"Be an example to all believers in what you teach, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity."  1 Timothy 4:12b (NLT)

     CONSIDER

"Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future."  Paul Boese

     THE ROAD TO NARNIA: HOW WE GOT HERE

by Dick Rolfe, Chairman - The Dove Foundation

"Families are waiting with great anticipation for Dec. 9th when the movie version of C.S. Lewis' worldwide bestseller, Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe will be released nationwide.  If this movie is successful, there are 6 more Narnia books waiting to be brought to life on the big screen...."  Read this article at

http://www.dove.org/news/uplink/hu0511.htm

     'NARNIA' IS AMAZING (MOVIE REVIEW)

"Director Andrew Adamson ("Shrek," "Shrek 2") and his screenwriters have constructed a well-told good-vs.-evil parable that is enhanced by computer-generated effects rather than overshadowed by them.  The atmosphere and look of the production are reminiscent of the magic good old Walt himself brought to his best productions.  There's an optimism hovering around every allusion and parallel the adolescent leads face.  What's more, this Wardrobe fits adults as well as kids...."  Read this review at

http://www.bpnews.net/bpcolumn.asp?ID=2074

Also see

http://adisney.go.com/disneypictures/narnia/index.html

http://www.christianitytoday.com/movies/special/narnia.html

http://www.narniafans.com/

http://www.zonderkidz.com/search.asp?Criteria=narnia

And take the Narnia quiz at

http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/s05110159.htm

     JESUS OUR MODEL

"We see Jesus exalting love for neighbor along with love for God.  He reaches out to foreigners who are beyond the borders of the "Israel of God."  He seeks the release of captives, prisoners, and slaves.  He denounces the scribes and religious leaders who "devour the houses of widows."  Despite his well-known requirement of loyalty that surpasses family ties, he insists that a man put the care of his own parents ahead of his obligations to his religion.  His treatment of women is radically opposed to the strictures of that day.  He exhibits sympathy and understanding toward children.  He operates an out-patient clinic wherever he happens to be.  He insists upon justice as the basis for everyday dealings between citizens.  The social teaching of parables like "the good Samaritan" and incidents such as the encounter with the rich young ruler have had an effect upon his followers that cannot easily be measured.  If one summary statement of Jesus' ethics can be made, it is that love of God is best shown by love of fellow men."  Sherwood Eliot Wirt, The Social Conscience of the Evangelical [1968]

     GOD COME TO EARTH

In a recent edition of Dallas Seminary's Daily Devotional (9-28-05), Chuck Swindoll writes, "There are 1,130 frostbitten miles, mountain ranges, blizzards, hungry beasts, and frozen seas between Anchorage and Nome.  This awful trek is the scene of the ultimate endurance test known as the Iditarod Sled Dog Race, where twelve huskies pull a sled and its driver through the most grueling, inhuman conditions one can fathom.  The most frequent champion of recent years is a woman named Susan Butcher, whose tough-minded fixation on winning earned her the nickname Ayatollah Butcher.

"The secret, she will tell you, is her own mind-set and the training of those dogs, which gives new meaning to the word 'serious.'  Her 150-dog kennel is a thing to behold.  Shortly after each pup's birth, while it is still blind, she holds it in her hands and breathes her breath into its nose.  That way, she claims, each one will associate her smell with comfort and encouragement.  The rapport begins with that breathing-into-the-nose routine. She personally feeds, trains, massages, and -- on a rotation basis -- sleeps with each dog.  She personally nurses them to health when they are injured.  She is infinitely patient with them, talks to them, believes in them, even sings to them (old folk songs by Bob Dylan and Joan Baez, plus a few Irish lullabies).  The objective?  To bond with them. It pays.  They have saved her life on the trail more than once.  Back in 1979, she led her dog team to the 20,320-foot summit of Mount McKinley.  It took 44 days.

"What a woman!  One reporter described her as having 'a stiff spine . . . a stubborn mind-set,' which is what is needed to endure moose attacks, blizzards so severe that one time for 5 hours she couldn't see the lead dog, and a sudden plunge into icy water (Granite and Maddie, the mushers, pulled her out).

"The Christian life isn't an 11-day race.  It's a lifetime journey full of more dangers and pitfalls than a hundred Iditarods.  So it's foolish to think we can enter it half-heartedly or sustain it easily.  To survive it calls for help from above and toughness from within.  If Susan Butcher is willing to give that kind of effort to win a race that is incredible in the eyes of the world, seems to me we should be capable of conquering the marathon from earth to heaven."

