Winning Words 9/30/11
“If Jesus stopped you in the street, would you recognize him?” (Mark Allan Powell) Powell has written a new book which explores the question, “Who is Jesus?” The Bible says that Jesus appears in a variety of disguises. He’s a blind man, a person on welfare, an immigrant, someone in hospice, a beggar at the corner. Costumes are not only used on Halloween. Think! When did you last see Jesus in disguise? ;-) Jack

FROM PL IN MICHIGAN: Now you are scaring me! What if Jesus is disguised as Sarah Palin!? This next sentence is really a serious question, Jack. Is their any evidence in the scriptures that Jesus had a sense of humor?//// FROM JACK: Jesus could show up as Sarah and show you that he has a sense of humor. He could also show up as your wife. Once Jesus was responding to criticism by the self-righteous. "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the log that is in your own eye?" That's irony as humor.

FROM PRJS IN MICHIGAN: I think the real question is not "Would you recognize him physically?" but "Would you recognize HIM?" The thing that is difficult to recognize about Jesus is exactly what has plagued churches for 2000 years....We want Jesus to be made in our image. The problem is having our image restructured so that it allows us to meet Jesus as he really is. Who, thus far in Christian history, has been able to do this?//// FROM JACK: Jesus was God in disguise. The appropriate question is: "If God stopped you on the street, would you recognize him?"

FROM JACK: There's an old song that we used to sing in Sunday School...
(I'm writing this from memory...and sing the words...quietly.)
If the Christ should come to me, as of old in Galilee,
Come again in lowly guise From his home in Paradise,
Would I know that it was he, the man from Galilee?
(We'd then sing with enthusiasm...)
Yes, I would know him. Yes, I would know him.
The man from Galilee.

FROM BF IN MICHIGAN: I think I see him everyday and he does appear in different forms!////FROM JACK: Do we just say, Hi," and then pass by? That's a question I ask myself.

FROM SH IN MICHIGAN: Actually, I think Jesus is in disguise in everyone all the time but the problem is I don't always name Him as being in disguise. Yesterday, I was home working all day and at least two times I heard and was thankful that Jesus is in disguise in my mother-in-law and my Godson and also in the leader of our Altar Guild, I believed I heard disguised Jesus while talking on the telephone. they said such kind and understanding things. Then my husband too, the very latest person I saw Jesus in disguise. I've known these people are Jesus for a long time now but originally it was all hope and not what I considered certain and spiritually I haven't always been in this kind of place in my mind and heart. That was yesterday, today I'm going out and eager to see who Jesus in disguise appears now. Tuesday night I watched a "Round Table" on Channel 7, a group of diverse people with a couple of anchor moderators, talking about breaking down barriers between ethnic groups and so forth and making the Detroit Metropolitan area a more peaceful and harmonious city. Jesus was certainly there too.////FROM JACK: Jesus in disguise? That certainly can make life interesting, when we think about it.

FROM PRJM IN MICHIGAN: Didn't Luther call these "the masks of God"? Even more Halloween-y! :-)//// FROM JACK: "All our work in the field, in the garden, in the city, in the home, in struggle, in government--to what does it all amount before God except child's play, by means of which God is pleased to give his gifts in the field, at home, and everywhere? These are the masks of our Lord God, behind which he wants to be hidden and to do all things." (Martin Luther, Exposition of Psalm 147.) Luther did have a way making theology understandable.

FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY: Knowing his own disciples didn't know Him, I probably wouldn't either. I've seen His work all the time, through those close to me and those I don't even know. I'd even like to believe He has worked through me on occasion. I wonder how many times I've missed Him.////FROM JACK: I wonder if Jesus likes to play games with us...sort of like, "Where's Waldo?"

FROM HR IN MICHIGAN: Some guy with a beard, sandals, looks like a hippie, has a nice smile////FROM JACK: Hey, that's Fidel Castro....without the smile and the sandals. Could he also have a backache?

FROM MK IN MICHIGAN: Not exactly the same but I have a cousin, he is a tall, handsome, charming man with an incredible laugh, he would not harm a soul…he is an out of control alcoholic who has become homeless after many attempts at sobriety and when I see a homeless person I think of Jim, for me that is Jesus in disguise. It changed forever the way I look at the homeless.////FROM JACK: Jesus was forever trying to get people to look at situations and people with an understanding eye. That is so difficult to do, because our emotions and prejudices get in the way. I remember hearing of a curch woman who was totally against all alcoholic drinks. Someone reminded her that Jesus once changed water into wine at the wedding in Cana. She harumphed and said, "That's one thing I didn't like about him." Regarding Cousin Jim, this old song comes to mind... She's More to Be Pitied Than Censured (William B. Gray)

At the old concert hall on the Bowery,
'Round a table were seated one night,
A crowd of young fellows carousing
With them life seemed cheerful and bright.
At the very next table was seated
A girl who had fallen to shame,
All the young fellows jeered at her weakness,
Till they heard an old woman explain:

She is more to be pitied than censured,
She is more to be helped than despised.
She is only a lassie who ventured
On life's stormy path, ill-advised;
Do not scorn her with words fierce and bitter
Do not laugh at her shame and downfall.
For a moment, just stop and consider
That a man was the cause of it all.

There's an old-fashioned church 'round the corner
Where the neighbors all gathered one day,
While the parson was preaching a sermon
O'ere a soul that had just passed away;
'Twas this same wayward girl from the Bow'ry
Who a life of adventure had led.
Did the clergyman jeer at her downfall?
No! He asked for God's mercy, and said:

She is more to be pitied than censured,
She is more to be helped than despised.
She is only a lassie who ventured
On life's stormy path, ill-advised;
Do not scorn her with words fierce and bitter
Do not laugh at her shame and downfall.
For a moment, just stop and consider
That a man was the cause of it all.

FROM PLAIN FOLKS CHESTER: Sorry, Hack, you lost me on that one. If He is in disguise, how do I know I have seen Him?////FROM JACK: That's the point. He can be in anyone, and it's up to you to ask yourself, "Could that have been Jesus?" The important thing is not whether or not you see Jesus, but that he sees you and sees your reaction to "him."

FROM CJL IN OHIO: As Lincoln said: It's not the years in life that count it's the life in the years.////FROM JACK: "I didn't say a lotta things they say I said." That could have been a quote from Abe, but it really was from Yogi. However, you seem to be right about these words attributed to Lincoln.

FROM RJP IN FLORIDA: Do you think He could ever be a rich man providing for the less fortunate??? Must he always be portrayed as a beggar or street person? I know many wealthy people who wear the face of God in their daily lives..................////FROM JACK: I understand what you are saying. Of course, God can come in any form he chooses. For example, couldn't Warren Buffett be Jesus in disguise, as he seeks to get other wealthy people to give of their resources to help the poor...or couldn't he/she be Bill and Melinda Gates as they set up a foundation to help the needy in the 3rd world? Yes, Jesus can be the giver as well as the givee. Thanks for your interesting response.

FROM BLAZING OAKS: "Lord, WHEN did we ever see you hungry, or sick, or in prison??!" and He replied, "Inasmuch as you have done it for the least of these, you have done it to me..." I DO think that if Jesus did return (or has He, in some poor village in a 3rd World or S. American or African or Asian country?!) that we would not recognize Him or realize it was Christ returned to Earth..."when did we ever see you...?!" Bill had an experience that shook him to the core, when he pastored the Dixon Baptist church. He heard the church door open (those were days of unlocked doors) and footsteps coming up the steps to the Sanctuary. As he came out of his office, he said "I could smell him (alcohol and unwashed body and clothes) before I ever turned the corner to see him." The man started to talk, explaining that he smelled of alcohol due to medicine he took, and of course wanted financial help... Bill looked into his eyes, and suddenly felt he was in the presence of Christ! A light seemed to emanate from the man, and Bill was transfixed by a dirty old bum (to most) with piercing brown eyes. So much so that he gave the man his last $25.00! He shook the man's hand and wished him well, & told him we all have the same heavenly father. The man replied, "you've made me feel like a human being again...." (If I remember correctly). It wasn't easy to shake Bill up, but that was one time, he was awed!! I think we meet Christ in many guises...so did Bill!////FROM JACK: Jesus coming to your husband in that form? That's hard to believe. Jesus, coming as a baby and being laid in a manger? That's hard to believe.

FROM CWR IN B'MORE: ........hope you don't mind. I took the liberty to forward your latest Winning Words to a colleague or two and some family here. (Here's what I forwarded).......think about this one as it relates to how we treat or view "panhandlers" who approach us or who are sitting cross legged on the sidewalks.....or an old lady with a coin basket ,begging, as we exit a grocery store parking lot..........are people "down and out" on purpose? Who are these people? And does how we react to their behavior say something about us?////CWR AGAIN: .....by the way....the old Beggar Lady that I referenced in my last response to you told me a few days ago that another "old Lady" stopped and talked with her for awhile and found out that she (the Beggar) in her "younger days" had been a Dressmaker.....so guess what? The "old lady" hired the Beggar to make a Wedding Dress for her Granddaughter. Today when I passed the corner, for the first time since I've returned to Baltimore, the Beggar was gone...she was employed making a Wedding Dress. Cheers. Keep the Faith.////FROM JACK: Sometimes Jesus Winning Words as a false face.

Winning Words 9/29/11
“We don’t beat the Grim Reaper by living longer, but by living well and living fully. The Reaper comes for all of us.” (Randy Pausch) Pausch, a computer geek, was told that he had 3 to 6 months to live because of cancer. His book, The Last Lecture, became a best seller. (I’ve got to read it.). You can see that he lived his quote. He died at age 47. Today’s words are a reminder to treasure each precious day. ;-) Jack

FROM GOOD DEBT JON: I remember watching his lecture and a segment on 60 minutes… Inspiring.////FROM JACK: ....which reminds me. I've got to get his book from the library.

FROM PC IN MICHIGAN: I've got the book and will bring it to church Sunday for you.////FROM JACK: That's another reason for going to church.

FROM TAMPA SHIRL: Thy will be done. No one knows the time of his or her death. As parents we taught that and tried to live the advice to be a good person and to develop the talents that God has given each person and to try to make the world a better place. By the way, how did you like that Rays and Yankees game last night? My grandson who just started his new job on the staff of the University of Missouri at Columbia called me when the score was 7-0. While we talked, the score became 7-7. Then he called again at midnight after the Rays had lost and the Orioles had won. Amazing.////FROM JACK: The Grim Reaper came for the BoSox and delayed his visit to the Rays. I don't think that God is a baseball fan, unless Tigers are playing. I certainly can't visualize him ringing a cowbell.

FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY: The book sounds like it would be a great read. Perhaps I'll get it too. He was on the tv a lot after he wrote his book. He planned to use it for his children's sake aftger he was gone. I had heard him on tv and he seemed like such a well-grounded kind individual. We laugh everytime we read if you floss your teeth you will live 3 years ago, stop eating so much, start exercising, don't eat eggs, eat eggs, etc etc. While they may help you live a healthier life, they don't have any control of when your life will end. Noah, 7 years old, came up to me and gave me a big hug and said, "I'll be real sad when you die Grandma." He is becoming aware of living and dying and voices his fears. We re-assure him of the fact, we will be separated by a short time and will live in eternity together. It helps. We talk a lot of Heaven and the fun it will be.//// FROM JACK: Even though my mother had relatively good health when she was 100, she said that it was no fun growing old. She was ready for the "new" life. You don't have to be 100 in order to have an appreciation for what the "new" life can mean.

FROM SH IN MICHIGAN: Glad the author of the WW changed "grim reaper" to simply "reaper". I don't know if I could live each day well and fully and treasure each day if I believed a grim reaper would be standing at the end, waiting to mow me down with his sickle or something. But I do also believe that, when we consider death, of ourselves or of loved ones, we go through ups and downs of emotions when it might feel pretty grim and that a grim reaper is in charge.////FROM JACK: I imagine that it was pretty "grim" news when 47-year-old Randy heard the doctor's prognosis. I'm encouraged at how Easter Sunday was able to change Bad Friday into Good Friday. Death becomes life...eternal life.

FROM BLAZING OAKS: I have the DVD of Pausch's lecture/book, and have read the book as well. It is priceless. Have shown it to several groups in church and Women's Club. SO sad that he didn't live to raise his children, and how stoic and down-to-Earth his wife was and is! Talk about DWI... As Marilyn Charles Karlstrom expressed, "those of us blessed with long years, have to bear the losses." So true, and look forward to reunions in the next phase of Life. I like the poem "If Tomorrow Should Start Without Me" , for none of knows when that might happen! But we know it will happen! ////FROM JACK: I had a conversation with someone this week on how (given enough time) the sad events of life can turn into the glad. Humans look through one end of the telescope, while God uses the other end.

FROM JB IN WISCONSIN: I saw the documentary on him - what an amazing spirit. ////FROM JACK: Do the circumstances make our heroes...or is the spirit within all along, waiting for the right time?

Winning Words 9/29/11
“We don’t beat the Grim Reaper by living longer, but by living well and living fully. The Reaper comes for all of us.” (Randy Pausch) Pausch, a computer geek, was told that he had 3 to 6 months to live because of cancer. His book, The Last Lecture, became a best seller. (I’ve got to read it.). You can see that he lived his quote. He died at age 47. Today’s words are a reminder to treasure each precious day. ;-) Jack
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Winning Words 9/28/11
“D.W.I.” (Navy SEALs’ slogan) Here’s another from Kirk Gibson. He once invited some “SEALs” to talk to his team. They told of Afghanistan experiences which did not go according to plan. In those instances, they shouted, “D.W.I.!” In other words, Deal With It! Ballplayers have to be ready for the unexpected. D.W.I.! Life is that way. Do you know of people who’ve dealt with IT, successfully? ;-) Jack

FROM JS IN MICHIGAN: I think good preparation can minimize the number of D.W.I.s that one has to deal with and, therefore, allow a person to focus clearly on those times when your only choice is to deal with it.////FROM JACK: The SEALs are extremely well prepared, but "D.W.I." is still in their vocabulary. Their goal, and ours, is to reduce the need to use it. I seem to remember that good preparation was taught to you by your debate coach.////MORE JS: I remember I taught the homiletics class at Augie Sem when I was a senior....Kemtone had died and Art Arnold was the acting Prez and so asked me to teach the beginning homiletics class. I stressed preparation and one student argued that we should wait until we got into the pulpit and then let the Holy Spirit guide us. I suggested as kindly as possible that he was going to sharing a lot of hot air with his congregation if he did that. The Holy Sp. expects us to prepare and then will be there to lead us and guide us. It was a funny conversation and a difficult one to conduct without hurting his feelings.....Interesting memory////FROM JACK: I recall the story of a farm boy who came to the seminary, but did poorly in preaching class. The prof told him that he could never be a preacher. "But I had a vision one winter while on the toilet. I distinctly saw the letters P.C. on the frosted windowpane. It was God telling me to Preach Christ." The wise professor responded, "Perhaps you misinterpreted. God was telling you to Plow Corn." Perhaps your student was similar to that one.

FROM SH IN MICHIGAN: My husband spent years and years preparing to be a physics professor. When he didn't get tenure, he finally was able to D.W.I. by appreciating what he could still do at his corporation job and at his church. When my daughter was fairly young, we thought we couldn't afford a Nintendo game. She D.W.I. by drawing a Nintendo game on a small box and pretending she was playing Nintendo. I'm prouder of my family for D.W.I. than I might have been if life were just a piece of cake and they would never have had to show their true mettle. God has blessed them with love that they have been able always to "pass along" to others.////FROM JACK: Many heroes come from D.W.I. situations. Congratulations for the heroes in your life.

FROM HAPPY TRAILS IN NOVA SCOTIA: This excellent WW reminds me of the Bob Newhart (sp?) monologue about the night janitor at the Empire State Building who, on his very first night at work, is confronted with a huge ape climbing up the side of the building. He solves the problem by smearing the Chrysler Tower with bananas. ////FROM JACK: I long for the days of Newhart humor. I guess I'll have to D.W.I. Hey, maybe I can find it on uTube.

FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY: Our nephew is training to be a SEAL. It's unbelievable tough! They deal with more stuff than we can ever know or want to for that matter. I love their slogan. Kirk is very smart to have his team listen to people who put their lives on the line. Baseball is "just a game" but players still have to "Be Prepared".
////FROM JACK: Even though I only made Tenderfoot in the Boy Scouts, I still remember: "Be Prepared"!

FROM HAWKEYE GEORGE: First Teen Challenge, the national robotics teams' organization, had as last year's motto was "Get Over It!"////FROM JACK: Facing an obstacle? Get over it...or under it, or around it...but get through it!////MORE FROM HAWKEYE: Mega Dittos!! :-))

FROM FLOWER POWER: That’s a good one. DWI is something I will use to express. The only Bible verse that my Dad ever quoted is Matthew 7:7. I’m not sure if that was the salesman in him or the optimist in him. Although I know the rest of the verse as it relates to the kingdom of God I like to think that the words are also meant as an inspiration to never giving up or DWI as the Navy Seals would express it. “Ask and it shall be given you, seek and you shall find; knock and it shall be opened.”////FROM JACK: Yes, "Seek, and you will find...a way to extricate yourself from a TS (tough situation)."

FROM BLAZING OAKS: DWI would be appropriate for ALL sports! I had to DWI when I was a young mother of four, driving a car in which the gas gauge did not work, and was stranded on the busiest bridge in Dixon during morning rush hour (jumped into the car to take John to H.S. wrestling practice at 7:30, because Bill was out-of-town...) and finally had to get out in my car in black lace baby doll pajamas, and walk two blocks to the nearest gas station. No slippers, no robe, no money...the gas station attendant took pity on me,and delivered gas to get me home, where my other kids were all late to school, etc. etc. AAAGHH! But the kicker was that the gas station man came to church the next Sunday!. (I had explained I was the Baptist Pastor's wife, and would come back and pay him for the gas...which I did.) He must have wanted to see me clothed and in my right mind. HA! Bill jokingly said we should turn that in for an evangelism idea: I didn't think it would sell...:-) Here's to DWI: I've done it a lot!!////FROM JACK: When is your book going to be published? And will there be pictures?

Winning Words 9/27/11
“Anyone know what a scotoma is?” (Kirk Gibson) Baseball manager Gibson began a team meeting with that question. “A scotoma is a blind spot. I can’t see everything. I’m depending on you to let me know what I miss seeing.” We are better off in this world with friends who can help us to see what we’re missing. I think that the Diamondbacks are a better team because they know what a scotoma is. ;-) Jack

FROM SH IN MICHIGAN: Your WW are right on spot. Dealing with my scotomas is one reason why I am so diligent at attending Bible studies, prayer evenings and worship. In fact, already this morning a scomata was being dealt with because last night at Bible study, as we studied the lectionary for next Sunday, for some reason we got to conversing about people in desperate situations, particularly financial. Over the years, I have bumped into quite a few people who have needed family assistance, food pantries, so forth coming in and out of the church, in the community, etc., and have seen the difficulties in being plain and honest and not manipulative in getting needs met. Money is needed and given for one thing and then goes to another thing and so forth and of course we all agreed that the money is given with no strings attached, trust and dignity being the most important thing but I seem to over-identity with these people's situations.////FROM JACK: Having empathy isn't a scotoma. It's something to be cherished.

FROM BLAZING OAKS: My daughter and I just saw the baseball movie Moneyball with Brad Pitt today (Interesting and entertaining, but I wanted Billy Beane to win the World Series!!) I didn't know this term, but we all have one blind spot I'm sure, and we DO need others for perspective sometimes. Enjoyed the WW today! As Always!////FROM JACK: I like what Billy Beane did when he didn't have the money to match the millions of the other teams.

FROM PLAIN FOLKS CHESTER: A lot depends on the size of the scotoma. I know some people who have 20/20 vision and are totally blind.////FROM JACK: In Mark 8, Jesus says to the disciples: "You have eyes, but do not see. You have ears, but do not hear."

FROM FM IN WISCONSIN: Jack, interesting . . . right now we’re pulling for the Brewers . . . and I hope they know what a scotoma is! We are one game up on the Diamondbacks, with two games to play. We’re dealing with the Pirates, while the Diamondbacks are playing the Dodgers. May the best team win!////FROM JACK: I don't know about that "best team" business. I don't care who wins, as long as it's the Tigers.

FROM CJL IN OHIO: Knowing that won't help them win////FROM JACK: Maybe not, but, at least, their vocabulary (and yours) will be increased by one word.

Winning Words 9/26/11
“Everybody needs somebody.” (Mahalia Jackson) I usually associate these words with The Blues Brothers, “1,2..1,2,3,4…Every-body needs some-body etc.” Mahalia gives the words a more serious meaning. The Queen of Gospel knew how important it was to have people that she could count on. She grew up in a 3-room house with 13 people and a dog. We are blessed when we have “some-body” in our life. ;-) Jack

FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY: "Everybody needs somebody sometime"...I think Dean Martin sang it but I'm not sure. It's a true enough saying no matter who or how many people sing about it. I'm not sure I need these Winning Words but I do love to read them. Thanks for being my somebody today!////FROM JACK: It would be interesting to hear Dean sing his famous song using "needs" instead of "loves."

FROM PEPPERMINT MARY: no kiddin!////FROM JACK: When I was in seminary there was a student named, Jack Kidder. No kidding.////QUESTION FROM PM: was he funny? a punster? just curious.////FROM JACK: He was good-looking, well-liked and a good ping pong player.

FROM BD IN MICHIGAN: I'm glad you're in my life; you're a great friend! (Everybody needs great friends) ////FROM JACK: Back atcha! That's more important than being "friended" on Facebook, isn't it?

FROM DAZ IN COLORADO: You and I associate a lot of quotes with the blues brothers. Have you seen the light is another one of my favorites.////FROM JACK: Right now, I'm trying to figure out if there was a special reason for using that "somebody" song at that particular place in the movie. You can uTube it.

FROM BLAZING OAKS: I associate "Everybody needs somebody sometime..." with Dean Martin! Anyway, it is the gospel truth that we all need somebody. (I would put that in the plural!) I didn't know that Mahalia grew up in those crowded conditions, but it's not that surprising, I guess. In Congo, our AB Women financed a big bldg. for abused women and girls (and the offspring that resulted in their rapes, etc.) and had a room for every two girls or women, but we found that they spread their mattresses together, and 26 of them slept in 3 rooms, because they were afraid, and need to be together! (this in spite of a very strong electrical fence around the compound, and guards at the gates!) There is comfort in having "somebody"!
Good WW today! And how blessed we are to live in USA!!!////FROM JACK: Thanks for the Congo story. You're not the only one who associates Dean Martin with these words. He used "loves" instead of "needs." There's a difference. Did you ever hear Mick Jagger do this song, or didn't Baptists allow Rolling Stones music?

FROM PLAIN FOLKS CHESTER:
There's a somebody I'm longing to see
I hope that he
Turns out to be
Someone who'll watch over me.
Oh! How I need
Someone to watch over me.
Someone to watch over me.
////FROM JACK: A good connect, but not as peppy as The Rolling Stones "Everybody Needs Somebody."

FROM CA IN MICHIGAN: Beautiful thought. I just lost my brother-in-law and though we are all relieved that he has been called home and out of his miserable illnesses, we feel for my sister. Thank God she has many caring "somebodies" in her life to help her walk her next path. So this message is timely for me. Thank you.
////FROM JACK: A song is just a song. Songs become our "favorites" usually when a personal thought is attached to them. For example, the song, "Memories."

Winning Words 9/23/11
“To not give what you are capable of giving to the poor is tantamount to taking something from them.” (The Christian Century) At church last Sunday the Prayer of Confession had these words: “God, we confess that we have not reached out to the poor and the hungry. Forgive us.” Yesterday’s local headline: “Number of poor surging even in wealthy cities.” Question: “How shall we react?” ;-) Jack

FROM PRJS IN MICHIGAN: I'm with A.D Mattson on this one. The only body large enough to make any real effect is the federal gov't. They have to act. And right now it has been their policy for the past thirty years to act in such a way as to create more poor. The poverty level was way down int he 60s. The "Reagan Revolution" has increased poverty dramatically in our country. We have to act not only thru lSSM, etc. but at the voting booth. ////FROM JACK: I read this week that a poll reports that the majority of Americans are opposed to government spending to help the poor. What hope is there for the poor poor?////FOLLOW UP BY JS: We need to let people know that LSSM and agencies like that get 99% of their budgets from the fed. govt. I do some work for LSSM and try to make that known wherever I go....folks think that that money is all donated by us. LSSM's budget would be one million and not eighty million if it weren't for the fed govt....andwhen it gets to agencies like LSSM, it is spent wisely. Sure govt is inherently wasteful but if it lets charities, etc. do the spending, we get a lot done. That message has to get out there.////FROM JACK: The message is lost without the messenger. Thanks for being an "angel."

FROM RI IN BOSTON: Now is the opportunity for Christians to show they truly are Christian. Those of us who have been blessed with having more than we need should be sharing with those poor and hungry, either directly to the homeless on the streets or through charitable agencies. Is God testing our commitment to our faith...are we responding to Christ's example? God forgive me for not doing enough.////FROM JACK: I agree with what you write, but I see it as being wider than a "Christian opportunity." It is a problem and an opportunity for all of humanity. What is it to be human, if we do not care for one another in problem situations?////MORE RI: I wouldn't reject anyone's contribution to help...forget any "labels" about who they are...but I note Christians specifically because we confess our faith in Christ and proclaim our discipleship and should be (as the saying goes) putting our money where our mouth is.////FROM JACK: And, I agree.

FROM LP IN MICHIGAN: I used to give a percentage of our weekly food expenditure back to our church food pantry in the form of non-perishables. Perhaps it is time to take up the habit again.////FROM JACK: Sharing with those in need is always a good idea...for us and for them.

FROM RJP IN FLORIDA: This is a good winning word phrase.......... think I'll send it to VP Joe Biden to see if we can get his personal contributions up from one tenth of one per cent to a whole 1%. He has to be the king of de-tithing.////FROM JACK: I'm nore concerned about what I am personally doing to help the poor. It's not enough.

FROM BLAZING OAKS: Just last Sunday I challenged my S.S. class to give MORE than they think they are able, for our homeless ministry. Had a GOOD response.SELL something and give to the poor, (I did) DO WITHOUT something and give to the poor, etc. We have to be reminded that although most of us are on limited incomes now, there is still much we can share, and creative ways to do it. We used to have 50-60 for our homeless meals, now we are having 140-155! Poverty is more prevalent! Good WW! As Mother Teresa has said, "We may feel like what we do is only a drop in the Ocean, but the Ocean would be less, without that drop!"////FROM JACK: The Widow's Mite...The Mustard Seed...These are old stories that continue to have meaning in today's world. Not only do many of the poor ache from going hungry, but they also ache from being used as a political football.

FROM SA IN VEGAS: I guess it's time to turn off the TV, get off the couch, and pitch-in. People need help. The amazing thing is just how little it takes to pick up their spirit. A small amount of attention goes a long way with people that are discouraged. BTW: I hear that new baseball movie with Brad Pitt received good reviews. There's hope!////FROM JACK: Moneyball is a movie that I'd like to see. Some politicians (not all) are more concerned with "moneyball" that with people in real need.

FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY: These are scary times. We don't want to be like the parable of the king who kept building store houses because he had so much but that night he would lose his life and all the goods and warehouses would mean nothing. But we don't know what we will need to take care of ourselves in the future. Before, we wrote check after check in donations. Now we are more careful and try to donate as much as we can.////FROM JACK: I like what's being done at your church....Members bring in items for the Food Pantry and the needy come to take the food home....The Blessed Meals program is another good project. There are some good things being done out there in the world to help the poor.

FROM PLAIN FOLKS CHESTER: Newt Gingrich has the right idea (although not original with him)... Teach them to fish.////FROM JACK: Words must be followed by action.

FROM BBC IN ILLINOIS: Amen! And, do we give out of our excess or out of our need….Let’s start with closing those tax loopholes. All of them? Flat tax on everyone? Jon Stewart did a great bit last month about the Dems/Reps tax plans. My vague recollection of his long joke sequence is that we have a choice: either tax “that 50% of Americans that freeload and pay no taxes at all” (who incidentally are below the poverty level and earn less than $38k annually to support a family of 4) or make the top two percent pay their 38% top tax bracket share. Boy that’s a moral dilemma.////FROM JACK: I like Jon Stewart, too, but Mark Twain said, "I never trust someone who makes money with his mouth." (Does that include preachers?) What we need during these "hard times" is some active empathy. Attributed to Senator Russell Long, but really from colonial times: "Don't tax me and don't tax thee. Tax that man behind the tree."

FROM ILLINOIS LIZ: We should react by getting rid of the present administration who wastes our tax dollars on ineffective stimuli, lavish vacations and $16 muffins. We're all poorer than we were 3 years ago! When people have jobs, they are no longer poor...////FROM JACK: After last Sunday's confessional prayer, I felt a personal need to help the poor. I know that, behind the statistics and rhetoric, the poor are real people.

FROM DFL IN OREGON: Thanks for the challenging question. My answer - Christ's Spirit says to me, Not Enough. Your faithfulness in sending Winning Words is important every day for me. Thanks.////FROM JACK: If you read today's blog, you can see that there are varieties of opinions. Even as I sent out Winning Words, I had an idea of what to expect. I am comforted to know that most people really care. The frustration comes from not knowing how to solve such a big problem. Now, if we each were to do something.... Me in Michigan and you in Oregon and....MORE DFL: Bread for the World is one of my favorite organizations. One of my friends from our Parish in Torrence, introduced me to it's program and I've been a member since. Each year, as perhaps you already know, we call on our Representatives and Senators to present the needs of poor and hungry people both in our country and globally. It was my privilege to be a part of a team of visitors to Wash D.C. to help with these visits three years ago. Monthly we are informed by the Wash. office about legislative bills and encouraged to write or call our Rep. and Senators to emphasize our concern. Our local and church wide appeals are also on our minds and acted upon. Thanks for your great concern, Jack. The needs both here and worldly are really staggering.

FROM PH IN MINNESOTA: how about telling all those excessively greedy bankers, brokers, and politicians to *** * **** *** **** themselves!! losing our middle class is a very serious matter.////FROM JACK: There has to be a more positive way. WWJD?////PH AGAIN: i think he would have a word or two about oppressing the poor, causing people to lose their homes and their jobs, etc. etc.

FROM MOLINER JT: On 10/2 I'm walking (With the help of my walker) in the QC Walk for the Hungry. As of today I've raised 1100.00 in pledges. My legs are weak but my heart is in this one.////FROM JACK: Now yours is the kind of helping reaction that I was hoping for. Great!

FROM SH IN MICHIGAN: Actually, the challenge is to give a fair price for the poor laborer's labor. I'm sick and tired of shopping for sales and knowing people all over the world are actually forced into slave labor because of this kind of mentality our consumer society seems to foster. Poor people need jobs, poor people need justice and the same economic dysfunction seems now to be festering in our own country just like it does in third world countries though our poor still manage to look differently poor than the others, it might only be a matter of time until it looks the same the way things are going. I hope the people of the world will be as charitable and caring of us as we have been of them.////FROM JACK: The upside of globalization is that many of the poor have jobs. The downside is that our penchant for cheaper stuff sends more jobs to other parts of the world. I have a hard time understanding economics.

FROM ILLINOIS LIZ: NJ Church Gives Away $30,000 in "Reverse Collection" Baskets. This was one collection basket parishioners couldn't pass up. Liquid Church of New Jersey allowed parishioners at its Sunday services to forgo donating and instead take money out of the collection basket. Church leaders gave away $30,000 cash in unmarked envelopes containing either a $10, $20 or $50 bill. Lead pastor Tim Lucas says the "reverse offering" is meant to teach churchgoers that faith in God — not government — is the only route to recovery in the current financial crisis. The Christian-based church has about 2,000 members and branches in Morristown, Nutley, and New Brunswick. Church officials plan to donate an additional $60,000 to various projects, including helping communities with flood recovery, in each of the three northern Jersey counties they serve.////FROM JACK: Liquid Church is an interesting name for a church. I note that there is a book describing this movement as an alternative to the traditional church...doing and saying things that the "solid" historical Church would not say or do. Hence, giving away money, instead of receiving money. The "services" are more entertainment oriented, with much audio-visual. I started to watch a "sermon," but I noted that it was 40+ minutes long. I got the drift in the first 5 minutes. Thanks for calling my attention to something new.

Winning Words 9/22/11
“If you always do what you always did, you’ll always get what you always got.” (High-Tech Proverb) In his late 20s, Earl Nightingale realized this truth: “We become what we think about,” like in the Bible: “As you sow, so shall you reap.” The value of being positive in your thinking is still taught by Nightingale.com. Earl’s motivational writings and radio messages always seemed to interest me. ;-) Jack

FROM SH IN MICHIGAN: This is a WW I think has exceptions. Sometimes the right thing to do is to ask, and to ask over and over until the timing is right for the skies to open or something and the thing you were asking for and hoping for becomes the reality. But also there are a lot of things a person does that need to be done differently too and I suppose sometimes asking isn't the right thing to do either.////FROM JACK: Sometimes ideas need to be restated in order to get to the point. If you always "do" things the same way and refuse to change, chances are very good that you will get the same result. To connect it to "asking" moves it from the objective to the subjective.

FROM BLAZING OAKS: A neat thought, put cleverly! As Gandhi once said, "the slave clings to his chains, and must have them struck from him"...We do get into the same old ruts, and have to bestir ourselves to lurch out and find new ways of thinking and doing. It's a life-long process, isn't it??! As one of my g.children said, "You don't want to be so open-minded that your brains fall out, but you've got to consider new options". Enuff said!
////FROM JACK: Thanks for two great "Words" that are new to me...the one from Gandhi and the one from your g.child. Both apply directly to today's thought.

FROM JB IN WISCONSIN: I remember hearing him as a kid when my folks listened to him on the radio. At the time, I did not pay close attention to his words, but I did like that voice.////FROM JACK: In those days, we paid attention to the sound and the visual was in our imagination. In these days, not much is left to the imagination.

FROM PLAIN FOLKS CHESTER: Earl's sister, Florence, wrote most of his stuff. She was very motivated, positive thinker. Most people know about her nursing skills, but she was truly inspirational. Snope this and find out the truth.////FROM JACK: Some people believe everything that appears on their computer screen, but not me...especially when it comes from Bettendorf.

FROM TAMPA SHIRL: Yes, and it is important to keep learning and to be busy doing useful things. Right now I am waiting for my new refrigerator to be delivered because the 1981 Kenmore is on its last legs. It is interesting shopping for a fridge; no matter what you want to buy-a Kenmore, Whirlpool, Samsung, GE, KitchenAid,-they are all made in Mexico. That is off the subject, of course. You do have to alter your way of doing things sometimes to not get into a rut. I have been doing the USF and Eckerd College thing for 11 years and it was great,. but now I have discovered our new senior center which is a lively place to learn and to play.
////FROM JACK: I'll bet some of those seniors have heard of Earl Nightingale and Captain Midnight. Just for fun, ask some of them about radio program memories and see what responses you get.

Winning Words 9/21/11
“Don’t worry about tomorrow. You did that yesterday.” (Sent by Eunice) A little girl had to stay home from school because of a sore throat. Before her brother left for kindergarten, he stopped by her bed and said, with seriousness, “Don’t worry, God will pull you through.” Is it possible to recapture a faith like that? In these days when so many things disturb us…Remember, God will pull us through. ;-) Jack

FROM HS IN MICHIGAN: Interesting. Your message, I believe, is to pay attention to the here and now, the present, today. This is certainly a difficult concept for me but one I need to consider more greatly. The point is, I suppose, to at least appreciate and enjoy the present instead of being concerned with what's next. Yes. Yes.
////FROM JACK: Some things are so early said and so difficult to put into action.

FROM BD IN MICHIGAN: My body shop Asst love's your winning words the few morning I read them to him. He would love to be put on your list for Winning Words.////FROM JACK: That's the second new add for today. The list keeps growing toward 500. The list of possible good quotes keeps growing, too. I can hardly wait to use them.

FROM A MAN NAMED JAMES: God is all we have, especially in these days and times...////FROM JACK: I like the word, ultimately....Because, ultimately, it all up to G-d.

FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY: How very true. We can accomplish nothing ever by worrying. I truly don't believe there is anything stronger than a child's faith. I'm sure it's possible to recapture strong faith but as we age we are bombarded with too much "everyday life" which seems to jade us. God is faithful when we aren't and that's the best news yet. He will pull us through. (FYI: Our 2 year old granddaughter took a bad fall in our driveway yesterday. She broke her thumb and took off the whole part of her finger including her nail. They did some surgery yesterday to keep the thumb together and she will be going to a pediatric hand surgeon today. Please add her to you prayer list. The injury was gruesome. She fell while running (even as Grandma was telling he to slow down) and landed on her thumb first...it took the brunt of the fall on the cement. She completely scraped off the front of her thumb.) God is good and she will be fine.////FROM JACK: I hear the little kindergarten boy saying, "Don't worry. God will pull you through."

FROM TAMPA SHIRL: Some days are definitely harder than others. Thy will be done is easier said than accepted.////FROM JACK: I am comforted by how that petition continues....."on earth as it is in heaven."

FROM PLAIN FOLKS CHESTER: Have faith today and tomorrow will take care of itself.////FROM JACK: Matthew 6:34.

FROM BLAZING OAKS: We have to keep reminding ourselves not to worry and fret...It's the nature of the beast to try to look ahead, and be anxious about "the morrow" . My daughter Sarah is visiting this week, and she actually taught this old dog the trick of texting on my phone! (slow but sure, but I did it!) Just passed 15 Meals on Wheels this morning, and some of the folks are younger than I am. Makes me very thankful to be "out and about"!////FROM JACK: Texting? I'm still trying to learn how to get the "Green Acres" CDs to play on the TV.

FROM RADIO IKE: One of my favorite non-religious version about worrying is: "Worrying about tomorrow 's problems will do nothing about solving them,but it sure will mess up your today"..
////FROM JACK: I like this one: "Worry is like rocking in a rocking chair. It gives you something to do, but it doesn't get you anywhere."

Winning Words 9/20/11
“Baseball! If there’s a more beautiful word in the English language, I have yet to hear it.” (Tim Russert) Poet Robert Brand wrote a book, listing the 100 most beautiful English words. “Baseball” didn’t make the list, but a favorite of mine, “onomatopoeia,” did. Do you have a favorite? In spite of the poet, the Tiger fans in Detroit certainly would agree that “baseball” is a beautiful word. ;-) Jack

FROM TS IN MICHIGAN: The distances are PERFECT: 60 feet 6 inches; 90 feet between bases. Perfect! Every pitch, every ground ball is competitive. Any longer, any shorter, the game would be destroyed.////FROM JACK: And umpires are like Judge Judy. "The rulings are final." Except, now they're spoiling the perfect game with video replay rulings.////MORE TS: Ironic that you say that: Remember the perfect game last year that was spoiled because they didn't use replays?////FROM JACK: Players make errors. Umpires make errors. No game is truly perfect. Attorneys make errors. Judges make errors. Life's not perfect. I've got some Winning Words waiting in the wings that are "right" for this situation. I wrote a long diatribe last year after that about why I "hate" sports. Subjectivity ruins it. Umpires, judges, imperfect calls (or calls that aren't made) that ruin a game or competition. Balls, strikes, outs, catches, style points ...

FROM RS IN MICHIGAN: Eeeewwwwwww! I cannot stand baseball. I know it makes me practically un-American, but jeeeezzzze. Watching paint dry is more enticing. This is the first winning words that made me shake my head…yeah, I’m weird for sure!////FROM JACK: Didn't anyone ever take you out to the ball game and buy you some peanuts and Cracker-Jack?////MORE RS: Yes, love the treats, but I “don’t care if we (n)ever (go) back” to another game! I can get the goodies anywhere. I have joked that the good part of being divorced was that I never had to sit through another baseball game again. My ex-husband always asked to go to opening day for his birthday present.////FROM JACK: "And, sooooo, that's the rest of the story."

FROM HS IN MICHIGAN: Yes!////FROM JACK: Is "YES" your favorite word?

FROM ED IN ARIZONA: Speaking of the Detroit Tigers, their number one fan, my grandmother, turns 90 on Friday! Happy Birthday Grandma!////FROM JACK: If the Tigers were playing at home, Grandma could be throwing out the first ball. My mother (a Cubs fan) attended a Cubs game on her 81st birthday and was invited up to the radio booth during the game to be interviewed. Afterward, one of the announcers said, "She sure doesn't look like 81." Harry Carray, the other announcer replied, "She doesn't look 18, either." We always kidded her about that.

FROM JB IN WISCONSIN: I really liked Tim Russert. I rarely got to see his show, but read his book about his dad and through that just really liked him as a person. A couple of weeks ago when the Buffalo Bills won their game, I thought how pleased he would have been. ////FROM JACK: That's right. He grew up in Buffalo and was Bills' fan. I wonder if they get to watch football games in heaven?

FROM PLAIN FOLKS CHESTER: Friendship.////FROM JACK: Can Cubs and White Sox fans be friends?

FROM CJL IN OHIO: Have you read "Big Russ & Me" by Tim Russert? A beautiful story about a man and his son. You'd like it.////FROM JACK: Yes, I read it when it first came out. I'm also impressed with Luke, Tim's son, ...a chip off the old block.

FROM TAMPA SHIRL: I really don't have a very favorite word, but you know that my favorite team is the Rays. They are so exciting to watch and they are enjoying this run at the end so much.////FROM JACK: I miss the name, the Devil Rays....more combative. It would be like renaming the Tigers, the Pussycats.

FROM JB IN THE SHORES: You must know I loved this one! In fact, you are going to see this quote in my next newsletter. Thank you.////FROM JACK: I'll be looking for it. Meanwhile I'll be watching TV as the Tigers close out an exciting season. I did get to a few games at Comerica this year.

Winning Words 9/19/11
“Good morning. This is God. I will be handling all of your problems today. I will not be needing your help, so have a good day. I love you.” (Joyce Meyer) A friend saw this in a doctor’s office as he was waiting for a test. They were the right words for him at the right time. How many racing hearts might have been calmed by those words? May it be a comfort to know that you are not alone. ;-) Jack

FROM CS IN MICHIGAN: What a great way to start the week!////FROM JACK: When you were in school, did the class ever start the day by singing...."Good morning to you. Good morning to you. We're all in our places with bright shining faces. What a wonderful way to start a new day."

FROM PC IN MICHIGAN: Fabulous! We just told the Sunday School students yesterday that God "surrounds you" like the cherry juice surrounded the hot fudge sundae "pits" we made. They had a lot of fun and had something "visual" that they could put together with the story as we added the rocks (sprinkles/chocolate chips), Joseph (ice cream/whip cream/marshmallow cream), mud (chocolate sauce), Joseph's eyes (chocolate chips or cinnaman dots), cherry (God surrounding you like the juice surrounds the sundae), and spoon (his hand reaching up to God)...who helped him out of the pit. This kind of reminds me of that -- God surrounding us and "handling all our problems".////FROM JACK: There are various ways to make Bible stories come alive for children. I would like to have sat in on Sunday's lesson. BTW, I remember reading that a law in Illinois once banned the selling of icream on Sunday. Some enterprising person covered the ice cream with various toppings, so that it no longer looked like illegal ice cream. He named it a Sundae.

FROM DN IN MICHIGAN: My mother-in-law is having orthroscopic surgery today and your Winning Words were appreciated.////FROM JACK: Today's quote fits with many different situations...even in the operating room and in the waiting room, too. Another name on the Prayer List.

FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY: What wonderful words to begin a Monday. Now if I can just let go and let God, I will be fine. He/she must be a good doctor.////FROM JACK: We used to have: "Let God and Let God" hanging in our kitchen. I wonder where it went? It's still hanging someplace in our mind.

FROM LP IN MICHIGAN: Thanks.////FROM JACK: There are so many things to be thankful for. Thanks for reminding me not to take so many of them for granted.

FROM PLAIN FOLKS CHESTER: Or did that doctor have a giant ego? ////FROM JACK: I have a note by my computer which reads: "SAY NO to negative thinking." Do you want me to send you a copy?

FROM BLAZING OAKS: My pastor-niece sent this to me a couple of years ago. when Jan and Hal were ailing. It's a timely reminder that God IS involved in our care! I'm sure we all have times when we'd like more direct
instructions about what to do!?! But faith is trusting God to work it out. He might use OUR hands, or feet, or mouth...! Kind of reminds me of that very old hymn, "Be not dismayed, whate'er betide, God Will Take Care of You..."////FROM JACK: The words on the sign in the doctor's office can stand alone. Yes, "instruction" is good, but sometimes God's presence is in the silence. "God will take care of you" has some good words, although some high church people might think that it's too syrupy and swingy.

FROM MS IN MICHIGAN: I like this, but have a feeling that what I perceive as problems are not necessarily what God perceives as problems!////FROM JACK: Your concerns are his concerns. "Come unto me, all you who are weary and heaven laden, and I will give you rest." I find it helpful to have a scrap of paper by my computer where I list concerns for the day. God looks over my shoulder as I write.

FROM SH IN MICHIGAN: The best thing I got from Stephens Ministries training was "God is the curegiver, we are caregivers." I guess some doctors like that too and sometimes they just want to communicate and have their patients think a little more about who really cures them. ////FROM JACK: I'd never heard that "Stephen Slogan." It's a good one.

FROM TAMPA SHIRL: Thy will be done, but I still believe in getting second opinions.////FROM JACK: I need a second opinion on what you are "saying."

FROM JO IN MICHIGAN: I really like that one! It is such a comfort to know He is handling things for us, especially since we have no idea what we're doing...////FROM JACK: Just like with kids, we stumble on, and the parent hopes that the children learn from their mistakes. If not, the parent is still there help and to comfort.

Winning Words 9/16/11
“Only entropy comes easy.” (Lewis Mumford) I confess that I had to look up, entropy. I chose the sociological definition, rather the one which describes why an ice cream cone drips on my hand. The degeneration of society happens when people adopt an attitude of “laissez-faire.” It’s easy to sit around and complain about the way things are. The world is looking for people to move out of their comfort zone. ;-) Jack

FROM RJP IN FLORIDA: WOW, That's a good one....................Entropy huh?////FROM JACK: For a lot of people, clicking on Google has replaced opening the dictionary. I must confess that the Webster book is on the shelf above my computer screen. Mmmmm...I see that right above "entropy" is "entrepreneur," a word that I know and like. Google doesn't show you that.

FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY: It seems to me most people are now out of the comfort zone and are looking for a new one to move in to. The degeneration of society happens when it begins to kill it's own babies, government begins to work against rather than for the people, no one is held responsible for their actions and sin is no longer sin. A little heavy perhaps, but I guess I'm getting out of my comfort zone to voice how I really feel. //// FROM JACK: It sounds as though you've been reading some of the opinions of Socrates.

FROM PEPPERMINT MARY: we should start an anti-entropy club!////FROM JACK: The club could start by pushing for the invention of a dripless ice cream cone.////PEPPERMINT AGAIN: this could strike the first debate. i kinda like dripping ice cream cones. mostly the observation of those learning how to keep up with the drips. one of my favorite pre-school field trips is to tastee freez, where many children are having their first cone!

FROM HS IN MICHIGAN: Excellent!////FROM JACK: In this time when the emphasis is on the economy, I see that you're economizing on the use of words.

FROM BBC IN ILLINOIS: Great one. I named my second year college bowling team “Entropy” It was a great bowling shirt. We were very random, in every respect.////FROM JACK: That was a clever idea. Did you save your bowling shirt, or did it just degenerate into a dustcloth?

FROM YOOPER FLICKA: SUPER////FROM JACK: Super? Above average? As in Lake Woebegon "where all the women are strong, all the men are good looking, and all the children are above average?"

FROM CWR IN B'MORE: ...what are "Wijnning" Words?? Did you mean "Wily" Words.....such as "entropy".//// FROM JACK: Sometimes the fingers go faster than the mind.

FROM JC IN HONG KONG: Tsk, tsk, as a pastor you should know the degeneration of society goes hand-in-hand with a disassociation from God, and nothing else. Follow God, build society; follow faulty human reason, entropize! As far as complaining goes, don't forget the manna and quail; it depends who you are complaining to!////FROM JACK: God created the human mind for it to be used. Sometimes good reasoning; sometimes poor. That's life. Even some "Godly" people make poor choices. God also created, "Grace."

FROM DAZ IN COLORADO: After taking thermodynamics in college, I didn't have to look it up. I remembered that we live in a world of decreasing entropy, or something like that. After all, that was over 60 years ago.////
FROM JACK: Your college professor would be proud, but entropy has probably caught up with him.

FROM SH IN MICHIGAN: wow. Good one. If the choice is whether to move out of my comfort zone or stay in it, I'm really, really glad for the privilege of prayer and to talk to Jesus so's I have Someone behind my back and in front of me and above me and below me and even inside of me. What's a little discomfort besides all that?////FROM JACK: Don't get too comfortable. Mark Twain said: "A reasonable amount of fleas is good for a dog." He wasn't necessarily talking about dogs.

FROM PLAIN FOLKS CHESTER: We also need to encourage some people to get out of the way.////FROM JACK: Oh, so you're the one who honks if I don't start fast enough when the light turns green.

FROM BLAZING OAKS: ENTROPY! I read all the definitions, and have to say, WHAT?! (Webster's New World Dictionary...) Mark Twain also said, "It is noble to teach oneself, and more noble to teach others----and a lot less trouble"! At our age, it is much easier to let others get out of their comfort zones and DO something! We have tried, but in prosperity, it is hard to "move people to action...now in stringent times, many are more receptive to try to change things, hopefully. Much unrest, anyway! Many of us made a difference during the Civil Rights challenge...that was a biggee in our era...////FROM JACK: Each generation has its "dangerous times." Time (and a judge) will only tell which are bigger.

FROM GUSTIE MARLYS: And unfortunately, that is exactly what is going on in America!////FROM JACK: See! Winning Words is kind of a course in current events. Do you remember how things like this would be discussed in Sociology classes?

Winning Words 9/16/11
“Only entropy comes easy.” (Lewis Mumford) I confess that I had to look up, entropy. I chose the sociological definition, rather the one which describes why an ice cream cone drips on my hand. The degeneration of society happens when people adopt an attitude of “laissez-faire.” It’s easy to sit around and complain about the way things are. The world is looking for people to move out of their comfort zone. ;-) Jack

Winning Words 9/15/11
“When one’s expectations are reduced to zero, one really appreciates everything one does have.” (Stephen Hawking) Sympathy is a word that means, to share the feelings of another. I can’t imagine what it’s like to sit in Hawking’s chair, but when I read his words, I try to do that. I’m reminded that there are too many things (and people) that I take for granted. Start from zero, and begin counting. ;-) Jack

FROM BF IN MICHIGAN: Another keeper to add to my collection.////FROM JACK: People in "sales" need words like these. In fact, everybody needs to be reminded of blessings that are often taken for granted.

FROM JC IN HONG KONG: One might say that Hawking can only spew LOSING WORDS because God has no place in his thinking. He becomes therefore merely one of our best examples of the futility of human reasoning.//// FROM JACK: I'm not so sure of what I would say if I were sitting in Hawking's chair, day after day, night after night. God seems to have given me a far lighter load than his.

FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY: Thought about your Winning Words this morning and this came in an email today also.... One day, someone donated a pair of eyes to her. When the bandages came off, she was able to see everything, including her boyfriend. He asked her,'Now that you can see the world, will you marry me?' The girl looked at her boyfriend and saw that he was blind. The sight of his closed eyelids shocked her. She hadn't expected that. The thought of looking at them the rest of her life led her to refuse to marry him. Her boyfriend left her in tears and days later wrote a note to her saying: 'Take good care of your eyes, my dear, for before they were yours, they were mine.'////FROM JACK: God uses various ways to get our attention. He sometimes even uses e-mail. Thanks for being his messenger.

FROM RJP IN FLORIDA: I had a partner 40 years ago in Chicago whose wife always told my wife, " Expect nothing and you will never be disappointed." I wish She and I could always have lived by that phrase.//// FROM JACK: That's good advice to avoid disappointment. However, I belong to The Optimist Club, whose members say, each week, "Promise yourself to be so strong that nothing will disturb your peace of mind...to look at the sunnyside of everything etc." I also like Irving Berlin's song, "Blue skies, nothing but blue skies do I see." You probably know the words and can sing it.////RJP AGAIN: My response to that is....................
zippity do da zippity eh my oh my what a wonderful day plenty of sunshine comin you way .......................
Have a good one Mr Sunshine.

FROM MT IN PENNSYLVANIA: So true. Whenever I see someone who is physically (or otherwise) disadvantaged, I remind myself how very fortunate I am, and that the aches and pains of my own aging are barely worthy of notice. ////FROM JACK: I'm trying to be "understanding" with regard to Hawking. Right now I think that it's a better word than, "sympathetic."

FROM TAMPA SHIRL: We must count our blessings every day to appreciate our life, but Hawking doesn't believe in heaven or an afterlife or anything after death. He just doesn't have the gift of faith or maybe he has rejected it. But the fact that he has lived to be 69 with his physical condition seems to be a miracle in itself.
////FROM JACK: Belief and faith are mysterious. Some ALS persons have it, and some don't. Some persons blessed with good health, a loving family and material comforts have it, and some don't. Why? I think that God knows and understands some things and situations that we don't.

FROM SH IN MICHIGAN: Interesting WW today too. Sometimes when our expectations are reduced to zero, i.e. living in an assisted living, we cut ourselves off from something fantastic that we could have, some special relationship, some special chance to serve others in ways we don't even begin to think we are capable of because we can see only what we know so far. Maybe we have so much more to us than we really appreciate, so much future to our lives we prevent ourselves from even beginning to live into.////FROM JACK: There is something worse than assisted living...like living without assistance and needing it. I remember this poem:
God hath not promised skies always blue, Flower strewn pathways all our lives through;
God hath not promised sun without rain, Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.
But God hath promised strength for the day, Rest for the labor, light for the way,
Grace for the trials, help from above, Unfailing sympathy, undying love.
Annie Johnson Flint

FROM BLAZING OAKS: To reach 69 yrs. with that ailing, paralyzed body, and still use his brilliant mind is certainly awe-inspiring and laudable...his life illustrates the "keep swinging" advice from yesterday. Dr. Hawking has a list of awards as long as my arm, including our highest honor, the prestigious Medal Of Freedom. Tho he has chosen science over religion, he is So impressive, and these WW ring true, especially as we diminish in physical ( and yes! mental) ability. As the poet Tennyson said after his son's death: Tho much has been taken, much yet remains." So thankful for all we continue to have and enjoy!!////FROM JACK: I wonder what kind of "religion" he was exposed to? Some kinds might turn me off, too. I'm glad that my inquiring mind was allowed to inquire. Iris DeMent sings a song that I like. It's on uTube. "Let the Mystery Be."
////OAKS AGAIN: I think with his mind, he probably explored many religions, and came to the conclusion that science was more believable. I wonder if CS Lewis, Norman V. Peale, Harry Em.Fosdick, D. Bonnhoeffer (sp?) etc. could have reached him? He must have crossed paths with many outstanding Christians in his lifetime, I would think, but who knows. That fact that he claimed to be an atheist, seemed to bother his first wife a lot. It was one of the things she dwelt on in their divorce proceedings....Many things to ponder, eh?//// FROM JACK: I wonder if he might have influenced them?

Winning Words 9/14/11
“My motto was always to keep swinging. Whether I was in a slump or having trouble off the field, the only thing to do was keep swinging.” (Henry Aaron) Even “the stars” have their slumps and their bad days. Babe Ruth once held the record for the most home runs and the most strike-outs If you happen to be having a “rough patch,” keep on swinging. It worked for Henry and the Babe. ;-) Jack

FROM HS IN MICHIGAN: Classic////FROM JACK: I saw him in person when he played for the Milwaukee Braves. At the time, I didn't think that he'd be a classic. What do I know?

FROM JS IN MICHIGAN: I remember a guy with the Cubs who was really hot...played great for a month and then struck out 21 times in a row....sent down to the Minors and never reappeared in a Major League game. He might take issue with Aaron's comment...He had a fatal flaw....couldn't hit a particular pitch ....and he could have kept swinging forever and never hit anything.....////FROM JACK: I wish I knew the name of the player who struck out 21 consecutive times. I do remember Bill Nicholson of the Cubs who was nicknamed "Swish" because of his mighty swing. It seemed as though he would either strikeout or hit a homer when he came to bat. I recall that he hit four home runs in one game and once was intentionally walked with the bases loaded.////FROM JS: Bob Speake////FROM JACK: Robert Charles Speake (Spook)
Positions: Outfielder, Pinch Hitter and First Baseman
Bats: Left, Throws: Left
Height: 6' 1", Weight: 178 lb.
Born: August 22, 1930 in Springfield, MO (Age 81)
High School: Springfield (Springfield, MO)
Signed by the Chicago Cubs as an amateur free agent in 1948.
Debut: April 16, 1955
Final Game: June 8, 1959
Speake hit 10 home runs in his rookie year, and only 21 in the remaining three years of his career
I'd have thought that Spook's strikeout "record" would have been included.

FROM CL IN MICHIGAN: Amen and Amen there is abundant grace for us all////FROM JACK: Baseball players aren't the only ones who have slumps and need coaching.

FROM PLAIN FOLKS CHESTER: Babe STILL holds those record for the most home runs in the fewest innings. He just didn't play as long as his so-called recoird breakers. Aluminum bats and live balls were not used in his day. So who's the best ever?////FROM JACK: The best ever: Cy Young or maybe, Eddie Gaedel.

FROM GUSTIE MARLYS: I just talked to my friend. She is battling AML. She has had a stem cell transplant but the blast cells are back so she may need another. She is a REAL SPORTS fan. I read her today's WW and she liked it.////FROM JACK: Thanks for sharing Henry's words with your "sports fan" friend. There's a lot more serious-swinging going on in places other than on ball fields. "It ain't over til it's over," is another quote that I like.

FROM ED IN ARIZONA: Similarly, as Dory repeated in the movie Finding Nemo: "Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming." I find myself repeating that line often as I try to finish my PhD.////FROM JACK: I read somewhere that distance swimmers have to "learn to cruise," and to plan their pace. Speed is not the goal.

FROM MOLINER JT: And it is working for Jim !////FROM JACK: Aaron isn't the only one who gets his picture in the newspaper and a story written about him.

FROM FM IN WISCONSIN: What a gentleman Henry is . . . We spend a lot of time in the winter south of Mobile, Henry’s home town, and he is the most respected person in that metro area. Everyone holds him the highest regard. And, having cheered him on from when he came up from Eau Claire in the early 50’s, I’ll follow his admonition, and keep swinging! ////FROM JACK: Henry's Milwaukee Braves were a great and exciting team. I suppose you can name all of the players. The O Henry candy bar wasn't named after Aaron, nor was the Baby Ruth candy bar named after The Babe.

FROM AW IN ILLINOIS: Sounds a bit like my dealing with grief: "Smile and keep on going." ////FROM JACK: "Day by day, your mercies , Lord, attend me, bringing comfort to my anxious soul....Day by day, no matter what betide me, you will hold me ever in your hand."

FROM DS IN MICHIGAN: Perfect timing. I will.////FROM JACK: Batters will tell you that "timing" is what makes the swing work. I like these lines from Send In the Clowns"...."Isn't it rich? Isn't it queer, Losing my timing this late In my career? And where are the clowns? There ought to be clowns. Well, maybe next year." When that song first came out, our church organist played it as a prelude as I was walking up to the altar....Send in the clowns!

FROM BLAZING OAKS: Yep...you keep slugging, hoping you "connect"! As Confucius once wrote, "Our Greatest Glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." This, 4 or 500 BC! He who perseveres until the end... Life is full of heavy hitters, Like Hank Aaron, who are an inspiration!!////FROM JACK: I'm inspired by those two big guys, but, right now, I'm also inspired by struggling people who do their heavy hitting in the shadows. I'm sure that you know some of them.

FROM YOOPER FLICKA: SO TRUE ,,,SO TRUE !!! I WANTED TO SHARE WITH YOU, JACK......MY HUSBAND HAS BEEN IN THE VETERAN'S HOME FOR 3 YEARS THIS MONTH....WE STILL HOLD HANDS, HAVE ONE OR TWO MEALS TOGETHER......AND HE LISTENS TO OUR CHURCH SERVICES ON THE RADIO. I AM SO BLESSED ONLY 10 MINUTE DRIVE..{IF THERE IS HEAVY TRAFFIC ) AND WHEN THE DAUGHTERS COME......THE SMILES AND TIGHT HAND HOLDING...ARE SUPER....////FROM JACK: 3 years is a long time to keep swinging, but there are different kinds of swinging. I like the song, "Swinging on a Star." I also like the song, "Count Your Many Blessings."

FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY: Hank Aaron was always one of my sports "heroes". He's a class act. George Blaha of the Detroit sports scene is too. He always took some of the Pistons up the Grayling for special occasions and has been an outstanding Michigan ambassador. He's an all around nice guy. Hank's quote is a great one too as we are all fighting some battle in our lives....just keep swinging. Look at Inge! He's made a tremendous comeback. He has just kept swinging too!

Winning Words 9/13/11
“If you think you have it tough, read history books.” (Bill Maher) Maher...You either love him, or you hate him, or you’ve never heard of him. He’s labeled as a comedian, a satirist, a sociopolitical commentator. I don’t always agree with him, but he causes me to think. I’ve read enough history to know that I don’t want to live backwards. Sometimes we forget how good we’ve got it…by comparison, that is. ;-) Jack

FROM JJH IN OHIO: I agree… and like Maher most always ;-)////FROM JACK: Your qualifier is also mine. I'd like a little more humility, or a disclaimer: "I don't have all of the answers." But, I do think that he's funny.

FROM JS IN MICHIGAN: Imagine living in a town with the Mongol Army approaching....they believed in "total" victory////FROM JACK: Imagine living in a town where people were dying of the Black Plague, or living in Somalia today!

FROM GOOD DEBT JON: "Hitting your thumb with a hammer causes you to think too." Rarely funny anymore, Maher, dispenses hateful and vulgar filth against (so called conservative) women and ridicules others he disagrees with. Maher is a master at fomenting division and resentment, while always under the delusion that it is doing something positive. I watched Jon Stewart last night who is also far left, but is funny and thoughtful. Stewart can be a bit crude now and then but on the whole is a gentleman and a thinker. Maher hates so blindly and completely all pretense of any other purpose quickly disappears.////FROM JACK: Is it possible to be led to "think" by someone you disagree with? Is it possible to find "humor" in the words of someone you disagree with? What turns me off is, smugness...from the left or the right.////FROM MORE JON: Then why watch Maher if smugness offends? As to humor yes from many sources including Maher on rare occasions. Though at some point the filth and bile he produces is not worth wading through 30 or 40 minutes sewage. It's your blog, you get the final shot. Have a good day.////FROM JACK: The blog is meant to show how people are reacting. I must confess that I could do a better job of listening to "balanced" news programming, but I think there are many who are like me...and an increasing number who are avoiding TV news altogether.////GOOD DEBT AGAIN: The major cable channels in my area are: A. Bitter right_205 B. Bitter left _ 209

FROM RJP IN FLORIDA: Of all the thousands of people one can quote, I am shocked you would use anything from Bill Maher. This is the guy that made a movie about religion being a fraud. As far as I am concerned he is not worth the print on my paper. There are many people I disagree with but can respect. He is not one of them. Sorry Pastor, this is not just having an open mind this is advancing an individual who is patently destructive.////FROM JACK: Evidently, you've heard of Bill Maher. What did you think of the quote and what I wrote about it?////MORE FROM RJP: I agree with you I would not want to go back in history, but isn't it sad that we learn so little from it as we continue to make the same mistakes over and over. As Ben Franklin said," Experience keeps a dear school, but a fool will learn in no other." Unfortunately I have had that lesson put upon me far too many times.////FROM JACK: I would like to think that I learned something by paying attention in history class and by listening to "the old folks" at home.

FROM YOOPER PAT: Amen!////FROM JACK: Amen? to Bill? to the quote? to my interpretation? to just be agreeable?

FROM ST IN MICHIGAN: Great quote!////FROM JACK: Not all agree with you, but I do.

FROM SH IN MICHIGAN: Enjoy meditating on your Winning Words once again this morning. They are making me think. Tomorrow, my husband and I are travelling back to Iowa, especially to spend a week or ten days with Essie, his Mom. We are hoping to make some visits to check out Assisted Living Homes in the area. She is up and down on the idea. When she's feeling pretty good, she wants to stay right where she is in her own apartment. When she's feeling "like death warmed over, then she thinks she wants to go into an Assisted Living or even sometimes she thinks she wants to go right into a nursing home. What was aging like in the history books and was it easier back then than now? Or have we made it the hardest thing a person finally has to do? Right at the end times of life, you know, when the body is the most fragile and weakened. I guess the best history book answers my question, "When you grow old, someone will tie a rope around your waist and take you where you don't want to go." I remember something like that somewhere in the Bible. ////FROM JACK: Each generation has its own set of problems, and it shall be so, forevermore. The promise of heaven for generations past, present and future: No more pain and teams. Everlasting joy.

FROM BLAZING OAKS: Whatever you think of Bill Maher, (I appreciate his wit and occasional wisdom!) this is a true observation, especially for us who are blessed to live in the USA. I've traveled most of the world, and am always thankful to return 'home" and pay my taxes. We have SO MANY more options than most of the people of the world!! You are right....we wouldn't want to go backward, even in our own history. For most, life was a daily challenge just to survive. As Ward Cleaver said, "Well, Beaver, this may be hard for you to believe, but life isn't exactly like television." AMEN! :-)////FROM JACK: As Ward Cleaver might have said, "This might be hard for you believe, June, but life wasn't exactly as you remember it."

FROM PLAIN FOLKS CHESTER: So much for "The good old days," huh?////FROM JACK: What's good about the "old days" is that we can selective in recalling them.

FROM TAMPA SHIRL: As a former history teacher, a LONG time ago, we all know that history repeats itself. Hopefully, we'll some day learn how to reverse that fact. At our age it seems that we have seen it all-the good and the bad- and we just have to do our best every day and set a good example for the generations following us.////FROM JACK: You may be interested (and pleased) to know that my grandson, who is a high school junior, considers history to be one of his favorite subjects. As you must know, history books do not always present the material in an obective way. Is it possible to do so?

FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY: While I don't hate him, I certainly won't watch him at all. I have seen his program and he is a hate=monger. I would rather watch someone who has the same views but without the filth and hatred. I believe you can disagree with someone's ideas but you don't have to spew the hatred. We haven't watched him in years and probably never will. However, his quote is very true. When I think of the things my own family ancestors had to survive, it's humbling.////FROM JACK: It sounds as though you've listened to him enough to have formed an opinion. The message is what I intended to emphasize, not the messenger.////
OUTHOUSE AGAIN: Yes, I will "try" out some programs. By the way, I did try out the Simpsons. Needless to say, we probably won't be watching them again, but I can say I watched them! Sometimes I don't like the messenger but I do like the message. His message was true!////FROM JACK: If you didn't like the Simpsons, my sister agrees with you. You probably wouldn't like Family Guy, either...so I advise you not to watch it. Although, sometimes it's pretty funny.

FROM JB IN MICHIGAN: Great quote. I saw a similar quote a while back, “If you long for the good old days, turn off your air conditioner.”////FROM JACK: Do you ever do dishes by hand? We got our first dishwasher a couple of months ago. I remember seeing stock market figures being put on a blackboard with chalk....The good old days!

FROM BBC IN ILLINOIS: Nice quote. I like him and find him both funny and caustic. I suppose his extreme is necessary in society to engender the debate he wants to hear. His jabs at organized religion trouble me but they make me feel that he, personally is running away from emotional scars.////FROM JACK: I find that many individuals who have negative feelings toward religion often have "reasons." Standup comedians also seem to have "reasons," as do Lady Gaga and Margaret Cho and others.

Winning Words 9/12/11
“Life is a crisis. So what!” (Malcolm Bradbury) I’m going to miss Borders. “Don’t Forget to Sing in the Lifeboats” is a book that I recently bought there. The title seems appropriate for a business in crisis. Reactions to critical life situations can be positive or negative. We can choose to cry or to sing in the lifeboat. Author Bradbury was a singer who died at age 68. His epitaph: ”Warm, Witty, Wise.” ;-) Jack

FROM PLAIN FOLKS CHESTER: "Don't forget to sing in the lifeboats" dates back to the early days of sailing when there were no radios to call for help. Singing in the lifeboats was done in hope that another ship was near.//// FROM JACK: Did you "Snopes" this before you sent it out? Maybe they sang this song...
I was sinking deep in sin,
Far from the peaceful shore,
Very deeply stained within,
Sinking to rise no more;
But the Master of the sea
Heard my despairing cry,
From the waters lifted me,
Now safe am I.

FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY: It sounds like he had a good handle on life's situations. I like his epitaph...short but sweet.////FROM JACK: An epitaph on a stone next to "our plot" reads: "I'm still dancin' in heaven."

FROM GUSTIE MARLYS: I too am going to miss Borders. That was my bookstore of choice. Now I have to make my way to Barnes and Nobel. Uff Da!////FROM JACK: You might check with Barnes and Nobel to see if they have the book, "Uff Da" by Cathy Martin.

FROM BLAZING OAKS: I wonder if Malcolm Bradbury was related to Ray? I taught Ray Bradbury's books in my Lit. class, Science Fiction.The Martian Chronicles fascinated my Jr. highs. It's hard for me to think of ALL of life as a crisis: mine is probably much more mundane than his was, but suppose his point was no matter what earth- shaking thing is happening, in the long view, what is it going to matter?! He may have been warm, witty, and wise, but without the anchor of Faith? ( Don't take life too seriously, it's not permanent?!) We sometimes do need to "lighten up" don't we? (But maybe not to the point of "So What?")////FROM JACK: Same name, but different writing genre. "So what!" seems to say that there are some things more important than "the crisis du jour."

Winning Words 9/9/11
“Your mind will answer most questions if you learn to relax and wait for the answer.” (William Burroughs) My surprise! I thought W.B. was the inventor of the adding machine I once used. Instead, this William is his nephew, a famous writer and member of “The Beat Generation.” The truth behind the quote is of no surprise to me. If we just relax and wait, the mind will do wonderful things. ;-) Jack

FROM JS IN MICHIGAN: I always thought that thorough research was a good precondition before one sat and waited....too many just sit and wait and then there idea is based on vacuous thinking!!!////FROM JACK: It is presumed that a question is in one's mind prior to relaxing and waiting for an answer.////MORE JS: Thomas Edison said something like "A new idea is 99% perspiration and 1% inspiration"....don't remember exactly how it went but I think you can get the idea....My debate coach always insisted on the same thing. He always stressed the same thing. He knew that we wouldn't win because we were smarter than the others....most of the top debaters were pretty bright....but only if we knew the question better than they knew it....I don't dispute your understanding that inspiration is important and sometimes comes from simply letting the mind wander....but I think it needs some input before it begins to wander....otherwise we will have what the church has so often....sessions in which we all share our ignorance.////FROM JACK: Maybe you've put your finger on my problem....Too much dreaming.

FROM SH IN MICHIGAN: My question for today is "Do I watch the television news or do I just turn it off?" Right now it's off. Is it just in my own mind or is this latest terrorism threat being sensationalized? Thanks for your WW from a member of "The Beat Generation". The Beat Generation got older but we experienced a thing or two back then too and survived it.////FROM JACK: Re: TV News--Not much waiting for an answer. I'll turn it on, if I want to see ads for medications for The Beat Generation.

