MSM CONNECTIONS
For the week of 09/12
The Men’s Ministry e-mail newsletter of
Our mission: Our mission is to lead men to
Jesus Christ and provide opportunity for
Christian men to grow in their faith
and minister to others.
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MSM CONNECTIONS is the opt-in newsletter for the men of New Joy Divine Full Gospel Church. It's a periodic service that helps connect you with God and with other men at NJD. If you'd like its delivery to your email address stopped, scroll down and follow the instructions at the end of this message. Also let me know if you change your email address and want to keep subscribing to MSM CONNECTIONS.
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"Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble." Psalm 119:165 (NIV)
CONSIDER
"Above all, desire to please Christ; dread his disapproval above everything else." Rowland Croucher, Sunrise Sunset [1997]
NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS
MONTH
September is National Preparedness Month. Are you prepared for the next emergency? See resources at
http://www.emergencyemail.org/
AOL: <a href="http://www.emergencyemail.org/">click_here</a>
http://www.ChristianEmergencyNetwork.org
AOL: <a href="http://www.ChristianEmergencyNetwork.org">click_here</a>
AOL: <a href="http://www.cenkits.com">click_here</a>
AOL: <a href="http://www.Ready.gov">click_here</a>
AOL: <a href="http://www.alertsusa.com/">click_here</a>
ARE YOU A GOOD FRIEND?
by Gordon MacDonald
"Three years ago I traveled with three close men-friends to Switzerland and spent eight days walking the "wanderwegs" of the Alps. One of those walks was high above Grindelwald. It was a beautiful day, and our spirits soared in response to the alpine grandeur. And so did our self-confidence. Rather than take a pathway that was realistic in terms of length and difficulty for three men in their 60s and one in his 70s, we chose one requiring much greater exertion. Not smart.
"Three miles into the walk, my friend Al (the man in his seventies) became exhausted. Seriously so. Turning back was not an option. I proposed to the other men that they walk on ahead to the end of the trail and secure rooms for us in a berghaus (mountain hotel) since it would be impossible for us to return to our regular lodgings for the night. Al and I then sat down to plot our strategy.
"I suggested that we take 100 steps and rest for three minutes, another 100 steps and rest for three minutes. If we were going uphill, he would lead; if downhill, I would lead. This simple routine, I thought, would give order to our situation. Al agreed, and we started walking again, now very, very slowly. We had three miles to walk in 100-step increments, and it took almost five hour.
"Al and I walked arm in arm as two lovers might walk in the park. Most men are normally self-conscious about any kind of touching. But that day this was no an issue. I constantly spoke words of encouragement into the ear of my friend. I quoted Scripture, told stories, recalled sermons, intermittently prayed, frequently reminded him of experiences we'd shared over the years of our friendship. I thought of every word that described my friend, and I commented on each of them for him. Words like brave, quiet-spirited or humble, sacrificial, faithful, gentle, generous. Finally, just as darkness fell, we reached the berghaus the other men had found for us....."
Read the rest at
http://www.christianitytoday.com/leaders/newsletter/2004/cln40906.html
AOL: <a href="http://www.christianitytoday.com/leaders/newsletter/2004/cln40906.html">click_here</a>
CELEBRATING GRANDPARENTS
DAY WORLDWIDE
Sunday, September 12, is Grandparents Day, a special day to honor grandparents everywhere.
http://ChristianityToday.com/holidays/grandparents/
AOL: <a href="http://ChristianityToday.com/holidays/grandparents/">click_here</a>
http://www.retirementwithapurpose.com/family
AOL: <a href="http://www.retirementwithapurpose.com/family">click_here</a>
http://www.retirementwithapurpose.com/finalrules.html
AOL: <a href="http://www.retirementwithapurpose.com/finalrules.html">click_here</a>
http://www.ultimategrandparent.com/
AOL: <a href="http://www.ultimategrandparent.com/">click_here</a>
http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/s04090010.htm
AOL: <a href="http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/s04090010.htm">click_here</a>
CONSIDER
"The mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be kindled." Plutarch
SEE YOU AT THE POLE
September 15, youth from all 50 states (USA) and around the world will gather around flagpoles before school in prayer and public witness for Christ.
