Connecting man
to man to God
For week of January 29, 2012
Issue 393
The weekly 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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“From
now on, brothers and sisters, if anything is excellent and if
anything is admirable, focus your thoughts on these things: all that
is true, all that is holy, all that is just, all that is pure, all
that is lovely, and all that is worthy of praise.”
Philippians 4:8
(CEB)
CONSIDER
“Failure
is often God's own tool for carving some of the finest outlines in
the character of His children; and even in this life, bitter and
crushing failures have often in them the germs of new and quite
unimagined happiness.”
Thomas Hodgkin
THE
SOUL OF STEVE JOBS
by
Gordon MacDonald
Soon
after the death of Apple's co-founder, Steve Jobs, I read Walter
Isaacson's newly released biography, Steve Jobs. Once started, I
found it difficult to stop reading (on my iPad) about this
complicated man, and I regretted reaching the last page.
Whether
one liked or disliked Steve Jobs, he is certainly one of the most
talked-about leaders of our time. In his 56-year life, he founded and
ultimately led a business organization to a commanding position in
the world of technology. He assembled and led teams that produced
some of the most admired technological products of our time: Mac
Books, iPods, iPhones, iPads. Whole industries came into being
because of him.
But
Steve Jobs also had many critics. "He mistreated people."
"He was ruthless in his business dealings." "He was
vindictive." "He lacked compassion." And that's just
the light stuff.
As
I read about Steve Jobs, I dared to imagine a conversation with him
in his office at Apple. A fantasy, of course, but a trigger for some
sober thought.
We
all know that Steve Jobs was not a professing Christian. While he
respected Jesus, he walked away from Christianity at an early
age—at
least in its organized and doctrinal form.
So
why write about him in a Christian journal? Answer: because his life
yields valuable lessons, positive and negative, on the subject of
leadership. It also highlights areas that Christian leaders can
enlist to touch the souls of people like him.... Read this in full at
http://www.christianitytoday.com/le/2012/winter/soulsteve.html
SUPER
BOWL XLVI
The
New York Giants will play the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI
Feb. 5 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, which will be the first
time the Super Bowl has been played in Indiana. Indianapolis is the
northernmost city in the United States to host the Super Bowl since
Detroit hosted Super Bowl XL in 2006. To commemorate this occasion,
the Census Bureau has compiled a collection of facts examining the
demographics of the host city, as well as the cities represented by
the contenders at
http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/facts_for_features_special_editions/cb12-ff04.html
SUPER
BOWL WINNING COACH TONY DUNGY FEATURED IN FREE DOWNLOADABLE VIDEO
MESSAGE FOR GAME WATCHING PARTIES
This
year's football fans gathering at various watch parties will have
access to one Super Bowl coach's personal thoughts during halftime. A
free downloadable video kit is available
(http://www.adoptionjourney.com/share/dungyhalftime/)
to local game
watching party organizers which features Super Bowl winning coach
Tony Dungy and his wife Lauren.
The
video message includes a personal appeal to Americans on the subject
of the current orphan crisis and adoption. Dungy is involved with The
Adoption Journey Project to help influence more couples to consider
adoption.
"The
big win on Super Sunday would be to raise awareness about the
millions of children who need a family. I would love to see thousands
of local community groups and circles of friends gathering together
to stop and consider how they can help," said Dungy, the winning
head coach of the 2007 Super Bowl Champion Indianapolis Colts....
Read this in full at
http://www.christiannewswire.com/news/7597418750.html
FOOTBALL,
FAITH AND JOHN 3:16
Most
Americans love football and faith. Mixing the two, NFL quarterback
Tim Tebow has reinvigorated the debate about public expressions of
religion. One of the controversies has been the Denver player’s
common practice of writing biblical references — such as John
3:16
— on the black marks beneath his eyes.
Yet,
does the typical American even know what this reference means? Last
year, the American Bible Society commissioned Barna Group to find out
how well Americans understood various aspects of the Bible, including
if they could identify what the numbers “3:16” mean. The
question
mentioned the phrase John 3:16 and asked people to identify, without
any predetermined choices, what the “three” means.
