Ferguson Boys Hit Trifecta with 3 Wins

Three baseball games were played on Monday, May 4, 2009, and the Ferguson family boys came away with three victories. Donovan Ferguson went 1 for 3 hitting leadoff for the Jackson Dealerships Coach Pitch baseball team, who defeated the Mattoon Fire Department in an exciting contest 12-11. The win gives Jackson a 1-0 record for the season which has seen an inordinate amount of rained out ballgames. Donovan also played shortstop and first base, making fine plays that, as it turned out, ended up ensuring the victory for his team.

Daniel Ferguson hit second in the lineup for his First National Bank squad who opened the season with a convincing 18-1 victory over American Legion. Daniel did not have much to hit at as he had three bases on balls in three plate appearances. In his first trip around the bases he stole home on a delayed steal to put First National up 2-0. He scored on an RBI double into left centerfield in the second inning off the bat of Payton Hartbank, who was the winning pitcher. Daniel scored his last run of the game in the second inning as well as Alex Short drove a fastball off the wall into deep left centerfield, easily scoring Daniel from second base. First National sent 16 batters to the dish in the second inning, scoring 11 runs on only 4 base hits. The American Legion team felt extremely generous as they committed three costly errors while issuing 5 walks and hitting 2 batters.

The most exciting game of the evening was the finale in which First Baptist Church defeated Matchbox 7-4 to improve to 1-1 for the season. First Baptist scored three runs in the top of the first with Damien Ferguson getting an RBI single. He stole second and came around to score on an RBI single hit by teammate Skyler Hood.

Damien was the surprising starting pitcher for First Baptist as he took the mound in the bottom of the first. He struck out Dylan McDowell swinging to begin the inning, but walked Davis Johnson on a 3-2 count, getting squeezed on ball 3 and ball 4. Brock Moncel followed by popping up to shortstop Trevor Edwards for out number 2. It appeared Damien would get out of the inning unscathed as Austin McDowell hit a grounder back to Damien, but the throw to first base was dropped, allowing Johnson to score an unearned run from second base, where he reached safely on a steal. Gibson Moncel walked on a full count as Damien was getting squeezed again by the home plate umpire, but Damien kept his cool and struck out Noah Patterson on 3 pitches to end the inning.

Damien resumed pitching duties in the bottom of the second, striking out Joel Goodrich on 3 pitches, as Damien's changeup buckled the knees of the batter as he took strike 3 right down central. The dominating pitching of Damien continued as he struck out the next batter, Alex Lensik, for out number 2. Kaden Conlin followed, reaching on a an error by the second baseman, as the ball went right under his glove and into right field. Joe Beedles then became the third strikout victim of the inning, swinging and missing on a 3-2 fastball.

Damien did not pitch in the 3rd and 4th innings. He came to bat in the top of the 3rd inning with the bases loaded and 2 outs with his younger brother, Donovan, standing at third following a walk and 2 more bases on balls, and on a 2-1 pitch Damien hit a slow roller up the first base line. The only play the pitcher had was to try and get Donovan trying to score from third, and Donovan, an excellent base runner, was off immediately as soon as the ball was hit, speeding towards home. He went in hard with a very good slide. Everyone knew he was safe as he clearly had beaten the throw home to the plate . . . everyone, that is, except for the one person whose opinion counted. Donovan was called out, ending the inning for First Baptist.

First Baptist would build the lead to 7-4 and Matchbox came to bat in the bottom of the 6th inning with Trevor Edwards now doing the pitching. Following a leadoff single to Davis Johnson, Trevor struggled with his control, and he proceeded to walk the next 2 batters to load the bases. The coach then decided he had seen enough, so he brought Damien back in to pitch. Trevor took over duties at shortstop, and the tension mounted as Matchbox had Gibson Moncel, the potential winning run, coming to the plate with the bases loaded and still nobody out. Damien was cool as a cucumber in ice, though, and he responded to the challenge by striking out Gibson on 3 pitches. Next up was Noah Patterson, who hit an 0-1 pitch high on the infield which Damien called for and put away for out number 2. Damien, with his back to third base, faked a throw to first base, hoping to lure the aggressive Davis Johnson at third base to take the bait and try to score. Damien then turned and fired a strike home to catcher Drake Jefferies, who tagged out Johnson who tried unsuccessfully to leap over the catcher, ending the inning and the game on an unusual duoble play.

Damien was awarded the game ball following the conclusion of the ballgame as he not only got the victory, he also recorded a save in the same game.

Hit Men Take 4th Place in Tournament Play

The Mattoon Police Hit Men 10 and under boys baseball team took fourth place in their first tournament of the season played in Mattoon, IL during the weekend of April 24-26, 2009.

Damien Ferguson led his team with 5 RBIs while hitting a robust .429 in the tournament. He also played flawlessly in the field where he was stationed in either left or right field. He had one put out on a fine catch of a ball hit into deep left centerfield in the first game they played.

The Holy Spirit in the Life of the Christian

When we are baptized into Christ (Galatians 3:27) we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). So what are the benefits to the believer in having the gift of the Holy Spirit?
The greatest benefit the Holy Spirit provides to the believer is that He is our guarantee, our earnest payment, for our eternal salvation. Paul says in Ephesians 1:13-14, 13. In Him you also, who have heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and have believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14. Which is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of His glory.
The Holy Spirit also helps us by acting as intercessor with our prayer life. Paul states in Romans 8:26-27, 26. Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words. 27. And He Who searches the hearts of men knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. Jude adds in Jude 1:20, "But you, beloved, build yourselves up on your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit;" (Jude 1:20).
I believe the Holy Spirit also can help prick out conscience when we begin to go astray. "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in Whom you were sealed for the day of redemption," writes the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 4:30. He also bears us witness of our speaking the truth: "I am speaking the truth in Christ, I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit," (Romans 9:1).
The Spirit is also the means in which we receive the love of God: "and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us." (Romans 5:5)
The Holy Spirit is also instrumental in bringing the believer righteousness, peace, hope and joy: "For the Kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit;" (Romans 14:17). "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." (Romans 15:13) "And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit;" (1 Thessalonians 1:6).
The Spirit sanctifies us as being acceptable offerings to God: 15. But on some points I have written to you very boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God 16. to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:15-16)
It is through the Spirit's washing and renewal of us that we are regenerated, which is another word meaning reborn, in Christ: "He saved us, not because of deeds done by us in righteousness, but in virtue of His own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit," (Titus 3:5).

The Gift of the Spirit

“And behold, I send the promise of My Father upon you; but stay in the city, until you are clothed with power from on high” (Luke 24:49).
Jesus spoke these words to His disciples just before He ascended off the Earth to take His just and apt place at the right hand of God (Ephesians 1:20). Jesus told the apostles they were not to leave Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit anointing came upon them with power, and this happened ten days later on the Day of Pentecost. This, Jesus proclaimed, was the “power from on high.” Jesus also disclosed that this was the promise of His Father. Since Jesus spoke what the Father told Him to speak (John 5:19), and since They are unified and One (John 10:30), whenever Jesus gives us a promise it is also guaranteed and given by the Father Himself. The same is true in regards to the promise of the gift of the Holy Spirit: the promise came from both the Father and the Son. The Source of the power is from on high and comes from the Father.

When Jesus spoke with Nicodemus in John 3:5, He told Nicodemus, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God.” When Paul wrote to the congregation in Rome in Romans 6:4 and said, “We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life,” the “newness of life” of which Paul writes is the same thing Jesus said of being “born of water and the Spirit.” This is why Jesus further told Nicodemus in John 3:7, “Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born anew.’” The transformation is performed by God through the power of the Holy Spirit, and this occurs at baptism. This is also why John wrote in Revelation 20:6, “Blessed and holy is he who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power. . . .” We share in the first resurrection when we share in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ when we are buried with Him in baptism (Romans 6:3-4). Hopefully, you can by now see that our burial with Christ in that watery grave of baptism is also the baptism with the Holy Spirit. They are one and the same. And if we refuse baptism, then we are not Christ’s, for we do not have His Spirit. Peter said it was at baptism that we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38), and the Apostle Paul wrote that if we do not have the Spirit of Christ then we are not His: 9. But you are not in the flesh, you are in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to Him. 10. But if Christ is in you, although your bodies are dead because of sin, your spirits are alive because of righteousness. 11. If the Spirit of Him Who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He Who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through His Spirit Which dwells in you. (Romans 8:9-11) And only those who have the Spirit of Christ can be called the sons of God: “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God” (Romans 8:14).
Being baptized with the Holy Spirit means we have been anointed with the Holy Spirit. John says in 1 John 2:23-29, 23. No one who denies the Son has the Father. He who confesses the Son has the Father also. 24. Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you will abide in the Son and in the Father. 25. And this is what He has promised us, eternal life. 26. I write this to you about those who would deceive you; 27. but the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you; as His anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie, just as it has taught you, abide in Him. 28. And now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears we may have confidence and not shrink from Him in shame at His coming. 29. If you know that He is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who does right is born of Him.

Play Ball!

Damien and Donovan Ferguson's Kid Pitch Baseball season for 2009 officially opened up last night as their First Baptist club lost to Buffalo Wild Wings 7-5.

Damien Ferguson went 1 for 3 at the plate. He was given the green light on a 3-0 count with the bases empty in the bottom of the 3rd inning, and he did not disappoint as he drove a one out triple deep into left field. He eventually came in to score on a double by Dalton Stephens. In his other plate appearances, Damien popped out to the catcher on a 1-0 delivery in the bottom of the 1st. In the bottom of the 5th inning and with his team trailing by 2 runs, Damien lined a first pitch fastball between short and third that appeared to be heading into left field for extra bases, but shortstop Brock Smith went into the hole to his right, speared the smash off the bat of Damien, and wheeled and fired a strike to first base, just nipping Damien as he was racing down the line.

