Hole #18
Finally! Hole 18.
This has been a tremendous day with great people. Being on a golf course for 18 holes and over 4 hours definitely gives you time to become more acquainted and familiar with people. You just can't beat a good day out on the course with friends.
You get time to focus on relationships and think about what is important in life (and no I am not talking about golf).
Hole number 18 is an up and down hole. The Tee elevation is about the same as the green elevation, but the fairway....
...The elevated Tee gives way to a downward sloping fairway, only to climb back up to the green.
If I was to give you a visual description, it would be "bowl" shaped. It is a Par 5, 525 yard hole. This hole plays "short" if the Tee shot is hit correctly. If you can keep your drive in the fairway after 200 yards you will get an additional roll of 20-50 yards based on the slope of the fairway.
Well it was a good drive.
Smack dab in the middle of the fairway with a GREAT roll. That drive will leave me about a 215 yard shot into the green. Our often distempered "friend" Sam that we picked up in our group a few holes back hits a good Tee shot as well.
The second shot actually landed on the green...and stayed on!
This might be a great ending to a great day...if I can hit my putt close and follow with a birdie that would be awesome.
Sam took a couple of shots but he is "dancing" (putting) now as well.
This green is kind of tricky with its varying slopes. Turns out I have about a 10 foot putt. Sam's is about 15 feet and right behind mine. He is putting for birdie....and rolls it just past the cup (less than a foot) which leaves him a tap in for Par. The best part is he showed me the line (the way the ball will break).
My putt is in! At which cheers are heard around the course (only to realize I am the only one shouting). What a hole! That was AMAZING! My first Eagle!
Sometimes in life we receive those blessings as well.
…Admiration from a friend.
…The privilege of scoring the winning points for the team.
…The ability to make money and bless others with it.
…Good life skills that afford us the ability to “fix” things (cars, plumbing, etc) for others at no charge.
But let us not become arrogant in those things or do them for the praise. Help us to walk humbly (Micah 6:8) sharing God’s love in our own way. Help us to walk in confidence knowing God is the One who gives…
Ending a day this way sure does build some confidence in me for the next time I am out there. There is a difference between confidence and arrogance. Confidence being that I now know I am capable of playing well (improving my score). It would be easy to take the arrogant way and be prideful in the last hole...walking and talking as if I am some amazing golfer.
Proverbs 11:2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
I know it is easy to get off course…
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.
…I could have just as easily triple bogeyed that hole if my focus had been off.
…Once again the reminder of being focused on what is important. Focus on the little things (fundamentals) and do them diligently and all things will turn out for the best.
Ephesians 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
Well we shake hands after the round and invite our new friend back to the clubhouse for something to eat.
On to the 19th hole (as it is sometimes referred).
Friday, December 10, 2010
Monday, September 27, 2010
Hole 17, Par 3, 201 yards...
Hole #17
Well we talked about the need to focus on the last two holes that we have in front of us, and that was never truer than right now. Sam the previously mentioned “disgruntled golfer” that was in front of us, has decided to join us for the final two holes.
Ever felt pressure to perform?
Like everyone was watching you and seeing if this “Christian” thing was any different than what they thought?
Well maybe it’s because I am tired, but I am feeling that right now.
Well on to 17…
Number 17 should be a relatively easy par 3 hole before the final Par 5 of the day. This Par 3 is uphill to the green.
I am starting to feel the 4 hours we have already spent on the course. At the end of the round the sun and exercise can start to be felt so I am a little tired at this point. Losing a little of the strength and mental sharpness I started with.
Well Sam’s Tee shot was great (he must have worked through his anger issue); mine on the other hand was less than spectacular. In fact it was about 180 yards and just long enough to miss the green (short) and roll back down the hill about 40 yards.
Well it could have been better but rather than lose my wits and thus lose my witness I shrug it off and let Sam know “I’m over it”.
…time to move up to the green and see if I can rescue par.
Well it is not just me that is tired…the battery light lit up on our way up the hill to the green…
In life we get worn down.
…we get tired
…we get frustrated
…we get upset
So what do we do at those moments? How do we handle them? How do we persevere?
If we lose our wits in those moments, it is possible to lose our witness with whoever is present.
“Preach the Gospel at all times, use words when necessary” St Francis of Assisi
They may look at us and say “Well there a Christian but there is no difference between them and me: they yell, they swear, they give into peer pressure, they conform to the same things I do”
So how do we stand out?
