MSM CONNECTIONS

For the week of 03/06/05

The Men’s Ministry e-mail newsletter of

New Joy Divine Full Gospel Church

Our mission: Our mission is to lead men to

Jesus Christ and provide opportunity for

Christian men to grow in their faith

and minister to others.

newjoydivine.org

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MSM CONNECTIONS is the opt-in newsletter for the men of New Joy Divine Full Gospel Church. It's a periodic service that helps connect you with God and with other men at NJD. If you'd like its delivery to your email address stopped, scroll down and follow the instructions at the end of this message. Also let me know if you change your email address and want to keep subscribing to MSM CONNECTIONS.

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"But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you." Psalm 5:11 (NIV)

CONSIDER

"Action springs not from thought, but from a readiness for responsibility." Dietrich Bonhoeffer

LEARNING ABOUT LENT

"The Voice," Internet website of the Christian Resource Institute and CRI/Voice, presents The Season of Lent, an in-depth article that explains traditional Christian events associated with the Lenten season -- Carnival/Mardi Gras, Ash Wednesday, Reflections on Lent and more. Related pages include daily readings for Lent and specifically for Holy Week, and includes The Easter Season, a similar page of information and resources. These companion websites are excellent and educational "finds" for seekers and believers.

http://www.cresourcei.org/cylent.html

http://www.cresourcei.org/cyeaster.html

PROMISE KEEPERS STILL TRANSFORMING MEN

Peter Wooding of UBC Europe recently spoke with Tom Fortson, President and CEO of Promise Keepers at the NRB 2005 Convention in Anaheim, CA to find out more about his role and the mission of the organization. Fortson has been with Promise Keepers for 10 years, and has served as president and CEO for the past year and a half. He said, "Our vision is 'men transformed worldwide.' And by 'transformed,' we mean bringing men into an encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ. We have seven promises that we want men to keep: We encourage men to be strong husbands and fathers; we encourage men to be strong leaders in their church; we encourage men to reach beyond racial and ethnic barriers to demonstrate biblical unity; and we want men to be strong, ethical leaders in the business world. So there's seven promises that we believe capture what it is to be a man of God. I think whenever you're dealing with men, you're dealing with issues. Men need to come together to recognize it's all right to be a man. Today men are confused over masculinity. Men are spiritually searching. Men are emotionally isolated. You find few men who are friends with other men, so I think whenever you have these kinds of needs, I think you're going find men who want to rally and get with other men," said Fortson.

One of the latest initiatives for the organization is that they are beginning to focus on the business community. "As you know, there have been a number of corporations in America that have had issues with ethics, leaders that have just fallen, in terms of ethical issues, (and) business practices. That is just the tip of the iceberg. I think there are a lot of smaller companies that are having financial difficulties, just are on the verge of violating good business practices, so we feel that Promise Keepers needs to move into that business community. There are a lot of unethical practices (happening in the business world and those kinds of issues fall within one of our promises, which deals with ethic -- men being strong leaders when it comes to ethics," said Fortson.

Fortson encouraged men everywhere to work together in their efforts. "The key to future work of this nature is collaboration. In the past, too many organizations have tried to "go it alone." They did not share their vision, they did not share their plan, and so there's been duplication. There have also been other efforts where if there had been more collaboration and more teamwork, I believe that the work would have been more effective, so I think the key to future work is collaboration," he said.

http://www.promisekeepers.org

FLEX YOUR MUSCLE!

"There is nothing capricious about religion. We do not get the soul in different ways, under different laws, from those in which we get the body and the mind. If a man does not exercise his arm, he develops no biceps muscles and if a man does not exercise his soul, he acquires no muscle in his soul, no strength of character, no vigor of moral fibre, nor beauty of spiritual growth. Love is not a thing of enthusiastic emotion. It is a rich, strong, manly, vigorous expression of the whole round Christian character -- the Christ-like nature in its fullest development. And the constituents of this great character are only to be built up by ceaseless practice." Henry Drummond (1851-1897), "The Greatest Thing in the World" [1892]

MARCH EVENTS

March 5 - Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race began (Anchorage, AK)

http://www.iditarod.com/

March 15-April 4 - Men's NCAA Division I Basketball Championship

http://www.ncaasports.com/basketball/mens

March 17 - St. Patrick's Day

MARCH AND YOUR HEALTH

National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

http://www.preventcancer.org/colorectal/

National Nutrition Month (Healthy Tips for Eating on the Run)

http://www.eatright.org/Public/

Save Your Vision Month

http://www.aoa.org/commcenter/save.asp

National Multiple Sclerosis Education and Awareness Month

http://www.msfocus.org/programs_events/prog_edumth_2005.html

BASIC BIBLE DOCTRINE

II. The Humanity of Christ

A. He had human intellect. His wisdom "increased" humanly (Luke 2:40,52).

B. He had human emotions.

1. Love (Matt.9:36; John 11:36).

2. Grief (John 11:35; Matt.26:38).

C. He had human will.

1. He desired not to suffer (Matt.26:39).

2. He determined to go to Jerusalem to suffer obediently (Luke 9:51).

D. He had a human body.

1. He was born physically (Matt.1:18; Luke 2:7).

2. He developed as humans do (Luke 2:40,52).

3. He had human needs.

a. Food (Matt.4:2)

b. Drink (John 19:28)

c. Sleep (John 4:6)

E. He is called a man.

1. By Himself (Luke 19:10)

2. By others (1 Tim.2:5)

http://www.bible.org/page.asp?page_id=540

BOY SCOUT OATH, LAW, MOTTO, AND SLOGAN

SCOUT OATH (OR PROMISE):

On my honor I will do my best

To do my duty to God and my country

and to obey the Scout Law;

To help other people at all times;

To keep myself physically strong,

mentally awake, and morally straight.

SCOUT LAW:

Trustworthy - A Scout tells the truth. He keeps his promises. Honesty is part of his code of conduct. People can depend on him.

Loyal - A Scout is true to his family, Scout leaders, friends, school, and nation.

Helpful - A Scout is concerned about other people. He does things willingly for others without pay or reward.

Friendly - A Scout is a friend to all. He is a brother to other Scouts. He seeks to understand others. He respects those with ideas and customs other than his own.

Courteous - A Scout is polite to everyone regardless of age or position. He knows good manners make it easier for people to get along together.

Kind - A Scout understands there is strength in being gentle. He treats others as he wants to be treated. He does not hurt or kill harmless things without reason.

Obedient - A Scout follows the rules of his family, school, and troop. He obeys the laws of his community and country. If he thinks these rules and laws are unfair, he tries to have them changed in an orderly manner rather than disobey them.

Cheerful - A Scout looks for the bright side of things. He cheerfully does tasks that come his way. He tries to make others happy.

Thrifty - A Scout works to pay his way and to help others. He saves for unforeseen needs. He protects and conserves natural resources. He carefully uses time and property.

Brave - A Scout can face danger even if he is afraid. He has the courage to stand for what he thinks is right even if others laugh at or threaten him.

Clean - A Scout keeps his body and mind fit and clean. He goes around with those who believe in living by these same ideals. He helps keep his home and community clean.

Reverent - A Scout is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties. He respects the beliefs of others.

SCOUT MOTTO: Be Prepared

SCOUT SLOGAN: Do a Good Turn Daily

http://www.scouting.org/factsheets/02-503a.html

LEADERSHIP TIPS (BUSINESS, FAMILY, LIFE)

People follow a leader who has a dream of a desirable objective. The Law of Dreams challenges the leader to direct followers to a desirable objective. When people buy into a leader's dreams, they buy into his/her leadership.

http://www.leaderlinks.com/feature20050303.htm

DEVELOPING FAITH IN THE WORKPLACE

Faith in the Workplace[1], a ChristianityToday.com channel, provides inspiration and advice for Christians in the marketplace. Sponsored by Regent University School of Business[2], it addresses "Living Your Faith at Work," "Leadership and Management" and "Personal Development." Devotionals include articles from Men of Integrity[3], and features A Leader Like That[4] from Randy Kilgore's Marketplace Moments[5], and other devotionals by Os Hillman (Marketplace Leaders[6]). A free newsletter is available, along with translations into French, German, Spanish and more.

[1] http://www.christianitytoday.com/workplace/

[2] http://www.regent.edu/acad/schbus/

[3] http://www.christianitytoday.com/men/

[4] http://www.christianitytoday.com/workplace/articles/devo-leaderlikethat.html

[5] http://www.imakenews.com/eletra/mod_archive_view.cfm?u=marketplace

[6] http://marketplaceleaders.org/

PARENTS DESCRIBE HOW THEY RAISE THEIR CHILDREN

Parenting is a controversial and complicated issue. George Barna's latest survey examines some of the key elements on which parents focus. The research describes the most crucial outcomes parents are striving to help their children achieve, the most important qualities parents feel they must have to be effective, and some of the tradeoffs they make in their parenting efforts. The role of the family's faith commitments is also explored to discern their impact on the parenting process.

http://www.barna.org

PRAY FOR THE IRISH

IRELAND (ANS) -- "There are few days in the calendar that are marked with worldwide celebration, nostalgia, and party atmosphere. St. Patrick's Day, March 17, celebrating the patron saint of Ireland has become one of those days," says Richard Treacy. "This can also be a day when many reflect on what it means to be 'Irish'! Those who live far away from the Emerald Isle or whose ancestors came from her shores, use this day as a day to feel connected again to Ireland but also to the Irish family living all over the world."

