C.A. Phillips – Page 2 – NorthStar Church Blog

The Danger of Empty Promises

C.A. Phillips on June 26, 2024

Broken promises
are worse than rain clouds
that don’t bring rain.

Proverbs 25:14 (CEV)

THE DANGER OF EMPTY PROMISES

We were in the quarterfinals of the 13U tournament and on the verge of a major upset victory over a team who were favorites to win the whole thing. Our team was smaller, but we were gritty. We had threatened to take the lead earlier in the game, when the oppsing coach brought in the team’s closer to fend off our rally.

But, the rally continued, and we started thumping their hard-throwing righty. Seriously, the kid was throwing in the 80’s – which looked like 100 from only 54 feet away! Our guys didn’t flinch, and we started smoking singles and doubles in the gaps. Before we knew it, we had a one-run lead!

We were the visiting team, and with only a few minutes left in the game, it was looking like we’d pull off the upset if we could hold them on defense. We got the first out quickly on a weak grounder to third. The next batter struck out. Two down! The next batter hit a hard grounder up the middle, but our second baseman was shaded in that direction, and made the stop. I could taste victory as he made the throw to first base. But, instead of taking his time, he rushed the throw and didn’t shuffle his feet and step towards the target. The result was a tough in-between hop that handcuffed the first baseman, who was unable to hang on to it. Safe.

Instead of a huge win, the inning continued. To make a long story short, that runner stole second, then scored on a single to tie the game. We managed to get out of the inning without any further damage, and we were headed for extra innings. I was hot.

As the second baseman came off the field, I got in his face and said, “You’re sitting next inning!”

“But Coach,” he replied, “you have always said that you’d never take us out of a game if we made a physical error. Only if we kept making mental mistakes!”

I was stopped cold. He was right, and I had a choice to make. I could allow my emotions to get the best of me and remove him from the game. Or, I could do the right thing and own up to what I had always told my players.

Honestly, I believe the Holy Spirit intervened here. It was like I completely came to my senses and realized what could happen if I chose to take him out of the game.

So, instead of using my authority to put him in his place, I swallowed hard and said, “You’re right. I did say that, and I’m sorry. You’re still in the game.”

We ended up losing 7-6 in extra innings. It hurt to lose, especially when we had the opportunity to claim the victory. But, the hurt could have been far worse if I had followed through with taking the player out of the game. I would have broken my word – not only to him, but to the entire team! The damage would have been far more catastrophic than a painful and disappointing loss.

I’m so glad Alex (the second baseman) was bold enough to speak out! It would have been easy to just accept the punishment of making an error and not confronting the coach and his broken promise.

Coaches (and parents) – please heed this warning! Eyes are on you, and ears are listening! Treat your words seriously, and have the integrity to live up to the promises you make. It’s much more than a baseball game that is at stake!

C.A. Phillips has served on staff at NorthStar Church since 2004, and has more than 35 years of baseball experience as a player, coach, and umpire. He and his wife, Amy, have two adult sons and live in Kennesaw with their German Shepherd, Abby.

What Does that Cross Mean, Really?

C.A. Phillips on May 22, 2024

⁷People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, ⁸but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. ⁹Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. ¹⁰And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right!

James 3:7-10 (NLT)

WHAT DOES THAT CROSS MEAN, REALLY?

I was umpiring a Championship game for the 18U Division at a local park last week, when I noticed that several players on one of the teams had drawn crosses on their cheeks in eye black. I often see eye black used for a variety of facial graphics, including one kid they called “Robin,” who had so much of it painted on around his eyes that it looked like he was wearing a mask. Most of the time with these teens, it’s intended to make them look fierce and intimidating – like war paint. So, I was pleasantly surprised to see the crosses.

That is, until it became evident that the team was not going to win the game after unraveling on the mound and in the field late in the game. It was then that I heard these same kids – ones wearing the cross of Christ on their cheeks – begin to deride teammates with profanity that would make a sailor blush. One player screamed, “You’re so (bleeping) awful!” to his left fielder after that player booted a ball. A different player with the cross-cheeks exclaimed an F-bomb after grounding out to lead off the next inning.

