Holiday Christmas-alation

With everyone getting so twisted about the Christmas - Holiday debate, it's time I offer a brief insight into the mind of the"Cowhunter".

 With so many evil events going on in our country lets put aside all the verbal wrangling and political posturing; instead let's become neighbors sharing joy and a season that represents giving and the gift of hope. A season that represents the best in man-kind....

Tiz the season, ...no? I am so tired of hearing about one group stomping on Christmas and wholesome family values and traditions or another group shouting, "it's a Christmas tree!" or "say MERRY CHRISTMAS!" The latest thing I heard was employees boycotting an office party event because they don't celebrate Christmas. No alchohol just food, sodas and sweet tea. Association is not affirmation. You're not compromising your values or condoning a belief by being freindly or lending your attendance to a gathering at the very place where you work and mingle with other people. In fact it's the exact opposite if we believe in values and our fellow-man then grab a plate, sit next to a friend and talk about your children or your family.

With all the turmoil going on in our world today why wouldn't you want to take time out of your day, sit with your co-workers or next door neighbor for that matter, and enjoy some good food and even a couple of free hours on the company clock.

We see the tradegy brought on by a life filled seperation and division. Let's not duplicate that pattern by isolating ourselves when we should be encouraging one another; if just by our presence and participation.

Put a smile on your face and great one another as humans should with character and goodwill. Let that be a gift you freely give to someone that passes you in the mall or in line at the store. Just as the gift of Christ was given freely to every person on earth. So, Happy Holidays, Merrry Christmas, Happy Hanukka, A Joyous Season, Feliz Navidad and anything else that may be appropriate, you know what I mean.

That's my Tip of the Hat for today.

Sunday Buckout

A few weeks ago a neighbor told me about a Buckout (practice bull riding) in Woodruff, SC. He said it was a small place but that it was attracting some good riders. The buckout was at Raymond Buckners' ranch just north of Greenville, SC. I decided to look him up and find out a little bit more about his event. He and I spoke a couple of times over the past few weeks about bringing cowboy church and announcing for the Bull Ride.

Just before I talked to Raymond I met a man by the name of Peter Finch who was interested in doing a documentary about Cowboy Churches. We met one day while I was shopping at Jacksons Western Wear, one of my favorite places to hang out in Asheville, he was talking to the owner who put him intouch with me, all while we were just standing there in Jacksons. A chance meeting, I don't think so. Peter shared with me his vision about wanting to do a documentary on cowboys and cowboy church. As we began to talk we both realized that we had alot in common. I tell you that because no sooner had Peter and I met that this opportunity to do a Cowboy Church at this buckout opened up.

Finally I was able to get there over to the buckout this Labor Day weekend. They buckout every Sunday at 5 PM in the summer. Iin addition to Cowboy Church Peter showed up with a video crew to document Cowboy Church and the buckout. I'm not sure but I think it was more than he bargined for. Because at one point I looked over at Peter and his other camera man and both of them had grins from ear to ear. They were having a good time.

For our first cowboy church at the buckout I thought it went very well. There were about 25 people there and 9 riders. Once things settled down we had an opportunity to talk with each of the riders and others that were just there to watch and they all said the same thing. "We want Cowboy Church here each Sunday!" Peter asked me to interview a few of the bull riders and ask there experiences, kind of the "why do you do something like that?" question. One theme began to emerge and it was about their personal faith in Christ, the relationship each one of those young men had with Christ was unique yet they all spoke of their experiences as a tool to witness to their friends.

1 Peter 3:15 says it best; but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,

Be able to share the Good News is very different from actually putting the truck in DRIVE and heading out on the highway to go do it. God showed me an opportunity and I had no other choice but to answer. No agenda or personal gain, just the call.

If you're ever near Woodruff, SC on a Sunday call me up and I'll give you directions to the Buckout Cowboy Church

Shine'n Boots at the Rodeo

Here is a video I set up during the Southern Finals Rodeo in Asheville, NC Saturday night November 14. The Ag Center was packed and this video condenses 45 minutes of shining shoes into about a minute and a half. We shined shoes from 6 PM until 10:30 PM Saturday evening. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did being there shining all these boots. Earl (Trail and Outdoor Ministry Leader) is in the white hat and Gene (pastor) is wearing the black hat. All together we shined about 125 pairs of boots over the 3 day finals event. Look for us at a Rodeo - Shining for Jesus.

