MSM CONNECTIONS
For the week of 07/25
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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"Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen." Hebrews 13:20-21 (TNIV)
CONSIDER
O for a closer walk with God,
A calm and heavenly frame,
A light to shine upon the road
That leads me to the Lamb
Return, O holy Dove, return,
Sweet messenger of rest!
I hate the sins that made Thee mourn
And drove Thee from my breast
The dearest idol I have known,
Whate'er that idol be,
Help me to tear it from Thy throne,
And worship only Thee.
So shall my walk be close with God,
Calm and serene my frame;
So purer light shall mark the road
That leads me to the Lamb.
... William Cowper (1731-1800)
9/11 COMMISSION SUBMITS ITS FINAL REPORT
The bipartisan commission investigating the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks has released its 585-page final report. Read it at
http://www.9-11commission.gov/
<a href="http://www.9-11commission.gov/"> Or click here</a>
LARRY KING LIVE
Quadriplegic Christian author, artist, singer, speaker Joni Eareckson Tada is scheduled to be Larry King's exclusive interview August 3, 2004. Watch for it.
http://www.joniandfriends.org/
<a href="http://www.joniandfriends.org/"> Or click here</a>
DOES GOD NEED OUR HELP,
LOVE, AND PRAISE?
"...Why did God create the world if he did not need it? Did he create out of a sense of sheer power? The biblical answer is that God was motivated by love and not by inner need (John 3:16; 1 John 4:8). It is the nature of love to give and to share, and creation reflects the superabundance and overflowing nature of God as love...."
Read the answer to this question in full at
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2004/007/33.62.html
<a href="http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2004/007/33.62.html"> Or click here</a>
'PHRASE' THE LORD
Why sounding 'spiritual' can be hazardous to your faith.
By Randall J. VanderMey
"Suppose all Christians wore uniforms -- didn't have to, but did anyhow simply because they saw other Christians wearing them and figured it must be the Christian way. Once that trend got started, we would know they were Christians by their -- love? No, by their bow ties and little beanies.
"I know, that's silly. But have you noticed Christians sometimes wear funny little verbal "uniforms?" They're otherwise known as Christian clichés, Christian lingo, Christianese, Christian jargon or God talk. As a Christian and a college English professor, I've spent much of my life surveying our spiritual uses -- and abuses -- of language. Consequently, I've become both fascinated and uneasy about the curious ways we communicate our faith to one another and to God. What do I mean?..."
Read this in full at
http://www.newmanmag.com/article.php?sid=545&mode=thread&order=0
<a href="http://www.newmanmag.com/article.php?sid=545&mode=thread&order=0"> Or click here</a>
WOMB-WALKING ULTRASOUND
Check out this powerful image: a 12-week-old unborn child walking in its mother's womb. The photo is from one of the new 3D/4D ultrasound scans, this one from the Create Health London Clinic, where Stuart Campbell is compiling the book Watch Me Grow. (Other photos and videos from Create Health are available here as well.)
Go to
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2004/127/41.0.html
<a href="http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2004/127/41.0.html"> Or click here</a>
THE 100 MOST IMPORTANT AMERICAN
MUSICAL WORKS OF THE 20TH
CENTURY
Throughout the year 2000, NPR presented the stories behind 100 of the most important American musical works of the 20th century. These special features cover music from a wide variety of genres -- classical, jazz, rock'n'roll, country, R&B, musical theatre and film scores. NPR 100 stories aired on All Things Considered, Morning Edition, and NPR's weekend news magazine programs. If you're interested in music, go to
http://www.npr.org/programs/specials/vote/list100.html
<a href="http://www.npr.org/programs/specials/vote/list100.html"> Or click here</a>
FATHERING THE HEART
By Pat Morley & David Delk
"'My son is getting straight A's,' boasted John's dad. 'He's a starter on the football team, and, best of all, he isn't into earrings, tattoos, and all that weirdness. He's not like so many kids today.' What's wrong with this picture? Maybe nothing, but maybe a lot. Too many Christian dads concern themselves primarily with how their children perform. As long as their children perform well -- doing okay in school, looking clean-cut, saying "please" and "thank you" -- these fathers believe everything's fine. Yet the Bible says, "Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7).
"When we father for performance, our discipline becomes a way to get our children to stop doing something we don't want them to do. We establish rules and punishments to get our children to conform....
"By contrast, when we father the heart, we seek to go beyond what our children do to why they do it. Rewards and punishment have a place, but only as they focus on changing the core affections of a child's heart....
|
FATHERING FOR PERFORMANCE |
FATHERING THE HEART |
|
Emphasis on conformity |
Emphasis on transformation |
|
Atmosphere of fear |
Atmosphere of safety |
|
Parental control |
Freedom within boundaries |
|
Focus on present performance |
Focus on future development |
|
Playing a role |
Being authentic |
|
Coming down on our children |
Coming alongside our children |
|
Surface interaction |
True communication |
|
Assumes the worst |
Believes the best |
|
Status quo |
Growth and change |
|
Pronouncements from on high |
Questions and discussion |
|
Uses people, "business relationship" |
Intimacy and vulnerability |
Read this article in full at
http://www.maninthemirror.org/email/alm/106/106.htm
<a href="http://www.maninthemirror.org/email/alm/106/106.htm"> Or click here</a>
LOVE THAT LASTS
If you're a terrible communicator ... a little talking -- and a lot of listening -- will do wonders for your marriage.
Q: My wife says I'm a lousy communicator. She says that if I learned how to communicate well, many of our problems would disappear. What do you think?
A: Your wife sounds like a wise woman. I tell couples that almost all of their conflicts would be resolved if each partner would seek to understand before being understood.
Listening is basic to learning. Listening consumes more of our time than reading, speaking and writing combined. When you consider this fact, it should not come as a surprise to realize that good listening is a must for every successful marriage.
Every spouse who feels cherished by his or her mate will tell you that they feel taken care of primarily because their spouse listens to them. Listening is love in action. Nowhere is it more appropriate than in marriage, yet many couples never truly listen to one another....
Read the rest of Dr. Les Parrott's advice at
http://www.newmanmag.com/article.php?sid=481
<a href="http://www.newmanmag.com/article.php?sid=481"> Or click here</a>
AMERICA'S HEART AND
SOUL
"More than 10 years in the making, the movie America's Heart and Soul crisscrosses the nation profiling everyday people doing what they do every day. People like Roudy Roudebush, the last cowboy in Telluride, Colorado -- and the first of 24 vignettes that make up this film. Roudy fits the gruff cowboy stereotype to a tee, complete with bushy mustache and a horse he actually rides into his local saloon (to drink water; he's a recovering alcoholic). Admittedly, I could feel the cynicism building in my esophagus. "C'mon! A cowboy? Puh-leese." But when the camera captured Roudy riding along the ridge of his mountain ranch I was confronted with a scene so beautiful I couldn't help but give into the slightly sappy Americana. "These mountains are an inspiration to me on a daily basis. You feel deep roots when you live on the Continental Divide for 30 years. It's the backbone of America and maybe it makes me strong just looking at it." So much for the snark.....
Read this movie review in full at
http://www.christianitytoday.com/movies/reviews/americasheartandsoul.html
<a href="http://www.christianitytoday.com/movies/reviews/americasheartandsoul.html"> Or click here</a>
MICHELANGELO AND THE
POPE'S CEILING
In this book author Ross King tells the story of the painting of the ceiling of the Sistine and of two men at the center of the endeavor: the artist and the pope who commissioned the work. The reviewer finds the book to be quite a good read.
http://www.csmonitor.com/2003/0116/p15s02-bogn.html
<a href="http://www.csmonitor.com/2003/0116/p15s02-bogn.html "> Or click here</a>
AWL FOR THE GOOD
In 1809, Simon Renee Braille and his wife Monique welcomed their fourth child into the world -- a lively boy named Louis. They lived in a small stone house near Paris where Braille was the local harness maker. Leather working tools are dangerous, so the toddler had been instructed not to go into his father's shop alone.
But when Louis was still small, he slipped into the shop, and with curiosity started to handle all the fascinating tools. As Louis was inspecting an awl, the sharp tool used to punch holes in leather, he slipped and punctured a part of his eye with the tool. The injured eye became infected. The little boy could not keep his hands from rubbing and scratching the wound, and soon the infection spread to his other eye as well. When Louis was only 4, he became completely blind.
