Church Theology

Guy I know posted a video clip from his church service yesterday, which began with a quote from the noted theologian George Harrison, the former Beatle. I was astounded. Jesus said in John 14:6: "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." The Bible proclaims several names for God the Father. I wouldn't go as far as saying it doesn't matter what we call God.

Sunday the Braves held Ronald Acuna out of the game, to rest his nagging wrist injury. Last week Acuna scored from first on a Freddie Freeman double, blazing around the basepath and sliding home headfirst, despite there being no throw to the plate. Was sliding headfirst a wise thing to do, with a sore wrist? Sure, a MLB player has to go all out regardless of an injury. Otherwise they shouldn't be playing. On a play like this the runner can usually tell whether a slide is needed by looking at the catcher's behavior – and the on deck hitter usually signals the runner whether to slide or not. As fast as Acuna was running, he had plenty of time to not slide. Some "experts" disagreed, not suggesting an alternative strategy but just ridiculing me for mine. Whatever.

Also last week Marcell Ozuna dangerously scored standing up, crossing the plate just as the throw came into the catcher. No mention form the social media experts on how he should've slid. Or slud, as ol' Dizzy Dean would've said.

Thursday: didn't see any of the Braves but kept checking on my phone. Another good start for Ian Anderson, who only gave up three unearned runs.

Friday: busy morning trying to catch up on emails, plus one conference calls and a short Zoom call. At lunch I drove over to Cobb Parkway to pick up the gift certificate I'd won. The Cobb EMC people had a tent set up to give away the prizes outside the building. Stopped by four nearby thrift stores on the way home. Was going to quit after the first two then found a nice pair of Braves "slides" at the third. I'd been shopping for a pair of these shoes recently, kind of like a cross between flip flops and shower shoes.

Usually I'd grab lunch while out and about, but we have plenty of food at the house. Made two breakfast quesadillas earlier, and about to make either a sandwich or quesadillas for lunch. Ceil was at a teacher's meeting.

I worked 7-4, then Ceil and I drove over to visit with friends, in from a tiny town in far eastern North Carolina in their Sandy Springs hotel room. Picked up Thai takeout. Lots of people at the hotel weren't wearing masks or social distancing. Had to pass up several elevators so we wouldn't ride with people not wearing masks. Hotel employees were getting onto people without masks, but not sure how much good it was doing.

Saturday football. College GameDay, GT@Syracuse, UGA@Arkansas. Also laundry, and work in the garage. Sold two old pieces of furniture we'd had stored out there, taking up space. Eggy boy sandwich for breakfast, chicken soup for lunch, and a supper of baked chicken, hash browns, and salad. Hallmark movie.

Sunday we drove down to Peachtree City to visit with our NC friends. Then we both drove to Newnan for Mary Lee's wedding, held outside in a huge amphitheater at a place called Dunaway Gardens. The place was as big as half a football field, with about 95 guests, including the wedding party and family. Plenty of room to spread out. Chairs were spaced out in groups of two or three.

Above: Dixon, brothers Andrew & Nathan, John, bride Mary Lee and brother Daniel and sister Martha, Bethany, and Anna. Below: Noelle, Ceil, mother of the bride Nancy, and Dawn.

At the reception, only a few people sat inside, well-spaced, with other tables outside, where we sat with three other couples, all good friends. BBQ pork and chicken, slaw, mac & cheese, green beans, biscuits, cornbread, and wedding cake. Of our original small group, whom we've been getting together with since before we started having children, only three of our 12 kids missed the event (both Will and Matthew had to work). Didn't get home until after 10:30. Long day. Here's a video of Anna and Ceil dancing.

https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__photos.app.goo.gl_Agv4YKo7ir9wFrJL8&d=DwICAg&c=UXihhqr7vvdA-hrKyTiC1Q&r=wMWwaEbn9nr4zXI4p6CDP7FGwn1DrBd77MJElrWsP6U&m=ETx9N7BxXy-XYSw_JW3FLy_tlGshi2CWyNFt8GXJRTM&s=41WPO81qFDr6H2X6WvLLAZa9e2nQoLh46cdF2gaGWUg&e= 

Yesterday Rodrigo Blankenship went 2-3 on field goals and 4-4 on extra points, missing one attempt from 40-49 yards. The Colts beat the jets 36-7

https://247sports.com/Article/Indianapolis-Colts-Rodrigo-Blankenship-Bubba-Ventrone-says-the-most-unique-player-he-has-coached-Georgia-Bulldogs-151980556/ 

I'm not getting my hopes up with the Falcons. If they ever win I will be pleasantly surprised. No use getting emotionally invested with them. Didn't hear many details but this was the fourth big come from ahead loss the Birds have suffered – all three games this season plus that Super Bowl. Poor clock management was to blame in all four – not running the ball, instead throwing incomplete passes. You think they'd learn.

I've tried to enter Starbucks contests in the past but they are usually too complicated. When they get too hard I skip them and move on to the next sweepstakes. If it takes more than 30 seconds or a minute to enter the contest, I don't bother. I have trouble changing light bulbs.

People predicting a surge in the virus – where do they get their information? Like everything else, there's so much conflicting data out there. Seen several reports of the numbers going down. So few positive tests in the NFL, NFL, MLB. Since I am older I try to be more careful. Since he is around so much at the hospital, Will didn't attend the wedding.

Being careful – some people order groceries for curbside pickup. I wear a mask wherever I go. Try to not go many places unless I have to, then might make a stop along the way. Only ate in a restaurant once since all this started, except my weekend up in North Georgia. Seemed like at the wedding only 25-33% were from East Cobb. The rest were from far south Georgia - Wrightsville or Statesboro.

North Point Community Church and Passion City Church aren't holding services, but Johnson Ferry is. We're not planning on going to church any time soon either. I do attend small group with three other guys, all spaced out in a large room. Two of the guys work from home, and the third only goes to the office 2-3 days per week.

Good Denison column, on opposition to the Supreme Court justice nominee, slamming her for being Catholic.

https://www.denisonforum.org/columns/daily-article/what-a-self-described-liberal-said-about-amy-coney-barrett-fighting-for-truth-with-courageous-grace/ 

JIM PIERSALL [SABR Bio] is the only Red Sox player to collect six hits in a nine-inning game - 6 hits on 10-Jun-1953 He led the majors in sacrifice flies and doubles in the same season. In 1956 he had 40 2B & 12 SF for BOS. He won Gold Gloves for outfield play for different teams - GG for BOS in 1958 & for CLE in 1961. In the minors, he once took out a squirt gun to "clean off the plate" for the umpire after striking out on a called strike three. History does not recall the results of this action. When he hit his last home run, he ran around the bases backwards (above).

ME: though not a coach of my team at the Chicago Cubs fantasy camp, Piersall witnessed a nice running, across the body catch I made in left field on a different field. Piersall went out of his way to tell me nice catch.

BOB FRIEND  [SABR Bio] has more career strikeouts than any other pitcher in the storied history of the Pittsburgh Pirates - 1,682 K. Never led the league although was in the top ten 4 times: 1956, 57, 58 & 1960. He surrendered the first of Pete Rose's 4,256 major league hits, a triple – 1st Rose hit on 13-Apr-1963 He was the first National Leaguer to be the winning pitcher twice in an All-Star game - won ASG in 1956 & 1960.