For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm to the end. – Hebrews 3:14

I write some really weird stuff when I’m under a spiritual attack. Do please pray for me as I am learning how to pass through these things as quickly as possible. But, it’s like every other sickness; you just have to soak in the medicine of the Word of God and rest in Him until restoration comes.

Anyway, years ago golf was my god. I would have told you I was a Christian, but what I really loved was playing golf. I live on a golf course right now because of that love. I forsook traveling with my wife in the early years of our marriage because of that love. I pretty much missed the first few years of my daughter’s life and the first year of my son because of that love. I would go to church every Sunday . . . unless there was a big golf event, and then I’m sure you can guess what I chose.

God and my wife confronted me about this . . . mostly my wife. I got mad. I pouted, but ultimately I realized she was right. So, I prayed. I asked God to help me dethrone golf in my life. Do you know what He did? He answered by making me absolutely stink at playing. Whereas I could absolutely stripe it at one time, I could barely make contact with the ball. I was frustrated and I tried to hold onto it for a bit longer, but ultimately, it wasn’t that hard to let go.

Here in these last few years, I’ve been playing a bit. I’m still not very good, but at least I can get around the course. I actually just enjoy being with my dad more than anything (except for the fact that I can’t beat him). I asked the Lord if it is ok to play. I felt He was saying, “Yes, because you will now keep golf in its rightful place in your heart. You will play now for reasons other than exalting yourself.” Ouch . . . but I got it.

So, if He is allowing me to play again, I want to get back to where I can really stripe it. I’m setting up a little practice facility in my yard so I can just go out there and work on it a few minutes every day. I started yesterday. I used the camera on my phone to examine my setup. I made a major discovery; I wasn’t holding the club properly. I wonder if all God did to destroy my swing back in the day was just have me hold the club a little differently.

How crazy is that? Years ago, I properly held a golf club, but improperly held the Word of God. He switched that around on me after I prayed. Now, here I am for the first time holding them both at the same time properly, physically and spiritually.

This realization is both really cool and really scary to me. All a person has to do to lose it spiritually is just hold the Word of God carelessly. Just believe you are going to be fine and never consider your grip. I remember seeing an older church member drop his Bible one time. He picked it up, paused, and kissed it. I knew it would be a long time before that man dropped it again.

We should all examine our hearts and think about how we are holding on to Him.

I know I sure am.

Later

Adam