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: Cold War: Yugoslavia's new constitution, modeling that of the Soviet Union,... (1946)
On January 31, 1946: Cold War: Yugoslavia's new constitution, modeling that of the Soviet Union, establishes six constituent republics (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia a
On This Day: American Revolution: Samuel Huntington is elected President of the Continental... (1779)
On September 28, 1779: American Revolution: Samuel Huntington is elected President of the Continental Congress, succeeding John Jay. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration
On This Day: Cold War: Space Race: The Explorer 1, the first successful American satellite,... (1958)
On January 31, 1958: Cold War: Space Race: The Explorer 1, the first successful American satellite, detects the Van Allen radiation belt. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustra
On This Day: The Treaty of Montgomery recognises Llywelyn ap Gruffudd as Prince of Wales, but... (1267)
On September 29, 1267: The Treaty of Montgomery recognises Llywelyn ap Gruffudd as Prince of Wales, but only as a vassal of King Henry III. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illust
On This Day: Bulgaria and Romania sign the Treaty of Accession 2005 to join the European... (2005)
On April 25, 2005: Bulgaria and Romania sign the Treaty of Accession 2005 to join the European Union. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the pursuit of peace in a
On This Day: During the French War of Religion, Protestant coup officials in Nîmes massacre... (1567)
On September 29, 1567: During the French War of Religion, Protestant coup officials in Nîmes massacre Catholic priests in an event now known as the Michelade. This historical event can serve as a pow
On This Day: Vietnam War: Viet Cong guerrillas attack the United States embassy in Saigon,... (1968)
On January 31, 1968: Vietnam War: Viet Cong guerrillas attack the United States embassy in Saigon, and other attacks, in the early morning hours, later grouped together as the Tet Offensive. This his
On This Day: Japan establishes diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China after... (1972)
On September 29, 1972: Japan establishes diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China after breaking official ties with the Republic of China. This historical event can serve as a powerfu
On This Day: The Winter Soldier Investigation, organized by the Vietnam Veterans Against the... (1971)
On January 31, 1971: The Winter Soldier Investigation, organized by the Vietnam Veterans Against the War to publicize alleged war crimes and atrocities by Americans and allies in Vietnam, begins in De
On This Day: Last day of the Battle of Boquerón between Paraguay and Bolivia during the Chaco... (1932)
On September 29, 1932: Last day of the Battle of Boquerón between Paraguay and Bolivia during the Chaco War. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works thro
On This Day: A North Sea flood causes over 1,800 deaths in the Netherlands and over 300 in... (1953)
On January 31, 1953: A North Sea flood causes over 1,800 deaths in the Netherlands and over 300 in the United Kingdom. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly le
On This Day: Henry IV is proclaimed king of England. (1399)
On September 30, 1399: Henry IV is proclaimed king of England. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership and its impact. Consider using it when preachin
On This Day: United Nations Security Council Resolution 90 relating to the Korean War is... (1951)
On January 31, 1951: United Nations Security Council Resolution 90 relating to the Korean War is adopted. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through
On This Day: Battle of Morlaix is fought in the Hundred Years' War. (1342)
On September 30, 1342: Battle of Morlaix is fought in the Hundred Years' War. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history. Cons
On This Day: The teenaged Edward III is crowned King of England, but the country is ruled by... (1327)
On February 1, 1327: The teenaged Edward III is crowned King of England, but the country is ruled by his mother Queen Isabella and her lover Roger Mortimer. This historical event can serve as a power
On This Day: Ethernet specifications are published by Xerox working with Intel and Digital... (1980)
On September 30, 1980: Ethernet specifications are published by Xerox working with Intel and Digital Equipment Corporation. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about god
On This Day: Sue Gray, a senior civil servant in the United Kingdom, publishes an initial... (2022)
On January 31, 2022: Sue Gray, a senior civil servant in the United Kingdom, publishes an initial version of her report on the Downing Street Partygate controversy. This historical event can serve as
On This Day: World War II: The Babi Yar massacre comes to an end. (1941)
On September 30, 1941: World War II: The Babi Yar massacre comes to an end. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history. Consid
On This Day: American Civil War: Texas secedes from the United States and joins the... (1861)
On February 1, 1861: American Civil War: Texas secedes from the United States and joins the Confederacy a week later. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God w
On This Day: Hurricane Matthew becomes a Category 5 hurricane, making it the strongest... (2016)
On September 30, 2016: Hurricane Matthew becomes a Category 5 hurricane, making it the strongest hurricane to form in the Caribbean Sea since 2007. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermo
On This Day: World War II: The last German formations withdraw from Finland to Norway. The... (1945)
On April 27, 1945: World War II: The last German formations withdraw from Finland to Norway. The Lapland War and thus, World War II in Finland, comes to an end and the Raising the Flag on the Three-Co
On This Day: Pope John XIII is consecrated. (965)
On October 1, 965: Pope John XIII is consecrated. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history. Consider using it when preaching
On This Day: The Crown of St. Stephen (also known as the Holy Crown of Hungary) goes on... (1978)
On January 31, 1978: The Crown of St. Stephen (also known as the Holy Crown of Hungary) goes on public display after being returned to Hungary from the United States, where it was held after World War
On This Day: World War II: German forces murder 92 civilians in Lingiades, Greece. (1943)
On October 3, 1943: World War II: German forces murder 92 civilians in Lingiades, Greece. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of h