Damien Ferguson's Blast Seals Victory for FBC

A bases loaded, 2 out triple in the top of the last inning by Damien Ferguson proved to be the decisive hit as FBC defeated the powerful Kiwanis club 7-5 in Kids Pitch Baseball play on Thursday, June 11, 2009. FBC's record improved to 8-7 as they had lost 9-4 earlier in the day to PBPA in completion of a game halted due to rain on May 15.

Most of the game with Kiwanis had been a pitching duel, as both teams exchanged goose eggs, until the top of the third inning, when FBC broke through for a single tally. Drake Jeffries singled with 2 outs and nobody on, and he promptly stole both second and third before coming home on a single by Dalton Stephens. FBC made it 2-0 in the top of the fourth as Skyler Hood walked and stole second base. Brayton Sparrow singled to right, advancing Hood to third. Joseph rader singled into right center, bringing in Hood from third base.

History was made in the bottom of the third inning when the battery of Damien and Donovan Ferguson made their first appearance. Damien took the mound, and Donovan put on the catching gear to move behind the plate as receiver. The debut proved to be quite successful. Damien made quick work of things as he carved up the Kiwanis batters, setting them down in order with 3 strikeouts.

Kiwanis touched Damien for one unearned run in the bottom of the fourth. Leadoff hitter Preston Hayes hit a one hopper back to Damien, who fielded the ball and threw to first baseman Dalton Armes. The normally sure-handed Armes dropped the ball, however, allowing Hayes to reach safely. Hayes reached second as Donovan Ferguson nearly nailed Hayes stealing. Cayden Collings followed with what looked like a run-producing single into center field, but Drake Jeffries fired the ball into third baseman Brayton Sparrow, who applied the tag on the sliding Hayes for out number 1. Elijah Schlabach, who had hit 3 FBC batters earlier, was hit by a pitch that bounced in the dirt before getting him in his left leg. His dad (and third base coach) argued briefly that since the ball had hit the dirt first, it should be called a ball. He wanted his slugging Elijah to get a chance to hit, but the umpires actually got the call right, and Elijah was awarded first base correctly. Damien then struck out cleanup hitter Clayton Hirsch. Schlabach stole second base safely to bring up Ethan Carmean. Carmean popped up to shortstop Dalton Stephens, and Stephens was bumped by Schlabach heading for third, keeping Stephens from making the play. The umpires did not get this call right, however, as Schlabach should have been called out for offensive interference, and Schlabach was able to continue around third base and score to make it 2-1 FBC. Damien struck out Gavin Bennett to end the inning, keeping his team clinging to a 2-1 lead.

Kiwanis tied the game at 2 apiece in the bottom of the fifth as Trevor Edwards went in to pitch. Edwards had some control issues and his velocity was not there. Trevor hit Mitch Tuttle to start the inning. A wild pitch sent Tuttle to second. Brody Shook walked, placing runners at first and second. Tuttle stole third base, and he scored on a fielder's choice as Shook was forced at second. Edwards then struck out the next 2 batters, setting the stage for the sixth and final inning.

Skyler Hood started the 2 out rally by walking. Brayton Sparrow, who has been hitting the ball well lately, had his second hit of the game as he singled up the middle. Joseph Rader was hit by a pitch thrown by pitcher Clayton Hirsch, bringing up Alex Platz with the bases loaded. Platz worked the count full before being awarded first base on a pitch that was just inside, giving FBC a 3-2 lead. Trevor Edwards was hit by an errant 0-1 fastball, driving home Sparrow from third and giving FBC a lead of 4-2. Damien Ferguson then stepped up to the plate.

The outfield moved very deep into position, due to Damien hitting 2 very long but foul balls in his previous plate appearance. Hirsch tried to get ahead of Damien by throwing a high fastball by him, but the pitch was not high enough. Damien took a ferocious cut, bat met ball, and Damien sent it deep into flight. As the sweet part of the bat kissed the ball, a resounding "ping" filled the cool, night air. The ball sailed high and deep into right center field, and the fielder for Kiwanis raced back to try and track the missile down. He did raise his glove in a last second, valiant attempt to catch the shot, and the ball did just graze the top of his glove. Although he was not able to make the spectacular catch, his efforts probably saved the hit from being a grand slam as the ball was slowed down somewhat. The ball was finally picked up and fired into the infield, sailing towards the fence along first base. Damien speeded towards home plate with all he had, sliding across home plate just as the ball reached the catcher, who had received the throw from the pitcher. Although it truly did seem that Damien was safe and had beaten the throw home, the umpire ruled him out, ending the inning, but not before FBC had rallied for 5 runs to take a 7-5 lead.

Everyone always wants the close calls, but in this case, it would have been a lot better if the umpire would have been in proper position to make the call. He was standing behind the catcher, who was blocking his view, so he could not have seen if the tag was made before Damien reached the plate. He could not have seen if a tag was even made at all.

Kiwanis scored 3 runs and they had the bases loaded in the bottom of the sixth to make things interesting, but Drake Jeffries induced Brody Shook to hit the ball meekly in front of home plate. Catcher Skyler Hood pounced on the ball like a cat on a mouse, and he stepped on home plate to force the runner from third, ending the game.

Drake Jeffries and Damien Ferguson were awarded game balls.

It Ain't Over Till It's Over . . .

Baseball Hall of Famer, wise man, guru and sage, Yogi Berra, once said, "It ain't over till it's over." This erudite maxim proved true again late last night as FBC came from behind to defeat Alamo 5-3. With the win, FBC's season record improves to 7-6.

What makes sports so great, and especially baseball, is that one can go from goat to hero in only a matter of mere moments. Such was the case with Damien Ferguson last night. Damien, who so far this year had been hitting the ball very well, found himself wearing not only the ignominious and proverbial "collar" by going 0-4, he also donned the "golden sombrero" by fanning in all of his plate appearances. But thanks to some late inning heroics from his teammates, Damien was able to reprieve himself and play a huge part in his team's victory.

Alamo took a 2-0 lead in the first inning when they scored twice on 3 hits, but it could have been much worse. Donovan Ferguson's emergence as a solid catcher was key to limiting the damage that could have occurred. With Donovan behind the plate, Drake Jeffries was freed up to take a position in left center field, and the move proved crucial. With 1 run in and a runner at first base, Zach Hall blasted a rising line drive into deep left center. Jeffries took 2 steps back, leaped and caught the ball, almost doubling off the runner on first base. The blast had all the makings of being, at the least, a 3 bagger, but Jeffries' remarkable catch really kept the game from getting our of hand and out of reach.

FBC was not hitting, for the most part, throughout the game. Donovan Ferguson legged out an infield single in the top of the third for only the second hit of the game for FBC, but he was left stranded at third base following a throwing error and a stolen base. It was not until the top of the sixth and final inning of play that FBC finally scored. Trevor Edwards got the rally going with a 1 out single into right, and he quickly stole second and third. He came home on an RBI single off the bat of Drake Jeffries, and Dalton Stephens, who was awarded the game ball, took the next pitch right down the third base line where he circled the bases for a 2 run home run to give FBC a 3-2 lead.

Alamo had a little heroics of their own as they tied the game in the bottom of the sixth on a 2 out RBI triple by Zach Hall, who plated Cooper Simmonds all the way from first base. Simmonds had reached safely on a fielder's choice that went pitcher to shortstop, where Donovan Ferguson was now playing. Donovan's throw to first base just missed getting the speedy Simmonds. FBC had an excellent chance of nailing Simmonds at the plate as Trevor Edwards' throw home was a very good one, but catcher Skyler Hood momentarily took his eye off the ball to check out the runner, and the ball went over his glove. Tucker Rappe struck out to end the threat, sending the game into extra innings.

In the meantime, Damien Ferguson was sent to the bullpen to be warmed up by older brother, Daniel, and Damien was instructed to go with his 2 seamer and 4 seamer. He was also advised to not take his at-bats with him to the mound, because he now had a chance to reprieve himself and his team by pitching well.

Brayton Sparrow got things started off right for FBC as he rifled a shot into center for a leadoff single. Brayton moved into scoring postion by stealing second. Skyler Hood followed with a 4 pitch walk, and he and Brayton pulled off the successful double steal to put runners at second and third. Donovan Ferguson struck out swinging for out number 1, and Alex Platz worked the count full before drawing a free pass, loading the bases for Joseph Rader. Rader walked on a full count to drive in the go ahead run, and FBC added an insurance run as Michael Brown also walked, forcing in Skyler Hood. Trevor Edwards went down swinging on a full count, and Damien Ferguson ended the inning by whiffing on 3 pitches, setting the stage for the bottom of the seventh.

Damien Ferguson quickly got ahead in the count 0-2 before getting Bryson Wall to pop out to him for out number 1. Andrew Edwards took the first pitch up the middle for a single, as Donovan Ferguson's diving attempt at shortstop just missed getting to the ball. Edwards stole second, but Gunner Runyan struck out swinging for out number 2. A wild pitch that sailed high to Joey Munoz put Edwards at third. Munoz fouled off a 2-2 4 seam fastball before working the count full, but Damien's 3-2 2 seam sinking fastball buckled the knees of Munoz, freezing him at the dish where he could not pull the trigger, and the pitch back-doored into the strike zone. Munoz was called out, and the game was over, with Damien earning his second save of the campaign.

The 10 and under All-Star team was announced this week, and Drake Jeffries and Damien Ferguson were selected to be on the American squad.

The Testing of Abraham

In Genesis 22, God calls Abraham to travel to a distant mountain to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, as a burnt offering. This was a terrible prospect for any father to face, but it must have been especially harrowing for Abraham. This was a long journey for these individuals to take, but none as long or as unbearable as that undertaken by Abraham, for he alone knew what he was supposed to do to the son whom he loved once they arrived at their destination. With each plodding step of this three-day journey, Abraham pondered his life, and that of his son, Isaac. Now the life of his precious son was soon to be extinguished, brought to an abrupt end through Abraham’s own hands. As Abraham rehearsed the many years of his long life that had brought him to this point, he thought upon God and his own dealings with Him. Suddenly, Abraham realized that God had never let him down. God had never reneged on any of His promises, regardless of how remotely impossible they had seemed! Abraham and Sarah had tried to help God keep His promises before, as if the Lord and Creator of the universe needed any help, but Abraham’s and Sarah’s help proved to be disastrous. It ripped their home apart, as Hagar and Ishmael turned out not to be part of the promise God had made with Abraham. God had told Abraham and Sarah that it was through them and Isaac, their miracle child, that the world would be blessed. As they traversed those long miles, Abraham concluded that nothing was too great for God to accomplish or overcome . . . even death! Abraham knew through his eyes and heart of faith that God would not leave Isaac dead in a heap of ashes on that mountaintop. God would raise Isaac from the dead (Hebrews 11:19)!

That long journey of three days was where the real battle of faith was won in the heart and mind of Abraham, long before the wood was carried up the mountain, long before the altar of sacrifice was built upon which Isaac would be placed, and long before Abraham stood above Isaac, poised with his arm raised high above his head, ready to plunge the knife into his son's prone body, to take the life of Isaac. Abraham could have cast aside this great burden and turned his back on the Lord many times, but instead, he resolved to do the will of God. He determined purposefully within his heart, and he prepared himself with all of his being, to be completely obedient to God. When push comes to shove, it is time that usually defeats us. It could have been this way with Abraham, but he chose to remain true to the Lord Who had always been true to him, and Abraham passed his test. And because Abraham remained true to God, the entire Earth has been blessed. As the Apostle Paul tells us in Galatians 3:16 [RSV], “Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, ‘And to offsprings,’ referring to many; but, referring to one, ‘And to your offspring,’ which is Christ.”

We generally lack patience and endurance. That is why we must take time to make the effort to grow in the fruit of the Spirit. Paul tells us in Galatians 5:22-23 [RSV], 22. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23. gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law. It requires great resolve, and in Abraham's case, great faithfulness, to resist for a long time, but it can be done through prayer and faith in Christ, and the rewards are great. Paul encourages those who endure, those who persevere through their own trials and tests, by reminding them that a great promise of reward awaits those who overcome when he writes, “Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the Righteous Judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved His appearing” (2 Timothy 4:8 [RSV]).

May the Lord bless you as you grow in your faith in Him!

FBC Defeats the Moose 19-4

FBC evened their season record at 6-6 as they defeated the Moose 19-4.

Global warming had skyrocketed the mercury up to 59 degrees Fahrenheit as the Moose took the field to play FBC in a Kids Pitch Baseball League game in Mattoon, IL on June 4, 2009. Trevor Edwards walked to start things off for FBC, and he promptly stole second and third in the raging heat before coming home to score the first run of the game as Drake Jeffries singled up the middle. Dalton Stephens had an infield single on the first pitch he saw to place runners at first and second. Dalton Armes took first base as he was plunked high on his back from an errant fastball, loading the bases before Jeffries scored from third on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Skyler Hood as FBC took a 2-0 lead. Stephens got the nod as starter for FBC, and the Moose claimed the lead by scoring 4 runs of their own, due in no small part to poor defense by the FBC squad. Alex Munoz grounded to Stephens, but the throw to the bag was missed by first baseman Michael Brown, and Munoz took second. Garrett Jones walked as Munoz advanced to third on a wild pitch. John Rasmussen popped up to Stephens for the first out of the inning, and both runners took off when the ball was hit, so Stephens threw to first in an attempt to double off Jones. The ball was dropped by Brown and Munoz was able to come home safely. Another wild pitch from Stephens put Jones at second base, and he scored when Zack Shores singled into left field. Shores took second on the throw home, and he crossed the plate on a single into right off the bat of Alec Bianco. Grady White hit a sharp liner up the middle, advancing Bianco to third base, and Bianco scored on an error by Michael Brown at first base, giving the Moose a 4-2 lead.

FBC took the lead for good in the top of the second inning as they sent 9 batters to the plate. The big blow of the inning came off the bat of Damien Ferguson, who drove a 3-0 fastball deep into center field for a bases-clearing, 3 run double. Had he not been impeded by not 1, but 2 Moose fielders standing in the baseline, he probably would have had a grand slam, but unfortunately, no defensive obstruction was called.

Donovan Ferguson made his catching debut in the bottom of the third inning, and he did a great job behind the dish. He caught 2 innings of shutout ball as teammate Brayton Sparrow came in relief from the bullpen to shut down the Moose. Donovan did such a good job blocking the ball that the Moose players were not able even to attempt to steal when they reached base safely. Donovan came into the dugout after the third inning had come to a close, very pleased that he had taken 2 foul balls off of his facemask. Brayton Sparrow also reported that he was very happy having Donovan as his catcher. Sparrow also went 2 for 2 with the stick with an RBI and he was hit by a pitch at the plate, so he was awarded the game ball at the close of the contest.

Damien Ferguson came to bat with the bases loaded again in the top of the fifth inning with his first cousin once removed, Grady White, pitching for the Moose. Grady proceeded to plunk Damien on the helmet with a fastball. The pitch hit Damien hard enough that it drove his helmet into the side of his face and neck, leaving a slight bruise. Grady was moved to first base, where he and Damien laughed about the pitch. Damien's mom was overheard to say following the beaning, "Did he lose any teeth?" Damien had 1 and a half permanent teeth get knocked out earlier this year while playing basketball, and he just got the half tooth fixed on June 1. The other tooth that came completely out seems to be doing well as it still continues to be wired in place.

