Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ's love for us?  There is no way!  Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture: 'They kill us in cold blood because they hate you.  We're sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one.'  None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us.  I'm absolutely convinced that nothing -- nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable -- absolutely nothing can get between us and God's love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us."  Romans 8:35-39 (Msg)

     CONSIDER

"The absolutely shortest, surest way to peace is to fall to your knees and ask God for help and surrender to whatever God decides."  Ben Stein

     BACK-TO-SCHOOL ARTICLES

http://www.christianitytoday.com/holidays/backtoschool/

     ARTICLES ABOUT JOBS FOR LABOR DAY

http://www.christianitytoday.com/holidays/labor/features/godsmanual.html

     INFORMED, BUT NOT TRANSFORMED

by Brian MacLaren

Too many "educated" Christians have gotten lots of information but are the least Christ-like.

I'm an educator at heart.  I love to teach.  Before becoming a pastor, I loved teaching literature, writing, even grammar.  In my spare time, I loved teaching music.  I still love to take people into the woods and teach them about plants, birds, reptiles, weather, ecology.  Anything I know, I love to share with others.  Most of all I love to teach people about God, the Bible, the gospel, the Christian life.

But the word about in the previous sentence causes me pause.  I don't want just to teach people about God, about the Bible, and so on.  I want to drop the preposition in the same way the apostle Paul does in Ephesians 4:20 (NASB), when he speaks of the need for people to "learn Christ," not just learn about Christ....

Read this in full at

http://www.christianitytoday.com/leaders/newsletter/2005/cln50815.html

     WEBSITE FOR SINGLES

Boundless.org is unique in its commitment to the single adult for the "long haul."  Its goal is to establish a lifelong relationship with readers, equipping them along the way -- from singleness into married life and parenting -- while chronicling the unique joys and challenges of each season.  They're here to help singles make sense of this season and enjoy the journey.  For a fresh perspective on age-old questions about faith and friendship, dating and entertainment, career, calling and more, check it out at Boundless.org and sign up for the weekly E-newsletter.

http://www.boundless.org

     DO NOT CALL LIST

Very soon cell phone numbers will begin being released to telemarketers.  To help avoid those annoying and potentially expensive calls (yes, you'll be charged for them), be sure to register your cell phone number with the National Do Not Call list.  Just call 888.382.1222 from your cell phone to protect your number for the next five years.  Or register at

https://www.donotcall.gov/

     PAT ROBERTSON IN THE NEWS

Last week on his TV program Pat Robertson called for the U.S. government to assassinate Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez.  He apologized the next day.  Read about it at

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2005/134/33.0.html

+++++AND NOW, A PAID ADVERTISEMENT…+++++

     FINGERPRINT EVIDENCE: THE MARK YOU LEAVE BEHIND

by David Jeremiah

Every one of us leaves our fingerprints on the lives of other people, especially on our children.  We don't stay on earth forever; but after we're gone, our imprint remains.  The world will be different for our having lived a faithful life.  What, then, can we do to leave our fingerprints behind us?

The Fingerprint of the Word

Our children see us spending hours before the television.  But when was the last time your child found you pouring over God's Word?

The Fingerprint of Honesty

It's also important to live an honest life, for those closest to us (especially our kids) are quick to pick up on personal inconsistencies.

The Fingerprint of Prayer...

The Fingerprint of an Enduring Testimony...

Is your influence the kind that Christ can use to change the lives of others? What kind of imprint are you leaving?

http://www.crosswalk.com/faith/ministry_articles/1341191.html

     DO DOGS GO TO HEAVEN?

by Randy Alcorn

Q. Our beloved dog recently died.  Should I correct my kids when they say they can't wait to play with Rocky again in heaven?

A. Humorist Will Rogers said, "If there are no dogs in heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went." This statement was, of course, based on sentiment, not theology. However, it reflects something biblical: a God-given affection for animals.  That's why the question of whether pets will be in heaven is not, as some assume, stupid.  Animals aren't nearly as valuable as people, but God is their maker and has touched many lives through them.  It would be simple for him to re-create a pet in heaven if he wants to.  He's the giver of all good gifts, not the taker of them.  If it would please us to have a pet restored to the New Earth, that may be sufficient reason....

Read this answer in full at

http://www.christianitytoday.com/cpt/2005/002/16.14.html

     WICCA, THE PAGAN TEMPTATION FOR YOUTH

by Alan Branch

Many youth, including youth in evangelical churches, are dabbling in Wicca.  The word "wicca" was an old English word which meant "shaman."  The word was reintroduced into popular usage by Englishman Gerald Gardner (1888-1964), who is widely considered to be the father of the modern religion known as Wicca.

Wicca is pantheistic in its worldview.  This means that it denies the Creator/creature distinction mandated by the Bible.  Thus, at the core of Wicca is a form of nature worship.  Gardner himself was a polytheist who advocated two gods: a male "horned god" and a female goddess.  The number of devotees to Wicca has increased exponentially in the last two decades.  As this has happened, more emphasis has been placed on the goddess of Wicca, especially among neo-pagan feminists who believe worshipping a goddess leads to more freedom for women.  Some followers of Wicca self-identify as witches. It is not accurate to say that Wiccans are Satanists, though the religion is certainly unholy....

