Our Spring ministry season is about to kick off and I’ll be heading to the booming metropolis of Fowler, Colorado for the Red Top Ranch Trick Riding Schools.  This will be my fifth year of ministering to the staff and students of what ends up being four individual schools scattered throughout March.  The students come from across the United States (and sometimes as far as Alaska, Canada, or the UK) and range in age from 5-45 (although there is not really a specific limit). 

The ministry consists of church services on Sundays (alongside Paul & Linda Scholtz) and helping and visiting in the arena during the six or so hours of instruction time each day.  Outside of being stuck in a truck on a trip, there is no better or easier time to visit about the Lord than while you’re working hard in a practice pen.  So please pray for softened hearts of the students and their families as well unity among the staff.

I would also appreciate your prayer as the last two weekends of March kick of the spring season of Kansas High School Rodeo.  In between trick riding schools I’ll be at KHSRA rodeos in Kingman, KS and Hill City, KS. 

How It Works:

I have a friend who, after asking dozens of questions every time we get together, suggested that I give some background of how we do what we do.  As such, from time to time I’m going to try my best to give you a behind the scenes look at what goes in to “making disciples in rodeo and rural America."

The picture that I included with this update is one of my favorites from the schools.  With the sunlight, storm clouds, and kids practicing it makes for a great image.  But it also highlights an important resource that is often taken for granted at any rodeo school or clinic.  It takes a special kind of horse to trick ride.  A trick riding horse needs the strength of a roping horse, the speed of a barrel racing horse, and the mind of a pleasure horse to make the cut for professional trick riders.  The standard is already set high.  But our school horses need all that PLUS they need to be reliable with various levels of rider abilities.  In short, they need to be perfect (or close).

There is no perfect horse.  But no matter what the discipline, a whole lot can be achieved in the reliability area by consistent training.  One thing that most of our students don’t realize is that the horses used for trick riding or ponying at schools or Rodeo Bible Camps must be worked for months in preparation for the few days that they get to see them. 

So, for most of the winter months, the staff (in Colorado and Missouri) have been “legging up” our ponies and getting them ready for the schools.  This is a time of reminding them that they are broke horses (hopefully that doesn’t take too long) and building up their endurance.  In fact, nearly every time that I have called one of the schools’ staff members over the past few weeks, they have been riding or planning to ride one of the twenty some horses that we use.  There are worse jobs on the planet than riding a great horse…but it is a whole lot of work! 

 Books We’re Reading:

In addition to giving you some insight on “How it Works” I also wanted to share a little bit about what the Lord is teaching us.  For the most part, the Lord deals with me as I dig in to His Word in personal devotions and in lesson or sermon preperation.  Frequently, though, I come across a book that the Lord uses mightily as well. 

I’m not sure if it is me getting old or what but I have found myself drawn to a section of my library that I’ll call “books I should have read more carefully in college.”  These are books that I didn’t necessarily appreciate as I breezed through them in college but the Lord has used mightily in my life since then.  The first book in that category is “Balancing the Christian Life” by Charles C. Ryrie (Moody Press, 1994). 

In an age of prevailing superficial books that are intended to encourage Christian living, “Balancing the Christian Life” came to me a breath of fresh air.  Ryrie is one of my favorite theologians and comes at issues from a concise and Biblical perspective and this book is no different.  In fact, he is so direct and gives so many verses to back up his arguments that I had to read this book just a few paragraphs each day.  I’m not a quick reader anyway so it was very enjoyable to take some time each day, alongside my devotions, and read a section of the book and then chew on it. 

Again, this was a book I picked up about twenty years ago and was totally blown away by the truth, doctrine and encouragement contained therein.  And to think, I let it collect dust for all those years!  If you take some time to chew through it as I did, you’ll come away with some practical disciplines to live out as we grow in Christ as well as some encouragement to “continue the fight.”

We started June a little different than we have in the past.  Bucking our ten year presence at the Flint Hills Rodeo in Strong City, KS I made the trek instead to Topeka for the Kansas State High School Finals Rodeo.  It was not an easy decision as we've got quite a few friends in the Flint Hills area and always enjoyed the rodeo, the cowboys and serving alongside the Flint Hills Community Church at the rodeo.  Despite the change the Lord totally blessed the time in Topeka.  Along with getting to know the families a little better and sharing with a ton of kids, the KHSRA asked me to help oversee ministries at all Kansas High School Rodeos.  This opens up a huge ministry for us to help these awesome families in the coming year!

From Topeka I headed (with horses) out to Rifle, CO for my tenth year preaching at the Flat Tops Rodeo Bible Camp.  Most of you have heard me talk about camps enough to know that we usually see the Lord do awesome stuff in the campers hearts.  I don't want it to sound routine ('cause it ain't)...but this year was no different.  I'm always blown away at the change you can see in just a few days of intense arena time and, more importantly, interaction with the Word!  

What struck me about camp this year was what a joy it was to serve alongside the volunteer staff.  I usually enjoy camps anyway.  After ten years, the camp director and I work very well together.  That makes things easier on both of us.  What really blew me away was how well the rest of the staff (counselors and instructors) worked together.  Anytime you get folks together there's disagreements and attitudes that cause problems (usually small - but problems nonetheless).  That's why Paul taught about UNITY as he taught about spiritual gifts.  We all have different gifts but we are to use those gifts in a unified manner for the Body of Christ.  I really can't think, this year, that there was one disagreement at the camp among the staff.  Everybody just supported everybody else.  That is a breath of fresh air and, as I said earlier, makes it a joy to serve alongside them.  More importantly, that kind of unity makes the ministry to the campers that much more effective!  

I'm thanking the Lord for that!

Upcoming Ministries

• June 20th-27th, 2015 - National Junior High Finals Rodeo (Des Moines, IA)
• June 28th-July 1st, 2015 - Texas Rodeo Bible Camp (Pampa, TX)
• July 8th-11th, 2015 - Northern Front Range Rodeo Bible Camp (Greeley, CO)
• July 11th-18, 2015 - National High School Finals Rodeo (Rock Springs, CO)
• July 26th, 2015 - Greenwood County Fair (Eureka, KS)
• August 9th-12th, 2015 - Mount Hope Bible Conference (Mount Hope, KS)

Website Updates

I mentioned in our last newsletter that we are trying to get a few pages on our website updated.  We get more questions about Rodeo Bible Camps than anything else.  I spent the last few days updating our Rodeo Bible Camp page with a list of camps that we have worked with or will work with this year.  I also included a few camps that we've helped with in the past and totally support.  We're trying to make the website more useful for getting information to our supporters and potential campers.  Want to see something different?  Let me know!

Thank you for your prayers and support!

For the majority of March I was in Fowler, CO at the Red Top Ranch Trick Riding School.  We had four schools this year with about ten students at each school.  The Lord opened some neat doors in ministering to not only students but their families this year and we were very thankful for the response!

This weekend officially starts our spring season of high school rodeo ministry in both Missouri and Kansas.  First up, this weekend, is a high school rodeo in Pacific, MO followed by another high school rodeo in Dodge City, KS.  I'd very much appreciate your prayers this weekend for the rodeo in Pacific as this was a last minute invitation by one of the contestants.  I'm so excited to get to know the contestants and their families as well as lead the ministries this weekend (church service and prayer-behind-the-chutes.  

I appreciate your prayers and I look forward to giving a great report!

Upcoming Ministries

• Discipleship Group - Mondays in April and May (meets at Homewood Community Bible Church in Homewood, KS)

• April 18th-19th, 2015 - Missouri High School Rodeo (Pacific, MO)

• April 25th-26th, 2015 - Kansas High Schoo Rodeo (Dodge City, KS)

• May 2nd-3rd, 2015 - Kansas High School Rodeo (Canton, KS)

• May 5th, 2015 - Ropin Hope Fellowship (Ottawa, KS)

• May 9th, 2015 - Golden Spur Ministries Board Meeting (Homewood, KS)

• May 12th, 2015 - Crossfire Ranch Fellowship (Paola, KS)

• June 3rd-7th, 2015 - Kansas High School Rodeo Finals (Topeka, KS)

Website Updates

One of GSM's board members recently said, "you're as good at updating the website as you were at turning in papers on-time in college."  He was also one of my CBC professors.  It was said all in good fun but also as an encouragement.  So over the next few months I'm slowly working on updating Golden Spur's website.  My main priority is making sure that the upcoming event's page is up-to-date and then fleshing out the descriptions of exactly what we do.  I just worked on adding a few descriptions to our Chaplaincy page.  As we make changes I'll make a note in future emails but I'd also love to hear what you want to know.  Is there a specific question you'd like to have answered?

Thank you for your prayers and support!

As we lead into the third week of December, and as we’re only ten days out from Christmas, I thought I’d send a word of encouragement about “waiting.”

As a youngster, I remember eagerly anticipating Christmas morning (especially on Christmas Eve night).  I almost couldn’t sleep for thinking of cool gifts and hauling all over the city to see various family members.  While my anticipation was admittedly selfish (thinking about stuff I was going to get), it is also a great picture of where Israel was at the time of Christ’s birth.  Anticipating.  Expecting.  Waiting.