Louis was fortunate enough to study at the Royal Institution for Blind Youth in Paris. He excelled as an organist, and at twelve years old began asking the question "How can the blind read?" Over his summer break at home, Louis was determined to find the answer. As He moved and groped around his father's shop in search of the right tool for his task, the awl presented itself as perfect for the job. The awl would make the raised dots he had seen in the French military system of "night writing."
And with the very instrument that had blinded him, Louis worked and worked until he had created a system of dots whereby the blind could read and write, work math problems and compose music.
What is your awl -- the thing that has crippled you, either by your own doing like young Louis, or someone else's? Is it a divorce, the death of someone you love, a lost career? Let God take it, and use it in your life for good -- to reshape you or comfort others.
(Source: SermonCentral staff. Citation: Joseph E. Sullivan. "Louis Braille." http://www.braillerman.com/louis.htm
<a href="http://www.braillerman.com/louis.htm"> AOL users click here</a>
GET HEALTHY, PLEASE GOD
God loves you even if you eat Twinkies, says author Ben Lerner, but there are better ways to honor Him. Soon after its publication in November of 2003, "Body by God" by Dr. Ben Lerner, a Florida-based chiropractor, Olympic trainer, and motivational speaker, hit the Wall Street Journal and New York Times bestseller lists. The book includes a holistic and faith-centered fitness, nutrition, and stress-reduction program that combines scientific research with Lerner's interpretation of the Bible. The key to a healthy lifestyle, he writes, is sustaining ourselves the way he believes God intended us to; for example: choosing "foods by God" -- fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats-over "foods by man" -- heavily processed or refined foods, items with preservatives and chemicals. Lerner believes it's a separation from God (in terms of diet, exercise, and spirituality) that leads people to illness, stress, and obesity. Read this interview at
http://www.beliefnet.com/story/148/story_14823_1.html
<a href="http://www.beliefnet.com/story/148/story_14823_1.html"> AOL users click here</a>
VERSE TO PONDER
"He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8 (NIV)
CONSIDER
"I'm convinced that we can't build into our people what we don't have in our lives -- personal holy character. Effective ministry to people grows out of intimate experiences with God."
Jerry Bridges, quoted in Pastors at Greater Risk (Regal, 2003)
A NEW LIGHT
One of the greatest tragedies for people would be to live in darkness when they could live in the light... Rose Crawford had been blind for 50 years. Then she had an operation in an Ontario hospital. She said, "I just can't believe it," as the doctor lifted the bandages from her eyes. She wept -- when for the first time in her life she saw a dazzling and beautiful world of form and color greeted her eyes and she could now see.
The amazing thing about her story, however, was that 20 years of her blindness was unnecessary. She didn't know that surgical techniques had been developed, and that an operation could have restored her vision at the age of 30. The doctor said, "She just figured there was nothing that could be done for her condition. Much of her life could have been different."
ALL ABOUT GOD
Although not affiliated with any organization or denomination, this website works with a number of ministries and churches such as Saddleback Church/Purpose Driven, Campus Crusade for Christ/Jesus Film Project, International Bible Society, and Sowing Circle/Blue Letter Bible. The site tackles such questions as Does God Exist? Is the Bible True? Who is God? Is Jesus God? and Why Christianity? Topics such as Worship, Fellowship, Discipleship, Ministry, and Evangelism are discussed and explained. Other articles explore issues such as Human Genetic Engineering, Teen Abortion, Tarot Cards, Cloning Ethics, and more. Check out the Testimonies, Endorsements, Resources, Links, and even the Find a Church service. You can sign up for a daily email devotional, listen to the Bible via MP3, submit your writings to The Written Heart feature, and explore the Frequently Asked Questions from Seekers and Skeptics. The site looks nice, loads rapidly, and is easy to navigate and read.
