Monthly Archives: December 2009

Cowboy Crusade

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Shopping makes you thirsty. After hours of walking up and down the aisles at one of the Christmas expos at the NFR, I made a b-line to a booth with a water cooler. That’s where I met Cowboy Butch.

Butch gave me the sales pitch for his magnetic water, telling about the cowboys who believe in his natural healing products. Somehow we transitioned to talking about God and his Cowboy Crusade ministry.

Cowboy Crusade uses technology – originally conference calls – to encourage people in their faith and leadership in ministries. Through the Internet and blogtalkradio.com, Butch is now reaching more people with a weekly interview show. Every Wednesday at 10 am Mountain Time, Butch interviews pastors and ministry leaders, who are typically focused on reaching cowboys/cowgirls and horse people.

If you have a chance, check out the interviews live or in the stored archive. I particularly liked the interview with BJ Jordan of Crossroads Horse Ministry. If you have any questions or comments to share during the live show, you can call in at: 347-945-7709.

Cowboy Crusade is just one example of how the Internet and technology is helping to spread the Good News, and encourage ministry leaders and everyday people. It’s great to see it used for God’s glory.

Wake up calls

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Sometimes God gets our attention in unusual ways. He drew the interest of shepherds and wise men by a brilliant star that first Christmas. Last week, he got the attention of a Connecticut rancher through a newborn calf. Check out the Holy Cow here. Adorable!

How does or has He gotten your attention in the past?

Bobby Welsh

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Of all the NFR cowboys, I probably cheer for Bobby Welsh more than any other. I met Bobby a few years ago at a Rodeo Bible Camp. He was the bull riding instructor, I was a counselor. During the run of the four-day camp, Bobby gave his testimony and also preached once or twice. In a world of counterfeit Christians, I know Bobby is the real deal.

2009 NFR
Bobby is competing for the World Championship at the National Finals Rodeo this year, as he has for several years now. Following Tuesday’s performance, he was leading the average for the 10-day rodeo. He’s been solid on the rides he’s finished with the exception of round two. He scored a 58. After watching the replay, many may wonder why he received a score at all. His freehand touched the bull, which is an instant disqualification resulting in no score. The judges apparently didn’t know he slapped the bull. Bobby probably did.

Moral Question
PRCA rules aside, the situation begs the question, as a Christian should Bobby have disqualified himself? (Not sure this is even possible according to PRCA rules.) Or should he accept the judges’ score and look forward to better rides? Do you think he passed up his option for a reride because he knew he “got away with” the slap? Judges miss calls occasionally – sometimes calls go in favor of a cowboy, sometimes against. Does the idea that the bad calls balance out in the end hold water here? What do you think?

Fighting for God

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Sitting in the showroom at the Gold Coast Casino after the first performance of the National Finals Rodeo, I noticed a 20-something, clean-cut cowboy and his wife walk past where we were sitting several times as he made his way to and from the VIP area in the front of the room. He had a platter-sized belt buckle, so I figured he was “someone.” I asked Greg if he knew who the guy was. He didn’t.

No Fame
Such is the life of a bullfighter, in this case, Cory Wall, the 2009 PRCA bullfighter of the Year. The bullfighters don’t earn the fame or fortune of the bullriders they protect. They should, in my book. Anyone who taunts bulls to chase them instead of a cowboy ought to get paid a handsome sum.

The Interview
Cory was the first guest at National Finals Tonight, a live interview show hosted by former World Champions Donny Gay (bullriding) and Joe Beaver (calf roping). The cowboys and his peers in the PRCA chose him as the best bullfighter for 2009. The interview began as you might expect. He was honored for receiving the award. He appreciated the recognition for doing his job. And then it took a surprising turn. Cory said that he was justing living out the plan God had for his life. He proceeded to give God credit for his success.

How Would You Respond?
I was impressed. He didn’t have to profess his faith to the live and cable TV audience. He used the limelight to tell others about his source of guidance and strength. How many of us, if we were in a similar situation, would simply respond to the questions with a “safe” answer? Would we defer our recognition and fame to God? Playing it safe may mean we fit in with the crowd today, but what will it mean for eternity?

Matthew 10:32-33 (NLT): “Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.”

Matthew 7:21 (NLT): “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.”

Back from the NFR

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I’m back from Vegas. I was there to revel in the hoopla surrounding the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR), which runs for 10 days every December. I have many observations to share (of course), so stay tuned over the next few days, particularly if you’re a rodeo fan or horse person.

Vegas had all its usual “character” that may strike visitors like me as odd or dark — pornography and strip clubs promoted to pedestrians on the sidewalk through business-card-sized flyers and free publications on the corners; public consumption of alcohol and many publicly intoxicated people; and of course, gambling everywhere.

Fashion is a big deal in Vegas and with rodeo fans. Three separate convention centers/exhibit halls were filled with vendors hawking the latest western fashions for people, horses and homes. Much of western fashion today is adorned with bling – shiny glitter or sequins or conchos to embellish clothing, tack and even furniture. Often the bling takes the shape of a cross. I find it troubling that mainstream culture has taken a symbol of faith and made it a fashion statement. Many of the people adorned in cross-emblazoned clothing or jewelry likely aren’t Christ followers and if they do consider themselves Christians, they don’t generally live any differently than the secular world. The fashion has diluted the meaning of the cross at best, and at worst, further destroys the witness of credible Christians.

Several rodeo cowboys competing for world titles also have crosses on their hats, vests, saddles, etc. — some as a sign of faith, others likely do it more as an indirect prayer for protection. A few roughstock contestants gesture a prayer after their rides. Again, one wonders if their faith is sincere or is “simply along for the ride.”

There were several points of light though. “Cowboy Butch” may have been selling magnetic water and other natural remedies for what ails many but his real sales pitch was for his ministry, Cowboy Crusade, and his weekly Internet radio program through blogspotradio. At a post-performance live talk show, Cory Wall, the 2009 PRCA Bullfighter of the Year, talked about the honor he received and how he was just living out God’s plan for his life. I was also introduced to Rodeo News magazine for the first time. This mainstream rodeo publication devotes several columns a month to Christian ministries. I reconnected with the Fellowship of Christian Cowboys, which hosted church services while in Vegas.

Vegas, and the world we live in, can be dark. Even among the darkness though we can find God’s light drawing people to him. I was encouraged by the light and boldness displayed by many in the rodeo world. They are an example to all of us.

Luke 11:33-36 (NLT): “No one lights a lamp and then hides it or puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where its light can be seen by all who enter the house.
“Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is good, your whole body is filled with light. But when it is bad, your body is filled with darkness. Make sure that the light you think you have is not actually darkness. If you are filled with light, with no dark corners, then your whole life will be radiant, as though a floodlight were filling you with light.”

Where to you place your trust?

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“So just as I destroyed Shiloh, I will now destroy this Temple that was built to honor my name, this Temple that you trust for help, this place that I have to you and your ancestors.” Jeremiah 7:14

In Jeremiah 7:14, we see that the people of Judah placed their trust in the temple, a physical place that once held tabernacle. The Judahites went to the temple for forgiveness and cleansing and yet their hearts were far from God, the real source of redemption. God soon took the temple away from the Judahites and then they had no where to turn.

Where do we turn for forgiveness and redemption? If you trust a church or a pastor to receive forgiveness, the Lord may take you away from this church or pastor, particularly if they have become idols. We can sometime see these conduits of God’s Word and teaching as our god. I appreciate my church and its pastors but only God is worthy of my worship. Our pastors can help us understand God and direct us away from our sins but our faith needs to rest in God and not be dependent on a church or a pastor.

Scripture and prayer provide the personal insight into God’s will and direct us how to live a life pleasing to God. It is only by turning to the cross of Christ and repenting of our sins that we are cleansed. Place your trust in the only one who will not leave you – the only one capable of cleansing you of your sins – our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 43:25 “I – yes, I alone – am the one who blots out your sins for my own sake and will never think of them again. “

Standing out from the Crowd

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I’m going to Las Vegas later today for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo and all the accompanying hoopla.

Part of me is excited. Excited to be surrounded by thousands of other people who live as I live and enjoy what I enjoy – rodeo, country dancing and western lifestyle. There will be countless options for live country music. Post-performance appearances by the cowboys and cowgirls will draw big crowds to the dance halls. And then there’s the shopping — three convention centers host expos for vendors of western wares.

