Connecting
man to man to God
For week of July August 17, 2008
Issue
220
"The
unfolding of [God’s] words gives light; it gives
understanding to the simple."
Psalm 119:130
CONSIDER
“If
you don't want the devil to tempt you with forbidden fruit, you
had better keep out of his orchard.” Doug Barnett
LOSER
OR WINNER?
“When
I became a missionary, my father told me it was a bad career move.
He was right. I had a degree in engineering and an MBA and was
then working at a well-paying job complete with a company car and
expense account. To go into missions I took a 75% pay cut and left
a comfortable Chicago suburb for the African nation of
Namibia”.... Read this in full
at
http://www.christianitytoday.com/moi/2008/004/aug/18.18.html
OBAMA,
MCCAIN TALK ISSUES AT PASTOR'S FORUM
Speaking
to a group of evangelical Christians, Sen. Barack Obama said
August 16 that his greatest moral failure -- and the country's --
has been selfishness, but his opponent, Sen. John McCain, cited
his failed first marriage. McCain, the presumptive Republican
presidential nominee, added that the country's greatest
shortcoming has been a tendency to not devote itself "to
causes greater than ourselves." "I think after 9/11, my
friends, we should have told Americans to join the Peace Corps,
expand the military, serve a cause greater than your
self-interest," he said.
Obama told the Rev. Rick
Warren that "we still don't abide by that basic precept of
Matthew: that whatever you do for the least of my brothers, you do
for me. "That basic principle applies to poverty. It applies
to racism and sexism; it applies to not thinking about providing
ladders of opportunity for people to get into the middle
class."
The Saddleback Civil Forum on Presidency was
the first time both candidates appeared on stage since they became
the presumptive presidential nominees for their parties. The event
was held at Saddleback Church, a mega-church in southern
California. The candidates were interviewed by Warren, pastor at
the church and author of the best-selling book "The
Purpose-Driven Life." Warren has said he won't endorse either
candidate, preferring that his followers make up their own
minds.... Read and watch this in full
at
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/08/16/warren.forum/index.html
and
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/08/17/forum/index.html
and
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/state/20080817-9999-1n17campaign.html
and
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/washington/stories/081708dnpollakeforest.51820a8.html
and
http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2008-08-17-forum-experts_N.htm
and
Google
news search results
http://is.gd/1GEZ
OLYMPIC
OUTFIELDER CREDITS GOD
No
matter what the future holds for Matt LaPorta in the big leagues,
he'll tell you that representing his country in the Olympics is 'a
huge deal.' “I'm so thankful. My fiancée and I, we've
been doing a lot of praying about it. God definitely answered our
prayers and has given me the opportunity to play on the Olympic
team,' LaPorta said".... Read this in full
at
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28668
See
other Olympic coverage of Christian athletes
at
http://www.bpsports.net/
RELIGIOUS
CENTER IS OLYMPIC DISAPPOINTMENT
From
the story: "The Olympic Village's religious center has become
the target of a quiet protest by athletes, coaches and other
delegates who say its staffing and services fall woefully short of
the promises made by Chinese organizers".... Read this in
full
at
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/13/AR2008081303772.html
FREE
BIBLES, LITERATURE AVAILABLE AT OLYMPICS
Bibles
and Christian evangelistic materials are being made available free
of charge to athletes and visitors at the Olympic Games in China.
Holman Bible Outreach International has provided copies of the
Gospel of John from their new Mandarin Chinese Standard Bible to
several organizations that will present them as gifts at the
games. The Mandarin-language New Testament was completed in June,
according to HBOI, an arm of LifeWay Christian Resources of the
Southern Baptist Convention. Chinese scholars worked cooperatively
with Holman's translation team to produce a readable contemporary
Chinese Mandarin Bible that also is theologically accurate. Work
on the Old Testament is underway.
"The Chinese
Standard Bible is the most accurate translation of God's Word in
everyday language and will be a true source of encouragement for
those who have struggled to understand outdated Chinese
translations," said Phill Burgess, executive director of
Holman Bible Outreach (holmanbibleoutreach.org). "We are
delighted to offer the Mandarin translation of the Gospel of John,
which was developed for Chinese people, by Chinese people, for
free during the Olympics."