FROM HAWKEYE GEORGE: Don't we call that meditation?////FROM JACK: Yes, that's probably right for the religious crowd. Too much waiting and relaxation can often turn into snoozing.

FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY: The answer to most of my questions come at 3 am when I'm sound asleep. My friend and I try to remembering names, places, and things. Many times I remember them in the middle of the night. I pop right out of bed and right the answer down. I guess your mind is better at trying to find the answer or even sometimes the question! (BTW....my first job at the bank was on a Burroughs adding machine. It was a huge thing and hard to work.) ////FROM JACK: Some of the best problem-solutions come during the middle of the night. Doesn't the brain ever go to sleep?

FROM PL IN MICHIGAN: I'm still waiting!////FROM JACK: First, you need to relax!

FROM NL IN FLORIDA/INDIANA: HI JACK: THAT TOOOO IS VERY TRUE AT LEAST FOR ME.////FROM JACK: A great combination for you...a probing mind...and time to relax and wait.

FROM ILLINOIS LIZ: "Sleep on it." How many times it works!////FROM JACK: Such simple advice! "Snap decisions" sometimes work like a mouse trap.

FROM PLAIN FOLKS CHESTER: I have a cartoon hanging in my office of two buzzards sitting, in-wait. on a tree limb. One is saying to the other, "Patience my ass, I'm gonna kill something." Maybe I'll try it your way.
////FROM JACK: Impatience can be regretable, especially when driving. I know.

FROM PH IN MINNESOTA: my father spent 34 years with old Burroughs Company. pretty good outfit for the most part. its fascinating how Burroughs, Ford, Edison, Firestone, etc. we all contemporaries and all were rather creative geniuses.////FROM JACK: Those guys also went camping together, and their trailer (one of the first of a kind) is on display at the Henry Ford Museum in Michigan. For them, it was NOT all work and no play. I wonder what they talked about when they were together?

FROM BLAZING OAKS: Is the Beat generation like the DOO-WOPS? (Oop-Shoop, Shang-A-Lack-A-Cheek-A-Bock: The Earls, Remember Then)..:-) I think your quote is probably true. It seems the subconscious mind is always at work. And solutions or answers occasionally do pop into our minds, once we've "let go". //// FROM JACK: We've been fascinated with the exploration of outer space. Inner space might be even more fascinating. The "Beat Generation" seemed to be the antithesis of the "Cleaver Generation." Non-conformity was their style...drug experimentation...Eastern religions...open sexuality.

Winning Words 9/8/11
“When you make a mistake, admit it. If you don’t, you only make matters worse.” (Ward Cleaver) The 50s TV series, “Leave It To Beaver,” was known for working a moralism into each episode. Kids liked the antics of Beav, Wally and Eddie Haskell. Parents looked in to get tips on how to raise teens. In real life, Ward (Hugh Beaumont) was a lay minister. No wonder, he was good at preaching. ;-) Jack

FROM SH IN MICHIGAN: "Leave It To Beaver" was one of my favorite shows to watch. No wonder, the WW today are great. If we all admitted our mistakes and didn't lie to God/ourselves/others or blame others or try to shift responsibility for what's gone wrong, matters would be better rather than worse. Part of the charm of WW is seeing where you get all these quotes from. You think of places to get them which are totally surprising yet delightful!!!////FROM JACK: Even the reruns are good...after over 50 years.

FROM PEPPERMINT MARY: ...and get a really bad stomach ache!////FROM JACK: A troubled mind is another consequence. "If only...."

FROM ILLINOIS LIZ: One of my all-time fave shows. Still timely. (Ward was voted Nickelodeon's "Favorite Dad of All TIme" a few years ago by viewers.) ////FROM JACK: I know that you have your personal favorite dad!

FROM PLAIN FOLKS CHESTER: How does being a Lay Minister in real life make Ward a good dad on film? Seams to me, maybe one of the writers was a Lay Minister.////FROM JACK: Part of the mystique of a sit-com is how you can put yourself into the story, without worrying about production details. Did you ever try out for the part of Eddie Haskel?

FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY: That program was a staple in our home. We laughed a lot and I'm sure learned a lot too. It took me a long time to learn it was easier to admit a mistake then try to cover it up. Probably that holds true for most of us. It's a hard lesson to learn but one well worth learning.////FROM JACK: Some of the best lessons are the "hard" ones.

FROM BBC IN ILLINOIS: Didn’t watch much…. But found the comment about Ward interesting.////FROM JACK: Each generation seems to have its message TV shows. I wonder what the current generation will relate to in their memories. Regarding Ward Cleaver, it's sometimes hard to see characters as actual human beings.

FROM KAY DEE IN MICHIGAN: I liked that show////FROM JACK: Times were simpler back then.

FROM BLAZING OAKS: My recollection of Beaver is pretty fuzzy, although I'm sure we watched some of the time! Most of the shows like Lassie, and Little House on the Prairie, etc. did have some moral point. Bonnie Bartlett (Moliner!) often appeared in Little House on the Prairie, so always watched for her...Bill's mother used to say, "Once you're caught in a lie, to that person you're a liar from then on". She was a stickler for honesty, which rubbed off on Bill. Also, "If you tell the truth, you don't have to always remember what you said." Once, when Mark and John were slugging it out, I asked, "who started this?", and John, the oldest, immediately said defensively, "He was going to hit me first!" Ha! Of course I had to laugh...:-(////FROM JACK: Can you think of any current sit-coms that have a moral message? Also, besides Bonnie, what other "famous" Moliners come into your fuzzy memory?////MORE FROM OAKS: I LOVED HARRY'S LAW, WHICH SUDDENLY WENT OFF THE AIR, BUT PROMISES TO RETURN THIS FALL. SHE UPHOLDS HIGH MORALITY, AND ALSO SITUATIONAL ETHICS. (KATHERINE BATES) I DON'T WATCH SIT-COMS AS A RULE, MORE INTO GAME SHOWS LIKE WHEEL OF FORTUNE, AND BALL GAMES AND ATHLETIC EVENTS. LOUIE BELLSON COMES TO MIND QUICKLY, AND DIDN'T MALCOM BOSSE WRITE COUPLE OF BOOKS? I KNOW I READ ONE OF HIS.//// FROM JACK: Ken Berry (F Troop) was a 1952 MHS grad. Suzy Boggus, the country singer, is from Aledo. We used to have a milkman named Mr. Boggus.

Winning Words 9/7/11
“Almost everything falls away in the face of death.” (Steve Jobs) Jobs seems to see the face of death in his mirror. “Pride and fear of failure and of being embarrassed” no longer matter to him. Eventually the realization comes to everyone…there is an end. What are the important things, after all? I admire Steve Jobs for iPods, iPads, iPhones, but I admire him, most of all, for his courage at this time. ;-) Jack

FROM JS IN MICHIGAN: Steve Jobs creates jobs....Rick Perry creates dissension and grief////FROM JACK: And God created death. Death comes, in spite of our agendas. iStuff and politics cannot overcome it. In the end, God is the judge.

FROM GOD DEBT JON: It does bring clarity. All pretense is gone. No more I'll do that someday. Recently I spent April to June with a close friend of 44 years, he died June 10th. Facing death we say and do things without reservation, perhaps we should all live like we were dying...////FROM JACK: You had the "privilege" of being at the bedside of a dying friend. An experience like that can cause one to prioritize life. Isn't it interesting...we are both living and dying at the same time?

FROM MOLINER MRH: Couldn't help but think of the quote from Julius Caesar (from sophomore English at MHS) "Cowards die many times before their deaths
The valiant never taste of death but once.
Of all the wonders I yet have heard it seems to me most strange that men should fear, seeing that death, a necessary end,Will come when it will come."
Thanks for all your inspiring ww. ////FROM JACK: Thank YOU, for your words. You are one who didn't waste your time in high school English. The Shakespeare quote ties in perfectly with the words of Jobs. I'm going to print it out and put it by my computer.

SENT BY TS IN MICHIGAN: “Being the richest man in the cemetery doesn’t matter to me. Going to bed at night saying we’ve done something wonderful, that’s what matters to me.” –Steve Jobs////FROM JACK: One of my favorites along the same line...."Did you ever see a hearse pulling a U-Haul?" I wonder if Jobs' illnesses have caused him to think this way? BTW, isn't it interesting that Steve Jobs' name is similar to that of the biblical, Job?

FROM BLAZING OAKS: In spite of his exceptional creative talent, Jobs has to face that great leveler, Death. The last enemy to be overcome, as the good book tells us. Who said, "Live each day as though it were your last...one day it will be." ? Good thought to remember, and equally hard to comprehend. (Our own demise.) Hopefully, as Christians, we cannot only show others how to live, but also how to die with faith. Good WW. ////FROM JACK: It seems to me that, from his words SJ is doing exactly that. If we were in the same boat, we'd probably think the same way.

FROM ILLINOIS LIZ: What a cool guy Steve Jobs is...////FROM JACK: You're right! His inventions are not the only "cool' thing about him. It's good for "the rest of us" to know that it doesn't take inventive skills to know how to come to the end of life.

FROM HAWKEYE GEORGE: Right now my wife's on the operating table. Timely.////FROM JACK: God goes into operating rooms, too...so he is right there beside your wife.

FROM SA IN VEGAS: I admire you, Jack. Every day, employing Mr. Jobs contribution, in one way or the other, and we get to discuss WW, usually as we prepare dinner. Either way, we get fed.////FROM JACK: Food for Thought, is another way of looking at WWs. I first look for quotes that cause me to think, and then try to use those that I believe will cause others to think...The Steve Jobs' quote is an example of this.

FROM WATERFORD ANNE: Amen.////FROM JACK: "Amen" is usually the last word at a funeral service.

FROM PEPPERMINT MARY: Our own or someone dear to us.////FROM JACK: To understand SJ's quote, I think you have to walk in his moccasins...NO, live in his skin.////MORE FROM PM: Not sure I agree. Those who go before us give us a glimpse of what is to come. Just my opinion while walking with my loved ones in their final journey.

FROM TAMPA SHIRL: He was a multi-tasker long before his time, and a wonderful user of his talents. ////FROM JACK: We all have time...talents...opportunities, and, eventually the sand runs out of life's hour-glass for everyone.

FROM BF: I'm keeping this one!////FROM JACK: Don't forget where you put it, because you and I are going to need it sooner or later.