In Sermon Illustrations: "Do Not Covet"

The World Needs More Grandfathers

Contributed by James Snyder on Feb 22, 2020

As time has gone by, I have learned a few things. According to the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage, I have not learned enough yet, but that's just her opinion. She gave me a great compliment the other day when she said, “Dear, you’re as smart as you will ever be.” I am still not over that, ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 17:6

Tags: Grandchildren, Grandfathers

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Learning What "Me-Time” Is All About

Contributed by James Snyder on Mar 18, 2023

Several months ago, The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage said she and her daughter and granddaughter were going to St. Augustine for a week and wondered if I wanted to go along. I said, “Let me think about it for a while, and I’ll get back to you.” I then overheard a conversation between my ...read more

Scripture: Amos 3:3

Tags: Vacation, Me Time

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Don’t Knock On The Door If You Like Breathing

Contributed by James Snyder on Mar 23, 2024

I’m unsure if this is a new phenomenon or I’m just starting to catch up on the culture. I know I have a lot to catch up on, and I’m slowly doing it. Lately, there’s been a lot of activity at our front door. That’s not to diminish the activity at the back porch door. That activity has to do with a ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 118:8

Tags: Confidence, Scams, Trust

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Fall Fell Way Too Soon This Year

Contributed by James Snyder on Nov 22, 2025

This summer was the best I have had in a long time. I enjoy summer because the weather is always warm, sometimes even hot. I was so focused on enjoying my summer that I did not realize Fall had arrived. The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage came into my office the other day and said, “Do you ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 107:8

Tags: Thanksgiving, Holidays

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

From One Turkey To Another

Contributed by James Snyder on Nov 23, 2019

As a child, my favorite holiday was Christmas, second only to my birthday. These holidays were important because of the gifts I received. Oh, did I look forward to those holidays and all the presents I was going to delight in. And delight, I certainly did to the extreme. Then slowly things ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:10

Tags: Thanksgiving, Hoiliday

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Time Alone Is Time Invested

Contributed by James Snyder on Mar 28, 2020

During the past week, the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage and Yours Truly have been spending quite a bit of time together. I cannot recall any time that we have spent this much time together. The exception would be when we first got married. Even then, both of us worked during the day and were ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:31

Tags: Humor, Relationships

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Not Everything Is As It Seems

Contributed by James Snyder on Apr 25, 2020

For the last five days, I have not been able to sleep nor close my eyes at night. It’s been a nightmare. During the last four weeks, the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage and Yours Truly have been sequestered in our home and loving it. I cannot remember a time in our marriage that we have spent ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 6:4

Tags: Humor, Relationship

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

There’s Something About A Lazy Summer Afternoon

Contributed by James Snyder on Jun 13, 2020

The past week was an unusually quiet week around the parsonage. It enabled me to do something that I have wanted to do all summer long. Nothing. I am not bragging or anything, but I can do nothing right up there with the best of them. The week, as all weeks do, started on Monday. For me, there is ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:31

Tags: Humor, Relationship

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Tell Santa I Tried To Be Nice

Contributed by James Snyder on Dec 19, 2020

It’s that time of the year when the conversation around the dinner table in the Parsonage has to do with naughty or nice. I must admit it's not my favorite conversation because what is naughty, and what is nice? That all depends on who you're talking to. The Gracious Mistress of the ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:7

Tags: Christmas, Nice, Naughty

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

It’s All Over But The Lying

Contributed by James Snyder on Nov 28, 2020

The one thing I don't like is when somebody deliberately lies to me. Trust me; this has happened quite a few times in my life. Sometimes, by accident, they say something that isn't true; they just got their facts mixed up. Other times, it’s a ploy to deceive me and get something from ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 120:2

Tags: Christmas, Truth, Lying

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Here Are Some More Mom -Ism’s You Could ...

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on May 14, 2010

Here are some more Mom -ism’s you could have heard your own mom teach you: From http://www.mothersdaycentral.com/mothers-day-fun/mother-isms/ Rules • “If everyone else jumped off a cliff, would you do it to?” • “I don’t care what [name of best friend]’s parents do, when you’re living in my house ...read more

Tags: Mothers

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Chuck Colson Says It Well, "Holiness Is The ...  PRO

Contributed by Bruce Goettsche on Oct 18, 2000

Chuck Colson says it well, "Holiness is the everyday business of every Christian. It evidences itself in the decisions we make and the things we ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:5

Tags: Holiness, Love Of The Disciples

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Paul Little In His Book "How To Give Away Your ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jul 20, 2001

Paul Little in his book "How to Give Away Your Faith" defines witnessing: "Witnessing is that deep-seated conviction that the greatest favor I can ...read more

Tags: Sharing Your Faith, Evangelism How To, Workplace Evangelism

Donald Grey Barnhouse Wrote, "95% Of Knowing The ...  PRO

Contributed by Wayne Major on Jan 19, 2002

Donald Grey Barnhouse wrote, “95% of knowing the will of God consists in being willing to do it before you know what it is.” That’s ...read more

Tags: God's Omniscience, Knowing God's Will

Denomination: Methodist

Millions Of Surveys Which We Have Helped To Take ...  PRO

Contributed by Dan Cormie on Sep 24, 2003

"Millions of surveys which we have helped to take around the world indicate that approximately 98 percent of the Christians do not regularly introduce others to the ...read more

Tags: Evangelism Fear Of, Evangelism Urgency, What Is Evangelism?

Denomination: Mennonite

Halloween Has Become The Second Most Popular ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 20, 2006

Halloween has become the second most popular decorating holiday. This year Americans will spend more than $1 billion doing so. ...read more

Tags: Paranormal

There Is No Situation So Chaotic That God ...

Contributed by Andrew Drummond on Mar 2, 2006

“There is no situation so chaotic that God cannot from that situation, create something that is surpassingly good. He did it at the creation. He did it at ...read more

Tags: God In The Hardships

According To Pew Polling, More Than Half Of ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jul 17, 2006

According to Pew polling, more than half of Americans say they attend religious services at least monthly, and 40% do so at ...read more

Tags: Church General

It Is A Great Deal Better To Live A Holy Life ...

Contributed by David Dewitt on Sep 9, 2006

It is a great deal better to live a holy life than to talk about it. Lighthouses do not ring bells and fire cannon to call attention ...read more

Tags: Discipleship

Denomination: Church Of God

According To Pew Polling, More Than Half Of ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 19, 2007

According to Pew polling, more than half of Americans say they attend religious services at least monthly, and 40% do so at ...read more