Hole #4
Having never played this course before, I was looking forward to the Par 3's. You know the feeling, getting to hit an iron instead of being so dependent on your driver. Well i was looking forward to the Par 3's until I saw this hole...
It is 171 yards to the center of the green, it's going to play a little shorter today because the pin location is in the front.
But to give you an adequate description of this hole.....
Picture the ocean...
you got that idea in your mind?
Lots of blue water...now put an island in the middle of it.
Now you are picturing this hole.
Actually only 1/3 of the hole is water, but it is still going to be a way difficult hole.
Why is it that sometimes when we see what is in front of us we tense up and worry?
We see that obstacle (Water in this case) in front of us and start to worry. It rattles our confidence. Some very sound advice was given to me once in a sermon by David Daniels, he said, "Do your thing the way you practice." In other words, don't let what you see in front of you affect what you know you are capable of.
You have hit you 6 iron numerous times, you know what it will do if you hit it right and the water will just be a pretty feature on the course, not a negative aspect.
So focus and do your thing.
Good hit! We played through the inward/outward distractions and landed it on the green.
In our everyday lives....Why is it that we let our surroundings affect who we are at the core?
If we are who we claim to be, why do we seem so "wishy washy" at times?
Why do we lose our cool when we are faced with certain situations?
Why does peer pressure affect us so much?
We know what we're capable of (even more we know what God is capable of) but yet we let our guard down. We falter, we worry, we tense up and freeze generally during the true tests of our life.
We know we were never promised an easy life here on Earth. We knew it wasn't going to be all easy, sometimes we were going to be in sticky and otherwise difficult situations. Maybe that is why we were called to take up our cross.
Mark 8:34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
Deny himself...focus. We know what is important in those difficult situations....so focus.
But we would rather worry.
Worry about what we see although we have a faith in the unseen.
Worry about what people will think if we don't go along with the crowd.
Worry about how it will all play out rather than standing on what we know.
worry.....anxiousness.....uncertainty.....confusion......peer pressure....
Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Matthew 6:25-27 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
Proverbs 10:25 When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever.
Matthew 10:22 "All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved."
1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
Ephesians 6:13-15 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
Stand on what (WHOM) you know. "Do your thing the way you practice." Don't let the current thing in front of you affect how you know you should act/live.
Be Bold....Stand firm....follow through with your part.
.....all that worry and anxiety about the water and i couldn't even putt when i got on the green! Oh well, got a par.
Next up Hole 5, Par 4, 410 yards...
Monday, August 31, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
Hole 3, Par 5, 562 yards
Hole #3
So we have two par 4's behind us. That should have us all warmed up for the Par 5 in front of us.
This is a beautiful hole but it is one of the hardest one's on the course.
The fairways are very tight (meaning narrow). They are tree lined and being that it is mid summer they are full and bushy reaching in towards the middle to grab any unsuspecting ball.
I have always been told that trees are 90% air and to play your normal shot, but for me....i am generally in the 10% and nail them every time. So for today, I will do my best to avoid the 'hook' or the 'slice'.
The hook is a shot that can start off seemingly straight but turn hard left once it has left the face of the club. The slice, like its counterpart the hook, is similar but it goes hard right.
These shots appear to be great shots for about the first 75-100 yards but the spin and follow-through they are hit with greatly affect the outcome of the shot.
So too with Christianity...
When we start off we all seem to be going the direction we need to be. We are 'on fire' for Christ and pursuing His desires above our own. But as with golf shots, we need to have the right foundation and follow-through to ensure that we stay out of the rough and troubled areas as we walk this 'course' God has set us on.
Matthew 7:13-14 "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
Outwardly all we, as fellow believers, might see of another Christian (or they see of us), is that initial contact and connection with Christ. The analogy of hitting the golf shot. They see us as going straight down the middle of the narrow road (fairway).
But, what things, what obstacles have we let get near us that can pull or sway us off that road? What have we let pull us to the side where not only getting back in the fairway is the goal, but also being able to even see the goal (prize) anymore is difficult?
