I used to belong to the Battleground Country Club Golf course and this was my second home in the summertime. I would leave work early, get home late, and do it all over again the next day. I thought it was because I loved golf so much. You would think? But I am now realizing that it was the lifestyle that I loved. I hung out with a close knit bunch of about 30-40 guys. We would drink, smoke, curse and occasionally play some golf. The amount of drugs passed around, drunk guys at all times of the day and closely guarded friendships were to much to tell. But I was one of them. I loved the lifestyle. I quit the battleground 38 days ago mainly due to my good friend Brian's advice. I couldn't see it at the time but this place was hell on earth. I told everyone I was leaving and 38 days later I only hear from 1 of the guys who follows this post and texts me everyday that I consider my friend. Meanwhile I would get texts everyday from 10-20 guys saying, "what time are you coming?" Now.....nothing. Goes to show who your real friends are I guess!
I've played golf 2 or 3 times since I left at different courses and just wasn't having a great time. I would get frustrated, forget to pray, forget to praise and think I could do it on my own. Now, 38 days later, I have realized my true priorities. 1st Christ, 2nd my wife, 3rd my kids and my wants and needs last. I used to look around and wonder where God was in my life. Now he is my priority in life.
As I approached the golf course today, I looked at it in a different light. I wonder who I can lead to God today? How should I do it? Should I do it? Well, I quickly realized that outings are very much for drinking and playing golf. That's not me anymore. On every golf ball I used an orange sharpie and wrote: Isaiah 41:10 on both sides. I did this on about a dozen balls. Everytime I would hit a bad shot or one in the rough I would tell my partner, "just leave it, I have plenty!" You see, most golfers will spend 30 minutes looking for a ball and will walk just about anywhere. I figured since I had to play with the same foursome all day, that maybe someone would pick up my ball and think, "hey, this looks familiar, let me google it!" Sometimes we all need a reminder.....Amen?
I used to have to search for God. I thought that I could only find him at church on Sunday. Or that he would show up if I needed him. I never thought to praise him in good times, and used to curse him in bad times. Even when someone sneezed I used to say "Bless You"! I simply forgot about God. Maybe because my second home was hell and the devil wouldn't allow me to seek him? Or maybe my so called friends would make fun of me if I said the word God???? But one of those so called friends who made it to the finals of a big tournament came up to me and asked me to pray for him! What a double standard. That place was my hell.
Through my journey my priorities have changed. I can find God anywhere. In my wife, my kids, my house, my car, in a song, in my office, but mainly because He is in myself. Amen?
In the past 38 days my priorities have changed. I found God again, and welcomed him into my house, into our lives and he has blessed us everyday because of it. God wants us to love him, to worship him, to act like him and I believe I have been doing a great job walking in the footsteps of Christ. Priorities!!!! Starting will daily praying and praise, Sunday service, Tuesday prayer and volunteering for those in need. Once I let God back into my life, he made me understand what was important. He made me understand that I am important if I follow his plan. And I truly believe I am now following the plan that God laid out for me thousands of years ago before I was even born. I feel Alive....Alive Again!!!
And when there is a moment that I am feeling let down or something is not going right I am reminded by the new friends I have made in the past 38 days that things will be ok. I know get daily messages from these friends I have made at Alive Again church asking if everything is ok. I get phone calls in the morning from friends asking if there is anything I need them to pray for. Just another reminder that God is everywhere. I can honestly say that the friends I have made over the past few weeks are the most valued, most honest, most loving friendships I have ever had in my life. How can this be true? Because they are men of God who are always moving forward, always caring and always walking in the footsteps of Christ. And their priorities, are now my priorities. Lew, Billy, Greg, Brian, and Pastor Bill, thanks for always being there. I know I can always count on you for anything and I hope you feel the same about me! I look forward to building our relationships with each other, God and our church! Amen?
I was upset a while ago about something that went wrong in my day. I took a walk through the Reservoir like I normally do to have my one on one conversations with God and starting writing notes. I thought I was writing about one thing but quickly realized it was about something else. My past life! My fake friends! The hell I lived in everyday! I was writing so fast and things were rhyming so I think it may have turned into a song. Not sure what it is, but I'm going to share anyway:
I am no longer defined, by the past I left behind.
Why can't they see that in me, I'm not the man I used to be.
Others see the changes in my life, my children my new friends and my wife.
When judgment and blame is in the past, They are quick to bring up the past so fast.
Most days I'm on a boat lost our in the sea, as they sail on by and don't hear my
Cry for help, cry for hope,
They just fly on by instead of throwing me a rope.
Why do I care? Why all the cries?
When I'm the only one who tries.
I look at them and I don't blame, They look at me still the same.
My actions say I'm committed to Christ, But they are all just trying to Heist
My
Hopes, dreams & Reality,
If your not following then stay the heck away from me!
They knocked me down on the floor, then step over me to get out the door.
They hid behind their alcohol, Then apologize as they'd crawl,
Further from me, away from the truth,
far from me and far from the youth,
That long for us, that long for God, but as they speak all they'd get was a nod,
cuz they're not listening, it's like they're blind, All trying to find,
Purpose, meaning, one true friend,
A man of God, from beginning to the end!
I'm right here, but they can't see, That I'm not the man I used to be.
HE cares for me, He forgave my past,
All my sins are forgiven at last.
I aim to please for them no more, As Jesus is the one I now live for.
And maybe one day all of them will see,
That a true friend, with new priority
Was willing to die for them, like Jesus did for me!
Ok, those were my notes. Remember, I am an accountant and financial advisor, not a rapper or song writer by any means. LOL
God loves us, will you love him? Will you change your life for him? I did! And it's amazing.....just sayin'!
As always, thanks for listening and reading.
God bless,
Scott
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