Contemplative/Mystical Illustrations
Union with God, contemplative prayer, apophatic theology.
Key question: “How does this text invite us into deeper union with God?”
14086 illustrations found
On This Day: Following the death of the Roman Emperor Septimius Severus at Eboracum (modern... (211)
On February 4, 211: Following the death of the Roman Emperor Septimius Severus at Eboracum (modern York, England) while preparing to lead a campaign against the Caledonians, the empire is left in the
On This Day: World War II: The United States and the Philippine Commonwealth begin a... (1945)
On February 3, 1945: World War II: The United States and the Philippine Commonwealth begin a month-long battle to retake Manila from Japan. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illust
On This Day: World War II: As part of Operation Thunderclap, 1,000 B-17s of the Eighth Air... (1945)
On February 3, 1945: World War II: As part of Operation Thunderclap, 1,000 B-17s of the Eighth Air Force bomb Berlin, a raid which kills between 2,500 and 3,000 and dehouses another 120,000. This his
On This Day: World War I: The American entry into World War I begins when diplomatic... (1917)
On February 3, 1917: World War I: The American entry into World War I begins when diplomatic relations with Germany are severed due to its unrestricted submarine warfare. This historical event can se
On This Day: The Fifteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution is ratified,... (1870)
On February 3, 1870: The Fifteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution is ratified, guaranteeing voting rights to male citizens regardless of race. This historical event can serve as a powerf
On This Day: The London Protocol of 1830 establishes the full independence and sovereignty of... (1830)
On February 3, 1830: The London Protocol of 1830 establishes the full independence and sovereignty of Greece from the Ottoman Empire as the final result of the Greek War of Independence. This histori
On This Day: The United States Air Force begins Operation Looking Glass, and over the next 30... (1961)
On February 3, 1961: The United States Air Force begins Operation Looking Glass, and over the next 30 years, a "Doomsday Plane" is always in the air, with the capability of taking direct control of th
On This Day: World War II: The Dunkirk evacuation ends: the British Armed Forces completes... (1940)
On June 4, 1940: World War II: The Dunkirk evacuation ends: the British Armed Forces completes evacuation of 338,000 troops from Dunkirk in France. To rally the morale of the country, Winston Churchil
On This Day: Thirteen Years' War: The Secret Council of the Prussian Confederation sends a... (1454)
On February 4, 1454: Thirteen Years' War: The Secret Council of the Prussian Confederation sends a formal act of disobedience to the Grand Master of the Teutonic Knights, sparking the Thirteen Years'
On This Day: World War II: During the Gilbert and Marshall Islands campaign, U.S. Army and... (1944)
On February 3, 1944: World War II: During the Gilbert and Marshall Islands campaign, U.S. Army and Marine forces seize Kwajalein Atoll from the defending Japanese garrison. This historical event can
On This Day: Tutush, brother of Seljuk sultan Malik Shah, defeats Suleiman ibn Qutalmish, the... (1086)
On June 5, 1086: Tutush, brother of Seljuk sultan Malik Shah, defeats Suleiman ibn Qutalmish, the Turkish ruler of Anatolia in the battle of Ain Salm. This historical event can serve as a powerful se
On This Day: The first day of the seven-day 1972 Iran blizzard, which would kill at least... (1972)
On February 3, 1972: The first day of the seven-day 1972 Iran blizzard, which would kill at least 4,000 people, making it the deadliest snowstorm in history. This historical event can serve as a powe
On This Day: Hungary loses 71% of its territory and 63% of its population when the Treaty of... (1920)
On June 4, 1920: Hungary loses 71% of its territory and 63% of its population when the Treaty of Trianon is signed in Paris. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about th
On This Day: World War II: The United States Fifth Army captures Rome, although much of the... (1944)
On June 4, 1944: World War II: The United States Fifth Army captures Rome, although much of the German Fourteenth Army is able to withdraw to the north. This historical event can serve as a powerful
On This Day: Women's rights: The U.S. Congress approves the Nineteenth Amendment to the... (1919)
On June 4, 1919: Women's rights: The U.S. Congress approves the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which guarantees suffrage to women, and sends it to the U.S. states for ratifica
On This Day: Tonga gains independence from the British Empire. (1970)
On June 4, 1970: Tonga gains independence from the British Empire. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the gift of freedom and liberation. Consider using it when p
On This Day: Solidarity's victory in the 1989 Polish legislative election occurs, the first... (1989)
On June 4, 1989: Solidarity's victory in the 1989 Polish legislative election occurs, the first election since the Communist Polish United Workers' Party abandoned its monopoly of power. It sparks off
On This Day: Battle of the Gulf of Naples: Roger of Lauria, admiral to King Peter III of... (1284)
On June 5, 1284: Battle of the Gulf of Naples: Roger of Lauria, admiral to King Peter III of Aragon, destroys the Neapolitan fleet and captures Charles of Salerno. This historical event can serve as
On This Day: Theodora is crowned Byzantine empress and marries then emperor Theophilos in the... (830)
On June 5, 830: Theodora is crowned Byzantine empress and marries then emperor Theophilos in the Hagia Sophia. She is credited with restoring Christian orthodoxy and icons. This historical event can
On This Day: JVC introduces its VHS videotape at the Consumer Electronics Show in Chicago. It... (1977)
On June 4, 1977: JVC introduces its VHS videotape at the Consumer Electronics Show in Chicago. It will eventually prevail against Sony's rival Betamax system in a format war to become the predominant
On This Day: Haitian Revolution: Battle of Port-Républicain: British troops capture the... (1794)
On June 5, 1794: Haitian Revolution: Battle of Port-Républicain: British troops capture the capital of Saint-Domingue. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God
On This Day: France invades the Austrian Netherlands (present day Belgium and Luxembourg),... (1792)
On April 28, 1792: France invades the Austrian Netherlands (present day Belgium and Luxembourg), beginning the French Revolutionary Wars. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustra
On This Day: As the Treaty of Saigon is signed, ceding parts of southern Vietnam to France,... (1862)
On June 5, 1862: As the Treaty of Saigon is signed, ceding parts of southern Vietnam to France, the guerrilla leader Trương Định decides to defy Emperor Tự Đức of Vietnam and fight on against the Euro
On This Day: World War II: The Lidice massacre is perpetrated as a reprisal for the... (1942)
On June 10, 1942: World War II: The Lidice massacre is perpetrated as a reprisal for the assassination of Obergruppenführer Reinhard Heydrich. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon ill