Forget You!? Learning from My "Challenged" Friends

Kopp Disclosure
(John 3:19-21)

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I use a Tear Drop putter cover for my Titleist Standard Bulls Eye stick.

It fits - literally and metaphorically - if you know what I mean.

Lots of tears.

I'm reminded of a round with my dad.

Though I play right-handed, I putt left-handed.

When my dad asked why I putt left-handed when I play right-handed, I said, "Because I can't putt right-handed."

My dad observed, "Well, I've got news for you, son. You can't putt left-handed either."

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Staying with tears in my life, I found a confessional note in an outrageously expensive premium leather-covered Bible that I gave to a street preacher on Wednesday because I've been stockpiling stuff for too long that He has called/compelled me to give away before it's too late for me to...

Parenthetically, do you think Jesus ever expected the Bible to cost so much?

Yeah, the Bible doesn't come cheap these days; again, literally and metaphorically if you know what I mean.

Anyway, that's another reason why I like the Gideons. They give away what we're not supposed to keep just for ourselves.

The note: "A recurring problem in my life - keeping souvenirs of hell. Can't I get by with a little sin? It's a good thing our Lord is more forgiving than most people."

Whoa.

Cliff is right: "We sin! God saves! What a great deal!"

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Once a week, I play nine with Billy.

He's a Special Olympics golf champion and good friend who has become a part of our family by call/compelling/decision.

He's taught me so much about confession, repentance, restoration, and hope.

I'll never forget our first round together.

I started with a birdie, par, and assumed I was about to make a startling impression on him.

Then came the third hole.

As we approached the fourth hole, Billy asked, "What did you have?"

I said, "Five."

"I don't think so," he corrected, "I counted six swings."

BTW, that's why I warn anyone who plays with us to...

"I'm sorry," I said, "I was wrong. You're right. Thank you for correcting me. Six."

Then I heard the voice of Jesus, "It's O.K., Pastor Bob, we all make mistakes. We're supposed to help each other get better. You help me and I'll help you, O.K.?"

O.K.

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I used to play with Fred.

I was told he is "challenged" like Billy.

Then one day on a busy course, some folks behind started yelling/complaining that we were taking too long to play.

Fred has the shakes; and, uh, takes a little longer than...

I burned, "Fred, I'm going to go back there right now and..."

He interrupted, "Forget about it. They're just unhappy people."

He was/remains right.

I remember thinking, "Just who is really challenged in our twosome?"

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So many tears because of so little forgiveness.

That's why Jesus was so big on forgiveness as a realized hope through Him and very, very, very real concern/caution without...

Read Matthew 6:12, 14.

So who's challenged?

Ouch.

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Blessings and Love