Connecting
man to man to God
For week of August 16, 2009
Issue 265
The
Men’s Ministry newsletter of Path Of Life Ministries.
Our
mission is to lead men to Jesus Christ and provide opportunity for
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[Jesus
said,] “‘You are the light of the world. Let your
light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and
praise your Father in heaven.’”
~Matthew 5:14-16~
CONSIDER
“Every action of our lives touches on some chord that
will vibrate in eternity.”
~Edwin Hubbel Chapin (1814-1880), paraphrased from Duties of Young
Men, Boston: Phillips, Sampson, 1853, p. 160~
POLL
FINDS CULTURAL MORALS GAP
More than half of today's young people say they hold different
values than the Woodstock generation, but a surprisingly large
percentage of today's youth think earlier generations had the
better morals, a new poll by the Pew Research Center has found.
About 80% of those surveyed said youths and older adults
hold different moral values, and the same number of respondents
said that the young and the old have a different attitude toward
work. Seventy-eight percent also said young people and older
adults differ in showing respect to other people, the poll
found.... Read this in full at
http://washingtontimes.com/news/2009/aug/13/poll-finds-cultural-morals-gap/
HOW
FAITH VARIES BY CHURCH SIZE
A new report from The Barna Group, based on interviews with
more than 3,000 adults, shows that congregational size is related
to the nature of a congregation’s religious beliefs,
religious behavior, and demographic profile. There are clearly
significant differences between the smallest and largest of
Protestant churches in terms of the theological beliefs of
adherents.
The survey results discovered the following:
*
On 17 indicators of religious belief and behavior examined in the
research there were statistically significant differences between
churches of 100 or fewer adult attenders and churches of 1000 or
more adult attenders. The only item tested in which there was not
a distinction was whether the church attender had prayed during
the past week.
* On all 9 of the belief statements tested,
attenders of large churches were more likely than those engaged in
a small or mid-sized congregation to give an orthodox biblical
response -- e.g., the Bible is totally accurate in all the
principles it teaches, Satan is not merely symbolic but exists,
Jesus led a sinless life, God is the all-knowing, all-powerful
creator of the world who still rules the universe, etc.... Read
this in full at
http://www.barna.org/barna-update/article/12-faithspirituality/289-how-faith-varies-by-church-size
Also
see “Easy explanation to puzzling Barna survey?”
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31054
WITH
GOD, THERE IS ALWAYS MORE TO KNOW
by Dick Staub
In a recent column I asked why, if so many
people are seeking, so few are finding God. Some readers asked if
I could suggest some common characteristics of seekers who DO find
God. A windy night on Orcas Island off the coast of Washington
state last week provided some simple illustrations. It all began
when my wife heard a noise at 2 a.m. and asked me to
investigate.... Read this in full at
http://www.crosswalk.com/spirituallife/11607121/
STUDY:
EX-GAY MINISTRY HAS 53% SUCCESS RATE
In findings that directly contradict mainstream academic
thought, 53% of subjects in a new seven-year study reported
successfully leaving homosexuality and living happily as
heterosexual or celibate persons.
The study by
psychologists Stanton L. Jones of Wheaton College and Mark A.
Yarhouse of Regent University is a follow-up to one released two
years ago in the form of a book, "Ex-Gays?" That study
was called groundbreaking, and the latest set of data is no less
significant, the researchers say.
The men followed 61
subjects over a span of six to seven years, recording their
failures and successes in their attempt to leave homosexuality.
Experts in the field call it the first attempt to follow subjects
who are undergoing Christian counseling over a series of years.
Such a time-consuming study is called "longitudinal."
Among their findings:
-- 23% reported a successful
conversion to heterosexual attractions.
-- 30% reported
living a celibate life and were content with their reduction in
homosexual attractions. Altogether, those latter two categories
were combined for a 53% success rate, the researchers said.
--
16% of subjects had modest decreases in homosexual attractions and
weren't satisfied with their degree of change but were committed
to continuing the process.
-- 7% had seen no decrease in
homosexual attractions but had not given up trying to change.
--
25% of subjects were considered "failures," either
because they gave up on the process and once again identified as a
homosexual (20%) or because they had not yet embraced a homosexual
identity but nevertheless had given up (5%).... Read this in full
at
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31045
FOCUS
ON THE FAMILY HANDS OVER 'LOVE WON OUT'
Focus on the Family will be passing the reigns of its Love Won
Out conferences on homosexuality to another ministry. The move is
a logical step, the Colorado Springs-based evangelical
organization said, especially as it faces a "serious"
budget shortfall.... Read this in full at
http://www.christianpost.com/article/20090812/focus-on-the-family-hands-over-gay-event-to-exodus/index.html
A
LOOK AT JOEL HUNTER
Florida megachurch pastor Joel Hunter says evangelicalism is
changing, strong interfaith relationships are important, and faith
communities should support a broad public policy agenda. Watch
this video report at
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episodes/august-7-2009/joel-hunter/2279/
CHRISTIANS
ASKED TO PRAY FOR MUSLIMS DURING RAMADAN
by Michael Ireland
Ramadan is Islam's holiest month, and
it begins August 22. Ramadan is a time where Muslims re-evaluate
their lives in light of Islamic guidance. They try to make peace
with those who have wronged them, strengthen ties with family and
friends, do away with bad habits -- essentially to clean up their
lives, thoughts, and feelings.
The Arabic word for
"fasting" (sawm) literally means "to refrain"
-- and it means not only refraining from food and drink, but also
from evil actions, thoughts, and words.
During Ramadan,
every part of the body must be restrained. The tongue must be
restrained from backbiting and gossip. The eyes must restrain
themselves from looking at unlawful things. The hand must not
touch or take anything that does not belong to it. The ears must
refrain from listening to idle talk or obscene words. The feet
must refrain from going to sinful places. In this way, every part
of the body observes the fast.
For the 18th year in a row,
Paul Filidis of www.WorldChristian.com is asking Christians to
pray that many Muslims will come to know Christ during their
holiest time of the year.... Read this in full at
http://www.assistnews.net/STORIES/2009/s09070150.htm
GENERATION OF SARCASM
by Skye Jethani
A poll conducted by Time Magazine has
revealed that The Daily Show’s Jon Stewart is the most
trusted news anchor in America. He beat Brian Williams, Charlie
Gibson, and Katie Couric. Walter Cronkite, having just entered his
grave, must already be turning over in it.
The popularity
of The Daily Show, The Colbert Report, and The Onion reveals
something about my generation. We love sarcasm. It is our native
tongue. Listen to a group of under 40s engaging in casual
conversation. It’s hard for us to talk for 30 seconds
without a quip, a dig, or dose of eye-rolling hyperbole. We
especially like to cut down authorities -- as Jon Stewart has
perfected with his witty jabs at the mainstream news media and
government leaders from both parties. His irreverence is so
popular that officials clamor to get on his show to be mocked.
They think they’ll be perceived as “good sports”
for playing along.
But where does this deep reservoir of
sarcasm come from? Why does it saturate my generation the way a
strong work ethic once saturated the Greatest Generation or the
way free-thinking saturated the Boomers? Here’s my best
guess: I think our sarcasm is a socially acceptable way for us to
vent the mountain of anger we feel.
We are the first
generation born after the passage of no-fault-divorce. We come
from broken homes. We are the first generation born after Vietnam
and Watergate. We live with a broken government. We are the first
generation raised on cable television and 24 hour advertising. We
are suspicious of marketing and spin. We are the first generation
to fight a war on drugs. We are over-medicated and
under-achieving.... Read this in full at
http://www.skyejethani.com/generation-of-sarcasm/365/
WHITE
HOUSE LAUNCHES FATHERHOOD INITIATIVE
Fatherhood has been an important part of President Obama's
childhood narrative, growing up with an absent father. It was the
cornerstone of a historic speech he delivered last year, assailing
men who run away from their parenting responsibilities. And now
it's a priority for the White House Office of Faith-Based and
Neighborhood Partnership, with the launch of the national
fatherhood tour. With its first stop in Chicago, Obama's
faith-based office is going around the country holding town hall
meetings to discuss the importance of fatherhood and speak with
community organizations about what policies best work to build
strong families.
