Summer Busy

My goodness, summertime sure gets in the way of this blog! Golf seems to have filled a lot of time this week. I played in our city golf tounament Saturday and Sunday, and had a ball. (Didn't lose any either!) Saturday I played with two young ladies from one of our local high schools, what a treat to watch.
Of the 36 holes I only had one bad 9 holes, the second nine on the first day. But Joyce Rupp helped me forget about those the next morning. I awakened early enough Sunday morning to do my Bible study as the sun came up over our beautiful mountains. The reading I was doing in one of Rupp's books focused on pruning the old dead away, so God can let the new, alive energy thrive in us. Don't dwell on that old past, cull out the hurts, mistakes, bad memories. God prunes us and shapes us for the better. But, we can do some pruning of ourselves. Sure the old is always there in our memory bank, and we need to learn from it, however, we don't have to keep reliving it. It saps us of the new in the now if we do.
Whether it is work, marriage, church, friends or golf, approach it with a new vigor today. Try to drop some of the old thought patterns and replace them with a renewed hope and wonder. Everyday we are given a second chance to try again. God is continually refining and pruning us. God gave us freewill so we could take part in that pruning.
Forget yesterday's bad shots and go out and swing easy today!

Refresh

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins maybe wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord... Acts 3:19

A lot of golf this week. I am reading a new golf book that is refreshing my attitude, helping me turn away from some of the bad habits I have picked up over the last year or two. It is reminding me of lessons I have learned, and giving me new insight into practice and my game. I love it.
Today I am taking part in a retreat at my church. I am looking forward to a day that will refresh my spiritual journey. I hope to let this day help turn me yet closer to the Lord.
It may sound strange, but my week with this new little book on golf has set the stage for today. I know with focus I can turn away from old habits, lame ideas, miss use of time, poor choices.
I do the turning so changes can occur in my life.

God's Instructions

I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart. Psalm 40:8



I have been away from the computer for a while, so the blog has fallen behind. I have thought of you often, but I couldn't get my list of priorities right!

Travel has taken me to Missouri and New York; our yellow pad list of to-dos has taken me to places in the yard and around the house I should have been to sooner; golf has been frequent; even some meetings thrown in and there you are. Or here I am.

Golf has been the site of some really good laughs. Two weeks ago I had the lowest round of golf I have ever had in many years. It was followed two days later by one of the highest scores I have ever recorded, well maybe not the highest, but close! 18 strokes higher! No kidding 18. Like one stroke a hole. Same person, same course, same clubs, same brand golf ball. Good grief. However, I know the problem. Concentration and focus. I was really focused on the game, all aspects of it, on my low round. No focus on the higher round. What was the difference? Circumstances. I had a task in front of me for the low round, I knew what I wanted to do, knew I could do it and I did it.

My task on life's journey this last two months or so has been to focus on turning my will over to my God. In a book I was reading I was faced with the realization that I was still scared to give my hands and feet and mouth completely over to God. I mean 100%, not just thinking about it, giving it lip service. I realized I still hold back, I still keep some of myself from complete surrender. I am sure this is familiar to most of us. I lack complete focus and concentration. So I am asking for the Holy Spirit's help. I am slowing down and trying to focus on each individual circumstance of my day. I have it written on my heart that wherever I am, whatever I am doing, I am in the right place for God to love me, to guide me. Now is the perfect time to surrender, not yesterday or tomorrow, not ten minutes ago or thirty minutes from now. Now, each breath. God loves me, God made me, God works in all things for good. If I focus, and listen to the instructions on my heart.

We have finally had some rain, the last few days. Just as the desert opened itself to the water, I am opening myself to the help of the Holy Spirit. Soak me Lord.

Slow Down !!

Absolutely one of the most beautiful days is unfolding in front of me! The weather is glorious, the fields down in the valley are being irrigated, the sun is shining, birds all around, work done, tea sweet...I think this is a slow down day. I am going to look around today, slowly, and see all the wonders God has put around me.
Played golf two times so far this week, and it was good! Slowing down there has helped. I finally have some rhythm back in my swing. I have really worked on slowing down my back swing and then firing through to completion.. Worked on slowing down my getting ready for my putts, taking time to really observe how the green runs. Taking time to look at where my ball lies in the fairway. Slow down and observe...not just rush into a shot or a putt. Not so slow as to hold up those I am playing with, just more attention to detail and surroundings.
Off for some more tea, finish one of the ten books I have going ;), dead head some flowers, breath, look, listen, enjoy, praise, be grateful, love...

Monday Of Hope

May the God of your hope so fill you with joy and peace in believing (through the experience of your faith) that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound and be overflowing (bubbling over) with hope. Romans 15:13 (Amplified)



Back after a long while, or so it seems! I have been out of town and had some company so things have been busy.

During a round of golf, if you play as I do ;), you can be faced with a number of challenging shots. Seems as if all shots don't necessarily put you in a happy place for the next one. We even saw some of that over the weekend at the Masters! When this happens to my very good friend PL she approaches the disappointing lie with eternal hope in her heart. She always says...well, let's see what we can do with this one, how can we recover here? Love her hopeful nature.

I love the Monday after Easter. I like to spend this day looking for the situations in my life and the lives of those close to me to see the hope. There are a bunch this morning. One member of my family has been given great hope involving a medical problem. One is starting a new semester this morning. One is beginning a path to read the Bible while listening to it on tape. Two are starting baseball season at school. One of my best friends (she would kill me if I said my oldest best friend) welcomed her first grandchild this week. Hope is just bubbling up and overflowing, as I know that all of these situations have been prayed for and are the result of God's amazing and wonderful grace.

Look around you, where do you see the hope. Don't tell me there is none, it may be very small or look very insignificant, but it is there. Use this Monday to start over. Start over and look for the hope. How can you recover from the previous "bad shot"? You can, there is always hope. It is a grace from our Creator. God bless you today.

Looking For Lost Golf Balls

"Lent is the season to ask; What do I cherish in my life? What is it that I hide from? Am I aware of what I am missing or have misplaced interiorly? Have I given myself to the searching and finding of these treasures? What do I need to form my life more on the pattern of the Lord's death and resurrection? Who is it that I seek? Who is it that I hide from? How can I recover what I hold dear?" p 44, Fresh Bread and Other Gifts of Spiritual Nourishment, Joyce Rupp,osm

Last week during one of my rounds of golf, I had to search for a lost ball. When I say lost, I mean lost in the prickly, sandy, rocky, twisted arms of the desert landscape which surrounds our golf course. It was not pleasant! Why didn't I just give up? You would have thought I was looking for a pot of gold or at least a brand new Nike ball!! (It was an old ball I had found during a previous round :). As I was reading the pages for March in Rupp's book I was reminded of my search.
I looked so hard. I took all of the allotted time the rule book gives you. I had help. My cart partner was by my side looking also. I was patient, I did not give up until I found it and find it I did!
Do I look as hard, using all my time, patiently searching until I find my Living Christ in my heart and daily life?? Do I?
Lent has been for me, the last few years, a time of looking. Looking for the next step on the path toward resurrection. Looking for my daily manna God so assuredly gives me. Looking for answers. Looking for what is missing in my life or my family's life.
What are you missing this year? Health, love, friendship, faith, your way? Join me in looking for what we have lost since last year's Lent. I don't think we have misplaced it too far away.
If you are having trouble finding what you have lost, find someone who is wise and ask them to help in your search. Golf balls are easier to find with a friend, so is faith.

Friendship is a Blessing

OK, so we didn't win yesterday, we still had a great time and plan on being a team again. That to me is friendship. Take the little bumps and ride over them holding hands. We were in it together, support not blame or pettiness.
Two ideas to think on here, one, together is usually better than going it alone, two, laugh at the little things like Saturday morning golf tournaments, because they help train you to laugh at the bigger things.
I will be away from here for a week, as I am going to visit my dear friend to the north. Talk about two being better than one and laughter. We are such matched souls. I am forever grateful God put her in my life. She is one of my best blessings.
Look to your friends this week. Take care of them. As you do you take care of yourself.
God be with you this week.

Golf Tournament Tomorrow

I am playing in a golf tournament tomorrow with three other ladies. Now, you remember my golf has been pretty stinky lately, so, I was worrying this morning about what I will be able to add to the team tomorrow. Then I read all my devotional material, checked the blogs I try not to miss, and attended my Friday morning prayer group. On the way home I let all of that soak in and realized how silly any worry about tomorrow is.

First, I really need to practice all my advice about living in the present. I sure can hand that advice out right and left. Live and breath now! My day has been so blessed, why bring into it tomorrow.

Second, these ladies don't expect me to be a pro, they just want me to join them in a fun event. So I will go have fun. I will take with me to the first tee: laughter, smiles, joy, and understanding along with some skills, a set of clubs and a few golf balls.

You see it is time to walk my talk as the saying goes. If I bring all those good things to tomorrow, my Creator will see that they are used to the best advantage for the day.

I'll plant some seeds.

"Beauty sustains me in challenging times." p. 117, Walk in A Relaxed Manner by Joyce Rupp

Boy, am I in a golf slump right now or what? Maybe five or six really sound shots a round. Discouraging to say the least. Cannot drive, poor second shots, no short game and putting is a whole 'nother blog! I am wondering why I should make the effort (plus the expense) to go out to play tomorrow.
Then I read the chapter which held the above quote. Rupp is on a pilgrimage in Spain, I am only dealing with a game.
So, what do I find beautiful about golf. First the friends. Even though the golf has been stinky, the ladies have been so much fun. During this down phase the women I have been paired with have been delightful, funny and understanding. Second, the incredible landscape in which our course is placed. Huge blue desert skies. Huge mountains, huge views. Third, great weather. Chilly when we tee off, yet a finish in gentle warmth. Fourth, clean, healthy air to breathe. Beauty abounds.
One of my best friend's husband is going through some serious health problems right now. Yet the humor in his voice and the love that shines through her e-mail updates is beautiful. My challenge is nothing compared to theirs.
God has surrounded me with beauty. It shows up first in friends and family.
Doctor visit later this morning for follow up on routine tests. Have you fellows had your annual blood work done?? Ladies, all those tests we need each year, have you scheduled them yet? It's a new year, how long has it been since your last check-up? Get it done!!

The Spirit of the Game

Always treat others as you would like them to treat you; that sums up the teachings of the Torah and the Prophets. Matthew 7:12

FINALLY! Back on the course yesterday. As usual I played with three wonderful women and had a great time. Lot of laughter, fun and even some good golf shots. One thing that always impresses me about the women I play with each week is their good golf etiquette. The game, like life, is so much better when golfers follow the "Golden Rule". So let's start the year with some golf etiquette. Whether you are new to the game or just need a reminder, let look at this subject.
On any list you find about golf rules and how to behave on the course, safety is the number one priority. Clubs and golf balls can be dangerous! You don't want some one banging you in the head with a 7 iron, so don't take practice swings until you know where everybody is!!! Aways be aware on the course, practice range, putting area; always. Anytime you have a club in your hands be aware of your playing partners. Sounds so simple, but I have seen seasoned golfers, distracted by a good joke or conversation, swing a club out of habit not realizing someone has walked up behind them.
Be aware of where you are on the course. You are not the only one playing. How far away is the group in front, could you hit someone with your next shot? Are you hidden behind a bush looking for a ball, so as to put your body in danger of a shot from the group behind? Think safety. These tips sound so sophomoric, but they are serious and are given for a reason.
New or seasoned golfer, here are some sites to go to to help. Take a minute or two to visit them.
www.usga.org www.playgolfamerica.com www.mrgolf.com/primer
"The game relies on the integrity of the individual to show consideration for other players and to abide by the Rules" USGA :The Spirit of the Game.

New Year Plans Proverbs 14:22

Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness. Proverbs 14:22



Before you make those New Year resolutions, please watch this video.


http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/video/videopage?categoryId=null&brand=null&videoId=3696478&n8pe6c=2

Golfing in the Wind

let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance...Proverbs 1:5

Supposed to play this morning, but when I went outside to check on the weather I was about blown off my feet. So I called and cancelled. I hated to do it as I haven't played in a week!! I don't mind playing in a little wind, but this is too much.

Actually, there are some tips you can use when playing in the wind. If you are playing in a headwind remember what Greg Norman said at the British open in 1996 (he won!) "Swing with ease into the breeze". I think he was quoting another great??? Good tips: 1) Select more club to decrease the height of the shot 2) Play the ball back in your stance 3) Slow down to 80% of your regular swing speed.

If you are lucky and have a tailwind remember: 1) Play the ball forward in your stance 2) hit it higher (less club) 3) remember it will roll on you.

Guidance and tips...we love them. In this busy Christmas season have you remembered to get out the book that gives the best guidance of all? Get it out and reread Luke. Please.

A Little More on Witnessing

Remember the things I have done in the past. For I alone am God! I am God, and there is none like me. Isaiah 46:9

The tournament is over, I was nothing but consistent, improved one shot the second day! But, I had a great time. I really enjoyed the three gals with whom I was paired, there was a lot of laughter.
A couple of thoughts about yesterday's post...witnessing is a perfect time to "remember the things I have done". Not only do you have a chance to lead another closer to God, you yourself have a chance to remember, as you relate your beliefs, all the things God has done for you. All the times God has shown you the way. So it is a two way path, side by side; tell/remember. What a beautiful path to walk.
Also, keep in mind your witness is added to all the other ones God has arranged for this person. It is not all up to you, you may be the first to share with the other or the last, so don't get discouraged. You are one of a great cloud of witnesses. That always gives me comfort and strength when I tell some one else the Great Story.
We don't have to shout or get in someones face...we just need to listen for the right question, remember what God has done for us, answer the question, and then thank God for the opportunity and all the others in the cloud with you.

His Patients

The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you. 2Peter 3:9

I am slowly getting back into shape after a while off from golf because of my ankle. Slowly getting back into shape after two many meals consumed on the trip to New York. Slowly getting the house back into shape after too many days away. I control the "slowly" in these sentences. I can speed all of them up by my actions or throw myself a curve and slow them down. I have done both.
How impatient do you get when you turn a problem over to God and it is not resolved quickly enough for your satisfaction? Do you stew, worry, whine, pout? Are you going thorough one of those waiting periods right now? Are you waiting for a healing in your body, mind, spirit; deep down in your soul?
"The Lord is not slow". Wait, pray, wait, pray. Your Creator loves you and will take care of you with love and grace in God's will. Don't count your impatiences as God's slowness.
Step out in faith that you are loved and God is and will be with you in every step.

Family Time

God sets the lonely in families, he leads forth the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land. Psalm 68:6



I was in New York visiting family. I love and am loved in my family. Husband, three children, three grandchildren, a sister, two uncles and cousins, (most play or have played golf!). We have our off moments now and then, but for the goodly percent of time we are friends and always family.

"Most and goodly percent" are terms that apply to the degree of believers in our family. We have one or two that do not believe (right now). They will eventually, I have no doubt. These one or two are prisoners of their stubborn hold on some old baggage. We are a loyal family, sometimes holding on to things a bit too long.

I have faith that God is working in the hearts, minds and spirits of all our family to see that our "prisoners" are led forth singing. We will all be singing when that happens. We don't plan on leaving any one of us in the sun-scorched land of not knowing. We will all praise God in the light of love before this journey is over.

Reverence Of The Lord

He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure. Isaiah 33:6



Sorry I have not been here. It has been a busy week. No golf as my ankle sprain is still bothering me. As I played through it in last week's tournament, I thought I had better treat it better this week. So ice is the name of the game. However, I have still had "places to go and people to see"! Today I help register the men playing in a tournament at our course. They donated a putter to our raffle, so this is gratitude day. Thanks fellows.

Gratitude day. Wouldn't it be nice if we treated every day as a "gratitude day"? If we payed special attention to being thankful for every little thing others do for us? Really meant our "Thank yous"?

