Winning Words 4/6/11
“Sometimes you’ve got to say to someone, ‘Get over it.’” (anon, but not to me) At first glance, this doesn’t sound nice. However, in life there come times when it’s just necessary to move on. There are places in the Bible which describe times when God has had it with the faithlessness of people. “Get over it.” There comes a time when the people of God need to be the people of God. ;-) Jack

FROM PASTY PAT FROM THE WEST BANK: A resounding AMEN sent all the way from Yanoun! FROM JACK: You get a different perspective when you "walk where Jesus walked," don't you?

FROM RI IN BOSTON: There also comes a time when we have to "get ON with it". FROM JACK: There's value in looking at things/issues from more than one point of view.

FROM SH IN MICHIGAN: anon said something that's in my mind sometimes with certain people that repeat and repeat and repeat destructive behavior and then rationalize that he/she did it "because" someone else did this or that, some sort of victimization that then was the cause of everything else that follows. I think people learn how to break these destructive patterns in all the anon groups but it sure is hard to have a friend like this. FROM JACK: It is possible to say, in a friendly way, "Get over it!"

FROM "I DON'T KNOW WHO": Good Word Jack! I agree with S.H. in MI about a challenging friendship. It is always a balance point between what you feel and what you know you should do. (Actually it is more of stuggle...) FROM JACK: Real friendships are strengthened by challenges.

FROM MT IN PENNSYLVANIA: Well, that is definitely good advice. Many people are trapped by the pain and fear of things that happened long ago. If you saw the movie Moonstruck (Cher and Nicholas Cage), you may recall the great cinematic moment when she slaps him and bellows "Snap out of it!" :-) FROM JACK: Yes, a slap in the face, a swift kick in the rear, and an unexpected "Get over it," are ways to get one's attention.

FROM LS IN MICHIGAN: where are those passages in the Bible? FROM JACK: When I was in the business of praching from the pulpit, I can't recall anyone shouting out from the pew, "What do you mean by that." But, since you asked, I might refer to Exodus 32:9-10 where Moses hears God refer to Israel as a "stiff-necked" people. I think also of God's prophet, Amos, and his words to the fat cows of Bashan (the rich and uncaring). I may think of others as the day goes on.

FROM PRJS IN MICHIGAN: And there are times when God just gave up on them and let them be taken into exile.... FROM JACK: This raises the question in my mind: "Does God give up on anyone?" or is the ball always in "our" court. MORE FROM JS: Clearly some find themselves outside if we are reading the scriptures....it
appears that it is always our fault....the best write up on this is the Apocalypse of St. John...God keeps coming after them but they refuse to listen...the writer is astonished.... FROM JACK: I was influenced by Francis Thompson's poem: "The Hound of Heaven."

FROM NANCY IN THE U.P.: YES !!!!AT OUR CHURCH WE HAVE DUSTED OFF OUR BIBLES AND DURING LENT WE ARE READING MATTHEW AND ROMANS....AND THE LORD WAS REALLY TRYING TO GET THROUGH OVER AND OVER !!! FROM JACK: You always seem to be able to find something "new" in the old, old story. I've always liked the Västerås-method Bible study...the candle, the arrow, the question mark and the double-candle.

FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY: As harsh as it sounds, it's good advice. It's something I have said to myself a time or two. FROM JACK: Good advice is good advice!

FROM HAWKEYE GEORGE: That is the theme of this school year's national robotics teams, grades 9-12. That is the future. FROM JACK: Here is something for young minds to ponder..."If there's a barrier to your thinking, Get over it!" The world is always looking for new ways to remove barriers.

FROM MOLINER CF: Life is like a track meet. Lots of hurdles and you need to get over all of them. FROM JACK: And it you happen to stumble and fall, just get up and keep on going.

FROM AM IN MICHIGAN: In my Mother's house it was :Offer it up". I continued that and I hear my children repeating it. FROM JACK: That's a good one. I can hear God saying that with regard to our whiny prayers.

FROM CJL IN OHIO: Regurging the same thing over and over does no one any good....especially the individual!

FROM TAMPA SHIRL: That works especially with children who don't like to let something go if they insist on blaming someone else. FROM JACK: Where do kids learn that behavioral stuff?