Overcoming Apathy

I am good…not really

Revelation 3:14-22

Clay Smith JFBC 

Apathy…think about the Nazi concentration camps. In the last decade people have been taking selfies in front of the gates, smiling and laughing. This practice was stopped.

Book: Uche Anizor wrote Overcoming Apathy

Apathy = indifference, slothful. Cares for nothing, lives for nothing.

Reasons why people struggle with apathy:

Do I care about the things that God cares about? A tough word from Jesus about the church in this passage, in Laodicea. They were filled with false converts, unbelievers. Three cities on the trade route. Known for its wealth, textiles, an early school of optomology they had developed an eye salve. Had hot springs as well as cool springs nearby, but Laodicea only had lukewarm water. The people were like the water.

V 17 - 18 they were used to buying things. Jesus said they needed to buy garments and salve to help them overcome their apathy.

Contributors to apathy…

1. Doubt. Not trusting anything. Have mercy on those who doubt.

2. Triviality. Is everything really awesome?

3. Fragility. Culture doesn’t want to take risks.

V 19 Jesus rebukes and disciplines because he loves them. Sometimes the answer is no. God wants us to repent.

V 20 I stand at the door and knock. I will dine with them. The grace of God is in this passage.

Have you gotten apathetic to the things of God? Pray God break my heart for the things that break your heart.

1. Idolatry. Colossians says greed into an idol…kids, etc. it’s spiritual adultery.

2. Unbelief breaks God’s heart. Spurgeon if sinners be damned let them leap into hell over our dead bodies.

3. Perversion. Satan is the master of perversion. Look at God’s definition of marriage. The world is destroying people. Romans 1 what happens when people take their eyes off God. Churches think they are loving but God condemns.

4. Injustice to award the poor and vulnerable.

How do you overcome apathy?

1. Remember Gods big story. God is coming back. We aren’t the center of the universe.

2. Renew your daily habits, unhurried time with God. Piper: prayerless is not from a lack of time.

3. Put others first.

4. Fasting allows us to be homesick for heaven.

Would Jesus spit you out of his mouth? Come fellowship with Him. Receive His gift of salvation.

Glad football is here. Both the Pack and Falcons have new QB's. Falcon #1 pick the RB from Texas looks like a stud. Dijon Robinson. I think the Packers drafted a kid from Ceil's tiny home town in SC. Tomorrow here at the office everyone is bringing in food to celebrate the start of the season.

Friday GT vs Louisville

Saturday UGA on ESPN+

Monday Clemson vs Duke

I am running or working out 6 or 7 days per week. Mon-Friday AM at the gym. Also run on the treadmill. Alternate running with weightlifting.

Last night I worked until 6 pm. Leftovers for supper. Then to a friend’s house for cheese & crackers, and sangria. They’re making plans to practice hospitality overseas, hosting others taking short breaks from their work.

Crazy times at work. Gonna have SAP stuff from here on out. Meetings and cleaning up AS400 data for the transfer over. Cleaning up emails. Last day of the month - plenty to do. Getting into SAP crunch time. An AS400 work order may take 5 minutes to enter. An SAP WO takes at least 15 minutes, plus one AS400 WO is 2 or 3 WO's in SAP. Over 100 slit parts, and even more fabricated. Plus inventory must be "shipped" and "received" every time it travels from our plants to stamper to painter, etc. Gonna be hard to keep our customer running. Every day is a fire drill even before SAP. 

A great movie scene, from My Best Friend’s Wedding.

Artificial “Intelligence” – Chap GPT generated a fake Bible verse that’s been making it’s rounds on social media. So don’t believe everything you read.

JOE TORRE   [SABR Bio] was the first player to hit into four double plays in a single major league game, on 21-Jul-1975, Torre had 4 plate appearances and 4 X grounded into a double play. Facing Houston’s Ken Forsch, Torre donated the “pitcher’ best friend” proceedings in the 1st, 3rd, 6th, and 9th (all but the 6th inning ended the inning). Played for the Mets from 1975-77. As manager in 1977, having played more than 100 games the year before with respectable stats, he put himself in as a player at 3rd and first a total of 17 times. Since then only Don Kessinger (CHW in 1979) and Pete Rose (CIN 1984-85) served as player managers. He and his brother played together for Milwaukee one year. Frank Torre, nine years Joe’s senior, played for the Phillies as well.

