Adam and Eve and Tiger Woods

Yes, Tiger Woods.  Adam and Eve were sorry, too. They wished they hadn't eaten of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. They thought they didn't need to listen to God. They thought they were above that.  They were so big in their own eyes that they thought they knew better. When the  serpent told them, 'Nothing will happen to you,' they bought it. Just like Tiger. He  was 'big in his own eyes and thought nothing could touch him.

When God came calling, Adam and Eve hid...but, He knew where they were. Then, they were sorry. Tiger was found out - then, he was sorry, too.

 It doesn't matter that he is a celebrity.  Sin (yes, that word) has a way of finding us out.  Is Tiger's 'cheetah' image a private matter? Well, yes and no. What Tiger and his family do in their private lives, is their decision. But, like it or not, he is a public figure - a great athlete - a role model (did I say that?!). Yet, he is a human being, just like the rest of us. His 'sin' found him out. The only difference between him and the rest of us is that his 'world' reaches a wider audience
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Tiger is the man of the hour,today. Some of us have been that 'man of the hour' at some time in our lives. In our own lives...in our world...there have been scandals and maybe we've even been the object. 'No fun.

Satan is a master at what he does. He lures and makes his way sound so appealing. He says he loves us. He tells us we are really something (a little like, uh, narcissism).  He says he'll take care of us and who will ever find out, anyway. If we listen and go against our better judgment, taking the bait, he accuses and turns on us. He laughs and taunts saying we're stupid for listening to him! Then, he whispers more lies on how horrible we are.

The mistake Adam and Eve made by listening to satan, cost them dearly. Their decision affected their family. It affected mankind and still does today. Consequences, I believe is the word. Tiger wants his family to be left alone. It's just his problem. His family didn't do anything wrong. Why should they suffer? Tiger's decision to listen to the serpent, is why. Whether the papparazzi follow his kids, and write stories about his wife or not, his family is suffering now. The Bible says, the pleasures of sin are but for a season. His season is over. 'No pleasure now.

I'm not ragging on Tiger...we've all been our own worst enemy. We have, at one time or another,been ashamed of ourselves, or caught ourselves doing what we said we'd never do. We are all human beings and left to our own devices...are pathetic. Even the strongest-willed of our own species has created his/her own hell, at some time.

So what now?

Can his family be reconciled? Sure. Adam and Eve were reconciled to God.
God loved them - even though they chose to walk away from His love and His blessings. They walked out from under His protection. Tiger chose to do the same. There is forgiveness and restoration available for him just as there was for Adam and Eve.

 Adam and Eve were ashamed of their nakedness and tried to cover themselves. What did God do? Did He ridicule them for hurting and betraying Him? Did He disown them? No, He clothed them in His love.

Adam and Eve, Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah...all through history, God has blessed His people. It doesn't mean they never made mistakes or caused scandals in their own lives. But, if they turned to Him, God forgave and blessed them.

He has a better plan. That's why He sent His Son, Jesus.

Is there hope for us? For Tiger? Of course there is. Jesus came so that we could have life and that more abundantly. All we need to do is go to Him! Just as we are. He will clean us up. He will cover us with His love.

The Olympics: Chasing the Possible Dream

I'm loving the Olympics. I stay up way past my bedtime and finally force myself to walk away from the splendor on the screen. I wake up and recall the events from the night before and anticipate the upcoming events.

I would love to be there in person - to experience the energy racing through the crowds. Wow.  I get chills observing the pride on people's faces as they listen and sing their national anthems, waving their countries' flags.

These athletes are the best of the best. What a crowd to 'hang' with. I've been impressed by the dignity and respect the participants and spectators show each other. There may be language barriers, cultural differences, but they have earned the honor of being there and are there for one purpose. . . to do their best and hopefully, carry home the 'gold'.

I found myself cheering for the Chinese figure skating couples, the two who are married, as well as the couple who skated to "The Impossible Dream". I admired their coach who grew through earlier humiliation in his career. He now represents the finest figure skaters in the world. I clapped for the German figure skaters, performing to the music, "Bring in the Clowns".

It doesn't matter where they are from. They are talented and have perfected their craft. I watched the winners as their eyes lit up, their countries' flags raised above the others'. I felt pride in the United States when our flag was raised high, victory ours.

 Over 80 countries are participating in the Olympics including:  Iran, Israel, North Korea, South Korea, The United States, China, Japan, Germany, Norway, among others. Some countries that otherwise, do not have amicable relationships.

