Howdy folks,
The new discipleship resource for cowboy churches NO COWBOY LEFT BEHIND has been published at last. The journey has been interesting and evidenced the way God provides and directs our paths. I finished the draft was in November, 2011 and had no idea where the money would come from to print the book. God did! In early December, 2011, Clearwater Cowboy Church, Caroline, Alberta, Canada, provided the funds necessary to print the book. Proofreading and editing was completed in February, 2012. Cover design, final editing and printing was completed in March. Since that time, folks who have purchased NO COWBOY LEFT BEHIND have been positive in their reviews. In fact, it is likely that a reprint will be necessary in the near future.
Using the idea of a possibles bag in which cowboy carried all the essentials for life on the trail, NO COWBOY LEFT BEHIND sets out the essentials a new believer will need to reach their full potential as a top hand for Jesus. Unlike the many other discipleship books on the subject of discipleship that have been written, this book is western-themed and sensitive to the cowboy culture. Although written for individual study, it will be a useful handbook for the mature Christian who wants to disciple other believers. Early feedback also suggests that the book could be used in a small group study.
If this sounds like a discipleship resource that may be helpful to you, your church, or ministry please take a few minutes to mosey over to the website: www.nocowboyleftbehind.com to find out more about the book.
On the trail for Him
Mike and Suzann
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Monday, January 9, 2012
NO COWBOY LEFT BEHIND
Howdy folks,
Cowboy churches are one of the fastest growing non-traditional church groups in North America. As a result, according to cowboy church planters and pastors one of the things that is desperately needed is material for discipling new believers. NO COWBOY LEFT BEHIND was written in response to this need. It is not your typical discipleship book. Unlike the many books on the subject of discipleship that have been written, this book is western-themed and sensitive to the cowboy culture. In addition, it is written to meet the need for discipleship training material among cowboy churches.
NO COWBOY LEFT BEHIND is designed to provide the new believer with a practical and immediately usable resource for growing their faith. It has a simple goal: to encourage them to establish habits that will have a positive impact upon their spiritual life. These include: spending time with God in prayer; reading and studying your Bible; fellowshipping and worshiping with other believers; and, sharing your faith with others. Although many new believers, in their own way, will have tried to do many of things put forward in this book, they may also have felt from time to time that they would like to have a better handle on how to reach spiritual maturity in Christ. If so, this book was written for them.
Even though NO COWBOY LEFT BEHIND was intended for individual study, my prayer is that it will also be a useful handbook for the mature Christian who wants to disciple other believers, as well as a discipleship training manual for cowboy churches. In any case, all readers will find that it is not a book to be read and reacted to but, rather, a resource document to be absorbed and applied.
The book should be available early this Spring. In the meantime, if you have any questions you can contact me at mgburn@shaw.ca.
On the trail for Him,
Mike and Suzann
Cowboy churches are one of the fastest growing non-traditional church groups in North America. As a result, according to cowboy church planters and pastors one of the things that is desperately needed is material for discipling new believers. NO COWBOY LEFT BEHIND was written in response to this need. It is not your typical discipleship book. Unlike the many books on the subject of discipleship that have been written, this book is western-themed and sensitive to the cowboy culture. In addition, it is written to meet the need for discipleship training material among cowboy churches.
NO COWBOY LEFT BEHIND is designed to provide the new believer with a practical and immediately usable resource for growing their faith. It has a simple goal: to encourage them to establish habits that will have a positive impact upon their spiritual life. These include: spending time with God in prayer; reading and studying your Bible; fellowshipping and worshiping with other believers; and, sharing your faith with others. Although many new believers, in their own way, will have tried to do many of things put forward in this book, they may also have felt from time to time that they would like to have a better handle on how to reach spiritual maturity in Christ. If so, this book was written for them.
Even though NO COWBOY LEFT BEHIND was intended for individual study, my prayer is that it will also be a useful handbook for the mature Christian who wants to disciple other believers, as well as a discipleship training manual for cowboy churches. In any case, all readers will find that it is not a book to be read and reacted to but, rather, a resource document to be absorbed and applied.
The book should be available early this Spring. In the meantime, if you have any questions you can contact me at mgburn@shaw.ca.