Donovan Ferguson drove in the last run of the game as he drew a bases loaded walk in a very good at-bat in which he saw 10 pitches in the top of the fifth.

First National Bank Downs Police 10-5

Daniel Ferguson recorded his first save as the First National Bank Cal Ripken League boys baseball team defeated the Police on Monday, June 1, 2009.
It was a very beautiful evening for baseball with temperatures in teh mid 80s, and starting pitcher Payton Hartbank was very sharp as he struck out the side 1-2-3 in the opening frame. Poor defense on the part of the Police contributed greatly to First National's scoring 5 runs in the bottom of the inning. Garion Smyser circled the bases to start things off for FNB, driving a 2 strike pitch sharply into center field for a single. The center fielder misplayed the ball, so Smyser advanced to third. He came home as the throw into shortstop was dropped for the second error on the play. Daniel Ferguson had a good at-bat as he fouled off several pitches with 2 strikes. He eventually hit the ball well, but out, as the shortstop threw him out at first base, just nipping Daniel as he was racing down the line. A very wise and learned baseball man who knows of which he speaks suggested to Daniel that he move closer to the plate, and the advice was heeded and it paid off as Daniel later would get 2 hits in the game. Payton Hartbank worked a full count before reaching safely as the second baseman committed the third error of the inning, booting the ground ball hit to him. Hartbank stole second and advanced to third as the throw from catcher sailed into right center field for the 4th error, and he came home as Alex Shoot grounded out short to first. Colton Shoot tripled into right field and Cole Philpot walked, putting runners at first and third, and both runners pulled off a successful delayed double steal, as Cole Shoot scored the third run of the inning. The catcher's throw to second base was wild again and Philpot was able to reach home safely on the fifth error of the inning. The miscues for the Police continued as Hayden Phillips singled into right field and advanced to second base as the ball was bobbled by the right fielder. Alex Inman singled up the middle as Phillips scored the fifth and final run of the inning.
Alex Shoot took to the mound in the top of the second, fanning the side while walking 2 batters. FNB was held scoreless as Daniel Ferguson was the only batter to reach safely, hitting a two out infield single to third.
Cole Shoot struck out the side in the top of the third inning, facing just 3 batters, and FNB scored their sixth run of the inning as Alex Shoot singled to center, advanced to second on a wild pitch, stole third, and scored on the second wild pitch of the inning.
Things got interesting in the top of the fourth as the Police sent 10 batters to the plate. Cole Shoot started the inning but his control left him as he walked the first 4 batters he faced. Time was asked for and given, and Daniel Ferguson was brought in to face Jackson Berg with the bases loaded and nobody out. Berg walked to drive in the second run of the inning. It was then that FNB's defense began to crack. Daniel threw a fastball for a strike, but the ball bounced off the glove of catcher Garion Smyser. Daniel Ferguson raced home to cover the plate, and all Smyser needed to do was give him a decent throw and they would have nailed the runner. As it was, the throw went high. Daniel leaped to make the catch and he appeared to tag the runner out anyway with a very good sweep tag, but the runner was ruled safe. Batter Trey Skocy reached safely as Berg, running from second, was called out for offensive interference as he impeded the play at shortstop for out number 1. Luke Young followed with a shot hit to the right of shortstop Payton Hartbank, who fielded the grounder in the hole but elected to try and throw out the runner at first, rather than going the short route for the easier force play at second. Hartbank's throw sailed wide, scoring Alex Lilly and Lucas Carpenter. Jacob Atkinson hit an easy can of corn into shallow right field that should have been caught for out number 2, but neither the second baseman, Colton Shoot, nor the right fielder, Alex Inman, made an attempt to catch the ball, and it fell for a single. Daniel then struck out Payton Howell before he induced Dakota Couch to ground out to second, ending the inning and preserving the lead. FNB went down in order in the bottom of the inning with the score in First National Bank's favor, 6-5.

