And to think I was going to talk about Annika Sorenstam

Wow, another Wednesday with the Fore His Glory Bunch !

A little putt'n... A little lunch... A LOT of fellowship!
What a Blessing!!

Who knew?
Okay, God of course...Him being all sovereign and everything!

Before I proceed you need to know a few things about me...I speak and write in run-on sentences, and...

Prior to Fore His Glory Ladies Bible Study, the sum total of my golfing skills consisted of my ability to select 'the' perfect golf ball that would coordinated beautifully with whatever ensemble I wore that day...or night to the local mini-golf.

Club selection....uh...does it really matter?

See the hole... hit the ball into the hole, right?

Through the windmill, around the water hazard, over the bridge then a big finish with much fanfare by sinking the ball into the Clowns nose...Sweet!!

I could not be more wrong.

Lo and behold there is so much more to this game. For starters, if you are playing on a fine course like the one we are blessed to use at Woodmont, you are required...REQUIRED mind you to follow a certain dress code that has nothing to do with matching your ball or club to your ensemble.

Imagine!!

The dress code is more like... no jeans, yoga pants or sweat suits.
A southern lady staple, 'The Capri Pant', works well here.... I was so relieved!

Whatever you wear, you must... MUST mind you....Wear a collared top.
I could give you my thoughts on this collar thing, but that should probably be saved for another day. Although I will say... I never really noticed the whole collar requirement taking hold on the Putt Putt circuit...I guess it's just one more thing that distinguishes the two types of golf.

Anyway...am I alone in loving a good justification for shopping? I think not. After a trip to the PGA Superstore, Sports Authority and Steinmart...don't you just love Steinmart! I was set...or so I thought.

I figured looking like I knew what I was doing might make up for the fact I sooo do NOT know what I'm doing. Dressing for success did not worked out the way I imagined at all...Oh, my utter astonishment!

Here's the thing....
I joined this wonderful Bible believing, golf bag tote'n group over 2 months ago, I was thrilled to be included. Trust me when I tell you, there are some gals in this crowd who really know their stuff! Many with much such skill not to mention incredible fashion sense.

There are some golf wardrobe, the likes of which can only be found inside the pages of InStyle Sports....umm...does InStyle have a Sports edition?...sorry, I digress.

I want you to know, this eclectic gang of sweet sisters don't just 'appear' to play the game, they know it. They talk the talk and walk the walk...and ever so humbly I must add.

Those of us with lesser talents (and there are quite a few of us) are regularly embraced for who we are and where we are in our golf and life journey. The entire mess of us consistently encourage and lift each other up in all the areas of our lives, not the least of which in our spiritual lives. Enabling one another to set out for the course once more with renewed spirit.

And have I mentioned Don....


the remarkable and Godly Woodmont golf pro who has patiently been instructing us on everything from putting, chipping to the best use of drivers, putters and a sandwich...uh sand wedges?

Among other things, Don points out the need to use the right equipment in every situation to get the results you desire.
This is SOOO true.



Case in point:
I discovered yesterday the reason you don't want to use a driver when attempting to chip the ball onto the green... besides really missing your mark,

You could hurt somebody...bad!

Friend, golf is some serious business. I am striving to hit my mark and help...not hurt anyone in the process! I can't say that has always been true.

Now for the analogies...yes, I do have a point here and I thank the two of you who stayed with me thus far.

Fortunately, it has not taken me too very long to see similarities between the golf lessons I have been privileged to partake in and the life instructions graciously given in Ephesians 6:10-18.

I like how the Message Bible puts this;

"And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we'll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.
Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out. "

Golf is an activity you can enjoy for a few hours and walk away from. Not all that treacherous unless you choose to play during lightening storm or....happened to be on the green with me yesterday.

Unlike Life, where we regularly face serious...often fatal battles, this life is no game. We encounter every kind of pain, hurt, and struggle the enemy can throw. Thank God for giving us the teaching and equipment we need in His Word to live victoriously and gloriously in Him. My prayer is that we continue to "Press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me in heavenword Christ Jesus."

Yes, taking part in this fellowship continues to abundantly bless and equip me for so much more than listed above...by His grace and for His Glory!

How cool is that?

See you on the green,
Tammy

We are the lighthouses, Jesus is the light!

The Bible says we are God's vessels bought by the blood of His Son Jesus Christ, as He suffered and died a terrible death on the cross, and then He rose again! Yes, there was a magnificent price paid for our privilege to become His daughters. And now we are the temple for the Holy Spirit to dwell. Picture this: we are the lighthouses where His light can radiate (1 Cor. 6:19, John 8:12, Matt. 5:14)! This is a high calling!

