"'The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.'"  John 10:10

     CONSIDER

"The indulgence of one sin opens the door to further sins.  The indulgence of one sin diverts the soul from the use of those means by which all other sins should be resisted."  John Owen

     SEPTEMBER IS NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH

The goal of National Preparedness Month is to increase public awareness about the importance of preparing for emergencies and to encourage individuals to take action.  Basic steps such as assembling an emergency supply kit and making a family emergency plan are important for everyone.  Being informed about possible threats and getting involved in our community are also ways to prepare.  Much of the advice is practical, and the key is to follow it.

http://www.ready.gov/npm/index.htm

Also see

Christian Emergency Network supply kits

http://www.centoday.com/emergency_resources/store.php

and

Emergency Info for your handheld

http://www.zondervanchurchsource.com/mobile/emIndex.shtml

     911 REMEMBERANCE

"We never know when we, too, will be called into eternity.  I doubt if even one of those people who got on those planes, or walked into the World Trade Center or the Pentagon that morning thought it would be the last day of their lives."  Dr. Billy Graham

http://www.911remembrance.com/index.php?pg=0

     WHERE WAS GOD WHEN KATRINA HIT?

It's a disorienting and gut-wrenching experience to watch reports of desperate refugees and catastrophic damage rolls in from Katrina-devastated areas.  One of the most basic questions we want to ask when disasters like this strike is "Where is God?"  Some of the brightest writers on the Internet are asking the same question, and are offering their thoughts on the age-old question of God and natural disasters.

http://ifc.gospelcom.net/spiritual_growth/1507/

     HURRICANE KATRINA RELIGION NEWS COVERAGE

http://www.religionwriters.com/katrina.php

     ALISTAIR BEGG SPEAKS ON HURRICANE KATRINA

On Monday, August 29, 2005, category 4 Hurricane Katrina slammed into the Gulf Coast just east of New Orleans with winds of 145 mph causing severe damage and death.  The subsequent suffering, looting and mass evacuations have caused great concern.  This could be the deadliest and most costly "natural" disaster in United States history.  Where is God?   How are we to understand these days?  Why do people react sinfully?  Alistair Begg addressed these questions and more from a biblical perspective.  Listen to it at

http://www.truthforlife.org

     BUSH DECLARES 9/16 NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER

As the nation unites for the daunting challenge of assisting Hurricane Katrina survivors, President Bush is calling for a national day of prayer and remembrance Friday Sept. 16.  "Throughout our history in times of testing, Americans have come together to heal and ask for strength for the tasks ahead," Bush said during remarks on hurricane relief Sept. 8. "... I ask that we pray -- as Americans have always prayed in times of trial -- with confidence in His purpose, with hope for a brighter future and with the humility to ask God to keep us strong so that we can better serve our brothers and sisters in need."

The National Day of Prayer Task Force is stepping up to promote awareness. "We're encouraging people to do things like ring their church bells [at noon Sept. 16], keep their car lights on throughout the day, display the flag at their home, gather at their workplace to pray during their lunch time, gather at their churches or places of worship for [prayer] and support our leaders as they make some very difficult choices as we provide aid and comfort to these people who have gone through this awful natural disaster," Terrell Mayton, head of marketing and communications said....

Shirley Dobson, chairwoman of the National Day of Prayer Task Force, lists several prayer requests:

> For the safety and health of the hurricane victims.

> That God will give the rescuers the physical and spiritual strength required to do their work.

> For patience for those anxiously waiting to hear from family members or for word on their homes and neighborhoods.

> For problems to be solved in peace and for order to be established in the midst of chaos.

> For the relief organizations involved, that they will receive enough supplies and funds to address the needs before them and that they will get the supplies distributed quickly and efficiently.

