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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.
Would you
help me with an experiment. For the next
minute... or longer if you wish... would you do nothing but complain...out loud
or under your breath...whichever is most appropriate.
About your children, your mate, your job, your boss...or if I
have missed someone be my guest and add to the list.
For those of you who just cooperated with
this experiement. How do you feel?
A question? If fame and wealth create a life where there
are no complaints...why do so many Hollywood stars get hooked on drugs and
alcohol to help them through the pain of
fame and wealth.
Or others who are famous businessmen or
sports stars or....
And then there are the words of Paul as he described what
his life was like: “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed;
perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but
not destroyed.
Was Paul on to
something? As any Christian is on to
something.
In Paul's day
as our own, there were those who asked questions about the statement above, so
Paul continued, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I
know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have
learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well
fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through
him who gives me strength”
The message that is slipping through is this. For joy or whatever you want to call it...the
secret to true contentment is not postponing happiness until your situation
changes but rather changing yourself ahead of your situations.
Do you have an
attitude? What kind? A gratitude attitude? There are of, of course, other
attitudes...many not to be recommended.
Do you have an attitude? What kind?
Have you ever
played the game of Comparison? It is
deadly game but many have played and those who play it always lose.
Compare your car with a better car one of
your neighbors has. Or compare your
house with....or your job with...or your last vacation with...
The game of COMPARISON is a deadly game.
What other games
like this do you play?
A number of years ago a book reached the #1 spot on the New York Times
best seller list. It's title was "Final
Exit."
Which
proves too many people have been playing the COMPARISON game. Not able to find and seek joy in the life
they have. Enough unhappy to want to
hasten the "Final Exit."
In a starving
world what did you have for breakfast this morning?
In a world
where millions have to walk wherever they want to go to is your old car really
that bad?
In a world where millions cannot say what they are thinking without
fear of being jailed when was the last time you shot off your mouth without any
thought of restraint?
Gratitude...it
grows so many kindly roots. It links us
by making more willing to share...it shrinks selfishness.
In an article
entitled “What Good Is a Tree?,” an author in Reader’s Digest explained that
when the roots of trees in a forest touch, there is a substance created which
makes it possible for all of the trees to survive. A special fungus grows which
helps link the roots of different trees—even of dissimilar species. A whole
forest may be linked together in this way. If one tree has access to water,
another to nutrients, and a third to sunlight, the trees have the means to
share with one another.
On November 29, 1623, William Bradford, Governor of
the Massachusetts Bay Colony, made an official Thanksgiving Proclamation. It was their 3rd year in the new
country and all had not been going well.
Nearly half the Pilgrims had died and it didn’t look as if things were
going to get better any time soon. But
what did Governor Bradford do? He
proclaimed that the survivors be grateful and thankful, and not allow
themselves to be overwhelmed with complaining.
Discontent is a part of the universe, but how sad to let it become
a way of life. Perhaps, if leaves could
think, there would be some that would wish they were pine needles, or wish they
could be let loose from their branch to flutter though the air like a
bird. Finding fault with
what
is, to chase some pie-in-the-sky that isn’t, has happened to lots of people,
but how sad to live in that state of discontent
How many people have destroyed relationships because they felt they
had to keep up with the Jones’ who were trying to keep up with the other Jones’
- ad infinitum.
How many people if asked, “What are you
satisfied with?” Would have to reply, “Not much really. Not much at all.”
Let me suggest, if this is your problem, that you run, not walk, to
the Bible.
Open it to the Book of
James and read chapter 3, verses 13 through 15, because there you will learn
that such bitterness will only give you the evils of envy, selfish ambition,
boasting and denial. James doesn’t pull
any punches when he says that this condition is earthly, unspiritual and
straight from the devil.
Would you know more of heaven? Then do not, by your dissatisfactions, be
constantly building a highway to hell.
Instead, offer prayers of praise for your
uniqueness, and that of others, and you will find satisfaction more often.
If you
train yourself to be happy with what you have, you will be not only happier,
but blessed.
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QUOTES ON GRATITUDE
The Pilgrims made seven times more graves than huts. No Americans
have been more impoverished than these who, nevertheless, set aside a day of
thanksgiving. ~H.U. Westermayer
When we were children we
were grateful to those who filled our stockings at Christmas time. Why are we
not grateful to God for filling our stockings with legs? ~G.K. Chesterton
The only people with
whom you should try to get even are those who have helped you. ~John E.
Southard
You say grace before
meals. All right. But I say grace before the concert and the opera, and grace
before the play and pantomime, and grace before I open a book, and grace before
sketching, painting, swimming, fencing, boxing, walking, playing, dancing and
grace before I dip the pen in the ink. ~G.K. Chesterton
++++++++++++++
CHURCH BOOK CLUBS ARE
USING REV. WYRICK'S 9TH BOOK "The Spiritual Abraham Lincoln."
If you would like to purchase it at a special price...
It is available on amazon.com, Barnes & Noble and many other book sites.
It is available on amazon.com, Barnes & Noble and many other book sites.
A new quote
(posted SEPT 5) below from
Rev. Wyrick's 9th book THE SPIRITUAL ABRAHAM LINCOLN (read the rave reviews below the quote)
Many
were quite willing to see him permanently gone, not just to Washington
Hate letters
assailed on a regular basis.
Finally
a plot to assassinate him in Baltimore was
uncovered, and by repeatedly reminding him, “You can hardly be a good President
if you are a dead President,” his friends were able to convince him to secretly
depart Harrisburg
Accompanied
by Alan Pinkerton and W. H. Laman in one lone car pulled by a single
locomotive, no lights and telegraph lines cut, he came through Baltimore
Many
other lonely middle-of-the-night times lay ahead.
"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
,
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)
+++++++++++++++++++
++++++++++++++++++++++
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.”
++++++++++++++++++
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.
+++++++++++++++++++
Anxiety
out of proportion makes us become like a centipede trying to put his best foot
forward.
++++++++++++++++++
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 do that.”
++++++++++++++++++++
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.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++
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
++++++++++++++++++++++
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.
++++++++++++++++++
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