There is a book called THE MORE WITH LESS COOKBOOK. It was written by Mennonites. Many people, where the recipes advise, Feeds six would not believe the scant amount of food that would fit this description.
In short, most Americans would make poor Mennonites who in their eating habits are, as they are in many other things, simplistic and disciplined.
However, it is well to realize that the point of this illustration is not really about food portions but about attitude and lifestyle. Mennonites are happier with having less. Many if not most Americans feel they are happier with more.
And, of course, this leads ultimately to the question… where else in the process of living do we demand more in order to be happy? And I am asking you to ask yourself, “What does it take to make me satisfied?”
Have you ever stopped to think that a rummage sale is really a sermon on dissatisfaction? A getting rid of items that not long ago you felt you simply had to have or you would just die. Now bought by someone else who feels that now they absolutely must possess what you no longer want.
Give a prayer of thanks for whatever blessings you experienced this day that did not cost you a cent. Take the time to figure out what they were.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
THE FIRST DAY OF THE LAST DAY OF SCHOOL
May I share with you a true story? It happened not that many years ago at the University of Southern California. One of the professors of philosophy there was a deeply committed atheist. His primary goal for one required class was to spend the entire semester attempting to prove that God could not exist. His students were always afraid to argue with him because of his impeccable logic.
For twenty years he had taught this class, and no one had ever had the courage to go against him. Yes, some in class had argued at times, but no one had ever really challenged him because of his reputation. On the last day of every semester he would goad his class of 300 students, “If there is anyone here who still believes in Jesus, stand up!”
“Anyone who believes in God is a fool. If God existed, He could stop this piece of chalk from hitting the ground and breaking. Such a simple task to prove that He is God, and yet He can’t do it.” And every year, he would drop the chalk onto the tile floor and it would shatter into many pieces.
Finally, the last day of this school year came. As always the professor pronounced his same challenge, “If there is anyone here who still believes in God, stand up!”
In the back of the classroom a lone student rose to his feet. 299 shocked students stared at him, and the professor shouted, “You fool! If God existed, He would keep this piece of chalk from breaking when it hits the floor!” And he proceeded to drop the chalk…but as he did, it slipped out of his fingers, off his shirt cuff, into the pleat of his pants, slid down his leg, and off his shoe. As it gently hit the floor it simply rolled away unbroken. The professor’s jaw dropped as he stared at the still intact piece of chalk. He then rapidly left the lecture hall.
The young man walked to the front of the room and for the next half-hour shared his faith with his classmates, all of whom stayed and listened.
For twenty years he had taught this class, and no one had ever had the courage to go against him. Yes, some in class had argued at times, but no one had ever really challenged him because of his reputation. On the last day of every semester he would goad his class of 300 students, “If there is anyone here who still believes in Jesus, stand up!”
“Anyone who believes in God is a fool. If God existed, He could stop this piece of chalk from hitting the ground and breaking. Such a simple task to prove that He is God, and yet He can’t do it.” And every year, he would drop the chalk onto the tile floor and it would shatter into many pieces.
Finally, the last day of this school year came. As always the professor pronounced his same challenge, “If there is anyone here who still believes in God, stand up!”
In the back of the classroom a lone student rose to his feet. 299 shocked students stared at him, and the professor shouted, “You fool! If God existed, He would keep this piece of chalk from breaking when it hits the floor!” And he proceeded to drop the chalk…but as he did, it slipped out of his fingers, off his shirt cuff, into the pleat of his pants, slid down his leg, and off his shoe. As it gently hit the floor it simply rolled away unbroken. The professor’s jaw dropped as he stared at the still intact piece of chalk. He then rapidly left the lecture hall.
The young man walked to the front of the room and for the next half-hour shared his faith with his classmates, all of whom stayed and listened.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
GET YOUR GOD MOTOR GOING AND IN GEAR
A lumberjack bought a chainsaw because he had been told that with it he could cut down 100 trees in a single day. On the first day he managed only 25. On the second day he raised the total to 36. On the third day he arose early and worked late, still 48 was the best he could do.
On the fourth day he took it back to the store where he had bought it and began to complain mightily. The owner of the store grabbed the chainsaw from him and pulled lustily on the starter rope. The motor instantly roared into action.
The lumberjack jumped back in alarm and yelled, “Hey, what’s that big noise.”
