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: 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: Battle of New Ross: The attempt to spread the United Irish Rebellion into... (1798)
On June 5, 1798: Battle of New Ross: The attempt to spread the United Irish Rebellion into Munster is defeated. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works t
On This Day: World War II: After a brief lull in the Battle of France, the Germans renew the... (1940)
On June 5, 1940: World War II: After a brief lull in the Battle of France, the Germans renew the offensive against the remaining French divisions south of the River Somme in Operation Fall Rot ("Case
On This Day: Louis Brandeis is sworn in as a Justice of the United States Supreme Court; he... (1916)
On June 5, 1916: Louis Brandeis is sworn in as a Justice of the United States Supreme Court; he is the first American Jew to hold such a position. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon
On This Day: Cuban Missile Crisis: Adlai Stevenson shows the United Nations Security Council... (1962)
On October 25, 1962: Cuban Missile Crisis: Adlai Stevenson shows the United Nations Security Council reconnaissance photographs of Soviet ballistic missiles in Cuba. This historical event can serve a
On This Day: World War II: The United States declares war on Bulgaria, Hungary, and Romania. (1942)
On June 5, 1942: World War II: The United States declares war on Bulgaria, Hungary, and Romania. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the even
On This Day: Cold War: Marshall Plan: In a speech at Harvard University, the United States... (1947)
On June 5, 1947: Cold War: Marshall Plan: In a speech at Harvard University, the United States Secretary of State George Marshall calls for economic aid to war-torn Europe. This historical event can
On This Day: The Six-Day War begins: Israel launches surprise strikes against Egyptian... (1967)
On June 5, 1967: The Six-Day War begins: Israel launches surprise strikes against Egyptian air-fields in response to the mobilisation of Egyptian forces on the Israeli border. This historical event c
On This Day: World War II: Four thousand Chongqing residents are asphyxiated in a bomb... (1941)
On June 5, 1941: World War II: Four thousand Chongqing residents are asphyxiated in a bomb shelter during the Bombing of Chongqing. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration a
On This Day: World War II: More than 1,000 British bombers drop 5,000 tons of bombs on German... (1944)
On June 5, 1944: World War II: More than 1,000 British bombers drop 5,000 tons of bombs on German gun batteries on the Normandy coast in preparation for D-Day. This historical event can serve as a po
On This Day: The Allied Control Council, the military occupation governing body of Germany,... (1945)
On June 5, 1945: The Allied Control Council, the military occupation governing body of Germany, formally takes power. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly lea
On This Day: World War II: Fascist Italy declares war on France and the United Kingdom,... (1940)
On June 10, 1940: World War II: Fascist Italy declares war on France and the United Kingdom, beginning an invasion of southern France. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustratio