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"Bulldog On Horse"
by Michael Quackenbush
Shaggy Dog Press
Howdy Friends,
I gotta tell ya - I love being an ol' cowgirl who preaches off her horse. Yes, it's a dirty job, but somebody has to do it! It also has its benefits. For one, I don't worry about being politically correct. Truth is, I've never been politically correct about anything. And for that, I remain unapologetic. Todays newsletter isn't a proper pulpit sermon. It's probably more suited for cowboy church out in a field, where most folks have some dirt under their fingernails, and ain't whining and complaining to the preacher about his last sermon, or the chairs having no comfy cushions. If you're thinking about complaining to me, just remember I have a delete button and I will use it! That should make me the envy of a lot of preachers. With that said, let's saddle up, and get ready for the ride, 'cause the bull stops here!
IT'S EASY TO LURE IN THE BOTTOM FEEDERS IF YOU'RE WILLING TO PUT SOME
"STINK BAIT" ON YOUR LINE.
My son, Karma, at our lake catching catfish using "stink bait".
Hopefully, we all understand the very serious
"politically correct" changes our nation is rapidly undergoing. Unfortunately, some churches are undergoing rapid changes, too. Perhaps in an effort to attract new converts, or simply to avoid appearing outdated, some have become politically correct by exchanging the truth for a lie. How does a church exchange the truth for a lie? They start out by altering or exchanging God's Word and biblical standards, for a more seeker friendly and culturally current message that will appeal to more people. In other words they're willing to change the message in order to be all-inclusive.
Today, instead of offering in-depth Bible studies with qualified and knowledgeable teachers, some churches offer everything from rock concerts to Yoga classes in order to be everything to everybody. Many times, these churches don't end up with any real converts to Christ through their secular outreaches. But they do
end up with immature, church-hopping, can't-be-satisfied, pew warmers who have itchy ears, and no commitment to anything. For what it's worth, my opinion on seeker friendly and culturally current churches is pretty simple. I learned it years ago fishing in deep Tennessee lakes and rivers with my Dad. It's easy to lure in the bottom feeders if you're just willing to put some stink bait on your line! And that's no bull!
YOU CAN'T PUT A PRICE ON HONESTY.
Honesty is the one thing you can't teach to anyone, not even a horse. Samson is the most honest horse I've ever owned. Even when I don't have hold of the reins, he remains true to our partnership.
Whether we're talking about horses, or talking about people, honesty is still the foundation upon which every partnership is built. Without honesty, there's no partnership. Honesty has nothing to do with one's personality. It has to do with one's character. In the horse training world, you often here people refer to a horse as being an honest horse. An honest horse won't try to cheat you by avoiding your cues, or in other words, by being dishonest.
Through the years, I've had one or two dishonest horses. No matter how much money they cost, or how much training I invested in them, I couldn't change the character of those horses.
Suffice to say, those dishonest horses didn't stick around here long. I don't tolerate dishonest horses, and I don't tolerate dishonest people. And neither should you. Why? Because honesty is the one thing that you can't teach to anyone. That's why it's priceless. And that's no bull!
IT COST AS MUCH TO FEED A BAD HORSE AS IT DOES A GOOD HORSE.
Unless you're a professional trainer, or you're a wanta-be horse clinician, don't waste your time trying to convert a snarly, cheatin' horse
into a productive citizen. Instead, invest your money in an honest, well-trained horse.
The feed bill will be the same, and you'll enjoy the ride a lot more!
One day I was at my horse trainer's barn working with a new horse that I was considering buying. None of the exercises were coming together, although I had been at it for several hours. It seemed every time I asked the horse to go straight, he went crooked. And every time I asked him to back up, he went forward. In desperation, I asked my trainer to watch and see if I was doing something wrong. Perhaps I was cueing the horse the wrong way. I made a few laps around the arena when finally my trainer looked at me and said, "Ain't nothin' wrong with your cues. That horse is just cheatin' you. There ain't an honest bone in his body. If I was you, I'd send him back to his owner where he belongs."
I swallowed hard and asked, "But can't we 'fix' him?" To which my trainer replied, "Sooner or later you're gonna learn that it cost as much to feed a bad horse as it does a good horse!"
I got his point. If I didn't send that horse packing, then I was gonna end up with expensive trouble. I followed my trainer's advice that day, and sent the horse home. A few weeks later, I invested in an honest horse, and discovered it didn't cost me a dime more to feed him than it did to feed the cheater. Too bad we don't view human relationships with the same practicality, and wisdom. Want some sage advice? If you want to live out the wonderful destiny God has planned for you, then don't invest your life, your emotions, or your finances in dishonest cheaters. They will not only rob you of today, but they will most certainly rob you of your future, as well. And that's no bull!
PEOPLE CAN TELL YOU WHATEVER THEY WANT, BUT THE HORSE WILL ALWAYS TELL YOU THE TRUTH.
I learned a long time ago that a horse's actions speak louder than a seller's words.
Over the years, I've owned a lot of horses. Each time I've gone to look at a new prospective horse, I've always shown up with a long list of questions for the seller, and my saddle in the back of the truck. More than once, I've had a seller look me straight in the face and describe the horse for sale as a quiet, mannerly, well trained horse. Meanwhile, the horse standing in front of me is squirming on the end of the lead line, pushy, and disrespectful. Many times I've looked the seller square in the eyeball and inquired,
"Are we talking about the same horse?"
