Jack’s Winning Words 6/25/15
“Complaining about a problem without posing a solution is called whining.” (Teddy Roosevelt)  The internet has plenty of whiners (grousers, gripers, moaners, bellyachers).  There seem to be few of them who present positive suggestions for problem solving.  T.R. faced opposition, but, in spite of it, worked for forest preservation, food inspection, conservation, anti-prejudice, improved working conditions.  We are indebted to the old Bull Moose.    ;-)  Jack 


FROM ST PAUL IN ST PAUL:  and after leaving the White House he also went on safari in Africa and shot over 500 big game animals. so he was also a man of some contradictions.  but a true leader nonetheless.  he was a real trust buster (breaking up monopolies like certain railroads, etc.)  that took some guts!====JACK:  Environmental issues evolve.  Big game hunting then was not the issue it is now.  If Teddy knew then what we know now...  It works that way with most of us.  Hindsight vision id 20/20.  On what issues has your vision changed?  I've become more accepting of other religions. ====ST PAUL:  me too.  I have always said that I hope God is revealed in ALL religions of the world in one fashion or another.  however, I still think he is revealed most fully in the person of Jesus Christ.  without this particular revelation,  we would be greatly impoverished.   also,  like it or not,  many of the world's religions are basically "brownie point" or "merit badge" religions.  Islam for example is about doing 5 things (pray 5 times a day, give alms to the poor, fast during Ramadan,  make a hajj or pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in your lifetime, and make the confession that there is no god but Allah and Mohammed is his prophet.)  do these five things and you are "in".  its works righteousness.   Christianity has nothing to do with merit badges and brownie points!   nothing in MY hands I bring,  simple to the cross I cling.  all for sin could not atone; Thou must save and Thou alone.  this is a major different between real Christianity and some other religions altho I would be the first to admit that the church has often perverted the true gospel and turned our faith into a brownie point system.  somehow we humans like brownie points because it makes us feel better about ourselves.====JACK:  I'm glad that you recognized at the end that Christians, too, have been motivated by "brownie points," in spite of years of teaching and preaching to the contrary.   






FROM MAMA4:  This quote is going up in my kitchen! It's summer but the boys sure have found a lot of 'complaining' already!====JACK:  Ask them to come up with ideas on how to improve the world, the neighborhood, yard, their parents, their brothers, themselves.  Make it a fun(ny) thing to do, and write their ideas on a big sheet of paper.


FROM TARMART REV:  No whining from me today...we will cross that bridge again tomorrow, though?!====JACK:  Do AGs consider the use of "whine" to be a sin?