Stop Hating What You Have to Do

Clay Smith JFBC

Ecclesiastes 2:18-26. This passage applies to every aspect of what you do every day. Clay: Not sure JF does a good job connecting God to your work life.

When Solomon uses the word toil, he's talking about work. Work is a dignified thing. God gave Adam and Eve work to do. In the future with AI we'll be challenged about this. All the great Bible characters had jobs: farmers, tent makers, etc.

A. What's the point? Work is where frustration and fulfillment collide.

B. Contemplating Frustration. Clay quoted the lyrics of Johnny Paycheck's song Take This Job And Shove It.

1. v 18-19 Your success is temporary. It's like when the tide washes away the sand castle you worked so hard to make.

2. v 20-21 You cannot secure the end result. The curse of the third generation - the Vanderbilts, etc. The first generation builds, the second maintains, the third squanders. There are no UHauls following behind hearses.

3. v 22-23 Your work creates anxiety. These verses are spot on - ask any of my former coworkers. You can't rest you mind.

C. Creating Fulfillment. Things you can do.

1. v 24-25 Receive your work as a gift. Take this job and love it. Find enjoyment in the toil, the verse says. This has everything to do with God. 

Philippians 4:8 Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.

There are many positives to take from your work.

Hebrews 12:1-2 The cross was a job for Jesus. He did it because God called him to do it.

2. v 26 Redefine success. For to the one who pleases God, can find wisdom, knowledge and joy. Christians should have a work ethic unlike any other.

Col 3 Work heartily, as for the Lord. Serve the Lord well. Takes integrity. Stand by your work. God is over all - both church and work.

William Tindale: there is no work better than another, to please God.

3. Rebalance your priorities. The phrase work life balance is a lie. You'll never get that balance. You can't do it all. What does God want most from me? It will never get easy.

4. Redefine your purpose. The sinner gathers and collects to give to the one who pleases God. You have a great opportunity to represent God in the workplace.

WALLY MOON [SABR Bio] was the first player on a team west of the Mississippi to lead the majors in triples. Moon, an alumnus of Texas A&M University, hit 11 triples for the recently-relocated Dodgers in 1959, tied with Dodger 2nd baseman Charlie Neal. It was the only time either of them led their league in a major offensive category. On 11-Sep-1959(1), just after Moon closed out a particularly productive skein of 4 HR in 7 AB, & just after there was news that the Soviet Union had landed the first unmanned probe on the moon, Dodger broadcaster Vin Scully proclaimed, “It’s another moon shot!” After that, use of “moon shot  ” proliferated with and without the Apollo Program. The origin of the phrase is lost in the mists of time.

Looks At Books

Currently reading The Iowa Baseball Confederacy, by WP Kinsella, the author of Shoeless Joe, which was made into the movie Field of Dreams. Very good so far.

Listening to two books. Today I'm finishing up Woodsong, a memoir by Gary Paulsen, detailing his transformation from a hunter to a dog musher in Minnesota and Alaska. The author detailed his first Iditarod Dog Sled Race. Took him two weeks to mush his dogs from Anchorage to Nome, a journey of over 1100 miles. At least twice he took wrong turns, traveling over 40 miles out of the way each time. Once some 23 dog sleds followed him off the wrong way. The last leg of the race travels over the frozen bay into Nome.

I had to look up Whittier Alaska again to remember where it was. This summer JFBC is sending a team on a short term mission trip to Anchorage. I'm sure they'll find some time for some sightseeing. I'd like to go on an Alaska cruise. Might be the only type cruise I could get to go on. 

Just sold my like new Reebok Furys to a guy in Anchorage. I loved them but they weren't comfortable as other Furys I'd had. They don't really fit in with my outfits.

Next up is "True: The Four Seasons of Jackie Robinson", by Kostya Kennedy. I had already read Kennedy's "56: Joe Dimaggio and the Last Magic Number in Sports".

I am getting more into the habit of actually reading a book (for now, on my phone). My goal is to read 30-60 pages a day. I am just starting out with the reading thing. Would rather not read off my tiny phone, but it's a start. Those 60 pages are tiny - the size of my phone screen. Not sure the book is really 600 pages long. It's easy to check out e-books from the library. I have ten books on hold, so I have a steady stream of books flowing to me. I have a Kindle that's bigger, but that would take some figuring out. 

