Connecting
man to man to God
Week of April 20, 2008
Issue 204
"The
message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing,
but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."
1 Corinthians 1:18
CONSIDER
“Peace
is the deliberate adjustment of my life to the will of God.”
Unknown
NIV
BIBLE TOPS LIST BY EVANGELICAL LEADERS
The
New International Version of the Bible is by far the most
preferred translation of the Scripture, according to a new survey
of US evangelical leaders. More than 65% of the
participating leaders name the NIV as their preferred Bible in a
survey conducted by the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE)
in light of the NIV's 30th anniversary this year.... Read
this in full
at
http://www.christianpost.com/article/20080411/31904_NIV_Bible_Tops_List_by_Evangelical_Leaders.htm
Also
see
http://www.niv.info
Use
our Bible
Finder:
http://www.christianconnectionbooks.com/index.php?module=globalcontent&content_id=270&lm=bbm
EMOTIONS
“The
Bible is not a book of abstract, technical information. It
is a book about relationships, primarily relationships between God
and people. Emotions play a big role in relationships.
This is frequently overlooked in biblical interpretation. As
part of your careful reading, when you observe the text be sure to
underscore words and phrases that have emotional overtones, that
is, words that convey feeling and emotion. Also be sure to
note terms such as "father, mother, child, daughter, son,"
and so on. These usually have underlying emotional
connotations as well.” from Journey into God's Word:
Your Guide to Understanding and Applying the Bible by J. Scott
Duvall & J. Daniel Hays
AUTHORITATIVE
“The
young church first embraced the written records from Paul's
careful explication of Jesus' teaching. Paul's letters to
individual churches were copied and exchanged among all church
communities. Not long after his death in AD 66 or 67 every
new center of the Church had a set of the most recognized letters
of Paul. In the same way, manuscripts with the four Gospels,
Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, circulated and were copied by the
churches and were quickly accepted as authoritative. By the
end of the second century nearly 90% of what came to be known as
the New Testament was accepted by Christians as apostolic and
divinely inspired, and hence authoritative. Discussions
surrounding the remaining books continued in the third and fourth
centuries alongside the debates that led to the formulation of the
ancient creeds of the Church -- the Apostles', the Nicene, and the
Athanasian.” From The Faith: What Christians Believe,
Why They Believe It, and Why It Matters by Charles Colson and
Harold Fickett
EVANGELICAL
POLITICS: THREE GENERATIONS
A
passionate dialogue is unfolding among evangelical leaders and
communities on the place of religion in politics and public life.
In a packed conference room at the 2008 National Pastors
Convention, radio journalist Krista Tippett conducted a live
conversation with 3 generations of formative evangelicals,
including former advisor to President Nixon and Prison Fellowship
founder Chuck Colson, megachurch pastor Greg Boyd, and social
activist and new monastic Shane Claiborne. Hear their lively
discussion about the role of Christians in politics and the
struggle to balance evangelical values with modern social
realities.... Read this in full
at
http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/
NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER
May
1
http://www.ndptf.org
SPIRITUAL FRIENDS
by
John Ortberg
“A friendship, like falling asleep, is
something you cannot enter into by sheer willpower. I can open
myself up to it. I can pray for it. But friendship happens,
when it happens, as a gift. It comes like rain or sunshine
or Cinnabons; a delight and joy and bonus that makes the world a
better place. I think, maybe, that when you come right down
to it, friendship is pretty much what the church is about.
And the human race, for that matter".... Read this in
full
at
http://www.christianitytoday.com/leaders/newsletter/2008/cln80414.html
VIRGINIA TECH LESSON: EXPERIENCE GOD
AS GOOD WHEN LIFE ISN'T
April 16
marked the 1st anniversary of the Virginia Tech massacre.
