Welcome To THE ILLUSTRATOR Thanksgiving in July November 26, 2025 Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. ~ 1 Thess. 5:16-18 NIV ~ "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thess. 5:16-18 NIV) ...Continue Reading

Welcome To THE ILLUSTRATOR Friendship in Jesus November 24, 2025 You are my friends if you do what I command. ~ John 15:14a NIV ~ Do you have a tried-and-true friend, someone that you can pour your heart out to and trust implicitly with everything going on in your life, both good and bad? I was curious about the friends we make in our lives, so I did a Google search and discovered that on average, we make roug ...Continue Reading

Welcome To THE ILLUSTRATOR Faith Is What You Do November 23, 2025 ...faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. ~ James 2:17 NIV ~ "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." (James 2:17 NIV) I was a young man finishing up my teaching degree at college. I was driving to a high school to do my student teaching in my 20 year o ...Continue Reading

Welcome To THE ILLUSTRATOR The Case of the Disappearing Cat: Seeking the Lost, Part 2 November 21, 2025 God is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. ~ 2 Peter 3:9 NIV ~ Last Friday, I told the story of my disappearing pet turtles, comparing this to the story of the lost coin in Luke 15:8-10, for ...Continue Reading

Welcome To THE ILLUSTRATOR A Case Full of Cassettes November 19, 2025 ...forgive those who sin against us. ~ Luke 11:4b NLT ~ I can still remember it like it was yesterday. My children were still young and we had all gotten into the car to go grocery shopping. Our car was a beat up, old, Ford Escort with a cassette player in it. We had a case full of cassettes behind the gear shift that we would listen to when the radio ...Continue Reading

Welcome To THE ILLUSTRATOR An Urgent Call for Today's Turmoil November 17, 2025 How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you... ~ Psalms 31:19a NIV ~ Some weeks back, my computer froze. I fought the panic and called my friend for help. “You have too many windows open,” she said, “that’s your problem.” Duh! That’s exact ...Continue Reading

Welcome To THE ILLUSTRATOR Motivation November 16, 2025 It was by faith that Moses, when he grew up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to share the oppression of God’s people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin. ~ Hebrews 11:24 NLT ~ Motivation is a wonderful way to accomplish something we're reluctant to tackle. I think of how quickly we tidy the house and wipe the most obv ...Continue Reading

Welcome To THE ILLUSTRATOR The Case of the Disappearing Turtles: Seeking the Lost, Part 1 November 14, 2025 God is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. ~ 2 Peter 3:9 NIV ~ When I was a child, I was raised in a rather affluent home. I wasn't necessarily spoiled, but I had pretty much everything ...Continue Reading

Welcome To THE ILLUSTRATOR The Real Thing November 12, 2025 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—which is really no gospel at all. ~ Galatians 1:6 NIV ~ "I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—which is really no gospel at ...Continue Reading

Welcome To THE NUGGET God Is Your Future By: Paul Smyth --------------------------------- November 11, 2025 I’m just going to come right out with it. I’m 63. Now, I realize that technically, this is not ‘old,’ but there are days when I feel much older, and with all the stressful things going on in my life right now, I do question what the future has in store for me and my dear wife, who struggles with her own health ch ...Continue Reading