Happy Father’s Day, Dads!  Isn’t it awesome, and honestly quite stunning, that the Creator of the heavens and the earth, because of Jesus Christ, is our Father; our heavenly Father.  In that regard, every day, to and for Him, is Father’s Day.

My two children are grown and have children of their own.  As a dad, I will cherish many fond memories as they were growing up.

Below is a short video by Andy Andrews.  He shares one of his special moments with one of his boys. And in doing so, communicates a great lesson for dads.

Happy Father’s Day, Dads, and God bless you!

Monday, May 26, is Memorial Day. Once again, I am reposting 3 very moving videos.

Sometimes people get confused. Veterans Day, which is in November, is when we remember every military person who served our country, at any time, in any capacity.  Memorial Day, however, formerly known as, “Decoration Day,” commemorates the men and women who died while in military service to the United States of America.

It began as a way to honor both Union and Confederate soldiers following the devastating and bloody American Civil War.  After World War I it was extended,  to honor all American military who died in all wars; we remember those who gave their life in service to our country.

Congress actually established an exact minute of remembrance. The National Moment of Remembrance Act, adopted in December of 2000, encourages every citizen to pause each Memorial Day at 3:00 p.m. local time to remember the brave men and women who died serving this country.

Thank God for the freedoms and liberty we still have in this country, because over the years so many gave their lives.  But it is still up to each generation to protect and preserve the freedoms we enjoy.  Pray for our country, for those in government positions, to make godly decisions that which will insure our liberties and freedoms to continue.

If you don’t live here in the United States, take some time to pause and pray for God’s help and blessings on your country.

And, regardless of where we live, how very, very thankful we are for the greatest ultimate sacrifice ever;  our Lord Jesus Christ gave his life so we could have eternal life – the ultimate freedom – freedom from death itself!

Below are 3 very moving videos that help put this remembrance into perspective.

 THANK YOU!

On April 20th, Christians around the world will celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Jesus Christ is alive!  God raised him from the dead!

The video below is from Casting Crowns singing, Glorious Day. Below the video is an article I posted in 2018.  When Peter looked into the tomb he saw two very significant items.

What Did Peter See?
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is without question the greatest event in the history of mankind thus far. A detail, often overlooked in John’s Gospel account of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, sets there like a sparkling gem if you understand the burial customs in the time of Jesus.

Over the centuries, and even today, different cultures have practiced various burial customs. There were a number of Jewish burial customs in the first century. One of those was to wrap or wind the body “in fine linen, putting spices in the folds.” The napkin was “a handkerchief which was employed to tie up the chin of a corpse.”
[James M Freeman, Manners and Customs of the Bible (reprinted Logos International from original printing of Nelson and Phillips, New York 1972), 437]

John 20:6 and 7
Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie,

And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.

When Peter went into the sepulchre as recorded in chapter 20 of the Gospel of John, he saw two things. He saw the linen clothes lie, and he saw the napkin, folded, but not with the linen clothes. An earlier record in the Gospel of John helps us understand that what Peter saw was absolutely astounding!

Someone very close to Jesus named Lazarus, brother of Mary and Martha, had died. Jesus arrived after Lazarus had been buried for four days. The family and friends were still in mourning. Jesus then went to the cave where Lazarus was buried. He told them to take away the stone!

After a brief objection, they did indeed take away the stone. Jesus prayed. Then he cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” What the people present  that day witnessed is something they would never forget.

The Bible says Lazarus came forth, bound hand and foot with grave clothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. When they buried Lazarus, as was their custom, he was wrapped with fine linen, and also had a napkin put about his face.

It is obvious as Lazarus came out of the cave he had some difficulty walking. That’s why Jesus told them to “loose him, and let him go.” It would then be equally obvious that his legs were not wound together, but wound separately.

After Jesus died and was buried, Peter looked into the tomb. He saw the grave wrappings, and, he saw the napkin, which would have covered Jesus’ face. The Scriptures give us this important detail about the napkin: “not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.”

