Another great header, AJ. All that practice gives rewards!
I hope everyone is off to a good start. I stayed up late watching the Braves game. It was close but they won. Three more chances for the Dodgers who have the home team advantage. I did not see the end, but the Grand Slam happened in the second inning so I was hooked for some more.
Good morning, all. Mid fifties here and expecting seventy eight so another gorgeous day. If the grass dries, we should be out on the corn hole field before long.
It will get up to 76 today here — unfortunately, I’ll be in “the Valley” about an hour north of here, one of the hottest parts of LA, so it’ll be a good 10-15 or more degrees hotter there. It’s the way they roll, I’m grateful I don’t live there. Visiting my friend who does live there for the afternoon through a good part of the evening.
Now Janice, you know I root for your Braves in solidarity with you — except when they’re playing the Dodgers …
I’m grateful for a long weekend, vacation day today and the Labor Day holiday off on Monday.
I missed the game, but our sports columnist tweeted (X’d?) this:
MVP candidates Ronald Acuña Jr. and Mookie Betts lived up to their billing Thursday night, and the Dodgers and Braves put on a show appropriate for a playoff atmosphere.
A repeat in October? Bring it on.
___________
(from the column): ~ LOS ANGELES — If this is how the Dodgers and Atlanta Braves are going to have at it at the end of August and the start of September, trading haymakers and bringing huge and raucous crowds to full voice, just imagine what an October series between the National League’s two best teams would be like.
There is a distance to go to get there, of course, and may we remind you that the Dodgers and Braves seemed on a collision course last year as well, except the Padres and Phillies got in the way. Strange things happen in the postseason, as Dodger fans of all people should be well aware. …
… Good for them, and good for the rest of us.
These are high-caliber games between teams that are, again, playing for something tangible – and don’t think that the prospect of a deciding game played before the home fans in Los Angeles, rather than in Atlanta, doesn’t matter.
But there are also statements to be made and messages to be sent between teams that have met twice in the NL Championship Series the past three seasons and split the two series, the Dodgers winning in seven games in the 2020 bubble and the Braves winning in six in 2021.
This weekend is a tasty appetizer. Another best-of-seven between these teams this October? Let’s hope so. ~
Hmm, 40% chance of rain this morning I see. It is cloudy and still in the 60s.
I could hear the announcer at the high school football stadium a few blocks away as I was walking Abby last night. And there were Halloween treats at Sprouts when I stopped in there later in the evening.
~ Has anyone ever lived in times that were normal? Probably not, I suppose. Every time and every context has its peculiarities, I’m sure. Regardless, there’s no doubt that we are currently living in unusual times—in what seems like a transitionary phase during which old traditions, old morals, and old ways of understanding the world are giving way to new. There are new questions, new concerns, and new challenges to those who want to live well in a world like this one.
Where do we go to learn to live well in new times? There is no better place to turn than to old wisdom—to the very same book that guided our forebears as they lived through the challenges that defined their own eras. The Word of God is, after all, living, active, and powerful, able to teach and to guide us no matter our times and no matter our circumstances.
In The Christian Manifesto, Alistair Begg takes an extended look at Jesus’ Sermon on the Plain (which, though it bears certain similarities, should not be confused with his longer Sermon on the Mount). “This sermon,” he says, is “Jesus’ invitation to you to experience life at its very best. It is his description of what life in his kingdom—a kingdom where all that is wrong is being put right—looks like as we live in this world.”
In this book, we’re going to look at what can be helpfully seen as a “Christian manifesto.” A manifesto is a public declaration or proclamation issued by a monarch or head of state, or by a representative of a company or organization. Here is a manifesto for the Christian life, straight from the lips of Jesus… It is a manifesto that is not oriented towards the political arena, but towards the relational and individual one. …
… Begg shows how Jesus calls us to so reverse the values we hold dear that they became practically upside down to what they were before. He calls us to an exceptional kind of love—a love that would be impossible if it was not first modeled by Jesus Christ. He helps us understand how to live by the Golden Rule and how to freely and genuinely grant forgiveness, even when it is costly and even when it seems impossible. Along the way he writes with passion and conviction, often pausing to help the reader do some appropriate application. He is vulnerable about his own life, his own struggles, and his own tendencies to fail to do what Christ commands. It makes for a powerful product.
