When Fishermen Became Fishers of Men

The public ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ was meteor-like: brief but brilliant. His public preaching began only after his forerunner and cousin, John the Baptist, declared that “He must increase, I must decrease,”—introducing to the world “the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world.” (John 3:30; 1:29) John, the “voiceContinue reading “When Fishermen Became Fishers of Men”

Listen at Christmas!

Listen to Jesus, give Him an ear; Listen At Christmas and all through the year;Open your heart to His wonderful Word, Listen and transforming truth will be heard.Learn from Him lessons, spoken of old— Writ in the Bible, as first they were told—Lessons that deal with Heaven and Hell, Lessons that only the Savior couldContinue reading “Listen at Christmas!”

God’s Unspeakable Gift

What’s the nicest gift you have ever received from another person? Was it an expensive jewel or keepsake? Or perhaps something that someone painted or built for you on which you could not put a price? Maybe it was a gift of inestimable sentimental value. That first baby doll, or your first bike, or aContinue reading “God’s Unspeakable Gift”

“They Had Been With Jesus”

It was the earliest days of the Church that Jesus founded. Peter, on the notable Day of Pentecost, had preached a message to thousands of pilgrim peoples from all over the world, gathered there for this annual Jewish holy day. What made this day diametrically different than all those preceding it was that the long-promisedContinue reading ““They Had Been With Jesus””

If I Were the Devil (updated version)

A friend, Ken Turner of Benson, IL, established High Impact Ministries in 2008 after serving as a a youth pastor for 20 years. High Impact is a “frontline outreach to high-risk and fatherless youth and families.” This past weekend, Ken posted a jaw-dropping article that he allowed me to share with “You and God” readers:Continue reading “If I Were the Devil (updated version)”

“Forgive us our debts”

If you were living during the Vietnam War, it is quite possible that you remember a picture of Kim Phuc, a nine year-old Vietnamese girl who, in the horror of war, was almost killed when napalm started falling on her village from a plane flown reportedly by a South Vietnamese pilot. The picture that wasContinue reading ““Forgive us our debts””

Praises This Thanksgiving Day

Margaret Sangster captured in a poem what most everyone feels in our hearts today: “For the days when nothing happens, for the cares that leave no trace; for the love of little children, for each sunny dwelling place; for the altars of our fathers, and the closets where we pray, Take, O gracious God andContinue reading “Praises This Thanksgiving Day”

A Thanksgiving Prayer and Promise

(Sixty years ago this Thanksgiving, I wrote the following Thanksgiving prayer and promise to my fiancé, Ellen. It is as true today as then, and I thought it might be time to share it with you all.) Prayer: O Thank You, Lord, for every gift, That life affords to me; With voice to Thee myContinue reading “A Thanksgiving Prayer and Promise”