Connecting man to man to God
For week of July August 10, 2008
Issue 219


"The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7


CONSIDER
“If your treasure is on earth, you are going from it; if it is in heaven, you are going to it.” Unknown


THE CALL DC
TheCall D.C. will gather thousands of believers for 12 hours straight on Aug. 16 on the National Mall in Washington, DC. Coinciding with the 45th-year anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech (held at the same location), TheCall’s primary focus will be fasting and praying to end abortion, restore the sanctity of marriage and see God’s intervention in the US presidential election in November. “Our dream is that unborn children will have the chance to live,” says TheCall founder and organizer Lou Engle. Pre-event meetings for pastors and leaders are scheduled for Aug. 14-15 and will be led by Engle, pastor Mike Bickle, youth leader Ron Luce, ex-presidential candidate Mike Huckabee, and others. Attendance is free of charge. For more information, go to
http://www.thecall.com


JEREMIAH AT HARVARD
Three decades after Solzhenitsyn's speech, where do we find ourselves?
by Charles Colson with Anne Morse
Thirty years ago this summer, a 59-year-old bearded dissident, whose writings helped expose and eventually bring down Soviet tyranny, stood facing rows of robed faculty and graduates at Harvard's historic Yard for its 327th commencement. Expectations ran high. Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn was admired for his literary achievements and lionized by the faculty, if not for his outspoken views on Communism, at least for the fact that he was an oppressed intellectual.

Solzhenitsyn delivered each line in his high-pitched voice in Russian. The translation blunted the impact somewhat—in fact, there were even sporadic bursts of applause. But soon enough, outraged professors realized that Solzhenitsyn was charging them with complicity in the West's surrender to liberal secularism, the abandonment of its Christian heritage, and with all the moral horrors that followed.

As it happened, this summer I was reading a tattered copy of Solzhenitsyn's speech at the same time I was studying Jeremiah in my devotions. I was struck by the chilling parallels between the dissident's words and Jeremiah's warning to the Israelites.... Read this in full at
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2008/august/18.64.html


TONY SNOW’S FAITH
by Terry Mattingly
Few things in life cause more shame than encounters with con artists, those old-fashioned predators who know how to massage egos while selling snake oil by the barrel. But painful experiences can lead to big questions and critical insights into the state of one's soul, said White House spokesman Tony Snow, giving the commencement address at the Catholic University of America in 2007. The key is to take a long look in the mirror, to stop making excuses and then to move forward with wide-open eyes. "Once you've gotten past the mirror phase, then things begin to get really interesting," said Snow, in a speech that focused on faith more than news and politics. "You begin to confront the truly overwhelming question: Why am I here? And that begins to open up the whole universe, because it impels you to think like the child staring out at the starry night: Who put the lights in the sky? Who put me here? Why?" And one more thing. It's hard to ask ultimate, eternal, life-and-death questions without thinking about God, he said. That scares some people, but they need to lose that hang up.... Read this in full at
http://www.shns.com/shns/g_index2.cfm?action=detail&pk=RELIGION-FAITH-07-16-08


CHRISTIAN-MUSLIM STATEMENT AMONG FIRST FRUITS OF 'COMMON WORD' GATHERING
Muslim and Christian leaders met at Yale University for a rare conference to discuss how to jointly address such issues as poverty, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the situation in Palestine and Israel and freedom of religion. Dubbed the “Common Word Conference,” the gathering was a result of a letter titled “A Common Word Between Us and You” issued by Muslim clerics last October and calling for joint discussion. As the meetings concluded, Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad of Jordan read the official statement approved by the 140-plus attendees, which included leaders from the National Association of Evangelicals and the World Evangelical Alliance: “We recognize that all human beings have the right to the preservation of life, religion, property, intellect and dignity. No Muslim or Christian should deny the other these rights, nor should they tolerate the denigration or desecration of one another’s sacred symbols, founding figures or places of worship.” The statement also clarified that “dialogue is not a departure from faith; it is a legitimate means of expression and an essential tool in the quest for the common good.”
http://www.christianpost.com/article/20080803/christian-muslim-statement-among-first-fruits-of-common-word-gathering.htm


