Connecting man to man to God!

Week of October 22, 2006

"Have nothing to do with stupid and senseless controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.  And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kindly to everyone, an apt teacher, patient, correcting opponents with gentleness.  God may perhaps grant that they will repent and come to know the truth."  2 Timothy 2:23-25

     CONSIDER

"Our faith and our friendships are not shattered by one big act, but by many small neglects."  J. Gustav White

     CAN I REALLY TRUST GOD?

by Jerry Bridges

"Several years ago, doctors found a large malignant tumor in my wife's abdominal cavity.  She went through radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and all of the pain, nausea, and months of anxious waiting that go along with this disease.  Watching her suffer cut me to the heart.  After many months, the Lord ended her struggle through death.  Our experience is nothing extraordinary these days.

"In the past few years, I have had seven friends with cancer listed on my 'urgent' prayer page.

"But cancer or other physical ailments are not the only source of anxiety.  Over lunch a few weeks ago, a friend confided that his company is perilously close to bankruptcy; another experiences heartache over a spiritually rebellious teenager.  On a larger scale, we hear about war, terrorism, earthquakes, famine, racial injustice, murder, and exploitation daily.

"The truth is, all of us face fear-stirring adversity in various forms.  So the question naturally arises, 'Where is God in all of this?'"...  Read this in full at

http://www.navpress.com/EPubs/DisplayArticle/1/1.130.4.html?aCode=NL81006

     WHY THE CHURCH MUST CARE ABOUT FATHERLESSNESS

by George Williams

God is concerned about what's happening to the fatherless, and we should share that concern.  Simply put, fatherlessness puts children at risk.  Children from fatherless homes are more likely to be poor, suffer from child abuse, become involved in drug and alcohol abuse, drop out of school, suffer from emotional and behavioral problems, and commit suicide.  Boys are more likely to become involved in crime, and girls are more likely to become pregnant as teens.  And most likely these children will carry on the cycle of father absence with their own children.  Regardless whether that father isn't there physically, spiritually, emotionally, or all of the above, the effects are very real.  Once we recognize these problems as not just statistical probabilities that accompany fatherlessness, we can see willful father absence for what it really is -- child abuse and neglect.  Read this in full at

http://www.pastors.com/article.asp?ArtID=9437

     CHRISTIANS AND HALLOWEEN

Here are multiple articles about Halloween:

http://christianity.about.com/od/holidaytips/ss/halloweenaltern.htm

http://www.crosswalk.com/faith/1293292.html

http://www.crosswalk.com/faith/509872.html

http://www.crosswalk.com/family/parenting/1168227.html

http://www.crosswalk.com/family/parenting/1167686.html

http://www.crosswalk.com/family/parenting/1356585.html

http://www.christianitytoday.com/holidays/halloween/

     WORLD SERIES

http://www.worldseries.com

Baseball reference website

http://www.baseball-reference.com/

     FROM THE YANKEES TO ETERNITY

by Tim Ellsworth

Amid all the talk about the baseball playoffs -- all the analysis, all the reporting, all the predictions -- real life happened on Oct. 11.  New York Yankees pitcher Cory Lidle died in a plane crash, when the plane he was flying slammed into a Manhattan high-rise apartment building.  He leaves behind a wife and a 6-year-old son.  And we're all reminded of how fragile life is and how quickly it can be gone.

Despite the fact that Lidle is gone from this life, he claimed allegiance to the one who gives life everlasting.  "Cory and I had spoken on several occasions," said Rich Sparling, the Baseball Chapel leader for the Philadelphia Phillies, Lidle's former team.  "One of the issues that he had wondered about was eternal security.  We spoke about how salvation was a gift from God in response to our faith, and because of God's grace it doesn't depend on us."

Though no one can truly know a man's heart, Sparling saw the fruit of faith in Lidle's life.  He saw evidence that Lidle, instead of trusting in himself for salvation, trusted in Jesus, the only one who is mighty to save.