When tragedy strikes your life, even the best theological answers
don't help. You know intellectually that God is good, and
that He's with you in the midst of this fallen world. But
knowing that doesn't take away the pain you feel. The
answers to life's hardest questions become personal only when you
experience God's goodness for yourself. Matt Rogers' new
book, When Answers Aren't Enough: Experiencing God as Good When
Life Isn't, offers practical
applications....
http://www.crosswalk.com/root/11572520/page0/
Also
see Matt Rogers’ interview on The 700
Club
http://www.cbn.com/media/index.aspx?s=%2fvod%2fSUE99_MattRogers_041508&title=Virginia+Tech+Tragedy%3a+The+Year-Long+Journey
LEADERSHIP TIP (BUSINESS, FAMILY,
LIFE)
“Success is going
from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.” Winston
Churchill
VERSE
TO PONDER
"I want to remind
you of the gospel I preached to you....that Christ died for our
sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, [and] that
he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures."
1 Corinthians 15:1,3-4
CONSIDER
“It
is easier to fight for one's principles than to live up to them.”
Alfred Adler
MUST
RELIGIOUS LEADERS BE HUMAN? CASPIAN'S FRIENDS POP UP FROM
NARNIA
For millions of fans of
The Chronicles of Narnia -- and other spiritual fantasies written
by C. S. Lewis and his friends (including J. R. R. Tolkien's The
Lord of the Rings) -- the role of religious leadership may spring
from characters who aren't even human. For example, the
heroic little mouse Reepicheep in Prince Caspian (you'll meet him
when the latest Narnia film debuts in theaters May 16)....
Read this in full
at
http://www.readthespirit.com/explore/2008/04/144-must-religi.html
RELIGIOUS TEACHING STRAIGHT TO YOUR
IPOD
Evangelists have long used
the airwaves to get their messages out to a mass audience.
But now, podcast technology is opening the doors to a wider
variety of religious teaching than ever before, available on
demand and delivered automatically to the computers of a growing
number of Americans hungry for spirituality.... Read this in
full
at
http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2008-04-08-ipod-sermons_N.htm
IF DOGS WERE THE TEACHERS, YOU WOULD
LEARN STUFF LIKE:
When loved
ones come home, always run to greet them.
Never pass up the
opportunity to go for a joyride.
Let fresh air and the wind
in your face be pure ecstasy.
When it's in your best
interest, practice obedience.
Let others know when they've
invaded your territory.
Take naps.
Stretch before
rising.
Run, romp, and play daily.
Thrive on
attention and let people touch you.
Avoid biting when a
simple growl will do.
On warm days, stop to lie on your
back on the grass.
On hot days, drink lots of water, and
lie under a shady tree.
When you're happy, dance around and
wag your entire body.
No matter how often you're scolded,
never hold a grudge! Run right back and make friends.
Delight
in the joy of a long walk.
Eat with gusto and enthusiasm.
Stop when you have had enough.
Be loyal. Never pretend to
be something you're not.
If what you want lies buried, dig
until you find it.
When someone is having a bad day, be
silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.
LEARNING FROM TR
In
a recent issue of his TIPS newsletter, Phillip Humbert talks about
learning from the lives of successful people, and cites Theodore
Roosevelt as an example. He talks about "models of
people who passionately pursue every ounce of talent, opportunity,
and potential they have. They do things differently.
They have habits, attitudes, and behaviors that create the results
they desire. Here's a hint: Copy THESE people!
"So,
what have I observed about TR? Here are just a few
things:
1. Enormous self-discipline. As a skinny,
sickly child who nearly died many times, when his father told him
he must build his body, he launched himself into an exercise
routine that would shame most Olympic athletes. Later, his work
and writing schedule amazed even his publishers. His ability
to master the intricacies of politics confounded his adversaries.
The man knew how to focus.
2. Applied energy. Whether
he was herding cattle, running for election, or playing with his
children, people marveled at his ability to get things done.
He may have had more energy than most of us, but what struck me
was his ability to solve problems. He got up early, he
worked hard, he loved what he was doing and his passion drove him
forward. Winners have the same 24-hour day, but they use
their time and energy differently. They get more and better
results.
3. Quick, practical intelligence. TR had the
ability to see through the confusion of daily life and find real
solutions. When faced with family challenges or political
opponents, or the thousands of details that confuse and confound
most of us, he would pause, consider his primary objective, and
cut through the clutter. To use a modern cliché, he
'kept his eyes on the prize.' For him, there was always a
solution and he was determined to find it.
4. Gusto and
love of life. Call it what you will, TR's sheer enthusiasm
often carried the day. His most common expression was a
rollicking, hugely exaggerated shout of 'DEEEElighted!' He
loved people. He loved challenges and problems. He loved to
laugh, and he loved his work. He loved life and was not shy about
it. People enjoyed being around him (even when they opposed
him), and his passion and joy opened doors that would not have
been available to others.
Obviously, we shouldn't try to be
anyone but ourselves. Each of us is unique, and our highest and
best is to be precisely and fully who we are. But we can and
do learn from others. Unfortunately too often we learn
'accidentally,' and bad habits too easily find room in our lives.
But we can also learn intentionally from the most successful and
inspiring people we can find. Choose your models wisely.
Your life depends on it."
(Copyright © 2008, all
rights reserved. U.S. Library of Congress ISSN: 1529-059X.
Contact him at: www.philiphumbert.com
CHRIST
The
Many Names of CHRIST
To the ARTIST He is the One Altogether
Lovely.
To the ARCHITECT He is the Chief Corner Stone.
To
the BAKER He is the Living Bread.
To the BANKER He is the
Hidden Treasure.
To the BIOLOGIST He is the Life.
To the
BUILDER He is the Sure Foundation.
To the CARPENTER He is the
Door.
To the DOCTOR He is the Great Physician.
To the
EDUCATOR He is the Great Teacher.
To the ENGINEER He is the New
and Living Way.
To the FLORIST He is the Rose of Sharon and the
Lily of the Valley.
To the GEOLOGIST He is the Rock of Ages.
To
the HORTICULTURIST He is the True Vine.
To the JUDGE He is the
Righteous Judge, Judge of All Men.
To the JEWELER He is the
Pearl of Great Price.
To the LAWYER He is the Counselor, the
Lawgiver, the Advocate.
To the NEWSPAPER He is the Good Tidings
of Great Joy.
To the OCULIST He is the Light of the Eyes.
To
the PHILANTHROPIST He is the Unspeakable Gift.
To the
PHILOSOPHER He is the Wisdom of God.
To the PREACHER He is the
Word of God.
To the SCULPTOR He is the Living Stone.
To the
SERVANT He is the Good Master.
To the STATESMAN He is the
Desire of All Nations.
To the STUDENT He is the Incarnate
Truth.
To the THEOLOGIAN He is the Author and Finisher of our
Faith.
To the TOILER He is the Giver of Rest.
To the SINNER
He is the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world.
To
the CHRISTIAN He is the Son of the Living God, the Savior, the
Redeemer and the Lord.
To me...HE is all of this and
more;
HE is my everything, my all in all;
HE is more than
LIFE to me,
My soon coming King.
What is He to you?
(from
Cybersalt newsletter)
CONSIDER
“Every
one of us has in him a continent of undiscovered character.
Blessed is he who acts the Columbus to his own soul.”
Unknown
VERSE
TO PONDER
"Let no debt
remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one
another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law."
Romans 13:8
THIS
WEEK'S HYMN: CHRIST, WHO LEFT HIS HOME IN GLORY
Words
& Music: Abram B. Kolb, 1896
Christ who left His home
in glory,
And upon the cross was slain,
Now is ris’n!
Oh, tell the story,
That the Savior lives again.
Refrain
Hail
Him! Hail Him!
Tell the story!
Hail! all hail!
Jesus
lives forevermore.
While the world in peace was
sleeping,
Early on that Easter day,
Came the faithful women
weeping,
But the stone was rolled away.
Refrain
Christ,
our loving Mediator,
Now with God for you and me
Intercedes,
and our Creator
Hears and answers every plea.
Refrain
>from
CyberHymnal
at
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/c/w/l/cwlhhing.htm
ON PRAYER
“Prayer
is not merely an occasional impulse to which we respond when we
are in trouble: prayer is a life attitude.”
Walter A. Mueller
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.
YouTube: Star
Spangled Banner by
JibJab
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCptOTQHq4o
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.)
The best cure for shaking knees
is to kneel on them.
Min. Frank Coleman,
Editor
[email protected]
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