As with golf, life and Christianity needs to have our attention and concentration. When we get distracted with all that is going on around us and what people are saying (or even doing) we can become distracted and lose focus.
We are only here for 70 maybe 80 years but eternity lasts forever. Choose wisely and focus on your life. Those around you may depend on your choices.
...well the tee shot went ok. We stayed out of the trees and kept it in the fairway. The awesome thing about par 5's is generally you follow your first shot up with another long shot still 250-300 yards out. Just as easy to hook or slice with your 3 wood as your driver. Focus and concentration is what it is all about. You can have a lot of fun out here if you are focused on the goal and doing everything within your control to play your best.
When we get to the end, all that discipline will pay off.
Nicely played! On in three and one putt. That is a birdie and brings us to even on the day.
Next up Hole 4, Par 3, 171 yards.....
So we have two par 4's behind us. That should have us all warmed up for the Par 5 in front of us.
This is a beautiful hole but it is one of the hardest one's on the course.
The fairways are very tight (meaning narrow). They are tree lined and being that it is mid summer they are full and bushy reaching in towards the middle to grab any unsuspecting ball.
I have always been told that trees are 90% air and to play your normal shot, but for me....i am generally in the 10% and nail them every time. So for today, I will do my best to avoid the 'hook' or the 'slice'.
The hook is a shot that can start off seemingly straight but turn hard left once it has left the face of the club. The slice, like its counterpart the hook, is similar but it goes hard right.
These shots appear to be great shots for about the first 75-100 yards but the spin and follow-through they are hit with greatly affect the outcome of the shot.
So too with Christianity...
When we start off we all seem to be going the direction we need to be. We are 'on fire' for Christ and pursuing His desires above our own. But as with golf shots, we need to have the right foundation and follow-through to ensure that we stay out of the rough and troubled areas as we walk this 'course' God has set us on.
Matthew 7:13-14 "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
Outwardly all we, as fellow believers, might see of another Christian (or they see of us), is that initial contact and connection with Christ. The analogy of hitting the golf shot. They see us as going straight down the middle of the narrow road (fairway).
But, what things, what obstacles have we let get near us that can pull or sway us off that road? What have we let pull us to the side where not only getting back in the fairway is the goal, but also being able to even see the goal (prize) anymore is difficult?
As with golf, life and Christianity needs to have our attention and concentration. When we get distracted with all that is going on around us and what people are saying (or even doing) we can become distracted and lose focus.
We are only here for 70 maybe 80 years but eternity lasts forever. Choose wisely and focus on your life. Those around you may depend on your choices.
...well the tee shot went ok. We stayed out of the trees and kept it in the fairway. The awesome thing about par 5's is generally you follow your first shot up with another long shot still 250-300 yards out. Just as easy to hook or slice with your 3 wood as your driver. Focus and concentration is what it is all about. You can have a lot of fun out here if you are focused on the goal and doing everything within your control to play your best.
When we get to the end, all that discipline will pay off.
Nicely played! On in three and one putt. That is a birdie and brings us to even on the day.
Next up Hole 4, Par 3, 171 yards.....
Friday, August 21, 2009
Hole 2, Par 4, 360 yards
Finally at hole #2.
It is quite a distance from #1 to #2.
Golf in general requires a lot of patience. From battling bad shots to waiting on people, you learn a lot about a person's patience on the golf course.
This hole plays rather nicely. Pretty short Par 4. We got to the green in two shots, but now the putting....
This green is pretty tricky. It has steps/shelves/levels (whatever you want to call it) and as my skills would have it, my ball is on the bottom and the cup is on the top. Well two big hills and I can be there.
Putting is pretty funny. Half of our shots on the golf course end up being putts but we rarely practice them. In fact we rarely think about them. We could all improve our game tremendously with a little focus and concentration.
It is the little things on the golf course that are important. So I need to line this putt up. I need to focus on this shot and not rush it. Push distractions aside and not get in a hurry.
.......That putt went well from 50 foot out left it 6 inches from the cup.
Isn't that scenario similar to life?
It is the little things that make a difference.
