Winning Words 2/25/10
“We people of the world need to find ways to get to know one another…for then we will recognize that our likenesses are much greater than our differences.” (Peace Pilgrim) Mildred Norman changed her name to Peace Pilgrim, because of her dedication to bringing peace among people. In my ten days at the Rehab Institute I met many fine people from backgrounds different from mine. I’m glad for every chance to make new friends. ;-) Jack
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Winning Words 2/24/10
“It is better to give than to receive---especially advice.” (Mark Twain) I like Samuel L. Clemens. It’s been said that he wasn’t a religious person, but I don’t know about that. I try to be very careful about that kind of judgment. It’s seems presumptuous for us to sit in the seat reserved for God. ;-) Jack
“It is better to give than to receive---especially advice.” (Mark Twain) I like Samuel L. Clemens. It’s been said that he wasn’t a religious person, but I don’t know about that. I try to be very careful about that kind of judgment. It’s seems presumptuous for us to sit in the seat reserved for God. ;-) Jack
Monday, February 08, 2010
Winning Words 2/8/10
“Hope may play traitor at times, but she is so agreeable that we forgive her offences for the sake of her company.” (Minna Thomas Antrim) Turn this one over in your mind to get at the real truth. Hope is a good friend of mine. Yours, too? Minna wrote this 100 years ago, and it still seems relevant. ;-) Jack
PLEASE NOTE: Tomorrow’s WWs will be the last for a while. I’m having a knee replacement on Tuesday and will be away from my computer. Hopefully, re-hab will allow me to be back at it before too long.
FROM RI IN BOSTON: Our hopes are sometimes dashed, but often they are just delayed and we experience the results we wanted in one way or another. And for those hopes that are never realized, we have to HOPE that a greater power led us on a better path. FROM JACK: It is not expected that all of our will be realized. They are simply a target for us to aim at.
FROM SH IN MICHIGAN: These Winning Words must be true for me. I know I've been disappointed in life over and over but also know that even if something should happen today that is a darkest moment for me, I'll be down on my knees praying with hope. And I do forgive her for whatever plan before turned out differently than I wanted. Because mainly something always seemed to have been learned from the experience.
FROM MOLINER CF: Hope is a truly positive emotion and you have mine for a very successful procedure. We'll miss your Words. (Won't it be nice to be able to get back on your knees again? )
“Hope may play traitor at times, but she is so agreeable that we forgive her offences for the sake of her company.” (Minna Thomas Antrim) Turn this one over in your mind to get at the real truth. Hope is a good friend of mine. Yours, too? Minna wrote this 100 years ago, and it still seems relevant. ;-) Jack
PLEASE NOTE: Tomorrow’s WWs will be the last for a while. I’m having a knee replacement on Tuesday and will be away from my computer. Hopefully, re-hab will allow me to be back at it before too long.
FROM RI IN BOSTON: Our hopes are sometimes dashed, but often they are just delayed and we experience the results we wanted in one way or another. And for those hopes that are never realized, we have to HOPE that a greater power led us on a better path. FROM JACK: It is not expected that all of our will be realized. They are simply a target for us to aim at.
FROM SH IN MICHIGAN: These Winning Words must be true for me. I know I've been disappointed in life over and over but also know that even if something should happen today that is a darkest moment for me, I'll be down on my knees praying with hope. And I do forgive her for whatever plan before turned out differently than I wanted. Because mainly something always seemed to have been learned from the experience.
FROM MOLINER CF: Hope is a truly positive emotion and you have mine for a very successful procedure. We'll miss your Words. (Won't it be nice to be able to get back on your knees again? )
Friday, February 05, 2010
Winning Words 2/5/10
“Being wise is better than being strong.” (Unknown) The Winter Olympics will soon be shown on our TVs. Medals will be given to those who are the fastest, who score the most points. The best will be honored. That’s the way it works. But what if medals were given to the wise? Would you give one to a certain person in your life? ;-) Jack
FROM GOOD DEBT JON: Is a mind richly disciplined better than a mind richly stored? FROM JACK: It depends on what you mean by disciplined....and is it to be stored for future use or to be hoarded. MORE FROM GDJ: Doesn’t every hoarder think it is for future use? It’s really a funny thought (or sad) hoarding thoughts….! FROM JACK: I have a "stash" of good quotes and can't wait to spend them.
FROM MF IN MICHIGAN: I would give one to Ray Riggs. FROM JACK: As they say on American Idol, "Four yeses. Welcome to Hollywood!
FROM B IN MICHIGAN: I couldn't agree more! Thanks Jack for this and all your Winning Words.
FROM MS IN MICHIGAN: You would probably be one of them! Off today for a cruise through the Panama Canal, Long Beach, CA, to Ft. Lauderdale, FL.
FROM EMT SINGS IN MICHIGAN: To my Mother who continues to amaze me at the age of 97! FROM JACK: She is truly an amazing lady. Do they have Olympic events for those in their 90s?
FROM MOLINER CF: Was the unknown who said that wise or strong? Hmmm. FROM JACK: Hmmm. If the author is unknown, how would I know the answer to your question...unless I'm really, really wise?
FROM CJL IN OHIO: I'd give it to Ilene. She had insight & evaluation, and way to act in each situation. That's one of the things I miss.... FROM JACK: ...and both of you were wise in choosing to "pair up."
FROM SH IN MICHIGAN: Actually, every day I see so many people around me doing wise things that I think I would be handing them out right and left.
“Being wise is better than being strong.” (Unknown) The Winter Olympics will soon be shown on our TVs. Medals will be given to those who are the fastest, who score the most points. The best will be honored. That’s the way it works. But what if medals were given to the wise? Would you give one to a certain person in your life? ;-) Jack
FROM GOOD DEBT JON: Is a mind richly disciplined better than a mind richly stored? FROM JACK: It depends on what you mean by disciplined....and is it to be stored for future use or to be hoarded. MORE FROM GDJ: Doesn’t every hoarder think it is for future use? It’s really a funny thought (or sad) hoarding thoughts….! FROM JACK: I have a "stash" of good quotes and can't wait to spend them.
FROM MF IN MICHIGAN: I would give one to Ray Riggs. FROM JACK: As they say on American Idol, "Four yeses. Welcome to Hollywood!
FROM B IN MICHIGAN: I couldn't agree more! Thanks Jack for this and all your Winning Words.
FROM MS IN MICHIGAN: You would probably be one of them! Off today for a cruise through the Panama Canal, Long Beach, CA, to Ft. Lauderdale, FL.
FROM EMT SINGS IN MICHIGAN: To my Mother who continues to amaze me at the age of 97! FROM JACK: She is truly an amazing lady. Do they have Olympic events for those in their 90s?
FROM MOLINER CF: Was the unknown who said that wise or strong? Hmmm. FROM JACK: Hmmm. If the author is unknown, how would I know the answer to your question...unless I'm really, really wise?
FROM CJL IN OHIO: I'd give it to Ilene. She had insight & evaluation, and way to act in each situation. That's one of the things I miss.... FROM JACK: ...and both of you were wise in choosing to "pair up."
FROM SH IN MICHIGAN: Actually, every day I see so many people around me doing wise things that I think I would be handing them out right and left.
Thursday, February 04, 2010
Winning Words 2/4/10
“It’s better to eat vegetables with people you love that to eat the finest meat where there is hate.” (Unknown) I was looking through “the cigar box” the other day and came across this quote that I once used as part of an invocation at a sports banquet. The people in our lives are more important than the food that we eat. ;-) Jack
FROM RI IN BOSTON: Some people will tell you "it's better to eat vegetables".(period) FROM JACK: Some people will say that it's better to love than to hate.
FROM GOOD DEBT JON: True. But perhaps once a month a nice sirloin steak with a contentious idiot is bearable.
FROM JACK: What's your schedule look like?
FROM ML IN ILLINOIS: it's double the pleasure for a vegetarian! FROM JACK: ...with a stick of Wrigley's DOUBLEMINT gum for dessert.
FROM EMT SINGS IN MICHIGAN: Have you read "The Shack"? Would be interested in your thoughts. (Speaking of conversation starters.) FROM JACK: I starting reading the book, because so many had recommended it to me. For some reason, or another, I didn't make it to the end....but the concept was interesting. F or a conversation starter, I just read a synopsis and looked at the reviews. It's difficult to explain the concept of the Trinity, and The Shack is the author's attempt through fiction. The fact that so many people have read it is an indication that he was successful in his attempt.
FROM MOLINER CF:
People--people who need people
Are the luckiest people in the world,
We're children, needing other children
And yet letting our grown-up pride
Hide all the need inside,
Acting more like children
Than children.
FROM JACK: I like that song, too, especially the way Barbra Streisand does it.
MORE FROM CF: As Will Rogers once said, " I never met a vegetable I didn't like." FROM JACK: Brussel Sprouts?
FROM BBC IN ILLINOIS: Nice, especially for those of us who are vegetarian! I've been reading Jonathan Safran Foer's "Killing Animals" ….a fascinating look into our relationships with animals/food and, half-way through a BIG pitch for family farms (which now account for less than 5% of meat & poultry & dairy consumed in the US) but before 1930 accounted for all of the meat available for purchase FROM JACK: I notice that there are more and more vegetarians "out there." But, as you see, the quote is about eating when there is hate and when there is love. Now, if we could just genetically engineer love and eliminate hate..
FROM SH IN MICHIGAN: I once took a macrobiotics cooking class. The teacher taught us to cut up our vegetables and cook them in a loving way. How much of our food that we eat is grown and slaughtered and cooked in a loving way? How much in a way that is hateful or actually indifferent to nature? How many people involved in the "food-producing chain" are we loving and so we take time out at each meal to be thankful for? It's darn-right scarey to think of but perhaps a lot of the food that is on our tables was in a very tense and
fearful and emotionally exhausting environment before it finally got to our tables where we endeavor to be loving while we are eating it. I'm thankful for the cross and God's faithful promise to take care of all of us, all along the food chain. FROM JACK: It's interesting, I sent out today's WWs believing that the message would be on love and hate. Much of the response has been on the food part of it. Not that I mind, but I find that I'm not always in tune with where the readers are. BTW, I try not to think of where the food comes from. I love sausage and, I don't need to know how it's made. MORE FROM SH: By golly, my thinking was pretty grim there for a while. We have a Community Farm here in Southfield by our church. All volunteer. Organic and sustainable gardening practices. Trying to not even disturb the worms and just let them work. Nurturing the plants as wisely as we can--we have a teacher who is almost mystical in his relationship to nature. We leave our heated discussions of religion or politics or the economy outside the gate and concentrate on peaceful conversation and sharing and taking care of the work at hand which is growing fresh vegetables, herbs and fruit for people in our community who cannot afford to buy it. When the food is on their tables (maybe some
don't even have a table but are just holding it in their hands), it's satisfying for us to know where their food is coming from. Undoubtedly, a lot of our food on our own tables comes from people with the same good intentions for the community. I hope so but I have to try not to think too much about what's on the labels.
FROM JT IN MICHIGAN: They sure are. I'd eat vegetable with you and Mary any time!!
“It’s better to eat vegetables with people you love that to eat the finest meat where there is hate.” (Unknown) I was looking through “the cigar box” the other day and came across this quote that I once used as part of an invocation at a sports banquet. The people in our lives are more important than the food that we eat. ;-) Jack
FROM RI IN BOSTON: Some people will tell you "it's better to eat vegetables".(period) FROM JACK: Some people will say that it's better to love than to hate.
FROM GOOD DEBT JON: True. But perhaps once a month a nice sirloin steak with a contentious idiot is bearable.
FROM JACK: What's your schedule look like?
FROM ML IN ILLINOIS: it's double the pleasure for a vegetarian! FROM JACK: ...with a stick of Wrigley's DOUBLEMINT gum for dessert.
FROM EMT SINGS IN MICHIGAN: Have you read "The Shack"? Would be interested in your thoughts. (Speaking of conversation starters.) FROM JACK: I starting reading the book, because so many had recommended it to me. For some reason, or another, I didn't make it to the end....but the concept was interesting. F or a conversation starter, I just read a synopsis and looked at the reviews. It's difficult to explain the concept of the Trinity, and The Shack is the author's attempt through fiction. The fact that so many people have read it is an indication that he was successful in his attempt.
