Jack’s Winning Words 11/10/15
“Nothing is more noble, nothing more venerable, than faithfulness.”  (Cicero)  Today is the birthday (1775) of the US Marine Corps whose motto is “Semper Fidelis..Always Faithful.”  It signifies that you can always count on the Marines.  When John Philip Sousa was leader of the USMC Band, he composed the Semper Fidelis March.  He said that it was his best.  After a YouTube listening, I agree.  I also agree that nothing is more noble than faithfulness.    ;-)  Jack  

FROM FACEBOOK LIZ:  dad served in marine corps. semper fi.====JACK:  I don't know that there's any branch in the military that has more pride in their organization than the Marine Corps.  I remember going to buy a car, and the salesman had a sign of his desk that read, "I'm a United States Marine."

FRO, DR ERIC:  My friend who was in the Marines said that he always goes out for surf and turf for the birthday of the Marine Corps with a few of his Marine buddies. Guess it's Marine tradition.  What time do you wake up every morning? I would like to start waking up at 5 am everyday to exercise and mentally prep for the day but I just can't seem to get up before 6 am!  Probably would help me to get to sleep by 10 pm - what's your "secret?"====JACK:  Faithful to each other seems to be a Marine characteristic, too.  Since you asked, I usually go to bed before 10:30 and get up at 4:30 (without an alarm clock).  I've always been an early riser.  After some exercises, I go to the computer and send out Winning Words to over 500 people in various parts of the world.  I usually have that done by 5:15.  My "secret" is...I am challenged to get WWs on the screen of my reader's computer when they turn it on in the morning.

FROM TARMART REV:  You bring out so often those old songs and hymns that jump up into my mind:

   (v) “GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS,” O God my Father, There is no shadow of turning with Thee; Thou changest not, Thy compassion they fail not; As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.
   (v) Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest, Sun, moon and stars in their courses above; Join with all nature in manifold witness, To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.     (v) Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, Thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide; Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, Blessings all mine with ten thousand beside!     (Chorus) “Great is Thy faithfulness!” “Great is Thy faithfulness!”  Morning by morning new mercies I see; All I have needed Thy hand hath provided “Great is Thy faithfulness Lord unto me.”====JACK:  It's on of my favorites, too.  Here's the story behind this hymn.   Thomas Chisholm wrote “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” as a testament to God’s faithfulness through his very ordinary life.  Born in a log cabin in Franklin, Kentucky, Chisholm became a Christian when he was twenty-seven and entered the ministry when he was thirty-six, though poor health forced him to retire after just one year. During the rest of his life, Chisholm spent many years living in New Jersey and working as a life insurance agent.  Still, even with a desk job, he wrote nearly 1,200 poems throughout his life.  Chisholm explained toward the end of his life, “My income has not been large at any time due to impaired health in the earlier years which has followed me on until now.  Although I must not fail to record here the unfailing faithfulness of a covenant-keeping God and that He has given me many wonderful displays of His providing care, for which I am filled with astonishing gratefulness.”

FROM HONEST JOHN:  How do You define "noble"?====JACK:  When was the last time you used the word, noble, in conversation.  I can't remember if I ever did.  But, I have used the words ethical, decent and reputable.  In the hymn, My Country 'Tis of Thee, we sing, "land of the noble free."  Wouldn't it be interesting, during one of the political "debates," if a panelist were to ask the candidates what is meant by that line?====JOHN:  The term "noble". Seems to play a big role in the Middle Ages.   I think it refers to a certain type of attitude and/or behavior.====JACK:  The Nobles in the Middle ages were considered to be the "educated class" between the peasants and royalty.  They were the well respected interpreters.

FROM EEC IN FHM:  What station used to (maybe they still do?) have the Sousa wake up march in the morning? The kids used to look forward to that!====JACK:  A Sousa march is played every weekday morning around 7:15 on WRCJ, 90.9.  Today, I thought that they would play "Semper Fidelis."  It didn't happen.  Instead they played on written by Sousa when he was in his early 20s, before he became famous.

FROM CHESTER THE GOOD:  Now you know why "Once a Marine, always a Marine." ====JACK:  Can "Once a Marine, always a Marine," still fit into his uniform?  Some things change with time.

FROM BLAZING OAKS:  "You can measure your worth by your dedication to  your path, not by your successes or failures." E.Gilbert, Wash. Post.  Whether its to relationships, profession, or ideals and goals, faithfulness is an admirable virtue! AMEN to today's WW!====JACK:  Isn't it interesting that the general epitome of faithfulness is a dog?  That is, except when we're in church.  Then, it's God.