But all too often you will find us focused on the big picture and "what is next", rushing through life. Skipping over the little things and the details all to "just get ahead".
Rarely do we silence our cell phones (no, not vibrate...quiet), much less actually take time to talk with God.
I am not a survey guy but if there was one (and there probably is) on the time spent in prayer for a Christian, it would probably average less than 1 minute a day. But isn't that the most important aspect. In order to know what He wants and desires and plans for us, shouldn't we talk to him? Shouldn't it be a priority in our lives. Shouldn't we push all distractions aside and not get in a hurry. Wouldn't that improve the overall condition we find ourselves in day to day?
Proverbs 16:9 In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
Maybe we need to focus a bit more on God and concentrate on His Will a little more.
...well a tap in for par.
Good hole for us and good counsel along the way.
Now on to #3. This will be a true test of how ready we are to play today. Par 5, 562 yards with a tight fairway......
It is quite a distance from #1 to #2.
Golf in general requires a lot of patience. From battling bad shots to waiting on people, you learn a lot about a person's patience on the golf course.
This hole plays rather nicely. Pretty short Par 4. We got to the green in two shots, but now the putting....
This green is pretty tricky. It has steps/shelves/levels (whatever you want to call it) and as my skills would have it, my ball is on the bottom and the cup is on the top. Well two big hills and I can be there.
Putting is pretty funny. Half of our shots on the golf course end up being putts but we rarely practice them. In fact we rarely think about them. We could all improve our game tremendously with a little focus and concentration.
It is the little things on the golf course that are important. So I need to line this putt up. I need to focus on this shot and not rush it. Push distractions aside and not get in a hurry.
.......That putt went well from 50 foot out left it 6 inches from the cup.
Isn't that scenario similar to life?
It is the little things that make a difference.
But all too often you will find us focused on the big picture and "what is next", rushing through life. Skipping over the little things and the details all to "just get ahead".
Rarely do we silence our cell phones (no, not vibrate...quiet), much less actually take time to talk with God.
I am not a survey guy but if there was one (and there probably is) on the time spent in prayer for a Christian, it would probably average less than 1 minute a day. But isn't that the most important aspect. In order to know what He wants and desires and plans for us, shouldn't we talk to him? Shouldn't it be a priority in our lives. Shouldn't we push all distractions aside and not get in a hurry. Wouldn't that improve the overall condition we find ourselves in day to day?
Proverbs 16:9 In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
Maybe we need to focus a bit more on God and concentrate on His Will a little more.
...well a tap in for par.
Good hole for us and good counsel along the way.
Now on to #3. This will be a true test of how ready we are to play today. Par 5, 562 yards with a tight fairway......
Friday, August 14, 2009
Hole 1, Par 4, 420 yards
The first hole of the day.
The first hole on any golf course has it's good and bad attributes.
Three good things about being on hole #1:
1. First and foremost you have the freedom and privilege to be out on the course playing.
2. The score card in your cart is blank. You start out clean with no marks/strokes against you yet.
3. You will spend the next few hours playing a game (frustrating as it can sometimes be) with some one you will enjoy playing with and get to know better through the process.
The bad/frustrating/stressful attributes:
1. That first shot off the tee box. It is sometimes hard to hit a good first shot for fear of failure. There are more people watching you tee off on hole #1 than will watch the remainder of your day. If you're like most, you probably didn't prepare yourself for the shot.....you're tight (forgot to stretch) and you probably didn't warm up enough (if at all).
The pressure to perform well right off the bat causes most to come up with excuses for the shot before they hit it. "My back really is bothering me this morning." "I tweaked my arm last night hope it doesn't bother my game.", etc....
Most people are busy thinking up reasons/excuses for why they might play "off" than really concentrating on the fundamentals and playing the game (Doing the best you can)
Can you see the parallels with Christianity?
First of all if you are in certain areas you have the freedom to be a Christ-follower and share/meet and discuss with others. Once you turn your life over to Christ you score card is wiped clean.
