The Phil Files

Today (Wednesday, March 3), I am traveling back to Austin where I will help with the funeral of Jackson Bradley, famous golf teaching pro and devoted follower of Jesus. Jackson passed away after a rich full life of playing on the PGA tour, being a famous golf instructor, being club pro at some of the most cherished golf courses in the country, and using the last two decades of his life to share Jesus with people he loved. One of his greatest joys was in helping begin Bible studies at a halfway house that eventually became Freedom Church, a church plant made up predominantly of ex-offenders who were turning their lives around with the help of Christ.

After the post on Lynn Anderson yesterday and while preparing for the funeral message for today, I came across this powerful insight written by Miles Alpern Levin, about a month after he was diagnosed with cancer. His blog on carepages.com inspired many and I couldn’t think of a more appropriate message to share for all of us!

I went to the driving range the other day and I was thinking … I was thinking how you start out with a big bucket full of golf balls, and you just start hitting away carelessly. You have dozens of them, each individual ball means nothing to you so just hit, hit, hit. One ball gone is practically inconsequential when subtracted from the your bottomless bucket. There are no practice swings or technique re-evaluations after a bad shot, because so many more tries remain. Yet eventually you start to have to reach down towards the bottom of the bucket to scavenge for another shot and you realize that tries are running out. Now with just a handful left, each swing becomes more meaningful. The right technique becomes more crucial, so between each shot you take a couple practice swings and a few deep breaths. There is a very strong need to end on a good note, even if every preceding shot was terrible, getting it right at the end means a lot. You know as you tee up your last ball, “This is my final shot, I want to crush this with perfection: I must make this count.” Limited quantities or limited time brings a new, precious value and significance to anything you do. Live every day shooting as if it’s your last shot, I know I have to.”  — Miles Alpern Levin, July 7, 2005.

I know Jackson would have quibbled with Miles — well actually, he would have been much firmer than quibbling — about wasting all those practice shots early in the bucket of balls. “Don’t want to groove that bad swing and ingrain those bad habits!”

Jackson wanted you to loosen up with some short shots, then he wanted you to waste nothing — not one ball in the bucket. But, we all do, don’t we. We all mess up, goober up, stumble, sin, flub up, hit a shank or two, and then we notice the bucket of balls is getting thin on balls. I know Jackson had regrets — times and people he wished he could go back and do better with. But I am most thankful that the years I knew Jackson, he lived life recognizing the preciousness of grace and the opportunity to make a difference.

And yes, Jackson, I still shank one from time-to-time because of that square to square curl the three fingers on the back swing thing that you despised and tried so hard to help me get out of my swing. Blessings, dear brother, I’ll catch you on the back the nine, where our swings will be natural, the iced tea will be sweet, and nobody will ever need to improve their lie.

Some people come into your life and make a lasting impression in your thinking. Others leave an indelible imprint on your heart. Others help form your character to be more Christ-like. Others invest in you and help you refine your skills and wisdom to do ministry. Lynn Anderson has done all of that for me, and more, … and is still doing it through the face of hardship and challenge with cancer.

I first met Lynn when I was in high school and he came and did a campaign in our city. When I went to college, he was my preacher and his daughter, Michelle, was in our high school group huddle. Then a few years later, Lynn included me in his first graduate student study group. Several years after that, he ministered to my father through his years of illness and did dad’s funeral. Then three and a half years later, Lynn did the wedding of my mother to Grady Jolly.

Over the years of ministry, Lynn’s been available to counsel and encourage me through some challenging and changing times of ministry. He was there when I let the elders at Westover know I was moving from Austin to Abilene, and he even preached twice a month for over two years as they waited for God to lead them to a new preaching minister. My latest book includes Lynn in the dedication. Such friends are rare treasures and to have one that keeps on growing and reminding me that the journey to Jesus is one full of wonder and excitement, even amid the pain and challenge, is a special blessing.

Thanks Lynn! Love you and am praying for you and Carolyn as you choose to live in the green leaf!

For those who are used to white stuff falling from the sky, snowfall is no big deal — it may be an irritation, but you are used to winters with ice, snow, slush, flakes, and slippery muddy goo a part of your daily routine. For those of us who live in West Texas, however, an accumulation of snow is a rare event. When we do get it, it’s usually what we call dandruff snow — light flaky stuff that doesn’t stick and blows around in the wind.

This year, however, we are on our sixth major snow. And most of the snow is the moist, big flaky kind of snowfall that lets you throw snowballs, build snow men, and create snow angels. This morning’s offering looks like this from our front door:

I am doing a funeral today for a sweet lady who lived her years well and loved her Lord all those years. As I look a the snowfall today, rather than thinking about the inconvenience and mess we’re going to face for the funeral, I’m choosing to focus upon two great promises hidden in the snow:

1. The grace that is ours because of God’s great love. Even in one of Israel’s worst times, God promised that if they turned to Him, He would cleanse them: “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow,” God said (Isaiah 1:18). These sins are not buried under the snow and hidden from sight, but these sins are forgiven and transformed into pristine righteousness by grace!
2. While the snow looks so much the same, underneath the surface view is a world of variety, specialty, and uniqueness — no two snowflakes are the same. And in a world crowded with people, all who want to find their place and be a part of a group and belong, each of us is uniquely made by our Creator’s loving hand while still in the womb of our mother (Psalms 139:13-16) and remade by grace as the artistry of our redeeming God to be useful to doing His Kingdom work (Ephesians 2:10).

Whether we are shut inside with those we know well and love, stuck trudging through difficult driving conditions and harsh weather, or whether our exterior world is sunny and bright, let’s make a point to appreciate the treasure God gives us in the people we meet today and let’s seize the opportunity to help them know God’s grace and artistry He has invested in them.

Okay, so two posts ago I shared a series of graphics called, “No Greater Love” and last post, I shared with you a fun take on love called “Collision Listening” so today, I want to share with you a Worship House Media video called “Love Is!”

This is a great compilation of what the Bible says about love and then applies it. It’s simple, but clear, and true. Plus, the last image in the video takes you back to the “No Greater Love” graphic set two posts ago. So, more than getting revved up for Valentines Day, how about getting amped up to be God’s subversive agent that loves … against the grain … no matter what … in all sorts of practical ways … and sacrificial ways … like Jesus!

View or Purchase Video on Worship House Media Site

Okay, so the great gender collision is about to unfold over the next two weekends. You know what I’m talking about, right?

Weekend #1: SuperBowl

Weekend #2: Valentines Day

So ladies, rather than breaking into cold sweats and trying to find new Househunters and BakeOff and Chopped times for this Sunday night, take a moment and chill, because …

So dudes, rather than hyperventilating and putting off that Valentines’ Day purchase another 3 days, take a chill pill, put on the queso, and reflect on …

… the greatest advice confined to a video. (And rejoice, it doesn’t come from Oprah, Dr. Laura, or Dr. Phil!)

View or Purchase Video on Worship House Media Site

Turning 55 and having braces put on my teeth all within the same month has got me thinking about things I don’t normally think about. I’m not sure if that is good or not, but if it motivates me to lose weight and get back in shape, then I will take it. Facing the “vicissitudes of aging” — which is a fancy way of saying that you are trying to figure out how to do what you want to do when you are falling apart — an old familiar passage caught my attention as I was finishing up the messages on the Holy Spirit. That passage is 1 Corinthians 6:19-20:

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

To think that the Creator of the universe has chosen to live inside me and make me His place of residence stuns me. Compared to the ancient temples of the Greeks, my life span in this physical form will be quite short and not nearly so picturesque. Yet you and I are told that we are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14) and created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). Like so many other biblical truths, I try to find ways to visually remind me of this truth. This is my humble offering on this front:

You can find the full size of this image (1024 x 768) and a whole set of PowerPoint backgrounds revolving around this theme on Heartlight.org and you can use them on personal websites or in churches or groups. (The image cannot be used on a commercial website or in print copy.) Check the links below for the other images.

This Image |  Title Image |  Image with Text |  Plain Image