For week of October 25, 2009
Issue 275
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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“This is my command — be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9
CONSIDER
“Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing.”
Mother Teresa
BACK ON EARTH, ASTRONAUT REFLECTS ON TRIP, FAITH
Patrick Forrester, the space shuttle astronaut who carried a piece of missions aviation history into space with him on a recent Discovery flight, encourages people to get personally involved in sharing the gospel outside their comfort zones.
“I really encourage everybody that has not done it to go on at least a short-term mission trip, whether it’s across town or around the world, because I think it’s life-changing to see the need out there and the way that we can impact people,” Forrester said.
A deacon at University Baptist Church in Houston, Forrester carried with him a piece of the battery box from martyred missionary pilot Nate Saint’s Piper PA-14 airplane when the space shuttle Discovery docked at the international space station in late August.
The plane part was provided by Mission Aviation Fellowship, an organization that transports missionaries, medical personnel, medicines and relief supplies into remote areas. Forrester plans to return the item to the fellowship along with a certificate confirming its presence on Discovery’s flight.
“I’m looking forward to an opportunity to go up to Idaho and return it in person and hopefully talk to the employees and their families up there about space flight,” he said, referring to the fellowship’s headquarters in Nampa, Idaho.
Forrester described the piece of the battery box as roughly four by six inches. Saint was among five missionaries to Ecuador who were murdered on a sandbar in 1956 by a tribe of Waodani Indians.
“We’re allowed to fly up to 10 things for organizations in what’s called the official flight kit,” Forrester said. “When I was looking at organizations that I felt were having an impact in the world and that had an impact on my life, this was just one of the ones that I wanted to honor.”
In addition to the plane part, Forrester took a flag honoring a battalion of wounded soldiers from Walter Reed Army Medical Center and a memento from the military honor guard that handled his father’s funeral this year…. Read this in full at
http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31495
ARTICLES & INFORMATION ABOUT HALLOWEEN
http://www.christianitytoday.com/holidays/halloween/
ONCE AND FOR ALL
“Our past, present, and future sins were dealt with simultaneously through the cross. God didn’t discriminate with regard to time of occurrence. All of our sins were in the future when Jesus died. He looked down the entire timeline of human existence and took away all sins. Whether the sins occurred two thousand years before or after the cross made no difference. When Jesus finished wiping out all record of our sins, he took a seat. And he has been relaxing at God’s right hand ever since.
“What position are you in with regard to your sins? Are you standing up, running around, and trying to make up for them? Attempting to get forgiven, to get cleansed? Or are you seated with Jesus Christ in a relaxed position? Do you realize that your Savior has taken them away once and for all?” Andrew Farley, The N*ked Gospel
NEW RESEARCH EXPLORES HOW DIFFERENT GENERATIONS VIEW AND USE THE BIBLE
As observers of American culture debate whether the nation has entered a post-Christian phase, one overlooked discussion is how attitudes about and usage of the Bible may be changing. A new research report from the Barna Group examines recent nationwide studies on how different generations of American adults view and use the Bible. For the purposes of this research, the Mosaic generation refers to adults who are currently ages 18 to 25; Busters are those ages 26 to 44; Boomers are 45 to 63; and Elders are 64-plus.
There is often more that unites the various generations in American culture than divides them. The Barna research regarding the Bible confirms the central role this revered text has for most Americans. A majority of each of the four generations believes that the Bible is a sacred or holy book. Another commonality is that millions within each of the generations report reading the pages of Scripture in the last week.
There is also significant generational overlap regarding people’s views on the nature of the Bible. Similar proportions of the generations embrace the most conservative and most liberal views. For instance, the “highest” view of the Bible –- that it is “the actual word of God and should be taken literally, word for word” -– is embraced by one-quarter of Mosaics (27%), Busters (27%), and Boomers (23%), and one-third of Elders (34%). The extreme view on the other end –- that the Bible is not inspired by God –- is embraced by proportions that are also statistically close to one another, including Mosaics (25%), Busters (19%), Boomers (22%), and Elders (22%)…. Read this in full at
http://www.barna.org/barna-update/article/12-faithspirituality/317-new-research-explores-how-different-generations-view-and-use-the-bible
SCHOLAR: CHURCHES CAN USE INTERNET TO REACH NON-SEEKERS
The Internet is not only useful for churches in communicating with seekers, but it can also be harnessed to reach people not actively looking for answers, says a Danish scholar.