Your partner is this endeavor is none other than Christ. Not only can you consider Him your caddie (giving you pointers and lessons learned) but spending time with Him will help you to know Him better. He has been here and lived a sinless life, who better to get advice and learn from? He has given us His all to make sure we finish well. And thankfully He is driving the cart.
Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
As far as the pressure we feel when we're starting off on something new, if we are prepared, we can show people how it is not anything that we do on our own, but the power of Christ working through us that helps us be who we are and accomplish the tasks set before us.
Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
1 Timothy 4:12 Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.
Yes the first hole can be mentally taxing and somewhat challenging, but we seemed to make it alright. Were we perfect on the first hole? No we shot a 5, so bogey on this one. But we know that with persistence, diligence and practice we can continue to improve.
This is a long and difficult course at times. We will have to focus and concentrate on the task at hand.
Well on to hole #2. Feeling better after getting the first hole complete and only being a stroke behind. This one is a short Par 4 with a stepped green.......
The first hole on any golf course has it's good and bad attributes.
Three good things about being on hole #1:
1. First and foremost you have the freedom and privilege to be out on the course playing.
2. The score card in your cart is blank. You start out clean with no marks/strokes against you yet.
3. You will spend the next few hours playing a game (frustrating as it can sometimes be) with some one you will enjoy playing with and get to know better through the process.
The bad/frustrating/stressful attributes:
1. That first shot off the tee box. It is sometimes hard to hit a good first shot for fear of failure. There are more people watching you tee off on hole #1 than will watch the remainder of your day. If you're like most, you probably didn't prepare yourself for the shot.....you're tight (forgot to stretch) and you probably didn't warm up enough (if at all).
The pressure to perform well right off the bat causes most to come up with excuses for the shot before they hit it. "My back really is bothering me this morning." "I tweaked my arm last night hope it doesn't bother my game.", etc....
Most people are busy thinking up reasons/excuses for why they might play "off" than really concentrating on the fundamentals and playing the game (Doing the best you can)
Can you see the parallels with Christianity?
First of all if you are in certain areas you have the freedom to be a Christ-follower and share/meet and discuss with others. Once you turn your life over to Christ you score card is wiped clean.
Romans 10:9 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Psalm 103:12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.Your partner is this endeavor is none other than Christ. Not only can you consider Him your caddie (giving you pointers and lessons learned) but spending time with Him will help you to know Him better. He has been here and lived a sinless life, who better to get advice and learn from? He has given us His all to make sure we finish well. And thankfully He is driving the cart.
Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
As far as the pressure we feel when we're starting off on something new, if we are prepared, we can show people how it is not anything that we do on our own, but the power of Christ working through us that helps us be who we are and accomplish the tasks set before us.
Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
1 Timothy 4:12 Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.
Yes the first hole can be mentally taxing and somewhat challenging, but we seemed to make it alright. Were we perfect on the first hole? No we shot a 5, so bogey on this one. But we know that with persistence, diligence and practice we can continue to improve.
This is a long and difficult course at times. We will have to focus and concentrate on the task at hand.
Well on to hole #2. Feeling better after getting the first hole complete and only being a stroke behind. This one is a short Par 4 with a stepped green.......
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
(AA) Allegory Attempt
The thought has occured to me over the last few weeks to try and write an allegory.
For those of you who don't know what that is:
"SYMBOLIC WORK - a work in which the characters and events are to be understood as representing other things and symbolically expressing a deeper, often spiritual, moral, or political meaning"
I am going to play golf. or better yet walk you through 18 holes comparing golf with Christianity.
Golf seems to be a sport that has grown in popularity and i think will relate fairly well with most people. The thought process and how it will all "play" out as of yet are not solidified. As we embark on this journey, i welcome insight, comparisons, and critiques. I am venturing out on this as a discipline to keep myself sharp and hopefully take someone in the "cyber" world into a much deeper thought process concerning their ultimate eternity and their responsibilities right now on Earth.
Join me on this adventure. My plan and hope is that it will be updated in a timely manner and that someone will enjoy it as much as i will.
Great day out today. Perfect for golf. Gentle breeze, sunshine, mid 80's, great playing partner..........
