Dec 04 2009

Progress Halted

Posted in Learning show hide 15 comments

tigerThis may not be the most popular post I’ve ever written as a Christian, but it is what it is.  I’ve tried to keep my mouth shut concerning Tiger Woods….really.  I’ve seen so many “pray for this guy” posts, it’s ridiculous.

I may be able to bring myself to pray for his wife, his child, but for him???  Well, it’s safe to say that I’m not there yet.

Take away the billions of dollars and I was him once……lying, cheating, hurting, not a care in the world for anyone but me, kinda guy.  You’d say….”well, shouldn’t you, the born again, Christian man that you are, have a special connection and understanding for Tiger?” Yeah, maybe I should……but I DON’T!  That’s where the title of this post comes in……my progress in my Christian walk came to a halt the other day.  I wanted so bad to feel sorry for him, to be able to pray for him……couldn’t do it.  He’s a public figure…..I didn’t make him that…..you didn’t…..HE DID! Don’t whine to me about his privacy…..he doesn’t have any.  He, for darn sure, doesn’t have any more than you or I do.  Now, he can buy some privacy that you and I may never see, but as you now see, he may want a refund.  How many women?  1, 2, 3??  Texts, voicemails, etc.  IDIOT!

So yeah, I’m human…..have human feelings…..hey, maybe I need prayer…..just like Tiger, huh?  Yep, Tiger……man, golfer, athlete, machine, holier than thou, adulterer, cheater, liar.   I’ve been all of those things (well, maybe not athlete) and I sure as hell didn’t get away with it.  Definitely my biggest challenge in being a Christian is compassion.  I do not feel, in the least bit, sorry for this dude.  I feel horrible for his wife, his kid, but not for him.  I know it’s wrong and have been told so by many…..even my 18 year old nephew told me to mind my own business.  Well, knowing what’s right and doing what’s right are two completely different things.  I’ve struggled with that my entire adult life.

Anyway, there’s my mini-rant.  You can pray for Tiger……just makes you a stronger person than I am.  I have no problems admitting that.  I’ll get there one day, no doubt……just not there today.  Life is full of struggles…..for Christians, atheists, etc.  The struggles do not disappear, regardless of who you are.  Some are better at hiding them…..I’m not good at that either though.  We are all broken and maybe areas that I struggle in need light shined on them for me to take notice……Maybe, this time, Tiger is my light……who knows.

  • Terryapostlethatroks

    Whatever happened to the sanctity of marriage???

    • http://intensedebate.com/people/Pastor_T Pastor_T

      I've always heard that people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones, but I go ahead and hurl em anyway :D .

  • http://www.crucialencounter.com Andy

    "I admire your honesty. I really do.

    I want to run something by you if you don't mind. You mentioned you're progress as a "christian". Do you think YOU made that change? I don't. I believe people prayed for you and your "lying, cheating, hurting, not a care in the world for anyone but me, kinda guy" rear end.

    Your mother, your siblings, your grandparents, your friends, all on their knees, begging Jesus Christ to reach down and rescue you.

    Picture that. It's something awesome… What's more awesome is that he did. You didn't really do a lot. Since we're being honest. You were stuck in a rut of a life, and the best thing that happened to you is Jesus took over.

    I understand it's hard for you to pray for him. Imagine how hard it was for Jesus to be beaten, spit on, denied, hung on a cross and killed, knowing dang well what you and Tiger were going to do.

    Sometimes being like Christ is feeding the hungry, sometimes it's praising Him but sometimes, sometimes it's taking a knee and praying for the one person you find it hardest to pray for.

    Prayer changed your life.. why not his?
    Love you man. "

    • http://intensedebate.com/people/Pastor_T Pastor_T

      Hey bro, your words are appreciated….always. I get all of that. I am freshly reminded, daily, that it is incomprehensible how a screw up like me could be loved by Jesus. I am reminded that in my quest to be like Him, I am NOT Him. And this is one of those areas where it is abundantly clear.
      I get it though…..I hope you know I do.
      Just thoughts from a fallen man, but He's not done with me yet :-) .

    • http://intensedebate.com/people/shawnw Shawn Wallace

      Amen.

      • http://intensedebate.com/people/Pastor_T Pastor_T

        Amazed at what it takes to get you to comment on a blog..LOL kidding of course…..

        For the record though, your "Tiger" post was the first of about 12 similar posts I read the other day…..not singling you out :D

        • http://intensedebate.com/people/shawnw Shawn Wallace

          No worries. ;)

          • http://intensedebate.com/people/Pastor_T Pastor_T

            2 comments in one day?? Do I hear 3? :D

          • http://intensedebate.com/people/shawnw Shawn Wallace

            Not a chance. :D

  • http://intensedebate.com/people/DannyEason DannyEason

    Brutally raw and honest, but also real. Appreciate that tons.

    I'm gonna join those praying for Tiger. I know he needs it. I know his family needs it. I know where I would be without it.

    I just hope this event shows everyone how fallen we are, how much we need Jesus, and how it is way past time we stop putting our favorite athletes on a pedestal and just start following Christ. Because truthfully, we have redefined what it means to set an example, and the example being set, by public figures, by politicians, by church leaders, and by me, is so far from throne of God.

    • http://intensedebate.com/people/Pastor_T Pastor_T

      Amen to that Danny.

  • tobysmom

    I also understand where you are coming from. I am so disappointed in Tiger Woods, but he and others like him are our purpose. Love thy neighbor..unconditionally.Leave the forgiving to his Heavenly Father..Our Heavenly Father…We can be angry with him, disappointed in him, but he does need prayer..Not to get him out of this mess. Prayers for forgiveness and help in becoming a better person..

    • http://intensedebate.com/people/Pastor_T Pastor_T

      Leave it to my Mamma to clear it up for me……"Not to get him out of this mess. Prayers for forgiveness and help in becoming a better person."
      That's the best line of the week right there!

  • your other mom

    Toby, remember your hero and I don't have to name names the biggest lying cheat of the ninities and you all had no trouble voting him back in and forgiving his lying, cheating, no good self. He not only embarrassed his family he embarrassed the whole nation. If you can forgive him and pray for him. Then I would think that Tiger would be easy.

    • http://intensedebate.com/people/Pastor_T Pastor_T

      LMBO! My hero? You kill me!! :-) . I wasn't much into praying in the 90's, but I get your point :D .

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