Golfers recognize the term "mulligan" because it is often used on the golf course. For those professionals out there, or for those who are golf "snobs", they scoff at the term. But, for those of us who like golf, but need some encouragement to keep coming back, we absolutely love the mulligan! In golf, it basically works like this: there is an agreement made, before the round begins, as to how many mulligans one receives. For example, my pastor friend and I would play and allow for one mulligan on the first tee of each nine holes played; and then an additional mulligan for any shot during that nine holes. So, it basically means that if you hit a bad shot, you can take another shot from the same spot without the first one counting against you. Additionally, when we really needed encouragement, we allowed for the "provisional" mulligan. If you didn't like your mulligan attempt, you could save it and just play off of the first bad ball you hit. It made the game, and the score, a little more bearable. A mulligan means a "do over", another try, attempt; and in the spiritual realm, grace and mercy mixed together.
It is mercy because you deserve a bad score for that horrendous shot, but you receive a mulligan instead. It is grace because you didn't deserve another shot, but received a mulligan anyway. It is a major lesson God has been teaching me, in life, over the past several months. Regardless of your golf status, you ought to love the "mulligan", because it happens to all of us in life. God chooses the amount and timing, but because He is an incredible God of grace and mercy, we experience mulligans "all the time", perhaps without even knowing it. God gives us second chances in ministry, in marriage, in other relationships, at the work place, health related; and in about every other area of life you can think of. There are some consequences, "penalties" for those bad shots, decisions, that we made. But, instead of focusing on our weaknesses and failures, let's do what God does - focus on the mulligan, which indicates another try, another shot, another chance, to make a better shot. So, stop thinking about the last terrible shot you took that landed in the water, the sand, or deep in the woods. Take a deep breath, thank God for another chance, and do your best.
Don't forget, as you experience mulligans of mercy in your life: This is really about the character of God, and our opportunity to thank Him for not holding our sins, our bad shots, against us. He is a God of forgiveness and has already paid the penalty for our slices, hooks, topping the ball, and all the other bad kinds of shots we take in life. Take a moment, as I have most recently, to thank God for all the mulligans of mercy He has offered you. Now go take your best shot to honor Him with your life today.
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Greg Whiting Highway
Has a nice ring to it, doesn't it? I didn't think so either. Living in the Atlanta, GA area has given us the opportunity to have access to some of the more well known speakers and worship leaders around. There are many large churches in our area; and there is no lack of churches, period. As we have been looking for a church to attend and plug into as a family, we have visited or heard about a variety of churches, which include some of the more well known leaders and pastors. I won't be very specific here, as I realize that my opinions are simply that - my opinions- and I certainly don't want to put negative thoughts in anyone's mind about any of the pastors out here.
One of the churches we visited has a pastor that is very well known; at least down south. And in our area, we were told often: "you just have to go hear _____________ ____________ speak"; and then they would tell us how amazing he is. So, we went to hear him preach and to visit the church. Every church has problems, so this church's are no different. We also want a church where our children can plug in and be ministered to. Since the adult leader of the middle school group was so busy on her phone, we did not have a very good impression of their children's ministry. I'm sure it is normally great.
We can overlook pretty much everything else, as long as the preaching of God's Word fits where we are, in our beliefs and practice. We may be the only ones who thought this; but it seemed that this particular, well known preacher, was very concerned about himself and all that he had accomplished over the years. He didn't stick with the text of Scripture he introduced (which is one of my pet peeves of preaching); and talked about himself quite a bit. He also seemed to diverge into other areas that he really wanted to talk about. And his style of preaching (I will refrain from details that might give him away) was very distracting; at least for us. Two of our youngest children were with us in the service (since the middle school ministry didn't seem interested in having them); and they also mentioned that it was hard for them to listen because of the way this particular preacher came across.
Then, we noticed, that nearby, there was a _____________ ___________ highway, named after this pastor. It may well be that he had nothing to do with it, and maybe didn't even want it done. But, it just seemed out of place, and along with our visits to their website, it seemed liked much of this ministry was about him. We might be wrong. What we did realize, is that this is not the church where God was leading us.