On the trail for Him,
Mike and Suzann
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
RIDE TO THE WHISTLE
Howdy folks,
“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it (1 Corinthians 9:24).”
In the Bible an athletic contest is often used as an illustration for the Christian life. Most often it is portrayed as race. Runners train with self-discipline so that they can compete with staying power. Likewise, cowboys and cowgirls, who compete in rodeo rough stock and timed events, train hard to be the best in their sport. No matter the personal sacrifice or physical pain that must be overcome, their goal is to have the best time, or ride to the whistle and, in so doing, win the coveted prize for their event.
Once on the trail, you’ll need the same self-discipline to continue growing spiritually and living victoriously. You must be willing to chuck everything that will trip you up. Hebrews 12:1 says, “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run, with endurance the race that is set before us.” Remember, that you make it to the short-go, not by how well you perform, but by how well you let Christ perform through you. 2 Timothy 4:7 says, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
For the faithful servant, there’s a trophy buckle when you finish the work God has called you to do. Philippians 3:14 says, “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Just as every successful athlete keeps looking toward the goal, so you must keep looking to Jesus. The real test of the Christian life as in an athletic contest is steady progress, not spasms of effort or emotion, toward the goal to win the prize.
O I want to be like Jesus
As I walk along this pilgrim way;
O I want to live like Jesus,
Showing forth His beauty ev’ry day.
This my prayer and deepest longing ---
To be pure without, within;
O I want to be like Jesus,
Cleansed from dross and free from self and sin. ---Peterson
On the trail for Him
Mike and Suzann
“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it (1 Corinthians 9:24).”
In the Bible an athletic contest is often used as an illustration for the Christian life. Most often it is portrayed as race. Runners train with self-discipline so that they can compete with staying power. Likewise, cowboys and cowgirls, who compete in rodeo rough stock and timed events, train hard to be the best in their sport. No matter the personal sacrifice or physical pain that must be overcome, their goal is to have the best time, or ride to the whistle and, in so doing, win the coveted prize for their event.
Once on the trail, you’ll need the same self-discipline to continue growing spiritually and living victoriously. You must be willing to chuck everything that will trip you up. Hebrews 12:1 says, “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run, with endurance the race that is set before us.” Remember, that you make it to the short-go, not by how well you perform, but by how well you let Christ perform through you. 2 Timothy 4:7 says, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
For the faithful servant, there’s a trophy buckle when you finish the work God has called you to do. Philippians 3:14 says, “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Just as every successful athlete keeps looking toward the goal, so you must keep looking to Jesus. The real test of the Christian life as in an athletic contest is steady progress, not spasms of effort or emotion, toward the goal to win the prize.
O I want to be like Jesus
As I walk along this pilgrim way;
O I want to live like Jesus,
Showing forth His beauty ev’ry day.
This my prayer and deepest longing ---
To be pure without, within;
O I want to be like Jesus,
Cleansed from dross and free from self and sin. ---Peterson
On the trail for Him
Mike and Suzann
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
YOUR SIDEKICK
Howdy folks;
“Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God (1 Corinthians 2:12).”
One of the most serious problems facing the plains pioneer was that of obtaining an adequate supply of water. Without such a supply, he couldn’t exist. Those who lived in the valleys along streams were fortunate as they could get water from springs or from the streams themselves. The mechanical windmill, therefore, was crucial to settling the West. They permitted ranchers and farmers to bring water up from deep below the surface and, thereby, live and work on land where there was no reliable water supply.
By using the wind power readily available to them, ranchers and farmers were able to get the water they needed. By using the power of the Holy Spirit available to us as Christians we have the ability to live as we should and as God intended. One of the most profound and noteworthy promises Jesus made during His earthly ministry was His promise of the coming of the Holy Spirit. Before He left them, Jesus promised His disciples that God would send the Holy Spirit to guide them in their lives. John 14:26 says, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things I have said.” His last commandment was for them to wait in Jerusalem until that promise was fulfilled. Acts 2:1-4 is the account of the disciples receiving the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Since that day, when people believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and are saved, they receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, who will be their sidekick forever.
