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  • Chad Dollahite 9:50 am on October 3, 2012 Permalink | Reply
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    Illustration: Bible Study 

    It Needs to Be Used…

    General George Washington had known nothing but defeat in the American Revolution until the famous victory at Trenton on Christmas Day night, 1776.  Every school child knows how Washington attacked the Hessians unawares and defeated them.

    But what is not so well known is that the commanding officer at Trenton, Colonel Gottlieb Rall, had been warned of Washington’s surprise attack.  The evening before, Colonel Rall had been passed a note by a Tory farmer of the impending attack.  Yet he put the note aside unread as he played chess [some accounts say cards, ccd] and drank with other officers.  Colonel Rall was mortally wounded in the battle, and the note of warning was later found in his pocket…unopened.

    God has given us the best information available on how to live, yet His Holy Word often lies unread at our fingertips.  It bulges with both promises and warnings.  The promises inspire us and refresh us to take courage.  The warnings are like flashing red lights that stop us in our self-destructive paths.  How foolish to ignore the cautions of God’s Word that would detour us from self-destruction!

    “Blessed is he that readeth … and keep those things which are written therein…” (Rev 1:3)

    Adapted from John Scott -
    [Originally via The Friend of Truth, 4/27/2003, came to me via David Lemmons, then further adapted based on additional historical research]

     

  • Eugene Adkins 6:30 am on October 1, 2012 Permalink | Reply
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    A Quarter and A Christian 

    I got this story sent to me in an email not too long ago. I’m sure it’s just one of those “chain like” emails that gets around a lot, but I thought there may be some here who had not read it. I used it last Sunday in Keltonburg’s bulletin. I don’t know the author but the story makes a great point. I hope someone can use it.

    Several years ago, a preacher from out-of-state accepted a call to a church in Houston, Texas. Some weeks after he arrived, he had an occasion to ride the bus from his home to the downtown area. When he sat down, he discovered that the driver had accidentally given him a quarter too much change. As he considered what to do, he thought to himself, ‘You’d better give the quarter back. It would be wrong to keep it.’ Then he thought, ‘Oh, forget it, it’s only a quarter. Who would worry about this little amount? Anyway, the bus company gets too much fare; they will never miss it. Accept it as a ‘gift from God’ and keep quiet.’ When his stop came, he paused momentarily at the door, and then he handed the quarter to the driver and said, ‘Here, you gave me too much change.’

    The driver, with a smile, replied, ‘Aren’t you the new preacher in town?’ ‘Yes’ he replied. ‘Well, I have been thinking a lot lately about going somewhere to worship. I just wanted to see what you would do if I gave you too much change. I’ll see you at church on Sunday.’ When the preacher stepped off of the bus, he literally grabbed the nearest light pole, held on, and said, ‘Oh God, I almost sold your Son for a quarter.’

    Our lives are the only Bible some people will ever read. This is a really scary example of how much people watch us as Christians, and will put us to the test! Always be on guard – and remember — You carry the name of Christ on your shoulders when you call yourself ‘Christian.’

    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 your destiny.

     

  • TFRStaff 6:09 pm on August 23, 2012 Permalink | Reply
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    The Model T 

    Henry Ford’s Model T changed the world. He would produce 15 million of them from 1908 to 1927, eventually for a cost of less than $300 (in 1925), making modern transportation available to the common man. The engine had 20 horsepower. It could reach a top speed of 45 miles per hour. And it was started by a hand crank.

    But one thing about the Model T: if you wanted one— if you wanted to join the revolution—you had to be willing to go backward! Uphill anyway. The gas tank was located under the front seat, and because it fed gas to the engine only by gravity (and because the reverse gear was more powerful), the Model T frequently had to be driven up steep hills backward. It was the price you paid to own the “Tin Lizzie.”

    Sometimes, to make progress, we have to be willing to go backward; that is, we have to be willing to humble ourselves.

