Salt and Light

Matthew 5:13-16 let your light shine

Clay Smith JFBC
Parables

20 new families have joined JFBC in the past month.
If JFBC wasn't here any more, would people notice?

Salt and light. V 13 true of all believers -

1. I am the salt of the earth. True of the Dead Sea. Salt was valuable, used for many purposes. Used for purity in sacrifices.

Salt used as a preservative. Things that rot will stink.

Jesus says we are sent to prevent decay from happening. Currently facing the eradication of human rights, gender. We live without the sanctity of life, etc.

If the salt has become tasteless how can it be made salty again? If I cease to serving God, how can I find my way again?

2. You are the light of the world. Hard to be a believer these days - at work, in college, etc. We are to reflect God's light. The heavens reflect the glory of God, like the moon reflects the light of the sun. We are to be a city set a hill.

We wouldn't light a lamp and set it under a basket. Back then it took effort to light a lamp. Why live as if you're not a light? As hard as it is to be a light in the world today. But if I'm not where I'm supposed to be, who would God use in that place? Your good works should glorify your Father in heaven.

Moody: "if you set yourself on fire for the Lord, the world will come and watch you burn."

If you are a follower of Jesus, we can isolate or dedicate. God doesn't want me to isolate or integrate into the culture of the world today. Jesus sends us out into the world. We have work to do, to follow God's mission.

JFBC mission statement: We exist to help people find truth, belonging, and purpose in Jesus. To do so we have to do 3 things…

1. We have to stand up for the truth of God's Word.

2. We have to be a counter-cultural community of belonging, made up of different nationalities, ages, income levels, etc

3. We have to live out God's purpose by sharing the gospel, creatively and with wisdom.

Clay: I've been here 4 years but with Covid it seems like 28. Johnson's ferry was run by a man actually named Johnston. One day most of us will be forgotten. Hopefully we can help people by being salt and light to others.

The Emperor's New Clothes: 2023 Edition

Tech is breaking out new black adidas “Ghost Collection” uniforms. Why does EVERY TEAM HAVE TO WEAR BLACK JERSEYS AND PANTS? What’s so special about wearing the same thing as every other team? I am an old fogey, but I just don’t get it. Like every other team who wears all black these days, I’m sure GT will wear long black sock/tights and black shoes as well. Good for them.

At least the look is traditional. The same tradition GT sleeve stripes and “block” numbers. So that’s a plus. Hate blacvk pants but at least they have the stripes. Hate plain “practice” pants without stripes. Or a couple of odd stripes that don’t go anywhere. And collars the same color as the jerseys - finally. What a concept!

Gold helmet looks good with the stripes, similar to the helmets the Jackets wore back in the early 70’s when Eddie McAshan was the QB. I don’t even mind the black helmet logo outlined in white, but hopefully it is a one time deal. Not a fan of the black nose bumper, but look forward to seeing it on the field. Interesting number font. Not a true block number, but kind of the current GT numbers with a block twist.

What was interesting about those Black Watch teams in the 80’s was that certain defenders wore special helmets, with black stripes and a black, unlined GT logo replacing the regular white GT. The rest of the team wore regular helmets.

Fun fact: Georgia Tech was the first team to wear TV numbers on their jersey sleeves/shoulders, in 1955. Learned this today.

Why wear a special uniform like this against Bowling Green? Why wear a glow in the dark uni for a 3:30 game? Why not save it for Halloween, or against a tougher ACC opponent? Seems like a waste, though perhaps a good idea to not wear them in a possible loss. Dabo usually breaks out the all purple unis in late November against a non-conference opponent, just to appease the players and fans (it’s also Clemson’s annual salute to the military game). When UGA wears an odd uni (which is rare), its often against a non conference opponent.

It's the football world we live in. Tune in early Sunday to watch the Jaguars play the Falcons. Jags in head to toe black, and the Falcons in all white. Real creative and colorful.

UGA also announced what uniforms they’ll wear at Auburn: the same white jerseys, silver britches, and red helmets they always wear on the road. A great look.

Thursday: worked until 6:15. Black beans and rice for supper. Not much else to report. Went to bed early but had trouble sleeping. Worried about work. Up early to lift weights.

At work this morning we had breakfast burritos from Jason’s Deli. Pizza for lunch. Maddios. Good stuff.

1200 Clemson@Syracuse

330 GT vs Bowling Green

330 UGA@Auburn

700 Troy@GeorgiaState

900 Bama@MissState

Johnston's Ferry

This past Sunday before preaching there was a 40th anniversary video for JFBC. Pastor Clay and Bryant Wright spoke for a short time.

