Starling Murmurations
“They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty,
and I will meditate on your wonderous works”
Psalm 145:5
Note: There is a lot here and a lot of links. Take your time & have a great Memorial Day!
Hi Men:
I hope all of you had a great week “in” the Lord. What do you think about when a brother says, “Have a great day in the Lord.” The best place to answer that is of course in the Word. Paul said:
“For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” (Col 3:3) and we are “……….dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 6:11)
Jaw-dropping verses…….. right? Then of course, John the Baptist states, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30) So let’s petition God that our desire is like Paul said, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Phil 1:21)
I think it’s a good time to again reflect on the Sovereignty of God. Here are a few bullet points to ponder and then ask your Christian buddies if they agree.
Do we believe the following about God?
- Nature and animals are under His control
- The nations are under His control
- God is Sovereign over Satan and evil spirits
- God uses wicked people for His plans
- God hardens hearts
- God sends trouble and calamity
- God puts people to death
- God does what He pleases and His purposes cannot be thwarted
- God guides all our steps and works all things after the counsel of His will
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WHAT ABOUT THOSE STARLINGS?
I saw a short YouTube by the John 10:10 Project on Starlings. I just had to include it in this Friday Letter. The experts know more, but are still baffled as to exactly why Starlings take to flight in these amazing murmurations. This is what the John 10:10 Project said:
It is considered to be one of the most thrilling displays of animal behavior on earth – a hundred thousand starlings in flight. These small birds gather into highly coordinated formations, while moving at speeds up to 50mph. But how is such precision possible without instruction or practice? Science is now opening doors to this fascinating mystery with breathtaking evidence for intelligent design.
Before I continue, check out this video, Super Starling
(YouTube 4:46)
Some researchers are so stumped, they concede it could be just “an act of pure beauty.” God can use His feathered creations to draw people to Himself.
Remember the Pacific Golden Plover? E²Vegas.org/Friday-Mens-Group-6-3-22
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IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD………Continued
Last week I shared this divine appointment and it had an interesting twist. When I approached Kenny with the Good News, he said in a thundering voice, “ Praise God!” He explained that he is a deacon at his church and asked if I had ever been to a revival. I said it’s been a number of years. I showed him the back page of Steps To Peace with God where I penciled in my email address and phone number.
Guess what? He has already replied with his church website, which is a Seventh Day Adventist church and wants to stay in touch.
We’ll see if he’s open to further develop his spiritual foundation. If God is working in his life, those (2) devotionals below might be a good place to start 😊
By the way, since my grandkids are coming soon, I needed another 15 tons of sand. Kenny was the man!
These appointments are so exciting. Pray that God would give you the boldness you need (Listen to the mp3 message below: “Hindrances to Evangelism.”) Or on second thought, that might not be a good idea………….
Grateful Slave to our King Jesus,
Dan
“He must increase, but I must decrease.”
John 3:30
Men: Would you consider yourself as having an “eternal focus”……. or are you still holding on to things of this world? Please read these (2) devotionals thoughtfully.
“As you act on His words, NEVER ask Him for anything that will call attention to yourself.”
The Purpose of Miracles – Day 147 Red Book
The purpose of these devotionals is to help you think Biblically
Solomon said, “As a man thinks, so is he
¹ John 3:30 ² John 9:3 ³ John 16:24
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“……….. your life here on earth counts for nothing. You must die to self, holding your life in utter disregard.”
Used by God – Day 145 Blue Book
The purpose of these devotionals is to help you think Biblically
Solomon said, “As a man thinks, so is he
⚠️WARNING ⚠️
LISTEN AT YOUR OWN RISK….. IT MAY COST YOU!
Hindrances to Evangelism
DiscipleshipLibrary.com (49 Mins)
Men:
This message was given years ago. Sad that these messages are few and far between today.
[At minute 21:25 Walt states]:
What God is interested in is,
“How many men are walking by faith with Jesus Christ this morning that were not a year ago as a result of your life!”
This should be one of our prayers:
“Oh Lord, break my heart with the things that break Your heart.”
Remember what Satan’s goal is: “What are those areas in your life that are going to stop you in the battle?”
After you listen to this message, reflect on what those areas are.
Send the above message to your Christian buddies. If you would rather not, ask yourself, “Why?”
Tim Keller 1950-2023
As most of you know, Tim Keller died last Friday from Pancreatic cancer. God gifted him with many talents and he certainly used them for His glory. He co-founded The Gospel Coalition (TGC) in 2005 and pastored Redeemer Presbyterian Church in NYC.
My daughter-in-law said this the morning he died:
I still can’t believe that more than ten years ago a friend asked me to read The Reason for God by Tim Keller and it was that book that tilled the soil for the Gospel of John to reveal to me the true and living God. 💙
Walking With God Through Pain and Suffering
by Tim Keller
My daughter-in-law also recommended this message by Keller. If you or someone you know is suffering, she is right, this is a profound talk! Well worth the 58 minutes of your time!
Podcast: podcast.GospelinLife.com/e/walking-with-god-through-pain-and-suffering/
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Paul Tripp in his Wednesday Word wrote the following about Tim Keller:
We watched a video of Tim’s last words to the people he loved so much. His words of counsel going forward were classic Keller, but I was particularly taken by his very last charge. He told his congregation not to seek reputation. Quoting Jeremiah’s exhortation to his secretary, Baruch, “And do you seek great things for yourself? Seek them not…” (Jeremiah 45:5)
Some of you know one of Walt Henrichsen’s life verses was Jeremiah 45:5. The full verse is:
“And do you seek great things for yourself? Seek them not, for behold, I am bringing disaster upon all flesh, declares the Lord. But I will give you your life as a prize of war in all places to which you may go.” The Hebrew word for “prize” is šālāl and translates as “booty or prey.” Walt saw himself as prey. He let men have as much of him as they wanted. Many took advantage and plundered his knowledge.
Regarding “ not to seek reputation,” Here is Walt’s message on “Striving for Obscurity.”
I have also attached Chris Martin’s article on “Striving for Obscurity.” (See Attached PDF)
Don’t forget what John 5:44 states
EDC LAS VEGAS
Continue to pray for the team from Engaged To Go Ministries, Below is a note from Rob Myers:
MOVIE TO WATCH AGAIN
Hi Men:
My wife and I watched the movie Chariots of Fire. We hadn’t seen it since we saw it when it first came out in 1982. We had only been married a couple years 😊 As you know, it’s the story of Eric Liddel during the 1924 Olympics. It won (4) Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
Amazon Prime Only a few bucks
NOW….. THE REST OF THE STORY!
What was really fascinating was the documentary on the life Eric Liddel, which I knew so little about. I highly recommend it. Eric Liddel died in an internment camp in China from a brain tumor. An unbeliever in the camp said this about Liddel, “Jesus was in this camp, but he died yesterday.” It’s really a moving documentary of a surrendered life to Christ.
You can watch it on YouTube (1:40)
Building Great Men…….. Our Most Urgent Priority
by Pete Alwinson
Men:
I included this last week, but didn’t have the PDF. Read it again and ask the Lord who you can send it to.
If you know a few pastors or elders, get their take on it……….
[See Attached PDF]
