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Connections
Connecting man to man to God! Week of February 17, 2008 Issue 195
[Jesus said,] "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:43-45
CONSIDER "It is never too late to be what you might have been." George Eliot
TONY CAMPOLO UNPLUGGED: ARE YOU A RED LETTER CHRISTIAN? New Man magazine: We're here with Tony Campolo. Our readers may not be familiar with the movement you've been instrumental in starting called red letter Christians. Can you explain, just what is a red letter Christian?
Tony Campolo: We love the term because very few people know what it means outside the Christian community. It refers to the red letters of the Bible. The reason why we claimed the label is because we don't know what to call ourselves anymore. Evangelical is a wonderful word. But the evangelical community is so married to the Republican Party. The minute you say "I'm evangelical" the red flags go up on a campus like Harvard or Stanford or the University of Chicago. Our group speaks in those places often and they immediately assume that we're anti-woman, pro-war, anti-environment, and down the list. And we're saying, "Hey that's not what we are about -- we're about being faithful to the Scriptures." We have a strong tendency toward pacifism. We have the simple belief that when Jesus said, "Love your enemies," He probably meant we shouldn't kill them. But we are evangelicals who do not want to be married to the religious right. That is the best way of describing who we are. We believe that salvation comes from Jesus Christ period. That's where we are, so we are evangelical. We think that Jesus should transcend all political lines. He's neither democrat nor republican.... Read this interview in full at http://www.newmanmagazine.com/e-magazine/021408/tony-campolo.php
PERCEIVED CHRISTIANITY "Among the unsaved people on earth, what is the prevailing image of Christians today? It's not the dedicated and inspired work of our missionaries. It's not the great preaching of Billy Graham or others who inspire people. It's the image of divisions among brothers and sisters in Christ as we struggle for authority or argue about the interpretation of individual verses in the Holy Scriptures." Jimmy Carter at the New Baptist Covenant Celebration http://www.newbaptistcelebration.org/
REIGNDOWN USA On April 26, Christ followers from across America will unite on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., and in local satellite venues to worship, pray, and seek God's forgiveness and mercy in the spirit of 2 Chronicles 7:14.... Read more at
WHAT DO WOMEN WANT? More than 9 in 10 Canadian women (94%) rank teasing and having a great sense of humor as the number one way a man can create romantic moments. The survey, which polled women aged 18 to 69, identifies their perfect "Valentine" as someone who is fun, expressive and focused on their needs and wants. These findings come from a national survey on women's opinions about romance from VoxPop -- a campaign by the Marketing Research and Intelligence Association (MRIA) to demonstrate the power of survey research to give voice to Canadians on issues of broad interest.
Here are VoxPop's Top 10 Tips For Men who want to bring romance to a relationship. How does your approach to romance line up with what women really want? 1. Teasing and having a great sense of humor 2. Talking about what's going in your lives and being supportive 3. Little things that show love and respect, such as saying "I love you" and holding the door open 4. Getting involved in activities she enjoys, so that the both of you can have more fun and share good times together 5. Having a relaxed, fun attitude about the relationship 6. Surprising her with a unexpected gift or activity 7. Sharing thoughts and feelings about the relationship 8. Helping around the house to reduce her workload 9. Helping with the children and spending more time together 10. A surprise get-a-way to connect with each other http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release.do?id=820584
DIFFERING BRAINS MAKE THE MARRIAGE, AUTHORS SAY Be ingenious and do as Walt Larimore MD and his wife, Barb, have done to show their undying love; present your sweetie with a beribboned bunch of UNDERSTANDING this year. The Larimores wrote His Brain, Her Brain: How Divinely Designed Differences Can Strengthen Your Marriage. The book focuses on what the Colorado couple say are more than 100 God-given neurological differences that can make a marriage happier.... Read this in full at http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/grpress/index.ssf?/base/features-2/1202826912224010.xml&coll=6
THINK ABOUT IT The average American eats eight ounces of meat a day, nearly twice the average consumption of the world. (The New York Times, Jan. 27, 2008)
LEADERSHIP TIPS (BUSINESS, FAMILY, LIFE) LEAD FROM THE MIDDLE by Glen Aubrey You are an employee, perhaps a supervisor or middle manager, but not the boss. Or, perhaps you have no one working for you. Regardless of title or position you are one of the people who make your company work. Most staff of most companies fit this description.
Let's say in your position you clearly see a need for change-positive change you are convinced would help your organization improve in product delivery, customer satisfaction, team cooperation, or leadership. Because you are not the one in charge, is it possible to affect healthy change? Is leading from the middle a realistic expectation and, if so, how is it done?
Leading from the middle is tough but it is possible. It's tough because few people want to risk negative consequences if what they're proposing is rebuffed or refused from someone above them. It's tough because the one with the ideas should be the one proving that the ideas are worthy of consideration. It's tough because the change agent needs to be considered reliable and authentic.
But leading from the middle can be done. It can happen when the person initiating fresh ideas proves by words and works that his or her contributions are valuable and worth considering.
Leading from the middle is not accomplished in a vacuum -- it's a result of ongoing and consistent excellence on the part of the person who desires improvement. Where an employee sees a need for change and has not been a contributing force for good, conversations about change can be perceived as little more than complaining without solutions. This, of course, is whining.
But where an employee, regardless of title or position, demonstrates consistent contribution and faithful task completion, that employee earns the right and responsibility to be heard by those who may sincerely welcome recommendations for needful and positive change.
So consider: What changes would you like to see your organization employ that you are convinced should be considered for the good of the people and the operation? How well do your work contributions demonstrate authentic reliability, giving you the platform or voice to recommend and help implement needful changes?
