Never Lose the Wonder

Anyone who knows me, knows I love the game of golf.  I’ve been blessed to play some amazing courses, and have made and shared some profound memories with family and friends around this game.  I started to play the game when in college, and my most recent round was this morning.  I’m not a great golfer, but I love to play the game and to me there is still a wonder about it.  I’ve never had a hole in one, but even this morning, one tee shot on a par 3 for a moment had me wondering as it was tracking towards the pin.

Yesterday was the final round of the Dean and Deluca Invitational at the Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas. The course is referred to as Hogan’s Alley as Ben Hogan won there five times when the tournament was called the Colonial National.  This year Jordan Spieth entered the final round in the lead. Jordan is one of the most remarkable golfers I have ever watched and to follow his career is a lot of fun.  He loves the game - that is obvious.  He’s only 22 years old and for some has earned the name ‘boy wonder’ because of his youth. 

Jordan started his round with 9 pars and was behind by a stroke or two at the turn.  What happened next was not surprising to those of us who are fans.  Though he had suffered recent demises at the Masters and other tournaments in the last rounds, this week such would not be the case.  He birdied 10, 11 and 12, and then birdied 16, 17, and 18.  He won convincingly.  I had taped the end of the telecast and watched it back later last night.  I knew he had birdied the last three, but was totally impressed to see how he did it.  He made long putts on both the 16^th and the 18^th. 

What happened on the 17^th led to a moment that inspired this article.  He was over the green and chipped in with an amazing shot.  When the ball went in – he just looked up with that stunned ‘can you believe that?’ look that reminded me – he has not lost the wonder of the game!!!  It was awesome. 

Now let’s shift gears.  I’ve known Jesus as my Savior and Lord for 43 years now and have been serving Him in churches on staff for the last 39.  Yesterday I witnessed the wonder of a middle-aged man responding to the gospel and giving his life to Christ.  The wonder of it all lit up his face profoundly.  I will not soon forget that.  I’ve seen it before – and I expect to see it again.

I’m writing to encourage you – the reader – to never lose the wonder of who Jesus is and all He has done for you.  The devil will do his best to get you sidetracked or doubting the faithfulness of God.  This I know – the Lord is faithful.  Psalm 77:14 says ‘You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples.’ 

There’s even a promise for our kids.  Psalm 22:30 says ‘Our children will also serve him.  Future generations will hear about the wonders of the Lord.’  I love that. I leave you with Psalm 105:5a which says ‘Remember the wonders he has performed.’   As you live for Christ, never lose the wonder of it all.  What a mystery and precious gift that salvation is available by grace through faith.  Oh the wonder of it all!!!

Liverpool Warriors

Tonight I’m sitting in the parking lot of our local high school.  Twenty-three years ago, my wife and I were in town to take our first look at the possibility of moving to Liverpool where I was being considered to come serve as pastor.  While we knew the decision was ultimately the Lord’s we were getting to know the area. We decided to drive to the high school (just a mile from the church buildings) and see the school.  I was particularly interested in the mascot for some reason – in case my kids played sports – what would they be?

 

As we drove to the parking lot by the stadium Kathy and I were struck with the words ‘Liverpool Warriors’.  The spiritual implications of that word for a possible move for ministry here were profound that day and still are tonight.  Our kids were 8, 5, and 2.  We went back up north and the next week my wife heard the Twila Paris song ‘The Warrior is a Child’ sung as a special at a women’s gathering.  Kathy sat there and wept as God was revealing His will to us in so many ways. 

I still remember when our son came off the practice field as a seventh grader 7 years later with his Liverpool Warriors soccer jersey.  He would play for Liverpool the next six years.  He was a warrior.  I also remember his last band concert.  The piece was not a Christian piece per say – but the song included a powerful section where the trombone section (which was his instrument) and the lower brass played the tune that correlates to the song ‘Christ the Lord is Risen Today’.  One of the finest bands in America played with moxie that night and I sat there amazed.  I went to my car after the concert and happened to be tuned to a Christian station only to here Larnelle Harris sing these words:  ‘so you were in it after all’.  I sat there in amazement of the journey from 1993 to 2005.

Today those three young kids are grown, college graduates, married and moving on with life.  They all graduated from Liverpool High School.  Our fourth will graduate next year, 2017.  To God be the glory they are all doing well and spiritual warriors for the Lord.  Last night I came here to vote on the school budget and for board members, and the meaning of this parking lot hit me profoundly.  I was blessed for sure and knew that I wanted to write this blog story. 

Today I did a little study on the word warrior in the Bible.  I read that ‘The LORD is a warrior, the LORD is his name.’  Exodus 15:3.  I read that the angel of the LORD had a word for Gideon though he may have doubted it.  That angel said to him ‘The LORD is with you, mighty warrior.’  Judges 6:12b.

I’m heading home from this parking lot to watch a basketball game.  The Golden State Warriors are playing the Oklahoma City Thunder.  I’m a Warriors fan.  I plan on enjoying the game.  This much I know – that team is full of warriors.  But I also know this too – since I came to Liverpool, God has call me to be a warrior – not militant – but vigilant.   And this much I also know – it’s not a game – but rather eternity is on the line for multitudes.  To that end I’m glad to be on the Northside team.  We are warriors too.  It’s been a great journey.  I’m looking forward to the future.  It could be the best is yet to come.