Mulligans with the Master

I don’t know about you but I love the game of golf. I can understand why some folks could care less about it and find it as boring as watching paint dry. On the other hand there are literally millions of people who not only play golf but follow the various tournaments with great interest. After all, Tiger Woods is likely the singular most popular athlete right now in all of sports. Golf is a fickle and very difficult game to master.

That reminds me of life. One does not have to be around too long to realize at times it can be fickle (can change frequently) and certainly very difficult. There is an unregistered rule in golf but often implemented especially by the average golfer and it’s known as a mulligan. A mulligan is simply defined as an extra stroke taken by a golfer after a bad shot and not counted on the scorecard.

I see a parallel here of God’s grace, God giving us what we don’t deserve and then never counted against us in the scoreboard of life. It really is a “mulligan from the master”. Some golfers refer to the mulligan as a ‘do over’. Have you ever felt like that in life? That you needed a do over. That’s what God does for us. He offers us His grace, forgiveness and unconditional love.

I will probably never have the amazing golf skills of a Tiger Woods who would not even consider “using” a mulligan in a golf game. But in life ALL of us need to take the mulligans that the master offers. The Bible says, we have all sinned and come short of the glory of God. We need a Savior, one who can straighten out the crooked shots in life. Got a bad slice, hooking the ball lately. Let God straighten out your drive. Whether it’s irons, short game, the driver today, let the Master help you with your game and occasionally take the Mulligan that He offers.

LIFE IS BUT A VAPOR

The Bible compares life to a vapor- one paraphrase refers to it as a wisp of fog. There is nothing so convincing, so startling which brings this truth to light than when a young person dies. You know, "before his time" as people say. The notion that young people are invincible. "That would never happen to me" mentality is surely a lie.

A person's life and the breadth of time he or she is allotted seems to be a mystery- held only for Almighty God to know. Does He determine it or because He is Omniscient know it? This blog will not unearth the theological positions for such a vast matter.

What we do know is that people are born into this world every day and people depart this planet each day. The manner in which we make our exit is important. Loss is huge, measured by different people by different degrees. Everyday lives are snuffed out due to drug and alcohol overdoses. It seems senseless. This past week we were personally touched by the loss of one such person. May God rest his soul and give others peace and comfort during this time of mourning.

Death is something none of us can escape. So I guess I'm not talking about death as I am life- the fullness of life. Live your life today as it was your last- in that it is full, meaningful, devoted to others. The Bible is clear when it says, "It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgement" (Heb. 9:27). Make preparations today to meet Him- for tomorrow never comes! He's waiting with arms wide open.

Money- How Much is Enough?

I have been thinking of wealth lately. Not in the sense of dollars and cents. Not even big dollars- like gobs of Ben Franklin faced greenery. You see the average person probably thinks of money when you speak of wealth or riches. The perspective and outlook on wealth and riches takes on many tones.

So what is wealth and who defines it. It's different according to different people and differing cultures as well. One of the best definitions I ever heard on wealth was this: Wealth is having enough and the capacity to enjoy it. Though I heard that definition years ago it still rings true today. I have observed that in our culture we often focus on what we don't yet have and strive to obtain that rather than cultivate a grateful heart over that which our beneficent God has already given us. James says, "Every gift is from above and comes from the Father" (James 1:17).

We might look at a gorgeous, opulent home and think how much we don't have while a child living in a thatched roof hutch is loved, fed and with her family. She would never know what she does not possess on Rodeo Dr. or in the Hamptons. She has enough and is able to enjoy it!

As I walk through life I want to cultivate an attitude of gratitude and be thankful. Full of thanks. No doubt we are still the wealthiest (measured by average household income) people on the entire planet. I want to learn to praise God for what I do have and not focus on what I don't have.

One of the wisest persons to live was Solomon who is ascribed to be the writer of the Book of Proverbs. This is what he said regarding riches, "and don't make me either rich or poor' just give me enough food for each day" (Prov. 30.8).

Let me challenge you today to learn contentment and to become satisfied in Him. Then make it your ambition to serve others, enlarging wealth in their hearts- not just pocketbooks.