INSPIRATIONAL MESSAGE
Lord, watch over each and every one here today as we send our horses hard
toward the first barrel. Help us remember the many people in public
service
that work hard each day to make our lives safe.
And after we turn that first barrel Lord,
help us to remember that there is more to life than winning.
Lord, as we push towards the second barrel
and make a beautiful turn,
may we think deeply and appreciate the pleasure we get
from the horses that power our way.
And Lord, as we turn the third barrel towards home,
help us remember the many hours of hard work that go into training
a horse to run the pattern and win.
This is an amazing sport, a sport that makes us laugh and sometimes cry.
A sport of sure determination and often luck.
Help us Lord not to blame our animals for our
lack of preparation and respect them for who they are.
We are all here for one reason to help us celebrate our common love for
barrel racing.
Lord, help us remember that even when all goes wrong,
you are always right!
Keep us safe, God Bless each of us today.
Amen.
My
Friend In The Alleyway
As
I head into the alleyway with you by my side, I hear you say "get
the money"!
Racing
forward to the first barrel I hear you say "find your spot". I find
my spot beside the barrel.
Just
as I have done in life. I found my spot beside you my friend.
Leaving
the first barrel I hear you say "look up". I look up to the second
barrel, and to heaven. I thank God for the sound of your voice in my life.
Rounding
the second barrel, I hear you say "push him". With one kick I
push my horse forward. Just like you have pushed me forward on the road to
achieving my life long dreams.
Around
the third barrel we go. Heading towards the timer, three barrels up, clock
ticking, the crowd roaring, and I hear you say "hustle". I
realize now if you hustle through life without finding your spot,
looking up to God, pushing the envelope to the max, and without friends
like you.
You
will never make it to the Pay Window.
Standing
at the Pay Window together laughing and smiling. I grasp the reality of the
moment. Money comes and goes, but the memory of a smile is forever.
As
we load up and go to the next race. I want you to know how much it means to me
to have you as my friend in the alleyway.
author
unknown
The Road of Life
At first, I saw God as my observer, my judge, keeping track of
the things I did wrong, so as to know whether I merited heaven or hell when I
die. He was out there sort of like a president. I recognized His picture when I
saw it, but I really didn't know Him. But later on when I met Christ, it seemed
as though life were rather like a bike ride, but it was a tandem bike, and I
noticed that Christ was in the back helping me pedal. I don't know just when it
was that He suggested we change places, but life has not been the same since.
When I had control, I knew the way. It was rather boring, but predictable it
was the shortest distance between two points. But when He took the lead, He
knew delightful long cuts, up mountains, and through rocky places at breakneck
speeds. It was all I could do to hang on!
Even though it looked like madness, He said, "Pedal!" I worried and
was anxious and asked, "Where are you taking me?" He laughed and
didn't answer, and I started to learn to trust. I forgot my boring life and
entered into the adventure, and when I'd say, "I'm scared," He'd lean
back and touch my hand. I gained love, peace, acceptance and joy; gifts to take
on my journey, My Lord's and mine. And we were off again.
He said, "Give the gifts away. They're extra baggage, too much
weight." So I did, to the people we met, and I found that in giving I
received, and still our burden was light.
I did not trust Him, at first, in control of my life. I thought He'd wreck it;
but he knows bike secrets, knows how to make it bend to take sharp corners,
knows how to jump to clear high rocks, knows how to fly to shorten, scary
passages. And I am learning t! o shut u p and pedal in the strangest places,
and I'm beginning to enjoy the view and the cool breeze on my face with my
delightful constant companion, Jesus Christ.
And when I'm sure I just can't do it anymore, He just smiles and says...
"Pedal." YOUR CROSS
Whatever your cross
Whatever your pain
There will always be sunshine.
After the rain
Perhaps you may stumble
Perhaps even fall
But God's always there
To help you through it all.
I've never made a fortune, and it's probably
too late now.
But I don't worry about that much, I'm
happy anyhow.
And as I go along life's way,
I'm reaping better than I sowed.
I'm drinking from my saucer,
'Cause my cup has overflowed.
Haven't got a lot of riches,
and sometimes the going's tough.
But I've got loving ones all around
me,
and that makes me rich enough.
I thank God for his blessings,
and the mercies He's bestowed.
I'm drinking from my saucer,
'Cause my cup has overflowed.
I remember times when things went
wrong,
My faith wore somewhat thin.
But all at once the dark clouds broke,
and the sun peeped through again.
So Lord, help me not to gripe,
about the tough rows I have hoed.
I'm drinking from my saucer,
'Cause my cup has overflowed.
If God gives me strength and courage,
When the way grows steep and rough.
I'll not ask for other blessings,
I'm already blessed enough.
And may I never be too busy,
to help others bear their loads.
Then I'll keep drinking from my
saucer,
'Cause my cup has overflowed.
When I think of how many people
in this world have it worse than I do.
I realize just how lucky most of us
really are.
