THE DANGEROUS COUCH

“In the spring of the year, the time when kings go forth to battle….” 2 Samuel 11:1a (RSV)

Under the PGA’s new schedule, springtime is when the kings of the golf world ‘go forth to battle’, hoping to win Majors. Except this year, when they were on the couch.

Springtime is supposed to be a gourmet meal of Majors. The Player’s Championship in March is just an appetizer, followed by an exciting ‘green jacket salad’ at Augusta in April. Then the month of May treats us to a scrumptious meaty main course at the PGA Championship, and finally, we finish springtime with a sweet and delicious U.S. Open dessert.

June 21 ends all the springtime fun and the sweltering dog days of summer begin, interrupted only by the umbrellas and sweater weather of the Open Championship somewhere over the ocean near the arctic circle.

Springtime was also when Old Testament kings would “go forth in battle”. The book of 2nd Samuel tells the story of how King David personally led his forces into battle. The boy who defeated Goliath became the quintessential warrior King, leading his army to victory after victory. This was not Arnie’s Army. This was real warfare and David led his troops, winning all the Majors of his day, solidifying his position as the one and only King of all Israel.

But David’s story takes a sad twist. In one of the most convicting passages in the Bible, we hear that the King sent Joab and the troops to battle, “but David remained at Jerusalem.” (2 Samuel 11:1b). He stayed on his couch.

“It happened”. What happened? You know the story. He saw Bathsheba. He sent for Bathsheba. He took Bathsheba. He killed her husband.

But David’s sin did not start when he saw Bathsheba. His sin started when “David remained at Jerusalem.” He made a decision to take comfort on his couch. And as it turned out, the couch was more dangerous than the battlefield!

The King’s place was with his men in battle, not a couch of safety.

So, I confess. Like King David and many of you, I have been on my couch more than the battlefield during this springtime. Sadly, I really like it. I had no idea my couch was so wonderful. I was unaware that Netflix and the Golf Channel were available all afternoon.

But springtime is nearly over. It is time to confront our reality. God has called us for a battlefield, mostly for souls around the golf courses. He has told us to ‘go for it’. But we are now comfortable on the couch, thinking that ‘laying up’ may be safer.  

Many phone calls now end with ‘stay safe’. In other words, stay on your metaphorical couch, ‘lay up’ to be sure all ends well. Avoid all risk.

But now seems like the right time to get off the couch. The couch is not as safe as it looks. In fact, it can be downright dangerous.

The battlefield with God is a safer place than any couch without Him.

MADE FOR JOY

Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar and the fulness thereof. Let the field be joyful and all that is therein. (Psalm 96:11-12, KJV)

I am sad today because I am supposed to be on a plane headed to Scotland. Tomorrow, I should be on the first tee at Royal Dornoch for my 7:42 AM tee time.

Like a boy in middle school love, I was smitten by links golf almost 40 years ago. Admittedly, she doesn’t love me back the way I love her, but still, I keep going back. Every year.

The focal point of the village of Dornoch is a famous cathedral, built in the 13th Century. Inside, a plaque recites Psalm 96:11-12, acknowledgement that God loves links golf even more than I do. I was inspired recently to write a poem to describe the spiritual experience of walking the links. God is there. But you must look for him. Look Up to the Heavens, Look Down to the Earth, Look Out to the Sea, and Look In to your Soul.

“Let the heavens be glad” (Look Up)

The views of the firth are so glorious
The clouds always moving in a beautiful disorder The direction of wind always different
The portraits so awesomely changing
The shadows mean the sun is still there
The moon shines so bright on the back nine

“Let the earth rejoice” (Look Down)

The colors of green seem endless
The ground that we walk brings energy
The bounce of the ball lasts forever
The putts that we hole bring such joy
The balls that we lose seem so happy
The earth is the judge of a shot’s real worth

“Let the sea roar, and all that fills it” (Look Out)

