"Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me."  Psalm 51:12 (NIV)

     CONSIDER

"The word of God is like a lion -- you don't have to defend it, just turn it loose."  Charles Spurgeon

     SEEING THE UNSEEN

by Forrest Weiland

"The story of Esther, like so many other accounts in the Bible, should encourage us to apply purposefully the eyes of faith to our lives.  As we do, we too will most likely see the One who is unseen, in ways and places never seen before...."  Read this article at

http://www.dts.edu/media/kindredspirit/article.aspx?id=216

     A RELEVANT AND VERY BRIEF REPORT

Zondervan>To The Point describes itself as "Your Mon-Fri 1-minute smart and fast scouting report that points you to news on the Web to start your day informed and prayerful about a pivotal happening, vital trend, leadership quality, important statistic, or insightful article you need to know to broaden your horizon and be effective in your Christian ministry."  Its objective is to "help you be a maven to the people in your sphere of influence and equip you to intentionally impact your world."  Try it out by subscribing at

http://www.zondervan.com/desk/emas.asp

     EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS & FACULTY

At Christian College Mentor, you'll find many resources to help a family member prepare for college and successfully move on to a career.  Plan for college, compare colleges, take campus tours, find a schedule of Christian college fairs and access helpful links and tips for financing a college education.  Visit the career center, ask an expert and find tips for success during and beyond college.  Council for Christian Colleges and Universities sponsors the site and also provides resources for both students and faculty. Its Resource Center "offers both original research from CCCU scholars and external resources for the benefit of CCCU faculty, administrators, trustees and students.  The Center provides national research and serves as a clearinghouse for individuals conducting their own research on various dimensions of Christian higher education."

http://www.christiancollegementor.org/

http://www.cccu.org/

     WHEEL OF FORTUNE

Five consonants and a vowel!  The bestselling book The Purpose-Driven Life appeared as a phrase on The Wheel of Fortune on Oct. 22!

     GOD QUOTE AT STARBUCKS

Coffee drinkers could get a spiritual jolt with their java in the spring when Starbucks begins putting a God-filled quote from Rick Warren, author of the mega-selling The Purpose-Driven Life, on its cups.  It'll be the first mention of God in the company's provocative quote campaign, The Way I See It.  In 2005, Starbucks is printing 63 quotes from writers, scientists, musicians, athletes, politicians and cultural critics on cups for company-run and licensed locations to carry on the coffeehouse tradition of conversation and debate.  Here's the quote:

"You are not an accident.  Your parents may not have planned you, but God did.  He wanted you alive and created you for a purpose. Focusing on yourself will never reveal your real purpose.  You were made by God and for God, and until you understand that, life will never make sense.  Only in God do we discover our origin, our identity, our meaning, our purpose, our significance and our destiny."

http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2005-10-19-starbucks-quote_x.htm

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

     NARNIA IS COMING

What Aslan of Narnia teaches us about Gods dangerous side

by Thomas Williams

http://www.pastors.com/article.asp?ArtID=8771

"Like all good art, [The Chronicles of Narnia] illumine a truth and enable us to see it vividly in some ways not merely to see it but to experience it. Narnia shows us the love of God so up close and personal that it's almost impossible not to respond."  Thomas C. Williams, The Heart of the Chronicles of Narnia

     DANFORTH HOLDS MIRROR TO RELIGIOUS-POLITICAL RIGHT, LEFT

While underscoring the importance of keeping the Episcopal Church an "inclusive" body of believers, former Sen. John Danforth in a speech cautioned National Cathedral conference-goers against becoming a "mirror image" of the Religious Right.

Danforth, an ordained minister, a former United Nations ambassador and a Republican, spoke at the opening plenary session of the "Values, Vision and the Via Media" conference, a three-day event designed to explore how moderate and progressive people of faith can make their voices heard in a national values debate that many believe has been usurped by conservative Christian groups....

Read this in full at

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/3577_68559_ENG_HTM.htm

     A BLESSING FOR YOU AS WE APPROACH 2006

Physical health: May you and those you love remain strong in body and free from disease.  May those who suffer from injury or illness recover quickly and completely. (3 John 1:2; Deuteronomy 7:15; Psalm 41:3)

     PRICEY CITIES!

Manhattan is the most expensive place to live in America, according to the latest analysis by Runzheimer International, the Wisconsin-based management consulting firm.  The study considered what a typical family of four with a combined annual income of $60,000 spends on average, and compares costs associated with maintaining a similar lifestyle in more than 300 locations across the nation.

