For week of April 25, 2010
Issue 301
The Men’s Ministry newsletter of Path Of Life Ministries.
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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“Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them; those who are being tortured, as though you yourselves were being tortured.”
Hebrews 13:1-3
CONSIDER
“I believe that every right implies a responsibility; every opportunity an obligation; every possession, a duty.”
John D. Rockefeller
NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER IS MAY 6
The National Day of Prayer is an annual observance held on the first Thursday of May, inviting people of all faiths to pray for the nation. It was created in 1952 by a joint resolution of the United States Congress, and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman. The Task Force is a privately funded organization whose purpose is to encourage participation on the National Day of Prayer. It exists to communicate with every individual the need for personal repentance and prayer, to create appropriate materials, and to mobilize the Christian community to intercede for America’s leaders and its families. The Task Force represents a Judeo Christian expression of the national observance, based on our understanding that this country was birthed in prayer and in reverence for the God of the Bible.
The National Day of Prayer Task Force’s mission is to communicate with every individual the need for personal repentance and prayer, mobilizing the Christian community to intercede for America and its leadership in the seven centers of power: Government, Military, Media, Business, Education, Church and Family.
http://nationaldayofprayer.org/
THE WISDOM OF THE BODY
by the late Dr. Paul Brand
I used to think of the body and the soul as being two separate entities that just shared the same accommodation. The pastor takes care of the soul at church, and I take care of the body in the hospital. But, no! I know now that the mind and the spirit and the body are all one. I know that bodily sickness profoundly affects the mind and spirit. I know that soul sickness hinders healing of the body. Perfect health cannot exist where there is fear or hatred or bitterness in the mind.
There is a wonderful word in the Hebrew tongue that is used as a synonym for peace and also for health and well being. It is SHALOM. It is used as a greeting and expresses a hope that all is well. It means wholeness, or peace within the body. In medicine we use the word HOMEOSTASIS, and it means much the same thing. It means that all the cells of the body are in harmony and following a single rule of health.
I sometimes look at a hand that has come to me for reconstructive surgery, and I feel it. It looks a little swollen and it feels warm or hot to the touch. I turn to the hand therapist and suggest that it needs more time to settle down. The heat suggests that there has been infection or trauma, and many defensive cells have rushed to the area, looking for trouble, with finger on the trigger. With a little rest, the temperature will come down, the swelling will be reduced, the inflammatory cells will disperse to their barracks. When the hand is at peace, I will operate with confidence that healing will be smooth, and the hand will work well afterwards…. Read this in full at
http://www.csec.org/csec/sermon/brand_3428.htm
INCOMING!
by Skip Heitzig
The Air Force and the space authorities track hundreds of thousands of the largest pieces of “space junk,” but there are millions out there. The only way to be safe is to get out of their way. As Christians, we are called to do the same with temptation, to avoid it, run from it…. Read this in full at
http://www.christianity.com/devotionals/connection/11628971/
CHARLES W. COLSON’S HOUSE & PERSONAL INFO
* Age: 78
* Occupation: Commentator and prison activist
* Next Project: Writing a book with his daughter about her autistic son.
* Self-Indulgence: When you get to be a Christian, and you are serious about it, all the pleasures of the flesh disappear. If I had an indulgence, it would be sports cars, but I can’t afford to be seen driving one. I had one, but I sold it.
* Misconception About Christians: That we are intolerant. Christianity has deep convictions about what is true, but I don’t think Christians should impose themselves on people. My greatest concern is theocracy.
Meaning of Easter: I go into prison on Easter Sunday, because the prison is filled with people who are condemned to a living hell, yet the power of Christ resurrects them.
* Favorite Bibles: I’ve got a Bible that I travel with and one that I work with at home. They are both the New International Version.
* Morning Routine: I am not an early riser. I get up at 7:30. I enjoy breakfast with a newspaper and my wife, Patricia. Then we often do a Bible study. I go to my office by 9, pray and start working…. Read this in full at
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/04/magazine/04fob-domains-t.html
THE SURREAL, SOMETIMES COMICAL STORY BEHIND THE DISCOVERY OF THE JESUS BOAT
In 1986, two Israeli fishermen from a kibbutz near Mary Magdalene’s hometown made a remarkable discovery: an ancient wooden boat that had plied the Sea of Galilee during the time of Jesus. It had been buried in mud and thus protected from oxygen and hungry microorganisms.