The smell of the sea invigorates the soul
The sounds of the sea are a symphony
The beach wants the ball when the wind is just right The seagulls fly low like old vultures
The senses are all tuned to water’s beauty
The scenes of the sea paint a picture

The straight ball is not to be seen
The distance means nothing to clubbing The score only matters in match play The bunkers eat balls like they’re hungry The rain suit is baggy but perfect
The ghosts of the past ever present

Indeed God himself judges the earth called links golf. And he says, “It is good.” Since the land was not suitable for crops or food or production or buildings, it is only suitable for play. Or rabbits perhaps or dogs on a walk. Or golf—a game where the ball must bounce and a rabbit hole is the proper home for that ball.

There’s more. In golf, pure righteousness and truth can be found. The player himself does not decide the outcome. The results are resolved by the earth itself, by the field of play, by the wind and the bounces, and the eyes of a caddie who finds a ball that should have been lost. Ultimate truth is not a number on a scorecard. It is the exhilaration of a six-mile walk interrupted by a few swings, a few strokes, and the fresh air through the nostrils and lungs creating joy all the way to the feet walking the firm ground.

This land was not made for crops. It was made for joy. So, look up, look down, look out, look in. Look for him. Look for joy.

DEATH AND TAXES

“For death has crept in through our windows and has entered our mansions.” (Eccl.7:4)

Right now, April 15, 2020, golfers should be sipping coffee and still discussing with great pleasure the amazing Masters golf tournament that ended on a glorious and sunny afternoon just three days ago.

Perhaps, “Can you believe Tiger won again?” Or maybe, “I am so glad Rory finally got his grand slam.” Or the best of all, “Unbelievable! Can you believe Bernard Langer birdied 18 to win the Masters at age 62. How does he do that?!?”

Instead, springtime has been a steady diet of Andy Griffith re-runs and Shell’s Wonderful World of Golf. I must say, there is nothing quite like watching Byron Nelson come out of retirement to beat that young whippersnapper Gene Littler at Pine Valley! Or Gene Sarazen nipping Henry Cotton with his coat, tie and flippy putting stroke on a miserably cold windy day at St. Andrews.

But instead of the Masters review, this April 15 we are reminded of the old adage: “There’s only two things certain in the world. Death and Taxes.”

But this year, taxes have been pushed to the back pages. Instead of our normal April 15 tax concerns, death has taken center stage.

Indeed, as I write this a few days in advance, today is the day when scientific models have predicted the Peak of Death in the USA from the CoVid-19. Supposedly, over 2,600 will die today in the USA from CoVid-19, say the experts.

Consider these facts. Nearly sixty million people die every year. That is two people per second, more than 150,000 daily. The lines to get inside the Pearly Gates are longer than the lady’s room at Madison Square Garden. Every day!

To break it down, nine million die of hunger, eight million die from smoking, three million die from alcohol, one million die from HIV, over one million die from car accidents, one million die from suicides, and get this, about 500,000 die from the old fashioned flu that basically scares no one.

So, let me say what you may not want to hear.

Death is here to stay. Death will still be here after the Corona Virus has been conquered. Death will be around after the economy has recovered. Death will not miss a beat.

The great teacher Job understood this. “If God snatches someone in death, who can stop him? Who dares to ask, ‘What are you doing?’” Job 9:12.

So seriously, do you know someone who fears death? Maybe even you?

The Bible offers three awesome persons with sound advice.

1st, King David said, “Death wrapped its ropes around me; the terrors of the grave overtook me. I saw only trouble and sorrow. Then I called on the name of the Lord: ‘Please, Lord, save me.’” Psalms 116:3-4. Call on the Lord!

2nd, Ezekiel reminded God’s people that we have a responsibility in this hour. “If the watchman sees the enemy coming and doesn’t sound the alarm to warn the people, he is responsible…… They will die in their sins, but I will hold the watchman responsible for their deaths.” Ezekiel 33:6-8. Warn the people!

3rd, then Jesus Himself reminds us. “I am the living one. I died, but look, I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave.” Rev 1’18. Jesus is Alive!

So, death is here to stay. But Jesus has conquered our greatest enemy!

JUBILEE MULLIGAN: 50 years of Freedom - 3/15/20

“This 50th year will be a JUBILEE for you.” Leviticus 25:11

Welcome to my birthday party! I was born March 18, 1951.

Ten years later, my father took up golf at age 44. He watched Arnie win the Masters on TV. Soon thereafter, the curse began for me. Mom dropped me off at a lighted Par Three course with rubber tees. I rented a 3-5-7-9 iron set, plus putter. I played over a hundred holes a day with my bad baseball grip. I was addicted to the smell of mown spring grass.   

My dear mother had not smelled that same grass, so she paid for me to take flute lessons when I really needed golf lessons. The Vardon grip and the flute grip were not compatible so I became mediocre at both.

But February 6, 1970 was an even better day.  I was ‘born again’. Thus, I celebrated last month my 50th spiritual birthday!!  

In Leviticus we learn that this 50th year should be a Holy year known as the JUBILEE. Read Leviticus 25 to learn all about it.

“Set this year apart as holy, a time to proclaim freedom throughout the land for all who live there. It will be a jubilee year for you…” Lev. 25:10.

The JUBILEE was a year of Freedom from debt and Restoration of rights. Everybody gets a huge Mulligan in the 50th year! A clean scorecard!

So, I declare in faith that 2020 will be a JUBILEE year. What should happen in 2020?

2020 should be a year of Sabbath.  The Lord showed me that I have retired but not really rested! So, Jubilee must include Sabbath rest, prayer and slow preparation for the next seven (7) years. It may mean cancellation of trips or events already planned. The corona virus has already made that happen.

2020 should be a year of Celebration. The Lord showed me the Joy of the past fifty years. I have written a lengthy summary for my family of what’s happened these 50 years, hoping they will know our story and celebrate with us.

2020 should be a year of Harvest. The Lord showed me that it is no accident that we recently moved to a golf community near Daphne, Alabama, which amazing is called the Jubilee City. This is one of only two places in the world where an awesome oceanic phenomenon takes place each summer, called a JUBILEE! According to Wikipedia,

‘during a jubilee many species of crab, shrimp, flounder and other large fish leave deeper waters and swarm- in large numbers and high intensity- in shallow coastal areas of the Mobile Bay. A jubilee is a celebrated event which attracts large crowds, drawn by the promise of abundant and easy to catch seafood.’

Fish literally jump out of the sea into buckets or nets. In 2020, fishers of men will find an abundant harvest. Lost souls looking for spiritual oxygen will come to the surface and jump into the nets. It will be a spiritual Jubilee.

My final confirmation came through Fadhli, my young Indonesian friend who plays on the university golf team at St. Andrews in Scotland. Last week he won his match 7&6 with a walk off Ace on the 13th hole.

Where? The Jubilee Course at St Andrews.

Okay, Lord, I hear you. 2020 will be a Year of Jubilee.

THE TEACHERS ASSISTANTS

For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound … teaching.  They ….. will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. (2 Timothy 4:3)

As mentioned last time, hitting wedges and nine irons on the range makes me feel good, but it doesn’t teach me much. I don’t know how I am really swinging until I get to Mr. Five Iron- my teacher. He lets me know if I miss the sweet spot.

Metaphorically speaking, many believers stay on a comfortable range hitting short irons. They go to church regularly, have a small group that never asks tough questions, and read a few good books that scratch ‘itching ears’. They are afraid to confront the deeper issues that can only be revealed by the Teacher, God Himself.

My experience, after sitting under this Teacher for nearly fifty years, is that he has two great Assistants.

1. The Word of God. “All Scripture is inspired and useful to teach us what is true.” (2 Timothy 3:16). 

Many believers spend time listening to sermons or other good material, but stay away from the obvious best, the Scripture itself.

Why is that? “For the Word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and Spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.” (Hebrews 4:12).