I have spent much time this week thinking about how our Creator is the sure foundation of my life and how to share that with non-believers. How to recognize the chances God puts in front of me to witness. To explain that "fear of the Lord" means reverence not a boo/scare.

The closer we get to God, the easier it is to understand and soak in the wisdom, knowledge and love of our Maker. I want others to realize the joy of learning to sit still and just make their life open to the wonder of the Maker that made them.

May you take that time today; be filled with the wonder and love.

...that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. John 17:21

I love most golf courses. I find the diversity interesting. Some are green, hilly with lots of trees. Some are brown, flat and treeless. Some are a mix of those pieces and parts of nature. They all have sand traps, greens for putting, tees for driving, paths and trails. I love most churches. I love mine most of the time. Sometimes I am let down and sometimes lifted up until I seem to soar.
Today, after church, I have been reading A.W. Tozer's The Pursuit of God, The Human Thirst for The Divine. On page thirty-six he wrote the best words I think I have ever come across about church and the church. I'll let him tell you what I feel.
"The world is perishing for lack of the knowledge of God and the Church is famishing for want of his presence. The instant cure of most of our religious ills would be to enter the Presence in spiritual experience, to become suddenly aware that we are in God and God is in us. This would lift us out of our pitiful narrowness and cause our hearts to be enlarged. This would burn away the impurities from our lives as the bugs and fungi were burned away by the fire that dwelt in the bush".

Walk In The Light

This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 1John 1:5

Sorry I have been remiss in writing. I was visited this week by my oldest and dearest friend. "Oldest" meaning longest, don't want problems in our friendship over terms! She came to town to play with me in a golf tournament. We had a great time. Lots of golf, food, laughter, talk. We wore ourselves out. That's the good news; I twisted my ankle and fell two days before all this happened, so my golf was pretty stinky. Hard to swing the club when you are anticipating the jolt of pain that will inevitably be visited upon you. Until you hurt your right ankle, you tend to forget how much weight you place on your right side :( Oh well, you always need an excuse when you don't win a tournament.
So today, after I run a couple of really necessary errands, I am going to have some devotional quiet time. First I am going to meditate on 1John 1:1-7. I am not going to beat myself up, however, I am going to look over the past week to see where I slipped out of the light. Either by getting too involve in what was going on around me and forgetting or by letting my frustration make me a little edgy so I was not as "nice" as I could have been.
I love my Creator and want to always keep that first in my sight. But I slip into forgetting so often. I will not dwell on lost opportunities while I go over this today, but I will remind myself how easy it is to slip into the shadows of life's walk. We are human and we lose our light every now and then, but God doesn't. That light shines on us all the time, we just have to step back on to the course.
Shine your light on me today, O Lord, and I will run to get into it.

Slow Down, Honey

The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. Psalm 103:8

Played with the Thursday girls today, first time in 10 days. You should have seen me. I think it was such a beautiful day and I was so happy to be there that I just whipped through every swing. I mean at warp speed. Now if you are new to golf, I need to tell you this is not a good thing :( Your swing should be slow and easy. Just let the club head do the work. I was so fast on my swings I sware Sister Judy said "Slow down, honey". Kinda like "Whoa, Nellie". I finally listened, but I was on a fast roll there for a while.
So when I got home I thought I would get out my Strong's and see how the word "slow" was used in the Bible. Shows up 14 times and 10 of those have to do with anger or wrath. It comes down from a Hebrew root word meaning "long". So I need to take a long time letting my anger build. Maybe I can take so long I forget what I am upset about. Easy to do as my memory is getting shorter and shorter.
I love it when a thought on the golf course leads me to the Bible to look for a word or topic. So, today I found out I need to take a long time letting my back swing build and a long time letting it release for a good shot. I found out I need to take a long time thinking about what I am upset about and maybe I'll take so long to get angry, I won't :)

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

This is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I have my date already for my mammogram. Have you made yours or has your wife? Do it!

Check out http://www.birdiesforbreastcancer.com/. Get involved and bless someone with your care and concern.

Love ya and Birdy on.