    “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” 1 Peter 5:6

    Taken from Billy Ray’s Illustrations

    “Thoughts For Today to Brighten Your Day” by Glenn, Mercedes and Lauren Hitchcock

     

    • Chad Dollahite 10:23 am on August 24, 2012 Permalink | Reply

      Bro. Marshall Keeble used to talk about repentance meaning “backing up.” He’d say, “Why, I wouldn’t even own a horse that wouldn’t back up!”

  • Eugene Adkins 6:23 am on July 30, 2012 Permalink | Reply
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    Funny Way to Make A Serious to Point 

    Here’s a short, but good and funny article from Harry Middleton of the Lebanon Road church in Nashville, TN.

    It’s titled: Search the scriptures!!! I thought someone may want to use it for a reference or a bulletin article.

    Great truths may sometimes be stated in amusing ways. I found the following statement of truth amusing and thought provoking. It is taken from “Wells of Thought.”

    Jacob Ditzler and J. S. Sweeny were having a debate on the scriptural mode of baptism. Ditzler showed a secondary meaning of the word BAPTIZE to wash or sprinkle.

    In reply, brother Sweeny showed that a secondary meaning of BELIEVE was to have an opinion and a secondary meaning of SAVE was to be pickled.

    Then he gave the resulting translation of Mark 16:16, “He that hath an opinion and is sprinkled shall be pickled.”

    He then raised the question, “Is it our aim to see what we can make out of the scriptures, or is it to find out what God has said?”

     

  • Chad Dollahite 11:32 am on July 19, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: illustrations, ,   

    Illustration: The Battle Against Lust 

    [This illustration comes from All Pro Dad, via their "Play of the Day" e-mail.  I highly recommend this (as well as Family First's "Family Minute") to all the dads out there.  To subscribe, go here (for Family First, click here).  Oh, and they have a version for the moms, too - click here to sign up for iMom's "Espresso Minute."  --Chad]

    In Greek mythology, the Sirens were seductress, mermaid-like creatures who lured nearby sailors with their enchanting music and voices to shipwreck on the rocky coast of their island.  The Greek hero Odysseus had to sail by this dangerous vortex and, in order not to plunge into ruin, come up with a plan.  According to author Kim Luret,
    “Odysseus instructed his crew to first plug their ears with beeswax and once that was done, to tie him securely to the mast.  His orders were strict–the sailors were not to remove the wax from their ears, nor respond to him in any way until the ship had safely passed the island of the Sirens.
    As they got within earshot of the Sirens, Odysseus became as a man possessed. He had never heard anything so alluring or beautiful. He was utterly captivated and began fighting against the ropes, shouting impassioned orders for the crew to turn the ship towards the island.  Unable to hear his commands, the sailors ignored him. They hunched over their oars and rowed with a fury.
    This infuriated Odysseus.  He threatened execution to all who disobeyed his orders to free him at once and turn the ship around.  But the sailors neither heard him nor cared. They had made an agreement in advance to report to and obey the real Odysseus, not this inflamed creature who’d gone temporarily mad. Their orders came from truth and reason, not from a lie and insanity. And by sticking to their pre-planned agreement, captain and crew got out alive.
    Once they’d made a safe distance from that dangerous place, the sailors removed the beeswax from their ears and untied their captain. No longer within earshot of the Sirens, Odysseus was himself again. And he thanked his crew for staying true to the orders from his real self.”
    For many men, the situation Odysseus found himself in is akin to the fight against lust.  If we don’t take radical steps to protect ourselves, we’ll shipwreck our lives.  Here are 10 practical ways to help in your battle against sexual lust.
     

  • Eugene Adkins 6:16 am on May 18, 2012 Permalink | Reply
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    A Cricket in New York City 

    Here’s a link to an article by Brett Pertillo from the Bear Valley congregation in Colorado with an excellent sermon illustration about our heart’s focus called, “A Cricket in New York City.“

    In my little ole’ opinion it’s the best illustration I’ve heard in quite a while. Easy to remember with an excellent and easy to understand point too. I used it this past Wednesday night for the invitation along with the song “Who at the Door is Standing” with an emphasis of listening for the knock at our heart. Thought some of you could use it too.

    Have a blessed day.

