Path Of Life

Thought for today - 01/27/2012

2012-01-27T05:11:00.001-06:00

CONSIDER
"How will you love him who so loved you first? Why, in loving him you will be an imitator of his kindness. And do not marvel that a human being can imitate God. By the will of God he can."
Epistle to Diognetus

Thought for today - 01/26/2012

2012-01-26T06:07:00.001-06:00

VERSE TO PONDER
"The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness."
James 3:17-18

Thought for today - 01/25/2012

2012-01-25T06:28:00.001-06:00

"A great deal more failure is the result of an excess of caution than of bold experimentation with new ideas. The frontiers of the Kingdom of God were never advanced by men and women of caution."
- J. Oswald Sanders

Thought for today - 01/24/2012

2012-01-24T08:49:00.001-06:00

KNOWING GOD
"By giving his name, God says clearly, I want to have a personal relationship. I am introducing myself. I am telling you my name so that you can call me. God did this to let the Israelites know he would be very near, personally protecting them, putting out food for them every night and setting up signposts for their journey every day. He was not just the great God of the universe. He was their own personal God, who cared. He would go with them on their dangerous trip to Palestine. For us, God's name means much the same thing. A person can pick out his name even if it is said in a crowded, noisy room. So with God. Amid the incredible clatter of the universe, the motion and clamor of billions, when we speak his name, God tunes in. We have his attention when we call out to him. He will keep a close eye on us. He will stay close to us all through our dangerous journey."
Tim Stafford, Personal God: Can You Really Know the One Who Made the Universe?

Thought for today - 01/23/2012

2012-01-23T08:29:00.001-06:00

CONSIDER
"Children are innocent and love justice, while most adults are wicked and prefer mercy."
G. K. Chesterton

CONNECTIONS NEWS - 01/22/2012

2012-01-22T20:02:00.001-06:00

Connecting man to man to God
For week of January 22, 2012
Issue 392

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.

Today's issue is going out to 2,130 weekly subscribers. Thank you in advance for forwarding this issue to friends, family and associates! To have a friend start their own Free subscription to CONNECTIONS, please have them visit:http://www.pathoflifeministries.net/page33.html
or subscribe via rss feed here:
http://www.connectionsnews.wordpress.com/feed

“No temptation has seized you that isn’t common for people. But God is faithful. He won’t allow you to be tempted beyond your abilities. Instead, with the temptation, God will also supply a way out so that you will be able to endure it.”
1 Corinthians 10:13 (CEB)

     CONSIDER
“Pulling weeds and planting seeds. That's the story of life. We are individual lots on which either weeds of selfishness or fruit of the Holy Spirit grows and flourishes.”
Dennis and Barbara Rainey

     SURVEY: HALF OF CHURCHGOERS' LIVES NOT AFFECTED BY TIME IN PEWS
Almost half of churchgoing Americans say their life has not changed a bit due to their time in the pews, a new survey shows.

Barna Group, an evangelical company based in California, found that 46% reported no change. About a quarter of Americans said their life was greatly affected by church attendance and another quarter said it was somewhat influential.

Two-thirds of respondents said they had felt "a real and personal connection" with God while attending church.

Among weekly church attenders, 44% said they felt God's presence every week and 18% said they had that experience once a month.... Read this in full at
http://www.christiancentury.org/article/2012-01/survey-half-churchgoers-lives-not-affected-time-pews

     A BIBLE IN YOUR BACKPACK, UNLESS YOU OPT OUT, IN P.E.I.
Handing out Gideon Bibles to Grade 5 students has been a long tradition in Prince Edward Island schools, one that has been safeguarded for more than four decades as the role of religion in Canadian classrooms slowly eroded.

This past week, one P.E.I. school board faced the uncomfortable question of whether the service should still be offered at all after a parent complained about the consent form sent home to allow his daughter to opt out of the service.

“I’ll be held responsible for my child’s belief system, not the schools,” Michael Arsenault told the local CBC.... Read this in full at
http://life.nationalpost.com/2012/01/18/a-bible-in-your-backpack/

     HOBBY LOBBY PRESIDENT COLLECTS BIBLES
See this interview with Steve Green, president of Hobby Lobby, as he talks about the traveling exhibit of rare Bibles
http://www.cnn.com/video/?hpt=hp_t3#/video/bestoftv/2012/01/18/nr-phillips-green-religious-artifacts.cnn

Also see the collections website at
http://www.ExplorePassages.com

     DON'T TAKE FAITH FOR GRANTED
by David Briggs
Men would rather watch Monday Night Football than go shopping. Eating too many Hardee’s Monster Thickburgers is linked to obesity. Texting while driving is a bad idea.

There are times when research findings are so obvious they are almost beyond questioning. So it is puzzling that growing evidence showing the importance of congregations cultivating the spiritual lives of the faithful is so routinely ignored.

Puzzling, and damaging to the health of many of the nation’s churches, especially those most in need of revival.

Even though research shows that spiritually alive churches are the most likely to grow, the percentage of US congregations reporting high spiritual vitality declined from 43 percent in 2005 to 28 percent in 2010, according to the latest Faith Communities Today survey.... Read this in full at
http://www.faithandleadership.com/content/david-briggs-dont-take-faith-for-granted?page=0,0

     DESIRE TO BE A HERO LIKE BONHOEFFER
by Timothy Larsen
Ecclesiastes 10:9 says, “Whoever quarries stones may be injured by them; whoever splits logs may be endangered by them” (NIV). I have always thought of this as the law of occupational hazards. It is good for all of us to reflect on what might be the unfortunate outcomes to which our vocations and positions are particularly prone.

Self-importance is an occupational hazard of the academic life. We academics tend to be vain, self-absorbed people. Our work is structured so as to make us the center of attention. We are rewarded for hearing ourselves talk, getting our names in print and convincing others that we are special—wiser, more knowledgeable, more authoritative as experts. But one gets diminishing returns for the same amount of praise, and we end up having to seek ever-bigger doses. You know how certain kinds of people might overly slather butter on their toast? That’s how we academics like our flattery.

Believe me, I know whereof I speak.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer has been one of my heroes for my entire adult life. It’s possible that no book besides the Bible has ever made a greater impact on me than Bonhoeffer’s Letters and Papers from Prison. It drew me on to reading his other works, as well as biographies of him and studies of his ideas.... Read this in full at
http://www.umportal.org/article.asp?id=8522

     THE CHICKEN OF THE SEA: A MODERN TALE OF FEAR, FAILURE, AND COWARDICE
by R. Albert Mohler, Jr.
What are we to do with Captain Francesco Schettino, captain of the cruise ship Costa Concordia that sank off the Tuscan coast? He will go down in history as an example of miserable failure, dereliction of duty, radical cowardice, and the collapse of manhood. He failed to do what any man in his position would be expected to do. He even refused a direct command to take up his duty, once he had abandoned it.

We are left with the tragic picture of a frightened man who abandoned his post when he was most needed, and consigned over 4,200 human beings in his care to the dark water.

It is a portrait of moral collapse and the forfeiture of manhood.

Thankfully, this was not the only picture to be seen. Manrico Giampedroni, a 57-year-old crew member aboard the Costa Concordia devoted himself fearlessly to the rescue of passengers, returning to the listing ship again and again to find them and return them to safety. He stopped only when he badly fractured his leg and had to be rescued himself. Francis Servel, who attempted to flee the boat with his wife, Nicole, discovered that there was only one life jacket. He put it on his wife, and that was her last sight of him. “I owe my life to my husband,” she said.... Read this in full at
http://www.albertmohler.com/2012/01/19/the-chicken-of-the-sea-a-modern-tale-of-fear-failure-and-cowardice/

     DEMONSTRATE LOVE
“It is very important that children learn from their fathers and mothers how to love one another - not in the school, not from the teacher, but from you. It is very important that you share with your children the joy of that smile. There will be misunderstandings; every family has its cross, its suffering. Always be the first to forgive with a smile. Be cheerful, be happy.”
Mother Teresa

     THE KINGDOM – THE FAMILY BUSINESS – PART I
by Clare De Graaf
Have you ever thought of the kingdom of God as the family business?

In my previous worldview as a religious Christian, prior to my own spiritual re-birth some 30 years ago now, I had a Sunday school understanding of the gospel and the kingdom. Jesus’ life, death, burial, and resurrection was all about me – getting me and others out from underneath this problem with sin, which we had with God. Once that was done, I had my promise of heaven when I die, and living with God in his kingdom, the Kingdom of Heaven.

But, here’s where I missed it! .... Read this in full at
http://www.claredegraaf.com/2012/01/16/the-kingdom-the-family-business-%e2%80%93-part-i/

     GOD’S HOLINESS
“The holiness of God, the wrath of God, and the health of the creation are inseparably united. Not only is it right for God to display anger at sin, but I find it impossible to understand how He could do otherwise. God's wrath is His utter intolerance of whatever degrades or destroys.”
A. W. Tozer (1897-1963), Man: The Dwelling Place of God, Harrisburg, Penn.: Christian Publications, Inc., 1966, p. 111

     DOES GOD LOVE TO SURPRISE US?
“God must love the game of chicken because He plays it with us all the time. He has this habit of waiting until the very last moment to answer our prayer to see if we will chicken out or pray through. If we chicken out, we miss out on the miracle; if we pray through, God will come through, but it may well be at the last moment possible. And, of course, if you chicken out of the game of chicken, God will always give you another chance to get back in the game.

“This pattern of last-second provision is repeated throughout Scripture, and I think it reveals God's playful personality. Sometimes we are so focused on the character of God that we forget that God has a personality too. He loves hiding around corners and surprising us. You can't convince me that Jesus didn't have fun sneaking up on the disciples in the middle of the night in the middle of the lake by walking on water. You can't convince me that God didn't enjoy the befuddled look on Moses' face when he heard the talking bush. As I read Scripture, I can come to no other conclusion than this: God loves showing up in unexpected ways at unexpected times.

“I love this part of God's personality. While it sometimes adds stress, it also adds drama. In big and small ways, it is prayer that adds the unexpected twists and turns in our personal plotlines that make life worth living. It is prayer that precipitates and culminates in the climactic moments when God shows up in dramatic fashion. It is prayer that can turn any story, your story, into an epic drama.

“I have scribbled the initials JEJIT in the margins of my Bible at various places where God provides just enough just in time... He did it when the Israelites are trapped between the Egyptian army and Red Sea. He did it when the boat is about to capsize on the Sea of Galilee because of hurricane-force winds. And He did it with us when we had twenty-four hours to come up with $7,500.

“Maybe you're in a desperate situation right now. It feels like ... the Egyptian army is closing in on you, or your boat is about to capsize. It may seem like God is nowhere to be seen, but maybe God is setting the stage for a miracle. This I know for sure: God is always stage right. He's ready to make His grand entrance. All He is waiting for is your prayer cue.”
Mark Batterson in The Circle Maker: Praying Circles Around Your Biggest Dreams and Greatest Fears

     NEARLY 60% OF YOUNG PEOPLE LEAVING THE CHURCH
A recent study by the Barna Group found that almost 60% of Christian young people ages 15 to 29 have distanced themselves from active involvement in church.

David Kinnaman, president of the Barna Group, says a few reasons behind the mass exodus include young people finding churches "shallow," feeling that God is missing from services, and feeling that church is not a safe place to express doubts. He added that in many cases, churches have failed to equip young people to live "in but not of" the world.

"[Young people] tell us that ... Christianity has become so hip, so watered-down, so about entertainment -- and they're looking for something of more substance," Kinnaman said. However, Kinnaman said this has led some young people to begin attending more traditional, conservative churches. "They want to feel that their faith matters, that they're learning the truth of Scripture," he said.... Read this in full and see a video interview at
http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2011/November/Mass-Exodus-How-the-Church-Is-Losing-the-Youth/

     ADULTERY AND SOCIETY
by Kerby Anderson
The seventh commandment says "Thou shalt not commit adultery." Nevertheless, this sin has been committed throughout history. Today, though, adultery seems more rampant than ever. While tabloid stories report the affairs of politicians, millionaires, and movie stars, films like "The English Patient," "The Prince of Tides," or "The Bridges of Madison Country" feature and even promote adultery.

How prevalent is adultery? Two of the most reliable studies come to similar conclusions. The Janus Report on Sexual Behavior estimates that "More than one-third of men and one-quarter of women admit having had at least one extramarital sexual experience." A survey by the National Opinion Research Center (University of Chicago) found lower percentages: 25 percent of men had been unfaithful and 17 percent of women. Even when these lower ratios are applied to the current adult population, that means that some 19 million husbands and 12 million wives have had an affair.

Whatever the actual numbers, the point to be made is that adultery is much more common than we would like to admit. Family therapist and psychiatrist Frank Pittman believes "There may be as many acts of infidelity in our society as there are traffic accidents." He further argues that the fact that adultery has become commonplace has altered society's perception of it. He says, "We won't go back to the times when adulterers were put in the stocks and publicly humiliated, or become one of those societies and there are many in which adultery is punishable by death. Society in any case is unable to enforce a rule that the majority of people break, and infidelity is so common it is no longer deviant." .... Read this in full at
http://www.probe.org/site/c.fdKEIMNsEoG/b.4219465/k.CB69/Adultery.htm

     ARE YOU TRULY FREE?
“The opposite of a slave is not a free man. It's a worshiper. The one who is most free is the one who turns the work of his hands into sacrament, into offering. All he makes and all he does are gifts from God, through God, and to God.”
Mark Buchanan

     GEORGIA CHURCH’S FILMS MAKE MILLIONS
See this report about Sherwood Baptist Church and its making of the movie Courageous at
http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2012/01/16/georgia-churchs-films-make-millions/

     MESSAGE FROM GOD: BE PATIENT
by Christopher Shea
Deeply religious people may be more likely than their secular peers to forgo a small reward now for a larger one later, a new study finds — a trait that helps to foster social cooperation (not to mention economic progress).

Researchers offered nearly 300 undergraduates a series of options involving trade-offs — $50 now or $100 in six months, for example — and asked them a series of questions measuring how often they thought about the future. (To increase the motivation, the students had a chance to actually receive the prize they selected in one of their scenarios.) Additionally, participants answered a series of questions probing the depth of their religiosity. Just under half of the participants were Christian, while 17% reported no religious affiliation and another 17% had no preferred denomination).... Read this in full at
http://blogs.wsj.com/ideas-market/2012/01/13/message-from-god-be-patient/?mod=WSJBlog

     CAN GOD USE YOU?
“We need to arrange a servanthood conference, with workshops in love, forgiveness, feet-washing, cross bearing- in short, workshops in Christlikeness. God is not waiting for people to get big enough to use, but to get small enough in their own eyes for Him to entrust with His mission and Spirit. Christ cannot be represented by swaggering leaders who ‘lord it over’ the flock of God. He cannot be represented by puffed-up laymen who nominate themselves as church bosses. He can be honestly manifested only in the lives of those who feel, as did Paul, that they are ‘less than the least of all the saints.’”
W. E. McCumber

     DO SPORTS BUILD CHARACTER OR DAMAGE IT?
by Mark Edmundson
Do sports build character? For those of us who claim to be educators, it's important to know. Physical-education teachers, coaches, boosters, most trustees, and the balance of alumni seem sure that they do. And so they push sports, sports, and more sports. As for professors, they often see sports as a diversion from the real business of education—empty, time-wasting, and claiming far too much of students' attention. It often seems that neither the boosters nor the bashers want to go too far in examining their assumptions about sports.

But in fact, sports are a complex issue, and it's clear that we as a culture don't really know how to think about them. Public confusion about performance-enhancing drugs, the dangers of concussions in football and of fighting in hockey, and the recent molestation scandal at Penn State suggest that it might be good to pull back and consider the question of athletics and education—of sports and character-building—a bit more closely than we generally do.... Read this in full at
http://chronicle.com/article/Do-Sports-Build-Character-or/130286/

     VERSE TO PONDER
“Therefore, you should treat people in the same way that you want people to treat you; this is the Law and the Prophets.”
Matthew 7:12 (CEB)

     CONSIDER
“Love is an act of endless forgiveness, a tender look which becomes a habit.”
Peter Ustinov

     HELP YOUR MARRIAGE OR OTHERS DURING NATIONAL MARRIAGE WEEK USA
National Marriage Week USA (February 7 to 14) is growing fast in just its third year, posting thousands of marriage classes across the nation and building collaborative efforts for one-week-a-year to strengthen marriages, reduce divorce, and increase the marriage rate, which curtails poverty, benefits children, and builds financial stability for our nation and for individuals.

"Rebuilding our economy is tied to rebuilding marriages," said Sheila Weber, executive director of National Marriage Week USA (http://www.nationalmarriageweekusa.org). "Taxpayers spend at least $112 billion a year for divorce and unwed childbearing. Marriage brings vastly more financial stability to individuals," she continued.... Read this in full at
http://www.christiannewswire.com/news/3846918679.html

     HIS ENCOUNTER WITH JESUS BEGAN IN THE MOSQUE
by Mark Ellis
Like other boys in his Pashtun tribe along the Pakistan-Afghan border, he was sent to a madrasa at age four, where he was compelled to read, recite and memorize the Koran.

"The children mimic or copy the mullah, who is very heavy-handed. You have to memorize out of fear," says John Taimoor, founder of The Crossbearers, a ministry devoted to presenting biblical Christianity within an Islamic context

By age 14 he was reading Shakespeare and searching for heroes, when he stumbled across the name 'Isa,' the Arabic name for Jesus in the Koran. "I read the name of Jesus and became curious," he says. "The Lord reached me right in the mosque."

When he asked the priest about Jesus, he was told that Moses and Jesus were brothers. When he asked how to find out more, they told him to find 'The Book of Isa.' "Nobody had ever heard of a Bible." .... Read this in full at
http://blog.godreports.com/2012/01/his-encounter-with-jesus-began-in-the-mosque/

     JOHN 3:16 AD RUNS DURING TEBOW GAME
During January 14th’s NFL playoff game between Tim Tebow's Denver Broncos and the New England Patriots, pro-family organization Focus on the Family ran an ad (see it at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5beoRa_HR8o) in which children recited John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." According to preliminary numbers, the game was "the highest-rated AFC divisional playoff in 18 years," with a total of more than 29 million viewers. The ad came just a week after Tebow passed for 316 yards in a win against the Pittsburgh Steelers, causing John 3:16 to be the most searched item on Google and leading to a number of Internet salvations. "There has been a lot of buzz lately about what John 3:16 says, and we wanted to help people understand it without having to run to their computer to look it up," said Focus on the Family's Jim Daly. "We hope this helps everyone understand some numbers are more important than the ones on the scoreboard." .... Read this in full at
http://www.crosswalk.com/news/religiontoday-news-summaries/religion-today-summaries-january-17-2012.html

     MYSTERY GUEST PROGRAM FOR CHURCHES EXPANDS NATIONALLY
When Faith Perceptions was founded in 2008 offering a mystery guest program (similar to mystery shopping in a business context), they knew they were onto something. It turns out they were onto something big. Faith Perceptions experienced a 300% increase in growth in 2011 from 2010. They also expanded from one state to eight states, and they now serve four Christian denominations. This makes it the fastest growing firm of its type in the country.

Here is how it works: Faith Perceptions (http://www.FaithPerceptions.com) partners with church leaders to evaluate the guest experience. Church leaders typically do not disclose their participation in the program to the congregation so everyone will conduct "church as usual." Faith Perceptions finds people in the church's local area and hires qualified "unchurched" mystery guests to attend the church services -- a different person at each service. The mystery guest then completes an online survey rating the church both numerically and with written commentary. Faith Perceptions compiles the data and provides reports to the church leaders quarterly with qualitative and quantitative feedback. Church leaders use this information to make their environment more welcoming and hospitable to first time visitors.... Read this in full at
http://www.christiannewswire.com/news/3929218693.html

     PRESBYTERIAN GROUP BREAKS AWAY OVER GAY CLERGY
Presbyterians opposed to gay clergy split from the church Jan. 19, announcing in Orlando a new denomination called the Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians.

More than 2,000 Presbyterians from 500 churches witnessed the launch of the new group, which was formed in reaction to a decision in July by the 2.3 million member Presbyterian Church (USA) to permit gay clergy, said John Crosby, president of the order.

"The problem is people are going to hell," John Ortberg, a leader of the splinter group and minister at the Menlo Park Presbyterian Church in California, said in a sermon to begin Thursday's events.... Read this in full at
http://old.news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20120119/us_nm/us_usa_presbyterian_gay

     THE FLESH AND THE SPIRIT
by Donald DeMarco
There are three debilitating effects of Original Sin: a darkening of the intellect, a weakening of the will, and a diminished unity of body and soul. Galatians 5:16-17 speaks to the third effect of Original Sin: “But I say: Walk in the Spirit, and you will not fulfill the laws of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you would.”

...The flesh is, in the Christian view, good – created by the same God who created the spirit (or soul). Things go wrong when the “flesh lusts against the Spirit.” .... Read this in full at
http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/the-flesh-and-the-spirit.html

     LEARNING FROM THE WHALE GUARDIANS
“I recently watched Whale Wars with my wife and daughter. In this program a rag-tag group of conservationists band together with a couple of old ships to sail into the Antarctic during whaling season and do everything they possibly can to disrupt [whale hunters] from killing whales. The lengths in which they will go to confront what they see as an unforgiveable injustice are what create the drama for the program. It's easy to look at these people trying to save dolphins and whales as whacko environmentalists, but it's difficult to dismiss their passion for and commitment to what they think is right.

“I found myself staring at the ceiling as I lay in bed one evening and couldn't get these people out of my mind. They were truly willing to put their lives in jeopardy. They left nice homes and steady jobs and gave up most comforts to live very lean and simply. They basically lived semi-monastic lives without the prayer. They lived more Christlike in actual practice than [many Christians]. They were passionate enough about what they believed in to look absolutely foolish and wear whatever label society chose to give them in order to achieve what they believed to be a just cause.

“This is the kind of commitment the Bible invites us into and a glimpse of what it means to be a committed disciple of Christ. It would look pretty much as it did when the twelve ragamuffin disciples were following their controversial and countercultural rabbi around Judea.

“If we are living truly free, awake, and alert to the truth, we will in fact be free, but we will also probably look increasingly strange and peculiar to those around us (see 1 Peter 2:9; Titus 2:14 KJV). Saying this is my way of offering full disclosure. You won't be the same after the Bible. You won't care about some of the things you care a lot about now. Some of the things that seem huge in life at the moment are going to simply not matter this time next year.”
Brian Hardin in Passages: How Reading the Bible in a Year Will Change Everything for You

     RELIGIOUS-THEMED BUSINESS COURSE CANCELED AT IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY
Iowa State University canceled a business management course that some faculty say would have advocated an evangelical Christian point of view and used a textbook that advised its readers against doing business with nonbelievers.

The course, Application of Biblical Insight into the Management of Business/Organization, was to be taught by Roger Stover, a finance professor. It was structured as an independent study, which undergoes far less scrutiny than regular courses approved by the university. It was advertised on the ISU College of Business' website last fall, but was removed in December after some ISU faculty members objected.... Read this in full at
http://ames.patch.com/articles/controversial-course-on-religion-and-business-management-canceled-in-ames

     KIDS IN GRADE SCHOOL THINK FAST
TEACHER: Why are you late?
WEBSTER: Because of the sign.
TEACHER: What sign?
WEBSTER: The one that says, "School Ahead - Go Slow."

TEACHER: Where would we be today if no one had ever been curious?"
JOHN: In the garden of Eden?

TEACHER: Cindy, why are you doing your math multiplication on the floor?
CINDY: You told me to do it without using tables!

TEACHER: John, how do you spell "crocodile?"
JOHN: K-R-O-K-O-D-A-I-L"
TEACHER: No, that's wrong
JOHN: Maybe it s wrong, but you asked me how I spell it!

TEACHER: What is the chemical formula for water?
SARAH: H I J K L M N O!!
TEACHER: What are you talking about?
SARAH: Yesterday you said it's H to O!

TEACHER: George, go to the map and find North America.
GEORGE: Here it is!
TEACHER: Correct. Now class, who discovered America?
CLASS: George!

TEACHER: Willie, name one important thing we have today that we didn't have ten years ago.
WILLIE: Me!
http://www.mikeysFunnies.com

     EUROPEANS "DE-BAPTIZE" IN GROWING NUMBERS
There’s a growing wave of de-baptisms in Europe, one of the most visible manifestations of the continent's secular drift. Websites offering informal de-baptism certificates have mushroomed. Other Christians are formally breaking from the church by opting out of state church taxes.

"The movement is happening across Europe," said Anne Morelli, who heads a center studying religion and secularity at the Free University of Brussels. "It was very apparent during 2011 -- in the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and Austria. It is obviously related to the scandals of pedophile priests, but it has been going on for some time."

While there are no official statistics, experts and secular activists count the numbers of de-baptisms in the tens of thousands. It's a phenomenon that has touched Protestant as well as Catholic communities.... Read this in full at
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/18/europeans-de-baptize-church_n_1214256.html

     CHRISTIANS REPORT LOWEST GROWTH RATE IN ISRAEL
Christians have the lowest growth rate among the Israeli population, according to a recent report from the Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics.
According to the Jan. 6 report, the Christian growth rate of 0.9% lags behind the Jewish rate of 1.7% and the 2.7% growth rate among Muslims. Christian Arabs have a growth rate of 1%, while the rate among non-Arab Christians is 0.7%.
About 154,000 Christians live in Israel, representing about 2% of the population, according to the bureau.... Read this in full at
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/19/christians-lowest-growth-israel_n_1214499.html

     CHRISTIANS URGED TO USE YOUTOO TV
Christians now have a powerful new technology which they can use to share video messages of faith and spread the gospel to a whole new audience for the first time in history: Youtoo (http://www.youtoo.com), the first social TV network. Youtoo invites Christians to send their video messages of faith directly into the living rooms of 15 million American households on TV. The Youtoo Peoplemercial(tm) which just launched this January, allows Christians to record and upload a 30-second video that is aired just like a real 30-second television commercial on national cable TV. All Peoplemercials(tm) will be free through January 31, so Christians are encouraged to act now to share their faith for free with their fellow Americans. Christians have an opportunity to take back the TV by putting themselves and their testimony on air.

Dr. Lawrence Terlizzese with Probe Ministries believes that the Youtoo Peoplemercial(tm) is an ideal tool for Christians to take control of the technology that is so pervasive in our modern world and make positive use of it. He urges Christians to make their voices heard and to share their statements of faith to evangelize and spread the gospel.... Read this in full at
http://www.christiannewswire.com/news/4260718719.html

Also see “15 Million Cable Households in US to Hear Gospel From Everyday Christians”
http://www.christianpost.com/news/15-million-cable-households-in-u-s-to-hear-gospel-from-everyday-christians-67559/

     CONSIDER
“Yet to live always as though time were a bridge is precisely what the saints do. Their eyes are forever on the eternal, that Beyond which is also here and now and within, because they have cultivated the art of seeing Eternity through that narrow slit- the ever now moment.”
Heirlooms

     VERSE TO PONDER
“Do everything without grumbling and arguing so that you may be blameless and pure, innocent children of God surrounded by people who are crooked and corrupt. Among these people you shine like stars in the world because you hold on to the word of life. This will allow me to say on the day of Christ that I haven’t run for nothing or worked for nothing.”
Philippians 2:14-16 (CEB)

     THIS WEEK'S HYMN: O LORD, OUR FATHER, THANKS TO THEE
Words: Cyriacus Schneegass, 1597; translated from German to English by August Crull, 1880
Music: Martin Luther, 1524

Lord, our Father, thanks to Thee
In this new year we render,
For every evil had to flee
Before Thee, our Defender.
Our life was nourished, we were fed
With rich supplies of daily bread,
And peace reigned in our borders.

Lord Jesus Christ, our thanks to Thee
In this new year we render;
Thy reign hath kept Thy people free,
Hath shown Thy mercies tender.
Thou hast redeemed us with Thy blood,
Thou art our Joy, our only Good,
In life and death our Savior.

Lord Holy Ghost, our thanks to Thee
In this new year we render,
For Thou hast led our eyes to see
Thy truth in all its splendor
And thus enkindled from above
Within our hearts true faith and love
And other Christian virtues.

Our faithful God, we cry to Thee:
Still bless us with Thy favor,
Blot out all our iniquity,
And hide our sins forever.
Grant us a happy, good new year
And, when the hour of death draws near,
A peaceful, blest departure.

>from NetHymnal at
http://nethymnal.org/htm/o/l/o/oloftthe.htm

     ON PRAYER
“It is very proper for friends, when they part, to part with prayer.”
Matthew Henry

     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.

Stuck in Customs – beautiful photography
http://www.stuckincustoms.com/

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.)

I'm starting to really struggle with my New Year's resolution. I ran around the block six times this morning as I had resolved, but I was in so much pain I could barely pick the block up off the floor to put it back in the toy box!
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

Check out my blog

Thought for today - 01/22/2012

2012-01-22T04:41:00.001-06:00

"May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Romans 15:5-6

Thought for today - 01/21/2012

2012-01-21T05:50:00.001-06:00

Each of us is a mixture of dust and deity.

Thought for today - 01/20/2012

2012-01-20T01:08:00.001-06:00

VERSE TO PONDER
"Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. For a thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night."
Psalm 90:2-4

Thought for today - 01/19/2012

2012-01-19T10:48:00.000-06:00

CONSIDER
"Learn from the mistakes of others. You won't live long enough to make them all yourself."
Unknown

Thought for today - 01/18/2012

2012-01-18T01:53:00.001-06:00

ARE YOU WILLING TO LISTEN?
"A child frequently needs for a parent to set aside the temptation to instruct or give advice in favor of simply sharing in the moment at hand: a moment that offers a reason to cheer, to laugh, to cry -- and always to listen. Your child will see these reactions as tangible expressions that she can count on you to understand the circumstances she is dealing with. Sometimes the words kids really need to hear are those they say to a parent willing to listen."
David Staal, Words Kids Need to Hear To Help Them Be Who God Made Them to Be

Thought for today - 01/17/2012

2012-01-17T09:51:00.001-06:00

CONSIDER
"Life is short, and we have never too much time for gladdening the hearts of those who are traveling the dark journey with us. Oh, be swift to love, make haste to be kind!"
Henri Amiel

Thought for today - 01/16/2012

2012-01-16T05:09:00.001-06:00

VERSE TO PONDER
"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."
Ephesians 4:32

Thought for today - 01/15/2012

2012-01-15T06:54:00.001-06:00

"You can tell whether a man is clever by his answers. You can tell whether a man is wise by his questions."
Naguib Mahfouz

Thought for today - 01/14/2012

2012-01-14T05:28:00.001-06:00

"I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge -- that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."
Ephesians 3:17-19

CONNECTIONS NEWS - 01/15/2012

2012-01-13T20:19:00.001-06:00

Connecting man to man to God
For week of January 15, 2012
Issue 391

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.

Today's issue is going out to 2,130 weekly subscribers. Thank you in advance for forwarding this issue to friends, family and associates! To have a friend start their own Free subscription to CONNECTIONS, please have them visit:http://www.pathoflifeministries.net/page33.html
or subscribe via rss feed here:
http://www.connectionsnews.wordpress.com/feed

“Stop collecting treasures for your own benefit on earth, where moth and rust eat them and where thieves break in and steal them. Instead, collect treasures for yourselves in heaven, where moth and rust don’t eat them and where thieves don’t break in and steal them. Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Matthew 6:19-21 (CEB)

     CONSIDER
“Forgive me for being so ordinary while claiming to know so extraordinary a God.”
Jim Elliot (1927-1956), The Journals of Jim Elliot, ed. Elisabeth Elliot, Revell, 1990, p. 98

     RELIGIOUS FREEDOM SUNDAY JAN. 15
While the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church falls on the second Sunday of November every year, another important Sunday is approaching for both persecuted and free Christians.

Religious Freedom Sunday (http://www.religiousfreedomsunday.com/) is a day for churches to talk to their congregations about their freedom of religious expression. Religious Freedom Sunday is Jan. 15. It will precede Religious Freedom Day (http://www.religiousfreedomday.com/) on Monday, Jan. 16.

Religious Freedom Day marks the anniversary of the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom in 1786. It stopped the practice of taxing people to pay for the support of the local clergy, and it protected the civil rights of people to express their religious beliefs without suffering discrimination. Thomas Jefferson and James Madison authored this important legislation, which later played a major role in the development of the First Amendment.

During Religious Freedom Sunday churches have the opportunity to inform their congregations about the religious liberties of public school students. It also serves as a way for Christians to prepare for Religious Freedom Day.... Read this in full at
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Missions/Default.aspx?id=1512224

     PRIDE
by Clare De Graaf
“If all my friends were blind I’d probably drive a Taurus.” Have you ever thought about how much pride and envy shapes so many of our decisions every day? I have. Because, I’m smack dab in the middle of looking for a new car and talking to my closest friend Ted about it, and he makes the “Taurus” comment. Ted knows two things about me for sure: My friends aren’t blind and I haven’t been talking about Taurus’s with him. (I’ve driven German cars for decades.)

So, what’s going on in my head and my heart that I’d not given some perfectly good cars any real consideration?

I have no idea how early in life that we begin to envy what others have, or become proud of what we own or have accomplished. Did it start with wanting a nicer toy, bike, an A on a test, first in a foot race, or the prettiest dress? Perhaps it was a parent that always compared us to other kids, or to themselves. I don’t know.

But, this feeling we all had in common. When we got we wanted, it made us feel good – superior. We sensed the envy of others and we enjoyed our moment in the sun, sometimes even lying in bed at night re-living the memory over and over. As we did and without even realizing it, we were developing an addiction for the affirmation of others and some of us are still full blown junkies desperately trying to feed the habit.... Read this in full at
http://www.claredegraaf.com/2012/01/09/pride/

     THE 10 SECOND RULE
The book of James says faith without deeds is dead. How alive is yours?

Clare De Graaf, author of The 10 Second Rule (http://www.claredegraaf.com/10-second-rule/ and http://www.facebook.com/The10secondrule), offers an uncomplicated, straight-forward antidote for breaking habits of inaction and re-energizing your faith. He calls it The 10 Second Rule: just do the next thing you’re reasonably certain Jesus wants you to do. (And do it quickly before you change your mind.)

The 10 Second Rule will empower you to take simple “baby steps” of obedience, as God directs you. This is not only a “rule” you can do – it’s one you’ll want to do!

See for yourself! Watch this video of nationally known comedian Michael Jr. spontaneously putting The 10 Second Rule to the test in front of an auditorium full of people
http://youtu.be/TUvOOrTZVIA

     THE GRASS REALLY ISN’T ALWAYS GREENER ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FENCE
“If envy was not such a tearing thing to feel it would be the most comic of sins. It is usually, if not always, based on a complete misunderstanding of another person's situation.”
Monica Furlong

     MY BROTHER'S VALUABLE LIFE
by Cal Thomas
How does one measure whether a life was a success, or a failure?

Some would measure it by recognition, that is, how many knew the person’s name. For others, the measure of a successful life would be the amount of wealth accumulated, or possessions held. Still others would say a life was successful if the person made a major contribution to society — in medicine, sports, politics, or the arts.

By that standard my brother, Marshall Stephen Thomas, who died January 5, was a failure. If, however, your standard for a successful life is how that life positively touched others, then my brother’s life was a resounding success.

Shortly after he was born in 1950, Marshall was diagnosed with Down syndrome. Some in the medical community referred to the intellectually disabled as “retarded” back then, long before the word became a common schoolyard epithet. His doctors told our parents he would never amount to anything and advised them to place him in an institution. Back then, this was advice too often taken by parents who were so embarrassed about having a disabled child that they often refused to take them out in public.... Read this in full at
http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/01/07/my-brothers-valuable-life/

     EXPLAIN IT TO ME: JOHN 3:16
by Eric Marrapodi, CNN Belief Blog Co-Editor
When quarterback Tim Tebow threw an 80-yard touchdown pass Jan. 8 to secure an overtime victory for his Denver Broncos over the heavily favored Pittsburgh Steelers, some saw a biblical connection.

The completion gave Tebow, an outspoken evangelical Christian whose penchant for last-minute heroics have given him a reputation as a miracle worker, 316 passing yards for the game. His ten completions averaged 31.6 yards a piece.

Those figures inspired plenty of conversation and debate about a connection some saw to one of the most famous verses in the Bible, John 3:16.... Watch this explanation in full at
http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2012/01/10/explain-it-to-me-john-316/?hpt=hp_c2

Also see “Tim Tebow’s 316 Passing Yards Evokes Biblical Number
http://newsfeed.time.com/2012/01/09/tim-tebows-316-passing-yards-evoke-biblical-number/

     CAN SUNDAY SCHOOL BE SAVED?
Sunday school, a staple of Protestant church life in the United States in the 20th century, is in decline, prompting some scholars to question whether the institution has a future.

Experts interested in reversing the trend cite factors ranging from the proliferation of youth activities that leave today's young people too busy for Sunday school to an increasingly secular society that puts less value on church activities.

One effect is what used to be common knowledge about Christianity is unknown to a large and growing share of Americans, especially young adults. Barna Group studies in 2010, for example, showed that while most people regard Easter as a religious holiday, only a minority of adults associate Easter with the resurrection of Jesus Christ.... Read this in full at
http://www.abpnews.com/content/view/7049/53/

     ARE YOUNG, RELIGIOUS STARS LIKE JUSTIN BIEBER AND TIM TEBOW MAKING CHRISTIANITY COOL?
What do young superstars Justin Bieber, Demi Lovato, and Tim Tebow have in common? They believe in God, and they don't mind sharing.

Recently Justin Bieber made news with his a new tattoo — a large portrait of the face of Jesus Christ inked on his calf. Bieber’s ink happened to dovetail with the Denver Broncos unlikely win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, the latest in a string un unlikely victories that their 24-year old quarterback, Tim Tebow, regularly and publicly thanks Jesus Christ for helping him achieve.

And off in the Twitterverse, the troubled former Disney star and singer Demi Lovato, 19 years old, took to the social network to talk to her fans how she has put her faith in God to get her life back on track after a stint in rehab.

So are these young, hip and very public Christians in the worlds of music, television and sports are making it cool for the highly connected Generation Z to embrace Christianity? .... Read this in full at
http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2012/01/10/are-young-religious-stars-like-justin-bieber-and-tim-tebow-making-christianity/#ixzz1jFcPwZNK

     PLASTERING THE BIBLE ACROSS MANHATTAN AND PHILADELPHIA
Over the past few years, New York artist Gene Schmidt has embarked on a series of projects that have taken his work to the streets. Combining elements of performance, pilgrimage, and sculpture, his projects are often inspired by, or are explorations of, biblical texts in the context of an urban environment. While these projects are done in public for anyone to see and respond to, for Schmidt they are spiritual journeys and lengthy prayers with physical weight and dimension.

In Manhattan Measure, the first of these journeys, Schmidt measured the width and length of Manhattan—literally, with yardsticks. Inspired by the prophet Zechariah's vision of a man going out to measure the width and length of Jerusalem, and ending with a cross-shaped sculpture made with the nearly 30,000 red, numbered yardsticks used, the project took over a year to complete.... Read this in full at
http://www.christianitytoday.com/thisisourcity/newyork/manhattanphiladelphia.html?paging=off

     CANADIAN MUSEUM OF CIVILIZATION EXPLORES RELIGION
A new exhibit at the Canadian Museum of Civilization (CMC), "God(s): A User's Guide," takes a look at how important religion is in the lives of every day Canadians.

"Religion is a topic people hear a lot about in media, from fellow workers and students and neighbours," says exhibit curator Stephen Inglis. "But we don't know much about [their religions]. This is a chance to present information in interesting and comparative mode." .... Read this in full at
http://www.christianweek.org/stories.php?id=1841

     PASTOR INTENT ON PICKING A 'FOOD FIGHT'
The pastor who became nationally known on the ABC TV show "Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution" found a passion for physical stewardship from real-life experiences.

Five years ago, Steve Willis lost a good friend during heart surgery. For years, his friend's doctor had told him to eat healthier and lose weight. However, even the pastor joked about overeating -- until his friend died.

About the same time, Willis' youngest son was diagnosed with attention-deficit disorder. The youth got in trouble at school, didn't follow directions and did poorly on assignments.

After placing the youth on medication, the cure proved worse than the disease, said Willis, pastor of the Huntington-area First Baptist Church in Kenova, W.Va.

One day as they looked at their "zoned out" boy, Willis said he and his wife Deanna decided they had to do something else. Although their son was quiet, he was no longer his true self, Willis said.

As a result, Deanna started reading about natural, God-given solutions and eliminated sugar, soda pop, trans-fats and hydrogenated oils from their son's diet.

"I started realizing that how we choose to eat is a moral issue," said the pastor and author of the new book "Winning the Food Fight.".... Read this in full at
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=36927

     PASTOR ASKS MARRIED COUPLES TO HAVE 7 DAYS OF SEX
Several years ago Texas preacher Ed Young called on married couples in his congregation to have sex everyday for a week. He documents this "sexperiment" in a new book he coauthored with his wife Lisa Young. See this interview at
http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2012/01/08/church-asks-for-seven-days-of-sex/

     MANY CHURCHGOERS FIND THEIR EXPERIENCE LACKING
What is church life like these days for Americans, the religious research division of Barna Group asked. "Millions of active participants find their church experiences to be lacking," Barna Group President David Kinnaman said in a report released Jan. 9.

