Christ's Influence on the World via St. Patrick - Larry Lilly Live

Norman Peale on a New Ending

11/27/2017

LLLV17 11-30-2017 Norman Peale on a New Ending

Back in 1963 I heard Norman Vincent Peale make a statement that contributed to my changed and changing life. I had been converted to Jesus Christ for less a year. Baggage, a Railroad baggage car load, troubled me. Misguided “Bible” students added to the inner turmoil with their assurances that, in effect, there are things in your past that disqualify you for service for Jesus. Thankfully the Lord provided good men and women who knew what the Bible teaches and used these men and women to encourage me to stay with my calling. One night as I drove through New York City on a Sunday night in my 18-wheeler, I heard Dr. Peale speaking via radio. Here’s what he said:

“Don’t waste time looking back and whining, ‘if only.’ Change your life by saying, ‘Next time!’”

Just the other day I was reminded of the same truth in different words when I read this:

“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” Maria Robinson.

Being far less than saintly during my life throughout the years until I was 20 and Christ took over, I had a lot to overcome. Bits and pieces of keys to victory over old life thoughts and actions came to me via study and teaching of various saintly people. Around 13 years into the new life a truth hit me on the noggin very hard. Here it is: The temptations of life do not find their power from Satan, he only has the power to excite the inner desire for what he is offering. The problem lies within my own heart, Satan merely throws the fuel on the fire. All lapses into that which tempt us has a root and inner desire for someone or something that we feel Christ will not give to us.

Prior to accepting Christ, I did not fall into these acts, but like many others dove into them while shouting “yippee.” When we resist Satan as he fans the fire, he will depart from us as He departed from Christ, for a while. He will be back, and it is then that we must cling to Christ’s truth as revealed in many verses, but especially here:

2Coritnians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (NKJV).

Copyright © 2017 Larry Lilly
Complete IT work. Oral Deckard

Hemingway on Seeking Advice from the Strong

11/26/2017

LLLV17 11-27-2017 Hemingway on Seeking Advice from the Strong

While hardly into adolescence I read Hemingway’s Farewell to Arms. In chapter 15 of this great book, he has Dr. Valenti state to the main character, Henry, who is seriously injured, and three Casper Milquetoast doctors, consulting among themselves concluding nothing can be done for him for at least six months. “I will do the surgery in the morning, I have noticed that doctors who fail in the practice of medicine have a tendency to seek one another's company and aid in consultation.”
Ernest Hemingway, A Farewell to Arms.

I don’t recall learning much at my tender age at the time, but I do remember making a note to find advice from people who had succeeded in doing what they do. One of my favorite people during the time I read Farewell to Arms, was my football coach, Mr. Mel Masonheimer. He was the kind of man that put fire in our bellies when he spoke to our team. Lombardi seems sissified by comparison. He was an outstanding man off the field who became near legendary as an educator over the years.

Coach, as we called him, with an attitude of awe, really wanted us to learn the how to of football correctly. When we played on Friday nights instead of Saturday, he would take the team to the home games of the University of Delaware. We would sit in the end zone to see the holes opening and the correct blocking and tackling technique of the college team. I can still hear Coach saying, “Don’t pay any attention to your friends who aren’t on the team but think they know something about football.”

His forceful advice has helped me more than I can say. My life, as is many, is marked with as many or more failures as successes. But, when I am wallowing in some failure, I don’t go to others wallowing, blaming and inventing excuses. I do what Coach and Dr. Valenti taught me. I find someone who has been knocked down and ask them; “How did you get up?”

To this day I think of Coach when I read this from Paul:

2Corinthians 2:14, “Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.” (NKJV).

Copyright © 2017 Larry Lilly
Strong IT work! Oral Deckard

Marry Higgins Clarke on Hope

11/22/2017

LLLV17 11-23-2017 Mary Higgins Clarke on Hope

The other day while passing through our sitting room, (TV) I noted that Mary Higgins Clarke was being interviewed about her 57th book just released. I’m sure her book will be a tremendous read, and even more tremendous is the fact that on December 24, of this year the Irish Lassie will be 94 years along the path. Mary writes suspense novels and is second to none in her field, which spans the globe.

