Sports

The Greatest

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“Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest. And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by Him, and said unto them, ‘Whosoever shall receive this child in My name receives Me: and whosoever shall receive Me receives Him that sent Me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.’” Luke 9:46-48 (KJB)

Within the world in which we live there are many who seek to be seen, and known as “The Greatest”.  This notion even fell upon the disciples of Jesus; and in many cases; it still does.  Jesus was dealing with this in the above verses.

When I was a child there was a man in the sports world who liked to see himself as the greatest; he was the one who used the poetic phrase, “Float like a butterfly; sting like a bee”. He is no longer the greatest, neither was he ever the greatest.  He met death as well; and just as every human being will.

Who is the greatest? Jesus answers that question above.  Whoever receives a child in His name receives Him, and whoever receives Him receives Him (God the Father) who sent Him.  The least among us is the same who shall be great.

Let us think on that one for awhile, believe it, receive it, and do it.

The Case Against God’s People

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Jeremiah, the weeping prophet. Known for that because of his mourning for the sins of the people of Judah, and Jerusalem. He sees the failings of the priesthood, of which he was part. The weaknesses, the hypocrisies, and often blatant lies and deceptions; not only among the priests but among those who called themselves prophets of God.

God could speak with Jeremiah. Jeremiah heard, and many times responded to what God said. Hear what God says to Jeremiah near the beginning of his ministry;

“Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying, ‘Go and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the LORD; I remember thee, the kindness of thy youth, the love of thine espousals, when thou wentest after Me in the wilderness, in a land that was not sown. Israel was holiness unto the LORD, and the firstfruits of His increase: all that devour him shall offend; evil shall come upon them, saith the LORD.'”  Jeremiah 2:1-3 (KJV)

God begins in the first message by confirming them in their first belief. They had followed, at least through Abraham, had been obedient in the wilderness, and had grown in love with the LORD. There was kindness, fondness, love in their hearts for the LORD, realizing that He alone was responsible for their having a land, a promise. They had been chosen from the place of God’s amazing grace and mercy. They were undeserving. They were unworthy. They were sinners among the other sinners of the earth. There was nothing special about them, thus in there early days they loved the LORD.

Despite the fact of their departure the LORD reminds them of His promise, “All that devour him will offend; disaster will come upon them,’ says the LORD”. No one can expect God’s blessing who lifts their hand against the people, the nation, whom God ordained to give us the Scriptures, ordinances, and laws. Yet there is room for His judgment. Pray for Jerusalem – Israel.

As Christians we must remember our “First love”. That love we had for Jesus when we first believed. The things of the world around us have a power which can lure us away from loving Him. God commended five of the early churches of the Revelation, but would only condemn two of them because they had departed from Him.

If you truly know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then, there was a time when you walked with Him, you loved Him, cherished Him, and it did not bother you that there were times He seemed distant, but you trusted His Word when He said, “I will never leave you, nor forsake you.”

Something has happened in the past few days, weeks, months, or years that have caused you to get away from Him, His Word, from praying, and cherishing His abiding presence. You have become more consumed with sports, entertainment, comforts, leisure, conveniences, and even family activities, than with your walk with Him. It is time to return to Him, before the judgment of your sin comes on you.

He puts His protecting hand on all who have trusted Him. You can believe He will keep you, protect you, and anyone who raises an evil hand against you will suffer by His hand. Be assured God loves you with an everlasting love. Enjoy it, revel in it, rejoice in it, and He will be glorified.

-by Tim A. Blankenship

Cassville, Football and Sportsmanship

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I made a comment previously on the bad language of some Cassville fans I was standing around at the Kansas City Ohara vs. Cassville game on Saturday November 21.  That was only a few which I heard.  I cannot stand hearing intelligent people use vocabulary which “would make a sailor blush”.  What purpose does it serve?  And especially toward the officials who judge the plays.

I write this post only to brag about our fans and the boys of the Cassville Football team.  Earlier this week the school received an email from a mother of one of the Ohara players who commended the community of Cassville and her people for the welcome, making them feel right at home; and she was almost overcome by the “sportsmanship” that was displayed by our boys.  We saw the display of sportsmanship in the championship game in St. Louis as well.

Thanks to the mom who sent the email.  May God bless you and your team at Ohara.

A statement was made that “… it was unseen where they were from”.  It has been seen time and again one of our players reaching down a hand to help the opposing team player from the ground to his feet.

On the day our boys returned to town it was like a parade through the town when those charter buses came down main street, people were standing along the street cheering, shouting; horns from the cars were blaring, Police cars had their sirens screaming, along with the Sheriffs department, the Fire Department, Ambulance, State Highway patrol, was not to be outdone either.