Overall,
nearly seven out of 10 Americans (68%) were able to identify without
any prompting from the interviewers that the “three” in
John 3:16
refers to the chapter where the biblical reference is found. More
than three out of ten adults either gave an incorrect answer (15%) or
ventured no guess (17%).... Read this in full at
http://www.barna.org/culture-articles/558-football-faith-and-john-316
THE
KINGDOM – THE FAMILY BUSINESS – PART II
by
Clare De Graaf
The
Kingdom (the family business) is the whole enterprise of God the
Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit, the angels and all true believers
(God’s sons and daughters), living on earth and presently living
with God. It’s everything that the family of God has done –
is
doing – and will be doing for all eternity to accomplish the
ultimate purposes of God.
When
I use the term family business, I don’t want in any way to
diminish
the majesty and the glory of God, or the seriousness which surrounds
the unimaginable power by which he simultaneously manages both the
whole universe, as well as what is about to happen to you and the
flowers in your garden in the next few minutes. But, think of it this
way.
Imagine
a business that could literally save the life of every person on
earth – they could truly live forever. Not only that, but each of
those people whose lives have been saved, would have hope, a loving
community around them and a purpose for living – they’d be
part
of a movement that can actually change life on this planet. And,
they’re so grateful; they can’t stop telling others about
this
company and its founders. In fact, telling that story and helping
others discover this new life becomes the driving passion of their
lives. That’s the kind of family business I’m talking
about! ....
Read this in full at
http://www.claredegraaf.com/2012/01/23/the-kingdom-%e2%80%93-the-family-business-%e2%80%93-part-ii/
DYING
TO MEET HIM: HOW A 30-YEAR-OLD WITH 1 YEAR LEFT TO LIVE THINKS
by
Gabrielle Devenish
This
past hospital visit (Jan. 3-7), I was told that I am expected to live
less than a year, maybe 6 months. I was released from the hospital to
home hospice, where I do not intend to die, but to live my life as
fully as possible for as long as it may be.... Read this in full at
http://www.christianpost.com/news/dying-to-meet-him-how-a-30-year-old-with-1-year-left-to-live-thinks-68017/
HOW
TO WEAR JESUS'S EXPRESSION
“What
does it mean that human beings are made ‘in God's image’?
How can
the profound ideas within this phrase shed light on our calling as
humans and our mission as Jesus' disciples?
“Paul
says that we should put off our old corrupt self and live as our new
self that is ‘created to be like God in true righteousness and
holiness’ (Ephesians 4:24). We are to be ‘imitators of
God,’
displaying his compassion and faithfulness to others. It seems
fitting, then, that the way Christ chose to train his disciples was
that of the ancient rabbis. As his disciples walked with him day
after day, they learned his approach to the Scriptures. But even more
importantly, they saw how he lived out his own teaching. They would
imitate their rabbi's example to learn to ‘walk in his
way,’ and
then go out and disciple others to live that way too.
“Paul
illustrates this teaching method when he urged the Corinthians to
imitate his example, and then sent his disciple Timothy to be with
them.
“Physician
Paul Brand relays an experience from when he was training doctors in
India that taught him how effective this teaching method is. One
morning on rounds, he watched as a young intern interviewed a new
patient in the wards. Brand's student kneeled by the woman's bed and
examined her for signs of pain as he gently inquired about her
private past, his calm demeanor reassuring her all the while.
“Suddenly,
something caught Brand's eye about the young man's expression. It
reminded him distinctly of a mentor of his back in England, Professor
Pilcher. The resemblance was uncanny, as if the student had taken
acting lessons. Later Brand asked the young man if he had ever
studied with the esteemed Dr. Pilcher. At first he and his fellow
students stared at him, confused, but then they grinned. ‘We
don't
know any Professor Pilcher,’ one said. ‘But Dr. Brand, that
was
your expression he was wearing.’ Thinking back on his own
training
with Dr. Pilcher, Brand writes:
“‘I
had thought I was learning from him techniques of surgery and
diagnostic procedures. But he had also imprinted his instincts, his
expression, his very smile so that they too would be passed down from
generation to generation in an unbroken human chain. It was a kindly
smile, perfect for cutting through the fog of embarrassment to
encourage a patient's honesty. What textbook or computer program
could have charted out the facial expression needed at that exact
moment within the curtain?
