MEN OF ZION
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”
Romans 8:18
Hi Men:
I pray your week has been marked by gratitude and the goodness of the Lord. I was going to open with our Zion theme verse from Ephesians 6:10-13, but after listening to Brent Parker’s Sunday devotional, I couldn’t shake the verse he quoted from Romans 8:18 above. And here’s why…
When I got home from Zion and began unpacking materials and answering a backlog of emails, my PC’s 15-year-old dual-monitor setup decided to declare war on me. One monitor died completely, and the other only worked if I kept unplugging and re-plugging it like a crazy person – crawling under my desk! For a brief moment I felt that ridiculous surge of frustration — that “heartburn” over something that absolutely doesn’t matter.
And right then, Brent’s verse hit me like a hammer. My tiny, silly annoyance paled in comparison to the eternal weight of what Romans 8:18 declares, and to the lifelong suffering Brent has walked through with quiet faith. Suddenly, my monitor problem shrank to its proper microscopic size. Thank you Brent!
PHOTO ABOVE
Before anything else, I want to acknowledge the many people who prayed faithfully for our Zion Boot Camp. God’s answered prayers were evident in every part of the weekend. Nothing we experienced was accidental, He went before us, cleared obstacles, and poured out His blessing in ways that only He could orchestrate.
This year’s Zion gathering was truly remarkable. Men traveled from all over the United States to join us, and the Lord blessed us with perfect weather and a weekend that far exceeded anything we could have planned. In spite of the many challenges leading up to our arrival, God guided every detail. The teachings were powerful, the fellowship was rich, the meals were great, and the accommodations were super. The feedback from the guys has been overwhelmingly encouraging, and many have offered excellent recommendations for next year. I’ll share more of those insights and stories in the weeks ahead, but for now, let’s simply give God the glory for what He did among us at Zion this year. By the way, the men that brought their wives and families – “truly a blessing!”
Here are some of the photos taken at Zion DROPBOX
IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD
I have some Zion “Sharing Your Faith” stories to pass along in the weeks ahead, but today I wanted to share an email from a dear friend of many years. I met Mike over 20 years ago when I was a Scoutmaster and he worked with the Boulder Dam Area Council. He now lives in Missouri, and recently wrote me about how he’s been stepping out in faith with the same materials many of us use. Here’s part of what he shared:
Hi Dan,
I was praying for the Zion Boot Camp all last week and trusting God to work through it. Your narrow escape from death was mind-numbing. God clearly has more people for you to meet!
A month ago, I flew to Florida to visit my brother. I had a million-dollar Santa bill, the Million Dollar Gospel of John, and Steps to Peace With God tract in my pocket. On the flight I sat next to a woman from India, married for 20 years in an arranged marriage and now living in San Jose. She was studying nervously for an ER nurse certification test. She mentioned God, but I hesitated and didn’t give her the materials, needed a little more courage, I guess. But before landing, I did pray for her: for peace, success on the test, and for her marriage. She was really touched.
Later during my visit, my niece noticed the million-dollar bill. I explained it to her and ended up mailing it, along with the Gospel of John, after the trip. She thanked me and said she remembered John from Sunday School. Her husband is a non-religious Jew who has been leaning a bit toward Christianity, despite some pushback from his family. Maybe the book will find its way into his hands.
Today I went to the dentist with the same items in my pocket. I prayed beforehand for the right words. After the cleaning I pulled them out and explained briefly what they were. The hygienist smiled, said she was a churchgoer, and flipped through the Gospel of John as I told her it’s a wonderful outline of Jesus’s life. She gave me a very sincere thank-you as I left.
Okay, now I know I can do this again.
Thanks for always sharing your witnessing stories in your weekly emails!
–Mike
Longing for that glory to be revealed to us!
Dan
(Gal 2:20)
ZION MEDIA – 2025
Our teachers for the weekend: Jim Gustafson, Bill McCurine, Jerry Bangert, Winston Parker, Craig McAndrews and Scott Bangert
To go to the Media page: E²Vegas.org/media
We still have the Sunday messages and Q&A to upload. I will be highlighting (1) message every week. Our first speaker on Friday night was Craig McAndrews. Find some quiet time w/ your notebook and listen to his message.
While Listening To Craig, You Can Follow Along With his PPT HERE
“Meditate on these things God expects of you
as you seek to be His obedient slave.”
Seeking to Be His Slave – Day 346 Red Book
The purpose of these devotionals is to help you think Biblically
Solomon said, “As a man thinks, so is he”
SEND THIS DEVOTIONAL To A Friend
THE WORD BECAME FLESH
Year End Letter by Dr. Jerry Bangert
Read It HERE
“Knowing Christ is qualitatively different from anything that has ever been. It is about God living in us, communing with our souls to free us from sin and make us His grateful slaves.” ~ J. Bangert
Men: Carve out some time to reflect on this letter.
Men: The Attached PDF is a short read (2 min) and Really Good!
The Bible Stands Alone
Compiled by Jordan and Justin Drake
In 1889 a schoolteacher told a ten-year-old boy, “You will never amount to very much.” That boy was Albert Einstein. In 1954 a music manager told a young singer, “You ought to go back to driving a truck.” That singer was Elvis Presley. In 1962 a record company told a group of singers, “We don’t like your sound. Groups with guitars are definitely on their way out.” They said that to the Beatles. Man is prone to make mistakes. Those who reject the Bible should take the time to look at the evidence before they come to a verdict…..
Read The Attached and send to you friends.
Stand Guard—Truth Is Being Twisted
Watch This Video by Ray Comfort addressing his friend, Kirk Cameron
Ray Comfort of Living Waters Addresses
Kirk Cameron’s “New” Thoughts on Hell
(YouTube 13 Mins)
Also, read more about Kirk Cameron from this article by Al Mohler
(3 min read)
One should pause before presenting a podcast like this—or after hearing a podcast like this—and ponder the arrogance of trying to correct what has for so long been the faith upheld by the faithful. More importantly, trying to correct what is so clearly revealed in the Bible. ~ Al Mohler
F-4E – Full Afterburner
Check out this video of our brother, Ted McAdam, being recognized for his military service at the NFR (National Finals Rodeo). Ted played a key role in the early days of Zion Boot Camp, and while this honor is well deserved, he understands perfectly the truth of John 5:44. Ted knows that any recognition belongs 100% to the Lord.
Because hell is real & eternal… NEVER remodel what Scripture has revealed
