We all need encouragement—and one of the great blessings that comes my way is to hear from those who are using my Life Essentials Study Bible.
This month I’d like to share with you one of those ongoing and exciting stories. I trust it will be a blessing to you as well.
It all began when I heard about Matt Bostrom, a retired police officer. Upon retirement, he had relocated to Frisco, Texas, which is just up the road from our Renewal offices. There he met his neighbor, Steve Rose, who is on my Renewal Board of Directors.
Matt Bostrom began his law enforcement career in 1982. He served with the St. Paul Police Department as a Police Officer and retired as Ramsey County Sheriff in 2017.
Matt was twice nominated as National Sheriff of the Year.
He earned a Doctor of Public Administration from Hamline University and a Ph.D. in Criminology at the University of Oxford.
Years later, Matt shared with me what happened:
“After learning I was a retired police officer, Steve Rose showed me a copy of the Life Essentials Study Bible and told me about the history and future vision for this Bible.”
Matt was very intrigued and began to use the Bible in his personal Bible study.
Subsequently, a fellow Minnesota officer—Mike Carter—reached out to Matt with some personal and serious questions.
I asked Mike why he reached out to Matt.
“The 2020 COVID lockdown, riots in Minneapolis and St. Paul, along with isolation created in me a sense of fear, frustration, and helplessness. I was struggling to find hope. Obsessive thoughts and little to no sleep led to GAD (General Anxiety Disorder). I definitely needed help, so I called Matt Bostrom and shared my story. He recommended we study the Life Essentials Study Bible together and since that time we have met each week for study. I have been restored and give thanks to God each day.”
Meeting together for study was just the beginning of an ongoing and exciting journey for these two men. Matt shared with me what happened as he and Mike met:
“Our primary purpose was to be in the Word daily. We would read through the Scripture associated with up to seven principles in the Life Essentials Study Bible. We would then make notes on the things that stood out to us and our meetings became ‘can’t miss days.’”
It was then that Matt shared with me that Mike invited another retired police officer, Jerry Johnson, to join them. Now there were three retired police officers using the Life Essentials. In an email, Jerry added his voice to this unfolding story:
“The Life Essentials Bible has opened doors to a deeper understanding of God’s Word. Listening and watching Gene teach has encouraged me to continue learning.”
Matt told me what continued to happen in these three men’s lives as they studied and shared together:
“Our simple daily reading schedule and study preparation continued—exploring up to seven principles in the Life Essentials. When we meet weekly, we take turns facilitating the discussion and leading in prayer. We continually have deep discussions of how the Lord has spoken to us through His Word.
We’ve agreed to meet for 60 minutes. However, because the conversations are so exhilarating and God’s presence is so strong, we often meet for 90 minutes.”
Since these men are retired officers, they live in different places. Matt explained their schedules:
“When I’m in Minnesota, Florida, or some other state, all I need is my Life Essentials Study Bible and access to the Internet. The same is true for Mike when he is in Minnesota, Arizona, or another state. In the same way, when Jerry is at his home, cabin, or visiting family in northern Minnesota, he is still able to meet.”
A Recent Zoom Call
Recently, two other men have joined this study. One is John Denny, who at one time pitched the Phillies to the National League Championship. In 1983 he was given the Cy Young award for being the best pitcher in the National League.
Now up in years with all the other guys, John shared these words:
“I accepted Jesus as my Savior in 1976 in a hotel room in Chicago. My teammate, Don Kessinger, who is a committed Christian, witnessed to me, and after that conversation in his room, late at night, I went back to my room and got on my knees and received Jesus.
The Lord has shown great patience and compassion with me in rooting out old sinful habits and learning to follow Him in obedience. I have participated in different Bible studies over the years, but I must say this particular study is very unique and fulfilling.
Getting together with these men and studying the many principles in the Life Essentials Bible brings so much encouragement to me. Growing and maturing in my walk with the Lord is indeed ESSENTIAL.”
The fifth man to join this group is Denny Johnson, a retired pastor, who really enjoys being one of the guys. He states:
“I am the most recent addition to the online men’s group having joined back in September. We are all a bunch of retired guys who love the Lord and have a hunger and thirst for growing in our relationship with each other and with Him.
I’m especially enjoying our interaction because I’m just one of the guys—not their pastor or the leader of the group. Our discussions are usually lively, and we gain some good insights from one another. It’s the highlight of my week.”
Matt concludes this story:
“Now there are five of us. We protect our schedules so that each week we can study, discuss, and apply God’s Word in our lives.
The Life Essentials Study Bible and the Life Essentials app continue to be a phenomenal resource for us.”
At the beginning of this article, I shared that this is an exciting and encouraging story! I’m sure you’ll agree—and thanks for being a part of our ministry.
I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you…because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now (Philippians 1:3, 5).
