Jack’s Winning Words 6/22/15
“You can’t ever take the next step until you take the first.”  (Deacon Jones)  In the movie, Revenge of the Nerds, a song advises…”Put one foot in front of the other when you have an uphill climb, when life is a daily grind.  Just keep on keepin’ on…Steady as she goes.”  That hill before us (whatever it might be) can really look imposing.  But…just one step, and then another.  The Little Engine that Could made it, and, with God’s help, you can make it, too.     ;-)  Jack


FROM HONEST JOHN:  Perhaps we could say " With God's direction"====JACK:  Direction or help....How do you see it manifested?  Conscience?  Circumstances?  People?  Other?


FROM CB IN MICHIGAN:  Thanks, Jack - something I really needed to hear today.====JACK:  At 5 am, today... I shot an arrow into the air (You probably know the HWL poem.).


FROM TARMART REV:  "The pathway is narrow But He leads me on, I walk in His shadow My fears are all gone.  My spirit grows stronger, Each moment, each day, For Jesus is leading Each step of the way." One of those treasured little songs that come to mind ever-so-often. Glad to have them stored in my head for such an occasion they rise to the top to bless me once again along the way 0;-) ====JACK:  Sunday School has sometimes been referred to as "The most wasted hour in the week."  It wasn't that for me.  I can still sing the songs that I learned during "that hour," besides remembering life lessons that are with me today.====REV:  I wish somehow others today could see such value in presenting SS with fresh enthusiasm as it was in our earlier years or enrolling their family in it were it is still provided...Christian education in story form or musically inspired is such a dynamic tool for our  longevity of faith. 


FROM TAMPA SHIRL:  How many times did we read The Little Engine That Could.  Probably at least 500.====JACK:  The story first appeared in Swedish in 1902.  It was later published in English to teach children optimism and the value of hard work.  It's been named one of the Teachers' Top 100 Books for Children.
FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY:  True statement.  Sometimes I take the first step over and over.  Today my cousin is taking a first step...again.  Her house burned down last night and their two dogs were killed.  Thankfully, the family wasn't home.  Our family is getting together everything they will need.  It's a wake up call for the rest of us.====JACK:  Each day God sends "wake up" calls in one way or another.  I'd just as soon not have it be a house fire.
FROM BLAZING OAKS:  YEP, THAT WORKS! I DIDN'T KNOW "THE LITTLE ENGINE" STORY ORIGINATED IN SWEDEN! (WHERE HAVE I BEEN?!) WE'VE ALL TAKEN  OUR CHILDREN THROUGH THAT STORY OFTEN, AND THEN THE 'GRANDS"! "ONE DAY AT A TIME, SWEET JESUS" COMES TO MIND! RIGHT NOW I'M HAVING TO BE MORE PATIENT THAN I LIKE, IN GETTING THIS BIG LAKE HOUSE SOLD!! WHAT A CHALLENGE! BUT ONE STEP AT A TIME....!====JACK:  Det Lilla Blå Loket. Jag äger inte denna film utan den ägs av skaparna....etc.


FROM SBP IN FLORIDA:  Well, I thought that I had come up with that phrase “keeping on keepin on”.  But, I ran across in the KJV of the New Testament.  We do it and as we say many “  Thank you, Lord” prayers.  Think about Paul and his companions as they took one step at a time ever many distances to further their purposes!====JACK  The steps probably were harder in Paul's day...even in the days when we were younger.   Today's high schools have huge parking lots for the students.  I can't remember that MHS, in our day, even had a parking lot.