While we wait for Monday's resumption of our blog (Iranians not associated with Muslim authorities) let's turn to harmless baseball for a change,

Last Saturday night the Tampa Bay Rays beat the New York Yankees. Play resumed on Monday night, when the Rays won again. Then in New York for game 3, the Rays squeezed out a 4-3 victory, winning the series. I was sleeping, not in Seattle, but Hudson, Florida. Today I saw the report on a possible home run by the Yanks in the sixth inning, a possible catch by the leaping outfielder, and a fan who stole the game by trying or actually catching the ball. They cancelled the homer, and sent the batter to 2nd base. He never scored.

That series was so common for these two teams. The Rays took the lead in July and never gave it up. If they won, so did the Yanks. If they lost, so did New York. 

Who will the Rays play next? Tonight the Chicago White Sox, with a 2-1 lead, plays the Cleveland Guardians (don't insult the real indians!) This is rare territory for both teams. When I was a kid, the Indians were our favorites, and we drove maybe 60 miles up to see them play once a year. 

I'm not the baseball fan of old, but it would be neat to see my new team play my old team. Forgive me if you are Yankee minded. But they disappointed me so many years I can't forgive. Now...where is the off button?  

See, I'm getting better control of my fingers. Still making progress. 

        Jimmy

My friends and readers of our blog

     I didn't feel good Sunday. On Monday things began to happen. I got the shakes and couldn't do anything. Mrs. Donut did for me countless times what I would do myself. 

     We went to the hospital where the emergency staff tested everything. At last, the problem. I had colitis in my colon. Interesting how a problem in one place can cause the body to have a fit. 

     We returned home with some papers. I fell into bed about 8 pm and slept all night. Meanwhile, I also had another problem. Will all my readers leave. I checked on you tonight and you were still there...at least your names were still there. I have more doctor visits ahead, and I'm taking two pills a day. My hope is to return to blogging next Monday. There were times on Monday when I wasn't sure I would make it.

     So, why don't we return to blogging now? If you knew how many times I had to correct shaky words before I could send this to you... 

     Jimmy                                               Tuesday night           

Sharing the Love of Christ in Iran  

Sounds like an impossibility.

This the blog we intended to run Monday.  

Yours truly has been under the weather. 

We hope to be well enough Monday morning to give you the details. 

 The Life That Wins 

     "Christianity was never meant to make people miserable. The Bible teaches that inward rest and outward victory is our birthright. For many people the Christian life is not entirely joyous. Paul said, In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us" - Romans 8:37. 

     "We can as children attend Sunday School and church, and as young adults find that victories are few and defeats are many. We may not experience the power of the truth we claim. He may have saved us from the penalty of sin, but we have yet to let Him save us from its control." 

     "We may not reveal to unbelievers (with or without conversation) that Christ our Lord is the way, the life and the truth. The early church was filled with the Holy Spirit. Without Bibles, church buildings, automobiles, planes, trains, phones, TV or radio, Christians turned their world upside down for their Lord. Spiritual revolution shook the Roman Empire." 

     "They were vigorous. They lived their lives daily for the glory of God. Not all is/was happy. They gladly suffered persecution and even death for their faith in Jesus Christ. That is happening in our world today and will until Jesus returns."

     The late Billy Graham wrote most of the above. He added, "If we are to rise to the level of vitality God desires, it will be done by churches and individuals who have yielded their lives completely and fully to Christ."  

PS. Recently I read or skimmed a book of 365 hymns and commentaries. Many writers in the 1800s were fixed on leaving this world and going where Jesus is. Or, that He comes here...quickly. They didn't have the "toys" we enjoy today. 

Monday: The Love of Christ in Iran 

Listen to the Silence 

     Peter wrote, "As He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct." What does it mean to be holy? A blog for Christians, including myself. 

Janie B. Cheaney 

     "The root meaning is to be set apart; different; called away from our former ignorance. Not set apart from the Lord, or family and friends, or strangers. A pastor asked, 'How present are we if we're staring at our phones much of the time? The internet can be handy, while the mind wanders into trivialities minute by minute.'" 

     "Holiness takes work. Peter talks about preparing minds for action." Mrs. Cheaney writes about how we waste time, like looking at Instagram reels but can't remember anything five seconds later. "Other ways to use time may be taking walks with the kids, call friends to meet us at the park. Having people over to playboard games or just hang out." 

     Cheaney concludes, "Some church members say they're sleeping better, or reading more, or walking unplugged. God willing, we're paying more attention to the beauties and the duties that surround us. And God willing, we'll learn to listen to the silence, because that's where His still small voice is heard."

So that's how we become more holy?

Russia - Not Normal 

     In our conclusion to Russia's problems, their economy has suffered. There is widespread damage and closure among Russian businesses. They cannot no longer complete basic functions like digital payments or online advertising. A news outlet estimated losses between $7 million and $12 million per day, just for businesses in Moscow. 

     According to a Reuters news report, foreign diplomats in Moscow wonder if the internet crackdown may be preparation for the eventual return of hundreds of thousands of Russian troops now in Ukraine. In 1989, following the end of the Soviet war in Afghanistan, returning soldiers caused major social upheaval across the Soviet Union, which disintegrated in 1991.* 

     Putin, a young KGB officer at the time, remembered the Soviet Union's collapse as the "greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the (20th) century." * The Russian president no doubt wants to avoid a new disaster on his watch.

     "Even those who support the regime understand this isn't normal," said a Russian woman. "But they're so intimidated, they're afraid to express themselves, their emotions - even by telephone."   

* In 1991, we moved to South Carolina to work in communications at what locals called the "bomb plant." All five nuclear reactors had been shut down. Russia's reluctance to end the cold war caused our side to reload one of the reactors...in September. It was an exciting time for me, just an office worker - no experience with nukes. Then Russia backed down, and the cold war ended. 

* Guess Putin didn't know about WW1 and WW2   😕

 Trouble For Russians 

     After a crackdown on the internet, Russia has complicated living for its people, even those well beyond the borders. We remember the days of nuclear faceoff, but this is a bit crazy. A woman withholding her last name said, the overall situation is "simply horrible." She can't enjoy video chats with her relatives. "Russia is returning to the Middle Ages." 

     In March, Russians had slower - or dead - connections on popular messaging and social media apps. The impact has provoked unusual public criticism. A popular Russian posted an 18-minute video complaint addressed to President Vladimir Putin. The post racked up more than 30 million views worldwide. In July, a government polling group reported a 5-percentage drop in Russians' approval of Putin, to 66%.  

     Respondents cited continuing internet blackouts, and a war-related fuel shortage as key concerns. Internet limits have added to Russia's everyday difficulties, as price inflation and higher taxes - both a result of the war - further erode standards of living. The Kremlin and Russia's telecommunications regulator have tied the slow down to the war against Ukraine. 

     Kyiv answers with sophisticated methods for attacks. Russia needs protection measures, as Ukraine sends drones to military targets, especially to its oil storage and export facilities. Oil sales help fund Russia's war. 

     For average Russians, who depend on their phones to pay bills, text or call contacts, or otherwise function in a modern society, the limited means of communication have disrupted life completely. Some reports claim the blackouts have already cost lives, since slow or no internet can hinder calls for urgent medical care. 

Conclusion tomorrow