     WARREN, HYBELS URGE CHURCHES TO WAGE 'WAR ON AIDS'

This article describes the recent historic Disturbing Voices HIV/AIDS Conference at Saddleback Church in California.

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2005/149/12.0.html

     OUR DECLARATION

"Today I am stepping across the line.  I'm tired of waffling and I'm finished with wavering, I've made my choice, the verdict is in, and my decision is irrevocable.  I'm going God's way.  There's no turning back now!  I will live the rest of my life serving God's purposes with God's people on God's planet for God's glory.  I will use my life to celebrate his presence, cultivate his character, participate in his family, demonstrate his love, and communicate his Word...."  Read this in full at

http://www.purposedriven.com/en-US/AboutUs/PD_declaration.htm

     GET ">TO THE POINT"

http://ifc.gospelcom.net/spiritual_growth/1637/

     NOW SHOWING: GOD

Once, New York was home to magnificent temples devoted to film.  Today, some of these places have embarked on a new, more spiritual and arguably far grander mission.  74 of New York's decommissioned movie theaters are enjoying a fruitful afterlife as churches.  Read it and see the slide show at

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/04/nyregion/thecity/04god.html

     CREATE A KEEPSAKE BIBLE FOR YOUR CHILDREN

"In recent years it's become increasingly important to me to find meaningful keepsakes to give to my own children.  I don't have special jewelry, and I can't think of anything in my house that anyone would want.  But I remember seeing a Bible at my friend Peggie's house that she said she was reading "for a grandchild."  I flipped through its pages and noticed handwritten notes in the margins.  Peggie's love for that grandchild was written all over that Bible.  Peggie said that while her friends were making quilts and creating needlepoint mementos for their grandchildren, she couldn't think of anything comparable that she was capable of doing.  "I wasn't good at any of those things," Peggie said, "but I love to read God's Word, and that's when I got the idea to read a Bible for my children and grandchildren...."  Read this article at

http://www.christianitytoday.com/cpt/2005/004/6.44.html

     FAITH, FAMILY, FUN, AND FUDGE

Visit "A Search for the Meaning of Christmas," a family-friendly website, to read Christmas classics (literature, poetry, a collection of letters); find also Christmas traditions, and children's links and foods.  And at PurposeDrivenLife.com, enjoy the article "Putting the Purpose Back in Christmas" by John Fischer.  If you're in the mood for fudge, go to Chocoholic's Paradise.

http://techdirect.com/christmas/lit.html

http://www.purposedrivenlife.com/articles/christmas.aspx

http://www.geocities.com/georgiamom7/Fudge2.html

     ST. NICHOLAS HELPS KIDS LEARN THE TRUTH ABOUT SANTA CLAUS

The St. Nicholas Center wants to help your children learn about the real "St Nicholas, lover of the poor and patron saint to children, a model of how Christians are meant to live."  Find background information, traditions around the world and how-to-celebrate resources for families, churches and schools.  Kids will enjoy a fun place for kids with games, stories, coloring, crafts, puzzles and more.  Bring the whole family to gain a deeper perspective and respect for the real St. Nick!

http://www.stnicholascenter.org

     VERSE TO PONDER

"Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever."  Daniel 12:3

     CONSIDER

"Remember that no time spent with children is ever wasted."

     A BLESSING FOR YOU AS WE APPROACH 2006

Great ideas: May you receive fresh insight to meet the challenges of each day and discover creative solutions to your problems. (1 Kings 4:29; Proverbs 2:6; Daniel 5:12)

http://www.navpress.com/Assets/PDF/Product/Sample/1576839494.pdf

Blessings for Your New Year cards (ISBN #1576839494, in packs of 50) are available by calling 1-800-366-7788 or online at http://www.praymag.com

     LEADERSHIP TIPS (BUSINESS, FAMILY, LIFE)

What's the difference between managing and leading?  A leader's number one responsibility is to continually clarify and communicate vision.  You can't lead without a vision.  Read this article at

http://www.pastors.com/rwmt/default.asp?id=218&artid=4277&expand=1

     STUDY SAYS WINE NOT BENEFICIAL

A new study says any health benefit from wine consumption is "very small" and likely is outweighed by the risks involved in drinking alcohol, CNN.com reported Dec. 2.  Studies during the 1970s and 1980s said that "small to moderate" wine consumption might protect against coronary artery disease, the report in the medical journal The Lancet says.  But those studies were based on "confused research," according to the newer study.  "Do not assume there is a window in which the health benefits of alcohol are greater than the harms -- there is probably no free lunch," the study says, according to CNN.com.  Ironically, alcoholics are the only group where alcohol consumption can provide protection against heart attacks.  "While moderate to heavy drinking is probably coronary-protective, any benefit will be overwhelmed by the known harms," the study says.