Peter Fischer-Nielsen, a Ph.D Fellow at the Faculty of Theology at Aarhus University in Denmark, recognizes the difficulty churches have in reaching non-seekers in real life and on the World Wide Web. Non-seekers are often not interested in visiting Christian Web sites, but churches can still meet them by going to their Web turf.
“[T]he church must not isolate itself on its own Web sites; instead, it must take part in the fluent online traffic and develop initiatives on various platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, and Wikipedia,” says Fischer-Nielsen in an article titled, “Online Mission,” in the latest issue of Lausanne World Pulse…. Read this in full at
http://www.christianpost.com/article/20091022/scholar-churches-can-use-internet-to-reach-non-seekers/index.html
ATHEISM 3.0 FINDS A LITTLE MORE ROOM FOR BELIEF
Bruce Sheiman doesn’t believe in God, but he does believe in religion. Setting aside the question of whether God exists, it’s clear that the benefits of faith far outweigh its costs, he argues in his new book, “An Atheist Defends Religion: Why Humanity is Better Off With Religion than Without It.” “I don’t know if anybody is going to be able to convince me that God exists,” Sheiman said in an interview, “but they can convince me that religion has intrinsic value.”
The old atheists said there was no God. The so-called “New Atheists” said there was no God, and they were vocally vicious about it. Now, the new “New Atheists” — call it Atheism 3.0 — say there’s still no God, but maybe religion isn’t all that bad…. Read this in full at
http://blog.beliefnet.com/news/2009/10/atheism-30-finds-a-little-more.php
ATHEIST ADS ADORN NEW YORK SUBWAY STATIONS
A coalition of 8 atheist organizations has purchased a month-long campaign that will place their posters in a dozen busy subway stations throughout Manhattan. The advertisements ask the question, written simply over an image of a blue sky with wispy white clouds: “A million New Yorkers are good without God. Are you?” A dozen bustling New York City subway stations are adorned with the ads as “part of a coordinated multi-organizational advertising campaign designed to raise awareness about people who don’t believe in a god”, according to a statement from the group, the Big Apple Coalition of Reason…. Read this in full at
http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/10/21/new.york.subway.ads/index.html
YOU WERE MEANT TO SHINE
“In Luke 6:12-16, we read that Jesus “called disciples to him, and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles.” Clearly the group of people called “disciples” was bigger than twelve, and included both men and women. They didn’t just agree with him theologically or philosophically; they dedicated themselves to doing what he did, living as he lived. They literally followed him. Luke 8:1-3 mentions several women who were among his disciples and supported Jesus financially.
“Jesus quit his day job, carpentry, to go into full time ministry. He was poor to begin with, even as a working guy; when he started just being a rabbi, he didn’t have any income. Some verses indicate that he was homeless, or at least that that he depended on the hospitality of various strangers and friends when he traveled about. He didn’t come to preach to the wealthy, although certainly some people of means believed in him, followed him, even supported him. He came to preach to everyone, and he did not exclude the poor.
“This group of women helped support Jesus. Jesus needed them. He chose to depend on others, which is an amazing style of leadership. What’s more empowering to a follower than being needed? Did you ever consider that just as Jesus needed these women to support his cause, he needs you too? I’m not saying this to load on the guilt. I want to give you a glimpse of what an important part you play as one of his disciples. You were meant to shine.” Keri Wyatt Kent, Simple Compassion
WEBSITE EVANGELISM AND THE END OF THE WORLD IN 2012
by Geoff Holding
The upcoming Hollywood movie called “2012” is due to be launched on November 13, 2009. This movie combines various beliefs, theories and predictions about end time events to create an end of the world scenario of unbelievably catastrophic and unprecedented proportions. Many people have become quite fearful about the date December 21, 2012. But are those fears reasonable? And is there something more fearful than 2012 predictions. One website answers those questions.
You can visit it at http://www.endoftheworld2012.net. This is an evangelistic Christian website created by an Internet mission called Website Evangelism www.websiteevangelism.net. The mission of Website Evangelism is “Casting the Gospel Net over the Internet.” For this purpose, it has built the End Of The World 2012 site.