In another Bible
distribution project, a special bilingual Bible produced by Amity
Press, the publishing arm of the government-registered China
Christian Council, is being made available at no charge in the
Olympic Village where the Olympic athletes and media are housed,
according to the China Daily newspaper. The English Standard
Version and Chinese Union Version texts appear side by side in the
edition.... Read this in full
at
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28679
SHROUD
OF TURIN STIRS NEW CONTROVERSY
Is
the Shroud of Turin -- which allegedly bears the image of a
crucifixion victim -- the burial cloth of Jesus? In 1988, science
seemed to put that question to rest. Radiocarbon dating by three
separate laboratories showed that the shroud originated in the
Middle Ages, leaving the "shroud crowd" reeling. Shroud
skeptics responded, "We told you so." The Catholic
Church admitted that it could not be authentic. Many scientists
backed away. But John Jackson, one of the shroud's most prominent
researchers, was among those who insisted that the results made no
sense. Too much else about the shroud, they said, including
characteristics of the cloth and details in the image, suggested
that it was much older. Twenty years later, Jackson, 62, is
getting his chance to challenge the radiocarbon dating. Oxford
University, which participated in the original radiocarbon
testing, has agreed to work with him in reconsidering the age of
the shroud.... Read this in full
at
http://www.latimes.com/features/religion/la-na-turin17-2008aug17,0,4950965.story
BELIEF
IN HELL DISAPPEARING, BUT SOME SAY THEY'VE BEEN THERE
In
a survey released this summer by the Pew Forum on Religion &
Public Life, just 59% of 35,000 respondents said they believe in a
hell ... Skepticism about hell is growing even in evangelical
churches and seminaries, says one theologian in a bastion of
conservative evangelicalism ... Americans' optimism and tolerance
for diversity complements a growing view of God as benevolent, not
judgmental, other experts say. 'They believe everyone has an equal
chance, at this life and the next,' said Alan Segal, a professor
of religion at Barnard College and the author of Life After Death:
A History of the Afterlife in Western Religion.... Read this in
full at
http://pewforum.org/news/rss.php?NewsID=16260
WORD
CHOICE MATTERS
“If
someone had tried to tell me thirty-five years ago that my
effectiveness as a leader would often hinge on something as
"inconsequential" as word choice, I'd have rolled my
eyes and written them off. "As long as I can convey an idea
in general terms that everyone can understand," I would have
said, "I'll do just fine." And I would have been dead
wrong. The truth is, leaders rise and fall by the language they
use. Sometimes whole visions live or die on the basis of the words
the leader chooses for articulating that vision.” Bill
Hybels, Axiom: Powerful Leadership Proverbs
LEADERSHIP
TIPS (BUSINESS, FAMILY, LIFE)
Define
Your Personal Leadership Vision
Leadership vision -- a
compelling image of an achievable future -- focuses attention on
your priorities and what you stand for, says Wharton professor
Stew Friedman. "A useful vision has to be rooted in your
past, address the future, and deal with today's realities,"
he says.... Read this in full
at
http://discussionleader.hbsp.com/friedman/2008/08/title.html
VERSE
TO PONDER
“He
has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away
empty.” Luke 1:53 (NIV)
CONSIDER
“The
problem is not that the churches are filled with empty pews, but
that the pews are filled with empty people.” Charlie
Shedd
THOUSANDS
FAST, CRY MERCY FOR AMERICA
For
12 hours under the beating sun and then a full moon, tens of
thousands of people consumed nothing but water and juice as they
shouted prayers for mercy and an awakening in America. Church
groups, pro-life advocates and youth flocked to the National Mall
on Saturday, August 16 for TheCall DC –- a rally that
organizers described as a sacred assembly and not a music
festival. "The cry for change in America is louder than the
cry for mercy. We need mercy, not change!" TheCall founder
Lou Engle shouted Saturday morning as he kicked off the 12-hour
fast. Joining Engle on the stage, former Republican presidential
candidate Mike Huckabee kneeled with the thousands gathered to cry
out for mercy, mainly for the 50 million babies that have been
killed through abortion.... Read this in full
at
http://www.christianpost.com/article/20080818/thousands-fast-cry-mercy-for-america.htm
THE
CHURCH WAS SPOKEN AGAINST EVERYWHERE
by
John Piper
Can the gospel spread, and thousands be converted,
and churches grow, and love abound where Christianity is
continually spoken against? Read this in full at
http://www.christianity.com/Home/Christian%20Living%20Features/11580244/
HAMAS
LEADER'S SON DECLARES FAITH IN CHRIST
The
son of a prominent leader in the Hamas terrorist organization has
publicly declared his faith in Jesus Christ and warned that Israel
can never be at peace with the "wicked and cruel" men
who lead Hamas.
Masab Yousef, who now prefers to be known
as "Joseph," is the oldest son of Sheikh Hassan Yousef,
a political leader of the Hamas organization in the West Bank and
one of the movement's most popular public figures. He gave his
life to Christ in 2004, four years after a friend invited him to a
Bible study and he began to read the Christian scriptures for
himself.
"At this stage I was still a Muslim and I
thought that I would remain one. But every day I saw the terrible
things done in the name of religion by those who considered
themselves 'great believers,’" Yousef told the Haaretz
news organization. "I studied Islam more thoroughly and found
no answers there. I re-examined the Koran and the principles of
the faith and found how it is mistaken and misleading. The Muslims
borrowed rituals and traditions from all the surrounding
religions."
His father, who is not involved with the
military arm of Hamas, is a moderate who does not support the use
of terror to further the cause of a Palestinian state, Yousef
said. In fact, he takes some credit for his father's advocacy of a
"two-state solution" for Middle East peace.... Read this
in full at
http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?id=28641
also
see
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,402483,00.html
and
“Hamas
leader's son, now a Christian, says only Gospel can transform
Mideast”
http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?id=28663
HOW
CHRISTIANIZED SHOULD AMERICA BE?
John
McCain leads 61 to 17 over Barack Obama, but when you lump all
Christian groups together, Obama leads, although his lead is
eroding. A new nationwide survey by The Barna Group explores the
boundaries of how far adults are willing to inject the Christian
faith into the nation's culture. Examining 6 possible changes in
public policy or social activity, the survey reveals there are
millions of Americans who support a constitutional amendment to
declare Christianity the official faith of the United States, as
well as millions who support the use of the "f-word" on
broadcast television. On balance, research shows an overwhelming
majority of Americans want traditional Christian values and
symbols to prevail, although most people stop short of declaring
the U.S. to be a Christian society.... Read this in full
at
http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdateNarrow&BarnaUpdateID=314
CONSIDER
“Salt,
when dissolved in water, may disappear, but it does not cease to
exist. We can be sure of its presence by tasting the water.
Likewise, the indwelling Christ, though unseen, will be made
evident to others from the love which he imparts to us.”
Sadhu Sundar Singh (1889-1929)
VERSE
TO PONDER
[Jesus:]
"Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you
make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with
each other." Mark 9:50 (NIV)
THIS
WEEK'S HYMN: FORWARD! BE OUR WATCHWORD
Words:
Henry Alford, 1871
Music: Henry R. Gadsby, 1875
Forward!
be our watchword, steps and voices joined;
Seek the things
before us, not a look behind;
Burns the fiery pillar at our
army’s head;
Who shall dream of shrinking, by our Captain
led?
Forward through the desert, through the toil and
fight;
Jordan flows before us; Zion beams with light.
Forward!
When in childhood buds the infant mind;
All through youth and
manhood not a thought behind;
Speed through realms of nature,
climb the steps of grace;
Faint not, till in glory, gleams our
Father’s face.
Forward, all the lifetime, climb from
height to height,
Till the head be hoary, till the eve be
light.
Forward! flock of Jesus, salt of all the earth,
Till
each yearning purpose spring to glorious birth:
Sick, they ask
for healing; blind, they grope for day;
Pour upon the nations
wisdom’s loving ray.
Forward, out of error, leave behind
the night;
Forward through the darkness, forward into
light!
Glories upon glories hath our God prepared,
By
the souls that love Him one day to be shared;
Eye hath not
beheld them, ear hath never heard;
Nor of these hath uttered
thought or speech a word;
Forward, marching eastward, where the
heaven is bright,
Till the veil be lifted, till our faith be
sight.
Far o’er yon horizon rise the city
towers
Where our God abideth; that fair home is ours:
Flash
the streets with jasper, shine the gates with gold;
Flows the
gladdening river shedding joys untold.
Thither, onward,
thither, in the Spirit’s might;
Pilgrims to your country,
forward into light!
Into God’s high temple, onward as
we press,
Beauty spreads around us, born of holiness;
Arch,
and vault, and carving, lights of varied tone,
Softened words
and holy, prayer and praise alone.
Every thought upraising to
our city bright,
Where the tribes assemble round the throne of
light.
Naught that city needeth of these aisles of
stone;
Where the Godhead dwelleth, temple there is none;
All
the saints that ever in these courts have stood,
Are but babes,
and feeding on the children’s food.
On through sign and
token, stars amidst the night,
Forward through the darkness,
forward into light.
To th’eternal Father loudest
anthems raise;
To the Son and Spirit echo songs of praise;
To
the Lord of glory, blessed Three in One,
Be by men and angels
endless honor done.
Weak are earthly praises, dull the songs of
night:
Forward into triumph, forward into light!
>from
CyberHymnal
at
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/f/o/forwardb.htm
ON
PRAYER
“Always
respond to every impulse to pray. The impulse to pray may come
when you are reading or when you are battling with a text. I would
make an absolute law of this -– always obey such an
impulse.”
Martyn Lloyd-Jones
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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Sports Events
Demonstrated
http://www.olympic.org/uk/sports/flash/summer/index_uk.asp
All
links to websites are provided as a service, and do not imply
endorsement by our church.
(BTW: whenever the URLs in this
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enter.)
The bravest thing you can do when you are not
brave is to profess courage and act accordingly.
Min. Frank
Coleman, Editor
[email protected]
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