Lead & Feed
By Christa Conway
I know when most of you see that title, you'll think of "Halter" horses. I know I do. I've heard that term many times referring to the show horses that get to be judged on their conformation and "look." Of course, I will put a spin on this term to relate it to our Christian walk.
Like horses, some people are just naturally going to be better at certain things than others. Taller guys usually make better basketball players (at least in Center position), quarter horses are usually the choice for most to take a chance on for a barrel racing horse and some people are just natural leaders. And I mean in the sense that people follow them (although there are plenty of people out there who are more comfortable leading horses rather than riding them.)
The question that I want to put before you is this: Are you a leader? I know most of you will say, "No, not me. I am probably more of a follower."
Well, truth be known, the numbers are in the favor of the followers. But like it or not, if you are a Christian, you are a leader whether you want to be or not.
I am telling you, friends....you are being watched and in some cases literally followed. People want to know what "Christians" are doing. They want to know what it is that you've got that they don't. Or it is always possible that they want to catch you doing something that you shouldn't be doing so they have an excuse as to why they don't want to be one of those "hypocrites."
Yes, like it or not....you are a leader.
Recently our church had a special singing group come in that sang a song about Christians doing things they shouldn't have been doing, getting "spotted" by another and then being seen the next Sunday morning in church on the "front row testifying, how they love the Lord."
Is that good "leadership?"
It is up to you and me to determine where we are leading those who have taken a notion to follow us.
You've all heard the old saying, "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink." Well, it is kind of the same way with being a Christian and "leading" our lost friends to church or a fellowship meeting. I am not sure if the hard part is getting them to follow you there or getting them to "drink" once they show up.
I have been talking to several people lately about our church, Jesus and how much he loves them and so on. I have even invited a few to our church. Some have even came for a visit! Great, huh? This "leading thing" isn't so hard, I thought. Think again. Well, yes....the seed has been planted, but my job as a Christian is not finished there. I have realized now that I need to be praying for that seed to grow. I need to be praying for "leadership" skills through Christ to give me the words when I am questioned about things that people might ask after a visit to church. Things that I may not know the answer to myself. (You know the deep stuff, like "Why are we here?" Why does God allow children to suffer? Questions I cannot answer on my own.) I have to say that very recently when I have been put in a position to answer questions like these, God has given me the right words. Praise His name!
Back to the "Lead & Feed...."
As I said, we are all leaders, whether we want to be or not.
The "feeding" part comes next. It is all about feeding the spirit. Yours, mine and theirs. Everyone needs to be fed spiritually. I cannot explain how much easier my week goes when I have spent time with God. At church, in prayer, devotions, with other Christians...... It really is food for the spirit. If you doubt these words, try it yourself.....I have never heard anyone say..."Boy, I sure wish I hadn't prayed today....or went to that bible study...... or listened to that message."
We cannot be good leaders if we aren't well nourished ourselves. We have to be able to lead those that are following and to set a good example of how to "eat right."
Of course, we are not perfect. I am the first to admit that I have been "followed" into wrong. When that happens, we have to realize that God forgives and we just need to get back on the right path. It is a narrow path, afterall. We are bound to step off of it once in a while. The trick is getting right back on the "right" path before we lead many other down the wrong one with us.
Matthew 7:14
Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
My prayer for you (and me) this month is that we all realize and embrace our rolls as "leaders and feeders." If we are going to be put in the position, we may as well try to be good at it, huh?
Until next month....
"Lead and Feed!"
Happy Trails & God Bless!
Christa
Merry CHRISTmas
From an email friend
*Twas the month before Christmas*
*When all through our land,*
*Not a Christian was praying*
*Nor taking a stand.*
*See the PC Police had taken away,*
*The reason for Christmas - no one could say.*
*The children were told by their schools not to sing,*
*About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.*
*It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say*
* December 25th is just a 'Holiday'.*
*Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit*
*Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!*
*CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod*
*Something was changing, something quite odd! *
*Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa*
*In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.*
*As Targets were hanging their trees upside down*
* At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found.*
*At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears*
*You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.*
*Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty*
*Are words that were used to intimidate me.*
*Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen*
*On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton!*
*At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter*
*To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.*
*And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith*
* Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace*
*The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded*
*The reason for the season, stopped before it started.*
*So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree'*
*Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.*
*Choose your words carefully, choose what you say*
*Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS,
not Happy Holiday!*
Please, all Christians join together and
wish everyone you meet
MERRY CHRISTMAS
Christ is The Reason for the Christ-mas Season!
On a side note regarding the "Happy Holidays" versus "Merry Christmas"..... I was in a Waffle House eating breakfast the other day and was told by one of the employees that they were not allowed to use the phrase "Merry Christmas" to their patrons. THey were to say "Happy Holidays" unless the patron specifically told them it was OK to use the phrase "Merry Christmas." I just about fell out of my booth. I had heard what I though to be "rumors" of workplaces enforcing this "rule" but did not actually think that an employer could enforce this!
Now, I did not hear it first hand from the employer, but I have to think that there is some truth to this.
I am making a conscious effort this CHRISTmas season to take every opportunity to use the correct phrase and I am also vowing to write it on the outside of every one of my Christmas Cards this year. I want everyone to know why I celebrate this time of year.
I celebrate CHRISTmas, becausen God sent his only son, of a virgin birth, to be the perfect sacrifice that would take away my sins and provide a pathway for me to Heaven. It was written long before he arrived and I will celebrate these thousands of years since.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Kicks & Giggles
A mother was preparing pancakes for her sons, Kevin 5, and Ryan 3.
The boys began to argue over who would get the first pancake.
Their mother saw the opportunity for a moral lesson.
'If Jesus were sitting here, He would say, 'Let my brother have the first pancake, I can wait.'
Kevin turned to his younger brother and said,'Ryan, you be Jesus!'
The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything;
They just make the best of everything they have.
Prayer Requests
Everyone, please, just take a few minutes when you receive your letter and pray over it and the names on this list…we have seen miracles happen. If you have a prayer request, please let me know and I will be sure to include it in a future issue of the Christian Barrel Racer’s Newsletter. Pray for:
Those who do not know Jesus- there are so many people who do not know how much Jesus loves them. There are people who do not know the feeling of being forgiven andof belonging to a family. Pray for those who do not know Jesus...pray for someone to cross their path who can introduce them to Him.
Children- Your own, your friends, all children...children with parents, without parents....that they would know that their Heavenly Father loves them.
Safety at the horse shows for all who attend….those on the road while travelling to and from….the horses and rider’s health and safety as well.
Keep *all military and their families* in your prayers. They make big sacrifices to secure our freedoms………
Our Leaders in political office… We may or may not agree with their policies…but God tells us to pray for ALL of them.
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark 11:24
*Prayer for Unsaved*
Many of us have family members and/or friends that are not sure where they will spend eternity. We may feel unsure about approaching them, but we can approach Our Heavenly Father on their behalf.
Here is a passage from the bible to pray as intercession for them. Just say the person’s name when you see a blank.
I have not stopped giving thanks for ______, remembering ______in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give ______the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that ______may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of ______’s heart may be enlightened in order that ______may know the hope to which he has called ______, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
Ephesians 1:16-23
Last & Most Important Thought…
Jesus died on the cross as the final sacrifice. When He was resurrected on the 3rd day, he defeated Satan for us. All we have to do is believe that He beat death and acknowledge it with our words. If we believe that and accept Him as our personal savior…we are promised eternal life with Him in Heaven. You can’t earn your way into Heaven; you have to believe your way there. So many people think they “aren’t good enough” to get to Heaven… But… Salvation is a GIFT from God and you don’t earn a gift. Gifts are something someone gives to you and for the gift to be yours, you have to accept it. All we have to do is accept that wonderful gift. I know I have…won’t you?
But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many. Romans 5:15
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. Romans 10: 9-10
Email/Mailing List
If you want to be added to the emailing list, just send me your email address with a request and I’ll be glad to get a monthly reminder to you. I send out hundreds via email.
I have stopped the regular mailings via USPS, there were only a handful left without email and my time restraints make it hard to accomplish this task. So, if you know someone who does not have email and you think they would enjoy reading the CBRN….PLEASE feel free to print and SHARE!! Hopefully, whether you are on the web or not…you can still enjoy the CBRN. If you know someone who has internet, have them print it for you each month. All you have to do is ask. And remember, they are always FREE!
If you have a prayer request, a story to share, something to sell or the one’s I like the most… a praise, I would be glad to include them in next month’s newsletter. Just send them to me mail or email or call me with your request and I’ll write them up for you. I can include your name if you like or I can make sure to leave it out if you request.
Contact Me
(765) 755-3427 (765) 744-7363
"Life is not the way it's supposed to be.
It's the way it is.
The way you cope with it is what makes the difference."