You see, the only big noise the lumberjack had been hearing was his own complaining voice. He had not tried to find out if there was something he didn’t understand or could do. He was the problem, not the chainsaw.
Complainers are like that lumberjack – they’re noisy, but they never get their motor going.
God has better things for us to do than complain, like praying for more common sense at such moments as that above or paying attention to opportunities instead of complaining there aren’t any or…
On the fourth day he took it back to the store where he had bought it and began to complain mightily. The owner of the store grabbed the chainsaw from him and pulled lustily on the starter rope. The motor instantly roared into action.
The lumberjack jumped back in alarm and yelled, “Hey, what’s that big noise.”
You see, the only big noise the lumberjack had been hearing was his own complaining voice. He had not tried to find out if there was something he didn’t understand or could do. He was the problem, not the chainsaw.
Complainers are like that lumberjack – they’re noisy, but they never get their motor going.
God has better things for us to do than complain, like praying for more common sense at such moments as that above or paying attention to opportunities instead of complaining there aren’t any or…
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
WHO ARE YOU?
YOU NEED HELP
Any fool can ignore God or curse God or try to run away from God. Any madman can try to go it alone in a world he did not make with a life he did not conceive.
Anyone can try to master the world and other men and never learn how to master themselves. But the wise man sits down and says, “Who am I?” and honestly wants an honest answer.
The wise person sits down and asks, “Why am I? and allows his or herself to be prodded by a moral code which says, “You are…that others might be glad you are or sorry you ever existed…that is why you are!”
Any fool can ignore God or curse God or try to run away from God. Any madman can try to go it alone in a world he did not make with a life he did not conceive.
Anyone can try to master the world and other men and never learn how to master themselves. But the wise man sits down and says, “Who am I?” and honestly wants an honest answer.
The wise person sits down and asks, “Why am I? and allows his or herself to be prodded by a moral code which says, “You are…that others might be glad you are or sorry you ever existed…that is why you are!”
Monday, July 27, 2009
NO WIDER THAN THE SOUL IS WIDE
Everyday may not be good but there is some wee bit of good in every day. It is why God made the rainbow to remind us not to forget this fact.
But we, differing creatures that we are… seeing so many of the the same scenes, hearing so many of the same sounds prove our uniqueness in countless ways.
One of us will curse the rain and thunder at all around us and another give thanks for that multicolored prism in the sky..
One will curse the hill on his upward climb and another will feel closer to his god with the valley stretched out below.
One will curse the lonely blackness of the night and another will marvel at the sparkle of the stars and speak a peaceful prayer in the solitude of darkness.
And what is often the difference between a good attitude and one not so good at all? The answer simply put is God.
There is something about a relationship with the beginner of it all that calms the restless doubts and stabilizes a resounding faith.
There is something about uttering the two words “Our Father” and carrying on with this given prayer, that quiets any noisy doubts and causes the fact of God to overwhelm.
But we, differing creatures that we are… seeing so many of the the same scenes, hearing so many of the same sounds prove our uniqueness in countless ways.
One of us will curse the rain and thunder at all around us and another give thanks for that multicolored prism in the sky..
One will curse the hill on his upward climb and another will feel closer to his god with the valley stretched out below.
One will curse the lonely blackness of the night and another will marvel at the sparkle of the stars and speak a peaceful prayer in the solitude of darkness.
And what is often the difference between a good attitude and one not so good at all? The answer simply put is God.
There is something about a relationship with the beginner of it all that calms the restless doubts and stabilizes a resounding faith.
There is something about uttering the two words “Our Father” and carrying on with this given prayer, that quiets any noisy doubts and causes the fact of God to overwhelm.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
NO FEE, IT'S FREE
We in America are a people who love to trade. If the price is right, the bargain attractive, the time propitious, we will trade almost anything, So let me offer you some things for trade that are not the usual items mentioned in time of barter. As out of the ordinary as they are they offer some great improvements.
Got a temper?..I offer you in trade a forgiving heart.
Got an inferiority complex? …I offer you the fact of a God who thought you were worth dying for.
Got a chip on your shoulder? I offer you the love of God to calm any insecurities that are often the cause of anger.
Got a nervous system that behaves like it is out of joint? I offer you the Lord’s peace that passeth understanding because it is not necessary that you understand it to benefit from it.