The Yigal Allon Museum now houses the Jesus Boat. The current exhibit is attractive, but unfinished. To attract more visitors (and to help maintain and improve the museum), Christian media executive Don Stillman joined forces with the family of Gonny Kossonogi, daughter of the famous Israeli general Yigal Allon, to form Jesus Boat Inc. In 2009 the group produced a book (The Jesus Boat, by Christian Stillman), a DVD (The Jesus Boat Revealed), a website (JesusBoatMuseum.com), a replica of the boat at the Holy Land Experience in Orlando, and a multimedia tour of American megachurches.
The church presentations, which have continued into 2010, include talks by Kurt Raveh, one of the specialists who supervised efforts to excavate and preserve the boat. On Raveh’s recent visit to the United States, David Neff, editor in chief of the Christianity Today Media Group, talked about the discovery with the marine archaeologist, who excavates ancient shipwrecks for the University of Haifa’s Department of Maritime Civilizations…. Read this in full at
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2010/april/29.42.html
THE TEMPTATION TO MAKE A RULE WHERE GOD DOES NOT
by Patrick Morley
Frankly, I understand why good Christians want to make rules of conduct for clothing, hair, body piercings, movies, music, language, drinking, smoking, dancing, and other elements of popular culture.
The problem, though, is to make a rule of conduct where Jesus does not.
We regularly hear from people whose faith has been shattered by legalism and moralism. They were convinced they had to do something to be good enough to merit God’s grace — they had to be a “good boy.” Salvation was free, but now they have to prove God didn’t make a mistake. It’s “saved by grace, sanctified by works.” That may clean up a person’s behavior for a while, but it is not Christianity…. Read this in full at
http://www.maninthemirror.org/weeklybriefing/wb369.htm
FEDERAL COURT SAYS CHURCH BELLS ARE CONSTITUTIONAL
A federal court has ruled a Phoenix city ordinance trying to limit the sound of church bells is an unconstitutional impingement on religious expression. In 2007, one day after Christ the King Cathedral moved to a space near a fire station, neighbors complained the church’s electronic bells — rung every hour, from 8 am to 8 pm — violated the city’s noise ordinance. Although the church attempted to appease neighbors by erecting a buffer on its speakers and passing out informational flyers, the city filed a misdemeanor complaint last year. The church’s pastor, Bishop Rick Painter, was found guilty in city court and sentenced to 10 days in jail and three years probation, though he never served time in jail. On April 19, the federal court ruled in favor of the church bells, saying the city cannot prohibit “sound generated in the course of religious expression.”…. Read this in full at
http://pewforum.org/news/rss.php?NewsID=19999
AS CONTROVERSY LINGERS, SHROUD OF TURIN STILL DRAWS A CROWD
TURIN, Italy (RNS) As hoteliers and souvenir vendors from Lourdes to Mexico City can readily attest, a sacred pilgrimage can quickly morph from a spiritual event into a commercial bonanza. And although religious tourism has recently become a booming global industry, it’s still rare for religious leaders themselves to sanction a pilgrimage for explicitly economic motives.
But the Shroud of Turin has always known how to draw a crowd. The shroud, long venerated as the actual burial cloth of Jesus, was last displayed to the public in 2000. Its next exhibition wasn’t expected until 2025, in part to protect the shroud’s mysterious image — the front and back of a 5-foot-11-inch man — from the fading effects of light.
But when civic leaders in the automotive powerhouse of Turin, italy sought to boost their crisis-stricken economy with an influx of tourism, the Catholic Church was ready to help…. Read this in full at
http://blog.beliefnet.com/news/2010/04/news-feature-as-controversy-li.php
KENTUCKY DERBY
May 1
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kentucky_Derby
http://www.kentuckyderby.com/
PREAKNESS STAKES
May 15
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preakness_Stakes
http://www.preakness.com/
BELMONT STAKES
June 5
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belmont_Stakes
http://www.belmontstakes.com/
THE PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP
May 6-9
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Players_Championship
http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/r011/
NBA 2010 PLAYOFFS
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_NBA_Playoffs
http://www.nba.com/2010/playoffs/2010/04/15/schedule/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpt1
STANLEY CUP 2010 PLAYOFFS
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_Stanley_Cup_playoffs
http://www.nhl.com/cup/round1/index.html
INDIANAPOLIS 500
May 30
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indianapolis_500
http://www.indy500.com/
2010 FIFA WORLD CUP SOUTH AFRICA
June 11 – July 11
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_FIFA_World_Cup
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/index.html
JOHN STOTT RELEASES HIS FAREWELL BOOK: THE RADICAL DISCIPLE
by Brian Nixon
(Assist News Service) – Commenting on the idea of “leaving a legacy,” Billy Graham once said, “Our days are numbered. One of the primary goals in our lives should be to prepare for our last day. The legacy we leave is not just in our possessions, but in the quality of our lives. What preparations should we be making now? The greatest waste in all of our earth, which cannot be recycled or reclaimed, is our waste of the time that God has given us each day.”
Fortunately for the evangelical church, John Stott has followed his friend Mr. Graham’s advice. He has left the contemporary church a legacy: a host of books, sermons, and individual lives touched for God’s kingdom. We should be thankful that Stott’s time on earth was not wasted-it was spent in the pursuit of God. In one way or another, John Stott has exemplified what it is to be a follower and true disciple of Jesus Christ.
Born in 1921, educated at Rugby and Cambridge, John Stott was pastor at All Souls Church in London from the late fifties until the early seventies. He spent the remainder of his life as iterant preacher, pastor, bird-watcher, and author.
John Stott has become one of the most influential men in the Christian world today (even in the “secular” media he has garnered some attention-by both Time Magazine and The New York Times).
In a day when the “celebrity-pastor” is the norm, John Stott remains a gentle reminder that the mark of a man is not his fame or fortune, but the makeup of his character and the quality of his life and work. All of this stems from his unwavering trust in the One he serves: Jesus Christ.
So as I picked up John Stott’s recent book, The Radical Disciple, my heart sank. Not because the book is bad (it is absolutely a “must-read”), but because it is touted as his “farewell address to the worldwide Church.” In and of itself, this should cause great pause, with the end result being a run to the bookstore to pick it up and digest its contents.
Much can be said of Stott. I have written other articles expressing his influence on my life, but besides my personal interest in his life and ministry, I believe this new book should be required reading for all Christians. Why? Simply because it is hued from 70 years of ministry and Christian living, underlined with the same message Stott has always chimed: Jesus is Lord!
The short book is broken up into eight chapters: non-conformity, Christ-likeness, maturity, creation care, simplicity, balance, dependence, and death. As you can see by the topics, even as a man in his 90’s, John Stott is still relevant in subject matter and fresh in his approach toward a broad array of issues.
But even more insightful is the title, Radical Disciple. In the introduction, Stott clarifies the use of these terms by stating, “Let me explain and justify the title of this book, The Radical Disciple.”
“First, why disciple? … My concern in this book is that we who claim to be disciples of the Lord Jesus will provoke Him to say again: “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say. For genuine discipleship is wholehearted discipleship.”
“Second, why “radical? … because Jesus is Lord, we have no right to pick and choose the areas in which we will submit to his authority.”
A one-two punch. John is not candy-coating the Christian life. In two words he summarized the gist of the book: radical and disciple. The Christian is called to be a passionate follower of the One he or she calls Lord. Nothing less will do.
John Stott is still a man with a mission. As the book states, “Stott here conveys what he has displayed throughout his life: to follow Jesus is to let Him direct the agenda for our lives. We don’t set the parameters of His lordship or avoid the costs of our commitment. He calls. We follow.”
John Stott’s voice is still needed in the world. Listen to it with care.
http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2010/s10040095.htm
THE MASCULINE MANDATE: GOD’S CALLING TO MEN, BY RICHARD D. PHILLIPS
There is a crying need in the church today for men to be men. But competing visions for what a man is to be—some growing out of popular culture and others arising from flawed teaching in the church—are exacerbating the problem.
Richard D. Phillips “gives us an accurate picture of what it means to be God’s man. The reader will come away reassured that even though he may possess none of the attributes that the world deems essential for a ‘man’s man,’ nevertheless he can be one of God’s men.” — Jerry Bridges, from his foreword
The Bible alone has the answer to what men are to be in the eyes of their Creator. In his newest book from Reformation Trust Publishing, Rev. Richard D. Phillips carefully avoids the stereotypes and legalistic rules while unfolding with clarity and practical simplicity the biblical vision of men. Here is sound biblical exposition of the most practical sort—teaching that reveals not only what men are to think but what they are to be.
Read the first chapter at
http://www.ligonier.org/store/the-masculine-mandate-gods-calling-to-men-hardcover/
LIBRARIES SCRAMBLE TO RESCUE SACRED BOOKS
Inside a locked reading room atop a staircase at the Salem (Mass.) Athenaeum, hundreds of theological books — including some that are nearly 500 years old — are once again stirring up debate.
