Jack’s Winning Words 8/5/14
“It’s easier to put on slippers than to carpet the whole world.”  (Al Franken)  It’s interesting to note that there’s an actual comedian in Congress.  In this instance, Al’s humor makes sense.  We can’t solve all the world’s problems, but we can do something about some of them.  Foster-parenting is one.  Collecting school clothing for needy kids is another.  Are there people you know who are wearing slippers today?    ;-)  Jack

FROM TARMART REV:  My world is full of them . . . couldn't live without them . . . hopefully my are found a little worn themselves!! ====JACK:  Sometimes those "slippered" people do their good works so silently that we don't give them the "thanks" that they deserve...but usually don't want.

FROM PLH IN MINNESOTA:  we think Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar are two of the best senators in congress.  we are proud and very pleased with both of them.  Amy has been thought of as presidential material.  i shook hands with Al at a home coffee meeting when he was running for the Senate.  notice, he has not told one joke publically since getting elected as he wants to change his "image".  i really think he is a solid politician.====JACK:  Minnesota is a mixed bag when it comes to their politicians.  But, on the whole, they've had some good ones, HHH, for example.

FROM MICHIZONA RAY:  This quote actually comes from his Stuart Smalley character in the movie, "Stuart Smalley Saves His Family". There are several very useful parts of the movie that depict an intimate knowledge of Stuart's suffering. His quote in its context comes at the end of the movie as he indicates our impotence with regard to "changing" people and the world. It's better to wear slippers on one's own feet whilst walking on the rough surfaces of life, rather than the impossibility of carpeting every part of it. In the Christian perspective it is like the directive to "first remove the beam from thine own eye" rather than carpet over it.====JACK:  Thanks for the clarification about the origin of the quote.  Sometimes, when problems seem overwhelming, it is best to break them into smaller manageable parts.  It is better to do something, rather than nothing, using the excuse, "It's just too big for me to do anything about it."

FROM BB IN ILLINOIS:  Thanks for the smile; so true.  The sermon Sunday started with a recitation of UNICEF statistics about hunger and poverty.  My son and my girlfriend who came along thought it was much too long and overwhelming. I kind of agreed with them but thought it was an interesting springboard from the loaves and fishes story.   We have so much in this land of plenty and so very much waste….Told them it made me decide to clean my fridge and endeavor to be much less wasteful with the food I bring into my home.====JACK:  It's usually a good sermon when a pastor takes a text from the Bible and relates it to what's going on in the world today.

FROM DC IN KANSAS:  Our guest pastor Sunday -- the KU Campus Pastor -- used the feeding of 5000 Sunday in a way I hadn't entertained before.  We face many imposing problems -- decline in membership, money, etc.  The disciples faced 5000 men (plus -- making 20,000?  More than Allen Field House.)  But Jesus said, "Feed them."  I thought that was pretty good (and it came from a camps pastor, not me.)====JACK:  You and I probably wouldn't wear a WWJD bracelet, but it doesn't hurt to think, in certain situations...What Would Jesus Do?

FROM BLAZING OAKS:  If you are busy doing what matters to you, it is easier to wear "slippers", and to see things to do that will "carpet" your little corner of the world.  Our children seem to appreciate the loving and stable home they were reared in, but out son in Christ, Roy, REALLY appreciated coming into a "normal" home with loving "parents" after enduring  a chaotic home life for his first 14 yrs!  He was one of our church youth who had potential and "get up and go" in spite of his home situation.  He is a mature, and responsible adult, father of three, working his whole career in the State Higher Education Dep't!  Franken's word's ring true in the world situation today; We can no longer be the whole world's guardian and "fixer"...so put on the slippers!====JACK:  I suppose it doesn't relate (but maybe it does), but here's your song for today.  SING IT, SISTER!!!!
Oh, my golden slippers am laid away
'Cause I don't spect to wear 'em til my wedding day
And my long tailed coat, that I love so well
I will wear up in the chariot in the morn.
And my long white robe that I bought last June
I'm goin' to get changed 'cause it fits too soon
And the old grey hoss that I used to drive
I will hitch him to the chariot in the morn.
Oh, dem golden slippers
Oh, dem golden slippers
Golden slippers I'se goin' to wear
Because they look so neat.
Oh, dem golden slippers
Oh, dem golden slippers
Golden slippers I'se goin' to wear
To walk the golden street.
Oh, my old banjo hangs on the wall
'Cause it ain't been tuned since way last fall
But the darks all say we'll have a good time
When we ride up in the chariot in the morn.
There's ol' brother Ben and his sister, Luce
They will telegraph the news to uncle Bacco Juice
What a great camp meetin' there will be that day
When we ride up in the chariot in the morn.
So, it's good-bye, children I will have to go
Where the rain don't fall and the wind don't blow
And yer ulster coats, why, you will not need
When you ride up in the chariot in the morn.
But yer golden slippers must be nice and clean
And yer age must be just sweet sixteen
And yer white kid gloves you will have to wear
When you ride up in the chariot in the morn.

FROM JT IN MINNESOTA:  I'm proud to have Al Franken my congressman.  He does do what may seem like not world problems but are important to some of us.  I vote for him and Amy Klosbershaw.
Thanks for the ww's====JACK:  You're the second Minnesotan who's had good things to say about Al and Amy.  Congress ain't all bad.