Sermon Notes

Stephen Bonham JFBC

Romans 6:1-14, a blend of position and practice. Don't let what's already been paid for go to waste.

Know your position, rely on Gods power, and take your part seriously. We are surrounded by sin. Today people don't even believe in the concept of sin.

Jerry Bridges book Respectable Sins. So often we think about the sins of others, but not our own.

It's not that we should aim to live a sinless life. This is more of a call to take sin seriously.

1. as you sin, grace will abound. My position in Christ is one who has died, been buried, and now living a new life, justified, as part of the body of Christ.

v 3-4 we can be buried in baptism. At JF we talk about baptism a lot. Should this not be talked about a lot in a Baptist church? We emphasize baptism because it is a result of our position in Christ: dead to our former life, now living a new life in Christ.

Already 20 will be baptized on Easter Sunday. JFBC senior pastor Clay Smith was in attendance but did not preach.

Many don't like to watch scary movies. Vampires are dead but come back to life. Living in sin means we are constantly dying over and over again each time we sin. v 9-10 Being in Christ means never having to die again.

v 6-7 we old self is crucified with Christ, so our position is living a new life in Christ.

2. God's Spirit gives us the power to say no to sin - one of the all-inclusive benefits of living in Christ.

Romans 8:13-14 all who are being led by the Spirit of God...who is like an usher that shows you where your seat is. How reassuring to be led by the Spirit.

Things we can do: use unhurried time to spend time with God. Logan prays Lord, broaden my shoulders to withstand what's coming my way.

3. As I participate with God, my part matters. When I die I will become glorified, receiving our new heavenly body. Until then God sanctifies us, growing closer to God each day. He who became a good work in Christ will perfect it.

We play our part. Jesus is the main character. We seek to shine glory on him, by confessing our sins, being accountable, erecting guardrails against sin, seeking help when needed. God is concerned about our hearts. We need to do our part.

v 12-13 sin is not to reign in our bodies. Be mindful of how I spend my time. We talk about sin a lot. Jesus has something better for us.

25 in Sunday School.

What a Day of Rejoicing That Will Be

My job is like Newman’s – it never stops. It just keeps coming and coming. Why they call me the Assassin - they’re worried that I’ll come in and shoot up the place (for the record, I don’t own a gun). And then the SIOP requests get rejected, and…

I have been wondering about what my routine will be once I retire, should that day ever come. I want to sleep later into the morning, like until 7 or 8 instead of waking up at 530 am. I want to work out for an hour at the gym, and then get in the sauna for 30 minutes. Wondering if I want to walk / run to the gym. Not sure. I’ll want to have computer time, work on selling my bobbleheads and sneakers a little each day, and work on other projects around the house.

Not sure if my boss will want me to stay on as a “consultant” for 10-20 hours per week after retirement, like a few other retirees have done. The money will would be nice, but it would cut in to all the other things I’d like to do. Might be fun to try working at Truist Park, but working 70-75 nights might turn into a chore. We’ll see. Also sign up for mission trips. I’d like to go on a mission trip to NYC and Alaska, and maybe other spots in the US. Would be good to go see friends in India and Pakistan and Spain.

Play golf 2 or 3 times a week. I hate driving downtown during the week. Traffic bad even super early with all the dang high achievers speeding downtown at breakneck speed. Its not like they don’t see you up ahead of them, they drive fast until they’re right behind you, and then slam on their brakes and look to change lanes. Why not see the slower car ahead and change lanes earlier? So dumb. So perhaps I will continue to play early on Saturday mornings.

I used to think I’d like to take road trips when I retire, but with all the crazies out there, I’m not a big fan of driving any more. Used to think I’d like to visit other MLB ballparks, but that’s not as much a thing for me. I would like to see a Packers game in Lambeau Field.

For a while I was going to baseball games downtown and in Rome, Chattanooga, Gwinnett, Macon, and Augusta. I’ve pretty much gotten those out of my system. Might be fun to plan some “adventures” from time to time. The old Hot Stove guys will occasionally take trips for games, and it might b fun to tag along with them once or twice. They usually go to Birmingham, and to Thursday day games at Gwinnett and Rome. 

I want to dial back my phone use in retirement, as opposed to increasing it. I see some retired guys who spend all day on social media. I don’t need that to be me. Work on unsubscribing from junk emails. Ceil would want me to drive her places. Would finally have time to better manage out finances and bills and insurance, etc. Take Anna to lunch, and spend more time with Will and Matthew and the grand-girls.

