In Sermon Illustrations: "Focuse"

[010] A Message From A Poem - A Tribute To Our Mothers - Mothers' Day

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jun 6, 2024

[010] A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - A TRIBUTE TO OUR MOTHERS - MOTHERS' DAY I was asked to write a poem for Mothers’ Day and this is it. I forget the context of it now but it had something to do with a children’s group in a church. ORIGINS AND IMPLICATIONS OF MOTHERS’ DAY The origins, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:6-7, Matthew 19:13, Luke 18:15-16, 2 Timothy 1:5

Tags: Timothy, Honor Mothers, Ann Reeves Jarvis, Honour Mothers, Jesus Blesses Children, Mothers Day, Mothers  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What It Was, Was A Cookie

Contributed by James Snyder on Aug 11, 2025

At least once a month The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage and her daughter will spend a day visiting thrift stores in our community. I’m not sure, so don’t quote me, but I think there’s a 100-mile radius where they do their shopping. This past week was one of those days. As she was backing out ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:2

Tags: Desire, Cookie

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

Can You Eat Too Many Cookies At Christmas?

Contributed by James Snyder on Dec 27, 2025

Can You Eat Too Many Cookies at Christmas? Dr. James L. Snyder Christmas was over, and the house began to quiet down in a good way. Don’t get me wrong, I love the noise when all the family is together. It is a good feeling to be with your family during this wonderful holiday season. I love the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 16:8-10

Tags: Cookies, Christmas

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

It's Not About Us!" 1 Samuel 15:27-35 Key ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Apr 4, 2005

“It’s Not About Us!” 1 Samuel 15:27-35 Key verse(s) 30:“Saul replied, ‘I have sinned. But please honor me before the elders of my people and before Israel; come back with me, so that I may worship the Lord your God.’” We truly live in the age of self and ego. When you stop to think about it, a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 15:27-35, 2 Chronicles 20:5-15

Tags: Christian Disciplines, Basics Of Christianity, Humility, Obedience, Impatience, Unrepentant, Pride  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Lutheran

A Boulder With Your Name On It!" Numbers ...

Contributed by Mark Brunner on May 1, 2005

“A Boulder With Your Name On It!” Numbers 13:25-29 Key verse(s) 27:“They gave Moses this account: ‘We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit. But . . .” Sometimes the things that we are able to do surprise even ourselves. Have you ever had ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 13:25-29

Tags: Doubt, Faith General

Denomination: Lutheran

A Minister And A Day Off His Rocker

Contributed by James Snyder on Oct 5, 2019

I was tootling along one day last week, quite focused on getting my business for the day done. In fact, I was feeling good about the progress I was making with my “to-do list.” Nothing is more satisfying to me than the sense of being in control of my schedule. I love checking off items on my “to-do ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30, Matthew 11:28

Tags: Faith, Love, Trust, Hope, Surrender  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

If I Had A Nickel For Every Blunder I Made…

Contributed by James Snyder on Jul 18, 2020

I am not very agile when it comes to finances. Do not get me wrong, I know how to spend money; it is just that I do not know how to save money. Somewhere I lost my little piggy bank. One of my father's favorite quotes was, "A penny saved is a penny earned." It never made sense to me, ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:8-9

Tags: Remember, Mistakes, Humor

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Don't Judge A Person By Their Cover-Up

Contributed by James Snyder on Jul 31, 2021

Have you ever had one of those Déjà vu moments? The other week I was in the shopping mall to pick up some items for the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage. She shops so much that I have to help her on occasion. On this occasion, I was walking down the mall and stopped dead in my tracks. ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:3

Tags: Judgement, Humor, Encouragement, Judging

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Hallelujah… She’s Baaaaack

Contributed by James Snyder on Sep 4, 2021

I have learned that you don't miss something until it is gone. Unfortunately, sometimes, it's too late. Over six weeks ago, or was it nine months, I took my truck in for a regular checkup. I was going away for the week, so I thought I would drop the truck off and let them work on it when ...read more

Scripture: 2 John 1:8

Tags: Stress, Humor

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

I Can Never Have Too Much Ice Cream

Contributed by James Snyder on Oct 30, 2021

It was one of those hectic weeks that flew by, and I didn’t know it until the end of the week. Friday night at supper time, it was one of those sneaky crashes. But, unfortunately, all the energy during the week had been pushing both of us forward, and we had no options but to keep plowing ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 56:11

Tags: Greed, Discipline

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

To Ask Or Not Ask Is No Option

Contributed by James Snyder on Jul 23, 2022

You would think I would have learned all I needed to learn at my age. However, each day I learn something I did not know the day before. So much of my new learning is still connected to being married to The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage. I know, for example, that she is not soliciting ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:14

Tags: Harmony, Questions

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Have Nose, Will Snore

Contributed by James Snyder on Oct 8, 2022

Dr. James L. Snyder Having been married as long as The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage and myself, there are very few things we disagree. I run by the idea, “Do you want to be happy, or do you want to be right?” That has guided me through many a storm these past years. Almost every day, I ...read more

Scripture: Amos 3:3

Tags: Unity, Agree

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Oh, Memory, How I Miss Thee

Contributed by James Snyder on Sep 16, 2023

Dr. James L. Snyder Driving home from a luncheon with friends, The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage asked me a stunning question. She is a specialist regarding questions I can’t answer. I am trying to evade her questions and have been very good up until now. “Did that story you told really ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 10:6-7, 1 Peter 3:10-11

Tags: Memory, Lying

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Unlocking Your Godly Potentials

Contributed by Godsgift Bee Willie on Feb 13, 2025

Deus Vocatio (Called of God) and the Mission Idea of The Called of God and God's Mission However; The idea of the called of God in systematic theology by Louis Berkhof point it out clear that "Calling precedes or predate regeneration; this mean calling go back to Jeremiah 1:5 that reveals ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 1:5, Isaiah 61:1-7

Tags: Potential, Unlock, The Call Of God

Denomination: Pentecostal

Truth Is As The Truther Says

Contributed by James Snyder on Nov 8, 2025

One thing I have learned in life is that for many people, truth is a relative thing. The truth is what they say it is, and you can't convince them otherwise. I wrestle with telling the truth all the time. If you tell the truth, you do not have to remember what happened. But when you lie, you ...read more

Scripture: John 8:31-32

Tags: Family, Truth, Lies

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

When Your Back Is Against The Wall, Pat Riley, ...  PRO

Contributed by Philip Harrelson on Feb 19, 2005

WHEN YOUR BACK IS AGAINST THE WALL, PAT RILEY, NBA COACH The Los Angeles Lakers were dominating the Boston Celtics in the final round of the 1984 National Basketball Association championship. The Lakers beat Boston on their home floor in Game 1. They beat them by 33 points in Game 3. They were ...read more

Tags: Christian Disciplines, Endurance

Denomination: Pentecostal

You Shall Be Clean  PRO

Contributed by Charles Scott on Dec 16, 2007

YOU SHALL BE CLEAN 2 KINGS 5__1—14 There was a commander from the land of Aram by the name of Naaman. He was a great warrior, brave and strong against the country’s foes. A great warrior, Naaman. He had oniy one problem, but a huge one—he was a leper. He had contracted that terrible disease. ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 5:1-14

Denomination: Anglican

The Following Story Was Written By A Missionary ...

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Mar 26, 2009

The following story was written by a missionary doctor who worked in Africa. "One night I had worked hard to help a mother in the labor ward; but in spite of all we could do, she died, leaving us with a tiny, premature baby and a crying two-year-old daughter. We would have difficulty keeping ...read more

Tags: Prayer Answered

Denomination: Baptist

I’m So Poor I Can’t Pay Attention

Contributed by James Snyder on Mar 25, 2023

Occasionally I go to my computer and search for the wealthiest preachers in America. I am curious to know who came up with this idea, but I check it out occasionally to see who they are. As often as I have checked this information, I have never found my name on that list. I so much wanted to see ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:9-10

Tags: Poor, Wealth, Rich

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance