Don't quit

Things don't always work out the way we expect. You can plan for every possible turn and twist and still miss something along the way. Does that sound familiar? I've heard that tape play over in my head a time or two. The good news is that in Gods timing success and failure can be measured by the service given for the cause of the gospel. We all want to see doors burst open and crowds of people showing up to ministry activities. When in reality it takes boots on the ground and time in the saddle to effectively share the Good News in our communities. I was watching a horse trainer working with young horse and someone said how long should it take to get this horse trained enough to ride. The trainers comment back was one of a wise cowboy, he said, "wet saddle blankets", or better yet time in the saddle. No magic training session or slick presentation can replace the time honored advice of hard work and commiment to solid ground work. It all comes down to "wet saddle blankets". You just have to get in the saddle and go.

In John 9:4 Jesus says "I must work the works of him who sent me".

There is a time when all of the fancy books and seminars are over and a time has come to place a boot in the stirup, swing you leg over the saddle, grab the reigns and give a kick and go forward. Not everything will come with a wrapping and a bow. The work of the disciple or minister takes commitment and a willingness to accept there are people that will oppose their efforts and there are people that will support them. But in either case it is the motivation of the worker that wells up deep inside and causes them to move forward or retreat at the first sign of discomfort. Our examples come from Christs' service. You can't seperate Christs words from his life, they were bound together even to the cross.

To a cowboy church planter that equates to miles on my Ford, to you it may mean time in Gods word or getting involved in a small group. I would challenge you to stop thinking about it and get to it. Those words of the trainer still ring in my ears, "wet saddle blankets".

Lets Talk

Welcome back. It has been an interesting summer. Each month I will feature a new video devotional for you to study along and dig a little deeper into Gods word. Understanding Gods plan for each one of us is important in these times. So saddle up and ride along with us as we experience Gods word for our everyday lives.

Snow Daze

We finally got a sizeable snow fall here in the mountians today. It began Tuesday night just as I was feeding the horses. On the drive back to the house the snow was so heavy it looked like it was coming from under the car. It was dark and the flakes were huge. Everything got a white winter blanket, it was very pretty. I took this shot this morning about 9am, it was very peaceful but 10 degrees.

This morning the roads were white with a thick layer of ice covering the road. I had to venture out to drive over the farm to feed the horses. On the way over to the farm there are a couple of very steep hills and the icy conditions made it a slow drive. When I got to the horses the fields were white and untouched, the horses were waiting near a large Cedar tree. They just stood there in the 10 degree wind. I made sure they got grain and a large amount of hay, since the ground was frozen. I've got a tank deicer that keeps the water from freezing and since the tempurature isn't going to get above 28 today I'm glad I've got it.

We are going to get some more snow showers this evening but not quite the amount we had Tuesday. The roads are still pretty icy but with more snow on the way I'll bet the conditions will worsen tonight. The horses got a plenty of hay tonight along with grain and they will be nice and warm in the run in shed. The wind has to go around the barn and the run-in shed is on the opposite side of that so the horses are well protected from the cold and wind.

It's a winter wonder land here in Western North Carolina and I am looking forward to getting out and throwing a few snowballs tomorrow. I'm sure we will end up cancelling Cowboy Church this Thursday because of the ice on the roads. But we will be on for Sunday at 10:30 am. So if you are in Asheville stop by and visit with us.

Stay warm tonight.

See you on the trail.

Never Give Up Never

Recently during a phone call a pastor said to me that "maybe I should look for another line of work", this was in response after asking him if he and his church would like to work with us during a rodeo event near his church. His statement hit me like a ton of bricks because I really thought he would welcome the chance to work together but I got a different reaction. His statement really hurt.

I make this comparison because many Christians have had similar situations by well meaning, but grossly misinformed church goers. What are we thinking? We talk so much about ministry and sharing Christ to the world around us and yet we get caught up in a territorial conflicts. Isn't Christ the only reason we do what we do and He calls us to our purpose, after all that's what we have been teaching in church for the past 6 or 8 years. Remember the Purpose Driven Church, Purpose Driven Life and all the subsequent series. Someone left out the chapter about your purpose being validated only if your approved by someone from your church. This would negate the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives, oh and the other part, faith and grace.

Look at James 2:5 Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? The chapter starts off like this; James 2:1 My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.

We want everyone to like us in our church and if someone is different or from the wrong area or not the right area we don't approve. Although this may be a natural reaction of our human condition,this falls short in the face of the gospel. Look at James 2:26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.

Our churches need guidance and it is up to us, the Pastors, elders, ministry leaders and teachers to train and disciple them without prejudice. In the Message Bible, Hebrews 12:12-16 says it best; So don't sit around on your hands! No more dragging your feet! Clear the path for long-distance runners so no one will trip and fall, so no one will step in a hole and sprain an ankle. Help each other out. And run for it! Work at getting along with each other and with God. Otherwise you'll never get so much as a glimpse of God. Make sure no one gets left out of God's generosity. Keep a sharp eye out for weeds of bitter discontent.

Ask God to cleanse your heart and mind from bitterness and distress in your life. This is hindering your effectiveness for Christ. If you have been saved and know Jesus as your Saviour look to Gods word for your direction and if you have never asked Jesus into your life do it right now. Just say, "Jesus I am a sinner, I believe you are the Son of God, please come into my life and take up first place in my heart, make me into the kind of person you want me to be."

If you said that prayer for the first time please let us know, email me so we can pray for you and your new life in Christ.

New Year Keys

Do you have keys that don't work on anything? I have one or two that I'm not sure which locks they will open. Have you ever seen a Skeleton Key? All the doors in the house where I grew up all had skeleton key style locks. You don't find new houses these days using Skeleton Keys for locks anymore, they just didn't provide any kind of security. It's a difference in technology. What worked in the days of Skeleton keys doesn't necessarily provide adequate security now.

There are alot of books out there that advertise the "Keys" to success, happiness, weight loss, spiritual abundance, the list is endless. Even in the Christian circles many authors have written about "Keys" to Church Leadership or "Keys" to great sermons. Jesus said in Matthew 16:19-"I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth is already bound in heaven, and what ever you loose on earth is already loosed in heaven."

Jesus provides a key, if you will, to heaven and eternal life. It is not a key for deeds or church activities rather a path to grace that each of us must choose. Do your inward conditions reflect your outward acts? Or is the weight of circumstances around you corroding your spirit. The harder you try the more ground you seem to loose, sound familiar? You can free yourself from the challenge of "trying to hold on to Jesus" by letting go of the old attitudes. Once you have asked Christ to become your Lord and Master you have to put away the old habits that inhibit your relationship with God. When you asked Jesus to forgive you it was done, don't let doubt and discouragement cloud your view of who God made you to be.

God opens and closes doors in our Christian walk. Be ready to go through the doors He opens and accept the doors He closes. A yes on earth is a yes in heaven and a no on earth is a no in heaven. Let loose the things that keep you from a complete relationship with the Lord by allowing Jesus to turn the key of salvation and opening your heart to Him.

No Bull

There is a verse in Matthew when Jesus asked his disciples, "Who do you say that I am?" Many people that encountered Jesus were wondering if he was the Messiah. Matthew 16:15. As Christmas draws near have you asked that question? With the economy in a spiral and people out of work there are many around us asking that same question. "Where are you God?"

Suzanne, my wife, has been having a difficult time this year with the Christmas Season. Usually she is excited about the Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays, one because she loves being with family and friends and second because she loves sharing with others and helping share Christs love through giving back and helping make Christmas special for others. However, this year is not quite the same. Even after seeing the Singing Christmas Tree she came home and was still not motivated. Now with that being said, she and I both know that those things in themselves don't make Christmas but it is nice to be around friends and share in the joy of the season.

In John 3 verse 12 Jesus says it like this, "If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things?" Have we become so smoothed over by the happenings in our life and the world around us that the miracle of Christ is just another event? Christs' message was a "No Bull" approach.

This season ask yourself this question, Who do you say Jesus is? Is he the name on a holiday, a reason to party, an excuse to gather the family together once a year, or is He Messiah, Emmanuel, Risen Savior, Lord of your life. Religion can get old, I see that in many of the churches I come in contact with, but a relationship with a Living God cannot get old. Renew your relationship with Christ today ask Him to come into your life and take up first place in your heart this Christmas.

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.

Gospel Cow Dog

Our dog Fletcher is an Austrailan Cow Dog. He comes from a working cattle ranch in Florida, he's mixed with Catahoula which makes him a little bigger than most Cow Dogs. When we first got him he was just a puppy and many of our friends warned us that cow dogs by nature are an aggressive bunch. But from the time I brought Fletcher home we trained him and had him around people. He has a great personality for people and the other day helped me share the Gospel.

Each Wednesday I go over to the Canton Livestock Auction to meet new people for our Cowboy Church. Not to mention it's a great place to hang out. The owner Ed Johnson and I met back in the summer and he has allowed me to come over and hold bible studies and promote our cowboy church. Many of the men there are from the area where we hold our Cowboy Church, so it's a great way to meet new people and promote our Thursday services.

Fletcher has not been around alot of cows since we moved to Asheville; horses yes, cows no. So I thought it would be fun to let him get a taste of a real stock yard.

Fletcher and I were standing by the truck when a man come over and asked if my dog was a Blue Heeler, so we began to talk about dogs. I told the man that Fletcher was from Florida. He noticed immediately that Fletcher had a nice personality. I told him that Fletcher is the official dog of Cowboy Church. This gave me the opportunity to share with my new friend how we started a cowboy church in North Buncombe county. His eyes lit up. He told me that he goes to a small church outside of Canton but the Cowboy Church seemed like a great way to share Jesus with people that don't like the typical church.

This whole conversation and meeting began all because of Fletcher. In 1 Corinthians 9:22, Paul says, I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.

As the day went on I met more and more people because of Fletcher being with me, he helps me break the ice with people. I even took Fletcher back into the chutes to help work the cows going into the "Tub", but it was very noisy and crowded and Fletcher wasn't having any of that. The men working the cows liked having Fletcher back there. But in the end sharing Christ with someone is my goal. Some times I find it difficult to just go up to someone and hand them a Cowboy Church postcard and say "come on over!" I tend to be a little shy sometimes. Meeting new people can be intimidating, yes even for a church planter.

You may have something you enjoy that can help you share the Gospel, a way to break the ice with people that you haven't thought of yet. Take a moment today and think about what you do and the talents you have. Your witness is within those talents. If it pleases God then allow that part of your personality to help share the Good News of Jesus Christ.

You may be the only Christ people ever know.

Black Ice

There is a phenominum that occurs here on our mountian roads when it is wet and the tempurature gets to freezing. Moisture freezes on the paved surface and as you drive down the road it looks like a normal road. But you come over a hill and the next thing you know your sliding out of control. Black Ice can be dangerous if you're not expecting it. So when it is raining or even begining to snow the news stations will warn drivers of Black Ice on wet roads. While driving on these mountain roads you have to be aware of the dangers that could cause you to wreck.

John 1:9 says, The true light that shines on everyone was coming into the world. This verse talks of the coming Christ. The coming Messiah would reveal a flawed system of trying to reach God and provide a way for a relationship with God through faith, grace and forgiveness. If you don't know there are dangers ahead how do you know what to look for. As this season approaches watch for the signs that indicate you are getting close to slippery surfaces. Sin doesn't come into our life with flashing lights and red and yellow warning signs in our path. It sneaks into our lives a little at a time.

Let the true light shine in your life and through this Christmas season. You will be surprised how your light provides a wide beam even for those who may need to see a path during this maze of Christmas confusion. Christ is the light of the world.

Good Grief

What a weekend. The news over this Thanksgiving weekend was pretty grim. With the news from Mumbia, India and the throngs of crazed shoppers breaking down doors just to shop was just a bit much for my senses. It made me reflect on the approaching season. My wife has been having a difficult time getting into the "Christmas mood". She doesn't really watch the news that much so her seasonal distress comes from getting the Cowboy Church started and building a home at the same time. Each of which has it's own set of challenges and triumphs.

So as I was searching for some words of comfort I found something that made a lot of sense. It talks about Blessing God. Psalms 104:1 Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD my God, you are very great! You are clothed with splendor and majesty,

Just how do we Bless God. It was explained to me like this. If you have children, at Christmas time do they by you a present? If they do then where do they get the money to get the present? Usually it comes from Mom or Dad, right! Your children get excited about giving you their present. Then on Christmas morning they come in and say "we have a present for you."

When it comes right down to it you paid for your own present but it was a blessing because it was given with love.

That's how we Bless God. We give back what He has already given to us. His gift was His son Jesus Christ. If we accept this gift what we give back to God is our talent, time, our service. Take a few moments this morning to reflect and think about how your life is a Blessing to God.

Day after the big meal

I'm not sure where I got it but I was sick all day yesterday. On Tuesday night I visited the Asheville Buncombe Christian Community Ministry Vets Quarters where we had dinner and then Wednesday I had lunch at McD's. But what ever it was it made me ill for two days. My Mom always puts on a feast for as much family as will show up. Suzanne, my wife, and Mom put on a major spread. My cousin Rick and his wife Jing drove over from Boone to eat with us. I really felt bad not be able be more hospitable. So today I am going to take it easy and recover. I'm starting to feel a little better today. We may go out and brave the Asheville "traffic".

We wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving.

Warm Stove and Warm Hearts

Each time our family sits down for a meal we take time to say a blessing over the food. We want to teach our children that prayer is an essential part of our relationship with God. Clay our 7 year old son likes to say prayers that include our horses, the dog, his freind up the street, Mom and Dad and usually a couple of new items he is thinking about. Devin who is 13 sometimes is less enthusiastic about praying in public but she still prays.

Many times when you pray you may ask God to change some circumstance or situation you are going through. I've done it, it's not the most mature prayer I have prayed. As we grow in Christ we are expected to not act like new Christians. For example a new Christian may not understand how to read the Bible, the reason for attending a small group study, or making church attendance a priority each week. As we get around other Christians it will cause us to grow and mature in our faith. When you pray don't go to God with a laundry list of your desires. God wants to know your needs but at the same time if you are not applying your faith each day how can you have a healthy relationship with God. The model prayer in Matthew 6:9-13 is a great example of how to communicate with our Father in Heaven. It exalts God, humbles us for He supplies our needs, we are all sinners in Gods Holy sight, be forgiving, temptation is all around us and God will strengthen us, but no matter the situation Gods will is plenty.

Today as we all sit down for a Thanksgiving meal remember to thank the One who provides all of our needs and gave us His son Jesus as payment for our sin and brought us into communion with the maker of all. Happy Thankgiving.

Fall Leaves

Here in Western North Carolina we have been experiencing a drought, many of the creeks and springs have run dry. People that depend on wells for their water are struggling to find water for their homes. I was talking with a woman that carries water to her cows from a few hundred feet away. No matter who I talk with I find out that even in difficult times people do what ever it takes to get the job done. Even if it means having to change the normal routine and our level of comfort.

Planting the Land of the Sky Cowboy Church has had its' own set of challenges... all of it man-made. We have a core group of people that want to see Cowboy Church in North Buncombe grow and they have become good friends and people we can depend on. They help provide laughter and encouragement as well as strong hands when there is work to be done.

Because of the drought when the leaves were changing this past fall I noticed that they were not very bright. We are surrounded by mountians, it's a beautiful sight. The lack of rain caused the leaves on the trees to look dull, it was still a sight to see. Usually they bright with colors and the mountians appear to have flames running from hill to valley. You could see areas that had been effected by the drought and areas where water was still plentiful.

