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tesnusxenos
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Name: Rachel
Gender: Female
Interests: Jesus, Shorty Robinson, Koine Greek, Theology, Ministry, China, Hermeneutics, Horses, Cats, dogs, Whipped cream, Expresso, Hiking, Mountain Climbing, Yoga, Swimming, Cooking, Chocolate, Star gazing, Pecans, Steak, Nachos, Elephants, Dreams
Expertise: Procrastinating!!!!!!!
Message: message me
Website: visit my website
AIM:  tesnusxenos
MSN: tesnusxenos
Yahoo:  tesnusxenos
Member Since:
9/28/2005
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| FocusFocus
When you ride it is best to focus on where you want to go -An easy concept to understand but sometimes difficult to perform. If you are jumping, you need to focus on the other side of the jump. Sometimes we make the mistake of looking at the jump, and it is easy to have your horse stop right there at the jump if you do. It is a matter of intent; your intent needs to be the other side of the fence, so your focus should be there. You need to look where you want to go, not at the obstacles in the way.
2 Corinthians 4
17For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (NIV)
Sometimes it is hard to think of our troubles as “light and momentary” but they are if we view them in the context of eternity. It is so easy to focus on the problems and forget the goal of our journey, our finish line.
Philippians 3
13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
15All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. (NIV)
Little kids are often fond of asking,”Are we there yet?” When it comes to riding we are never there yet. Riding is a journey just as our walk with Christ is a journey. We have a direction we are headed, but as long as we dwell here on earth we will not get “There”. We need to keep growing and learning. There should be joy in the journey and enthusiasm since we are headed toward home, and our father who loves us is eagerly awaiting our arrival.
Hebrews 12
2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (NIV)
Have you ever noticed how eagerly your horse follows a trail when his buddy is a little ways ahead? He just follows; you don’t have to guide him much, and he doesn’t need much encouragement either. When a horse is afraid to cross over a bridge or through a stream, having another horse in front for him to follow gives him horse courage. Both of you need to focus on that other horse. Don’t look down at the water that is not where you want to go! Encouragement, the giving of courage, that is what focusing on Jesus ahead of us, heading toward home should give us.
Sometimes our focus gets too much on the future and we can forget to take care of the business of today. We can’t see heaven, so we focus on Jesus.
There is an old horseman’s adage- “You have to ride the horse you have today.” If we focus on where we think we should be instead of on Jesus, we will have problems. We have Jesus with us so, though we know where we are going, our instructions are to focus on Jesus and not on the future. We want to go where he is and he knows the trail that we should take. So we need to follow hard at his heels. We need to keep him in sight. We don’t need to hurry, but we do need to keep following. Our goal is to be where Jesus is; he is our guide to our future.
Romans 15
4For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
5May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, 6so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (NIV)
We have our road map, the scriptures, and we have our compass, the Holy Spirit, we also have our guide Jesus Christ. Sometimes we may be confused if we misread the map or the compass, but we can always ask our guide. He will get us where we are going. Sometimes when we can’t see where we are headed we just have to trust our guide and follow Him.
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| ExposureExposure
My Husband and I came across a bull snake a while back. At first I thought it was a rattler but he instantly new it was a harmless bull snake. He knew because he has run into many rattlers. I am a little wimpy that way; I generally try to avoid snakes altogether. He recognized the snake for what it truly was because of his exposure to snakes. I was reminded about a story I heard about bank clerks learning to recognize counterfeit money; they learn by being exposed day after day to the real thing (not by examining counterfeit money). They have been so exposed to the real stuff that the fake stuff jumps right out at them.
Mark 13
21At that time if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or, 'Look, there he is!' do not believe it. 22For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect--if that were possible. 23So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time. (NIV)
Here in Mark’s Gospel we are reminded that false prophets are going to try to deceive us. If we have been thoroughly exposed to the real gospel they shouldn’t have a chance. We will be like the bank clerks that have handled thousands of twenty-dollar bills.
James 1
16Don't be deceived, my dear brothers. 17Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (NIV)
Horses that have been exposed to a variety of things are less likely to panic when they encounter something new. If we keep them in their own little corner of the world then anything new may frighten them. If a horse has seen hundreds of different jumps, a new jump is just something to get across. If he has been exposed to bikes and tricycles and baby carriages and motorcycles, if someone comes by on an ATV, he isn’t going to worry that it might eat him.
If we walk with the Lord and interact with him in a variety of places, when we head into unknown territory, we will understand that he is with us. If we keep our relationship with him confined to morning devotions and church on Sunday we may panic when we are confronted with a major upheaval in our lives or even a minor one. If our communication with Jesus is sparse in the easy times, we may feel uncomfortable about calling out to him when times get difficult. If we have been walking with him, we will notice the little things he does to help us through a trying time that we would miss if our awareness of his presence were dulled by lack of use.
It is hard to learn in a vacuum. The things we teach our horses in isolation have a way of disappearing when things get hectic in a warm up ring. My cow dogs don’t listen as well when they are in hot pursuit of a cow. It is necessary for us to gradually expose the dogs and horses to high-tension situations so that they can learn to be attentive to their masters even when things are exciting and distracting.
Ephesians 6
18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. (NIV)
Martha was distracted from listening to the Lord because there was work to do.
Luke 10
40But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"(NIV)
She had made a choice to be busy working instead of sitting and listening to the Lord. Sometimes we decide that “our” task is so important that everything else falls to the wayside. It is a way of feeling important, “ I am important because I am getting this done”. This is a counterfeit belief. The world doesn’t fall apart when we don’t finish our chores. Often when we are stressed because we are doing too much, we have been distracted from listening to the Lord by our need to “get it done”. If we back off, others have the opportunity to serve the Lord. We do this with our cow horses, we give them the opportunity to volunteer the work on their own, instead of orchestrating their every move. It is a way of exposing our horses to work, if the horses don’t volunteer someone can always go get the escaping cow, but if we compel the horses to go immediately then they don’t learn their job as well. The horses learn to watch carefully for the escaping cows so that they do not have to chase them so far.
The Lord exposes us in a manner similar to this. In the busy preparation for the event we get to learn to back off and let others serve also. We get to learn to not be distracted from our listening to Him.
Mark 9
7Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: "This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!" (NIV)
Listening is such an important skill. I recently was struggling with a horse that was distracted when learning his flying lead changes. He would anticipate my asking and change too early (before I asked him). Then one day we got a new welder and my son was welding in the shop and the strange noise bothered the horse, but because this horse is in the habit of listening and obeying it made flying changes incredibly easy! He was distracted by the noise until, I told him to change and then he would change immediately and cleanly because even in the midst of a scary distraction he was listening to his Master! I want to be like my horse, I want to be listing even more closely to my Master when things are scary or distracting.
Mark 9
7Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: "This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!" (NIV)
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| Do you Shine?Do you Shine?
When we go to a horse show we want to stand out. We want to be noticed. I recently heard a judge say that in the first thirty seconds of a ride she had a very good idea what the final score was going to be. People primp and groom trying to make their horse look good but quality of training is what really impresses the judges. The great riders and their horses just have a certain air about them.
Daniel 12
3 Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. (NIV)
There is a confidence that goes with the trust that the horse and rider have with each other that shines forth in a way that is similar to how we can shine when we have a firm faith in the goodness of the Lord. When we really trust in the Lords will for our lives we stop getting upset about the little things so much.
Philippians 2
14Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe 16as you hold out the word of life--in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. (NIV)
When we are in a tough situation we can rest in the Lord knowing that He is in charge and that everything we encounter is trivial and only temporary compared to the riches that are in store for us.
