For week of November 27, 2011
     Issue 384
     
     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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              “Happy         are those who trust in the LORD, who rely on the LORD. They will         be         like trees planted by the streams, whose roots reach down to the         water. They won’t fear drought when it comes; their leaves will         remain green. They won’t be stressed in the time of drought or         fail         to bear fruit.” 
         Jeremiah 17:7-8 CEB 
     
     
          CONSIDER 
     “Reflect         upon your present blessings, of which every man has many; not on         your         past misfortunes, of which all men have some” 
         Charles Dickens     
     
     
          USA         LACKS NOTABLE CHRISTIAN LEADERS  
     A         new Barna Group study illustrates that no single Christian         leader         captures the attention of the nation’s population. When asked to         identify the single most influential Christian leader in the         U.S.         today, two out of every five Americans (41%) are unable to think         of         anyone who would meet that description. 
     
     Billy         Graham is the name mentioned most often in response to the         unaided         survey question (a measure often described as “top-of-mind”         awareness). One out of five Americans names the octogenarian         evangelist, with 19% of adult residents identifying Mr. Graham         as the         nation’s most influential Christian leader. 
     
     Half         as many adults (9%) believe “the Pope” or Pope Benedict to         be the         most significant Christian leader in the nation. Nearly the same         proportion (8%) considers President Barack Obama to hold this         prominent role.... Read this in full at 
     http://www.barna.org/culture-articles/536-us-lacks-notable-christian-leaders 
     
     
          5         MYTHS ON WHY YOUNG PEOPLE LEAVE THE CHURCH 
     A         revealing look at five myths and realities about young people         that         walk away from the church is in a study by a research company         that         provides resources for churches and non-profits. 
     
     The         Barna Group recently concluded a five-year study comprised of         eight         national studies, which was done on teenagers and young adults         between the ages of 18 to 29. 
     
     It         found that nearly three out of every five young Christians (59%)         disconnect from church life, either permanently or for a long         period         of time after the age of 15. Those polled were active in a         Christian         church during their teen years. 
     
     The         first myth researchers looked at through the study was the idea         that         “most people lose their faith when they leave high school.”         David         Kinnaman, who directed the research, concluded on the website:         "The         reality of the dropout problem is not about a huge exodus of         young         people from the Christian faith. In fact, it is about the         various         ways that young people become disconnected in their spiritual         journey.” .... Read this in full at 
     http://www.christianpost.com/news/barna-group-releases-myths-and-realities-of-young-people-leaving-the-church-62125/ 
     
     
          HAPPINESS 
     “Where,         then, does happiness lie? In forgetfulness, not indulgence, of         the         self. In escape from sensual appetites, not in their         satisfaction. We         live in a dark, self-enclosed prison, which is all we see or         know if         our glance is fixed ever downward. To lift it upward, becoming         aware         of the wide, luminous universe outside--this alone is happiness.         At         its highest level, such happiness is the ecstasy that mystics         have         inadequately described. At more humdrum levels, it is human         love; the         delights and beauties of our dear earth, its colors and shapes         and         sounds; the enchantment of understanding and laughing, and all         other         exercise of such faculties as we possess; the marvel of the         meaning         of everything, fitfully glimpsed, inadequately expounded, but         ever         present.” 
         Malcolm Muggeridge (1903-1990), Jesus Rediscovered,         Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, 1969, p. 159 
     
     
          TIM         KELLER REFLECTS ON JOHN STOTT 
     “I         re-examined my life as a result of John Stott....” 
     Here         are five outcomes of John Stott’s life that should change our         lives: 
     1.         We need to be convicted by his kingdom vision.... See this video         in         full at 
     http://www.johnstottministries.org/tim-keller-memorial 
     Also         see John Stott Memorial Site 
     http://www.johnstottmemorial.org/ 
     
     
          FRIENDS 
     by         Clare De Graaf 
     Why         do you have the friends you do? 
     
