Jack’s Winning Words 4/20/07
“The color of truth is gray.” (Andre Gide) Some people in the religious world and in the political world like to make everything black and white. Personally, I like the gray in both of those worlds. ;-) Jack

FROM GOOD DEBT JON IN OHIO: “Not only gray, but like the old computer monitors—256 shades of gray.” It has been said if you ask a good accountant how much is 2+2, the correct answer is how much do we need it to be?

FROM REV. J.S. IN MICHIGAN: The color of truth is black and white. The color of our ability to perceive the truth falls into the gray area...

GEORGE LUCAS SAYS: Archaeology is the search for fact... not truth. If it's truth you're looking for, Dr. Tyree's philosophy class is right down the hall.

FROM J. L. IN MICHIGAN: RIGHT ON !!!!!!!!!

FROM REV. J.E. IN DETROIT: I like that, "the color of truth is gray." That reminds me of the early hours preceding dawn, the resurrection, and the kingdom of God drawing near.

FROM REV. C.H. ON CAPE COD: How about, "The color of truth is the rainbow."

FROM F.M. IN WISCONSIN: (My wife) says her favorite color is yellow, and that mine in gray! I like gray - to wear and to deal with issues.

Jack’s Winning Words 4/19/07
“The world is round and the place which may seem like the end may also be only the beginning.” (Ivy Baker Priest) At one time you may have seen her name written on U.S. currency. Today’s quote from I.B.P. is a good one for the times when we’re depressed and think that there’s no hope. Look for new beginnings and new opportunities to improve your corner of the world. ;-) Jack

FROM M.L. IN ILLINOIS: words from the singer/songwriter donovan..."happiness runs in a circular motion. thought is like a little boat upon the sea. everybody is a part of everything anyway. you can have everything if you let yourself be. you can have everything if you let yourself see." we must open our mind, our heart, and our eyes in order to see clearly into the future. it is what we make of it. peace and love,

FROM G.G.: Once again your Winning Words are "right on" in ways that you aren't necessarily aware of. My friend Sharon decided to put an end to her despair a week ago. Her funeral is tomorrow. I've been thinking that the best song we could sing for her is "This little light of mine". She couldn't see her light anymore so we should sing about it for her in her "send off". It is up to us to see that life and light goes on.

FROM GOOD DEBT JON IN OHIO: Change your thinking, change your life.

FROM C.H. ON CAPE COD: I like it. It makes me think of how it's similar to living on Saturday - between Friday and Sunday... between death and resurrection...end becomes the beginning... peace,

FROM F.M. IN WISCONSIN: Went out an purchased a new bird bath today - filled it with water and in a half an hour the birds were enjoying the fresh clean water. We live on a pond, but the pond water isn't what the birds want for a bath - not what I use either!

Jack’s Winning Words 4/18/07
“It is during the darkest moments that we must focus to see the light.” (Taylor Benson) In an interview, a Virginia Tech campus pastor was asked what he said to grieving students. “ I referred them to Romans 12:21 (Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.)” Sometimes that seems to be a good way to deal with the tragedies that are happening around us. Don’t cave into despair. God is not dead, nor is he asleep. ;-) Jack

FROM M.L. IN ILLINOIS: ...for wrong shall fail and right prevail with peace on earth good will to women and men.

FROM R.H. IN MICHIGAN: Thanks for your comment and appropriate Scripture reference regarding the tragedy at Virginia Tech. (We) watched and listened when the community shared the convocation yesterday. Many helpful comments. You are right, God is not dead nor does he sleep.

BOB DYLAN'S SONG: Yes, 'n' how many deaths will it take till he knows That too many people have died? The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind, The answer is blowin' in the wind.

Jack’s Winning Words 4/17/07
“Sometimes being a friend means mastering the art of timing. There is a time for silence. A time to let go. And a time to prepare to pick up the pieces when it’s all over." (Gloria Naylor) I like what is written in the Bible: “There’s a right time for everything.” (Ecclesiastes 3) In the game of baseball: Timing is everything. But being a friend is the most important of all. Be thankful for the friends that are yours. ;-) Jack

FROM IAN IN MICHIGAN: Very interesting for me as the pastor at church just started a series on seasons of life and was talking in depth about Ecclesiastes 3 this Sunday. I watch the movie "The Pursuit of Happiness" yesterday and he breaks his life into parts and how he coped with each, and I am reading a book by Sidney Poitier and he is reviewing the segments of his life and how he made the best of each. A whole lot of it all at the same time - very interesting.

FROM MOLINER, A.E.: Thanks for this REALLY NEAT one especially picking up the pieces so one does not hurt his acking back or cut his fumbling fingers. Is that why so many just let friends go?

Jack’s Winning Words 4/16/07
“What is this life if, full of care, We have no time to stand and stare.” (W. H. Davies) I know that you’re probably busy with one thing or another, but take some time today to look at something interesting. Perhaps it’s your face in the mirror. Or it could be a person around you. Maybe it’s an animal or a tree or a piece of art. What is it that you see? ;-) Jack

FROM J.L.F. IN MICHIGAN: I saw four deer run across Farmington Road in front of me this morning.

FROM M.S. IN MICHIGAN: This morning it was the woodpeckers, who are very busy around my condo!

FROM MOLINER, D.S.: Boy, Jack, you come up with some great ones. This is a big one for me because I have gotten so wrapped up in taking care of people's computers that I have left precious little time for myself and family. Ruth, rightly so, keeps telling me that and I know it. I must work on saying NO at times.

FROM MARY L. IN ILLINOIS: i see the world through a child's eyes each day. it is a daily reality check of the important. all i need do is step back and observe their marvel. i see the world-pure and simple.

Jack’s Winning Words 4/13/07
“Life is like playing a violin in public and learning the instrument as one goes along.” (Samuel Butler) I’ve never played a musical instrument, except the piano with one finger. Sometimes it seems as though life’s music is played that way, too. Is there an instrument that you can play? My granddaughter got a new tambourine. Now she can make a joyful noise to the Lord ;-) Jack

FROM J.S. IN MICHIGAN: For me, that is why we desperately need support systems....God, family, church, etc. Sometimes we even need the government when the other support systems aren't enough for us. That element seems to be lacking right now in the USA...it is why I am going to work for Barack Obama for President (Acutally, I think he is part Swedish...he seems to be part everything!)

TAKE TIME TO READ THE ARTICLE MENTIONED HERE: Can one of the nation's greatest musicians cut through the fog of a D.C. rush hour? In this week's issue of the Washington Post Magazine Gene Weingarten sets out to discover if violinist Josh Bell -- and his Stradivarius -- could stop busy commuters in their tracks.

A.M. HAS THIS WAY OF LOOKING AT THE QUOTE: Sounds like on the job training, which equates to experience which yields a well rounded and capable human being, for most of the general population. How about that

Gene Weingarten is a staff writer and columnist for The Magazine.

FROM R.P. IN MICHIGAN: Yes I have played the violin and the viola!

FROM F.M. IN WISCONSIN: I am not much of an instrument player either - when I was about nine years old my folks bought me a piano accordion - and I took lessons on it for a couple of months. At that time I was very thin - and the doctor my folks had for me concluded that I might have TB - he decided that holding the heavy accordion might be impairing my lungs and suggested that they stop having me play it. So, I learned enough to play the piano 'one hand', my right hand - with my left hand I was taught to play the base. That was the end of my instrument instruction. My sister was started on the piano, and became a good pianists - I wish I had been given the option to play the piano! So the only way I can make a joyful noise to the Lord is with my voice - which I still try to do . . . but with less success - given the demise of my singing voice.

FROM B.S. NEAR ORLANDO: That was great. I sent it on to my grandaughters here in Geneva woods, they both play an instrument or two. Grandma and I are so proud of them. They are going to take over for us when we pass on. we know they will do a good job.

Jack’s Winning Words 4/12/07
“I am a combination of my entire family.” (Dionne Warwick) Isn’t it amazing how we resemble our relatives in many ways? I think that the opening of the genome puzzle has been one of the great discoveries in my lifetime. Which discovery is the one that amazes you the most? ;-) Jack

FROM GOOD NEWS JON IN OHIO: In my mind, I have just finished contemplatively surveying the participants at my last family reunion…perhaps I was adopted and never told?

FROM MOLINER, G.S.: I think my Moline classmates had a lot to do with whatever successes I've had.

FROM P.H. IN MINNESOTA: that my wife continues to love me so unconditionally and that God does the same....

FROM J.S. IN MICHIGAN: I participated in the National Geographic/MIT Genocentric Project and discovered that on my Dad's side I am an R1B. We came out of Africa 77000 years ago and journeyed through the Middle East, Kazakhstan, then west over the Caucasus Mountains and on into Central Europe. 90% of males in England trace themselves back through the same strain. When I read ORIGINS OF THE BRITISH by Oppenheimer, I discovered that the English are genetically close to the Germans and the Swedes and that the Norwegians are closer to the Scotch, Irish, Welsh, etc. You have no idea how comforting it was to discover that I am not genetically close to the Norwegians.

FROM J.M IN COLORADO: Possible signs of life on Mars (water).