The End Of The World 2012 site answers some of the main concerns about 2012. At the same time it invites visitors to view a gospel presentation which addresses the question, “Are you a good person, good enough for heaven?”
http://www.endoftheworld2012.net
AN EVANGELIST EXTRAVAGANZA
by Julia Duin
The first one was in Lausanne, Switzerland, in 1974. The second was in Manila in 1989. The third will be in Cape Town in 2010.
I’m talking about the massive worldwide conferences on evangelism that began as the brainchild of evangelist Billy Graham, along with British Anglican theologian John Stott and Australian Anglican Bishop Jack Dain. They have since taken on a life of their own. One year from this week, the Third Lausanne Conference on World Evangelization will take place from Oct. 16-25 in South Africa.
Its website, www.lausanne.org, says the event will draw 4,000 people from more than 200 countries, an intriguing goal as there are only 195 official independent countries in the world. The event will be translated into Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and Swahili. The United States is providing 400 delegates and Canada is contributing 50…. Read this in full at
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/oct/15/duin-an-evangelist-extravaganza/
THE OFFICIAL CANADIAN TEMPERATURE CONVERSION CHART
50° Fahrenheit (10° C) – Californians shiver uncontrollably. Canadians plant gardens.
35° Fahrenheit (1.6° C) – Italian Cars won’t start Canadians drive with the windows down
32° Fahrenheit (0° C) – American water freezes Canadian water gets thicker.
0° Fahrenheit (-17.9° C) – New York City landlords finally turn on the heat. Canadians have the last cookout of the season.
-60° Fahrenheit (-51° C) – Santa Claus abandons the North Pole. Canadian Girl Guides sell cookies door-to-door.
-109.9° Fahrenheit (-78.5° C) – Carbon dioxide freezes makes dry ice. Canadians pull down their earflaps.
-173° Fahrenheit (-114° C) – Ethyl alcohol freezes. Canadians get frustrated when they can’t thaw the keg
-459.67° Fahrenheit (-273.15° C) – Absolute zero; all atomic motion stops. Canadians start saying “cold, eh?”
-500° Fahrenheit (-295° C) – Hell freezes over. The Toronto Maple Leafs win the Stanley Cup
http://www.mikeysFunnies.com
LEADERSHIP TIPS (BUSINESS, FAMILY, LIFE)
In the online Open Forum for Small Business, Matthew May writes: “In the 1940s, Stanford University’s goal was to become the ‘Harvard of the West.’ In 1950, Boeing wanted to become the ‘dominant player in commercial aircraft and bring the world into the jet age.’ Nike’s goal in the 1960s was to ‘Crush Adidas.’ In 1986, Giro Sport Design wanted to become the ‘Nike of the cycling industry.’ And Wal-Mart, in 1990, wanted to become a ‘$125 billion company by the year 2000.’
“These are all examples of what Jim Collins and Jerry Porras called a BHAG–Big Hairy Audacious Goal–in their 1994 book Built to Last. According to Collins and Porras: ‘A true BHAG is clear and compelling, serves as a unifying focal point of effort…It has a clear finish line, so the organization can know when it has achieved the goal. It is tangible, energizing, highly focused. People get it right away; it takes little or no explanation.'” …. Read this in full at
https://www.openforum.com/idea-hub/topics/the-world/article/how-to-set-a-bhag-matthew-e-may?cid=email_articlefeed_articletitlelink
VERSE TO PONDER
“It is the Lord your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him.”
Deuteronomy 13:4
CONSIDER
“I am cognizant of the interrelatedness of all communities and states … Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly.”
Martin Luther King Jr., from his “Letter from a Birmingham Jail”
SIX MISTAKES CHURCHES MAKE
In an article for Church Central, consultant Bill Easum writes about the most common tactical mistakes made by church leaders and notes they are usually “hallmarks of declining congregations.” Here are 4 from his list:
1. Failure to combine evangelism and social justice into the fabric of the church. The entire debate between traditional and emergent churches stems from this failure. Any form of reductionism truncates the Gospel.
2. Putting a long section of announcements at the beginning of the worship service. It’s like tuning into the beginning of a sitcom only to find all of the commercials loaded up front before anything else happens. Instead, begin worship with a rousing piece of music that says, ‘Something great is going to happen here today.’ If you have to do announcements, don’t lead off with them. Please.
3. The lead pastor in a church under five hundred in worship does not personally contact first-time guests within 48 hours. I know much of the prevailing wisdom is people are more likely to return to your church if the laity visits them. It’s just not so. Pastor, if your church is under five hundred in worship, visit your first-time guests within 48 hours.
