Thursday’s Thirst

Before I say anything else, I have a confession to make.  I am on vacation this week, so this is being written Saturday morning, October 12.  The Tigers lost game four to the Guardians, 4-5 on Thursday and this afternoon is the elimination game.  When you read this you will know the results, as well as what is happening in the ALCS.  However, as I write this, I know neither.

Way back when July had just turned into August, while the days were still long and the nights warm, most people felt secure predicting that the Tigers’ season would end on September 29.  Then the Tigers got hot, and the end was delayed.  Then they stayed hot and swept the Astros.  On Monday Skubal made sure we would play at least two more games in Detroit before “the end,” and there still is hope that their season will continue through the last week of October.  However, at this time, “concerning that day and hour no one knows.” (Matthew 24.36)

During the regular season (yes, I am talking MLB and the Tigers) it became my regular habit during the last two months to turn on Bally sports around 7:00 a.m. to watch the replay of the Tigers game from the day before.  Yes, ordinarily I had already seen the game and knew the results.  And, yes again, I was more likely to watch the replay if the Tigers had won the game.  This is a little more difficult in the postseason because I would have to actually record the game (and I’m just too lazy to do that).  Though I must admit, Tuesday morning after staying awake until 11:30 p.m. to watch the end of the Lions’ game, I did enjoy watching a replay of that game.

I was listening to a podcast the other day previewing the Old Testament lesson that will be read in many congregations this Sunday (but not ones that are celebrating “St. Michael and All Angels”).  It is a story all about anger and complaining – if you look at it from one perspective.  Or, from a different perspective, it is a story of abundance.  As I listened, I was amazed (once again) at how one’s perspective can completely change one’s story … and I got wondering how often my “Oldtimers Disease” drives me to an unhealthy perspective.

As I started reading the book I was not impressed.  It was obvious to me that the authors either knew nothing about or totally disagreed with the concept of original sin and human limitations.  They seemed to be pushing the concept that “you can do anything you put your mind to as long as you try hard enough.”  And I hope you realize this simply is not true.  However, I read on – hoping that such a popular book with monster reviews would have some value.  And I am glad I did – even though I am still not sure that they understand the challenges and limitations that all humans have because we are, by nature, sinful and finite creatures.

I regularly had days like Tuesday before I was retired, but I thought they were all in my past.  That said, in reality, the ways in which I was stretched on this past Tuesday do not really compare to many pre-retirement days.  So, I should probably just say that, as one who has celebrated 71 birthdays, I was stretched.

We hear a lot about mental disorders like bi-polar, depression, and the like, and well we should.  The mental state of many in our world today – and especially it seems, among the young of our country, tracks in many wide directions.  Take, as an example, what was going on in the mind of that 20-year-old who shot up the Trump rally?

As I re-read some recent Thursday’s Thirsts, I noticed how many times I used the word hopefully. This can be a somewhat dangerous word, so I thought I might use this week to discuss the word’s usage. Hopefully – there it is again – you will find this worth your consideration.

I’m on vacation, so this is a re-write from – believe it or not – ten years ago.  And, since it is being sent out a day earlier than usual – and at the suggestion of a neighbor – it comes under an altered heading.  Afterall, if you are at all like me, I don’t just get thirsty on Thursdays!  So, enjoy and be blessed (hopefully).

Do you remember Pete Seeger, the American singer-songwriter from the 1950’s? Have you ever heard his song, “Where Have All the Flowers Gone”? I remember it mostly from Peter, Paul and Mary. The refrain at the end of each verse sang, “Oh, when will we ever learn? Oh, when will we ever learn?”