And the man entrusted by the president to
lead the way on this initiative is Joshua DuBois. A 27-year-old
Pentecostal minister, DuBois served as the director of religious
affairs for Obama's presidential campaign. Now, the young man has
been handed an even bigger job, leading the Office of Faith-Based
and Neighborhood Partnerships. And though DuBois is not yet a
father himself, the issue of fatherhood is one of the top four
priorities for his office. (The others include interreligious
dialogue and cooperation, the role of nonprofits in the economic
recovery, and working to reduce the number of abortions and
unwanted pregnancies.) .... Read this in full at
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=111770004&ps=cprs
YOUR
GOD IS TOO SMALL
“There are doubtless many reasons for the degeneration
of Christianity into churchiness, and the narrowing of the Gospel
for all mankind into a set of approved beliefs; but the chief
cause must be the worship of an inadequate god--a cramped and
regulated god who is a 'good churchman' according to the formulas
of the worshipper. For actual behaviour infallibly betrays the
real object of the man's worship. All Christians, whatever their
church, would of course instantly repudiate the idea that their
god was a super-example of their own denomination, and it is not
suggested that the worship is conscious. Nevertheless, beneath the
conscious critical level of the mind it is perfectly possible for
the Anglo-Catholic, for example, to conceive God as particularly
pleased with Anglo-Catholicism, doubtful about Evangelicalism, and
frankly displeased by all forms of Nonconformity... The ultra-low
Churchman on the other hand must admit, if he is honest, that the
God whom he worships disapproves most strongly of vestments,
incense, and candles on the altar. The tragedy of these examples
-- which could be reproduced ad nauseam any day of the week -- is
not difference of opinion, which will probably be with us till the
Day of Judgment, but the outrageous folly and damnable sin of
trying to regard God as the Party Leader of a particular point of
view.”
~J. B. Phillips
(1906-1982), Your God is too Small [1953], Simon and Schuster,
2004, p. 38~
1
IN 8 CHURCH BACKGROUND CHECKS FINDS CRIMINAL RECORD
One in eight background checks conducted on volunteers or
prospective employees through LifeWay Christian Resources found a
criminal history that might have kept an individual from working
or volunteering at a church, the Southern Baptist Convention
publishing house reported Aug. 4.
Last year LifeWay
negotiated an affinity-group discount for screening services for
churches with Backgroundchecks.com, a 10-year-old company with
4,500 clients. Since then, according to a news release, about 450
churches requested more than 5,000 background checks on volunteers
and prospective employees.
While most screenings returned
clean records or only minor traffic offenses, LifeWay said, 80
found serious felony offenses and more than 600 people had some
type of criminal history that may have disqualified them from
volunteering or working at a church.... Read this in full at
http://www.abpnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4289&Itemid=53
ETHICS
OF FIRING
by Peter Collins
These will be painful firings. Are they
morally justified? Over and over I have asked myself this
question. When I try to justify what I am about to do, this is the
best I can come up with:
If I don't fire some people now,
we as a company will lose money faster. If we lose too much money,
ultimately I will have to fire more people than these four. So the
best way to minimize total pain is to fire them now, get the
business healthy again, and then add more employees later once the
business is on sounder footing.
By creating a more
profitable business I will be able to bless my current and future
employees along with their families, and all of the customers we
serve. If I do not fire them, these blessings are less likely to
come to pass, and the company could suffer.... What happens when a
manager, known for loving his people, has to fire them? Would
Jesus fire someone? How would he do it?.... Read this in full at
http://www.patheos.com/Resources/Additional-Resources/Ethics-of-Firing-Part-1.html
PAKISTAN:
WHO'S ATTACKING THE CHRISTIANS?
