Brothers in Christ

[Beysbol]

I really love this post as I am a Christian and will always believe in Jesus. 
Many players are Christians in this wonderful sport.

[Ohfan67]

52 minutes ago, Babkins said:

I did watch Ted Lasso, and I enjoyed it a lot, but if there was any reference to The Natural, I have long forgotten it. I've held my opinion of the film ever since I first read the book, which was probably in 2006 or 2007. I loved the film as a child, but once I read the book, I just felt that I'd been lied to.

 

The "review" language you used in your post reminded me of this scene!  Fun stuff. The book felt like the lie to me!

 

[Billy F-Face3]

9 hours ago, baltfan said:

I know it can’t work every time, but did you pray for Holliday last night?  

The answer to your question is found earlier in this thread...

16 hours ago, Billy F-Face3 said:

And for the record, I did not pray for Jackson today either. My mind has been on other personal issues.

 

[Frobby]

4 hours ago, Babkins said:

Counterpoint: The book is a complicated, layered, richly allegorical work of literature, whereas the film is a beautifully shot, revisionist, dumbed-down piece of Hollywood schlock. I'll die on this hill.

I read the book years before I saw the movie.  I thought both were great.  Obviously the ending was 180 degrees different, but that’s okay with me.  It was beautifully executed.   If I’m flipping channels and come across The Natural, I will watch that movie to the end and get goosebumps even though I know what’s coming.   

I do think it’s better to read the book before seeing the movie, rather than vice versa.  But that’s usually the case.  
 

[Bemorewins]

26 minutes ago, Billy F-Face3 said:

The answer to your question is found earlier in this thread...

 

So what happens if you pray for one outcome that is positive for the O’s and another fan prays for an outcome that is positive for the opposition?

[DrungoHazewood]

4 minutes ago, Bemorewins said:

So what happens if you pray for one outcome that is positive for the O’s and another fan prays for an outcome that is positive for the opposition?

I'm somewhat skeptical that God is up there counting prayers and making the team with the most win. Otherwise the Yanks, who almost certainly have the most fans and by extension the most (insert your favorite religion here) fans, would never lose.

[Billy F-Face3]

4 hours ago, Fiver6565 said:

It’s absolutely coincidental. It’s not Jesus, it’s superior talent. Have you tried praying for Ramon Urias or Jorge Mateo?  They need Jesus’ help more than Gunnar or Grayson I’d say. 

You can believe what you want, and that's the beauty of having free will and living in a free country. As for my experience, I have literally hundreds more examples. Off the top of my head to name a few, Damar Hamlin is alive and healthy playing football again, Kevin Everett is walking around after taking a injury that could have parallelized him, my own father was out of shock trauma in 14 days and he is still alive even after having his skull crushed in by a tow truck hook that whipped lashed off a lamp post to crush him in the back of his head.  He was home and out of the rehab hospital in 1 month and recovered after the entire Church prayed for him. And then in sports there's Joe Gibbs and the Monday Night Miracle and the 1992 Braves comeback win against the Pirates. There's examples of my days playing Fantasy Football when I was up against my buddy and needed 4 TDs to win, and Jamal Lewis scores 4 TDs just in time on Monday Night Football.

I do believe in the Scientific Method, which is defined as:

scientific method

 

noun

1. The principles and empirical processes of discovery and demonstration considered characteristic of or necessary for scientific investigation, generally involving the observation of phenomena, the formulation of a hypothesis concerning the phenomena, experimentation to demonstrate the truth or falseness of the hypothesis, and a conclusion that validates or modifies the hypothesis.
2. A method of discovering knowledge about the natural world based in making falsifiable predictions (hypotheses), testing them empirically, & developing theories that match known data from repeatable physical experimentation.
3. A method of investigation involving observation and theory to test scientific hypotheses

 

At some point when I have hundreds of life experiences and examples, it would be foolish to ignore large samples of data.

With that being said, GOD is not a metaphorical Genie in the sky and it doesn't work that way. Sin and disbelief separates man from GOD, so that must be addressed first. I know that I'm no Saint either. I mean, my account here is evidence of that. But one condition I had when I saw some of these answered prayers was that I wouldn't be a coward or deny it/just keep quiet if they happened, so here we are.  I don't go out of my way to talk about these things, but if they happened to come up, like this situation where Jackson Holiday responded when the reporter asked about it, then I'll reply and I won't deny.

Often times, while some of these experiences might have used sports, the truth is that they were not about sports. That remark requires a much more widened/broadened view of life to consider what I really mean by that. But this is the internet so I'll leave it at that.

[elextrano8]

Just now, DrungoHazewood said:

I'm somewhat skeptical that God is up there counting prayers and making the team with the most win. Otherwise the Yanks, who almost certainly have the most fans and by extension the most (insert your favorite religion here) fans, would never lose.

They probably also have the most praying for them to lose, too

[DrungoHazewood]

5 hours ago, Babkins said:

Counterpoint: The book is a complicated, layered, richly allegorical work of literature, whereas the film is a beautifully shot, revisionist, dumbed-down piece of Hollywood schlock. I'll die on this hill.

