Jack’s Winning Words 5/15/08
“From our birthday, until we die, is but the winking on an eye.” (Bono) Today is the 16th birthday of one of my grandsons. Do you remember when you were 16? It’s etched in my memory. Where did the time go? Eddy Arnold was born on May 15, and died a week ago at age 89. One of the songs he made famous was, Gotta Travel On. ;-) Jack

OOPS FROM JACK....Today's quote is from Yeats, not Bono. This is an example of my imperfection. Which reminds me...When I applied to enter the seminary, I needed a letter of recommendation from my pastor. On the form he was asked, "What is his greatest fault?" He responded simply: "Original Sin!" Among others, that's the greatest.

FROM MOLINER EFP: Good morning. Today would be my grandfather's 100th birthday. Seems like a wink, those 30 years he's been gone, as I still remember him vividly. How wonderful that memories somehow manage to last a lifetime, not for just a wink...

FROM R.I. IN BOSTON: That wonderful age 16...such new freedom, such new responsibility, the fleeting moments, so short the duration. "Now the days grow short, I'm in the autumn of the year, I think of my life as vintage wine, from fine old kegs, from the brim to the dregs, it poured sweet and clear, it was a very good year." (from a Frank Sinatra classic)

FROM B.G. IN MICHIGAN: I think you know that Bono is one of my heroes; not only because of his music but because of his ability to bring together disparate parties and make good things happen on behalf of people in need. Yes, I remember when I was 16. As Bono sings in the song, City of Blinding Lights, “I knew much more then, than I do now.” Hope you are doing well. My goodness, Eddy Arnold was 89 years old! Green acres is the place to be… JACK'S RESPONSE: I wonder if there's a cemetery named, Green Acres. THANKS TO GOOGLE: Welcome to Green Acres Mortuary & Cemetery Green Acres Mortuary & Cemetery has served Scottsdale families since its founding in 1957 by Lisle and Ruth Hawkins. As a proud member of the Dignity Memorial national network, we are devoted to exceeding expectations and providing a standard of service that is 100 percent guaranteed. Occupying approximately 40 acres, our award-winning and beautifully-maintained facility offers a comforting environment featuring a fountain and flush-to-the-ground monuments. To further assist our families, we provide the convenience of funeral, cremation and burial services at one convenient location, and a professional staff with Spanish-speaking capabilities.

FROM M.L. IN ILLINOIS: i tell at least one parent each day to blink a little less so as not to miss a precious moment. i wish that i had blinked a little less. JACK'S RESPONSE: Winking is different than blinking. One eye remains open. MORE FROM M.L.: i wonder if i could train myself to wink alternately and not miss a beat. i think i'll start practicing.

FROM J.L. IN MICHIGAN: I remember my 16th birthday as if it were yesterday. We had a band from my school play for my birthday and I had my first kiss. One of my "adopted" sister"s (my parents raised a number of kids besides their natural born) boyfriends said..."Today you are 16 and I want to be the first to give you your sweet sixteen kiss"....so he did. It was very sweet as he was a very good friend too. Later that year he was killed in Vietnam. But I always remember his kindness to me and my brother and sisters.

FROM MOLINER, C.F.: I'm all for a slow blink.

FROM G.G. IN INDY: I remember when I was 16.....got my drivers license! Went for the test in the morning and then straight to teach VBS at Shepherd of the Lakes. I'm also remembering a song I learned from your Mary (I think it was that same VBS summer) "A great grey elephant, a little yellow bee. A tiny purple violet, a tall green tree. A red and white sailboat on a blue sea. All these things God gave to me, when he made my eyes to see. All these things God gave to me. Thank you God." I've shared that with many children. Thank you, Mary. BTW, I have no idea where the time went!

FROM CJL IN OHIO: I especially like the one that points out that one out tombstones are two dates - when
we were born and the year we die with a dash between them. Then the question "How are you living your dash?" Eddie was right, but HOW we travel is most significant.

Jack’s Winning Words 5/14/08
“The shoe that fits one person pinches another; there is no recipe for living that suits all cases.” (Carl Jung) Rockports and Eccos for me. The blog shows some prefer other brands. So be it. Wear what you think is comfortable. ;-) Jack

FROM P.O. IN MICHIGAN: My vote goes to Easy Spirit!

FROM M.L. IN ILLINOIS: keens,uggs, and birkenstocks for me! truth be known, i prefer barefoot and love when my feet can be liberated in the warmer weather!
MORE FROM M.L.: ok...here's the deal...many feet, many shoes. there is unity in diversity. i love my shoes, but i also love and respect yours. shoe choices are alot like the life/love choices, don't you think? all the while, it is all about being caring, sharing, loving, peaceful people walking through life together. we should all be comfortable in our shoes and preferably wearing clothing that feels like pajamas for the journey.

FROM GOOD DEBT JON: Maybe I spent too much time in loafers instead of work boots.

FROM G.G. IN INDY: Uggs (I have my purple ones on as we speak), Doc Martin's and Keens for me......cute and comfortable, that's my criteria. I love shoes. p.s. if the shoe fits...wear it!

FROM PR J.S. IN MICHIGAN: Remember when almost every kid wore Thom McCanns? Are they still made?
FROM JACK: Thom McAn shoes are still sold at KMart. They reached their popularity in the 50's to 70's. The brand was named after Scottish golfer, Thomas McCann. I think that Thom McAn was the store that would x-ray your feet in the shoe to see if they fit properly.

FROM CJL IN OHIO: Slippers & New Balance

Jack’s Winning Words 5/13/08
“Another thing I remind myself is that God knows what’s best for me.” (Joel Osteen) If Joel were reading this, I’d remind him that, while God knows what is best for us, we don’t always use our free will to follow that advice. I also believe that God allows certain things to happen in our life that (ultimately) are for the best. Perhaps you can look back and see the truth of this. ;-) Jack

FROM GOOD DEBT JON: I heard someone yesterday (in a business setting) trying to explain his relationship with someone he didn’t want to be associated with and he said, “We all have our Reverend Wright’s.”

MORE FROM JON: Isaac Singer wrote, “We have to believe in free will. We’ve got no choice.”
Paraphrasing my 2004 advice about debt, from Good Debt, Bad Debt: “If we follow our emotions we have given up freedom—then we are slaves to our emotions. Many refuse responsibility and are given over to their emotions until finally they collapse under the weight of their own desires. So it is not only freedom that is important; but freedom tempered with discipline, deferral, and discernment.” That’s enough preaching, I am way behind on yesterday’s discipline.

FROM P.O. IN MICHIGAN: Oh my, yes!!

FROM A.M. IN MICHIGAN: Great advice Pastor Jack! Truer words were never spoken.

FROM J.C. IN HONG KONG: Good one. (But God hardened Pharaoh's heart ....)

FROM D.S. IN MICHIGAN: I have to trust this is true since I am in overwhelm these days – too many jobs at once. Thanks for the encouraging words.

FROM PR J.S. IN MICHIGAN: Things happen here. Some are good. Some are neutral. Some are bad. God helps us use the good things to make the world better. He helps us gain perspective during the neutral times. He guides and leads us "through the valley of the shadow of death."

FROM EMT SINGS IN MICHIGAN: Just curious if you have an opinion about Joel Osteen, or more accurately his theology. Isn't his the Properity Church? RESPONSE FROM JACK: You're the first one who asked....which surprises me. Usually, I switch channels when I see him, but I listened the other night when he said that we need to do things differently to makes our lives more interesting. So, the next morning I had Cream of Wheat instead of oatmeal. It is true, that life becomes more interesting when we crawl out of the rut.
I look upon him as a motivational speaker....and he's good at that. I don't look upon him as a pastor, but who am I to judge? It takes all kinds...and if he's able to lead someone to a deeper faith, so be it.
I don't know enough about his theology to judge whether or not it coincides with mine. Mine isn't perfect, either. "There is so much good in the worst of us,And so much bad in the best of us,That it hardly behooves any of usTo talk about the rest of us. " Edward Wallis Hoch,

FROM MOLINER, C.F.: Joel does have a way of stating it that gets through to us. With good mix of common sense.

FROM L.K. IN OHIO: yes......key word, "ULTIMATELY".....

FROM MOLINER EFP: I certainly learn a lot from your blog. I had never heard of "prosperity church" before so I "googled" it. As you know, I am a fan of Joel Osteen because he makes me feel hopeful. Now I don't know what to think. I kind of feel as if I've been "had."

Jack’s Winning Words 5/12/08
“One of the hardest things in this world is to admit you are wrong. And nothing is more helpful in resolving a situation than its frank admission.” (Disreali) This 19th century British Conservative was able to put aside party loyalty and build a bridge to the Liberals for the benefit of his country. We need people like that today…Bridge Builders. ;-) Jack

FROM A.M. IN MICHIGAN: Kinda reminds me of the 1st step of AA.
We admitted we were powerless over alcohol - that our lives had become unmanageable.

FROM PR J.S. IN MICHIGAN: Have you read his biography? He was pretty partisan in a very partisan time.

FROM MOLINER, C.F.: Note that is is the CONSERVATIVES who are willing to build the brifge.
REPLY: Ha!

MORE FROM C.F.: You've devoted your life to building bridges and I commen you for it. I'm proud to name you as a friend. I'm glad you fo it because I don't have the tempement for it. If people don't want to be led, I don't try to lead them (except sometimes).

FROM CJL IN OHIO: Do you remember.."An old man going a lone highway came at evening cold & gray to a chasm vast & deep & wide thru which was flowing a sullen tide"...? It's called "The Bridge Builder". Fits right in with your thought
The Bridge Builder by Allen Dromgoole
An old man, going a lone highway,Came, at the evening, cold and gray,To a chasm, vast, and deep, and wide,Through which was flowing a sullen tide.
The old man crossed in the twilight dim;The sullen stream had no fears for him;But he turned, when safe on the other side,And built a bridge to span the tide.
"Old man," said a fellow pilgrim, near,"You are wasting strength with building here;Your journey will end with the ending day;You never again must pass this way;You have crossed the chasm, deep and wide-Why build you a bridge at the eventide?"
The builder lifted his old gray head:"Good friend, in the path I have come," he said,"There followeth after me today,A youth, whose feet must pass this way.
This chasm, that has been naught to me,To that fair-haired youth may a pitfall be.He, too, must cross in the twilight dim;Good friend, I am building the bridge for him."

FOM L.K. IN OHIO: Agreed, from one side to the other......from Rush Limbaugh to the Liberals, and from Al Franken to the Conservatives; from Jeremiah Wright to the Conservatives and Pat Robertson to the Liberals; from Michael Moore to the Conservatives and (name of producer) to the Liberals; from FOX News to the Liberals and CNN to the Conservatives......and so it goes!!!!

FROM J.C. IN HONG KONG: Tell it to the liberals.

FROM THE NY TIMES: A Liberal Wit Builds Bridges to the G.O.P. By DAVID M. HERSZENHORNBarney Frank, the rumpled, cantankerous Massachusetts Democrat, has emerged as a key deal-maker in the House.

Jack’s Winning Words 5/9/08
“Live with extreme gusto.” (Sean Kavanaugh) Sean is famous for creating a popular executive training group, The Ariel Group. He believes that to be successful, you have to live with gusto. I seem to remember a TV beer commercial with “gusto” in it. Am I wrong? Gusto is an interesting word, meaning: enthusiasm, zest, hearty enjoyment. With that in mind, live this Pentecost weekend with extreme gusto. ;-) Jack

FROM P.O. IN MICHIGAN: "Go for the gusto"? --- but I don't remember what it was referring to.

FROM MY SON, DAVID, WHO HAS THE ANSWERS TO MANY QUESTIONS:
http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=schlitz+beer&hl=en&sitesearch=#q=schlitz%20beer%20&hl=en&sitesearch=

FROM MOLINER G.S.: True. I also like Passion - I pray for it every day.

FROM G.G. IN INDY: Great message! Please thank son David for the beer commercials...really fun to watch! I want to go to that old time Schlitz party. By the way, I lived this week with gusto, too. I held President Bill Clinton's hand at Hillary's headquarters in Indy on Tuesday night! Awesome!

FROM M.L. IN ILLINOIS: i am living this week with much gusto and not much down time!

FROM GOOD DEBT JON IN OHIO: Extreme gusto, enduring optimism, and eternal thankfulness. This morning I was talking with my wife about her cousin, dying of bone cancer. I try to remember the path others have to tread, whenever I feel sorry for myself because of my (mostly) self-inflicted short comings.

FROM J.D. IN MINNESOTA: PEPPY PENTECOST TO YOU. NOW THATS GUSTO!

FROM A PASTOR WHO USED TO DRIVE A BEER TRUCK: Grab the Gusto! Go for the gusto! And other lines were used in Schlitz commercials for years. I drove a Schlitz truck two summers while in college. Before the brand and brewery became the first Milwaukee brewery to die.

Jack’s Winning Words 5/8/08
“Every vision is a joke until the first person accomplishes it.” (Robert Goddard) Goddard is regarded as the founding father of the Space Age. He launched his first rocket in 1926 (before I was born). His father introduced him to science by showing him how to generate electricity by moving his shoes back and forth on the family carpet. I sometimes shocked people in this way when I gave them Holy Communion. Back to the quote. I remember when I first heard of magnetic credit cards. Unbelievable! ;-) Jack

FROM CWR IN B'MORE: It's interesting that both King and Obama were/are considered by many to be "jokesters".

FROM P.H. IN MICHIGAN: Sometime you'll have to expand on that "Holy Communion" comment....Enjoy a fabulous day, always full of opportunities. FROM JACK: Some churches have carpet in the altar area. When I walked on it, static electricity was created. Sometimes when I handed the bread to the communicant, a spark was set off, which caused both me and the communicant to jump. Of course, it could have been the Holy Spirit showing up, too.

FROM MOLINER G.S.: I really think you were listening on your Dad's crystal radio to Goddard's feat.

FROM GOOD DEBT JON IN OHIO: Roger Bannister and the 4 minute mile—no one ever thought it could be done. Personally I broke the 15 minute mile 4 times yesterday.

FROM MOLINER C.F.: Yeah, and Flash Gordon launched rockets long before he did. Talk about vision!

FROM A.W. IN IL: Goddard's work was not appreciated in the U.S. until the Nazi's got a head start and began sending buzz bombs and rockets on London. The U.S. was light years behind , hence the grab for the nazi rocket scientists at the close of WWII...... Goddard's quote is especially meaningful in light of the way he was treated by felllow scientists...who looked at him as a sort of crackpot. He became discouraged and quit trying to advance rocketry.

Jack’s Winning Words 5/7/08
“Pain is God’s megaphone.” (C.S. Lewis) Today’s devotional thought says that pain opens the door to a deeper spiritual awareness. When I was 16, I spent some time in the hospital. A regular visitor at that time was my Sunday School teacher. One day he gave me a book of daily religious readings which started me on a spiritual journey. God used the hospital and that man to affect change in my life. It can happen in your life, too. Listen for the voice of God. ;-) Jack

FROM CWR IN B'MORE: .....it does. Thanks.

FROM DAZ IN MICHIGAN: How about trigeminal neuralgia?

FROM GOOD DEBT JON IN OHIO: And prayer is our microphone to God. FOLLOWUP: I wasn’t going to send anything, but it seemed short and was a good juxtaposition for your WW. I love a good juxtaposition early in the morning.

FROM LK. IN OHIO: I like Lewis immensely and have, like you, read most of his writings. This "winning word(s)" is one of the best......I am viewing (again) the movie SHADOWLANDS. Have you seen?

FROM A.W. IN IL: I disagree with this one! I have seen pain become a paralyzing poison.
I have seen pain destroy faith, reason, hope, communication, love, and joy. Pain is not from God in my opinion as it seems so contradictory to God's love.

FROM B.S. NEAR ORLANDO: I could write a book about "if", If my mother insisted I learn to play the violin, If she hadn't shipped me out on a farm when my Pa went to the Vets hospital, if I could have pursued a career of "song and dance",If I had taken a different service school when in the Army, Jack we could go on all day. But I decided to go in one direction, and give it my all. Irene went with, thank goodness, except she could hav e done well on her own if she would have had backing. Our families cast us adrift early in life, but we made something out of life. But now son Rom has been shipped to Iraq. This is so devistating. Damn,Bush.

Jack’s Winning Words 5/6/08
“…and what did you do for someone today?” (Jack McConnell’s father) Each night at the supper table, Jack’s father would ask this question of each of his 7 children. It’s next to impossible to imagine this happening in today’s world. But if it were possible, and you were at the table, how would you answer? This continues a week of excerpts from the devotional book, Three Minutes A Day. ;-) Jack

FROM R.I. IN BOSTON: Altruism isn't selling these days. FROM JACK: You should have been to the meeting of our Optimist Club today where scholarships were awarded to outstanding students in our community. Some families did something right. The meeting concluded with about 50 people of all ages saying together:

FROM CJL IN OHIO: I listened.

FROM PR J.S. IN MICHIGAN: Did you see that Chauncey Billups won the NBA award this year for his outstanding charitable work? The Porter-Billups Academy sounds like a good deal.

FROM M.L. IN ILLINOIS: i'm going to use that question in pre-school circle time today. can't wait to hear the answers!

FROM G.G. IN INDY: It's primary day here.....I helped a friend locate her polling place so she could vote!

FROM MOLINER C.P.: We do something we feel is good for the environment , we take recyclable stuff to the recycle place. Hence , we have very little garbage for the garbage man.

Jack’s Winning Words 5/5/08
“Every individual matters. Every individual has a role to play. Every individual makes a difference.” (Jane Goodall Institute) Jane Goodall believes that informed and compassionate individuals can make a difference in preserving the environment. What is your role in making a difference? Jane Goodall is a good role model. This quote comes from Three Minutes A Day, a book of daily devotions that I use. ;-) Jack

FROM JFREEDSTER IN MICHIGAN: One of my highlights was meeting Jane Goodall! I'm a member of her Institute.

FROM G.F. IN MICHIGAN: Thank's I'm using this one.

