Jim Thorpe & Donald Trump

In college Jim Thorpe played tailback, linebacker, returned kicks, placekicked, and punted. Once Thorpe punted the ball 60 yards, and raced downfield, leapt into the air, and caught the punt on the fly. He broke four tackles and ran another 20 yards for a touchdown. I’d never heard of such.

 

Then in the next game at mighty Harvard, Thorpe’s Carlisle Indians led late in the game. Facing fourth and long the QB called for a 55 yard field goal, a distance unheard of in those days. Even with a badly sprained ankle Thorpe made the kick. He was chosen first team All-America. Carlisle finished with one loss,   

 

That next summer Thorpe earned a spot on the US Olympic team and sailed to Stockholm, where he won gold in the pentathlon and decathlon – in basically the first time he competed in those events. Though he had ran track at Carlisle, at the Olympic trials he placed first despite not knowing the proper form for javelin and shot put. At Carlisle his first high jump (in work coveralls) set the school record.     

 

Dock’s dad Neil is on another of his famous road trips. They toured Green Bay and Lambeau Field. Also attended Monday’s Brewers/Braves game in Milwaukee. Ate cheese curds. Today they’re touring the Louisville Slugger Bat Factory and Museum.

 

Trying to wear sunglasses more. Just when I’m inside I don’t like wearing them on top of my head. Could get a string to wear around my neck but don’t like that either. Also don’t like wearing them when I am talking to people.

 

Tuesday: doctor appointment went well, though I was there almost 1-1/2 hours. Was examined and got the go ahead for the sleep study. Had time afterwards to get my car emissions and a wash. While waiting I read the AJC.

 

With Ceil in SC it is leftover time. Ate a black bean and rice dish. Added sauce and chips. Also ice cream. Between me and M we got rid of seven containers. Caught up on computer stuff. Bought a ticket for next Sunday night’s game. Ceil’s women’s ministry  is taking the mothers and kids to next Tuesday night’s game. Not sure they’ll get there in time to get bobbleheads. Guess I’ll go to that game as well.

 

Watched Modern Family and The Office. Some of the Braves, but went to bed before the bad 7th inning.

 

The loss ends a five game winning streak.

They’ve won 8 of their last 10.

They’re 22-9 in their last 31 games.

Twenty games over .500.

Record is 58-38.

Both Soroka and Fried have ten wins.

 

Today the “Cultural Theologian” Jim Denison was spot on, dividing people’s reaction to Trump into four categories, and posits that not all Christians are Trump supporters, despite what the media would have you believe.  

 

Denison: my purpose today is not to take a side in this debate. Rather, my goal as a cultural theologian is to offer context and analysis and then to consider biblical responses. With regard to Mr. Trump’s presidency and the current controversy, there are four broad categories on a spectrum of response. One: Some are opposed to Mr. Trump himself. They consider the current controversy to be another example of character unfit for the office of president. Two: Some are opposed to the president’s policies. They disagree with him on abortion, border security, transgender persons in the military, and a host of other issues. Three: Some support the president’s policies. They voted for him in 2016 with the Supreme Court and judiciary in mind. They agree with his stance on abortion and are grateful for his support of religious liberty. Many regret the president’s rhetoric, but they consider him a better alternative than Hillary Clinton in 2016 or the Democratic Party today. Four: Some support the president personally. They believe his business background, lack of political debts, and aggressive defense of America are necessary for the times. Some evangelicals believe his leadership should be understood in light of Romans 13 and the priority of defending the nation rather than the Sermon on the Mount and its descriptions of personal character. Some also liken him to Cyrus the Great, the Persian king who liberated the Jews (cf. Isaiah 45:1–7). Of course, many who are in the first category also embrace the second; some in the first category embrace the policies affirmed by those in the third. And many who are in the third category also affirm the fourth. However, this is not necessarily so, especially with regard to evangelicals. While the media seems to believe that every evangelical who voted for Mr. Trump also supports everything he says and does, this is not true. I am personally acquainted with Christian leaders who fit in the third category but not the fourth, just as I know of Christian leaders who embrace both categories. We must “connect before we correct” Judging from comments on previous Daily Articles, we have readers in various combinations of each category. Wherever we see ourselves, it is important as culture-changing Christians that we relate to those with whom we disagree in ways that honor our Lord and extend his kingdom. In his excellent work, The Daniel Dilemma: How to Stand Firm & Love Well in a Culture of Compromise, Pastor Chris Hodges notes that for many Christians, “We mean well, but we don’t love well.” He explains: “Truth without grace is mean. Grace without truth is meaningless.” According to Hodges, “People are ready for God, but they want hope, not a debate.” He adds that we must “connect before we correct,” since “reaching people is our purpose.” As a result, he warns, “The moment you make engaging with other people about ‘being right,’ you need to stop and check your heart.” He quotes author J. S. Knox, who stated, “You cannot antagonize and influence at the same time.” Hodges adds, “We have to earn someone’s respect before we can build a relationship. And we have to have a relationship before we can have influence.” “Be kind to one another” How are we to build such a relationship? According to Scripture, you and I are to “walk in wisdom toward outsiders” and to “let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt” (Colossians 4:5, 6). And we are to “always [be] prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15). I italicized “always” to show that there are no exceptions to these priorities. How are we to respond when people disagree with us? “The Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness” (2 Timothy 2:24–25). We are to “be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32). And we are to “pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding” (Romans 14:19). Here’s the bottom line: “Walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love” (Ephesians 4:1–2). We are to speak the truth, but only and always in love (Ephesians 4:15). Choosing light and love You and I have little influence on President Trump or his supporters or critics in Washington and the media. But we are directly responsible for the way we talk about them and to each other. Let’s give Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. the last word: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.” Will you choose light and love today? https://mailchi.mp/denisonforum/president-trumps-tweets-and-critics-four-categories-and-a-biblical-response?e=994fc5af9a

CHUCK KLEIN  [SABR Bio] was the first National League player in the modern era to hit four home runs in one game - 4 HR 10-Jul-1936, 10-inning G. He was the first outfielder voted Most Valuable Player by the BBWAA, as it is done today - NL MVP 1932, by the Baseball Writers' Association of America. No other player received even one 1st-place vote and all for 4th-place PHI. No other outfielder in any league in the modern era had more outfield assists than he did in the season where he also led the majors in total bases. Both were personal bests - 44 OF A in 1930 w/445 TB (4th best all-time).