Thoughts From Romans 8 - Part 7

   What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long;
    we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

                    I was just listening to a news podcast, and they said that 47% of Gen Z are getting a prenuptial agreement drawn up before marriage, a record high. I think prenuptial agreements are wrong in the fact that you should, and I did, go into marriage with a divorce is not an option mentality. If you build an escape clause into it, it shows that no matter how committed you say you are to that person, there is always the exit strategy in place.

           Marriage is a picture of salvation in the Bible. We believers are called the bride of Christ and He is coming back for His bride. Jesus said that no one can snatch us out of His hand. Once we are married to Him, there is no divorce. Paul says in Romans 8 that He will never lose His love for us. You hear people say things like "we fell out of love" or "we no longer love each other". That is something you will never hear Jesus say. There is nothing that could make Him love us less.

        When I "asked Jesus into my heart", there was no pre-nup. There was no exit strategy, there was no safety net, there was no "Plan B'. I jumped in headfirst and He did, too. As John Daly once said in regard to his alcoholism, "Quitters are losers and I'm no loser." I'm not a quitter and neither is He and our marriage keeps getting better and stronger with that level of commitment. Nothing can separate me from the love of Christ!

Thoughts From Romans 8 - Part 6

29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 

      When I think of predestination, I align with "corporate election" as described by the website "gotquestions" below

         " Corporate election is the idea that, when God elected or predestined people to be saved, He did not pick out individual people; rather, God chose Christ. Since Christ is the chosen one, all who come to Christ in faith are part of the chosen group. This view is sometimes called 'class election' or expressed as God’s predestinating 'the way of salvation.' In other words, 'God chose the plan, not the man.' He chose the corporate entity in which salvation can take place (“in Christ”), but He did not choose the individuals who would be saved. A person only becomes part of the elect when he or she exercises faith in Christ. People are 'chosen' when they choose to join the group that God had chosen.

Corporate election is sometimes illustrated in this fashion: a university’s dean of students determines, prior to the start of the semester, that the Alpha Epsilon Mu sorority will be invited to a special dinner with the university president. All the co-eds in AEM can rightly say, 'We were chosen to attend the dinner'—even those who only joined the sorority a week previous to the event. The dean did not choose the co-eds individually, but corporately; however, each of them can claim to have been chosen, by virtue of her membership in the sorority."

      However, even if it is individual election, which seems wrong to me, God can do whatever He wants to do because He is God and I trust Him. But when we speak of predestination, we always think in terms of God picking people to save or go to Heaven. Do we ever think of it as picking people to be conformed to the image of Jesus? God chose us so we can look like Jesus! How are we doing at that? When people look at me, what do they see?

      I've said it before, I'll say it again; predestination is one of those doctrines that is hard to understand, and I don't understand everything in the Bible. But it's not what I don't understand about the Bible that concerns me, it's what I do understand. I may not understand election, but I do understand being conformed to the image of Christ and it bothers me that I'm not.

         They say older couples start looking more and more like each other after they've been married a number of years. I've been married to Jesus for 65 years now. I hope I'm looking like Him more every year!

Thoughts From Romans 8 - Part 5

 whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[i] have been called according to his purpose. Rom.8:22-28

    A whole lot of groaning going on, here. Creation is groaning because it’s shifting, shaking, cracking,eroding, and kudzu and poison oak is overtaking it. Since we are animating creation in this way, we can also imagine it’s mind saying,” hang in there; it will soon be over and we will be back to our pre-sin, garden of Eden form.”

    Also, we who are believers groan because the suffering we are going through, we know intuitively that we aren’t meant for this but if we can just hang in there it will all be better like it was in the garden of Eden before sin. It’s interesting the reference to childbirth and labor because we know before sin that this process was done without suffering.

    Lastly the Spirit is said to be groaning prayers on our behalf to the Father. Why groans and what kind of prayers. The Spirit must be groaning in the same way Jesus groaned coming down from the mountain of transfiguration where he met with the Father, Moses, and Elijahand then experienced the total lack of faith of his followers. He groaned, “How long shall I stay here and put up with you?” The Spirit is inhabiting sinful bodies who are praying for earthly things and He must be groaning,”What you just prayed for isn’t going to work out for your good. Father, here is what they really need.” Imagine if God had given you everything you asked for, how messed up you would be, The Spirit knows what you need and intercedes accordingly.

     I groan a lot at the age of 70 but unfortunately my Godly groaning is far surpassed by my aches and pains groaning. May I long much for for a new heavenly body and to be free from this cursed world.

