LEISURE, A BLESSING OR A CURSE (Continuation)

Starting on my other blog ONE A DAY, YOUR SPIRITUAL VITAMINS on Nov 1...a 3 day series on HOW TO LESSEN ANXIETY.

                    click on the link below

              http://oneadayyourspiritualvitamins.blogspot.com/

 A different sermon is begun on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. 

If you want to share this blog with a friend go to the bottom of these comments and click on TELL A FRIEND

       The sermons found on this blog are selected sermons preached by Rev. Wyrick during a ministry of over 50 years.  This syndicated columnist/minister thanks you for visiting.

TO GO TO NEIL’S OTHER BLOG ONE A DAY, YOUR SPIRITUAL VITAMINS and read inspiring stories and comments to set you thinking. CLICK ON URL BELOW

http://oneadayyourspiritualvitamins.blogspot.com/

         

LEISURE, A BLESSING OR A CURSE?

 

Mark 8:36 

What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forget his soul?

 

       Bottom line, this is what leisure really starts to be all about - our choices of what is important. 

       In rushing from one critical pillar to the next significant post are we losing sight of what is really important?  

       Doing a good job of living and being is important but should we spend 24 hours a day over-extending ourselves to be a super preacher, a super parent, a super businessperson? 

       To do a super, duper, perfected perfection job with each and everyone of the seven job changes the average American has in a lifetime? 

       And, if not careful, lose ones health in the process?  To do our best? 

       Certainly no sin in that, a rather necessary part of our personality, hopefully.  But again, it is the question of how much is too much and how little is too little. 

There are certain basic truths that if not learned and rightly applied can only be the cause of inner turmoil and ongoing trouble.  One of these truths is, we are not just what we do, but how well we learn to do it without having it undo us.

       While we are struggling with being the best at our labors, whatever they are, and finding leisure, whatever it is, it is important to remember that God already values us as human beings. 

       If we do not believe this, both work and play become prisons.  And being unsatisfied with who we are in either dimension makes anything and everything that happens, aimed at down hill.

       Would you find peace in your work or play?  Then find a personal Eden: one you can go to that overlooks a mountain or a stream, or one that watches crashing waves, or, as in my case, a back porch where the setting sun turns everything to Kodachrome. 

       I’ve carried a book there often to read and then never read the book.  Just sat quietly and watched the turn of the leaves in a soft evening breeze and listened carefully to the song of one bird to the other.  But if some such kind of paradise is not possible, strive to find a calm and restful place within yourself. 

       It is a must, this trying to find the monk that dwells within and then just sit quietly, shut up and listen to that voice of God.

       You most likely know the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi, probably heard it dozens of times, but have you ever caught the spirit of it as a call to leisure?  “Lord, grant me the courage to change what needs to be changed, the serenity to accept what cannot be changed, and the wisdom to know the difference.” 

       Until you can make this thought your own, you will never experience true leisure for you will be obsessed with success at any cost.

        And then arrogant when you win and terribly depressed when you don’t.  Leisure can come only when you do your best and having done your best, sit back and learn from both victory and defeat.

 

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

 

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

 

ANOTHER WAY TO SHARE THESE SERMONS WITH FREIENDS...CLICK ON "MORE" AT TOP LEFT OF THIS BLOG PAGE AND  FROM THERE IT SHOULD BE EASY

 

                                            ++++++++

CLICK ON  www.go60.us   IT WILL TAKE YOU A NEW WEBSITE FOR SENIORS....click on "Voice" on the home page and then on the list of authors click on Neil Wyrick 

Recent articles Rev. Wyrick has written for this web site are:  

·         Many Kinds of Slavery - But Are They Not All Very Much The Same? (July 2012)

·         Here Comes Summer (July 2012)

·         Spring (May 2012)

·         Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow (April 2012)

·         Wayward and Windy (April 2012)

       GO TO AMAZON.COM TO PURCHASE Neil's best selling book"THE SPIRITUAL ABRAHAM LINCOLN" that is still receiving rave reviews 8 years after it's publication.

       "Positive, powerful utterances...skillfully enhancing our understaning and appreciation of Lincoln...(Lt. Colonel C.A.Olsen (Ret.) Asbury College (Professor Ret.)

       "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)

       "THE SPIRITUAL ABRAHAM LINCOLN is an extremely well written book...it is both scholarly and very readable.  I came away impressed at Mr. Wyrick's portrayal of that President with an altered and enlarged vision of the man. (William Hoffman, Award winning fiction writer, author of Blood and Guile, and Wild Thorn.)  

                          

GO TO SPEAKER.NEIL TO SEE NEIL'S ONE MAN AWARD WINNING DRAMATIZATION OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN

                  &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

       Click on the URL below to WATCH NEIL IN HIS WORLD FAMOUS ONE MAN DRAMATIZATIONS OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN, BEN FRANKLIN, CHARLES WESLEY AND MARTIN LUTHER

       CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING

       http://www.speakerneil.com/

       V. Neil Wyrick’s ninth book THE SPIRITUAL ABRAHAM LINCOLN and is available at

MAGNUS PRESS

       AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM’S Kindle

http://www.magnuspress.com/OurProducts2.html 

       25% off all books, buy 4 get 1 free and free shipping

       Phone Orders:  800-463-7818