Yesterday was Christmas Day 2010. The entire day was spent hanging out with family, watching NBA basketball and EATING. By the time I hit the scales this morning I quickly learned I had gained 3 lbs in the last few days and it was time to get focused on how much food I'm putting in my body.
Today as I reflect on some of the gifts exchanged yesterday and some of the readings I have run across in the last couple of days a consistent theme seems to be coming out of these readings (A new Heart).
As you know I love to play golf. This desire to play and play well did not begin really for me until after college. However, for the last 20 years it has become a bit of a passion for me. Yesterday I received a new Callaway (Diablo) 3W. I was so excited. Since tossing my old 3W away a few years ago and replacing it with 2 hybrids, I have really noticed missing that 3W distance I used to have in my bag.
I'm hoping this new 3w goes well with my new heart. I read this morning, "I will give you a knew heart and put a new spirit in you" (Ezek. 36:26).
I really am beginning to feel like a completely different person than I was 18 months ago. I can't really explain it? Physically I'm pretty much the same (maybe a few extra LBs), but mentally and spiritually I'm a totally different person. Today I have deep gratitude to a loving God that has done more for me than I ever deserved and when I say I thank God I mean it. I did not always mean it in the past when I thanked for for his grace and for pulling me out of the fox hole.
So hopefully this new 3W will be a compliment to my new heart.
Keep it in the fairway.
Chris
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Saturday, December 11, 2010
"Misfits"
Remember the holiday classic where Rudolf the Red nose Reindeer finds help from friends he met on the island of misfit toys? Well this may sound a little weird, but I have felt like a misfit person most of life. I never really felt like I fit in anywhere. It did not matter the demographic area I was living in, the economic conditions of the people or their professional status, I felt like I was always on the outside looking in.
During breakfast recently with a couple of friends I shared this feeling. But, I also shared that now living in sobriety I'm finally becoming more comfortable in my own skin and beginning to feel like I fit in just about every where I go.
After breakfast, in an email, one of my buddies sent this message to me. I told him I appreciated his email and ask him if I could use it in my next blog. He said absolutely. So, here it is....
"I enjoyed our meeting immensely. I'm really looking for direction from friends that have similar backgrounds as me and are looking for the same thing I am. Your analogy about being a "misfit" is interesting because I think we all feel that way to a certain degree...I know that I always have. I think it's a spirit of independence and freedom that God gives us. He says in Matthew 7:13 "Enter God's Kingdom through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction and many enter through it". I think being a "misfit" gives us the freedom to enter through the narrow gate. We've all joined the crowd (trying to fit in) and been on the wide road and we've seen where it was taking us and we've seen where many of our friends have unfortunately found themselves. I praise God for being a misfit. He made me this way and He knows what's best for me".
There really is nothing I can add to that other than to say Amen!
So, if you feel like your a misfit, you are not alone. You have at least one friend you can count on 100% of the time and that is God. He is waiting for you at the narrow gate.
Keep it in the fairway
.
During breakfast recently with a couple of friends I shared this feeling. But, I also shared that now living in sobriety I'm finally becoming more comfortable in my own skin and beginning to feel like I fit in just about every where I go.
After breakfast, in an email, one of my buddies sent this message to me. I told him I appreciated his email and ask him if I could use it in my next blog. He said absolutely. So, here it is....
"I enjoyed our meeting immensely. I'm really looking for direction from friends that have similar backgrounds as me and are looking for the same thing I am. Your analogy about being a "misfit" is interesting because I think we all feel that way to a certain degree...I know that I always have. I think it's a spirit of independence and freedom that God gives us. He says in Matthew 7:13 "Enter God's Kingdom through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction and many enter through it". I think being a "misfit" gives us the freedom to enter through the narrow gate. We've all joined the crowd (trying to fit in) and been on the wide road and we've seen where it was taking us and we've seen where many of our friends have unfortunately found themselves. I praise God for being a misfit. He made me this way and He knows what's best for me".
There really is nothing I can add to that other than to say Amen!
So, if you feel like your a misfit, you are not alone. You have at least one friend you can count on 100% of the time and that is God. He is waiting for you at the narrow gate.
Keep it in the fairway
.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Training the Tongue
It's a wintery Sunday afternoon. Keeley is at volleyball and Candice is running some errands. I finished some work around the house and now catching up on some reading. My reading has included SI, Golf, Daily meditation, Bible and the big book. There has been a common theme in my readings today, control of the small muscles.
In golf it's the proper grip. Sure you use your legs and arms in the golf swing, but you must have the proper grip in order to have a good swing. In life you must train your tongue. I have been reading the new testament the last few months and today I read James, chapter 2:1-12. In James I read "A great forest fire is set by a small spark. The tongue is also a fire, a world of evil among the part of the body. It corrupts the whole body". No wonder God gave us two ears and one tongue.
I have had to train my tongue. When agitated or provoked I used to immeadiately open my mouth and inevitably I would say something I later regretted. Today, I pause and instead of being quick to respond I try to think before I speak. I have learned that when agitated not saying anything is better than responding quickly.
Our words should be used to praise God and others, not used as a sword. Keep this in mind in managing all personal relationships and I think we all will find serenity in silence is more powerful than a sharp tongue.
Keep it in the fairway.
In golf it's the proper grip. Sure you use your legs and arms in the golf swing, but you must have the proper grip in order to have a good swing. In life you must train your tongue. I have been reading the new testament the last few months and today I read James, chapter 2:1-12. In James I read "A great forest fire is set by a small spark. The tongue is also a fire, a world of evil among the part of the body. It corrupts the whole body". No wonder God gave us two ears and one tongue.
I have had to train my tongue. When agitated or provoked I used to immeadiately open my mouth and inevitably I would say something I later regretted. Today, I pause and instead of being quick to respond I try to think before I speak. I have learned that when agitated not saying anything is better than responding quickly.
Our words should be used to praise God and others, not used as a sword. Keep this in mind in managing all personal relationships and I think we all will find serenity in silence is more powerful than a sharp tongue.
Keep it in the fairway.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Thanksgiving 2010
Happy Thanksgiving!!! Was enjoying a little quiet time this morning before going for my turkey trot (gotta make room for all those deserts) and when it came to the point where I ususally jot down a couple of thoughts I decided to look back one year ago and see what I wrote in my journal 365 days ago. Here it is....it's a gratitiude list. I have to say if these items stay on my gratitude list the rest of my life I should continue to enjoy the ride.
My Gratitude list:
1) Today
2) A conscious contact with God
3) God's grace
4) Living sober
5) A loving family
6) Home
7) Resources to meet needs
8) Good health
9) Network of friends
10) Faith / church
11) Sanity
12) Life experiences
13) Healing wounds
14) Freedom
15) Golf
This list seems very appropriate for a guy that is getting ready to turn 42. I'm very much looking forward to the second half of my life and what God has planned.
Keep it in the fairway!!!!
My Gratitude list:
1) Today
2) A conscious contact with God
3) God's grace
4) Living sober
5) A loving family
6) Home
7) Resources to meet needs
8) Good health
9) Network of friends
10) Faith / church
11) Sanity
12) Life experiences
13) Healing wounds
14) Freedom
15) Golf
This list seems very appropriate for a guy that is getting ready to turn 42. I'm very much looking forward to the second half of my life and what God has planned.
Keep it in the fairway!!!!
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Supernova CTB 1
Tonight, November 11, 2010, Keeley, Candice and I went over to UK to hear a lecture for astronomy enthusiasts. Attending this event was an extra credit assignment for Keeley. But, I think "daddy" enjoyed it more than the others.
The lecturer was discussing SUPERNOVA's. Now I have to be honest, I did not understand 1% of what the lecturer was saying. But the content was amazing. I simply sat there in awe of God's creation. Yes, all I could think about was "Are you kidding me"? GOD - the person that I have a personal relationship with and who loves me designed all of this!!!
Everyone enjoys a good star gazing opportunity. The next time I get a chance to star gaze I'm going to also use that time as an opportunity to talk to God and thank him for all that he does for me everyday I'm allowed to live on this Earth.
Keep it in the fairway.
The lecturer was discussing SUPERNOVA's. Now I have to be honest, I did not understand 1% of what the lecturer was saying. But the content was amazing. I simply sat there in awe of God's creation. Yes, all I could think about was "Are you kidding me"? GOD - the person that I have a personal relationship with and who loves me designed all of this!!!
Everyone enjoys a good star gazing opportunity. The next time I get a chance to star gaze I'm going to also use that time as an opportunity to talk to God and thank him for all that he does for me everyday I'm allowed to live on this Earth.
Keep it in the fairway.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Who is God?
I was taught very young that church was an important part of life. I knew this from how my Mom lived her life and the fact that we were at church, it seemed, every time the doors were opened. My Grandfather was a minister and to me he was larger than life when he preached. I'm not sure I really understood who God was, but I had this concept that God was a man that lived above the clouds and not only did he watch everything I did, but he would also punish me if I did anything wrong. This concept of God stayed with me for a long time.
Once I began to make poor life choices I became ashamed off myself and felt like there was no way God was ever going to forgive me. This shame caused me later in life to turn my back on God. I kept going to church and occasonally I threw up fox hole prayers like God please help me and I promise I will make better decisions. My spiritual life went into some very dark places to the point where I had completely given up on ever having a personal relationship with God. See I still had that childhood concept that God was a punishing God and I had not experienced God's grace.
Today, because I have sincerely asked God for forgiveness of my sins and turned my life and will over to God he has revealed himself to me as a loving and perfect father. He cares for me like no other person on Earth and instead of being just a man that lives above the clouds I now see that God is in everything and walks with me daily.
When we come to understand God properly, as a heavenly father, and begin to depend on God more He draws closer to us and we draw closer to Him. God, thank you for loving me during my dark spiritual years and never giving up on me as one of your children.
Keep it in the fairway.
