Jack’s Winning Words 3/20.18
“The wolf will lie down with the lamb…and a little child shall lead them.”  (Isaiah 11:6)  It has been said that a turning point in the Civil Rights Movement was the Children’s March.  I sense that a similar turning point in our country’s polarization happened with the Children’s Walkout following the Parkland shooting.  Something has to be done…and a little child shall lead them.  It the wolf is ever to lie down with the lamb…follow the children!    ;-)  Jack

FROM RJP IN NAPLES:  Sad that these students have become pawns for a political movement when 90 % of them have no knowledge of the constitution, or guns, or the laws that exist. Interview any average student of that age and it becomes frightening that we see they are involved in the mob mentality. Look who is funding the march...... Soros, Clooney etc. Look who is speaking , Bernie Saunders and he is escorted by armed guards. Hypocracy looms large. We can have a conversation but this is not about human rights, but rather the Law. We are a nation of laws and mob mentality is what the founders tried to prevent. I remember when I led a group in college to demand things of the administration. I became disillusioned when I realized that many joined because it was neat to do, not because of conviction. Instead of this we need to bring discipline, faith and balance back to the classroom and society. Where are the rights of the students who elect not to march and are disciplined for not participating? We also need to remove radical teachers who are poisoning our youth. Yes this may be a turning point but not necessarily what we expect.====JACK:  Well, you have expressed your opinion, and the students have expressed theirs, and since all of you are in America, all of you have a right to say what you want to say.  Regardless, I think that all of us want violence (gun or all other) to end.  Adults don't seen to be doing a very good job of solving the problem; maybe it's time to listen to the children.  What do you think Isaiah meant when he said, "A little child shall lead them?"====RJP:  I agree the Christ child shall lead us that is why we need Christ back.  We need to hear the call. Parkland could have been prevented by school officials, FBI, and law enforcement. and it had nothing to do with guns. You know  I do not own one, but  lets just enforce laws we have.

FROM YOOPER BOB:  Amen, Jack.    Good insight.====JACK:  We'll see if it has "legs."  Every great idea has to have a beginning, and only the future will tell.

FROM JT IN ST JOE:  A hopeful thought====JACK:  FROM JT IN ST JOE:  A hopeful thought====JACK:  Hopefulness beats pessinism (or negativism) every time.

FROM LBP:  Things change so quickly. Society? Views? Culture? Technology? Not from a minute-to-minute perspective but to think of the change in my 40 yrs... my parents 70 yrs ... my grandmas 100 yrs ... I fight against the “this is how we always have done it” and My kids will challenge my ways I’m sure. Hopefully I’ll be open minded enough to hear the new perspectives ====JACK:  Your children are fortunate to have the views of 3 generations in order to gain perspective is shaping their views.

FROM BLAZING OAKS:  But the adults still have to act, and with such a super power NRA, it is pretty difficult to change legal gun-buying age, or ban assault weapons, like Australia did, which has had excellent results. Still be admire the youthful zeal, and desire to change things for the better, and hope and pray it results in some positive action!  We "oldies" went through the Civil Rights marches and protests (We marched with King in Chicago and worked hard for change in our communities) and eventually, change did come...Hope springs eternal...====JACK:  The NRA will not be able to stand up to the "push" by the children.  Already the cracks are beginning to show.  In the past the children have relied on the adults to get it done.  That hasn't worked.  The Children's March is something new, and I have the feeling it's going to change things.  Sometimes we're so close to the action that we fail to see it happening.  BTW, the Civil Rights Marches are ancient history, and with the recent rebirth and acceptance of the new racism, the fight resumes.  More than...Once to ev'ry man and nation
Comes the moment to decide,  In the strife of truth and falsehood,  For the good or evil side;
Some great cause, some great decision,  Off'ring each the bloom or blight,  And the choice goes by forever  'Twixt that darkness and that light.====OAKS:  "Once to every man and nation" was Bill's favorite hymn. Sung by our congregation several times a year to coincide with his sermons! ====JACK:  I knew that the mention of that hymn would trigger a response from you.  The point I'm trying to make is that "every generation" has its moment to decide.  The cause can change from time to time, but the choice goes on...for the good or evil side. 

FROM TAMPA SHIRL:  I do not remember the children’ March in the civil rights movement. I remember the wonderful gathering in Washington in August 1963. We had just moved to Tampa then!====JACK:  Google.....Mighty Times: The Children's March tells the story of how the young people of Birmingham braved arrest, fire hoses, and police dogs in 1963 and brought segregation to its knees. In the spring of 1963.====SHIRL:  I guess that that was a very busy time for our family. I have been to the civil rights museum in Birmingham and the next time I will pay more attention to that time. It is a very large museum

FROM FACEBOOK LIZ:  those kids are pawns of the liberal factions w/in our government...they just want to get out of class.====JACK:  It seems as though you've made the transition from the idealism of youth to fogeyism.=====LIZ:  i was always a realist, even in my youth... and i would have done anything to get out of class, like all kids!====JACK:  I think that times may have changed since the olden days of almost two generations ago.  For example...the social media.====LIZ:  kids don’t change.====JACK:  Yes, some don't, but it's been my experience that many do...I base my hope for the future on them.

FROM ST PAUL IN MESA:  i also recall the saying that the wolf will lie down with the lamb but the lamb won't get too much sleep!:)====JACK:  "Jesus, tender Shepherd, hear me,  Bless Thy little lamb tonight;  Through the darkness be Thou near me,  Keep me safe till morning light."====PAUL:  was this a bedtime prayer for you as a child??====JACK:  Mary and I used it as a bedtime song for our children.  Mary would sing it softly to herself toward the end of her life.  Read the words again...and see how fitting that was.  A good memory for me.====PAUL:  Comforting indeed.

FROM RUTHIE:  Hi!  This makes me think of my Mom. She always said to love the children. I know she would be so proud of these brave kids,and root them on! I feel the same. Let the children lead us back to the teachings of Jesus! Peace and love!   As always, thanks for your winning wise words ♡====JACK:  It's a shame that when some adults grow up. they lose the sense of what it is to be a child.  I think that there's a difference between being childish and childlike.  Your mom....She was so special!====R:  I agree! The Buddhists say to love each other the way a mother loves her only child. When we think of the child within, it changes the need for judgment, don't you think?
It's good to be child like!====JACK:  We adults need to reread from the Bible,,,Jesus called a little child to stand among them. “Truly I tell you, He said, 'Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.'"..and think about what that means.====R:  I agree completely!  I seem to keep crossing paths with "Christians " who twist the words and teachings of Jesus. It challenges me to go back to the bible, to the words of Jesus, and to study and contemplate. ...every day a practice in love, peace, non violence,  non judgment and then there's forgiveness!  Children are pretty good at all of these things :)

FROM JF IN AZ:   I was particularly touched by many of the photos.====JACK:  ...and the words.  I was especially moved by the girl with the cropped hair.  I'm appalled by the politician from Maine who denigrated her.

FROM RS IN TEXAS:  Couldn't agree more.  Now it's up to us adults to find the ways to support them......all the way to the November elections====JACK:  It will be a huge disappointment if the adults don't follow the leading of the children.====RS:  Agreed - I know I'm on board.====RS:  Already emailed him and our two Senators.====JACK:  Do they ever reply?  with more than a form e-mail?

FROM INDY GENIE:  Emma Gonzalez and 2 other girls were on Rachel Maddow...you may have seen them. The children will lead us for sure! I read that Emma gave her parents a power point presentation about why she wanted them to let her get a “buzz” cut! Amazing, brave, funny, smart, passionate, hard working group ...”follow the child”.====JACK:  Emma is great.  I'm glad that the Maine (female) politician who disparaged her was "forced" to resign...a sign that some sanity is creeping back into the USA.