Jack’s Winning Words 9/20/17
“Knowledge of the world is only acquired in the world and not in a closet.”  (Lord Chesterfield)  Simeon Stylites was a monk who was so distressed by the world that he chose to escape by living on a small platform on top of a 50’ tall pillar of stone for 37 years.   When the world looks bleak to you, don’t hole up in a closet.  Look for even little ways to make it better.  Take the Biblical advice, “Don’t be overcome by evil; overcome evil with good.”    ;-)  Jack

FROM FACEBOOK LIZ:when i feel depressed, i go somewhere, anywhere... even if only a drive to walgreens to buy some coke or milk.  it breaks the chain.====JACK:  I came across this interesting quote.  "Often we tell ourselves, 'Don't just sit there, do something!' But when we practice awareness, we discover that the opposite may be more helpful: 'Don't just do something, sit there!'"  (Nhat Hanh)  Sitting and meditating can be good, at times, too.

FROM DR J:  Thanks... needed to hear that today!====JACK:  Motivation is somewhere...when you look for it.

FROM HONEST JOHN:  I think again it is not "either/or" but "both/and".    We need to be there to see and experience the world and we need to withdraw from it at times to think about what we have seen.====JACK:  Kierkegaard had it right, but I  don't remember reading about him sitting on a pillar of stone.

FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY:  How very appropriate words for today.  Facing evil head on!
We pray for guidance as we face this evil ridden world but we know...we are sure...God is stronger than any evil we face!!!====JACK:  "God is stronger than any evil we face!!!"  Keep repeating that!

FROM TL:  Thanks, Jack.   That really helps!====JACK:  When i push "Send" I never know what's going to happen, hut I hope it's for the good.

FROM BLAZING OAKS: The world does often look bleak these days, but we can, as you point out, do our little bit to brighten the corner where we are, and  invest in world-wide mission efforts, and charities who can minister and heal where we can't.  Tons of opportunities are there, if we have the health and energy to "do" and prayer is a powerful force....I think we have very little idea how powerful, actually! There are so many inspiring stories of answered prayer!====JACK:  While Googling around, I saw that some have taken 'closet prayers' literally.  They set aside a room or a quiet corner in their homes, furnish it with a comfortable chair, table, Bible, and maybe a notebook, and use that corner for a regular prayer time. A “prayer closet” might be a daily commute, a bench in the back yard, or the kitchen table. John Wesley’s mother is said to have sat in a chair and thrown her apron over her head as a sign to her kids to leave her alone. Jesus usually went to a secluded hillside. The point is that the “closet” is free from interruption, distraction, and listening ears====OAKS:  I think I remember that Mrs. Wesley had either 10 or 13 children. Probably the only privacy she had was under that apron!! I often pray in the car while commuting from one place to another...and while I walking around doing household chores!