ZION – SAVE THE DATE: DEC 5-7, 2025
For bodily training is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.
1 Timothy 4:8
Hi Men:
I pray your week was a profitable “in” the Lord……
I don’t sleep very well and haven’t for many years. But one thing I do know, if I “watch” what’s going on in our country right now, which is unprecedented, I sleep worse! All that stimulation jacks me up! I’m way better off if I just stick with the few things my wife sends me to read. That way, I’m still informed and when I run into guys that want to talk about it, I’m not totally in the dark and hopefully can guide the conversation to the eternal. After all, this life is a mist……
“Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.”
James 4:14
Let’s also keep this verse in the forefront of our mind:
“As we look NOT to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”
2 Cor 4:18
PHOTO ABOVE
Several guys have been contacting me lately asking for the dates of the Zion Men’s Conference (Zion Boot Camp). I thought it best if I just threw the date out with a photo of “The Watchman”….. A short walk from the hotel and you will see that view.
Take a moment to reflect on the verse above. Today, many are engaged in regular workout routines….. and that is a good thing. But here’s the question, “How many have a regular workout routine in training yourself to be more godly?” The eternal component of 1 Timothy 4:8 is what grabs me. Attending various MIM (Ministry in the Marketplace) conferences throughout the years, has had a profound effect on my Christian walk. I would encourage you to put Zion on your calendar, December 5th thru 7th 2025. Also, I think there are a few spaces available for the upcoming Great Lakes Men’s Retreat at Beulah Beach set for May 1-3, 2025. You can contact: Jim Gustafson (JimGustafson7@gmail.com) for information.
ALMOST A MORMON & FORMER MORMON
After my last two Friday Letters [March 21st and March 28th], I have received several responses. Here are 2 of them from men that I have known for over 40 years:
When I went away to college in St. George, Utah, I fell in love with a beautiful Mormon girl. At the time, I wasn’t saved yet. But after doing my “Mormon homework,” I knew it wouldn’t work, so when I told her I could never convert to Mormonism, she gave me the “air” and walked away. It hurt deeply because I truly loved her—but little did I know, God was using that heartbreak to draw me closer to Himself. In time, the Lord saved me — though I didn’t fully realize what He had done until a few years later.
Today, I can honestly say: Jesus saved me from eternal destruction, and I am forever grateful.
From about the age of 25, being LDS just didn’t feel right anymore. I had been baptized for the dead several times growing up LDS, but I never truly understood what it meant. It wasn’t until I got married and my son started asking questions about the Mormon church that things started to stir in my heart.
Around that time, a former Mormon who had been a stake president (higher than a bishop) invited us to visit West Oaky Baptist Church. Someone at the church asked me if I believed in the Trinity. I had to ask, “What’s that?” God used that simple question to begin our journey and lead us to the Jesus of the Bible.
I am so grateful how God used my son and a former Mormon leader (who really knew his stuff) to snatch my wife and me from the false cultic teaching of Mormonism and into the truth of Christ.
Mormons are very family-focused, and I believe that’s why many stay. But when you’re really seeking the truth, God is faithful to show the way.
@ THE LIQUOR STORE
It was St. Patrick’s Day ☘ and my wife and I were once again invited to a party of dear friend we have been attending for over 15 years. I wanted to bring some Guinness beer and Vons Supermarket was sold out, so I headed over to a discount liquor store. I found the Guinness and headed to the cashier. The guy appeared to be having a bad day, so I made some small talk and headed to the exit. Right then and there I got convicted, turned around and went up to him (he had no customers at that moment). I said, “I have something for you if you would like it.” I pulled out my Elon Musk Million Dollar Bills and Steps to Peace With God. I explained the Good News of the Gospel and how it will bring peace into your life and I kid you not, Javon the cashier, went crazy (in a good way). He said, “This is what I have been looking for and THANK YOU!” Javon was super animated and joyful. I headed out and when I got to my car, I saw the Million Dollar Gospel of John and went back in. I saw him walking to the back of the store and called his name. He stopped and I gave him the Gospel of John. He was again beside himself (I know you think I’m exaggerating this, but it’s the truth). This time we hugged and said goodbye.
Yesterday afternoon, I stopped by and there was Javon with a great big smile on his face – totally different than last time. The store was busy, but we got a photo with each other. I’m praying that the 2 of us can grab lunch or dinner in the days ahead. God keeps sending me to the woodshed: NEVER ASSUME WHO HE IS DRAWING TO HIMSELF!
Humbled by His Grace
Dan
(Gal 2:20)
“All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever.”1 Peter 1:24-25
“As far as I can tell, the only time God promises eternal gain through suffering,
is when you suffer for the cause of Christ”
Suffering – Red Book Day 95
The purpose of these devotionals is to help you think Biblically
Solomon said, “As a man thinks, so is he”
READ THE PDF HERE / Send it to a buddy
Consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth
of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord… Phil 3:8a
Men: This is a must read. Click below for the full article (2 min read)
“Do you know that it is quite possible as a Christian to have Christ living in our heart but not be able to gain Christ”
Read The Full Article (2 min) by Ray Stedman
“Today, Lord, I choose to lay down that which I so often put my confidence in and instead seek to rely totally on You and Your accomplishments.”
THE GLOVE AND THE HAND
A great 60 sec explanation on what it means to be
Spiritually Dead or Spiritually Alive
Men: A dear brother sent me this. Take a moment to check it out.
YouTube Shorts: (60 Seconds)
What a great video to send to your family and friends. Do it today!
Punky the Chihuahua
We’ve always owned large dogs; Great Danes, Malamutes, Huskies, etc. That was the case until an old guy at church adopted a Chihuahua when someone abandoned it in vacant apartment next to his. He couldn’t take care of it, so asked my wife Jane to look after it ‘for a while’ ……… she’s been doing ‘a while’ for 13 years now 🤠.
I was doing my Bible study yesterday morning when Punky came up and joined me. Later I noticed my hand resting on her and flashed on Isaiah 41:10
Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will also help you, I will also uphold you with My righteous right hand
It’s not my intention to be showing you dog photos 😎 but it it hit me that we are never alone. In our weariness or fear, He draws near, offering quiet assurance in the storms of life. His presence is not only powerful—it is personal, tender, and always near.
A good friend sent me this. Really mind boggling. I then did my own research and it was mathematically exactly correct – halfway! Here are the calculations:
- Atom size: ~0.1 nanometers (1 × 10⁻¹⁰ m)
- Speck of dust: ~50 micrometers (5 × 10⁻⁵ m)
- Earth’s diameter: ~12,742 km (1.27 × 10⁷ m)
Now calculate the logarithmic scale:
- Atom to dust: ~10⁶ scale difference
- Dust to Earth: ~10⁶ scale difference
While figuring it out, I also found these little morsels:
DNA in your body could stretch from Earth to Pluto and back—multiple times
- One cell has ~6 feet of DNA.
- You have ~37 trillion cells.
That’s over 100 billion miles of DNA inside you.
Our eyes only see 1 trillionth of the electromagnetic spectrum
- The electromagnetic (EM) spectrum includes radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma rays.
And to think all this developed from that primordial soup🤠
A Great Verse to Memorize