Thoughts From Romans 8 - Part 4

  For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Rom.8:19-22

         Imagine being a Dodgers or Yankees or Alabama football fan. You would be use to winning. Being a Badger and Brewer fan, I can only dream of a championship. My contention is that when and if it happens, the joyous celebration that will be had by the fans will make the celebrations had in LA, NY, and Tuscaloosa look like Lutheran confirmation parties. We have a hope far more intense than any hope ever experienced by perennial winners because ours is based on suffering.

       I recently listened to an open air question and answer period where skeptics asked Christian panelists questions. One of the questions intrigued me and wasn’t answered well at all. Whereas the usual question is if God is all powerful and loving, why do people suffer, this person went beyond this and asked, “ If God is all knowing and all powerful, he would have known people would disobey Him so why didn’t He create a fallen world that didn’t include suffering of the innocent?” This question doesn’t impugn God’s omnipotence like the first one but rather questions His goodness. I wonder if the answer has to do with hope. If we didn’t have suffering, would we even hope for Heaven? Phillip Yancy in his book the Problem of Pain wrote that pain is a megaphone screaming that there is a better place coming. The earth is not our final destination.

         Cancer, earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, birth defects, miscarriages all point to the fact that something is really broken down here. As we groan, let’s not lose hope but rather let it supercharge our hope for a new heaven and a new earth.

Thoughts From Romans 8 - Part 3

  Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.    Rom. 8:17-18

          Statistics are coming out that over 7000 Christians have been killed by fundamental Muslims in Nigeria the first 8 months of this year. Charlie Kirk was recently killed for his Christian views on morality. Paul says in these verses in Romans that as children of God, we are heirs. We like to think of all the good things we will get as heirs. When my Dad died, I got some silver and gold that he had saved up worth $8000 and his fishing tackle box which I use to this day. I also got a broken riding mower, 2 broken chain saws, a 22 rifle (I don't hunt), and a stamp collection. Have you ever tried to cash out a stamp collection? No one wants them! It's a thing of the past.

           What Paul is saying is that along with the good things we get as heirs, we are going to get bad things, too. The world will hate us because it hated him. We inherit the opposition of Satan because he is opposed to Jesus. We are going to suffer because Jesus suffered and unfortunately that is part of our inheritance. But the good thing is that compared to what we are going to get when the suffering is over, it's well worth it.

            When I was in medical school an offer came that anyone who wanted to donate bone marrow would get paid $50. That was an incredible amount of money to me back in 1977. What I didn't realize was the amount of pain I would endure for that $50. However, when it was all over and I was holding that check, it was well worth it. Compare that to the glory of Heaven waiting for us and my illustration pales in comparison. We are big Survivor fans, it is now season 49, and there is never a shortage of people who will endure bugs, snakes, sharks, starvation, dehydration, extreme heat and cold, typhoons, constipation and pooping in the ocean, no showers or hygiene for 30 days for the chance to win $1,000,000 (1 in 18) but more than likely more than their expected 15 seconds of fame. Temporary suffering is well worth it to them.

        Medical missions are getting harder and harder for me at 70. The travel, the heat, the mental stress and physical stress of seeing 60-100 patients a day takes its toll. I look for reasons, frankly to not go. But then I'm reminded of the fruit that's borne and I rethink suffering. 

         Is temporary suffering something that you are willing to endure for the glory to be revealed? If not, you and I aren't focused on the prize, or we are seriously underestimating the value of that prize. It's going to be well worth it so don't shy away from suffering.

Thoughts From Romans 8 Part 2

  10 But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children,   Romans 8:10-16

          Were you ever put in positions in life that caused you great anxiety? I'm sure you have unless I'm reading too much of me into you. I moved a lot so every few years I was starting fresh in a school where I had no friends. That causes anxiety! But the worst situation was starting medical school. I was always at the top of my class and suddenly I was in a class where everyone was at the top of their class. Not only that, but many had spent prior years in the medical field like nurses, PA's, Nurse practitioners, EMT's and they already knew medicine. I didn't know the difference between an intern and internist. (if you don't either, well there is a huge difference as I embarrassingly found out) I had imposter syndrome long before anyone even knew what that was. Frankly I feared failing, being inadequate, and second guessing my choice to go to medical school. People ask me why I didn't become a sports doctor as much as I like sports. The truth is we had a sports doctor give a lecture and he was putting his hand in weird positions and saying, "A patient comes in with their hand looking like this. What nerve is injured?" Classmates were yelling out correct answers and I couldn't hazard a guess. I said to myself, "I guess I'm not smart enough to go into that field", which is ironic because there are insider jokes about Orthopods are the dumb doctors and just like to saw and hammer things.