     Have         you ever analyzed that question? Most of us don’t plan our         friends         or friendships – they just happen. For me, a number of my         friends         I’ve had since high school or college. When Susan and I got         married         we looked for married friends with whom we had something in         common.         Then kids came along and we drifted toward friends with         children.         And, of course, we met some of our friends at our church and so         we         ended up with a mix of friends that reflected our spiritual         values,         our interests, our stage in life – people like us with whom we         felt         comfortable. And that was part of the problem.... Read this in         full         at 
     http://www.claredegraaf.com/2011/11/21/friends/ 
     
     
          TIM         TEBOW RESPONDS TO JAKE PLUMMER'S COMMENTS ON TEBOW’S FAITH 
     A         day after former Broncos QB Jake Plummer said in a radio         interview         that he wished the man currently taking the snaps in Denver, Tim         Tebow, would curb his references to Jesus Christ and his faith,         Tebow         responded.  
     
     Asked         about Plummer's remarks in an interview on ESPN's First Take,         Tebow         said: "If you're married, and you have a wife, and you really         love your wife, is it good enough to only say to your wife 'I         love         her' the day you get married? Or should you tell her every         single day         when you wake up and every opportunity?” .... Read this in full         at 
     http://content.usatoday.com/communities/thehuddle/post/2011/11/tim-tebow-responds-to-jake-plummers-comments-on-his-faith/1 
     
     
          ARK.         STATE COACH GARNERS WINS ON THE FIELD & POINTS PLAYERS TO         CHRIST 
     At         Andy's Frozen Custard in Jonesboro, Ark., an addition to the         menu has         been selling like hotcakes since it was introduced at an         Arkansas         State University power breakfast this summer. 
     
     Similar         to a strawberry milkshake but with a lighter taste, the vanilla         custard drink blends strawberry syrup and soda water. It has         been         named "Andy's Coach Freeze" in tribute to Hugh Freeze, who         was introduced as Arkansas State University's 27th head football         coach in December 2010. 
     
     Freeze         also has his own shake at Arkansas State. As music sounds in the         locker room after wins, Freeze shows players his moves with a         spirited victory dance that has been caught on tape. 
     
     There         has been a whole lot of shaking going on in Jonesboro this fall. 
     
     The         Red Wolves, who started the season 1-2, have won eight straight         and         clinched at least a share of the Sun Belt Championship. They can         win         it outright with a win over Troy Dec. 3. At 9-2, they have         clinched         their first winning season since 1995 and will go to the         GoDaddy.com         Bowl -- their first bowl since 2005.... Read this in full at 
     http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=36651 
     
     
          THE         MEASURE OF A MAN 
     PRISM         magazine asked a handful of Jesus disciples to share their         thoughts         on the unique challenges men face and the high calling on men’s         hearts. 
     
     Glenn         Miles, director of Asia Prevention for Love146: “We need men who         are appalled by the increasing amount of injustice in the         world.”         .... Read this in full at 
     http://evangelicalsforsocialaction.org/document.doc?id=151 
     
     
          A         KEY INSIGHT INTO CHALLENGES AND MATURITY 
     “The         apostle John celebrates the fact that we're all in differing         stages         of development [see 1 John 2:12-14]. The point isn't to dwell on         how         weak or immature we are currently; it's that we're all in         process,         and our goal is to become fully grown and mature persons. 
     
     “The         apostle Peter said, "Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual         milk, so that you may grow up in your salvation, now that you         have         tasted that the Lord is good" (1 Peter 2:2-3). The pure         spiritual milk Peter refers to can only be attained through         Scripture. Our heavenly Father loves us as we love our own         children,         and he longs for us to mature just as we desire growth and         maturity         for our own sons and daughters. He doesn't want us to stagnate;         in         fact, if we've entrusted our lives to his care, he won't allow         it.         It's not healthy for us. It would be profoundly unloving to         allow us         to remain weak and feeble. 
     