FROM J.F. IN NOVA SCOTIA: On the front page of QRZ.COM (a ham radio site), down to the lower right, was a quote from Hegel to the effect that "The only thing we learn from history is that we don't learn from history." Then there was a counterquote from somebody to the effect that we don't learn from what happened to us yesterday--"Hegel must be taking the long view."

FROM B.S. NEAR ORLANDO: this is especally for all the granchildren, Love to all

Jack’s Winning Words
“God has entrusted me with myself.” (Epictetus) There used to be an expression by Flip Wilson that: The Devil made me do it. We like to find ways to blame others for our shortcomings. It ain’t gonna work! This quote from a famous Stoic philosopher says that we alone are responsible for our actions. Life is a great gift from God, and, with life, comes Free Will and whatever results from its use. Handle with care. ;-) Jack 5/2/08

FROM J.L. IN MICHIGAN: What an awesome responsibility...one ignored by most. I thank God everyday He made me and apologize each day for falling so short. However, with His Amazing Grace we can't go wrong. "He don't make junque!"

FROM R.I. IN BOSTON: That half dozen words reveals the totality of our personal responsibility. We have to see the light and take the heat.

FROM MOLINER G.S.: Then what does Bondage of the Will, by Martin Luther mean?

FROM M.E. IN CALIF: like this one.

FROM MOLINER C.F.: With a guy like me. God is too trusting. I'm sure He's still looking out for my best interests.

FROM PR J.S. IN MICHIGAN: "An enemy has done this!"

FROM PR G.W. IN TEXAS: Back in the day, I loved to watch The Flip Wilson Show on television. Many of his comedy sketches teetered on that thin line that distinguishes comedy from tragedy. When placed in situations where consequences for his bad choices were inevitable, Flip would shout in his own self-defense, “The devil made me do it!” It’s a cry I’ve often heard, and even been tempted to use myself, when one’s actions are held accountable by others. It’s easy to place the blame on others or circumstances or even the devil when caught in the web of bad choices and bad behavior. Sharing the blame for bad is easy.
If it’s so easy to place blame on the devil for the bad that we do, why isn’t as easy for us to give credit to the source of the good that we do? Sunday is Pentecost, the celebration of the birth of the Christian church and its empowering with the gift of the Holy Spirit. That gift of the Holy Spirit, given with Jesus’ gentle breath to the disciples in Sunday’s Good News, sent with the power of violent winds, fire-torched tongues and linguistic miracles, is the same Holy Spirit poured over our heads and into our hearts and minds in the waters of baptism. And that Holy Spirit is the reason we believe what believe, live as we live, do what we do and are what we are. When anyone asks why any one of us or all of us together do whatever good we are able to do, we should shout “The Spirit makes me do it!”

Jack’s Winning Words 5/1/08
“It’s time for us to cross the street.” (Evan Krauss) Harris-Stowe Univ. and SLU are separated by a street. The historic black school and the Jesuit school are making an attempt to better understand each other, to cross the street. We observe World Day of Prayer today; it’s an opportunity for people of various religious faiths to cross the street. Is there a street that you need to cross? BTW, in my mess I found this treasure…a note reminding me to look up information on Harris-Stowe. Yea! ;-) Jack

FROM J.L. IN MICHIGAN: Cross the street...build bridges...all terrific advice. Sometime we all need to do more of! May God bless us all today as we observe World Day of Prayer!

FROM T.L. IN MICHIGAN: I just want you to know that I read your Winning Words each day they are published, even though I haven’t responded in the blog. I love your thoughts, and each day, they provoke a thought or two in me. Sometime soon I want to treat myself to expounding in the blog.
Thanks for including me on your list.

FROM M.L. IN ILLINOIS: i have had my most meaningful spiritual awakenings by crossing many streets many times!

FROM PR C.H. ON CAPE COD: Amen brother! You're talking to me this morning. See, even though this is yesterday's e-mail today I found it as treasure amdidst the 211 e-mails I'm trying to wade through!

FROM BBC IN ILLINOIS: I love Milne and Winnie; what a great happy quote.

FROM B.S. NEAR ORLANDO: Great Idea: one time, lon g ago, I went with Eddie R. to a Synagog in New Orleans, where instead of just chewing the fat after the service, everyone commenced huggin ea ch other. This place was filled with young people, so I said to Eddie,"you never told me that you did this in your church". He started stammering, he said,"In Madison, we don't do this". So I said, Ya, Sure, you just want to keep all the chickies to your self. Bob. Ac tually Aunt Laura started this idea back in the 30's. We usually went to 4 or 5 different churches during the summer. Nifty idea.No just the girls idea, but people totally

Jack’s Winning Words 4/30/08
“One of the advantages of being disorderly is that one is constantly making exciting discoveries.” (A.A. Milne) Now I know what I’m going to do today. I going to attack a couple of piles of stuff on my desk and create some excitement. In seminary days, my roommate and I were like Oscar and Felix. I don’t think that either of us has changed. Messy desks tend to stay messy. I’ll let you know if I find any treasures. ;-) Jack

FROM VETTE BOB IN MICHIGAN: Never though of it that way before ??????

FROM MOLINER, B.G.: Todays "Winning Words"touched a nerve. It reminded me of a a saying that I had framed and kept on my desk at Temples, which decribed my desk. " Those of you who keep a neat desk, will never know the thrill of finding something thought lost foreverMy desk at home is still the same way. Old habits are hard to break.

FROM MOLINER G.S.: At least your messages aren't messy - they're usually very good. I enjoy opening them first thing.

FROM J.L. IN MICHIGAN: If you find any leftover $100's just let me know. I have a plan for them! :-) My area is usually clean, in fact, mostly all the time. However, my scrapbook room leaves a lot to be desired! This quote really tickled me because I love discoveries!

FROM E.D. IN AZ: I find that only when my desk is 'disorderly' (generally the case), i am productive in my research. Books, papers, articles, scrap notes with ideas, all mean that thoughts are flowing and i'm thinking. I like to think that my work space represents 'compiling thoughts' rather than 'compiling messes'

Jack’s Winning Words 4/29/08
“You learn something every day if you pay attention.” (Ray LeBlond) I hesitate to say that LeBlond’s words appear in a book: The Best Liberal Quotes Ever. But Plato, Abe Lincoln, Mark Twain and Dan Quayle are there, too. See, you what learn by reading Winning Words. Keep your eyes and ears (and mind) open to learn something new today. BTW, what does the word, liberal, mean to you? ;-) Jack

FROM JACK: It's unfortunate that in today's political debates between the Red and the Blue, the liberal and conservative, we have lost sight of where the word, liberal originated. It comes the the Latin, liber, which means free and not slave. Liberal stresses individual rights and freedom of thought. The Magna Carta was based on liberal thought. Many who first came to America did so because of their belief in liberalism. Liberty is a word that traces its meaning back to the Latin...fre and not slave.

FROM K.B. IN MICHIGAN: I am trying to pay more attention--sort of the old adage Talk less-listen more.

FROM S.H. IN MICHIGAN: Calvin has been feeling better today. Not another episode like yesterday. Though every time I let him out I checked all around on the ground to see if there was anything odd in our yard. He should be due for a checkup at the veterinarian soon, we always get a card from Dr. Chang about this time, and we'll be describing the symptoms to her to see what she thinks. It's really hard to see an animal suffering. Hard to see a person suffering. One never seems to be able to get a callous against feeling. Your Winning Words today certainly brought out a flurry of thought-provoking responses and some chuckles as well. You have a neat idea in this Winning Words, plus also your thoughts cradling them. I think it all births community. It's interesting to watch it happen.

FROM R.I. IN BOSTON: One may also learn something if NOT paying attention, often to one's detriment. I think "liberal" means generous, which can include the willingness to explore and tolerate points of view that go beyond our own personal preferences.

FROM PR B.G. IN MICHIGAN: Open-minded; willing to admit that I don’t know it all and need to be open to new discoveries.

FROM J.L. IN MICHIGAN: Liberal is a way of looking at things and a life-style and is the opposite of conservative.....somewhat. They have actually switched meanings, as has the Red State and Blue State. People have to be very careful not to pigeon hole too quickly. The hatred in politics is frightening. Hopefully, we can move past that and get to the issues together. I like the quote. As my grandma used to say, "If you aren't learning you aren't living!"

FROM D.C. IN KANSAS: My preference is to be described as "open" or "closed." One can be conservative or liberal, but being "closed" is not my liking.

FROM PR J.S. IN MICHIGAN: I learned somewhere along the line to be very careful when listening to liberals!!!

FROM FISH PIANO IN MICHIGAN: I, too, have a very messy desk and the top of my piano is the same.Hopefully, both of us will find some surprises.When Dave was alive he used to say my filing system was by geological strata!!!!!!!!

FROM MOLINER C.F.: Yeah, and I found a dental bill that was six months old.

FROM P.O. IN MICHIGAN: I'm Felix, my dauhter is Oscar --- unfortunately for me it's her house

FROM B.S. NEAR ORLANDO: My mother once said to me,"keep your mouth shut or you will let people know how dumbyou are", so I need to think about your question.