This detail is very significant because the Scriptures do not say the grave wrappings were wrapped, or folded together, just the napkin. Peter saw the napkin folded, and it was not with the grave wrappings, and he also saw the grave wrappings just lying there. The grave wrappings were untouched, still wound. Peter saw an empty shell!

When God raised Jesus Christ from the dead, Jesus didn’t need to be unwrapped like Lazarus; he simply came right out of those grave wrappings! Those linen clothes remained right where they were laid when his dead body was inside them. What an awesome sight to behold!

Peter was one of the witnesses of Lazarus being raised from the dead. He had the memory of that man coming out of the cave, still wrapped, needing someone to get him loose. But there in the sepulchre where Jesus was laid, Peter saw the empty grave wrappings of Jesus, not folded, but lying right where they were when the body was inside.

Did Jesus take the napkin and fold it and put it in a place by itself? Did one of the angels do it? The Bible doesn’t say who did it, but this detail included in the Scriptures gives us an awesome picture of what Peter saw that morning.

God raised Jesus Christ from the dead in an instant of time. Jesus, in his resurrected body, came right out of those grave wrappings. Then God had the stone rolled back, not so Jesus could get out, but so people could look in! And what Peter saw when he looked in was just awesome!

The cornerstone of Christianity is the resurrection of Jesus Christ. As you read the book of Acts and the Church Epistles you see very clearly the great message of the first century was the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Acts 17 tells us God’s assurance unto all people that Jesus Christ is indeed the savior is in that He raised him from the dead. It was the resurrection from the dead to die no more that marks Jesus Christ out as the redeemer of mankind. It is believing God raised him from the dead that gets a person saved.

Ephesians tells us we are saved by grace, not by works. Romans 10 verse 9 shows how anyone can get saved: “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”

Jesus Christ walked the earth in his resurrected body for 40 days. He performed signs and miracles during that time. He was seen by hundreds of people. And the Bible promises us that one day he is coming back to gather together those who believe in him; we will be caught up together with him in the clouds, and so shall we ever be with the lord.

John 20:6 and 7
Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie,

And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.

John 11:39-44
Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.

Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?

Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.

And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.

And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.

And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.

Acts 4:33
And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

Acts 17:31
Because he [God] hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

Ephesians 2:8 and 9
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Romans 10:9
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Acts 1:3
To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:

I Corinthians 15:4-6
And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:

After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.

I Thessalonians 4:17
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

On Saturday, January 4, 2025, we had “A Day in the Word” here at Westbrook Village in Peoria Arizona.

Our theme was, Moving Forward. Rev. Steve Armstrong from Spokane Washington joined me for the teachings of God’s Word. The links below are the teachings.

A New Day – Mike Verdicchio

Second Chances – Steve Armstrong

The Christian Life – Steve Armstrong

Faithful – Mike Verdicchio

It’s Veteran’s Day 2024, and below is a reposting the video and post from 2009.

From 2009:
Today is Veteran’s Day, and I have a very special video.  But let me first say a very heartfelt and sincere, “Thank you,” to all veterans.  Thank you for your service to our country.

For many years on my radio show, on Veteran’s Day, I did a special short presentation about why I so heartily support our veterans.  Today, I wanted to once again tell why.

Enjoy the video.

See the About page to hear my interview with Connie Stevens.

The Medal Of Honor

The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed on a member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes him or herself “conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States.

The Medal of Honor is often presented personally to the recipient by the President of the United States. It is frequently called the Congressional Medal of Honor, stemming from its award by the Department of Defense “in the name of Congress” though the official and correct title is, Medal of Honor.

Most military veterans have never actually seen a Medal of Honor, much less met one of the few authorized to display it around their neck.   Since it was established in 1862 at the beginning of the Civil War, it has only been awarded to only 3,448 heroes and almost half of them Civil War soldiers.

On Veterans Day 2007, I had the privilege of receiving an award from the Arizona Department of Veterans” Services.  I can’t tell you what a thrill it was to receive that award from Chief Warrant Officer, Fred Ferguson, a recipient of the Medal of Honor.

Chief Warrant Officer Ferguson’s official Medal of Honor citation reads: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. CWO Ferguson, U.S. Army distinguished himself while serving with Company C. CWO Ferguson, commander of a resupply helicopter monitoring an emergency call from wounded passengers and crewmen of a downed helicopter under heavy attack within the enemy controlled city of Hue, unhesitatingly volunteered to attempt evacuation.

Despite warnings from all aircraft to stay clear of the area due to heavy antiaircraft fire, CWO Ferguson began a low-level flight at maximum airspeed along the Perfume River toward the tiny, isolated South Vietnamese Army compound in which the crash survivors had taken refuge. Coolly and skillfully maintaining his course in the face of intense, short range fire from enemy occupied buildings and boats, he displayed superior flying skill and tenacity of purpose by landing his aircraft in an extremely confined area in a blinding dust cloud under heavy mortar and small-arms fire.

Although the helicopter was severely damaged by mortar fragments during the loading of the wounded, CWO Ferguson disregarded the damage and, taking off through the continuing hail of mortar fire, he flew his crippled aircraft on the return route through the rain of fire that he had experienced earlier and safely returned his wounded passengers to friendly control.

CWO Ferguson’s extraordinary determination saved the lives of 5 of his comrades. His actions are in the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on himself and the U.S. Army.

From Last year on Veteran’s Day

God bless all our veterans, and may God continue to bless and shine His light on the United States of America.

Leave A Comment!
Do you have a comment about this video?  We’d love to hear what you think.  Please type your comment below.

See the About page to hear my interview with Connie Stevens.

Independence Day 2024!

This year, as we once again celebrate Independence Day, this post has a song,
an article,
and some quotes. 

The words for the song “America” (My Country ‘Tis of Thee) were written by Samuel Francis Smith in 1831, but the melody is much older and has been used for songs in many countries.

It was first sung in public on July 4, 1831, at a children’s concert at the Park Street Church, Boston, and published in 1832. In the video below, the song is sung by the United States Army Field Band. The words to the song are below this video. Enjoy!

America” (My Country ‘Tis of Thee
My country, ’tis of Thee,
Sweet Land of Liberty
Of thee I sing;
Land where my fathers died,
Land of the pilgrims’ pride,
From every mountain side
Let Freedom ring.
My native country, thee,
Land of the noble free,
Thy name I love;
I love thy rocks and rills,
Thy woods and templed hills;
My heart with rapture thrills,
Like that above.

Let music swell the breeze,
And ring from all the trees
Sweet freedom’s song;
Let mortal tongues awake;
Let all that breathe partake;
Let rocks their silence break,
The sound prolong.

Our fathers’ God to Thee,
Author of liberty,
To Thee we sing.
Long may our land be bright,
With freedom’s holy light,
Protect us by Thy might,
Great God our King.

We Need God’s Help

Our country more than ever needs a lot of prayer. In these deeply divided and troubling days, we need help from God Almighty. I join many other Christians who continue to ask Him for His help. 

At the end of this short article you will find some quotes from our Founding Fathers. There are some haters of America that diligently seek to find any of their shortcomings, and then, denounce them as evil people, ignoring their love of God and their sacrifices.  

None of us, including the Founding Fathers of the United States of America, are without faults. And who among us, at the end of our lives, or in future days, would like for people to shout out our faults or shortcomings, having only those  define us?  That’s why I’ve included a few quotes after this article.

This Thursday, we here in the United States of America, celebrate our freedom. Independence was formally declared on July 2, 1776, On July 4, 1776, Congress approved the final text of the Declaration of Indepedence.

It is a time for celebration! John Adams wrote, “I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty; it ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.”

What followed was a brutal 8 ½ year war with England. After the Revolutionary War ended, in 1783, before the official Constitution was finally ratified in 1791, The Bill of Rights was added – the first ten amendments. This was adopted to place specific limits on government power. It was seen as very necessary to safeguard individual liberty.

In later years, John Adams would write, “Posterity! you will never know how much it cost the present generation to preserve your freedom! I hope you will make a good use of it. If you do not, I shall repent in Heaven that I ever took half the pains to preserve it.”

The United States is not and has not been a “perfect country.” We can, and we are still improving, “in order to form a perfect union.” With God’s help, and only with His help, the rampant ungodly ideologies permeating our society can be stopped. I encourage you to pray every day for our beloved country. With God’s help, we can get through all the problems facing our nation.
Mike Verdicchio 2024

Some quotes you may have not read…

While we are zealously performing the duties of good citizens and soldiers, we certainly ought not to be inattentive to the higher duties of religion. To the distinguished character of Patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian.  George Washington

God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are of the Gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever.  Thomas Jefferson

Suppose a nation in some distant Region should take the Bible for their only law Book, and every member should regulate his conduct by the precepts there exhibited! Every member would be obliged in conscience, to temperance, frugality, and industry; to justice, kindness, and charity towards his fellow men; and to piety, love, and reverence toward Almighty God … What a Eutopia, what a Paradise would this region be.  John Adams

Resistance to tyranny becomes the Christian and social duty of each individual. … Continue steadfast and, with a proper sense of your dependence on God, nobly defend those rights which heaven gave, and no man ought to take from us.
John Hancock

Here is my Creed. I believe in one God, the Creator of the Universe. That He governs it by His Providence. That He ought to be worshiped.
Benjamin Franklin

And as it is our duty to extend our wishes to the happiness of the great family of man, I conceive that we cannot better express ourselves than by humbly supplicating the Supreme Ruler of the world that the rod of tyrants may be broken to pieces, and the oppressed made free again; that wars may cease in all the earth, and that the confusions that are and have been among nations may be overruled by promoting and speedily bringing on that holy and happy period when the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ may be everywhere established, and all people everywhere willingly bow to the sceptre of Him who is Prince of Peace.
Samuel Adams

I do declare to the whole world that we believe the Scriptures to contain a declaration of the mind and will of God in and to those ages in which they were written; being given forth by the Holy Ghost moving in the hearts of holy men of God; that they ought also to be read, believed, and fulfilled in our day; being used for reproof and instruction, that the man of God may be perfect. They are a declaration and testimony of heavenly things themselves, and, as such, we carry a high respect for them. We accept them as the words of God Himself.
William Penn

The Bible … is a book worth more than all the other books that were ever printed.
Patrick Henry

By conveying the Bible to people thus circumstanced, we certainly do them a most interesting kindness. We thereby enable them to learn that man was originally created and placed in a state of happiness, but, becoming disobedient, was subjected to the degradation and evils which he and his posterity have since experienced. The Bible will also inform them that our gracious Creator has provided for us a Redeemer, in whom all the nations of the earth shall be blessed; that this Redeemer has made atonement ‘for the sins of the whole world,’ and thereby reconciling the Divine justice with the Divine mercy has opened a way for our redemption and salvation; and that these inestimable benefits are of the free gift and grace of God, not of our deserving, nor in our power to deserve.
John Jay

And here’s one from a Founding Father’s son, who was the sixth president of the United States.

The hope of a Christian is inseparable from his faith. Whoever believes in the divine inspiration of the Holy Scriptures must hope that the religion of Jesus shall prevail throughout the earth. Never since the foundation of the world have the prospects of mankind been more encouraging to that hope than they appear to be at the present time. And may the associated distribution of the Bible proceed and prosper till the Lord shall have made ‘bare His holy arm in the eyes of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God’ (Isaiah 52:10).
John Quincy Adams

Sometimes people get confused. Veterans Day, which is in November, is when we remember every military person who served our country, at any time, in any capacity.  Memorial Day, formerly known as, “Decoration Day,” commemorates the men and women who died while in military service to the United States.