     “James         provides a key insight about how God brings us to maturity. He         writes, ‘Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever         you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing         of         your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its         work so         that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything’         (James         1:2-4). James's point is this: rather than allowing our troubles         to         overwhelm us, we can embrace whatever we're facing, knowing that         we've not been abandoned, the challenge will not last forever,         and it         will inevitably bring about maturity in our lives. 
     
     “‘God         works for the good of those who love him, who have been called         according to his purpose’ (Romans 8:28). Chaos loses its power         to         derail life when we can see it as more than just a problem or         hardship to be overcome. When we have the clarity that God         redeems         everything for our good, circumstance fades into the background,         and         God takes his rightful place at the center of our lives.         Everything         we face in life can be (and is being) used to increase our         strength,         endurance, and trust in God. And everything is in the process of         being redeemed and converted for our ultimate benefit.” 
         Brian         Hardin in Passages: How Reading the Bible in a Year Will Change         Everything for You 
     
     
          THE         URGENT NEED FOR BIBLICAL LITERACY 
     by         Ed Stetzer  
     I         am a student and teacher of God's Word. I went to school -- a         lot of         school -- committed to studying things rooted in the Scriptures.         I         write books and articles; I lecture, preach and speak at         conferences         all around the world on the centrality of God's mission         expressed in         Bible. 
     
     For         me, reading the Bible is essential to my spiritual growth. I         make a         habit of consistent and regular study in the Word of God -- not         just         for messages I preach on Sunday but to be changed by the Word of         God.         Every time I open the Word of God and teach at church I ask the         Lord         to speak through it. As believers, it is essential that we read,         memorize, study, and meditate on the Word of God.... Read this         in         full at 
     http://www.bpnews.net/BPFirstPerson.asp?ID=36626 
     
     
          POLLSTER         PLUMBED STATE OF AMERICAN RELIGION 
     George         Gallup Jr. helped run his father's public-opinion polling         organization for half a century, and developed his own specialty         in         studying religion by the numbers. 
     
     Mr.         Gallup, who died Nov. 21 at age 81, served for many years as         corporate spokesman and with his brother Alec was co-chairman of         the         Gallup Poll. 
     
     "George         had this unusual combination of training at his father's knee in         polling, the scientific ascertainment of public opinions, and         also a         passion for religion," said Frank Newport, Gallup's editor in         chief.... Read this in full at 
     http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203710704577054693571016440.html 
     
     
          OUR         SECRET AFRICAN HERITAGE 
     by         David Neff 
     This         summer I read Thomas C. Oden's new book, The African Memory of         Mark:         Reassessing Early Church Tradition. Oden's tale centers on         Alexandria, where the church produced both the early church's         greatest defender of orthodoxy (Bishop Athanasius) and its most         infamous heretic (Presbyter Arius). 
     
     Oden         argues that we ought to take the Alexandrian church's tales of         its         own origins seriously, as seriously as I take my father's yellow         scroll.  
     
     From         various African sources, Oden reconstructs a church's memory of         an         African apostle, born in what is today Libya. Young John Mark's         family migrated to Jerusalem, where he became one of Jesus'         earliest         followers and, significantly, the writer of the earliest Gospel.         Mark's father was likely a cousin to Simon and Andrew, and their         family home in Jerusalem became a focus of Christian activity.         It was         the place where the church prayed when Herod imprisoned Simon         Peter.         It was also likely the place where Jesus' core followers         gathered to         await Pentecost. John Mark became a key evangelist. His         disappointing         missions with Paul and Barnabas (another relative) are well         known,         but African Christians also remember his successful missions to         his         Libyan birthplace and then to Alexandria, the ancient seat of         culture         and learning in the region.... Read this in full at 
     http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2011/november/africa-heritage.html 
     
