In Sermon Illustrations: "My Substitute"

Faith When Faced With Death?  PRO

Contributed by Michael Sechler on Jan 25, 2014

My son, Micah died in 2012 from kidney disease and complications. As he lay dying I wrote this in my journal: "Sitting at the bedside of my dying son at 3:48 in the morning. Weeping like crazy. Bertrand Russell once said that 'no one can sit at the bedside of dying child and believe in God.' Well ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 46:1

Tags: Faith, Trial, Child Death, Belief In God

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Was A Member Of The Young And Restless In The ...  PRO

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Sep 3, 2002

I was a member of THE YOUNG AND RESTLESS in THE GENERAL HOSPITAL in the city of DALLAS. I was waiting to see THE DOCTORS. They told me I was at THE EDGE OF NIGHT, my condition was very serious. Suddenly, I realized I had just ... ONE LIFE TO LIVE. I wanted to see ALL MY CHILDREN before I entered ...read more

Tags: Emotions, Basics Of Christianity

Denomination: Assembly Of God

God's Word And Daniel Webster

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 9, 2010

GOD'S WORD AND DANIEL WEBSTER Daniel Webster testified: "If there be anything in my style or thoughts to be commended, the credit is due to my kind parents for instilling into my mind an early love for the Scriptures. From the time that, at my mother's feet or on my father's knee, I learned to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:14-17

Tags: Bible Influence

Because The Younger Children At Our Parochial ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 16, 2005

Because the younger children at our parochial school often forgot their sins when they entered my confessional, I suggested that teachers have the students make lists. The next week when one child came to confession, I could hear him unfolding paper. The youngster began, “I lied to my parents. I ...read more

Tags: Children

Irritated By The 1971 Canadian Census Form ...

Contributed by Sean Harder on Nov 19, 2008

Irritated by the 1971 Canadian census form defining the husband as the Head of the household, I wrote in the space marked Householder comments: “In this family my husband and I definitely share the household equally, and I wish to register my complaint at your archaic wording.” Several days later, ...read more

Tags: Marriage General

Christmas Disappointment

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Dec 8, 2020

One Christmas my husband put an assortment of beauty products in my stocking. I tried one of the facial masks, and was about to wash it off when my eight-year-old son, Callum, walked in. I explained to him that it was a present from his dad and it would make me beautiful. He patiently waited by my ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-18

Tags: Christmas, Children, Cute, Honesty, Gifts, Christmas Present  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Disappointment

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 11, 2025

One blogger wrote: “Today, I was at work, nonchalantly spinning my keys around my finger when they flew off and hit a glass cabinet. Broken glass showered passing customers. I don't think I'll have a job to go to tomorrow.” Or how about this one: “Today, I went to my parents' place to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:17-31

Tags: Happenings, Life, Mistakes, Disappointment, Surprises  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Misunderstanding!

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jan 22, 2025

Today, I spent an hour in my car terrified to go inside because I thought my house was being burgled. I saw rapid shadows in the light of my lounge. Eventually I plucked up the courage to creep inside with a rock to find it wasn't a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:9-16, Joshua 22:11-34

Tags: Assuming, Jumping To Conclusions, Error, Assumptions, Mistake  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Psalm 119 - The Testimonies Of The Lord

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 4, 2021

Psalm 119 repeatedly refers to the testimonies of the Lord (Meditate on these uses [Ps 119:99] - Especially ask how does the psalmist respond to God's testimonies?) 2 How blessed are those who observe His testimonies, Who seek Him with all their heart. 14 I have rejoiced in the way of Your ...read more

Tags: Testimony, Lovingkindness, Faithfulness Of God, Sovereignty Of God

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Comforters  PRO

Contributed by Rick Stacy on Mar 24, 2002

COMFORTERS When I Was Diagnosed With Cancer: My first friend came and expressed his shock by saying, "I can’t believe that you have cancer. I always thought you were so active and healthy." He left and I felt alienated and somehow very different. My second friend came and brought me ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 17:17, Job 1:1

