The Orb Spider
Hi Men:
I pray you’ve had an unwavering week in Christ. This week, I received the following note from a dear brother in an email. This is what he said:
I talked to a man on the street this morning. His comment was, “I’m just trying to get by.” I thought to myself, If Jesus had not saved me from myself, I’d be right where that man is. I can’t be grateful enough.
I could totally relate to that comment. Let’s make a point this week to let Jesus know just how grateful we are….
While reading one of J.C. Ryle’s books, these (3) paragraphs really hit me and I wanted to share them with you. He has been commenting on Luke 12…….
To serve Christ in name and form is easy work and satisfies most people, but to follow Him in faith and life demands more trouble than the generality of men will take about their souls. Laughter, ridicule, opposition, persecution, are often the only reward which Christ followers get from the world.
Whoa…. it gets better
Let us lay to heart these comfortable promises and go forward in the narrow way without fear. The world may cast out our name as evil then turn us out of its society, but when we dwell with Christ in glory, we shall have a home from which we can never be ejected. The world may pour contempt on our religion and laugh us and our Christianity to scorn, but when the Father honors us at the last day, before the assembly of angels and men, we shall find that His praise makes amends for all.
This last sentence is a real “Amen”
Christ has borne our sins, carried our sins, groaned under the burden of our sins, been troubled in soul by the weight of our sins and really taken away our sins.
PHOTO ABOVE
The John 10:10 Project: Golden Threads
Some of you may remember the “Wrap Around Spider” I had in my Friday letter back in early May. Well, let this 8 minute video by the John 10:10 Project blow your mind. Here is a short intro they wrote:
Spiders are among the most misunderstood creatures on Earth. Often feared and avoided, they are actually brilliant architects designed to build webs crucial to maintaining the balance of life. This memorable video showcases their skills in ways seldom observed or appreciated. They are masterful engineers equipped to manufacture silken strands stronger than steel and more durable than the fibers in a bullet-proof vest. Each remarkable filament reflects the wonder of God’s creative power.
Take 8 minutes and WATCH this video on the ORB SPIDER
There are so many opportunities right now “……….. to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you……….” I love going to the bank. Not to the ATM, but inside where there are people. Just this week, after doing my business, I said I now have something for you. She (Stephanie) said, “What’s that?” I slipped a few million dollar bills under the glass. She loved them. Then I gave her Steps To Peace With God. She was super excited!! Men, you never know!
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As you know, there’s chaos going on in every nook & cranny of the world right now. Yet, God uses chaos to teach people their need of Him. Never cease thanking God for Chaos.
In His Grip,
Dan
Men: Do you believe this?
“We cannot have a valid purpose for this life without eternal accountability, for without this accountability life has no purpose other than to pursue our narcissistic dreams.”
The Hypocrisy of Narcissism – Day 221 Red Book
The purpose of these devotionals is to help you think Biblically.
Solomon said, “As a man thinks, so is he”
The Sky: A Reflection of God’s Glory
Men:
Click the hyperlink above. This short devotional by Ray Comfort is excellent and takes under a minute to read. I thought it was so insightful. Ken Boa, the curator of the Museum of Created Beauty, wants us to notice the breathtaking marvels that surround us, yet often go unnoticed in the hustle of daily life. This quote by Skip Gray gave me pause. Maybe we should take a hint……
Jesus lived life at 3 mph: He walked wherever He went
[Check out a few more of Skip’s quotes below]
Men:
Even though this article was written 20 years ago, it is so appropriate for today. Take some time to reflect on it. Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn was invited to give the commencement address at Harvard in 1978. That would certainly not happen today!
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Facts of the Matter (Dwight Hill – June 29, 2005)
COURAGEOUS MANHOOD – A BREED FACING EXTINCTION?
Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn stated,
“A decline in courage may be the most striking feature that an outside observer notices in the West today and the decline in courage, at times attaining what could be termed a lack of manhood. A statesman who wants to achieve something important and highly constructive for his country has to move cautiously and even timidly; thousands of hasty and irresponsible critics cling to him at all times; he is constantly rebuffed by parliament and the press. He has to prove that his every step is well-founded and absolutely flawless. Thus mediocrity triumphs under the guise of democratic restraints”
Contrast Solzhenitsyn’s comments with the accomplishment of Johnny Unitas, quarterback of the Baltimore Colts,
Unitas was famous as a quarterback who ran the team exactly as he saw fit. The field general demonstrated his command of tactics in what’s called the greatest football game ever played, the 1958 National Football League championship match. Here’s how the game went [January 5, 1959]:
“The Baltimore Colts trailed the New York Giants 17-14. Johnny Unitas, Baltimore quarterback, glanced quickly at the clock. In the next 2 minutes, 30 seconds he had to move the Colts from their own 20-yard line into field-goal range, tie the score and force the first sudden-death playoff in a National League championship game. Unitas had to do the job against the toughest defense in Pro Football. Unitas went to work. Throwing hook passes to the side lines that got just enough for vital first downs, he drove the Colts to the Giants 13. There, with a precious 9 seconds left, Steve Myrha booted the tying field goal. Once the Colts got the ball in overtime, Unitas put the game away. He waited until the last second in the face of Giant tackling, hit his receivers with bullet passes, sent fullback Alan Ameche the final yard for a hair-raising 23-17 victory and the Colts first N.F.L. title.”
The Scriptures are replete with men of unbridled courage. For example:
Eleazer
“stood his ground and struck down the Philistines till his hand grew tired and froze to the sword.” (2 Sam. 23:10a)
Josheb Basshebet
“used his spear against 800 men whom he killed in one encounter.” (2 Sam. 23:8)
Apostle Paul
“I know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me–the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.” (Act. 20:23b,24) (See Num. 13:30; 14:6-12)
Robert J. McCracken stated,
“The world is not perishing for want of clever or talented or well-meaning men. It is perishing for the want of men of courage and resolution who, in devotion to the cause of right and truth, can rise above personal feeling and private ambition.”
With God’s help are you choosing to be such a man of cou rage? (See Ezek. 22:30)
Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, imprisoned and later exiled by the Soviet government, came to the United States in 1976 and delivered this commencement address at Harvard University on June 8, 1978 [Source: Solzhenitsyn Center]
Desperate Men
by Jim Gustafson | Aug 4, 2025 |
Desperate men can do radical things.
Men: make sure you take the time to read this short article. I loved this paragraph:
“….. the desperate follower of Jesus Christ finds himself doing the radical things of the Bible, such as distrusting self and fearing God, repenting of sin, talking to God on his knees, loving his enemies, sharing the Gospel with strangers, meditating on and memorizing scripture, meeting with like-minded men, giving, taking on the image of Christ as they look forward to and hoping for life after death and the return of Christ.”
Read the article HERE
Men; If you haven’t listened to this message or need a refresher. Bookmark it for this weekend. You will be blessed……
Act Like Men – 1hr 10min MIMsouthwest.com/act-like-men
A Few “One-liners” from Skip Gray
As many of you know, my spiritual father was Walt Henrichsen (Leadership Foundation). He faithfully discipled me from 1993 to 2016. Walt was discipled in the home of Skip Gray, with several other men including Dave Dawson and Dwight Hill.
Skip was the master of “one-liners.” He even published a book, Navigating Insights, The Wit & Wisdom of Skip Gray. Skip said, “People remember one-liners better than they remember long-liners” 😊 Here are just a couple of those one-liners mentioned at the service:
- Jesus lived life at 3 mph: he walked wherever he went
- Bitterness is a pill you take and hope the other guy dies
- You can spend your life or invest your life
- Loners don’t make it
- You teach what you know; you reproduce what you are
- Salvation is free because it cost Jesus a cross. Discipleship costs me a cross (Luke 9:23)
- Forgiveness is a life and death issue
Dawson Trotman discipled a man by the name of Howard Davis. Howard was a sailor in WWII. He was the man that discipled Skip Gray. God uses one-on-one discipleship to profoundly change a person for His Kingdom.
Will You?……
C.T. Studd (1860-1931) Missionary to China, India and Africa.
“Forward Ever, Backward Never”
Most of you know that Charles Spurgeon suffered greatly with physical and mental agonies. To lessen the pain, he not only laughed at himself, but made others laugh. One of his friends said, “I have laughed more, I verily believe, when in his company than during all the rest of my life.”
Let’s end on a lighter note and share one of Spurgeon’s humorous quotes:
