Sermon Illustrations

In 1980, Mt St. Helens in Washington State erupted - spewing lava out for miles around.

83 year-old Harry Truman (not to be confused with the former US President) was the owner of Mt. St. Helens Lodge. He had been a resident there for nearly 50 years and became nationally famous for his refusal to leave his lodge - despite the orders for all residents and visitors to clear the danger area before the eruption. But the blast when it came - covered his lodge with 180 feet of debris and 90 feet of water.

Truman had expected lava flows but thought that he could be evacuated by helicopter, when the time came.

What happened was something entirely different and it cost him his life.

Truman died because he was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

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