Welcome to the GMAF Newsletter! We pray it will encourage you in your Martial Arts and Outreach for Christ.
"Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it."
Jesus Christ
"See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil."
The Apostle Paul
" The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes."
Psalm 19:7-8
(This article is the third of six in a year-long study about teaching children and young people about wisdom and character development through Christian martial arts programs. GraceLife Ministries and Grace Martial Arts Fellowship present this series in the hope it will help you in your life and martial arts ministry.)
First, we need to love our soul. That's what we saw in the first study about wisdom. "He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good." (Proverbs 19:8.) We know getting wisdom demonstrates we love our soul. Soul-love is love at a deep level. Jesus answered a question about the greatest commandment by saying, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." (Matthew 22:37-39) The greatest love is love God with all our heart, soul and mind. The next greatest love is to love our neighbors as we love ourself. A person who loves God with all their heart, soul and mind is wise. A person who loves their neighbors as themselves is wise. "He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul."
The first step in becoming wise and teaching wisdom to others is to fear God.
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom." Psalm 111:10
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction." Proverbs 1:7
"Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding." Proverbs 4:5-7
Wisdom is the "principal" thing in life and it begins by having a reverential fear of God. Having a healthy fear of the Almighty God is a good thing. It prepares our hearts and minds to receive knowledge and with knowledge comes understanding. To teach wisdom to others we must first fear God. It's like the fear a child has for their father. They love their father and their father loves them. The child wants to please their father in every way. They do not want to displease him. When they disobey their father, they see the displeasure and disappointment in his eyes. They don't want to see that. They don't want to receive his discipline. Wise children obey their parents because they love and fear them.
Now we move to the second step in becoming wise and teaching wisdom to our children: learn wisdom and be an example of a wise person.
We need to be students before we become teachers. We need to be wise and act wisely before teaching others about wisdom. Every Christian should be a student of wisdom, but those who teach others about living wisely should be well-versed in wisdom and continue to study wisdom throughout their lives. Good martial arts instructors have the respect of their students. Martial arts teachers have traveled the martial road ahead of their students and bring knowledge, experience and wisdom to their classes.
Martial arts books, especially Christian ones, speak about the importance of teaching wisdom to our students.
Verse 88 of the Chinese Five Word Song reads: "To learn correctly depends on long frequent practice and on your wisdom." Verse 110 reads: "Strive for knowledge of the method, but also the wisdom (craft) of its usage." In Christian martial artist John Chung Li's commentary about that verse, he wrote: "When we talk about meeting the attack by the method you learn, you should know how to make your method suitable. Wisdom changes the method into a suitable movement. This we call craft. Craft is shaped from wisdom and experience. The detail of truth is so fine that we have to meditate on its usage. A rough minded student cannot gain much, so we should carefully meditate on each movement bit by bit. The more you meditate, the more you gain. First we should master the method of movement; second, we should meditate the craft together with the movement to meet the enemy. Method and craft: the two must come together." This is paramount in our instruction. We teach methods that can cause serious injury when applied in a self-defense situation. We must also know which self-defense techniques are appropriate for different attacks. We may know how to perform a high block with great strength and speed, but if we have not also learned how to perform a low block and someone kicks at our leg we will not be able to defend ourselves. We may know how to execute an outer reaping throw with great proficiency, but if someone grabs us from behind and pulls us back quickly and we have not learned any other throws we will be unable to defend ourselves. Martial arts teaches students how to use every part of their bodies in every possible direction for self defense. We practice with our teacher, our partners and alone to develop the necessary understanding of how each technique works in every possible attack situation. We learn what works and doesn't work against every conceivable scenario. Our students must know the wisdom of using the techniques they are taught. They learn the methods and the craft of using them from their teachers. If their teachers have the wisdom and impart the wisdom, students will be wise in their usage of dangerous methods.
Pastor Karl Marx Sr. said it well in his book Martial Art Spirit: "A sensei must always be an example of high virtue. The relationships with the many students must be, above all, objective and well defined. Only in this say is there perceptual learning and improvement. Since all martial arts training are primarily oriented towards the spirit of self-reliance, the Sensei has an obligation to set an example for the students in all things in excellence, discipline, moderation, and wisdom."
These four aspects of life should stand before us every day as we teach children martial arts under the Christian banner. EXCELLENCE - DISCIPLINE - MODERATION - WISDOM. They will make us, and our students, powerful witnesses of the Glory and Power of our LORD.
In the book Encounter The Warrior's Heart, Joseph Lumpkin and Daryl Covington wrote: "Although learning is as important as leaves to a tree, it is only half of what is needed to become a warrior. There must also be discernment. Learning is not only reading books and acquiring knowlege. The ultimate challenge is in knowing how to integrate knowledge into life. In this way, and only in this way, can learning become wisdom. Discernment is far-sightedness. It is the ability to see the outcome of a situation. To hone this skill one must be a student of human nature. He must allow knowledge, wisdom, and far-sightedness to gestate in his spirit. This patience will enable him to see the end of a matter from the beginning."
Knowing God's Word and having the wisdom to use it correctly must come together in the life of the Christian teacher if we are to be able to teach wisdom to our children. Paul wrote Timothy about handling the Word of God properly and carefully: "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15) The NIV translates the verse: "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth." It should be the goal of every Christian teacher to handle God's Word correctly. A teacher who mishandles the Word of Truth does need to be ashamed. The Lord has placed in our hands the lives, minds and hearts of children and youth. Christian martial arts instructors have the privilege and responsibility for guiding their students into the Truth of God's Word as well as the truth of martial arts principles and practice. Our wises use of those Truths is an example to our students about how to use God's Word. If we mishandle the Word, our students may do the same. If we teach improper martial methods, our students may use them to hurt rather than help people in need of protection.
One of a Christian martial arts teacher's primary messages is that success as a martial artist is never having to fight. We don't train our students to fight. We train them to stop conflict before it begins where possible and end conflict with the least amount of force necessary if it does begin. A martial arts teacher who is quick to fight sends a powerful and unfortunate message to his or her students. Students often follow the actions of their teacher. We need to be smart and act wisely when we face bullies, sensitive emotions or injustice. We teach more by what we do than by what we say.
