"There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ
Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free
from the law of sin and death."
Romans 8:1-2 CONSIDER "It is not what people eat, but what they digest, that
makes them strong. It is not what they
gain, but what they save, that makes them rich. It is not what they read, but what they
remember, that makes them learned."
Henry Ward Beecher BRIAN MCLAREN ON THE
DA VINCI CODE Brian McLaren talks about why he
thinks there's truth in the controversial book's fiction. Q: What do you think the
popularity of The Da Vinci Code reveals about pop
culture attitudes toward Christianity and the church? McLaren: I think a
lot of people have read the book, not just as a popular page-turner but also
as an experience in shared frustration with status-quo, male-dominated,
power-oriented, cover-up-prone organized Christian religion. We need to ask ourselves why the vision of
Jesus hinted at in Dan Brown's book is more interesting, attractive, and
intriguing to these people than the standard vision of Jesus they hear about
in church. Why would so many people be
disappointed to find that Brown's version of Jesus has been largely
discredited as fanciful and inaccurate, leaving only the church's
conventional version? Is it possible
that, even though Brown's fictional version misleads in many ways, it at
least serves to open up the possibility that the church's conventional
version of Jesus may not do him justice? Q: So you think The Da Vinci Code taps into dissatisfaction with Jesus as we
know him? McLaren: For all the
flaws of Brown's book, I think what he's doing is suggesting that the
dominant religious institutions have created their own caricature of
Jesus. And I think people have a sense
that that's true. It's my honest
feeling that anyone trying to share their faith in I also think that the whole issue of male domination is huge and
that Brown's suggestion that the real Jesus was not as misogynist or
anti-woman as the Christian religion often has been is very attractive. Brown's book is about exposing hypocrisy
and cover-up in organized religion, and it is exposing organized religion's
grasping for power. Again, there's
something in that that people resonate with in the age of pedophilia
scandals, televangelists, and religious political alliances. A s a follower of Jesus I resonate with their concerns as
well.... Read this interview in full
at http://www.sojo.net/index.cfm?action=sojomail.display&issue=060509 MEDIA CRITIC WANTS
PEOPLE TO AVOID DA VINCI CODE AgapePress reports that
Dr. Ted Baehr, chairman of the Christian Film &
Television Commission, says that when it comes to the kind of content viewers
will find if they decide to go see the upcoming theatrical release, "there's a lot of good reasons for people not to
[go]." Baehr
says there's much more to the plot than just the assertion that Jesus married
Mary Magdalene. He says that's minor
compared to some of the other blasphemous ideas presented in the story. Christians should avoid the movie based on
Brown's novel, he contends, "because the book is chock full of
occultism, Rosicrucianism, Masonic Satanism,
etc." "OTHERCOTT"
DA VINCI by Barbara Nicolosi "Many Christians see The Da Vinci
Code as an opportunity for evangelism; others say it's a chance to engage the
culture. Rubbish. Da
Vinci is dangerous, so I'd like to suggest a better alternative. I've read and heard a lot lately from
Christians who suggest that we should be willing to "engage" The Da Vinci Code, so that we can be a part of the
"cultural conversation."
Believers are touting the upcoming movie as an "opportunity for
evangelism" and even an incentive to bolster our own faith. Baloney.
This film is based on a book that wears its heresy and blasphemy as a
badge of honor, and I intend to stay far away from it.... So, what can we as Christians do in response to the release of this
movie? On DVC's
opening weekend-May 19-21-you should go to the movies. Just go to another
movie. That's your way of casting your
vote, the only vote http://www.christianitytoday.com/movies/commentaries/othercott.html ALL THINGS DA VINCI
CODE: >> Sony Pictures' Official Da
Vinci Code movie website http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/thedavincicode/ >> The Da Vinci Challenge
(Sony's counter-website) http://www.TheDaVinciChallenge.com >> Christians ready to refute 'Da
Vinci Code' movie http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0322/p13s01-lire.html >> Stop the Da Vinci Code (pdf) http://www.movieguide.org/stopdavinci.pdf >> Dan Brown's Gift to the Church http://www.christianitytoday.com/movies/commentaries/gifttothechurch.html >> Churches Must Be Ready With Answers http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=23157 >> Da Vinci Code outreach
training http://www.ccn.tv/programming/event/evt_21may06.htm >> Da Vinci Code Outreach tools http://www.outreach.com/print/articlef.asp?article_name=p-davincitools&sid=4431B7007B4B617F >> The Da Vinci http://www.christianitytoday.com/leaders/newsletter/2006/cln60501.html >> 'Jesus Decoded' >> Opus Dei >> 60 Minutes: The Priory of Sion
Hoax http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/04/27/60minutes/main1552009.shtml >> Da Vinci Dialogue ( http://www.dts.edu/media/dialogue/ >> The Truth About The Da Vinci
Code ( http://www.thetruthaboutdavinci.com >> Da Vinci Decoded http://www.historychannel.com/davincidecoded/ >> The Da Vinci Delusion (D.
James Kennedy) http://www.davincidelusion.org/ >> Lee Strobel's Website >> Da Duh Vinci Code http://www.tothesource.org/5_3_2006/5_3_2006.htm >> A Closer Look http://www.tothesource.org/4_19_2006/4_19_2006.htm >> Engaging the Da Vinci Code http://www.tothesource.org/12_10_2003/12_10_2003.htm >> Pure Fiction? http://www.goodnewsmag.org/magazine/1JanFeb/jf06davinci.htm >> The Da Vinci Code roundtable http://www.faithfulreader.com/features/0405davinci/davinci_code.asp >> http://www.missionamerica.org/Brix?pageID=17942 >> Rick Warren Toolbox Da Vinci
Code articles http://www.pastors.com/article.asp?ArtID=9329 >> The Da Vinci Code: What you
need to know http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=23206 >> Most Americans believe Bible over 'Da
Vinci' http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=23207 >> 'Da Vinci' full of errors
& inaccuracies http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=23208 >> Medieval & Modern Christianity Quick Facts http://www.beliefnet.com/story/186/story_18612_1.html NBA PLAYOFFS &
FINALS http://www.nytimes.com/pages/sports/basketball/index.html http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/playoffs LEADERSHIP TIPS
(BUSINESS, FAMILY, LIFE) The Beatles Principles by Andrew Sobel Lessons about teamwork and creativity from the most successful
band in history. *
Beatles Principle Number 1: Invest in
and build face time between team members long before they are required to
appear together. *
Beatles Principle Number 2: Evolve your
"songs" and bring the same level of ideas, new perspectives,
excitement, and enthusiasm to your hundredth meeting with a client that you
brought to the first. *
Beatles Principle Number 3: Help team
members become brands-within-a-brand by giving them a song - an idea or
proposal - that will help them to shine. *
Beatles Principle Number 4: Put
exceedingly diverse professionals on the same team, mix specialists with
generalists, and foster friendly competition to produce the best ideas. Read more at http://www.strategy-business.com/press/article/06104 VERSE TO PONDER "Teach us to make the most of our time, so that we may grow
in wisdom." Psalm 90:12 (NLT) CONSIDER "For a small reward, a man will hurry away on a long
journey; while for eternal life, many will hardly take a single
step." Thomas a' Kempis SAY 'NO' TO
PROSTITUTION DURING 2006 WORLD CUP SOCCER From June 9 to "Soccer and sex go hand in hand," declares the lawyer
of the new mega brothel which has been built beside the principal stage of
the World Cup in The Coalition Against Trafficking in Women has issued a
petition. It states: > Buying sex is not a sport. It is sexual exploitation that
is physically and psychologically damaging to women. > Treating women's bodies as goods violates the international
standards of a sport that promotes equality, mutual respect, and
non-discrimination. > Honorable men do not buy sex because they respect the
dignity and the integrity of human beings. The petition says NO to organizing prostitution during the World
Cup Soccer tournament and asks that the 32 countries taking part in the World
Cup Soccer tournament oppose the promotion of prostitution by http://catwepetition.ouvaton.org/php/index.php PRAYERS THAT MOVE THE
HEART OF GOD How to cultivate a meaningful conversation with the Lord by Nancy Guthrie "Is the way to get what I want from God through wearing him
down, or getting as many people as possible to ask God for it? What kinds of prayer really move the heart
and hand of God?....If you truly want to move God's
heart, put aside secret-formula prayer and instead begin to practice prayer
that seeks the Giver more than the gifts".... Read this in full http://www.christianitytoday.com/tcw/2006/002/9.22.html DOES IT PAY TO PRAY
FOR HEALING? by Tony Campolo "Those who cite Romans 8:28 in the face of such tragedies
need to know that the verse does not say "all things work together for
good," even though it reads that way in the King James Version. A more accurate translation of the Greek
New Testament reads, "In the midst of everything that is happening, God
is at work cooperating with those who love Him, to bring about
good." Big difference! "If we believe that in the midst of suffering God is with
us, working along with us to create something good out of such painful
realities, we can ask how sickness and death can be the basis or motivation
to do something that would bless others in significant ways. Instead of asking why the sickness
happened, we can ask, "God, what good can we create out of this sickness
and what good can we create out of death?" "You might be wondering if I think there is any point in
praying for God to intervene and heal sicknesses. I certainly believe in praying for healing,
I just don't understand anything about it.