 Those participating in the Olympics have common ground. They have their own stories of struggle and triumph. Young athletes with goals, aspirations. They want to present themselves and their countries in a positive light and do their best. There is strength in that. There is dignity and acceptance.

Ray Stevens sang, "Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world; red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world." The Dave Clark Five sang - "Come on you people now, Smile on your brother, try to love one another right now."

If we could only live that way.... all the time.

A love story

                                                           

He loves me. I don't know why, but he does. I wasn't very nice to him for the longest time.
My friends first told me about him...sure I'd seen him, but so what? Yeah, he was nice and all, but I truly wasn't interested. When, I'd give him a chance, he'd talk to me and I'd be polite. Otherwise, he'd smile and say hello and keep his distance. But, if I ever gave him the time of day, he'd want to spend time with me - and I really didn't want that.

We could be friends. Why wasn't he happy with that? My friends told me he really wanted to get to know me better. I wondered why this guy wouldn't give it up. I'd go out with other guys and if I happened to see him, he'd give me that look. The one that says, 'I wish you'd just give me a chance.' I hated that.

I didn't want to be rude; but he wasn't my type and I didn't know why he didn't see that. We were as different as night and day. My interests - my hobbies, my music, my friends...just about everything.

Then, I noticed little notes tucked here and there. Then there were flowers. Oh my....what was I going to do? Once in a while he'd call and I'd visit for a little bit, so as not to be rude. I'd thank him for the flowers and notes and tell him that maybe it wasn't a good idea. It didn't matter. He'd just keep right on - flowers, notes, things he knew I liked.

I didn't know what to do...so I kept on dating, thinking maybe he'd finally get the hint. My friends told me, he'd said he loved me and he always would. "How is that possible? He doesn't even know me, really," was my response to my 'messenger' friends. They'd just shrug. They were just the messengers.

'Funny thing. My friends knew him and thought a lot of him, but they never pressured me by saying I needed to give him a chance. They were just the messengers. I appreciated that.

Then, one day I was alone...just sitting in the shade of a tree. I was thinking about him and wondered why I wouldn't give him a chance.  From everything I'd heard, it seemed like he was pretty wonderful.

About that time, he walked over to where I was. It was like I was seeing him for the first time. Like I'd been waiting for him all my life. He smiled at me and said, "Yes, you have been waiting for me, all your life, and I've been here all the time."

Yes, he is wonderful - more awesome than anything! We have everything in common, now. He loves me no matter what. He loves me unconditionally. He has always loved me. He has loved me with an everlasting love.

Thanks Punxsutawney Phil!

Punxsutawney Phil, the groundhog, saw his shadow this morning. We best be prepared. Don't think about putting winter apparel in storage quite yet. Leave the shovels and snow blowers in convenient spots and by all means, don't plant gardens or uncover the air conditioner. According to Punxsutawney Phil we are in for six more weeks of winter.

Seriously?

 Do we really believe it's up to ol' Mr. Groundhog? When I was in grade school, I remember hearing about Groundhog Day on the radio - when my mom was driving me to school. I didn't ask any questions.

But imagine the thoughts that ran through my young mind. A groundhog? I had never seen one and imagined just that - a ground 'hog'. I thought he must live in a big burrow and have a time of it, trying to get out to let us know what weather we would encounter for the next six weeks. I wondered if he sat in his recliner eating nuts or smoking his pipe, the second day of February wondering...'should I or shouldn't I? It's up to me. All I have to do is step outside my burrow.' I used to wonder how scientific the appearance of a groundhog was. I  thought it was amazing that grown-ups believed a groundhog was predicting the weather. (Ah, the mind of a child).

People all over America (and elsewhere) await the appearance of the groundhog. If he doesn't see his shadow, there are exuberant shouts, "Spring is in the air!" If he sees his shadow, it's "Bah, six more weeks of winter."

We are funny people. We want a reason to celebrate and a reason to complain. Leave it up to a groundhog named Punxsutawny Phil to make sure we have something to talk about. (Hmmm.... could it be that our weathermen/meteorologists anticipate the second day of February to be able to rest from taking the blame for the weather for six weeks each year?)

What would happen if Mr. Groundhog went on strike and decided not come out for his usual holiday? Think about it. With all the publicity, he hasn't gotten any great perks for his appearances!  After all, he still lives in that burrow.