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...

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