In Acts Paul and Silas were going about their business when they were beaten and thrown in prison. Not something they were expecting that day. Around midnight that night Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns. When is the last time you were sick or down on life? Did you sing and pray to God or was it more like a pitty party for one? I've been there, and it was a challenge to pray and praise God in difficult times. Like those fall colors, the trees still reached skyward even though to my eye they looked dull, the colors still changed bringing a new season to the Western Mountains. Because Paul and Silas did not allow their personal comfort to interfere with their ministry duty the very guard that imprisoned them came to know Jesus Christ as his Saviour, then the guards entire household came to Christ and all were baptised that night. Remember it was midnight when this was going on.

So let's review;, drought, dull colors, surounded, midnight, locked-up and beat-up! Have you got the picture? "Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved". It's that simple. We all have things going on that can distract us from being saved, it is right there for the taking, so take a hold of Christ the Saviour. Psalms 145:10 All your works shall give thanks to you, O LORD, and all your saints shall bless you!

Be Thankful, today as you look around you many are hungry and in need of a kind word or a friend with an ear to listen. Christ calls us to proclaim His joy where-ever we are.

Ground Tied

"Ground Tied" is a term Cowboys use when they can get off their horse and drop the reigns to the ground and not tie them to anything but the horse will not move from that spot even thought he's not tied to a post or a tree.

Look at the picture again, there is a fence but the reigns are not tied to it. This horse is not by himself there are three other horses near him and they are all "ground tied", not to mention the 20 people standing near by. There is a lot of activity going on but this horse stands fast and doesn't go anywhere. A cowboy has spent alot of time with this horse training and working him. This horse knows his place and waits for his rider to return, pick up the reigns, climb on and go back to work.

Gods asks us to wait on Him, Jesus said, " I seek not my will but the will of Him who sent me.", John 5:31. It is easy for us to have our own will and our own plans and ambitions. Our world is going through a precarious time, tomorrow seems blurred by the news of uncertian terms in finances and politics. Gods will for you is very different you may not see it right now but the way to find it is to stand still in His corral. Those fences infront of you are man made and we insist we be tied to it for security and comfort. But tie that horse to that fence and if he get spooked his 1200 lb body will pull those boards right out of the post dragging that length of lumber around, hurting himself and others around him. Seek Gods will for your life and you will find freedom in you everyday life. God doesn't want to tie you down but He wants to give you freedom. That is freedom from death and sin. His son Jesus Christ has given us that freedom from sin and death because is His death and resurrection on the cross. Today ask God to take hold of the reigns of your life and learn from Him, so you can experience life without being tied to lifes fences.

Gravel Road

When is the last time you drove down a gravel road that you didn't know where it went? Or have you ever noticed when you drive down a familiar gravel drive you don't always hit the same hole twice. When I drive up the road to our house every now and then I hit a rut and I think "I don't remember seeing that in the road."

Some dirt roads are smooth while others have those chatter bumps that resemble speed bumps put really close together and if you drive around 35 mph you seem to skip across the tops but any slower or faster it will shake all of the loose change out from under your seats. And some dirt roads have large holes that seem to appear out of no where.

As Christ followers we are going to find the ruts in the road. Our lives don't become easier because we begin to live for Christ, however, we can live free from the constant striving for success and care that the world puts on us. A life with Christ at the center allows us to see the ruts and things that would distract us from living a life full of promise and hope. The promise Christ gives us is that of freedom from sin and hope for tomorrow. God wants the best for you and brings out the best in you if you allow Christ to work through you every day. Even though there are bumps and holes along the road of our journey Christ will lead you through if you let Him.

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.

Giving Thanks

Welcome back, we've been out doing Gods work. This past summer was a challenge like no other. We were focused on the business of ministry and as many of you may already know isn't were God calls us. What I mean is God did not call me to the business of Cowboy Church but rather the delivery of His message through the Cowboy Church. I begin this series with a bit of disappointment, a group that wanted to fund our Cowboy Church at the last minute decided to not fund our Cowboy Church. They wanted us to take COWBOY CHURCH out of our name. This comes from a group of pastors that seem to be more focused on the business of church rather than the ministering of the Gospel.

