Wednesday, August 29, 2012

BETTER A BETTER LIFE THAN A BITTER LIFE

These One A Days are added to daily.  A thank you to all of you who have gone back and read all of the posts since the beginning.
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       There are over 1100 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 Rev. Wyrick's ministry.

          Jesus said so, "I am come that you might have life and that you may have it more abundantly." (John 10:10) 

       You cannot get a more authoritative source than this for a self improvement program.

       But what is an abundant life? 

       Is it...an accentuation of the positive and an elimination of the negative as the old Bing Crosby song used to go.

              Is it getting all that you want or becoming more than you are?

       Is it the regular ingesting of spiritual vitamins by prayer and meditation and feeding the mind with God rather than the godless?

       It is obviously seeking He who made to you and me the promise "I am come that you might have life and that you may have it more abundantly."

       I have had physical funs in this wonderful life on this wonderful earth.

       I have taken cruises and skied down ski trails and in my evangelistic tours seen wide swaths of this ole world.

       But when it comes to that eternal part of me, those emotions of my soul, those hungering and thirsting after righteousness that must be fed... in the early morning darkness there is nothing like the feeling of an ongoing relationship with my creator, a constant conversation with my Lord and a glory in that unbelievable "peace that passeth understanding."

       I used to fly a lot; all over the United States and the world and most of the time in First Class because I had so many flying points.  When I had to travel coach...I could tell the difference.

       I didn't get where I was going any faster in First Class but it sure was to be highly recommended.

       Life is a trip and one way or the other we are going to take it...from the day of birth to the day of death...and why not take it flying spiritually First  Class...call it the Jesus upgrade.

       Do you know of a store that sells the following?  Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, compassion, purity, humility, modesty, faith, character, wisdom, enthusiasm, dignity, optimism, confidence, honesty, and a relationship with God.

       Would you buy them if you could find a store that did?

       Well, all of these are offered free at the throne of grace.  And they are the lasting acquisitions that give an abundant life. 

       The add page for what Jesus offers is found in James 1:17 , "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change."

       Every good and perfect gift.  Now there's an ad that ought to grab anyone with common sense.

       Of course you could go to some stores down the street and purchase Selfishness, hatred, lust vengeance, envy, jealousy, fear, drunkenness, sexual immorality, discord, fits or rage, dishonesty, greed, gossiping, slander, pessimism and despair.

       Can't you just imagine what pure joy and life fulfillment can be found in these? Hopefully, a long time ago, you made the right decisions in the first place or have made the wrong decisions and found your mistake and more recently turned your life around.

       "I am come that you might have life and that you may have it more abundantly."  But you have to make right purchases, the right decisions...that's the way spiritual common sense works.

Zig Ziglar, a Christian motivational speaker and author wrote a book that enthusiastically describes the abundant Life.  It's title is perfect for what it describes.  It is called "Over the Top".

       In it he tells the true story of a remarkable man named Charlie Wedemeyer from Los Gatos, California. Charlie coached a high-school football team in Los Gatos and led it to the only state championship they’d ever won.

       One day, Zig Ziglar attended a practice session with Charlie and his team. As the two of them were talking on the sidelines periodically an assistant coach would run up and ask questions about an offensive or defensive assignment. It might be, "How do you keep them from trap-blocking on that play?"
       Without hesitation, Charlie, would spell out the specifics he should follow. A few moments later, another coach would come by with a question, and again, Charlie always had an answer ready for him.

       Zig Ziglar noted that the amazing thing was that the only parts of Charile’s body he could move were his eyes and mouth.

       Charlie Wedemeyer suffered from Lou Gehrig’s disease. This disease had robbed him of the ability to speak.  The only way he could communicate was by his wife reading his lips and translating what he was saying.

       Yet, Charlie with an unbelievable positive attitude and a sense of humor that wouldn't quit made the most of the least.

       While continuing to coach football he kept a killer schedule that had him regularly speaking to people in conventions, churches, schools, businesses and prisons.

       Indefatigable was his middle name.  By his way of living he defined the word "abundant life."

       On May of 1992, Charlie was honored as the Disabled American of the Year by President Bush. Charlie, who was once Hawaii’s Athlete of the Decade for the 1960’s, wrote a book that vibrated with inspiration.  It was called "Charlie's Victory."

