Dear Lord – Renew My Strength

Isaiah 40:31

but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

OK – I turned 68 a few months ago. I have to admit – I don’t have the strength I had in my younger years. I mean – in years gone by I was able to dunk a basketball – now I can’t even touch the net. I was able to finger roll at the rim and now a finger roll has to have a big shove to reach the rim (and I don’t leave the ground very far either these days – when I play basketball at all). My legs have a hard time getting this old and overweight body up and down the court with my knees as bad as they are – so – I haven’t played for some time. With a torn meniscus in my left knee – I’ve pretty much given up the idea of playing full-out – full-court basketball. My doctor even encouraged me to give it up all together several years ago! I went to play a few years ago – only to see 20 plus young men on the court and so I decided to go the gym and workout instead! So I ask the question I have asked before – can God help me dunk again?

I walked 18 holes a few years ago (I typically use a cart these days). Walking the course is good exercise – but on the last few holes I could feel the burn in my legs and I got winded a few times going up hill. My strength is not what I wish it would be or what it once was for sure. My hope is that I can walk the golf course once in a while this summer – walk some with a fiend and work out at home to get in better shape – to regain some of my strength. Maybe I’ll ask this question. Can God help me scratch some strokes off my game or help me hit longer drives again?

I’m Competitive

John 20:4

Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.

I know I’m competitive – I like to win at anything. If I’m playing golf – I want to win (and often do but not always). I loved making teams for tournaments where I was the worse player – that usually led to wins. If I’m playing basketball – I want the ball in my hand with the game on the line – whether I take the last shot or find someone wide open for that winning shot. If I’m on a trip – I like to beat the estimated time on the GPS – or beat my last time to that location. When I was in elementary school – I liked being the first one in line or the first one finished with their classwork.

I’ve tried to be less competitive as I’ve aged – or rather matured. Winning is not all that – I try to keep telling myself. It isn’t whether you win or lose – but how you play the game – some say. I’m not totally sold on that – but – it makes some sense.

Golfing – Early in the Morning

James 4:14

Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.

Early in my golfing life – which was in my late 30’s – early 40’s – I loved getting to Twin Shields Golf Club at the crack of dawn and walk the course (before work). I could play 18 holes in less than 2 hours back in the day and if I arrived at the course before 6 am – I could be in the office by 9 am easily (after a shower and breakfast). I was finishing up my round – walking off hole 18 – when others were just arriving for their round at the normal time.

One of the things I loved about playing early was the dew or mist on the ground and greens. I could see the rooster tales that sprayed up when my ball was rolling on the fairways or on the greens. You had to take that dew or mist into consideration for the front 9 and maybe – depending on how heavy it was – on the back 9 too – before it began to burn off. The rooster tales showed me the break and roll of the greens and fairways. I learned a lot from those early morning rounds. What I learned was able to be used for the next shot or even the next time I played that hole.

One Day – When I Grow Up!

Ephesians 4:13

until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

A phrase I often use – goes like this – when I grow up. For instance – when a friend hits a nice drive or approach shot in golf – I might say – when I grow up – I hope I can hit shots like that. When someone hits a shot in basketball – like my long-time friend Gary (Foots) often does – an amazing one that is very hard – I might pull out my phrase – when I grow up – I want to be able to do that. I have a hard time growing facial hair – TMI (too much information) right. When my brother or nephew grow a beard – I pull out my phrase – when I grow up – maybe I’ll be able to grow facial hair too.

Do you have dreams or thoughts about when you grow up? What is that old jingle – I’m a Toys r Us kid and I don’t want to grow up – or something like that. I hope I never fully grow up (in some ways). I once asked my dad if he felt – from the inside – like an older person or as the same person he always felt inside. He said – he always feels like the same person. I hope there is always something more to accomplish and to move toward (even to hope for in the future).

What are your dreams or plans for when you grow up? Some of our younger friends are dreaming about their careers – their marriages – their children – their homes – etc. Some of us might be dreaming about retirement and enjoying our senior years (when we grow up). Maybe we’re hoping to make ends meet – when we grow up. What are your dreams or plans for when you grow up?

What Things Matter?

Philippians 4:8

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

What do we spend our time thinking about these days? As a sports nut – I’ve been thinking about the Orioles and the Nationals – with the baseball season on hold right now because millionaires and billionaires are fighting over money. If they ever play – some fans will stay away. The NFL draft is fast approaching – as free agency will also be in full bloom soon. How will your favorite team improve themselves? As I write this post – the NBA season is moving toward the end of their season – teams are prepping for the playoffs (or looking forward to the off-season. The Wizards are not doing well this season – but – still have a chance to make the expanded playoffs. They added a new player last night and they played very well. The NCAA men’s and women’s basketball tournaments are coming soon – March Madness. Maryland women’s team has played well this season – the men’s team better hope for a good Big Ten tournament. In the golf world – the Masters will be played soon – I will be watching. These things matter little in the scope of things – but my focus has been on them some today.

If you’re not a fan of sports – I’ve read on my Facebook feed – that some have been focused with family. Now family is something that matters – but it might still be less than an eternal endeavor. Some have been trying to figure out their pets – how to get them to obey them – a worthy cause – but less than eternal as well. Some have gone out to dinner – one of my daughters FaceTimed me heading to dinner recently – another worthy effort – but not of eternal value. And so on goes our list…