Heavenly Hoofbeats May 2017

Transcription

1 Heavenly Hoofbeats May 2017 MAY 14 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT MOTHER S DAY Source: National Geographic article by Brian Handwerk, May The idea had its beginning the 1850s, when women s organizer Ann Reeves Jarvis held Mother s Day work clubs to improve sanitary conditions and try to lower infant mortality. The group also tended to wounded soldiers during the Civil War. Ann Reeves Jarvis died in 1905 and in 1908 her daughter, Ann Jarvis (Anna Marie Jarvis), was inspired to organize the first Mother s Day observance to pay tribute to her mother. For Ms. Jarvis, it was a day set aside for a person to spend time with one s mother to honor and thank her for all that she had done. She wanted the emphasis to be on the individual s mother, so she stressed the singular form... Mother s Day. In May 1914, President Woodrow Wilson officially set aside the second Sunday in May as Mother s Day. The special day Ms. Jarvis had intended for recognition of mothers soon became commercialized, which upset her, and she began taking steps to return Mother s Day to its reverent roots. She organized boycotts, threatened lawsuits and even attacked First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt for using Mother s Day as a means to raise funds for charities. In 1923, she crashed a convention of confectioners in Philadelphia. Grief never ends, but it changes. It s a passage, not a place to stay. Grief is not a sign of weakness, nor a lack of faith it is the price of love. Her attempts lasted into the early 1940s. At age 84, she died penniless, in a sanitarium, suffering with dementia. She had no children. (author unknown) Mother s Day is the number three holiday for card exchange in the United States, behind Christmas Day and Valentine s Day. Heartfelt sympathy to those whose mother has passed from this life. May our Heavenly Father comfort you during this special holiday.

2 THE FLIM-FLAM MAN Part 1 David, Ziba and Mephibosheth 2 Samuel Chapter 9 David is victorious in battle and now reigns over all Israel, doing what is just and right for all his people. Now David wants to do kindness for those left in the house of Saul, for Jonathan s sake. Someone sends a man named Ziba to him, who tells David about a son of Jonathan, named Mephibosheth, who is residing at a house in Lo Debar. So David had Mephibosheth brought to him. Mephibosheth is lame in both feet, having become crippled as a boy of five when he fell as he and his nurse fled the enemies. Regardless, he bowed down to pay honor to David. Seeing that Mephibosheth was apprehensive, David told him not to be afraid, promising to restore to him all the land that belonged to his grandfather, Saul. He also told Mephibosheth that he would always eat at his table. Mephibosheth was probably flabbergasted with this news. Then David summoned Ziba. Ziba was a servant of King Saul, who is now dead. David informed him that he had given all that had belonged to Saul to his grandson, Mephibosheth, telling Ziba that he and his sons and servants were to farm the land for him. Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants. Ziba agreed to do whatever my lord the King commands. And Mephibosheth ate at David s table like one of the king s sons. Part 2 David & Ziba 2 Samuel Chapter 16 The battles continue, with many victories by David and his vast army. In 2 Samuel 14, Absalom returns to Jerusalem after 3 years (having fled because he had committed murder) and eventually conspires to kill David and take over as king. The people turn against him, and David flees, with his entire household (leaving behind 10 concubines). After a while he arrives at the Mount of Olives and travels toward the summit. He rides his horse beyond the summit, probably with his head hung down, weeping and broken-hearted by the betrayal of his son. A short distance beyond the summit, he sees Ziba, who had been waiting for him. He has a string of donkeys saddled and loaded with two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred cakes of raisins, a hundred cakes of figs, and a skin of wine. David asks why he brought the supplies. Ziba replies that the donkeys are for the king s household to ride on, the bread and fruit for the men to eat, and the wine is to refresh those who become exhausted in the wilderness. (Hmmm.. what was Ziba s real intentions?) Because he had left Ziba at the estate of Mephibosheth, David (probably wondering why Ziba hadn t brought him along) asks, Where is your master s grandson? Ziba responds with, He is staying in Jerusalem, because he thinks Today the Israelites will restore to me my grandfather s kingdom. Apparently feeling betrayed, David then gave all that he had given to Mephibosheth to Ziba. (Had Ziba flim-flamed David?) Part 3 David & Mephibosheth 2 Samuel Chapter 19 Eventually, Absalom is killed by Joab as he hangs by his hair from a tree limb and when David gets the news, he goes to his private room and weeps, wishing he could have died in his son s place. After a period of mourning, he returns to Jerusalem to once again take his place as King. After he crosses the Jordan river, Mephibosheth comes to meet him. He has not taken care of his feet, trimmed his mustache, or washed his clothes since David had left. David asks why he didn t go with him when he fled Jerusalem. Mephibosheth explains that he had planned to join David, even though lame. He further explains that Ziba would not saddle his donkey for him, so he had not been able to go with them. He also informs the King that Ziba betrayed him and slandered him to David. David then orders that the fields of Saul be divided between the two men, apparently because he wasn t sure who the real liar was. (Had Mephibosheth flim-flamed David?) Continued on Page 6 Page 2 Heavenly Hoofbeats

3 M U S I N G S F R O M M E M B E R S Springtime...windows open...lying here listening to the horses and mules as they graze and make quiet noises. At 3 am I will most likely be woken by thundering hooves that is their playtime. They run, jump, and nip at each other... always around 3 am. Or is that when the hags of old come to ride them and twist witches knots in their manes? Margie Johnson Our Great Adventure Fellowship Christian equine organization met this weekend (April 8) at Lee State Park. This morning I felt led to publishing the following scripture. This verse addresses meeting Godly people, and the people that we are exposed to that he puts in our lives. I know I met several that had an impact on me and I thank the Lord for their presence in my life. Did you ever notice that when you walk into a spider web you suddenly become a ninja? Lori M. Smith "Praise the Lord! I will thank the Lord with all my heart as I meet with His godly people. How amazing are the deeds of the Lord! All who delight in Him should ponder them. Everything He does reveals His glory and majesty. His righteousness never fails. He causes us to remember His wonderful works. How gracious and merciful is our Lord!" (Ps. 111:1-4, NLT) Harold Andrews PRAYER REQUESTS THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY LOST LOVED ONES Ashley & Pam Riddle Ashley has health issues Roxie Williamson eyes Terry Hunt Roxie s daughter diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis Carl Bygger-Roxie s son-in-law-in KuWait Johnny Brewington-Roxie s associate pastor had a bad fall; in lots of pain Hollis Smith health issues Scott & Latha Cooper Jesse & Edna Whitmer Sylvia Roper muscle weakness in legs Page 3

4 Serving God, Helping People, Using Horses The Hunter/Jumper Trainer Lisa Bobbit owns horses, rides, trains, and teaches horseback riding. In addition, she boards a couple retired horses at her farm. Often, she has green horses as projects to advance their training. Currently, she teaches approximately ten students. Some trailer their horses in for lessons at Narrow Gate Farm and Lisa travels to teach at nearby farms on students own horses or farm lesson horses. As a young girl, Lisa adored animals of all types. Her first word was Dodo for dog. Born to two city slickers from Boston, she never had animals in the house while growing up. So, when they moved to suburban Orange County, California next door to a farm, she was overjoyed. At age 8, Lisa would bike over to the farm every day. Sometimes she slept in the hayloft on weekends. At this farm, there were cows, dogs, cats, chickens, sheep, rabbits, and of course horses. The elderly owner made a deal with neighborhood kids, including Lisa, that if they helped around the farm they could earn a ride on one of his horses. Lisa was hooked and her career path began. Horses embody many of the greatest values on earth: responsibility, compassion, independence, friendship, and love. Around horses, Lisa feels understood and at total peace, much like many others. This peace feels sacred, and spiritual, prayerful. Just being around horses looking into their eyes, feeling their thoughts and energy, there is a stillness and she knows God is present. While teaching a lesson, her mind is focused and confident, as if God helps with providing the instruction. Knowing how much to push a student, or a horse, and when to call it a day. The horse business comes with its own set of struggles and these are largely financial. Proper care and consistent training of horses comes with a price. While she s trying to usher children through life teaching the benefits of working with horses, that price tag always rears its ugly head. The sticker shock of riding, leasing, boarding, buying, owning, and possibly, showing horses discourages many. However, Lisa admits seeing God s Providence in many strange coincidences over the years. Just when she thinks a student won t be able to continue lessons, or work out a lease, or buy a horse, something extraordinary happens. Remarkably, it always works out for these students who are whole heartedly invested and willing to work for it. Children who are not afraid to get dirty, work hard, be humbled, willing to learn, get outside. God working things out as they are meant to be. He blesses them with the horse-lifestyle, and the lessons they will learn. Continued on the next page.... Page 4

