In Sermon Illustrations:

Chapters 40 Through 66 Of Isaiah Were Revealed To ...

Contributed by R. David Reynolds on Dec 17, 2006

Chapters 40 through 66 of Isaiah were revealed to him during the final years of his life. They provide us many details about the ministry of our Messiah and His Coming Kingdom. Isaiah 40:12 presents the Messiah as our Divine Creator: Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand And ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

The Great Danish Philosopher And Theologian ...

Contributed by R. David Reynolds on Dec 17, 2006

The great Danish philosopher and theologian Soren Kierkegaard points out that our Mighty God is even more wonderful and powerful as our Redeemer than He is as our Creator. He says, “God creates out of nothing. Wonderful, you say. Yes, to be sure, but He does what is still more ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

St. Augustine Echoed This Thought Centuries Ago ...

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Dec 17, 2006

St. Augustine echoed this thought centuries ago in his beautiful poem entitled “Incarnation”: Maker of the sun, He is made under the sun. In the Father he remains, From his mother he goes forth. Creator of heaven and earth, He was born on earth under heaven. Unspeakably wise, He is wisely ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

We Should Not Be Frustrated By Mysteries; We ...

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Dec 17, 2006

We should not be frustrated by mysteries; we should delight in them. We don’t have to figure everything out. In an essay titled “Meditation in a Toolshed,” C. S. Lewis describes an experience he had inside a dark toolshed. The sun was brilliantly shining outside, but inside the shed only a ...read more

Tags: Son, Dad, Dirt, Floor

Denomination: Methodist

G. K. Chesterton, In His Book Orthodoxy, Writes ...  PRO

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Dec 17, 2006

G. K. Chesterton, in his book Orthodoxy, writes about creation and the creative enthusiasm of God. He says: “A child kicks his legs rhythmically through excess, not absence, of life. Because children have abounding vitality, because they are in spirit fierce and free, therefore they want things ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

The News Carried The Story This Week Of A ...

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Dec 10, 2006

The news carried the story this week of a faithful father. James Kim was an editor for CNET. CNN reports: “On November 25 the Kims had begun a drive home to San Francisco, California, after a Thanksgiving vacation in Oregon. They missed a turn and found themselves stranded in snow and lost on ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

Henri Nouwen Said In An Article In The New ...

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Dec 10, 2006

Henri Nouwen said in an article in the New Oxford Review: “I realized that songs, good feelings, beautiful liturgies, nice presents, big dinners, and many sweet words do not make Christmas. Christmas is saying ‘yes’ to something beyond all emotions and feelings. Christmas is saying ‘yes’ to a ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

G. Campbell Morgan Speaks Of It Like This, "Luke ...

Contributed by Kent Kessler on Dec 9, 2006

G. Campbell Morgan speaks of it like this, “Luke thus gives us a graphic suggestive picture of the time and conditions, as he introduces His forerunner. The king is there, degenerate. The Temple is there, desecrated. The priesthood is there, degraded. The people are there, debased. Nevertheless, ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

Several Years Ago, Missionaries Had Difficulty In ...  PRO

Contributed by Kent Kessler on Dec 9, 2006

Several years ago, missionaries had difficulty in communicating the good news of Jesus Christ to the Chinese people. But one day, there was a breakthrough. A missionary was studying a particular Chinese ideograph, the one which means "righteous." He noticed that it contained an upper and lower ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

Between The Counsel Given To Us By The World And ...

Contributed by R. David Reynolds on Dec 9, 2006

between the counsel given to us by the world and that we receive from our Wonderful Counselor: The world says “Take control and be in charge—conquering is the key.” MY FATHER SAYS “I know the plans I have for you—give it up and follow Me.” The world says I should love things and use people. ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

Everyone Is Familiar With Shakespeare's Romeo And ...

Contributed by R. David Reynolds on Dec 5, 2006

Everyone is familiar with Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet are star crossed lovers. Their families are bitter enemies. In Act II, Scene Two is the famous balcony scene. Juliet laments: Jul. ‘Tis but thy name that is my enemy; Thou art ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

Immanuel Is With You No Matter How Difficult The ...  PRO

Contributed by R. David Reynolds on Dec 5, 2006

Immanuel is with you no matter how difficult the pressures you face. He is there to help , strengthen, and uphold you. Civilla D. Martin endured hardships. It was during a time of illness that she wrote “God Will take Care of You”: Be not dismayed whate’er betide, God will take care of you; ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

God Almighty Is With Us In Human Flesh, And We ...

Contributed by R. David Reynolds on Dec 5, 2006

God Almighty is with us in human flesh, and we are liberated from the power of sin and death. We are “more than conquerors through Him who loves us.” The hymn writer John W. Peterson expresses it so well: No one understands like Jesus. He’s a friend beyond compare; Meet Him at the throne of ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

C. S. Lewis, In His Essay "The Weight Of Glory" ...

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Dec 3, 2006

C. S. Lewis, in his essay “The Weight of Glory” says, “It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses, to remember that the dullest and most uninteresting person you can talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship. ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

It Was The Winter Of 1926, An Age Where ...

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Dec 3, 2006

It was the winter of 1926, an age where narrow-mindedness and bigotry still had power in many places. A woman from Chicago named Thelma Goldstein decided to go to Florida for her first real vacation. She was not familiar with the area, and she unknowingly drove to a restricted hotel in North ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:3-5

Tags: Vacation

Denomination: Methodist

How Do You Do That? I Have A Perfect ...

Contributed by R. David Reynolds on Dec 1, 2006

How do you do that? I have a perfect illustration from my favorite book next to the Bible THE JOURNEY HOME by Orthodox Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein. I’ve shared excerpts from his book with you in the past. Although it is classified as fiction, it is based on authentic events and a genuine friendship ...read more

Tags: Alcohol, Love, Joy, Peace

Denomination: Methodist

It Is A Very Special Glue – Not Like ...

Contributed by Floyd Johnson on Nov 29, 2006

(Ill.) It is a very special glue – not like those we have available to us: 1.There is a very simple glue that holds the little plastic toys that can be thrown against the wall. It sticks, but comes off so easy. 2.Then there is rubber cement – it holds papers together, but allows them to be taken ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

I Tend To Be A Tosser – When Something ...

Contributed by Floyd Johnson on Nov 29, 2006

(Ill.) I tend to be a tosser – when something doesn’t work, I will toss it out, I will buy a replacement. So when the lawn mower stops working, I take it out to the garbage and go buy a new one. But we have a neighbor who is wonderfully skilled in repairing things. So he will come out and grab ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

Over The Edge

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Nov 27, 2006

Over the Edge The Adirondack Mountains make a breathtaking backdrop for wilderness canoeing. Two friends and I had taken vacation time to get away from it all and live out of our canoes for a week. Each day we would take a new direction to explore the area. One day we took one of the finger ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

A Very Special Glue

Contributed by Floyd Johnson on Nov 26, 2006

Col. 1:15-23 (Ill.) It is a very special glue not like those we have available to us: 1.There is a very simple glue that holds the little plastic toys that can be thrown against the wall. It sticks, but comes off so easy. 2.Then there is rubber cement it holds papers together, but allows them to ...read more

Denomination: Methodist