanding God's overall health plan begins in the Book of Genesis, where there are three specific creative acts (where the bible uses the word "bara," which is translated "created.") The three creative acts are seen in Genesis 1:1, 1:21 and 1:27. The other days in Genesis were days of fashioning or forming from that which was previously created. The three creative acts reveal God bringing into existence (from nothing) something altogether new, something that had not existed before. On day one He brought into existence the material universe (our body is made of this material). On day five He created the soulish universe (self-consciousness) and on day six the human spirit. Accordingly, we come to understand we have been created with three aspects to our being: body, soul and spirit. Our spirit is the God-conscious part of our being which knows there is a God and desires a relationship with Him. What differentiates us from the animal kingdom is our spirit; animals do not have a spirit.

Overall Health Plan: Consistent with His creative work, God has a health plan for each of the three aspects of our being. We need such a plan because each aspect is (or can be) very, very sick. Not only that, but at the spiritual and soulish level we are unable to even do anything about our sickness, which indeed is a terminal illness. At the spiritual level, without exception, each person has fallen from the original, health created state (not only did we inherit a nature to sin but we willfully choose to sin - Romans 3:23). Sin has created a breach, thereby breaking fellowship with Him -- it must be restored. Our highest health need is a spiritual issue. If fellowship is not restored, we are doomed to an eternity without Him, and when all His blessings are removed from us the result is hell.

Spiritual Health: Restoration of a right relationship with God is something we are totally incapable of effecting through our own efforts. We are terminally ill, on our spiritual deathbed, and we cannot do anything about it. But God, knowing this would be the case, had a plan before the creation of the world on how He alone would heal this relationship. The reconciliation with God is called many things like, redemption (buying back), salvation, new-birth. God never overlooks sin nor can He forgive it without full payment; to do so would be unjust. According to His divine plan He alone would pay for the sin, so that we could then be reconciled to Him. The death of His Son, John 3:16, made the full payment for all humans. However, the death of Christ is not applied to our "health account" until we accept it by faith. When God sees our faith, it is He Who saves us (Ephesians 2:8-9). We do not deserve His salvation, nor can we pay Him back, but it is His gracious promise. This unmerited favor from God, called GRACE, is the heart of the good news in the Bible.

Upon having faith in the blood of Christ, shed for the remission of sin, the act of salvation takes place immediately and completely. Salvation is an act of God (we believe, He saves). He knows at the time of our salvation of our future sins and doubts, but He will never change His mind. In fact, He seals the transaction at the instant of salvation by sending the Holy Spirit into our lives (1 Corinthians 12:13). Salvation is the most important health issue with which we will ever deal. Perhaps it would be more accurate to say salvation results not as much in spiritual healing as a new creation, a new birth. Salvation really results from a person being placed "into Christ," that is, the person becomes a new creation because they are wholly identified with the Savior. Thus, we are made one with the Lord Jesus Christ's life, death and resurrection.

(Next month: Mental Health)

Dr. Shober is a Doctor of Naturopathic Ministries and Master Herbalist and Director of Biblical Health Ministries. He is available for seminars, conferences and workshops.You can contact him at shober@chorus.net or 608-836-9579.

One of the more controversial topics among martial artists is that of Sokeship. More and more people across the country and around the world are claiming the title everyday. How has the controversy affected Christian martial arts? GMAF recently received e-mails from some of our members about Sokeship. We believe their thoughts will help all of us as we seek the truth in this matter.

So you're a Soke, who says so? What requirements did you complete? Oh! you paid someone a large amount of money, to cover his expenses for honoring you at a great Banquet. A nobody who creates his own style and an organization that allows him to give out ranks of 10th dan and titles of Soke, who gave him that authority? Why are so many Christians seeking such honors and titles and high rank? Anyone should be satisfied with being a pastor. A shepherd of his/her flock. I don't understand anyone who creates his own style has to brag about the long heritage, and their mostly false statements of being recognized from Japan and other Oriental sources. That is such a crock.

This article will proberly upset, and anger a lot of people. To you I apologize and advise you to (GET A LIFE)! The thing that bothers me the most is that so many men who are professed Christians and even Pastors, covet the titles of Master, Grandmaster, and for the last decade 10th Dan, high rank and the title "Soke." What is with this kind of covetousness? I am as guilty as anyone because I was proberly the first to have this desire. I went so far (with a Japanese translator) as to write the founder of Wado-Ryu, asking him because he was the Soke (founder) of his own style of Karate, and the then President of the All Japan Karate Federation or whatever the name of the martial Arts organizations he directed.

This great man honored me by responding to my plea for recognition, by a letter of wise instruction. Soke Hironori Ohtsuka, himself congratulated me for my accomplishment (creating My own style) and wished me success in my endeavors and advised me to NOT seek recognition from ANY martial arts organizations, but rather that I continue what I was doing, "and after 25 years if I had at least two persons who stayed with me and were ranked at least 5th degree black belt, that my peers in the martial art field would acknowledge and recognize my success." That my friends is exactly what happened. He was absolutely correct in his advice.

Twenty-five years later my students won two gold and three silver medals at the Tae-Kwon-Do Junior Nationals held in Chicago the windy city. Ohtsuka Sensei explained to me that I didn't need him or the many organizations he headed for recognition. However did I heed his advice? Oh! No! I had to try on my own, and so like the idiot I was I sought recognition from every crook and nook unqualified geek who was willing to take my money since I was too stupid to know the difference. In the process of getting a lot of brother in law, quack outfits I did find a few legitimate Associations. But "I'll scratch your back if you scratch mine" kind of rank exchange or cross grading as we called it back then, definitely was illegal.

We see today men with credentials that impress the unknowing but repulse the wise, knowledgeable, real veterans of the square circle. For example, a person in his thirties with the following credentials. 1) 7th dan karate. 2) 7th dan tae-kwon do 3) 6th dan judo. 4) 5th dan Jujitsu 5) 1st dan aki-jitsu. It takes a life time to study just one discipline. It is possible to study two or more different arts such as Judo and Jujitsu. One might be able to throw one style of Karate in there but several styles of Karate would definitely confuse even the smartest person. I fear that Christians are all to many involved in this terrible dilemma.

For more information about this author, please check out our web site.

