In Sermon Illustrations: "Me Focused"

It Was A Week That Was Shot To Pieces

Contributed by James Snyder on Jun 27, 2020

I only made one mistake last week, which is something of a record for me. I try limiting mistakes to one at a time, but not always in sequential order. I once tried to make my mistakes in a logical order, but it turned out to be a mistake. The one faux pas I made was taking Monday off. I proposed ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:9

Tags: Humor, Plans

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Will We Be Served Coffee In Heaven?

Contributed by James Snyder on Jun 5, 2021

The last several weeks have truly been hectic in every sense of the word. Trying to catch up can be a never-ending job. When I think I’m caught up, I see another thing I need to do. I have learned that kicking the can down the street only hurts your big toe. With so much to do lately, it's ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:3

Tags: Coffee, Stress, Heaven

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

It’s All In The Script

Contributed by James Snyder on May 14, 2022

Everybody is concerned about details in various aspects of life. I like overseeing the details of my life to make sure I'm going in the right direction. I'm not always going in the right direction, as you can imagine. However, everybody's idea of detail management is not always the ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 1:5

Tags: Script, Commercials

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

What A Wacky World We Live In

Contributed by James Snyder on Apr 1, 2023

I like the old saying, “Just when you think it can’t get any worse, it does.” This is the kind of world we live in today, and I’m still not adjusted to this sort of thing. I’m not sure I will ever adjust to the world around me. The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage and I will be watching the ...read more

Tags: David, Crazy

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

So This Is Old Age

Contributed by James Snyder on Jul 29, 2023

Dr. James L. Snyder The other morning I got up; at least, I tried to get up, but the bones in every part of my body had organized a labor strike against me. I’m not quite sure what they were protesting. As I lay there groaning over these bones, I did not realize how many bones I had in my body. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 32:3

Tags: Age, Bones

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Memories Can Be So Memorable

Contributed by James Snyder on Aug 19, 2023

In growing older, I noticed a strange phenomenon. The older I get, the more I forget. I remember things that happened in my youth and the pressure of those memories is, are they true, or am I just making them up? I have nobody to verify those memories. I don’t think I will try to verify those ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 31:10-11

Tags: Memory, Weddings

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

I Then Thought Of Chocolate

Contributed by James Snyder on Oct 21, 2023

Everybody has their own comfort food. I have a long list of comfort food, and Apple Fritter is at the top. Nothing comforts me quite like a fresh Apple Fritter. The other day I needed some comfort food. After all, life can be rather stressful, and you either deal with the stress or let it deal ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:6-7

Tags: Stress, Comfort Food

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Why Does Monday Have To Follow Sunday?

Contributed by James Snyder on Mar 9, 2024

The older I get, the more I wake up not knowing what day it is. That is particularly true on Mondays. My favorite day of the week is Sunday. I enjoy attending church, fellowshipping with other Christians, and of course, the Sunday worship services. I enjoy Sunday morning and evening like no other ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:6

Tags: Stress, Frustration, Planning

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

What If I Do Have A Brain?

Contributed by James Snyder on Jun 1, 2024

After about a month on a health hiatus, things started returning to normal, and then I had a doctor’s visit scheduled for a checkup. I don’t know why they call us patients because I’m not very patient with these doctors. At my visit, the doctor thoroughly examined me but couldn’t find anything ...read more

Scripture: James 1:19-20

Tags: Brain, Challenges

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

When He Was Elected To The Baseball Hall Of Fame ...  PRO

Contributed by Bill Harper on Jan 23, 2001

When he was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1984, Harmon Killebrew said, “My father taught me and my brother to play ball in the front yard. One day my mother came out and told him we were ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Tags: Parable Prodigal Son, Parenting, Children

Denomination: Baptist

A Few Years Back Pepper Rodgers Was In The ...  PRO

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Oct 23, 2000

A few years back Pepper Rodgers was in the middle of a terrible season as football coach at UCLA. It even got so bad that it upset his home life. He recalls, My dog was my only friend. I told my wife ...read more

Tags: Marriage Obligations, Marriage General, Sports

Denomination: United Methodist

What Is Compassion?  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2002

WHAT IS COMPASSION? "Compassion is the sometimes fatal capacity for feeling what it is like to live inside somebody else’s skin. It is the knowledge that there can never really be any peace and joy for me until there is peace and joy finally for you ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:36

Tags: Compassion, Christian Love

One Of England's Greatest Preachers, W. E. ...  PRO

Contributed by Martin Wiles on May 9, 2002

One of England’s greatest preachers, W. E. Sangster, in Let Me Command, said, “The easiest way to embarrass a congregation of twentieth century Christians is to ask them two simple questions. ‘When is the last time you ...read more

Tags: Evangelism Fear Of, Evangelism Urgency

Denomination: Baptist

A Little Girl Was Asked, "Who Does Your Mommy ...  PRO

Contributed by Howard Parnell on Sep 23, 2002

A little girl was asked, "Who does your mommy love most?" The little girl replied without thinking, "She loves Johnny most because he’s the oldest...and she loves Billy most because he’s ...read more

Tags: Promises Of God

Denomination: Baptist

In This Year's Hot Holiday Film, "The Santa ...  PRO

Contributed by Jim Kane on Dec 30, 2002

In this year’s hot holiday film, "The Santa Clause 2," there is a line that made me sit up and take notice. Charley, Santa’s son, says to a cynical principal who later in the story becomes Mrs. Claus, something to ...read more

Tags: Prayer Of Faith, Christmas

Denomination: Church Of God

Hide And Seek With God  PRO

Contributed by Ian Johnson on May 30, 2003

When God reveals He is blessing us: When He hides He is building us I used to play hide and seek with my Children: Part of the fun was hiding where they could easily find me: GOD IS LIKE THAT HE ...read more

Tags: Children, God's Provision

Denomination: Pentecostal

I Said To The Man Who Stood At The Gate Of The ...

Contributed by Herman Abrahams on Apr 17, 2004

I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year, "Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown." And he replied: "Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God. That shall be to you better than a light and safer ...read more

Tags: Jesus Teachings

Denomination: Charismatic

I Like This Quote - "What Establishes ...

Contributed by Andrew Chan on Aug 7, 2004

I like this quote - “What establishes preeminence in the Christian community is not office, title, or territory, not the charismatic gifts of tongues, healing or inspired preaching, but only our response to Jesus’ question ‘Do you love Me?’ “ says, ...read more

Tags: Confession Of Sin, Faith General, Repentance

Denomination: Evangelical Free

John R. W. Stott Once Admitted The Truth That ...

Contributed by Charles R. Swindoll on Oct 17, 2004

John R. W. Stott once admitted the truth that many of us have felt but failed to confess: "The thing I know will give me the deepest joy -- namely, to be alone and unhurried in the presence of God, aware of His ...read more

Tags: Prayer General

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Saw A Woman Coming Out Of Loblaws This Week ...  PRO

Contributed by Mike Wilkins on Aug 4, 2005

I saw a woman coming out of Loblaws this week with a t-shirt that said “I’LL LOVE YOU WHEN YOU ARE MORE LIKE ME” That’s often how we do it – once people get redeemed, then we will love them, it is not ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:6-8

Tags: Unconditional Love

Denomination: *other