Matthew 5
15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. (NIV)
How often is our light hidden because we refuse to relax and trust in our Lord? Like the horse who fears harsh training has our fear of the Lord blotted out his kindness in our minds? When we understand the sacrifice that Jesus made for us how can we doubt his goodwill? Some horses do not look good because they have not yet learned to listen and obey. There is a constant subtle fighting with their master. There are also horses that are so hung up on their surroundings that they do not listen.
Our love for Jesus ought to have a visible effect on our countenance. The way we carry ourselves and the expression on our faces ought to show that we are proud to be servants of our king. Sometimes this is hard work but if we remind ourselves why we are here and who we are serving and let our faces reflect that thought it is much easier. There needs to be something about us that draws people to desire to be around us more. As the calm gentleness of a well-trained horse draws the judge’s eye our demeanor should make people wonder what makes us “different”.
Sometimes people get hung up in the legalities of the Bible and start to become like mechanically obedient horses; they lose their zest and spark as they numbly follow the rules. The rules become more important then their relationship with Jesus and with their fellow man. They can forget to live. People like this often tend to become isolated from the world and without influence. We need to remember the freedom that Jesus bought for us. Often when we get to into the law we are trying to make ourselves “look” good instead of lifting up those around us.
Philippians 2
1If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. (NIV)
The Glory belongs to the Lord; our light should be a reflection of His. Our light comes from our relationship with him. Let us reflect Him in all we do!
Isaiah 60
1"Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. (NIV)
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| DisciplineDiscipline
Sometimes we discipline ourselves and sometimes the Lord does it for us. Discipline has a variety of meanings. But to me it means doing something you would rather not. Sometimes we would rather not get horseback, but if we are serious riders we do anyway. Today I was cold and stiff and the idea of riding out in the wind was not my idea of a good time. But I did go, I told myself that I could just walk if that was all I felt like but I did need to make the effort. Often if we start slowly we can enjoy things that seem unpleasant at first. Discipline is training that is done to produce a pattern of behavior. Dressage is a word that can be translated as training or preparation. It comes from the old French that means to set up or arrange. We are setting our horses up to learn things, and we set are selves up to learn the lessons the Lord has for us by disciplining ourselves.
1 Timothy 4
7Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 8For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. (NIV)
We have to discipline ourselves to be godly. It is not something that comes naturally to us. Just like exercise, sometimes it is something that you have to make yourself do. Stretching is something that is tough for us to want to do both physically and emotionally. If we want to build endurance we have to push ourselves past the point where it is “fun”. We move the limits back by pushing beyond our comfort zone both with endurance and stretching.
Hebrews 12
7Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? 8If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. (NIV)
For me small steps are the key. Sometimes I have to talk my self into heading to the barn when I am feeling lazy or have a headache or a bad cold, I may not be able to convince my self I need to train hard, but I can convince my self to just make a start to go to the barn and brush my horse. After I get started, I find it is not as difficult as I thought and then, “Well maybe I should ride after all.” I can go on from there and soon I am through the warm up and can really work. I am like that with exercise also. After I get started I am fine but starting can be difficult. Some days it is a matter of just keeping on going (that is what endurance is).
I think starting with small steps can help us grow in the discipline of following the Lord also. Just as we go from easier gymnastic patterns with our horses to harder exercises we can start with small steps in our learning to serve Jesus. You might start by just showing up at church regularly (instead of sleeping in). You could start by telling an acquaintance about Jesus (how come it is so much harder to tell a loved one?). You probably know the small step the Lord wants you to take first (He has written his laws on our hearts)
Jeremiah 31
33 "This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel
after that time," declares the LORD.
"I will put my law in their minds
and write it on their hearts.
I will be their God,
and they will be my people.
34 No longer will a man teach his neighbor,
or a man his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,'
because they will all know me,
from the least of them to the greatest,"
declares the LORD.
