Jack’s Winning Words 8/1/13
“Grant me the courage not to give up, even though I think it is hopeless.”  (Chester Nimitz)  Admiral Nimitz was named to head the US Pacific Fleet after Pearl Harbor.  It was a grim time, but he’s considered to be one of those most responsible for victory in WW 2.  In the down times, he never gave up.  His words seem almost like a prayer for people who are involved in life battles these days.  “Lord, grant me courage!”    ;-)  Jack

 FROM MICHIZONA RAY:  There are many situations in life that seem hopeless or actually are hopeless. Still, it seems hopeful that we continue on in our sojourn. Sometimes, even a hopeless situation serves a useful purpose -- like character. It's not always about being successful, getting what we want, or winning, is it? I had a basketball team one year that never lost a game. I think that team learned the least of any team I had coached.====JACK:  I guess that there are hopeless situations when life is seen within the boundary of "time."  It's when we escape that boundary that we can truly hope.  I like baseball because there is no clock.  The game is never over til it's over.

 FROM TARMART REV:  That's one for those "rainy days' we will all have one day or another! Today . . . the sun is shining brightly and weather is most beautiful . . . I've lived too long to bet it will be this way forever . . . nice to have a "save" tab on the computer.====JACK:  If your world were all sunshine, Minnesota would be like the Sahara Desert.  Thanks God for the rain and snow and for times when it's even 40 below.

 FROM SHARIN' SHARON:  Actually, your WW brings up a subject I am struggling with this week. Our Monday night Bible study group discussed this past Monday the movies we have been watching during the summer, among them a movie about Dorothy Day. One person said we, as Christians, love people without any thoughts of "results", no matter what--we love them no matter what. I offered up that I love to see results, love to see a homeless person get back on their feet, love to see a homeless person with clean feet. There was a scene in the movie where Dorothy was washing homeless peoples' really bedraggled looking feet. For me, I wonder if it is really hopeless for me to love through everything without seeing change--and particularly positive change in something that has to do with another person. Can I love that much that a result to my prayers doesn't matter? Can I love that much that I can accept everything and have only love for everyone going out of me? Actually, during the Bible study discussion I felt convicted--would love to be able to love totally like that, but I didn't feel very loved by the person sharing their ability to do this kind of loving, felt sort of hopeless. "Lord, grant me courage not to give up, even though I think it is hopeless."
Thanks for the WW again this morning.====JACK:  Change is always happening, whether we're aware of it, or not.  In many situations we want to see "immediate" results.  I remember hearing about someone asking a wise person, "How long is eternity?"  The answer:  "A little sparrow would fly to the top of a high mountain and remove a grain of sand.  After a thousand years the sparrow would remove another grain of sand.  When the mountain was no more, the sparrow would go to another mountain, and to another, until all of the mountains were gone.  Eternity is that long and longer."  How patient are we when it comes to waiting for results in God's world?

   FROM FACEBOOK LIZ: LAL====JACK:  We all like to have help in fighting life's battles.

 FROM CZB IN COLORADO:  Joyce, a friend of mine, was admitted to the hospital yesterday with fever.  She's been fighting pancreatic cancer with hope and grace for over a year now and sent this out this morning.  She needs prayers and support right now and I'd like to ask that you say a prayer for Joyce today.  You're the first group that came to mind because I know your hearts and the your faith. If you don't know her, she deserves it.  She's an amazing Christian woman who has been an inspiration to many and has certainly strengthened my faith.====JACK:  I will certainly add Joyce to my Prayer List....praying as I do in the Lord's Prayer, "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven."   A couple of days ago a Jewish friend told me about a mutual friend who's cancer had returned with a vengeance.  My friend was in the synagogue that evening and the rabbi suggested praying for those in need.  My friend prayed for the man in the hospital.  The next morning my friend received a call from the man's wife...."A miracle has happened!  Things have turned around for the better."  Hmmmm.   "I believe, O Lord, help my unbelief."  I will offer prayers for your friend, Joyce.  She's, God's friend, too....  He knows, and he understands, and he cares.

 FROM RI IN BOSTON:  Sometimes the circumstances deter us from even attempting something because succeeding at it seems so unlikely.  We give up before we even give it a try because we believe it's hopeless.  I have to admit there have been too many times when I gave up too quickly, but my young son convinced me to keep trying and it worked.  Isn't there something in the scriptures about "the little children shall lead them?" ====JACK:  In the children's story,  the little engine probably wouldn't have made it to the top of the mountain by saying, "I think I can't, I think I can't."

 FROM HAWKEYE GEORGE:  I lost my voice for 2 years, due to stress, in one of my struggles to avoid bankruptcy. Didn't quit the fight.====JACK:  Medals are given to war heroes who wouldn't give up, in spite of personal loss...backup support, limbs, friends.  Those who fight and win personal battles, may not get medals and recognition, but they are heroes, just the same.

 FROM DONNA THE BADGER:  Love this - thanks====JACK:  Ordinary people have their down times.  Out-of-the-ordinary people hang in there.

FROM PLAIN FOLKS CHESTER:  ANOTHER "Plain Folks Chester!"====JACK:  There's only one "Plain Folks" Chester.  Chester Nimitz's nickname was, "Admiral," a somewhat higher rank than PFC ====PFC:  He gave me rides in his boats

 FROM ANONYMOUS:  Courage! Advancing age demands courage.....everyday courage! Along this path are challenges..frightening realities, etc., etc., etc,.Because I know that God has a plan for me, I know that I'm not treading that pathway alone. He's here. He gives me courage.