GEORGE WANNAMAKER TEACHINGS AND WRITINGS---TREASURES OF WISDOM
George Wannamaker is a 83 years young, retired Methodist Minister, residing in the Atlanta-Marietta District after 49 years of ministry in Churches across the North Georgia Conference. He retired in 1992, he and his wonderful wife Mary live in Marietta, GA. "Retired" is an oxymoron as he is very, very active in the Church and in life. I am fortunate and blessed to have he and Mary as neighbors and friends.
Mary is a retired school teacher, which is also an oxymoron as she is in great demand as a substitute teacher and she and George also teach devotionals and Sunday School lessons to retirement centers in the Marietta Area.
Drop by each month for his latest teachings. Thank you. RCH
Click On thumbnails to enlarge first three photos of George
GEORGE RUNS THE JULY 4TH ANNUAL PEACHTREE ROAD RACE
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great
a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so
easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set
before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who
for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the
shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:1-2
But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. Acts 20:24
He also presents programs to various church and community groups. Topics include, "The Bible and
Three Great Poets," "Faith and Exercise" and "A Christian Mind Today" and "The Christian Funny bone."
Of these sermons and programs, George says "I believe that this has come from God."
George and Mary's phone is 770-425-6641. His e-mail is gwannamaker1@bellsouth.net
July 2008
WE ARE "FEARFULLY
AND WONDERFULLY MADE"
George Wannamaker, Retired but Active United Methodist Minister
"I praise you, (O God), for I am fearfully and wonderfully made."
Psalm 139:14
The psalmist, writing over 2,500 years ago, long before the marvels
of modern medicine, had appreciation for the intricate way he was
made. It is a very healthy outlook that can help us today.
Our body is a miracle. It is astounding how the brain is coordinated
with the eyes, the ears, and the nerves. Cardiologists tell us that
there is an electrical current from the brain to the heart,
controlling its rhythm. The body also has an elaborate chemical
system.
The parts of the body do not wear out like parts of an automobile.
Through an amazing system, the bones are strengthened by activity. I
praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
God is the Creator of all. He is also in all. The ultimate
revelation of God's ways are in the Incarnation of Jesus Christ. In
a different way, God is also transcendent in our lives and in our
bodies.
In automobiles a red light shines if we do not fasten our seat belt.
If our conscience is healthy, when we do, say or think something
inconsistent with the nature of God, who is love, we do not feel
right. If we do something right, there is large green light. We feel
right no matter what happens.
The famous evangelist, Dwight L. Moody, was a chaplain in the Civil
War. A wounded soldier asked, "Help me to die." Moody read some
scriptures, but this did not seem to help. Then he spoke of
Nicodemus being born from above and everlasting life. The soldier's
heart rejoiced in this and he died in peace. The soul and the body
are not separate, but a unit. Physical death cannot change that, but
in death the unity becomes stronger.
"Mad" Anthony Wayne, an American Revolutionary general, always chose
the post of great danger in battle. His boldness gained him
affection and respect among his fellow soldiers, and officers.
He reportedly told George Washington, "General, I'll storm hell if
you lay the plans." We must storm hell today as we praise God for
fearfully and wonderfully making us. Today, we must storm the
hellacious ways of hatred, stereotyping, pride, greed and violence.
God made us to respond to beauty. William Wordsworth, the great
nature poet, lived in a world of cold, scientific research. In
contrast to that, he wrote, "The Rainbow,"
My heart leaps up when I behold A Rainbow in the sky; So it was when
my life began So it will be when I grow old, Or let me die!
Thank God that he made us with the capacity to appreciate beauty in
nature, music, history, the lives of others and in our own life." I
praise you, O God for I am fearfully and wonderfully made."
What a tragedy that some young people turn instead to illegal drugs,
bringing negative living, often prison or even death.
And how tragic it is that some older people cave into the myth that
inactivity preserves the body. It surely does not!
It is redemptive, instructive and exhilarating to think of how all
people are fearfully and wonderfully made. Friends and foes have the
same need to breathe, the same hunger, the same physical and
emotional pains, the same joys when they do night.
What a wonderful life this is! And how solid and joyful it is when
we, like the great psalmist, praise God for being fearfully and
wonderfully made!
June2008
HAPPY FATHER’S DAY TO ALL FATHERS AND THEIR FAMILIES!
“TILL THERE WAS YOU”
George Wannamaker, United Methodist Minister
Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed to him but a few days because of the love he had for her. (Genesis 29:20)
When Jacob met Rachel at the well where sheep were being watered, he knew she was the one. He joyfully worked for her father, Laban, for fourteen years, so that she would be his.
In the famous Broadway musical, “The Music Man,” Jacob would have recognized himself. Jacob who swindled his brother Esau out of his father’s blessing and his birthright, was under a death threat. The music man was also a rogue.
Professor Harold Hill skillfully inspired and excited a small town with visions of a fine band with good instruments and colorful uniforms. He planned to collect money and leave on the night train.
The unexpected happened. He fell in love with Marian, the librarian and piano teacher, but soon he is exposed as a crook. The townspeople condemn him. Marian had fallen in love with him, but he tells her he is unworthy.
Standing together with the music man, (played by Robert Preston), Marian, (Played by Barbara Cook), sings so beautifully of the inspiration and joy he has brought to her life;
There were bells on the hill,
but I never heard them ringing,
No, I never heard them at all,
Till there was you.
There was love all around,
But I never heard it singing
No, I never heard it at all,
Till there was you.
The music man was happily reconciled with the town, and with himself. This beautiful story and the music has inspired thousands.
Jacob was blessed when he wrestled all night with the angel of the Lord. (Genesis 32:22-28). He has a different spirit. Later he meets Esau who now has 400 men. Instead of killing him, “Esau ran to meet him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept.” (Genesis 33:4).
There may be for you a special person who can cause you to hear the bells ringing, see the birds winging and hear love singing. My special person is Mary, my wife.
Romantic love, is only one form of God’s love. We are inspired by all who love us. It may be a couple in the neighborhood, a fellow worker, a teacher, a doctor or nurse, or members of a Sunday School class .
When World War II ended, our troop carrier unit of the Army Air Corps, (now the Air Force), was sent to Itami Airport in Osaka, Japan. A Buddhist monk invited me for a meal with his family. I found that his aspirations and hope peace in the world were like mine. The world is hungry for kindness.
Love is all around. We have the chance to be that person of whom others will joyfully say, “Till There Was You.” We can help others to experience the love of God and of neighbor.
Even in death someone who loves still causes you to hear the bells ringing, see the birds winging and hear love singing. Death may actually enhance the ability to cause others to know that love is all around.
We know love would not have come our way, “Till There Was You.”
Thank you for reading this article. I surely would like to hear you thoughts if you choose to click on ‘reply.’
If you change e-mail address, please let me know.
Thanks to special friends who have told others about the articles. Some have asked to be put on the e-mail address book.
May 2008
BORN FROM ABOVE
“Unless one is born anew, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” John 3:7
The phrase, “born anew,” also means in the Greek, “born from above.” Our basic human need is to be transformed by the divine.
Mission Control in Houston directs the spaceships. the astronauts depend on it for guidance and safety. Our hearts and minds are our mission control. They must be centered on the divine. If the holy love of Christ is at the center, our lives will be fruitful.
In the northern countries, sailors notice icebergs going in the opposite direction than even very strong winds. The icebergs are 7/8 under the surface. Powerful currents below the surface move the icebergs.
When a person is born from above, the attitudes and spirit of Jesus are strong in his or her heart. These influence decisions, and words. Jesus said, “Out of the heart the mouth speaks.” Matthew 12:34.
When we make the decision
to repent and believe.
we accept God’s love, it gives us the motivation to try to speak,
act and re-act in the way Jesus would. We still so often fail,
but the mercy of God is there to help us. As Shakespeare wrote,
“The quality of mercy
is not strained. It droppeth like the gentle rain from heaven.” (
Portia in The Merchant of
In 1829 a
The sheriff did not want to execute a pardoned man. President Jackson referred the matter to the Supreme Court. Chief Justice John Marshall declared that a pardon was a piece of paper, which is valid if accepted, but invalid if rejected. George Wilson was then executed..
We are offered pardon for our sins, but it is conditional on acceptance. We must first recognize our need for pardon. The elder John told plainly how to be born from above; f we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness, ( I John 1:8-9).
The Russian novelist, Dostoevski, said that hell is the suffering of being unable to love. It is a miserable, unhealthy way to live. If in our heart and secret thoughts, we are trying to be justified by good works, traditions and conformity to the world, we negatively judge others, and do not truly love.
Heaven is when we can and do love. Love operates on the principle of multiplying returns. Like exercise of the body; the more we love, the more we are able to love. That is being born from above
The mother of a preacher friend, Rev. Al Turnell, had Alzheimer's disease. One day he stood before his mother and asked, “Do you know me?” She said, “No. but I know you are somebody who loves me.” Shortly after that she passed.
Jesus said, ”Out of the heart the mouth speaks.” Matthew 12:34. When a person is born from above all things are changed. The fruits of the spirit are love, joy, peace patience, generosity and the like.
In
Her father, whom she loved, and who loved her, arrived. He stood by the net and asked her to jump. She calmly and confidently did so, and was not hurt. Being born from above is characterized by love and that brings glorious victory in this life and the life to come.
April 2008
LOVE, COMING FROM HEAVEN
George Wannamaker, Retired but Active United Methodist Minister
All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. Acts 2:4.
A moment ago I looked out the window onto the backyard below to see my wife, Mary’s, tall sunflower facing the sun to get its nutrients. I thought of the beautiful hymn, “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus, look full in his wonderful face…”
At Pentecost, strangers understood each other. Jesus, by his love, had caused them to see the greatness God had put in all people. We hunger for more of that experience today.
Two men stood by Niagara Falls seeing and hearing the mighty avalanche of waters cascading over the rocks into the chasm beneath. One said, “That is the greatest waste of energy I have ever seen.” The other replied, “No, the greatest waste of energy is when people refuse to believe in God’s goodness, repent, and believe in the power of the Holy Spirit!”
Soren Kierkegaard, the great Danish Christian, (1813-55). saw so well the need of all people to lift up our eyes to the holy. He told this powerful parable with potent implications for us today.
Every Sunday the barnyard geese would gather near the feeding trough. “A preaching goose,” would struggle up on the top of the fence and exhort the others about the glories of goosedom. He would tell them how wonderful it was to be a goose, rather than a chicken or a turkey.
Occasionally, while he was preaching, a flock of wild geese, winging south from Sweden across the Baltic Sea on their way to sunny France, would fly over the barnyard in a marvelous V-formation, thousands of feet in the air.
All the geese below would excitedly look and say to one another, “That’s who we really are. We are not destined to spend our lives in this stinking barnyard. Our destiny is to fly.” But then the wild geese would disappear from sight, their honking echoing across the horizon. The barnyard geese would look around at their surroundings, sigh, and return to the mud and filth of the barnyard.
So many of us instead of lifting up our eyes to God and getting his guidance, love and power, stay in the stinking barnyard of our narrow thoughts and the smelly, negative prejudices of the world. Actions then are powerless and words stagnant and weak as pond water.
We don’t have to be that way! When we dare to believe that God made us in his image and is ready to redeem that image and empower us with his full might, we can live great lives right now! He speaks to us now as surely as he spoke to Abraham and Moses. St. Peter and St. Paul. He is always ready to talk to us at any time, day or night, and to give us divine power and love.
Let us follow the magnificent writer of Psalm 121, who, said, “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from when comes my help. My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.”
March 2008
HONORING OUR MOTHERS
By George Wannamaker, Retired, but Active United Methodist Minister
Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God has given you. Exodus 20:l2
Keeping this commandment is not only gives well-deserved praise to our mothers; it is healthy, joyous and good for us.
Mothers teach so many good lessons just in the flow of life. I remember one Sunday after the service, my father asked, “Sue, how did you like the sermon?” She replied with kindness and good grace, “George, it was fine, but he surely did miss some good stopping places.” As a minister, I have tried always to remember that. I know you remember precious things your mother said.
Dr. Karl Barth, a great, basic Christian thinker and scholar was asked how he knew that God loved him. He replied very simply, “Because my mother told me he does.” Mothers who love their children carry a lot of weight. What they say counts! This is true, and perhaps even more so, after they pass. But the time to honor her is right now!
Jesus loved his mother, but the Gospels make it clear that as a man he decided for himself, as God directed. We are to honor our mothers, but worship God.
`In Brunswick, on the Georgia seacoast, my childhood friend and I had a small sailboat, but no sail. We had no money. My mother had a foot pedal Singer sewing machine. Because she loved me, I had the audacity to ask her to sew us a large sail. I will never, never, forget seeing her hour after hour, at that machine pushing the pedal to sew through the heavy canvass. That memory is a vital part of my life.
If your mother is alive, thank God you can see her and honor her. If she has passed, as they say, she hasn’t really gone from our lives life, We can honor her, perhaps even more, if we love her as she loved us. “Love never ends. “ I Corinthians 13:8.
People like to praise their grandmothers also. St. Paul honored both mothers and grandmothers in his letter to young Timothy, “I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother, Lois and your mother Eunice, and now, I am sure, dwells in you.” II Timothy l:5.
****Special May Edition
EXERCISE; A WAY OF THANKING GOD
By George Wannamaker, Retired but Active United Methodist Minister
“I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Psalm 139
If we give a loved one a valuable gift, we are pleased to learn that he or she is using it for good. God has given each or us a magnificent body and brain. It cannot be replaced:. just one is worth billions of dollars. We honor God when we exercise our bodies and our minds. .
As we seek to follow the Bible, we often forget that people in it walked where they went, and had to work hard physically. Today we have marvelous health advantages, but, with all our conveniences, physical inactivity has become a slow, but deadly killer. I believe many fine doctors would say it the real villain in many, but of course not all, illnesses.
Ralph Waldo Emerson was right in saying, “Your health is your wealth.” The good news is that better health is available to most of us, rich or poor, young are old. Doctors encourage this. Needless to say, a doctor’s advice on exercise, and common sense, is needed.
Contrary to many advertisements, benefits of exercise do not come in a pill or bottle. Good health must be work for. Some health programs falsely claim only very minimum exercise is needed. Fine medical articles on this are available, most free of charge.
Nothing feels much better than exerting ourselves with some reasonable exercise in which there is deep breathing. The endorphins in the brain are activated, giving an euphoric feeling. Unlike illegal drugs, and some over-the counter ones, there are only good side effects. Glorious benefits come.
This goes right along with what the triumphant St. Paul said in Romans 8:28, “.. in everything God works for good with those who love him.” Loving him includes using what he gives us. I believe God helps those who help themselves.
February
HE POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION
By George Wannamaker
Retired, but active United Methodist Minister
“Know Christ and the power of
his resurrection.”
Philippians 3:10
March 2008
I remember some years ago a professor at the Candler School of Theology saying, “The greatest proof of the resurrection is the changed lives of those who follow him.” If our lives are really changed for good, we are living proofs of his resurrection.
False rumors circulated that the great writer Mark Twin, who wrote Tom Sawyer, Huckleberry Finn, was dead, he remarked, “Reports of my death are highly exaggerated.” I believe that reports of the death of anyone who truly loves God and all people, are highly exaggerated.
I love what Hebrews l1:4 says of the righteous Abel, “.. he died, but through his faith he still speaks.” I know many Godly people who have died, but through their faith, they still speak. We can listen and be blessed!
The story is told that when the sixth president of the United States, John Quincy Adams was a very old man walking down the street one morning, a neighbor greeted him, “Good morning! And how is John Quincy today?”
Mr. Adams, “John Quincy is fine, thank you. The house he lives in is about to fall down. The shingles are coming off the roof. The plaster is falling from the ceiling and walls, nearly all the outside and inside paint is gone, there are holes in the floor, even the foundation. But you asked, ‘How is John Quincy?” He is fine!!”
In 1960 our precious little 10 month old, auburn-haired child, Laura Gay, died. Her two older sister she was the sweetest of the three. Deathly, pulsating meningitis took her away. Not withstanding what was happening, which she did not understand in the least, she looked up into our eyes, and said the only words she ever spoke, “Mama, Dada.”
Parents to an infant child, represent God. She was talking to us, but even more importantly, to God! She is with God and still speaks to us.
Of course Jesus rose from the dead and he is living now. The words of the hymn, “He Lives,” are right, “You ask me how I know he lives? He lives within my heart.” If the love of God is engraved on our hearts and we feel the loving presence of Christ in our every thought, word and action, we cannot doubt that Jesus lives.”
As in every age, there is hatred in the world today, but that hatred cannot destroy the love of God. As St. Paul said, Love never ends.” I Corinthians l3:8. The Resurrection is the victory of God’s love over evil, over hatred, greed, fear and death.
I believe in the Uncle Remus story of the fox and the tar baby, by Joel Chandler Harris, the fox must represent the Devil who is the embodiment of resentment, self-pity, selfishness and hypocrisy. The more he hits the tar baby, the more he get stuck up.
That is the way when the Devil or people who hate try to ridicule loving way of Jesus, They may seem to do well for a while, but eventually they get stuck by their own blows. The history of people bears out that grace, forgiveness, looking for good in others and kindness is the victorious way both individually and in society.
A little girl was very sleepy when she began to pray the familiar prayer, “Now I lay me down to sleep before hopping in bed. She drowsily prayed, “Now I lay me down to sleep…if I should died before I live!”
The real danger is that we should die before we live. That can happen if we put other this like money, praise, power, pleasure, social position before loving God and our neighbor, (all). Jesus said to Martha, the sister of Lazarus, who was waiting for a future resurrection,
“I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, though they died, will live, and everyone who lives and believe in me will never die.” John 3:25-26.
How true that is. I believe in the communion of the saints, just as the Apostles Creed says. We can communicate with Godly people who have gone on to heaven. I know you can too. I love to communicate with dear people in heaven. They are still speaking, just as the Godly Abel “still speaks.” (Hebrews 11:4)
Some things in life may not be sure, but the resurrection is! We can count on it 100%. Of that I am positive, and is surely feels, and is, good to be firm in that faith! “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:l6)
February 2008
THE SECOND PART OF SALVATION
By George Wannamaker, Retired, but active United Methodist Minister
The preacher asked a little boy who had made him. The little fellow replied, “God, but he’s not through yet!” God is not through making, or remaking, any of us. There is a second part to salvation.
Praise God for fearfully and wonderfully making every person on earth in his image and giving a magnificent world to live in. If we truly repent of rebelling against him and with a broken heart humbly bow before Christ as Savior, it is an earth-shaking, momentous event.
Salvation is not a dead-end street. St. Paul writes, “To us who are being saved.” (I Corinthians 1:l8. As a sweet romantic song says, “It’s only just begun.” Salvation is a continuous experience. It is “Sweeter as the years go by.” Jesus is working every moment to fully redeem us.
The church is not the showplace of the saints, but the garage for sinners. Salvation is dynamic, living, liberating, creative and vibrant as a believer is repaired, improved and empowered by God’s overflowing love and grace.
A little girl in elementary school listened as motivational speaker said, “I wish I were a little boy in the third grace again,” and asked, “Why do you think I would want this?” Her hand shot up. “I know. It’s because you forgot everything you ever knew.” Haven’t we all we so often forgotten all we knew in our glorious salvation?
February Special Edition 2008
THE PURE IN HEART
By George Wannamaker, Retired but active United Methodist Minister
”Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8
In a community meeting there was a contest to see who could read the 23rd Psalm best. First, a polished lawyer read it with perfect diction. The people applauded politely.
Then an old farmer with little education got up and read simply but sincerely. His pronunciation was poor, but he read with awe and reverence of the shepherd’s great love land tender care, realizing how often he had rejected God’s love, and the love of others. Yet, even as he stumbled over the words, a confident smile appeared on his face and in his voice as he thought of the goodness and mercy of God, assured forever.
There was tremendous applause when he finished. The lawyer gladly acknowledged that the farmer had won. He said, “I read the psalm perfectly, word for word, but he knows the shepherd!”
Only the divine presence of the good shepherd can make our hearts pure. Jesus said, “You must be born from above.” (John 3:7) In our lives it is not what happens to us, but what happens
in us that counts.
Today this torn world needs people with pure hearts. Let us all heed the words God said to Samuel,, “The LORD does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” (I Samuel 16:7)
A 10-year-old boy in Bismarck, South Dakota, was born without arms or legs. He still lived a victorious life because his heart was pure. He said, “I do not think about the things I cannot do, but the things I can do.”
Alexander the Great, who once ruled much of the world, seeing Diogenes looking at a large collection of human bones piled upon another, asked the philosopher what he was looking for. “I am searching,” said Diogenes, “for the bones of your father, but I cannot distinguish them from the bones of his slaves.”
Death is the great equalizer. Death brings us all before the judgment seat of God, but we need not fear that if we love God and love people, all people. When a person has a pure heart full of love, he or she is ready a part of eternal life. “Love never ends.” (I Corinthians l3:8).
Yes, Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”
January 2008
STONY HEARTS INTO
FLESH
I will remove from your body the heart of
stone and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:27
The trouble in the
world today is caused by stony hearts.
When the dentist
probing on a sensitive tooth asks if that hurts, we give a
strong “Yes!” He says, “That’s good.” He then explains it means
the tooth is alive!” By grace, when we repent and believe. Our
hearts become alive and sensitive!
Many everywhere are spiritually dead and feel no pain when doing evil. A man who has killed two people may feels no remorse. We must beware of deadness in our hearts. We may, without remorse, hold resentments, think, speak and do evil, and stir the fires of hell in others.
A doctor and a
lawyer were talking when a lady interrupted to tell the
physician about a pain in her leg and ask his advice. He helped
her, but when she left, he asked the lawyer if he had the right
to send her a bill. The lawyer said, “Surely!” The doctor sent a
bill. Later the doctor received a bill from the lawyer!
With a stony heart,
people think of their own services, but not the services of
others. So often people condemn others without walking in their
moccasins, as the Indians required. That basically is the
trouble everywhere, in families, businesses, nations and the
world.
In his book, The
Four Loves, C.S.. Lewis points out that even ‘living for
others’ can disguise a stony heart if the motive is to fulfill
our own ‘need to be needed.’ That can be destructive. When God
replaces the heart of stone, he gives us
a pure new motive to help others.