I’m also apprehensive. In a setting like Las Vegas, spending my nights in the dance halls surrounded by partiers, it will be difficult to keep God as my center. It will be easy to regress to my past lifestyle. Late nights and mornings of sleeping in could cut into my prayer and quiet time. My faith could easily be derailed. I prayed last night that God would show me how to continue to live my faith while I’m there. That he would give me the strength and courage I need to overcome temptations.

In my Bible study this morning, I read John 7:1-9. Jesus’ brothers urged him to join the crowds in Judea for the celebration of the Festival of Shelters. They scoffed at him for not going. His words struck a chord with me:

John 7:6-7 (NLT): Jesus replied, “Now is not the right time for me to go, but you can go anytime. The world can’t hate you, but it does hate me because I accuse it of doing evil.”

His brothers could go to the celebration without concern because they lived as the world lived. They reveled with the crowds. Maybe they drank to excess, spent beyond their means, worshiped the celebrities of the day, gossiped or judged people harshly by external appearances. They didn’t stand out because they weren’t any different than the people around them.

I, too, am going to the celebration to mingle among the crowds. How will I be different than the crowds in Las Vegas? Will people notice me because I act differently? Will I rise above the crowds and live my faith? Will I take the opportunity to grow? I will because God is my strength and my shield.

Winter Weight

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It’s happening already. It’s just December and already Ernie is putting on winter weight to keep warm. Every Spring the vet tells me he could stand to lose about 100 pounds. While it’s natural for him to add weight for winter, it’s so unattractive.

Sadly, people here in the Midwest have the same instinct to eat more when the weather turns colder. Dreary days and fewer hours of sunlight trigger a desire for comfort foods that seem much too heavy in the heat of summer.

Add to that this blissful holiday season that brings families together around scrumptious spreads, companies for year-end parties with elaborate buffets, and cookie exchanges with friends. It’s no wonder the average person puts on 5 pounds during the holidays.

I often struggle with the balance between eating the things I love and maintaining my weight. I’ve been told that I received all the discipline for my entire family because I often pass up certain foods, particularly dessert. It’s a struggle though.

Since the Bible is our guide for everything of the flesh, I find it helpful to consult Scripture when I have these tug of wars. Below are some verses (all from the NLT) that speak to matters of the appetite. After studying them, I’ve come to the conclusion that the condition of our spirit and our heart, and bringing honor to God are more important than living at the perfect weight. God is honored when we balance our needs and wants related to food and are not obsessed over what the scale may say. Scripture says that our bodies are temporary vessels in which our spirit and the Holy Spirit reside and therefore deserve care just like we would maintain a physical building. Keep it tidy but don’t obsess because it’s temporary. After all, God is the center of our worship, not the temple.

Christ, as our example, says in John 4:34: “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work.” We, too, should receive our nourishment from doing the will of God. We should be filled up on Him.

Remember that anything that comes before God in our hearts is an idol. When food becomes an idol, it’s sinful and out of balance. Put God and his will first and he will help you maintain perspective on food. Pray for the strength to find and implement balance in your dietary needs versus wants.

Now, here are those verses for your own study:
Ecclesiastes 3:13: And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God.

Ephesians 5:18: Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit,

Colossians 2:16-18: So don’t let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days or new moon ceremonies or Sabbaths. For these rules are only shadows of the reality yet to come. And Christ himself is that reality.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20: Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.

Philippians 3:21: He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.

Colossians 2:20-23: You have died with Christ, and he has set you free from the spiritual powers of this world. So why do you keep on following the rules of the world, such as, “Don’t handle! Don’t taste! Don’t touch!”? Such rules are mere human teachings about things that deteriorate as we use them. These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, pious self-denial, and severe bodily discipline. But they provide no help in conquering a person’s evil desires.

1 Corinthians 6:12-14: You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. And even though “I am allowed to do anything,” I must not become a slave to anything. You say, “Food was made for the stomach, and the stomach for food.” (This is true, though someday God will do away with both of them.) But you can’t say that our bodies were made for sexual immorality. They were made for the Lord, and the Lord cares about our bodies.