I've learned over the years that people can tell you whatever they want about a horse, but the horse will always tell you the truth! And how does a horse tell you the truth? He tells you the truth the same way people tell you the truth - with his actions. Whether it's a horse or a person, actions still speak louder than words. Want to know the truth about a person? Once they stop talking - just watch what they do. And that's no bull!
WHETHER YOU CALL IT BS OR SIN - THEY'LL BOTH GET YOU IN A WRECK SOONER OR LATER!
Cheap, tasteless bits in a horse's mouth are a lot like cheap, tasteless words in a person's mouth. They will both get you in a wreck eventually!
I got my first horse back in the early 70's when I was single, still in college, and financially busted most of the time. I was as green as the day is long, and learned everything pretty much the hard way when it came to horsemanship. I don't recall ever having heard the term "horse clinician" back then, and I was too dirt-poor to afford a trainer. As a result, I flew by the seat of my pants (literally) most of the time, and learned to improvise with what few pieces of horse tack I managed to buy. My tack back then consisted of a simple pad, an inexpensive but fairly decent saddle, and a matching bridle. Oh yeah, and then there was that cheap snaffle bit made in China that I got at the local horse auction!
I quickly learned that my horse was fine with the pad, and even okay with the inexpensive saddle and bridle. But it was that cheap snaffle bit that caused him so much angst! How did my horse know that the bit was bad? He knew from the bad "taste" of it in his mouth. The metal wasn't sweet iron, or even smooth stainless steel, and the misaligned joint in the middle of the snaffle pinched his tongue whenever I pulled the reins left or right. It was in essence, a cheap, tasteless, and inferior bit. I had been suckered, but not my horse. He knew the difference. And as a result, he refused to ride.
I always ride my horse in a good, quality bit. Why? Because cheap bits are a lot like BS. They both taste bad in your mouth!
One day I made the decision to buy my horse a good, quality bit. A good horse bit back then meant I'd be eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for a few weeks, but it was worth it. I watched as my horse licked the bit - a sure sign that all was right in his world. Then he closed his mouth quietly, settled into his new bit, and we rode down the trail without a problem. As for me, I learned a valuable lesson that day. Cheap bits are a lot like BS. They both taste bad in your mouth!
Oops - there I go not being politically correct again. Dang it! So, what do I mean by BS?
I mean those cheap, tasteless, inferior words that we've all become accustomed to hearing, and are way too tolerant of. For example, it's rare to go to a movie today and not hear a boat-load of filthy slang, and profanity pretending to be the English language. Yes, the words are cheap, tasteless, and inferior, but people have learned to tolerate and accept it. Shoot, a lot of people even buy a ticket for the privilege to hear it! Remember, just because we've learned to tolerate something doesn't mean we'll survive it! Don't like your cowgirl preacher using the letters BS? Then try substituting the letters SIN. They spell the same thing, and they'll both get you in a wreck sooner or later! And that's no bull!
YOU'RE EITHER TITHING TO GOD, OR YOUR TIPPING GOD.
If you really want to figure out where a man's heart is, take a look at his check book!
The Bible makes clear that we're to Tithe to our church. It's amazing how folks will spend their money on everything under the sun, but when it comes to Tithing, they often come up short on cash, if they come up with any at all. Of course, excuses abound. Let's not forget the best excuse of all, "What does God need with my money anyway?" Truth is, God doesn't need our money. It already belongs to Him. What He needs is our obedience. And why does He need our obedience?
God needs our obedience to Tithe so that His storehouse (the church) will always be full, and abundantly equipped for every good work.
Now, let's cowboy up and get right down to it. From the dawn of time, God has always had kids who were disobedient. You think preacher's kids are notoriously troublesome? What about God's kids! Just think about it. God says "Don't eat the apple". And what does Adam and Eve do? They eat the apple, core and all! God tells Samson to stop hanging out with those crazy, tatooed Philistine gals, and what does Samson do? He hooks up with Delilah who ends up cutting off his hair, leaving Samson defenseless and blind!
And then there's you and me...
God tells us to Tithe to our church. Some of us choose to "tip" God, instead by saying, "Here's a couple of dollars. Sure wish it could be more, but I know you understand!" Wow - sounds a lot like some of those apologetic pastors I met years ago when I used to drive 12 hours round trip just to minister at their church, only to be given a tip instead of a real love offering. I didn't understand why I'd been robbed of what was rightfully mine, and neither does God when we disobey Him by robbing Him of the Tithe!
Finally, I believe every Pastor worth their salt should teach their congregation about the critical importance of being obedient to God with their Tithes. And they should admonish their congregations when they don't Tithe. A novel thought, huh? Too many Pastors struggle with up and down church finances, and too often, they're concerned about offending a bunch of thin-skinned, penny-pinching folks who don't tithe anyway - they're just tippers. Any preachers got your ears on out there? Let those robbers go! Besides, you're gonna need the extra space when God sends you the right people who are obedient, and willing to fill up His storehouse.
AND THAT'S NO BULL!
Special Note To My Readers:
The YouTube Video That We
Posted In The Newsletter Last Week Is
Not Available For Viewing Right Now, But We're Working On It!
Last week we posted a new video on YouTube featuring my equine ministry partner, Samson. We also included it in our newsletter for convenient viewing for our readers. The video is no longer available. Once again, the music we chose for the background had protective copyright laws that we were unaware of, and the video was bumped off the site, as a consequence. We'll try getting the video back up with some new background music, and we'll let you know via the newsletter just as soon as it happens!
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