So, other than theology and weapons, what are some of the interests of Pastor Stephen Grant?
1. Stephen Grant enjoys golf. For example, consider the following from Warrior Monk, with Stephen teeing it up with Fathers Tom Stone and Ron McDermott:
Stone walked up to the first tee right at 7:20. “How’s that for timing?” he said with a smile. He then started rummaging around his golf bag for glove, tee and ball.
“Pretty good, Tom, unless you wanted to warm up first,” replied McDermott, who stood next to Grant on the tee waiting for their friend.
“Hitting a bucket of balls and some putts on the practice green like you guys? Yeah, right. That’s a luxury that unmarried men have. It is not a real alternative in a house with a wife and kids vying for morning bathroom time.”
“Touché,” said Grant.
“If you guys are ready, go ahead and hit,” Tom said as the exploration of his bag had yielded a glove and tee, but not yet a ball without scuff marks.
Ron asked Stephen, “Shall I lead the way?”
“Please do.”
Ron teed his ball up high. The combination of his long driver with a huge head and a flat, aggressive, inside-out swing resulted in a long draw that landed in the middle of the fairway, but continued to run left and settled just in the light rough some 270 yards away.
“Nice ball,” observed Stephen, as he teed up his own.
“Thanks.”
Grant showed off a smooth swing, with his high, slight fade coming to rest on the right side of fairway at a distance of 255 years.
“Even better,” said Tom, who finally arrived on the tee box with a hybrid in his hand and a shiny new ball. The look of Stone’s swing was not as polished as his friends’. A three-quarters back swing was followed by a hard, crushing move on the ball, with an abbreviated follow through. The result, though, was a high, straight projection that split the fairway at about 220 yards.
“And you do that without warming up,” Ron observed shaking his head.
“Clean living and concentration,” Tom responded.
“Really? We’ll see if that clean living and concentration help you sink a putt today,” said Ron.
“That will require heavenly intervention,” Stephen added.
“Oh, ye of little faith,” Tom replied. “I tried cross handed last night, and was jarring everything.”
2. Stephen is a big Cincinnati Reds fan. Check this out also from Warrior Monk:
After the late service, no one lingered on another warm, late summer day. Grant changed into blue shorts, and a gray Cincinnati Reds t-shirt. Sipping on a cold Coke in his office, he had the laptop open and was tuning in to the Reds-Cardinals game via MLB.com.
3. Stephen loves classic films. Consider the following from An Advent for Religious Liberty:
A bell rang on a Christmas tree.
Zuzu pointed to the bell, and said, “Look, Daddy, teacher says, every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings.”
George, holding his daughter, replied, “That’s right. That’s right. That a boy, Clarence.”
With the end of the Frank Capra film, Jennifer, who was sitting on a large couch with Stephen, looked at Zack Charmichael, whose feet were up in a recliner. “Well, Zack, what did you think?”
“I liked it. It’s not what I expected. I always thought it was one of those sickly sweet holiday movies. But that was not the case at all. It had a bit of a dark edge to it.”
Stephen observed, “Absolutely. But I still can’t believe that this was the first time you ever saw It’s a Wonderful Life. How did you miss seeing this Christmas classic?”
Jennifer interjected, “Stephen, didn’t we settle this at dinner? Not everyone has or even wants your vast movie knowledge.”
Stephen protested, “We’re not talking about some obscure movie here. This time of year, how can you possibly avoid It’s a Wonderful Life? It’s everywhere.”
Zack poked, “Well, maybe I had more pressing matters than to watch movies.”
4. Stephen enjoys playing poker on occasion. Read the following excerpt from The River:
The numbers made sense. In fact, it was a no-brainer.
Grant was nearly certain that the very large man, with a shaved head, elaborate goatee, assorted tattoos up and down each arm, and mirrored sunglasses, was about to lose this hand.
Grant actually felt a touch of cockiness. He had not been involved in a truly competitive game of poker in more than 15 years. Yet, here he was as one of the final four players out of the 23 who started several hours earlier.
Two had folded. It was between Grant and the big guy. Once Grant called, each would be all in. The winner would vault to the largest stack of chips at the table, and be guaranteed a share of the tournament prize money. The loser would get nothing, but cold comfort for winding up ahead of 19 other players.
After the flop, the turn and the river, on the table were the two of clubs, two of diamonds, three of clubs, four of spades, and five of hearts. Grant held the five of spades and five of clubs. Odds were that the big guy, sitting diagonally across the table from Grant, had a straight, maybe even seven high. He could have a full house as well. But none of those hands would beat Grant’s fives-over-twos full house. Only pocket deuces could snatch the pot from Grant.
After a pause, Grant said, “Call.” He pushed his chips forward.
The dealer looked to the big guy, who smiled broadly, with his goatee spreading out rather elaborately. “Sorry, Pastor.” He flipped over the two of hearts coupled with a two of spades.
The dealer announced: “Four deuces.”
You’re kidding me.
Grant didn’t bother to turn over his cards. Everyone knew he was done. He merely announced with resignation, “Nice, Rodney.”
Grant stood up, and shook hands with each person at the table, wishing them, “Good luck.”
Rodney responded, “It was good to meet you, Pastor. And as promised, I’m going to visit St. Matthew’s.”
“You better,” Grant said with a smile, “I’m going to let Pastor Stout know you’ll be coming.”
Rodney replied, “Hey, I never played poker with a pastor before. Maybe this is a message that I need to get back to church.”