Saturday Nights All Right

You don't have to be a cowboy to enjoy Bull Riding. It is the most dangerous sport anywhere on the planet. It is also one of the top watched events in television sports today. For those of you new to Bull Riding, the object is to sit on a bull, hold on to a rope wrapped around the bull, and when the chute is opened you hold on and stay on for 8 seconds. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, it doesn't seem like that long now, does it. But try to hang to a 1,500 to 2,000 pound bull who wants nothing more than to get you off of his back and 8 seconds can seem like an eternity. Got the picture!?

For those cowboys who ride bulls it's an everyday occurrence, you just have to maintain the nerve to repeat last weeks ride or not depending on how bad you got hurt. These guys are tuff. It's mental an physical. Sort of like ridding down a bumpy dirt road in the back of a Pick-up Truck going 50 miles per hour with nothing more to hang onto than a rope. Let me know how it works out. On second thought don't even try it, I don't want to know. Leave it up to the pros, ok?!

I met Jeff Robinson, who owns a number of PBR bucking bulls, a few weeks ago and he was telling me about a Bull Riding event he was putting on here in Asheville at the old Stockyards on the river. That's all I needed to get involved, other than Jeff's' permission. Scott Collins, who attends our Cowboy Church, is a rodeo judge and he is also one of the judges for the bull riding here in Asheville. So I went down to the Stockyards almost everyday last week just to let Jeff know we were serious about helping and then we watched them transform the stockyards into a bull riding arena.

The whole goal of our Cowboy Church is to share the gospel with those who like to cowboy and those that like to be around cowboys. You don't have to be a cowboy to enjoy Cowboy Church, just come as you are and worship the Lord. God wants to know each of us personally. The way we develop that relationship is to ask Jesus Christ to be our Lord and Saviour.

I don't want to see any of the bull riders get hurt but if something should happen while they are riding, I want them to trust in Christ for all their needs. Ask Christ to make you into the kind of person He wants you to be.

Philippians 3:20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

Planting with intent

North Asheville Baptist Church invited us to their Missions Banquet, which was Friday November 21. Two of our core members, Scott and Sally, joined us to help pass out information to the visitors at the banquet. We had a great time talking to a few people about Cowboy Church.
We have been talking to North Asheville about them becoming a local church sponsor.

We put together a short video from our weekend at the Southern Finals Rodeo for the event, so take a look and enjoy. We held cowboy church on Sunday before the rodeo and we had 100 people attend the service. Remember, Cowboy Church is more than Rodeos, we like and support all types of equestrian events, English, Hunter Jumper, etc. Our daughter enjoys English style and has done barrel patterns in her english saddle.

It is not necessary to be a pro rider to attend Cowboy Church. Romans 12:2 says be transformed by the renewing of your mind... By not allowing the distractions of the world to take you off track you can begin to understand Gods will for your life. Have you ever thought to yourself...how do I know what Gods will is for me? If you don't ever read your bible, participate in a small group bible study, or attend church you will never know. God wants the best for you and if you spend time with Him - His plan for your life will be revealed. Be intentional in your worship.

Join us on a Thursday night at 7 PM in Weaverville, please be our guest.

Not Church

January 27 was a day that will go down as a day... well... as a very different day. Land of the Sky Cowboy Church was asked to help sponsor Cowboy Day at Swannanoa First Baptist Church. The day would begin with a breakfast and then a cowboy style service. You just don't say that to a cowboy pastor if you don' mean it. Steve Rayburn, pastor of Swannanoa gave us the reigns and said one thing, "preach the gospel". There were 150 for breakfast and around 600 for the service. Steve told the congregation that they came within 10 people of setting the Sunday School attendance record.

Our ministry team from Cowboy Church really made an impact. My wife Suzanne in conjunction with, Natilie, Nikki, their Dad Mike along with Matt and Lacie all brought out their horses and greated everyone as they drove up to the church parking lot. Now that's Cowboy. The service started with a Stick Horse Stampede featuring 30 children from the Kingdom Kids ministry of Swannanoa First Baptist. From there we "Cowboy'd Up" and gave the gospel cowboy church style. The people at Swannanoa First Baptist made us feel very welcome. My Mom has been the organist for this church for 42 years, so most of the members know me because I grew up there or they know my Mom. It made me a little nervous knowing that just about everyone there knew me when I was in High School, yikes! Gods plan for my life continues to unfold each day as we move forward. None of this could have happened without people praying for us. If you are reading this I would encourage you to please pray for this ministry. It is our mission to share the Good News of Jesus Christ within the Cowboy Culture and help others become effective Christ followers.

From Suzanne and myself we want to thank you for your continued prayers and support.