A Patriot Starts Patriot Golf Day

PGA professional, Major Dan Rooney is the founder of the Folds of Honor Foundation and Patriot Golf Day. As an F-16 pilot in the Oklahoma Air National Guard, Major Rooney has served three combat tours in Iraq.

A few years ago Major Rooney was on a flight carrying the remains of an Army Corporal who was killed while serving in Iraq. As the plane landed, the pilot spoke. "We have the remains of Corporal Brock Bucklin on board, and his twin brother Corporal Brad Bucklin has accompanied him home from Iraq. As a sign of respect, please remain seated while we honor Corporal Bucklin and his sacrifice," the pilot requested over the intercom.

Rooney was moved to tears when he looked out the window and saw the flag-draped coffin being unloaded from the rear of the plane. The deceased soldier’s family was on hand for the procession to the hearse. Rooney had barely composed himself when he looked back to discover over half the plane had debarked ignoring the pilots simple and respectful request for this hero. It was at that moment that Rooney decided to do something proactive in light of the disrespect he had just witnessed. He started Folds of Honor, a non-profit organization providing scholarships to the spouses and children of military service members disabled or killed in service. Patriot Golf Day is one of the largest fundraisers for the non-profit organization. In partnership with the PGA and USGA, Patriot Golf Day has raised $3 million in donations from golfers across the country. The funds provided over 550 scholarships.
Patriot Golf Day is held on Labor Day weekend (September 4-7). Golfers of all ages are simply asked to add $1 to their greens fees at participating golf courses. The funds will go directly to the scholarships for the spouses and children of service men and women who have been disabled or killed in action.

So even if you don’t golf, drop by a the pro shop at your local golf course on Labor Day weekend and donate a $1.

A big salute to Maj. Dan Rooney who turned his righteous anger over his fellow passengers’ disrespect into something that honors our fallen heroes and helps their families!

Beloved- Tenth Avenue North

Tenth Avenue North reminds us that we are the beloved!

Life Storms

I don’t know what’s worse, riding out a storm, or the initial impact. If you know it’s coming the initial impact isn’t nearly as bad as if it catches you off guard. But then there’s the constant battering when you’re trying to survive it. The blowing winds, driving rains and destructive forces of nature begin to take their toll.

A close friend is riding out a major storm right now. It’s rough. My heart aches for him. You don’t know whether to start bailing water, risk leaving for safety, or remain hunkered down. Rough part is a mutual friend of ours went through a similar storm the last year and a half. He survived to sail another day and the sun has come out once again in his life.

I grieve for my friends because I know what it’s like from personal experience and because I’m one of those types who really empathize with friends and family who are going through pain or struggle. I wish I could keep it at a distance like a lot of you do. I envy that ability. The “mercy meter” on my DNA card is just really high. It’s not for attention, or something I use to “top” the stories of those around me in their own pain or trouble. I genuinely hurt and ache for their situation.

These are both strong men. They have a deep and abiding faith. They both teem with passion for God and His church. Yet, it’s the all too human church at the center of both storms. As a PK, I’m especially tenderized to the fallout these kinds of storms have on pastor’s wives and children. Guess you could say I’ve had a front row seat too more than a few of these storms over the years. Yes, the sun eventually shines again, but the storms leave their marks, even in the healthiest of situations.

Both my friends know that a flawed church should never be confused with a faithful Savior. The two are not the same. One is still making mistakes and takes a step backward for every two it makes in progress. The other is without blemish, spot, or wrinkle. He has never failed and His love and mercy have never waned for them, or me (you too!). I often wonder how something purchased at such a precious price and sacrifice can act in complete ignorance, or disregard for the kind of love it took to create it (the church)? Put it another way: How can those who have been saved by so much love and humility fail to extend it to those around them? I’m quickly reminded of my own flaws, imperfections and depravity. I’m equally as capable of such blatant disregard for God’s Word that produces the host cell for these wicked and damaging storms.

Control and power usually combine to launch these starter cells. At the end of the day most of it can be reduced to simple pride. English author, Samuel Johnson said, “Pride is seldom delicate: it will please itself with very mean advantages.” Both of my friends have experienced those “mean advantages” this year. But long before them another man whose heart beat passionately for God penned some extraordinary words of hope. My words are woefully lacking compared to these. It’s with a prayer for sunshine for my storm swept friend that I offer them as an offering, and one of gratitude for the one who has weathered his storm. If you’re in a storm may it bring you as much comfort as it has brought me:

1 Fret not yourself because of evildoers;
be not envious of wrongdoers!
2For they will soon fade like the grass
and wither like the green herb.

3 Trust in the LORD, and do good;
dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.
4 Delight yourself in the LORD,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.

5 Commit your way to the LORD;
trust in him, and he will act.
6 He will bring forth your righteousness as the light,
and your justice as the noonday.

7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him;
fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way,
over the man who carries out evil devices!

8 Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath!
Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.
9 For the evildoers shall be cut off,
but those who wait for the LORD shall inherit the land.

10In just a little while, the wicked will be no more;
though you look carefully at his place, he will not be there.
11But the meek shall inherit the land
and delight themselves in abundant peace.
---Psalm 37:1-11 ESV

The One Legged Catcher!

