Contemplative/Mystical Illustrations
Union with God, contemplative prayer, apophatic theology.
Key question: “How does this text invite us into deeper union with God?”
10346 illustrations found
On This Day: Settlers make a land run for prime land in the Cherokee Strip in Oklahoma. (1893)
On September 16, 1893: Settlers make a land run for prime land in the Cherokee Strip in Oklahoma. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about God's call to courage in the ...
On This Day: The trial of the deposed Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega ends in the United... (1992)
On September 16, 1992: The trial of the deposed Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega ends in the United States with a 40-year sentence for drug trafficking and money laundering. This historical event c...
On This Day: American Revolutionary War: The invasion of Quebec by the Continental Army... (1775)
On September 17, 1775: American Revolutionary War: The invasion of Quebec by the Continental Army begins with the Siege of Fort St. Jean. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustra...
On This Day: Second Boer War: A Boer column defeats a British force at the Battle of Blood... (1901)
On September 17, 1901: Second Boer War: A Boer column defeats a British force at the Battle of Blood River Poort. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works...
On This Day: American Civil War: The Allegheny Arsenal explosion in Lawrenceville,... (1862)
On September 17, 1862: American Civil War: The Allegheny Arsenal explosion in Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania results in the single largest civilian disaster during the war. This historical event can ser...
On This Day: World War II: The Soviet invasion of Poland begins. (1939)
On September 17, 1939: World War II: The Soviet invasion of Poland begins. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history. Conside...
On This Day: American Revolutionary War: The Franco-American Siege of Savannah begins. (1779)
On September 16, 1779: American Revolutionary War: The Franco-American Siege of Savannah begins. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the even...
On This Day: Seabiscuit defeats War Admiral in an upset victory during a match race deemed... (1938)
On November 1, 1938: Seabiscuit defeats War Admiral in an upset victory during a match race deemed "the match of the century" in horse racing. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon ill...
On This Day: The French Directory, a five-man revolutionary government, is created. (1795)
On November 2, 1795: The French Directory, a five-man revolutionary government, is created. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership and its impact. Co...
On This Day: In California, designer Howard Hughes performs the maiden (and only) flight of... (1947)
On November 2, 1947: In California, designer Howard Hughes performs the maiden (and only) flight of the Hughes H-4 Hercules (also known as the "Spruce Goose"), the largest fixed-wing aircraft ever built until Scaled Composites rolled out their Stratolaunch in May 2017....
On This Day: The Peace of Bicêtre suspends hostilities in the Armagnac-Burgundian Civil War. (1410)
On November 2, 1410: The Peace of Bicêtre suspends hostilities in the Armagnac-Burgundian Civil War. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the pursuit of peace in a ...
On This Day: King Saud of Saudi Arabia is deposed by a family coup, and replaced by his... (1964)
On November 2, 1964: King Saud of Saudi Arabia is deposed by a family coup, and replaced by his half-brother Faisal. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly lead...
On This Day: John Brown and his men kill five slavery supporters at Pottawatomie Creek,... (1856)
On May 24, 1856: John Brown and his men kill five slavery supporters at Pottawatomie Creek, Kansas. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the dignity and worth of ev...
On This Day: Spanish Civil War: The bombing of Alicante kills 313 people. (1938)
On May 25, 1938: Spanish Civil War: The bombing of Alicante kills 313 people. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history. Cons...
On This Day: World War II: The Polish government of Ignacy Mościcki flees to Romania. (1939)
On September 18, 1939: World War II: The Polish government of Ignacy Mościcki flees to Romania. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership and its impact...
On This Day: World War II: The Soviet Union introduces conscription for all males between the... (1941)
On September 18, 1941: World War II: The Soviet Union introduces conscription for all males between the ages of 16 and 50. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how...
On This Day: American Civil War: John Bell Hood begins the Franklin-Nashville Campaign in an... (1864)
On September 18, 1864: American Civil War: John Bell Hood begins the Franklin-Nashville Campaign in an unsuccessful attempt to draw William Tecumseh Sherman back out of Georgia. This historical event...
On This Day: World War II: The British submarine HMS Tradewind torpedoes Jun'yō Maru, killing... (1944)
On September 18, 1944: World War II: The British submarine HMS Tradewind torpedoes Jun'yō Maru, killing 5,600, mostly slave labourers and POWs. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon il...
On This Day: At least 113 people die in the Grue Church fire, the biggest fire disaster in... (1822)
On May 26, 1822: At least 113 people die in the Grue Church fire, the biggest fire disaster in Norway's history. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the enduring n...
On This Day: Russia and the United Kingdom sign the Treaty of Gandamak establishing an Afghan... (1879)
On May 26, 1879: Russia and the United Kingdom sign the Treaty of Gandamak establishing an Afghan state. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership and i...
On This Day: The Battle of Oulart Hill takes place in Wexford, Ireland; Irish rebel leaders... (1798)
On May 27, 1798: The Battle of Oulart Hill takes place in Wexford, Ireland; Irish rebel leaders defeat and kill a detachment of militia. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustrat...
On This Day: World War II: U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt proclaims an "unlimited... (1941)
On May 27, 1941: World War II: U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt proclaims an "unlimited national emergency". This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadersh...
On This Day: A stampede at Shiloh Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, leads to the death... (1902)
On September 19, 1902: A stampede at Shiloh Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, leads to the death of 115 attendees. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the end...
On This Day: Second Boer War: The Treaty of Vereeniging ends the war and ensures British... (1902)
On May 31, 1902: Second Boer War: The Treaty of Vereeniging ends the war and ensures British control of South Africa. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the pursu...