“‘Now
I, Pilcher's student, had become a link in the chain, a carrier of
his wisdom to students some nine thousand miles away. The Indian
doctor, young and brown-skinned, speaking in Tamil, shared few
obvious resemblances with either Pilcher or me. Yet somehow he had
conveyed the likeness of my old chief so accurately that it had
transported me back to university days with a start.’ [Source: In
the Likeness of God by Philip Yancey and Paul Brand]
“Dr.
Brand had been imprinted by his mentor's demeanor and was
unconsciously passing it on. In just the same way, as we imitate
Christ as his disciples, we carry his image to those around us and
cause them to become like him too.”
Lois Tverberg IN Walking in the
Dust of Rabbi Jesus: How the Jewish Words of Jesus Can Change Your
Life
IS
THE LOCAL CHURCH DISAPPEARING?
by
Jim Coggins
In
2008 and in 2009, CC.com ran series of articles on The State of the
Canadian Church. Both series drew extensively on research by
pollsters, academics and church leaders. This year, we are looking at
some of the same issues, but from the bottom up – from the point
of
view of the local church.
FOR
SALE: 45-year-old, 270-seat church; $4.5 million or best offer.
In
the late 1950s, the United Church aimed to have a church in every
high school catchment area in Canada. Today, many of those
congregations of 200-300 people have dwindled to less than 100. Some
have closed altogether, and their buildings are being sold. The same
thing is happening with other mainline denominations.
Peter
Elliott is chair of the Vision 2019 Task Force – an exercise
“to
discern, dream, and decide where we think God wants the Anglican
Church of Canada to be in 2019.” Elliott also headed an Anglican
Diocese of New Westminster study group which, in 2009, presented a
strategic plan called ‘Growing Communities of Faith in Jesus
Christ
to serve God’s Mission in the World.’ The plan analyzed
what is
required for a vital, sustainable parish.... Read this in full at
http://www.christianity.ca/frame.asp?http://www.canadianchristianity.com/nationalupdates/100113state.html
HOW
WOMEN FUEL THE MAN-BOY PROBLEM
by
Ruthie Dean
“Wanna
grab a burrito 2nite?” The melody of the Atlanta symphony’s
instruments flowed through the auditorium. I didn’t have high
expectations for dating at 23, but a text containing the word burrito
wasn’t exactly what I had in mind (and with 1 hour notice). I
liked
him, but couldn’t escape the mental picture of showing up in a
swanky outfit to an establishment where my entrance would be
announced in a jubilee of “Welcome to Moe’s!”
The
resounding question I hear from many single women today is:
“Where
have all the good men gone?”
Recently,
several articles and statistics have shown that women are making
history with career achievements, while men in increasing numbers are
seemingly living in a prolonged state of adolescence, sitting back
with their buddies and playing video games. Cultural observers note
that men are not finding compelling reasons to grow up and marry. The
former cultural standards of marriage for sex and children have
changed drastically in the past 50 years as one-night stands are
celebrated and single parenthood accepted.
And
women are only fueling this behavior by excusing it.... Read this in
full at
http://blog.christianitytoday.com/women/2012/01/real_women_dont_text_back_how.html
SHOULD
I MARRY A MAN WITH PORNOGRAPHY STRUGGLES? MY RESPONSE
by
Russell D. Moore
Dear
Engaged and Confused,
We
all have points of vulnerability, areas of susceptibility to sin and
self-destruction. There are beings afoot in the universe who watch
these points and who know how to collaborate with our biology and our
environment to slaughter us.
Wisdom
means knowing where those weak points are, recognizing deception for
what it is, and warring against ourselves in order to maintain
fidelity to Christ and to those God has given us.
