One A Day, Your Spiritual Vitamins

GOD DOESN'T HOLD A GRUDGE

2012-02-02T08:47:00.000-05:00

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There are over 900 stories and commentaries on this blog that began Nov 24, 2009. It is added to daily.

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http://wyrickswritings.blogspot.com

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Karl Menninger, the famed psychiatrist, once said that if he could convince the patients in psychiatric hospitals that their sins were forgiven, 75 percent of them could walk out the next day!

And what is the Gospel's message...God doesn't hold a grudge.

Do you hold a grudge for days or weeks or years? Do you require that everyone in your family dislike everyone you dislike and every thought you espouse and the list is long?

Does everyone feel they have to walk on eggshells when they are in your presence? Are you an individual who cannot manage your emotions, and part of the reason is because it is just you by yourself trying to manage them?

I’m not suggesting that you should work at being dead in the water emotionally.

You want to be able to get excited and dance and sing, but you also don’t want to become permanently hyper and out of control.

Psychiatrists say that anger is the hardest emotion to master. So we need a doctor to tell us that? A few years ago, some people were teaching that we should let it all hang out. It was called “Scream Therapy” - that if you didn’t scream on a regular basis you would perpetually steam.

In other words, gain control by losing control. The theory, thank goodness didn’t last.

Certainly there is a better way of doing it, infinitely better than having screaming sessions. It is called “reframing” or “reinterpreting” what has just happened in a more positive light. I’ve been doing this for years, I just didn’t have a name for it.

It made sense to me that if someone gave me a hard time, it was because they had just finished having a hard time, or the night before, or were just having a bad day. I figured it was a waste of time and common sense to take it personally.

Now some people really are nasty and mean on a regular basis and they do not like you, along with a host of other people they don’t like. But they are in the minority and if you run across someone like that, pray that you don’t emulate them.

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TO WATCH NEIL WYRICK IN HIS ONE MAN DRAMAS (Presented to millions all around the world) (Ben Franiklin, Martin Luther, Charles Wesley and Abraham Lincoln (this Lincoln film takes 11 seconds to download but is worth the wait)

CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING

http://www.speakerneil.com/

To Order and Read Neil's 9th book THE SPIRITUAL ABRAHAM LINCOLN

GO TO amazon.com

...and get a brand new book for $2 "from author" which is less than used book prices you will see!!!

QUOTES ABOUT THIS WONDERFUL INSPIRING INFORMATIVE book

STILL RECEIVING RAVE REVIEWS 8 YEARS AFTER IT'S PUBLICATION.

"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

COURAGE...A COMMODITY IN SHORT SUPPLY

2012-02-01T09:09:00.000-05:00

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There are over 900 stories and commentaries on this blog that began Nov 24, 2009. It is added to daily.

To Visit neil's other blog Wyrick's Writings click on the following

http://wyrickswritings.blogspot.com

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There was a test conducted by a university where 10 students were placed in a room. 3 lines of varying length were drawn on a card.

The students were told to raise their hands when the instructor pointed to the longest line. But 9 of the students had been instructed beforehand to raise their hands when the instructor pointed to the second longest line. 1 student was the stooge.

The usual reaction of the stooge was to put his hand up, look around, and realizing he was all alone, pull it back down. This happened 75% of the time, with students from grade school through high school. The researchers concluded that many would rather be liked rather than be right.

Suppose I were to walk up to you and began to insult you family; curse your father, call your mother by a totally unacceptable name and rake your brothers or sisters over the coals with one profanity after the other, what would you do?

Would you just stand there with a silly grin on your face or no expression at all? Would you act as if I had said nothing out of the ordinary because, after all, people use such language all the time? After all I have only defamed your family. It’s no big deal.

Suppose someone walks up to you and begins to insult your family of God? What if they use the well accepted GD’s of today, and by so doing throw verbal sludge at your heavenly Father. What if they then use the name of His son as a curse word and thereby literally rake the whole family of God over the coals?

What will you do? Will you just stand there with a silly grin on your face or no expression at all? Will you act as if they have said nothing out of the ordinary because, after all, people use such language all the time? After all they have only defamed the family of God. It’s no big deal.

It’s no big deal? Really? What we allow spoken in our presence - no matter how bad, becomes the accepted norm and very often what people therefore begin to think we actually stand for.

Suppose the next time you hear someone use heaven’s own as a curse word you were to say, “I really don’t care for that kind of language.” Will they appreciate your comment? Probably not.

Will everyone you say this to never take God’s name in vain again, or at least never again in your presence?

No, not everyone.

But some will respect you for speaking up and you will have sowed a seed worth sowing, a thought worth thinking.

And most of all you will have been courageous...a commodity to often in short supply.

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CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING

http://www.speakerneil.com/

To Order and Read Neil's 9th book THE SPIRITUAL ABRAHAM LINCOLN

GO TO amazon.com

...and get a brand new book for $2 "from author" which is less than used book prices you will see!!!

QUOTES ABOUT THIS WONDERFUL INSPIRING INFORMATIVE book

STILL RECEIVING RAVE REVIEWS 8 YEARS AFTER IT'S PUBLICATION.

"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.)

William Hoffman, Award winning fiction writer; author of Blood and Guile, and Wild Thorn

Maynard Pittendreigh Presbyterian minister

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

Daniel Allen Butler, author of "Unsinkable"; The Full Story of the RMS Titanic, The Lusitania and The Age o f Cunard

WHY BE GOOD?

2012-01-31T10:02:00.000-05:00

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There are over 900 stories and commentaries on this blog that began Nov 24, 2009. It is added to daily.

To Visit neil's other blog Wyrick's Writings click on the following

http://wyrickswritings.blogspot.com

ARE YOU AS CLOSE TO GOD AS YOU WANT TO BE?

(posted today Tuesday Jan 30th)

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When the Master of Abbotsford, Sir Walter Scott, lay dying, he called for his son-in-law and biographer, Lockhart, and said to him, "Lockhart, my dear sir, be a' good man. Be virtuous, be religious, be a good man. Nothing else will give you any comfort when you come to lie here."

Romans 6:10-11

For in that he died, he died unto sin once,

but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.

Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin,

but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

James 4:17

To him therefore who knows to do good, and doesn’t do it, to him it is sin.

Tocqueville, a French political thinker who lived over a hundred years ago, visited America, and upon his return home he wrote: “I sought for the greatness of America in her harbors and rivers and fertile fields, and her mines and commerce. It was not there. Not until I went into the churches and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the greatness of her power.

America

is great because she is good; and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great."

And therein lies part of the problem in today's America. Ask many Americans today what is good or bad, right or wrong and you will receive convoluted answers. For they will give you not what the Bible teaches us is right and wrong, but what they have decided on their own is right and what is wrong.

A moral man used to be held in esteem. Too often today he thought naïve and may face ridicule. Take what will make you rich or happy and the devil take the hindmost has become cry of the land.

It used to be considered praise to be called good, but somewhere along the line goodness got a bad reputation. To be called a goody two shoes because you won’t do something considered wrong or immoral has become belittling and an insult.

Moral absolutes seem to have gone the way of the horse and buggy.

And, oh, that there were more in this old world like Frances Havergal, the song writer, who lived and moved in the Word of God. His Word was her constant companion. Indeed, on the last day of her life on earth, she asked a friend to read to her the 42nd chapter of Isaiah.

When the friend read the sixth verse - “I, the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee,” Miss Havergal stopped her and whispered, “Called—held—kept. I can go home on that!”

And she took her last breath and did go to her heavenly home on that.

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CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING

http://www.speakerneil.com/

To Order and Read Neil's 9th book THE SPIRITUAL ABRAHAM LINCOLN

GO TO amazon.com

and get it for $2 "from author" which is less than used book prices you will see!!!

QUOTES ABOUT THIS WONDERFUL INSPIRING INFORMATIVE book

"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.)

William Hoffman, Award winning fiction writer; author of Blood and Guile, and Wild Thorn

Maynard Pittendreigh Presbyterian minister

WHAT WERE THE BEST DAYS IN YOUR LIFE AND WHY? (Or moments)

2012-01-30T09:51:00.000-05:00

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There are over 900 stories and commentaries on this blog that began Nov 24, 2009. It is added to daily.

To Visit neil's other blog Wyrick's Writings click on the following

http://wyrickswritings.blogspot.com

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To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: A time to weep, a time to laugh, a time to mourn, and a time to dance.
Ecclesiastes 3:1,4.

You cried. And those gathered ‘round you were delighted. If you had been older you would have known this wasn’t the usual reaction to someone crying.

But this was the day of your birth and you were crying out to the world, “Hey, it’s me! There’s never been anyone like me before and there’ll never be anyone like me again.!”

You didn’t know it…

But when you smiled it would be your own unique way of doing it.

And when you frowned everyone would recognize it for what it was…but that too would be a distinct representation of you.

And as you grew older, you would give more than you took or take more than you gave.

You would be compassionate or cruel, sober or a cut up and you would have a belief system that would govern your actions and the world would be a different place because of those actions.

What were the best days if your life and why

Asking the question so we can fine tune the answers.

The best days of your life. The day you were born and the day you realized what you were born for.

Or the day you finally do discover what you were born for.

An old man had a question he asked over and over again of everyone he met.

"What have you done that you believe in and you are proud of?"
Not what do you do for a living but rather what do you do that makes LIFE WORTH LIVING?

There is a story involving Yogi Berra, the well-known catcher for the New York Yankees, and Hank Aaron, who at that time was the chief power hitter for the Milwaukee Braves. The teams were playng in the World Series, and as usual Yogi was keeping up his ceaseless chatter, intended to pep up his teammates on the one hand, and distract the Milwaukee batters on the other.

As Aaron came to the plate, Yogi tried to distract him by saying, "Henry, you’re holding the bat wrong. You’re supposed to hold it so you can read the trademark."

Aaron didn’t say anything, but when the next pitch came he hit it into the left-field bleachers. After rounding the bases and tagging up at home plate, Aaron looked at Yogi Berra and said, "I didn’t come up here to read

Daily, as you come to bat in the game of life…what are you coming to bat for? Who and what are you aiming to score runs for? Good or evil. A good and sacred purpose or no purpose at all….or a no good purpose.

Search and pray. Pray and search. And remember much of which reflects back to where you live is determined as to where you have placed the mirror.

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CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING

http://www.speakerneil.com/

To Order and Read Neil's 9th book THE SPIRITUAL ABRAHAM LINCOLN

GO TO amazon.com

And get it for $2 "from author" which is less than used book prices you will see!!!

QUOTES ABOUT THIS WONDERFUL INSPIRING INFORMATIVE book

"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.)

William Hoffman, Award winning fiction writer; author of Blood and Guile, and Wild Thorn

Maynard Pittendreigh Presbyterian minister

SOME SURE FIRE IDEAS ON HOW TO INCREASE YOUR PEACE OF MIND.

2012-01-29T08:34:00.000-05:00

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There are over 900 stories and commentaries on this blog that began Nov 24, 2009. It is added to daily.

To Visit neil's other blog Wyrick's Writings click on the following

http://wyrickswritings.blogspot.com

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Duke University did a study and found that the following make exceptional contributions to having "Peace of Mind."

1. Don't nurse a grudge unless you want a nursery filled with mean and angry crying thoughts.

2. Don't as you wake up in the morning start inviting old mistakes and failures to be with you for the rest of the day

3. Don't beat your head bloody trying to change things you know can't be changed.

4. When you emotionally overstressed go out and be with people and the world. It may be the last thing you want to do but it is the first thing you ought to do. Otherwise you become a recluse whose negative thoughts just feed on themselves. Pure and simple, accept the fact that no one gets through life without some raw deals.

5. Cultivate some old-fashioned virtues- love, humor, compassion and loyalty (Duke doesn't say that these truths can be found all over the New Testament)

7. Have big dreams but don't make them so big you have no chance to achieve them. By so doing you can build too wide a gap between self-expectations and your ability to achieve them. When I ran track I set as my goal to run each faster than last time but not as fast as the top runner on the team. He was just too fast.

8. Find yourself something bigger than yourself to believe in. Self-centered egotistical people score lowest in any test for measuring happiness.

Have you heard about the newest gadget to insure peace and quiet at home? It is called a phone-less cord.

And then there is the couple who, back in the 1980’s, made an extensive study to find the safest place in the world to live, and then moved to the Falkland Islands just before they were invaded.

They should, however, not have been surprised for peace is not found in gadgets or particular geographical locations. Real peace is only found inside of each of us:

in souls filled with the Holy Spirit

in lives guided by God’s commandments

in an ongoing communication with the One who set this old world in motion

in living the kind of lives that allow us not be at constant war with ourselves.

Yet mankind continues to pursue the silly rather than the sagacious. Indeed, one man recently commented, "My therapist told me the way to achieve true inner peace is to finish what I start. So far today, I have finished two bags of potato

chips and most of a large, luscious chocolate cake. I feel better already."

At first you laugh. And then you think this is no laughing matter for this kind of philosophy really is alive and well in far too many lives.

Remember those words describing the birth of Christ, "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And He will be called, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9 - NIV)

And what a prince from heaven He was; Christ our Savior King, giving us a peace-filled commandment to "love on another" and telling us to forgive each other and be a light undo the world.

For certainly there is more peace to be found this way than in a life that hates and constantly seeks vindictiveness and vengeance.

There is something peacefully powerful about waking up in the morning and having one of the first thoughts to cross your mind the message this Jesus brought us.

How much God loves us and how, if we have given ourselves completely to him, we are never alone.

That's when that peace that passeth understanding takes up permanent residence inside of you and you are never the same again.

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CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING

http://www.speakerneil.com/

To Order and Read Neil's 9th book THE SPIRITUAL ABRAHAM LINCOLN

GO TO amazon.com

and get a brand new coopy for $2 "from author" which is less than used book prices you will see!!!

QUOTES ABOUT THIS WONDERFUL INSPIRING INFORMATIVE book

"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.)

William Hoffman, Award winning fiction writer; author of Blood and Guile, and Wild Thorn

Maynard Pittendreigh Presbyterian minister

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY ON YOUR LAST TELEPHONE CALL?

2012-01-28T10:45:00.000-05:00

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEND THIS BLOG TO A FRIEND GO TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS BLOG AND CLICK ON THE ENVELOPE.

There are over 900 stories and commentaries on this blog that began Nov 24, 2009. It is added to daily.

To Visit neil's other blog Wyrick's Writings click on the following

http://wyrickswritings.blogspot.com

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If the world discovered that there were only five minutes left to say all everyone wanted to say, every telephone would be occupied by people calling other people to stammer that they love them.

Why wait until the last five minutes?

Many years ago at a Bible study, one in our group gave me a beautiful quote, “God loves us as we are, but He loves us too much to want us to stay that way.”

One day a man excusing his actions said to me, “When I get mad, it’s over in 30 seconds.”

I replied, “So is an atomic bomb, but look at the damage it does.”

So then, are you willing for the next 40 days to practice damage control? Flood your being with love? Complete, and uncompromising?

Nothing negative poking its peaks above the surface of your sea of love? Looking out and seeing nothing but an ocean of love? Aboard your ark named Conscience sailing serenely, practicing in a new way an old admonition?

So...that neighbor you cannot stand, that co-worker who drives you up the wall...start treating them as if you do like them...that's right...treat them in a manner you don't believe they deserve...and if you do...do you know what will happen...it will change your relationship...the first person it will change will be you because you won't be carrying around the burden of anger toward them you have been carrying...and that will be good for your insides...and then...ere now and then...your kindness toward that other individual can sometimes change them in their response to you...so try it...you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

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CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING

http://www.speakerneil.com/

To Order and Read Neil's 9th book THE SPIRITUAL ABRAHAM LINCOLN

GO TO amazon.com

Then go to New book...and get it for $2 "from author" which is less than used book prices you will see!!!

QUOTES ABOUT THIS WONDERFUL INSPIRING INFORMATIVE book

"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.)

William Hoffman, Award winning fiction writer; author of Blood and Guile, and Wild Thorn

Maynard Pittendreigh Presbyterian minister

WHO WINS IF YOU DO NOTHING BUT BATTLE LIFE?

2012-01-27T09:08:00.000-05:00

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There are over 900 stories and commentaries on this blog that began Nov 24, 2009. It is added to daily.

To Visit neil's other blog Wyrick's Writings click on the following

http://wyrickswritings.blogspot.com

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Luke 6:47-49 - "Everyone who comes to Me, and hears My words, and acts upon them, I will show you whom he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation upon the rock; and when a flood rose, the torrent burst against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. "But the one who has heard, and has not acted accordingly, is like a man who built a house upon the ground without any foundation; and the torrent burst against it and immediately it collapsed, and the ruin of that house was great."

Two boys were talking together when the younger asked, "Wouldn't you hate to wear glasses?" "No," answered the other, "not if I had my grandmother's kind. They make her see just how to mend broken things, and help her find lots of nice things to do on rainy days.

She sees when folks are tired or sorry, and what'll make them feel better. And she always sees what you meant to do, even if you haven't got things quite right. I asked her one day how she could see that way all the time, and she said it was the way she had learned to look at things as she grew older, so I just know it's her spectacles that does it."

There are indeed people who when you say “Good morning” to them, basically meet you with an attitude that growls, “What do you mean by that remark?” Others meet the day with such a lively, positive response they make you smile just remembering them.

And perhaps you think; dear Lord, what can I do to make people who are out of love with life find more joy in it? How can I help them to give up their own private rain cloud for a sunshine-faith that works?

The answer, of course, begins with you and me. Smiling at the world around us more often than frowning. Radiating the positive rather than shading everything with a negative. Remembering that we are Christian examples to our non-Christian brethren and that they are not deaf, dumb or blind. What we are is what they get and if it is not Christian we have damaged our faith in a way that should make us weep.

Have you ever wondered how any intelligent individual could behave in such a manner he actually drives away the very people he wants and needs? How can anyone smart sometimes act so dumb?

Well, actually it is surprisingly simple. Psychologists tell us that intelligence isn’t everything we think it’s cracked up to be. It actually influences only 20% of our decisions. The rest of our actions fall heir to our emotional responses. Or, let’s put it this way; when we allow a gut-feeling to take over when a God-commandment would be better, we are only asking for trouble.

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CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING

http://www.speakerneil.com/

To Order and Read Neil's 9th book THE SPIRITUAL ABRAHAM LINCOLN

GO TO amazon.com

Then go to New book...and get it for $2 "from author" which is less than used book prices you will see!!!

QUOTES ABOUT THIS WONDERFUL INSPIRING INFORMATIVE book

"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.)

William Hoffman, Award winning fiction writer; author of Blood and Guile, and Wild Thorn

Maynard Pittendreigh Presbyterian minister

SUPER STRENGTH FOR SUPER NEEDS

2012-01-26T09:18:00.000-05:00

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEND THIS BLOG TO A FRIEND GO TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS BLOG AND CLICK ON THE ENVELOPE.

There are over 900 stories and commentaries on this blog that began Nov 24, 2009. It is added to daily.

To Visit neil's other blog Wyrick's Writings click on the following

http://wyrickswritings.blogspot.com

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A man once said to me, “The world has so many problems that if Moses came down from Mt. Sinai today, the two tablets he’d be carrying would be aspirin.” It was a clever comment, but beyond that, it ignores the fact that life today is no worse than in centuries past.

Different - but no worse.

If you have doubts, ask Job to comment on some of the problems he had to surmount. Or Paul. Or Daniel about his tenure in the lions den. Admittedly expressway traffic is terrible, but have you ever tried to ride on an un-air-conditioned, smelly camel?

I have (on a trip to th holy land), and take my word for it, our mode of travel is certainly faster and more comfortable. Indeed, try filling Moses shoes and wandering in the wilderness for 40 years.

Stress has never had any respect for the calendar and readily keeps knocking at the door of millions of lives, no matter what the century. The stress of keeping a job, being a proper parent, a mate worthy of the title husband or wife, a decent Christian. We always want to do better, be better.

SO Whether it is only a temporary annoyance, such as being honked at when the traffic light just changed because we haven’t moved quickly enough to suit the impatient driver behind us; or dealing with a personal enemy who refuses to be a friend; or sickness comes to call or sorrow or clouds that do not always have silver linings - whatever the need, the Master Physician is never far away.

“Dear Jesus,” we pray, “pick me up and carry me awhile so I can rest a bit.” And if you say it, and really mean it, He does just that. Wonderfully scary, isn’t it? All that power and peace available, if we but ask for Him to take charge of our lives.

Notice I did not say the pain in your stomach or some problem you have will always go away. Or that patella persuasion, the act of going to your knees, immediately gives you a superman soul. No – but it does give you strength to bear what you have been called to bear.

When you become a Christian are all your problems solved, with a guarantee that no new ones will appear? If you follow Jesus will your paycheck double, your teenager become a shining example of perfection, your car never conk out in the middle of traffic? No, I cannot promise that any of these things will happen, even if you are totally committed. Not by a long shot. But as a Christian, will you be better able to handle them? Beyond the shadow of a doubt!

By way of example: several years ago my doctor called and informed me I had a basal cell cancer on my nose that needed to be surgically removed. I said, “Thanks for the good news.”

There was only silence on the other end of the line so I explained, “Doctor, you just said it was a basal cell which does not metastasize and grows very slowly. Therefore, yes, the bad news is I have a cancer. The good news is that when it’s gone, it’s most likely gone for good, and it could have been a lot worse.

When I had my right kidney removed, and several years later recovered from a paralyzed left arm after a hang gliding accident, that took a little more doing, but we, God and I, were up to it.

Am I a spiritual Pollyanna? Probably. Am I God’s fool? Definitely. Am I alone when burdens come? Never! You see, I’ve sat at the foot of the Master Teacher and paid close attention to the lessons He has to share. I have been comforted by the words, “……I have come that they (you) might have life, and that they (you) might have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)

++++++++++++++++++++++++

CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING

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To Order and Read Neil's 9th book THE SPIRITUAL ABRAHAM LINCOLN

GO TO amazon.com

Then go to New book...and get it for $2 "from author" which is less than used book prices you will see!!!

