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...
Monday, January 18, 2010
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
Monday, December 7, 2009
Hole 12, Par 3, 173 yards...
Hole #12
The 12th hole is uphill all the way.
The tee box is low with the green sitting uphill, a creek cuts the hole about 100 yards out.
Past the creek lies a huge bunker and a shelved green with the pin placement today on the front and lower shelf.
This hole could prove tricky, in that, over the last couple of holes the wind has picked up and has been gusty at times. This hole will require a high shot to get on the green and the wind could come "in play".
Wind is an interesting creation. It can be powerful but not visible, except through its effects (ie. see the trees, flags on the holes, etc.). It can keep you cooler on a hot day or make you cold on a cool day.
It can also affect your shot. If you hit a bad shot it exacerbates the problem. Sometimes it is easy to forget about the wind because the trees on the course protect you, but once you've hit that shot you had better have taken the wind into account.
Well our tee shot went well. Landed on the upper shelf of the green for a birdie putt!
The interesting thing about wind and how it relates to life are amazing. If we are not anchored in our faith we are easily blown around from thought to thought and belief to belief.
Ephesians 4:13-15 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.
You have to know what you believe and be ready to give account.
1 Peter 3:15-16 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
If you are not grounded in your faith, people will use that against you. They may then not see any difference between a "Christian" and themselves. We need to be bold and not easily shaken by what may come upon us.
Matthew 7:24-26 "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.
The wind can take many forms in life, from people to situations to even our character (what we do when no one else is around). Ultimately what we do in private will come to light eventually when we are tested by the wind. So do the right things, know who you are in Christ and move forward knowing that though the winds may blow, your shot (character) is as straight as it can be.
Well the birdie putt went right by the cup....and off the green....and down the hill. so chipped back on and putted for bogey.
Back to even par on the day.
On to the Par 4 #13....
The 12th hole is uphill all the way.
The tee box is low with the green sitting uphill, a creek cuts the hole about 100 yards out.
Past the creek lies a huge bunker and a shelved green with the pin placement today on the front and lower shelf.
This hole could prove tricky, in that, over the last couple of holes the wind has picked up and has been gusty at times. This hole will require a high shot to get on the green and the wind could come "in play".
Wind is an interesting creation. It can be powerful but not visible, except through its effects (ie. see the trees, flags on the holes, etc.). It can keep you cooler on a hot day or make you cold on a cool day.
It can also affect your shot. If you hit a bad shot it exacerbates the problem. Sometimes it is easy to forget about the wind because the trees on the course protect you, but once you've hit that shot you had better have taken the wind into account.
Well our tee shot went well. Landed on the upper shelf of the green for a birdie putt!
The interesting thing about wind and how it relates to life are amazing. If we are not anchored in our faith we are easily blown around from thought to thought and belief to belief.
Ephesians 4:13-15 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.
You have to know what you believe and be ready to give account.
1 Peter 3:15-16 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
If you are not grounded in your faith, people will use that against you. They may then not see any difference between a "Christian" and themselves. We need to be bold and not easily shaken by what may come upon us.
Matthew 7:24-26 "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.
The wind can take many forms in life, from people to situations to even our character (what we do when no one else is around). Ultimately what we do in private will come to light eventually when we are tested by the wind. So do the right things, know who you are in Christ and move forward knowing that though the winds may blow, your shot (character) is as straight as it can be.
Well the birdie putt went right by the cup....and off the green....and down the hill. so chipped back on and putted for bogey.
Back to even par on the day.
On to the Par 4 #13....
Moving.....
well it can suck the life out of you. Hence, the reason i have not posted hole #12 yet. Hopefully it will follow soon and we can make it all the way through 18 and on to the clubhouse for the 19th hole.
we'll see.....
we'll see.....
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Hole 11, Par 4, 379 yards...
Hole #11
The 11th hole on this course is setup with a right dogleg.
Its fairway goes straight for about 270 yards then doglegs to the right up to the green.
This hole has quite a few deep bunkers on it, so that will be the hazzard we need to avoid.
The drive went just where we wanted (well straight at least). It left us with an approach shot of about 110 yards to the pin. The second shot didn't fair so well. We ended up right of the green in one of those many bunkers this hole has to offer.
When you hit into the bunker there are a lot of things that need to be considered.
First, you have to understand what caused you to end up in the sand. Sometimes the ball rolls or slips in. Sometimes it is a bad shot or the wrong choice of club.
Another thing to consider is that once you are in the sand is... the way out is kind of unorthodox.
The object in getting out is to hit a couple inches behind the ball and let the sand push the ball up and out.
If you do it right...you're out.
But...sometimes that sand holds on.
Sometimes you hit it well but that bunker is too long or deep and your best shot puts you right back in the bunker.
...In a different spot
...but same sand.
The world drops us in interesting situations all the time... troubled spots...
The world may tell us to just act like it never happened or it might influence us to blame others to get out of the situation.
But what should we do??
If we are in a difficult situation we need to first realize why we are there. How did we end up there? If it was something we did, then we need to realize our mistake, repent and then go on with the consequenses for getting out.
Like mentioned earlier, the world would have you deny it happened (lie your way out) or to blame others.
Proverbs 28:13 He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
The Christian will be much like the unorthodox way we use the sandwedge. We must push our way out (or back to the narrow road) with prayer and repentance. Through prayer we will look for God's direction and leading to get us through.
Also we will need humility to seek forgiveness and restoration. Through that process we can once again be on solid ground.
As a Christian we are forgiven in Christ, but that doesn't mean there aren't consequences for our sin.
Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace
Those consequences must be faced and dealt with the be restored with those around us.
Let's all help one another avoid those "sand traps" of life.
Galatians 6:1-3 Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
Well sand shot went well! On the green and the par putt was good!
Cleaning the sand off the clubs and heading to 12...
The 11th hole on this course is setup with a right dogleg.
Its fairway goes straight for about 270 yards then doglegs to the right up to the green.
This hole has quite a few deep bunkers on it, so that will be the hazzard we need to avoid.
The drive went just where we wanted (well straight at least). It left us with an approach shot of about 110 yards to the pin. The second shot didn't fair so well. We ended up right of the green in one of those many bunkers this hole has to offer.
When you hit into the bunker there are a lot of things that need to be considered.
First, you have to understand what caused you to end up in the sand. Sometimes the ball rolls or slips in. Sometimes it is a bad shot or the wrong choice of club.
Another thing to consider is that once you are in the sand is... the way out is kind of unorthodox.
The object in getting out is to hit a couple inches behind the ball and let the sand push the ball up and out.
If you do it right...you're out.
But...sometimes that sand holds on.
Sometimes you hit it well but that bunker is too long or deep and your best shot puts you right back in the bunker.
...In a different spot
...but same sand.
The world drops us in interesting situations all the time... troubled spots...
The world may tell us to just act like it never happened or it might influence us to blame others to get out of the situation.
But what should we do??
If we are in a difficult situation we need to first realize why we are there. How did we end up there? If it was something we did, then we need to realize our mistake, repent and then go on with the consequenses for getting out.
Like mentioned earlier, the world would have you deny it happened (lie your way out) or to blame others.
Proverbs 28:13 He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
The Christian will be much like the unorthodox way we use the sandwedge. We must push our way out (or back to the narrow road) with prayer and repentance. Through prayer we will look for God's direction and leading to get us through.
Also we will need humility to seek forgiveness and restoration. Through that process we can once again be on solid ground.
As a Christian we are forgiven in Christ, but that doesn't mean there aren't consequences for our sin.
Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace
Those consequences must be faced and dealt with the be restored with those around us.
Let's all help one another avoid those "sand traps" of life.
Galatians 6:1-3 Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
Well sand shot went well! On the green and the par putt was good!
Cleaning the sand off the clubs and heading to 12...
Monday, October 26, 2009
Hole 10, Par 4, 388 yards...
Hole #10
Hole number 10 on this course is beautiful like the rest.
The clubhouse is set on a hill/plateau, so the #10 green is set downhill from the Tee box.
It is a straight shot from the Tee box to the flag on the green.
This hole has a very tight fairway. By tight fairway, I mean its actual fairway at one point is 20 yards wide. In addition this hole has very thick rough (deep grass) on either side with trees lining the full length until they open up at the green.
Well the Tee shot was a slice (straight out about 230 yards then a sharp right turn about 30 yards.)
Now more golfing options....
...The MULLIGAN
As defined: (retaken golf shot) - a shot that, against the rules, a golfer allows an opponent to take again.
Weekend golfers may have an unwritten rule where they allow each other one mulligan on the front nine and another on the back nine.
In fundraising tournaments, they sell mulligans to make money for their cause.
I mean seriously who wouldn't want a "do-over" every now and then? But even when you play that way you have to make sure not to use it too early, you must choose wisely.
Well, no "do-overs" here. We'll play it where it lies (see hole #5).
Our choice here is to punch it out to the fairway.
In life there are "do-overs"as we go...or better yet --FORGIVENESS.
During our lives, we screw up.
We make mistakes.
As Christians we have forgiveness in/through Christ, once we repent and turn from that sin.
Isaiah 43:25 "I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.
Hole number 10 on this course is beautiful like the rest.
The clubhouse is set on a hill/plateau, so the #10 green is set downhill from the Tee box.
It is a straight shot from the Tee box to the flag on the green.
This hole has a very tight fairway. By tight fairway, I mean its actual fairway at one point is 20 yards wide. In addition this hole has very thick rough (deep grass) on either side with trees lining the full length until they open up at the green.
Well the Tee shot was a slice (straight out about 230 yards then a sharp right turn about 30 yards.)
Now more golfing options....
...The MULLIGAN
As defined: (retaken golf shot) - a shot that, against the rules, a golfer allows an opponent to take again.
Weekend golfers may have an unwritten rule where they allow each other one mulligan on the front nine and another on the back nine.
In fundraising tournaments, they sell mulligans to make money for their cause.
I mean seriously who wouldn't want a "do-over" every now and then? But even when you play that way you have to make sure not to use it too early, you must choose wisely.
Well, no "do-overs" here. We'll play it where it lies (see hole #5).
Our choice here is to punch it out to the fairway.
In life there are "do-overs"as we go...or better yet --FORGIVENESS.
During our lives, we screw up.
We make mistakes.
As Christians we have forgiveness in/through Christ, once we repent and turn from that sin.
Isaiah 43:25 "I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.
Psalm 103:12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
Romans 8:1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,
That is comforting. As Christians we understand that we are not perfect, in many cases (mine) far from it, but we rest in His grace.
There is enough (GRACE) for us and the whole human race" DCB
We learn from those mistakes, repent of them, move forward and grow in grace and the love that abounds in Christ.
1 John 3:6 No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.
Hebrews 10:25-27 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.
We have forgiveness in Christ, if we are in Christ (have a relationship with Him).
If we're not in a relationship with Christ, but we know all about Him and His sacrifice....then we have made our choice.
There is only one way to happiness in the end.
John 14:6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
There are no mulligans for those apart from Christ after death.
No "do-overs".
Choose wisely.
Better yet, work and train yourself not to rely or lean on the mulligan.
Set the example!
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.
Well after we punched it back on the fairway, it was a short chip on the green and a putt for Birdie.
Sometimes we want to take a mulligan, but if we learn to play it where it lays it will better develop our game (character) and all in all probably help us more later on this course.
This hole started off a little shaky, but worked out OK.
On the way to #11
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