How can we remain the “salt” and have bite?
How can we set the positive example?
Scripture teaches a thing or two:
Are we perfect?
Philippians 3:12-14 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Do we have help?
Matthew 7:7-8 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
Persevere?
James 1:11-12 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business. Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
Training, is it needed?
1 Corinthians 9:26-27 Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
It is just like the athlete who trains for their sport. They push themselves in practice. They push their muscles to fatigue to make them stronger. They practice till they get it right. Till they know the plays backwards and forwards, so when the pressure situation comes it will be second nature. They can then react with what they know will succeed…
…what they have practiced.
Well funny hole. I was able to keep my composure and chip it up within 6 inches of the hole and make the par putt. Sam miss-putted and had to settle for par as well. He was not as happy, all goes back to perspective.
Now on to the tricky and long Par 5 number 18!
Well we talked about the need to focus on the last two holes that we have in front of us, and that was never truer than right now. Sam the previously mentioned “disgruntled golfer” that was in front of us, has decided to join us for the final two holes.
Ever felt pressure to perform?
Like everyone was watching you and seeing if this “Christian” thing was any different than what they thought?
Well maybe it’s because I am tired, but I am feeling that right now.
Well on to 17…
Number 17 should be a relatively easy par 3 hole before the final Par 5 of the day. This Par 3 is uphill to the green.
I am starting to feel the 4 hours we have already spent on the course. At the end of the round the sun and exercise can start to be felt so I am a little tired at this point. Losing a little of the strength and mental sharpness I started with.
Well Sam’s Tee shot was great (he must have worked through his anger issue); mine on the other hand was less than spectacular. In fact it was about 180 yards and just long enough to miss the green (short) and roll back down the hill about 40 yards.
Well it could have been better but rather than lose my wits and thus lose my witness I shrug it off and let Sam know “I’m over it”.
…time to move up to the green and see if I can rescue par.
Well it is not just me that is tired…the battery light lit up on our way up the hill to the green…
In life we get worn down.
…we get tired
…we get frustrated
…we get upset
So what do we do at those moments? How do we handle them? How do we persevere?
If we lose our wits in those moments, it is possible to lose our witness with whoever is present.
“Preach the Gospel at all times, use words when necessary” St Francis of Assisi
They may look at us and say “Well there a Christian but there is no difference between them and me: they yell, they swear, they give into peer pressure, they conform to the same things I do”
So how do we stand out?
How can we remain the “salt” and have bite?
How can we set the positive example?
Scripture teaches a thing or two:
Are we perfect?
Philippians 3:12-14 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Do we have help?
Matthew 7:7-8 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
Persevere?
James 1:11-12 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business. Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
Training, is it needed?
1 Corinthians 9:26-27 Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
It is just like the athlete who trains for their sport. They push themselves in practice. They push their muscles to fatigue to make them stronger. They practice till they get it right. Till they know the plays backwards and forwards, so when the pressure situation comes it will be second nature. They can then react with what they know will succeed…
…what they have practiced.
Well funny hole. I was able to keep my composure and chip it up within 6 inches of the hole and make the par putt. Sam miss-putted and had to settle for par as well. He was not as happy, all goes back to perspective.
Now on to the tricky and long Par 5 number 18!
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Hole 16, Par 4, 398 yards...
Hole #16
Well this has been an absolutely beautiful day for golf!!
Hole 16 is a par 4, 398 yard hole and it appears we have once again caught up to the person in front of us again. Apparently after we let him ‘play through’ on #13 his game took a turn for the worse.
From the language we can hear making its way back to the tee box, and the fact he is throwing his club farther than he is hitting the ball, it appears he has lost his focus and his composure.
Focus is a pretty important part of golf… from the mental aspects down to the club itself… focus matters.
Take the driver for example. It, by design, is made to take all of the energy of the swing and direct or “focus” it on the ball. If everything is focused correctly and on line, the ball will sail straight out into the middle of the fairway. But if not… you can hit it off the “toe” or “heel” and who knows where it goes after that.
There are many things to distract you and cause you to lose focus on the course (bad shots, self confidence, people celebrating good shots, people cursing bad ones (like the golfer in front of us)).
Focus is important for the Christian as well.
What do we focus on day to day?
Do we live our lives with focus?
If we do, what is that focus on?
Our minds are the ultimate “idol” makers.
We NEED that…
I HAVE to watch this…
I HAVE to buy that…
I HAVE to be…
When really if we received the gift of eternal life, our focus should change. We should move from a ‘worldly’ focus to and ‘eternal’ one. Knowing that everything we are and everything we have comes from the Father above. We should ‘focus’ on Him.
Christ asks us 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.
The cross symbolizes death, execution, punishment. When we take it up, we should know it won’t be easy but we can persevere with the right focus.
When we focus daily on serving the risen King, we have to know from His example that it will be difficult. We will mess up from time to time. But our ‘focus’ is Christ.
Who…
made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name, (Philippians 2:7-9)
We have to focus on Him… …minute by minute.
Don’t get caught up with this world and what it tells you that you need…
…when you retire.
…when you are successful.
…when you have arrived.
Focus on Christ because this life is a vapor.
James 4:14 Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.
This life will pass away, but what you have done will last…eternally. Leave your mark.
Take up your cross.
FOCUS on Christ.
MIRROR Him.
Let others SEE Christ through your life.
Don’t forget that you are not your own…you were bought at a price. (1 Corinthians 6:19)
Great hole! That was fun. Tricky second shot out of the sand, but salvaged par.
…on to 17…better FOCUS on the last two holes and finish strong.
Well this has been an absolutely beautiful day for golf!!
Hole 16 is a par 4, 398 yard hole and it appears we have once again caught up to the person in front of us again. Apparently after we let him ‘play through’ on #13 his game took a turn for the worse.
From the language we can hear making its way back to the tee box, and the fact he is throwing his club farther than he is hitting the ball, it appears he has lost his focus and his composure.
Focus is a pretty important part of golf… from the mental aspects down to the club itself… focus matters.
Take the driver for example. It, by design, is made to take all of the energy of the swing and direct or “focus” it on the ball. If everything is focused correctly and on line, the ball will sail straight out into the middle of the fairway. But if not… you can hit it off the “toe” or “heel” and who knows where it goes after that.
There are many things to distract you and cause you to lose focus on the course (bad shots, self confidence, people celebrating good shots, people cursing bad ones (like the golfer in front of us)).
Focus is important for the Christian as well.
What do we focus on day to day?
Do we live our lives with focus?
If we do, what is that focus on?
Our minds are the ultimate “idol” makers.
We NEED that…
I HAVE to watch this…
I HAVE to buy that…
I HAVE to be…
When really if we received the gift of eternal life, our focus should change. We should move from a ‘worldly’ focus to and ‘eternal’ one. Knowing that everything we are and everything we have comes from the Father above. We should ‘focus’ on Him.
Christ asks us 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.
The cross symbolizes death, execution, punishment. When we take it up, we should know it won’t be easy but we can persevere with the right focus.
When we focus daily on serving the risen King, we have to know from His example that it will be difficult. We will mess up from time to time. But our ‘focus’ is Christ.
Who…
made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name, (Philippians 2:7-9)
We have to focus on Him… …minute by minute.
Don’t get caught up with this world and what it tells you that you need…
…when you retire.
…when you are successful.
…when you have arrived.
Focus on Christ because this life is a vapor.
James 4:14 Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.
This life will pass away, but what you have done will last…eternally. Leave your mark.
Take up your cross.
FOCUS on Christ.
MIRROR Him.
Let others SEE Christ through your life.
Don’t forget that you are not your own…you were bought at a price. (1 Corinthians 6:19)
Great hole! That was fun. Tricky second shot out of the sand, but salvaged par.
…on to 17…better FOCUS on the last two holes and finish strong.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Hole 15, Par 4, 439 yards...
Hole #15
This is a straightaway shot. Green is straight ahead of the Tee. No dogleg. It has a creek running down the right side and it is tree-lined on the left. At 439 yards it is definitely not set up for a hole-in-one, but a pretty straightforward hole. No real tricks to it, just hit it straight and long and set yourself up for a 180 yard approach shot.
Well our Tee shot was pretty straight. Still favored the right side, I just have a thing with liking water. Left us with about a 187 yard shot to the pin. I am going to try the 4 iron, should be about the right club especially with the breeze behind it.
4 Iron would have been the club had I hit it well, but... the miss-hit didn't give me quite the distance I needed. Left me about 68 yards out and so a wedge it will be.
Good contact and lots of loft. That puts me on the green for a par putt.