Concerning her formula, she stated to the interviewer one of her secrets on the issue of romance and all of life;

“It’s nice to have at least the suspicion of Happy ever after!”

And thus, in romance, suspense or any facet of life, hope is essential. Many of us ponder just what is the worst disease a human can suffer, and I believe, with more than a bit of observation, the loss of hope is the most devastating.

We usually associate the phrase “Happily ever after” with marriage and that is a big part of a man and a woman binding their heart and life into one, with the hope of “Happy ever after.” Though I admit to having talked to more than one couple who were on the precipice of “giving marriage a try.” Not much hope for a reasonable outcome and that’s for certain.

All human undertakings start with at the very least a smidgeon of suspicion of a happy ever after. Isn’t it strange how Mrs. Clarke condenses the whole of human aspiration into one brief sentence? Here’s a thought from scripture on the importance of hope:

Proverbs 13:12. “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.” (NKJV).

Solomon grasped the necessity of hope, the suspicion of happy ever after and put it in proper perspective concerning the loss of hope leading to utter despair and the renewal of hope reviving the zest of living. Jeremiah 17:7 fixed on the power of hope:

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, And whose hope is the LORD.”
Copyright (c) 2017 Larry Lilly
Happy IT work! Oral Deckard

The Apostle Paul on Giving Thanks

11/19/2017

LLLV17 11-20-2017 The Apostle Paul on Giving Thanks

For most of November my articles and sermons have been centered about being thankful, and especially saying “Thank You” in some form. The Bible is replete with the giving of thanks, to God, and to others. While browsing I came across one statement that set me to thinking, more so than others. The more I thought about it, the more I wanted to think a little more about it. Here’s the thank you line:

“One Day you will thank yourself for never giving up!” Anon.

Those of us (everyone) who have gone through serious trials and have been able to continue climbing know we have many people to thank, even those who attempted to contribute to our failure. Over the long haul we somehow managed to keep on walking toward our objective.

Tomes could be written about the myriad of times I have felt more than just an urge to throw in the towel, as the struggle seemed to be overwhelming. Yet, in God’s time the tide changed, and tiny accomplishments started rolling inward. Those who study the tides understand that tides do go out, and then come in again. As I write this piece I find that I am thankful beyond words for God strengthening me to the point of gritting my teeth and pressing on the upward way.

In preparing for the celebration that we Americans call, Thanksgiving Day, just looking around at the grand family the Lord has entrusted to my watch care, the flourishing group of Believers over which the Lord has entrusted me to oversee according to Peter, and the thousands of followers from the writing ministry, I must say, “Lord Jesus thank you for imparting to me the tenacity to keep on keeping on.”

Along these lines I must admit thankfulness for the many who have walked with me, even in the darkest of storms. As a placard proclaims, “Thank you for your part in my journey.”

True friends are discovered only when we walk through tumultuous times, that’s one reason I give thanks for the storms, for now I know you, my friends are true blue.

1Thessalonians 5:18 “in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

Copyright © 2017 Larry Lilly
Lasting IT work. Oral Deckard

Bonhoeffer, Cicero and Graham on Gratitude

11/15/2017

LLLV17 11-16-2017 Bonhoeffer, Cicero and Graham on Gratitude

The letters and sermons this month are based on the feeling of gratitude and the expressing of thanks. Life takes on a brighter hue when we learn the personal value of gratitude and the acknowledging of thankfulness to someone. Dearest friends and complete strangers are touched by a sincere “thank you.” If you don’t believe it, try it today.

A man, at the time he wrote today’s quote, was living in one of Hitler’s prisons. Notice what he wrote from his prison cell concerning gratitude:

“In normal life we hardly realize how much more we receive than we give, and life cannot be rich without such gratitude. It is so easy to overestimate the importance of our own achievements compared with what we owe to the help of others.”
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Letters and Papers from Prison.

We should never ignore or forget that wherever we are on life’s pecking order, we got there with the help of lots of what the world calls “little people.”

Take the near legendary figure of our lifetime, Billy Graham. Most people have of the miracle in Billy’s life that came upon him while he was preaching a crusade in Los Angles. The biggest newspaper tycoon of the time, William Randolph Hearst sent a note to his papers around the world, “Puff Graham.” Overnight Billy Graham become world famous religious figure. Most fail to consider that by the time Mr. Hearst “puffed Graham,” Billy was already touching the lives of hundreds of thousand “little” people. Certainly, God was touching Billy.

