There was no one he knew. No one to care what happened to him. As he tossed and turned trying to fall asleep, his mind would suddenly begin to panic and scream out in protest, How did I get myself into this? A pastor living in Communist Russia, Nickolai Panchuk struggled as a prisoner of the KGB to find his purpose. Persecuted for his Christian faith, Nickolai remained in a Siberian camp for eight years, refusing to sacrifice his faith and suffering the consequences. Harassed, beaten, and dejected, Nickolai found hope in the unlikeliest source: an old ox named Maksim. With the help and strength of God, Nickolai and Maksim worked together to perform a weekly miracle witnessing for Christ in the most disparaging of circumstances and winning souls along the way.

Pavel Goia knew when he was 5 years old that God had called him to speak for Him. Yet by the time Pavel reached his teens, having a good time with friends was far more important to him than his familys religion. And communist Romania wasnt exactly friendly to Christians.But God got his attention one fateful night, and his life took that proverbial U-turn. Pavel made a covenant with God, and his dedication to that covenant was tested almost immediately. But he stayed true, and miracle after miracle followed in behalf of this one young man who trusted every aspect of his life completely to God.

Franz hasel, a 40-year-old pacifist, was drafted and assigned to Pioneer Company 699, Hitler's elite troops who built bridges at the front lines. His religious scruples did not endear him to his superiors. Sarcastically dubbed "carrot eater" and "Bible reader," he finally gained the respect of his unit. Just before he was sent deep into Russia--where all but seven of his 1,200-man unit would die--he secretly discarded his gun, fearing that, as the company sharpshooter, he might be tempted to kill. In Russia he faced a new problem: how to warn the local Jews before the SS got to them.

"Sir, when the regulations of my country clash with the laws of my God, I must obey my God," Ivan declared. The general studied Ivan's face seriously. "Does that include the regulations of your army?" Religion was suppressed. Christians were forced to practice their faith secretly. Yet one teenage boy found the courage to stand up and speak boldly about his God. Not just to his friends or in a private church meetingbut on a military base. In front of nearly 3,000 enlisted men . . . and one colonel. Foolish? Maybe. Risky? Definitely. But Ivan Gumenyuk had determined to follow God's calling, and right then God was calling him to be a missionary in the Soviet army. Like Daniel of old, Ivan faced trials that tested his faith to the limits. And, like Daniel, Ivan accomplished incredible things for God.

It was a miracle worthy of the season. When Captain Leonard La Rue spied from his twelve-man merchant ship, the Meredith Victory, the throng of Korean refugees on the docks of a city in flames, he didn't hesitate to do what others would consider impossible. In December of 1950, La Rue and his skeleton crew rescued fourteen thousand Korean refugees from the hands of the rapidly-approaching Chinese army in the city of Hungnam. Through the night and next day, a seemingly endless succession of refugees boarded the Meredith, their will to live and strong spirit steeling them against the bitter cold and incredibly crowded conditions. Standing shoulder to shoulder for three days the refugees and crew stoically endured as La Rue steered the ship through sea battle, a thirty-mile web of sea mines, and enemy shelling. "Ship of Miracles" is the incredible story of what has been called "the greatest rescue operation by a single ship in the history of mankind." Against all odds, the little merchant vessel transported its precious cargo to the island of Koje-Do on Christmas Eve completely unharmed, all fourteen thousand refugees alive and well, including an additional five new lives begun on this incredible journey. As the fiftieth anniversary of this miraculous rescue approaches, "Ship of Miracles" is as touching today as it was then; a tale you'll hold close to your heart, and return to time and again. While the United States Navy prepares to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the perilous evacuation at Hungnam and honor the Meredith Victory's miraculous feat, read this never-before-told account from the crew themselves, as they relate the incredible and unbelievable details of their three-day journey from fear to freedom.

for every healthy tree bears good fruit --; Demand #28 : love your enemies--lead them to the truth --; Demand #29 : love your enemies--pray for those who abuse you --; Demand #30 : love your enemies--do good to those who hate you, give to the one who asks --; Demand #31 : love your enemies to show that you are children of God --; Demand #32 : love your neighbor as yourself,