     

  • Chad Dollahite 12:30 pm on May 9, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: illustrations, mediocrity, missing God's blessings   

    Illustration: The Boy & the Circus 

    A little boy who lived far out in the country in the late 1800s had reached the age of twelve and had never in all his life seen a circus. You can imagine his excitement, when one day a poster went up at school announcing that on the next Saturday a traveling circus was coming to the nearby town. He ran home with the glad news and the question, “Daddy, can I go?” Although the family was poor, the father sensed how important this was to the lad. “If you do your Saturday chores ahead of time,” he said, “I’ll see to it that you have the money to

    Come Saturday morning, the chores were done and the little boy stood by the breakfast table, dressed in his Sunday best. His father reached down into the pocket of his overalls and pulled out a dollar bill—the most money the little boy had possessed at one time in all his life. The father cautioned him to be careful and then sent him on his way to town.

    The boy was so excited; his feet hardly seemed to touch the ground all the way. As he neared the outskirts of the village, he noticed people lining the streets, and he worked his way through the crowd until he could see what was happening. Lo and behold, it was the approaching spectacle of a circus parade!

    The parade was the grandest thing this lad had ever seen. Caged animals snarled as they passed, bands beat their rhythms and sounded shining horns, midgets performed acrobatics while flags and ribbons swirled overhead. Finally, after everything had passed where he was standing, the traditional circus clown, with floppy shoes, baggy pants, and a brightly painted lace, brought up the rear. As the clown passed by, the little boy reached into his pocket and took out that precious dollar bill. Handing the money to the clown, the boy turned around and went home.

    What had happened? The boy thought he had seen the circus when he had only seen the parade!

    How many of us can relate to this young man? Are you experiencing all that God has for you? The Christian life is a marvelous adventure, an exciting journey. Don’t be content to float in a sea of mediocrity, settling for second best. Do you want the abundant life that Jesus promised? Do you want to live life to its fullest? Then aim higher than the parade. Our Father provided the payment (I Cor. 6:19-20) and the main event is Heavenly. Believe the Scriptures – you ain’t seen nothin’ yet!

    –Adopted from Wayne Rice: “Hot Illustrations”

    via “Thoughts For Today to Brighten Your Day” by Glenn, Mercedes & Lauren Hitchcock, 5/7/2012

     

  • Chad Dollahite 1:40 pm on April 24, 2012 Permalink | Reply
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    Illustration: On the Way to the Barn… 

    There’s an old story about a farmer who one morning decided to plow the south forty acres.  His tractor needed oil, so he started for the barn to get it, but on the way noticed that the pigs hadn’t been fed.  Near the corn crib was a pile of sacks, reminding him that the potatoes were sprouting.  But, on his way to the potato pit, he passed the woodpile and remembered that the kitchen stove was burning low.  While picking up the wood, he saw that one of his chickens was ailing, so he dropped the wood to doctor the chicken…and so it was till the end of the day, and he still hadn’t oiled the tractor or plowed the south field.

    Is your Christian life like this trip to the barn?  Do you have grand visions of great service that never gets done?  Have you found too many “other things” to do that interfere with your goal of being a productive servant in God’s kingdom?

    The only way you and I will “get to the barn” of Christian service is to get our priorities in order.  The farmer in the story didn’t have any priorities.  He just flowed with the tide of events around him.  Our life contains plenty of “pigs to feed,” “wood to cut,” and “chickens to doctor.”  But, we can’t allow them to get in our way of serving God.  If we will make the commitment and extend our effort, God will make a way for us to “get to the barn.”    —George Miller

    “Thy servant went out into the midst of the battle; and, behold, a man turned aside, and brought a man unto me, and said, Keep this man: if by any means he be missing, then shall thy life be for his life, or else thou shalt pay a talent of silver. And as thy servant was busy here and there, he was gone.” (1 Kgs. 20:39-40a)

     

  • Chad Dollahite 1:54 pm on April 4, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , illustrations, , purpose in life,   

    Illustration: Purpose in Life 

    Josh McDowell told this great story:

    An executive hirer, a “headhunter” who goes out and hires corporation executives for other firms, once told me, “When I get an executive that I’m trying to hire for someone else, I like to disarm him. I offer him a drink, take my coat off, then my vest, undo my tie, throw up my feet and talk about baseball, football, family, whatever, until he’s all relaxed. Then, when I think I’ve got him relaxed, I lean over, look him square in the eye and say, “What’s your purpose in life?” It’s amazing how top executives fall apart at that question.

