Birdie!

Monday: worked until 530. Driving home in the twilight is tough. Slow evening.

Tuesday: got a little rain earlier this morning, but it clearing off in time for me to golf. Teed off just before 7 am using my lightup balls.

1. Flubs, then a couple of passable shots. Then overclubbed, hitting two 9 irons just over the green. Chipped back and 2 putted. Triple.

2. Hit 7 irons that didn’t go too far. Several bad chips. Give me another triple.

3. Hit three tee shots, each better than the previous one. Still short of the green. Chips were better. Ish. Putts went long. “Bogey”.

4. Hit three decent tee shots – two to the fringe of the green. Par!

5. Hit two 6 irons onto the green. Then I sank a long 20 footer for a birdie. Nice.

6. Hit two good hybrids off the tee, the second better than the first. Then a good 5 iron. Hit two wedges just over the green, but they were pretty. Then an even better 56 degree wedge onto the green. Two putt for a “bogey”.

7. Hit two more good hybrids off the tee. Then 2 of three 5 irons were good. Hit one wedge just over the green, and a second to the front fringe. An okay lag putt set up a “bogey”.

8. Still can’t hit my driver. Was under a tree so I pulled out my 3 iron, but swung too hard and flubbed them. Found my first drive, and lofted a nice 9 iron to the front rough. Three chips, each better than the previous. Good lags. “Bogey”.

9. Hit a real good hybrid off the tee. Hit 2 wedges just short of the green and a third too long. Good lag putt. “Bogey”.

Plenty to do at work.

Years ago Reid started using the day of the week as the subject of his email. Can’t tell you how much that helps me remember what day it is.

All this year I have been saving one photo / video a day on a phone app called “one second a day”. At the end of the year I will have a 6 minute video with 366 images of events from throughout the 2024 year. Lots of the grandkids but also my activities and some from the world of sports. The bad thing is that I haven’t figured out a way to transfer the info over to my new phone.

Face Painting

Friday I left work after 330 to volunteer at the Boys & Girls Club in Norcross. Rode over with coworkers Doug, Marty, and Deb. Met up with boss Eric, GT grads Steve and Anu, as well as Jason, Ginger Sherry, and a few others. Lots of standing around before the Thanksgiving dinner finally got going. Most served food, but I opted to help out with the face painting.

Pretty fun. It was loud in the crowded gym, making it hard to hear. I tried to talk to the kids that I was painting, asking their name, grade, and where they went to school. Showed them what they looked like with my phone camera. Most were pleased. Made it home by 8 pm.

Up early to play golf in the 37 degree chill. Bundled up with four layers on top, longjohns, knee socks, gloves, and my new Braves toque. Was almost hot by the third hole. Teed off right at 7 am. Played my light up balls on the first three holes, which don’t travel as far. Hit three shots on every hole.

1. Several terrible shots. Scored a double bogey at best.

2. Another double.

3. Finally a decent tee shot. Bogey.

4. Didn’t hit my 7 irons very far. Bogey.

5. Hit one tee shot to the fringe. Chip. Good lag. Bogey.

6. Hybrid off tee was okay, just not as far. Maybe it was the cold. Good 5 iron, but again, not that far. Hit one approach onto the green. Good lag. Bogey.

7. Decent hybrids off the tee. Wormburners up the hill. Flub, then a great approach onto the narrow green, from over 100 yards away. A rare event. Two putt for a double.

8. Forgot how to hit a driver. Flub, then a nice 7 iron down the fairway. And another nice approach onto the green. Double.

9. Good hybrid. Two of the 3 chips were decent. Good lag. A nice closing bogey.

After golf I continued my tour of Atlanta. Texted Matthew for a meet up but no answer. Drove north past 285 to Delk Road to get my RaceTrac drink. Matthew texted, so I drove back to Decatur: 75 south to 85 north, then North Druid Hills and into Decatur on Clairmont. Then Ponce to 286 to 400 home. Quesadillas for brunch. Pulled out the Christmas decorations.

Watched UGA beat UMass. Ohio State beat Indiana. Kansas beat Colorado. Gators beat Rebels. Clemson beat The Citadel.

We both ordered grilled chicken sandwiches at Moxie Burger.

Sunday School and worship. Stir fry for lunch. Watched some Chiefs@Panthers and 49ers@Packers. Went to a prayer meeting at the Cox house. Later I gassed up Ceil’s car.

Monday: up early this morning to go to the gym. Hopefully slow at work this week. I got plenty to do.

CLAYTON KERSHAW [B-R Bio] led the majors with the lowest ERA from 2011 through 2014 with season totals of 2.28, 2.53, 1.83 & 1.77. His 1.69 ERA in 2016 fell short of the number of innings needed to be in the running. He had 149 IP but needed 162. He was affected by a back injury that put him on the disabled list multiple times that season. He once struck out all 15 batters in a 5-inning perfect game in his senior year in high school. He also hit a grand slam himself in the game. He attended Highland Park H.S. in a suburb of Dallas. Watch his 15-K H.S. gem a of a playoff game against NW HS in Justin, TX.

DENISON: the Harvard Medical School assures us that gratitude brings positive health benefits. Research associates thankfulness with social, emotional, and psychological well-being.

Upset Saturday

 
UMass did a decent job throttling back UGA yesterday - for a while at least. The Minutemen took the opening kickoff, drove down the field, and scored to take a 7-0 lead. Dawgs only had one possession in the first quarter, but of course eventually righted the ship and cruised to a victory.

UGA QB Carson Beck played deep into the second half, delaying the appearance of backup Gunnar Stockton - who I had really wanted to see. Some thought the third stringer would make an appearence, but they ran out of time. The way UMass was able to move the ball concerned many, with Tech looming next on the schedule.

And thanks to the many upsets Saturday, for better or worse UGA backed into a spot in the SEC Championship Game. When the Dawgs are firing on all cylinders I have no doubt they could win out, there's still plenty of doubt as to which team will show up on any given week.

Auburn outlasted Texas A&M in what - four overtimes? Florida took down Ole Miss, knocking the Rebels out of playoff contention.

Bama failed to show up again, getting beat by lowly Oklahoma. So the Tide won't make the playoff either.

Kansas beat Colorado, most likely ending Deion's playoff hopes.

Arizona State fans stormed the field and tore down a goal post - but the game wasn't over. BYU still had time to score a game-winning TD. With Sun Devil fans crowded back in one end zone, BYU was able to run a play - but failed to score. Odd ending.

Notre Dame beat previously unbeaten Army, most likely eliminating them from the playoffs. 

Ohio State knocked off Indiana's Cinderella season. It was the Hoosiers' first loss, but the Buckeyes were the only ranked team they've played all season. Not sure if Indiana will make the playoff or not.

While the Chairman of the Playoff Committee said they'd consider taking the loser of the SEC CHampionship game, he gave no guarantee. Best for the Dawgs to win out. We shall see. 

That time of year: Clemson broke out their purple jerseys and britches.

Tigers will have their work cut out for them this Saturday against SC.

Had reason to dig out some photos of Bill Murray's guest appearance on Square Pegs.

He played a substitute teacher, sharing a scene with Johnny Slash and Muffy Tepperman. Muffy was played by actress Jami Gertz, now a part owner of the Atlanta Hawks. 

This weekend Murray played in a pro am golf tourney telecast on TNT, with Charles Barkley and others - but it didn't seem to be widely publicized. I missed it.

The End of Days

Clay Smith JFBC

Sovereign: Lessons from the book of Daniel

Daniel 9: 20-27 The End of Days

Life is filled with interruptions. Good things and bad. A most pivotal interruption in this passage. " Pay attention to this message". A confusing passage, using highly figurative language.

Escatology the study of last things. Much is blurry. The Bible gives a framework but there are many interpretations. Can divide believers. Some think some things have already happened, some are premillennialists, some post.

Read this with humility: Charles Spurgeon said "No truth should be more frequently proclaimed other than Christs first coming, is his second."

Takeaways from this passage:

1. God hears our prayers v 20-21 God also responds accordingly. V 2 context is important. Daniel refers to the book of Jeremiah. Daniel is an old man. Israel has been in captivity for 65 years v 16 Daniel prays that God not be wrathful but instead be compassionate, bring the captivity to a close and rebuild the temple. V 21 Daniel was praying at 3 pm the time of the offering back before the temple was standing.

