HOW COURAGE IS TAUGHT Her name was Adelia and the lessons of courage that she taught are unsurpassed in my life. But how does one "teach" courage? Permit me to share her teachings. Adelia's oldest…
Sermon Illustrations
ORDINARY COMMON HONESTY "They tell me: Man, you're bold! But that is not true. Courage was never my strong point. I simply considered it beneath my dignity to fall to the level of my colleague's…
COURAGE/CONVICTION In Germany, they came first for the Communists, but I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist. Then they came for the Jews, but I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew.…
COSTLY The lion's skin is never cheap.
DO YOU DELIVER? The world is not interested in the storms you encountered, but did you bring the ship? William McFee, in Corner Stones
THE COSTLY TEST I wish I could prove that I'm not afraid of death -- without having to risk my life. Ashleigh Brilliant
THE LIGHTS OF CHRISTMAS At Christmas time there's no place half so treasured as one's own home, whose wreath-hung windowpanes and candle-lighted sills show gladness and joy within. Light from the glowing Chandelier and flaring…
CHRISTMAS LEGENDS Helen Keller wrote that there is a legend that tells that when Jesus was born the sun danced in the sky, the aged trees straightened themselves and put on leaves and sent forth…
DON'T MISS THE LAST WINDOW Each Christmas season I take my mother into New York City to look at the Christmas decorations and to visit Santa Claus at Macy's Department Store. I will always remember…
INTERFAITH LOVE Christmas was only a few weeks away . . . when the Jewish War Veterans of New Brunswick, New Jersey mobilized volunteers for a unique project. To improve further the already fine community…
SHAKESPEARE AND CHRISTMAS Some say that ever 'gainst that season comes Wherein our Saviour's birth is celebrated, The bird of downing singeth all night long: And then, they say, no spirit dare stir abroad; The…
BIRTHDAY Five-year old Billy was showing his Christmas presents to grandma, when she asked, "Did you get everything you wanted for Christmas?" Billy thought for a moment before he answered, "No, I didn't, Grandma. But…
THE VOICE CRYING The most amazing thing of all about the Christmas story is its relevance. It is at home in every age and fits into every mood of life. It is not simply a…
THE HISTORY OF SANTA CLAUS According to Maymie R. Krythe, in her book All About Christmas, the name we know as Santa Claus has come to us through many forms: Good Saint Nick, Saint Nicholas,…
THE UNEXPECTED GIFT My wife still hasn't spoken to me since last Christmas. I asked her what she wanted for Christmas and she said, "Oh, just surprise me." So, at three o'clock Christmas morning, I…
THE LITTLEST CAMEL St. Francis of Assisi taught that all the gentle creatures that shared the stable with the Christ Child should share, too, in the anniversary of His birth. So, in many countries, it…
SUPERSTITION? I remember as a young boy, one Christmas morning many years ago, going to church with my grandmother. She took me up to the crib and we knelt down for a moment and prayed.…
A CHRISTMAS BENEDICTION May you, wherever you are in this golden hour, know joy. May your hearthfire be surrounded with those near and dear to you; the happiness of your children re-echo the gladness heaven…
THE GIFT YOU DON'T NEED Did you hear about the pastor who gave each of his parishioners a gift certificate worth four hours of free advice?
HEAD FOR THE LIGHT Vince Lombardi wrote a book entitled Run To Daylight. It contains a chapter on running backs. It describes how football players learn all the plays, and then practice them over and…