Read this in full at

http://www.bpnews.net/bpcolumn.asp?ID=1934

     DILBERT'S OUT OF OFFICE REPLIES (HA)

1. I am currently out at a job interview and will reply to you if I fail to get the position.  Be prepared for my mood.

2. You are receiving this automatic notification because I am out of the office.  If I was in, chances are you wouldn't have received anything at all.

3. I will be unable to delete all the unread emails you send me until I return from holiday.  Please be patient and your mail will be deleted in the order in which it was received.

4. Thank you for your email.  Your credit card has been charged $5.99 for the first ten words and $1.99 for each additional word in your message.

5. Thank you for your message, which has been added to a queuing system.  You are currently in 352nd place, and can expect to receive a reply in approximately 19 weeks.

     BASIC BIBLE DOCTRINE

The Doctrine of Sin

I. Sin

A. Definition - What is sin? Sin is any violation of the perfect holiness of God.

1. 1 John 3:4 - "Sin is lawlessness"

2. Romans 3:23 - "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

B. The origin of sin - How did sin begin?

1. Sin did not begin in God, He cannot sin (James 1:13)

2. Sin began in Satan (Ezekiel 28:15).  In angels who followed him (2 Peter 2:4). In man (Genesis 3:6, Romans 5:12)

C. Inherited Sin

1. Definitions:

-   Inherited sin is simply "the sinful state into which all people are born" (Ryrie).  We have a constant bent toward sin.

-   Inherited sin is also called the "sin nature" (it affected our entire being), and it is called "original sin" (emphasizing that Adam's sin caused the corrupted nature we each inherit).

-   "Total depravity" is a related term expressing our total lack of merit in God's sight.  Total depravity does not mean we are as "bad" as we can be but that we are as "bad off" as we can be because we all have a totally sinful nature.

2. Scripture

-   Psalm 51:5 "...in sin my mother conceived me."

-   Ephesians 2:3 "...by nature children (objects) of wrath"

-   Our emotions (Romans 1:26), our intellect (Romans 1:28) and our will (Romans 7:20) are all enslaved to sin and opposed to God.

3. Penalty. The penalty of inherited sin is spiritual death. Man is born spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:3) and will be eternally separated from God in hell if our sinful condition is not remedied (Revelation 20:11-15).

D. Imputed Sin

1. Definitions:

-   "Imputation" means putting to someone else's account that which may or may not be his (Robert Lightner, Sin, The Savior and Salvation, p.33)

-   The "imputation of Adam's sin to mankind" means that Adam's first sin was rightfully charged to the account of every other person.  Someone may protest that it doesn't seem fair that others are charged with what Adam did.  But the Bible teaches that since all were "in Adam" we all unconsciously participated in Adam's sin (Romans 5:12; cf. Hebrews 7:9,10).

2. Scripture

Romans 5:12 - "Therefore just as through one man (Adam) sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned."

Grammatically the expression "all sinned" does not refer to our individual sins or our sinful nature.  It means that all sinned when Adam sinned (cf. Romans 5:18).  That's imputation.  We are each held responsible.

3. Penalty.  Imputed sin caused physical death.  Each person's physical death was sealed and certain ever since Adam sinned ("death spread to all men because all sinned" - Romans 5:12).  Our sin nature does not cause physical death but spiritual (Ephesians 2:3).  Individual sins do not cause physical death (Infants die).  Imputed sin caused our physical death.

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

     CONSIDER

"The job of a football coach is to make men do what they don't want to do, in order to achieve what they've always wanted to be."  Tom Landry

     LEADERSHIP TIPS (BUSINESS, FAMILY, LIFE)

In his recent book, The Call: Finding and Fulfilling the Central Purpose of Your Life, author Os Guinness takes an in-depth look at what it means to be called of God.

Os defines the call of God as "the truth that God calls us to Himself so decisively that everything we are, everything we do, and everything we have is ...lived out as a response to His summons and service." This calling is at two levels: The first is our primary calling as followers of Christ, and the secondary calling is the daily living out of our personal gifts and abilities in such a way that God is glorified (our vocation).

The challenge, he says, is to keep the two callings together and in the right order. He describes two common mistakes we make concerning the call of God....

Read this article in full at

http://www.leaderu.com/cl-institute/mmm/199820.html

     FIVE ESSENTIAL GRILLING TOOLS

Every great chef needs a great set of cooking tools.  Grilling, like any other cooking method, requires its own specialized utensils. Before you light the coals and throw on the skewers, make sure you're properly equipped for the job.

*         Tongs - A pair of extra-long tongs are essential for picking up and turning pieces of meat and vegetables. Metal tongs won't burn and will keep your hands at a safe distance from the heat.

*         Spatula - This tool is especially helpful when flipping large steaks or delicate pieces of fish. Unlike tongs, a spatula will keep your food intact.

*         Brush - Use this tool to baste meats and veggies with sauces and marinades. Since your brush often comes in contact with raw meat, make sure you clean it well with soap and hot water after each use.

*         Two-prong fork - Like the tongs, a fork is good for turning large pieces of meat. As an added bonus, you can use it to retrieve small pieces of food that have fallen through the cracks.

*         Thermometer - Whether you're in the kitchen or in the backyard, this important tool will tell you when your meat is cooked to perfection.

http://www.southbeachdiet.com

+++++AND NOW, A PAID ADVERTISEMENT…+++++

     ONE OUT OF SIX BASE MORAL DECISIONS ON BIBLE

According to a recent Barna Research Group national survey, just over half of all adults say they make moral choices "on the basis of specific principles or standards they believe in. Other common means of making moral choices include doing what feels right or comfortable (24%), doing whatever makes the most people happy or causes the least conflict (9%), and pursuing whatever produces the most positive outcomes for the person (7%)."

Among those who say they make moral decisions based on specific principles, about a third named the Bible as the sources of those principles. That means just one out of every six adults (16%) claim they make their moral choices based on the content of the Bible, Barna explains.

That total is higher among evangelicals (60%) than among non-evangelical born again adults (20%). Barna reports that Protestants are "three times as likely as Catholics to base their morals on Biblical teaching (23% versus 7%, respectively)."

Barna also indicates that, "When asked whether they believe moral truth is based on absolute standards or is relative to the circumstances, Americans are divided into roughly equal segments. About one-third (35%) contends that moral truth is absolute -- that is, it is not dependent upon the circumstances. Another one-third (32%) says that morality is always determined by the situation. The remaining one-third (33%) indicates that they do not know if moral truth is absolute or relative.

"Once again, people's religious connections relate to their perspective on truth. A large majority of evangelicals (70%) report believing that moral truth is absolute. But a minority of non-evangelical born again adults (42%) holds that same view, and even fewer of the notional Christians (25%), people associated with non-Christian faiths (16%) and those who claim to be atheist or agnostic (27%) embrace moral absolutes."

http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdateNarrow&BarnaUpdateID=194

     REPORT ON THE KING JAMES BIBLE

Time has a transformative effect on public and critical tastes for creative efforts.  Many works that were poorly regarded upon release are now considered classics.  Two vivid examples: Melville's Moby-Dick and the King James Bible.  Hear this NPR report at

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4806498

     BIG CHURCHES USE TECHNOLOGY TO BRANCH OUT

Some American congregations have grown so large in recent years that they could pass for small cities.  This summer, for instance, Lakewood Church in Houston took over a 17,000-seat arena that once housed the Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association.  Now some mega-churches are trying to reverse the trend by creating smaller satellite "campuses."  Among them is Willow Creek Community Church, outside Chicago, where Rev. Jim Tomberlin serves as regional pastor.  Hear this NPR report at

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4788676

     NPR RELIGION NEWS SITE

http://www.npr.org/templates/topics/topic.php?topicId=1016

     VERSE TO PONDER

"Shout for joy, you heavens; rejoice, you earth; burst into song, you mountains! For the LORD comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones."  Isaiah 49:13

     CONSIDER

"Kites rise highest against the wind, not with it."  Winston Churchill

     THIS WEEK'S HYMN: AWAKE, AWAKE TO LOVE AND WORK

Words: Geoffrey A. Studdert-Kennedy, 1921

Music: Ananias Davisson, 1816

Awake, awake to love and work!

The lark is in the sky;

The fields are wet with diamond dew;

The worlds awake to cry

Their blessings on the Lord of life,

As He goes meekly by.

Come, let thy voice be one with theirs,

Shout with their shout of praise;

See how the giant sun soars up,

Great lord of years and days!

So let the love of Jesus come

And set thy soul ablaze.

To give and give, and give again,

What God hath given thee;

To spend thyself nor count the cost;

To serve right gloriously

The God Who gave all worlds that are,

And all that are to be.

>from CyberHymnal at

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/a/w/awawlowo.htm

     GOD FAQ

Question 35: How is the covenant of grace administered under the New Testament?

Answer: Under the New Testament, when Christ the substance was exhibited, the same covenant of grace was and still is to be administered in the preaching of the Word, and the administration of the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper; in which grace and salvation are held forth in more fullness, evidence, and efficacy, to all nations.

http://www.shortercatechism.com/

     FREE CONSUMER INFORMATION CATALOG

Get information on these and other matters:

*         66 Ways to Save Money

*         The Great Home Safety Check

*         Taking Control of Your Finances

*         Questions and Answers About Sprains and Strains

http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/press/nfcfallcat05.htm

+++++AND NOW, A PAID ADVERTISEMENT+++++

     ON PRAYER

"When you call God "Father," you are saying there is One in heaven who hears, knows, understands, cares.  Whatever a good father on earth would do for his children, that's what God in heaven will do for his children."  Ray Pritchard, pastor and author

     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.

Name That Candybar

http://www.sci.mus.mn.us/sln/tf/c/crosssection/namethatbar.html

Garage Door Tennis

http://www.makaimedia.com/games/game_frame.aspx?gid=41

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.)

Many people want to serve God, but only as advisors.

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