QUOTES ABOUT THIS WONDERFUL INSPIRING INFORMATIVE book

"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.)

William Hoffman, Award winning fiction writer; author of Blood and Guile, and Wild Thorn

Maynard Pittendreigh Presbyterian minister

NEARER MY GOD TO THEE

2012-01-25T09:02:00.000-05:00

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When Queen Victoria reigned in England, she occasionally would visit some of the humble cottages of her subjects.

One time she entered the home of a widow and stayed to enjoy a brief period of Christian fellowship.

Later on, the poor woman was taunted by her worldly neighbors. "Granny," they said, "who's the most honored guest you've ever entertained in your home?" They expected her to say it was Jesus, for despite their constant ridicule of her Christian witness, they recognized her deep spirituality.

But to their surprise she answered, "The most honored guest I've entertained is Her Majesty the Queen." "Did you say the Queen? Ah, we caught you this time? How about this Jesus you're always talking about? Isn't He your most honored guest?"

Her answer was definite and scriptural, "No, indeed! He's not a guest. HE LIVES HERE!"

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one." John 10:27

He was a beloved pastor and a man of compassionate action. He loved God, felt the love of God and daily gave the love of God. And so no one was surprised when one day Bishop Ralph Cushman wrote:

I met God in the morning

When my day was at its best.

And His presence came like Sunrise

Like a glory in my breast.

All day long the Presence lingered,

All day long He stayed with me,

And we sailed in perfect calmness

O’er a very troubled sea.

So I think I know the secret,

Learned from many a troubled way;

You must seek Him in the morning

If you want Him through the day!

Ways to come closer to your God.

1. Memorize and sing to yourself often "Nearer my God to Thee." The thoughts you plant along the avenues of your mind shape the kind of person you daily become and are becoming.

2. Say grace at meals. It's a habit not so often practiced as once it was...and that the shame of it.

3. Pray often...rather than at foxhole moments...the admonition should not even have to be mentioned...but it is true that getting out of the habit of prayer is far too easy.

Spurgeon's "boiler-room."

Five young college students were spending a Sunday in London, so they went to hear the famed C.H. Spurgeon preach.

While waiting for the doors to open, the students were greeted by a man who asked, "Gentlemen, let me show you around. Would you like to see the heating plant of this church?" They were not particularly interested, for it was a hot day in July.

But they didn't want to offend the stranger, so they consented. The young men were taken down a stairway, a door was quietly opened, and their guide whispered, "This is our heating plant."

Surprised, the students saw 700 people bowed in prayer, seeking a blessing on the service that was soon to begin in the auditorium above.

Softly closing the door, the gentleman then introduced himself. It was none other than ethe great evangelist Charles Spurgeon

To fall in love with God is the greatest of all romances; To seek Him, the greatest adventure; To find him, the greatest human achievement.
Augustine

++++++++++++++++++++++++

CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING

http://www.speakerneil.com/

To Order and Read Neil's 9th book THE SPIRITUAL ABRAHAM LINCOLN

GO TO amazon.com

Then go to New book...and get it for $2 "from author" which is less than used book prices you will see!!!

QUOTES ABOUT THIS WONDERFUL INSPIRING INFORMATIVE book

"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.)

William Hoffman, Award winning fiction writer; author of Blood and Guile, and Wild Thorn

Maynard Pittendreigh Presbyterian minister

A KNOCK AT THE DOOR

2012-01-24T09:56:00.000-05:00

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Laurence Housman put a blessing to the truth when he wrote:

Light looked down and beheld darkness.

Thither will I go said Light.

Peace looked down and beheld war.

Thither will I go said Peace.

Love looked down and beheld Hatred.

Thither will I go said Love.

So came Light and shone.

So came Peace and gave rest.

So came Love and brought life.

And the Word was made flesh

And dwelt among us.

There is a knock at the door. It is late and your response is one of irritation and perhaps the beginning of a little fear - who could be calling at this hour? “Ouch!” you mutter as you trip over a pile of school books, “can’t that kid ever put away his stuff?”

As you look out your open window, a scowl crosses your face. The front porch light shines brightly on a figure strangely garbed. Who on earth is this man dressed in a long, white robe and sporting a beard? And look at those hands. Those scars…I wonder how he got those?

“May I come in?” he asks. His voice is soft but still penetrates the insulation of the door.. As you open the door you think to yourself, I know better than this. After all, it’s the year 2004 and you just don’t open the door to some stranger. But the expression on his face, the way he speaks, pushes aside your fears and though you are certainly not in the habit of admitting just anyone into your home, especially in the middle of the night, you move aside so he may enter. For some reason you feel at peace. A quietness settles inside you. Something is strange…different…heavenly? Yes, heavenly, that’s the word.

He walks into your living room and picks up the magazine from on the couch where you had dropped it when you answered his knock. He puts it back and picks up the TV Guide from the coffee table and glances at the favorite programs checked off so they won’t be forgotten. And you realize they are more than mere choices - they define who you are. He says nothing, just looks up at you. Is he about to make some sug-gestions? But he doesn’t have to - you already know good programs and programs not so good.

“You had a busy day.” And it isn’t a question, it is a statement from one who has been with you all day long. Your legs are now a little shaky and lower you into the chair next to his. “The world makes one weary,” he continues.

Weary! That’s not the half of it, you think to yourself. And again, you are aware that he does know the half of it. That this stranger knows what you have thought and done all of your life.

He looks across the room to where hangs a copy of The Lord’s Prayer in a golden frame. “It’s a good prayer,” he muses. “Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed by thy name, thy kingdom come…” and he stops.

Why did he stop on those words you wonder…thy kingdom come…? And some words begin to form in your head. “Where He leads me I will follow; I’ll go with Him all the way.”

It is almost midnight. A stranger is has just sat down beside you in your favorite chair. Without really thinking about it, you left it there for him. You are singing hymns in your head…and you begin to wonder if you are losing your mind.

“I think we both need some sleep now,” and the voice is, compelling and powerful. There is no way, really, to describe the voice. You lead him to the guestroom and gently close the door.

Come morning he is at the breakfast table looking out over your neighborhood. There is a look of such sorrow, such lamenting on his face.

“Mornin’, dad, mom…” your son has burst upon the scene. “Who’s your friend? And what’s with the robe bit?”

You cringe at his rudeness.

The morning paper lies on the floor beside his sandled feet. It is wet, but the sun is shining. Could it be from tears? The headlines blare WAR IN…. and you realize that where the war is, is really a fill-in-the-blanks kind of thing. There seems always to be a war somewhere.

And a caption under a picture reads 150 KILLED IN A TERRORIST PLOT. And in smaller print the paper lets you know that a 15-Year-Old Guns Down Friend. You are all too aware that the rest of the paper will tell all about rape, and pillage and pain. Man’s inhumanity to man.

The rude, the crude, the irreverent elevated to an importance greater than acts of kindness, love, forgiveness. “It is the way of man,” he comments for he is reading your thoughts. And there is such a sadness on his face as he says it.

This is Sunday morning and there’s no need to hurry through breakfast. No where to go. No work to rush off to. No football or baseball game demanding your son’s time, at least not this Sunday morning. You may go to church. You may not.

As happens too often, conversation turns to gossip about the neighbors, caustic comments about a fellow worker, complaints about everything and anything. Your family has done this for so long it seems incapable of doing otherwise.

For awhile the stranger just sits and listens, then he looks at you with those eyes and gently says, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”

Thy kingdom come… Now you know why He stopped at those words. You know why there is a catch in His throat as He speaks of love.

