Jack’s Winning Words 8/21/17
“Some days you just have to create your own sunshine.”  (Unknown)  A Vietnam tradition says that a solar eclipse is caused by a giant frog eating the sun.  I like the belief : “Flowers planted during an eclipse will bloom brighter.”   Here’s a thought:  Why not do something to bring sunshine into a person’s life?  It could be making a phone call, or sending a text, just to say, “Hi!”  Or, doing an unexpected good deed.  Make the world brighter, today!      ;-)  Jack

FROM LBP:  With all the hype I have trouble avoiding  feeling guilt about not doing something super cool.. ... thanks for brightening my day by giving me a new perspective====JACK:  In Sunday School we used to sing (at the top of our lungs)...
Do not wait until some deed of greatness you may do,
Do not wait to shed your light afar,
To the many duties ever near you now be true,
Brighten the corner where you are.
Brighten the corner where you are!
Brighten the corner where you are!
Someone far from harbor "you" may guide across the bar;
Brighten the corner where you are!
(You can YouTube it!)

FROM MY LAWYER:  Hi Jack!  Have a great day.====JACK:  It's starting out bright and sunny!  Thanks for your wish!

FROM RS IN TEXAS:  I hope you realize you do that every day with Winning Words.
Thank you for that.====JACK:  I am simply the amanuensis for the Holy Spirit.====RS:  ....and a good one at that.====JACK:  Did you have to look it up?====RS:  Yes, but my guess was pretty close.  That's one of the things I really like about you - you broaden my vocabulary.  As if the English language needed more broadening!

FROM BLAZING OAKS:  Wrote notes to shut-ins this A.M. Experiencing the solar eclipse is exciting and amazing!! My daughter took the  train to Carbondale where it is clear and sunny, to experience the TOTAL eclipse from there. Here it will be 95%...Brighten The Corner Where You Are, is a great song, and is just what we all can do ! You certainly do your share to spread sunshine on any day of the week! Thank You!====JACK:  And, of course, This Little Light of Mine!  Hold it high so all can see!

FROM SHARIN' SHARON (to Brenda and Kris):  A bunch of us get these "Winning Words" each morning from a retired ELCA pastor.  With your neat interest in frogs, wondered if you might find the Vietnam tradition mentioned in this morning's WW intriguing.  Best wishes and love to both of you, hope your day is pleasant.====JACK:  Thanks, Sharon, for not hiding your light "under a bushel."

FROM FACEBOOK LIZ:  ❤️ (emoji - Red Heart)====JACK:  Thanx

FROM HONEST JOHN:  Hi!====JACK:  I see that you're following FDR's advice for a successful speech:  "Be sincere; be brief; be seated."

FROM KC:  Mom passed away peacefully last night at 4 AM. The family had a nice visit with her yesterday after church. The nursing home called me at 3:40 last night and We got there as soon as I could but she was not conscious.====JACK:  What a beautiful person.  She made the world a brighter place for many people for many years.  Thanks be to God!

FROM MT IN PENNSYLVANIA:  Wonderful words for an extraordinary day!====JACK:  I sat on the porch waiting for night to fall.  It just stumbled a bit and got a little gray outside.

FROM GK:  again, wonderful words of wisdom.  Didn't plant any flowers today but I DO with you a wonderful rest of the day and look forward to tomorrow's message.====JACK:  I wonder if it really is true...that flowers planted during an eclipse bloom brighter.  You'll have to wait until 2099 to try again.

FROM DC IN KS:  We tried, but some raindrops prevailed.  So we didn’t lose.====JACK:  Some religious groups are saying that the eclipse is a foretelling of some disaster.  Be on the lookout! ====DC:  Maybe we are exempt missing seeing the Eclipse?  Welcome to Kansas.====JACK:  Perhaps the Brownback austerity program included doing away with eclipses, too.