December 18, 2025
The Best Christmas Ever
Dr. Joe Grana recalls the story of a Christmas that changed everything in his life and was the best Christmas ever.
Articles for tag: Personal Testimony
November 5, 2025
When It Comes to Evangelism, Start with Why
If our focus is primarily on what (telling people about Jesus) or how (training and tactics), the work of evangelism can feel forced and uncomfortable. But once the why sinks in, everything changes.
July 1, 2024
‘None of the Above’
In life, I was trying to fit into all kinds of groups, but didn’t. Yet in this group called “the church” (where I didn’t want to fit), I fit! . . .
February 12, 2024
Feb. 18 | Discovery Questions
These Discovery Questions are for use with this week’s Lookout Bible Lesson, “The Unbelief of the Pharisees” (John 9:1-7, 13-16, 24-38), by Mark Scott.
September 1, 2023
A Hard Lesson in Hope
By Jerry Harris Some years ago, a church member phoned and asked me to make a hospital call on their distant relative who was dying in the hospital. This relative had a terminal brain tumor and no relationship with Jesus. I had not been invited by the immediate family and so I figured it was going to be a bit awkward. I stepped into the hospital room with complete strangers and introduced myself. I wasn’t greeted warmly. The person in the bed was Benny Robertson, and he appeared to be close to death. He was in a half-seated position and
October 31, 2022
November 6 | Discovery
Psalm 105:2 commands us to “tell of all [God’s] wonderful acts.” What wonderful act has God done for you, and whom will you tell about it?
September 1, 2022
Why Doesn’t God Stop School Shootings?
A tragic event like the unthinkable massacre of schoolchildren generates an understandable emotional response. The faith community often responds with the words “thoughts and prayers,” which incenses secularists who consider them to be “do-nothing” sentiments. But God uses the thoughts, prayers, and actions of dedicated Christ followers to change troubled young men into godly leaders. I know, because he used them to change me.
December 20, 2021
Dec. 26 | Application
There will be a last time I pet my dog, mow my lawn, eat my favorite meal, and watch a ballgame on TV. But the story won't end there . . .
September 22, 2020
Why Wait?
By Michael C. Mack After our wedding in 1990, Heidi and I moved into a 40-unit apartment building in Cincinnati. We wanted to lead an investigative Bible study to reach out to people who lived there, so I asked Glen, a minister at our church, to tell me how to start. “I don’t think you should do a Bible study . . . at least not yet,” he said. The tilt of my head and subconscious furrow of my brow must have given away my concern; I was eager to start this study right away and allow God to use
April 19, 2020
Discovery Questions for April 26, 2020
(These Discovery questions go with the Bible lesson for April 26, 2020: “His Chosen People.” For a detailed explanation of how to use Discovery Bible Study, click here.) By Leigh Mackenzie 1. In what specific ways over the last week did you testify to someone about the things Jesus has done in your life? 2. What are you most grateful for this week? Ask three people—two readers and one reteller—to help. Ask the two readers to each read Deuteronomy 10:12-22 in turn (possibly from different Bible versions) and then ask the group what they observe in the passage. What captured
November 18, 2019
Except for God
As Cincinnati Christian University finishes its final semester of classes before closing, there are undoubtedly many stories from the school’s alumni about their time on campus. This remembrance, which originated as a Facebook note, particularly stood out to us. Jerry Borton was born with cerebral palsy and now serves with Luke 14 Exchange, an organization that encourages people with disabilities to use their gifts. His story is just one part of the tremendous legacy CCU has left us. _ _ _ By Jerry Borton Like so many of you, I am deeply saddened by the news that Cincinnati Christian University
July 21, 2016
“˜You Choose”
By Bobby Wallace I was a mess. On the outside, I seemed like I had it all together. But on the inside, I was wrecked. I grew up in church. Yet I didn”t become a Christian until I was heading to college””and only then, after years of procrastination, because I feared I would be a hypocrite. Deep down I knew I was running away from conviction. When I got to college, I had every intention of living for Jesus. I attended Campus Christian Fellowship from day one and even lived in the campus house, but my resolve didn”t last long.
July 14, 2016
Transformed by God”s Grace
By Pat Magness The before and after photographs probably wouldn”t look that different. Both pictures would show a handsome, tall, athletic young man with a big smile. Unlike the transformation depicted in before and after pictures for a weight loss promo or exercise video, this transformation was not in looks, but in attitudes and actions. When I knew him “before,” he was self-absorbed, careless with the feelings of others. Some might have called him arrogant, and while he was never lazy, he often looked for the easy way. Perhaps most disturbing, he treated his sweetheart of a girlfriend with a
November 24, 2011
His Twice
By David Empson “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). This has been my favorite verse my entire life. Growing up, I attended the New Hope Christian Church in Columbus, Indiana. Every Christmas, church leaders would give us an orange, an apple, a candy cane, some penny candy in a brown paper sack, and then a gift. Some of these gifts included a Bible dictionary, a Bible atlas, and a pictorial life of Christ. One year I got a plaque with Romans 5:8 written on it.
March 18, 2011
How the Bible Changed My Life
By Doug Lucas What did the Bible change about my life? Everything. I grew up in a small town. My first exposure to crowds was a trip to Indianapolis 500 Qualifying with my friend and his family. At midday, in the middle of a cloud-bursting rain, we became separated. I was lost in a storm. Suddenly, a Scripture verse popped into my head. It was Deuteronomy 31:6: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” I looked up into
January 11, 2011
Generation of the Ethiopian Eunuch
By Jeff Arthur It happened about six months after our church launched in 2007. I had preached about Abraham and Isaac that Sunday morning. After the service, one of our ladies told me she was familiar with Abraham and Isaac, because she had drawn the image of Abraham offering Isaac to God while pursuing her degree in art. But she had never heard of other Bible characters I had been talking about in my sermons. That resonated with me all week long. I knew I was preaching to a group divided into three parts””non-Christians, nominal churchgoers, and former Catholics””and that
May 20, 2009
Interview with Tony Jeary
By Brad Dupray “Mr. Presentation” Tony Jeary has spent 25 years perfecting the art of the presentation. He has coached CEOs in a variety of industries, including leaders of Wal-Mart, Qualcomm, Samsung, and New York Life, to name a few. Having coached people the world around to develop their presentation effectiveness, Tony takes a strategic approach that works not only for “captains of industry,” but also for average Christians who want to communicate their message to a small group or one-on-one. Standard Publishing has published Tony”s 38th book, Purpose-Filled Presentations, designed to help any Christian communicate more effectively in and
April 30, 2006
What Campus Ministry Did for Me
By Stefanie Rowe Being a college freshman sounds easy enough. Sit in a hard classroom chair for 12 to 15 hours a week (half the commitment required in high school), study a little, work a part-time job if you wish, hang out, and have fun. I”ve heard family and friends joke with college students about their “easy” schedule and lifestyle. “Stay out late, sleep in, and you can still make your first class at 11:00,” they say. “Your day is over at 2:30″”must be rough. How hard can History of Rock “n” Roll be anyway?” NOT EASY But for me,