AOL: <a href="http://www.syatp.com/">click_here</a>
AOL: <a href="http://www.syatpcanada.com/">click_here</a>
http://www.christianitytoday.com/holidays/syatp/
AOL: <a href="http://www.christianitytoday.com/holidays/syatp/">click_here</a>
SEPTEMBER EVENTS
* September 10-12 - Bald is Beautiful Convention (Morehead City, NC)
http://members.aol.com/BaldUSA/join.htm
AOL: <a href="http://members.aol.com/BaldUSA/join.htm">click_here</a>
* September 14-19 - Ryder Cup Matches (Bloomfield Hills, MI)
AOL: <a href="http://www.pga.com/rydercup/">click_here</a>
* September 17-28 - Paralympic Games 2004 (Athens, Greece)
http://www.paralympic.org/release/Main_Sections_Menu/index.html
AOL: <a href="http://www.paralympic.org/release/Main_Sections_Menu/index.html">click_here</a>
* September 22 - 1st day of Autumn (Northern Hemisphere)
REVISITING THE PAGAN
OLYMPIC GAMES
Christianity was not entirely absent from this spectacular opening ceremony of the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. When 96% of your country's population identifies itself as Greek Orthodox, you had better represent the church in your rehearsal of national history. But the Christian faith got only a cameo in the sacred story spanning millennia. In a spectacle celebrating the human body and what it can do, why fete the religious prudes responsible for outlawing the Games more than 1,600 years ago?...
Read this article at
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2004/133/53.0.html
AOL: <a href="http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2004/133/53.0.html">click_here</a>
BORN AGAIN CHRISTIANS
JUST AS LIKELY TO DIVORCE AS ARE NON-CHRISTIANS
Did you know that people's religious faith appears to have no impact on whether a married person gets divorced? A just completed study by the Barna Research Group tracked a person's faith commitment, the age at which those who were born again accepted Christ as their savior, and the age at which those who got married eventually dissolved that marriage. You can read the conclusions of the study, regarding divorce rates among Christians and non-Christians, and people's attitudes about divorce, by going to
AOL: <a href="http://www.barna.org">click_here</a>
SANCTITY OF LIFE
The Most Dangerous Place for
Americans
In his book Real Homeland Security (Broadman & Holman), Richard Land writes, "When we allow human beings to be conceived and then killed to harvest their tissue at ten days of gestation for embryonic stem cell research, we have become biotech cannibals, devouring our young for our own benefit, and bringing upon ourselves the judgment of God. I can remember as a 12-year-old boy saying to my father and mother at the dinner table, 'Today in Sunday school we read about how God's chosen people, the Israelites, had become so sinful that they were taking their little infant babies down into the Valley of Gehenna and offering them up in child sacrifice to the pagan god Moloch.' Then I turned to my father and asked, 'Daddy, how could they do that?' My father replied, 'I don't know, boy. That's awful, isn't it?'
"It was simply unimaginable to those of us sitting around that dining room in Houston, Texas, in the late 1950s that we would live to see an America where there is a baby being killed by abortion every 20 seconds, 3 babies a minute, 180 babies an hour, 4,000 babies a day, every day. We've killed 1 out of every 3 babies conceived in America since 1973 - a 33% fatality rate. We didn't have a 33% fatality rate at Omaha Beach. We didn't have a 33% fatality rate at Iwo Jima. The Bible tells us that children are an inheritance from God, yet the most dangerous place for an American citizen is in his or her mother's womb, between conception and birth."