Young adults and Catholics are among those experiencing a striking disaffection with church, researchers found.

Faith leaders can't take their flocks for granted, Kinnaman said, even though many churchgoers report that attending provides them with a rich and diverse set of connections to God and others.

Most people surveyed, 66%, feel they've had a "real and personal connection with God" at church, researchers said. Yet, when asked about frequency, they report the encounters as "rare." And about a third of those polled who attend said they have never felt God's presence in the congregational setting.... Read this in full at
http://www.denverpost.com/commented/ci_19713177

     15 EXERCISES WE'D BE BETTER OFF WITHOUT IN 2012...
~ Jumping on the bandwagon

~ Wading through paperwork

~ Running around in circles

~ Pushing your luck

~ Spinning your wheels

~ Adding fuel to the fire

~ Beating your head against the wall

~ Climbing the walls

~ Beating your own drum

~ Dragging your heels

~ Jumping to conclusions

~ Grasping at straws

~ Fishing for compliments

~ Throwing your weight around

~ Passing the buck
http://www.mikeysFunnies.com

     VERSE TO PONDER
“In tight circumstances, I cried out to the LORD. The LORD answered me with wide-open spaces. The LORD is for me — I won’t be afraid. What can anyone do to me?”
Psalm 118:5-6 (CEB)

     CONSIDER
“What He was, He laid aside; what He was not, He assumed.”
St. Gregory of Nazianzus (329-389/390), Oration 37.2, quoted in Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: New Testament, v. IVa, John 1-10, Joel C. Elowsky & Thomas C. Oden, InterVarsity Press, 2006, p. 14

     HOW TO RUN AWAY FROM MERCY
“I think I got the joy of gift giving from my mom. I also picked up a little idiosyncrasy. Typically, children beg their parents to open gifts before the designated date, whether it is a birthday or Christmas. Not in my family. My mom used to beg me to open my gifts before the designated day because she could hardly wait to give them. And now I do with our kids what she did with me. Parents begging their children to open their gifts early may seem a little dysfunctional, but this is the heart of our heavenly Father. He can hardly wait to keep His promises. He can hardly wait to perform His word. He can hardly wait to answer our prayers. And when we simply take Him at His word, He can hardly contain His joy.

“My favorite sentence in the twenty-third psalm is this: "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life." The word follow isn't a strong enough translation. It's a hunting term in Hebrew. It's like God is hunting you down — but not to harm you; God is hunting you down to bless you. He wants to show you His goodness and His mercy, but too often we run away from it. Why? Because we doubt His good intentions... This is why God reminds us so many different times in many different ways and with many different words.”
Mark Batterson in The Circle Maker: Praying Circles Around Your Biggest Dreams and Greatest Fears

     POLL OF RANDOM PROTESTANT PASTORS: OPPOSE EVOLUTION, SPLIT ON EARTH’S AGE
Pastors overwhelmingly believe that God did not use evolution to create humans and think Adam and Eve were literal people, according to a recent survey by LifeWay Research.

The survey of 1,000 American Protestant pastors also found that ministers are almost evenly split on whether the earth is thousands of years old.

When asked to respond to the statement, "I believe God used evolution to create people," 73% of pastors disagree, with 64% strongly disagreeing and 8% somewhat disagreeing. Twelve percent each somewhat agree and strongly agree. Four percent are not sure.... Read this in full at
http://www.lifeway.com/Article/Research-Poll-Pastors-oppose-evolution-split-on-earths-age

     WHY THE BIBLE IS NOT A BOOK OF MORAL LAWS
by Mark Galli
It has often been said that our culture has lost its moorings. Like many times and places in history, ours is an era when everyone does what is right in his own eyes (cf. Judges 17:6). So this is just the sort of time God loves best, when he can demonstrate once more that he came in Christ to call not the righteous, but those who have lost their moorings.

But that is not our instinct at such times. When morals go awry, when people behave badly, our first thought is to hammer them with law: "Stop doing that. Start doing this." In the home and in church, that is certainly my instinct. And I'm often tempted to bring God in as an ally: "The Bible teaches … so you should …"

Thus I perfectly understand the drive of those Christians who call this morally unmoored culture to return to "biblical values." But too often, the call to return to biblical values is tethered to an attempt to manipulate people into correct behavior. Note the recent kerfuffle raised by the Florida Family Association—whose goal is to "defend, protect, and promote traditional biblical values"—when they pressured Lowe's to pull ads from the TV show All American Muslim.... Read this in full at
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2012/januaryweb-only/bible-moral-laws.html

     DR. ERWIN LUTZER NAMED BIBLE TEACHER OF THE YEAR
Bott Radio Network named Dr. Erwin Lutzer the Bott Radio Network Bible Teacher of the Year for 2011. The award was presented at the annual Bott Radio Network Christmas Luncheon in the grand ballroom of the Overland Park Marriott Hotel in Overland Park, Kansas, Dec. 15.

Dr. Lutzer is the Senior Pastor of the Moody Church in Chicago and host of the Running to Win radio program heard daily on Bott Radio Network. In addition to pastoring the Moody Church since 1980, Dr. Lutzer has authored more than 20 books and is a highly sought after international conference speaker.
In presenting the award, Rich Bott, President and CEO of Bott Radio Network, noted that, "We are delighted to present this well-deserved award to Dr. Erwin Lutzer from 'Running to Win.' Bott Radio Network is blessed with wonderful ministry partners who share our vision to get the Word of God into the people of God in this generation. It is our privilege to broadcast 'Running to Win' with Dr. Erwin Lutzer daily on BRN." .... Read this in full at
http://www.christiannewswire.com/news/1644118651.html

     BIBLE TRANSLATORS GIVING HIGH PRIORITY TO NEWLY INDEPENDENT SOUTH SUDAN
Bible translation organization Wycliffe Associates is working to assist Bible translators in newly independent South Sudan with logistical, financial and personnel support, according to Donn Hallman of Wycliffe. South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in July, which has opened new doors for religious freedom. "There are more people without the Bible in the Sudan region than in any other area of Africa," said Bruce Smith, president and CEO of Wycliffe. Twenty-nine languages in South Sudan have no Scripture -- approximately 20 percent of the population -- and six projects are currently underway. "Our partners on the ground say that without our immediate action, no new translation projects can begin," Smith said. He added that translation needs in all of Sudan are great, with 21 million Sudanese waiting for the Bible in a language they can understand; Wycliffe is making translation in this region one of its top priorities for the coming years.... Read this in full at
http://www.wycliffeassociates.org/news/pressdetail.asp?id=499

     BIBLE BECOMES 2011 BESTSELLER IN NORWAY
The UK's 2011 bestseller lists might have been dominated by cookery, courtesy of Jamie Oliver, and romance, courtesy of David Nicholls, but Norwegian readers were plumping for another sort of book last year: the Bible.

The first Norwegian translation of the Bible for 30 years topped the country's book charts almost every week between its publication in October and the end of the year, selling almost 80,000 copies so far and hugely exceeding expectations. Its launch in the autumn saw Harry Potter-style overnight queues, with bookshops selling out on the first day as Norwegians rushed to get their hands on the new edition.

"We only printed 25,000 to start with and thought it would last six to nine months, but it was launched mid-October and by the end of the year it had sold 79,000 copies – it's just incredible," said Stine Smemo Strachan, who worked on the project for the Norwegian Bible Society. "It has only been knocked off the number one spot once, by [literary author] Karl Ove Knausgård … There were people sleeping outside the day before the launch because it was embargoed – it's a bit ironic seeing that the content has been available for quite some time now." .... Read this in full at
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/jan/03/bible-2011-bestseller-norway

     THE ALTERNATIVE TO STRESS
“Anxiety has been my natural posture, my default stiffness. The way I curl my toes up, tight retreat. How I angle my jaw, braced, chisel the brow with the lines of distrust. How I don't fold my hands in prayer ... weld them into tight fists of control. Always control — pseudopower from the pit. How I refuse to relinquish worry, babe a mother won't forsake, an identity. Do I hold worry close as this ruse of control, this pretense that I'm the one who will determine the course of events as I stir and churn and ruminate? Worry is the facade of taking action when prayer really is. And stressed, this pitched word that punctuates every conversation, is it really my attempt to prove how indispensable I am? Or is it more? Maybe disguising my deep fears as stress seems braver somehow.

“Fear is like this piano wire cutting round the wrists, life shackled, cutting deep, and the hands spasm, fists of control. Fear keeps a life small. The music dies and the joy drains. I've lived the strangle.

“What if I opened the clenched hands wide to receive all that is? A life that receives all of God in this moment? How do you do that when the terror tears up your throat.

“I stand in the laundry room looking out at the barn, knowing that stress stands in direct opposition to what He directly, tenderly commands: ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me’ [John 14:1]. I know an untroubled heart relaxes, trusts, leans assured into His ever-dependable arms. Trust, it's the antithesis of stress. ‘Oh, the joys of those who trust the Lord’ (Psalm 40:4). But how to learn trust like that? Can trust be conjured up simply by sheer will, on command? I've got to get this thing, what it means to trust, to gut-believe in the good touch of God toward me, because it's true: I can't fill with joy until I learn how to trust: ‘May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow’ (Romans 15:13 NIV). The full life, the one spilling joy and peace, happens only as I come to trust the caress of the Lover, Lover who never burdens His children with shame or self-condemnation but keeps stroking the fears with gentle grace.”
Ann Voskamp in One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are

     'TOP SHOT' WINNER AIMS FOR HIGHER GOALS
A "nobody from Nowhere, Texas" is what the History Channel's "Top Shot" winner for season three, Dustin Ellermann, called himself in an interview given to the National Rifle Association. Although he had watched the show and was a big fan, the thought of actually being a contestant hadn't occurred to this Christian kids' camp director.

Sixteen contestants are chosen out of thousands to "shoot it out" for the title of "Top Shot." Each season's top honor is given to a marksman -- or markswoman -- who can meet physically demanding, almost impossible, challenges with accuracy and endurance.

The prize: $100,000 and the title of "Top Shot."

The contestants included a national revolver champion, two Homeland Security agents, a former Navy SEAL, two cops, a nurse and several firearms instructors. Two of the competitors were self-taught, including Ellermann.... Read this in full at
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=36929

     NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS YOU CAN KEEP
Are you sick of making the same resolutions year after year that you never keep? Why not promise to do something you can ACTUALLY accomplish? Here are some resolutions that you can use as a starting point:

~ Gain weight. At least 30 pounds.
~ Stop exercising. Waste of time.
~ Read less. Makes you think.
~ Watch more TV. I've been missing some good stuff.
~ Procrastinate more. Starting tomorrow.
~ Spend more time at work, surfing the web.
~ Take a vacation to someplace important, like to see the world's largest ball of twine.
~ Don't jump off a cliff just because everyone else did.
~ Stop bringing lunch from home--eat out more.
~ Don't have eight children at once.
~ Get in a whole NEW rut!
~ Start being superstitious.
~ Personal goal: Don't bring back disco.
~ Speak in a monotone voice and only use monosyllabic words.
~ Only wear jeans that are 2 sizes too small and use a chain or rope for a belt.
~ Spend my summer vacation in cyberspace.
~ Create loose ends.
~ Get more toys.
~ Get further in debt.
~ Don't believe politicians.
~ Break at least one traffic law.
~ Don't drive a motorized vehicle across thin ice.
~ Don't swim with piranhas or sharks.
~ Spread out priorities beyond the ability to keep track of them.
~ Wait for opportunity to knock.
~ Focus on the faults of others.
~ Mope about faults.
~ Never make New Year's resolutions again.
http://www.mikeysFunnies.com

     CONSIDER
“If you want your children to improve, let them overhear the nice things you say about them to others.”
Haim Ginott

     VERSE TO PONDER
“You must be holy in every aspect of your lives, just as the one who called you is holy. It is written, You will be holy, because I am holy.”
1 Peter 1:15-16 (CEB)

     THIS WEEK'S HYMN: STANDING AT THE PORTAL
Words: Frances R. Havergal, January 4, 1873
Music: Franz J. Haydn, 1775

Standing at the portal
Of the opening year,
Words of comfort meet us,
Hushing every fear;
Spoken thru the silence
By our Savior’s voice,
Tender, strong and faithful,
Making us rejoice.

Refrain
Onward, then, and fear not,
Children of the day;
For His Word shall never,
Never pass away.

“I, the Lord, am with thee,
Be thou not afraid;
I will help and strengthen
Be thou not dismayed.
Yea, I will uphold thee
With My own right hand;
Thou art called and chosen
In My sight to stand.”
Refrain

For the year before us,
O what rich supplies!
For the poor and needy
Living streams shall rise;
For the sad and sinful
Shall His grace abound;
For the faint and feeble
Perfect strength be found.
Refrain

He will never fail us,
He will not forsake;
For His eternal covenant
He will never break.
Resting on the promise,
What have we to fear?
God is all sufficient
For the coming year.
Refrain

>from NetHymnal at
http://nethymnal.org/htm/s/t/standpor.htm

     ON PRAYER
“If we do not pray, we fail to realize that we are in the presence of God.”
Karl Barth (1886-1968), Prayer, Westminster John Knox Press, 2002, p. 15

     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.

Mission Impossible Squirrel
http://youtu.be/DsuVLsDyln4

Miniature Wonderland (amazing video!)
http://www.miniatur-wunderland.com/

Online speed reading training
http://www.eyercize.com/practice/paste_read/

All links to websites are provided as a service, and do not imply endorsement by this ministry.

(BTW: whenever the URLs in this newsletter are too long to turn into links on your e-mail program, just copy the entire URL (two lines or more) and paste it into a temporary email message. Then delete the return in the middle of it and copy it again. Then paste it into your web browser and hit enter.)

