Sermon Illustration

Hurricane Jeanne Uncovers Spanish Treasure

An article from the Billingsgate Gazette reported that a wonderful treasure was discovered on the beaches of Florida. Joel Ruth came across 180 near-mint-condition silver coins, Spanish pieces of eight worth more than $40,000. The coins were from a Spanish treasure fleet of about a dozen ships that were destroyed by a hurricane in 1715.

Now, 289 years later, another hurricane momentarily uncovered a portion of this treasure that had washed ashore. It took a hurricane like Jeanne—a storm responsible for some of the worst destruction in recent history to Florida's coast—to bring that slice of shoreline back to where it was nearly 300 years before. The storm exposed an impressive treasure to the one who went looking for it.

Isn't that like life? Oftentimes, storms are required to uncover hidden treasures, if we are willing to look.

Our Latest

Article

Music at Midnight: The Supreme Value of Mercy

Our pastoral forefather, George Herbert, orients us to the music that stops the flow of discouragement.

Article

Good Expectations

Knowing the ways God uses our preaching feeds our faith in the outcomes.

Article

On Finding Sacred Space in the City

How will congregations find places in dense, expensive urban areas?

Fiction

The Weight of Calling

The sanctuary quieted as it cleared. The worship team finished packing up and departed. Daniel’s thoughts faded, interrupted by the sound of Norma’s voice.

addApple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseellipseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squarefolderGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastprintremoveRSSRSSSaveSavesaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube
Down ArrowbookCloseExpandExternalsearchTable of Contents