Bite Yer Tongue

Sometimes I swear God puts me in certain situations, just so I can learn my lesson. Too bad I'm pretty stubborn, and usually end up frustrated when I can't get things right. I'm gettin better at opening my ears, biting my tongue, and taking a deep breath (James 1:19). One of these days I'll have to get the Doc to stitch my tongue back on. I'll get the hang of it one of these days.

Here's another post from Campfire Cowboy Ministries that has some good advice for life's fun situations. Bear down, try hard, and never give up. -- Tuff Hedeman

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“She’s as gentle as maple syrup poured on hot pancakes.”

This thought kept replaying in my mind as the horse I had agreed to ride for a friend was trying with all her might to buck me off. She was bein’ real honest about it. She was honestly tryin’ to rip me in two like a wishbone at Thanksgivin’. I had her covered, there wasn’t any doubt about that, but she was sure makin’ things more than a tad bit uncomfortable.

This mare just wouldn’t quit pitchin’. I knew she couldn’t buck me off and I promise you she had come to the same conclusion. But me and her were both givin’ it all we had. About halfway through the ride, I started getting asthma. I never leave home without an inhaler and I seriously considered goin’ for it while she was buckin’. I would have, but about the time I didn’t know how much longer I could hold out, she gave it up.

When I trotted her back up to the pen, one guy asked me how in the world I was able to stay on her for that long. I thought about for a minute and then I passed on the same advice that I had been told.

1. Keep Calm – This is probably the hardest of all. When a horse goes to pitchin’, it tends to unravel your nerves a little. But the best thing you can possible do is to not freak out. Freakin’ out will get you bucked off and hurt more than anything else. Take a deep breath and keep calm.
2. Keep Pushin’ – Most people grab onto the saddle horn if a horse farts real loud. I’m not going to criticize anyone that does, but how you use that horn will likely determine your outcome. DO NOT ever pull yourself forward towards that saddle horn. You must learn to push yourself deep in the seat by placing your hand on the horn and pushin’ yourself away from it. If you pull yourself forward, you are just helpin’ the horse. Pushin’ on the horn keeps your butt in the seat, your feet forward, and your head up.
3. Keep Confident – You can ride any horse. If you start doubtin’ yourself, you will start lookin’ for a place to land. This is the quickest way to arrive head first like a pasture lawn dart from a height of about six feet. No matter what’s goin’ on, don’t ever doubt that you CAN and you WILL.
4. Keep Workin’ – In between heart beats and hoof beats, you will probably have to reposition yourself. This might be with your stirrups or maybe even your reins. Don’t be lazy and just sit there waiting for the ride to be over. If your boot starts slippin’ in the stirrup, get a better hold on the next jump. If the horse is pullin’ you forward, shuck a little rein. Don’t be a lazy, reactive rider. Be proactive and keep workin’.
5. Keep Squeezin’ – Most people ride right on their wrangler pockets. You have to ride a horse with more than the seat of your pants. You need to squeeze that horse with your toes, your calves, your legs, your thighs, your everything. You need to be hanging on to the horse like you’re a spider monkey.
6. Keep Goin’ – Despite how you feel, the ride will be over in about 5-15 seconds. This may seem like a long time when it’s happening, but all in all, pitchin’ fits don’t last all that long. If you keep goin’, it’ll be over before you know it.

Life tries to buck us off all the time.

The lesson here isn’t just about ridin’ buckin’ horses. It’s about dealin’ with the fits that life throws at us. When things go wrong, we tend to freak out, pull ourselves into the problem instead of pushin’ away from it, start worryin’, we get lazy, we stop hangin’ on with everything we have, and we think the problems will last forever.

When a horse (or a life problem) knows it can get the best of you, you are in for a fight until you get ‘em covered. If you get bucked off, get back on. Once you get ‘em covered, they will no longer be able to give you the same kind of fits. So whether you are a cowboy or not, take these lessons and learn ‘em.

We all got some sort of buckin’ stock that needs tendin’ to.

Life Lessons According to James

Is there ever something you read over and over again, yet each time you gain a better understanding. But you can never seem to completely understand it… That is the book of James for me. These 5 chapters of my Bible are probably read more often than any other and yet I still get something new every time.

As a kid, about 80% of the devotionals or on the spot bible classes I remember from my dad were from the book of James. I never understood why, but I think his curiosity was passed on to me. I have read the book several times, studied in small groups, and even read the commentaries, and I still get something new every time.

James’ message is kinda does what ya always wish a best friend would do. No matter if I think life is going good or I’m struggling with something, James speaks to me. It’s like he knocks your feet out from under ya, and kneels down to to tell ya how it is, plain and simple. “Be patient, get off your rear and practice what you preach, act like you know how, respect the one who got you here, and again, be patient. I usually have a bit of a silent smile of defeat and say to myself “You’re right.”