Younger brother and teammate Donovan Ferguson made his Kid Pitch baseball debut in stunning fashion as he drove in 2 runs on a 3-2 pitch in the bottom of the 2nd, giving First Baptist a 3-0 lead at the time. He was stranded, though, as Drake Jeffries grounded out to the first baseman unassisted to end the inning. Donovan came to bat one other time in the bottom of the 4th inning and he struck out swinging on a 3-2 count with Brayton Sparrow at third base. Brayton had reached on a single into right center to start the inning and he promptly stole second and third, but unfortunately, his teammates could not bring him in.

Donovan and Damien brought their gloves with them to play as well as their bats. Donovan made a sensational grab of a sinking line drive to his left as he was playing left center in the top of the 5th. Not to be outdone, brother Damien scooped up a hard hit grounder to his left from the shortstop position and stepped on the bag to beat the runner from first to end the inning. Both of these plays prevented Buffalo Wild Wings from scoring and putting the game out of reach.

The Lord's Supper

There is much that can be said about Jesus and His partaking of the Last Supper with the apostles. It was evidently with a heavy heart that Jesus gathered those closest to Him that evening, saying in Matthew 26:21, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.”

In writing to the church in Corinth, the Apostle Paul reminded them of the importance attached to remembering our Lord’s death properly. He says in 1 Corinthians 11:23-29,

23. For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when He was betrayed took bread, 24. and when He had given thanks, He broke it, and said, "This is My body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of Me." 25. In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me." 26. For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes.

27. Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. 28. Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself.

It is interesting to note that although the apostles of the Lord made many mistakes that are recorded in the Gospels, I believe we sometimes fail to realize or acknowledge the times they did things right, and acted in a manner that showed them to be men of worthy character. I believe the night these men were sharing the Passover meal with the Lord in which He took the bread and the cup and proclaimed the time of the new covenant was dawning is one of these occasions.

Look at how these men reacted to those dreadful words in which Jesus announced that one of them was going to betray Him. Did they point their fingers at each other, and start making accusations? Did John look at Peter and say, “Lord, is it him?” Did Bartholomew shout out, “I know who it is, Jesus! It’s gotta be Mathew He’s a Publican, a tax collector for Rome!” No, they did not react this way. They did not even accuse Judas Iscariot who, as it turned out, was the one who betrayed Jesus. No, these men did not accuse their friends. Instead, they asked Jesus very sorrowfully and meekly, “Is it I, Lord?” (Matthew 26:22).

May we all learn to be as humble and examine ourselves as these men did. May we hearken to the words of Paul who says in 1 Corinthians 10:12, “Therefore let any one who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.”

Jesus' Suffering and Death

In the Book of Hebrews chapter 2 verse 9 the Hebrews writer says, “But we see Jesus, Who for a little while was made lower than the angels, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.” How easy is it to give one’s life for somebody else? The Apostle Paul pondered this question in Romans 5:7 when he said, “Why, one will hardly die for a righteous man – though perhaps for a good man one will dare even to die.”

It is not easy to die for anyone! Humanly speaking it is certainly nigh on impossible to think about laying down one's life for unworthy and sinful mankind!

Once again, let us ponder this most striking text. “But we see Jesus, Who for a little while was made lower than the angels, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.”

Only Jesus Who is both God and Man can attempt and accomplish the impossible. Only Jesus, filled with love and compassion for all of mankind, can endure suffering and death for us.

The grace of God reminds us that we, who are sinners, are totally undeserving beneficiaries. God’s grace teaches us much about the God of our salvation, especially about His love. As Paul says in the very next verse to the Romans, “But God shows His love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) We did nothing to earn this love, and we can do nothing to earn God’s love or grace.

When the Hebrews writer says, "He might taste death for everyone," the writer is giving us a beautiful description that speaks of Jesus as our Substitute. Christ had paid sin’s penalty of “death” through His own suffering and death. "Death" has no more power over all who are justified by Christ through His death. The individual, however, must appropriate personally the significance of Christ's death through exercising obedient, saving faith in Jesus as Savior. Only then will one obtain God’s mercy. And one demonstrates one’s obedience by confessing Jesus as our Lord and Savior before men (Romans 10:9-10) upon hearing the good news of Jesus Christ (Romans 10:17), repenting of our sins (Acts 2:38), and acting out the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus by submitting to be buried with Him in the watery grave of baptism (Romans 6:3-4). If we are faithful unto death (Revelation 2:10) then we will hear Jesus proclaim to us before His Father, “Well done, good and faithful servant; enter into the joy of your Master” (Matthew 25:23).