A GOOD WALK SPOILED

It was Mark Twain who called the game of golf a good walk spoiled.  If you’ve ever attempted to play the game you might agree.  I enjoy playing but find many ways to spoil a good round.  Monday night I played with some men from church.  On one hole I hit a ball out of bounds.  That was tough enough on the score for that hole, but then I compounded the problem by trying to make up for it with a “miracle” shot, basically a shot that had no chance to succeed except in my dreams.  I put that shot in the creek.  Add another penalty stroke.  Now I’m really desperate.  I need another “miracle” shot.  None was forthcoming which contributed to more shots on that hole than I want to confess.  Sometimes we just don’t know when to get smart.

But the nice thing about golf is that each hole is a fresh start.  You get to tee it up again and a new chance for that par.  You get to screw your head back on straight and learn from your recent mistakes.

As we live life we do find ourselves in the “rough” or “out of bounds” at times.   We’ve made some mistakes that cost us.  But what a joy to know that God’s forgiveness gives us fresh starts and a chance to improve our game.   Don’t let your Christian life be a good walk spoiled.  Keep playing smart.

ROBB'S GUEST BLOG - A FRESH ENCOUNTER WITH GRACE

As many of you know I have recently begun working through a Master of Divinity degree online through Wesley Seminary. A few weeks ago I spent a few days on campus at Wesley Seminary and while I was there I had one of the most emotional worship experiences that I've ever had. The interesting part of my experience is that this particular worship experience had nothing to do with music, other people, or a congregational meeting. For a young Pastor with hair as crazy as mine this might seem odd to you. It did to me too, and honestly I wasn't ready for this experience, I wasn't looking for it, but God had something to show me. and he knew I needed it. I needed growth; God wanted to stretch me and challenge me. And when God wants to get our attention, he will! I needed a bigger view of God---I got it. I need a fresh encounter with grace---I got that too! 

Situated in the middle of the Seminary campus sits an 18th century gothic chapel perfectly replicated to an original design.  Inside sit wooden pews complete with kneeling cushions, Wesleyan hymnbooks, and liturgical catechisms. The chapel is lined with stained glass windows and has a slanted cathedral ceiling which is outlined with wooden beams. The entire chapel directs your visual focus to the front of the sanctuary where a bronze statue of Jesus is situated. And there is Jesus laying on his side in the garden before he is arrested and crucified. His body is draped over a rock, his face is squinting in passionate agony, his hands tightly clasped to a cup raised above his head, his eyes are fixed to the heavens. The inscription reads "Father if you are willing, take this cup from me". As I walked in and sat down my eyes were immediately drawn to this life-like replica of Jesus. 

I sat there for a few moments and then BOOM,  it hit me. All at once, like a ton of bricks had been dropped from the stone steeple 50 feet above. I lost it, I broke, I began weeping and crying in the intense intimacy of the moment. It was worship, and it was as if God was saying to me, look at my son Jesus, look at what he did for you, look at what it cost him, I didn't take that cup from him so that you could rest in the grace he provided for you.. The spirit of the living God was in that chapel that day saying to me: I love you, I love you, I love you---and the grace that I experienced that day will stay with me for a lifetime. I walked out of that chapel changed, refreshed, renewed, washed clean yet again in the glorious grace that only Jesus provides. Sometimes we just need a fresh encounter with God's grace. I pray that you will find your"stone chapel" where your eyes will be drawn to Jesus so that you may have your own fresh encounter with the amazing grace only found in Jesus. 

His Grace Abounds. 

GROWING UP TOO FAST? - REPOST

“They’re growing up too fast!”  Every parent or grandparent has expressed those words.  I got off the phone the other day after talking with my daughter.  Since I’ve last seen my grandboys, Luke and Sam, they are starting to walk and to climb on everything they can get a good grip and foothold on.  They are moving into full fledged boyhood.   I remember when our children were small, Mary would often say, “I wish I could keep them this age forever.”    But if you could do that, you realize you would be keeping them from the fullest life for which they were created.   As we live we want to develop to the next steps.  We want to learn to drive a car, pursue a career, marry, see the world, take big risks, experience adventure, and keep pushing further into the opportunities of life.

It is obvious from the Word that our heavenly Father never says of us who are Christians, “I wish I could keep them small forever.”  He wants us to reach our full maturity and pursue life in His kingdom with the same “want to” that we do in our physical world.  Unfortunately there are many Christians who cease developing, almost as if they are saying, “I want to remain at this age forever,” and rather than continue the hard work of developing to maturity, seem content to remain dependent tykes or adolescents.

None of us want to thwart our full potential.  If we are not there yet spiritually, lets kick into gear again.