Honestly, I’d be upset at the kids for talking this way whether or not they had crosses painted on. But, the cross made it worse. I actually felt a bit of sadness for the other kids who didn’t have crosses painted on. Who knows, they could know Jesus. But, for those who don’t – what do you think their collective impression of these self-proclaimed “Christians” was?

Whether you paint eye black on your face, have a Jesus fish on your car, have a WWJD bracelet on your wrist, or wear a necklace with a cross pendant, you should know that people do pay attention! I’m not saying you won’t mess up – we all will. But, we’ve got to stop wearing the cross as a fashion statement or just as a label that we’re “saved.” When we identify with Christ, we need to try to reflect his image in ALL areas of our lives: our speech, our attitude, our behavior, our work ethic, and especially our heart for lost people who need Jesus!

Otherwise, just leave the eye black in your bag.

Digging Deeper – The Game Goes On (For Now)

C.A. Phillips on May 17, 2024

8 But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. 9 The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.

2 Peter 3:8-9 (NLT)

THE GAME GOES ON (FOR NOW)

I’ve now completed the baseball life cycle: I was called out and safe by umpires as a player, I yelled at umpires as a coach, and I am now getting my due as an umpire. And with all this talk of anger, patience, and long-suffering this week, I’d be remiss if I didn’t share a relevant umpire story on the matter.

It was just a couple weeks ago. I was behind the plate for a 16U rec game at a local park. In the bottom of the first inning, I had to call “time” and walk out to the mound to speak with the pitcher. He was upset because I wasn’t calling pitches “strikes” to his liking. He let me know this through facial expressions, shaking his head, and waving his arms in protest.

“I don’t expect you to agree with every call I make,” I said. “But you’re not going to continue to act this way when I make a call you don’t agree with. If you don’t like it, that’s fine. But you need to exercise some self-discipline and keep it to yourself. This is a warning.”

Later in the inning, with a 2-2 count on the hitter, the catcher tried to frame what he believed should have been Strike Three. The problem was that it was a foot off the plate and in the other batter’s box. The pitch hit the mitt, and he took a couple steps toward the dugout and was about to roll the ball out the mound, thinking the inning was over. Not hearing anything from me, he looked back over his shoulder.

“Where are you going?” I asked. “Don’t try to pull that stuff with me. Especially on a pitch that far off the plate.”

“I thought it was a strike,” he replied.

“You thought THAT was a strike!?!?” I exclaimed. I then showed him with my foot where the pitch was. “It was way out here in the other batter’s box.”

The catcher didn’t like that I was giving him the business and started mouthing off. I called his coach out and explained what was happening, and that I was doing all I could to keep his catcher in the game. We eventually continued and finished the inning. This was only the beginning.

The next inning, the same pitcher and catcher were out there again for this team. Same thing was happening – pitches missing inside or outside, between 6-12 inches off the plate. The catcher certainly wasn’t helping, as he held the pitch for 2-3 seconds each time.

Finally, one of the assistant coaches had seen enough. “Come on, Blue. You’ve got to give him something!”

I called “time” and held up my hand. “We are NOT arguing balls and strikes. Especially when they are a foot off the plate and in the other batter’s box!”

The assistant coach chimed in again, and once more I stated sternly that we would not be arguing balls and strikes. The head coach then replied, “Well, SOMEONE needs to!”

As you may suspect that coach was ejected from the game. And it only got uglier from there. More arguments, more unkind words from coaches on one team towards parents from the other. It was snow-balling, and I was doing all I could to avoid a melee.

One parent (on the well-behaved team) asked, “Why don’t you just end the game? This is miserable for everyone!”

I replied, “The only reason I haven’t ended the game is for the kids who are doing the right thing out here. They deserve an opportunity to play.”

Some of us wonder the same thing about God: why hasn’t He just ended this “game”? With all the misery, tragedy, and evil in the world, it’s a valid question. On that note, let’s revisit our verse of the day from 2 Peter 3:8-9.

Time as we experience it here and now is not the same as how God views it or experiences it. And, there’s one reason why He is patient with humanity in Jesus’ second coming: He wants everyone to come to know Him!

When you see and feel the pain of this world, remember His plan is perfect, as well as His timing. His love for us all keeps the gates of heaven open and provides an opportunity for the lost to find their way Home!

