ack’s Winning Words 10/26/21

“Be still and know that I am God.”  (Psalm 46:10)  This Psalm has brought comfort to many people living stressful lives.  Something different is being tried in a town near where I live.  It’s called, the Rage Room where, for $20 you can spend 45 minutes (using crowbars, hammers, golf clubs, ball bats) to destroy anything: dishes, mirrors, pictures of past lovers, computer monitors, whatever causes anxiety or stress.  The Rage Room is used for fun, too: birthdays, date night, etc.  I don’t personally need the Rage Room because,  a simple talk with God, does just fine…and it’s free. ;-)  Jack 

FROM JU IN NC:  So true. Without the peace of God, we have our continuous rage room inside our head.  By the way that room is not free either, since the cost of consequences can be astronomical. ===JACK:  Thanks for the reminder that "rage rooms" aren't just fun and games.  Rage can be real.  Meditating on the Psalm (46) is one way of bringing peace. ===JU:  They often last a week. ===JACK:  Which sometimes seems like more...I suppose.

FROM CZB:  Lots of stress out there.  Have you seen this story? It makes my heart sing.  https://www.cbsnews.com/news/dads-louisiana-high-school-student-iolence/ ===JACK:  That stress (out there) can lead to rage which lead to violence.  We're seeing it.

FROM SR IN SJ:  YES, YES dear Jack!  You/We are on the right track. I'm there with you and Joan, too!===JACK:  There's something to said for "quiet time."  Do you observe such a thing at St B's?===SR:  Oh, yes!  a day of recollection each first Saturday of each month, the sacred days of Good Friday and Holy Saturday, prior to @ 9:00 daily. . .more like 10:00a.m. and  after Evening prayer, in the hallways . . .and if you are like me, who loves silence and solitude, I am in my bedroom which is also my office,  quiet,  almost all day long. . .I love it.  I also go to   one of our hermitages for 2 days each month, God willing!===JACK:  I like soft music to go with the quiet time.  I glance at The Rule every so often, but sight problems don't make it easy.  But, I keep at it.  These are just off the top of my head. . .but St. Benedict tells us "that in  much talking, it's hard to avoid sin!!"  Have you had a chance to read the Rule of Benedict yet? the principles are the same today as in the 5thc. though some things have been modified, as you might expect, Jack!===SR: I wish I could listen to  music the way it was written and recorded.  alas!  because of my loss of hearing, what I hear musically is often so distorted it is disturbing. . .not unlike what I hear verbally. . .although i can guess more easily at the spoken word than the  musical sounds! 🤨===JACK:  When it comes to music and hearing loss, remember J S Bach.

 

FROM BB IN CHGO:  Have you heard the taize song version of , “Be Still”?  It is a favorite of mine.  Years ago (and still today) we have a recycling space out near the woods a mile from the children’s growing up home.  The giant metal dumpsters are the size of freight cars and clearly labelled, newsprint, plastic, brown glass, green glass, clear glass.  As part of our recycling effort we’d go and pitch those bottles to the back of the cars.  It felt good to let go (rage or not) and to do so in a safe and somewhat constructive setting😊===JACK:  "be still" sounds familar...hum a few bars.  Throwing bottles and breaking them was a teen-age =thrill for me.===BB:  I’m sending along the Notre Dame school version as it’s most similar to what I hear when I visit Loyola where I went to school.  Bliss! https://youtu.be/GyUveMKE-b8===JACK:  Thanks  Cheer, Cheer

 

FROM JANN IN MI:  AMEN!  And "a simple talk with God, does just fine"!  Troubles?  GO "BACK" TO CHURCH!  Put $20 extra in the offering plate; or give anything positive that could use some help.   If church isn't your "thing", do something worthwhile for something. If you can't or won't help with your physical action, send financial   help, or good words, or send prayers--no cost required.  None of the above is new; WINNING WORDS has been telling all these good words for many years!! !===JACK:  Do you know this song?

I once was lost in sin but Jesus took me in
And then a little light from heaven fill my soul
He bathed my heart in love and He wrote my name above
And just a little talk with Jesus makes me whole

Now let us have a little talk with Jesus
Let us tell Him all about our troubles
He will hear our faintest cry
And He will answer by and by

And when you feel a little prayer wheel turnin'
And you will know a little fire is burnin'
Find a little talk with Jesus makes it right

I may have doubts and fears
My eyes be filled with tears
But Jesus is a friend who watches day and night
I go to him in prayer
He knows my every care
And just a little talk with Jesus makes it right

Now let us have a little talk with Jesus
Let us tell Him all about our troubles
He will hear our faintest cry
And He will answer by and by

And when you feel a little prayer wheel turnin'
And you will know a little fire is burnin'
You will find a little talk with Jesus makes it right

Now let us have a little talk with Jesus
Let us tell Him all about our troubles
He will hear our faintest cry
And He will answer by and by

And when you feel a little prayer wheel turnin'
And you will know a little fire is burnin'
You will find a little talk with Jesus makes it right