"Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don't be impressed with yourself. Don't compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life."  Galatians 6:4-5 (Msg)

     CONSIDER

"When you suffer and lose, that does not mean you are being disobedient to God.  In fact, it might mean you're right in the center of His will.  The path of obedience is often marked by times of suffering and loss."  Chuck Swindoll

     START EACH DAY WITH THE PLEDGE

"I pledge allegiance to Jesus Christ -- savior of my soul, master of my life -- and to his command, "Love one another, as I have loved you."  I pledge to live this day by faith in God, to love him with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to bear the Holy Spirit fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control."

(c. 2002, [email protected])

     HOW CAN SOMEONE WHO LIVES IN INSANE LUXURY BE A STAR IN TODAY'S WORLD?

by Ben Stein (Emmy award-winner, game show host, actor, lawyer, writer)

I no longer think Hollywood stars are terribly important.  They are uniformly pleasant, friendly people, and they treat me better than I deserve to be treated.  But a man or woman who makes a huge wage for memorizing lines and reciting them in front of a camera is no longer my idea of a shining star we should all look up to.

How can a man or woman who makes an eight-figure wage and lives in insane luxury really be a star in today's world, if by a "star" we mean someone bright and powerful and attractive as a role model?

Real stars are not riding around in the backs of limousines or in Porsches or getting trained in yoga or Pilates and eating only raw fruit while they have Vietnamese girls do their nails.  They can be interesting, nice people, but they are not heroes to me any longer.

A real star is the soldier of the 4th Infantry Division who poked his head into a hole on a farm near Tikrit, Iraq.  He could have been met by a bomb or a hail of AK-47 bullets.  Instead, he faced an abject Saddam Hussein and the gratitude of all of the decent people of the world.....

Read this fascinating column in full at

http://www.eonline.com/Gossip/Morton/Archive/2003/031220.html

     SENATOR SENDS BOLTON ADVICE BOOK

Sen. George Voinovich said he sent a copy of the book The Heart and Soul of Effective Management by James F. Hind to John Bolton, the newly-appointed US Ambassador to the UN.  Voinovich (R-OH) has kept a dog-eared copy of the book in his office for a long time.  The book tells managers to perform tasks as Jesus Christ would.  Voinovich opposed Bolton's appointment.  Hear this report at

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4782687

     MEET THE PERFECT MANAGER

by James F. Hind

It's one of those Sundays.  The words of the sermon echo over my head.  The "stained-glass" saints look my way, but there is no eye contact.  The longer the choir sings, "Nearer My God to Thee," the more my thoughts wander.  My mind is racing to itemize a "to be done" list for the coming week.  Nothing said, sung, or shown to me that day in church seems relevant to my world the world of business.  Driving home, I feel guilty for not being more attentive, for not trying to relate biblical principles to my world to make them work in my work.  I want to feel what that church hymn is saying.  But the more I ponder my dilemma, the more I realize how wide the gap is between church and business.  What has Christ dying on a cross early in the first century got to do with my trying to achieve economic growth for a company in the late twentieth century?

As a businessman, I've wrestled with that question for 30 years.  And I find that I'm not alone.  Most of my peers also fail to see a close connection.  There's an attitude common to professional people that church and business exist in two unrelated worlds a Sunday one and a workaday one.  Christianity is not viewed as an integral part of the business culture.....

Read this in full at

http://www.ivmdl.org/reflections.cfm?study=31

     IT TAKES A FAMILY

Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA) is one of his political party's strongest and most conservative voices.  In this radio interview, he talks about his new book, It Takes a Family: Conservatism and the Common Good, and he discusses the politics of intelligent design, Christians in the public square, and what he'd like to hear from Supreme Court nominee John Roberts.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4784905

     DEFENDING CONSERVATISM

by Albert Mohler, Jr.

"The new book by Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) argues that civilization is based upon five essential pillars -- social capital, economic capital, moral capital, cultural capital, and intellectual capital.  The senator deals with each of these in turn, but at the center of his argument lies the assertion 'that the key to building capital in all of these areas is fostering the formation, stability, and success of the traditional family....'"

Read this review in full at

http://www.crosswalk.com/news/weblogs/mohler/?cal=go&adate=8%2F1%2F2005

     REDHAWKS PITCHER SAYS THERE'S MORE TO LIFE THAN BASEBALL ACCOLADES

Professional athletes are sometimes accused of being so focused on their game and the party afterward that they have no room in their lives except for the game and themselves.  Such is not the case with John Wasdin, pitcher for the Oklahoma City RedHawks.  "I'll tell you there's nothing greater than knowing Jesus Christ as my Savior and that no matter what happens on the ball field, I can go out there knowing there's a reason," says Wasdin.  "Instead of holding my career, like a lot of athletes do, with closed fists, trying to hang on, I have open hands to say 'wherever I may go, it's Your will and may I do the best that I can do for You.'"