Sensei Wendy Williamson in her book Christian Martial Arts 101 wrote this about wisdom in difficult situations: "Be smart. Think before you act. Wisdom is much better than strength and weapons of war (Eccl. 9:16-18). " Those verses read: "Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard. The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools. Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good."
Nothing can compare with wisdom in a life. With wisdom we see, know and understand completely. We see things as God sees them, know as He knows and understands as He understands. The human mind is amazing and complex, but it is also flawed. It is clouded by sin, thus many of its decisions are mistakes. Self-confidence can and should go only so far. God-confidence is what we should trust. God's Mind has no flaws. He makes no mistakes.
In Psalm 19:7-8 King David wrote that God's Word is four things: perfect, sure, right and pure. " The law of the LORD is perfect...the testimony of the LORD is sure...The statutes of the LORD are right...the commandment of the LORD is pure." We can trust God where we can trust no one else, even ourselves. No other person's words are perfect, sure, right and pure; only God's.
When we trust in God's Word, many wonderful things happen in our lives and the lives of those we teach. David said trusting God's Word does four things in a person's life: it converts the soul, it makes wise the simple, it rejoices the heart, and enlightens the eyes. " ...converting the soul...making wise the simple...rejoicing the heart...enlightening the eyes."
This is what every Christian teacher should be: converted, wise, joyful and enlightened. This is what we want for our students. We want their soul to be saved. We want the simple to become wise. We want hearts to rejoice. We want eyes and minds to be enlightened. In a reverse way, this explains the condition of people who do not know God. They are lost, simple, sad and dark. Our mission is to teach lost people God's Word so they will become saved people who are wise, joyful and enlightened. Many world religions and philosophies promise these attributes, but only Christ can deliver on the promise. Every philosophy contrary to the Way of Christ is foolishness.
Christian martial arts teachers must first be truly converted. It's not enough to attend church and say the right words. Conversion is new life, new direction, new thoughts, new desires. Christ touches our soul and changes it from the inside out. He makes us new and real. Christian martial arts teachers must be wise in the things of God. We must know Him intimately and understand His ways completely. When we face difficulties beyond our understanding, we must know how to go to God and His Word and receive His Wisdom to deal with those difficulties, problems and challenges in life and ministry. Christian martial arts teachers must be filled with the joy of God. Our hearts should be filled and overflowing with the joy of loving, knowing, worshiping and serving God. Christian martial arts teachers must be enlightened. We must know the path of God, be able to walk it securely and lead others in the way of righteousness.
This sounds like a mighty big task to me. It seems greater than any human being could take on by themselves. It is. It is bigger than one person. That is the wonderful message of Christ: we are not walking alone. We are not serving alone. He is with us every step of the way. Christ is our great Master. He is our Divine Teacher. He is All-Powerful and All-Knowing. He walked the path before us. He can guide us through anything and everything that will come into our lives. He is the Wisdom of God.
Christ's Life and Words while on earth, His Words through His disciples after He returned to Heaven, they are our wisdom, our guide through life. As we listen and obey we will know what to do, how to do it and when to do it. Christ will answer our every question. He will meet our every need. And it is as we depend on Christ to guide us that we will know how to guide those we teach.
Christ faced life's most difficult moments with great wisdom, strength and courage. His Life and how He responded to temptations and tests will guide us now through the soul-mines of life. The first thing Christ did after beginning His official ministry was to face the great enemy of God, Satan.
"Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve." Matthew 4:1-10
Jesus faced Satan and defeated him long before we started out on the path. Christ has already defeated the enemy. We don't have to worry or fret about facing Satan alone. Nothing will happen to us that Jesus has not dealt with successfully. We will not stumble upon some new problem or challenge that will surprise and confuse God. Christ has faced everything Satan has in his arsenal of tricks and won the battle! Jesus wants us to follow Him and become like Him. He is our wisdom, He is our strength.
Notice the four things Christ did and said when facing the enemy.
Look through the entire Bible and you'll find these four principles of wisdom in every book and every chapter: obey God, trust God, worship God, serve God. If we wake up every morning and conduct our life on these four principles, we will be wise and able to teach wisdom to our children.
Practical Steps to Gaining Wisdom:
Read about wisdom in God's Word every day. Here are several methods for doing that. You might want to take each idea for a year and complete all the methods in seven years. When you complete that, start again. It can become a life-long study about wisdom.
(Next month: "Teaching Wisdom To Our Children" Step Three)
So here I am again. In Anxiety? Right! I always seem to become intellectually inclined when I'm fighting off an anxiety attack. Also my prayer life increases tremendously. Many of you readers might disagree with the intellectual aspect of my opinion and that's all right, you might be correct, however here we go anyway. These day's there is a lot of talk about Family Values. Dear God! Help us to truly understand what the real meaning of Family and Values are. The first thing we might consider is, just what a Family might be. Father, Mother, Brother, Sister, then there are the Cousins, and the in laws. At Church, there are the Christian Brothers and Sisters in Christ. In many cases these individuals are considered family.
OK! So we have a family, however, many family members don't like each other. So what's with that? Then there are those within the so-called family who perpetrate all kinds of illicit obscenities on their fellow members. Molestation's on fellow family members, no wonder there are so many dis-functional families around. This is not to say that ALL families are messed up. Why there are many husband and wives who have been married 35 to 60 years. Now that is living. I respect that more than an Olympic Gold Medal winner or a World champion. Just think of the values in that kind of relationship. Wow! That deserves our respect. Many people are the result of their experiences in their life. A child who has no father at home and a mother that has to be a hooker to pay for the drug habit she acquired to be able to do that for a living.
Depression likes to appear to those with broken home backgrounds. It affects our spirits, like a hole in a tire that allows the air to leak out. Joy is our air. Anyone living without joy in their lives is not living, they are just existing. I should know! I have lived like that too many years in my life. It wasn't until I met Jesus Christ, yep! That's what I said. You can take it, or leave it, believe it or not, the choice is yours. But the truth is that Christ is the answer to all our problems. So what's with this Jesus kick you ask? I can't even begin to teach you about that. It's an experience. A kind of Holy Spirit rush. Words can never explain the felling; you must have IT happen to you personally, WOW! A kind of Wonder Of Wonders.
This Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit is a genuine real happening. Joy is restored, depression lessened, or totally lifted. The real deal is that it works over and over. AS a former substance abuser I can tell you that NOTHING man made can possibly come close to it. I get depressed, I don't go to the bottle or smoke a joint, nor do I pop a pill. I go to prayer, yes you read it right, and that is no type error. Except for the way to spell when someone has already finished reading something. Well, anyway the word and meaning of the term family has a lot to be desired, in some cases. I am not speaking religion here, just speaking plain and true.
Family Values have a certain ring about it. Christians stand behind that. Well, at least a lot of us claim to. However what is the value? The question needs to be answered. What might be closer to the truth is the word Morals; Family MORALS HAS A MORE DISTINCT RING TO IT? The value of something may vary from object to object, but morals are never changing according to Almighty God. So here is the solution, Morals! But were these morals? Man is ever searching for the Truth, asking himself "who am I" or telling himself and the World "I didn't ask to be born" stupid statements such as "why was I born," or "why me?" All this just to say that the confusing minds of our day are kept there by in many cases the lack of morals.
If a child is brought up in the way he or she is supposed to be, what then? Who decides what is right or wrong? In days gone by most of what was considered proper behavior was taken from the values learned in the Bible. Now what? It was generally taken that having sex out side of marriage was a no, no. A Taboo! It was not socially acceptable behavior. Getting pregnant was an absolute evil. However as the morals of families crumpled with the slow death of modern social correctness, demanded by those who resist Christianity New Age Theology fills empty heads. Take God out of the classroom of public schools and Chaos will begin. Take the law out of our Nation and you get the same results.
This is not conjecture; this is factual proven empirical, (done that, been there) information. A father hates his son who is a homosexual. However it's OK for this father to commit adultery. At least in the dad's mind. What's up with that? Family values? Ha! What values? It's just great if his other son has sex with a girlfriend, but don't let his daughter admit to having sex with he boyfriend, Man the roof goes off the house. What kind of double standards is that? How does anyone trust his or her spouse? If there are low or no moral values what is to help keep us out of extra marital affairs?
What grounds do we have to determine if a hold up is really against the law? People who charge exorbitant prices for gasoline at the filling stations.
Write me at keichudo1@aol.com
or on my two web's. www.keichu.com
or www.keichudo.com.
From "
Encounter the Warrior's Heart"
Leadership is a combination of strategy and character. If you must be without one, be without the strategy. General H. Norman Schwarzkopf
The principle on which to manage an army is to set up one standard of courage which all must reach. Sun Tzu
It is the business of a general to be quiet and thus ensure secrecy; and to be upright and just, and thus maintain order. Sun Tzu
One matures into leadership. It overtakes him as he learns and expands. Those who seek leadership, do so prematurely. When people see those qualities in him they desire in themselves, they will follow. Only then is he a leader.
Those who desire to govern their states should first put their families in order. And those who desire to put their families in order would first discipline themselves. Confucius
A leader will never have understanding and compassion until he fails mightily, at least one time. It is necessary to have failed before one can be considered a mature leader. Both the leader and his followers must know he can and will continue after failure, overcoming defeat, and refusing to surrender when things are at their worst. People do not expect perfection, but they do expect wisdom and strength of will.
It should be stated emphatically, a warrior NEVER stops learning. Even the highest ranked teacher should also be a student. New information and acquisition of other viewpoints should be implemented to adjust and re-define one's philosophy. The warrior must be humble enough to follow before he is fit to lead. Moreover, he must be open to any possibility, unencumbered by the possession and attachment of his own ideas and philosophy.
Only our sense of honor and our faith must remain constant in our philosophy. As mortal men, our honor may flag and our faith may fail, but the philosophy remains the same. To make sure our philosophy and actions remain constant, we should come under the protective eye of another. For this purpose we all need teachers, particularly if we are teachers.
After I, a man of little rank, unexpectedly took control of the province, I have put forth great effort both day and night, at one time to gather together famous men of all kinds, listened to what they and to say, and have continued in such a way up to this time. Asakura Toshikage 1428 1481
Likewise, we seek to uplift ourselves through the company of better men. Although we should never turn away from those in need, we should never seek to befriend those of lower character in any deep way. Treat all people with equal respect but seek to befriend better men than yourself.
It is the nature of man that
the good is difficult to learn, while the bad is easily taken
to, and thus one naturally becomes gradually like those with whom
he is familiar. Shiba Yoshimasa 1350 1410
Just as water conforms to the shape of the vessel that holds it,
so will a man follow the good and evil of his companions. Imagawa Sadayo 1325
- 1420
Humility and the learning, searching, and keeping the open mind of a child are traits of a true warrior. Insecurity is its own wisdom. This may seem contradictory to the idea of "moral force," which, upon first glance may look as if it is leadership by unbending will. Yet, even if the will is unbending, the mind and options remain open. We are not swept to and fro by any means. We set our course and command our will to go before us. Yet each time we learn and observe, the path may shift and tactics alter. For this to happen, we must remain teachable. To remain teachable we must be positive of one thing and that is our lack of knowledge. If the leader remains teachable and humane, his followers will continue to learn his ways.
A leader must be most careful. The lives of his students and their welfare depend upon him. If he is arrogant or incorrect, all will perish. ISA 9:16
For the leaders of this people
cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed.
If one family has humanity, the entire state will become humane.
If one family has courtesy, the entire state will be courteous.
But, if one man (the leader) becomes grasping and perverse, the
entire state will be brought into rebellion. Confucius
If one will fix his heart on the way of assisting the world and its people, he will have the devotion of the men who see and hear of him. Gokurakuji
The general who advances without
coveting fame and who retreats without fear of disgrace, whose
only thought is to do good for his country and to his sovereign
is the jewel of the kingdom. Sun Tzu 490 B.C.
It is very regrettable that a person will treat a man who is valuable
to him well, and a man who is worthless to him poorly. Gokurakuji
Encourage and listen well to the words of your subordinates. It is well known the gold lies hidden underground. Nabeshima Naoshige 1538 - 1618
In caring for others and serving heaven, there is nothing like using restraint. Restraint begins with giving up one's own ideas. This depends on virtue gathered in the past. Lao Tzu
No ruler should put troops into the field merely to gratify his own ego; no general should fight a battle simply out of pique. Sun Tzu
It is truly beneficial in the understanding of what makes an excellent and respected leader, to look at the chinks in that leader's armor. The following are eloquent writings of Sun Pin, exposing his concerns and observations of the weaknesses of leaders. Sun Pin was the great-grandson of Sun Tzu and an accomplished military strategist in his own right. His insights are as applicable today as they were in ancient China.
If he is incapable but believes himself to be capable, if he is arrogant, greedy for position, greedy for wealth, light (flippant), obtuse, cowardly, weak, not credible, not decisive, slow, indolent, oppressive, brutal, selfish, confusing, he is defective. When defects are numerous losses will be many.
If he loses mobility, if he
lack resources but acts anyway, if he is argumentative, if he
wrangles over right and wrong, if he does not see to it his commands
are carried out, if his subordinates are not submissive, if his
forces have stirred those around them to bitterness, if his troops
are not fresh, if the troops are suffering and wanting to go home,
if the soldiers are in disorder, if he is eager but unprepared
for battle, if the troops are afraid, if the army does not view
the leaders as capable, if the army has been victorious and has
become lax, if he is brutish and relies on deceit and ambush,
or if he is worried too much about strengthening one part of the
army and is not watchful over the whole, he can be defeated. Sun
Pin
The good company has no place for the officer who would rather
be right than be loved, for the time will quickly come when he
walks alone, and in battle no man may succeed in solitude. Brig. Gen S. L. A.
Marshall 1964
It is important to have those of weaker character closely tied to and positioned between those who are loyal and strong. The weak will be goaded to good deeds by the fellowship of great men. The host thus forming a single united body, makes it impossible either for the brave to advance alone, or for the cowardly to retreat alone. This is the art of handling large masses of men. Sun Tzu
Rank and position are not to be sought. They will come in the proper time and by the nature of the man. Those who seek rank and position for themselves are poor judges. How can a man judge himself objectively? A man who seeks rank and position will do so over the bodies or reputations of others. They are not to be trusted. Instead, one should always seek to improve oneself and then test the improvements in the fires of life. It is never the rank that makes the man. It is always the man who makes the rank. Take away the certificates and titles and we are still only what we are. Here, in the person, is the only thing that counts.
The clever combatant looks to the effect of combined energy, and does not require too much from individuals. Hence his ability to pick out the right men and utilize combined energy. Sun Tzu
The control of a large force is the same principle as the control of a few men: it is merely a question of dividing up their numbers. Fighting with a large army under your command is nowise different from fighting with a small one: it is merely a question of instituting signs and signals. Sun Tzu
Any organization that relies on one central person is bound to fall when the figurehead falls. There should be structure and redundancies within the organization. President and vice presidents should be in agreement. Men in authority should have their assignments and also be trained in ways to equip them with overlapping knowledge. A leader should lead more through his captains than directly. In this way, the troops and thus the entire organization, can continue should the leader fall.
Lead by teaching, nurturing, and planning. Lead in humility, calmness, and a teachable spirit. Be direct, honest, and kind. Share your vision with others.
Lead by communicating. Write your thoughts and plans down for those who are carrying out your wishes, Write clearly. The written word lasts forever.
If you cry "FORWARD!" you must make sure the direction If you fail to do so, the monk and the revolutionary will go in exactly opposite directions. Anton Chevok
Cultivate virtue in yourself and it will be real. Cultivate virtue within the family and it will spread and abound. Cultivate virtue in a village and it will propagate. Cultivate virtue in a nation and it will abound. Cultivate it everywhere and it will be everywhere. Lao Tzu
I have three treasures which I hold and keep; mercy, economy, and humility. From mercy comes courage. From economy comes generosity, and from humility comes leadership. Nowadays men reject mercy, and try to be brave. They abandon economy but still try to be generous. They do not believe in humility, but always attempt to be first. This is certain death [failure]. Lao Tzu
To defend your faults is to covet your own weakness. One should be always ready to acknowledge a fault and correct it.
To justify a fault is to argue for your own downfall.
No leader should trust a person who will not take correction. Those who will not take correction cannot be led. They will turn on you one day.
He who will not apply new remedies must expect old evils. Sir Francis Bacon
Obtaining victory may be easier than preserving the results.
Generally speaking, people do not care who is in charge as long as things run well. The charisma and expertise of the leader should be used to build the organization, but things should not be tied so closely to the leader that his downfall would adversely impact the organization.
Humility must always be the portion of any man who receives acclaim earned in the blood of his fellows and the sacrifice of his friends. Gen Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1945
Comrades, you have lost a good captain to make a bad general. Saturninus 100 B.C.
I think with the Romans, that the general of today should be the soldier of tomorrow if necessary. Thomas Jefferson 1797
Never forget the fact that all leaders have strengths. In addition to that, all leaders have weaknesses. The problem for the leader is to avoid pride. If not, a leader will see his strengths become his weaknesses.
In Hanmudo meditation, I learnt
that the "Eastern method " of meditation is not thinking
of nothing. It is thinking of some subject matter. Hanmudo Grandmaster
Dr. Kimm himself said this to me. In Hanmudo, we meditate to concentrate
on our techs. It can be used to concentrate on e.g. your studies.
So in Hanmudo case meditation is a method only and not religious.
It is a tool/ method to discipline our mind thought process and
to remove distractions, so as to prepare for deeper thoughts.
In my case, if my mind is too occupied with many things, I prepare
myself for quiet devotion by meditation method of counting my
breath, then when I (my mind, body, spirit) am still, I do my
Christian devotion. Prayer is deep concentration of talking to
God. I think of Bible verses application. I think of what is true,
noble, right. Philippians 4:8 "Whatever is true,noble, pure, lovely, admirable
- anything that is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such
things." (Please note
that I am not saying you have to be in a meditation position to
pray. In Christian context, prayer is simply talking to God, and
you don't need to be in any specific position. I do this personally
to help me concentrate myself. Of course there are many other
ways to calm yourself, like going for a walk in the park, listening
to music etc. But meditation method is fast to bring your mind
to readiness to concentrate.)