Treacy's website offers an opportunity to stop and reflect on the life of Ireland's patron saint and what he stood for. It calls for all those who love Ireland to pray for that country and its people on March 17.

http://www.PrayOnStPatricksDay.com

VERSE TO PONDER

"Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble." Psalm 119:165 (NIV)

CONSIDER

"Snowflakes are one of nature's most fragile things, but just look what they can do when they stick together." Vesta M. Kelly

ARE YOU A STINGY BOSS?

by Larry Burkett

Many people believe that because of vanishing manufacturing jobs, America has turned into a land of underpaid store clerks and fast-food cooks. When examining Americans' financial condition, poor planning and overspending must be taken into account. For example, a survey by Merrill Lynch & Co. showed that baby boomers earning $100,000 (not exactly poverty wages) only save 31% of the money they need for retirement. And, the average middle-aged American has just $2,600 in net financial assets.

Still, as a financial counselor I have met with many poorly paid individuals -- many of whom worked for Christian employers. While bad judgment affected some of these situations, I often encountered cases where I could not stretch the person's available income to meet their families' basic needs. They were definitely paid too little....

Read this in full at

http://www.newmanmag.com/article.php?sid=579&mode=thread&order=0

CONSIDER

"We must use time wisely and forever realize that the time is always ripe to do right." Nelson Mandela

VERSE TO PONDER

"My God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19 (NIV)

THIS WEEK'S HYMN: THE BELLS OF EASTER

Words: B. H. Winslow, 1903

Music: Margaret Coote Browne

The bells of Easter sweetly peal:

"Christ is risen! Christ is risen!"

They chime the hope He doth reveal,

This joyful Easter day.

The Lord of Life hath gone on high;

Christ is risen! Christ is risen!

"Rejoice," with swelling notes they cry!

"Rejoice, rejoice!" they say.

Refrain

Shines the glorious heav'nly portal!

Angel songs we almost hear!

O the joy of life immortal.

When in glory we appear.

O the joy of life immortal.

When in glory we appear.

The shining Easter angels say:

"Christ is risen! Christ is risen!

Come, see the place where Jesus lay,

He's ris'n: He is not here.

No longer held in death's embrace;

Christ is risen! Christ is risen!

Ye shall behold Him face to face,

In glory to appear."

Refrain

Repeat the tidings far and wide!

"Christ is risen! Christ is risen!"

No longer Christ the crucified,

But Christ the mighty King.

For us exalted evermore;

Christ is risen! Christ is risen!

While the heav'nly hosts our Lord adore,

Let all creation sing!

Refrain

>from CyberHymnal at

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/b/e/bellseas.htm

GOD FAQ

Question 10: What are the personal properties of the three persons in the Godhead?

Answer: It is proper to the Father to beget the Son, and to the Son to be begotten of the Father, and to the Holy Ghost to proceed from the Father and the Son from all eternity.

http://www.shortercatechism.com/

A PLAN FOR BLESSING THE WHOLE WORLD

by Rick Warren

America has been blessed by God. That's wonderful -- but with blessing comes responsibility. If we've been blessed more than the rest of the world, then doesn't it stand to reason that God would want us to share what we have and care about the rest of the world? Through the 80s and 90s, God blessed Kay and me as the ministry at Saddleback became a local blessing and then a national blessing. Now, in a new century, we're seeing God expand our vision to being a global blessing. It's time to bless the whole world -- and we have a plan for taking the blessings God has given us and sharing them with the world....

http://www.pastors.com/rwmt/default.asp?id=196&artid=8009&expand=1

ON PRAYER

"From birth we have been learning the rules of self-reliance as we strain and struggle to achieve self-sufficiency. Prayer flies in the face of those deep-seated values. It is an assault on human autonomy, an indictment of independent living. To people in the fast lane, determined to make it on their own, prayer is an embarrassing interruption." Bill Hybels, author and Senior Pastor of Willow Creek Community Church

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

* Pastor Alan Roundtree

* Apostle Meredeth Shackleford

* Minister Frank Coleman

* Bishop Chester McLaurin

* Bro. Fred Simms

* Minister Maurice Collier

* Bro. Danielle Metcalf

* Min Lamont Smith

* Bro. Travis Collins

* Bro. Carl Modica

* Bro. Michael St. James

[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.

Christian Real Estate Network

http://www.hismove.com/

The Bottom of the Sea

http://www.ferryhalim.com/orisinal/g3/sea.htm

Resources for Sunday School teachers

- posted by Peggie Bohanon

http://www.ChristianWebSite.com/

http://www.ebibleteacher.com/children/

http://www.sundayschoolresources.com/

“Teaching Minds/Changing Hearts” is a theology and Bible study website

http://www.tmch.net/

http://www.tmch.net/forFaith.htm

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.)

Let God startle you with his love and truth.

Min. Frank Coleman, Editor

[email protected]

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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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