Connecting man to man to God!

Week of July 15, 2007

"By the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you."  Romans 12:3

     CONSIDER

"God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost isn't a consulting firm we bring in to give us expert advice on how to run our lives.  The gospel life isn't something we learn about and then put together with instructions from the manufacturer; it's something we become as God does His work of creation and salvation in us and as we accustom ourselves to a life of belief and obedience and prayer."  Eugene Peterson

     STUDY: WOMEN ARE IN CHARGE AT HOME

Men might throw their weight around at the office, but at home, women are the bosses.  A study, which was just released, finds that wives have more power than their husbands in making decisions and dominating discussions.  "The study at least suggests that the marriage is a place where women can exert some power," said lead author David Vogel, a psychologist at Iowa State University (ISU).  "Whether or not it's because of changing societal roles, we don't know."  Read this in full at

http://www.livescience.com/health/070711_woman_boss.html

     MUSEUM'S TABLET LENDS NEW WEIGHT TO BIBLICAL TRUTH

The British Museum is hailing a discovery within a modest clay tablet in its collection as a breakthrough for biblical archaeology -- dramatic proof of the accuracy of the Old Testament.  The cuneiform inscription in a tablet dating from 595BC has been deciphered for the first time -- revealing a reference to an official at the court of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, that proves the historical existence of a figure mentioned in the Book of Jeremiah....  Read this in full at

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article2056362.ece

Also see

"Clay tablet proves TNIV correct!"

http://tnivtruth.blogspot.com/2007/07/clay-tablet-proves-tniv-correct.html

     FLOOD OF P*RNOGRAPHY BREACHING THE CHURCH

The National Council on Sexual Addiction and Compulsivity reports that an estimated 2 million Internet users are addicted to p*rnography.  Christian men are among them.  In an August 2000 survey of its readership by Christianity Today magazine, 36% of laymen who responded had visited a sexually explicit Internet site, of which 44% visited such sites "a few times" in the past year.  Additionally, the 6-year-old research showed that 51% of pastors admitted p*rnography was a possible temptation, 37% said p*rn is a struggle and 33% had viewed Internet p*rnography at least once a year....  Read this in full at

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=26023

Also see:

Former minister's addiction taught costly lessons

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=26024

Help for p*rn addicts available online

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=26025

     MAN FLOATS 193 MILES USING A CHAIR & BALLOONS

Bend, Ore. - Recently Kent Couch settled down in his lawn chair with some snacks -- and a parachute.  Attached to his lawn chair were 105 large helium balloons.  Destination: Idaho.  With instruments to measure his altitude and speed, a global positioning system device in his pocket, and about four plastic bags holding five gallons of water each to act as ballast -- he could turn a spigot, release water and rise -- Couch headed into the Oregon sky....  Read this true news story in full at

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19694083/

     LEADERSHIP TIPS (BUSINESS, FAMILY, LIFE)

True North: Discover Your Authentic Leadership

Author: Bill George with Peter Sims

Reviewed by Jeff Crosby

Beginning with the crucial notion of a deep self-awareness at the center of the compass where we honestly and reflectively probe into our own stories, re-framing them where necessary, and examining our strengths and developmental needs, George and Sims then move to the four points of the compass:

* Values - What are our most deeply held values? What principles guide our leadership?

* Motivations - What motivates us? How do we balance external and internal motivations?

* Support Team - Who are the people we can count on to guide and support and speak truth to us along the way?

* Integrated Life - How can we integrate all aspects of our life and find fulfillment?

When each part of the compass is well-developed, George writes, we will be pointed toward our true north - toward what our lives and our leadership are all about. And we will be true to ourselves....  Read this review in full at

http://www.ecpa.org/elink/2007/07/review.php

     VERSE TO PONDER

"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness.  He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."  2 Peter 3:9

     CONSIDER

"He who has a *why* to live for can bear almost any *how*."  Victor Frankl

     ZONDERVAN'S BIBLE PREQUEL FEATURES HONORED CAST

The Old Testament version will be similar to the New Testament version released last fall and includes dramatic performances set to an original musical score and Hollywood-style sound.  Read about it at

http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2007-07-09-bible-recording_N.htm

     ETHICS & CHRISTIANITY

"The philosopher [Immanuel] Kant was right long ago to notice that moral activity implies a religious dimension.  The atheist [Friedrich] Nietzsche also saw the point and argued forcefully that the person who gives up belief in God must be consistent and give up Christian morals as well, because the former is the foundation of the latter.  He had nothing but contempt for fellow humanists who refused to see that Christian morality cannot survive the loss of its theological moorings, except as habit or as lifeless tradition. As Ayn Rand also sees so clearly, love of the neighbor cannot be rationally justified within the framework of secular humanism.  Love for one's neighbor is an ethical implication of the Christian position.  This suggests to me that the world's deepest problem is not economic or technological, but spiritual and moral.  What is missing is the vision of reality that can sustain the neighbor-oriented life style that is so urgently needed in our world today."  Clark H. Pinnock, Reason Enough