Billy Sunday, the famous evangelist of an earlier time said, ‘Going to church does not make a Christian any more than putting a wheel barrow in a garage make it an automobile.”
Church going is
wonderful, but it is a means of grace, not grace itself. There
must be conversion and redemption. We must be thankful for his
creation of all people in his image, a repentance for our sins
and trust in God’s mercy and redeeming power through the love of
Jesus Christ.
Through the great prophet Ezekiel, God promises to give us all a new heart, a heart with feelings for the dignity and worth of every human being on earth He can give the exceeding joy of the heart of flesh. We all need that new heart for this new year.
If we have
received the new heart, let us keep it healthy.
Psalm l39 gives wonderful advice no matter what our spiritual condition,
“Search me O God, and know my heart;
Test me and know my thoughts.
See
if there is any wicked way in me,
*December Writings
JESUS IN THE REAL WORLD
By George Wannamaker
"Be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves."
James 1:22
The Christmas music, dramas and sermons were so worshipful
and inspiring. Now we must follow Jesus into the real everyday, bread
and butter, flesh and blood world.
When a man moved into a new neighborhood, he was immediately
confronted by the angry face of the next door resident. "Your fence is
over on my property!" was the challenge. The new neighbor trusted in the
grace of God through Jesus, not his own goodness. He said, " If that is
true, I will have it moved tomorrow."
The hostile man was so surprised that momentarily he did not know what
to say. He was embarrassed. Then his heart opened up and he said, "Well,
to tell the truth, in the back yard, my fence is on your property.
Can we just forget about it and be friends?"
Yes, the way of Jesus works in the real world.
The professor in a nursing school gave an important exam, on which one
question was, "Name the lady who is always cleaning the building when
you come in." A student complained that this question was un-related to
the subject. The instructor replied, "Oh, yes it is. A good nurse has
to have feelings for the needs and the worth of every person."
In the Marietta Battleground Park off the Dallas
Highway, there is a plaque telling an inspiring story. As the
Confederates were in a blazing death struggle, the woods caught fire
where wounded Union soldiers lay. Seeing these human beings about to be
burned, Colonel Martin of the Arkansas Volunteers ordered his soldiers
to cease fire. They went over the help their enemy lift the wounded to
safety. The Union commanded responded with a gracious gift.
IN CLOSING. MY STRONG BELIEF!
I do not believe for even one minute that human nature is evil. How
could that possibly be if we truly believe, "It is he that hath made us,
and not we ourselves," (Psalm 100), and that God is love. (I John
4:16)? Of course there is evil in people and in the world, but we are
not made that way. It is against our nature. Hatred will tear our minds
and bodies apart, for we are made to love God and people.
*November Writings
BEFORE THE MOUNTAINS
WERE
BROUGHT FORTH
By George Wannamaker, Retired but active United Methodist Minister
"Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you formed the
earth and the world, From everlasting; to everlasting you are God." Psalm
90:1
The mountains help us think of the permanence of God, his
magnificence, sovereignty, consistency, beauty and love. They stand
majestically as a great assurance of blessings if we love God and our
neighbor, everybody. on earth. Their lofty peaks also warn of judgment
when we turn from God's love to hatred, jealousy, pride, self-pity and
greed.
God's way of truth, love, justice, forgiveness and grace
can no
more
be changed than the mountains can be moved. To defy them is death; to keep
them is life, joy and peace, both now and in eternity.
We are temped to think that popularity, social position and
wealth are primary, but this is wrong. The writer of Psalm 121 knew
better; he focused his heart on God's protection as he wrote;
"I lift up my eyes to the hills-
from where will my help come?
My help comes from the LORD,
who made heaven and earth."
Today we must dare to listen to what Jesus is telling us to think,
do and say, rather than the way of the society round us says. That takes
courage, audacity and faith in the face of opposition and adversity, but
the victory is with God's way, for he is the Alpha and Omega, who is and
who was and who is to come, the Almighty. (Revelation 1:8)
There is a great cloud of witnesses. We enjoy the privilege of
reading the Bible, but when William Tyndale was born in Gloucestershire,
England, in 1494, this was not the case.
Tyndale became a much hated man because he opposed popular opinion,
promoted by the church and government, that only priests had authority to
read the Bible. He dared to translate the Bible. For this he was sentence
to be burned alive, and was spared of this only because he was first
strangled.
It is not enough for us to sit back an read what saints in
the Bible
and in history the actions like those of William Tyndale. God is calling
on each of us to dare to be led by him today. He speaks to you and to me
just as surely as he ever spoke to Abraham, Moses, Peter, Paul, Tyndale,
Martin Luther and John Wesley.
We must lift up our eyes to the hills and listen in reverence
and awe to the Holy God telling us how to live in the ways of his love
now!
……
BRAGGING
I, George, am also writing this.
In the fifteen years of Cobb County's Teacher of the
Year Awards, this was the first time that a brother and sister received
the award in the same year. The brother is our son, Noell Wannamaker, a
teacher in the baccalaureate laureate program at Campbell High School and
the sister is Joy McTyre, a teacher at LaBell Elementary School. In l996
Mary was chosen as Teacher of The Year at Compton Elementary School.
As the former great baseball player
and sports announcer Dizzy Dean said,
"It ain't bragging if you can do it." RCH
*October Writings
MORE THAN
OUTSIDE RELIGION;
HEART-FELT CONVERSION
By George Wannamaker,
Retired but Active United Methodist Minister
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your
soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment.
And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On
these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Matthew 22:35-40
It was still the custom during his days of Jesus on earth, for religious
people to wear phylacteries, or Scriptures in pouches on their shoulders.
Since the Old Testament did not describe how large they were to be,
apparently many made theirs very large to impress people with how
religious they were. That's outside religion.
Jesus was greatly offended by this, He said, They do all their deeds
to be seen by men, for they make their phylacteries broad,… and they love
to have the places of honor at festivals and the best seats in the
synagogue. (Matthew 23:5-6) There are many similarities in outside
religion today!
John Wesley preached confession of our sins and salvation by faith.
Good deeds are not the condition, but the fruit of salvation. I was glad
to hear Billy Graham say on TV that what the world needs is not more
religion but more conversion.
The story is told that in the early colonies missionaries taught some
Delaware Indians the Golden Rule. That night as they all sat around the
campfire, a brave asked the old chief if a person could really keep that
rule. He thought for a while and then solemnly declared it impossible
There was silence as the firelight flickered on their faces; then the
chief spoke again. He said, "But if a brave had the Great Spirit, he could
keep the rule." What they called the Great Spirit, we call the Holy
Spirit.
To receive the Holy Spirit, we must first thank God for this
wonderful world he has given us to live in, for making us and all people
in his image and giving us free-will choice. Thank God that we are not
puppets, robots or yo-yo's. We need must humbly ask God's forgiveness for
rebelling against his love, the good nature he gave us, and the love he
sends to us through others. When we repent and believe, the Holy Spirit
pours love into our hearts. (Romans 5:5)
That is the heart-felt religion all the world is hungry for today. It
is filled with love for God and for all people on the earth, with no
exceptions.
Outside religion genuine conversion only divides people. Heart-felt
faith glorifies God and brings people together with tears and smiles of
reconciliation and love.
MORE THAN CONQUERORS
"More than conquerors through Christ." Romans 8:35-39
St. Paul wrote with the authority of one who had suffered, but was
victorious in all things through faith in Christ.
A young boy smashed his finger with his father's hammer. Because the
doctor put a large bandage on it, he drew much sympathy from the teacher
and his fellow students. The finger healed, but the boy kept the bandage
on. He liked the sympathy too much. Is that not the story of us all, even
when our pains are mostly self-inflicted?
We become more than conquerors when we get over self-pity and realize God
has made us in a wonderful way, but that we ourselves have, in our
various, sometimes very sophisticated, ways followed Adam in rebellion
against him. Power, grace and love come when we repent and believe.
We have admired the wonderful things Mother Teresa has done to help
starving people, but I did not know until recently that she had made one
of the most discerning and truly Christian statements of recent times.
When people tried to compliment Mother Teresa by praising her for carrying
Christ to the poor people of the world, she said, 'I don't take Christ to
other people. I see Christ in other people." Wow! How powerful that is!
There is good in every person because God put it there. We become more
than conquerors when our own spirits are freed and we can see and
encourage the holy things God has put with others. We are all winners
through genuine faith in Christ. Nothing then can defeat us, come what
may!
7/27/2003
CONVERSION OF THE
MIND
By George Wannamaker.
"As he thinketh in his
heart, so is he." Proverbs 23:7,KJV
Bishop Arthur J. Moore, who was a great Gospel preacher, loved to use
this powerful illustration;
A little boy playing with his father's hammer smashed his thumb. The
doctor put a large bandage on it and the next day the little boy received
much sympathy and attention from his teacher and the students. He liked
that. The thumb healed, but he kept the bandage on.
He had become addicted to self-pity and attention. As Bishop Moore
pointed out, that was all right for a little boy.
Tragically many grown people are still wearing the bandages from real or
imagined injuries by others, or more the more painful ones we bring on
ourselves. Spiritual, mental, physical and emotional health is severely
damaged, especially when they wear this old self-pity and 'I'm the
victim' attitude through their entire lives.
