Connecting
man to man to God!
Week
of March 16, 2008
Issue
199
"This
is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son
into the world that we might live through him." 1 John 4:9
CONSIDER
"We want lives of simple, predictable ease; smooth, even trails as far as the eye can see -- but God likes to go off-road." Tony Snow
IT BROUGHT DOWN A KING, IT'LL DO THE SAME TO YOU
by David B. Carl
Most men that we think of as great aren't. Mostly they're just high achievers. But the Bible never commands anyone to be a high achiever. It never tells men to amass great fortunes, build tall buildings, or wield great power. The Bible records one ultimate purpose for us: to love God (Matthew 22:37-38). This love will naturally work its way out into a number of behaviors, like Bible study and obedience. However, the first priority, our most important goal, is to deeply and wholly love God. In addition to that, fathers are to pass this deep love along to their children (Deuteronomy 6:5-7). That's the true measure of greatness. Whatever else we do is gravy. I've been almost ready to do that for a long time, but I've always felt that I needed to grow in a few areas before I could really become a man of God.... Read this in full at
http://www.insight.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=8593&news_iv_ctrl=2162
INTERVIEW WITH LUIS PALAU
First released in China, the book 'A Friendly Dialogue Between an Atheist and a Christian' is the first-ever book between a Chinese diplomat, Zhao Qizheng, and a Christian evangelist, Luis Palau. For the Chinese, the book touches on the basic beliefs of Christianity as explained by Palau. For the West, it offers a unique perspective on Christianity and the philosophy of religion as seen from Chinese culture and beliefs.... Read this in full at
GOD'S REVELATION
"From our point of view, the Bible is part of God's total revelation to man. God reveals himself through creation, the beauty of the world. The whole creation speaks of the glory of God and the power of God. So when one looks at creation, you get a picture that God is almighty, that he loves beauty, that he is creative, that he also enjoys himself because of all the birds and the fish and the amazing things in creation. And God has revealed himself personally. In the book of Colossians, it says about Jesus Christ, 'He is the visible image of the invisible God.' When a scientist is thinking, 'I want to look at concrete human things so I can understand them,' here comes Jesus, who says, 'Look at me and you've actually seen the character of God.'" Luis Palau, A Friendly Dialogue Between an Atheist and a Christian
GEORGE FOREMAN'S DRAMATIC CONVERSION
Two-time World Heavyweight Boxing Champion George Foreman tells the story of his encounter with his most formidable opponent -- the living God. Long before he ever sold his grills on TV, George Foreman had a unique place in American history. Foreman grew up troubled and poor in Houston, but the ninth grade dropout began boxing, eventually winning the gold medal at the 1968 games in Mexico City. Then he turned professional, and in 1973, he knocked down the heavyweight champ, Joe Frazer, to win the crown. A year later, he lost his title to Mohammed Ali in the famous "Rumble in the Jungle" in Kinshasa, Zaire....
"I can't say how often I have wondered why the Lord chose me," he said, "but I can say that He did call an old boxer out of the shadows and gave him a second chance. I had lived full of hate all my life. My conscience was encrusted with hate. I had been involved in a sport, obsessed with an activity, and malicious, destructive thoughts filled my mind, and in a strange, indirect way, it motivated me." .... Read this in full at
http://www.newmanmag.com/e-magazine/022108/the-lord-of-his-ring.php
LEADERSHIP TIPS (BUSINESS, FAMILY, LIFE)
Concepts of Leadership
There are certain things you must *be*, *know*, and, *do*. These do not come naturally, but are acquired through continual work and study. Good leaders are continually working and studying to improve their leadership skills; they are NOT resting on their laurels. Leadership is a process by which a person influences others to accomplish an objective and directs the organization in a way that makes it more cohesive and coherent. Leaders carry out this process by applying their leadership attributes, such as beliefs, values, ethics, character, knowledge, and skills. Although your position as a manager, supervisor, lead, etc. gives you the authority to accomplish certain tasks and objectives in the organization, this power does not make you a leader...it simply makes you the boss. Leadership differs in that it makes the followers want to achieve high goals, rather than simply bossing people around.... Read this in full at
http://www.nwlink.com/~donclark/leader/leadcon.html
VERSE TO PONDER
"God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline." 2 Timothy 1:7
CONSIDER
"Sometimes we are most awake toward God when we are asleep toward the world." A. J. Gordon
NEW BOOK SUMMARY ONLINE
The well-known classic Moby Dick by Herman Melville is now summarized in detail online. Moby Dick was first published in London in 1851 in a 3-volume edition titled The Whale. One month later it was released as one massive volume titled Moby Dick, by Harper and Brothers in New York. Although the book initially received negative reviews, Moby Dick is now considered one of the greatest novels
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_canon> in the English language <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_language>, and has secured Melville's place among America's gifted writers. The monumental tale of Captain Ahab's mad quest to destroy the White Whale, Moby Dick is a timeless epic, an unforgettable story of vengeance, obsession, and the precariousness of life itself. Beneath the surface of this masterful saga lies an ocean's depth of thought, reflection, and insight into the spiritual nature of the universe and our place within it.
