Connecting man to man to God
For week of June 17, 2012
Issue 412
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.
READ THE ENTIRE EDITION HERE:
http://connectionsnews.wordpress.com/2012/06/16/connections-news-06172012/
Here are a few excerpts from this week's edition:
7 VERSES FOR FATHERLESS MEN WHO ARE NOW FATHERS
by Rudy Carrasco
When my first child was about to be born, I freaked out. It was the 9th month. I was 33. I was in the bathroom and thought, “I don’t know how to father her. What am I going to do?”
I grew up without a father and without a mother. My sister, God bless her, raised me. The thing is, I knew a lot about caring for people, following Christ, and knew enough about what it takes to be a father and husband that I felt ok. But it was one of those moments when you look deep inside yourself — and I freaked out.
“I can’t do this,” I thought. “I am going to mess her up.” .... Read this in full at
http://evangelicalsforsocialaction.org/7versesfathers
PEW SURVEY: DOUBT OF GOD GROWING QUICKLY AMONG MILLENNIALS
The percentage of Americans 30 and younger who harbor some doubts about God’s existence appears to be growing quickly, according to a recent Pew Research Center survey. While most young Americans, 68%, told Pew they never doubt God’s existence, that’s a 15-point drop in just 5 years.
In 2007, 83% of American millennials said they never doubted God’s existence.
More young people are expressing doubts about God now than at any time since Pew started asking the question a decade ago. Thirty-one percent disagreed with the statement “I never doubt the existence of God,” double the number who disagreed with it in 2007.... Read this in full at
http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2012/06/12/pew-survey-doubt-of-god-growing-quickly-among-millennials/?hpt=hp_c3
TO HEAVEN AND BACK
by Mary C. Neal MD
One lesson I learned after I drowned on a South American river was that to face life's challenges with gratitude and joy, a person must first lose his or her faith.
I am an experienced kayaker, but when I crested the top of a moderate waterfall while kayaking the Fuy River, I saw no clean exit to the tremendous turbulence at its bottom. I pragmatically assumed I would tip over at the bottom, then exit my boat and be briefly tossed about in the turbulence before surfacing and swimming downstream.
When my boat struck the bottom with a thud, I was immediately submerged. As a spine surgeon, I am familiar and comfortable with stressful situations. I remained calm as I sequentially went through the steps to extricate myself: detaching my spray skirt (neoprene fabric that keeps water out of the boat by stretching between the kayaker's waist and the boat's cockpit rim), pushing myself out of the boat with my feet, and trying to free the boat by rocking back and forth. I had no air, was too far from shore for anyone to reach me and my self-rescue was prevented by the flowing water flattening my torso against the front deck of my boat. After a lifetime of fearing a drowning death, the irony of my predicament almost made me chuckle.... Read this in full at
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mary-c-neal-md/to-heaven-and-back_b_1572272.html
THE DANGER OF LOVING OTHERS TOO MUCH
by Clare De Graaf
“Mr. De Graaf, I understand what the Bible says, but what do you say to people who are gay, love each other and want to commit their lives to each other in marriage? Didn’t Jesus say we should love others and want for them, what we want for ourselves? Besides, how can that be wrong if that’s the way God wired them?”
On my recent teaching trip to Europe with four Christian college seniors, this question regarding homosexual marriage came up in light of President Obama’s recent statements on the subject. In an interview with ABC News he even invoked the Golden Rule, “It’s also the Golden Rule, you know, treat others the way you would want to be treated.”
This blog isn’t political or a thorough discussion of the homosexual issue. Neither were the guys on the trip advocating gay marriage, but were searching for a more thoughtful, yet biblical way to dialogue with those who are. So, here’s how I believe followers of Jesus ought to frame this and similar discussions when what is being advocated seems to be clearly at odds with the Bible.... Read this in full at
http://www.claredegraaf.com/2012/06/11/the-danger-of-loving-others-too-much/
DOES CHRISTIANITY HAVE A MASCULINE FEEL?
