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| God and Golf... |
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Thanks to a dear friend and brother in Christ, I discovered the game of Golf in November 2006, while on a business trip to Jacksonville, Florida. Though I enjoy competing, I have never been one to jump into sports and win a bunch of awards or trophies. Nonetheless, on this occasion, my experience with Golf has been quite intriguing. At first, I found myself wanting to clobber that little ball and give it a piece of my mind for not going where I wanted it to go. However, after spending some time with that little golf ball, I realized that it was teaching me some incredible lessons about focus, discipline, patience, humility, quietness of soul, mindset, determination, attitude, and most of all, God! You see, I am a pastor. I have studied theology, pastoral care, and leadership for over 25 years of my life. I have had the honor and privilege of serving people as they experience pain, crisis, success, failure, marriage, divorce, birth, and even death. I have experienced the many "spiritualized" perspectives on God, politics, MTV, and even American Idol. But, I have to admit, that Golf has caused me to see God in a different light. I had a lot on my mind recently... moving my family closer to our church, my health, the future of our ministry, etc. So, I decided to go golfing alone and try to "settle my mind." Amazingly, there were few folks out on the course and I had most of the course to myself that day. I honestly believe that God was waiting for me on "hole #4." Now please don't misread this... I know God is every where and that He is always a prayer away; but, sometimes God manifest Himself in ways that the mind can't grasp it; but, the heart surely welcomes it. You see, when I got to "hole #4," I just wanted to talk to God as if He were carrying His own set of clubs alongside of me. So, I did! Wow!!! Before I realized it, my face was covered in tears and I was overwhelmed with an awesome peace that "goes beyond understanding." As I enjoyed that moment, I realized that my family, my health, my ministry, and my future were in His hands and that the doors He opened, no one could close... and the doors He closed, no one could open! As I walked away from "hole #4," I looked back at the spot where I stood just a few moments earlier and thanked God that He chose to meet me there. Have you ever had an encounter with God that touched you deep within your heart? Has God ever chosen a unique place to meet with you and uproot any fear or doubt in your life? Have you ever had a "hole #4" experience? I'd like to hear about it... God bless.... |
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| On the bus on the way to work. Several times! Awesome to read about your experience on hole #4, thanks! ~mike |
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Cathy |
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April 05, 2007 at 8:39am |
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Hole #4 happend to me on a dear friends front porch. I will never forget it. |
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It is amazing how you can find a spiritual lesson in everything you do outside the pulpit. You are awesome! Thank you for making the daily Christian life seems so much more practical. Mike n Laura, I totally can relate to your bus experience. My most deep moments are in the train on my way to work from Maryland to Washington, DC. Sometimes I am so blessed by God that I have to hide my tears from other commuters. Lourdes ;-) |
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JJ |
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April 05, 2007 at 3:53pm |
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Pastor, Don't worry it won't be a controversial comment...lol. You may remember from our home group, when I told you that I came back to Christ after a few friends were answering tough questions for me. The part of the story that I didn't tell was how I saw Jesus. Not physically, but I did see him and it was clear to me what was happening. I was running (and I really don't like running at all) and I was on a particular stretch of road that I always disliked becasue most of the route was flat but this particular part started to go uphill. Remember at this time I was an professed Agnostic, even though I sometimes still prayed...lol. This was a particularly low point in my life spirtually and physically. As I approached the hill, the wind began blowing in my face, which made the run even more difficult. So I put my head down and began to push up the hill. You see, I had run this route many times in the past and this point in the run was where I would typically fall out of the run and begin to walk. As I started up the hill, the wind began blowing harder and I closed my eyes. When I did so I saw the image of Jesus standing in front of me with his arms stretched out. As if he were saying "come to me, I can help you". I didn't want to open my eyes because I was afraid the image would go away, it was quite beatiful and peaceful. And strangely enough the run became very easy and I actually sped up considerably. Nevertheless, I had to open my eyes so I wouldn't run off the road. When I did open them, I had gone further than I thought, but still had a ways to go to make it up the hill. The wind was still increasing in strength and was seriously blowing now. I felt as if the wind were trying to make me stop running, sounds silly, but I really felt as though somthing (the devil or the wind or just me) was trying to get me to quit. SO I kept going anyway and closed my eyes again...Guess what? He was still there! Truly I was amazed, but this time I couldn't help but to hear (in my mind, not physically) that I could climb any hill, beat any gusting wind and acheive anything I set my mind to if I would just do so in Christ. I haven't seen that image like I did that day, since then. But when I close my eyes and pray or focus on remembering that image I can still see what appears to an outline of what I saw. So I guess that day is my hole #4. Even though I am hard headed and stubborn, it did change my life. Cheers JJ |
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Sue |
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April 05, 2007 at 7:34pm |
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The experience that first comes to mind was on a porch while in a rocking chair. I have a hard time sleeping when I go away, so I went outside so that the others wouldn't be awaken by my restlessness. The presence of God was so strong that it really seemed liked someone was there with me, I kept turning around to see if anyone was there, but no one, just my Lord. He spoke somethings to my heart that I will cherish forever. When I am feeling down and out, I just remember the rocking chair moment and I know that He is near. Great post Brother! |
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I had a "hole #4" experience this morning during our church's first service. God decided to stop everything aroung me. Nothing else was there (even though I was around people). It was just Him and I. I still have my eyes red of my crying before the Lord. I had no human words to describe how awesome God ministered in my life this morning. I came with anticipation, but what I got was a personal visitation of His Spirit. At that moment nothing else mattered but Him. The world, my job, dreams, goals, all of that was of any significance... but the presence of God. I wished I could stay there forever, but then like Moses I knew I had to come down the mountain. But I did covered my face, because I knew It was nothing that I did, it was all His glory. OH well, I better stop. I just felt I needed to share this with whoever is out there. Lourdes |
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