The Filly 08-30-2013

THE FILLY 

08-30-2013 

Hey howdy hey! Missed ya all the last week or two due to the teams barrel racing summer series coming to a close , fixing a truck, bring in the last of the hay for the season and well, chasing down loose young horses. This one I’ve got to tell ya and what it learned me. 

We received a phone call from a former Crusader saying that a two year old got loose on 40 acres and they tried but couldn’t catch her. So, you’re thinking that ya saddle up your best fastest horse and go have some fun and that’s what I did. When I got there, sure enough there she was out in the wide open, standing looking at a man that had “chased” her down using his pick up (not good) . I was riding “Wyoming” and thought that might settle her. Well, she made us feel about as welcome as a tax collector, all I saw of her after getting about twenty yards from her was tail and hoof , she took off as if there was a prairie fire coming her way. Course, Wy and I went right after her. Up hills, down hills, through marshes with willows as tall as I was in the saddle. On the crest of a ridge of a canal and even down through the canal (about three and a half feet deep). Now at this time I was having a ball, Wy was doing all the work, he was running faster than a two dollar watch and lathered up like a barber had prepared him for a shave. Wy knew what we were doing and there was no way this young lady was going to out run him. I know I sound like a proud hen, but what can I say, a twenty-one year old horse out running a two year old, guess I am proud of him. Long story short two friends showed up on horse back and we got her back home without incident. Fun you bet! But here is what I thought of. 

Temptation. The filly probably stood in her paddock thinking the grass looked a lot greener over on the other side. When a window of opportunity showed itself she took it. Let me tell ya that’s how it all starts for all of us. We look then we take. The battle is often lost at the first look. Sometimes looking can be the first step toward sin. We would all win over temptation more often if we followed Paul’s advice to run from those things that produce evil thoughts. One of the realities of sin is that its effects spread. Now this filly got people and other horses involved in her follies. Thank God that neither man nor horse was hurt. When we do something wrong, often we try to relieve our guilt by involving others. 

Sounds silly but a lot of times we act just as that filly did. Then we try to act as if God does not know of your sin. Have the courage to share all you think and do with him. And don’t try to hide or “out-run” him, it cannot be done. Honesty will strengthen your relationship with God. Remember the first sin came through a simple thought, then an action on that thought. We must take control of our thoughts. 

After the temptation of Jesus by the devil himself failed the devil went away, and angels came and cared for Jesus (Matt. 4:11). 

“For the world offers only the lust for physical pleasure, the lust for everything we see, and pride in our possessions. These are not from the Father. They are from the evil world. And this world is fading away, Along with all it craves. But if you do the will of God, You will live forever.” (1 John 16:17) 

Remember: If you’re gonna go, GO LIKE CRAZY. If your mind is not made up, don’t use your spurs.

May the Grace and peace of your Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. 

Cowboy Pastor Ty 

PastorTy@CrusadersEquestrain.org

8-13=2013

AROUND THE CAMP FIRE

08- 13-2013/ TUESDAY

I felt it appropriate to change the name of the devotionals to give you all a chance to see what a “Cowboy” sermon might be like, a sample if you will, seeing how a “Cowboy Church” is in the works. Now, I myself am a “Nazarene” That does not mean that you must be. What you must be is your own calling. Remember the “Great Commission”? “Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and he rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. He said to them “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16: 14-16) NKJV. There are many mansions in the house of the Lord, what is important “For many are called, but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22:14) NKJV. Jesus said this to illustrate that God calls all people to respond to him, but relatively few choose to follow him. What I’m saying is call yourself what denomination you will as long as it is biblically sound and you can say “Christ died for me.”

That brings us to what I’ve learned last week from someone who probably doesn’t even know what God was showing through him. You see, this friend of mine is sick too the point that he might be fighting for his life. As it would be, he went and bought a brand new Harley Davidson “Fat Bob”. He called me and asked if I could help get the bike to his house. Sure enough I hooked up the trailer and down the road I went. When I arrived at the dealer, I saw the bike. Wow! All the custom bells and whistled, great bike. We placed the ramp on the trailer and he asked if I would ride the bike up on the ramp and into the trailer. I said sure. As I rode up the ramp, I was trying real slowly and carefully, then all of a sudden with the bike half in the trailer and half on the ramp I eased the throttle. I’m not sure but I think the ramp moved to the left side of the bike making me put my right foot down to catch my balance. Problem was I did not have enough leg to make up the distance between the ramp and the ground. Going from bad to worse down went the bike half on the ramp and the other half in the trailer. He and I muscled the bike upright and got it on the trailer. After inspection all we found was a little trailer paint on the front fender. Needless to say I felt at that point that my brain cavity was pretty small, like I couldn’t tell horse dung from honey. Much to his credit he said “It’s cool, no problem all is good.” Now if it were my bike I would have had a stroke right then and there. He knew I felt bad and what did he do? He bought me a metal Harley sign and offered to pay me. I felt as if I should replace his brand new bike and here he is giving me gifts.

Now here’s a man with his priorities straight. He knew I felt bad about dropping his brand new Harley and HE WAS THE ONE trying to make ME feel better. I can not say for sure if it is what he is going through or may it is just his nature. He showed more compassion for the person then anger of the incident. Knowing that illness is not unusual but that this man faces it with unusual faith makes me humble in his courage and honored by his showing of love.

I pray “The Lord will strengthen him on his bed of illness; You will sustain him on his sickbed.” (Psalm 41:3) NKJV

We all need to check our priorities. Are they where they should be? Love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness and self-control. Can people see it in your actions words and deeds? If it isn't right you better get it right, because that is what we are all called to do and be.

Remember: youth is a gift from God, but age is a work of art.

CRUSADERS EQUESTRIAN TEAM 

Cowboy Pastor, Ty 

PastorTy@CrusadersEquestrian.org

Week of 04 August

Hey howdy hey! I hope you’re all well and that you have received blessings this week and that those blessings haven’t gone unnoticed or received without gratitude.

I’ll tell ya, it’s been interesting behind the scenes of the Crusaders in the last two weeks. It seems that we have been donated two real fine rope horses. Tracey, Ali, Carmen and I went to look at two horses that a fella wanted “good homes for “. Both horses were easy on the eye and rode like they had been taught and handled with a gentle hand. Big horses and the gelding was so fast that he was throwin’ dirt in the eyes of a jackrabbit. The mare was built like something from a magazine.

Well, long story short, when we got the horses back to the “Second Chance Ranch” and tried again to test drive them, “Bow”, the gelding, was flawless. Now on the other hand, the mare “Lucy” was as crazy as popcorn on a hot skillet. She was knockin’ ‘round like a blind dog in a meat market. Lucy was like a different horse, especially when out of sight of Bow. Lucy leaned on Bow for her sense of security and comfort. Later that night it made me think of many Christians and there relationship with Jesus.

The first step in overcoming any fear is to realize that it is, for a fact, removable. Next comes the process of removing it. This involves a practice not popular with the present generation: self-discipline. You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience which you look fear in the face. Most fears are baseless and empty. I heard said that 92% of the things we fear never happen. The other 8% when we stand up to them and face them are all overcome. Don’t fear a problem- solve it with God’s help.

It is written “Man is born into trouble, as the sparks fly upward” (Job 5:7) and “In the world you shall have tribulation” (John 16:33). It is also written “Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world”. This is what I’m thinking, if you are in fear and fell separated, remember (Psalm 73:24) “You will keep on guiding me with your counsel”. Ask God for guidance and follow it when it comes. Don’t panic , you will not be able to think clearly. Get quite, Pray to God and relax in faith. Don’t be overwhelmed and make the problem bigger. Don’t spend time on regrets, begin where you are. Seek a solution not for the whole problem but one step at a time. Ask yourself what is right and avoid what is wrong. Never give up, keep praying. Keep believing. “I am not afraid of ten thousand enemies, who surround me on every side.”(Psalm 3: 6).

Remember what Jesus said, “Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning.” (Luke 12:35). If he is with us who could be against us? If your going to tie up with one “horse”, tie up with the greatest of them all Jesus Christ, there will be no need of any other.

The relationship God offers to you is not for a moment in time, it’s designed to last a forever.

Go with God and he will keep you well.

Cowboy Pastor Ty

PastorTy@CrusadersEquestrian.org