Connecting man to man to God!

Week of March 4, 2007

Support this free newsletter—visit our advertisers

PAID ADVERTISEMENT

Start Your Domain Name Search Here!

.COMs starting at $10.95!*

FREE with every domain:

·          FREE!  Quick Blog

·          FREE!  Free Hosting

·          FREE!  Complete Email

·          FREE!  Forwarding / Masking

·          FREE!  Change of Registration

·          FREE!  Starter Web Page

·          FREE!  "For Sale"/ Parked Page

·          FREE!  Domain Name Locking

·          FREE!  Total DNS Control

Go-Global Domains

PAID ADVERTISEMENT

Own Your Own Online Bookstore Without All The Hastles!

We make it possible for you to have a fully-stocked online bookstore up and running in about an hour!

We have a vision to drive Christian dollars back into the hands of Christian individuals just like you through the ownership of your own online Christian bookstore and by building a network of online Christian bookstores.

Find out how you can participate today!

The Christian Connection

"This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him."  1 John 4:9

     CONSIDER

"This world is the land of the dying; the next is the land of the living."  Tryon Edwards

     SURVIVED AND THRIVED

"The Bible has been banned, burned, scoffed, and ridiculed.  Scholars have mocked it as foolish.  Kings have branded it as illegal.  A thousand times over, the grave has been dug and the dirge has begun, but somehow the Bible never stays in the grave.  Not only has it survived, it has thrived.  It's the single most popular book in all of history.  It has been the best-selling book in the world for years."  Max Lucado

     THE GOSPELS AS HISTORICAL SOURCES FOR JESUS

by R. T. France

This article addresses two main points: 1) the indispensability of the four canonical gospels; and 2) the acceptability of the gospels as historical sources. any responsible reconstruction of Christian origins must find its starting-point in the first-century gospel records, not in the hints of an alternative view of Jesus contained in 2nd-century literature from the Gnostic wing of Christianity....

http://www.leaderu.com/truth/1truth21.html

     PHILIP YANCEY RECUPERATING FROM ACCIDENT

Sunday, Feb. 25, author Philip Yancey was involved in an accident.  Read his letter about it at his website.  Click into the main area, click on "News," then "Tour Accident."

http://www.philipyancey.com/

     A BIRD'S-EYE VIEW OF CONTEMPORARY EVANGELICALISM

by Philip Yancey

"...Christians in Great Britain seem more serious about their faith than their counterparts in the U.S.  In a nation where only 6% of the population attends church, there's no overlay of cultural Christianity and no social advantage to church affiliation.  As I've noticed in other countries, when Christians constitute a tiny minority, they're more likely to work together, too.  With their impressive infrastructure, American churches tend to do things on their own or work within a denomination"....  Read this in full at

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2007/march/22.120.html

     THE SHAPE OF FAITH

by Nathan Bierma

Pray continually, Paul urged the Thessalonians.  The early church fathers took this one step further: continually make the sign of the cross.

How the sign of the cross -- the motion of the hand over the torso, up, down, then side-to-side -- made its way from the early church to us today is a lesson in church history, as you can see in two new books: The Sign of the Cross by Andreas Andreopoulos and The Sign of the Cross by Bert Ghezzi.

More importantly, the sign of the cross is a lesson in discipleship.  As Andreopoulos, from an Eastern Orthodox perspective, and Ghezzi, from a Roman Catholic perspective, both show, making sign of the cross is a powerful act of daily prayer, dedication, and remembrance.  Ghezzi writes that at its heart, the sign of the cross is "a simple gesture and ... a simple prayer"....  Read this review in full at

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2007/februaryweb-only/109-22.0.html

     'THE EVANGELICAL WORLD IS CHANGING'

For the Rev. Ronald Sider, president of Evangelicals for Social Action, the film "Amazing Grace" is evidence of a change in evangelicalism.  When his group began in 1973, most evangelical leaders only wanted to evangelize, he said.  They later developed a short list of causes, topped by opposition to abortion.  Now he sees them also addressing poverty and other issues.  "This movie is an indication of a massive change going on in the evangelical world," he said....  Read this in full at

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07054/764300-254.stm

     THE PURSUIT OF GOD

"A generation of Christians reared among push buttons and automatic machines is impatient of slower and less direct methods of reaching their goals.  We have been trying to apply machine-age methods to our relations with God.  We read our chapter, have our short devotions, and rush away, hoping to make up for our deep inward bankruptcy by attending another gospel meeting or listening to another thrilling story told by a religious adventurer lately returned from afar.  The tragic results of this spirit are all about us.  Shallow lives, hollow religious philosophies, the preponderance of the element of fun in gospel meetings, the glorification of men, trust in religious externalities, quasi-religious fellowships, salesmanship methods, the mistaking of dynamic personality for the power of the Spirit; these and such as these are the symptoms of an evil disease, a deep and serious malady of the soul."  A. W. Tozer (1897-1963), The Pursuit of God [1948]

     LEADERSHIP TIPS (BUSINESS, FAMILY, LIFE)

"Priorities"

by Pat Morley

Priorities are "pre-decisions" we make to decide in advance what we will give ourselves to.  When we set priorities we are literally writing history in advance.  How should you prioritize?

1.      Don't give yourself to those who don't absolutely need you at the expense of those who do.

2.      Never do anything someone else can do.

3.      Distinguish opportunity from distraction.

4.      Recognize the difference between a good idea and a God idea.

Everyman must take personal responsibility for his private life and set priorities in 5 areas: To expand on the 4 things above and to set priorities in the 5 areas correctly, read this article...

http://www.maninthemirror.org/alm/alm25.htm

     VERSE TO PONDER

"But those who want to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.  For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains.  But as for you, follower of God, shun all this; pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness."  1 Timothy 6:9-11

     CONSIDER

"Because Jesus' teachings are so challenging and radical, it is much more comfortable to focus on a quiet, private, personal relationship with him than it is to follow his teachings that call for a public prophetic witness."  Alvin Alexi Currier

     TREAT IT -- OR WAIT AND SEE?

A new study from the University of Pennsylvania suggests that older men with cancer confined to the prostate are 30% less likely to die of the disease if they undergo surgery or radiation as opposed to "watchful waiting."  Whether treatment benefits men older than 65 has been controversial, because prostate cancer often progresses slowly and more than half of all men have it by age 80.  The 12-year study, reported Dec. 13 in the Journal of the American Medical Association, included 44,630 prostate cancer patients ages 65 to 80. Of those who opted for observation, 2.4% died of the cancer compared with about 1.9% of those treated aggressively.  Even so, H. Ballentine Carter, M.D., of the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, says he tells older patients that the cancer is unlikely to harm them in their lifetime.  "We can monitor it very, very carefully."

http://www.aarp.org/bulletin/yourhealth/a2005-01-19-discoveries_05.html

     'HALFTIMERS' LOOK TO MAKE LASTING IMPACT

A Harvard/Met Life study finds that 1/2 of all Americans aged 50-70 are interested in working to help the poor, elderly, and others in need, according to Lloyd Reeb, spokesman for the Halftime initiative of the Leadership Network.  "They want to transition from lives of success to lives of significance," he says.  Over the past decade, the Halftime organization has become a leading authority in the capacity of helping halftimers -- who have mainly achieved financial independence in the marketplace -- find significance in the second 1/2 of their lives through resources and networks....

http://www.christianpost.com/article/20070226/26018.htm

also see

http://www.halftime.org/

     ARCHAEOLOGISTS, SCHOLARS DISPUTE JESUS DOCUMENTARY

Archaeologists and clergymen in the Holy Land are deriding claims in a new documentary produced by Oscar-winning director James Cameron that contradict major Christian tenets.  "The Lost Tomb of Christ," shown on the Discovery Channel, argues that 10 ancient ossuaries -- small caskets used to store bones -- discovered in a suburb of Jerusalem in 1980 may have contained the bones of Jesus and his family.  One of the caskets seems to bear the title, "Judah, son of Jesus," hinting that Jesus may have had a son.  And the very fact that Jesus had an ossuary would contradict the Christian belief that he was resurrected and ascended to heaven....