I do want to try and write a book in retirement, about our 1975 state championship season. Would need to spend time talking to teammates and classmates. Would go game by game, plus have info on what they guys have done after high school. Sections on the marching band, plus the seasons before and after 1975. How I came to be a kicker. Memories of classes and teachers. Considering teaming up with noted Macon sportswriter Bill Shanks. He may be too busy to deal with a nobody like me, but it wouldn’t be too much work for him.   

Nothing is written in stone. I learned long ago to be flexible. Would be nice to go to Pawley’s Island more than once a year. And eat pizza, like we did last night.

Golfing Among the Azaleas

Thursday morning I lifted weights at the gym. This morning I drove down to Chandler Park to golf. I’m in the middle of “working out” 29 of 31 days. Should’ve left out earlier, then traffic on the downtown connector was heavier than usual. Didn’t tee off until 720 am. Beautiful sunrise. Hit several good shots.

1. Hit a regular ball off the tee (not a lightup ball). Felt good, but didn’t see where it went. Found it on the left side of the fairway. Good distance. Switched to lightup balls and hit the first of several wormburners. Got a good roll, but my subsequent chips were poor. Lag putts weren’t great. Double.

2. Pulled a 6 iron left. Chip hit a tree. Mulligan to fringe. Double.

3. Pulled two 8 irons left. Great chip up to the green. Three putt for another double.

4. After pulling so many shots left, I decided to concentrate. Hit a great 6 iron straight as an arrow. Good distance for a lightup ball, to the front fringe. Lag putts were just fair. Couldn’t sink a par putt.

5. Since I never hit the ball very far, when I play by myself I usually play from the front tees. On five I hit two great 6 irons past the hole, the mulligan further than the first, which had bounced left to the back right fringe. Poor lag putts. Bogey.

6. Hybrid tailed off right, and was knocked down by a tree branch. Would've carried further. Great 5 iron stayed straight. Hit three great wedges – all bounced off the back of the green. Hit a nice long putt to save a double bogey.

7. Not sure where my mulligan went. Hit a great 5 iron from the fairway, then hit 2 of 3 wedges onto the green (though none were pretty). Bogey.

8. Hit a pretty good drive. Then hit 3 of 4 wedges onto the green. Hit a great long lag putt to inches. “Par”.

9. Hybrid off the tee felt good, but I couldn’t find it. Greenskeeper yielded the green, but I almost hit him anyway. From the left rough I hit a great uphill chip up onto the green, with the greenskeeper watching – and then sank the bogey putt.   

Finished at 825 am. Noticed the azaleas were blooming, though it was a far cry from Augusta National.

Since I arrived late to work, I went out and grabbed a chicken sandwich at Wendys. Free Fry Friday. Shared with coworker Angie - so great will my reward be in heaven, right?

Well we aren’t going to SC this weekend. Found out at 815 last night. C has been on the go, so she cancelled the trip. OK by me. My all day long Zoom calls with guys shadowing me are over, so I’m trying to catch up on odds and ends at work today. It’s been a rough week for me and C, with her stressed from being so busy, and me tied up on those calls all week.

Tuesday the 25th was A&C’s second anniversary. Not sure how they celebrated.

Just learned former UGA QB Buck Belue’s father played baseball for my alma mater in Macon, the Lanier Poets.  The AM 680 sports talk radio station is broadcasting live today from Walkons Sports Bar out in West Cobb.

Denison: VP JD Vance is not a “yes” man. Full article here.

Opening Day

Opening day of the 2025 MLB season. Braves led, but the Padres got to the Braves bullpen, and won 7-4. 161 more to go.

Today was my last all day long Zoom call with Patrick, Bob, and Eric. Explained what I do, as I did it. Sure time consuming tools can be developed that would make my wife easier. I just don't have time to develop them. Too busy feeding the beast that is SAP.

DENNY NEAGLE [B-R Bio] collected his first MLB hit off Pedro Martinez, an inning after Pedro tripled off him, a single in the 5th on 22-May-1994. Martinez had tripled in the 4th. For soliciting & consorting with a prostitute, Neagle was released by the Rockies and his $51,000,000 contract, one of the largest at the time. Neagle was an All Star in 1995 with the Pirates, and in 1997 with the Braves. The 1997 CYA voting had him solidly in he bronze position, behind Pedro and Maddux.

TOMMY BYRNE [SABR Bio] is the only pitcher to walk 13 or more batters more than one. Byrne did it 3 X:  08-Jun-1949; 22-Aug-1951; 28-Aug-1951; In these games, Dom DiMaggio, Gil McDougald, and Don Kolloway walked four times in one game.  each in the games above. NYY'S Byrne hit MLN's Nippy Jones in the foot, prompting the "shoe-shine" HBP in the 10th inning of game 4 in the 1957 WS.

Back to the Burger Bar

Boss took our team to the Norcross Burger Bar for lunch. Very good.

On my call again today from 8 am – 1130 and 100-200 and from 3 pm – 555. I am talked out. Then straight to small group.

Small group tonite. Wait, I already said that.

Busy busy busy.

Luke 19:28-40 the triumphal entry.

28. After Jesus said these things, he went on ahead to Jerusalem. 29. When he drew near to Bethpage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples. 30. Jesus told them “Go into the village and you will find a colt tied up, on which no one has yet to sit. Untie it and bring it here. 31. If anyone asks why, say The Lord has need of it. 32. They went and found the donkey just as Jesus had said. 33. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked Why are you untying the colt? 34. They said the Lord has need of it. 35. They brought the colt to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they sat Jesus on it. 36. As Jesus rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road. 37. As he was drawing near, already on the way down from the Mount of Olives, the multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen. 38. saying “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace be in heaven and glory in the highest! 39. Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him “Teacher, rebuke your disciples”. 40. Jesus answered “I tell you, if they were silent, the very rocks would cry out”.

Luke 19:41-44 Jesus cries over Jerusalem

41. When Jesus drew near and saw the city, he wept over it. 42. saying “Would that you had known on this day the things that make for peace? But now they are hidden from your eyes. 43. For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you, and surround you and hem you in on every side. 44. and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you. They will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know the time of your visitation.

Pitchers who hit more than one career grand slam.

Pitcher / WAR 

Bumgarner 37.2 SFO 11-Apr-2014 off COL Jorge De La Rosa 

                            SFO 13-Jul-2014 off ARI Matt Stites

Byrne 11.0 SLB 18-Sep-1951(1) off WSN Sid Hudson 

                     CHW 15-May-1953 off NYY Ewell Blackwell

Cloninger 5.0 ATL 03-Jul-1966 off SFO Bob Priddy  

                       ATL 03-Jul-1966 off SFO Ray Sadecki

Gibson 89.1 STL 29-Sep-1965 off SFO Gaylord Perry  

                     STL 26-Jul-1973 off NYM John Strohmayer

Neagle 4.24 PIT 27-Jun-1995 off CHC Jim Bullinger     

                     COL 29-Sep-2001 off MIL Jimmy Haynes

Pascual 40.8 WSH 14-Aug-1960 off NYY Bob Turley     

                      MIN 27-Apr-1965 off CLE Stan Williams

Rowe 42.5 PHA 22-Jul-1939(2) off DET Nels Potter   

                  PHI 02-May-1932(2) off BSN Al Javery

Trout 49.9 DET 28-Jul-1949 off WSN Al Gettel           

                  DET 23-Jun-1950 off NYY Tommy Byrne

Wise 36.3 PHI 28-AUG 1971(2) off SFO Don McMahon

                 STL 21-Aug-1973 off ATL Roric Harrison

Worth noting: (1) One each of Byrne’s and Rowe’s were hit when they were pinch-hitting and not pitching in that game. (2) The only HOF on the list hit one of his off an HOF. (3) Byrne both hit one and surrendered one. (4) All but Rowe’s took place after WII. (5) Rowe changed leagues but not cities

Looks at Books

Currently reading the novel "The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club, by Helen Simonson. Set in postwar England. Someone in my reading club read it, I added it to my list, and it finally popped up. Getting better as I go along.

Monday I worked until 6 pm. We went to Moxie Burger for supper, so it was 8 pm before I was able to plop on the couch. Then I had to make some calls about our taxes. Not much rest for the weary.

Up early to lift weights at the gym. Then back on the teams call from 8 am – 245 pm. Hopefully this is helpful. Along the way they are teaching this old dog a few new tricks. 

Supper tonight: grilled chicken, roasted potatoes, and steamed broccoli.

JIMMIE FOXX [SABR Bio] was the first to hit pinch-hit grand slams in both leagues…for PHA in the 7th off DET’s Tommy Bridges on 21-Sep-1931 pinch-hitting for catcher Joe Palmisano. Fourteen years later, for PHI in the 8th off STL’s Ken Burkhart on 18-May-1945 pinch-hitting for pitcher Andy Karl. Foxx led the majors in home runs four times and led his league in strikeouts seven times. Led MLB in HR 1932 (58); 1933 (48); 1935 (36); & 1939 (35). Led AL in Ks in 1929 (70); 1930 (66); 1931 (84); 1933 (93); 1935 (99); 1936 (119); 1941 (103). He has the fifth-highest WAR for any player born in the state of Maryland: (1) Babe Ruth 162.2, (2) Lefty Gove 113.2, (3) Cal Ripken 95.9, (4) Al Kaline 92.7, (5) Foxx 92.2. 

