Notes: Two Paths

What path are you walking?
Psalm 1
Pastor Logan Grantham JFBC

There are two paths to live, of the wicked and the righteous. Three contrasts…

Contrast 1. They live different v 1-2. People don't consider themselves to be wicked, but all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Blessed is the man who follows God. We have to be mindful of what voices we listen to.

a. Don't sit in the seat of scoffers. The righteous avoid sin and embrace the Word of God. Instead believers delight in the word of God v 2 and meditate on it day and night.

Is it something you think about during the day? Is God's word on your heart? Is the Word the master over me? Knowledge isn't enough. Don't be a Pharisee. I need the Holy Spirit to supernaturally change my life. Call out to God.

b. The wicked avoid God's word and embrace sin. You can see it in the way people live their life. Sin has power over their lives because they love it.

The lesson in this passage: external influences can change your internal life. We can change how we act based on who we are around, and we may not even realize it. So we have to be careful about who we spend time with.

Do others see something they want when they see you?

Contrast 2 - they grow differently. v 3-4. Believers grow to be like a strong tree, planted by streams of water - God gives us everything we need to continue to grow and bear fruit and prosper.

Even in tough times we can know that God stands beside us, while the wicked don't grow, but decay. Chaff is worthless, we throw it away. You can fool your friends and family, but you can't fool God. God knows us. He offers us life.

Contrast 3: they end different v 5-6 God knows us. Do you know the people you connect with on social media? We are the most disconnected generation in history. But with God controlling all things, He knows and loves us. We can spend eternity with him. That's so much better than what this life has to offer.

For the wicked, life ends with eternal death, separated from God forever. But there is another way: to follow Jesus. John 3:16 the key: whoever believes in Jesus will have eternal life in Him.

Some People live on the fence, but there is no neutral option. All paths do not lead to heaven - Jesus is the only way.

What path are you walking - accepting Jesus, or denying Him?

Logan grew up in Warner Robins.

Pot Pourri

Closing out June with two posts to catch up to a 365 post day. I had missed a post on the last day of both February and March, so this will get me back on pace. I think.

Spending Monday visiting vendors in Lavonia and Anderson SC, so not much time to write - so instead a photo dump of sorts. On Friday Millie tried on one of Anna's old dresses.

Bobblehead of the year...

Cornbread Maxwell drives against Kurt Rambis. Back at Tech my friend Wilbur Wiggins compared my game to Maxwell's, so he called me Cornbread.

On my desk: Uecler nesting doll. When the braves are on a losing streak I change the orientation of the baseball.

For the Man Who Has Everything

I had a $25 gift card expiring, so last night I bought Jibbitz, the little charms that fit on Crocs. Braves Hawks Falcons Bulldogs and other Atlanta charms. What every 65 year old male needs. I left off the Atlanta United charm.

Which leads to the age old question: how many Jibbitz are too many? How many not enough? I asked an artificial intelligence app and it was momentarily speechless. AI referred the question to the advanced AI version (no joke). It searched TikToc and other souces before determining that any more than five jibbitz per Croc led to overcrowding. Just as I thought. The five on each of my Crocs may be a little much, though I’m not happy with one or two. Got two more coming next month from eBay. I’ll keep my loyal readers posted.  

With the rain, we didn’t get to watch much of the Braves game Friday night. Didn’t start until 935. Tonight the Braves are faring better. Schwellenbach has 12 strikeouts in 7 innings. Fans think the Braves need to trade prospects for starting pitchers. They have Schwelley and now Strider, with Sale, Lopez, ans Smith Shawber injured. The starting pitching has been the best part of the team. It’s the woeful hitting and relief pitching that have been the weak spots. Glad to see Snitker finally bench CF Michael Harris, who is hitting like .043 in his last 7 games.

Nice to see Sean Murphy hit his first home run in a month, a grand slam. Albies got robbed in his second at bat, then singled in his third. Earlier I had flipped over to the Savannah Bananas game. The announcers were interviewing an outfielder while the game was going on. While the outfielder was answering a question, the batter hit a fly ball in his direction. The outfielder kept talking, and performed a backflip while catching the ball. I’ve never seen anything like it.

Saturday: cleaned upstairs, then downstairs. C had cooked eggs, toast, and sausage for breakfast. Then she joined Anna at a High Country yoga event. Later they were featured on a High Country social media post. Anna perfectly played to the camera as it zoomed in on her, breaking her concentration and opening her eyes to make a face. 

Later I ran several errands: (1) dropped off donations at Goodwill, (2) got two sandwiches for $3 at Wendys, (3) a RaceTrac drink, (4) a Caliber carwash. 

Then I (5) stopped by Town Center Mall to check out a pair of sneakers. Looked like some people were there at the mall just to beat the heat. Then a few miles up 575 to (6) the Outlet Shops of Atlanta to check out more sneakers. Walked all over the complex to check out four different stores. On the way home I stopped by two different thrift stores (7 & 8). 

Jerry Seinfeld once said that in life every father eventually gets to the point where they say "that's it, this is the style of clothes that I am wearing the rest of my life". That's me and Columbia PFG fishing shirts. I just bought a nifty navy one that I didn’t need. Its an XXL but hopefully not too big. Even Ceil liked it, so you know it must be out of style. I do agree with Jerry about older men and jeans. I don't wear jeans any more.

Got home at 630 pm. C cooked burgers (no buns), baked the fries in the oven, and also baked some okra. She’s also making some granola in the oven.

Best Shoes for Standing All Day.

The best way to diffuse a difficult suggestion.

Braves City Connect Suggestions

Next year the Braves will be getting new City Connect uniforms. That's the rumor, anyway. Here are a few possibilities, in no particular order.

1. Since Acuna and Ozuna and Harris wear so much yellow, the Braves could wear yellow jerseys. Yellow pants might be too much. Blue trim, not red.

2. Powder blue jerseys and pants, like from the Dale Murphy  Power Alley era. These could replace the navy road jerseys.

3. Royal jerseys with white feather sleeves, from the Hank Aaron era in the early 70’s.

4. Peach jerseys and pants, like the Clingstones and Stripers wear. Nike loves different, so expect this to be the pick.

5. Uniforms inspired by the symbol of the City of Atlanta: the phoenix rising from the ashes. Could be messy.

6. New red jerseys similar to the batting practice jerseys from the late 70’s, to replace the current red jerseys. You see a lot of these at the ballpark, with Murphy or Niekro on the back.

7. Go back to the 1974 Aaron era feather unis.  The best option.

On Saturday August 23rd the Braves are giving away Realtree camo caps. Tempting, but it might be just as cheap to buy a cap. Of course I for sure don’t need another Braves cap. Heck I already have one Braves camo cap. It’s one of my favorites. There’s a decent chance I can find one of the Realtree giveaway caps at a thrift store. And the giveaway caps often are too small to fit me big head. So maybe I won’t go. Except M wants one too.

M has us watching the show The Bear, a mature themed show that C normally wouldn’t watch. Features Oliver Pratt, Jamie Lee Curtis, Molly Ringwald, and others.

Thursday the help desk worked on my computer for almost 2 hours. I was able to unclutter my desk a bit and work on my scrapbook calendar. Down to 35 emails this morning. Hope to get it under 30 by next week. But ending the week at 42.

M cooked for us again Thursday night, making Ginger Chicken over jasmine rice. Very good. He said that actor Will Ferrell has eaten his cooking at Kimball House.

Made it to the gym a little earlier on Friday, so I had a little longer workout. They worked on my computer another 40 minutes, and I had to take a training class that took an hour, plus I’ll was down at Leo’s desk training him. Hit hit Wendys at lunch for free fry Friday.

I’ve probably shared this list of best burgers in every state before. 