Jack’s Winning Words 4/11/07
“Every time you spend money, you’re casting a vote for the kind of world you want.” (Anna Lappe) Lappe is an advocate for social change. Today I bought a Happy Meal at McDonald’s. Yesterday I paid our Income Tax, bought some groceries and a tank of gasoline ($2.75.9). There are charity requests on the desk, too. I guess that we all could do a better job at casting our votes. ;-) Jack

FROM ENGINEER DAZ: Why is that principle so hard for some people to grasp?

FROM GOOD DEBT JON IN OHIO: I increased the value of my car by $50 yesterday—I filled the gas tank. Apparently I vote almost daily for more Starbucks in the world, at least $1.85 a day in voting.

FROM REV. J.S. IN MICHIGAN: No one should ever feel remorse over buying a Happy Meal at McDonald's!!!!

FROM REV. C.H. ON CAPE COD: You caught me on a good day - I treated an elderly woman in the congregation to a noontime concert and lunch today... and decided to pay an emergency fill-in babysitter more than we usually pay. So, at least today, by supporting musicians and people who watch children, I am indeed casting a vote for the kind of world I want. Thanks for the affirmation!

FROM PR F.M. IN WISCONSIN: I cast a vote today for Our Savior's, Rocky Boy, MT. It is a mission of our church to an Indian Reservation, which I have supported since I was in Sunday School. We used to have a birthday 'bank' in which we dropped pennies, a number equal to our age, and those pennies were sent to Rocky Boy! Now it is not pennies, but a check two or three times a year. Oh, for your info., gas here is $2.869 - I have driven much the last week, so I haven't had to buy any - the last gas I bought was $2.599!

JOHN LENNON: If everyone demanded peace instead of another television set, then there'd be peace.

Jack’s Winning Words 4/10/07
“Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.” (Freud) What do you suppose Sigmund meant by this quote? Is a cigar an identifying feature, as with Groucho? Who are you, and what is it that identifies you? Freed and Freud have a similar sound. Hmm! There has to be some deeper meaning. Here’s another: “A woman is only a woman, but a good cigar is a smoke.” What does Rudyard Kipling mean by that? Hmm! ;-) Jack

FROM J.S. IN MICHIGAN: Sounds like a sexist remark.

FROM M.L. IN ILLINOIS: clearly mr. kipling kept the company of very well-behaved women...or perhaps he played for the other team. p.s. do you listen to n.p.r.? i heard the freud quote in an interview recently.

FROM P.O. IN DETROIT: Good grief --- it's just weird --- they're all just laughing at us cuz we're trying to find a deeper meaning!

FROM GENIE L.: Poor Rudyard, with that comment he was telling us more than he probably wanted to about his feelings for women or their feelings for him. Hope he enjoyed his smoke. (I wonder if his friends called him Rudy?) As for Sigmund, I think it is a reference to the idea that meanings are not always hidden .... sometimes it just "is what it is" .

FROM B.S. NEAR ORLANDO: Hi, I wonder if he had a grudge against women. He certainly never worked with the women who were part of the team in our store, even the one's who stole from us.My brother used to repeat that quote and I can't remember why. Why degrade anyone, even if they are not on grade level with you, especially if they are not on grade level with you. Another reason we wish people were still with us, so we can ask some more questions.

Jack’s Winning Words 4/9/07
“We must get beyond the textbooks, go out into the bypaths…and tell the world the glories of our journey.” (John Hope Franklin) Franklin was a Professor of History at Duke. I wonder if we can substitute the word “Bible” for “textbooks” and get a new insight as to what happened after Easter. In Sunday School, we used to sing: “We’ve a story to tell…” ;-) Jack

FROM CYBER NATION: Don't be just another member of society, be a living example of your dreams and goals. (Unknown)

FROM P.O. IN DETROIT: Our marching orders!

FROM REV. J.S. IN MICHIGAN: Why go "beyond the Bible?" It sends us out. If we listen to it, we won't be sitting on our duffs.

ANOTHER PASTOR'S COMMENT FROM WISCONSIN: What a great thought for the Easter Season - I'm sharing it with a friend (retired ELCA pastor) who was lamenting on the phone this morning the lack of Evangel in the church of which he is a member.

Jack’s Winning Words 4/6/07
“There’s nothing in a caterpillar that tells you it’s going to be a butterfly.” (R. Buckminster Fuller) Nothing on Good Friday tells you there’s going to be an Easter. It’s a miracle of God. The butterfly seems to be a perfect symbol for the day. It was once called a flutterby. Many of my friends are celebrating Passover. For all people of faith, have a blessed holiday! ;-) Jack

FROM GENIE L.: " Butterfly,butterfly, what lovely wings. Flutterby, flutterby, and my heart sings!"

FROM B.S. NEAR ORLANDO: Hi, one of my house mates when I lived at the Y on campus was a Hindu. One day I asked him what he was wishing to be reencarnated as, and he said "A butterfly", so I asked, "why", because he said, "one could now land anywhere on a lady, and not be shoed off". My question, "How come PhD's are smarter people?.

Jack’s Winning Words 4/5/07
“Some people feel the rain. Others just get wet.” (Bob Dylan) Born in 1941, Dylan was named by TIME as one of 100 most influential people in the 20th century. His songs often carried a social commentary. Blowin’ in the Wind was one. Do you have feelings for what’s going on in the world today? ;-) Jack

FROM B.S. NEAR ORLANDO: The rain is a blessing. If your a farmer, just enough rain is more than a blessing, it's an answer from the GoodLord, the crops will come, life will be renewed and all life will benefit, not just the horses.

FROM C.B., AN EDUCATOR: It seems to me along the lines of choosing your attitude.

FROM MOLINER, D.S.: I have not heard that before. I'm going to TRY to remember to quote it.

HERE'S AN IDEA: Make Feeling Sandwiches. Take a piece of bread and place a slice or so of lunch meat on it. Spread some Cheese Whiz or cheese in a can over the meat. Have the children decorate their sandwich how they would like with raisins, olives, pickles, shredded carrots, or whatever else.

FROM REV. J.D. IN MINNEAPOLIS: SADNESS AND ANGER.

FROM J.L., VACATIONING IN FLORIDA: Bob Dylan's 'Like a Rolling Stone' was voted the most important and relevant musical lyrics written in the last century.

LIKE A ROLLING STONE BY BOB DYLAN:
Once upon a time you dressed so fine You threw the bums a dime in your prime, didn't you?People'd call, say, "Beware doll, you're bound to fall" You thought they were all kiddin' you You used to laugh about Everybody that was hangin' out Now you don't talk so loud Now you don't seem so proud About having to be scrounging for your next meal. How does it feel How does it feel To be without a home Like a complete unknown Like a rolling stone? You've gone to the finest school all right, Miss Lonely But you know you only used to get juiced in it And nobody has ever taught you how to live on the street And now you find out you're gonna have to get used to it You said you'd never compromise With the mystery tramp, but now you realize He's not selling any alibis As you stare into the vacuum of his eyes And ask him do you want to make a deal? How does it feel How does it feel To be on your own With no direction home Like a complete unknown Like a rolling stone? You never turned around to see the frowns on the jugglers and the clowns When they all come down and did tricks for you You never understood that it ain't no good You shouldn't let other people get your kicks for you You used to ride on the chrome horse with your diplomat Who carried on his shoulder a Siamese cat Ain't it hard when you discover that He really wasn't where it's at After he took from you everything he could steal. How does it feel How does it feel To be on your own With no direction home Like a complete unknown Like a rolling stone? Princess on the steeple and all the pretty people They're drinkin', thinkin' that they got it made Exchanging all kinds of precious gifts and things But you'd better lift your diamond ring, you'd better pawn it babe You used to be so amused At Napoleon in rags and the language that he used Go to him now, he calls you, you can't refuse When you got nothing, you got nothing to lose You're invisible now, you got no secrets to conceal. How does it feel How does it feel To be on your own With no direction home Like a complete unknown Like a rolling stone?

FROM PR. B.G. IN MICHIGAN: Dylan was an unlikely prophet. What I have appreciated about his music/message is that his social commentaries have been far more influential than even he thought they would become.

FROM M.L. IN ILLINOIS: i think we all need to revisit the words of pete seeger, woody and arlo guthrie, joan baez, bob dylan, donovan, peter, paul, and mary, and oh yeah-the kingston trio, neil young,(have you heard his latest protest album-genius!). the beat goes on-we just have to listen.

Jack’s Winning Words 4/4/07
“We did not inherit this land from our fathers. We are borrowing it from our children.” (Amish Proverb) The Amish, who work so close to the soil and who are so devout in the practice of their religion, know something about the environment that seems to escape many of us. The song goes: “This world is not my own; I’m just a passing through, etc.” ;-) Jack

FROM GENIE: Reminds me of this......."For the beauty of the earth. For the beauty of the skies. For the love which from our birth , Over and around us lies. Christ, our God to thee we raise ... This our sacrifice of praise!" (it also randomly reminds me of the time Ruth, Mary and John almost didn't make it through their 'special music' trio of "There is a Green Hill Far Away". They got the giggles....pretty funny.)

