MSM CONNECTIONS
For the week of 10/24/04
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
===== /\ =====
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.
===== /\ =====
"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life." 1 Timothy 6:17-19 (NIV)
CONSIDER
"I don't ask God to bless what I do. I pray He will help me to do what He blesses." Bob Pierce, founder and president, World Vision
CONFESSIONS OF A CRANKY
CULTURE-WATCHER
by Dick Staub
Suddenly everybody is talking about movies, music, games and their influence on culture and popular culture's "potential" for gospel sharing. We're all getting sensitized to the spiritual messages in popular culture and hapless pastors are figuring out how to load movie clips in PowerPoint.
I find myself in countless conversations with enthusiastic Christians lacking the tools and vocabulary to adequately understand their faith or its relationship with culture. With all the enthusiasm about "faith and culture" we ought to look at a sequence of issues that should be part of our discussion. I hope the following checklist represents love and not the expulsions of a cranky old culture-watcher. We ought to understand:
1) The nature of popular culture (diversionary, mindless, celebrity-driven), modern technology, media, marketing and economic drivers; this should curb our appetite and move us away from cultural gluttony....
Read this commentary in full at
WORLD SERIES
It's the Boston Red Sox vs. the St. Louis Cardinals!
BASEBALL AS TOLD BY THE
KING JAMES VERSION BIBLE
The people gathered (Numbers 11.32) to see the battle (1 Sam.14.28) and sat down to eat and drink (Ex. 32.6) old corn...and (Joshua 15.12) sweet water. (James 3.11)
Eli sat upon a seat by a post (1 Sam.1.9) and he stretched himself (1 Kgs. 17.21) that he may see good. (Ps. 34.12) So the people shouted (Joshua 6.20) "Where are the nine? (Luke 17.17) Let the young men now arise and play before us." (2 Sam. 2.14)
The first came out (Gen. 25.25) and went into the field (Num. 22.23) and stood every man in his place. (Jdg. 7.21) And Peter called, (Mk. 14.72) whether it be good or bad. (Lev. 27.12) As one mocketh, another do (Job 13.9) with loud voices (Lk. 2323) "Thou art blind!" (Rev. 3.17) And he stooped to (1 Sam. 28.4) make clean...the platter. (Lk. 11.39) And the trumpeters sounded (2 Chron. 29.28) "Kohath shall pitch." (Num. 3.29) And Samson went and caught. (Jdg. 154) David was up (2 Sam. 24.11) on the left side (Eze. 1.10) and he struck it into the pan (1 Sam. 2.14) foul. (Matt. 16.3) The second was offered; (Jdg. 6.28) he striketh-- (Job 34.26) he missed! (1 Sam. 20.18) On the third (Gen. 22.4) he struck him out! (2 Sam. 20.10) So Levite went in; (Jdg. 17.10) he stood and measured the earth; he beheld, and drove (Hab. 3.6) for an homer. (Hos. 3.2) And all the people shouted with a great shout. (Ezra 3.11) And Noah went in, (Gen. 7.7) and did fly (2 Sam. 22.11) into the field. (Num. 22.23) And Jotham ran away (Jdg.9.21) and looking back (Lk. 9.62) gathered it. (Isa. 62.9) And Aaron went in, (Ex. 5.1) and he worketh it (Isa. 44.12) two and two. (Gen. 7.9) And Samson said (Jdg. 15.3) "Strike it!" (Ex. 12.7) And Aaron spake (Ex. 4.30) "A good man would (Rom. 5.7) be not one of them that strike." (Prov. 22.26) And the man refused to smite. (1 Kgs 20.35) And Aaron took, (Numbers 16.47) and he walked. (1 Kgs. 15.3) Amon sacrificed (2 Chron. 33.22) and Aaron ran (Num. 16.47) into the second, (Heb. 9.7) and overran! (2 Sam. 18.23) And with the bag (Micah 6.11) afar off-- (Gen. 22.4) a good man out. (Matt. 12.35)
And it came to pass on second (Lk. 6.1) Job caught (Job 38.5) the line (1 Kgs. 2.28) and threw (2 Sam. 16.13) at the first; (Gen. 13.4) Therefore David ran and stood upon (1 Sam. 17.51) the first, (Gen. 13.4) put forth his hand, and caught (Ex. 4.4) the toss. (Jer. 5.22) This is the second death. (Rev. 20.14) Then Joseph could not refrain himself, and he cried (Gen. 45.1) "Goodness, if thou continue in (Rom. 11.22) going down, (Gen. 15.12) our hope is lost (Eze. 37.11) and my garments (Isa. 63.3) and job." (Job 32.3)
And Abram went up (Gen. 13.1) and Abram drove (Gen. 15.11) into the air (Acts 22.23). And Judah came in (Gen. 38.8) under it, (Dan. 4.14) and through idleness of the hands (Eccl. 10.18) the fly (Isa. 7.18) droppeth through (Eccl. 10.18) giving him a double. (Lev. 21.17) Abraham took wood and (Gen. 22.6) caught hold of (2 Sam. 18.9) an hard (Matt. 25.24) and high (Rev. 21.12) delivery (Isa. 26.17) and smote it (Jdg. 7.13) into left. (Lev. 14.15) Thus and thus (Jdg. 18.4) Israel fought against (Josh. 10.29) the Philistines (1 Sam. 19.8) till the ninth. (Lev. 25.22) For each, one (Num. 7.3) in the first, (Jer. 25.1) and seven times (Lev. 25.8) after that they (Eccl. 9.3) gathereth eggs. (Isa. 10.14)
