Jack’s Winning Words 5/8/20
“The best use of imagination is creativity.  The worst use of imagination is anxiety.”  (DeepakChopra)  I like the Beatles’ song, Imagine.  Imagination helps me to create Winning Words.  Imagination “invented” the computer…and the wheel.  To be able to imagine is a wonderful gift…except when it causes anxiety.  Jesus reminds us: “Be not anxious, for you have a God who cares for you and will never leave you.”  Let that be a focus for us today!  ;-)  Jack 

FROM SF IN FL:  I love this. Seems that I can juggle both simultaneously!! Anxiety leads to outlets of creativity. My 9-year-old granddaughter and I are writing a book together using FaceTime... “Quinn the Quarantined Quail”. It’s been fun to collaborate with her. Building quarantine memories!!===JACK:  It would be interesting to see what other Q words could be fit into the story.  I guess I'm just being quizzical.===S: Very Good!===JACK: Kwanzaa could fit, too!

FROM AP IN WB:  Thank you for these words today. I needed these reminders, being the worrier in the family.  My imagination takes me to many 'what if' possibilities that create great anxiety for me.  I will reread today's WW several times today.===JACK:  While you're at it, pull out the Bible and read  Philippians 4:6-7.

FROM NORM'S BLOG:  It is hard not to be anxious these days. Every unmasked stranger that we pass by, we imagine is a COVID-19 carrier who is exposing us to the virus. Every surface that we touch might have last been touched by an infected person, so we wash our hands or use sanitizer. Every night the reports on the news shows reinforce our worst anxieties. What are we to do?  For one, we can turn our imaginations to being creative about staying safe. We have already seen people being creative about making their own facemasks and many have had to become creative about other things like gloves or making their own hand sanitizer. While we are staying home, we must use our creative side to avoid becoming bored, especially if we have younger children who must be kept busy ot occupied.  We can turn our imaginations towards finding ways to communicate with those whom we cannot visit right now. One doesn’t have to use technology to sit down and write a letter or pick up the phone and make a call to someone that we can’t visit with. Some have used their imaginations to create innovative posts to social media.===JACK:  Facemasks could be made showing positive messages on them...or with the image of a loved one on them.  "Who's that?" could start a conversation.

FROM WILLMAR REV:  I can only imagine what it will be like

When I walk, by your side

I can only imagine what my eyes will see

When you face is before me

I can only imagine

I can only imagine

===JACK:  Is Heaven...imagination?
FROM REV:  My answer would be "more so today", just as what our Savior was imagined to be and do when He came to earth the first time! The reality of heaven remains in our hearts and minds until we see Christ and this place he has gone to prepare for us.  0;-)===JACK:  Imagination is not a bad word.  "Eye has not seen, nor ear hear, neither has entered the mind of man, the things God has prepared for those who love him" (1 Cor 2:9), so we can only imagine.

FROM ST PAUL:  when Rabbi Harold Kushner wrote his book,  his original title was WHY bad things happened to good people.   when he finished his book, he realized he had not answered  the question so he changed the title.   he says that the real question to ask is HOW.....  as in how am i going to live thru this crises and come out on the other side with some degree of normalcy restored in my life. ===JACK:  The book's title is: When Bad Things Happen To Good People.

FROM JR IN ANDOVER:  Reading Steve Goodman‘s biography.  Found out Steve and John we’re good friends.  Been listening to a lot of John Prine since he passed.===JACK:  Now, I have to look up more about Steve Goodman...and listen to some John Prine.  The Prine lyrics are really great.

Jack’s Winning Words 5/7/20
“If you work hard and run straight, God’s gonna bless you sooner or later.”  (Brian Carroll)  Brian’s a car concierge.  Tell him the kind of car you want, and he does all of the dickering.  You get what you want at the best price.  He’s a success at what he does, because he works hard and is honest.  Sooner or later the honest hard worker is gonna be blessed, too.  That what Brian believes.  Maybe you won’t get rich, but you’ll have the satisfaction of a job well done..  ;-)  Jack   

FROM WILLMAR REV:   Have a dear friend like that here in Willmar, MN . . . I'm the worst when it comes to buying cars . . . I really don't have a taste for it, as long as it drives and I can afford it . . . I call him, tell him what we are looking for and can pay and he does all the bickering  for the best price  ===JACK:  Not only is God "gonna" bless you, He has blessed you with a concierge...and a satisfying ministry.  

FROM GOOD DEBT JON:   One of the favorite lines I wrote over the years was to my father, who died May 25, 1968. It’s the bridge of one of my songs, “Maybe Dad, love is only memories, and if it is, I know you’re still here with me.”  I am researching a bit on the constructivist concept of “narrative reality.“  Meaning our reality arises from the stories we tell ourselves.  A great book title, “What to Say When You Talk to Yourself,” is worth a review. Probably from the 1980s.  Shad Hemsettler, Ph.D. as I recall.  I may dig that out again. ===JACK:  I like that "dad" quote and the thought that the "maybes" in life might be true.  That's one of the things I say when I talk to myself...among other things. 