And as you look at Him you think, do I want You this close? Sitting at my table? Maybe even going with me to work tomorrow? Becoming perhaps a permanent resident in our home? And tears begin to form in your eyes for you honestly think, I don’t know. I’m not really sure.

He has walked over to your desk and picked up a letter you have been writing. Anger and frustration build inside you. Meddling or mending? you wonder. Your letter is one of retaliation. There is rancor in it. Someone has hurt your feelings and you are fighting back. You always fight back when you are hurt. You always say to yourself, “I will show them.” You know false pride makes you act the fool, but you cannot, you will not, act any differently.

As He finishes reading it, he simply raises his eyes and in a tone more serene than you have ever heard before comments, “Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God.”

And you think of all the fights and feuds in your lifetime. The petty and the picayune with their driving force. The snubs given, the slanders expanded upon, the thoughtless stories spread. You think about that and how it is hurting you and hurting others.

He walks over and takes your hand in His, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

And suddenly you know this scene has been played out a million times a million times. One Jesus of Nazareth, the resident expert on life who would have us set the thermostat of our souls on God control. Planting our emotional and spiritual feet on top of the hill, Golgotha, and thereby viewing the world with a new perspective.

“Love God and do as you please.” That’s the way St. Augustine put it. Not just believing in God. That makes it legal, but it’s not a relationship. Knowing that if we do not bow down before the God who made us, we will bow down before God’s of our own making.

Do you hear that knocking sound? It IS Christ knocking at the door to your heart.

And if you let Him into your heart and home, let Him sit in your favorite easy chair, allow Him to take up residence in your guestroom - beware.

For if you really let it happen, you will never be the same again.

And, of course, if you have already let it happen, you know that what I have just said is absolutely, fantastically, wonderfully, overwhelmingly true.

CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING

http://www.speakerneil.com/

To Order and Read Neil's 9th book THE SPIRITUAL ABRAHAM LINCOLN

GO TO amazon.com

Then go to New book...and get it for $2 "from author" which is less than used book prices you will see!!!

QUOTES ABOUT THIS WONDERFUL INSPIRING INFORMATIVE book

"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.)

William Hoffman, Award winning fiction writer; author of Blood and Guile, and Wild Thorn

Maynard Pittendreigh Presbyterian minister

REPENTANCE

2012-01-23T09:57:00.000-05:00

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http://wyrickswritings.blogspot.com

"If all the sleeping folks will wake up,

and all the lukewarm folks will fire up,

and all the disgruntled folks will sweeten up,

and all the discouraged folks will cheer up,

and all the depressed folks will look up,

and all the estranged folks will make up,

and all the gossiping folks will shut up,

and all the dry bones will shake up,

and all the true soldiers will stand up,

and all the church members will pray up,

and if the Savior of all will be lifted up . . .

then we can have the greatest renewal

this world has ever known."

--Richard Cardinal Cushing

During the Revolutionary War one Captain John Calendar was found guilty of cowardice at Bunker Hill. After he had been court-martialed, General Washington discharged him.

It was after this that John Callendar, set an example that more men might follow. Though he had been a captain, he re-enlisted as a private. Some months later he displayed such courage in a battle, Washington publicly revoked his court-marshal and restored him to his previous rank of captain.

No matter what we have done or left undone, it is never too late to repent and remake a life.

“He who rejects change is the architect of decay. The only human institution which rejects progress is the cemetery.” ~Harold Wilson

Philippians 4:13 – “We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.”

Proverbs 4:23 - Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life.

fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

—Isaiah 41:10

"""""""""""""""""""""

CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING

http://www.speakerneil.com/

To Order and Read Neil's 9th book THE SPIRITUAL ABRAHAM LINCOLN

GO TO amazon.com

Then go to New book...and get it for $2 "from author" which is less than used book prices you will see!!!

QUOTES ABOUT THIS WONDERFUL INSPIRING INFORMATIVE book

"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.)

William Hoffman, Award winning fiction writer; author of Blood and Guile, and Wild Thorn

Maynard Pittendreigh Presbyterian minister

THE FEAR FACTOR

2012-01-22T08:34:00.002-05:00

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There are over 900 stories and commentaries on this blog that began Nov 24, 2009. It is added to daily.

To Visit neil's other blog Wyrick's Writings click on the following

http://wyrickswritings.blogspot.com

John 14:27

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you,

not as the world gives do I give to you.

Let not your heart be troubled,

neither let it be afraid.

Just remember...courage is not the absence of fear but the mastery of it.

A John Hopkins University doctor says, "We do not know why it is that worriers die sooner than the non-worriers, but that is a fact."

And we are certainly creative in all the fears...

Unusual fears: Ophthalmophobia - fear of being stared at;

Arachibutyrophobia - fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of the mouth; Paraskavedekatriaphobia - fear of Friday 13th; Genuphobia - fear of knees;

Pogonophobia - fear of beards;

Alektorophobia - fear of chickens; Coulrophobia - fear of clowns;

Dendrophobia - fear of trees; Didaskaleinophobia - fear of going to school; Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia - fear of long words;

Thanatophobia - fear of death; Athazagoraphobia - fear of being forgotten or ignored;

Ochlophobia - fear of crowds;

Nyctophobia - fear of darkness;

Scopophobia - fear of being looked at by other people;

Kakorrhaphiophobia - fear of failure; Monophobia - fear of loneliness;

Gamophobia - fear of marriage;

Peniaphobia - fear of poverty;

Hypengyophobia - fear of responsibility; Categelophobia - fear of being made fun of; Schoolphobia - fear of school;

Theophobia - fear of God;

Hadephobia - fear of Hell.

And yes...fear of fear

Can anxiety be banished, never to return again? ’Fraid not. Can it be managed so that it becomes a weight you can live with? Sure can.

So then, is there a cure for excessive worry? Where and how can a pound of fortitude be found to control a pound of fear before it becomes a ton of anxiety? And that’s the rub, because many a fear that was wise can become an anxiety that isn’t.

What then can God do about it?

Wait upon the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thy heart. (Psalm 27:14) It is good to be able to stand on your own two feet, but some additional propping up by God certainly isn’t out of order.

Put it this way... Sometimes the Lord calms the storm. Sometimes he lets the storm rage and calms his child.

Thou wilt keep Him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee… (Isaiah 26:3) Call it prayer partnership. Call it linking with your Creator. Call it spiritual common sense.

…though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. (Psalm 23) Be not afraid to live and you will not be afraid to die.

An Indian fable talks about a mouse that was constantly in fear of cat.

So one day, a magician changed the mouse into a cat.

But then the cat was afraid of a dog. So the magician changed the cat into a dog. But the dog was afraid of a tiger.

So the magician changed the dog into a tiger. But then the tiger was afraid of a hunter. Finally, in exasperation, the magician said, "Be a mouse again, you have only the heart of a mouse and I cannot help you."

I like the way one little old lady, almost ninety, put it. She lived all by herself far out in the country. When asked if she was ever afraid she simply replied, “Why should I be? Faith closes the door at night and Mercy opens it in the morning.”

"""""""""""""""""""""

CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING

http://www.speakerneil.com/

To Order and Read Neil's 9th book THE SPIRITUAL ABRAHAM LINCOLN

GO TO amazon.com

Then go to New book...and get it for $2 "from author" which is less than used book prices you will see!!!

QUOTES ABOUT THIS WONDERFUL INSPIRING INFORMATIVE book

"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.)

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

EVANGELISM-BREAKTHROUGH OR BREAKDOWN?