"For I will forgive their wickedness
and will remember their sins no more." (NIV)
Even though it is written on our hearts the first step in a new area that Jesus is claming in our lives is often not a pleasant thing (think about stretching your hamstrings after years of ignoring them). If we try to take to big of steps our bodies often rebel with pain and our minds may rebel in fear. This is very similar too when we push horses too hard. Often that push comes from outside, from peer pressure or from a trainer’s insistence. If the steps are too big, rebellion can set in and hamper progress (for the horse, the rider or the Christian).
Galatians 5
7You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? 8That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. 9"A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough." 10I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion will pay the penalty, whoever he may be. (NIV)
We know the good that we need to be doing without someone berating us. We can see the value of stretching our comfort zone to be transformed into the people that Jesus wants us to be. Jesus doesn’t ask more of us then we can give but he also doesn’t ask less.
James 4
17Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins. (NIV)
Just as we should continue to ask more of our horses and of our riding as we train the Lord will continue to ask more of us as we mature in Him.
I see from my stats tht people are reading this! It makes me really curious. Who are you? How did you find this xanga? What is the Lord doing in your lives. Why do you read my writings?
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| Connection and ThroughnessConnection and Throughness
Connection in the horse can be described as “contact with the horse” or as “having the horse listening always.” With throughness added, it means that the horse is listening and your signals go through to all areas of his body and the horse acting on those signals.
When riding a horse that is “through the neck”, you can place his head and neck anywhere you desire, you can have him carry his head and neck up like a dressage horse or down like a western pleasure horse, and you can (ideally) move between the two with no change in rhythm. You cannot have throughness without connection. The horse is connected to the rider through the seat, legs and reins. The interaction between the three signals to the horse how he is to carry himself. When he understands and is obedient, we have achieved throughness.
It is possible to ride a connected horse in a myriad of situations without worry that he will be distracted. A connected stallion can be ridden next to a mare in heat without fear of disobedience. When the horse is tuned to the frequency of his master outside influences no longer have a disturbing effect on his behavior.
With the rein connection ideally the horse takes a gentle hold of the bit so he can follow the rider’s hand. If the horse comes behind the bit (puts no pressure on the bit and leaves slack in the reins) it is very hard to control stride length and to raise or lower the head. Though the horse is being obedient there are many things that are difficult to tell the horse; you can tell him to slow down but you cannot tell him to take shorter steps while keeping the same tempo. This horse has a hard time when asked to do something that requires a controlled powerful stride, since you can slow down, but when you do you loose power.
I think this is similar to Christians who are legalistic. They are obedient to the Bible, but they have a very limited personal contact with the Lord. This causes them to have little power. They seldom have much outreach ministry. Our contact with God needs to start with prayer, since prayer is the source of our power.
A horse that runs through the bit is disobedient. This is seldom because he doesn’t understand; usually it is because he does not respect the rider. Typically this horse sticks his nose in the air when asked to do something. He hears but doesn’t obey.
In people this syndrome is easy to place as “pride“. We say, “I can do it myself” or “I can’t do that”. These are the people that are not fully submitted to the Lord. They know what they ought to do and don’t do it. They do not have faith that the Lord wants the best for their life.
Throughness in people, as in horses, can be seen in how they carry themselves. When a person is listening for their Masters signals instead of proceeding on their own agenda it shows in how they walk, how they talk, and how they behave around others.
Psalm 3
3 But you are a shield around me, O LORD;
you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.
(NIV)
Throughness in our walk as Christians is waiting for the Lord to lift our heads, existing in the Lord’s glory (and not our own). It is being where God puts us, and carrying ourselves well while we are in that place. It is often an attitude adjustment. Our attitude needs to reflect that we are children of God and that Jesus not only died for us he died for the people around us also.
A song I like that illustrates the attitude we need to have is I’m Proud to be Here by Brush Arbor; the chorus says - “I’m proud to be here in the service of the Lord.”
This needs to be our attitude wherever the Lord puts us.
I am also fond of the saying-- Grow where you are planted. We can serve the Lord right where we are if we stay connected to him, listening for the nudge of the Holy Spirit directing our every footfall.
John 15
3You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
5"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (NIV)
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