My favorite sport of all time is one of the most aggravating games known to man-kind, better known as Golf.  I admire the men and women, boys and girls who take on the rigorous challenge of learning such a challenging yet rewarding game.  However, Golf isn't what it's all cracked up to be.  Golf is like a counseling session, you learn about your yourself good and bad...if you will!  And we keep going back for more!

The personal benefits of watching a first time golfer striving to control this dimple pattern ball is somewhat intriguing and humorous.  Don't get me wrong I love it when people take risk when it comes to playing the sport.  The awkward stance, baseball style grip, and the "Happy Gillmore" swing.  Ha--lar--ious!  It's where they know to begin.  But it's not where they need to be in order to play better, consistent golf.

There is a point to my blog today and it comes from one of my favorite Tee Time Devotional books, "In His Grip" by Jim Sheard & Wally Armstrong.  It's a  fantastic read as it relates our spiritual journey with Christ and the game of golf.

Grip on the Word (2 Timothy 3:14-17)

All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

In golf, the placement of the hands of the club is the single most important factor to influence swinging the club correctly.  If the hands are not in balance, if the club is not placed in the fingers so that centrifugal force can work, if the hands do not line up with the club, and most importantly, if there is inappropriate grip pressure during the swing, it is impossible to produce accurate and powerful golf shots.

The Bible is a lot like holding the club properly.  It is the tool God has given us for understanding him--and for knowing what he expects from us.  We often hear the phrase, "Hey, Joe, get a grip!"  Not bad counsel, both in life and in golf.  We must "get a grip" or a handle on God's Word to function effectively in a relationship with him and his Son, Jesus Christ.  We must put his Word in our hands so we can read it and then allow its wisdom to guide our thoughts and actions.  Page 49

Thought for the day...Gripping the golf club properly is the key to effective golf.  Gripping God's Word is the key to effective living--a life of joy and significance.

I encourage you to allow God to grip you today and mold and shape you into Christ-likeness.

JWES CROCKETT, Minister of Students