Jack’s Winning Words 6/22/17
“Mountaintops inspire leaders, but valleys mature them.”  (Winston Churchill)  Have you ever had a mountaintop experience, something that has truly inspired you?  But in reality, most of us spend our time in the ordinary valleys, doing the day to day routine.  Here are some ideas on how to escape the rut.  Today…Make it a point to converse with someone you don’t know.  Do a random act of kindness.  Compliment someone.  Oops!  Time for a coffee break.    ;-)  Jack

FROM BLAZING OAKS:  I've been fortunate to have many mountain top experiences both here, and on Mission trips to Congo, India, Thailand, Japan, Indian work in Oklahoma, etc. But yes, the hard times of loss or disappointment do mature you in your faith. To see the need in many parts of the world, and in the ghettos here is sobering, and often calls for a bit of sacrifice to try to make a difference!  Bill Oaks was good at "doing without" so others had something to "do with"!====JACK:  Reflecting on the mountaintop experience when Jesus was transfigured before the disciples...They wanted to stay on the mountain, but the work of the disciples was in the valley below.  The spirit (in-spiration) comes to us so that we can do a better job of sharing that spirit.  (That sounds like minister-talk). But, you know what I mean.

FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY: We went antiquing in several tiny towns up here.  We traveled on back roads as usual and met a bunch of good Michiganders!====JACK:  Well, you must have conversed with some people you didn't know,  Cross that off of the list.