Clay went off on a funny historical rant about how people still call it “Johnsons Ferry” instead of Johnson Ferry. He said (correctly, I think) that the man who ran the ferry was actually named JOHNSTON. When he died, they got the name wrong on her tombstone. Then robbers stole Johnston’s body from the grave, in hopes of getting paid for selling the body to a medical school for research. Not sure they ever got paid. After they stole the body, they carried it across the river on Johnston’s own ferry. We’ll see if the next time Clay tells this story if he adds to it and embellishes it even more.

If Clay has a hard time with Johnson’s Ferry, I should tell him about all the hubbub over the years about the hyphen in Second-Ponce de Leon Baptist Church. I remember the times SPdL pencils were ordered, with the name of the church on the pencils – but at the last moment someone had to hand draw the hyphen in on the pencils. Remember that?

Braves win game 102, a walkoff in the bottom of the tenth. Acuna stole his 70th base to go with his 40 home runs. Some still think Mookie Betts should win MVP.

Replays showed Snit was right: the passed ball that allowed a Cubs run to score was actually a foul ball. Click here for an article and video replays. I was trying to follow the game but missed that one. Someone had commented how they didn’t know how all 4 umps could miss that call.

Man I worked till 6:15 last night. Drove home. Ceil was worn out from her half day at school. I took her to Whole Foods and another place. Then she cooked bacon, eggs, grits, and toast. 

C said she felt better. After helping with the dishes and taking out the trash, it was after 9 pm before I was finally able to sit out the couch. Then I didn’t go to bed until 10:30 because I did a few things on my laptop.

Only had time this morning to run two miles, so I made them fast. Mile 2 was about the fastest mile I had run in years.

Denison on weaponizing terminology: a VA training video correctly states, “Language has a profound impact on what people hear and learn.” Therein lies my point: one of my persistent frustrations across decades of cultural engagement has been the degree to which opponents have weaponized euphemisms in service to their various causes.

Two Door Ford Bronco

Ford Bronco two door. Not the little Sport. Not a four door. This is the only version of the remake that looks right.

This edition with the classic paint mostly only comes with a manual transmission, but I could handle that.

Not sure how much cargo fits in the trunk, or what MPG it gets, but I guess that's besides the point. 

Sunday morning eggy boy. I've seen this photo of Yogi before (sitting next to Don Zimmer) but never noticed he's wearing the same adidas turf shoes that I used to have (mine were royal & black). Loved those bad boys, but didn't have anywhere to wear them after the boys quit playing baseball.

Finishing up "How to Walk Away" by Catherine Center. Great read. Next up:

Starting to get extra busy at work. Getting stressed. Hard to get stuff done trying to do my job and train a new employee, trying to get ahead before training starts next week. Both bosses out of town. Month end Friday AND physical inventory.

C may go on an overseas trip Oct 13 for a week. I’ll be working long days. Not sure what Winnie will do. Guess I’ll have to skip the gym that week. I’ve only known I’d be slammed in Oct and Nov for the past year.

Beef stew last night. Stopped by Wendys. Coupon for two double cheeseburgers. That was a lot of meat. At least they remembered to put the meat on the burgers this time.

Wondering if the Braves will activate thier top draft pick for the playoffs. Not sure if he would be eligble. Or young Smith Schuster. But the bullpen was solid last night, earning win #101. Tonight the Braves welcomed their 3 millionth fan. Also David & Haley Hurt.