It is great to see such a wonderful fan base for our football team.

You can see it on  you tube. It is quite the site to behold.

-Tim A. Blankenship

Cassville – To State In 2009

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The title above is correct.  The team pulled off the win against Kansas City Ohara with a 23-7 victory.  The Ohara team fought hard and it was a great game.

At half time the score was 10 – 7 with Cassville only taking the lead moments before the half.  Ohara was putting up a vicious defense; and the Cassville boys were struggling hard to get toward the Ohara goal.  I believe the field goal attempt and success was made from near the 35 yard line.

In the second half the game the Wildcats passed for a touchdown, it was caught but ruled out and incomplete, to the disappointment of many Wildcat fans.  I think many adult fans at High School and other sports events need to learn to be better sportsmen about rulings by the officials.  The language practically made me not want to be there.  It was like I had fallen into the language sewer or something.  Can we not be passionate about the sport, whatever sport it is, without the bad language?

Cassville did pull off the win with two more touchdowns in the second half of the game, missing one extra point attempt, then continuing to hold the Ohara Celtics from any more touchdowns.

The Ohara Celtics have nothing to be ashamed of.  They played hard, and gave Cassville great competition.  They had the fans of Cassville somewhat worried; especially at the end of that first half.

Next week the team will be going to State Championship game in the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis, MO. and will play Bowling Green for the 3A State Championship.

It has been another great football season for the Cassville Wildcats Football team.  Keep up the good work.

GO WILDCATS GO!!!

-Tim A. Blankenship

I make no claims to being a writer of any kind; little lone a sports writer.

Cassville Football Team – Again

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On Saturday November 14 Cassville’s Football team played Rogersville team and defeated them 21 – 20.  Rogersville was a great team to play, and put up a good fight as you can tell by the score.

Now Cassville goes on the the simi finals, and then God willing to State championships in St. Louis.

I am thrilled to see the Cassville Wildcats doing so well.

Go Wildcats.  All the way to State Championship for 2009.

-Tim A. Blankenship

In A World Of Words…

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…there is much to be said for ceasing from words, for silence, and for hearing God.

” In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.” Proverbs 10:19 (KJV)

Cassville’s Football Team – Two

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On Saturday November 22 Cassville’s High School Football Team defeated  13 – 0 Chilicothe, and won the chance for State Championship.

On Friday November 28 six School Bus drivers, on three School Buses began a journey to St. Louis to the Edward Jones Dome – the home of the Rams – with the High School band in two buses and cheering fans in one bus.  The players, cheerleaders, and several others went to St. Louis on Charter buses, and spent Thanksgiving night in St. Louis, MO.  This was an event that had the  small town of Cassville really excited, and people volunteered to pay for these charters to send the boys.  They also made a little of it back with two other charters for Cassville to buy a seat for 35 dollars, which covered their admission into the games; at least that is what I was told.

In a car you can make the trip to St. Louis in about 4.5 hours.  In a School Bus hauling kids it is more like 5 to 6 hours.  I think the trip home was about 7 hours due to stopping to eat, fueling the buses and a stop to relieve ourselves one time.

Our Cassville team played a team from the Cardinal Ritter School near St. Louis.  According to some reports from sports people, Cassville didn’t have a chance.  Cassville was going to get stomped.  None of those things were to be.  I won’t even try to give you all the details of the game, or a play by play, but it was Cassville who made the first touchdown, and it was Cassville who made the final touchdown with extra points; winning the game with a 31 – 7 lead.

Like I have said a few times; I am no sports fan, but I can get into a good High School Football game now and then and I especially like those Cassville Wildcats from Cassville, Missouri.  It may partly be because Cassville is my Alma Mater.  I graduated from there in 1972, and nothing like this has happened before.

Those students we hauled to the game didn’t get back to Cassville until 3:00 a.m.  It was a long night, and day. 

The Wildcats are now the Class 3A Champions in the State of Missouri.

GO CASSVILLE WILDCATS!!! 

Tim A. Blankenship

Cassville’s Football Team

/ Tim A. / 2 Comments

Generally, I do not write a post like this one on Fire and Hammer, but this was something I had to share.  As many of you know I am not a huge sports fan, rarely attending any sports event unless I drive a school bus delivering the school atheletes to their destination.

Our Cassville High School football team has had an excellent year, however, and I want to share that with you.  Our team had a 10 – 2 year in their conference.  They have been in play off games for the past two Saturdays or so, and have won the games.  It came down to the final play off game between Cassville and Chilicothe; and Chilicothe had a 13 – 0 season, not losing a single game.  The big game that determines State Champions will be Friday November 28 in Saint Louis in the Jones Dome.