<a href="http://www.allaboutgod.com"> AOL users click here</a>
As reviewed by The Believer's Weekly, composed by William Yates
http://www.worldvillage.com/sitereviews/believers.html
<a href="http://www.worldvillage.com/sitereviews/believers.html"> Or click here</a>
CONSIDER
The form that discipleship takes is conditioned by the historic times in which one lives, as well as by the context of an individual's life, but the underlying principle remains the same: each of us is called by love to love; called out of our narrow individualism and our small private world, to allow ourselves to be "turned around" by the allurement of God, and to live for him, as Jesus did.
Thelma Hall, Too Deep for Words
VERSE TO PONDER
"I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer." Psalm 17:6 (NIV)
Mark your calendars for the weekend of August 27-29, 2004 at the Hickory Ridge Marriott Conference Hotel in Lisle Illinois where we will have our annual Men’s Conference. Theme: “The Fruit Of The Spirit.” Come and be blessed during this time of fellowship and ministry. Contact Minister Maurice Collier or Minister Frank Coleman. Visit the church’s web site: www.newjoydivine.org, go to the Men’s ministry page [>>Ministries>>Men Servants Ministry (MSM)] for details or download a registration form <here>.
THIS WEEK'S HYMN: JUST
A CLOSER WALK WITH THEE
Words: Unknown author.
Music: Traditional folk song.
I am weak, but Thou art strong;
Jesus, keep me from all wrong;
I'll be satisfied as long
As I walk, let me walk close to Thee.
Refrain
Just a closer walk with Thee,
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.
Through this world of toil and snares,
If I falter, Lord, who cares?
Who with me my burden shares?
None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee.
Refrain
When my feeble life is o'er,
Time for me will be no more;
Guide me gently, safely o'er
To Thy kingdom shore, to Thy shore.
Refrain
>from CyberHymnal at
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/j/u/justaclo.htm
<a href="http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/j/u/justaclo.htm"> Or click here</a>
ON PRAYER
"Our praying, however, needs to be pressed and pursued with an energy that never tires, a persistency which will not be denied, and a courage which never fails." E.M. Bounds
CRITICAL PRAYER
REQUESTS FOR STRATEGIC NATIONS
We're praying for our fellow believers in a different nation each week.
Please pray for...JORDAN
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/jo.html
<a href="http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/jo.html"> Or click here</a>
The Christian community has suffered a numerical freefall in the past decades, due to lower birth rates, high rate of emigration, influx of Muslim refugees and the rise of politicized Islam.
>From 1970-2000 Jordan's Christian population dropped by 1/2 - from 5.5 to 2.75% of the population. Still, Christians are found in all walks of life and often in positions of great influence. Both the Catholic and Orthodox Christians are an important component of Jordanian society. Pray that Christians may be salt and light in Jordanian society, and may find ways to witness to nominal Christians as well as non-Christians.
Evangelical churches are experiencing encouraging growth, more than doubling in the 1990s. There are over 40 churches and several more house groups where the 12,000 evangelicals meet. Most conversions are from the nominal Christian community, but recently more Muslims are discovering Jesus, the Lamb of God. The relationships between the traditional and evangelical churches and Muslim background believers are guarded. Pray that all Jordanian believers might work together to make Jesus Christ known.
http://www.gmi.org/ow/index.html
<a href="http://www.gmi.org/ow/index.html"> Or click here</a>
PRAY
* Bro. Robert Allen
* Minister Frank Coleman
* Minister Byron Dickens
* Bro. Eric Gray
* Bro. Jonnie Gray
* Pastor Marvin Gray, Sr.
[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.
Mission Network News
<a href="http://mnn.gospelcom.net/"> Or click here</a>
Adherents.com
While not strictly a Christian website, Adherents.com "is a growing collection of over 41,000 adherent statistics and religious geography citations--references to published membership/adherent statistics and congregation statistics for over 4,200 religions, churches, denominations, religious bodies, faith groups, tribes, cultures, movements, ultimate concerns, etc."
<a href="http://www.adherents.com"> Or click here</a>
MapMachine
http://plasma.nationalgeographic.com/mapmachine/
<a href="http://plasma.nationalgeographic.com/mapmachine/"> Or 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.)
Be. Know. Do.
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 www.newjoydivine.org
<a href="http://www.newjoydivine.org"> AOL users click here</a>
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