Jack’s Winning Words 1/2/14
“A new command I give to you.  Love one another as I have loved you.”  (Jesus)  These words can be a good New Year’s resolution, one that might bring peace on earth and goodwill among people.  In Gladwell’s, “David and Goliath,” there’s a recounting of how two parents dealt differently with the violent death of their daughters.  The premise of the book is that the “fist” doesn’t always prevail.  It’s worth a read.    ;-)  Jack

 FROM MICHIZONA RAY:  This is one of my favorites. It dawned on me one day that in this scripture, Jesus' tells us first of the commandment to love one another, then He follows up with a description for what "Love" actually is, as if we might confuse love by our own perception of it, i.e., "...as I have loved you", implies, "not as you have love others". For me, it was as though Jesus was telling me (us) that love isn't necessarily what I think it is; Love is what Jesus lived. And, we are to know Love in the manner of Jesus, or as we are loved by Him. Within this commandment, I notice how much "condition" exists in my love for others -- which is not love at all. Oops! ...just more beams to remove from mine own eye, but at least they become visible enough to remove. ====JACK:  You've raised an issue that gives us something to think about...conditional love and unconditional love.  Most us probably say..."I will love, except...."  Is it really possible to love, unconditionally?  If, no, what is meant by the biblical verse, "Be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect."?====RAY:  I think that love with condition is not love at all because the determined condition, which is by its author, prescribes the function of love for its author, and not for the one who is its theoretical recipient. In other words, with condition, the function of this so-called-love is for oneself. Hence, the condition becomes a form of manipulation, self-righteous ideations, and other assortments of self-absorbed considerations.  The term "unconditional love" is a redundant term, because one who loves in this way does so by choice alone. One simply decides to love -- without reason, benefit, cause, etc. Maybe, in this way, it is "perfect", because one's consideration of oneself is totally absent. With no condition or regard for oneself, the act becomes a complete outwardly directed focus. To what ever degree there is a condition, there is also the same degree of selfishness, or self-absorption. Love is by this same condition, imperfect.  Anyway, this is how my mind has been stimulated and inspired to understand it....so far. ====JACK:  We strive for the unconditional, but live with the conditional.  As St. Paul wrote:  "The good that I would, I do not."

 FROM TARMART REV:  Happy New Year, Jack! Thank you for the privilege I have in walking it through with you (unless the Lord might move one of us on up to His High Ground)!!====JACK:  I'm singing....
When the roll, is called up yon-der,
When the roll, is called up yon-der,
When the roll, is called up yon-der,
When the roll is called up yonder I’ll be there.

 FROM GOOD DEBT JON:  I have the Gladwell book as Audio and a Kindle book on my phone and Kindle but haven't got to it yet. The first part I read looks great. Thanks for the reminder.====JACK:  It was fascinating reading.  He has a way of giving titles to his books that are, "hookers," (like, "Good Debt, Bad Debt").

 FROM KF IN MICHIGAN:  Excellent message, excellent timing.  Nor is there a right for every wrong... Just had this conversation with my pastor recently.====JACK:  One of the results of the Christmas event  is "God's desire" for us was given in human form, i.e., in a way that we can relate to.

 FROM HR IN MICHIGAN:  I read a book about 10 years ago that I recommend. It is called, A Small Treatise on the Great Virtues: The Uses of Philosophy in Everyday Life by Comte-Sponville.   He says that the greatest virtue of all is love. If we really loved others we could never do harm to them.====JACK:  It sounds like something I'd like to read.  The way we live (for good or bad) is our "philosophy."

 FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY:  Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could all just smile and make someone feel better each day?  I don't usually make resolutions but may change my mind and take up this resolution when I am ready to get angry over something or someone, especially when that someone isn't being very nice to me.====JACK:  May?

 FROM BS IN ENGLAND:  Thank you for today's winning words.====JACK:  You're welcome!

 FROM SBP IN FLORIDA:  First....I'm into Corinthians! Paul speaks fervently of love!! I remember Mrs. Wiggins requiring us to memorize Ist Corinthians ...Chapter 13. '''and the greatest of these is love."
Today's WW....what an eye opener! First of all, I've never heard of Malcolm Gladwell! Then I went on Google and heard his updated interpretation of the David and Goliath encounter.I went to lunch w/my daughter at (Walmart's McDonald's) and learned that her husband (*my son-in-law..a PI attorney) has read virtually every book written by Gladwell.....except David and Goliath. Soooooo I'm giving it to him for his birthday (Jan. 7)..to read and pass it on to me....but first to answer a LOT of questions about why he pursued Gladwell!!! Thanks WW....an exciting day!! ====JACK:  I preached a sermon last Sunday, "In the Blink of an Eye."  Gladwell has another book, simply titled, "Blink."  You should be able to get it from the library.