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. It is added to
daily.
Click on http://wyrickswritings.blogspot.com
to read selected Sermons from
over 50 years of Rev. Wyrick's ministry.
Frank Layden, the former coach of Utah Jazz in the seventies, had
problems with one of his basketball player, and so he summoned the talented but
troubled man to his office.
Looking the player in
the eye, the coach finally asked, "My son, I can¡¦t understand what it is with
you. Is it ignorance or apathy?"
The players response? "Coach, I don¡¦t know and I don¡¦t
care!"
Apathy is a killer unless one has
ambitions to be a sloth. To open every
morning with a "deep sigh" and every night with the equivalent of a
moan is an emotional psychological spiritual burden not to be sought.
So what to do to
find more enthusiasm in life.
Apathy is the father
of boredom.
Boredom often leads to destructive behavior
in the desire to escape boredom. Why
else get as drunk as a fish or move toward drug abuse.
Take thirst for example. If one does not have sufficient liquid intake
one dies. If one exceeds a proper and
intelligent liquid intake one drowns.
Overindulgence. "If a little is good then more is better
and more than more is the zenith to be sought after and acquired." cries
out the over indulger only to find out that too much of a good thing is exactly
that....too much of a good thing.
According
to Robert Ripley, a mule named Boston Curtis was elected Republican
committeeman from Wilton, Washington, by a 51-vote plurality in 1938. The mule
was sponsored by the Democratic mayor of the town—to prove a theory that many
voters are careless. The filing notice was signed with the candidate’s
hoofprints and his sponsor signed as a witness.
And again: A cigar
store Indian was elected Justice of the Peace in Allentown, New Jersey, in
1883. The statue clothed with the fictitious name of Abner Robbins was duly
placed on the ballot and elected with a plurality of seven votes over the
incumbent Sam Davis. Judge Davis, who held office many years, resigned in
indignation when he learned his successful opponent was a wooden Indian.
Do you live only for pleasure or do you
include purpose as necessary to real contentment?
There are certain
basic truths. They cannot be argued
with. They simply have about them the
stamp of time.
I walked
a mile with Pleasure;
She chatted all the way;
But left me none the wiser
For all she had to say.
She chatted all the way;
But left me none the wiser
For all she had to say.
I walked a mile with
Sorrow,
And ne’er a word said she;
But, oh! The things I learned from her,
When sorrow walked with me.
And ne’er a word said she;
But, oh! The things I learned from her,
When sorrow walked with me.
-Robert Browning Hamilton
What makes you happy?
What if your pay raises just kept even with inflation so that you never
had a paycheck larger than one you receive?
How much greater would you require your paycheck to be to make you
totally everlastingly happy without ever making any more?
The
sweet spot is somewhere between $50,000 and $75,000. If you make under $50,000,
you might be stressed about your financial situation. If you make over $75,000,
the additional returns on working longer hours might not be worth it anymore.
But it’s nice to know that a $75,000 salary isn’t necessary to be happy.
It’s just a perk.
In other words: the
pursuit of happiness, for 33% off the original price.
Quote from Forbes (A 2010 study from Princeton University‘s Woodrow Wilson School)
“Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show
restraint... (NIV, Proverbs 23:4-5)
I quote Paul often. Why? Because of his wisdom, yes. Because of his life changing experience on
the road to Damascus. yes. But think on
this...for his enthusiasm...his commitment...his persistent perseverance...his
lack of apathy such an inspiration.
We are drawn
to people who know that they want to be tomorrow an ongoing improvement over
what they are today.
And to close
on a note of what happens when apathy does not reign.
Angels in the
heavens crying out their good news of great joy.
And non apathetic shepherds racing toward the beginning of the most
monumental even mankind has ever known.
And Wisemen
proving their non apathetic wisdom.
And the
disciples and missionaries and laymen and ministers of our beloved Christ
committed to commitment with muscles on their souls and a vigor to their daily
walk with Faith.
Spiritual apathy. Suppose that
had been an apt description of these early disciples.
There was once a flock of
pelicans that happily fished off the coast of California.
One day, a fishing
company began cleaning their catch at a nearby dock, where it was convenient
for them to cast the discarded fish scraps into the water.
The pelicans, drawn to the daily ritual, soon gave up fishing
for themselves and settled into a more domesticated existence.
Life was pretty good for these pelicans, at least until the
fishermen discovered that there was a market for fish scraps.
Abruptly, the free
meals ceased.
Despite
this regrettable change of fortune, the pelicans continued to show up every day
at meal-time, only to go away with empty stomachs.
It wasn’t long before the lack of
sustenance began to take its toll.
The unsightly appearance of the emaciated
birds eventually drew the public’s attention, and experts were called in to
investigate the cause of their plight. For some unknown reason, the pelicans no
longer seemed able to access the abundance of food that teemed just below them
in the sea.
After a thorough investigation, it was
concluded that the pelicans were starving to death because they’d forgotten how
to fish!
Have you ever heard of anything so absurd? Pelicans were created to
fish. But they had forgotten who they were and what they were made to do.
Are you
suffering from the kind of apathy that has made you who has forgotten who you
are (God's child) and what you were made to do?
And so it is
...he who always used to go to church no longer does.
And so it
is...she who read her Bible on a regular
basis no longer does.
And so it is... Spiritual
apathy.
Procrastination feeding it..." On some distant tomorrow I will
return to my religious roots."
Physical
exercise. To fall to ones knees in
prayer is obviously a part of any spiritual awakening but also to rise and fall
with deep knee bends is part of a muscle awakening and good health awakening
and perhaps leading to a better diet and...IF YOU DON'T FEEL GOOD...APATHY
LOVES IT.
By way of emphasis, "I Corinthians 3:16? “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s
temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?”
Get excited
or at least interested in the needs of your community. It expands your mind...it sharpens your
compassion..it is a death knell to apathy that is then replaced by empathy.
Rev up your imagination. As best you can picture yourself there when
that Sermon on the Mount was given.
Picture yourself at the feeding of the 5000. Bring before your mind's eye whatever part of
the ministry of Christ has gathered the most of attention.
And pray to be able to do this...to
help to make those Bible words of description come alive...do this...and you
will feel whatever apathy is around you and in you (hopefully little or none)
it will go and not return.
++++++++++
The
nice thing about apathy is you don't have to exert yourself to show you're
sincere about it.
Did you hear about the company that makes
blank bumper stickers? They're for people who don't want to get involved.
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 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 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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