Peace & Love,

Dooley

“Marks of the True Christian

9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit,t serve the Lord.12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly.t Never be wise in your own sight.17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave itt to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Peace & Love,

Dooley

Peace & Love,

Dooley

Peace & Love,
Dooley

Bubba Watson Wins 2012 Masters

DRAMATIC PLAYOFF SHOT GIVES CHRISTIAN GOLFER GREEN JACKET

April 8, 2012 – With his ball in the Augusta National woods on the 2nd playoff hole, Christian golfer Bubba Watson came up with the shot of his life, a 155-yard pitching wedge that clinched the 2012 Masters championship and his first major championship.

“For me, it’s just showing the Light. There’s people who want to put down Christians. I try to tell them Jesus loves you.”
— Bubba Watson, 2012 Masters champion

By Trevor Freeze

There’s something different about Bubba Watson.

And he doesn’t care if you know it.

The winner of the 2012 Masters golf championship realizes he’s not like most famous athletes.

In fact, he welcomes it.

“People always ask ‘Why is Bubba different?’” said Watson during a phone interview from Scottsdale, Ariz. “They’re just trying to figure it out.”

Watson’s identity is not wrapped up in his freakishly long drives from his lanky 6-foot-3, 180-pound left-handed swing — he leads the Tour with a 315-yard average.

Rather, take one look at his Twitter profile and you may figure out what’s different about Watson.

@bubbawatson: Christian. Husband. Daddy. Pro Golfer. Owner of General Lee 1.

And pay close attention to the order.

Watson is an outspoken Christian golfer and he uses his Twitter account — along with his platform as one of the PGA Tour’s magnetic personalities — to share about his faith in Christ.

“For me, it’s just showing the Light,” the 33-year-old said. “There’s people who want to put down Christians. I try to tell them Jesus loves you. It’s just a way to be strong in my faith.”

TWITTER OUTREACH

Last April, just before teeing off on the final round of the Masters, Watson took advantage of his social media platform to Tweet out two Bible verses on Sunday morning.

He followed that up talking about his faith, his relationship with God, Tweeting out more verses and the impact of Christian artists on his iPod.

Some started complaining about his 140-character witnessing tactics, but Watson’s response was simple: Feel free to unfollow, but the talk about God wasn’t going away.

Some 100 people quit following him and in true Bubba style, he reached out and wished them well with goodbye notes.

This past month more Christian haters have tried to derail Watson’s testimony — or as he mildly puts it, “write bad stuff.”

But Watson doesn’t take offense, even when it’s the sole intent.

When someone tells him “Your God Tweets are lame,” Watson responds with, “I will pray for u and ur family.”

Among the 39,000-plus messages he’s sent into the Twittersphere, he’s sure to spread the Gospel message: God made everything & saved us from our sins & gives us hope and gives us eternal life! #Godisgood

Sometimes he’ll Tweet out some of his favorite verses: “Hebrews 13:6 So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere man do to me?”

Or he’ll use his PGA platform — like the day after taking the lead with a headline-grabbing 10-under-par 62 at last month’s Cadillac Championship — to bring God into the mainstream conversation.

Watson’s Tweet before his third round: The most important thing in my life? Answer after I golf 18 holes with @JustinRose99. #Godisgood

Later that day: Most important things in my life- 1. God 2. Wife 3. Family 4. Helping others 5. Golf

“Lecrae said it the best,” Watson said of the Christian rapper he listens to on his iPod. “He doesn’t want to be a celebrity. He doesn’t want to be a superstar. He just wants to be the middle man for you to see God through him.”

‘BUBBA GOLF’

As golf’s official major season bloomed this week, and Watson winning a major for the first time — only his fourth PGA Tour career victory — Watson seemed like a long shot. His best finish at Augusta National has been a tie for 20th in 2008.

But winning is no longer everything for Watson. There was a time in his life where drives slicing into the thick, 5-inch stuff or birdie putts rimming out would get the best of him and his blood pressure.

Watson will tell you, Angry Bubba was not a good look. Unbecoming, for sure.

“I was so wrapped up in ‘Why am I not winning?’” Watson said. “It created frustrations in my head and in my life.”

Things got so heated on the golf course, Ted Scott, his caddie since 2006, finally gave him an ultimatum.

“My caddie finally stepped up and said, ‘You’re going to have to change, or I’m going to quit,’” Watson said.

Watson’s temper-laced decorum was replaced with what some call “Bubba Golf,” which stresses golf mechanics less and puts a heavy focus on just playing golf and having fun on the course.

And it’s working.

Watson won the Travelers Championship in June of 2010, the Farmer’s Insurance Open in January of 2011 and the Zurich Classic a few months later.

Last month, Watson led the Cadillac Championship after 54 holes before fading in the final round, missing a 9-foot putt by inches on the final hole that would have forced a playoff.

Old Bubba may have let that one fester for weeks. New Bubba brushed it off with a satisfied smile and slight head-tilt.