What
you need is not a sinless man. You need a man deeply aware of his sin
and of his potential for further sin. You need a man who can see just
how capable he is of destroying himself and your family. And you need
a man with the wisdom to, as Jesus put it, gouge out whatever is
dragging him under to self-destruction.... Read this in
http://www.russellmoore.com/2012/01/23/should-i-marry-a-man-with-pornography-struggles-my-response/
OPIATE
OF THE MASSES?
by
Michael Craven
Ever
since Karl Marx penned his denunciatory statement on religion in 1843
(that religion is the "opiate of the masses"), secularists,
social progressives, and other opponents of religion have worked to
convince us that religious faith is an outdated relic of the past
whose inexplicable (in their view) existence remains only by means of
a stubborn, unenlightened, and uneducated lower class.
Indeed,
there appears to be an abundance of data supporting the claim that
religious belief in America is — generally speaking — in a
state
of free fall. In 2009, ABC News, citing a recent study by the
American Religious Identity Survey, reported, "In one of the
most dramatic shifts, 15 percent of Americans now say they have no
religion — a figure that's almost doubled in 18 years. Americans
with no religious preference are now larger than all other major
religious groups except Catholics and Baptists" (Dan Harris,
"America Is Becoming Less Christian, Less Religious," March
9, 2009, ABC News).... Read this in full at
http://www.christianity.com/Home/Christian%20Living%20Features/11663999/
AZUSA
PACIFIC UNIVERSITY LEADS FIRST EXCAVATION OF HISTORIC SITE IN ISRAEL
This
spring, Azusa Pacific University (APU) embarks on an exciting joint
expedition with the Hebrew University of Israel to oversee an
archeological dig at Abel Beth Maacah, a site of historical interest
long envied by the world’s archeologists.
To
date, the mound has not been excavated. Robert Mullins, PhD,
associate professor of biblical studies at APU, leads the team along
with Nava Panitz-Cohen and Ruhama Bonfil, faculty at the Hebrew
University. On Jan. 25—26, 2012, team members plan to conduct an
initial survey of the site in preparation for the May 27—31
excavation.
“I
can’t overstate the huge potential of this project,” said
Mullins. “First, it is an honor to partner with Israel’s
oldest
and most prestigious university. Given the site’s connection with
the period of David and later Kings of Israel, the dig will draw
worldwide interest. We can potentially solve questions regarding the
nature of Israel’s ties with neighboring Phoenicia and Syria, as
well as documenting through the destruction levels the various
Aramean and Assyrian military campaigns mentioned in the Bible and
other ancient records.” .... Read this in full at
http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2012/s12010126.htm
VICTORY
OVER OUR CRAVINGS, ONE MINI-GOAL AT A TIME
“There
are days I don't feel victorious. Like the day when the upstairs
toilet clogged and flooded my kitchen ceiling. Or the day I got stuck
in traffic, yelled at my kids, and missed an important meeting. Those
are the days when my long-term goals to get healthy don't feel as
important as my need for immediate comfort. I just want to blow my
healthy eating plan out of frustration with something gooey, sweet,
and cream laden.
“I
bet you've had something occur this week that doesn't make you feel
very victorious either. A sick child, a missed deadline, tension in a
friendship, or a number on the scale that almost made you cry. I
understand. But may I encourage you? Even in the midst of trying
circumstances and bad days, you can be victorious.
“You
can be victorious even when the distance between your present reality
and your desired goal seems so far apart. How?
“Set
mini-goals. Losing twenty, fifty, one hundred pounds, or more can
seem so far away. And faraway goals are hard to hang onto when life
drains us and it feels like those French fries sure could fill us.
“Set
mini-goals physically by getting a strategy for making healthy
choices. How can you prepare now to drink eight glasses of water
today? What is a healthy snack option you'll turn to when those
afternoon salty and sugary cravings start calling? Are you going out
to eat at a restaurant? Use the Internet to look up the nutritional
information for their menu so you can make informed healthy choices.
If hit with an unexpected temptation today, what healthy go-to script
or Bible verse can you arm yourself with in advance to combat
justifications and compromises?
“Each
mini-goal you accomplish today is a moment of victory.
“We
can also set mini-goals spiritually. We will always be most
victorious when we are in the center of God's will. When we are in
God's will, we are able to see our trials from God's perspective -
through the lens of His grace and truth. But what is God's will?
