The Alberta Racquetball Association and Barbara May

[Churchwork]

Racquetballers,

Re: http://www.r2sports.com/tourney/home.asp?TID=5631

To the best of my knowledge and sincere examination, the reason why the ARA Board (for the record, notice they are non-Christians) disallowed the sanctioning of this tournament (2009 Alberta Racquetball Top 16 Invitational) was because I am a Christian who stood up for the truth in the face of being lied about (see below), and I was not allowed to stand up for those rights (in emails) to speak against such sinning bearing false witness (most of you have a copy of all the emails to know the details). If I did, I would not be allowed to run the tournament. I realized this, but I was unwilling to run a tournament under abusive and unethical mistreatment.

Lying and defending lies DO NOT “encourage and promote the enjoyment in the sport of racquetball; and to work with individuals while respecting their individual rights, roles and commitment to pursue the ARA objectives.” What it does do is lower conscience and morality. I would not want to be a part of that ensemble.

“The Board has concluded upon a review of several emails sent from you to Barbara May, Cam Bourque, and several other ARA members, that you have overstepped the boundaries…” with no specific explanation or details given! That is quite vague and inconsiderate. Apparently it is acceptable for Barbara May to lie; this is not overstepping her boundaries, but when speaking up against that lying, it is overstepping boundaries. This is unacceptable. It is a double standard. “He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart” (John 12.40).

Barbara May misrepresented in several ways (shown in the emails) for the sake to protect her job at my expense and was in retaliation for the fact I did not like her suggestions for the tournament which seemed quite foreign (items listed in the emails) and were never done before in racquetball tournaments to my knowledge. She was quite proud of her deceit. “And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie. That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness” (2 Thess. 2.11-12).

Bringing in some Scripture from the Bible to show God abhors such conduct set off Cam Bourque (who gets quite hostile about Christ), who “not respecting…individual rights” accused of being “a radical lunatic.” In defense, I laid bare his sins before others as being radical and that of a lunatic.

I am reminded of these verses…

“Here is a description of worthless and wicked people: They are constant liars, signaling their true intentions to their friends by making signs with their eyes and feet and fingers. Their perverted hearts plot evil. They stir up trouble constantly. But they will be destroyed suddenly, broken beyond all hope of healing. There are six things the Lord hates-no, seven things he detests: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent, a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong, a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord among brothers…Keep their words always in your heart. Tie them around your neck. Wherever you walk, their counsel can lead you. When you sleep, they will protect you. When you wake up in the morning, they will advise you. For these commands and this teaching are a lamp to light the way ahead of you. The correction of discipline is the way to life. These commands and this teaching will keep you from the immoral woman, from the smooth tongue of an adulterous woman” (Prov. 6.12-19, 21-24). I do believe this is a reference to Barb May.

I would rather stand up for the truth than play racquetball any day. Of course, now I am turned off from racquetball because of those who do not “promote the enjoyment of…respect every individual’s rights.” I do not have the desire to play racquetball anymore. Though, that is not the sole reason. I also have tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow which refuse to go away, but through the month of June are getting better, so I was looking forward to this tournament. So that plays a part in my decision as well.

May this incident help lead people to Christ.

Sincerely,

Troy Brooks

[Churchwork]

Allen,

It is fun I know. Too bad the ARA and Barb weren't so stuffy. It's clear though if you speak against the ARA in any way, they will come down on you with their iron fist and they won't sanction your tournament just out of spite. Very childish. They need to, as you say, get off their high horse and stop being "anal retentive."

What they need to do is give their lives to Christ and stop showing their (discriminatory) silent hostility to Christians. The non-Christian tries to find or fabricate some fault with the Christian (when the Christian knows the non-Christian is going to Hell) to try to disprove God of the Bible, not realizing that salvation is not by works lest any man should boast; but it is a free-gift from God: http://www.youtube.com/user/Parture.

I tried to do my part, but I was stopped by nonsense: Barb May preventing a second ARA sanctioned tournament from happening as a result of her lying and the ARA not taking the moral high ground to deal with her lying. Until Barb is gone, I won't come back. That's a promise! I feel like that is the right thing to do. I am a martyr for my cause! But there is still the problem with the ARA giving into her lying which doesn't sit well with me either. They hired her right? So doesn't that mean they are protecting their own mistake, covering up for her?

It will take a long time for my tennis elbow and golfer's elbow to go away and they are revoking my ARA membership on June 22 in their already decided Spanish Inquisition, so no point in playing for at least a year, since they won't let me play tournaments. Hopefully, she will be gone by then. Going to do some long-distance jogging instead. Somebody email me when she quits or is fired for her "incompetency," then I certainly can enjoy racquetball again. We don't need outsiders who have a low motivation level to make racquetball worse.

