The Bible Story Family

  So, you want to buy creative gifts for everyone in your family. Here are some suggestions. CHILDREN: “Smoky, the Cheating Dragon” Helps the children in your family learn how to play fair and lose a game graciously. Illustrated by Katie Allen. YOUTH: “Joash, Boy King of Judah” An exciting Old Testament biography about a pre-teen who lived for God. The adventures, heroism and accomplishments of King Joash. TEENS: “Dare to Walk On Water: Transformed by God” Practical biblical encouragement toward sanctification, transformed into His likeness. From head, to heart, to hands. ADULTS: “The Gospel Invades Afghanistan” Thrilling true story of the conversion of an Afghan governor and the impact of the Holy Spirit in Afghanistan. All are available on Amazon along with several others I have written. Just type in the name of the book and the author, Robert A. Allen.

  THANKSGIVING QUIZ 2025   ANSWERS 1.        Who recommended the turkey as our national bird rather than the bald eagle? a.        Thomas Paine b.       Benjamin Franklin c.        Alexander Hamilton 2.        Which state has the most turkeys? (Not a political question). a.        Iowa b.        Kansas c.        Minnesota 3.        Which turkeys actually gobble? a.        Females b.       Males c.        Neither 4.        In Brazil Thanksgiving celebrations they replace cranberry juice with what? a.        Jaboticaba b.     ...

  One of my great blessings this Thanksgiving season is a contact I made recently on Facebook. Byron Grant was one of the young people in my first youth group. During college days I served the church in Fairmont, Minnesota, where Byron and his parents attended. He left for LeTourneau College after graduation, and I lost contact with him. The blessing comes from what Byron has been involved in since those early days. In 1979 he and his family moved to Vancouver, British Columbia, to work with North America Indigenous Ministries. They started home Bible studies which grew into a Native church with an emphasis on First Nations People. Along with teammates they opened a counseling center called the Tillicum Native Centre. Tillicum is a word from the trade language of the West Coast Native people, meaning “very good friend.” “We desired it to be a place where we could bridge the divide between the First Nations people and the church,” writes Byron. “Our focus there was evangelis...

  Their excuse has always been quilting. But I haven’t seen a new quilt in years, until this time. The four sisters have been meeting for a week every year since I can’t remember when. My wife Carmen, with Joyce, Jeanne, and Cindy, have flown from Montana to South Carolina and from Minnesota to Kentucky saying they were “going to quilt.” And they did! At first. I saw the quilts. And I saw one again this year. But even without any quilts in the intervening years, they continued to meet. It turns out they didn’t need the excuse at all, they just enjoyed spending a week together. I’m still not certain what all they did, even this year with a quilt back on the table (or on the floor as it happens when it needs to be spread out for layering and basting—whatever that is.) I know they did some shopping, especially at thrift stores. I know they shared meals and recipes. I know there was some sight-seeing; a visit to a quilt museum was on this year’s schedule. I know there was music b...

  When the entire audience rose to its feet in a standing ovation, praise did not seem to be directed at the production, but at God Himself. Our hearts had been lifted toward the Almighty through the story, the lyrics, and the music itself. He alone deserved all the honor and glory. “Newton,” a new oratorio based on the lives of John Newton, William Cowper, and their contemporaries, was the production we had just heard. Composed, orchestrated, and conducted by Josh Bauder, the oratorio featured thirty-nine scenes. The life stories of Newton, Cowper, Wesley, Scott and Wilberforce awakened in each listener an appreciation of the transforming power of the work of God in the lives of men. Slave trader, drunkard, prodigal, and a man battling extreme depression found forgiveness and strength through God’s amazing grace. The full-bodied sounds of the orchestra supported the excellent vocal solos and choir. The libretto written by Bauder provided humor and pathos as well as historical accu...

  I used to tell my kid’s a dad joke. “What is fellowship?” Answer: Two guys in the same boat. There will be lots of guys in the same fellowship this weekend as the Minnesota Baptist Association holds their annual Men’s Meeting in Pine Island. Pastor Tim Graham is once again hosting this special event and is preparing to grill sirloin steaks and smoke beef briskets. The food will, as always, be delicious. Spiritual fellowship will come from presentations by Jason Ormiston and Steve Brower on the theme of “Intentional Relationships.” If you have never heard Jason or Steve before, you are in for a treat. Tim has also planned some breakout sessions on Ice Fishing, Freeze Drying Foods and Snacks, and New Deer Hunting Laws for 2026. The Bible Story Family will have a display table with an unbeatable sale on good books you need to read, so be sure to stop by and say hi. “Get in the boat.” Don’t miss this exciting time of creative fellowship for men today and tomorrow at Corners...

  How great would it be to actually talk with those who are involved in our governance? Well, in Minnesota you can do that. Rory Martin is the director of the Church Ambassador Network. During every legislative session he coordinates visits between pastors and legislators. During the last session 93 different pastors made 119 pastoral visits to the Capitol. “We expand our ministry to the Capitol to folks regardless of their political party affiliation or voting record,” write Rory. “We are aiming to help our government see the church as a primary resource to meet needs in our communities. We believe the church a state can work in tandem to affect real change throughout our state.” Church Ambassador Network is non-partisan. It seeks to meet needs in Minnesota without government money. But as government helps identify those needs, the church can step in to meet such needs effectively. In that way the ministry goes far beyond mere chaplaincy. To contact Church Ambassador Netwo...