The intruders wore masks and carried guns. They went door to
door, through the narrow and dusty alleyways, asking if there were
any Christians inside. When the terrified faces inside replied
yes, they poured chemicals on the small, redbrick homes of
Episcopalians and Evangelicals, setting them ablaze. In some
cases, they didn't bother with the question. Instead, they opened
fire and hurled rocks, forcing families to flee in a panic —
moments before fresh flames consumed their homes as well. When the
attackers were done, nine people had been killed and 45 homes lay
smoldering and destroyed in the clustered Christian colony in
Gojra, a town in central Punjab, marking the worst anti-Christian
violence Pakistan has seen in recent years.... Read this in full
at
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1914750,00.html
Also
see “Were Pakistan's Deadly Gojra Riots Enough to Provoke
Change?”
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2009/augustweb-only/131-51.0.html
DID
THE CRUSADES GET A BUM RAP?
The Crusades, when Christians tried for two centuries to oust
Muslims from the Holy Land, left over a million dead, with
territory lost and gained and lost again -- all in the name of
Jesus. These days, Christians are not so quick to call the
Crusades the golden age of Christendom, but a millennium later,
their memory still reverberates. Even so, Rodney Stark, 75, a
professor of social sciences at Baylor University, says the
crusaders were not all that bad, and certainly not barbaric,
greedy warmongers.... Read this in full at
http://www.religionnews.com/index.php?/rnstext/did_the_crusades_get_a_bum_rap2/
HYBELS
OPENS LEADERSHIP SUMMIT WITH 'ROGUE WAVES'
Rogue waves provide the perfect conditions for leadership and
greatness to emerge, said Pastor Bill Hybels at the annual
Leadership Summit. Leaders know these conditions produce our
deepest learning curves, strongest bonds with team members, and
deepest faith testing, the Willow Creek Community Church pastor
told thousands August 6. Storms draw something out of us that calm
seas don't.
Hybels was addressing church, ministry, and
business leaders from around the world who were attending and
tuning in to the 2009 Leadership Summit, hosted by Willow Creek
Association. With this year's 2-day summit taking place in the
midst of an economic storm, Hybels advised attendees about
"leading in a new reality."
The slow economy and
constant culture shifts have led the renowned megachurch pastor to
believe that they won't be experiencing the "old normal"
anytime soon.... Read this in full at
http://www.christianpost.com/article/20090807/hybels-opens-leadership-summit-with-rogue-waves/index.html
VERSE
TO PONDER
“Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of
witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin
that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the
race marked out for us.”
~Hebrews 12:1~
CONSIDER
“When we are troubled with temptation and evil thoughts,
then we see clearly the great need we have of God, since without
him we can do nothing good... No one is so good that he is immune
to temptation; we will never [in this life] be entirely free of
it.”
~Thomas a Kempis
(1380-1471), Of the Imitation of Christ [1418]~
FORGETTING
GOD: WHY DECADENCE DRIVES OUT DISCIPLINE.
by Philip Yancey
Observing the modern world, French
sociologist Jacques Ellul noted a striking trend: As the Christian
gospel permeates society, it tends to produce values that,
paradoxically, contradict the gospel. I sometimes test his theory
while traveling overseas. I ask foreigners about the United
States, the world's largest majority-Christian society.
"When
I say the words United States, what comes to mind?" I ask.
Invariably, I get these responses:
Wealth. Representing
only 6 percent of the world's population, the United States
generates more than a third of the world's economic output and
dominates global finance.
Military power. We are, as the
media constantly remind us, "the world's only superpower."
Indeed, our current military budget exceeds the total of the next
23 biggest-spending nations combined.
Decadence. Overseas,
most people get their images of the United States from Hollywood
movies, which seem to them obsessed with sex and crime.
