Jack’s Winning Words 6/2/17
“A good listener is not only popular everywhere, but after a while he gets to know something.”  (Wilson Mizner)  Mizner was a raconteur (a fancy word meaning, someone who says things in an entertaining way).  Brainy Quote has a long list of Mizner stuff.  Ellen DeGeneres is an example of a modern raconteur.  This may seem odd, but I see Jesus as a raconteur, one who tells entertaining stories.  Which of his do you like the best?    ;-)  Jack

FROM HAWKEYE GEORGE:  There have been times when I wished I had listened more and talked/acted less.====JACK:  I think that the early disciples of Jesus felt that way, too, after the Ascension.

FROM HONEST JOHN:  I really disagree with you on seeing Jesus as a raconteur...."one who tells stories in a skillful and amusing way."   I think that demeans the great parables.    Most of them are not very amusing.   They, instead, impart a lesson to us through the use of story.   And, they have incredible depth to them.   Thirdly, it is a teaching that reveals God's word to us.    Way more than what some of these inspirational speakers could ever imagine!====JACK:  It seems as though you are surmising certain things.  ...that Jesus didn't have a sense of humor.  ...that the parables weren't crafted in such a way as to first get the attention of the listeners.  ...that a raconteur is only trying to amuse people.  Mizner, the raconteur, taught many lessons in an amusing way.  The lessons were taught, no matter how.  (Sometimes the end justifies certain means.)  We, in our sermons (and in our children's messages), first try to get the attention of the listeners and then give them the message.  BTW, I think that you and I have the same goal in mind.  We sometimes use different routes to get there.====JOHN:  For me...and apparently Merriam-Webster...Jesus' parables are on a whole different level than are amusing little stories that teach a lesson....I t would be like labeling Dostoyoevsky's Grand Inquisitor story as an example of a raconteur.   I just don't buy it.====JACK:  Your response shows that people who look at things with different eyes will often see different things.  I purposely used the word "raconteur" and connected it with Jesus, anticipating some thoughts from you.  If one were to compare our theological thoughts with beer, mine would be classified as lite and yours as full-bodied and hearty.  I'm OK with that.

FROM SHALOM JAN:  Just the "word picture" of a camel trying to squeeze through the eye of a needle can make me laugh.  Yes, I know the "needle" was a "gateway" that a fully loaded camel couldn't possible get through, not something to sew tents with, but still . . . ====JACK:  Sometimes pastors have a hard time breaking out of their theological shell and enjoying things realistically.  I know that reality TV is often a waste, but sometimes I look in to see what Honey Boo Boo is up to.
====SJ:  Good for you!

FROM DAZ IN COLORADO:  Kathy and I think you qualify as a raconteur.   I think your sermons did too.====JACK:  ....but what about Jesus?  The word, raconteur, often posits a less than holy image.====DAZ:  Jesus. Yes, I like the prodigal son story because it has so many different messages.
====JACK:  I like the one where the beggar, Lazarus, is sitting at the city gate eating scraps from the rich man...and,how, in heaven, their roles are reversed.

FROM SA IN WASHINGTON:  Zaccheus, come down from there! Haha! Be at peace with who you are. Jesus has got you!====JACK:  Did you ever sing this song?
Zaccheus was a wee, little man,  And a wee, little man was he.
He climbed up in a sycamore tree,  For the Lord he wanted to see.
And as the Savior came that way,  He looked up in the tree,
Spoken: And he said,"Zaccheus, you come down from there,"
For I'm going to your house today.  For I'm going to your house today.
====SA:  Oh yes! And our kids also sang that song. That's a good one. I'm humming the tune at my desk today.  Thanks for the reminder!====JACK:  If you put your mind to it. you can probably remember some others, too.
Chorus:
Rise and shine and give God your glory, glory!
Rise and shine and give God your glory, glory!
Rise and shine and (clap once) give God your glory, glory!
(Raise hands to shoulder level and sway back and forth.)
Children of the Lord.

The Lord said to Noah, "There's gonna be a floody, floody."
Lord said to Noah, "There's gonna be a floody, floody."
"Get those children (clap once) out of the muddy, muddy!"
Children of the Lord.

So Noah, he built him, he built him an arky, arky.
Noah, he built him, he built him an arky, arky.
Made it out of (clap once) hickory barky, barky.
Children of the Lord.

The animals, they came on, they came on by twosies, twosies.
The animals, they came on, they came on by twosies, twosies.
Elephants and (clap once) kangaroosies, roosies.
Children of the Lord.

Chorus

It rained, and poured, for forty daysies, daysies.
Rained, and poured, for forty daysies, daysies.
Nearly drove those (clap once) animals crazy, crazy.
Children of the Lord.

The sun came out and dried up the landy, landy.
Sun came out and dried up the landy, landy.
Everything was (clap once) fine and dandy, dandy.
Children of the Lord.

Now that is the end, the end of my story, story.
That is the end, the end of my story, story.
Everything is (clap once) hunky dory, dory.
Children of the Lord.

Chorus

FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY:  Probably the woman who touched Jesus' robe and the Roman who believed Jesus would just say the words and his beloved servant would be healed. ====JACK:  Oh, if it could happen that way today!  People would be standing in long lines.  But...were those stories of healing, or stories of faith?====JUDY:  Faith then healing.