Jack’s Winning Words 4/13/15
“Thank you, God, for this good life, and forgive us if we do not love it enough.”  (Garrison Keillor)  I met Keillor a few years ago, and I found him to be much like he is on The Prairie Home Companion.  His radio show is a mixture of humor, down-home philosophy and religious satire.  If you’re ever called upon to offer a table prayer, today’s quote would be a good one.  We tend to take for granted this good life of ours.  Let’s count our blessing…1, 2, 3 etc.    ;-)  Jack

FROM SHARIN' SHARON:  The first time we heard of Garrison Keillor was in 1983. We had just moved to Geneva, Switzerland, for a few years, with a 3 week old baby and brought a radio with us. Prairie Home Companion was even over there!!!! His down-home humor and sturdy grasp of reality really helped us not to be so lonely. Appreciate his gifts to making this world a better place to live in. ====JACK:  While I like The Prairie Home Companion, I like CBC's (Canada) Vinyl Café with Stuart McLean even better.  It can be heard, Saturdays at 8;30 am, on 89.9.  Stuart's stories really make me laugh.   You can also hear the program online.

FROM RI IN BOSTON:  We don't realize how good something is until it's taken away, by whatever means.  Most of us can look back on life when it was simpler and friendlier.  "Progress" has changed things, and in the process taken a lot from us.  There is so much of questionable value going on in our lives.  We better make sure we have the priorities right.====JACK:  Even in biblical days, Jesus stressed the importance of prioritizing:  "Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness..."  The "simpler" times of the past often seem better, until they're examined with history's microscope.  So, it shall ever be.

FROM TARMART REV:  I saw him one day some years back walking into the Minnesota State Fair . . . my impression as well . . . a smile on his face, looking and nodding at others as he walked along . . . an interesting fellow, to say the least.  Loving life, but room for improvement, here--  ====JACK:  Would you ever expect to see him at Target or Walmart?  He might be able to get some interesting stories there, if he were to listen in at your table.====REV:  Sweet...I was surprised to see him walking along toward the State Fair's entrance...not sure why I should be surprised? Target or Walmart, now that would really be a sight to behold. I do enjoy listening to his radio broadcasts, along with his creative stories. ====REV:  I've heard a few "Pentecostal preacher or church" stories and characteristics that even put a smile on my face.====JACK:  A Pentecostal church is where people run up and hug you, and you don't even know them.

FROM CH ON CAPE COD:  I read an article some years back – an interview with Garrison Keillor.  He was asked: “You have won so many awards and accolades… at your funeral/eulogy… which do you want mentioned?”  Keillor responded, “I just want someone to read Luke 15, the parable of the Prodigal, and then say, ‘this sinner has come home.’”  I can respect that!====JACK:  He would probably choose the hymn, "Softly and Tenderly," to go along with that.  Have you picked out a hymn that you would like to have sung at your funeral?  I like, "Day By Day."====CH:  My short list includes:  “For all the Saints”  “Thine is the Glory”  “How Great Thou Art”  "Borning Cry" ====JACK:  Those are all good ones.  If the 3rd hymn is used, make sure the bulletin includes a note that the words apply to God.

FROM DP IN MINNESOTA:  Amen, amen, amen!====JACK:  Do you know the words to "Count You Many Blessings?"  If so, you can sing it now.

 FROM SPARTAN ALL-STAR:  Garrison Keillor is one of my favorite radio personalities. What a talent and what a voice!  I like his Writer's Almanac, too.====JACK:  I haven't heard of the Almanac, but that's not unusual.  I haven't heard of many things.  Back to Google.

FROM CHESTER THE GOOD:  Put me in mind of my favorite Irish blessing. "May your worst day next year be no worse than your best day last year."====JACK:  That puts in mind one of my favorite summer foods...bratwurst.  I also like liverwurst and onion sandwiches.

FROM BLAZING OAKS:   I first heard Garrison K. in Davenport, IA,  Can't remember the venue, but it was the huge auditorium where we went for symphony concerts, and you could have heard a pin drop, it was so quiet while he enthralled the audience with stories and chatting.   He really impressed me!  Hal was a great fan, and always had his Sat. and Sunday noon hour program on the radio.  I hear his noon writer's almanac and poetry  corner when it's on the car radio. i don't often listen to radio in the house!  We have his tapes and often  were regaled by his stories on long trips. He recently had a memoir about growing up in Minnesota in one of my magazine...i think The Smithsonian....at any  rate, just after having a big family celebration of my 85th yesterday, hosted by my children, grandchildren, and 'greats",  I echo his thought for today, "thank you God for  this  good life, and for the last part too!!====JACK:  I think that one of the reasons for G.K.'s popularity is his chatty style.  It's like he's talking right to you.  I think that more ministers would be better preachers if it seemed as though they were chatting with the listener.  In seminary we were taught that our preaching should "connect it up with life."  Congratulations on four-score years and five.  You've beaten the biblical odds. 

  FROM TAMPA SHIRL:  i count my blessings every day-and they are many.====JACK:  You have an attitude of gratitude.

FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY:  What a wonderful prayer and it's one that will grace our table!  We listened to Keillor on public radio, I believe.  I haven't heard him in years though.  He always made laugh.====JACK:  The Detroit NPR station used to broadcast GK, but cancelled him when the fee that was charged became too great.  He can still be heard on Ann Arbor's NPR station.

FROM FM IN WISCONSIN: Keillor is right on – thanks.====JACK:  People who able to sense the feelings of others have a wonderful gift.  Do our seminaries has a course where that is taught?  Where does that sense come from?

FROM WATERFORD JAN:  I find every WW thought-inspiring, but I seldom send a response to them, which does not have any other meaning than I just didn't do it.  I appreciate most of the responses you receive.  This response is after the fact, but I hope you'll approve.  Maybe Keillor would approve, also.  "Thank you, God, for this good church, and forgive us if we do not love it enough."  The church I belong to is having a special congregational meeting this coming Sunday after worship (after a meal, of course) to share our ideas about what we think our congregation should be doing.  We are into the call process, and I don't know if this is "required" by that process, or it's just a good idea from the pastor and our Council.  We had a smooth beginning for a few years; ran into a rough patch and some families left; the rest of us worked through it and feel that we have strengthened our resolve to remain a viable congregation, thanks be to God.  Now we must prepare for an uncertain future, with "prayerful consideration".====JACK:  God doesn't always use the same measurement for success that the world uses. 

  FROM FM IN WISCONSIN:   I plan on using this tonight for the table grace at the monthly catered dinner here at the Atrium.