by Tim Challies
John Piper sparked quite a storm with his biographical message on the “frank and manly” J. C. Ryle. One of his conclusion was that Christianity is meant to have a masculine feel to it. Response to his message ranged from outrage to applause. I found myself perplexed and needed to give it some time to work itself out in my mind. For a while I gave up, but then decided that it would be worth the effort, so sat down and began to hash out my thoughts. It took a long time, but having done so, I find that I am pretty sure I disagree with Piper. I will tell you why, but first, a short refresher on his message.... Read this in full at
http://blogs.christianpost.com/overflow/does-christianity-have-a-masculine-feel-10341/
A CONVERSATION WITH ERWIN LUTZER
Erwin Lutzer has led the historic Moody Church in downtown Chicago for more than 30 years, authored more than 30 books, and is featured regularly on three national radio programs. In this interview, Dr. Lutzer offers his perspective on spiritual warfare. He shares his thoughts on deliverance, temptation, the role of the community, and why he believes Satan needs God's permission "even to wiggle." .... Read this in full at
http://www.christianitytoday.com/le/2012/spring/contesteduniverse.html?paging=off
HEALING A WOUNDED HEART
by Saralee Perel
I'm finally beginning to recover from the loss of our dog, Gracie. She died in October. A veterinarian said, "Remember the good times and she'll always be with you."
Well, that's easier said than done. All I've thought about was her ending ... until now.
Ever since my spinal cord injury, Gracie became my guardian. She would have given up her life for me by blocking cars I hadn't seen or bikers or aggressive dogs. Because of her help, I defied medical opinions and learned to walk again, making it to 10 miles. She truly was my saving Grace.
During her last months, she'd get confused wandering in our backyard. She wasn't afraid because I'd be by her side — the same way she had been by mine. The feel of my hand on her golden forehead always grounded her in safety and love.... Read this in full at
http://www.mikeysfunnies.com/archive/20120608/
READ THE ENTIRE EDITION HERE:
http://connectionsnews.wordpress.com/2012/06/16/connections-news-06172012/
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!
Subscribe!
Subscribe to CONNECTIONS here
Get Archives of all past issues here:
http://www.pathoflifeministries.net/connections/archives_all.html
Check out my blog
For week of June 17, 2012
Issue 412
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.
READ THE ENTIRE EDITION HERE:
http://connectionsnews.wordpress.com/2012/06/16/connections-news-06172012/
Here are a few excerpts from this week's edition:
7 VERSES FOR FATHERLESS MEN WHO ARE NOW FATHERS
by Rudy Carrasco
When my first child was about to be born, I freaked out. It was the 9th month. I was 33. I was in the bathroom and thought, “I don’t know how to father her. What am I going to do?”
I grew up without a father and without a mother. My sister, God bless her, raised me. The thing is, I knew a lot about caring for people, following Christ, and knew enough about what it takes to be a father and husband that I felt ok. But it was one of those moments when you look deep inside yourself — and I freaked out.
“I can’t do this,” I thought. “I am going to mess her up.” .... Read this in full at
http://evangelicalsforsocialaction.org/7versesfathers
PEW SURVEY: DOUBT OF GOD GROWING QUICKLY AMONG MILLENNIALS
The percentage of Americans 30 and younger who harbor some doubts about God’s existence appears to be growing quickly, according to a recent Pew Research Center survey. While most young Americans, 68%, told Pew they never doubt God’s existence, that’s a 15-point drop in just 5 years.
In 2007, 83% of American millennials said they never doubted God’s existence.
More young people are expressing doubts about God now than at any time since Pew started asking the question a decade ago. Thirty-one percent disagreed with the statement “I never doubt the existence of God,” double the number who disagreed with it in 2007.... Read this in full at
http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2012/06/12/pew-survey-doubt-of-god-growing-quickly-among-millennials/?hpt=hp_c3
TO HEAVEN AND BACK
by Mary C. Neal MD
One lesson I learned after I drowned on a South American river was that to face life's challenges with gratitude and joy, a person must first lose his or her faith.
I am an experienced kayaker, but when I crested the top of a moderate waterfall while kayaking the Fuy River, I saw no clean exit to the tremendous turbulence at its bottom. I pragmatically assumed I would tip over at the bottom, then exit my boat and be briefly tossed about in the turbulence before surfacing and swimming downstream.
