Horses, Friends and God

Check this out!

Now, that is one zonked out horse! His name is Tomahawk—and I think it is hilarious and highly amusing to see horses doing two things. One, is sleeping while lying down (yes, horses do sleep standing up as well), and the second is watching a horse roll.

Do you know why horses don’t have to brush their teeth? Because their teeth never stop growing! Good thing for Tomahawk!

Each year CPYR offers Information Clinics. These clinics are for anyone in the United States, Canada, or from overseas to come and learn how to start a similar ministry. A week ago we held our first clinic—and what fun it was! There were about 110 people that came—each with great passion and zeal eager to learn as much as possible. Each came with their story of how God has placed this desire on their heart, and the privilege to listen and pray with many was a highlight!
They began arriving on Wednesday around 12:00ish. I was on “parking duty” and it was fun to greet each one as they drove onto the ranch. Each day was filled with classes ranging from the legal side of such a ministry, to hoof care, training horses, session ideas, communicating with children—and so much more. Each of us as staff or interns had various duties that kept the clinic running smoothly. There were several times that I had the opportunity to sit in on a class or two—and that was great also!

The second Information Clinic is from June 3-6. Your prayers are appreciated for safety in travel—as well as for hearts to be encouraged, strengthened and challenged as the participants seek the Lord’s guidance in their stepping out in faith where He is calling them.

One of my favorite chores is dragging the paddocks! Here are a few creative pictures as I get ready to have fun on the tractor!

This past week I had the privilege of working along side Laurie during several sessions. The young man pictured below arrived a little shy, but ready to be a cowboy for the day! When we were looking in the paddock to pick out a horse we could see he was a little afraid of the “big” horses, so Laurie guided him to Lightfoot. As we were grooming him he noticed some “color” on Lightfoot and asked “what is that”? Laurie explained that it was paint that hadn’t washed off yet. With big blue eyes full of question and eagerness he asked if he could paint his horse today. Of course!! This seemed to ease his concerns because he began talking away about all sorts of subjects. His smile became broader as he finished his heart, flower and eagle. Over and over he exclaimed: “I’ve never painted a horse before—this is so much FUN!”

It was a joy to enter into his little world of jabber and enthusiasm both while painting and when we gave Lightfoot a bath in the grass afterwards. Horses like to roll after they get wet so we brought Lightfoot to the round pen where it is sandy. Lightfoot didn’t seem too interested in rolling so the young man piped up and said, “I’ll show him how to roll so maybe then he will do it!” Indeed he did roll—right over a pile of manure! Getting up he looked down and said—“Oh well, now I will be dirty like him!” What a blessing it was for Laurie’s and my heart, and we pray for this young boy as well. Not only will he remember the joy and wonder of painting a horse, being a REAL cowboy by leading his own horse, but tucked also in his heart he will continue to know and understand the love of Jesus that was shared with him.

Wednesday was my horse lesson time and Kelsie took me on a trail ride!!!!! YEAH!! It was my first—and it was a blast! To be walking and trotting and going up and down inclines was such a different feeling than going around an arena! Remnant, my horse was happy to follow Hannah for a while, and then he thought it would be fun to go bush whacking :-). I think he thought it was funny that he could make it under or besides tree’s all the while knowing that I, his rider was doing crazy acrobatic movements to keep from getting smacked! It was great chatting with Kelsie about cars, motorcycles, and canoeing—and listening to her chat about horses, mountains and life at the ranch. The ride was the highlight of my week—thanks Kelsie—and thank you Father for laughter, joy and friends.

Many of you sent me notes regarding my last blog. Thank you for your prayers and encouraging words! This time in Oregon is not just about me serving on the ranch with horses and children—I am realizing that it is personal growth time for me as well. As new challenges arise, I have a choice: to either pursue growth, or to go backwards and stagnate. Yes, it is “easier” in the short haul to “curl up in a ball” or “hide in myself”—but there is no growth in that. There is no joy in living by going backwards. It is not always easy for me to reach out to others for help, for guidance, for encouragement and prayer. It is a risk to share one’s weaknesses, one’s shortcomings, one’s hurts. Yet, at this time, that is another area of growth the Father is wanting of me. I would appreciate your continued prayers as I walk out this journey of faith.

A source of encouragement and learning in this process is a book I brought along written by Chip Ingram that is titled “The Invisible War”. He describes the book of Ephesians in a new way so that it is becoming a favorite book of mine to read and ponder and grow from! The first 3 chapters tell us who we are in Christ. That we have been transferred from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light, we are redeemed, made new, have an eternal inheritance, and have the Holy Spirit indwelling in us. Paul (the author of Ephesians) goes on to talk about the body of Christ, the church. Each one has been gifted in unique ways, and we need each other in our walk of faith. Chapters 4, 5, and 6 talk of our relationship with Christ, the Holy Spirit’s workings and ministry, and how we are to live with each other as husbands, wives, parents and children. The last portion of Chapter 6 Paul gives insight to the world we live in. It is not a playground, but a battleground. We have an enemy—Satan—who prowls around like a lion waiting to devour us. However, we are not fighting for victory, we are fighting FROM victory!
Here we have been given a picture of a Roman soldiers armor. The belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit are tools we use so we will experience success in fighting back the enemy whose main goals are to deceive, accuse and cast doubt. What a blessing this book is to me! It has deepened and strengthened my faith and brought a peace and delight in knowing that my struggles cannot defeat me, because I STAND in the victory that has already been won in Christ! I John 4:4, 5:4-5 tell us this. I Peter 5:8-10, James 4:7 and Ephesians 6:10-18 assure us that we are invincible in Christ’s power when we are obedient to God and are living for Him.

As I have been reading and studying and applying these truths changes have been taking place in my heart. A peace, and a deeper sense of His unconditional love and a joy are beginning to grow. To begin the process of learning about community and relationships within the body of Christ and how essential we are to each other because that is how Christ created us—that too is stretching for me. God’s truths and ways are always best. As I surrender myself to Him, I am reminded of what Psalms 23 describes as the ultimate goal of every sheep—to be lacking nothing, cared for by our Shepherd.

How about you? Are you growing where He has you right now? Are you willing to follow the Shepherds calling—even if it means to step outside of your “comfort zone”? It doesn't have to be moving to another state or country. It could be to share the gospel with that neighbor, friend or grocery clerk. It could be to start serving in your local church as a teacher, piano player or serve on the hospitality committee. Whatever it is—I challenge you, as I am being challenged, to step out in surrender and faith knowing that our Father never calls us to do something he does not equip us to do.

One morning last week when I was getting ready to leave my apartment for the ranch I was surprised to see the tree's! Did I fall asleep and time flew by and it was Christmas already? They were so beautiful, so exquisite, that I had to take some pictures.

OK, OK, it was the sprinklers that were running in freezing temperatures that created the ice on the tree's :-)

Keep smilin’ and lookin’ to Jesus with me today!