     
          IN         30 YEARS, THERE WILL BE NO CHRISTIANS LEFT IN THE MIDDLE EAST 
     by         Anthony Shadid 
     Fear         is a sentiment voiced often these days by Arab Christians, a sad         refrain for an ancient community that was so long a force in         politics         and culture in the Arab world. These days, a community that         still         numbers in the millions — with the largest populations in Egypt,         Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Iraq, and the Palestinian territories —         finds itself little more than a spectator to events reshaping a         place         it once helped create, and sometimes a victim of the violence         that         those events have unleashed. In all the narratives that the Arab         revolts represent — dignity, democracy, rights, and social         justice         — many Christians hew to a far bleaker version of events: that         their time may be running out.... Read this in full at 
     http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/20/sunday-review/the-hatred-and-hope-for-arab-christians.html?_r=2&ref=religionandbelief 
     
     
          ETHNIC         CLEANSING IN BURMA BEHIND TOKEN REFORMS 
     Whilst         the West is lauding Burma for its reforms, these reforms are not         about democracy but regime survival and advancing the regime's         interests as anti-China sentiment inside Burma is soaring.         Burma's         duplicity is evident in that its war against the Christian         Kachin         people continues unabated. The regime appears intent on         ethnically         cleansing Kachin State where China wants to build a massive dam         and         hydro-power scheme. Some 30,000 Kachin are displaced, most         without         food, shelter or medical aid. The regime is imposing severe         restrictions on Christianity in some Kachin towns. War and         repression         are escalating behind a smokescreen of token reforms from a         Burman-Buddhist-supremacist regime operating from a position of         increasing geo-strategic significance. The Christian Kachin need         our         prayers for God's intervention now more than ever.... Read this         in         full at 
     http://elizabethkendal.blogspot.com/2011/11/burma-myanmar-interests-smokescreens.html 
     
     
          WHAT         WILL TODAY BE? 
     I         woke up early today, excited over all I get to do before the         clock         strikes midnight. I have responsibilities to fulfill today. I am         important. My job is to choose what kind of day I am going to         have.  
     
     Today         I can complain because the weather is rainy or I can be thankful         that         the grass is getting watered for free.  
     
     Today         I can feel sad that I don't have more money or I can be glad         that my         finances encourage me to plan my purchases wisely and guide me         away         from waste.  
     
     Today         I can grumble about my health or I can rejoice that I am alive.        
     
     Today         I can lament over all that my parents didn't give me when I was         growing up or I can feel grateful that they allowed me to be         born.  
     
     Today         I can cry because roses have thorns or I can celebrate that         thorns         have roses.  
     
     Today         I can mourn my lack of friends or I can excitedly embark upon a         quest         to discover new relationships.  
     
     Today         I can whine because I have to go to work or I can shout for joy         because I have a job.  
     
     Today         I can complain because I have to go to school or eagerly open my         mind         and fill it with rich new tidbits of knowledge.      
     
     Today         I can murmur dejectedly because I have to do housework or I can         feel         honored because I've been provided shelter for my mind and body.        
     
     Today         stretches ahead of me, waiting to be shaped. And here I am, the         sculptor who gets to do the shaping.  
     
     What         today will be like is up to me.  
     
     I         get to choose what kind of day I will have!  
     
     Have         a GREAT DAY! (unless you have other plans...) 
     http://www.mikeysFunnies.com 
     
     
          VERSE         TO PONDER 
     “The         LORD of heavenly forces proclaims: Make just and faithful         decisions;         show kindness and compassion to each other!” 
         Zech 7:9 CEB 
     
     
          CONSIDER 
     “We         can thank God for everything good, and all the rest we don't         comprehend yet.” 
         Kristin Armstrong     
     
     
          THE         FALL TO FORGIVENESS: A ONCE-TAINTED WHITE HOUSE AIDE RESTORED BY         CHRIST 
     In         2008, Tim Goeglein was at the pinnacle of success for a then         44-year-old politico. A journalism major who used his         communications         skills to fine tune the messages of members of Congress and         eventually the president of the United States, he had indeed         arrived         until he began committing one of the biggest sins in public life         –         secretly using the work of other writers without attribution. 
     
     It         is called plagiarism and in the world journalism and politics,         it         seems an unpardonable sin. 
     
