It is a wonderful thing to be tested. Testing produces endurance and hopefully, in the end, you will come out unscathed.

I recently began my yearly "coming to Golf" moment (in the voice of an old timey preacher). You know the moments when all the crappy shots, the "I hit it fat" excuses, and the "I wish they'd stop airatting and sanding these greens" comments come together into a wonderful day at the links. That one great shot on 16 becomes the glimmer of hope for your rekindled passion for golf and the year that you will finally get into the 70's.

At this point, if you are completely lost, then I don't blame you for clicking away from this post. But I digress...

These hot sunny days of golf with friends are the ultimate test. A test of your exhibition of either the fruits of the Spirit or the fruits of rage and frustration. A 4 hour test of tongue and a test of the will.

I played 2 rounds of golf this weekend (how is that possible?) and each was a decidedly different atmosphere: one round with the cous and some good 'ole friends and the other with the pastor, a fellow musician, and an elder. You could say that the testing becomes easier with the later group but I would beg to differ. I would differ because the fact remains that if you lust in your heart after a woman than you've already committed adultery. In the same way, if you lash out in frustration after another duffed bunker shot it is the same as the angry fire that burns in your heart and mind when you "hold back" with the pastor.

I'm not really sure what I'm trying to say by all of this. I guess it is just my personal struggle to deal with the "Beatitudes" in my own heart.

On that note... does anyone have a "Manifesto" of their own experience to share?

Thanks for your time,
Chris