THE DAY THE EARTH SMILED – 2013
Cassini spacecraft captures Saturn with Earth as a speck (Left outer ring)
Hi Men:
I can’t recall a time when so many global events were happening simultaneously. In the midst of it all, I pray you are guarding your peace “in” Christ. I know this is no small challenge, yet Paul gives us clear direction in Colossians 3:2:
“Set your mind on the things above,
not on the things that are on earth.”
PHOTO ABOVE
The Day the Earth Smiled was captured in 2013 when NASA’s Cassini spacecraft turned its cameras back toward Saturn—and toward us. From nearly 900 million miles away, Earth appears as nothing more than a faint blue dot suspended in a sunbeam.
Every person who has ever lived… every nation, war, triumph, and tragedy… all contained in that tiny speck.
The photo is both humbling and clarifying: we are far smaller than we imagine—yet infinitely known by the God who “determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name” (Psalm 147:4).
The Cassini took a final deep dive into the planet in 2017. If interested, here is a 4 min. video of “NASA at Saturn: Cassini’s Grand Finale” It’s pretty cool!
IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD
On Tuesday, I was in Sam’s Club—one of the places on my personal “top ten” list for evangelism, when an old fraternity brother walked up and said my name. It was Jim, whom I knew from our ATO (Alpha Tau Omega) days at UNLV. I was on the phone with a friend who needed to talk, so I told him I’d call him back.
Jim and I quickly fell into an easy conversation, reminiscing about old friends and memories. At one point, he asked if I had been at the funeral of a man we both knew well who had recently died suddenly from a heart attack. I hadn’t, but we talked about it briefly. That loss was clearly still on his mind and gave the conversation a sober backdrop.
As we talked, Jim shared that he grew up traveling all over the world, since his dad was with the State Dept. He came from a large family and ended up at UNLV, pledging the ATO Fraternity. He remembered me well—especially since I served as fraternity president three years in a row – a real nut case back then 🤠 (It helped that I compressed my four-year undergraduate degree into seven!).
When Jim asked what I had been up to, the conversation naturally turned to the most significant event of my life. I told him that during a season of deep depression, I had heard the gospel explained once and later, one night around 2 a.m., weeping uncontrollably, surrendered my life to Jesus Christ under a tree in my backyard.
Jim stood there wide-eyed. I told him simply that it was real — and that Jesus Christ radically changed my life. I also said, I hated the term “Born Again” ……… until it happened to me. He just said, “Wow.”
I shared briefly about the men’s group and the Zion Men’s Conference and showed him a photo of the guys. He was clearly taken back by it. I explained that because my life was so radically changed, I have to tell others about the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I handed him a small card and asked him to read the question on it: Where will you spend eternity? He paused and said, “That is a pretty important question.”
Jim shared that his dad was Jewish and his mom Catholic, and that growing up they attended whatever church was available in those countries where they were stationed. I told him this is the most important question a person needs to ask — and he agreed. I also gave him my other tracts; Steps To Peace, Are You A Good Person and a few additional resources, which he readily accepted.
As we wrapped up, Jim thanked me for sharing and said he needed to get going as he was headed to a Golden Knights hockey game. Before leaving, we exchanged contact information and agreed to get together again.
It was a clear divine appointment — especially with the recent funeral still fresh on his mind. I’ll be following up with Jim.
Overwhelmed by my Savior,
Dan
(Galatians 2:20)
Men: Have you given your life in exchange for the eternal?
“Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” (1 John 2:15)
Serving Two Masters – Day 10 Red Book
The purpose of these devotionals is to help you think Biblically
Solomon said, “As a man thinks, so is he”
1 – Luke 16:13-15
PDF – Send this to your buddy that loves his “worldly stuff”
ZION MESSAGES
Listen to Bill McCurine’s message at Zion.
Here are Bill’s notes as you listen to his message.
To go to the Media page: E²Vegas.com/episode/zion-boot-camp-2025/
EVERYONE HAS TWO CHOICES
END OF THE YEAR LETTER – 2025
by Andy Fetsis – FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes)
The photo above shows several young men from FCA that Andy brought to the Zion Boot Camp in December. Andy’s son, Christian, is also pictured (gray sweatshirt).
Email Andy to receive his newsletter updates: AFetsis@fca.org
To support what Andy is doing: My.FCA.org/AndyFetsis
CCP
Men: Many of you know the Chinese Communist Party has their own version of the bible. Below is an example:
In the biblical account, Jesus says, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone…” The accusers leave one by one, and Jesus tells the woman, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.” He does not stone her, and He does not say, “I am also a sinner.”
Jesus is not edited by governments.
When Scripture is rewritten, it exposes who truly fears the authority of Christ.
Christianity vs Secularism
Men: As you run across your secular (non-believing) friends, this is a great chart to go over with them
HERE IS A PDF – Send it to your buddies
Men: This short article was sent to me. Click on the link below to read it (2 min read)
Discipleship Within the Church – Is There Any?
Is your church intentional about discipling its members, especially the new converts and the less mature. Is your church patient with the development and growth of those more difficult or trying? Is your church active in training up men in the way Paul prescribed to Timothy:
“What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also” (2 Tim. 2:2)?
Read And Download the article
To Those Who Married Poorly
By Tim Challies, Challies.com (5 Minute Read)
DO YOU?
