Winning Words 6/16/10
“Never give up on anybody. Miracles happen every day.” (H Jackson Brown) Never giving up on difficult situations, especially when it concerns someone who has disappointed you time and again, is easier said that done. HJB reminds us that there are miracles that happen. The Good Shepherd is always out there seeking the lost sheep and rejoices when it is found. I know of some lost sheep who’ve been found. ;-) Jack

FROM DAZ IN COLORADO: That's a good one! FROM JACK: It's always a good one when it fits into one's life.

FROM SH IN MICHIGAN: When a person has really been involved in another person's life, and is trying not to give up on the person, quite often (in the interest of opening oneself up to actually see a miracle), you have to "let go" and believe way deep down in your soul, that another one needs to become the mediator between the Good Shepherd and the lost sheep. In that case, we also need a whole community who "don't give up on us" and help us to fulfill our own special place in the grand scheme of things. Finally no one is giving up on anybody and the skies just open up to countless miracles and blessings and everyone rejoices. This is happening today with someone I know. FROM JACK: Joy is an interesting word. It has different meanings to different people, depending on circumstances. To re-joice is to experience "more" joy. I know a couple of people who have that as their name.

FROM MOLINER CF: Do I detect political overtones? FROM JACK: It is what it is. I don't see how anyone could construe today's WWs as political.

FROM GOOD DEBT JON: Thankfully a lot of people did not give up on me. FROM JACK: I like, "Winners never quit, and quitters never win." Some winners have been resued from the trash heap.

FROM RI IN BOSTON: Some remarkable transformations do occur in peoples lives. One never knows what will come along that influences and changes a person. I think gaining a few years and associating with "new" people are a couple of influences. FROM JACK: We all have our stories to tell about that.

FROM ML IN ILLINOIS: I believe that miracles are so commonplace they are overlooked as status quo. We are trained, in modern society, to see the negative in everyday life. Imagine if we start a movement to find the positive, the good! I imagine that there would be more miracles recognized everyday! FROM JACK: Miracle of miracles...a positive statement in a negative world.

FROM SG IN TAMPA: God answers prayers. FROM JACK: I've always thought that God answers prayers in one of 3 ways: "YES...NO...LET'S WAIT AND SEE." Some may see this as equivocation, but I think that "God is love," and that he answers prayers in a loving way. I like to conclude prayer requests by saying: "Not my will, but thy will be done."

FROM MO IN ILLINOIS: And I do, also! There is a good story in Guidepost magazine about Marion Bond West, and her"hopeless" twin Jeremy, now 44, addicted to drugs and alcohol for years, and letting them down time and again...she didn't want to let him move back home AGAIN because she felt he was a lost cause, and she couldn't let herself hope. But lo and behold, he has been clean for 3 yrs., has his own place which he keeps spotless, and owns a landscaping business that he has built up! A parishioner whom Bill had counseled successfully (finally) told Bill and the folks at prayer meeting, "I don't know about these other miracles, but in my house, Jesus turned Beer into furniture." FROM JACK: I heard of a church where they were talking about whether to use grape juice or wine for communion. Someone said, "In the Bible we read that Jesus turned water into wine." A little old "temperance" lady spoke up and said, "Yes, and that's one thing I don't like about him."