A friend is someone who reaches for your hand, but touches your heart.
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

Check out my blog

Thought for today - 01/13/2012

2012-01-13T04:17:00.000-06:00

God grades on the cross, not the curve.

Thought for today - 01/12/2012

2012-01-12T05:56:00.001-06:00

ON PRAYER

"Worship and intercession must go together; one is impossible without the other. Intercession means raising ourselves up to the point of getting the mind of Christ regarding the person for whom we are praying. Instead of worshiping God, we recite speeches to God about how prayer is supposed to work. Are we worshiping God or disputing Him when we say, "But God, I just don't see how you are going to do this"? This is a sure sign that we are not worshiping. When we lose sight of God, we become hard and dogmatic. We throw our petitions at His throne and dictate to Him what we want Him to do."
Oswald Chambers

Thought for today - 01/11/2012

2012-01-11T08:10:00.001-06:00

VERSE TO PONDER

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."
Romans 12:12

Thought for today - 01/10/2012

2012-01-10T07:23:00.001-06:00

CONSIDER

"I used to think that God's gifts were on shelves- one above the other and the taller we grew, the more easily we could reach them. I now find that God's gifts are on shelves one beneath the other and that it is not a question of growing taller but of stooping lower."
F. B. Meyer

Thought for today - 01/09/2012

2012-01-09T05:37:00.001-06:00

CONSIDER

"Make sure it is God's trumpet you are blowing -- if it is only yours it won't wake the dead, it will simply disturb the neighbors."
W. Ian Thomas

CONNECTIONS NEWS - 01/08/2012

2012-01-08T19:48:00.001-06:00

Connecting man to man to God
For week of January 8, 2012
Issue 390

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.

Today's issue is going out to 2,130 weekly subscribers. Thank you in advance for forwarding this issue to friends, family and associates! To have a friend start their own Free subscription to CONNECTIONS, please have them visit:http://www.pathoflifeministries.net/page33.html
or subscribe via rss feed here:
http://www.connectionsnews.wordpress.com/feed

“So then, if anyone is in Christ, that person is part of the new creation. The old things have gone away, and look, new things have arrived!”
2 Corinthians 5:17 (CEB)

     CONSIDER
“Forgiveness is not an elective in the curriculum of servanthood. It is a required course, and the exams are always tough to pass.”
Charles Swindoll

     ISLAMIC-MAJORITY COUNTRIES TOP OPEN DOORS 2012 WORLD WATCH LIST
The Open Doors 2012 World Watch List has a familiar look to it. North Korea tops the list for the 10th straight time as the country where Christians face the most severe persecution, while Islamic-majority countries represent nine of the top 10 and 38 of the 50 countries on the annual ranking.

Afghanistan (2), Saudi Arabia (3), Somalia (4), Iran (5), and the Maldives (6) form a bloc where indigenous Christians have almost no freedom to openly worship. For the first time Pakistan (10) entered the top 10, after a tumultuous year during which the nation’s highest-ranking Christian politician, Cabinet Minister Shahbaz Bhatti, was assassinated for his attempts to change the blasphemy law.

The rest of the top 10 is composed of Uzbekistan (7), Yemen (8) and Iraq (9). Laos was the lone country to drop from the top 10 list, falling to No. 12 from No. 10.... Read this in full at
http://www.opendoorsusa.org/press/press-release/2012/January/Islamic-Majority-Countries-Top-Open-Doors-2012-World-Watch-List

     COMMON ENGLISH BIBLE BROADENS ITS APPEAL
As 2012 dawns, the new Bible translation Common English Bible (http://www.CommonEnglishBible.com) is establishing itself on multiple websites, celebrating its second consecutive month as a best seller, creating a growing buzz among bloggers, and is twice considered by journalists as being one of the top religion stories of 2011.

BibleGateway.com, the highest ranked (according to Alexa) website in the world for Bible search activity, is now featuring the Common English Bible (Twitter @CommonEngBible -- twitter.com/CommonEngBible) in its Verse of the Day free email subscription (www.biblegateway.com/newsletters). And Patheos.com, the international online hub for faith communities, is now featuring the Common English Bible as its Daily Verse, appearing on its Library Bible Resources page (www.patheos.com/Library/Bible-Resources.html), Evangelical Portal (www.patheos.com/Religion-Portals/Evangelical.html), and Progressive Christian Portal (www.patheos.com/Religion-Portals/Progressive-Christian.html).... Read this in full at
http://www.christiannewswire.com/news/7205418578.html
Also see “Common English Bible Expands Reach, Continues to Be a 'Best Seller'”
http://www.christianpost.com/news/common-english-bible-expands-reach-continues-to-be-a-best-seller-66528/

'THREETHROWING' CREATED AS CHRISTIAN GESTURE
It's a simple idea: associating a three-finger hand gesture with the Trinity. Mark Mitchum, creator of "threethrowing," believes it can be a clearly defined, unmistakable hand gesture for Christians when verbal fellowship can't occur.

"I came up with the idea while driving around," said Mitchum, a registered nurse in a cardiac cath lab in Panama City, Fla., and member of First Baptist Church. "I would see lots of Christian symbols, like the cross, fish or dove, or even a clever bumper sticker or two, and would think, 'Hey that's cool. They're Christians, but what do they know about me?'

"I figured a simple Christian hand gesture could connect us for a few seconds and allow fellowship and encouragement."

In researching Christian gestures, however, Mitchum said he found nothing in mainstream pop culture seen as "Christian." Until now. Mitchum is on a mission to spread the three-finger Trinity sign to the Christian community.... Read this in full at
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=36908

JIMMY CARTER INTERVIEW: HIS DAILY DEVOTIONAL PRACTICE
Jimmy Carter is the 39th president of the United States, founder of the Carter Center and recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. He has authored many books, the most recent being "Through the Year with Jimmy Carter: 366 Daily Meditations from the 39th President." In this wide-ranging interview, HuffPost's Senior Religion Editor spoke to President Carter by phone about the role faith played in the Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty, the time of his greatest alienation from God, faith in the White House and his personal daily devotional practice.... Read this in full at
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/paul-raushenbush/jimmy-carter-faith_b_1184348.html?ref=religion

THE NEXT BILLY GRAHAM MIGHT BE DRUNK RIGHT NOW
by Russell D. Moore
Whenever I start to get discouraged about the future of the church, I remember a conversation I had a few years ago with evangelical theologian Carl F. H. Henry on what would turn out to be his last visit to Southern Seminary before his death.

Several of us were lamenting the miserable shape of the church, about so much doctrinal vacuity, vapid preaching, non-existent discipleship. We asked Dr. Henry if he saw any hope in the coming generation of evangelicals. And I will never forget his reply.

“Why, you speak as though Christianity were genetic,” he said. “Of course, there is hope for the next generation of evangelicals. But the leaders of the next generation might not be coming from the current evangelical establishment. They are probably still pagans.” .... Read this in full at
http://www.russellmoore.com/2012/01/02/the-next-billy-graham-might-be-drunk-right-now/

CANADA TO CREATE OFFICE OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
Canada's government is preparing to install an Office of Religious Freedom within the Department of Foreign Affairs, according to The Globe and Mail. The new office, a campaign promise by Canada's Conservative Party, is expected to be fleshed out in early 2012.

Conservative Party leaders say they are committed to making the defense of the right to worship a central objective of Canada's foreign policy, noting that religious persecution has increased around the world in recent years. Their decision to create the office was solidified by the assassination of Pakistani religious freedom activist Shahbaz Bhatti, Pakistan's first minister for minority affairs and the only Christian in the Islamic state's cabinet. Bhatti was killed by militant Islamists just weeks after meeting with Canada's prime minister, and Conservatives said they were impressed by his persistence in fighting religious intolerance amid death threats as well as deeply affected by the reality of such persecution.... Read this in full at
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/conservatives-laying-groundwork-for-office-of-religious-freedom/article2288479/

MENTORING YOUR GRANDCHILDREN
by Clare De Graaf
Mentoring grandchildren? Do grandparents even do that?

If spiritual mentoring is intentionally passing on to another person your love for God; the wisdom, knowledge and life skills you’ve learned to help another person be spiritually, relationally and emotionally healthy, then the answer is, yes!

In my experience there are three types of grandparents:

* Passive – very little involvement in the lives of their grandchildren.

* Active – fairly involved and interested in their grandchildren’s lives – what we’d generally call good, traditional grandparents.

* Intentional – grandparents who, in coordination with their grandchildren’s parents, are working purposefully and intentionally to pass on biblical knowledge, wisdom and model Christian character to their grandchildren.

If you want to be a more intentional grandparent, or would like to help your own parents be more intentional in the lives of your children, then please read on.... Read this in full at
http://www.claredegraaf.com/2012/01/02/mentoring-your-grandchildren/

RECIPE FOR A PROSPEROUS, PEACEFUL YEAR
Take twelve, fine, full-grown months, see that these are free from all old memories of bitterness, rancor, hate and jealousy; cleanse them completely from every clinging spite: pick off all specks of pettiness and littleness; in short, see that these months are freed as much as possible from the past.

Cut these months into 29, 30 or 31 equal parts. This batch will keep for just one year. Do not attempt to make up the whole batch at one time (so many persons spoil the entire lot in this way), but prepare one day at a time, as follows:

Into each day put
twelve parts of faith,
eleven of patience,
ten of courage,
nine of work,
eight of hope,
seven of fidelity,
six of liberality,
five of kindness,
four of rest,
three of prayer,
two of meditation,
and one well selected resolution.

If you have no conscientious scruples, put in about a teaspoonful of good spirits, a dash of fun, a pinch of folly, a sprinkling of play, and a heaping cupful of good humor.

Pour into the whole love ad libitum and mix with a vim. Cook thoroughly in a fervent heat; garnish with a few smiles and a sprig of joy; then serve with quietness, unselfishness, and cheerfulness, and a Happy New Year is certain.
http://www.mikeysFunnies.com

12 MONTHS TO BECOMING A WORLD CHRISTIAN IN 2012
by Bill Smith
You probably won't become a world renowned scientist in 12 months. It's unlikely that you will become a world-class athlete in 365 days, New Year's resolutions notwithstanding. In one short year, however, you can become a World Christian, doing more than most believers will in their lifetimes to help fulfill the great commission. Maybe even become like a super-hero (see below). What is a World Christian? Someone who takes prayerful, thoughtful action for Christ that has impact across the globe.

Many calendars come out this time of year. Word a Day Calendar. Far Side Calendar. Reading the Bible in a Year Calendar. Cut this one out for 2012, and consider incorporating the actions into your busy life.

January: Enroll in Perspectives on the World Christian Movement. This premier missions training course is led by a team of entertaining, experienced teachers. Classes start this month somewhere near you. Warning: It may change your life. If you've already graduated, then give back by volunteering to help with a class by registering or grading papers. www.perspectives.org

February: Remember your persecuted brothers and sisters. "If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it." 1 Cor. 12:26 (Even Batman is doing it. Just this month, actor Christian Bale was roughed up in China when he attempted to see Chen Guangcheng, Chen and his wife have been beaten nearly to death and placed under house arrest for opposing the practice of forced abortion.) Sign up for Voice of the Martyrs newsletter and send a free copy of Tortured for Christ to a friend. www.persecution.com.... Read this in full at
http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2012/s12010003.htm

ALAN JACOBS ON THE PLEASURES OF READING
“The fact is that people don’t read anymore.” Or so Steve Jobs said, in 2008, two years before the introduction of the iPad. Such pronouncements abound nowadays — often appearing in...books. But the most thoughtful reflection on the subject comes without any apocalyptic huffing and puffing. In The Pleasures of Reading in an Age of Distraction (Oxford University Press), Alan Jacobs, professor of English at Wheaton College, is sanguine about the future of reading and the book, and positively seductive when he urges us to read “for the plain old delight and interest of it, not because we can justify its place on the mental spreadsheet or accounting ledger.” Christianity Today’s
Books & Culture editor John Wilson talked with Jacobs about the distractions that beckon us, the virtues of the Kindle (and, by extension, similar devices), and the rewards of reading with concentrated attention. Here’s an excerpt:

There's a technology that we call the book, and many of us tend to assume that, well, everybody knows how to use books. Books are easy. It's the modern technologies that students need to be trained to use effectively. And I think, No, not really. A book is actually not that easy to know how to use well, especially for young people who haven't formed the habit of attending carefully to how they work.

So I tell my students, "Look, I want you to have the book in your hand. Take notes if you want to. I would prefer you to take notes in the book. Or if you don't want to write in books, get sticky notes, or do something. But I want you to be engaged with this technology." I want to be able to say, "Okay, put your finger there on page 36 and now let's go over to page 130." And I want to be able to go back and forth between the two. For many of them this is very unfamiliar. They're used to dealing with books in different ways. One of the really interesting things about getting them to work with a book is that it's a lot harder for them to get distracted, because I'm actually pushing them to make fuller use of this technology.... Read this in full at
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2012/january/pleasures-of-reading.html

NORTH CAROLINA MAN HAS A ‘GENTLE MADNESS’ FOR CHURCH FANS COLLECTION
William McNeill remembers two things about sitting in the pew at Singletary United Methodist Church in Dublin, NC as a boy.

He can still hear the choir singing the old gospel hymn “Bringing in the Sheaves,” which the young McNeill thought was actually “Bringing in the Sheeps.” The other is closely tied in his memory: his mother’s hand-held fan, painted with a Sunday school primer painting of Jesus the good shepherd, surrounded by air-brushed children and lambs.

The paper fans with wooden handles that were in every church, tire store and tobacco warehouse of his 1950s youth “resurrect sweet memories of a vanished world, a warmer world before air conditioning,” McNeill said.

Those early church experiences ignited a passion — McNeill calls it a “gentle madness” — for collecting paper fans, many of which are on display at the Cameron Art Museum in the show “William McNeill: My Life as a Handheld Church Fan, a Rhapsody on Sweat, Sweet Tea, and Salvation” through Jan. 15.

