Bobby Jones, one of the greatest golfers to ever compete, was uniquely known for winning the “Grand Slam” of golf - winning all four major tournaments in the U.S. and Britain in a single year. In 1925, early in his career, having reached the final playoff in the U.S. Open, at a certain point in the match, Jones was setting up to strike his ball which was in the rough just off the fairway. His iron accidentally touched the ball. He immediately became angry with himself, turned to the marshals, and called a penalty on himself.
But the marshals had not seen the ball move, so they left the decision to Jones, whether to invoke the penalty OF two-strokes. Bobby called the penalty on himself, not knowing that he would lose the tournament by a single stroke.
When praised for his honesty, he replied, “You may as well praise a man for not robbing a bank!” Jones may have lost the tournament, but his character is legendary. Today the United States Golf Association’s award for sportsmanship is known as the “Bobby Jones Award.”
Every day we’re faced with decisions — many of which are made when no one is watching, at least no one we can see. But let’s purpose in our hearts to do the right thing — because character truly counts.
The Truth
"The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them." (Proverbs 11:3)
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Godly Attitude
I ran across this story while looking for an example of a Godly attitude. While there were many to choose from, I just couldn't pass this one up.
There once was a woman who woke up one morning, looked in the mirror, and saw that she had only three hairs on her head. “Great,” she said, “I think I’ll braid my hair today.” So she did, and had a wonderful day.
The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and saw that she had only two hairs on her head. “Hmm,” she said, “I guess I’ll part my hair down the middle.” So she did, and had a wonderful day.
The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and saw that she had only one hair left on her head. “Wow,” she said, “today I get to wear my hair in a pony tail.” So she did, and had a wonderful, wonderful day.
The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and saw that there wasn’t a single hair on her head. “Thank God!” she exclaimed. “I was running out of things to do with my hair!”
ATTITUDE is everything! Let’s be grateful for the things God has given us. Have a wonderful day!
The Truth
"I will bless the Lord at all times, His praise shall continually be in my mouth." (Psalms 34:1)
There once was a woman who woke up one morning, looked in the mirror, and saw that she had only three hairs on her head. “Great,” she said, “I think I’ll braid my hair today.” So she did, and had a wonderful day.
The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and saw that she had only two hairs on her head. “Hmm,” she said, “I guess I’ll part my hair down the middle.” So she did, and had a wonderful day.
The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and saw that she had only one hair left on her head. “Wow,” she said, “today I get to wear my hair in a pony tail.” So she did, and had a wonderful, wonderful day.
The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and saw that there wasn’t a single hair on her head. “Thank God!” she exclaimed. “I was running out of things to do with my hair!”
ATTITUDE is everything! Let’s be grateful for the things God has given us. Have a wonderful day!
The Truth
"I will bless the Lord at all times, His praise shall continually be in my mouth." (Psalms 34:1)
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Be Content
It’s been statistically proven that out of the 162 Major League baseball games that make up a full season of play, every team will win at least 60 games and lose at least 60 games. In other words, the worst team will still manage to win 60 games, and the best team will still manage to lose 60. It’s what happens with the other 42 that makes or breaks a season. It’s an interesting way to think about a baseball season and another reason why I think baseball is a lot like life.
Winning teams experience a lot of losses. Losing teams experience a significant amount of wins. For 120 games out of 162, everybody looks the same. That’s almost 75% of the season. It’s what happens with the remaining 25% that makes the difference between a champion and a cellar-dweller.
Life is all about ups and downs. We’re all going to have good days and bad days. Winners don’t win all the time; losers don’t lose all the time. In fact, most of the time, it’s hard to tell the difference. You can’t make one’s experience the judge of everything. Pretty much all of sports tells us that winning is only a slight edge.
So what’s the point of this for us? Experience isn’t everything. If you’re having a hard day, be patient, things are about to change. If you are cruising on top of things, enjoy it, because things are about to change. Change is the one constant for all of us, and those who are best prepared for it will have the best experience. If you expect things to always go well and get upset when they don’t, you’re in for making tough times tougher. If you are simply grateful for what each day brings, you will fare much better in the long run.
The Truth
“I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:12-13).
Winning teams experience a lot of losses. Losing teams experience a significant amount of wins. For 120 games out of 162, everybody looks the same. That’s almost 75% of the season. It’s what happens with the remaining 25% that makes the difference between a champion and a cellar-dweller.
Life is all about ups and downs. We’re all going to have good days and bad days. Winners don’t win all the time; losers don’t lose all the time. In fact, most of the time, it’s hard to tell the difference. You can’t make one’s experience the judge of everything. Pretty much all of sports tells us that winning is only a slight edge.
So what’s the point of this for us? Experience isn’t everything. If you’re having a hard day, be patient, things are about to change. If you are cruising on top of things, enjoy it, because things are about to change. Change is the one constant for all of us, and those who are best prepared for it will have the best experience. If you expect things to always go well and get upset when they don’t, you’re in for making tough times tougher. If you are simply grateful for what each day brings, you will fare much better in the long run.