For those of you who don't know what that is:
"SYMBOLIC WORK - a work in which the characters and events are to be understood as representing other things and symbolically expressing a deeper, often spiritual, moral, or political meaning"
I am going to play golf. or better yet walk you through 18 holes comparing golf with Christianity.
Golf seems to be a sport that has grown in popularity and i think will relate fairly well with most people. The thought process and how it will all "play" out as of yet are not solidified. As we embark on this journey, i welcome insight, comparisons, and critiques. I am venturing out on this as a discipline to keep myself sharp and hopefully take someone in the "cyber" world into a much deeper thought process concerning their ultimate eternity and their responsibilities right now on Earth.
Join me on this adventure. My plan and hope is that it will be updated in a timely manner and that someone will enjoy it as much as i will.
Great day out today. Perfect for golf. Gentle breeze, sunshine, mid 80's, great playing partner..........
Friday, August 7, 2009
Reflecting on the Moon
So i was driving along with my family a couple of night's ago and the moon was full. We were discussing how pretty it was, when my wife informed the boys that the moon doesn't give off light on its own, it reflects it. That got me to thinking...i know scary.
The moon is pretty interesting when you think about it. It gives off no light on its own but is beautifully bright. It gets it's light by reflecting the sun. When it is a full moon and not being blocked by anything it is at its best reflecting the sun...beautiful and bright.
Ever consider your life that way?
We are called as Christians to reflect the Son as well.
How well we reflect the Son depends on how much we are blocked.
The moon gets blocked by the Earth and sometimes looks like a fingernail, or a half circle, or like nothing.
The strange/funny/weird part is...that same WORLD blocks how bright we shine as well. It blocks us from our source of light.
We all know that living organisms grow best in the light. We can't grow as well when we are in the dark, or better yet, blocked from the Light. We sometimes let the world get in the way of what is truly important and meaningful.
We let the world block that light.
We do it in many ways from words we use, people we associate with to things we do or see. Just like the moon has a hard time reflecting light when it is blocked or away from the source of light, so too we are hindered when we don't put ourselves in a position to obtain and thus reflect as much Light as possible.
We are given 60, 70 maybe 80 or 90 years to walk on this earth. When you weight that with eternity and where we will spend it, we really don't have that much time to reflect Christ to those around us.
What/how you choose here to reflect your relationship with Christ will be brought to light once you step out into eternity.
Let's all try to remember when we look at the moon and how cool and pretty it is, that our lives need to resemble a more full moon than a new one.
Matthew 5:14-16
"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."
Reflect Christ.
Make it a great day!
B
The moon is pretty interesting when you think about it. It gives off no light on its own but is beautifully bright. It gets it's light by reflecting the sun. When it is a full moon and not being blocked by anything it is at its best reflecting the sun...beautiful and bright.
Ever consider your life that way?
We are called as Christians to reflect the Son as well.
How well we reflect the Son depends on how much we are blocked.
The moon gets blocked by the Earth and sometimes looks like a fingernail, or a half circle, or like nothing.
The strange/funny/weird part is...that same WORLD blocks how bright we shine as well. It blocks us from our source of light.
We all know that living organisms grow best in the light. We can't grow as well when we are in the dark, or better yet, blocked from the Light. We sometimes let the world get in the way of what is truly important and meaningful.
We let the world block that light.
We do it in many ways from words we use, people we associate with to things we do or see. Just like the moon has a hard time reflecting light when it is blocked or away from the source of light, so too we are hindered when we don't put ourselves in a position to obtain and thus reflect as much Light as possible.
We are given 60, 70 maybe 80 or 90 years to walk on this earth. When you weight that with eternity and where we will spend it, we really don't have that much time to reflect Christ to those around us.
What/how you choose here to reflect your relationship with Christ will be brought to light once you step out into eternity.
Let's all try to remember when we look at the moon and how cool and pretty it is, that our lives need to resemble a more full moon than a new one.
Matthew 5:14-16
"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."
Reflect Christ.
Make it a great day!
B
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