THE TIGER WOODS FRONT ROW
Posted by Mike Foster:
I know we could stir up a lot of debate around what happened at Tiger Woods’ press conference. Especially if we discussed whether he meant it, the format, and all the other juicy details that the public seems to be so obsessed with these days.
But we aren’t TMZ or The View who profit from trashing, analyzing, and questioning everything. And we don’t exploit the pain of others.
So here are my simple thoughts.
I unashamedly support Tiger, can’t wait for him to play golf again, and pray that his marriage survives this crisis. I’m 100% in his corner.
What stood out to me on Friday? It was the people sitting in the front row.
His Mom who he hugged right after. A top executive from Nike whose company has refused to bail on him. And one of his best friends, fellow golfer Notah Begay, who has stood by Tiger since his college days.
The front row statement was profound. On the peaks, in the deepest valleys, we stand with our son, friend, and colleague. Let the crap hit the fan, we aren’t going anywhere.
We could all learn a lesson from that.
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right on.
Right with you on this, Mike. I want to see a comeback for Tiger.
Amen Mike! Great post. Simple, yet easier said than done.
Tiger still needs to face the press however. The next question he answers about all of this will be the first one. I think he certainly said everything he needed to say and I won't doubt he meant all of it. However, he still maintained a highly controlled atmosphere by inviting media, but not allowing them ask questions. He has an obligation to to do so because the only ones answering questions right now are other golfers and that is not fair to them. That's a valid point and not one that is indicative of what will be discussed on TMZ or The View and it isn't out of bounds to make note of it.
We can also be in Tiger's corner but we should also be praying for him. Tiger is going to start getting into Buddhism which does nothing but take him down a road where he will spend an eternity separated from God and Jesus Christ. Where he spends eternity should concern us more than worrying about when he's going to start golfing again.
You know. I think I am more of a fan of his now than I was beforehand.
It might have something to do with identifying with where he finds himself.
The hurt. The pain. The fear.
I saw all of it in his eyes.
Wow. Couldn't agree with you more. When all of this broke a few months ago and he decided to take time away from golf to restore his marriage and make some changes in his life, I supported him. I don't worry about it being a publicity stunt or anything like that. To watch restoration take place could be a great thing for many to see. Including myself. Even if the road is a little bumpy and a little ugly..it's worth it. Look forward to seeing how this unfolds a few months from now.
Until then, I hope Sportscenter spends a little more time showing highlights and a little less time talking about this junk.
[...] THE TIGER WOODS FRONT ROW [...]
Mike: well said. Here was my take on the whole thing (wrote this yesterday): http://billgrandi.ovcf.org/wordpress/?p=3588
amen!
Ditto! We all make mistakes and if ours were publicized, we wouldn't look any better! I am ready to see some Tiger Golf again!
AMEN!
I agree that we should be praying for Tiger and his family. I disagree with you on the point that he owes the press and media answers for anything. He is obligated to answer to God and his wife, period. This is a private matter and I, for one have heard more than I ever wanted to know. Let this man and his family rebuild their life and move on.
Well said.
i agree. im much more interested in Tiger and feel a lot more connected to him after all of this.
i agree. even sports center loves to question motives and get into the gossip. maybe its the the “male” version of the The View.
nice post.
this morning i was thinking about who would be in my front row if i ever had to do something like Tiger did. it might be a good excercise to do this morning is to think about the names of the people who would be there…and maybe those who wouldnt.
And perhaps re-think our relationships with the people that would NOT be in our front row.
And perhaps re-think our relationships with the people that would NOT be in our front row.
The further along on life's path I travel, I am more deeply slammed with the unmitigated truth of…”There but for the grace of God, go I.”
Praying for a comeback, not just to golf, but to a stronger, faith-filled life that will affect others in ways that far surpass where he was before.
When my crap hit the fan, I had a friend show up at my doorstep. To my knowledge, he had never been to my house before. We worked together, played disc golf together, and enjoyed meeting together with other men for an occaisional movie night.
I invited him in and he said, “I know you're going through a lot. I just want you to know that I stick.”
I didn't know what he meant. He went on, “Your dad died and in a few days, the meals will either be eaten or in the trash can. The flowers will have died. People will stop calling or emailing. I won't. I stick. If you need to talk, to grieve, or vent, call me. You lost your job. I have no doubt you'll land on your feet, but when the road is hard and long, call me. I'll help you network or brainstorm. I stick. I'm not going anywhere.”
That was six years ago and he is still sticking.
incredible story! that just made my day. i love that statement “I Stick!”
Grace is an amazing thing…
I appreciate your sentiment but I think it's overlooking the most important relationship in his life and that is with his wife. His actions violated that relationship. It's great that his mother stands by him but we are to leave our father and mother and cleave to our wife. Maybe the front row is more a demonstration of his priorities and how he ended up where he did. I don't mean to be judgmental just challenging the perspective of the “front row”. I would want my wife and kids there. If I mess up may I not have violated those most important relationships in my life.
just to challenge that thought a little. i think its totally understandable for the victim(his wife) in this circumstance to not be in the front row. to me its a uniquely different relationship then the close circle of friends. his wife being there would of just added to the feeding frenzy(and to her pain) thots?