Kids in elementary and junior high need to be introduced to racquetball, but the ARA doesn't find a way to reach them. We have 2 players in the top 50 in Canada. That is the worse Alberta Racquetball has ever done. Whoever has been on the Board for the ARA for the past many years is to blame for this. You think Barb with her $50,000 salary and $20,000 expense account would make an effort to do something on that front, but she is too busy giving me excuses, being "annoyed," playing bureaucratic games, being uncordial, and making up lies to protect her paycheck. It's embarrassing, uninspiring and frankly, she does not have the spirit or love for racquetball. It is all too apparent! Growing up playing racquetball, I am quite in tune with what racquetball needs, but then I hear her ideas and I wonder what planet she is on. She really doesn't get it, so whoever hired her needs to bite the bullet and let her go. Racquetball is stymied while she is present. She takes the joy out of racquetball! Plus, I think the ARA needs at least a couple Christians on the Board to keep them honest.

Al, I can't remember any Barb's in school. It must be in my subconscious. Or maybe Barb really did lie, and I really am telling you the truth. Why would I put up the site if she really did warn not to? Yet I told her I was doing it. She said it was "effectively sanctioned" and had no problem with it initially. Then she lied and changed her story in her email to several people. That's when I spoke up. Why didn't Halko or Marc or Usher (who issued it to me) say anything that I couldn't when I talking to them personally about it? Why would Marc allow his son to register if I couldn't? It doesn't make sense: not only are ARA members contradicting themselves, but I have to contend with straight out lies from Barb. It's just petty nonsense from a dishonest woman.Then she emailed people again and did not retract her lie, but tried to bolster it even more. I received no apology from her or the ARA. Sin begets sin. You can tell I don't like bold-faced liars. But I also don't like people who defend them either. It irks my conscience. Hence, the replies exposing her scheming to protect her job and vain appearance on her high horse.

Why is she saying I can't run a tournament when it would seem more reasonable she is just lashing out because I asked her some questions about money, why she does nothing to introduce racquetball to elementary and junior high kids, and her ideas I rejected: single elimination knockout; refs wear uniforms or vests; holding the tournament in some small town; referring competition; skills competition for the pros; a coaching competition; rising star competition (she never explained that one to me); blocking off the courts and charging people $20 to watch; upping the entry fee from $50 to $125 (which is gouging). I had it all set up, negotiated the courts down to $10/each-a nice low budget tournament! Asked if I could have 16 t-shirts, she said no, but Jamie Brayley said I could request it.

Naturally she backlashes, instead of accepting her ideas really are not good ones. That hurt her pride! I was the brunt of her hurt pride and the ARA covering for their employee.

Such is the way of the world, but I stand apart from it, because the god of this world is Satan. Though I am in the world, I am not of the world, for I am a child of God, chosen before the foundations of the world.

Thank you Jesus. Amen.

Troy

[Churchwork]

See the full correspondence here,
http://www3.telus.net/trbrooks/ARA_Barb_May.htm

Some Questions Raised

Why was the tournament only open to SK, AB and BC?
It was not anticipated there would be interest from MB and ON to travel from so far away, but this is a minor issue which can easily be changed.

Did the ARA show any reason for not sanctioning it?
None whatsoever! No specific reason was given in their letter of refusal. Marc Caouette, John Halko and Barbara May (possibly the others except for maybe James Brayley) knew about the tournament months before at least at the Alberta Closed back in March and gave encouragement to proceed.

Seems interesting, but why only 16 players?
For several reasons:

1. The players wanted it. I talked to high ranked players from all 3 provinces, some of which said they were thinking of doing the same thing in their own provinces.
2. It is very difficult to get 16 players in the Open division. For example, the Alberta Closed in 2008 was Pool Play in the Open division (only 6 players).
3. The tournament does not need to be over 3 days, but can get done in a day and half and cost effectively (e.g. court fees only $10 rather than $15 at the Nationals). We were only charging $50.
4. Provides a bridge between SK and BC players for free-flow of rankings more effectively if higher ranked players are more likely to come out. Alberta is lacking severely in higher rankings, so we should take advantage of our central location in western Canada.

