These One A Days are added to daily. There are over 1100 stories and commentaries on this blog. It is added to daily.
The great violinist, Nicolo Paganini, willed his marvelous violin to Genoa -- the city of his birth -- but only on condition that the instrument never be played upon. It was an unfortunate condition, for it is a peculiarity of wood that as long as it is used and handled, it shows little wear. As soon as it is discarded, it begins to decay.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEND THIS BLOG TO A FRIEND COPY and
paste THE FOLLOWING URL
Click on http://wyrickswritings.blogspot.com
to read selected Sermons from
over 50 years of Rev. Wyrick's ministry.
To view Rev. Wyrick in 4 of his highly
acclaimed One Man Dramas click on the below
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Vance Havner once rightly said,"We are not going to move this
world by criticism of it nor conformity to it, but by combustion within it of
lives ignited by the Spirit of God."
There is a rare genetic disease that if you have it you can feel
no pain.
At first glance that seems advantageous.
At second glance, one
realizes that not feeling pain really is a pain for it tells us that something
is wrong.
People with this disease don’t know that they are bleeding to
death or wandering around with a severely broken bone. Their eye may be swollen and they may have an
awful looking bump on their forehead but without a mirror or someone telling
them, they just don’t know.
Physical pain. If you are not aware when something hurts,
you don’t do anything about it so it just gets worse, not better.
Spiritual pain. If you
are spiritually wounded, you also may not be aware of it and therefore you
don’t do anything about it so it just gets worse, not better.
Spiritual awareness is obviously what I
am talking about. And it is an
affliction if one reaches a point where they do not feel the emptiness and pain
of the absence of their living God.
In
The Last Days Newsletter, Leonard Ravenhill tells about a group of
tourists visiting a picturesque village who walked by an old man sitting beside
a fence. In a rather patronizing way, one tourist asked, "Were any great
men born in this village?" The old man replied, "Nope, only
babies."
So how to improve your spiritual
awareness. How to sharpen your spiritual
sensitivity. How to mature.
Fall in love with people.
Forgive people.
Kill prejudice.
Enliven yours sense of compassion.
What am I talking
about? Am I saying that one way to feel
closer to God is to improve your relationship with people
Yes!
When you are angry with your fellowman it blocks your desire to
communicate with God. He forgives you
but you cannot forgive yourself if you actually think about it...and that
creates a shrinking of the soul.
But...and it is a big but...be patient as you apply these basic
Christian principles for spiritual maturity.
Be content with baby steps rather than
require giant steps. Otherwise you will
suffer from spiritual fatigue because you wanted it to happen all at once.
For some it does work out that way.
That marvelous all in a moment transformation you have heard of...but
for most it is a slow steady growth sometimes over years rather than
months.
Be patient.
And when we grow we will experience spiritual growing pains. Be patient.
Be prepared for it if you are like many.
But spiritual awareness sought is spiritual awareness found.
Grow closer to God by leading others
toward a closer relationship with God.
In such selflessness a special gift of the spirit seems to arise. The gift of otherness comes back upon itself.
What am I talking about? I am
talking about journeys...such as the disciples who kept following Jesus long
after He was going.
Of shepherds who left their very real sheep on the side of a
hill to follow a very real message from very real angels to the foot of a
manger where lay a very real child.
I'm talking about a promised land "In my father's house are
many mansions."
I'm talking about
giving more width and depth to the bridge that links us with heaven.
I'm talking about enhancing the relationship with the the God
"in who we live, and move and have our being." (Paul)
I'm talking about making God near and precious to the meaning of
every day.
I'm talking about that
which transcends any and all earth bound sickness for an eternal health that
transcends time and space.
I'm talking about you and me praying for
each other even though we have never met each other...as united through the
brotherhood of being brothers and sisters in Christ...we establish a
relationship that knocks on heaven's door and shouts and sings to the glory of
our Almighty God.
The great violinist, Nicolo Paganini, willed his marvelous violin to Genoa -- the city of his birth -- but only on condition that the instrument never be played upon. It was an unfortunate condition, for it is a peculiarity of wood that as long as it is used and handled, it shows little wear. As soon as it is discarded, it begins to decay.
The
exquisite, mellow-toned violin has become worm-eaten in its beautiful case,
valueless except as a relic. The moldering instrument is a reminder that a life
withdrawn from all service to others loses its meaning.
And so
it is when a soul is denied...and the pain of such a denial to the total man or
woman reaches a point where it is no longer felt...and the life withdrawn
suffers the spiritual diseases such withdrawals cause.
THINK ON THESE THINGS BELOW
Discipleship
Journal, 11-12/92
A recent survey of Discipleship Journal readers ranked areas of greatest spiritual challenge to them:
1. Materialism
2. Pride
3. Self-centeredness
4. Laziness
5. (Tie) Anger/Bitterness
5. (Tie) Sexual lust
6. Envy
7. Gluttony
8. Lying
A recent survey of Discipleship Journal readers ranked areas of greatest spiritual challenge to them:
1. Materialism
2. Pride
3. Self-centeredness
4. Laziness
5. (Tie) Anger/Bitterness
5. (Tie) Sexual lust
6. Envy
7. Gluttony
8. Lying
Jesus
The
kingdom of Heaven is within you... Seek ye first the kingdom of Heaven and all
things will be added unto you.
"Never fear shadows.
They simply mean there's a light somewhere nearby. '
-Ruth E. Renkee
"Heaven on Earth is
a spiritual choice you must make, not a place you must find."
-Wayne Dyer
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A
new quote below from Rev. Wyrick's 9th book THE SPIRITUAL ABRAHAM
LINCOLN (read the rave reviews
below the quote)
Lincoln had seen a house of cards about to
fall and realized how it could establish a precedent that would truly destroy
what the Founding Fathers had created.
Divided
by two, in short time it might well have become a division of three.
The
northeast, once not sure if it even wanted to be part of the original thirteen
colonies, might then have pulled out.
A
few years down the road, some state in the Confederacy, unhappy with the new
uniting, might have done the same. Bad
habits come easily and are slow to leave.
"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)
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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 ENTITLED
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 ENTITLED
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 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 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 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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