“We are not called to be like the world,” he insists, “and the world does not need us to be like the world.”
We have something better to say because we have someone better to follow. That means the call of Christ to you and me is both greatly exciting and deeply challenging. The call is not to be comfortable but to be Christ-like—to discover the surprising means of experiencing real blessing, and in doing so to point others the way to it too.
This book, and the great sermon that lies behind it, provide a powerful manifesto for living well, living courageously, and living in a way that honors God in uncertain times. I would encourage you to read the sermon, to read the book, and to apply them both deliberately and prayerfully. ~
I think I might want to get that book on Audible. Thanks, Dj. A lady in my Bible study group got to visit Begg’s church a few weeks back. We have some travelers in my group.
I also appreciated the commentary on the Dodgers and Braves. They stir excitement to see them play together as if on an elevated field above others. They are just so talented. Nice to have these games over the holiday weekend.
I have been out mowing in the cooler breezy weather. I took a break. As usual, Miss Bosley has to sit in my lap! I don’t need the extra warmth😀 I am sweaty enough, already, thank you!
Thank you – 39 years so far. We spent the day just relaxing and swimming and enjoying our property and admiring all the growing things. The weather is lovely and warm today, about 80F ( I always have to google Celsius to Fahrenheit)
I slept on the couch for the early part of the game and then revived to watch until the 1 a.m. win. Bravo to the Braves. They were doing great until I woke up and the relief pitcher had difficulties so a second relirf pitcher had to be brought in to save the score.
Wandering Views 
Another great header, AJ. All that practice gives rewards!
I hope everyone is off to a good start. I stayed up late watching the Braves game. It was close but they won. Three more chances for the Dodgers who have the home team advantage. I did not see the end, but the Grand Slam happened in the second inning so I was hooked for some more.
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What’s funny today?
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I better post this before leaving for a family reunion.
Have a great weekend everyone!
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Morning!! That birdie looking at your camera seems to be saying “show off” about his in flight buddy! Great photo!
It will be a warm day here hitting almost 90…Sept 1!!??
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The start of a very good month, right, little brother?
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Good morning, all. Mid fifties here and expecting seventy eight so another gorgeous day. If the grass dries, we should be out on the corn hole field before long.
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Happy Anniversary to Kare and Tim❤
It’s in the 70s here and may get up to 82°. We are thankful!
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It will get up to 76 today here — unfortunately, I’ll be in “the Valley” about an hour north of here, one of the hottest parts of LA, so it’ll be a good 10-15 or more degrees hotter there. It’s the way they roll, I’m grateful I don’t live there. Visiting my friend who does live there for the afternoon through a good part of the evening.
Now Janice, you know I root for your Braves in solidarity with you — except when they’re playing the Dodgers …
I’m grateful for a long weekend, vacation day today and the Labor Day holiday off on Monday.
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The start of a very important month, big sister. I hope it’s a good one.
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I missed the game, but our sports columnist tweeted (X’d?) this:
MVP candidates Ronald Acuña Jr. and Mookie Betts lived up to their billing Thursday night, and the Dodgers and Braves put on a show appropriate for a playoff atmosphere.
A repeat in October? Bring it on.
___________
(from the column): ~ LOS ANGELES — If this is how the Dodgers and Atlanta Braves are going to have at it at the end of August and the start of September, trading haymakers and bringing huge and raucous crowds to full voice, just imagine what an October series between the National League’s two best teams would be like.
There is a distance to go to get there, of course, and may we remind you that the Dodgers and Braves seemed on a collision course last year as well, except the Padres and Phillies got in the way. Strange things happen in the postseason, as Dodger fans of all people should be well aware. …
… Good for them, and good for the rest of us.
These are high-caliber games between teams that are, again, playing for something tangible – and don’t think that the prospect of a deciding game played before the home fans in Los Angeles, rather than in Atlanta, doesn’t matter.
But there are also statements to be made and messages to be sent between teams that have met twice in the NL Championship Series the past three seasons and split the two series, the Dodgers winning in seven games in the 2020 bubble and the Braves winning in six in 2021.
This weekend is a tasty appetizer. Another best-of-seven between these teams this October? Let’s hope so. ~
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Cloudy, windy, and sprinkling here. Delightful
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Hmm, 40% chance of rain this morning I see. It is cloudy and still in the 60s.