Once I began to make poor life choices I became ashamed off myself and felt like there was no way God was ever going to forgive me. This shame caused me later in life to turn my back on God. I kept going to church and occasonally I threw up fox hole prayers like God please help me and I promise I will make better decisions. My spiritual life went into some very dark places to the point where I had completely given up on ever having a personal relationship with God. See I still had that childhood concept that God was a punishing God and I had not experienced God's grace.
Today, because I have sincerely asked God for forgiveness of my sins and turned my life and will over to God he has revealed himself to me as a loving and perfect father. He cares for me like no other person on Earth and instead of being just a man that lives above the clouds I now see that God is in everything and walks with me daily.
When we come to understand God properly, as a heavenly father, and begin to depend on God more He draws closer to us and we draw closer to Him. God, thank you for loving me during my dark spiritual years and never giving up on me as one of your children.
Keep it in the fairway.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Addiction
I have been experiencing a battle in my own mind for months. I have some sober time under my belt. But, it is very hard for an addict to completely eliminate their addiction from their mind. See the addiction, or disease, centers in our minds and I truly believe to a certain degree we are all addicted to something. Obviously the degree of addiction or drug of choice varies. The drug of choice can vary from alcohol and drugs to work, exercise, sex, power, money and greed. My drug of choice was alcohol. I have a feeling there are many people with whom I come into contact with daily that have an addiction, but are not willing to accept they have a problem and that their addiction is hurting themselves and others.
My cravings for alcohol have gone away. This is by the grace of God. But not a day goes by that I do not think about having a drink. In order to manage this battle between good and evil, inside my mind, I have to do a lot of reading, a lot of praying and I have to think back to what it was like for those around me when I was in the middle of my addiction. On the surface or from the casual on-looker my life probably has not changed much in the last 3 1/2 years, but ask those closest to me and I feel certain they will respond that I'm not the same person at all.
I owe this second chance to the program of Alcoholics Anonymous, a strong network of family and friends and a loving God, all who never gave up on me and loved me until I could love myself. This may sound very selfish and may be for another blog someday, but I really had given up hope and had turned my back on God. The shame of this caused me to hate me. Thankfully there was a solution.
"For deep down in every man, woman, and child, is the fundamental idea of God. It may be obscured by calamity, by pomp, by worship of other things, but in some form or other it is there. For faith in a power greater than ourselves, and miraculous demonstrations of that power in human lives, are facts as old as man himself". (AA, page 55)
So if your struggling with an addiction, if your life is full of chaos, if you feel God has turned his back on you and life is not worth living, your not alone. Millions feel this way today and Millions felt like you feel and are now living in recovery. All you have to do is have a desire to change and be willing to ask for help and I promise you God will show up in your life. Your life will change, for the better, and you will eventually be able to look back in the rear view mirror and say wow how did I do that.
This blog today may not make a whole lot of sense too many, but I do feel better just saying out loud that I'm not healed and never will be completely healed. But, I did get up today, thanked God for an opportunity to live another day and I really do love living in recovery.
Keep it in the fairway.
My cravings for alcohol have gone away. This is by the grace of God. But not a day goes by that I do not think about having a drink. In order to manage this battle between good and evil, inside my mind, I have to do a lot of reading, a lot of praying and I have to think back to what it was like for those around me when I was in the middle of my addiction. On the surface or from the casual on-looker my life probably has not changed much in the last 3 1/2 years, but ask those closest to me and I feel certain they will respond that I'm not the same person at all.
I owe this second chance to the program of Alcoholics Anonymous, a strong network of family and friends and a loving God, all who never gave up on me and loved me until I could love myself. This may sound very selfish and may be for another blog someday, but I really had given up hope and had turned my back on God. The shame of this caused me to hate me. Thankfully there was a solution.
"For deep down in every man, woman, and child, is the fundamental idea of God. It may be obscured by calamity, by pomp, by worship of other things, but in some form or other it is there. For faith in a power greater than ourselves, and miraculous demonstrations of that power in human lives, are facts as old as man himself". (AA, page 55)
So if your struggling with an addiction, if your life is full of chaos, if you feel God has turned his back on you and life is not worth living, your not alone. Millions feel this way today and Millions felt like you feel and are now living in recovery. All you have to do is have a desire to change and be willing to ask for help and I promise you God will show up in your life. Your life will change, for the better, and you will eventually be able to look back in the rear view mirror and say wow how did I do that.
This blog today may not make a whole lot of sense too many, but I do feel better just saying out loud that I'm not healed and never will be completely healed. But, I did get up today, thanked God for an opportunity to live another day and I really do love living in recovery.
Keep it in the fairway.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Life in the Hereafter
I cannot believe it has been 7 weeks since I made my last post. I could sit here and come up with a 100 excuses why, but I have a feeling once said out loud my excuses would seem rather silly. So, rather than wallow in self pity let me share something powerful I read this week.
"But, we see Jesus, who made a little lower than angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering. Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers". (Hebrews 2:9-11)
I'm sure when the reader reads the title "Life in the Hereafter" they are going to assume I'm going to share some far fetched opinion of what I expect life will be after death. Instead I'm simply going to say I feel like I'm living in the hereafter. In many ways I was living in death before finally turning my will over to the care of God. Now, I'm not going to sit here and tell you I'm perfect. I like to think that today I focus on spiritual progress, not perfection. I'm grateful to have experienced God's grace and that He sent his son to experience suffering and death. It means everything to me that when I came to the point, in my life, where I thought I had lost everything and I asked for His forgiveness of my sins and said to Him I do not deserve to live He said do not worry, you are my son and we are of the same family. I honestly feel God spoke to me and He said because you have experienced death while living and asked for forgiveness I'm now going to allow you to live in the hereafter.
Not everyone who reads this may understand what living in death means. However, there are millions of people living in death today. I do assure you anyone who reads this has experienced suffering and there is a solution. The solution is letting go and let God take the wheel. I know the hereafter will bring many highs and lows. But, the good news, for me today, is that the lows are not as low as they once were and I know Jesus knows me and He is not ashamed to call me brother. That was what hit me square in the face this week when I read this passage. I have a brother and he knows all my shortcomings and yet he is not ashamed to call me brother!
Keep it in the fairway.
"But, we see Jesus, who made a little lower than angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering. Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers". (Hebrews 2:9-11)
I'm sure when the reader reads the title "Life in the Hereafter" they are going to assume I'm going to share some far fetched opinion of what I expect life will be after death. Instead I'm simply going to say I feel like I'm living in the hereafter. In many ways I was living in death before finally turning my will over to the care of God. Now, I'm not going to sit here and tell you I'm perfect. I like to think that today I focus on spiritual progress, not perfection. I'm grateful to have experienced God's grace and that He sent his son to experience suffering and death. It means everything to me that when I came to the point, in my life, where I thought I had lost everything and I asked for His forgiveness of my sins and said to Him I do not deserve to live He said do not worry, you are my son and we are of the same family. I honestly feel God spoke to me and He said because you have experienced death while living and asked for forgiveness I'm now going to allow you to live in the hereafter.
Not everyone who reads this may understand what living in death means. However, there are millions of people living in death today. I do assure you anyone who reads this has experienced suffering and there is a solution. The solution is letting go and let God take the wheel. I know the hereafter will bring many highs and lows. But, the good news, for me today, is that the lows are not as low as they once were and I know Jesus knows me and He is not ashamed to call me brother. That was what hit me square in the face this week when I read this passage. I have a brother and he knows all my shortcomings and yet he is not ashamed to call me brother!
Keep it in the fairway.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Pass It On
This week has been extremely challenging in many ways. Some ways I can not mention here, but let's suffice to say if every week of my life was as challenging as the last 5 days I'm not sure I would be very spiritual. There were a few "a ha" moments this week that I recorded and I experienced one this morning I would like to share.
This "a ha" moment is a little self-promotion, but I do think the message is a good one. This morning, Saturday, I went for a jog and was having some mental warfare with myself so while jogging I played the "gratitude" game. This is where you alphabetically come up with some things you are grateful for. I made it to about letter "O" before my mind wandered off somewhere else. The coolest thing about this game is it makes me stop thinking about myself and alters my thoughts on others.
Upon returning from my jog Candice said the girls want Krispie Kreme. So, I ran down to the store and while in the drive thru one my old boss' pulled up behind me. I said good morning. Once ready to pay I offered to pay for their breakfast. The attendant asked if I knew them and I said yes. Before I pulled away I said when they pull up please tell them to "Pass It On" and do something nice for someone else today.
Again, I know this is a little self promotion and I wish I could say I thought like this all the time, but I don't. BUT - I can tell you that my entire outlook on the day changed on my ride home. So, hopefully between "a ha" moments and "passing it on" I may be able to increase my spiritual sweet spot.
Keep it in the fairway.
Chris
This "a ha" moment is a little self-promotion, but I do think the message is a good one. This morning, Saturday, I went for a jog and was having some mental warfare with myself so while jogging I played the "gratitude" game. This is where you alphabetically come up with some things you are grateful for. I made it to about letter "O" before my mind wandered off somewhere else. The coolest thing about this game is it makes me stop thinking about myself and alters my thoughts on others.
Upon returning from my jog Candice said the girls want Krispie Kreme. So, I ran down to the store and while in the drive thru one my old boss' pulled up behind me. I said good morning. Once ready to pay I offered to pay for their breakfast. The attendant asked if I knew them and I said yes. Before I pulled away I said when they pull up please tell them to "Pass It On" and do something nice for someone else today.
Again, I know this is a little self promotion and I wish I could say I thought like this all the time, but I don't. BUT - I can tell you that my entire outlook on the day changed on my ride home. So, hopefully between "a ha" moments and "passing it on" I may be able to increase my spiritual sweet spot.
Keep it in the fairway.
Chris
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Spiritual "sweet spots'
I was watching golf on t v and heard one of the announcers say "notice where he made contact with the ball, with his driver, that my friends is on the sweet spot". Golf clubs have sweet spots, baseball bats have sweet spots and I know I have a sweet tooth that works over time.
But, do we have a spiritual sweet spot? Is there a place where we can always go and feel like we are more spiritual or closer to God? Some of the most common answers might be when we are outdoors enjoying nature, on a jog or a walk, or when we are in church.
For me when I think about my spiritual sweet spot, several places come to mind. The first place that comes to mind is my back porch, early in the morning, after a jog when I have my quiet time. I also experience moments of peace and serenity when on a golf course. I rarely get upset with my golf game and take it one shot at a time and try to always remember that if I'm on a golf course life is not so bad. And then there are those random, everyday moments when I sometimes find myself overwhelmed with emotions and have to take a few seconds to thank God, for being God. I did this once this summer, we were at a little league championship game and I got all caught up in the moment and my heart just became overwhelmed with gratefulness. I had to fight off tears of joy just watching all the coaches, players, parents, friends and family getting into the game. Don't know where that came from but I really enjoyed that moment.
I guess what I'm trying to share is that any place, any where, any time we can turn any moment into a moment of spiritual gratitude. We do not have to say anything out loud. We can just, in our silence, thank God for being God and giving us the opportunity to enjoy that moment.
I'd like to wrap this up by challenging us all to find that one "a ha" moment every day for the next 30 days and keep a log of what your "a ha" moment was that day. Who knows you may find your spiritual "sweet spot" will grow bigger.
Keep it in the fairway,
Chris
But, do we have a spiritual sweet spot? Is there a place where we can always go and feel like we are more spiritual or closer to God? Some of the most common answers might be when we are outdoors enjoying nature, on a jog or a walk, or when we are in church.
For me when I think about my spiritual sweet spot, several places come to mind. The first place that comes to mind is my back porch, early in the morning, after a jog when I have my quiet time. I also experience moments of peace and serenity when on a golf course. I rarely get upset with my golf game and take it one shot at a time and try to always remember that if I'm on a golf course life is not so bad. And then there are those random, everyday moments when I sometimes find myself overwhelmed with emotions and have to take a few seconds to thank God, for being God. I did this once this summer, we were at a little league championship game and I got all caught up in the moment and my heart just became overwhelmed with gratefulness. I had to fight off tears of joy just watching all the coaches, players, parents, friends and family getting into the game. Don't know where that came from but I really enjoyed that moment.
I guess what I'm trying to share is that any place, any where, any time we can turn any moment into a moment of spiritual gratitude. We do not have to say anything out loud. We can just, in our silence, thank God for being God and giving us the opportunity to enjoy that moment.
I'd like to wrap this up by challenging us all to find that one "a ha" moment every day for the next 30 days and keep a log of what your "a ha" moment was that day. Who knows you may find your spiritual "sweet spot" will grow bigger.
Keep it in the fairway,
Chris
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Launch Angles
I was sitting at one of my daughter 's volleyball matches this week and two fathers were talking about their golf games and "launch angles". Both were thinking they might need to change their shafts in their clubs in order to improve their launch angles. The big buzz word today by pro golfers, and anyone that desires to hit 300 yard drives, is launch angles. "Well Peter my launch angle with the driver was off today and therefore I had a little difficulty finding the fairway". I did not hear him say this but sounds a lot like something Phil Mickelson would have said after the PGA Championship in 2009.
I wander if either one of these father's have given much thought to their faith launch angle lately? What is our individual faith launch angles? Are we vertically challengng ourselves daily? Are we taking a low launch angle view on life and just trying to roll down the fairway instead of soaring high above?
I read this morning that "It is only the earth-bound spirit that cannot soar. Loosen the strands that ties you to the earth and rise above earthly things. Clipped wings can grow again".
This encourages me today to be reminded that we all have our short comings and have fallen short of God's expectations at different times in our life, but clipped wings will grow back and rather than dwell on our mistakes in the past - focus on today and thank God we have a compassionate God full of grace and forgiveness.
Begin today the contruction of a new found self-repsect for yourself and keep in mind we ran a race, we stumbled and fell and scratched our knees, but beginning today we can now press on toward the goal of a better life. A life with a new launch angle - soaring high above where we used to live.
Keep it in the fairway,
Chris
I wander if either one of these father's have given much thought to their faith launch angle lately? What is our individual faith launch angles? Are we vertically challengng ourselves daily? Are we taking a low launch angle view on life and just trying to roll down the fairway instead of soaring high above?
I read this morning that "It is only the earth-bound spirit that cannot soar. Loosen the strands that ties you to the earth and rise above earthly things. Clipped wings can grow again".
This encourages me today to be reminded that we all have our short comings and have fallen short of God's expectations at different times in our life, but clipped wings will grow back and rather than dwell on our mistakes in the past - focus on today and thank God we have a compassionate God full of grace and forgiveness.
Begin today the contruction of a new found self-repsect for yourself and keep in mind we ran a race, we stumbled and fell and scratched our knees, but beginning today we can now press on toward the goal of a better life. A life with a new launch angle - soaring high above where we used to live.
Keep it in the fairway,
Chris
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Private Chaos
Wednesday, August 11, 2010 7:15 AM
It was this morning, when, while sitting on the back porch of our home getting ready to do some reading, that I again began stressing over how busy life has become. I never really imagined life would be this busy. I was sort of experiencing a small panic attack.
Do you ever feel like the walls are closing in on your own little private chaos? Candice and I were reviewing our schedules for the next 2 1/2 months a couple of days ago. We had the cell phones out and began going over everyone's schedules. All I can say is between work, school, soccer, volleyball, UK football and church activites I really do not see the Chaffin's having any down time in the 10 weeks. This morning I was writing down how this made me feel? and What is it I'm really afraid of? and all I could come up with is my biggest fear is the stress of being busy has on my personal relationships. I want everyone to be happy, but when LIFE gets out of control sometimes fuses get short.
After having just written about this in my journal, this morning, I picked up some literature and read "He (God) can bring peace and order out of your private chaos if you will let Him. God is watching over you, too, to bless you and care for you".
Are you kidding me? That gave me the biggest goose bumps. Here I'am complaining about my life being so busy and in the very next moment I'm being reminded that maybe all of this is just God testing my faith. I have been taught that if I trust God and place all things in his care then I will receive serenity, peace and love. How awesome is that? This God that created the Universe - loves and cares about me.
"Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff-they comfort me". (Psalm 23:4)
Hopefully my faith will hold up the next 10 weeks, during this private chaos, and I will focus on my "fuse" by practicing lots of patience, tolerance and love. Thank you God for talking to me this morning at a time when I really needed you.
Keep it in the fairway.
Chris
It was this morning, when, while sitting on the back porch of our home getting ready to do some reading, that I again began stressing over how busy life has become. I never really imagined life would be this busy. I was sort of experiencing a small panic attack.
Do you ever feel like the walls are closing in on your own little private chaos? Candice and I were reviewing our schedules for the next 2 1/2 months a couple of days ago. We had the cell phones out and began going over everyone's schedules. All I can say is between work, school, soccer, volleyball, UK football and church activites I really do not see the Chaffin's having any down time in the 10 weeks. This morning I was writing down how this made me feel? and What is it I'm really afraid of? and all I could come up with is my biggest fear is the stress of being busy has on my personal relationships. I want everyone to be happy, but when LIFE gets out of control sometimes fuses get short.
After having just written about this in my journal, this morning, I picked up some literature and read "He (God) can bring peace and order out of your private chaos if you will let Him. God is watching over you, too, to bless you and care for you".
Are you kidding me? That gave me the biggest goose bumps. Here I'am complaining about my life being so busy and in the very next moment I'm being reminded that maybe all of this is just God testing my faith. I have been taught that if I trust God and place all things in his care then I will receive serenity, peace and love. How awesome is that? This God that created the Universe - loves and cares about me.
"Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff-they comfort me". (Psalm 23:4)
Hopefully my faith will hold up the next 10 weeks, during this private chaos, and I will focus on my "fuse" by practicing lots of patience, tolerance and love. Thank you God for talking to me this morning at a time when I really needed you.
Keep it in the fairway.
Chris
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Daily Living Amends
There are thousands of self help books, philosophies, guides and ways to living well. Some may call this a wholesome abundant life. What has worked most effective for me over, the last 3 years, is a 12-step program. I have not been an A+ student, but they say "It's progress, not perfection". Today is August 1st, the 8th month, and I like to use the calendar as a way to sort of focus on each step throughout the year.
Step 8 - Made a list of all the persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.
Easy enough right? Just go back over your entire life, pick out those you have harmed and become "willing" to make amends. There is no action here. The action comes in Step 9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
I snuck ahead to step 9 because this "amends" thing was on my heart this morning. My heart is overwhelmed with gratitude today and I know this is because I have done the work to get to this point in my life. Today, I try to immediately recognize when I have harmed others, been out of line or maybe reacted to a situation inappropriately. In my previous life I was so self-centered I actually never realize when I was hurting others because I could not get passed thinking about myself.
I'm learning - slowly, that saying I'm sorry (and meaning it) is not that difficult to do. Call up the person you have harmed, invite them to coffee, lunch, golf, etc. and get one on one with them and clean your side of the street. Sometimes, if the person is far away write them a letter and say I'm sorry.
In all cases, whether face to face, in a letter, or just performing a daily living amends, what we are doing is publicly apologizing, asking for forgiveness, promising to do better, today and going forward, and most importantly we are putting another human beings feelings ahead of our own. We are saying to them I'm willing to go to any lengths to repair the damage I have caused.
For a self-centered guy like me that is a psychological change.
BIG QUESTION! Have we also done this in our relationship with Christ? I know the first time I ever did this God was #1 on my list. I had completely turned my life against God and decided he had dealt me a back deck of cards and so rather that trade in a few cards and make them better, I just ran on self-will and turned my back on him. I was a big hypocrite for too many years.