FROM REV. J.S. IN MICHIGAN: I visited the Amish Museum in Shipshewanna last week. It is really
an excellent museum. I have a lot of sympathy with their understandings. I do not accept re-baptism. I don't think I need it. I also think that we were sent "into" the world to change it and not to avoid it. However, to villify these people and persecute them is a crime against the Lord. We need to do some repentance on that subject.

FROM THE JUDGE IN MICHIGAN: Not only are "we borrowing it from our children" we are saddeling them with the lasting results of our actions which could carry over to our children's children and their childen ad infinitum. We have made a mess of the fuure to come.

FROM L.H. IN FLORIDA: I really disagree with that one. Look at all the inventions and progress we inherited from our fathers. Also, we inherited the freedom we have due to their efforts; we could be speaking German or Japanese if it wasn't for them.

FROM B.S. NEAR ORLANDO: Hi, this is a good philosophy. I think they should use this theme as a course to teach all children, large and small, also in Sunday School. We can all learn from different ethnic groups, if our eyes see and our ears truely hear. Here is another thought,"listen to our granddchildren.

FROM C.H. ON CAPE COD: Yes the amish know something that escapes many of us – So does Wendell Berry, or for that matter, the Old Testament! (with its emphasis on the Israelites as sojourners!)

Jack’s Winning Words 4/3/07
“Goodness is the only investment that never fails.” (Thoreau) I had a brother-in-law- who would have liked to live Thoreau’s life-style. Instead, he chose to live Thoreau’s philosophy. He saw the rewards for goodness as spiritual, rather than material. I always admired him for that. Are there such people that you admire? ;-) Jack

FROM B.S. IN FLORIDA: Yes, I am amazed by these people. They care truely gifts of the Good Lord. They are living GOOD. I wonder what it would be like to be like them, I mean really like them. I rememb er how I was crfapped on when in the military. People, so called buddies, took severe advantage of me. Some became very close, but some took advantage of me. I guess that is called growing up. I never explained to my parents what it was liked to have been taken advantage of like that. Some times it was like I never learned, especially when people would come in and ask to charge again, and again even when they never payed much. Hey, it's 3:30 am, and the birds are going to start singing soon, and I haven'tdanced one step. Damnnnnn, good morning sir. it's time to hit the sack.

Jack’s Winning Words 4/2/07
“But far more numerous was the herd of such Who think too little and talk too much.” (John Dryden) I’m seeing more and more of this, especially on the cable news and op-ed shows. But we need to be careful with our words, too. I’m reminded of what an Indian chief said about a brave who was sending smoke signals. “Heap big smoke;. little fire.” . ;-) Jack

FROM DAZ IN MICH: His (or her) mouth was running , but the brain was not in gear

FROM GOOD DEBT JON IN OHIO: In contemporary Texas this is equal to: “All hat—no cattle.” My favorite though is Josiah Gilbert Holland, from the poem God Give Us Men, (circa 1865): For while the rabble, with their thumb-worn creeds, Their large professions and their little deeds…Holland is my favorite 19th century poet. There was a guy from Maine, named Longfellow that was pretty good too.

FROM J.D. IN MN: I AM SO SICK OF SEEING AND HEARING THE CABLE NEWS NETWORKS EXPERTS GIVING US THEIR OPINIONS ABOUT EVERYTHING. IT ISN'T NEWS OR JOURNALISM, BUT AN ATTEMPT TO MANIPULATE THE TRUTH. ABOUT ALL ONE CAN DO IS READ VARIOUS SOURCES AND THEN MAKE AN INFORMED OPINION. THE QUESTION IS : " WHO DECIDES THAT THE PERSON IS AN EXPERT", AND DOESN'T COME WITH A POLITICAL BIAS.

FROM J.O. IN MICHIGAN: That was a good one...our society is so full of those who talk too much and say nothing. I prefer to talk little and still say nothing...

FROM J.F. IN NOVA SCOTIA: In ham radio, we have some people who transmit a loud signal
but don't hear much. They are called alligators (big mouths, little ears).

Jack’s Winning Words 3/30/07
“You can’t let a bad moment spoil a bunch of good ones.” (Dale Earnhardt 1951-2001) #3 was one of the greatest of the NASCAR drivers. He died in a last-lap crash during the Daytona 500. I saw it happen on TV. Dale was my favorite, and I have a lot of good memories of his racing. There are bad moments in life, but more good than bad. Focus in on the good ones. ;-) Jack

FROM A FRIEND IN MICHIGAN: Amen! (And you'll never know how badly I needed that reminder this morning!)

FROM A CAR GUY THAT I KNOW: My favorite also, I got to meet him and his son. I'll have to tell you the story some time.

FROM ONE WHO IS IN YOUTH WORK: Thank you for your words. (daily and yesterday as well) They brighten my day. I am very lucky, I have a lot of good moments.

B.S., NEAR ORLANDO, EXPRESSES HIS OPINION: Hi, People who flaunt life by taking excessive chances continuously scare the hell out of me. especially when they are in an industry that in my opinion waste natural resources like gasolene. My opinion is they set a bad message to youngsters who haven't yet developed a full ability to reason, when the Polars Bears are at risk, and so many species of wild life are at risk b ecause we human place them there du to our way of life, possible our excessive way of life, I can't support people like Dale Ernhart, or General Petreuis.

Jack’s Winning Words 3/29/07
“You sort of start thinking anything’s possible if you’ve got enough nerve.” (J. K. Rowling) Maybe Harry Potter could do out of the ordinary stuff, because he had nerve. What are some other descriptive words for nerve? When I was growing up, there was a medicine to calm your nerves, called, Dr. Miles’ Nervine. Maybe we need a medicine to give us more nerve, so that we can try the impossible. ;-) Jack

FROM P.O. IN DETROIT: Dr. Miles' Nervine --- what a 'blast from the past'!

FROM L . & M. S. IN MICH: Thats probably what those human bombers do in the name of Ali!

FROM L.K. IN OHIO: Courage plus POISE

FROM M.L. IN ILLINOIS: i like the word gumption,(sp?).

Jack’s Winning Words 3/28/07
“Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present.” (Unknown) Why do we persist in hanging on to “stuff,” when we’d be better off to just let go? Oh well, today is a new day and an opportunity to make peace. Give peace a chance! ;-) Jack

FROM GOOD DEBT JON IN OHIO: "If you want to know your past - look into your present conditions. If you want to know your future - look into your present actions." Chinese Proverb Or as a contemporary American said, “The ancestors of the haves and the have-nots are the dids and the did-nots.

FROM DR. J.H. IN OHIO: Actually, I always tell my nieces and nephews (and now my daughter) to use this line when they are in a fight with each other or friends. My one nephew (Matthew now age 14) once said at age 8 or so... Good idea Aunt Jodi... I'll say "give peace a chance" and then when my friend is stunned by trying to figure out what I'm talking about, I'll punch him in the nose and run...
Not quite what I had intended, but there you have it!

FROM M.L. IN ILL: making peace with the past is daily ritual...so i guess i'm not screwing up the present too much! i view each day as a new gift filled with the intention of peace and not screwing up!

Jack’s Winning Words 3/27/07
“Ability will see a chance and snatch it. Who has a match will find a place to scratch it.” (Arthur Guiterman) Do you remember a time when someone would take a wooden kitchen match and light it by using a fingernail of by scratching it on a pants leg? Whoever has the ability today will find a place to scratch it. ;-) Jack

FROM B.S. NEAR ORLANDO: I remember when a guy picking up our milk set off a pocket full of farmer matches by inadvertly rubbing the full can of milk against his pocket full of matches. Talk about a scramble to get his pants off.

Jack’s Winning Words 3/26/07
“The hardest thing in the world to understand is the income tax.” (Einstein) The Theory of Relativity, for him, was easy. .I wonder if he used H & R Block to do his taxes. How about you? Are you one of the do–it-yourselfers? I have a friend who helps me. As Dionne Warwick once sang, “That’s What Friends Are For.” ;-) Jack

FROM GOOD DEBT JON IN OHIO: Einstein probably saw all of the unintended consequences. Thank W.H. Taft (Ohioan). He signed the bill in 1909. It was not ratified until 1913. The slogan of "soak the rich" automatically aroused Pavlovian salivation among politicians both in Washington and the states. Of course what really happed was everyone got soaked. 1913 was a bad year for America. We were burdened with the income tax (16th Amendment), the Federal Reserve began, and States Legislators lost the ability to pick their Senators. Given the reduction of states rights and the centralization of money in Washington, you could say this was the Socialists finest year. There was an earlier Federal Income Tax in 1893 (Grover Cleveland) that was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in 1895.

FROM A MOM: In my case, it's my daughter who is an accountant. This time of the year I'm especially glad I let her live when she was a teenager (there wasn't a court in the land that would have convicted me if I wrung her neck!)

FROM REV J.D. IN MINNESOTA: I AM FOR A FLAT TAX. IT IS SIMPLE AND FAIR. EVERYONE PAYS AND THERE ARE NO LOOP HOLES WHICH CAN BE USED TO THE ADVANTAGE OF HIGH PRICED ACCOUNTANTS FOR THEIR CLIENTS. LARGE OR SMALL YOU PAY ACCORDING TO YOUR INCOME. EVEN I COULD DO MY TAXES

FROM B.S. NEAR ORLANDO: My wife is very patient with me. I told her one year that I could do the income tax faster with a typewriter and an adding machine than I can now using this "damn" SOFTWARE. rIGHT NOW i AM AT THE POINT WHERE WE OWE i mILL IN TAXES, you figgure. Some where I misplaced a decimal point . Last week I did more than half and let it sit for awhile until I over came my depression, and when I stuck the floppy disk back into thec machine, it was gone. so i had to start over, but this time with a corrected 1099 sent from Fidelity. Life is crazy, as an example,it is now 2: am, you figgure, at 10 o'clock I had to lie down,and now I am ready to work all night

Jack’s Winning Words 3/23/07
“Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don’t worry; God never blinks.” (Unknown) On average, we blink 15,000 times a day. Things do change, and sometimes at an alarming speed. My experience has been that a religious faith can help us meet the unexpected and not be overcome by it. Has that been your experience? ;-) Jack

FROM REV. J.D. IN MINNESOTA: EVERYTHING CAN CHANGE IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE. IT DOES OFTEN AND WE EITHER ROLL WITH THE PUNCH OR WE ARE KNOCKED OUT. AS CHRISTIANS WE GET KNOCKED DOWN , BUT OUR FAITH KEEPS US FROM BEING KNOCKED OUT. FAITH IS THE SOURCE OF OUR STRENGTH AND TIES US IN WITH THE ONE WHO IS OUR MIGHTY FORTRESS.

FROM J.O. IN MICHIGAN: Yes, it has. The two events that immediately come to mind were the loss of my parents. My faith in God gave me comfort because they were moved to a better place, although I still miss them terribly. My dad passed in 1983 and my mother passed in 1993.

Jack’s Winning Words 3/22/07
“You can change your jeans, but not your genes.” (Sent by Don Conrad) We are who we are, for better or worse. When I look in the mirror, I see my mother. Is there some one who has especially influenced you? BTW, I was in Sears a couple of days ago and saw a display of Levi’s…relaxed fit. Do you wear jeans? ;-) Jack

FROM J.H. IN FALCON COUNTRY: Do you remember when I thought the neil diamond song was "reverend in blue jeans" vs. forever in blue jeans? So your winning words reminded me of that...

FROM GOOD DEBT JON IN OHIO: I have moved past relaxed fix to “the next size.” I don’t know if anyone remembers “husky size,” when I was a kid Mom would buy size 14 husky. I supposed relaxed fit is the PC version of Husky.
FROM P.O. IN DETROIT: Yup --- and keep wondering if there's an age where you probably shouldn't anymore. But I trust that my daughter will let me know if that's the case!

FROM L.K. IN OHIO: I've worn only one (1) pair of jeans in my whole life. They WERE comfortable, as I recall. My modus operandi has always been khacki's and penny loafers. I have a mother-in-law (Jean), my daughter's mother-in-law is (Jean) and I am a loafer,ha! You have a Jeanne, don't you?

FROM M.L. IN ILLINOIS: i thank god and my parents for my genes. they makes it possible for me to look not-so-scarey in my jeans at 50+.

FROM M.L.'S SISTER: I can't change my genes (I got pretty lucky there) but truth be known, I don't change my jeans much either! It's all about the fit ... when I find a good one, I wear them until they fall apart. I've sold jeans for many years at the Gap ... I continue to encourage people of ALL ages to embrace the value of a good pair of jeans! (My mother is in my mirror too.)

FROM PR CHUCK IN OHIO: I like the "informal" at Church but not the "casual".

FROM L.L. IN MICHIGAN: When I look in the mirror - I see my father. He so loved life, people, and a good conversation. He installed morals and values in us that you really don't see in "kids" today. I now realize, at my ripe age of 45, that he taught me so much. It will be 4 years ago on April 3rd since he passed away. I still miss very much.

Jack’s Winning Words 3/21/07
“Seek first to understand, then to be understood.” (Stephen Covey – sent by J.H.) I can see how this applies in many situations: sales persons, teachers, preachers. Can you think of others? Covey comes up with some interesting products, such as the Franklin Planner. Have you used it, or are you using it? I guess that not everyone is a Blackberry person.. ;-) Jack

FROM GOOD DEBT JON: Seeking first to understand—definitely useful in marriage; otherwise you may spend all of your time and energy arguing the wrong case. My wife graduates from law school next year, so she prepares her arguments very well. If we seek first to understand, there are less instances of trying to argue facts not in evidence. Of course men have the old standby—“Witness is non-responsive.”

Jack’s Winning Words 3/20/07
“Last year, a nine-year-old friend of my daughter told her, ‘I’m giving up sarcasm for Lent. And it’s really hard.’” (Stephanie Paulsell in The Christian Century) Have you ever given up something for Lent? Are there causes for which you would sacrifice time and money? It’s a personal thing, I know. I’m glad for any season or occasion that causes us to focus in on how we can make the world around us and within us a better place. ;-) Jack

FROM C.A. IN VEGAS: In a conversation with Shannon a few weeks ago she told me that she gave up wearing socks for lent. I thought that was a little peculiar. I asked her how she could do that with shoes. I always thought it would be a little uncomfortable. She said she's only wearing flip flops until Easter. I guess that works if you live in California (or Las Vegas) not so much in your neck of the woods. Shannon says that she really misses her socks and she has requested I put some in her Easter basket. I started thinking about it and I realized that something that simple really does make a difference in your day to day comfort. I wonder if Jesus ever wore socks?

MORE FROM C.A.: Yep - I am sockless until Easter. I'm not really sure how exactly I thought of that one, but when I did, it seemed like a good idea. I've done the whole giving up a certain type of food before, so I thought I would try something different. It's actually much harder than you might think, even here in California. I miss socks. They're like little hugs for your feet. Other than not having socks, everything is going pretty great here

THE SOCKLESS ONE REPLIES: Yep - I am sockless until Easter. I'm not really sure how exactly I thought of that one, but when I did, it seemed like a good idea. I've done the whole giving up a certain type of food before, so I thought I would try something different. It's actually much harder than you might think, even here in California. I miss socks. They're like little hugs for your feet. Other than not having socks, everything is going pretty great here at CLU.

FROM GOOD DEBT JON: “If you lend someone a book and they never return it, have you given it up for lent?”

FROM B.S. NEAR ORLANDO: Hi, I used to actively collect aluminum cans and glass bottles until several things happened. One, we began to wonder if the reason I was always sick was because I was pic king up germs and enven though I washed my hands a lot I was not carefull enough, and two. Several youngsters asked me what I was doing, and I said, "I am trying to make this world a better place for you to live in" and they said, "We don't care". So, gradually, I just made sure my immediate world was not made worse by my actions. Then I decided to be more active in creating less pollution including greenhouse gasses. It is amazing how many times I can go around our house and turn off a TV, or light left on in a room. I thought only children forgot, but now a days, a certain adult forgets also. and we travel places much less frequently today. We wonder if a $5.00 tax were placed on gasoline sales people would restrict their driving to necessary tasks, and perhpaps 90% of the cars and trucks we see will begin to have more than one person in them.( the driver ). the Polar Bears don't have a chance.

FROM MY SISTER: I heard giving up chocolate is a good thing, because if you eat too much it makes your clothes shrink.

Jack’s Winning Words 3/19/07
“The purpose of education is to replace an empty mind with an open one.” (Malcolm Forbes) I’m forever grateful for the professors in college and seminary who opened my mind. Would you be described as an open-minded person? I like to read the quotes inside the back cover of Forbes each month. Have you seen them? ;-) Jack

FROM REV. C.H. ON CAPE COD: No I haven’t seen them. Do they open your mind?!

FROM GOOD DEBT JON IN OHIO: I disagree with Malcolm here. He is speaking of the concept of tabula rasa the concept that we all begin with a clean slate and the teacher “writes” as they wish on it. This is a favorite argument of those feeling nurture is more important than nature. It takes both. The original concept was from John Locke’s writings. Those who see public education as a way to indoctrinate societal beliefs to succeeding generations of little blank slates embrace the theory wholeheartedly viz: Horace Mann. John Dewy stated the teacher should be a “partner in inquiry.” While I am no fan of Dewy (venerated father of modern education) he has that part correct. The problem is even when teachers (some) are partners in inquiry they stand in the way of full inquiry (as per their training). How can we trust a government to teach our children and not expect it to teach them anything other than faith in government itself?

FROM REV. J.D. IN MINNESOTA: FOR ME THE PURPOSE OF EDUCATION IS TO TRAIN YOU TO THINK. IT IS SAD FOR ME TO SEE "EDUCATED" PEOPLE SO MYOPIC. IN RELIGION, POLITICS, OR ANY FIELD THOSE WHO CAN'T THINK FOR THEMSELVES ARE EDUCATIONALLY IGNORANT.

MORE FROM GOOD DEBT JON: The Right Reverend from MN hit it squarely that education is about learning how to learn. This is generally my first response to education. The teacher stays the student goes and hopefully retains a bit. My libertarian underpinnings are easily ruffed by either the right or the left. Most people respond from a script from the right or left. I often find I am misunderstood, a shortcoming of my personal style that I am trying to correct.

FROM MOLINER, D.S.: I think I am very open-minded, however, I don't think that the majority of "Professors" in colleges these days are by any means. I think they have an agenda that does not tolerate opposing views.

MORE FROM D.S. I am now experiencing that again in my old age with several guys from my bible study group. 4 or 5 of us go for bagels and coffee after our 7 a.m. session and talk for another hour or two and I am just engrossed in these conversations. If people really listen to others, and don't have "agendas" to expound upon you can really learn a lot and I have found the relationship with these guys to be most rewarding. Ha, it used to be girls, now it's guys. Does that mean anything?

FROM C.J.L. IN OHIO: I do hope I"m open-minded but at the same time with some well-defined anchors!

FROM FRIEND GENIE: I thought you'd be interested in knowing that my daughter Emily (in high school / a long time ago) wrote a paper on the meaning and importance of education. She wrote that education shouldn't be about what a teacher "covers " in a class but what they "uncover". I was impressed. (still am). She's a 4th grade teacher in Pecos, New Mexico now.

FROM B.S. NEAR ORLANDO: Hi, I hope so, but sometimes I catch myself with negative thoughts. Damn. When I got to Madison I got down on the ground and kissed it. I had made it and now if I could handle four more years of poverty, I would make it for life. Well I made it, and listened to Harvey Kimble, when he said to me, help your kids thought college, times are different than when you worked your way though. So, we did, and I thank Harvey to this day. All our children have done well with theirs lives, and are good citizens.

Jack’s Winning Words 3/16/07
“Grasshopper, grasshopper, skoot, getta outta here.” These are the words St. Urho used when he waved his pitchfork and drove the grasshoppers out of the vineyards in Finland on March 16, many years ago. The Finns now celebrate the date as St. Urho’s Day, and dress in purple and green, recalling the grapes and the dead grasshoppers. Do you have any incantations that you use to drive away evil things? ;-) Jack

FROM S.H. IN MICHIGAN: The only incantation I traditionally use is, because I believe in the power of the Word so much, for quite a few years now I've been putting all the words together in my life with the Word (which means the Word in the church bulletin or sometimes I yank pages from an old Bible), anyway I put all of these words together and carry them around in my pockets, folded up in my shoes, filling up my purses, sleeping with them under my pillow, whatever I can think of and just let all these words/Word fight it out there. The incantation comes from the Word, the questions and the need to figure things out comes from me and the evil of devisiveness and quarreling and dissension and all manner of unpleasant things comes from me, too, and all the people who generate all these other words.

FROM REV. J.S. IN MICHIGAN: I sing "Oh, Wilho boy" on St. Urho's day. It's a beautiful song!!!

FROM L.K. IN OHIO: No.......the poor, the rich, the good, the bad, it/they is/are always with you, I think. A rather lazy attitude perhaps on my part. Reflects my fatigue.

FROM REV. B.L. IN THE U.P.: The devil knocked at the door. I sent Jesus to answer. No one was there.

FROM PR. B.G. IN MICHIGAN: As a half-Finlander, I am proud to celebrate this most holy of days.
In the words of the great saint Urho himself…“Heinisirkka! Heinisirkka! Menetaalta hiiten!” (You have provided an excellent, rough translation of these famous and powerful words, since Finnish is virtually untranslatable J).

FROM M.L. IN ILLINOIS: i will have to forward this on to brother johnny. when we were kids, we would celebrate nordic supremacy on st. patricks day. little did we know that we were honoring our ancestors and not just our egos!

FROM B.S. NEAR ORLANDO: Hi, My granddaughter, Mz Lilly, told the alligators to shoo off the road one day when I was kidding her that this was alligator season, and they travel and hunt for a lady friend during this time of their lives and they might just be along side the road in the water in the ditches. My sweetheart.

Jack’s Winning Words 3/15/07
“If you lie down with dogs, you’ll rise with fleas.” (Irish Proverb) When I was a boy our dog, Sparkie, had fleas. We tried everything to get rid of them, powder, spray, washing. The fleas would jump on us. It was bad. Of course this proverb isn’t about fleas; it says that we should be careful about the kinds of people we associate with. That’s what parents through the generations have preached to their children. We’re never too old to hear that sermon again. ;-) Jack

FROM GOOD DEBT JON: Still beats anything you can get from a cat!

FROM REV. J.S. IN MICHIGAN: Does that mean that we should avoid the worst of sinners in our ministry or are we ordained to go out and get some fleas on us (e.g. "sin boldly)?

FROM B.G. IN MICHIGAN: An interesting WW; not sure Jesus would have agreed with it, though.
He was not at all careful about the kinds of people he associated with; it got him into a heap of trouble with religious and political people, many of whom were quite concerned about the hanging out with the dogs of society and catching flees from them. I worry that suburban parents are, indeed, preaching this to their kids and their kids are, in turn, too concerned about mixing it up with people from the “wrong part of town”.

FROM B.S. NEAR ORLANDO: we had a cat Theodore, who gathered fleas to his body also, so on nice warm days we gave him a nice thorough bath and took a tweezer and picked off the fleas. He loved the attention, even when we used Irene's hair dryer to warm him and dry him.

Jack’s Winning Words 3/14/07
“It’s no use boiling your cabbage twice.” (Irish Proverb) At first, this one puzzled me. Does it have to do with making corned beef and cabbage? Maybe it means that you can overdo certain things. I wonder if it means that pastors shouldn’t preach the same sermon twice. I’ll bet you can come up with some other interpretations. ;-) Jack

FROM GOOD DEBT JON IN OHIO: I think this could be a metaphor illustrating the two-year-long presidential campaign. If what they are feeding us was anything near as nutritional as cabbage (raw, boiled, or re-boiled) then at least the entire exercise would not be in vain. The sweet fruits of common sense are not to be found on the menu—in the end we will be left to choose from the right or left wing of the Robin Hood Party. They make new menus with lovely promises and describe the cabbage with the reckless abandon of Shakespeare himself, yet in the inevitable end it comes to this: we get cabbage.

FROM L.K. IN OHIO: There can be too much of good things.

ANOTHER FROM GOOD DEBT JON: You coax the Mencken out of me. I am beginning to write a short book 100 to 120 pages and cartoons on Politics and Common Sense. I have a working title of Common Sense: The Third Rail of Politics. It takes a little mental lifting to reconcile common sense and politics in one short book. As Alan King said, “If you want to read about love and marriage, you’ll have to buy two books.”

FROM M.L. IN ILLINOIS: "beating a dead horse"..."reinventing the wheel"..these types of quotes come to mind...

FROM B.S. NEAR ORLANDO: Hi, many people will get a significant amount of gas from cabbage no matter how many times you cook it. We survived on cabbage during the depression, that is cabbage and potatoes and knockwurst ( about 5c/lb ) Uncle John had an area under the Haymow in which he stored cabbage until the price went up, until then we lived on it. Thank the Good Lord for cabbage and potatoes.

FROM REV P.H. IN MINNESOTA: this is sort of like refried beans....if they didn't fry right the first time, why bother to refry them???

Jack’s Winning Words 3/13/07
“You’ll never plow a field by turning it over in your mind.” (Irish Proverb) I have some farmer friends who can tell some good stories about plowing and other farm chores, but this quote is for all of us who tend to be procrastinators. Next to my computer are these signs: HEY YOU, GET BUSY!--- JUST DO IT!--- GET TOUGH, GET OFF YOUR DUFF. I should read them more often. Do you have signs I can add? ;-) Jack

FROM J.F. IN NOVA SCOTIA: (Jim is a short wave ham with contacts all over the world. He participates in contact contests with other hams.) You know my contest station's slogan from Brunnhilde--
"zu neuen Taten!" (on to new deeds).

FROM L.K. IN OHIO: "IF YOU CARE, YOU WIN!"

FROM B.G., A REAL MOLINER: "Those of you who keep a neat desk, will never know the thrill of finding something thought lost forever."

FROM GOOD DEBT JON IN OHIO: Especially if your mind is fallow.

FROM REV C.J.L. IN OHIO: Absolutely! During WW 11 we had a victory garden are 2406 Riverside Drive, my parental home. The best thing of that was the tomatoes we took off the vine, wiped the dirt off them, licked them and poured the salt to them and then ate them...warm. Great. Also I helped, a bit, on the farm in Oakland, Nebraska. I even got to cultivate some contour rows of corn. When I ran out of row, I looked for Granpa Engdahl. There he was, by the edge of the field, laughing at my predicament. I was embarassed, but learned from the experience. You remember the farm and the Church some 53 years ago.

FROM P.H. IN MINNESOTA: I like: the stronger the winds, the deeper the roots. Also, give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach him to fish and he will sit in the boat all day and drink beer!

