Called

Simon was a loyal son, a selfless brother, a faithful husband, a loving father, a trustworthy friend, and a skillful fisherman, as well as a natural leader—long before he ever met Jesus of Nazareth. He put the needs of others before his own. He led with his heart; often before he engaged his head. Some might call him impetuous, but others would say impassioned. He was the only one willing to step out of the boat and walk on the water. He alone drew his sword to defend his Master. But this same man failed in a moment of fear and denied his Lord. This is the story of a fisherman called Simon, upon whose confession Jesus said He would build His church. Consider this one who followed Jesus to his Savior's cross... and subsequently to his own. Consider his story, the portion you may already know... and the rest of the story that could have been. Ken Winter is a follower of Jesus, an extremely blessed husband, and a proud father and grandfather—all by the grace of God. His journey with Jesus has led to his serving over the past three decades on the pastoral staffs of two local churches in West Palm Beach, Florida and Richmond, Virginia, as well as in the role of vice president of mobilization of the IMB, an international missions organization.

Yes, it's true—Rahab was a prostitute—until the day God redeemed her. But gratefully, once we have been redeemed, God doesn't see any of us through the lens of our sin; rather, He sees us through the lens of His Son. It was by faith, this woman of courage and strength did not die with all the others in her city. And it was by faith, she became a part of the ancestral line that led to the advent of Jesus. This is the story of the heroine who protected the Israelite spies... and so much more. Consider her story and the story of the times in which she lived, the portion you may already know... and the rest of the story that could have been.

Joseph was an unlikely choice to be the earthly father of Jesus. There was nothing about him on the surface that would have prompted any of us to consider him worthy. And yet, no other man in history has been charged with the tremendous responsibility he was given. He wasn't randomly chosen by God. He wasn't chosen simply because he and Mary were engaged to be married. He was, most definitely, not an after-thought or a footnote. He and Mary were betrothed because God had chosen them both and ordered their steps accordingly... from before the beginning of time. God had been at work in Joseph's life long before he ever knew the events that would unfold in his life. God carefully molded and shaped Joseph into the man to whom He could entrust this special assignment. Through this novella, you'll discover the heart and character of the carpenter God called to raise His Son. Ken Winter is a follower of Jesus, an extremely blessed husband, and a proud father and grandfather—all by the grace of God. His journey with Jesus has led to his serving over the past three decades on the pastoral staffs of two local churches in West Palm Beach, Florida and Richmond, Virginia, as well as in the role of vice president of mobilization of the IMB, an international missions organization.

In a day when the culture dictated that women were to be seen and not heard, God raised up a woman with the faith, wisdom and courage to lead her people as a judge over Israel. After settling in the Promised Land, the people of Israel repeatedly turned their backs on God and went their own way. But by His grace, God mercifully responded to His people's cries for help by raising up judges to lead His people back to Him. This is the story of one of those judges, the one called Deborah. Discover the heart and character of this one God called and used to bring peace to His chosen people. Explore her story and the story of the times in which she lived, the portion you may already know... and the rest of the story that could have been.

This is the story of Mary Magdalene. The Gospels tell us she was a successful woman. But they also tell us she found herself under the control of seven demons until the day Jesus set her free. From that day forward she was one of the women who traveled with Jesus. She was a firsthand witness to much of His ministry. She was one of the few who stood at the foot of the cross. She was one of a handful who journeyed to the garden tomb. She was the first to actually see Jesus after He had risen. She stood on the hill and watched Him ascend. She was in the upper room when the Holy Spirit came upon them. She witnessed a lot! So, there is much she can tell us. Consider her story, the portion you may already know... and the rest of the story that could have been.

Lydia was a successful merchant who sold her goods to the wealthy and elite of her day. What need did she have of a Savior? She was a Gentile who had grown up in the midst of a pantheon of gods. Why would she care to hear about the God of the Jews? Why should a Roman citizen from Thyatira living in Philippi be drawn to a Jewish carpenter crucified on a cross in Jerusalem? The Book of Acts recounts the stories of numerous men and a few women God chose to use to plant His church in the first century. This is the story of one of those, a merchant called Lydia. Explore her story and the story of the times in which she lived, the portion you may already know... and the rest of the story that could have been.

In a day when most religious leaders were known for their efforts to discredit the ministry of Jesus, there came one who earnestly sought Him. In a day when most religious leaders mocked Jesus as He hung on a cross, there came one who meekly helped bury His body. And in a day when most religious leaders felt threatened by Jesus, there came one who courageously chose to take a stand for Him. This is the story of a teacher called Nicodemus who God used to teach what it means to seek God, not only in word, but also in deed. Just as his life was a testimony to the people of his day, it remains an example to us today. There is an adage that says, "if you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything." Nicodemus was a humble man who willingly stood boldly for truth. Explore his story through this novella—the portion you may already know, and the rest of the story that could have been.

He was a slave who became a cupbearer. He was a cupbearer who became a king's emissary. He was an emissary who became a leader. And he was a leader who became a legend. All because he was a faithful servant of the Most-High God. Consider his story, the portion you may already know... and the rest of the story that could have been.

Most of us know the messages delivered by the prophet Isaiah, but do we know the story behind the man? Raised in the king's palace, Isaiah, unlike other prophets, was given a unique perspective to counsel kings and foretell the coming of the King of Kings. His family relationships most likely created an internal conflict for him as he delivered the difficult messages Jehovah God had for His people and their kings. Long before Isaiah ever knew the events that would unfold in his life, God had been at work in him to mold and shape him into a man to whom He could entrust this extraordinary assignment. But don't lose sight that Isaiah was a flawed ordinary man placed in God-ordered circumstances to be a follower through whom God would accomplish extraordinary things. Through this novella, you'll discover the heart and character of the prophet called to proclaim the promise of the coming Messiah.

Most of the descendants of Adam turned their hearts away from their Creator and did evil in His sight. But in the seventh generation, there came an ordinary man who, at the age of sixty-five, turned his heart toward God. Explore the story of Enoch, the friend who walked with God for three hundred years until God took him in an extraordinary way. Consider a walk with God that resulted in his being one of only two men who never experienced physical death. Consider his story and the story of the times in which he lived, the portion you may already know... and the rest of the story that could have been. Ken Winter is a follower of Jesus, an extremely blessed husband, and a proud father and grandfather—all by the grace of God. His journey with Jesus has led to his serving over the past three decades on the pastoral staffs of two local churches in West Palm Beach, Florida and Richmond, Virginia, as well as in the role of vice president of mobilization of the IMB, an international missions organization.