LEADERSHIP TIPS (BUSINESS, FAMILY, LIFE)
What Would My Last Message Be?
by David Burchett
Youngest son Brett suggested that I read The Last Lecture. The book came from the notoriety gained when Professor Randy Pausch literally delivered his last lecture at Carnegie Mellon because he knew he was soon going to die. The lecture became one of the most viewed items on... Read this in full at
http://www.christianity.com/blogs/DBurchett/11580138/


VERSE TO PONDER
"[God} you are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word."
Psalm 119:114


CONSIDER
“Everything that irritates us about others, can lead us to an understanding of ourselves.” Carl Jung


OLYMPIANS TO WATCH
At least 12 confessing Christians are likely to win in Beijing.
http://blog.christianitytoday.com/ctliveblog/archives/2008/08/olympians_to_wa_1.html


GUIDEPOSTS WEBSITE CELEBRATES OLYMPIC HEROES
To honor America's participation in the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, Guideposts has put together one of the largest selections of personal stories by Olympic athletes anywhere online. The Olympic special section on Guideposts site is live throughout August.

Unique among all media, for over 60 years Guideposts magazine has specialized in having the person a story is about tell their own story, in their own words. These first-person accounts of success or failure, personal change and the triumph of the human spirit include some of the most revealing and inspirational stories about our Olympic heroes ever recorded.

The Guideposts site includes stories by current Olympians competing in the Beijing Games including: swimmer Mark Warkentin (California) making the team on his third try, women's soccer star Amy Rodriguez (Texas) and platform diver, 2000 gold-medalist, Laura Wilkinson (California). Plus, there's an exclusive behind-the-scenes and Q & A with gymnast Shawn Johnson (Iowa).

From Guideposts in years past, there are personal stories by some of America's most famous and beloved Olympic heroes like: Jesse Owens' own account of his experiences in the 1936 Berlin Games, Billy Mills 10,000 meter gold-medalist from the 1964 Tokyo Games, Al Oerter who won gold in the discus throw four Olympics in a row (1956, 60, 64 and 68), diver Mary Ellen Clark who battled vertigo to win her second medal, Coach Forrest "Phog" Allen winning gold with the 1952 men's basketball team, 2000 gold-medalist wrestler Brandon Slay and many, many more.

In addition to inspirational first-person stories that can't be viewed anywhere else, Guideposts Olympic content provides a lot of facts and fun for readers wanting to get closer to the games.
* A complete, detailed timeline over the decades of the modern Olympic Games.
* Where Are They Now profiles of greats from recent Olympics.
* Trivia Quiz - Go for the gold with this test of Olympic knowledge.
http://www.guidepostsmag.com/olympics/


OLYMPIC ATHLETES: FAITH MORE IMPORTANT THAN GOLD MEDAL
It takes years of sweat, pain, and determination to qualify for the Olympics, but some of the world’s top athletes heading to Beijing want the world to know there is something more important than winning gold medals -- a relationship with God. .... Read this in full at
http://www.christianpost.com/article/20080806/olympic-athletes-faith-more-important-than-gold-medals.htm


OLYMPIC ARCHER'S FAITH GIVES COMPETITIVE NUDGE
As much as she hates to admit it, Jennifer Nichols acknowledges that her archery training isn't full of thrills.

"There's some really boring training time in archery sometimes," Nichols said.

The U.S. Olympic archer shoots at her target from a distance of 70 meters. After every six shots, she walks to the target to retrieve her arrows. She usually shoots at least 120 arrows every day -– sometimes as many as 200.

Do the math, and that means she spends a lot of time walking.

So Nichols and her sister Mandy, who trains with her, found a way to redeem the time -– by reciting passages from Scripture. Jennifer has memorized the first five chapters of Proverbs. Her sister has made it through six or seven chapters. They recite verses to each other as they walk back and forth to the targets.

"We want to verbally speak it so it gets into our lives and into our heads," Nichols said.

You don't have to talk to Nichols for long before discovering that the Bible indeed has found its way into her life. Her Scripture-saturated language is proof that the Bible memory exercises have worked, just as her prowess with a bow has proven the success of her archery training.