> That citizens will selflessly open their hearts and homes to the victims.

http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=21571

     HURRICANE KATRINA, MY HOMETOWN, AND MY FUTURE HOME

by Russell Moore

I am from Biloxi, Miss.  As I spend most of the night praying and flipping from CNN to FOX News to MSNBC, I am reminded of how unnatural natural disasters really are....

http://www.pastors.com/rwmt/default.asp?id=223&artid=8624&expand=1

     A CHRISTIAN ENGINEER AFFIRMS THE EXISTENCE OF GOD

For an intellectually-stimulating mix of theology and science from a Christian perspective, read online excerpts from the 16-chapter book, God Exists: An Engineer Tells Why. Author Peter Soszek, a Christian engineer, explains, "It is written from a somewhat different perspective and tries from a logical and scientific viewpoint to help readers come to believe in the existence of God.  It looks at various sciences such as mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics and even a little astronomy.  A contentious chapter also discusses the theory of evolution.  For interest, the book uses a combination of the writer's personal experiences as well as expressing technical viewpoints. The writer hopes to bring those in doubt to believe in God and those that already believe to help strengthen their faith." Science and theology lovers, you're in for a real treat!

http://www.mts.net/~pekored/

     CONSIDER

"When disastrous losses occur, we are tempted to ask, Why? But such questions are unanswerable we simply don’t know. What we really need is encouragement, not explanation. Instead of asking, Why? We need to ask 'What can I do now?  What is my next step?"  Rick Warren

Rick Warren shares 7 steps for rebuilding after a disaster.

http://www.pastors.com/article.asp?ArtID=8625

     VERSE TO PONDER

"Share what you have with God's people who are in need.  Show hospitality."  Rom. 12:13 (GW)

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

     BROKAW FOCUSES ON EVANGELICAL MOVEMENT

"While attendance at traditional churches has been declining for decades," Tom Brokaw says, "the evangelical movement is growing, and it is changing the way America worships."  Consider New Life Church in Colorado Springs, Colo., which marks the Easter holiday with a full-scale staging of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ -- with a cast and crew of 750 mostly coming from the church's membership of 11,000.

The phenomenon of such an evangelical "mega-church" was part of Brokaw's focus on "In God They Trust," a one-hour NBC News special that aired 8 p.m. EDT Friday.  Brokaw notes that evangelical Christians have become a powerful force in American culture, politics and the economy, and that, propelled by their faith, they're determined to spread the word.  But he also explores why so many Americans are turning to this expression of faith, and whether some evangelicals are going too far: imposing on others their spiritual beliefs not only for personal reasons but also for political reasons.

Brokaw talks with families at New Life as well as cadets at the nearby U.S. Air Force Academy. And he interviews Ted Haggard, president of the National Association of Evangelicals (which represents 45,000 churches) and New Life's pastor.  Haggard "believes that America is entering a new period of religious intensity that will alter both souls and society," reports Brokaw.  Attempting to explain the growth of the evangelical moment, Haggard says, "It's not political -- it's authentically spiritual renewal."  But Haggard, who speaks regularly with the White House, also declares that, although Americans live in a pluralistic society, "all of us have a responsibility to advance God's will through government."

http://www.nbc.com/nbc/header/TV_Schedule/index.html

   SEE OTHER NBC NEWS SPECIALS

* Dateline special report: The last days of Jesus

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4315203/

* A homecoming for Billy Graham

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8348342/

     HOW SMART IS YOUR RIGHT FOOT?

1.    While sitting at your desk, lift your right foot off the floor and make clockwise circles with it.

2.    Now, while doing this, draw the number "6" in the air with your right hand.  Your foot will change direction!!!

     ESCAPE FROM THE TRAP OF ADDICTION

by Don Crossland

The air thickened as my counselor spoke in a gentle, firm tone: "Don, you're in sexual addiction."  The word "addiction" penetrated deep into my mind, like a piece of concrete pinning me under murky water.

To me, addiction and compulsion described drug abusers and alcoholics.  The counselor had placed my behavior in the same category.  Reality sank in -- slowly -- and I remembered how the apostle Paul's cry had echoed my own desperation so many times: "For that which I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate ... Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?" (Rom. 7:15, 24).

That meeting with my counselor was a turning point in my healing journey that began almost 10 years ago.  The walls of my successful ministry and life had begun crumbling around me in 1985 when my secret world of sexual perversion was exposed.  Only a few weeks earlier I had prayed, "Oh God do whatever it takes to purify my heart."  What I really had meant was, "Oh God, do whatever it takes as painless and privately as possible to deliver me from my bondage....."

