Jack’s Winning Words 12/21/22 (Guest authored by Jack’s son Dave Freed)

“Farewell! God knows when we shall meet again.” (William Shakespeare)  It’s the end of an era. After over 20 years of bringing a motivational message to friends and family, Jack’s Winning Words as we know it has come to its end. My father Jack died yesterday in his sleep with his daughters by his side. Five days a week, 50+ weeks per year, for over 20 years means Jack sent out over 5,000 Winning Words messages.  It was a labor of love, and I hope you found the messages valuable. ;-)  Jack 

Funeral arrangements are pending, but the expectation is to have a service sometime in January.

 Jack’s Winning Words 12/20/22 

“Every parting gives a foretaste of death, every reunion a hint of the resurrection.”  (Arthur Schopenhauer)  The largest family reunion was held in France with 4,514 attendees.  Who brought the potato salad?  Our family has a reunion every 5 years…printed T-shirts one year; a family cookbook another; a fridge-magnet, too.  For those who are believers in an afterlife, the sting of death can be eased by imagining the reunion to come.  Will we need name tags?   ;-)  Jack  
(Originally sent on 4/19/19)

 Jack’s Winning Words 12/19/22

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life.”  (Steve Jobs)  God, in his wisdom, gave us free-will, allowing us to make personal decisions, for better or worse.  He gives advice as to the best choices.  He might “nudge” us from time to time; and he’s also there to offer help when things don’t go well.  I wonder if this might be an example for us to follow when we are concerned about someone who is close to us?  “Let us love as he has loved.”    ;-)  Jack 

 Jack’s Winning Words 12/16/22

“Life is full of tough decisions, and nothing makes them easy.” (Martha Beck)  Each day requires that we make hundreds of decisions, and most of them are easy. What to have for breakfast, what radio station to listen to, and what to wear. But sometimes we have to make decisions that aren’t easy. I recently had to make some tough decisions, and in retrospect I’m confident I made the best choices…. so I’m happy with that. Has that ever happened with you?   ;-)  Jack 

 Jack’s Winning Words 12/15/22

“In all honesty, everyone is struggling.  Some are better at hiding it than others.”  (Will Smith)  Harry Golden’s essay, “The Show Must Go On,” tells of a man who was late for work one day and was reprimanded by his boss.  Later in the day, the man quietly said, “My daughter died last night.”  Everyone handles grief and disappointment in a personal way.  Everyone has their struggles.  Try to be understanding today!    ;-)  Jack

 Jack’s Winning Words 12/14/22

“Today I bent the truth to be kind, and I have no regret, for I am far surer of what is kind than I am of what is true.”  (Robert Brault)  I once knew a man who’d walk into a room and loudly say, “What is truth?” hoping to start a philosophical discussion.  He was a nice guy, but he did more talking than listening.  I think that it might have been more productive to walk into the room and ask, “What is kindness?”  Let me know what happens when you try it.    ;-)  Jack 

 Jack’s Winning Words 12/13/22

“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.”  (Psalm 56:3)  Some people scream or gasp when they’re frightened.  Some cross themselves.  Others reach out to hug someone.  A child will grab the hand of a parent.  Joan Baez sang, “Put your hand in the hand of the man who calmed the sea.”  By that, she meant what the psalmist meant…“When I’m scared, I put my trust in the Lord.”  During life’s scary times, God’s hand is reaching out for yours.  Take it!    ;-)  Jack

 Jack’s Winning Words 12/12/22

“Never think that God’s delays are God’s denials.  Hold on; hold fast; hold out.”  (Comte de Buffon)  I saw a cartoon of a man praying, “God, don’t put me on hold again.”  The Lord doesn’t wear a wristwatch, so answered prayer isn’t governed by time.  God responds as would a loving parent.  Sometimes, “Yes,” and sometimes, “No.”  And, “Let’s wait awhile.”  I appreciate the Lord’s Prayer ...."Thy will be done.”    ;-)  Jack  

 Jack’s Winning Words 12/9/22

“When they discover the center of the universe, a lot of people will be disappointed to discover that they are not in it.” (Bernard Bailey)  When I was growing up, the expression, “He’s full of himself,” was used to identify egotists.  Other ways that were used to describe  the braggart were “gasbag” or “blowhard”.  There are other descriptions not fit to repeat. Steering away from politics…Jesus advised humility.  “The humble will be exalted.”  Pride is one of the 7 deadly sins.  Smugness could be number 8.   ;-)  Jack 

 Jack’s Winning Words  12/8/22

“God gave us memory so that we might have roses in December.”  James M Barrie
I’ve used this quote before, but as I look outside the window at the snow on the ground it seems appropriate to bring it back again.  Memory bring us to the past, and can remind us of good times….and bad.  I prefer to focus on the good times.  Even though the roses outside are dormant now, that doesn’t stop me from remembering them in full bloom.  Can you recall events and people that have made life enjoyable for you?  Why not make a list, numbering it 1 through 12?  In that way, we can give ourselves a dozen roses, and the perfect gift for a cold December day. ;-)  Jack

 Jack’s Winning Words  12/7/22

“December 7, 1941 – a date which will live in infamy.”  (FDR)  I would challenge you to write a definition of infamy without googling it.  Try 1/6/2020, 9/11/2001, 11/22/1963 and 12/7/1941.  How many can you match with the infamous acts that took place on those dates?  Pres Franklin Roosevelt has been well-known and respected for his use of the English Language.  Infamy is a perfect example.  It fits with Pearl Harbor Day, the Insurrection and those other events, too.  We could even examine our personal lives and finds days of infamy…accidents, tragedies, deaths.  I like the words of MLK Jr: “We shall overcome.”  ;-)  Jack

 Jack’s Winning Words  12/6/22

“I can’t get my hand on it, but we’re just not quite where we should be, as the greatest democracy in the world.  And I don’t know how you correct it, but I keep hoping that there will be a change in my lifetime.”  (Bob Dole)  On every election cycle I have my favorite candidate…and Dole was not mine during his time.  But, over time I have come to admire him as a man and as a wounded veteran.  There never seems to be enough time and enough opportunity to see the whole picture.  It’s no “sin” to make wrong decisions.  We do it all of the time.  That’s why God has given us such a thing as Grace (forgiveness not deserved). I presently have the feeling that democracy has been preserved in my lifetime.  WHEW…!!!  ;-)  Jack

 Jack’s Winning Words  12/5/22

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year.”  (Edward Pola and George Wyle)  Andy Williams recorded the song in 1963, focusing on family and togetherness.  Springtime is the most wonderful time of the year for me, with the yellow daffodils peeking through the ground, the birds singing early in the morning, and the warm, spring breeze.  Winter is over and a new season begins.  We each have our favorites.  What are yours?  Seasonal change is somewhat like the changes of life.  What fun when I was able to participate in sports.  It was even more enjoyable when we were able to raise a family and to be a pastor.  And who would have guessed that I’d be remarried in my 90s?  Life?  It’s been wonderful!  ;-)  Jack

 Jack’s Winning Words  12/2/22

“You give without remembering; you receive without forgetting.”  (Chad Hymus)  Within a split second a ranch accident changed Chad Hymas from a man with dreams into a quadrapalegic.  People stepped in to assist Chad with running the ranch so he could do so without the ability to use his arms and legs.  His own attitude made a big difference, too.  I WIIL DO THIS! …and he’s done it.  Not only that, but he’s gone out and given motivational talks on how to overcome problems.  He has not forgotten the help he received along the way.  When you get to feeling sorry for yourself, remember Chad!  ;-)  Jack         

 Jack’s Winning Words  12/1/22

“Children need to be taught how to think, not what to think.” (Margaret Mead)  There is often concern about what children are being taught in school….whether it’s CRT (Critical Race Theory), sex, or literature. But if school teachers are not to do it, where is the teaching done?  On the playground?  In a segregated society?  There’s always a risk when you send your child off to school.  The way some parents try to override what their child is taught denies Margaret Mead’s point….that school should be a place where students learn to think and to discriminate.  I respected my parents, but in school I learned to think for myself.  Thank God for my Chemistry teacher, Mr Ekblad.  Did you have such a teacher?  ;-)  Jack.

FROM SMILIN' TEEI:  As an educator and parent, I AGREE. Have a workshop coming up and going to use this quote. Thanks,===JACK:  I always like it when you use my stuff.  I respect you!  

FROM DANDI SANDI:  Thanks to those teachers who taught me how to think. Their lessons have stayed with me. They have unknowingly mentored me. I am forever grateful to them. ===JACK:  I don't know if I ever had any mentors (teacher's pet), but I did 'unknown mentors" and I'm the better because of them.

FROM RVB:  Yes, my science and drafting teacher’s  Ms. Toromino and Mr. Splitgerber. The first was in elementary and second in HS.===JACK:  Some of my best mentors were not school teachers, but people I me at work and at church. Basically they shaped my entire life values and how I think even today. RVB:  My greatest work and church mentors were:===RVB:  Mr. Ninke (great evangelist), Joe Anderson (successful entrepreneur), Rod O’Neal (great leader), and Ted Daniels (best minister). How, in recent years NONE OF THESE COMPARE TO…====JACFK:  The keyboard is blushing. and keeps reminding me to DELETE.

 JACK FREED - AN AWESOME FRIEND AND COMBINATION OF ALL OF THE ABOVE.

FROM WILLMAR REV:I do . . . I follow His Word daily and have for a lifetime . . . He has added many mentors to my life along the way?1?! 0;-) ===JACK:  IIf God is "real', then He can be a mentor, yoo. ===REV:  Very true point . . . the very existence of Christ proves the truth, way, and life! 0;-)

 FROM JU IN NC:  My mother was my favorite teacher.  She helped guide me how to think by first teaching me what to think.  She taught through words and actions, biblical principles, that provided a safe and healthy boundary of (what), for my (how).===JACK:  Your sister said basically the same thing.  There were some  advantages connected with growing up on a ranch 

FROM GORAN IN SWEDEN:  Your chemistry teacher's name sounds distinctly Swedish. Do you have any idea from where in Sweden he or his family might have come? No big deal but I got curious.  You previously asked me if we had Thanksgiving in Sweden. Now I will ask you if you have Advent in the States? The four Sundays leading up to Christmas we celebrate Advent with gingerbread cookies and mulled wine. Advent means arrival. December 13 we celebrate the saint Lucia, an Italian saint and martyr who died for her faith.===JACK:  Yes, Karl Ekblad had a Sedish backgroup.  His nephew is one of my friends, and I will try to send you more information. 

FROM GF IN FL:  Yes, you!  ===JACK:  I'm humbled.

FROM CPA MIKE:    All of my teachers were great. None of them made me feel guilty for my "whiteness" or tried to convince me to be a girl.   My parents taught me respect for others and pride in myself. Who could ask for anything more?===JACK:  Most of my successwful teachers didn't know much they WERE teaching me.  I would havd "Thank You" more often if I had known.