Winning Words 8/16/10
“You can get better, or you can get bitter.” (Rob who is an ex-con) Rob is in a Bible study group with a friend of mine. After Rob’s stay in prison and a suicide attempt, he became a Christian and went on to become a minister. He is now the director of a Rescue Mission. An unfortunate event in life can become like a fork in the road. As Rob said, “It can make you bitter or better.” Do you know what I mean? ;-) Jack

FROM RI IN BOSTON: Rob's statement is so succinct but says a lot. I give financial support to a Rescue Mission here, but it's the people who are working on the spot who are due respect. Somehow we never think about the backgrounds from which they come, and how they have overcome personal desperation. FROM JACK: The "bitter" ones often make the headlines, while the "better" ones have another goal in mind. Ultimately, life is a matter of the choices we make.

FROM SH IN MICHIGAN: Unfortunate events happen in so many of our lives. When a person can finally, guided through by Jesus and His people, embrace the crap which makes us who we truthfully are, seems like it is exactly part and parcel with these unfortunate events that we can be of greater service to God with our own very precisely unique gifts and talents. It's amazing when other people can also accept the unfortunate events in our lives and not pity or look down on us because of them. FROM JACK: Life is one event after another. Whether they are fortunate or unfortunate depends, in large part, on how we respond to them.

FROM JO IN MICHIGAN: As I move further and further into my '50s, I find myself surrounded by family members and friends who are experiencing mid-life crises. They are looking at their children who have not accomplished what their parents wanted, looking at their lives and wondering why their relationships are not what they thought they would be, and beginning to address why things have or have not happened. I am so thankful that, despite my unemployment situation, that God has blessed me with a support structure that I feed upon, rely upon, and cherish. It is this network that makes me strong and keeps me going and teaches me more each day. It, by the way, is surprising that some people whom one would think are more grounded are those who are less grounded. At the same time, it is such a blessing and joy to be around those who are strong and can help carry you through. FROM JACK: I've always believed that the way to a "better" life is to have a good value system. It allows you to put things into perspective and to know what's really important. You've got your head screwed on straight, as the saying goes.

FROM MOLINER CF: Bitter is the bad taste in the mouth of life. FROM JACK: As the "new" generation might say: "Sweet!"

FROM CS IN MICHIGAN: Yes I know what you mean... FROM JACK: It's easier to be bitter than it is to be better.

FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY: I know what you mean. Take the correct fork and use it the correct way. Amen FROM JACK: Sometimes you go to a fancy dinner, and there are too many forks. Life can be like that.

FROM GUSTIE MN: Interesting—a couple of weeks ago Huckabee had a fellow that was a minister now in a huge church, but he had been in jail for murder. He really turned his life around. FROM JACK: That's what conversion is....turning your life around.

FROM HAWKEYE GS: I MADE THE LIST!! FROM JACK: Yep! It was your friend and your Bible study group. And he's not the only "miracle baby" either, is he?

FROM SG IN TAMPA: Fortunatly, not by personal experience. By the way, have you read Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson? He is the son of a Lutheran minister from Minnesota who went to Africa and who established schools and hospitals. I have just begun the book and so far it is quite interesting. FROM JACK: Yes, I've heard good things about the book. I don't want to be picky, but I think that what makes the story even more interesting is that Greg went to Pakistan and Afghanistan, dangerous places to be for the kind of work he was doing.

FROM PRFM IN WISCONSIN: Take the 'i' out of bitter and add an 'e' for effort and things are better!

FROM MO IN ILLINOIS: This is so strange: My husband once preached a sermon titled, "BETTER OR BITTER?!" What a difference one little vowel can make! A positive attitude certainly helps to promote healing...but most of us have not had to deal with such severe stresses as this prison buddy. How wonderful that he found "In everything God is working for Good to those who love him". I have found He can bring good out of very bad situations, eventually, if we hang on, and keep the faith!