Tuesday, September 25, 2012

TURNING A BAD DAY INTO A GOOD ONE

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

       What to do when tragedy strikes?  Don't be surprised.  Rather be prepared. 

       Then study the stumbling block and start working to turn it into a stepping stone.

       The name of the businessman was H. G. Spafford.  He and his family were to vacation together in England.  He had sent them on ahead of him.  He would soon follow.

       The ship on which they sailed shipwrecked and sank.  His wife survived but his four daughters drowned.

       He was overwhelmed by grief.  Tears fell on the sheet of paper in front of him.  On the sheet of paper he had just composed that great and favorite hymn of so many, "It is well with my soul."

       He turned a tragedy into a triumph.

       Joseph Scriven was a brilliant young man in love with and engaged to a beautiful young lady.  The night before the wedding his bride to be was pulled from a pond where she had drowned.  In the midst of this terrible time that overwhelmed him he wrote, "What a friend we have in Jesus."

       And so, Joseph Scriven turned a tragedy into a triumph.

       The young film director, Robert Flaherty had worked for months shooting 70,000 feet of film in the far north that fascinated him.

       He spent months editing the film to make a documentary.  Soon after he finished, a match from a cigarette he had just lit fell on the celluloid and in a moment the conflagration had destroyed all the film and badly burned the young film director.

       His response to the disaster?  He returned to the far north to produce a film on Eskimo life that as he said "people will never forget."

       He did just that and the 1922 award winning classic "Nanook of the North" was the results.

       And so, Robert Flaherty turned a tragedy into a triumph.

       Almost 200 years ago, 1818, a young boy of 9 was seated in his father's harness-maker workshop.

       He had been asking when he could began to be a harness maker himself and so his father relented but warned him to be careful.

       With enthusiasm the young boy took the hole-puncher and hammer in hand and began to learn the trade.  Shortly, however, when he struck the hole-puncher it flew out of his hand and struck his eye.  He lost his sight in that eye immediately.

       In not that long a time he lost sight in the other eye as well.

       Then one day while holding a pine cone he ran his sensitive fingers over the idea and as he did a revelation came to him.  Why not reduce the alphabet to raised dots on paper so that the blind could see by feeling.

       And so, Louis Braille, turned a tragedy into a triumph.

       John Fitzgerald Kennedy said it and he got it right, " in the final analysis, our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this small planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children's
future. And we are all mortal."

       And taking this truth to heart it behooves us to absorb into our very being such truths as Hebrews 13:8 - "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever." or Isaiah 40:31 - But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

       We are mortal and we have the promise of immortality and when these two truths meld we meet the power of the timeless Holy Spirit and we are never the same again.

       What was it Paul said to the Corinthians? "'Death is swallowed up in victory.' 'O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?'"

       Tragedy has a thousand ways and paces in its coming.  Sometimes slow and you can see it coming.  Sometimes fast and it catches you completely unaware.  But how to handle it remains the same.

       First, like all emotional spiritual victories of life...see how often what seems like absolute darkness is not...for on the darkest night and the sky swept by city lights erases sight of the stars...there are still stars...even if you cannot see them.

       They wept and their plates were filled with despair...there was no hope...they had made a triumphant entry into Jerusalem and now their Jesus had died in agony on a cross.

       And then the stone across the tomb that spoke with such finality was rolled away.  And death was swallowed up in victory.  And they were about to spread the truth of a resurrected Christ that would sweep across the world.

       And a tragedy became a triumph.

            Would you make tragedy into a triumph?  You must chase sunshine and stars and rainbows and the light of hope and accept the fact that all things work together for good "for them that love the Lord."

       Please note that Jesus did not say "I am finished."

       He said, "It is finished."

       And that is a difference that is all the difference in the world. When we read it in English it is three words.  When you read it in Greek, it is one. "Tetelestai!”

       And this one last word was not lost in a gasp.  It echoed across Golgotha hill as a victory shout.

       Not said by someone crumbling but by a conqueror of the moment.

       Stay with me.

       The word is used in the perfect sense.  That’s significant because it refers to an action that has been completed in the past with results continuing into the present.

       The past tense says, “This happened.” The perfect tense adds the idea that “this happened and it is still in effect today.” It literally means, “It was finished and as a result it is forever done.” Or, “It was finished in the past, and it is still finished in the present, and it will continue to be finished in the future.”

·       We could say it this way: “All has been done that needed to be done. Nothing more is needed.”

       Those in the first century would understand the word because it was used in many ways:

A farmer would look at a field planted and the harvest grown ripe with success and say "Tetelestai!"
      

A carpenter such as Christ was for so many years look at a finished work and be pleased.  And then with satisfaction say "Tetelestai!"
     

A sculpture would gaze upon the results of hours of carving and pleased at the results would say, "Tetelestai!"
     

A servant would follow his masters request and when the job was finished and well done would say, "Tetlestai!"
      

 And, perhaps most importantly, this was a banking term. When a person would fully pay off His debt, the banker would hand him a receipt with the word Tetelestai stamped on it.


       And there it was ...the purpose of His life and death and resurrection turning a tragedy into the greatest triumph man has ever known.

                              ANOTHER WAY TO SHARE THESE ONE A DAYS WITH FREIENDS...CLICK ON MORE AT TOP LEFT OF THIS BLOG PAGE AND  FROM THERE IT SHOULD BE EASY

       CHURCH BOOK CLUBS ARE USING REV. WYRICK'S 9TH BOOK "The Spiritual Abraham Lincoln." 

       It is available on amazon.com, Barnes & Noble and many other book sites.

     A new quote  (posted SEPT 21) below from Rev. Wyrick's 9th book THE SPIRITUAL ABRAHAM LINCOLN (read the rave reviews below the quote)

 If Mary had not instigated another of her famous feuds the assassination might never have happened, at least at this time in this way. 

She had raised the ire of the wife of Ulysses S. Grant and so Julia Grant refused to attend the play at Ford Theater in her company. 

Had the General been present that evening, there might have been more guards. 

Instead, the Lincoln’s sat alone enjoying “Our American Cousin,” until John Wilkes Booth put a bullet in his head. 

It placed him in a coma and pushed the nation further toward chaos. 

The time was 10:15. 

       "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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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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            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.

      

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