WELL, IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN. With the coming of Spring, men and women across this country head for the links. I don’t know how many exaggerated golfing stories I have heard over the years, but the one that follows beats them all. And it’s true!

It’s an incredible golfing story that almost defies description. It took place in Benin, a small country in Africa, back in 1987. Benin didn’t have a golf course, but that didn’t keep one man from practicing his game. Mathieu Boya regularly practiced hitting golf balls in an open field next to the Benin Air Base.

One day, Boya hit a shot off the tee and it struck a bird which happened to be flying overhead. The bird, stunned, fell into the open cockpit of a fighter jet which was on the runway and about to take off. The bird---still alive—so surprised the pilot that he lost control of his plane and crashed into four Mirage jets that were parked on the runway.

With that one shot, Boya had succeeded in wiping out the entire Benin Air Force. All five planes were completely destroyed and the pilot barely escaped with his life. And when the damages were totaled, Boya’s errant drive cost in excess of 40 million dollars.

I know, I know---you think this is one of those Ripley "Believe it Not stories," but it actually happened. So, if you think you’ve had a bad day, you might take some comfort in this poor man’s plight. We all have days like that to some degree, when we unwittingly do something that goes sour. That’s when we have to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and start all over again.

Adversity calls for the best in us. The choice is ours. We can pout or we can praise. We can moan or we can move on. We can murmur or we can meditate on what we can learn from it. Every new day offers a perfect opportunity to start fresh. We need to fix what we can and then leave it behind us.

Have a great day---and if you happen to be playing a round today, watch where you send that little white thing!

SO, ASTRONOMERS have discovered a new planet in another solar system several trillion miles from earth. Supposedly it is somewhat similar to our world, but then how do they really know? I mean they haven't been there yet, so I would think they would be just a little more cautious about making statements that would lead us to believe that there is life out there.

Oh boy, I can't wait to book a flight there! When I heard the news, I thought, "So what?" Is this going to change my life or the lives of others on this planet. I don't think so. Seems to me that these brilliant scientists could use their God-given intellect to solve some of the problems right here on this planet we call home. But then again, curiosity drives them on, I guess. It seems to be within the nature of man to keep exploring, to keep "going where no man has gone before."

If there was another planet similar to ours and if it was possible for us to journey there, we would just take our sinful ways there and mess it up like we have here! If they didn't have war, or murder, or hatred, or prejudice, or disease, we would in all likelyhood introduce all this to them.

Actually I do believe in the existence of space beings. They're called angels, God's messengers. They have visited earth on a number of occasions. In fact, they are here now, guarding God's people. And that's not all. There was an invasion from outer space some 2,000 years ago. The Creator came to redeem us, then after accomplishing His mission, He returned to that spiritual dimension we call heaven. There's going to be another visitation soon. And are we ever ready for that! This time He'll come as the Lion, instead of the Lamb. He will bring judgment and justice and eventually peace to this troubled orb.

WENT TO A FUNERAL YESTERDAY. Someone asked me how the service went. Strange question. It "went" well---well as could be under the circumstances. There was not a lot of sadness which is usually associated with these kinds of events. Actually it was quite upbeat, and the reason for that had to do with the life of the departed.

Rev. Gordon Overholt was quite a man. He left behind a legacy of faithfulness to his Lord and to his family. Little wonder then, that this funeral turned into a celebration of sorts. The setting was appropriate---the church that was such a part of his life. There were the usual hymns, Scripture readings, and prayers. But what really made this experience meaningful and inspirational were the remarks by members of the family.

As they recounted his remarkable life and character I couldn't help but reflect on my own. I asked myself, "When my time comes, will there be those who will speak similar words? Will my life have been invested in others as was his?" I guess time will tell.

In any event it was a joyous occasion, and a time for sincere reflection. Tears were shed, but they were tears of joy because a servant of the Lord was now home. His race was finished and now he is forever with the Lord that he served. However, heaven's gain is earth's loss.