FROM L.P. IN MICHIGAN: I am a terrible procrastinator. See, I'm pondering an Irish proverb rather than working on my thesis ;) When I used to work at the hospital where we billed our clients over $80 an hour I put a little note by my desk with a reminder of how much each minute was worth. Then if I found myself daydreaming, web surfing, or chatting I could ask... "Was that 15 minutes worth the $20 the client paid?"
It helped. Sadly, as a grad student I can't bill my clients so I can't use the same motivation.

Jack’s Winning Words 3/12/07
Since next Saturday is St. Patrick’s Day, we’re having a week of Irish Proverbs.
“The older the fiddle, the sweeter the tune.” (Sent by Ann McC.) What do you think this proverb’s about? Old musical instruments? Old people? Old Irish whiskey? I know some sweet older people. ;-) Jack

FROM MOLINER, T.L.: "Old age is inevitable, but immaturity can last a lifetime," (Anon.)

FROM G.S., ANOTHER MOLINER: We seem to mellow out and have more patience as we age. But I don't change my basic beliefs - if anything I'm even more willing to take a stand because I realize what is at stake on some basic issues.

FROM P.H. IN MINNESOTA: wine and cheese also gets better with age.... or so they say.... AND Phillis Diller says she has gotten so old the doctor told her that her blood type has been discontinued....

FROM M.L. IN ILLINOIS: it must have something to do with the mellowness of age. not that issues are any less important to us-the delivery just tends to have more finese!

FROM B.S. IN FLORIDA: One of our parisheners passed away. She was 92, she instructed the people to play a song by Frank Sinatra as the 2nd item in the service.

FROM A.M. IN MICHIGAN: An old fiddle is often more mellow. Older people and older marriages are often mellowed with patience. Sometimes this is not so if people are ill. To this day I am attracted to and very patient with older people. Of course, I am now one of them. Thank God.

Jack’s Winning Words 3/9/07
“If mistakes were haystacks, we’d all keep a cow.” (Canadian Proverb) My wife’s grandparents kept a cow during the depression of the 30’s. That cow, along with the garden in the backyard, provided food for the family. Have you ever kept a cow, hoed a garden, or built a haystack? ;-) Jack

FROM REV. JOHN IN MINNESOTA: GROWING UP IN THE BRONX DURING WWII I STARTED A "VICTORY" GARDEN IN A VACANT LOT AND SOON ABOUT HALF A DOZEN OTHERS STARTED GARDENS ALSO. I WAS ONLY 12 OR 13 AND FELT AS THOUGH I WAS DOING SOMETHING FOR THE WAR EFFORT.

FROM S.H. IN MICHIGAN: We did all those on the farm in Iowa, I remember particularly shocking the oats or hay, even as a little kid, into kind of teepees standing all over the field. What a neat thing to make mistakes into something so fortuitious as haystacks fit for cows to eat.

FROM J.J., THE NORWEGIAN: yes I have hoed a field, had cows and built many a haystack during the first 20 years of my life.I also removed cow-manure and spread on the fields as ferttilizer all by hand.

FROM J.T. IN WISCONSIN: My Dad planted a garden in our backyard. And In a small barn behind our home in Ironwood, MI, he kept a cow and chickens. Dad did the milking before going to work as an engineer at the mine and after returning home in the evening. My job was to come home from school at noon,change into "barn clothes", carry water and push down hay from the loft for the cow, change back into school clothes and return for classes. After school - collect eggs and deliver some to customers. Saturday was "clean the coop day". Summer gardening chores - helping plant, weed and harvest the crop. We were thankful to the Lord for good crops. Chores kept us out of mischief (for the most part.)

FROM PR BOB IN THE COPPER COUNTRY: Yes to all three. I've milked numerous cows in my boyhood. Dad had a herd of 8. I've hoed many a garden... starting with Grandma's and then my mothers.
Built haystacks? You bet. A set of wooden teeth 12 ft.long---set at 10 inch intervals to create a 16 ft. wide area.--- and then mounted on 10 inch tall and 8 inch wide steel wheels --- was called a "bucker" One horse would be on each side and you would drive the team to pull the bucker forward over a row of hay until the bucker was full. Then, you would turn the team around and deposit the load unto a "stacker." The stacker had a double set of similar teeth. One set lay on the ground while the other set was attached verticle. The ones on the ground were only 14 ft. wide so that the horses and bucker could straddle the width and pull the bucker teeth up on top of the staker teeth. You would then back the horses and the bucker away from the stacker and let the load of hay rest on the horizontal teeth of the stacker.
My job was to use one horse to empty the stacker. The method of doing so was that a 75 ft. rope would be run over a set of pullies and attached to a hitch for the horse. As the horse pulled the rope away from the stacker the rope lifted the stacker teeth from a horizontal position on the ground unto a verticle position. When the teeth were verticle the hay would slip backwards over the back teeth and deposit the hay on top of that which had previously been lifted and deposited. If the alfalfa was really green then you needed to spread salt over every layer that was 2 ft. deep. The salt helped dry the hay and prevent the hay from catching on fire from the heat generated by the fermenting of the hay.
Now you have your agricultural lesson of the day.

FROM G.S.: Years ago, a farmer owned land along the Atlantic seacoast.
He constantly advertised for hired hands. Most people were reluctant to work on farms along the Atlantic. They dreaded the awful storms that raged across the Atlantic, wreaking havoc on the buildings and crops.
As the farmer interviewed applicants for the job, he received A steady stream of refusals.Finally, a short, thin man, well past middle age, approached the farmer. "Are you a good farm hand?" the farmer asked him.
"Well, I can sleep when the wind blows," answered the little man.Although puzzled by this answer, the farmer, desperate for help, Hired him. The little man worked well around the farm, busy from Then one night the wind howled loudly in from offshore. Jumping out of bed, the farmer grabbed a lantern and rushed
next door to the hired hand's sleeping quarters. He shook the little man and yelled, "Get up! A storm is coming! Tie things down before they blow away!" The little man rolled over in bed and said firmly, "No
sir. I told you, I can sleep when the wind blows."Enraged by the response, the farmer was tempted to fire him on the spot. Instead, he hurried outside to prepare for the storm. To his amazement, he discovered that all of the haystacks had been covered with tarpaulins. The cows were in the barn, the chickens
were in the coops, and the doors were barred. The shutters were tightly secured. Everything was tied down.
Nothing could blow away. The farmer then understood what his hired hand meant, so he returned to his bed to also sleep while the wind blew. When you're prepared, spiritually, mentally, and physically, you have nothing to fear. Can you sleep when the wind blows through your life? The hired hand in the story was able to sleep because he had secured the farm against the storm. We secure ourselves against the storms of life by
grounding ourselves in the Word of God. We don't need to understand, we just need to hold His hand to have peace in the middle of storms.

Jack’s Winning Words 3/8/07
“Much happens that one expects the least.” (Icelandic Proverb) This can be applied to the good as well as to the bad. The thrill of the unexpected is a part of life’s reality. What has unexpectedly happened in your life lately? BTW, some of most descriptive of the Icelandic Proverbs are X-rated…or at least, P-G. ;-) Jack

Jack’s Winning Words 3/7/07
“If anyone is not willing to accept your point of view, try to see his point of view.” (Lebanese Proverb) Wouldn’t it be great if we lived in a world where people practiced these words? Check it out. Who do you know who’s that open minded? As the song goes: “…and let it begin with me.” ;-) Jack

FROM REV. JOHN IN MICHIGAN: It's the key to debate...if you can't see the other persons point of view, you have no chance to present an effective rebuttal...instead, you will spend your time tilting at windmills and/or knocking over straw horses!!!

FROM P.O. IN DETROIT: I think everyone needs to have this one on the table in front of them during church council meetings!

FROM MARY L. IN ILLINOIS: that sounds a little "gibranish". i wish the middle east,(a land so rich in prophets), and the rest of the world would consider this form of conflict resolution. we do not all have to believe in the same mean to the end. peace and love,

FROM D.S. One of my favorite ones came from a friend of mine in Savannah, GA when we lived there. "He is often wrong, but never in doubt". I use that quite often these "political" days.

Jack’s Winning Words 3/6/07
“It’s not a good idea to tie your shoe in someone else’s watermelon patch.” (Japanese Proverb) This was quoted by a Japanese friend of mine, so it’s real, and not made up. Now, we’ve got to figure out what it means. I can see it in my mind. Does it mean that the person might be thought to be stealing? If so, avoid putting yourself in a position where people get the wrong idea about you. What do you think? ;-) Jack

FROM M.L. IN ILLINOIS: i think that living an honest and honorable life should be enough. trying to perceive what others will interpret of it takes up too much time from the living. if my shoe becomes untied in anothers "field", i guess i'll have to call upon my character witnesses!

FROM P.O. IN DETROIT: This one will appear on the list of things to discuss with my son tonight --- I haven't a clue!

FROM GOOD DEBT JON IN OHIO: I think it goes with, "No one believes guys go to Hooter's for the chicken wings--though it could be possible." The appearance of impropriety is often as damaging (to your reputation) as the actual act. My mom used to say, "You can't be seen coming out of a place you don;t go into."

FROM L.K. IN OHIO: Of course, questions there are: state of the watermelons, ground,etc.(should your shoes come off).....why are you there to begin with?Anyway, to me it means don't spend time in another's affairs....mind your own business.