     ONLINE BOOK SUMMARY

Can Man Live Without God by Ravi Zacharias is comprehensively summarized online.  The book's message: Atheism is really antitheism.  It fails the test of logic on the philosophical level, the test of meaning set forth by the arts, and the test of practical application.  The human penchant for meaning cannot be met by antitheism, neither can it be ignored.  A child's sense of wonder and a young adult's search for truth and love need fulfillment.  A mature person's experience with suffering demands answers. Only Christ, the God-man, brings truth to satisfy the intellect, love to restore the soul, and grace to heal the brokenness of suffering....  Purchase this book here:

http://www.christianconnectionbooks.com/content/search/product/view_item.php?dcn=2303&sm=

Read the summary in full at:

http://www.christianbooksummaries.com

     NEW GROUP OF HIGH-PROFILE PASTORS SEEKS RETURN TO EVANGELICAL CONSENSUS

A new consortium of evangelical pastors are uniting around a common confessional statement and theological vision of ministry with the goal to renew and reform evangelical thought and practice.  The Gospel Coalition preamble states: "On the one hand, we are troubled by the idolatry of personal consumerism and the politicization of the faith; on the other hand, we are distressed by the unchallenged acceptance of theological and moral relativism."  From the theological vision of ministry: "If we seek service rather than power, we may have significant cultural impact.  But if we seek direct power and social control, we will, ironically, be assimilated into the very idolatries of wealth, status, and power we seek to change."  The Gospel Coalition's core group of pastors plans to meet yearly....

http://www.thegospelcoalition.org/

     DO YOU HAVE DANGEROUS FAITH?

"We are so utterly ordinary, so commonplace, while we profess to know a Power the twentieth century does not reckon with.  But we are "harmless," and therefore unharmed.  We are spiritual pacifists, non-militants, conscientious objectors in this battle-to-the death with principalities and powers in high places.  Meekness must be had for contract with men, but brash, outspoken boldness is required to take part in the comradeship of the Cross.  We are "sideliners"- coaching and criticizing the real wrestlers while content to sit by and leave the enemies of God unchallenged.  The world cannot hate us, we are too much like its own.  Oh that God would make us dangerous!"  Jim Elliot

     HOW TO BANISH BELLY FAT

Even people who've always been thin often find themselves with a little extra weight around the waist as they get older.  Here's what you need to know to get rid of your "spare tire"....

http://www.aarpmagazine.org/health/belly_fat.html

     THE NEW 7 WONDERS OF THE WORLD

* Chichen Itza (Mexico)

* Christ Redeemer statue (Brazil)

* The Great Wall (China)

* Machu Picchu (Peru)

* Petra (Jordan)

* The Roman Colloseum (Italy)

* The Taj Mahal (India)

http://www.new7wonders.com/

Now New7Wonders has launched the nominations for the New7Wonders of Nature.  The nominations will continue through 08.08.08.  Then a panel of experts will create a list of 21 candidates from which voters worldwide will elect the 7 wonders of nature.

http://www.natural7wonders.com/

     3 CREATIVE GRILLING TECHNIQUES

Here are three advanced barbecuing techniques that are guaranteed to please.  They work well with lean meats, skinless chicken breasts, and even delicate fish:

Steaming.  Place delicate fish or vegetables inside a sealed square of aluminum foil.  Make sure to leave some space for air to allow for proper steaming. Instead of putting the packet directly over the hot coals, place it on the cooler side of the grill for slow cooking.  This method of cooking will seal in juices and natural flavors, so heavy seasoning is not necessary.

Rotisserie.  While this method requires more complicated equipment and longer cooking times, it can be a real crowd-pleaser.  Rotisserie cooking allows you to evenly cook foods -- like an entire turkey breast or large piece of lean meat -- while retaining most of the natural juices.  Place well-seasoned food on a rotating spit directly over the flames.  The key to good rotisserie is to keep what you're cooking well-balanced on the spit.  An unbalanced rotisserie means uneven cooking.

Smoking.  You don't need a fancy contraption to impart a smoky flavor to your food.  Try wood chips, which come in a variety of flavors, including mesquite and hickory.  To prevent burning, soak them in water for about an hour before using, and place them over the coals just before you begin to cook your food. Likewise, you can soak a bunch of fresh herbs -- like sage, thyme, and rosemary -- and sprinkle them on the coals before cooking.

http://www.southbeachdiet.com/public/dailydish/dd_20070706.asp

     AGE ACTIVATED ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER

Recently, I was diagnosed with A. A. A. D. D.  This is how it works:

I decide to water my garden.

As I turn on the hose in the driveway, I look over at my car and decide my car needs washing.

As I start toward the garage, I notice that there is mail on the porch table that I brought up from the mailbox earlier.

I decide to go through the mail before I wash the car.

I lay my car keys down on the table, put the junk mail in the garbage can under the table, and notice that the can is full.

So, I decide to put the bills back on the table and take out the garbage first.

But then I think, since I'm going to be near the mailbox, when I take out the garbage anyway, I may as well pay the bills first.

I take my checkbook off the table, and see that there is only 1 check left. My extra checks are in my desk in the study, so I go inside the house to my desk where I find the can of Coke that I had been drinking.

I'm going to look for my checks, but first I need to push the Coke aside so that I don't accidentally knock it over. I see that the Coke is getting warm, and I decide I should put it in the refrigerator to keep it cold.

As I head toward the kitchen with the Coke, a vase of flowers on the counter catches my eye--they need to be watered.

I set the Coke down on the counter, and I discover my reading glasses that I've been searching for all morning.

I decide I better put them back on my desk, but first I'm going to water the flowers.

I set the glasses back down on the counter, fill a container with water and suddenly I spot the TV remote.  Someone left it on the kitchen table.  I realize that tonight when we go to watch TV, I will be looking for the remote, but I won't remember that it's on the kitchen table, so I decide to put it back in the den where it belongs, but first I'll water the flowers.

I pour some water in the flowers, but quite a bit of it spills on the floor.  So, I set the remote back down on the table, get some towels and wipe up the spill.

Then, I head down the hall trying to remember what I was planning to do.

At the end of the day:

----the car isn't washed,

----the bills aren't paid,

----there is a warm can of Coke sitting on the counter,

----the flowers don't have enough water,

----there is still only 1 check in my check book,

----I can't find the remote,

----I can't find my glasses,

----and I don't remember what I did with the car keys.

Then, when I try to figure out w hy nothing got done today, I'm really baffled because I know I was busy all day long, and I'm really tired.  I realize this is a serious problem, and I'll try to get some help for it, but first I'll check my e-mail.

Oh, I just remembered.  I left the water running in the driveway!

     CHURCHES SEE THEIR MISSION TO CARE FOR CREATION

New Zealand Anglican, Catholic and other denominations are trying to address concerns about environmental challenges caused by global warming....  Read this in full at

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/category/story.cfm?c_id=301&objectid=10448960

     CATHOLICS ARE MAINSTREAM AMERICA

Catholics are not only the largest denominational group in the country, but are now part of the social mainstream.  The Barna Research Group studied 97 facets of the lives of Catholics and compared them to national norms.  The outcome is striking....  Read this in full at

http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdateNarrowPreview&BarnaUpdateID=274

Also see

"Vatican stresses inferiority of Protestants"

http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/europe/07/10/pope.churches.reut/index.html

"Pope: Other Christians not true churches"

http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2007-07-10-pope_N.htm

"Honest Ecumenism, Again"

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2007/julyweb-only/128-32.0.html

     SALES OF CHRISTIAN PRODUCTS REACH $4.6 BILLION

A new study shows that 52% of Christian products are sold by Christian retailers while general market retailers -- including stores such as Wal-Mart and Borders -- sold 33%....  Read this in full at

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/221/story_22154_1.html

     CONSIDER

"Not only do we not know God except through Jesus Christ; we do not even know ourselves except through Jesus Christ."  Blaise Pascal

     VERSE TO PONDER

"Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord."  Leviticus 19:18

     THIS WEEK'S HYMN: 'TIS SUMMER IN MY HEART

Words: Fanny Crosby, 1891

Music: John R. Sweney, 1891

I know in Whom my soul believes,

I know in Whom I trust;

The Holy One, the merciful,

The only wise and just.

Refrain

I know in Whom my soul believes,

And all my fears depart;

For though the winter winds may blow,

'Tis summer in my heart.

I know the Sun of Righteousness

Illumes the path I tread;

And buds of hope that never die

Their balmy odor shed.

Refrain

How sweet to walk obediently

With Christ my loving Lord;

And learn in simple, childlike faith

My duty from His Word.

Refrain

I know in yonder mansion bright

For me there is a place;

And there with Jesus I shall wake,

And see Him face to face.

Refrain

>from CyberHymnal at

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/t/i/tisummer.htm

     ON PRAYER

"To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing."  Martin Luther King, Jr.

     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.

Covenant Eyes

http://www.covenanteyes.com/

The World Almanac for July

http://www.worldalmanac.com/newsletter/200707WAE-Newsletter.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.)

Your mouth is the microphone of your heart.

Min. Frank Coleman, Editor

[email protected]

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