Winning Words 1/8/10
“I like the night. Without the dark, we’d never see the stars.” (Bella in Twilight) This is sort of a follow up to what was written yesterday. Sometimes life has a way of seeming terribly dark and brutally cold. There’s no magic wand available to change that, but a positive attitude can help us to see some stars and to experience a feeling of summer during the winter. ;-) Jack

FROM DM IN MICHIGAN: There are those that are like that without (it seems) seemingly having to try. And than there are those of us that are hangers on to the positive light just to get through the day. FROM JACK: I guess we all feel like that at times. Let me share aomething written a friend of mine who's dealing with ALS. His computer is voice activated, because he can't use his hands. The computer software recognizes his voice, even though the disease has weakened his ability to talk.

FROM SH IN ILLINOIS: This is the season to take stock of what things make us happy in life. For me, this revolves around faith, family, health (yes, health-I was originally not given a chance to see this year, so every day is a good day) and friends. Many of us also make resolutions of things to do to improve ourselves, whether that be quitting smoking, spending more time with the children, losing weight or catching up on our reading.

But should these things, however noble and worthy, be our main responses to the happiness we feel in this time of new beginnings? And as I thought about this, my mind wandered, naturally, to Beethoven. Late in his life, Beethoven was not only completely deaf and unable to hear the masterworks he created or indulge his love of music in any normal way, he was often sickly and bed-ridden. About two years before his death, Beethoven went through a very severe and lengthy illness that caused him to think he might very well die. Upon his recovery, he expressed his gratitude in the best way he knew how -- he immediately began composing. Never mind that he would never hear it, and never mind that the slow movement for a string quartet he now composed didn't really fit as part of the larger work he had started earlier. He was simply compelled to write this music. In an unusual move, Beethoven even gave this individual movement its own title -- "Holy Hymn of Thanks from a Convalescent to the Deity".

his "Holy Hymn of Thanks" (to listen, click http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6387666 and then click "Hear the Performance") is not the fiery, tempestuous Beethoven many people know. This work is peaceful, serene and transcendent, with Beethoven caressing each note and reveling in his re-found opportunity to exercise his gift for writing music. In fact, he becomes so enraptured with giving thanks that he simply can't contain his joy -- twice in this supposedly slow movement Beethoven's music breaks out into dance.

Dance! From a man who has repeatedly been deathly ill and can't hear his own music? From a man who never found love and was abused and shunned by family? Yet Beethoven felt deeply that music was the voice of God, and that it was God's gift to him to have that voice flow through him to make the world a better place. He knew of no more joyful thing than to use the gift God had given him.

So I will resolve this year to be profoundly thankful for the gifts I've been given and to use those gifts to make the world around me a better place. Then a happy new year won't depend on what I want, but will flow from what God has given me. And since Beethoven can dance without hearing, I will joyfully and thankfully dance without standing. Peace

FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY: After reading the article and listening to the music from your blog....I can't make a flippant remark concerning the Winning Words. But I would like to say I will never look at my illinesses the same. I am deeply thankful for each day as it comes and will try my best to remember your friend's outlook when facing situations. Thank you both FROM JACK: I wish that you could meet him

FROM GC IN SAN DIEGO: Walking to the Geisel Library this a.m. from their prking bldg I thought of the usual of cking the e-mails and seeing "Winning Words." My thought process was..."You know, greeting Jack on the screen is a bit like walking into the office at the beginning of the day and greeting your work associates...'Good a.m. How are you? Have a good night? Good to see you this morning. You're looking good. Have a good day!'"

FROM SH IN MICHIGAN: Yesterday, at the public library, reading a issue of the magazine "Back Home", some person was advocating the health benefits of sleeping the really old-fashioned way--going to bed when it's dark, getting up when it's light--no artificial light. Do we, in our culture, deny the night? deny the dark? And are we physically, psychologically, spiritually weaker for that? I confess seeing the stars never thrills me as much as seeing the sun and especially enjoying the days getting longer again.

FROM MO IN ILLINOIS: One of the bonuses of living out in a rural area, such as Lake Petersburg, is that the stars are so bright at night, and the skies are usually clear. Beautiful sunsets, too. Sarah, who lives in industrialized Chicago, (Hyde Park) is always enthralled when she is here, because in the city you so rarely see a clear view of the Heavens. The night does highlight the stars! Good to remember! FROM JACK: We have so many trees around us that it's impossible to see the horizon. Looking up, we can see the stars, but not the panorama.

FROM PRDM IN MICHIGAN: Thanks, Pastor, for ALWAYS having encouraging words in the bleakest hours!