A man named Charlie Moore ... moved with his family ... into a new community.
He wanted to make some new friends, ... so he decided ... to join the local softball league.
For the opening game of the season ... Charlie brought along the whole family, ... so they all could meet some of the other players and their families.
When Charlie got up to bat, ... He set his feet, squared his shoulders... and as the ball came across the plate, ... well ... he missed it by a mile.
The crowd groaned.
But one voice could be heard over the den of people: ...... "You can do it, Mr. Moore!"
The second pitch came ... and again he swung wildly and missed, ... the crowd groaned even louder ... yet again the voice could be heard. "You can do it Mr. Moore!"
The third pitch ... he swung again, and the voice cried: "That's OK Mr. Moore you will do better next time!"
Well that day ... Charlie struck out ... every time he went to bat.
When the game was over, ... the family got into their car, ... and as they made their way down the road, ... the dad turned to his son and said:
"Was that you that yelled out ... 'You can do it Mr. Moore'?"
When his son admitted that it was indeed his voice ...the dad said he appreciated his son's encouragement, ... but he wondered ", Why did you call me Mr. Moore?"
"Well," the boy said, ... "I didn't want anyone to know ... I was related to you. " (Long Pause)
Beloved are you part of the family ... are you a "Follower of Christ" ... Or are you ... a mere ... "Fan."