       To walk, to speak, to be...but for what?  Is that not what life is all about?

       Would you live an abundant life?  Then think on the following.   

       1. Treat today as if it were the last day of your life and the first day of a wonderful opportunity to be your best while worshiping the best.

       2.  When you awake in the morning do you awake as an angry person or a patient person.  Do you awake ready to take on the world with what is right and righteous and what feeds your soul with joy?  Or are you concerned only with feeding your face and your wallet and your soul is left dragging behind.

       3. Check out your friends list and ask who is influencing who and what the decisions made are doing to all your lives.

       4. If you are daily asking yourself the question, "Am I a success?" what do you mean by the question.  You know what I mean!

       5.  What rules govern what you do each day?  Man made or God engraved on your heart or do you have a filter system in place.

        Your rewards and what are those rewards and are they benefits you really want to carry with you for the rest of your life?  Are not the source of rewards more important than the rewards themselves.

       6. Do you know what a sense of responsibility is?  Do you have a sense of responsibility?  Is your self-discipline dedicated to the art of luke-warm mush?

       7.  Do you have peace or is your life made up of a series of disjointed pieces?  Do you have a goal and is that goal God or not God at all?

       8.  Do you seek to get more pleasure from others than you give to others.  Give and get are always with us.  So is what we get and how we get it and how if we are not careful selfishly keep it.

       9.  How many enemies have you turned into friends recently?  In the last year?  In the last ten years?  Ever?

       10.  Are you a salesman for God's sunshine or the devil's darkness?

       11.  Could people call you Mr. Generosity without bursting out laughing?

       "I am come that you might have life and that you may have it more abundantly." (John 10:10) 

  QUOTE BELOW IS FROM WYRICK'S WRITINGS

          There is no other organization in the world like the church.  It is a breed unto itself.  It is a congregation of sinners, not a country club for saints.  To become a member you have to profess your unworthiness. 

CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING TO TAKE YOU THERE


      (These are selected sermons from over 50 years of ministry and as a worldwide evangelist Rev. Wyrick preached them all the United States and all over the world)

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      A new quote  (posted Aug 20) below from Rev. Wyrick's 9th book THE SPIRITUAL ABRAHAM LINCOLN...available on amazon.com, barnes and noble and many other book sites) (read the rave reviews below)

Everything that happened in the war was not of blood and pain and hate.  The best in man sometimes rises out of the worst.  More than likely the story of what happened one cold day during the terrible battle of Fredericksburg reached Abe’s ears and pleased the heart of this forgiving President.  It was a dreadful battle that cried out for some miraculous act of empathy.

A Sergeant Richard Kirkland of Company E Carolina Regiment made a request of his commanding officer that was almost denied.  He had looked too long at the tortured, twisted dead and dying men and could finally stand it no more.  He sought startling permission to take water and aid to those dressed in both Blue and Gray. 

“You may get a bullet in the back of your head, son,” he was told.  The soldier replied that he wanted to go anyway.

 “May God protect you,” said Major General J. B. Kershaw.  A short time later, men on both sides of this field of agony and despair, watched in awe as the young man vaulted over a bloodstained stonewall and walked unarmed and seemingly unafraid among the dead and dying.  They saw him kneel down and cradle a fallen Union soldier in his arms, offer him a drink of water, rest his head on his knapsack and cover him with his own overcoat.  And then move to another soldier nearby.  This time it was a Confederate soldier.

Again and again throughout that long, pale December afternoon, just eleven days before Christmas, Sergeant Kirkland returned with water until every living soldier, from both the North and the South, had felt his compassion and concern.

General Kershaw later wrote that not one shot was fired during that time.  That never had he heard such silent respect.  “…no doubt,” his pen etched, “all the trumpets of heaven resounded on this monumental day.” 

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            CLICK ON  www.go60.us   IT WILL TAKE YOU A NEW WEBSITE FOR SENIORS....click on "Voice" on the home page and then on the list of authors click on Neil Wyrick

Recent articles Rev. Wyrick has written for this web site are:  REFLECTIONS


·         Here Comes Summer (July 2012)

·         Spring (May 2012)

·         Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow (April 2012)

·         Wayward and Windy (April 2012)

 

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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