It’s not the subject matter that’s contentious this time, since most modern-day readers have little interest in centuries-old treatises. At issue now is how to save these religious texts, and others kept in cash-strapped private libraries, from the ravages of time.
Here, a 1564 biblical commentary by Protestant reformer John Calvin and collections of 18th-century sermons require delicate handling as threads peek through thin, brittle bindings.
At New York’s General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen, librarian Melanie James says “a lot of the religious books haven’t been touched (in preservation efforts). They’re kind of falling apart.”
At the Portsmouth Athenaeum in Portsmouth, N.H., centuries-old books on holy topics cry out for repair in a bindery, but the library can only afford to mend a few books—and not necessarily theological ones—each year, according to research librarian Carolyn Marvin.
For some custodians, preservation means the expensive prospect of building climate-controlled environments, where temperature, humidity and lighting are set to optimal conditions for extending shelf life. One such project at the Boston Athenaeum in the early 1990s cost about $33 million…. Read this in full at
http://www.religionnews.com/index.php?/rnstext/private_libraries_scramble_to_rescue_endangered_books3/
GOD’S DESIRE
“Perhaps one of the greatest surprises of the biblical story is that imago dei (the image of God in humans) is never extinguished. Even more surprisingly, despite the ups and downs and wicked twists of humanity, neither is God’s desire to live in intimacy with men and women: “He will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them” (Revelation 21:3).
“God, undying Gardener and Nurturer that he is, has not relinquished the dream and vision of another Eden where unity between himself and what he has made — all that he has made — will be restored. His quest for a second Eden is all-consuming — just as that same quest for paradise, for all the wrong turns it has taken, is all-consuming for the human heart. Not only will there be a garden at the end of the world, just as there was at the beginning; there will be many lesser gardens and oases along the way to refresh and reinvigorate the human spirit and to keep the hope alive. Eden is a symbol of what will be again and of what was always meant to be.”
Murray Andrew Pura, from his book Rooted
HOW DO BUSY LEADERS FIND TIME FOR SOCIAL MEDIA?
by Michael Hyatt
If you see engaging in social media as simply one more thing you must add to an already overwhelming list of responsibilities, it won’t happen. Blogging, Twitter, or Facebook, can’t simply be another add-on activity. You and I both know that you don’t have time for one more thing. (In fact, if you are honest, you are struggling to keep up with what you have on your plate now.
Instead, you have to see the use of social media as an integral part of your job. It has to be a tool that enables you to accomplish your work — your real work — more effectively and more efficiently. But what is your real work as a leader?
It probably includes a dozen things. It will be a little different for everyone. But here are five that probably should be on every leader’s list:
Raise your organization’s visibility. You can do this the expensive way by employing traditional, interruption-based marketing. Unfortunately, fewer and fewer people are paying attention. They are very selective about who they give permission to speak into their lives. This is why the use of social media is so effective. The only people listening are people who choose to follow you and become part of your tribe…. Read this in full at
http://michaelhyatt.com/2010/04/how-do-busy-leaders-find-time-for-social-media.html
VERSE TO PONDER
“The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.”
Hebrews 1:3
CONSIDER
“Failure is the opportunity to begin again, more intelligently.”
Henry Ford
IN A WHEELCHAIR, BILLY GRAHAM CELEBRATES REOPENING OF HIS NAMESAKE LIBRARY
Snowy-haired and silent, Billy Graham probably couldn’t hear the cascading applause that greeted his April 20 entrance in a wheelchair. Surrounded by hundreds of donors, family members and friends, the 91-year-old evangelist — his hearing nearly gone, his eyesight fading — had come home to Charlotte to help celebrate the reopening of the library bearing his name.
It was his first public appearance in Charlotte since May 2007, when three former presidents – Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush – joined him in dedicating the barn-shaped Billy Graham Library, which traces his trek from son of a dairy farmer in Charlotte to preacher to presidents and millions around the world. About 288,000 people have visited the library…. Read this in full at
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/04/21/1388838/billy-graham-comes-home-again.html
SPIRITUAL SPARK BUOYED TV SERIES
While the TV persona of British chef Jamie Oliver has added nationwide attention to the topic of nutrition, there was a spiritual spark to his “Food Revolution” in Huntington, W.Va.
In addition to a local Baptist pastor saying God sent Oliver to this Ohio River city, Yvonne Jones has no doubt the Lord arranged the visit.