Reba's Happy's Place follows Jeapordy on Friday nights. Pretty wholesome, considering it is set in a bar. The cast includes three actors from Young Sheldon. 

The Indigo Girl

Currently reading The Indigo Girl, a fictionalized account of colonial plantation life in coastal South Carolina. Most of the characters were real, including ancestors of Ceil's mother's Middleton family, who owned a rice plantation outside of Charleston.

Becky Norman sent Ceil a photo of Charles and Joel's and Will's little kids all playing together out in the sprinkler. All of them were naked as bluejays. Or as Lewis Grizzard used to say – nekkid. "Naked is when you're not wearing clothes. Nekkid is when you're not wearing clothes – and you're up to something".

I'd rather the Chinese conquers the US more so than the Muslims.

Never a good sign when the doctor asks "Do you have a living will?"

True story: Disturbing New Footage - Panicked AI Begs for Its Life Before Being Shut Down

Question of the day: what was your favorite baseball glove model? I replied the Rawlings Dale Murphy model, and tagged Dale in my post. Dale retweeted my post, giving me a modest 8100 views. I replied to Dale "thanks cousin!" which is what he called me when he had met. Posted a photo of the two of us, which Dale retweeted - which received 9600 views. So I guess you could call me an influencer, you know? 

Speaking of influencers, Anna was featured in today's High Country social media post.

"It's so hot, I saw a dog chasing a cat, and they were both walking". Some say the first person to tell that joke was Mickey Mantle. Might've been Yogi.

I can get C to go to Jalisco's every blue moon. A&C live a quarter mile away, but had never gone to Jalisco's until we took them. Salsa is on the spicy side for my tastes. Can be a noisy place to eat.

I am looking forward to the Braves / Reds game in Bristol Tenn. Looks like there will be a Jumbotron hanging over the field, maybe behind the plate? I entered a contest to win a trip to the game, but it's right before we go to Hilton Head. I am also entering a contest to throw out the first pitch at Wrigley Field. That would be fun.

I hear the Braves will be on Fox on Saturday, so I'll be able to watch another game. Also tonight, except for all the rain.

Unbelievable Greg Maddux Moments.

ROBERTO CLEMENTE  [SABR Bio] holds the record for striking out the most times in a single All-Star game: 4 times in the extra-inning 1967 ASG at the hands of Dean Chance, Gary Peters, Al Downing, and Catfish Hunter. Clemente went 1 for 6 in that 15-inning game. He hit 10+ home runs in 13 straight seasons, from 1960 thru the end of his career in 1972. Clemente led the NL in outfield assists a record 5 times, in 1958 (22), 1960 (19), 1961 (27), 1966 (17), and 1967 (17t).

Players to win the National League Gold Gloves the same year they won MVP.

Pos.      Player          Team  Year

P Bob Gibson.............STL.. 1968

C Johnny Bench.........CIN...1970

1B Steve Garvey........LAD...1974

2B Joe Morgan...........CIN...1975

3B Mike Schmidt........PHI...1980

SS Barry Larkin..........CIN...1995

LF Dale Murphy..........ATL..1982

CF Willie Mays............SFG.1965

RF Roberto Clemente PIT...1966

The Flood

Arrived at the doctor's office this morning at 7 AM. I had parked on the western side of the building (in the shade). Walked around to the front entrance on the southern side (there was a great view of the Atlanta skyline). The door was locked. I walked around the back, where workmen were cleaning up the flooded floors. There had been a water leak on the top floor, so my CT scan had to be rescheduled.

The bad thing was that I had already taken the pill to relax me. The pill had cost me a whole 16 cents at the pharmacy. Despite driving from Vinings to Duluth on 285 and Peachtree Industrial, and grabbing a diet Mtn Dew at RaceTrac, my heartbeat dropped to 54 – lower than usual. I'll be keeping my eye on it.

Lunch at Cheeseburger Bobby's. Good stuff. Having food in my belly to digest made my heart rate go up. Leaped up to the 70's, and 66 at 5 pm.

