11/3/2013

AROUND THE CAMPFIRE
CRUSADER’S DEVOTIONAL


Hey howdy hey, Thanks for reading this week and I hope God’s blessings have come your way and that they have not gone unnoticed or received without gratitude.

Have I ever written about a time years ago when a friend and I were out looking for a horse for him to buy? He was a good rider and had knowledge of horses, but he seemed to be attracted to a certain kind of horse. Tall and fast was to his likin’, despite its level of training. Let’s just say horse shopping with him, I saw him hit the dirt more than rain drops in a thunderstorm. I had started to take Aspirin before we headed out to look at any horse and that was just to watch. At one stable we were looking at a tall gelding that was handsome but was lacking in brains. Dangerous to ride, painful to watch and a poor investment of money. Standing off to the side in a shabby little stall with some of the rails taped on and standing up to her pasterns in mud and muck was this nice little mare. I’d say she was about 15.3 hands, nice conformation and a soft eye.

I walked over and introduced myself and she was attentive and interacted like she fully enjoyed the company. I said to my over horsed, under thinking friend, “what about this one?“ He looked at her as if he had just taken a bite of sour rhubarb and said “There’s only four things wrong with her, M.A.R. and E. She is too small and doesn’t look fast enough to get out of her own way.” Well I said, “Doing all this horse shopping you must have hit your head once too often. I bet ya bullets to buttons she rides real nice.”

So we took her out of her stall and cleaned her up some. She was a nice bay with a beautiful blaze and no socks at all. I don’t want to take the long way around the barn but let me just say I’ve received Christmas cards with my friend, his wife and two daughters, and you guessed it, that M.A.R. and E., she has become one of his family. The way he talks about her you’d think she had won the Triple Crown.

Funny sometimes our calling is right in front of us but we are so wrapped up in ourselves we miss it. ‘Course when I say “calling” I’m talking about the calling of God. It is written “Do everything you want to do; take it all in, but remember that you must give an account to God for everything you do.” (Eccl 11:9). Maybe you have been blessed enough to receive your calling (I feel most believers have) but either ignored it or froze up in fear of the calling. God has given each of us a special ministry that he wants us to perform to bring glory to his name. “Complete the ministry God has given you.” (2 Tim 4:5)

Two things come to mind. Seems like a lot of folks ask, How do I know what my calling is? “Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path” (Ps. 119: 105). Get to know God intimately through his word and let him guide you in all that you do.

The second thing that comes to mind is fear. Fear is normal but should not keep us from God. We should never respond to a crisis with fear or doubt in mind. Remember on that day at about three o’clock in the morning when Jesus was walking on the stormy waves. The disciples cried out in terror thinking he was a ghost. But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid” he said “Take courage! I am here”. Then he climbed into the boat, and the wind stopped. (Jn. 48:51)

It is what we all must do. Answer our calling. Be still and take courage, it could be right in front of you and you miss it by having the wrong horse saddled.

I thank God for his grace and many blessings, and pray that we all 

Have the courage and faith to answer his calling.

In the name of your Lord Jesus Christ of the Nazarene.


Cowboy Pastor: Ty
PastorTy@CrusadersEquestrain.org                                                            

Week of Oct 21, 2013

AROUND THE CAMP FIRE

CRUSADER’S DEVOTIONAL

Hello ya all! I hope you are blessed with contentment and are giving thanks to whom all good things come from. 

A few weeks ago some Crusaders and I went on a trail ride. We rode to an area where a friend of ours keeps his cattle. Now, as I got off Virgil to open a gate I noticed what I thought was an awful pretty flower. A rider went by it and said it was a “weed” then a second rider came by and said “Yep, it’s a weed.”

About a week later, a friend and I went for a walk down a dirt road and I saw the same kind of “weed” and I asked him, “is that a flower or a weed?” he simply said “weed.” Just then a multi-colored butterfly landed on that weed and it was one of the prettiest sights I’ve seen in a long time. Why I’d say it was as pretty as a new born colt. To my way of thinking, that day at that moment, that weed was the prettiest flower I ever seen. 

Sometimes we can be so blind that we can’t even see through a barbwire fence. See, nature talks to us if we are only quiet enough and still enough to listen. That “weed” is all of us and for that butterfly, well that’s God’s grace. God knows his weeds from flowers but his love and mercy (that butterfly) can make a weed into something pretty unforgettable. 