WHY MARRIAGE WAS
DESIGNED FOR MALE AND FEMALE
All societies have honored this special union that Christians, Jews, and Muslims rightly recognize to be a gift of the Creator. Even in an atheistic context like Russia during the Communist period, Muscovite couples were married with festal trappings at what passed for a sacred site, Lenin's tomb.
Our generation has introduced a tear in this universal fabric. Same-sex activists are clamoring for the state to grant homosexual couples marital status. These blows to the definition of marriage are landing not only in the North American civil sphere, but within churches. Theological arguments may not hold much sway in public debate, and there are certainly good social reasons for preserving the definition of marriage. But for the defense of marriage in both civil society and church, Christians must look to-and guard-the deep theological foundations of marriage....
Read this article in full at
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2004/009/11.36.html
AOL: <a href="http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2004/009/11.36.html">click_here</a>
VERSE TO PONDER
"I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow." Jeremiah 31:13b (NIV)
CONSIDER
"Follow the trail of your time, your affection, your energy, your money and your allegiance. At the end of that trail, you'll find a throne; and whatever, or whomever, is on that throne is what's of highest value to you. On that throne is what you worship."
(Louie Giglio, The Air I Breathe)
THE SPIRITUALITY OF WORK
by Don Whitney
Bill often wonders whether he is a second-class Christian because of the less-than-Christian atmosphere where he works. His occupation is good and necessary for society, but it's also one in which liars, cheats and thieves seem to flourish. Vulgar and blasphemous language typically fills the air of Bill's workplace.
For other believers, the problem at work is not a godless environment; it's the gnawing lack of meaning to their labor. They trudge through tedious days on a job that often feels intolerably unimportant.
Can followers of Jesus work in these conditions and still maintain a close relationship with Him? Or is the Lord somewhat disappointed in them because of where they work or what they do?
God ordained work. Before sin entered the world, "the Lord God took the man [Adam] and put him in the Garden of Eden to tend and keep it" (Genesis 2:15). All kinds of work -- paid and unpaid -- are necessary in the world for us "to subdue it" according to God's will (Genesis 1:28). People must grow food, care for children, make clothes, tend the sick, construct buildings and roads, transport goods, govern the cities and so forth.... Because God has ordained it, all work has a spiritual dimension....
Read the rest of this article at
http://www.bpnews.net/bpcolumn.asp?ID=1542
AOL: <a href="http://www.bpnews.net/bpcolumn.asp?ID=1542">click_here</a>
ON TRUTH
"Relativism has taken hold of our culture, but our response must never be to abandon truth. Rather, it should be to educate people as to why absolute truth is important. The very claim that there is no such thing as absolute truth is irrational. No one can live that way." (Lee Strobel)
CONSIDER
"We have been adopted as sons by the Lord with this one condition: that our life express Christ, the bond of our adoption. Accordingly, unless we give and devote ourselves to righteousness, we not only revolt from our Creator with wicked perfidy, but we also abjure our Savior Himself." John Calvin (1509-1564)
VERSE TO PONDER
"Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed." Psalm 57:1 (NIV)
THIS WEEK'S HYMN:
BLESSÈD ASSURANCE
Words: Fanny Crosby, 1873
Music: Phoebe P. Knapp, 1873
Blessèd assurance, Jesus is mine!
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.
Refrain
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior, all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior, all the day long.
Perfect submission, perfect delight,
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels descending bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.
Refrain
Perfect submission, all is at rest
I in my Savior am happy and blest,
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.
