Tuesday, January 8, 2013

THE WHY AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT SUFFERING


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


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

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       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


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       Hebrews 10:31  “fall into the hands of the living God.” (check new translation)


       Everyone here this morning has had their back to the wall and more than once.  We all, without exception, some more times than others, have known pain as a reality and been forced to endure.  In short, we’re all in the same boat together.  Therefore, how do we learn better how to swim rather than to sink?

 

       Well, first it’s important to accept the truth that most likely none of us get what we deserve, either good or bad.

       And secondly, God doesn’t run a spiritual litmus test before he repeats the words first heard from the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.

       These two truths seem elementary but they’re not.  Because time and time again when tragedy strikes a family, I’m met with the words, “We deserve it.  Let me tell you what we did” or “Let me tell you what we left undone.

 
       Have you been incredibly good or terribly bad in your life?  Unlikely.  Most of us live our lives somewhere in between.   Did God kneel down one day and draw a line in the sand of life and then dare you to step across that line?  And if you have has he then in a sense said, “The back of my heavenly hand to you, you deserve the punishment you’re receiving.I doubt it.  God’s bigger than that.

       Maybe the beginning of an answer is that God has given us room to be human.  To chose between good and evil  To often make our own heaven or hell.  To learn that the greatest danger to freedom is freedom itself.

       Because so much pain and suffering really does come from our abuse of freedom. Moral anarchy.  A philosophy of life that says, “If it feels good, it’s okay.   When it’s not okay.  Because some terribly wrong decision is about to mess things up terribly..

       You see, we human beings really are just a little lower than the angels and if we choose to sin, and then not even feel bad about the sinning, we court chaos.

       Very much like a lesson that was taught in an old Andy Gump cartoon many years ago.  Andy told Chester that he had been disobeying him too often and that therefore, now, every time he disobeyed him he would drive a nail into a post in the back yard.  Finally, one day, the post was filled with nails and both Andy and Chester were very unhappy.  So Andy challenged Chester.  “Every time you are obedient I will take out one of the nails I have hammered in.

       Call it repentance, a change of heart, call it what you will. Chester decided to turn over a new leaf, to give to the world a new Chester...and one by one, the nails were pulled out.  Until one day, the final nail was pulled out.  At which time  Chester began to cry. When asked “Why?”  he promptly replied, “The scars are still there.
          

       “Turn left,” says God and we turn right for the simple reason we don’t want to turn left.  “Give me guidance,” we pray when sometimes we don’t really want guidance.  Rather what we want is clearance.

       I remember when I was a little boy I would, sometimes, ask my parents for permission to do something.  And they seeing a bigger picture than I, would, sometimes, say no. 

       And I not interested in bigger pictures but what I wanted ignored their advice and followed my own foolishness.  And oft times got in trouble.  We do that don’t we...with our parents, with God, with common sense.  Pays our money and takes our choice.     

                     Ask the average person whether they would prefer to live in a jail or a mansion and they would certainly reply, “I believe I would be happier in a mansion.  And then some people go out and steal and end up living in a jail.

       Ask a friend of mine if he would prefer to have two healthy lungs or the emphysema that daily clouds his days.  He will readily reply, “I would prefer not to have emphysema.  He did, however, for years smoke more cigarettes per day than any individual could wisely smoke.

       “You pays your money and you takes your choice.  Isn’t that the way the old cliché reads.
 
(TO BE CONTINUED)
 
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CLICK ON  www.go60.us   IT WILL TAKE YOU A NEW WEBSITE FOR SENIORS....click on "Voice" on the home page and then on the list of authors click on Neil Wyrick 
Recent articles Rev. Wyrick has written for this web site are:  
·         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
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       CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING
       V. Neil Wyrick’s ninth book THE SPIRITUAL ABRAHAM LINCOLN and is available at
MAGNUS PRESS
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