Why I Am A Fan of Albert Pujols

Ivan · #1 (**permalink**) 08-13-2009, 07:10 PM

I've been a St. Louis Cardinals longer than some of you have been alive. I watched Stan Musial play at the end of his career. Albert Pujols continues the rich tradition of this wonderful professional organization.

Here is why I'm a fan of Albert Pujols:

Pujols Family Foundation : Faith, Family & Others

SolaGratia · #2 (**permalink**) 08-13-2009, 08:47 PM

He almost became a Dodger.

Ivan · #3 (**permalink**) 08-13-2009, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SolaGratia

He almost became a Dodger.

But he's not.

LawrenceU · #4 (**permalink**) 08-13-2009, 09:01 PM

I like Albert. He is a class act. That is very rare in sport. And he is a Cardinal!!

AThornquist · #5 (**permalink**) 08-13-2009, 09:02 PM

I could poke fun at the invitation to "accept" Jesus, but I really respect what Pujols is doing and what he stands for. Praise God for the work He is doing through this man.

KSon · #6 (**permalink**) 08-13-2009, 09:14 PM

***Man, this kills me being a Cubs fan***

I, uh, like...Al...Albert...okay, I like Albert Pujols....there I said it. Best pure hitter I have seen since Rod Carew. May his testimony be used by the Lord mightily in an environment where the foolishness of riches and unbridled pride reign.

dbh · #7 (**permalink**) 08-13-2009, 09:38 PM

"If you have never trusted Jesus Christ as your Savior, I invite you to do that right now. It is by far and away the best decision I have ever made in my life. I know you will feel the same. I encourage you to say this prayer:

"Dear God, thank you for loving me. I know that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for dying on the cross to pay for my sins. I want to turn from my sins and trust You as Lord to take control of my life. I ask You Lord right now to come into my life and take the throne of my heart. From this day forward, I trust You Lord to be my personal Lord and Savior and I will live my life to please you. Thank You God for salvation, eternal life, and a new life in Jesus Christ. In Jesus’ name I pray. - Amen"

If you said this prayer with an open and repentant heart, I welcome you into the family of God!" - from Pujol's website

I don't mean to be disrespectful of a fine man, as Mr. Pujols apparently is, but should we as supposed followers of the Puritans just overlook this sort of thing because a man is upright and a good moral example for youth. Do people on the forum really think this is a biblical gospel invitation? And if it is not is it normal to just shrug it off? Might not this sort of presentation, which became a juggernaut in the last 60 years or so, be a big reason for the state of Christianity, and in consequence the world, today? I'm not so sure the Puritans would have smiled about it.

"He who would have a fruitful ministry must have clear shining after the rain, by which I mean, first, law, and then, gospel. We must preach plainly against sin. In our ministry there must be rain, we must have the clouds and darkness, and divine justice bearing heavily upon the sinner’s conscience. Then comes in Christ crucified, full atonement, simple faith, and clear shining of comfort to the believing sinner. But there must be the rain first. He who preaches all sweetness and all love, and has nothing to do with warning men of the consequences of sin, may be thought to be very loving; but, in truth, he is altogether unfaithful to the souls of men." - Spurgeon

"It is because they had understood this teaching and manner that the Puritans, and many of their successors until comparatively recently, always taught that in true evangelism you must always start with a ‘law work’. They said that there should always be a law work before you introduce the Gospel. Read the lives of some of the greatest evangelists that the world has ever known and you will find they all did that; not only the Puritans but the men of the eighteenth century who leaned so much upon the Puritans, and who were so familiar with their work. They always began with conviction of sin. This is as true of John Wesley as it is of George Whitefield; it is true of Jonathan Edwards, it is true also of Robert Murray McCheyne and other nineteenth-century men. These men always said that you must start with law work." -D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Romans: Atonement and Justification, p.24

SolaGratia · #8 (**permalink**) 08-14-2009, 01:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ivan

Quote:

Originally Posted by SolaGratia

He almost became a Dodger.

But he's not.

He sure plays baseball like a Dodger though.

**KMK** · #9 (**permalink**) 08-14-2009, 02:23 AM

Thanks for that, Ivan. I had heard talk of his 'faith' but assumed he was a Catholic. I feel like a heel for being a racial profiler. He will be in my prayers because a man in his place is prone to a great deal of temptation. The world would love to see him fall.

As a side note, he might be the best hitter baseball has ever seen.

Bladestunner316 · #10 (**permalink**) 08-14-2009, 02:44 AM

Pujols is an unbelievable player and it's awesome to see he is a believer as well!!

sastark · #11 (**permalink**) 08-14-2009, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SolaGratia

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ivan

Quote:

Originally Posted by SolaGratia

He almost became a Dodger.

But he's not.

He sure plays baseball like a Dodger though.

No, Pujols is actually good. *rimshot*

Albatross · #12 (**permalink**) 08-14-2009, 10:59 AM

Am I the only one that likes the Cardinals/Pujols but is waiting for the day when it is revealed he is on steroids? Here's hoping it is not true and that day never happens.

Zenas · #13 (**permalink**) 08-14-2009, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbh

"If you have never trusted Jesus Christ as your Savior, I invite you to do that right now. It is by far and away the best decision I have ever made in my life. I know you will feel the same. I encourage you to say this prayer:

"Dear God, thank you for loving me. I know that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for dying on the cross to pay for my sins. I want to turn from my sins and trust You as Lord to take control of my life. I ask You Lord right now to come into my life and take the throne of my heart. From this day forward, I trust You Lord to be my personal Lord and Savior and I will live my life to please you. Thank You God for salvation, eternal life, and a new life in Jesus Christ. In Jesus’ name I pray. - Amen"

If you said this prayer with an open and repentant heart, I welcome you into the family of God!" - from Pujol's website

I don't mean to be disrespectful of a fine man, as Mr. Pujols apparently is, but should we as supposed followers of the Puritans just overlook this sort of thing because a man is upright and a good moral example for youth. Do people on the forum really think this is a biblical gospel invitation? And if it is not is it normal to just shrug it off. Might not this sort of presentation, which became a juggernaut in the last 60 years or so, be a big reason for the state of Christianity, and in consequence the world, today. I'm not so sure the Puritans would have smiled about it.

"He who would have a fruitful ministry must have clear shining after the rain, by which I mean, first, law, and then, gospel. We must preach plainly against sin. In our ministry there must be rain, we must have the clouds and darkness, and divine justice bearing heavily upon the sinner’s conscience. Then comes in Christ crucified, full atonement, simple faith, and clear shining of comfort to the believing sinner. But there must be the rain first. He who preaches all sweetness and all love, and has nothing to do with warning men of the consequences of sin, may be thought to be very loving; but, in truth, he is altogether unfaithful to the souls of men." - Spurgeon

"It is because they had understood this teaching and manner that the Puritans, and many of their successors until comparatively recently, always taught that in true evangelism you must always start with a ‘law work’. They said that there should always be a law work before you introduce the Gospel. Read the lives of some of the greatest evangelists that the world has ever known and you will find they all did that; not only the Puritans but the men of the eighteenth century who leaned so much upon the Puritans, and who were so familiar with their work. They always began with conviction of sin. This is as true of John Wesley as it is of George Whitefield; it is true of Jonathan Edwards, it is true also of Robert Murray McCheyne and other nineteenth-century men. These men always said that you must start with law work." -D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Romans: Atonement and Justification, p.24

I'm willing to bear with one in their ignorance. If our sins of omission were capable of frustrating sanctification in our lives and God's work for others through us, then we would all be twice the failures we already are.

-----Added 8/14/2009 at 11:27:15 EST-----

Quote:

Originally Posted by SolaGratia

He almost became a Dodger.

Who are they? Is that a Canadian team?

LawrenceU · #14 (**permalink**) 08-14-2009, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Albatross

Am I the only one that likes the Cardinals/Pujols but is waiting for the day when it is revealed he is on steroids? Here's hoping it is not true and that day never happens.

No, you are not the only one. I hope he is clean. He has stated that he would take a test twice a day every day if he needs to to prove it. I hope he is clean.