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"Let me give you a new command:
Love one another. In the same way
I loved you, you love one another.
This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples --
when they see the love you have for each other." John 13:34-35 (Msg)
CONSIDER
"The Devil is a better
theologian than any of us, yet is the Devil still." A. W. Tozer
LOVE: A PARAPHRASE OF 1 CORINTHIANS 13
by David Sanford
If I talk a lot about God and the
Bible and the Church, but I fail to ask about your needs and then help
you, I'm simply making a lot of empty religious noise.
If I graduate from theological
seminary and know all the answers to questions you'll never even think of
asking, and if I have all the degrees to prove it and if I say I believe
in God with all my heart, and soul and strength, and claim to have
incredible answers to my prayers to show it, but I fail to take the time
to find out where you're at and what makes you laugh and why you cry, I'm
nothing.
If I sell an extra car and some of
my books to raise money for some poor starving kids somewhere, and if I
give my life for God's service and burn out after pouring everything I
have into the work, but do it all without ever once thinking about the
people, the real hurting people -- the moms and dads and sons and daughters
and orphans and widows and the lonely and hurting -- if I pour my life
into the Kingdom but forget to make it relevant to those here on earth,
my energy is wasted, and so is my life.
Here is what love is like--genuine
love. God's kind of love. It's patient.
It can wait. It helps others, even if they never find out who did
it. Love doesn't look for greener
pastures or dream of how things could be better if I just got rid of all
my current commitments. Love
doesn't boast. It doesn't try to build itself up to be something it
isn't. Love doesn't act in a
loose, immoral way. It doesn't
seek to take, but it willingly gives. Love doesn't lose its cool. It doesn't turn on and off. Love doesn't think about how bad the
other person is, and certainly doesn't think of how it could get back at
someone. Love is grieved deeply
(as God is) over the evil in this world, but it rejoices over truth.
Love comes and sits with you when
you're feeling down and finds out what is wrong. It empathizes with you and believes in
you. Love knows you'll come through just as God planned, and love sticks
right beside you all the way. Love
doesn't give up, or quit, or diminish or go home. Love keeps on keeping on, even when
everything goes wrong and the feelings leave and the other person doesn't
seem as special anymore. Love
succeeds 100 percent of the time.
That, my friend, is what real love is!
(Copyright 2003 David Sanford. Permission is granted to send this to others,
but not for commercial purposes.)
'THE BIBLE GAME' TESTS YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE OLD TESTAMENT
If the television show Jeopardy was
written by Sunday school teachers, the result might be The Bible Game, a
new trivia game for the PlayStation 2, Xbox and Game Boy Advance that
casts players as contestants in a game show about the Old Testament....
Read about it at
http://usatoday.com/tech/columnist/marcsaltzman/2006-01-12-bible-game_x.htm?POE=click-refer
BROKEBACK IS NOT A LOVE STORY, JUST A TRAGEDY
by Phil Boatwright
"...At two hours and 14
minutes, Brokeback Mountain is one long, depressing, profane yarn, one
designed to further homosexuality as mainstream in the collective
American psyche....Their sexual activity aside, what the two lead
characters do to their wives is despicable. If building a life on a lie to your
mate is not a sin, then what is?"....Read this review in full at
http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=22558
LEADERSHIP TIPS (BUSINESS, FAMILY, LIFE)
Simply Strategic Podcasts
Get
leadership training right in the comfort of your own home! These special podcasts are courtesy of
Tim Stevens, Tony Morgan, and the rest of the Simply Strategic team.
http://simplystrategicshow.blogspot.com/
XX WINTER OLYMPIC GAMES
Feb. 10-26, Torino,
Italy
Torino
(Turin)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turin
Italy
http://worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/europe/it.htm
Current time in Italy
http://www.worldtimeserver.com/current_time_in_IT.aspx
Official Winter Games website
http://www.torino2006.org/
Weather conditions there
http://www.torino2006.org/ENG/OlympicGames/gare_e_programma/meteo.html
NBC-TV coverage
http://www.nbcolympics.com/index.html
Yahoo! Coverage
http://news.yahoo.com/fc/Sports/Olympics
USA
TODAY coverage
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/torino/front.htm
New York Times coverage
http://www.nytimes.com/pages/sports/olympics2006/index.html?8dpc
NPR
coverage
http://www.npr.org/templates/topics/topic.php?topicId=1092
TIME magazine coverage
http://www.time.com/time/2006/olympics/
Sports Illustrated coverage
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/olympics/2006/
BBC coverage
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/winter_sports/default.stm
Newspapers around the world
http://www.onlinenewspapers.com/
2006 Paralympic Games
http://www.paralympicgames.torino2006.org/ENG/ParalympicGames/home/index.html
International Olympic Committee
http://www.olympic.org/uk/index_uk.asp
Interesting Olympic Facts
http://history1900s.about.com/od/greateventsofthecentury/a/olympicfacts.htm
History of the Olympic Games
http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/athens_games/history.htm
PRESIDENTIAL PRAYER SUNDAY
On Feb. 19, churches all across the
country will be praying for the U.S.
president. Find out how your
church can be a part of Presidential Prayer Sunday.
http://www.presidentialprayerteam.org/site/PageServer?pagename=pps_homepage
THE PAPER SHUFFLE
"An average person handles
about 300 sheets of paper per day including catalogs, magazines, flyers,
newspapers, notes, junk mail, faxes, and school papers. In five days, a family of five can
accumulate 7,000 pages. In a
month, this figure jumps to 45,000 pages.
Americans annually handle 660 pounds of paper, and we save a lot
of it. The average four-drawer
filing cabinet holds 18,000 sheets of paper." (from Recognizing and
Coping with Stress)
VERSE TO PONDER
"God blesses those who work for
peace, for they will be called the children of God!" Matt. 5:9 (NLT)
CONSIDER
"He that sees the beauty of
holiness, or true moral good, sees the greatest and most important thing
in the world. Unless this is seen,
nothing is seen that is worth seeing: for there is no other true
excellence or beauty."
Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758), Treatise concerning Religious
Affections [1746]
MINISTRIES AT THE OLYMPICS
Nestled at the foot of the Italian
Alps, Torino
is a modern center of the Waldensian
Church,
the largest evangelical church in the nation and perhaps the earliest
'protestant' church, with roots going back to the 12th century or
earlier. The 2006 Winter Olympics
is the 16th YWAM Olympic related outreach event in the history of Youth
With A Mission. Eric Boshoff,
director of the YWAM Winter Games Outreach, says, "The approach
we're taking during the outreach is one of 'Friendship
Evangelism'" Also, volunteers
from churches in Torino and the surrounding area are distributing a
special 7-language edition of the Gospel of Mark to spectators, athletes,
volunteers (who alone number 20,000) and local Christians. 50,000 copies containing the text in
Italian, English, German, French, Spanish, Polish, and Japanese have been
printed for this project.
http://www.ywamwintergames.org/
http://www.biblenetworknews.com/europe_middleeast/020806_italy.html
THE SHROUD OF TURIN
Torino
is well known for something other than the Winter Olympic Games: The
Shroud of Turin is an ancient yellowed linen cloth which bears the faded
image of a bearded man covered with blood stains which correspond to the
wounds of crucifixion. The Shroud
has been kept in Turin, Italy for over 400 years but has a history that
can be traced to the 6th century with legends and folklore going all the
way back to 1st century. Millions
believe it's the actual burial shroud of Jesus. National Geographic
called it, "One of the most perplexing enigmas of modern
times." TIME Magazine called it, "The Riddle of the Ages."
The subject is a fascinating blend of ancient history, sacred art, modern
science, and religious tradition.
http://www.shroud2000.com/
Shroud images (Google)
http://tinyurl.com/9pm3s
Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shroud_of_Turin
Official Shroud website
http://www.sindone.org/en/welcome.htm
Shroud of Turin
http://www.shroud.com/
Shroud of Turin
story
http://www.shroudstory.com/
EVANGELICAL LEADERS BEGIN GLOBAL WARMING INITIATIVE
Despite opposition from some of
their colleagues, 86 evangelical Christian leaders have decided to back a
major initiative to fight global warming, saying "millions of people
could die in this century because of climate change, most of them our
poorest global neighbors."
Among signers of the statement, which was released yesterday, are
the presidents of 39 evangelical colleges, leaders of aid groups and
churches, like the Salvation Army, and pastors of megachurches, including
Rick Warren, author of the best seller The Purpose-Driven Life. The imitative says, "The same love
for God and neighbor that compels us to preach salvation through Jesus
Christ, protect the unborn, preserve the family and the sanctity of
marriage, and take the whole Gospel to a hurting
world, also compels us to recognize that human-induced climate change is
a serious Christian issue requiring action now."
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060208/clw030.html?.v=42
"Climate Change: An Evangelical
Call to Action" (PDF
http://www.npr.org/documents/2006/feb/evangelical/calltoaction.pdf
List of signatories
http://www.christiansandclimate.org/signatories
ChristiansAndClimate.org
http://www.christiansandclimate.org/
Christianity Today article
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2006/106/34.0.html
NPR
Report
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5194527&ft=1&f=1003
Newsweek article
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11179145/site/newsweek/
International Herald Tribune article
http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/02/08/news/warm.php
Poll: Evangelicals on the
Environment (PDF)
http://www.npr.org/documents/2006/feb/evangelical/newsrelease.pdf
NAE NOT REPRESENTED BY 'EVANGELICAL CLIMATE INITIATIVE'
The executive council of the
30-million member National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) recently
passed a motion saying there's "ongoing debate about the causes and
origins of global warming" and acknowledging a "lack of
consensus among the evangelical community on this issue."
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060208/dcw045.html?.v=40
Atlanta
Journal-Constitution: "Faithful split on global warming"
http://www.ajc.com/search/content/news/science/stories/0208warming.html
Interfaith Stewardship Alliance
http://www.interfaithstewardship.org/pages/home.php
Evangelical
Environment Network
http://www.creationcare.org/
NAE: "An Evangelical Call to
Civic Responsibility"
http://www.nae.net/index.cfm?FUSEACTION=editor.page&pageID=127&IDcategory=1
WEBSITE FOCUSES ON HAPPY NEWS
HappyNews
is the brainchild of Byron Reese, chief executive of Austin, Texas-based PageWise Inc., which publishes several how-to and
advice websites. He decided the world needed a refuge from all the
unpleasantness served up by newspapers and television news shows, so he
launched HappyNews last year. "This is asking the question, what
is news?" Reese said. "News is supposed to give you a view of
the world. The news media, the way
it has evolved, gives you a distorted view of the world by exaggerating
bad news, misery and despair.
We're trying to balance out the scale."
http://www.happynews.com/
CONSIDER
"The deepest need of men is not
food and clothing and shelter, important as they are. It is God. We have mistaken the nature of poverty,
and thought it was economic poverty.
No, it is poverty of soul, deprivation of God's recreating, loving
peace. Peer into poverty and see
if we are really getting down to the deepest needs, in our economic
salvation schemes. These are
important. But they lie farther
along the road, secondary steps toward world reconstruction. The primary step is a holy life,
transformed and radiant in the glory of God." Thomas R. Kelly (1893-1941), A
Testament of Devotion [1941]
VERSE TO PONDER
"Obscene stories, foolish talk,
and coarse jokes; these are not for you.
Instead, let there be thankfulness
to God." Eph. 5:4 (NLT)
THIS WEEK'S HYMN: BELOVED, LET US LOVE
Words: Horatius Bonar, 1880
Music: Alfred H. Brewer, 1916
Belovèd,
let us love: love is of God;
In God alone hath love
its true abode.
Belovèd,
let us love: for they who love,
They only, are His sons, born from
above.
Belovèd,
let us love: for love is rest,
And he who loveth
not abides unblest.
Belovèd,
let us love: for love is light,
And he who loveth
not dwelleth in night.
Belovèd,
let us love: for only thus
Shall we behold that God Who loveth us.
>from CyberHymnal at
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/b/l/u/bluslove.htm
GOD FAQ
Question 59: Who are made partakers
of redemption through Christ?
Answer: Redemption is certainly
applied, and effectually communicated, to all those for whom Christ has
purchased it; who are in time by the Holy Ghost enabled to believe in
Christ according to the gospel.
http://www.shortercatechism.com/
ON PRAYER
"Prayer gives a man the
opportunity of getting to know a gentleman he hardly ever meets. I do not
mean his maker, but himself."
William Inge
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.
Looking for a good
book? A new Bible? How about some inspiring music? We’ve got what you
need. Visit our online
Christian bookstore to get the best prices around. Log on today and you’ll
find a huge inventory, totally convenient shopping and great prices on
the products you’re looking for. Are you using the power of books to grow
in your relationship with God and lead people to Christ? Books really do
change lives. Take this opportunity to bless your congregation so they
can go and bless others. Visit our bookstore today!
http://www.thechristianconnection.net
BEAUTIFUL, NEWLY
RENOVATED CONDOMINIUMS
1 BEDROOM 1 BATH, $ 85,000
PAYMENTS CAN BE LESS
THAN RENT
2336 UNION ST.
BLUE ISLAND, IL.
WALK TO TRAIN.
NEAR ST FRANCIS HOSPITAL
CALL
773-732-8843 FOR MORE INFO.
SHARE YOUR FAVORITE WEBSITES
Tell us what sites you find
enjoyable and why.
Athletes in Action
http://www.athletesinaction.org/
Fellowship of Christian Athletes
http://www.fca.org/
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.)
Everlasting glory be
to God.
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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