Emails have ballooned up to 46. I had it down in the lower 30's. Always stuff to do.

Had to pay a big repair bill on M's truck yesterday, then Anna finally ordered the cooler that I had set aside money for. But then while entering a sweepstakes, I instantly won $25.00. So the day wasn't a complete loss. Before you say "You Always are winning things!" really it is only once or twice a year – and I waste 30 minutes every day entering contests.

Left work Wednesday at 540. Stopped by Wendys for two sandwiches for $2.00. Stayed on Spaulding all the way to 400. Went south to the MARTA station. Arrived just as M was getting off the train from Decatur.

Jim Denison is like me – neither of us has read or watched Harry Potter. Not really my genre. Maybe one day. I think Anna and Matthew read / watched them.

Denison: the fastest growing church in the world is in Iran. Christianity is growing exponentially in the Muslim world.

JOHNNY BENCH  [SABR Bio] remains the youngest player to homer in an All-Star Game, at 21 years 228 days old when he hit a home run off Mel Stottlemyre in the 2nd inning on 23-Jul-1969 at RFK Stadium in Washington. He led the majors in RBI three times in 5 seasons, averaging 134 for those years. In 1970, 1972 & 1974, Bench had 148, 125 & 129 RBI. He explained his infrequent smiles by saying, "The reason I don't smile very much is that I chipped two front teeth when I was growing up. I thought it made me look funny." Bench said orthodontic dentistry was beyond his family's means at the time.

Mickey7

Finishing up the sci-fi novel Mickey7, set in the distant future. Now I'll have to watch the movie, which looks darker than what my imagination had pictured in my mind.

Monday: we had a feast: grilled chicken tenders, fries hand cut and baked in the oven, and green beans that M had blanched with peach pit vinegar. I had worked until six, catching up on things since I'm spending so much time training Leo. After supper M had on his cooking shows. Pizza in NYC, etc.

Braves beat the Mets. Again. Soto had a chance to give the Mets the lead in the 8th but couldn't come through.

Tuesday: the Braves were on my TV last night, so we watched the whole game. Tried to make it exciting in the bottom of the 9th. Olsen had the big hit, but Allen had 3 hits as well.

Ceil cooked BBQ chicken for supper. It was good. But when we were cleaning up afterwards I was taking out the trash, and my stomach started feeling bad. Went inside and threw up my entire supper. Not sure what the deal was.

Made it to the gym this morning.

The SABR guys misspelled FREDDY FREEMAN [B-R Bio]  who hit it the only walk-off grand slam in World Series history, ending Game #1 of the 2024 Series vs NY with a 10th inning grand slam. His first major league home run was 21-Sep-2010 off Phillies' ace Roy Halladay, in Halladay's first year in the NL. Cal State Fullerton, NCAA champs in 2004, was his intended college destination, but he changed course when ATL drafted him in the 2^nd round in 2007, just two picks behind Giancarlo Stanton.

Denison: Iran's theocracy is built on the belief that the nation should be governed by Sharia law. Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic, postulated that as the clergy have the greatest understanding of Islamic law, they should be the guardians of state power. The Supreme Leader holds final religious and political authority over all affairs of the state, ruling by divine right. He can oppress his own people and lie to the world about his intentions in the service of advancing Islam as he understands it, or so he thinks. In Khamenei's view, "Iran is not important. Islam is important."

Biblical signs the world has entered the end of days, as the US bombs Iran?

The 23rd Psalm

Psalm 23 The Lord is our Good Shepherd
Adrian Coetzer JFBC

Walking with God: Finding Fulfillment. Moses had been a shepherd. Also David and several other Biblical figures. Abraham and Isaac.

v 1-3 We have a caring shepherd. More than physical needs, also spiritual. He restores my soul. He guides me in the paths of righteousness. He wants his sheep to be healthy.