Although Wasdin grew up around the church and sang in the choir, it wasn't until his senior year in high school that he trusted Christ.  At 17, he entered college and confesses to not being sufficiently strong in his faith to ward off the temptations that flooded his life.  "It was like fishing," Wasdin said. "I really like to fish, and the Devil has his tackle box, and he knew what lures would attract me, so he used them on me in college. I struggled with alcohol....It finally one day hit me, I was a hypocrite," Wasdin admitted. "I was professing one thing and doing something completely different Monday through Saturday, and then on Sunday I put on this little charade in front of my family and friends.  God sees that, he sees Monday through Saturday.  Your family doesn't, and you may think you are hiding all of this, whatever it is you're doing...."

Read this in full at

http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=21318

     AUGUST HAPPENINGS

* Pain Awareness Month

http://www.painconnection.org/NationalPainAwareness/default.asp

* Psoriasis Awareness Month

http://www.psoriasis.org/events/pam/

* Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness Month

http://www.fsma.org/august1.shtml

* National Immunization Awareness Month

http://www.partnersforimmunization.org/niam.html

* August 6-14  IAAF World Championships

http://www.iaaf.org/WCH05/

* August 11-14 - PGA Championship

http://www.pga.com/pgachampionship/2005/

     THOU SHALT NOT LIE

A growing number of people are using their cell phones to carry on fake conversations to deceive or manipulate those around them.  Some cellphonies use their cell phones to avoid contact with annoying coworkers or supervisors.  Some pretend to be finishing a call when they arrive late for a meeting.  Others fake conversations to avoid looking lonely or to impress those around them.  The fake phone call has an etiquette, or at least a technique, all its own.  Inexperienced cellphonies risk exposure with their limited repertoire of "uh-huhs."  Sophisticated simulators achieve authenticity by re-enacting their side of an actual dialogue.  Or they call voice-activated phone trees, so it sounds as if someone is talking on the other end.

("Cellphonies Know How to Fake It" by Amy Harmon, Dallas Morning News, 4-25-05)

     RADICAL LOVER

by (the late) Bill Bright

Since the beginning of Promise Keepers, a growing number of men have committed themselves to this promise.  For many, as they reflect on the condition of their marriage, they don't like what they see.  But rather than bailing out through divorce or separation, they have committed to healing and building their marriage with God's help.  If you've committed yourself to healing your marriage, the question on your mind may be, "Where do I begin?"  This article will answer that question, using examples from my marriage to Vonette.  All of our counsel hinges upon one basic premise in God's Word: "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave himself up for her" (Eph. 5:25, NIV).  What does it mean to love your wife as Christ loved the church? Why is this love so crucial?...

Read this article in full at

http://www.newmanmag.com/article.php?sid=595&mode=thread&order=0

     CONFRONTING CHRISTIAN MYTHS ABOUT SEX AND CHASTITY

posted by Andy Rau

The Christian church has traditionally taken very seriously Biblical teachings on chastity and the sanctity of marriage. So why are so many Christians ignoring the church's teachings about the sacredness of sex?  Lauren Winner thinks that some of the fault lies with the church itself--specifically, with well-meaning Christians who extol the virtues of premarital chastity, but who base their teachings on myths about sex instead of Biblical teaching.  In a recent article, Winner describes three common myths about sex[1] that are spread by Christians. She also provides some good advice about how Christians can talk meaningfully about sex and chastity without falling back on these church "urban legends."  Winner's ideas about chastity and the church have been getting a lot of attention in the last year; you can find some more links about the ongoing dialogue here[2] or read more about the new case for chastity[3] at Christianity Today.

-- Links in this story --

[1] http://www.christianitytoday.com/le/2005/002/15.50.html

[2] http://www.thinkchristian.net/?p=92

[3] http://www.christianitytoday.com/le/2005/002/16.53.html

     WHY GOD ASKS US TO PRAY

by Henry Blackaby

"...When our prayer is God-centered, God reveals himself and his heart for all to see.  When we pray for God to work mightily for himself alone, he does.  God can then work through the prayer lives of his people to make himself known to a watching world.  And when he does he is glorified!  That is, he is seen in his activity for who he is, and this will draw people to him.  Not all will be "saved," but all will know him in one way or another.  So we must model Jesus' prayer faithfully before we make any request for God to bless us and meet our needs...."

Read this in full at

http://www.pastors.com/article.asp?ArtID=8367

     SIX WAYS TO LEAVE A LEGACY THAT MATTERS

by Tom Ehrich

On the last hole, I sailed my tee shot into the lake. So did my 24-year-old son.  So did my 13-year-old son. Like father, like son.  After dropping off my clubs, I walked toward my son's truck and saw two brothers sitting on the tailgate, chatting happily, leaning toward each other. I stopped to watch. "That," I said to myself, "is my legacy as a father."  Not money, not a guaranteed future.  But a love that helps brother to love brother.