His collection now includes about 400 secular, religious, woven, pop culture and instructional fans that date from the 19th century to the 1970s.... Read this in full at
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/on-faith/nc-man-has-a-gentle-madness-for-church-fans-collection/2012/01/05/gIQAh1VQdP_story.html
See the fans in this video report
http://www.cameronartmuseum.com/exhibitions.php#46

'NARNIA 4' MOVIE IN LIMBO; LIKELY SEVERAL YEARS BEFORE PRODUCTION BEGINS
Fans of popular book series The Chronicles of Narnia have been left in limbo over when, or even if, they will see a new movie from the franchise on the big screen.

Walden Media, which produced the first three Narnia films – “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” (2005), “Prince Caspian” (2008) and “The Voyage of the Dawn Treader” (2010), apparently no longer hold the rights to the movies. What is more, the C.S. Lewis Estate must wait a number of years before they can resell them to Walden or another studio, NarniaWeb.com revealed.

Douglas Gresham, the stepson of C. S. Lewis, confirmed the news in a radio interview to Middle-Earth radio back in October. ChristianCinema posted an excerpt from the conversation:

“If you’re aware Walden’s contract with the [C S Lewis] Company has expired, that’s true. And that leaves us in a situation that, for a variety of reasons, we cannot immediately produce another Narnian Chronicle movie. But it is my hope that the Lord will spare me and keep me fit and healthy enough so that in three or four years time we can start production on the next one,” Gresham said.... Read this in full at
http://www.christianpost.com/news/narnia-4-movie-in-limbo-likely-several-years-before-production-begins-66205/

LESSONS FROM AN USHER
by Carolyn Arends
Richard Foster defines humility not as a "less-than" type of self-abasement, but as an ability to "live as close to the truth as possible: the truth about ourselves, the truth about others, the truth about the world in which we live." When we are humble, we are un-fussily realistic about our strengths and weaknesses—about what we are capable of, and what we are not. We are also clear on the fact that we are not God, and that we cannot heal or transform ourselves on our own. Thus, when growth or change happens, it is only in humility that we can identify God's care and provision for us.

When we are proud, we don't have an accurate picture of the way things really are, and we end up believing we are engineering our own progress. And then we wonder why we don't see God moving in our lives. This phenomenon might be another layer of what the apostle Paul meant when he told us we would best know God's strength in our own weakness.... Read this in full at
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2011/december/lessonsfromushers.html

VERSE TO PONDER
“Teach us to number our days so we can have a wise heart.”
Psalm 90:12 (CEB)

CONSIDER
“The life of faith does not earn eternal life; it *is* eternal life; and Christ is its vehicle.”
William Temple

SOME FEAR MEGACHURCH BUBBLE MAY SOON BURST
The past 30 years have seen a boom in the number of megachurches in the US, from just a handful in the 1970s to thousands today -- but some fear the "megachurch bubble" may soon burst, The Tennessean reports. Most megachurches, which earn the label around the 2,000-attendance mark, are led by pastors nearing retirement age. Churches often shrink when a longtime pastor leaves, and many megachurches have operating expenses too big to sustain if they lose members. Skye Jethani of Leadership magazine compared megachurches to the housing market crisis -- one example of which is the recent collapse of the Crystal Cathedral near Los Angeles, which is being sold to pay off more than $40 million in debt. However, some researchers who study megachurches are skeptical that a bubble exists. Sociologist Scott Thumma said all churches were vulnerable during pastoral or demographic changes, but that "good megachurches" would have no problem adapting. People have predicted the end of megachurches for years, he said, but he believes they are here to stay.... Read this in full at
http://www.crosswalk.com/news/religiontoday-news-summaries/religion-today-summaries-november-29-2011.html

FOR CHILD ART PRODIGY AKIANE, JESUS IS FOR REAL
by Mark Ellis

Her atheist parents were surprised when their three-year-old began to describe dreams and visions from God. This inexplicable direction in their daughter’s life, combined with a remarkable talent in art and poetry, inspired her family to re-examine their own lives.

“My life began in an unusual way,” says Akiane Krimarik, 17, who spent her early years in rural Illinois. By unusual, she refers to her underwater birth in “a shack” on the edge of a cornfield. “Our family had no money, no friends, no relatives, no television or radio. Our life was quite simple — long walks in nature, open conversations, and hands on explorations of knowledge,” she says.

Her mother, Forelli, is a Lithuanian immigrant educator. Akiane’s father, Mark, is a chef from Chicago with a Catholic background. In her early family life, there was no prayer, no discussions of God, and no visits to church. Yet in the insular atheistic environment her parents created – free from media influences or even outside babysitters – Akiane suddenly began to talk about God.... Read this in full at
http://blog.godreports.com/2012/01/for-child-art-prodigy-akiane-jesus-is-for-real/

EXPLOSIVE GROWTH OF CHRISTIANITY, MISSIONS IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA
A new study by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life shows the largest growth in Christianity during the past 100 years has occurred in sub-Saharan African countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia and Nigeria. In 1910, just 1.4% of the world's Christians lived in sub-Saharan Africa, but in 2010 that number had grown to 24%. And now, instead of Christianity being spread into African nations by missionaries, African converts are now the ones taking the message to the rest of the world. Many large churches in Europe are also now filled with African Christians who escaped persecution, said Larry Henderson of Abilene Christian University (ACU). "Europeans and North Americans are no longer in the driver's seat [of world missions]," he said. "African Christian leaders have taken the ball and run with it," said Wimon Walker of ACU.... Read this in full at
http://www.reporternews.com/news/2011/dec/29/out-of-africa/

A BABY TO BE BORN EVERY EIGHT SECONDS IN JAN. 2012
According to the US Census Bureau, the US population hit 312.8 million on New Year's Day, and one person is expected to be born every eight seconds in the United States in Jan. 2012. As immigration is additionally expected to add one person every 46 seconds, is the US headed for overpopulation?

When the world's population reached 7 billion on Oct. 31, many expressed concern about poverty and hunger in third-world countries and spoke of the need for family planning and contraception. However, many Christians believe talk of the world becoming overpopulated is overblown. S. Michael Craven of the Center for Christ & Culture said: "The myth of overpopulation ... has been instrumental in legitimizing abortion, forced sterilization, government-subsidized contraception, and, in the most extreme cases, eugenics. In every case these false notions undermine God's commandment to 'multiply' and further serve to undermine the intrinsic value of every human as being made in the image of God." .... Read this in full at
http://www.christianpost.com/news/census-bureau-a-baby-to-be-born-every-8-seconds-in-jan-2012-66022/

BCWI ANNOUNCES 2012 BEST CHRISTIAN WORKPLACES
Making a difference, using their gifts, authentic leaders, fun colleagues, and changing the world are all reasons employees like working with these dream workplaces. Meet the organizations that have most recently qualified as Best Christian Workplaces (http://www.bcwinstitute.org/) by obtaining a high score in the anonymous BCW employee engagement survey.

The BCW survey has been conducted in the US and Canada for the past 10 years and made its debut in Australia last year — surveying over 100,000 employees to date. Each participating organization has a stated Christian mission and/or values.

The 2012 Best Christian Workplaces in the US include:
American Bible Society — New York, NY
Apartment Life — Hurst, TX
Ben Lippen — Columbia, SC
Briarcrest Christian School — Nashville, TN
CCO (Coalition for Christian Outreach) — Pittsburgh, PA
Church Web Works — Renton, WA
English Language Institute/China — Ft. Collins, CO
Free Will Baptist Bible College — Nashville, TN
Heritage Christian Academy — Overland Park, KS
Joni & Friends — Agoura Hills, CA
KSBJ — Humble, TX.... Read this in full at
http://www.religionnews.com/index.php?/pressreleases/bcwi_announces_2012_best_christian_workplaces/

BIOLA UNIVERSITY GETS $3-MILLION GRANT FOR THINK TANK
Biola University, an evangelical Christian school in La Mirada, has received a $3-million grant to run a think tank on contemporary Christian perspectives on such topics as neuroscience, psychology, and politics.

The grant comes from the Pennsylvania-based John Templeton Foundation, which was founded by its namesake, the late Wall Street mutual funds pioneer, to help explore spirituality and links to other areas of scholarship.

The award, the largest academic grant in Biola's history, will help its new Center for Christian Thought bring together eight scholars each semester — four from its faculty and four from elsewhere — over three years to research and debate "important questions facing our culture," said center Director Gregg Ten Elshof. Starting next fall, yearlong themes will include the implications of neuroscience for the soul and how to foster civil discourse in the rough and tumble world of American politics, said Ten Elshof, an associate professor of philosophy.... Read this in full at
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-biola-gift-20120105%2C0%2C4568994.story

HOW CAN YOU TELL HOW HUMBLE SOMEONE IS?
Measuring humility is one of the most difficult aspects of its study. Several approaches have been suggested, such as well-validated self-report measures like the Values in Action Inventory. But several researchers have agreed with June Tangney and argued that humility may be uniquely difficult to measure through self-report....

Outside of the laboratory, you might observe their behavior for yourself; humble people are relatively down-to-earth, intellectually open-minded, less focused on themselves, and have a relatively accurate view of their own abilities. Then, given recent research on humility, you might look at some of their outcomes to verify your hunch. Humble people have been found to be more helpful, more successful in the workplace, and more forgiving and thankful.... Read this in full at
http://www.scienceandreligiontoday.com/2012/01/05/how-can-you-tell-how-humble-someone-is/

CONSIDER
“Self-respect is the fruit of discipline; the sense of dignity grows with the ability to say no to oneself.”
Abraham Joshua Heschel

VERSE TO PONDER
“The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people. It educates us so that we can live sensible, ethical, and godly lives right now by rejecting ungodly lives and the desires of this world.”
Titus 2:11-12 (CEB)

THIS WEEK'S HYMN: AM I A SOLDIER OF THE CROSS
Author: Isaac Watts (1724)

Am I a soldier of the cross?
A follower of the Lamb?
And shall I fear to own his cause?
Or blush to speak his name?

Must I be carried to the skies
On flowery beds of ease?
While others fought to win the prize,
And sailed through bloody seas?

Are there no foes for me to face?
Must I not stem the flood?
Is this vile world a friend to grace,
To help me on to God?

Sure, I must fight if I would reign;
Increase my courage, Lord.
I'll bear the toil, endure the pain,
Supported by thy word.

Thy saints, in all this glorious war
Shall conquer though they die;
They see the triumph from afar,
And seize it with their eye.

When that illustrious day shall rise
And all thine armies shine,
In robes of victory through the skies,
The glory shall be thine.

>from Hymnary.org at
http://www.hymnary.org/text/am_i_a_soldier_of_the_cross

ON PRAYER
Dear Master for this coming year
Just one request I bring:
I do not pray for happiness,
Or any earthly thing—
I do not ask to understand
The way Thou leadest me,
But this I ask: Teach me to do
The thing that pleaseth Thee.

I want to know Thy guiding voice,
To walk with Thee each day.
Dear Master make me swift to hear
And ready to obey.
And thus the year I now begin
A happy year will be—
If I am seeking just to do
The thing that pleaseth Thee.
--Unknown Author

     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.

The January Series (lively lectures)
http://www.calvin.edu/january/

Hymnary.org: A comprehensive index of hymns and hymnals
http://www.hymnary.org/

Christian Classics Ehtereal Library
http://www.ccel.org/

LightBox 365: A Year in Photographs
http://lightbox.time.com/2011/12/31/lightbox-365-a-year-in-photographs/

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.)

Flexible people never get bent out of shape.
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

Check out my blog

Thought for today - 01/08/2012

2012-01-08T07:52:00.001-06:00

VERSE TO PONDER

"Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."
James 5:16

Thought for today 01/07/2012

2012-01-07T05:04:00.001-06:00

"Fight as if you are right; listen as if you are wrong."
Karl Weick

Thought for today - 01/06/2012

2012-01-06T05:37:00.001-06:00

CONSIDER

"Dig the well before you are thirsty."
(Chinese proverb)

Thought for today - 01/05/2012

2012-01-05T07:37:00.001-06:00

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

http://www.PathOfLifeMinistries.org

Thought for today - 01/04/2012

2012-01-04T05:29:00.001-06:00

"You grow up the day you have your first real laugh -- at yourself."

(Ethel Barrymore)

Thought for today - 01/03/2012

2012-01-03T12:56:00.001-06:00

A PRAYER

"Living Word, I thank You for Your written word."

Thought for today - 01/02/2012

2012-01-02T06:19:00.001-06:00

"I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile."
Romans 1:16
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

CONNECTIONS News - 01/01/2012

2012-01-01T11:53:00.000-06:00

Connecting man to man to God
For week of January 1, 2012
Issue 389

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.

Today's issue is going out to 2,130 weekly subscribers. Thank you in advance for forwarding this issue to friends, family and associates! To have a friend start their own Free subscription to CONNECTIONS, please have them visit:http://www.pathoflifeministries.net/page33.html
or subscribe via rss feed here:
http://www.connectionsnews.wordpress.com/feed

BIBLE VERSES TO HELP START THE NEW YEAR
Philippians 4:13
I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

Psalm 20:4
May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.

Lamentations 3:22-24
Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him."

Psalm 51:10
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Ezekiel 36:25-27
I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Proverbs 16:3
Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.

Proverbs 19:21
Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.

2 Timothy 2:22
Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Romans 12:1-2
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.

1 Chronicles 16:34
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

Psalm 23:6
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.

1 Peter 3:15
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.

Hebrews 10:23
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

Isaiah 64:3-4
For when you did awesome things that we did not expect, you came down, and the mountains trembled before you. Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.

CONSIDER
“True repentance is to cease from sin.”
St. Ambrose of Milan (Aurelius Ambrosius) (339-397), attributed

PERSONAL MANIFESTOS FOR 2012
As the new year dawns, you may find one of the following declarations personally useful guidance:

THE PURPOSE-DRIVEN DECLARATION
"Today I am stepping across the line. I'm tired of waffling, and I'm finished with wavering. I've made my choice; the verdict is in; and my decision is irrevocable. I'm going God's way. There's no turning back now! I will live the rest of my life serving God's purposes with God's people on God's planet for God's glory. I will use my life to celebrate his presence, cultivate his character, participate in his family, demonstrate his love, and communicate his Word".... Read this in full at
http://www.purposedrivenchurch.com/en-US/AboutUs/PD_declaration.htm

A MAGNA CHARTA OF TRUST BY AN OUT-OF-CONTROL DISCIPLE
"I once was a control junkie, but now am an Out-of-Control Disciple. I've given up my control to God. I trust and obey the Spirit. I've jumped off the fence, I've stepped over the line, I've pulled out all the stops. There's no turning back, looking around, slowing down, backing away, letting up, or shutting up. It's life Against the Odds, Outside the Box, Over the Wall, the game of life played Without Goal Lines other than 'Thy Will Be Done....' I am not here to please the dominant culture. I live to please my Lord and Savior".... Read this in full at
http://www.leonardsweet.com/article_details.php?id=15

A JESUS MANIFESTO FOR THE 21ST CENTURY CHURCH
Christians have made the gospel about so many things … things other than Christ.

Jesus Christ is the gravitational pull that brings everything together and gives them significance, reality, and meaning. Without him, all things lose their value. Without him, all things are but detached pieces floating around in space.

It is possible to emphasize a spiritual truth, value, virtue, or gift, yet miss Christ . . . who is the embodiment and incarnation of all spiritual truth, values, virtues, and gifts.

Seek a truth, a value, a virtue, or a spiritual gift, and you have obtained something dead.

Seek Christ, embrace Christ, know Christ, and you have touched him who is Life. And in him resides all Truth, Values, Virtues and Gifts in living color. Beauty has its meaning in the beauty of Christ, in whom is found all that makes us lovely and loveable.

What is Christianity? It is Christ. Nothing more. Nothing less. Christianity is not an ideology. Christianity is not a philosophy. Christianity is the “good news” that Beauty, Truth and Goodness are found in a person. Biblical community is founded and found on the connection to that person. Conversion is more than a change in direction; it’s a change in connection. Jesus’ use of the ancient Hebrew word shubh, or its Aramaic equivalent, to call for “repentance” implies not viewing God from a distance, but entering into a relationship where God is command central of the human connection.

In that regard, we feel a massive disconnection in the church today. Thus this manifesto.... Read this in full at
http://www.leonardsweet.com/article_details.php?id=48
http://www.ptmin.org/AJesusManifesto.pdf

JOHN WESLEY'S COVENANT PRAYER
"I am no longer my own, but yours. Put me to what you will, rank me with whom you will; put me to doing; put me to suffering; let me be employed for you or laid aside for you, exalted for you, or brought low for you".... Read this in full at
http://inthestoryline.com/2010/10/11/john-wesleys-covenant-prayer/

THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE UNASHAMED
"I'm part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I'm a disciple of His. I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure. I'm finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living and dwarfed goals".... Read this in full at
http://www.gospeltruth.net/unashamed.htm

A PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
“I pledge allegiance to Jesus Christ, my rescuer and leader, and to his command, ‘Love one another, as I have loved you.’ I pledge to live this day by faith in God, to love him with all my passion, character, intellect, and muscle, to forgive others quickly, and to bear the Holy Spirit fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (copyright 2010, jonathan.petersen@comcast.net)

PASTORS ON PRINCIPLES FOR MAKING, AND FOLLOWING, NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS
Many people have made New Year's resolutions that are kept no longer than a few weeks. But how can Christians make, and keep, spiritual New Year's resolutions for 2012?

PJ Lewis, North Campus pastor for The Well Community Church in Fresno, Calif., says Christians should be making resolutions every day, not just on Dec. 31.

“I looked up the word 'resolution' and it was defined as 'a firm decision to do or not to do something,’” he told The Christian Post via email. “Based on this, the Christian life is full of 'resolutions,' times that we resolve to do or not to do something, all the way back to the initial decision of trusting Jesus as Savior and Lord of our lives.” .... Read this in full at
http://www.christianpost.com/news/pastors-on-principles-for-making-and-following-new-years-resolutions-66115/

POPULAR NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS
Check out some New Year's resolutions that are popular year after year.
* Drink Less Alcohol
* Get a Better Education
* Get a Better Job
* Get Fit
* Lose Weight
* Manage Debt
* Manage Stress
* Quit Smoking Now
* Save Money
* Take a Trip
* Volunteer to Help Others.... Read this in full at
http://www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/New_Years_Resolutions.shtml

BIBLE READING PLANS FOR 2012
http://www.commonenglishbible.com/Bibles/FreeDownloads/tabid/203/Default.aspx
http://www.youversion.com/reading-plans/all
http://www.zondervan.com/Cultures/en-US/Product/Bible/Plans.htm
http://www.biblica.com/bibles/daily-reading/
http://www.bible-reading.com/bible-plan.html
http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/readingplans/
http://www.navpress.com/dj/content.aspx?id=138
http://www.bibleplan.org/
http://www.thomasnelson.com/consumer/dept.asp?dept_id=1117841&TopLevel_id=190000

TWELVE QUESTIONS EVERY THOUGHTFUL CHRISTIAN SHOULD ASK THEMSELVES ANNUALLY
by Clare De Graaf
Was I a good investment for God this year?

I’m serious! Have you ever thought of your life as a love gift Jesus gave to the Father for the purpose of serving in his kingdom, both in this life as well as the next?

“And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.” Revelation 5:9-10

You were purchased by Jesus for a purpose beyond your personal, eternal salvation. You and I are an investment of sorts and as such have a mission from God. So, how are you doing? .... Read this in full at
http://www.claredegraaf.com/2011/12/26/the-examined-life-twelve-questions-every-thoughtful-christian-should-ask-themselves-annually/

NATIONAL CHOIR APPRECIATION SUNDAY IS JAN. 8
January 8, 2012 marks the first time a national campaign has been launched for churches across America to celebrate their musical members who volunteer their time to uplift and empower the church.

There are more than 32.5 million choir members in churches across America, and collectively, they volunteer 8.5 billion hours every year. It's time to show our appreciation for all that they do.

Join thousands of churches around the country in thanking those who make such a Joyful Noise by participating in National Choir Appreciation Sunday.... Read this in full at
http://www.choirappreciationsunday.com/

SUPER BOWL XLVI (46)
The game, to be played on Feb. 5, 2012, will pit the champions of the AFC and the NFC and will be held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Bowl_XLVI

FOR MANY, 'LOSING MY RELIGION' ISN'T JUST A SONG: IT'S LIFE
"The real dirty little secret of religiosity in America is that there are so many people for whom spiritual interest, thinking about ultimate questions, is minimal," says Mark Silk, professor of religion and public life at Trinity College, Hartford, Conn.

For many, clergy and religion experts are dismayed. They fear for souls' salvation and for the common threads of faith snapping in society. Others see no such dire consequences to a more openly secular America as people not only fess up to being faithless but admit they're skipping out on spiritual, the cool default word of the decade, as well.

Only now, however, are they turning up in the statistical stream. Researchers have begun asking the kind of nuanced questions that reveal just how big the So What set might be:

* 44% told the 2011 Baylor University Religion Survey they spend no time seeking "eternal wisdom," and 19% said "it's useless to search for meaning."
* 46% told a 2011 survey by Nashville-based evangelical research agency, LifeWay Research, they never wonder whether they will go to heaven.
* 28% told LifeWay "it's not a major priority in my life to find my deeper purpose." And 18% scoffed that God has a purpose or plan for everyone.
* 6.3% of Americans turned up on Pew Forum's 2007 Religious Landscape Survey as totally secular — unconnected to God or a higher power or any religious identity and willing to say religion is not important in their lives.... Read this in full at
http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/story/2011-12-25/religion-god-atheism-so-what/52195274/1?csp=Dailybriefing

SURVEY: UNCHURCHED DO NOT PONDER LIFE'S PURPOSE, AFTERLIFE
Half of the Americans who do not attend church also do not wonder if there is an ultimate purpose for their lives or the possibility that God has a plan for them, according to a recent survey.

The study by LifeWay Research, which surveyed 2,000 US adults, also found that people with even a slight curiosity about a higher purpose to life are more likely to participate in worship services.

About 75% of the adults surveyed indicated that they either agree or strongly agree with the statement, “There is an ultimate purpose and plan for every person’s life.” However, 50% of respondents who never attend worship services disagree with the statement.... Read this in full at
http://www.christianpost.com/news/survey-unchurched-do-not-ponder-lifes-purpose-afterlife-65763/

HELL ON FIRE IN 2011, THANKS TO FILM AND BOOKS
In 2011, hell was a hot topic, from Hollywood to New York Times best-sellers. In fact, this year has seen an incendiary debate about the existence and contents of hell.

The year began with an epic battle between a priest and Satan, with Anthony Hopkins playing a demon-possessed priest in the movie The Rite. The Hollywood glimpse of the underworld came and went without much notice by moviegoers. But then, another form of hell on Earth grabbed the headlines. Judgment Day would soon be upon us.

"It will be a horror story beyond measure," predicted Harold Camping, the doomsday prophet and founder of Family Radio, in early May.... Read this in full at
http://www.npr.org/2011/12/28/143857948/hell-breaks-loose-in-2011-in-books-and-film

2012 CHRISTIANITY TODAY BOOK AWARDS
Good God: The Theistic Foundations of Morality by David Baggett and Jerry L. Walls (Oxford University Press)
Jesus + Nothing = Everything by Tullian Tchividjian (Crossway)
The Colors of Hope: Becoming People of Mercy, Justice, and Love by Richard Dahlstrom (Baker Books)
Paul Through Mediterranean Eyes: Cultural Studies in 1 Corinthians by Kenneth E. Bailey (IVP Academic)
American Religion: Contemporary Trends by Mark Chaves (Princeton University Press)
Ravished by Beauty: The Surprising Legacy of Reformed Spirituality by Belden C. Lane (Oxford University Press)
Charles Hodge: Guardian of American Orthodoxy by Paul C. Gutjahr (Oxford University Press)
God and the Atlantic: America, Europe, and the Religious Divide by Thomas Albert Howard (Oxford University Press)
Word Made Global: Stories of African Christianity in New York City by Mark R. Gornik (Eerdmans)
Renovation of the Church: What Happens When a Seeker Church Discovers Spiritual Formation by Kent Carlson and Mike Lueken (IVP)
Caleb's Crossing by Geraldine Brooks (Viking Adult)
The Christian Faith: A Systematic Theology for Pilgrims on the Way by Michael Horton (Zondervan) .... Read this in full at
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2012/january/2012-book-awards.html

STUDY: RELIGIOUS AMERICANS MORE CONNECTED WITH COMMUNITY THAN NON-RELIGIOUS COUNTERPARTS
People who are religiously active live more involved and connected lives, according to a Pew Research study released on Friday.

The study, titled “The civic and community engagement of religious active Americans,” (http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2011/Social-side-of-religious.aspx) paints a broad picture of religious Americans and finds that involvement in religious organizations usually go hand-in-hand with participation in civic organizations and a positive outlook on their community.

“There is something unique about religious and spiritual involved people that contribute to their trust, positive outlook, involvement and engagement in the community,” said Jim Jansen, senior fellow at Pew and the leader of the study.

Pew asked Americans about their membership in 28 different kinds of organizations and clubs. The average person not involved with a religious organization participated in 2.11 groups. That compares to an average of 5.11 groups that religious Americans were involved in.... Read this in full at
http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2011/12/23/study-religious-americans-more-connected-with-community-than-non-religious-counterparts/

WHAT ARE YOU THINKING OF?
“If you read history, you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were just those who thought most of the next. The Apostles themselves, who set on foot the conversion of the Roman Empire, the great men who built up the Middle Ages, the English Evangelicals who abolished the Slave Trade, all left their mark on Earth, precisely because their minds were occupied with Heaven.”
C. S. Lewis (1898-1963), Mere Christianity, New York: MacMillan, 1952, reprint, HarperCollins, 2001, p. 104

CHARISMATIC MOVEMENT GROWING QUICKLY WORLDWIDE
According to a recent Pew Research Center report on Global Christianity, 305 million Christians worldwide follow the charismatic movement.

“One of the reasons the charismatic movement is expanding … apart from salvation, we experience healing, miracles. The blind see, the lame get up and walk, and the deaf can hear. That attracts a lot of people,” said Samuel Fatoki, who leads the Everlasting Life Christian Center, a 200-member church with his wife, Marcia, who serves as his co-pastor.

The Pew report categorizes charismatic Christians as a subset among non-Pentecostal denominations and includes Christians from each of the major branches: Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant. The movement shares similar beliefs to Pentecostal denominations and similar practices like “divine healing, prophecy and speaking in tongues,” according to the report.... Read this in full at
http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2011/12/27/charismatic-movement-growing-quickly-worldwide/

ARCHAEOLOGISTS DISCOVER 2ND TEMPLE SEAL IN JERUSALEM
Archeologists have discovered one of the original examples of store credit: A 2,000-year-old clay seal from the Second Temple that was used to show that payment had been made for offerings to the Temple.

The 1cm.-by-1cm. ancient seal was found with the words “Pure for God” written in Aramaic. It is one of the first discoveries that deals with the administrative aspect of the Second Temple, and helps put a human spin on the day-to-day activities of the period, said archeologists involved with the City of David excavations, where the seal was found.

Volunteer students sifting through the dirt excavated from the north side of the Pool of Shiloah discovered the small seal last week.

