Will You Remember Me?

Clay Smith JFBC

Will Anyone Even Remember Me?
Ecclesiastes 4:13-16…a parable, wise sayings, an example story.

Praying for what's happening in the Middle East. Christians can have different views. Is this war a just war?

1. Be reminded that we are already in a war. Pray for our leaders.

2. Don't panic. Be wary of end time prophecies. Matt 24 rumors of war. God is the only one who knows when the end is coming.

3. There's an incredible opportunity for a spiritual awakening in the Middle East, and around the world. In 1979 an evil regime took over, but Iran may have the fastest growing underground church with over one million adherents. Pray for them. Pray for boldness and awakening May we be peacemakers.

The sermon…

Who is in the passage? A king, a youth. All the people in the world. First king is old and foolish. He wouldn't take advise. He wanted to be remembered. Similar to the current situation in the Middle East. The young guy is the next king. Then another king comes after him. These characters have real life examples.

"Graveyards are full of indispensable men" - Charles de Gaul

What it means to be made in God's image - we want to be remembered, to be known, to be loved. But the attention and applause doesn't last.

The point: if applause defines you, its absence will undo you.

The first prophet was Samuel, who said a king wouldn't be good - 1 Samuel 8:19-20.

1. Sometimes God will give you what you want, just to prove it wasn't what you needed.

Saul became king, and God used Saul in spite of his jealous dark side. His self importance. Applause isn't always bad, but it has a dark side.

Young David had 7 older brothers. Jesse was his father. Saul made him the next king. David was applauded by the people. David was sent out by his father to bring lunch. No one would fight Goliath, so David volunteered. "I come to you in the name of the Lord of Hosts".

Saul is happy for the victory, but David continued to win victory after victory. This angered Saul, and tried to eliminate David, who still honored Saul. Saul wouldn't listen. He unraveled, was wounded, and fell on his own sword.

2. The danger of success is believing that you no longer need correction.

David became king and continued to win battles, wrote psalms, was a man after God's own heart. But he wasn't perfect. He committed adultery.

2 Samuel 11:1-2

Saul never repented, but David did, in Psalm 51.

3. Past success does not prevent future failure.

Many men are successful in their 20s and 30s but take their eye off the ball, then stumble later in life.
 
Absalom had a heart for justice but fell into the dark side. He stole the hearts of Israel.

2 Samuel 15:2-6 It's easier to critique others than yourself. Just look at social media. Absalom gets his long hair caught in a tree, and is murdered. David hears, and weeps.

4. Criticism can build a crowd, but cannot built something that lasts.

Why do we love applause? God made us this way. But only God can satisfy our needs. We cling to power but Jesus is the opposite, giving up everything to die on a cross for our sins.

Absalom stole hearts but Jesus wins hearts. Come to Jesus, if you don't know him.

Garden Hills Crime Blotter

This past Monday there was a home invasion at the Hubert's house in Garden Hills, around 7 pm. David called 911. Mary got out her gun. Police came, and the suspect was arrested. The dog slept through the whole thing. Great comments on Instagram - they are now social media legends. David: "I give the dog an F. Mary gets an A. I'll give myself a C." 

The local news segment has gone viral on social media, with over half a million views and thousands of comments, overwhelmingly positive, praising Mary and her "Sweet Jane" 38 caliber pistol. David got in a couple of wisecracks: "If anyone broke in, they better hope they got me, and not Mary".

Back in the day the Huberts ran the SPdL Singles Department, and hosted a weekly gathering at their old house on Peachtree Way, near the church. Ceil lived with Mary & David for a couple of months before our wedding. Lately Ceil has been having lunch with Mary, Myra, and Mary Hurt. The Huberts want Ceil to sail with them on the Queen Mary this summer. Mary Hurt, a nurse, is going. Ceil probably won't go.

Hear about 17 year old Joseph Contreras? Attends Blessed Trinity High in Roswell. Friday night he pitched for Brazil against Team USA in the World Baseball Classic. Faced Aaron Judge, Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, Cal Raleigh, and four others - and only allowed one run. Judge hit into an inning ending double play.

JFBC is buying a house where sent ones can stay on furlough, in Indian Hills. Ceil attended a gathering there on Saturday.

Entered a sweepstakes to win a used Saab. Had to pick a number between one and 100,000. If I win I'd have to pick it up in San Diego. Would make for a fun drive back cross country. As expected, I didn't win.

Where to sit at Masters Champions Dinner? Scottie Scheffler talks about the 'protocol'.

I've been sharing retirement articles with an old coworker, some applicable to me, some not.

The happiest people after 70 aren't the ones who found purpose — they're the ones who stopped demanding every day justify itself, and gave themselves permission to exist without producing, achieving, or proving was what their happiness was depending  on.

The most mentally sharp people in their 70s aren't the most educated or the most well-read — they're the ones who remained  curious past where other's curiosity converted into opinion, a distinction apparent in conversation if you know what to listen for.

Men who built their identity around their career don't just struggle in retirement — their brain grieves a role that no longer exists, and people around them often mistake that grief for laziness.

Proud of myself for passing on a cheap pair of black & white sneakers, some New Balance running shoes that I didn't need.

Denison: one of my favorite parts of the Bible is that even its heroes are typically portrayed as real people who struggle with real sins. There's something encouraging about watching individuals at the center of God's plans try so hard to mess them up, only for the Lord to come through and put the pieces back together. Whether it's Gideon's fear, David's selfishness, Paul's stubbornness, or any of the other sins that plague the people at the center of God's story, it's reassuring to know that God still has a plan and promises to redeem their mistakes when they truly repent. And starting with repentance is the key. 

Mitch Albom's "Twice"

Finished the novel The Correspondent. So good. Anna will be reading to soon. She had given a copy to her mother in law at Christmas. 

Started listening to Mitch Albom's Twice, about a guy who was able to "do over" any situation he wished, but just one time. A pretty cool concept, one I will have to daydream about. Could be the story of my golf game, since I hit so many mulligans. 

Last night C watched a Hallmark movie. I caught up with things on my laptop. Didn't sleep well last night. 

Up early to play golf this morning. Was able to play in just a t-shirt, though I wasn't ready to wear shorts just yet. Teed off at 6:38 am and played better than usual. Fewer flubs, though my chipping sure needs work. 

1. Hit an old light up ball that didn't light. I think I pulled it left, but never found it. Hit a new light up ball that went straight, with decent distance. Hit two good fairway shots, the second slightly straighter than the first. Chipped two of four balls onto the green. Good lag putt. Bogey.  

2. Pulled both tee shots left. Hit two good chips. The first got hung up in a tree, but the second rolled to the back of the green. Poor lag putts. Double. Found three balls on the hole.

3. Pulled all three tee shots left. Two of three chips were just okay. Poor lag putts form the fringe. Saw a golfer behind me on the first hole. Didn't realize it was the professor until later.

4. Two good 6 irons off the tee, the second rolled to the front fringe. Couldn't sink any of the lag putts. Par.

5. Only hit one good tee shot, out of three. Same with my three chips. Okay lags. Bogey. 

6. Hit a great drive off the tee, well past the big oak. Mulligan not do good. Poked a great 4 iron that rolled all the way to the right of the green. Chipped 2 or 3 onto the green. Fair lag putts. Double.

7. Hit a pretty good drive, that smacked into the little transformer near the top of the hill. Mulligan not so good. Rocketed a 4 iron through a tree, from the far right side of the fairway. Carried a good distance, but way over to the left side of the fairway. Regular 7:55 am golfer Robert witnessed the shot, then we paused to chat. Hit two decent chips, then three so so lag putts. Just missed the comebacker for a bogey.

8. After a worm burner a hit a great drive that stayed straight. It rolled all the way down to the front left fringe, my best drive ever on the hole. Realized the golfer playing behind me was indeed the professor, and walked over to the 7th tee to say hello. He's headed to China next week.Hit a couple of okay lag putts. Birdie!

9. Decided to hit 4 iron off the tee, after hitting two good shots previously with it on 6 and 7. Topped my first shot, then hit two better mulligans. Chipped 2 of 4 to decent positions. Took three tries before executing a good lag putt. "Bogey".

 

Finished at 8;09 am. Stopped by RaceTrac on the way home for a free slice of pizza. Also my one free soft drink for the month. 

The crew is here laying tile in the upstairs bathroom. Plenty to do around the house. 

PEPPER MARTIN  [SABR Bio] had the very first at bat in an All Star Game. Martin led off for the NL in 1933. He banged out a record 12 hits in the 1933 postseason, the first with 12 in a 7-game World Series. Others were tied at that mark but then Richardson hit 13 times in 1964—not 1960 when he was the WS MVP. Martin played for the Cardinals in 1928, 1930-1940 & 1944, his only major league team. He didn’t like anything between him and his uniform.

24 Hours of Nashville

Wednesday night our small group leader was sick, so we met via zoom on our computers last night. Genesis 38 and 39, contrasting how brothers Judah and Joseph handled temptation differently - and God’s reaction to each.

Lots of workers in the house yesterday morning. Three crews working on three different rooms. We left out around noon after stopping by Chick-fil-A. I ate half of Ceil’s wrap. Traffic wasn’t too bad going through Chattanooga. Made it to Murphreesboro and checked into the hotel in time for Lee to take his afternoon nap.

C sent me across the street to Trader Joe’s for a snack, but by the time I walked back she had gone off shopping with Nancy. I relaxed in the room and caught up on things on my phone.

We left out for Nashville at five. Traffic was heavier. Drove past the new Tennessee Titans stadium being built next door to their old stadium, on the river across from downtown. 

Our dinner in the Noelle, an old downtown hotel near Printers Alley. Met our hosts, and were ushered in to the ballroom around 615. The speaker spoke while we ate, first salad, then steak and lobster, then chocolate cheesecake for dessert. 

Since Lee is on a special diet and I’m allergic to seafood, he suggested I trade him my lobster for his steak. Ceil and Nancy were seated between us at the circular table, so I flagged down the server to bring us two small plates, allowing us to make the trade without much fuss. 

The speaker finished his address and took questions as we were finishing our desserts, and we all had a little time to chat afterwards. We were done by 830. Due to construction our drive back was longer than expected, but we were in bed by ten - 11 pm Atlanta time. 

I didn’t sleep well. C woke up at six. Lee is an early riser, and I found him downstairs in the breakfast area. I took a cup of coffee to C, then joined him for breakfast: eggs, potatoes, granola, yogurt, a hot cinnamon roll, chocolate milk, and cranberry juice. 

We were on the road headed home shortly after 8 am. Stopped south of Chattanooga for gas and a drink, and got home before two.

Sidebar: I like my meatloaf with ketchup, not gravy. Ceil will make her meatloaf with ketchup. And she'll make it every few months. Always with mashed potatoes and English peas. Right now Ceil is loving two things: French fries and cole slaw.

Tonight we ate at La Carreta, the authentic Mexican restaurant in Marietta on Roswell Road, just east of 75. Menus printed mostly in Spanish. Excellent. I had the burrito and C had grilled chicken, rice and beans. We may go back soon to try other entrees. The only downer: Cokes come in 12 ounce cans - no bottomless refills. No free chips and salsa. Chips were bland but the salsa was tasty and slightly sweet, though watery.

The immediate area is a Mexican food hotbed. Matthew will drive long distances for tacos from the place across the street, in the old McDonalds next to Williamson Brothers BBQ. And just west, in the old Hardees, is another excellent taco spot once featured in Atlanta Magazine.

Ate extra early so we could pick up Winnie from Anna's house. Made the short drive over and visited for awhile.

Breakfast Spots

Atlanta's best breakfast restaurants.

Thumb's Up Diner. Generous portions. Several locations.

The Food Shoppe. Creole.

By George. Inside the Candler Hotel. Elegant.

ADios Cafe. Mexican inspired. 800-100.

Atlanta Breakfast Club. 630-300.

Our kids needed to attend in state colleges. Will looked at UAB but he had the Zell Miller scholarship to go to UGA. Anna had the Hope. Not sure how we would've afforded their schooling had it not been for those scholarships. 

Tuesday night supper was chicken & rice, kale, and cole slaw. Watched another episode of the show Best Medicine.

Article: the 1960s and 70s produced one of the most emotionally durable generations in modern history — not through better parenting but through benign neglect that forced children to self-regulate, problem-solve, and develop emotional calluses that modern comfort has made impossible to repeat.

Article: finding meaning in retirement.

Denison: do Muslims and Christians worship the same God, as many claim? In The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism, Tim Keller notes: "If you don't live for Jesus, you will live for something else. Jesus is the one Lord you can live for who died for you—who breathed his last breath for you." Muhammad did not die for Muslims. Buddha did not die for Buddhists. Jewish rabbis do not atone for their fellow Jews by their deaths, much less for the rest of humanity. But "God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).

LOU GEHRIG [SABR Bio] was the first  player to have his number retired. He was the only Yankee to wear #4. When the Yankees introduced permanent uniform numbers in 1929, Gehrig was assigned #4 because he batted cleanup (fourth) in the lineup. His first ever stolen base was a steal of home. Stole home in the 7th inning on 24-Jun-1925 off Washington's Allen Russell/Muddy Ruel - before Russell had retired a single batter. Gehrig twice hit for the cycle, on 25-Jun-1934 vs. the White Sox, and 01-Aug-1937 vs. the Browns.

The Curse of the BRTL

Not knowing any better, as a kid I cursed my fledgling baseball career by throwing left but batting right.  Not sure if this is the complete list, but here's nine BRTL players with at least 1000 major league games played.

Player                        WAR    HR    RBI  OPS+

Rube Bressler..........19.3......32.....586...110

Hick Carpenter.......... 4.6......18.....543.... 86

Hal Chase................. 22.9......57.....941...112

Johnny Cooney..........8.4........2.....219.... 87

Rickey Henderson 111.2...297...1115...127

Cleon Jones............. 18.0.....93.....524....110

Ryan Ludwick.......... 11.2... 154....587....109

Cody Ross................ 13.5....132....508...104

Jimmy Ryan.............. 43.6... 118..1093...124 

Well those same baseball fanatics who cheered when the Braves paid $42 million for a free agent outfielder can now eat their words now that he's facing a second straight extended suspension, though I'm sure they have long forgotten what they said back on that day. In August they'll be calling out GM AA for not bringing in a front line player, forgetting that very front line player let the team down by being suspended on March 3rd. 

Lang has dropped below 200 pounds. That's my goal as well. Back in mid 2025 when overtime was cut out  I started going out for lunch every day, instead of skipping breakfast and lunch. Gained back most of the weight I had lost for A&C's wedding. Since retirement I've been hitting the gym most days, moving and getting those 10000 steps. Lost 7 or 8 pounds but I have kinda plateaued. Cut out fast food for the most part, except for a deal here and there. But I am still eating too much. Now that it's finally warming up perhaps I can make more progress. 

Had three crews here at the house Tuesday morning: Omar and son are working on phase two, the plumber is installing the new faucets, and another crew is putting in the new shower doors. Took my first shower at lunchtime. 

I haven't done a good job getting my new phone number out to my friends, but my old boss Rodney tracked me down. Good to talk to him. Like me, life has been keeping him busy in retirement.

Article: how to read more.    

Ever Hear of These ACC QB's?

After rating the 2026 SEC QB's, now 680's King of College Football Chuck Oliver has ranked the 2026 ACC QB's. What a bunch of nobodies. Miami steals Duke's QB, so supposedly that makes him the best of the lot. We shall see. The NC State QB did look all-world against the woeful GT defense, earning him second place. Gio Lopez stunk up Chapel Hill last year, but Wake Forest welcomed him with open arms. Good for the rest of the conference.

The Heisman winner's baby bro was considering second tier schools before the Jackets snatched him, perhaps as a publicity stunt (let's hope not). No guarantee he'll even be the starter. Can the same not be said for all the rest as well? 

Saturday Caleb assembled his outdoor sectional sofa for their backyard patio. Detached garage in background.

Lots of eatin' out these last few days.

Friday AM: Fellows Cafe in downtown Roswell (Ceil & the ladies).

Friday PM: Taqueria del Sol at Westside Provisions

Saturday late lunch: Freddy's on Sandy Plains Road

Saturday night: Kimball House in downtown Decatur

Sunday brunch: Sessions Cafe in Marietta

Sunday night: burgers catered by the Earharts

Monday lunch: Chickfila at JFBC

Monday snack: Costco hot dog. 

Monday supper at home: leftover Kimball House chicken, collards, rice, etc. Plus my Coke Zero refill from Costco.

Sold another Braves shirt for cheap. Earned a big bad two bucks. Thank you very much.

Georgia Tech could learn a thing or two from this list. Also several other colleges and minor league baseball teams, travel ball teams, and the like. Less is more. Keep it simple, stupid.