WHAT? STEPHENSON 2-18
Red Giant in the Milky Way Galaxy
“The heavens are telling of the glory of God;
and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.”
Psalm 19:1
Hi Men:
As you all know, God is 100% Sovereign. In light of a very disturbing week, with Hurricane Melissa and everything else unfolding in our nation and around the world, were you able to keep God’s Sovereignty in the forefront of your mind? And are you trusting in Christ, not merely believing about Him?
Jesus said, “I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
Nothing escapes His control – not the path of a hurricane, not out-of-control Jihadists, and not even the smallest details of your day. When life feels unsettled, it helps to lift our eyes above the storm and remember the immensity of the One who spoke the universe into existence…… and is right know preparing an unimaginable place for those that have placed their lives in Jesus Christ.
“But, as it is written: ‘What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived — the things God has prepared for those who love Him.’”
— 1 Corinthians 2:9
PHOTO ABOVE
I was thinking about what photo I wanted to use for this week’s Friday Letter. Would it be one or two of the heartbreaking images of devastation in Jamaica or Cuba? Or maybe a fascinating article I ran across about the number of ants in the world — yes, the number is in the quintillions!
But then, I stumbled upon something that stopped me in my tracks — a star within our own Milky Way galaxy that, for some reason, I had never heard of until now. As most of you know, my favorite star has always been Betelgeuse, but this one is even larger. In fact, it makes Betelgeuse look almost small by comparison.
So, let me introduce you to a star that will leave you in awe of God’s creative power: Stevenson 2-18. It’s named after Charles Bruce Stephenson, the American astronomer who cataloged it in 1990. Here are just a few bullets on this star:
- It’s a red hypergiant, one of the rarest types of stars in existence.
- Located 19,500 light-years away in the constellation Scutum — hidden behind thick cosmic dust, invisible to the naked eye.
- Diameter of our Sun is about 864,000 miles
- Diameter of Stephenson is about 1.9 billion miles….. yikes
- Over 2,100 times larger than our Sun.
- If it replaced our Sun, its outer edge would extend beyond Saturn’s orbit.
- It’s so massive that it could hold 10 billion Suns inside it.
- It shines 440,000 times brighter than the Sun.
- Despite its unimaginable size, Stephenson is still just one small creation in one small galaxy, spoken into existence by the breath of God.
1 Thess 2:8
“Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us.”
Difference between Comfortable Christianity and Costly Christianity is spiritual reproduction. Few people are willing to pay that price (See Janagam video below)
Men, let’s be the exception!
Much Love in Christ,
Dan
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.”
(1 Cor 15:58)
Men:
I have placed (2) very important devotionals for this Friday letter. Take your time in reflecting on them.
Most men, when considering a wife, make their decision on the basis of, “Will she make a good bed partner?” and “Will she show well, i.e., will she make me look good?” It rarely occurs to them to ask, “Will she be a good mother of our children?”
Biblical Love – Part 1 & 2 Day 304/5 Red Book
The purpose of these devotionals is to help you think Biblically
Solomon said, “As a man thinks, so is he”
View and Download a PDF COPY HERE
Amazing quote from Henry Ford:
“I believe God is managing affairs, and that He doesn’t need any advice from me. With God in charge, I believe everything will work out for the best in the end. So what is there to worry about?”
— Henry Ford
Suicide | Joni Eareckson Tada
Shares Her Thoughts About Suicide
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him.”
Romans 15:13
Joni Eareckson Tada talks about facing deep despair after the diving accident that paralyzed her in 1967. She shares openly about her struggle with suicidal thoughts and how small acts of love, prayer, and connection helped spark hope.
Watch Jonie on YouTube (2.5 minutes)
Men: Our brother Daniel Janagam shared the comments and video from Kerala, India. Profound observations from this professor……….
“The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” (2 Tim 2:2)
Theological Professor Testimony
“Daniel Manawa serves as a professor at a theological seminary and participated in a one-day discipleship workshop. He attentively observed all the sessions and resolved to embody the principles he teaches, aiming to be a reproducer for Christ. I hope that this brief video testimony will serve as a blessing to you.”
YouTube (1:11 minutes)
Getting into God’s Stride
By Oswald Chambers
Enoch walked faithfully with God. — Genesis 5:24
The test of my religious character isn’t what I do in exceptional moments; it’s what I do when nothing tremendous or exciting is happening. My worth to God is revealed in my attitude to ordinary things, when I’m out of the spotlight. Am I able to walk faithfully with him then?
It’s a painful thing to learn to walk faithfully with God. It requires getting our second wind spiritually, because before we’ve taken three steps we find that God has outpaced us. God has a different way of doing things, and we have to be trained and disciplined into his ways before we can keep up. When we do manage to get into God’s stride, the only characteristic that manifests itself in our life is his life. Our individual person is lost in union with him; his power alone is evident.
In the book of Isaiah, it was prophesied that Jesus would “not falter or be discouraged” (42:4). Jesus was able to keep pace with his Father because he never approached things from his own viewpoint, only from God’s. We have to learn to do the same, and the way we learn is by soaking in spiritual truth. Spiritual truth is learned by atmosphere, not by intellectual reasoning. God’s Spirit alters the atmosphere of our way of looking at things, and things that were never before possible begin to be possible. We begin to see from God’s viewpoint, to understand his ways, and to fall into his stride.
Getting into the stride of God means nothing less than union with him. It takes a long time to get there, but keep at it. Don’t give in, even if the pain is bad just now. Get on with it, and before long you will find you have a new vision and a new purpose.
Men:
Here are a few great videos from our brother Bill McCurine ……
Best Christmas Commercial Ever
YouTube (2:55 minutes)
MIND-BLOWING! “Math does PROVE God!”
YouTube (14:50 min)
SOCIAL ISSUES AND WORLDVIEW
Family Research Council
Center for Biblical Worldview – George Barna
Men: Take a moment and check out this Latest Survey of churchgoing Americans.
Below is one of the stats……
Men: Can you answer the question below in specific and concrete terms? If not, you may not be ready to live the remaining years of your life…….
Visualize yourself standing at the threshold of death with nothing but memories to look back upon and nothing but the grave to look forward to, what would you have to see as you look back over your life in order to look God the Father in the face and say,
“Oh God I have finished the work You gave me to do, my life has been a success.”
Jesus said:
“Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life……”
John 6:27
Men: Let’s keep our eyes on Christ and not the world