I could hear the announcer at the high school football stadium a few blocks away as I was walking Abby last night. And there were Halloween treats at Sprouts when I stopped in there later in the evening.
Fall appears to be very near.
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Tim Challies today reviews a new book, “The Christian Manifesto” by Alistair Begg:
https://www.challies.com/book-reviews/the-christian-manifesto/
~ Has anyone ever lived in times that were normal? Probably not, I suppose. Every time and every context has its peculiarities, I’m sure. Regardless, there’s no doubt that we are currently living in unusual times—in what seems like a transitionary phase during which old traditions, old morals, and old ways of understanding the world are giving way to new. There are new questions, new concerns, and new challenges to those who want to live well in a world like this one.
Where do we go to learn to live well in new times? There is no better place to turn than to old wisdom—to the very same book that guided our forebears as they lived through the challenges that defined their own eras. The Word of God is, after all, living, active, and powerful, able to teach and to guide us no matter our times and no matter our circumstances.
In The Christian Manifesto, Alistair Begg takes an extended look at Jesus’ Sermon on the Plain (which, though it bears certain similarities, should not be confused with his longer Sermon on the Mount). “This sermon,” he says, is “Jesus’ invitation to you to experience life at its very best. It is his description of what life in his kingdom—a kingdom where all that is wrong is being put right—looks like as we live in this world.”
In this book, we’re going to look at what can be helpfully seen as a “Christian manifesto.” A manifesto is a public declaration or proclamation issued by a monarch or head of state, or by a representative of a company or organization. Here is a manifesto for the Christian life, straight from the lips of Jesus… It is a manifesto that is not oriented towards the political arena, but towards the relational and individual one. …
… Begg shows how Jesus calls us to so reverse the values we hold dear that they became practically upside down to what they were before. He calls us to an exceptional kind of love—a love that would be impossible if it was not first modeled by Jesus Christ. He helps us understand how to live by the Golden Rule and how to freely and genuinely grant forgiveness, even when it is costly and even when it seems impossible. Along the way he writes with passion and conviction, often pausing to help the reader do some appropriate application. He is vulnerable about his own life, his own struggles, and his own tendencies to fail to do what Christ commands. It makes for a powerful product.
“We are not called to be like the world,” he insists, “and the world does not need us to be like the world.”
We have something better to say because we have someone better to follow. That means the call of Christ to you and me is both greatly exciting and deeply challenging. The call is not to be comfortable but to be Christ-like—to discover the surprising means of experiencing real blessing, and in doing so to point others the way to it too.
This book, and the great sermon that lies behind it, provide a powerful manifesto for living well, living courageously, and living in a way that honors God in uncertain times. I would encourage you to read the sermon, to read the book, and to apply them both deliberately and prayerfully. ~
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I think I might want to get that book on Audible. Thanks, Dj. A lady in my Bible study group got to visit Begg’s church a few weeks back. We have some travelers in my group.
I also appreciated the commentary on the Dodgers and Braves. They stir excitement to see them play together as if on an elevated field above others. They are just so talented. Nice to have these games over the holiday weekend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have been out mowing in the cooler breezy weather. I took a break. As usual, Miss Bosley has to sit in my lap! I don’t need the extra warmth😀 I am sweaty enough, already, thank you!
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I suspect I would have to say mariners/braves or mariners/ dodgers would be much more interesting and likely to be watched here.
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Mariners play the Mets today, Mumsee. Alliteration to the Max!
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It is 90 here right now with no breeze. Drove over to Elizabeth to do my shopping…it was even warmer there! Indoors with ac is a very good thing!
And again Happy Anniversary to you Kare and Tim!
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We are blocked out of the current game so had to watch the Oakland game.
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Thank you – 39 years so far. We spent the day just relaxing and swimming and enjoying our property and admiring all the growing things. The weather is lovely and warm today, about 80F ( I always have to google Celsius to Fahrenheit)
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Time for “Bravos.” I had never heard them called that before.
I am very tired from mowing so won’t last for many innings.
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I slept on the couch for the early part of the game and then revived to watch until the 1 a.m. win. Bravo to the Braves. They were doing great until I woke up and the relief pitcher had difficulties so a second relirf pitcher had to be brought in to save the score.
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