"I think that Cory genuinely knew Christ as his Savior," Sparling said.  "I know that Cory's with the Lord.  I don't doubt that.  I do know that he had faith in Christ.  I know he had made a decision to be more serious in his walk with the Lord."

http://www.bpnews.net/bpcolumn.asp?ID=2415

     CONFIDENT IN CRISIS

"Some of us are going through devastating crises right now.  Our problems are overwhelming, and we think we are going under for the last time.  God says this to you: You may lose the cargo; you may lose the tackle of the ship; you may lose the ship; you may even get wet -- but you're going to make it because of the promise of God.  As the old saying goes, "God said it, I believe it, and that settles it."  So what do you do?  Relax.  Be confident in your crisis."  Rick Warren, in God's Answers to Life's Difficult Questions

     'ONE NIGHT WITH THE KING' MOVIE REVIEW

When a young Jewish orphan girl named Hadassah became the Queen of Persia sometime around 481 B.C., she had no idea that, as Queen Esther, she would be used by God to prevent the extinction of her entire race.  It's a story found in the Old Testament Book of Esther, and it's one of the Bible's most treasured sources of inspiration and comfort since it brilliantly illustrates God's divine providence and His personal care and protection for His Chosen People.  One Night With the King, then, has a lot to live up to....

Created in part to provoke nostalgia for Hollywood's grand historical epics (Lawrence of Arabia, for instance), One Night With the King soars far more often than it stumbles.  While actors' accents are all over the map and the story feels too dense to follow in spots, the action and intrigue is undeniably exciting and compelling-without ever resorting to gratuitous gore, violence, foul language or sexual situations.  And that's a hard thing to make happen when telling a story that is as universally known and loved as Esther's is....  Read this in full at

http://www.pluggedinonline.com/movies/movies/a0002922.cfm

     NEW RESEARCH SHOWS U.S. POPULATION GROWING FASTER THAN CHURCH

New groundbreaking research based on a database of over 300,000 churches across America indicated that overall the population is growing faster than the church.  The director of the American Church Research Project, Dave Olson, spoke to nearly 170 national church, ministry, and lay leaders attending the Mission America Coalition (MAC) annual conference.  Olson, who's been working for years to record actual attendance of churches across the country, said that overall church attendance is virtually unchanged from 15 years ago despite the fact the U.S. population has grown by 52 million people....  Read this in full at

http://www.christianpost.com/article/20061017/25303.htm

     WOMEN GAMERS

Recent studies are shedding some surprising light on a video gaming industry most have assumed is dominated by males.  According to new research from Nielsen Entertainment and comScore Media Metrix, women account for 64% of online gamers and 52% of the overall gaming audience.  Twenty-six percent of female gamers play on their mobile phones, compared to 23% of males.  Overall, the typical video game aficionado is 41 years old and earns an average income of $55,000.  Still, the 48 million teens playing make that group the largest portion of active gamers (41%).

Source: mediapost.com, 10/6/06; comScore Media Metrix press release, 10/11/06 stats

     GAMBLING TAKES A HIT

In an unexpected move, the U.S. Congress took a bite out of the temptation to gamble online by approving a bill that makes it illegal for Stateside banks and credit card companies to make payments to gambling websites.  Now that President Bush has signed it into law, it's estimated the legislation will cause offshore Internet gaming companies to lose somewhere in the vicinity of $6.5 billion a year in online betting revenue.

http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=24173

     AMERICANS JUST WANT A GOOD NIGHT OF SLEEP

By far the most alluring possibility to Americans is the simplest: getting a good night of sleep!  Seven out of ten adults (71%) say they look forward "a lot" to having a refreshing snooze.  That's one of the results from a newly released nationwide survey of 1005 adults conducted by The Barna Group.  Forty percent say they look forward to attending church services, and 31% say they look forward to reading the Bible (31%).  The experience Americans dread the most is filling out their tax forms.  Just one out of every ten adults (11%) say they look forward to that activity.  Read more at

http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdateNarrowPreview&BarnaUpdateID=247

     LEADERSHIP TIPS (BUSINESS, FAMILY, LIFE)

"A mature, secure leader like Moses desires to see every person realize his or her calling and gifts.  Although mature leaders definitely believe in the importance of mentoring and training, this is not based on their insecurities, but on their passion to see new people develop into strong leaders.  In Ephesians 4:11-12, we see that the primary purpose of Christian leadership is 'to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.'  So whether you're a leader who needs to help mentor new leaders or you're the one being mentored, remember that we're all on the same team and that we all have the same purpose."  Pastor Jim Laffoon, in Our Daily Blog