Love never gives up, never loses faith, is
"A
Door of Authority has Opened in the Heavenlies"
by Victoria Boyson
http://www.boyson.org/
Much is said in
the church today about Christlikeness and we all want to be like Jesus. But
what does Christlikeness really look like? If you examine the life of Christ,
you will see that He was loving and compassionate; but, also, He did not coddle
demons, He rebuked them. When He encountered demonic forces, He took authority
over them. He did not try to reason with them, He just commanded them to leave.
He had zero tolerance for the enemy!
The Terror of Hell!
Wherever Christ went He spoiled the works of darkness and caused chaos in the
enemy's camp. He was relentless against the powers of darkness. Where there was
sickness, He brought healing. Where sin had taken hold, He blasted it with
deliverance. No demon was safe wherever Jesus went, because He took authority over
the demonic realm. Demons trembled when He approached them. He was the terror
of hell!
Yes, because of the authority He walked in, hell feared Him and they had every
reason to. Jesus knew who He was and Whose He was!
Jesus lived in the realm of the miraculous; His life was hemmed in by one
miracle after another. He did amazing, incredible things. Wherever He went,
blind eyes were healed, lame men walked, the dead were raised, demons fled, and
lepers were cleansed. He astonished the world and then He set the stage for you
and I to walk in the same power and authority that He did. He prophesied,
"Greater works shall [you] do!" (John 14:12).
Christ's Plan for Us: Greater Works!
He said that we would do even greater works than He did. He wants us to do greater
works; that's His plan for us. It was His idea for us to do great, incredible,
amazing things. He wants us to dwell in the realm of the miraculous. He wants
us to cause as much trouble for the kingdom of darkness as we can.
Where there is sickness, He wants us to bring healing! He does not want us to
beg Him for healings to take place, He wants us to command sickness to leave
and healing to come in its place. And where there is demonic activity, He
desires for us to cast it out. He wants us to tear down, rip apart, and ravage
the strongholds of the enemy.
A Door of Authority
A door to a greater level of authority has been opened in the heavenlies, and
the church must walk through it. No longer should we hang our heads in shame or
let self-pity wear us down. No, we must walk in the authority of Christ! It's
time for the church to operate in the authority that Christ purchased for us
with His life. It is time to walk in true Christlikeness, not false humility,
but to truly live like Christ in every respect.
The enemy has been busy harassing the Body of Christ. He has tried to weigh us
down with accusation and condemnation until we feel weak and incapable. But why
has he done this? What is he afraid of?
He is trying so hard to condemn us and convince us we are powerless, because he
is absolutely terrified of us!!! The thought that we might actually discover
just how powerful we are is horrifying to him, so out of his fear of us he
hounds and harasses us.
What Does the Enemy See When he Looks at Us?
What does the devil see in us that is so terrifying to him? He sees the
righteousness of God in us (see 2 Corinthians 5:21)! He sees untapped resources
of the power of heaven! He sees the prophecy of Christ looming before him and
that, at just the right moment, the church is going to break forth in the power
and authority of Jesus Christ!
He is petrified of you, beloved. That's right, you may see yourself as
insignificant, but believe me, you are what hell fears! When you stand to your
feet, hell trembles. When you kneel to pray, it panics. And when you speak
forth the truth of God in the authority of Christ, demons run screaming.
Sickness knows it must flee when you tell it to. Death knows you have power to
conquer it. The enemy knows that Jesus Christ has given you the keys to the
kingdom to unlock the power of heaven on the earth. The consumable, ferocious,
devouring power of Almighty God is in your mouth. When you walk in the
authority of Jesus Christ and command the enemy to BACK OFF, they know they must
obey you.
For too long we have believed the lies of the enemy - we have tried to co-exist
with him. But we can no longer tolerate the activity of the enemy in our
hearts, minds, bodies, families, churches, cities, and nations.
There are no little saints in the kingdom of God; no second-hand anointings.
Each one of us play an important role in the army of heaven. We must all do our
part in fighting the enemy and take the ground where the Lord has placed us.
You are important to the kingdom of God! He needs you!
"Stick Up for Yourself!"
I recently prayed for a brother in Christ and, as I did, the Holy Spirit spoke
through me, "Stick up for yourself, boy!" The words came with power,
and such wonderful revelation, too. We have to stick up for ourselves; we must
not let the enemy get away with his harassment of us! It is time we stick up
for who we are in Christ and not let the enemy torment us with lies of
accusation and condemnation.
It's time for the past to stay in the past! Do not let the enemy get away with
reminding you of it in order to keep you chained to it. Rip off the chains of
condemnation and guilt and use them to strangle him. Make him pay for harassing
you and your loved ones and make him fear attacking you again. You ARE the
righteousness of God in Christ Jesus, and great works shall you do.
I Hate Hell!
I hate hell! I hate hell having access or admittance to any member of the
kingdom of God. I see a child of God as the greatest treasure on earth, and
that treasure belongs to my God! How dare the enemy touch anything that belongs
to Him. How dare he be so bold to think he can bring harm to the bride of
heaven. His blatant audacity inflames me.
Beloved, it is time to get mad at the devil. He has tried to keep us focused on
hating one another, but his onslaught against us must only rally us together to
fight against him, and fight him we must! We must convince him we do mean
business.
Saints, we have been too passive with the enemy for too long. No more! Grab
hold of the authority of Jesus, man your battle stations and prepare for war!
Please pray this with me:
Dear Jesus,
I repent for not using the gift of authority that You purchased for me with
Your precious blood. Make me the terror of hell and the joy of heaven. Lord, I
thank you that I will walk in your fearless faith. And may I cause as much harm
to the kingdom of darkness as it has caused me!
In Jesus' name, AMEN!
Dancing with God
When I meditated on the word GUIDANCE, I
kept seeing "dance" at the
end of the word. I remember reading that doing God's will is a lot
like dancing.
When two people try to lead, nothing feels
right. The movement
doesn't flow with the music, and everything is quite uncomfortable
and jerky.
When one person realizes and lets the
other lead, both bodies begin
to flow with the music.
One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge
to the back or by
pressing lightly in one direction or another. It's as if two become
one body, moving beautifully. The dance takes surrender, willingness,
and attentiveness from one person and gentle guidance and skill from
the other.
My eyes drew back to the word GUIDANCE.
When I saw "G," I thought of
God, followed by "u" and "i." "God,
"u" and "i" dance." God, you,
and I dance.
As I lowered my head, I became willing to
trust that I would get
guidance about my life. Once again, I became willing to let God lead.
My prayer for you today is that God's
blessings and mercies be upon
you and your family on this day and everyday. May you abide in Him as
He abides in you. Dance together with God, trusting Him to lead and
to guide you through each season of your life.
This prayer is powerful and there is
nothing attached. If God has
done anything for you in your life, please share this message with
someone else, for prayer is one of the best gifts we can receive.
There is no cost but a lot of rewards; so let's continue to pray for
one another. I HOPE YOU DANCE !!!!!!!!!!!!
DAILY MOTIVATOR
Your attitude does not define you. It does, however,
represent you to the rest of the world.
Your attitude does not determine who you are. It does,
however, determine what you can accomplish.
Your attitude is not the inevitable result of events that
happen to you or circumstances that surround you. It is,
instead, based on the way you choose to respond to the
events and circumstances in your life.
You can choose an attitude that will open your eyes to the
valuable possibilities. You can choose an attitude that will
attract success and accomplishment to you like a magnet.
No matter what has happened in the past or where you are
now, you are free to choose whatever attitude you wish. So
choose, in every moment, a positive, empowering attitude.
For that will always serve you best.
Ralph Marston
THE
DAILY MOTIVATOR
Monday, March
7, 2005
Avoid the urgency
+++++++++++++++++++
Most things that end up being urgent didn't start out that
way. Most urgent matters, had they been addressed when they
first came up, would not have to be rushed.
Putting off a difficult task until later only makes it more
difficult. To truly make your life easier, go ahead and take
care of the hard stuff as early as you can.
When you put off something that needs to be done, you don't
get rid of it. You merely make it more burdensome than it
otherwise would have been.
Each time you procrastinate you deny yourself the
opportunity to get the work done calmly and carefully, at a
comfortable pace. Instead, you push the work to a time and
place where it must be hurried.
That ends up creating needless anxiety and reducing your
effectiveness. The far better choice is to go ahead and get
it done before the need for urgency sets in.
What could you take care of today that would prevent you
from having to deal with an urgent matter later? Go ahead,
get it done, and bring more peace and positive purpose to
your life.
Ralph Marston
As
I unload my horse
so
many thoughts are on my mind
Can
we get past that one small mistake
Don't
think about it, Yes we'll do fine
As
I brush out the soft flowing mane
and
carefully place the saddle pad
I
throw the saddle on his back
and
pull my cinch up a tad
I
buckle the trophy breast collar
We
won last Fall
Our
splint boots are velcroed just right
I
feel so Blessed with it all
Our
headstall sure is pretty
Santa
Claus knew the right one
to
make my horse's head gear
look
nice as it sparkles in the sun
Just
about ready, I whisper these words
Almost
time, to shine!
But
don't forget to talk to the Lord
before
you cross the line!
As
I begin to warm up my horse
I
take a minute to pray
And
give my thanks for all that I am
And
all I may be this day
Its
time to tighten our cinch
and
get the hoof pick out
Giving
our tack that final check
Removing
all of our doubt
My
heart pounds as we enter the arena
But
I know the Lord rides with me
And
as we round the 3rd barrel to head for home
I
smile 'cause I ride in all His Glory!
Past
the timer. with a sigh of relief
As
I slow my horse I listen for our time
Lord
we did it without that mistake
Your
comfort helped us do just fine!
I
climb down as my horse needs to cool
I
loosen the girth and start to walk
My
friends all tell me nice run and I smile
I'm
so glad Lord, We had Our talk!
The
Lord has blessed us all with the right
to
compete and do what we so love
Remember
each day as we prepare for the next
what
it takes to get to Heaven above.
So
you see all things are possible
when
you have the Lord on your side
I
pray my friends you have all taken the time
so
when we get 'up yonder' we can go ride!