Illustrations

Repeated afflictions come, not as lightning on the scathed tree, blasting it yet more and more, but as the strokes of the sculptor on the marble block, forming, it into the image of beauty and loveliness. Let but the Divine Presence be felt, and no lot is hard. Let me but see His hand, and no event is unwelcome.

Source: The Power of Illustration, John Dowling

President Lincoln had an early political rival named Edwin Stanton. He called Lincoln the original gorilla. When Lincoln was elected President he chose Stanton to be his secretary of war because he believed he was the best man for the job. At Lincoln’s funeral Stanton said, “There lies the most perfect ruler of men the world has ever seen.”

President Lincoln had learned not to take insults personally.

“The ravages of drink are greater than those of war, pestilence, and famine combined.”—William Gladstone

15% of Americans will struggle with alcoholism in their lifetimes, and over 10 million are actively using illicit substances.

Source: Christianity Today, March 2009

During the early days of northern Ontario’s gold rush Sandy McIntyre found what is now the famous mine bearing his name. He sold out for $25 in order to buy some liquor. Years later he still passed his time crying in beverage rooms, while the mine he discovered produced gold worth 230 million dollars.

Source: Open the Book, Lucian T. Durso

The story is told of a man who smoked cigarettes. Through the reading of numerous articles he became alarmed about the strong relationship between smoking and lung cancer. He finally confided in a friend: “I’ve been reading so many articles about smoking and lung cancer that I’ve decided to quit reading.”

Source: Unknown

One of England’s most exclusive grocery stores, Fortnum & Mason in London’s Piccadilly, advertised for a new chocolate taster, including a salary of $54,000 a year. This dream job consisted of traveling the world, sampling as much chocolate as possible, and selecting the very best for the store’s discerning customers.

Source: Unknown

An astronomer was lecturing a group in France, and declared, “I have swept the universe with my telescope, and I find no God.”

A musician appropriately rebuked the astronomer: “Your statement, sir, is as unreasonable as it is for me to say that I have taken my violin apart, have carefully examined each part with a microscope, and have found no music.”

Source: 1001 More Humorous Illustrations for Public Speaking, Michael Hodgin

In 2008, Japan enacted a national law requiring their citizens to have their waistline measured. Those Japanese whose waistline is greater than the government prescribed standard will undergo diet counseling.

We may not like the way Japan holds their citizens accountable for their weight, but they certainly understand the power of accountability.

Source: The New York Times, June 13, 2008

“Let my heart gracious God, be so effected with Your glory and majesty, that I may fulfill these weighty duties which You have required of me. I have called upon You to pardon me of my sins. Thank You for the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, offered on the cross for me. You gave Your Son to die for me and have given me assurance of salvation.”—George Washington’s Diary