“The Gathering” – Mt Charleston, NV
“For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers.”
Romans 8:29
Hi Men:
I pray this week that you have acknowledged the innumerable blessings you have “in” Christ. At first blush some of you might say, like what? For starters, a few of the physical blessings would be our tear ducts and being able to blink to keep our eyes clean and lubricated or how about taking your next breath? Have you thought lately that every 28-30 days you have a brand new layer of outer skin – that’s right, every day you shed millions of skin cells. Did you know your skin is the largest organ in the human body? The list is huge regarding the miracles that take place moment by moment in our bodies….. and we haven’t even touched on our “spiritual blessings.” Now you take it from here…….
PHOTO ABOVE
I received a text from a dear brother, Jack, on August 7th (inviting me and evidently other men) to “The Gathering.” It was a very short text letting us know to bring a lawn chair, your Bible, pen, teachable spirit and arrive by 8:29am. In the text Jack simply said, “We will learn what it means to draw close to our Father and live a life of joy and not despair.”
Jack is the “real deal.” I got to know him when we were planning our “Whose Job is the Ministry” conference. When I got that text, no matter what I had that day, I said, “I will be there!” Jack is a retired METRO Police Officer, a prayerful man and loves the Word of God. As I left my house on Saturday, September 7th, I thought to myself, 5 to 6 men will probably be there (Jack later told me he thought the same). When I arrived at The Meadow, about 8500′ up the mountain, I was joyfully surprised to see fairly large group of guys (ended up being about 30+ men).
I remember someone asking Billy Graham what his greatest fear was. He said, “Walking up to the podium without the Holy Spirit.” I can tell you that Jack had the Holy Spirit operating through him that morning. He opened up stating he would be offensive to some, because the Gospel is an offense (Jesus is the Rock of Offense). Jack was also transparent that day. Prior to a major epiphany in his life, he said, “He bowed to the idol of me!” He was self-focused and doing everything to please himself (all the things that the world promotes; travel, vacations, toys, stuff, etc). He was very busy…….. until the day he was diagnosed with cancer. He was an avid hiker, and couldn’t hike anymore. He later asked the Lord, “If YOU will allow me to hike again, I will HIKE FOR YOU.” The Lord did a real miracle and today Jack hikes for Him.
I could on and on (I have pages of notes), but I will end it here and say that Jack emphasized Romans 8:29 (the time we were to arrive) and drove home the lack of forgiveness and lack of love in our lives today. He peeled open about 10 relevant verses. It was NOT a fluffy message and drove home the sin in our lives “Khata.” Hard hitting, just what men need today!
Side Note: Jack also understands discipleship. I know for a fact that he meets with multiple men individually on a regular basis and has Zoom meetings with about a dozen.
IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD & DOWN THE STREET
I’m wordy enough, so you don’t need me to tell you about my recent conversations at Bank of America, Sam’s Club, Von’s Supermarket, etc. They were all very exciting! But I will tell you about a late breakfast I had on Tuesday at “Peg’s Glorified Ham n Eggs.” When I arrived, I had to wait in line, it’s a very popular breakfast joint. I’ve been there before and the waitress (Heather) was one that served me in the past…… and like last time she was super busy. I had prayed earlier for God to open a door for me.
I took my time and as I finished up and paid my bill, I noticed the place had nearly cleared out. Actually it blew me away. Heather was clearing off the tables and refilling the salt & pepper shakers and when I saw that she had a noticeable break, I called her over. She is super nice and I asked if she had received the commemorative $1,000,000 election bill. She said no and I gave her one. I said there is an eternal message on the reverse side and she tuned it over and started reading it. Her forehead started wrinkling up so I asked her if she had any spiritual background. Heather looked at me and directly said, “NO! I’M NOT RELIGIOUS!” So I took the opportunity to tell her when I was her age, I hated the term “Born Again.” As I started to share my testimony, she leaned against the table behind her and was really listening. After several minutes, I circled back and told her how my life had radically changed when I became “Born Again.” I told her that was when I was 40 and now I’m an old guy at 73, but my life has never been more exciting.
I then pulled out the Million Dollar Gospel of John, Steps To Peace With God and “Are You a Good Person?” I got to briefly explain each one. Her whole countenance changed and she wanted everything I had, including more of the “Trump-Harris” bills. I asked if we could get our photo together and she said, absolutely. So meet Heather and please pray for her.
As I was getting ready to leave, there wasn’t a soul in the restaurant! No…. not one! God cleared the place out so there would be no distractions.
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
C.T. Studd
“You can have all this world,
But give me Jesus…….”
Listen To Fernando Ortega’s song
Dan
(Galatians 2:20)
Zion Registration Opens Next Week!
“Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, ACT LIKE MEN, be strong.”
1 Corinthians 16:13
Check out these (3) upcoming retreats. Please be praying….. thank you!
Link To Pine Valley Men’s Retreat (San Diego, CA) September 20-22nd, 2024
Link To Southwest Men’s Retreat (Overgaard, AZ) October 4-6, 2024 [ALMOST FULL]
Link To “The Guys’ Thing” (Tomales Bay, CA) Nov 8-10
MIM Men’s Conference – Camp Hebron Halifax, PA Jan 31 – Feb 2
“You can only have HOPE if you are under His authority!”
The Myth of Autonomy – Day 256 Red Book
The purpose of these devotionals is to help you think Biblically
Solomon said, “As a man thinks, so is he”
Who is the Watchman?
by Ed Allen | Sep 10, 2024
Even after seeing all these things and the results of their hands, they did not repent! Nor did they did not honor God in their foolishness. We do not know why. Could it be that they did not understand the warning and hope that is offered by Jesus Christ in the gospel?
Even today, we do not know who will or will not believe. Are not we who have believed, commanded to present the good news about Jesus anyway?
Read The Full Article Here
“Without grace we may live in the full sunshine of Christ’s countenance and yet, like Judas, be miserably cast away.” J.C. Ryle
Testimony of Greg Viehman, M.D.
A Physician’s Shocking Journey to Life after Death
Men:
This is a great testimony that hits people on so many levels. Make sure you take the time to listen to this 8 minute video. God will put a few guys on your heart to send it to. I sent it to a doctor buddy of mine and he said he would get back to me. Nothing yet….. but I pray a few seeds were planted.
Watch on YouTube (8 minutes)
Dr. Viehman’s Book: GodDiagnosis.com
“In the morning when I woke up, everything was completely different in every conceivable way. I will never be able to adequately explain what it was like. In magnitude, it was comparable to seeing for the first time after having been blind since birth. I felt as if I had awakened from a dream that had lasted thirty-six years.”
The Rich Young Ruler
“Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”
Mark 10:17-22
[From the Evidence Bible – Page 1406]
Our Lord is not a way, a truth and a life
amongst many others, but THE way, THE
truth, THE life. (John 14:6)
WHERE IS YOUR HOPE?
——- Revelation 7:17 ——-
“For the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd. ‘He will lead them to springs of living water,’ and ‘God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’ ”
Why did I include this? Because in Jack’s message on Mt. Charleston that morning, he shared Romans 13:1. He told the men to “STOP WORRYING – GOD OWNS THE WORLD. THIS IS NOT OUR HOME.” God bless Jack for that needed “gut punch.”
What are you using your life for?
[Photo: Taken by my wife on Monday morning]