“The
apostle Paul wrote, ‘Rejoice always, pray continually, give
thanks
... for this is God's will’ (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). This is an
explicit description of what God's will is. To be in the center of
God's will is to be [someone] who is joyful, prayerful, and thankful.
“Be
joyful: Intentionally look around for measures of joy each day. There
is joy in simply being alive and in being redeemed by God. Remember,
joy is a choice we make, not a feeling we hope to get from our
circumstances. It's good to look for the good, to celebrate it even
in small ways. Doing so is a moment of victory.
“Be
prayerful: Focus your thoughts on God through prayer. When I was
tempted with unhealthy choices, it used to trigger a pity party. Now,
I turn my temptations into triggers to pray. Turning to God rather
than turning to food is a moment of victory.
“Be
thankful: When I focus on how much weight I still need to lose, it
brings me down and I start entertaining thoughts of defeat. However,
when I focus on all that I'm gaining with God through this process of
losing the weight, it makes me all the more determined to keep going.
What is something positive you've gained during your weight loss
journey so far? God's activity can be seen much more readily when we
focus on what we do have rather than what we don't have.
“We
can't control our circumstances, but we can control our choices.
Setting mini-goals physically and spiritually positions us for
victory today. Indeed, you can be victorious even when the distance
between your present reality and your desired goal seems so far
apart.
“Dear
Lord, help me to remember that no matter how far away my goal may
seem, I am most victorious when I am in the center of Your will.
Today I will intentionally look for Your joy as I pray out of a
thankful heart. In Jesus' name. Amen.”
Lysa TerKeurst in Made to
Crave Devotional: 60 Days to Craving God, Not Food
SKETCHES
BRING MODERN TWIST TO ANCIENT TEXT
By
Mags Storey
The
Arts Engine is touring a funny and honest play about how a 400 year
old translation of the Bible shapes the church today. KJV: The Bible
Show premiered last year in The Word Festival and is planning a
cross-Canada tour in 2012. It was created by actors Ins Choi, Rebecca
Davey, Kris Van Soellen and Arthur Wachnik.
"The
creative process was a blast," Wachnik says. "We met
together almost daily for about three of four weeks piecing things
together. We put all the ideas up on sticky notes on the wall and
then when we had enough of them we would shuffle them around and
create an order that made sense." .... Read this in full at
http://www.christianweek.org/stories.php?id=1864
ANSWERS
REALLY ARE IN GENESIS, KEN HAM SAYS
Ken
Ham is convinced that if one wants to understand the doctrines of
God's Word, Genesis is the place to start.
Ham,
president and founder of Answers in Genesis -- which runs the
Creation Museum -- says Genesis 1-11 is foundational to the rest of
the Bible.
"We
must start with Genesis if we are going to teach God's people how to
defend the faith in this age of unbelief and skepticism," Ham
said.
An
Australian by birth, Ham moved to the U.S. in 1987 and has become one
of the most in-demand Christian conference speakers and radio
talk-show guests in the nation. He co-founded Answers in Genesis in
1994 with the purpose of upholding the authority of the Bible from
the very first verse. The Creation Museum helps do that.
Opened
in 2007 near Cincinnati in northern Kentucky, the nearly
five-year-old Creation Museum is a 75,000-square-foot facility that
offers the visitor a high-tech, multimedia experience that shows how
science affirms the Bible's account of history. More than 1.5 million
guests have visited.... Read this in full at
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=37016
IS
CAGE FIGHTING ETHICAL FOR CHRISTIANS?
3
views:
It's
Imprudent: Joe Carter is a Marine Corps veteran and an editor at The
Gospel Coalition.
It's
like life: Ted Kluck is a former football coach and missionary, and
author of The Reason for Sports: A Christian Fanifesto (Moody, 2009).
It's
not God Honoring: Matt Morin is a former cage fighter and a graduate
student at Duke Divinity School.... Read this in full at
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2012/january/cage-fighting.html
HELP
FOR THE SEXUALLY DESPERATE
by
John W. Kennedy
One
by one, men trickle into the unadorned upstairs church classroom for
their regular Thursday night meeting. But the gathering isn't to
discuss plans for evangelism outreach, worship-song selection, or
expanding the nursery.