     FREE EMAIL DEVOTIONALS FOR PERSONS LIVING WITH CHRONIC ILLNESS

Are you living with chronic illness or pain, facing daily discouragement and despair?  Rest Ministries, Inc., provides a free daily devotional each morning to encourage Christians living with chronic conditions.

http://www.restministries.org/pro-devotion.htm

     PHISHING: A WORD OF WARNING

"'Phishing' is the sending of fake emails purporting to come from banks and other companies, asking you to 'verify' your personal details including passwords, bank and credit card details, etc."  So reports Tony Whitakker, creator of the Web Evangelism Bulletin [1].  He further comments, "The most convincing of these fake messages are those apparently from Amazon, Paypal, and Ebay....They'll ask you to click on a certain link in the email, the URL of which sounds like a genuine one. However, if you mouse-hover that URL, you will see that the real URL it takes you to is something else entirely, and is NOT a secure 'https' URL either....Be aware of this constant danger.  Only ever log in to any online commercial undertaking through the known URL stored in your browser bookmarks or wherever.  Never click through from an email.  And no genuine company will need you to 'verify' anything.  They already have your details.  See Webopedia and this FTC alert for more."

http://guide.gospelcom.net/

http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/p/phishing.html

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/alerts/phishingalrt.htm

     GANDHI'S SEVEN DEADLY SOCIAL SINS

Politics without Principle.

Wealth without work.

Commerce without morality.

Pleasure without Conscience.

Education without Character.

Science without Humanity.

Worship without Sacrifice.

 --Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869-1948)

     CONSIDER

"No heart can conceive that treasury of mercies which lies in this one privilege, in having liberty and ability to approach unto God at all times, according to His mind and will."  John Owen (1616-1683)

     VERSE TO PONDER

"I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope."  Psalm 130:5

     THIS WEEK'S HYMN: CHILD IN THE MANGER

Words: Mary M. Macdonald (1789-1872)

Music: traditional Gaelic melody

Child in the manger, Infant of Mary,

Outcast and Stranger, Lord of all,

Child Who inherits all our transgressions,

All our demerits on Him fall.

Once the most holy Child of salvation

Gently and lowly lived below.

Now as our glorious mighty Redeemer,

See Him victorious o'er each foe.

Prophets foretold Him, Infant of wonder;

Angels behold Him on His throne.

Worthy our Savior of all our praises;

Happy forever are His own.

>from CyberHymnal at

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/c/h/childman.htm

     GOD FAQ

Question 50: Wherein consisted Christ's humiliation after his death?

Answer: Christ's humiliation after his death consisted in his being buried, and continuing in the state of the dead, and under the power of death till the third day; which has been otherwise expressed in these words, he descended into hell.

http://www.shortercatechism.com/

     ON PRAYER

"God has of his own motion placed himself under the law of prayer, and has obligated himself to answer the prayers of men.  He has ordained prayer as a means whereby he will do things through men as they pray, which he would not otherwise do.  If prayer puts God to work on earth, then, by the same token, prayerlessness rules God out of the world's affairs, and prevents him from working.  The driving power, the conquering force in God's cause is God himself.  'Call on me and I will answer thee and who thee great and mighty things which though knowest not,' is God's challenge to prayer.  Prayer puts God in full force into God's work." E.M. Bounds, "The Weapon of Prayer"

     PRAY FOR PERSECUTED CHRISTIANS TODAY

http://christiansincrisis.net/

     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).

[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.

INTERNATIONAL LINKS THAT OFFER A DIFFERENT SLANT ON THE NEWS

Islamic Republic News Agency

http://www.irna.com/en/head/index.shtml

Pakistan News Service

http://www.paknews.com

The Times (UK)

http://www.timesonline.co.uk

The Guardian (UK)

http://www.guardian.co.uk

The Daily Mirror (UK)

http://www.mirror.co.uk

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.)

The grace of God is the mending glue for broken hearts.

Min. Frank Coleman, Editor

[email protected]

===== /\ =====

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

===== /\ =====

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/

===== /\ =====

To subscribe to MSM CONNECTIONS, send a message to [email protected] with "subscribe MSM" in the subject line.

To unsubscribe, send a message to [email protected] with "unsubscribe MSM" in the subject line.

THANK YOU FOR READING

MAKE IT A GREAT WEEK!

It is my prayer that, “the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,” Ephesians 1:18

© 2004, 2005 Frank Coleman