2. God wants us to confess our sins Psalm 147:10-11 God is not attracted by human strength. He is attracted by a fear of Him, and reliance on His strength.

3. God is sovereign over all of history v 24-25 26 the messiah the prince are they the same person? Very confusing. 70 = 70 sevens, weeks? Years? 490 is broken up. There will be (1) a decree to rebuild Jerusalem a d (2) the messiah will be cut off wars desolation...a gap between week 69 and 70. Events leading up to the time of Christ and after the time of Christ. When does this take place? AD 70 a Roman Emperor destroyed the temple. Others think this describes future events. Tough stuff to figure out - no apology for that. Clay knows that he could be wrong - but God is sovereign over all of history. 

4. Christ's saving work is finished. Sin and guilt will be dealt with. Atonement. We can become righteous. Daniel refers to Jesus, who offered the final sacrifice...Hebrews 10.

5. Christ is coming again. We don't think about that enough. We can get lost in trying to figure out when, but we need to focus on the fact that he is coming back again. He will judge His enemies and take us back to heaven.

Adrian Rogers: “we need to be living like Jesus died last night, rose to Heaven this morning, and is coming back this afternoon”.

30 in Sunday School

Psalm 56

Luke 6:20-26 beatitudes and woes. Where am putting my trust in riches? Am I willing to speak up for Christ?

Luke 7:36-50: Jesus was invited to eat at a Pharisee’s home. A “woman of the city” learned that Jesus was there. She bought a flask of ointment and wet Jesus’ feet with her tears, wiped them clean with her hair, and anointed them with the oil. The Pharisee said to himself that if this man were a prophet, he would know what kind of women this was. Jesus answered “Simon, there is something I have to say to you. A lender had 2 debtors. One owed 500, the other 50. Neither could repay, so the lender cancelled the debts. Which one will love him more?” Simon said the one with the larger debt. Jesus said to Simon “ I entered your house. You gave me no water to wash my feet, but this woman washed my feet with her tears. You gave me no kiss but this woman kissed my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but this woman anointed my feet. Her sins are forgiven, for she loves me much. But he who has forgiven little, loves little. Jesus said to the woman Your sins are forgiven. Those at the table murmured Who is this, who even forgives sins? Jesus said to the woman Your faith has saved you – go in peace.

Luke 8: 27: Jesus met a man with a demon, who lived among the tombs.

28. The man cried out, asking Jesus to not torment him.

29. Jesus had commanded the spirit to depart from the man. ???

30. The man’s name was Legion, for many demons were in him.

31. The demons begged Jesus to not send them into the abyss. ???

32. They asked Jesus to let them inhabit a nearby herd of pigs. Jesus permitted this.

33. The herd rushed down a steep bank into the lake and drowned.

34. The herdsman saw this, fled, and told everyone what had happened.

35. The townspeople came and found the man to be in his right mind. This scared them.

36. Witnesses told the people how the man had been healed.

37. The people asked Jesus to leave.

38. The man who was healed wanted to go with Jesus.

39. Jesus told him to return home, and declare how much God had done for him.

Philo Leads Jackets Past State

Exciting end to the Tech game. Jackets played well but that freshman QB for NC State was able to scramble for two TDs. I didn’t think he was that good, just lucky. GT had driven down but Philo had a pass intercepted at the goal line. Then State sprung loose with a long TD run with less than two minutes remaining, to take the lead.

Then GT freshman QB Philo drove the Jackets the length of the field, and scored on a long TD run of his own, barging into the end zone while being creamed by two State defenders. Wolfpack completed a couple of passes to get down to the Tech 41 yard line with 6 seconds remaining. With a stiff wind at his back, State’s reliable kicker attempted a game-winning 58 yard field goal. He just missed.

GT QB Philo is a star in the making. Has a strong arm, and is learning how to run like Haynes King. Jackets dropped at least 4 passes, including two that would’ve gone for TD’s. State did a good job shutting down the Tech running game.

