In Sermon Illustrations: "Ministry Wife"

On June 1, 1965, A Boat Set Sail From Falmouth, ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 31, 2008

On June 1, 1965, a boat set sail from Falmouth, Massachusetts. The name of the boat was Tinkerbelle. If it completed the dangerous journey, it would be the smallest boat ever to cross the Atlantic. It was less than 14’ long. And its pilot was Robert Manry. And he was afraid. He was afraid, not ...read more

Tags: Mary Jesus Mother

Global Gift Dilemma

Contributed by Loyd C. Taylor on Dec 4, 2025

Global Gift Dilemma Simple Gifts, Joyful Hearts I enjoy Christmas not just because it commemorates Christ’s birth and allows us to share that meaningfully with others. I appreciate the spirit of giving, but as my wife and I grow older, we’ve become more careful about our spending. We now keep ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 17:22, Matthew 1:21, John 1:1-14, Isaiah 9:6, Micah 5:2  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Ideas, Gifts, Frugal, Lists, Christmas, Wisdom  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

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

A Post Thanksgiving Wishbone

Contributed by James Snyder on Nov 30, 2019

Now that Thanksgiving is over, I can sit back and recoup from the activity. I'm not sure about anybody else, but a holiday such as Thanksgiving takes a lot out of me. Of course, it puts a lot in me, but that's another story. The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage and Yours Truly were ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:31

Tags: Thanksgiving, Holiday

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Junk Is A Matter Of Personal Definition

Contributed by James Snyder on Oct 10, 2020

I thought I had everything organized and in order. It just shows how useless my thinking is these days. There are many piles in my office and on my desk, and I know what is in each pile. Everything is organized to my specifications. My rule is: if I can't find something, I don't need it. ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 16:3

Tags: Work, Humor, Planning, Office Space

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Things Have A Way Of Catching Up With Me

Contributed by James Snyder on Oct 31, 2020

I have learned in my life, and probably just one thing: things have a way of catching up with me. I can't get away with anything. It's not that I don't try. There were a few times when I've come pretty close to getting away with something, but it didn't turn out the way I ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:7

Tags: Money, Humor, Fraud

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

It Was A Shoofly Pie Moment

Contributed by James Snyder on Dec 5, 2020

During holiday seasons, I enjoy indulging in special food. My favorite during this time of year is the Shoofly Pie. Nothing hits the spot quite like this. Although the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage restricts this kind of culinary activity during the rest of the year, I tried to get a pass ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:17

Tags: Politician, Holiday, Shoofly

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

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

The Blossoming Flower Whisperer

Contributed by James Snyder on Jul 17, 2021

When it comes to flowers, I am the epitome of naivety. I have no expertise whatsoever in the plant world. All I see are red, blue and yellow. Don't get me wrong here; I enjoy flowers. However, when it comes to names, I am off the planet. I don't need to know the name of a flower to really ...read more

Scripture: Song of Songs 2:12

Tags: Blossoming, Whisperer, Flowers, Humor

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

And Then, There It Was

Contributed by James Snyder on May 7, 2022

In getting older, I have discovered, I pay a little more attention to my dietary habits. Or, maybe I should say, The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage pays more attention to my dietary habits. As we get older, she is more obsessed with vegetables than anything else. But, for the life of me, I ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:38

Tags: Cookies, Unity, Cooperation

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

The Great Divide Between Brain And Tongue

Contributed by James Snyder on Nov 12, 2022

As my Uncle Fred used to say, one of the great benefits of getting old is that you know everything. If you had ever met Uncle Fred, you would easily conclude that he certainly wasn’t getting old. Of course, there are things I have learned during my aging career that has been of great use to me. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:10

Tags: Temptation, Tongue, Brain

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

The Cookie Monster Has Returned

Contributed by James Snyder on Nov 11, 2023

Sitting in my office working on some projects, I was suddenly surrounded by a familiar aroma. This surprised me because I had no idea what was happening. That aroma was familiar, but I couldn't identify it. I’m like that most of the time. My nose doesn't work quite like The Gracious ...read more

Scripture: James 4:17

Tags: Stealing, Cookies, Sneaking

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

[100]. A Message From A Poem – Glory And Adoration To The Lord

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on May 8, 2025

[100]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – GLORY AND ADORATION TO THE LORD WHAT ABOUT THIS POEM? This poem, of all my poems, is my number one favourite and the most satisfying for me. It was a joy to write and a joy to contemplate the Lord while doing so. I think it speaks for itself in the meditation ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 5:12-13, Revelation 21:3-4, Revelation 22:3

Tags: Tears, Crying, No More Curse, Christian Poetry, Poem Messages, Pain, Light, Heaven, Joy, Eternal  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Blueprints For Your Children’s Character

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Dec 15, 2020

There is a Minister who received an urgent note that said that a man in his congregation wanted to get a hold of him. The man’s problems have been 10 years in the making but have become urgent when the consequences of neglect suddenly materialized. The minister met the man at his office. He was a ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 22:6, Deuteronomy 7:9

Tags: Children, Parenting, Blueprints

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Honest Is The Best Policy

Contributed by John Bright on Mar 20, 2026

A successful businessman knew it was time to choose a successor to lead his business. Instead of appointing one of his directors, or one of his children, he decided to call the company's young executives together. He said, "It is time for me to choose the next CEO. I have decided to ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 10:9, Proverbs 11:3

Tags: Humility, Honesty

Denomination: Methodist

When David Brainerd Took The Message Of ...  PRO

Contributed by Jim Luthy on Nov 16, 2002

When David Brainerd took the message of redemption to the North American Indians from 1743 to his death at age 29 just four years later, a revival broke out that impacted the Native American community. Baugh writes, "The revival had greatest impact when Brainerd emphasized the compassion of the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7:14

Tags: Revival

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Significance Of Christmas To Americans  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 10, 2002

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF CHRISTMAS TO AMERICANS The Barna Research Group poll, conducted for the Lutheran Hour Ministries found that: 37% of adults in the national survey (88% of whom identified themselves as Christian) said the birth of Jesus is the most important aspect of Christmas. More than ...read more

Tags: Christmas, Birth Of Jesus, Statistics

Bishop Ryle Points Out That Jesus, Through The ...

Contributed by Ray Mckendry on Mar 12, 2007

Bishop Ryle points out that Jesus, through the Holy Spirit and the ministry of the faithful church, would “raise up a standard of morality and purity and knowledge of which formerly men had no conception.” (Ryle, ibid. p. 159) This was seen in the days immediately following the birth of the early ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16

Tags: Angels

Denomination: Baptist

I Did A Google Image Search For The

Contributed by James Jack on Apr 11, 2009

I did a google image search for the “armour of God.” It’s extraordinary the number of diagrams and pictures devoted to this theme. For our instruction and entertainment (well, actually more for our entertainment), I’ll show you a selection. • They normally involve someone decked out somewhat like ...read more

Tags: Christian Values

Denomination: Anglican