God has made us in all shapes and sizes, with different gifts, talents, and abilities because He has important and valuable things for us do to for Him. Girlfriends, we were created to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever (Matt: 5:16). So let's get busy!

It's a struggle for all of us to resist the worldly influences of what magazines and movies tempt us to imitate: the perfect body, the perfect skin, the perfect make-up, the perfect hair, the perfect home, the perfect family......however, perfection doesn't exist in this world. It's an unattainable goal that causes us problems when we try to latch onto such worldly priorities instead of God's desires for each one of us.

We need to be shining His light in this dark world by "seeking His kingdom first, and His righteousness and then all these things (needs) will be given to us." (Matt. 6:33) Do you have a need? When we diligently and faithfully spend time with Him, His Word, and His people, He will truly satisfy us, fill us, and give us contentment and peace (Matt. 7:7-8). We will begin to enjoy Him more and more as our relationship with Him deepens. We will begin to shine brighter with His love and light and laughter and wisdom and joy that only comes from knowing Him.

So Girlfriends, let's prayerfully consider taking those steps to shine His light, even writing that notecard of encouragement, calling that friend in need, making that meal for a neighbor, finding the grace to forgive someone, and praying faithfully and unceasingly (I Thess. 5:17) so we can see Almighty God move mountains. He is able!

As we draw nearer to Him, He will make us more and more radiant.

---Polly
"The Lord is my light.." Psalm 27:1.

Welcome!

We'd like to introduce Fore His Glory Ladies Bible Study @ Woodmont Golf & Country Club to you with this recently published article from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

COMMUNITIES OF FAITH: Woodmont Bible Study Maintains Ministry Zeal
By Candice Hannigan
For the Journal-Constitution Published on: 06/12/08

Some east Cherokee County women who are enrolled in a neighborhood Bible study have gained more than new biblical insights during the spring session. A few ladies are buying their first pair of golf shoes and signing up for free putting and chipping lessons encouraged by their experiences in the May focus on "FORE His Glory."

While the fall session won't include golf, organizer Polly Balint hopes to revive the golf theme next May. Balint also has decided to keep the "FORE His Glory" title for the women's Bible study, set in the Woodmont Golf and Country Club neighborhood.
Balint recently explained how the study began, and the impact it has had on the community.

Q: How did the ladies' Bible study get started?
A: When my husband, daughters and I moved into Woodmont in May 2000, I started praying that God would make me shine His light in our neighborhood, and I prayed it every day. In a very short time, I got a strong sense that I should lead a ladies Bible study in our home. I found a book, "Move Over Victoria, I Know the Real Secret," which was funny yet a serious study on the everyday idols in our lives. I created a flier inviting my neighbors to the study and drove around the neighborhood with my two daughters stuffing the 125 mailboxes in Woodmont. In four days, I received 25 phone calls from women I had never met saying they wanted to come to the study.
That was eight years ago. Now there are more than 600 houses in Woodmont, and I'm still stuffing mailboxes. Women are coming from Marietta, Woodstock and Canton, too.

Q: How has the Bible study transformed your community?
A: We've participated in outreach programs, providing Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter meals for a women's shelter. We've made financial donations and bought Christmas presents for the mothers and children living there. The Bible study ladies recently donated items for Heart for Africa and Cherokee County's Give a Kid a Chance outreach. We've taken collections and made meals for families in need in our neighborhood. The Lord has kept this ministry going for eight years, and most people who live in Woodmont know about it. We've had people who do not attend the study ask us to pray for them, their family members and their friends. The management and staff at Woodmont Golf and Country Club have been gracious and supportive of all our activities and efforts to serve our own community.

Q: Is there something unique or unusual about your group?
A: We are women of all ages, all denominations, all backgrounds who have come together to seek God. The group consists of real women with real struggles and real blessings to share. Last session we finished a study called "Warrior Chicks." That's what these women are: real women with real hurts and real joys and a zeal for God. We're learning together how to overcome through seeking God and serving others. We laugh and we cry together, but believe me there is more laughter than tears because we know God is with us.

Fore His Glory Ladies Bible Study @ Woodmont Golf and Country Club
Contact: forehisglory@gmail.com
Meeting times: 9:00-11:30 a.m. Wednesdays
Next study begins: August 20, 2008