Here’s a few of the statements that would be on my cork board if I had one…

• Testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. When you ask, believe and do not doubt. – 1:3-4, 6
• Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. Do not merely listen to the word. Do what it says. Blessed is the one who looks intently into the word, continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, and does it. – 1:19, 22, 25
• Whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking it all. Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment. – 2:10, 12-13
• Faith by itself, if not accompanied by action, is dead. Someone will say, you have faith; I have deeds. Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. As the body without spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. – 2:17-18, 26
• We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. This should not be. – 3:2, 10
• Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. If you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. There you will find disorder and every evil practice. The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-living, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. – 3:13-14, 16, 17-18
• When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives. God opposes the proud but give grace to the humble. Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will life you up. – 4:3, 6-7, 10
• You do not even know what will happen tomorrow. Instead, you should say, If it is the Lord’s will we will live and do this or that. Anyone who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins. – 4:14-15, 17
• See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You too, should be patient and stand firm. We consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. Let your yes be yes and your no be no. – 5:7-8, 11-12

Looking For That Open Door

About the only way I know how to read is when I finish one book, I go right on to the next. In fact, I actually read two books at a time; don't ask how I manage. This weekend I finished a book from an old cowboy friend and picked up the next from my shelf, Growing Up Colt by former Texas Longhorn Quarterback Colt McCoy and his dad Brad. Not that I'm a Longhorn fan, but rather a fan of Colt.

I think I was meant to pick up this one today. In the first few chapters, Colt talks about the roots his parents laid for him, as he finished at UT and his first start with the Browns. In it he talks about being patient, prepared, and keeping your head on straight. I look forward to rest of the book (30 pages in before I came up for air) and reading thoughts from Colt and his father. What struck me more was the viewpoint of looking for God to open a door after he seemingly closes another in your face. That's kinda where I'm at in life right now.

This will be my last week at the ranch in Southern Arkansas. Not that I want to leave, but sometimes we have to chose what's best for us. I hate moving. I hate not being able to settle in one place. But I'm looking for that place that fits me, and I'm waiting on God to open that door. Ranching is my passion, no doubt about that. I'm also passionate about sharing my knowledge and passion with others (hence this blog). But sometimes we take risks, and once in a while those risks come back to bite us. So I find myself "between jobs."

But I should count my blessings, as well all should. Only God knows where our path will lead us, and it's not our job to dwell on the past. I want to look for that open door. Where I can make a positive impact in Agriculture, build upon my skills in cattle production, and share my passion with others. I told myself a long time ago I was going to be a cattleman and make a difference, and that's still where my goals are set. I just have to figure out where that next step will be.

At this point, I may not have the stability in my life some employers are looking for, but I'm working on it. I do have my parents to thank for my good raising. Heck I really ought to thank my dad for putting up with me since my mom passed 5 years ago this week. It's been a rough road, but I have those principles to lean back on.

In Growing Up Colt, Colt lines out 4 principles his parents raised him by and even though they may not have expressed it, I'm pretty sure my parents gave me the same.

1. Prepare your children for the path, not the path for your children
2. Prepare your children to do their best
3. Prepare your children to be leaders
4. Prepare your children for opened and closed doors

I may not have kids yet, but can certainly thank my parents for what they gave me. Have you read Growing Up Colt? What did you make of it? I'm just getting started, but look for their to be some good thoughts to ruminate on throughout the book. If you do not yet have a copy, get one.

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him -- Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)

Mason Jars

Mason Jars (by Campfire Cowboy Ministries)
The young cowboy walked to his bunk and lifted the mattress and grabbed a twenty dollar bill. As he sat the mattress back down, his girlfriend asked if that’s where he kept all his money. He said it was and they walked out the door.

All the way to town, the young lady went over in her mind the hundreds of things that could happen to all his money. Finally, she couldn’t take it anymore and asked him, “What if the bunkhouse catches on fire and all your money burns up?”

“Don’t borrow trouble sweetheart,” the cowboy replied. “If you go through life worried about the fires, you’ll never see the forest.”

“You know what I mean Socrates! Why don’t you put that money in the bank? What if someone breaks in and steals it?”

The cowboy laughed and said, “I ain’t never been robbed by no burglar, but I’ve sure enough been swindled by some fellas in three-piece suits.”

“How much money do you have stashed underneath there?”

“Oh, I don’t reckon I pull it out and count it. But if I was to take an uneducated guess, I’d say a couple of thousand or so.”

“What?! You’ve got to get that in a safe or something to protect it.”

As they pulled up to the little cowboy church he said, “You know, it’s not even my money. Everything I have comes from God. I’ll let him protect it. I know you think I’m being foolish because I keep all my money in such a precarious place, but look at where God entrusted his message.”

“His message is kept in the hearts of humans,” he continued. “How broken and frail are we that he has placed his most precious gift? Yet, he asks us to keep it safe and spread it around for everyone else.”

“So you see, I trust God. Nothing is beyond his sight or his control. I don’t leave the money out for everyone to see, but safes and banks just keep the honest people away and they were never a threat in the first place.”

She sat there, trying to soak it in and understand. She opened the truck door and said, “I guess you’re right. If God can trust us with his message, then we can trust him with our lives.”

But we have this treasure in fragile mason jars, which is you and me, to show that the powerful message of salvation is from God and not from us. 2 Corinthians 4:7 (Simplified Cowboy Version)

Be Strong And Do Not Give Up



Where is the path in your life headed?
And who is at the center of your sights?



When someone asks who your favorite Bible character is, everyone has a different answer. Maybe it's a character from your flannel graphs in Sunday School, or that story rehashed by your Mother in your youth. Mine comes from a verse on the back of a Wrangler t-shirt. (Now you're either laughing or I've got your attention)

But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded. -- 2 Chronicles 15:7

I often get a funny look when someone asks what one of my favorite verses or characters may be and I respond with something from the Old Testament. But ole King Asa, his story is something that gives me strength. (2 Chronicles 14-16) Not that I've gone to worshiping Asherah poles, but there are plenty of modern day idols out there.

Asa was King of Judah. His reign had it's ups and downs, both a reflection of where his life was centered. When he lived a God-centered life, times were good, God watched over him, he was rewarded, and Judah was at peace. When things got to going good, Asa allowed his life to become Self-centered, he began reveling in riches and the glory of his Kingdom, and things took a turn for the worse. All a reflection of where Asa had his sights set.

For me, it's pretty easy to do the same. When things are going good, I'm making money, and life and work are going good, it's easier to set God aside and relish the moment. But the moment things turn for the worse, it's just as easy to start laying blame and fall off the path set for me. This is what I'd call a Self-centered life.

If I let God be the center of my life - going to Him for guidance, studying His instructions for me, thanking Him for the good things in life and looking for guidance when things get rough - I'll find myself on the straight and narrow. Things will go well, and when they don't I'll have that guardrail to keep me on the right path.

Let me give an example. Ranch work doesn't exactly lend itself to convenience to the world's schedule. The ranch isn't exactly in town, and it's pretty easy to come up with excuses for missing events with the church. Calving season sure puts me to a stretch, one thing goes awry on Sunday morning, and I miss services. My horse goes lame, there goes Sunday night's meeting. Mid-week meetings are easily skipped by claiming "it's just been a long, hard day at work and I'm too worn out to make the drive to town." It's alright, but I'm missing out on fellowship and encouragement I get from fellow Christians. I've still got my Bible reading at home and the landscape of God's creation on the ranch keeps me in touch. Then I start slipping on my Bible readings because watching television makes for less work. Before ya know it, I'm all bent out of shape. I'm living the self-centered life, because it's easier, whether I admit it to myself or not.

It'd be quite a shame to end up like that. Ranch life is the perfect way to live among God's creation, honor Him by caring for the land and the livestock, and being a Christian example for those around us. How ever isolated ranch life may seem, there are still those around us that notice how we are living. Now I'm not telling you that being a Christian means making every meeting with the church family, or reading your Bible every day, or giving everything to the poor. If you make God the center of your life, those things necessary will come naturally. Being a Christian is giving thanks to God for the gifts in your life, living on the path He has set for us, and giving respect to those around us, letting His light shine through our actions. You'll have a desire to study God's word and talk with other's about His gifts in your life.

I know I'm working on it. Every time I feel down in the dumps, like I'm slipping off the road, or like my sights have wondered off the path, I keep in mind King Asa. He was a man who lived for God, let his sights wonder, and God still took him back after he'd fallen off the path. But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.

2 Hours a Week

2 hours a week. Reading God’s Word. 17 minutes 8.5 seconds each day. 7 days per week. It’s the story of the woman at the well. David and Goliath. The message of Habakkuk. Creation and the fall of man. It’s the story of Joseph. Psalm 1-3. It’s the sermon on the mount in 2 days. It’s the trial, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus in three days.

It’s the amount of time it takes me to pop a bag of popcorn, pour a Dr. Pepper, find a good chair and eat it. To mow my lawn. To drive to a gas station and fill up my car.

The time it takes to walk across OSU’s campus. A third of an OSU lecture class.

It’s an inning of baseball. The time to play one hole of golf. To watch half a quarter of NBA playoff basketball. To watch an episode of Burn Notice on Netflix. To shower and get dressed. To order a #3 combo at McDonalds and eat it. To watch SportsCenter.

The time it takes to watch the sun rise. Or set. To drive halfway from Stillwater to Edmond. To watch 15 commercials. To send 30 text messages.

2 Hours a week. Reading God’s Word. 17 minutes 8.5 seconds a day. 7 days each week. To be consumed by the most important message ever known to mankind.

Some will read this and think of other things that might better serve as examples of 17 minutes 8.5 seconds each day. They might think things such as ‘I’m faster than that!”, “who orders a #3 combo? “ or “he doesn’t read very fast.”

Others will simply pick up God’s Word and spend 17 minutes 8.5 seconds each day. 2 Hours per week. Reading God’s Word.

“…his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water…” (Psalm 1)

--A message from Oklahoma State Campus Minister I thought worth sharing