    “Well, I was interviewing this fellow the other day, had him all disarmed, with my feet up on his desk, talking about football. Then I leaned up and said, ‘What’s your purpose in life, Bob?’ And he said, without blinking an eye, ‘To go to heaven and take as many people with me as I can.’ For the first time in my career I was speechless.”

    What a great answer! Clearly, this was something Bob often thought about and actually lived. Put yourself in this interview for a minute. What would you have said to this executive headhunter? Would you have an answer or would you fumble around trying to think about the right thing to say?

    Many times we as Christians have been told about the purpose of life. The problem is, we don’t take it literally. We may know the right answer, t we don’t actually think it and live it. Can something really be our purpose in life if we rarely think about it and don’t live it? Certainly not.

    Bob had it right. Our purpose in this life is to get to heaven (Ecclesiastes 12:13; Matthew 7:21-27; 1 Peter 3:21), and take as many with us as we can (Matthew 28:19-20). Let’s not just know, but actually LIVE the purpose of this life, “To go to heaven and take as many people with me as I can.”

    by Brett Petrillo, via “The Daily Bread” e-devotional, Bear Valley Church of Christ (Denver, CO), 4/3/2012

     

  • Chad Dollahite 3:23 pm on April 3, 2012 Permalink | Reply
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    Illustration: Self-Destruction 

    Once there was an eagle soaring high in the sky and as it flew, almost out of sight, it became unsteady and finally began to fall. It plunged to the earth in a pasture near to men.

    Both men approached the eagle and found it shaking and trembling. In its claw was a rattlesnake. The eagle had caught the reptile, soared in the sky, and finally lost the battle when the snake bit it. There it lay, holding the very thing that killed it!

    People, unfortunately, are very similar. They have the thing from which they hope to derive some pleasure, but, like the eagle in the story, they are fighting a losing battle and are holding onto the very thing that will mean their spiritual death. How sad that a soul is lost because they won’t turn loose!

    Am I holding onto something today that will ultimately destroy my soul?  If so, why not let it go while I still can?

    “Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.  Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience” (Col. 3:5-6, NKJV).

    “For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.  For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God” (Rom. 8:13-14, NKJV).

     

  • TFRStaff 5:07 am on April 3, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: divine mercy, illustrations,   

    God’s great mercy 

    GOD’S GREAT MERCY

    Two men sat on a wharf where sacks of grain were being loaded on a ship bound for European markets. One was a Christian, and he had been talking to his sailor companion about the better life.

    The young sailor turned and said, “If all my sins were grains of wheat, and if allthe ships on all the oceans were loaded with them, my sins would fill them and there would still be piles left over!”

    His friend replied, “If all the sailing ships were to sink to the depths of the sea, there would be plenty of room for them at the bottom—isn’t that true? Like­wise, so is God’s mercy greater than all our sins.”

    —20th Century Christian

    Romans 5:1-5 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

    “Thoughts For Today to Brighten Your Day” by Glenn, Mercedes and Lauren Hitchcock

     

  • Chad Dollahite 1:58 pm on March 8, 2012 Permalink | Reply
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    Illustration: Conviction 

    Wesley Britt was a 6-foot-8-inch, 312-pound lineman for the Crimson Tide (University of Alabama)…

    He was one of 22 football players nationwide chosen to the Playboy All-American team.  With the honor came a free week at the mansion, the opportunity to meet Hugh Hefner, and a chance to be pampered by real-life Playboy bunnies.  And, yet, Wesley turned it all down.  He said, “Initially, I was like, ’Yeah, I’m going to take it.  It’s a great honor.  But, after thinking about it for a while, I decided this is not one of my goals.  I put God first, and I set my goals for Him.  I talked to God about it, and I felt it just wasn’t the right thing to do.”

