Candice shared a youtube video with me a couple of days ago that was sent to her. It was a poem (rap) written by a young man who was highlighting, in his opinion, the difference between Jesus and false religion. He said I hate religion but I love Jesus. In it he said at it's core Jesus' gospel and the good news of the Cross is in pure oposition to self-righteousness/self-justification. Religion is man centered, Jesus is God-centered. His poem highlighted his journey from porn, alocohol abuse and being an non-believer to today having a personal relationship with Christ.
In his poem he said some things that were very polarizing and for most mainstream Christians might be some difficult chunks of reality for us all to swallow. One comment he made was "If Jesus showed up at your church (I'm going to use my house) would He be welcomed? Think about this for a minute....Do we openly welcome all children of God into our churches, our homes, our businesses or our lives? Probably not. Do we have a tendency to take other peoples inventory and judge them by their appearance before we know their story, where they came from, what they have been through or if they are a follower of Christ or not? Probably not.
His comments really made me uncomfortable and caused me to question if I need to do some work in this area of my life.
If Jesus showed up at my house or in my life today, would I know it was Him in the form of a mail carrier, a UPS man, a trash collector, a neighbor, a auto mechanic, a abused wife or a alchoholic in need? I'm not sure, but I do hope because I took the time to view this blog and have spent time thinking about his challenge to me to view everyone I come into contact with as a child of Christ, that maybe the next time Jesus shows up in my life He will say son because you are a believer and have faith come with me.
Check it out. I hope it will move you like it did me and cause us all to view the people that come into our lives from a new set of lenses.
The title of the youtube video is "Hate Religion, But Love Jesus"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IAhDGY1pqY
Hope I have that address right. I'm not the best internet guy in the world.
Keep it in the fairway.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Monday, December 19, 2011
I have seen much of Christmas yet
I know it is very hard sometimes to slow down and allow the spirit of Christmas to enter into our busy lives. It's sad, but true. Yesterday I watched a youth soccer game where one team demoralized the same team two weeks in a row, at work today I had an upset client that could not get $1,500 out of the ATM over the weekend, next I received an email from a usher at church that was "shocked" to see their name listed to serve on Sunday (even though the 2011 schedule was emailed to all in February and ushers serve one month at a time), tonight I saw a lady at dinner, celebrating her 74th birthday share she is trying to catch up on all of the beer she did not drink the first 30 years of her life in front of her two teenage grandsons and then I saw a very grumpy man run a lady off of her table while she waited for the server to bring her the bill.
All of these are minor examples of individuals who should have so much to be grateful for. Grateful to be a good soccer team and recognize when they have superior talent, grateful to have $1,500 in their checking account, grateful to be able to serve at church, grateful to have lived a full life and grateful to be able to have dinner with their family. But yet, gratitude seems to be the last thing on their minds this Christmas.
I'm grateful my daughter enjoys soccer, that we have money in our account, that I get to serve others, that I recently celebrated a birthday sober and that I do not sweat the small things in life anymore.
These are all things I get to be apart of and get to share with my family and friends. So my hope is I will see Christmas tomorrow and be able to enjoy the spirit of Christmas for the rest of my life.
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.
Keep it in the fairway!
All of these are minor examples of individuals who should have so much to be grateful for. Grateful to be a good soccer team and recognize when they have superior talent, grateful to have $1,500 in their checking account, grateful to be able to serve at church, grateful to have lived a full life and grateful to be able to have dinner with their family. But yet, gratitude seems to be the last thing on their minds this Christmas.
I'm grateful my daughter enjoys soccer, that we have money in our account, that I get to serve others, that I recently celebrated a birthday sober and that I do not sweat the small things in life anymore.
These are all things I get to be apart of and get to share with my family and friends. So my hope is I will see Christmas tomorrow and be able to enjoy the spirit of Christmas for the rest of my life.
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.
Keep it in the fairway!
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
For God so loved the world
Nothing I'm about to post is original material. Most comes from a sermon I heard last Sunday that nearly moved me to tears of joy. The sermon was on the first part of John 3:16 "For God so loved the world" (stop). When Tim Tebow posted John 3:16 under his eyes in the NCAA Championship a few years ago 92 million people "googled" it. There is approx. 330 million people in America. There is approx. 6 billion people on Earth. These numbers are even hard for me to wrap around my little mind.
So How big is the world? The world that God created in 7 days. The pastor contiuned...he held a golf ball in is hand (that got my attention) and shared that the sun, a star, is 1 million times the size of Earth. He kept going to the largest star ever see by telescope in the universe, named VY Canis Majoris. I guess this means one BIG ASS STAR. To give us an idea of its circumpherence, the pastor said a plane travelling 900 miles per hour can fly around the earth in 1 day. In order for this same plane to fly around VY Canis Majoris it would take 1,100 years. WOW.
I have been practicing meditation for a few weeks. It was suggested to me to begin by setting a timer for 7 minutes and just talk to God. Well that lasted for about a week and now I'm up to 15 minutes. This time with God is helping my peace and serenity. Since I heard this message on Sunday I have had a different perspective on how big God is and how big this world really is and just think there may be other universes out there that human technology will never find.
To think for God so loved the world and little old me. What a deal.
May we all try to improve our personal relationship with God and the next time you talk to God try to visual the God that created and loves the world!!!
Keep it in the fairway
So How big is the world? The world that God created in 7 days. The pastor contiuned...he held a golf ball in is hand (that got my attention) and shared that the sun, a star, is 1 million times the size of Earth. He kept going to the largest star ever see by telescope in the universe, named VY Canis Majoris. I guess this means one BIG ASS STAR. To give us an idea of its circumpherence, the pastor said a plane travelling 900 miles per hour can fly around the earth in 1 day. In order for this same plane to fly around VY Canis Majoris it would take 1,100 years. WOW.
I have been practicing meditation for a few weeks. It was suggested to me to begin by setting a timer for 7 minutes and just talk to God. Well that lasted for about a week and now I'm up to 15 minutes. This time with God is helping my peace and serenity. Since I heard this message on Sunday I have had a different perspective on how big God is and how big this world really is and just think there may be other universes out there that human technology will never find.
To think for God so loved the world and little old me. What a deal.
May we all try to improve our personal relationship with God and the next time you talk to God try to visual the God that created and loves the world!!!
Keep it in the fairway
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Rainy Days
There was a time in my life, let's just say most of my life that I cursed mother nature when I woke up to rainy days. Especially on a Saturdays when I had important things planned like golf, yard work or a football game. Pretty selfish huh? Well today was one of those rainy Saturdays. Soccer got cancelled but that did not mean we did not have plenty to do. There was a Easter egg hunt at church, a UK blue white game, Keeley had a birthday party and then errands to run. Never a dull moment.
But before we got going this morning I did get a chance to do some extra reading and with Easter being tomorrow I have really beefed up my Bible reading the last few weeks. It's pretty cool. For the first time in my life the words in the Bible are coming to life. This week my Bible AP was updated and now has a feature with audio, real cool. Using this feature, here is one of the scriptures I read and had read to me this week.
Romans 8:5-6. "Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace".
There sure is a lot of good stuff in that Bible. I can't wait for our next rainy day!!!
Keep it in the fairway.
Chris
But before we got going this morning I did get a chance to do some extra reading and with Easter being tomorrow I have really beefed up my Bible reading the last few weeks. It's pretty cool. For the first time in my life the words in the Bible are coming to life. This week my Bible AP was updated and now has a feature with audio, real cool. Using this feature, here is one of the scriptures I read and had read to me this week.
Romans 8:5-6. "Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace".
There sure is a lot of good stuff in that Bible. I can't wait for our next rainy day!!!
Keep it in the fairway.
