Connecting
man to man to God
For week of July 20, 2008
Issue 216
“If
we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship
with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us
from all sin.” 1 John 1:7
CONSIDER
“Some
things are true whether you believe in them or not.” The
character of Seth in the movie City of Angels (1998)
CHRISTIAN & RELIGIOUS FAMILIES HAPPIER, LESS LIKELY TO DIVORCE
Men
who attend religious services regularly are more likely to have
happy and stable marriages, more likely to be involved with their
children and less likely to divorce, new research says.
Additionally, mothers who attend church weekly are half as likely
to have children out of wedlock, the study says.
The
research by the University of Virginia's W. Bradford Wilcox
analyzed data from three national surveys: the General Social
Survey, the National Survey of Families and Households, and the
National Survey of Family Growth. The research also drew
partially from data in Wilcox's book, "Soft Patriarchs, New
Men: How Christianity Shapes Fathers and Husbands." Read
this in full at
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28473
CHURCH OBSERVERS ASK: WHERE HAVE ALL THE GOOD MEN GONE?
Men
are disappearing from the church. According to the Barna Research
Group, there are 11 million to 13 million more American women who
are born again than there are born-again men. While nine out of
10 senior pastors are men, a majority of regular church attendees
are women.
Not only are women the majority of born-again
American Christians, the Barna Group says, "women are the
backbone of the Christian congregations in America." Perhaps
indicative of women's sense of spirituality, 41% of women said
they have set specific spiritual goals that they hope to
accomplish in the coming year or two. Only 29% of men have
identified such spiritual goals.
"Women, more often
than not, take the lead role in the spiritual life of the family,"
said George Barna, president of the research group. "Women
typically emerge as the primary -- or only -- spiritual mentor and
role model for family members. And that puts a tremendous burden
on wives and mothers." Read this in full
at
http://www.abpnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3407&Itemid=53
A FAR MORE PRESSING ISSUE
“Clearly,
the idea of a man taking responsibility for his family's physical
needs is biblical, honorable, and loving. But I am convinced that
it is also overglorified by the church today. The far more
pressing issue is the tendency of fathers to pay so much attention
to material needs that they overlook a family's spiritual needs.
Most Christian men are far more concerned about saving up to send
their children to college than discipling them when they are
living under the same roof. Jesus tells us in Mark 8:36, ‘What
good is it for you to gain the whole world, yet forfeit your
soul?’ Perhaps we should come up with a New Father's
Translation of the Bible that paraphrases that verse something
like this: ‘What does it profit a man if he can afford a big
house and an Ivy League education for his kids, only to have them
fall away from their faith when they get to Harvard?’”
Rich Wagner, The Expeditionary Man: The Adventure a Man Wants,
the Leader His Family Needs
GOD IS NOT DEAD YET
By
William Lane Craig
You might think from the recent spate of
atheist best-sellers that belief in God has become intellectually
indefensible for thinking people today. But a look at these books
by Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, and Christopher Hitchens, among
others, quickly reveals that the so-called New Atheism lacks
intellectual muscle. It is blissfully ignorant of the revolution
that has taken place in Anglo-American philosophy. It reflects
the scientism of a bygone generation rather than the contemporary
intellectual scene.
That generation's cultural high point
came on April 8, 1966, when Time magazine carried a lead story for
which the cover was completely black except for three words
emblazoned in bright red letters: "Is God Dead?" The
story described the "death of God" movement, then
current in American theology. But to paraphrase Mark Twain, the
news of God's demise was premature. For at the same time
theologians were writing God's obituary, a new generation of young
philosophers was rediscovering his vitality.... Read this in full
at
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2008/july/13.22.html
BOOK REVIEW: 'JESUS BRAND SPIRITUALITY'
In
his book, "Jesus Brand Spirituality: He Wants His Religion
Back," pastor Ken Wilson laments the Church's failure to
reach society with a compassionate view of Christ. Although
longer on a philosophical than practical approach, the author
includes some examples of what a loving church should look like.
This book should prompt serious reflection and discussion among
pastors and church leaders....
Read this review in full
at
http://www.churchcentral.com/nw/s/id/24698/template/Article.html
Buy
this book
here:
http://www.christianconnectionbooks.com/content/search/product/view_item.php?dcn=86670&sm=
LEADERSHIP TIPS (BUSINESS, FAMILY, LIFE)
“A
year from now you may wish you had started today.” Karen
Lamb
VERSE TO PONDER
“[The
Lord says,] ‘Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be
dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.’”
Isaiah 41:10
CONSIDER
“The
principal part of faith is patience.” George MacDonald
(1824-1905), Weighed and Wanting, ch. 53 [1882]
SCHOLARS PLAN TO REUNITE ANCIENT BIBLE – ONLINE
The
oldest surviving copy of the New Testament, a 4th century version
that had its Gospels and epistles spread across the world, is
being made whole again -– online. The British Library says
the full text of the Codex Sinaiticus will be available to Web
users by next July, digitally reconnecting parts that are held in
Britain, Russia, Germany, and a monastery in Egypt's Sinai Desert.
A preview of the Codex, which also has some parts of the Old
Testament, is now on the Web — the Book of Psalms and the
Gospel of Mark. "Only a few people have ever had the
opportunity to see more than a couple of pages of the (Codex),"
said Scot McKendrick, the British Library's head of Western
manuscripts. The Web site will give everyone access to a "unique
treasure," he said. Read this in full
at
http://www.christianpost.com/article/20080721/scholars-plan-to-reunite-ancient-bible-online.htm
GOD LOOKS AT THE HEART
“All
throughout history, the church of Jesus Christ has grown through
the consecrated lives of committed men and women, irrespective of
their social, economic or educational background. Peasants have
testified before kings, and farmers have been used mightily by God
to shake whole nations. God even once chose a shepherd boy to be
king of Israel! The way of the world is always to look at human
credentials as the prerequisite for success. We look for the
strongest, most attractive, most educated, thinking that God's
work can be accomplished through human effort. God, however,
clearly uses a different set of scales when he weighs a person.
He looks at the character and heart of each individual.”
Brother Yun, Living Water
MOTORCYCLE RIDE TURNS HIM TO CHRIST
What
could be better than a motorcycle ride halfway across the state,
then to hear one of your favorite University of Oklahoma football
players speak? Derek Seevers didn't think it could get any
better. But it did. Much better.
Seevers' uncle, Ron
Shafer, a member of First Baptist Church in Cherokee, Okla.,
invited his nephew to a men's retreat at Oklahoma's Falls Creek
Baptist Conference Center. Among other things, the retreat
featured a motorcycle caravan to the campsite and Spencer Tillman,
a former All-America running back at OU.... Read this in full
at
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28475
TV CHARACTERS FINDING GOD?
In
these trying times, more and more TV characters are turning to God
for help.... This is God not as savior but as personal buddy,
replete with teasing, bitter complaints and incredulous looks....
Read this in full
at
http://www.salon.com/ent/tv/iltw/2008/07/13/the_cleaner/index.html
POLL: CHRISTIANS SAY RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IS CRUCIAL TO FOREIGN
POLICY
More
than half of Christians in America believe religious freedom
should be a high priority in crafting US foreign policy, according
to a recent Wilson Research Strategies survey commissioned by Open
Doors USA. "The persecution of Christians in the world today
is on the rise, with an estimated 100 million suffering some sort
of repression and even death for their faith," said Carl
Moeller, president and chief executive officer of Open Doors USA,
a Christian ministry that has served persecuted Christians around
the world for more than 50 years. "Open Doors commissioned
this study to try to understand what Christians in America feel
about religious freedom. Clearly, it is a priority."
Fifty-four percent of U.S. Christians polled consider
religious freedom an important issue in making US foreign policy,
according to the survey. This is an especially high priority with
those who attend church most frequently (60%), compared with those
Christians who never attend (40%). Read this in full
at
http://www.religionnews.com/index.php?/pressreleases/recent_poll_shows_christians_believe_religious_freedom_is_crucial_foreign_p/
FBI GIVES GLIMPSE INSIDE REAL 'CSI'
Behind
closed doors, the scientists and agents of the FBI scrutinize
fibers, poisons, explosives, DNA and just about any other shred of
evidence that might help solve crimes. They can't talk about
specific cases they're working. Yet the work they're doing can put
people behind bars or lead to major advances in crime-solving
techniques. As the FBI hits the 100-year-mark and continues to
evolve to meet the demands of the world, CNN visited the
state-of-the-art crime lab in Quantico, Virginia. It's the same
lab that inspired the hit television series "CSI." Read
this in full
at
http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/07/14/fbi.lab/index.html
and
http://www.fbi.gov/
CONSIDER
“Christianity
is a battle, not a dream.” Wendell Phillips (1811-1884),
speech, April, 1869
VERSE TO PONDER
“For
though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On
the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We
demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up
against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to
make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (NIV)
THIS WEEK'S HYMN: ONWARD, CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS
Words:
Sabine Baring-Gould, 1865
Music: Arthur S. Sullivan,
1871
Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With
the cross of Jesus going on before.
Christ, the royal Master,
leads against the foe;
Forward into battle see His banners
go!
Refrain
Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to
war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.
At the
sign of triumph Satan’s host doth flee;
On then,
Christian soldiers, on to victory!
Hell’s foundations
quiver at the shout of praise;
Brothers lift your voices, loud
your anthems raise.
Refrain
Like a mighty army moves the
church of God;
Brothers, we are treading where the saints have
trod.
We are not divided, all one body we,
One in hope and
doctrine, one in charity.
Refrain
What the saints
established that I hold for true.
What the saints believèd,
that I believe too.
Long as earth endureth, men the faith will
hold,
Kingdoms, nations, empires, in destruction
rolled.
Refrain
Crowns and thrones may perish, kingdoms
rise and wane,
But the church of Jesus constant will
remain.
Gates of hell can never gainst that church prevail;
We
have Christ’s own promise, and that cannot
fail.
Refrain
Onward then, ye people, join our happy
throng,
Blend with ours your voices in the triumph song.
Glory,
laud and honor unto Christ the King,
This through countless
ages men and angels sing.
Refrain
>from CyberHymnal
at
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/o/n/onwardcs.htm
ON PRAYER
“Is
prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?” Corrie Ten
Boom
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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Min. Frank
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[email protected]
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