European
nations, with their Christian roots, tend to manifest similar
characteristics, which run counter to the teachings and example of
Jesus, whose life was marked by poverty, self-sacrifice, and
purity. No wonder followers of other religions, such as Islam,
puzzle over Christianity, a powerful faith that nonetheless
produces the opposite of its ideals in society at large. What
accounts for this strange development? .... Read this in full at
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2004/september/21.104.html
WORKPLACE
CHAPLAINS CARE FOR THE UNCHURCHED
Most Americans don't attend church regularly, but they still
have deaths in the family, marriage problems and other life crises
that they can't handle alone.
"Seventy percent of the
American workforce today does not have a relationship with
organized religion," Gil Stricklin, founder of Marketplace
Ministries, told Baptist Press. "They're not atheists.
They're not even agnostics, most of them. But they don't have a
pastor, they don't have a priest, they don't have a rabbi,"
Stricklin said. "They don't have a Buddhist monk or a Muslim
imam. They have nobody that marries them and buries them."
A growing number of chaplains are finding a niche in the
workplace, developing relationships with employees and guiding
them through difficult life situations when they either don't have
a church home or don't feel comfortable seeking help there....
Read this in full at
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31040
MARKETPLACE
MINISTRIES MARKS 25TH ANNIVERSARY
Marketplace Ministries, one
of the largest workplace chaplaincy organizations in the US, is
celebrating 25 years of service. The organization -- which works
for more than 400 companies -- has four subsidiaries: Marketplace
Chaplains USA, Marketplace Chaplains International, Railroad
Chaplains of America, and Marketplace Ministries Foundation.
Companies hire the chaplain ministry to send in people to care for
their workers, often resulting in higher workplace morale and
better productivity.... Read this in full at
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31041
AN
OPEN LETTER TO CONSERVATIVE CHRISTIANS IN THE US, ON HEALTH CARE
by Brian McLaren
Although today I would not call myself a
political or social conservative, I am grateful for my heritage as
an Evangelical Christian: my faith is rooted in a personal
relationship with God through Jesus Christ, I honor and seek to
live in harmony with the Scriptures, and I love to share the good
news of God's love with others. Since my teenage years when I
decided to follow Jesus, I have pursued wholehearted discipleship,
and my life has been shaped by that commitment. After completing
graduate school and teaching college English, I became a church
planter and pastor and served in the same congregation for
twenty-four years.
But for almost that many years, I have
been growing more and more deeply troubled by the way so many from
my heritage in conservative Christianity -- in its Evangelical,
Charismatic, and Roman Catholic streams -- have allowed themselves
to be spiritually formed by various conservative political and
economic ideologies. It's been disturbing to see how many
Christians have begun to follow and trust leaders who live more by
political/media/ideological codes than by moral/spiritual/biblical
ones.... Read this in full at
http://www.brianmclaren.net/archives/blog/an-open-letter-to-conservative-c.html
USING
YOUTUBE TO PREACH A MESSAGE
"After the recent spate of celebrity deaths, Christians
should be stepping up to the plate with the gospel." So says
Christian TV co-host Ray Comfort. "When a celebrity dies the
whole world is reminded that each of us has an appointment we
don't want to keep. We have the message of everlasting life, so
why should we hesitate to share it with a dying world? When
Michael Jackson died I took a cameraman to Hollywood and we
interviewed people on where they thought that Michael was now. I
also asked them if his untimely death made them think about their
own mortality. Many said that it did. We created a YouTube video
called "Michael Jackson's REAL cause of death" that
presented the gospel in a unique fashion, and it has gone viral.
In about two weeks it received over 100,000 views. Mass crusades
often cost millions to reach such numbers. We were able to get the
message out at very little cost." .... Read this in full at
http://www.christiannewswire.com/news/7907711187.html
CREATION
MUSEUM HOSTS ATHEISTS
While no one was sure what to expect when ideologies clashed
on August 7, staff at the Creation Museum were pleased overall
(despite some minor incidents) with how well the visit from the
Secular Student Alliance (SSA) went. In fact, the Creation Museum,
an outreach of Answers in Genesis, is open to future visits by the
SSA or other similar humanist groups, seeking to be informed about
arguments that support the Bible's account of world history,
starting with Creation.