In my reading of Dr. Graham over these many years, it is apparent by his demeanor of gratitude that he remembers the Christ who saved him and the little people that have banded together in the millions and thus participated in the phenomenal ministry.

It’s probable that anyone engaged in endeavors to reach the summit, openly or privately long for a “Puff” from some big wheel. The truth be known we will make more progress by being thankful for the “little” people that are drawn to our product or ministry and taking steps of gratitude to assure them of our sincere thanks for whatever they have and are offering to aid us along the way. The last phrase of Bonhoeffers’ letter is right on: “what we owe to the help of others.”

Copyright © 2017 Larry Lilly
IT that works. Oral Deckard

G.K. Chesterton on Thankfulness

11/12/2017

LLLV17 11-13-2017 G.K. Chesterton on Thankfulness

Many people, including Christians use the entire month of November to take a few minutes each day to thank God for His goodness to us, no matter at what state we may be enjoying life. The sincere giving of thanks is fast becoming a lost art, as very few people give thanks. Paul laments in:

Romans 1:21 “because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.”

The progression in the passage is obvious in that it exposes a truth that is becoming the “norm” in our society. When people remove from a personal fellowship with God, an attitude of thankfulness for the overall goodness of God to His creatures becomes absent from their life. Commenting on this G.K. Chesterton wrote:

“I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder."

Paul deals with several of the traits that will be dominant in the last days and “unthankful” is right up there with attitudes and actions that are unthinkable. 2Timothy 3:1-9.

Chesterton’s statement is helpful in that it lets us know the importance of living life with a wonder, a thankful spirit as being major to our mental and spiritual health. A few years ago, a cliché helped us to practice thankfulness by developing an; “Attitude of Gratitude.”

Considering the vicissitudes of life, how do we find a way to be “thankful,” to “give thanks” for words that often seem brutal? Often we are agonizing over events such as losing a loved on to cancer, accident, or abandonment, the loss of all things as did Paul.

Cousin Mel Branham sent a brief truth to me based on this verse:

1Thessalonians 5:18 “in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

To give thanks in all situations is a demonstration of trust in God for an overall good.

Copyright © 2017 Larry Lilly
Great IT work! Oral Deckard

Don Boys and Carl Rogers on Accepting Responsibility

11/8/2017

LLLV17 11-9-2017 Boys, and Rogers on Accepting Responsibility

The other day another line caught my eye, from a very good writer, and man. Dr. Don Boys, former member of the Indiana House of Representatives, penned this gem:

“Roman bridge-builders used to stand under their arches as the scaffolding was removed. If they had made a mistake, the whole structure came down on their heads. That is the epitome of personal responsibility–something missing in our day. No one wants to be held accountable for anything.” Don Boys.

The practice of refusing to accept responsibility for our actions, thoughts, mistakes and certainly “sins” is one of the paramount features of modern society. Most will agree that our fantastic Interstate System is in disrepair and one reason is that much of it was built to less than the initial specifications. Yet very few have accepted responsibility, and even fewer have been prosecuted for this failure. Just saying.

I spend some time in state and federal courts, sometimes to testify as to character and others as an interested observer. Seldom is it heard that anyone accepts responsibility.

Carl Rogers stated concerning this trait in humanity:

“The only person who cannot be helped is that person who blames others.”

Note this: Don Boys has been called a “Rabid Fundamentalist” by liberals, while Carl Rogers is oft referred to as “One of the Founders of Humanistic Psychology.” How can it be that these two poles apart men reach the same conclusion? Simple! All truth is from God and much of God’s truth is revealed in what we call The Holy Bible. Dr. Rogers came across this truth of accepting responsibility at some point in his studies.

The principle of rejecting personal responsibility is as old as the first man, namely, Adam! Adam was the first man, but far from the last to place the blame for his actions on his Wife! The practice continues unabated even though God totally rejected the claim by Adam and passed judgement down the human chain in such fashion that only Christ alone can solve the problem. All placing of blame on environment, spouse, parenting, poverty, etc., is in vain. God, through Jesus Christ, will help you when you accept personal responsibility and get over the human trait of blaming someone or everyone else.