Evening at The Battery

Tuesday: worked until after 6 pm. Drove surface streets over to The Battery and ate at Sports & Social. The Yankee game was on the TVs, but they switched over to Atlanta Dream vs Phoenix Mercury, with Diana Taurasi. Trae Young was at the game.

Grilled chicken sandwich with bacon and cheese, with tater tots. Not bad for a free meal, but the bun was pretty bland. Bar food.

When I left the sky was cloudy. Rain was starting was I exited the parking deck. By the time I made it to East Cobb there was a torrential downpour. No exaggeration. About as bad a rain as I’d ever seen. Could barely see to drive. I was going 20 MPH. The last creek before by house had overflowed out onto my street.

C beat me home. Watched Only Murders in the Building. Lifted weights this morning. Meeting all morning, with more discussions this afternoon. Month end tomorrow. Gonna be a rough four months.

Pet peeve: when people hear the song Sweet Caroline they just go crazy, acting as if they’re having the best time in the world. Goodness. Used to be the “Budweiser” song did that to people, especially at Tech football games. Thing about Budweiser is that it’s a bastardization of the old Sonny & Cher classic “When You Say Love”.

Money doesn’t seem to phase Tour Championship winner Victor Hovland. After his big win he grabbed takeout from Chipotle.

More than other countries, the US is experiencing a pandemic of early “unexplained” deaths.

JIM RICE [SABR Bio] won the AAA International League’s Triple Crown, it’s Rookie of the Year and MVP all in the same season, while playing BOS AAA farm team, the 1974 Pawtucket Red Sox. He is the only player to lead the American League in home runs and triples outright in the same season. Rice led the majors in HR (46) and triples (15) in 1978. [Note: With more than two thirds of the 2023 season completed, Shohei Ohtani currently leads the AL in HR with 43 & is tied for the lead in triples with KC’s Bobby Witt with seven.  No other player has ever grounded into as many as 35 double plays in a single season, yet Rice did it twice in two years: 36 in 1984 and 35 in 1985. Art Howe hit .338 to Rice’s .337 that season, but despite showing up at the top of the leaderboard for that season, Howe did not accumulate enough Plate Attempts to qualify for the batting title.

When the Hawks played at Alexander Memorial Coliseum every time Walt Bellamy made a basket, they'd ring a bell.

Greatest Braves Team Ever?

With the Braves owning the best record in baseball, it’s easy for kids to say the is the best time ever to be a Braves fan. What about the World Series runs in 1957-58, with Spahn & Lew Burdette, Aaron, Mathews, Adcock, and Bobby Thomson? The 1969 western division championship, with Niekro, Aaron, Boyer, and Cepeda? Or 1982-83 with Murphy, Horner, Benedict, Niekro, Camp, Chambliss, etc. ? And I’m pretty sure the record run of division champions in the 90’s? Sid’s slide, Maddux, Glavine, Smoltz, Chipper, Cox, Mazzone, etc.? Sure the 2023 team is loaded, leading the league in several offensive and pitching categories, but Braves history has been loaded with great times. Heck even when the team was losing 100 games per season in the late 70’s and 80’s it was a great time to be a Braves fan. Perhaps I'll post a ranking.

Saturday morning on ESPN College GameDay in one breath Kirk Herbstreit goes out of his way to say “no disrespect to Georgia” (remembering how last year he picked Tennessee to beat the Dawgs), then joined expert geniuses Desmond Howard and Pat MacAfee in picking Alabama to win SEC championship. Sure, it’s easy to say the Dawgs won’t win a third straight national championship, since no one has done it in decades and decades – but who is going to stop them? Lots of question marks over in Tuscaloosa this year. One South Carolinian thinks the Gamecocks are up to the task. LOL.

Stetson is taking a lot of preseason snaps. He’s thrown several interceptions, and had a few more near interceptions dropped. Some still love Bennett, but others think the Rams need to bring in a veteran backup.

Over 1600 scientists agree: there is no climate emergency. And when opponents tried to debunk the research by claiming it was funded by Big Oil, another study showed that it wasn’t. Still gets my goat that it’s hot in August and people cry global warming. Yes the climate is changing. It’s been changing for the past 6000 years – which is a really long time. Ocean temperatures are rising – due to undersea volcanic activity. Sure I am just an old guy. What makes me or any other non-scientist such an expert? Trust the science? I did spend a good deal of time listening and reading up on data from scientists brought in to lecture my kids on Living Science retreats – science-backed data on their website www.answersingenesis.com

With human trafficking so rampant, its hard to dismiss any story as completely untrue. Where there’s smoke, there’s fire. True or not, it’s enough to make a guy to never wear red shoes again. Great – right after I bought a pair.

Are we witnessing a precursor to the Antichrist's covenant with many?

Signs that the US culture has been completely transformed.

The 2023 Ryder Cup team

Sam Burns Choudrant La - 27 - Ryder Cup Rookie

Patrick Cantlay Jupiter Fla - 31 - one Ryder Cup appearance 2021

Wyndham Clark Scottsdale Ariz - 29 - Ryder Cup Rookie

Rickie Fowler Jupiter Fla - 34 four Ryder Cup appearances 10 14 16 18

Brian Harman St Simons Island Ga - 36 - Ryder Cup Rookie

Max Homa Scottsdale Ariz - 32 - Ryder Cup Rookie

Brooks Koepka Jupiter Fla - 33 three Ryder Cup appearances 16 18 21

*Collin Morikawa Las Vegas - 26 one Ryder Cup appearance 2021

Xander Schauffele Jupiter Fla - 29 one Ryder Cup appearance 2021

Scottie Scheffler Dallas - 27 one Ryder Cup Appearance 2021

*Jordan Spieth Dallas - 30 four Ryder Cup appearances 2014, '16, '18, ‘21

*Justin Thomas Jupiter Fla - 30 - 2 Ryder Cup appearances 2018 & ‘21

U.S. Captain: Zach Johnson St Simons Island Ga

Vice Captains: Stewart Cink, Fred Couples, Jim Furyk, Davis Love III, Steve Stricker

Phil Mickelson admitted that he stole a sign from the driving range at Augusta National.

I worked until 6 pm last night. C cooked stir fry with beef tips in a wok, as well as collards. She watched a home renovation show while a played on my laptop. Most of the Braves highlights happened after I went to bed. This morning I ran three miles at the gym.

MICKEY MANTLE [SABR Bio] tied Babe Ruth for most home runs hit in Fenway Park by a visiting player, with 38. Drafted for the Korean War, Mantle was found unfit for military service in Dec 1950 due to an arrested case of osteomyelitis in his left leg. Mantle was actually rejected twice more: on 13-Apr-1951 after his draft board again cited the osteomyelitis and then, bowing to public pressure, one last time in 1952 when the knee he had damaged in the 1951 World Series prompted his final “physically unqualified for military service” assessment. Mantle once set the record for the most home runs in a year where he did not capture the league home run title. He hit 54 HR in 1961 behind teammate Roger Maris’ 61. Sammy Sosa’s 66 in 1998 is the standard today.

Comeback Player of the Year

Watched the Braves Giants. McHugh was McTerrible. Some think he will go on the disabled list when Chavez returns soon. Kyle Wright will be returning as well, in a couple of weeks. Also Ozzie.

In his last 11 games Marcell Ozuna is 18-36 with 3 doubles, 6 homers, and 13 RBI. He's hit 27 of his 29 HR since May 2, a span of 95 games. As of last Thursday Ozuna was slashing 363/433/688/1.121 for the month of August, after an April of 085/194/203/397. Player of the month? Comback player of the year?

Have a good weekend? Watch Victor Hovland run away with the Tour Championship? Ceil lost interest, but he and Xander kept pouring it on. Watched some both Saturday and Sunday.

Friday evening we went to Taqueria in Brookhaven. The George was okay. I'll probably stick to beans and rice next time.

Saturday morning golf, with Robert, the professor, and Paul the vet. Afterward I went for an oil change. Wasn't surprised when they came and said "Can I show you something?" since they usually try to upsell extras – but what they showed me was how a mouse or squirrel had built a little next under the hood of my car, under the battery. Ugh.

