The Octopus – A Masterpiece of God’s Creativity
Photo by Ian Nelson – Maui, Hawaii
“But ask the beasts, and they will teach you… In His hand is the life of
every living thing.” — Job 12:7,10
Hi Men:
I pray you all were abiding “in” Christ throughout the week!
🔹WHY MEN’S CONFERENCES ARE IMPORTANT🔹
I was on Zoom call a few days back and heard an update from the Great Lakes Men’s Retreat (by the way, thanks for all your prayers). They had a super turnout of “1st Timers” with a large number of younger men. How great is that? As I heard the various comments, it became clear that for many attendees, one of these conferences might be the only time men are REALLY challenged with Biblical Truth…… and for the most part, many of these guys have been attending church for years.
One of the talks was on REWARDS. A number of men took exception with it. One guy in particular was really upset and rejected it totally…….. but he stayed up all night going over every verse having to do with rewards. Later that day, he approached his friends and apologized. He did just as the Bereans did in Acts 17:11. In searching the scriptures, he found that the teaching on REWARDS was true.
Another guy couldn’t believe he was invited to the conference and thought all of it was “hogwash.” He used every explicative available seasoned with F-Bombs. One of the older brothers, waited for an opening and asked him if preferred to go to Heaven or Hell? Without going into detail, the older brother came alongside this man and eventually walked him through Steps To Peace With God. He was radically changed by the Holy Spirit – a new, “born again” creation.
I was told there was such an enthusiastic change in most of the men as they departed….
PHOTO ABOVE
I thought it was about time to take a glimpse at the Octopus. Some may remember a few years back, I recommended the Netflix documentary, “My Octopus Teacher” (see below). In the ocean swims a creature so bizarre, so intelligent, and so beautifully engineered that it defies logic, unless viewed through the lens of a Creator.
Let’s look at some of its jaw-dropping display of divine design:
Three Hearts — Two pump blood to the gills; one pumps it to the rest of the body. When it swims, the heart that serves the body stops beating!
- Nine Brains — One central brain and a mini-brain in each of its eight arms. Each arm can act independently or in coordination.
- Blue Blood — It uses copper-rich hemocyanin instead of iron-based hemoglobin. This allows it to survive in oxygen-poor waters.
- Master of Disguise — It can instantly change both color and texture to match surroundings, thanks to specialized skin cells called chromatophores. It can look like coral, rock, or even other sea creatures.
- Escape Artist — No bones. It can squeeze through holes the size of a quarter. Octopuses in labs have unscrewed lids, escaped tanks, and navigated mazes.
- Incredible Intelligence — Studies show octopuses can solve puzzles, remember solutions, recognize individual humans, and even play. They are widely considered the smartest of all invertebrates.
And all of this with a lifespan of only about 1–2 years.
Evolution can’t explain this kind of instantaneous complexity. These features would have to evolve together or not work at all. It’s a living proclamation of intelligence, creativity, and power. The world sees wonder—but not always the One behind it. Let’s never miss the deeper meaning.
Bonus Documentary:
Netflix: My Octopus Teacher – By Craig Foster (85 minutes)
Watch the Trailer on Netflix (2:30 mins)
If you haven’t seen it, this documentary was exceptional. What struck my wife and I most was that the filmmaker is clearly not a believer, and yet he’s captivated by something he can’t quite explain. His awe of the octopus reveals a deep yearning to make sense of what only God could create.
IN YOUR OWN ‘FRONT’ YARD
My wife loves her 2007 Dodge Ram 2500 Diesel. Other than oil changes and normal maintenance, it’s had no major repairs…. until last week. Actually quite minor, the valve cover plate had a leak, so I brought it in for repairs. The Dodge service center eliminated their shuttle service, and now calls an Uber for you.
While my Uber driver was driving me back home, we struck up a conversation. He’s about my age, and has lived in Vegas for 24 years (retired military). His name is Allen, and he has (4) kids and (12) grandkids and has been remarried. For whatever reason, I spent the whole time getting to know him as he pulled into my front driveway. Then I said, I have something for you…. and went through all my stuff.
Note: With an Uber driver, if he wants to visit with you after you get to your final destination, he will. Because he sets his own schedule!
Allen had no spiritual background, but kept saying, WOW, after the things I was sharing. I shared my testimony and even pointed to the tree where I surrendered my life to Jesus (another WOW). I explained what “Born Again” meant, a term I HATED, until it happened to me (another WOW). I even showed him a photo of the men that attended the Zion conference last year (another WOW). He asked the dates and I said I would even sponsor him (WOW). I had my email address on the back of Steps To Peace With God and said email me and we’ll get-together. He excitedly took all the tracts. I tipped him, shook hands and said goodbye. We’ll see what the Lord’s going to do with Allen the Uber driver.
Please pray for Allen……
Grace upon Grace,
Dan
(John 1:16)
Men:
Election and evangelism go together. In the Bible, election always involves responsibility.. Take some time reflecting on Day 144. Let’s purpose in our heart to: FINISH WELL!
Evidences of Conversion – Day 144 Red Book
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 your church buddies…
Electric Daisy Carnival – So many stories!
Let me leave you with one from our friends at Engaged To Go:
HERE Is A Copy of the above story, send it to a friend
Out of the Wreck I Rise
By Oswald Chambers
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? —Romans 8:35
Great devotional…… READ IT HERE (1 min read)
HOW ARE WE DOING?
“I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book.” (Rev 22:18-19)
I received the following note from our brothers in Atlanta: R12Conference.org
Our friend and brother in Christ, John Hartshorn of Longmont, Colorado wrote the attached blog. We are grateful for how the Holy Spirit inspired him to carefully consider how he/we can so easily (unwittingly) add to or take away from GOD’s Word. John’s work is ripe with truth and application. Please take a moment right now to read the attached and consider how it may help you in your sanctification process, or in the discipling of a babe in Christ within your personal network.
Council of Trent (1545–1563)
Who can tell me any of the decrees from the Council of Trent?
In our Friday Group last week, we talked about the Catholic Church’s Council of Trent (1545-1563). The main purpose of the Council of Trent was to defend and define Catholic doctrine in response to the Protestant Reformation. Most all Catholics have “no clue” as to what the Council of Trent was all about. If interested, I have put together a PDF of some of the main issues, so you guys can share them.
By the way, nothing has changed in the Catholic Church’s beliefs today. They are all aligned according to the Catholic Catechism. Any ecumenical dialogue with Protestants today still hits the same doctrinal walls set up at Trent
HERE Is The PDF. Send it to your buddies. Can they name any of the decrees?
Good Advice