2012-01-21T10:06:00.000-05:00

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There are over 900 stories and commentaries on this blog that began Nov 24, 2009. It is added to daily.

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http://wyrickswritings.blogspot.com

Matthew 28:16-20

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

Did you know that over 60,000 people must be converted to Christ every day to just keep even with the world’s growth? That’s 2500 plus every hour, 45 every minute - because 70 million get added to the world’s population every year.

Which brings us to the nitty-gritty of the situation. How many people did you invite to church last year?

In the last five years?

The last ten? In your lifetime?

I don’t mean how many deep theological discussions did you have. I don’t mean how many person to person Bible studies did you lead. I mean just a simple straightforward invitation, looking at someone, and in relation to YOUR Church said “Come on down.”

If the answer is few or none, has it made a difference as to how many are in church attendance this next Sunday morn?

If each member in your church would give one hour a month, that’s averaging 2 minutes a day, in extending a welcome to people to come to your church that would add up to a tremendous number of invitations.

And most likely a tremendous number of no’s - but also some yeses.

One thing is for sure…if you don’t ask you don’t get.

Let’s put it this way, if the Lord has given you solace in times of sorrow, strength in times of weakness, or guidance when you were confused; then are you not selfish if you do not share this power and this blessing with others?

It’s just a question, but perhaps a loaded question.

"""""""""""""""""""""

CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING

http://www.speakerneil.com/

To Order and Read Neil's 9th book THE SPIRITUAL ABRAHAM LINCOLN

GO TO

amazon.com

and get it for $2 "from author" which is less than THE used book prices you will see!!!

QUOTES ABOUT THIS WONDERFUL INSPIRING INFORMATIVE book

"Positive, powerful utterances...skillfully enhancing our unjderstanding and appreciation of Lincoln while revealing the Divine source of his strength."

Lt. Colonel C.A. Olsen (Ret.) Asbury College (Professor Ret.)

William Hoffman, Award winning fiction writer; author of Blood and Guile, and Wild Thorn

Maynard Pittendreigh Presbyterian minister

POWER

2012-01-20T09:57:00.000-05:00

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There are over 900 stories and commentaries on this blog that began Nov 24, 2009. It is added to daily.

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http://wyrickswritings.blogspot.com

Most people don’t really understand power with a capital P. And if they do think about it, the P also stands for Plus. For they understand what it can do for them much more readily than what it can do to them. Without even trying to study the ins and outs of what it would be like to have complete control, most people think it would really be a great idea - who could ask for anything more? But power can and does corrupt, and too many people, if they get it, abuse it. Far too few realize power is a tremendous and frightening challenge.

Jesus understood.

It is why in a sense He told the devil to go back to hell and stop wasting His time trying to tempt Him. There they were on top of a mountain, Jesus and the Devil. And Satan swept his devilish hand around as if to encompass the whole world, “Jesus,” and I paraphrase his remarks, “think it through, wouldn’t it be better to choose a throne room rather than an upper room? You don’t really want to ride some day into Jerusalem on a donkey when you should really be riding in as a ruler on a horse.”

Indeed, it could have been a heady ride into Jerusalem that day by this Son of God.

But Jesus understood.

Understood that that mountain-time with the Devil was a power-play-offer of earthly wealth and not an offer of that which “…neither rust nor moth can destroy…or thieves break through and steal… (Matt 6:20) But Jesus refused. Knew that He would be trading grandeur for grim.

And so the Son of Man and the Son of God...knowing his destiny...moved forward to fulfill that destiny.

The devil visits our days on a regular basis...offering pride and power...and it behooves all of us to think on the dangers of not being able to handle that which can make other people jump.

""""""""""""""""""""

CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING

http://www.speakerneil.com/

To Order and Read Neil's 9th book THE SPIRITUAL ABRAHAM LINCOLN click on the following http://www.magnuspress.com/ (and see some of their other unusual books)

or GO TO amazon.com

QUOTES ABOUT THIS WONDERFUL INSPIRING INFORMATIVE book

"Positive, powerful utterances...skillfully enhancing our unjderstanding and appreciation of Lincoln while revealing the Divine source of his strength."

Lt. Colonel C.A. Olsen (Ret.) Asbury College (Professor Ret.)

William Hoffman, Award winning fiction writer; author of Blood and Guile, and Wild Thorn

Maynard Pittendreigh Presbyterian minister

HOW TO BE PERFECT

2012-01-19T11:26:00.001-05:00

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There are over 900 stories and commentaries on this blog that began Nov 24, 2009. It is added to daily.

To Visit neil's other blog Wyrick's Writings click on the following

http://wyrickswritings.blogspot.com

I used to be perfect but I gave it up because it made people nervous.

Of course I am not perfect and neither are you (my reader). But that does not mean we cannot constantly aim at the bull's-eyen when afterwards we don't even hit the target.

I read a lot and when I run across a power thought aptly put I want to run out into the middle of the road and put to practice that old saying "teacher says share."

The following was one of those moments that I now joyfully share It is from thebook, The Human Being, byWalter Wink. In aiming at the dilemma of perfection he states...

“The goal of life, then, is… to become what we truly are – human. We are not required to become divine: flawless, perfect, without blemish. We are invited simply to become human,

which means growing through our sins and mistakes, learning by trial and error, being redeemed over and over… It means giving up pretending to be good and, instead, becoming real.”

Jesus is clear on the matter. Time and time again He is saying to us that we change from the inside out. Not by the following of some rigid rules and regulations.

Rather MAKE SPACE FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT. That's right. "Here am I Lord, take me " and other such spirit power phrases repeated countless times for the rest of your life.

In short, your heart has openings for God and His holy spirit...and that is who you have to choose to fill these openings.

An yes think on the following applications of a loving God seeking attitude.

Train yourself to act nice when you don't feel nice. It will make you and the person you are responding to, the both of you nicer, just by the ambience such an attitude process.

Admit your weaknesses because we all have them. You won't improve for the better if you don't won't shine a spotlight on the areas you can and should improve.

Give compliments on a regular basis. Opportunities abound...you just have to train yourself to see them and not be shy about congratulating people

Put your brain in gear before you speak. You owe it to the both of you...you and that person to whom you are speaking.

Whatever gifts God has given you;..share with others...if your greatest gift is a super smile take it to a nursing home and give that smile to dozens of folk who maybe haven't been smiled at for months or years. If you can sing, then good, take these folks some songs...but anyone can smile and a super smile...well...

Have your children been behaving themselves and doing their chores and in general practicing exemplarity behavior. Has your spouse been thoughtful and worthy of praise. Then give PRAISE...don't hold it back...it is difficult to give too much of this wonderful commodity.

And will all this mean you will become perfect?...HARDLY

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CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING

http://www.speakerneil.com/

To Order and Read Neil's 9th book THE SPIRITUAL ABRAHAM LINCOLN click on the following http://www.magnuspress.com/ (and see some of their other unusual books)

or GO TO amazon.com

QUOTES ABOUT THIS WONDERFUL INSPIRING INFORMATIVE book

"Positive, powerful utterances...skillfully enhancing our unjderstanding and appreciation of Lincoln while revealing the Divine source of his strength."

Lt. Colonel C.A. Olsen (Ret.) Asbury College (Professor Ret.)

William Hoffman, Award winning fiction writer; author of Blood and Guile, and Wild Thorn

Maynard Pittendreigh Presbyterian minister

WHEN WAS THE FIRST TIME YOU EVER CURSED AND DO YOU DAILY RECOMMEND IT?