C.A. Phillips serves as Communications Pastor and Director of Men’s Groups at NorthStar Church. He is a graduate of the Henry W. Grady School of Journalism at the University of Georgia, and he loves the Dawgs and the Atlanta Braves. He has two (grown) boys and lives in Kennesaw with his wife, Amy, and their German Shepherd, Abby.

Digging Deeper – One Antidote to Impatience

C.A. Phillips on May 16, 2024

12 and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us…

14 “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. 15 But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins

Matthew 6:12, 14-15 (NLT)

ONE ANTIDOTE TO IMPATIENCE

We’ve been wrestling with patience and long-suffering this week, and it occurred to me that we often endure these epic struggles far longer than God ever intends. The culprit: unforgiveness.

I journeyed through this topic with my men’s small group a couple years ago, and it was a doozie. Using R.T. Kendall’s Total Forgiveness as our guide, we clashed head-on with this universal struggle and had some memorable – and occasionally fiery – exchanges along the way. Some guys in the group had been dealing with deep hurt that had held them captive for decades. Others carried bitterness and resentment with them because of excruciating pain they had endured as a result of another’s choices.

Kendall shared candidly in his book that he sought the counsel of a trusted friend when he, too, was amid a trial. He confided in someone far removed from the situation – someone who lived in another country, in fact. Hoping to draw a sympathetic ear, Kendall shared the details with his friend.

“Is that all?” the friend asked.

“Yes, that’s it,” Kendall replied.

“You must totally forgive them,” the friend stated.

“I can’t,” said Kendall.

“You can, and you must,” the friend insisted.

Perhaps you get a bit agitated when you read this exchange. After all, Kendall had been wronged and was grieving over it. Certainly, he is justified in his bitterness and resentment!

In the flesh? Absolutely. As a follower of Jesus Christ – quite the contrary!

The Lord’s Prayer even addresses this. Perhaps you recite it from rote memory, and you miss the clear message Jesus shared on this very issue. Take another moment to read the words above from Matthew 6:12, 14-15.

We are asking God to forgive our sins AS WE FORGIVE others’ sins against us! And, if that isn’t enough, Jesus says our Heavenly Father will forgive us to the extent we choose to offer forgiveness to others. It goes both ways!

Not to be confused, Jesus isn’t talking about revoking our salvation if we don’t forgive. What he is saying, however, is that our relationship with God will be broken if we don’t offer forgiveness. Likewise, our relationship with Him is restored when we choose to forgive and place it at His feet.

Does forgiveness always remove the hurt? Of course not. But it prevents us from compounding that hurt by holding ourselves hostage through bitterness, rage, and resentment.

Kendall shares, “Having been on both sides, I can tell you: the peace is better; the bitterness isn’t worth it.”

When we place it in God’s hands, and make the conscious (yet difficult) decision to forgive, we are set free!

Digging Deeper – Love and Long-Suffering Go Hand-in-Hand

C.A. Phillips on May 15, 2024

Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.

Ephesians 4:2 (NLT)

LOVE AND LONG-SUFFERING GO HAND-IN-HAND

There are two different types of patience spoken about in Scripture. One is the patience needed in a season of waiting. The other is equally challenging: when we have had our fill of someone’s attitude or behavior; or, in our righteous indignation our fuse has neared its end. This is known as long-suffering.

Webster’s Dictionary defines long-suffering this way: “patiently enduring lasting offense or hardship.”

In the Bible, long-suffering is comprised of two Greek words meaning “long” and “temper.” The Lord is often described as being long-suffering in Scripture, particularly in the Old Testament. Time and again, we see His people (Israel) falling into a vicious cycle: walking with God > pulling away from God > God’s hand of blessing being removed > hardship > repentance > God’s mercy and compassion (REPEAT).

The Lord is a self-proclaimed jealous God! He has our very best in mind, and when we stray, it hurts Him deeply. He will discipline us and allow painful consequences to re-direct our paths, but in his loving-kindness, He will eventually comfort us and restore us if we turn to Him.

If you have ever weathered a storm of life in which a loved one has made a series of poor choices, you know exactly how brutal long-suffering can be. We want so desperately for our family member or friend to get on a healthy path – one with direction, joy, and meaning – one with God at the helm! In the meantime, however, we suffer, not knowing when the pain will end, and if this person will ever make a lasting change.

