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Connecting man to man to God! Week of December 23, 2007 Issue 187
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
"I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way - in all your speaking and in all your knowledge." 1 Corinthians 1:4-5
CONSIDER "The Kingdom of Heaven is not for the well-meaning: it is for the desperate." James Denney (1856-1917)
TIME'S PERSON OF THE YEAR READS THE BIBLE Russian President Vladimir Putin is TIME magazine's 2007 Person of the Year. The cover article contains the following statement: "...while he grew up in an officially atheist country, he is a believer and often reads from a Bible that he keeps on his state plane...." Read the article in full at
CHRISTMAS MOVIE MESSAGES At his website Serious Times, James Emery White talks about why the movie 'A Christmas Story' is the most popular holiday film for today's young adults, as opposed to the film their parents liked best, 'It's a Wonderful Life.' Jim writes: "The great divide between 'It's a Wonderful Life' and 'A Christmas Story' is more than just the radical individualism that marks our day, but what has spawned such individualism. The real divide between the two films is that one retains the idea that Christmas is about the birth of the Jesus, and one does not. Unless I have missed it, 'A Christmas Story' does not have a single reference, symbol, picture or event that would suggest Christmas is about the birth of Christ, or has religious significance of any kind.
'It's a Wonderful Life,' on the other hand, was rich in Christian idea and ethos, from traditional Christmas songs celebrating the birth of Christ (the climax of the movie is marked by the spontaneous outburst of "Hark the Herald Angels Sing") to the central character of an angel. 'A Christmas Story' is marked by the complete and total absence of anything religious at all, much less Christian. No nativity scenes, no church services, no Christian music...." Read this in full at http://www.serioustimes.com/blog.asp?id=50
CHRISTMAS THOUGHT "The Creator of the cosmos became a fetus in a young woman's womb, and the Maker of heaven and earth became dependent on a young girl's breasts! For the Christian it is occasion to hide one's face in awe and adoration." Dennis Kinlaw, Let's Start with Jesus
CHRISTMAS LOVE (paraphrase of 1 Corinthians 13) If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights, and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family, I'm just another decorator.
If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals, and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family, I'm just another cook.
If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home, and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.
If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties, and sing in the choir's cantata but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.
Love stops the cooking to hug the child. Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the spouse.
Love is kind, though harried and tired.
Love doesn't envy another's home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.
Love doesn't yell at the kids to get out of the way.
Love doesn't give only to those who are able to give in return but rejoices in giving to those who can't.
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails. Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust, but giving the gift of love will endure. (http://www.holytrinitynewrochelle.org/yourti14714.html)
MANY HAPPY RETURNS 'Twas the day after Christmas and all through the room Strewn wrappings were crying for use of a broom.
The children were scattered the friends' gifts exploring Since now most of theirs were broken or boring.
All tummies still stuffed from the fabulous feast; Leftovers would serve for one month at least.
And mama and papa were the countryside ranging, Those unwanted gifts returned or exchanging.
Yes Christmas is past with its bustle and noise- Sales and carols Santas and toys.
Decorations are packed the yule tree's discarded The holiday's over just as we got started
To celebrate peace and the meaning of giving To discover real love and the purpose for living.
Dear Jesus please help us to stop and remember That you came to earth not just for December.
But from birth in a manger to death on a cross You gave up your glory and counted it loss.
So now as we trust You- God's only Son- The real celebration has only begun! Copyright 2007 Dave Veerman. Permission is granted to send this to others, with attribution, but not for commercial purposes.
BASEBALL, STEROIDS, TRUST & TRUTH by Joshua Cooley I was writing a story on Baltimore Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts for a Christian publication when The Los Angeles Times broke the bombshell news in October 2006 that the fan favorite had been linked to steroids by a former teammate in a federal affidavit. I tried several ways to reach Roberts, to no avail. But the team chaplain defended him. "Brian is without stain and without blemish," the chaplain told me. "He's a man of great integrity, and he's a great player."
A day later, the federal prosecutor overseeing a steroid investigation into Jason Grimsley, Roberts' former teammate, told the Arizona Republic that the Times' story contained "significant inaccuracies." And Grimsley's own attorney said Grimsley did not identify Roberts as a steroid user in the affidavit. I breathed a sigh of relief. The smoke had cleared quickly. Or so it seemed.