Adam Bender, 8, is one of several kids who plays catcher in Southeastern’s rookie league at Veterans Park in Lexington, KY. Because of cancer Adam lost a leg when he was 1 year old. He doesn't use a prosthesis and uses crutches once he's on base. Need some inspiration just watch Adam's video.

For Boo

Our baby heads off to college in a few weeks. We're excited for her and what God has in store for her education and future. Before she goes just a few words for my "Boo". These are for you, baby, based on my own undergraduate and graduate experience:

• Go to class and resist the temptation to blow them off (profs take notice of who's there and who's not, even in big classes)---getting behind in college is a killer.
  
• Take great notes and find out what's more important to your professor like note-taking, reading assignments, lecture content, etc.
• Don't kiss a fool and don't be fooled by a kiss.
• Get involved in a campus ministry organization. It will change your life and you will meet some great people who will become friends for life as well as the opportunities to serve.
• Everyone crams but pace yourself and do the daily work, reading, and research so you aren't constantly cramming. Continual cramming will eventually backfire.
• College is an investment. You will get out of it what you put into it.
  
• Take advantage of the great health and fitness centers. After you graduate you have to pay for them!
  
• Live out the gifts God has deposited in you on campus by serving through CFC, Campus Crusade, or other ministries. Part of the college experience is giving as well as taking. Those who "take" all four years don't know how to give and they become selfish adults.
  
• Get familiar with the library and make spending time there a habit. You won't regret it.
• Ask the "stupid" question. As you know the only stupid question is the one that is never asked. You will save a lot of time, anxiety and confusion by simply asking and seeking clarification from professors, registrars, academic advisers, grad assistants, etc.
  
• Decide for yourself early on if you are going to be "influenced" by the crowd or be an "influence" to others.
  
• Values matter.
  
• Stay up with class reading. Again, falling behind is a killer to catch up.
• Go to events (homecoming, pep rallies, student government sponsored events, poetry readings, etc.) it's where you meet people and it's free. Don't miss theatre productions by the drama/theatre department, concerts by bands, guest lecturers, etc., it will broaden you culturally and expose you to other ideas.
• Pizza is your friend.
• Save the late night caffeine (cokes and coffee) for finals, midterms and papers. The rest of the time limit caffeine to earlier in the day because you'll need your rest.
• Remember whose you are (Psalm 139).
  
• Have fun, but remember you are making a deposit on your future. Sleeping in, skipping classes and partying is fun, but it will bankrupt you as an adult. You want to get dividends like a good job, grad school, etc. Those who only make withdrawals end up broke academically so invest in your future.
• Pick your friends and include people others leave out.
• We're a phone call and a two hour drive away, never hesitate to let us know when your hurting, upset, tired, cranky, sick, happy, or sad. Like we've always said, there's nothing you can't tell us. We're your biggest fans.
• The "in crowd" is a load of bunk. I never bought into it. "In" inevitably excludes others whose wallets, race, or family background they consider less than desirable, or equal to theirs.
  
• Write, email and phone family regularly. We want to know how you are doing and we want to know how we can specifically pray for you and help you.
  
• Last and most important, read your Bible and keep a quiet time. When the world is crashing down (trust me it will) you need truth and an intimate relationship with the hope of the world, Jesus. Not even Mom or I can come close to the power of His presence.
  

Clemson FeelGood

Have you heard about the student-led movement FeelGoodWorld.org? It was started in 2004 on the campus of the University of Texas and has spread across the country. College students are using the proceeds from grilled cheese sandwiches to bring poverty to an end. Kudos to this generation for looking beyond themselves and pointing all of us to something greater. Here's the Clemson chapter's video!

"Oh Bother!"

Remember the words of the great theologian Pooh Bear? “Oh Bother!” So what’s bothering you? Please respond and tell me. Here’s a few “oh bother’s” on my list. Some are serious, others are well, obvious:

• One more MLB steroid test result story.

• Healthcare being framed by politicians instead of healthcare professionals (medical, pharmaceutical, equipment, insurance, administrators, etc.).

• Summer humidity in the South.

• Will you be my friend? Facebook Solicitation #309.

• Church leaders who treat the community of faith and pastoral ministry like a business instead of something far more valuable, precious, living and organic. (We’re blessed on this one at MCF, our leaders get it)

• 50-year olds who try to dress and look like 20-year olds.

• The marketing lie sold to millions of young girls that they need product “X” to be special, pretty, or wanted. They already are by God’s design (Psalm 139).

• The guy who just ordered coffee and actually had the audacity to leave a witnessing tract and no tip in the barista jar.Ugh, he makes life hard for the rest of us trying to build authentic relationships. Yes, they laughed at him when he left. It rarely comes off sincere without a relationship!

• Rap anything.

• Mean, nasty, negative people.

• Automated telephone answering systems for utilities, service providers, computers, stores, doctors, etc.

• Racism especially from those who claim to follow Christ.

• My sins. Troubling actually.

• Cash for Clunker’s ads and coverage.

• People that text, Twitter and talk on their cell phones without a Bluetooth while driving.

• People who leave dogs in cars when it’s hot.

• Infomercials for “Sham-Wow”.

• When I’m indifferent and know better.

• Lazy anything.

I should have added Saturday, September 26th, when the Florida Gators come calling on my Kentucky Wildcats. That's going to be very bothersome for the Cat's defense and those of us in Big Blue Nation!