Jack’s Winning Words 3/15/17
“How dreary this world would be if there were no Santa Claus.”  (Unknown)  Santa Claus was born in Turkey on this day in 280.  Santa Claus is a contraction of the name, St. Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, who is remembered for his kindnesses toward the poor, especially children.  The dreariness of the world can sometime be oppressive.  Let the spirit of St. Nicholas be an inspiration to do something for the poor and needy.  What are some examples?    ;-)  Jack

FROM GOOD SAM LEE:  Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm     The transportation of Scrooge   to a giving individual???    Give back!!!! (Especially if you are able)====JACK:  Jesus commended he poor widow's gift.  Everyone is able, even if it's only a helping hand or a kind word.

FROM HAWKEYE GEORGE:  good message!====JACK:  Who would have guessed that Santa Claus would come from Turkey?

FROM TARMART REV:  A smile, affirmation they are well thought of and loved by God Himself and sharing your presence in their life as they walk past you while perched on the hightop table inside Subway at the rail and by the entrance of Walmart!!====JACK:  You can't always tell who are the poor and needy by their looks, can you?  Sometimes lack of money is not the real measure of who are the poor and needy.

FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY:  I had no idea he was born in 280!  There is a program on Netflix about this fellow who decided to go around the world on a motorcycle with a side car.  He planned to live on people's kindness for food, gas and a place to sleep.  In turn, if he found very kind people, he would help them out.  It's a wonderful program that my grandson Noah found and loves.  I don't remember the title but it has the word "kindness" in the title.====JACK:  He's Leon Logothetis, and his book is The Kindness Diaries which describes his quest to "ignite good will and kindness around the world."  I've got to learn more about him.

FROM CHESTER THE GOOD:  Virginia probably said that.====JACK:  Her name was Virginia O'Hanlon.   I think that she was Swedish.

FROM BLAZING OAKS:  Our church picks us 10-18 children from unstable and dysfunctional homes on Sundays for church and S.S., giving them breakfast. They are taken on many field trips such as local parks for picnics and swimming, the pumpkin patch, corn maze, historical sites, the circus, State fair, youth retreats and concerts, etc. We have a big Christmas party for them, where members take a name to buy needed items and wished-for games, etc. I'm sure it has widened their world, and made them feel someone really cares about them!  Birthdays are always remembered, as well.  St. Nick lives on...====JACK:  "Suffer the little children to come..."  I think that most people would not understand "suffer" used in this context.  But they would understand "suffer" as it relates to living in unstable and dysfunctional homes.  Santa Claus can be a church, too.