So why didn't they sanction it?
I can only tell you what I see. Since no specific reason was given in their letter of refusal one can surmise:

A) Since all the members of the ARA are non-Christians and I am a Christian, there is probably some prejudices there. They reacted hastily (on impulse and unawares). Oftentimes non-Christians will try to fabricate fault with Christians or target them (hence, the martyrdom of the Church), because they know the Bible teaches that those who do not accept Jesus died on the cross and was resurrected proving he is God, will end up going to Hell. Several of them, like Gerry Slamko have expressed their hostility at times in discussions about matters of faith (note: his son was present on more than one occasion when we had these discussions). Incidentally, Gerry's second wife is a Roman Catholic. That is not the same thing as Christian, for Christians believe:

1. OSAS not non-OSAS;
2. Christians are against popery, archdiocese or archbishops (men of power and unrighteous control);
3. premillennial not amillennial (non-rewards so no accountability);
4. salvation is not by works, lest any man should boast;
5. against idolatry, a sinless human (e.g. Mary) and immaculate conception, for all that is born of the flesh is flesh;
6. no intermediary priesthood;
7. no paying for indulgences;
8. no adding books to the 66 books of the Bible;
9. Bible speaks against this "religious Rome" Roman Church in Matt. 13, Rev. 2, 14 & 17;
10. no transubstantiation;
11. no infant baptismal regeneration;
12. Christians accept women apostles, elders and teachers;
13. Christians accept priests can be married;
14. The priesthood of the Roman church should go to jail for child molestation;
15. no praying to deceased saints (for they are asleep);
16. all believers are saints not just some;

There are many more issues than this. Marc Caouette and his wife (both together at the same time) and in other group settings the latter has has expressed hostility towards Jesus Christ. Halko shuts his mind down to the matter, etc.

In no less then two occasions with Barb May and Gerry Slamko present together talking about matters of faith, never once did Barbara May confess the Lord Jesus before others. The person who is "of the world" knows enough not reveal their stance, for they will be judged, but there is still the sin of omission. "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven" (Acts 10.32-33). Gerry Slamko spoke directly against Christ Jesus.

Therefore, one can sense discrimination there.

B) Barbara May's lying and misrepresenting, as well as her abusive tone, were proven to be childishly in retaliation to my not liking any of her ideas she wanted to impose on the tournament which were inappropriate (see the emails). Who hired her? She is not very in tune with the sport of racquetball. Whoever hired her is covering for her diverting attention off of her onto me.

C) It's a smear campaign, for they have planned also to revoke my ARA membership and will need to be as vague as possible with no substantive reason given in the same vain as not sanctioning the Alberta Racquetball Top 16 Invitational.

D) Individuals on the ARA imposing themselves unrighteously with their petty selves because they can.

Now I simply want to run a tournament despite the fact that these individuals according to the Bible are going to Hell, despite the fact that Barbara May is a liar, despite the unethicalness of covering up for that lying, despite the pettiness, and despite the smear campaign. For though Christians are in the world, we are not of the world.

You see I would just like to play some good racquetball and enjoy the camaraderie, which the ARA is hellbent on taking that away from players. Look at what one has to go up against? The results speak for themselves. One ARA sanctioned tournament per year, no involved junior program reaching elementary and junior high schools, and only 2 players in the top 50 in Canada (none in the top 25).

I rest my case.

Troy

[Churchwork]

I received a letter mailed by Barbara May, specifically, and signed by James Brayley stating, the Alberta Racquetball Association "voted on June 29, 2009 to expel you from membership with the ARA in accordance with Section 5.1 of the ARA Constitution and Bylaws."

They can do so "at the discretion" of their board members for just cause ONLY!

However, they violated Section 5.1 which says IF "the said member is acting in conflict to the objectives of the Association."

The only reason given and vaguely at best is: "The rationale for this decision stems from your conduct, specifically several emails sent from you to Barbara May, Cam Bourque, James Brayley and other ARA members. The content of your emails do not support the objectives of the ARA which are to respect every individual's rights, roles and commitment in order to encourage and promote enjoyment in the sport of racquetball."

Since no specific evidence in the conduct of my emails were given as conflicting with the objectives of the Association, and a vague accusation is unjustified, we must conclude, “Once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth.” - Arthur Conan Doyle

We can only conclude the reason is, this was an old fashioned Christian rousting and roasting by an entirely non-Christian ARA board.

We may expect more of this kind of cunning, under the breath, hostility before Christ returns.

"I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled" (Rev. 6.9-11).

"And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead [e.g. non-Christian ARA board members] lived not again until the thousand years were finished [to be resurrected for Hell]. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison" (Rev. 20.4-7) for "a little season" (v.3).

I encourage you to read the emails to see these accusations libeled by the ARA board members are really projecting their own conduct in those emails and the proof supplied that lying and deceit by Cam Bourque, Barbara May and James Brayley or possibly other members defending that behavior "[does] not support the objectives of the ARA which are to respect every individual's rights, roles and commitment in order to encourage and promote enjoyment in the sport of racquetball."

I forgive them. They are control freaks. They know not what they do. When Christians come in contact with such arrogant and obnoxious behavior and deceit, we feel defiled by their sin and self-serving behavior, so often the best thing to do is remove oneself from further contact with them since they will never repent. That's why there is Heaven and Hell for the saved in Christ and those who reject His love.

Praise the Lord for this discernment! Amen.

Troy