In Sermon Illustrations: "Smile" showing 1,281-1,300 of 1,327

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: Flowers, Humor, Blossoming, Whisperer

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

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

What Would Life Be Without Mistakes?

Contributed by James Snyder on Oct 9, 2021

Let me be clear from the beginning. I have made a lot of mistakes during my life. I have made mistakes that I don’t even know about to this day. Even the ones I do know about, I cannot remember very clearly. Mistakes are a part of life. Unfortunately, some people believe they live their whole life ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 19:12

Tags: Mistakes, Cleansing, Errors

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

My Ongoing Grudge With Santa

Contributed by James Snyder on Dec 18, 2021

I’ve had sort of a grudge with old Mr. Santa Claus. I was introduced to Santa Claus by my parents, who informed me that he was the one that brought all of my Christmas presents on Christmas day. And I believe my parents. I remember on Christmas Eve we had to go to bed early to give Santa Claus ...read more

Scripture: John 8:31-32

Tags: Christmas, Gifts

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

The Harmonious Melody Of Hummingbirds

Contributed by James Snyder on Aug 27, 2022

A few months ago, The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage bought a harp and began teaching herself how to play it. She can play the piano, organ, flute, and sometimes me. Now she has graduated to the harp. So I guess she’s preparing for heaven, where she’ll play a heavenly harp. She was quite quick ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 20:12

Tags: Music, Hearing

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Have Nose, Will Snore

Contributed by James Snyder on Oct 8, 2022

Dr. James L. Snyder Having been married as long as The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage and myself, there are very few things we disagree. I run by the idea, “Do you want to be happy, or do you want to be right?” That has guided me through many a storm these past years. Almost every day, I ...read more

Scripture: Amos 3:3

Tags: Unity, Agree

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Do I Need To File A Missing Persons Report?

Contributed by James Snyder on Dec 10, 2022

Every week comes and goes, and some go faster than others. Such was last week. It started pretty well, but then everything went downhill. I had my semiannual doctor's visit. After all, he has kids that need to go to college. After his complete examination of me, he said, "You're ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 41:10

Tags: Police, Thrift Store

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Where Is The Gracious Mistress Of The Parsonage?

Contributed by James Snyder on Jan 7, 2023

Our family's Christmas this year was the best one yet. But, of course, The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage says that every year. I completely agree with her this year. Our great-granddaughter served as the focal point of our Christmas this year. She assumed that position because she was ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 17:6

Tags: Children, Family, Grandparents, Christmas

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

I Screamed For Ice Cream And Got In Trouble.

Contributed by James Snyder on Jan 14, 2023

Trouble is not my middle name, although it sure could be; just ask The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage. I try to keep out of trouble, but my definition differs from my wife's. What she considers to be trouble is just about everything I do. I will not ask her how I can keep from doing what I ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 46:1

Tags: Taste, Trouble, Ice Cream

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

If I’m Not Crazy Nobody Is

Contributed by James Snyder on Feb 18, 2023

Last Sunday, we were driving to our Sunday morning church service and encountered a lot of crazy drivers. As The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage was driving, I kept my cool and, more importantly, my mouth closed. Every once in a while, she would say, “What’s wrong with these crazy drivers?” I ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6

Tags: Crazy, Drivers, Apple Fritter

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

Dizzy Is As Dizzy Says

Contributed by James Snyder on May 27, 2023

Several years ago, I had a heart attack, which surprised my family and friends, who didn't know I had a heart. I was not sure I had a heart either until that day it attacked me. What my heart had against me to attack me like that I still have not figured out. Two years later, I have to go in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:6-7

Tags: Stress, Medicine, Dizzy

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

What’s A Whopper Got To Do With Anything

Contributed by James Snyder on Jun 10, 2023

After my heart attack, The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage enacted a dietary regimen in accordance with improving my health. The theme of this dietary regimen is vegetables, vegetables, vegetables. I did not know there were so many vegetables in the entire world. Her primary vegetable, much to ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-3

Tags: Diet, Patience

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Oh, Memory, How I Miss Thee

Contributed by James Snyder on Sep 16, 2023

Dr. James L. Snyder Driving home from a luncheon with friends, The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage asked me a stunning question. She is a specialist regarding questions I can’t answer. I am trying to evade her questions and have been very good up until now. “Did that story you told really ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 10:6-7, 1 Peter 3:10-11

Tags: Memory, Lying

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

Ice Cream Solves A Lot Of My Problems

Contributed by James Snyder on Feb 24, 2024

Like everybody else, I face problems almost every day. Or maybe I should say, my problem faces me. Every Monday, when I get up, I say to myself, “How many problems will I have this week? How many will I solve?” Unfortunately, myself never replies back. Problems are part of life, but it’s tough ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:6-7

Tags: Prayer, Problems, Decisions

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Whatever Happened To Reality

Contributed by James Snyder on May 18, 2024

During my health hiatus I did things I never had time to do before. One of them was to check out some Reality TV Shows. I never had much interest in these TV shows, but I thought now would be a good time to check some of them just to see what their idea of reality really was. Of course, my health ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:8

Tags: Reality, Tv Shows

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

I Sure Miss Being A Spoiled Brat

Contributed by James Snyder on Jun 8, 2024

After my last doctor's visit, I went to the Publix pharmacy to pick up new medicine. Doctors have a pill for every problem in the world—if only they all worked. I was early at the store, and my medicine wasn't quite ready. So, I decided to walk around Publix and get a little ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:12

Tags: Nice, Temper, Brat

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance