These thoughts are added to each day. Scroll down and read previous One A Days.)
(Use in your personal or church newsletters) (365 stories a year)
One of Aesops fables speaks to this. It tells of a dying father who gathers his sons around his deathbed and says “I am dying so I will tell you a secret. In my vineyard there lies a hidden treasure. Dig and you will find it.”
After the funeral, they take spade and shovel to the ground. Excavating, turning the soil over and over again in their search. And to their disappointment they find nothing. Except that the ground, now tilled so much better than usual, produces a bumper crop such as they have never seen before.
Life is like that, isn’t it? Tilling the soil of opportunity is hard work. Because making a life rather than excuses does, in the final analysis, ask one simple question.
Did I major in dreams rather than deeds?
What does my name stand for in the community where I grew up?
“Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.” (Proverbs 6:6-8)
Recent Titles on “WYRICK’S WRITINGS SITE”…
Dec 3 GOD HAD A DREAM
Dec 1…THE SECRET POWER OF THE SECOND MILE
NOV 25…ARE YOU A SPIRITUAL ANOREXIC? ARE YOU READY WITH READINESS?
Nov 11 LIFE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF FOREVER,
Nov 4…AN UNEXPECTED HIGHWAY TO SUCCESS
Nov…ARE YOU SNIFF AND SNUFF OR HEM AND HAW?
Have you visited my “Life Is Not What It Is But What You Make It” site. Go to Google and where it says “Google Search” type in “Wyrick’s Writings”
Or type in the URL http://wyrickswritings.blogspot.com/
Have you considered sharing this site with family or friends? Just have them go to Google Search and type in “Neil Spiritual Vitamins”.
Or type in the URL http://oneadayyourspiritualvitamins.blogspot.com/
And, yes, maybe they will back track a few weeks to read other of my musings.
DO YOU HAVE A BLOG OR FACEBOOK? IF YOU ENJOY THESE WRITINGS COULD YOU CALL ATTENTION TO THIS BLOG? IF YOU DO, THANKS IN ADVANCE.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Sunday, December 6, 2009
THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH
These thoughts are added to each day. Scroll down and read previous One A Days.)
(Use in your personal or church newsletters) (365 stories a year)
A long time ago I was told of a quaint little Quaker lady who was complimented on her youthful appearance and then asked how she had achieved it.
She replied , “I use my lips for truth, my voice for prayer, my hands for charity, and my heart for love.”
It seems advice worth following for what counts in this dynamic called life, the mighty minutes between our personal Genesis and Exodus, is not how big or small is our personal destiny, but how hard we try to get it right.
This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. (John 15:8)
Recent Titles on “WYRICK’S WRITINGS SITE”…
Dec 3 GOD HAD A DREAM
Dec 1…THE SECRET POWER OF THE SECOND MILE
NOV 25…ARE YOU A SPIRITUAL ANOREXIC? ARE YOU READY WITH READINESS?
Nov 11 LIFE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF FOREVER,
Nov 4…AN UNEXPECTED HIGHWAY TO SUCCESS
Nov…ARE YOU SNIFF AND SNUFF OR HEM AND HAW?
Have you visited my “Life Is Not What It Is But What You Make It” site. Go to Google and where it says “Google Search” type in WYRICK’S WRITINGS
Or type in the URL http://wyrickswritings.blogspot.com/
Have you considered sharing this site with family or friends? Just have them go to Google Search and type in NEIL SPIRITUAL VITAMINS
Or type in the URL http://oneadayyourspiritualvitamins.blogspot.com/
And, yes, maybe they will back track a few weeks to read other of my musings.
DO YOU HAVE A BLOG OR FACEBOOK? IF YOU ENJOY THESE WRITINGS COULD YOU CALL ATTENTION TO THIS BLOG? IF YOU DO, THANKS IN ADVANCE.
(Use in your personal or church newsletters) (365 stories a year)
A long time ago I was told of a quaint little Quaker lady who was complimented on her youthful appearance and then asked how she had achieved it.
She replied , “I use my lips for truth, my voice for prayer, my hands for charity, and my heart for love.”
It seems advice worth following for what counts in this dynamic called life, the mighty minutes between our personal Genesis and Exodus, is not how big or small is our personal destiny, but how hard we try to get it right.
This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. (John 15:8)
Recent Titles on “WYRICK’S WRITINGS SITE”…
Dec 3 GOD HAD A DREAM
Dec 1…THE SECRET POWER OF THE SECOND MILE
NOV 25…ARE YOU A SPIRITUAL ANOREXIC? ARE YOU READY WITH READINESS?
Nov 11 LIFE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF FOREVER,
Nov 4…AN UNEXPECTED HIGHWAY TO SUCCESS
Nov…ARE YOU SNIFF AND SNUFF OR HEM AND HAW?
Have you visited my “Life Is Not What It Is But What You Make It” site. Go to Google and where it says “Google Search” type in WYRICK’S WRITINGS
Or type in the URL http://wyrickswritings.blogspot.com/
Have you considered sharing this site with family or friends? Just have them go to Google Search and type in NEIL SPIRITUAL VITAMINS
Or type in the URL http://oneadayyourspiritualvitamins.blogspot.com/
And, yes, maybe they will back track a few weeks to read other of my musings.
DO YOU HAVE A BLOG OR FACEBOOK? IF YOU ENJOY THESE WRITINGS COULD YOU CALL ATTENTION TO THIS BLOG? IF YOU DO, THANKS IN ADVANCE.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
MORE GARBAGE IN, AND GARBAGE OUT!
These thoughts are added to each day. Scroll down and read previous One A Days.)
(Use in your personal or church newsletters) (365 stories a year)
Almost twenty years ago, there began a saga that might well be entitled “Where Oh where has my garbage gone?”
It was the year 1986. And for the next 16 years, 15,000 tons of incinerated garbage would travel the world looking for someone who would take it. It all started out in what seemed would be a normal journey.
A trip to the Bahamas where the captain expected the trash would be dumped. It didn’t happen that way. The Bahamian government decided to accept no more boat loads of other countries rubbish.
From that point on it became a comedy of errors - a kind of living parable that really would have stunk, if the garbage had not been incinerated.
The itinerary of the trash began to read like a world wide cruise. Puerto Rico, Bermuda, the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Senegal, Cape Verge, Yugoslavia, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, the barge sailed on. Nobody wanted it.
Finally it ended up where it had all started, in a landfill just outside of Philadelphia. Actually, it was all quite just. In the end, we all have to eventually deal with our own garbage. We can’t just ship it away.
Guilt is garbage. And as long as we keep it, it stinks up our lives and the lives of those who have to live with us. But if we ask for, and then accept, God’s forgiveness for whatever sins we have committed, it is garbage out time.
Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 23:34)
Recent Titles on “WYRICK’S WRITINGS SITE”…
Dec 1…THE SECRET POWER OF THE SECOND MILE
NOV 25…ARE YOU A SPIRITUAL ANOREXIC? ARE YOU READY WITH READINESS?
Nov 11 LIFE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF FOREVER,
Nov 4…AN UNEXPECTED HIGHWAY TO SUCCESS
Nov…ARE YOU SNIFF AND SNUFF OR HEM AND HAW?
Have you visited my “Life Is Not What It Is But What You Make It” site. Go to Google and where it says “Google Search” type in “Wyrick’s Writings”
Or type in the URL http://wyrickswritings.blogspot.com/
Have you considered sharing this site with family or friends? Just have them go to Google Search and type in “Neil Spiritual Vitamins”.
Or type in the URL http://oneadayyourspiritualvitamins.blogspot.com/
And, yes, maybe they will back track a few weeks to read other of my musings.
DO YOU HAVE A BLOG OR FACEBOOK? IF YOU ENJOY THESE WRITINGS COULD YOU CALL ATTENTION TO THIS BLOG? IF YOU DO, THANKS IN ADVANCE.
(Use in your personal or church newsletters) (365 stories a year)
Almost twenty years ago, there began a saga that might well be entitled “Where Oh where has my garbage gone?”
It was the year 1986. And for the next 16 years, 15,000 tons of incinerated garbage would travel the world looking for someone who would take it. It all started out in what seemed would be a normal journey.
A trip to the Bahamas where the captain expected the trash would be dumped. It didn’t happen that way. The Bahamian government decided to accept no more boat loads of other countries rubbish.
From that point on it became a comedy of errors - a kind of living parable that really would have stunk, if the garbage had not been incinerated.
The itinerary of the trash began to read like a world wide cruise. Puerto Rico, Bermuda, the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Senegal, Cape Verge, Yugoslavia, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, the barge sailed on. Nobody wanted it.
Finally it ended up where it had all started, in a landfill just outside of Philadelphia. Actually, it was all quite just. In the end, we all have to eventually deal with our own garbage. We can’t just ship it away.
Guilt is garbage. And as long as we keep it, it stinks up our lives and the lives of those who have to live with us. But if we ask for, and then accept, God’s forgiveness for whatever sins we have committed, it is garbage out time.
Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 23:34)
Recent Titles on “WYRICK’S WRITINGS SITE”…
Dec 1…THE SECRET POWER OF THE SECOND MILE
NOV 25…ARE YOU A SPIRITUAL ANOREXIC? ARE YOU READY WITH READINESS?
Nov 11 LIFE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF FOREVER,
Nov 4…AN UNEXPECTED HIGHWAY TO SUCCESS
Nov…ARE YOU SNIFF AND SNUFF OR HEM AND HAW?
Have you visited my “Life Is Not What It Is But What You Make It” site. Go to Google and where it says “Google Search” type in “Wyrick’s Writings”
Or type in the URL http://wyrickswritings.blogspot.com/
Have you considered sharing this site with family or friends? Just have them go to Google Search and type in “Neil Spiritual Vitamins”.
Or type in the URL http://oneadayyourspiritualvitamins.blogspot.com/
And, yes, maybe they will back track a few weeks to read other of my musings.
DO YOU HAVE A BLOG OR FACEBOOK? IF YOU ENJOY THESE WRITINGS COULD YOU CALL ATTENTION TO THIS BLOG? IF YOU DO, THANKS IN ADVANCE.
Friday, December 4, 2009
GARBAGE IN! GARBAGE OUT!
These thoughts are added to each day. Scroll down and read previous One A Days.)
(Use in your personal or church newsletters) (365 stories a year)
In the 1880’s, two families in Kentucky, the Hatfield’s and the McCoy’s, were at war with each other. Historians can’t quite agree as to exactly what started the feud, though the fact that the McCoy’s had sympathized with the North and the Hatfield’s with the Confederacy certainly didn’t soothe the pile of vengeance. But all agree that over 100 men, women and children died because of it.
Then a miracle of forgiveness happened. In May of 1976, Jim McCoy and Willis Hatfield, the last two survivors of the original feuding families, shook hands at a monument dedicated to the last six victims of almost a century of vengeance.
That was good, but even better than good was the fact that when Jim McCoy died eight years later at the age of 99, his family chose the Hatfield Funeral Home to make the final arrangements.
When his heart had stopped beating, it was a forgiving heart. It had been a miserable time between these two families but now all the hate and anger had come to an end and it was good. Garbage in. Garbage out.
When your heart stops beating, will it be a forgiving heart? Or is there someone you cannot, have not, will not forgive for whatever it was they did or did not do, or something you just imagined? The question usually is, “Do you still hold a grudge?” I think that is the wrong way to put it. I think rather the question should read, “Does a grudge still hold you?”
For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.(Matthew 6:14-15)
Recent Titles on “WYRICK’S WRITINGS SITE”…
Dec 1…THE SECRET POWER OF THE SECOND MILE
NOV 25…ARE YOU A SPIRITUAL ANOREXIC? ARE YOU READY WITH READINESS?
