MERRY CHRISTMAS!

     VERSE TO PONDER

"The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity."  Proverbs 11:3 (NIV)

     CONSIDER

"Christmas is more than merely "merry."  Christmas is mighty.  Love and laughter, gifts and giving, trees and tinsel, holly and reindeer, carols and bells, pageantry and celestial music -- all of it -- I mean A-L-L of it -- has an inherent potential for mightiness.  The qualifying factor is the presence of the Holy Spirit.  When He is present, all the accouterments of Christmas have a tender power that can bless, strengthen, heal, restore, and bring entry into God's broad blessing of salvation.  When He is absent, carols ring hollow. Greetings, wishes, and smiles lie on the surface, like glitter glued on a flat card.  Lights and decorations are only so much window dressing.  But where the Holy Spirit is, there is power.  Come . . . and Behold Him!"  Jack Hayford

     SEEING CHRIST INCOGNITO

by Paul Thigpen

"When I was a child, the story of Jesus' birth sometimes left me a bit sad.  I was glad to know the Lord was born, but the circumstances of His coming seemed cruel.  I fretted about the noise and dirt and cold of the stable, and the rejection Mary and Joseph must have felt in being turned away from so many places.  I wished I could have been there to help in some way.  With typical childish confidence, I thought, even someone my age could have given up his own bedroom for the night, or brought some blankets, or kept the animals quiet.  Only years later did I realize that if I'd been there, I might well have been as selfish and unconcerned as everyone else in Bethlehem that night.  But at the same time I grew to recognize that ever since that first Nativity, the needs of Christ continue.  Even today, I have a chance to ease His suffering...."  Read this in full at

http://www.navpress.com/EPubs/DisplayArticle/1/1.48.11.html?aCode=NL81205

     REVIEW OF THE POLAR EXPRESS

Michael Karounos (Christian Spotlight), who describes the film as "darkly mysterious and faintly menacing," sees a Christian allegory in the three guides on the childrens' journey in the wonderful movie, The Polar Express: "The children learn what their peculiar faults are and how they must overcome them.  In this sense, it bears a strong likeness to the "Wizard of Oz" in that it has four characters sharing a journey to a magic city where they receive the knowledge about themselves they were lacking.  Thematically, it's even more similar to John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress because of the underlying spiritual theme of belief....Santa is the Father figure who rewards belief, the ghost is the Holy Ghost who saves the boy's life, and the Conductor is the Christ-like figure through whom alone the children can go to Santa's city.  Seen in such a light, the movie is a striking Christian allegory of seeking God, finding faith, and earning redemption as a reward.  The Christian symbols will not be evident to non-believers, but they may give pleasure to believers...."

Read this review in full at

http://makeashorterlink.com/?D3A0219D9

     THE ART OF JOSEPH

View rich historical paintings of Joseph, Jesus' step-father.

http://www.time.com/time/photoessays/joseph_art/

     SING ALONG WITH HANDEL

by John Fischer

"Just like the multitude of choruses filled with average voices that will belt out Handels Messiah this year, God's grace is calling all of us the average and the not-so-average alike...."

http://www.pastors.com/rwmt/default.asp?id=236&artid=8946&expand=1

     1 CORINTHIANS 13 FOR CHRISTMAS

If I speak in the tongues of Christmas materialism and greed but have not love, I am only a tinny Christmas song or an out of tune choir.

If I have the gift of knowing what Aunt Agatha will give me this year and can even understand last year's present, and if I have the faith that I won't get yet more socks and ties this year but have not love, I am nothing.

If I clear out the house and give everything to charity and my credit cards are snapped in half but have not love, what can I possibly gain?

Love is patient when the fourth store you've tried doesn't have a bottle garden.

Love is kind and lets the couple with only a few items go in front of you and your bulging shopping cart.

Love does not envy your friend who gets mega-presents from everybody.

Love does not boast about the £400 bike, the Xbox 360, the TV, VCR, and computer your dad gave you.

Love does not attempt to out buy, out wrap, and out give the rest of the family just to impress.

Love doesn't cut Aunt Flo off your Christmas card list because she forgot you last year.

Love is not self-seeking and leaves a copy of your Christmas list in every room of the house.

Love is not easily angered when the young girl at the checkout takes forever because she is just temporary staff.

Love doesn't keep remembering how many times your mum forgets you don't like Brussels sprouts.

