Jack’s Winning Words 12/23/14
“A peaceful heart finds joy in all of life’s simple pleasures.”  (Franklin Cider Mill sign)  People sometimes ask, “Where do you find your Winning Words?”  Today’s was sent by Liesa who saw it at a local cider mill.  Another friend gave me a book, “2548 Wittiest Sayings.”  The Bible’s Book of Proverbs has some great ones, too.  I find joy in discovering “winning” sayings.  Others read books like, “The Joy…of Cooking…of Meditating…of Not Working”, etc.    ;-)  Jack

 FROM TARMART REV:  Always a highlight to read each morning, Jack!!====JACK:  ...or, The Joy of Reading Winning Words.

FROM SHARIN' SHARON:  That's why I enjoy your WW--they're as likely to come from someone like Lady Gaga, as well as Socrates or Martin Luther King, or sometimes Jesus himself. It seems like you are lifting up the fact that everyone can have something to contribute that can benefit the rest of us.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.====JACK:  Tomorrow, on Christmas Eve, it will be a quote from Steampunk.

FROM HAWKEYE GEORGE:  Galatians 5:22 is one of my favs.====JACK:  We have that verse as a major part of our church's art glass windows..."The Fruit of the Holy Spirit is: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, self-control."

FROM PEPPERMINT MARY:  we must be related:)====JACK:  As the song goes..."We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord..."====MARY:  and we pray that our unity will one day be restored...====JACK:  "...in the sky, Lord, by and by."

FROM BLAZING OAKS:  I like the quote  "If  Christmas isn't found in your heart, you won't find it under a tree."...A peaceful heart in the rush and frenzy of all our Christmas activities and responsibilities is much to be desired!!  An apt reminder today! Come, Lord Jesus!====JACK:  I like the dialog from A Charlie Brown Christmas...
Charlie Brown: Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?
Linus Van Pelt:  Sure, Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about.
[moves toward the center of the stage]
Linus Van Pelt: Lights, please.
[a spotlight shines on Linus]
Linus Van Pelt: "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, 'Fear not: for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.'"
[Linus picks up his blanket and walks back towards Charlie Brown]
Linus Van Pelt: That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.

FROM RS IN TEXAS:  .or...........The joy of going to the (NFL) playoffs (for both the Lions and the Packers).====JACK:  Games that COUNT don't bring joy...only stress.  Just one team will win the Super Bowl, and it won't be the Lions.