     The         fall was swift and painful. That’s because Goeglein not only was         in         the White House inner circle, he was the face of President         George W.         Bush when it came to dealing with evangelical leaders         nationally. The         event attracted the sharpest of criticism from gleeful enemies         and         the White House could not defend itself.... Read this in full at 
     http://www.christianpost.com/news/the-fall-to-forgiveness-a-once-tainted-white-house-aide-restored-by-christ-62724/ 
     
     
          CONGRESS         GIVES USCIRF 'STAY OF EXECUTION' 
     The         work of the congressionally approved watchdog for global         religious         liberty will continue for at least until mid-December. 
     
     Both         the Senate and House of Representatives approved a spending bill         Nov.         17 that includes funding for the US Commission on International         Religious Freedom (USCIRF) and the entire federal government         through         Dec. 16. Had Congress not acted in time, the federal government         --         and USCIRF -- would have shut down at the end of the day Nov.         18. 
     
     It         is the third time this fall Congress has approved a measure that         keeps USCIRF operating temporarily. Legislators beat a Sept. 30         deadline by extending federal spending through Oct. 4. Then, the         Senate and House passed a resolution to maintain funding through         Nov.         18.... Read this in full at 
     http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=36606 
     
     
          EX-WRESTLER         LEX LUGER TALKS OF NEW LIFE IN CHRIST 
     Lex         Luger -- also known as "The Total Package" and "The         Narcissist" -- gained worldwide fame as a pro wrestling         champion. He stood at 6-feet 4-inches tall, weighed 265 pounds         and         had a 32-inch waist. His muscles were like polished steel and         his         perfectly sculptured body added to the wrestling mania that had         gripped the nation. He frequently highlighted his muscular         physique         by posing in front of full-length mirrors before many of his         matches.         His wrestling persona was designed to thrill his fans. His         accomplishments in the ring are legendary. 
     
     For         the last five and a half years, he's also been a Christian,         learning         and growing more each day. God, he says, has helped him "get rid         of the last remnant of that vanity and pride" that was the         emblem of his ring persona. 
     
     Born         in 1958, Luger played professional football in the Canadian         Football         League and the now-defunct United States Football League before         beginning his wrestling career. He did not have the privilege of         growing up in a Christian home. He never went to church, but         grew up         chasing fame in the WCW and WWE on a track that included drugs,         alcohol and women.... Read this in full at 
     http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=36636 
     
     
          ONLY         46% OF CHILDREN GROW UP IN AN INTACT HOME, STUDY SAYS 
     Only         46% of children in the United States will reach age 17 having         grown         up in a home with biological parents who are married -- a figure         that         has a significant impact on the nation's graduation, poverty and         teenage birth rates, according to a new report. 
     
     "We         have never faced anything like this in human history," said the         Family Research Council's Pat Fagan, one of the co-authors of         the         study.  
     
     Compiled         by Fagan and psychologist Nicholas Zill and released by the         Family         Research Council's Marriage & Religion Research Institute,         the         data shows that:     
     
     --         The intact family rate is highest in the Northeast (49.6         percent) and         lowest in the South (41.8) 
     
     --         Minnesota (57) and Utah (56.5) have the highest intact family         rate         among all 50 states, with Mississippi (34 percent) the lowest. 
     
     --         Asians (65.8) have the highest rate among ethnic and racial         classes,         blacks (16.7) the lowest.... Read this in full at 
     http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=36616 
     
     
          WHEN         PRAYER IS PLUGGED INTO ITS POWER SUPPLY 
     “The         greatest moments in life are the miraculous moments when human         [powerlessness] and divine [power] intersect — and they         intersect         when we draw a circle around the impossible situations in our         lives         and invite God to intervene. 
     
     “One         way or another, your small timid prayers or big audacious         prayers         will change the trajectory of your life and turn you into two         totally         different people. Prayers are prophecies. They are the best         predictors of your spiritual future. Who you become is         determined by         how you pray. Ultimately, the transcript of your prayers becomes         the         script of your life. 
     
     “Drawing         prayer circles starts with discerning what God wants, what God         wills.         And until His sovereign will becomes your sanctified wish, your         prayer life will be unplugged from its power supply... Getting         what         you want isn't the goal; the goal is glorifying God by drawing         circles around the promises, miracles, and dreams He wants for         you. 
     
     “Now         here's the good news: If you do pray, all bets are off. You can         live         with holy anticipation because you never know how or when or         where         God is going to answer, but I promise you this: He will answer.         And         His answers are not limited by your requests. We pray out of our         ignorance, but God answers out of His omniscience. We pray out         of our         impotence, but God answers out of His omnipotence. God has the         ability to answer the prayers we should have prayed but lacked         the         knowledge or ability to even ask.” 
         Mark Batterson in The Circle         Maker: Praying Circles Around Your Biggest Dreams and Greatest         Fears 
     
     
          FOR         THE BURPO FAMILY, ‘HEAVEN IS FOR REAL’ 
     by         Mark Ellis 
     When         doctors inexplicably missed four-year-old Colton Burpo’s burst         appendix, and the resulting infection nearly took his life, his         father railed at God as Colton’s life seemed to be slip away. 
     
     Pastor         Todd Burpo found a small room in the hospital after Colton was         taken         into surgery, and he unloaded some raw emotions toward heaven.         “Where         are you God? Is this how you treat your pastors? Is it worth it         to         even serve you?” he shouted, as recounted in the New York Times         bestseller “Heaven is for Real.” 
     
     After         Colton’s surgery and a time in ICU, the fair-haired boy made a         remarkable recovery. It wasn’t until four months later on a         family         car ride to South Dakota that Colton’s parents realized         something         very unusual happened to Colton as doctors fought to save his         life.... Read this in full at 
     http://blog.godreports.com/2011/11/for-the-burpo-family-%E2%80%98heaven-is-for-real%E2%80%99/#more-832 
     
     
          NEW         PEW FORUM REPORT ANALYZES WASHINGTON'S RELIGIOUS ADVOCACY         COMMUNITY 
     The         number of organizations engaged in religious lobbying or         religion-related advocacy in Washington, DC, has increased         roughly         fivefold in the past four decades, from fewer than 40 in 1970 to         more         than 200 today, according to a new study on religious advocacy         groups         released by the Pew Research Center's Forum on Religion &         Public         Life. 
     
     These         groups collectively employ at least 1,000 people in the greater         Washington area and spend at least $390 million a year on         efforts to         influence national public policy. As a whole, religious advocacy         organizations work on about 300 policy issues. For most of the         past         century, religious advocacy groups in Washington focused mainly         on         domestic affairs. Today, however, roughly as many groups work         only on         international issues as work only on domestic issues, and nearly         two-thirds of the groups work on both. 
     
     These         are among the key findings of Lobbying for the Faithful:         Religious         Advocacy Groups in Washington, DC, which examines a total of 212         religion-related advocacy groups operating in the nation's         capital.... Read this in full at 
     http://www.religionnews.com/index.php?/pressreleases/new_pew_forum_report_analyzes_washingtons_religious_advocacy_community/     
     
     Full         report at 
     http://www.pewforum.org/lobbying-religious-advocacy-groups-in-washington-dc.aspx 
     
     
          HOW           THE “BATTLE HYMN OF THE REPUBLIC” CHANGED AMERICA —           AND THE           LIFE OF THE WOMAN WHO WROTE IT 150 YEARS AGO      
     On         Nov. 18, 1861, Julia Ward Howe, a prominent Boston poet,         attended a         review of Union troops outside Washington, D.C. As her carriage         made         its way back to the city, inching along roads clogged with         marching         soldiers, Howe and her companions began singing some of the         popular         songs of the day, among them “John Brown’s Body,” an         earthy         Union marching tune. Together, the troops and the civilian         spectators         belted out the song’s rousing chorus: “Glory, glory         hallelujah,         his soul is marching on!” One of Howe’s traveling         companions         suggested that she write some more elevated lyrics for the tune.         She         replied that she had often thought of doing so, but that the         words         had not yet come to her. 
     
     That         night, as she slept at the Willard Hotel, the city’s most         distinguished accommodation, the words finally came. As Howe         later         recalled, “I awoke in the gray of the morning twilight; and as I         lay waiting for the dawn, the long lines of the desired poem         began to         twine themselves in my mind. Having thought out all the stanzas,         I         said to myself, ‘I must get up and write these verses down, lest         I         fall asleep again and forget them.’ ” She jumped out of         bed,         found an old stump of a pen nearby, and scrawled the verses on         the         back of a piece of stationery. Falling back to sleep with a         drowsy         sense of satisfaction, she thought to herself, “I like this         better         than most things that I have written.” .... Read this in full at 
     http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/life_and_art/2011/11/julia_ward_howe_s_battle_hymn_of_the_republic_how_it_changed_america_.html     
     
     
          CONSIDER 
     “Suddenly         I heard the words of Christ and understood them, and life and         death         ceased to seem to me evil, and instead of despair I experienced         happiness and the joy of life undisturbed by death.” 
         Leo Tolstoy 
     
     
          VERSE         TO PONDER 
     “Enter         into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with         praise: be         thankful unto him, and bless his name.” 
         Psalm 100:4 
     
     
          THIS         WEEK'S HYMN: THE ADVENT OF OUR GOD 
     Words:         Charles Coffin, 1736; translated from Latin to English by John         Chandler, 1837 
     Music:         Samuel Wesley, 1837 
     
     The         advent of our God     
     Our         prayers must now employ, 
     And         we must meet Him on His road 
     With         hymns of holy joy. 
     
     The         everlasting Son     
     Incarnate         deigns to be; 
     Himself         a servant’s form puts on 
     To         set His people free. 
     
     Daughter         of Zion, rise 
     To         meet thy lowly King, 
     Nor         let thy faithless heart despise 
     The         peace He comes to bring. 
     
     As         Judge, on clouds of light, 
     He         soon will come again, 
     And         all His scattered saints unite 
     With         Him in Heaven to reign. 
     
     Before         the dawning day     
     Let         sin’s dark deeds be gone; 
     The         old man all be put away, 
     The         new man all put on. 
     
     All         glory to the Son     
     Who         comes to set us free, 
     With         Father, Spirit, ever One, 
     Through         all eternity. 
     
     >from         NetHymnal at 
     http://nethymnal.org/ 
     
     
          ON         PRAYER 
     “If         the spiritual life be healthy, under the full power of the Holy         Spirit, praying without ceasing will be natural.” 
         Andrew Murray         (1828-1917), The Ministry of Intercession: a plea for more         prayer,         New York: Revell, 1898, p. 192 
     
     
          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.
     
     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. 
     
     Infographic:         Tallest Mountain to Deepest Ocean Trench  
     http://www.ouramazingplanet.com/66-infographic-tallest-mountain-to-deepest-ocean-trench.html           
     
     Learn         Almost Anything for Free 
     http://www.khanacademy.org/ 
     
     American         History: The Price of Freedom 
     http://americanhistory.si.edu/militaryhistory/exhibition/flash.html 
     
     Panorama         view of Utah 
     http://www.utah3d.net/panoramas_4/junction-butte.html 
     
     National         Geographic Photo Contest 2011 
     http://m.theatlantic.com/infocus/2011/11/national-geographic-photo-contest-2011/100187/ 
     
     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.) 
     
     
     Stop         telling God how big your storm is. Instead, tell your storm how         big         your God is.
     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/  
     
     
     Subscribe!
     Subscribe               to CONNECTIONS here
     
     Get Archives             of all past issues here:
     http://www.pathoflifeministries.net/connections/archives_all.html
     
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