Bottom line, biblically, I want to have the same attitude the Apostle Paul had, when there were ministers doing things he wouldn't do. He said that he would choose to rejoice if they were preaching the gospel. This preacher is, and God has used him to reach many people. In that, I will rejoice. And if you ever think of naming a highway after me, just call it mercy highway. That's where I'm living these days; and don't plan on leaving.
One of the churches we visited has a pastor that is very well known; at least down south. And in our area, we were told often: "you just have to go hear _____________ ____________ speak"; and then they would tell us how amazing he is. So, we went to hear him preach and to visit the church. Every church has problems, so this church's are no different. We also want a church where our children can plug in and be ministered to. Since the adult leader of the middle school group was so busy on her phone, we did not have a very good impression of their children's ministry. I'm sure it is normally great.
We can overlook pretty much everything else, as long as the preaching of God's Word fits where we are, in our beliefs and practice. We may be the only ones who thought this; but it seemed that this particular, well known preacher, was very concerned about himself and all that he had accomplished over the years. He didn't stick with the text of Scripture he introduced (which is one of my pet peeves of preaching); and talked about himself quite a bit. He also seemed to diverge into other areas that he really wanted to talk about. And his style of preaching (I will refrain from details that might give him away) was very distracting; at least for us. Two of our youngest children were with us in the service (since the middle school ministry didn't seem interested in having them); and they also mentioned that it was hard for them to listen because of the way this particular preacher came across.
Then, we noticed, that nearby, there was a _____________ ___________ highway, named after this pastor. It may well be that he had nothing to do with it, and maybe didn't even want it done. But, it just seemed out of place, and along with our visits to their website, it seemed liked much of this ministry was about him. We might be wrong. What we did realize, is that this is not the church where God was leading us.
Bottom line, biblically, I want to have the same attitude the Apostle Paul had, when there were ministers doing things he wouldn't do. He said that he would choose to rejoice if they were preaching the gospel. This preacher is, and God has used him to reach many people. In that, I will rejoice. And if you ever think of naming a highway after me, just call it mercy highway. That's where I'm living these days; and don't plan on leaving.
Sunday, September 16, 2012
A Coffee, A Computer, and some Compassion
You never know who is going to walk into your life, from day to day. Outside of family and close friends, along with regular business associates, we normally cross paths with several other people, on any given day. And although it is unlikely that we will have an intimate, close relationship with most of them, there is an opportunity with many of them. I had such an opportunity this past week.
A woman walked into the restaurant and ordered a small breakfast item. She also asked me if we had wi-fi in the restaurant. I assured her that we did, and showed her the places she could plug in. She said she needed to go out and get her computer from the car and she would be back. At one point in the morning, she asked if it was o.k. that she was staying there so long. Another team member told her it was fine.
Later, she walked back up to the front counter and ordered a coffee. She then, without any real provocation from me, began to open up. I saw that she was studying something, so I asked her what it was. She told me it was accounting and that it was making her very tired. She also, then, opened up about her personal life. That very morning, she had been in court, finalizing the divorce with her husband. She then turned pretty sad, and admitted her exhaustion. My heart went out to her. I have had the opportunity to minister to hundreds of people over the years, going through similar circumstances, and intense pain. I asked her if children were involved. She said: yes - two.
She continued to tell me that her husband was an alcoholic, and that it caused a terrible problem for her, because she was a Christian. I told her I had been a pastor for over 18 years, and that I was sorry for what she was going through. She said thanks, and told me the church she was attending; which also included a Celebrate Recovery program she was attending.
That was pretty much it. I was not able to do what I normally would, as a pastor, and spend whatever time necessary, to pray with her, encourage her, and connect her to someone else in the church. But, in that moment of opportunity, when I just thought she was working on her computer and drinking coffee, what she really was ordering was some compassion. Perhaps, today, you will see the opportunities God brings your way as well.
A woman walked into the restaurant and ordered a small breakfast item. She also asked me if we had wi-fi in the restaurant. I assured her that we did, and showed her the places she could plug in. She said she needed to go out and get her computer from the car and she would be back. At one point in the morning, she asked if it was o.k. that she was staying there so long. Another team member told her it was fine.
Later, she walked back up to the front counter and ordered a coffee. She then, without any real provocation from me, began to open up. I saw that she was studying something, so I asked her what it was. She told me it was accounting and that it was making her very tired. She also, then, opened up about her personal life. That very morning, she had been in court, finalizing the divorce with her husband. She then turned pretty sad, and admitted her exhaustion. My heart went out to her. I have had the opportunity to minister to hundreds of people over the years, going through similar circumstances, and intense pain. I asked her if children were involved. She said: yes - two.
She continued to tell me that her husband was an alcoholic, and that it caused a terrible problem for her, because she was a Christian. I told her I had been a pastor for over 18 years, and that I was sorry for what she was going through. She said thanks, and told me the church she was attending; which also included a Celebrate Recovery program she was attending.
That was pretty much it. I was not able to do what I normally would, as a pastor, and spend whatever time necessary, to pray with her, encourage her, and connect her to someone else in the church. But, in that moment of opportunity, when I just thought she was working on her computer and drinking coffee, what she really was ordering was some compassion. Perhaps, today, you will see the opportunities God brings your way as well.
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Was that really God?
The place I work does its best to be as personal as possible with customers. One of the things we do, after taking an order, and before giving the total, is to ask the customer for a name. This is fairly recent, and although some wonder why we do that, or think that it means we are going to take a long time getting their food (which is not the norm for us), they usually appreciate the personal feel of asking for a name. Then, when the "bagger" or "expediter" brings their food to the front counter, they often hear their name called rather than "who ordered the number 1 meal"?
This past week, it was obvious, right away, that I had a unique customer at my counter. He joked about everything, and yes, I do mean everything. It was a nice way to break up what was a fairly slow afternoon at the front counter. You probably already guessed that when I asked for his name, he very distinctly, and loudly, proclaimed: "God". I smiled, wrote it in, and had some more conversation (very entertaining - at least to me). I noticed that the person who brought the order refrained from calling out the name God; but I still think the customer felt we were very personal with him during his time there. He did criticize my ice cream cone making ability (I'm not the best); but even then, it was done in fun.
Hearing him call himself God, even in jest, made me consider a couple of things. First, based on this customer's other actions and words, He didn't represent the name very well. God is holy, and His name is not to be used lightly, even for a laugh. Secondly, it reminded me that the Bible tells us, that although God is not going to show up in bodily form, angels might very well. I am pretty sure (99%) that he was neither God nor an angel in disguise; but it reminded me that God's messengers (angels) do come in various forms. You just never know.
And, the real lesson, for me, is that every person is worthy of respect and honor - not only because it is our company's policy; but because loving everyone, showing kindness and concern for real people - is the business of God, and of Christ followers. So, I need to remember, every single day, no matter where I am, I will meet people, who are need of compassion, a kind word, a smile, and perhaps something else that I can provide. When my "friend" walks in next time, I won't call him God, but I will smile, welcome him, and maybe even make a better ice cream cone!
This past week, it was obvious, right away, that I had a unique customer at my counter. He joked about everything, and yes, I do mean everything. It was a nice way to break up what was a fairly slow afternoon at the front counter. You probably already guessed that when I asked for his name, he very distinctly, and loudly, proclaimed: "God". I smiled, wrote it in, and had some more conversation (very entertaining - at least to me). I noticed that the person who brought the order refrained from calling out the name God; but I still think the customer felt we were very personal with him during his time there. He did criticize my ice cream cone making ability (I'm not the best); but even then, it was done in fun.
Hearing him call himself God, even in jest, made me consider a couple of things. First, based on this customer's other actions and words, He didn't represent the name very well. God is holy, and His name is not to be used lightly, even for a laugh. Secondly, it reminded me that the Bible tells us, that although God is not going to show up in bodily form, angels might very well. I am pretty sure (99%) that he was neither God nor an angel in disguise; but it reminded me that God's messengers (angels) do come in various forms. You just never know.
And, the real lesson, for me, is that every person is worthy of respect and honor - not only because it is our company's policy; but because loving everyone, showing kindness and concern for real people - is the business of God, and of Christ followers. So, I need to remember, every single day, no matter where I am, I will meet people, who are need of compassion, a kind word, a smile, and perhaps something else that I can provide. When my "friend" walks in next time, I won't call him God, but I will smile, welcome him, and maybe even make a better ice cream cone!
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