In a statement released on the day
of the visit, Creation Museum co-founder and chief communications
officer Mark Looy said "The Creation Museum welcomes anyone
to tour our family attraction. We especially encourage visits by
those who are skeptical about the Christian faith, as we offer a
different perspective of world history (including origins) than
what is presented in almost all natural history museums and public
school science classes.... Read this in full at
http://www.alrcnewskitchen.com/creationmuseum/docs/releases/090811_atheists-visit.pdf
PARISH
RIFT FORMS AT PROMINENT FLORIDA MEGACHURCH
Descendants of two of the country's most influential
evangelical leaders -- Billy Graham and the late D. James Kennedy
-- are feuding over control of a Florida megachurch that is a
bedrock of the religious right.
Under the leadership of
Kennedy, the former pastor who died in 2007, Coral Ridge
Presbyterian Church was a forerunner to modern evangelical
megachurches and a fiercely conservative voice on social issues
like homosexuality and abortion in the mostly liberal, Democratic
city of Fort Lauderdale.
Graham's grandson, Tullian
Tchividjian (pronounced TUH'-lee-uhn chuh-VIH'-dee-uhn), took over
earlier this year as its pastor. But some Kennedy loyalists,
including his daughter Jennifer Kennedy Cassidy, are upset with
the direction Tchividjian is taking the church and have called for
his ouster.
Tchividjian cuts a far different image from
Kennedy. His hair is spiky, his beard sometimes scruffy, his skin
tan. He has forgone wearing a choir robe at services, as Kennedy
had. And while he has shown no sign of theological differences
with Kennedy, he has rejected politics as the most important way
to change the country, while Kennedy was extremely active in
politics as an influential Christian broadcaster.... Read this in
full at
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ihJHfe6tGfDnclLfJ3TWUqK5lFEgD9A0QVJ84
Also
see “Church bans six dissident members”
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/broward/fort-lauderdale/sfl-coral-ridge-081009,0,1694944.story
and
“New Minister of Famed Fla. Megachurch Facing Leadership
Challenge”
http://www.christianpost.com/article/20090813/new-minister-of-famed-fla-megachurch-facing-leadership-challenge/index.html
BRITISH
PRIME MINISTER SAYS CHRISTIANS DON'T HAVE TO HIDE FAITH
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown says Christians do not
have to hide their religion in the workplace and believers should
not be forced to keep their beliefs private.
Brown’s
comments were made in an interview with the British-based
Christian radio station, Premier, and came amid concern that
employees in Britain’s public sector are facing punishment
for practicing their religion.
“I think the role of
religion and faith in what people sometimes call the public square
is incredibly important,” said Brown, whose father was a
minister in the (Presbyterian) Church of Scotland.... Read this in
full at
http://www.ethicsdaily.com/news.php?viewStory=14691
NAVY
SEAL CREED
The SEALs have always had an unspoken creed of valor and
honor. In 2005, a formal creed was adopted to clearly delineate
the values of this special team. While parts of the creed
obviously only apply to being a SEAL, much of it transcends the
military and succinctly sums up the values every man should live
by each day:
In times of war or uncertainty there is a
special breed of warrior ready to answer our Nation’s call.
A common man with uncommon desire to succeed. Forged by adversity,
he stands alongside America’s finest special operations
forces to serve his country, the American people, and protect
their way of life. I am that man.
My Trident is a symbol
of honor and heritage. Bestowed upon me by the heroes that have
gone before, it embodies the trust of those I have sworn to
protect. By wearing the Trident I accept the responsibility of my
chosen profession and way of life. It is a privilege that I must
earn every day.
My loyalty to Country and Team is beyond
reproach. I humbly serve as a guardian to my fellow Americans
always ready to defend those who are unable to defend themselves.
I do not advertise the nature of my work, nor seek recognition for
my actions. I voluntarily accept the inherent hazards of my
profession, placing the welfare and security of others before my
own.