4. Hiring Associate Pastors who are generalists rather than specialists. The day of generalists is coming to an end.” …. Read this in full at
http://www.churchcentral.com/blog/Six-Tactical-Mistakes-Churches-Make
THE HEART OF ALL THAT REALLY MATTERS
“These then are the conditions of Western life. Busy, busy, busy, distracted, flitting, with the attention span of a proton in a particle accelerator. And it has left us lonelier than we’ve ever been.
“Jesus’ response to the teacher’s question – which is the most important commandment? – directly addresses these issues, the personal, the cultural and the political. Jesus’ No. 1 principle, however, isn’t just a helpful piece of wisdom that might make your life a bit better or your business more profitable. Jesus’ response reflects the very essence not only of his teaching but of the nature of God – life, and indeed Christianity, is meant to be lived in meaningful relationships. As such, relationships are not an optional extra to the good life, they are utterly essential.
“Jesus’ response has huge implications for society as a whole, for local communities, and, indeed, for every human being. In sum, Jesus’ simple response – love God, love your neighbour – reflects the heart of the heart of all that really matters.” Mark Greene, The Best Idea in the World
BEGINNING CHRISTIANITY
At a small group meeting devoted to the subject of prayer, members shared their fumbling attempts to perform that most basic of Christian rites. One man said he was so eager to impress his fiancée he prayed for “everything but the kitchen sink.” Another recounted a prayer before a meal, when he thanked God for letting those present “eat in peace.”
Such confessions of inadequacy are not unusual at an introduction to Christianity class called Alpha. The 10-week course helps people learn the rudiments of their faith in a relaxed and friendly setting that begins with a meal and ends with a small group discussion…. Read this in full at
http://www.newsobserver.com/life/religion/story/151804.html
UNITED NATIONS RESOLUTION UNDERMINES RELIGIOUS FREEDOM FOR CHRISTIANS, OTHER FAITHS AROUND THE WORLD
In the name of religious tolerance, the United Nations is gearing up to introduce a “Defamation of Religions” resolution that will actually undermine the religious liberty and personal safety of Christians and other faith groups worldwide. At the same time, a growing grassroots movement is underway to stop it.
“Many Christians living in these countries are already severely impacted by restrictive laws — especially those living under strict Sharia law,” says Carl Moeller, Open Doors USA President/CEO and a leader in the battle. “From the right to worship freely to the ability to share the gospel, the Defamation of Religions Resolution threatens to justify local laws that already marginalize Christians. As Americans, we have enjoyed a long tradition of religious liberty. The Defamation of Religions Resolution is a blow against religious freedom.” …. Read this in full at
http://www.religionnews.com/index.php?/pressreleases/united_nations_resolution_undermines_religious_freedom_for_christians_other/
THE EXTRAORDINARY LOVE STORY OF JONI EARECKSON TADA AND HER HUSBAND, KEN TADA
After being becoming a quadriplegic, unable to use her hands or legs, after a tragic 1967 diving accident in Chesapeake Bay, Joni Eareckson was so depressed that she even contemplated suicide.
“I’m just so grateful there were no Jack Kevorkian’s around back then because my problem wasn’t so much my quadriplegia; it was clinical depression,” Joni told me in an interview at her Joni and Friends International Disability Center in Agoura Hills, CA.
“I just needed somebody to come alongside me and show me the ropes and teach me and lead me through the maze of questions I had to the point where I could say that ‘I can do this. I really can live life in a wheelchair and live it with a smile, not in spite of the problems but miraculously because of them.’
“And because I began to lean harder on Jesus, the stronger you discover Him to be and the more you realize what you can do.”
Today, Joni is an internationally known mouth artist, a talented vocalist, a radio host, author of 17 books and an advocate for disabled persons worldwide, but in those early days of her disability the last thing was on the mind was marriage, after all who would want to marry someone confined to a lifetime in a wheelchair? …. Read this in full at
http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2009/s09100122.htm
2010 CONGRESS TO EXPLORE FAITH COMMUNICATION ISSUES
Changes in perceptions about religion, its influence in the public arena and how technology delivers the message are among the issues communicators will consider at Religion Communication Congress 2010.