Chris
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
March Madness
It's that time of year again. It seems all of North America is coming out of the winter thaw and looking for a good excuse to get out of work early and this excuse comes in the form of March Madness. Millions of dollars will be wasted on worker productivity and millions of dollars will be spent on wagering on these games. I get it and will even participate in it, but what I do think is sad is that for many people they will spend more time studying the NCAA brackets over the next few weeks than they will trying to improve their relationship with God for the next 9 months of 2011 or for that matter the next several years.
Can you imagine how different this world would look if all 300 + Million of the people living in the United States would place as much emphasis on improving their relationship with God as they do analyzing their NCAA brackets. I'm not going to sit on my soap box and preach, but I will present this challenge, how about we all try and put March Madness into proper perspective and spend a little more time talking to God during March Madness than we will spend chatting it up about how well we are doing in our pools.
Keep it in the Fairway!
Can you imagine how different this world would look if all 300 + Million of the people living in the United States would place as much emphasis on improving their relationship with God as they do analyzing their NCAA brackets. I'm not going to sit on my soap box and preach, but I will present this challenge, how about we all try and put March Madness into proper perspective and spend a little more time talking to God during March Madness than we will spend chatting it up about how well we are doing in our pools.
Keep it in the Fairway!
Thursday, March 3, 2011
NO PAIN NO GAIN
I had a basketball coach in high school that used to say this to me a lot. Of course I can reflect back now and in looking back that coach was right. Anything in life that I have ever tried to accomplish came after experiencing some pain. I had a friend say to me today that we live looking ahead but we learn looking back. Today, when I reflect back on my life I can say with full confidence that I have been transformed into a new person. I'm trying everyday to grow in this new life. I'm trying to think of spiritual things more often and trying to consciously grow my personal relationship with God.
But yes you guessed it. It seems to me the more emphasis I place on my spirituality and becoming a better Christian the more growing pains I feel like I'm experiencing. I was recently reading Job. Job really did experience some rough times and he often questioned God. In chapter 3:16, Job said "I wish I had been born dead and then buried, never to see the light of day". In verse 20 he says "why does God let me live when life is miserable and so bitter"?
I have in grey seasons of my life had some of the same thoughts as Job. But today I try to consider myself lucky and even Job says in chapter 5:17-18 "Consider yourself fortunate if God All-Powerful chooses to correct you. He may cause injury and pain, but he will bandage and heal your cuts and bruises".
I pray today that I may see signs of my growth in my new life. I pray that I may always keep trying to grow. I realize there are still going to be grey seasons in life, but the good news is today that those grey skies do not get as grey as they used to and they do not stick around as long as they used to.
I have an attitude of gratitude and know that God is not going to put more on me than I can handle.
Keep it in the fairway!!!
But yes you guessed it. It seems to me the more emphasis I place on my spirituality and becoming a better Christian the more growing pains I feel like I'm experiencing. I was recently reading Job. Job really did experience some rough times and he often questioned God. In chapter 3:16, Job said "I wish I had been born dead and then buried, never to see the light of day". In verse 20 he says "why does God let me live when life is miserable and so bitter"?
I have in grey seasons of my life had some of the same thoughts as Job. But today I try to consider myself lucky and even Job says in chapter 5:17-18 "Consider yourself fortunate if God All-Powerful chooses to correct you. He may cause injury and pain, but he will bandage and heal your cuts and bruises".
I pray today that I may see signs of my growth in my new life. I pray that I may always keep trying to grow. I realize there are still going to be grey seasons in life, but the good news is today that those grey skies do not get as grey as they used to and they do not stick around as long as they used to.
I have an attitude of gratitude and know that God is not going to put more on me than I can handle.
Keep it in the fairway!!!
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Golf mirrors Life
I never thought I would hear myself saying this, but one of the most exciting things that happended to me this week was a friend introduced me to a new "Bible App" for my Iphone. My old one stunk. I was so excited that I helped Candice put it on her Ipad and Keeley on here Itouch. I especially enjoyed having my new App this morning at church. This App allows for bookmarks and community comments on just about any scripture. It is so cool to receive another person translation, perspective, etc. on the word of God right there at your figure tips.
Golf and Life. When you hit the golf ball all over the place like I do, several times per round I'm left with choices. Punch out? Lay up? Go for it? Pitch it? Putt it? Everyday in life we all are given the freedom of choice. Sounds great, but free will can cause some folks lots of issues. In some cases, our free will choices are the difference in life and death.
Our minister talked about this today and I liked how he used Deuteronomy,Chapter 30. Verse 11 - "You know God's laws, and it isn't impossible to obey them". Verse 15"Today I am giving you a choice. You can choose life and success or death and disaster".
Man I wish Life was that easy. I wish I would have made better choices 25 years ago. In golf you make a bad decision and go for it and maybe you end up with a double bogey. You go for it in life and put the wrong substances in your body or allow jealously, anger and greed to make decisions for you and the next thing you know (maybe 10, 15 or 25 years later) your sitting in jail or rehab and banging your head against the wall saying how the hell did I get here.
I know my bottom was not as low as you can go and maybe my bottom was not as low as yours, but let me tell you, you have a choice today and that is to choose life and success or death and disaster. I have experienced enough of the later and today I choose life.
Keep it in the fairway,
Chris
Golf and Life. When you hit the golf ball all over the place like I do, several times per round I'm left with choices. Punch out? Lay up? Go for it? Pitch it? Putt it? Everyday in life we all are given the freedom of choice. Sounds great, but free will can cause some folks lots of issues. In some cases, our free will choices are the difference in life and death.
Our minister talked about this today and I liked how he used Deuteronomy,Chapter 30. Verse 11 - "You know God's laws, and it isn't impossible to obey them". Verse 15"Today I am giving you a choice. You can choose life and success or death and disaster".
Man I wish Life was that easy. I wish I would have made better choices 25 years ago. In golf you make a bad decision and go for it and maybe you end up with a double bogey. You go for it in life and put the wrong substances in your body or allow jealously, anger and greed to make decisions for you and the next thing you know (maybe 10, 15 or 25 years later) your sitting in jail or rehab and banging your head against the wall saying how the hell did I get here.
I know my bottom was not as low as you can go and maybe my bottom was not as low as yours, but let me tell you, you have a choice today and that is to choose life and success or death and disaster. I have experienced enough of the later and today I choose life.
Keep it in the fairway,
Chris
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Walking with God
It seems like it has been a while since I made a post to this blog. But that does not mean my spiritual life has been short on activity. I believe I have mentioned that I have been meeting with a small group of men for the past several weeks. We are studying a book by John Eldredge "Waking with God". This is the second book I have studied written by John Eldredge. I must say I admire and have a little jealousy of the intimate relationship he has with God. It is almost as if he has this selfish relationship that God is only here in this universe for him. I actually used that analogy yesterday in our small group when one of my friends said he has a hard time bringing "little things" to God. He said he is almost ashamed to bring up some of the minor issues he has in his life compared to some of the real suffering that people are experiencing in his community, our country and the rest of the world. I shared that I really do think we must all treat our relationship with God in a very possessive, selfish manner as if he is here walking right along side us and he is here to guide us through this day.
I know we are taught to serve God serve others and then ourselves. But I truly do believe in my heart that God wants us to have an intimate relationship with him to the point where we have daily conversations with him just like we do our spouses, our co-workers and our friends. I have not always felt this way but do believe this today.
I'm going to wrap this up with the homework that Eldredge gave us this week and suggest you also give these questions some thought:
1). Why is it hard hard for you to hear from God?
2). What would you love to ask God?
3). What would you love to hear from God about?
Here is a little insight to my answers:
1). I can not differentiate between "my will" and His will. I second guess lots of impulses because I'm not sure whose will I'm listening too.
2). What really happens to us when we die?
3). Is He proud of me and has He really forgiven me?
Well that is a little update of where I'm at today. I continue to look forward to seeing what God has in store for me in the future.
Keep it in the fairway.
Chris
I know we are taught to serve God serve others and then ourselves. But I truly do believe in my heart that God wants us to have an intimate relationship with him to the point where we have daily conversations with him just like we do our spouses, our co-workers and our friends. I have not always felt this way but do believe this today.
I'm going to wrap this up with the homework that Eldredge gave us this week and suggest you also give these questions some thought:
1). Why is it hard hard for you to hear from God?
2). What would you love to ask God?
3). What would you love to hear from God about?
Here is a little insight to my answers:
1). I can not differentiate between "my will" and His will. I second guess lots of impulses because I'm not sure whose will I'm listening too.
2). What really happens to us when we die?
3). Is He proud of me and has He really forgiven me?
Well that is a little update of where I'm at today. I continue to look forward to seeing what God has in store for me in the future.
Keep it in the fairway.
Chris
Friday, January 21, 2011
Golf pocket guide by Golf Genie
It's Friday morning around 9:30 AM (snow day). Candice had a trip to Columbia, SC (left around 7:30 AM). My lite work schedule for today afforded me the chance to stay home with Keeley. I only had to move one appointment and in anticipation of this new 4 to 5 inches of snow we received yesterday, I went ahead and called him to request we change our appointment date.
I have now had a brownie and two cups of coffee and decided I would take advantage of a little quiet time (while Keeley is still asleep) and yield some time to God by reading, meditating, talking and maybe even create a new post on the blog.
After reading a couple of pieces of literature, I decided I was ready to turn on the computer and there sitting on the coffee table was "Tee to Green Pocket Guide" by Golf Genie. Inside the cover it says "Master your game...as you play". This was a stocking stuffer I received at Christmas and I was like okay that's it - that's my blog for today.
This Tee to Green Pocket Guide is designed for on-course play and off-course preparation. It gives you expert instructions on just about every aspect of the game of golf and helps to give you quick fixes to your swing problems. In summary, if you use this guide you will become a better golfer. Sound familiar?
As is in GOLF so is in LIFE. You can not build a new life in a day and you sure can not become a bogey golfer in a day. We all need pocket guides for life like the Bible, a church, daily talks with God and small group studies. There is no perfect way to do this. My suggestion is to take life and golf slowly, a little at a time. Building a new life and a golf game are slow processes, but if done properly with a strong foundation of techniques and principals then we can enjoy life without fear and a golf game that will be with us for the rest of our life.
Give this some thought. There are so many examples of ways that golf and life mirror one another. I never really saw this until about a year ago. I may refer to the Tee to Green Pocket Guide in the future. I love drawing parallels between golf and life.
Keep it in the fairway.
Chris
I have now had a brownie and two cups of coffee and decided I would take advantage of a little quiet time (while Keeley is still asleep) and yield some time to God by reading, meditating, talking and maybe even create a new post on the blog.
After reading a couple of pieces of literature, I decided I was ready to turn on the computer and there sitting on the coffee table was "Tee to Green Pocket Guide" by Golf Genie. Inside the cover it says "Master your game...as you play". This was a stocking stuffer I received at Christmas and I was like okay that's it - that's my blog for today.
This Tee to Green Pocket Guide is designed for on-course play and off-course preparation. It gives you expert instructions on just about every aspect of the game of golf and helps to give you quick fixes to your swing problems. In summary, if you use this guide you will become a better golfer. Sound familiar?
As is in GOLF so is in LIFE. You can not build a new life in a day and you sure can not become a bogey golfer in a day. We all need pocket guides for life like the Bible, a church, daily talks with God and small group studies. There is no perfect way to do this. My suggestion is to take life and golf slowly, a little at a time. Building a new life and a golf game are slow processes, but if done properly with a strong foundation of techniques and principals then we can enjoy life without fear and a golf game that will be with us for the rest of our life.
Give this some thought. There are so many examples of ways that golf and life mirror one another. I never really saw this until about a year ago. I may refer to the Tee to Green Pocket Guide in the future. I love drawing parallels between golf and life.
Keep it in the fairway.
Chris
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Walking with God
Rarely do we slow down and walk (at a slow pace) anywhere in any aspect of our life today. This morning has begun at unintentional slow pace. Apparently last night I set alarm #1 instead of the weekend alarm #2. So at 6:00 AM this morning I laid in bed a few minutes and thought about my situation. I could go back to sleep. Then I laid in silence for a few minutes and this urge came over me to get up and take advantage of an hour or so of quiet time. Because once we leave the house this morning around 9:30 the rest of this day is packed with activities.
So, I did and of course it has proven to be a great hour or so. A beautiful blanket of snow has joined us over night (maybe 3 inches). I also read some great literature and in reflecting on this week this theme of "walking with God" has been in the fore front of my mind.
Primarily because a couple of friends and I began the study of "Walking with God" by John Elderege this week. In the first session John beautifully describes that our goal in life must be intimacy with God. In John I, chapter 1:7 John says "But if we walk in the light, as He is the light, we have fellowship with one another".
I have probably read this verse a 100 times and it was not until this week that it hit me square between the eyes, John is talking about a walk with God. Like a friend. That is so cool!!! I don't think I have ever looked at this relationship between God and I and thought we can actually be friends. I seem to have always had a distorted view of this relationship like God is the shepherd or this punishing God that makes you go through all of this pain and then after you have been beat down- he says comes to me and if you will pick up your pants and ask for forgiveness I will make things better. I know this is not a very theological theory. But, in many ways I think we all could lessen the emphasis on theology and bring the scriptures to life in 2011. Make them relative to today.
This week I was sharing with another friend that for the first time in my life I feel like God is walking next to me instead of a 100 yards or a mile behind me. Of course I had to be the one to ask him to join me, but the key is he was always there I just might not have realized it.
I'm beginning to see and feel his presence in my life everywhere. Examples of this are as small as a text from my wife saying "Hi, I love you", hearing a bell ring and thinking of Clarence in It' a Wonderful life, when the voicemails and emails are piling up and I'm just about to lose my serenity (by 9:00 AM at work) and in walks a friend who was in the neighborhood and wanted to say Hi.
I know I know ..... coincidental. Well I now believe everything happens for a reason. Do I think God approves of everything, NO, but there are events preceding up to or events to follow that I do believe God has a hand in. This discussion can be saved for another blog.
I'll end with this....God, thank you for waking me up early this morning. I have enjoyed the beautiful scenery outside, some warm cups of coffee, great readings and an opportunity to improve our walk, not run, together. Help me to be constantly reminded we are friends.
Keep it in the fairway!!!
Chris
So, I did and of course it has proven to be a great hour or so. A beautiful blanket of snow has joined us over night (maybe 3 inches). I also read some great literature and in reflecting on this week this theme of "walking with God" has been in the fore front of my mind.
Primarily because a couple of friends and I began the study of "Walking with God" by John Elderege this week. In the first session John beautifully describes that our goal in life must be intimacy with God. In John I, chapter 1:7 John says "But if we walk in the light, as He is the light, we have fellowship with one another".
I have probably read this verse a 100 times and it was not until this week that it hit me square between the eyes, John is talking about a walk with God. Like a friend. That is so cool!!! I don't think I have ever looked at this relationship between God and I and thought we can actually be friends. I seem to have always had a distorted view of this relationship like God is the shepherd or this punishing God that makes you go through all of this pain and then after you have been beat down- he says comes to me and if you will pick up your pants and ask for forgiveness I will make things better. I know this is not a very theological theory. But, in many ways I think we all could lessen the emphasis on theology and bring the scriptures to life in 2011. Make them relative to today.