In the ninth, (1 Kgs. 25.1) Israel went out (1 Kgs. 20.21) in a row, (1 Kgs. 7.3) and none came in. (1 Sam. 18.13) He sent divers sorts of flies among them (Ps. 78.45) and they caught them every one. (2 Sam. 2.6) The first man (1 Cor. 15.45) for the Philistines (1 Sam. 28.15) drew the third, (Rev. 12.4) and the fourth (Dt. 28.20) came to the outside; (Jdg. 7.19) he walketh. (Job 22.14) The pitcher (Eccl. 12.6) climbed up upon (1 Sam. 14.13) the mount (Dt. 1.7) and pitched. (Ex. 19.2) And Moses put it on a pole (Num. 21.9) for an homer, (Hos. 3.2) and Israel was beaten. (2 Sam. 2.17)
And behold, the man clothed with linen, which had the inkhorn by his side, reported the matter (Eze. 9.11) and wrote it in a book. (1 Sam. 10.25)
WHAT DID SHAKESPEARE
BELIEVE?
Despite the immense popularity and influence of his literary works, we know surprisingly few details about William Shakespeare's life. Questions about Shakespeare's religion in particular have plagued historians: was the playwright, who lived during a time of great religious turbulence, a Catholic? What can we infer about his religious experiences and ideas from his works? A recent article in the Chronicle of Higher Education sums up the latest scholarship in this area, and illuminates a part of Shakespeare's life -- his religious faith--that has long been shrouded by uncertainty.
http://chronicle.com/free/v51/i06/06a01601.htm
THIS DAY IN HISTORY
October 31, 1941 -- South Dakota's Mount Rushmore National Memorial is completed.
http://www.nps.gov/moru/index.htm
PRESIDENTIAL
CONVERSATIONS ON THE U.S. CONSTITUTION
Former Presidents Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, and George H.W. Bush discuss the historic events that defined their terms in office in "Presidential Conversations on the Constitution," a new radio series by National Public Radio and public television stations.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4062803
CHRISTIAN SERIES
PRIMARY FOCUS SET TO AIR NATIONALLY ON PBS
Perhaps for the first time in broadcasting history, a Christian television series, Back To God Hour's highly rated magazine program Primary Focus, is launching on PBS stations across the United States. The show's senior producer, Mona Hennein, says PBS stations like the program for its positive message. The show's producers also say that it breaks away from traditional preaching programs, using compelling stories and interviews to look at the "hope and healing people find in their faith." Hennein believes that the PBS commitment to carry the show is a strong indication that such programming is needed on television.
Calvin Bremer, Back to God Hour executive director and host of Primary Focus, says the program is intended to "reach people who have no connection with a church." He describes the programs as "pre-evangelical," adding that they are "targeted to help viewers see how the Christian faith offers real solutions to life's problems." Upcoming shows deal with witchcraft, mind games, prostitution, school bullies, and other relevant topics.
PBS affiliate WGVU-TV/Grand Rapids, MI, is the presenting station for Primary Focus. The station's program manager, Carrie Corbin, has been working with Hennein for almost six months to prepare the series for its launch on public television stations nationwide. According to Hennein, Corbin is a very large proponent of the program. For the past five years, television viewers have been able to watch Primary Focus on Christian television networks and stations in the U.S. and Canada. During the last year it also became available on FOX, UPN, NBC, and ABC stations. The move to public television is an opportunity to reach an entirely new audience.
THE MOST IMPORTANT
ENDEAVOR
"The New Testament offers a picture of God, who does not sound at all vague. He has sent His Son to earth. He has distinct plans for each of us personally and can communicate directly with us. We are capable of forming a direct relationship, individually with Him, and are commanded to try. We are told that this can be done only through his son. And we are offered the prospect of eternal life -- an afterlife in happy, blissful or glorious circumstances if we live this life in a certain manner. Friends, if I believed that, or even a tenth of that, how could I care which version of the prayer book is used?