Jones, executive director of the Huntington-based Ebenezer Medical Outreach, saw Oliver discussing healthy cooking on the “Today” show two years ago. She said she prayed, “Lord, it sure would be great if he came to Huntington.”
“Then Pastor Steve [Willis] was saying he was talking with his congregation about the need to eat healthy and [Oliver’s] production company called him,” Jones said. “Why his church [the Huntington-area First Baptist Church of Kenova] of all the churches in this area? Because God planned it that way.”
Although the six-week mini-series concluded April 23, the revolution it started will continue at the local storefront kitchen venue that Oliver used during filming last fall…. Read this in full at
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32747
NEW STUDY: TEENS NOW NEARLY TWICE AS LIKELY TO DONATE MONEY TO CHARITY
Recent earthquakes in Haiti and Chile have brought devastation, death and left thousands homeless, but according to a new study commissioned by World Vision, most US parents of teens say their teenagers are now more aware of the needs of others because of these natural disasters. The survey, conducted by phone by Harris Interactive, examines parents’ perceptions of their teenagers.
Compared to last year, parents are nearly twice as likely (46% in 2010 vs. 26% in 2009) to report that their teens support charitable causes by donating money despite fewer parents (39% in 2009 vs. 26% this year) reporting that their teen spends his or her free time at a part-time job. According to parents, volunteering time at a “fasting event” such as World Vision’s 30 Hour Famine remains the number one way (61% in 2010 and 56% in 2009) teens support charitable causes…. Read this in full at
http://www.christiannewswire.com/news/1280313697.html
CONSIDER
“No man can break any of the Ten Commandments. He can only break himself against them.”
G. K. Chesterton
VERSE TO PONDER
“I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!”
Psalm 27:13-14
THIS WEEK’S HYMN: CHRIST IS RISEN!
Words: Fanny Crosby, late 19th Century
Music: George C. Stebbins
Christ hath risen! Hallelujah!
Blessèd morn of life and light!
Lo, the grave is rent asunder,
Death is conquered through His might.
Refrain
Christ is risen! Hallelujah!
Gladness fills the world today;
From the tomb that could not hold Him,
See, the stone is rolled away!
Christ hath risen! Hallelujah!
Friends of Jesus, dry your tears;
Through the veil of gloom and darkness,
Lo, the Son of God appears!
Refrain
Christ hath risen! Hallelujah!
He hath risen, as He said;
He is now the King of glory,
And our great exalted Head.
Refrain
>from NetHymnal at
http://nethymnal.org/htm/c/i/cisrisen.htm
ON PRAYER
Prayer is a common religious practice in America, with nearly six-in-ten adults in the US saying they pray at least once a day. However, frequency of prayer differs significantly by religious tradition, age, gender, and income. See the graphic at
http://pewforum.org/docs/?DocID=179
PRAY FOR PERSECUTED CHRISTIANS TODAY
http://christiansincrisis.net/
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
Business Growth
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.
Book your next vacation with us!
Http://www.ChristianConnectionTravel.com
Books, Music & More!
http://www.ChristianConnectionBooks.com
Get your domain name here!
http://www.GoGlobalDomains.com
Let me show you how to earn money as you travel!
http://www.earnGlobalVacations.com/
It’s as easy as 1-2-3!
SHARE YOUR FAVORITE WEBSITES
Tell us what sites you find enjoyable and why.
Paleofuture: past visions of the future
http://www.paleofuture.com/
5 Tricks of the Trade to Make Your Clothing Last Longer
http://www.rd.com/advice-and-know-how/5-tricks-of-the-trade-to-make-your-clothing-last-longer/article178196.html
Stunning photos of the sun
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/glance/1043429/nasa-releases-stunning-sun-photos
All links to websites are provided as a service, and do not imply endorsement by this ministry.
(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.)
A flashlight is a case for holding dead batteries.
Min. Frank Coleman, Editor
Rev.frank@gmail.com
Thanks for welcoming CONNECTIONS into your in-box!
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CONNECTIONS is a periodic newsletter of announcements, news, recommendations, articles, and other information helpful to men in our spiritual growth. Thanks for welcoming CONNECTIONS into your in-box!
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The CONNECTIONS 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, frank@frankcoleman.com if you’d like to participate in a men’s discipleship program.
Path Of Life Ministries is located in Chicago, IL.
Visit our website at: http://www.pathoflifeministries.net/
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