This week I was sharing with another friend that for the first time in my life I feel like God is walking next to me instead of a 100 yards or a mile behind me. Of course I had to be the one to ask him to join me, but the key is he was always there I just might not have realized it.
I'm beginning to see and feel his presence in my life everywhere. Examples of this are as small as a text from my wife saying "Hi, I love you", hearing a bell ring and thinking of Clarence in It' a Wonderful life, when the voicemails and emails are piling up and I'm just about to lose my serenity (by 9:00 AM at work) and in walks a friend who was in the neighborhood and wanted to say Hi.
I know I know ..... coincidental. Well I now believe everything happens for a reason. Do I think God approves of everything, NO, but there are events preceding up to or events to follow that I do believe God has a hand in. This discussion can be saved for another blog.
I'll end with this....God, thank you for waking me up early this morning. I have enjoyed the beautiful scenery outside, some warm cups of coffee, great readings and an opportunity to improve our walk, not run, together. Help me to be constantly reminded we are friends.
Keep it in the fairway!!!
Chris
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Happy New Year (2011)
One of my new years resolutions is I want to improve my communication with God. I feel like I did a good job of opening up the lines of communication with God in 2010, but now I want, even more than ever, to develop intimacy with God. I want to live as though he is sitting on my shoulder at all times.
One way I'm going to do this is, starting Wednesday, begin a book study with a couple of friends. We are going to study "Walking with God" by John Eldredge. I participated in a men's small group last winter and this proved to be very beneficial for me. It was something I looked forward to each of the 12 weeks we gathered together. I'm excited for what God has in store for me in 2011.
It's a new year so let's get started with my first post of 2011.
I read this week in Hebrews chapter 11:1 "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see". Our faith in God may appear, on the surface, to be a blind faith. But, I'm convinced blind faith in God is a better way of living for everyone.
Before getting sober I had a soul-sickness. I may have been doing all the right things on the surface of life, but deep down in my soul I was sick and crying out for help. I just did not know how to ask for help. Hopefully all of this darkness is in the past and in the new year I'm going to make each day a preparation for better things to come. I'm not going to dwell on the past or the future. I'm only going to concentrate on the present and doing the next right thing.
I'm excited about the new year and what God has in store for me. I pray that God will guide me one day at a time. I pray God will supply me with the wisdom and strength I need to learn how to improve my daily walk with Him.
I not only want to keep it in the fairway, but I want to soar with the eagles!!!
Let's all aim higher in 2011.
Keep it in the fairway,
Chris
One way I'm going to do this is, starting Wednesday, begin a book study with a couple of friends. We are going to study "Walking with God" by John Eldredge. I participated in a men's small group last winter and this proved to be very beneficial for me. It was something I looked forward to each of the 12 weeks we gathered together. I'm excited for what God has in store for me in 2011.
It's a new year so let's get started with my first post of 2011.
I read this week in Hebrews chapter 11:1 "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see". Our faith in God may appear, on the surface, to be a blind faith. But, I'm convinced blind faith in God is a better way of living for everyone.
Before getting sober I had a soul-sickness. I may have been doing all the right things on the surface of life, but deep down in my soul I was sick and crying out for help. I just did not know how to ask for help. Hopefully all of this darkness is in the past and in the new year I'm going to make each day a preparation for better things to come. I'm not going to dwell on the past or the future. I'm only going to concentrate on the present and doing the next right thing.
I'm excited about the new year and what God has in store for me. I pray that God will guide me one day at a time. I pray God will supply me with the wisdom and strength I need to learn how to improve my daily walk with Him.
I not only want to keep it in the fairway, but I want to soar with the eagles!!!
Let's all aim higher in 2011.
Keep it in the fairway,
Chris
Sunday, December 26, 2010
A new 3 Wood (Heart)
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
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
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
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