The Truth
“I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:12-13).
Monday, August 10, 2009
God's Patience is not Approval
Have you ever asked yourself, Why doesn't God do something about this or that? Why does He allow something in particular to continue?
It took me a long time to understand, God's patience with man does not signal His approval. It simply shows His long suffering and love for man. "God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance." Also remember His timing is different from ours; "with the Lord one day is a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." (2 Peter 3:8-9) However, make no mistake about it, the Lord will execute His righteousness. "He will not always strive with us, Nor will He keep His anger forever." (Psalm 103:9)
Therefore, just as He executed righteousness in the time of Noah (with the great flood) and in the time of Lot (destroying Sodom/Gomorrah with brimstone and fire) a day of reckoning is appointed for all those who dwell on the earth. Thankfully, just as Noah and his family and Lot with his daughters were delivered before judgement, so too will the believers in Christ be delivered.
The Truth
"The labor of the righteous leads to life, but the wages of the wicked leads to sin."
(Proverbs 10:16)
It took me a long time to understand, God's patience with man does not signal His approval. It simply shows His long suffering and love for man. "God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance." Also remember His timing is different from ours; "with the Lord one day is a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." (2 Peter 3:8-9) However, make no mistake about it, the Lord will execute His righteousness. "He will not always strive with us, Nor will He keep His anger forever." (Psalm 103:9)
Therefore, just as He executed righteousness in the time of Noah (with the great flood) and in the time of Lot (destroying Sodom/Gomorrah with brimstone and fire) a day of reckoning is appointed for all those who dwell on the earth. Thankfully, just as Noah and his family and Lot with his daughters were delivered before judgement, so too will the believers in Christ be delivered.
The Truth
"The labor of the righteous leads to life, but the wages of the wicked leads to sin."
(Proverbs 10:16)
Monday, May 18, 2009
Choosing the Right Kind of Ambition
Every man has a competitive nature, and Christian men are no different. But as we strive to fulfill our ambitions, are we doing something that’s contrary to God’s law? Is ambition, especially in our career, unbiblical? There’s an old saying that no man on his deathbed ever regretted not spending more time at work. We'll take none of our status symbols or money with us into heaven. We will take our character, our kindness to others, and our love for our Savior.
The most thrilling challenge for Christian men is not to become CEO of a multinational corporation, but to let God conform us to the likeness of His Son. This is the ambition worth pursuing. This is the service with the greatest rewards. When we choose to serve God ahead of money, we may find that the Lord blesses us with material wealth as well, but even if He doesn't, we have still chosen the better part that cannot be taken away from us.
In his book Success God’s Way, Charles Stanley says, "In good times and bad times, on mediocre days and exhilarating days, in periods of joy and periods of heavy toil, our stance before the Lord must be, 'Heavenly Father, you’re in charge. I have no success other than what You help me achieve. I trust You to order my steps.'"
The Truth
"No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." (Luke 16:13)
The most thrilling challenge for Christian men is not to become CEO of a multinational corporation, but to let God conform us to the likeness of His Son. This is the ambition worth pursuing. This is the service with the greatest rewards. When we choose to serve God ahead of money, we may find that the Lord blesses us with material wealth as well, but even if He doesn't, we have still chosen the better part that cannot be taken away from us.
In his book Success God’s Way, Charles Stanley says, "In good times and bad times, on mediocre days and exhilarating days, in periods of joy and periods of heavy toil, our stance before the Lord must be, 'Heavenly Father, you’re in charge. I have no success other than what You help me achieve. I trust You to order my steps.'"
The Truth
"No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." (Luke 16:13)
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Guard Your Thoughts
"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things." (Philippians 4:8)
Here the apostle Paul gives us a list that we should focus our thoughts on. Why? because what we think about ultimately affects what we do. Therefore, we must guard against any thoughts that are impure, spiritually harmful, or that cause us to worry. This means refusing to take our minds into any mental gymnastics of, "What if".
Remember the description of Satan in Genesis; “Now the Serpent was more Cunning than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, ‘Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?”(Genesis 3:1) This is exactly how he works today. He still comes with subtlety, snake-like, slithering in when you least expect it and trying to create doubt and confusion in our thoughts. This is why we need to keep our guard up at all times, keeping our minds from being pulled away from God's truth by being ready to do battle against the evil one.
The Truth
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places." Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand." (Ephesians 6:12)
Here the apostle Paul gives us a list that we should focus our thoughts on. Why? because what we think about ultimately affects what we do. Therefore, we must guard against any thoughts that are impure, spiritually harmful, or that cause us to worry. This means refusing to take our minds into any mental gymnastics of, "What if".
Remember the description of Satan in Genesis; “Now the Serpent was more Cunning than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, ‘Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?”(Genesis 3:1) This is exactly how he works today. He still comes with subtlety, snake-like, slithering in when you least expect it and trying to create doubt and confusion in our thoughts. This is why we need to keep our guard up at all times, keeping our minds from being pulled away from God's truth by being ready to do battle against the evil one.