Ever since the Fall of Man in Genesis 3, the Lord had promised a Savior that would give mankind victory over sin and death.  The Lord promised in Isaiah 9:6: 

For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;

And the government will rest on His shoulders;

And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

Israel’s teachers and even Gentile religious scholars knew that Christ would soon come to save mankind.  Even more to the point, from prophecy they knew the general time period when the Savior would come.  That’s why the Magi (wise men) came from distant lands to present Him with gifts.  Israel, for hundreds of years, had been anticipating, expecting, and waiting on the coming of their promised Savior!

Let’s skip ahead some 2,000 years to the present.  We don’t have to deal with the waiting (thankfully).  Christ has come and given us the greatest gift we’ll ever receive – eternal life through faith in Him!  Take a little time this week to thank Him!

In Christ’s Service,

Cory

Thanksgiving’s over (the holiday – hopefully not the attitude) and the Christmas season is in full swing.  It’s pretty cool to see the transformation of local businesses and homes into bright beacons of Christmas hope and cheer.  What with Christmas lights, carols, and parties, it’s pretty hard not get a little happier during the month of December.

With all festivities and busyness that goes along with the Christmas season its fairly easy for the true meaning of Christmas to get lost in the hustle.  Since the early celebrations of the Christian church, Christmas has been a time of celebrating and preparing for the Advent of Christ.  Advent is a fancy word that refers to the “arrival of a notable person or event” and finds its true meaning in Jesus Christ and His impact on our world.

Christmas is a time of celebrating the blessings, teaching, and, ultimately, the salvation that His coming to earth eventually brought to mankind.  Christmas is also a time of preparation for Christ’s Second Coming – that is, a time to make sure our hearts are right with the Lord as well as a time to use every opportunity to share the Gospel of Jesus with those we love. 

I know Christmas is still a few weeks out, but I’ll close with the proclamation of John the Baptist from Luke 3:4 in announcing Jesus birth, “Make ready the way of the Lord, make His paths straight.”  John was announcing the true King of Israel and our Savior by essentially saying, “get your hearts ready for Him!”

My prayer is that you’ll take time over the next few weeks, alone and with your loved ones, to thank the Lord for the gift of salvation that came through this amazing boy born of a virgin and take inventory of your relationship with Him (and make right if it’s not ready for His return).

Love you all and hope you have a great several weeks leading up to Christmas!

In Christ’s Service,                                                                                Isaiah 7:14

Cory

This week Golden Spur will be ministering at the World Championship Ranch Rodeo in Amarillo, TX.   This is the third year of partnering with the Better Horses Radio booth and we are looking forward to serving the ranch rodeo community.  Better Horses Radio is a network devoted to sharing tips and tools to improve horsemanship and is unashamedly committed to making devotion to the Lord a part of their program.  I frequently share devotions and Bible studies with the network.

Here's a quick picture of Rusty Rierson setting up sound at the booth.

The WCRR is the National Finals of the Working Ranch Cowboys Association and features some of the toughest cowboys from some of the grandest ranches in the United States.

Thought this was a neat picture.  Our location is right in the center of two big trade show area.  Literally the best location for traffic.

What I'll be doing is hanging out with the Better Horses crew (Ernie Rodina and Rusty Rierson) at their booth handing out Bibles and talking with visitors.  Our friend Rusty is usually singing through the day so there's usually a good crowd.

We're hoping to move a few Bibles and visit with lots of folks.

How can you help?  Please be praying for those who come by the booth with spiritual needs.  In previous years I've been blown away by how quickly people will open up when they find out I'm a minister.  This rodeo is a unique opportunity as its attended by a whole lot of ranch folk that don't ordinarily visit other events where we minister.  

I'd also like your prayers for the entire crew...just that we honor the Lord and are faithful with the opportunities the Lord gives us.

If you know someone who is going to be at the WRCA finals make sure you tell them to drop by and see us!

I'm looking forward to giving you guys a good report on the Lord's work! 

Our 2014 Trail Ride in the Flint Hills will be on October 4th at 12:30pm in Matfield Green.  The ride will end around 5pm and we'll have a meal immediately following.  There is no charge for this ride or the meal.  Just bring your horse and enjoy the Lord's creation and some great fellowship.  

Don't have a horse?  That's ok.  While you won't be able to participate in the trail ride part we'd still love to have you for our cookout around the campfire.  

If you are planning on coming to the ride please RSVP by emailing cory@goldenspur.org or by calling 816-200-SPUR.

Don't forget to remember us in your prayers as we have a busy couple of weeks of youth rodeo ministries in Kansas and at the American Royal in Kansas City.  