Jack’s Winning Words 4/28/08
“If dogs have a heaven, there’s one thing I know…Old Shep has a wonderful home.” (Red Foley) A confirmation student came to class on the day that her dog died. She asked if her pet would be in heaven. I made the mistake of giving her a theological answer. Maybe I should have used Red Foley’s words. What do you think? I have a book in my library: Will My Dog Go To Heaven? (How to answer your child’s religious questions) Chapter 32: “What is the Goal of Christian Training?” ;-) Jack

FROM A.M. IN MICHIGAN: It's not a question of "will there be?". It's more like "will we be able to contain the magnificent essence of what they are?". The day I buried my mom, I went for a walk and came across a guy playing with a puppy on his front lawn. In spite of my sadness, I stopped and laughed at the delightful scene. The puppy was being exactly what God made it to be.

FROM L.K. IN OHIO: My reply would have been something like, "absolutely, one God, one universe, one heaven, for all God's creation." Then I would have reviewed my notes from a great college course I took in World Religions.

FROM JACK: In cas you're interested, here's the link to Old Shep, sung by the composer, Red Foley.
http://www.clydefoleycummins.com/Audio/OldShep.htm

FRPM S.H. IN MICHIGAN: Just a couple of minutes before I read your Winning Words, I was reading Miriam Woolbert's e-mail of scripture here and just basking in the thought that God's covenant was between Himself and all creatures. Last night Calvin, our dog, had some kind of a problem--we were wondering if he had had a slight stroke or if he had eaten something outside--even if he had eaten something poisoneous. He seemed like he was drunk, had trouble standing, finally got over to the couch where he could lie down like he usually does and then, after a bit, seems to be all right again. I'm not leaving the house today so as to be able to keep an eye on him until we are more sure he is OK. But whatever the problem was I prayed cryingly for God to be his Shepherd, to be with him even though he might be walking through the valley of the shadow of death, to prepare a banquet for him in front of his enemies, to annoint his head with oil, to make his cup runneth over, that surely goodness and mercy should follow him all the days of his life and he shall dwell in the House of the Lord forever. Jerry and I grew up on farms and our dogs and cats were always outside. You know when people keep their pets inside, it seems like a different relationship develops. God knows something about us wherever we go and whatever we do and the longer I live and experience life and the longer I read the Bible I keep finding out that there is something in There to cover every emergency and situation and just wonderfully thankful that God told Noah and his family to bring all those animals into his ark-house like Jerry and I are doing with Calvin and Luna and wonderfully reassured that God's covenant is with them too. So thankful today. Nice to read your Winning Words today and I will be very interested in all the responses

FROM J.N. IN MICHIGAN: I heard a line years ago that goes with today's Winning Words, "If dogs can't go to Heaven, I don't want to go there."Theologically, we're in trouble with that, but to any heart-sick dog lover in mourning, I understand. Once heard someone say that only loving dogs are close to God's love.

FROM MOLINER C.F.: Do dogs have a soul? Therein lies the answer. JACK'S RESPONSE: Who's to say?

FROM M.T. IN PENNA: You gave a good example of something I would sum up this way: A really good answer responds to needs; not just to the words in the question. Thank you for Winning Words! I enjoy this little treat each day. Here's something that I remembered just this morning. I heard it when I was in the throes of late teenage angst about a girl. In trying to get her interested in me, I was trying way too hard. I don't who originally said this, but it eased my mind: "A flower can die from too much water, as easily as from not enough." P.S. She never became my 'girlfriend', but we did become friends.

FROM M.L. IN ILLINOIS: all dogs go to heaven. there is a sweet film to prove it! THE FILM: it is called,"all dogs go to heaven". it was out in the late 1980's or early 1990's, an animated tale of the afterlife of dogs.
heaven can't be proven and while we're at it... if a tree falls in the forest and noone is there to hear it...does it make a noise?

FROM J.L. IN MICHIGAN: When my friend's dog died unexpectedly, they asked her if Rags went to Heaven. She told them, being a good Christian, of course not....they (dogs) don't have souls. Her girls were heartbroken. I wished she would have told them about the sparrow or this quote. God loves all He has made and I can't believe His doesn't remember each and every little creature in His vast universe. Whether they go to Heaven or not is not the question, but He surely loves them all....and His love would encompass the wonderfully loving furry animals named "dog."

FROM PR J.S. IN MICHIGAN: My answer to that question has always been "I hope so. But you know that is up to God. What I know of God is that he is willing to save human beings who are willful and have wrecked a good part of God's world. I would guess that gives dogs, etc. a pretty good shot at it."

FROM CWR IN B'MORE: .......GREAT ONE......someone asked me a few years ago "why did you marry again after all of these years?" ...and my response was, "because my dog died." His name was Shep and for over a decade, Shep and I were inseparable. I inherited him when he was four. He was a tri-color Collie, pet therapy, show dog and a constant companion at home and on long walks. He even had a bed in my room. He weighed 107 lbs, and hardly fit in my car, so was not a good traveller. But when at home, I was certainly not living alone. Thanks for that Winning Word. As for "heaven", I'm not so sure, but wherever I wind up , I expect Shep to be there. That's how faithful he was.

FROM J.B.: As a dog lover, I'd like to think there will be dogs in heaven to continue to bring joy to people as they have for so many years. God has given us so many wonderful things to enjoy in this world, but in heaven we probably will not be quite the same as we are here. I'm sure God in His infinite wisdom has, as always, a perfect plan.

FROM MOLINER G.S.: To glorify Christ and serve Him by the choices we make.

FROM PR P.H. IN MINNESOTA: Al Rogness once noted that if your eternal happiness is somehow contingent on having your favorite pet in heaven, it will there. I liked his comment.

FROM CJL IN OHIO: I think Red's answer is sufficient. It is reassuring and non-committal. Sounds much like a politician's answer to questions they get...

FROM ANON: Interesting how dog salvation gets twice the traffic as questions of human salvation. When I saw the question this morning I figured it would create a lot of conversation.
I think Matthew 7 or wherever the verse is about the wide path and narrow gate is a bigger problem. It would be ashamed for us to be elsewhere while Fido was in heaven. Of course my little Dachshund, Harriett, is so cute God is going to want her back, regardless of his canine policy.

FROM J.B. IN MI: A man and his dog were walking along a road. The man was enjoying the s cenery, when it suddenly occurred to him that he was dead. He remembered dying, and that the dog walking beside him had been dead for years. He wondered where the road was leading them. After a while, they came to a high, white stone wall along one side of the road. It looked like fine marble. At the top of a long hill, it was broken by a tall arch that glowed in the sunlight.When he was standing before it he saw a magnificent gate in the arch that looked like mother-of-pearl, and the street that led to the gate looked like pure gold. He and the dog walked toward the gate, and as he got closer, he saw a man at a desk to one side. When he was close enough, he called out, 'Excuse me, where are we?' 'This is Heaven, sir,' the man answered. 'Wow! Would you happen to have some water?' the man asked.'Of course, sir. Come right in, and I'll have some ice water brought right up.' The man gestured, and the gate began to open.'Can my friend,' gesturing toward his dog, 'come in, too?' the traveler asked. I'm sorry, sir, but we don't accept pets.'The man thought a moment and then turned back toward the road and continued the way he had been going with his dog. After another long walk, and at the top of another long hill, he came to a dirt road leading through a farm gate that looked as if it had never been closed. There was no fence.As he approached the gate, he saw a man inside, leaning against a tree and reading a book.'Excuse me!' he called to the man. 'Do you have any water?' 'Yeah, sure, there's a pump over there, come on in.' 'How about my friend here?' the traveler gestured to the dog.'There should be a bowl by the pump.' They went through the gate, and sure enough, there was an old-fashioned hand pump with a bowl beside it.The traveler filled the water bowl and took a long drink himself, then he gave some to the dog.When they were full, he and the dog walked back toward the man who was standing by the tree. What do you call this place?' the traveler asked.'This is Heaven,' he answered. 'Well, that's confusing,' the traveler said. 'The man down the road said that was Heaven, too.''Oh, you mean the place with the gold street and pearly gates? Nope. That's hell.''Doesn't it make you mad for them to use your name like that?''No, we're just happy that they screen out the folks who would leave their best friends behind.'

Jack’s Winning Words 4/25/08
“It’s pathetic to hear mosquitoes cough.” (Old Swedish Expression) The late Krister Stendahl used this quote, saying that we sometimes get so caught up in defending the Bible that it kills the joy in reading it and practicing it.. Yes, we often pay so much attention to coughing mosquitoes that we miss what’s really important. And it’s not just with regard to the Bible. ;-) Jack

FROM G.G. IN INDY: so true, so true...it's like..."I could be SO happy if only those darn mosquitos would stop coughing!"

FROM MOLINER G.S.: Hm................... gotta think on this one........... Does that also mean that we can be so heavenly concerned that we're no earthly good?

FROM MOLINER C.F.: If a mosquito coughs in the forest, does it make a noise?

FROM J.L. IN MICHIGAN: One of the strangest expressions I have ever heard!!! The Bible is very simple and direct...no hidden messages. Do do tend to get caught up in the most unimportant aspect of life don't we? Let's put the emphasis on the important ones this weekend! Blessings everyone!

FROM J.T. IN MICHIGAN: Jack, this reminds me of a talk that Fr. Len Crobot gave some 30 years ago. He referred to things we do as "pole vaulting over an ant hill."

FROM J.C. IN HONG KONG: Huh? Methinks some expressions are better left in Sweden!?!
MORE FROM J.C.: I found Stendahl's article. It's self-indulgent and frivolous, not WW-worthy material at all. Perhaps it's better suited for SUPERCILIOUS WORDS, where most arrogant liberal THINKING belongs.

FROM B.S. NEAR ORLANDO: Thank you Krister Stendahl. I appreciate your help in catching the important facts and solutions.
MORE FOM B.S.: I worked on a farm owned by Eunice and Pat Sandin, Eunice was a childhood friend of my mother, and daughter of Grandpa Carl and Grandma Hammer. Eunice didn't know how to cook very well but her mother was a better cook and baker than my mother. I earned $2.00 a week for about a 92 hr week in the summer, and a 56 hr week during school days. So I had $2.00 a week for my ride to Wilmot every day, and for the hot lunch, and a 5cent ice cream from Hageman's Drug Store at lunch time, except when Mz Bessie Barnes let us dance students borrow her equipement, so we could practice our dance steps during the noon hour. I am glad the Good Lord shared "Youth" with me during those years. But they didn't teach me Swedish.

Jack’s Winning Words 4/24/08
“The first step to getting the things you want out of life is this: Decide what you want.” (Ben Stein) This quote is a continuation of the thought process on Saving the Environment. What kind of a planet do we want? What kind of person will lead us in making the changes that are necessary? How much consumerism are we willing to forego? The first step is always the hardest. Not to decide is to decide. ;-) Jack

FROM MKH AT THE FD: Sometimes these babies really hit home!!! Have a great day!!
MORE FROM MKH: Peace not too much to ask? Tee Hee Hee!!

FROM PR J.S. IN MICHIGAN: Aomost contradicts yesterdays Winning Words, doesn't it?
MORE FROM J.S.: What you said at the end contradicts what you said at the beginning. You want more than what you have. You want a different President. So do I. I am not satisfied with a President who is fouling up our country and I will strive to make it different. I can't buy into that one from yesterday because it would tell me to be satisfied with GWB. Jesus wasn't too satisfied with the way things were going either. So he climbed on a cross and changed them. I vote for that kind of change.....

FROM MOLINER, G.S.: Have you seen the Ben Stein movie, Expelled? Thought provoking.

FROM MOLINER, C.F.: Obama said it best. "America is the greatest country on this planet. Please join me in changing it." (paraphrased but correst in its interpretation)

FROMCWR IN B'MORE:........the key, it seems to me, is our capitalistic excesses, our over indulgences, and our refusal to accept that the "justice" (ala Marcus Borg) segment of Jesus' "love, JUSTICE, and peace" is a direct reference to money.....remember that "the WAY", the first followers of the "risen Christ" , was a communal group, a "kabbutz", "from each according to his ability, to each according to his need"...........sound familiar...... Karl Marx. Nobody promised Christians a "rose garden"..... and as "Jesus people" , as people who give, it means giving until it HELPS.....the whole global environment, not only the climate and global warming, but our very "soul", as a person of "God" , is at stake..........."What kind of Planet DO we want?"

FROM J.L. IN MICHIGAN: To live is to change, and to be perfect is to have changed often. John Henry Newman MORE FROM J.L.: LOVE Ben Stien...he has it right....but be VERY careful what you want as you may get it! Beware! By flimsy attempts to "save" the planet, we just may destroy it. MORE FROM J.L.: I love to read the WW's. They do get you thinking and I like to read what the others think. It's extremely interesting to read the comments because sometimes they are so far from what I was thinking about the quotes. Which is just wonderful. I'ts always good to listen (read) different comments and ideas because you just might have missed the boat! :-) Keep sending those WW's!

FROM B.D. IN MICHIGAN: 'When you were saying good-bye, I heard you say, 'I wish you enough'. May I ask what that means?'. She began to smile. 'That's a wish that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone'.. She paused a moment and looked up as if trying to remember it in detail and she smiled even more. 'When we said , 'I wish you enough', we were wanting the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them'. Then turning toward me, she shared the following as if she were reciting it from memory. I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the day may appear. I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more. I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting. I wish you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger. I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting. I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess. I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.

FROM PR A.W. IN ILLINOIS: Reminds me of first line of the book "How to be a Millionaire". FIRST YOU WANT TO HAVE A MILLION." Al W. Guess I never wanted it bad enough.)

Jack’s Winning Words 4/23/08
“Happiness is wanting what you have.” (Susan Ager bought a tile with these words on it) In her Free Press column she goes on to say that longing for stuff breeds misery. She sees a similarity between Bobby McFerrin and the Dalai Lama. Do you see it? Susan also mentions an organization, Center For a New American Dream, whose motto is “More fun, less stuff..” (www.new dream.org) This sort of reminds me of Dorothy’s words in The Wizard of Oz: “There’s no place like home.” ;-) Jack

FROM A.S. IN MICHIGAN: Having "stuff" makes life more complicated as we age I think.It takes more thought,time and energy just to deal with the every day things in life,leaving less for "stuff". Speaking of stuff is your train interest centered in steam or diesel or both;I started a steam collection but stopped(too much "stuff"). Love the sounds of both steam and diesel!

FROM PR P.H. IN MINNESOTA: all advertising is designed to do one thing: make us feel unsatisfied with what we have and desirous of what we don't have. we can never be contented according to Madison Ave.

FROM EMT SINGS IN MICHIGAN: I've always enjoyed Susan Agars columns. The more so as I had both of her Grandma's in the nursing home in Livonia that I worked at. I enjoyed seeing her parents visit them and then get some of her insights from columns that she wrote. Such an interesting life I have! (Being an observer of the human scene!)

FROM A.M. IN MICHIGAN: I have not read the Free Press in years and Agar was not a favorite of mine when I read it. But I do agree with this quote. Being satisfied with what one has brings great peace and comfort.

FROM B.S. NEAR ORLANDO: we were so happy to get what we needed, to getsome thing we wanted took a lot of engineuity explaining, but to little effect, we didn't have the money, except when the children pointed out they didn't have as many exercizing toys such as wagons, trikes, scooters, etc. as the kids across the street whose father operated a whore house. nuf sed. Bob. sure there are times when U must bite the bullet and respond to the children. It's too bad the economy isn't turned around and give new families the money they need and the old folks don't need as much.

Jack’s Winning Words 4/22/08
“Our beautiful world is facing many crises. It’s not a time to pretend everything’s good.” (Dalai Lama) On Sunday afternoon I saw and heard the Dalai Lama give a lecture at the University of Michigan on “saving the environment.” He spoke of the need for all of us, across the world, to work together on this project. We can’t go on ignoring that which is happening around us. When Ben was a little boy, a flight attendant asked him where he was from. His serious reply was: “Planet Earth.” He had it right. ;-) Jack

FROM R.I. IN BOSTON: Every day there are so many simple ways by which each of us can contribute to saving Planet Earth. If only we could get everyone to make a serious commitment to participate. By dealing with it now we may at least be able to maintain the status quo. As we begin to lose more species and natural resources, the spiral downward just accelerates, and it won't be a comfortable ride.

FROM SDG IN TAMPA: The quote in the Tampa Tribune today about the Dalai Lama with the headline "Lighten Up. People" is "Many sufferings are the result of cherishing one's own self-interest. You must cherish others in the same way you cherish your own body." My own experience on Earth Day was when Les and I happened to fly up to Washington D.C. the day after Earth Day had been celebrated on the Mall, and I had never seen so much trash strewn over a single location in my life. That must have been sometime in the 80's.

FROM G.G. IN INDY: from the mouths of babes ......"For the Beauty of the Earth, for the Beauty of the Skies"

FROM GOOD DEBT JON: “How easily we could reform a nation, if everyone would see to his own reformation.” Samuel Smiles circa 1859 If everyone would sweep the street in front of their home soon the entire nation would be clean. It takes individual(s) action to make progress on reformation. If reformation comes it must come by innovation (new fuels and systems) and change of individual actions. Not by preaching and taxation and regulation. Idiotic ideas like banning .39 cent light bulbs for $4 mercury-laden so-called compact fluorescent bulbs is nothing more than a tax on the poor as are increased calls for ethanol dramatically increasing food prices for all of us. Both the bulb ban and the ethanol push have the unintended consequences of increasing exactly what the propose to solve.

FROM MOLINER, LFP: How cool you got to hear the Dalai Lama!

FROM J.L. IN MICHIGAN: A group of young boys practice their skateboarding in our cul-de-sac. They leave their water bottles, chip bags etc., on our lawns. I approached one of them one day and was talking to him. They are actually all nice guys. I asked them about leaving their trash around, and they apologized, and so far so good. But one of their comments really struck me. He said, "The planet's doomed anyway...that's all we hear on the news!" And they all agreed....why should they bother...they were doomed! THEY are the next generation!!!! The news is we are doomed, from "toxic waste", "global warming", "pollution", "glacial melting", "holes in the Ozone", "acid rain", etc etc etc. We should research the different scientists...not the "forecasters of doom" or the sensationalists. Yes, I believe we should respect, take care of and be smart about our planet as it is the only one we have....but we have to keep it in perspective and be intelligent not hysterical!

FROM J.O. IN MICHIGAN: These "words" just mess me up because they take my head out of my daily routine (that's not a bad thing) and reinforce the notion that there's more to life than simply survival. That is so good for me...

FROM A.S. IN MICHIGAN: Claudia,Tim ,Lisa and the kids were there also.They were happy for having the opportunity to see and hear him!

Jack’s Winning Words 4/21/08
“There is always the mystery.” (Stephen Elkins-Williams) Science is a way of thinking that holds all material things as tentative. Imagine a circle. Inside is all the stuff we can verify. The infinite area outside of the circle represents the unknown, the mystery. As the circle enlarges, the infinite is still the infinite. Religion helps us organize our thoughts about the mystery. Today’s quote is from a recent article in USA Today. Let me know if you want more. I love a mystery, Don’t you? ;-) Jack

FROM JFREEDSTER: I was expecting to see a Dalai Lama quote

FROM P.B.: I have long believed that though science can not verify faith, still there is nothing incompatable between the two.

FROM M.L. IN ILLINOIS: iris dement sings a great song entitled, "let the mystery be". you should look it up.

IRIS SINGS: Sounds like "more" to me. I like organizing the infinite and infinite. My mind is too small to encompass much.

FROM GOOD DEBT JON: I must be a slow learner. I am totally occupied by the inner circle. I don’t particularly like mysteries or fiction. If I consider the scope of what is known—against what I don’t know—I think I can stay pretty busy. As the circle enlarges at an exponential rate it’s doubtful I may ever see the edge.

FROM J.L. IN MICHIGAN: Life is becoming more and more a mystery to me....where did I leave my glasses....it's a mystery....why did I come into this room....it's a mystery....where is the remote.....once again, a mystery....did I mail that letter....infinite mystery.....etc etc etc....life is a mystery!

FROM MOLINER, A.E.: You are dating yourself stating you enjoy "I Love a mystery" Wasn't that on Tuesday evenings on WLS Chicago on the Philco Radio? The Shadow Knows, as does Jack Armstrong, and Captain Midnight. I doubt if Tom Mix and Orphan Anne can Recall.

FROM MOLINER C.F.: "I Love a Mystery" sounds like an old radio show. Surely you are too youmg to remember that.

FROM KZB IN COLORADO: Hi! This is well-written (probably because I agree with it!) Ha! This is my favorite part: "As we use science to expand our knowledge, the circle gets bigger. Because its circumference represents the boundary between the known and the unknown, a bigger circle makes us aware of more mystery. Every scientific discovery raises new questions. The mystery, being infinite, is never diminished. Infinity minus one is still infinity."

FROM J.T. IN MINNESOTA: Sounds like "more" to me. I like organizing the infinite and infinite. My mind is too small to encompass much. I continue to appreciate your WW.

FROM MOLINER A.E.: Yesterday is history. Tomorrow a mystery. Today is a gift. That's why it's called the present! Live and savor every moment...this is not a dress rehearsal!

Jack’s Winning Words 4/18/08
“Don’t worry about tomorrow. God is already there. (Also read Jeremiah 29:11)” (Unknown) I came across this quote when I was recently in Minnesota. I know some people who are going through some difficult times. Perhaps you do, too. This would seem to be good advice for them. In fact, it’s good advice for all of us, isn’t it? ;-) Jack

FROM J.L. IN MICHIGAN: I love this quote! How wonderful to know God is there before us always! I know quite a few who are suffering either with health, family issues, money problems, etc. And I plan on sending this quote to them! It's a very uplifting thought!

FROM SDG IN TAMPA: That is definitely the way you have to live-one day at a time. Some are much harder than others. When things are calm, the best is to enjoy each day. In Moline my relatives had gathered over 20 at a brunch which was great, and then we visited two who were in the hospital with pneumonia and one who was at home and who was unable to attend because she had had her leg amputated. But it was great to see everyone. I count my blessings every day.

FROM MOLINER C.F.: Who worries about tomorrow? At our age, we need to worry about today. But then God's here too.

FROM KZB IN COLORADO: This is a great one. I have started my Stephen Ministry to an elderly woman, and this will be a great thing to share with her. :)

FROM D.M. IN MICHIGAN: Thanks for consistently helping me to see light! Very recently my husband lost his mother and one of his closest friends. I'll share your quote. It is most inspiring. JACK'S RESPONSE: When my mother was dying in a nursing home (a two-week stay), one of the workers came into the room and opened the window. My sister asked why he was doing this. He replied that in his country, it was the custom to do this in order to let the spirit of the dying person escape and unite with the Spirit of God.

Jack’s Winning Words 4/17/08
“Time is but the stream I go fishin’ in.” (Thoreau) I’m not into fishin’ for fish, but I do like to hook on to new ideas. Last Sunday the preacher mentioned “The Sandwich Generation.” I hadn’t heard that expression before. These are the parents who have young children to care for, and they’re also responsible to care for their aging parents. You can learn stuff if you go fishin’ for it. ;-) Jack
QUESTION: Do you remember The Banana Man and would like to see him again?

FROM B.D. IN MICHIGAN: I like to fish also, but for food.

FROM M.A. AND RAY IN MICHIGAN: We must be older then you, as we don't remember the banana man - at least not today!!!!

FROM R.I. IN BOSTON: Your opening quote and your end question reminded me of a striking story I read years ago. If you can find it, read J. D. Salinger's short story "A Perfect Day For Bananafish." JACK'S RESPONSE: Now, that's an interesting story.

FROM MOLINER C.F.: The "Banana Man" was very appealing. Or did I slip up? JACK'S RESPONSE: This reminds me of the girl who said about a blind date:"He was the apple of his mother's eye, but he wasn't appealing to me."

FROM MOLINER A.E.: "I will make you fishers of men, if you follow me." (Jesus Christ) Amen!

FROM J.L. IN MICHIGAN: There was nothing like sitting on the banks of the AuSable in front of my parent's house and fishing for trout! Then the DNR designated fly fishing only, and catch and release....and the landowners gave the stretch of river the name of "The Holy Waters". My dad's name was Chappel and his next neighbor were the Blessings! How about that? MORE FROM J.L.: We watched a few programs and the Captain and Mr. Greenjeans was one of our favorites!

FROM P.O. IN MICHIGAN: The Banana Man? --- that's a new one for me.

FROM J.G. IN MINNESOTA: We belonged to a small group, at church, called "The Sandwich Generation" for awhile. Now the group is divided because it became too large and new names have been chosen.
We do not know The Banana Man.

FROM MOLINER LFP: I've heard this "sandwich generation" term lately, as well. Has there ever been a generation that wasn't a "sandwich generation"?

Jack’s Winning Words 4/11/08
“I like the saying, ‘Life is hard, but God is good.’” (Tony Dungy) I can imagine that he spoke this to his football team when some were complaining about hard workouts. He had a way of connecting the present circumstance with what he learned from his parents when he was growing up. Is there something that comes to mind for you? ;-) Jack
BTW…1) I’ll be gone for a few days next week. 2) Some of you may not be getting WWs, because of spam filters. Check to see if my mailings are listed as “safe.”

FROM PR J.S. IN MICHIGAN: sometimes life is hard and sometimes it isn't. God is always good. It doesn't depend on the "situation."

FROM B.S. NEAR ORLANDO: Oneday we were making hay ( the old fashioned way ) and itstarted raining, O I thought, Quick get this hay to the hay mow before it gets wet, so I took the reins and said giddy up to the team. And Uncle repremanded me, he said "work faster".

Jack’s Winning Words 4/10/08
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11) From the time that he was a child, Tony Dungy’s mother taught him to read and appreciate the Bible. Who was to know that a passage like this one from Jeremiah would be able to help him endure some of the really difficult times in his life? Have there been Bible verses or other writings that have helped you to endure? ;-) Jack

FROM R.I. IN BOSTON: During my eight years of elementary school we studied the Bible and memorized many verses. All of them were pertinent to various aspects of life, the trials we would face, and the hope those Biblical references offered. Over the years those verses have come back to me repeatedly, and provided the support, comfort and strength that kept me going.

FROM YOOPER, PR B.L.: Yep! Exodus 3:7-8a Isaiah 50:4 I Cor. 15:3-9

FROM MOLINER, G.S.: Matt 6:34 (anxiety in college), Malachi 3:10 (running a business), Romans 8:28 (business, life), Phil 4:13(getting fired), Isaiah 40:31(heart attack from overexercise), 1John 5:14-15 (life)

FROM D.P.: The verse that immediately came to me was Proverbs 3; 5&6----"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledgehim, and he will make straight your paths." Someone sent me this verse 57 years ago after I had 2nd and 3rd degree burns on 65% of my body while in college. That Bible verse nurtured me then, and has continued to guide me throughout my life, including accepting the death of my spouse.

FROM PR C.H. ON CAPE COD: This is one of my favorite verses too!

FROM B.S. NEAR ORLANDO: This sounds like the original "Positive thinking".

Jack’s Winning Words 4/9/08
“Blanket rules don’t always fit every individual. I need to treat everybody fairly, but fair doesn’t always mean equal.” (Tony Dungy) I’m going to finish the week with a few more quotes from Tony’s book. Today’s words were spoken to his football team. Blanket rules don’t fit my style, either. I think that FAIR is a good word. And I lean toward Situation Ethics, too, but that’s another story. ;-) Jack

FROM S.M. IN MICHIGAN: Situation Ethics? Hmmm…what comes first? The situation…or the ethical behavior?

FROM M.L. IN ILLINOIS: i like the term situation ethics. JACK'S RESPONSE: A book was published a few years ago with the title: Situation Ethics. It caused quite a stir, because it presented issues as not simply black or white, but as gray. There are nots of gray areas.

FROM N.E. IN S.H.: Awesome quote..........I am printing this one out for my kids! As a parent of 4 very different children, I thank you!

FROM PR J.S. IN MICHIGAN: Situation ethics are unethical!!! JACK'S RESPONSE: It depends on the situation.
AND FROM J.S.: That very sentence demonstrates why it is unethical.

FROM MOLINER C.F.: "What's fair is fair. What's unfair is what happens to me fairly often. Fair enough?" (Couldn't resist the word play, Jack.)
MORE FROM C.F.: "You can be fair to some of the people all of the time and fair to all of the people some of the time, but you can't be fair to all of the peoplle all of the time - Abe Schwartz.

FROM D.S. IN MICHIGAN: So so true

FROM L.H. ON MARCO: What a great message to give to our young people; lets bend the rules; the rules apply to some people, but not to you. What a roll model this guy is! JACK'S QUESTION: Is there a note of sacasm in your answer? AND L.H. RESPONDS: I guess my reaction is shock that you might agree with what that guy is saying. He doesn't believe in right and wrong; only what he believes is fair, and what is fair is what he feels at the time and it may not apply to everyone.

FROM PR CJL IN OHIO: This I want to hear... JACK'S RESPONSE: Read the blog.

FROM M.L. IN ILLINOIS: i have to read the book. many situations require discernment. do you read much deepak chopra? you'd like him. love, a fellow think-to-harder

FROM B.S. NEAR ORLANDO: Irene sez"especialoly when you are dealing with the grandchildren"

MORE FROM B.S.: great thought. there is more to football than what origianlly hits the eye.

Jack’s Winning Words 4/8/08
“Talent is God-given; be thankful. Praise is man-given; be humble. Conceit is self-given; be careful.” (Dave Driscoll) NFL coach, Tony Dungy, quoted this in his book, Quiet Strength. I hope the players and the coaches in last night’s NCAA championship basketball game follow that advice. The players showed talent, and they were praised. Now they have to be careful. So do we all. Congratulations, Jayhawks! ;-) Jack

FROM IRMAGIRL, J.B.: I read Tony Dungy's book too. I admire him and think he is such a fine human being.

FROM B.S. NEAR ORLANDO: Sounds great, something to read over several times.To imprint on one's mind.

Jack’s Winning Words 4/7/08
“Life is not waiting for the storm to pass, but learning to dance in the rain.” (Unknown—Sent by C.F.) I never learned to dance, but I have always enjoyed watching people jitterbug, polka and do the chicken dance. More importantly, my faith has been strengthened by watching those who’ve been able to dance in the rain. Have you known people like that? ;-) Jack

FROM B.S. NEAR ORLANDO: It is interesting how our lives mesh. Yesterday I mowed part of our lawn in the rain. I would have mowed more but my wife gave me negative vibes instead of encouraging me to work faster. The pain in my hips was duled by a full Vicodin tablet, and was tolerated because the flowering weeds in our lawn were dissappearing with every pass of the mower. So we had some negatives and positives, and I am certain my blood sugar dropped. However it did start raining ferocously, and the Good Lord sent lightning, so I stopped, to wait out the storm. This activity is hard on shoes , bad on shoes. but thanks for the E-mail, it brings back so many, many memories. I am crying. I am truely sorry to find out you don't dance. If we had known, I think we would have driven down to your house and taught you. Mz Bessie Barnes was my savior, she taught us dancing at Wilmot for 10cents an hour, and she developed the transformation that led to tremendous joy and inspiration. Dancing was more than an art form, it was a participation in a culture handed down by our forefathers. It was a successful entry into a socialized world, it was a real blessing. Hey, and it was great exercise and you could hold a chickie in your arms. Wow, what memories.

FROM CWR IN B'MORE: .....good one Jack. I'm trying to do that.

FROM M.L. IN ILLINOIS: i took some of my first dancing lessons in the rain! i also learned to look for the rainbows as the sun peeks through. the sun always peeks through-sooner or later. thanks to god and earth angels!

FROM MOLINER L.P.: I'm doing my darndest to dance in the rain. Is it ok to use my umbrella?

FROM J.L. IN MICHIGAN: One of my favorite memories of my parents, were watching them dance together. They both loved to danced, and danced very well...they flowed across the floor. We had many many family parties down our basement and dancing was something we always did as an extended family. And they always encouraged us to dance....ESPECIALLY in the rain....some of my best memories!

FROM S.H. IN MICHIGAN: Wednesday we are going to have a Memorial Service for Alice. She lived at the Health Care Center, on a ventilator and a feeding tube. She was under the care of a legal guardian and there has been hardly any information given out about her death. She danced in the rain and, because she showed a person could dance in the rain even with very limited abilities, a lot of us have learned not to be so afraid of the rain. These are the reflections my intention is to share at the Memorial Service that I passed to her Pastor to see if they made sense to him and, since the Winning Words for today ask if we know someone who danced in the rain, it is my pleasure to pass them on to you too, honoring the memory of Alice.

FROM PR J.S. IN MICHIGAN: How do you live without dancing in the rain? What is the option? Crawling in a hole and dying there?

FROM PR F.M. IN WISCONSIN: One of the blessings in being a pastor is meeting a lot of people who have danced in the rain. I recall the president of a parish I served 20 years ago as interim pastor. She was a very devoted teacher, a great mother and wonderful wife, but in addition to attempting to provide leadership in a young parish whose pastor had just left his wife and two children, Carol was diagnosed with terminal cancer. After church, on a Sunday when I had used the 23rd Psalm as the text, Carol came up to me and thanked me for the sermon - I had spoken of mountain top days, days at the banquet table, days down in the valley and days which were common - like walking on level ground. Carol said, my life for the recent past has been mainly in the valley - but for me, even days on level ground are mountain top days! Just one of many folks I have come to know and love who knew how to dance in the rain.

FROM MOLINER A.E.: Gene Kelley? I'll try tonight as it is gonna rain.

FROM B.S. NEAR ORLANDO: I just wish my parents were still alive, and Unc John and Aunt Laura, They preached this all their lives, and hope fully I listened ( most of the time ). It worked.

Jack’s Winning Words 4/4/08
“We live in a Newtonian world of Einsteinium physics, ruled by Frankensteinian logic.” (David Russell) I think that this quote correctly describes the world around me. This leads me to ask: Was the Frankenstein monster, good or bad? Is the world good or bad? A somewhat unrelated question…Did you see the Mel Brooks’ movie, Young Frankenstein? ;-) Jack

FROM P.O. IN MICHIGAN: No, but people keep telling me I need to rent and watch it!

FROM N.W. IN MICHIGAN: We live in a Newtonian world of Einsteinium physics, ruled by Frankensteinian logic and run by buffoonian politicians.

FROM A.M. IN MICHIGAN: Yes, and do you remember Marty Feldman's Character? Walk this way! Now that was funny!

FROM CWR IN B'MORE: excellent.....

FROM M.L. IN ILLINOIS: poor frankenstein-a product of his environment. when treated with kindness and dignity he reflected those characteristics. when treated with hated and fear, well you know what happened. lesson learned? be kind to all you meet.

FROM R.I. IN BOSTON: "...and uplifted by Bernsteinian music." Sure did see Young Frankenstein...I've always been interested in science. FROM JACK: > Every time Frau Blücher's name is mentioned, horses are heard > whinnying as if afraid of her name. Many viewers mistakenly believe > that Blücher means "glue" in German; however, Blücher is a well-known > German surname.[4] The German term for glue is der Kleber, or tierischer Leim for animal glue. > Brooks suggested in a 2000 interview that he had based the joke on the
> erroneous translation, which he had heard from someone else.

FROM PHILOSOPHER J.S. IN MICHIGAN: We live in a world where our understandings are changing by the minute. At least before Copernicus et. al., people knew what was going on. Now we look into the great abyss and see nothing. Does that leave us with Sartre or Kierkegaard? I'll take the leap of faith. God is the Only One a person knows from beginning to end. Only the Lord is with us before birth and after death and for everything in between.

FROM S.G. IN MICHIGAN: I absolutely love "Young Frankenstein"!!!!! Gene Wilder is a favorite.

FROM J.L. IN MICHIGAN: The Frankenstein monster knew no better....good or bad? He would have no idea as he was never taught either concept. The world is bad and good.....would you say there were more good people than bad? I would....but the "good" seldom make the daily news. Young Frankenstein was hilarious!!!

FROM MR. HANEY'S DAUGHTER: Like this one too!

FROM S.A. IN VEGAS: Frankenstein is what we create when we think we can do it (whatever it is we create) without acknowledging it originates from God. Correct me if I'm wrong, but Luther acknowledged free will, only to the extent that it was not a good thing.

FROM MOLINER C.F.: It's a good world. It just happens to have some bad people in it. I thought the Monster was rather handsome. But most people thought he was ugly, thus bad. I've known some bad pretty people. Takes all kinds I guess.

Jack’s Winning Words 4/3/08
“Expect problems and eat them for breakfast.” (Alfred Montapert) One of my friends begins each day by quoting the verse: “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Today, I’m going to quote that verse and turn over to the Lord whatever problems I have….and eat a bowl of oatmeal. ;-) Jack

FROM PR J.S. IN MICHIGAN: Every time I turn a problem over to the Lord, He says "Now get off your butt and go do something about it."

FROM GOOD DEBT JON IN OHIO: As you get older often you can find high-fiber problems to chew on.
The Old Fashion Oats are the best, with a bit of honey no milk, maybe a bit of real butter.

FROM S.S. IN MICHIGAN: Thanks. I needed these words today.

FROM J.L. IN MICHIGAN: What would life be without problems??? Boring, I'm sure, but it would be nice to try it for a few days! :-) Have my oatmeal everyday! Cheers!

FROM G.G. IN INDY: I already had my oatmeal.....next I'll go about the business of rejoicing!

FROM S.G. IN MICHIGAN: Good morning! It's a beautiful blue sky day. I am teaching today.

FROM N.E. IN S.H.: I read this right after my son sent me a text message telling me he got a speeding ticket last night for 19 mph over the limit! I'm choking on breakfast!

FROM PR J.D. IN MINNESOTA: JACK, YOU MUST NOT SLEEP VERY WELL SINCE YOUR WINNING WORDS ARE SENT EARLY IN THE AM. OATMEAL IS GREAT AND KIDS TODAY WOULD BE A LOT HEALTHIER IF THEY WOULD EAT A BOWL OF DELICIOUS OATMEAL INSTEAD OF THE SUGARED STUFF THAT IS MARKETED. I ALSO EAT SHREDDED WHEAT AND IN FACT JUST FINISHED A BOWL WITH SOME FRESH STRAWBERRIES. YUM, YUM.

FROM S.A. IN VEGAS: Oatmeal...mmmmmmm. Do you use brown sugar or white sugar? My wife has a rule; brown oatmeal gets brown sugar, white cream of wheat gets white sugar. (She's a behaviorist) FROM JACK: Quick with brown sugar, raisins and 2%.

FROM J.T. IN MICHIGAN: I should have had the oatmeal instead of a bagel! I just wanted you to know I will miss being with you and Mary tonight. I hope you have a wonderful evening and look forward to hearing about it.

FROM B.S. NEAR ORLANDO: YOu can sing "How great thou art" as you turn over your problems to the Good Lord. Now the delicious oatmeal is another problem, it's called "gout". Oatmeal in some quantities can exacerbate gout in some people. Really a lot of fun, it's like walking on broken glass. How lucky you are ole buddy.

FROM CJL IN OHIO: Good Plan!

FROM D.P. IN MINNESOTA: Well, every day of the week I have oatmeal, but today I had to clean out my fridge, and I had scrambled egg beaters and ww toast. YUK! I'm looking forward to tomorrowwhen I can have my usual oatmeal with walnuts and craisins, plus a smoothie and HOT coffee.

Jack’s Winning Words 4/2/08
“We all know that a smile is a frown turned upside down. Don’t make us stand on our head to see you smile.” (EMT Sings) Eunice, one of my WWs correspondents, sent this to me recently, and I didn’t have to stand on my head to show my appreciation. Give someone a smile today and see if they respond with a grin. ;-) Jack

FROM J.L. IN MICHIGAN: Amen! After all, "Life is a mystery to be lived, not a problem to be solved!"

FROM S.H. IN MICHIGAN: In my childhood, all the people around the town would go to town Saturday nights to do their shopping. Walking up and down the streets, I discovered a little game--smile up at all the adults and see if they would smile back at me. Invariably they did. It was all my own idea.

FROM PR J.S. IN MICHIGAN: My Dad who was very tight always told me..."A smile, a handshake, a hello don't cost a dime. Give them away."

FROM MOLINER, C.F.: You might also like to kow that it takes fewer muscles to smile than frown. Smile and save energy.

FROM M.L. IN ILLINOIS: fyi-it takes many more muscles to frown than to smile-physiological fact. when one is aging, one really pays attention to energy dispensed! if i stood on my head, i would be frowning. i still can stand on my head, by the way. perhaps it is from not dispensing the energy on frowns. who knows?

FROM G.G. IN INDY: standing on your head is actually really good for you. FROM JACK: Your sister does it; can you?

FROM L.P. IN MICHIGAN: Verity (our daughter) is at the age where she likes to look at the world upside down. Chris and I wondered (worried): Does a smile look like a frown from upside down? But we just can't force a frown around her.

FROM B.S. NEAR ORLANDO: Smile awhile, la da da dee de do, la la la, la da da de de do, wow what a song.
FROM JACK: Till We Meet Again
There's a song in the land of the lily, Each sweetheart has heard with a sigh. Over high garden walls this sweet echo falls As a soldier boy whispers goodbye:
Smile the while you kiss me sad adieu When the clouds roll by I'll come to you. Then the skies will seem more blue, Down in Lover's Lane, my dearie.
Wedding bells will ring so merrily Ev'ry tear will be a memory. So wait and pray each night for me Till we meet again.
Tho' goodbye means the birth of a tear drop, Hello means the birth of a smile. And the smile will erase the tear blighting trace, When we meet in the after awhile.
Smile the while you kiss me sad adieu When the clouds roll by I'll come to you Then the skies will seem more blue Down in Lover's Lane, my dearie,
Wedding bells will ring so merrily Ev'ry tear will be a memory So wait and pray each night for me Till we meet again.

MORE FROM B.S.: I have a hunch that Mz Eunice, is a Swenska Flicka. I also have a hunch that if you live through a Sweedish winter you would prefer a smile to greet you, even a song. How about a friendly polka?

FROM CJL IN OHIO: Standing on your head is good for you. That's good for your circulation. From a cardiologist we both know!

Jack’s Winning Words 4/1/08
“You can fool all of the people some of the time and some of the people all of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time.” (A. Lincoln) Many statements (some true and some not true) are attributed to President Lincoln. I know that this one is true, because I was there in Springfield when he said, it. ;-) Jack

FROM M.N. IN MINNESOTA: April Fool to you too!!! Ha!

FROM L.P. IN MICHIGAN:
Wow, we should call the Guiness folks. I think you've got that old lady from India beat! ;-)

FROM S.G. IN MICHIGAN: Clever you are.

FROM YOOPER, B.L.: Yah sure yu betcha. And I vas dere ven your ma ma was born!

FROM JLF IN MICHIGAN: Funny April Fool's joke!!

FROM J.L. IN MICHIGAN: Boy, you look SO good for your age! Lincoln is my favorite. He's belief in God was unbelievably strong, and he overcame so many of life's obstacles. Plus, he stood by his convictions against much opposition. He saw the greater picture and he had a wonderful way with words. I would have loved to see him like you did! :-)

FROM R.I. IN BOSTON: Well, I see it's April 1st.

FROM PR J.S. IN MICHIGAN: Are you certain that you didn't hear it in Galesburg???

FROM MOLINER, G.S.: I remember seeing you there.

FROM A.J. IN MICHIGAN: Hi Jack, I always thought it came form the Ringling Brothers. Glad you were there to set me straight

FROM MOLINER, C.F.: I'm glad you were there to confirm this. I've always wondered whether I was a fool some of the time or all of the time. Thanks for the insight.

FROM LUCKY DUCK: Thanks for putting a smile on my face once again this morning. My mom used to say this to me as a small child - very fast! Always made me laugh myself silly. But Jack, honestly, don't think I am fooled ! You're not that old!! :-)

FROM CWR IN B'MORE: You've finally confessed your age...to the whole world. So that's why you're voting for McCain. He's but a child. Cheers.

FROM J.T. IN MINNESOTA: Gosh, that you were there is even more impressive than the statement.
I did enjoy the sayings of your mother in law. She must have been a great lady.
Thanks for the WWs. I look forward to them.

FROM PR J.D. IN MINNESOTA: I KNEW THAT YOU WERE OLD. DID HONEST ABE EVER FOOL THE PEOPLE?

FROM D.P. IN MINNESOTA: The bloggers will get you today!

FROM G.G. IN INDY: you can't fool me...I know you were much too young to be out that late.