Nov 11 LIFE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF FOREVER,
Nov 4…AN UNEXPECTED HIGHWAY TO SUCCESS
Nov…ARE YOU SNIFF AND SNUFF OR HEM AND HAW?
Have you visited my “Life Is Not What It Is But What You Make It” site. Go to Google and where it says “Google Search” type in “Wyrick’s Writings”
Or type in the URL http://wyrickswritings.blogspot.com/
Have you considered sharing this site with family or friends? Just have them go to Google Search and type in “Neil Spiritual Vitamins”.
Or type in the URL http://oneadayyourspiritualvitamins.blogspot.com/
And, yes, maybe they will back track a few weeks to read other of my musings.
DO YOU HAVE A BLOG OR FACEBOOK? IF YOU ENJOY THESE WRITINGS COULD YOU CALL ATTENTION TO THIS BLOG? IF YOU DO, THANKS IN ADVANCE.
(Use in your personal or church newsletters) (365 stories a year)
In the 1880’s, two families in Kentucky, the Hatfield’s and the McCoy’s, were at war with each other. Historians can’t quite agree as to exactly what started the feud, though the fact that the McCoy’s had sympathized with the North and the Hatfield’s with the Confederacy certainly didn’t soothe the pile of vengeance. But all agree that over 100 men, women and children died because of it.
Then a miracle of forgiveness happened. In May of 1976, Jim McCoy and Willis Hatfield, the last two survivors of the original feuding families, shook hands at a monument dedicated to the last six victims of almost a century of vengeance.
That was good, but even better than good was the fact that when Jim McCoy died eight years later at the age of 99, his family chose the Hatfield Funeral Home to make the final arrangements.
When his heart had stopped beating, it was a forgiving heart. It had been a miserable time between these two families but now all the hate and anger had come to an end and it was good. Garbage in. Garbage out.
When your heart stops beating, will it be a forgiving heart? Or is there someone you cannot, have not, will not forgive for whatever it was they did or did not do, or something you just imagined? The question usually is, “Do you still hold a grudge?” I think that is the wrong way to put it. I think rather the question should read, “Does a grudge still hold you?”
For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.(Matthew 6:14-15)
Recent Titles on “WYRICK’S WRITINGS SITE”…
Dec 1…THE SECRET POWER OF THE SECOND MILE
NOV 25…ARE YOU A SPIRITUAL ANOREXIC? ARE YOU READY WITH READINESS?
Nov 11 LIFE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF FOREVER,
Nov 4…AN UNEXPECTED HIGHWAY TO SUCCESS
Nov…ARE YOU SNIFF AND SNUFF OR HEM AND HAW?
Have you visited my “Life Is Not What It Is But What You Make It” site. Go to Google and where it says “Google Search” type in “Wyrick’s Writings”
Or type in the URL http://wyrickswritings.blogspot.com/
Have you considered sharing this site with family or friends? Just have them go to Google Search and type in “Neil Spiritual Vitamins”.
Or type in the URL http://oneadayyourspiritualvitamins.blogspot.com/
And, yes, maybe they will back track a few weeks to read other of my musings.
DO YOU HAVE A BLOG OR FACEBOOK? IF YOU ENJOY THESE WRITINGS COULD YOU CALL ATTENTION TO THIS BLOG? IF YOU DO, THANKS IN ADVANCE.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
DON'T BE A MUDDIER
These thoughts are added to each day. Scroll down and read previous One A Days.)
(Use in your personal or church newsletters) (365 stories a year)
Seventy years ago, when Fiorello La Guardia was Mayor of New York City, he was always doing creative and unusual things. Anyone who knows anything about him probably remembers that during a newspaper strike he started reading the funnies over the radio to the children on Sunday mornings.
However, few know of how one night he visited a night court in the poorest ward of the city, relieved the judge of his duties and took over the bench for the evening.
