Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Watch Out!! He's got a Rolling Pin

Okay. The covered faces, knife, baseball bat and billy club did not really concern him. However, put a rolling pin in someone's hand and now you got his attention!!

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Daddy's Little Girl

As we grow older there are certain events that demonstrate time is passing faster then one cares to admit. One of those moments took place for me a few days ago.

What do you do when your child begins to beat you at the game you taught them? Not talking about Chutes and Ladders or Go Fish because those games daddies are good at loosing. Nope, talking about my game. The one I have played for years. I am talking about golf.

There I was last week on the 17th tee box with my 14 year-old daughter. Was having a pretty good day and thanks to a few good shots, seemed headed toward one of my better rounds in awhile. Ran a quick total to see how things were going. Wait, this can't be right... I am only ahead by 1 stroke? Are you kidding me? Recalculate. Yep, numbers are correct. Knew she was getting better but almost even after 16 holes? Wasn't it just a few months ago she was getting a stroke per hole?

After a couple of lucky shots on the final two holes, I was able to leave the course with an ounce of dignity and the narrowest of victories. However, it is painfully obvious that it is only a matter of time before old dad will go down in flames. That day will present both a difficult reality to accept and a magnificent moment in time to realize how my little girl is growing up and moving ahead in life.

She starts high school this week, which has its own realities to accept. However, it is apparent, as she spreads her wings; it is time to step back a bit. With lots of friends, facebook, texting, phone calls, drop offs and pick ups., no longer am I plugged into every minute by minute detail of her life and admittedly finding it difficult to fade into the background.

So I guess I will just enjoy my daughter getting better in golf because time on the course may be one of the few places where it is just me and her. A chance to still teach a little bit of golf but now even more importantly teach a lot of life. All the things that we have talked about for years are no longer way out there some day but have become the days she is about to step into. So it seems well worth the trade of the inevitable loss on the scorecard for the uninterrupted time together.

Now just fear the day she says, "Hey Dad, let me spot you a few strokes to keep it interesting."

Friday, August 08, 2008

Olympic Opening Ceremonies Take Gold


As I watch the Olympic Opening Ceremonies, all I can say is WOW! The Chinese people know how to put on a show! It is amazing to see the precision of thousands of people completely working in unison. How majestic to witness the mixture of the nations, colors, races and creeds. Is there anyone that does not look at this and wonder what the world would be if we lived together like this every day? Oh but there is a day that this will take place across this planet. If this is just a tiny glimpse of it for a few moments then I can’t even imagine what that will be like for eternity.

Friday, August 01, 2008

A Prayer Request


Whether this prayer comes from Billy Graham which was aired by Paul Harvey or Minister Joe Wright during the opening of a new session of the Kansas Senate, I am not sure. I find references to both. However, I do know the words are our true need…

'Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those who call evil good,' but that is exactly what we have done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values. We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery. We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare. We have killed our unborn and called it choice. We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable. We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem. We have abused power and called it politics. We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition. We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment. Search us, Oh God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and Set us free. Amen!'