Looks like I messed up my phone number. Might have to get a new one, which will be a tremendous hassle changing everything. Was trying to get Ceil to help me out. AT&T wasn't much help. Lots of roadblocks. In the end I am the one to blame. We have shaved off almost $100 per month in various bills we've been paying, and hopefully we can find more savings on insurance, garbage, etc.    

FRANK HOWARD  [SABR Bio] was the first Los Angeles Dodger to win the National League Rookie of the Year Award, in 1960. Many were reminded of him when Aaron Judge arrived on the scene with the Yankees. Howard's 6'7"-255-pound countenance made him truly stand out among major leaguers, much as Aaron's 6'7"-282 pound mien does today. Howard was an All-American in both basketball & baseball at Ohio State University in his home town, Columbus, Ohio. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Warriors in the 3rd round (21st pick) of the 1958 NBA Draft. Instead, he signed with the Dodgers. 

Today's Denison: when we forget who God is, it becomes far easier to forget who we are. We were meant to find the essence of our identity in the fact that we are made in God's image (Genesis 1:27). When our lives are submitted to his will and we see ourselves through his eyes, we don't have to be afraid of the areas where we're weak or flawed, because those weaknesses do not define us.

However, when we live as if we are made in our own image instead, strength—or at least the appearance of strength—can easily become foundational to every other aspect of our lives. And when that strength is threatened, everything else becomes threatened as well. Owning our mistakes and understanding when we're wrong are simply not outcomes we can tolerate very well. That's an exhausting way to live, yet it's the path many people choose to follow.

Hawkeye Turns 90

Alan Alda turned 90. Lots of old clips on social media. I need to watch Paper Lion. His birthday wish was to be rolled out on the beach. He invited the three living cast members from MASH: Radar, BJ, and Klinger.

When I think of Amarillo I think about the church where we stopped on choir tour, when we later had to get tetanus shots because of a bad batch of taco salad. I always heard of Glorietta but never went. Great name. 

The workers got here early today. C went to her class at the East Piedmont gym, and later I lifted weights at my usual gym on Johnson Ferry. Lifted weights and stretched for almost an hour, sat in the sauna for 30 minutes, then hit the treadmill for 30 minutes. Got a zoom call this afternoon. Later I'm dumping more old things from the garage into the dumpster parked in our driveway, if its not too full already. 

Found several old football helmets that I had stashed away. Falcons, Bears, Vikings, OG Jaguars, Dolphins, Auburn, Georgia Tech, Chargers. Also more batting helmets. 

WALT DROPO [SABR Bio] collected more RBI one year than the number of games he played. In 1950, his first full year in the majors, Dropo played in 136 games for the Red Sox & led both leagues with 144 RBI, one shy of Ted Williams' team RBI record by a rookie. Shortly after being traded to the Tigers, Dropo had a hit in 12 consecutive at-bats:

1. Mon 14-Jul-1952 DET at NYY 5 for 5 all singles

2. Tue 15-Jul-1952(1) DET at WSH 4 for 4 all singles

3. Tue 15-Jul-1952(2) DET at WSH 4 for 5 single, double, & triple, then fouled out to end the streak - followed by another single in the 9th. At 6'5", 220 lbs Dropo starred at his hometown University of  Connecticut in football, basketball, & baseball. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears and the Providence Steamrollers of the Basketball Association of America.

Dave Portnoy was checking out one of Matthew's haunts, Brain Wave Pizza in Decatur.

Ceil was baking bread. 

Supper time at W&MC's.

Super Bowl trivia.

Winnie managing the workers.

Putting Away Childish Things

We had a good small group session last night, discussing Jacob's travails in Genesis 28-29-30. Like so many of us, Jacob grew closer to God, but it took time for him to mature. So much so like me.

After growing up in Macon, finding a place in the GT BSU was like heaven on earth, surrounded by young white middle class Christians. One mountaintop experience after another. Over those college years I did a lot of growing closer to God, spurred on by so many older, more mature Christians - many who went on to serve in the ministry. But there were others who would fall by the wayside. I'd like to think Yearwood and Freemon and Travis and Givens and others my age passed along this yearning to the younger BSUers who came along after us, to grow and be more like Jesus. Did we?

While it was much fun to hang around people just like ourselves, it wasn't at all getting us ready for the real world. We were sheltered. We thought we were spiritually superior. We considered those in fraternities to be heathens, ignorant to the fact that all the while there were Bible Studies going on in those fraternity houses down the street. They weren't hung up on Bible trivia or spiritual sanctification, but instead with how God could work to soothe a troubled young person's soul. Lives were being changed in profound ways. I've heard my brother Larry Ragan tell of such stories, as well as several other guys over the years. 

After we left Tech we had to find our place in that real world, which involved developing relationships with all those real world people we managed to avoid inside the GT BSU. Finding and marrying a life partner. Having kids. Getting a job in the real world. Developing relationships with coworkers with different world views and backgrounds, and working side by side with these people 40 hours a week. Not easy. Some fared better than others. Some opted out of real jobs to avoid having to deal with other grownups. Some never moved past that spiritually superior viewpoint they had 40 years ago at the BSU.

Over the years I have tried to make it a point to continue to surround myself with more spiritually mature men. In living life with them I began to notice how they would react and respond differently to unfortunate circumstances than what I had experienced growing up. It's taken me years to change behaviors in my own life, and I certainly still have a long way to go. Bad things happen in everyone's life. The key is how you respond. Do you respond in love, or anger? Many so-called Christians fail these tests. 

 

I Corinthians 13:11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 

After twenty years at SPdL we moved on to North Point, and the preaching was great. We may have visited JFBC once, and my expert opinion was that North Pointers were spiritually superior to those at JFBC. Wrong again.

It's what I was trying to say when I listed all those men who God used to shape my life, who led and discipled me. The more I learned and knew, the more I realized there was out there that I still did not know. Quite humbling. As I move on to a new phase in life, all the more I need these wise people who are much more expert in areas I need help in. Wisdom is realizing that I don't know everything. It's like those young homeowners in the commercial who can't stop acting like their parents.

Being a Christian - following Jesus - becoming a disciple - is so much more than just hanging out with other Christians, having a good time. It's more than just talking the talk. Certainly more than trolling non-Christians on social media. Instead it is loving other people, not just the people you like, but loving everyone - even the unlovable. That doesn't mean to bow to their every unreasonable demand, but to at least to be wise in how you deal with them. Being a Christ follower means striving to be like Jesus all of the time, in every conversation and human interaction. Putting others ahead of myself. 

Dan ended our small group with these wise words: "I need to keep reminding myself that God is sovereign in all I face. God doesn't need me to figure things out for Him. God just wants me to trust in Him". 

Are you becoming more like Jesus - or are you  turning in to a worse version of an imperfect parent? 

Tuesday night: chicken soup for supper. Watched Best Medicine and Peyton's Places. Our first night in the guest bedroom, in the smaller bed. Good mattress. 

Wednesday: Ceil taught school. I spent almost two hours at the gym: treadmill, sauna, and stretching. 

Way Too Early Predictions: GT

Georgia Tech released their 2026 football schedule, and as usual it looks tough. The Jackets have lost several key players and coaches, and I'm not sure they'll be able to overcome them. Last year Tech had a QB who found a way to win the close games. Will they have such a player this fall? 

So like so many of the yahoos of social media making predictions, here are mine...

9.05 Colorado @ GT. Chaos continues in Boulder. Jackets will beat the Deions. 1-0.

9.12 Tennessee @ GT. Vols will be too much for Tech. 1-1.

9.19 Mercer @ GT. No way the Bears can win, but it will be closer than most predict. 2-1.  

9.26 GT @ Stanford. Jackets fly cross country and could be jetlagged, but perhaps Tech wins a close one. 3-1.

10.03 bye

10.10 Duke @ GT. Blue Devils having a rough off season, but will play Tech tough. I hope Tech finds a QB that can win these close games. Otherwise they're in for a long season. 4-1.

10.17 GT @ Virginia Tech. The luck runs out on the Jackets. 4-2.

10.24 Boston College @ GT. BC always plays tough on the road. They can beat anyone. Perhaps Tech can find a way to win. 5-2. 

