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.

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.

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