Daniel Ferguson started the top of the fifth, and he made quick work of things as he got leadoff hitter Gavin Ayers to popup to shortstop. This out was sandwiched between 2 strike outs. Daniel then led off the bottom of the fifth for FNB by driving a one ball pitch into deep left center field that one-hopped the wall for a double. Payton Hartbank followed by hitting the first pitch delivered to him in virtually the same exact spot as Daniel for back-to-back doubles, and FNB increased its lead to 7-5. Alex Shoot walked on a full count, and both runners moved up on a double steal, placing runners at second and third. Hartbank scored on an attempted pickoff at third as the ball eluded the third baseman. Alex Shoot then stole third base standing up before coming home on single into right hit by younger brother, Colton. Colton stole second base before coming home for the tenth run of the game for FNB as he scored on a single hit off the bat of Alex Inman into right field.

Daniel Ferguson sprinted to the mound as the top of the sixth and final inning began with a comfortable lead now of 10-5. Alex Lilly flew out to center fielder Alex Shoot, who corralled the ball for out number 1. Lucas Carpenter struck out for out number 2. It was during his at-bat, however, that the defensive play of the game was made. The play was made by a fan in the stands. A very wise and learned baseball fan caught a towering fly foul ball with his bare left hand, and he managed this feat while simultaneously keeping his pen, cell phone and scorebook safely secured in his right hand. A round of applause was issued by the appreciative crowd for the display of athletic prowess, and the very wise and learned baseball fan who knows of which he speaks was awarded a free coke when he returned the ball to the refreshment stand. Jackson Berg was the recipient of the new pitch Daniel has learned, a knuckle curveball, and Berg ducked his head as it appeared the ball was going to be high and tight. Instead, it dropped right down and hit Berg in the helmet. Berg was awarded first base, although he should not have been, since the ball should have been called a strike. Berg's head was right over the plate and in the strike zone when the ball plunked his helmet. Daniel seemed a bit put out with the seeming wrong call, and he uncorked 2 wild pitches which moved the runner to third. He eventually walked Trey Skocy, but he did get Luke Young to ground out second to first to end the game.

First National Bank's record is now 5-2 for the season. Their next contest is today, beginning at 5:30 PM.

Moral Law

The Apostle Paul makes an interesting observation in Romans 8:19-23 [RSV]: 19. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God; 20. for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of Him Who subjected it in hope; 21. because the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and obtain the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22. We know that the whole creation has been groaning in travail together until now; 23. and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

