JUST A RAY OF HOPE Dr. Victor Frankl, an Austrian psychiatrist, observed that a prisoner did not continue to live very long after hope was lost. But even the slightest ray of hope -- the…
Sermon Illustrations
A SAD HERITAGE In George Sayer's biography of C. S. Lewis he describes the impact of the life and death of Joseph Greeves, the father of one of Jack [C. S.] Lewis's best friends, Arthur…
LIMITED STRATEGY In an Air Force water survival school off the coast of Florida, I learned some of the finer points of fighting sharks. "If a shark approaches with jaws shut," the instructor suggested, "try…
PRAYER CHANGES PERSPECTIVE Once upon a time - that's the way all good stories used to begin for children - a monk was walking down a country road. It was early in the morning, and…
CRITICISM Looking for a role model on how to handle criticism? It would be worth your while to check out the book of Nehemiah. On several occasions this great- hearted statesman was openly criticized, falsely…
ATHEIST HOLIDAY An atheist complained to a friend because Christians had their special holidays, such as Christmas, Easter and the like; the Jews celebrated their national holidays such as Passover, Yom Kippur. He said, "But…
HANDLING LIFE Lucy has set up her psychiatric advice booth -- "Advice -- 5 cents" the sign reads. Charlie Brown comes into the scene and says, "Lucy, I need help." Lucy replies, "What can I…
BENEFITS In his autobiography, Lord Inman, Governor of Charing Cross Hospital, London, tells about his mother. His father had died when he was young, and his mother was left with few resources to bring up…
CALVIN INTO EXILE Nicholas Cop, the young rector of the University of Paris had made his address on All Saints Day. But instead of making the traditional and expected talk about the saints and the…
FAVORITE PUPIL I find Sunday Sermons to be an excellent source of stories, although they actually publish whole sermons. In a recent issue they share a story they adapted from B. P. Roth's, "Tears and…
CIRCUMSTANCES How often, when someone asks us how we are doing, do we reply, "All right, under the circumstances"? But have we ever thought about what we are saying? For God never intended that we…
JAMES If any of you is in trouble let him pray. If anyone is flourishing let him sing praises to God. James 5:13 J. B. Phillips
MIND TATTOO? Once walking through the twisted little streets of Kowloon in Hong Kong, I came upon a tattoo studio. In the window were displayed samples of the tattoos available. On the chest or arms…
PRAYING FOR THINGS OR GOD? I remember one day in Tibet, when I was in prison. The stones of that prison were like flowers. There was nothing in these stones, but His presence changed them,…
TOO LITTLE If you happen to live in a city apartment, you may appreciate how tough [drug czar] Bill Bennett's new job is. It's really equivalent to being a cockroach czar. And the budget for…
TRIUMPH OVER TRAGEDY In Iona Henry McLaughlin's book, Triumph Over Tragedy, she tells of her struggle to find purpose and meaning in her life following the death of her daughter Jane to a brain tumor,…
GOD'S COMPENSATION God does not permit us pain but that he gives us also the strength to bear it. God does not allow us problems but that he gives us as well the wit to…
FLY HIGHER If a bird is flying for pleasure it flies with the wind, but if it meets danger it turns and faces the wind, in order that it may rise higher. Corrie ten Boom
QUALITY OF LIFE Buckner Fanning tells the story of a pastor friend who developed a heart disease that left him tired and unable to function as a pastor. His doctors left him little hope of…
DON'T WASTE YOUR TROUBLES People who have setbacks and trouble often emerge with: 1. Values and priorities that are higher and nobler. 2. More sensitivity and understanding of the difficulties of others. 3. A new…