Refrain
>from CyberHymnal at
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/b/l/blesseda.htm
AOL: <a href="http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/b/l/blesseda.htm">click_here</a>
PROTECT YOUR HEART
In light of President Clinton's recent heart surgery, here are a few links to help you in your own healthy-heart info search:
Heart and Vascular Disease Info
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/
AOL: <a href="http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/">click_here</a>
10 Tips for a Heart Healthy Refrigerator
http://www.healthyfridge.org/tips.html
AOL: <a href="http://www.healthyfridge.org/tips.html">click_here</a>
Five Steps to a Healthy Heart
http://www.bhf.org.uk/hearthealth/index.asp?SecID=1&secondlevel=78
AOL: <a href="http://www.bhf.org.uk/hearthealth/index.asp?SecID=1&secondlevel=78">click_here</a>
ON PRAYER
"Prayer is not a formula, but a life. Only when we have learned how to live prayer, breathe prayer, be prayer-only then will the power available through prayer be consistently manifested on the earth. God has ordained that prayer will be the conduit through which His intervening, earth-changing power flows from heaven to earth. Prayer is what sets God's will in motion on the earth."
Jennifer Kennedy Dean, prayer speaker and author
CRITICAL PRAYER
REQUESTS FOR STRATEGIC NATIONS
We're praying for our fellow believers in a different nation each week.
Please pray for...PAKISTAN
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/pk.html
AOL: <a href="http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/pk.html">click_here</a>
The Church has grown despite many social disadvantages. Many Christians live in deep poverty and on the margins of society but the last two decades have shown a distinct improvement through the emphasis on education with more embarking on professional careers. Pray for:
a) Revival. Lack of teaching, poverty and illiteracy have hastened the lowering of spiritual standards, nominalism, corruption and the practice of occultism among those who profess to be Christian. There has been little significant conversion growth for several decades except among the Mawaris and Koli in the Sindh desert.
b) Spiritual leadership in the churches. There has been a tragic history of leadership struggles, court cases, factionalism and divisions in some denominations. Pray that they may be models of spirituality and godliness.
c) Courage to share their faith with non-Christians. Everything conspires to make Christians fearful, introspective and silent, yet despite the negatives, there is a considerable degree of freedom to openly share the gospel. Only a few have a burden for reaching Muslims. OM teams have challenged many believers to become involved in outreach - pray that this challenge may affect whole congregations.
d) Unity. PEACE is the Pakistan Evangelical Alliance formed to encourage mission and evangelism. Pray that it may also bring about greater unity.
e) A missionary vision. Some Pakistani believers have started fellowship groups in a number of Middle Eastern lands, some with an outreach to non-Christians but there is much fragmentation in the work. Pray for those involved in such ministry, which is often at considerable personal risk.
http://www.gmi.org/ow/index.html
AOL: <a href="http://www.gmi.org/ow/index.html">click_here</a>
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).
PRAY FOR THESE BROTHERS
* Bro. Johnie Gray
* Bro. Jack Pratt
* Bro. Lester Wilkerson
* Pastor Marvin Gray, Sr.
* Minister Timothy Pulliam
* Bro. Patrick Wilkerson
* Bro. James Green
* Pastor Arnold Pulliam
[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.
SHARE YOUR FAVORITE
WEBSITES
Tell us what sites you find enjoyable and why.
Remember 9/11
http://www.gospelcom.net/content/911/
AOL: <a href="http://www.gospelcom.net/content/911/">click_here</a>
http://www.911remembrance.com/
AOL: <a href="http://www.911remembrance.com/">click_here</a>
http://ChristianityToday.com/todayschristian/special/calltopray.html
AOL: <a href="http://ChristianityToday.com/todayschristian/special/calltopray.html">click_here</a>
http://www.joygreetings.com/september11.shtml
AOL: <a href="http://www.joygreetings.com/september11.shtml">click_here</a>
http://www.joygreetings.com/tributelight.shtml
AOL: <a href="http://www.joygreetings.com/tributelight.shtml">click_here</a>
http://members.cox.net/classicweb/Heroes/heroes.htm
AOL: <a href="http://members.cox.net/classicweb/Heroes/heroes.htm">click_here</a>
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.)
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning. Great is His faithfulness.
Min. Frank Coleman, Editor
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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
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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:
AOL: <a href="http://www.newjoydivine.org/">click_here</a>
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