Sheep are defenseless and not very smart, especially when they are alone. Aimless and clumsy. They smell. David knows that sheep need their shepherd.

v 4 holds the psalm together…I fear no evil, thy rod and staff comfort me, for you are with me. Our shepherd is always near.

What valley are you in today? There is power in the presence of God. This is when we learn to walk with God.

v 5-6 The Lord is generous in His goodness and faithfulness, with his grace and mercy. How many of us can find joy while in the presence of our enemies?

How much of the story of David is wrapped up in Psalm 23? You are not insignificant to God. He wants to be with you. Regardless of your failures.

Surely goodness and faithfulness will be with me all the days of my life.

My response:

1. Practice contentment. Instead of wanting more. God is enough.

2. Live from an abundance of the presence of God…both beside the still waters as well as the dark valleys. Daily encounters.

3. Be sure you are following the Good Shepherd.

In this psalm, who is not a shepherd? The sheep.

Social Event of the Season

Have a good weekend? I guess I did. We ate at Moxie Burger Friday night. I got a grilled chicken sandwich, no fries. On Friday night C and I were driving around and we were talking discussed The Big Ketch.

Saturday morning I drove to Firestone to get the alignment checked in Ceil’s car. Only took an hour. Later I mowed the lawn, out in the heat. Took a nap after that.

Andrew and Mariah’s wedding was late Saturday afternoon, at the JFBC Chapel. Andrew is the son of my other friend Reid, and his wide Noelle Hall. 

Our kids grew up hanging out with Andrew (Anna’s age) and his brother Nathan (M’s age). Friday night pizza, trick or treating together, etc. The old group was in attendance: the Earharts and Watkins, including kids Mary Lee and Daniel, Bethany, C&A, and M. Also newer friends the Chiles and Cho’s.

When Andrew first saw his bride, he began to cry. Then Mariah came down the aisle crying. A tender, God honoring ceremony. The reception was at the Roswell Country Club. Hors d’oeuvres were tasty. Not sure why C ordered me a steak. Mariah’s brother delivered a wonderful speech. A good time. Got home at 1030 pm.

Sunday School has 23 in attendance. Our friend Drew spoke, about his life in the Far East. In the service the Chiles’ daughter was commissioned. Next month she travels to the Far East to teach school. After the service there was a BBQ lunch in her honor, catered by Williamson Brothers BBQ. Very good.

After lunch I drove C to Perimeter Mall. She didn’t stay long, but still it was too hot to stay in the car. Back home to watch golf. C cooked Mexican for supper.

Up early to go to the gym this AM. My neck still hurts. Week 2 of training for Leo.

 ’d take the kids to games, but it was only after the kids had moved on before I started to golf and to games. C would rather stay at home than go to games, and she likes it when I’m there with her at night.  It was good to be able to have been able to make it to my kids games and recitals. C would go to our kids games, she just doesn’t like to go to games like I like to go to games (early). I like to go early to see all the sights then make it to my seats before the game starts. Ceil’s brother is like me, he likes to go early to see the warmups.

When I was single and worked for Jim Suggs, I would leave work at 5 and drive home and change clothes before going to SPdL on Wednesday nights. All those other married guys like Scot Wright and Scott Rees and David McDaniel would go to SPdL in their suits. I was hanging out with Don Head and David Hurt and the other singles, as well as the high school and college kids.

Will attended the Padres game in San Diego yesterday. Saturday he was at Dodger Stadium. Earlier they visited that famous observatory in LA. Tonight they’re at Angels Stadium. His flight takes off at 1 am Pacific time.

DALE MURPHY  [SABR Bio] had the longest consecutive games-played streak within Cal Ripken's record 2,632-game streak. Murphy cobbled together 686 straight games during Ripken’s streak, although his real total was 740 because his streak started with a game on 26-Sep-1981. Cal’s began on 30-May-1982. Murphy’s ended 08-Jul-1986. His games-played streak is still the longest in Braves history. The Braves are the oldest continually-operating franchise in MLB history, born as the Boston Red Stockings in 1871. Since then, they have been the Boston Reds, the Boston Nationals, the Boston Doves, Boston (just “Boston”), the Boston Bees, the Boston Braves, the Milwaukee Braves, and since 1966, the Atlanta Braves. He was once named one of People magazine’s “50 Most Beautiful People”, in 1987.

