MSM CONNECTIONS
For the week of 01/23/05
The Men’s Ministry e-mail newsletter of
Our mission: Our mission is to lead men to
Jesus Christ and provide opportunity for
Christian men to grow in their faith
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MSM CONNECTIONS is the opt-in newsletter for the men
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"Since the Lord is directing our steps, why try to understand everything that happens along the way?" Proverbs 20:24 (LB)
CONSIDER
"If there is any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow human being, let me do it now, and not defer or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again." William Penn
NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS TO CHANGE YOUR WORLD
Read Five New Year's Resolutions that will Change Your World, a timely article by Tobin Perry, managing editor of Saddleback Church's weekly newsletter. Perry says, "Each New Year's Day, millions of us make made-to-be-broken New Year's resolutions... As important as it is to eat right, exercise more and not be naive, we can make commitments that are even bigger." He then presents five commitments to "change your world this New Year."
Read this at
http://www.pastors.com/article.asp?ArtID=4027
THREE FACES OF GREED
Sin seldom strides into our lives announcing its hostile intentions. It prefers stealth, camouflage, or even better, to appear friendly. As Thomas Aquinas taught, when we do evil we always will to act "under the aspect of the good."
Sin typically cloaks itself in some story or rationalization that mitigates or hides our wrongdoing from ourselves: Inordinate anger masquerades as "righteous indignation," arrogance as "standing up for my rights," retaliation as "giving them what they deserve," profligacy as "giving myself what I deserve," lust as "healthy romantic ardor," and so on. When it comes to sin, we're inveterate "spin doctors." As "The Fraudbuster" suggests, such rationalizations also accompany greed.
Greed is an inappropriate attitude toward things of value, built on the mistaken judgment that my well-being is tied to the sum of my possessions. Greed is more than mistaken belief-as if knowing a few more facts would somehow solve the problem. It also involves emotions (perhaps longing, unfulfillment, fear) and attitudes (a sense of entitlement, rivalry). Greed alienates us from God, from our neighbor, and from our true self.
Read this article in full at
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2005/001/27.34.html
EVERYBODY'S ASKING: "WHERE WAS GOD?"
Where was God when the tsunami killed countless thousands across Asia? It's a question that millions of people around the world have asked. Christians aren't the only ones asking the question, as a short Newsweek article observes: followers of all of the world's major religions are trying to reconcile the deaths of thousands with their beliefs and doctrines.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6777635/site/newsweek/
BASIC BIBLE DOCTRINE
IV. What are God's names?
God's names emphasize who He is and what He does.
A. Elohim - This word/name stresses His power, rulership and majesty (Gen.1:1; Is.54:5).
B. El-Shaddai - "God on the mountain" - strength, control and therefore comfort (Gen.17:3; Ps.91:1,2)
C. Adonai - This word/name stresses that He is Lord, Master (Josh.5:14).
D. Jehovah - "I am" - This word/name stresses His changeless self-existence (Ex.3:12).
1. Jehovah-jireh - "The Lord will provide" (Gen.22:14)
2. Jehovah-rapha - "The Lord who healeth"
3. Jehovah-nissi - "The Lord my banner" (Ex.17:15)
4. Jehovah-shalom - "The Lord our peace" (Jud.6:24)
5. Jehovah-ra-ah - "The Lord my shepherd" (Ps.23:1)
6. Jehovah-tsidkenu - "The Lord our righteousness" (Jer.23:6)
7. Jehovah-shammah - "The Lord is present" (Ezek.48:35)
8. Jehovah-Sabbaoth - "The Lord of hosts" Commander of the armies of Israel (1 Sam.17:45)
http://www.bible.org/page.asp?page_id=176
LEADERSHIP TIPS
(BUSINESS, FAMILY, LIFE)
If you seek one singlemost important behavior that will rapidly earn you respect and trust among your people, this is it: Always give your people the credit for your achievements and successes. Never take the credit yourself -- even if it's all down to you, which would be unlikely anyway. You must however take the blame and accept responsibility for any failings or mistakes that your people make. Never, never, never publicly blame another person for a failing. Their failing is your responsibility.