          Now what if my father would have been dean of the school? Would I have feared failing? Would I have feared being kicked out? No! Why? Because my father would have been committed to me succeeding. He probably would have had the lecturer over for dinner and given me a private tutorial. I would have thought, "you guys know a lot, but my daddy is in charge of this school." I would have had the most powerful advocate on my side who was committed to me succeeding and one who I could take all my shortcomings to, and he would understand and ease my anxiety and fears and help me in my times of need. But I didn't.

         But I do have this advocate in life. My daddy is king of the universe. What do I need to fear? I can go to Him anytime because He is committed to my making it to the end. He is for me. I can cast all my cares, fears, anxieties, short-comings, inadequacies on Him because He cares for me and He actually has the power to help me. I can actually go through life and not fear what the world fears because I know the creator of the whole world and He loves me so much that He died for me. Man, life is great!

Milwaukee Brewers Top Prospects 2026

       Every year I look through the stats of players in our farm system and compile my list of top prospects. I don't use advanced analytics and I don't use fielding stats, just your basic old timey stats. I like to find 25, a complete roster but seldom do I find that many that meet my rigid standards. We are said to have one of the top minor league systems which reflects good drafting, after years of poor drafting, and the unwillingness of Matt Arnold to give any of them up for a temporary asset to help us in post season. So let's look at these guys that kept us from getting a stud closer for the playoffs.

Pitchers 

     SP   - Dorchies  18 y/o RH  Low A  ERA 2.74   82IP  89K  Avg .174  WHIP 1.05

              Dubanewicz  19 y/o  RH  Low A  ERA 2.40   Avg .235  WHIP 1.12

              Colmenarez  19 y/o RH  DSL   ERA 2.14   Avg .167   WHIP .90

              Mayorquin  17 y/o RH  DSL   ERA  2.45  IP 47 BB 7 K 49  WHIP 1.07

              Duran  17 y/o RH  DSL  ERA 2.77  Avg .136  WHIP 1.08

              Gillis 25 y/o RH  High A  ERA  2.65  Avg .243  WHIP 1.16

              M. Hernandez 19 y/o RH Low A  ERA 2.00  Avg .217  WHIP .99

              Renz 18 y/o RH  Low A  ERA 2.33  Avg .174  WHIP 1.14

              Letson 21 y/o RH AA  ERA  2.40  IP  41  K 49  Avg .214  WHIP 1.04

              Hardin 23 y/o AA  ERA 2.72  IP 96  K 96  Avg .262  WHIP 1.18

              Kuhner 24 y/o LH  AAA   ERA 2.77  IP 110  K 117  Avg .233  WHIP 1.18

             * Didn't include Miz or Henderson because I consider them MLB already

     RP        

              Derlin Garcia   18 y/o RH  DSL  ERA 1.86  Avg .182  WHIP .93

              Yaeger 27 y/o RH  AAA  ERA  2.04  Avg .178  WHIP 1.05

              Yoho  25 y/o RH  AAA   ERA 0.94  IP 47  K 60  Avg .164  WHIP  .99

     Catcher

             Lugo 18 y/o RH  DSL  .303/.405/.393/.798

             Dinges 22 y/o RH  High A  .300/.416/.514/.930  HR 13

     Inf

           2B J. Martinez 18 y/o DSL Switch  .321/.445/.532/.977  BB 30 K 22 SB 24 CS 1

           SS Adamczewski 20 y/o High A  LH  .320/.420/.490/.910

           SS  Pena  18 y/o High A  RH  .307/.372/.471/.843 (career #'s)

           SS Made 18 y/o AA  Switch  .298/.402/.452/.854 (career #'s)

           1B  Burke 22 y/o AA LH   .300/.377/.579/.956  HR 16  RBI 82

    OF   

        Frias 17 y/o  LH  DSL  .316/.411/.400/.811

        Ibarquen  19 y/o RH  Low A .290/.408/.407/.815

        Ragsdale 21 y/o LH Low A .300/.437/.314/.751

        Cameron  28 y/o RH AAA  .282/.378/.576/.954

     

 So there you have it. Big disappointments this year Pratt who had the opportunity to take the leap but just didn't seize it. Expect Boeve to have a rebound season after injury plagued season. Quero ready to make leap but he is no Contreras at the plate. Yoho gets the yips when he gets called up. Yeager deserves a shot. Made moved up well but Pena didn't. Interested to see if Burke has to spend a year at AAA. Cameron couldn't cut it in majors although really didn't get regular playing time. Deserves another shot.