Jack’s Winning Words 5/1/17
“All things seem possible in May.”  (Edwin Way Teale)  I have a Bible called, the Possibility Thinkers Bible.  Throughout its pages, the verses that show the impossible becoming possible are highlighted in blue.  Of course, one is: “With God all things are possible.”  Often God works his miracles in ordinary ways, relying on us to seek solutions to problem situations.  May 1st seems to be a good day to start looking for possibilities in seemingly impossible situations.    ;-)  Jack

FROM MT IN PENNSYLVANIA:  Your thoughts are a pleasure to read, every day. For me, the bright spring yellow-greens of sprouting tree leaves are a wonder and an inspiration every year. Here in southeastern Pennsylvania, they are at their peak in May.====JACK:  This morning in Michigan the soft morning rain (which carried over from yesterday) is a reminder that April showers bring May flowers.  Even the birds are singing in the rain.  I love May.

FROM PEPPERMINT MARY:  song of the day is from Camelot, "it's may"!====JACK:  and another..."Though April showers may come your way, yhry nring the flowers that bloom in May."  Life is sometimes like that.====MARY:  yes it is.  we are planting sunflowers at school today and waiting for our butterflies to emerge from their cocoons.  new life...it's a constant reminder of the grace of god.====JACK:  It would be interesting to see sequential pictures...planting the seeds, first growth, the stalk, the bud, the flower.  Did you know that Kansas is the Sunflower State?

FROM TARMART REV:  Here we go, Jack!! First day out searching for an answer and new direction.====JACK:  John Maxwell wrote a book...How Successful People Think.  Here are some thoughts from that book.  They see things that others miss, tend to not give up, aren't afraid to dream big dreams, avoid negative people, love challenges, seek out smart people, set goals and follow through on them, do brainstorming with creative people.  May God bless your search!

FROM SHALOM JAN:  Today's weather is more like March going out than May coming in.  However, with all the good things that happen in this month -- graduations, final concerts, more flowers and blossoms, etc. -- it will still be a marvelous month!====JACK:  "All sun and no rain makes a desert."  As I look back on my life, I've seen some rainbows after the rain.  I like May, and I like the phrase, The Merry Month of May.

FROM LH IN MI:  I’m hanging on to that every day. :-)  My plate is fuller than I could ever have imagined possible; but it will all work out in the end.  Thanks for the reminder to keep me on an even keel.====JACK:  I like the song..."The Love of God," especially the verse:
Could we with ink the ocean fill  And were the skies of parchment made
Were every stalk on earth a quill  And every man a scribe by trade
To write the love of God above  Would drain the ocean dry 
Nor could the scroll contain the whole  Though stretched from sky to sky.
Someday our life's story will be rolled out like a scroll, and we'll see some parts that have been written by the hand of God.  Amazing!

FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY:  May has been the start of Spring to me.  The flowers bloom, the birds come back and you can smell the fresh air.  The possibilities seem limitless.====JACK:  Did you ever make and pass out May baskets when you were a child?

FROM BLAZING  OAKS:  May is usually a beautiful month! I like Natalie Sleeth's song, "Hymn of Promise" that she wrote to comfort her husband, when she was dying of terminal cancer.  In the bulb there is a flower, in the seed, an apple tree, In cocoons a hidden promise: Butterflies will soon be free! In the cold and snow of winter there's a Spring that waits to be; Unrevealed until its season, Something God alone can see.  There's a song in ever silence seeking word and melody, There's a dawn in every darkness, bringing hope to you and me; From the past will come the future: What it holds, a mystery, Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.  In our end, is our beginning: In our time, infinity; In our doubt there is believing, In our Life, eternity.  In our death, a resurrection: At the last, a victory, Unrevealed until its season, Something God alone can see.  May reveals nature's promise, from seed and bulb to leafy green, and lovely flowers! Indeed!====JACK:  Our church choirs have sung Natalie's anthems many times, however I've never heard "the rest of the story."  Church music (hymn and anthem) writers seem to have composed many of their works after personal tragedies...and experiencing God's comfort.

FROM TAMPA SHIRL:  Everything happens for a reason, don't you think.  Sometimes it is hard to figure out. A grandson is having surgery on his foot today and will be in recovery for four months.One day at a time.====JACK:  I like the words and music of the popular song, "One day at a time, sweet Jesus, that's all I'm asking of you."