So, what’s our response in the interim? To love them. As the Apostle Paul wrote in the scripture above, we are to “be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.” But we’ve got to take it a step further and ask this question: Why is love the proper response?

In a different letter – one he wrote to the Church at Colossae – Paul explains why we must choose love over anger:

Make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. Colossians 3:13-14 (NLT)

It can be tough to reconcile this, but you’re not excusing someone’s actions by loving them! But you are letting them know that love is more powerful than whatever has led them to this difficulty. And, as we read in yet another of Paul’s letters: love never fails.

Digging Deeper – Patience Opens Up ‘A Whole New World’ of Opportunity

C.A. Phillips on May 14, 2024

And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.

Ephesians 4:26-27 (NLT)

PATIENCE OPENS UP ‘A WHOLE NEW WORLD’ OF OPPORTUNITY

Perhaps my all-time favorite animated movie is Disney’s Aladdin. I love everything about it: the soundtrack, the story, the characters – particularly Genie, portrayed by the vocal talent of the late comedian Robin Williams. But a great story isn’t the same without villains. In Aladdin, the villains are Jafar, the grand vizier of Agrabah – the sultan’s most trusted advisor – and his cantankerous parrot, Iago.

Jafar is a cold, calculating schemer with his eyes on supplanting Jasmine’s father as Sultan. While Jafar is determined to make his desire for power a reality, he is willing to play the long game. Iago is equally motivated by riches and power but has reached his boiling point. Getting his beak incessantly stuffed with crackers has made him rather salty, and he’s ready for a change in leadership. As Jafar and Iago attempt to gain access to the hidden treasure in the Cave of Wonders, they ultimately come away empty-handed.

Iago is incensed, and goes into a tirade:

“We’re never gonna get a hold of that stupid lamp! Just forget it – look at this, I’m so ticked off I’m molting!”

And then comes Jafar’s famous response: “Patience, Iago. Patience!”

I can’t tell you how many times my wife has uttered these words to me and our sons through the years when we’ve gotten a bit impatient. But, as we see in Iago’s actions, as well as later in the movie, when Jafar is insulted by Aladdin, anger and impatience are closely aligned – and it’s a dangerous pairing.

We’ve all likely heard this marriage advice from friends and family: Don’t go to bed angry. It’s wise counsel for several reasons, but Ephesians 4:26 without 4:27 is incomplete. Why shouldn’t we go to bed angry? Because “anger gives a foothold to the devil.” Another translation says, “Give no opportunity to the devil.”

In our anger, we are unable to think clearly, and the enemy pounces! He only has a few weapons in his arsenal, and chief among them are accusing and lying. In fact, here’s what Jesus had to say about Satan:

“He (Satan) has always been a murderer and a liar. There is nothing truthful about him. He speaks on his own, and everything he says is a lie. Not only is he a liar himself, but he is also the father of all lies.”

When you’re drawn toward anger (and it very well could be justified), you need to heed these warnings! Instead of allowing the enemy to gain an advantage over you, lean into Christ and remember his love for you, and recall all the times He has forgiven you! You’ll likely drift off to sleep a little quicker when you do!

Digging Deeper – Creating Margin Allows Me to Consider Others

C.A. Phillips on May 13, 2024

12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.

Colossians 3:12-14 (NLT)

CREATING MARGIN ALLOWS ME TO CONSIDER OTHERS

We’ve all got friends and enemies (or at least people you are less fond of). But there’s a third category: frenemies. A frenemy is someone or something that is of great benefit to you but can also serve as the bane of your existence simultaneously.

My frenemy? WAZE.

[Quick side note – WAZE’s humble roots were first formed in 2006 by an Israeli programmer whose goal was to create a real time interactive map of Israel using community users to crowd-source the digital data that was compiled in the Hebrew language. The initial project was known as FreeMap Israel and was re-named WAZE in 2008 when the founder wanted to commercialize it.]

OK, back to my frenemy.

You should first understand that I abhor traffic. In fact, abhor might not be a strong enough verb to express my disdain for overly congested roadways. When WAZE was first introduced to me, I felt like it was God’s gift to humanity! Now I could circumvent the backups and arrive at each destination in a timelier manner – and with far less frustration! I’ve become so accustomed to popping my destination in on the app that it’s rare that I don’t use it. This dependence on WAZE, and my obsession with timeliness, has led to other issues, however.

