Sunday, October 7, 2012

ARGUMENTS ARE NOT ANYONE'S BEST FRIEND

These One A Days are added to daily.  There are over 1100 stories and commentaries on this blog
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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 the following URL http://www.speakerneil.com/and watch Neil in his award winning one man damas.(B. Franklin, Luther, Lincoln.Wesley
       Click on http://wyrickswritings.blogspot.com to read selected Sermons from over 50 years of Rev. Wyrick's ministry.

“Patience and wisdom walk hand in hand, like two one-armed lovers.”
Jarod Kintz

Life is so much nicer when we are not arguing. 

       When we are not unleashing without restraint, loud and without laughter days.  When we not inviting thunder clouds to collide inside our brains.  When we thereby allow sunshine to wither on the horizon.

       When we let unreasonable behavior to cause over and over again great weeping across the land.

       And what do we prove by such conduct?  That snide comments overridden with sarcasm can turn a possible Eden into an earthly hell.  And worst of all...too often..to those we love.

       Therefore I dedicate these thoughts to all of us whenever we have not utilized our common sense or Christ commandment to love. 

       I dedicate it to the challenge to all of us to think before we speak and not always have to win an argument.

       I dedicate this to the fooldom that makes anyone a master of excuses rather than accepter of the fact that they actually just proved how easy it is to be wrong.

       I dedicate it to a phone not picked up to make a call that should not be made.  There is so often such masterful intelligence in thoughtful restraint.

       I dedicate it to the those magic moments when someone controls their mouth rather than let it control them.

       The official word for all of this is "contentious."  I have colored it red because it deserves the color of blood which stands for "wound".

       "Contentious." The word refers to a person who is fond of strife or loves rivalry.  The Hebrew word most often translated contentious is mirah which refers to someone who is rebellious or obstinate.

       It can be easily recognized for it is PRIDE wearing a dunce cap and leading conceit by the hand.  It has a morbid interest in all things controversial.  It is not happy when the air is quiet and still with patience.  It is uncomfortable and soon makes sure the prosperity of peace never arrives or soon is gone.

       It wrangles over "a useless word" because that is the only time "contention" is happy.  It magnifies the insignificant until it is large enough to continue any argument for yet another hour.

       It is hot and heartless and yes there is hate in it...no other word will do.

       It is a sin.  No one could or can argue otherwise.

       It can be conquered but not completely for some have within them more anger than they can handle.  Still the patience of the Lord patiently persistently sought can make head roads against it.

       So then what to do when you are caught up in a prickly peer problem.  I have a suggestion

       Look at that one who has just insulted you with anger or glee or both and say,, "If all you say is true "Will you pray for me?"

       George Whitfield, an evangelist in the time of Charles Wesley did that and more than once.   Quoting one note he sent back to an accuser think on it as the kind of letter he often sent, ": "I thank you heartily for your letter. As for what you and my other enemies are saying against me, I know worse things about myself than you will ever say about me.  With love in Christ, George Whitefield."

       Contend without being contentious.  There now...we are approaching an answer of what to do.  We will never agree with everyone around us.  It would be boring just for starters nor would we learn everything if our chins were always moving in an ongoing vertical movement of agreement.

       “You have heard it said, you shall not murder, but I say to you do not be angry. And if you have anger with your brother or sister first leave your gift at the altar and go and reconcile yourself with your brother or sister.”  There it is...with no equivocation...close down the anger furnace...cool it...place the atmosphere into an atmosphere where peace can reign.

              I have people who love me warts and all.  What a feeling it is.  And I have people I love warts and all.  Now that is a fellowship beyond compare.

       They weep with me if I have a time of weeping and rejoice with me when I have a time of joy...they are my friends...my brothers and sisters in Christ and they are jewels...sparkling jewels and I love then for how lovely and patient they are with me when I do not deserve it.

       They lift me up.  They do not stamp me down.  And some of you reading this may be some of those people...for this...to you...I say, "God bless."

       If you have spoken of the good news of Christ...this is a part of that good news. 

       I like everyone am vulnerable to hurt and when you do not attack my vulnerability I think heaven has some extra smiles break out...I know that when you treat me well... such smiles break out in me.

       And I think if I treat you the same...we share our smiles together.

       We will always have our disagreements.  That is inevitable.  But we must pray a thousand times a day if necessary to have our disagreements with kindness and respect...not sometimes changing our minds but always changing our actions to reflect those of the teachings of our Lord.

       We cannot live as a hermit.  We do not want to live as a hermit.  Man was made for fellowship.  Therefore it behooves us to speak softly and lay both a big and little stick aside.

       A shout is just that...a shout...and sometimes the louder we are the less sense we make.

       Will these words aimed at charitable actions create more charitable actions?  I can but hope.

       Will there still be wrangling across the land and in our own households?  Unfortunately...yes..., for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. 

       But they must be our aim. 

       They must be at the center of each and every prayer.  They must create more sunshine moments to bring rest from darkly shadow times.

       It is so easy to disrespect, disregard and disobey the words of our Christ...but that does not mean we cannot move forward toward improvement from the position of our knees.

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Ephesians 4:32


Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.



How can a society that exists on instant mashed potatoes, packaged cake mixes, frozen dinners, and instant cameras teach patience to its young? ~Paul Sweeney

Patience is something you admire in the driver behind you and scorn in the one ahead. ~Mac McCleary

Genius is nothing but a great aptitude for patience. ~George-Louis de Buffon

                    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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