Just me

Mister nobody.
www.oakknolls.com/keichumain.htm
or
www.keichudo.com

Firstly, I would like to state that I am not writing this article to alienate anyone (especially brothers in Christ). I am writing this article to address a truth that I have been made "painfully" aware of over the past few years. Secondly, this article is written from the viewpoint of Japanese based martial systems. Even if the reader is from a different martial "cultural" base, the basic message still rings true.

I read an article by Joseph Lumpkin, about the Sokeship issue and for the most part totally agree with his assessment. I am also disturbed at the number of people in America that claim the title of Soke. It is amazing how relatively easy it is to get paperwork that calls you 15th dan Grand Super Soke from anywhere USA. Unfortunately this type of practice is not only looked down upon by Japanese "traditionalist" but is generally laughed at.

It is so rare for one to be considered a true Soke that for the most part Japanese traditionalist will not accept anyone (American or Japanese) that uses that term as an official title within a martial system. I am a first hand witness to this "dilemma" right now, more on that later.

I must start by defining the terms that we have come to associate with martial head families and their "second in command", that of Soke and Soke-Dai(ri) in the view of a Japanese traditionalist.

Note: Soke-Dairi is the extended title that is often shortened to Soke-Dai.

Soke literally means head family and is not exclusively a "martial arts" term. It was/is used for family "arts" that have been passed down for generations from father to son (or inheritor designate). In early Japanese history many artistic and cultural activities were dominated by familial lineages that essentially operated as types of "commercial guilds". These "commercial" arts, such as tea ceremony (chanoyu), flower arranging (ikebana), Noh theater asserted familial control over their teachings.

The comparison of these early artistic lineages to commercial guilds is evident when we find that historically everyone whom participated in a particular system's art paid a fee for the teachings received. In the early history of Japan's lineage based ryu, secrets were kept and only passed on to the inheritor designate.

In their day, keeping secrets within the ryu constitutes today's equivalent of the Coca-Cola Corporation maintaining their "secret" ingredient of their drink under lock and key. In other words, it was simply a good business practice. However, in general, that mode of operation did not pertain to warrior-based systems. If secrets of military prowess were held back from the samurai that lived and died on the field, most likely that clan would not last to see another generation continue.

The term "Soke", as far as martial systems go, is actually a fairly modern day adaptation (1868 and later). In fact it is thought that the first truly "Soke" based martial system taught was through the Kodokan School of Judo! It is true that martial art researchers today find authors utilizing the term Soke when referring to head families of ancient systems. It would be fair to say that the term is used in a retroactive context.

Soke-Dai(ri) literally means "in place of the Soke" or "instead of the Soke". The Soke-Dairi position was used as a sort of "proxy" to handle affairs that the Soke could not attend to. If the Soke were unable to attend a formal function the Soke-Dairi would attend in his place. He was used as an official representative of the Soke. Being a people of great honor, in Japan if one were formally invited to an important function, it would be a "loss of honor" not to show up or have some kind of formal representation, so the Soke-Dairi would be there.

In the west this term has been improperly used to mean "the next generation inheritor". Unfortunately, as mentioned above, this is not a true definition of the term or its function. Most Japanese ryu have many Soke-Dairi with only one person destined to inherit the ryu. Generally the inheritor will also be a Soke-Dairi but does not have to be. Many traditional arts today may not use a term for the inheritor elect but some of the oldest ryu have used the phrase Sugi-no-Soke as the title for the inheritor designate.

The art I that I study was inherited In Japan by an American (with a documented lineage succession scroll). This in itself is rare because most Asian head families, although loyal to their lineage, view their martial system as a national treasure. The American was the only master of the art that stayed loyal to his Soke until his death (the art was a small goshin-jutsu (self-defense) oriented system, and over the years numerous students began leaving the art to join some of the more popular and newer arts). Likewise, the Soke had no son to leave the family art to, so he looked to his number one student. The art was re-named in Japan (this in itself is a long story but a very traditional one). A second scroll attesting to his inherited art and Soke title was generated in Japan.

Even with all of this documentation and the fact that the art was recognized in Japan in the late 60,s, some Japanese nationals still wrinkle their noses at the prospect of a true Soke teaching and sharing their national treasure exclusively outside of Japan. Our current Soke, by lineage succession, recognizes this fact but respectfully moves forward in the transmission of this wonderful art.

Martial arts are being created everyday all over the world. This brings me to the subject of Shodai-Soke (first generation head family/founder). It is true that some Japanese have started their own arts and have adopted the term "Shodai-Soke". For the most part, even a Japanese national that creates a new art in Japan will not use the term Shodai-Soke. If the art lasts and is passed to the next generation inheritor he may look back on the founder and call him Shodai-Soke. Even fewer traditionalists will acknowledge a Japanese national as Shodai-Soke if they create the art outside of Japan.

For an American to create a new art, even if based on Japanese arts, and use any form of the term Soke it is considered unacceptablein the eyes of traditional Japanese nationals.

I am afraid that although there are some legitimate reasons for creating your own art, this practice is rampant in America, where loyalty to your Soke (if truly applicable) and ryu and honor seem to disappear in the light of self-promotion. This type of thing really bothers me not only from a traditional martial arts standpoint but also a Christian view in which we are commanded to flee from pride and selfish ambition.

The guidelines in which western martial art organizations use to title someone a "Soke" should be re-examined. A much more acceptable term for this type of person is Kaicho (president of organization). This term is widely used in Japan for a person starting a new art/association and is not looked down upon for an American to use either (there are legitimate Japanese Soke that use the term Kaicho to designate that they are also the president of the system's martial association). I believe this would bring MUCH needed credibility back to the western martial artist.

One last topic I would like to address, the issue of rank in the west. It is amazing the amount of people who have received multiple high grades in America. In Japan, traditionally 3rd / 4th dan is a high rank, 5th dan is VERY high and 6th, 7th & 8th dan is ozone high (and not a dime-a-dozen)! In America everyone is "Grand-Master" of something or another. It is just not that way, traditionally.

I do not wish to divert attention from the expertise found in true American martial masters. I believe we have some of the best martial artists in the world, but we need to keep our egos in check and realize that our misunderstandings of Japanese tradition and culture cause us to look uneducated and lacking in quality control.

Thanks to Ted Petit, Hanshi Shindenkan Budo for his assistance in proofreading and editing this article.

I was recognized by several martial arts groups as soke of a new system. Most had never even seen me. I denounced the sokeship in order to pursue my love of hapkido. My 6th Dan in Hapkido means much to me, for I have trained with Joseph Lumpkin many times, for several years, wrote much on philosophy, and contributed to the style all that I can. Most other rank to me is junk, (I Do have earned rank in TKD as well). I have received rank in the mail from guys I don't even know, and was offered rank in styles I cannot even pronounce. It has taken years to learn Hapkido and Tae kwon do, with some Judo and JuJitsu mixed in. But, at 33 yrs of age, I in no way would desire to be called master, grandmaster, or Reverend for that matter. Rev. is a title you will find in the Bible that references God. This is why, even

Though we practice a Korean Art, we use the title Sensei, or Teacher. We do refer to the head of our system as Do Ju NIm, recongizing his accomplishments, but it is a title of classification, not of ego.

I agree with all that is said, and to those that have something "NEW", I invite them to send me a tape. I haven't seen anything new in the last 10 -15 years, except the loss of integrity of ministers and black belts.

To those seeking rank, I invite them anytime to come to our school. I would be more than happy to see their skills.

Today, people have reached the level of shodan and think they have mastered the world. Might I remind you Shodan is the beginning for the student. Before that rank, one is only a guest in the Dojang. It is as Shodan that one starts the journey.

To those that have been in the arts for a while, I remind us, to be a master, one must remain a student. From men like Do Ju Nim Lumpkin and Kang Rhee, I will continue to learn. Perhaps Kang Rhee summed it up best. He is the founder of the Pa Sa Ryu system, and has taught it since 1964 here in the U.S. He has trained men like Bill "Super Foot Wallace", Wayne Carman, and yes, Elvis Presley. When asked why he does not hold the 10th dan, but only the 7th (Now 8th) his reply was: 10th symbolizes perfection, and eternity, I still have much room for improvement, therefore, I am 7th Dan. This from a man whose style is recognized by ALL the powers that be in the martial arts world. May we learn.

Con Say Hom Nhe Dha
Con Mon AH Yo, An Young He Kay Say Yo

daryl

(We appreciate hearing from GMAF members about this topic or any topic of interest to the Christian martial arts community. Send your comments to mmcgee@gmaf.org.)

(Master Lumpkin has graciously allowed us to share these excerpts from his new book scheduled to be published early this year.)

What a terrible blessing and frightening gift has been given man that he should possess such great capacity to love and such vast ignorance of how to love. What divine urgings drive us to seek out in others that part of Him we so dimly recognize and that our hearts would respond so joyously to His reflection we glimpse in the face of our lover. Oh, feral heart who would settle for the corporeal image but refuse the spiritual source when both are offered so openly. So saddening is the need to touch and feel and taste the beloved that it goads us like animals down the wrong path, settling only for someone to hold and shunning the higher and more pure love of He who created the very object of our mortal love.

This is a short and barren path, on which we seek love with our whole being and settle for the echo of His voice heard distorted in the mundane love of this world. Why do we turn our hearts away from the clarion call of God beckoning us home? Possibly it is because we have no insight into what we are missing. The plan of family is set in heaven to teach us in types and symbols the relationship of Christ to man and man to Christ. It is a sacred lesson learned on earth. Husbands are told to love their wives as Christ loved the church. Wives are told to be obedient to their husbands. Children are protected, nurtured, and loved. Marriage is the deepest exercise of spiritual application in secular life if we get it right.

EPH 5:22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the Savior of the body. 24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. 25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. 28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

MAR 10:13 And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.14 But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.15 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.16 And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.

We love and cherish one another. We bind our hearts together as lover and beloved. We seek and find a spiritual nature in the relationships of lover, spouse, and family. It is what God intended us to have. Yet, God intended more for us. There is still an emptiness and void unfilled. We love and are unsure of being loved. We are loved but fall short of loving. We wait for that time we may feel possessed and protected by love. We look to the world, but our hearts wait for God. It is not loving or being loved that is needed. We wait on love itself to come. We wait, but He is already here.

PSA 139:7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? 8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.

Somehow, our hearts know Him but we cannot see Him. His presence is felt, His spirit is heard, but our eyes are blind, our ears are deaf to the soft rustle of His steps. In the search for love, our hearts frantically scan the faces of those around us. Are you He for whom I search? Are you the Lord? We look into the eyes of everyone passing, testing each one, until we can say, " I look at your face and I see God." When our hearts recognize the face of God in another, we call it love and there we abide. The love of our spouse, at the highest level, is a reflection of the spiritual love we seek in God. The bonding we seek from our spouse is a shadow of a higher need, to bond with God. We love but still, we are not filled. How can the darkened light of our souls illuminate the corners of another's heart? It is a relationship with God that we seek. We await He who is love. Our relationships with others are divinely inspired by the template of God calling us to a communion with Him. Marriage is sacred. It is based on a divine plan of shadows and types from God showing us how we should love Him and be loved by Him.

SOL 1:15 Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; thou hast doves' eyes.16 Behold, thou art fair, my beloved, yea, pleasant: also our bed is green.17 The beams of our house are cedar, and our rafters of fir. 2:1 I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys. 2 As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters.3 As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste. 4 He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.

SON 2:10 My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.11 For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone;12 The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land;13 The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.14 O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the stairs, let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice; for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely.

SON 5:2 I sleep, but my heart waketh: it is the voice of my beloved that knocketh, saying, Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled: for my head is filled with dew, and my locks with the drops of the night.

We seek a deep and abiding communion with another because the desire is placed in us. Relationships of husband and wife are driven to a spiritual depth by the same yearning of togetherness set in us by God for Himself. The pattern of true friendship and holy marriage are the worldly symbols of the heavenly marriage between the believer and Christ. Sex becomes spiritual in this context. The ultimate attempt to commune, share, love, and be one in heart and soul. Yet, in our hearts we are being called home to a place we have never been. We pine for a friend and lover we have barely met. Only He can fill our hearts and souls completely. Only in Him can we rest. Only then will our spirits be at peace.

It is not that we do not love friends or family, but there is a higher love and a deeper calling making us know we are not yet fulfilled, not yet at peace, not yet at rest, not yet free of the emptiness that so graciously plagues our souls.

What devastating mercy and vicious grace has been given man that he would receive by some charity of the Spirit of God this disease of sorrow that only God can cure. Only in this relationship called Christianity does God place a hook in our hearts and draw us homeward. Only here do we have the fisher of men. The great physician and loving Father listens for our call. "Lord, what must I do to be saved?" It is the question that starts the journey of a lifetime as God answers in lessons of love for the rest of our lives.

ACTS 16:29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, 30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. 32 And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.

This relationship is a marriage mystical and eternal. Christ has assumed his rightful place as both redeemer and husband. He is the spiritual head and high priest of the family of God. He is the bridegroom of the believers. He is the beloved.

REV 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.3 And I heard a great voice 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. REV 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

Brethren; I am homesick for a place that I have never been but I know a man who knows the way.

W.R. Lumpkin

COUNT IT ALL GRACE

When starting the mystical journey it may seem appropriate to bring all of your sins of the past up once again before God and confess all you have confessed before. It may seem good to remember yourself in light of how you were as a sinner. While it is true we are low, unworthy wretches, even this state and all sins are couched in grace. All trials and all sins are not only covered under His grace but are part of His grace. This does not diminish our sins in any way. It does not elevate us spiritually one inch, yet it does show us His magnificent and loving heart. For every step and misstep, all pain and tribulation brought us here to His feet and without any of them we would not be here for such a time as this. Only distress, physical or emotional, forces us to consider our path and only pain of this sort detours us to try other ways. We learn from our mistakes but should not be kept down by them. We repent and must leave the sorrow of our past deeds behind us.

Don't be troubled when you meditate on the greatness of your former sins, but rather know that God's grace is so much greater in magnitude that it justifies the sinner and absolves the wicked. Quotations from Cyril of Alexandria (Commentary on the Gospel of St. Luke)

Refection on one's experiences (sins) is a source of learning and healing. God wants us to become better human beings and we do this through reflective meditative prayer. Bro. Joel Redman OFM

Such a sweet and wonderful balance is maintained between remembering our wretched state and seeking to forget even ourselves in our search for God.

...if any man or woman should think to come to contemplation without many sweet meditations... on their own wretched state, on the passion, the kindness and the great goodness and the worthiness of God, they will certainly be deceived and fail in their purpose. At the same time, those men and women who are long practiced in these meditations must leave them aside, put them down and hold them far under the cloud of forgetting, if they are ever to pierce the cloud of unknowing between them and their God.

From The Cloud of Unknowing

I count it all grace that He knew the path of my sinful steps even before He saved me and still, He saved me. I count it all grace that He somehow wove my freewill into His plan, knowing how low and undeserving I am for His love. I count it all grace, my sins, my strengths, my weaknesses, and all of my limitations are counted as a terrible and undeniable gift designed by God to work in conjunction with the path I walk to lead me homeward to Him. Known by God from before the beginning, knitted together in the womb by His hand, blessed with human frailties so deep and pervasive as to have cost the life of God himself, I was lead to God's feet. He who is Love has given me the gift of love. It was given for nothing I have done or been. I was sinful even while confessing my sin. There was no need to beg for love. He loves me more than life. There is nothing I may do to thank Him or repay Him except by my free will to accept this gift He gives that it not be given in vain.

ROM 5:17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ. 18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. 19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. 20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: 21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

ROM 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

For I have attempted to keep myself from sin and sinning and repeatedly failed, utterly. Trying to run or hide from my fallen nature and always finding me with me and never leaving or losing one iota of me, I gave up trying to change me and laid down before Him any hope of my own righteousness. I count myself the only sinner and have received firm rejection from the church, being unable, for any time, to stay me from sinning. Yet, I still feel His spirit welling up within me. But now, there is nowhere to go but to His heart, alone.

You do not have to be perfect. Perfection is not what Christianity is all about. You do your best and God does the "righteousing'. Dr. Gene Scott.

1CO 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

2CO 4:14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. 15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

JAM 1:1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes, which are scattered abroad, greeting. 2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

ZEC 4:6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts. 7 Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, grace, grace unto it.

Having been shown His grace, by His grace, I at once saw my shortcomings and needs and was drawn to know a basic wrongness in me. I now hold on with my life, for my life, to the grace of God, knowing He who made me knew me and still loved me enough to woo me, with His prevenient grace, by His spirit, back to Him. And if He could and would do this, that by His longsuffering and forgiveness, He would keep loving me to the very end, seeing that He knew all I would be and do before He saved me. By doing this, He is keeping me for Himself until that day I may be made perfect, over there.

WHAT IS GRACE

Only by the grace of God can salvation and the communion we seek take place. We may ask. We may beg. But, it is only in watchful waiting that we will receive. His grace is sufficient and the only vehicle by which salvation and communion with God is granted. But what is grace?

Grace is a blessing, a blessing that is undeserved, unsolicited and unexpected, a blessing that brings a sense of the divine order of things into our lives. The ways of grace are mysterious, we cannot always figure them out. But we know grace by its fruits, by the blessings of its works. We would expect to be startled when grace manifests itself. The opposite is true. It doesn't startle us at all, for grace is everywhere. We may not discern it; we may not recognize it for we are inclined to take it for granted. "Living with Grace" by Rev. Peter Fleck

If we are walking, dancing, eating, teaching, preaching, meditating, being, we are rid of the impediments which hinder our free movement. We are rid of all the obstacles that block us from being who we are meant to be. This is grace. A grace that indicates not an addition, but rather a subtraction and removal of those things that may hinder us from being who we are. This is grace. Reverend Bill Clark

Grace "is an attitude on God's part that proceeds entirely from within Himself, and that is conditioned in no way by anything in the objects of His favor." Burton Scott Easton in The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia.

"When a thing is said to be of 'grace' we mean that the recipient has no claim upon it, that it was in no-wise due him. It comes to him as pure charity, and, at first, unasked and undesired." A.W. Pink Attributes of God

In a time before his death, Mr. McLaren, ministers of the Tolboth church, said, " I am gathering together all my prayers, all my sermons, all my good deeds, all my ill deeds; and I am going to throw them all overboard and swim to glory on the plank of Free Grace."

There is one work which is right and proper for us to do, and that is the eradication of self. But however great this eradication and reduction of self may be, it remains insufficient if God does not complete it in us. For our humility is only perfect when God humbles us through ourselves. Only then are they and the virtue perfected, and not before. Meister Eckhart

If I were good and holy enough to be elevated among the saints, then the people would discuss and question whether this was by grace or nature and would be troubled about it. But this would be wrong of them. Let God work in you, acknowledge that it is his work, and do not be concerned as to whether he achieves this by means of nature or beyond nature. Both nature and grace are his. What is it to you which means he best uses or what he performs in you or in someone else? He should work how and where and in what manner it suits him to do so. Meister Eckhart

The self-righteous, relying on the many good works he imagines he has performed, seems to hold salvation in his own hand, and considers Heaven as a just reward of his merits. In the bitterness of his zeal he exclaims against all sinners, and represents the gates of mercy as barred against them, and Heaven as a place to which they have no claim. What need have such self-righteous persons of a Saviour? They are already burdened with the load of their own merits. Oh, how long they bear the flattering load, while sinners divested of everything, fly rapidly on the wings of faith and love into their Saviour's arms, who freely bestows on them that which he has so freely promised! Jeanne-Marie Bouvier de la Motte-Guyon

Humility is a grace in the soul... It is indescribable wealth, a name and a gift from God. Learn from Me, He said; that is, not from an angel, not from a man, not from a book, but from Me, that is from My dwelling within you, from My illumination and action within you, for I am gentle and meek of heart in thought and in spirit, and your souls will find rest from conflicts and relief from evil thoughts. John Climacus

Our activity consists of loving God and our fruition of enduring God and being penetrated by his love. There is a distinction between the love and fruition, as there is between God and his Grace. John Ruusbroec

Jesus, are you not my mother? Are you not even more than my mother? My human mother after all labored in giving birth to me only for a day or night; you, my tender and beautiful lord, labored for me over 30 years. Marguerite of Oingt

We are only here and possess what we have because of the timing and grace of God. Whether we have little or we have much, we have it because of God. The love in our hearts and all things we have and feel are because He made us as we are. He sets our path and places us on the path at His time. The people we meet and places we go and thus the situations springing from them are in our lives because we were born at such a time as this. Gratitude keeps our arrogance and pride in check. It assigns all of what we are and all we have to God who made all things and keeps them in existence. Gratitude is the balance point between God and man. Thankfulness is a measure of our dependence on God and our obedience to Him. It is the path that our prayers walk to get to God. Gratitude is how we approach Him. It is said there are only two things that motivate us to do things: desire and desperation. It is said, "Gratitude comes from desire". This is the idea of some philosophers, but there is a higher gratitude not understood by the world.

There is a gratitude springing from the realization that one has no desires, no needs, nothing lacking. It is gratitude from epiphany. Insight brought on by grace enables us to see how God is providing our path and all things on it. It does not mean we have riches or even health, but that we are where we are supposed to be. Even in our lack or pain, we see somehow we are exactly where God would have us to be. It is the gratitude of knowing what we need to fulfill our purpose will be provided on God's path for God's purpose. All things are seen in a state of grace and balance and we are here for a purpose; God's purpose.

"We'd like to hear from you! Let us know what you do in your martial arts ministry that you think is special and we'll share it with the Fellowship. Many members write us each month asking for guidance in developing and expanding their martial arts ministries. Please send your ideas to mmcgee@gmaf.org .

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!

Here are some of the notes of prayer and praise we received at GMAF the past two months.

Please add my wife Theresa to your prayer list - Four weeks of all testing and no answer to her serious health problems. We seek answers and relief from her suffering.
Ron Loux

I am asking for prayer for my father, Robert Hamm. He has been having skipped heartbeats, extremely high bp readings, and had a spell at Walmart on Tuesday, 26 November. He went to the ER where they did a catscan and found what looked like an old "silent" stroke. They don't believe that was the cause of his spell. However, the hospital called him and said they found a spot on one of his lungs. Since he has not had a recent x-ray, they will have to wait 3 months to take another and see if the spot has changed. I ask for your prayers for him and my mother through this difficult time.

Please e-mail any response to: mhamm21993@netscape.net

Thank you,

Michael Hamm

Requested by member Ken Haugland

Please pray for the wife of Paul Brown - a federal agent for the U. S. Govt. His Sherry is undergoing radiation treatment and is in deep of your prayers. Only God can heal her now. Paul would really appreciate your prayers as this request goes world wide.

2TI 1:3 I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience,
that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day 4 Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy;

Thank you for your time and your work for the Lord. Thank you for your strength of spirit and humility to grow in God. Thank you for loving the children and those in your care. Thank you for being here with this old man this year.

We have so much to be thankful for. We had people healed and saved. We have new classes throughout the world. With God's help we have made great strides.

Our new book, Counseling the Twelve Tribes of Man is now listed on Barnes and Noble, Books a Million, as well as Amazon.com.

http://www.amazon.com
http://www.barnesandnoble.com
http://www.booksamillion.com
http://www.1stbooks.com
http://www.karateforchrist.com

The blessings are overwhelming and I thank God for them... and for you all.

Joseph Lumpkin

Counseling the Twelve Tribes of Man

Has been published!

It can be purchased at:
http://www.1stBooks.com/bookview/13300

I believe this book will be of help to anyone who teaches, ministers, counsels, or who is on a journey of self-discovery.

Many years of study and months of writing has gone into this work in hopes of giving those who help others support and direction.

I encourage all members to get a copy for themselves, thier minister, and Sunday school teachers.

You may go to www.1stbooks.com and search on author Joseph Lumpkin or link to http://www.1stBooks.com/bookview/13300
There is a preview and picture of the cover.

Purchases will go to Karate For Christ

Thank you so much

Joseph Lumpkin

If you have been a member of Karate For Christ longer than a few months you should remember the name Natalie Pugh. If you do not still have Natalie on your prayer list I want you to close your eyes right now and pretend I am behind you kicking you....you know where you should be kicked... Now, say a prayer of thanks to God. Some months ago Natalie, a remarkable 17 year old lady and dedicated Christian, had a stroke. Her sight and motor control was taken. The doctors did not give her much of a chance to survive. A call for prayer went out world wide for Natalie. Karate for Christ members as far away as "Down Under" responded with calls and letter.

This week, in Mississippi, Natalie was requested to compete in Forms competition! We thank God for this gift. The details of the competition will be listed below. If you can get over to MS. go say hello to the Pugh family.

Folks,

We're getting down to the wire. Of the 60 rooms I reserved, 40 are already booked. It looks like we'll have another great Winter Camp with outstanding instructors and fired-up students. Please pass the word to your students to send in their registration within the next 2 weeks and remember that the Camp is open to all styles and all ranks. All we ask is that egos and attitudes get left at the door.

See you soon!

Mark Barlow

AKAYAMA RYU WINTER CAMP
SAT., JANUARY 18 & SUN., JANUARY 19, 2003
WHITE SANDS RESORT, GULF SHORES, ALABAMA

SEMINAR INSTRUCTORS
MARK BARLOW AKAYAMA RYU JUJITSU
JOSEPH LUMPKIN SHINSEI JUJITSU
CHRIS DEWEY KODOKAN JUDO
ROBERT CARVER HEIWASHIN RYU JUJITSU
MARLIN SIMS KUK SOOL WON
DARYL COVINGTON HAPKIDO
VAN BUSHNELL YOSHINKAI AIKIDO
CRAIG HAMM HAPKIDO

HOSTED BY AKAYAMA RYU JUJITSU, GULF COAST JUJITSU AND WITH THE SUPPORT OF KARATE FOR CHRIST AND JUJITSU YUDANSHAKAI.

COST: $90.00 AT THE DOOR.

LOCATION: WHITE SANDS RESORT, HOLIDAY INN
365 E. BEACH BLVD
GULF SHORES, ALABAMA 36547
(888) 831-5390 ask for the AKAYAMA rate.

All training will take place in the Resort's Convention facility. Restaurants, beaches and family arcades are all within walking distance.

CONTACT: MARK BARLOW barlows@gulftel.com
AKAYAMA RYU JUJITSU (251) 968-3158
P.O. BOX 2062
ORANGE BEACH, AL 36561

Greetings! Just wanted to let everyone know we are in Grand Rapids,
Michigan right now staying with my folks. Our trip up from Florida went
really well, and we had a really special time in our stop-over in the
Nashville, TN area. We feel God wants us to settle down there for this
furlough at this point. I am looking into housing and work in the area and
may have to go back down ahead of my family. Please keep us in prayer about
all this.

God has been faithfully meeting our needs. Our 1990 van we purchased is
working well now, though we had several repairs right in the beginning. It
was great to visit so many in Florida, and speak at three churches as well
as do a Gospel karate demo at another. Last night, my daughter, Rebecca,
and I did to more demos back to back at an Awana, and a youth group here in
Grand Rapids. God has really allowed us to use our Biblical karate forms
and presentation. It has gone over really well and been a blessing to us as
well as to others.

We thank you for your prayers and support. We want to thank those who are
continuing to support us during this stage of our furlough as well.
That has been such a blessing.

The girls are very happy to be and Grandpa's and Grandma's again. They are
hoping to see some snow soon! God bless you. Drop us a note.

In Christ,

Phil Lewis

Merry Christmas from the Engelhardt home!

Dear Friends & Prayer Partners,

We praise the Lord for you & your faithful support. Your prayers are seen by Gods gracious hand in our lives. We have begun our 3rd year in the Massillon/Canton area. Wow! Thats doing pretty well for us. Hopefully, we will be here for a few more.

Seth graduated this year and began college. Campus life suits him well. He has discovered finishing the impossible projects by the impossible deadlines, dorm life is not conducive to sleep, and there are a variety of ideas and opinions among Christians from various churches. He is still looking for a job. Maybe its been good for him to get used to being there before he has to add a work schedule. He has decided to try growing his hair long. What he didnt bargain for is the curl; it takes more time to see the results of the experiment!

Lauren is now a junior and considering which college she wants to attend. She has been
immersed in music with the various choirs she is in as well as leading music at the church. But she absolutely loves it. This school year is going much better for her. Of course, she spends quite a bit of time either talking with or visiting with friends. Lauren is also seeking employment.

Rachel is in a gifted program and was invited to take the ACT as an 8th grader, but she is waiting until later. She loves her school and friends at school. She was voted PAK representative to Student Council, is on Power of the Pen team, and is our churchs youth delegate to Conference. She is Miss Popularity. Her surgery went well on her knee. She looks forward to walking without pain, running, jumping, swimming, etc.

Don is working in quality control part of the time in his secular job. This has reduced
some of the stress and strain on his shoulder. Between the church and Owens he is putting in 60-70 hrs still. This year is tougher since the church is growing. He has more people to minister to and making plans for new ministries to meet the needs of the congregation and to reach out into the community. He still looks like a raccoon during the week, since not everyone understands that 3rd shift people sleep while the sane are up and moving! Our theme song for him is Sleep by Riley Armstrong!

Char has stepped up her hours at the Y and has been teaching self-defense classes more this year. She is now able to begin a retirement fund at work. At the church, she is teaching more since one of the ladies who was leading a small group needed to take a break to take care of her grandson. There were concerns about systemic lupus or scleroderma, but blood tests showed that liver and kidney function are normal. Char will need to see a rheumatologist to figure out the pain in her fingers and toes as well as the elevated antibodies count. Between the church and work, she is also putting in around 60 hours. But she doesnt look like a raccoon during the week! She sleeps when sane people sleep. Instead, she just has blonde highlights from the pool!

Our church jumped from 15 to 25 in worship. We have pre-schoolers in the nursery and children in Sunday school and worship along with a variety of ages of adults. There are new people taking active roles in ministering from our church. It is wonderful to see God at work in His people! One of those new people is our neighbor, whom we have adopted. He has a heart for youth which is something we have been in need of.

Our karate class has grown finally! We now have 8 regular students. One of our students is testing for green belt and his sons testing for blue. We are looking forward to a demo in February and a possible school meet in March or April. We also had a personal protection class for ladies with 5 women who werent from our church and did a workshop 3 times for a Christian womens conference. PAL Mission will come with their girls in February. We are working with PAL to set up a personal protection program for young women ages 16-21 who have been victims of domestic violence. They are looking at a grant to begin its funding, but we are working with them to come up with the information for the proposal. It will certainly be exciting to see what God does with it.

We look forward to hearing from you and what God is doing in your life. Keeping in touch is so important. When all is said and done, all that we really have our the relationships with family and friends and our relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Everything else is just stuff! May the Lord bless you in the New Year as you proclaim His Name!

With the Love of Christ,
Don, Char, Seth, Lauren, and Rachel
(and our furry family members Tag and Sundae, too!)---
In Christ's Service,
Don & Char Engelhardt

I am interested in studying Aikido with a christian instructor. Any
guidance would be appreciated.

Bradley J. Casiday bcasiday@gcgcpa.com
Lake Charles, LA

Hello
I am 29 year old christian living in Antigua Guatemala and would like to start practicing Aikido,but i can´t get info from anybody and wondered if you could help..
thank you
leecgriffiths@hotmail.com

I live in Washington, DC and I was wondering if you have a school or Sensei here who I can learn from. I've been a Christian for 7 years and I've always had a passion for Martial Arts but never acted on it until now. I was in a dojo for a year and got up to my yellow belt but had to stop going. Please respond at your earliest convenience.

Thank you very much.

angela ABAILE@osa.org

I am looking for a Christian, believing martial arts instructor that would be willing to teach me. I currently live and work in Columbus, Ohio.

JW

(We suggested he contact Sensei Kelly Keys. Sensei Keys is Director of the Ryukyu Christian Martial Arts Federation and lives in the Columbus, Ohio area.)

Dear Mark,

From looking at a few of the teachers of your Grace Martial Arts Members, I was wondering if any of them teach very near Hamilton Ontario, Canada. I was taken aback by the amount of Christian Talent. Being Roman Catholic I am a devoted member of my church, but I would like to devote some time to learn off of any one of these great teachers.

Please let me know if this is at all possible, and you can reach me at this E-Mail Address:

richardpi57@hotmail.com

Thank You Very Much

Richard

Prayer Request:

My brother, I would like you to pray for me and my family. Yesterday, my son was diagnosed with Tourettes Syndrome. However, I am believing that it is only for a short time and consider it a MINOR setback. I would love to have you and your family please pray for my son to receive a quick healing. I have been keeping up with the miracles that have been taking place with the other members of the group and I believe my son's healing will be another miracle to be added to the list. I believe God is still in the miracle working business today and I KNOW that He is going to heal my son. I will send you the praise report as soon as his healing arrives.

In His Grip,

Mark Abshire
Lake Charles, LA

Event:

Millersville University , Millersville, PA near Lancaster.

Saturday Jan 18

Instructor: Darrell Craig Shihan

This noted author and Master Teacher will introduce attendees to the style of Kaisho Goshin Budo that he learned over his 30 years of training with the Tokyo Police Dept. Craig Shihan began his martial arts training in 1954 in Okinawa and trained with several famous Karate teachers of that era. He began his Jujitsu training in the early 1970's. He has also worked as self defense teacher for the Houston Police Department.

More info can be found at www.jimmccoy.com

The cost for the day will be $50. Break falling skills will be needed and attendees must be a minimum age of 16. This is not your typical KFC event, but will be well worth attending.

Thanks.

Jim Mc Coy

From Gerry Ryan

Can you please pass this on to all of our members and instructors. I will be opening a new school in Lafayette, Louisiana on the 8th of Jan 2003. Although this school will only be open one day a week, Iam hoping that this will eventually expand into several other schools within this area. I have yet to see any other Karate for Christ members in this area and ask all Karate for Christ members to join me today in a special prayer request. As I have mentioned to Bro. Lumpkin in the past, my time is limited due to my Military obligations,
and will be for the next year and a half or so. My desire is to build a ministry in this area that will expand and bring Thousands of souls to Christ, and to continue myself in growth.

I would like to post a prayer request. I to-be-mother-in-law has had a relapse of cancer. She is a great Christian woman, and I am asking people to pray for her and her family. We worry about her. Thank you for passing my prayer request on.

Sincerely, Your brother in Christ's service,

Robert W. Lane
Program Director for Manuel's Karate School
Fredericksburg, Virginia

We greet you at this wonderful holiday when we celebrate the coming in this world of our Lord, Jesus Christ, "who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped,
but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. " (Phil.2:6-7)

"Since then the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil; and might deliver those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives." (Heb.2:14-15)

May He bless you in this new year with His grace, joy and prosperity!

With love in Christ,

Vasile, Anastasia and children

I notice that, in your latest GMAF newsletter, you mention my good friend Mike Crain and show a link to a website with his self-defense book from the early 1970's (proably the first ever by a Christian martial artist in the USA). In the interest of accuracy, what Mike actually did in the book on the website is White Dragon Kung Fu, flavored liberally by his previous style of Shorin Ryu Karate. Chinese-Okinawan Kenpo is actually what was taught in the late 1970's at my alma mater, Tennessee Temple U., by Mike's former student Jimmy Cravens under the Koushu Federation organization of a man named Chris Casey. Mike Crain never learned Chinese Hawaiian Kenpo.

About what Mike is doing these days, his camp, which runs year round, takes up the majority of his time. However, he does still do some demos, mostly in churches. The most exciting thing he does nowadays to me is that he makes martial arts missions trips! He goes every year to Cuba and has also been to Russia and Africa.

Keep up the good work. God bless!

John R. Himes
Asahikawa, Japan

(ed ... John Himes has been a missionary to Japan since 1981. In the area of Christian martial arts, John is the Pacific Rim North Director for the GMAU and the director of the Temple Chinese Boxing Association. The TCBA is the black sash organization of his Christian martial arts style, which was started by some of the people who learned White Dragon kung fu at Tenn. Temple U. (a Baptist school) in the '70's, which is where he got to know Mike Crain and had the privilege of doing a few demos with him and working at his camp the first summer he had it. GMAF appreciates this information about Sensei Mike Crain, founder of Karate for Christ.)

I would like to forward a prayer request to you concerning my father in law, John Feezor. He has cancer and is not doing well at all. Presently, he is in the hospital and is not expected to return home. On this past Friday, he went through emergency surgery to remove the rest of his colon and to clean out an infection that he had in his abdominal cavity. He also now has a colostomy. His digestive system has yet to begin functioning again and he continues to get weaker and weaker.

Please pray with us that God would be glorified in this situation regardless of the outcome and that John's suffering would end.

Thank you,
Sifu Lane Cox, PMAA

Well...I would like to report what my Karate Ministry have done this year. During 1-3rd of March 2002, the India federation of Japan Karate-Do Ryobukai held its annual prestigious National Championship. Me and my team were invited for this National Level Tournament. We had a great time there in South India where the tournament was held. The Gideon International in our home State collaborate with us and brought number of Bibles to the National. As you know, India is dominantly Hindu and we were quite nervous of distributing Bibles to those of other religion. But God's grace shine on us. We have bagged several medals and on the closing ceremony God has given us a chance to be His servants and we DISTRIBUTE MORE THAN 30 BIBLES TO THE HINDUS THERE!!! and still some more came and asked for more. We are proud to sport the Karate For Christ Patches as it showed a witness to these nonbelievers. To think India, a place where Christians are a
minority and persecutions still taken place. Just this week, the hindu group RSS have met with the Church leaders and the RSS tried to invoke a Swadeshi Church ie. swadeshi means adopting India's heritage which is hinduism and sever all contact with outside linkages like the Vatican for the Catholics etc... and they does
not approve conversion saying it is a 'big issue'. These RSS are one of the groups engaged in persecutions. Keep praying for us. I have launched a webpage whch is www.kerygmamusul.50megs.com and i am currently affiliated with All India Shito-Ryu Karate-Do Federation in addition to my previous affiliations. I do hope GMAF will be a light tower for all christian martial artists throughout the world and i am proud to be a member of GMAF.

God bless

Laldinliana

Season's Greetings! Praise God for the Gift that keeps on giving! Our family is settling in the Grand Rapids, Michigan area. Right now we are staying with Phil's folks, but hope to get into our own place soon. I, Phil, just got a job with Office Max starting the day after Christmas. Along with that it appears I will be starting a Karate for Christ club at a Church in Middleville, not far from here. So I will be busy.

Elizabeth and I drove back down to Florida by ourselves so we could load up the van with the rest of our belongings and bring them back up. Though the alternator on the van gave out on the trip, the old van still did well, and we loaded it up to the ceiling, and made the trip back, even stoping briefly at Mammoth Cave, and then at an Air Force museum on our way up.

Please pray for us as we try to settle in and start from scratch in this cold climate! God has blessed us with good health, and no one has come down with any viruses. Pray that we will be able to get on our feet and find housing soon, for settling on a church in the area, and for another upcoming Gospel karate demo. And pray that our van with 171,000 miles continues to hold out. Thanks for your prayer and support. God bless!

In Christ, our Lord, Merry Christmas!

Phil & Elizabeth Lewis & girls

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 these new members to Grace Martial Arts Fellowship. We have shared their interest in GMAF in their own words. We have edited the notes for space.

My name is Shihan Tony Suarez. I have been training in Goju Ryu for 35 years and teaching for 25 .
I am a retired competitor due to I am spending more time with GOD and reaching out to lost souls and now teach with better wisdom through GOD . I have studied the Urban Goju system / Okinawan Goju system / Jujitsu and White Crane Kung Fu . I would like to become a member of your fellowship and continue to use the skills the Lord has given me to be an example . I attained the rank of Shichi - dan 7th degree black belt in 1992 from Master Arron Banks . I have been saved since 1999 and have gained more wisdom through GOD. I live in Orlando, Florida and teach on Monday and Wednesday nights 7-9pm.

Thank you and God bless,

Shihan Tony Suarez

7th Dan Goju Ryu Karate

Charles (Chuck) O'Neill

Accumulated 12 years in martial arts over a 30 year period, training in Judo, Tae Kwon Do, Kosho Ryu Kempo Karate, and currently training in Wing Chun under Sifu Nelson Chan of Christian Wushu Fellowship in Toronto, Ontario Canada.

Came to Christ on New Year's Eve 1997. And currently attending Community Fellowship Church in Waterloo, Ontario Canada.

All the Best,
Chuck

I would like to be listed on your web site.

Beverly A. Sumter

660-747-3976
2nd Dan Shotokan Karate
2nd Dan Shin Nagare Karate
Instructor for Eagle's Wings Karate, a Christ-centered martial arts program in Warrensburg, Missouri.

Thanks,

Beverly

My name is Larry Mason. My wife and are born again Christians. I practice Shorin Ryu Matsumura Karate, Shorinji Budo Ken Jujutsu, and Okinawan Kobudo. Currently teach a free Karate ministry at Life Church in East El Paso Texas as well as pay classes at my home in Fabens Texas. My wife and I are also the founders of
Budo Ken Christian Martial Arts Association . GMAF is already linked off my web page. Please include us in your fellowship.

Larry & Cheryl Mason
Fabens, Texas 79838

5 Ancestors Fist WuZuQuan Wu Chu Chuan

I've studied this art for almost 20 + years. The Lord has given me a program to reach kids combining Martial Arts and Christ. Whatever will get people in the door to hear the word of God has got to succeed. I look forward to further correspondence and maybe exchange Ideas. I've traveled to Malaysia to train with now deceased GrandMaster Chee Kim Thong numerous times.

Chief Instructor
Kenneth Hendrix

I am working on my Shodan in Aikido. I have been under the USAF since I began in 1997. I am interested
in starting my own Christ centered school. I live in Memphis and for now my classes would take place at my home. I asked Jesus into my life in 1988, I was almost 24. I believe that Jesus Christ is the Way the Truth and
the Life. My relationship with Him is growing daily, and I believe it is our/my obligation to spread the Good News.

Richard Kuenzinger

Sempai James W. Holroyd ... Started training at the age of 17 years old under Sensei Larry S.L. Martin in the Art of Shojukempo American Kenpo, Okinawan Kempo Karate-do, at the age of 21 years old. I received my Shodan Black Belt in American Kenpo, Goshin Ryu Ju-jitsu under my Uncle Shihan Micheal Trott & Master Larry S.L. Martin. Shihan Trott is a Student of Master Martin. On Nov. 30th I received my Nidan Black Belt in Okinawan Kempo, Shojukempo under Hanshi Larry S.L. Martin.

Sempai William Macari ... Started in the Martial Arts at a young teen in the Art of Boxing and Taekwon-do.
I have trained with many other Instructors, but the best thing that happen to me is when I found Grandmaster Larry S.L. Martin ( Linc ) as they call him! Learning Traditional Shotokan Karate-do, Okinawan Kempo, Aikijujitsu, Taekwon-do.

Sempai Richard Briehop ... Started training at the age of 17 years old under Shihan Larry S.L. Martin in
Okinawan Kempo Shojukempo Karate-do, received my Shodan at the age of 21 years old. I was Shihan Martin's Asst. Instructor for the P.A.L. Community Center in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Teaching children ages 8 to 15 years of age. If it wasn't for Shihan Martin and myself, there would be alot of kids in trouble. We kept Children out of trouble and still do today!

I wish to inform you of the Promotion of Barbara Sullivan to the rank of Shodan in Shinsei Jujitsu. She is the first woman to go from start to Shodan in our system. After a 5 hour test starting with a 4 mile run, she was Promoted on 12/30/02 at 5 PM.

I would like to join GMAF

Sincerely in Christ,

Robert J. Block Sr.

www.schuylkillmartialarts.com

I know you'll 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©.