Week 4 ESPN Total QB Rating

1. 93.7 Michael Phenix Washington

2. 81.5 Tyler Van Dyke Miami

3. 91.0 JJ McCarthy Michigan

6. 87.3 Drake Maye UNC sophomore

7. 86.8 Sam Hartman Notre Dame transfer

8. 86.6 Dillon Gabriel Oklahoma

9. 86.5 Jordan Travis FSU transfer

11. 85.5 Caleb Williams USC transfer

12. 83.0 Spencer Rattler SC transfer

13. 82.8 Jayden Daniels LSU

14. 82.4 Jaxson Dart Ole Miss

17. 82.2 Quinn Ewers Texas

20. 80.6 Bo Nix Oregon transfer

21. 80.1 Riley Leonard Duke

22. 79.8 JT Daniels USC UGA WVA Rice transfer

24. 78.1 DJ Uiagalelei Clemson Oregon State transfer

28. 76.4 Darren Grainger Georgia State

30. 75.1 Shedeur Sanders Colorado transfer

33. 74.8 Carson Beck UGA redshirt junior

36. 73.2 Haynes King GT transfer

40. 71.7 Jalen Milroe Alabama transfer

41. 70.7 Taulia Tagovailoa Maryland senior transfer

47. 66.3 Graham Mertz Florida

53. 63.4 KJ Jefferson Arkansas

58. 61.4 Davis Brin Georgia Southern

59. 61.4 Jacob Zeno UAB transfer

63. 59.2 Joe Milton Tenn Heisman candidate

65. 57.6 Payton Thorne Auburn

76. 54.1 Seth Hanigan Memphis

83. 49.5 Devin Leary Kentucky

90. 49.8 Cade Klubnik Clemson sophomore

106. 40.6 Connor Bazelak Bowling Green

108. 39.9 Noah Kim Baylor

119. 33.4 Mitch Griffis Wake Forest

Not much love for the Bears QB, who couldn't beat out Jake Fromm at UGA so he transferred.

Old school poster by artist George Bartell. As a kid I had a Bartell poster on my wall - a "map" of the US with artwork of each team's greats where their city is located. From the early 70's. Can't find it on Google photos or eBay.

Taylor Swift > KC Chiefs

“NEWS” – so Taylor Swift attends the Chiefs game as a guest of TE Travis Kelce. Supposedly they are an item. My daughter is all over the development. What could go wrong? Plenty. Maybe Swift can get him to stop wearing those godawful yellow shoes. Steeler LC Greenwood can pull them off, but not Kelce.

The Kansas City Chiefs may be the best team in the AFC, but they’re no match for Taylor Swift. Expect some other team to win the Super Bowl. You heard it here first.

Players I’d rather be dating Taylor Swift than Travis Kelce. Really I don’t know who is married or dating or single. Most of the Braves seem to have significant others. Taylor is 33, right? And if not Taylor Swift, these guys should date my coworker Rachel, who is also quite the catch.

1. Micah Owings, but he’s too wise to date Taylor.

2. Max Fried (have you seen his girlfriend?). But Taylor would pull a Chelsea Freeman and make Max sign with the Dodgers.

3. Stetson Bennett. Never count him out.

4. Younghoe Koo

5. Tobert from Only Murders in the Building. Now that would be a good-looking couple.

6. Ohtani. Another good-looking couple.

7. UGA TE Brock Bowers

8. Ben Reese from work

9. Matthew Murphy

10. Anyone but Kelce

Georgia State looked good. Georgia Southern beat UAB, who didn’t look too bad Saturday night at UGA. Tech has improved. Play Bowling Green this weekend.

Yesterday I had hoped to wash the cars, but I didn’t get around to it. Last night we ate at Superica on Howell Mill. Next to the Optimist. Valet parking. Good stuff.

Winnie has an ear infection, probably from allergies.

Last week Mary-Clayton took Shivonne to the Disney on Ice matinee. Shiv loved the princesses but not so much the cars and genies.

Today Anna and Caleb have been married for 6 months. Last night they went to Houston’s on Peachtree to celebrate.

New employee started today, so boss took us to Que, the BBQ restaurant. I had the combo plate with brisket and pork. Brisket was better. Also sweet potato casserole and baked beans. Should’ve picked something other than the beans.

This morning I got an early start at the gym, so I did four sets of ten instead of three. Also did 10 different exercises instead of 8 or 9, so I’m more tired than usual. The big lunch didn’t help. Hopefully I can plop on the couch tonight (I am).

Friday is month end AND physical inventory AND the last day before SAP training starts. Might have to work Saturday morning. The perfect storm. Ugh.

Denison on dress codes: New York Times columnist Rhonda Garelick noted “dress codes are a marker of social, national, professional, or philosophical commonality.” Accordingly, a dress code for the Senate “does remind senators and everyone around them (including the general public) of the still-noble goal of consensus. A sum greater than its parts.”

Wall Street Journal columnist Peggy Noonan identified a larger cultural narrative at work: Americans “want to be respected but no longer think we need to be respectable. We are in a crisis of political comportment. We are witnessing the rise of the classless. Our politicians are becoming degenerate. This has been happening for a while but gets worse as the country coarsens. We are defining deviancy ever downward.”

Players who played in World Series in three different decades  - without playing for the Yankees in any of them.

