HAPPY NEW YEAR!

"Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.  Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits."  Psalm 103:1 and 2 (NIV)

     CONSIDER

"God's divine clock tells us there are essentially three major activities in each day that should be governed by night and day: productivity, relationships, and sleep."  Randy Frazee, Making Room for Life

     NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS

As 2006 begins you may wish to review a famous list of Resolutions created by the American Puritan Jonathan Edwards.  He penned them, not on a single New Year's Day, but throughout two pivotal years after his graduation from Yale.

http://www.jonathanedwards.com/text/Personal/resolut.htm

"Successful New Year's Resolutions"

http://www.christian-homemaking.com/resolutions.html

"New Year's Resolution articles"

http://www.joyfulheart.com/new-years/new-year.htm

"Five New Year's Resolutions that will Change Your World"

http://www.pastors.com/article.asp?ArtID=4027

New Year's Day Advice from the late Ann Landers

http://www.appleseeds.org/new-year_advice.htm

Back to the Bible: "Making the RIGHT New Year's Resolutions"

http://www.backtothebible.org/lifeissues/holiday/new_years.htm

     PERSONAL MANIFESTOS FOR GUIDANCE IN 2006

   "A MAGNA CHARTA OF TRUST BY AN OUT-OF-CONTROL DISCIPLE"

"I once was a control junkie, but now am an Out-of-Control Disciple.  I've given up my control to God.  I trust and obey the Spirit.  I've jumped off the fence, I've stepped over the line, I've pulled out all the stops.  There's no turning back, looking around, slowing down, backing away, letting up, or shutting up.  It's life Against the Odds, Outside the Box, Over the Wall, the game of life played Without Goal Lines other than "Thy Will Be Done . . . ."  I am not here to please the dominant culture.  I live to please my Lord and Savior...."  Read this in full at

http://www.leonardsweet.com/includes/ShowSweetenedArticles.asp?articleID=94

   "THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE UNASHAMED"

"I'm part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The die has been cast.  I have stepped over the line.  The decision has been made. I'm a disciple of His.  I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away or be still.  My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure.  I'm finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living and dwarfed goals...."  Read this in full at

http://www.willowcreek.org/news/topstory6.asp

   THE PURPOSE-DRIVEN COVENANT

"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/PDintheNews/Archives/Angel_Declaration.htm

   A PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

"I pledge allegiance to Jesus Christ -- savior of my soul, master of my life -- and to his command, "Love one another, as I have loved you."  I pledge to live this day by faith in God, to love him with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to bear the Holy Spirit fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control."

(copyright 2002, [email protected])

   PRACTICAL RESOLUTIONS TO CONSIDER:

1. I will pray every day with my spouse and family.

2. I will read through the Bible this year.

3. I will memorize one Scripture verse each week.

4. I will honestly evaluate my church's growth throughout the year.

5. I will speak about God to someone each day.

6. I will seek opportunities to share my faith weekly.

7. I will personally disciple at least four believers this year.

     BIBLE READING & STUDY PLANS

http://www.crusade.org/journey/

http://www.TheBibleIn90Days.com

http://www.zondervanbibles.com/readingplan.htm

http://www.zondervanchurchsource.com/mobile/readthebible.htm

http://www.americanbible.org/site/PageServer?pagename=bib_index

http://www.jesuswalk.com/names-god/

     A BLESSING FOR YOU AS WE APPROACH 2006

Safety: May you and those you love be kept from violence, calamity, and loss.  May those who seek to hurt you physically, mentally, or emotionally fail so that you may live securely, without the fear of harm. (Psalm 12:5, 7; Job 11:18; Proverbs 1:33)

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

     LEADERSHIP TIPS (BUSINESS, FAMILY, LIFE)

"Good Leaders make people feel that they're at the very heart of things, not at the periphery.  Everyone feels that he or she makes a difference to the success of the organization.  When that happens people feel centered and that gives their work meaning."  Warren Bennis

     VERSE TO PONDER

'Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his.'  Daniel 2:20

     CONSIDER

"When you face the perils of weariness, carelessness, and confusion, don't pray for an easier life.  Pray instead to be a stronger person of God." Luis Palau

     THE BEST MOVIES OF 2005

by Phil Boatwright

"I have selected films that uplifted me spiritually in my list of best movies of 2005.  Now, beware, some of these choices contain language, violence or other objectionable material.  I listed these films because I was entertained and moved by the spiritually they reflected.  They are in no particular order."

-- "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe"

-- "Cinderella Man"

-- "The Great Raid"

-- "Mad Hot Ballroom"

-- "March of the Penguins"

-- "Smile."

Read about these at

http://www.bpnews.net/bpcolumn.asp?ID=2100

     CATHOLIC RADIO TO GROW

Behind news/talk and country, religious radio was the 3rd-most numerous format of radio stations in the country in 2004, according to the radio research firm Arbitron.  There are 2,014 religious stations, up from 1,089 in 1998.  But Catholic stations number about 120, the Catholic Radio Association (CRA) reports.  CRA started in 1999 with between 30 and 40 members, is now adding about one station a month, and is preparing to add 200 new stations in the coming year, hoping to take advantage of the Federal Communications Commission's decision to license thousands of new low-power FM radio stations.

http://www.catholicradioassociation.org/

     STAND WITH TONY DUNGY

by the editors of New Man magazine

"James Dungy, the 18-year-old eldest son of Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy, recently died in an apparent suicide in Tampa, Florida.  Tony, who is an outspoken believer in Christ, and his wife, Lauren, buried James near Tampa, and close to 2,000 people were there to mourn with them.  The heart of the service was in Tony's fatherly reflections and advice to those who joined him in his most painful hour.

"'I urge you not to take your relations for granted,' he told his friends and guests.  'Parents, hug your kids each chance you get.  Tell them you love them each chance you get.  You don't know when it's going to be the last time.'

"Join "New Man" in remembering the entire Dungy family in prayer.  And let's stand by Tony, who -- as a father and a man facing deep personal loss -- needs our prayers to help him through the what-ifs of his relationship with James."

http://www.newmanmag.com/article.php?sid=621

     A SECOND WAS ADDED TO 2005

Scientists delayed the start of 2006 by the first "leap second" in 7 years, a timing tweak meant to make up for changes in the Earth's rotation.  The adjustment was carried out by sticking an extra second into atomic clocks worldwide at the stroke of midnight Coordinated Universal Time, the widely adopted international standard.  The first leap second was introduced on June 30, 1972....

http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/12/25/leap.second.reut/index.html

Official Current US Time

http://nist.time.gov/

The World Clock

http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/

Coordinated Universal Time definition (US Naval Observatory)

http://aa.usno.navy.mil/faq/docs/UT.html

     CONSUMERS FACE HIGHER CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS IN 2006

Banks are raising their minimum monthly payments in January, a change intended to help consumers pay down their credit card debts faster, protecting them from piling up debts that can last for decades.  But the higher minimums, along with interest rates that can be raised for late payments, mean consumers could be facing bigger credit card bills in 2006....  Listen to this report at

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5070443

Also see

USA TODAY: "Costs rising, so tame credit card bills now"

http://www.usatoday.com/money/perfi/columnist/block/2005-10-17-credit-card_x.htm

DebtAdvice.org

http://www.debtadvice.org/

Focus on the Family debt management info

http://www.family.org/married/topics/a0025108.cfm

     CONSIDER

"Sometimes, when the soul least thinks of it, and when it least desires it, God touches it divinely causing certain recollections of Himself."  St. John of the Cross (1542-1591)

     VERSE TO PONDER

"Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."  Psalm 90:12

     THIS WEEK'S HYMN: ANOTHER YEAR COMPLETED

Words: Paulinus of Nola (353-431)

Music: Bartholomäus Helder (1585-1635)

Another year completed,

The day comes round once more

Which with our patron's radiance

Is bright as heretofore.

Now, strong in hope, united

His festival we greet;

He will present our troubles

Before the mercy-seat.

The Scriptures tell how Moses

Did for the people pray,

Appeased the Judge eternal,

And turned His wrath away;

Elijah's prayer had power,

To close and open Heav'n;

Such saints as were aforetime,

Such saints to us are giv'n.

O saint of God, belovèd,

And placed on His right hand,

Thy prayers be like a rampart

As 'gainst the foe we stand;

For Abraham's God is thy God,

And Isaac's God is thine,

Thine is the God of Jacob,

The Lord of power benign.

For forty years His Israel

He fed with angels' food;

The flinty rock He opened

The streams of water flowed.

Entreat that Christ His people

May lead to victory:

The God of Joshua's triumph

The Lord thy God is He.

>from CyberHymnal at

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/a/y/aycomplt.htm

     GOD FAQ

Question 53: How was Christ exalted in his ascension?

Answer: Christ was exalted in his ascension, in that having after his resurrection often appeared unto and conversed with his apostles, speaking to them of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God, and giving them commission to preach the gospel to all nations, forty days after his resurrection, he, in our nature, and as our head, triumphing over enemies, visibly went up into the highest heavens, there to receive gifts for men, to raise up our affections thither, and to prepare a place for us, where himself is, and shall continue till his second coming at the end of the world.

http://www.shortercatechism.com/

     ON PRAYER

"Lord grant that this year I may be more holy, and walk more closely than ever in all holy conversation; I earnestly desire to be filled with thy holy thoughts, to be carried out in holy affections, determined by holy aims and intentions, and governed in all my words and actions by holy principles.  O that a golden thread of holiness may run through the whole web of this year."  Matthew Henry

     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.

Coordinated Universal Time definition

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coordinated_Universal_Time

Leap Second definition

http://tycho.usno.navy.mil/leapsec.html

Systems of Time

http://tycho.usno.navy.mil/systime.html

US Naval Observatory

http://www.usno.navy.mil/

TimeAndDate.com

http://www.timeanddate.com/

Earth Calendar

http://www.earthcalendar.net/index.php

Interfaith Calendar

http://www.interfaithcalendar.org/

Ecclesiastical Calendar

http://www.smart.net/~mmontes/ec-cal.html

Today's Calendar and Clock Page

http://www.ecben.net/calendar.shtml

Calendars and their history

http://astro.nmsu.edu/~lhuber/leaphist.html

FAQ About Calendars

http://www.tondering.dk/claus/cal/calendar28.html

Julian Calendar - Wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julian_calendar

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.)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Give God what is right, not what is left.

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

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

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.

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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, 2006 Frank Coleman