As case after case came before him, he administered the kind of justice that only one with his inventive mind could come up with.
Finally, toward the end of the session, a grandmother appeared before him who had been arrested for stealing bread to feed her grandchildren. La Guardia looked down at her, shook his head and said, “You are guilty and you know I have got to punish you.” She shook her head in agreement.
He then fined her ten dollars, or ten days in jail, but that was just the beginning.
He promptly reached in his pocket and threw a ten dollar bill into his hat which had been on the floor beside him.
He then fined everybody in the courtroom for living in a city where grandmothers had to steal bread to feed their grandchildren.
Then he passed his hat around to collect whatever each person could afford. The grandmother left the courthouse that evening not only with her fine completely paid but with an extra $47.50 in her pocketbook.
Some people try to clean up the muddiness of selfishness and others just contribute even more to the mess. And it is a question we need to often ask of ourselves – which are we?
“The generous person will be prosperous, and he who waters will himself be watered.” (Proverbs 11:25)
Recent Titles on “WYRICK’S WRITINGS SITE”…
Dec 1…THE SECRET POWER OF THE SECOND MILE
NOV 25…ARE YOU A SPIRITUAL ANOREXIC? ARE YOU READY WITH READINESS?
Nov 11 LIFE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF FOREVER,
Nov 4…AN UNEXPECTED HIGHWAY TO SUCCESS
Nov…ARE YOU SNIFF AND SNUFF OR HEM AND HAW?
Have you visited my “Life Is Not What It Is But What You Make It” site. Go to Google and where it says “Google Search” type in “Wyrick’s Writings”
Or type in the URL http://wyrickswritings.blogspot.com/
Have you considered sharing this site with family or friends? Just have them go to Google Search and type in “Neil Spiritual Vitamins”.
Or type in the URL http://oneadayyourspiritualvitamins.blogspot.com/
And, yes, maybe they will back track a few weeks to read other of my musings.
DO YOU HAVE A BLOG OR FACEBOOK? IF YOU ENJOY THESE WRITINGS COULD YOU CALL ATTENTION TO THIS BLOG? IF YOU DO, THANKS IN ADVANCE.
(Use in your personal or church newsletters) (365 stories a year)
Seventy years ago, when Fiorello La Guardia was Mayor of New York City, he was always doing creative and unusual things. Anyone who knows anything about him probably remembers that during a newspaper strike he started reading the funnies over the radio to the children on Sunday mornings.
However, few know of how one night he visited a night court in the poorest ward of the city, relieved the judge of his duties and took over the bench for the evening.
As case after case came before him, he administered the kind of justice that only one with his inventive mind could come up with.
Finally, toward the end of the session, a grandmother appeared before him who had been arrested for stealing bread to feed her grandchildren. La Guardia looked down at her, shook his head and said, “You are guilty and you know I have got to punish you.” She shook her head in agreement.
He then fined her ten dollars, or ten days in jail, but that was just the beginning.
He promptly reached in his pocket and threw a ten dollar bill into his hat which had been on the floor beside him.
He then fined everybody in the courtroom for living in a city where grandmothers had to steal bread to feed their grandchildren.
Then he passed his hat around to collect whatever each person could afford. The grandmother left the courthouse that evening not only with her fine completely paid but with an extra $47.50 in her pocketbook.
Some people try to clean up the muddiness of selfishness and others just contribute even more to the mess. And it is a question we need to often ask of ourselves – which are we?
“The generous person will be prosperous, and he who waters will himself be watered.” (Proverbs 11:25)
Recent Titles on “WYRICK’S WRITINGS SITE”…
Dec 1…THE SECRET POWER OF THE SECOND MILE
NOV 25…ARE YOU A SPIRITUAL ANOREXIC? ARE YOU READY WITH READINESS?
Nov 11 LIFE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF FOREVER,
Nov 4…AN UNEXPECTED HIGHWAY TO SUCCESS
Nov…ARE YOU SNIFF AND SNUFF OR HEM AND HAW?
