Social Media at its Worst

Did you see the big story on the local news? LOCAL BUSINESS PAINTS OVER JOVITA MOORE MURAL. The business is Joel and Charles Norman's Bellwood Coffee, who just opened a new location in Grant Park (W&MC had attended the soft opening a few days ago). The story first blew up Thursday on social media, where as usual all sorts of inaccurate accusations are flying around. 

While we all remember Jovita from the WSB, she was never the icon that Monica Kauffman was - or so I thought. Evidently Jovita was a hero down in the Grant Park community. Her mural was on the side of the building for 7 years. Bellwood leased the building that had sat vacant for several years, and made renovations that evidently took out a good part of the mural. 

Bellwood quickly worked to correct the misstep, explaining what had happened - and promised to make it right. But in today's shoot first / listen later society, social media commentors piled on. Said Bellwood should've done more research before painting over the mural. Rumors of protests. Many assumed Bellwood came in from out of town, that they weren't native Atlantans. Wrong. But did these irate posters do their research before posting all their untruths? No. How would Jovita have responded?

A few did reply with reasonable responses. Like most things, hopefully this will blow over quickly. Hopefully WSB won't continue to fans the flames on social media - but no, they've posted the story multiple times, heavy on the painting over the mural, with no mention of the spology and plans to make it right.  Some investigative reporting / journalism on WSB's part. Instead of contacting Bellwood for a response, WSB simply read off their Instagram post.      

Fact is that Bellwood Coffee is owned by three young guys who started with nothing. Started from scratch. At least two were born in Atlanta, and have spent their entire lives here. They live in the city and have worked to make intown neighborhoods nicer places to live. Bolton Road. East Atlanta Village. Decatur. Pershing Point. Riverside Apartments. 

Drowning out by the attacks is the fact that Bellwood had designed a special menu for Black History Month, and donated the proceeds to black-owned businesses. And this is the tanks they get.

They'd hoped to do the same in Grant Park. Might've been easier for them to open locations in cushier locations like Johns Creek and Alpharetta, but they wanted to improve the city they love. Then they get piled on for making one misstep. And when they own up to it and promise to make it right, social media is unforgiving. Such is the sad world they live in. Another reason why I need to quit social media.

WSB used to be the gold standard for Atlanta news, helped in part by Kaufman and Jovita. The only station I would watch. But like most local news stations, nowadays they report on shootings and repeat the same liberal talking points fed to them by them national media. This story is the final nail in their coffin - I won't be tuning in any more.

https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/atlanta/atlanta-coffee-house-paints-over-mural-paying-tribute-late-jovita-moore/XUO2PKIZTJBLHAWYNPQUDEFQ3Q/

My Friday: left out at 7:30 am and took 400 south to 285 east, around to 20 east. Got off at Wesley Chapel and took back roads southeast to the shooting range. Only one place to stop for over 30 minutes, at Hardees. Got a tasty loaded omelet biscuit. 

Arrived at the Clays for Commerce event right at 9 am. Timed it pretty good. Our processor Evans Tool & Die hosts the event. Nice of them to invite me. McDonalds Egg McMuffins were provided. They were cold by the time I ate mine. The Rockdale County Chamber of Commerce opened the event with prayer and the national anthem, plus a big simultaneous firing of several of the shooters.

Good to hang out with my former coworkers. I haven't spoken with Alex and Jonathan since my number had changed. Jonathan gave me a well deserved hard time for ghosting him. It was good to see them again, as well as Angie and Brad and Leo. I thanked Ricky and Rodney (above right, with CEO wife Dee) from Evans for inviting me. Also spoke to Vicki, who I'd worked with for years. Eric had been looking forward to the event, but his year old Lexus broke down last night. Sounds like work continues to be challenging. Leo is scrambling to find material. Alex is the quality manager, and says he's constantly working to reduce errors. 

Outback Steakhouse grilled lunch: burgers and chicken. The steak sandwiches looked bigger, but may not have been the best choice. Also macaroni & cheese and brownies. The experienced Evans team shot first: Ricky, CEO Dee and husband Rodney, and their son. Our guys shot 50 targets at 12:30. The score: Alex = 40 (below left), Leo = 38 (below right), and Brad = 30. We all headed out not long after that.

I had to drive the 1-1/2 from Covington across town to downtown Marietta, taking 20 west to downtown, then up 75 to the north 120 loop. Helped Anna get ready, holding baby Miler and coaxing her to sleep. By 330 she was on the road with Miller to Dahlonega for a rehearsal dinner. I brought Goose back to play with Winnie.

May Bobbleheads & SGAs

Here's my list of bobblehead and other interesting SGAs and special ticket deals for the month of May. What did I miss? I know I'm lacking a few MLB bobbles, so hit me up!

May must be Hawaiian shirt month, with at least six giveaways this month alone. I'll be at the Braves Hawaiian shirt SGA on the 12th. Plus a fishing shirt giveaway. 

The Braves only have nine home games in May, but have at least 6 giveaways. Leaves you more time to snatch the SIXTEEN giveaways at Gwinnett, Rome, Augusta, Columbus - and UGA. Only one Drake Baldwin bobblehead this month, in Columbus. No Bobbleheads in May for Seattle's flash in the pan ,Cal Raleigh.  

Each team's best promotional giveaway in 2026, according to the daily beat writers. 

NEWS: this past winter Lake County and other teams announced guaranteed giveaways for tickets bought in advance: "no early gates, no rush, no stress". What are your thoughts on this concept?

I am glad to see teams giving away bucket hats, except: (1) they are always too small for me, and (2) I look terrible wearing them. But I like the idea.  

5.01 FRI UGA baseball Glory Glory record 2000  

5.01 FRI Augusta basketball jersey 1000

5.01 FRI Wisconsin Timber Rattlers Luis Pena 

5.01 FRI Rays Hello Kitty bobble

5.02 SAT Rays Tropicana Field light up replica ballpark 

5.02 SAT UGA baseball Emerson Hancock bobblehead 1000

5.02 SAT Chattanooga jersey pillow 1000

5.02 SAT Rome Hudson Waldrep bobblehead 5000

5.02 SAT Columbus road grey jerseys 1000

5.02 SAT Erie ice cream bucket hats 1000

5.02 SAT Memphis replica jerseys 1500

5.02 SAT Round Rock Lucha Libre caps 2000

5.02 SAT Huntsville light up cowboy hats 1000

5.02 SAT Bradenton Hawaiian shirts 750

5.02 SAT Visalia Dave Fleming bobble 500 

5.02 SAT CHI Kerry Wood

5.02 SAT NYY Max Fried Star Wars Mandalorian

5.02 SAT Greenville Coddanne Rafaela

5.02 SAT STL Massyn Wynn

5.02 SAT Washington Star Wars Grogu bobble

5.02 SAT Tampa Tarpons sunglasses 1000

5.02 SAT Nashville Space Jam Tune Squad replica jersey 1000

5.03 SUN Nashville mascot building block set 1000

5.03 SUN UGA baseball throwback shirsey 1000

5.03 SUN Boston Star Wars Grogu 

5.03 SUN South Bend Cade Horton bobble 

5.04 MON SEA Star Wars Grogu bobble special ticket

5.04 MON Cubs Grogu bobbles

5.05 TUE Richmond CarMax Park caps

5.05 TUE Harrisburg beach towels 500

5.06 WED Quad City ferris wheel rides

5.07 THU Binghamton hockey jerseys 1000

5.07 THU Lehigh Valley scrub jerseys 3000

5.07 THU Portland Jhostynxon "The Password" Garcia bobble

5.07 THU Boston Garrett Crochet jersey variant bobble 

5.08 FRI BALT Tupac bobble 

5.08 FRI UGA baseball Jonathan Cannon shirsey 1000

5.08 FRI SD NASCAR mascot bobblehead

5.08 FRI Augusta Beach towels 1000

5.08 FRI Ottawa jerseys 5000

5.09 SAT CLE Star Wars Grogu bobble special ticket (below)

5.09 SAT Asheville donut jersey giveaway

5.09 SAT JAX socks 2000

5.09 SAT Dunedin fishing hats 

5.09 SAT Hagerstown socks

5.09 SAT KC Nickelodeon slime jersey

5.09 SAT Binghampton championship rings 1500

5.09 SAT Fayetteville 80 Deuces BP top

5.10 SUN Fayetteville Mother's Day jersey special ticket

5.10 SUN Mother's Day

5.10 SUN Harrisburg pregame onfield buffet & pink caps for moms 

5.10 SUN Augusta magnet hats 500 mothers

5.10 SUN Sugar Land replica jerseys 2000

5.11 MON CLE Peanuts Sally bobble special ticket (above)

5.12 TUE LAD IceCube bobble

5.12 TUE ATL Hawaiian shirts 15000 

5.13 WED ATL Michael Harris & pet bobble 15000

5.13 WED Gwinnett 11 am game

5.13 WED Rome 11 am game

5.13 WED Chattanooga's only weekday day game 11 am

5.13 WED Rochester replica jerseys 1000

5.13 WED Nashville Vihuelas sunglasses 1000

5.14 THU ATL girls night out sweatshirt special ticket

5.14 THU Rome strike out stroke tshirts

5.14 THU Omaha take your cat to the game.

5.15 FRI Round Rock Texas T Bone Tshirt 2000

5.16 SAT Akron Butch Reynolds bobble

5.16 SAT MIN Star Wars Grogu bobblehead

5.16 SAT pink sprinkles jersey giveaway

5.16 SAT Columbus Drake Baldwin ROY giveaway 1000

5.16 SAT Gwinnett armed forces replica jerseys 1750

5.16 SAT Nashville sleeveless hoodies 1000

5.17 SUN Nashville ice cream batter sleeves 500 kids

5.17 SUN ATL sunglasses 3000 kids

5.18 MON SEA Josh Naylor bobble 10000

5.19 TUE SEA Josh Naylor bobble 10000

5.20 WED Portland Roman Anthony bobblehead 1000

5.21 THU Quad City pint glass giveaway #4

5.21 THU Oakland Ballers Too $hort bobble

5.22 FRI ATL cowboy hats 15000 

5.22 FRI Everett beanie hats

5.22 23 24 25 Toledo mascot Muddy America 250 bobble special ticket

5.22 FRI Boston Roger Clemens 20K double bobble 7500

5.22 FRI Bowling Green mascot White Squirrel bobble tail

5.22 FRI SD Star Wars bobblehead

5.23 SAT SD Star Wars bobblehead

5.23 SAT Arkansas Cal Raleigh bobblecard

5.23 SAT Dunedin Vlad Jr bobblehead

5.23 SAT Hickory short sleeve hoodie 1000

5.23 SAT W Michigan McConigle bobble

5.23 SAT Lake County Corey Kluber bobblehead

5.23 SAT Fayetteville Military Appreciation camo jersey

5.24 SUN Fayetteville ice cream jersey 12U

5.24 SUN Frisco Iam Kinsler bobble

5.24 SUN SD Star Wars bobblehead

5.24 SUN ATL quarter zip special ticket

5.24 SUN Augusta camo caps 1000

5.24 SUN Lake County Jobu bobble & shot glass

5.24 SUN Knoxville Moises Ballesteros bobblehead

5.24 SUN Lehigh Valley Memorial Day caps 3000

5.24 SUN Brooklyn bark in the park cap special ticket

5.25 MON Madison Drake Baldwin ROY special ticket

5.25 MON TOR Vlad JR Born Ready bobble

5.25 MON CWS 90's city connect jacket

5.25 MON Springfield luck fan real championship ring giveaway

5.26 TUE

5.27 WED Nashville denim bucket hats 1000

5.27 WED Rickwood Classic in Birmingham (I'll be there)

5.28 THU Columbus camo caps 1000

5.28 THU Welland cool looking drink jackets

5.28 THU Green Bay nesting dolls

5.29 FRI TEX Nolan Ryan bloody lip jersey

5.29 FRI Beloit Hawaiian shirts

5.29 FRI Stockton Hawaiian shirts 

5.29 FRI San Antonio Hawaiian shirts 

5.29 FRI Columbia Margaritaville Hawaiian shirts

5.29 FRI SugarLand fishing shirt giveaway

5.29 FRI Danville Dairy Daddies Harambe bobble 500

5.29 FRI NYM Bobby Valentine disguise kits

5.29 FRI Brooklyn Star Trek jersey giveaway 1000

5.30 SAT Brooklyn weenie weekend hot dog hat 1000

5.30 SAT Akron Lebron James bobble

5.30 SAT Erie mascot Fuzz E Mammoth bobble trunk

5.30 SAT Miss Mud Monsters Hawaiian shirts 1000

5.30 SAT Windy City Hawaiian shirts 

5.30 SAT Springfield Hawaiian shirts

5.30 SAT Omaha Runza hockey jerseys 1000

5.30 SAT Columbus alt identity cap giveaway 1000

5.30 SAT Chattanooga Looie the Lookout bobble 1000

5.30 SAT Nashville Pablo Sanchez bobbleheads 1000

5.30 SAT Welland trucker caps 1000

5.31 MON Brooklyn weenie weekend mustard jersey 1000

5.31 MON Round Rock home run chains 1500

5.31 MON Fond Du Lac bucket hats 500

5.31 MON South Bend Daniel Palencia bobble

Road Trip to Rome

Wednesday I drove up to Rome to watch the Emperors 12 pm game. The Hot Stove guys were driving over from Cumming, so I met them there. On the way I stopped by Whataburger for a 2 for 1 breakfast sandwich deal.

For some reason my GPS routed me on a winding country road out of Cartersville. It was a beautiful morning, and it was a nice drive - through Kingston GA. No stop signs. Pulled in the stadium parking lot just after 11 am.

A couple of weeks ago Rome played a day game, and over 3000 school kids attended. Yesterday they were all taking year end tests, and there were less than 200 people at the game. Wasn't hard to find Johnny, Hugh, and Old Tom Curran (left) down the third base line. Hugh was sitting up in the handicapped area, so I spent most of my time talking to him. 

Rome has installed a full artificial turf field, including the infield and base paths. Only the mound and home plate area have real dirt. Whenever a baserunner slid into second or third, the slide sounded funny. One player slid too early, and barely made it to the base.

The Emperors wore their black jerseys, but you couldn't make out the burgundy numbers even though they were trimmed in gold. A bad choice. 

Before the game I had my picture taken with Julius, the Emperor penguin mascot. The team was charging $2 to spin the wheel and win a prize. The prizes looked good, so I plucked down two George Washingtons and took a spin. Won a golden Julius mascot bobblehead worth $30.00. Want to buy it?

The national anthem was played by the organ. The PA announcer had a nice deep voice, and announced the game from the stands.

In the top of the first a Bowling Green batter fouled a pitch off to our right. It landed in an unattended grassy area. With no one nearby, I started after it. Before I got there, a young dad beat me to the ball. He's been seated in front of Johnny and Tom. Before the game the dad had told us that it was his young son's first baseball game, no it was nice that he got a foul ball.

Later in the first inning another pitch was fouled into the same spot. I started after it - but the little boy had been a quick learner. He ran over and grabbed the ball for himself. After that, whenever a lefty came up to bat, I was at the ready to chase a foul ball - but not one was hit over there again. 

A high scoring game. Rome jumped out to a lead with a 3 run home run. Bowling Green kept chipping away at the lead, but then Rome would score more. Saw one old guy in the stands near us by himself, diligently keeping score.

I had expected partly cloudy weather, but there were few clouds to be seen. I pulled up my pants legs to get a little sun on my lily white shins. My Braves tomahawk cap helped, but I got a nice sunburn on my arms. Since it was so sunny, I was unable to use the downtime to catch up on things on my phone. No big deal.

When Bowling Green popped out to end the top of the 7th inning, next to me Hugh stood up and waved for the Rome leftfielder to toss him the ball. The would require the player to toss the ball over the high protective net that separated the field from the stands. I wasn't paying much attention to this until Hugh exclaimed "Here it comes!". Hugh is in his mid-80's. By the time I saw the ball, it was too late to move to catch it in the air. When it bounced, I was afraid it would bounce down and roll under the fence into the parking lot. But the ball hit a rail, and I was able to snatch it. I tried to give the ball to Hugh, but he told me to give it to my grandkids.

On the way out of the park I was able to meet up with Julius again.

After the game I made four stops in downtown Rome. Stopped by The Varsity for a chili dog and large chocolate shake. Stopped by Dollar Tree for a Coke and other items. At the game I had scored a free carwash deal, so I ran my car through the wash.

Keeping Score

Keeping score at baseball games may be making a comeback. Tom Hanks had a special scorecard made so he could keep score using his antique typewriter, which he had taken to a box at Dodger Stadium. Cool shirt. I wear an XL.

Braves GM AA did good to ignore fans clambering for him to sign veteran free agent pitchers Verlander and Scherzer. Verlander has only made one start, and the 41 year old Scherzer is hurting, pitching through pain in an effort to strike out his 3500 batter.

Denison on King Charles' visit to Washington & NYC.

Last week in small group we discussed bits of this devotion. We were studying Genesis 49, where Jacob blessed each of his sons. 

On Sunday Brian Fox likened prayer to being on a boat, when someone on the dock throws you a rope. You're not pulling the dock to you. The dock doesn't move. As you pull the rope, you're pulling yourself closer to the dock.

I mention Jamie Ding's win streak on Jeopardy, and he loses. A competitor went big on two straight daily doubles, and accumulated an insurmountable lead. Watched it while eating supper: grilled chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, and a  surprisingly tasty kale salad.

As expected, I was stuck at the house Tuesday while the carpet runners are installed on the stairs. Not sure if the installers will take a break for lunch. I worked on my calendar scrapbook. Ceil went back to visit baby Miller.

REGGIE JACKSON [SABR Bio] stirred more than that drink. He was born in Wyncote, Pennsylvania, a suburb north of Philadelphia. After he retired, Jackson lost almost three dozen classic cars in a collection he had built over several years when a fire destroyed a garage housing them. The world today uses the Gregorian calendar, a solar calendar introduced in 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII, thus “Mr. October”, the month of the World Series, an event in which Jackson excelled.

Ways to stay sharp in a mind-frazzling world...

1. Cryptic crossword puzzles.

2. Stop using Google and AI for easy answers. Figure it out yourself.

3. Exercise at different intensities.

4. Get plenty of sleep. 

5. Schedule screen breaks.

6. Read slightly faster. I listen to books at 1.25 speed, like accountant Louis Tully on Ghostbusters.

7. Stop multi-tasking. It doesn't work.

8. Become more aware of what's happening around you. Listen. Observe.

9. Take time to identify what's causing stress in your life.

10. Walk mindfully.

11. Rekindle an old hobby. learn a new language. Teach yourself to play a musical instrument. 

12. Make sure your health checks are up to date.

NFL Draft Recap

I missed most of the NFL Draft. Nice that the Falcons got UGA WR Zachariah Branch, in the fourth round, perhaps a steal. The outspoken / height challenged Vandy QB was a rare Heisman finalist who didn't get drafted. Might've helped if he had fired an agent to represent him. GT QB Haynes King signed a free agent contract with the Panthers. Clemson QB Cade Klubnik was a late round draft pick of the woeful Jets. Might be able to get some playing time at some point. 

The poor Cardinals drafted the talented Notre Dame running back 3rd overall - after spending big bucks on free agent RB Tyler Algiers, the former Falcon. The ND RB was supposed to be the best player in the draft, but running backs often don't last long in the NFL. The Cardinals also drafted former UGA QB Carson Beck. Many question if personality and quiet demeanor fit what's needed to be a successful NFL QB.

The Rams head coach Sean McVay didn't seem to like the Rams first round pick - Alabama QB Ty Simpson. With Rams MVP QB Matthew Stafford returning to the team, McVay may have been hoping for another weapon to help Stafford make another Super Bowl run. The Rams already have a full QB room, with Jimmy Garafalo and Stetson Bennett. All McVay could say was that Simpson would compete with Stetson for third string.    

Hawks lost on Saturday. Knicks even the series at 2 apiece. Sure would be nice if the Hawks advance. 

I need to do more research on the books I reserve at the library. Not sure where I discovered "That's a Great Question, I'd Love to Tell You" by writer / comedian Elyse Myers - but it's not too bad. More chick lit than I'd like.

i just finished "Stupid TV, Be More Funny: How the Golden Era of The Simpsons Changed Television - And America - Forever" by Alan Siegel. I read it to get a behind the scenes view of how the weekly 30 minute cartoon was produced. I rarely watched The Simpsons, so I learned a lot about the show. Like so 

 many comedies, the writers worked long hours, into the night. I would've never made it as a comedy writer.

A Court of Thorns And Roses just became the most downloads audiobook in history, passing Harry Potter. Might have to take a listen. 

Article: psychology says the men who are genuinely classy in their 50s and 60s aren't the ones with the watch or the tailored jacket, they're the ones who stopped interrupting, stopped competing in small conversations, and started letting other people finish their sentences without rushing to improve them. Not that there's anything wrong with a fancy watch.

Article: nobody talks about why genuinely intelligent people often seem quieter, slower to answer, and harder to read in group settings. It isn’t arrogance or introversion, it’s that they stopped mistaking fast responses for good ones somewhere around the time everyone else started competing for airtime. 

I've begun to notice that when I eat lunch at Whataburger, I'm not the only older white male there, eating lunch alone. I'm thinking these other guys are taking advantage of the free burger deal. Yesterday there were four other older white males in the dining room, with all of us sitting at different tables. I almost said something. Maybe next time.

A statue linked to the story of Moses has been discovered near the Red Sea.

Denison on Saturday night's assassination attempt at the White House Correspondent's Dinner.

Best Record in Baseball

Braves win another series, and have the best record in baseball - 20-9. Mets and Phillies are 10+ games back. All this without Strider, Schwellenbach, Smith-Shauber, the closer Iglesias, catcher Murphy, and the starting shortstop. 

Come summertime when all those pitchers return, they'll have a relatively rested pitching staff headed into the stretch drive and playoffs. They'll have a glut of pitching, with Sale, Lopez, Ritchie, Elder, Stride, Schwellenbach, and Smith-Shauber - seven starters. Might go with a 6 man rotation and move Lopez to the bullpen. All this with the experts on social media blasting the GM AA for not emptying the bank for another starting pitcher. 

Plus the bottom of the batting order is producing, with two shortstops playing well. When the starter returns, one SS can also play the outfield and both can DH when Drake Baldwin catches. DH Dominic Smith is hitting 350. Lots of options. New manager Walt Weiss has the team playing aggressively. Looking good. Even baby Miller is jumping on the bandwagon (below).

Yesterday Chris Sale won his 150th career game. Crazy that a 150 game winner is being described as a lock for the hall of fame, but that's where we are in 2026. 

And speaking of the Braves, yesterday was Blooper 2's last game in the mascot suit. The original Blooper was lefthanded, and this more recent Blooper did a great job, creating the red shirted Mascot Security team. Last year before the All Star Game, I was able to snap a photo of Blooper without his head on. Guess I can't use it against him any more. 

After Sunday School we both did some grocery shopping. Took a nap, then drove down to babysit while W&MC went out on a date. Got home at 930 pm. 

Went to bed early in the hopes of playing golf this morning, but later realized a couple of reasons to not go. Now it might rain tomorrow.

Instead I went to the gym. Treadmill for an hour, then sauna, then a cool down on the treadmill. Realized I wouldn't have many chances use use a Whataburger coupon before it expired, so I cashed it in today. Free patty melt with purchase of fries and a drink. Plenty to eat. Ceil was spending the day with Miller and Anna.

Came home and watched the movie Heads Of State, with John Cena as the actor turned President. Air Force One gets shot down, and the Vice President is working to take down NATO. Not bad. 

RONALD ACUNA Jr.  [B-R Bio] banished Soto to second place in the 2018 NL ROY voting. Soto received two first-place vote, and 89 of the overall vote shares. Acuna, however, got 27 & 144 respectively. Acuna received all 30 first place votes for NL MVP in 2023. He led the NL in OPS (1.012) and led the majors in runs (149, the highest season total in either league since 2000), hits (217), and an eye-popping 73 stolen bases. The improbable combination of high HR & SB in one season has been the focus of sportswriters & statisticians since Willie Mays did in 1956 (36/40) & 1957 (35/38). Thirty HR & 30 SB has now been done 79 times by 50 different players, nobody in the 30/30 Club has ever stolen more than 70 bases in the 30/30 year. Acuna was the youngest ever MVP of the Arizona Fall League in 2017, helping the Peoria Javelinas win the league championship.

Even while traveling Friday evening, I had to check to see if Jamie Ding was able to continue his amazing win streak on Jeopardy. He did.

When God Speaks

Logan Grantham

JFBC student pastor

Lord, Send Revival, 2 Kings 22-23

8:30 am service

1. When God’s Word hits your heart, what is your response? There are moments in our lives when we hear God speak to us. What is our response? Are we all in?

2 Kings 23:25 - Josiah becomes king when he is 8 years old. When he is 18 the temple is rebuilt, and the book of the law is found. When Josiah heard it read he tore his clothes out of grief, in conviction and despair, because he knows his life isn’t measuring up to God’s requirements.

God wants to reveal himself to us every day. We live life not realizing, not convicted. God doesn’t want us to feel guilty, but to be freed from the chains of sin and guilt. We deserve hell and judgement but God wants so much more. We lose sight of what God wants.

Don’t let your heart wander away from God.

v 18-20 God responds to Josiah: I hear your prayer. I love you. I see your heart. God gave Josiah his mercy.

2. Turn to God. Don’t hide. Accept God’s mercy. 23:1-3.

3. Josiah couldn’t keep this to himself. He brought everyone to the temple. Josiah responded publicly, a public commitment of his faith. He was compelled to live a life of faith.

v 3 All the people joined in, publicly professing their faith in God.

Do you believe the gospel enough to share what God has done in your life?

Josiah burned his idols, but he was not able to change the hearts of the people.

4. The Holy Spirit brings freedom to our lives.

FOUR CURRENT IDOLS...

1. Achievement

2. Comfort. Nice things

3. Image. Approval of man.

4. Busyness.

These can be good things, as long as we don’t put them on a pedestal. Live for Jesus instead. Ask God to give us freedom from being burdened by these things. That we would be convicted to move on from these things.

What is my response to what God is asking me to do? He wants to do a great work in my life. He wants to do a great work through us.

Dan Rice JFBC Sunday School on Romans...

Chapters 1-8 the gospel
Chapter 9 God is sovereign over everything
Chapter 10 humans are responsible for the decisions they make.

There’s no way for God’s sovereignty and human responsibility to be in harmony with each other. So hard to understand these two truths, which we see all throughout scripture…

John 6:35 Jesus is the bread of life. Humans have a responsibility to believe and follow v 40

John 3:1-10 sovereign and 11-23 human responsibility Jesus witnesses and shares this with Nicodemus.

Isaiah 10:5 woe to Aseria. God is to bring judgment. v 12

Romans 9 Paul laments his people rejecting God v 13 an illustration. v 15 an answer to Exodus 13

Romans 10 my hearts desire is that they be saved. Their zeal is not based on knowledge. v 3 they don’t understand. They think they’re more righteous than they are

v 8 we preach about faith alone

27 in Sunday School.

ME: does your church have a side entrance where introverts like me can sneak in, so we aren’t forced to have to say hello to greeters?

DAVE WINFIELD [SABR Bio] college pitching career includes being honored as Most Outstanding Player in the College World Series. Playing for his hometown University of Minnesota in the1973 College WS, he pitched 17-1/3 innings with 29 strikeouts, allowing one earned run over 2 starts including a 14-K, 1–0 shutout vs. Oklahoma, then 15 K through 8 innings vs. USC. Although in his best year, he led the league with an 8.3 WAR, he only finished third in league MVP voting behind Keith Hernandez & Willie Stargell, who tied for the NL MVP in 1979. Winfield finished third, but tied Hernandez with four 1st^t-place votes. Winfield’s hit #3,000 was a single off Dennis Eckersley on 16-Sep-1993.