CHRISTIAN CHARACTER (A Continuation)

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John Wesley, the 18th century English evangelist who is credited with starting the Methodist Church, traveled an average of 20 miles a day for 40 years.

He got up every morning at 4:00.

He preached 40,000 sermons.

He produced 400 books and knew 10 languages.

At the age of 83, he was annoyed because he couldn’t write more than 15 hours a day without hurting his eyes, and at the age of 86, he was ashamed that he couldn’t preach more than twice a day.  He complained in his diary that he had an increasing tendency to lay in bed until 5:30 in the morning.

       According to the Book of Numbers, 600,000 men were led out of slavery in Egypt that they might be led to the Promised Land.  Including women and children, the total number of Israelites was around 2 million.  But, how many “finished the race and claimed the prize?” How many adults actually entered into and reaped God’s blessings in the Promised Land? 

Two! - Joshua and Caleb.
What happened to the rest?  The Bible tells us they were disqualified due to their sins – choosing to follow ways other than God’s ways, to rely on powers other than His Might, to worship idols rather than the Holy One.

What happened to those who were disqualified?  They all died, never seeing or tasting God's greatest blessings!

       It still happens all the time...and we are a long ways removed from Moses time.

Disqualification from the peace and power of the Lord because of no self discipline.

       If someone were to ask us to think of some men and women who practiced the characteristics of Christian character it is quite likely we would simultaneously think of some of the same people.

The honesty of George Washington who it is claimed confessed to the chopping down of a cherry tree. And young Abraham Lincoln who once walked miles to return a few pennies to a woman he had mistakenly overcharged.

The compassion of Jane Addams, the founder of Hull House.

The courage of Nathan Hale, who regretted he had but one life to give for his country.

Did any of us think of each other?  Is the Christian character of any of us so strong that our name automatically shot to the top of the list?

       A little girl overheard her wealthy father praying for a destitute neighbor.  When the prayer was over the daughter asked, "Daddy, why trouble God with that?

You can give our neighbor what he needs."

Prayer is certainly important, but think how often we are so busy praying for our neighbor we don't take the time to do something about our neighbors problem ourselves. 

People of Christian character DO GOOD things.  They do it when it is convenient.  They do it when it is inconvenient.  They do it when they want to do it.  They do it when it is the last thing they want to do.

When it comes to having a moral, Christian code and living by it, do you want to be just average?  Do you want your guiding word to be "sometimes?"

Don't do that to yourself.  Instead create a person of spiritual and moral discipline.  Live tall and sun crowned above the crowd. Allow Christian character to be your new middle name

(to be continued).

 

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OTHER BOOKS BY REV. WYRICK 

Poor Richard's Almanack for the 20th Century

Sixty Plus and Not Holding

Boundaries Unlimited

I Am

The ABC"s of Parenting and Grandparenting

Letters to America

 

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HOW TO LESSEN ANXIETY

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"No man can serve two masters." (Matthew 6:24) I’m sure you've heard that scripture often enough.  Perhaps so often, it has become one of those truths that has lost a lot of its ability to start you in the right direction.

In short, divided loyalty doesn't produce stabilized sanity.  You see, if an individual sings, "What a friend we have in Jesus" and his or her best friend is a bank account, or political or corporate or family power, or some particular sin addicted to, then this is more than trying to serve two masters, this is putting one's faith second or third in line.  And that spells Trouble with a capital T.  The kind of Trouble that can only come from turning to a shaky faith when we are in deed in trouble.

So let's get our priorities straight:  money is for our wallet; power is for our ego, the Holy Spirit is for our soul. Get that proportion and destination mixed up and you are in for a lot of inner conflict. 

Anxiety out of proportion makes us become like a centipede trying to put his best foot forward.

Consider the first commandment God gave to Moses: "You shall have no other gods before Me" (Exodus 20:3, Deut. 5:7).  In other words, we should trust God alone.  And certainly not fall victim to claiming we are the Master of our fate or the Captain of our Soul.

Let me paint a mental picture for you of the kind of fidelity I am really talking about; a mental picture that hopefully will make you really stop and think.

The fidelity you feel toward your Lord, does it equal that of a dog toward his Master? That's right.  Unwavering.  Steady as a rock.  Unbounded enthusiasm and faith.  An ongoing commitment to a fidelity of head and heart.

Indeed, imagine your life being one so dedicated to God that when you die there is engraved on your gravestone:

Here lies a Christian who never wavered in his faithfulness to God

       A realization that one may stumble and even fall, but this only for a brief moment as one rises to continue on.

The Bible says in Proverbs 3:5-6,

Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.

There is the beginning, the bedrock basis, of being better able to handle your anxieties.  Lean on the Lord as you work and pray toward not walking crooked paths.

 

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          "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.)                                              

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BELOW...ON... ONE A DAY, YOUR SPIRITUAL VITAMINS BLOG....RECENT POSTINGS

“WHICH IS BETTER TO BE?  A WINDOW OR A DOOR” ” “BE A RAINBOW SEARCHER AND FINDER” “IS YOUR SENSE OF HUMOR STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION?