Due to the richness of the archeological history, every bucket of dirt from the area around the Shiloah spring is sifted before being thrown out. About 30 coins have been found this way since excavations began in the spring five years ago.... Read this in full at
http://www.jpost.com/VideoArticles/Video/Article.aspx?id=250844
Also see video at
http://www.cnn.com/video/?hpt=hp_t2#/video/world/2011/12/26/natpkg-israel-jewish-seal.cnn

HAPPY NEW YEAR!
* Colossians 3:13 - New Year's Resolution: "Forgiveness - Start the New Year with a Clean Heart"
* Matthew 25:34-40 - New Years Resolution" "Serve Others"
* 1 Corinthians 19:20 - New Years Resolution: "Improve Your Physical Health"
* Matthew 14:22-23 - New Year's Resolution: "Spend Time with God"
* Mark 12:29-31 - New Year's Resolution: "Loving God = Loving Others" .... Read this in full at
http://www.crossgate.org/happynewyear

A PRECEDENT FOR THE NEW YEAR (LUKE 2:13-20)
by:J. Hampton Keathley, III
We stand on the threshold of a new year. Most people generally look at the new year as a fresh beginning, as an opportunity to kind of start over, to overcome a habit, or do a better job of something they see as important and that needs improvement. It may be parenting, being a better spouse, losing weight (which, by the way, is the number one resolution according to polls taken). It may be developing different priorities, using our time better, or a whole host of things that people would like to change.

So, we usually hear a lot about New Year's resolutions, resolutions which are usually broken in a matter of weeks. Many people are very pessimistic about the whole issue of making resolutions, and rightly so, because so many good intentions are followed by a history of past failures.

But the new year is a time to reflect and think about what the past year has brought and what the new year could bring. It is a time to stop and analyze, to take stock of our priorities, values, pursuits, and goals. We need to ask questions like "Who am I, what am I doing with my life? What should I be doing as a Christian with my life and the stewardship God has given me?" After all, according to the Word of God, all of life is a stewardship--a stewardship of our time, talents, treasures, and God's truth. In other words, since God's plan and our stewardships revolve around and through the life of His Son, Jesus Christ, we need to each ask "How well am I responding to the Savior and the spiritual life that He has given me?" .... Read this in full at
http://bible.org/article/precedent-new-year-luke-213-20

CONSIDER
“Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man.”
Benjamin Franklin

THE CHURCH OF THE SALVATION ARMY
The Salvation Army is wrapping up its Red Kettle program for the year and hopes to top last year’s record $142 million collected nationwide. The money collected through the Red Kettles, seen only at Christmastime, helps fund all of the Salvation Army’s programs and ministries for the entire year.

“I call it the church where the rubber meets the road,” said Lt. Keri Rudd. She and her husband, Lt. Eric Rudd, are ministers at a Salvation Army church in the Los Angeles area.

Rudd said what many people don’t realize is that the Salvation Army is a 365-day-a-year evangelical Christian Church. “But because we do so many social services and family services, people think of us as just that,” she said.... Read this in full at
http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2011/12/22/the-church-of-the-salvation-army/?hpt=hp_bn1

GENERATIONAL ROADBLOCKS
by Carol Howard Merritt
What signals are we giving to a new generation that they're not welcome in our churches? Usually congregations don’t mean to create these obstacles, but that doesn't keep younger generations from seeing them. What are the signals?

The leadership is from one generation. This is a difficult issue, but it’s the most important one. We have a great deal of democratic representation in our churches, so committees meet to make decisions and get things done. When women didn’t maintain careers outside of the home, this could work well as an intergenerational model. Now a person might need to be retired in order to be an active part of the church leadership. Even if there’s a younger pastor, his or her opinion is easily drowned out by the majority of people around the table. When crucial decisions need to be made about mission, programming, worship style, stewardship, evangelism, we rarely hear what younger generations want or need.... Read this in full at
http://christiancentury.org/blogs/archive/2011-12/generational-road-blocks

BAVARIAN VILLAGERS BUILD ICE CHURCH
Residents of a small Bavarian town have built a church out of ice and snow on the same spot where another ice church was constructed 100 years ago by villagers looking for a place to worship.

The temporary ice church, dubbed "God's Igloo" by one German newspaper, was blessed by a Catholic priest Wednesday night, Spiegel International Online reports.

Residents had hoped to open the $200,000 church in time for Christmas, but were hampered by unseasonably warm weather and a lack of snow.... Read this in full at
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2011/12/bavarian-villagers-build-ice-church-/1

THE HEAVENS PROCLAIM THE GLORY OF THE LORD
by David Clayton
Many people that I have come across say that they believe in God, and might even acknowledge the need to conform to a moral code (quite how they discern it is another matter) but see no reason for ‘organised religion’, which they see as arbitrary creation of mankind. I think that the beauty of the cosmos provides an answer to this question and here’s why.

There is a book (and a film made from book) called the The Privileged Planet: How Our Place in the Cosmos is Designed. I show the film regularly to my students. Produced in 2004 by the Discovery Institute and written by Jay Richards and Guillermo Gonzalez, it describes how recent developments in astrophysics impact our sense of the place of the earth in the universe and the chances of life occurring within. It runs through all the conditions necessary for mankind to exist. (For example, we have an atmosphere that both shields us from the harmful part of the solar spectrum and is transparent to the life sustaining part of the same spectrum.) Then it details the chances of all these conditions (and there are dozens) occurring in the same place through the “random” processes that govern the laws of physics and chemistry in the universe. When all these probabilities are taken into account, the mathematics says that the chance of a place existing that can support us is negligible — so low that it is almost certain that there is no other life in the universe at all. The earth is probably the only planet in existence in the universe that can sustain intelligent life. Furthermore, it is surprising given the probable age of the universe that these conditions occurred even once, here on earth.... Read this in full at
http://www.crisismagazine.com/2011/the-heavens-proclaim-the-glory-of-god

NUMBER OF MARRIED ADULTS AT ALL-TIME LOW
A new report by the Pew Research Center says only 51% of adults in the United States are currently married. Compared to 1960, when 72% of all adults ages 18 and older were married, this represents a new low for the US and is representative of most other "advanced post-industrial societies."

If current trends continue, "the share of adults who are currently married will drop to below half within a few years," said D'Vera Cohn, senior writer of the study. "Other adult living arrangements -- including cohabitation, single-person households and single parenthood -- have all grown more prevalent in recent decades."

In addition, the report reveals that the number of adults who have never married has almost doubled, from 15% in 1960 to 28% today. The median age at first marriage has also risen from 20.3 to 26.5 for women and 22.8 to 28.7 for men.... Read this in full at
http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/number-of-adults-married-at-all-time-low-new-study

CONSIDER
During the New Year may you have:
enough happiness to keep you sweet - enough trials to keep you strong,
enough sorrow to keep you human - enough hope to keep you happy,
enough failure to keep you humble - enough success to keep you eager,
enough friends to give you comfort - enough wealth to meet your needs,
enough enthusiasm to make you look forward to tomorrow, and
enough determination to make each day better than the day before.
Melvin Newland

THIS WEEK'S HYMN: FROM GLORY UNTO GLORY
Words: Frances R. Havergal, 1873
Music: Berthold Tours, 1872

“From Glory unto Glory!” Be this our joyous song,
As on the King’s own highway we bravely march along!
“From Glory unto Glory!” O word of stirring cheer,
As dawns the solemn brightness of one more glad new year.

Our own belovèd Master “hath many things to say.”
Look forward to His teaching, unfolding day by day;
To whispers of His Spirit, to insight clear and sweet,
To blessèd consolation, while resting at His feet.

“From Glory unto Glory!” Our faith hath seen the King.
We own His matchless beauty, adoringly we sing;
But He hath more to show us! O thought of untold bliss!
And on we press rejoicing in blessèd hope to this:—

To marvelous outpourings of ‘treasures new and old,’
To largess of His bounty, paid in the King’s own gold,
To glorious expansion of mysteries of grace,
To radiant unveilings of brightness from His face.

“From Glory unto Glory!” What great things He hath done,
What wonders He hath shown us, what triumphs He hath won!
We marvel at the record of blessings of the year!
But sweeter still than Christmas rings out His promise clear—

That “greater things,” far greater, our longing eyes shall see!
We can but wait and wonder what “greater things” shall be!
But glorious fulfillments rejoicingly we claim,
While pleading in the power of His prevailing Name.

“From Glory unto Glory!” What mighty blessings crown
The lives for which our Lord hath laid His own so freely down!
Omnipotence to keep us, omniscience, too, to guide,
Jehovah’s blessèd presence within us to abide!

The fullness of His blessing encompasseth our way;
The fullness of His promise crowns every brightening day;
The fullness of His glory is beaming from above,
While more and more we realize the fullness of His love.

“From Glory unto Glory!” Without a shade of care,
Because the Lord Who loves us will every burden bear;
Because we trust Him fully, and know that He will guide,
And know that He will keep us at His belovèd side.

“From Glory unto Glory!” Though tribulation fall,
It cannot touch our treasure, when Christ is All in All!
Whatever lies before us, there can be naught to fear,
For what are pain and sorrow when Jesus Christ is near?

“From Glory unto Glory!” O marvels of the Word!
“With open face beholding the glory of the Lord,”
We, even we (O wonder!) “are changed into the same,”
The image of our Savior, to glorify His Name.

Abiding in His presence, and walking in the light,
And seeking to do always what is “pleasing in His sight”;
We look to Him to keep us “all glorious within,”
Because the blood of Jesus is cleansing from all sin.

The things behind forgetting, we only gaze before
“From Glory unto Glory,” that “shineth more and more,”
Because our Lord hath said it, that such shall be our way,
(O splendor of the promise!) “unto the perfect day.”

“From Glory unto Glory!” Our fellow travelers still
Are gathering on the journey! The bright electric thrill
Of quick, instinctive union, more frequent and more sweet,
Shall swiftly pass from heart to heart in true and tender beat.

And closer yet, and closer, the golden bonds shall be,
Enlinking all who love our Lord in pure sincerity;
And wider yet, and wider, shall circling glory glow,
As more and more are taught our God’s mighty love to know.

O ye who seek the Savior, look up in faith and love;
Come up into the sunshine, so bright and warm above!
No longer tread the valley, but, clinging to His hand,
Ascend the shining summits and view the glorious land.

Our harp notes should be sweeter, our trumpet tones more clear,
Our anthems ring so grandly that all the world must hear!
O royal be our music, for who hath cause to sing
Like choruses of saved ones, the children of the King?

O, let our adoration for all that He hath done
Peal out beyond the heavens, while voice and life are one;
And let our consecration be real, and deep, and true.
O even now our hearts bow, and joyful vows renew!

“In full and glad surrender we give ourselves to Thee,
Thine utterly, and only, and evermore to be!
O Son of God, who lov’st us, we will be Thine alone,
Our being and possessions, shall henceforth be Thine own!”

Now onward, ever onward, “from strength to strength” we go,
While “grace for grace” abundant shall from His fullness flow,
To glory’s full fruition, from glory’s foretaste here,
Until His very presence crown happiest new year.

>from NetHymnal at
http://nethymnal.org/htm/f/r/fromglor.htm

ON PRAYER
“Heavenly Father, for this coming year
Just one request I bring.
Teach me to do the thing that pleases You.
I want to know Your guiding voice,
To walk with you each day.
Heavenly Father,
Make me swift to hear and ready to obey;
And thus the year I now begin
A happy year will be,
If I am seeking just to do
The thing that pleases You.”

     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.

Christianity Today Top 10 News Stories of 2011
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2012/january/top-news-2011.html

The Institute on Religion & Democracy Top Church News Stories of 2011
http://www.theird.org/page.aspx?pid=2213

TIME magazine Top Religion Stories of 2011
http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2035319_2034971_2034944,00.html

Top 2011 Religion Stories That Weren’t
http://www.religiondispatches.org/archive/culture/5519/top_2011_religion_stories_that_weren%E2%80%99t

The Year in Review by R. Albert Mohler, Jr.
http://www.christianpost.com/news/the-year-in-review-the-ten-leading-news-stories-of-2011-65887/

Worldshapin (compare countries through their shape)
http://www.worldshap.in/#/03/BR/

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.)

Happy New Year!
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

Check out my blog

Thought for today - 01/01/2012

2012-01-01T04:41:00.000-06:00

"We have the means to evangelize our country; but they are slumbering in the pews of our churches."
John R. W. Stott

Thought for today - 12/31/2011

2011-12-31T03:48:00.001-06:00

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."
Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)

Thought for today - 12/30/2011

2011-12-30T05:37:00.001-06:00

FAITH & TRUST
"Faith is not so much belief about God as it is total, personal trust in God, rising to a personal fellowship with God that is stronger than anxiety and guilt, loneliness and all manner of disaster. The Christian's faith in Christ is trust in a Living Person, once crucified, dead, and buried, and now living forevermore. Call it, if you will, an assumption that ends as an assurance, or an experiment that ends as an experience, Christian faith is in fact a commitment that ends as a communion."
Frederick Ward Kates (b.1920)
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

Thought for today - 12/29/2011

2011-12-29T05:09:00.001-06:00

"I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain."
Philippians 1:20-21 (NIV)

Thought for today - 12/28/2011

2011-12-28T06:48:00.001-06:00

"For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted."
Hebrews 2:17-18 (NIV)

Thought for today - 12/27/2011

2011-12-27T06:28:00.000-06:00

"For [the Father] has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation."
Colossians 1:13-15 (NIV)

Thought for today - 12/26/2011

2011-12-26T09:01:00.001-06:00

WHERE DOES YOUR CONFIDENCE REST?
"Ultimate confidence in the goodness of life cannot rest upon confidence in the goodness of man. If that is where it rests, it is an optimism which will suffer ultimate disillusionment. Romanticism will be transmuted into cynicism, as it has always been in the world's history. The faith of a Christian is something quite different from this optimism. It is trust in God, in a good God who created a good world, though the world is not now good; in a good God, powerful and good enough finally to destroy the evil that men do and redeem them of their sins. This kind of faith is not optimism. It does not, in fact, arise until optimism breaks down and men cease to trust in themselves that they are righteous."
Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971), Beyond Tragedy [1938]