When my boat struck the bottom with a thud, I was immediately submerged. As a spine surgeon, I am familiar and comfortable with stressful situations. I remained calm as I sequentially went through the steps to extricate myself: detaching my spray skirt (neoprene fabric that keeps water out of the boat by stretching between the kayaker's waist and the boat's cockpit rim), pushing myself out of the boat with my feet, and trying to free the boat by rocking back and forth. I had no air, was too far from shore for anyone to reach me and my self-rescue was prevented by the flowing water flattening my torso against the front deck of my boat. After a lifetime of fearing a drowning death, the irony of my predicament almost made me chuckle.... Read this in full at
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mary-c-neal-md/to-heaven-and-back_b_1572272.html
THE DANGER OF LOVING OTHERS TOO MUCH
by Clare De Graaf
“Mr. De Graaf, I understand what the Bible says, but what do you say to people who are gay, love each other and want to commit their lives to each other in marriage? Didn’t Jesus say we should love others and want for them, what we want for ourselves? Besides, how can that be wrong if that’s the way God wired them?”
On my recent teaching trip to Europe with four Christian college seniors, this question regarding homosexual marriage came up in light of President Obama’s recent statements on the subject. In an interview with ABC News he even invoked the Golden Rule, “It’s also the Golden Rule, you know, treat others the way you would want to be treated.”
This blog isn’t political or a thorough discussion of the homosexual issue. Neither were the guys on the trip advocating gay marriage, but were searching for a more thoughtful, yet biblical way to dialogue with those who are. So, here’s how I believe followers of Jesus ought to frame this and similar discussions when what is being advocated seems to be clearly at odds with the Bible.... Read this in full at
http://www.claredegraaf.com/2012/06/11/the-danger-of-loving-others-too-much/
DOES CHRISTIANITY HAVE A MASCULINE FEEL?
by Tim Challies
John Piper sparked quite a storm with his biographical message on the “frank and manly” J. C. Ryle. One of his conclusion was that Christianity is meant to have a masculine feel to it. Response to his message ranged from outrage to applause. I found myself perplexed and needed to give it some time to work itself out in my mind. For a while I gave up, but then decided that it would be worth the effort, so sat down and began to hash out my thoughts. It took a long time, but having done so, I find that I am pretty sure I disagree with Piper. I will tell you why, but first, a short refresher on his message.... Read this in full at
http://blogs.christianpost.com/overflow/does-christianity-have-a-masculine-feel-10341/
A CONVERSATION WITH ERWIN LUTZER
Erwin Lutzer has led the historic Moody Church in downtown Chicago for more than 30 years, authored more than 30 books, and is featured regularly on three national radio programs. In this interview, Dr. Lutzer offers his perspective on spiritual warfare. He shares his thoughts on deliverance, temptation, the role of the community, and why he believes Satan needs God's permission "even to wiggle." .... Read this in full at
http://www.christianitytoday.com/le/2012/spring/contesteduniverse.html?paging=off
HEALING A WOUNDED HEART
by Saralee Perel
I'm finally beginning to recover from the loss of our dog, Gracie. She died in October. A veterinarian said, "Remember the good times and she'll always be with you."
Well, that's easier said than done. All I've thought about was her ending ... until now.
Ever since my spinal cord injury, Gracie became my guardian. She would have given up her life for me by blocking cars I hadn't seen or bikers or aggressive dogs. Because of her help, I defied medical opinions and learned to walk again, making it to 10 miles. She truly was my saving Grace.
During her last months, she'd get confused wandering in our backyard. She wasn't afraid because I'd be by her side — the same way she had been by mine. The feel of my hand on her golden forehead always grounded her in safety and love.... Read this in full at
http://www.mikeysfunnies.com/archive/20120608/
READ THE ENTIRE EDITION HERE:
http://connectionsnews.wordpress.com/2012/06/16/connections-news-06172012/
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!
Subscribe!
Subscribe to CONNECTIONS here
Get Archives of all past issues here:
http://www.pathoflifeministries.net/connections/archives_all.html
Check out my blog
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