"I'm
Kevin and I'm a recovering sex addict," one of the eight men
seated around the table says shortly after the meeting begins. Each
man talks uninterruptedly for up to five minutes about how he's faced
a myriad of sexual temptations. No one is allowed to advise,
criticize, defend, or excuse the behavior of another man during this
faith-based, 90-minute, 12-step recovery meeting called Operation
Integrity.
These
aren't convicted pedophiles or registered sex offenders. They are
churchgoers, businessmen, and seemingly model husbands. Throughout
the country, there are men by the millions sitting comfortably in
church pews every Sunday who haven't told anyone about their sexual
addiction. But the men in this room have come to terms with their own
powerlessness over destructive sexual habits.
After
sharing their stories, the men take turns reading paragraphs from
When Lost Men Come Home, written by Operation Integrity (OI) founder
David Zailer. Lively discussion ensues.... Read this in full at
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2008/march/18.28.html
VERSE
TO PONDER
“Brothers
and sisters, if a person is caught doing something wrong, you who are
spiritual should restore someone like this with a spirit of
gentleness. Watch out for yourselves so you won’t be tempted
too.”
Galatians 6:1 (CEB)
CONSIDER
“Look
at everything as though you were seeing it either for the first or
last time. Then your time on earth will be filled with glory.”
Betty Smith
EVEN
THE STONES WILL SHOUT: A MEMORIAL FOR JOHN STOTT
by
Brian Nixon
It's
always hard to say goodbye to a friend. Whether for a short time or a
longer period-say a lifetime, goodbye is difficult to say.
When
John Stott died on July 27, 2011, many who loved him had a difficult
time saying farewell. Even from a Christian point of view, when
"goodbye" really means, "see you again someday,"
loss still is still tough.
But
for many, and John Stott in particular, their lives still speak even
after their passing.
Case
in point: on January 13, 2012, a Memorial and Thanksgiving service
was held at the imposing St. Paul's Cathedral in London, UK, honoring
the life, message, and witness of Uncle John - as many around the
world called him.... Read this in full at
http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2012/s12010144.htm
Also
see
http://www.johnstottmemorial.org/
24
PC(USA) LEADERS ISSUE ‘LETTER OF RECONCILIATION’
Twenty-four
leaders of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) - many of whom met in
Orlando during a gathering which launched a new Reformed body - have
written a letter urging reconciliation between the denomination and
the dissident group.
According
to the Rev. Paul Watermulder, pastor of First Presbyterian Church of
Burlingame, Calif., who originated the letter, its intent is to urge
“our General Assembly leadership to immediately become
bridge-builders with those churches and leaders who out of conscience
have become disaffected from our denomination.” .... Read this in
full at
http://www.pcusa.org/news/2012/1/24/24-pcusa-leaders-issue-letter-reconciliation/
9
CRITICAL SHIFTS IN MISSIONS
by
Mark Ellis
He
grew up as a missionary kid in Hong Kong, where he observed Christian
work at his parents’ feet. But globalization and technology
changes
in the ensuing years have completely altered his perspective on
missions and led him to embrace changes some might consider radical.
“I
grew up in the black and white world,” says T.J. Addington, the
pastor, author and leader of ReachGlobal, the international mission
of the Evangelical Free Church of America (EFCA). “The world was
big, travel was expensive, and there was one way of doing
missions,”
he notes.
Most
of the missionaries he observed went to one destination and stayed
there. As the world underwent dynamic shifts through globalization in
the 1970s and the PC revolution of the ’80s and ’90s, he
saw the
need to modify his views to fit the times.... Read this in full at
http://blog.godreports.com/2012/01/nine-critical-shifts-in-missions/
THOMAS
MORE LAW CENTER APPEALS NINTH CIRCUIT'S ANTI-GOD DECISION TO THE US
SUPREME COURT
The
Thomas More Law Center announced today that it has appealed a
controversial decision of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals to the
U.S. Supreme Court. The appeal was filed in the case of Bradley
Johnson v. Poway Unified School District late last week.
For
the past twenty-five years, Bradley Johnson, a high school math
teacher at the Poway School District located in California had been
displaying red, white and blue banners in his classroom that
contained patriotic phrases such as: "In God We Trust,"
"One Nation Under God," and "God Bless America."
