Jack’s Winning Words 1/28/14
“If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant.  If we did not sometimes taste adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.”  (Ann Bradstreet)  We’re having the worst winter here in Michigan since 78-79.  A friend in the U.P. says that Calumet has had 219” of snow, so far…with more to come.  Speaking of coming,  I like the Bible promise: “The sufferings of this present time aren’t worth comparing with the good things that God has coming for you.”    ;-)  Jack

 FROM TRIHARDER:  Is it like knocking one's head against the wall because it feels so good when we stop?====JACK:  Strange as it may seem, we may not do it literally, but figuratively is another matter.

 FROM HONEST JOHN:  With this kind of Winter we should enjoy the Hell out of Spring!====JACK:  In the future, when I hear someone complain about the cold, I'll say, "You call this cold?  Well, I remember back in January, 2014...That was really cold.  This is nothing."

 FROM TARMART REV:  Well put, Jack!! . . . 38 degrees a couple of Sundays ago, and some folk were walking around without jackets, feeling Spring had sprung!?!?====JACK:  Everybody seems to talk about the weather, but we haven't come to the point where we want to do something about changing lifestyles in order to help save the planet.  "Go green!"====REV:  I would love to see some "green"!====JACK:  Are you talking about the offering plate or the planet?====REV:  Actually, looking for grass, budding and scenery.====JACK:  It's coming, it's coming.

 FROM HR IN MICHIGAN:  This is funny that you mention that this is the worst winter since 1978-79. I was speaking to my wife last night at dinner and I said that the last time we had a winter like this was in 1978 when we were  in Davenport. She remembered the piles of snow and getting stuck everywhere. Then we talked about the incredible thunder storms we had in the summer. They were tremendous powerful bursts of energy and driving rain, and more intense than anything I Have experienced since.====JACK:  I remember something worse that this cold.....when we were without power for 2 weeks because of a spring ice storm.  It was cold them, and the sump pump overflowed.

 FROM RI IN BOSTON:  I'm not actually thinking a lot about the "good things" that will be coming to me in the hereafter...I'm interested in getting some answers to a lot of questions I have.====JACK:  We all have questions, but you and I should try not to be too hard on God, because he really loves us and wants what is best for us.

FROM PEPPERMINT MARY:  "the soul would have no rainbow had the eye no tear".  it is cold, snowy, and windy for sure...but ahhh...it is so beautifully glittery.====JACK:  That's looking on the sunnyside.  In fact, that's your song for today...."
Grab your coat and get your hat
Leave your worries on the doorstep
Life can be so sweet
On the sunny side of the street
Can't you hear the pitter-pat
And that happy tune is your step
Life can be complete
On the sunny side of the street
 ====MARY:  i'll sing that tune as i walk to school to do some alone work.  we have been closed for two days now and i am getting antsy!====JACK:  How old do children have to be before they can comprehend, antsy?====MARY:  birth?

 FROM DAZ IN COLORADO:  There are two people here who very much believe that.====JACK:  ...and it's more than just about the weather, isn't it?

 FROM TAMPA SHIRL:  No doubt the long winter helps to make the spring so beautiful.  By the way, it is predicted to be in the 70s today, but it will get colder tomorrow ( 50s) in Florida.====JACK:  One thing I like about a deep snow cover is that it holds moisture that the earth needs for the grass and the flowers.  I'll take the 50s.

FROM DC IN KANSAS:  I saw this in KOS --
A picture of Pope Francis with these words:(every other line was larger print -- so I made it bold face)
The promise was that
when the glass was full, it would overflow
benefiting the poor.
But what happens instead  is that when the glass if full
it magically gets bigger
nothing ever comes out for the poor
====JACK:  Some people are getting uneasy when the Pope talks about the haves helping the have-nots.

 FROM HY YO SILVER:  Amen====JACK: I'm glad that we're on the same page.

 FROM MW IN ILLINOIS:  Our front yard is 3 feet deep with snow, glad we don't have to shovel. Saddlebrook is always here early removing the snow, they do a great job. Dick has to get out with his shovel, clears the snow from the porch & deck doors,   this has been the worst here in many years, I'M READY FOR SPRING!!!!====JACK:  Winter is a prelude to spring, sort of like life is a preparation for eternal life.  One hymn puts it this way:  "Earth is but a desert (a snowdrift) drear, heaven is my home.

FROM JK IN CALIFORNIA:  Thanks, I needed that***====JACK:  Actually, I pray before sending out Winning Words that they might be of help to someone. ====JK:  They really help me and I read them every day*****

FROM PLAIN FOLKS CHESTER:  LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL!====JACK:  I've seen dogs and kids roll in the snow, but not a grown man.

 FROM FM IN WISCONSIN:  A great winning word for a cold cold day – thanks for the word and for your excellent comment!====JACK:  I learned that Bible verse from a chaplain who repeated it when he went from bed to bed in Chicago's Cook County Hospital, visiting patients from the infamous Skid Row.

FROM FACEBOOK LIZ:  a friend & i were saying how beautiful & bug-free the spring will be! ====JACK:  I'm reminded of the poem by Ogden Nash..."God in his wisdom made the fly  And then forgot to tell us why."  Just as we each have a purpose, I suppose that each bug has a purpose, too.  But some bugs bug me.====LIZ:  they are a delight on the bird smorgasbord, if nothing else.====JACK:  That's a purpose, of course.  I suppose a bug might ask, "What is the purpose of humans?"====LIZ:  a mosquito knows...====JACK:  You're right!  We're a part of that "buzzer's" food chain.

 FROM PZ IN MICHIGAN:  Thank you for a refreshing perspective on how to view this chilly taste of Mother Nature! It helps!====JACK:  This morning at the meeting of the Optimist Club, we heard a mother tell about how she is dealing with the "winter" in her life, the tragic death of her 16 year old son.  While the temperature will eventually warm up and the snow will melt, the memory of the winter remains.

 FROM BLAZING OAKS:  SO TRUE! TALKING OF BUGS IN ;YOUR BLOG, I HAVE A COLORED SKETCH OF NOAH'S ARK PAINTED ON WOOD IN MY KITCHEN WHICH SAYS, "IF NOAH HAD BEEN TRULY WISE, HE WOULD HAVE SWATTED THOSE TWO FLIES!"  AND I SUPPOSE THERE IS SOME REASON FOR THE EXISTENCE OF MOSQUITOES, BUT WHAT??!! :-) ASIDE FROM FOOD FOR THE PURPLE MARTINS.!  AH WELL, OUR TIMES OF COLD WINTERS (-7 HERE, SCHOOLS CLOSED, ETC.) AND ADVERSITY CERTAINLY DO MAKE THE OPPOSITE TIMES SWEETER!! GOOD WW FOR TODAY! IT WAS A DECENT DAY FOR A CWU BOARD MEETING AND PLAYING BRIDGE.====JACK:  I happen to believer that the Creator creates for a reason.  We can do our second guessing, but until we've walked in his shoes...(Does God wear shoes?)  There is so much that is yet for us to understand.====OAKS:  ISN'T THAT THE TRUTH...WE ARE NOT GIVEN MUCH IN DETAILS. AS YOUR OLD PROFESSOR SAID, "YOU CANT UNSCREW THE INSCRUTABLE"!~! I OFTEN WISH WE COULD!  BUT THAT WOULD TAKE AWAY THE MYSTERY.  WE NEED THE 'LARGER" GOD...

 FROM DB IN MICHIGAN:  Thank you Jack! That is so sweet!====JACK:  I remember a basketball player who would call out "sweet" when he sank a long one.  Thanks for your sweet response.