All in all, I think Rev. Overholt would have been pleased with the service, and probably a little embarassed by all the nice things that were said about him. In any case, it was a beautiful service, fit for a man of his qualities.

PHONE PSYCHICS are so 20th century now that one seer has ushered in the new age of instant messaging intuitives.

Justine Kenzer, a Los Angeles-based psychic for 16 years, is changing with the times by offering readings via instant messaging.

Kenzer says when she started e-mail readings through her website psychicgirl.com in 1999, explaining, "I wanted to do it because there's a different consciousness online."

But with instant messaging, she says her clients can ask follow up questions right away, and she can "read someone's energy" over IMs so there's no loss of psychic connection despite never seeing or hearing her clients.

If things keep going the way they are, Kenzer's crystal ball will soon be wireless.

She says she's looking into delivering readings via cell phone text messages.

Well, I have news for Justine. There is even more instant counsel available for those who are sincerely seeking answers to life's questions. And it is faster than e-mail. The prophet Jeremiah wrote of it long ago: "This is what the LORD says, he who made the earth, the LORD who formed it and established it---the LORD is his name: 'Call unto me and I will answer you and show you great and unsearchable things you do not know'" (Jeremiah 33:2,3).

Why do we look everywhere but to Him? "The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere" (James 3:17).

I am reminded of a chorus we used to sing years ago:

I believe the answers on the way,
I believe the Lord has heard me pray,
"Cast not away your confidence,"
Saith the Lord our God.
Now by faith in Him alone I stand,
Firmly held by His almighty hand
Fully trusting in His promise
Praise the Lord!

musings

I WENT TO SEE THE MOVIE, "AMAZING GRACE," and was thrilled by it. Based on a true account, this historical drama tells the story of William Wilberforce, an 18th century English politician who fought for the abolition of slavery in the British Empire. Despite staunch opposition, Wilberforce waged an aggressive campaign using boycotts, petitions, and slogans.

For most Americans, William Wilberforce isn't a household name. "Amazing Grace" may change that because it chronicles the faith journey of a man who struggled to reconcile his passion for justice and politics with his natural inclination to retreat into a secluded life of spiritual contemplation. He is a hero of sorts, especially in light of the fact that he was born into a wealthy family and could have simply spent his life in relative ease.

Among those who profoundly influenced Wilberforce was the ex-slave trader turned pastor and musician, John Newton. Newton wrote the hymn, Amazing Grace, which has come to be America's national treasure. Sadly, the movie makes no mention of John Wesley, a friend and spiritual advisor to Wilberforce. In fact, the last letter that Wesley wrote was to this very man who had been converted under his ministry. Wesley wrote it on February 24, 1791, at age 88, six days before his death. Wesley had spoken out forcibly against slavery his whole life. He and Wilberforce were kindred spirits in this matter. The letter is as follows:

Dear Sir:

Unless the divine power has raised you up to be as Athanasious contra, I see not how you can go through your glorious enterprise in opposing that execrable villainy which is the scandal of religion, of England, and of human nature. Unless God has raised you up for this very thing, you will be worn out by the opposition of men and devils. But if God be for you, who can be against you? Are all of them together stronger than God? O be not weary of well doing! Go on, in the name of God and in the power of his might, till even American Slavery (the vilest that ever saw the sun) shall vanish away before it.

Reading this morning a tract wrote by a poor African, I was particularly struck by that circumstance that a man who has a black skin, can have no redress; it being a "law" in our colonies that the oath of a black against a white goes for nothing. What villainy is this? That he who has guided you from youth up may continue to strengthen you in this and all things, is the prayer of, dear sir,

Your affectionate servant,
John Wesley

It has been reported that when they discovered that Wilberforce had passed, he held in his hand that very letter from Wesley, indicating the impact that he had upon this champion of emancipation. Although it was several more years until the shackles were entirely removed, the die had been cast.

You ought to catch this flick; it will inspire and challenge you to find a cause and pour yourself into it.