http://www.alanchapman.com/leadership.htm
PRESIDENT ISSUES SANCTITY OF LIFE PROCLAMATION
President Bush issued a sanctity of human life proclamation, declaring Americans are obligated to "defend the life of the innocent and the powerless." The president proclaimed Jan. 16 as National Sanctity of Human Life Day two days prior to the observance. The Supreme Court's decision legalizing abortion was announced Jan. 22, 1973, and pro-life Americans have held events protesting the ruling and promoting protection for unborn life near the yearly anniversaries since that time.
In his proclamation, Bush said, "Across our country, we must continue to encourage our citizens to make ours a more just and welcoming society in which every child is born into a loving family and protected by law. We will work with decency and respect to change hearts and minds, one person at a time. In doing so, we will build a lasting culture of life and a more compassionate society."
The annual March for Life, which is attended by tens of thousands of pro-lifers, will be held March 24 in Washington, D.C.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/01/20050115-1.html
PRESIDENT BUSH'S
INAUGURAL ADDRESS...
can be read here
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/01/20050120-1.html
JANUARY DATES
January 24-30 - Bob Hope Chrysler Classic (La Quinta, CA)
January 29 - Senior Bowl (Mobile, AL)
http://www.seniorbowl.com/2005/
SOME "TOP" BOOKS OF 2004
Christianity Today's Books and Culture Corner presents its picks for the ten best books of 2004.
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2004/152/13.0.html
BOOK SUMMARY ONLINE
Boundaries in Marriage by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend is now summarized online. Drs. Cloud and Townsend help guide couples through the challenging marital journey by recommending boundaries in areas such as words, consequences, time, and emotional and physical distance. They also give tips for safeguarding a marriage from various intruders -- idols, affairs, and well-meaning parents.
http://www.christianbooksummaries.com/
CONSIDER
"The righteousness which is of God by faith in the source, the prime of that righteousness, is then just the same kind of thing as God's righteousness, differing only as the created differs from the creating. The righteousness of him who does the will of his father in heaven, is the righteousness of Jesus Christ, is God's own righteousness. The righteousness which is of God by faith in God, is God's righteousness. The man who has this righteousness, thinks about things as God thinks about them, loves the things that God loves, cares for nothing that God does not care about... The man with God's righteousness does not love a thing merely because it is right, but loves the very rightness in it. He not only loves a thought, but he loves the man in his thinking that thought; he loves the thought alive in the man." George MacDonald (1824-1905), "Righteousness," Unspoken Sermons, Third Series [1889]
IN OTHER WORDS
Linguist Christopher J. Moore has made a career of searching out some of the world's most "untranslatable" expressions – words from around the globe that defy an easy translation into English. In this NPR report, Moore shares a few of his linguistic favorites from his new book In Other Words: A Language Lover's Guide to the Most Intriguing Words Around the World.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4457805
AVOIDING THE GREENER GRASS SYNDROME
This book is a compelling chronicle of Nancy Anderson's journey to the other side of the marital fence -- and her return as a prodigal wife who found forgiveness and restoration. It also offers encouraging suggestions, real-life examples, and practical guidance for couples who want to predict, prevent, or pardon infidelity. Counselors and couples alike will benefit from the honest insights of a couple that has been there.
http://www.TheGreenerGrassSyndrome.com
MOST COMMON THREATS TO THE FAMILY
Divorce, negative influences from the media, and materialism are among the most common threats to the family cited by Protestant ministers in a recent study. Ellison Research of Phoenix reports that divorce was listed as one of the top three concerns by 43% of all ministers surveyed, while 38% cited the media as a key issue they need to guard families in their communities against and 36% said materialism.