After entering my destination, I select my preferred route, and wait for the calculation: my estimated time of arrival (ETA). Now, here’s the problem: I look at this forecast as the LATEST time I should arrive – not an ESTIMATE. I begin to race against the clock! If WAZE spits out that I’m supposed to be at the Buc-ees in Leeds, Alabama at 1:33pm, by golly I will be there at least by that time! But, when I’m stuck at a red light, or if there is congestion on I-20, the clock ticks up a minute or two. Channeling my best Buford T. Justice, I say to myself, “No sir! – “WAZE said 1:33, so 1:36 will not work for me!”

You see where this is going. Instead of appreciating how WAZE helps me to avoid the worst traffic, I now unnecessarily inflate my blood pressure because of my desire to avoid traffic altogether. Honestly, I’m now using WAZE less often because my mind stays calmer without it. When Amy and I are driving somewhere together, and there’s a chance we will get caught in heavier traffic, she will drive (Actually, she insists on driving).

This all stems from a lack of patience. Why is recognizing this so important? Because when I become impatient behind the wheel, my mind becomes so focused on myself that I lose sight of others – some are passengers in the car with me, and some are the drivers in front of, behind, and beside me. They have places to be and loved ones to see as well.

I can’t show others the love and kindness of Christ when I am frantic, hurried, and stressed. Instead, I can give myself more margin in my schedule to account for delays and focus on arriving SAFELY instead of hurriedly.

Otherwise, it’s back to printing MapQuest directions.

Ships are Sinking

C.A. Phillips on May 1, 2024

There is more hope for a fool
than for someone who speaks
without thinking.

Proverbs 29:20 (CEV)

SHIPS ARE SINKING

I’m sure you’ve been there: you’re uttering words, and while they are escaping from your lips, you realize it’s too late – you can’t un-say them.

Sometimes, this can just be a simple slip of the tongue – a goof. Everyone makes mistakes, after all. Other times, it can be a tad more painful – both for you and the recipient. In fact, I vividly recall a time in my more ignorant days in my early 30’s. I was at church and was greeting at a door outside the main building. I noticed a woman walking towards me, and made eye contact with her. I said hello, then uttered the dumbest, most dangerous question a man could ever ask a woman: “Are you expecting?” (I know, I know – I can’t believe it either).

And, then, nearly the worst reply fathomable followed: “No. I had a baby a few weeks ago.”

So, there WAS a baby…but that was little solace to my crushed psyche.

I don’t believe the kind woman held it against me, but it’s something I’ve never forgotten – and I was able to learn a powerful lesson that day: don’t ever ask women questions! Or perhaps a greater lesson: Just smile and keep your mouth closed!

There’s a famous saying: Loose Lips Sink Ships. And, if this was literal, ships would be sinking all around us.

About 2000 years ago, James (Jesus’ step-brother) stated it plainly:

People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, ⁸but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. James 3:7-8 (NLT)

No one can tame the tongue. No one!

As a youth baseball umpire, I can attest to this. I spend much of my week hearing coaches, parents, and players saying some of the most spiteful, senseless, inconsiderate words you can imagine. And, only part of the time those are directed at me!

So, if this is a universal struggle, what’s the antidote? In short, we have to get our hearts right.

Read what the Apostle Luke had to say on the subject:

A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart. Luke 6:45 (NLT)

If you’re heart is set on the things of this world, you’re likely to talk like the world. Like they say, “Trash in, trash out.”

But, if you set your heart on Jesus, it will be far more difficult to follow the pattern set by society. When you follow his lead, you’ll look AND sound different.

And, that will be a breath of fresh air for anyone near you. People are desperate for love and encouragement. Let’s choose our words wisely. And, if all else fails, choose silence and a smile.

The Value of Hard Work

C.A. Phillips on April 24, 2024

Hard work is worthwhile,
but empty talk will make you poor.

Proverbs 14:23 (CEV)

THE VALUE OF HARD WORK

I spend a fair amount of my spare time on the baseball field as an umpire these days. In now my sixth year as “Blue,” I have called nearly 700 games, the vast majority of them for boys between ages 9-18. In having played the game for 15 years, coaching it for another 15 years, and now umpiring for six more, it is easy to determine during pre-game warm-ups who has been preparing for the game, and who hasn’t.