Read this in full at

http://www.newmanmag.com/article.php?sid=605

     GETTING THE MOST OUT OF A CHURCH SERVICE

by Dan Burrell 

1.    Arrive Early

2.    Sit Close to the Front

3.    Participate Enthusiastically in All Parts of the Worship Service

4.    Take Notes

5.    Give

6.    Pray, don't just Listen to the Prayers

7.    Respond Physically

Read this in full at

http://www.danburrell.com/blog/2005/08/getting-most-out-of-church-service.html

     BASIC BIBLE DOCTRINE

The Doctrine of Sin (continued)

G. Sin in the life of a Christian

1. The reality of sin in the believer. Christians still have the sin nature (Romans 7:14-25; especially 7:17, 20, 21, 23).  Believers have both the sin nature and the new nature (Romans 8:10; Ephesians 4:22-24).  The old nature is not "eradicated" (destroyed) in this life.  That is why we continue to commit personal sin (1 John 1:8).

2. The consequences of sin in the life of a believer. Sin in our life will interrupt the joy of our relationship with God. Persisting in sin may bring God's discipline (Hebrew 12:5-11), even sickness and death (1 Corinthians 11:30; James 5:19, 20; 1 John 5:16).  Excommunication from the local church is necessary for some sin (Matthew 18:17; 1 Corinthians 5).

3. The remedy when believers sin.

-   The remedy when we sin as a believer is to simply confess our sin (1 John 1:9). "Confess" literally means to "agree with" God about that sin.  If we still defend the sinful thought or act in any way, we have not confessed.

-   True confession produces a desire to change.  But even if we sin the same way again, the solution is again confession.

-   Confessing sin is a major truth of the Christian's life.  Confession brings the cleansing Christ provided (1 John 1:7).  Positionally, all sin is already forgiven, but we claim and experience that forgiveness by confession.  The joy of fellowship with God is then restored.  The Holy Spirit is then free to "fill us" and change us (Ephesians 5:18; Galatians 5:22, 23; Romans 8:13 - see notes on the "Holy Spirit").

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

     LEADERSHIP TIPS (BUSINESS, FAMILY, LIFE)

The Three Ways of Great Leaders | by Bill Breen

Entrepreneur. Manager. Charismatic.  These are the three types of great leaders, according to a groundbreaking new book.  Find out what gifts each type has and which famous bosses qualify.

http://www.fastcompany.com/subscr/98/open_3ways.html

Which Type of Leader are You? | by Anthony J. Mayo

So now that you know there are three types of great leaders, which one sounds most like you?  Take FastCompany's Web-exclusive quiz and find out!

http://www.fastcompany.com/articles/2005/08/quiz.html

The Courageous Few | by Fast Company

Who are the few and the brave?  Fast Company found ten leaders during the past year who proved no less than courageous.

http://www.fastcompany.com/slideshow/slideviewer.cgi?list=courageous-few&refresh=8

Greatest Business Leaders of the 20th Century | by Anthony J. Mayo and Nitin Nohria

Who took us from horse-drawn carriages to the 747?  From grilling your own to a double-quarter-pounder with fries?  From computers the size of closets to one that sits on your desk?  These 49 men and one woman are the ones chosen by two Harvard business professors as the greatest businesspeople of the last century.

http://www.fastcompany.com/subscr/98/open_3ways-list.html

     TINY HOUSES: DESIGNING SHED-SIZED HOMES

Jay Shafer, of the Tumbleweed Tiny House Company, talks about the movement to build small homes.  Shafer builds -- and lives in -- houses as small as 70 square feet.  He's encouraging others to live that way.  Hear this NPR report at

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4815029

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

     VERSE TO PONDER

"...Encourage the young men to be self-controlled.  In everything set them an example by doing what is good."  Titus 2:6-7

     CONSIDER

"God has no more precious gift to a church or an age than a man who lives as an embodiment of his will, and inspires those around him with the faith of what grace can do."  Andrew Murray

     "SEE YOU AT THE POLE": COMING TO LOCAL SCHOOLS WORLDWIDE

See You at the Pole[1], a worldwide youth event on Wednesday, September 21, is a time to gather around flagpoles, before school, in prayer and public witness for Christ. "Pray! (Call 2 Me)," this year's USA theme based on Jeremiah 33:3, is a free event for students, teachers, administrators and school staff; parents, youth pastors and more can also attend to show support for students. (Leaders will find a variety of resources available online.) International SYATP Web sites include SYATP Canada[2], SYATP Australia[3] and SYATP Korea[4]. Add to these links Three Things I Hope to Not See at the Pole[5], a hard-hitting article for teens at "The Source 4 Youth Ministry."