Today, I feel I have repaired the damage I caused in my relationship with God and he has forgiven me. I have also repaired many relationships I had to here on earth. I continue to make living amends, daily. This is not a process that occurs over night. For many of us it is a process that we must continue to concentrate on every day. That is really the rest of our lives, but as I have come to learn today is a gift, tomorrow is a dream, and yesterday is gone forever so all I can really do is focus on living well today.
Keep it in the fairway.
Chris
Step 8 - Made a list of all the persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.
Easy enough right? Just go back over your entire life, pick out those you have harmed and become "willing" to make amends. There is no action here. The action comes in Step 9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
I snuck ahead to step 9 because this "amends" thing was on my heart this morning. My heart is overwhelmed with gratitude today and I know this is because I have done the work to get to this point in my life. Today, I try to immediately recognize when I have harmed others, been out of line or maybe reacted to a situation inappropriately. In my previous life I was so self-centered I actually never realize when I was hurting others because I could not get passed thinking about myself.
I'm learning - slowly, that saying I'm sorry (and meaning it) is not that difficult to do. Call up the person you have harmed, invite them to coffee, lunch, golf, etc. and get one on one with them and clean your side of the street. Sometimes, if the person is far away write them a letter and say I'm sorry.
In all cases, whether face to face, in a letter, or just performing a daily living amends, what we are doing is publicly apologizing, asking for forgiveness, promising to do better, today and going forward, and most importantly we are putting another human beings feelings ahead of our own. We are saying to them I'm willing to go to any lengths to repair the damage I have caused.
For a self-centered guy like me that is a psychological change.
BIG QUESTION! Have we also done this in our relationship with Christ? I know the first time I ever did this God was #1 on my list. I had completely turned my life against God and decided he had dealt me a back deck of cards and so rather that trade in a few cards and make them better, I just ran on self-will and turned my back on him. I was a big hypocrite for too many years.
Today, I feel I have repaired the damage I caused in my relationship with God and he has forgiven me. I have also repaired many relationships I had to here on earth. I continue to make living amends, daily. This is not a process that occurs over night. For many of us it is a process that we must continue to concentrate on every day. That is really the rest of our lives, but as I have come to learn today is a gift, tomorrow is a dream, and yesterday is gone forever so all I can really do is focus on living well today.
Keep it in the fairway.
Chris
Monday, July 26, 2010
Am I Third? (God, others, me)
This is a tough one for a self-centered guy like me.
My reading this morning really hit me square in the face!! "When we come to the end of our lives on earth, we will not take any material things with us. We will not take one cent in our cold, dead hands. The only things we may take are the things we have given away".
If we have helped others or if we have given of our time and money, some of this will continue to work on earth after we are long gone. Looking back over our lives, what are we most proud of? Not what we have gained in financial wealth or material things but what few good deeds have we done for others? Those are the things we should be most proud of and every day we should try and think Am I third?
Keeping with the golf theme, what is it I'm most proud of?
1. That I have played many fantastic golf courses?
2. That I have been to Augusta?
3. That I won my flight in a golf tournament?
4. That I had a hole in one?
All of these are great in my eyes. But, should I not be more proud of the fact I started an annual fundraising golf event 16 years ago and it is still alive and benefitting young men at Transy or when a friend was having a really tough time in life and invited me to play golf and all he wanted was for me to simply listen OR the fact that through golf I have been able to develop many great relationships and learned a few life lessons.
These are the few good deeds that I have accomplished in golf and that I should be proud of in the long run. Not the putts made or the drives hit, but the fact I put another person, and God, in front of my own desires.
Am I third today? How about you?
Keep it in the fairway.
Chris
My reading this morning really hit me square in the face!! "When we come to the end of our lives on earth, we will not take any material things with us. We will not take one cent in our cold, dead hands. The only things we may take are the things we have given away".
If we have helped others or if we have given of our time and money, some of this will continue to work on earth after we are long gone. Looking back over our lives, what are we most proud of? Not what we have gained in financial wealth or material things but what few good deeds have we done for others? Those are the things we should be most proud of and every day we should try and think Am I third?
Keeping with the golf theme, what is it I'm most proud of?
1. That I have played many fantastic golf courses?
2. That I have been to Augusta?
3. That I won my flight in a golf tournament?
4. That I had a hole in one?
All of these are great in my eyes. But, should I not be more proud of the fact I started an annual fundraising golf event 16 years ago and it is still alive and benefitting young men at Transy or when a friend was having a really tough time in life and invited me to play golf and all he wanted was for me to simply listen OR the fact that through golf I have been able to develop many great relationships and learned a few life lessons.
These are the few good deeds that I have accomplished in golf and that I should be proud of in the long run. Not the putts made or the drives hit, but the fact I put another person, and God, in front of my own desires.
Am I third today? How about you?
Keep it in the fairway.
Chris
Friday, July 16, 2010
Wear "LIFE" as a loose garment
I have now turned what once was an occassional habit for 30 years into a daily routine. I spend a few minutes each morning reading from different sources of material, do some brief meditating on what I have read and then I journal. This is an example of a "journal entry", today's actually. The funny thing is it always seems to either relate directly to something that is presently going on in my life or someone close to me. Today is no different.
Friday, July 16, 2010 6:45AM
My readings this morning reminded me that because I do have faith in God, that no matter what storm might present itself in my life today, thatI can wear the World and my problems as if they were lose garments. By doing this I'm telling the World that I'm really not going to let these things bother me. This is not to brag and say my life and my emotions are free of issues, anxiety, fear and anger (I temporarily seem to experience one or all of these emotions every 24 hours). The difference for me today is that when these "issues" or "emotions" creep into my mind I try to briefly stop, pause and pray and remind myself that I have a relationship with God- who is my higher power - and that he is my "rock".
God's grace has given me a 1,000 second chances. So, today when change, anxiety, fear, anger or depression creep into my world I quickly remind myself how grateful I'am to be here, alive and in good health. I also remind myself to hold on tight to that relationship with God as if it were a life preserver. On the other side of any storm I might face today, if I keep my faith in Him, will be something greater than I ever imagined. Because of Him I can face any storm, wear it as if it were a loose fitting garment and trust that on the other side is going to be something greater than I ever imagined!
Keep it in the fairway.
Chris
Friday, July 16, 2010 6:45AM
My readings this morning reminded me that because I do have faith in God, that no matter what storm might present itself in my life today, thatI can wear the World and my problems as if they were lose garments. By doing this I'm telling the World that I'm really not going to let these things bother me. This is not to brag and say my life and my emotions are free of issues, anxiety, fear and anger (I temporarily seem to experience one or all of these emotions every 24 hours). The difference for me today is that when these "issues" or "emotions" creep into my mind I try to briefly stop, pause and pray and remind myself that I have a relationship with God- who is my higher power - and that he is my "rock".
God's grace has given me a 1,000 second chances. So, today when change, anxiety, fear, anger or depression creep into my world I quickly remind myself how grateful I'am to be here, alive and in good health. I also remind myself to hold on tight to that relationship with God as if it were a life preserver. On the other side of any storm I might face today, if I keep my faith in Him, will be something greater than I ever imagined. Because of Him I can face any storm, wear it as if it were a loose fitting garment and trust that on the other side is going to be something greater than I ever imagined!
Keep it in the fairway.
Chris
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Emotional Transformations
I Corinthians 13 is a popular reading at weddings. We all recognize it beginning with verser 4 "Love is patient, love is kind, etc.". This morning, what caught my attention was a little further down in Verse 11. This scripture the tells me "When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me".
Unfortunately for me and those around me that I love, I did not wake up one morning at say 21 or 22 years of age and announce to the world I had entered into manhood. This emotional and psychological change for me did not occur until I was like 40 years old. In many ways, up until I got sober, I was a walking around in a man's body with the mind of an 18 year old.
Today, because I have put childish ways behind me and rely on a faith in God to guide me, I can say with confidence that I do not regret my past nor do I want to close the door on it. Hopefully I can use it to share my experience, strength and hope with others. If I can over come my self-fish, self-centered nature then so can you.
Keep it in the fairway.
Chris
Unfortunately for me and those around me that I love, I did not wake up one morning at say 21 or 22 years of age and announce to the world I had entered into manhood. This emotional and psychological change for me did not occur until I was like 40 years old. In many ways, up until I got sober, I was a walking around in a man's body with the mind of an 18 year old.
Today, because I have put childish ways behind me and rely on a faith in God to guide me, I can say with confidence that I do not regret my past nor do I want to close the door on it. Hopefully I can use it to share my experience, strength and hope with others. If I can over come my self-fish, self-centered nature then so can you.
Keep it in the fairway.
Chris
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Father's Day (in the moment)
Thank you heavenly father for your grace and the forgiveness of sins. On this Father's Day may all father's realize how imprtant it is to "be there, in the moment, with their children".
Yesterday Candice, Keeley and I went up to Ecton Park to watch a Tball (5 to 6 yrs. old) and Rookie (7 to 8 yrs. old) league championships. We knew a bunch of the famlies participating in these two games and thought it would be fun. What I did not know is that it would be AWESOME!!
The Tballer's game between the Sand Nats and Rock Hounds came down to a nailbiting finish in the bottom of the 3rd inning with 2 outs and the score tied 12-12. The "rock hounds" got a hit and won the game. So much fun to watch.
Then in the Rookie game (coach pitch) we had the Yankees vs. the Orioles. It was so cool seeing the kids, the coaches (all dad's of players), all the mom's, grandparents and friends coming together on a Saturday morning to support their youth. My mom even came up and watched the game with her friend to support her grandson.
The Yankees ended up winning in extra innings. It was very exciting!!!
I fought back tears of joy several times during both games and even getting a little choked up while typing this blog. I got caught up in the emotions of everyone from the player's and dad's on the field to the mom's and grandparents in the stands. I sure hope all of the dad's there yesterday appreciate the gift they are giving to their son's being their coach and supporting them in youth sports.
On this Father's day I just want to remind dad's it's not necessary for you to coach your son. The gift is just being there, in the moment, that is the most important thing we can do for our children.
I'm not sure I always appreciated how it important it is to be there, in the moment. Heavenly Father thank you for this day.
Keep it in the fairway.
Yesterday Candice, Keeley and I went up to Ecton Park to watch a Tball (5 to 6 yrs. old) and Rookie (7 to 8 yrs. old) league championships. We knew a bunch of the famlies participating in these two games and thought it would be fun. What I did not know is that it would be AWESOME!!
The Tballer's game between the Sand Nats and Rock Hounds came down to a nailbiting finish in the bottom of the 3rd inning with 2 outs and the score tied 12-12. The "rock hounds" got a hit and won the game. So much fun to watch.
Then in the Rookie game (coach pitch) we had the Yankees vs. the Orioles. It was so cool seeing the kids, the coaches (all dad's of players), all the mom's, grandparents and friends coming together on a Saturday morning to support their youth. My mom even came up and watched the game with her friend to support her grandson.
The Yankees ended up winning in extra innings. It was very exciting!!!
I fought back tears of joy several times during both games and even getting a little choked up while typing this blog. I got caught up in the emotions of everyone from the player's and dad's on the field to the mom's and grandparents in the stands. I sure hope all of the dad's there yesterday appreciate the gift they are giving to their son's being their coach and supporting them in youth sports.
On this Father's day I just want to remind dad's it's not necessary for you to coach your son. The gift is just being there, in the moment, that is the most important thing we can do for our children.
I'm not sure I always appreciated how it important it is to be there, in the moment. Heavenly Father thank you for this day.
Keep it in the fairway.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Spiritual Bankruptcy
This is one of my recent journal entries. I must disclose my mind is distorted. So take what you like and leave the rest.
A few years ago I had reached the point of spiritual bankruptcy. My belief in God was still there and I was still going to church. But, in my mind (which is a scary place to be) I had come to the conclusion that God had given up on me and was simply willing to let me muddle through life without any spiritual compass. This was obviously a distortion in my thinking that had become my own reality. Thoughts are not always reality. So rather than do something about it I dug deeper into self pity and my medication of choice was Beer and Scotch.
I’m very blessed today that I was finally scared into reaching up for help. What I thought was going to be long-term treatment for how to stop drinking turned into a transformation of my spirit. Today I’m living with a fresh perspective on life and rather than bathing in self pity today I know God loves me and with this faith I can contribute to the stream of life and not always looking at life from the perspective of what can I gain out of this. It’s not all about me today!!
I also keep in perspective this is progress, not perfection. I have not completely been able to conquer my past and the pain I caused myself and others, but I’m moving in the right direction one day at a time.
Here is a scripture I read this week …. “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” (Romans 12:12). This verse represents a very good, simple, outline for living.
Here is a quote a friend shared with me this week…
"To get something you never had, you have to do something you never did. When God takes something from your grasp, He's not punishing you, but merely opening your hands to receive something better. The Will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you”.
The Grace of God is the reason I’m alive today.
Keep it in the fairway!
Chris
This is one of my recent journal entries. I must disclose my mind is distorted. So take what you like and leave the rest.
A few years ago I had reached the point of spiritual bankruptcy. My belief in God was still there and I was still going to church. But, in my mind (which is a scary place to be) I had come to the conclusion that God had given up on me and was simply willing to let me muddle through life without any spiritual compass. This was obviously a distortion in my thinking that had become my own reality. Thoughts are not always reality. So rather than do something about it I dug deeper into self pity and my medication of choice was Beer and Scotch.
I’m very blessed today that I was finally scared into reaching up for help. What I thought was going to be long-term treatment for how to stop drinking turned into a transformation of my spirit. Today I’m living with a fresh perspective on life and rather than bathing in self pity today I know God loves me and with this faith I can contribute to the stream of life and not always looking at life from the perspective of what can I gain out of this. It’s not all about me today!!
I also keep in perspective this is progress, not perfection. I have not completely been able to conquer my past and the pain I caused myself and others, but I’m moving in the right direction one day at a time.
Here is a scripture I read this week …. “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” (Romans 12:12). This verse represents a very good, simple, outline for living.
Here is a quote a friend shared with me this week…
"To get something you never had, you have to do something you never did. When God takes something from your grasp, He's not punishing you, but merely opening your hands to receive something better. The Will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you”.
The Grace of God is the reason I’m alive today.
Keep it in the fairway!
Chris
Thursday, May 27, 2010
REFLECTION
In order to play golf well you must have your mind in the present moment. A golfer can not reflect on the last or next shot, they must remain in the present and execute the task at hand, the present shot.
Life for those of us that struggle with various “issues” often times have a difficult time staying in the present. Our minds wander and we are often dwelling on things in the past that we can not change or we are dreaming about the future and things we want. Neither of these are the present.
This past weekend I had the opportunity to participate in a member / guest golf tournament. It was a lot of golf packed into two days and the majority of the participants were partying hard.
I knew most of participants pretty well and they all, on the surface, are perfectly happy living in the chaos in which they live. I asked one of the guys, after the matches on Sunday, if he had any vices? I said, you know something in your life that is not necessarily good for you that you can not quit. He looked me straight in the eyes and replied “dipping”. I chuckled.
This coming from a guy that by Sunday afternoon around 4:30 PM had played over 60 holes of golf in the last 3 days and had probably consumed more drinks than he had played golf holes and he said “dipping” was his only vice. Amazing, yet, reflecting I probably would have said the same thing 3 years ago.
Today, I have so much to be grateful for. I no longer live in the chaos of my friend. I celebrated 3 years of sobriety last week and even though it was gloomy outside I was beaming inside with an attitude of gratitude. God’s grace has brought me out of a very dark place where I lived for over 25 years. The place where my friend is living in today, but he does not even know it. If anyone were to ask him, he would tell you his life is great. Today, I’m free from the bondage of self. Sober living really is a better way to live and I’m blessed to have been given this gift. I have so many special people in my life to thank for sticking with me the last 15 years and supporting me in this journey
Today, I sort of feel like George Bailey "It's a wonderful life and I'm the luckiest guy in the world".
Keep it in the fairway!
Chris
In order to play golf well you must have your mind in the present moment. A golfer can not reflect on the last or next shot, they must remain in the present and execute the task at hand, the present shot.
Life for those of us that struggle with various “issues” often times have a difficult time staying in the present. Our minds wander and we are often dwelling on things in the past that we can not change or we are dreaming about the future and things we want. Neither of these are the present.
This past weekend I had the opportunity to participate in a member / guest golf tournament. It was a lot of golf packed into two days and the majority of the participants were partying hard.
I knew most of participants pretty well and they all, on the surface, are perfectly happy living in the chaos in which they live. I asked one of the guys, after the matches on Sunday, if he had any vices? I said, you know something in your life that is not necessarily good for you that you can not quit. He looked me straight in the eyes and replied “dipping”. I chuckled.
This coming from a guy that by Sunday afternoon around 4:30 PM had played over 60 holes of golf in the last 3 days and had probably consumed more drinks than he had played golf holes and he said “dipping” was his only vice. Amazing, yet, reflecting I probably would have said the same thing 3 years ago.
Today, I have so much to be grateful for. I no longer live in the chaos of my friend. I celebrated 3 years of sobriety last week and even though it was gloomy outside I was beaming inside with an attitude of gratitude. God’s grace has brought me out of a very dark place where I lived for over 25 years. The place where my friend is living in today, but he does not even know it. If anyone were to ask him, he would tell you his life is great. Today, I’m free from the bondage of self. Sober living really is a better way to live and I’m blessed to have been given this gift. I have so many special people in my life to thank for sticking with me the last 15 years and supporting me in this journey
Today, I sort of feel like George Bailey "It's a wonderful life and I'm the luckiest guy in the world".
Keep it in the fairway!
Chris
Friday, May 14, 2010
May 14, 2010
FOCUS
In staying with the same theme, focusing on the target, I was thinking about thoroughbreds and how they run with blinders.
Blinders are small shields that prevent the horse from seeing to their left or right. They force the horse to look straight ahead in order to run straight. That way, they will not be distracted from their primary purpose-to win the race.
I wish I had kept my blinders on and used them to remain focused as I was maturing through adolescents and adulthood, rather than getting off-track and into the woods.
Today blinders keep me a little more focused. I understand my purpose in life should be to serve God and others. Even though I know this, I still must be reminded, several times a day, to stay focused on the prize.
“A discerning man keeps wisdom in his view, but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.” (Proverbs 17:24)Ever find yourself pulled in a dozen different directions, spending lots of time and energy on things you don't really care about?
I recall an author saying: (paraphrasing) 'Ours is a world where people don't know what they want, but are willing to go through hell to get it.' Man is this true …. For some of us we spent half our life looking for what “it is” that we wanted and we never stopped to look and see that “everything we ever wanted was right in front of us”.
I’m blessed today that everything I ever wanted is right in front of my eyes and I have the proper blinders on to help me maintain my focus. Just knowing what the target is and staying focused on it, helps me to become a little better today than I was yesterday. I like to think of it is as progress, not perfection.
If we trust God and aim high, we move to a higher level.
Keep it in the fairway.
Chris
FOCUS
In staying with the same theme, focusing on the target, I was thinking about thoroughbreds and how they run with blinders.
Blinders are small shields that prevent the horse from seeing to their left or right. They force the horse to look straight ahead in order to run straight. That way, they will not be distracted from their primary purpose-to win the race.
I wish I had kept my blinders on and used them to remain focused as I was maturing through adolescents and adulthood, rather than getting off-track and into the woods.
Today blinders keep me a little more focused. I understand my purpose in life should be to serve God and others. Even though I know this, I still must be reminded, several times a day, to stay focused on the prize.
“A discerning man keeps wisdom in his view, but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.” (Proverbs 17:24)Ever find yourself pulled in a dozen different directions, spending lots of time and energy on things you don't really care about?
I recall an author saying: (paraphrasing) 'Ours is a world where people don't know what they want, but are willing to go through hell to get it.' Man is this true …. For some of us we spent half our life looking for what “it is” that we wanted and we never stopped to look and see that “everything we ever wanted was right in front of us”.
I’m blessed today that everything I ever wanted is right in front of my eyes and I have the proper blinders on to help me maintain my focus. Just knowing what the target is and staying focused on it, helps me to become a little better today than I was yesterday. I like to think of it is as progress, not perfection.
If we trust God and aim high, we move to a higher level.
Keep it in the fairway.
Chris
Friday, April 30, 2010
“Living with a Target”
A couple of weeks ago I referenced my “Golfer’s Bible”. I think I’m going to stay with this theme and share something I read in this bible today. It was an insert titled “Living with a Purpose”.Let’s dream for a few minutes. Imagine you are getting ready to play a beautiful golf course. The tee boxes are perfectly manicured, the fairways green and lush, the bunkers full of pristine white sand neatly raked, the greens hard and fast and each hole has a spectacular view. You know from the drive up to the course that today’s round is going to be challenging, but fair.You have completed your warm up and now ready for the 1st tee. You tee up the ball, make a couple of practices swings and now you are focused on nothing but putting the ball in the fairway. Knees bent, head down, nice turn, smooth tempo and “YES” you are off the tee and the ball is rising in the air with great force and it rest in the middle of the fairway. After your second shot you approach the green and notice there is no flag. Upon further analysis you find the green does not even have a hole. The same thing happens on the 2nd and 3rd holes. You realize now you are on one of the most beautiful pieces of land on earth, a perfect golf course, yet there are no targets. Despite its beauty, this course is devoid of purpose and meaning; it leaves you with an empty feeling. Nobody can win, there is no way to keep score. Now wake up. Playing a golf course without holes is like living life without a purpose. Life without a purpose would be chaos. Millions of people live like this today. For me to think about this, living life without a purpose is not worth living. If you have nothing to look forward to beyond the “here and now” then I would chose to just throw in the towel. But, the good news is we all have a purpose for living and that purpose is to know God and to make him the target in our life. Every, who has a personal relationship with God, is a winner!!
Keep it in the fairway.
Chris
Keep it in the fairway.
Chris
Thursday, April 15, 2010
"The Master's Grip"
Candice and Keeley gave me "The Golfer's Bible" for my 40th birthday on November 30, 2008. I happen to keep this bible at my office and refer to it often. This bible was part of my inspiration for "tee2greenthoughts". I knew sharing my experiences and this new found personal relationship with God, in a public forum, would quickly lose the readers attention. But, I decided if I integrated a little golf talk then maybe I could hold the reader's attention a few minutes longer.
So this blog today is not original. The source of this material comes from The Golfer's Bible. "Anyone who has ever picked up a club knows that gripping the club properly is the key to playing golf effectively. Gripping God's word fully is the key to living life effectively". I wish I had learned how to Grip God's word fully before I learned how to grip a golf club properly.
The Golfer's Bible suggests there are 4 commitments for living in the "Master's" grip:
G - God loves you. "He gave his only son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but will have eternal life". John 3:16
R - Receive his forgiveness. "For everyone who asks receives, and the one who searches finds, and the one who knocks, the door will be opened". Matthew 7:8
I - Invite others. "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ; certain that God is appealing through us, we plead on Christ's behalf". 2 Corinthians 5:20
P - Pray to God. "If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will bedone for you". John 15:7
As the Masters golf tournament has come and gone and one of my favorites won this year ("Lefty") and we now enter into a new golf season in Kentucky, it is my sincere desire to remain in the Master's GRIP daily.
Keep it in the fairway.
Chris
So this blog today is not original. The source of this material comes from The Golfer's Bible. "Anyone who has ever picked up a club knows that gripping the club properly is the key to playing golf effectively. Gripping God's word fully is the key to living life effectively". I wish I had learned how to Grip God's word fully before I learned how to grip a golf club properly.
The Golfer's Bible suggests there are 4 commitments for living in the "Master's" grip:
G - God loves you. "He gave his only son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but will have eternal life". John 3:16
R - Receive his forgiveness. "For everyone who asks receives, and the one who searches finds, and the one who knocks, the door will be opened". Matthew 7:8
I - Invite others. "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ; certain that God is appealing through us, we plead on Christ's behalf". 2 Corinthians 5:20
P - Pray to God. "If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will bedone for you". John 15:7
As the Masters golf tournament has come and gone and one of my favorites won this year ("Lefty") and we now enter into a new golf season in Kentucky, it is my sincere desire to remain in the Master's GRIP daily.
Keep it in the fairway.
Chris
Saturday, April 10, 2010
"The Major" of the Year
When it comes to professional golf majors, in my mind, none come close to the joy I receive watching The Masters. For me it is the coming of spring and the official beginning of the golf season. My first vivid memory of watching the final round on a Sunday afternoon came in 1986 when Jack Nicklaus stormed from (correct me if I'm wrong) 7 strokes behind on Sunday to win his 5th green jacket. Twenty-four years later, I still have this vivid memory of the home where I watched this event and remember the two brothers and their father who I watched with.
It amazes me how much of an impact sports has in our lives and how much time we devote to it. For example, just today, here are some examples of opportunities that I can think of for my family to be around today and we will be participating in at least 3 of these events.
Keeneland morning workouts
Soccer at 10:00 am
UK football scrimmage at 1:00 pm
3rd Rd. of the Masters at 3:30 pm
NCAA gymnastics regional at 6:00 pm
UK vs. Alabama in baseball at 6:30 pm
I'm not bashing sports. Sports is a huge part of our culture. But, with all of these events going on who has time for God? When we die and stand before God is he going to say "Good job - you did not miss a UK home football or basketball game in 25 years. Come into my house."
This may seem like a silly message. But, are we placing too strong of an emphasis on sports above the most important personal relationship we have on Earth, God?
Let's all take some time today and do some fearless inventory of ourselves. Are there opportunities where we can integrate God (instead of beer) into some of these events. I know looking back over the last 25 years one of the reasons I became such a huge sports fan was 99% of the time the event included beer. Whether watching a football game or playing golf 'king alcohol" was always near.
Today, I have come to learn that the game will go on with or without me and if folks are partying they really do not care if I'm there or not. When I first got sober I could not imagine attending a sporting event or playing golf sober. Today, because of a spiritual experience and some tools I have learned after the fog has cleared, I can not imagine putting one in me.
So, whether you go to Keenland today, attend a soccer game or watch or play some golf - at some point try and carve out a few minutes for God. I think you will become pleasantly surprised that the events you participate in will become more enjoyable if God is with you.
Keep it in the fairway....Chris
It amazes me how much of an impact sports has in our lives and how much time we devote to it. For example, just today, here are some examples of opportunities that I can think of for my family to be around today and we will be participating in at least 3 of these events.
Keeneland morning workouts
Soccer at 10:00 am
UK football scrimmage at 1:00 pm
3rd Rd. of the Masters at 3:30 pm
NCAA gymnastics regional at 6:00 pm
UK vs. Alabama in baseball at 6:30 pm
I'm not bashing sports. Sports is a huge part of our culture. But, with all of these events going on who has time for God? When we die and stand before God is he going to say "Good job - you did not miss a UK home football or basketball game in 25 years. Come into my house."
This may seem like a silly message. But, are we placing too strong of an emphasis on sports above the most important personal relationship we have on Earth, God?
Let's all take some time today and do some fearless inventory of ourselves. Are there opportunities where we can integrate God (instead of beer) into some of these events. I know looking back over the last 25 years one of the reasons I became such a huge sports fan was 99% of the time the event included beer. Whether watching a football game or playing golf 'king alcohol" was always near.
Today, I have come to learn that the game will go on with or without me and if folks are partying they really do not care if I'm there or not. When I first got sober I could not imagine attending a sporting event or playing golf sober. Today, because of a spiritual experience and some tools I have learned after the fog has cleared, I can not imagine putting one in me.
So, whether you go to Keenland today, attend a soccer game or watch or play some golf - at some point try and carve out a few minutes for God. I think you will become pleasantly surprised that the events you participate in will become more enjoyable if God is with you.
Keep it in the fairway....Chris
Monday, April 5, 2010
The Empty Tomb
I have a difficult time believing everything I read in the Bible and everything I have been told by mentors and ministers and I know "the rest of the story". So, when Thomas says "My Lord and my God!" (John 20:28) and Jesus replys "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed". (John 20:29) It gives me excitement in my journey to know the tomb is empty. The God I believe in is alive and well and is showing himself to me everyday.
I felt the presense of God was at my office today. There was a client of the bank that stopped by to say hello. This man is around 57 years old and was diagnosed less than 30 days ago with brain cancer. He has completed 15 of his 30 chemo treatments and said he feels like shit. But, he had his usual "big" smile on his face and he shared with me that he is going to fight this to the bitter end, but he is also okay if his last day is today. He said he has enjoyed the journey. He said Chris you know I'm a realist and I know my days are numbered, but he said there are very things I would change. He was almost moved to tears (I was holding them back myself) talking about his faith, family and all the friends that have stepped up to spend time with him over the last 30 days. His positive attitude was infectious. Here is a guy that is walking around 1/2 dead and he still is just happy to be here.
I shared with him that he made my day stopping by and all he could say was how much he appreciated me taking time out of my busy day to talk with him. INCREDIBLE.
There is not much I can say to add to my experience today. There are no such things as consequences. Today was a perfect example of that. Thank God for the empty tomb!!
I felt the presense of God was at my office today. There was a client of the bank that stopped by to say hello. This man is around 57 years old and was diagnosed less than 30 days ago with brain cancer. He has completed 15 of his 30 chemo treatments and said he feels like shit. But, he had his usual "big" smile on his face and he shared with me that he is going to fight this to the bitter end, but he is also okay if his last day is today. He said he has enjoyed the journey. He said Chris you know I'm a realist and I know my days are numbered, but he said there are very things I would change. He was almost moved to tears (I was holding them back myself) talking about his faith, family and all the friends that have stepped up to spend time with him over the last 30 days. His positive attitude was infectious. Here is a guy that is walking around 1/2 dead and he still is just happy to be here.
I shared with him that he made my day stopping by and all he could say was how much he appreciated me taking time out of my busy day to talk with him. INCREDIBLE.
There is not much I can say to add to my experience today. There are no such things as consequences. Today was a perfect example of that. Thank God for the empty tomb!!
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Time Heals All Wounds
Much of my life, especially during my formidable years, I relied heavily on this old saying. So much so that my method of operation was to bury wounds feelings deep inside my heart, build a fortress around me and rather than address these wounds I figured if I buried them long enough, time would eventually heal them or I would forget about them.
It took up until almost the age of 40 before I realized I was carrying a bunch of baggage and junk from my past that was only making my life more difficult. Instead of these wounds beginning to heal with time they were spreading to other areas of my body, resulting into some life threatening habits and problems.
I wish I could tell you I just woke up one day, voluntarily, and said today is the day I'm going to address these wounds, stop hurting myself and others and turn my life and my will over to the care of God. That is not my story. The truth is I'm a very slow learner and I had to experience and cause a lot of pain before I was willing to seek help and more important became willing to change. I'll continue to talk more about this and hopefully hearing more of my story might help someone with their buried heart wounds.
I was reading a scripture this week and it come from Matthew, "Happy are those who greatest desire is to do what God requires." (Matthew 5:6).
Simply enough, right? I wish I could say this is my greatest desire all the time, but it is not. Had it been 30 years ago and carried over from my youth into adulthood I'm sure I would not be sitting here blogging and you would not be reading this blog.
That, for me, is the most awesome thing that God does. He gives us the freedom of choice, he allows us to take our own individual journey and the most magnificant thing of all is that he loves us just as much as when we were living in the chaos as today when we are living in the sunlight of the spirit. His grace is amazing!
So, does "time heal all wounds"? I don't think so. My experience tells me that wounds must be addressed and that there must be a lot of forgiveness given to others for those lifelong wounds to begin to heal.
What wounds are you carrying on your shoulders or in your heart today?
Are you carrying a resentment that is over 20 or 30 years old?
Have you thought about turning these over to God and allowing him to carry your burdens?
I need to be reminded every single day that I have a loving, compassionate, forgiving God in my life that is happy to carry some of the burden for me.
It took up until almost the age of 40 before I realized I was carrying a bunch of baggage and junk from my past that was only making my life more difficult. Instead of these wounds beginning to heal with time they were spreading to other areas of my body, resulting into some life threatening habits and problems.
I wish I could tell you I just woke up one day, voluntarily, and said today is the day I'm going to address these wounds, stop hurting myself and others and turn my life and my will over to the care of God. That is not my story. The truth is I'm a very slow learner and I had to experience and cause a lot of pain before I was willing to seek help and more important became willing to change. I'll continue to talk more about this and hopefully hearing more of my story might help someone with their buried heart wounds.
I was reading a scripture this week and it come from Matthew, "Happy are those who greatest desire is to do what God requires." (Matthew 5:6).
Simply enough, right? I wish I could say this is my greatest desire all the time, but it is not. Had it been 30 years ago and carried over from my youth into adulthood I'm sure I would not be sitting here blogging and you would not be reading this blog.
That, for me, is the most awesome thing that God does. He gives us the freedom of choice, he allows us to take our own individual journey and the most magnificant thing of all is that he loves us just as much as when we were living in the chaos as today when we are living in the sunlight of the spirit. His grace is amazing!
So, does "time heal all wounds"? I don't think so. My experience tells me that wounds must be addressed and that there must be a lot of forgiveness given to others for those lifelong wounds to begin to heal.
What wounds are you carrying on your shoulders or in your heart today?
Are you carrying a resentment that is over 20 or 30 years old?
Have you thought about turning these over to God and allowing him to carry your burdens?
I need to be reminded every single day that I have a loving, compassionate, forgiving God in my life that is happy to carry some of the burden for me.
Monday, March 15, 2010
"Parable of the sower"
Upon the recommendation of a friend, I'm currently reading a book titled "crazy love" by Francis Chan. This is a really cool book and it is the first book I have ever read that challenges even the lukewarm Christian to evaluate their personal relationship with God. Chan makes you feel uncomfortable about your level of commitment to your faith and this is good. One of the many suggestions in his book, is Chan suggests that Jesus spoke in parables in order to weed out those who were not geniunely listening to him. Chan suggests Jesus was not interested in those who were faking it. This is hardcore, but a very interesting perspective on Jesus and his parables. One example for me is the parable of the sower.
Matthew 13:10-23 is one account of this parable. I have probably heard or read this parable over 100 times in my life. But, it was not until just within the last 4 months that I read it and the story really meant something to me. I was not faking it, I was genuinely listening and trying to get something out of the story.
I do not have to share all the details. However, I would like to suggest after reading this post you consider going back and reading this parable again and think about what your reading. We have the seed on the path, rocky places, thorns and the rich soil.
I love what Chan says - "Do not assume you are good soil"'. Chan says he thinks most American churchgoers are the soil that chokes the seed because of all the thorns. Thorns are anything that distracts us from God. Let me say that again ANYTHING THAT DISTRACTS US FROM GOD. Yes, that could be UK basketball (Ha Ha), addiction, envy, power, greed, too many commitments (the list can go on forever).
What soil is your faith living in today? At different periods of my life I have lived in each one of the places Jesus speaks about. The good news is I finally found the rich soil. Now I just need to pray the seeds blossum. Chan has me questioning today whether my level of faith in God is adequate enough. Quite possibly I'm just a lukewarm Christian that has some thorns in my life that I need to weed out.
Matthew 13:10-23 is one account of this parable. I have probably heard or read this parable over 100 times in my life. But, it was not until just within the last 4 months that I read it and the story really meant something to me. I was not faking it, I was genuinely listening and trying to get something out of the story.
I do not have to share all the details. However, I would like to suggest after reading this post you consider going back and reading this parable again and think about what your reading. We have the seed on the path, rocky places, thorns and the rich soil.
I love what Chan says - "Do not assume you are good soil"'. Chan says he thinks most American churchgoers are the soil that chokes the seed because of all the thorns. Thorns are anything that distracts us from God. Let me say that again ANYTHING THAT DISTRACTS US FROM GOD. Yes, that could be UK basketball (Ha Ha), addiction, envy, power, greed, too many commitments (the list can go on forever).
What soil is your faith living in today? At different periods of my life I have lived in each one of the places Jesus speaks about. The good news is I finally found the rich soil. Now I just need to pray the seeds blossum. Chan has me questioning today whether my level of faith in God is adequate enough. Quite possibly I'm just a lukewarm Christian that has some thorns in my life that I need to weed out.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Spiritual growth better life? Consequence?
This morning (Sunday,March 7, 2010) I was going through what has become a steady routine for me. During what I like to refer to as my "quiet time" in the mornings, I decided to look back in my journal and read a couple of entries. I found it very interesting that for 5 months now I have (without missing a day) made a journal entry, read some bible scripture and read from 2 other sources of devotional material I have come to rely on daily. After my reading time, I then try to shut off my brain for a couple of minutes and then I talk to God. This entire process, for me, takes between 20 - 25 minutes. But, the rewards are unmeasurable and I hope this routine is lifelong and results in contiuned future spiritual growth.
This morning, I cracked the window and with the sun shining and the birds singing, I realized I was experiencing a moment of peace and serenity. It was an awesome moment and all I can say is this has nothing to do with me and everything to do with God. It is amazing to even think that I would ever have a spiritual life and much less one that I'm willing to share with others. I'm an infant as it relates to my relationship to God.
If I were to try and correlate my spiritual life to golf, I would have to say I have not even come close to breaking 100 yet. It's progress, not profection. I'm going to close by just shouting out to God and telling Him thank you for doing for me things I could never do for myself. You are such and awesome God and your grace is amazing. Please keep me in the fairway of life and remind me daily that if I forget it's your will, not mine, then I will end up in the woods real fast.
This morning, I cracked the window and with the sun shining and the birds singing, I realized I was experiencing a moment of peace and serenity. It was an awesome moment and all I can say is this has nothing to do with me and everything to do with God. It is amazing to even think that I would ever have a spiritual life and much less one that I'm willing to share with others. I'm an infant as it relates to my relationship to God.
If I were to try and correlate my spiritual life to golf, I would have to say I have not even come close to breaking 100 yet. It's progress, not profection. I'm going to close by just shouting out to God and telling Him thank you for doing for me things I could never do for myself. You are such and awesome God and your grace is amazing. Please keep me in the fairway of life and remind me daily that if I forget it's your will, not mine, then I will end up in the woods real fast.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Good and Evil in combat
March 4, 2010
Today’s swing thought:
“So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit and the Spirit desires what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.”
(Galatians 5:16-17)
Okay there is the “out”, the “excuse”, finally someone to blame. I have been playing the blame game my entire life. It’s not my fault, right? Ever heard about this game? Or heard someone say: It’s not my fault I did not go to college, It’s not my fault I was late, It’s not my fault I’m overweight, It’s not my fault I filed bankruptcy, It’s not my fault I’m addicted to ____. You could plug just about anything behind “It’s not my fault”. Is this not simply human nature?
For most it’s not. For the vast majority of people around the world doing the next right thing and not giving into sinful desires is perfectly normal. For me the scripture is not saying whose fault it is, but it is telling me life is all about making right choices. Sure I could go back and play the blame game for just about everything negative that ever happened in my life. I could say those were not bad decisions they just turned out with bad consequence, not my fault. But today I have to look at me in the mirror and the truth is I made the bad decisions that resulted into bad consequences.
I can look back, over the last 30 years, with a much clearer mind and see that many of my poor decision were the direct result of a spiritual problem. Some may not understand this next statement and no I’m not playing the blame game or sympathy card. But, one of the most glaring character defects in my life has been I’m a people pleaser. I allow others to influence my decision making (good and bad). I wanted to fit in so much that I would do just about anything to be apart of the “in crowd”. Hey let’s smash some mailboxes, okay. Let’s toilet paper the high school, okay. Let’s see how far you can drive with the lights off on this back road, okay.
Once I crossed the bad line a few times, early on in life, and received some pleasure or relief from the internal conflict going on in my mind, then I continued on a path of destruction that was going away from God, “into the woods”.
I like to say, at the time, I was young and dumb. But, the truth is some of this occurred in adulthood. Let me say – on the outside I was an adult. But, inside, my core I was still a scared little boy. I had really never grown up and I really had never stopped to think how the choices I was making were shaping my life. Looking back I’m not really sure where I lost control of the Spirit. But, today my desire is to “Live by the Spirit”.
Due to God’s grace, whatever good I receive or comes out of me today and is shared with others is more than I deserve.
See you in the fairway or on the green soon.
Chris
Today’s swing thought:
“So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit and the Spirit desires what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.”
(Galatians 5:16-17)
Okay there is the “out”, the “excuse”, finally someone to blame. I have been playing the blame game my entire life. It’s not my fault, right? Ever heard about this game? Or heard someone say: It’s not my fault I did not go to college, It’s not my fault I was late, It’s not my fault I’m overweight, It’s not my fault I filed bankruptcy, It’s not my fault I’m addicted to ____. You could plug just about anything behind “It’s not my fault”. Is this not simply human nature?
For most it’s not. For the vast majority of people around the world doing the next right thing and not giving into sinful desires is perfectly normal. For me the scripture is not saying whose fault it is, but it is telling me life is all about making right choices. Sure I could go back and play the blame game for just about everything negative that ever happened in my life. I could say those were not bad decisions they just turned out with bad consequence, not my fault. But today I have to look at me in the mirror and the truth is I made the bad decisions that resulted into bad consequences.
I can look back, over the last 30 years, with a much clearer mind and see that many of my poor decision were the direct result of a spiritual problem. Some may not understand this next statement and no I’m not playing the blame game or sympathy card. But, one of the most glaring character defects in my life has been I’m a people pleaser. I allow others to influence my decision making (good and bad). I wanted to fit in so much that I would do just about anything to be apart of the “in crowd”. Hey let’s smash some mailboxes, okay. Let’s toilet paper the high school, okay. Let’s see how far you can drive with the lights off on this back road, okay.
Once I crossed the bad line a few times, early on in life, and received some pleasure or relief from the internal conflict going on in my mind, then I continued on a path of destruction that was going away from God, “into the woods”.
I like to say, at the time, I was young and dumb. But, the truth is some of this occurred in adulthood. Let me say – on the outside I was an adult. But, inside, my core I was still a scared little boy. I had really never grown up and I really had never stopped to think how the choices I was making were shaping my life. Looking back I’m not really sure where I lost control of the Spirit. But, today my desire is to “Live by the Spirit”.
Due to God’s grace, whatever good I receive or comes out of me today and is shared with others is more than I deserve.
See you in the fairway or on the green soon.
Chris
Monday, March 1, 2010
We must be born again
"For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy. But, when the goodness and loving kindness of God appeared, he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit." (Titus 3:3-5, NRSV)
This scripture was apart of a Robert Lewis series, Men's Fraternity, that we had at Crestwood about 18 months ago. Dr. Lewis emphasized that in order to reach heaven we must all be born again.
I have mentioned before, I'm no saint and very new to spiritual living. I rely heavily on the old saying spiritual progress not spiritual perfection. I have, by the grace of God, had a spiritual experience and today God is doing for me things I could never do for myself.
Take for example, alcohol. I abused alcohol for over 20 years. Approximately 3 years ago (May 17, 2007) I had my last drink. Now you tell me how something that had been as much apart of my daily living as breathing, for 20+ YEARS, has now been removed from me. I do not even have a desire today to take a drink. That is the result of a spiritual experience. If God can change me he can change anyone.
So, how does this relate to golf? Well, in my opinion, it does not matter how long you have been away from the game (God) or how much you may have cursed the game while away. Whenever you are ready to come back and you have the sincere desire to ask the game for forgiveness, the game will forgive you and welcome you back as a born again player.
"This spirit He poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ, so that having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life." (Titus 3:6)
By the game's grace I'm here to tee it up again!
This scripture was apart of a Robert Lewis series, Men's Fraternity, that we had at Crestwood about 18 months ago. Dr. Lewis emphasized that in order to reach heaven we must all be born again.
I have mentioned before, I'm no saint and very new to spiritual living. I rely heavily on the old saying spiritual progress not spiritual perfection. I have, by the grace of God, had a spiritual experience and today God is doing for me things I could never do for myself.
Take for example, alcohol. I abused alcohol for over 20 years. Approximately 3 years ago (May 17, 2007) I had my last drink. Now you tell me how something that had been as much apart of my daily living as breathing, for 20+ YEARS, has now been removed from me. I do not even have a desire today to take a drink. That is the result of a spiritual experience. If God can change me he can change anyone.
So, how does this relate to golf? Well, in my opinion, it does not matter how long you have been away from the game (God) or how much you may have cursed the game while away. Whenever you are ready to come back and you have the sincere desire to ask the game for forgiveness, the game will forgive you and welcome you back as a born again player.
"This spirit He poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ, so that having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life." (Titus 3:6)
By the game's grace I'm here to tee it up again!
Sunday, February 28, 2010
ENVY
By definition envy is discontent and ill will over another's advantages, possessions, etc. A desire for something that another has. Similiar words include: jealously, grudge, prejudice, covet, resentful.
My experience is that when I sit down to perform a daily personal examination and become real honest with myself, I recognize small examples of where I practice ENVY daily. As long as this is isolated to small stuff, like nice sweater, then I'm okay. But, if I get too far into dwelling on what others have then I must do some work on me and more importantly take a closer look at my current spiritual condition.
I have at different stages in my life allowed jealously and envy to grow into a spiritual disease that lead me away from God and into the "woods". You might even say I played half my life from the "woods". Now that I'm back in the fairway, I have come to learn that a life which includes envy, jealousy or resentments only lead to a life of unhappiness.
This is a fatal way to live for anyone. Living with envy in my heart will shut me off from God's spirit. If I'm going to live with God in my life there is absolutely no room for ENVY!
Envy is like a bad swing thought. We need to keep bad swing thoughts out of our mind.
My experience is that when I sit down to perform a daily personal examination and become real honest with myself, I recognize small examples of where I practice ENVY daily. As long as this is isolated to small stuff, like nice sweater, then I'm okay. But, if I get too far into dwelling on what others have then I must do some work on me and more importantly take a closer look at my current spiritual condition.
I have at different stages in my life allowed jealously and envy to grow into a spiritual disease that lead me away from God and into the "woods". You might even say I played half my life from the "woods". Now that I'm back in the fairway, I have come to learn that a life which includes envy, jealousy or resentments only lead to a life of unhappiness.
This is a fatal way to live for anyone. Living with envy in my heart will shut me off from God's spirit. If I'm going to live with God in my life there is absolutely no room for ENVY!
Envy is like a bad swing thought. We need to keep bad swing thoughts out of our mind.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
swing thoughts Saturday, February 27, 2010
Some may ask why a blog and why "Tee2Green"? What does this mean? I like the game of golf and all golfers know how important it is to stay in the fairway and arrive on the green in regulation without visiting a hazard (the woods, out of bounds, a sand trap or water). Well I thought a blog might be a good forum to share some of my thoughts and I'm trying to relate these thoughts to spiritual living. The woods or out of bounds are things that pull us away from God and can cause harm to ourselves and others. Hopefully blogging, for me, will keep me in the fairway and out of the woods. If others happen to read and get something out of my blogging then that is like getting a hole in one - what a bonus.
In my mind, the "tee" is the start of every day and the "green" is the end of each day. We should begin each day with some time with God, praising him and showing gratitude for his grace. This is how I'm trying to live today, one day at a time and with an attitude of gratitude. I feel like if I have a foot in yesterday and foot in tomorrow then you know what I'm doing to today.
I read in James this week. "Out of the the same mouth come blessings and cursing. My brothers, these things should not be this way." James 3:10 (The golfer's bible)
I have a feeling if I were always God conscious (in other words pretend He is always standing right by my side) situations that used to baffle me, cause me to react negatively or shoot off at the mouth would be much easier to manage knowing God is standing next to me. The truth is - HE IS - it has just taken me 41 years to realize He is with me all the time.
God, please place a bit in my mouth (not too tight please) and remind me you are with me always. Please use this blog for whatever is your will. Amen.
In my mind, the "tee" is the start of every day and the "green" is the end of each day. We should begin each day with some time with God, praising him and showing gratitude for his grace. This is how I'm trying to live today, one day at a time and with an attitude of gratitude. I feel like if I have a foot in yesterday and foot in tomorrow then you know what I'm doing to today.
I read in James this week. "Out of the the same mouth come blessings and cursing. My brothers, these things should not be this way." James 3:10 (The golfer's bible)
I have a feeling if I were always God conscious (in other words pretend He is always standing right by my side) situations that used to baffle me, cause me to react negatively or shoot off at the mouth would be much easier to manage knowing God is standing next to me. The truth is - HE IS - it has just taken me 41 years to realize He is with me all the time.
God, please place a bit in my mouth (not too tight please) and remind me you are with me always. Please use this blog for whatever is your will. Amen.
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