     PASSAGE TO PONDER

When [Jesus] came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, as was his custom.  He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him.  He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.  He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."  And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down.  The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him.  Then he began to say to them, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."  Luke 4:16-21

     CONSIDER

"Steadfastness in believing doth not exclude all temptations from without.  When we say a tree is firmly rooted, we do not say the wind never blows upon it."  John Owen (1616-1683)

     FROM PULPIT TO IPOD

Finding God in a digital world has never been so easy; in fact, it has a moniker: Godcasting.  Ministers, pastors, and cantors nationwide are seizing increasingly upon the latest technology -- iTunes, iPods, MP3 players, and blogs -- to spread the gospel, making the church's message more accessible.  The latest Christian podcasting network to launch is WiredParish.com, with over 25 national Christian leaders, such as Brian McLaren and Leonard Sweet, hosting weekly original content segments for download, interviewing various communicators such as Rob Bell....

http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2006/04/08/from_pulpit_to_ipod/

Also see MORE GOD ON IPODS

http://www.christianpost.com/article/20060816/23757.htm

and

http://www.wiredparish.com/

and

http://www.zondervan.fm

     TOP TEN SIGNS YOU MIGHT HAVE A BAD FURNACE REPAIR GUY

by Dave Tippett

10. His face permanently blackened like a cartoon bomb went off.

9. Pushes his personal brand of 'pull start' furnaces.

8. Dave Lennox beat him up once.

7. Uses magnifying glass and really bright flashlight to try and re-light furnace.

6. Assures you his new efficient furnace only emits "CO2 Lite."

5. The instruction manual he leaves behind just says, "Light fuse, get away."

4. Tools consist of duct tape and tin foil.

3. Estimates your bill by shaking a bag of chicken bones.

2. You notice his furnace filters all say "Mr. Coffee" on them.

1. When firemen arrive, they all say his name in unison

Copyright 2006 Dave Tippett ([email protected])

http://www.mikeysFunnies.com

     CHOOSING A CREDIT CARD

Get tips on how to find a credit card that's right for you with Choosing a Credit Card from the Federal Reserve Board.  This useful guide explains common credit card features such as the annual percentage rate (APR), grace period, finance charges, and much more.  And there's a handy checklist to help you compare the features and costs of different credit cards.

http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/money/choosecard/cards.htm

     MCGRUFF FIGHTS CYBERCRIME WITH NEW SITE

McGruff the Crime Dog is going digital.  The 26-year-old mascot is the centerpiece of the National Crime Prevention Council's new campaign to "Take a Bite Out of Cyber Crime."  The website ByteCrime.org offers a free, 36-page online brochure with tips.

The brochure, aimed at individuals and small businesses, covers a variety of dangers online -- from malware to sexual predators -- and the tools and techniques available for protection.  It also addresses special situations, such as surfing the Web from public terminals at cybercafés or telecommuting into office networks.

http://www.bytecrime.org/

     ON FAITH AND DOUBT

"We too often forget that faith is a matter of questioning and struggle before it becomes one of certitude and peace.  You have to doubt and reject everything else in order to believe firmly in Christ, and after you have begun to believe, your faith itself must be tested and purified. Christianity is not merely a set of forgone conclusions.  Faith tends to be defeated by the burning presence of God in mystery, and seeks refuge from him, flying to comfortable social forms and safe convictions in which purification is no longer an inner battle but a matter of outward gesture."  Thomas Merton

     CONSIDER

"The sweetest life is to be ever making sacrifices for Christ; the hardest life a man can lead on earth, the most full of misery, is to be always doing his own will and seeking to please himself."  Edward Bickersteth

     VERSE TO PONDER

"Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge."  Psalm 62:8

     THIS WEEK'S HYMN: BEGONE UNBELIEF

Words: John Newton, 1779

Music: Johann M. Haydn, 1737-1806

Begone unbelief, my Savior is near,

And for my relief will surely appear:

By prayer let me wrestle, and He wilt perform,

With Christ in the vessel, I smile at the storm.