To hasten the affect softly repeat the word Jesus as you picture the name written in capital letters. Produce from the magic of your mind several scenes from his time here on earth. They are worth reproducing because after all He did it for YOU.
Turn to the gospels and search out the beauty of the 13th chapter of Corinthians.
I offer these thoughts to you not as one who has a corner on the market. I have no franchise on God’s love and power. I offer it to you only as one who has found it as a gift and who but prays that you will find it, too.
Got a temper?..I offer you in trade a forgiving heart.
Got an inferiority complex? …I offer you the fact of a God who thought you were worth dying for.
Got a chip on your shoulder? I offer you the love of God to calm any insecurities that are often the cause of anger.
Got a nervous system that behaves like it is out of joint? I offer you the Lord’s peace that passeth understanding because it is not necessary that you understand it to benefit from it.
To hasten the affect softly repeat the word Jesus as you picture the name written in capital letters. Produce from the magic of your mind several scenes from his time here on earth. They are worth reproducing because after all He did it for YOU.
Turn to the gospels and search out the beauty of the 13th chapter of Corinthians.
I offer these thoughts to you not as one who has a corner on the market. I have no franchise on God’s love and power. I offer it to you only as one who has found it as a gift and who but prays that you will find it, too.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
THE PLUS OR MINUS POWER OF OUR WORDS
And as I have listened in the last 24 hours plus to so many words about one subject I have sought wherever I could find them words of forgiveness, an effort for all speaking and listening to try to understand and I have thought…
Words are a candle and lose nothing when they give light so we must be careful of our words for they are students of each other. Verbal dominos lined up and sometimes out of control.
And I thought, we are held accountability for what we do not say as well as what we do say and rightly so.
From time to time on TV I have seen giant buildings crumble, turn to dust and be gone. It is never true of words. They live on forever and become monuments to themselves; good monuments…bad monuments…but nevertheless monuments.
Words fitly and wisely spoken cost us nothing so I wonder why we do not increase our spending in this area more often.
Words do not forget how they were used to express our sentiments in all our yesteryears. We forget nothing nor do our words forget us.
The book of Proverbs puts it well “As a man thinketh in his heart so is he.”
Please consider sharing this site. Thanks.
Words are a candle and lose nothing when they give light so we must be careful of our words for they are students of each other. Verbal dominos lined up and sometimes out of control.
And I thought, we are held accountability for what we do not say as well as what we do say and rightly so.
From time to time on TV I have seen giant buildings crumble, turn to dust and be gone. It is never true of words. They live on forever and become monuments to themselves; good monuments…bad monuments…but nevertheless monuments.
Words fitly and wisely spoken cost us nothing so I wonder why we do not increase our spending in this area more often.
Words do not forget how they were used to express our sentiments in all our yesteryears. We forget nothing nor do our words forget us.
The book of Proverbs puts it well “As a man thinketh in his heart so is he.”
Please consider sharing this site. Thanks.
Friday, July 24, 2009
INVIGORATION IS BETTER THAN STAGNATION
What can be done to invigorate this adventure called life.
Stretch your soul. Do so with some simple acts so simple it is easy to pass them by. Scratch a kittens back. Make up a song and sing it if only for yourself. Expect nothing and be grateful for everything. And above all else...don't invigorate your stagnation.
“Come to me…and I will give…life” (Matthew 11:28, John 10:28) This is Christ’s promise for the here-now as well as for the here-after.
A new Spiritual Vitamin every day. Thanks for joining the growing group of folk who visit this site and then share it with others.
Stretch your soul. Do so with some simple acts so simple it is easy to pass them by. Scratch a kittens back. Make up a song and sing it if only for yourself. Expect nothing and be grateful for everything. And above all else...don't invigorate your stagnation.
“Come to me…and I will give…life” (Matthew 11:28, John 10:28) This is Christ’s promise for the here-now as well as for the here-after.
A new Spiritual Vitamin every day. Thanks for joining the growing group of folk who visit this site and then share it with others.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
CHOSE YE THIS DAY
On the 23rd of September, 1928, I became a part of this world.
Not in 1898 as did my mother, or 1890 as did my father or 1859 as did my grandfather. For whatever reason, in the halls of heaven it was decreed that this totally marvelous process called birth would be successful in my case those almost 81 years ago.
