Rho Ophiuchi Cloud Complex – NASA
“By the word of the Lord the heavens were made,
And by the breath of His mouth all their host.” – GOD
Psalm 33:6
NOTE: I had a computer failure right before I sent out last week’s Friday letter. Some of you did not receive it. Remember, you can always go to the website and pick it up there. Here is the link to last week: E²Vegas.org/Friday-Mens-Group-9-8-23
Hi Men:
I pray this week you all had the peace that surpasses all understanding and could give thanks in everything by who you are “in” Christ……… (Verses)
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PHOTO ABOVE
It’s been a while since we visited God’s Universe. I was going to put the latest photo of the Whirlpool Galaxy – left (uploaded just 2 weeks ago by the JWST), but then I saw the Rho Ophiuchi cloud complex and had to flip a coin. Rho Ophiuchi won the toss for the main photo. Both are spectacular and both totally astound me. The Whirlpool Galaxy is 27 million light years from earth (you know, if your 1963 Dodge Dart could zip along at the speed of light, it would still take you 27 million years – your beard would be very long 😊) The diameter of the Whirlpool Galaxy is about 350 trillion miles.
Our much closer neighbor is the Rho Ophiuchi cloud complex. It’s only 390 light years away. Since Adam and Noah lived to be older than 900 years old, if they had that Dodge Dart, they could make it to this cloud complex. It’s actually a “star nursery” and the closest one to earth. It’s quite small and quiet for a stellar nursery – even though it looks like it would be chaotic with those infant stars raising cane. The jaw-dropping beauty of it was made possible by the James Web Space Telescope (JWST).
Here is a cool video of the Rho Ophiuchi cloud complex, (YouTube 30 Seconds)
SAY GOODBYE TO THE BIG BANG THEORY —— In the days ahead you will be reading more scientific articles that now contradict the Big Bang Theory. Oops, I guess they shouldn’t have launched the JWST into space! It now has traditional astrophysicists and plasma physicists scrambling to silence this new information. I will have more in future Friday letters. Heaven forbid that a few of them may have to admit there might be a Divine Watchmaker! Nah…… according to Romans 3:11,18…. it won’t happen unless they get whacked by the Lord.
Closing Comment: For me, as I reflect on this amazing universe that God spoke into existence, it helps keep my mind on eternity and not on all the nonsense that plagues us daily. Is any of it edifying anyway? (I’m talking about political news, social media, internet stuff, etc. How much is enough?)
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IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD …… and down the street
Meet Greg……. An Airman with the USAF stationed at Nellis AFB.
I met him at my favorite “fishing pond”……… CHURCH
At the time, Greg was standing next to another guy and I went up and said hi. The look on his face, “Who is this weird old man?” Long story short, that was 11 months ago and we have become good friends. We have been to lunch a number of times and he started attending our Friday Men’s Group when time permitted. He would drive all the way across the valley to be there.
Greg recently got reassigned to Kadena AFB in Okinawa, Japan. The Air Force was gracious to put he and his new wife at the same AFB (his wife is also serving our country with the USAF). We are staying in touch through the available technology. If I don’t contact Greg every couple days, he is on my case ……. And that’s what I love about him.
Please keep Greg and his new bride in your prayers. Thank you!
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“Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor? Or who has first given to Him that it might be paid back to him again? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.” (Rom 11:33-36)
Dan
Do you think when God spoke the universe into existence,
the first millisecond looked like this?
I love thinking about this stuff………
Men: I remember the sobering question, “How many men have sacrificed their children at the Altar of Work?”
When People Sacrifice Their Children – Day 261 Red Book
The purpose of these devotionals is to help you think Biblically
Solomon said, “As a man thinks, so is he”
Zion Boot Camp December 8-10, 2023
Click Here to:
“The Watchmen” – Zion National Park
Please pray for the Pine Valley Men’s Retreat this weekend: More Info
The Value of Integrity
[From Ken Boa’s “Daily Growth”]
After his Sunday messages, the pastor of a church in London got on the trolley Monday morning to go back to his study downtown. He paid his fare, and the trolley driver gave him too much change.
The pastor sat down and fumbled the change and looked it over, then counted it several times. You know the rationalization, “It’s wonderful how God provides.” He realized he was tight that week and this was just about what he would need to break even, or to have at least enough for his lunch. He wrestled with himself all the way down that old trolley trail that led to his office. And finally he came to the stop, and he got up, couldn’t live with himself, walked up to the trolley driver, and said, “Here, you gave me too much change. You made a mistake.”
The driver said, “No, it was no mistake. You see, I was in your church last night when you spoke on honesty, and I thought I would put you to the test.”
Our character is evident in what we are and do when we think no one is looking. With people of integrity, there is a growing congruity between what they are and do on the inside and what they are and do on the outside.
I will not say when I am tempted,
“I am being tempted by God;”
for God cannot be tempted by evil,
nor does He tempt anyone.
But each one is tempted when he is drawn away
and enticed by his own lust.
Then, after lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin;
and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
(James 1:13–15)
In the years I was a Scoutmaster, in addition to the Scout Laws [A Scout is: Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean and Reverent], we would spent a whole year focusing on one word we called, “The Word of the Year.” One of those years was the word, INTEGRITY. How desperately we need that word today!
⚠️ Crisis in the Catholic Church ⚠️
According to the Pew Research Forum, 79% of former Catholics
left the church before the age of 23
So what are they doing about it?
Men: This is unprecedented. Most of you know that as a former Catholic I stay informed with what the Catholic Church is doing. On (2) fronts a Catholic Bishop, Robert Barron of the Diocese if Winona-Rochester, Minnesota is raising funds to send BIBLES to college students. I have NEVER seen this happen. Also, the Knights of Columbus (KofC), a global Catholic fraternal service order, is now encouraging the members to read the BIBLE. This is what their latest magazine stated: Men of the Word | A new K of C Bible study invites Knights to take up the “sword of the Spirit” and rediscover the power of Scripture. I have NEVER seen this happen.
What does all this mean?
I’m not sure, but it definitely makes it easier to talk to a Catholic using the Word to share the Gospel. If they give you “pushback,” just let them know what’s going right now through the encouragement of reading the Bible. In my sphere when I ask my Catholic friends if they were ever encouraged to read the Bible, the answer is always NO!
Catholics are:
THE MOST NEGLICTED MISSION FIELD IN THE WORLD
I will explain that statement in my future Friday letter. There are 1.3 billion Catholics worldwide. I love my Catholic buddies, my problem is with the institution.
If you would like to know how to witness to Catholics, here is a (3) part series by Mike Gendron. I would encourage you to definitely watch the 1st video
Ex-Catholic Exposes the TWISTED Teachings of the Catholic Church
(1.2 million views)
Video #1 – (YouTube 1hr 4 min)
Here are all (3) teachings – (YouTube 3hr 30 min)
A little about Mike Gendron
Hummingbirds
Wings of Wonder
Like most folks, I just love hummingbirds. It’s been some time since I have put them in my Friday letter. The last time was a few years back: E²Vegas.org/Friday-Mens-Group-4-9-21
Here is short video that The John 10:10 Project recently created. I think you will enjoy it. (YouTube 6min 34sec)
If interested, here is a video I took at sunset a few years ago in my backyard.
Reflecting on these amazing miracles will help us stand in “Awe” of our Creator God
(YouTube36 Seconds)
Men: I thought this introduction to the Book of Ruth was really good!
(Share it with your wife/daughter/friends. A GREAT conversation starter)
By the way, you can read the book in +/- 20 minutes
Sobering!
