In Sermon Illustrations: "Jesus Is Coming"

I May Be A Knucklehead, But I'm Not Insane

Contributed by James Snyder on May 15, 2021

Nobody is perfect except maybe the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage comes close. I've never caught her in some imperfection, or if I had, nobody would know it from me. There is such an obsession today for people to be perfect. And, of course, their definition of perfect is what they are. ...read more

Scripture: Amos 3:3

Tags: Humor, Family, Agreement

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

And Then There Were Four

Contributed by James Snyder on Aug 21, 2021

Over a year ago, I got out of bed, went to the kitchen for my morning cup of coffee and then I went to the back porch to see if I had any visitors. I have foxes, possums, cats, and raccoons (who are politically correct and wear masks when they come). I put food out for them, and they help ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 16:7

Tags: Peace, Animals

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Is Being Sane Too Much To Ask?

Contributed by James Snyder on Aug 28, 2021

When young, I remember my grandfather often saying to me, "the world wasn't like this when I was your age." Then he would go on a long rant about how things were much different when he was my age. Finally, he would conclude by saying, "It's an insane world out there, ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:9

Tags: Sanity, Culture, Generational

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 Don’t Believe In Karma

Contributed by James Snyder on Oct 2, 2021

Some people believe in karma, but I don’t. Some people believe what you do will come back on you some way or the other. I do believe that everything you do does have consequences. Sometimes those consequences are small and insignificant and sometimes rather large and unbearing. Recently, my truck ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:7

Tags: Reaping, Karma, Sowing

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

A Switch In Time On My Behind

Contributed by James Snyder on Apr 2, 2022

Recently, I was reminded of my father’s passing 12 years ago. It’s funny how time quickly goes by, and then something happens to remind you of the past. When I was growing up, spankings were normal. And, for someone like me, those spankings were quite regular. Today my father would be arrested for ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 22:6

Tags: Humor, Discipline

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

It Never Dawned On Me Until

Contributed by James Snyder on Aug 20, 2022

I must confess I am too poor to pay attention at this time in my life. I hope one day I will win the lottery and be able to afford to pay attention. But, of course, The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage says that you can’t win a lottery unless you play the lottery. Well, I don’t play the lottery. ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6

Tags: Attention, Listening

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

As If I Really Could

Contributed by James Snyder on Jul 24, 2023

Have you ever had the feeling that you've been hoodwinked? You can't point out the specifics, but something deep inside suggests you have been. The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage and I had a wonderful vacation at St. Augustine, one of our favorite places to go. Something happened ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:17

Tags: Fixing, Hoodwink

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Idiots Make Me Look Good, So Says The Boss

Contributed by James Snyder on Feb 10, 2024

Often, I get agitated by people I call "idiots." I don't have an inclusive definition for what an idiot really is; I just use the word carelessly. Especially is this true when I'm out in the neighborhood driving around. Sometimes, I'm in such a nervous frenzy when I get home, ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 26:4

Tags: Responsibility, Driving, Idiots

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

I’ll Tell You When I’ve Had Enough

Contributed by James Snyder on Jun 15, 2024

It was evening, and the day was just about over. The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage and I were chilling in the living room, watching TV. It is always lovely when the day ends, and you can relax. Doing nothing can become a habit. I’m not sure what we were watching on TV; it really doesn’t ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:7-8

Tags: Pleasure, Desires, Ice Cream

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

The Journey Of 1,000 Miles Begins With An Apple Fritter

Contributed by James Snyder on Apr 12, 2025

Life has many paths, and I have discovered that traveling any of them takes a lot of energy. Unlike The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage, my energy comes from those wonderful Apple Fritters. I can't remember the first time I had one, but I vividly remember the last time. Trying to get ...read more

Scripture: Amos 3:3

Tags: Agreement, Discussion, Apple Fritters

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Heat Is Not Just A Number, It’s An Attitude

Contributed by James Snyder on Jun 28, 2025

Dr. James L. Snyder Lately, the temperature in Florida has topped 100°. I saw on the news that the Northeast is also hitting 100°. It's easy to see why everyone wants to come to Florida. If they can't, they wish for some of our heat. Well, good luck with that. We’ll send you all ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-4

Tags: Heat, Sun, Cold, Attitude

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

When Our Two Oldest Girls, Shannon And Sandi, ...  PRO

Contributed by Rick Stacy on Apr 3, 2002

When our two oldest girls, Shannon and Sandi, were in High School I was pretty certain that neither would live past their eighteenth birthday. If they didn’t kill each other there was a very good possibility I would. When they were little they were cute but in their teens they were always ...read more

Tags: Friendship General, Unity

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

65279;have You Ever Had One Of Those Days? ...  PRO

Contributed by Joanna Loucky-Ramsey on Nov 4, 2002

Have you ever had one of those days? Perhaps you can identify with this fellow: I am writing in response to your request for additional information. In block number 3 of the accident reporting form, I put “Poor planning” as the cause of my accident. You said in your letter that I should ...read more

Tags: Hardship Of Life

Denomination: Baptist

Orphaned Girl And Wounded Mother  PRO

Contributed by Ryan Yandris on Mar 8, 2003

ORPHANED GIRL AND WOUNDED MOTHER One day a little orphan girl who was about 5 years old had a visitor. The Nurse had pre warned the child that this wasn’t just any visitor. It was a lady who had severely crippled her back and her hands were withered. Her whole body was scared with deep wounds ...read more

Tags: Children, Christian Disciplines

Denomination: Pentecostal

Alexander M. Sanders, Jr., Is The Chief Judge Of ...  PRO

Contributed by Mary Lewis on Jun 11, 2004

Alexander M. Sanders, Jr., is the Chief Judge of the South Carolina Court of Appeals. When his daughter Zoe graduated from the Univ. of South Carolina in 1992, he told this story that happened what she was just three years old. Sanders came home from work one day to find his home – and especially ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16, Philippians 4:4

Tags: Children, Commandments Murder

Denomination: Baptist

Rust Frets Even Men Of Iron!" Judges 15: 11-20 ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Jul 22, 2004

“Rust Frets Even Men of Iron!” Judges 15: 11-20 Key verse(s): 18 “Because he was very thirsty, he cried out to the Lord, ‘You have given your servant this great victory. Must I now die of thirst and fall into the hands of the uncircumcised?’” Though writing more than a hundred years ago, ...read more

Scripture: Judges 15:11-20

Tags: Disappointment, Emotions

Denomination: Lutheran

The Old Man With The Rags  PRO

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Nov 5, 2004

THE OLD MAN WITH THE RAGS A beggar lived near the king’s palace. One day he saw a proclamation posted outside the palace gate. The king was giving a great dinner. Anyone dressed in royal garments are welcome. The beggar went on his way. He looked at the rags he was wearing and sighed. Slowly ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:10

Tags: Confession Of Sin, Repentance

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Coil And Spring! (11.07.05--Christian ...

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Nov 3, 2005

Coil And Spring! (11.07.05--Christian Soldiers!--Ephesians 6:10-17) As I walked with her this morning in the dim morning light, she trotted obediently at my side. There was no pulling on her part. She simply walked obediently at heel anticipating each new smell that wafted through the nearby ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-17

Tags: Leadership General

Denomination: Lutheran

I Once Heard The Late Dr. F.e. Marsh Tell That On ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 16, 2005

I once heard the late Dr. F.E. Marsh tell that on one occasion he was preaching on this question and urging upon his hearers the importance of confession of sin and wherever possible of restitution for wrong done to others. At the close a young man, a member of the church, came up to him with a ...read more

Tags: Sin Exposed