The Cubs finally clinched the division with a two game margin over the strong side of the Milwaukee Brewers.  All season long the two have been battling for the chance to hold the title.  It came down to the wire and finally the “gods” of baseball looked kindly upon the Cubbies. They figured that 62 years of even being in the World Series was enough and 99 years of actually winning it all was tortured enough.   

It has been four long years since the Cubs and their fans have experienced the pleasures of even the postseason.  

After a long offseason and an excessive amount of money spent by the Cubbies to bring in names like Alfonso Soriano and newly acquired head coach Lou Piniella, some expected the Cubs to waltz right into World Series.  

On the contrary, the Cubs started off looking like they belonged in the minor league.  They played like a first year team with little strive and intensity.  The losses were piling up more than the victories, and to top it all off the players were having backyard brawls in the dugout.  Lou Piniella not only got himself on a team that has not seen the World Series since WWII, but was now running a day care.  

It looked like the season was just going to be another one of those, “We’ll get them next year” for Cub fans everywhere. 

As the season progressed, however, the team began to pull it together.  Behind the pitching of Carlos Zambrano and Jason Marquis, and the fielding and hitting of players like Derek Lee, Alfonso Soriano, and Ryan Theriot.  

Well the hopes are no more, and with the continued fighting of the Cubs throughout the season; the postseason has been sealed and delivered to them.       

However, now is not the time to go running around banging pots and pans in the streets for victory.  The Cubs faithful have seen there team in the playoffs before, and know that they the Cubs are 0-for-their-past-11 postseasons, which include seven unsuccessful World Series appearances between 1910 and 1945. Their overall record in postseason games since 1908: 15-42. 

On the other hand, this year it seems a lot different to most fans.  The fans are pulling more than ever for the Cubbies to do something great.  With their leadership in the clubhouse, and their youngsters striving for victory it seems that the Cubs could kick that “Billy the Goat” to the curb.   

The gods have brought them this far, what is to say that they can not continue to sprinkle a little more good luck on the Chicago Cubs?  

The Cubs will start their postseason drive off on Wednesday, October 3 against the Arizona Diamondbacks.  

To most Christians out there today, it has become a challenge to cipher whether or not artist such Kearney and Switchfoot have decided to put their faith in the backdrop or take an opportunity to share the faith with individuals who might never hear it from anyone else. As Christians are we not suppose to spread the faith of Christ to all non-believers?  It is our calling in life to go out into the world and share the good news of what we know to be true.  These artists are trying to do just that. 

Switchfoot’s latest disc titled, “Oh Gravity” has sold double the amount of copies than any of there other discs released in the Christian music world.  Granted, more money is obviously an opportunity for bands to make it in the secular world, but for Switchfoot and Relient K money is not really the concern.  Recently in an interview from Planet magazine, Switchfoot’s lead singer John Foreman still emphasizes the fact that money is never there concern. Foreman stated that, “We have always described success as not having a lot of green pieces of paper in our wallets, socks that match or a car that is all one color. For me, it’s doing what you believe in, what you love and are passionate about.”   

So the question really comes into mind, if these bands are so successful and have such a strong basis of listeners then why do they not proclaim their faith louder and stronger?  Are they afraid of being turned away by listeners, or loosing the fame that the secular world has brought them?  There have been artists in the secular world that have come to known Christ and felt such a strong conviction to leave that world and allow God to use their talents. These artists include former Backstreet Boy, Brian Litrell, and the former guitar player from the heavy metal band Korn.  Both of these artists put their talents into Gods hands and had to leave the industry that allowed them to get so famous.   

Beckham is leaving behind his home in Spain where he formerly played for the club called Real Madrid.  Real Madrid a few years ago was classified as a giant compared to other football clubs in Spain because of the amount of superstars they had collected over that time.  However, with all of the talent that one team could fill, Real Madrid had its struggles and the club was in a slump.  Beckham never imagined that this is what he would be leaving his beloved, childhood dream team, Manchester United from England for.  He loved Real Madrid, but the desire to win carried heavier than anything else.  The announcement of his decision to leave Real and head to America left Beckham hated by Real’s managers and another challenge in his way.  

Beckham has faced more challenges and heartache throughout his career as a footballer.  Signed at the age of fourteen to Manchester United, he brought life to the club and most of all victory.  His time came to play for his country in the World Cup. Beckham was a youngster and speaking from experience needed to take some time to mature in the game.  He was red carded in one of the matches, which ended up costing England the game and an early exit out of the World Cup.  Beckham was threatened, hated by his countrymen, but knew that was not the end of David Beckham.  He came back and fought harder than ever before.  Four years later Beckham scored in the World Cup which allowed England to continue.  Beckham was a hero and the captain of the England team for over five years.  However, the past World Cup, England lost in a heartbreaker in the later stages of the tournament, and the next day Beckham announced that he would pass the arm band on to another.  Beckham was thankful for his time as captain, but did not expect that with that decision would bring a call from the England manager saying that the team was going in another direction and Beckham was not included.  Another mountain for David Beckham, but that would not stop him. 

He continued to play for Real even after the true character was showed from the team. However, Beckham wanted to win before he left and bring a championship to the fans and that club. He did just that.  Real Madrid recently won the Spanish league this past season with David Beckham and family waving goodbye to their fans at the finale.  It almost seemed fitting the way that the exit doors were opened for Beckham.  He also was asked to come back to the England squad after the enormous amount of “There is only one Beckham” coming from the stands of England.  He accepted and is back playing with his beloved country.  He overcame the diversity and never let the negative get into his head.  He loves the game he plays and that was what carry’s him through it.  The new challenge for Beckham now, America. 

Well I am extremely excited to be writing for InDaPhatFarm.com, and having the chance to get my writings and thoughts out there.  I am from the south-side of Chicago, and no I am not a Sox’s fan.  I am actually a die-hard Cubs fan, who every day has to defend the infamous loosing ball team to all of his south-side Sox’s buddies.  I have lived here since I have come out of the shoot. I am one of three siblings with an older bro, and younger, baby sis.  My father is a minister/ motivational speaker, and my mother has been the greatest stay at home mother anyone could ask for.  I am a twenty year old who desires to put the Lord first, family second and everything after that is all living life to the fullest and enjoying every second of it.