It began as a way to honor both Union and Confederate soldiers following the devastating and bloody American Civil War.  After World War I it was extended,  to honor all American military who died in all wars; we remember those who gave their life in service to our country.

Congress actually established an exact minute of remembrance. The National Moment of Remembrance Act, adopted in December of 2000, encourages every citizen to pause each Memorial Day at 3:00 p.m. local time to remember the brave men and women who died serving this country.

Thank God for the freedoms and liberty we still have in this country, because over the years so many gave their lives.  But it is still up to each generation to protect and preserve the freedoms we enjoy.  Pray for our country, for those in government positions, to make godly decisions that which will insure our liberties and freedoms to continue.

If you don’t live here in the United States, take some time to pause and pray for God’s help and blessings on your country.

And, regardless of where we live, how very, very thankful we are for the greatest ultimate sacrifice ever;  our Lord Jesus Christ gave his life so we could have eternal life – the ultimate freedom – freedom from death itself!

Below are 3 very moving videos that help put this remembrance into perspective.

 THANK YOU!

Here’s a “blast from the past.”  I did this video a number of years ago.  It’s still true for me, and I hope for you too!

There are lots of things in life that are important. Some more than others. But what is most important to you?

The video below is from my YouTube channel.

Check out my YouTube Channel: Full length teachings, plus over a hundred (most under 2 minutes) inspiring and encouraging videos for practical Christian living. “Like” them! Subscribe! Share! Thank you!

If you’d like a signed copy of my book, “What Does It Mean? Click Here

Check out His Word podcasts, all under 5 minutes!  You can access all of them right here. And, you’ll find links to share individual ones you think might bless someone.  There’s also a list of platforms you can use to subscribe, and it’s free.

Below are the links to a series I did on His Word podcast about the Magi (each under 5 minutes).
And a beautiful rendition of O Holy Night.

Enjoy!

Episode 85 The Magi – Part 1

Episode 86 The Magi – Part 2

Episode 87 – Part 3

Episode 88 The Magi – Part 4

Episode 89 The Magi – Part 5

Episode 90 The Magi – Part 6

God promised to send a savior, and He kept that promise.
God also promised to send Jesus Christ back to gather together all those who are born again, and He will keep that promise too.
The Lord Jesus Christ IS coming back!

Have a wonderful holiday season!

Sometimes people get confused – Veterans Day, which is in November, is when we remember everyone who has served our country, at any time in any capacity.  Memorial Day, formerly known as, “Decoration Day,” commemorates men and women who died while in military service to the United States.

It began as a way to honor Union and Confederate soldiers following the American Civil War. Later, it was extended, after World War I, to honor all American military who died in all wars –  we remember those who gave their life in service to our country.

Congress actually established an exact minute of remembrance. The National Moment of Remembrance Act, adopted in December of 2000, encourages every citizen to pause each Memorial Day at 3:00 p.m. local time to remember the brave men and women who died serving this country.

Take some time today to thank God for the freedoms and liberty we still have in this country – because over the years so many gave their lives.  But it is still up to each generation to protect and keep the freedoms we enjoy, because how quickly liberty and freedoms can evaporate!  Continue to pray for our country, and pray for those in government positions who truly love our country and constitution, for God to give them wisdom and courage to speak and do that which will insure our liberties and freedoms to continue.

If you don’t live here in the United States, take some time to pause and pray for God’s help and blessings on your country.

And, regardless of where we live, how very, very thankful we are for the greatest ultimate sacrifice ever, made by our Lord Jesus Christ – he gave his life so we could have eternal life – the ultimate freedom – freedom from death itself!

Below are 3 very moving videos that help put this remembrance into perspective.

 THANK YOU!