Braves open the day after tomorrow. This could be the year. Mookie has a mysterious illness, and has lost 25+ pounds in the past few weeks.

The one complaint Jack Nicklaus had about Augusta National: the sand.

Denison: 10,000 UK teenagers gathered at Wembley Arena for a day of worship. Among the speakers was Bear Grylls, who shared his journey to faith. Bible sales are booming in the UK, what one commentator calls a “broader cultural change pointing to an awakening in society.” Bible sales are up 22 percent in the US as well. Vanity Fair tells us Christianity is the “new religion” of Silicon Valley. The New York Times agrees.

Denison: China’s deep-sea cable cutter that “could reset the world order.” The device is capable of severing the world’s most fortified underwater communication or power lines, which could disrupt billions. The US military relies heavily on these undersea data flows. Some call the undersea conflict the “soft underbelly of American power.”

Denison: R. R. Reno is an American theologian and editor of First Things (a resource Denison highly recommends). His latest article is titled “The Return of Strong Religion.” It begins: “The wind has shifted. People want hard religion, not easy. They seek out communities that are demanding rather than permissive. They want truth-based theologies, not outlooks softened with talk of “meaning” and “dialogue.” Dialogue, a buzzword for the Baby Boomers, is out. Emphasis falls on conviction and commitment.”  Baby Boomers came of age when clergy sought “relevance” and churches tried to make the faith more “contemporary.” But “at present, young people find such accommodations disappointing.” 

Question of the day: with the Sweet 16 this week, who's your favorite 16? My answer:

Candler Park

When I finished up my weekend round of golf Saturday, I stopped by the front desk to say yellow. The guy told me that the course will be closed from April 7th to mid-July to redo the greens. Ugh. Hope they redo the tee boxes as well. Hopefully they’ll extend my annual membership the 3 months that I can’t play – or let me play other City of Atlanta courses. Will give me some time to just hit balls, and improve my game for a change.

My golf bag has been getting heavy, and the ball compartment was filled to the brim (I must be finding more balls that I’m losing – a sign of improvement?). So yesterday afternoon I took all the balls out. Put aside about twenty of the nicer Titleist, Callaway, and Nike balls for later, put 40 balls back into my bag – and still had 40 more balls left over. Must’ve had over 100 balls in my bag. No wonder it was so heavy.

Ceil enjoyed her trip to Savannah. Yesterday afternoon I did some work, and waxed my car. I took Winnie outside with me to hang out in the driveway. Cleaned out the utility closet. Washed and folded clothes. Reorganized the new bookshelves.

NCAA: Duke really put a number on Baylor. I got 70% of my picks correct so far. I picked eleven of the Sweet 16 (Auburn, Duke, Florida, Arizona, Michigan State, Alabama, Houston, Purdue, Kentucky, Texas Tech, and Tennessee) but will be lucky to hit on five of the Elite Eight. We’ll see.

So today I had to give a running commentary on what I do for my boss and two observers, from 8 am to 245 pm. They took notes and made a few suggestions. Wore me out to talk so much. I do a bunch of stuff manually, but by looking at every single item individually (over 200) then I am best able to see what needs attention and where I am in trouble. If something falls through a crack we shut down an assembly line, possibly for weeks. Sure we could download a report, but I don’t trust the data just yet. Perhaps my replacement can develop an easier way. Not sure I have it in me.

Denison: was Heathrow shut down by Russian terrorists?

Man sounds alarm over the health issues related to Ozempic.

Study: Flu shots in elderly don't cut mortality rate.

TONY CLONINGER [SABR Bio] was the bullpen & bench coach for the Yankees during their successful run from 1992-2001. No National Leaguer had more runs batted in during a single game between 1949 and 1993, with 9 RBI on 03-Jul-1966. While he was Boston’s pitching coach in 2002, Cloninger was ejected for fighting in a bench-clearing brawl against Baltimore. Despite being in his 60s, he took down multiple players and coaches—and became a cult hero for it—particularly among Sox fans.

Thursday Friday Saturday

NCAA’s scrappy teams: the players for the larger schools all think it will be an easy game, despite the annual history of upsets and despite what the coaches are constantly telling them to beware. It could never happen to them. Was UGA not playing lots of true freshmen and sophomores? Hopefully they have a great future set for the next seasons.

Thursday: left work at 6 pm. Supper was black beans and rice, plus roasted okra. I walked Winnie and did the dishes, and didn’t sit down until after 830. Wound up not going to bed until after 11 pm.

Spent an hour at the gym Friday morning. Left the house without my earphones, so I couldn’t listen to my book. My treadmill made loud thumps when I ran, so I walked for 30 minutes while watching SportsCenter, then lifted weights for 30 minutes.

Friday afternoon I didn’t leave the reception until it had ended at 4 pm. Drove up to Cobb Parkway for a free carwash, then on up to a thrift store near the Big Chicken. Shouldn’t have, but I bought a pair of sneakers: Nike Men’s Crater Impact. Might take them back. 

Also bought what appears to be an authentic game-worn #17 Atlanta Hawks Dennis Schroder jersey, complete with the sponsor logo and everything. I'll give it to Will if he wants it.

Had to go to two different RaceTracs to get my free pizza. Pretty good pizza for a gas station. Didn’t get home until 7 pm. Walked and fed Winnie.

Watched two movies: Lonely Planet with Laura Dern, and Red Notice with Dwayne Johnson, Ryan Reynolds, and Gal Gadot.

Up early to play golf. 40 degrees but not bad. Teed off at 7 am.

1. One of my flubs got a decent roll. Thought I hit my third light up ball well, but it failed to light up. Good 6 iron. OK chip, poor chip. OK chip. Poor chip. Never thought I’d finish the first hole. Triple.   

2. Pulled my tee shot left. Decent chip. Poor chips. Double.

3. Hit two good 8 irons off the tee. Both rolled down into the right rough near the green. Two decent lag putts. Bogey.

4. An okay 6 iron off the tee. Flubbed two chips. Hit one good lag putt out of two. Bogey.

5. Pulled my lightup ball left off the tee. It hopped into some leaves, but I found it. Two decent chips. Two ok lags. Bogey.

6. Hit a hybrid well off the tee, but it faded into the deep left rough. Thought I had popped up my mulligan, but it plopped down near the 150 yard marker. Then a decent 5 iron. From there I hit a great chip – to two feet. Quite rare to have a 2 footer for par, but I sank it.

7. Hit two good hybrids off the tee. Decent 5 wood down the fairway. Chip to the front fringe. Three putt. Double. Found five balls on the hole.

8. Drive faded right into the trees. Flubbed a 6 iron. Nine iron rolled off the back of the green. After my first chip I thought “could’ve been worse”. Mulligan was worse. Third chip hit the stick. Two putt for a double.

9. Good hybrid off tee. Chipped three balls, one to the fringe. Three putt for a closing double. Finished at 820.

Crazy good menu at Walk-Ons, a sports bar way out in West Cobb. Hadn’t ever heard of the place, then heard an ad on the radio. Not sure if I’ll ever get out there, but I signed up for their reward club. I’ll get free mozzarella logs and a birthday treat. What I like on the menu, from top to bottom: boneless wings, waffle cheese fries, artichoke dip, cobb salad, chicken alfredo, chicken tenders, cali wrap, turkey melt, hangover burger, double bacon cheeseburger, hickory burger, rings, sweet potato fries, hush puppies, cheddar grits, cookie sundae.

DIZZY TROUT [SABR Bio] the 1944 AL MVP went to future Hall of Famer Hal Newhouser likely because Newhouser’s 29 wins edged Trout’s 27. Trout received ten 1st-place votes to Newhouser’s seven. Trout’s  2.12 ERA edged Hal’s 2.22. Trout’s 10.9 WAR topped all of MLB. Newhouser had a 8.4 WAR. Trout pitched for Baltimore in 1957 at age 42 & 74 days, the oldest Oriole pitcher in the 20th century. He said “I even could throw hard at an early age.  They say I had a hop on my baby rattle.” His first ball was a ball with rolled-up rags and walnuts.

Denison: the 2025 World Happiness Report was just published; the US fell to its lowest-ever ranking, 24th (Israel, despite its ongoing war with Hamas and internal divisions, ranked far higher than we did.) We should not be surprised: anxiety, loneliness, and overdose deaths are all at all-time highs in the US.

How to not become an asshole: do real things in the real world…gain confidence through mastering tasks…gain satisfaction through becoming competent…keep your cool during high pressure situations.