10.31 GT @ Pitt. Lots of talk of becoming bowl eligble all week, which doesn't help. Panthers beat Tech again. 5-3.

11.07 Louisville @ GT. Cardinals usually play Tech tough. A must win for Tech, which usually results in an embarrassing loss. 5-4.  

11.14 GT @ Clemson. The Tigers think Tech has a hex on them. Not this year. 5-5.

11.21 GT vs Wake Forest. Jackets need a win, but are beat down from the long season. Hopefully they win a close one. 6-5. 

11.28 GT @ UGA. Jackets can play the Dawgs tough between the hedges. Not this year. 6-6. Jackets go to a bowl. 

12.05 ACC Championship Game in Charlotte 

Bowl game: Tech just can't seem to win a bowl game. 6-7. Could be worse. There's a decent chance they lose one of those close game, finish 5-7 or 4-8, and miss out on a bowl game. You heard it here first. 

Shouldn't have, but a got a great deal on a Myrtle Beach Pelicans cap. Did I post this already?

Found an old picture of when I had long hair, so I shared it with my coworkers.

Since my hair looked like Leo's, Daniel added a Leo moustache.

Then Daniel gave me a haircut.   

GIL McDOUGALD [SABR Bio] is the only native of San Francisco to become Rookie of the Year. He was born on 19-May-1928, San Francisco, California. Was the AL ROY in 1951. HOF Gilbert Ray ‘Gil’ Hodges and Gilbert James ‘Gil’ McDougald played in the same World Series 4 times - 27 games in all, in 1952, 1953, 1955, and 1956. McDougald was chosen by the newly formed Los Angeles Angels in MLB’s original expansion draft for the 1961 season, but chose to retire instead.

Denison: American high school seniors' scores on math and reading tests have fallen to their lowest levels on record. Dependence on AI tools erodes critical thinking skills, harms learning and creativity, and increases isolation and loneliness. Research shows that overuse of social media, video games, and other digital platforms impairs executive functioning skills, including memory, planning, and decision-making. Short-form videos have been conclusively linked to poorer mental health and cognition. Andrew Budson, a Boston University neurologist who specializes in memory disorders, explains our problem: we are using technology for the wrong purposes: "our brains evolved for social interactions. People who become socially isolated, their brains actually shrink, even if they don't have a disorder, and people who are socially isolated are at increased risk of developing dementia."

2025 NFL Regular Season QB Ratings

2025 regular season NFL QB rating (minimum 185 attempts). 

Rating YDs comp% TD INT

113.2 4394 72.0 31 08 Drake Maye Patriots AFC

109.2 4707 65.0 46 08 Matthew Stafford Rams

105.5 4564 68.0 34 08 Jared Goff, Lions 

103.8 2549 63.6 21 07 Lamar Jackson, Ravens AFC

102.2 3668 69.4 25 10 Josh Allen, Bills AFC

101.2 3381 66.3 23 06 Jordan Love, Packers

100.7 1809 66.8 17 05 Joe Burrow, Bengals AFC

100.5 2167 69.4 20 10 Brock Purdy, 49ers

100.2 3101 68.0 19 08 Daniel Jones, Colts AFC

99.5 4552 67.3 30 10 Dak Prescott, Cowboys

99.1 4048 67.7 25 14 Sam Darnold, Seahawks 

98.5 3224 64.8 25 06 Jalen Hurts, Eagles

97.4 2151 69.6 13 06 Mac Jones 49ers

94.8 3322 65.7 24 07 Aaron Rodgers Steelers AFC

94.1 3727 94.1 26 13 Justin Hebert Chargers AFC

94.1 3366 65.0 23 08 Jacoby Brissett Cardinals

92.9 3041 64.5 19 08 CJ Stroud Texans AFC

91.7 2272 63.7 15 05 Jaxson Dart Giants rookie

91.3 2384 67.6 10 06 Tyler Slough Saints rookie

91.0 4007 60.9 29 12 Trevor Lawrence Jaguars AFC

90.6 3693 63.2 26 11 Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers    

90.1 3942 58.1 27 07 Caleb Williams, Bears

89.6 3587 62.8 22 11 Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs AFC 

89.5 1259 62.8 07 01 Justin Fields, Jets

88.5 1982 60.1 09 03 Micheal Phenix, Falcons

88.4 2660 67.7 20 15 Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins AFC