He
displayed the banners pursuant to a 30-year school district policy
that permitted teachers to maintain classroom displays of
non-curricular messages that reflected their personal opinions and
values. In effect, the school district designated classroom walls as
forum for the expression of the teacher's private opinions and
viewpoints.
However,
in 2007 school officials ordered Johnson to remove his banners
because they promoted a "Judeo-Christian" viewpoint....
Read this in full at
http://www.christiannewswire.com/news/3147318765.html
FDR'S
D-DAY LANDING PRAYER INCLUSION AT THE WWII MEMORIAL IN WASHINGTON, DC
PASSES THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
HR
2070, The D-Day Landing Prayer Act which will include Franklin D.
Roosevelt's D-Day Landing Prayer in its entirety in a plaque or
inscription at the WWII Memorial in Washington, DC passed the US
House of Representatives Jan. 24 by a vote of 386-26 The bill now
moves to the US Senate for hearings.
Ohio
Christian Alliance President Chris Long stated, "This
legislation received broad bipartisan support and is worthy of the
Senate quickly taking up the measure and presenting it to President
Obama for his signature. The vast majority of WWII veterans and their
families support this initiative. Many of these brave men, now in
their '80s and '90s, remember clearly President Roosevelt praying
with the nation the morning of the D-Day landings. It is only fitting
that this wonderful historical presidential prayer be added to the
WWII Memorial, honoring those brave men and women who served our
country in WWII.... Read this in full at
http://www.christiannewswire.com/news/7609918774.html
ON
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM, YEARS OF BATTLES AHEAD
By
David Skeel
A
pair of momentous new government decisions on religion—in
particular on whether religious institutions are exempt from secular
laws—has given advocates of religious liberty a severe case of
whiplash.
Early
this month, the Supreme Court held (in Hosanna-Tabor Evangelical
Lutheran Church and School v. Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission) that a Lutheran school's decision to dismiss a teacher is
an internal church issue that cannot be challenged under federal
employment laws.
Just
as the decision was beginning to sink in, the federal department of
Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that numerous religious
organizations won't be exempted from ObamaCare's requirement that
employer health-care plans cover all of the costs of contraception.
The message to Catholic hospitals and ministries that object to
contraception: No accommodation for you.... Read this in full at
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204573704577184762102923798.html?mod=djemEditorialPage_h
SHHH:
POPE URGES SILENCE TO COMMUNICATE BETTER
Pope
Benedict XVI is asking everyone to quiet down.
In
his annual communications message released Jan. 24, Benedict extolled
the sounds of silence. He said a little bit of quiet makes people
better listeners and better communicators by giving them more time to
think about what they are hearing and saying.
And
in a world inundated by Tweets and 24-hour news coverage, that
precious time to think and reflect gives words greater value, he
said.
"Joy,
anxiety and suffering can all be communicated in silence — indeed
it provides them with a particularly powerful mode of expression,"
he said in his written message.... Read this in full at
http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/story/2012-01-24/pope-silence/52764188/1
SHARED
PARADISE
by
Robert M Geraci
There’s
a new flying spaghetti monster in the spiritual marketplace: the
Church of Kopimism. The newly “established” religion has
become
the talk of the internet, in part because of its transparently
“unreligious” outlook and in part because of the
group’s social
perspective. The Church of Kopimism, which received official
recognition as a religious denomination in Sweden, objects to what it
calls the Copyright Religion and advocates free sharing of
information by and for all (Kopimists 2012). Though it lacks any
particular resemblance to established religions, Kopimism has
“beliefs and rituals,” which are held sufficient to
establish it
as a legal religious organization.
In
the study of religion, we long ago gave up on creating a taxonomy
that would—once and for all—allow us to demarcate the
sacred from
the profane and religious groups from secular. Nevertheless, there is
something profoundly unreligious about Kopimism, and it is hard to
overlook this glaring reality. Whether it is because the group lacks
even the slightest reference to the supernatural or whether its
patently political aims overdetermine it, few commentators seem
willing to accept Kopimism as a legitimate religion. Indeed, it took
several efforts before the Swedish government accepted the group,
apparently out of concern that Kopimist practices lack a real form of
“worship” (Jackson 2011) .... Read this in full at
http://divinity.uchicago.edu/martycenter/publications/sightings/archive_2012/0126.shtml
KIDS
IN GRADE SCHOOL THINK FAST
TEACHER:
Tommy, why do you always get so dirty?
TOMMY:
Well, I'm a lot closer to the ground than you are.
TEACHER:
Ellen, give me a sentence starting with "I."
ELLEN:
I is...
TEACHER:
No, Ellen...Always say, "I am."
ELLEN:
All right..."I am the ninth letter of the alphabet."
TEACHER:
"Can anybody give an example of COINCIDENCE?"
JOHNNY:
"Sir, my Mother and Father got married on the same day, same
time."
TEACHER:
"George Washington not only chopped down his father's cherry
tree, but also admitted doing it. Now do you know why his father
didn't punish him?"
JOHNNY:
"Because George still had the ax in his hand."
TEACHER:
Now, Sam, tell me frankly, do you say prayers before eating?
SAM:
No sir, I don't have to, my Mom is a good cook.
TEACHER:
Desmond, your composition on "My Dog" is exactly the same
as your brother's. Did you copy his?
DESMOND:
No, teacher, it's the same dog!
TEACHER:
What do you call a person who keeps on talking when people are no
longer interested?
PUPIL:
A teacher.
SILVIA:
Dad, can you write in the dark?
FATHER:
I think so. What do you want me to write?
SYLVIA:
Your name on this report card.
http://www.mikeysFunnies.com
CONSIDER
“Forgiveness
means the offense is gone. I may remember the offense, but I will
‘remember it against them no more!’”
David Stoop
VERSE
TO PONDER
“But
anyone who needs wisdom should ask God, whose very nature is to give
to everyone without a second thought, without keeping score. Wisdom
will certainly be given to those who ask.”
James 1:5 (CEB)
THIS
WEEK'S HYMN: BREAK, NEWBORN YEAR
Words:
Thomas H. Gill, 1855
Music:
Arthur Cottman, 1872
Break,
newborn year, on glad eyes break,
Melodious
voices move;
On,
rolling time; thou canst not make
The
Father cease to love.
The
parted year had wingèd feet;
The
Savior still doth stay;
The
new year comes; but Spirit sweet,
Thou
goest not away.
Our
hearts in tears may oft run o’er;
But
Lord, Thy smile still beams;
Our
sins are swelling evermore,
But
pardoning grace still streams.
Lord,
from this year more service win,
More
glory, more delight:
O
make its hours less sad with sin,
Its
days with Thee more bright.
Then
we may bless its precious things
If
earthly cheer should come,
Or
gladsome mount on angel wings
If
Thou wouldst take us home.
O
golden then the hours must be;
The
year must needs be sweet;
Yes,
Lord, with happy melody
Thine
opening grace we greet.
>from
NetHymnal at
http://nethymnal.org/htm/b/r/e/breaknby.htm
ON PRAYER
“Prayerless
people cut themselves off from God's prevailing power, and the
frequent result is the familiar feeling of being overwhelmed,
overrun, beaten down, pushed around, defeated. Surprising numbers of
people are willing to settle for lives like that.”
Bill Hybels
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 us to add you
to our prayer
chain 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.
The
Complete Gift Solution
http://www.FranksWorldOfGifts.com
Books, Music & More!
http://www.ChristianConnectionBooks.com
Get
your domain name here!
http://www.GoGlobalDomains.com
SHARE YOUR FAVORITE WEBSITES
Tell us
what sites you find enjoyable and why.
100
Incredible Views Out Of Airplane Windows
http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/100-incredible-views-out-of-airplane-windows/
Mountaintop
Monastery in the Mist
http://hiddentravelplace.com/2012/01/mountaintop-monastery-in-the-mist-kalabaka-greece/
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.)
Because
of God's grace, failure is never final.
Min.
Frank Coleman, Editor
Rev.frank@gmail.com
Thanks
for welcoming CONNECTIONS into your in-box!
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!
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.org/
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