I would drop my job, sell my house, throw away all my possessions, leave my acquaintances and set out into the world burning with desire to know more and, when I had found more, to act upon it and tell others. Far from being puzzled that the Mormons and Adventists should knock on the door, I am unable to understand how anyone who believed that (which) is written in the Bible could choose to spend their waking hours in any other endeavour.'" Matthew Parris)
MAKE AT LEAST ONE
MISTAKE A WEEK
by Rick Warren
It's not uncommon for me to remind the leaders at Saddleback Church that they have my permission to make at least one mistake a week. I tell this to staff members and to lay leaders, explaining periodically that it's OK to make mistakes – provided they're not making the same mistakes over and over again each week.
Now, obviously, I don't want the leaders at Saddleback to fall into sloppy habits, but I do want them to feel free to fail because that means they'll also feel free to take risks! My point is that, if you're not making mistakes, then you're probably not trying anything new. And, if you're not trying anything new, then you're not learning, and if you're not learning, then you and your ministry will quickly be out-of-date, perhaps even irrelevant.
The secret to being innovative is not being afraid to fail. So, let me encourage you to take risks in your ministry. Don't be afraid to try different methods or to think way out of the box. The great inventor, Thomas Edison, saw mistakes in a positive light, saying they taught you the things that won't work, freeing you to discover what will succeed. Edison moved on from mistakes and failures, inventing, among many things, the light bulb.
Few great things have ever been accomplished without risk-taking, and we need to teach our leaders, and our members, to take risks in their ministry for Christ. One reason this is so critical to your ministry is that it ties into faith-building. In other words, "risk-taking" is an expression of faith, and a godly "risk-taker" is being faithful in his service to God.
Will we believe God for big things? If the answer is "yes," then we automatically become godly "risk-takers" -- men and women who trust God and live by faith and not by sight. When we teach our people to take risks, we are teaching them to develop faith in God....
Read this commentary in full at
http://www.bpnews.net/bpcolumn.asp?ID=1581
VERSE TO PONDER
"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV)
CONSIDER
"Reputation is what men and women think of us. Character is what God and the angels know of us." Thomas Paine
CHRISTIANS JUST AS
LIKELY TO DIVORCE AS NON-CHRISTIANS
A study released by The Barna Group shows that the likelihood for divorce is identical among born-again Christians and those who are not Christians. The study also shows that most Americans reject the idea that divorce is a sin. Read about it at
http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdateNarrow&BarnaUpdateID=170
'WEAKENING' MARRIAGE
ATTITUDES HURT CHILDREN
Americans value marriage more for romance than child-rearing, and the result is less stability for children, according to a 2003 study by Rutgers University. "Though most adults continue to prize marriage and to seek it for themselves, children are less able to count on their parents' marriage as the secure foundation for their family lives," the report says.
The study, part of an annual initiative from the National Marriage Project, finds that increases in divorce rates, out-of-wedlock births, and unmarried cohabitation have contributed to high percentages of children growing up in volatile families. An estimated 40% of children today will live in a cohabiting household sometime during their developing years, the Rutgers study says.
In a recent international comparison, 70% of Americans disagreed with the statement that "the main purpose of marriage is having children," while 51% of Norwegians and 45% of Italians said the same. Among Americans ages 20-29, the numbers reached almost 80%.
According to the study, titled "The Social Health of Marriage in America," the decline of attention to children in a marriage has contributed to the weakening of marriage as a whole. Whereas people used to look for a potential spouse who displayed qualities conducive to future parenting, now single adults tend to evaluate partners based on more exacting, emotional requirements. The report says the dichotomy between adult desires for intimacy and privacy with their "soul mate" and the children's needs for security and attention causes tension in the marriage and can lead to high levels of discord.
Many young people have foregone marriage altogether, opting either to remain single or to choose unmarried cohabitation. Since 1960, the number of cohabiting couples with children has increased by 850%, and roughly half of unmarried women ages 25-29 have lived or currently live with a partner.
David Popenoe, co-director of the project, says homes with two married parents provide the best environment for children. "If you look at studies and compare child outcomes from a single-parent family to those with a two-parent family, the children in the second group have lower levels of emotional distress and anxiety," Popenoe says.
http://marriage.rutgers.edu/Publications/SOOU/SOOU2003.pdf
THE FLOODGATES OPEN:
COLUMNIST PROMOTES POLYGAMY
by R. Albert Mohler Jr.
Readers of USA Today Oct. 4 must have been shocked to read Jonathan Turley's article promoting the legalization of polygamy. Then again, it's becoming harder and harder to shock the American people. In any event, the article serves to prove the point that acceptance of homosexual "marriage" will open the floodgates to the normalization of any and all sexual relationships.
Jonathan Turley, Shapiro Professor of Public Interest Law at George Washington Law School, is a well-known legal scholar. Indeed, he is one of America's foremost constitutional specialists, whose face became familiar to most Americans through media coverage of the Clinton sex scandals and the former president's impeachment trial. Turley offers a voice of professorial reason, and he has not been closely identified with social activism. Nevertheless, in his USA Today article, he presents a forceful case for the legalization of polygamy.
In the background is a case out of Utah which may lead the U.S. Supreme Court to review the right of states to criminalize polygamy. The plaintiff in that case, Tom Green, is a Utah polygamist who has been convicted in Utah, but has now appealed to the Supreme Court, citing the court's 2003 Lawrence v. Texas decision which struck down laws criminalizing sodomy. As Turley sees it, laws against polygamy run counter to the logic of the Constitution and lack credibility in today's context of sexual revolution. "Individuals have a recognized constitutional right to engage in any form of consensual sexual relationship with any number of partners," Turley argues. "Thus, a person can live with multiple partners and even sire children from different partners so long as they do not marry. However, when that same person accepts a legal commitment for those partners 'as a spouse,' we jail them."
The professor's logic makes sense -- if we accept his premise that citizens have "a recognized constitutional right" to engage in any form of consensual sex with any number of partners, without respect to gender.........
Read this commentary in full at
http://www.bpnews.net/bpcolumn.asp?ID=1578
CONSIDER
Evangelist Dwight L. Moody defined character as "what you are in the dark." When we cultivate the inner person and live to glorify Christ, our values change, and our priorities change with them.
VERSE TO PONDER
"Jesus said, 'You're asking the wrong question. You're looking for someone to blame. There is no such cause-effect here. Look instead for what God can do.'" John 9:3 (Msg)
THIS WEEK'S HYMN: A
MIGHTY FORTRESS IS OUR GOD
Words & Music: Martin Luther, 1529
A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing:
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.
Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing;
Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God's own choosing:
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth, His Name, from age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.
And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us:
The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure,
One little word shall fell him.
That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him Who with us sideth:
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;
The body they may kill: God's truth abideth still,
His kingdom is forever.
>from CyberHymnal at
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/m/i/mightyfo.htm
UNSELFISH SERVING
"Jesus makes it clear in John 13:1-11 that it's much more profitable to wash dirty feet than to expose them. He certainly was right in all ways, and he had the right to expose all the wrongness in the room. He chose, instead, to cling to the right to serve others, to put the needs of others before his own liberties." Steve Petitt, One In Christ Ministries
ON PRAYER
"God does nothing but by prayer, and everything with it." John Wesley
CRITICAL PRAYER
REQUESTS FOR STRATEGIC NATIONS
We're praying for our fellow believers in a different nation each week.
Please pray for...SOUTH AFRICA
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/sf.html
Challenges for South African Christians. Pray for:
a. Adaptability in the face of rapid social change. South Africa has become a pluralist society and Christians are no longer tied to the power structures. Denominations and congregations that cannot adapt are losing people -- many traditional and even evangelical denominations are in decline.
b. A prophetic voice for the Church in a society that no longer holds to moral absolutes, and where the post-Christian worldview holds centre stage in the media and has pushed through legalization of abortion, p*rnography, prostitution and gambling. Homosexuality is actively promoted.
c. Deep reconciliation. Evangelicals were reluctant to challenge the evils of apartheid. There still remain divisions and unfinished business. A number of denominations, including the NGK, AFM, Full Gospel and Baptists have gone through painful periods of dealing with the past. There has been the formation of a united evangelical voice in the launch of The Evangelical Alliance of South Africa in 1995. There is, however, a long way to go before trust and understanding are built, and meaningful cooperation developed across cultural barriers. Pray that the whole Church may be able to lay the sad past to rest and envision the future together.
d. Revival in mainline denominations. While there is much spiritual life, there is also much traditionalism, nominalism and 'churchianity' in the Dutch Reformed family of churches, Anglicans, Methodists and others.
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).
PRAY FOR THESE BROTHERS
* Pastor Marvin Gray, Sr.
* Bro. Lester Wilkerson
* Bro. James Green
* Minister Timothy Pulliam
* Bro. Patrick Wilkerson
* Minister Tony Hampton
* Pastor Arnold Pulliam
* Bro. Gerald Williams
* Bro. Damien Robinson
* Bro. Needle Wilson
[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.
Recognizing the Role of the Rook in Chess
http://www.dummies.com/WileyCDA/DummiesArticle/id-988.html
What your desktop icons do when you're away!
http://www.rio.com.br/animation/iconstory.htm
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.)
Are you God's child? Is there a family resemblance?
===== /\ =====
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 mailto:[email protected] with
"subscribe MSM" in the subject line.
To unsubscribe, send a message to mailto:[email protected][email protected]
with "unsubscribe MSM" in the subject line.