I realize from the start I am probably going to be in the minority on this one, but it is my opinion that the moral law has always existed from the beginning as far back as Adam, and that this moral law was eventually "codified" in what are commonly referred to as the Ten Commandments at Mt. Sinai. This moral law cuts across all covenants, and it is eternal. It is my belief that everything else that followed in the Decalogue with its “thou shalts” and “thou shalt nots,” and what was “clean” and what was “unclean,” comprise what are commonly referred to as the Law of Moses.
Whether or not this moral law is innate, meaning naturally ingrained in us, I am not sure, but throughout history all civilizations have followed these Ten Commandments to a certain degree one way or another. What civilizations generally get right are the last six. That is what has made socialism, Marxism and communism, which are relative newcomers on the scene, so repugnant: They violate the moral laws that have always existed that recognize individual freedom and liberty, personal responsibility and accountability, the right to ownership of private property by the citizen, and the family unit with a mother and a father as being the core and bedrock of society built upon the cornerstone of faith in God. It is these "isms," which themselves are but by-products of humanism, which have led to the devaluing of human life. What God has called blessed, socialism has called a “choice.” What God says in Psalm 127:3 [RSV] is a gift, “Lo, sons are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward,” socialism has called a burden on society to be discarded on a whim, and abortion on demand becomes the law of the land.
Where civilizations have messed up is with the application of the first four of these Ten Commandments. But all societies that have arisen have had some foundation of religiosity about them, which has given rise to the pagan religions of the world. It is this fact that makes me lean towards believing that there is an innate knowledge imbedded in our DNA that knows of the existence of a being greater than man, and we desire to reach him, but because of sin's entrance into the creation (Romans 8:19-23), we are kept from knowing the God unless we seek Him out of our own free will. That is why parents are given the duty to "train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it" (Proverbs 22:6 [RSV]), and fathers are specifically commanded to "not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4 [RSV]). God will then reveal Himself to us when we seek Him: 26. And He made from one every nation of men to live on all the face of the Earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their habitation, 27. that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel after Him and find Him. Yet He is not far from each one of us, 28. for 'In Him we live and move and have our being'; as even some of your poets have said, 'For we are indeed His offspring.' (Acts 17:26-28 [RSV]; see also Matthew 7:7-8; John 7:17; John 14:21; John 8:47; 1 Corinthians 2:14).
Socialism, once again, is naturally repugnant to this idea in that it teaches the irrelevancy of fathers and leads to them being swept aside as unnecessary in the raising of children. The only "good" quality about a man under socialism is that of being a supplier of seed for the purposes of procreation. The father's role has been replaced with the State taking over as the alleged Benevolent Parent. Although the "enlightened" elitists proclaim they are above the needs of religion, and mock those who profess allegiance to Christ, they nonetheless have pushed God aside, too, and simply exchanged the true salvation found in Christ only for the new religion of Statism. The clearest manifestation of this new religion, which is really nothing but a reprisal of an ancient, false, pagan religion, comes in the form of the worship of Mother Earth under the guise of “saving the planet” through the “green environmentalism” movement. Yes, we are to be good stewards of that which God has blessed us, but not to the extent that the created becomes the object of our worship.

We are witnessing first hand the devastating effects the subjugation of men and fathers to the State has had on our nation as it has moved further and further into Marxism through the implementation of the welfare state. Generation after generation after generation are now being raised who do not know their father, and personal responsibility is no longer considered a virtue, but a vice. So I believe there is an innate knowledge of a being greater than man, but the moral laws have had to be taught to us from our parents, particularly our fathers, as they came from the true and Living God, the Father of all. But as long as we continue to denigrate the roles of men and fathers in society, the further we will remove ourselves as a society from the Father of the universe.

FBC Wins 7-4 As Win Streak Hits 3

FBC won their third straight Kid Pitch baseball game in a weather-shortened contest on Wednesday, May 27, 2009, as they defeated Lee's Famous Recipe 7-3. Their record now stands at 4-5 for the season.

Donovan Ferguson picked up his sixth RBI in the last 2 games as he had an RBI single in the second inning and an RBI groundout in the fourth, both times sending teammate Joseph Rader home safely from third base. It was after the fourth inning was completed that the game was called following the third break in action as lightning was seen flashing in the distance.

FBC broke up the game in the second inning as they batted around, scoring the maximum 6 runs per inning. Drake Jeffries led off with a single up the middle and then stole second, going in standing up. Dalton Stephens drove a 3-0 count into right that scored Jeffries, and Stephens went to second on the throw. Dalton Armes followed with a single into left field, driving in Stephens for the second run of the inning. Michael Brown and Joseph Rader both walked to load the bases, and Brayton Sparrow smacked a 1 strike pitch into center field that scored both Armes and Brown, making the score 4-0. Leadoff batter Donovan Ferguson hit a single into short right field for his first RBI of the game. Trevor Edwards walked on a full count in a good at bat as he fouled off 2 tough pitches before coaxing the free pass, and Damien Ferguson hit a double into center field to drive in younger brother Donovan for the sixth and final run of the inning.

With Donovan's RBI outburtst over the last 2 games, he now leads the team in runs batted in with 8.

The team's next game is this coming Monday evening.