From the Pastors Desk - August 31, 2025
Friends, I read a message given by Dr. Billy Graham to the PGA tour some years ago. His message was based on a book by Ben Hogan titled, “The Five Fundamentals of Golf.” Dr. Graham took those points and adapted them into a message titled, “Five Fundamentals to Faith.” Here are some thoughts from his message. Fundamental #1, “the proper stance.” It is important to take a stand for Jesus Christ. Even as a person walks up to the tee and addresses the ball with a firm determined stance, it’s important that we take a strong stand for Jesus Christ in a world of so much relativity.
Fundamental #2, “the grip.” A person needs a grip on life. Dr. Graham told about playing golf with one of the great pros of all time who had gotten older and alcohol had gotten the best of him. The man declared, “I am so gripped up by my habit I can’t quit. I guess I’ll go to hell.” Graham responded that he wouldn’t go to hell if he put his trust and faith in Christ. That’s what the Cross is all about. The Cross helps to free us from the sin that so easily entangles us.
Fundamental #3, “Inside out.” That’s one of the toughest things to do in golf, to swing from the inside out. Graham went on to describe King Solomon who had everything on the outside a person could ever want but was empty on the inside. Wives, concubines, wealth, power, fancy clothing, elaborate palaces, the finest food and wine, but all didn’t satisfy. In fact, Solomon would write, “Meaningless! Meaningless….Everything is meaningless,” Ecc 1:1.
Fundamental #4, “Eye on the ball.” In any sport it is so easy to take one’s eye off the ball. If so it always turns out to be costly. Just so, every time I take my eyes off of Jesus Christ my life swerves to the left or to the right and I end up where I don’t want to be.
Fundamental #5, “Following through.” Golfers play by the rules. If I hit my ball and it lands behind a tree, in the rough, or in a sand trap, it would be nice just to drop the ball out into the open. But the rules do not allow it. If you break the rules of golf you can be disqualified. God has laid down some rules that seem a bit tough, but God gave them for our benefit. If we live by them we find fulfillment and hope.
Your Activities Committee will meet on August 24 to plan some exciting events. Please look for future announcements and dates. We have a trip planned for September 11th. We leave the church at 10:30 for a trip to Medina. Lunch will be at Miss Molly’s Tea Room followed by a tour of the Castle Noel.
Blessings,
Pastor Eli
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