Quesadillas for lunch. C and I worked to clean and clear out, upstairs in the spare bedrooms, as well as the garage. I did at least 4 loads of laundry. A productive afternoon.

Sunday School and worship. In Sunday School we're discussing a short book about what it means to fear God. There are good fears, and not so good fears.  Got to visit with our missionary friends one last time. After lunch I took C's car for an oil change, then RaceTrac for a large drink and gas. Then I cut the grass, out in the 93 degree heat. Finished just before a brief thunderstorm hit. Rested after that. Couldn't sleep last night, perhaps due to the caffeine.

Lifted weights this morning at the gym.

China is working to re-write the Bible and Koran. Example: instead of Jesus saying "let he who is without sin cast the first stone" the story was changed to Jesus stoning the woman.

HOYT WILHELM   [SABR Bio] was the first Baltimore Oriole to lead the majors in both ERA and ERA+ in the same season. In 1959, Wilhelm's ERA was 2.19, but his ERA+ was 173. Jim Palmer with his 169 in 1975, is the only other Orioles hurler to do so. Wilhelm's career total of 1,070 pitching appearances, set in 1972, was passed by Dennis Eckersley in 1998.  Eckersley had the total title for only one season. He was passed by Jesse Orosco who still leads in the category with 1,252. When Hoyt no-hit the Yankees, he became the first Oriole to pitch a no-hitter. Since Wilhelm's 1-0 no-no on 20-Sep-1958, only Tom Phoebus (27‑Apr‑1968), Jim Palmer (13-Aug-1969), and John Means (5-May-2021) have thrown Oriole complete game no-hitters.

DENISON: Dr. King's "somebodiness" doctrine stands on the fact that every human is created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). He "made from one man every nation of mankind to live on the face of the earth" (Acts 17:26); "God shows no partiality" (Acts 10:34; Romans 2:11). "If you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors" (James 2:9). Stated bluntly, racism is sin. Here's the problem: sinners cannot solve the problem of sin, which is why it persists. In the context of Dr. King's speech, prejudice—an innate sense of superiority over another person or race—is an endemic result of the Fall and our "will to power" (Genesis 3:5). We can and should legislate against it, and take every practical means to minimize its existence and horrific effects. But we cannot eradicate it without the help of the God who made us.

The Burden of Wealth

The Cure for Affluenza

Clay Smith JFBC

I Timothy 6: 17-19

Watch the message here.

We don’t think of ourselves as rich because we compare ourselves to those with more money, but we are better off than 99% of the rest of the world. We have so many first world problems. Long lines at coffee shops, etc. Chick-fil-A isn’t open on Sunday.

We need to have a wealth theology, how to handle our money, whether we have a lot or a little. Greed hides itself from the victim. Wealth is a stewardship and I am accountable . We should be responsible in handling God’s resources.

The burdens and benefits of wealth…

1. V 17a don’t be conceited.

Or haughty. Prideful. That we are more than we are. V 9-10 often misquoted. Doesn’t say money is evil, but that the love of money can lead to ruin. Gahasi tricked Naman.

2. V 17b don’t set your hope on money. Hope is a confident expectation that God will do what he says he will do. Money and possessions are not certainties. 80% of athletes go broke within 3 years of retirement. Many struggle with greed. Fruit from a tree depends on the roots. Idols of power, affirmation, etc.

We buy things we don’t need with money we don’t have to impress people we don’t like.

3. V 17c  set your hope on God who richly provides for all our needs, perhaps not like we expected.. God supplies us with all things to enjoy. Only God is worthy of our love. Matthew 6 don’t store up riches on earth. We can’t serve God and mammon.

God gives us our worth. Exc 5:18 God is faithful.

4. V 18a be rich in good works. Use your resources and platform for good. Do good deeds, menial tasks like washing other's feet.

The best way to know if you are a servant is to see how you respond when you are treated like one.

5. V 18b be generous. Zacheus first gave after giving his life to God. Jesus got onto the Pharisees for forgetting the heart of giving, making it so legalistic. God doesn’t want us to be enslaved by money.

