Golfing in July

Monday, July 26 was the date of the 8th Annual Greg Arends Memorial FCA Golf Outing. Although July has been a warm and humid month, the weather was wonderful for a late July afternoon. Over 70 golfers were able to participate in the golf scramble, and by all accounts...a good time was had by all.

Earlier this summer I wrote an email that captures my feelings and vision about this annual event.

"... since 2003 (The first golf outing was held just months after Greg's death) we have been able to raise enough funds to have sent 50 students to FCA camps these past 7 years. Greg went to FCA Leadership Camp the summer of 2001 and was really impacted by that week at camp. Our desire is to invest in the lives of high school students by providing a means to equip student leaders (at FCA Camps) to return to school and continue the ministry of FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) within the public school.

As you can imagine...it is not an easy day for many reasons, and when it seems to be just too difficult or painful to keep on with the effort, I only need listen to the young people who share at the banquet at the end of the day about their camping experiences. It is a true blessing to get a glimpse at the larger purpose of Greg's ongoing impact in the lives of these young people. We continue to lean into the promise of Romans 8:28...knowing that while our perspective is limited and our vision dim...God sees and knows and continues to work out His perfect will."

Indeed, the very best part of the day was hearing the stories from 2 students about their experiences at camp earlier this month. One student was challenged about the concept of teamwork and how that applied not only in sports but in life. The other student shared that it was that week of camp that she was invited to consider what a relationship with Jesus was all about - and the fruit that her decision to follow Him has already yielded in her young life.

It was an wonderful day, with some amazing golf shots, fun on the course, and celebration of lives impacted by the ministry of FCA.

Long Walk - Prelude 2010

Wednesday was a full day of extended hours at work...impossible time of year. However, I was determined to pause, take a walk, and quietly listen and see God in the early evening hours walking in the fields near our farm.

It was a humble journey, nothing specular, yet, God seemed to open my eyes to beauty that surrounds me and mostly is unacknowledged in my normal routine. The sky was amazing...clouds with sunbeams bursting through. Wildflowers randomly springing from the ditch grasses, corn tall and stately, and the crocked gravel path leading to our cattle pasture.


My camera captured elements of the display...but my heart was the real depository of the beauty. As I observed one thing after another several truths of scripture were etched in my mind. Luke 12:22-34 continues to resound with me.

"Walk into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They don't fuss with their appearance—but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them. If God gives such attention to the wildflowers, most of them never even seen, don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? "

Luke 12:25-28 The Message

Trusting Him with all things, all situations is what honors Him most...He nudged me, reminded me and assured me that He is in all the details, even providing a time of beauty and reflection at the end of a too busy day.

I treasure my times with Him when I deliberately listen to Him in the quiet whisper of the breezes of East Central Illinois.