Player                  WS         WS    WS   WAR

Mays*.....................1954...   ...1962.. 1973   156.1

Collins*.1910,11 13 14 17 19 1929...1930...124.2

Verlander........... .. 2012..  .....2017...2022.... 80.2

Murray*........... ...   1979........ 1983...1995.... 68.6

Palmer*............1966, 69...1970, 01...1995.... 68.5

Smith.................... 1967........ 1977...1981.... 64.6

Williams............... 1989........ 1997....2001... 46.6

Welch................... 1978.. 1981, 89....1990....43.7

Renteria............... 1997........ 2004....2010¹...32.4

Wilson................. 1928... 1930, 31...1940.....11.2

Dawgs & Jackets Win

Dawgs win, but aren't #1 in all the polls. Doesn't worry Kirby, whose 85-15 record for his first hundred SEC games tops Saban, Spurrier, and the Bear.

UGA fails to convert on 4th down instead of kicking a field goal…because Kirby has no confidence in his true freshman kicker. A fumbled UGA punt return leads to a UAB TD. Tie game early in the second quarter, then the Dawgs scored a go-ahead TD. UGA missed on two wide open long passes, both that would've been sure TD's. TE Bowers made it 21-7 with an athletic catch and run, capping a 7 play 92 yard drive. Then an interception led to another score just before the half. 28-7.

UAB QB is a transfer from Baylor, who played against UGA in the Cotton Bowl. Dawgs often have trouble with mobile QB's, and Zeno is similar to the Bama QB. You heard it here first.

Blazers head coach is Trent Dilfer, who won a Super Bowl as QB of the Ravens. UAB QB coach is a former Arkansas QB, the son of ace reporter Chris Mortenson. The SEC Network announcers were annoying from the start. Ron Franklin usually annoying, but he was the voice of reason compared to the younger play by play dude.

GT played on the CW Network, which we don't get. I followed the GT game on my phone. Sounded like Tech controlled the game. QB the fastest to throw for 1000 yards since Joe Hamilton. And Tech found a kicker. Booted a 48 yarder, the longest by a Jacket since Paul Johnson was coach. At least.

Notre Dame and Ohio State scoreless after the first quarter. The Irish look like leprechauns in their all green uniforms and cleats. 3-0 Buckeyes at the half. Would've been nice if the Irish had held on, but OSU with the miracle finish. Not a fan of either team.

After his freshman kicker flopped, last Sunday Dabo called an online Clemson student who hadn't even practiced in months. The kid booted 3 extra points and a field goal - before just missing a game-winning 29 yard attempt. Tigers had a chance to tie in overtime, but on 3rd & 1 didn't hand the ball to either of their talented running backs two straight times.

I noticed the long commercial breaks. Those poor people sitting there at the stadium. Supposedly they're trying to speed up the games and shorten the length of them.

Memphis led SEC opponent Missouri. 

Falcons not worth watching. Something bad happening on almost every play. Goal to goal and Birds let play clock expire. Number one draft pick only plays in certain situations. Koo misses one field goal and people complain. He's not the problem. Not sure Ritter can take Falcons to the promised land. Put the Lions QB on the Falcons and Atlanta wins.

Chiefs QB Mahomes bests Bears QB Fields. 

Braves were rained out Saturday, but won Friday night. Lost game one Sunday afternoon, but won game two. Win number 100. One away from home run #300 - the third most HR in MLB history. In 1972 the Braves set a record with three players with 40 HR: Aaron, Evans, and Johnson. Could have four this year.

Keeping up with the Solheim Cup? Not me.

Saturday morning golf, with Robert and the professor.

1. Good drive, long and in the middle of the fairway. Great 6 iron just past green. Chip onto green. Two putt for bogey.

2. Flub tee shot. Pull a 9 iron left. Hit a good chip, but it flies over the green. Two more chips. Two putt.

3. Pull my 8 iron left. Great chip to back fringe. Two putt for bogey.

4. Great 8 iron off tee, that bounces left to fringe. Good long lag putt close. Barely make the par putt on the severely sloped temporary green.

5. Another good long tee shot, this with a 6 iron onto the green. Good long lag putt, but I just miss the par putt. Bogey.

6. Great tee shot, long and straight with my hybrid. Flub my second shot. Hit a great mulligan, a 6 iron to the fringe, one inch off the green. Bad lag. Mulligan was better, but I miss the par putt. Bogey.

7. My drive sliced right, under the trees. This exact shot is why I carry a 3 iron, though I rarely use it. But I hit a decent shot, low and straight and out onto the fairway, though slowed by the wet grass. Then I hit another great 6 iron, onto the green. Great to hit these great shots. Just wish I could see where they go. Okay lag putt, then a better mulligan. "Bogey".

8. Decent drive off tee. Must've hit it high into the air. Straight but not super long. Flub first approach. Hit mulligan better, but it came off the 9 iron low and hot to the front fringe. Lag putt, but I miss another par putt. Bogey.