When you are saved, the Holy Spirit lives within you and gives you a “new nature,” which is the nature of God. This new nature helps you to understand spiritual things because the Holy Spirit is riding with you. Knowing this should be of great comfort. God is always with you and no matter what comes your way you’ll know that God, working through the Holy Spirit, will guide you through it.
Holy Spirit, faithful Guide,
Ever near the Christian’s side,
Gently lead us by the hand,
Pilgrims in a desert land;
Weary souls fore’er rejoice,
While they hear that sweetest voice
Whispering softly, “Wand’rer come!
Follow Me, I’ll guide you home.” ---Wells
On the trail for Him
Mike and Suzann
“Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God (1 Corinthians 2:12).”
One of the most serious problems facing the plains pioneer was that of obtaining an adequate supply of water. Without such a supply, he couldn’t exist. Those who lived in the valleys along streams were fortunate as they could get water from springs or from the streams themselves. The mechanical windmill, therefore, was crucial to settling the West. They permitted ranchers and farmers to bring water up from deep below the surface and, thereby, live and work on land where there was no reliable water supply.
By using the wind power readily available to them, ranchers and farmers were able to get the water they needed. By using the power of the Holy Spirit available to us as Christians we have the ability to live as we should and as God intended. One of the most profound and noteworthy promises Jesus made during His earthly ministry was His promise of the coming of the Holy Spirit. Before He left them, Jesus promised His disciples that God would send the Holy Spirit to guide them in their lives. John 14:26 says, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things I have said.” His last commandment was for them to wait in Jerusalem until that promise was fulfilled. Acts 2:1-4 is the account of the disciples receiving the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Since that day, when people believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and are saved, they receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, who will be their sidekick forever.
When you are saved, the Holy Spirit lives within you and gives you a “new nature,” which is the nature of God. This new nature helps you to understand spiritual things because the Holy Spirit is riding with you. Knowing this should be of great comfort. God is always with you and no matter what comes your way you’ll know that God, working through the Holy Spirit, will guide you through it.
Holy Spirit, faithful Guide,
Ever near the Christian’s side,
Gently lead us by the hand,
Pilgrims in a desert land;
Weary souls fore’er rejoice,
While they hear that sweetest voice
Whispering softly, “Wand’rer come!
Follow Me, I’ll guide you home.” ---Wells
On the trail for Him
Mike and Suzann
Monday, June 6, 2011
THE LEAST OF THESE
Howdy folks,
And the King will answer and say to them, “Assuredly, I say to you inasmuch as you did it to one the least of these My brethren you did it to Me (Matthew 25:40).”
Over the years, as a cowboy gospel ministry, we’ve been asked to minister in many non-traditional venues (barns, rodeo grounds, saloon patios, dance halls, outdoor stages, hotels, etc.); however, our audiences have usually been folks who love the western way of life and enjoy our cowboy style of ministry. Consequently, we expected to find a friendly and receptive audience wherever we were asked to minister.
All that changed several years ago. Our last stop on the Songs of Faith Ministries tour was supposed to be at a church in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. It so happened, however, that the pastor had double booked on that particular Sunday morning and he asked if we would mind taking the service at the Union Gospel Mission in downtown Winnipeg. I still remember his words: “There’s about 120 homeless people who attend the service and they will love your cowboy gospel music.” After agreeing to his request, I realized that this was going to be out of our comfort zone and began to worry about our safety and how are ministry would really be received,
When we arrived at the Mission on Sunday morning, we found it was exactly as the pastor had described. As I looked around, I could see the despair on their faces that comes from living on the street. In spite of my original misgivings, the Lord really blessed our ministry. From their smiles as they sang along, you could see that the old hymns and gospel songs touched many hearts.
I learned a valuable lesson that morning. We can’t always expect to minister in our comfort zone. When you tell God you’ll preach His Word, you don’t get to choose the place or the audience, He does! I’m reminded of Jesus’ words: “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick (Matthew 9:12).”
So send I you to blind the bruised and broken,
O’er wand’ring souls to work, to weep, to wake.