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/02/070228-jesus-tomb.html

also see

http://benwitherington.blogspot.com/

     GOD'S WILL

"What God asks is a will which will no longer be divided between him and any creature, a will pliant in his hands, which neither desires anything, nor refuses anything, which wants without reservation everything which he wants, and which never, under any pretext, wants anything which he does not want."  Francios De Fenelon (1651-1715)

     UPS AND DOWNS ACROSS THE WORLD

by Martin E. Marty

"The Power of Faith: How Religion Impacts Our World" is the cover and title of the International Edition of a September 2006 Spiegel Special that just came my way.  It's a stunning issue published in a nation stunned by evidences of vital religion almost everywhere in the world except Western Europe and, closest to home, Germany itself.  Half the issue is given to "World Religions" and half to "Faith and Values" and "Christianity."  Fair enough.  (There's much on Islam in

Europe, too.)

Let me quote the first caption of a two-page picture spread: "Amid wrenching change worldwide, people are returning to old-time religion.  In the name of God, terrorists are happily maiming and killing; in the United States, the Christian Right has a stranglehold on government.  On this increasingly God-fearing globe, only Western Europe looks like the last bastion of secularism -- or are the faithful here too returning to the fold?"  Let's not buy that line about anyone having a "stranglehold on government" in the United States, and deal with two themes: 1) how things are in the U.S., in Spiegel's eyes; and 2) how to answer the question about whether Europeans are returning to the fold -- and why they left....

http://marty-center.uchicago.edu/sightings/archive_2007/0212.shtml

also see

Spiegel: "The Power of Faith"

http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/0,1518,k-7054,00.html

     AH, THE POWER OF CREATIVE BIOGRAPHIES!

An amateur genealogical researcher discovered that his great-great uncle, Remus Starr, a fellow lacking in character, was hanged for horse stealing and train robbery in Montana in 1889.  The only known photograph of Remus shows him standing on the gallows.  On the back of the picture is this inscription:

"Remus Starr; horse thief; sent to Montana Territorial Prison 1885, escaped 1887; robbed the Montana Flyer six times.  Caught by Pinkerton detectives.  Convicted and hanged 1889."

In a Family History subsequently written by the researcher, Remus's picture is cropped so that all that's seen is a head shot.  The accompanying biographical sketch is as follows:

"Remus Starr was a famous cowboy in the Montana Territory.  His business empire grew to include acquisition of valuable equestrian assets and intimate dealings with the Montana railroad.  Beginning in 1885, he devoted several years of his life to service at a government facility, finally taking leave to resume his dealings with the railroad.  In 1887, he was a key player in a vital investigation run by the renowned Pinkerton Detective Agency.  In 1889, Remus passed away during an important civic function held in his honor when the platform upon which he was standing collapsed."

http://www.mikeysFunnies.com

     CAN I GET A RECEIPT FOR MY CHURCH OFFERING?

A new Internal Revenue Service rule that requires written proof on any charitable donation raised some concerns among churchgoers whose cash goes into the offering plate each weekend.  To deduct any charitable donation of money (including contributions less than $250), a taxpayer must have a bank record or a written communication from the charity showing the name of the charity and the date and amount of the contribution.  The new tax law requirement, among other changes, went into effect in January....  Read this in full at

http://www.christianpost.com/article/20070224/25992_Can_I_Get_a_Receipt_for_My_Church_Offering%3F.htm

also see

http://www.irs.gov/

     ARE YOU SAVING FOR RETIREMENT?

The nation's personal savings rate fell to -1% last year.  That means for every $100 in disposable income workers enjoyed in 2006, they spent about $101.  This marks the lowest household savings rate since the Great Depression.  About 2 out of 5 workers have saved less than $10,000 toward their retirement.  And the vast majority of workers have saved less than $50,000.  Yet studies show that households may need to set aside at least $200,000 simply to cover healthcare expenses in retirement....

http://www.usnews.com/usnews/biztech/articles/070226/26moneymatters.htm

also see

http://www.americasaves.org/

     CONSIDER

"The Christian's fellowship with God is rather a habit than a rapture."  Richard Cecil

     VERSE TO PONDER

"There is no fear in love.  But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love."  1 John 4:18

     THIS WEEK'S HYMN: ALL YE THAT SEEK THE LORD WHO DIED

Words: Charles Wesley, 1746

Music: Wenzel Müller, 1767-1835

All ye that seek the Lord Who died,

Your God for sinners crucified,

Prevent the earliest dawn, and come

To worship at His sacred tomb.

