Are You For Real?

"Are you for real?" is an introspective question I am asking myself. I encourage you to read this blog in a personally-questioning way.

As I seek out the real me, I have to consider all the personas that I would like to portray. If I am being honest with myself, I have different personas for different people. I have different personas for different roles. Taking it one step deeper, I am not always honest with God. Finally, I confess that I even try to fool myself sometimes.

I am not suggesting that I have multiple personalities at all. However, I believe that-sometimes-I act differently according to the situation. Perhaps talk differently. My deep desire is to keep it real ALL the time. But, that ain't happening.

Let's explore more...
If I am around highly-educated people, I wish to speak correctly. There's nothing wrong with that. As a matter of fact, I need to speak correctly all the time--with a few minor exceptions.

If I am at church, I certainly don't want to look like someone who is a sinner. someone who doesn't have it all together....Then I remember Jesus' words--I looked up Mark 2:17 (NLT) to get them right. When Jesus heard this, he told them, "Healthy people don't need a doctor--sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners."

Then there is the prideful part of me which always wants to be right. I really don't like people telling me I am wrong. I want it done my way. when I want it. I mean, can't people see that I am right? I've been around you know--57 years. Huh!
The Bible speaks much about pride. Here's one that hits home....
Matthew 23:12 (NLT) But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

Other times, I need someone to encourage me. Thank God for placing those encouragers in my life at the right time. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

I don't want to be a worry wart, and I don't want to be a scardie-cat. So, I claim the following verses.
Philippians 4:6 (NLT) Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

This did not go as I planned....As I searched out the "true me", I was led to the scriptures. The final realization is: I am a work in progress. But, I must fight spiritually by praying, being in the word, going to church, and seeking God. I must allow God to change me to be the me He wants me to be.
2 Corinthians 5:17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

Some Psalms

Here are some verses from Psalms that God has used to strengthen, teach, convict, or enlightenment me in my recent studies. All scripture shown is from the NLT version of the Bible.

Psalm 1:1-3; 1. Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. 2. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. 3. They are like trees planted along the river bank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.

Psalm 3:3; But you, O Lord, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high.

Psalm 7:17; I will thank the Lord because he is just; I will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High.

Psalm 8:1-5; 1. O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth! Your glory is higher than the heavens. 2. You have taught children and infants to tell of your strength, silencing your enemies and all who oppose you. 3. When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers--the moon and stars you set in place--4. What are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them? 5. Yet you made them only a little lower than God and crowned them with glory and honor.

Psalm 13:3; Turn and answer me, O Lord my God! Restore the sparkle to my eyes, or I will die.
Psalm 13:6; I will sing to the Lord because he is good to me.

SEC Championship Game Trivia Quiz

Answer the following questions. All questions pertain to the games prior to 2018.
Give yourself 10 points for each correct answer. The Bonus Questions are worth 5 points each. Feel free to post your score on FB or Twitter (whichever place you are reading this.)
The Answers are at the end.

1. What year was the first SEC Championship game played?
2. Name the 3 locations for the Championship game.
3. Which Eastern Division team has made the most appearances?
4. Which Western Division team has made the most appearances?
5. Which SEC team has won the most SEC Championship games?
6. How many SEC Championship games has Georgia participated in?
7. How many SEC Championship games has Georgia won?
8. Name at least 2 SEC teams that have never participated in the SEC Championship game.
9. How many times has the SEC Championship game hosted a match up of Top 5 teams in the country?
10. How many winners of the SEC Championship Game went on to win the National Championship?
BONUS QUESTIONS:
11. How many teams are in the Big Ten Conference?
12. How many teams are in the Big Twelve Conference?

ANSWERS:
1. 1992
2. Legion Field (Birmingham, AL) 1992-93; Georgia Dome (Atlanta, GA) 1994-2016; Mercedes-Benz (Atlanta, GA) 2017-present
3. Florida (12)
4. Alabama (12)
5. Tie with 7 each: Alabama & Florida
6. 6
7. 3
8. There are four: Kentucky, Ole Miss, Texas A & M, Vandy
9. 5 times:
2003 (#3 LSU vs #5 Georgia)
2008 (#1 Bama vs #2 Florida)
2009 (#1 Gators vs # 2 Bama)
2012 (#2 Bama vs #3 Georgia)
2013 (#3 Auburn vs #5 Missouri)
10. 11 times (1992 Bama; 1996 Florida; 1998 Vols; 2003 LSU; 2006 Florida; 2007 LSU; 2008 Florida; 2009 Bama; 2011 Auburn; 2012 Bama; 2015 Bama)
11. 14 teams are in the Big Ten
12. 10 teams are in the Big Twelve

For Us

I am thankful that it is Thanksgiving Week!
As I ponder this wonderful holiday, I am reminded just how thankful I should be, and how thankful I am not. I am thankful for another chance to do better!

First, I am thankful for the scriptures God has given us. If you do not believe in the validity of the scriptures, the rest of this may be of no interest to you.
I believe God indeed created the heavens and the earth and all that is in them! He did this for his good pleasure. (Genesis 1:31 NLT) "Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good! And evening passed and morning came, marking the sixth day."

Next, God has given me a new way to look at being thankful. As I thought of the words to the song, Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart, I remembered the line: Because of what the Lord has done for us. And it hit me....FOR US.

