In Sermon Illustrations: "Sunday Morning"

If I Had A Hammer!" Genesis 32:1-21 Key ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Feb 17, 2005

“If I Had A Hammer!” Genesis 32:1-21 Key verse(s): 9-12:“Then Jacob prayed, ‘O God of my father Abraham, God of my father Isaac, you prosper,’ I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown your servant. I had only my staff when I crossed this Jordan, but now I have become two ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 32:1-21, Genesis 32:1-12

Tags: Fear And Worry

Denomination: Lutheran

Friends Forever. Wow Those Are Some Very Powerful ...  PRO

Contributed by Timothy Gardner on Jan 4, 2005

Friends Forever. Wow those are some very powerful words when you put them together you know? I mean, think about what this phrase means: being a friend forever; always there no matter what. This popular phrase can be found in letters from one best friend to another, on the split necklaces when put ...read more

Tags: Evangelism How To, Evangelism Urgency

Denomination: Salvation Army

Is That My Grandfather’s Hand?

Contributed by James Snyder on Aug 26, 2025

This past week, I thought of my maternal grandfather. I haven't thought of him for a long time because he died over 50 years ago. I'm not sure what inspired me to think about my old grandpa. As a youngster, I used to spend summers with him on his farm. He owned a farm up in the mountains ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 17:6

Tags: Family, Old Age

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

I Feel Sorry For My Good-Looking Friends

Contributed by James Snyder on Jun 3, 2023

The one place in our humble residence I would prefer to avoid, especially in the morning, is my bathroom. The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage has her bathroom, and I have mine. I make visiting my bathroom in the morning as quick as possible. As I walk into my bathroom, on the right side is that ...read more

Scripture: Job 16:8, Ephesians 5:27

Tags: Pride, Wrinkles

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

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

Life Can Be A Series Of Dreams

Contributed by James Snyder on Oct 7, 2023

Lately, I’ve been having some fascinating dreams at night. Usually, I don’t give much thought to dreams, but lately, I’ve been thinking more about them. Last night, for example, I had this exciting dream, and everything seemed to be coming in my direction, and then I woke up before the end. Once I ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:6-8

Tags: Dreams, Fanasty

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

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

And Then It Was Silent No More

Contributed by James Snyder on May 23, 2020

During this time of exclusive lockdown, I and the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage have grown accustomed to silence. Don't get me wrong here. I do not object to noise as long as it's the right kind of noise. However, I do have a good warm feeling about silence. What was that song? ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:13

Tags: Books, Silence, Noise

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

It’s My Birthday I’ll Lie If I Want To

Contributed by James Snyder on Jul 25, 2020

I’m not a proponent of lying. I don't like it when people lie. If they lie once, how do you know they're not lying again? Lately, I've been thinking about what the definition of a lie really is. Is there some time when telling a lie is the best to do? And, is every lie a ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 40:4

Tags: Truth, Humor, Lies

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Splish Splash, I Forgot To Take A Bath

Contributed by James Snyder on Jan 8, 2022

If you had the opportunity to speak to the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage, she would probably tell you that one of my strengths is forgetting. I'm not sure how far into the subject she would get. When it comes to forgetting, I am outstanding on the back lawn, and my expertise in this area ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 103:2

Tags: Memory, Forgetting

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Doctors Are Always Right

Contributed by James Snyder on May 21, 2022

Last year I suffered what is referred to as a heart attack. I got to the hospital in time, so there was no any major damage. I had one artery known as the "Widow Maker" that was 90% blocked, which seemed to be a very serious thing. Who knew I even had a heart, but doctors are always ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:9

Tags: Medical, Doctors

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Signs You Live In The Year 2001...  PRO

Contributed by Andrew Chan on Nov 30, 2001

SIGNS YOU LIVE IN THE YEAR 2001... 1. You just tried to enter your password on the microwave. 2. You have a list of 15 phone numbers to reach your family of three. 3. You call your son’s beeper to let him know it’s time to eat. He emails you back from his bedroom, "What’s for ...read more

Tags: Finding Fulfillment, Entertainment, Jesus Teachings

Denomination: Evangelical Free

The Richest Man's Death  PRO

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Jan 24, 2001

THE RICHEST MAN’S DEATH Carl was a very rich man who owned a great estate. One of his favorite pastimes was riding horseback through his valley, looking at everything he owned & congratulating himself on his great wealth. One day, as Carl was riding along, he came up over a hill & in the ...read more

Tags: Joy, Death Nearness, Death

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

I Want To Conclude With A Story That Tony ...  PRO

Contributed by Tim Richards on May 18, 2005

I want to conclude with a story that Tony Campolo tells about a time he was asked to speak at a Pentecostal college. He remembered that before the service, eight men had him kneel so they could place their hands on his head and pray. He was glad to have prayer, but each of them prayed a long time, ...read more

Tags: God's Forgiveness, Forgiveness In Jesus

Denomination: Baptist

A Comfortable Emptiness!

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Jun 2, 2005

A Comfortable Emptiness! On a faded scroll framed in mahogany and hung in the hallway of an old farmhouse I chanced many years ago to read what then, in my youth, seemed important but now many years later is ingrained in my heart as one of the most profound and impacting statements I have ever ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 12:12-18

Tags: Children, Parenting

Denomination: Lutheran

On Little Yellow Flower! (11.04.05--Faith That ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Nov 2, 2005

On Little Yellow Flower! (11.04.05--Faith That Flies!--John 6:18-19) Now is the time of year when most of the flowers in my wife’s flower beds have wilted and sagged. The frost has struck more than once, making even the hardier mums droop a bit. The time of blossoming has passed for most of the ...read more

Scripture: John 6:18-19

Tags: Faith General, Devoted, Doubt

Denomination: Lutheran

Philip Yancey Shared This In Rumours Of Another ...  PRO

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Dec 10, 2005

Philip Yancey shared this in Rumours of Another World, pp.154-55: Living in Colorado, I climb mountains. Colorado has 54 mountains rising above 14,000 ft and every summer I climb some of them. On a summer weekend in the mountains, I see casual hikers who have no idea what they are doing. In ...read more

Tags: Evangelism The Lost

Denomination: Independent/Bible