Third and Main Street
Greensburg, PA 15601-0150
(724) 832-0150
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Sunday Worship 10am
Youth Ministry
Rev. Michael Pacelli, Director
FPC YOUTH STUPH
Fat Thursdays - every other Thursday in July and August
Do you like free food? Do you like lunch? How about a free lunch with a short Bible Study to boot? Join me at Wendy's on Rte 119 in South Greensburg at 12 noon on Thursday, July 26th and learn what it’s all about.
Upcoming Dates:
August 9th and August 23rd
FPC YOUTH BLOG - Check out whats going on in the world of our kids
Obsess much?
“Golf is a fascinating game. It has taken me nearly forty years to discover that I can't play it.” ~Ted Ray
Before three years ago, I had only golfed maybe 3 or 4 times in my life. I hated the stupid game but driving the cart made it tolerable to join friends when I was invited. Three years ago, my dad was having health problems and the stress from his job was taking its toll on him. I wanted to do something that would get him out and get us both some exercise and then being able to spend some quality time with dad would have been the gravy on the mashed potatoes.
My dad was an avid golfer in his younger years, to the point of being obsessed. I can remember spending many Saturdays with him at a local course when mom wanted me out her hair. See, dad’s penalty for obsessing about golf was that he was required to take me along.
My answer for a little exercise for me and dad was obvious. He and I made it out on a Saturday morning 25 years removed from the last time he was stuck with me on the golf course when I was 8 or 9. We had a blast. To make a long story short, I’m hooked on the game I used to really despise. The more I think about it, the more I think I’m obsessed with it.
It’s surprising to think that there is such a thin line between our passions and our obsessions. Passion drives a person to excel at something but obsession drives a person batty if they are deprived of it. I think I feel guilty that I can’t say that I’m obsessed with Jesus. After all, that would be the one obsession that would be considered a good one.
Thomas a’ Kempis once wrote this: “Whenever we desire anything excessively, we become those who are not yet perfectly dead to themselves, are quickly tempted and overcome in small and unimportant things. …Therefore they are depressed when they abstain from such things, and easily become angry when anyone reproves them.”
No one has ever said to me: “Mike, you golf too much” but someone could. I don’t have to have my bad arm twisted to go out and play a round (don’t worry, I always make sure all of my work is done or at least almost all of it).
When I’m not playing, I’m not depressed as a’Kempis talks about but I would gladly lace up my golf shoes if you asked me. Unfortunately, it takes a bit more work and persuasion for me to do my quiet times with God and my reading of the Word.
I wonder why that is? a’Kempis goes on to say something that looks like an answer to my question: “ There is no peace in the heart of a carnal person, nor in the person who is addicted to outward things, but there is peace in the heart of a spiritual and devout person.” (from a’Kempis’ Imitation of Christ)
I’m learning how to be a spiritual person but some days I’m better at it than others and “learning” is the operative word here. The tug of war between the worldly and the spiritual within myself is a constant thing and at the end of the day, I’m pretty happy for a tie. I know very well that I am not “dead” to myself…I all too readily give into the temptation of skipping my spiritual side to chase a lost ball into the woods. I know that I am not the only one who struggles to find time in their schedules for God. I’m working on it and I know you are too. I hope that all of us find a passion bordering on obsession for a life lived in Christ. That’s the good kind of obsession. Just please don’t tempt me by asking me to make a tee time for us.