* Give time.

* Heal what needs healing.

* Love each child.

* Recognize what is important to the child.

* Live with integrity.

* Live freely.

Read this article in full at

http://www.beliefnet.com/dailyinspiration/1061705.htm

     VERSE TO PONDER

"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2

     CONSIDER

"Oh, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person; having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but to pour them all out, just as they are, chaff and grain together, knowing that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and then, with the breath of kindness, blow the rest away."  George Eliot

     FULFILL YOUR CALLING

Jack Graham often has challenged men to "step up to the plate."  The Dallas-area pastor's new book, "A Man of God: Essential Priorities for Every Man's Life," reflects his efforts over the years to build up the men in the church.

Q: You write about how men are "maxed out" on a lot of things, but not necessarily on Christ.  Why is that?  Is it too difficult to commit?

A: There are many pressures on men today to do it all.  Let's just talk about the Christian man -- he's to love his wife as Christ loves the church; he's to give his children priority in his life and be a great parent, a great role model, active in their lives.  And at the same time, he has career responsibilities, and he has the desire to do well and achieve and accomplish in his life and make a difference.  If there's not a strong spiritual foundation in their lives, if men do not practice spiritual disciplines of prayer and Bible study and worship, if men do not take care of their own souls, of their own spiritual walk, then they're going to be torn in many directions and feeling frustrated and like failures.

Q: What does it mean to become "a man of God?"

A: It means really getting your priorities in the proper order and then trusting God to do with your family, to do with your life, to do with your faith what needs to be done. So, hopefully, we're providing simple truths and simple tools to establish these proper priorities in a man's life.

Read this in full at

http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=21009

     AFTER EVANGELICALISM

Cornerstone University Civitas Center is sponsoring a conference in September called "After Evangelicalism."

http://www.cornerstone.edu/academics/civitas/

     BASIC BIBLE DOCTRINE

The Doctrine of Man (continued)

II.  The Nature of Man

A.  What does it mean to be in the "image of God?" Man is said to be made in the "image of God" (Gen.1:26, 27).  Only with a view of special creation by God could this be possible.

1.  We reflect God in personality. We reason (intellect), feel (emotion), and choose (will).

2.  We reflect God in function. Gen.1:26 connects the ideas of sharing God's image with sharing His rule or sovereignty over creation.

3.  There is perhaps some sense in which we reflect God in form.  Although God is spirit and not body (John 4:24), our physical form was designed by God as appropriate means of reflecting Him.  Even in our eternal state we will fellowship with God in our transformed "spiritual" yet physical body (1 Cor.15:44).

4.  Conclusion - The fact that man can communicate and fellowship with God and even reflect God's moral character (when regenerated - 2 Peter 1:4), indicates perhaps the real depth of man sharing God's "image."

B.  How many parts are we? Christian theologians have much discussed whether man is essentially 2 parts (Material and Immaterial) or 3 parts (Body, Soul and Spirit).  Here are the basic arguments plus a third moderating position.

1.  Dichotomy view (2 parts)

a.  Only the distinction between our material and immaterial features are indisputable.

b.  "Soul" and "Spirit" are sometimes used interchangeably in the Bible (Job 27:3).

c.  God gave only the "soul" at creation (Gen.2:7).

d.  Jesus said the "Body" plus the "Soul" equals the whole person (Matt.10:28).

2.  Trichotomy view (3 parts)

a.  Hebrew 4:12 seems to teach that "soul and spirit" can be "divided."

b.  1 Thessalonians 5:23 describes man as "spirit, soul and body."

c.  The "spirit" seems to be that part of man which relates to God (our spiritual being) and is regenerated, while the "soul" is that which relates to man (our emotional being).

3.  Multi-faceted view.  It may well be that the argument is somewhat unnecessary and that both views reflect truth about man's nature.  We are at least material and immaterial.  Our immaterial includes features such as soul, spirit, heart, conscience and will.  In some cases these features are perhaps truly distinguishable (soul and spirit) while other times the features overlap (spirit, heart, conscience).  See Charles Ryrie, Survey of Bible Doctrine pp.104-107 for more discussion of this third view.

http://www.bible.org/page.asp?page_id=398

     LEADERSHIP TIPS (BUSINESS, FAMILY, LIFE)

Sneak Peek: A leadership secret from Billy Graham...