FROM MOLINER CF:
People--people who need people
Are the luckiest people in the world,
We're children, needing other children
And yet letting our grown-up pride
Hide all the need inside,
Acting more like children
Than children.
FROM JACK: I like that song, too, especially the way Barbra Streisand does it.
MORE FROM CF: As Will Rogers once said, " I never met a vegetable I didn't like." FROM JACK: Brussel Sprouts?
FROM BBC IN ILLINOIS: Nice, especially for those of us who are vegetarian! I've been reading Jonathan Safran Foer's "Killing Animals" ….a fascinating look into our relationships with animals/food and, half-way through a BIG pitch for family farms (which now account for less than 5% of meat & poultry & dairy consumed in the US) but before 1930 accounted for all of the meat available for purchase FROM JACK: I notice that there are more and more vegetarians "out there." But, as you see, the quote is about eating when there is hate and when there is love. Now, if we could just genetically engineer love and eliminate hate..
FROM SH IN MICHIGAN: I once took a macrobiotics cooking class. The teacher taught us to cut up our vegetables and cook them in a loving way. How much of our food that we eat is grown and slaughtered and cooked in a loving way? How much in a way that is hateful or actually indifferent to nature? How many people involved in the "food-producing chain" are we loving and so we take time out at each meal to be thankful for? It's darn-right scarey to think of but perhaps a lot of the food that is on our tables was in a very tense and
fearful and emotionally exhausting environment before it finally got to our tables where we endeavor to be loving while we are eating it. I'm thankful for the cross and God's faithful promise to take care of all of us, all along the food chain. FROM JACK: It's interesting, I sent out today's WWs believing that the message would be on love and hate. Much of the response has been on the food part of it. Not that I mind, but I find that I'm not always in tune with where the readers are. BTW, I try not to think of where the food comes from. I love sausage and, I don't need to know how it's made. MORE FROM SH: By golly, my thinking was pretty grim there for a while. We have a Community Farm here in Southfield by our church. All volunteer. Organic and sustainable gardening practices. Trying to not even disturb the worms and just let them work. Nurturing the plants as wisely as we can--we have a teacher who is almost mystical in his relationship to nature. We leave our heated discussions of religion or politics or the economy outside the gate and concentrate on peaceful conversation and sharing and taking care of the work at hand which is growing fresh vegetables, herbs and fruit for people in our community who cannot afford to buy it. When the food is on their tables (maybe some
don't even have a table but are just holding it in their hands), it's satisfying for us to know where their food is coming from. Undoubtedly, a lot of our food on our own tables comes from people with the same good intentions for the community. I hope so but I have to try not to think too much about what's on the labels.
FROM JT IN MICHIGAN: They sure are. I'd eat vegetable with you and Mary any time!!
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
Winning Words 2/3/10
“What if God’s skin isn’t either white or black? What if it’s blue? Does it matter what color her skin is?" (Wally Armbruster) There are so many things that separate us in this world. Different concepts of God tend to push us apart, but maybe they can be used to bring us together. That subject might be an interesting “conversation starter.” Why not give it a try? ;-) Jack
FROM SH IN MICHIGAN: This is an interestng conversation starter. What nags at me is "what color was/is Jesus' skin?" I know of a young man who turned away from church because when he was just a kid (living in Poland), as an assignment in Sunday school, he drew a picture of a oriental yellow Jesus and the priest told him Jesus didn't look like that. Why do we have so many pictures of a white Jesus in this country? And does that limitation push us apart from each other? Do we want to know what color Jesus is for each of us or do we really want Jesus to be the same color as we are? I wonder. FROM JACK: I once gave an assignment to a confirmation class to draw a picture of God. One boy drew a picture of the face of Jesus, divided it into four segments, and made each part a different color. That was really creative...and theological, too.
FROM GOOD DEBT JON: Doesn’t matter here, won’t matter in heaven. FROM JACK: You're right. The "identifiers" on earth...race...wealth/poverty...education...ethnicity...strength/weakness...religion will fade away. One of my favorite Bible stories is the one about the rich man and Lazarus.
FROM ML IN ILLINOIS: i like to think of her as rainbow. a power of true color. an all incusive spectrum. FROM JACK: I knew that you'd relate to this one.
FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY: I'm not sure the His color but I'm pretty sure He is a He as He calls Himself Father and so does, His Son Jesus. FROM JACK: If God were to reveal herself today, do you think that she might come as a woman...say, like Mother Teresa?
FROM PRPH IN ARIZONA: i have not seen Avatar and probably won't but everyone in that film IS blue. FROM JACK: In Sunday School, did you learn the song: Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world etc?
FROM JS IN MICHIGAN: How about GREEN? I like GREEN! FROM JACK: It figures, but the quote says that God's skin is blue, with a maize colored beard.
“What if God’s skin isn’t either white or black? What if it’s blue? Does it matter what color her skin is?" (Wally Armbruster) There are so many things that separate us in this world. Different concepts of God tend to push us apart, but maybe they can be used to bring us together. That subject might be an interesting “conversation starter.” Why not give it a try? ;-) Jack
FROM SH IN MICHIGAN: This is an interestng conversation starter. What nags at me is "what color was/is Jesus' skin?" I know of a young man who turned away from church because when he was just a kid (living in Poland), as an assignment in Sunday school, he drew a picture of a oriental yellow Jesus and the priest told him Jesus didn't look like that. Why do we have so many pictures of a white Jesus in this country? And does that limitation push us apart from each other? Do we want to know what color Jesus is for each of us or do we really want Jesus to be the same color as we are? I wonder. FROM JACK: I once gave an assignment to a confirmation class to draw a picture of God. One boy drew a picture of the face of Jesus, divided it into four segments, and made each part a different color. That was really creative...and theological, too.
FROM GOOD DEBT JON: Doesn’t matter here, won’t matter in heaven. FROM JACK: You're right. The "identifiers" on earth...race...wealth/poverty...education...ethnicity...strength/weakness...religion will fade away. One of my favorite Bible stories is the one about the rich man and Lazarus.
FROM ML IN ILLINOIS: i like to think of her as rainbow. a power of true color. an all incusive spectrum. FROM JACK: I knew that you'd relate to this one.
FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY: I'm not sure the His color but I'm pretty sure He is a He as He calls Himself Father and so does, His Son Jesus. FROM JACK: If God were to reveal herself today, do you think that she might come as a woman...say, like Mother Teresa?
FROM PRPH IN ARIZONA: i have not seen Avatar and probably won't but everyone in that film IS blue. FROM JACK: In Sunday School, did you learn the song: Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world etc?
FROM JS IN MICHIGAN: How about GREEN? I like GREEN! FROM JACK: It figures, but the quote says that God's skin is blue, with a maize colored beard.
Tuesday, February 02, 2010
Winning Words 2/2/10
“What would you do if you were stuck in one place and every day was exactly the same, and nothing that you did mattered?” (Phil Connors) The movie, Groundhog Day, is one of my favorites. If we were to live life over, we might choose to do some things differently. In the movie, Phil does escape from Feb 2nd and changes his life, but our life ain’t the movies, so we try to do our best with the first take. ;-) Jack
FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY: I would like to think I would do what Phil did.....try to improve each day...it took him awhile, but he finally realized that point. FROM JACK: Maybe that's why I like the movie...It has a happy and positive ending.
FROM SG IN TAMPA: That is hard to imagine that every day would be the same with all of the books,art, videos plus our own imaginations to make life interesting plus all of the new people that enter our lives. FROM JACK: I try to imagine the weather in Tampa...everyday the same...warm and sunny...heaven on earth. Have you seen the movie, Groundhog Day? Poor Phil...living the same experiences every day. But he was able to learn from that...to his benefit, when he escaped the situation.
FROM GOD DEBT JON: Quit; change scenery. I did Ground Hog Day for 9 years as a youngster at Kroger’s. It’s not worth the money to have to watch the same film every day. FROM JACK: I hadn't thought about that. Maybe, I'm in a time warp, too, watching that movie every year on Feb 2. At least, I'm only watching it once a year....like Christmas Vacation, each year at Christmastime.
FROM PRJS IN MICHIGAN: If that were the case, you might not be aware of it. FROM JACK: The problem for Phil was that he was aware of the situation, but nobody else understood. That's one of the frustrations of life, when we're in out own little world and see things from our point of view, and nobody else seems to understand.
FROM CS IN MICHIGAN: Groundhog Day is one of my favorites too! For a few years in my recent life, I often spoke out loud or to myself "I feel like I'm stuck in Groundhog Day" . It was hard to escape! But I finally did!
FROM JACK: When you were young(er), did you have have games with "do-overs?" There are times in life when we wish that there were do-overs, but it doesn't work that way, does it. Memory allows us to do-over some of the good things, also.
FROM MOLINER CF: Life is not a rehearsal. One "take" is all you get. Mistakes happen. move on. FROM JACK: True. The trick is to learn from your mistakes. Some people do. Others don't.
FROM CJL IN OHIO: One thing I'd do is NOT change my roommate or best man! FROM JACK: Ahhhhhhhhh! Those were the days, my friend.
FROM JK IN MICHIGAN: Good One! This speaks to me directly on an issue I have been praying about. I disagree with the concept of one chance at life. I have found that you can have repeating patterns in your life. If you live negatively (e.g. unforgiveness, pessissism, etc) you will find yourself in the reoccuring situations much the same as in the move 'Ground Hog Day' movie. The risk is if you start to expect the same patterns to occur and then start to think that we are powerless to change then start losing hope. This 'trap' is a very serious one and many people are struggling with this in our city / state at the moment FROM JACK: It was Einstein who said: "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."
FROM ES IN COLORADO: Enjoy your show! FROM JACK: Bill Murray movies are funny.
FROM CS IN WISCONSIN: No day is ever the same in this house!!!!! Every day becomes an adventure of trying to figure out how to get through it with humor, dignity and wonderment at what God puts before us to handle…one day at a time. Today we are dealing with the possibility of putting my mother-in-law in a nursing home, deciding whether she should receive more blood transfusions. She has wanted to die for years and now months and sometimes days. This morning when we saw in the hospital she said…”See! I’m going to live despite what everyone thinks! God isn’t ready for me yet!” It has been a tough day of reckoning and really coming to grips with a loved one’s Living Will…God will see us through this day too. Amen! It has been a beautiful winter day here – one of many this year! Did you know that Groundhog Day was filmed in Woodstock, IL? I got to watch many take and retakes of scenes in the movie. FROM JACK: God has a way of working things out. It's good that a God and people who care about us. I had forgotten about the movie being filmed in Woodstock. That waitress sorta reminds me of you. Was it you?
“What would you do if you were stuck in one place and every day was exactly the same, and nothing that you did mattered?” (Phil Connors) The movie, Groundhog Day, is one of my favorites. If we were to live life over, we might choose to do some things differently. In the movie, Phil does escape from Feb 2nd and changes his life, but our life ain’t the movies, so we try to do our best with the first take. ;-) Jack
FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY: I would like to think I would do what Phil did.....try to improve each day...it took him awhile, but he finally realized that point. FROM JACK: Maybe that's why I like the movie...It has a happy and positive ending.
FROM SG IN TAMPA: That is hard to imagine that every day would be the same with all of the books,art, videos plus our own imaginations to make life interesting plus all of the new people that enter our lives. FROM JACK: I try to imagine the weather in Tampa...everyday the same...warm and sunny...heaven on earth. Have you seen the movie, Groundhog Day? Poor Phil...living the same experiences every day. But he was able to learn from that...to his benefit, when he escaped the situation.
FROM GOD DEBT JON: Quit; change scenery. I did Ground Hog Day for 9 years as a youngster at Kroger’s. It’s not worth the money to have to watch the same film every day. FROM JACK: I hadn't thought about that. Maybe, I'm in a time warp, too, watching that movie every year on Feb 2. At least, I'm only watching it once a year....like Christmas Vacation, each year at Christmastime.
FROM PRJS IN MICHIGAN: If that were the case, you might not be aware of it. FROM JACK: The problem for Phil was that he was aware of the situation, but nobody else understood. That's one of the frustrations of life, when we're in out own little world and see things from our point of view, and nobody else seems to understand.
FROM CS IN MICHIGAN: Groundhog Day is one of my favorites too! For a few years in my recent life, I often spoke out loud or to myself "I feel like I'm stuck in Groundhog Day" . It was hard to escape! But I finally did!
FROM JACK: When you were young(er), did you have have games with "do-overs?" There are times in life when we wish that there were do-overs, but it doesn't work that way, does it. Memory allows us to do-over some of the good things, also.
FROM MOLINER CF: Life is not a rehearsal. One "take" is all you get. Mistakes happen. move on. FROM JACK: True. The trick is to learn from your mistakes. Some people do. Others don't.
FROM CJL IN OHIO: One thing I'd do is NOT change my roommate or best man! FROM JACK: Ahhhhhhhhh! Those were the days, my friend.
FROM JK IN MICHIGAN: Good One! This speaks to me directly on an issue I have been praying about. I disagree with the concept of one chance at life. I have found that you can have repeating patterns in your life. If you live negatively (e.g. unforgiveness, pessissism, etc) you will find yourself in the reoccuring situations much the same as in the move 'Ground Hog Day' movie. The risk is if you start to expect the same patterns to occur and then start to think that we are powerless to change then start losing hope. This 'trap' is a very serious one and many people are struggling with this in our city / state at the moment FROM JACK: It was Einstein who said: "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."
FROM ES IN COLORADO: Enjoy your show! FROM JACK: Bill Murray movies are funny.
FROM CS IN WISCONSIN: No day is ever the same in this house!!!!! Every day becomes an adventure of trying to figure out how to get through it with humor, dignity and wonderment at what God puts before us to handle…one day at a time. Today we are dealing with the possibility of putting my mother-in-law in a nursing home, deciding whether she should receive more blood transfusions. She has wanted to die for years and now months and sometimes days. This morning when we saw in the hospital she said…”See! I’m going to live despite what everyone thinks! God isn’t ready for me yet!” It has been a tough day of reckoning and really coming to grips with a loved one’s Living Will…God will see us through this day too. Amen! It has been a beautiful winter day here – one of many this year! Did you know that Groundhog Day was filmed in Woodstock, IL? I got to watch many take and retakes of scenes in the movie. FROM JACK: God has a way of working things out. It's good that a God and people who care about us. I had forgotten about the movie being filmed in Woodstock. That waitress sorta reminds me of you. Was it you?
Monday, February 01, 2010
Winning Words 2/1/10
“What if we get to heaven and find that God has let everybody in?” (Wally Armbruster) Would you feel that God duped us? A friend suggested that I try to develop some “conversation starters” to get people talking and thinking together. Why not ask someone today if they think that you’ll be going to heaven? ;-) Jack
FROM RI IN BOSTON: You know that old story about a person telling something to a person at the head of a line, and the story is passed on to each person down the line, and finally at the end of the line the story is entirely different than what was originally said? Using that analogy, we can't say God duped us. It seems that the Biblical writers and translators were the ones who misled us. FROM JACK: Translating anything is an inexact science. In theology there are some who believe that "the Holy Spirit" has guided the minds and hands of the trnslators of the Scriptures so that no mistakes would be made. Others believe that the Scriptures are a simple recording of an oral history. I think that most theologians are in the middle. However, the basic thought in the quote, as I see it, is that "heaven is God's party" and he is the untimate doorkeeper and judge.
FROM HAWKEYE GS: Then God is a liar, and He cannot sin. FROM JACK: I would be careful about calling God, a liar. In fact that word, liar, is one that I try to avoid using. However, I think I know the point that you are trying to make. The point of today's WWs, is that God is the one who decides. I happen to think that God will choose you, but I'm not in his shoes (sandals).
FROM SH IN MICHIGAN: My husband said, "Yes, dear, you'll be going to heaven." When I asked him if he thinks he'll be going to heaven, he said "I don't know." But I actually don't think that minute of conversation was enough time for us to actually to think about it. I'll broach the subject to him again tonight when he gets home. But I do know someone who seems very ambivalent about the church and who has lots of difficulty not doing antisocial things and I do believe people can say, on their own, "No" to God even if he wants to let them in. Thanks for your provocative WW--maybe they will help us to live more care-fully today. FROM JACK: That's what I had in mind for today's WWs.
FROM LK IN OHIO: I'm through raising that question......though confident of access myself, others around me aren't at all sure,ha. FROM JACK: You're right! It's a personal issue. MORE FROM LK: Yeah, I don't know if they're sure about themselves....I DO know they're unsure about me,ha.
FROM ML IN ILLINOIS: i learned about a merciful and all forgiving god. if we have to ask for forgiveness, what becomes of those who do not have the capabilities to ask? FROM JACK: Your missing ingredient is Grace (God's love); "Heaven" is not dependent on our (anyone's) action. MORE FROM ML: my point exactly!
FROM SG IN TAMPA: Everyone has the possibility but they might have to spend some time in purgatory. FROM JACK: I thought that the Catholic Church changed the rules....and that there no longer is a purgatory. I like what Iris DeMent sings: Some say they're goin' to a place called Glory and I ain't saying it ain't a fact.
But I've heard that I'm on the road to purgatory and I don't like the sound of that. Well, I believe in love and I live my life accordingly. But I choose to let the mystery be.
FROM PRJS IN MICHIGAN: On the other hand, what if we get to heaven and find that a lot of people have been excluded? What a shock that would be to those who have abandoned the scriptural teachings!!! FROM JACK: ...and on the other hand, what if you get there yourself...and you're alone?
FROM NE IN MICHIGAN: I wouldn't feel duped, It's not like; "I do good things to try to get to Heaven." I'm pretty certain that any "good" I ever do is all God's doing...working through me. It wouldn't surprise me if "everyone" was there... Grace & forgiveness would not surprise me. (In fact, I'm counting on it!) FROM JACK: That's the kind of response that I like to hear. Grace is such a great gift!
FROM EB IN MICHIGAN: Jack is a day late.... FROM JACK: Now, I have to ask, WHY? Knowing you, you have a reason.
FROM LI IN ILLINOIS: I'm not sure how people would feel about my asking that question... I imagine there are people in heaven who will be a big surprise. FROM JACK: Ask your dad. But, if you were to ask me, I'd say, "Yes."
FROM MOLINER CF: Only your friends think you are going to heaven. The people who don't know you wont have a clue so will say yes. That leaves your enemies. FROM JACK: "What a friend we have in Jesus."
FROM DS IN SAN DIEGO: Jack, this is one we discuss quite often in our Bible study group. We cover the extremes such as Hitler, Stalin and that sort. It leads to some interesting discussions. FROM JACK: I hope you get to the point of discussing how miraculous it is that anyone gets in, rather than spending time talking about who is kept out. Wasn't it Paul who said that he was the chief of sinners? Would he make the cut?
“What if we get to heaven and find that God has let everybody in?” (Wally Armbruster) Would you feel that God duped us? A friend suggested that I try to develop some “conversation starters” to get people talking and thinking together. Why not ask someone today if they think that you’ll be going to heaven? ;-) Jack
FROM RI IN BOSTON: You know that old story about a person telling something to a person at the head of a line, and the story is passed on to each person down the line, and finally at the end of the line the story is entirely different than what was originally said? Using that analogy, we can't say God duped us. It seems that the Biblical writers and translators were the ones who misled us. FROM JACK: Translating anything is an inexact science. In theology there are some who believe that "the Holy Spirit" has guided the minds and hands of the trnslators of the Scriptures so that no mistakes would be made. Others believe that the Scriptures are a simple recording of an oral history. I think that most theologians are in the middle. However, the basic thought in the quote, as I see it, is that "heaven is God's party" and he is the untimate doorkeeper and judge.
FROM HAWKEYE GS: Then God is a liar, and He cannot sin. FROM JACK: I would be careful about calling God, a liar. In fact that word, liar, is one that I try to avoid using. However, I think I know the point that you are trying to make. The point of today's WWs, is that God is the one who decides. I happen to think that God will choose you, but I'm not in his shoes (sandals).
FROM SH IN MICHIGAN: My husband said, "Yes, dear, you'll be going to heaven." When I asked him if he thinks he'll be going to heaven, he said "I don't know." But I actually don't think that minute of conversation was enough time for us to actually to think about it. I'll broach the subject to him again tonight when he gets home. But I do know someone who seems very ambivalent about the church and who has lots of difficulty not doing antisocial things and I do believe people can say, on their own, "No" to God even if he wants to let them in. Thanks for your provocative WW--maybe they will help us to live more care-fully today. FROM JACK: That's what I had in mind for today's WWs.
FROM LK IN OHIO: I'm through raising that question......though confident of access myself, others around me aren't at all sure,ha. FROM JACK: You're right! It's a personal issue. MORE FROM LK: Yeah, I don't know if they're sure about themselves....I DO know they're unsure about me,ha.
FROM ML IN ILLINOIS: i learned about a merciful and all forgiving god. if we have to ask for forgiveness, what becomes of those who do not have the capabilities to ask? FROM JACK: Your missing ingredient is Grace (God's love); "Heaven" is not dependent on our (anyone's) action. MORE FROM ML: my point exactly!
FROM SG IN TAMPA: Everyone has the possibility but they might have to spend some time in purgatory. FROM JACK: I thought that the Catholic Church changed the rules....and that there no longer is a purgatory. I like what Iris DeMent sings: Some say they're goin' to a place called Glory and I ain't saying it ain't a fact.
But I've heard that I'm on the road to purgatory and I don't like the sound of that. Well, I believe in love and I live my life accordingly. But I choose to let the mystery be.
FROM PRJS IN MICHIGAN: On the other hand, what if we get to heaven and find that a lot of people have been excluded? What a shock that would be to those who have abandoned the scriptural teachings!!! FROM JACK: ...and on the other hand, what if you get there yourself...and you're alone?
FROM NE IN MICHIGAN: I wouldn't feel duped, It's not like; "I do good things to try to get to Heaven." I'm pretty certain that any "good" I ever do is all God's doing...working through me. It wouldn't surprise me if "everyone" was there... Grace & forgiveness would not surprise me. (In fact, I'm counting on it!) FROM JACK: That's the kind of response that I like to hear. Grace is such a great gift!
FROM EB IN MICHIGAN: Jack is a day late.... FROM JACK: Now, I have to ask, WHY? Knowing you, you have a reason.
FROM LI IN ILLINOIS: I'm not sure how people would feel about my asking that question... I imagine there are people in heaven who will be a big surprise. FROM JACK: Ask your dad. But, if you were to ask me, I'd say, "Yes."
FROM MOLINER CF: Only your friends think you are going to heaven. The people who don't know you wont have a clue so will say yes. That leaves your enemies. FROM JACK: "What a friend we have in Jesus."
FROM DS IN SAN DIEGO: Jack, this is one we discuss quite often in our Bible study group. We cover the extremes such as Hitler, Stalin and that sort. It leads to some interesting discussions. FROM JACK: I hope you get to the point of discussing how miraculous it is that anyone gets in, rather than spending time talking about who is kept out. Wasn't it Paul who said that he was the chief of sinners? Would he make the cut?
Friday, January 29, 2010
Winning Words 1/29/10
“No person has ever been honored for what he received. Honor is our reward when we give.” (Calvin Coolidge) I’ve been impressed by how people have come together to give support to the Haitian people in their suffering. Hardly a day goes by that we don’t get a request in the mail for a worthy cause. While we can’t answer them all, we try to do what we can for those in need. Are there causes special to you? ;-) Jack
FROM SH IN MICHIGAN: sustainable farming practices, housing, clothing, other necessities produced and used in a way that is also sustainable. Hope the funds we give to the people of Haiti not only help them to recover from the earthquake but also help them to build a sustainable infrastructure for a more prosperous economy. Probably the charitable contributions won't do it alone, the way our world does economics needs some changing.
Tariffs, subsidies, etc. Maybe we need to give to the poor in new ways that will be honorable. FROM JACK: Text messaging gifts are only one way, but they are a start. The recovery is a story equal to, if not bigger, than the earthquake itself. Haiti is not on the other side of the world, but on our own doorstep.
FROM MKH IN MICHIGAN: There are so many great causes you wish you could do them all! FROM JACK: I feel guilty when I throw some of the request envelopes in the wastebasket, but I answer more than I throw away. We can't do everything, but we can do something. That's what's needed.
FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY: Sometimes it's hard to pick which ones are more important...and sometimes it's right in the family. We try. Honor isn't earned by throwing cash though....it's a lot more than money. Money is a short term fix. FROM JACK: You're right. It's not just gifts of "treasure." Time and talent are important, too...maybe even more so.
FROM LG IN MICHIGAN: Hi Jack: the scripture of the day for today seems to send a similar message to your message today. As St. Francis of Assissi stated: "It is in giving that we receive..." Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all." FROM JACK: You're right. It does fit.
FROM PRPH IN ARIZONA: how about MY RETIREMENT retirement fund? well, maybe not) MN Teen Challenge seems to do some amazing work with teens on drugs. also, there is an orphanage down here in Mesa that runs purely on private and outside donations and it too does some incredible work with kids who would otherwise be in a world of hurt. FROM JACK: It seems to me that the divide the haves and the have nots is growing wider. Caring people are needed now.
FROM DP IN MICHIGAN: Hi In answer to your question, our church gave 12000 the first day when the plea for help came..We may be old, but we care! Also, at our Early Bible study the question came as to the difference between knowledge and wisdom..a fellow said, Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit, wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad. thought you might appreciate it. FROM JACK: 12 K is an amazing amount for your congregation. Is a tomato really a fruit?
“No person has ever been honored for what he received. Honor is our reward when we give.” (Calvin Coolidge) I’ve been impressed by how people have come together to give support to the Haitian people in their suffering. Hardly a day goes by that we don’t get a request in the mail for a worthy cause. While we can’t answer them all, we try to do what we can for those in need. Are there causes special to you? ;-) Jack
FROM SH IN MICHIGAN: sustainable farming practices, housing, clothing, other necessities produced and used in a way that is also sustainable. Hope the funds we give to the people of Haiti not only help them to recover from the earthquake but also help them to build a sustainable infrastructure for a more prosperous economy. Probably the charitable contributions won't do it alone, the way our world does economics needs some changing.
Tariffs, subsidies, etc. Maybe we need to give to the poor in new ways that will be honorable. FROM JACK: Text messaging gifts are only one way, but they are a start. The recovery is a story equal to, if not bigger, than the earthquake itself. Haiti is not on the other side of the world, but on our own doorstep.
FROM MKH IN MICHIGAN: There are so many great causes you wish you could do them all! FROM JACK: I feel guilty when I throw some of the request envelopes in the wastebasket, but I answer more than I throw away. We can't do everything, but we can do something. That's what's needed.
FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY: Sometimes it's hard to pick which ones are more important...and sometimes it's right in the family. We try. Honor isn't earned by throwing cash though....it's a lot more than money. Money is a short term fix. FROM JACK: You're right. It's not just gifts of "treasure." Time and talent are important, too...maybe even more so.
FROM LG IN MICHIGAN: Hi Jack: the scripture of the day for today seems to send a similar message to your message today. As St. Francis of Assissi stated: "It is in giving that we receive..." Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all." FROM JACK: You're right. It does fit.
FROM PRPH IN ARIZONA: how about MY RETIREMENT retirement fund? well, maybe not) MN Teen Challenge seems to do some amazing work with teens on drugs. also, there is an orphanage down here in Mesa that runs purely on private and outside donations and it too does some incredible work with kids who would otherwise be in a world of hurt. FROM JACK: It seems to me that the divide the haves and the have nots is growing wider. Caring people are needed now.
FROM DP IN MICHIGAN: Hi In answer to your question, our church gave 12000 the first day when the plea for help came..We may be old, but we care! Also, at our Early Bible study the question came as to the difference between knowledge and wisdom..a fellow said, Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit, wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad. thought you might appreciate it. FROM JACK: 12 K is an amazing amount for your congregation. Is a tomato really a fruit?
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Winning Words 1/28/10
“The poor get poorer by acting rich, and the rich get richer by acting poor.” (Seen on a wall plaque) This is a good example of a truism, something that is self-evident. It reminds me of the cowardly lion in The Wizard of Oz: “Ain’t it the truth. Ain’t it the truth?” Our current economic crisis is caused, in part, by acting rich/poor. ;-) Jack
FROM NL IN FLORIDA: That's good Jack FROM JACK: It's true.
FROM SH IN MICHIGAN: Have to think long and hard on this WW today. Especially the rich get richer by acting poor. Actually what does that mean and if, they do that, why don't poor people aspire to act poor like them? Why does anyone want to act rich anyway? I've heard that some people overseas don't like us for that, they think we're just greedy for all their resources, you know minerals and coffee, etc., etc., etc. Chewing on WW in Michigan. FROM JACK: Do you remember the Slo-Poke suckers? In the beginning, it seemed that they were hard and impossible to chew, but after being in your mouth for a while they softened up and were delicious. Give some more thought to the quote, and I think that you'll begin to see the point. If not, go back to eating marshmallows.
FROM MOLINER CF:
Ev'ry morning, ev'ry evening
Ain't we got fun?
Not much money, Oh, but honey
Ain't we got fun?
The rent's unpaid dear
We haven't a bus
But smiles were made dear
For people like us
In the winter in the Summer
Don't we have fun
Times are bum and getting bummer
Still we have fun
There's nothing surer
The rich get rich and the poor get children
In the meantime, in between time
Ain't we got fun?
Landlords mad and getting madder
Ain't we got fun?
Times are so bad and getting badder
Still we have fun
There's nothing surer
The rich get rich and the poor get laid off
In the meantime, in between time
Ain't we got fun?
When the man who sold 'em carpets told 'em
He would take them away
They said, "Wonderful, here's our chance
Take them up and we'll dance"
And when burglars came and robbed them
Taking all their silver, they say
Hubby yelled, "We're famous, for they'll name us
In the pepers today
FROM JACK: Yes, I remember hearing that song when I was a kid. I remember, too, seeing a
Merrie Melodies cartoon featuring "Ain't We Got Fun."
FROM PRCWR IN B'MORE: ....interesting, but accurate, in a Capitalist system.........it's actually built into the system. That's one reason why Socialism (and it's neo-religious successor ideology, Communism) evolved. That's also why general Socialism and State Communism didn't work....because of the "human" propensity toward Greed and the sole reason for Jesus' trilogy "gospel" of Peace, Love and Justice (with "justice", in
Biblical literature and in Jesus' teachings meaning and referring specifically to "money"). That's also why both Socialism and Communism are failed political ideologies.....for because of the human natural inclination toward growth, clouded by greed, egalitarian anything is always a religious goal and not a corporate system. It's perfection and remember the old , worn out doctrine of "original sin".......it's still around, but has nothing to do with "sins".....but with goals. FROM JACK: Still preachin', I see.
“The poor get poorer by acting rich, and the rich get richer by acting poor.” (Seen on a wall plaque) This is a good example of a truism, something that is self-evident. It reminds me of the cowardly lion in The Wizard of Oz: “Ain’t it the truth. Ain’t it the truth?” Our current economic crisis is caused, in part, by acting rich/poor. ;-) Jack
FROM NL IN FLORIDA: That's good Jack FROM JACK: It's true.
FROM SH IN MICHIGAN: Have to think long and hard on this WW today. Especially the rich get richer by acting poor. Actually what does that mean and if, they do that, why don't poor people aspire to act poor like them? Why does anyone want to act rich anyway? I've heard that some people overseas don't like us for that, they think we're just greedy for all their resources, you know minerals and coffee, etc., etc., etc. Chewing on WW in Michigan. FROM JACK: Do you remember the Slo-Poke suckers? In the beginning, it seemed that they were hard and impossible to chew, but after being in your mouth for a while they softened up and were delicious. Give some more thought to the quote, and I think that you'll begin to see the point. If not, go back to eating marshmallows.
FROM MOLINER CF:
Ev'ry morning, ev'ry evening
Ain't we got fun?
Not much money, Oh, but honey
Ain't we got fun?
The rent's unpaid dear
We haven't a bus
But smiles were made dear
For people like us
In the winter in the Summer
Don't we have fun
Times are bum and getting bummer
Still we have fun
There's nothing surer
The rich get rich and the poor get children
In the meantime, in between time
Ain't we got fun?
Landlords mad and getting madder
Ain't we got fun?
Times are so bad and getting badder
Still we have fun
There's nothing surer
The rich get rich and the poor get laid off
In the meantime, in between time
Ain't we got fun?
When the man who sold 'em carpets told 'em
He would take them away
They said, "Wonderful, here's our chance
Take them up and we'll dance"
And when burglars came and robbed them
Taking all their silver, they say
Hubby yelled, "We're famous, for they'll name us
In the pepers today
FROM JACK: Yes, I remember hearing that song when I was a kid. I remember, too, seeing a
Merrie Melodies cartoon featuring "Ain't We Got Fun."
FROM PRCWR IN B'MORE: ....interesting, but accurate, in a Capitalist system.........it's actually built into the system. That's one reason why Socialism (and it's neo-religious successor ideology, Communism) evolved. That's also why general Socialism and State Communism didn't work....because of the "human" propensity toward Greed and the sole reason for Jesus' trilogy "gospel" of Peace, Love and Justice (with "justice", in
Biblical literature and in Jesus' teachings meaning and referring specifically to "money"). That's also why both Socialism and Communism are failed political ideologies.....for because of the human natural inclination toward growth, clouded by greed, egalitarian anything is always a religious goal and not a corporate system. It's perfection and remember the old , worn out doctrine of "original sin".......it's still around, but has nothing to do with "sins".....but with goals. FROM JACK: Still preachin', I see.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Winning Words 1/27/10
“Sometimes you’ve got to jump off cliffs and grow wings on the way down.” (Ray Bradbury) Bradbury is well-known as a writer of speculative fiction. “I couldn’t go to college during The Great Depression, so I got my education by visiting the library.” Sometimes we have to make the best of life’s situations. I suppose that’s what he meant when he wrote about growing wings. ;-) Jack
FROM GOOD DEBT JON: This seems to be the predominant method both sides of the political spectrum are using presently. A version of, ready, fire, AIM! FROM JACK: I guess what impresses me about Bradbury is that when he couldn't afford a college education, he made regular visits to the library. When one road is closed, you look for another. That's what I got from the quote. BTW, even when I aim, I sometimes miss the target.
FROM MT IN PENNSYLVANIA: Great quote, Jack! I'm giving a talk to a class of young entrepreneurs at Drexel University tomorrow. This is a perfect fit! FROM JACK: In the West Bloomfield area, we have a young entrepeneurs club. Older entrepeneuers get together, too. In fact, the leader of that group is a member of our Optimist Club.
FROM SF IN MICHIGAN: This reminds me of "Building the Bridge as You Walk on It" (Quinn?) or Nike's challenge: "Just Do It!" Sometimes we need to move out of our comfort zone and make our move! There is also a story in "Women Who Run with the Wolves" (Estes) that says "Go out in the woods...if you never go out in the woods, nothing will ever happen and your life will never begin." How true! FROM JACK: Life is great when you have time to think. Someone wrote to me and said that she only has time to read what she has to read. But sometimes, constraints just make it that way. I'm glad that you've been able to grow new wings.
FROM LG IN MICHIGAN: The essence of faith... I love this image! FROM JACK: The musical, Will Rogers' Follies, opens with the song, "Let's Go Flying." With our faith-wings, we can do that.
FROM AM IN MICHIGAN: I believe in some risk taking but just reading about jumping off cliffs gave me the creeps. FROM JACK: It's no problem if you have wings. Birds do it all the time. And, it's no problem if you're able to sprout wings on the way down. Faith can sometimes be a creepy thing.
FROM JK IN MICHIGAN: I was never able to verify this, but ..... When a baby eagle is ready to fly the mother eagle encourages the baby eagle to leave the nest by taking away all the comforting feathers woven into the nest. If this does not work, the mother eagle pushes the baby eagle out of the nest into a free fall. Meanwhile the father eagle is flying underneath and will catch or stop the fall by getting in between the baby eagle and the ground (e.g. carried on the wings of eagles). This process becomes how the baby eagle learns to fly. Have you heard this before? Is this correct? FROM JACK: When in doubt, Google, but don't believe everything you read. The reference is from the Bible and refers to God rescuing the fallen. Maybe some ornithologist knows.
FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY: I don't like heights but sometimes I am forced off the cliff anyway....God has always managed to catch me and He where I put my trust...not in my ability to grow wings, but that He give me what I need. FROM JACK: Heights never used to bother me, but, wings or no wings, don't stand me on the edge of a cliff now. Faith is a different story.
FROM HAWKEYE GS: I think he's talking about being free enough to take risks. Starting my own business during a minor recession without $ was a big risk that I'm very thankful I took. FROM JACK: That's the mark of an entrepeneur....a person faith.
FROM MOLINER CF: Now, there's the true definition of Faith. FROM JACK: I'm glad that you approve. Since you've been married and are a father and a grandfather and also an entrepeneur, you know the importance of faith.
FROM SH IN MICHIGAN: If you want to walk on water you must get out of the boat. Just do it. FROM JACK: That's what Jesus told Peter.
FROM CL IN CALIFORNIA: Reminds me of If you want to walk on water you need to get out of the boat. Just do it. FROM JACK: With our "cold" weather, people around here are really doing just that.
FROM INDY GENIE: I wonder if he meant that for some of us that's the only way we'll ever know that we CAN grow wings! FROM JACK: That's a good thought; however, your sister would put it this way: "I wonder if she meant etc."
“Sometimes you’ve got to jump off cliffs and grow wings on the way down.” (Ray Bradbury) Bradbury is well-known as a writer of speculative fiction. “I couldn’t go to college during The Great Depression, so I got my education by visiting the library.” Sometimes we have to make the best of life’s situations. I suppose that’s what he meant when he wrote about growing wings. ;-) Jack
FROM GOOD DEBT JON: This seems to be the predominant method both sides of the political spectrum are using presently. A version of, ready, fire, AIM! FROM JACK: I guess what impresses me about Bradbury is that when he couldn't afford a college education, he made regular visits to the library. When one road is closed, you look for another. That's what I got from the quote. BTW, even when I aim, I sometimes miss the target.
FROM MT IN PENNSYLVANIA: Great quote, Jack! I'm giving a talk to a class of young entrepreneurs at Drexel University tomorrow. This is a perfect fit! FROM JACK: In the West Bloomfield area, we have a young entrepeneurs club. Older entrepeneuers get together, too. In fact, the leader of that group is a member of our Optimist Club.
FROM SF IN MICHIGAN: This reminds me of "Building the Bridge as You Walk on It" (Quinn?) or Nike's challenge: "Just Do It!" Sometimes we need to move out of our comfort zone and make our move! There is also a story in "Women Who Run with the Wolves" (Estes) that says "Go out in the woods...if you never go out in the woods, nothing will ever happen and your life will never begin." How true! FROM JACK: Life is great when you have time to think. Someone wrote to me and said that she only has time to read what she has to read. But sometimes, constraints just make it that way. I'm glad that you've been able to grow new wings.
FROM LG IN MICHIGAN: The essence of faith... I love this image! FROM JACK: The musical, Will Rogers' Follies, opens with the song, "Let's Go Flying." With our faith-wings, we can do that.
FROM AM IN MICHIGAN: I believe in some risk taking but just reading about jumping off cliffs gave me the creeps. FROM JACK: It's no problem if you have wings. Birds do it all the time. And, it's no problem if you're able to sprout wings on the way down. Faith can sometimes be a creepy thing.
FROM JK IN MICHIGAN: I was never able to verify this, but ..... When a baby eagle is ready to fly the mother eagle encourages the baby eagle to leave the nest by taking away all the comforting feathers woven into the nest. If this does not work, the mother eagle pushes the baby eagle out of the nest into a free fall. Meanwhile the father eagle is flying underneath and will catch or stop the fall by getting in between the baby eagle and the ground (e.g. carried on the wings of eagles). This process becomes how the baby eagle learns to fly. Have you heard this before? Is this correct? FROM JACK: When in doubt, Google, but don't believe everything you read. The reference is from the Bible and refers to God rescuing the fallen. Maybe some ornithologist knows.
FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY: I don't like heights but sometimes I am forced off the cliff anyway....God has always managed to catch me and He where I put my trust...not in my ability to grow wings, but that He give me what I need. FROM JACK: Heights never used to bother me, but, wings or no wings, don't stand me on the edge of a cliff now. Faith is a different story.
FROM HAWKEYE GS: I think he's talking about being free enough to take risks. Starting my own business during a minor recession without $ was a big risk that I'm very thankful I took. FROM JACK: That's the mark of an entrepeneur....a person faith.
FROM MOLINER CF: Now, there's the true definition of Faith. FROM JACK: I'm glad that you approve. Since you've been married and are a father and a grandfather and also an entrepeneur, you know the importance of faith.
FROM SH IN MICHIGAN: If you want to walk on water you must get out of the boat. Just do it. FROM JACK: That's what Jesus told Peter.
FROM CL IN CALIFORNIA: Reminds me of If you want to walk on water you need to get out of the boat. Just do it. FROM JACK: With our "cold" weather, people around here are really doing just that.
FROM INDY GENIE: I wonder if he meant that for some of us that's the only way we'll ever know that we CAN grow wings! FROM JACK: That's a good thought; however, your sister would put it this way: "I wonder if she meant etc."
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Winning Words 1/26/10
“The best way out is always through.” (Robert Frost) One of my favorite lines from Psalm 23 is: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me.” Life’s dark valleys can be frightening and a test of faith. It’s a comfort to know that we are not alone, and that there is a way out. ;-) Jack
FROM SH IN MICHIGAN: We're wrestling with Lazarus and the rich man in our Bible study. It certainly does look like Lazarus just stuck it out and went through being poor but the rich man didn't go through being rich very well but evidently chose not to see his situation through enough so he could get out too. The rich man was alone, Lazarus was not. FROM JACK: That's a good comparison. "The love of money is the root of evil."
FROM GUSTIE MN: Have you read the book “Going on a Bear Hunt”? It says—“Can’t go over it, can’t go under it, gotta go through it” It is a kid’s book. FROM JACK: At our library, I just checked out, The Closing of the American Mind. Next time I'll go into the Children's Section and look for the Bear Hunt.
FROM SG IN MICHIGAN: Indeed. I have always said that you simply cannot circumvent reality. FROM JACK: ....except in your mind. Your mind can do all sorts of things.
FROM CJL IN OHIO: Frost gets the message of the Psalm: THRU! But we've got to keep going in order to get thru! A great & comforting thought & truth. FROM JACK: "....for thou art with me" are the key words.
FROM GOOD DEBT JON: Similar: If you're going through hell, keep going. Winston Churchill FROM JACK: Winnie knew what he was talking about.
FROM MOLINER CF: I wonder if RF took the word "throughout" and interpreted a different meaning. I await your lesson. FROM JACK: Frost experienced much grief and loss in his life, and some of his writings reflect that. Today's quote seems to indicate that he had found a way out of his depression. He taught at the Univ of Michigan for a while, and his Ann Arbor home has been moved to the campus of the Henry Ford Museum, located about a half hour from where we live. He encouraged young poets to put the sound of the human life into their writings. He's a favorite of mine, because he did just that.
“The best way out is always through.” (Robert Frost) One of my favorite lines from Psalm 23 is: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me.” Life’s dark valleys can be frightening and a test of faith. It’s a comfort to know that we are not alone, and that there is a way out. ;-) Jack
FROM SH IN MICHIGAN: We're wrestling with Lazarus and the rich man in our Bible study. It certainly does look like Lazarus just stuck it out and went through being poor but the rich man didn't go through being rich very well but evidently chose not to see his situation through enough so he could get out too. The rich man was alone, Lazarus was not. FROM JACK: That's a good comparison. "The love of money is the root of evil."
FROM GUSTIE MN: Have you read the book “Going on a Bear Hunt”? It says—“Can’t go over it, can’t go under it, gotta go through it” It is a kid’s book. FROM JACK: At our library, I just checked out, The Closing of the American Mind. Next time I'll go into the Children's Section and look for the Bear Hunt.
FROM SG IN MICHIGAN: Indeed. I have always said that you simply cannot circumvent reality. FROM JACK: ....except in your mind. Your mind can do all sorts of things.
FROM CJL IN OHIO: Frost gets the message of the Psalm: THRU! But we've got to keep going in order to get thru! A great & comforting thought & truth. FROM JACK: "....for thou art with me" are the key words.
FROM GOOD DEBT JON: Similar: If you're going through hell, keep going. Winston Churchill FROM JACK: Winnie knew what he was talking about.
FROM MOLINER CF: I wonder if RF took the word "throughout" and interpreted a different meaning. I await your lesson. FROM JACK: Frost experienced much grief and loss in his life, and some of his writings reflect that. Today's quote seems to indicate that he had found a way out of his depression. He taught at the Univ of Michigan for a while, and his Ann Arbor home has been moved to the campus of the Henry Ford Museum, located about a half hour from where we live. He encouraged young poets to put the sound of the human life into their writings. He's a favorite of mine, because he did just that.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Winning Words 1/25/10
“That which is beautiful is not always good, but that which is good is always beautiful.” (Ninon de L’Enclos) This is from a book of Words of Comfort, sent to me recently by a reader of WWs. Today’s quote is one that is both beautiful AND good. This week I plan to use some more quotes from my “gift.” ;-) Jack
FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY: Proof....there are some beautiful flowers out there...but deadly. Most though are absolutely beautiful and GOOD. People are like that also. FROM JACK: I've heard that the poinsettia is one of those plants.
FROM MOLINER CF: Some of the people are beautiful all of the time and all of the people are good some of the time, but not all of the people are good and beautiful all of the time. Abe Ryser
FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY: Could be...but I love yellow roses! I guess it was from when I was little and my favorite song was "Yellow Rose of Texas". FROM JACK: Briefly stated, the song is based on a Texas legend from the days of the Texas War of Independence. According to the legend, a woman named Emily D. West — a mulatto, and hence, the song's reference to her being "yellow" — who was seized by Mexican forces during the
looting of Galveston, seduced General Antonio López de Santa Anna, President of Mexico and commander of the Mexican forces. The legend credits her supposed seduction with lowering the guard of the Mexican army and facilitating the Texan victory in the battle of San Jacinto waged in 1836 near present-day Houston. Santa Anna's opponent was General Sam Houston, who won the battle literally in minutes, and with almost no casualties. This legend is comparable to the Biblical war story of Jael and Sisera, found in Judges 4:14–22 and repeated in poetry in Judges 5:23–27. Jael's story was popular with Protestant Christians of the time and would have been familiar to slaves and freedmen as well as the white population.
“That which is beautiful is not always good, but that which is good is always beautiful.” (Ninon de L’Enclos) This is from a book of Words of Comfort, sent to me recently by a reader of WWs. Today’s quote is one that is both beautiful AND good. This week I plan to use some more quotes from my “gift.” ;-) Jack
FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY: Proof....there are some beautiful flowers out there...but deadly. Most though are absolutely beautiful and GOOD. People are like that also. FROM JACK: I've heard that the poinsettia is one of those plants.
FROM MOLINER CF: Some of the people are beautiful all of the time and all of the people are good some of the time, but not all of the people are good and beautiful all of the time. Abe Ryser
FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY: Could be...but I love yellow roses! I guess it was from when I was little and my favorite song was "Yellow Rose of Texas". FROM JACK: Briefly stated, the song is based on a Texas legend from the days of the Texas War of Independence. According to the legend, a woman named Emily D. West — a mulatto, and hence, the song's reference to her being "yellow" — who was seized by Mexican forces during the
looting of Galveston, seduced General Antonio López de Santa Anna, President of Mexico and commander of the Mexican forces. The legend credits her supposed seduction with lowering the guard of the Mexican army and facilitating the Texan victory in the battle of San Jacinto waged in 1836 near present-day Houston. Santa Anna's opponent was General Sam Houston, who won the battle literally in minutes, and with almost no casualties. This legend is comparable to the Biblical war story of Jael and Sisera, found in Judges 4:14–22 and repeated in poetry in Judges 5:23–27. Jael's story was popular with Protestant Christians of the time and would have been familiar to slaves and freedmen as well as the white population.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Winning Words 1/22/10
“I showed you the world through my eyes. Now you show it to me through yours. And so we
learn” (Pam Brown) Pam lives in Australia…poet, musician, film-maker, artist, librarian, teacher. She’s a teacher in many ways, but she is also on the lookout for new ideas. Is there an idea that you have learned and can share? ;-) Jack FYI: Winning Words now goes daily to almost 400 people, most of whom I know. Some of you forward them on to others or post them on websites. I want you to know that I enjoy having you as a reader. If you want to add a name, or if you want your name to be dropped, just let me know. Interesting give and take is posted on the blog.
FROM NL IN FLORIDA: GOOD GOING: HOW WINNING WORDS HAS GROWN.
FROM RI IN BOSTON: That quote might just as well be credited to you. Thanks for generating WW, plus the good will and inspiration you impart to so many people, by its distribution and those who "pay it forward". FROM JACK: Thanks for the encouragement.
FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY: My favorite way to look at the world is through the eyes of my grandsons. Everyday is filled with little miracles!!! Love it. And love your Winning Words too. THanks for sharing them with so many! FROM JACK: You are blessed.
FROM MOLINER CF: Some great ideas never see the light of day because the thinker has no idea how to implement it. Just air the idea and someone will know what to do with it. FROM JACK: In your company, did you do both? MORE FROM CF: Absolutely! We bounced ideas off each other all of the time and
Brainstormed regularly. FROM JACK: A regular Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.
FROM PRDL IN OREGON: Jack, that you have 400 readers is a tribute to your well chosen mottos, quotes and sayings! Each day you inspire the whole group of us! Thanks for your willingness to give of yourself in this helpful gift of your time for our good! Joy and Peace FROM JACK: We learn from each other, don't we?
FROM MOLINER JT: I don't know if I told you but my G-son Seth Teske is in Haiti assisting on an Orth surgery team. Long hours but worth the effort. We pray for his safe return. FROM JACK: You can be proud...In fact, we're all proud of the care-givers like Seth.
FROM SG IN TAMPA: What a fantastic way to share your thoughts and to stay connected. It sounds like good old American entrepreneurship with something more important than money. Are you international? Yesterday we were at Wide World of Sports at Disney and met many people from all over the country and the world, too. One of the salesclerks had a name tag from Traverse City, MI. She said that she is a snowbird but there are far fewer in her mobile home park this year. FROM JACK: WWs is not limited to the USA. Canada and Hong Kong are regularly heard from, to name two. Most of the 400 are personally known by me. Others are friends and relatives of those folk. One church has all of its council members and committee members on the list.
“I showed you the world through my eyes. Now you show it to me through yours. And so we
learn” (Pam Brown) Pam lives in Australia…poet, musician, film-maker, artist, librarian, teacher. She’s a teacher in many ways, but she is also on the lookout for new ideas. Is there an idea that you have learned and can share? ;-) Jack FYI: Winning Words now goes daily to almost 400 people, most of whom I know. Some of you forward them on to others or post them on websites. I want you to know that I enjoy having you as a reader. If you want to add a name, or if you want your name to be dropped, just let me know. Interesting give and take is posted on the blog.
FROM NL IN FLORIDA: GOOD GOING: HOW WINNING WORDS HAS GROWN.
FROM RI IN BOSTON: That quote might just as well be credited to you. Thanks for generating WW, plus the good will and inspiration you impart to so many people, by its distribution and those who "pay it forward". FROM JACK: Thanks for the encouragement.
FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY: My favorite way to look at the world is through the eyes of my grandsons. Everyday is filled with little miracles!!! Love it. And love your Winning Words too. THanks for sharing them with so many! FROM JACK: You are blessed.
FROM MOLINER CF: Some great ideas never see the light of day because the thinker has no idea how to implement it. Just air the idea and someone will know what to do with it. FROM JACK: In your company, did you do both? MORE FROM CF: Absolutely! We bounced ideas off each other all of the time and
Brainstormed regularly. FROM JACK: A regular Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.
FROM PRDL IN OREGON: Jack, that you have 400 readers is a tribute to your well chosen mottos, quotes and sayings! Each day you inspire the whole group of us! Thanks for your willingness to give of yourself in this helpful gift of your time for our good! Joy and Peace FROM JACK: We learn from each other, don't we?
FROM MOLINER JT: I don't know if I told you but my G-son Seth Teske is in Haiti assisting on an Orth surgery team. Long hours but worth the effort. We pray for his safe return. FROM JACK: You can be proud...In fact, we're all proud of the care-givers like Seth.
FROM SG IN TAMPA: What a fantastic way to share your thoughts and to stay connected. It sounds like good old American entrepreneurship with something more important than money. Are you international? Yesterday we were at Wide World of Sports at Disney and met many people from all over the country and the world, too. One of the salesclerks had a name tag from Traverse City, MI. She said that she is a snowbird but there are far fewer in her mobile home park this year. FROM JACK: WWs is not limited to the USA. Canada and Hong Kong are regularly heard from, to name two. Most of the 400 are personally known by me. Others are friends and relatives of those folk. One church has all of its council members and committee members on the list.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Winning Words 1/21/10
“It’s not how you fall; it’s what you do after you get up.” (Scott Hamilton—sent by L) Scott was commenting on a fall by a figure skater. Everyone experiences a fall now and then. The recovery is the important thing. It’s not just in the sports world, but it’s in the world in general. In God-talk, it’s confession and forgiveness. ;-) Jack
FROM PRJS IN MICHIGAN: In God-talk, it's confession, forgiveness AND penance (the forgotten word in modern liberal theology) FROM JACK: I don't think that God requires penance, but simply the confession. If there's a hint of penance, it's "Go, and sin no more." FROM L IN ILLINOIS: with your comment on penance. That's the way I see God, too. I also maintain that God has a sense of humor, and likes music, art and literature. And sports. Otherwise, why would we humans possess such traits and talents?
FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY: Scott Hamilton...another good guy. He is very inspirational and has overcome massive health problems. He has a very positive outlook on life. One of my favorite Olympic sports is figure skating! I hope after my surgery I can "get up" fast and without a lot of complaining! FROM JACK: Make sure that you have those figure skates sharpened.
FROM L IN ILLINOIS: Scott Hamilton is not only an Olympic champion, he's a survivor of testicular cancer and a benign brain tumor. He got up, became a father and re-learned how to skate. He also raises funds for numerous charities. There are still sports heroes! FROM JACK: He can still do the back flip, too.
“It’s not how you fall; it’s what you do after you get up.” (Scott Hamilton—sent by L) Scott was commenting on a fall by a figure skater. Everyone experiences a fall now and then. The recovery is the important thing. It’s not just in the sports world, but it’s in the world in general. In God-talk, it’s confession and forgiveness. ;-) Jack
FROM PRJS IN MICHIGAN: In God-talk, it's confession, forgiveness AND penance (the forgotten word in modern liberal theology) FROM JACK: I don't think that God requires penance, but simply the confession. If there's a hint of penance, it's "Go, and sin no more." FROM L IN ILLINOIS: with your comment on penance. That's the way I see God, too. I also maintain that God has a sense of humor, and likes music, art and literature. And sports. Otherwise, why would we humans possess such traits and talents?
FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY: Scott Hamilton...another good guy. He is very inspirational and has overcome massive health problems. He has a very positive outlook on life. One of my favorite Olympic sports is figure skating! I hope after my surgery I can "get up" fast and without a lot of complaining! FROM JACK: Make sure that you have those figure skates sharpened.
FROM L IN ILLINOIS: Scott Hamilton is not only an Olympic champion, he's a survivor of testicular cancer and a benign brain tumor. He got up, became a father and re-learned how to skate. He also raises funds for numerous charities. There are still sports heroes! FROM JACK: He can still do the back flip, too.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Winning Words 1/20/10
“As I grow older I pay less attention to what people say. I just watch what they do.” (Andrew Carnegie) I first became acquainted with Carnegie when I saw his name carved on the front of the Moline Public Library. Edgar Guest used to write a poem a day for The Detroit Free Press. Here’s the first line of one of them: “I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day.” Look for it on today’s blog. ;-) Jack
Sermons We See
Edgar Guest
I'd rather see a sermon than hear one any day;
I'd rather one should walk with me than merely tell the way.
The eye's a better pupil and more willing than the ear,
Fine counsel is confusing, but example's always clear;
And the best of all the preachers are the men who live their creeds,
For to see good put in action is what everybody needs.
I soon can learn to do it if you'll let me see it done;
I can watch your hands in action, but your tongue too fast may run.
And the lecture you deliver may be very wise and true,
But I'd rather get my lessons by observing what you do;
For I might misunderstand you and the high advise you give,
But there's no misunderstanding how you act and how you live.
When I see a deed of kindness, I am eager to be kind.
When a weaker brother stumbles and a strong man stays behind
Just to see if he can help him, then the wish grows strong in me
To become as big and thoughtful as I know that friend to be.
And all travelers can witness that the best of guides today
Is not the one who tells them, but the one who shows the way.
One good man teaches many, men believe what they behold;
One deed of kindness noticed is worth forty that are told.
Who stands with men of honor learns to hold his honor dear,
For right living speaks a language which to every one is clear.
Though an able speaker charms me with his eloquence, I say,
I'd rather see a sermon than to hear one, any day.
FROM RI IN BOSTON: Andrew Carnegie obviously gave his opinion as well as his fortune. His endowing of public libraries around the U.S. was an extraordinary example of personal philanthropy. Besides the Moline library with which you're familiar, didn't Carnegie also provide a library for Merrill Wisconsin, another town familiar to you? FROM JACK: 1909 Request for $17,500 from Andrew Carnegie Foundation approved. Claude & Starck of Madison (associates of the famed Louis Sullivan) contracted as architects the following spring. 1911 New Carnegie library completed in Stange’s Park . 1935 WPA grant helps with roofing and cement work on the library. 1945 H. V. Kaltenborn, Merrill native and famous radio commentator,
journalist and author donates $2,000 to the library for creation of a book fund. 1969 Library addition opened, doubling the size of the building. Architects were Foster & Shavey; Wausau, WI. 1970 Ramon Hernandez begins duties as ninth library director. (Do you remember him? He was later Director of the Ann Arbor Public Library and preached occasionally at Holy Spirit.) 1971 Library acclaimed as an excellent example of Sullivanesque architecture by Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation and Wisconsin Chapter of American Institute of Architects. 1972 Library recognized by State Department of Natural Resources as an
excellent example of construction on a flood plain.
FROM GF IN MICHIGAN: good one!
FROM SH IN MICHIGAN: Going to print this one out!!! And keep it by my computer here.
FROM JB IN WISCONSIN: Excellent words indeed!
“As I grow older I pay less attention to what people say. I just watch what they do.” (Andrew Carnegie) I first became acquainted with Carnegie when I saw his name carved on the front of the Moline Public Library. Edgar Guest used to write a poem a day for The Detroit Free Press. Here’s the first line of one of them: “I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day.” Look for it on today’s blog. ;-) Jack
Sermons We See
Edgar Guest
I'd rather see a sermon than hear one any day;
I'd rather one should walk with me than merely tell the way.
The eye's a better pupil and more willing than the ear,
Fine counsel is confusing, but example's always clear;
And the best of all the preachers are the men who live their creeds,
For to see good put in action is what everybody needs.
I soon can learn to do it if you'll let me see it done;
I can watch your hands in action, but your tongue too fast may run.
And the lecture you deliver may be very wise and true,
But I'd rather get my lessons by observing what you do;
For I might misunderstand you and the high advise you give,
But there's no misunderstanding how you act and how you live.
When I see a deed of kindness, I am eager to be kind.
When a weaker brother stumbles and a strong man stays behind
Just to see if he can help him, then the wish grows strong in me
To become as big and thoughtful as I know that friend to be.
And all travelers can witness that the best of guides today
Is not the one who tells them, but the one who shows the way.
One good man teaches many, men believe what they behold;
One deed of kindness noticed is worth forty that are told.
Who stands with men of honor learns to hold his honor dear,
For right living speaks a language which to every one is clear.
Though an able speaker charms me with his eloquence, I say,
I'd rather see a sermon than to hear one, any day.
FROM RI IN BOSTON: Andrew Carnegie obviously gave his opinion as well as his fortune. His endowing of public libraries around the U.S. was an extraordinary example of personal philanthropy. Besides the Moline library with which you're familiar, didn't Carnegie also provide a library for Merrill Wisconsin, another town familiar to you? FROM JACK: 1909 Request for $17,500 from Andrew Carnegie Foundation approved. Claude & Starck of Madison (associates of the famed Louis Sullivan) contracted as architects the following spring. 1911 New Carnegie library completed in Stange’s Park . 1935 WPA grant helps with roofing and cement work on the library. 1945 H. V. Kaltenborn, Merrill native and famous radio commentator,
journalist and author donates $2,000 to the library for creation of a book fund. 1969 Library addition opened, doubling the size of the building. Architects were Foster & Shavey; Wausau, WI. 1970 Ramon Hernandez begins duties as ninth library director. (Do you remember him? He was later Director of the Ann Arbor Public Library and preached occasionally at Holy Spirit.) 1971 Library acclaimed as an excellent example of Sullivanesque architecture by Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation and Wisconsin Chapter of American Institute of Architects. 1972 Library recognized by State Department of Natural Resources as an
excellent example of construction on a flood plain.
FROM GF IN MICHIGAN: good one!
FROM SH IN MICHIGAN: Going to print this one out!!! And keep it by my computer here.
FROM JB IN WISCONSIN: Excellent words indeed!
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Winning Words 1/19/10
“Faith is taking the first step when you don’t see the whole staircase.” (MLK, Jr) There are many instances when these words can be repeated. Circumstances sometimes cause us to venture out and just trust that things will work out. It would be a different world without the need for faith, and a lot less interesting. ;-) Jack
FROM HS IN MICHIGAN: Agreed. Faith (and diverse perspectives) do indeed keep life interesting! FROM JACK: Not only interesting, but meaningful, too.
FROM SH IN MICHIGAN: There was another Martin Luther King, Jr., quote on the back of our program from our Walk yesterday, "In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends." 2010, still finding out things he said that just stick in a person's mind. Thanks for quoting him today. FROM JACK: We're still learning. The issue is not behind us.
FROM MF IN MICHIGAN: Makes me think that my life could be considered that staircase, every year I get older is another step. I have to trust that things will work out and have faith to make it another 30 or 40
years. FROM JACK: We each have an hour glass, made of blackened glass, which contains grains of sand reprenting the length of our life. We make the best of each day. Faith helps us to go on.
FROM SG IN TAMPA: How true that is. Also I believe that faith is a gift and some people refuse it. FROM JACK: Your response causes me to think. Is faith a gift (from God), or is it part of our free will. Regardless, what you have said is true.
FROM LG IN MICHIGAN: Awesome!!! FROM JACK: That's a good word.
FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY: Faith is knowing we are cared for and loved even when it doesn't seem like it. Talking with my grandsons yesterday in the car about the Trinity. One is grandson is 10 the other is 5. I was explaining how in faith we believe there are three in one...the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. They were having problems understanding so I used my hand. There is a thumb, a pointer finger and a middle finger, but they are all from the same hand. They understood that easily. We had a long talk about faith and I think I learned more than they did! FROM JACK: I'll have to remember that one.
FROM MOLINER CF: It takes a tremendous amount of faith because you don't even know if the staircase goes up or down. FROM JACK: Look at the first step. Is it up or down? Then, look at the next step. "One step, and then another...."
FROM CJL IN OHIO: We have to know where the staircase is leading before we take that first step. FROM JACK: That's the whole point of faith. We don't "know," so we have to "believe."
FROM GC IN SAN DIEGO: Right on, Jack! FROM JACK: As the hymn puts it....We are marching in the light of God.
FROM DS IN MICHIGAN: Trying to encourage my 23 year old just this. So tough trying to find career work. FROM JACK: No one said that faith would be easy.
FROM ML IN ILLINOIS: reminds me of the song, "jacob's ladder", brothers...sisters...all. FROM JACK: That's a good connection.
“Faith is taking the first step when you don’t see the whole staircase.” (MLK, Jr) There are many instances when these words can be repeated. Circumstances sometimes cause us to venture out and just trust that things will work out. It would be a different world without the need for faith, and a lot less interesting. ;-) Jack
FROM HS IN MICHIGAN: Agreed. Faith (and diverse perspectives) do indeed keep life interesting! FROM JACK: Not only interesting, but meaningful, too.
FROM SH IN MICHIGAN: There was another Martin Luther King, Jr., quote on the back of our program from our Walk yesterday, "In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends." 2010, still finding out things he said that just stick in a person's mind. Thanks for quoting him today. FROM JACK: We're still learning. The issue is not behind us.
FROM MF IN MICHIGAN: Makes me think that my life could be considered that staircase, every year I get older is another step. I have to trust that things will work out and have faith to make it another 30 or 40
years. FROM JACK: We each have an hour glass, made of blackened glass, which contains grains of sand reprenting the length of our life. We make the best of each day. Faith helps us to go on.
FROM SG IN TAMPA: How true that is. Also I believe that faith is a gift and some people refuse it. FROM JACK: Your response causes me to think. Is faith a gift (from God), or is it part of our free will. Regardless, what you have said is true.
FROM LG IN MICHIGAN: Awesome!!! FROM JACK: That's a good word.
FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY: Faith is knowing we are cared for and loved even when it doesn't seem like it. Talking with my grandsons yesterday in the car about the Trinity. One is grandson is 10 the other is 5. I was explaining how in faith we believe there are three in one...the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. They were having problems understanding so I used my hand. There is a thumb, a pointer finger and a middle finger, but they are all from the same hand. They understood that easily. We had a long talk about faith and I think I learned more than they did! FROM JACK: I'll have to remember that one.
FROM MOLINER CF: It takes a tremendous amount of faith because you don't even know if the staircase goes up or down. FROM JACK: Look at the first step. Is it up or down? Then, look at the next step. "One step, and then another...."
FROM CJL IN OHIO: We have to know where the staircase is leading before we take that first step. FROM JACK: That's the whole point of faith. We don't "know," so we have to "believe."
FROM GC IN SAN DIEGO: Right on, Jack! FROM JACK: As the hymn puts it....We are marching in the light of God.
FROM DS IN MICHIGAN: Trying to encourage my 23 year old just this. So tough trying to find career work. FROM JACK: No one said that faith would be easy.
FROM ML IN ILLINOIS: reminds me of the song, "jacob's ladder", brothers...sisters...all. FROM JACK: That's a good connection.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Winning Words 1/18/10
“It’s a kingly act to assist the fallen.” (Mother Teresa) Whether it’s marching in Alabama, assisting in Haiti, ministering to the dying in Calcutta, building Habitat for Humanity homes, serving in a Detroit soup kitchen, or putting money in a Red Kettle… our help is needed for those who have fallen and aren’t able to get up. ;-) Jack
FROM SL IN MICHIGAN: Amen! Thank you! FROM JACK: I'm always impressed by caring people who see the needs of people and do something to help.
FROM RI IN BOSTON: To help those in need IS kingly, according to Matthew 25:40: "And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." FROM JACK: I was thinking of kingly, as in Martin Luther King, Jr. MORE FROM RI: That association is excellent. Actually I thought of that as I was writing "King" in my response. The capital K clued me in to MLK's name. Fine WW today...not just the quote but especially your insights.
FROM MOLINER CF: Pun and all, it's the right thing to do.
FROM CJL IN OHIO: Including those at home.. FROM JACK: Yes, it's no laughing matter.
FROM AM IN MICHIGAN: I repeat paraphrasing Mother Theresa that we may not all be able to do great things but we can all do small things well. FROM JACK: Everybody can do something.
“It’s a kingly act to assist the fallen.” (Mother Teresa) Whether it’s marching in Alabama, assisting in Haiti, ministering to the dying in Calcutta, building Habitat for Humanity homes, serving in a Detroit soup kitchen, or putting money in a Red Kettle… our help is needed for those who have fallen and aren’t able to get up. ;-) Jack
FROM SL IN MICHIGAN: Amen! Thank you! FROM JACK: I'm always impressed by caring people who see the needs of people and do something to help.
FROM RI IN BOSTON: To help those in need IS kingly, according to Matthew 25:40: "And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." FROM JACK: I was thinking of kingly, as in Martin Luther King, Jr. MORE FROM RI: That association is excellent. Actually I thought of that as I was writing "King" in my response. The capital K clued me in to MLK's name. Fine WW today...not just the quote but especially your insights.
FROM MOLINER CF: Pun and all, it's the right thing to do.
FROM CJL IN OHIO: Including those at home.. FROM JACK: Yes, it's no laughing matter.
FROM AM IN MICHIGAN: I repeat paraphrasing Mother Theresa that we may not all be able to do great things but we can all do small things well. FROM JACK: Everybody can do something.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Winning Words 1/15/10
“When there’s snow on the ground I like to pretend that I’m walking on clouds.” (I, H & K) You people in the cloudless Sun Belt don’t know what you’re missing…making snow angels…walking on the new-fallen snow…seeing your breath. Not far from our house is a big snow-covered hill, where young and old have fun with Flexible Flyers, saucers and cardboard. As I watch, I pretend to be up there with them. ;-) Jack
FROM SH IN MICHIGAN: Your Winning Words today point out to me that, as I get older and older, my imagination might be deteriorating because one of my big purposes now is NOT TO FALL DOWN ON THE SNOW, NOT TO FALL DOWN PERIOD AND BREAK A BONE. FROM JACK: While you're down there, you might as well make a snow angel
FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY: There is nothing so pretty as a freshly snow covered lawn; especially evergreen trees. And being as we have a sloping backyard our grandsons love to come over and sled all day. They come in when their toes and noses are bright red....to a cup of hot chocolate! How wonderful these fun days are!!! FROM JACK: Do you go down the hill with them?
FROM RI IN BOSTON: There are some wonderful moments that go along with a fresh snowfall. Your mention of a snowy hill with lighthearted young and old sledders reminds me of years ago when we were in West Bloomfield, and our family got invited by the Fishers to join the winter fun on the hill near their home. Afterward we were invited to their home for hot drinks and friendly chatting. You don't forget those moments. FROM JACK: Thanks for the reminder. That's a great remembrance.
FROM PRFM IN ALABAMA: I get the same feeling when I am walking on white sand at the gulf of Mexico. FROM JACK: Do you ever lie down and make sand angels?
FROM ED IN ARIZONA: Who says there's no snow in the sunbelt? FROM JACK: wow (for the rest of you..ED sent a picture of her hiking in the snowy mountains) MORE FROM ED: its 70 degrees here and sunny (sorry). However, im heading up to Flagstaff this weekend (just a 2 hour drive north) and it will be 25 degrees there. We are planning on hiking in the Grand Canyon on Saturday, Rock climbing in Sedona on Sunday (50 degrees) and then watch the snow from a big snow storm that is coming through on Monday! The topography here provides such a range of climates within just a 2 hours drive!! How awesome
FROM SG IN TAMPA: In Florida the young make their angels in the sand at the beach. FROM JACK: Are you one of the young?
FROM CJL IN OHIO: and remember when you were..... FROM JACK: Those were the days my friend We'd thought they'd never end We'd sing and dance Forever and a day We'd live the life we'd choose We'd fight and never lose For we were young And sure to have our way MORE FROM CJL: God gives us memories so we can have roses in December....
FROM PRJS IN MICHIGAN: I would love to come down that hill but would likely come down in more than one piece so I am with you...I watch and remember. FROM JACK: I remember once going down a hill and unexpectedlt came upon a cliff at the bottom. I landed with such force that the sled runners bent.
MORE FROM ED: its 70 degrees here and sunny (sorry). However, im heading up to Flagstaff this weekend (just a 2 hour drive north) and it will be 25 degrees there. We are planning on hiking in the Grand Canyon on Saturday, Rock climbing in Sedona on Sunday (50 degrees) and then watch the snow from a big snow storm that is coming through on Monday! The topography here provides such a range of climates within just a 2 hours drive!! How awesome
FROM PRPH IN ARIZONA: why pretend, Jack? you should go and join them! it would surely bring back a lot of childhood memories! FROM JACK: If I'm going to pretend, I'll pretend that I'm in Arizona.
FROM AW IN ILLINOIS: I read the weather reports, the people in the Sun Belt are learning how to walk on water.
“When there’s snow on the ground I like to pretend that I’m walking on clouds.” (I, H & K) You people in the cloudless Sun Belt don’t know what you’re missing…making snow angels…walking on the new-fallen snow…seeing your breath. Not far from our house is a big snow-covered hill, where young and old have fun with Flexible Flyers, saucers and cardboard. As I watch, I pretend to be up there with them. ;-) Jack
FROM SH IN MICHIGAN: Your Winning Words today point out to me that, as I get older and older, my imagination might be deteriorating because one of my big purposes now is NOT TO FALL DOWN ON THE SNOW, NOT TO FALL DOWN PERIOD AND BREAK A BONE. FROM JACK: While you're down there, you might as well make a snow angel
FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY: There is nothing so pretty as a freshly snow covered lawn; especially evergreen trees. And being as we have a sloping backyard our grandsons love to come over and sled all day. They come in when their toes and noses are bright red....to a cup of hot chocolate! How wonderful these fun days are!!! FROM JACK: Do you go down the hill with them?
FROM RI IN BOSTON: There are some wonderful moments that go along with a fresh snowfall. Your mention of a snowy hill with lighthearted young and old sledders reminds me of years ago when we were in West Bloomfield, and our family got invited by the Fishers to join the winter fun on the hill near their home. Afterward we were invited to their home for hot drinks and friendly chatting. You don't forget those moments. FROM JACK: Thanks for the reminder. That's a great remembrance.
FROM PRFM IN ALABAMA: I get the same feeling when I am walking on white sand at the gulf of Mexico. FROM JACK: Do you ever lie down and make sand angels?
FROM ED IN ARIZONA: Who says there's no snow in the sunbelt? FROM JACK: wow (for the rest of you..ED sent a picture of her hiking in the snowy mountains) MORE FROM ED: its 70 degrees here and sunny (sorry). However, im heading up to Flagstaff this weekend (just a 2 hour drive north) and it will be 25 degrees there. We are planning on hiking in the Grand Canyon on Saturday, Rock climbing in Sedona on Sunday (50 degrees) and then watch the snow from a big snow storm that is coming through on Monday! The topography here provides such a range of climates within just a 2 hours drive!! How awesome
FROM SG IN TAMPA: In Florida the young make their angels in the sand at the beach. FROM JACK: Are you one of the young?
FROM CJL IN OHIO: and remember when you were..... FROM JACK: Those were the days my friend We'd thought they'd never end We'd sing and dance Forever and a day We'd live the life we'd choose We'd fight and never lose For we were young And sure to have our way MORE FROM CJL: God gives us memories so we can have roses in December....
FROM PRJS IN MICHIGAN: I would love to come down that hill but would likely come down in more than one piece so I am with you...I watch and remember. FROM JACK: I remember once going down a hill and unexpectedlt came upon a cliff at the bottom. I landed with such force that the sled runners bent.
MORE FROM ED: its 70 degrees here and sunny (sorry). However, im heading up to Flagstaff this weekend (just a 2 hour drive north) and it will be 25 degrees there. We are planning on hiking in the Grand Canyon on Saturday, Rock climbing in Sedona on Sunday (50 degrees) and then watch the snow from a big snow storm that is coming through on Monday! The topography here provides such a range of climates within just a 2 hours drive!! How awesome
FROM PRPH IN ARIZONA: why pretend, Jack? you should go and join them! it would surely bring back a lot of childhood memories! FROM JACK: If I'm going to pretend, I'll pretend that I'm in Arizona.
FROM AW IN ILLINOIS: I read the weather reports, the people in the Sun Belt are learning how to walk on water.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Winning Words 1/14/10
“In this difficult time for the United States, it’s perhaps well to ask what kind of a nation we are and what direction we want to move in.” (RFK) This was said by Bobby after the assassinations of his brother and Martin Luther King Jr, and 2 months before he himself was shot. We continually have to ask, “In what direction do we want our country to move?” ;-) Jack
FROM JH IN OHIO: timely and important to remember!
FROM DMF IN MINNESOTA: What happened to the nintendo guys? FROM JACK: Back tomorrow.
FROM RI IN BOSTON: The kind of nation we are is one which emphasizes individual freedom for living our lives, and I think we are so focused on our selves that we have lost sight of the nation's collective needs. We concentrate on personal aspirations, but how many of us dwell on national aspirations? It IS a difficult time for our country now, but future generations will look back and realize that these years were "the good life". FROM JACK: You got the gist of the message. MORE FROM RI: I get insight from Hiroko, who reminds me from time to time about Japan's populace, all of whom consider themselves a small part of a larger whole. They move together like a school of fish, no one individual expecting to stick out from the pack.
FROM SH IN MICHIGAN: Attended a talk and panel discussion led by Jim Wallis of Sojourners. He said people seem to be asking "when will our economy get back on track again, when will it go up?" But he thinks the problem is of need to change. We need to be digging deep, asking "what are our values and how do we need to change?" I'm 62 years old now--how many times do we have to ask ourselves what are our values anyway before we get it right what direction our country needs to be going in? Maybe we're only asking and not doing.
FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY: Definitely not where we are headed! FROM JACK: That's what I thought in the 50s and the 60s, and then someone tried to make a difference. The way we're heading, individually or collectively, won't change until someone wants it to change. " If it's to be, it's up to me!" MORE FROM OJ: That's why I never miss a vote and support my candidates.....now the hard part begins....how to get the rest motivated. My family never misses a vote (unless illiness of course). My husband and I feel we vote or we shut up until the next election...you don't vote you don't get a say....that's how it works. MORE FROM JACK: I happen to
think that most of the change happens outside of politics...in the hearts and minds of individuals.
FROM GOOD DEBT JON: Good point; however presently no one is asking. FROM JACK: Since you are commenting, I suppose that's a way of asking. On MLK's birthday, I tried a subtle way to raise the question.
FROM MOLINER CF: "Ask not what direction your country should move, ask our country's directors to move." We're in limbo. FROM JACK: The Catholic Church says that "limbo" no longer exists. You must be thinking of the limbo dance. I'd like to see you do that.
We're in limbo.
FROM PRPH IN ARIZONA: right now we need to be moving in the direction of Haiti. what a disaster! FROM JACK: Disasters seem to unite people, sad to say.
FROM MO IN ILLINOIS: In this day and age, it is hard not to feel that OUR era has passed, and we can only pray that our Ship of State will eventually right itself. From all I read, it appears that the next big war will be between Muslims and Christians, although China looms large, doesn't it? Our poor old brains are often overwhelmed with the scope of all nations deal with these days. Yet we remain very interested in it all! FROM JACK: Don't let that negative thinking clutter your mind. This IS our era, as much as any other time in which we have lived. Relgious wars are nothing new. How about our country's Civil War and our race riots and the Great Depression,etc, etc. We sometimes look through the wrong end of the telescope. Enjoy your trip to the Sun Belt.
FROM PRJS IN MICHIGAN: Neither right nor left....the center is our best bet. All of our greatest leaders have been Centrists and very pragmatic. The idealists are a scary bunch. FROM JACK: ...and you've been accusing me of being a "mugwump."
FROM TB IN MICHIGAN: I think the efforts that the President has outlined for assisting the people of Haiti is an outstanding direction. Your thought? What do you think of the comments by Pat Robertson relative to Haitians pack with the Devil? FROM JACK: Does anyone listen to Robertson anymore? "My" God doesn't work in that way. As far as the president is concerned, we are thought to be a humanitarian country and should therefore support our leader in his humanitarian efforts on our behalf.
“In this difficult time for the United States, it’s perhaps well to ask what kind of a nation we are and what direction we want to move in.” (RFK) This was said by Bobby after the assassinations of his brother and Martin Luther King Jr, and 2 months before he himself was shot. We continually have to ask, “In what direction do we want our country to move?” ;-) Jack
FROM JH IN OHIO: timely and important to remember!
FROM DMF IN MINNESOTA: What happened to the nintendo guys? FROM JACK: Back tomorrow.
FROM RI IN BOSTON: The kind of nation we are is one which emphasizes individual freedom for living our lives, and I think we are so focused on our selves that we have lost sight of the nation's collective needs. We concentrate on personal aspirations, but how many of us dwell on national aspirations? It IS a difficult time for our country now, but future generations will look back and realize that these years were "the good life". FROM JACK: You got the gist of the message. MORE FROM RI: I get insight from Hiroko, who reminds me from time to time about Japan's populace, all of whom consider themselves a small part of a larger whole. They move together like a school of fish, no one individual expecting to stick out from the pack.
FROM SH IN MICHIGAN: Attended a talk and panel discussion led by Jim Wallis of Sojourners. He said people seem to be asking "when will our economy get back on track again, when will it go up?" But he thinks the problem is of need to change. We need to be digging deep, asking "what are our values and how do we need to change?" I'm 62 years old now--how many times do we have to ask ourselves what are our values anyway before we get it right what direction our country needs to be going in? Maybe we're only asking and not doing.
FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY: Definitely not where we are headed! FROM JACK: That's what I thought in the 50s and the 60s, and then someone tried to make a difference. The way we're heading, individually or collectively, won't change until someone wants it to change. " If it's to be, it's up to me!" MORE FROM OJ: That's why I never miss a vote and support my candidates.....now the hard part begins....how to get the rest motivated. My family never misses a vote (unless illiness of course). My husband and I feel we vote or we shut up until the next election...you don't vote you don't get a say....that's how it works. MORE FROM JACK: I happen to
think that most of the change happens outside of politics...in the hearts and minds of individuals.
FROM GOOD DEBT JON: Good point; however presently no one is asking. FROM JACK: Since you are commenting, I suppose that's a way of asking. On MLK's birthday, I tried a subtle way to raise the question.
FROM MOLINER CF: "Ask not what direction your country should move, ask our country's directors to move." We're in limbo. FROM JACK: The Catholic Church says that "limbo" no longer exists. You must be thinking of the limbo dance. I'd like to see you do that.
We're in limbo.
FROM PRPH IN ARIZONA: right now we need to be moving in the direction of Haiti. what a disaster! FROM JACK: Disasters seem to unite people, sad to say.
FROM MO IN ILLINOIS: In this day and age, it is hard not to feel that OUR era has passed, and we can only pray that our Ship of State will eventually right itself. From all I read, it appears that the next big war will be between Muslims and Christians, although China looms large, doesn't it? Our poor old brains are often overwhelmed with the scope of all nations deal with these days. Yet we remain very interested in it all! FROM JACK: Don't let that negative thinking clutter your mind. This IS our era, as much as any other time in which we have lived. Relgious wars are nothing new. How about our country's Civil War and our race riots and the Great Depression,etc, etc. We sometimes look through the wrong end of the telescope. Enjoy your trip to the Sun Belt.
FROM PRJS IN MICHIGAN: Neither right nor left....the center is our best bet. All of our greatest leaders have been Centrists and very pragmatic. The idealists are a scary bunch. FROM JACK: ...and you've been accusing me of being a "mugwump."
FROM TB IN MICHIGAN: I think the efforts that the President has outlined for assisting the people of Haiti is an outstanding direction. Your thought? What do you think of the comments by Pat Robertson relative to Haitians pack with the Devil? FROM JACK: Does anyone listen to Robertson anymore? "My" God doesn't work in that way. As far as the president is concerned, we are thought to be a humanitarian country and should therefore support our leader in his humanitarian efforts on our behalf.
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