2012-01-18T09:23:00.001-05:00

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James 3:8-10
But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God.
Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.

This is my second notation in a row on cursing and because the number of folk who do so is legion the reaction of some will be he should know when to stop on a subject. But then repetition makes all of us consider a subject to a far greater agree than if a subject is spoken to only once.

And who would say that verbal pollution is good for us. If it were why would in various ways do we put out warnings..."not for children."

GD this and GD that and to what avail.

Meaning I guess that fouling the air is alright for one age group but not for all ages.

And I wonder is poison always poison or when does it stop being poison?

The Third Commandment is not a suggestion – not an item for debate, it is a commandment. When we take God’s name in vain, we trivialize it. To take God’s name in vain is to lift it up for unholy motives. “GD you,” someone will say and if they really mean it, how can one so blindly and blandly say it. And if someone says “GD you,” and does not mean it, how can one be so frivolous with the name of God?

Lift up the name of God in praise, or throw it to the dogs in the midst of idle chatter.

Lift up the name of God in praise, or trample it underfoot in anger or angst.

Lift up the name of God in prayer and praise, or make light of the Creator as a habit gone badly astray.

Or as someone put on a billboard You say His name often enough on the highway. Why not try saying it in church?

“Jesus Christ is my Savior,” says the man or woman who would not even consider taking the name of Jesus in vain. “Right-wing, conservative, fanatic,” cry out some.

“Jesus Christ” and it is a curse and many think, “That’s cool man. I can see you’re not up tight. You’re alright.”

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CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING

http://www.speakerneil.com/

To Order and Read Neil's 9th book THE SPIRITUAL ABRAHAM LINCOLN click on the following http://www.magnuspress.com/ (and see some of their other unusual books)

or GO TO amazon.com

QUOTES ABOUT THIS WONDERFUL INSPIRING INFORMATIVE book

"Positive, powerful utterances...skillfully enhancing our unjderstanding and appreciation of Lincoln while revealing the Divine source of his strength."

Lt. Colonel C.A. Olsen (Ret.) Asbury College (Professor Ret.)

William Hoffman, Award winning fiction writer; author of Blood and Guile, and Wild Thorn

Maynard Pittendreigh Presbyterian minister

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

Daniel Allen Butler, author of "Unsinkable"; The Full Story of the RMS Titanic, The Lusitania and The Age of Cunard

CURSING

2012-01-17T09:48:00.000-05:00

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I share with you part of a prayer that Paul Harvey recited over the airwaves. It was given at the opening of the Kansas State Senate.

“Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know your Word says, “Woe to those who call evil good,’ but that is exactly what we have done and are doing.

We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values.

We confess that we have ridiculed the absolute truth of Your Word and called it Pluralism.

We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem…We have polluted the air with profanity…and called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment.

Search us, Oh, God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us…and set us free. Amen.”
How many people, when they get to heaven are going to say, “Well, GD, here I am. What do you know?”

Oh, no. I think God and Jesus Christ will, at that time, be said with great reverence and concern, kneeling with the angels before the throne of grace.

I think at that moment all the good old boys and all the good old girls who didn’t mean anything by their taking of the Lord’s name in vain will realize that now is the time to mean something by what they say and how they say it.

Why did we win the Revolutionary War? For many reasons, but as David McCullough in his priceless book on that period says, “We won because there were a few good men who because of their character changed the destiny of a nation.” (paraphrased) It has always been this way – men and women of character who will not, cannot, be denied.

Profaning God stinks. It turns the soul into a skunk and pollutes the air. Indeed, let me do something this morning I have never done before. Close by reading the same scriptures I read at the beginning of this sermon because they so emphasize what is right and proper and what God expects of us.

“You must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language…” (Colossians 3:8)

“…The words that the mouth utters come from the overflowing of the heart.” (Luke 6:45)

“Turn away from godless chatter.” (Timothy 6:20)

“Holy and reverend is His name.” (Psalm 111:9)

“May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, Oh Lord” (Psalm 19:14)

“O Lord, our Lord, how glorious is your name over all the earth.” (Psalm 8:1)

“Blessed be the name of the Lord both now and forever.” (Psalm 112:2)

Go to Wyrick;s Writings to read new Series

ARE YOU AS CLOSE TO GOD AS YOU WANT TO BE?

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CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING

http://www.speakerneil.com/

To Order and Read Neil's 9th book THE SPIRITUAL ABRAHAM LINCOLN click on the following http://www.magnuspress.com/ (and see some of their other unusual books)

or GO TO amazon.com

QUOTES ABOUT THIS WONDERFUL INSPIRING INFORMATIVE book

"Positive, powerful utterances...skillfully enhancing our unjderstanding and appreciation of Lincoln while revealing the Divine source of his strength."

Lt. Colonel C.A. Olsen (Ret.) Asbury College (Professor Ret.)

William Hoffman, Award winning fiction writer; author of Blood and Guile, and Wild Thorn

Maynard Pittendreigh Presbyterian minister

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

Daniel Allen Butler, author of "Unsinkable"; The Full Story of the RMS Titanic, The Lusitania and The Age o fCunard

ASPIRATIONS

2012-01-16T09:59:00.001-05:00

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http://wyrickswritings.blogspot.com

+++++++++++

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ASPIRATION

It is easy to fall. All you have to do is not look where you're going and then let gravity.

I proved this last spring when I fell down some steps and broke my hip.

Which leads us to why goals are so important. Not whether they are large or small...but that they exist.

On June 4, 1783 at the market square of a French village of Annonay, not far from Paris, a smoky bonfire on a raised platform was fed by wet straw and old wool rages.

Tethered above, straining its lines, was a huge taffeta bag 33 feet in diameter.

Many of the observers just shook their heads and clicked their tongues. “How could any man make such a claim?” Yet, they continued to gather throughout the day.

However, as the flames were fanned and the balloon began to pull tightly and forcibly against the basket, the skeptics began to change their minds as they saw the basket begin to lift itself up slightly above the ground, straining at its tethers.

Then, in the presence of “a respectable assembly and a great many other people,” and accompanied by great cheering, the balloon was cut from its moorings and set free to rise majestically into the noon sky. Six thousand feet into the air it went -- the first public ascent of a balloon, the first step in the history of human flight.

It came to earth several miles away in a field, where it was promptly attacked by pitchfork-waving peasants and torn to pieces as an instrument of evil!

How often this happens. Someone has a dream...and their aspiration is too much of those of little minds...so mocked, they give up their dream and settle for less. How sad.

In the town of Port Hope in Ontario, a monument rises skuward. I is not for a politician or a war hero, but for a poor, unselfish working man who gave most of his life and energy to help those who could not repay him.

Joseph Scriven was born in Dublin 1820. In his younger days, he had the potential of becoming a great citizen with high ideals and great aspirations.

At the time, he was engaged to a beautiful young woman who had promised to share in his dreams, but on the eve of their wedding her body was pulled from a pond into which she had accidentally fallen and drowned.

Joseph never overcame the shock. Although he was already a college graduate and ready embark on a brilliant career, he began to aimlessly wander in an attempt to try to forget his sorrow.

His wanderings eventually brought him to Canada where he spent the last forty-one of his sixty-years.

It was during this time that he became a devoted Christian.

One of the results of his new-found faith was that he did a lot of work to help poor widows and sick people.

In fact, a lot of times he worked for free.

He had a secret ability, though. You see, he was a bit of a poet. Nobody knew about it because he kept it a secret. But a short time before his death, a friend was sitting with him while he was ill.