6. V 19 invest in eternity. Earthly things are not true live, only putting your faith in Jesus.

2 Cor 8:8-9 Jesus gave up being God to become man, so we could be with him for eternity. Generosity starts with an understanding of the gospel. You are accountable.

God propels me not to increase my standard of living, but to increase my standard of giving - Randy Alcorn in The Treasure Principle.

What is your next step?

Additional resources…

1. Redeeming Money, by Paul David Tripp

2. The Giving Crisis - Andrew McNair

Dan Rice runs and doesn’t grow weary. I want that for my life.

Three former Clemson QB’s are starting at other schools this fall. One spent last season as a backup at GT, so he transferred to UMass where he could see more action. I’ll have to remember to track these guys TQBR this fall.

A 77-year old man in Vegas has over 2000 football helmets in his house. Not just in his basement. In the hallways, bathrooms, bedrooms, and kitchen. Circling his jacuzzi. He’s been collecting them for 50 years. There by the grace of God goest me.

CHIPPER JONES [SABR Bio] was the first third baseman to have 100+ RBI in six consecutive seasons, from 1996-2001. He was the first player to have more than one multi-home-run game against Randy Johnson (on 05-Sep-1999 and 05-Sep-2000) but was the only player to strike out three times in Johnson’s perfect game, on 18-0May-2004. Chipper once said that to qualify for an award like a league Rookie of the Year, a player should not have played in another major league before. When Hideo Nomo came to MLB from the Japanese Leagues and won the 1995 NL Rookie of the Year Award, Jones, who would have won otherwise, let his philosophy on the subject be known.

The Eyes Have It

Made it to the gym on time Wednesday morning. Since I didn’t have to go to work I lifted weights extra hard. Then home to walk Winnie, It was Ceil’s first day of school. Traffic bad to pill hill, but I made it to the eye doctor on time.

Lots of eye tests and getting my eyes all dialated, finally the young doctor came it. After performing her exam she said “Okay, looks like we can go ahead and perform the operation today if you’d like.” So we did. Only took like two minutes. Does seem like my vision is improved.

Then the doctor said goodbye and walked out. The nurse escorted me out and up to the front, and said I was free to go. That was it!

With my eyes dilated, the sun was bright. I had my sunglasses, but too bright to play golf. Drove over to see Matthew at Bellwood Coffee. Got the rest of my stuff from his car and put some stuff iof M’s in his car. Talked to Joel Norman for a bit.

Then me and M went to lunch at Companion, a cool little restaurant near the corner of Bolton and Marietta Road – not far from Atlanta Road. A favorite lunch spot of Caleb’s, who works nearby.  M got the patty melt. I got the philly. Pretty good.

Was almost 2 pm by the time I got home. Had a conference call and other things to do, so I wasn’t able to get much rest. Later Caleb got stuck in traffic and our meeting time with A&C kept getting later and later. I really wanted to enjoy the nice seats and food, so A&C agreed to meet us at the game. This was one game I didn’t want to be late for, so I took off work the whole day. 

When I go to church, or like to a doctor’s appointment, or to the beach to sit and read – I like to go early so I can get settled before it starts. Like to leave plenty of time so I don’t have to rush. Similar to yesterday’s game. Good to go with friends or family, but then so often their schedule doesn’t line up with mine. They might not can leave as early or get stuck in traffic. Maybe I should’ve suggested that A met C and us near the ballpark but I really don’t like trying to tell others how to live their life. 

When I retire I’ll have more time to listen to more sermons, like the Andy Stanley sermons I’m interested in, and the JFBC sermons I miss. I don’t think Andy will preach as long as his father (though I wouldn’t know that for sure). BUT I guess I could listen to more sermons now, but I like listening to my books. So many of my Sunday School friends like to read and listen to John Piper and Tim Keller, who are also good.

C has the Table ministry and is on a Sunday School committee. Young people today do juggle so much and are much busier, usually by choice. Kids don’t play around the neighborhood any more, instead participate in organized activities that require transportation. Life sure has changed over the years.

