Jack’s Winning Words 2/19/16
“We can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone.”  (Ronald Reagan)  This quote was sent to me, along with a picture of a horse crossing a river with a dog on his back.  I read of a former homeless man who’s now helping the homeless.  Do you know of similar examples?  Of course we can’t help everyone, but single opportunities to help are all around us.  Let’s be on the lookout for them (and act on them) today.  The Great Communicator lives on.    ;-)  Jack

FROM HAWKEYE GEORGE:  That's the essence of Christianity.====JACK:  Jesus used the Parable of the Good Samaritan to emphasize the importance of "helping."  Recently, when the Pope mentioned "wall-building" as being non-Christian, many saw it as a political intrusion.  It might better have been said without mentioning Donald Trump.  "But who am I to judge?"  The gist is... Seek out the best way to help people, and then do it.  That's the essence of Christianity!

FROM TARMART REV:  ., , , a very unfortunate experience but an example as called for this morning . . . it occurred this past Wednesday evening beginning around 8pm . . . I had just exited the local hospital and mental health ward after visiting and praying with a young 16 year old student suffering from abuse and depression because of an unwanted childhood experience with her biological father . . . as I entered my car, I received a chaplaincy call from the law enforcement dispatch center indicating a double fatality north of our small city . . . upon arriving I discovered and elderly couple had just left the Lenten Service at the Presbyterian church located just east of  the scene and moved on out into the four lane highway, attempting to cross over the oncoming two lanes and turn south . . . a young lady heading north could not avoid hitting their car, struck them resulting only in damaging their vehicles . . . however as the elderly lady after exiting her car, walking over and finding the young lady from the other vehicle walking towards her and both expressing they were alright with a hug and the elderly gentleman now getting out of the passenger side to do the same, another north bound car came upon the scene driving the 55 mph speed limit, not seeing what had just happened hit the elderly couple's car once again, killing them both. After an hour or so of chaplaincy work, attempting to comfort the gentleman of the second car and the young lady from the first accident, hugging a few First Responders having to deal with mangled bodies and wrecked automobiles, the next several hours was spent making my way to the home of the elderly couple's son and daughter-in-law living 30 miles away and notifying them of the parent's death . . . they happened to be members of the local church I serve. Truly a long night of tragic proportion, but an opportunity to bring comfort to many and assurance to a grieving couple that God and their church was present in a definite time of trouble.   0:-/====JACK:  "Inasmuch as you have done it unto the least of these, you have done it unto me," said Jesus.  If it had been Jesus, would you have done more?  …or, maybe it was Jesus.

FROM CHAPPAUL:  Hi Jack – reminds me of the story of the woman walking along a beach covered with starfish. She was picking them up and throwing them back in the water one at a time. Another person said, “Why bother – there’s so many, you really aren’t making a difference.” To which the woman, as she picked up another starfish and threw it back in the water, said – “It made a difference to that one!”====JACK:  The owner of a theater chain spoke to our Optimist Club recently.  I asked him about the starfish pin that he was wearing in his lapel, and he told me of the story that you referred to.  Evidently he's part of an organization that uses that symbol...No matter what, you can make a difference.

FROM BLAZING OAKS:  Our church is situated in a neighborhood with MANY needy people. There is no end of personal opportunities to help! I do what I can, and am thankful to be able to be "the giver" in some meaningful way. I work with a formerly homeless man, who now has an apartment, has qualified for a disability monthly stipend (brain injury) and is enthustiasticaly attending services, S.S. and Bible study each week. A changed life! Also two ladies without transportation, whom I pick up for church, Bible study and choir and various needs such as Doctor's appointments. Not always convenient, but always, appreciated, and they are the first to volunteer to set up and decorate for special meetings, and clean up afterward, since they cannot contribute financially. They are a blessing.  Yes everyone can help someone...good thought today!  It is the 14th anniversary of my dear soul-mate's crossing the rainbow bridge to eternity, today. Thankful for all the good years we were given, but life is never the same. "Gather Ye rosebuds while ye may..." as the old poem goes!====JACK:  Reagan's words should not be used as an excuse for not helping as many people as you can.  But, it starts with one.  I'll doctor this old Sunday School song...
If to Christ our only King  Men redeemed we strive to bring,
Just one way this may be done—  We must help them one by one.
So you help the one next to you,  And I’ll help the one next to me;
In all kinds of weather, we’ll all work together,  And see what can be done.
If you’ll help the one next to you,  And I help the one next to me,
In no time at all we’ll help them all,  So help them, help them, one by one.

FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY:  There is always some way to help if just by giving someone a smile. ====JACK:  ..or by letting them have "cuts."

FROM CHESTER THE GOOD:  This ranks right up there with JFK's, "Ask not what your country can do for you..."====JACK:  ...or with FDR's: "We have nothing to fear, but fear itself."

FROM PRJM:  My best friend's  cousin was a drug user, big time.  When he got clean he spent his life and soul saving others from their addictions.  His funeral was packed and person after person got up to speak about how he had saved their lives.  We can each do what we are given gifts to do if we stop looking at the gifts others have and are using and just "do it" with our own God-givens. ====JACK:  We each have different talents and different opportunities to use them.  I once tried to use a "suburban" sermon in a Detroit church.  It didn't take long before I threw away the notes and began to walk the aisle talking with the people.

FROM FACEBOOK LIZ:  Like a lot.====JACK:  I like it because of the emphasis on helping.  Too many talk the walk, but don't walk the talk.====LIZ:  it doesn't take all that much to make a difference. tiny things such as letting an older lady cut in front of you at the grocery check-out. or taking a flustered mom's cart to the bin in the parking lot... did those recently.