Though dark be my way, since He is my Guide,

'Tis mine to obey, 'tis His to provide;

Though cisterns be broken, and creatures all fail,

The Word He has spoken shall surely prevail.

His love in time past forbids me to think

He'll leave me at last in trouble to sink;

Each sweet Ebenezer I have in review,

Confirms His good pleasure to help me quite through.

Determined to save, He watched o'er my path,

When Satan's blind slave, I sported with death;

And can He have taught me to trust in His Name,

And thus far have brought me, to put me to shame?

Why should I complain of want or distress,

Temptation or pain? He told me no less:

The heirs of salvation, I know from His Word,

Through much tribulation must follow their Lord.

How bitter that cup, no heart can conceive,

Which He drank quite up, that sinners might live!

His way was much rougher, and darker than mine;

Did Jesus thus suffer, and shall I repine?

Since all that I meet shall work for my good,

The bitter is sweet, the medicine is food;

Though painful at present, wilt cease before long,

And then, O! how pleasant, the conqueror's song!

>from CyberHymnal at

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/b/e/g/begonunb.htm

     GOD FAQ

Question 95: Of what use is the moral law to all men?

Answer: The moral law is of use to all men, to inform them of the holy nature and will of God, and of their duty, binding them to walk accordingly; to convince them of their disability to keep it, and of the sinful pollution of their nature, hearts, and lives; to humble them in the sense of their sin and misery, and thereby help them to a clearer sight of the need they have of Christ, and of the perfection of his obedience.

http://www.shortercatechism.com/

     SPIRITUAL WINGS

Receive daily meditational ponderments capsulized as simple one-liners in your e-mailbox as yet another path to spark the soul in thought. Includes a daily spiritual acronym; a weekly spiritual affirmation, a weekly spiritually oriented artwork, a weekly spiritual sharing, a weekly spiritual prayer, a weekly spiritual poem, a weekly spiritually oriented joke, and a weekly spiritually oriented cartoon. Ecumenical, nondenominational.

-"May the road always lead, where you need to be."

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SpiritualWings/

     ON PRAYER

"Prayer pulls the rope down below and the great bell rings above in the ears of God.  Some scarcely stir the bell, for they pray so languidly; others give only an occasional jerk at the rope.  But he who communicates with heaven is the man who grasps the rope boldly and pulls continuously with all his might."  C.H. Spurgeon

     PRAY FOR PERSECUTED CHRISTIANS TODAY
http://christiansincrisis.net/

     PRAY FOR A COUNTRY TODAY
http://www.gmi.org/ow/index.html

     PRAYER CENTRAL

Submit your prayer request to our team of intercessors:

http://www.geocities.com/newjoydivine/page15.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
Business Growth

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.

My friend Mathias “Spider” Schergen’s art will be showing on display at several venues during the month October.  Hope to see you there.

HOTHOUSE
31 EAST BALBO
OCTOBER 14TH – OCTOBER 28TH
RECEPTION:  SATURDAY, OCT 14TH, 3:00 – 5:00
Parking available across the street at a discounted
weekend rate.  All ages welcome.  Elevator accessible.
Visit  www.hothouse.net
click on calendar, then October 14th for more info

SOUTH SHORE CULTURAL CENTER
7059 South Shore Drive
Sept. 8 – October 30th
Opening reception:  Wednesday, October 4th   6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

CASA MICHOACAN
1638 South Blue Island
October 6th – October 30th
Opening Reception:  Friday, October 6th,  6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

CAFÉ MESTIZO / CULTURAL URBAN COFFEE HOUSE
1646 West 18th Street
October 3rd – October 30th
Reception:  Friday, October 20th,  6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
(Live Latin music by Gonzalo Cordova from 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm)

Stop in & let Matt know that you read about it in the CONNECTIONS newsletter!

     SHARE YOUR FAVORITE WEBSITES

Tell us what sites you find enjoyable and why.

Heart Cry

http://www.heartcrymissionary.com

Meat in Due Season

http://www.meatindueseason.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.)

The goal of life is not to gain freedom but to choose the right master.

Min. Frank Coleman, Editor

[email protected]

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