88.1 1262 60.6 08 03 Jayden Daniels, Commanders

87.8 3931 63.4 25 11 Bo Nix, Broncos AFC

87.8 3011 63.6 23 11 Bryce Young, Panthers

86.5 1586 67.7 08 05 Spencer Rattler, Saints

86.1 1695 61.2 10 07 Marcus Mariota, Commanders

84.8 1721 61.7 10 05 Kirk Cousins, Falcons

84.7 3025 67.4 19 17 Geno Smith, Raiders AFC

80.8 0937 59.5 07 02 Dillon Gabriel Browns AFC rookie

80.2 3169 59.8 15 07 Cam Ward Titans AFC

79.2 2479 60.3 15 10 Joe Flacco Browns Bengals AFC

72.6 1632 57.6 11 12 JJ McCarthy Vikings

68.1 1400 56.6 07 10 Shedeur Sanders Browns AFC rookie

BABE RUTH [SABR Bio] batted 6th in the lineup in Game 4 of the 1918 WS vs. the Cubs. He was the starting pitcher. Ruth knocked in George Whiteman & George "Stuffy" McInnis with a triple off Cubs starter Lefty Tyler in the 4th inning. Only Barry Bonds led his league in bases-on-balls more times than Ruth. Bonds broke Ruth's record, having led the NL 12 times. Ruth is still the AL king, leading the league ten times. 

Best Burgers OTP

Just read yet another Atlanta's Best Burgers list, and as usual most are in some out of the way places you never heard of…Kirkwood, East Atlanta Village, etc. So I just decided to make up my own list: best burgers outside the perimeter. 

1. B&W Burger Bar, downtown Norcross 

2. Moxie Burger, Roswell Square 

3. Firebirds, Peachtree Corners

4. Stoney River, Roswell

5. Bad Daddy's Burgers, Sandy Plains Road

6. Medlock Tavern, Norcross 

7. Goldbergs Deli, The Battery Atlanta 

8. Grindhouse Killer Burgers, Athens

9. NFA Burger in Dunwoody.

10. Village Burger in Dunwoody

11. Fuddruckers, Anderson SC.

Spent all day cleaning out our bedroom, bathroom, closet, and storage areas. Construction starts tomorrow! Never knew I had so much. So much to go through. Found a treasure trove of game logs, etc that Reid had sent me over the years, that I had here at the house. I have another full file of his stuff that I had just brought home from my office.

Caleb stopped by around 1130 to pick up two big pieces of furniture that had been in our garage. Got a hutch I need to sell, and another chest that Ceil's brother needs to pick up, and we'll be on our way to getting our garage opened up. I have a feeling it will still take months.

This afternoon we met with the contractor who will be making the repairs upstairs. A big dumpster is being delivered tomorrow morning. Ceil has her class at the gym tomorrow morning, so I'll have to stay here. Hopefully I can get back to the gym later tomorrow. I've had a good workout moving stuff around today.

Matthew also stopped by to visit this afternoon. 

Last night both Lang and Ceil cooked baked chicken. Tonight C fixed BBQ and slaw. 

In talking with the contractor, we may put my office upstairs in the back bedroom, overlooking the woods in the back. Plenty of light. 

Saturday morning temperatures will be in the low teens for BravesFest, with a high Saturday afternoon of 25 degrees.

 

JOE DiMAGGIO  [SABR Bio] earned more World Series rings as a player than anyone except Yogi Berra. DiMaggio was a 9-time winner with the  Yankees:  1936, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1941, 1947, 1949, 1950, & 1951. No player has batted in more runs during his first ten seasons. Joe amassed 1,277 RBI 1936-42, 1946-48, including highs of 167 in 1937 & 155 in 1948. Before Nomar Garciaparra in 1999-2000, Joe was the last right-handed batter to win consecutive American League batting titles. DiMaggio led the AL in 1939 (.381) & 1940 (.352). All other repeaters until Nomah were  lefties. Righties Miguel Cabrera & Jose Altuve have done it since then.