FROM NORM'S BLOG:  We have become  a nation that is used to instant gratification, sometimes without working at all. We no longer have the patience to write novels; so, we write Tweets. Out “knowledge “is served to us in sound bites, rather than in great lectures. We are not willing to self-quarantine to protect others because what we have to do we feel is more important. For us, waiting is the hard part. We don’t have time for later. Come on God, we have things to; let’s get to the blessings part now.  We have also become a nation obsessed with getting on to the next big thing, owning the next new gadget or having the next new experience. That tends to downplay what we already have, what God has already given us, including the fact that we awoke this morning to another day. Rather than be thankful for what we have already been given, we are constantly striving for the next thing. Rather than enjoying the gifts that we have in hand, we are dissatisfied with what we have yet to achieve or possess. We don’t have time for later. Come on God, we have things to; let’s get to the blessings part now.  This crisis and the Stay at Home time that was government mandated in many areas should have provided the time to pause and thank God for being alive, for not being sick and for all of the other things that you have. Instead, it has driven many to acts of stupidity or worse. Violence in domestic abuse cases is up, suicides are up, shootings are happening over the lack of a mask in public and armed demonstrators have taken to the streets demanding the right to congregate and get sick. We don’t have time for later. Come on God, we have things to; let’s get to the blessings part now.  That’s not how it works. Start with the work hard and run straight part of today’s quote. Basically, that boils down to doing the right things. The right things never involve the anger and stupidity that some are displaying or the violence towards others. Loving thy neighbor as you love yourself does not involve yelling and screaming, or pushing and shoving. We were asked to do the right things by staying at home and practicing social distancing when in public. For many that was easy to comply with, but for a few who don’t have the patience to wait and help stop the spread of the disease, it was impossible. We don’t have time for later. Come on God, we have things to; let’s get to the blessings part now.  We now enter a very dangerous phase of this crisis, when economic and political pressures are forcing government leaders to take actions that they know will cause an increase in the number of deaths – projections from models range as high as 400,000+. Government leaders have decided that the potential death toll is an acceptable trade-off to get the economy running again. We will all soon be at greater risk in our stores and restaurants, at our workplaces and in any gathering of people in public. Our scientists medical professionals have warned us and shown us data that says we are not ready to re-open the country. Our reply… We don’t have time for later. Come on God, we have things to; let’s get to the blessings part now.  Let’s hope that God takes pity on us. He has forgiven a foolish people before; maybe he will forgive us again. Maybe we should all pray for patience, rather than telling God…We don’t have time for later. Come on God, we have things to; let’s get to the blessings part now. ===JACK:  In short, "Count your many blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done."

FROM ME IN NEWPORT BEACH:  Nice.  Like guys like Brian.  Self starters and hard workers.  ===JACK:  Were you ever in the position of hiring and firing people.  If so, were you able to determine ahead of time who will fit the mold you describe?

Jack’s Winning Words 5/6/20
 “If heartaches was commercials, we’d all be on TV.”  (John Prine)  Often we don’t appreciate people until they’re gone.  Singer Prine died recently, but his music and lyrics live on.  In fact, I’ve bookmarked several of his quotes (like this one).  There’s a certain empathy with John.  He knows we’ve had our heartaches, because he’s had them also.  And I like it, too, that he feels the same way I do about those incessant medicine-ads during the news.  Stay well!  ;-)  Jack

FROM DS IN SOCAL:  Especially true for me today.   I had to put my beloved dog down yesterday and I'm very distraught over it.===JACK:  I've had to do it twice.  No fun.  Do you remember the song, Old Shep?  You can Google it.

FROM GOOD DEBT JON:  Absolutely,  Prine was one of the best:

 If dreams were thunder  And lightning was desire

This old house would've burned down  A long time ago

 (from Angel from Montgomery)

 John Prine was a world class Singer Songwriter.  And I don't mean somebody that write songs about sewing machines.===JACK:  Sometimes popularity soars because of one's death.  There will be no more; we'll have to rely on memory!

FROM FACEBOOK LIZ:  am i the only person who has no idea who this guy was?===JACK:  See my previous post from Good Debt Jon.  Thanks to YouTube your music education can continue.  My son introduced me to Prine.

FROM SHARIN' SHARON:  Those incessant medicine-ads during the news bother me as well, and also the incessant news on the television about staying home, opening the economy, people now actually fighting over the masks and why or why not to social distance, and the possibility that before this is over we could have thousands daily dying or something and no meat and so forth and so forth and especially that a person has to hear and understand the news so as to be able to take the best precautions and not die, but on the other hand, a person just abhors all of the news too.  Other news like some war overseas, a person could choose to "turn off" and go "about normal life" but not this corona virus news.  Anyway, glad and thankful you all are still alive--please keep being careful and self-isolating and using the technology to keep in touch.===JACK:  It's always good to "read" your thoughts.  BTW, isn't it about time to start that Community Garden?  What a good way to use part of the church property!  You and J are saints in the best use of the term.===SHARON:  We've been volunteering for the past month on the community garden, composted, set up all the drip irrigation and planted quite a few seeds.  Just our regular crew of dedicated volunteers so we are able to keep social distancing and are wearing masks.  Not really doing any outreach to attract new volunteers since we actually don't want to risk getting too many folks there in the field anyway.  The two programs which have to do with helping provide food to food-insecure folks, we vowed to keep running.

FROM BLAZING OAKS:  My kids are mourning his death; I knew of him and his songs, but didn't really follow him like they did! But his truth rings true today. We've all had our share of heartaches!! ===JACK:  I think that we have to "live" experiences in order to truly express them.

Jack’s Winning Words  5/5/20
“I’ve been down in the dumps…This really brightens my day.”  (Liz Koto)  Liz and her husband were walking around the block to break the “cabin fever.”  On a whim they decided to “walk funny,” as in the Monty Python skit…the Ministry of Silly Walks.  The Kotos offered to take pictures of neighbors walking funny, too..  Everyone got a good laugh.  If these stressful times are putting you down in the dumps, try a funny walk.  Right now…do it!   ;-)  Jack  

FROM BB IN CHGO:   Loved that Monty Python skit.  Glad to hear your neighbors have a keen sense of humor and that you are doing well.===JACK:  We saw a man doing the silly walk.  Stopped the car, rolled down the car window and congratulated him on his silly walk ...only to discover that he wasn't doing it.  OOPS  What he was doing was lifting knees and thrusting his legs outward as part of an exercise.  It looked funny to me.  He did know of the Monty Python skit, so it worked out OK.

FROM NORM'S BLOG:  We have all seen the ads on TV that recommend that you call someone rather than visit them. Calling them also helps brighten up their day, especially those who have been enduring this pandemic lock-down alone. What can you do to brighten someone’s day?

Many people have been putting signs in their windows or yards thanking the frontline workers in their area. Some even hold clapping sessions on their front porches or lawns to thank those who continue to serve us through this crisis. Doing something like that helps both the people who serve and the celebrators alike. What can you do to brighten someone’s day?===JACK:  We used to sing a song in Sunday School...Brighten the corner where you are.  (It was a peppy one, too!)

FROM SK IN SJ:  You’re right Jack! I was right on top of today’s message! I just might do a silly walk today!===JACK:  Since no one will be looking, do a really funny one, but don't throw your back out of whack!

FROM ST PAUL:  i sometimes do a funny walk when i am heading for the john:):):)===JACK:  HA HA.  In our house we used to call it, "The Green Apple Cake Walk."

FROM BLAZING OAKS:  I have a picture in my Facebook account of a man walking really funny, in a block in which a person had put a sign on her lawn, very nicely lettered, saying: "This is a Silly Walk Block, Please comply! It sure made me smile, even laugh. I thought "what a fun thing to do. I suppose the neighbors were watching.===JACK:  How about putting a sign on your back...Watch a silly golf swing?  Oops!  That wasn't nice.  Forgive me!

Jack’s Winning Words  5/4/20
“We are in the same storm, but not necessarily in the same boat.”  (Sent by BRC)  Last week I watched the movie, Titanic.  The lifeboat scenes were frightening.  Some passengers were saved, but many were not. Everyone these “virus days” doesn’t have access to a safe lifeboat.  These are tesing times, times that test our willingness to care for each other.  Have you seen examples in your world of persons braving the storm to help frightened people?  ;-)  Jack

FROM WILLMAR REV:  Like you, there's One, a countless number of us are looking to for seeing us through! 0;-)===JACK:  Do you know the song..."Master, the tempest is raging, the billows are tossing high?" ===REV:  I have not heard of that song . . . I did Google it and found it written and sung like the biblical account and most likely the thoughts that were found on the scene that day. 

FROM GOOD DEBT JON:  “Be not afraid of growing slowly, be only afraid of standing still.” -CONFUCIUS.   Yes. I have been very blessed. No income disruption,  time to evaluate options and new directions. My family is doing well.  Sometimes a pause, intended or not, is a catalyst for change. Some of us will rework offense or use this time to change directions. Some may need to shore up their defenses.  Have a wonderful day sir.===JACK:  In the midst of bragging about "the greatest economy ever," we are given a reminder that there is a power greater than what we control.  There's a hymn..."Our times are in Thy hand; O Lord, we wish them there."  In retrospect, I hope that we will be able to look upon a pause that refreshes.===JON:  1988 to 2000 greatest in recent memory. The Trump /Obama economies are frightening.===JACK:  I'm not an economist, but I thought that the national was coming down in the Obama era.

FROM TAMPA SHIRL:  I have mostly seen people enjoying staying home and working from home! 

FROM RS IN TEXAS:  Front line medical personnel, first responders, retail store workers.....the list is long.===JACK:  There are lotsa good people on this Earth...See the next response from Blazing Oaks.

FROM BLAZING OAKS:  There are so many stories! But close to home, 3 of my g.daughters are nursing during this pandemic, one in Sherman, IL whose Nursing Home has over  90 cases of the virus, including 38 staff  members (out of 112). She hasn[t missed a shift, and is taking extra shifts due to staff shortages, while her 3 children stay with her sisters and families. The other is nurse practitioner at Spfld. clinic, and works every day seeing patients, , and testing for new cases, while her husband works from home, and cares for their two boys, and the 3rd is in Rochester NY, which had 405 cases, many critical, and dying, and she's worked every day, 24/7. She is single, so no children to worry about, but in the midst of the fray! And there are literally 1,000's just like them.

all  over the world! AWESOME!!===JACK:  Those stories are moving...and great, but when they're personal, they're even greater.  It must be in the genes.

Jack’s Winning Words 5/1/20
 “With God it isn’t who you were that matters, it’s who you are becoming.”  (Liz Curtis Higgs)  This church library book caught my attention…Wicked Women in the Bible.  It begins with the story of Eve.  There’s one about Delilah…and Potiphar’s wife.  Each chapter has a story of redemption.  Do you remember the song, “You can be better than you are?”  There’s hope for each of us.  It’s not the mistakes of the past; it’s the person that God is helping us to become.   ;-)  Jack

FROM RS IN TEXAS:  Chuck Colson comes to mind.===JACK:  At the time I doubted his sincerity ... but time moves on.  In retrospect, he seems to have had a life change.  Most of my "younger" readers will wonder, "Who was Chuck Colson?"===RS:  I know - Gloria reminds me all the time that most of the people I think would remember something from 40-50 years ago don't. I'm beginning to understand when I get some blank stares.

 FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY:  Everyday is a new beginning for us.  God has such great forgiveness as each day we need forgiveness.  But we work on trying to be Christ-like in our own feeble ways.  New beginnings!===JACK:  It's hard to accept forgiveness, especially when you think you don't deserve it.  Grace is a tough nut to crack.

FROM NORM'S BLOG:  Every day we have the opportunity to start the journey to becoming someone that we would like to be, rather than continue down the path that we’ve been on.  Most don’t stop to think about that each morning, nor do many actually pause to make a plan to start in that new direction. For most, It is just easier to let momentum continue to carry us in the direction that we’ve been going. We accept the status quo as, “I am”; instead of reaching for, “I could be”. ....As you pause in prayer each morning, ask yourself what you will do today to become that person that you want to be and then ask for God’s help in accomplishing those things. It’s not an instant thing, but if you make it a consistent thing in your life you make some small amount of progress towards your goal each day.===JACK:  In school I remember that someone was chosen at the end of each day to erase the blackboards so that they would be clean for the next day.

FROM QUILTING CAROL:  My circle chose to use this book for our Bible study this year.  We made it through Eve and then got ‘closed down’.  Hope it wasn’t something we said. HA!===JACK:  So, I'm not the only one intrigued by "Wicked Women of the Bible!"  I wonder if there's a sequel, "Wicked Men of the Bible?"  That would probably have to take several volumes.

FROM WILLMAR REV:  So again we are reminded, the best is yet to become! 0;-)===JACK:  Most are looking forward to the end of the pandemic...How great that will be!  Pastors have the privilege of talking about a life after this life.  How great that will be!

FROM BLAZING OAKS:  Reminds me of the button and pins, etc. with the inscription "Please be patient; God's not finished with me yet!" that was popular years ago. And I was reminded of the epitaph on Ruth Graham's grave, situated at the foot of a huge cross of flowers in a garden in Billy Graham's Library complex: "End of Construction: Thank you for your patience!"  We are all a work in progress until the day we die!!===JACK:  I once preached a sermon, titled: PBPGINFWMY!  It was well received...using the story of your button.  I wonder what mom and pop Graham would think of son, Franklin, and his antics?===JACK:  Love that  title! I bet your congregation was intrigued to

find out what you meant by that! Clever! :-)===JACK:  My intern pastor taught me the importance of having meaningful sermon titles.  Of course, content was important, too.  

FROM GUSTIE:  Bing Crosby sings it—Would you like to swing on a star—carry moonbeams home in a jar—and be better off than you are—or would you like to be a pig?  Is that the one you mean?  Larks were singing it this season—the season that wasn’t!===JACK:  I like that song.  Can males join the Larks, or do you practice discrimination?

FROM THE DETROIT RIVER: Amen and thanks for your Winning Words. Peace===JACK:  Thanks for caring for the environment.

FROM DAZ IN COLORADO:  Your phrase...there’s hope for each of us... is particularly worth keeping in our minds, especially now.===JACK:  In my mind I've seen hopeless situations - and then there's a surprising turn-a-round.  A person changes.  The unexpected happens.  My hope battery is recharged

Jack’s Winning Words 4/30/20
“We’re swimming in the same soup, you and me.  I am a carrot.  You are a pea.  Peppers, onions, celery, cabbage…we’re swimming in the same soup, and there’s room for all.”  (ESL class saying)  I love diversity!  I live in a community where over 60 languages are spoken in the homes of our high schoolers.  The president of our Clergy Group is a Muslim Imam.  The family living across the street is Russian.  I like vegetable soup.  Broth is kind of bland.  ;-)  Jack

FROM FACEBOOK LIZ:  60 languages! call me not so bright, but i did not realize there were so many different languages in the world, much less in one school district!  i was glad for gisela to have a russian skating coach from age 5... gives a child an expanded view of the world.  so what do you think of justin amash’s running for libertarian party presidential candidate?===JACK:  Americans, generally, are a pretty insulated people.  I have envied my European friends who know several languages, while I only know one.  Re: Libertarians...I have known several as close friends.  They are passionate about their beliefs, but their numbers continue to be insignificant compared to the final tallies of the main parties.  Libertarians continue to make their statement with no real hope of winning, imo

FROM LBP:  I did like that (diversity) about the east side of the state. The other soup analogy I like is the stone soup. We can each share a little to make it tasty.===JACK:  Lots of blondes in Minnesota.  You'd fit right in.

FROM SF IN FL:  Me too!!! I love this metaphor! Gary was always so proud of the diversity of the high school. Unfortunately, that is the very reason why some of our own people criticized and even moved to a ‘better’ school district. We and also our kids have friends from all walks of life. Our lives are enriched by our circle of friends. They have truly become our family.===JACK:  Yes, opposition to diversity is a reason to change school districts...another "hidden" one is the perception that you can move to a higher economic bracket with the change.  Foolish, foolish parents!===S:  Yes. Parents are competitive and view a diverse school population as inferior. So unfortunate.

FROM HY YO SILVER:  Excellent.  Good timing, too. I made a Greek soup yesterday and tossed in some carrots at the end just because “there was room”!===JOHN:  What is the "Jewish-made" soup that is supposedly a cure for almost everything?===HYS:  Chicken soup and or matzah ball soup  ===JACK:  I hope that Esther has a recipe for both.

FROM TAMPA SHIRL:  That is the story of America these days!===JACK:  The "Make America Great Again" movement seems to want to lessen diversity.===SHIRL:   Not at all!

FROM EILEEN IN MI:  So true and well said-when our kids were in First Grade-they made stone soup-we each brought in an item for the soup and it was included in the Thanksgiving celebration.  You never know how it is going to taste, but it is different every time.  I put a little dill in my chicken soup, along with parsley..and use chicken stock when making Bear Creek Soup, along with the water...Diversity is good, and so are changing things up each time, groups will blend and change with grace.===JACK:  A little bit of soup at Thanksgivingtime seems like a good idea.  Tell me more about stone soup and Bear Creek Soup.===EILEEN:   Stone Soup came from Village Oaks Elementary-I belive they started with a base and we brought in the rest, whether it was beans, a veggie, a spice or rice...

Bear Creek Soups are salty but..You can buy in the soup Aisle and do your own thing-I got creative with them once I experimented and picked the ones I like...Mike and I don't always agree..but I buy what we agree on-In the soup Aisle-runs around $3 and try first then decide if you want to add-I highlly recommend broth and or stock along with water, about half/half ===JACK:  Mmmm

FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY:  Love vegetable soup!  My favorite.  I think of us all as more of a fruit basket:  sweet, sour, thick, thin, mixed up in a big bowl!!  All different but bringing our own special flavors.===JACK:  Forrest Gump quoted his Momma..."Life is like a box of chocolates."

FROM PASTY PAT:  Amen...Amen===JACK:  What is a tasty Finnish soup?

FROM BLAZING OAKS:  Whew! 60 languages? That is diverse! I remember the elementary story Stone Soup, that my kids read, and some classes had kids bring vegetables to put into a occasionally had a chili fest where everyone brought a can of chili to put in the kettle. It always turned out good!

Yes we ARE all swimming in the same soup; a fun and apt analogy! Hope we soon swim out of this Covid 19 soup!! NOT palatable!===JACK: I used to co-host a TV program for the school district called, "Meet Your Neighbor" during which my partner and I invited some of "the 60" to tell us something about their country and its customs. 

FROM M & L:  M wanted me to tell you that he loves vegetable soup!!  :)===JACK:  You can serve that anytime I'm around.  It's a favorite of mine, too.

FROM SUNSHINE:  We also value the diversity in our community here in Blacksburg, VA . . . a rarity in southwest VA.  However there seems to be no racial or cultural diversity in our ELCA congregation.  Our former pastor, when asked about this and when we suggested possible actions, indicated that blacks have a different way of worship.  Our current pastor indicated that "Of course we have diversity, there was an Asian at our last service."  So this begs the question - do you also have diversity among your congregation?  If so, how was this accomplished?  I should add that this is in spite of our being a "Reconciling in Christ" congregation. 

===JACK:  Oh my!  In my opinion, diversity starts with the feelings of the pastor and how he/she presents the message, "Which is the greatest of the Commandments?"  It's hard to argue with Jesus when he tells the story of the Good Samaritan.  As I began a new congregation, our first worship service was well attended; we even had a choir.  Later that afternoon I had a call from someone who had signed the "charter" as a new member.  "Pastor, what are you trying to do by bringing in a black person to sing in the choir?"  I didn't know what she was talking about, because there was no "black person" in the choir.  Then it dawned on me.   "Oh, you must mean Bonnie...She just got back from  Florida and has been out in the sun a lot.  "Click" went the phone.  She and her family removed their names from the charter and joined a less liberal Lutheran congregation. 

FROM PROUD MARY:  The only thing I would add is animal crackers!✌ ===JACK:  You must be vegetarian...a cracker cow instead of beef. ===PM:  That's who I am!

FROM SK IN SJ:  Hi Jack! I liked your scenario of us all being in the same soup. It’s true ! Everything that’s going on is happening to all of us , no matter what our circumstances are. I’ve been of course thinking a lot about my life and where is it going . What do I need to be doing. But most of all, I get up everyday and try to reach out to friends and family. And my sewing! That keeps me going. Thank you for your words of wisdom!😊===JACK:  "Sewing keeps me going!"  That's a good slogan for shelter in place days.  How many masks have you made?

Jack’s Winning Words 4/29/20
“Old McDonald had a terrible Scrabble hand.  E-I-E-I-O.”  (Juicy Quotes)  Rachel is a good
Scrabble player.  She knows lots of 2-letter words and the obscure ones, too..  But, what do you do with E-I-E-I-O?  Some situations seem impossible! After thinking for a while. OE is a Faroe wind.  There are 6 other words using those tiles.  6?  How is that possible?  Some life problems seem to have no answer.  But, as the teacher used to say, “Put on your thinking cap.”  ;-)  Jack

FROM LBP:  If grandma got tiles like that she would start giggling, show me, and sing e-i-e-I-o. We played scrabble a lot so a hand full of vowels happened a lot. Grandma wasn’t super competitive about scrabble. Of course we kept score, but a good game to her fit all the tiles in. There are many old score papers in the scrabble box. A history of time spent with others.===JACK:  I wonder what it feels like not to be competitive?===L:  Her sister was very competitive. She would block spaces and target the big points.... no hints... no dictionaries. It's a different kind of fun to think about it strategically that way. Grandma did not like playing with her sister. For us it was just a social exercise. Like some folks might have a knitting circle, we had our scrabble games. I figured it was helping us get spelling and math practice when we were kids, but lots of folks visited grandma to play a game of scrabble, boggle, or similar games. Given that she was so shy, I wonder if it gave her something to do while visiting. Having tea and cookies, with a game of scrabble does give definition to a social visit.   ===JACK:  I like Grandma's way best.

FROM HY YO SILVER:  Oi- I have no idea.   Kidding. Only one I could think of is “I”.    A little help?  !That’s two. Oi and I.===JACK:  I have to laugh at your response.  I've heard my Jewish friends say, "Oi Vey!" but I've never stopped to ask for a translation.  I could Google it, but I'd rather ask you.===HYS:  It is Yiddish and doesn’t translate directly.  It is an exclamation of emotion. Often a depressed or frustrated or depressed term. It expresses grief but can be used in many ways. ===JACK:  OI VEY!!!

FROM BLAZING OAKS:  I play VERY competitive Scrabble games with my daughter, and am familiar with the vowel two letter words like:AA,AE, OE, and two letter wds, like ZA,AR,AY,QI,XU,ETC! Recently I was able to use ALL 7 of my  tiles, which has big bonus pts., for the first time with her...she has done it several times!. I never beat her, but at times I come close, and it's a very good way to "think outside the box" and creatively use your letters to count for the most points! Sarah actually had a coffee mug made for me with all of the Scrabble two letter wds. allowed, so it's handy to grab my mug, and search for one, when I'm in a bind!  Quite unique!  My whole family is super competitive with games, but that makes for extra fun in winning! :-) Code Name is a new game that is challenging to play, with teams!===JACK:  No competitive Scrabble with someone who's a smirker, or with someone I hate losing to.  Which translates....I HATE TO LOSE!  I like the idea of a 2-letter-word coffee cup===BO:  So you play hard and well! But we all lose our share, right?!===JACK:  That describes it.  I'm proud of the words I know, especially obscure ones...and when people look them up, they're generally valid.  I like that feeling more than winning.

Jack’s Winning Word 4/28/20
“Ah!  The clock is always slow; but it is later than you think.”  (Robert Service)  In 1947 a group of atomic scientists established the Doomsday Clock which told how close we are to a global catastrophe.  At that time it was 7 minutes until midnight.  It has moved up and down 24 times since then. The Bad News: Last January it was at 100 seconds.  The Good News:  We still have opportunity to make decisions that will add time.  I hope that we have the will.  ;-)  Jack 

FROM BETTY:  Great message! Being happy and in love adds time.===JACK:  There's a song you might enjoy YouTubing..."Enjoy yourself, it's later than you think.  Enjoy you're while you're still m the pink."===B:  Thanks! I will look it up. Have a great day!

FROM LBP:  Ew!

FROM ST PAUL:  i also like the line that     even a broken clock tells correct time twice a day.   think about it.

Jack’s Winning Words 4/27/20
 “Make sure we’re talking with each other in a way that heals, not in a way that wounds.”  (Guess which U.S. President said these words) This quote is based on Proverbs 12:18; in fact, there are many places in the Bible where we are advised to be careful with words.  I remember a song I learned in Sunday School.  “Be careful little mouth what you speak…for the Father up above is looking down in love, so be careful little mouth what you speak.”  Ans: 44^th  ;-)  Jack   

FROM HY YO SILVER:  Trump?  Kidding. President Obama===JACK:  Proverbs is one of my favorite books of the Bible.  I'm sure that Lincoln was familiar with today's quote, too.

FROM HONEST JOHN:  Sounds like good advice that might have come from any number of Presidents....since you turned it into a guessing contest, I’ll say George Bush....that gives me two chances!   Let me know who it was. ===JACK:  I like to make my Winning Words like my sermons...informative...entertaining...challenging.  Bush is not the answer.  See the answer just before my name on today's WWs.===HJ:  That fits.  Would have worked well with James Monroe, also ===JACK:  Who was it that said said, "History is bunk?"  somebody probably also said that about philosophy as a college major, but you and I know otherwise.

FROM ST PAUL:  if Trump said these words, then they are meaningless, at least for him.===JACK:  What do you think?  Were today's  WW's sarcasm or irony?

FROM THE BUGMAN:  I am pretty sure which president did not say those words, I have several in mind who could have.  Are you going to tell us or do I have to Google the quote ===JACK:  It's one thing to say words; it's something else to mean what you say.  Truth is a very powerful force to have on your side.  You probably remember the story of the boy who cried, Wolf!"  BTW, Carefully read WW's again to discover the answer.

FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY:  Love these words!   I’ve been crabby lately and have to remember the advice my grandma told me:  “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say it.”===JACK:  Do you remember the cartoon character, Crabby Appleton?  You certainly don't want to be like him!

FROM BLAZING OAKS:  AHA! So the 44th! I loved both he and his wife! They are sorely missed by me!! I remember teaching that song to my Cherub choirs (ages 4-6) Not only "be careful little mouth what you say," but "Little hands what you do, Little feet where you go, etc. There's a Father up above, looking down with tender love, Oh, be careful little mouths, hands, feet... I wager most remember that song even today, as we sang it to warm up a lot ! :-) Still good advice!===JACK:  A lot of the morality that we learned was taught to us in song.  How are morals taught today?

FROM GUSTIE:  I remember the same song.  We must have both been Swedes!  (Guess we still are—I should have said Augustana—which I miss and wish I still was!)===JACK:  You're just an old-fashioned Swede girl.  The Augustana days were the good old days as we remember them...but time marches on.  I'm glad for the opportunity to put good old values into new clothes for the present generation.  I just talked with one of my grandchildren today.  I'm so proud of what she and the others have become.===G:  That is true—but back in those days I knew pastors from our whole area and all of our churches did things together.  We were much more intimate.  This on line stuff is about to do me in.  Our pastor stands in front of one of the Stained glass windows in just a regular t-shirt type and of course no tie.  That is where he gives his sermons—and all the music is from the “Praise Choir”.  They are truly very good, but some of their music goes a long way with me.  I am beginning to wonder that when this is all over will we no longer have our blended services?  We have a beautiful Casavant organ and a great Grand piano.  Will we ever use them again.  Will we ever sing the beloved choir anthems again?  Guess I am just getting depressed.  Uff Da!===JACK:  Do you remember the hymn verse..."Change and decay in all around I see.  O Thou who changest not, abide with me." ===G:  Oh do I ever.  I couldn’t get through it the first few times we sang it after C died.
===JACK:  Nothing is more important than...God continues to go with you thru all of life's changes.

FROM DAIRYLAND DONNA:  I can guess which President did not say these words. 😔===JACK:  It used to be that we looked to our leaders to set examples.

Jack’s Winning Words 4/24/20
“There’s a part of you that always remains a child, no matter how mature you get.”  (Barbra Streisand)  Almost from the beginning of her life, Barbra felt rejected.  She called her growing-up-years, “painful.”  No toys…a hot water bottle was her “doll.”  “There was no love in my house.”  People made fun of her looks and her way of dressing.  In a way. the adult Barbra is the child Barbara.  As you look at old photo albums, do you glimpse the adult in the child?   ;-)  Jack

FROM TAMPA SHIRL:  I have had a wonderful life!===JACK:  Maybe they could make a movie of it.

FROM ST PAUL:  i look at some of my teen years and think how geeky or dorky i looked.  but then the styles for dress and hair were sooo different then too. ===JACK:  How about those persons who say..."That Harrington never changes?"  They must be talking about your good sermons.

FROM BLAZING OAKS:   My early childhood was lived during the depression, but I really don't have negative memories about that, I suppose because everyone around me was in the same 

boat, and we were happy playing with the neighbor kids!  There's no doubt your childhood impacts your adulthood; Bill learned to be very frugal, and responsible at a young age.

Probably Jan and I learned to love the limelight, as twins, dressed alike, and performing in church and school together!  We sure weren't shy!  I'm so thankful for the carefree childhood, and happy life I've been granted!! I try to "pay it forward" in my family and community!!===JACK:  Some of my memories are different from yours.  I remember, "poor."  I also remember, "frugal."  I'll be using this quote in a week or two..."We're may be in the same storm, but not necessarily in the same boat."

FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY:  We had the best childhood!  I wouldn’t change anything about it.  We’re trying to do the same thing for our grandchildren.  We had a destination...Gary has Uncle Mike’s house in Cadillac on Lake Mitchell and I had Grayling on the AuSable River.  We both travelled a lot and had wonderful neighborhood friends.  I still have my friend Joni.  We literally grew up together from birth!  Wonderful memories!===JACK:  "Care-free" says it all!

Jack’s Winning Words  4/23/20
“Love makes everything that is heavy, light.”  (Thomas a Kempis)  My cousin was a Catholic priest…a good one.  He became frustrated with how the Cardinal was treating minorities; he left the priesthood and eventually married a nun.  Together, they became advocates in work among minorities.  In their marriage, they found that love helped make heavy burdens, lighter.  You don’t have to be a former priest/nun to see the truth in this.  How has “love” helped you?   ;-)  Jack   

FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY:  Love heals, helps, uplifts, strengthens, fortifies, comforts and upholds us!===JACK:  Love-Hope-Charity...Love is the greatest!

FROM ST PAUL:  Wow!  i never knew this.  he sounds like Martin Luther with Katie.  hopefully he didn't find his wife in a barrel that had formerly held fish!   (she was smuggled out of the convent as  you recall).   i love the joke about the Monk who took a vow of silence when he entered the monastery.  he could speak two words a year to the Abbott.  at the end of the first year he said  "bad food".  the next year he said,  "hard bed".   the third year he said "I quit".   the Abbott replied,  Doesn't surprise me one bit.  all  you have done since you got here was complain, complain, complain!  ===JACK:  My first funeral after ordination was for my grandmother.  My cousin and I did it together.  My ministry began in an ecumenical way.  The first inter-faith service including Catholics was held at my congregation with my cousin as the speaker.  It was the first time that the Cardinal had approved such a service in the Chicago Archdiocese.

Jack's Winning Words 4/22/20

“It’s our innate tendency to only act when we’re face to face with danger, rather than to try a preventive approach.”  (From Voices of Youth)  In 1962 the book, Silent Spring, warned, “We are on the way to losing our bird population!”  Environmental changes were made and the birds still sing.  Covid-19 now overshadows Earth Day.  The virus is significant, but so’s a livable world.  I grew up learning preventive medicine: “An apple a day…”  Let’s not give up on  Earth Day!  ;-)  Jack

FROM TAMPA SHIRL:  Live and learn===JACK:  I'm reminded of the song with the words, "When will they ever learn?"

FROM FACEBOOK LIZ:  the silver lining to “stay home” is to see how quickly the earth heals... ===JACK: I had originally intended to have a quote by Greta, but didn't want to upset you.

FROM DR J IN MAUMEE:  Hooray for Earth Day!

FROM MAILMAN MIKE:  Hooray for Earth Day!  I was a freshman at Wayne State and went to a rally on campus in 1970.  Unfortunately, we are still a long way away from sustainable practices and respect for all life on Earth.  Gandhi had a lot of great one liners in the movie, but his wife had one too.  Remember when he forced her to clean the latrines at their Ashram in South Africa?  And she refused because it was beneath her Caste.  A great argument ensues and she says no one wants to be as good as you.  That seemed to be the definition of the man, he was always seeking out the good in life and how best to live life, as well as his work for social justice.  You might like Out of Africa,the autobiography by Karen Blixen.  Themes of European colonial exploitation and repression of women in the early 20th century.  Or, Master and Commander, based on the books of Patrick O'Brian.  Life on a Clipper ship during the Napoleonic Wars. ===JACK:  "No one wants to be as good as you."  I like it.  The one who stands above the crowd makes a perfect target.  Try to be good,  but not too good.  Try not to set yourself up as God.

FROM SK IN SJ:  We grew up on the farm. We didn’t see neighbors or other family for weeks. We didn’t think anything of it. Self preservation and survival is a daily thing to do. We are all stronger for it. Yes! Let’s celebrate the earth. And wonderful friends.===JACK:  "The salt of the Earth" probably refers to farm folk...people like you.  (I'm going to have to look up "salt of the Earth)

FROM ST PAUL:  Honeycrisp is the best apple around.  developed right here at the U of MN.  sooo good to eat. ===JACK:  I wonder if Johnny Appleseed visited Minnesota.  Honeycrisps are my favorite.  One of my favorite old jokes...Young girl says: "He was the apple of his mother's eye, but he wasn't appealing to me."

FROM WILLMAR REV:  What's that old adage-- "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."  Working to stop something from happening is easier and better than having to try to resolve it later, until . . .  0;-/===JACK:  ...and the Bible says, "Train up a child in the way that he should go etc."  

FRO JC AT THE LAKE:  Happy Earth Day! I am attending a “virtual” event today so will see how that goes!===JACK:  Virtual event?  I wonder what that might be?===JC:  Some organizations are holding live web presentations on different topics related to climate change. I will be watching a few segments at http://www.earthdayinitiative.org/earth-day-live to see what I can learn!  ===JACK:  ....what an interesting way to spend part of Earth Day!

FROM LBP STAYIN' AT HOME:  I saw it was the 50th anniversary of earth day. For what it’s worth, my car has been parked for a month now. I hear the air is breathable in some of the traditionally smog filled cities. I wonder if this pandemic will trigger earth friendlier habits? I don’t think we are going back to our 2019 “normal” but not sure what the new 2020 norm will be  ===JACK:  The NEW frIghtening headline;  "Virus may reappear in the fall along with the flu!"  Will that mean another shutdown and more clean air?

FROM BLAZING OAKS:  kind of depressing to envision what our  grandkids and great g.kid's Earth is going to be like! It seems so few do clean recycling, and there are so MANY issues like climate change, clogging our oceans and rivers with 'Junk" and toxic waste, irresponsibly cutting down forests, when trees are the lungs of mankind...on and on. You're right, "When will we ever

 learn?!"  But on the other hand , we have always adjusted, and come up with solutions to new situations, so hopefully the next generation will be bright and creative, and live fantastic lives!

I pray so!!===JACK:  I see enough caring people these days who are going to make a difference for the future.  I'm optimistic.

Jack's Winning Words April 21, 2020
“Give it to God, and go to sleep!”  (Sent by LouGam)  There was a time when Irving Berlin suffered from stress insomnia (can you relate?).  His doctor advised that instead of fretting over short-term problems, he should “go to sleep counting his blessings.”  And so, a song was born!  Irving’s producer commented that the song was too much about emotions.  “But, it really took place, and I’m going with it.”  Is there a solution that you have for insomnia?  ;-)  Jack 

FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY:  Have a goal for the next day and believe God had you in His Hands slways.===JACK:  That sounds doable.

FROM TAMPA SHIRL:  I count my blessings every day and usually fall asleep watching tv! ===JACK:  Falling asleep in front of the TV?  Time to go to bed.

FROM GUSTIE:  Wish I had a sure fire way—I try lots of things.  Sometimes they work—sometimes they don’t.===JACK:  In college I had a hard time staying awake.  Could insomnia be an aging problem?  

FROM BB IN CHGO:  I had no idea the origin of the Irving Berlin lyric.  Thank you once again. ===JACK:  There's usually a story behind each story...as with your life...and mine.

FROM INDY GENIE:  Love the story of the song’a origin. I have used Guatemalan “worry dolls.” ===JACK:  I wonder if some Catholics use the rosary beads in the same way.

FROM ST PAUL:  there was a Pope in the middle ages who said something similar every night.   "its your church, Lord,  I have done all I can for today,  good night!"   and he blew out the candle. ===JACK:  I'd like to have you research that one.

Jack’s Winning Words 4/20/20
“Problems that upset you?  Everything’s fine, yes, everything’s fine.  Try not to get worried, everything’s alright, yes!”  (From Jesus Christ, Superstar)  “It’s Easter!  What movie shall we watch?  Ben Hur?  The 10 Commandments?  The Easter Parade?  We chose Jesus Christ Superstar…perfect for a time like now.  “Try not to get worried!”  Yes, the film ends with Jesus on the cross, but we were able to say, “Christ has risen!  He is risen, indeed!”  Everything’s fine!  ;-)  Jack

FROM LK MIN OH:  It's good to hear from you daily as always! You DO "keep the faith", and I rejoice! ===JACK:  "Almost" daily is a good description!  My computer some times has a virus...or maybe a mind of its own.  

FROM BG IN POH:  Christ is risen, indeed! Alleluia!  Your Winning Words are inspiring. In the midst of COVID-19 time, this message of hope is what the world needs.===JACK:  Once a pastor, always a pastor.  Some of just can't give up the message.

FROM BB IIN CHGO:  Interesting quote. The musical score was good. We often watch Monty Python’s Life of Brian.  Tim always appreciated the comedy in seeing The disciples as rather clueless fans who are misinterpreting so much of what they hear.===JACK:  It's interesting to discover truly "religious" messages in that which seems to be classified as entertainment.  J C, Superstar is just one example.  "Dreamcoat" is another.  Winning Words is meant to be entertaining with a religious edge.===BB:  You hit the mark. Always timely, thought-provoking and interesting

FROM MAILMAN MIKE:  Excellent movie choice, Jack.  Keep those winning words coming!===JACK:  During the "lockdown" we've been watching lots of films.  Any suggestions from you?===MM:  Good Morning, Jack.  One of my favorite movies of all time was Gandhi, starring Ben Kingsley.  Biography covering his life from the early days of his social activism in South Africa to his assassination after India's independence and the Civil War/partition.  Added bonus:  Ravi Shankar does the sound track. ===JACK:  We watched Gandhi on Good Friday.  For me, it fit perfectly for that day.  I liked his quote: "I am a Muslim, a Hindu, a Christian and a Jew."  Some people may have trouble wrapping their head around that.

FROM HONEST JOHN:  The movie got it right....Jesus ends on the cross.....that is where the world is no matter how rosy or cheery one’s outlook may be.   Faith knows the resurrection gives Hope but hope isn’t needed where everything is fine....Hope is for the guy hanging on the cross with Jesus...or the guy in the line up, waiting to be gassed...or the people living with a lying idiot as their leader...===JACK:  It's amazing how our "basic training" shows up in our conversations with each other.  I'm so glad that my college/seminary education was built on a philosophical foundation.

FROM ST PAUL:  btw,  for many years,  Ben Hur was my favorite all -time movie.  i first saw it on the big screen in 1959 in Chicago and have seen it at least 10 times since.  i also own it of course.  i also loved the 1956 Ten Commandments.  then i just fell in love with historical epics of any kind.   Dr. Zhivago,  Lawrence of Arabia,  El Cid,  Patton,  Titanic,  Gone with the Wind.  ANY film that takes me a different place and time.   Saving Private Ryan, Master and Commander,  and even the PBS Ken Burns series (11 of them i think),  ALL are informative on one level or anther.  Easter blessings on your day,  Jack!  PLH    btw,  did you see On The Basis of Sex?   no its not a porno flick  its the story of Ruth Bader Ginsberg young life as the first or second woman admitted to the Harvard Law School and then her earlier career.  its a very good film! ===JACK:  Thanks for the movie suggestions.  Usually I do not like Hollywood's version of the Bible, so I steer clear of them.  Ken Burns is one of my alltime favorite film producers.  We "bought" OTBOS knowing that it was about RBG....what a hero!===SP:  Franco Zefferelli's  Jesus Of Nazareth was very well done back in the 1970s. but  I agree,  most other productions were not well done.  some  other good movies  The Green Book,  First Man (on the moon, the  Neil Armstrong story),  Black and White, Ghandi (early 1980s), Wonder,  Sweetland, A Man Named Ove,  Hidden Figures,   Amistad, and Imitation Game  (breaking the Nazi Code at Bletchley Park during WW II)   all good movies in my not so humble opinion. PLH   also,   Sully, (Sullenberg and the landing on the Hudson River)  Lion (an amazing true story), and The Greatest Showman, if you like musicals. ===JACK:When did you have time to write sermons?  Oh, that's right!  The movies became your illustrations!===SP:  many of them did!  do you recall the movie Chocolat?  a really good film about a French village that is changed by a powerful wind and a very loving woman.  i built a whole Pentecost sermon around this movie.