You're in limited preview mode.

Login or signup for free to unlock more content.

Of the Word and Waterjets

Word of God Conviction Spiritual Warfare

Source: How Stuff Works

Link to Source: Click here to view source

Contributed By: Marcelle Smith | Date Posted: 2025-03-02

Scripture: Hebrews 4:12 ; Ephesians 6:17

Author: Marcelle Smith
3

ILLUSTRATION

In the past, only one piece of metal could be cut at a time with a saw or other metal cutting mechanical process. It took a lot of time and was expensive. Then came the invention and use of waterjets.

Low pressure waterjets were first used for mining gold in California in 1852. Steam and hot water jets were used in the early 1900s for cleaning. High pressure waterjets were used for mining in the 1960s. During the mid 2000s waterjets started to be used for cutting. 

A waterjet is a tool used to cut with a (very) high pressure stream of water. Think of a waterjet as something with about 30 times the pressure of the power washer wand at our local car wash. Power washing at car washes is an example of a dirt film being “cut” off the body, wheels, and tires of our vehicles. The key to cutting metal with water is to keep the spray coherent. Waterjets are able to cut because the spray is channeled through a very narrow jeweled nozzle as a very high pressure to keep the spray coherent. 

Waterjets can cut marble, granite, stone, metal, plastic, wood, and stainless steel. They can cut a sandwich of different materials up to four inches thick. 

Unlike metal cutters, a waterjet never gets dull and it cannot overheat.

APPLICATION

We are told in Scripture, "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12, NIV). It NEVER wears out, NEVER gets dull, NEVER overheats, but applies exactly the amount of heat needed for conviction or instruction. 

God has given us this immensely powerful, useful tool. Wield it wisely!

"And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Ephesians 6:17, ESV).

 

The Dependable River of Life

Dependable God's Provision Eternity

Source: National Geographic

Link to Source: Click here to view source

Contributed By: Marcelle Smith | Date Posted: 2025-03-01

Scripture: Psalms 46:4 ; Revelation 22:1

Author: Marcelle Smith
0

ILLUSTRATION

The once-mighty Mississippi River is in crisis.

In recent years, the Mississippi River has experienced severe, months-long droughts that take hold across a vast swathe of America’s Midwest and South, regularly leaving the river at historic lows. 

Forty percent of the continental United States drains into the river. The Mississippi River is far more than just a storied body of water. It is America’s superhighway. Ninety-two percent of all U.S. agricultural exports and 78 percent of the globe’s exported feed grain are transported on the river. From freshly harvested corn shipped all over the world to coffee that’s served in cafes across the Midwest, nearly 500 million tons of goods are shipped up and down the river every year. But today, the growing frequency of droughts is forcing barges to carry fewer goods.

Just a one-foot fall in water level shaves 100,000 bushels of soybeans from a typical 15-barge tow. That’s the equivalent of 2,738 metric tons—enough to overflow an Olympic-sized swimming pool.

A low Mississippi River is not only bad news for Americans, but also for countries as far away as China, Japan, and Indonesia where Midwestern grain and soybeans are essential food sources. In 2022, the low river levels resulted in an estimated $20 billion in lost trade.

APPLICATION

Something dependable, some of us might even say almost eternal, is in danger of no longer being dependable. 

Thankfully, we serve One whose power and provision flows dependably, eternally. He is, Himself, the Living Water — the source of all life.

"There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High" (Psalm 46:4, ESV).

"Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb" (Revelation 22:1, ESV).

One Bad Apple

Character Carnality Conformity

Source: "Can one rotten apple really spoil the whole barrel?" by Joe Schwarcz PhD, published 3 Dec 2019, McGill University Office for Science and Society

Link to Source: Click here to view source

Contributed By: Illustration Exchange | Date Posted: 2025-02-19

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:33 ; Proverbs 13:20

Author: Illustration Exchange
4

ILLUSTRATION

"One Bad Apple," a song by the Osmonds, hit the airwaves on November 14, 1970, hitting the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart on February 13, 1971.

One bad apple don't
Spoil the whole bunch, girl

Oh, give it one more try
Before you give up on love
One bad apple don't
Spoil the whole bunch, girl
Oh, I don't care what they say
I don't care what you heard

Common sense and simple observation tells us one bad apple can, indeed, spoil, the whole bunch. The Osmonds, with their naive, wishful thinking would have liked us to believe otherwise.

So, which is it? Can one bad apple spoil the whole bunch?

Scientists at McGill University had something to say about that:

You bet. Because once an apple is rotten or has physical damage, (ie a bruise), it produces ethylene, which in turn leads to a slightly increased internal temperature causing a breakdown of chlorophyll and the synthesis of other pigments. The starch in the fruit is converted to simple sugars and at the same time, pectin, a component of fiber that cements the cell walls together, begins to disintegrate thereby softening the tissue. Once this happens, it starts a chain reaction, stimulating the process in other apples.

Google's AI bot had a much simpler and to the point answer:

Yes, one bad apple can spoil a bunch of apples because rot spreads through contact.

Whether we're talking apples ...

Or organes ...

Or ... 

APPLICATION

The company we keep, the fellowship we share, the entertainment we consume, matters. It all matters ... because rot spreads. 

Like the wishful thinking in that old hit song, our own wishful thinking would have us to believe that we have it within ourselves to resist the rot. But rot is, if nothing else ... compelling.

Remember that scientific explanation from McGill? "... pectin, a component of fiber that cements the cell walls together, begins to disintegrate thereby softening the tissue." It is an inevevitable process.

We must guard our hearts and minds, lest our Christian testimony, our right thinking, or moral character all begin to "disintegrate" and "soften" overtime.

Remember, "... rot spreads by contact."

"Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm" (Proverbs 13:20, ESV).

"Do not be misled: 'Bad company corrupts good character'” (1 Corinthians: 15:33, NIV).

 

 

It's a Wonderful, Self-sacrificial Life

Sacrifice Values Fulfillment

Contributed By: Illustration Exchange | Date Posted: 2025-02-19

Scripture: John 3:30

Author: Weston Skaggs
4

This is Premium Content.

To see the full illustration, please Sign Up or

Under the Shade of the Tree of Life

Eternal Life God's Care Heaven

Contributed By: Dwight Davis | Date Posted: 2025-02-16

Scripture: Genesis 2:9 ; Revelation 2:7

Author: Doug Batchelor
1

This is Premium Content.

To see the full illustration, please Sign Up or

The Three Generation Principle

Children Faith Witness

Contributed By: Chris Doster | Date Posted: 2025-01-09

Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:6 ; Psalms 78:6

Author: Unknown
0

This is Premium Content.

To see the full illustration, please Sign Up or

Frogsicles

Conversion Salvation New Birth

Contributed By: Dwight Davis | Date Posted: 2025-01-09

Scripture: Ezekiel 36:26

Author: Doug Batchelor
1

This is Premium Content.

To see the full illustration, please Sign Up or

Wishing for Wells - The Story of Ryan Hreljac

Compassion Empathy Giving

Contributed By: Herry Herry | Date Posted: 2024-12-27

Scripture: Matthew 25:35 ; Matthew 25:40

Author: Herry Herry
4

This is Premium Content.

To see the full illustration, please Sign Up or

Right Street, Wrong House

Guidance Followership Destiny

Contributed By: Jonathan Mussett | Date Posted: 2024-12-27

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5 ; Jeremiah 17:9

Author: Jonathan Mussett
0

This is Premium Content.

To see the full illustration, please Sign Up or

Surfing Past Setbacks

Persistence Perseverance Opportunity

Contributed By: Herry Herry | Date Posted: 2024-12-26

Scripture: Romans 5:3 ; James 1:3

Author: Herry Herry
7

This is Premium Content.

To see the full illustration, please Sign Up or