In Sermon Illustrations: "Proverbs"

Will Rogers – "I Don't Know Any Jokes. I Just ...

Contributed by Rev Dr Randall M Deal Sr on Mar 16, 2008

Will Rogers – “I don’t know any jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts.” THERESA OF AVILA, A SPANISH NUN said “SHE WHO LAUGHS, LASTS!” She used to look for novices who knew how to LAUGH, EAT AND SLEEP. She believed that if they ate heartily they were healthy, if they slept well ...read more

Tags: Rebellion

Denomination: Baptist

More Accustomed To Action Than Talk  PRO

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Aug 11, 2011

MORE ACCUSTOMED TO ACTION THAN TALK All great enterprises begin at a critical moment--a moment when a decision is made and someone launches himself into a never-to-be-forgotten enterprise. PIZARRO, the noted Spanish explorer, faced such a moment. He languished with his men on a small island ...read more

Tags: Commitment To Christ

Denomination: Baptist

Six Ways To Be A Modern Day Barnabas

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Aug 2, 2023

Below are six ways to encourage someone. When was the last time you encouraged someone in any of the following ways? Have you ignored some gentle promptings by the Spirit to encourage someone? Perhaps today you might ask God to whom you might send a note or make a call? Yes, dear brother or ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:36

Tags: Encouragement, Barnabas, Serving, Ministry To Others, Volunteers, Fellowship, Support, Giving  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

It Was One Of Those Weeks

Contributed by James Snyder on Oct 19, 2019

At my stage in life, I have experienced a gazillion weeks. I thought about actually counting how many weeks I have lived, but I don’t have that many fingers or toes. It doesn’t matter how many weeks it is. I have lived enough weeks to know, when you think you have experienced everything there is ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 10:23

Tags: Victory, Week Work

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

In Praise Of Crazy

Contributed by James Snyder on Feb 1, 2020

I made a mistake the other night of complaining out loud. It is one thing to complain under your breath so that nobody hears you or knows what you are complaining about. But when you complain out loud, then you run the chance of somebody hearing you. The somebody I was most concerned about was the ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:7-8

Tags: Praise, Crazy

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

The World Needs More Grandfathers

Contributed by James Snyder on Feb 22, 2020

As time has gone by, I have learned a few things. According to the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage, I have not learned enough yet, but that's just her opinion. She gave me a great compliment the other day when she said, “Dear, you’re as smart as you will ever be.” I am still not over that, ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 17:6

Tags: Grandchildren, Grandfathers

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

It’s Not Always What It Seems

Contributed by James Snyder on Jul 11, 2020

There are times when my bad hearing is a blessing. I'm not sure if I'm not listening or not hearing. It’s hard for me to tell. For example, the other night, right after midnight, the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage and I were pretty much sound asleep. There was more sound on the other ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 21:2

Tags: Humor, Storms, Rioting

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

I Love A Mystery When It's A Mystery

Contributed by James Snyder on Aug 1, 2020

Because of the situation we are in these days, the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage and I have spent some significant time watching mysteries. We enjoy a mystery movie. I have always loved mysteries. I have read all of the Sherlock Holmes stories by Arthur Conan Doyle. I have read the Father ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 25:14

Tags: Mystery, Wager

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

What's All These Gadgets For?

Contributed by James Snyder on Aug 14, 2021

Without any hesitation, I will gladly admit that I am on the short side when it comes to gadgets. For me, most of them do not make any sense at all. Instead, I like things simple and easy. As for the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage, she is obsessed with gadgets. She loves them almost as much as ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 1:7

Tags: Frustration, Wisdom, Humor, Instruction

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Wherever They Are I Will Find Them

Contributed by James Snyder on Feb 12, 2022

Recently, The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage and her spouse took a short vacation that was long overdue. Vacations are very hard to organize and schedule when you have a busy life. But, thanks to the ingenuity of my wife, we were able to plan out a vacation. The motel we stay in is owned by ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 18:22

Tags: Thriftstore, Bargin

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Fool Me Once And You Will Be The Fool

Contributed by James Snyder on Jul 16, 2022

Recently, the A/C company we use came and did their yearly inspection. The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage took them around to the places that needed inspection. Everything turned out to be quite well and no problems. That got me thinking of what happened many years ago with another company ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 18:2-3

Tags: Service, Fool

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Who’s Really In Charge

Contributed by James Snyder on Sep 24, 2022

Living in the country, our family did not have a television in our home. Unfortunately, most people in our neighborhood did not have a television. That just was normal. Somehow we managed to entertain ourselves without TV, and of course, we did not have the Internet then. So how we got along ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6

Tags: Jfk, Tv Remote Control, Batteries, Tricking

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Why God Gave Me A Tongue

Contributed by James Snyder on Oct 1, 2022

One thing about getting older is that you begin to understand the old saying that you don’t know what you don’t know. It has been so true for me. When I think I know everything, something comes up that I never even thought about. Sometimes The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage brings up something ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 15:4

Tags: Blessing, Tongue, Curse

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

The Princess Hath Thus Spoken

Contributed by James Snyder on Apr 22, 2023

In December of last year, our second great-grandchild entered our family. Our first great-grandchild was a boy, and this one is a girl. Like all our children, grandchildren and great-grandson, this great-granddaughter was a blessing to our family. If only children would stay young for the rest of ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 22:6

Tags: Training, Princess

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

What’s The Harm With A Little Treat?

Contributed by James Snyder on Sep 23, 2023

The last month has been crazy for me and The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage. Every month has its crazy element, but this past month beats them all. First, my main computer crashed, and I lost a lot of stuff. Second, we had a hurricane that came through; fortunately, it was only thunder, rain ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 28:13

Tags: Truth, Decisions

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

It Was A Snarly Kind Of Day

Contributed by James Snyder on Apr 26, 2025

Last week The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage had another one of her girl days with our daughter and granddaughter. Don’t let this get around, but it is one of my favorite days of the year, including my birthday. It’s a day on which I can do what I want to do. That doesn’t come often; when it ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 14:29

Tags: Wrath, Patience, Reward

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Where Am I Going?  PRO

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Where Am I Going? It’s comforting to hear that even Albert Einstein had a brain cramp now and then. One time, for instance, he was taking a train to an out of town engagement. The conductor stopped by to punch his ticket, but the great scientist preoccupied with his work, explained that ...read more

Tags: Knowing God's Will, God's Omniscience

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Killpatrick Reminds Us How The Cheap Grace ...  PRO

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Mar 11, 2004

Killpatrick reminds us how the Cheap Grace mindset can ruin our lives and drive us away from God. Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; it becomes ...read more

Tags: Sin Separates From God, Temptation Resisting

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Can You Be Kind When You Put Your Mind To It?  PRO

Contributed by Scott Chambers on Jan 24, 2003

Can you be kind when you put your mind to it? December 26 is a legal holiday in both Canada and Great Britain. Come on America, join the crowd. Today is "Boxing Day" in some parts of the world. No, it’s not a day to honor George Foreman and his cronies. Rather, it’s a day to show kindness to those ...read more

Tags: Christian Love, Giving General

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God Warns Us Against Thinking We Can Help ...

Contributed by Austin Mansfield on Oct 28, 2007

God warns us against thinking we can help ourselves without him. In Jeremiah 17:5, the prophet tells us, “This is what the Lord says: ‘Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans and turn their hearts away from the Lord.’” And in Proverbs 28:26 (NIV), we read, “He who trusts in ...read more

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican