Dinner With Vampires

One of Ceil's favorite Hallmark Channel movies is Royal Matchmaker. Watched it again this week. The female lead Bethany Joy Lenz had previously starred in the hit TV series One Tree Hill. When she first landed in Hollywood she joined what she thought was a Bible Study, which turned out to be a demonic curt. Took her ten years to get out, and she wrote a memoir about her experience. I've added it to my list to read. 

Next up after Mitch Albom's Twice: The Courage to be Disliked: the Japanese Phenomenon that Shows You How to Change Your Life and Achieve Real Happiness. Not sure why, other than it is a bestseller, and only six hours long.

We had small group last night at Chris' huge house. Runs a chain of 40 small businesses and has real estate as well. His wife helps run the salons, but spends just as much time traveling to minister to women overseas. Chris helps with this. He juggles so many things, but nothing seems to bother him. World's most interesting man?

We studied Genesis 40 & 41, where Joseph interprets the dreams, and is chosen by Pharaoh to run the country. After so many years down in the prison (at least nine) Joseph is not bitter, instead giving credit and glory to God every step of the way. 

I had a focus group Thursday morning. Arrived before 9 am and it didn't let out until after 1230. Intense. On the way home I stopped by Five Guys for their buy one, get one free deal on a burger. A great burger, but they're twelve bucks. Tastes better than it looks.

On the way home my low tire pressure indicator went off. Weird. Rerouted and topped off the air. We'll see if I have a leak. Since I was in the neighborhood I stopped by a Goodwill and a Dollar Tree. Since I've retired I am drinking more KoolAid, for better or worse. It's been hard to find the flavors I like, so when I see a Dollar Tree that I haven't been to, I check out their KoolAid selection. No luck today - I'm stuck with grape for now. Trying to stay away from the red dye.

Anna has been keeping a low profile on High Country social media, but was selected as the person that makes the office laugh the most. Chip off the old block.

Might have to make the trip to Hartford in June for this bad boy. Adding this to my bobblehead list for June.  

Question of the Day: who was the strangest movie character? Besides Serge in Beverly Hills Cop, I responded with Dennis Rodman. 

JOE MEDWICK  [SABR Bio] hit a NL record 64 2B in 1936, in 677 plate appearances. He was the first player to hit home runs in the All-Star game and World Series in the same season. In the first of his 10 All-Star appearances, 1934, Medwick homered in the third inning off Lefty Gomez. On 03-Oct, he homered in the 5th inning of the first game off Detroit’s General Crowder. When advised to lay off bad pitches, Berra replied, “Joe Medwick's still my hero.” Yogi grew up in St. Louis in the heyday of the Cardinal’s Gas House Gang.

Entered a sweepstakes for a two night stay in San Antonio, but no flight to there. Usually I'd pass on such a sweepstakes, but it was an easy enter. Watch me win.

March Madness

College basketball - did you hear that GT fired their head coach? Someone suggested they hire Bruce Pearl. Might be a good idea, but at his age he might not want the hassle of NIL and the transfer portal. UGA seems to be having a good year, but I don't follow it much either. 

Did I tell you about the sweepstakes where the winner and 3 friends get paid $100.00 an hour to watch the first Thursday or Friday of the NCAA basketball tournament - from noon to midnight - with a huge supply of Red Baron pizzas? I won't win, but it's fun to think about.

Some are saying that both teams were working together to get that NBA player to 83 points, that it wasn't legit. Some guy named Bam.  

Every time I title a post "March Madness", I get a few extra clicks. 

Team USA manager Mark DeRosa didn't realize USA needed to win to advance to the next round of the World Baseball Classic. And people wanted the Braves to hire him as their manager, after years on TV on the MLB Network. 

Six Feet Under - didn't realize they have a Cheshire Bridge location. Burger looks okay. Chicken fingers look better - comes with hush puppies. But do you really want to take a 91 year old with cancer to Six Feet Under on his birthday?

Helped Ceil out in the back yard this afternoon, cleaning out the flowerbeds and getting ready for spring.

Ceil doesn't like the microwave. I always push the 30 seconds bottom because that's fast and easy. If I need it to go longer I'll push the 30 second button again to make it a minute or 1:30. If it's something that doesn't need 30 seconds I just hit STOP after 10 or 15 seconds. Lately I've been cooking quesadillas on the big flat cast iron stovetop that Matthew left us. Ceil grills chicken and other items on it. 

Ceil cooked Lemon Chicken, roasted potatoes, and cole slaw. 

Sold a shirt that was too small for me. 

In the novel "The Correspondent" the main characther's pen pal in high school mentioned that she had received a reply to her letter to CS Lewis. In real life, Lewis wrote the following - still applicable today. 

Denison: we have been discussing the liberal Christianity advanced by Texas senatorial candidate James Talarico. I have sought to explain his worldview in its cultural context and then encouraged us to respond with biblical compassion and redemptive purpose. Here Denison debunks some of his specific theological assertions being popularized in the media.

First Bite: Howlin Willy's

For lunch I took advantage of the 2 of 1 chicken sandwich deal at Howlin Willy's Hot Chicken. Pretty good, though I doubt I'd go back without the BOGO deal. I need to stop by Hardees for a deal, plus this week Five Guys has a BOGO burger deal in their app. 

Seems like a good day to take on a few controversial subjects.

The Falcons sign Tua. The good: he's experienced. Throws for 2-1/2 touchdowns for every interception. Has a winning record in the NFL. Has a high QBR. He signed a cheap contract, though only a one year deal. More of a short range, middle of the field passer, while Phenix likes to throw deeper routes. The bad: like Phenix, Tua is injury prone. Like several experts are saying, I guess it's a good deal. Better Tua than Kyler Murray, who doesn't seem very interested in actually playing football. But since so many NFL QB's are getting hurt these days, at some point soon the Falcons will be needing another experienced QB. Maybe Joe Flacco. But for goodness sakes, for sure the Falcons shouldn't spend another first or second round pick on a QB (or WR) this year. Too many other needs. The Panthers paid much more to sign Kenny Pickett, who I like, but not for the millions and millions he signed for.   

The Jets offered the Chiefs five first round picks for QB Patrick Mahomes, plus a WR. Even if Mahomes was the greatest QB in history, he can't win Super Bowls all by himself. The Jets won't have all those picks to build around him. Would be a better deal for the Chiefs, whose dynasty seems to be slipping a tad. They'd have the draft capital to replace Mahomes, if Mahomes is indeed replaceable.    

The NBA canceled Magic City Night. Steak’s “culture” tweet was widely panned. Shapiro needs to grow up. He has a daughter. Perhaps so many young single males go to Hawks games as well as Magic City. Is the Hawks franchise failing to provide a good atmosphere / environment for them? Certainly not a family friendly atmosphere, with dancers like most other NBA teams have. Yet it took the NBA commissioner to shut down Magic City Night, after an outcry from the community and players from other teams. Some may say that it’s all in good fun, but if Atlanta's culture is about celebrating strip clubs, these are sad times we live in. But we already knew that. Way over the line.

Steak’s culture tweet was tone deaf. Instead of setting himself up as a leader in Atlanta, he comes off more like a buffoon. I’ve got to remember Steak and the other guys on Atlanta radio live in that culture. Even the "One Call, That's All" lawyer was jumping on the Magic City Night bandwagon, giving away tickets. Guess he's got to cater to his target audience. 

 

In another example of just how twisted our culture has become, Jim Denison addresses what a follower of Jesus' response should be - specifically James Talarico's liberal "Christian" worldview. Denison writes: "Talarico, a Presbyterian seminary student and thus considered a "Bible scholar" by some in the media, is advancing his liberal version of Christianity with regard to abortion, transgenderism, gay marriage, and the claim that all religions "point to the same truth."

Meanwhile: former Bulldog great David Pollack will be speaking at JFBC, to the East Cobb Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Would be fun to weasel my way in for a listen.

"The purpose of apologetics is not just to win an argument or a discussion, but that people with whom we are in contact may become Christians and then live under the lordship of Christ in the whole spectrum of life." —Francis Schaeffer  

LEO DUROCHER [SABR Bio] was the Dodgers’ manager for 9 seasons from 1939-1948 (suspended in 1947), winning 738 games & one pennant (1941). In 5 of those years, he was a player/manager. He was the skipper for the Giants from 1948-1955, winning 637 games, two pennants (1951,1954), and one World Series (1954). He managed the Cubs for seven years (1966-1972) and won 535 games. He once opined, “I never questioned the integrity of an umpire.  Their eyesight?  Yes.” Click here for more gems from Mr. Durocher.

Trucker Cap

After church Sunday I dropped another load of donations off at Goodwill. then went inside and bought a nice Braves snapback cap - a New Era 9Forty trucker style cap. Probably a cap from the Braves Clubhouse Store. Snapbacks don't fit me well, but the design is popular these days - plus I couldn't resist with the little feather on front. Couldn't find a picture of it on line.

Our young senior pastor Clay has sung at his previous churches. Yesterday after he finished his sermon only two singers came out to sing. Clay stayed there in the middle of the stage and sang with them. How often do you see a pastor do that, not over to the side in front of his chair, but right up there in the middle?  

Seems like I'd been singing There is a Fountain Filled With Blood since high school. A goodie, but I am more of a faster paced hymn guy. Nothing wrong with the service going long - seems like JFBC goes long every week. If it goes long due to the sermon or the music that's fine, but it's discouraging when the pastor finishes, then the music leader talks on and on, and then the announcement guy goes on and on. If I were the announcement guy, I would keep it short and sweet. North Point was always good about not dragging out the chitchat.

Learned that in Kansas City there's a huge underground cave they've made into a large warehouse area. Several businesses operate there. Not a tourist attraction but you can drive through on the streets. Called the Subtropolis. The temperature is a constant 62 degrees year round. A couple times a year they might run a road race through there.  

Magy Tadros - seems like Ceil used to do things with Magy, as well as Jere Goldsmith Jr's wife Mary. Magy's girls were about the same age as Will and Anna. Before Talaat was married he was part of the SPdL singles group at the Huberts house, and sometimes did things with me, David Hurt, Don Head, Bill Teem, Mark Stephens, and the rest of the gang. Steve Norman had just gotten married to Becky, but since he taught Sunday School in the Singles Department, they often did things with the singles.   

Saw pictures from Lang in Barcelona, watching Ricky Rubio's game.  

Lazy Sunday. Watched the last round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational, which went to sudden death after a dramatic finish of regulation.  

Monday: spent an hour and a half on the treadmill, plus 20 minutes in the sauna. Last night Ceil fixed stir fry, then hopped on a zoom call for an hour. Watched The Voice.  

Every morning when I wake up, I move our cars out of the driveway before the workers arrive. This morning I noticed C's car was almost out of gas, so I took it to fill it up. Lifted weights at the gym for an hour - then sauna, then hopped on the treadmill for 30 minutes. Stopped by the post office on the way home.

Denison: explaining James Talarico's theology.

Iran assembled multiple “kill teams” to assassinate Trump over at least the last five years.

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.