Upcoming Ministries:

At Crossfire Ranch Fellowship we’ve been going through a study of the book of Daniel.  In our last session we saw the beginnings of Daniel’s time as a slave or servant of the Babylonian King.  Chapter one saw Daniel respond to an impossible situation (where most of us would have given up) by simply living out his faith in the midst of a pagan world and he was blessed as a result.

In this session we’ll be checking out Daniel 2:1-23 – which focuses on the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and his initial response.  If you haven’t already, take a few minutes to read through Daniel 2:1-23. 

While appreciation for visions and dreams is not really a part of the mainstream church today (although the Lord certainly still communicates in this manner), there is no doubt that dreams are a frequent means of communication between the Lord and both followers of the Lord and pagan leaders.  In this part of the chapter we don’t see a lot of the detail of the dream that Nebuchadnezzar received but one thing is for sure – Nebuchadnezzar was freaked out by what he saw. 

As was common at the time, Nebuchadnezzar summoned his court of advisors (mainly sorcerers, magicians, and astrologers) and asked for an interpretation.  Nebuchadnezzar’s condition to these advisors is that they must interpret the vision correctly or be counted as frauds and put to death.  Wanting to buy a little time, Nebuchadnezzar’s advisors ask him to lay out the dream in great detail so that they might have all of the facts before rendering an interpretation.

2:8-9 states, “The king replied, “I know for certain that you are bargaining for time, inasmuch as you have seen that the command from me is firm, that if you do not make the dream known to me, there is only one decree for you. For you have agreed together to speak lying and corrupt words before me until the situation is changed; therefore tell me the dream, that I may know that you can declare to me its interpretation.” 

Sensing his advisors hesitation, Nebuchadnezzar orders his magic men to deliver and interpretation of the vision without hearing the vision.  This is one of the few instances in the Old Testament where a pagan king would doubt the advice of magicians and astrologers.  It seems clear that the Lord was already setting the stage for Daniel and, more importantly, the Lord’s truth to shine brightly in contrast to the king’s usual advisors.

Of course the advisors refuse to interpret the dream without first hearing it and so the king orders all of this advisory court to be put to death.  Unfortunately this includes Daniel and his three friends.  Upon learning of his fate and the king’s reason for declaring the death penalty on the advisors, Daniel requests and is granted a time to pray to the Lord with his friends and seek the Lord’s answer to the king’s vision dilemma.  The end result…Daniel receives the vision and the meaning of the vision from the Lord and has what he needs to share it with Nebuchadnezzar. 

Now that was a short summary of verses 2:1-19.  The real gem of this passage is found in 2:20-23.  Here we see Daniel’s response to the Lord giving him the answer to the king’s riddle and it is truly inspiring. 

Let’s read Daniel 2:20-23…

• Daniel said,
• “Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever,
• For wisdom and power belong to Him.
•  “It is He who changes the times and the epochs;
• He removes kings and establishes kings;
• He gives wisdom to wise men
• And knowledge to men of understanding.
•  “It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things;
•  He knows what is in the darkness,
• And the light dwells with Him.
•  “To You, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise,
• For You have given me wisdom and power;
• Even now You have made known to me what we requested of You,
• For You have made known to us the king’s matter.”

Daniel’s proclamation (in the presence of only his friends) shows us four major points that would be good for us to remember in times of trial (like Daniel’s) or simply in times of blessing:

1.    Daniel praised the Lord for he knew that wisdom and power come only from the Lord.

2.   Daniel acknowledged that the Lord is in control of everything (seasons, time, kings and kingdoms).

3.   Daniel remembered that the Lord gives wisdom and knowledge, reveals deep and hidden things, knows what lies in the darkness, and is our source of light (in contrast to the dark would around us).

4.   As a result of all that Daniel mentioned…Daniel simply thanks the Lord for His provision.

I encourage you to take a few minutes to review Daniel’s testimony in 2:20-23 and dwell on the points above.  No matter what situation we find ourselves in…God is in control and we should thank Him!

Click below for the audio of this message.

Our 2014 Rifle Drawing ends tomorrow (7/31/2014) at midnight.  You've still got time to buy your ticket to win a brand new Henry Golden Boy (.22 Mag) and, more importantly, support Golden Spur's summer youth ministry program.  A very big thank you to all who have joined up this year in helping us "make disciples in the cowboy world."