    KneEmail: “According to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death” (Phil. 1:20).

    THOUGHT: How is Christ magnified in you?

    via KneEmail e-devotional, ed. Mike Benson, 1/31/2007

     

  • Chad Dollahite 1:38 pm on February 27, 2012 Permalink | Reply
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    Illustration: Through Another Man’s Eyes 

    Do you remember the Old Testament story of Eliam?  Ok, maybe not.  Eliam is a rather obscure character in the Old Testament.  In fact he is only mentioned twice, but here’s his story.  Eliam was a father of a little girl.  Like all fathers he loved his daughter and watched her grow into a beautiful young lady.  The day finally came that Eliam gave his daughter’s hand to a young man to be his wife.  Eliam’s daughter and son-in-law were making a life together when tragedy befell them.  One day, when Eliam’s son-in-law was away at work, several men came to his home, took his wife away, and gave her to their leader, and he had sexual relations with her. Not only that, but this man of power also had Eliam’s son-in-law murdered. (More …)

     

  • Chad Dollahite 10:52 am on February 13, 2012 Permalink | Reply
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    Illustration: Adversity 

    A daughter complained to her father about her life and how things were so hard for her.  She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up.  She was tired of fighting and struggling.  It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.

    Her father, a chef, took her to the kitchen.  He filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire.  Soon the pots came to a boil.  In one, he placed carrots, in the second he placed eggs, and the last he placed ground coffee beans.  He let them sit and boil, without saying a word. (More …)

     

  • Chad Dollahite 9:45 am on February 7, 2012 Permalink | Reply
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    When James A Garfield was president of Hiram… 

    When James A. Garfield was president of Hiram College, a man brought his son for entrance as a student, for whom he wished a shorter course than the regular. “The boy can never take all that in,” said the father. “He wants to get through quicker. Can you arrange it for him?”

    Mr. Garfield, a minister-educator said, “Oh, yes. He can take a short course; it all depends on what you want to make of him. When God wants to make an oak, He takes a hundred years, but he takes only two months to make a squash.”

    Many want instant spirituality-like instant coffee or potatoes! It doesn’t come that way! There are no short courses! No short-cuts! No gimmicks! It takes time to grow! Growth is a sequence-an orderly arrangement! “For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again” was God’s indictment of the Hebrew Christians (Heb 5:12-14).

    [Unfortunately, I do not have the source for this illustration listed in my files, or I would give proper credit.  -ccd]

     

  • Chad Dollahite 1:05 pm on January 24, 2012 Permalink | Reply
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    Illustrations: Humility 

    It has been a busy week, so here is a medley of 3 illustrations on humility that I plan to use this Sunday in my sermon.  Oh, how our world needs more humble, selfless servants of God!  May He help each of us so to be!

    Winston Churchill was once asked, “Doesn’t it thrill you to know that every time you make a speech, the hall is packed to overflowing?” “It’s quite flattering,” replied Sir Winston. “But, whenever I feel that way, I always remember that if, instead of making a political speech, I was being hanged, the crowd would be twice as big.”

    Norman McGowan, My Years With Winston Churchill, Souvenir Press, London.

     Lincoln once got caught up in a situation where he wanted to please a politician, so he issued a command to transfer certain regiments. When the secretary of war, Edwin Stanton, received the order, he refused to carry it out. He said that the President was a fool. Lincoln was told what Stanton had said, and he replied, “If Stanton said I’m a fool, then I must be, for he is nearly always right. I’ll see for myself.” As the two men talked, the President quickly realized that his decision was a serious mistake and, without hesitation, he withdrew it.

    Source Unknown

     A truly humble man is hard to find, yet God delights to honor such selfless people. Booker T. Washington, the renowned black educator, was an outstanding example of this truth. Shortly after he took over the presidency of Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, he was walking in an exclusive section of town when he was stopped by a wealthy white woman. Not knowing the famous Mr. Washington by sight, she asked if he would like to earn a few dollars by chopping wood for her. Because he had no pressing business at the moment, Professor Washington smiled, rolled up his sleeves, and proceeded to do the humble chore she had requested. When he was finished, he carried the logs into the house and stacked them by the fireplace. A little girl recognized him and later revealed his identity to the lady.