The congress, with the theme “Embracing Change: Communicating Faith in Today’s World,” is scheduled for April 7-10, 2010, at the Marriott Downtown Hotel in Chicago. Participants will represent a broad spectrum of communications specialties, faith traditions and theological perspectives.
Shirley Whipple Struchen, a United Methodist and coordinator of RCCongress 2010, said the use of “instantaneous communication” is probably the biggest change since the last congress in 2000. That could mean networking through Web sites such as MySpace and FaceBook, offering different perspectives through blogging or providing downloadable podcasts for MP-3 players and cell phones.
Jeffrey Cole, director for the Center for the Digital Future, University of Southern California Annenberg School for Communication, is among speakers who will address that issue during the 2010 event.
http://www.rccongress2010.org/
SMITHSONIAN TO OPEN EVOLUTION HALL, LAUNCH FAITH DIALOGUE
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural history will open a new permanent exhibit on to the “discovery and understanding of human origins” next March and convene a panel of experts to bridge the gap between religion and science. With input from more than 50 scientific and educational organizations and 70 distinguished scientists and educators, the museum launched a Broader Social Impacts Committee to address the interaction between religion and science…. Read this in full at
http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2009-10-16-smithsonian-evolution_N.htm
IT’S THE LAW
Law of Gravity:
Any tool, when dropped, will roll to the least accessible corner.
Law of Probability:
The probability of being watched is directly proportional to the stupidity of your act.
Law of Random Numbers:
If you dial a wrong number, you never get a busy signal and someone always answers.
Law of the Alibi:
If you tell the boss you were late for work because you had a flat tire, the very next morning you will have a flat tire.
Variation Law:
If you change lines in a queue, the one you were in always will move faster than the one you are in now (works every time).
Law of the Bath/Shower:
As soon as the body is fully immersed in water, the telephone rings.
Law of Close Encounters:
The probability of meeting someone you know increases dramatically when you are with someone you don’t want to be seen with.
Law of Machination:
When you try to prove to someone that a machine won’t work, it will.
Law of Biomechanics:
The severity of the itch is inversely proportional to the reach.
Law of the Theatre:
At any event, the people whose seats are furthest from the aisle arrive last.
The Starbucks Law:
As soon as you sit down to a cup of hot coffee, your boss will ask you to do something which will last until the coffee is cold.
Murphy’s Law of Lockers:
If there are only two people in a gym locker room, they will have adjacent lockers.
Law of Physical Surfaces:
The chances of an open-faced sandwich landing face down on a floor covering are directly correlated to the newness and cost of the carpet/rug.
Law of Logical Argument:
Anything is possible if you don’t know what you are talking about.
Brown’s Law of Physical Appearance:
If the shoe fits, it’s ugly.
Oliver’s Law of Public Speaking:
A closed mouth gathers no feet.
Wilson’s Law of Commercial Marketing Strategy:
As soon as you find a product you really like, they will stop making it.
(from TIPS newsletter. Copyright (c) 2009, all rights reserved. U.S. Library of Congress ISSN: 1529-059X. Contact Philip E. Humbert at: www.philiphumbert.com or email to Coach@philiphumbert.com
CONSIDER
“A man should hear a little music, read a little poetry, and see a fine picture every day of his life, in order that worldly cares may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful which God has implanted in the human soul.”
Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
VERSE TO PONDER
“I, even I, am the Lord, and apart from me there is no savior. I have revealed and saved and proclaimed — I, and not some foreign god among you. You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “that I am God.”
Isaiah 43:11-12
ON PRAYER
“Prayer is as natural an expression of faith as breathing is of life.” Jonathan Edwards
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.
Comical Product Page from HEMA Dutch dept. store
http://producten.hema.nl/
Timeline of History
http://www.dudeman.net/history.html
World Beard and Moustache Championships
http://www.worldbeardchampionships.com
The British Museum
http://www.ancientcivilizations.co.uk
10 Best Places to Live for Escaping World Conflict
http://www.expatify.com/advice/10-best-places-to-live-for-escaping-world-conflict.html
Instant artwork with your cursor
http://www.zigzagphilosophy.com
World Animal Day photos
http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2009/10/world_animal_day_2009.html
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.)
If I work well at a diner, am I being counter-productive?
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 at 6459 S. Campbell Ave. Chicago, IL 60629.
Visit our website at: http://www.pathoflifeministries.net/
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