What
do you want more than anything else in life? Is it a relationship? An
opportunity? Most of the things we wish for involve someone else. We all
want to be loved. But even our closest relationships can leave us
feeling disappointed or lonely at times, despite our best efforts.
Consider our relationship with the Lord. He says he loves us “with an everlasting love” (Jeremiah 31:3),
but it can be difficult to know what true intimacy with Him looks or
feels like. In Psalm 63, David compares his soul’s great hunger for God
to feeling thirst “in a dry and exhausted land where there is no water”
(v. 1) Have you ever felt that kind of longing for God’s company? It’s
exactly the kind of closeness He wants for us.
Perhaps
you struggle to feel near to the Lord. It could be pride that’s
preventing you from admitting your need for Him. Maybe you feel life’s
too hectic to sit in His presence. Or it’s possible you’re afraid to be
transparent. That’s understandable, especially if you’ve been betrayed
in the past. But remember, God will never fall short the way humans do.
Whatever the case, simply start spending a few minutes with Him each
day, and you’ll notice you have a bit more margin than you thought.
Pray
to discover any barriers standing in the way of a deeper connection.
And ask God to reveal steps you can take to experience more oneness and
closeness with Him. He will answer.
Many
of us are familiar with the fable of the three little pigs who each
build a house—one of straw, another of sticks, and the last of bricks. A
wolf “huffs and puffs” to blow their homes down and is successful with
the first two. But the house of bricks stands. Does that story ring a
bell?
Jesus taught the same principle. He said one man built his house on a rock while another built on sand (Matthew 7:24-27).
In rain and wind, the home on the solid foundation was protected. But
Jesus was teaching about obedience, not construction. The point is that
life must be built on the dependability of the gospel if we’re to
withstand the storms that arise.
Today’s proverb
says, “Do not let kindness and truth leave you … Write them on the
tablet of your heart” (v. 3). Truth should be an intrinsic part of life,
as second nature as breathing. But how do we build it in? Here are five
steps to take:
Evaluate the results of past failures regarding truthfulness.
Accept the Bible as the ultimate guidebook for truth.
Practice communicating with love and compassion.
Ask God to give you an ever-increasing desire for truthfulness along with ever-increasing humility.
Feast on the Word of God daily.
Remember, truth delights the Lord (Proverbs 12:22) and is a blessing for us as well.
Before
you buy a used vehicle or a house, it’s wise to have an inspection. If
there are faulty brakes in a car or mold in a home’s basement, you want
to know, right? The truth can help you avoid making a costly—even
deadly—mistake. Truth protects us.
This principle
applies to our spiritual life too. In today’s passage, Jesus said, “If
you continue in My word, then you are truly My disciples; and you will
know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (vv. 31-32). The Jews
were confused. They were, after all, Abraham’s descendants and had
“never been enslaved to anyone” (v. 33). Jesus told them that everyone
is a slave to sin but that He came to set them free. And He sets us free
too.
The truth of the gospel allows us to enter into
relationship with our heavenly Father. Then, as we read and study God’s
Word, His truth becomes more and more ingrained in our heart. We become
so familiar with it that we’re able to recognize wrong teaching.
Biblical truth provides guidance, wisdom, strength, courage, comfort,
and faith. Living in God’s truth lets us experience the life He wants
for us—a life of joy and freedom. How has truth protected and liberated
you?
In this course, Coach Donna Fields
delivers a series of drills and hitting routines that you need to know
to get your softball players on the bases and scoring points. She
emphasizes the importance of constant pressure on the defense to be able
to win games. If you are a coach who wants to learn more drills and
create power hitters, then this is the course for you! Book this course...
We
often don’t realize how important something is until it’s not there.
For example, we may not think much of a light bulb until we’re fumbling
in the dark. Similarly, to appreciate how much truth matters, consider
the impact of its absence.
When our faith isn’t grounded in truth, we ...
Become vulnerable to wrong teaching.
Develop habits that don’t align with God’s will, because we don’t know what it is.
Can stay trapped in emotional bondage.
Experience continual disappointment because our peace is gone.
Can’t grow spiritually.
Grieve God’s heart.
All
relationships require honesty. If we develop a reputation for not
telling the truth, our friendships and testimony will be damaged. Not
only that, but our self-image will also suffer. And unless we repent, we
won’t reach our full potential. This isn’t how God wants us to live—He
wants so much more for us.
Today’s passage tells us
“to put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created
in righteousness and holiness of the truth” (v. 24). He made us for a
purpose (Jeremiah 29:11) and wants us to live in truth so we can walk with Him, enjoying all the blessings He has in store for us.
Golf is a
game that requires a combination of a few different skills. The first is
the ability to put the ball in play with a tee shot. The next is the
approach shot to the green. The last step, and most important, is the
short game. The short game is a combination of pitching, chipping,
bunker shots, and putting.
Why is short game so important?
A
golfer’s short game is a part of golf that is often overlooked. Many
golfers neglect their short game because they want to be able to hit
long drives. Golfers think they will play well because they hit the ball
further than others. This is a common misconception. The majority of
shots are played on or around the green. This is why it is instrumental
to have a sharp short game.
Types of short game shots
Pitching:
Mastering the pitching technique is essential for achieving accurate
and controlled shots around the green. Focus on maintaining a consistent
tempo, using the proper club selection, and executing a smooth,
controlled swing. Develop a reliable short backswing and follow through
with a downward strike to generate optimal height and spin.
Chipping: Chipping
requires precision and touch. Use a variety of clubs, such as a
pitching wedge, sand wedge, or even a hybrid, to execute a range of chip
shots depending on the lie and desired trajectory. Practice distance
control by varying the length of your backswing and focusing on the
rhythm of your swing. Experiment with different landing spots to develop
versatility in approaching the green.
Bunker Shots: Bunker
shots can be intimidating but with proper technique, they can be
mastered. Start by opening the clubface and aiming slightly left of your
target. Position the ball slightly forward in your stance and focus on
making a shallow, controlled swing. Use the sand to your advantage by
entering the sand a couple of inches before striking the ball, allowing
the club to slide underneath it.
Putting: Arguably
the most crucial aspect of the short game, putting demands precision
and consistency. Develop a consistent putting routine, focusing on
alignment, grip, and a smooth pendulum-like stroke. Practice lag putting
to improve distance control, and dedicate time to mastering short putts
to ensure confidence under pressure.
Ways to Improve
Focus on Distance Control: One
of the keys to success in the short game is distance control. Practice
hitting shots to specific targets at various distances to develop a feel
for different clubs and swing lengths. This will enhance your ability
to gauge the necessary force and touch required for different shots
around the green.
Mental Game: The short game
heavily relies on mental fortitude and decision-making. Stay focused and
visualize your shots before execution. Develop a pre-shot routine that
helps you get into the right mindset and approach each shot with
confidence.
Practice Variety: Vary your practice
sessions to simulate real-life playing conditions. Include uphill,
downhill, and sidehill lies in your training routine. Experiment with
different slopes and bunker conditions to become comfortable with a wide
range of scenarios you might encounter on the course.
Short Game Challenges: Set
up specific challenges or games during practice sessions to enhance
competitiveness and simulate on-course pressure. For example, create a
putting course with different distances and obstacles or challenge
yourself to get out of a bunker in the fewest strokes possible.
Conclusion
The
short game is arguably the most difficult part of golf. There is no
doubt that it is the most important. It is something that every player
must master if they want to be great.
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