Connecting man to man to God!

Week of September 16, 2007

Issue 174

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."  Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)

     CONSIDER

"Temptations and occasions put nothing into a man, but only draw out what was in him before."  John Owen (1616-1683)

     THE 2008 OLYMPIC VILLAGE WILL HAVE CHAPEL

Organizers of the Beijing, China Olympic Games say they will construct a worship center to serve persons of all faiths at the Olympic Village.  This is extraordinary for a nation with severe restrictions on many forms of religious practice.

"All will be arranged in accordance with the practices ... adopted by other Olympic host cities," said Liu Bainian, Vice President of the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association in China Daily, a Chinese newspaper. 

He said Catholics in China are readying themselves to offer a warm welcome to those who visit churches in Beijing and the six additional host cities.  They will prepare for the influx by providing multi-lingual priests, among other things. 

The Communist Party-controlled association governs China's Catholic churches, while other state-controlled bodies keep watch over the country's Buddhists, Taoists, Muslims, and Protestants.  It is illegal in China to worship in churches that are not officially recognized by the state, and other faiths have no official recognition, making all activity undertaken by such groups illegal as well.

     30 DAYS MUSLIM PRAYER MOVEMENT HAS BEGUN

The 30 Days Muslim Prayer Focus coincides yearly with Ramadan (a holy month of fasting in Islam). This prayer movement (currently coordinated out of France and previously from Australia) calls upon Christians to make a concerted but respectful effort during this time to learn about, pray for, and reach out to Muslim neighbors -- across the street and around the world....

http://www.30daysprayer.com/muslim/

     THE CHURCH HAS LEFT THE BUILDING

Faith in Action is a 4-week, church-wide campaign that creates in a congregation an outward focus and a heart to serve.  Faith in Action culminates in a Sunday where regular services are cancelled and the entire congregation engages in service projects in, and with, the community.  October 14 is Faith in Action Sunday....

http://www.putyourfaithinaction.com/

     MINISTRY TOOLBOX BOOK REVIEW

The Case for the Real Jesus by Lee Strobel

It's no secret that in recent years the identity and message of Jesus has been under attack by the academic community.  In his new book, journalist-turned-pastor Lee Strobel has investigated 6 of the most common claims made recently by doubting academics: that a different Jesus is seen in ancient documents that seems as credible as the four canonical Gospels; that tampering by the church has damaged the Bible's portrayal of Jesus; that new explanations refute Jesus' resurrection; that Christianity copied pagan religions regarding Jesus; that Jesus didn't fulfill messianic prophecies; and that contemporary people should be able to choose what to believe about Jesus.  Strobel treats the subject with his usual excellence.  The book will help equip you to talk about some of these claims.

     MOVIE REVIEW: IN THE SHADOW OF THE MOON

In the far-flung span of human history, only 12 men have ever stepped on the surface of another celestial body.  And yet, somehow we have managed to convince ourselves that such acts of mind-boggling ingenuity and stunning heroism are now commonplace.

The new documentary, In the Shadow of the Moon, reminds us all that America's space program is nothing short of astonishing and that humankind's venture into the vast, freezing abyss of outer space is one of the most extraordinary and significant moments in the history of our species.  It celebrates the know-how of thousands of engineers and the daring-do of dozens of astronauts who embraced the most audacious act of outlandish genius ever proposed.

In the Shadow of the Moon scoured NASA's film vaults, coming away with a treasure trove of archival footage. Gone are the overused, iconic images so familiar to all of us.  The filmmakers digitally re-mastered footage sealed in bins for more than three decades, much of it of such breathtaking quality and magisterial beauty that it is almost unthinkable that it has gone unseen until now....  Read this in full at

http://www.christianitytoday.com/movies/reviews/2007/intheshadowofthemoon.html

Watch the trailer

http://www.apple.com/trailers/thinkfilm/intheshadowofthemoon/trailer/

Website

http://www.intheshadowofthemoon.com/

     TIME MAGAZINE: THE 50 WORST CARS OF ALL TIME

On the 50th anniversary of the Ford Edsel, TIME and Dan Neil, Pulitzer Prize-winning automotive critic and syndicated columnist for the Los Angeles Times, look at the greatest lemons (although some might say the most collectible) of the automotive industry....

http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/1,28757,1658545,00.html

     LEADERSHIP TIPS (BUSINESS, FAMILY, LIFE)

In a recent article for Rick Warren's Ministry Toolbox newsletter, Senate Chaplain Barry Black wrote: "During my lifetime, I learned far more about leadership from faithful people working behind the scenes than from those who were more prominent.  Here are a few of the lessons I learned.

Expect events to shape destinies.  One of my earliest leadership lessons was that events, more than ability, often catapult people into positions of prominence.  Shakespeare captured this notion when he said, "Be not afraid of greatness.  Some men are born great, others achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them."  Without the Civil War, we may have never known the wonderful greatness of many notable Americans. Without World War II, names like Patton, Marshall, and MacArthur might be historical footnotes.  Without Rosa Parks' refusal to give up her seat on that bus, we probably wouldn't have a national holiday honoring Dr. King.  Events often provide the critical variables for effective leadership.

Expect leaders to have different talents.  I learned early that leaders come in many forms with many styles and abilities. Some are quiet, and others almost bombastic.  Some are eloquent while others express themselves with difficulty.  The five presidents mentioned at the beginning of this chapter had their individual strengths and weaknesses.  Nonetheless, each made a substantive difference.  Most successful leaders, however, have one thing in common: they mobilize people to achieve shared objectives.

Don't run from the possibility of failure.  I learned that most effective leaders are willing to fail.  They seem to sense that it is better to attempt something great and fail than to not try at all.  Time and again, I've seen strong leaders who possessed the courage to fall and get up repeatedly.

Be humbly hospitable. Luther Palmer was the headmaster at the boarding high school that I attended.  He was the exact opposite of the stereotypically remote, distant principal. Instead, he invited students home for dinner and got to know them one-on-one.  He kept an eye on students who aspired to the Gospel ministry, and set up instructional periods with key preachers who visited our school.  Though a busy administrator, he took the time to teach a class called "Facing Life," which was a requirement for all students.  In this way, he came to know most of us in a very personal way."

(Adapted from Black's biography From the Hood to the Hill.  Read the article in full at

http://www.pastors.com/rwmt/article.asp?ArtID=10841

     VERSE TO PONDER

"This is what the Lord says -- your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: 'I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.'" Isaiah 48:17

     CONSIDER

"Out of our beliefs are born deeds; out of our deeds we form habits; out of our habits grows our character; and on our character we build our destiny."  Henry Hancock

     GOD WITH US

"Many times in Scripture we read that God would "be with" individuals: he walked with Enoch and Noah; he was with Abraham and Isaac; he was with Joseph in slavery and in prison.  He formed a nation so he could have a people to be with: 'Then I will dwell among the Israelites and be their God.  They will know that I am the LORD their God, who brought them out of Egypt so that I might dwell among them' (see Exodus 29:45-46).  The lonely soul is poor.  The 'with-God' soul is rich.  The reason God made you is because he wants to be with you.  And we don't have to wait.  It's as if each day God is saying, 'I'd like to spend this day with you.'"  John Ortberg, When the Game Is Over, It All Goes Back in the Box

     HOLY LIVING

"Whatever, therefore, is foolish, ridiculous, vain, or earthly, or sensual, in the life of a Christian is something that ought not to be there; it is a spot and a defilement that must be washed away with tears of repentance.  But if anything of this kind runs all through the course of our life, if we allow ourselves in things that are either vain, foolish, or sensual, we renounce our profession.  For as sure as Jesus Christ was wisdom and holiness, as sure as He came to make us like Himself and to be baptized into His Spirit, so sure is it that none can be said to keep to their Christian profession but they who, to the utmost of their power, live a wise and holy and heavenly life.  This, and this alone, is Christianity, a universal holiness in every part of life, a heavenly wisdom in all our actions, not conforming to the spirit and temper of the world but turning all worldly enjoyments into means of piety and devotion to God."  William Law (1686-1761), A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life [1728]

     FORGIVE

"Maybe forgiveness is ultimately about me and about you, it's about us.  Because when I forgive somebody and I set them free, it's like I'm really setting myself free.  Forgiving is an action; it's something you do.  So may you forgive as you've been forgiven.  May you give to others what's been given to you.  May you set someone free and find out that it was you, and may you do it today, because you might not have the chance tomorrow."  Rob Bell, NOOMA: Luggage | 007

     FUMBLING RELIGION?

by Mark Moring

As popular Sunday customs, watching the National Football League and attending church seem to go together.  Players who thank Jesus for victory have almost become a cliche.  At the Super Bowl last February, coaches Tony Dungy of the Indianapolis Colts and Lovie Smith of the Chicago Bears -- the first African American head coaches in the big game -- talked freely about their faith.

"I think it's great that we're able to show the world not only that African American coaches can do it, but Christian coaches can do it in a way that we still can win," Dungy said at the time.  Added Smith: "God is the center of my life.  I hope I don't have to spend my time telling my players I'm a Christian.  I hope they see it in my life every day."

With Christian players and coaches in the spotlight, some have wondered whether the NFL welcomes the image they project.  Indeed, the league has made some decisions that could indicate otherwise:

In February, the NFL sent a cease-and-desist order to an Indianapolis church that had planned a Super Bowl party.  In the early 1990s, the league tried to discourage midfield prayer huddles after games.  When journeyman quarterback Jon Kitna wore a cap displaying a cross after a 2004 game, the league fined him $5,000 for violating the rule that only NFL apparel can be worn during postgame interviews.... Read this in full at

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2007/september/21.32.html

     A KINDER, GENTLER COACH

Tony Dungy, the Indianapolis Colts head coach who led his team to the Super Bowl title in February, is a man with "class, dignity, grace, and poise," writes ESPN.com's Michael Smith.  San Francisco Chronicle writer Ira Miller calls him "a real role model, a rare tower of dignity. Other coaches would do well to copy him."  Colts punter Hunter Smith says Dungy is "a wonderful man of God" and "one of the greatest men I've ever met."

But Chicago Sun-Times sports columnist Rick Telander has a different take: "There is a part of Dungy's philosophy that troubles me ... and that is his insistence on making proper coaching not just a matter of good heart but of religious zeal, even dogma"....  Read this in full at

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2007/september/22.34.html

     ALL THAT'S GOOD IN SPORTS

July was, without question, the worst month in recent memory for professional sports.  Each one of America's big three got its own black eye.

*         Barry Bonds pursued baseball's most hallowed record, the career home run mark, amid suspicions of steroid abuse-and a pesky perjury investigation.

*         Michael Vick, the NFL's second-highest-paid player, was arraigned in federal court on charges of illegal dog fighting.

*         And, most damaging, Tim Donaghy, an NBA referee, was accused by the FBI of betting on games in which he'd participated-the cardinal sin in all sports.

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2007/september/15.25.html

     OBVIOUSLY, SPORTS DO NOT BUILD CHARACTER

by Anthony B. Bradley

If you are one of those people who believe the old adage "sports builds character," you have some explaining to do.  Why are so many professional athletes, who have spent their entire lives in organized sports, masters at cheating, serial adultery, drunkenness, compulsive gambling, drug abuse, and thuggish fighting (to name just a few of the vices)?  The truth is that sports no more builds character than attending Clemson University football games qualifies you to replace Tommy Bowden as head coach.  By character I mean moral excellence: a life characterized by prudence, fortitude, self-discipline, and humility in pursuit of what is good....  Read this in full at

http://www.acton.org/commentary/commentary402.php

     PROTEST BY EXAMPLE
I was born on the day that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his famous I Have a Dream speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC.   I always say, "Dr. King had a dream that day and my mama had a baby on the way".  Although, I entered this world on arguably on the most inspirational day in the American civil rights movement; since maturity, I have strived to demonstrate not with picket signs, but by acting with dignity for all people to see. 

Dignity was a constant theme in many of Reverend King's sermons and speeches.  He talked about dignity from a couple of perspectives.  The first was the demand that the Negro (black people) be treated with dignity within American society and the second was directed to the Negroes themselves, that they act with dignity within American society.

I vote regularly and that, for the most part, is the extent of my involvement in politics.  However, I cast my vote for reparations by rising up from crime, drugs, welfare and section 8.  I cast my vote for equal rights by going the extra mile to prove to them that I am gifted intellectually.  I hold hands and sing We Shall Overcome by praising the efforts and accomplishments of unheralded independent artists through my blog.  My lunch counter sit-ins are going to restaurants, were in my lifetime, I would not have been allowed to dine because of the color of my skin. There, I expect and accept exceptional service and tip 20% or better if truly deserving. 

I avoid being a house nigger or Uncle Tom by being conscious and discerning of attitudes and intentions of my corporate and business partners.  A sharp wit, but and even sharper tongue, lets them know, Homie don't play that! 

When I ride through the neighborhood, often referred to as simply The Hood, I am always up to plenty good.  I keep my English articulate, dress crisp and body language strong & positive.  Enjoying the youth and celebrating my contemporaries with a warm smile.  The ladies I greet with a hello and a sincere request to know how they are doing.  For the gentlemen, I offer an ever-evolving handshake to signify solidarity.  I am always listening for understanding and speaking to encourage and provide actionable advice on what I understood.  I am definately blessed by their vibrant energies and insight.

My constant one man protest is designed to spread a change of mentality, to ensure that America gives my deserving people the chance to live with dignity.  My non-violent doctrine to my brothers and sisters is to be positive and strong.  I urge us to take the extra steps needed to play as if the field was level, even though I know it is still tilted in their favor.  The success that follows our extra efforts will make us extremely proud.  Our success today will make the field just a little bit closer to being even for our generation of tomorrow to play on.

James Brown said it this way in his song, Say It Loud, I'm Back and I'm Proud.

Look a'here, some people say we got a lot of malice
Some say it's a lotta nerve
I say we won't quit moving
Til we get what we deserve
We've been rebuked and we've been scorned
We've been treated bad, talked about
As just as sure as you're born
But just as sure as it takes
Two eyes to make a pair, huh
Brother, we can't quit until we get our share

Say it loud,
I'm black and I'm proud
Say it loud,
I'm black and I'm proud, one more time
Say it loud,
I'm black and I'm proud, huh

I've worked on jobs with my feet and my hands
But all the work I did was for the other man
And now we demands a chance
To do things for ourselves
we tired of beating our heads against the wall
And working for someone else

A look a'here,
One thing more I got to say right here
Now, we're people like the birds and the bees
We rather die on our feet,
Than keep living on our knees

Say it loud,
I'm black and I'm proud

Peace & blessings,

The Kool Brother

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=97601285

     TATTOOS AND KNITTING - MICROTRENDS IN AMERICA

Over the past 2 generations, the number of left-handed Americans has nearly doubled.  Between 2004 and 2005, the purchase of fashion yarn increased 56%.  The fastest growing group of knitters are teens and twentysomethings.  The fastest growing group of videogamers? Moms over the age of 45....

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20630522/site/newsweek/

     BE PREPARED

September is National Preparedness Month in the U.S., an opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of emergency preparedness and to encourage everyone to better prepare their homes and communities for emergencies....

http://www.ready.gov

Also see Christian Emergency Network

http://www.christianemergencynetwork.org/

     LAMBORGHINI'S $1.4 MILLION CAR!

http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2007/autos/0709/gallery.2007_frankfurt_motor_show//index.html

     CONSIDER

"When our lives are focused on God, awe and wonder lead us to worship God, filling our inner being with a fullness we would never have thought possible.  Awe prepares the way in us for the power of God to transform us and this transformation of our inner attitudes can only take place when awe leads us in turn to wonder, admiration, reverence, surrender, and obedience toward God."  James Houston, The Transforming Power of Prayer

     VERSE TO PONDER

"Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care."  Psalm 95:6-7

     THIS WEEK'S HYMN: O WORSHIP THE KING

Words: Robert Grant, 1833

Music: Johann M. Haydn (1737-1806)

O worship the King, all glorious above,

O gratefully sing His power and His love;

Our Shield and Defender, the Ancient of Days,

Pavilioned in splendor, and girded with praise.

O tell of His might, O sing of His grace,

Whose robe is the light, whose canopy space,

His chariots of wrath the deep thunderclouds form,

And dark is His path on the wings of the storm.

The earth with its store of wonders untold,

Almighty, Thy power hath founded of old;

Established it fast by a changeless decree,

And round it hath cast, like a mantle, the sea.

Thy bountiful care, what tongue can recite?

It breathes in the air, it shines in the light;

It streams from the hills, it descends to the plain,

And sweetly distills in the dew and the rain.

Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail,

In Thee do we trust, nor find Thee to fail;

Thy mercies how tender, how firm to the end,

Our Maker, Defender, Redeemer, and Friend.

O measureless might! Ineffable love!

While angels delight to worship Thee above,

The humbler creation, though feeble their lays,

With true adoration shall all sing Thy praise.

>from CyberHymnal at

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/o/w/owtking.htm

     ON PRAYER

"Little people like you and me, if our prayers are sometimes granted, beyond all hope and probability, had better not draw hasty conclusions to our own advantage.  If we were stronger, we might be less tenderly treated.  If we were braver, we might be sent, with far less help, to defend far more desperate posts in the great battle."  C. S. Lewis (1898-1963), "The Efficacy of Prayer," in The World's Last Night: And Other Essays

     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.

     MAKE MONEY MEET PEOPLE!

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     SHARE YOUR FAVORITE WEBSITES

Tell us what sites you find enjoyable and why.

Old Time Radio Programs

http://www.archive.org/details/oldtimeradio

Physics to Go

http://www.compadre.org/informal/

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.)

Our days are happier when we give people a bit of our heart rather than a piece of our mind.

Min. Frank Coleman, Editor

[email protected]

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