I don't know if Malamud was brilliant, I thought the main point of the book was no matter what you do it'll all work out poorly in the end.

But I did enjoy both the book and the movie in completely different ways. And someone needs to remake the movie staying true to the book and just being relentlessly dark and depressing.

[Billy F-Face3]

8 minutes ago, Bemorewins said:

So what happens if you pray for one outcome that is positive for the O’s and another fan prays for an outcome that is positive for the opposition?

All I know is GOD is not a genie, and like I said in my other post, I theorize that what results often isn't really about sports, but about what has or is going to happen in the life of the individuals. Often times it's a test of faith.

Overall though, this is a very good question. Any sensible person is right to ask it.

[Gurgi]

43 minutes ago, Frobby said:

I read the book years before I saw the movie.  I thought both were great.  Obviously the ending was 180 degrees different, but that’s okay with me.  It was beautifully executed.   If I’m flipping channels and come across The Natural, I will watch that movie to the end and get goosebumps even though I know what’s coming.   

I do think it’s better to read the book before seeing the movie, rather than vice versa.  But that’s usually the case.  
 

The Natural is a masterpiece.  The Producers got the rights and decided to make their own story.  And they did a wonderful job.  But you are right it is totally different.  The movie is a perfect display of the Heroes journey.   The movie wanted to show the importance of being honest doing the right thing.  The book is a subversive tale.....but well done. 

[Ohfan67]

34 minutes ago, Gurgi said:

The Natural is a masterpiece.  The Producers got the rights and decided to make their own story.  And they did a wonderful job.  But you are right it is totally different.  The movie is a perfect display of the Heroes journey.   The movie wanted to show the importance of being honest doing the right thing.  The book is a subversive tale.....but well done. 

Well dang. I may have to reread the book after all of these posts. 

[Bemorewins]

55 minutes ago, Billy F-Face3 said:

You can believe what you want, and that's the beauty of having free will and living in a free country. As for my experience, I have literally hundreds more examples. Off the top of my head to name a few, Damar Hamlin is alive and healthy playing football again, Kevin Everett is walking around after taking a injury that could have parallelized him, my own father was out of shock trauma in 14 days and he is still alive even after having his skull crushed in by a tow truck hook that whipped lashed off a lamp post to crush him in the back of his head.  He was home and out of the rehab hospital in 1 month and recovered after the entire Church prayed for him. And then in sports there's Joe Gibbs and the Monday Night Miracle and the 1992 Braves comeback win against the Pirates. There's examples of my days playing Fantasy Football when I was up against my buddy and needed 4 TDs to win, and Jamal Lewis scores 4 TDs just in time on Monday Night Football.

I do believe in the Scientific Method, which is defined as:

scientific method

 

noun

1. The principles and empirical processes of discovery and demonstration considered characteristic of or necessary for scientific investigation, generally involving the observation of phenomena, the formulation of a hypothesis concerning the phenomena, experimentation to demonstrate the truth or falseness of the hypothesis, and a conclusion that validates or modifies the hypothesis.
2. A method of discovering knowledge about the natural world based in making falsifiable predictions (hypotheses), testing them empirically, & developing theories that match known data from repeatable physical experimentation.
3. A method of investigation involving observation and theory to test scientific hypotheses

 

At some point when I have hundreds of life experiences and examples, it would be foolish to ignore large samples of data.

With that being said, GOD is not a metaphorical Genie in the sky and it doesn't work that way. Sin and disbelief separates man from GOD, so that must be addressed first. I know that I'm no Saint either. I mean, my account here is evidence of that. But one condition I had when I saw some of these answered prayers was that I wouldn't be a coward or deny it/just keep quiet if they happened, so here we are.  I don't go out of my way to talk about these things, but if they happened to come up, like this situation where Jackson Holiday responded when the reporter asked about it, then I'll reply and I won't deny.

Often times, while some of these experiences might have used sports, the truth is that they were not about sports. That remark requires a much more widened/broadened view of life to consider what I really mean by that. But this is the internet so I'll leave it at that.

Dude, this is the thing about anonymity on an internet message board, you really don’t know who you are talking to. I am far more versed in theology than I could ever explain in a post. But trust me on this, I have the real life credentials to discuss it in great depth.

While I have a great appreciation for those who are faith-based in their worldview/belief system. I don’t know of any sacred text of any of the major world religions that teaches that God is interested and/or invested in entertainment/sports. God has more cosmic things to be concerned about.

I’m certain that God loves you, I, every poster on this message board, Gunnar, Grayson, Mullins, Hays, Ohtani, Aaron Judge, and every other human being equally.

[Ohfan67]

There's only one true baseball god. 

[Satyr3206]

As a man of Faith I can find no fault in anyone's beliefs. The Lord works in His own ways and in His own time. I do remember years ago Ted Koppel said living your life according to the Ten Commandments was a good thing. I still think that is a good way to live.