“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord."  Psalm 33:12

     CONSIDER

"Authentic Christianity should lead to maturity, personality, and reality. It should fashion whole men and women living lives of love and communion."  Brennan Manning, "The Ragamuffin Gospel"

     FOURTH OF JULY (USA)

From picnics to fireworks, Americans celebrate a Revolution that rocked the world.  But what, if any, part did Christianity play in the War of Independence?  And in today's culture separating church and state, how should Christians live out their faith in the public square?  You'll find answers to this and much more in this exploration of America's Christian heritage at

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

     NEW YORK GRAHAM CRUSADE

At the just completed Greater New York Crusade, Billy Graham reminded audiences of the importance of making a decision for Christ using a reference to a recent "Star Wars" film much like he did in 1957 when he used the titles from the Times Square marquees in his closing sermon at that crusade.  "In the new 'Star Wars' movie we see a young man who made a wrong decision," he said.  "The inner desire to control events and to play god led to his destruction.  The decisions you make tonight will affect your whole future.  And your eternal future, one thousand years from tonight, will depend in large extent on what you decide tonight."

Mr. Graham has always been known for preaching about what is going on in the world around him and did so again in New York.  Mentioning the great poverty in the world today he also spoke of "another kind of poverty, the poverty of the soul -- where longings are never satisfied, where desires are never fulfilled, where hopes are unrealized, and fears are growing," he said.  "Tonight some of you are in that situation.  The Bible says God has put eternity in our hearts.  We long to know exactly what life is all about.  Every day we strive to change our surroundings for the better.  This is an inescapable biblical truth -- we were made by God to do better, to have a better world."

At a news conference before the crusade began, Mr. Graham said, "I've been asked so many times lately, do I fear death.  No, I look forward to death with great anticipation.  I'm looking forward to seeing God face to face.  And that could happen any day.  In Amos chapter four it says, 'Prepare to meet your God.' Are you prepared?"

See a special report on the Life of Billy Graham

http://www.beliefnet.com/billygraham.html

     JESUS AND JUSTICE

by Harold Myra and Marshall Shelley

[When people think of Billy Graham, they think "evangelist," "preacher," or even "godliness."  They don't think "leader."  This is a mistake according Harold Myra and Marshall Shelley in the forthcoming book The Leadership Secrets of Billy Graham (Zondervan, 2005).  Myra and Shelley, Christianity Today International CEO and editorial vice president respectively, interviewed dozens of people who've observed or worked closely with Graham, and they describe the many ways Graham has exerted strong and wise leadership.  The following excerpt shows Graham leading on race, especially during his 1957 New York City crusade.]

At first Graham tried to carve a middle ground that opposed both forced integration as well as forced segregation.  He relied on the example of Billy Sunday, who had followed local custom by preaching to integrated audiences in the North and to mostly segregated audiences in the South.  So, in many of his earliest meetings, Graham followed suit.

But the dramatic times left little maneuvering room for moderates.  Reporters demanded to know why he could not speak to integrated audiences in South Carolina and Georgia just as he did in California and Massachusetts.  They asked why he never addressed racism in the South.  Graham chose to make his stand in the heart of the segregated South.  He initially agreed to segregate the audience during his 1952 campaign in Jackson, Mississippi, but rejected Governor Hugh White's suggestion to conduct separate meetings for blacks.  Meanwhile, Graham prepared to make a much bolder statement.  Holding segregated events had always struck him as wrong, but he'd never chosen to take decisive action -- until now.  Walking toward the ropes that separated blacks and whites, Graham tore them down....

Read this in full at

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2005/125/52.0.html

     SUPREME COURT RULES ON 10 COMMANDMENTS DISPLAYS

The U.S. Supreme Court made final rulings on a number of high-profile cases before its summer recess, including separate rulings on displays of the Ten Commandments in Kentucky (no) and Texas (yes).  One analyst described the court's rulings as "splitting the baby."  Hear this report at

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4721029

Read Focus on the Family's reaction to the rulings at

http://www.family.org/cforum/feature/a0037014.cfm

Read the report by Christianity Today at

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2005/126/11.0.html

Religious conservatives are split on the meaning of the rulings, and whether the issue is settled.  Hear this report at

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4722609

     SAME-SEX MARRIAGE ABOUT TO BE LEGAL IN CANADA

On June 28, by a vote of 158-133, Canada's Parliament voted in favor of same-sex marriage.  In spite of strong opposition from Christian groups and churches across the country, the Liberal government of Prime Minister Paul Martin pushed through this highly controversial bill that many predict will change marriage in Canada forever.

