Have You Taken A "Selfie" Lately?

"You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."

(Ephesians 4: 22 - 24, NIV)

Taking "selfies" is all the rage today, thanks to smart phones, and a lot of fascination with ourselves! I've often wondered if people would be so gung-ho to take selfies and share them with the world if their photo could somehow show what was just beneath the exterior of that beaming smile. The Bible teaches that those who are born-again are to put on their "new self". So, what is our new self? Our new self is the one that has been created in the image of God. And what is the image of God? It is the image we saw spiritually and physically portrayed in the life and example of Jesus Christ. In spirit, and in body, Christ allowed us to see a real picture (his selfie) of true righteousness and holiness. This begs the question, "Have you taken a selfie lately?" If so, then what is it that people see when they look at you? 

Someone once told me that horses were a direct "mirror" reflection of their Master. This wise horseman went on to say that he could simply watch the behavior (actions) of a horse and it would tell him all he needed to know about the owner. I thought about my own horses. If you and I did not know each other, but you could spend one day alone with my horses, what would my horses and their actions tell you about me? Would you simply see an "air-brushed selfie" suitable for framing only? Not if my horses are truly a reflection of me. If they do reflect my image through their actions, then I hope you would see my kindness, my respect, and my love for you.      

Have you ever thought of yourself as the perfect "selfie" of what God looks like? Let me ask it another way. What if you and I are the only true picture of God that the world will ever see? Some of you might be saying to yourself, "Oh no, not me. That's way too much responsibility!" And yet, that's exactly the responsibility that you and I were given. We were given the responsibility to be ambassadors of Christ to the world. Remember - an ambassador always goes in the name of another. And an ambassador always represents the excellence of the one who sent him. So, how do you and I represent Christ? We represent the One who sent us out into the world as ambassadors by being a "picture perfect example" of what Christ taught in His Word. And that, my friend, is the best "selfie" you'll ever take!

        OLD COWGIRLS

AND

HORSES

A blog/diary of my life with horses, and a few other adventures along the way.

Even horses know to "come" when the Master calls them by name.   

 When you've got horses, you've got horse manure, and lots of it! Statistics say that on average, a horse produces about 50 pounds of manure a day. I don't know who goes around and measures the weight of horse poo, but I can certainly vouch for the fact that my horses are meeting that quota, if not more, each and every day! Which brings me to the real subject of this week's blog. The other day, my horses were out at pasture, doing what they do so well - eating grass and supplying me with garden fertilizer.

 Meanwhile, I was busy mucking and cleaning out their stalls. Outside, the sun was shining brightly, and I could hear dogs barking, birds chirping, my neighbor's tractor grinding away on the hill, a radio in the distance, and occasionally a snort from one of the horses as they wandered leisurely around the field looking for the best grass to eat. Suddenly, it dawned on me, "Why am I in here mucking poo when I could be out there enjoying the sunshine?"

Stepping outside the old, dark wooden barn, and into the light, I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Looking at my horses standing peacefully grazing in the far distance, I suddenly realized how much God had blessed me. Like a Norman Rockwell picture of days gone by, the scene before me gave a sense of life, order, and purpose. And then, I got an idea. Would my horses stop what they were doing and come to me if I called them? Second-guessing myself, I doubted it for a moment. After all, they were so far away, and obviously they were content with grazing, and pooing, and you know, just doing all the stuff that horses tend to do. Still, I couldn't help but wonder. If I call to them, what will they do? Will they simply ignore me and go about their business? Or will they come? Something in me had to know.

Standing at the back of the barn, I whistled. I confess, I'm not a whistler, but there's something so organic about it that I always like to try. I remembered my grandma showing me how to "pucker my lips just right", and then blow. So I puckered and blew, but all that came out was whispy air and a pitiful screeching sound. Nevertheless, it got my horse's attention, at least for a second before they dropped their heads once again and went back to grazing. Funny how failure can encourage us to try again - hmmm! Somehow, I felt encouraged. Abandoning the whistle, I decided to call out their names - loudly. "Samson, Lil' Bit, Montana, - come now!" I called out with all the authority I could muster. To my surprise, all three horses looked up at the same time. And there was an awakening and an awareness in their eyes that I had never seen before.

