Illustrations

Scientists studied a native tribe in South America whose people have been dying prematurely for generations. After thorough investigation, the cause of premature death was determined. The disease was transmitted by an insect that lived in the walls of their adobe homes.

Fifty people who were over ninety-five years old were asked one question: “If you could live your life over again, what would you do differently?” Many different answers were given, but three answers were seen repeatedly. They were: If I had to do it over again, I would . . .

1. Reflect more.
2. Risk more.
3. Do more things that would live on after I am dead.

Source: Who Switched the Price Tags?, Tony Campolo

Submitted by the homiletics class of West Coast Baptist College

When evangelist Gypsy Smith got saved, an elderly gentleman explained to him the importance of trusting Christ alone. Gypsy Smith replied, “I cannot trust myself, for I am nothing; and I cannot trust in what I have, for I have nothing; and I cannot trust in what I know, for I know nothing.” The only thing left for him to trust in was Jesus Christ.

Source: Gypsy Smith, His Life and Work; Rodney Smith

Submitted by the homiletics class of West Coast Baptist College

The visitor was curious when he saw the Bible verse on the door from 1 Corinthians 15:51: “Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed.” It all became clear when the visitor realized the door went to the nursery.

Source: Unknown

Your bedroom isn’t cluttered; it’s “passage-restrictive.”

Kids don’t get in trouble anymore. They merely hit “social speed bumps.”

A student isn’t lazy. He’s “energetically declined.”

You’re not having a bad hair day; you’re suffering from “rebellious follicle syndrome.”

You’re not shy. You’re “conversationally selective.”

You don’t talk a lot. You’re just “abundantly verbal.”

Your homework isn’t missing; it’s just having an “out-of-notebook experience.”

You’re not sleeping in class; you’re “rationing consciousness.”

Below are letters that children have written to God.

Dear God:

“I didn’t think orange went with purple until I saw the sunset You made on Tuesday. That was cool.”

“Instead of letting people die and having to make new ones, why don’t You keep the ones You already have?”

“Maybe Cain and Abel would not have killed each other if they had their own rooms. That’s what my Mom did for me and my brother.”

The English poet Samuel Coleridge talked with a man who did not believe that children should be given any religious instruction at all.

This man claimed that the child’s mind should not be prejudiced in any direction, and when he became older he should be permitted to choose his religious opinions for himself.

Six-year-old Angie and her four-year-old brother Joel were sitting together in church. Joel giggled, sang, and talked out loud. Finally, his big sister had had enough. You’re not supposed to talk out loud in church.”

“Why? Who’s going to stop me?” Joel asked.

Angie pointed to the back of the church and said, “See those two men standing by the door? They’re hushers.”

Source: Unknown

Attending a wedding for the first time, a little girl whispered to her mother, “Why is the bride wearing white?” Her mother said, “Because white is the color of happiness, and today is the happiest day of her life!”

The little girl thought about this for a minute, then asked, “Why is the groom wearing black?”

Source: Have You Heard the One About... Religion, Lucy Blackman

A little boy said to his mother, “Can I go outside and help Daddy put snow chains on the car? I know all the words.”

Always remember that those who come behind you are copying you.

Source: Unknown