Supported by most members of the government, the Bloc Quebecois and the NDP, the legislation passed, making Canada only the fourth country in the world, after the Netherlands, Belgium, and Spain to officially recognize same-sex unions.  Having been voted on by the House of Commons, the bill goes to the Senate, but there is little doubt that it will win approval there and thus become law....

Read this story in full at

http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/s05060119.htm

Also see

http://www.evangelicalfellowship.ca

or

http://www.christianity.ca

     ANCIENT FAITH, MODERN LIFE

by Frederica Mathewes-Green

..."Then something disturbing happened.  A dumpy-looking guy stood up and said, "What you people are doing here is really good. It's not my thing, but it's good.  My friends and I like to do something too.  We kill people.  We killed somebody last night.  Anyway, thanks, and I like what you're doing here."

"As he sat back down my hair was standing on end.  I hissed to my husband, "What if his friends are waiting outside?" and he replied, "Don't you see?  He doesn't have any 'friends.'"  The slumped, lonely figure did not have the appearance of someone who was too well plugged into reality; it seemed clear that this Manson-style spree was all in his mind.  We waited to see what would happen next.  If this had occurred at the kind of church service we were used to, it would be chaos.

"But what happened surprised us.  A blanket of peace gently dropped over the room. A person got up and began to pray for the man who had just spoken, that the Evil One would be driven away from hurting and oppressing him, that he would have clarity of mind and peace and come to know the love of God.  (Maybe he had spoken up at meetings before?)  A few others prayed in similar ways. Then the thread of worship picked up as it had before, a meandering series of prayers, songs, and scriptures.

"That made a big impression on me. At last I knew what the Holy Spirit was for; he was able to give peace and direction in a moment of fear and confusion.  He could do a lot of other things, I was soon to learn: healings, prophetic words of guidance, glimpses of the future.  On a December evening, a fellow-seminarian prayed over us and we were "baptized in the Holy Spirit" and prayed in tongues...."

Read this commentary in full at

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/166/story_16665_1.html

     THE EMERGING CHURCH MOVEMENT

RELIGION & ETHICS NEWSWEEKLY, the award-winning newsmagazine TV program, will present a special series on a new movement in Protestant Christianity -- "The Emerging Church" -- to be included in programs distributed Friday July 8 and July 15 to PBS stations nationwide at 5 p.m. ET (check local listing).

In this two-part report, correspondent Kim Lawton examines how some evangelical and mainline Protestants are rethinking Christianity for a new generation.  In conversations conducted largely through "blogs," leaders of the emerging church movement argue that old models and categories are no longer effective.  They're developing new theologies and new forms of worship, often blending elements from different traditions -- and eras -- of Christianity.  Some are generating controversy for urging a radical re-examination of conventional understandings of the faith.

In the first report, Lawton explores the diverse ways the emerging church movement is taking shape at the local level, profiling a congregation in Minneapolis that uses couches and recliners instead of pews, and going behind-the scenes at experimental worship sessions that blend contemporary technology with ancient religious practices.  Lawton also talks with leaders of the movement about how they are reassessing what it means to follow Jesus in today's culture, and hears from one critic who says that some parts of the movement are threatening traditional Christianity.

In the conclusion, Lawton conducts an extended interview with Brian McLaren, named by Time magazine earlier this year as one of the 25 most influential evangelicals in America.  McLaren, whose writings have played a key role in emerging church conversations, advocates a "generous orthodoxy" that is "post-conservative and post-liberal."  He also raises provocative questions about traditional teachings on subjects such as hell and the afterlife.

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/

See the book A GENEROUS ORTHODOXY at

http://www.zondervan.com/Books/Detail.asp?ISBN=0310257476

     WIRELESS CAUTION

(CNN) What comes to mind when you think of wireless Web surfing?  It may not be security, or lack of it.  There are nearly 30,000 public wireless "hot spots" in the United States at places such as parks and cafes, but there's more to consider than just where to log on.  The convenience comes with a caveat.  Read this report at

http://www.cnn.com/2005/TECH/internet/06/21/hotspot.hacking/index.html

     IS IT TRUE?

Check out TruthOrFiction.com[1] before you forward that email about a new outrage. This will save you contributing to Internet logjams by passing along unfounded rumors... (er... now forward this to everyone you know!)

