Thursday, May 31, 2012

GIVE UP OR STAND UP


IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEND THIS BLOG TO A FRIEND COPY THE FOLLOWING URL


              AND THEN PASTE IN AN EMAIL.

       There are over 900 stories and commentaries on this blog that began Nov 24, 2009. It is added to daily.

       To Visit neil's other blog Wyrick's Writings click on the following (Here you will find selected sermons that he has preached during the last 58 years.)  Just click on the URL below


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In my seminary graduating class there were several of my friends who faced distinct challenges to say the least.

One suffered from epileptic seizures. He made light of this fact as he prepared to go out to his first pastorate, “Well, if I have a fit in the pulpit, it won’t last forever and besides my congregation will know it might happen, so what’s to worry about.”

Another friend of mine, in our first Seminary year, stuttered so badly one could barely understand what he was saying when he preached. Plus his sermon lasted twice as long with half the content.

By the time he headed toward his first church his improvement was nothing short of miraculous.
I still remember seeing him out on the athletic field pacing back and forth while he tried to tame his recalcitrant tongue.


Stumbling blocks turned into stepping stone.

Anyone can fall and all of us do and more than once.

The difference is that some people get back up and keep on going and others just lie there.

It all comes down to whether or not you can be satisfied with being Never-was and Never-tried-to-be.

Ben Franklin said it, “When you get to the end of your rope. Tie a knot in it and hang on.”

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      We welcome you to put some of these thoughts in your personal newsletter or on your churches newsletter or your blog...and we thank those of you who have put it on your Facebook page

++++++++++++++++++++++



       "Wyrick's Writings" are selected sermons from those Neil has preached during the last 55 years

Click on the URL below to take you to them






     Below is a quote from Neil's other blog Wyrick's Writings...posted Sunday May 27th  Entitled BELIEVE YOUR BELIEFS, GIVE THEM SPIRTUAL MUSCLES

How can we keep our faith from being a weak and fruitless thing?  How can we not be foolish little men and women groveling in the dark shadows of overeager egos. 


        Well, first we must do more than just pray.  We must believe in our own prayers.

     Below is a quote from Neil's other blog Wyrick's Writings...posted Thursday May 10

SERMON TITLE...HOW TO LESSEN ANXIETY

Anxiety out of proportion makes us become like a centipede trying to put his best foot forward.

     Below is a quote from Neil's other blog Wyrick's Writings...posted Thursday May 3

SERMON TITLE...HOW TO LESSEN ANXIETY

     It's an old joke, I went to the doctor and I said, “Doc, when I do this, it hurts.” And the doctor said, “Then don't do that.”

      How many things have you been anxious about that were things which you knew before you got into them were probably going to create some problems for you?  And if you asked your doctor, or your minister, or common sense and your God, all of them would have said, “Don’t to that.” 

     Below is a quote from Neil's other blog Wyrick's Writings...posted TUESDAY MAY 1

To buy into the community of accountability we have to realize that like bikers we are divided into two categories.  Those who have fallen and those who will fall for None of us are perfect.

       Think on it this way, some philosopher of old wrote it and it endures because there is so much truth in it… every right implies a responsibility; every opportunity, an obligation; every possession, a duty

      Below is a quote from Neil's other blog Wyrick's Writings...posted Sunday April 29th....

One writer put it this way: “If we could see ourselves as God sees us, we would rise up and never be the same again.”

       TO GO TO "WYRICK'S WRITINGS" TO READ SELECTED SERMONS FROM OVER 50 YEARS OF HIS MINISTRY

CLICK ON THE URL BELOW


Some of the sermon titles posted recently


+++++++++++++++++++++++++



Before you decide to purchase or not purchase his book THE SPIRITUAL ABRAHAM LINCOLN.... view his Award Winning One Man Dramatization of Lincoln (since he wrote the script for this drama it will give you an insight into what you will find in the book itself)

Available on Amazon.com in printed form and on Amazon Kindle Books. and at many other sites

TO VIEW THE LINCOLN One Man DRAMA and 3 other dramas; Ben Franklin, Martin Luther & Charles Wesley

click on the following URL

http://www.speakerneil.com/

      ++++++++++++++++++++++



BELOW ARE MORE QUOTES FROM NEIL'S RECENTLY POSTED SERMONS

       ++++++++++++++++++

A QUOTE FROM THOUGHTS POSTED ON MY OTHER BLOG WYRICK'S WRITINGS ON SUNDAY APRIL 15. ENTITILED



       Two stores faced each other across a very busy street.  Their owners were in constant competition with each other.  One day, the owner of one store put out a sign that read – If you want it, we have it!

Almost immediately the other owner put out a sign –If we don’t have it, you don’t need it!



A QUOTE FROM THOUGHTS POSTED ON MY OTHER BLOG WYRICK'S WRITINGS ON THURSDAY APRIL 13TH. ENTITILED

WHO ARE YOU?

NO…WHOSE ARE YOU?

       Who are you?  Whose are you?

You influence and are influenced according to the answer you give.     

Are you are the flavor of the month because you are determined to be like everyone else no matter what?  If so, consider being more independent in our thinking and actions...because God wants you to grow up.

It may be easier being someone's shadow but wouldn't you really rather be a sun. 



       QUOTE FROM THOUGHTS  POSTED ON WYRICK'S WRITINGS THURSDAY  APRIL 5 FROM THOUGHT ENTITLED "Who Are You?  Whose Are You?"

       This is an old quote, and a romantic one as well but, nevertheless, can anyone say of you, “I love you not because of who you are, but because of who I am when I am with you.

            QUOTE FROM THOUGHT PIECE POSTED ON WYRICK'S WRITINGS TUESDAY APRIL 3 FROM THOUGHT ENTITLED

" WHEN A NATION STRAYS TOO FAR FROM BEING MORAL IT IS WELL ON IT'S WAY TO BECOMING A MESS

        James 4:17

To him therefore who knows to do good, and doesn’t do it, to him it is sin.

        Someone once said: “A belief is what you hold, a conviction is what holds you!”

        So what holds you, constructs you, leads you with a push when needed?

       Quotes POSTED ON WYRICK'S WRITING THURSDAY MARCH 29th THOUGHTS ENTITLED WHO ARE YOU?

NO…WHOSE ARE YOU?

        In a Peanuts cartoon strip Peppermint Patty is shown talking to Charlie Brown.

“Guess what, Chuck? It’s the first day of school and I got sent to the principal’s office.

And it’s your fault!”

Charlie Brown responds, “My fault? How could it be my fault? Why do you say everything is my fault?”

To which she declares, “You’re my friend, aren’t you, Chuck? You should have been a better influence on me.”

In the comics, it’s funny… but in real life it’s much more complicated.

       Would you like to read the entire thought piece?  Then... TO TAKE YOU TO THE WYRICK'S WRITING'S SITE

                                        click on the following


          Yes, God loves you the way you are but he loves you too much to let you stay that way.

+++++++++++++++++++++++

      Click on the URL below to WATCH NEIL IN HIS WORLD FAMOUS ONE MAN DRAMATIZATIONS OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN, BEN FRANKLIN, CHARLES WESLEY AND MARTIN LUTHER


       To Order and Read Neil's 9th book THE SPIRITUAL ABRAHAM LINCOLN

       GO TO amazon.com

       QUOTES ABOUT THIS WONDERFUL INSPIRING INFORMATIVE book

       STILL RECEIVING RAVE REVIEWS 8 YEARS AFTER IT'S PUBLICATION.

       "Positive, powerful utterances...skillfully enhancing our understanding and appreciation of Lincoln while revealing the Divine source of his strength."

       Lt. Colonel C.A. Olsen (Ret.) Asbury College (Professor Ret.)

       "The Spiritual Abraham Lincoln is an extremely well written book that investigates what might be termed the spiritual side of President Lincoln. It's both scholarly and very readable. I came away impressed at Mr. Wyrick's portrayal of the President and with an altered and enlarged vision of the man:'

       William Hoffman, Award winning fiction writer; author of Blood and Guile, and Wild Thorn

       "Wyrick has authored a wonderful examination of the spirituality of one of American history's most devoutly religious leaders...a pleasant and readable book that has a rich depth of information."

              Maynard Pittendreigh Presbyterian minister

        "When it comes to invoking religion in support of any of their decisions, politicians need to sit at the feet of Abraham Lincoln. Reinhold Niebuhr once called him 'America's greatest theologian.' Why so great? Because he invariably distinguished between human works and the works of the Almighty. As Wyrick says, 'He wore the mantle of humility easily: because he was more impressed with what God was doing in the world than with what he, president of the United States in the midst of an awful crisis, was doing. That is why in his last major speech he distinguished between both human causes in the Civil War and the Almighty's 'own purposes.' Lincoln would have agreed that it is better to leave God-talk out of politics than to decorate human proposals with divinity. This is a book for our American time. Through his careful study of Lincoln's career, Wyrick compels us to remember that piety belongs in politics only when piety transcends politics."

       Dr. Donald W. Shriver

       Emeritus professor at Union Theological Seminary in New York. Author of An Ethic for Enemies: Forgiveness in Politics

        "V. Neil Wyrick's fine work allows the reader to appreciate Abraham Lincoln's Christian commitment and his prophetic role in American history. Should have a wide readership."

       James H. Smylie Professor of Church History (Ret.) Union Theological Seminary, Richmond, Virginia

       "Neil Wyrick's The Spiritual Abraham Lincoln should be read by anyone attempting to understand the man who was probably the most complex person to ever hold the office of president of the United States. Dr. Wyrick is intent on demonstrating that the spirituality so often expressed in Lincoln's writings and speeches was not merely lip service to a Deity, but rather expressions of a profound faith in a real God. It was this faith that provided the wisdom, compassion, insight and sometimes steel that Lincoln would need in full measure as he led the United States through the Civil War. Dr. Wyrick's clear and unpretentious style of presentation is very much in keeping with the character ofhis subject, and in so doing, Wyrick makes his point very well that Lincoln, his beliefs, and the faith that formed them, are as relevant to a troubled America in 2004 as they were in 1863."

       Daniel Allen Butler, author of "Unsinkable"; The Full Story of the RMS Titanic, The Lusitania and The Age o f Cunard

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

A SENSE OF HUMOR...A WONDER AT WORK


IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEND THIS BLOG TO A FRIEND COPY THE FOLLOWING URL


              AND THEN PASTE IN AN EMAIL.

       There are over 900 stories and commentaries on this blog that began Nov 24, 2009. It is added to daily.

       To Visit neil's other blog Wyrick's Writings click on the following (Here you will find selected sermons that he has preached during the last 58 years.)  Just click on the URL below


+++++++++++++
     Every survival kit should include a sense of humor. ~Author Unknown

     Warning: Humor may be hazardous to your illness. ~Ellie Katz

     Humor is a rubber sword - it allows you to make a point without drawing blood. ~Mary Hirsch

I have several friends with the special gift of an advanced case of a sense of humor and an overwhelming sense of joy.

They are always alive to being alive. One of them not that long ago said, “Sometimes you can sin through dullness as much as you can through vitality” and we both knew what he was talking about.

Such as the fact that a man or woman who cannot laugh may not be super spiritual so much as sub human.

Think on this; a sense of humor not only proves your humanity…it helps it.

I share now a story told about the late Dr. Albert Sweitzer, world renowned missionary and medical doctor; a great man but also a humble man who often used a sense of humor to not let himself get too puffed up with his own importance.

One evening at dinner he said to his wife “Dear, we are going to have to get more serious. We are getting older and we shall have to make less jokes. You know dignity and all that kind of thing. It’s really not becoming to someone of our advanced years, so yes, definitely, we are going to have to become more staid.”

And he then could not go on and broke down in laughter.

Sometimes properly placed non sense makes sense.

One preacher always tried at least for awhile during his morning sermon to make his congregation laugh loud and long because, as he often said, it made it easier to pour some truth down their mouths. “You gotta get em listening before you can get em’ thinking” he was wont to say.
******
Psalm 2:4 puts a smile on my soul with the following “He that sitteth in heaven shall laugh.”
******

So, yes, laugh at yourself and laugh with others but not at others. Never get so dignified you cannot laugh out loud. Pomposity is a terrible disease.

Indeed, let me close with this thought…
A sense of humor gives you a special perspective, my friends, and too large a sense of your own importance does not give you anything.

     The kind of humor I like is the thing that makes me laugh for five seconds and think for ten minutes. ~William Davis

       A person without a sense of humor is like a wagon without springs - jolted by every pebble in the road. ~Henry Ward Beecher



+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

      We welcome you to put some of these thoughts in your personal newsletter or on your churches newsletter or your blog...and we thank those of you who have put it on your Facebook page

++++++++++++++++++++++



       "Wyrick's Writings" are selected sermons from those Neil has preached during the last 55 years

Click on the URL below to take you to them






     Below is a quote from Neil's other blog Wyrick's Writings...posted Sunday May 27th  Entitled BELIEVE YOUR BELIEFS, GIVE THEM SPIRTUAL MUSCLES

How can we keep our faith from being a weak and fruitless thing?  How can we not be foolish little men and women groveling in the dark shadows of overeager egos. 


        Well, first we must do more than just pray.  We must believe in our own prayers.

     Below is a quote from Neil's other blog Wyrick's Writings...posted Thursday May 10

SERMON TITLE...HOW TO LESSEN ANXIETY

Anxiety out of proportion makes us become like a centipede trying to put his best foot forward.

     Below is a quote from Neil's other blog Wyrick's Writings...posted Thursday May 3

SERMON TITLE...HOW TO LESSEN ANXIETY

     It's an old joke, I went to the doctor and I said, “Doc, when I do this, it hurts.” And the doctor said, “Then don't do that.”

      How many things have you been anxious about that were things which you knew before you got into them were probably going to create some problems for you?  And if you asked your doctor, or your minister, or common sense and your God, all of them would have said, “Don’t to that.” 

     Below is a quote from Neil's other blog Wyrick's Writings...posted TUESDAY MAY 1

To buy into the community of accountability we have to realize that like bikers we are divided into two categories.  Those who have fallen and those who will fall for None of us are perfect.

       Think on it this way, some philosopher of old wrote it and it endures because there is so much truth in it… every right implies a responsibility; every opportunity, an obligation; every possession, a duty

      Below is a quote from Neil's other blog Wyrick's Writings...posted Sunday April 29th....

One writer put it this way: “If we could see ourselves as God sees us, we would rise up and never be the same again.”

       TO GO TO "WYRICK'S WRITINGS" TO READ SELECTED SERMONS FROM OVER 50 YEARS OF HIS MINISTRY

CLICK ON THE URL BELOW


Some of the sermon titles posted recently


+++++++++++++++++++++++++



Before you decide to purchase or not purchase his book THE SPIRITUAL ABRAHAM LINCOLN.... view his Award Winning One Man Dramatization of Lincoln (since he wrote the script for this drama it will give you an insight into what you will find in the book itself)

Available on Amazon.com in printed form and on Amazon Kindle Books. and at many other sites

TO VIEW THE LINCOLN One Man DRAMA and 3 other dramas; Ben Franklin, Martin Luther & Charles Wesley

click on the following URL

http://www.speakerneil.com/

      ++++++++++++++++++++++



BELOW ARE MORE QUOTES FROM NEIL'S RECENTLY POSTED SERMONS

       ++++++++++++++++++

A QUOTE FROM THOUGHTS POSTED ON MY OTHER BLOG WYRICK'S WRITINGS ON SUNDAY APRIL 15. ENTITILED



       Two stores faced each other across a very busy street.  Their owners were in constant competition with each other.  One day, the owner of one store put out a sign that read – If you want it, we have it!

Almost immediately the other owner put out a sign –If we don’t have it, you don’t need it!



A QUOTE FROM THOUGHTS POSTED ON MY OTHER BLOG WYRICK'S WRITINGS ON THURSDAY APRIL 13TH. ENTITILED

WHO ARE YOU?

NO…WHOSE ARE YOU?

       Who are you?  Whose are you?

You influence and are influenced according to the answer you give.     

Are you are the flavor of the month because you are determined to be like everyone else no matter what?  If so, consider being more independent in our thinking and actions...because God wants you to grow up.

It may be easier being someone's shadow but wouldn't you really rather be a sun. 



       QUOTE FROM THOUGHTS  POSTED ON WYRICK'S WRITINGS THURSDAY  APRIL 5 FROM THOUGHT ENTITLED "Who Are You?  Whose Are You?"

       This is an old quote, and a romantic one as well but, nevertheless, can anyone say of you, “I love you not because of who you are, but because of who I am when I am with you.

            QUOTE FROM THOUGHT PIECE POSTED ON WYRICK'S WRITINGS TUESDAY APRIL 3 FROM THOUGHT ENTITLED

" WHEN A NATION STRAYS TOO FAR FROM BEING MORAL IT IS WELL ON IT'S WAY TO BECOMING A MESS

        James 4:17

To him therefore who knows to do good, and doesn’t do it, to him it is sin.

        Someone once said: “A belief is what you hold, a conviction is what holds you!”

        So what holds you, constructs you, leads you with a push when needed?

       Quotes POSTED ON WYRICK'S WRITING THURSDAY MARCH 29th THOUGHTS ENTITLED WHO ARE YOU?

NO…WHOSE ARE YOU?

        In a Peanuts cartoon strip Peppermint Patty is shown talking to Charlie Brown.

“Guess what, Chuck? It’s the first day of school and I got sent to the principal’s office.

And it’s your fault!”

Charlie Brown responds, “My fault? How could it be my fault? Why do you say everything is my fault?”

To which she declares, “You’re my friend, aren’t you, Chuck? You should have been a better influence on me.”

In the comics, it’s funny… but in real life it’s much more complicated.

       Would you like to read the entire thought piece?  Then... TO TAKE YOU TO THE WYRICK'S WRITING'S SITE

                                        click on the following


          Yes, God loves you the way you are but he loves you too much to let you stay that way.

+++++++++++++++++++++++

      Click on the URL below to WATCH NEIL IN HIS WORLD FAMOUS ONE MAN DRAMATIZATIONS OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN, BEN FRANKLIN, CHARLES WESLEY AND MARTIN LUTHER


       To Order and Read Neil's 9th book THE SPIRITUAL ABRAHAM LINCOLN

       GO TO amazon.com

       QUOTES ABOUT THIS WONDERFUL INSPIRING INFORMATIVE book

       STILL RECEIVING RAVE REVIEWS 8 YEARS AFTER IT'S PUBLICATION.

       "Positive, powerful utterances...skillfully enhancing our understanding and appreciation of Lincoln while revealing the Divine source of his strength."

       Lt. Colonel C.A. Olsen (Ret.) Asbury College (Professor Ret.)

       "The Spiritual Abraham Lincoln is an extremely well written book that investigates what might be termed the spiritual side of President Lincoln. It's both scholarly and very readable. I came away impressed at Mr. Wyrick's portrayal of the President and with an altered and enlarged vision of the man:'

       William Hoffman, Award winning fiction writer; author of Blood and Guile, and Wild Thorn

       "Wyrick has authored a wonderful examination of the spirituality of one of American history's most devoutly religious leaders...a pleasant and readable book that has a rich depth of information."

              Maynard Pittendreigh Presbyterian minister

        "When it comes to invoking religion in support of any of their decisions, politicians need to sit at the feet of Abraham Lincoln. Reinhold Niebuhr once called him 'America's greatest theologian.' Why so great? Because he invariably distinguished between human works and the works of the Almighty. As Wyrick says, 'He wore the mantle of humility easily: because he was more impressed with what God was doing in the world than with what he, president of the United States in the midst of an awful crisis, was doing. That is why in his last major speech he distinguished between both human causes in the Civil War and the Almighty's 'own purposes.' Lincoln would have agreed that it is better to leave God-talk out of politics than to decorate human proposals with divinity. This is a book for our American time. Through his careful study of Lincoln's career, Wyrick compels us to remember that piety belongs in politics only when piety transcends politics."

       Dr. Donald W. Shriver

       Emeritus professor at Union Theological Seminary in New York. Author of An Ethic for Enemies: Forgiveness in Politics

        "V. Neil Wyrick's fine work allows the reader to appreciate Abraham Lincoln's Christian commitment and his prophetic role in American history. Should have a wide readership."

       James H. Smylie Professor of Church History (Ret.) Union Theological Seminary, Richmond, Virginia

       "Neil Wyrick's The Spiritual Abraham Lincoln should be read by anyone attempting to understand the man who was probably the most complex person to ever hold the office of president of the United States. Dr. Wyrick is intent on demonstrating that the spirituality so often expressed in Lincoln's writings and speeches was not merely lip service to a Deity, but rather expressions of a profound faith in a real God. It was this faith that provided the wisdom, compassion, insight and sometimes steel that Lincoln would need in full measure as he led the United States through the Civil War. Dr. Wyrick's clear and unpretentious style of presentation is very much in keeping with the character ofhis subject, and in so doing, Wyrick makes his point very well that Lincoln, his beliefs, and the faith that formed them, are as relevant to a troubled America in 2004 as they were in 1863."

       Daniel Allen Butler, author of "Unsinkable"; The Full Story of the RMS Titanic, The Lusitania and The Age o f Cunard
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