And while visiting, this friend discovered a poem Joseph had written to his mother during a time of sadness.

This poem was later set to music and has become a favorite hymn. From what I understand, it’s actually the first song that many missionaries teach in their works.

In the polls and surveys taken to determine the popularity of hymns and Gospel songs, Joseph’s poem is always near the top.

The hymn?"What a friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and grief's to bear. What a privilege to carry, Everything to God in prayer. Oh, what peace we often forfeit, Oh what needless pain we bear; All because we do not carry, Everything to God in prayer."

Live every day of your life as if a young growing child was watching you every day of your life...and Jesus was watching (whi9ch he is)../.and you would be influencing that child by what he or she was seeing...and you would allow yourself to be influenced by not forgetting "What a friend you have in this Jesus who is watching."

And your aspiration were high and the aspirations of that child would grow high too...and that singing you hear? They are angel voices for high Christian aspirations are what make earth a little more like heaven and a little less like hell.

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CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING

http://www.speakerneil.com/

To Read Neil's 9th book THE SPIRITUAL ABRAHAM LINCOLN click on the following http://www.magnuspress.com/

QUOTES ABOUT THIS WONDERFUL INSPIRING INFORMATIVE BELOW

William Hoffman, Award winning fiction writer; author of Blood and Guile, and Wild Thorn

"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 retired)

"Wyrick has authored a wonderful examination of the spirituality of one of America's history most devoutly relious 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 ofany 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 ofhumility 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

ARROGANCE

2012-01-15T10:29:00.000-05:00

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A deacon, who was full of himself, was teaching a boy Sunday School class.

He was working hard to stress the importance of living a Christian life.

With an air of arrogance he asked, "Why do people call me a Christian?"

After an awkward silence one of the little guys said, "Maybe it's because they don't know you."

What do those people who do know you call you? We both are talked about all the time by people around us who range from friends to acquaintances.

The story goes that the admiral, looking out from his command post on the deck looked out and saw lights in the distance, clearly heading straight for him.

He radioed the message ahead: “Turn aside, 10 degrees starboard.” The radio beeped back – “Negative. Advise you turn aside 10 degrees starboard.”

Furious, the admiral radioed back: “No, you turn aside. I am an admiral I am in command of a battleship”

The message was returned: “I am a private. And I am in charge of this lighthouse”

Pride and arrogance are prisons in which we lock ourselves away from any ongoing peace.

It is a highway that leads us straightway to wrong headed behavior because if we suffer these two maladies we come to believe we are above the rules and regulations and moral codes others believe it is good and necessary to live by.

` The famous actor Gregory Peck once was standing in line with a friend, waiting for a table in a crowded Los Angeles restaurant.

They had been waiting for some time; the diners seemed to be taking their time eating, and new tables weren't opening up very fast.

They weren't even that close to the front of the line. Peck's friend became impatient, and he said to Gregory Peck, "Why don't you tell the maitre d' who you are?"

Gregory Peck responded with great wisdom. "If you have to tell them who you are, then you aren't."

Augustine spoke of an antidote for the sickness called pride. he said, "Trust the past to God’s mercy, the present to God’s love and the future to God’s providence."

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CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING

http://www.speakerneil.com/

To Read Neil's 9th book THE SPIRITUAL ABRAHAM LINCOLN click on the following http://www.magnuspress.com/

QUOTES ABOUT THIS WONDERFUL INSPIRING INFORMATIVE BELOW

William Hoffman, Award winning fiction writer; author of Blood and Guile, and Wild Thorn

"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 retired)

"Wyrick has authored a wonderful examination of the spirituality of one of America's history most devoutly relious leaders...a pleasant and readable book that has a rich depth of information."

Maynard Pittendreigh, Presbyterian Minister

ANXIETY...THY NAME IS NOT FRIEND!

2012-01-13T11:04:00.000-05:00

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEND THIS BLOG TO A FRIEND GO TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS BLOG AND CLICK ON THE ENVELOPE.

There are over 900 stories and commentaries on this blog that began Nov 24, 2009. It is added to daily.

To Visit neil's other blog Wyrick's Writings click on the following

http://wyrickswritings.blogspot.com

SOME THOUGHTS ON ANXIETY

The nice thing about apathy is you don't have to exert yourself to show you're sincere about it.

Fret not--He loves you (John 13:1) Faint not--He holds you (Psalm 139:10) Fear not--He keeps you (Psalm 121:5)

A suggestion...find or build a box and entitle it "a worry box." Then anytime during the week you start to worry about something...write it down on a piece of paper and drop it in the box...start the week on Monday and end it on Sunday...on Sunday...take out all the things you wrote down that were worrying you...you will be amazed at how many of them never happened or resolved themselves.

Louis Pasteur is reported to have had such an irrational fear of dirt and infection he refused to shake hands.

President and Mrs. Benjamin Harrison were so intimidated by the newfangled electricity installed in the White House they didn't dare touch the switches.

If there were no servants around to turn off the lights when the Harrisons went to bed, they slept with them on.

"If you want to test your memory, try to remember what you were worrying about one year ago today."

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CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING

http://www.speakerneil.com/

To Order and Read Neil's 9th book THE SPIRITUAL ABRAHAM LINCOLN click on the following http://www.magnuspress.com/ (and see some of their other unusual books)

or GO TO amazon.com

QUOTES ABOUT THIS WONDERFUL INSPIRING INFORMATIVE book

"Positive, powerful utterances...skillfully enhancing our unjderstanding and appreciation of Lincoln while revealing the Divine source of his strength."

Lt. Colonel C.A. Olsen (Ret.) Asbury College (Professor Ret.)

William Hoffman, Award winning fiction writer; author of Blood and Guile, and Wild Thorn

Maynard Pittendreigh Presbyterian minister

RUDENESS

2012-01-12T09:49:00.000-05:00

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There are over 900 stories and commentaries on this blog that began Nov 24, 2009. It is added to daily.

To Visit neil's other blog Wyrick's Writings click on the following

http://wyrickswritings.blogspot.com

Just some thoughts on rudeness...

The man came up to the pastor after the message on "The Parable of the Talents" and said, "Pastor, my talent is to speak my mind." The pastor said, "That's one talent you should bury."

The Bible says in I Corinthians 13:5 "Love is not rude." Phillips translation says, "Love has good manners."

Are you always aware when people are rude to you?

Are you always aware when you are rude to people?

When and if you hear God's word on love and treat it as no more than a passing comment is that not in a sense practicing rudeness toward your God?

"Treat everyone with politeness, even those who are rude to you - not because they are nice, but because you are."

"Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others." (Philippians 2:3-4)

And...

"Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant

or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth.

It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never ends."

1 Corinthians 13: 4-8a

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CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING

http://www.speakerneil.com/

To Order and Read Neil's 9th book THE SPIRITUAL ABRAHAM LINCOLN click on the following http://www.magnuspress.com/ (and see some of their other unusual books)

or GO TO amazon.com

QUOTES ABOUT THIS WONDERFUL INSPIRING INFORMATIVE book

"Positive, powerful utterances...skillfully enhancing our unjderstanding and appreciation of Lincoln while revealing the Divine source of his strength."

Lt. Colonel C.A. Olsen (Ret.) Asbury College (Professor Ret.)

William Hoffman, Award winning fiction writer; author of Blood and Guile, and Wild Thorn

Maynard Pittendreigh Presbyterian minister

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

Daniel Allen Butler, author of "Unsinkable"; The Full Story of the RMS Titanic, The Lusitania and The Age o fCunard