There are also many supposedly true stories passed around as sermon illustrations which are not true. Once they gain credibility by being used in, for example, printed devotional notes, they just go on and on. For instance, the tale that a young Alexander Fleming rescued a young inston Churchill. Or the various versions of a story whereby a railway bridge operator (or bus driver) has to sacrifice his son to save the passengers - moving as a parable, but incorrect if told as something which actually happened.

--Courtesy of Web Evangelism Bulletin[2].

Addendum: Read Touched by an Urban Legend[3], an "On Religion" column by Terry Mattingly. Then check out Truth Miners[4] and F-Secure: Security Information Center[5].

-- Links in this story --

[1] http://www.truthorfiction.com/

[2] http://guide.gospelcom.net/resources/bulletin.php

[3] http://tmatt.gospelcom.net/column/2003/05/07/

[4] http://www.truthminers.com/truth/

[5] http://www.datafellows.com/virus-info/hoax/

     BASIC BIBLE DOCTRINE

The Doctrine of Satan (continued)

IV. The Fall of Satan - Key Passages - Ezekiel 28; Isaiah 14

A.  Ezekiel 28:11-19 is a prophetic lamentation over the "King of Tyre" who is described in language that fits Satan's fall and not a mere human king. Satan is distinguished form the human ruler of Tyre in 28:2 ("prince/ruler") and called a "king" in 28:12 (Not even Israel's rulers were called "King").  Though Tyre had a human "ruler", Satan was the real "King" behind that wicked kingdom.

B.  His attributes - Moral perfection (v.12) Sinless at his creation until his fall (v.15)

C.  His appearance - Perfect in beauty (v.12b,13)

1.   His privileges - Free access to the garden of Eden (v.12) and to God's holy mountain (= God's presence - v.14)

2.   His rank - "Cherub" (vs.14,16)

3.   His judgment -

a.   Cast out of the mountain of God (v.16, cf. Rev12:4)

b.   Cast to the ground (v.17)

c.   Consumed by fire (v.18, cf. Rev.20:10)

D.  Isaiah 14:12-15 also seems to describe Satan's fall. Satan is manifest here by the king of Babylon. As in Ezekiel 28, Satan is pictured here as the real "king" behind the wicked human kingdom of Babylon.

1.   The imagery of a "star" and "falling from heaven" (v.12) suggests a supernatural fulfillment. "Stars" (v.12,13) are symbolic of the angelic realm elsewhere (Job 38:6,7; Rev.12:4).

2.   The five "I will's" of vss. 13 & 14 are literally true of Satan and only metaphorically true of Babylon's king. This ultimate form of pride ("I will be like the Most High" - v.14) fits the New Testament description of Satan's fall 1 Tim.3:6.

http://www.bible.org/page.asp?page_id=388

     LEADERSHIP TIPS (BUSINESS, FAMILY, LIFE)

Sneak Peek: A leadership secret from Billy Graham...

3. Never underestimate a "small temptation."

Greed, pride, lust, and ambition -- temptation can blindside you.  A small indiscretion may appear worth the risk.  But only after we hook into temptation do we discover its strength.  By openly declaring their ethical standards, Billy Graham and his team admitted the dangers of temptation and clarified the expectations and accountabilities.  You have to be in the dark, what you are in the light.  "When wealth is lost, nothing is lost.  When health is lost, something is lost.  When character is lost, everything is lost." Billy Graham

This is just one of 21 secrets you'll find in THE LEADERSHIP SECRETS OF BILLY GRAHAM.  Look for it in bookstores this August.

http://www.zondervan.com/Books/Detail.asp?ISBN=0310255783

Also see

Thoughts and Reflections on Billy Graham's Life Principles

http://www.inspiriogifts.com/detail.asp?isbn=0310810604

     VERSE TO PONDER

"Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people."  Proverbs 14:34

     CONSIDER

"Jesus himself has shown us by his own example that prayer and fasting are the first and most effective weapons against the forces of evil."  Pope John Paul II

     HELPING CHURCH LEADERS STRUGGLING WITH P*RNOGRAPHY

Pastors are people too -- and that means p*rnography is as dangerous a temptation for them as it is for the "rest of us."  But when a pastor or church leader falls into the trap of p*rnography, the resulting pain and hurt is often made more damaging by their leadership position.  Pastors can also have an especially difficult time finding people with whom to discuss incredibly personal struggles like this.  The article at the link below speaks directly to church leaders about the issue, pointing out specific areas in which even the most dedicated minister or youth pastor is vulnerable.

http://www.xxxchurch.com/bunny/justforpastors.asp

     THIS I BELIEVE...