I serve with honor on and off the battlefield. The
ability to control my emotions and my actions, regardless of
circumstance, sets me apart from other men. Uncompromising
integrity is my standard. My character and honor are steadfast. My
word is my bond.
We expect to lead and be led. In the
absence of orders I will take charge, lead my teammates and
accomplish the mission. I lead by example in all situations.
I
will never quit. I persevere and thrive on adversity. My Nation
expects me to be physically harder and mentally stronger than my
enemies. If knocked down, I will get back up, every time. I will
draw on every remaining ounce of strength to protect my teammates
and to accomplish our mission. I am never out of the fight.
We
demand discipline. We expect innovation. The lives of my teammates
and the success of our mission depend on me - my technical skill,
tactical proficiency, and attention to detail. My training is
never complete.
We train for war and fight to win. I stand
ready to bring the full spectrum of combat power to bear in order
to achieve my mission and the goals established by my country. The
execution of my duties will be swift and violent when required yet
guided by the very principles that I serve to defend.
Brave
men have fought and died building the proud tradition and feared
reputation that I am bound to uphold. In the worst of conditions,
the legacy of my teammates steadies my resolve and silently guides
my every deed. I will not fail.
http://www.seal.navy.mil/seal/PDF/Seal.Creed.pdf
CONSIDER
“All men are ordinary men; the extraordinary men are
those who know it.”
~G. K.
Chesterton~
VERSE
TO PONDER
“Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of
what we do not see.”
~Hebrews
11:1~
ON
PRAYER
“O
eternal God, who from all eternity dost behold and love thy own
glories and perfections infinite, and hast created me to do the
work of God after the manner of men, and to serve thee in this
generation and according to my capacities; give me thy grace, that
I may be a curious and prudent spender of my time, so as I may
best prevent or resist all temptation, and be profitable to the
Christian commonwealth, and by discharging all my duty may glorify
thy name. Take from me all slothfulness, and give me a diligent
and an active spirit, and wisdom to choose my employment; that I
may do works proportionable to my person, and to the dignity of a
Christian, and may fill up all the spaces of my time with actions
of religion and charity; that, when the devil assaults me he may
not find me idle, and my dearest Lord at his sudden coming may
find me busy in lawful, necessary, and pious actions; improving my
talent entrusted to me by thee, my Lord; that I may enter into the
joy of my Lord, to partake of his eternal felicities, even for thy
mercy's sake, and for my dearest Savior's sake. Amen.”
Jeremy Taylor (1613-1667), Holy Living [1650], in The Whole Works
of the Right Rev. Jeremy Taylor, D.D., v. III, London: Longman,
Brown, Green & Longmans, 1847, p. 29
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!
Http://www.ChristianConnectionTravel.com
Books,
Music & More!
http://www.ChristianConnectionBooks.com
Get
your domain name here!
http://www.GoGlobalDomains.com
Let
me show you how to earn money as you
travel!
http://www.earnGlobalVacations.com/
It's
as easy as 1-2-3!
SHARE
YOUR FAVORITE WEBSITES
Tell
us what sites you find enjoyable and why.
Major
Religions of the World Ranked by Number of Adherents
http://www.adherents.com/Religions_By_Adherents.html
Bible
History
http://www.bible-history.com/
Camping,
Hiking & Bike Trails, Topo Maps & More
http://www.trails.com/
Web
Gallery of Art
http://www.wga.hu/index1.html
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.)
By
the time a man realizes that maybe his father was right, he
usually has a son who thinks he's wrong.
Min.
Frank Coleman, Editor
[email protected]
Thanks
for welcoming CONNECTIONS into your in-box!
----------
CONNECTIONS is a periodic newsletter of
announcements, news, recommendations, articles, and other
information helpful to men in our spiritual growth. Thanks for
welcoming CONNECTIONS into your in-box!
-----------
The
CONNECTIONS 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.
Path Of Life Ministries is located at 6459 S. Campbell Ave.
Chicago, IL 60629.
Visit our website at:
http://www.pathoflifeministries.net/
----------
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