WHITEY FORD  [SABR Bio] eclipsed Babe Ruth’s most cherished record in 1961. While pitching for Boston, Ruth put together a sting of 29-2/3 straight innings where he gave up no home runs in the postseason: 1916 WS: G2 through 1918 WS G4. Ford threw 33-2/3 straight scoreless innings in 1960, 1961, and 1962, silencing the Pirates, Red & Giants. Ford is the pitcher with the most World Series game losses. Hint: #2 His manager called him “Slick”, but his teammates, the media and the public settling on a more dignified nickname: “Chairman of the Board”.

Denison lists Biblical principles as related to politics: Others may be our opponents when we disagree, but they are not our enemies from a biblical point of view unless they persecute us. Jesus taught us to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44), “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31). “Whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12). Speak respectfully of others (Titus 3:2), including political leaders we didn’t vote for. Don’t say about someone what we would not say to them (cf. Matthew 18:15). Slander and ridicule are always wrong (Psalm 101:5). This does not mean that we are not to be angered by injustice and immorality. We commanded to “be angry and do not sin” (Ephesians 4:26). Respond redemptively to problems and issues by “speaking the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15).

Not My Morning

Every morning when I go to the gym my route cuts through the adjoining neighborhood, past a lake. Usually no one out so early so I can leave on my bright lights until I get out of Chimney Springs subdivision. Lots of curves and hills and a few stop signs, so I don’t try to go very fast.

This morning I was passing the lake, with my brights on, when a deer jumps out of nowhere and jumps out in front of my car. I wasn’t going that fast, but before I can brake it hits the front of my car. Great. I stop there in the road, since no one is around. It’s dark, so I can’t see too much. I turn around and go back to the spot, but the deer was long gone. I get to the gym but don’t see too much damage.

I was running a little earlier than usual, so after my 3 miles I decide to stop by RaceTrac on the way to work. When I’m leaving RaceTrac I can hear my tire going thunk thunk thunk. It wasn’t flat, but there was a nail in the tire. Great. I head toward a nearby tire place. Thunk thunk thunk. Then I hear a clang – the nail had worked itself loose and fell off. I still stopped at the tire place, but the tire seemed to be okay. Pressure hadn’t gone down. I’ll just have to keep checking. It was okay on the way home.

And worst of all, Ceil’s hair dryer quit working. What a day. I decided to stop by McDonalds on the way in.

College football kicks off this weekend (week zero), with Notre Dame playing in Ireland. So ESPN College Gameday should be on. Something to have on the TV. Next week UGA’s game won’t be televised, but will be livestreamed on the ESPN+ app.

Who is the greatest point guard in NBA history? Michael Jordan picked Magic over Steph Curry. Steph says he is the greatest point guard ever. Really humble. What about Cousy, Stockton, and Maravich? Who won the most championships? 

Tuesday after work I cashed in my birthday burger deal at Red Robin. Didn’t mind spending the required $5 but it turned into $11.00. Instead of free bottomless fries I ordered onion rings and bacon cheese fondue. Both were tiny portions. Instead should’ve went with the fries and skipped a coke and just gotten the milkshake. Maybe next year.

I remember as a kid when I used to play games by myself, maybe shooting baskets and imagining it being a big game, if I missed a big last second shot I would quickly rebound and figure out a way to add half a really long second so I could take another game winning shot. Then if I missed that one I would repeat the process.

PAUL MOLITOR [SABR Bio] collected the most career hits as a designated hitter. Of Molitor’s 3319 career hits, 1457 were while batting DH. No other batter had a season with more hits in the season he turned 40 years old. Molitor led the AL with 225 hits in 1996. He turned 40 on 22-Aug that year. Molitor was the MVP of the 1993 World Series, hitting .458 with an OPS of 1.457. He was on 1st base after a single when Joe Carter hit the Series winning home run.

Denison on being a Christian out in the non-Christian world:  Bobby Ross Jr. notes there are 18 MLB teams—60% of the league—who host Faith and Family nights.

Today C took Shivonne AND Millie to Atlanta Botanical Garden.

Tourist destinations that aren’t worth the effort according to one source: Hollywood, Niagara Falls, Great Salt Lake, Mt Rushmore (still on my bucket list), Bourbon Street, Myrtle Beach, Amish Country, Times Square, Atlantic City, Wisconsin Dells (where?). I’ve visited half of these places. Surprised my office didn't make the list.