Aaron Wilburn’s ‘The People That God Gives You’
By Steven Brodsky
… was referenced here in the summer of 2020.
Circumstances of life have affirmed the value of the song’s message for me and many others.
I first heard “The People That God Gives You” on the syndicated radio show that Paul Heil hosted for many decades.
The song has continued to be a blessing to me (and I believe to some of the people that God has given me).
Be blessed.
1 John 4:7-8:
Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
Paul Heil was interviewed for this column in 2018 and 2016. The interviews are accessible at: https://delcoculturevultures.com/2017/03/14/a-conversation-with-paul-heil-host-of-the-gospel-greats-syndicated-radio-show/.
Posted 9-5-24
Weary?
By Steven Brodsky
… If you are, Jordan St. Cyr’s “Weary Traveler” may resonate with you in your current condition:
Jesus’ invitation to the weary, Matthew 11:28: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
Posted 8-30-24
‘Sweeter than honey’
By Steven Brodsky
… was the taste of God’s words to the psalmist.
Psalm 119:103: “How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!”
This verse came to my mind while I was enjoying a spoonful of wildflower honey a few minutes ago.
Some of this column’s readers will recall the verse the next time they taste honey.
And some will recall the verse when they next taste the sweetness of the Bible.
Posted 8-27-24
Regardless of the degree of goodness
By Steven Brodsky
… or lack of goodness that is being shown (or that was shown) by biological fathers, those who are adopted as God’s sons and daughters have a “Good Good Father.”
John 1:12: “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:”
1 John 3:1: “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.”
Ephesians 5:1: “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;”
Posted 8-26-24
‘I’m just a long-haired son of a sinner’
By Steven Brodsky
… sings Jelly Roll in “Son of a Sinner” (one of my favorite Jelly Roll songs):
We’re all children of sinners.
And all of us have sinned.
Nonetheless, God loves us.
Romans 5:8 KJV: “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that while we we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
Posted 8-20-24
One thing that we can’t take back from the enemy
By Steven Brodsky
… unfortunately, is stolen time.
Our lives are short, like the lifespan of a vapor.
James 4:14: “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.”
Time is valuable, including the time spent to write this column installment and the amount of time that readers will spend engaging with the installment.
God-willing, our time will be well-spent.
Take the time to watch (and enjoy!) this video:
Posted 8-14-24
Have you been redeemed?
By Steven Brodsky
… Hallelujah, if you, dear Entertainment, Culture and More column reader, have been redeemed.
For all of us to enjoy, Big Daddy Weave’s “Redeemed”:
Philippians 1:6: “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:”
Posted 8-12-24
Born-again-new?
By Steven Brodsky
… If you are are, dear reader, thank God (of course!).
2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
Posted 8-9-24
Wouldn’t help the character of Mickey Newbury’s ‘The Thirty-third of August’ much
By Steven Brodsky
… were someone to tell him that today isn’t the thirty-third of August.
Willie Nelson’s cover of “The Thirty-third of August”:
The band (Newbury was likely referring to a Salvation Army band) “has packed up and gone” and the song character doesn’t have salvation.
The character’s condition may be preventing him from comprehending that today is the day of salvation, unfortunate as no one knows for certain if he or she will be alive to truly accept biblical salvation tomorrow, or in an hour from now.
2 Corinthians 6:2: “(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)”
Questions about “the day of salvation”?
Some answers: https://www.gotquestions.org/today-is-the-day-of-salvation.html.
Posted 8-6-24
A rescue story
By Steven Brodsky
… not unlike the rescue stories that some of this column’s readers have experienced:
Isaiah 12:2: “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.”
Have you asked God to become your salvation?
Posted 8-3-24
‘Don’t Stop Praying’
By Steven Brodsky:
… Matthew West’s song and a Bible verse:
1 Thessalonians 5:17: “Pray without ceasing.”
Have questions about praying without ceasing?
Some answers: https://www.gotquestions.org/pray-without-ceasing.html.
Posted 7-30-24
The lyric video for Ben Fuller’s “Don’t Let Me Forget” was released this morning
By Steven Brodsky
… “Don’t Let Me Forget” will remind followers of Jesus about things that should never be forgotten.
“Lord, don’t let me forget.”
Posted 7-26-24
Every morning
By Steven Brodsky
Photo by Steven Brodsky
… God’s mercies are new!
Lamentations 3:22-23: “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.”
Posted 7-10-24
If you’ve found a friend in Jesus
By Steven Brodsky
… the lyrics of this song may tell your story also:
John 8:36: “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”
Posted 6-24-24
Shackled and unshackled listeners
By Steven Brodsky
… have been enjoying episodes of UNSHACKLED, the iconic radio drama show, since 1950.
Episodes of UNSHACKLED are accessible at: https://unshackled.org/on-demand/browse-all-programs/.
John 8:36: “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”
Posted 6-6-24
‘O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?’ – 1 Corinthians 15:55
By Steven Brodsky
… This video is embedded here especially for the miracle children who regularly visit the sections of the Entertainment, Culture and More column:
Posted 4-10-24
A life that is proof of what God can do
By Steven Brodsky
You may know people who’ve experienced God-enabled transformation similar to the kind that Stephen McWhirter sings about in “My Life Is Proof.”
I do.
Matthew 19:26 KJV: “But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.”
Posted 4-4-24
It wasn’t you, nor was it me
By Steven Brodsky
… who made this tree:
Photo by Steven Brodsky
“Trees,” by Joyce Kilmer: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/poems/12744/trees.
The tree was photographed yesterday.
The Joyce Kilmer poem was published in August 1915.
About Joyce Kilmer: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/joyce-kilmer.
Posted 3-25-24
‘I have a future and it’s worth the living’
By Steven Brodsky
… a line from the lyrics of “Made For More” that pairs nicely with Jeremiah 29:11: Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope. (biblehub.com).
Some of this column’s readers will be “singing hallelujah” this weekend.
Have a great weekend!
Posted 3-1-24
Need a reminder that the battle has already been won?
By Steven Brodsky
… If you do, you’ve come to the right place.
Psalm 63:4: “Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.”
Posted 2-19-24
Just as we are
By Steven Brodsky
One or more of these three songs and the invitation that underlies them will resonate with a number of Entertainment, Culture and More readers:
Just As I Am (youtube.com)
Crowder – Come As You Are (Music Video) (youtube.com)
Just As I Am (youtube.com)
Revelation 3:20 KJV: “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”
Posted 1-21-24
‘But the cross says they’re wrong’
By Steven Brodsky
… thankfully.
Posted 12-4-23
‘Be still’
By Steven Brodsky
Photo by Steven Brodsky