http://www.ellisonresearch.com/PastorStudy.htm
U.S. & CANADA SEE THE BIBLE DIFFERENTLY
Gallup Organization polled approximately 1,000 adults in each country and found that Americans are considerably more conservative in their view of the Bible. Additional polling has found that Canadians are much more liberal on the hot-button social issues of the day -- such as abortion and "gay marriage." Those polled were given three statements to choose from regarding their view of the Bible. In America, 34% agreed with the statement that "the Bible is the actual word of God and is to be taken literally, word for word." Only 17% of Canadians agreed with the statement. In the second statement, 48% of Americans and 51% of Canadians agreed that the Bible "is the inspired word of God but not everything in it should be taken literally." Combining the two statements, 82% of Americans but 68% of Canadians believed that the Bible is either the "actual word of God" or the "inspired word of God." In the third category, 29% of Canadians and 15% of Americans said they believed the Bible is "an ancient book of fables, legends, history and moral precepts recorded by man." In a separate poll, 81% of Americans said they believe in God; 64% of Canadians said they do.... Read more at
http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=19839
THE LAWS OF THE LIGHTHOUSE (by Max Lucado)
....contain more than good ideas, personal preferences, and honest opinions. They are God-given, time-tested truths that define the way you should navigate your life. Observe them and enjoy secure passage. Ignore them and crash against the ragged rocks of reality.
Herewith, then, are the lights I look for and the signals I heed:
* Love God more than you fear hell.
* Once a week, let a child take you on a walk.
* Make major decisions in a cemetery.
* When no one is watching, live as if someone is.
* Succeed at home first.
* Don't spend tomorrow's money today.
* Pray twice as much as you fret.
* Listen twice as much as you speak.
* Only harbor a grudge when God does.
* Never outgrow your love of sunsets.
* Treat people like angels; you will meet some and help make some.
* 'Tis wiser to err on the side of generosity than on the side of scrutiny.
* God has forgiven you; you'd be wise to do the same.
* When you can't trace God's hand, trust his heart.
* Toot your own horn and the notes will be flat.
* Don't feel guilty for God's goodness.
* The book of life is lived in chapters, so know your page number.
* Never let the important be the victim of the trivial.
* Live your liturgy.
To sum it all up:
Approach life like a voyage on a schooner. Enjoy the view. Explore the vessel. Make friends with the captain. Fish a little. And then get off when you get home. From: "In The Eye of the Storm," copyright W Publishing, 1991 Max Lucado
THE JOY OF MONEY?
"The wife of the lottery winner who took home the richest undivided jackpot in U.S. history says she regrets his purchase of the $314 million ticket that has thrust her family into the public spotlight," according to a Dec. 14 Associated Press article. "I wish all of this never would have happened," Jewel Whittaker told The Charleston Gazette. "I wish I would have torn the ticket up." Since winning the lottery two years ago, her husband, Jack Whittaker, has been arrested twice for drunken driving and has been ordered into rehab. He also faces charges he attacked a bar manager, and is accused in two lawsuits of making trouble at a nightclub and a racetrack. . . . Whittaker took his winnings in a lump sum of $113 million after taxes."
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6712081/
FROM DEATHBED TO MINISTERY
Several years ago Greg Outlaw lay in bed deathly ill. His routine consisted of administering nutritional fluids and pain-killing drugs intravenously as doctors predicted that his alcohol-damaged body would probably give in within four years. Outlaw broke up his deathbed rigors by reading the Bible daily. His simple and consistent steps of faith led to what he terms 'the end of a 19-year prodigal experience' and the beginning of an Internet ministry, that has reached thousands worldwide.
VERSE TO PONDER
"Our people must learn to help all who need their assistance, that their lives will be fruitful." Titus 3:14 (LB)
CONSIDER
"The ultimate test of a man's conscience may be his willingness to sacrifice something today for future generations whose words of thanks will not be heard." Gaylord Nelson
REFLECTIONS FROM THE BATTLEFIELD
by Robert Brick
EDITORS' NOTE: A Navy JAG officer in Iraq, whose name here has been changed to Robert Brick for security reasons, wrote the following e-mail to his Southern Baptist pastor, family, and friends, relayed to Baptist Press courtesy of the Florida Baptist Witness.
BAGHDAD, Iraq (BP) - "As I look back on my first six weeks in this war zone, I believe that the Lord has changed me more than He has used me to minister to others. It's similar to a foreign missions trip where we Americans often leave with the purest intentions of making a difference in the lives of others, only to realize that it is often ourselves who are changed the most by the experience.
"I've thought a lot about the last sermon I heard before I left. It was titled, "When Storms Come Our Way." My pastor began by pointing out that the storms of life serve to remind us that we can depend on God (Psalm 139:5-12). He preached that in responding to life's storms, we need to trust in the Lord (Proverbs 3:5-6), release our grief (Matthew 5:4), receive help from others (Galatians 6:2), refuse to be bitter (Job 21:25), remember what's important (1 Timothy 6:7), and rely on Christ (Psalm 125:1 and 2 Corinthians 1:9-10).
"Release your grief. As I read Psalm 6:6, I feel David's anguish and I can relate: "I am worn out from groaning; all night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears." That is a man exhausted from battle, separated from his family and totally dependent on God. I knew I would miss my wife (we celebrated our second anniversary last week) and daughter, but I had no idea it would be this painful. I knew I was coming to war, but I had no idea how draining it can be to live in constant danger of enemy attack and to watch people all around you die....
"...And, so, sitting here at Camp Victory in Iraq, the Lord is again teaching me total reliance on Him and reminding me of what is important in life...."
Read this letter in full at
http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=19900
CONSIDER
"We shall steer safely through every storm, so long as our heart is right, our intention fervent, our courage steadfast, and our trust fixed on God." St. Francis de Sale
VERSE TO PONDER
"If you feed those who are hungry and take care of the needs of those who are troubled, then your light will shine in the darkness, and you will be bright like sunshine at noon." Isaiah 58:10 (NCV)
THIS WEEK'S HYMN: GRACIOUS GOD, MY HEART RENEW
Words: Paraphrase of Psalm 51; author unknown.
Music: John B. Dykes (1823-1876)
Gracious God, my heart renew,
Make my spirit right and true;
Cast me not away from Thee,
Let Thy Spirit dwell in me;
Thy salvation's joy impart,
Steadfast make my willing heart.
Sinners then shall learn from me
And return, O God, to Thee;
Savior, all my guilt remove,
And my tongue shall sing Thy love;
Touch my silent lips, O Lord,
And my mouth shall praise accord.
Not the formal sacrifice
Has acceptance in Thine eyes;
Broken hearts are in Thy sight
More than sacrificial rite;
Contrite spirit, pleading cries,
Thou, O God, will not despise.
Prosper Zion in Thy grace
And her broken walls replace:
Then our righteous sacrifice
Shall delight Thy holy eyes;
Free-will offerings, gladly made,
On Thine altar shall be laid.
>from CyberHymnal at
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/g/g/ggmhrenw.htm
GOD FAQ
Question 4: How does it appear that the Scriptures are the Word of God?
