Golfing with Richard

I like to golf. How much do I like to golf, my bachelor party was me playing golf with my cousin Kelly, my uncle Ralph and my good friend Jeff. I'm not good though. The best I've shot was a 54, then I moved to the second hole. Seriously, the best I've shot was a four under. One under the bush, one under the tree, and two under the water. I judge my golfing expeditions not by score, but by how many balls I lose. If I lose 3 or less, it's a good day, 4-7 is an average day, 8 or more. . . I'm just thankful that I buy the dollar balls out of the lost box.
There is one person who I truly loved to golf with. Richard Palmer. Now as many know, he had a stroke a few weeks ago. He is recovering at the pace that God wants him to recover, that is something that I am learning, since I am selfish and I want him to recover rather quickly.
I can say I learned a lot about life and the ministry while on a golf course with Richard. He was giving me ministerial advice long before I even felt I was called into the ministry. While golfing, Richard had only 3 rules, and as I think back on those rules, they also should be applied to life.
Rule number 1: Have fun. He would say to me, if you're not having fun, don't do it. The same can hold true for so many aspects of our lives. If it's not fun, why continue to do it. God wants us to be blessed and he wants us to be full of joy, “You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” (Psalm 16:11 NIV)
Rule number 2: In order to ensure rule number 1, improve your lay. We weren't playing in tournaments. We were out having a good time. Instead of getting frustrated because we hit the ball in the deep rough, just flip it out onto the fairway. If you wanted to, go ahead and tee up wherever you are located.
God wants us to improve our life. We do that by coming to Him through His Son. God wants us to discard our sinful nature and live according to His Spiritual nature, “For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” (Romans 8:13,14 NIV)
Rule number 3: In order to ensure rules number 1 and 2, don't keep score. This is one reason why I don't judge my golf game based on score, but by balls lost. I had no idea what I shot, but I know how many times I had to dig in my bag. More importantly though, if we are to have an intimate relationship with anyone, we must never keep score. Love does not keep track of wrongs committed, “It (love) is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” (1 Corinthians 13:7 NIV) Don't keep score of anyone, no matter who wronged you feel.
As much as I like to golf, I haven't golfed since August 10, 2007 (my bachelor party). I haven't golfed with Richard since 1999. I am fortunate enough to have played with him and to soak in a lot of his wisdom. I am in continuous prayer that he will be well again. I really could use more of his wisdom now.

Added note: I wrote this on Tuesday, April 28th. It appeared in the Friday May 1st edition of the Abilene Reflector-Chronicle. On Sunday May 3rd, Richard was healed completely. He was called home at 8:00 in the evening. Though we mourn physically, we rejoice in our spirit.

Handshakes at the Resurrection

There was a show on television a few years ago called “The Best Week Ever”. It was centered around celebrities who happened to have a good week. Whether they announced they were having a child, their television show was ranked number 1, or they got a bit part in the next Star Wars movie, it was considered they had “The Best Week Ever.” Sadly though, there are many families that can say the opposite, they had “The Worst Week Ever.”
It began with the passing of Leo Anderson. Many people knew Leo. I knew him personally for the last 15 years. He was a taciturn individual, though he was always smiling, as Stephanie Hand remarked, “He didn't say much, but he was always smiling.”
Leo and I had a unique handshake. It wasn't one that looked like a 22 minute choreographed dance routine, nor was it a pump your shoulder out of it's socket handshake. Those who witnessed it couldn't understand how we could do it. They would remark that they had never seen a handshake like it. Leo and I chalked it up to poor eyesight. The only thing I can truly say about it is this: Our hands didn't touch. We would miss our hands, the backs would be even and then we would shake. I can't remember how it originated, but we always shook our hands that way. After a couple of pumps, we would connect and shake hands correctly.
I know there will come a day when I can shake his hand again. I know there will be a resurrection for all, because Christ was resurrected. “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” (1 Corinthians 15:20 NIV). It is because of the resurrection that I know that I will see Leo again. Though I mourn in the physical world, I rejoice in my spirit, for he has gone home and he has heard the wonderful phrase, “Job well done good and faithful servant.”
At the end of the week, on Good Friday, misfortune again struck a family. Reverend Richard Palmer had a stroke. Thankfully, his family was with him and they were able to get to a hospital. While it has been a difficult time for the family, God is working and healing. He has been progressing steadily. There is still a lot that needs to be done, and we all appreciate the prayers that have been offered throughout many of the churches this last week. Please continue to pray for him, his family, and all those that are close to him. I know that God is working and healing.
It is during the most difficult times that we can go to Jesus. We must cast our burdens on him and allow him to work for us, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28 NIV) No matter what happens, the Father in Heaven is in control. It is because of His Son that we all have the hope of eternal life. When that time comes, there will be lots of handshakes at the resurrection.