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: The Symbionese Liberation Army kidnaps Patty Hearst in Berkeley, California. (1974)
On February 4, 1974: The Symbionese Liberation Army kidnaps Patty Hearst in Berkeley, California. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the gift of freedom and liber
On This Day: The New Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia, one of the largest and... (1852)
On February 5, 1852: The New Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia, one of the largest and oldest museums in the world, opens to the public. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermo
On This Day: World War II: The British Indian Army and Imperial Japanese Army begin a series... (1945)
On February 4, 1945: World War II: The British Indian Army and Imperial Japanese Army begin a series of battles known as the Battle of Pokoku and Irrawaddy River operations. This historical event can
On This Day: Henry of Navarre abjures Catholicism at Tours and rejoins the Protestant forces... (1576)
On February 5, 1576: Henry of Navarre abjures Catholicism at Tours and rejoins the Protestant forces in the French Wars of Religion. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration
On This Day: Mutiny on Royal Netherlands Navy warship HNLMS De Zeven Provinciën off the coast... (1933)
On February 5, 1933: Mutiny on Royal Netherlands Navy warship HNLMS De Zeven Provinciën off the coast of Sumatra, Dutch East Indies. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration
On This Day: Facebook, a mainstream online social networking site, is founded by Mark... (2004)
On February 4, 2004: Facebook, a mainstream online social networking site, is founded by Mark Zuckerberg and Eduardo Saverin. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about g
On This Day: Croatian nobles elect Ferdinand I, Archduke of Austria as King of Croatia in the... (1527)
On January 1, 1527: Croatian nobles elect Ferdinand I, Archduke of Austria as King of Croatia in the 1527 election in Cetin. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about go
On This Day: The European Court of Justice's ruling in Van Gend en Loos v Nederlandse... (1963)
On February 5, 1963: The European Court of Justice's ruling in Van Gend en Loos v Nederlandse Administratie der Belastingen establishes the principle of direct effect, one of the most important, if no
On This Day: World War II: General Douglas MacArthur returns to Manila. (1945)
On February 5, 1945: World War II: General Douglas MacArthur returns to Manila. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history. Co
On This Day: Michael VIII Palaiologos is proclaimed co-emperor of the Empire of Nicaea with... (1259)
On January 1, 1259: Michael VIII Palaiologos is proclaimed co-emperor of the Empire of Nicaea with his ward John IV Laskaris. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about h
On This Day: World War II: Allied forces begin the Battle of Keren to capture Keren, Eritrea. (1941)
On February 5, 1941: World War II: Allied forces begin the Battle of Keren to capture Keren, Eritrea. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the
On This Day: Grand Prince Stephen I of Hungary is named the first King of Hungary by Pope... (1001)
On January 1, 1001: Grand Prince Stephen I of Hungary is named the first King of Hungary by Pope Sylvester II (probable). This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly
On This Day: French President Charles de Gaulle calls for Algeria to be granted independence. (1962)
On February 5, 1962: French President Charles de Gaulle calls for Algeria to be granted independence. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the gift of freedom and l
On This Day: The United Tribes of New Zealand are established with the signature of the... (1835)
On October 28, 1835: The United Tribes of New Zealand are established with the signature of the Declaration of Independence. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about th
On This Day: Cultural Revolution: The Shanghai People's Commune is formally proclaimed, with... (1967)
On February 5, 1967: Cultural Revolution: The Shanghai People's Commune is formally proclaimed, with Yao Wenyuan and Zhang Chunqiao being appointed as its leaders. This historical event can serve as
On This Day: American Revolutionary War: Burning of Norfolk - Norfolk, Virginia, is burned to... (1776)
On January 1, 1776: American Revolutionary War: Burning of Norfolk - Norfolk, Virginia, is burned to the ground by combined Royal Navy and Continental Army action. This historical event can serve as
On This Day: Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom is proclaimed Empress of India. (1877)
On January 1, 1877: Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom is proclaimed Empress of India. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership and its impact. Consi
On This Day: The hymn that becomes known as "Amazing Grace", previously titled "1 Chronicles... (1773)
On January 1, 1773: The hymn that becomes known as "Amazing Grace", previously titled "1 Chronicles 17:16-17, Faith's Review and Expectation", is first used to accompany a sermon led by John Newton in
On This Day: The legislative union of Kingdom of Great Britain and Kingdom of Ireland is... (1801)
On January 1, 1801: The legislative union of Kingdom of Great Britain and Kingdom of Ireland is completed, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland is proclaimed. This historical event can
On This Day: American Civil War: The Emancipation Proclamation takes effect in Confederate... (1863)
On January 1, 1863: American Civil War: The Emancipation Proclamation takes effect in Confederate territory. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the gift of freedo
On This Day: Cuban Revolution: Fulgencio Batista, dictator of Cuba, is overthrown by Fidel... (1959)
On January 1, 1959: Cuban Revolution: Fulgencio Batista, dictator of Cuba, is overthrown by Fidel Castro's forces. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God work
On This Day: The Treaty of Ripon is signed, ending the hostilities of the Second Bishops'... (1640)
On October 28, 1640: The Treaty of Ripon is signed, ending the hostilities of the Second Bishops' War. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the pursuit of peace in
On This Day: A treaty annexing the Republic of Hawaii to the United States is signed; the... (1897)
On June 16, 1897: A treaty annexing the Republic of Hawaii to the United States is signed; the Republic would not be dissolved until a year later. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon
On This Day: Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago sign the Treaty of... (1973)
On July 4, 1973: Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago sign the Treaty of Chaguaramas in Chaguaramas, Trinidad and Tobago establishing the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). It replaces the C