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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.
I have often quoted Dr. E. Stanley Jones. I do so again. "I am inwardly fashioned for faith, not for fear. Fear
is not my native land; faith is. I am so made that worry and anxiety are sand
in the machinery of life; faith is the oil. I live better by faith and
confidence than by fear, doubt and anxiety. In anxiety and worry, my being is
gasping for breath--these are not my native air. But in faith and confidence, I
breathe freely--these are my native air."
We have all stepped
on a bee or bruised a bone or endured a tooth ache...but then there come those
times in life when pain becomes something not briefly come and gone...but bears
the title "long suffering."
What then to do? How to handle it? What positives can be gained from such a vast
negative?
All of life is about example. Whose we follow and where the following leads
us.
Our classic example of tragedy come is
found in the book of Job and how he would not curse God as urged by his wife
but rather "did not sin in what he said."
And what else? Could anyone with common sense suggest that
railing against the night and He who made both night and dady...could help?
As in all life how one handles a pain that
weights a thousand weeping pounds is where strength is found or tragic
weakness.
The finding of a greater faith to lean on
or the losing of a faith and the terrible emptiness that follows.
By one choice we become survivors. By a second choice we become victims.
When darkness
overwhelms what first do we all do? We
cry out like a little child, "Father." As once we did when lying in a crib
surrounded by darkness and cried out "Daddy."
It is natural. It affirms that we are not the "masters
of our fate" or "the captains of our soul."
It is good and proper and right and we
have been told so to do..."Ask and it shall be given you. Seek and ye shall find."
And we know this
prayer must be followed by another one, "Thy will be done." Otherwise it would not be prayer but a
command and what a constantly conflicted world that would produce.
But first we plead
our case. "I am not a bad person
God. Why did this happen to a good
person like me?"
There are variations on the them, "How
dare you." And our anger mingles
with our grief.
Nor is the ultimate
truth lost upon our soul when we are busy responding with varying degrees of
faith and foolishness.
The people watched the man enter the
water and began to swim out from shore.
It was difficult for he was carrying a large rock.
When he was half
away across the river he began to struggle and everyone cried out, "Drop
the rock. Drop the rock."
As he turned to look
at all those were trying to help him save himself with his last dying gasp he
cried out, "I can't. It's
mine."
Wisdom comes slowly
when sometimes we hold on to what is causing pain or worse still is some habit
that is hastening our demise.
"God is love" Shout
it. The cross says
"love." "Blessings galore"
before our world came tumbling down it must not be forgotten or ignored that we
all have had our blessings too. To do
otherwise is foolishness galore.
The young boy
climbed into the cart and kept the heavy load he had been carrying on his
shoulders instead of placing it on the truck floor.
When asked why he
replied, "I don't want to burden the horse."
We do that sometimes. Pray to our Lord to help us and then
won't/don't let go of the load.
A love affair with
God may be a strange way of putting it but really not so strange at all. How can one feel otherwise when our lives are
played against such a magnificent background of creation.
And yes, basic and profound is the fact that
we can break our relationship with God but He will not break His relationship
with us.
Keep your
perspective...in dealing with pain...keep your perspective or as Robert Fulghum
put it, "If
you break your neck, if you have nothing to eat, if your house is on fire, then
you got a problem. Everything else is inconvenience."
"Let go and let God." Easily said.
Not so easily done. But it is
where we must seek to live...with smiles and tears, mortality and immortality,
holding close the affirmation "Thy will be done." because otherwise our life is totally up to
us...and we are not up to the job.
Is adversity at this present moment shouting
in your face? Then think on Job and how
he handled adversity.
He turned to God but he did not blame
God.
A God centered
approach to adversity! Would an
adversarial approach to God be better? To
what good is it for one to proclaim themselves an enemy of God?
I was a cross country runner in
college. I trained for endurance. Life is a marathon and I am daily in training
for endurance. Spiritual, emotional, His
hand in mine...His leading...His bolstering me up when otherwise I would falter
and fall.
For I am not guaranteed that there will be no
storm or shadows. What I am guaranteed
is that it is His world and that living in it I am nothing but a fool if I try
to live without Him.
When I was learning
to fly I still remember one of the first things my instructor taught me. If something goes wrong, ask yourself...'Is
this thing still flying?
If there's no
immediate danger cool it...don't overreact...patiently consider the
alternatives...so it with many problems that may well come up asking for long
time patience...but think it through first and pray it through first...and be
the better for having two first in place at the same time.
Patience. Any of us who had to recover from an accident or an operation know that patience helps healing. So number one prayer at any time of suffering is "Patience Lord. Patience."
Patience. Any of us who had to recover from an accident or an operation know that patience helps healing. So number one prayer at any time of suffering is "Patience Lord. Patience."
And if you are seeking solace...sing a
song...belt out a hymn...there is something about music even if you do sing off
key that loosens the tension that pain can bring.
Suffering is a part of life. It is a fact we cannot escape. God is a part of life. It is a fact we certainly do not want to
escape.
++++++++++
Two books on suffering well worth reading
Philip Yancey, "Where is God When it Hurts" (Zondervan, 1990,
paperback) and Dr. James Dobson, "When God Doesn't Make Sense"
(Tyndale House, 1993, paperback).
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
,
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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