Play calling might’ve been the worst when GT was in the red zone, resulting in what, 4 field goals? NC State supposedly has a great defense against the run, and GT QB Haynes King is still very limited due to his shoulder injury. State kept stuffing the run, but GT moved the ball well late in the game. Two TD passes were dropped, plus Philo tried to force the ball into a tight spot at the goal line, resulting in an interception. So Tech could have scored another 15 points easy. 45 points with a hurt QB wouldn’t have been bad. Hardly any team tackles well these days.

I left work at 515. Traffic bad. Ceil fixed her go to meal: spaghetti and meatballs.

MAX SCHERZER [B-R Bio] pitched for the Missouri Tigers and won conference POY in 2005. He joined DET in 2010 and started for AL All Star team in 2013. Started for the NL All Stars in 2017, 2018, 2021. He struck out at least ten batters in a game ten times in five straight seasons: 2015 (11X); 2016 (13X); 2017 (15X); 2018 (18X); 2019 (11X).

JUSTIN VERLANDER [B-R Bio] eats the same pre-game meal before every start: 3 crunchy tacos, a Mexican pizza, a large Mountain Dew. He won his third Cy Young Award at age 39 in 2022—a year after having Tommy John surgery. He pitched for the Old Dominion University Monarchs, where he still holds the career strikeout record with 427 in 335-2/3 innings. This is also the all-time K record for the Colonial Athletic Association and the state of Virginia.

Biden informed Congress that the US will forgive $5 Billion in loans to Ukraine, dumping the debt on the citizens of the US. Last night the Senate voted, and the Democratic majority (including Warnock and Ossoff from Georgia) agreed to have the huge debt be paid by the American citizens. Still glad you voted for those clowns? At least they're nice and not crooked. As if.

Total QB Rating

As “bad” as fans say UGA QB Carson Beck has been, he’s still ranked 13th in the nation in Total QB Rating, ahead of 118 of his peers. Just think how much higher he would rank had his receivers not dropped all those passes.

1. 89.4 Cam Ward Miami

2. 88.1 Kurtis Rourke Indiana

3. 86.2 Jaxson Dart Ole Miss

4. 85.3 Will Howard Ohio State

5. 85.3 Jalen Milroe Alabama

7. 84.2 Dillon Gabriel Oregon

9. 81.8 Haynes King GT

13. 80.5 Carson Beck UGA

17. 76.9 Cade Klubnik Clemson

18. 76.6 Riley Leonard Notre Dame

19. 76.5 Shedeur Sanders Colorado

21. 76.3 Diego Pavia Vandy

34. 70.8 Quinn Ewers Texas

43. 67.0 Nico Iamaleava Tenn

49. 65.6 LaNorris Sellers SC

59. 62.3 Zach Gibson Georgia State

72. 57.2 Brock Vandagriff Kentucky

74. 57.1 Dylan Raiola Nebraska

78. 53.8 Seth Henigan Memphis

83. 52.6 JC French Georgia Southern

98. 44.8 Christian Velleux Georgia State

118. 35.7 DJ Uiagalelei FSU

129. 25.8 Davis Bryson Kennesaw

730 NC State @ GT Thursday

1200 #5 Indiana @ #2 Ohio State

1200 Ole Miss @ Florida

1245 UMass @ UGA

330 The Citadel @ Clemson

330 Kentucky @ Texas

400 Wofford @ South Carolina

700 #18 Army vs #6 Notre Dame @ Yankee Stadium

700 Georgia State @ Texas State

730 Bama @ Oklahoma

Wednesday: left work around 5:30 pm. Drove home and ate leftovers from Ceil’s school’s Thanksgiving dinner. Then small group from 715-900 pm. A good meeting. We didn’t get through Luke 8. Crashed on the couch after that.

Thursday: Up early to lift weights at the gym. Jackets play NC State tonight.

DENISON: Famed evangelist and social activist Tony Campolo dies at 89. Jim gives an overview of Campolo’s life and ministry.

Years ago I saw a video of Campolo preaching a sermon. The only thing he said was “It’s Friday – but Sunday’s coming.” He repeated the sentence over and over. First quietly. Each time he would enunciate a different word. Eventually he was shouting. Might’ve been in a Black church. He went on for 20 minutes, saying the same thing over and over. The congregation was worked up with excitement. “FRIDAY!” he screamed. The congregation responded “SUNDAY!” Then Campolo bowed his head, and walked away.