Agreed. Radio interviewer asked me about his motives and I said the same thing. When we see someone move toward right, it is our job to support them. This is a great opportunity for people of faith to speak words of healing rather than judgment. Leave the rest to God…
I don't think it would have been beneficial either. I was challenging the perspective of the “front row” as a possible reflection of our priorities. It sounds “stand up:” to have our friend, mom and business partner there with us but if it's a reflection of our priorities in our relationships it is wrong. I was just saying I want my “front row” to include my wife and children first.
Mike, I had the chance to experience both you and Jud at Catalyst a few years back and I was amazed and intrigued by both of your wants for radical grace. I also know that we [as Christ followers] are called to be a people that [prayerfully] forgive and move forward towards restoring others to where they once were, I respectfully have a different take. Tiger is definitely not Saul, but not quite David either and I too am praying for a roaring redemption with him family and return to the game. The key, I think, is his Buddhist faith. Everything he said was consistent with his renewed devotion to that – it is basically “I have to work harder and be more disciplined to renounce the desires of the flesh and make myself a better person”. Admirable, and I personally believe he meant every word, but it was a bit empty because there is no room for forgiveness, atonement, redemption in that worldview. Ultimately, I am praying for Tiger to see the truth that Christ brings to ones life. While I appreciate those who were there to support him [in the front row] and weep for the pain brought on by him on his wife and kids, we as believers need to pray not just for restoration but salvation in Christ.
got it! im with ya on that. appreciate your thoughts david.
He is just sorry that he got caught!!!
Mike, Jud & Jim –
you guys should really consider connecting with Tiger's publicist & formally discuss with them some way of providing him direct support through our group…lets be NEON & radically shine. In reviewing information online, his agent founds his work on 'Honesty' and 'Integrity' – why not give it a shot?
IMG World
Attn: Mark Steinberg
IMG Center
1360 E. 9th St.
Suite 100
Cleveland, OH 44114
Phone: (216) 522-1200
Fax: (216) 522-1145
[...] Foster posted some interesting thoughts about who was on the front row listening to Tiger and supporting him. What stood out to me on [...]
Brilliant. Friendships with that kind of loyalty are getting harder and harder to find.
Nice little publicity stunt to reinvent the product known as “Tiger.” Him playing golf again should be the least of anyones worries. Woods being a buddhist puts him on a path to a real Hell. He needs Christ and Christ alone.
[...] read this from a blog yesterday: I know we could stir up a lot of debate around what happened at Tiger Woods’ press [...]
Mike, why are we paying attention to this? Tiger needs forgiveness, sure, and he certainly needs God to touch his life, but there are many more important things in the world than Tiger Woods' infidelity! It's amazing to me that people pay attention to this sort of thing, and completely ignore stories such as Dick Cheney admitting to knowingly sanctioning war crimes during the Bush administration – and being proud of it!
Don't forget that people *died* because of the Bush administration's policies. No one has died yet because of Tiger Woods' indiscretions. When I hear that stock trading virtually halted during Tiger's news conference, I think that a bit of perspective is badly needed, not only by the press but also by the American people.
Tiger doesn't need to work harder at what he will surely fail at again, he needs the Holy Spirit and the redemptive power of Christ to change him from the inside out!
Absolutely, Jay! We get too focused on the world and forget the eternal things.
hey ed..i think its relevant to the conversation of grace and second chances…and thats why we talk about it here. as far as what the public is fascinated with Tiger, i dont know all the answers to that.
I disagree, Cindy – when a person holds himself out to be more than just a private person, when he accepts millions of dollars to be a spokesman for a public company, when they actively seek the limelight, that person, by law, has a diminished expectation of privacy. You cant have your cake and eat it too – you can't seek to be a public figure and insist on your privacy – the two don't mix very well…
Mike, I lost my job and went to jail in my past because of all the things that Tiger talked about: selfishness, greed, living by a different set of rules. So I know a little bit about these moments firsthand though not on the same publicity scale.
Yes my mom stood by me as mom's tend to do (while in another state) but no one from my work, including the Christians I worked with were there beside me or offered a hand. Just two guys I knew from a beer league softball team; one visited me in jail, the other let me crash at his house for close to a year while God rebuilt my life. Neither one active believers but believers in second chances. If it wasn't for them…boy.
If I'm not mistaken, that's what you're talking about here: why aren't we as Christians the ones to offer a hand out of the pit?
Now one little tug of reality, if Tiger was Notah Begay, Tiger might be there for Notah, but I'm afraid Nike would not.
gives new meaning to potsc stickers
[...] Yesterday I linked to an incredible post from Mike Foster over on the People of the Second Chance site about Tiger Woods. You can read the post by clicking here. [...]
“Let the crap hit the fan, we aren’t going anywhere”
Best. Quote. Ever.
Thanks
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