In the blink of an eye, all three horses took off across the field in a fast gallop headed straight towards me. Even more incredibly, each horse had run to me in the exact order that I called out their name! Coincidence? Perhaps. Did they think I had a treat/reward? Maybe, maybe not. Whatever the case, each of them had certainly passed the test with flying colors. I had called their name and bid them to come to me. They not only came, but they came running with great expectation at the sound of my voice. When I think about it, it's probably a perfect picture of what God wants from us. Even when we're far away from Him, He wants us to come running to Him with great expectation when He calls our name. Why? Because in His hand is our great reward. The eternal reward of simply being in His presence.

           Q & A

Each month I receive emails filled with interesting and great questions. I try to answer each email with a personal response. In this segment of our newsletter, I will share some of the special emails I've received. All names have been changed to protect the individual's privacy. 

Hello Susan - I just wanted to write and tell you how much you inspire me. I'm a horse lover and I love God. I'm too old to ride horses now and not in the best of health but I still remember the days when I rode all the time. I read all your newsletters and I even re-read them in your archives. It's like my daily fix of good news. I guess you could say I am living through you in some ways. I can't get out like I used to. My body simply can't, but my spirit soars when I ride with you through your stories and newsletter.

I am housebound a lot so I wish you were on Christian television with your ministry. Sometimes I can't get out like I once did and I don't think there is anyone out there who does what you do and the way you do it. I always forward your newsletter on to a few of my friends who are not horse lovers. They love them too and completely get what you are teaching although they have never even owned a horse before. I'm writing first to thank you, and then to ask that you would remember me in your prayers. I know you don't know me but I believe I will get to ride with you one day in heaven. Thanks for taking time to read my letter. 

(Mimi, New Mexico) 

 My Response To Mimi 

  Greetings Mimi -  Thanks for taking time to write. First things first - when we all get to heaven, I will be looking for you and ready for our amazing first ride together! Can you imagine it? A place called heaven where there is nothing to spook our horses, and endless miles of beautiful trails will loop us around the galaxies while the stars light our way and lead us safely back home again! 

Secondly, it absolutely thrills me to know that you are enjoying the newsletters and that they are touching your life in a meaningful way. Like everyone who has dedicated their life to full-time ministry, there are days when I wake up and wonder if what I am doing is really making a difference. When someone like you takes the time to write, I know I am doing exactly what God wants me to do. I also want you to know that I will be praying for you and your health. Although I don't know your circumstances, I know God. He is concerned for every one of His children, and His purpose for you is eternal. You have breath today because God has given it to you. And God does nothing without specific purpose in mind. Every breath you take matters, - to me, to others, and especially to God. In all that you say and do, make every breath count, and don't waste any time looking back over your shoulder. What could have been doesn't matter. What can be is all that counts. 

As for TV, thanks for the vote of confidence! In the early years, my husband and I were frequent guests on Christian TV programs. During one of our last appearances, I sat beside my husband on a gold couch and chit-chatted with a host about what God had done so far in our ministry. It was our testimony, but as wonderful as it was, I wondered if we were making a significant difference in anyone's life that was listening that day. Why? Because although people are moved by other's testimonies and all the wonderful things God is doing in their lives, people also want to be a part of the blessing. And that calls for Reality TV!  

Reality TV, by nature, allows others to be a part of the action.  It allows others to share an experience with you and learn from it up close and personal. Each day, I live, eat, and breathe "the reality" of what God has called me to do, and that involves the unique use of horses to teach biblical faith and share God's amazing Word. If anyone in TV land ever has the crazy vision for a lady preacher who uses horses to teach the good news, then I'm all in. And that, my friend, would be Reality TV worth sharing! Again, Mimi, thanks for taking the time to write. It's because of wonderful people like you that I do what I do!  

Natural Horse

Faith-Man-Ship

(Teaching biblical faith using horses)

ARE YOU READY FOR THE FAITH RIDE OF

 YOUR LIFE?  

To Learn More... 

WRITE or EMAIL

Susan Klaudt Horse Ministry

P. O. Box 4994

Cleveland, TN 37320

or  

ksworldmin@aol.com