For just $10 dollars per ticket you could win a NEW Henry Golden Boy Rifle (.22 magnum). An unlimited amount of tickets can be purchased between Sunday, June 1st at 8:00 AM and Thursday, July 31st. The drawing will be at the August Golden Spur Board meeting in Belton, Missouri and you do not have to be present to win. All proceeds will be used to support Golden Spur’s summer youth ministries including the ministry to the National High School and Junior High Finals Rodeos and several Rodeo Bible Camps. Drawing winner must be non-prohibited person for gun ownership and complete necessary FFL transfer.

*All payment and donations will show up on your credit or debit card as Perception Funding. After credit/debit fees 100% of the proceeds will go to Golden Spur.  

On one occasion I had the kids read one of my favorite verses...Psalm 144:15.  This is what the young man read, "Deliver me from the hands of strange children."

That was not the verse that I was shooting for and certainly not the ideal verse to use when in the midst of youth ministry.  Needless to say we all had a good laugh that morning.

The camper accidentally read Psalm 144:11.  Psalm 144:15 says, "happy are those people, of whom this is true...happy are those people who's God is the Lord."

Because of Duck Dynasty, the phrase "happy, happy, happy" has become a household saying.  The truth is, if you have trusted the Lord, we've got every reason to be feel blessed and happy. You've got a Father who loves you and wants to bless you and at the end of the day, you know what your future holds.  

If you are going through life in a constant state of misery...you need to check your heart and trust in the Lord.  If you have, then let your face know what your heart has decided and smile once in a while.

Here's a picture from the 2014 Flat Tops RBC of the infamous "Slick Saddle Stand Torture."

That is exactly what my NHSFR ministry partner, Tilt James, and I pray at each performance with the contestants behind the chutes.  We remind the kids of 2 Timothy 1:7, " For God did not give us a Spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control."  While that verse comes in the context of our testimony for Christ...it certainly has bearing on our understanding of fear and trust in the Lord.  

Here's a picture of our devotion leader, Judd Napier.  Check out his bullfighting page on Facebook by clicking here.

We're over halfway through our 2014 Summer Ministry Rifle Drawing.  For just $10 per ticket you could win a new Henry Golden Boy .22 Magnum Rifle.  It doesn't get any more cowboy than a Henry lever action rifle and joining this drawing gives you a chance to win a brand new Henry rifle all while supporting your favorite cowboy ministry.  All proceeds go towards our summer youth ministry programs at Rodeo Bible Camps, the National Junior High Finals Rodeo and the National High School Finals Rodeo.  Tickets must be purchased online through our giving partner (Perception Funding) by clicking here.  

Here's a great picture of the "Prayer Circle" right before the rodeo performance on the last day of the Texas Rodeo Bible Camp.  

I just finished my thirteenth year of helping with the Texas Rodeo Bible Camp in Pampa, TX.  This year the number of students was a little lower than the staff was expecting but it proved to offer a great opportunity to spend more time on the individual campers.

From Pampa, I headed north to the National High School Finals Rodeo in Rock Springs, WY.  This is my eighth year of partnering with Tilt James from Aztec, NM in ministering at the high school finals.  I'm so thankful that we've already had the chance to share the gospel at our outreach service on Sunday and catch up with parents and students...and it's only the first day!

Please keep the National High School Finals and our ministry here in your prayers.  Each day for the rest of the week we'll be holding morning devotions, prayer behind the chutes, and coaching students in leading the invocations at each performance.  

Here's a few pictures of the week so far...

Here's the crowd from our Cowboy Church Service on the first day of the 2014 National High School Finals Rodeo.  We had a great turnout!

Just to show you the scope of the rodeo itself, here's a great picture of just a few of the 1,521 contestants getting ready for the first of thirteen performances.  

Here's the bareback crew getting ready just after our first "prayer behind the chutes" at the first performance.  

I figured I should throw in a picture of the crowd at the first performance.  By contestants, this is the largest outdoor rodeo in the country and the majority of the spectators are family and friends.  What a great chance we have to minister to the whole family!

One of our pickup men had a bit of an issue with his horse while dragging a bull from the arena. He had the bull dallied off and the bull swung the rope around behind him and at the same time his horse began to have what we call "a come apart."  Though the cowboy did come off his horse, thankfully, he was alright.  He took a few moments to check his horse and do some quick tack repair and was back in business.

I've always had an appreciation for great pickup men and bullfighters.  I mean, these are the men that stand in the gap and step in to save a cowboy when he's in trouble.  Since starting the ministry at the National High School Finals Rodeo, I've gained an even greater appreciate for these men as you see them save dozens of young kids who get into trouble on a bull or bucking horse.

