Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.

Colossians 3:16-18

When my friend John Akerman asked me if I could field a team for a charity golf tournament, I immediately said yes. When a request involves golf, good friends, a spectacular – and challenging – course, plus fund-raising for a worthy cause, what’s not to love?

John is director of philanthropy for the Lonnie & Carol Poole Family Foundation, and I know he never gets involved in anything unless it is first class. The Pooles are both generous and discerning, and this particular event was the “1st Annual Raleigh Baseball Club Golf Tournament”, organized to raise funds to help youth development initiatives

I put together the “All World” team of Ray Evans, Rick Mayo, George Dudley and myself. We enjoyed an amazing day of golf, had a chance to catch up, met some great people, and eventually got the hang of the basic idea to the extent that we had nine birdies by the time we completed 18 holes.

For me, this was a long overdue outing. I simply had fun. Life can be demanding and difficult and overwhelming at times, and the best mental health intervention possible is often fresh air and recreation.

The following gallery may contain more photographs than usual (32). But Saturday was such a beautiful day, and the Lonnie Poole Golf Course is just that good! Enjoy.

So thanks John, and thanks to the Poole Family Foundation for their ongoing willingness to invest in this community.

Peace, love, and mercy abound – all experienced in the context of grace. I am grateful.

Don’t forget it’s Sunday today; I will see you in church – DEREK