The Truth
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places." Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand." (Ephesians 6:12)
Monday, February 16, 2009
Honesty
Did you know that one of the leading costs to most businesses today is, "employee theft." We live in a world that has lost its' regard for honesty and integrity and has embraced the idea of, "whatever it takes to get the job done." Lies, corruption, stealing, self seeking and exaltation have become the tools of promotion and success. The Bible calls this earthly wisdom, which seems to fit our world today. (James 3:15)
However, the wisdom that is from above (heavenly) is: "first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy." (James 3:17)
We need more of this kind of wisdom in all positions of leadership in this country if we are going to win the battle against dishonesty and corruption.
The Truth
"Only by the fear of the Lord does one depart from evil. When a man's ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him." (Proverbs 16:6-7)
However, the wisdom that is from above (heavenly) is: "first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy." (James 3:17)
We need more of this kind of wisdom in all positions of leadership in this country if we are going to win the battle against dishonesty and corruption.
The Truth
"Only by the fear of the Lord does one depart from evil. When a man's ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him." (Proverbs 16:6-7)
Friday, January 23, 2009
The Potter
Have you ever watched a potter work with a lump of clay? It's amazing how the clay begins to take on a familar shape in the hands of a craftsman. However, if the clay develops a crack, or some other imperfection, the potter must start over and make something new. (Jeremiah 18:4)
God, the creator of the universe, desires to mold and shape us into a vessel that pleases Him as well. However, when we develope an imperfection, He must break us down in order to form something new. Sometimes, that can be a painful experience and we begin to question why?
The prophet Isaiah records this warning about questioning Gods' work in our lives, "Thus says the Lord to His anointed, Woe to him who strives with his Maker! Shall the clay say to him who forms it, "What are you Making?" (Isaiah 45:9) This is clear instruction that we should not question why, but begin to focus on the work being done in our lives by the Potter so we can fulfill His purposes on earth.
The Truth
"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:24)
God, the creator of the universe, desires to mold and shape us into a vessel that pleases Him as well. However, when we develope an imperfection, He must break us down in order to form something new. Sometimes, that can be a painful experience and we begin to question why?
The prophet Isaiah records this warning about questioning Gods' work in our lives, "Thus says the Lord to His anointed, Woe to him who strives with his Maker! Shall the clay say to him who forms it, "What are you Making?" (Isaiah 45:9) This is clear instruction that we should not question why, but begin to focus on the work being done in our lives by the Potter so we can fulfill His purposes on earth.
The Truth
"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:24)
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Let Your Light Shine
We have all, at one time or another, “gone with the flow,” as opposed to standing up to the crowd? Giving away a piece of our convictions, to be a part of something we would not normally do, brings hypocrisy into our walk. Paul tells us in Romans, “not to be conformed to this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds.” (Romans 12:2)
He goes on to say that by renewing our minds (through the Word) we will then, “prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” This allows us to; behave more Christ like, remain free from hypocrisy, avoid the appearance of evil and gives power to our walk. As Christians, we are constantly being observed by the world to see if we, “walk the talk.” Therefore what we do, becomes more powerful than what we say.
The Truth
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)
He goes on to say that by renewing our minds (through the Word) we will then, “prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” This allows us to; behave more Christ like, remain free from hypocrisy, avoid the appearance of evil and gives power to our walk. As Christians, we are constantly being observed by the world to see if we, “walk the talk.” Therefore what we do, becomes more powerful than what we say.
The Truth
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Merciful God
Have you ever found yourself in the position of desiring a little mercy? I know I have. Whether it is a warning instead of a ticket, extra time to complete an assignment or time off to deal with a personal tragedy, we could all use a little mercy at times. Mercy is getting what we do not deserve and is administered out of compassion. While enforcing the letter of the law is delivering what we deserve, administered in the name of justice.
Jesus Himself spoke of mercy in Matthew 5:7, “Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.” This scripture indicates that mercy has a reciprocal effect. We will obtain mercy to the extent that we give it. Furthermore, James warns us that, “judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” (James 2:13) Knowing this, we would all be well advised to be less proud and show more mercy.
Thanks be to God, for His mercies towards us, who has not administered to us what we deserve, but has shown His patience and longsuffering with our lives.
The Truth
“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. For His mercy endures forever.” (Psalm 136)
Jesus Himself spoke of mercy in Matthew 5:7, “Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.” This scripture indicates that mercy has a reciprocal effect. We will obtain mercy to the extent that we give it. Furthermore, James warns us that, “judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” (James 2:13) Knowing this, we would all be well advised to be less proud and show more mercy.
Thanks be to God, for His mercies towards us, who has not administered to us what we deserve, but has shown His patience and longsuffering with our lives.
The Truth
“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. For His mercy endures forever.” (Psalm 136)
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