Most important I find that for a Christian when meditating is not to let your mind be blank, for as a Christian who believe that there's always a spiritual battle going on, if we let it go blank, we expose ourselves to spiritual attacks rather than be filled with Holy spirit.
For non Christians, some meditation
do go into the spirit realm and hence into a trance. So as an
instructor I teach my students to focus on a topic, and not let
the"emptiness" of mind take over.
So I use the tool of meditation to prepare myself for martial
arts training, prayer, thinking of Bible verse application etc.
(Reprinted with permission from Karate For Christ International)
Faith Fitness
Magazine - we wanted to provide you with a special issue packed
full of ideas to help you network more effectively and build community.
It is designed to help a diverse group of readers climb to new
heights in their personal lifestyle. The new issue is on-line
at:
"http://www.faithandfitness.net"
I invite you to take a moment now or on your lunch break and read one article. There are plenty more which will give you some good reading for the next few weeks.
- "http://www.faithandfitness.net/pages/6/index.htm"
By Douglas Kohl, CEO Akron Area YMCA
- "http://www.faithandfitness.net/pages/7/index.htm"
By Karen Kartes, World Vision
- "http://www.faithandfitness.net/pages/10/index.htm"
By John Makell, The Essence Of Wellness
- "http://www.faithandfitness.net/pages/9/index.htm"
By Natalie La Roe, Fitness Wellness Coordinator, Family Christian
Center
Faith Fitness Magazine develops content that is useful to both leadership/ administration but especially for members. So, after you have taken a look at the new issue I invite you to communicate with your membership about the magazine. Send them a short e-mail with the web address or include a mention of the magazine in your next bulletin or newsletter. We're committed to providing a tool for powerful, healthy and passionate living.
Keep in touch with us. The holiday issue will be out soon AND we have some exciting things planned for 2005.
Sincerely,
Brad Bloom
Publisher
Most martial arts practitioners are taught how to throw someone. They are also taught how to roll and breakfall to help avoid being injured during practice. But few are taught how to defend themselves once they have been thrown to the ground.
Of course if you are knocked unconscious, severely stunned or injured when you are thrown, you may not be able to respond to any further attacks. However, if you are able to "roll" with the take-down or throw, you may be able to launch a defense from the ground. Though this part of a martial artist's training may be lacking in some areas, it is a vital part of training which should be stressed. If practical self-defense is a primary component of a student's development, then ground-fighting should be addressed on a regular basis.
Here are some factors to consider if you are thrown to the ground:
1. Your body position.
2. The extent of your injuries.
3. The position of the aggressor.
4. The intensity of the situation.
5. The environment.
6. The type of follow-up attack the aggressor initiates.
Let's take a look at each of these factors and how they could affect your actions.
Your body position: Have you
landed on your side, on your back, or perhaps face down? Are you
facing the aggressor or away from him? You only have a split second
to assess your position in order to determine your options for
a defensive maneuver, should the situation escalate. Develop defenses
which may be used from a wide variety of positions such as facing
upward, downward and to your side.
The extent of your injuries: Any injuries you may have suffered
as a result of your fall could reduce your effectiveness to defend
yourself. For example, if you have injured one of your arms to
the point where you are unable to use it defensively, you would
have to initiate a defense which employs only one arm. Be sure
to work on defenses which require you to use only one arm so you
will be better prepared in such a situation.
The position of the aggressor:
Is the aggressor standing, kneeling, sitting of top on you, holding
on to one of your arms, or have you in a hold? Practice defending
yourself when the aggressor is in each of these positions as well
as any additional ones you may think of. You can't assume he will
always throw you or take you down the same way. You must try to
prepare for as many variations of attacks as possible.
The intensity of the situation: There is a significant difference
between being pushed to the ground as opposed to being thrown
to the ground. Does the aggressor show intent to do you great
bodily harm? Does he have a weapon? Is there more than one opponent?
You should use only the amount of force necessary to defend yourself,
keeping in mind that your actions should be directly proportionate
to the intensity of the aggressor's attack. Do not over react,
while at the same time do not use a technique which will not render
you safe from further danger of attack.
The environment: What is the surrounding area like? Are you outside or inside? Is the ground snow-covered or dry? Are there objects you may be able to use to defend yourself with? Are there other people in the area which could be injured if you use a certain defense (such as throwing the opponent)? Is there room to maneuver or are you in a restricted area which may limit your ability to apply certain techniques?
The type of follow-up the attacker initiates: After considering the factors all ready mentioned, you will actually base your defense on the type of attack the aggressor launches. For example, he may try to punch you, or he may attempt to maneuver you into a joint-locking technique, or he may endeavor to apply a choke or hold. You may choose to wait until he has initiated his attack before you begin your counterattack. You could initiate your defense before he attempts to attack again, such as kicking him or manipulating him into a hold or throw. You should practice for both contingencies.
(Reprinted with permission from Karate For Christ International)
We would love to hear from you about any topic relating to Christianity and the martial arts. Please send your thoughts and articles for publication to mmcgee@gmaf.org.
Members of Grace Martial Arts Fellowship now have their own patch! It uses the image of Christian martial artists coming together from around the world for the purpose of sharing the Gospel of God's Love and Grace through Jesus Christ His Son. The image tops the official GMAF website at http://www.gmaf.org/gmaf.html. The 3 1/2 inch patch has a dark circle around the image and will look great on any color uniform.
GMAF's cost for each patch is $3.00. We can send them to you within days of receiving your order. We'd appreciate your help with shipping expenses since we're making the patches available at our cost. We'll send them the least expensive way available. Our address is: Grace Martial Arts Fellowship, P.O. Box 360383, Tampa, FL 33673-0383. Please make your checks out to Mark McGee or GMAF.
We're excited to tell you about four new Christian Martial Arts books. Three of them have been published this year. Each book is about the foundation of different Christian martial arts ministries. The first is about Keichu-Do Martial Arts. The second is about Hwa-Yu T'ai-Chi Ch'uan Kung Fu. The third is about Shinsei Hapkido. The fourth is a primer for Christian Martial Arts.
We hope you will join us in thanking God for His guiding Christian authors to write about their love for Christ, His children and those who do not know Him yet. We are also grateful for Christian publishers rising up to meet the challenge of getting the authors' words into print and distributing them around the world.
Grandmaster Karl William Marx Sr. is founder of Keichu Karate-Do and Ju-Jitsu. He is a Christian and pastor and one of the first American Sokes (head of a martial arts system). He is also one of the early members of Grace Martial Arts Fellowship and has been a wonderful encouragement to our ministry.
In Martial Art Spirit, Master Marx writes about his martial arts training and shares his wisdom through a series of personal letters to one of his students. These letters were written during a period of several years (1974-1978) and cover the very heart of the Keichu-Do system Grandmaster Marx created and taught all his life. Chapters include "Similarities of Keichu-Do and other martial arts," "Philosophy of Keichu-Do," "Power of Mind-Mental Attacks," "Ki (Chi) Superconscious," and "Assertive Behavior, Repression, and Depression."
Grandmaster Marx uses Keichu-Do Martial Arts to teach Christian faith and values. We're proud to tell you about his new book.
You can purchase Martial Art Spirit from Fifth Estate Publishing.
"Those who set out to learn the exercise, do not misjudge the value of The Chinese Five Word Song."
Verses 133-134 of The Chinese Five Word Song
The Chinese Five Word Song is an unusual Christian Martial Arts book. The original 134 verses were written by a Taoist martial arts master a thousand years ago at the beginning of China's Sung Dynasty. It has been used for centuries as the primary manual for Liu Ho Pa Fa Ch'uan Fa and Hwa-Yu T'ai-Chi Ch'uan Kung Fu.
Grand Master John Chung Li was a wonderful Chinese Christian who came to the United States in the late 1960's to share the Gospel of Christ and the health and self-defense principles of Hwa Yu T'ai Chi. Many of his students around the world called Mr. Li "preacher" because of his fervent belief in Jesus Christ. He used The Chinese Five Word Song as both a T'ai Chi Ch'uan manual and opportunity to share Christ. Mr. Li translated the Five Word Song from Chinese into English and wrote a powerful and insightful commentary on each verse. The Chinese FiveWord Song is an amazing document of tremendous value to Christian martial artists. It is also a wonderful testament of the love one man had for His Lord and Savior. It acts both as the foundational text of the principles that guide students of Hwa-Yu T'ai-Chi Ch'uan Kung Fu around the world and a tool for sharing the Truth of Jesus Christ.
GMAF is privileged to offer the insights to this phenomenal martial art and healthcare science through the publication of The Chinese Five Word Song. It is the first book in the Grace Martial Arts Fellowship collection.
You can purchase The Chinese Five Word Song from Fifth Estate Publishing.
Encounter The Warrior's Heart is about the philosophy of Shinsei Hapkido. It was written by the two Christians who know the system best: the Founder (Joseph Lumpkin) and the Director of the Shinsei Hapkido Federation (Daryl Covington), both members of GMAF. It is without a doubt one of the best martial arts books ever published. The almost 500 pages include insights to the history and philosophy of Shinsei, Christian meditation vs. Eastern mysticism, The Warrior's Heart, Winning Without Fighting, and the Ministry of Martial Arts (Mr. Lumpkin is also President of Karate for Christ International).
Encounter The Warrior's Heart also includes articles from some of the top martial arts teachers in the world today including Mark Barlow, Karl Marx, Erle Montaigue, Eddie Greydon, Joel Redmon, and Craig Hamm. Fariborz Azhakh, Charlaine Englehardt and Chris Dewey have excellent articles about teaching martial arts to children.
GMAF is pleased to share this wonderful book with you and we hope you will purchase a copy for yourself and your ministry. We believe you will find it to be an invaluable tool in your life and outreach.
You can purchase Encounter The Warrior's Heart from Fifth Estate Publishing.
Wendy Williamson is a wonderful author and martial arts educator. She has already given the Christian community a tremendous gift through her book Martial Arts: The Christian Way published by Agapy Press in 2002. Sensei Williamson is also a long-time GMAF member and we are thrilled to see her newest book published.
One of the most asked questions we've received at GMAF is about Christian Martial Arts class material. Sensei Williamson has answered the questions with Christian Martial Arts 101. It is a curriculum for Christian martial artists and Christ-centered martial arts classes and programs. The 101 lessons can be used as a personal devotional or as a curriculum for a Christian martial arts class. Sensei Williamson's experience as an educator is a tremendous time saver for busy Christian Martial Arts instructors who are looking for help in developing lesson plans for their classes. Sensei Williamson has done the work for us!
Christian Martial Arts 101 begins with an excellent assessment of various martial arts styles followed by the 101 spiritual lessons. GMF highly recommends the book for your own devotional use and for your martial arts class. Instructors will also want to get a copy of Christian Martial Arts 101: Instructors Edition. It has the same material as the student's copy, but includes great teaching resources in the back.
You can purchase Christian Martial Arts 101 from Agapy Publishing. They offer a 40% discount when ordering in quantities of six or more.
We also want to remind you of the many great Christian Martial Arts books published in recent years. The titles include The Warrior's Heart Revealed, Dark Night of the Soul: A Journey to the Heart of God, and Twelve Tribes of Mankind from Fifth Estate Publishing and Martial Arts: The Christian Way from Agapy Publishing.
Another Christian Martial Arts book you may want to consider for your library is A Biblical Perspective of Martial Arts by Robert Bussey. It is available from Amazon.com.
January 15th and 16th there will be a HUGE seminar on the coast of Alabama. Mark Barlow will be hosting. I will be in charge of the Kid,s Camp. This is an opportunity for you to come and receive THE BEST QUALITY training on the planet, and to bring the little guys to a camp of their own! I think this will be the best seminar Karate for Christ has been involved in, period! You do not want to miss this one.