The truth is, both the pickup men and bullfighters are the greatest cowboys in the arena.  The pickup men aren't team roping rejects who decide to pickup instead.  These are men who have worked hard on ranches and some have rodeoed a ton themselves.  But if you look back over the career of a great pickup man or bullfighter, for every great save they make, there's a handful of mistakes that have happened in the past.  While tough at the time, those mistakes made them into the tough and amazing cowboys they are today!

In the trick riding arena, where I come from, we say that what sets a professional apart from an amateur trick rider is what you do when you get in trouble.  Do you give up?  Or do you press on through the trial?

James said in James 1:2-4, "My brothers and sisters, consider it nothing but joy when you fall into all sorts of trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.  And let endurance have its perfect effect, so that you will be perfect and complete, not deficient in anything."

In my estimation, our faith isn't really doing much if it doesn't show up when we are tested.  Trials stink at the time, but they build us into the tough man or woman the Lord wants us to be.  

Of course I'm praying for a great day for each of you today.  My encouragement, however, is no matter what happens in the arena, trust the Lord and learn from it.  In the rodeo arena pushing through trials makes you "cowboy tough."  In the arena of life, pushing through and trust the Lord in trials molds us into the man or woman of God that He knows we can be!

Campers at the Flat Tops RBC getting trick riding instruction.

June sure seems like it flew by and we are nearly approaching the tipping point of our summer ministry season.  

As we have in the past, on the way to our first Rodeo Bible Camp of the season, we stopped in Strong City, KS to partner with the Flint Hills Community Church in ministering at the Flint Hills Rodeo.  Flint Hills, in my mind, is the classic outdoor summer rodeo and it truly is a joy to get to just experience it...let alone serve the Lord there.  This was the second year that the church provided a prayer breakfast for the contestants and volunteers where I had the opportunity to give a quick message.  

From there I headed out west to Rifle, CO for the Flat Tops Rodeo Bible Camp.  This was my ninth year preaching at the camp and teaching trick riding.  This year I had a little help for the trip as one of our Ottawa, KS youth, Matt Rodina, went with me to be a camper in the bareback riding.  After about ten minutes of being on the fairgrounds and as we were hurrying to get horses taken care of and get Matt set up in the boys dorm, Matt said to me, "you've got to be kidding me, everybody knows you here."  It was pretty funny at the time because kids kept running up to me and saying some variation of, "Cory, how's your year been?"

The relationship, that's taken nine years to build, blesses me so much!  The minute I step out of the truck at this camp (and most camps really), the Lord's opened the door for me to start sharing with the kids!  The relationship's already there...I just need to be faithful in presenting the Word!

From Rifle I headed up north to Des Moines, IA for the National Junior High Finals Rodeo.  There, as in years past, I ministered to kids all week long to the contestants and families with daily devotions, prayer behind the chutes, coaching kids in the invocation, and Cowboy Church Services.  This year setting up and helping a handful of contestants lead the invocation during each rodeo performance was a special blessing.  Each and every contestant that helped not only covered the performance in prayer but also closed out their prayer with a Gospel presentation.  How cool is that?  Junior High contestants ministering to other Junior High contestants!  

I could keep writing but instead I'll just include a few more pictures from June (included below). As you pray this month, please remember the Texas Rodeo Bible Camp (Pampa, TX) and the National High School Finals Rodeo (Rock Springs, WY).  

Leslie and I so appreciate your prayers and your financial support!  We simply can't do this without your faithfulness...thank you!

GSM Board Member Alan Phipps and his son Andy, helping with our booth at the Flint Hills Rodeo in Strong City, KS.

One of the Flat Tops RBC trick riding students doing a Cossack Drag on the rodeo on the last day of the camp.  I'm very thankful for good horses that I can trust.

I thought I should throw in a picture of the Junior High Finals Rodeo just to give you the scope of how big a production the rodeo has become.  This was one of the two indoor arenas used during the rodeo.

That is the introduction my friend and PRCA announcer Tim Fuller gives before the presentation of “The Star-Spangled Banner” at the start of every rodeo he announces.  I’m sure he’s not the only sports announcer to turn that phrase but the phrase itself certainly does ring true for many Americans.

This year we mark the 200th anniversary of Francis Scott Key’s writing of the poem “The Defence of Fort McHenry” which, when later set to the tune "The Anacreontic Song,” became what we know today as “The Star-Spangled Banner.”  The vocal range required for the song makes it one of the most difficult to sing but, when done properly, also makes it the most dramatic anthem of any nation.

I certainly agree that “The Star-Spangled Banner” is one of the most beautiful songs in our modern hymnal but not simply because it has become our nation’s anthem.  In fact, the lines we sing to honor our great nation is only the first verse of this great hymn.