    The next morning the embarrassed woman went to see Mr. Washington in his office at the Institute and apologized profusely. “It’s perfectly all right, Madam,” he replied. “Occasionally I enjoy a little manual labor. Besides, it’s always a delight to do something for a friend.” She shook his hand warmly and assured him that his meek and gracious attitude had endeared him and his work to her heart. Not long afterward, she showed her admiration by persuading some wealthy acquaintances to join her in donating thousands of dollars to the Tuskegee Institute.

    Our Daily Bread

    Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up  (James 4:10)

    …be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.   Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time  (1 Peter 5:5-6)

     

  • Chad Dollahite 12:26 pm on January 18, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , illustrations,   

    Illustration: Living Expectantly 

    by: Ron Bartanen

    Have you ever heard the tale of old Shep? Near where our daughter and family live in Montana, overlooking the Missouri River and the Great Northern Railroad, is a monument erected to pay tribute to old Shep, a collie dog that had belonged to an old shepherd. Wherever the man went Shep was always at his side.

    Then in 1936 Shep’s master died. Shep accompanied him the final time when men took his body to the train station, from whence it would be shipped back East for burial. Shep tried to board the train with his master, but was put off. As the train pulled from the station, Shep followed as far as he could. Losing sight of the train, he returned to the station where he dug a spot under the depot, from which he would keep vigil for the return of his master. Through six cold, snowy Montana winters and five springs he would expectantly greet the arrival of each train, looking for his master” return. In January, 1942, a train struck the old dog, killing him. Railroaders who had befriended and fed the dog buried him on a bluff, and the monument was erected in his memory.

    Are we, as Christians, as faithful as was old Shep as we look for the return of our Master? Unlike Shep, our Master will return. When God’s table of time is completed, “He that shall come will come, and will not tarry” (Hebrews 10:37). Though years pass, we are “looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior, Jesus Christ” (Titus 3:13). The question is:  ARE YOU READY?

    “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.  Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth” (Col. 3:1-2)

    Source: Bulletin Gold: Vol. 5, No. 6, Aug 7, 2005

     

    • rroycep 1:58 pm on January 18, 2012 Permalink | Reply

      My Dad had an Australian Shepherd that was at his side at all times. When Dad passed away he went to the corner of the property and waited all day every day. At night he would come home where my brother’s family would feed him and the next morning he would go back to the corner as he watched for Dad to come home. Dogs are sometimes special.

    • Ron Thomas 4:49 am on January 19, 2012 Permalink | Reply

      The man who authored the article lives right behind my office; in fact he has a key to my office and can use whenever I am gone (he never does). He is a great neighbor (he and his wife), and was with us last night in Bible study. He preaches for a small church about 13 miles north of here (Arthur, IL).

    • Chad Dollahite 9:30 am on January 19, 2012 Permalink | Reply

      Small world, eh, Ron? That is interesting…tell him I said thanks for the great illustration. Dogs are indeed sometimes special…God uses all kinds of critters to teach us powerful lessons, doesn’t He (Prov. 30:24-28)?

  • Chad Dollahite 1:46 pm on January 11, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , illustrations, ,   

    Illustration: Crisis 

    FYI, I verified this illustration with my father-in-law, who is fluent in Mandarin, and it is true!

    When written in Chinese, the word “crisis” is composed of two characters – one represents danger, and the other represents opportunity.

    Remember…with every crisis in our lives, there is certainly danger, but there is also opportunity!

    “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:2-4, NKJV).

    “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,  casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Pet. 5:6-7, NKJV).