Some of the best Ju Jutsu, Ju Jitsu, Judo, Hapkido, Aikido, and Kung Fu practitioners on this third rock from the sun will be teaching, and the kids will have their own camp!!!! Simultaneously with the adult camp!!! Mark it down to come NOW, and we will see you there.
Now is a good time to be planning for this event. Pre-registration $65.00 before Dec. 15th. After Dec 15th the price is $85.00. The Camp will be held, as always, over the Martin Luther King Holiday weekend. It looks like despite the hurricanes Sensei Barlow was able to relocate the seminar to Gulf Shores Alabama. They are expecting a good turn out with 60 rooms reserved at the Pleasure Island Hotel. The training will be conducted at the Bodenhamer Center, less than a mile away from the Hotel. Remember lodging is at a premium so it's very important that everyone book their room as soon as possible. Sensei Barlow said he will have the sign up and disclaimer forms posted on Akayama Ryu website sometime this week. http://akayamaryu.com/
Pleasure
Island Hotel
(251) 967-3500
213 W Ft Morgan Rd
Gulf Shores, AL 36542
If you have further questions, contact Sensei Barlow:
Phone: (251) 979-6019 or E-mail: barlowm@gulftel.com
WOOSTER OHIO EVENT 2005
I am in the process of organizing a summer camp for Christian martial artists (non-Christian martial artist may attend as well) for the year 2005. Ideally it will take place at the beginning of June and held at or near my school's location in Wooster, Ohio. The camp will be open to all styles. We will concentrate on traditional Internal Chinese Martial arts training of tai chi chuan, ba gua chang, and wing chun. Instructors who attend might be allowed to bring some of what is taught at the summer camp to their school so as to add to their curriculum and draw more people to their school(s). In addition to physical training, mental and spiritual training will take place as well. Connections with biblical priciples will be intertwined with what is taught bringing more meaning to the training and perhaps a deeper understanding of the Bible. If you are interested in attending, please contact Martin Yoder at: wingchunner@yahoo.com or 330-466-3355.
God bless you all.
Martin Yoder
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.
Just letting you know of my new website at www.ambassadormartialarts.org. Give it a visit. Still adding things and figuring it out. If any of you have a website and can add me as a link, I'd appreciate it. God bless.
Shalom,
Prof Phil Lewis
The International Network of Christian Martial Artists could use your help! We are out-growing our resources and could use some assistance. We simply do not have the time to take care of everything that needs to be taken care of.
We could use someone that is good at using MS Excel (or other spreadsheet or database program), and some sort of website building software. We have an excel spreadsheet with member information, but have literally hundreds of new members information that needs to be entered. We also would like to post information for potential students for our members to see.
Once these tasks are completely caught up, it would be nice to have someone that could continue the process on a monthly basis for the INCMA.
If this is
something that you feel you would be interested in, please reply
to this e-mail with your
name, location, and short list of qualifications.
I look forward to your reply.
Blessings,
Jeff McLaughlin
http://incma.com
Hello. This is
Erik Pangelinan. I believe I had contacted some of you a while
ago about an article on religion in the martial arts. That article
is still being reviewed by Inside Kung-Fu, but I wanted to let
you all know that I've got a short article out right now in the
latest issue of Black Belt, the one with Chuck Norris on the cover.
It's on page 48. Check it out if you get a chance. Thanks again
for all your input for the article that may or may not be published.
Erik Pangelinan
Greetings from the Philippines! The Mission trip is going well. We preached the gospel and handed tracts to around 10,000 people in downtown Cebu City, Philippines. There is a great need throughout all of Asia for the gospel. I have a proposal / challenge to each and every member of Karate for Christ International. All of us, in some way, owe the privilege of practicing the martial arts to the Asian continent. They have given us the martial arts, we in turn, now have a GREAT opportunity to give them back something of even greater value, eternal value, the gospel! Asia Reach Ministries is a missions organization designed and purposed to reach the Asians with the Good News, the Gospel, of saving grace by faith through the finished work of Jesus Christ. By supporting them on a monthly basis, we can truly be "Karate for Christ International. Below is a brief explanation of the Ministry, their work, and how we can help. I challenge each and every member of Karate for Christ International to join us in this partnership. We can all afford to give something.
The vision
of Asia Reach Ministries is three fold:
1. To reach Asia with the Word of God.
2. To train Asians to reach Asians
3. That every community in Asia would have a Bible believing church.
The need here in Asia is GREAT! It is the most populous continent on earth, the most Muslim continent on earth, the most Communistic continent on earth, and has been the most neglected continent on earth as far as resources allocated to evangelize the continent.
The Mission
of Asia Reach Ministries is to:
1. Evangelize the lost through preaching, personal relationships,
literature distribution, and outreach Bible studies.
2. Establish Churches in urban and rural areas that are indigenously
led, internally supported, and intentionally replicating.
3. Educate the Faithful with study aids, discipleship, conferences,
courses, and seminars.
4. Equip and empower ministers with resources, ministry capabilities,
and encouragement.
The existing ministries include the support of Grace Gospel Baptist church in Cebu City, Philippines and its pastor Mario Locsin, Asia Reach Ministries National Bible Conferences throughout Asia, Leadership development by discipleship courses, Underground mission works and church planting in Communist China, and many other missions projects, including one on one ministry, street ministry, etc.
Plans are now in place to begin Asia Reach Ministries National Pastors support to enable indigenous peoples to minister in their native countries. Also, being established is Asia Reach University a home study, correspondence, and distance learning school offering Graduate and post graduate courses designed to equip people to do the work of the ministry in Asia.
Karate for Christ International should be considered a "partner in this ministry". Brenda and I are going to support this ministry financially with our Prayer, Presence, Gifts, and Service. I challenge EVERY MEMBER of Karate for Christ to do the same.
1. Prayer:
Periodically I will be sending out news from Asia Reach Ministries
to keep your prayer lists updated, and let you see how prayers
are being answered.
2. Presence: Continual support by missions trips to Asia, in conjunction
with Asia Reach Ministries (If you want to come, we have work
for you here).
