Years ago, a very wealthy man shared with his devoted young son a passion for art collecting.
Together they travelled the world, adding only the finest art treasures to their collection.
Priceless works by Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet and many others adorned the walls of the family estate.
The
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Denomination:
Anglican
Contributed by Richard Goble on Nov 29, 2007
Give A Birthday Present To Jesus.
One year our church celebrated Christmas by giving a birthday present to Jesus. On the first Sunday in December, I asked the congregation to think about what Jesus Christ really meant to them, and to offer a gift on the altar to symbolize their love for Him and
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Denomination:
Baptist
based on 3 ratings
| 2,707 views
WHAT GOD CAN DO FOR US
A young pastor in another church told about an experience he had with a family who tended to be the "Easter and Christmas" variety of church attendees. A young woman in the family became critically ill. The prognosis was bad. In fact, doctors expected she might die within
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Denomination:
Christian/Church Of Christ
Contributed by Mark Eberly on Dec 15, 2008
HAPPINESS VS. JOY
There is a pretty common belief that differentiates between happiness and joy. This is one that I believe. Happiness is based on circumstances. Expensive gifts and good food and parties and celebrations and Christmas lights can bring happiness. But they are only temporary. They
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Denomination:
Church Of God
Contributed by Bret Toman on Jan 2, 2010
LOOKING FOR PAC MAN FULFILLMENT
I was in the 5th grade, sitting tortured in a classroom, couldn’t wait for the dumb day to be over because at home ... I had waiting for me ... Pac Man on my Atari 2600. The day before I had plunked down $40 to have this game for myself. That was like 1982 - so it’d
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Denomination:
Baptist
Contributed by William Noel on Dec 31, 2006
The Lord gave me this message this past Tuesday, while at a home school choir concert.
· I have to admit, the style of music that they sing is not what I normally listen to.
· Also, since Sis. Noel takes the kids to their weekly rehearsals, I didn’t know anyone there.
· And to top it off,
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Scripture:
Denomination:
Baptist
Contributed by Dale Pilgrim on Sep 24, 2006
A little over a month before he died, the famous atheist Jean-Paul Sartre (a French novelist, dramatist and philosopher) declared that he so strongly resisted feelings of despair that he would say to himself, “I know I shall die in hope.” Then in profound
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Denomination:
Salvation Army
based on 13 ratings
| 2,514 views
“An anonymous soul has expressed it well:
Love is the spark that kindles the fires of compassion.
Compassion is the fire that flames the candle of service.
Service is the candle that ignites the torch of hope. Hope is the torch that lights the beacon of faith.
Faith is the beacon that reflects
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Denomination:
United Methodist
Contributed by A. Todd Coget on May 16, 2003
based on 6 ratings
| 3,944 views
[illustration]
On Christmas morning, the children in a family do not usually all receive the same gifts.
One gets a football, one a puzzle, another receives a doll house, and another a table game.
Yet, although each child does not receive the same gifts as the others, the parents intend the gifts
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Denomination:
Evangelical/Non-Denominational
A man came to the church I was serving. He needed help on Christmas Eve. After giving him some food I asked him where he goes to church. He never goes. I told him he was welcome here. He said, “I know I need God; He’s the only one who will never turn His back on you.”
The man was
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Denomination:
United Methodist
Contributed by Tim Smith on Feb 19, 2012
based on 1 rating
| 4,194 views
VISITED BY ANGELS
Dr. Ralph Harlow tells the story getting away with his wife Marion for a few days to visit family and of walking with his wife through the woods of Ballarvale, MA as Spring was breaking forth. The path that he and Marion were on was spongy as they walked along a beautiful creek.
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Denomination:
Methodist
Contributed by Richard Wafford on Oct 18, 2007
based on 1 rating
| 3,494 views
Perseverance reveals genuine faith. Because Christ lives in us, we can remain courageous and hopeful to the end. We are not saved by being steadfast and firm in our faith, but our courage and hope do reveal that our faith is real. Without this enduring faithfulness, we could easily be blown away by
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Denomination:
Baptist
Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 4, 2020
Sam was chatting with his friend Ted. He asked Ted whether he had bought his wife anything for Valentine's Day.
“Yes,” Ted rapidly replied, “I bought her a belt and a bag.”
“That sounds good,” Sam responded. “I hope she will like
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Scripture:
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Denomination:
Independent/Bible
Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 16, 2002
based on 4 ratings
| 2,421 views
AND WE WERE AFRAID
Writer and naturalist Anne Dillard tells of a cold Christmas Eve when she, then a young girl, and her family had come home from a late dinner out. Ginger ale and a plate of cookies sat on a special table. Dillard had taken off her winter coat and was warming herself on the
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Contributed by Brian Harvison on May 29, 2008
It can be looked at as Episode III in a trilogy of parables
Episode I is the Lost Sheep
It could be called A New Hope for the lost sheep is found and comes home
With a new hope of continuing on
Episode II, The Lost Coin could be called The Cleaning Lady Strikes Back
For she turns her house upside
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Denomination:
Baptist
Contributed by Tim Spear on Dec 4, 2012
"The joy that I pursue is not the hope of getting rich with things from you. I have not come to you for your things, but for yourself. And this desire I now intensify and demonstrate by giving up things, in the hope of enjoying you more, not things. By giving to you what you do not need, and what I
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Denomination:
Baptist
Contributed by A. Todd Coget on May 16, 2003
based on 8 ratings
| 6,952 views
[illustration]
Imagine how a parent would feel if on Christmas day when the gifts for their children were handed out, the children just took them, said “Thank you,” and laid them aside with no attempt to open the gifts not even to find out what they were!
Imagine how the Lord must feel when he has
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Denomination:
Evangelical/Non-Denominational
Contributed by Richard Mcnair on Nov 4, 2004
I played Santa this week at the nursing home - The outfit was fine but the beard was rank, so I had to spray it with something. - I hugged - asked if they were good little boys and girls, passed out gifts and even danced with some of the ladies. I couldn’t tell who really believed in Santa and
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Denomination:
Baptist