Bring the sweet spices of your sighs,

Your contrite hearts, and streaming eyes,

Your sad complaints, and humble fears;

Come, and embalm Him with your tears.

While thus ye love your souls t'employ,

Your sorrow shall be turned to joy:

Now, let all your grief be o'er!

Believe, and ye shall weep no more.

An earthquake hath the cavern shook,

And burst the door, and rent the rock;

The Lord hath sent His angel down,

And he hath rolled away the stone.

As snow behold his garment white,

His countenance as lightning bright:

He sits, and waves a flaming sword,

And waits upon his rising Lord.

The third auspicious morn is come,

And calls your Savior from the tomb,

The bands of death are torn away,

The yawning tomb gives back its prey.

Could neither seal nor stone secure,

Nor men, nor devils make it sure?

The seal is broke, the stone cast by,

And all the powers of darkness fly.

The body breathes, and lifts His head,

The keepers sink, and fall as dead;

The dead restored to life appear,

The living quake, and die for fear.

No power a band of soldiers have

To keep one body in its grave:

Surely it no dead body was

That could the Roman eagles chase.

The Lord of Life is risen indeed,

To death delivered in your stead;

His rise proclaims your sins forgiv'n,

And show the living way to Heav'n.

Haste then, ye souls that first believe,

Who dare the Gospel-Word receive,

Your faith with joyful hearts confess,

Be bold, be Jesus' witnesses.

Go tell the followers of your Lord

Their Jesus is to life restored;

He lives, that they His life may find;

He lives, to quicken all mankind.

>from CyberHymnal at

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/a/y/t/aytslowd.htm

PAID ADVERTISEMENT

What is the Future of Digital Entertainment?

Welcome to the Digital Revolution! If you have ever wanted to tap into the digital music wave that is rolling across our country then you have come to the right place. The website linked below is my personal digital music portal where you can join with us in profiting from the Music and Entertainment industry.

You will have the ability to buy and sell anything in our catalog of over two million songs, create Musical Playlists, communicate with your customers and friends using the BonFire.IM™ messenger tool, create a unique Retailer profile and invite friends to join your community. When you sell a song you earn BurnRewards™ points which you can redeem for products in your store or convert your points into cash!

No matter what your music passion is … BurnLounge™ is your one-stop source! Hey, why not make money at something we all love … Music!

Don't hesitate to contact me … I look forward to working with you in the future!

Go-Global Music

     GOD FAQ

Question 114: What reasons are annexed to the third commandment?

Answer: The reasons annexed to the third commandment, in these words, The Lord thy God, and, For the Lord will not hold him guiltless that takes his name in vain, are, because he is the Lord and our God, therefore his name is not to be profaned, or any way abused by us; especially because he will be so far from acquitting and sparing the transgressors of this commandment, as that he will not suffer them to escape his righteous judgment, albeit many such escape the censures and punishments of men.

http://www.shortercatechism.com/

     ON PRAYER

"You yourself can influence more people for God by prayer than in any other way.  It is not the only thing you must do, but the greatest thing you can do."  Wesley Deuwel, former President of missions organization OMS International, missionary to India for 25 years, and author of TOUCH THE WORLD THROUGH PRAYER

     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
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.

     SHARE YOUR FAVORITE WEBSITES

Tell us what sites you find enjoyable and why.

My Utmost for His Highest

http://www.myutmost.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.)

Your mouth is the microphone of your heart.

Min. Frank Coleman, Editor

[email protected]

Thanks for welcoming CONNECTIONS into your in-box!

Quick Links...

·  Web Tools

·  Download & Share Your Favorite Music

·  Visit my blog - comment & share your thoughts

email: [email protected]

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