Braves Promotional Suggestions

Every year the Braves outdo themselves with a long list of promotional giveaways, special ticket deals, and giveaways for kids. Fans flock to The Battery Atlanta and line up hours in advance. Not sure how they can top themselves next year. They've asked for suggestions, something have I done for several years in the past,

I have been a Braves fan all my life. My family started traveling to games soon after the team moved to town, and I literally have been attending many games every year for decades. I am always upbeat and positive about "my" Braves. There are ups and downs in every season. Fans forget how injuries and other factors beyond team control figure in to why the team might be struggling. Not me. The Braves are a major topic on my daily blog. Check it out!

We'd come to bat day and cap day. As a boy I loved to browse e small souvenir stands in the Atlanta Stadium mezzanine - and 60 years later, I still do. When the Braves started giving away bobbleheads around 20 years ago, I quickly became addicted. Now I have dozens, if not hundreds. I've traveled to Gwinnett and Rome and even Augusta to collect bobbles, and already have my eye on Columbus as well. 

What should the Braves give away in 2026? They'll have several giveaways every month. So why suggest just one bobblehead? Here's a whole list!

Acuna "Jumpman" bobblehead. Fans love Acuna, who keeps getting better and better. We need a bobble of my favorite catch - I keep this photo on my phone!

Timothy Miller singing bobblehead (with sound chip!). Past time for a Miller bobble, and the sound chip would be the icing on the cake. He could sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame".

Drake Baldwin "Love the Drake" bobblehead. The rookie has a great future. The first Drake bobblehead will become a collector's item.

Tuesday night t-shirt series with player name & number on the back, player's cartoon face on front…Acuna, Riley, Harris, Blooper, Baldwin, Olsen, Sale, Strider, etc. Seems like a great promo idea, that fans would love and wear.

Blooper riding his ATV bobblehead. Blooper is gold. Fans can't get enough of him. Time for another Blooper bobble. 

Grant Holmes "Flow" bobblehead. Fans are still buzzing about the Dansby Flow bobble from a few years ago. We'd all love another Flow.

ATLiens replica jerseys. Fans love the replica jersey giveaway. Kepp it up. I see fans wearing these bad boys at Truist Park. Maybe in bright green?

Magic 8 Baseball with sayings like Chop On! and "Ask Again Next Inning", etc. For kids of all ages (or just kids).

Kids: Blooper Jibbitz for Crocs. Or more Braves Jibbitz. 

Braves camo NAPA trucker caps. What's more Braves Country than that?

Braves bucket hats. 

Kids: Blooper bucket hats. Did I say that I love me some Blooper?

Kids: Money Mike striped socks. I love how Harris has kept up the longtime tradition of striped Braves socks, which links the present with the team's roots in Milwaukee and Boston. Let's get the kids involved!

Third base coach Bobby Dews bobblehead with windmilling arm. In his bullpen catcher gear. In an older Braves uniform. Dews belongs in the Braves Hall of Fame. When he is inducted, the Braves can give away a Dews bobble.

IDEA: a mini bobble series of Braves Hall of Famers: Rabbit Maranville, Ralph Garr. Carty. Adcock. Pendleton. Torre. Hudson. Javy. Ted Turner. Hank. Phil. Smoltz. Maddux. Glavine. Sutton. Skip. etc,

Old Style Alarm clock with a Braves player on the face. Alarm with Ben Ingram's voice screaming "wake up"!

Every winter I keep on the lookout for the new Braves promotional schedule. And this coming off season I'll have even more reasons to do so. I can't wait!