Jack’s Winning Words 6/21/16
“God give us the power to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed, courage to change the things which should be changed and the wisdom to distinguish the one from the other.”  (Reinhold Niebuhr)  Happy Birthday, Reinhold!  His Serenity Prayer first appeared in one of his sermons and has since been adapted by A.A. and 12-step programs.  Epictetus (circa 55 AD) said: “Make the best use of what is in your power and take rest as it happens.”    ;-)  Jack

FROM ST PAUL IN ST PAUL:  did you know, Jack,  that Niebuhr's prayer is much longer and this is just one part of it?   also,  did you know that the our national anthem has 4 verses and not just one? ====JACK:  What I read was that the prayer was first included as part of a Niebuhr sermon.  It may have been expanded later.  As for the National Anthem, many people aren't aware of the religious content of the last stanza...
"O, thus be it ever when freemen shall stand,
Between their lov'd homes and the war's desolation;
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land
Praise the Pow'r that hath made and preserv'd us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust"
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!"
====ST PAUL:  i am thinking that is the verse we should be singing before each ball game!====JACK:  Can you just imagine a pop singer trying to give meaning to those lyrics?

FROM FACEBOOK LIZ:  i thought this was another one by "anonymous." i learn a lot from you! ====JACK:  The Neibuhr brothers (Reinhold and Richard) have ties to Detroit, and were well respected theologians in their day.

FROM LOUGAM:  Amen! Here's the Children's version...God Grant me the serenity to accept the people I cannot change, the courage to change the person I can, and the wisdom to know that person is me! Amen!====JACK:  I'm forever thankful for the things I learned about God when I was a child..."Jesus loves me, this I know."  Serenity, too!

FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY:  Great statement/prayer!!====JACK:  I would venture to say that most people don't realize that the Serenity Prayer first appeared as part of a sermon.

FROM TAMPA SHIRL:  It was also used by Weight Watchers about 40 years ago.  Very wise.====JACK:  I think Niebuhr's sermon was preached in the early 1930s, in the midst of the Great Depression.  His words can relate to that event, also.