FROM D.S., RUTH'S HUSBAND: I think most people know my tongue is well entrenched in the side of my cheek. All I will say is that men (in particular) have been known to run around in more patches than those
that raise watermelons. I think you know what I mean, but I have an idea that possibly the proverb
may be speaking exactly to that. What say YOU?

FROM B.S. IN FLORIDA: I think you are right. Someone is stealing melons. So if you are stealing, make certain you are prepared in all ways to get in and get out. Don't loiter.Speed is your option.

Jack’s Winning Words 3/5/07
“He that hurts a robin will never prosper.” (Amish Proverb) The Amish Plain People live close to the land. Perhaps that’s why they have a proverb such as this. I haven’t seen my first robin of the year, and I certainly won’t want to hurt him (her) when I do. However, I will try to keep them from building a nest by our front door. ;-) Jack

FROM A TRANSPLANTED MOLINER IN FLORIDA: Many of the robins are in Florida, and in my backyard specifically. They remind me of my years in Moline and bring back lots of good memories.

FROM REV. J.S. IN MICH: Have you ever noticed that many people who would not hurt a robin (and I don't mean you) are more than willing to walk over their fellow human beings and to think it is perfectly justifiable because those human beings hold different views than they do. Dostoyoevsky's Grand Inquisitor section in the Brothers Karamasov is a wonderful illustration of that....

FROM REV. JOHN IN MINNESOTA: "SAID THE ROBIN TO THE SPARROW,
I SHOULD REALLY LIKE TO KNOW
WHY THESE HUMAN BEINGS RUSH ABOUT AND WORRY SO,
SAID THE SPARROW TO THE ROBIN,
I THINK THAT IT MUST BE
THAT THEY HAVE NO HEAVENLY FATHER SUCH
AS CARES FOR YOU AND ME. "
I ALWAYS LIKED THIS POEM.

FROM F.M., WINTERING IN ALABAMA: We have seen hundreds of robins - making their way north. In fact, we have birds all over the place, singing and chirping from early morning to late at night. We're taking another hike in the bird sanctuary this afternoon. We'll tell the robins to find another place to build a nest then in at your front door. But they just seek out a safe place where they have caring folks around!

FROM COACH LARRY, RETIRED IN ALABAMA: Lower Al must be the home of the robin..there are thousands and this being mateing season they are fighting all over the place..I will get the word out you are waiting for them..Coach

CAN YOU SING ALONG WITH THIS? When the red, red, robin comes bob bob bobbin along, along,There'll be no more sobbin' when he starts throbbin' his own, sweet song; Wake up, wake up! you sleepy head Get up, get up, get out of bed, Cheer up, cheer up the sun is red Live, love, laugh and be happy,What if I've been blue? Now I'm walkin' through fields of flow'rs;The rain may glisten but still I listen for hours and hours.I'm just a kid again, doin' what I did again, Singin' a song,When the red red robin comes bob bob bobbin' along.

FROM NANCY RUTH IN ILLINOIS: I heard a robin before our cold spell hit, and I worried about how it would keep itself warm--he'll fly to da barn, yust to keep himself varm, and tuck his head under his wing, da poor ting.

FROM JOANIE IN MICHIGAN: I think it will be May before any robins are warm enough to return. Brrr!

ANOTHER FROM J.L. IN MICHIGAN: Early this morning I heard and saw my first Red Winged Blackbird. She's sitting so pretty in a tree in our backyard. They are some of the last birds to migrate in the Spring, but this one seems to be all by herself. Turkey buzzards are the last ones in. My favorite sounds of the summer are the beautiful bird songs. We have a little creek through our backyard and tall weeds on either side. Red Winged Blackbirds are ground nesters, and the nest in those tall weeds. SPRING IS HERE.

FROM B.S. NEAR ORLANDO: Hi, we used birds are targets when we were children, and I truley regret it. Birds of all kinds contribute to our environment and the beauty of the "firmament", I need to get out today and clean and fill the bird feeder.

Jack’s Winning Words 3/2/07
“One of these days is none of these days.” (English Proverb) Sometimes parents threaten discipline, but never follow through. Sometimes we make similar threats in interpersonal relationships as adults. It’s even done in the business world. One of these days things may change. ;-) Jack

FROM ANOTHER REV JACK: My paternal grandparents came from Cornwall, England and were known as "Cornish". Our name is pronounced "Tre-THEW'-ey" (Ugh!) in Cornwall, but my Dad would have nothiing to do with that pronunciation. He insisted on "Trethaway", but still spelled Trethewey. My maternal grandparents, Patrick and Ingrid Peterson, came from Sweden. So I'm a half-breed. Another label the Cornish have is being called ":cousinjacks". It can be traced supposedly from the legend that a Cornish miner who came to work in the Michigan Upper Peninsula was asked by his foreman if he knew where more miners could be found to come to the UP to work. The Cornish miner replied, "Iv'e got a cousin Jack back in Cornwall that's a miner." So that's how we got "cousinjacks" in the UP.

FROM L.K. IN OH: One of these days is ONLY one of these days........the world is bigger and better than any of us can possibly imagine. Our memories and vision are so limited.

FROM GOOD DEBT JON IN OH: “Conscience precedes reality, not the other way around.” --Vaclav Havel

FROM C.H. ON CAPE COD: Yeah, but there is another way to respond to this proverb: “One of these days IS one of these days”… one of these days the dam will break, one of these days the impact of global warming or destruction of the environment will be irreversible… One day a parent does discipline and takes away some privilege for good or a worker is fired… The proverb does criticize inaction but it can also lead to a false complacency…

Jack’s Winning Words 3/1/07
“The reverse side also has a reverse side.” (Japanese Proverb) Is the reverse only a duplicate of the other side? I don’t think so. With her tangled life, Judy Garland said that behind every cloud is another cloud. But she also sang, “Look For The Silver Lining.” Which of the two thoughts is yours? I vote for the second. ;-) Jack

FROM GOOD DEBT JON IN OHIO: Perhaps the reverse side of a government engaged in “forced philanthropy” provides not charity, but a disincentive for voluntary (real) charity. Politicians do their “philanthropic” work with our money. In politics the silver lining may be that we don’t get all of the government we pay for.

FROM L.K. IN OH: The sun is always up/out/in there somewhere all the time.....24/7......at times you need to work harder to image that important reality.

FROM B.S. IN FLORIDA: Hi, the reverse side of a coin is sometimes cal;led the obverse side. Judy certainly had a sad life, ev en though she displayed a pleasant demeaner with the songs she sang. She will always have a place in my memory, right along side of Monty, and Mama, and Louie, and Fred, and Jackie, and Lars, on and on. But Judy is there.

Jack’s Winning Words 2/28/07
“A handful of patience is worth more than a bushel of brains.” (Dutch Proverb) There are different forms of patience, aren’t there. One has to do with events that happen in our personal lives. Another has to do with how leaders in business and politics handle their responsibilities. Can you think of an example where patience was the right choice for you? ;-) Jack

FROM C.B. IN MI: Patience and/or common sense

Jack’s Wining Words 2/27/07
“Need sells.” (Norwegian Proverb) That’s how I like them…short and to the point. I like sermons that way, too. Here’s another. “Trust God, but tie up your mule.” (Belgian Proverb) It’s just common sense. God knows something about locking things up, otherwise he wouldn’t have made the keys of the kingdom. ;-) Jack

FROM G.S.: Peter Drucker: "People give (money) to results."

FROM J.H. IN MAUMEE: I like things short and sweet too... which reminds me of a story we probably told you long ago... but worth re-telling. Just after college when Jeanne and I went to visit David in California, we when to LA and went to a game show. While at the game show... they reminded the audience it was live taping, so we could NOT shout out the answers. Jeanne kept teasing me and calling me a "know it all" saying I wouldn't be able to resist yelling out the answers. I assured her I would not. WELL... as the story goes, one of the questions was "what is the shortest verses in the bible"... and of course JEANNE YELLS OUT "Jesus Wept"! I love to remind her of this story... and I will never, ever forget the shortest verse.

FROM S.M. IN SUNNY FLA: Just a note to let you know how much I am enjoying your proverbs, especially the Belgian one. One of my cousins is secretary of the Belgian Cultural Center in Moline and I have joined and learned a lot from the newsletter. Also we have gotten into my swedish grandparents because a friend of my daughter in Orlando is here for two years with her husband and daughters. She has gotten into the Swedish migration from New York to Minneapolis, and they took the trip last summer. I am plodding through Letters from the Promised Land Swedes in America, 1840-l914 H Arnold Barton, editor, and learning a lot that I never knew before.

FROM B.G. IN MI: Ironically timely, Jack. A lap top and eight microphones were stolen from our sanctuary Saturday afternoon around 3 p.m. We have it on tape. The doors of the church happened to be open for a birthday party in the family center and I had just happened to set up the lap top and the powerpoint projector for Sunday’s sermon. I hate to think that we need to keep the doors locked all the time, but who knows? After all, aren’t we supposed to trust God, BUT TIE UP OUR MULE?!? J

Jack’s Winning Words 2/26/07
“A guest sees more in an hour than a host in a year.” (Polish Proverb) What does a stranger see in your home and in your life? Are there some things that need cleaning up? “Either eat this soup or jump out this window.” (Italian Proverb) In other words, Mama is saying, “Eat your soup!” Did (Do) you have a mom like that? I really smiled at this proverb. ;-) Jack

FROM G.L.: I think that a "fresh set of eyes" is good. There's plenty of cleaning up for me to do in both those areas, it's ongoing .. isn't it? As for the Italian mother --- Sounds like she was making her children an "offer they couldn't refuse". My mom had a different approach but she did LOVE soup and taught us to love it too! Pea soup and potato soup come to mind.

FROM C.H. ON CAPE COD: The first proverb makes me think of people visiting our churches. What do they see? Also, sometimes the guest or stranger not only sees our hospitality or lack thereof – sometimes they recognize God’s presence or movement in our midst more clearly.

FROM L.K. IN OH: Very much so. Mom was a benevolent despot. I loved her.

FROM REV. JOHN IN MPLS: EAT THOSE PEAS OR YOU WON'T GET ANY DESSERT. A PAINFUL REMINDER OF A MOTHER.

Jack’s Winning Words 2/23/07
“A word before is worth two behind.” (Scotch Proverb) This proverb reminds us to THINK before we speak. Speaking of “behind,” here’s a good one: “There’s no use crying when the crap is already in your pants.” (Finnish Proverb) Those Finns have a way of telling it like it is. Is it better than saying, Don’t cry over spilled milk? ;-) Jack

FROM L.K. IN OH: Hooray for the Finns and Scots! Some babies, even a few adults I know, actually LIKE to have crap in their pants,ha! But they don't cry over spilled milk, either!

FROM THE L. GIRLS IN ILL: This is SO funny. Mary and I were laughing about the fact that we know about 7 words in Finnish and two of them are crap and pants (in that order...used as a noun/not a verb !) We obviously did not attend the early service, spoken in Finnish, with my Grandma at St.Paul's Lutheran Church in Ironwood,Michigan.

FROM C.J.L. IN OHIO: Of course.....it's Scandinavian!!!!!!

Jack’s Winning Words 2/22/07
“God is good, but never dance in a small boat.” (Irish Proverb) In other words, don’t expect God to bail us out when we don’t use common sense. Speaking of sense…”We’re not here to make dollars; we’re here to make sense.” (Heinz 57 Proverb…a mixture of backgrounds) There are some things more important than money in this life. Like the Bible says: “Lay not up for yourselves treasures on earth.” Do that which is sensible and helpful to others. Do you have a favorite charity? ;-) Jack

FROM M.L. IN ILL: i like habitat, friends of the quilt, planned parenthood, local food pantries and homeless shelters. it's a combination of education and primary comforts. everyone is entitled to the basics, especially in our wealthy country. god bless the child who has his/her own.

FROM S.H. IN MI: This and Church World Service/CROPWALK are my favorite charities. I wonder how many people in the U.S.A. realize that the people living in the rural areas of our country are somehow facing many of the same problems of people living in the rural areas of countries overseas. And a lot of people are being impoverished.

FROM L.K. IN OH: God is good; we are good, too, but mistake prone

FROM M.S. IN MICH: Salvation Army, Disabled American Vetrains, Furniture Bank(Pontiac) Homeless ??? (Pontiac)ect.

Jack’s Winning Words 2/21/07
We continue looking at ethnic proverbs.
“He who is afraid to ask is ashamed of learning.” (Danish Proverb) See if you can learn something today. “A donkey’s lips do not fit onto a horse’s mouth.” (Chinese Proverb) Now, what do you think this one means? Each proverb in this series relates to someone who receives WWs. ;-) Jack

Jack’s Winning Words 2/21/07
We continue looking at ethnic proverbs.
“He who is afraid to ask is ashamed of learning.” (Danish Proverb) See if you can learn something today. “A donkey’s lips do not fit onto a horse’s mouth.” (Chinese Proverb) Now, what do you think this one means? Each proverb in this series relates to someone who receives WWs. ;-) Jack

Jack’s Winning Words 2/20/07
“Charity sees the need, not the cause.” (German Proverb) Some people have a knack for creating excuses not to give to the needy. The Marshall Plan was one of the bright spots in our nation’s history. BTW, I have a good supply of ethnic proverbs. Tomorrow, I may include more than one. Here are some of your responses: Norwegian, Polish, Irish, Finnish, Danish, English, Scotch, Chinese Japanese, Lebanese, Heinz 57. Let me know your background. ;-) Jack

FROM A PASTOR ON CAPE COD: You need both – people who see the need and the cause.
Charity sees the need and provides people with fish. Those who see the cause will teach them how to fish.

FROM B.S. IN FLORIDA: The Marshall Plan was brilliant. It really proved it's point, no more wars between France and GErmany. It's too bad Mr Marshall or someone of his caliber isn't with us today to help solve some of the senseless fighting going on in our world today.

Jack’s Winning Words 2/19/07
“Fear less, hope more. Eat less, chew more. Whine less, breathe more. Talk less, say more. Love more, and all good things will be yours.” (Swedish Proverb) I’m half Swedish on my father’s side. The Swedes have some pretty good sayings, but so do other ethnic groups. I’ll be doing German tomorrow. What’s your background? ;-) Jack

Jack’s Winning Words 2/16/07
“Once it’s conceivable, it’s achievable. Don’t give up.” (Unknown) We can make this a better world. It takes time, effort and a willingness to invest our money. What we need now are people who see the vision and do something about it. How would you go about making this a better world? What’s your idea? ;-) Jack

FROM L.K. IN OHIO: Stop being so cynical for one......

FROM A JUDGE IN MICH: First, to paraphrase a very famous 15th or 16th century writer, we kill all the politicians

FROM GOOD DEBT JON IN OHIO: Napoleon Hill, 1937; “Anything the mind of man can conceive and believe--it can achieve.” Likely source.
Napoleon Hill 1883 -1979 was an American author who was one of the earliest producers of the modern genre of personal success literature. His most famous work, Think and Grow Rich, is one of the best-selling books of all time. In America, Hill stated in his writings, people are free to believe what they want to believe, and this is what sets the United States apart from all other countries in the world. Hill's works examined the power of personal beliefs, and the role they play in personal success. "What the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve" is one of Hill's hallmark expressions. How achievement actually occurs, and a formula for it that puts success in reach for the average person, were the promise of Hill's books.
Hill called his success teachings "The Philosophy of Achievement" and he considered freedom, democracy, capitalism, and harmony to be important contributing elements. For without these, Hill demonstrated throughout his writings, personal beliefs are not possible. He contrasted his philosophy with others, and thought Achievement was superior and responsible for the success Americans enjoyed for the better part of two centuries. Fear and selfishness had no part to play in his philosophy, and Hill considered them to be the source of failure for unsuccessful people.
The secret of Achievement was tantalizingly offered to readers of Think and Grow Rich, and was never named directly as Hill felt discovering it for themselves would provide readers with the most benefit. Hill presented the idea of a "Definite Major Purpose" as a challenge to his readers, to make them ask of themselves "in what do you truly believe?". For according to Hill, 98% of people had no firm beliefs, putting true success firmly out of reach. Hill's numerous books have sold millions of copies, proving that the secret of Achievement is still highly sought-after by modern Americans. Hill dealt with many controversial subjects through his writings including racism, slavery, oppression, failure, revolution, war and poverty. Persevering and then succeeding in spite of these obstacles using the philosophy of Achievement, Hill stated, was the responsibility of every American. Though Hill was more famous, Orison Swett Marden, began the early success literature. 1850-1924.

FROM B.S. IN FLORIDA: I think the answer is education, whether it is at the kitchen table as my Ma taught the entire family, or in Sunday School, or in the schools, public or private. Education,as early as possible, and as intense as possible, using the brightest teachers possible, and especially teachers who have a burning in their gut to get their students to understand and want to understand. I had a physics teacher, oh yes and a math teacher, ya sure many other teachers, Miss ?, damn I can't think of their names, But Mr Ward, and Doc. ? shucks, how can I forget these people, wow, darn it all, I never, ever thought I wouldn't remember their names or I would have tatooted their names on my arms. O.Dr. Winnans was our physics teacher, Dr James Ward was our math teacher, Mz Creswell also. Oh,oh, Mz Keating also. I coulc go on all nite. These people were so precious.Wow

Jack’s Winning Words 2/15/07
“Humor is a way of saying something serious.” (T.S. Eliot) I see that Al Franken is planning to run for the U.S. Senate from Minnesota. If that state can have Jesse as governor, they can surely have Al as senator. Do you have a favorite comedian? Mark Twain had a knack for saying serious things in humorous ways. ;-) Jack

FROM T.L. IN ILLINOIS: "Man is the only animal that has the true religion....several of them".
Mark Twain

FROM L.K. IN OHIO: Why, then, all the posturing? Vanity......."all the world's a stage,etc.......and we are merely players (actors)???

FROM G.S.: Jack Benny & Red Skelton come to mind - they never told off color jokes.