...is a national media project that invites Americans from all walks of life to write about and discuss the core beliefs that guide their daily lives.  They're sharing these statements in weekly broadcasts on the NPR programs Morning Edition and All Things Considered.  Consider writing your own essay; the program is open to anyone able to distill into a few minutes the guiding principles by which they live.  Learn more at

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4538138

Also see

This We Believe: The Good News of Jesus Christ for the World

http://www.zondervan.com/Books/Detail.asp?ISBN=0310236355

     A SECRETARY OF STATE'S LESSON IN FAITH

Condoleezza Rice's defining moment as a child carried her through difficult times as an adult.  Born on November 14, 1954, Condoleezza (which means to play "with sweetness" in Italian musical notation) Rice grew up in a Birmingham still crippled from decades of black oppression under the Jim Crow laws. Beginning with her grandfather, John Rice Sr., who was the son of house slaves, education became a crucial component of the heritage that would be passed down through the Rice family. Recognizing that "book learning" was the key to a brighter future, Granddaddy Rice, as Condoleezza affectionately calls the man who died two years before her birth, attended Stillman College in Tuscaloosa in 1918, eventually becoming a Presbyterian minister. John Rice Jr., Condoleezza's father, also a Presbyterian minister, went on to serve as dean of Stillman College as well as vice chancellor of the University of Denver. Condoleezza's mother, Angelena Rice, was also well educated, and taught science and music in an all-black high school....

Read this in full at

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/167/story_16735_1.html

     CONSIDER

"We may be certain that whatever God has made prominent in his word, he intended to be conspicuous in our lives."  Charles Spurgeon

     VERSE TO PONDER

"Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done and proclaim that his name is exalted."  Isaiah 12:4

     THIS WEEK'S HYMN: BATTLE HYMN OF THE REPUBLIC

Words: Julia W. Howe, 1861

Music: possibly John William Steffe

Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord;

He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;

He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword;

His truth is marching on.

Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!

Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! His truth is marching on.

I have seen Him in the watch fires of a hundred circling camps

They have builded Him an altar in the evening dews and damps;

I can read His righteous sentence by the dim and flaring lamps;

His day is marching on.

Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!

Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! His day is marching on.

I have read a fiery Gospel writ in burnished rows of steel;

"As ye deal with My contemners, so with you My grace shall deal";

Let the Hero, born of woman, crush the serpent with His heel,

Since God is marching on.

Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!

Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Since God is marching on.

He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat;

He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment seat;

Oh, be swift, my soul, to answer Him! be jubilant, my feet;

Our God is marching on.

Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!

Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Our God is marching on.

In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,

With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me:

As He died to make men holy, let us live to make men free;

[originally ...let us die to make men free]

While God is marching on.

Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!

Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! While God is marching on.

He is coming like the glory of the morning on the wave,

He is wisdom to the mighty, He is honor to the brave;

So the world shall be His footstool, and the soul of wrong His slave,

Our God is marching on.

Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!

Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Our God is marching on.

>from CyberHymnal at

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/b/h/bhymnotr.htm

     GOD FAQ

Question 27: What misery did the fall bring upon mankind?

Answer: The fall brought upon mankind the loss of communion with God, his displeasure and curse; so as we are by nature children of wrath, bond slaves to Satan, and justly liable to all punishments in this world, and that which is to come.

http://www.shortercatechism.com/

     ON PRAYER

"Prayer is an opportunity to praise God for His mighty works, His gift of freedom, His mercy, and His boundless love.  Through prayer, we recognize the limits of earthly power and acknowledge the sovereignty of God.  According to Scripture, "the Lord is near to all who call upon Him . . . He also will hear their cry, and save them."  Prayer leads to humility and a grateful heart, and it turns our minds to the needs of others."  George W. Bush

     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

*        Minister Corey “Keyz” Martin

*        Apostle Meredeth Shackleford

*        Minister Frank Coleman

*        Bishop Chester McLaurin

*        Bro. Fred Simms

*        Minister Maurice Collier

*        Bro. Danielle Metcalf

*        Min Lamont Smith

*        Bro. Travis Collins

*        Bro. DeVonte Metcalf

[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.

Fireworks Safety

http://www.preventblindness.org/safety/fireworksafety.html

A Fourth of July Celebration at Peggie's Place

http://peggiesplace.gospelcom.net/july4.htm

Lady Liberty Fireworks

http://www.njagyouth.org/liberty.htm

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.)

There is more to life than increasing its speed.

Min. Frank Coleman, Editor

[email protected]

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

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.

To unsubscribe, send a message to [email protected] with "unsubscribe MSM" in the subject line.

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 Frank Coleman