Lessons From the Fairway

With it being The Masters Tournament week, I’m reminded that golf is more than a game—it’s a teacher.


Every round has something to say.
It teaches patience when things don’t go as planned, reminding us that growth often comes through persistence, not perfection.

It teaches ownership—every shot is yours, shaping not just your score, but your character.

And most importantly, it teaches you to focus on the next shot. Not the last mistake. Not the missed opportunity. Just what’s in front of you.

And isn’t that where faith meets us?


God doesn’t ask us to replay yesterday—He invites us to trust Him with today. His mercies are new each morning, and His grace meets us in every next step we take.

We may not get a perfect round, but we are always given another shot—another moment to trust, to grow, and to walk forward with Him.

Step into it. Swing freely. Trust what He’s forming within you.

I’m cheering for you.

Be Blessed!

Which Thief Are You?

Good Friday. It brings a mix of emotions—shock, wonder, sadness, joy… and a dose of reality when I think about the two thieves beside Jesus on the cross.

Because the truth is—we’re not just like one of them.

We are one of them.

Both had broken pasts. Both were guilty. Both were equally close to Jesus in that moment.
But one rejected Him… and one reached for Him (Luke 23:39–43).

And that’s the difference.

Sometimes we like to soften our story, but if we’re honest—we’ve all wandered, messed up, and found ourselves in places we never thought we’d be. We don’t stand at the cross as spectators. We hang there in need of grace.

And yet, Jesus doesn’t meet us with condemnation.

He meets us with grace.

The thief didn’t offer a résumé.
He didn’t perform.
He didn’t clean himself up.

He simply said, “Remember me.”

And Jesus responded, “You will be with me.”

No checklist. No perfection. Just a heart that turns toward Him.

It’s never too late.

The question isn’t whether we’ve failed—the question is how we respond when we’re face-to-face with Jesus.

Do we turn away… or do we turn toward Him?

When we stumble, we don’t need to hide in shame. Shame isn’t from God. That’s not His heart.

Run to Him.

His arms are open. His grace hasn’t gone anywhere—it never has.

Get back into the Word. Let Him speak to you again. Because shame isn’t from God—love is. Grace is. Forgiveness is.

That’s the kind of Savior Jesus is.
Yesterday, today, and forever.

Happy Easter.

Out Of The Depths

1 Out of the depths I call to You, O Lord!

2 Lord, listen to my voice; let your ears be attentive to my cry for help.

3 Lord, if you consider sins, Lord, who could stand?

4 But with you there is forgiveness, so that you may be revered.

5 I wait for the Lord; I wait, and put my hope in the Lord.

6 I wait for the Lord more than a watchmen for the morning – more than watchmen for the morning.

7 Israel put your hope in the Lord.  For there is faithful love with the Lord and with Him is redemption and abundance.

8 And He will redeem Israel from all its sins.  

Depths – Forgiveness – Waiting – Hope – Love – Redemption

No matter how low I have been, or will be, I am glad that I can cry out to a living Savior and receive His mercy, His redemption and abundance.

He came.  He lived.  He died.  He rose again.  He lives!

Everyone Needs a Little Nic In Their Life

A few weeks ago, Deb and I drove to Harlan to honor a friend.

We spent four years in Harlan (2001-2005), and nights like that remind us how much those relationships still matter — and how deeply they still impact our lives today.

Nic Christensen spent 19 seasons on the Harlan boys basketball staff before retiring last year alongside Hall of Famer Mitch Osborn. But his influence reaches far beyond the bench.

Nic has lived with cerebral palsy since the age of two. Now 43, he has built a business, helped coach championship teams, drives his own van with hand controls, and has brought joy to countless people — including us. Last week, he added another title: Harlan Athletic Booster Club Hall of Famer.

After the games, we gathered and listened to stories. It became clear that Nic isn’t just respected — he’s deeply loved. His mom often says, “Everyone needs a little Nic in their life.” She’s right.

She shared a story I hadn’t heard before. After a frustrating day trying to get his driver’s license in Council Bluffs — a day that didn’t go as planned — Nic and his mom sat quietly on the side of the road. She finally asked, “Nic, if you could change one thing about your life, what would it be?”

She waited. Two long minutes.

Then Nic answered, “I can’t think of anything.”

I still tear up writing that as I hear him saying that in his own voice.

We could all use a little more Nic in our lives.
And we could all choose to be a little – or a lot – more like him. 

What’s Important Now

What’s Important Now?

The news that legendary coach Lou Holtz passed away this week prompted me to spend some time revisiting his life and leadership. If you ever watched him speak, you remember the energy. He was passionate, motivating, and deeply principled. His success on the football field was remarkable, but what may have been even more impressive was the way he lived by the values he taught.

One of the ideas Coach Holtz often shared was the acronym W.I.N. — “What’s Important Now?” He challenged his players to ask themselves that question at least 35 times a day.

Imagine what that would require from us.

Discipline – Staying committed to what truly matters.

Action – Seeing a need and stepping in to meet it.

Choice – If we make roughly 30,000 decisions each day, let at least 35 of them bring us back to what matters most.

Presence – Being fully in the moment we’re in.

It won’t always be easy. In fact, the best things rarely are. If it were easy, everyone would do it.

But think about the impact if we consistently ask ourselves: What’s important now?

For the people we love and the people we lead, that question could change everything.

His final speech.

Features his three simple rules.

1) Do what’s right.

2) Be the best you are capable of being.

3) Show people you care.

Thanks for the lessons Coach. 

All the way to the end.