9. Not sure where my tee shot went. The professor told me to hit a "provisional". Must've hit it high and short, but straight. Skank my chip right. Terrible lie (below). Chip over green. Then a good high chip. Two putt. "Triple". A decent round, considering I hadn't picked up a club in 2 weeks. And I found several more balls than I lost.

Worked around the house all day. Ceil made pizza Saturday night. Went to Superica tonight with Matthew.

Facetiming With Millie

  
Facetimed with Millie yesterday. Watched The Rebound, with Catherine Zeta Jones and that guy who played Riley in national Treasure. Very Good. Riley looks like my coworker Marty. 

Goose didn't seem to like her new Braves shirt.

Monday: the first chili night of autumn.

Friday: tenderloin.

Interesting finds in Jefferson. An old Santa mug didn't survive the washing. And old View-Master disks.

The Atlantic Coast Conference can rename itself the A&P.

EDDIE COLLINS [SABR Bio] his record for stolen bases in the World Series was tied by Lou Brock in 1968. Each stole 14 bases. Though he never had 90 RBI in a season, he finished with more RBIs (1299) than Hall of Famers Pie Traynor (1273), Gil Hodges or Hank Greenberg (1274 each). Collins has 512 sacrifices. The next closest is Willie Keeler with 366.

 

The Week: More Pizanos

I had quit drinking the Mtn Dew and was off caffeine, then bought a case in SC. Haven’t been able to sleep well this week.

Wednesday: drank the Dew in the afternoon, which didn’t help that night. Wasn’t feeling great Thursday morning so I drank the Dew on the way to the gym, and ate a few crackers to settle my stomach. Had a good run. Rest of the day mixing sparkling grapefruit juice that M had left behind. Mixing with my usual KoolAde.

JFBC has a 40th anniversary celebration. Bryant Wright came back for it. I missed it. I worked until 6 pm. Got home right when C was leaving for small group. Ate leftover chili. Watched Modern Family and Only Murders in the Building. It’s getting good. Comedy, Drama, Mystery, Music. Star studded cast. Best show on TV.

Thursday: a vendor sent in Pizano’s pizza for lunch. Very good. Like the pepperoni & bacon pie (below) better than the lasagna pizza (above), which was also good. Eric, Rodney, Renee, and Sherryl were out so it was just Brad, Angie, Rachel, Joy, and me. Also cheesecake and cannoli. 

Spend part of the afternoon moving desks. Got a bigger desk but slightly further away from my buddies. Might not be as chilly.

Worked past 6:15. Got gas on the way home. Stir fry for supper. Watched Georgia State at Coastal Carolina. No jets crashed into the stadium. GSU QB Grainger put on a show. 

Braves won. Magic number for home field now seven. 

BREAKING: cuna hit his 40th home run of the season, making him the first MLB player with 40 HR & 60 stolen bases. Will probably be the first 40/70 player by next week. Hit #40 trying to look like a Milwaukee Brewer.

My stomach wasn’t feeling great again this AM so I went with the Mtn Dew Zero and saltines again on the way to the gym. Lifted weights.

Had a good week getting shed of some of my many bobbleheads. Traded one for a Braves sweatshirt. Met up and sold 9 to one collector. Might sell more to him in the future. With Christmas coming I need to offer more up for sale, and post several sneakers and shirts on eBay.

There is an interesting documentary about Mike Veeck on Netflix. White Sox owner Bill Veeck’s son. Mike left the Sox after the Disco Demolition dibocle, later finding himself as a father while operating the St. Paul Saints.

Reading the novel How to Walk Away, by Katherine Center. A young woman is paralyzed and most deal with her injury, her broken family, and a drunk fiancé.

Hopefully we’ll just work around the house tomorrow.

0700 golf

0900 ESPN college gameday

1200 FSU@Clemson

0330 Colorado@Oregon

0630 GT@WakeForest

0730 UAB@UGA

WILLIE MAYS [SABR Bio] is baseball's all-time leader in outfield putouts, with 7,095. He was the first player to post back-to-back 30/30 seasons. In 1956, Mays had 36 HR & 40 SB. In ’57, it was 35 & 38. He missed doing it a 3rd consecutive year by only one homer. From 1959 through 1966, Mays drove in more than 100 runs each season.

Scary stuff: leaders at the UN just made a 7 year agreement to implement a single Global Agenda. Includes a 17 point plan. Dogs and cats living together. Related: Wales has implemented a nationwide 20 MPH speed limit. Wonder if the usually-isolationist China and Japan are on board, or if US taxpayers have to pay even more trillions to pay the way for the rest of the world.