Grace Martial Arts Fellowship began in 1990, went online with a website in 1995 and began publishing newsletters to the Christian martial arts community in 1998.
Because of the quality of information found in those early newsletter articles and the fact they are no longer available online, we’ve decided to re-publish many of them in the coming weeks and months. Our hope is that a new generation of Christian martial artists will be blessed by the wisdom of those who were on the path before them.
GMAF NEWSLETTER
FEBRUARY 2000
Welcome to the GMAF Newsletter! We pray it will encourage you in your Martial Arts and Outreach for Christ
THOUGHTS FROM THE MASTER
“An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.”
Jesus Christ
“And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.”
The Apostle Paul
WISDOM NOTES
“The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.” (Proverbs 18:4)
CHRISTIANITY AND THE MARTIAL ARTS
Sa Bom Nim David Havard sent this to us recently. It carries a powerful punch.
“The real key to your influence with me is your example, your actual conduct. Your example flows naturally out of your character of the kind of person you truly are – not what others say you are or what you may want me to think you are. It is evident in how I actually experience you. Your character is constantly radiating, communicating. From it, in the long run, I come to instinctively trust or distrust you and your efforts with me.”
This says so much about the true influence we have on people. Our influence is so much more than words. It’s about the Life of Jesus Christ influencing others through our life. It’s about the love we have for people, how we treat them, how we respect them. Each of us influences dozens of people in our families, our classes, our neighborhoods, at school and work. They watch us. They hear us. They see how we deal with life. They compare our words with our actions. Unkind actions, bad attitudes, sharpness in reacting to difficult situations, are a negative part of what makes up the influence we have on people. If our Christian words conflict with our behavior, the influence could be negative on the people God has given us to serve. As we allow God’s Spirit to live through us, speak through us, love through us, act through us, respond through us … our influence becomes holy and life-changing.
Why are Christians left on Earth? Why don’t we go straight from receiving God’s forgiveness to being in God’s presence? Why stay on this wicked planet for one more second than is necessary? We can worship God better in Heaven than we can on Earth. We can enjoy other Christian’s fellowship better in Heaven? What’s the reason for hanging around here?
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” 2 Corinthians 5:17-21
God has chosen to give every child of His the “ministry of reconciliation.” That’s a main reason why we don’t fly off into space the instant we receive Christ as our Savior. Christ lives His Life through us and reconciles other sinners to Himself as we share Him with our friends, family, neighbors, co- workers, students, teachers and anyone else we meet along life’s road. God does many things for us and through us while we’re on Earth, but the ministry of reconciliation is certainly a top priority. Christians find great joy in sharing Christ and seeing others come to Him as we pray for them and point them to the Only One Who can save their souls.”
Here’s another wonderful note from David Havard. It may be something you can use in your ministry.
“The maker of all human beings is recalling all units manufacured, regardless of make or year, due to the serious defect in the primary and central component, or heart. This is due to a malfunction in the original prototype units, resulting in the reproduction of the same defect in all subsequent units. This defect has been technically termed, ‘Subsequential Internal Non-morality,’ or more commonly known as S-I-N, as it is primarily symptomized by loss of moral judgment.
Some other symptons are:
1. Loss of direction
2. Foul vocal emissions
3. Amnesia of origin
4. Lack of peace and joy
5. Selfish, or violent, behavior
6. Depression or confusion in the mental component
The manufacturer, who is neither liable nor at fault for this defect, is providing factory authorized repair and service, free of charge, to correct this SIN defect, at numerous locations throughout the world. The number to call for the recall station in your area is: P-R-A-Y-E-R.
WARNING: Continuing to operate the human unit without correction voids manufacturer’s warranty, exposing owner to dangers and problems too numerous to list, and will result in the human unit being permanently impounded.
For free emergency service, kneel and call on the name of J-E-S-U-S for prompt assistance at any location worldwide.”
Taking God’s Grace to the World!
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