Nichols is the top-ranked recurve archer in the United States and is ranked ninth in the world. She begins her competition in the Beijing Olympics Aug. 9 with the qualification round followed by the elimination rounds beginning Aug. 12.

The 24-year-old Nichols is the United States' best hope for a medal in the competition. But Nichols discovered during the 2004 Olympics in Athens -– when she placed ninth -– that winning a medal is not her top priority.

"After that year, I realized that winning and my achievements in archery became a little too important to me," Nichols said. "I had formed my identity around those things."

Such an attitude can be common among athletes, who face a constant emphasis on winning. By placing her security on the outcome of her matches, Nichols went through plenty of emotional ups and downs.

Now, with God working in her life, her outlook has changed.

"Right now, that's kind of where the theme is for me -– looking to Him and identifying with Him, rather than basing all my security on my archery," Nichols said.

Her father Brent has helped, reminding her that archery is what she does. It's not who she is.

But doesn't that mindset lead to complacency? Doesn't it douse the competitive fire and make losing more palatable?

Hardly. For Nichols, the opposite is true.

"This does not discourage me from working hard to be skilled in my sport or to develop a high standard or performance," she wrote on her blog. "Rather, it frees me to perform my best, train my hardest and shoot my strongest because I need not fear failure nor my weaknesses. Because I am living for the glory of God, offering all that I can, all that I am, I will be acceptable in the eyes of my Lord. I strive to trust Him to determine the outcome of competitions as well as the path of my life. He is faithful."
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28624


OLYMPIC SNAPSHOT
Imagine swords turned into plowshares, and soldiers into soccer players.
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2008/august/20.54.html


THE EXCITEMENT OF HOPE
Olympians have something to teach us about this cardinal virtue.
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2008/august/21.21.html


ONE WORLD, ONE DREAM
by Victor Sun, General Secretary, Langham Foundation-Hong Kong
For the last 30 years, we have witnessed China’s gradual opening up from the isolation days of Cultural Revolution. People’s livelihood has improved, especially for those living in the urban area. In general Chinese citizens today enjoy greater freedom compared to the previous generations. Along with the rapid social change, the church in China has also thrived, and many young people are openly claiming to be Christian believers. The 2008 Olympics is the largest international event hosted so far in the country’s history, it will no doubt provide ample opportunities for fellowship between local and foreign Christians. Some Beijing churches are organizing special cultural and musical shows as part of the celebration. There is a severe lack of pastors and Bible teachers in China today.... Read this in full at
http://www.johnstottministries.org/get-involved/china2008/


PHOTOS OF OLYMPICS OPENING CEREMONY
http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2008/08/2008_olympics_opening_ceremony.html


THE CHURCH, AND ITS FREEDOM, VARIES ACROSS CHINA
To take a single picture of the church in China would be tough -- in fact, it would be nearly impossible. "This place is huge," says Jamie Tatum, a Southern Baptist representative in the region, and the face of the church is as varied as the nation is big, she explains. Small urban house churches, rural meetings, large established churches with buildings -- you can find congregations in all varieties, much like in the United States.

But the major difference between here and there, Tatum says, is that in China, freedoms for Christians vary as much as the venues in which they meet. Some churches are registered and public; some meet secretly behind closed doors. Some practice their religion with apparent freedom while others face harsh persecution and imprisonment.... Read this in full at
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28615


GROUP CALLS FOR 31-DAY PRAYER TO PROTECT CHINA'S BELIEVERS DURING OLYMPICS
An international persecution watchdog group is inviting Christians throughout the world to join in a month-long strategic prayer campaign to protect the unregistered church in China as it faces the prospect of even greater persecution during the Games.

UK-based Release International accused the Chinese Government of pursuing a tough crackdown on “illegal religious activities” under the guise of preventing disruptions to the Games.

The watchdog group has put together a prayer guide to cover the month of the Olympics, highlighting the Chinese government’s persecution of underground Christians who have been trying to help in the aftermath of the Sichuan earthquake, the persecution in particular of the Uyghur ethnic minority Christians in Xinjiang province, and the arrest and detention of numerous house church leaders and Christian rights campaigners.... Read this in full at
http://www.christianpost.com/article/20080807/group-calls-for-31-day-prayer-to-protect-china-s-believers-during-olympics.htm


FOR WANT OF A CHURCH, TATIS REBORN
Who knew baseball could be an investment for the kingdom? After a two-year absence from the sport, 33-year-old left fielder Fernando Tatis decided to return -- for the money. His real intent? Tatis’ community in San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic, needed money to buy land and build a church. “I said to my family, the only way that we can buy the land is if I come back to baseball and make the money to buy the land to build the church for our town,” Tatis said. Then unsigned by a team, Tatis told his wife that if God wanted him to return to baseball he would get the call -- which came a week after he made this declaration. Now playing with the New York Mets, Tatis contributed almost $1 million to help build Jerusalem First Church, which opened three months ago. “You put something in your mind and when you see the reality, and when you see the church is so beautiful, so big, it’s amazing.”
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080728&content_id=3213361&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb


STURGIS BIKER MINISTRY THROTTLES UP
These three minutes in Sturgis, S.D., could be the most important moments of a biker's life. At the 68th Annual Sturgis Rally, bikers passing by the Dakota Baptist Convention's "Sturgis Bike Give Away" tent are asked to sign up for a 2008 Harley-Davidson to be given away at the end of the Aug. 4-10 gathering of more than a half-million motorcycle enthusiasts.

Signing up takes three minutes -- to hear someone's testimony of their life before Christ, how they met Christ and how He changed their life. "Is it really free?" the bikers regularly ask. Yes, it is, just as the gift of God's grace through His Son, Jesus Christ, is free. To sign up, you have be 18 years old, hear a testimony and write your name, address and contact number on a ticket. Your ticket is placed in a large drum with all the other tickets entered during the week. If you win the motorcycle -– well, you do have to pay the taxes.

Preparations for the outreach on Main Street in Sturgis entail a year of planning and praying. "We start in the fall planning for the next year's rally," said Garvon Golden, one of the Dakota convention's sharing Christ team leaders. "We reserve the booth space and revise the website -- www.sturgisbikegiveaway.com. Volunteers are contacted and sent out packets of information to start the process of scheduling for the booth workers."

The tent space is in its same location for the third year in a row, right in the heart of the action, where two blocks of Main Street are blocked off for bike parking and only pedestrian traffic is allowed.... Read this in full at
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28609


NEW BOOK SUMMARY ONLINE
A detailed summary of the book The Gospel and Personal Evangelism by Mark Dever (Crossway) is now online. The book’s message: Evangelism is a word that evokes fear in many Christians today. We breathe a sigh of relief when we can relegate it to "professionals" in the field, those who have a "calling" on their lives to do so, namely pastors, preachers, and evangelists. We lack an understanding of what evangelism is and what it is not, we lack a conviction to be evangelistic, and we find reasons to watch from a distance rather than actively engaging in it. Christ commanded all of us to "go and make disciples." So how do we do it? Read the summary at
http://www.christianbooksummaries.com/

Purchase your copy here:
http://www.christianconnectionbooks.com/content/search/product/view_item.php?dcn=95729&sm=


NON-BELIEVERS TAKE ON CHALLENGE IN 'MAKE ME A CHRISTIAN'
An atheist, lesbian and playboy are just some of the non-Christians who agreed to participate in Bible studies and Christian mentoring as part of a new television series airing in the United Kingdom this month.

"Make Me a Christian" follows the 3-week journey of 13 non-Christians who also include a witch, a Christian-turned-Muslim, an unmarried couple with a child on the way, and a family of six, who volunteered to give up their normal lives and attempt to live like Christians. Throughout the program, they will get to grips with Christianity through a number of Bible studies and mentoring from an ecumenical team of church leaders.

The Rev. George Hargreaves, leader of the Christian Party, and his team of mentors think Britain is in a state of moral decline and aim to show that a return to a more Christian way of life would stop the rot, according to Channel Four.... Read this in full at
http://www.christianpost.com/article/20080805/non-believers-take-on-challenge-in-make-me-a-christian.htm


STUDY: TRADITIONAL VIEWS OF SEX ON TV RARE
Broadcast television by far depicts sex in the context of marriage as either "nonexistent or burdensome" while portraying adultery and pre-marital sex as acceptable and desirable, a new study by the Parents Television Council says.