Tags: Christian Love, God In The Hardships

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Quote: One Hanging On A Tree

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Jun 11, 2007

Quote: One Hanging on a Tree John Newton, 1725–1807 said: In evil long I took delight, Unawed by shame or fear, Till a new object struck my sight, And stopp’d my wild career: I saw One hanging on a Tree In agonies and blood, Who fix’d His languid eyes on me. As near His Cross I stood. Sure never ...read more

Denomination: Other

Irresponsibility

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Dec 5, 2012

Bill Hybel’s in His book “Making Life Work” states this about this kind of mindset – he words it this way: 1. “Some way, some day my life will improve. Some way, someday I’ll drift into more satisfying circumstances. Some way, some day what I want will come to be. Built on the fantasy that rewards ...read more

Tags: Misconceptions

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Day Of The Fire Storm!  PRO

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on May 1, 2005

My Story: The Day of the fire storm! I was at Boy Scout Camp when I discovered the terrible damage a fire storm could do to my life. It was a lazy afternoon very hot and dry. John and I were sent back to camp to start dinner for the guys. When I got back to camp I discovered that the camp fire ...read more

Tags: Hardship Of Life

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

In The Whisperer Test Mary Ann Bird Writes, ...  PRO

Contributed by Curtis Rowe on Dec 11, 2007

Ill. In the Whisperer Test Mary Ann Bird writes, “I grew up knowing I was different, and I hated it; I had a cleft pallet and a speech impediment. My second grade teacher was a short, round, happy, sparkling lady named Miss Leonard. Each year we had a hearing test and during that test she uttered ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Putting God First

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Mar 18, 2022

I woke up this one morning recently around 7am which is fairly late for me, still very tired, and about 10 minutes into reading the Word trying to drink my coffee to wake up, I knew I would not be able to stay awake through all my prayers at that level of fatigue. But I was trying to make sure in ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:16, Psalm 63:1

Tags: God First, Seek God Early, Word Of God, Priorities

Denomination: Charismatic

Have You Heard People Use The Phrase: "This Is ...  PRO

Contributed by Charles R. Swindoll on Sep 30, 2004

Have you heard people use the phrase: "This is my cross to bear"? They’ll say, "I’ve got an unsaved husband, it’s my cross to bear." Or, "My kids are rebellious, it’s my cross to bear." Or, "My arthritis acts up on me; it’s my cross to bear." A tombstone in a cemetery in Ribbesford, Scotland ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:34

Tags: Discipleship

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Your Beliefs Determine Your Attitudes

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on May 4, 2008

YOUR BELIEFS DETERMINE YOUR ATTITUDES Gary Smalley tells us "I can hardly overstate how life-changing it was to find that my beliefs, not my circumstances, determined my attitudes and actions. When I took my beliefs seriously and began to examine and change them, it did wonders for me by giving me ...read more

Tags: Christian Values

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Propitiation And Jewish Roots

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Sep 30, 2019

Modern Jews, like Jews centuries before Christ, believed their suffering atoned for sing.Faithful Jews even today are encouraged to offer a prayer when seriously ill or near death called the Viduy (or Vidui) prayer: "I acknowledge before You, Lord my G-d and the G-d of my fathers, that my ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:21-31

Tags: Atonement, Propitiation, Calvary, Death Of Christ, Penal Atonement  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Max Lucado Says That "The Grave Unearths ...  PRO

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Oct 23, 2000

Max Lucado says that “The grave unearths our view of God” And he’s right how often have we heard “God if you existed my child wouldn’t have died, if you’d have answered my prayers my life ...read more

Tags: Death, Apologetics General, Emotions

Denomination: Wesleyan

I Was Invited To Compete In The Howard Wood ...

Contributed by Kerry O'neill on Feb 2, 2010

I was invited to compete in the Howard Wood Relays while running track in high school. It was time for the 110 meter high hurdles. I had set my blocks and the starter called "Runners, come to your marks." I was so nervous and decided to look to my left and right to see that I was lined up like ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-3

Tags: Sports

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational