"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you."  John 15:12

     CONSIDER

"The best moments any of us have as human beings are those moments when for a little while it is possible to escape the squirrel-cage of being me into the landscape of being us."  Frederick Buechner

     A LIFE-CHANGING LESSON ABOUT MY FATHER GOD

by Gary Thomas

"From the moment a child is born, we parents have a tendency to look for something that sets our child apart.  Just listen the next time you talk to a first-time parent.  They'll tell you something about their baby that makes the baby better than the rest.  I promise.  When Allison, our firstborn, came into the world, the doctor gave her a very high APGAR score.  I took this as early evidence that her SATs would be in the top three percentile.  High APGAR, high SAT -- direct connection, right?  Better notify Harvard they've got a bright one coming in about 18 years.  If anybody asked about Allison's birth, they heard me say, "She had a very high APGAR score, too."  My older brother's wife gave birth to their first child just a few years after Allison was born.  As we talked on the phone I heard him say, several times, "The nurse said she is extremely alert for a newborn."  A few minutes later: "I just can't believe how alert she is.  She's a very alert baby."  When we look for something that sets our child apart, it's always in the excelling category.  Never do we imagine that a child may struggle keeping up with what is commonly called 'average....'"

Read this article at

http://www.newmanmag.com/article.php?sid=591&mode=thread&order=0

     AUGUST HAPPENINGS

* August 19-28 - Little League World Series (Williamsport, PA)

http://www.littleleague.org/series/

* August 29-September 11 - U.S. Open tennis tournament (Flushing, NY)

http://www.usopen.org/home/default.sps

     THE CRUCIBLE OF DISGRACE

Charles W. Colson: A Life Redeemed by Jonathan Aitken

In Jonathan Aitken's surprisingly frank, richly detailed offering, Chuck Colson is portrayed both pre- and post-conversion as a gifted but flawed man.  As a study in contrasts, Colson's story makes for an absorbing read.  By turns Aitken describes Colson before his conversion as hard-drinking, chain-smoking, loyal, ruthless, heavy-handed, smart, dirty-dealing, an advocate for the underdog, anxious, aggressive, shy, cocky, impatient, micromanaging, driven, and the purveyor of practical jokes.

Read this in full at

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2005/008/25.69.html

     INTERVIEW WITH COLSON'S BIOGRAPHER

Q: Some have classified your biography of Charles Colson as "warts and all."  How would you classify it and why?

Aitken: I think people who call it a warts-and-all biography are people who expected hagiography and have gotten biography.  I'm a faithful biographer.  I've told the story in the spirit of Thomas Carlisle's definition of a biographer -- he should be an artist on oath.  I haven't gone for any sensational stories or revelations.  I've portrayed the Chuck Colson I know and admire at various stages of his journey.  And the fact of the matter is that the man he's become is not the man he was.

When he was a young man, he was pretty wild at times.  He was pretty ruthless.  He had a sense of humor that vastly amused some people and offended others.  If you're going to do a portrait of someone like that, you can't airbrush out some of the color.  I haven't gone out of my way to tell prurient stories.....

Read this interview in full at

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2005/132/22.0.html

     THE SPURGEON ARCHIVE

The Spurgeon Archive[1], created and maintained by Phillip E. Johnson (of the famed Phil Johnson's Bookmarks website[2]), includes many free, online treasures.  The writings of Charles Hadden Spurgeon (1834-92), known as "England's best-known preacher for most of the second half of the 19th century," live on.  Sermons, books, and tracts online include "The Treasury of David" (Spurgeon's work on the Psalms), "Morning and Evening" and Faith's Checkbook[3] devos, the "Sword and the Trowel" tract evangelism, "All of Grace," "Sermons in Candles," "Farm Sermons," an audio archive and much more.  Tour the Spurgeon Library at William Jewell College, see Spurgeon's handwritten sermon notes and enjoy an in-depth look of the life and works of this great man of God at the Spurgeon Archive.  Also visit Phil Johnson's Hall of Christian History[4] and his vast collection of bookmarks.

[1] http://www.spurgeon.org/

[2] http://www.gty.org/~phil/bookmark.htm

[3] http://www.spurgeon.org/daily.htm

[4] http://www.gty.org/~phil/hall.htm

     ONLINE SAFETY FOR KIDS

Here are websites to inform you on ways to protect your child from online evil:

Focus on the Family

http://www.focusonyourchild.com/hottopics/A0001282.cfm

Safe Harbor

http://www.caru.org/program/index.asp

FBI Internet Safety Tips

http://www.fbi.gov/kids/k5th/safety2.htm

FBI Parents' Guide to Internet Safety

http://www.fbi.gov/publications/pguide/pguidee.htm

Kid Safety on the Internet

http://www.ou.edu/oupd/kidsafe/start.htm

National Center for Missing and Exploited Kids

http://www.missingkids.com/missingkids/servlet/PageServlet?LanguageCountry=en_US&PageId=208

NetSmartz

http://www.netsmartz.org/

SafeKids

http://www.safekids.com/kidsrules.htm

Get Net Wise

http://www.getnetwise.org/

American Library Association

http://www.ala.org/ala/pio/availablepiomat/safetytips.htm

Education Dept.

http://www.ed.gov/pubs/parents/internet/tips.html

Federal Trade Commission

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/edcams/infosecurity/forkids.html

Several Sites listed

http://internet-filter-review.toptenreviews.com/resources.html

     TIPS TO PREVENT HEAT-RELATED ILLNESS

*         Drink more fluids (nonalcoholic), regardless of your activity level. Don't wait until you're thirsty to drink.

*         Don't drink liquids that contain caffeine, alcohol, or large amounts of sugar-these actually cause you to lose more body fluid.

*         Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.

Read more at

http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/heattips.asp

     OVERCOME CHALLENGES

Fast-paced lives with high anxiety are the norm today.  The book Getting through the Tough Stuff by Chuck Swindoll is an invitation to meet Christ at the crossroads, embrace his sustaining peace and grace, and move beyond the tough times.  Read the extensive summary of this book at

http://www.christianbooksummaries.com/

     JOURNEY INTO THE MALE MIND

by Ted and Gretchen Harro

Through 15 years of marriage, we've had our share of vexing moments.  More than once, one of us (who shall remain nameless) obsessed about a televised sporting event while the other asked a simple question about home décor.  This led to less-than-constructive "interchanges" about the relative merits of spectator sports and "real life."  These events-and others involving more volatile topics such as sex, career decisions, and parenting-only highlight the differences between men and women....Women are puzzled about men in three seeming mysteries:

Ø      Adventure and challenge: What's so important about sports and competition?  Why does he watch them on TV so much?

Ø      Communication and closeness: Why doesn't he talk to me more?  Why does he forget what we talked about last night?

Ø      Sex and intimacy: Why's he so interested in sex?  And how can he expect it after paying more attention to his favorite team than to me?

Adventure and Challenge

WHAT HE WANTS: to show his wife he's strong and capable.  Most men don't fantasize about settling down, nesting with their kids, and spending their life in the safety of their suburban home.  Rather, men dream of proving themselves as strong and capable....

Read (and ask your wife to read) this article at

http://www.christianitytoday.com/tcw/2005/003/13.42.html

     CHRISTIANS CODE HEAVENLY GAMES

by John Gartner

Christians looking to provide alternatives to the sex and violence of video games like Grand Theft Auto are trying to attract some of the PlayStation generation with more wholesome fare.

Fledgling companies from around the globe showed off new titles focusing on morality and stories from the Old and New Testaments aimed at pre-kindergarten to young adults at the Christian Game Developers Conference here last week.

In White Knight's Timothy and Titus, players pray for their enemies or use the 'finger of God' to convert them to Christianity.  Biblical heroes battle dinosaurs, giant spiders and other antediluvian foes in role-playing game The Rebel Planet.

The startup companies hope that games with biblical messages can parallel the recent surge in the popularity of Christian music and cinema.  But don't look for multiplayer smiting or wrathful vengeance in their offerings: The games that will show up on retail shelves in time for Christmas emphasize narrative stories and learning rather than action....

Read the rest at:

http://www.wired.com/news/games/0,2101,68401,00.html?tw=wn_tophead_1

     BASIC BIBLE DOCTRINE

The Doctrine of Man (continued)

III. The Fall of Man

A. The literal reality of the fall.  The Fall of Man (the entrance of sin into humanity) was a specific historical event.  Adam and Eve were real people (Matt.19:3-5). They committed a particular sin (Genesis 3).  That sin affected all of mankind (Rom.5:12-21).

B. The test (Genesis 2:15-17).  Adam and Eve were clearly told the privileges of their home in the Garden of Eden and the prohibition: they were not to eat of one certain tree.  There was no other temptation in the garden.  There was simply a single choice to obey or disobey God.