Love does not delight in the commercial bandwagon but rejoices with the truth of a baby born in the stable.

Love always protects the family from Christmas hype.

Love always trusts that the hiding places for presents will remain secret for another year.

Love always hopes that this year more neighbours will drop in to your open house coffee morning.

Love always perseveres until the cards are written, the presents all bought, the shopping done, and the Christmas cake iced.

Toys may break, socks wear thin but love never fails.

Where there is the feeling of the presents to guess their contents, and mum going on about being good so Father Christmas will come, and searching through the cupboards to find your hidden presents, they will all stop.

For we think we know what we are getting, and we hope we know what we are getting but when Christmas Day arrives all will be revealed.

When I was a child I talked with big wide-open eyes about Christmas, thought that Christmas was all about me, I reasoned that Jesus should have been born more often. When I became an adult, I forgot the joy, wonder, and excitement of this special time.

Now we just hear about the angels, shepherds, and wise men, then we shall see them all the time. Now I know as much as the Bible says about the first Christmas, then I shall know just how many wise men there were and where they came from.

Now three things remain to be done:

To have faith that the baby born in a stable is the Son of God.

To hope that the true message of Christmas will not get discarded with the wrapping paper and unwanted gifts.

And the most important to have a love for others like the one that God has for us.

Copyright 2001 Claire Jordan ([email protected]).  Permission is granted to send this to others, but not for commercial purposes.

http://www.mikeysFunnies.com

     TAKE THE CHRISTMAS TRIVIA QUIZ

http://www.bible-trivia.com/Christmas_test.html

     A BLESSING FOR YOU AS WE APPROACH 2006

New opportunities: May you constantly be presented with new and profitable ventures.  May you have foresight to recognize and take advantage of each opportunity. (Ecclesiastes 11:1-6; Ephesians 5:16)

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 www.praymag.com

     VERSE TO PONDER

"Give away your life and you'll find your life given back, but not merely given back  given back with bonus and blessing."  Luke 6:38 (MSG)

     LEADERSHIP TIPS (BUSINESS, FAMILY, LIFE)

John McCain on Character and Heroism

Interview by Dena Ross

In addition to representing his Arizona constituents on the Senate floor -- and pressing Congress to pass an anti-torture bill -- John McCain writes best-selling books.  His new one, "Character Is Destiny: Inspiring Stories Every Young Person Should Know and Every Adult Should Remember," comes after two memoirs and last year's inspirational "Why Courage Matters."  In his latest book, McCain profiles 34 people whose lives embody essential traits of good character, such as honesty, citizenship, faith, and loyalty.  His heroes and heroines range from historical figures like Sir Thomas More to Pat Tillman, the NFL player who enlisted in the Army and was killed in Afghanistan, to a kind prison guard at the North Vietnamese prison where he was a POW for more than five years.  He recently spoke to Beliefnet about God, heroism, torture, intelligent design, -- and why he'd like to dine with Leonardo da Vinci.... Read this at

http://makeashorterlink.com/?D2E552F4C

     MEGA-CHURCHES CLOSED FOR CHRISTMAS

This year Christmas falls on Sunday.  Most traditional churches will hold regular services that day, but some mega-churches -- those with more than 2,000 members -- have decided to cancel services in favor of a more non-traditional holiday observance.  Listen to this NPR report at

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5053846

     THE ROOTS OF CHRISTIANITY

In the obscure town of Bethlehem in the desolate province of Judea in the great empire of Rome, a baby was born in about 4 B.C. to a young woman named Mary and her fiancé, Joseph.  Although the infant's lineage is traced to Abraham and David in the first chapter of the Gospel of Matthew, there would have been little to suggest to the casual observer that this child was the promised Messiah, the King of kings and Lord of lords.  Yet his life, death, and resurrection are the central events of Christian history....  Read this in full at

http://www.christianitytoday.com/holidays/christmas/features/untous.html

     UNDERSTANDING THE CHRISTMAS STORY

"Augustus was the first Roman emperor, ruling from 31 BC until AD 14.  A census was conducted every fourteen years for military and taxation purposes, although Jews were exempt from military service.  Women had to pay a poll tax from the age of twelve, so Mary as well as Joseph had to register for the census...."  Read this in full at

http://www.christianitytoday.com/holidays/christmas/features/born.html

     TAKE A WHIRLWIND TOUR OF THE BIBLE

Whirlwind Bible Tours, a "whimsically humorous and brief overview of the Bible," lets you travel back in time to meet fascinating people and see unforgettable places of the Bible.  Travel stops include "Earth: The Early Years"; "My World's Fallen and I Can't Get Up"; "Moses: the Great Escape"; "War and Peace (Repeat)"; "Decline and Fall of the Israeli Empire" and "Jesus People: The Early Years." If you can't distinguish Jeremiah from Jehoshaphat, this light-hearted overview of Bible basics is for you!

