STAYING POWER A recent television documentary pointed out that the cheetah survives on the African plains by running down its prey. The big cat can sprint seventy miles per hour. But the cheetah cannot sustain…
Sermon Illustrations
OPTIONS For every evil under the sun There is a remedy or there is none. If there is one -- find it. If there is none -- never mind it.
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…
THIS IS THE TIME Lafayette, hero of the Revolution, was just as loved in his native France. Here are two stories that exemplify this (adapted from Clifton Fadiman): The harvest of 1783 was a poor…
WITH FRIENDS LIKE THESE In the heady days of the French Revolution the followers of Lafayette once went to unusual lengths to indicate their admiration. Stopping his carriage in the street, they unhitched the horses…
CLARENCE MACARTNEY ON PREACHING Bourdaloue was the court preacher of Louis XIV. Wishing to rebuke the king for his profligate life, he drew in general terms a picture of a great sinner and the doom…
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…
THE PATH OF WISDOM A man entered a greeting card store and asked the clerk for a "Birthday/Anniversary" card. The clerk replied, "We have birthday cards, and we have anniversary cards. Why not take one…
HAPPINESS The secret of happiness is to let your reactions to the things and persons that affect you be as far as possible friendly rather than hostile. Bertrand Russell
THE END OF THE WORLD Don't worry about the world coming to an end too quickly. Even if it did, it would take years to wind up the paperwork. Cornerstones
BEATITUDES FOR FRIENDS OF THE AGED Blessed are they who understand My faltering step and palsied hand. Blessed are they who know that my ears today Must strain to catch the things they say. Blessed…
PARABLE ON EVANGELISM Now it came to pass that a group existed who called themselves fishermen. And, lo, there were many fish in waters all around. Streams and lakes were filled with fish, and they…
FAITH I pastor a country church. One Sunday night, here recently, while driving to the church I was pondering the Christian life and faith. While driving, a statement made by the late Dr. Donald Grey…
DO IT NOW Among the paintings of Ivan Albright is the striking painting of an old door. From its design, it must have been at one time the outside door of a fine residence. In…
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…
LABELS THAT HINDER Most historians trace the major schism in today's church to the late 1800s when evangelical leaders, convinced of Jesus' imminent return, concentrated the work of the church on saving souls. Other Christians…
LESSON FROM CENTURY ONE Rediscovery of New Testament life for the church can never take place as long as men who make up the church are satisfied with the status quo or cling to the…
SLOW LEARNER From early youth until his death at 78, the French painter Auguste Renoir was dedicated to his craft, yet he was never fully satisfied with the quality of his work. It was not…
NO CULTURE SHOCK In helping others traverse the Scriptures, we can, like Americans junketing in Asia . . . carefully select the itinerary, stop only at Western-style hotels, use guides who speak fluent English, eat…