Watson credits three strong believers — Scott, along with his trainer Adam Fisher (“Fish”) and Watson’s wife Angie — as the difference in his attitude.

“I’ve really got a good team around me trying to help me succeed,” said Watson, who has long supported many charities, including the upcoming Bubba’s Bash and the infamous “Golf Boys” video project. “Not just in golf, but off the golf course, to be a light for Jesus.”

PGA BIBLE STUDY

Perhaps the most powerful Christian impact Watson has experienced has been the PGA Tour’s weekly Bible study, held every Wednesday night during tournament weeks.

Rickie Fowler, Matt Kuchar, Zach Johnson, Jonathan Byrd and Webb Simpson, along with Watson, are some of the regulars, with attendance ranging from 16 to 50 on a given week.

“For me it’s a way to get back connected with the Bible and with God and Jesus,” Watson said. “Now you know other people you can talk to, ask questions to, tell them what you’re thinking, tell them what’s going on in your life.”

The one-hour study is something Watson looks forward to regularly: “Getting more in the Word and realizing that golf is just an avenue for Jesus to use me to reach as many people as I can.”

NEWLY-ADOPTED SON

Watson’s journey to Christ isn’t uncommon.

He grew up in Bagdad, Fla., as one of the good guys: “Didn’t cuss, didn’t cheat, didn’t steal, didn’t lie, didn’t drink, didn’t do drugs,” he said. “I was doing the right things but I didn’t know what that meant.”

It wasn’t until his senior year in high school when two twin neighbor girls, from the house directly behind his, invited Watson to their youth group. He went and found a place where he belonged.

“The girls asked me to go to church,” he said. “And after a few times going I realized this is what I wanted to do. This is truth here. And I gave myself to the Lord.”

But with all the pressures of college golf, especially on the weekends, it wasn’t until 2004 that Watson became serious about his commitment to Christ at the University of Georgia. He began dating Angie Ball (former WNBA player) and the two began living for God as a couple.

“We wanted to be Christ followers,” Watson said. “We wanted to do the right thing. We started turning to the Lord for our decisions.”

The couple married in September 2004 and were both baptized later that year, the day after Christmas: “I would say 2004 was my true time of becoming a Christian,” Watson said, “and shaping me into the man I am today.”

And just this week, Bubba the Man has become Bubba the Father. The Watsons began another chapter of their life, adopting a 1-month-old boy (Caleb), a journey that began several years ago.

Fittingly, Watson broke the news on Twitter: Everyone @angieb1433 & I are proud new parents of a 1 month old baby boy name Caleb. Been a parent for 2 days. #amazing

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Source:  http://www.billygraham.org/articlepage.asp?articleid=8573

Peace & Love,

Dooley

He walks like a Christian, calls like a duck
JOY MCMILLON | The Christian Chronicle

The Duck Commander has a passion for duck hunting, but he’s even more obsessed with sharing his faith in the saving power of Jesus Christ.

WEST MONROE, La. — He’s been called the Billy Graham of duck hunting. He looks more like a wilderness-dwelling John the Baptist — clad in camouflage with shaggy hair and a graying beard that hangs down to his chest.

Occasionally, he’s mistaken for a homeless man.

Phil Robertson, known around the world as the Duck Commander, eats, sleeps and breathes duck hunting.

Born with a gift to sound like a duck, he invented a line of “duck calls” — hunting tools used to emulate the sound of ducks.

Since the early 1970s, he has parlayed his obsession for duck hunting to build a water-fowling empire with legions of faithful Duckaholics.

A follower of Christ, his other passion is preaching the gospel and saving souls.
The Duck Commander has built an international reputation not only for his hunting expertise, but also his powerful, revivalist-style gospel preaching.

Steady sales of his duck calls led to the development of homemade hunting videos in the late 1980s, through which the Duck Commander and his Duckmen — primarily his sons and a few close friends — became widely recognized. More than 90,000 DVDs were shipped from the Robertsons’ home last year.

“Dad has become an icon for duck hunters,” said Alan Robertson, pulpit minister for the White’s Ferry Road church, where his father serves as one of seven elders.

A reality show on the Duck Commander, the Duckmen and their families is scheduled to air next year on the Outdoor Channel and possibly ESPN. Robertson’s Web site is another popular outlet for fans and friends.

“It’s just a bunch of rednecks shooting ducks,” Phil Robertson said with a laugh. “But if Ozzy Osbourne made it (on reality TV), there’s hope for anybody.”

HE WENT FOR THE DUCKS, NOT BUCKS

Robertson was born and reared in Vivian, La., a small town near Shreveport. With six siblings, money was scarce and hunting became a vital part of his early life.

In high school, he made all-state in football, baseball and track. He landed a football scholarship to Louisiana Tech.

For two years, he was the team’s star quarterback, playing ahead of a young man named Terry Bradshaw.