I’m afraid that a lot of people see themselves as weeds, even though God sees them as flowers. In that weed out in the field I saw nothing but beauty and thought his grace and love touches us unnoticed. Love is shown outwardly surely, but must begin inward. Loving yourself and the Holy Spirit within you is where it all starts. Some people live in a self imposed world of darkness, dark enough to slow down a bat. I’m telling ya right now, love steels the spine and settles the heart. 

But, how do we get to that stage and awareness of love? We must abandon ourselves, all our fears, doubts, insecurities, comparisons to others, hate, judgment and conceit. Ask the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with Christ Like character. Beauty should not only consist of outward

things, instead it should consist of the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very valuable in God’s eyes. Do not look at the things that are seen, but at the things that are not seen. Seek the lord and his strength, seek his face continually. (Chronicles 16:11)

The hammer shatters the glass, but forges steel. If you’re made of glass, if you’re superficial, if there is no faith in you, adversity will crack and shatter you. The seed of the weed will show itself. But if within you lies the victory that overcomes the world, the grace of the lord shall shine upon you. “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” (Mark 5:19). 

Let’s face it, we are all like the weed, but if a butterfly landing on a weed makes for a pretty picture, imagine what the Lord’s grace landing on us can look like. Don’t feel you have to understand so much. It’s not complicated, if you want to be a better person, just get hold of something of him, even if it’s only the hem of his garment, you will be made perfectly whole if your desire is real. No longer defeated but victorious in all ways through Jesus Christ. I say let that butterfly land. From weed to flower. From sinner to saint. From Death to life. Thank you Lord for the butterflies of this life. 

Cowboy wisdom: One disadvantage of having nothing to do is you can’t stop and take a rest. 

May God’s blessings be upon you. 

In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene. 

Cowboy Pastor: Ty

PastorTy@CrusadersEquestrian.org

Around The Camp Fire Crusader’s Devotional

Around The Camp Fire
Crusader’s Devotional

Hey howdy, hope ya all had a great week and received blessings that brought great joy and softened your heart. Some may know firsthand and maybe others from out of state have heard about it in the news. We here in Colorado have gotten enough rain in the last eight days to drown a duck. The mud in the horse stalls will pull the boot right off your foot. On the other hand, on the good side it is now a perfect time to trim the horse’s hooves. Yet the old saying “one man’s rain is another man’s tears” holds true. The rain has caused enough damage in some parts to keep a carpenter as busy as a one-armed paper hanger. Thoughts and prayers go out to those who have suffered troubles due to the rain.

One early evening during a downpour, I watched as some of our horses stood dry in their stalls with just their heads outside the doorway watching the event. Other horses would stand outside as if it was a beautiful spring morning, apparently not bothered by the heavy rain and getting as wet as a preacher at a baptism. Others went well into their stalls and did what came natural to them and just went to eating with little interest in the event that they had no control over. Simple choices - stand in the rain, watch those standing in the rain, or do what comes natural and eat. And yet there is another kind of horse. The herd horse - not a leader but willing to do what the “higher ranking” horse stalled next to him does. If the higher ranking horse stands outside in the rain so will he. If the horse of higher rank goes inside the stall so will the herd horse. Now I must tell ya about Moe. Moe is a blind horse. It’s rather amazing because Moe knows what goes on around him but the heavy rain seems to disorient him. Moe depends on the mare next to him for guidance and sense of security. Moe would stand in the rain if the mare did, thinking that’s where he should be. 

Being a simple man that reads the words of God, it got me thinking of sin. Think of the rain as sin for just a moment. Some stand in it as if they enjoy it or know no better, it’s maybe all they have ever known. Others stand out of the “rain” nice and dry but do nothing but judge those out in the “rain.” Yet others get out of the fall of the “rain” and do what is natural to them, what God intended them to do, seek shelter. Then there are the ones who know of the “blind” and guide them out of the fall of “rain” and into shelter of the lord. Of these, which are you? One that thrives on sin standing in the rain, thinking there will be sunny days to come {church} so a little sin wouldn’t hurt, because “I’ve been saved.” May be you might be the one who stands dry in his stall and watches the “rain” fall on others and thinks it’s a shame but does nothing to guide the “blind” to shelter. “It’s ok, I’m just going to sit here in my pew where it is safe and hope that every one else is dry from the “rain.” Or you are one of courage who guides those in the “rain” to the shelter of God’s grace, salvation and love. Are you a herd horse or a horse of rank? Ya know God made you to be a “horse of rank.” It is written “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; DO NOT BE AFRAID, nor dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”(Joshua 1:9) 

“Satan, the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe, so they are unable to see the glorious light of the good news that is shining on them…” (2 Cor 4:4). Lead the “blind” to shelter and if they will not move out of fear, stand beside them in a symbol of love and hope. Most of all, do not be afraid. Ask yourself this; what would Jesus do?

The true Christian is prepared for spiritual warfare, may the blessing of the Lord’s hand never leave you.

I pray this in the name of our savior Jesus Christ of the Nazarene. 

PastorTy@CrusadersEquestrian.org 

Around the Campfire, Cowboy Ministry

                                                      AROUND THE CAMP FIRE

                                                    CRUSADER’S DEVOTIONAL

                                                            09-12-2013/ Thursday

Howdy! Hope you’re all well and enjoying the blessings that come with every day and learning from the good and bad that is around each of us every day.

About two weeks ago I was hauling in the last load of hay for the summer. Now I took my time, used four straps, had it tied down pretty good I thought. See it was only a hundred bales of alfalfa and it stacked like bricks. So I talked with Lyle for awhile until the sun was getting low and the clouds were coming in. As I drove out of the long driveway, I adjusted my side mirrors so I could keep a close eye on the hay (a largeinvestment of time and money on everyone’s part). When I got to the first stop sign on the street and made a right hand turn, sure enough, off come two bales. They came from right in the middle of the stack where they rarely fall from. It was getting dark and I could also see the headlights of the cars behind me. I flipped a u-turn as quick as I could and they were just right in the middle if the road.

As I’m driving to pick them up a car pulls over. A little fancy Mercedes- Benz coupe pulls over and out gets this fella with a ponytail half way down his back and very city dressed like. Flashy rings on just about every finger. And he was as big as a twenty-mule- team freight wagon. He stacked the two bales on top of each other and waited for me as I pulled up. I pulled up and got out of the truck and said “thanks a lot, sure appreciate your help”. The big long haired fella said “sure man, no problem”. Then he picked up a bale in each hand and said “back of the truck good enough?” “That will work I said, then as easy as a kitten hoppin’ over a caterpillar, he throws them both at the same time into the back of the truck. We shake hands and go our own ways.

Driving home I’m now driving slower then usual. I have an uneven stack and didn’t want to be pickin’ bales of hay up out of the road or cause an accident. I can see a row of headlights behind me and as I stop at a stop light a car pulls next to me and the young male driver says “be careful, your tail lights are out”. All while this man in a van pulls to the side of the off ramp at the light and is yelling things that you wouldn’t hear at Sunday school none. I guess he didn’t care for my careful driving. The young man in the car next to me that gave me the kind warning and I just looked at each other and started laughing. I shook my head and said “the difference in people is amazing”.

It got me thinking about what the Bible warns us about other people and ourselves. Let’s start with the first guy. Expensive car, nice clothes, jewelry and long hair, obviously not living the same life style but made me think “do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment” (John 7:24) meaning if your going to judge, judge by the words and actions of a person. Judge what is shown by their heart not by their appearance. True,only God knows what is in the heart of a man, but if we listen and watch close enough signs will show themselves.

Thinking of the second guy, the young man who probably didn’t take too kindly to my slow driving but still had the kindness of heart to be patient and warn me of the danger of my tail lights being out. In the words of our savior “Be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.” (Luke 6:36) This young man took the time to think of another before thinking of himself. Howrare such thought. “…The lord has filed a lawsuit against you saying: there is no faithfulness, no kindness, no knowledge of God in your Land.”(Hosea 4:1)

The third man in the story of three. The one who was usin’ double- barreled syllables while not swallowing his tongue at all. “ If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are just fooling yourself and your religion is worthless.” (James 1:26).

Speaking for myself, I’ve been all three of these men, sometimes all in one day. But for sure and for certain I know out of the three the one I wish not to be. I guess in closing I’d say give as twas given to you in your time of need, love as the master loved you; be to the helpless a helper indeed; unto your mission be true. The whole thing makes me think of the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson; “To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.”

I pray that we all are guided by the holy spirit in thought, words, actions and habits, making our habits and character Christ like in love and kindness. Let the world judge our appearance, let theworld see the Lord Jesus Christ in our hearts.

In the name of Jesus Christ of the Nazarene.

So be it.

Cowboy Pastor Ty

PastorTy@ CrusadersEquestrian.org

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