I guess I am just about like every other guy, I like to see winners, and I have know our boys on the team were winners I just haven’t gone to any other game this year, but I went Saturday, and was glad that I did.  I had planned on listening on the radio, but saw how beautiful a day it was going to be and decided that if my older son Timothy, who was out deer hunting at the time, wanted to go then I would go too.  Sarah, his wife called him on his cell and asked if he would like to go.  He wanted to, and he came in early due to the cold, and we decided to go a little early, get lunch, then go to the game; hopefully to find a seat by going early.  HA! HA!  When we arrived to the stadium in Cassville, there was not a seat to be found.  This was at 1 p.m. and the game didn’t start until 1:30.

So, we stood along the railing with probably more than a hundred others, until the game started, during the game, and until the game was over.  It was one of the best; if not the best football game I ever watched.  These teams were very evenly matched.  It seemed that Chilicothe was getting more yardage, but would be stopped in crucial moments for Cassville.

Cassville led at the close of the first half 14 – 7.  In the third quarter Chilicothe came back and got a touchdown.  On the extra point attempt the ball went high, and it seemed to me that a gust of wind caught that ball and sent it to the left of the left field goal post, coming up short and to the left and no point.  The score at that point was 14 – 13, Cassville in the lead.  Cassville gained no other points, nor did Chilicothe.

In the last minute of the game Chilicothe was attempting a touchdown with a few short yards to the goal.  The quarterback made a pass, and Cassville intercepted, and they kneeled with the ball, until the clock ran out.  Cassville won 14 – 13.  They go to Saint Louis on Friday.  It is a first in the history of Cassville Schools.

I don’t know if God intervenes in football to help one team win over another or not, but it almost appeared that way to me.  I don’t believe in coincidences.  I do believe in God through His Son Jesus Christ.  I know He rules in the events of men.

GO CASSVILLE WILDCATS!!!

-Tim A. Blankenship

The Case Against God’s People

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God Builds His Case

Jeremiah, the weeping prophet. Known for that because of his mourning for the sins of the people of Judah, and Jerusalem. He sees the failings of the priesthood, of which he was part. The weaknesses, the hypocrisies, and often blatant lies and deceptions; not only among the priests but among those who called themselves prophets of God.

God could speak with Jeremiah. Jeremiah heard, and many times responded to what God said. Hear what God says to Jeremiah near the beginning of his ministry;

“Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying, ‘Go and cry in the hearing of Jerusalem, saying’, ‘Thus says the LORD: ‘I remember you, the kindness of your youth, the love of your betrothal, when you went after Me in the wilderness, in a land not sown. Israel was holiness to the LORD, the firstfruits of His increase. All that devour him will offend; disaster will come upon them,’ says the LORD.” Jeremiah 2:1-3 (NKJV).

God begins in the first message by confirming them in their first belief. They had followed, at least through Abraham, had been obedient in the wilderness, and had grown in love with the LORD. There was kindness, fondness, love in their hearts for the LORD, realizing that He alone was responsible for their having a land, a promise. They had been chosen from the place of God’s amazing grace and mercy. They were undeserving. They were unworthy. They were sinners among the other sinners of the earth. There was nothing special about them, thus in there early days they loved the LORD.

Despite the fact of their departure the LORD reminds them of His promise, “All that devour him will offend; disaster will come upon them,’ says the LORD”. No one can expect God’s blessing who lifts their hand against the people, the nation, whom God ordained to give us the Scriptures, ordinances, and laws. Yet there is room for His judgment. Pray for Jerusalem – Israel.

As Christians we must remember our “First love”. That love we had for Jesus when we first believed. The things of the world around us have a power which can lure us away from loving Him. God commended five of the early churches of the Revelation, but would only condemn two of them because they had departed from Him.

If you truly know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then, there was a time when you walked with Him, you loved Him, cherished Him, and it did not bother you that there were times He seemed distant, but you trusted His Word when He said, “I will never leave you, nor forsake you.”

Something has happened in the past few days, weeks, months, or years that have caused you to get away from Him, His Word, from praying, and cherishing His abiding presence. You have become more consumed with sports, entertainment, comforts, leisure, conveniences, and even family activities, than with your walk with Him. It is time to return to Him, before the judgment of your sin comes on you.

He puts His protecting hand on all who have trusted Him. You can believe He will keep you, protect you, and anyone who raises an evil hand against you will suffer by His hand. Be assured God loves you with an everlasting love. Enjoy it, revel in it, rejoice in it, and He will be glorified.

-by Tim A. Blankenship