"Today's primetime television programming is not merely indifferent to the institution of marriage and the stabilizing role it places in our society. It seems to be actively seeking to undermine marriage by consistently painting it in a negative light," PTC said in the Aug. 5 report, titled "Happily Never After: How Hollywood Favors Adultery and Promiscuity Over Marital Intimacy on Prime Time Broadcast Television."

Verbal references to non-marital sex "outnumbered references to marital sex by a ratio of nearly 3 to 1," PTC said, and scenes "depicting or implying sex between non-married partners" outnumbered similar scenes between married couples by nearly 4 to 1.... Read this in full at
http://www.parentstv.org/PTC/news/release/2008/0805.asp


PANEL: NO PROSTATE SCREENING FOR ELDERLY MEN
Doctors should stop routine prostate cancer screening of men over age 75 because there is more evidence of harm than benefit, a federal task force advised on a hotly debated topic.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, which made the recommendation Monday, reported finding evidence that the benefits of treatment based on routine screening of this age group "are small to none." However, treatment often causes "moderate-to-substantial harms," including erectile dysfunction and bladder control and bowel problems, the task force said.

The new guidance is the first update by the task force on prostate cancer screening since 2002. Its last report concluded there was insufficient evidence to recommend prostate screening for men of all ages.... Read this in full at
http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/conditions/08/05/prostate.cancer.test.ap/index.html


ASHES TO DIAMONDS
Now you can keep the memory of precious loved ones alive in a precious stone. A company transforms the ashes of the dearly departed into a diamond of up to one carat in six to eight weeks. A pound of ashes is enough to make a diamond; a human body leaves behind an average 5.5 to 6.6 pounds of ashes. The carbon, which makes up about 15% of the ashes, is subjected to extremely high pressure and heat which transforms it into graphite and then, after more pressure and heat, into a diamond. The cost ranges from $4,400 to $16,700, depending on the size of the diamond.
http://www.lifegem.com/


CONSIDER
“As a very little dust will disorder a clock, and the least grain of sand will obscure our sight, so the least grain of sin which is upon the heart will hinder its right motion toward God.” John Wesley


VERSE TO PONDER
"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." James 1:22


THIS WEEK'S HYMN: CHRISTIAN, DOST THOU SEE THEM?
Words: Andrew of Crete, 7th Century; translated from Greek to English by John M. Neale, 1862
Music: John B. Dykes, 1868

Christian, dost thou see them on the holy ground,
How the powers of darkness rage thy steps around?
Christian, up and smite them, counting gain but loss,
In the strength that cometh by the holy cross.

Christian, dost thou feel them, how they work within,
Striving, tempting, luring, goading into sin?
Christian, never tremble; never be downcast;
Gird thee for the battle, watch and pray and fast.

Christian, dost thou hear them, how they speak thee fair?
“Always fast and vigil? Always watch and prayer?”
Christian, answer boldly: “While I breathe I pray!”
Peace shall follow battle, night shall end in day.

“Well I know thy trouble, O my servant true;
Thou art very weary, I was weary, too;
But that toil shall make thee some day all Mine own,
At the end of sorrow shall be near my throne.”

>from CyberHymnal at
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/c/h/chridost.htm


ON PRAYER
“There is a mighty lot of difference between saying prayers and praying.” John G. Lake


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.

Book your next vacation with us!
ChristianConnectionTravel.com

Books, Music & More!
ChristianConnectionBooks.com

Get your domain name here!
GoGlobalDomains.com

Let me show you how to earn money as you travel!
FrankColeman.com
It's as easy as 1-2-3!


SHARE YOUR FAVORITE WEBSITES
Tell us what sites you find enjoyable and why.

Olympics Coverage
http://www.nbcolympics.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.)


Today is someone's memory for tomorrow. Make it a good one.
Min. Frank Coleman, Editor
[email protected]


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