That’s it. We don’t want to be exposed. We prefer to hit nine irons all day on the range, looking for words of comfort instead of words of conviction. The Bible is real. It is raw. It is Truth.

We must submit to this great Teacher, the raw Word of God. And I don’t mean five minutes a day. This assistant Teacher, inspired by the Holy Spirit, would love to get an hour a day or more from you. He is waiting on you- probably sitting on a desk near your favorite chair.

The second great assistant Teacher in God’s School is harder to understand. This may sting.

2. Marriage may be God’s best “Five Iron”- God’s assistant Teacher.

Many men will confide that everything is going ‘really good’, which means work, church, children, finances, and friends. But then they pause and whisper that their only real challenge is the marriage. Words like ‘pray for us’ come with a shake of the head. They don’t really want to talk about it or work on it, because it is too painful.

They prefer to keep hitting nine irons and wedges on the range instead of pulling the Five Iron to see what is really happening. They have a wall up to prevent God from touching that area of life.

Marriage is where God reveals to you who you really are. I am not the person you see speaking to hundreds of people at a public meeting, or mentoring a kid at the golf course, or even writing this devotional. That is the ‘performing me’.

The ‘real me’ is the man at home, whose patience is tested daily by small aggravations and words from by dear wife, the only person who can help me know who I truly am. God has given us marriage to make us holy, not happy.

So, as you consider how to apply these lessons, perhaps make up your mind to let God be your Teacher. And let His assistants do their work.

THE TEACHER: Mr. Five Iron

“Who is a Teacher like Him?” (Job 36:22)

In today’s modern world of golf, most professionals have a Teacher. Indeed, anyone wanting to improve their golf game should find a teacher. All the PGA pros reading this are saying, ‘Amen’.

But the Bible warns, ‘beware false teachers’. When I was 19, I had never had a golf lesson. A false teacher saw me and offered a free lesson. He showed me “Square to Square”. I had the semi-shanks for a year. So, teachers are good, but be careful.

 Now, fifty years later, I have decided that the Five Iron is my “Teacher”. Let me explain.

I go to the range to warm up. I hit some wedges and think, “Ok, I can still play.” I move onto the short irons, continuing the thought, “Not bad.” My mind continues the charade that I am a pretty good player. The short irons are false teachers.

But eventually I get to the six iron. Chinks in the armor begin to show. A toe job hooks left. A semi-chunk goes right. Only one in three is a decent strike. The six iron is John the Baptist, preparing the way for the real Teacher, Mr. Five Iron.

Only Mr. Five Iron teaches me the Truth about my swing and who I really am. If I can hit three good five irons in a row, squarely in the right direction on the right trajectory, then I know that I am ready. It never happens, because my Teacher screams out that I have a lot of work to do. “You can’t handle the Truth”, says the former mashie, mocking me most days.

Sometimes, not wanting to truly know the Truth, I skip Mr. Five Iron and go to the comfort of the Hybrids, which lure me into thinking that my swing is good. The ball gets airborne and solid on a nice line. Mr. Hybrid feels so safe and nice.

So……. what’s the point?

Most Christians do not really want a Teacher. They do not really want to get better, to be challenged, to fix problems that have laid dormant for years. They prefer the easy way.

So, do you have a Teacher?

Most believers would claim Jesus Himself as their teacher, but is He really?

The rich young ruler, who would have been a member of the finest country club, called Jesus ‘teacher’.

He asked “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” The young man didn’t like Jesus’ answer so “he went away sad”. (Matthew 19:22).

In golf language, he left the Five Iron and went back to his comfortable wedges, where he could pretend that he was indeed good enough.

The answer of course is to allow God to speak into the most difficult areas of your life. He is the ultimate Teacher who wants to dig deep and show you who you really are.

Psalm 139 offers a pattern. “Search me, O God, and know my heart, test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out everything in me that offends you…...” (Ps 139”23-24). King David, for all his faults, was willing to invite the Teacher into his life to reveal the depths of his weakness.