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ACCOUNTABILITY (Continuation of Series)

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At what age did we become accountable?  How many years have we had to work on it? 

Jesus was 12 when we stood in the temple at Passover time and began to ask accountability questions.  So most of us here this morning have had a lot of opportunities to live responsible lives.

Speaking of accountability, did you know that Teddy Kollek, the mayor of Jerusalem has his home phone number is listed in the telephone directory so that any one in the city can call him at any time.

“It gives the people a good feeling to know that when they can’t get through to the bureaucracy they can call me.”  The temperamental Kollek has been known to slam down the telephone when in his office but he never hangs up when someone calls him at his home.

A case in point.  A young man had hit a pot hole and the accident injured both the young man and his motor scooter.  When he called it was quite late and the young man apologized for calling so late but as he said, “If I didn’t call you now when I’m angry, I know I won’t call tomorrow.  And if I did I wouldn’t get you in your office.”

Kollek good-naturedly took down the location of the pothole and, the next morning, ordered the highway department to fix it.

Not many mayors have done this or will do this.  Few of us, mayor or not, are willing to take accountability this far.  But think what kind of a world it would be if we did.

There are certain things we must do to reach a point where we accept the fact we are accountable to our God and our fellowman for our actions.

We must become vulnerable, that is to say we must forgo excuses and face facts whether they are good, bad or indifferent.

We have to become teachable, whether it is from the Bible, from a friend, from our own conscience, from an answer to a prayer, “Lord, guide me in the right paths.”

We must work toward being available for change at all times.  We can’t just become better when the mood strikes us.

We must be honest with ourselves even if the truth hurts.

What will stop us from doing this?

Proverbs gives an answer,  Prov 13:10) “Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.”

(Prov 13:18) He who ignores discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored.

Prov 13:20) He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.

So to you and to me I say do it.  Buy into the truth that we are all accountable to each other and to our God to be the best kind of person we can.

Because…

When I know I can count on you, in our relationship, can trust you and know that we are truly brothers and sisters in Christ, then I have a gift beyond compare.

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

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CHRISTIAN CHARACTER

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          There are over 900 stories and commentaries on this blog. It is added to daily.

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Tomorrow will you be the same person of character at work as you were when you went to church?

A question?  How many followed the crowd to Golgotha only because that is where the crowd was going?  I guess what I am saying is your character more than cosmetics.

          As I drove up through a five story parking garage this last week, I looked at all the tonnage parked there: one heavy car after the other, and considered the integrity of the building. Was it safe?  Why?  Well, though it looked good on the outside, the architectural steel that held it together could not be seen, so how was I to know that it is actually safe? 

I had to rely on the integrity of the construction company, and the inspectors, and all the rest of the people responsible for the building’s integrity...

But some buildings in this world are poorly built and the infrastructure cannot be trusted.  There is no integrity in the building or the builders and the inspectors are bribed.  And one day, for little or no reason, such buildings begin to disintegrate.  Or in case of earthquakes and such, they totally crumble. 

          So what does this have to do with your Christian character?  Well, how is your emotional and spiritual infrastructure?  That which cannot be seen from the outside?  Has your integrity been compromised for a dozen different reasons?

You look good on the outside and I hope and pray you are largely good on the inside, too (no one is perfect) and therefore with no fear of collapse.  But what if the crowd around you keeps saying "Don’t be a sucker?  Everyone does it."...whatever "it" is?  How strong are your hidden heart attitudes?  What does your spiritual architectural blue print look like?

          John Wooden, former basketball coach for the UCLA Bruins often said, "Be more concerned with your character than with your reputation.  Your character is what you really are while your reputation is merely what others think you are."

As you consider with me this morn the subject of Christian character, just remember

Fame is a vapor,
Popularity an accident.
Riches take wings.
Only one thing endures,
Character.

          Benjamin Franklin was committed to making himself a better person, so much so that he carried around a little book with a list of 13 virtues that he wanted to incorporate into his life.  And each day he would concentrate on a different virtue.

          Willie Nelson apparently at one time owned a golf course.  He said the great thing about owning a golf course was that he could decide what was par for each hole.  He pointed at one hole and said, "See that hole there? It’s a par 47.  Yesterday I birdied it."

 

          A question?  If life were a golf course are you busy turning bogies into birdies; poor games into championship games by just rewriting how you keep the score rather than reworking how you are really playing the game?

          "Only the disciplined ever get really good at anything."  And certainly that is true of the game of life.  A case in point.  One man said to another man seated by him in church, "I’d give my life to know the Bible as well as you do."  To which the other man replied, "That’s what it has taken."

 

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

        

http://www.speakerneil.com/

        

 DO YOU HAVE A HISTORY BUFF IN YOUR FAMILY?...Why not give THIS HIGHLY ACCLAIMED  BOOK 

 

        To buy Neil's 9th book THE SPIRITUAL ABRAHAM LINCOLN or other of his books click on the following

 

http://www.magnuspress.com/

 

OR GO TO AMAZON.COM

 

       AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM and amazon.com Kindle

OTHER BOOKS BY REV. WYRICK

 

Poor Richard's Almanack for the 20th Century

Sixty Plus and Not Holding

Boundaries Unlimited

I Am

The ABC"s of Parenting and Grandparenting

Letters to America

 

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

 

     

HOW TO LESSEN ANXIETY

If you want to share this blog with a friend go to the bottom of day’s content and click on TELL A FRIEND

          There are over 900 stories and commentaries on Neil’s other blog One A Day, Your Spiritual Vitamins. It is added to daily.

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Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Phillipians 4:6-7

I am aware that there are hormonal and chemical reasons for some people's anxieties, and I definitely believe they should avail themselves of proper medicines that give relief.  Still, for the most of us, we need to turn to the great heavenly physician more often.  That will allow our anxieties to heal rather than keep hurting us.                  .

One church sign put it well. It read, "If your knees are knocking, kneel on them."

Case in point: Thursday when I finished this sermon– it was as always a good feeling.  But I have a new computer with a new program, Windows 7 which for a brief time I was prepared to call Wall 8.  You see, I am not completely comfortable with it yet and I had managed to hit a wrong key and, I thought, lost the whole thing.  I hadn’t, the machine had only hidden the sermon.  But for a little while I was like Donald. (remember him from last Thursday)

And I didn't just make a mountain out of a molehill.  I started planting trees.  I forgot a rather basic truth... keep things in proportion.  I prayed about it and Christ and common sense came charging in to slow my anxiety down...and I found my sermon.

The world really didn't come to an end, but for a bit I fed foolishness and frustration, and anxiety had a meal called me. 

It's an old joke, I went to the doctor and I said, “Doc, when I do this, it hurts.” And the doctor said, “Then don't do that.”

How many things have you been anxious about that were things which you knew before you got into them were probably going to create some problems for you?  And if you asked your doctor, or your minister, or common sense and your God, all of them would have said, “Don’t to that.”  But you made the choice to get into them anyway.  Some sins...some stupid decisions you know are stupid decisions... but you haven’t learned from your past mistakes, and you’ve kept on filling up the present with more such stupid decisions and actions. 

And if you don’t change your habits, you’ll fill up your future, too.

(to be continued)

 

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GO TO ONE A DAY YOUR SPIRUTAL VITAMINS...Neil's other blog...over 900 stories and comments...

 

click on the URL below

                       

 http://wyrickswritings.blogspot.com

 

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

 

GO TO AMAZON.COM TO BUY NEIL WYRICK'S THE SPIRITUAL ABRAHAM LINCOLN...still receiving RAVE REVIEWS 8 years after it's publication.

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

 

          "Wyrick has authored a wonderful examination of the spirituality of one of American history's most devoutly religious leaders...a pleasant and readable book that has a rich depth of information.  (Maynard Pittendreigh, Presbyterian Minister)

 

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

                                            

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

 

CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING

 

http://www.speakerneil.com/

ACCOUNTABILITY (Continuation)

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

        GO TO NEIL’S OTHER BLOG ONE A DAY, YOUR SPIRITUAL VITAMINS and read the following brain teasers.  CLICK ON URL BELOW There are over 900 stories and commentaries on this blog. It is added to daily.

http://oneadayyourspiritualvitamins.blogspot.com/
 

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      Rom 14:11-12

¹¹ It is written: “As surely as I live,” says the Lord,
”every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.”^[b]

 ¹² So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.

 I owe it to my Christian faith, and my Lord who is the center of this faith, to remember that no man is an island unto himself; so that your joy is my joy and your sorrow is my sorrow and I am held accountable if I fail to remember that.

       Therefore...any church must be must be a community of accountability. It behooves to learn from each other’s example and each of us to remember we are accountable to give the best example of what a Christian should be and act…the best we can.  And if we don’t we must be held accountable.

       It isn’t easy.  To buy into the community of accountability we have to realize that like bikers we are divided into two categories.  Those who have fallen and those who will fall for None of us are perfect.

       W have to care about people and care about making this a better world and the way to do it is to accept the fact that we must hold ourselves accountability when things start going from bad to worse.

       Think on this, some philosopher of old wrote it and it endures because there is so much truth in it… every right implies a responsibility; every opportunity, an obligation; every possession, a duty.

       And then we, always looking for an excuse are like the little girl in the following story.  It was the father’s birthday and as they drove the kids were acting up.  “Kids. it’s my birthday and if you would behave I would consider it a wonderful birthday present.”

“Sorry dad, came back the reply from one six year old, “I already got you another present.”

       Kind of like us when in a sense we say ”God, I’ve already acted with responsibility once today.  Twice in one day may be asking too much.”

       It’s not that we don’t know that a great part of being a practicing Christian is to accept our accountability for how we act, what we do, what we say.  It is just that we don’t like to be reminded of it.