3. Gifts: This is a challenge for Each Member to become an ongoing
monthly supporter of Asia Reach Ministries. Once again guys, the
need here is awesome, and what better way for Karate for Christ
International to have an "Official Asian Ministry arm. We
now do, Asia Reach Ministries.
4. Service: Do what we can stateside, as well as in Asia, to serve
those that have given their lives for the cause of Christ on the
Asian continent, a place we are all indebted to for the arts we
love so dearly.
Monthly newsletters and weekly updates will be the norm from this group. You may also converse one on one with the missionaries through email, etc. Here is the GREAT thing, 100% of our gifts go to reaching the Asian continent with the Gospel of Grace. There are no 6 digit salaried "Missions Board Employees, and things MOST groups have. I have personally met each of the founders of this organization, and can testify to their love of the Book, and the Lord of the Book. Two of them have preached in my church, and several of the Asian pastors that are partners and trainees from this organization have ministered in my congregation as well.
The Support address to Asia Reach Ministries is:
Asia Reach
Ministries
70 W. Long Lake Road, Suite 118
Troy Michigan 48098
Currently, any check should be made out to Asia Reach Ministries, designated to Tim and Michele Faulk. This is a NEW adventure for Brother Tim (President of Asia Reach Ministries), as well as Karate for Christ International.
The need here is great. Bro. Faulk and family came back to Asia, with close to $1000.00 a month LESS support than what they need for the ministry to function. With the 1000s of members we have, let's make up the slack. Systematic monthly giving is hard, and takes discipline to remember, to commit to, and to sacrifice for, but discipline and sacrifice are things we as martial artist know much about. Now is the time for us to learn about those things as Christians as well. If you can give X amount a month, do it! We can all give something. Whether it is a few dollars, or a large amount, I challenge you to do it. Souls in Asia hang in the balance. Let,s act like we truly are "karate for "Christ, shall we.
One final thought. If / When you make the commitment to help support reaching the Asian Continent, send me an email at drdarylrcovington@yahoo.com and let me know what monthly amount you will be able to give. Wouldn,t it be great if we could "make up the entire difference of monthly support needed BEFORE WE LEAVE from the Philippines? That is Nov. 1st. Let's make this happen!
When I began
teaching martial arts at a Christian art center, my purpose was
many fold. I wanted to teach children, touch their lives for good,
introduce them to Christ through scripture memorization and give
them some goals to work towards. That was what MY agenda was.
God had a different agenda in mind. During class, I would have
kids tell me terrible things they were dealing with. Spontaneously,
we'd stop class, all the students would go over and we'd lay hand
on the student who needed our comfort or pray and pray for them.
At times, I would have students who needed guidance for life outside
the dojo. I would have needto counsel with parents. I have even
had to testify in court on the behalf of a child whose parent
was abusing them during visitation. We've had kids we had to feed.
We've had kids we've taught cleanliness to because they were not
learning that at home. This isnot the majority, but still things
that were not whatI thought would happen. But the thing that I
have found out most from these
children that surprises me, is how hungry they are for Christ.
Memorizing scripture is not enough. Many times they memorize and
do not even know what they are memorizing. They want to KNOW what
it means. They want to do things right. They share prayer concerns
with me. Sometimes their families will tell me of things so that
I can pray in agreement with them, or so that the class can pray.
The children in my classes by the time they are intermediate rank
start suggesting things to pray for. We have a prayer request
box for the center we are based in and my intermediate and advance
rank students cannot wait
to pray over people's requests. My advanced belts and my homeschool
classes are studying the book of Proverbs and I have kids asking
me if we can spend an entire class just reading out loud from
Proverbs! Praise God!
I recently had one 11 year old shout, "I can't wait to die so I can meet Jesus!" I got chills and this child's mothers got tears in her eyes. I'm not suggesting that we get kids so excited they want to die, but this little girl thinks that the coolest thing that will ever happen to her is when she gets to meet Jesus. I wish we could all be that excited at the prospect of going home. I find myself, instead of being a teacher of karate and a facilitator of introduction to Christ, at times being a counselor, an intersessor and a preacher of the Word.
My greatest joy is when someone in our class is experiencing a painful thing in their life and ANOTHER student suggests we all pray for that person. These kids think like a team, pray like a team, and root each other on. I learn more from them and am blessed more by them each day. Hungry for Christ. Today's youth is very hungry for Him. Let's give them what they want, more of Jesus and more of our time.
I pray that each one of you is experiencing this wonderful manifestation in your school. My heart is so full because of God's grace to allow ME to be their teacher. I am nobody and I'm so grateful for that because I cannot take any credit for anything that is happening, only God can.
Leslie Sowl
PLEASE TAKE MY SCHOOL
I'm Kristin Prince and I have a Christian Martial Arts School with a growing student base of 58. My challenge is that I will be attending law school in the Fall of 2005 and I will need someone who is EXCELLENT with children to possibly take over the school by May 2005 when I graduate. The school is located in Central Texas. If you know of anyone fitting this description please have them call or email.
The best time to reach me by phone is between the hours of 3:30-5:30.
Kristin Prince kprince@pgrb.com
School Phone: (325) 646-1977
(I know you will join us in praying for each of these Christian martial artists, their families and ministries.)
We welcome these new members to Grace Martial Arts Fellowship.
2nd Dan ... Hapkido
Studying Kajukenbo
Lives in Millington, Illinois
5th Kyu ... Kyokushin Karate
Member American Academy of Religion (School of the Tiger)
Arizona
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.
You'll find every previous GMAF newsletter at http://www.gmaf.org/gmaf_newsletters.html . These newsletters are a gold mine of information about Christianity and the Martial Arts.
Please send us a picture and information about your martial arts ministry and we'll feature your group in an upcoming newsletter.
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 .
We appreciate your Fellowship in the Gospel of the Grace of God. We are praying for you and your opportunities to serve Christ. Please let us know about ways GMAF can help you in your service. If you know of anyone who might be interested in receiving this monthly newsletter, please ask them to e-mail Mark McGee. We'll be glad to put them on our monthly mailing list.
If you would like to join Grace Martial Arts Fellowship ©, contact Mark McGee.
Grace Martial Arts Fellowship is a service of GraceLife Ministries ©.
