Connecting man to man to God!

Week of May 13, 2007

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"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

     CONSIDER

"Faith means trusting in advance what will only make sense in reverse."  Philip Yancey

     THE TESTIMONY OF DAREDEVIL ROBERT EVEL KNIEVEL

Evel Knievel (EK) is America's legendary motorcycle daredevil. Among his most famous stunts was jumping 151 feet across the fountains in front of Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, over 13 buses in Wembley Stadium in London, and over the Snake River Canyon in Idaho.  According to the Guiness Book of World Records, he holds the record for having broken 35 bones.  EK singles out the book The Case for Christ for helping him become a Christian.  On Palm Sunday, hundreds responded to EK's testimony by asking to be baptized on the spot at Crystal Cathedral. Speaking alongside the Rev. Robert H. Schuller, Knievel told the congregation how he had refused for 68 years to accept Jesus Christ as Lord.  He believed in God, but he couldn't walk away from the gold and the gambling and the booze and the women....  Read this in full at

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2007/aprilweb-only/115-43.0.html

Also read the interview at

http://www.hourofpower.org/interviews/interviews_detail.cfm?ArticleID=5306

     THE MAKING OF 'PRINCE CASPIAN'

Narnia fans still have a long wait before the franchise's second installment hits theaters in summer 2008, but, in the interim, Douglas Gresham -- an advisor for both the first film and the upcoming Prince Caspian, not to mention C. S. Lewis' stepson -- is whetting appetites in an exclusive interview at Narnia Web.  Answering questions from the Caspian set in Prague, Gresham gives an update on the filming, and answers some fan questions concerning the direction the new film will take.  Many of the book's fans will be interested to note that Gresham responds to questions about editorial changes made for the film adaptation; specifically, he denies the rumor that Mr. Tumnus will return, gives his rationale for a few character changes, and declines to answer the question of whether any important characters' roles will be eliminated or reduced....

http://www.narniaweb.com/news.asp?id=1165&dl=12448025

Christianity Today coverage: The Chronicles of Narnia - The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe

http://www.christianitytoday.com/movies/special/narnia.html

     ENGLISH FOOTBALL CUP

Billed as the world's oldest and most renowned soccer cup competition, the 2007 Cup Final of the Football Association is set for May 19 at the new Wembley Stadium.

http://www.thefa.com/default.htm

     NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION PLAYOFFS & FINALS

http://www.nba.com/playoffs2007/index.html

     NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE STANLEY CUP COMPETITION

http://www.nhl.com/cup/index.html

     EXISTENCE OF GOD WAS DEBATED ON 'NIGHTLINE'

In the first 'Nightline Face Off,' a debate between Christians and atheists, moderated by Nightline anchor Martin Bashir, was shown on ABC-TV.  The objective was to prove the existence of God, scientifically, without mentioning faith or the Bible....  See it at

http://www.abcnews.go.com/Nightline/FaithMatters/

     HEROD'S TOMB AND GRAVE FOUND

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem has uncovered what is believed to be the grave and tomb of King Herod, who ruled Judea for the Roman empire from circa 37 B.C. to the birth of Jesus.  Herod was appointed governor of Galilee at the age of 25 and was made "King of the Jews" by the Roman senate in approximately 40 B.C.  He remained king for around 34 years.  Herod, also known as Herod the Great, is known for expanding the Second Temple and building Caesarea, Masada, and many other monumental construction projects.  He died in the year 4 B.C. in Jericho after a long illness....

http://news.google.com/news?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=GGLD,GGLD:2004-34,GGLD:en&q=herod%27s+tomb

     GOOD DEEDS CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED

Universal, the studio behind the new movie Evan Almighty, has teamed up with Grace Hill Media, Youth Specialties, Outreach Inc., International Bible Society, Willow Creek Association, and hundreds of churches to launch the ArkALMIGHTY campaign, a "good deeds ministry" aimed at matching people's needs with those who can meet them.  The campaign is designed to help youth groups and churches get involved in practical and tangible volunteer outreach via the ArkALMIGHTY website, where the needs of church attendees are gathered and then matched with congregation members who are best equipped to help....

http://www.arkalmighty.com/

     MOTHERS SPIRITUALLY ACTIVE; FATHERS LAG BEHIND

According to Barna Research Group, mothers are among the most spiritually active segments of the America population.  They also outpace fathers in spiritual activity and commitment for the most part.  The new study says three-quarters of women who are raising children say faith is very important in their life while only two-thirds of fathers agree.  The majority of mothers also say they've been greatly transformed by their faith compared to less than half of fathers.  Also, mothers are more likely than fathers to be born-again Christians, to say they are absolutely committed to Christianity, and to embrace a personal responsibility to share their faith in Jesus Christ with others.

"Whether they are a parent or not, women in America have high levels of spiritual sensitivity and engagement.  Men generally lag behind the spirituality of women and particularly so if they are not a father," said David Kinnaman, president of The Barna Group and director of the study in the report.  "In other words, having children intensifies the spiritual commitment of men, but even so most fathers still do not measure up to the spiritual footprint of their parenting counterparts."

In a typical week, mothers are more likely than are fathers to attend church, pray, read the Bible, participate in a small group, attend Sunday school, and volunteer some of their time to help a non-profit organization, the study shows.  Fathers are only equally active with mothers when it comes to volunteering to help at a church....  Read this in full at

http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdateNarrowPreview&BarnaUpdateID=270

     THE SPIRITUAL SIDE OF 'SPIDER-MAN 3'

"[In Spider-Man 3] Peter [Parker] has to put aside his prideful self.  He must put aside his desire for vengeance.  He has to learn that we are all sinners. He has to learn forgiveness. ... Peter considers himself a sinless person compared to these villains.  We felt it would be great for him to learn a less black-and-white view of life -- that he's not above these people, that's he's not just the hero, that they're not just the villains, but we're all human beings.  He had to learn that he himself might have some sin within him and that other human beings -- the ones he calls the criminals -- have humanity within them.  And that the best we can do in this world is to not strive for vengeance, but for forgiveness."  Spider-Man 3 director Sam Raimi, talking about the film's spiritual themes.

     I AM THE BIBLE

I am a library of 66 books.

I am the world's bestseller.

I am more than a mere book.  I am a force that overpowers opposing systems of thought.

I am the rock upon which civil liberties and social freedom rest.

I answer the question: Who and where is God?

I was written by minds saturated with consciousness of God.

I am published in more languages and dialects than any other book that has ever been written.

I am cherished by millions of people as being the only concretely available and infallible rule of faith and practice.

I am the Word of God as set forth by inspired prophet, law-giver, genealogist, priest, historian, poet, essayist, story-writer, moralist, seer, and theologian.

I set forth the way of life that leads to abundance and satisfaction of experience.

I tell the story of the great drama of redemption.

I inspire devotion to truth and purity of life purpose.

    Norman Richardson

     RARE, SACRED TEXTS ON DISPLAY IN LONDON

Some of the rarest and most important religious books from Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are in a new exhibit together for the first time at the British Library in London.  Texts from the library's own collection and treasures on loan from other institutions form the basis of the library's "Sacred" exhibition, which runs until September 23.  It includes priceless examples of the Torah, New Testament, and Koran, which are mounted alongside each other and treated thematically to show their similarities, differences, and how they were interpreted....

http://www.bl.uk/sacred

     LEADERSHIP TIPS (BUSINESS, FAMILY, LIFE)

"Never do something someone else can or will do, when there's something else to be done that only you can do."  Dawson Trotman

"I often ask Christians, 'What's the biggest thing you've asked God for this week?'  I remind them that they are going to God, the Father, the Maker of the Universe.  The One who holds the world in His hands.  What did you ask for?  Did you ask for peanuts, toys, trinkets, or did you ask for continents?  I want to tell you, its tragic!  The little itsy-bitsy things we ask of our Almighty God.  Sure, nothing is too small -- but also nothing is too big.  Let's learn to ask for our big God some of those big things he talks about in Jeremiah 33:3: 'Call unto me and I will answer thee and show thee great and mighty things that thou knowest not.'"  Dawson Trotman

     VERSE TO PONDER

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:6-7

     CONSIDER

"Beauty... is the shadow of God on the universe."  Gabriela Mistral, Desolacíon

     U.S. EVANGELICALS LAUNCH IMMIGRATION REFORM CAMPAIGN

Evangelical leaders have launched an ecumenical national grassroots and ad campaign advocating for comprehensive immigration reform.  The campaign, under the title of Christians for Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CCIR), plans to run ads nationally and locally in newspapers and mobilize at least 200,000 letters, tens of thousands of calls, and hundreds of lobby visits to members of Congress by the August recess to demonstrate support for immigration laws that would both protect the U.S. borders yet provide a way for immigrants already in the States to gain legal status.

"We are coming together today because the Bible tells us again and again about the need to care for the stranger in our midst," said Jim Wallis, founder and president of the social justice group Sojourners.  "Compassionate immigration reform is also a critical step toward eradicating poverty in America"...  Read this in full at

http://www.christianpost.com/article/20070508/27289.htm

     PRESIDENT OF THE EVANGELICAL THEOLOGICAL SOCIETY RESIGNS

Francis Beckwith, has rejoined the Roman Catholic Church and resigned as president of the Evangelical Theological Society.  The ETS executive committee released a statement wishing him well....

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2007/mayweb-only/119-32.0.html

also see Dr. Beckwith's blog

http://rightreason.ektopos.com/archives/2007/05/my_return_to_th.html

     PROFESSORS HOLD 'UNFAVORABLE' VIEW OF EVANGELICALS

53% of American university faculty members view evangelical Christians unfavorably and would like to see the influence of "Christian fundamentalists" on American politics lessened, according to a new study by the Institute for Jewish and Community Research (IJCR).  A co-author of the study hopes the research will encourage university administrators and faculty to examine their own prejudices....  Read this in full at

http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewCulture.asp?Page=/Culture/archive/200705/CUL20070508b.html

     WHY GOD MADE MOMS

Brilliant answers given by 2nd grade school children to the following questions:

Why did God make mothers?

1. She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.

2. Mostly to clean the house.

3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.

How did God make mothers?

1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.

2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring

3. God made my mom just the same like he made me.  He just used bigger parts.

What ingredients are mothers made of?

1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean.

2. They had to get their start from men's bones.  Then they mostly use string, I think.

Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom?

1. We're related

2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's moms like me.

What kind of little girl was your mom?

1. My mom has always been my mom and none of that other stuff.

2. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.

3. They say she used to be nice.

What did Mom need to know about Dad before she married him?

1. His last name.

2. She had to know his background.  Like is he a crook?  Does he get drunk on beer?

3. Does he make at least $800 a year?  Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores?

Why did your mom marry your dad?

1. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world.  And my mom eats a lot.

2. She got too old to do anything else with him.

3. My grandma says that mom didn't have her thinking cap on.

Who's the boss at your house?

1. Mom doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's such a goof ball.

2. Mom.  You can tell by room inspection.  She sees the stuff under the bed.

3. I guess Mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than Dad.

What's the difference between moms & dads?

1. Moms works at work and works at home & dads just go to work at work.

2. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.

3. Dads are taller & stronger, but moms have all the real power 'cause that's who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friend's.

4. Moms have magic; they make you feel better without medicine.

What does your mom do in her spare time?

1. My mom says she don't do spare time.

2. Nothing.  She pays bills all day long.

What would it take to make your mom perfect?

1. On the inside she's already perfect.  Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery.

2. Diet.  You know her hair.  I'd diet, maybe blue.

If you could change one thing about your Mom, what would it be?

1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid of that.

2. I'd make my Mom smarter.  Then she would know it was my sister who did it and not me.

3. I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on the back of her head.

http://www.mikeysFunnies.com

     SECURITY SUPER GUIDE

Unless you want your personal computer to be an easy target for hackers, you should choose a password that's difficult for others to figure out.  According to PC magazine, the easiest for hackers to guess are: password; 123456; qwerty; 123abc; letmein; monkey; myspace1; password1; blink182; and - perhaps not surprisingly -- your own first name....

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,2102486,00.asp

     CONSIDER

"So long as we judge ourselves by human comparisons, there is plenty of room for self-satisfaction, and self-satisfaction kills faith, for faith is born of the sense of need.  But when we compare ourselves with Jesus Christ, and through Him, with God, we are humbled to the dust, and then faith is born, for there is nothing left to do but to trust to the mercy of God."  William Barclay (1907-1978), The Gospel of John [1975] (Vol.1) p. 201

     VERSE TO PONDER

"Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."  James 5:16

     THIS WEEK'S HYMN: THE BIBLE IS A BRILLIANT LAMP

Words: Richard W. Adams, 2001

Music: ST. COLUMBA, ancient Irish melody

The Bible is a brilliant lamp,

Given to light up our way,

To show our feet the way to tread,

To turn darkness into day.

To teach to us the Father's love,

And the Evil One's cruel hate,

To show the path round many snares,

The way to the pearly gate.

Given to all who truly seek,

For wisdom, meaning and love,

Instruction in life's mysteries,

The way to Heaven above.

And once you grasp the lamp, do not

Hoard that brilliant, precious light,

But share with all the radiant beam,

And watch it conquer the night.

>from CyberHymnal at

THE BIBLE IS A BRILLIANT LAMP (c) 2001 Richard W. Adams

These lyrics may be freely reproduced or published for Christian worship or devotions,

provided they are not altered, and this notice is on each copy. All other rights reserved.

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/b/i/b/bibilamp.htm

     GOD FAQ

Question 124: Who are meant by father and mother in the fifth commandment?

Answer: By father and mother, in the fifth commandment, are meant, not only natural parents, but all superiors in age and gifts; and especially such as, by God's ordinance, are over us in place of authority, whether in family, church, or commonwealth.

http://www.shortercatechism.com/

     ON PRAYER

"Let the first rule of right prayer then be, to have our heart and mind framed as becomes those who are entering into converse with God.  This we shall accomplish in regard to the mind, if, laying aside carnal thoughts and cares which might interfere with the direct and pure contemplation of God, it not only be wholly intent on prayer, but also, as far as possible, be borne and raised above itself.  I do not here insist on a mind so disengaged as to feel none of the gnawings of anxiety; on the contrary, it is by much anxiety that the fervor of prayer is inflamed.  Thus we see that the holy servants of God betray great anguish, not to say solicitude, when they cause the voice of complaint to ascend to the Lord from the deep abyss and the jaws of death."  John Calvin, Reformer, 1509-1564, On Prayer

     PRAY FOR PERSECUTED CHRISTIANS TODAY

http://christiansincrisis.net/

     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.

Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life

http://pewforum.org/

World Almanac Info for May

http://www.worldalmanac.com/newsletter/200705WAE-Newsletter.html

Findspot

http://www.findspot.com

CNN: "Aging cheddar website cultivates a following"

http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/internet/05/08/cheese.site/index.html

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.)

Keep the faith...just not from others

Min. Frank Coleman, Editor

[email protected]

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