http://www.christianbooksummaries.com/
INVESTIGATE
"One of the most critical skills needed in reading the Bible is the ability to see the details. Most of us read the Bible too quickly and we skip over the details of the text. However, the meaning of the Bible is intertwined into the details of every sentence. Our first step in understanding a biblical text is to observe as many details as possible. At this early stage of analysis, try to refrain from interpreting or applying the text. These steps are important, but they come later, after the observing step. Our first step is to read seriously, to note as many details as possible, to observe our text as closely as Crime Scene Investigators do a crime scene." J. Scott Duvall & J. Daniel Hays, Journey into God's Word: Your Guide to Understanding and Applying the Bible
A MAN'S GUIDE TO THE SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES
by Patrick Morley
Spiritual disciplines (or habits) are the means by which we regularly deepen our relationship with Christ. One of the easiest mistakes with the spiritual disciplines is to confuse the means and the ends. The disciplines are the "means," our relationship with Jesus is the "end."
It's important to remind ourselves that disciplines don't earn us any kind of merit whatsoever. The disciplines are not behaviors we perform to make God happy or avoid his wrath. Instead, disciplines are the regular practices of men gripped by deep and humble gratitude for the remarkable privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as Lord, Savior, Counselor, and Friend.
Almost any Christian virtue or duty can be turned into a discipline. I've selected 12 disciplines that seem right for our moment in time: creation, the Bible, prayer, worship, the Sabbath, fellowship, counsel, fasting, spiritual warfare, stewardship, service, and evangelism. Here is a brief overview of each one.... Read this in full at
http://www.maninthemirror.org/alm/alm145.htm
SELF-CONTROL
"Our society panders to self-indulgence. We are encouraged to give ourselves a break, do ourselves a favor, and have it our way. It is assumed that our pleasures, prestige, power, and passions drive us, not our principles. Yet, even the good things in life will hurt us if we overindulge in them. Food, s*x, exercise, sleep, money -- all these are not inherently bad, of course, but uncontrolled indulgence in any of them can be harmful. Aided by God's power, we need to exercise a fair amount of self-discipline instead of self-indulgence (see 1 Peter 4:1-2). A self-under-control person, in God's power, exercises restraint, moderation, and willpower, and makes decisions based on principles, not pleasures." Katie Brazelton & Shelley Leith, Character Makeover: 40 Days with a Life Coach to Create the Best You
HAVE A POSITIVE DAY EVERY DAY
by Alison Greiner, Life Coach
Most of us have more than enough bad habits, but what about good habits? Just as you "pick up" a bad habit, you can learn good habits that will have a positive impact on your life. Follow our step-by-step guide and start making positive changes today. We can all benefit from change, but many of us don't know how to make lasting changes. Start with the following five tips. Each day, add one step to your daily routine and soon each will become a positive habit. Be persistent -- it takes 21 to 45 days of implementing a new habit to make it stick. With each positive habit you adopt you take a step closer to the ultimate you. "How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives." - Annie Dillard. Follow these steps to have a positive day!.... Read this in full at
http://www.christianpost.com/article/20080303/31403_Have_a_Positive_Day_Every_Day.htm
FEAR
"We have become so accustomed to the idea of divine love and of God's coming at Christmas that we no longer feel the shiver of fear that God's coming should arouse in us. We are indifferent to the message, taking only the pleasant and agreeable out of it and forgetting the serious aspect, that the God of the world draws near to the people of our little earth and lays claim to us. The coming of God is truly not only glad tidings, but first of all frightening news for everyone who has a conscience." Dietrich Bonhoeffer, "The Coming of Jesus in Our Midst," in A Testament to Freedom: The Essential Writings of Dietrich BonnHoeffer, Geoffrey B. Kelly and F. Burton Nelson, editors
GODLY GRANDPARENTING: WAYS TO INSPIRE FAITH IN YOUR GRANDKIDS
Grandparents play an important role in their grandchildren's lives – so important, in fact, that their influence has eternal significance. Making the most of this opportunity to invest in the lives of grandchildren will lead to great rewards. Here are ways to do that:
Answer the call. Realize that becoming a grandparent isn't just another season of your life; it's a God-given calling. Take full advantage of the awesome opportunity to influence another generation of children in your family. Even though you likely have more freedom to live the lifestyle you want than your own grandparents of old did (better health, more money, etc.), you share the same responsibility to be committed grandparents. View your investment in your grandchildren as one of the best investment opportunities you'll ever have, because it will pay off in significant ways that have eternal value. Don't let the comforts and freedoms of an empty nest or retirement cause you to neglect your grandchildren. Don't let other noble causes (like ministry work through your church) divert too much of your time and energy away from your grandchildren. Decide to stay connected, emotionally engaged, and personally involved in your children's and grandchildren's lives. Ask God to give you a clear understanding of the great potential good that could occur if you fully invested in your grandchildren's lives.... Read this in full at
http://www.crosswalk.com/11568232/
GENDER DIFFERENCES
"It's no accident that God designed his brain and her brain to be very different. If we learn how to understand, appreciate, and honor these differences, we reap many benefits that will strengthen our relationship. Maybe that's why the apostle Peter instructs husbands to 'live with your wives in an understanding way' (1 Peter 3:7). By discovering the many delightful differences between his brain and her brain, husbands and wives can grow in their appreciation and understanding of each other. This can lead to more realistic expectations of each other. Then frustration, disappointment, and anger can fade away as we discover that we can live together joyfully in marriage." Walt Larimore, MD and Barb Larimore, His Brain, Her Brain: How Divinely Designed Differences Can Strengthen Your Marriage
AWARE
"The tax collector in Luke 18:9-14 teaches us, as does Jesus, that this gospel is for sick people, not for the righteous. The tax collector knows he is a sinner and just cries out to God for grace. When we are first aware of our own brokenness, our eyes are opened to see our own faces in the faces of the oppressed and to see our own hands in the hands of the oppressors. Then we shall all be truly free." Shane Claiborne, The Irresistible Revolution
GOING TO THE DOCTOR
I went to the doctor for my yearly physical. The nurse starts with the basics. "How much do you weigh?" she asks. "160," I say. The nurse puts me on the scale. It turns out my weight is 190. The nurse asks, "Your height?" "6 foot 1," I say. The nurse checks and sees that I only measure 5'10". She then takes my blood pressure and tells me it is very high. "OF COURSE IT'S HIGH!" I scream. "When I came in here I was tall and slender!
Now I'm short and fat!"
TYPES OF HOME SAFETY ALARMS AND DETECTORS
Intruders aren't the only potential hazard for homeowners. You can install many other types of home safety devices: smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, high water alarms, low temperature alarms, and propane or natural gas detectors.... Read this in full at
CONSIDER
"Superficial happiness without spiritual holiness is one of hell's major exports." Unknown
VERSE TO PONDER
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself." Matthew 22:37-39
THIS WEEK'S HYMN: WHEN AT THY FOOTSTOOL, LORD, I BEND
Words: Henry F. Lyte, 1833
Music: George Cooper, 1836
When at Thy footstool, Lord, I bend,
And plead with Thee for mercy there,
Think of the sinner's dying Friend,
And for His sake receive my prayer.
O think not of my shame and guilt,
My thousand stains of deepest dye;
Think of the blood which Jesus spilt,
And let that blood my pardon buy.
Think, Lord, how I am still Thine own,
The trembling creature of Thy hand;
Think how my heart to sin is prone,
And what temptations round me stand.
O think upon Thy holy Word,
And every plighted promise there;
How prayer should evermore be heard,
And how Thy glory is to spare.
O think not of my doubts and fears,
My strivings with Thy grace divine;
Think upon Jesus' woes and tears,
And let His merits stand for mine.
Thine eyes, Thine ear, they are not dull;
Thine arm can never shortened be;
Behold me here; my heart is full;
Behold, and spare, and succor me.
>from CyberHymnal at
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/w/a/watflibe.htm
ON PRAYER
"Grant to us, O Lord, the royalty of inward happiness, and the serenity which comes from living close to Thee. Daily renew in us the sense of joy, and let the eternal spirit of the Father dwell in our souls and bodies, filling us with light and grace, so that, bearing about with us the infection of a good courage, we may be diffusers of life, and may meet all ills and accidents with gallant and high-hearted happiness, giving Thee thanks always for all things." L. H. Soule
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!
Meet
Thousands of Business People Online FREE! Business Networking &
Advertising Service Entrepreneurs and Home Business Owners
advertise your Company, Product, or Service as a part of
DirectMatches' online business networking service where business
people are matched with other business people to do BUSINESS! It's
the MySpace for business people! To register for a free business
profile, visit:
http://www.directmatches.com/goglobal
SHARE YOUR FAVORITE WEBSITES
Tell
us what sites you find enjoyable and why.
Gospel.com
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.)
Any
simple idea will ultimately be worded in the most complicated way.
Min. Frank Coleman, Editor
[email protected]
Thanks
for welcoming CONNECTIONS into your in-box!
Quick
Links...