-- Links in this story --

[1] http://www.syatp.com/

[2] http://www.syatpcanada.com/

[3] http://www.syatpaustralia.com/

[4] http://www.SYATP.or.kr/

[5] http://www.thesource4ym.com/archives/arc20040907.asp

     WHY DO I NEED A MENTOR?

by Chip MacGregor

In 1919 a young man, recovering from injuries suffered in the European war, rented a small apartment in Chicago.  He chose the location because it was near the home of Sherwood Anderson.  An author, Anderson had written the popular novel "Winesburg, Ohio" and was known to be willing to share his wisdom with young writers.

The two men were together nearly every day.  They shared meals, took long walks and discussed writing until late into the nights.  The young man wrote passages and asked Anderson to critique them, which he did with brutal honesty.  The youngster didn't defend himself or his writing, for, as he said later, "I didn't know how to write until I learned from Sherwood."

Within two years that young man set off to write on his own.  In 1926 he published his first novel, "The Sun Also Rises," which was met with critical acclaim. His name was Ernest Hemingway....

Read this article in full at

http://www.newmanmag.com/article.php?sid=606

     NOTABLE CHRISTIANS

Below are the top ten Christians of the previous century, as compiled by Christian History & Biography.  Who would you have added to this list?

Billy Graham

As an evangelist he has preached to millions; as an evangelical he put a movement on the map.

C. S. Lewis

The atheist scholar who became an Anglican, an apologist, and a "patron saint" of Christians everywhere.

William Seymour

What scoffers viewed as a "weird babble of tongues" became a world phenomenon after his Los Angeles revival.

Mother Teresa

She stirred a generation by touching the untouchables.

Karl Barth

He revived orthodoxy when mere moralism and humanism had seemingly won over the theological world.

John XXIII

Elected to be a caretaker pope, he decided instead to revolutionize Catholicism.

Alexandr Solzhenitsyn

The high school physics-teacher-turned-novelist whose writings shook an empire.

John Paul II

In issuing more significant encyclicals and visiting more nations than any other pope in history, he's shown that Christianity remains a world force.

John Mott

Evangelist and ecumenist.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

No Christian played a more prominent role in the century's most significant social justice movement.

http://www.christianitytoday.com/history/

     CONSIDER

"My relationship with God is the only relationship that counts, and if it's right, all other relationships in my life will be right, no matter how they turn out."  Ben Stein

     VERSE TO PONDER

"God comforts us so when others have trouble, we can comfort them with the same comfort God gives us."  2 Cor. 1:4 (NCV)

     THIS WEEK'S HYMN: TEACH ME THY WAY, O LORD

Words & Music: Benjamin M. Ramsey, 1919

Teach me Thy way, O Lord, teach me Thy way!

Thy guiding grace afford, teach me Thy way!

Help me to walk aright, more by faith, less by sight;

Lead me with heav'nly light, teach me Thy way!

When I am sad at heart, teach me Thy way!

When earthly joys depart, teach me Thy way!

In hours of loneliness, in times of dire distress,

In failure or success, teach me Thy way!

When doubts and fears arise, teach me Thy way!

When storms o'erspread the skies, teach me Thy way!

Shine through the cloud and rain, through sorrow, toil and pain;

Make Thou my pathway plain, teach me Thy way!

Long as my life shall last, teach me Thy way!

Where'er my lot be cast, teach me Thy way!

Until the race is run, until the journey's done,

Until the crown is won, teach me Thy way!

>from CyberHymnal at

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/t/e/teachmet.htm

     GOD FAQ

Question 37: How did Christ, being the Son of God, become man?

Answer: Christ the Son of God became man, by taking to himself a true body, and a reasonable soul, being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost in the womb of the virgin Mary, of her substance, and born of her, yet without sin.

http://www.shortercatechism.com/

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

     ON PRAYER

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)

     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.

Su Doku (mind/number game)

http://www.sudoku.com/

Planarity (mind game)

http://www.planarity.net/

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.)

Peace starts with a smile.

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