New data reveals that Christian voters swayed the 2024 presidential election.

Germany reveals plans to mobilize national defense and 800,000 NATO troops.

Leno: Not Dead Yet

This is the third straight year Jay Leno has suffered an accident: motorcycle crash in 2022, burned in a 2023 fire, and now a tumble down a 60 foot hill – giving him a badly swollen black eye. Jay loves to work and play with his cars, so he is still living his best life at the age of 74. 

Why I love Leno. Nothing phases him. In suburban Pittsburgh for a show. Stays at Hampton Inn. Decides to walk to dinner before the show. Takes a shortcut down a hill. Falls, Bruises face, eye, finger wrist. Does the show wearing an eyepatch. Next day flies home for another show in Beverly Hills. No big deal. Dude is a cat - he's got nine lives.

I stayed at work catching up until almost 6 pm. Signed up for insurance and hopefully a new cell phone. Ceil cooked beans and rice and spinach.

Watched the reveal of the College Football Playoff rankings, Death in Paradise, The Neighborhood, Georgie & Mandy, and some of Gutfield.

Last night I was looking for something, and cleaned out three of my clothes drawers looking for it. Helped me organize and clean out a little. I have so many odds and ends stashed here and there. That’ll be something I try to declutter when I retire.

Not sure why I didn’t sleep well last night. Work didn’t have me that worked up. Hadn’t drunk that much caffeine. It was probably the Mellow Mushroom pizza.

Sounds like others have also been losing sleep, with everyone wanting our plant to run more smoothly on this new computer. It’s been a year and so many departments are struggling. Shipping. Getting costs in the right buckets. Orders are getting charged with too much labor and scrap. SAP needs every worker in the plant to be a college graduate in computer science.

A few weeks ago my boss mentioned having our work team serve at a Thanksgiving diiner at the Norcross Boys & Girls Club this coming Friday. Sounded like a fun team thing to do, so I confirmed. By volunteering it helps make my boss look better, which is always a good thing.

 What I do is so different, not many in Norcross do what I do. Figured out something hard again today, that few notice. Material rejected. More needed asap. Just happened to be a thickness we had raw material for. Had a small coil that could be cut quickly, so I entered a new PO to produce the 2 sizes I needed the most. But then I figured out that what we have in Augusta should last for several months. Crisis averted.

Had to go to the bank at lunch today so I picked up two Wendys chicken sandwiches for 3 bucks. Got back and learned that C is bringing home Thanksgiving leftovers from school. Food food food.

Small group tonight. Luke chapter 8.

Is the Deep State Intentionally Risking Nuclear War to Save Its Criminals’ Skins?

Melania and Me

Reading the memoir “Melania and Me” written by a “friend” of the First Lady who was enlisted to help with the 2017 inauguration, then stayed on to work in the First Lady’s office in the White House – only to be blamed for cost irregularities in the hastily organized inauguration. Interesting stuff.

This is book 54 that I have listened to this year, by far a new record. Closing in on 700 books read in my lifetime. Would be cool to read one thousand. At 50 per year I could make it by the time I turn 72. Seems like though my reading / listening habits will change after I retire. Might have to get real books that I will have to read.

For sure God works things out much better than I ever could. I see this happen all the time.

Monday: worked until 6 pm again. Ceil made a pasta dish in a white sauce, and tossed a salad. Watched the Kirby Smart Show and The Voice.

Watched some of the Manningcast. Jim Gaffigan was a guest. He played football at Purdue “long enough to get his picture taken”. The Cowboys are bad. Their kicker booted a 64 yard field goal, one of the 5 longest in history – but there was a penalty on the Texans so Dallas took the first down instead. Then the Cowboys failed to score.

In yesterday’s team meeting, UGA head coach Kirby Smart told his team that he invited a special guest to speak to the team - an expert on how to tackle. In walked the Dawgs’ punter, Australian Brett Thorson. He had just been named co-SEC special teams player of the week, in part for his open field solo tackle, saving a touchdown. Did you see that?

I love how scientists will come up with all sorts of crazy theories just so they won’t have to acknowledge the existence of God. This article says human existence is only possible due to five “coincidences”. No mention of how the likelihood of each of these “coincidences” is one in a million, making the likelihood of all five “coincidences” taking place on earth to be one in billions. Takes much less faith to believe in a Creator God than to believe in what these “scientists” are postulating. For sure Satan has blinded them from the Light. More "science"...

Tuesday: lifted weights at the gym. Donuts were brought in this morning, and Mellow Mushroom pizza for lunch. Then at 5 pm there’s the Tuesday Taco Bell deal. I need to retire so I can lose weight.

Another first for Lang: his first post game walk off interview. I love the Grizzlies blue uniforms, but the new red city edition unis are good too.

Sweden and Finland tell citizens to prepare for nuclear war and stockpile food and water.

DENISON: Agape is the Greek word for unconditional love, that enables us to love those who hate us and to forgive those who harm us. It is the only kind of love that can heal the divisions we have in the world today. It is the “fruit” of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). When we make Christ our Lord and his Spirit comes to dwell in us, He can manifest this fruit in our relationship with our Lord, our neighbors, and ourselves. When we love others sacrificially then hearts are healed, families are mended, and societies are transformed. See I Cor 3:16, Matt 22:37-39, Romans 8:35-39.

Bike Ride

Sunday afternoon we drove down to ride bikes with W&MC and the girls.

Rode south on the Westside Beltline under I-20 to Ralph David Abernathy Blvd, which was blocked off for a festival. Then we rode east all the way past old Turner Field.

On the ride back we encountered a parade of high school drumlines marching down the street, so we had to weave around therm.

At the western end of the festival we turned back south on the Beltline and rode the mile down to eat pizza at Monday Night Garage, where Matthew used to work.

Then we rode the 2-1/4 miles home on the lighted Beltline, in the dark. A total bike ride of eleven miles. Fortunately the hills weren’t very big.

We had watched the UGA game over at Reid & Noelle’s. Just us and them. A good game to watch. Usually when I watch a game I like to watch in silence so I can listen to the announcers, taking in their analysis since they know more than me, more than anyone I happen to be watching the game with. At the Hall’s house they wanted me to provide my opinions, so I tried to do so. As fans there is so much we don’t know: who is playing hurt. Fans (including me) blame the QB when receivers drop pass after pass, or fail to run routes properly and don’t get open. Blame the play caller when the players don’t execute.

Did you see the replay of the Tennessee lineman #55 who after a play, looked to the sideline and then dropped to the ground injured, stopping the game so UGA couldn’t continue to drive down the field? I looked for that #55 to come back in the game, but I never saw him. Hard for me to see. The Halls have a big TV but it was hard for me to see whether a pass was caught or incomplete. Couldn’t see the flight of the ball. Probably didn’t help that it was a night game.

I missed most of the Falcons game. Saw where rookie QB Phenix got to play. NC State @ GT is this Thursday night. GT@UGA is the Friday after Thanksgiving. Usually they play on Saturday.

Skipped the gym this morning. Since I was off on Friday I came back to 66 unread emails, a total of over 80. Got it down to 21 with plenty of work still to do. Worked like a dog all day.

ANDRES GALARRAGA [SABR Bio] was the first player after Carl Yastrzemski to lead his league in all three legs of the Triple Crown. In 1993 Galarraga led MLB in average (.370). In 1996, Galarraga’s 47 homers led the NL. His 150 RBI led the majors. He hit 41 HR for the Rockies but was released on 27-Oct-1997. The Braves signed him and in 1998 he hit 44. He is the only player to be hit-by-pitch each of the first three games in a season, on 03-, 04-, & 05-Apr-2000 he was drilled by Colorado’s Pedro Astacio, Rolando Arrojo, and Brian Bohanon.

However people may be feeling about the election, the world is still at the brink of a global war.

A Venezuelan gang's human trafficking operations are surging in Memphis, Chattanooga, Nashville, and Knoxville.

“Jew Hunts” are returning to the streets of Europe.

Vehicles most likely to reach 200,000 miles.

Debilitating strokes have increased 50% in young people, in the past 20 years.

DENISON: Have you heard of the 4B movement?