Don't get me wrong I am not disappointed about any of the funding because God is in control and provides my families every need. It did break my heart because of the attitude with which they approached me. All we can do is pray for churches that are holding on to the traditions and things of the past. The bible says old things are past away, 2 Corinthians 5:17.

What kind of challenge is the greatest? Is it a physical obsticle that we must over come? Or a mental thought that takes up our waking moments? Each is something we must face but not alone. We can have challenges but the Lord must be our source for all answers. He gives us the abilities and capacity to evaluate the challenges in terms of understanding and acceptance. In turn we make a decision on how to handle the obsticle in our path.

Lean on Gods understanding today, make a concious decision to put His will first. I have first hand experience with this. When I try to do it my way and it is contrary to Gods will for my life it falls short of my expectatoin and when it is the way God has planed for me then it seems to be effortless in it execution. Thats a fancy way to say that it works out for Gods purpose.

You have a purpose and God wants to show it to you but you must give your life to Christ and ask Him into your heart today.

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.

Time to Cowboy Up

It's January 1, 2008 and what a better way to begin the New Year then getting Land of the Sky Cowboy Church running. Since we've been here in Asheville we have seen Gods hand at work despite some of the obvious obsticles. The great thing is, God is bigger than anyone or any problem. I'll give you an example. Last week I was speaking to a Raymond Bell the founder of the Cowboy Church of Virginia and we were talking about our new work here in Asheville. Ray and I had talked a few times over the past couple of years but had not officially met. We talked for about 2 hours on the phone. A few hours after we had hung up he called me back and asked what we were doing Saturday, Suzanne and I had nothing pressing, Ray asked if I would like some company, sure I said, and the next thing I new my wife and I were making plans for our guests to arrive.

Ray and his wife Linda showed up at our house around 10:30 am Saturday morning that meant they left their house in Roanoke, Virginia at 6 AM. One thing is for sure when you do something out of the ordinary you find out really quick who your friends are. Ray and Linda spent the better part of Saturday with us just getting to know one another. I know this sounds strange to say but Suzanne and I haven't really found many friends here in Asheville that understand what we are undertaking with the Cowboy Church plant and how it can take a toll on you. I am not quite sure why that is, we have reached out to alot of people here but maybe we just haven't been able to connect with anyone locally yet.

I know Suzanne has had alot on her plate with home schooling and also hepling me with getting the church started. Ray and Linda listened and shared their experiences from years of ministry work and service. The Cowboy Churches in Virginina, like here in the Carolinas, are seeing tremendous growth as God works through the men and women of the Cowboy Church. It's not just about having a new niche to share the Gospel or impressive music but it happens because men and women are praying for change in peoples hearts. Only Jesus Christ can make that change possible, if we are ready.

All I can say is that it energized us to meet people that are out there on the front lines of ministry, doing what the Bible says,...GO! And go they did right here to Swannanoa, NC and shared their light with Suzanne and I. I'll never forget that day and someone lending a hand of freindship for Christ. Now that's being a light and an example for how Christ says we are to act towards one another.

On Thursday January 10 at 7PM we will begin holding services in Madison County. We have already been asked to start another Cowboy Church in Haywood County this spring. Please continue to pray for Suzanne and me as we share the gospel in the Cowboy culture.

Thanks Giving

I sat on the hill over looking my parents farm tonight and just watched the sun go down over the mountains. Since we moved here I don't think I had taken time to just sit and look at the mountains or watch the sun set. It was one of those moments that I just stopped to watch the horses eating grass and let Lucy the dog (not our dog, just one that comes up to the house when we show up to chase Fletcher, our dog) curl up beside me and we just sat there listening to the wind and the sound of the horses moving through the field. When is the last time you stopped and let the world go by so you could slow down? The time to say "thanks" to those that have made a difference in your life. Then "give" back to those with who you can make a difference. God gave us His great gift in His son Jesus Christ, we say thanks by being faithful to Gods words and sharing what Christ has done for us with others.