With travel baseball now being so prevalent – and especially at the younger age groups, it’s rare to see “good baseball” at the recreational level. By age 9, nearly all the kids with talent have moved away from the rec level. With the better players moving on, that also means their parents – and subsequently, the better coaches – are not there to help kids improve their skills. After all, improving in anything takes TIME. And, from what I am seeing most evenings, youth baseball players are not devoting extra time to becoming the best they could be.

I was working a 14U game last week at a local park. I told my partner, who was working behind the plate, that the Home team was likely to get run-ruled based on seeing them just walking out onto the field. Players had no pep in their step, the coach was disorganized, and several of their jerseys were untucked and hats were askew. It was evident these kids hat little confidence, and it showed. Further, it was clear they had not put much time into improving their skills on the field. Often times, our outward appearance is a reflection of how we see ourselves – and this was no exception.

The visiting team scored seven runs in the top of the first inning. They scored another six runs in the second inning. As we began the third inning, the score was 13-7. Thirty minutes into the top of the third, the score was 20-7, and the Home team had failed to record an out! They had changed pitchers twice, and my partner expanded his strike zone in hopes of helping “move the game along.” To no avail. Exasperated, he called timeout, and walked out to confer with me.

“What’s going on here?!?!” he lamented. “How much time is left in the game?”

“Time expired ten minutes ago,” I replied. “I’m not sure why we’re still out here. The Home team clearly doesn’t want to be here, and they can’t get anybody out.”

“Let’s talk to the coaches and see what they want to do,” he said.

So, we called the coach for each team over, bluntly shared what our feelings were about the game, and asked if they wanted to continue. I explained that there was a “drop dead” time when the game would have to end – and that was 12 minutes away.

“Well, let’s play it out,” the Home coach said – much to our dismay, as well as every other spectator!

Whether it’s your sport, your career, your academics, your yard work, or your relationships – HARD WORK is important! Not only that, it is an obvious reflection of your character to others who are watching. There are numerous examples in scripture of people who failed to work hard, who ended up regretting their slothfulness.

Don’t be lazy. Prioritize hard work, and reap the rewards!

I Couldn’t Have Planned it Better Myself

C.A. Phillips on April 10, 2024

You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.

Proverbs 19:21 (NLT)

I read a fascinating article by David Owen a while back in Golf Digest. Through some thorough research, and a little bit of speculation, Owen shares how the world’s most famous golf course would have differed if things had panned out the way its founders planned from the very beginning. I’m referring to Augusta National Golf Club, home of The Masters (A Tradition Like No Other – only uttered in Jim Nance’s silky smooth voice). However, as Owen points out, the very name of the club – and the tournament it hosts – almost certainly wouldn’t be what we know and have the privilege of experiencing today.

Here are just a few highlights from Owen’s story:

Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts, the founders of the club, originally wanted to call it Georgia National, not Augusta National.
They wanted two 18-hole golf courses, one for men and one for women.
There were lots earmarked throughout the development for residences overlooking the course.
Course designer Alister MacKenzie wanted a 90-yard 19^th hole to be located between the 18^th green and the No. 1 tee – primarily to give the loser of a golf match an opportunity to win his money back.

We’d all agree that Augusta National Golf Club has done quite well for itself over the last century. In fact, you could say it has far surpassed what the original founders envisioned, despite some very early setbacks which threatened its viability. What it has become could never have been designed or planned for. As Garth Brooks sings, “Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers.”

Sometimes we get so upset when our plans don’t work out the way we foresee them materializing. This leads us to question God, question ourselves, get frustrated, and give up. But God’s will is not something to be trifled with. His plans will be carried out, and they are always for our benefit. You and I are His children if we have put our faith in Him. Because we belong to Him, we are told He will take care of us. As Matthew wrote,

“You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! So, if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.” Matthew 7:9-11 (NLT)

In the moment, we don’t see the detour as a gift. We see it as “less than” whatever we had in mind. But thankfully, God knows more than we do. And sometimes the “Georgia National” we spent all those years preparing for, God disrupts and redesigns into our own “Augusta National.”

Now, about those Masters tickets…