It's always timely to begin this process -- the process of accountable contribution that renders you and other staff viable as well as valuable. It all begins by giving what you want before demanding what you need. -------------------------- Copyright 2008 Glen Aubrey ([email protected]), Creative Team Resources Group, Inc. Permission is granted to send this to others, with attribution, but not for commercial purposes. Learn more. Order "Core Teams Work: Their Principles and Practices" by Glen Aubrey, endorsed by Fox News' Cal Thomas: http://www.CoreTeamsWork.com | Contact CTRG for ways to improve your organization: http://www.ctrg.com
VERSE TO PONDER "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7
CONSIDER "Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens. Circumstances and situations do color life, but you have been given the mind to choose what the color shall be." John Homer Miller
DO YOU BELIEVE IN LUCK? Do I believe in luck? I should say I do! It's a wonderful force. I have watched the successful careers of too many lucky men to doubt its existence and its efficacy. You see some fellow reach out and grab an opportunity that the other fellows standing around had not realized was there. He calls into play his breadth of vision. He sees the possibilities of the situation, and has the ambition to desire them, and the courage to tackle them. He intensifies his strong points, bolsters his weak ones, cultivates those personal qualities that cause other men to trust him and to co-operate with him. He sows the seeds of sunshine, of good cheer, of optimism, of unstinted kindness. He gives freely of what he has, both spiritual and physical things. He thinks a little straighter; works a little harder and a little longer; travels on his nerve and his enthusiasm; he gives such service as his best efforts permit. He keeps his head cool, his feet warm, his mind busy. He doesn't worry over trifles, plans his work ahead, and then sticks to it, rain or shine. He talks and acts like a winner, for he knows in time he will be one. And then -- luck does all the rest! (Hidden Treasures)
NEW BOOK SUMMARY NOW ONLINE A detailed summary of The Secret Revealed by James L. Garlow and Rick Marschall (FaithWords/Hachette Book Group USA) is now online. The book's message: According to Rhonda Byrne in The Secret, you can have everything you need and want right now because of the Law of Attraction. What is the Law of Attraction? Is it something new? Is it true? The Secret Revealed challenges Byrne's thesis by answering these and many other questions. There is a better way, based on a beautiful Mystery rather than a questionable secret, to establish security, prosperity, and joy in your life. Read the summary at www.ChristianBookSummaries.com <http://www.christianbooksummaries.com/>
HOW DO YOU FEEL? Elmer says, "First, I got tonsillitis, followed by appendicitis and pneumonia. After that I got erysipelas with hemachromatosis. Following that I got poliomyelitis and finally ended up with neuritis. Then they gave me hypodermics and inoculations." Calvin says, "Boy, you had quite a time!" Elmer replies, "I'll say! I thought I'd never pull trough that spelling test."
DELAYING PROSTATE CARE OK FOR SOME MEN Older men with early-stage prostate cancer are not taking a big risk if they keep an eye on the disease instead of treating it right away, suggests the largest study to look at this issue since PSA tests became popular. Only 10% of the 9,000 men in the study who chose to delay or skip treatment had died of prostate cancer a decade later. The vast majority were alive without significantly worsening symptoms or had died of other causes. Even the 30% who eventually sought treatment were able to delay it for an average of 11 years.
"It is important news," said Dr. Otis Brawley, chief medical officer of the American Cancer Society. "It may persuade some middle-of-the-roaders that we are overtreating this disease," and that PSA testing may be amplifying the problem, he said. The PSA blood test to help detect tumors has been widely used since the 1990s.... http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5h_4KTfb1r-GB8852gLDU0yxg8zmgD8UPNILG0
THE TRUTH ABOUT TRANS FATS by Tamara Quintana Checking the nutrition labels on food packaging is an important tool in determining the nutritional value of what we eat. But it's not always easy deciphering those charts with their fine print, percentages and abbreviations. If you're talking about fats alone it gets confusing fast, with some fats being "good" and "bad," some saturated and unsaturated. Another type of fat we hear a lot about today is trans fat. Manufacturers and restaurants are touting the fact that their foods contain "zero trans fats," and some cities are even banning them. What is trans fat?.... Read more at http://www.bpnews.net/BPFirstPerson.asp?ID=27245
CONSIDER All that which pleases is but for a moment. All that which troubles is but for a moment. That only is important which is eternal. Milan Cathedral Inscription
VERSE TO PONDER "I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." Psalm 18:1-2
THIS WEEK'S HYMN: THE GIFT OF LOVE Words: Hal H. Hopson, 1972 Music: Traditional English melody, arranged by Hal H. Hopson, 1972
Though I may speak with bravest fire, And have the gift to all inspire, And have not love, my words are vain, As sounding brass, and hopeless gain.
Though I may give all I possess, And striving so my love profess, But not be given by love within, The profit soon turns strangely thin.
Come, Spirit, come, our hearts control, Our spirits long to be made whole. Let inward love guide every deed; By this we worship, and are freed. >from CyberHymnal at http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/g/i/giftlove.htm THE GIFT OF LOVE C 1972 Hope Publishing Company 380 South Main Place, Carol Stream, IL 60188 (800-323-1049) Used by permission
BILLY GRAHAM'S PRAYER FOR AMERICA "Our Father and Our God, We praise You for Your goodness to our nation, giving us blessings far beyond what we deserve. Yet we know all is not right with America. We deeply need a moral and spiritual renewal to help us meet the many problems we face. Convict us of sin. Help us to turn to You in repentance and faith. Set our feet on the path of Your righteousness and peace. We pray today for our nation's leaders. Give them the wisdom to know what is right, and the courage to do it. You have said, "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord." May this be a new era for America, as we humble ourselves and acknowledge You alone as our Savior and Lord. This we pray in Your holy name, Amen." Billy Graham
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.
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National Day of Prayer
Count your blessings; name them one by one. 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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