Bradshaw, of course, later won four Super Bowl titles as the quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

But Robertson turned down offers for an NFL career. He didn’t want to miss duck- hunting season. “Terry went for the bucks, and I chased after the ducks,” he likes to tell people.

Robertson later worked in Louisiana’s gas fields, taught school and fished commercially. But none of those jobs felt right.

So he moved to the woods, invented the celebrated Duck Commander duck call, pioneered duck-hunting videos and became a celebrity on the speaking circuit, peddling Duck Commander calls, decoys and apparel, not to mention his own line of Cajun seasoning.

In the 1970s, he was baptized and became a Christian. He left a life of drinking, carousing and fighting.

“I looked at my life and I said, ‘Man, I am lucky to be alive! What in the world good did I ever get out of all that?’”

SAVING WATER FOR A DUCK CALLER

Robertson and his wife, Kay, have been winning souls since.

For two decades, until his public speaking began taking them out of town so often, they hosted a house church and conducted weekly Bible studies.

For the Robertsons’ four sons — Alan, Jase, Willie and Jephtha — going to bed at night with people still in their home studying Scripture was normal.

“I would get up for school, and there would be two to three people asleep on the couch, their wet clothes over a chair,” Alan said. “At some point Dad had baptized them in the river near our house.”

Friends and relatives estimate that the Duck Commander has baptized more than 300 in the nearby Ouachita River.

His first public-speaking opportunity came in the early 1990s when fans asked him to give a duck-calling seminar at the Superdome in New Orleans.

Standing before 1,000 people, Roberts first went through his various duck calls, including tips and techniques of duck-hunting.

Suddenly, he thought that this moment presented him with a terrific opportunity to preach.

Reaching into his shoulder bag, he pulled out his Bible.

“Folks, while I’m here,” he said, “I think I’m gonna preach you a little sermon.”

A surprised murmur spread through the crowd. Undeterred, he went on.

“I’m standing under a sign that says, ‘Budweiser is the King of Beers,’ and everybody’s got their beer here today,” he recalled saying. “But I’m here to talk about the King of Kings.”

Afterward, the crowd applauded enthusiastically. Invitations to speak poured in.

Within a year, Kay, his wife of 43 years, became his scheduler, travel agent and traveling companion.

“Now, when we go places, the planners tell us they know Phil is coming to save the unsaved, and they really work to get people there who don’t know Jesus,” Kay Robertson said.

Booked nearly two years in advance by churches and organizations, he draws crowds and standing ovations nearly everywhere he speaks.

Tall and in his 60s, Robertson begins by talking about duck-hunting tactics and demonstrating his duck calls.

Next, he lays down a kind of hunter’s Bill of Rights straight from Noah’s story in the Bible — emphasizing God’s permission for mankind to kill and eat animals after the flood.

He concludes with his personal testimony — sharing what Jesus has done for him and can do for them.

“I liken it to the book of Acts,” he said. “I just give them the simple gospel — Jesus was born, died, was raised and is coming back. Then I’m on down the road.”

Regardless of where he speaks, he preaches the simple gospel.

“That will take care of any false doctrine,” he said. “If they’re saved, they might not have everything straight. I doubt if we do. But if they hear the gospel and obey it, I’m happy for them.”

http://www.christianchronicle.org/article2158637~He_walks_like_a_Christian,_calls_like_a_duck

Peace & Love,
Dooley

Peace & Love,

Dooley

10 Reasons I Don’t Like Most Christians

1.They consistently seem angry and bitter and worried. I thought Christians were supposed to reflect joy and kindness and peace.

2.They don’t dream big dreams. That seems odd given the fact that we’re supposedly worshiping a God who is “able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare ask or hope.”

3.They seem to worship their theology more than Jesus. For whatever reason, this appears to be especially true for folks that come from a reformed theology.

4.They don’t like it when other people or ministries experience success. Think about it. There are Christians who would be overwhelmed with joy if NewSpring experienced fewer salvations, fewer baptisms and our attendance dropped.

5.They use prayer as an excuse for inaction. They’re waiting for God to do his thing, but they aren’t willing to step out in faith and obedience.

6.They’re more concerned with the BMW next door than the lost person who drives it. Christians hate people with money. They’re willing to sacrifice time and money for those without it, but they’re satisfied to let “rich” people go to Hell.

7.They would rather people live life without Jesus than give up their personal preferences. What happens when your preferred teacher doesn’t teach? What happens when your preferred worship leader doesn’t lead? What happens when you don’t like the music?

8.They are fake. They dress up a certain way on Sunday and they live as completely different people the rest of the week.

9.They think they’re better than other people. That’s why they create rules to follow. It helps differentiate why they are holy while others are not.

10.They’re comfortable with mediocrity. Doesn’t matter where. Think Christian music and movies. Think how we invest our time and money. You don’t seriously think God deserves our best do you?

http://tonymorganlive.com/2008/12/04/10-reasons-i-dont-like-most-christians/