Once, after playing his latest composition on the piano, a famous composer was asked to explain the music. The artist stared at his questioner for a moment and then played his composition all over again.…
Sermon Illustrations
“Lest we forget: We are the ones who are intended to become true image of the Son” (Rom. 8:29). Back in the twenties, Thomas Edison wrote these lines: We don’t know the millionth part of…
“To you has been given the mystery of the Kingdom of God…” (Mark 4:11). Here is a question for all the food experts among us: What edible product contains the following ingredients?... Carob bean gum,…
“Happy the peacemakers. They shall be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9). A story appeared in Reader ’s Digest’s “Humor In Uniform” section about a father and his six-year-old daughter who were looking through some…
“Father, hallowed be Your Name” (Luke 11:2). There is the story of a woman who died and went to Heaven. She was greeted at the Pearly Gates by St. Peter, who said, “Before you enter,…
“…the Sunrise from on high will visit us. To shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death” (Luke 1:78-79). In his book, “Life After Life” — investigations into the “near-death” experience…
“Parents, never drive your children to resentment, but in bringing them up correct them and guide them as the Lord does.” (Ephesians 6:4). This scene that took place recently at a service station: A woman…
“May the day perish when I was born” (Job 3:3). A few years ago a college newspaper offered a prize to the person who submitted the best definition of life. The entries came pouring in…
“No man pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does so, the wine will burst the skins and wine and skin will be lost” (Mk. 2:22). In a book called “The Kingdom Within,” the…
“…free to serve in a new spirited way and not the old way of a written law” (Romans 7:6). January, the first month of the year, gets its name from the Roman god, Janus or…
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). One of the great American movie directors was the late John Huston, whose films included “The Maltese Falcon,” “Moby Dick,” “Annie,” and the…
“Our Father, in Heaven, may Your Name be held holy” (Matthew 6:9). A woman who had ordered a “take-out” lunch was pleased by the promptness and courtesy shown by the restaurant’s delivery boy. “What’s your…
“So give encouragement to each another, and keep strengthening one another, as you already do” (I Thessalonians 5:11). Many years ago, at the University of Wisconsin, there was an undergraduate literary club — a group…
“She was pregnant, and in labor, crying aloud in the pangs of childbirth” (Revelation 12:2). Patti and Scott were expecting a child soon. The parents-to-be invited another couple-- Bart and Rita--to see their new nursery...…
“We who are strong have a duty to put up with the qualms of the weak without thinking of ourselves” (Romans 15:1). A New York City doctor, father of a twenty-six-year-old daughter and a twenty-two-…
“And the child became strong, filled with wisdom” (Luke 2:40). There’s a wide-eyed little fellow who believes you’re always right. And his ears are always open and he watches day and night. You are setting…
“‘Peace ’ is My farewell to you, My peace is My gift to you; I do not give it to you as the world gives peace. Do not be distressed or fearful” (John 14:27). Someone…
“May He enlighten the eyes of your mind so that you can see what hope His call holds for you” (Ephesians 1:18). A little bug who hung out in a big city museum had heard…
“…and whosoever sees Me, sees the one who sent Me” (John 12:45). A chartered plane was flying a group of tourists from the East Coast to San Francisco. As they passed over the mighty Rockies,…
A popular author of inspirational books tells of his first season as a member of his high school varsity football team. Being a substitute, he spent a good deal of his time sitting on the…