To bear the burdens of a world aweary
So send I you to suffer for My sake. ---Clarkson
On the trail for Him
Mike and Suzann
And the King will answer and say to them, “Assuredly, I say to you inasmuch as you did it to one the least of these My brethren you did it to Me (Matthew 25:40).”
Over the years, as a cowboy gospel ministry, we’ve been asked to minister in many non-traditional venues (barns, rodeo grounds, saloon patios, dance halls, outdoor stages, hotels, etc.); however, our audiences have usually been folks who love the western way of life and enjoy our cowboy style of ministry. Consequently, we expected to find a friendly and receptive audience wherever we were asked to minister.
All that changed several years ago. Our last stop on the Songs of Faith Ministries tour was supposed to be at a church in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. It so happened, however, that the pastor had double booked on that particular Sunday morning and he asked if we would mind taking the service at the Union Gospel Mission in downtown Winnipeg. I still remember his words: “There’s about 120 homeless people who attend the service and they will love your cowboy gospel music.” After agreeing to his request, I realized that this was going to be out of our comfort zone and began to worry about our safety and how are ministry would really be received,
When we arrived at the Mission on Sunday morning, we found it was exactly as the pastor had described. As I looked around, I could see the despair on their faces that comes from living on the street. In spite of my original misgivings, the Lord really blessed our ministry. From their smiles as they sang along, you could see that the old hymns and gospel songs touched many hearts.
I learned a valuable lesson that morning. We can’t always expect to minister in our comfort zone. When you tell God you’ll preach His Word, you don’t get to choose the place or the audience, He does! I’m reminded of Jesus’ words: “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick (Matthew 9:12).”
So send I you to blind the bruised and broken,
O’er wand’ring souls to work, to weep, to wake.
To bear the burdens of a world aweary
So send I you to suffer for My sake. ---Clarkson
On the trail for Him
Mike and Suzann
Saturday, May 28, 2011
UP THE TRAIL
Howdy folks,
The moment you trusted Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, you started up the trail on lifelong spiritual journey. When you ride for the brand, God directs your life. With each new trail day, God will build upon the work of the past with a view toward work in the future. As you go up the trail, He will not lead you down a blind trail or have you follow a cold trail. You can be sure He has an orderly plan in place and a divine purpose in mind for your life. “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).” Spiritual growth does not just happen. It develops as God matures you in your relationship with Him.
The process of growing spiritually, often referred to in the Bible as walking with God, occurs one step at a time. Colossians 2:6 says, “As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him.” God has not promised you that your trail days will be easy; rather, that He will be with you each step of the way. Psalm 23:4 says, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me: Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” What a comfort to know that God will always stand by His trail hands.
As you go up the trail, you will leave trail markers along your back-trail. These are milestones or benchmarks in your Christian experience that will let you see how God has been faithfully working in your life. Over time, a review of these trail markers will serve to confirm His on-going presence, as well as how He has guided you. Take a-hold of what you have been taught. “Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our guide (2 Thessalonians 2:15).” They will also be a ready source of comfort and encouragement as you put into practice the spiritual truths you have learned. Every trail marker on your back-trail is a testimonial to your growth in understanding God’s ways and to your trust in Him. As you go up the trail, you can be sure that God will lead you step by step. He has many truths for you to discover and you have a lot more growing to do.
More like the Master I would live and grow;
More of His love to others I would show;
More self-denial, like His in Galilee,
More like the Master I long to ever be. ---Gabriel
The moment you trusted Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, you started up the trail on lifelong spiritual journey. When you ride for the brand, God directs your life. With each new trail day, God will build upon the work of the past with a view toward work in the future. As you go up the trail, He will not lead you down a blind trail or have you follow a cold trail. You can be sure He has an orderly plan in place and a divine purpose in mind for your life. “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).” Spiritual growth does not just happen. It develops as God matures you in your relationship with Him.
The process of growing spiritually, often referred to in the Bible as walking with God, occurs one step at a time. Colossians 2:6 says, “As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him.” God has not promised you that your trail days will be easy; rather, that He will be with you each step of the way. Psalm 23:4 says, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me: Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” What a comfort to know that God will always stand by His trail hands.