John Milton, author of Paradise Lost, wrote, "The mind in its own place
can make a hell of heaven or a heaven of hell."
Two families with similar circumstances moved to a certain city. One
family found the people to be unfriendly and the city a terrible place.
The other family found the people warm and loving, and the community
delightful. Conversion of the mind is crucial in any situation.
A lady l03 years old died recently. When 98 she was walking up and down 22
flights of stairs three times a day, while others rode elevators. That's
one big reason she lived in happiness to l03. Her favorite song was, "In
The Garden." She listened when Jesus spoke.
The great Methodist missionary to India, E. Stanley Jones, wrote about
"Conversion of the Subconscious." Trying to be saved by good works cannot
reach into the depths of the mind and heart, but salvation by faith can.
That is why Jesus said, "No one can see the kingdom of God without being
born from above." (John 3:3)
Seeking to be saved by good deeds and obedience to laws, cannot reach
into the mind, 'the secret places of the heart.' This can happen only
when we thank God for the wonderful way he has made the world, and each
of us, repent of having rebelled against him, and come to trust in his
redeeming love through Christ.
A lady said, "I feel bad when I feel good, because I know I'm going to
feel bad." That is just the opposite from the positive spirit of true
salvation and of nature itself. When we feel the overflow of God's grace,
we cannot help but be positive and happy about our lives God's grace is
all sufficient.
In true conversion, different from lip service only, people relax about
their own needs and feelings, and start thinking and doing something
about the desires and sensitivities of others. There is great joy and
victory in that. It is the abundant life Jesus spoke of in John l0:10.
LIKE A FATHER PITIES HIS CHILD
By George Wannamaker, Retired but active United Methodist Minister
"Like a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear
him." Psalm l03:l3
What a great tribute it is to fathers that the psalmist chose to
illustrate the compassion of God by reference to a father's pity for his
child..
There is truth in this old joke; in it a father spanking his child says,
"Son, this hurts me worse than it hurts you." The little boy responds,
"Yes, but not in the same place!"
A godly father does feel it deeply when his boy or girl hurts. Today,
spanking is not as common; yet a good father still disciplines. He does it
in love, for he knows only that is truly effective way. Proverbs l3:24,
29:l7 say, "Those who love their children are diligent to discipline
them….. "Discipline your children,. and they will give delight to your
heart."
We learn from examples our fathers set in life. I bet you have many such
precious thoughts about your father.
My father when driving the family with little children, through Charlotte,
North Carolina, on the way home from a long tiring trip to Virginia. He
ran into another car We all were tired and wanted to get back to Georgia,
but the police said we must stay overnight and so our father could appear
before the traffic judge the next morning.
My father had a lot of faith and nerve. He called the judge, telling him
that the accident was totally his fault, that he was fully insured to pay
for all damages, but that we needed to get back to Georgia. The judge must
have been impressed with his honesty, for he told Daddy to sign the sheet
for the police and head back to Atlanta.
I learned a lot from that. The first is, talk to the head man, in this
case, the judge. Then, dare to believe good can come ion any situation,
and act on it. . The third lesson is that if we make some bad mistake,
don't try to blame someone else, but accept responsibility.
Of course, as my father fully believed, God is the 'head person.' person,
the judge. As St. Paul said, "If God is for us, who is against us?" Romans
8:3l."
It was typical of my father with his positive spirit in all situation,
that he believed in and loved to quote, Philippians 4:8, "Whatever is
true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever
is pleasing, whatever is commendable , if there is any excellence and if
there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."
My father passed in l978, but he really still with us in the most
important ways. I bet that your father, whether living or not, is very
much a part of your life. Let us all honor them, for to do so is a vital
part of the worship of God
A little boy was grabbed up at the last minute to have a part in the
school play.. He was to say, "Fear not; it is I," but when the time came
he was so afraid that he said, "Don't be scared. Ain't nobody but me!"
Perhaps your father, like mine had little fear. We can surely honor them
by loving them, following the good footprints they left and are leaving,
and heartily worshiping God, as they did. "There is no fear in love, for
perfect love casts our fear." I John 4:l8.
WHAT
AMERICA IS TO ME
By George Wannamaker
Retired, but active United Methodist Minister
"The LORD is high above all nations." Psalm ll3:4
Having served in the United States Army Air Corps, (now the Air
Force), overseas, but not in combat, in World War II, I immediately
responded to a song, "The House I Live In," as it came on the radio.
Hearing the words by Lewis Allen, I said to myself, 'That's exactly what I
bel