CATCH IT YOURSELF Benjamin Franklin, with his sagacity and wit, was a man who thoroughly enjoyed trimming hecklers down to size. During the early days of the American Republic, he spoke many times on the…
Sermon Illustrations
Thou who hast given so much to me, give one thing more - a grateful heart! By George Herbert from Great Quotes and Illustrations, compiled by George Sweeting, published by Word (List Price: $9.99 Our…
The worst moment for the atheist is when he is really thankful and has nobody to thank. By Dante Gabriel Rossetti from Great Quotes and Illustrations, compiled by George Sweeting, published by Word (List Price:…
We have been a most favored people. We ought to be a most grateful people. We have been a most blessed people. We ought to be a most thankful people. By Calvin Coolidge from Great…
A POSITIVE FOCUS The phrase "with thanksgiving" is one of the primary ways the Bible refers to positive communication. Time and time again we are exhorted to pray "with thanksgiving," Along with thanksgiving, adoration and…
REFUSED INHERITANCE Larry Farthing tells about Eugene F. Suter, Jr., whose father died, leaving him an estate of $400,000. The young man refused the inheritance. When the trustees of the estate took him to court,…
THE FILLED GLOVE & BEYOND THE BOOK'S COVER: The following article appeared in "Dear Abby's" column in the June 5, 1990 issue of the St. Paul Pioneer Press Dispatch. I don't know where you might…
THOMAS MERTON: THANKFUL FOR THE REAL ME "In order to become myself I must cease to be what I always thought I wanted to be, and in order to find myself I must go out…
KINDNESS IN DETROIT Monday evening I went to a Prayer Concert being held at my church; Rosedale Park Baptist on the west side. I was interrupted with a message that my husband phoned, my daughter…
COMMUNICATION/MISUNDERSTANDING/ PERSPECTIVE/ARABS UP TO INTERPRETATION In an ancient story called "The Holy Man," a group of pilgrims are travelling across a vast desert to visit the holy shrines and temples of antiquity. After several days'…
BEARING FRUIT Sid Guillen tells of the words of a sheep herder. He said, "I can lead the sheep to green pasture. I can show them where the water is. I can protect them from…
THOUGHTS No mind is much employed upon the present; recollection and anticipation fill up almost all our moments. From Rasselas, by Samuel Johnson
LEVELLERS Levellers wish to level down as far as themselves; but they cannot bear levelling up to themselves. By Samuel Johnson
WHERE'S THE PAINT CAN? One man landed a job painting the yellow line down the center of the highway. This he had to do by hand. After three days the foreman complained, "Your first day…
A KISS IN HAND Many of us leave our small children to the care of others during the day. When it's time to part, there are often tears. My daughter and I have developed a…
CRY-BABIES Our friend Lynda Pearce says she never regrets taking a couple years off to care for her new baby. "I thought the crying and whining would drive me crazy at first," she explains, "but…
IN ONE DAY . . . 1 American is injured by lightning 104 are injured while shaving Americans eat 24,657,534 hot dogs Americans purchase 3,014 hockey sticks 4 Americans call Graceland asking to speak with…
WATCH OUT FOR JESUS A local newspaper told an anecdote about a burglar who stalked the neighborhood watching for homes left unguarded by people leaving for vacation. He watched as a family loaded their suitcases…
GOD'S HIDDEN CARE A few summers ago a family was picnicking in the San Isabel National Forest in Colorado. In the shade of a large tree they ate, played, read, talked, and enjoyed the natural…
OTHER EYES Some time ago one of our deacons, Ed, a crane-operator by trade, related the following reflection on his work experience: He told of one particular job site he was working at where he…
