Jack’s Winning Words 6/24/14
“Hey…Dad?  You wanna have a catch?”  (Ray Kinsella)  This is the 25th Anniv of The Field of Dreams movie.  My son and I once played catch on that field.  We each have our “dreams,” don’t we?  Maybe they’re revived by a movie, a song, a date, an old photo.  What is it that causes the past to come alive for you?  It’s interesting that Kevin Costner (Kinsella) took his son to the “field” in Dyersville, IA, this year to play catch.    ;-)  Jack

FROM PH IN MINNESOTA:  its also interesting that the field actually lays on two different farms and the two farmers don't get along very well.  in fact they now have two separate concession stands, if i recall correctly.  that part of the story is kind of sad.  the rest is so good!  also, the famous line is often misquoted.  its not, "if  you build it, they will come".   rather its, "if you build it, he will come", a reference as i recall to  Shoeless Joe Jackson. those early players were treated rather poorly.  today, they may be treated too well, looking at some of those multi-million dollar contracts.====JACK:  When I was in Dyersville, I only saw one concession stand.  As Jimmy Durante used to say, "Everybody wants to get into the act."  As I recall, we were the only ones on the field the day we were there.====PH:  now that i think about it, you are right.  the one stand was put there by the "other" farmer,  hoping to capitalize on the tourism.  i think the other owner chose not to "cheapen" the field with too much commercialism.  i am not totally sure of this but i think i am close.  we were there years ago and i conversation i had with on of the locals put me on to this controversy. ====JACK:  I have a coffee mug that I bought in Dyersville..."Is this Heaven?  No, It's Iowa."  If that's the case, I was born in Heaven (Des Moines).

FROM JD IN MINNESOTA:  MY THREE SONS RECEIVED DIVISION ONE SOCCER SCHOLARSHIPS. THEY PLAYED BASKETBALL ,BUT NEVER BASEBALL. I NEVER TOUCHED A SOCCER BALL IN MY YOUTH. NOW MY GRANDSONS AND GRANDDAUGHTERS ALL PLAY THE GAME. BECAUSE OF TITLE NINE THE U OF MN DOESN'T HAVE A MEN'S SOCCER TEAM, ALSO A GRANDDAUGHTER WAS ALL STATE IN OREGON IN LACROSSE. EVERYTHING IS ORGANIZED TODAY. NO MORE PLAYING BALL WITH YOUR FRIENDS AFTER SCHOOL. I'M GLAD I WAS PART OF THE OLD WAY. GO USA ON THURSDAY.====JACK:  World Cup soccer is fascinating.  More stamina needed, compared to baseball and even football.  My dad I used to play catch in the alley by our house.  He played on a semi-pro team in Galesburg, Il, and once played against a barn-storming team of major leaguers.  He batted against 3-Finger Brown.

FROM HY YO SILVER:  Absolute favorite movie (besides Cecil B DeMille's The Ten Commandments).   I've been to dyersville twice.====JACK:  As for the 10 Commandments movie, I liked the book better.  Playing catch with my son on the Field of Dreams is my all-time favorite baseball experience.====HY YO:  I, too, played catch with my dad on that field.  Cecile B. DeMille based his movie on a book?  Which one?  Awesome!  I need a copy of that (kidding).

FROM HONEST JOHN:  I'd love to hit a few balls at Wimbledon....wouldn't you?====JACK:  You should be in your glory this week, watching the Wimbledon tournament.  I wonder if there are tennis courts in heaven and, if so, how they compare to those at Wimbledon?

FROM TARMART REV:  "What is it that causes the past to come alive for you?" Being in relationship with another from that past!!====JACK:  Watching that scene in Field of Dreams when Ray Kinsella plays catch with his dad brings back all kinds of memories.  Other than that, old photographs and old hymns make the past come alive.

FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY:  Oh how important it is to play a simple game of catch with your son or daughter.  So many people neglect the simple act of interaction with their children.  In this busy world of ours, children are often neglected.  The children fill in with something else not necessarily good, when they are trying to find the love they need from their parents.  We need to make sure everyone around us knows they are always loved...no matter what age, size, color, race they are.  God is loving to all of us...His children!  What a wonderful message!!!  God is Love!====JACK:  God is good.  Although my daughters weren't with me at the Field of Dreams, I played many games of catch with them, and they went on to play with high school and college teams.

FROM PLAIN FOLKS CHESTER:  Music is my trigger. It always strikes a responsive chord. ====JACK:  Yes, the Chester song is a good one.  I've sung it many times.  "Chester, have you  heard about Harry? (pat chest, point, tug earlobe, pat head)  He just got back from the Army. (thumb back, pat back, pat arm, pat chest)  I hear he knows how to wear a rose, (point to eye, tug earlobe, thumb back, touch nose, tuck an imaginary rose in your lapel)  Hip, hip! Hooray for the Army! (slap left hip, slap right hip, raise fist to the sky, pat arm, pat chest)  Chester, have you  heard about Harry?  (pat chest, point, tug earlobe, pat head)  He just got back from the Army. (thumb back, pat back, pat arm, pat chest)  He knows he  need not face defeat, (thumb back, touch nose, thumb back, pat knee, pat face, pat feet)  Hip, hip! Hooray for the Army! (slap left hip, slap right hip, raise fist to the sky, pat arm, pat chest)"

FROM BLAZING OAKS:  My  word, has it been 25 years??!  They fly by, don't they?!  Many seem to have first hand memories of that field, which I don't, but loved the movie. Our all time favorite movie was A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS.  The 6 Academy Award 1966 movie about Sir Thomas More (Paul Scofield) who  refused to sanction Henry the 8th's divorce from Anne Boleyne...and was brought to trial, found guilty of treason, and beheaded. He was a terrific inspiration to Bill in ministry to stand for your beliefs and ideals. During his first heart attack recovery, I finally secured a copy from Hollywood for quite a price, (gift from church members) and we  all watched it, and  again in 2002 when he was ill with the brain tumor. !  We still occasionally watch it!    Photographs  certainly keep the past in mind, as well as reminiscing with old friends and family!  The internet is great to connect with the past, as well!!====JACK:  I suppose you know the children's hymn...I Sing a Song of the Saints of God.  Thomas More was one of them...and so was "your Bill."  Why don't you ask your Sunday School class how many of them consider themselves to be saints....and see what their response might be?