C. The temptation (Genesis 3:1-5). Satan chose to appear in an animal form - a serpent (Even today he usually does not want to be seen or known as he really is.).  His approach was to first question God's goodness ("Has God said, you shall not eat..." - 3:1).  Then he blatantly denied God's justice - that there were consequences for sin ("You surely shall not die" - 3:4).

D. The sin (Genesis 3:6).  When Eve had listened to the serpent and doubted God's words, she saw and desired the fruit and ate it.  She then furthered Satan's temptation by giving Adam the fruit.  He also listened, doubted, saw, desired and then ate.  This sin was unique in that they sinned without having a sin nature.  They sinned only by choice.  The rest of mankind is now sinful by nature and by choice.

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

     RELIGION NEWS SERVICE WEEKLY UPDATE

http://www.religionnews.com/Vol3No31.htm

     LEADERSHIP TIPS (BUSINESS, FAMILY, LIFE)

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

9. Inspire other leaders.

One of the most profound effects of Billy's leadership has been his stoking the fires of other leaders beyond his own organization.  Rick Warren, author of the bestselling THE PURPOSE-DRIVEN LIFE said, "Billy's fingerprints of influence are all over my ministry."  For many leaders today, Billy was both a voice of wisdom and a mentor.  One such leader remarked, "Billy's willingness to allow others to succeed may be his greatest lasting impact."  "The test of a preacher is that his congregation goes away saying not, 'What a lovely sermon!' but, 'I will do something.'" 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

     WHY YOUR LIVING WILL MAY NOT BE GOOD ENOUGH.

Advance directives are documents indicating what medical care you want or don't want if you are ever incapacitated.  The directives include the living will, the durable power of attorney for health care (or health care proxy), and hybrid documents that combine the two.  A living will, the oldest type of advance directive, is a legally binding document stating what health care you want or don't want if your death is imminent.  The power of attorney designates who you want making your health-care decisions if you can't.  The many combination documents name your surrogate and list your wishes.  When considering your philosophies, Carrie Gordon Earll, senior policy analyst for bioethics for Focus on the Family, offers this suggestion: Cross-reference (1) various kinds of life support (tube feeding, ventilators, antibiotics, CPR, etc.); (2) various diagnoses (disabled, brain damaged, PVS, coma, minimally conscious, actively dying); and (3) various prognoses (death imminent, recovery unexpected or unknown, etc.).  To evaluate an advance directive, consider these concerns:...

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2005/008/1.46.html

     VERSE TO PONDER

"Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever.  As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people both now and forevermore."  Psalm 125:1-2 (NIV)

     CONSIDER

"There is one thing worse than being lost; its being lost and no one is looking for you."  Chuck Kelley, president, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

     BE A MAN OF FAITH AND MORALS

After several delays due to difficult conditions, President George Bush addressed the Boy Scout Jamboree in Fort A.P. Hill, VA on July 31.  He reminded the Scouts that there's nothing old fashioned or out-dated about being young men of faith and morals.  While his words were addressed to scouts, they're appropriate for all men:

"Always remember where you come from and what you believe.  At times, you may come across people who say that moral truth is relative, or call a religious faith a comforting allusion.  They may question the values you learn in scouting.  But remember, lives of purpose are constructed on the conviction there is right and there is wrong, and we can know the difference.

"In the years ahead you'll find that indifferent or cynical people accomplish little that makes them proud.  You'll find that confronting injustice and evil requires a vision of goodness and truth.  You'll find that many in your community, especially those younger than you, look to you as an example of conduct and leadership.  For your sake, and for the sake of our country, I hope you'll always strive to be men of conviction and character.

"Finally, your life will grow in meaning when you serve a cause greater than yourself.  There's a wise saying: We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give.  That truth is expressed well in the Scout slogan: Do a good turn daily.  When you help someone in need, you're making America more hopeful, one heart and one soul at a time.  And you're answering the call to love a neighbor just like you'd like to be loved yourself."

     7 CHARACTERISTICS OF STRONG FAMILIES

1. Strong families spend time together.

2. Strong families encourage one another.

3. Strong families talk to each other.

4. Strong families handle stress and disagreements with grace.

5. Strong families work together and promote responsibility.

6. Strong families grow together spirituality and worship God together.

7. Strong families play and have fun together.

http://www.marriagealive.com

     BARNA-FILMS PREVIEW NIGHT

Beginning this December researcher George Barna will be offering a BarnaFilms Preview Night each quarter to give groups of people an opportunity to screen a new film that will educate, entertain, and inspire souls.  These previews will be held in movie theaters around the United States.  On December 8, BarnaFilms Preview Night is offering an advance screening of Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media's production of the classic C.S. Lewis Story, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe.  This will be the first in the on-going series of quarterly previews.  For info on how to purchase tickets for groups of 50 people or more, go to

http://www.barna.org/barnapreview/

     NARNIA MOVIE INTERVIEW

16-year-old Anna Popplewell is, in many ways, the perfect choice to play Susan, the older Pevensie sister in Disney's upcoming film adaptation of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (http://adisney.go.com/disneypictures/narnia/index.html).  Like the Susan of C. S. Lewis's beloved Chronicles of Narnia, Anna actually is an older sister, she's studious, she's pragmatic and logical-and thus an unlikely candidate to fall for such a far-fetched fairy tale.  But like Susan, once she meets Aslan face-to-face, all of that pragmatism and skepticism falls aside, and she embraces the magic.

Q: How would you describe Susan's character?

Anna: I think at the beginning of the story, Susan is definitely very practical, very logical.  I think she's forced into a kind of maternal role by being away from home as a result of the evacuation [due to the WWII bombing of London].  And I think she almost feels that she has to grow up before she's actually ready to, and maybe that's what fuels that sense of logic and her pragmatism.  But I think that as the story progresses and she experiences Narnia and goes on that journey, she warms up and she's able to allow herself to be a child again. I think she really learns something from Narnia.

Read this interview in full at

http://www.christianitytoday.com/movies/interviews/annapopplewell.html

See all things Narnia at

http://www.zondervan.com/books/search.asp?Criteria=narnia

     CONSIDER

"If the work of God could be comprehended by reason, it would no longer be wonderful, and faith would have no merit if reason provided proof."  St. Gregory I the Great

     VERSE TO PONDER

"It's better to be wise than strong; intelligence outranks muscle any day."  Proverbs 24:5 (Msg)

     THIS WEEK'S HYMN: O HAPPY HOME

Words: Karl J. Spitta, 1833

Music: Alfred Scott-Gatty, 1902

O happy home, where Thou art loved the dearest,

Thou loving Friend and Savior of our race,

And where among the guests there never cometh

One who can hold such high and honored place!

O happy home, where two in heart united

In holy faith and blessèd hope are one,

Whom death a little while alone divideth,

And cannot end the union here begun!

O happy home, whose little ones are given

Early to Thee, in humble faith and prayer,

To Thee, their Friend, Who from the heights of Heaven

Guides them, and guards with more than mother's care!

O happy home, where each one serves Thee, lowly,

Whatever his appointed work may be,

Till every common task seems great and holy,

When it is done, O Lord, as unto Thee!

O happy home, where Thou art not forgotten,

Where joy is overflowing, full and free,

O happy home, where every wounded spirit

Is brought, Physician, Comforter, to Thee-

Until at last, when earth's day's work is ended,

All meet Thee in the blessèd home above,

From whence Thou camest, where Thou hast ascended,

Thy everlasting home of peace and love!

>from CyberHymnal at

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/o/h/ohaphome.htm

     BACK TO SCHOOL

Starting back to school means lots of homework assignments for parents as well as students.  Find answers -- from vaccination requirements to financial aid application forms - on FirstGov.gov, the official web portal of the U.S. government.

http://www.firstgov.gov/Topics/Back_to_School.shtml

     FINANCIAL PLANNING

You don't have to be rich to have a financial plan.  Financial planning can help you meet your life goals -- whether it's buying a home or a car, saving for your child's education, or planning for your retirement.  Use "What You Should Know About Financial Planning" from the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards to learn the benefits of having a plan.  Find out what you can do on your own and when you need help from a financial advisor.

http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/money/aboutfinan-planning/aboutfpbroc.html

     GOD FAQ

Question 33: Was the covenant of grace always administered after one and the same manner?

Answer: The covenant of grace was not always administered after the same manner, but the administrations of it under the Old Testament were different from those under the New.

http://www.shortercatechism.com/

     ON PRAYER

"Go to bed seasonably, and rise early.  Redeem your precious time: pick up the fragments of it, that not one moment of it may be lost.  Be much in secret prayer.  Converse less with man, and more with God."  George Whitefield, Colonial era revivalist

     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.

Fathers Helping Fathers

http://fatherhood.ibelieve.com/

History of the World Timeline

http://www.historychannel.com/timeline/index.jsp

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.)

How old would you be if you didn't know how old you are?

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.

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

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