Have you visited my “Life Is Not What It Is But What You Make It” site. Go to Google and where it says “Google Search” type in “Wyrick’s Writings”
Or type in the URL http://wyrickswritings.blogspot.com/
Have you considered sharing this site with family or friends? Just have them go to Google Search and type in “Neil Spiritual Vitamins”.
Or type in the URL http://oneadayyourspiritualvitamins.blogspot.com/
And, yes, maybe they will back track a few weeks to read other of my musings.
DO YOU HAVE A BLOG OR FACEBOOK? IF YOU ENJOY THESE WRITINGS COULD YOU CALL ATTENTION TO THIS BLOG? IF YOU DO, THANKS IN ADVANCE.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
ARE YOU A WIGGLER?
These thoughts are added to each day. Scroll down and read previous One A Days.)
(Use in your personal or church newsletters) (365 stories a year)
It was the time of Noah and he and God had had a talk, an agreement really. But at the moment it was a promise that was not being fulfilled.
God is speaking, “Noah, where is the ark which I commanded you to build?”
And Noah with confidence explains, “Well, you see, Lord, it’s like this. Three of my carpenters have called in sick. And besides that, the gopher wood supplier has really let me down. It’s on order but I can’t get any action over there in the lumber yard.
Some of my subcontractors have gone bankrupt and the price of pitch has gone up tremendously ever since the suppliers found out about my great need.” Noah paused for breath for only a moment.
He felt he was making a good case and he didn’t want to lose his momentum. “All the unions have gone on strike. They know they have me in a bind. Even my three sons Shem, Ham and Japheth spend more time arguing than working.”
Suddenly, the Lord interrupts him. “What about the animals, the male and female of every species that I ordered to be brought aboard.”
Noah answers with less confidence now, “They were delivered to the wrong address. I am assured someone is working on it night and day. Lord, I really am trying, but you know how it is.”
And the voice of the Lord rumbles as He replies, “Noah, my son, I do know how it is. Why else do you think I am causing a flood to descend upon the earth.” (rewrite of story by an anonymous writer)
The Bible is filled with folk who make excuses where there really is no excuse.
Remember Jesus and his excuse parable? He tells of how a great dinner was to be given but then excuses from those invited to attend began to pour in.
The first excuse, “I have bought a piece of land and I must go out and see it. Please accept my regrets.”
Another excuse; “I have bought five yoke of oxen. I am going to try them out so I cannot attend. Please accept my apologies.”
And yet another, “I have just been married and therefore I cannot come.”
No matter whether it is in Biblical times or in our 21st century, the point of the matter is, one excuse is NOT as good as another when you or I fail to do what we know we are supposed to.
Oh yes, we know the truth well…The human tendency is to try to wiggle out.
“I’m sorry.” “I was wrong”. A very large number of people can’t say these words. Don’t say these words. Unfortunately never will say these words.
So each time we make an excuse when we should be busy making a better life, it behooves all of us to remember that the eyes of heaven are upon us.
And when we, therefore, let our lives become garbage dumps of rationalizations, I think God may weep, for He knows what we could be. , And perhaps momentarily some angelic voices sing off key.
"Repent! And turn from all your transgressions, so iniquity will not be your ruin. Ezekiel 18:30-32
Recent Titles on “WYRICK’S WRITINGS SITE”…
Dec 1…THE SECRET POWER OF THE SECOND MILE
NOV 25…ARE YOU A SPIRITUAL ANOREXIC? ARE YOU READY WITH READINESS?
Nov 11 LIFE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF FOREVER,
Nov 4…AN UNEXPECTED HIGHWAY TO SUCCESS
Nov…ARE YOU SNIFF AND SNUFF OR HEM AND HAW?
Have you visited my “Life Is Not What It Is But What You Make It” site. Go to Google and where it says “Google Search” type in “Wyrick’s Writings”
Or type in the URL http://wyrickswritings.blogspot.com/
Have you considered sharing this site with family or friends? Just have them go to Google Search and type in “Neil Spiritual Vitamins”.