At an annual cost of $146,060, Manhattan homeowners pay 137.9% more than the national average.  And it costs $12,173 more a year to live in Manhattan than to live similarly in San Francisco, according to Runzheimer.  The difference between the second and third locations, San Francisco and Los Angeles, is $16,161

http://www.runzheimer.com/Web/ALL/news.2005.10.18.aspx

Tokyo is most expensive city in the world

with London being the costliest in Europe

For the third year running, Japan's capital Tokyo is the world's most expensive city.  Osaka, the country's third-largest city, is in second place.  London, which occupied the number two spot in 2004, is placed third in 2005, followed by Moscow, which also drops one place.  Asuncion in Paraguay is the least expensive city in the world.

http://www.citymayors.com/features/cost_survey.html

     WORLD SERIES

October 22

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb

The price of a couples' day out to a championship series professional baseball game can range between $161.90 and $284.80, according to Runzheimer.  The price you'll spend for tickets, provided you can get your hands on a pair, parking, four hours of babysitting, and two hot dogs washed down with two beers varies greatly depending on who you're cheering on.  Of the four areas surveyed, the most expensive place to catch a game is Anaheim, Calif., and at $267.02, Chicago is a close second.  Houston and St. Louis trail in price, not necessarily in record, at $198.96 and $161.90 respectively.

http://www.runzheimer.com/Web/ALL/news.2005.10.12.aspx

     BASIC BIBLE DOCTRINE

The Doctrine of the Church (continued)

IV. The Structure of the Church

    Introduction

    The church is not merely an organization.  The universal church, as we have seen, is an "organism."  That is, the church is first of all a living spiritual unit -- the body of Christ.  But on a local level, churches must be organized to do God's will.  This discussion will survey the various views of church structure and make some biblical observations.

A. Major views of church structure

1. The hierarchical view - This view holds that the authority in local churches rests in "bishops" who oversee several local churches. The bishops then have authority over local ministers who they ordain and appoint, who in turn have authority over the congregation.

a. Roman Catholics, state churches (church of England, etc.), the Episcopal Church hold this view. Many other denominations also rely to some extent on authority from above and outside of the church.

b. Proponents use passages such as Acts 15:13ff; 1 Corinthians 4:17; 2 Corinthians 8:23 to support the view. Those passages describe how the apostles gave authority to others (Timothy, Titus, etc.). But never was that authority said to be passed on further.

2. The federal view - This view is also called "elder rule" because that's where the authority lies. Elders receive authority by being elected from the congregation or being appointed by fellow elders.

a. Presbyterians and Reformed groups hold this view (although they are organized on a denominational level as well). Many independent churches also follow this form to a large degree.

b. The scriptural support for the concept is found in the overall sense of authority invested in elders (1 Timothy 3:1-7; 5:17; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1-5, etc.).

3. The congregational view - This view holds that the congregation holds final authority on all matters. The pastor and other leaders are elected by the congregation to teach and lead but the congregation has authority over them.

a. To a greater or lesser degree most Protestant churches have some elements of the congregational view. Some churches (Independents, Baptists and others) adhere to it very strictly.

b. Proponents point to the fact that only Christ is above the congregation as "Head" of the church (Ephesians 5:23). They also point to the priesthood of believers (Hebrews 10:19-22; 1 Peter 2:5-9) and references to matters handled by the congregation (deacons selected - Acts 6:5; discipline - 1 Corinthians 5:1-5, etc.).

(continued next week)

http://www.bible.org/page.asp?page_id=424

     LEADERSHIP TIPS (BUSINESS, FAMILY, LIFE)

For more than two decades, Thomas E. Corts has served as President of Samford University, which during those years has become one of the nation's premier Christian universities.  Among the highlights of his Samford years are the purchase of a London study center, astounding growth in the endowment (from $8 million in 1983 to $258 million today), national recognition for Samford in such publications as U.S. News & World Report, construction of more than 30 new buildings, increases in overall and on-campus enrollment and progress in many other areas.  Earlier this year he announced plans to retire at the end of the 2005-06 academic year.  LeaderLinks editor Michael Duduit recently visited with Dr. Corts to discuss what he has learned about leadership while serving as a college president....

http://www.leaderlinks.com/feature20050901.htm

     VERSE TO PONDER

"I want you to trust me in your times of trouble, so I can rescue you and you can give me glory."  Psalm 50:14 (LB)

     MEDITATION

    He is my Altar, I His holy place;

    I am His guest, and He my living food;

    I'm His by penitence, He is mine by grace;

    I'm His by purchase, He is mine by blood;

    He's my supporting elm, and I His vine:

    Thus I my Best-beloved's am; thus He is mine.

    ... Francis Quarles (1592-1644)

     CHRISTIAN BOOK SUMMARY

A summary of A Generous Orthodoxy by Brian McLaren, a senior leader of the Emerging Church movement, is available online.  The Emerging Church movement, publicized and analyzed recently in the New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, an ABC documentary, and numerous cable television and radio shows, is gaining steam -- and a growing following.  People from diverse religious backgrounds and traditions are embracing it.  Detractors fear that this movement may be compromising on issues of biblical truth and cozying up with the post-modern culture too much for its own good.

"To be a Christian in the generous orthodox way," McLaren states in his book's introduction, "is not to claim to have the truth captured, stuffed, and mounted on a wall.  It is, rather, to live and grow in a loving community of people who are seeking the truth on the road of mission.  Do we have it -- have we taken hold of it?  Not fully, not yet, of course not.  But we keep seeking.  We're not finished.  That, to me, is orthodoxy -- a way of seeing and seeking, a way of living, a way of thinking and loving and learning that helps what we believe become more true over time, more resonant with the infinite glory that is God."

Read the summary at

http://www.christianbooksummaries.com

     WHAT NOT TO WATCH ON TV

Three Fox comedies, "The War at Home," "The Family Guy," and "American Dad," are among the worst prime-time shows for family viewing, according to the Parents Television Council.  PTC President L. Brent Bozell says, "The top three worst shows all contain crude and raunchy dialogue with sex-themed jokes and foul language.  Even worse is the fact that Hollywood is peddling its filth to families with cartoons like the 'Family Guy' and 'American Dad.'  These two shows have contained scenes in which characters are shown having s*x and topics such as m*sturbation, inc*st, b*stiality, and n*crophilia are routinely discussed."

Other shows cited include Fox's "The O.C.," "That '70s Show" and "Arrested Development," CBS shows "C.S.I.," "Cold Case," and "Two and Half Men," and ABC's "Desperate Housewives."

Read more at

http://www.parentstv.org/ptc/publications/release/2005/1019.asp

     FILMS TO LIFT THE SPIRIT

by Phil Boatwright

After this year's hurricane and flood catastrophes, the last thing many will want to see is a movie about apocalyptic misfortune.  But some films containing tragic themes also show how man, aided by faith and God's mercy, can persevere.  Here are 11 "disaster" films in which calamity is overridden by the triumph of the human spirit.

SAN FRANCISCO (1936) Clark Gable and Spencer Tracy.

THE GOOD EARTH (1937)

TITANIC (1953)

WAR OF THE WORLDS (1953)

A VOW TO CHERISH (1999)

THE SCARLET AND THE BLACK (1983)

THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES (1946)

THE CIVIL WAR. Ken Burns documentary.

ANNE FRANK REMEMBERED. (1995)

THE HIDING PLACE (1975)

OUR VINES HAVE TENDER GRAPES (1945) Edward G. Robinson and Margaret O'Brien.

Read more about these at

http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=21897

     CONSIDER

"Life's storms do not cause the weaknesses; they reveal them.  That's why in the good times, when we're well and the children are behaving and the bills are paid, this is the time to make sure of the solid construction of our lives, our faith, our relationship with the Lord.  Because sooner or later, the storm is coming."

     VERSE TO PONDER

"Jesus overheard and said, 'Don't be upset.  Just trust me and everything will be all right.'"  Luke 8:50 (MSG)

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

     THIS WEEK'S HYMN: A SHELTER IN THE TIME OF STORM

Words: Vernon J. Charlesworth, 1880

Music: Ira D. Sankey, 1885

The Lord's our Rock, in Him we hide,

A Shelter in the time of storm;

Secure whatever ill betide,

A Shelter in the time of storm.

Refrain

Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,

A weary land, a weary land;

Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,

A Shelter in the time of storm.

A shade by day, defense by night,

A Shelter in the time of storm;

No fears alarm, no foes afright,

A Shelter in the time of storm.

Refrain

The raging storms may round us beat,

A Shelter in the time of storm

We'll never leave our safe retreat,

A Shelter in the time of storm.

Refrain

O Rock divine, O Refuge dear,

A Shelter in the time of storm;

Be Thou our Helper ever near,

A Shelter in the time of storm.

>from CyberHymnal at

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/s/h/sheltime.htm

     GOD FAQ

Question 43: How does Christ execute the office of a prophet?

Answer: Christ executes the office of a prophet, in his revealing to the church, in all ages, by his Spirit and Word, in divers ways of administration, the whole will of God, in all things concerning their edification and salvation.

http://www.shortercatechism.com/

     ON PRAYER

"Pray the largest prayers.  You cannot think a prayer so large that God in answering it, will not wish you had made it larger.  Pray not for crutches but wings."  Phillips Brooks, 19th century 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).

[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.

What to do with a paper plate

http://analyzer.depaul.edu/paperplate/activities.htm

If you lived inside a water bottle, this is what you'd see

http://www.vrway.com/vrmag_issue_22_hotlist_fullscreen/fullscreen/VR000007222.html

A Pastor’s Halloween alternatives!?!

http://graceland.gentle.org/topten/topoct98.html

http://graceland.gentle.org/topten/0510top.html

http://graceland.gentle.org/topten/ween.html

http://graceland.gentle.org/whatcha/takejes.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.)

All of us could take a lesson from the weather.  It pays no attention to criticism.

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