Jack’s Winning Words 9/22/14
“Have courage for the great sorrows of life.  Go to sleep in peace.  God is awake.”  (Victor Hugo)  I recall HUGO as the answer to a crossword “clue” last week.  Victor is  famous for having written, Les Miserables (The Miserable Ones).  There was sadness in his life, too, with the untimely death of 3 of his children.  But, evidently, he found some solace in knowing that God was aware of “his misery” and cared.    ;-)  Jack

FROM SHARIN' SHARON:  What a neat WW -- go to sleep in peace. God is awake. So simple, probably everyone of us is thinking "I could have thought of these WW." Yet I didn't. Victor Hugo did. These WW help us to remember and celebrate his faith and to be thankful and appreciate him and you for bringing us these WW another time today.====JACK:  Is worry keeping you awake at night?  Someone said, "We're told that God never slumbers nor sleeps, so I turn my worries over to him.  There's no sense in both of us staying awake."

FROM TARMART REV:  "Never to leave us nor forsake us . . . as we place our trust in Him!!" ====JACK:  It's sometimes easier said than done....but good advice often needs to be repeated. ====REV:  It's that last part that presents the most difficulty with me...I talked with a Jewish young lady in Willmar (not many of them in these parts)...I shared with her how I wished Abraham had trusted God a little longer before giving in to Sarah's request to have Hagar and Ismael!====JACK:  You've said in the past that "God has a reason" for how things develop.

FROM RI IN BOSTON:  It has taken me a long time getting my mind around this, but if Jesus Christ the Son of God had to undergo pain and suffering during His time on earth, how can we mortals expect less?  With the knowledge of God's love for us, and faith in His care secure within us, we get the strength to endure the "great sorrows of life", trusting fully that God is there in charge of things.  As stated in Proverbs 3:5, Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not to your own understanding.====JACK:  When I was "learning" to be a pastor I spent some time with a hospital chaplain going from bed to bed in a large Chicago hospital, visiting patients...many of them from Skid Row.  I would see him bend down and say to each one..."I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing to the glory that is revealed to us in Jesus."  One of my favorite songs begins..."This world is not my home, I'm justa passin' through.  My treasures are laid up, away beyond the blue."

FROM HONEST JOHN:  I like that thought "God is awake".    I think that way when I am put out for surgery.====JACK:  ...and I'm hoping that the doctor has gotten a good night's sleep, too.

FROM BLAZING OAKS:  AS DR. N .V. PEALE USED TO SAY, "TRUST GOD, AND LIVE ONE DAY AT A TIME".  EVEN IN THE DARK AND STORMY TIMES, HE IS THERE TO SHARE THE WIND AND THE RAIN WITH YOU. THE MYSTERY OF A GOD THAT NEVER SLUMBERS NOR SLEEPS!  ONE DAY WE WILL KNOW...THAT'S WHERE FAITH COMES IN.!====JACK:  That's "positive thinking" for you!

FROM SBP IN FLORIDA:  A little bit of levity lightens the lesson. but not the impact! I've never really thought about God being awake...all the time. But I d0 rely on His availability at any time...day or night. Presumptuous! and Oh, so comforting.====JACK:  The idea of GOD is impossible for human comprehension.  That's one of the purposes for "Jesus"....God coming in human form to help us understand what he (there again, using "he" in a case when it does not refer to sexuality) is like.  But he is MORE than the human form.  (Excuse my philosophical/theological speaking.)

FROM PEPPERMINT MARY:  this reminds me of a great church sign that i read a couple of years ago.  i may have already shared it with you, but it's worth repeating.  "don't worry about tomorrow.  god is already there."  i think of that when i go to bed troubled.====JACK:  Your song for the day: 
When I'm worried and I can't sleep   I count my blessings instead of sheep
 And I fall asleep counting my blessings   When my bankroll is getting small
 I think of when I had none at all   And I fall asleep counting my blessings