Where in the world are you going??

Looking Ahead

When Amos and I are trail riding we look more ahead than behind. We are more concerned with what is in front of us than what is behind. I do occasionally look behind, however that may be to keep track of someone who is behind or the result of something coming from behind. My main focus is I want to see what is ahead of us. We may be approaching new territory or I may see an obstacle that Amos and I may need to maneuver around. A common obstacle on some of the trails is a footbridge. They are designed for human traffic not a 1,000-pound horse. Amos would probably attempt to walk across the footbridge if I urged him to, unaware that he could get seriously injured or even killed. My responsibility is to look ahead and find the better route for us. Amos may prefer the footbridge to crossing the stream, even if the stream is only 6” deep and 2’ wide! Crossing water is a depth perception issue with him. But I know crossing the stream is by far the safer route.

As we walk along our life path I am afraid we sometime see the footbridge as the safer route rather than taking the alternate route. We often hear the voice of God but sometimes don’t take the route he lays out for us because we think we can make a better choice. We need to be careful. We need to look to Christ to guide us.

Prayer Thought: Lord help me each day to take the right path you have laid out for me.

911! 911! Always wanted to ride in an ambulance!

Always wanted to ride in one of these - up front, not in the back! Well, I got part of my wish! I rode in the back last Saturday - not good! I was up-chucking all the way to the hospital - yuk.

I was at a men's b'fast and got extremely light headed, dizzy, and passed out. That was good for attention getter. Then I up-chucked my B'fast on the table at the restaurant - that rattled a few people - hee hee! Especially the restaurant staff! By the way, I am fine. They did keep me at the hospital for 24 hours.

Prior to Saturday I was on 4 blood pressure meds, 3 meds for heart blockage. and heavy meds for Parkinson disease. Well, I have decided to get my act together. I have lost 28 pounds in the past 7 months, been exercising, (riding bike as much as 16 miles a day) and a much healthier diet. What happened last Saturday was a result of now being over medicated! Whoopee! They Immediately took 3 of my Blood Pressure pills away, and the last pill they reduced it from 100mg to 25mg daily! They also cut my Parkinson med in half! I am feeling great! My body is still adjusting so I would suggest if we eat out together? Don't sit across the table from me!

Lets get out of here - NOW!

January 21^st

Scripture: “But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, Godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.” I Timothy 6:11

Flight

The horse being an animal that is preyed upon will respond to danger with flight. Very quickly if need be! Sometimes leaving the rider in mid-air flight as well. Amos will use flight as a means of escape if need be. He is not a spooky horse. He has confidence in me through training and experience and unless I urge him to flee, he is okay. When trail riding together we often come up on something new. It could simply be a bush that is shaped “unusual” that looks “different” to Amos. I can tell quickly if he is on alert. Maybe his ears show tenseness, muscles tighten, gait changes, maybe even stiffer. The quicker I pick up on the clues the more likely I can settle him down and reassure him. I do not want him to go into a flight mode unless there is a real threat.

Flight is a means of escape for the Christian as well. Sometimes we don’t use it enough. When we should be fleeing, we tend to hang around. I try to get Amos use to things that are not dangerous but that are a “concern” for him. However, if it is a serious hazard that we need to be clear of, I want him to move away from it now. I don’t expect his curiosity to put us in danger.

Prayer Thought: Lord help me today not to “hang around” those things that I should flee from.

Merry Christmas!!

Scripture: “And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” Luke 2:7

Royalty

We have a couple of nativity sets that we set out during the Christmas season. In fact one is a very nice ceramic set with 18 pieces. It includes shepherds, wise men, camels, sheep, and the complete set. However, it does not include a horse! I can’t recall ever seeing a nativity set with a horse in it. I have seen burros and donkeys but no horses. At first I must admit I was troubled by it. But I think I have figured it out. At least I have my version of the nativity scene. Horses probably belonged to royalty or the Roman army. Therefore they were not kept in a lowly stable. Even the wise men are out of place at the nativity scene. Most religious scholars put the wise men at the house of Mary and Joseph after the birth of Christ. Why no Horse? Royalty at the manger would have added some specialty at the manger scene. I guess that’s not what God intended.

Christ was born for all. He did not come as royalty or even born in a royal setting. He came as the Savior of all mankind and that includes you and I. He did not exclude anyone in his message of salvation by giving us His Son. The question we have to ask ourselves is do we accept the gift of Christ personally?

Prayer Thought: Thank you for the manger scene. But most of all thank you God for sending us your Son.

Where are you headed?

Scripture: “For the Lord will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being caught.” Proverbs 3:26

Confidence

A couple of days ago I took Amos on a short trail ride on Shamrock Stables property. On the way back to the barn I took a short detour. Now Amos could see the barn already and was focused on going that direction, he knew where he was going and was confident that the barn was our destination. Now I was asking him to change his direction and he hesitated slightly. I headed in a direction that made no sense, but he was willing to obey. However now he was confused.

We headed towards the area where several horse trailers were stored; they were lined up side by side. As we got closer he became a little nervous. I was urging him to go between two trailers. The trailers were close enough that I could put my feet out and touch the trailers with the stirrups. He balked and backed up several times, refusing to go between the trailers. It was a very confining area and horses do not like to go into areas that “trap” them. After several attempts and gentle urging by me he went right on through.

Sometimes God seems to change our course without reason. Maybe there is no other reason than to test our obedience. Amos, I wanted him to learn to trust me. Maybe down the road on a new trail we will come to an obstacle he is not familiar with, will he trust me? I hope so, because in two days we are going to a new riding trail. I know that, he does not. God knows what is ahead of us as well.

Prayer Thought: Lord, what you ask may not seem reasonable, but I will trust You with confidence!

Life Can change in an Instant!

This picture was taken in 1964 - 47 years ago and 60 pounds lighter! Two weeks ago I sat in the doctors office and was told I had blockage in blood vessels to my heart. I had been experiencing "discomfort" in my chest when exercising (riding bike) or even moderate walking. The good news? No surgery, no stents, will try to control with meds, losing weight and diet changes. So far so good on all fronts.

I don't think I will get the "old" body to look like the picture again (need a toupe' for sure!) but I am going to do my best! (smile).

We plan to head for Florida for the winter soon. May head for the beach. If you get down in the Ocala area look me up. Just make a copy of the picture and check the beaches - just remember, no hair and add 60 pounds! Oh yeah, add 47 years plus wrinkles.

Follow me!

If you have followed my blog at all you have seen this picture - the problem is, if you have never been where this picture was taken you have no idea where you are going.

But I think if you were following me you would trust me to lead and have confidence that I would know where we are going. But there are other problems, to follow me you had to leave certain things behind. You had to leave family, you couldn't follow me if you had to work, you would probably need a horse. If you've never ridden a horse or you were afraid of horses, you just probably wouldn't go. I guess the question is, what are you willing to do to follow me? Susan, the lady who took this picture is a great rider. She was right behind me on this trail. I knew she was there, we talked together, we talked about what was ahead, but she was not worried because she trusted me to lead. She was very relaxed and left a lot behind to follow.

Luke 18 verse 22 says "...Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come follow me." To "inherit eternal life" requires asking for God's grace to forgive us of our sins, but that requires us to give him all. If we are unwilling to give him all we cannot follow him. The rich young ruler walked away because he was not willing to give all.

Giving all is not an option. Its mandatory. Everything I have belongs to God, including my time.
What is most obvious in the picture is overlooked. To be there when that picture was taken required my time and a willingness to be there. Think as you finish this, where are you headed? Are you following where Christ wants you to? Does He have you completely? Is he asking for you to do something? Trust him and follow.