As you go up the trail, you will leave trail markers along your back-trail. These are milestones or benchmarks in your Christian experience that will let you see how God has been faithfully working in your life. Over time, a review of these trail markers will serve to confirm His on-going presence, as well as how He has guided you. Take a-hold of what you have been taught. “Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our guide (2 Thessalonians 2:15).” They will also be a ready source of comfort and encouragement as you put into practice the spiritual truths you have learned. Every trail marker on your back-trail is a testimonial to your growth in understanding God’s ways and to your trust in Him. As you go up the trail, you can be sure that God will lead you step by step. He has many truths for you to discover and you have a lot more growing to do.
More like the Master I would live and grow;
More of His love to others I would show;
More self-denial, like His in Galilee,
More like the Master I long to ever be. ---Gabriel
Saturday, May 21, 2011
DELIVER THE MESSAGE
Howdy Folks,
George Sweeting, in his book The No-Guilt Guide for Witnessing, tells of a man by the name of John Currier who in 1949 was found guilty of murder and sentenced to life in prison. Later he was transferred and paroled to work on a farm near Nashville, Tennessee. In 1968, Currier’s sentence was terminated and a letter bearing the good news was sent to him. But John never saw the letter, nor was he told anything about it. Ten years went by. Then a state parole officer learned about Currier’s plight, found him, and told him that his sentence had been terminated. He had been a free man all those years.
How would you feel if, like John Currier, someone sent you an important message and year after year is was never delivered? For those of us who have heard the good news and experienced freedom through Christ, the story of John Currier is a reminder of our responsibility to share the love and forgiveness Jesus has given us with those who have never received Him as their Savior and Lord. Romans 10:13-14 says, “For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? Lost men, women and children are waiting for someone to tell them the most important message they will ever hear in their life and the message is never delivered.
Are we doing all we can to make sure that people get the message? Mark 16:15 says, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” As you remember what life was like for you without Christ, the love of Jesus Christ for you, and your love for Him, should compel you to share Him with others. Ask yourself, “If everybody did as much as I am doing to reach the lost, how many people would be coming to know Christ?” This is a hard question, but each of us must evaluate what we are doing to reach the world for Christ. If you really believe that unless a person has a born again, personal relationship with Christ, they are on the way to hell, there is an urgency about delivering the message.
We have heard the joyful sound; Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Spread the tidings all around; Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Bear the news to every land, Climb the steeps and cross the waves;
Onward! – ‘tis our Lord’s command; Jesus saves! Jesus saves! ---Owens
On the trail for Him
Mike and Suzann
George Sweeting, in his book The No-Guilt Guide for Witnessing, tells of a man by the name of John Currier who in 1949 was found guilty of murder and sentenced to life in prison. Later he was transferred and paroled to work on a farm near Nashville, Tennessee. In 1968, Currier’s sentence was terminated and a letter bearing the good news was sent to him. But John never saw the letter, nor was he told anything about it. Ten years went by. Then a state parole officer learned about Currier’s plight, found him, and told him that his sentence had been terminated. He had been a free man all those years.
How would you feel if, like John Currier, someone sent you an important message and year after year is was never delivered? For those of us who have heard the good news and experienced freedom through Christ, the story of John Currier is a reminder of our responsibility to share the love and forgiveness Jesus has given us with those who have never received Him as their Savior and Lord. Romans 10:13-14 says, “For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? Lost men, women and children are waiting for someone to tell them the most important message they will ever hear in their life and the message is never delivered.
Are we doing all we can to make sure that people get the message? Mark 16:15 says, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” As you remember what life was like for you without Christ, the love of Jesus Christ for you, and your love for Him, should compel you to share Him with others. Ask yourself, “If everybody did as much as I am doing to reach the lost, how many people would be coming to know Christ?” This is a hard question, but each of us must evaluate what we are doing to reach the world for Christ. If you really believe that unless a person has a born again, personal relationship with Christ, they are on the way to hell, there is an urgency about delivering the message.
We have heard the joyful sound; Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Spread the tidings all around; Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Bear the news to every land, Climb the steeps and cross the waves;
Onward! – ‘tis our Lord’s command; Jesus saves! Jesus saves! ---Owens
On the trail for Him
Mike and Suzann
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