MSM CONNECTIONS
For the week of 06/05/05
The Men’s Ministry e-mail
newsletter of
New
Our mission: Our mission is to lead
men to
Jesus Christ and provide
opportunity for
Christian men to grow in their
faith
===== /\ =====
"Restore
us, O LORD God Almighty; make your face shine upon us, that we may be
saved." Psalm 80:19 (NIV)
CONSIDER
"To be
a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable, because God has forgiven the
inexcusable in you." C. S. Lewis
'FATHER OF THE YEAR' CONTEST
Register
your father to win a prize package.
Describe in 125 words or less why your Dad should be Father of the
Year! The contest is promoting Letters
From Dad by Greg Vaughn, a book that seeks to unlock the hearts of fathers and
help them leave a legacy of faith, hope, and love to their families all through
the simple art of letter writing. The
winner of the contest will receive a multimedia package, including a 42-inch
Panasonic diagonal PlasmaScreen television and a digital DVD camcorder. Contest ends June 30.
http://www.lettersfromdad.com/contest/
REMINDER
Men's
Health Week: June 13-19
http://www.menshealthweek.org/
http://www.menshealthnetwork.org/
New
New Joy
Divine Leadership Conference: June 10-11
Greater
Food Depository Hunger Walk: June 18
Father's
Day: June 19
WORLD EVANGELICAL
*
*
*
150,000.
*
*
*
*
In
*
In
Around the
world, evangelical churches and alliances are struggling to respond to the
pressing problems of poverty, AIDS, crime, violence, tribalism, injustice and
disease. As John Stott reminds us, we
must take the whole Gospel to the whole person in the whole world. The WEA is a global network of regional and
national alliances and ministries focused on serving the worldwide church. Visit their site at
http://www.worldevangelical.org
(Source:
PreachingNow, http://www.preaching.com)
KNOCKOUT FILM HAS ONE PROBLEM
by Phil
Boatwright
I found a
good time at the movies. Alas,
"Cinderella Man" has some unsatisfying content. But more about that later. First, let me fill you in concerning this
Universal picture starring Russell Crowe and directed by the most liked man in
Tinseltown, Ron Howard. Crowe stars as
legendary athlete Jim Braddock, a once-promising light heavyweight boxer forced
into retirement after a string of losses in the ring. As the nation entered the darkest years of
the Great Depression, Braddock accepted a string of dead-end jobs to support
his wife and their children, while never totally abandoning his dream of boxing
again. Suddenly, Braddock found himself
back in the ring against the second-ranked world contender -- and to everyone's
amazement, Braddock won in the third round.... It's the best boxing movie I
have ever seen. And I've seen them all
-- from "Golden Boy" to "Raging Bull" to "Rocky"
-- and all the wannabes in between....Remember back at the beginning of this
column when I mentioned some dissatisfying content? Well, here's the problem....
Read this
review in full at
http://www.bpnews.net/bpcolumn.asp?ID=1848
WWII
allies are observing the 60th anniversary of D-Day, with gratitude for the many
sacrifices made by thousands of brave troops.
On the evening of June 6, 1944, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt
addressed the country by radio. Seeking
to comfort the nation and ask the blessing of God, President Roosevelt did as
many had done before him, asking Americans to seek God at such a crucial time. Listen to his prayer at
http://www.presidentialprayerteam.org/images6/20050602/FDRoosevelt_D-Day_Prayer_6-6-44.mp3
MARINES ARE LANDING -- ON SILVER DOLLARS
A new
series of commemorative coin is being minted: a silver dollar honoring the U.S.
Marine Corps. The piece will be produced
at the
http://money.cnn.com/2005/05/26/pf/marines_coin/index.htm
THE BIBLE ON THE FRONT LINES IN
Roadside
bombs, suicide bombers, and mortar attacks can't hold back the spread of God's
Word. The Starting Point Study Bible
(http://www.zondervan.com/startingpoint) is now ministering to soldiers on the
front lines in
When
Blauser decided to begin a class for soldiers who had recently trusted Jesus
Christ, he realized he was missing one crucial element -- Bibles. So, he issued a plea over the Internet to his
friends and family back home in
Read this
story in full at
http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/s05050123.htm
BREAKING THE DA VINCI CODE
A handful
of books have come along to debunk Dan Brown's best-selling novel. Now here comes an insightful documentary to
do the same, and this review says it does so quite well.
http://www.christianitytoday.com/movies/reviews/breakingdavincicode.html
NO BILLBOARDS IN SPACE
The
http://www.cnn.com/2005/TECH/space/05/20/space.advertising.reut/index.html
SEMINARIES ARE GROWING
"Seminary
and divinity school enrollment has increased steadily over the past
decade. Many hope to master skills like
counseling and administration. And
they're going to schools of theology because they want to include faith in
their training. "Students
increasingly want their religious beliefs to really inform all aspects of their
lives -- not just be a cultural expression on Sundays," says Craig
Williford, president of Denver Seminary, a Colorado-based evangelical
theological school.
See the
full US News article at
http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/grad/articles/brief/06div_brief.php
CHRISTIANS HAVE 'GROWING PRESENCE' IN CORPORATE ARENA
In a
lengthy article with the headline, "Faithful Are Carving Niche in the
Workplace," "The Los Angeles Times" said that even with company
limits, the office climate is shifting with the introduction of religion. "Pushed primarily by evangelical
Christians, faith is finding a growing presence in corporations that for years
have been resistant to religious expression, including such giants as AOL Inc.,
Intel Corp., American Express Co., American Airlines Inc. and Ford Motor
Co.," the newspaper observed.
Companies
are reportedly allowing employees to sing the Lord's praises only according to
strict rules -- at lunch and on breaks, and only to those who want to listen --
to minimize the threat to workplace harmony.
Proselytizing is not permitted.
In return, some companies let workers share Bible verses on the company
listserv, advertise religious events on the company intranet and invite
Christian speakers to read Scripture in the corporate auditorium.
Read this
article in full at
http://www.charismanow.com/a.php?ArticleID=11165
CONSIDER
"Kind
words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly
endless." Mother Teresa
MISTER ROGERS' THEOLOGY OF 'NEIGHBOR'
Author Amy
Hollingsworth "met" Fred Rogers on television while watching
"Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" on public television with her
2-year-old son. Then she had the chance
to meet him in person for a rare interview about his faith. Rogers, an ordained
Presbyterian minister who died in 2003, shared insights and life lessons with
Hollingsworth during their ensuing friendship.
She, in turn, talked to Beliefnet about what Mister Rogers did when he
got angry, how he endured cultural criticism and cynicism, and why he felt the
space between the TV set and the viewer is "holy ground."
Q: The
book is called "The Simple Faith of Mister Rogers." How was Mister Rogers' faith simple?
A:
Sometimes the word "simple" is confused with the word
"simplistic," and it wasn't.
His philosophy of life is not simplistic, but it's simple in that there
are some basic tenets to it that seem simple but are so profound and so hard to
live out on a daily basis. Probably the
central tenet of his faith and the theme of the Neighborhood is just the idea
of loving your neighbor. When I asked
him who is your neighbor, he said, whoever you happen to be with at the moment. So right there, there's no loophole -- that
means we have to love everybody.
He said,
once you realize that everybody's your neighbor, you have a choice. You can
either be an advocate or an accuser. An
accuser is somebody who only sees what's awful about themselves so they look
through those eyes and look for what's awful about their neighbor. An advocate is somebody who looks through the
eyes of God at their neighbor and sees what's good about that person because
they're created in God's likeness.
That's a very simple, basic truth, but to live that out in our daily
lives is tremendously difficult.
Read this
interview in full at
http://www.beliefnet.com/story/165/story_16581_1.html
VERSE TO PONDER
"Finally,
brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be
honored, just as it was with you."
2 Thessalonians 3:1 (NIV)
CONSIDER
"Real
spiritual capacity requires at least as much concentration and training as
learning to play a musical instrument.
Nobody has ever drifted into a genuine Christian experience." William T. Ham
BASIC BIBLE DOCTRINE
The Holy
Spirit's role in the Church Age
B. He
is central in sanctification (How saved people grow).
1. He
indwells believers.
a. The
Spirit indwells all believers in this age (Rom.5:5; 8:9; 1 Cor.3:16; 6:19).
(unlike the Old Testament where the Spirit indwelt some)
b. The
Spirit indwells believers permanently in this age (John 14:16). (unlike the Old
Testament where the Spirit could depart)
c. The
Spirit's indwelling is the basis for His other ministries in believer's lives.
(He teaches/illumines us about scripture - John 16:13; He aids in prayer -
Rom.8:26; He assures us of our salvation - Rom.8:16; He enables us to grow -
see "filling" below - Eph.5:18).
2. He
"fills" believers.
- The
"filling of the Spirit" describes the crucial work of God enabling
the believer to live a transformed life. The only way we grow spiritually is by
the empowering work of God (1 Peter 1:3). It is specifically the ministry of
the Holy Spirit that gives a Christian the capability of change and growth in
righteousness (by the Spirit..." - putting to death the deeds of the
body" - Rom.8:13; the fruit of the Spirit..." - Gal.5:22, 23).
- Spiritual
growth us an issue of control. We are either controlled by our self-centered
flesh or by the Holy Spirit who indwells us (Rom.8:4-11; Gal.5:16, 17).
Ephesians 5:18 describes this controlling/empowering ministry of Spirit as the
"filling" of the Spirit. "Filling" is a metaphor (picture)
of control. We can be filled/controlled by fleshly desires (like alcohol) or be
filled/controlled by the Spirit (Eph.5:18).
- Although
it's the Spirit's power that is at work, the believer must choose to be
controlled/empowered by the Spirit. It is a command to "Be filled"
and likewise to "Walk in the Spirit" (Gal.5:16). The Spirit's
presence is permanent (indwelling) but we must repeatedly choose to yield to
God to experience the Spirit's transforming power to change and grow us
(filling). In actual experience, "walking in the Spirit" or
"being filled with the Spirit" means living the Christian life
(facing temptations, making decisions, etc.) with a conscious dependence on the
Holy Spirit. He is the one who enable us - producing godly "fruits"
(Gal.5:22, 23).
3. He
gives spiritual gifts to believers.
a.
Where do I find out about spiritual gifts? Four key passages describe spiritual
gifts: Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12; Ephesians 4:7-16; 1 Peter 4:10, 11.
b. What
are spiritual gifts?
1) Definition:
Spiritual gifts are God-given abilities to serve. The Greek word for spiritual
gift (charisma) is a form of the word "grace." So these special
abilities are privileges. God graciously enables all believers to serve in
spiritual ministry.
2) Spiritual
gifts are not particular positions. Youth ministry leader or nursery worker are
not gifts although those ministries definitely can put to use spiritual gifts
such as teaching, serving, etc.
3) Spiritual
gifts are not the same as natural talent (music ability or mechanical aptitude,
etc.) although God may often give spiritual gifts that make use of natural
abilities. A musician may have the gift of encouragement. An experienced school
teacher may have the gift of teaching, etc.
c. How
do we get spiritual gifts?
1) The
Giver - The Holy Spirit in particular imparts these special abilities (1
Cor.12:7-11). But it is also accurate to say that they are "Christ's
gifts" to the church (Eph.4:7, 8, 10).
2) The
Time - We receive spiritual gifts when we trust Christ as Savior. That's when
we received the Spirit; that's when we became part of the body of Christ.
3) The
Recipients - Each believer has at least one but perhaps several gifts.
d. What
is the purpose of spiritual gifts?
1) Spiritual
gifts accomplish spiritual ministry that God desires.
2) Spiritual
gifts equip others to minister (Eph.4:12).
3) Spiritual
gifts glorify God (1 Pet.4:11).
e. What
are the different spiritual gifts?
1) Some
of the gifts listed seem to have been temporary, serving to establish the early
church and to verify the gospel to people as Christianity began (Eph.2:20;
Heb.2:3, 4 - See supplement "The Charismatic Question" for more
detail.). The temporary sign gifts included apostleship, healing,
miracle-working, tongues, interpretation of tongues, etc. Also temporary were
the word of wisdom, word of knowledge, and prophecy - by which God gave direct
revelation to man. These gifts were needed before the New Testament was
complete. They were also seemingly the gifts needed to write the New Testament.
2) Gifts
that doubtless exist today include teaching, helps (serving), giving,
administration (leadership), showing mercy, evangelism, pastor-teacher
(shepherding) and exhortation. These gifts are crucial to the ongoing function
of the church throughout this age.
f. How
do we discover and use our spiritual gift(s)?
1) We
should concentrate on meeting needs, not pin-pointing our gifts. Ministry
experience may expose unused gifts.
2) We
should allow the advice of other mature Christians to guide us into areas of
service for which we are suited and away from areas for which we are not.
3) We
should not use spiritual gifts as an excuse to avoid certain ministries.
Christians are universally told to do some types of ministry (Show mercy -
James 2:13; 3:17; Evangelize - Acts 1:8; Exhort one another - Heb.3:13; 10:25;
Give - 2 Cor.8:7) which are also the specific spiritual gifts of some
Christians (Mercy - Rom.12:8; Evangelist - Eph.4:11; Exhortation - Rom.12:8;
Giving - Rom.12:8).
4) We
must realize that spiritual gifts do not benefit others automatically.
- We
must obediently put our gift(s) to use. No one benefits if we don't use them
(Rom.12:6-8; 1 Pet.4:10, 11).
- We
must be diligent to become effective in using our gift (1 Tim.4:14; 2 Tim.1:6,
7).
- We
must use our gifts with proper attitudes (Rom.12:8; 1 Pet.4:11) and at
appropriate times and places (1 Cor.14:9-12, 22, 23, 40). Otherwise they can be
worthless or even harmful to God's purposes.
http://www.bible.org/page.asp?page_id=392
LEADERSHIP TIPS (BUSINESS, FAMILY, LIFE)
"A
dream is just a dream. A goal is a dream
with a plan and a deadline." (Harvey Mackay)
http://www.alanchapman.com/leadership.htm
CONSIDER
"If
you here stop, and ask yourselves, why you are not as pious as the primitive
Christians were, your own heart will tell you, that it is neither through
ignorance nor through inability, but purely because you never thoroughly
intended it." William Law
(1686-1761), A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life, c. II [1728]
VERSE TO PONDER
"All
over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been
doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God's grace in all
its truth." Colossians 1:6b (NIV)
THIS WEEK'S HYMN: MY FATHER KNOWS
Words:
Mrs. Sarepta Myrenda Irish Henry, circa 1897
Music:
"Melmore," H. Martin, 1864
I know my
heav'nly Father knows
The storms
that would my way oppose;
But He can
drive the clouds away,
And turn
the darkness into day.
I know my
heav'nly Father knows
The balm I
need to soothe my woes;
And with
His touch of love divine
He heals
this wounded heart of mine.
I know my
heav'nly Father knows
How frail
I am to meet my foes;
But He my
cause will e'er defend,
Uphold and
keep me to the end.
I know my
heav'nly Father knows
The hour
my journey here will close;
And may
that hour, O faithful Guide,
Find me
safe sheltered by Thy side.
>from
CyberHymnal at
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/m/y/myfather.htm
GOD FAQ
Question
23: Into what estate did the fall bring mankind?
Answer:
The fall brought mankind into an estate of sin and misery.
http://www.shortercatechism.com/
ON PRAYER
"The
more praying there is in the world, the better the world will be, the mightier
the forces against evil everywhere. Prayer, in one phase of its operation, is a
disinfectant and a preventive. It purifies the air; it destroys the contagion
of evil. Prayer is no fitful, short-lived thing. It is no voice crying unheard
and unheeded in the silence. It is a voice which goes into God's ear, and it
lives as long as God's ear is open to holy pleas, as long as God's heart is
alive to holy things. God shapes the world by prayer." E.M. Bounds
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
*
Bro. Carl Modica
*
Bro. Robert Turner
*
Elder William Moore
*
Bro. Eddie Watson
*
William Moore, Jr.
*
Pastor Watson
*
Minister Aaron O’Tey
*
Bro. Rudolph West
*
Bro. Edward Corey Phillips
*
Minister Arnold Whitehead
[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.
CleanHotels.com
is a network of lodging facilities that do not offer in-room, 'adult',
pay-per-view movies.
Helping Pastors Struggling With Pornography
http://www.xxxchurch.com/gethelp/justforpastors.asp
How well do you know the Bible?
http://www.backtothebible.org/challenge/
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.)
A shut
mouth gathers no foot.
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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
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
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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