http://www.pronetisp.net/~diana/wbt.htm

     VERSE TO PONDER

"I'm not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one."  John 17:15 (NLT)

     CONSIDER

"Many men and women today are prisoners to their appetite for lust ... They're doing what they want.  They're doing what feels good.  But the sad truth is that every bite of lust's delicacies only makes them more of a prisoner.  When we indulge in a life of sin and do whatever feels good, we're not free.  We're slaves to sin." Joshua Harris, Sex Is Not the Problem, Lust Is

http://www.pastors.com/article.asp?ArtID=8930

     RELIGIOUS VALUES DRIVE CLERGY'S CAR CHOICES

Religious values influence Americans' automotive decisions, according to a 1992 Economic Values Survey.  The study, the most current relevant information on the matter, found that almost half of all Evangelical Protestants are likely to think about which car represents their beliefs while just 41.3% of Catholics do so.  Read this in full at

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051214/AUTO03/512140307

     WHY GREAT MEN FALL AND HOW TO PREVENT YOURSELF FROM FALLING

by Wayde Goodall

"...There are reasons people make bad choices, and it doesn't happen overnight.  There is an evolution -- one thought, decision, or move at a time.  They decided to go to the wrong place, ask the wrong question, look at illegal or immoral materials, or have a conversation with someone they knew was compromising.  The behavior began somewhere.  When their lives are analyzed, there are hints, oversights, and road bumps.  The thought process had been going on, but the decision wasn't made until the opportunity presented itself...."  Read this in full at

http://www.pastors.com/article.asp?ArtID=8933

     10 WAYS TO COPE WITH LOSS DURING A SEASON OF CELEBRATION

by Victor M. Parachin

"For many people, the holidays are a traditional time of happiness and festivity.  However, for those who are grieving the loss of a loved one, the holidays are a time of mixed emotions.  There can be pleasure, but there is also much pain, because the season magnifies the sense of loss.  There are no quick fixes to getting rid of the hurt.  Thankfully, God does use the loving support of our friends and family and the passage of time to heal our broken hearts.  But here are 10 ways to manage in the meantime...."  Read this in full at

http://www.christianitytoday.com/tc/2003/006/8.58.html

     CONSIDER

"Are you a [insert occupation here] who happens to be a Christian, or a Christian who happens to be a [occupation]?"  R. R. Ball

     THIS WEEK'S HYMN: FOR UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN

Words: Susan H. Peterson, 1997

Music: "It Came Upon A Midnight Clear," Richard S. Willis, 1850

For unto us a child is born,

To us a son is giv'n;

The government shall rest on him,

Th' anointed One from Heav'n.

His name is Wonderful Counselor,

The Mighty God is He,

The Everlasting Father,

The humble Prince of Peace.

The increase of his government

And peace shall never end;

He'll reign on David's ancient throne

As ruler of all men.

Upheld with justice and righteousness,

Forever his kingdom will last;

The zeal of the Lord God Most High

Will bring these things to pass.

Lord Jesus, come now and reign in me,

Be Lord of my life this hour.

Come be my Counselor and my God,

My source of wisdom and power.

Watch o'er me with your Father care,

My heart and my mind, fill with peace.

I worship you, my Lord and King,

My praise will never cease.

>from CyberHymnal at

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/f/u/fuucibor.htm

     GOD FAQ

Question 51: What was the estate of Christ's exaltation?

Answer: The estate of Christ's exaltation comprehends his resurrection, ascension, sitting at the right hand of the Father, and his coming again to judge the world.

http://www.shortercatechism.com/

     ON PRAYER

"The Spirit helps us in our weakness.  We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express."  Romans 8:26 (NIV)

     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.

Mistletoe Info

http://www.tenbury-mistletoe.co.uk/

See the many options Google offers

http://www.google.com/options/

Mikey's Funnies

http://www.mikeysfunnies.com/sub/

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.)

He who has no Christmas in his heart will never find Christmas under a tree.

Merry Christmas!

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