     

  • Chad Dollahite 9:43 am on January 9, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , illustrations   

    Illustration: Forgiveness 

    Once upon a time, two brothers who lived on adjoining farms fell into conflict.  It was the first serious rift in 40 years of farming side by side, sharing machinery, and trading labor and goods as needed, without a hitch.  Then, the long collaboration fell apart.  It began with a small misunderstanding, and it grew into a major difference.  It finally exploded into an exchange of bitter words, followed by weeks of silence.

    One morning there was a knock on John’s door.  He opened it to find a man with a carpenter’s toolbox.  “I’m looking for a few days’ work,” he said.  “Perhaps you have a few small jobs here and there.  Could I help you?” (More …)

     

  • Chad Dollahite 10:39 am on January 5, 2012 Permalink | Reply
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    Illustration: Service, Activity 

    “In the battle of life it’s not the critic that counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of a deed could have done it better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotion, spends himself in a worthy cause, who at best knows in the end the triumph of high of achievement; and who at worst if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who have tasted neither victory nor defeat.”  - Theodore Roosevelt

    What about us?  Are we involved in the Lord’s work?  Are we “in the arena” in the local congregation, or are we the critic standing on the sideline?  Brethren, let’s “get in the arena”!!!

     

  • Chad Dollahite 9:44 am on January 3, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , illustrations,   

    Illustration: Commitment 

    How committed are you to God’s cause?  Consider the following illustration:

    Commitment

    Sitting majestically atop the highest hill in Toledo, Spain, is the Alcazar, a 16th‑century fortress. In the civil war of the 1930s, the Alcazar became a battleground when the Republicans tried to oust the Nationalists, who held the fortress. During one dramatic episode of the war, the Nationalist leader, Col. Jose Moscardo, received a phone call from the Republicans.

    Col. Moscardo was informed that his son Luis had been captured by the Loyalists. The ultimatum: if Moscardo didn’t surrender the Alcazar to them within 10 minutes, they would kill his son. The father weighed his options and asked to speak with his son, who asked what he should do.

    After a long pause, with a heavy heart, he said to his son, “…Then die like a man.”

    The son’s reply?  ”That is quite simple; both I will do.”

    —Daily Walk, April 16, 1992—

    Moral: Many of our love ones may be captured by the forces of Satan and it seems that our only option is surrender in order to maintain our relationship of family. Yet, there must be a Higher commitment to remain within the place of refuge where God calls all men.

    Have you made the clear choice?

    “…and I will dwell in the House of the Lord forever” (Psa. 23:6).

    (via Glenn & Mercedes Hitchcock, “Thoughts For Today To Brighten Your Day”)

     

    • John Henson 2:10 pm on January 3, 2012 Permalink | Reply

      We are our choices, aren’t we? Thanks for this, Chad.

      • Chad Dollahite 2:31 pm on January 3, 2012 Permalink | Reply

        Thanks, brother! I received this years ago, but I think of it quite often…it is powerful!

  • Chad Dollahite 10:57 am on January 2, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , illustrations   

    Illustration: A Discourager 

    Who doesn’t enjoy a good illustration?  Jesus used them masterfully, & the right illustration seems to drive home a point so perfectly & bring it to life.  I hope to post a few illustrations in the coming days/weeks/months that will perhaps be useful to us preachers, but also helpful to all who read them for the simple fact that they will illustrate Bible principles.  I will, of course, give credit when I know to whom it should go; if no credit is given, & you know to whom it belongs, please let me know, so I can give proper credit.

    Here is a good first one:

    A Discourager

    It happened at the siege of Ladysmith. A man was arrested, court martialed, and sentenced to a year’s imprisonment. He was a discourager. He would go along the lines and say discouraging words to the men on duty. He struck no blow for the enemy—not one. He was not disloyal to his country. He was just a discourager—and that in a critical time. The fortunes of the garrison and of the town hung in the balance. The court-martial adjudged it a crime to speak disheartening words in an hour like that. And so it is. And that same thing is happening every day in the history of some poor fellow’s life. What this old world needs more than all is the man who can cheer.—Texas Christian Advocate.

    Concluding Thought:  May God help us all to be encouragers this year; the world certainly has more than enough discouragers!

    “But charge Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him: for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which thou shalt see” (Deut. 3:28).

     

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