I didn’t choose the day of my beginning. But during the 25,550 days of the average lifetime I do get to chose whether I will give glory and praise to the worthwhile or the worthless.
I do get to have a faith that is robust, ineffectual, or tattle-tale gray.
My email messages come through Earthlink which has a delightful program called Spam Blocker. It blocks all kind of email messages I have no interest in and which might create for me and my computer harm.
In the real world my faith can be considered my personal Spam Blocker. I live in a changing culture and it is constantly sending me messages and spiritual and moral viruses, and if I do not make a joyful noise to God Lord many other less joyful or spiritually productive noises may come breaking through.
Again, thank those of you who are helping this site to grow by sharing it with others.
Not in 1898 as did my mother, or 1890 as did my father or 1859 as did my grandfather. For whatever reason, in the halls of heaven it was decreed that this totally marvelous process called birth would be successful in my case those almost 81 years ago.
I didn’t choose the day of my beginning. But during the 25,550 days of the average lifetime I do get to chose whether I will give glory and praise to the worthwhile or the worthless.
I do get to have a faith that is robust, ineffectual, or tattle-tale gray.
My email messages come through Earthlink which has a delightful program called Spam Blocker. It blocks all kind of email messages I have no interest in and which might create for me and my computer harm.
In the real world my faith can be considered my personal Spam Blocker. I live in a changing culture and it is constantly sending me messages and spiritual and moral viruses, and if I do not make a joyful noise to God Lord many other less joyful or spiritually productive noises may come breaking through.
Again, thank those of you who are helping this site to grow by sharing it with others.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
THE WHY OF YOUR LIVINHG
What will God ask? In that future time of questions perhaps he will inquire not what you have destroyed but what you have built, not what you have condemned but what you have blessed, not where you have planted seeds of discord by faultfinding but where you have cultivated a bountiful harvest of improvement.
Perhaps he will ask, How often did you love? How often did you contain your anger as against letting it roam destructively wherever it wished? How often did you forgive? How often did you promote unity and make the angels sing?
What will God ask? I, too, must wait to find out, but while we live, it does justice to time and eternity to ask the questions and at the same time look for honest answers rather than withering excuses.
Are you using any of these in your newsletter or blog?
Perhaps he will ask, How often did you love? How often did you contain your anger as against letting it roam destructively wherever it wished? How often did you forgive? How often did you promote unity and make the angels sing?
What will God ask? I, too, must wait to find out, but while we live, it does justice to time and eternity to ask the questions and at the same time look for honest answers rather than withering excuses.
Are you using any of these in your newsletter or blog?
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
ONCE UPON A TIME
Once upon a time there was a person who was a fool, and they stayed that way. They would never listen to advice. They would never study to gain information either secular or sacred.
They had a hard head and every day it grew harder, a cruel heart and ever day it grew more mean, a weak soul and as the days passed they did nothing to improve the twisted and dark path down which they passed.
They cursed God, found fault with people, carried a chip on his shoulder, and never sang a song. They found every day more miserable than the last and blamed everybody and everything but themselves.
And one day they died, unblessed, unlovely and unloved, a destiny never having found their better self, a life wasted.
Once upon a time…every life begins that way, and an unknown number of tomorrows stretch ahead – to what?
They had a hard head and every day it grew harder, a cruel heart and ever day it grew more mean, a weak soul and as the days passed they did nothing to improve the twisted and dark path down which they passed.
They cursed God, found fault with people, carried a chip on his shoulder, and never sang a song. They found every day more miserable than the last and blamed everybody and everything but themselves.
And one day they died, unblessed, unlovely and unloved, a destiny never having found their better self, a life wasted.
Once upon a time…every life begins that way, and an unknown number of tomorrows stretch ahead – to what?
Monday, July 20, 2009
BE NOT PROUD OF SOME LOUD
I heard a loudmouth today. His tongue was a whip, his thoughts a sickness. His heart was turned off while his volume was turned up high It wasn’t a cold day to begin with, but the pettiness of his anger sent a chill up my spine.
I only hope that listening to it sent some wisdom into my soul. I have heard his kind before bellowing over nothing as if all of time and eternity were at stake. I have been guilty myself. But it is so foolish, so unreasonable.
The book of Proverbs had a word for it. It reads “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.” (Proverbs 16:32)
Did this thought benefit your day? Then consider sharing with family and friends because blessed are those who can give without remembering and take without forgetting.
I only hope that listening to it sent some wisdom into my soul. I have heard his kind before bellowing over nothing as if all of time and eternity were at stake. I have been guilty myself. But it is so foolish, so unreasonable.
The book of Proverbs had a word for it. It reads “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.” (Proverbs 16:32)
Did this thought benefit your day? Then consider sharing with family and friends because blessed are those who can give without remembering and take without forgetting.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
SOME MOMENTS WITH MEANING
Go out today and do something you haven’t done in a long time, if ever. Read at least fifty lines from the lips of your Lord. Pray at least five minutes for others without one prayer for yourself. Call some enemy and try to make he or she a friend. Forget and forgive some hurt that has festered in your soul, making you and the recipient two miserable people. Think on someone you dislike and try to write down about them at least two good points
Then look at a leaf and study its symmetry. Hold a flower close and let your eyes move along each intricate, tiny pattern. The world is caught up in too much hate, and for all our prideful answers the basic answers that have the strength of eternity in them must come from ever warmer hearts, lives with more of beauty in them and seeing things through a soul that is busy acquiring 20/20 vision.
For more lengthy commentary try on a variety of subjects http://wyrickswritings.blogspot.com/
Then look at a leaf and study its symmetry. Hold a flower close and let your eyes move along each intricate, tiny pattern. The world is caught up in too much hate, and for all our prideful answers the basic answers that have the strength of eternity in them must come from ever warmer hearts, lives with more of beauty in them and seeing things through a soul that is busy acquiring 20/20 vision.
For more lengthy commentary try on a variety of subjects http://wyrickswritings.blogspot.com/
Saturday, July 18, 2009
SOMETIMES BANKRUPTCY IS A BLESSING
He was a general and like all of us, one day he was a general in the battle of self. And he won the battle.
After the Civil War, a representative of a large company approached Robert E. Lee and offered him the presidency of the firm for $50,000. Lee replied that he was not sure his abilities were worth such a large sum. “Oh,” said the man, “we aren’t interested in your services. We only want your name.” “My name is not for sale,” said Robert E. Lee.
A few months later he accepted the presidency of a small Virginia college at $1,500 a year.
Judas sold his honor for thirty pieces of silver. Some sell their honesty for an enlarged savings account, other for a pool of power and others for fame and its elusive joy. And yes…what is your price? And God help you, if you have one.
For more lengthy commentary on a variety of subjects try http://wyrickswritings.blogspot.com/
After the Civil War, a representative of a large company approached Robert E. Lee and offered him the presidency of the firm for $50,000. Lee replied that he was not sure his abilities were worth such a large sum. “Oh,” said the man, “we aren’t interested in your services. We only want your name.” “My name is not for sale,” said Robert E. Lee.
A few months later he accepted the presidency of a small Virginia college at $1,500 a year.
Judas sold his honor for thirty pieces of silver. Some sell their honesty for an enlarged savings account, other for a pool of power and others for fame and its elusive joy. And yes…what is your price? And God help you, if you have one.
For more lengthy commentary on a variety of subjects try http://wyrickswritings.blogspot.com/
Friday, July 17, 2009
I MET PATIENCE
I met patience and saw that it was wisdom.
I met patience and saw that it wins out when so many other things fail.
I met patience and she smiled as she spoke to me with such a pleasant look. It is what she said that made me smile as well. “Patience is the ability to idle your motor when you feel like stripping your gears.”
Patience. It is worth its weight in a million shining stars and a billion timeless tomorrows.
Patience? It is believing in tomorrow whatever it brings, bending with today whatever it gives and seeking to understand yesterday no matter what it gave.
We welcome you to put some of these thoughts in your personal newsletter on your churches newsletter or your blog.
IF YOU DO NOT GET A NEW IDEA EVERY DAY, LOOK WHAT YOU ARE LOSING. IF YOU DO NOT SHARE A NEW IDEA EVERY DAY, LOOK WHAT YOU ARE LOSING.
I met patience and saw that it wins out when so many other things fail.
I met patience and she smiled as she spoke to me with such a pleasant look. It is what she said that made me smile as well. “Patience is the ability to idle your motor when you feel like stripping your gears.”
Patience. It is worth its weight in a million shining stars and a billion timeless tomorrows.
Patience? It is believing in tomorrow whatever it brings, bending with today whatever it gives and seeking to understand yesterday no matter what it gave.
We welcome you to put some of these thoughts in your personal newsletter on your churches newsletter or your blog.
IF YOU DO NOT GET A NEW IDEA EVERY DAY, LOOK WHAT YOU ARE LOSING. IF YOU DO NOT SHARE A NEW IDEA EVERY DAY, LOOK WHAT YOU ARE LOSING.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
MEALTIME IS NO TIME FOR MADNESS
What is it you do three times a day? You eat, but how do you eat? Do you have the warm substance of love at every meal? (Yes, I know folk don’t eat together as often as once they did, but that is another story)
Is part of the menu the cool refreshing draft of understanding and smiles rather than frowns? Do you have beef that is the best side by side with dispositions that are the worst? Just remember that a smiling face is half a meal and the better half at that.
Is mealtime mad time or good time? Better to miss a meal than to miss God at a meal.
Actually, it is a great place to put an atheist on the defensive. How? Well, serve he or she a good meal and then ask them if there was a cook.
Is it God time too with a pause before the eating for a thanksgiving prayer? Have you kept that habit alive and well in your household?
During 365 days each year a lot of meals take place? Now don’t they?
For more lengthy commentary on a large variety of topics try http://wyrickswritings.blogspot.com/
Is part of the menu the cool refreshing draft of understanding and smiles rather than frowns? Do you have beef that is the best side by side with dispositions that are the worst? Just remember that a smiling face is half a meal and the better half at that.
Is mealtime mad time or good time? Better to miss a meal than to miss God at a meal.
Actually, it is a great place to put an atheist on the defensive. How? Well, serve he or she a good meal and then ask them if there was a cook.
Is it God time too with a pause before the eating for a thanksgiving prayer? Have you kept that habit alive and well in your household?
During 365 days each year a lot of meals take place? Now don’t they?
For more lengthy commentary on a large variety of topics try http://wyrickswritings.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
WHAT IS HAPPINESS?
What is happiness? Is it always having victory and never suffering defeat? Is it first seeing a smile on the face of someone you love or do you demand a smile find your face first instead? Is it serving or being served? Is it the conclusions of comparison? Your blessings and those of others?
Is it something that happens because of who you are rather than because you are always in pursuit of it?
Are we happy when we are loved because we know we could be hated; the wisdom of putting a shine on things is a special kind of happiness devoutely to be wished and persistently sought.
Is it creating shadows because our attitude is so full of sunshine? Is happiness living in such a way you belong where you are? And are glad where you are?
Is it all of these…any of these? ASK YOURSELF THE QUESTIONS SLOWLY, VERY SLOWLY!
For more lengthy commentary try http://wyrickswritings.blogspot.com/
Are you enjoying and benefiting from these One A Days? Would your friends and family do the same? Then, please consider sharing this site? Thanks and God bless you and yours.
Is it something that happens because of who you are rather than because you are always in pursuit of it?
Are we happy when we are loved because we know we could be hated; the wisdom of putting a shine on things is a special kind of happiness devoutely to be wished and persistently sought.
Is it creating shadows because our attitude is so full of sunshine? Is happiness living in such a way you belong where you are? And are glad where you are?
Is it all of these…any of these? ASK YOURSELF THE QUESTIONS SLOWLY, VERY SLOWLY!
For more lengthy commentary try http://wyrickswritings.blogspot.com/
Are you enjoying and benefiting from these One A Days? Would your friends and family do the same? Then, please consider sharing this site? Thanks and God bless you and yours.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
THERE ARE THINGS WORTH FORGETTING
Muse not on matters not important. Make not mountains out of molehills while the world is going to the dogs. Milk may be split, watches lost, and tires go flat.
But these things have not about them the eternal nature of discontent among neighbors, hate of man to man, faith that dillydallies while human personality’s burn. So muse on God’s laws, think on God’s will and pray for a bigger heart and a better life.
For more lengthy commentary on a variety of other subjects try http://wyrickswritings.blogspot.com/
But these things have not about them the eternal nature of discontent among neighbors, hate of man to man, faith that dillydallies while human personality’s burn. So muse on God’s laws, think on God’s will and pray for a bigger heart and a better life.
For more lengthy commentary on a variety of other subjects try http://wyrickswritings.blogspot.com/
Monday, July 13, 2009
WATCH YOUR MATH
Count the blessings of God instead of the faults of men. Be a success in this world, but while you are busy at being a success be sure that part of that success is being a successful human being in your relationship to your fellow man and to your God.
Be as busy at building a solid foundation of faith as you at building a solid financial foundation, yes even in these times and even more so.
Pray up to God, live well and wisely within the framework of his commandments; seek peace by giving instead of always taking.
These rules are as old as time and as old as man’s need.
For more lengthy commentary on a variety of other subjects try http://wyrickswritings.blogspot.com/
Are you enjoying and benefiting from these One A Days? Would your friends and family do the same? Please share this site. Thanks and God bless.
Be as busy at building a solid foundation of faith as you at building a solid financial foundation, yes even in these times and even more so.
Pray up to God, live well and wisely within the framework of his commandments; seek peace by giving instead of always taking.
These rules are as old as time and as old as man’s need.
For more lengthy commentary on a variety of other subjects try http://wyrickswritings.blogspot.com/
Are you enjoying and benefiting from these One A Days? Would your friends and family do the same? Please share this site. Thanks and God bless.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT
Your thoughts are the greatest friend you will ever know or the worst enemy you will ever have to endure. They can give light to darkness or make the brightest day a shadow, your thoughts about people and God, your thoughts about yourself.
So treat not lightly the workings of your mind. It both needs and deserves the best you can give it.
Most thoughts have a wonderful or terrible stickiness to them. It all depends on what is adhering.
Faith, hope, charity...the lilting sound of inner and outer laughter. These are good places to begin.
You cannot have hateful thoughts and lead a lovely life., You cannot have doubting thoughts and reap a harvest of faith.
So remember, your thoughts can lead you to heaven or drive you to hell-it’s up to you.
To whom you speak and what you speak about and how. The books you read. The jokes you tell. The gossip you spread. And yes the mind can grow stagnant; unexercised and unrepentent...caught up in nothingness.
For more lengthy commentary try http://wyrickswritings.blogspot.com/
So treat not lightly the workings of your mind. It both needs and deserves the best you can give it.
Most thoughts have a wonderful or terrible stickiness to them. It all depends on what is adhering.
Faith, hope, charity...the lilting sound of inner and outer laughter. These are good places to begin.
You cannot have hateful thoughts and lead a lovely life., You cannot have doubting thoughts and reap a harvest of faith.
So remember, your thoughts can lead you to heaven or drive you to hell-it’s up to you.
To whom you speak and what you speak about and how. The books you read. The jokes you tell. The gossip you spread. And yes the mind can grow stagnant; unexercised and unrepentent...caught up in nothingness.
For more lengthy commentary try http://wyrickswritings.blogspot.com/
Saturday, July 11, 2009
PERSISTENT PATIENCE
Before worrying about getting in the last word during an argument, why not consider getting in the first word for understanding? Before always trying to win with a loud mouth, why not consider listening with a patient ear?
Sometimes it isn’t easy. There are even times when it is only a hoot and a holler away from being impossible. But far more times than you will probably admit, a soft voice will quiet a louder one and both of you or all of you, will begin to better understand each of you.
For more lengthy commentaries on a variety of subjects click on the following link http://wyrickswritings.blogspot.com/
Sometimes it isn’t easy. There are even times when it is only a hoot and a holler away from being impossible. But far more times than you will probably admit, a soft voice will quiet a louder one and both of you or all of you, will begin to better understand each of you.
For more lengthy commentaries on a variety of subjects click on the following link http://wyrickswritings.blogspot.com/
Friday, July 10, 2009
LIFE IS FOR THE LIVING
(These “pithy pieces” are changed daily for obvious reasons. One A Day Vitamins need to be taken daily)
As long as your heart does not grow cold, your mind stagnant and your soul asleep, no matter what happens to your body, the vigor of your attitude will always put a glow in your eyes and a glimmer in your living.
Therefore, allow me to ask these questions. If tomorrow were your last chance to love, would you still chose hate? If tomorrow were your last change to show patience, would you still chose anger? If tomorrow were your last change to worship God would you still put Him in second or even further down the line for things to think about?
If somehow you could sneak into tomorrow without it becoming today what would you see?
For more lengthy commentary ON A LARGE VARIETY OF SUBJECTS try http://wyrickswritings.blogspot.com/
As long as your heart does not grow cold, your mind stagnant and your soul asleep, no matter what happens to your body, the vigor of your attitude will always put a glow in your eyes and a glimmer in your living.
Therefore, allow me to ask these questions. If tomorrow were your last chance to love, would you still chose hate? If tomorrow were your last change to show patience, would you still chose anger? If tomorrow were your last change to worship God would you still put Him in second or even further down the line for things to think about?
If somehow you could sneak into tomorrow without it becoming today what would you see?
For more lengthy commentary ON A LARGE VARIETY OF SUBJECTS try http://wyrickswritings.blogspot.com/
Thursday, July 9, 2009
THE FIRM FACT OF YOUR FATHER
(These thoughts are added to daily...for obvious reasons...One A Day Vitamins should be taken each new day)
As a little boy I used to build dams of sand. I would construct these engineering miracles across some rushing stream and watch the water rise and the pressure build, and then it would happen. A small chink in the armor of my dam of sand, a breakthrough ever so small, and suddenly catastrophe. Like a giant the water would rush through, and my dam would disintegrate before my eyes.
What I had built, with only my hands to stem the water’s tide, could not retain the pressure. Life is like that, my friends.
Life pushes and frets from every side. Its constant pressures grow and grow, and if a man tries to retain these only by his own hand, like my little dam of long ago, it just won’t last for long.
“The Lord is my shepherd…he is my right hand…In the Lord put I my trust.” (Psalm 23:1; 168; 11:1,K.J.V.)
These Biblical truths are not just pretty phrases to be read, they are eternal messages to be lived. They are the unbreakable might and power that come to a life through taking them at their word.
For more lengthy commentary on a host of widely varying subjects by Neil click on the following link http://wyrickswritings.blogspot.com/
As a little boy I used to build dams of sand. I would construct these engineering miracles across some rushing stream and watch the water rise and the pressure build, and then it would happen. A small chink in the armor of my dam of sand, a breakthrough ever so small, and suddenly catastrophe. Like a giant the water would rush through, and my dam would disintegrate before my eyes.
What I had built, with only my hands to stem the water’s tide, could not retain the pressure. Life is like that, my friends.
Life pushes and frets from every side. Its constant pressures grow and grow, and if a man tries to retain these only by his own hand, like my little dam of long ago, it just won’t last for long.
“The Lord is my shepherd…he is my right hand…In the Lord put I my trust.” (Psalm 23:1; 168; 11:1,K.J.V.)
These Biblical truths are not just pretty phrases to be read, they are eternal messages to be lived. They are the unbreakable might and power that come to a life through taking them at their word.
For more lengthy commentary on a host of widely varying subjects by Neil click on the following link http://wyrickswritings.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
THE ANGLE OF YOUR WRANGLE
(These thoughts are added to daily)
A dozen prayers are not equal to one act of honest forgiveness or as Will Rogers once warned, “Anyone who flies off in a rage is going to have a very rocky landing.”
Excessive pride and forgiveness are not friends and indeed anger is a wind that blows out the lamp of the mind.
The Hebrew word forgiveness means healing, therapy, cleansing so the next time we want to practice righteous indignation it will be well to remember that most indignation is not righteous, just indignant.
For more lengthy commentary try
http://wyrickswritings.blogspot.com/
A dozen prayers are not equal to one act of honest forgiveness or as Will Rogers once warned, “Anyone who flies off in a rage is going to have a very rocky landing.”
Excessive pride and forgiveness are not friends and indeed anger is a wind that blows out the lamp of the mind.
The Hebrew word forgiveness means healing, therapy, cleansing so the next time we want to practice righteous indignation it will be well to remember that most indignation is not righteous, just indignant.
For more lengthy commentary try
http://wyrickswritings.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
LIGHT SOME FLAMES RATHER THAN BE A FLICKER
Why is it that people have no problem spreading gossip, but so much trouble spreading God? Well–known evangelist Charles Spurgeon put it this way: “If you aren’t lighting any fires, maybe it is because you are not carrying any flame. One thing is for certain, when you talk about heaven; let your face light up. When you talk about hell, your everyday face will do.”
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