Snatching Defeat from the Jaws of Victory

And so, flipping channels from the Olympics there's a football game on Fox, and who's playing but the Raiders. Okay, it's pre-season and, quite frankly, August way too early for the NFL to be on national TV. But it's the Raiders and, while Al Davis is way past his prime, something got into my blood when it was Daryle Lamonica to Fred Biletnikoff, George Blanda kicking field goals, and the American Football League. And the Raiders are winning and there's only 26 seconds left on the clock.

Sure enough, time enough for the Titans' QB to find a wide open receiver, followed by a field goal as the clock runs out. 17-16 Tennessee.

Nuts!

Wait 'til next year!

Oh my, what an ugly way to end what had been a wonderful season. Yes, I listened to the whole thing on XM radio with the hometown announcers. Boston 9, Los Angeles Angels 1.

After the Cubs lose to the Diamondbacks, ending their season. (Theological content here on TitusOneNine. And Canon Harmon lives in South Carolina!)

The worst Notre Dame football team in anybody's memory beats UCLA, 20-6. Ugh!

Out of the depths I cry to you:
O Father, hear me calling.
Incline you ear to my distress
In spite of my rebelling.
Do not regard myh sinful deeds.
Send me the grace my spirit needs;
Without it I am nothing.
      (stanza 1, Out of the Depths I Cry to You,
      Martin Luther, tr. Gracia Grindal,
      paraphrase of Psalm 130, LBW hymn #295)

But then there's this: the 41-point underdog Stanford Indians, er, Cardinal upset the USC Brain Surgeons: 24-23!!

Alleluia!!!

My soul is waiting for the Lord
As one who longs for morning;
No watcher waits with greater hope
Than I for his returning.
I hope as Israel in the Lord;
He sends redemption through his Word.
We praise him for his mercy.
      (stanza 4)

Wait 'til next year!