Saturday, June 30, 2012

DOES GOD CARE?

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       There are over 900 stories and commentaries on this blog that began Nov 24, 2009. It is added to daily.
Click on http://wyrickswritings.blogspot.com to read selected Sermons from over 50 years of ministry.
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There are answers to the title question that deserve your attention.

        A train of thought you should ride for awhile.

        If it is difficult to believe that God is good because of all the evil that resounds and abounds...is it not equally as difficult to prove that God is bad when not a day passes that you do see beauty and goodness as well. 

        If death shouts there is not a loving God then what does life shout

        If the presence of hate denies God's goodness what does love affirm?

        If what you have lost has made you bitter, what was thanksgiving before you suffered the loss.

        Do you doubt a loving heavenly Father?  Then what and who was Jesus... come to earth to sooth your soul and assure your mind and quicken your heart to the eternal promises from on high.

        Does the fact of sin disturb you?  It should.  But at the same time remember that Jesus taught there is an instant readiness on the part of God to forgive, your sin and the sins of those those around you.

        I always like to say that I used to be perfect but I gave it up because it made people nervous.  Pray more...sin less...with hallelujah's accept the forgiveness of your loving forgiving God.
        And never forget...The parable of the lost sheep shows a never ending cup of concern.

        Does God care?

        Does death fill you with sadness?  What does resurrection fill you with?

        There is a truth and it deserves the emphasis of capital letters.  WHAT GOD OFFERS MAN CANNOT ALWAYS UNDERSTNAD, BUT WHAT GOD OFFERS IS ALWAYS WITH UNDERSTANDING.

        Could it be said that the goodness of God is not something to be defined but rather something to be described?

        Definitions set limits, draw lines, restrict.

        I cannot define beauty, but I can describe that which is beautiful.

        I cannot define love, but I can describe what it feels like to give it or receive it.

        I cannot define the goodness of God but I can describe what it can do and has done to my immortal soul.

Matthew 7:11
    
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!

     Gary Thomas, a friend of Rick Warren, noticed that many Christians were stuck in a worship rut. He raised the question, “Since God has intentionally made us all different, why should everyone be expected to love (worship) God the same way?”(1) Gary has discovered that for 2,000 years Christians have used many different paths to enjoy intimacy with God.

     In his book Sacred Pathways, Gary identifies nine ways that people draw near to God:
·    Naturalists love God best when they are outdoors.
     · Sensates love God best when all their senses are engaged.
·    Traditionalists love God best when they are able to stick close to ritual, symbols, and familiarity.
·    Ascetics love God best in solitude and simplicity.
·    Activists love God best when they are battling injustice and evil.
·    Caregivers love God best through caring for those who hurt.
     · Enthusiasts love God best by experiencing celebration.
     · Contemplatives love God best through adoration and meditation.

     Philippians 4:6
     Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
  

     a. We say- It’s impossible. God says- All things are possible with Me.
     b.
We say- I can’t do it. God says- You can do all things through Christ.
     c.
We say- I’m too tired. God says- Come to Me, I will give you rest.
     d.
We say- I’m always worried and frustrated. God says- Cast all your cares on Me.
     e.
We say- I can’t go on. God says- My grace is sufficient for you.
     f. We- I can’t figure things out. God- I will direct your steps.
     g.
We say- I’m not able. God says- I am able.
     h.
We say- It’s not worth it. God says- It will be worth it.
     i.
We say- I can’t manage. God says- I will supply all your needs.
     j.
We say- I’m afraid. God says- I have not given you a spirit of fear.
     k.
We say- I don’t have enough faith. God says- I’ve given everyone a measure of faith.
     l.
We say- I’m not smart enough. God says- I give you wisdom.
     m.
We say- I feel all alone. God says- I will never leave you or forsake you.

     Isaiah 12:2
Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.
(NIV)

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        BELOW ARE QUOTES FROM POSTINGS ON WYRICK'S WRITINGS DURING THE LAST FEW MONTHS...THESE POSTINGS ARE SERMONS REV. WYRICK HAS PREACHED DURING THE LAST 50 PLUS YEARS.

       Click on the URL below and it will take you to this Wyrick's Writings blog.

                     http://wyrickswritings.blogspot.com

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Just remember that “the pain of discipline will cost you pennies, whereas the pain of regret will cost you millions.”

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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.

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

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        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.”

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        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 do that.”

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        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 anything. None of us are perfect.

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          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

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      Some of the sermon titles posted recently


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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/

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BELOW ARE MORE QUOTES FROM NEIL'S RECENTLY POSTED SERMONS

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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.

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      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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