8. Emphasize the common ground

Managers work mostly within an organization while leaders also develop key relationships outside the organization.  Over the years, Billy became a tremendous bridge builder, reaching across denominational, political, racial, and religious boundaries.  Billy found ways to emphasis the common ground.  Bridges aren't built by hiding our foundations and intentions but by admitting where we are, respecting those on the other side, and affirming the worth of the connection.  "We are not cisterns made for hoarding, we are channels made for sharing." Billy Graham

This is just one of 21 secrets you'll find in THE LEADERSHIP SECRETS OF BILLY GRAHAM.  Look for it in bookstores.

http://www.zondervan.com/Books/Detail.asp?ISBN=0310255783

Also see

Thoughts and Reflections on Billy Graham's Life Principles

http://www.inspiriogifts.com/detail.asp?isbn=0310810604

     EIGHT TIPS FOR EFFECTIVE WEIGHT-TRAINING

You don't have to be a bodybuilder to experience the benefits of weight training.  By lifting weights for a mere 10 minutes a day, two to three days a week, you can increase your metabolism, improve your posture, gain strength, prevent osteoporosis, and relieve stress.  Plus, muscle continues to burn calories long after you've left the gym.  Here are eight tips to help you achieve the most from your weight training session:

1.      Every muscle has an opposing muscle --- make sure you work both to insure a balanced tone.

2.      Try not to lock your joints or overextend the muscles.  If using free weights, remember to protect your back by bending your knees.

3.      Challenge your muscles by trying different weight training exercises from time to time.

4.      Adopt a slow and steady pace -- it's not a race.

5.      If you don't feel it, you're not working hard enough.  Try lifting heavier weights or performing more repetitions.

6.      Both quantity and quality matter.  Do at least 8 to 15 repetitions of each move.

7.      Before you try any gym equipment, ask someone to show you how to use it.  Most gym-related injuries stem from improper equipment use.

8.      A little is better than nothing.  Do what you can at first, and then work up to more.

http://www.southbeachdiet.com

     CONSIDER

"Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal."  Henry Ford

     VERSE TO PONDER

"When Jesus was raised from the dead it was a signal of the end of death -- as-the-end.  Never again will death have the last word."  Romans 6:9 (Msg)

     THIS WEEK'S HYMN: FROM HOMES OF QUIET PEACE

Words: William H. Draper, 1900

Music: Robert Jackson, 1888

From homes of quiet peace

We lift up hands of prayer,

And those Thou gavest us to love

Commend, Lord, to Thy care.

In perils of the sea

Watch o'er them day by day;

In perils of the common life

Be Thou their Strength and Stay.

Let Thine almighty arm

Be their defense and shield;

And whosoever's cause is Thine

To them the victory yield.

>from CyberHymnal at

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/f/r/fromhome.htm

     GOD FAQ

Question 32: How is the grace of God manifested in the second covenant?

Answer: The grace of God is manifested in the second covenant, in that he freely provides and offers to sinners a Mediator, and life and salvation by him; and requiring faith as the condition to interest them in him, promises and gives his Holy Spirit to all his elect, to work in them that faith, with all other saving graces; and to enable them unto all holy obedience, as the evidence of the truth of their faith and thankfulness to God, and as the way which he has appointed them to salvation.

http://www.shortercatechism.com/

     ON PRAYER

"Bend down, O Lord, and hear my prayer; answer me, for I need your help.  Listen closely to my prayer, O Lord; hear my urgent cry." Psalm 86:1 and 6 (NIV)

     PRAY FOR A COUNTRY TODAY

http://www.gmi.org/ow/index.html

     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

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).

     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.

ThinkChristian Blog

http://www.ThinkChristian.net

Global Media Outreach

http://www.globalmediaoutreach.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.)

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away.

Min. Frank Coleman, Editor

[email protected]

===== /\ =====

MSM CONNECTIONS is a periodic newsletter of announcements, news, recommendations, articles, and other information helpful to men in our spiritual growth. Thanks for welcoming MSM CONNECTIONS into your in-box!

Who to contact:

Minister Frank Coleman, Men Servants Ministry Chairman, 773-410-1483,

Minister Arnold Whitehead, Men Servants Ministry Vice-Chairman, 773-846-6090

===== /\ =====

The mission of New Joy Divine Full Gospel Church is to be a Christ-centered, Bible based, Spirit guided church meeting the spiritual, physical, and emotional needs of its members and the community it serves.

The Men Servants Ministry (MSM) Team offers 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.

New Joy Divine Full Gospel Church is located at 7625 S. Halsted St. Chicago, IL 60620.

Tel: 773-224-5683. Founded & Pastored by Apostle Aaron L. Royster & Prophetess Mable L. Royster.

Visit our website at: http://www.newjoydivine.org/

===== /\ =====

To subscribe to MSM CONNECTIONS, send a message to [email protected] with "subscribe MSM" in the subject line.

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THANK YOU FOR READING

MAKE IT A GREAT WEEK!

It is my prayer that, “the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,” Ephesians 1:18

© 2004, 2005 Frank Coleman