Or type in the URL http://oneadayyourspiritualvitamins.blogspot.com/
And, yes, maybe they will back track a few weeks to read other of my musings.
DO YOU HAVE A BLOG OR FACEBOOK? IF YOU ENJOY THESE WRITINGS COULD YOU CALL ATTENTION TO THIS BLOG? IF YOU DO, THANKS IN ADVANCE.
(Use in your personal or church newsletters) (365 stories a year)
It was the time of Noah and he and God had had a talk, an agreement really. But at the moment it was a promise that was not being fulfilled.
God is speaking, “Noah, where is the ark which I commanded you to build?”
And Noah with confidence explains, “Well, you see, Lord, it’s like this. Three of my carpenters have called in sick. And besides that, the gopher wood supplier has really let me down. It’s on order but I can’t get any action over there in the lumber yard.
Some of my subcontractors have gone bankrupt and the price of pitch has gone up tremendously ever since the suppliers found out about my great need.” Noah paused for breath for only a moment.
He felt he was making a good case and he didn’t want to lose his momentum. “All the unions have gone on strike. They know they have me in a bind. Even my three sons Shem, Ham and Japheth spend more time arguing than working.”
Suddenly, the Lord interrupts him. “What about the animals, the male and female of every species that I ordered to be brought aboard.”
Noah answers with less confidence now, “They were delivered to the wrong address. I am assured someone is working on it night and day. Lord, I really am trying, but you know how it is.”
And the voice of the Lord rumbles as He replies, “Noah, my son, I do know how it is. Why else do you think I am causing a flood to descend upon the earth.” (rewrite of story by an anonymous writer)
The Bible is filled with folk who make excuses where there really is no excuse.
Remember Jesus and his excuse parable? He tells of how a great dinner was to be given but then excuses from those invited to attend began to pour in.
The first excuse, “I have bought a piece of land and I must go out and see it. Please accept my regrets.”
Another excuse; “I have bought five yoke of oxen. I am going to try them out so I cannot attend. Please accept my apologies.”
And yet another, “I have just been married and therefore I cannot come.”
No matter whether it is in Biblical times or in our 21st century, the point of the matter is, one excuse is NOT as good as another when you or I fail to do what we know we are supposed to.
Oh yes, we know the truth well…The human tendency is to try to wiggle out.
“I’m sorry.” “I was wrong”. A very large number of people can’t say these words. Don’t say these words. Unfortunately never will say these words.
So each time we make an excuse when we should be busy making a better life, it behooves all of us to remember that the eyes of heaven are upon us.
And when we, therefore, let our lives become garbage dumps of rationalizations, I think God may weep, for He knows what we could be. , And perhaps momentarily some angelic voices sing off key.
"Repent! And turn from all your transgressions, so iniquity will not be your ruin. Ezekiel 18:30-32
Recent Titles on “WYRICK’S WRITINGS SITE”…
Dec 1…THE SECRET POWER OF THE SECOND MILE
NOV 25…ARE YOU A SPIRITUAL ANOREXIC? ARE YOU READY WITH READINESS?
Nov 11 LIFE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF FOREVER,
Nov 4…AN UNEXPECTED HIGHWAY TO SUCCESS
Nov…ARE YOU SNIFF AND SNUFF OR HEM AND HAW?
Have you visited my “Life Is Not What It Is But What You Make It” site. Go to Google and where it says “Google Search” type in “Wyrick’s Writings”
Or type in the URL http://wyrickswritings.blogspot.com/
Have you considered sharing this site with family or friends? Just have them go to Google Search and type in “Neil Spiritual Vitamins”.
Or type in the URL http://oneadayyourspiritualvitamins.blogspot.com/
And, yes, maybe they will back track a few weeks to read other of my musings.
DO YOU HAVE A BLOG OR FACEBOOK? IF YOU ENJOY THESE WRITINGS COULD YOU CALL ATTENTION TO THIS BLOG? IF YOU DO, THANKS IN ADVANCE.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
HOW DOES YOUR CREDIT REPORT READ?