Allow me to list some of what God has done for us. (All verse are from the NLT version.)
1. Salvation of everyone who is willing. John 3:17; "God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him."
2. A rich and satisfying life. John 10:10; Jesus said, "The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life."
3. Family. Exodus 20:12; "Honor your father and mother. Then you will have a long, full life in the land the Lord your God is giving you."
4. Health. Isaiah 53:5; "But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed."
5. Fun. (John 10:10)
6. Food and clothes. Matthew 6:31-33; Jesus said, 31. "So don't worry about these things, saying, 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?' 32. These thoughts dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but you heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need."
7. Beauty of the earth. A contemplation: Have you ever been snow skiing and felt closer to God? Watched the leaves turn an array of colors in the Fall and be in utter wonder? use the talents God has given you and be on cloud 9? I believe God wants to share his beautiful creation with us. It gives him great joy. I believe he wants us to share the talents he has given us. It gives joy to us, others, and God.
8. A wrap of everything. James 1:17; "Whatever is good and perfect is a gift from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow."

Atlanta Braves Quiz

ATLANTA BRAVES HISTORY QUIZ
Answer the following questions. The answers follow the quiz. No peaking1

1. What year did the Braves move from Milwaukee to Atlanta?
2. From 1991-2005, the Braves won 14 straight division titles. How many division titles has the team won before OR after the 14-tiltle run? (It is the same number.)
3. How many World Series Titles have the Atlanta Braves claimed? BONUS: What year(s) was/were the title(s)?
4. Name the Atlanta Brave that is the all-time career Home-Run leader.
5. Name the Atlanta Brave that recored the most career victories.
6. Name the Atlanta Brave who hit the most home-runs in a season. How many?
7. Name the Atlanta Brave who recorded the lowest ERA in a season. What was the ERA?
8. Name the Atlanta Brave who recored the most saves in a season. How many?
9. Name at least 5 of the Atlanta Braves' Hall-Of-Famers.
10. Name the three ballparks that the Atlanta Braves have called home.


ANSWERS:
1. 1966
2. Two
3. 1 in 1995
4. Hank Aaron (733)
5. Phil Niekro (268)
6. Andrew Jones (51 in 2005)
7. Greg Maddox (1.56 in 1994)
8. John Smoltz (55 in 2002)
9. Hank Aaron, Bobby Cox, Tom Glavine, Chipper Jones, Greg Maddox, Phil Niekro, John Shuerholz, John Smoltz
10. Atlanta-Fulton Co. Stadium, Turner Field, and Sun Trust Park

Fun: Georgia History Quiz

Have fun taking the following Georgia History Quiz. The correct answers follow. Don't peak!
Source: The Georgia Studies Book (Vinson Institute)

Quiz
1. Who is considered "The Founder of Georgia"?
2. What year is celebrated as the founding of Georgia?
3. What year did Georgia become a royal colony?
4. Name the Georgia delegates who signed the Declaration of Independence.
5. Name Georgia's 5 largest cities (in order) in 1860.
6. Give the first two names the current city of Atlanta was called.
7. In the election of 1868, how many blacks were elected to Georgia's General Assembly?
8. Name the official bird of Georgia.
9. Name the official flower of Georgia.
10. Name the official insect of Georgia.

Answers
1. James Oglethorpe
2. 1733
3. 1752
4. Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, and George Walton
5. Savannah, Augusta, Columbus, Atlanta, and Macon
6. Terminus and Marthasville
7. 32
8. Brown Thrasher
9. Cherokee Rose
10. Honeybee

Lessons from Matthew; Part 7; Conclusion: "WHO DO YOU SAY I AM?"

Matthew 27
v 9 This fulfilled the thirty pieces of silver--the price at which he was valued by the people of Israel, and purchased the potter's field, as the Lord directed.
v 22 Pilate responded, "Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?"
v26 So Pilate released Barabbas to them. He ordered Jesus flogged with a led-tipped whip, then turned him over to the Roman soldiers to crucify.
v35a After they had nailed him to the cross....
v42a "He saved others," they scoffed, "but he can't save himself."
v50 Then Jesus shouted out again, and he released his spirit.
v51 At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.

Matthew 28
v1a Early on Sunday morning (first day of the week) as the new day was dawning...
v2 Suddenly there was an earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it.
v5 Then the angel spoke to the women. "Don't be afraid!" he said "I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified....He is risen from the dead!"
v13 (Jewish Leaders) They told the soldiers, "You must say Jesus' disciples came during the night while we were sleeping and they stole his body."
v18 (in Galilee) Jesus came and told his disciples, "I have been given authority in heaven and on earth.
v19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
v20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

My Take:
1. It is absurd that Jesus, the One whom all things on Earth were created through, was valued at thirty pieces of silver. Lesson: When people try to put a "low price" on you, they did the same thing to Jesus. Ignore them.
2. Jesus was flogged with a led-tip whip. We are told in Isiah: By His stripes, we are healed. Thus fulfilling the prophecy.
3. Jesus was nailed to a cross.
4. He was scoffed at.
5. Jesus released his spirit, and died. He had the ability to give up his life--when he wanted to.
6. Then the curtain that separated the holiness of God from man was torn in two--from top to bottom. Jesus had bridged that separation!!
7. The first day of the week became the Christians sabbath due to the resurrection of Jesus.
8. Drama! An earthquake, a stone getting rolled away, and an angel sitting on top!!
The angel told the women--who were the first to seek to take care of Jesus after the Jewish Sabbath--Jesus has risen!!!
9. Right away, the Jewish Leaders try to dispute the Resurrection.
10. Jesus appeared to his disciples.
11. He told them to go. make disciples. baptize them. teach all he had commanded.
12. Jesus will always be with His followers!
***That leaves only 1 question for you and me. It is the one Jesus asked His disciples a few days earlier: WHO DO YOU SAY I AM?!***