These thoughts are added to each Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday)
(Scroll down to read previous thoughts)
(Use in your personal or church newsletters)
A few years ago someone wrote, “Maybe we’re going through a stage. Maybe we’ve gone through the stages of loving God, and then reason, and then science, and perhaps now we love only ourselves.”
Everyone wants to be taken care of, but not as man want to care.
One day a man over eighty was observed planting a small peach tree. Explaining why to his neighbor he said, “I know I may not be alive when these trees bear fruit, and perhaps the people who eat these peaches will never know who I was. But they will know that someone was thinking of them and cared enough to plant the trees.”
And so the task set before us is crystal clear. As Christians to make Christian communities! To make all around us because of us places where when people come they can feel the practiced love that is a way of life. Where they do not feel readied rebuke. Where people feel loved not for what they are but for who God is.
That is the Christian message, isn’t it? The practice of love in a totally different way for a totally different reason than the world expects us to. That you may be a liar, a cheat, an egomaniac with a chip on your shoulder, even a moral bum and still be an object of Christian concern.
That in too many places, people match hurt for hurt, but in a Christian place those with Christian hearts, if you hurt me, the more I pray for you. And if I hurt you, you pray for me. That is the Christian message now isn’t it.
Unbelievers give love for love, but Christians give love for a reason the pagan can never understand – call it divine otherness.
SOME RECENT POSTINGS ON ONE A DAY YOUR SPIRITUAL VITAMINS
SOME RECENT TITLES
HE COULD HAVE KILLED HIM BUT HE DIDN’T (Dec 28)
JUST AN ORDINARY INSECT (Dec 25)
ARE YOU WRITING HAPPINESS WITH FADING INK? (Dec 23)
HAVE YOU GONE BLIND OR IS IT THAT YOU JUST HAVEN’T OPENED YOUR EYES (DEC 11)
THE IMPORTANCE OF UNDERSTANDING IMPORTANCE (Dec 10)
DON’T LOSE YOUR PRAYER WHILE PRAYING (DEC 9)
Have a friend visit my ONE A DAY YOUR SPIRITUAL VITAMINS site. Have them go to Google and where it says “Google Search” type in “Neil Spiritual Vitamins”
Or type in the URL http://oneadayyourspiritualvitamins.blogspot.com/
And, yes, if this site has met any of your needs share it with a friend. Just have them go to “Google Search” and type in “Wyrick’s Writings”
Or type in the URL http://wyrickswritings.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
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
A NATION CALLED GREED
These thoughts are added to each Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday)
(Scroll down to read previous thoughts)
(Use in your personal or church newsletters)
It is not by chance that The Preamble to the Constitution of a nation called Greed reads, “To form a more selfish union, establish injustice, insure domestic instability and promote ourselves; we do ordain and establish an avaricious society that will reign forever. The national anthem, that defines this philosophy, does not mince its words.
Played to the drumbeat of recorded ancient cash registers and clanking coins, all members proudly stand and belt out “Materialism, to thee we sing.” Its currency is, of course, the appropriate color - gleaming green with the words “Gimme” and “Get” rather than in “In God we Trust.” The nation called Greed has left no stone unturned.
Walk its piggish streets and you will find extreme distrust and paralyzing fear. In a nation where everyone thinks only of self, how could it be otherwise.
Where does this country exist? Everywhere and anywhere. It has no geographical or religious boundaries; only individual, personal territories. It can as easily be found in the heart of an Arab as in the mind of a Moravian, or the thoughts of an American.
However, not everyone is allowed to be a citizen. If you love too much, believe in the sanctity of giving too much, seek God too much, refuse to accept that greed is one of the seven deadly sins you will be refused citizenship.
But if you are willing to rewrite the words “peace on earth, good will toward men” to read “pieces of eight and don’t make me wait,” then you will become another immigrant from the land of charity readily welcomed in.
In this nation called Greed, it is brother against brother, house against house, labor against management and management against labor. All actions and votes in its representative bodies are governed by selfishness.
It is mandatory that if you are a butcher you weigh your thumb as well as piece of meat. If you are a student you must pledge not to study and learn. You must rather cheat and stay stupid. When it is time to give, just don’t. It is that simple.
SOME RECENT POSTINGS ON ONE A DAY YOUR SPIRITUAL VITAMINS
HAVE YOU GONE BLIND OR IS IT THAT YOU JUST HAVEN’T OPENED YOUR EYES (DEC 11)
THE IMPORTANCE OF UNDERSTANDING IMPORTANCE (Dec 10)
DON’T LOSE YOUR PRAYER WHILE PRAYING (DEC 9)
Have a friend visit my ONE A DAY YOUR SPIRITUAL VITAMINS site. Have them go to Google and where it says “Google Search” type in “Neil Spiritual Vitamins”
Or type in the URL http://oneadayyourspiritualvitamins.blogspot.com/
And, yes, if this site has met any of your needs share it with a friend. Just have them go to “Google Search” and type in “Wyrick’s Writings”
Or type in the URL http://wyrickswritings.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.
(Scroll down to read previous thoughts)
(Use in your personal or church newsletters)
It is not by chance that The Preamble to the Constitution of a nation called Greed reads, “To form a more selfish union, establish injustice, insure domestic instability and promote ourselves; we do ordain and establish an avaricious society that will reign forever. The national anthem, that defines this philosophy, does not mince its words.
Played to the drumbeat of recorded ancient cash registers and clanking coins, all members proudly stand and belt out “Materialism, to thee we sing.” Its currency is, of course, the appropriate color - gleaming green with the words “Gimme” and “Get” rather than in “In God we Trust.” The nation called Greed has left no stone unturned.
Walk its piggish streets and you will find extreme distrust and paralyzing fear. In a nation where everyone thinks only of self, how could it be otherwise.
Where does this country exist? Everywhere and anywhere. It has no geographical or religious boundaries; only individual, personal territories. It can as easily be found in the heart of an Arab as in the mind of a Moravian, or the thoughts of an American.
However, not everyone is allowed to be a citizen. If you love too much, believe in the sanctity of giving too much, seek God too much, refuse to accept that greed is one of the seven deadly sins you will be refused citizenship.
But if you are willing to rewrite the words “peace on earth, good will toward men” to read “pieces of eight and don’t make me wait,” then you will become another immigrant from the land of charity readily welcomed in.
In this nation called Greed, it is brother against brother, house against house, labor against management and management against labor. All actions and votes in its representative bodies are governed by selfishness.
It is mandatory that if you are a butcher you weigh your thumb as well as piece of meat. If you are a student you must pledge not to study and learn. You must rather cheat and stay stupid. When it is time to give, just don’t. It is that simple.
SOME RECENT POSTINGS ON ONE A DAY YOUR SPIRITUAL VITAMINS
HAVE YOU GONE BLIND OR IS IT THAT YOU JUST HAVEN’T OPENED YOUR EYES (DEC 11)
THE IMPORTANCE OF UNDERSTANDING IMPORTANCE (Dec 10)
DON’T LOSE YOUR PRAYER WHILE PRAYING (DEC 9)
Have a friend visit my ONE A DAY YOUR SPIRITUAL VITAMINS site. Have them go to Google and where it says “Google Search” type in “Neil Spiritual Vitamins”
Or type in the URL http://oneadayyourspiritualvitamins.blogspot.com/
And, yes, if this site has met any of your needs share it with a friend. Just have them go to “Google Search” and type in “Wyrick’s Writings”
Or type in the URL http://wyrickswritings.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.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
SOME THOUGHTS ON DEPRESSION
These thoughts are added to each Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday)
(Scroll down to read previous thoughts)
(Use in your personal or church newsletters)
Martin Luther, the great reformer who began the protestant movement, suffered from depression. The renowned preacher, Charles Spurgeon, suffered from depression. As did John Bunyan, author of Pilgrim’s Progress, the artist Van Gogh, and, of course, there was Job in the Bible. The list is long.
“How do you feel?” we ask. And what we want is for that person to affirm they feel wonderful, even if they don’t feel wonderful.
What we really need to do is let them know that while we hope they feel good; that it is allowed if they sometimes feel down in the dumps, or worse. That we really do care how they actually feel, and that if at the moment they cannot rise to dance and sing a tune, it’s okay.
It is not to say that we should become a nation wallowing in self-pity. But neither must we as Christians send the message by our words and actions that only the happy and hearty are acceptable.
Jesus did not say, “Go away ye who labor and are heavy laden. You make me depressed.” Jesus, this Master of love and light, this tender healer of the soul did not say this. Thank God He did not say this.
Travel through the valley of darkness and He is with you. Weep and He will not grow impatiently angry or irritated at you for it.
If you reach a point of collapse, He will kneel down and gently pick you up, leaving that one set of footprints on the sand because He sometimes does not just walk with you, but carries you in His arms. And, if you will let Him, He will, as time passes, show you how to think and when and why.
Still, sometimes we human beings need some medicines to aid in our recovery, just as we need a doctor and an operation to do the same.
We need to be able to take Prozac, or Effexor or Paxil without a sense of guilt, anymore than we have for praying about taking chemo and taking it, or praying about a knee operation and having it.
And why not? Do not most people take insulin for diabetes, or aspirin for a headache, or anesthesia before the doctor applies his knife? Certainly God can cure cancer, but does that mean one should not take chemotherapy? Sometimes a minister or psychiatrist needs to continue to be seen.
And again, why not? Don’t most people continue to see a doctor if a physical hurts persists? Should emotions receive less concern and care? To turn to someone who is down, really down, and say, “Stiff upper lip, ole boy or ole gal.” A stiff upper lip is not only stupid, it is thoughtless and hurtful.
To the depressed person, part of that depression is a racing, tumbling time of broken-hearted thoughts bouncing off the soul. And trying to slow it all down immediately is like trying to stop a speeding car with tissue paper.
Therefore, sometimes the best thing to do, if depression descends on you, is for a little while to try to wipe clean the slate of your worried mind.
To give such thoughts some muted silence. Seek an emotional whiteout. Just let the soft breeze of nothingness blow for a while. And then, read John 14:27 and hear Jesus saying, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
Would you like to make someone who is depressed feel better? Then simply tell them you love them and how important they are to you and that you are willing to listen without judging. Definitely resist any temptation to make comments such as “Take a hot bath,” “I thought you were stronger than that,” or “Do you know how you make me feel talking like that.”
When you are beat down and emotionally worn out, even giving yourself a pep talk isn’t worth much. Which is why you just have to keep on keeping on. One psychological step at a time. One Bible digging moment after the other. One more call to the Throne of Grace. Believe in your God and with Him beside you, you can move mountains. You really can.
SOME RECENT POSTINGS ON ONE A DAY YOUR SPIRITUAL VITAMINS
SOME RECENT TITLES
HAVE YOU GONE BLIND OR IS IT THAT YOU JUST HAVEN’T OPENED YOUR EYES (DEC 11)
THE IMPORTANCE OF UNDERSTANDING IMPORTANCE (Dec 10)
DON’T LOSE YOUR PRAYER WHILE PRAYING (DEC 9)
Have a friend visit my ONE A DAY YOUR SPIRITUAL VITAMINS site. Have them go to Google and where it says “Google Search” type in “Neil Spiritual Vitamins”
Or type in the URL http://oneadayyourspiritualvitamins.blogspot.com/
And, yes, if this site has met any of your needs share it with a friend. Just have them go to “Google Search” and type in “Wyrick’s Writings”
Or type in the URL http://wyrickswritings.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.
(Scroll down to read previous thoughts)
(Use in your personal or church newsletters)
Martin Luther, the great reformer who began the protestant movement, suffered from depression. The renowned preacher, Charles Spurgeon, suffered from depression. As did John Bunyan, author of Pilgrim’s Progress, the artist Van Gogh, and, of course, there was Job in the Bible. The list is long.
“How do you feel?” we ask. And what we want is for that person to affirm they feel wonderful, even if they don’t feel wonderful.
What we really need to do is let them know that while we hope they feel good; that it is allowed if they sometimes feel down in the dumps, or worse. That we really do care how they actually feel, and that if at the moment they cannot rise to dance and sing a tune, it’s okay.
It is not to say that we should become a nation wallowing in self-pity. But neither must we as Christians send the message by our words and actions that only the happy and hearty are acceptable.
Jesus did not say, “Go away ye who labor and are heavy laden. You make me depressed.” Jesus, this Master of love and light, this tender healer of the soul did not say this. Thank God He did not say this.
Travel through the valley of darkness and He is with you. Weep and He will not grow impatiently angry or irritated at you for it.
If you reach a point of collapse, He will kneel down and gently pick you up, leaving that one set of footprints on the sand because He sometimes does not just walk with you, but carries you in His arms. And, if you will let Him, He will, as time passes, show you how to think and when and why.
Still, sometimes we human beings need some medicines to aid in our recovery, just as we need a doctor and an operation to do the same.
We need to be able to take Prozac, or Effexor or Paxil without a sense of guilt, anymore than we have for praying about taking chemo and taking it, or praying about a knee operation and having it.
And why not? Do not most people take insulin for diabetes, or aspirin for a headache, or anesthesia before the doctor applies his knife? Certainly God can cure cancer, but does that mean one should not take chemotherapy? Sometimes a minister or psychiatrist needs to continue to be seen.
And again, why not? Don’t most people continue to see a doctor if a physical hurts persists? Should emotions receive less concern and care? To turn to someone who is down, really down, and say, “Stiff upper lip, ole boy or ole gal.” A stiff upper lip is not only stupid, it is thoughtless and hurtful.
To the depressed person, part of that depression is a racing, tumbling time of broken-hearted thoughts bouncing off the soul. And trying to slow it all down immediately is like trying to stop a speeding car with tissue paper.
Therefore, sometimes the best thing to do, if depression descends on you, is for a little while to try to wipe clean the slate of your worried mind.
To give such thoughts some muted silence. Seek an emotional whiteout. Just let the soft breeze of nothingness blow for a while. And then, read John 14:27 and hear Jesus saying, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
Would you like to make someone who is depressed feel better? Then simply tell them you love them and how important they are to you and that you are willing to listen without judging. Definitely resist any temptation to make comments such as “Take a hot bath,” “I thought you were stronger than that,” or “Do you know how you make me feel talking like that.”
When you are beat down and emotionally worn out, even giving yourself a pep talk isn’t worth much. Which is why you just have to keep on keeping on. One psychological step at a time. One Bible digging moment after the other. One more call to the Throne of Grace. Believe in your God and with Him beside you, you can move mountains. You really can.
SOME RECENT POSTINGS ON ONE A DAY YOUR SPIRITUAL VITAMINS
SOME RECENT TITLES
HAVE YOU GONE BLIND OR IS IT THAT YOU JUST HAVEN’T OPENED YOUR EYES (DEC 11)
THE IMPORTANCE OF UNDERSTANDING IMPORTANCE (Dec 10)
DON’T LOSE YOUR PRAYER WHILE PRAYING (DEC 9)
Have a friend visit my ONE A DAY YOUR SPIRITUAL VITAMINS site. Have them go to Google and where it says “Google Search” type in “Neil Spiritual Vitamins”
Or type in the URL http://oneadayyourspiritualvitamins.blogspot.com/
And, yes, if this site has met any of your needs share it with a friend. Just have them go to “Google Search” and type in “Wyrick’s Writings”
Or type in the URL http://wyrickswritings.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 24, 2009
A CHRISTMAS STORY?
These thoughts are added to each Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday)
(Scroll down to read previous thoughts)
(Use in your personal or church newsletters)
Most likely you have never thought of this visit of Jesus to the home of Mary and Martha as a Christmas story. But it is, you know.
Oh I know that Christmas wasn’t practiced then, but for the sake of a lesson that can be learned just imagine that it was…and that Christmas was no more than a day away, with Martha rushing around getting last minute things done.
All the while getting more and more irritated, and more and more irritating.
“The tree isn’t finished. There are cookies that need to be baked. The house still needs to be cleaned. There are presents that need wrapping. I can’t do everything myself.” I can hear her now. Complaints a mile wide and several hundred paranoia’s deep. The volume level increasing by the minute.
And then, in the midst of all this turmoil, in the midst of all of this lack of Christmas spirit in preparation for Christmas, what does her sister Mary do? She sits down with Jesus. Remember the story has been changed to make a point.
Gift time is close at hand and she gives the best gift of all…the gift of self. Martha is beside herself. And as she readies herself for an even greater explosion, Jesus seeks to quiet her, this Martha with flour on her nose and impatience in her heart.
“Martha, Martha,” He says, “I know there is much to do, but must you fret so much in the doing of it? Wouldn’t it be better if maybe you did a little less and became a little more?”
So to all the Marthas and their male counterparts this Christmas season I say, “Cool it.” If you are still hot and bothered from rushing around this last week and perhaps have arrived at this day before Christmas all weary and ragged; simmer down.
Give those you love the gift of patience. Give them the privilege of the best kind of person you really can be. Don’t ruin this very special evening.
And before you get up tomorrow morning, be sure you have gift-wrapped a forgiving, gentle, understanding heart.
Nor bring to your Christmas living room real or imagined hurts, or jealousies - all green and griping, or any other emotional aberrations that can ruin the day.
Just bring with you a prayer on your lips and a song in your heart. Not pouting or petty, but rather have some manger meaning in the way you act so it will then affect how you feel.
Yes, it is a Martha-world we live in. A busy world all filled with bills and job responsibilities and children with temptations earlier generations never faced.
And therefore, moms and dads and children sometimes get a little hyperactive. And selfish and self-centered. And develop a what’s-in-it-for-me attitude.
But you see, it is one thing to go to the stable and find a jackass. It is quite another to be one.
That is why I think you need to call a meeting with two in attendance - you and the Lord. And at that meeting set up a new agenda for living. A Christmas manifesto, if you will to whatever degree you need it.
And to whatever degree you are able and willing
- try to latch on to a little bit of simplicity again, if ever in your life you’ve had it.
- unclutter your lives of too much doing and having to make room for better being.
- break through nervousness with the peace that passeth understanding. If it wasn’t on your Christmas list it should have been. And Santa can’t give it to you, but Jesus can.
- realize that going down on your knees is an automatic slowdown that can work wonders.
- set Christmas morning as the first day of a new way of life.
SOME RECENT POSTINGS ON ONE A DAY YOUR SPIRITUAL VITAMINS
HAVE YOU GONE BLIND OR IS IT THAT YOU JUST HAVEN’T OPENED YOUR EYES (DEC 11)
THE IMPORTANCE OF UNDERSTANDING IMPORTANCE (Dec 10)
DON’T LOSE YOUR PRAYER WHILE PRAYING (DEC 9)
Have a friend visit my ONE A DAY YOUR SPIRITUAL VITAMINS site. Have them go to Google and where it says “Google Search” type in “Neil Spiritual Vitamins”
Or type in the URL http://oneadayyourspiritualvitamins.blogspot.com/
And, yes, if this site has met any of your needs share it with a friend. Just have them go to “Google Search” and type in “Wyrick’s Writings”
Or type in the URL http://wyrickswritings.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.
(Scroll down to read previous thoughts)
(Use in your personal or church newsletters)
Most likely you have never thought of this visit of Jesus to the home of Mary and Martha as a Christmas story. But it is, you know.
Oh I know that Christmas wasn’t practiced then, but for the sake of a lesson that can be learned just imagine that it was…and that Christmas was no more than a day away, with Martha rushing around getting last minute things done.
All the while getting more and more irritated, and more and more irritating.
“The tree isn’t finished. There are cookies that need to be baked. The house still needs to be cleaned. There are presents that need wrapping. I can’t do everything myself.” I can hear her now. Complaints a mile wide and several hundred paranoia’s deep. The volume level increasing by the minute.
And then, in the midst of all this turmoil, in the midst of all of this lack of Christmas spirit in preparation for Christmas, what does her sister Mary do? She sits down with Jesus. Remember the story has been changed to make a point.
Gift time is close at hand and she gives the best gift of all…the gift of self. Martha is beside herself. And as she readies herself for an even greater explosion, Jesus seeks to quiet her, this Martha with flour on her nose and impatience in her heart.
“Martha, Martha,” He says, “I know there is much to do, but must you fret so much in the doing of it? Wouldn’t it be better if maybe you did a little less and became a little more?”
So to all the Marthas and their male counterparts this Christmas season I say, “Cool it.” If you are still hot and bothered from rushing around this last week and perhaps have arrived at this day before Christmas all weary and ragged; simmer down.
Give those you love the gift of patience. Give them the privilege of the best kind of person you really can be. Don’t ruin this very special evening.
And before you get up tomorrow morning, be sure you have gift-wrapped a forgiving, gentle, understanding heart.
Nor bring to your Christmas living room real or imagined hurts, or jealousies - all green and griping, or any other emotional aberrations that can ruin the day.
Just bring with you a prayer on your lips and a song in your heart. Not pouting or petty, but rather have some manger meaning in the way you act so it will then affect how you feel.
Yes, it is a Martha-world we live in. A busy world all filled with bills and job responsibilities and children with temptations earlier generations never faced.
And therefore, moms and dads and children sometimes get a little hyperactive. And selfish and self-centered. And develop a what’s-in-it-for-me attitude.
But you see, it is one thing to go to the stable and find a jackass. It is quite another to be one.
That is why I think you need to call a meeting with two in attendance - you and the Lord. And at that meeting set up a new agenda for living. A Christmas manifesto, if you will to whatever degree you need it.
And to whatever degree you are able and willing
- try to latch on to a little bit of simplicity again, if ever in your life you’ve had it.
- unclutter your lives of too much doing and having to make room for better being.
- break through nervousness with the peace that passeth understanding. If it wasn’t on your Christmas list it should have been. And Santa can’t give it to you, but Jesus can.
- realize that going down on your knees is an automatic slowdown that can work wonders.
- set Christmas morning as the first day of a new way of life.
SOME RECENT POSTINGS ON ONE A DAY YOUR SPIRITUAL VITAMINS
HAVE YOU GONE BLIND OR IS IT THAT YOU JUST HAVEN’T OPENED YOUR EYES (DEC 11)
THE IMPORTANCE OF UNDERSTANDING IMPORTANCE (Dec 10)
DON’T LOSE YOUR PRAYER WHILE PRAYING (DEC 9)
Have a friend visit my ONE A DAY YOUR SPIRITUAL VITAMINS site. Have them go to Google and where it says “Google Search” type in “Neil Spiritual Vitamins”
Or type in the URL http://oneadayyourspiritualvitamins.blogspot.com/
And, yes, if this site has met any of your needs share it with a friend. Just have them go to “Google Search” and type in “Wyrick’s Writings”
Or type in the URL http://wyrickswritings.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 22, 2009
MORE ON "DO YOU SPEAK CHRISTMAS?"
These thoughts are added to each Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday)
(Scroll down to read previous thoughts)
(Use in your personal or church newsletters)
Those who speak Christmas really do change. Like the old codger who said, “When I learned how to speak Christmas I lost half my vocabulary.”
Speak Christmas and such words—such thoughts stick in your throat.
Those who speak Christmas really do change. They find that one thing they love about the language is that there is no word for hate in it. No word for selfishness.
Why speak Christmas? Because, as Disraeli wrote, “Life is too short not to make it great.”
Have you ever heard snow? The soft, hushed sound of snow on snow? When there was no wind and only a moon easing away some of the darkness. And you stopped and listened because it was another voice of our creative God.
The voice of God speaking Christmas is all around us. We just have to listen.
SOME RECENT POSTINGS ON ONE A DAY YOUR SPIRITUAL VITAMINS
FOREVER (Dec 19)
BE THE 4TH WISEMAN (Dec 18)
HAVE YOU GONE BLIND OR IS IT THAT YOU JUST HAVEN’T OPENED YOUR EYES (DEC 11)
THE IMPORTANCE OF UNDERSTANDING IMPORTANCE (Dec 10)
DON’T LOSE YOUR PRAYER WHILE PRAYING (DEC 9)
Have a friend visit my ONE A DAY YOUR SPIRITUAL VITAMINS site. Have them go to Google and where it says “Google Search” type in “Neil Spiritual Vitamins”
Or type in the URL http://oneadayyourspiritualvitamins.blogspot.com/
And, yes, if this site has met any of your needs share it with a friend. Just have them go to “Google Search” and type in “Wyrick’s Writings”
Or type in the URL http://wyrickswritings.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.
(Scroll down to read previous thoughts)
(Use in your personal or church newsletters)
Those who speak Christmas really do change. Like the old codger who said, “When I learned how to speak Christmas I lost half my vocabulary.”
Speak Christmas and such words—such thoughts stick in your throat.
Those who speak Christmas really do change. They find that one thing they love about the language is that there is no word for hate in it. No word for selfishness.
Why speak Christmas? Because, as Disraeli wrote, “Life is too short not to make it great.”
Have you ever heard snow? The soft, hushed sound of snow on snow? When there was no wind and only a moon easing away some of the darkness. And you stopped and listened because it was another voice of our creative God.
The voice of God speaking Christmas is all around us. We just have to listen.
SOME RECENT POSTINGS ON ONE A DAY YOUR SPIRITUAL VITAMINS
FOREVER (Dec 19)
BE THE 4TH WISEMAN (Dec 18)
HAVE YOU GONE BLIND OR IS IT THAT YOU JUST HAVEN’T OPENED YOUR EYES (DEC 11)
THE IMPORTANCE OF UNDERSTANDING IMPORTANCE (Dec 10)
DON’T LOSE YOUR PRAYER WHILE PRAYING (DEC 9)
Have a friend visit my ONE A DAY YOUR SPIRITUAL VITAMINS site. Have them go to Google and where it says “Google Search” type in “Neil Spiritual Vitamins”
Or type in the URL http://oneadayyourspiritualvitamins.blogspot.com/
And, yes, if this site has met any of your needs share it with a friend. Just have them go to “Google Search” and type in “Wyrick’s Writings”
Or type in the URL http://wyrickswritings.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.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
DO YOU TOLERATE TOLERANCE?
DO YOU TOLERATE TOLERANCE?
These thoughts are added to each Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday)
(Scroll down to read previous thoughts)
(Use in your personal or church newsletters)
I quote, not a theologian but a mystery writer, Dorothy Sayers. She was often a philosopher as well as a teller of tales. She once wrote that Tolerance in the name of nothingness is more than a sin…it is spiritual suicide. And that in the world it is called Tolerance but in hell it is called Despair.
For the sin that believes in nothing, cares for nothing, seeks to know nothing, interferes with nothing, enjoys nothing, finds purpose in nothing, lives for nothing and remains alive is a sin that is something, a terrible unfeeling give in and give up kind of sin. (rewrite and edit of her thoughts on tolerance)
I have sinned and will continue to sin because I am not perfect but I will never tolerate my sin. To tolerate myself when I am not aiming at the best self I can be is not a gift to God but a sacrilege.
SOME RECENT TITLES ON MYONE A DAY YOUR SPIRITUAL VITAMINS Site. To visit go to Google Search and type in "Neil One A Day"
ALLOW YOUR TOMORROWS TO BE CAPTURED BY A VERY SPECIAL FOREVER (Dec 19)
BE THE 4TH WISEMAN (Dec 18)
HAVE YOU GONE BLIND OR IS IT THAT YOU JUST HAVEN’T OPENED YOUR EYES (DEC 11)
THE IMPORTANCE OF UNDERSTANDING IMPORTANCE (Dec 10)
DON’T LOSE YOUR PRAYER WHILE PRAYING (DEC 9)
Have a friend visit my ONE A DAY YOUR SPIRITUAL VITAMINS site.
Type in the URL http://oneadayyourspiritualvitamins.blogspot.com/
And, yes, if this site has met any of your needs share it with a friend. Just have them go to “Google Search” and type in “Wyrick’s Writings”
Or type in the URL http://wyrickswritings.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.
These thoughts are added to each Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday)
(Scroll down to read previous thoughts)
(Use in your personal or church newsletters)
I quote, not a theologian but a mystery writer, Dorothy Sayers. She was often a philosopher as well as a teller of tales. She once wrote that Tolerance in the name of nothingness is more than a sin…it is spiritual suicide. And that in the world it is called Tolerance but in hell it is called Despair.
For the sin that believes in nothing, cares for nothing, seeks to know nothing, interferes with nothing, enjoys nothing, finds purpose in nothing, lives for nothing and remains alive is a sin that is something, a terrible unfeeling give in and give up kind of sin. (rewrite and edit of her thoughts on tolerance)
I have sinned and will continue to sin because I am not perfect but I will never tolerate my sin. To tolerate myself when I am not aiming at the best self I can be is not a gift to God but a sacrilege.
SOME RECENT TITLES ON MYONE A DAY YOUR SPIRITUAL VITAMINS Site. To visit go to Google Search and type in "Neil One A Day"
ALLOW YOUR TOMORROWS TO BE CAPTURED BY A VERY SPECIAL FOREVER (Dec 19)
BE THE 4TH WISEMAN (Dec 18)
HAVE YOU GONE BLIND OR IS IT THAT YOU JUST HAVEN’T OPENED YOUR EYES (DEC 11)
THE IMPORTANCE OF UNDERSTANDING IMPORTANCE (Dec 10)
DON’T LOSE YOUR PRAYER WHILE PRAYING (DEC 9)
Have a friend visit my ONE A DAY YOUR SPIRITUAL VITAMINS site.
Type in the URL http://oneadayyourspiritualvitamins.blogspot.com/
And, yes, if this site has met any of your needs share it with a friend. Just have them go to “Google Search” and type in “Wyrick’s Writings”
Or type in the URL http://wyrickswritings.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 17, 2009
BE A REACHABLE?
These thoughts are added to each Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday)
(Scroll down to read previous thoughts)
(Use in your personal or church newsletters)
Do you remember the musical THE MAN OF LA MANCHA? As I quote the words to one of its songs we could probably imagine us having a sing-a-long. We won’t, too far apart for true harmony, but follow these words most all of us have heard many times. No better still, remember them, and let them follow you for awhile.
To dream the impossible dream…
To fight the unbeatable foe…
To bear with unbearable sorrow…
To run where the brave dare not go…
To right the unrightable wrong…
To love, pure and chaste, from afar…
To try, when your arms are to weary
to reach the unreachable star!
This is my quest, to follow that star
no matter how hopeless, no matter how far…
To fight for the right without question or pause…
To be willing to march into hell for a heavenly cause!...
And I know, if I’ll only be true to this glorious quest
that my heart will lie peaceful and calm when I’m laid to my rest…
And the world will be better for this,
that one man, scorned and covered with scars
still strove, with his last ounce of courage…
To reach the unreachable stars.
Ah, but the Star of Bethlehem is reachable. Not by the literal touching of it, but by the experiencing of its message, “And the angel said unto them, Fear not; for, behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. (For) today in this city of David, a Savior has been born to you, He is Christ the Lord.”
(Luke 2:10-11)
The shepherds were afraid, but in the midst of their fear was the beginning of joy. What they had just heard had the profundity of eternity to it. When angels sing out about “good tidings of great joy” unless you have a few loose items in your brain, you pay attention.
I have nothing against having Santa around for Christmas. Fact is, we have a Santa that greets me with a great big Santa smile every time I walk out into our family room. It’s just that priority list thing again…for you see, while my Christmas stocking was filled in the name of Santa when I was a little boy my parents were also being very sure my soul was being filled with the knowledge and presence of Christ. Daddy was an Elder. Mother was a Sunday School teacher and I was never allowed to forget that though Santa was making a list and checking it twice, Santa came only once a year while Jesus was with me always. And what was it He said, “I will never forget you nor forsake you.”
It is nice to be on Christmas lists but only if I remember with a shout of thanksgiving that my name is written on the Lamb’s book of Life. When it comes to gifts, the gift of eternal life beats them all.
SOME RECENT POSTINGS ON ONE A DAY YOUR SPIRITUAL VITAMINS
SOME RECENT TITLES
HAVE YOU GONE BLIND OR IS IT THAT YOU JUST HAVEN’T OPENED YOUR EYES (DEC 11)
THE IMPORTANCE OF UNDERSTANDING IMPORTANCE (Dec 10)
DON’T LOSE YOUR PRAYER WHILE PRAYING (DEC 9)
Have a friend visit my ONE A DAY YOUR SPIRITUAL VITAMINS site. Have them go to Google and where it says “Google Search” type in “Neil Spiritual Vitamins”
Or type in the URL http://oneadayyourspiritualvitamins.blogspot.com/
And, yes, if this site has met any of your needs share it with a friend. Just have them go to “Google Search” and type in “Wyrick’s Writings”
Or type in the URL http://wyrickswritings.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.
(Scroll down to read previous thoughts)
(Use in your personal or church newsletters)
Do you remember the musical THE MAN OF LA MANCHA? As I quote the words to one of its songs we could probably imagine us having a sing-a-long. We won’t, too far apart for true harmony, but follow these words most all of us have heard many times. No better still, remember them, and let them follow you for awhile.
To dream the impossible dream…
To fight the unbeatable foe…
To bear with unbearable sorrow…
To run where the brave dare not go…
To right the unrightable wrong…
To love, pure and chaste, from afar…
To try, when your arms are to weary
to reach the unreachable star!
This is my quest, to follow that star
no matter how hopeless, no matter how far…
To fight for the right without question or pause…
To be willing to march into hell for a heavenly cause!...
And I know, if I’ll only be true to this glorious quest
that my heart will lie peaceful and calm when I’m laid to my rest…
And the world will be better for this,
that one man, scorned and covered with scars
still strove, with his last ounce of courage…
To reach the unreachable stars.
Ah, but the Star of Bethlehem is reachable. Not by the literal touching of it, but by the experiencing of its message, “And the angel said unto them, Fear not; for, behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. (For) today in this city of David, a Savior has been born to you, He is Christ the Lord.”
(Luke 2:10-11)
The shepherds were afraid, but in the midst of their fear was the beginning of joy. What they had just heard had the profundity of eternity to it. When angels sing out about “good tidings of great joy” unless you have a few loose items in your brain, you pay attention.
I have nothing against having Santa around for Christmas. Fact is, we have a Santa that greets me with a great big Santa smile every time I walk out into our family room. It’s just that priority list thing again…for you see, while my Christmas stocking was filled in the name of Santa when I was a little boy my parents were also being very sure my soul was being filled with the knowledge and presence of Christ. Daddy was an Elder. Mother was a Sunday School teacher and I was never allowed to forget that though Santa was making a list and checking it twice, Santa came only once a year while Jesus was with me always. And what was it He said, “I will never forget you nor forsake you.”
It is nice to be on Christmas lists but only if I remember with a shout of thanksgiving that my name is written on the Lamb’s book of Life. When it comes to gifts, the gift of eternal life beats them all.
SOME RECENT POSTINGS ON ONE A DAY YOUR SPIRITUAL VITAMINS
SOME RECENT TITLES
HAVE YOU GONE BLIND OR IS IT THAT YOU JUST HAVEN’T OPENED YOUR EYES (DEC 11)
THE IMPORTANCE OF UNDERSTANDING IMPORTANCE (Dec 10)
DON’T LOSE YOUR PRAYER WHILE PRAYING (DEC 9)
Have a friend visit my ONE A DAY YOUR SPIRITUAL VITAMINS site. Have them go to Google and where it says “Google Search” type in “Neil Spiritual Vitamins”
Or type in the URL http://oneadayyourspiritualvitamins.blogspot.com/
And, yes, if this site has met any of your needs share it with a friend. Just have them go to “Google Search” and type in “Wyrick’s Writings”
Or type in the URL http://wyrickswritings.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 15, 2009
HE HAD AN ATTITUDE? WHAT'S YOURS?
These thoughts are added to each Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday)
(Scroll down to read previous thoughts)
(Use in your personal or church newsletters)
The prophet Isaiah had an attitude. It is why he wrote, “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." ”(Isaiah 40:31)
The prophet Isaiah was a spiritual Babe Ruth. His attitude toward God was stratospheric with a few shooting stars thrown in for good measure.
An old prophet’s attitude worth grabbing hold of to make our prayers something more than midget moments. Giant attitudes ten feet tall.
SOME RECENT POSTINGS ON ONE A DAY YOUR SPIRITUAL VITAMINS
Dec 11…HAVE YOU GONE BLIND OR IS IT THAT YOU JUST HAVEN’T OPENED YOUR EYES
Dec 4…GARBAGE IN! GARBAGE OUT
Nov 30…DON’T ORDER A FUN HOUSE MIRROR!
Nov 28…A grand sense of otherness
Nov 25…GETTING SOMEWHERE AND FINDING OUT YOU DON’T WANT TO STAY
Nov 17…ARE YOU HAVING INSTALLATION PROBLEMS?
Nov 14…WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE BEST TWO WORDS IN YOUR VOCABULARY?
Nov 13…WHAT SHOULD YOU DO THAT ONE DAY YOU SHOULD HAVE DONE THAT NOW YOU CAN DO?
Have a friend visit my ONE A DAY YOUR SPIRITUAL VITAMINS site. Have them go to Google and where it says “Google Search” type in “Neil Spiritual Vitamins”
Or type in the URL http://oneadayyourspiritualvitamins.blogspot.com/
And, yes, if this site has met any of your needs share it with a friend. Just have them go to “Google Search” and type in “Wyrick’s Writings”
Or type in the URL http://wyrickswritings.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.
(Scroll down to read previous thoughts)
(Use in your personal or church newsletters)
The prophet Isaiah had an attitude. It is why he wrote, “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." ”(Isaiah 40:31)
The prophet Isaiah was a spiritual Babe Ruth. His attitude toward God was stratospheric with a few shooting stars thrown in for good measure.
An old prophet’s attitude worth grabbing hold of to make our prayers something more than midget moments. Giant attitudes ten feet tall.
SOME RECENT POSTINGS ON ONE A DAY YOUR SPIRITUAL VITAMINS
Dec 11…HAVE YOU GONE BLIND OR IS IT THAT YOU JUST HAVEN’T OPENED YOUR EYES
Dec 4…GARBAGE IN! GARBAGE OUT
Nov 30…DON’T ORDER A FUN HOUSE MIRROR!
Nov 28…A grand sense of otherness
Nov 25…GETTING SOMEWHERE AND FINDING OUT YOU DON’T WANT TO STAY
Nov 17…ARE YOU HAVING INSTALLATION PROBLEMS?
Nov 14…WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE BEST TWO WORDS IN YOUR VOCABULARY?
Nov 13…WHAT SHOULD YOU DO THAT ONE DAY YOU SHOULD HAVE DONE THAT NOW YOU CAN DO?
Have a friend visit my ONE A DAY YOUR SPIRITUAL VITAMINS site. Have them go to Google and where it says “Google Search” type in “Neil Spiritual Vitamins”
Or type in the URL http://oneadayyourspiritualvitamins.blogspot.com/
And, yes, if this site has met any of your needs share it with a friend. Just have them go to “Google Search” and type in “Wyrick’s Writings”
Or type in the URL http://wyrickswritings.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.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
WHEN THE LIVIN' AIN'T EASY
These thoughts are added to each Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday)
(Scroll down to read previous thoughts)
(Use in your personal or church newsletters)
Living isn’t always easy in any generation. Problems aren’t something new that just popped up on the horizon, a 21st century anomaly. Nor are solutions.
Follow Me. That’s Jesus’ solution. Simple. Straight forward. Not deep, confusing theology that leaves you asking, “What?”
Follow Me – to the promise of eternal life when death comes.
Follow Me – to an abundant life that makes your existence without the eternal Me a miserable, shrunken thing.
Follow Me – not so all problems will go away, but because I will be with you always. Come hell or high water, I will not desert you.
Do you ever question where you want your faith to take you? Perhaps you should rather ask of yourself where are you willing to go.
SOME RECENT POSTINGS ON ONE A DAY YOUR SPIRITUAL VITAMINS
SOME RECENT TITLES
Dec 11…HAVE YOU GONE BLIND OR IS IT THAT YOU JUST HAVEN’T OPENED YOUR EYES
Dec 4…GARBAGE IN! GARBAGE OUT
Nov 30…DON’T ORDER A FUN HOUSE MIRROR!
Nov 28…A grand sense of otherness
Nov 25…GETTING SOMEWHERE AND FINDING OUT YOU DON’T WANT TO STAY
Nov 17…ARE YOU HAVING INSTALLATION PROBLEMS?
Nov 14…WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE BEST TWO WORDS IN YOUR VOCABULARY?
Nov 13…WHAT SHOULD YOU DO THAT ONE DAY YOU SHOULD HAVE DONE THAT NOW YOU CAN DO?
Have a friend visit my ONE A DAY YOUR SPIRITUAL VITAMINS site. Have them go to Google and where it says “Google Search” type in “Neil Spiritual Vitamins”
Or type in the URL http://oneadayyourspiritualvitamins.blogspot.com/
And, yes, if this site has met any of your needs share it with a friend. Just have them go to “Google Search” and type in “Wyrick’s Writings”
Or type in the URL http://wyrickswritings.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.
(Scroll down to read previous thoughts)
(Use in your personal or church newsletters)
Living isn’t always easy in any generation. Problems aren’t something new that just popped up on the horizon, a 21st century anomaly. Nor are solutions.
Follow Me. That’s Jesus’ solution. Simple. Straight forward. Not deep, confusing theology that leaves you asking, “What?”
Follow Me – to the promise of eternal life when death comes.
Follow Me – to an abundant life that makes your existence without the eternal Me a miserable, shrunken thing.
Follow Me – not so all problems will go away, but because I will be with you always. Come hell or high water, I will not desert you.
Do you ever question where you want your faith to take you? Perhaps you should rather ask of yourself where are you willing to go.
SOME RECENT POSTINGS ON ONE A DAY YOUR SPIRITUAL VITAMINS
SOME RECENT TITLES
Dec 11…HAVE YOU GONE BLIND OR IS IT THAT YOU JUST HAVEN’T OPENED YOUR EYES
Dec 4…GARBAGE IN! GARBAGE OUT
Nov 30…DON’T ORDER A FUN HOUSE MIRROR!
Nov 28…A grand sense of otherness
Nov 25…GETTING SOMEWHERE AND FINDING OUT YOU DON’T WANT TO STAY
Nov 17…ARE YOU HAVING INSTALLATION PROBLEMS?
Nov 14…WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE BEST TWO WORDS IN YOUR VOCABULARY?
Nov 13…WHAT SHOULD YOU DO THAT ONE DAY YOU SHOULD HAVE DONE THAT NOW YOU CAN DO?
Have a friend visit my ONE A DAY YOUR SPIRITUAL VITAMINS site. Have them go to Google and where it says “Google Search” type in “Neil Spiritual Vitamins”
Or type in the URL http://oneadayyourspiritualvitamins.blogspot.com/
And, yes, if this site has met any of your needs share it with a friend. Just have them go to “Google Search” and type in “Wyrick’s Writings”
Or type in the URL http://wyrickswritings.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 10, 2009
TAKE TWO ASPIRIN AND PUNT
These thoughts are added to each Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday)
(Scroll down to read previous thoughts)
(Use in your personal or church newsletters)
A man once said to me, “The world has so many problems that if Moses came down from Mr. 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-airconditioned, smelly camel? I have, 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 million 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: recently 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)
SOME RECENT POSTINGS ON ONE A DAY YOUR SPIRITUAL VITAMINS
SOME RECENT TITLES
Dec 4…GARBAGE IN! GARBAGE OUT
Nov 30…DON’T ORDER A FUN HOUSE MIRROR!
Nov 28…A grand sense of otherness
Nov 25…GETTING SOMEWHERE AND FINDING OUT YOU DON’T WANT TO STAY
Nov 17…ARE YOU HAVING INSTALLATION PROBLEMS?
Nov 14…WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE BEST TWO WORDS IN YOUR VOCABULARY?
Nov 13…WHAT SHOULD YOU DO THAT ONE DAY YOU SHOULD HAVE DONE THAT NOW YOU CAN DO?
Have a friend visit my ONE A DAY YOUR SPIRITUAL VITAMINS site. Have them go to Google and where it says “Google Search” type in “Neil Spiritual Vitamins”
Or type in the URL http://oneadayyourspiritualvitamins.blogspot.com/
And, yes, if this site has met any of your needs share it with a friend. Just have them go to “Google Search” and type in “Wyrick’s Writings”
Or type in the URL http://wyrickswritings.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.
(Scroll down to read previous thoughts)
(Use in your personal or church newsletters)
A man once said to me, “The world has so many problems that if Moses came down from Mr. 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-airconditioned, smelly camel? I have, 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 million 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: recently 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)
SOME RECENT POSTINGS ON ONE A DAY YOUR SPIRITUAL VITAMINS
SOME RECENT TITLES
Dec 4…GARBAGE IN! GARBAGE OUT
Nov 30…DON’T ORDER A FUN HOUSE MIRROR!
Nov 28…A grand sense of otherness
Nov 25…GETTING SOMEWHERE AND FINDING OUT YOU DON’T WANT TO STAY
Nov 17…ARE YOU HAVING INSTALLATION PROBLEMS?
Nov 14…WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE BEST TWO WORDS IN YOUR VOCABULARY?
Nov 13…WHAT SHOULD YOU DO THAT ONE DAY YOU SHOULD HAVE DONE THAT NOW YOU CAN DO?
Have a friend visit my ONE A DAY YOUR SPIRITUAL VITAMINS site. Have them go to Google and where it says “Google Search” type in “Neil Spiritual Vitamins”
Or type in the URL http://oneadayyourspiritualvitamins.blogspot.com/
And, yes, if this site has met any of your needs share it with a friend. Just have them go to “Google Search” and type in “Wyrick’s Writings”
Or type in the URL http://wyrickswritings.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 9, 2009
HOW OFTEN DO YOU ALLOW SLUGGISH ASPIRATIONS TO CALL?
These thoughts are added to each Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday)
(Scroll down to read previous thoughts)
(Use in your personal or church newsletters)
Did you ever notice than an entire book in the Bible is called THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. Not the dreams of the Apostles. Not the sluggish aspirations of the Apostles. But the actions of the Apostles.
How near is your God? As close as you want Him to be.
In the book of Ezekiel I can read, “I was hot and indignant for the hands of the Eternal pressed hard upon me.”
In the book of Revelation I can read, “Because thou art lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spew thee out of my mouth.”
What have you written in your own private personal history book, that recording of all you have said and done? “I was on fire for the Lord.” “I was lukewarm.” “I was both.”
All of us, unfortunately, have been both.
There is a perfect admonition in the book of John. An antidote for spiritual laziness. It reads, “Let us not love in word, neither in tongue, but in deed and in truth.”
One day, the throne of God will be no more than a few last heartbeats away. One day, God will go over your books and check out how often you pulled Him toward you in prayer and how often you pushed Him away.
A loving, kind, gracious and forgiving God? Ah, yes.
A Lord who cried down from the cross, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” Ah, yes. Amen and amen.
But still “…until a man finds God and is found by God he begins at no beginning and works to no end. Is lost and after awhile doesn’t even know it.” (H. G. Wells)
SOME RECENT POSTINGS ON ONE A DAY YOUR SPIRITUAL VITAMINS
SOME RECENT TITLES
Dec 4…GARBAGE IN! GARBAGE OUT
Nov 30…DON’T ORDER A FUN HOUSE MIRROR!
Nov 28…A grand sense of otherness
Nov 25…GETTING SOMEWHERE AND FINDING OUT YOU DON’T WANT TO STAY
Nov 17…ARE YOU HAVING INSTALLATION PROBLEMS?
Nov 14…WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE BEST TWO WORDS IN YOUR VOCABULARY?
Nov 13…WHAT SHOULD YOU DO THAT ONE DAY YOU SHOULD HAVE DONE THAT NOW YOU CAN DO?
Have a friend visit my ONE A DAY YOUR SPIRITUAL VITAMINS site. Have them go to Google and where it says “Google Search” type in “Neil Spiritual Vitamins”
Or type in the URL http://oneadayyourspiritualvitamins.blogspot.com/
And, yes, if this site has met any of your needs share it with a friend. Just have them go to “Google Search” and type in “Wyrick’s Writings”
Or type in the URL http://wyrickswritings.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.
(Scroll down to read previous thoughts)
(Use in your personal or church newsletters)
Did you ever notice than an entire book in the Bible is called THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. Not the dreams of the Apostles. Not the sluggish aspirations of the Apostles. But the actions of the Apostles.
How near is your God? As close as you want Him to be.
In the book of Ezekiel I can read, “I was hot and indignant for the hands of the Eternal pressed hard upon me.”
In the book of Revelation I can read, “Because thou art lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spew thee out of my mouth.”
What have you written in your own private personal history book, that recording of all you have said and done? “I was on fire for the Lord.” “I was lukewarm.” “I was both.”
All of us, unfortunately, have been both.
There is a perfect admonition in the book of John. An antidote for spiritual laziness. It reads, “Let us not love in word, neither in tongue, but in deed and in truth.”
One day, the throne of God will be no more than a few last heartbeats away. One day, God will go over your books and check out how often you pulled Him toward you in prayer and how often you pushed Him away.
A loving, kind, gracious and forgiving God? Ah, yes.
A Lord who cried down from the cross, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” Ah, yes. Amen and amen.
But still “…until a man finds God and is found by God he begins at no beginning and works to no end. Is lost and after awhile doesn’t even know it.” (H. G. Wells)
SOME RECENT POSTINGS ON ONE A DAY YOUR SPIRITUAL VITAMINS
SOME RECENT TITLES
Dec 4…GARBAGE IN! GARBAGE OUT
Nov 30…DON’T ORDER A FUN HOUSE MIRROR!
Nov 28…A grand sense of otherness
Nov 25…GETTING SOMEWHERE AND FINDING OUT YOU DON’T WANT TO STAY
Nov 17…ARE YOU HAVING INSTALLATION PROBLEMS?
Nov 14…WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE BEST TWO WORDS IN YOUR VOCABULARY?
Nov 13…WHAT SHOULD YOU DO THAT ONE DAY YOU SHOULD HAVE DONE THAT NOW YOU CAN DO?
Have a friend visit my ONE A DAY YOUR SPIRITUAL VITAMINS site. Have them go to Google and where it says “Google Search” type in “Neil Spiritual Vitamins”
Or type in the URL http://oneadayyourspiritualvitamins.blogspot.com/
And, yes, if this site has met any of your needs share it with a friend. Just have them go to “Google Search” and type in “Wyrick’s Writings”
Or type in the URL http://wyrickswritings.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.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
WHERE IS GOD?
These thoughts are added to each Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday)
(Scroll down to read previous thoughts)
(Use in your personal or church newsletters)
Do you believe God is everywhere? If you had to answer me out loud you would definitely reply, “Of course, He’s every-where. That’s a dumb question”
But it isn’t a dumb question because to really believe it, is to act like it. Or try a little harder to act like it. Or at least to emphasize to your psyche a little more that the eyes of God are always open to what you say and do and are.
That He is as fully aware when you are generous as when you are a cheat; when you tell the truth and when you lie; when you sin and when you are sinless.
You see it really is one thing to say God is everywhere and quite another to apply that belief to an everyday pattern of living.
Let’s put it this way. It is one thing to mouth that God can save you, and quite another to accept the fact He thinks you are worth saving.
Think about it. He has gone to a great deal of trouble trying to help us get it right.
Moses and the 10 Commandments. Jesus and His two magnificent additions. And parable after parable after parable to clarify because we can be so pigheaded, proud and sometimes just plain dumb.
Oh, we try. We human beings, soul-hungry, really do try. And we are not unaware.
Remember the first scripture in your life that spoke to you with meaning.
The first time commitment sat on your heart like a living thing.
The first time Christ became more than just a word and instead a living Incarnation.
The first time you renewed... your strength... and rose up like an eagle.
And if none of these things have yet happened to you, persist, don't give up and they surely will.
SOME RECENT POSTINGS ON ONE A DAY YOUR SPIRITUAL VITAMINS
SOME RECENT TITLES
Dec 4…GARBAGE IN! GARBAGE OUT
Nov 30…DON’T ORDER A FUN HOUSE MIRROR!
Nov 28…A grand sense of otherness
Nov 25…GETTING SOMEWHERE AND FINDING OUT YOU DON’T WANT TO STAY
Nov 17…ARE YOU HAVING INSTALLATION PROBLEMS?
Nov 14…WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE BEST TWO WORDS IN YOUR VOCABULARY?
Nov 13…WHAT SHOULD YOU DO THAT ONE DAY YOU SHOULD HAVE DONE THAT NOW YOU CAN DO?
Have a friend visit my ONE A DAY YOUR SPIRITUAL VITAMINS site. Have them go to Google and where it says “Google Search” type in NEIL SPIRITUAL VITAMINS
Or type in the URL http://oneadayyourspiritualvitamins.blogspot.com/
And, yes, if this site has met any of your needs share it with a friend. Just have them go to “Google Search” and type in WYRICK'S WRITINGS
Or type in the URL http://wyrickswritings.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.
(Scroll down to read previous thoughts)
(Use in your personal or church newsletters)
Do you believe God is everywhere? If you had to answer me out loud you would definitely reply, “Of course, He’s every-where. That’s a dumb question”
But it isn’t a dumb question because to really believe it, is to act like it. Or try a little harder to act like it. Or at least to emphasize to your psyche a little more that the eyes of God are always open to what you say and do and are.
That He is as fully aware when you are generous as when you are a cheat; when you tell the truth and when you lie; when you sin and when you are sinless.
You see it really is one thing to say God is everywhere and quite another to apply that belief to an everyday pattern of living.
Let’s put it this way. It is one thing to mouth that God can save you, and quite another to accept the fact He thinks you are worth saving.
Think about it. He has gone to a great deal of trouble trying to help us get it right.
Moses and the 10 Commandments. Jesus and His two magnificent additions. And parable after parable after parable to clarify because we can be so pigheaded, proud and sometimes just plain dumb.
Oh, we try. We human beings, soul-hungry, really do try. And we are not unaware.
Remember the first scripture in your life that spoke to you with meaning.
The first time commitment sat on your heart like a living thing.
The first time Christ became more than just a word and instead a living Incarnation.
The first time you renewed... your strength... and rose up like an eagle.
And if none of these things have yet happened to you, persist, don't give up and they surely will.
SOME RECENT POSTINGS ON ONE A DAY YOUR SPIRITUAL VITAMINS
SOME RECENT TITLES
Dec 4…GARBAGE IN! GARBAGE OUT
Nov 30…DON’T ORDER A FUN HOUSE MIRROR!
Nov 28…A grand sense of otherness
Nov 25…GETTING SOMEWHERE AND FINDING OUT YOU DON’T WANT TO STAY
Nov 17…ARE YOU HAVING INSTALLATION PROBLEMS?
Nov 14…WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE BEST TWO WORDS IN YOUR VOCABULARY?
Nov 13…WHAT SHOULD YOU DO THAT ONE DAY YOU SHOULD HAVE DONE THAT NOW YOU CAN DO?
Have a friend visit my ONE A DAY YOUR SPIRITUAL VITAMINS site. Have them go to Google and where it says “Google Search” type in NEIL SPIRITUAL VITAMINS
Or type in the URL http://oneadayyourspiritualvitamins.blogspot.com/
And, yes, if this site has met any of your needs share it with a friend. Just have them go to “Google Search” and type in WYRICK'S WRITINGS
Or type in the URL http://wyrickswritings.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
GOD HAD A DREAM
These thoughts are added to each Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday)
(Scroll down to read previous thoughts)
(Use in your personal or church newsletters)
Once, more eons ago than any of us can imagine, God had a dream – about a big, wide, wonderful universe with a tiny blue planet in the midst of it all. How it would be called earth and covered with all manner of green and growing things, and then he would create life.
And His dream began with the words, In the beginning… and it was to be the opening of the Book of Genesis. But then He got to thinking about it, how six days of constant creation would be down right wearying. So he killed His dream and it never happened.
But it didn’t happen that way - God and a dream dead in the water - did it?
Once upon a time, over 2,000 years ago, God had another dream. “I’m going to send my Son to earth to save mankind. I’m going to have a host of angels light up the sky to announce His birth. Then I’m going to have Jesus, for this shall be His name, preach and teach in a manner different than ever heard before and offer salvation. And then there is going to be a death on a cross, so there can be a resurrection and a promise of immortality-- ”
But then God got to thinking about it and decided He was having delusions of grandeur. So instead of Salvation He thought small and did nothing at all. But it didn’t happen that way - God and a dream dead in the water - did it?
How often do you kill one of your dreams without letting it march toward becoming a deed? Utter the defeatist’s mantra, “It can’t be done! You’re expecting too much!” How much time do you spend paralyzed by paranoia? Are you guilty of refusing to even talk about positive thinking, let alone believe in it? How much do you really believe in God’s power?
Remember Joshua, successor to Moses, survivor of forty years of wandering in the wilderness. Weary and worried, more than willing to forget the whole thing, but God sitting him up straight with the words, Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:9)
SOME RECENT POSTINGS ON ONE A DAY YOUR SPIRITUAL VITAMINS
SOME RECENT TITLES
Nov 30…DON’T ORDER A FUN HOUSE MIRROR!
Nov 28…A grand sense of otherness
Nov 25…GETTING SOMEWHERE AND FINDING OUT YOU DON’T WANT TO STAY
Nov 17…ARE YOU HAVING INSTALLATION PROBLEMS?
Nov 14…WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE BEST TWO WORDS IN YOUR VOCABULARY?
Nov 13…WHAT SHOULD YOU DO THAT ONE DAY YOU SHOULD HAVE DONE THAT NOW YOU CAN DO?
Have a friend visit my ONE A DAY YOUR SPIRITUAL VITAMINS site. Have them go to Google and where it says “Google Search” type in “Neil Spiritual Vitamins”
Or type in the URL http://oneadayyourspiritualvitamins.blogspot.com/
And, yes, if this site has met any of your needs share it with a friend. Just have them go to “Google Search” and type in “Wyrick’s Writings”
Or type in the URL http://wyrickswritings.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.
(Scroll down to read previous thoughts)
(Use in your personal or church newsletters)
Once, more eons ago than any of us can imagine, God had a dream – about a big, wide, wonderful universe with a tiny blue planet in the midst of it all. How it would be called earth and covered with all manner of green and growing things, and then he would create life.
And His dream began with the words, In the beginning… and it was to be the opening of the Book of Genesis. But then He got to thinking about it, how six days of constant creation would be down right wearying. So he killed His dream and it never happened.
But it didn’t happen that way - God and a dream dead in the water - did it?
Once upon a time, over 2,000 years ago, God had another dream. “I’m going to send my Son to earth to save mankind. I’m going to have a host of angels light up the sky to announce His birth. Then I’m going to have Jesus, for this shall be His name, preach and teach in a manner different than ever heard before and offer salvation. And then there is going to be a death on a cross, so there can be a resurrection and a promise of immortality-- ”
But then God got to thinking about it and decided He was having delusions of grandeur. So instead of Salvation He thought small and did nothing at all. But it didn’t happen that way - God and a dream dead in the water - did it?
How often do you kill one of your dreams without letting it march toward becoming a deed? Utter the defeatist’s mantra, “It can’t be done! You’re expecting too much!” How much time do you spend paralyzed by paranoia? Are you guilty of refusing to even talk about positive thinking, let alone believe in it? How much do you really believe in God’s power?
Remember Joshua, successor to Moses, survivor of forty years of wandering in the wilderness. Weary and worried, more than willing to forget the whole thing, but God sitting him up straight with the words, Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:9)
SOME RECENT POSTINGS ON ONE A DAY YOUR SPIRITUAL VITAMINS
SOME RECENT TITLES
Nov 30…DON’T ORDER A FUN HOUSE MIRROR!
Nov 28…A grand sense of otherness
Nov 25…GETTING SOMEWHERE AND FINDING OUT YOU DON’T WANT TO STAY
Nov 17…ARE YOU HAVING INSTALLATION PROBLEMS?
Nov 14…WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE BEST TWO WORDS IN YOUR VOCABULARY?
Nov 13…WHAT SHOULD YOU DO THAT ONE DAY YOU SHOULD HAVE DONE THAT NOW YOU CAN DO?