These thoughts are added to each day. Scroll down and read previous One A Days.)
(Use in your personal or church newsletters) (365 stories a year)
A man went to a party and had too much to drink. First he made a fool of himself. Then he passed out. The next morning he felt terribly contrite and asked his wife to forgive him. She said she understood and would “forgive and forget.” But then as time went by, months actually, she continually referred to the incident. After awhile he got tired of hearing about it and complained, “I thought you said you were going to forgive and forget?”
“I have forgiven and forgotten,” was her reply, “but I just don’t want you to forget that I have forgiven and forgotten.”
We do that. We want to perpetually have our name on a credit report. Continually receive credit for being nice or we won’t be nice anymore. Thank goodness God doesn’t work that way. We repent. He redeems. End of story.
"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God forgave you." (Ephesians 4:32)
Recent Titles on “WYRICK’S WRITINGS SITE”…
Dec 1…THE SECRET POWER OF THE SECOND MILE
NOV 25…ARE YOU A SPIRITUAL ANOREXIC? ARE YOU READY WITH READINESS?
Nov 11 LIFE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF FOREVER,
Nov 4…AN UNEXPECTED HIGHWAY TO SUCCESS
Nov…ARE YOU SNIFF AND SNUFF OR HEM AND HAW?
Have you visited my “Life Is Not What It Is But What You Make It” site. Go to Google and where it says “Google Search” type in “Wyrick’s Writings”
Or type in the URL http://wyrickswritings.blogspot.com/
Have you considered sharing this site with family or friends? Just have them go to Google Search and type in “Neil Spiritual Vitamins”.
Or type in the URL http://oneadayyourspiritualvitamins.blogspot.com/
And, yes, maybe they will back track a few weeks to read other of my musings.
DO YOU HAVE A BLOG OR FACEBOOK? IF YOU ENJOY THESE WRITINGS COULD YOU CALL ATTENTION TO THIS BLOG? IF YOU DO, THANKS IN ADVANCE.
(Use in your personal or church newsletters) (365 stories a year)
A man went to a party and had too much to drink. First he made a fool of himself. Then he passed out. The next morning he felt terribly contrite and asked his wife to forgive him. She said she understood and would “forgive and forget.” But then as time went by, months actually, she continually referred to the incident. After awhile he got tired of hearing about it and complained, “I thought you said you were going to forgive and forget?”
“I have forgiven and forgotten,” was her reply, “but I just don’t want you to forget that I have forgiven and forgotten.”
We do that. We want to perpetually have our name on a credit report. Continually receive credit for being nice or we won’t be nice anymore. Thank goodness God doesn’t work that way. We repent. He redeems. End of story.
"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God forgave you." (Ephesians 4:32)
Recent Titles on “WYRICK’S WRITINGS SITE”…
Dec 1…THE SECRET POWER OF THE SECOND MILE
NOV 25…ARE YOU A SPIRITUAL ANOREXIC? ARE YOU READY WITH READINESS?
Nov 11 LIFE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF FOREVER,
Nov 4…AN UNEXPECTED HIGHWAY TO SUCCESS
Nov…ARE YOU SNIFF AND SNUFF OR HEM AND HAW?
Have you visited my “Life Is Not What It Is But What You Make It” site. Go to Google and where it says “Google Search” type in “Wyrick’s Writings”
Or type in the URL http://wyrickswritings.blogspot.com/
Have you considered sharing this site with family or friends? Just have them go to Google Search and type in “Neil Spiritual Vitamins”.
Or type in the URL http://oneadayyourspiritualvitamins.blogspot.com/
And, yes, maybe they will back track a few weeks to read other of my musings.
DO YOU HAVE A BLOG OR FACEBOOK? IF YOU ENJOY THESE WRITINGS COULD YOU CALL ATTENTION TO THIS BLOG? IF YOU DO, THANKS IN ADVANCE.
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