Here’s the full text of “The Star-Spangled Banner”:

• O say can you see by the dawn's early light,
• What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming,
• Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,
• O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
• And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
• Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there;
• O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave,
• O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

• On the shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
• Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
• What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
• As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
• Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
• In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
• 'Tis the star-spangled banner, O! long may it wave
• O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

• And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
• That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,
• A home and a country, should leave us no more?
• Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.
• No refuge could save the hireling and slave
• From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
• And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave,
• O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

• O thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
• Between their loved home and the war's desolation.
• Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the Heav'n rescued land
• Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!
• Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
• And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
• And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
• O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

The poem obviously paints us a vivid picture of the United States flag flying over Fort McHenry while it was being bombarded by British Naval Forces during the tail end of the War of 1812.  In the first verse we see the visibility of the flag waning as twilight sets upon the battlefield but the bright flashes of light produced by the battle gave Key and American forces brief glimpses of the flag remaining.  The second and third verses give us an even greater picture of the steadfastness of the flag and the fighters it represents in holding off an overwhelming attack by British forces (at the time, the world’s only superpower).

While we rarely hear it, it is the fourth verse that truly makes “The Star-Spangled Banner” the most beautiful song ever written.  Key closes his great and epic poem with two key points that we should remember and celebrate on a day like today. First, we remain free because of those who are willing to “stand between their loved home and war’s desolation.”  Second, we remain free because we are “Heaven rescued” and therefore should “praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.” 

We read in Romans 13 that the main purpose of civil government is to protect us from evil.  Many of the great nations in human history have been forces of terror that have scared people into submission and order.  The United States, however, started, and remains to this day, a force of liberation having freed itself, and many others, from the oppression.

I am thankful, this Fourth of July, to have been born in a country that, while not perfect, was formed with a heart of liberation and certainly has a heritage of bringing justice to the oppressed and building a society based upon liberty. 

Thank you Jesus and have a Happy Fourth of July!

Francis Scott Key's original manuscript copy of his "Star-Spangled Banner" poem. It is now on display at the Maryland Historical Society.

• May 28th-30th, 2013 – Howard Rodeo Bible Camp (Howard, KS)

• May 31st-June 2nd, 2013 – Kansas Junior High Finals Rodeo (Whitewater, KS) 

• June 6th-8th, 2013 – Flint Hills Rodeo (Strong City, KS)

• June 10th-13th, 2013 – Flat Tops Rodeo Bible Camp (Rifle, CO)

• June 23rd-29th, 2013 – National Junior High Finals Rodeo (Gallup, NM)

• July 7th-10th, 2013 – Top of Texas Rodeo Bible Camp (Pampa, TX)

• July 14th-20th, 2013 – National High School Finals Rodeo (Rock Springs, WY)

While those are the major ministries that will cover the next few weeks we’ll also have more opportunities pop up as the summer progresses.  Please keep our schedule in prayer.  Pray specifically for those we’ll be visiting with at each ministry as well as my faithfulness in sharing the Word.

We look forward to giving you a great report!

1. Send us an email (cory@goldenspur.org) or call (816-200-7787) if you are planning on attending so we get a rough count for food.  If you choose to come at the last minute don't worry we'll still have plenty of food.  But if you can...we'd appreciate a heads up!
2. Bring a lawn chair (unless your are eager to sit on the grass).

The BBQ will be held at our house in Belton, MO on April 28th at 4pm.  If you need directions please call or email.

We love you all and we look forward to sharing with you!

1. Past – “What You Have Seen.”  This section of the book of Revelation is comprised solely in chapter 1.  Jesus reveals Himself to John in a unique way and reminds John exactly who He is, what He has accomplished, and where He went (glorified in heaven).  As a result of these things John is commanded to record this vision – and so we get the book of Revelation.
2. Present – “What’s Happening Now.”  This section is found in chapters 2 and 3 and is comprised of seven letters from Christ to seven literal churches (specifically to their pastors) in Asia Minor.  Many believe that these seven churches make up seven “ages” of the church, which will play out later in the history of the church.  From the text it seems more likely that these were letters to seven first century churches and their leaders.  The interesting thing that we’ll see is that the first century church (that is believers who likely either had met Christ personally or knew men who had met Christ personally) struggled with some of the same things that we struggle with today.
3. Future – “What is Going to Happen.”  This is seen in Chapters 4-22 and shows the events that will happen prior to Christ’s return and the final judgments and creation of a New Heaven and New Earth after His return.  The Christian radio pioneer J. Vernon McGee is quoted as saying, “more people care about studying anti-Christ than they do about getting to know the real Christ.” I think that is true today as it was many years ago when he was quoted.  That being said, it is a good idea not to study the future or prophetic parts of Revelation until you’ve got a good grasp on at least Jesus’ work in the New Testament and ultimately the total 65 books leading up to Revelation.  Study what Jesus did for this world and how the Spirit will change your life before you seek out the End Times.