Need to fill my divot and fix my ball mark on the green.
Definition of divot and ball mark.
Divot Definition: Most shots from the fairway with an iron will scrape off the top of the turf where the ball was resting. "Divot" refers to both the turf that is scraped up, and the scarred area in the fairway where the turf had been. A good divot will start just in front of where the ball was at rest - meaning that your club struck the ball first, then the ground. If the divot starts behind the ball, you have miss-hit the shot (this type of miss-hit is often called hitting the ball "heavy" or "fat").
Ball Mark Definition: The indentation that a ball makes in the surface of the putting green upon landing. (Pitch mark is the synonym.) The softer the surface of the putting green, the more likely a ball mark is to result, and the more like that ball mark is to be larger.
Ball marks should be repaired using special tools made for that purpose in order for the green to properly heal.
The cool thing about fixing your divots is that generally the course will provide you with a sleeve of sand. You use the sand (sometimes mixed with seed) to fill in the divot and aid in the healing process.
Well that certainly brings up life. Divots and sin. Sin and divots.
Sin is just like a divot only not involving grass. Sin affects many things. It affects our friends, our family, our life, our character and our relationship with Jesus. Much like a divot, sin affects those things around it.
Sin separates us from Christ. We can't be in sin and have fellowship with the creator. And don't fool yourself....we ALL sin.
Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
The great thing is forgiveness.
Forgiveness is available to EVERYone.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
1 John 1:8-10 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.
Jesus will forgive us of our sins and remember them no more!
Hebrews 8:12 For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more."
Matthew 6:14 For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
Psalm 103:12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
Forgiveness in Christ and His grace to us is amazing! It's AWESOME!
But just like that golf ball getting struck by the club...there is a divot...scarred earth. There are consequences. You may have forgiveness, but that doesn't free you from facing the consequences.
A lot of times when we sin, we don't count the cost. We say,"well just this once, nobody will know." But in doing that we make a "divot".
Whether that is...
in friendships
in trust
in integrity
in character.
We leave some scarring behind that only time and healing can fix. In golf they give you a sandy/seed mixture to speed up the repair of the scarred earth.
In life, it is true repentance and accountability.
When we sin consequences must be paid.
Lives must be repaired...trust must be rebuilt...relationships mended.
Aren't we glad that He paid the ultimate price and offered us forgiveness through it?
Instead of sinning (creating a divot, where by everything around us is affected) and then repenting and looking for accountability, why don't we all just get some accountability right now.
Find strong Christians that hold us up to the standard set for us, and work more on pursuing Christ, rather then waiting till we mess up. Being accountable right now, building each other up and encouraging each other right now, could save us from a huge "divot" down the road.
You choose how you play your game....
1 Peter 2:24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.
Colossians 3:13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
...Well that was certainly nice to salvage a Par after the second shot was a miss hit.
Moving on to 16. The game is almost over and it has definitely been a learning experience so far...
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Reflections from the Home
Every afternoon after i get home from work i hear the sweet words, "DADDY's HOME!!!". Those words come screaming out of my boys and brings a smile to my face every time.
Daddy is one of the sweetest and tenderest names that a child can call there father. It is intimate and communicates a deep love, appreciation and a longing.
Maybe you can remember back when you were a child and your father returned home. The feelings, the love, the closeness. Maybe you can't.
No matter your situation today, There is a Father that wants you to call Him 'Abba', or daddy. He is waiting for that kind of relationship with you. He wants the deep love, appreciation and longing. He did everything He can to bring you into that fellowship, now He waits for you to call out..."Abba Father"
John 3:16
Romans 6:23
Peace
B
Daddy is one of the sweetest and tenderest names that a child can call there father. It is intimate and communicates a deep love, appreciation and a longing.
Maybe you can remember back when you were a child and your father returned home. The feelings, the love, the closeness. Maybe you can't.
No matter your situation today, There is a Father that wants you to call Him 'Abba', or daddy. He is waiting for that kind of relationship with you. He wants the deep love, appreciation and longing. He did everything He can to bring you into that fellowship, now He waits for you to call out..."Abba Father"
John 3:16
Romans 6:23
Peace
B
Friday, February 5, 2010
Hole 14, Par 3, 188 yards...
Hole #14
Hole #14 is a very pretty Par 3 with lots of water surrounding the green. Playing this course it is easy to verify that 71% of the Earth's surface is water.
Well the tee shot looked pretty. It went in the direction of the hole. We made forward progress....Problem was when it came down there was a splash associated with it. Yes we did....hit the water. (We should have aimed for the water, then we would have never hit it) Oh well, when you're given lemons try to make lemonade (we definitely have enough water).
The water shot in golf has the potential to get you behind in the score quickly. The stroke it took you to hit the water, one stroke to get out (or drop a new ball), and then the next stroke you can advance your ball towards the goal.
We probably needed to drop a new ball anyway, ours was dirty and a little scuffed. :o) (lemonade)
Well our third stroke got us on the green....
Wow the water shot in golf and a new believer in Christ. When we approach the cross, when we come to Christ for salvation, we all take similar steps.
We may not all be coming from the same place but we all end up entering in the Kingdom through Christ. That means that we as imperfect (scuffed and dirty) people come to Christ with repentance and belief in Christ. We are washed and cleaned. Our sins are removed as far as the East is from the West, and presented to the Father and a 'new' creation covered and made new through the blood/cross of Christ.
Psalm 103:12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
That is a perfect picture of Baptism as well. True baptism by immersion. Not the "a little dab will do you" baptism.
Look at the Ethiopian eunuch:
Acts 8:36-39 As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, "Look, here is water. Why shouldn't I be baptized?" And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing.
Look at Jesus
He walked ~26 miles to get to John to be baptized in the Jordan.
Matthew 3:13-17 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?"
Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented.
As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."
Baptism represents the death/burial/resurrection of Christ.
As you are lowered in the water (death)
Under water (burial)
Raised out of the water (resurrection). Raised to new life in Christ.
We move from scuffed and dirty to new and fresh by the blood of Christ.
We are a 'new' creation challenged to reflect Christ.
Well we made the putt. No need in getting frustrated, happy for the Bogey...it could have been much worse.
on to #15...
Hole #14 is a very pretty Par 3 with lots of water surrounding the green. Playing this course it is easy to verify that 71% of the Earth's surface is water.
Well the tee shot looked pretty. It went in the direction of the hole. We made forward progress....Problem was when it came down there was a splash associated with it. Yes we did....hit the water. (We should have aimed for the water, then we would have never hit it) Oh well, when you're given lemons try to make lemonade (we definitely have enough water).
The water shot in golf has the potential to get you behind in the score quickly. The stroke it took you to hit the water, one stroke to get out (or drop a new ball), and then the next stroke you can advance your ball towards the goal.
We probably needed to drop a new ball anyway, ours was dirty and a little scuffed. :o) (lemonade)
Well our third stroke got us on the green....
Wow the water shot in golf and a new believer in Christ. When we approach the cross, when we come to Christ for salvation, we all take similar steps.
We may not all be coming from the same place but we all end up entering in the Kingdom through Christ. That means that we as imperfect (scuffed and dirty) people come to Christ with repentance and belief in Christ. We are washed and cleaned. Our sins are removed as far as the East is from the West, and presented to the Father and a 'new' creation covered and made new through the blood/cross of Christ.
Psalm 103:12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
That is a perfect picture of Baptism as well. True baptism by immersion. Not the "a little dab will do you" baptism.
Look at the Ethiopian eunuch:
Acts 8:36-39 As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, "Look, here is water. Why shouldn't I be baptized?" And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing.
Look at Jesus
He walked ~26 miles to get to John to be baptized in the Jordan.
Matthew 3:13-17 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?"
Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented.
As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."
Baptism represents the death/burial/resurrection of Christ.
As you are lowered in the water (death)
Under water (burial)
Raised out of the water (resurrection). Raised to new life in Christ.
We move from scuffed and dirty to new and fresh by the blood of Christ.
We are a 'new' creation challenged to reflect Christ.
Well we made the putt. No need in getting frustrated, happy for the Bogey...it could have been much worse.
on to #15...
Monday, January 18, 2010
Hole 13, Par 4, 403 yards...
Hole #13
Hole #13 is the easiest hole on this course (according to the handicap). Pretty straightforward hole, no dogleg, no altitude change, just a straight shot at the green with lots of trees on the sides.
We hit our Tee shot which was decent and as we head to the cart a single player approaches and asks if he can play though (which we allow). We must have taken too long to get drinks and snacks.
By the way, playing through means that we let the single "cut" or go in front of us. His speed of play is faster than ours because he is only one. Speed of play can be affected by a lot of variables. Some of those variables could be: group size, ability, amount of practice, and time available.
If you are in a larger group your speed of play will be slowed as you wait for all your players to hole out.
If the ability of your group is low you might take a few extra swings compared to other golfers.
If you don't practice, or if you consider it practice to go "play" then you might not be hitting the shots you want to and thus hitting more of those shots.
If you are just out for a lazy day of golf and in no hurry you may not care how long it takes you to play a round.
Your speed of play can change, if you want it to. You have to ask yourself, "how good do you want to be?" If you want to be better than the average everyday golfer you will need to hit the driving range. Improving your golf game requires:
- Persistence - Sticking with it.
- Practice - Going to the driving range and hitting shot after shot with same club to build some consistency. It could also include taking lessons from the golf pro.
- Patience - Knowing that everyday will not be your best. Learning to play your game and not worry about those around you or any other distracting factors.
Maturity in Christ can be similar to the speed of play in golf. The question is not "how good do you want to be?", but now changes to, "how much do I want to know and how much do I want to reflect Christ to those around me?"
In churches all around us there are various degrees of spiritual maturity within their walls. Why is that? They are all listening to the same pastor, having the same communion, singing the same songs... Well that is the group size analogy with golf. You can only go as fast as the slowest one in the group. In Church, sitting under a Pastor, you can learn a lot...but not enough. If you show up once a week to be fed, by Monday you'll be hungry again and looking for something else to fill that need.
How often do you practice by yourself? How often do you open the Word of God and read? If you want to be fed...read.
1 Timothy 4:7-9 Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance
2 Timothy 3:15-17 and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Quiet times are important and help us stay on the correct path through the week. Also small group Bible studies, discipleship groups, and Christian mentors help us learn and train ourselves up in the Way we need to go.
And finally it boils down to desire... or better yet time available. Nowadays we have very little of our "me" time. Constantly being pulled form here to there and this event to that one. If we want to learn, if we want to live the life God has called us to, we must make time (no matter how tired we are).
Matthew 26:41 "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."
Romans 12:11-13 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Colossians 1:10-11 And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully
We all need to re-evaluate why we are here. What is our purpose and what has God placed in our responsibility. We need to take it seriously and make it a priority. Otherwise we are going to watch others play through and never really get to where God wants us to be. Let's try to have a complete game...Mirror Christ.
1 Corinthians 9:26-27 Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
Second shot was on the green and a one putt for birdie. That "single" may have made a bad choice on playing through as we're waiting on him now to tee off on #14...
Hole #13 is the easiest hole on this course (according to the handicap). Pretty straightforward hole, no dogleg, no altitude change, just a straight shot at the green with lots of trees on the sides.
We hit our Tee shot which was decent and as we head to the cart a single player approaches and asks if he can play though (which we allow). We must have taken too long to get drinks and snacks.
By the way, playing through means that we let the single "cut" or go in front of us. His speed of play is faster than ours because he is only one. Speed of play can be affected by a lot of variables. Some of those variables could be: group size, ability, amount of practice, and time available.
If you are in a larger group your speed of play will be slowed as you wait for all your players to hole out.
If the ability of your group is low you might take a few extra swings compared to other golfers.
If you don't practice, or if you consider it practice to go "play" then you might not be hitting the shots you want to and thus hitting more of those shots.
If you are just out for a lazy day of golf and in no hurry you may not care how long it takes you to play a round.
Your speed of play can change, if you want it to. You have to ask yourself, "how good do you want to be?" If you want to be better than the average everyday golfer you will need to hit the driving range. Improving your golf game requires:
- Persistence - Sticking with it.
- Practice - Going to the driving range and hitting shot after shot with same club to build some consistency. It could also include taking lessons from the golf pro.
- Patience - Knowing that everyday will not be your best. Learning to play your game and not worry about those around you or any other distracting factors.
Maturity in Christ can be similar to the speed of play in golf. The question is not "how good do you want to be?", but now changes to, "how much do I want to know and how much do I want to reflect Christ to those around me?"
In churches all around us there are various degrees of spiritual maturity within their walls. Why is that? They are all listening to the same pastor, having the same communion, singing the same songs... Well that is the group size analogy with golf. You can only go as fast as the slowest one in the group. In Church, sitting under a Pastor, you can learn a lot...but not enough. If you show up once a week to be fed, by Monday you'll be hungry again and looking for something else to fill that need.
How often do you practice by yourself? How often do you open the Word of God and read? If you want to be fed...read.
1 Timothy 4:7-9 Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance
2 Timothy 3:15-17 and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Quiet times are important and help us stay on the correct path through the week. Also small group Bible studies, discipleship groups, and Christian mentors help us learn and train ourselves up in the Way we need to go.
And finally it boils down to desire... or better yet time available. Nowadays we have very little of our "me" time. Constantly being pulled form here to there and this event to that one. If we want to learn, if we want to live the life God has called us to, we must make time (no matter how tired we are).
Matthew 26:41 "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."
Romans 12:11-13 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Colossians 1:10-11 And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully
We all need to re-evaluate why we are here. What is our purpose and what has God placed in our responsibility. We need to take it seriously and make it a priority. Otherwise we are going to watch others play through and never really get to where God wants us to be. Let's try to have a complete game...Mirror Christ.
1 Corinthians 9:26-27 Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
Second shot was on the green and a one putt for birdie. That "single" may have made a bad choice on playing through as we're waiting on him now to tee off on #14...
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
NYR
You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off
your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to
be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new
self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
(Eph 4:22-24 NIV)
(N)ew (Y)ear's (R)esolutions
Goals...Resolutions....call them what you want, but write them down. There is something about writing them down that give us a sense of accountability.
Last year I challenged us to "set them (goals) with others in mind. Regardless of what it cost us."
So I will try to hold true to that.
No Resolutions on here about dropping weight (we should stay healthy because our bodies are God's temple).
But here they are:
#1 Live each day as if it were my last with regard to my relationship with God.
#2 Live each day as if it were my last with regard to my relationship with my wife.
#3 Live each day as if it were my last with regard to my relationship with my boys.
#4 Live each day as if it were my last with regard to my relationship with my friends.
#5 Devour the Word (the Bible). Read it for fun, wisdom, and because i have the freedom to do so, to garner God's wisdom for my life.
#6 Pray more with my wife.
#7 Hold hands with my wife...Everyday.
#8 Hug and kiss my kids everyday (after Chicken Pox).
#9 Go on a date with my wife at least once a month.
Those are them. Many thanks to @RyanRasberry for help on this. I hope that you are moving towards the prize. My prayer is that everyone that reads (the Blog) this year will be challenged to BE what and where God needs, focused on mirroring Him to a lost and dying world.
LORD, help me to put away regrets of not becoming the person I
thought I would be. This new year, help me take hold of a new
attitude and a new way of thinking to become the person You intended me to
be. Thank You that I can begin becoming that today! In
Jesus' name, Amen.
Let's have the resolve to move in Christ.
Today, Tomorrow and Forever!
Peace and Love
B
your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to
be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new
self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
(Eph 4:22-24 NIV)
(N)ew (Y)ear's (R)esolutions
Goals...Resolutions....call them what you want, but write them down. There is something about writing them down that give us a sense of accountability.
Last year I challenged us to "set them (goals) with others in mind. Regardless of what it cost us."
So I will try to hold true to that.
No Resolutions on here about dropping weight (we should stay healthy because our bodies are God's temple).
But here they are:
#1 Live each day as if it were my last with regard to my relationship with God.
#2 Live each day as if it were my last with regard to my relationship with my wife.
#3 Live each day as if it were my last with regard to my relationship with my boys.
#4 Live each day as if it were my last with regard to my relationship with my friends.
#5 Devour the Word (the Bible). Read it for fun, wisdom, and because i have the freedom to do so, to garner God's wisdom for my life.
#6 Pray more with my wife.
#7 Hold hands with my wife...Everyday.
#8 Hug and kiss my kids everyday (after Chicken Pox).
#9 Go on a date with my wife at least once a month.
Those are them. Many thanks to @RyanRasberry for help on this. I hope that you are moving towards the prize. My prayer is that everyone that reads (the Blog) this year will be challenged to BE what and where God needs, focused on mirroring Him to a lost and dying world.
LORD, help me to put away regrets of not becoming the person I
thought I would be. This new year, help me take hold of a new
attitude and a new way of thinking to become the person You intended me to
be. Thank You that I can begin becoming that today! In
Jesus' name, Amen.
Let's have the resolve to move in Christ.
Today, Tomorrow and Forever!
Peace and Love
B
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