I don't understand why God chooses to heal some people and not others
-- especially when those who are not healed seem more deserving. We read in 2 Corinthians 12:7-9 that St.
Paul, who healed many others, never saw prayers for his own healing answered
-- except in the sense that God gave him the strength and patience to endure
his sickness. To quote Mother Teresa,
'When I see God, he has a lot of explaining to do!'".... Read this in full at http://www.beliefnet.com/story/188/story_18886_1.html CONSIDER "We should be more anxious that our afflictions should
benefit us than that they should be speedily removed from us." Robert Hall VERSE TO PONDER "For me, living means opportunities for Christ, and dying
-- that's better yet!" Phil. THIS WEEK'S HYMN:
HAVE THINE OWN WAY, LORD Words: Music: George C. Stebbins, 1907 Have Thine own way, Lord!
Have Thine own way! Thou art the Potter, I am the clay. Mold me and make me after Thy will, While I am waiting, yielded and still. Have Thine own way, Lord!
Have Thine own way! Search me and try me, Master, today! Whiter than snow, Lord, wash me just now, As in Thy presence humbly I bow. Have Thine own way, Lord!
Have Thine own way! Wounded and weary, help me, I pray! Power, all power, surely is Thine! Touch me and heal me, Savior divine. Have Thine own way, Lord!
Have Thine own way! Hold o'er my being absolute sway! Fill with Thy Spirit 'till all shall see Christ only, always, living in me. >from CyberHymnal at http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/h/t/hthineow.htm GOD FAQ Question 72: What is justifying faith? Answer: Justifying faith is a saving grace, wrought in the heart
of a sinner by the Spirit and Word of God, whereby he, being convinced of his
sin and misery, and of the disability in himself and all other creatures to
recover him out of his lost condition, not only assents to the truth of the
promise of the gospel, but receives and rests upon Christ and his
righteousness, therein held forth, for pardon of sin, and for the accepting
and accounting of his person righteous in the sight of God for salvation. http://www.shortercatechism.com/ ON PRAYER "Let us never forget, when we pray, that things which are
impossible with men are possible with God. This is because He is
all-powerful. But let us remember, too, that some things that are possible
with men are impossible with God. This is because He is
all-loving." Elisabeth Elliot PRAY FOR PERSECUTED CHRISTIANS TODAY PRAY FOR A COUNTRY TODAY DAILY BLESSING PACT PERSONAL FINANCIAL Settlements "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. Bookstore Entrepreneur Wanted Top income potential, flexible hours, Christian oriented, online required. 1-866-439-1617 http://www.thechristianconnection.net 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. Visit us
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://christianconnectionbooks.spreadtheword.com SHARE YOUR FAVORITE
WEBSITES Tell us what sites you find enjoyable and why. Save Purpose Driven Cafe http://www.purposedrivenlife.com/pdcafe/ 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.) Out of my mind. Back in
five minutes. |
|
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CONNECTIONS is a periodic newsletter of announcements, news, recommendations,
articles, and other information helpful to men in our spiritual growth.
Thanks for welcoming 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 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 Visit
our website at: http://www.newjoydivine.org/
To
subscribe to CONNECTIONS, send a message to [email protected] with
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