With that out of the way lets dig in…

"To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands: I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. (Revelation 2:1-3 NIV)"

The Lord starts this letter with praise for the Ephesians because they do not “tolerate wicked men.”  It was common practice in the first century (as it unfortunately is today) for men to see the financial or influential power of pretending to be a teacher of God’s Word.  We see this time and time again today - men who claim to serve the Lord but when we evaluate their life and ministry and teaching they fall far short of the Lord’s standards.  That is not to say that the Lord expects those who serve Him to be perfect, but the faithful servant of God should do their best to verify if their teacher is either a shepherd or an abuser or enemy in shepherd’s clothes. 

How did they do that?  They tested them.  That means weighing everything that is preached or taught with the Word of God and doing our best to challenge those who are using the church or the Word for their own personal gain.  Apparently, as we see in verse 3, their adherence to the Word of God was so strong that it even put them in positions of persecution for His Name’s sake.  What an awesome testimony.

Jesus Praised the Ephesians for their Faithfulness in Teaching.

Verse 4 goes on to say, “Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love.” It would appear that in their zeal to honor the Lord in their actions, at least with securing good leaders and enduring hardships for His name, that they completely forgot Who it was that they were serving, why they were serving Him, and how to have a basic relationship with Him.  They were so wrapped up in serving Christ they forgot about Him.

It is sad to say but I often find myself in this category.  I work hard throughout the year by driving miles and miles for ministry, studying for hours, preaching wherever I can, and ministering to individuals and families whenever I have the opportunity.  Often times though, and I bet I’m not alone, I get so focused on those acts of service that I completely forget why I am serving Him.  I forget to study His Word for my own life and not just for preaching.  I forget to talk to Him in prayer.  Essentially, I get too busy serving Jesus to love Jesus.  That’s a bad spot to be in.

Jesus Rebuked the Ephesians for Forgetting their First Love.

Thankfully, the letter does not stop there.  In verse 5 He gives us the recipe for reconciliation:

Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.

If you are in that category where you are saved but you have little to no daily walk with the Lord, then this advice is for you.  Remember where you were.  Remember the life you lived before Christ and the change that the Holy Spirit has brought to your life since you’ve placed your faith in Him.  Remember the joy, enthusiasm, and boldness that the Father gave you simply by being His child.  Remember the way that you served Him with your new faith.  You can’t help but have a good relationship when you get back to the basics. 

Jesus’ Recipe for Relationship Reconciliation is Getting Back to Where You Started.

In verse 7 we are given one last encouragement:

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.

Jesus, as we can see from this letter, not only wants a relationship with us, but He wants a great relationship with us.  Just as it is with your spouse and close family and friends, an okay relationship simply does not cut it.  Jesus wants us to have an honest and open relationship of dependence on Him.  Jesus’ encouragement to those who overcome is a reminder that believers get to spend eternity with Him growing that relationship even further. 

Jesus’ Promise for Reconciliation is Eternity with Him.

How’s your relationship with the Lord?  Is it strong and healthy?  Is that strength just in your actions or is it in your heart too?  Seek the Lord about answering each of these questions as you study the Bible and pray this month.  If you get a chance, dig a little deeper into this passage and see if there is a more personal way that you can apply it to your life.

As you are looking for a more personal application you may consider that this passage and the idea of “remembering the height from which you have fallen” is a great recipe for reconciliation not only for your relationship with Christ but for relationships in general.  You can apply the concept to a broken marriage, forsaken children, or forgotten friends. 

• Teaching – mentioned around 30 times in the New Testament, most notably in Acts 2:42

• Praying – Acts 2:42, 1 Timothy 2:1-8 and Ephesians 6:18-19

• Singing – Colossians 3:16 and Ephesians 5:19

• Eating – sounds crazy but eating together builds a bond; Acts 2:42

•  Giving – both financially and physically (possessions and time); 1 Corinthians 16:2 and 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, James 1:26-28, Galatians 6:6, Galatians 6:10, and Philippians 4:19

• Reading of Scripture – 1 Timothy 4:13

• Ministering to one another – do a simple word search on either love or encourage and you’ll see that nearly 30 times in the New Testament we are commanded to love one another in one form or another

This is not an exhaustive list but it covers the major things that you should see happening in your home church or fellowship.

As you continue to serve the Lord and grow in your knowledge of His Word my prayer is that you will continue to grow in your commitment to and activity in your home church!