Jack’s Winning Words 3/18/14
“You’d be surprised at how many unhappy people there are.  They focus too much on their wants, not their needs.”  (Cayman Islander)  An old man was commenting on how people tend to overlook the blessings they have, when compared to how little some people have.  Maybe it ‘s time to compare our wants to our needs.  More wants or more needs?  The elderly Caymanian concluded with a smile and said…“God is good!”    ;-)  Jack

 FROM TARMART REV:  God is good, in deed!!====JACK:  Smile when you say that!

 FROM RI IN BOSTON:  Aging clarifies just how much we truly need in order to live comfortably.  I think too many people are captivated with excess, a result of being beat over the head with advertising.  In our home now, in our advanced years, we look around at all the "stuff" we have that we don't need.  There was a time when we pondered "how can we get that" and now we wonder "what should we do with that."  The advice from Jesus is applicable: Go and sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven (Matthew 19:21).====JACK:  My mother used an expression when she thought we should get rid of something...."Ditch it!"====RI:  Driving down the highway, eyeballing the drainage trenches along the sides of the road, I've noticed that a lot of people follow your mother's suggestion.

 FROM MICHIZONA RAY:  I am reminded of Jesus' comment about all the stuff we need and want, and what primary focus precedes even both: "Seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and these things will be added unto you." With that said, it is amazing how a "want" becomes a "need" once the desire for it reaches a certain threshold -- almost blinding. It's still a want, but it's described as a need. This is just one example of our inability to be reliable to the Truth. We "need" direction with discipline. This is what Jesus provides us --- if only we follow the discipline (disciple).====JACK:  I like the words of Jesus..."Don't store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal."  Time has a way of putting things into perspective.

 FROM TAMPA SHIRL:  Yesterday as we were leaving a show-Best of Broadway-in Clearwater, a lady was complaining that the sun was not shining.  I told her that it would be out tomorrow.  I didn't mention to her that we really needed the rain.====JACK:  I like the quote..."All sunshine makes a desert."

 FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY:  It's funny, but my son-in-law and I just were talking about the unhappy people.  Anyway, he was talking about the people who have everything they can dream of, (Justin Bieber, Lindsay Logan, Detroit's ex-mayor Kilpatrick, and I'm sure everyone could name a hand-full.  They have looks, charm, tons of money, and yet they are be-set with one unhappy event after another.  It's really a shame.  To be content with what we have as opposed to what we want is the real issue.  God gives us what we need, not necessarily what we want.  God is good...all the time!====JACK:  There's a song from the musical, Cabaret..."Money, money, money makes the world go round!" ...until you lose the things that money can't buy.

 FROM BLAZING OAKS:  AHA! I'm sure she was being facetious, but smiled at Poet Kathleen Norris's quote: "Life is easier to take than you'd think; all that is necessary is to accept the impossible, do without the indispensable, and bear the intolerable." As I've mentioned previously, I have a quote from my Bill on the fridge. "Want what you have, and you'll always have what you want!" Heard it many times...:-) Many people in these hard economic times have been amazed to discover  what they could do without!====JACK:  There are many "needy" people in the world, besides those who don't have many material things.

 FROM HCC CHUCK:  AMEN to that!!!!!!!

 FROM GUSTIE MARLYS:  My little granddaughters are here.  No time to think about what I need!  Ha! ====JACK:  I think of you playing your granddaughters, and this song comes to mind.
People,
People who need people,
Are the luckiest people in the world
We're children, needing other children
And yet letting a grown-up pride
Hide all the need inside
Acting more like children than children

 FROM KF IN MICHIGAN:  As empty nesters, we are seriously realizing how our needs and wants have decreased - and I have spent much of the winter getting rid of things we thought we needed but realize we do not - partially due to a mouse situation earlier in the year, and some roof leak issues .....serious repairs in the works - roof, walls, new ceiling, insulation, painting, wood floor replacement, etc.......  All I want now is my house put back together; I see this taking months.  And I really do want world peace : )====JACK:  I wonder what the mouse wants?