Answer: The Scriptures manifest themselves to be the Word of God, by their majesty and purity; by the consent of all the parts, and the scope of the whole, which is to give all glory to God; by their light and power to convince and convert sinners, to comfort and build up believers unto salvation: but the Spirit of God bearing witness by and with the Scriptures in the heart of man, is alone able fully to persuade it that they are the very Word of God.
http://www.shortercatechism.com/
ON PRAYER
"Knowing that intercessory prayer is our mightiest weapon and supreme call for Christians today, I pleadingly urge our people everywhere to pray...Let there be prayer at sun-up, at noon day, at sundown, at midnight, all through the day. Let us all pray for our children, our youth, our aged, our pastors, our homes. Let us pray for our churches. Let us pray for ourselves, that we may not lose the word, 'concern' for those who have never known Jesus Christ and redeeming love, for moral forces everywhere, for our national leaders. Let prayer be our passion. Let prayer be our practice." General Robert E. Lee, Commander of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia
PRAY FOR A COUNTRY TODAY
http://www.gmi.org/ow/index.html
DAILY BLESSING PACT
Use the following
list as your daily prayer guide. Think of a brother or situation that applies
and lift them up in prayer.
I am agreeing in
prayer with you for God’s blessings to overtake you!
PERSONAL
Marital harmony
Family unity
Children saved
Faithful pastor
Spirit-filled church
Real friendships
Relatives redeemed
Educational benefits
Recreational time
Fulfilling career
Favor with God and
man
Be in God’s will
FINANCIAL
Better Jobs
Raises or bonuses
Benefits
Sales &
commissions
Settlements
Estates &
inheritances
Investment increase
Rebates &
returns
Checks in the mail
Gifts &
surprises
Money to be found
Bills decrease while
blessings increase
"And all
these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken
unto the voice of the Lord thy God" (Deut. 28:2).
PRAY FOR THESE BROTHERS
* Minister Aaron Royster, Jr.
* Bro. Paul Burton
* Bro. Darnell Kennedy
* Pastor Leonard Royster
* Bro. Arthur Carr
* Minister Corey “Keyz” Martin
* Apostle Meredeth Shackleford
* Bro. Byron Hayes
* Minister Frank Coleman
* Bishop Chester McLaurin
[As you travel on business or vacation, let me know if you'd like the church guys to pray for your safety and spiritual effectiveness. I'll add your name to the list for the time you'll be away.]
CLASSIFIEDS
Are you looking for something or do you have something to sell? Let me know and I'll put it in this newsletter.
SHARE YOUR FAVORITE WEBSITES
Tell us what sites you find enjoyable and why.
Internet Evangelism Conference
Best Space Images of 2004
http://www.space.com/bestimg/bestimg.php
All links to Websites are provided as a service, and do not imply endorsement by our church.
(BTW: whenever the URLs in this newsletter are too long to turn into links on your e-mail program, just copy the entire URL (two lines or more) and paste it into a temporary email message. Then delete the return in the middle of it and copy it again. Then paste it into your web browser and hit enter.)
Did you ever notice: The Roman Numerals for forty (40) are "XL"?
(http://www.novaroma.org/via_romana/numbers.html)
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MSM CONNECTIONS is a periodic newsletter of
announcements, news, recommendations, articles, and other information helpful
to men in our spiritual growth. Thanks for welcoming MSM CONNECTIONS into
your in-box!
Who to contact:
Minister Frank Coleman, Men Servants Ministry Chairman,
773-410-1483,
Minister Arnold Whitehead, Men Servants Ministry
Vice-Chairman, 773-846-6090
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The mission of New Joy Divine
Full Gospel Church is to be a
Christ-centered, Bible based, Spirit guided church meeting the spiritual,
physical, and emotional needs of its members and the community it serves.
The Men Servants Ministry (MSM)
Team offers a variety of activities for men to interact with other men on our
journey of faith in Christ together. Large group, small group, and one-to-one
events encourage relationship building and spiritual strengthening that result
in maximizing the potential we all have in Christ. Contact Min. Frank Coleman,
773-410-1483, [email protected]
if you'd like to participate in a men's discipleship program.
New Joy Divine Full Gospel Church is located at 7625 S.
Halsted St. Chicago, IL 60620.
Tel: 773-224-5683. Founded & Pastored by Apostle
Aaron L. Royster & Prophetess Mable L. Royster.
Visit our website at: http://www.newjoydivine.org/
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