The Jesus Boat
And when He (Jesus) got into the boat… there arose a great storm on the sea…Then He rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. (Matthew 8:23-27) Have you ever been on a boat? Jesus and his disciples went on boats a lot. Matthew chapter eight records how a great storm arose and left His disciples terrified. During this scary experience, Jesus and His disciples were on a fishing boat, but until the late 1980s, we had no idea what this fishing boat would have looked like. But all that changed in 1986 due to a severe drought in Israel. One day, two brothers went out walking on the shoreline of the Sea of Galilee, and they spotted the outline of a boat in the mud. That boat happened to be a 2,000-year-old fishing boat! Upon its discovery,...
Read MoreAn Old Coat and Gruff Goat
“Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him.” (1 Kings 19:19) Long ago, Ricky Raccoon received a special coat from his grandfather. “But it wasn’t just any coat,” Ricky told anyone who’d listen. “It was Grampa’s most precious robe. He was very important. When I wear his old coat, I feel important, too.” “Bully for you,” said Gruff, the grumpy goat. “And very handsome,” Ricky added, puffing out his chest. “I wouldn’t go that far,” said Gruff. “Or anywhere far in that coat. You might mess it up or get it dirty.” But Ricky wasn’t worried. He licked the silver sleeves clean and polished the shiny buttons with his paws. “Ricky!” a friend called. “Come play tag with us!” Tag was Ricky’s...
Read MoreSent Ahead to Save—God’s Plan and Joseph’s Journey
When we last saw Joseph, he had received the enormous task of preparing for a great famine. As the second most influential person in Egypt, Joseph served as God’s representative, positioned to save many lives. This reflects the heart of God and the earthly ministry of Jesus—preserving life. Joseph’s God-given commitment, wisdom, gifts, and dreams set the stage for his reunion with his father Jacob, his eleven brothers, and an extended family of about seventy people. When food became scarce, Jacob heard there was grain in Egypt and sent his sons to buy some. When they arrived, Joseph recognized them. They did not know that the man they had come to bow before in search of food was their brother. After several visits to Egypt and some testing by Joseph, the...
Read MoreHenny Minnies New Friends
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Matthew 5:4 NIV. “Look! Look!” Henny Minnie flapped her wings happily. “New chicken friends have arrived!” Henny Minnie clucked with delight. She loved meeting new friends. Fluffing her feathers, she ran to greet them. But the pecking order had begun. The older chickens pecked at their heads and snipped their tails. They tormented the new birds, chasing them around the chicken pen. Henny Minnie watched in shock. Her big brown eyes filled with tears for her new friends. “Stop! Stop!” she cried, watching her new friends being teased and bullied. “Don’t hurt them!” The others ignored her cries. Henny Minnie could not stop the aggressive birds. Her new friends panicked and fearfully ran away,...
Read MoreWho Me? Forgive My Family?
Joseph was a truly gifted boy! Well-loved by His father, Jacob! Jealously envied by His big brothers, as you remember, they sold him as a slave. He serves the most important person in Egypt now! Joseph is miles and miles away from his distant father and family; yet, not from his future, which GOD planned! His Father GOD is mapping out the most amazingly beautiful plan! God designed it just for Joseph (and all the older brothers)! God’s perfect plan includes more mistreatments-lies-false accusations-prison just to name a few! Do you recall one of Joseph’s gifts? Exactly, dreams! God gifted him with dreams concerning things that would happen in the future! Genesis 41 Joseph stood before Pharaoh, calm and sure. He had spent years in prison, forgotten by those he...
Read MoreLife Is A Family Affair
During this special season of Lent, we focus on being more like Jesus! One of the ways we learn how to grow in the ways of CHRIST is through studying more about the lives of Biblical families. We know about twin brothers Esau and Jacob. Our hearts are thankful they finally, by the mercy and grace of God, mended their very long, hurtful, and poor relationship. But do families live happily ever after? Not if we look at the sons of Jacob. Joseph is a truly gifted and special boy! One of his many gifts involves his dreams. Remember this about him! Brother problems are in this family still! Joseph is Jealously envied by all of His big brothers. Well-loved by His father, Jacob! Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons because he had been born to him in...
Read MoreFamily Is God’s Idea
Your family, mine, and most are similar to other families; yet each family has their own God-designed uniqueness. “God sets the lonely in families, he leads out the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.” (Psalm 68:6) Does everyone in your family seem to tell jokes? Enjoy the same activities, foods, music; clothing; colors? Is your family mostly serious; relaxed; or somewhat strict? Is your family made up of almost complete opposites? However, your family shows up. Know and remember that family is a GOD idea. Family time is an opportunity to grow closer to God, Jesus, and the relatives who share our genes, traits, and appearance. It’s a chance to intentionally let God teach us how to be more like Jesus—loving,...
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If it’s in the Bible, The Pirate Preacher knows the story. Monday nights he leads a “Jesus Study” in Moore Square, Raleigh, NC. Each Sunday you will find him in the park and at the bus station helping others enjoy the abundant life Jesus promised.
The Pirate Preacher helped launch Christian Devotions Ministries and is the former CEO of Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas, a Christian book publishing company. He’s also a “Blessed Selling” author and Writers’ Coach.
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Jehovah Jireh: The Incredible Provider — A super Hero Graphic Novel