Copyright © 2017 Larry Lilly
Responsible IT Work. Oral Deckard

Don Talafous on The True Sacrifice

11/5/2017

LLLV17 11-6-2017 Don Talafous on The True Sacrifice

A saying concerning the enormous patriotism demonstrated by the American people during WWII came to mind as I prepared today’s article that may shed some light on some of today’s gargantuan problems faced by each American.

“All gave some, some gave all!”

My thoughts are directed toward those who feel they must bend a knee in protest of our National Anthem.

Commenting on this thought, the below musing came to mind, so I dug it up from my files to share with you. To me, the flag represents all that’s good about America. The stars are our hopes and dreams, the blue is the loyalty due our ideals, and the red stripes are the necessary blood every now and then to water the tree of freedom. This in no way denies the continuing need to inspect the mechanism to see that all is well. Even Katherine Lee Bates noted in her famous song, “God mend thine every flaw.” To deny a flaw is foolish, but to acknowledge a flaw leads to mending the tear.

Millionaire athletes protesting the inequities, have little impact on peoples concern for the disenfranchised of our country. When sacrificial giving is on the discussion table the following lines from fellow writer, Don Talafous:

“The widow, and parents, remind us all that true giving, true sacrifice, is not of what we have left over, but of what we could use for our comfort or convenience if we didn't give it. Statistics on giving to charitable causes show that the poor widows still give the most: people of lower income give more proportionately than do the wealthy. As we recall the Lord's self-giving, we ask to be strengthened in our own willingness to give.”

The body of an American Warrior resting in a box at Dover, with Old Glory draped over it, is the epitome of sacrifice represented by the flag and the anthem. The sacrifice continues when the usually young widow with children returns home to wonder, how am I and the children going to make it?

To the warriors, their widows and children, I give comfort from Jesus:

John 15:13 "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.” (NKJV).

Copyright © 2017 Larry Lilly
Great IT work. Oral Deckard

Helen Denton on Keeping Little Things Secret

11/1/2017

LLLV17 11-2-2017 Helen Denton on Keeping Little Things Secret

Song 2:15 “HER BROTHERS Catch us the foxes, The little foxes that spoil the vines, For our vines have tender grapes.” (NKJV).

Little foxes that spoil the vines is a phrase from Song of Solomon that many a preacher, including yours truly, has used to raise awareness of the terrible damage a small, or little thing, can do to the larger endeavor. During WWII the phrase, “Loose lips sink ships” carried the same idea, meaning using the tongue in unguarded ways could give the enemy information to be used against the war effort. Loose tongues have sunk more than one church or Christian endeavor.

So much for small things that destroy.

How about the millions of grand little things that make enormous contributions to the work at large? Writer, Sandra Cisneros stated:

“The older I get, the more I'm conscious of ways very small things can make a change in the world. Tiny little things, but the world is made up of tiny matters, isn't it?”

The “tiny thing” that leaps into my mind is the computer chip! WOW. Such a tiny thing has revolutionized our modern world. Children carry around in their pockets and little purses more computer power than Huston Center used in controlling the Moon launch and landing, and returning to earth. My cell phone boasts 256 Giga bites of power! But what of the “little people?” The “little churches?” The “little unknowns” who hold up the hands of the giants? Note this obituary of a “little person.”

Helen Kogel Denton, 91, who kept that secret even from her husband of nearly four decades, was buried in the Jonesboro City Cemetery on Dec. 7, 2013, Pearl Harbor Day. “She retired from Delta Air Lines where she was a secretary in the Maintenance Department. She was preceded in death by her husband Noel Denton and her son Jon Denton. She is survived by numerous extended family members and many loving friends. She was an active member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #3650. She also served for many years as a volunteer for the American Red Cross.” End of story? No!

Helen’s secret? She was the 23 year old Corporal that typed the top secret plans for General Eisenhower for D-Day! She kept that secret until D-Day 1994! Typing is considered a little thing. But this little thing made a difference in World History.
https://defence.pk/pdf/threads/the-woman-who-typed-the-d-day-plans.298999/
Copyright © 2017 Larry Lilly
Open Secret IT Work. Oral Deckard