Then the Mitchell report threw Roberts into the unwanted spotlight again. Former Sen. George J. Mitchell, hired by Major League Baseball to investigate the steroid controversy that has been simmering for the better part of a decade now, publicized his findings in a massive document. Ninety-plus current and former players were implicated as steroid users, including Roberts. He was silent for four days, then he issued a statement admitting he used steroids once in 2003.
My heart sank. Over the last several years, I've done several articles on Roberts, including one for Baptist Press Sports last May. He has always come across as one of the most humble, genuine major leaguers I've ever spoken to. More importantly, he has a strong Christian testimony, an influential spiritual witness in the locker room and an altruistic heart. All that, mixed with the skills he showed during his All-Star season in 2005, quickly made him my favorite player.
And now this. What to do with this information? Am I to believe Roberts when he says he only took steroids once? One dose certainly would not have given him a noticeable edge on the field. But the issue goes much deeper than that. It's about trust and truth. Baseball's steroids controversy has thrown fans into a densely tangled jungle, and every situation like this is just another choking vine.
Other professing Christians have recently been linked to the scandal, too, including Indians pitcher Paul Byrd and Yankees pitcher Andy Pettitte (both of whom claimed medical reasons for their usage). It's discouraging and sobering, to say the least.... Read this in full at http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=27064
ONLINE BOOK SUMMARY The Great Exchange: My Sin for His Righteousness by Jerry Bridges and Bob Bevington is now summarized in detail online. Here's the book's message: Christ bore the full wrath of God against sin. The debt is forever paid. God's justice is forever satisfied. Sinners, united to Christ, are forever forgiven. God and sinners, who are redeemed through Christ, can enjoy fellowship in perfect harmony. Read the summary at http://www.ChristianBookSummaries.com
Buy this book here: http://www.christianconnectionbooks.com/content/search/product/view_item.php?dcn=64046&sm=
VERSE TO PONDER "Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song." Psalm 95:1 - 2
CONSIDER "Happiness is making a bouquet of those flowers within reach." Unknown
ETHICS WATCH Refusal to Pay Bribe Rewarded Josh Russell needed a signature but the man behind the counter wasn't budging without a bribe. The church worker had tried for nearly six months to register a business that would serve as the heart of his ministry in Turkmenistan. He was two signatures away from success, but government corruption had deadlocked his application. "He's not going to process it," Russell's business partner, Murat, told him. "You are going to have to pay him in order to get this done." Reluctantly, Russell agreed and sent Murat back to find out how much it would cost. In that moment of quiet defeat, Russell said the Lord spoke to his heart.
"Josh, he's going to come back and tell you how much, and it's going to be a really small amount -- you have it in your pocket," Russell remembers thinking. "But how will I receive the glory due My name if you corrupt the foundation from the start?" Russell knew God was talking about Murat and how he would be influenced. When Murat returned, Russell apologized and explained he wouldn't pay the bribe, no matter how small.... Read this in full at http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=27062
MEGANUMBERS by Martin E. Marty ".Megachurches are not alone in the policy of lying-by-statistics; minichurches might also stretch, but for other reasons. We noted long ago that when some denominations started trying to assess congregations on a per capita basis, the capita-numbers instantly dwindled. On a personal note, when fifty years ago I was a pastor of a new minimission church and we had to turn in quarterly reports to impress a supervising and subsidizing board, we did not lie-by-statistics, but we were zealous counters. I have no doubt that the organist got counted in all three services, as might an on-duty custodian and every infant in the nursery. All of which is to illustrate the contention that megachurches and media which report on them are not the only problem-makers".. Read this in full at http://marty-center.uchicago.edu/sightings/archive_2007/1210.shtml
A RETURN TO TRADITION Evangelical congregations are now offering a weekly Eucharist, saying the Nicene or Apostles' creeds, reading the early Church Fathers, or doing other things that seem Roman Catholic or at least high Episcopalian. Daniel Wallace, a professor of New Testament studies at Dallas Theological Seminary, which trains pastors for interdenominational or nondenominational churches, says there's a growing appetite for something more than "worship that is a glorified Bible class in some ways".... Read this in full at http://www.usnews.com/articles/news/national/2007/12/13/a-return-to-tradition.html
STUDY REVEALS MOST RELIGIOUS NATIONS IN THE WORLD Nigeria, Brazil, India, and Morocco are among the most religious nations in the world, according to a new major study on faith conducted by the German think tank Bertelsmann Foundation. More than 96% of the population in these countries describe themselves as religious. The study distinguishes between religious and highly religious people. People that are classified as highly religious are those that worship and pray regularly and attach a high relevance of faith in their lives. Guatemala, Brazil, and Indonesia have the greatest percentage of highly religious people among the 21 countries polled. Russia, Thailand, and France have the smallest percentage of people who say religious belief is important in their lives.... Read this in full at:
EARLY TIPS FOR TAX SEASON by Sherre Stephens It's not too early to begin thinking about the 2007 tax filing season. A survey for the 2006 tax season found that 2 in 5 Americans procrastinate when it comes to filing their tax return. Whether you're an early or late preparer, here are tips to aid in preparing your 2007 tax return:
IDENTIFY LAST-MINUTE SAVINGS OPPORTUNITIES -- Maximize retirement plan elective deferrals. The 2007 basic deferral limit is $15,500 or $20,500 for age 50 and above. If you've missed maxing out your deferrals for 2007, consider an IRA.
-- Contribute to a traditional IRA. Eligibility for making deductible contributions to a traditional IRA depends on two factors: 1) if you are covered by a retirement plan at work and 2) your modified adjusted gross income (AGI). The maximum contribution limit for 2007 is $4,000, or $5,000 if age 50 or above. Remember, your nonworking spouse may be eligible for an IRA and an additional deduction can be beneficial. To qualify, you must be legally married at year's end and file a joint tax return. For more details on IRAs, see IRS Publication 590.
-- Consider a SEP, Keogh or SIMPLE plan contribution. You may be your own boss or a small business owner, so a Simplified Employee Pension Plan (SEP), Keogh or SIMPLE may be the appropriate avenue to reduce gross taxable income. See IRS Publication 560 for more information.
Note: Making the most of a retirement plan is good for you now and good for you in the future. Don't pass up this tax tip. Although the deferral amounts for 2008 are unchanged, the maximum limits for IRAs (traditional and Roth) increase to $5,000, or $6,000 if age 50 or above.
See more tips at http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=27083
CONSIDER "God is an infinite circle whose centre is everywhere and whose circumference is nowhere."Augustine
VERSE TO PONDER "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night." Psalm 1:1- 2
THIS WEEK'S HYMN: AH! LORD GOD, THE WORLD'S CREATOR Words: Jean Mauburn, 1494 Music: Johann G. Ebeling, 1666
Ah! Lord God, the world's Creator, King of all, great or small, Earth's Regenerator; Art Thou cradled, art Thou crying, Swathed and bound, on the ground, In the stable lying?
"Love of man hath brought Me hither, Cords of love, from above, To exalt him thither; Dead in trespass, child, I sought thee; Gone astray, from My way, Life and pardon brought thee."
"Empty be My scrip and coffer, Yet 'tis wealth, plenty, health, I am come to offer; Haste I to enrich and dress thee; Born to die, low I lie, And would gladly bless thee."
Therefore thousand thousand praises Are Thy due, Babe Jesu, These my heart upraises; Angels, mortals, furthest, nighest, Sing in mirth, "Peace on earth, Glory in the highest." >from CyberHymnal at http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/a/l/g/algwcrea.htm
ON PRAYER "Lord Jesus, Master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas. We who have so much to do seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day. We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us. We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom. We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence. We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light. To you we say, 'Come Lord Jesus!'" Henri Nouwen, 20th century author, writer, and professor
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.]
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SHARE YOUR FAVORITE WEBSITES Tell us what sites you find enjoyable and why.
MSNBC: Happiest Stories of 2007 http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22218864/
MSNBC: 2007 In Review http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22218869
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Christians are like tea; their strength is drawn out by hot water. Min. Frank Coleman, Editor
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We offer 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.
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