Have a friend visit my ONE A DAY YOUR SPIRITUAL VITAMINS site. Have them go to Google and where it says “Google Search” type in “Neil Spiritual Vitamins”
Or type in the URL http://oneadayyourspiritualvitamins.blogspot.com/
And, yes, if this site has met any of your needs share it with a friend. Just have them go to “Google Search” and type in “Wyrick’s Writings”
Or type in the URL http://wyrickswritings.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
THE SCRET POWER OF THE SECOND MILE
These thoughts are added to each Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday)
(Scroll down to read previous thoughts)
(Use in your personal or church newsletters)
Complaining is as old as Biblical times.
“That’s just not the way it ought to be,” complained John and his brother James, or words to that effect. It was just too much for these Sons of Thunder to see Christ treated with such disrespect by some of those to whom He preached.
The 13th chapter of 1st Corinthians hadn’t been written yet, but if it had been you can be sure that some of the Disciples would have found fault with it.
Especially Peter when he lost his temper. Or others, like Thomas, always complained because He couldn’t be an earthly king.
And Judas, treasurer for the disciples, complaining about how the money was being spent. And I don’t know, but maybe Jesus just sighed a deep sigh and went on doing what had to be done.
Then, of course, there was Moses leading his people to the Promised Land. Free buffet along the way with manna from heaven, a promise of a Promised Land just ahead - who could ask for anything more? They could. And they did. Just kept on complaining.
I’ll admit that 40 years is a long time to wander and that they were maybe justified in saying, “What have you done for me lately,” but then complainers are seldom patient.
Two groups of mothers in different cities were once asked what was the most important thing a child needed to succeed academically. One group most often replied, “Ability.” The other group answered, “Effort.”
To find success, as a child or adult, in the act of living - wherever it is needed - it is important to have both.
To make enough effort that ability will take care of itself.
And to embrace choice rather than chance.
To go to the Lord, who I believe we will all agree is the expert on soul management, and say “Lord, I need some help with my complaining soul.”
The man of faith says, “I see war and its mutilation. It sickens and saddens me, but then I am reminded that creation is more than body.”
The man of faith says, “I see the crude, the cruel and the crass and still I believe in the ultimate decency of man.”
The man of faith says, “I believe that people change and are saved and that wounds are healed and that the impossible takes just a little longer than the improbable.”
Complaining wears one down. It is the ultimate cause of extreme weariness. It certainly is no friend.
Would you be filled with more happiness than sorrow…then remember the old cliché’, “Life is a grindstone. It either grinds a man down or polishes him up. It depends on the stuff he is made of.”
I have some questions for you to ask of yourself. Not your neighbor or friends or even strangers, but of yourself.
1. When you get up in the morning, are you satisfied with the day before you and the attitude you are going to carry around with you?
2. Do you look with any regrets at yesterday?
3. Is the way you have been living and talking and thinking a plus for history or a minus?
4. How is the individual called “You” affecting your family, your business, your church? Negatively or positively?
5. In other words, is the world a better place or a worse place because of you?
Paul Lawrence Dunbar put it this way (a slight rewrite) -
The Lord had a job for me, but I had too much complaining to do;
So I said, “You get somebody else, or wait till I get through.”
I don’t know how, before I was born, the Lord did without my complaining,
I guess He got along,
But gosh, I only complain because others are so very weak, and because I am so very strong.
Yes, as you may have guessed, one day I needed the Lord myself, needed Him right away,
And when He didn’t answer me – no problem - I knew exactly what to say.
I started out complaining… it was what I do the best.
I knew some places I might fail, but here I’d pass the test.
SOME RECENT POSTINGS ON ONE A DAY YOUR SPIRITUAL VITAMINS
SOME RECENT TITLES
Nov 30…DON’T ORDER A FUN HOUSE MIRROR!
Nov 28…A grand sense of otherness
Nov 25…GETTING SOMEWHERE AND FINDING OUT YOU DON’T WANT TO STAY
Nov 17…ARE YOU HAVING INSTALLATION PROBLEMS?
Nov 14…WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE BEST TWO WORDS IN YOUR VOCABULARY?
Nov 13…WHAT SHOULD YOU DO THAT ONE DAY YOU SHOULD HAVE DONE THAT NOW YOU CAN DO?
Have a friend visit my ONE A DAY YOUR SPIRITUAL VITAMINS site. Have them go to Google and where it says “Google Search” type in “Neil Spiritual Vitamins”
Or type in the URL http://oneadayyourspiritualvitamins.blogspot.com/
And, yes, if this site has met any of your needs share it with a friend. Just have them go to “Google Search” and type in “Wyrick’s Writings”
Or type in the URL http://wyrickswritings.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.
(Scroll down to read previous thoughts)
(Use in your personal or church newsletters)
Complaining is as old as Biblical times.
“That’s just not the way it ought to be,” complained John and his brother James, or words to that effect. It was just too much for these Sons of Thunder to see Christ treated with such disrespect by some of those to whom He preached.
The 13th chapter of 1st Corinthians hadn’t been written yet, but if it had been you can be sure that some of the Disciples would have found fault with it.
Especially Peter when he lost his temper. Or others, like Thomas, always complained because He couldn’t be an earthly king.
And Judas, treasurer for the disciples, complaining about how the money was being spent. And I don’t know, but maybe Jesus just sighed a deep sigh and went on doing what had to be done.
Then, of course, there was Moses leading his people to the Promised Land. Free buffet along the way with manna from heaven, a promise of a Promised Land just ahead - who could ask for anything more? They could. And they did. Just kept on complaining.
I’ll admit that 40 years is a long time to wander and that they were maybe justified in saying, “What have you done for me lately,” but then complainers are seldom patient.
Two groups of mothers in different cities were once asked what was the most important thing a child needed to succeed academically. One group most often replied, “Ability.” The other group answered, “Effort.”
To find success, as a child or adult, in the act of living - wherever it is needed - it is important to have both.
To make enough effort that ability will take care of itself.
And to embrace choice rather than chance.
To go to the Lord, who I believe we will all agree is the expert on soul management, and say “Lord, I need some help with my complaining soul.”
The man of faith says, “I see war and its mutilation. It sickens and saddens me, but then I am reminded that creation is more than body.”
The man of faith says, “I see the crude, the cruel and the crass and still I believe in the ultimate decency of man.”
The man of faith says, “I believe that people change and are saved and that wounds are healed and that the impossible takes just a little longer than the improbable.”
Complaining wears one down. It is the ultimate cause of extreme weariness. It certainly is no friend.
Would you be filled with more happiness than sorrow…then remember the old cliché’, “Life is a grindstone. It either grinds a man down or polishes him up. It depends on the stuff he is made of.”
I have some questions for you to ask of yourself. Not your neighbor or friends or even strangers, but of yourself.
1. When you get up in the morning, are you satisfied with the day before you and the attitude you are going to carry around with you?
2. Do you look with any regrets at yesterday?
3. Is the way you have been living and talking and thinking a plus for history or a minus?
4. How is the individual called “You” affecting your family, your business, your church? Negatively or positively?
5. In other words, is the world a better place or a worse place because of you?
Paul Lawrence Dunbar put it this way (a slight rewrite) -
The Lord had a job for me, but I had too much complaining to do;
So I said, “You get somebody else, or wait till I get through.”
I don’t know how, before I was born, the Lord did without my complaining,
I guess He got along,
But gosh, I only complain because others are so very weak, and because I am so very strong.
Yes, as you may have guessed, one day I needed the Lord myself, needed Him right away,
And when He didn’t answer me – no problem - I knew exactly what to say.
I started out complaining… it was what I do the best.
I knew some places I might fail, but here I’d pass the test.
SOME RECENT POSTINGS ON ONE A DAY YOUR SPIRITUAL VITAMINS
SOME RECENT TITLES
Nov 30…DON’T ORDER A FUN HOUSE MIRROR!
Nov 28…A grand sense of otherness
Nov 25…GETTING SOMEWHERE AND FINDING OUT YOU DON’T WANT TO STAY
Nov 17…ARE YOU HAVING INSTALLATION PROBLEMS?
Nov 14…WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE BEST TWO WORDS IN YOUR VOCABULARY?
Nov 13…WHAT SHOULD YOU DO THAT ONE DAY YOU SHOULD HAVE DONE THAT NOW YOU CAN DO?
Have a friend visit my ONE A DAY YOUR SPIRITUAL VITAMINS site. Have them go to Google and where it says “Google Search” type in “Neil Spiritual Vitamins”
Or type in the URL http://oneadayyourspiritualvitamins.blogspot.com/
And, yes, if this site has met any of your needs share it with a friend. Just have them go to “Google Search” and type in “Wyrick’s Writings”
Or type in the URL http://wyrickswritings.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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