5 Lisa says, I see the rewards in different ways: Through shaping children, shaping the horses I train and board, and the horses my students go on to ride and own. While teaching in this area of over ten years, she s seen children raised with horses grow into women she s proud to call friends. She s had the pleasure of watching 8-year -olds become 18-year-olds and go off to college, 18-year-olds become 28-year-olds whose weddings she s danced at and babies she s held. The lessons taught by horses have been lifelong lessons that bring out the very best in people. Lisa says, I have no doubt that it is Divine. Not only have these students benefitted from a life with horses, but the horses benefit as well. Many of the horses Lisa buys, or uses, in her lesson program have similar histories He s been sitting in the field a couple of years, I have too many horses and too little time, She has this bad habit I can t seem to break. Most of these horses still have life and joy to offer. Lisa sees herself as a bridge to a better life. Matching them up with a girl dreaming of a horse of her own. Or bringing in retirees to board. Giving them much needed care. She said, Seeing their bodies round, coats shine, and dapples on a 20-year old makes my heart rejoice. The work Lisa does transcends the present, and alters the future. Give a man a fish, he eats for a day, teach a man to fish he eats for a lifetime (Chinese proverb). The students she has been fortunate to work with, continue with horses in college and even after college. They move away to other cities, barns, and trainers, out of her reach. Yet she knows the horses under them are thankful. She teaches classical principles of horsemanship which is based on the safety and happiness of the horse. Wherever her students may go, their horses are respected. The horse s needs are met before the rider s. Instilling a servant mindset into her students. Others see this as divine too. Parents comment on how their child s life changed for the better, because of the influence of horses. It is easily, seen, though not always easily paid for, but they will tell you it s worth it! The horses show how thankful they are in other ways. Working hard under saddle. Trying a new skill. Walking up to be haltered. Nickering when they see you. They say, Thank you. Serving God, Helping People, Using Horses The hunter/jumper trainer. Coming next issue Why Narrow Gate? ~Cindy Payne Page 5

6 Conclusion Let the real Flim-Flam Man Stand Up Which one was guilty of playing a hoax on David? Ziba or Mephibosheth? It seems that Mephiboseth is the better man. It was he who told David to give all the property to Ziba. Let him take everything, now that my lord has returned safely. David was more important to him than all the land. If Ziba responded, it wasn t recorded. Sometimes we listen to everything and anything people tell us, but fail to listen to God. We do things our minds cry out for us to do and then find ourselves out of God s will. We fail to do what he wants us to do and become stunted in our spiritual growth. So study, pray, listen, and obey God s will and his way. Attend church and support your pastor. Don t let the smartest film-flam artist of all time, that slick sidewinder called Satan, cheat you out of God s blessings. Frank MY ALMOST PERFECT HORSE Hello everyone. Sylvia asked me to talk about my horse, Henry, so here goes. Henry came into my life two years ago by way of his previous owner, who is now my good friend, Teresa Greene. Henry is a 9 year old strawberry roan Missouri Fox Trotter gelding, with personality plus. He loves attention, is very curious about everything, and is an equine Houdini yes, he can untie himself. And he loves showing off in horse events. We have participated in many horse fun day shows and a few obstacle challenge competitions. Neither of us is perfect by far, but our partnership has won us many ribbons. In 2016, we won the SEFTA (Southeastern Fox Trotter Association) fall classic high point championship in Old Fort, NC. I have always had the desire to compete in some way, but never had the right horse... until Henry and I found each other. Here I am, at age 60, with my almost perfect horse, fulfilling my dreams. Henry always comes through for me, whether on the trails, participating at fun days, or meeting the challenge of obstacle competitions. All of us can probably say we have received lots of blessings, and I can say from my heart that Henry is one of mine. Editor s Note: During the recent Marsh Tacky Fun Day Horse Show at Happy Trails Cowboy Church, Deborah won first place in the trail class, first place in the walk-trot class, second place in the egg and spoon competition, second place in showmanship, and third place in Horsemanship. Congrats to Henry and his partner, Deborah. and Facebook Page 6