The Rodeo Girl
Theresa Pierce-
"In our diversity class while in graduate school, we were challenged to explore a new way of thinking. We brainstormed all the ways people are diverse, starting with the obvious race, religion, and sex areas. Then, it surprised us all when stories unfolded about learning styles, interests, and lifestyles.
An idea for my project unfolded as I thought about a student in my class who was a rodeo girl. I was struck with the notion that while my class at the time lacked diversity in typical terms, I knew nothing of her life outside my class. It would prove to be a worthwhile adventure.
At the rodeo, my student was in her element. She wore a large cowboy hat and ran to greet me. She took me by the hand and gave me a backstage tour. I met her mentors called “rodeo moms.” I shook hands with a rodeo clown and got close and personal with the animals.
She encouraged me to sit back and enjoy the show while she explained what was happening. I became a student that day. She was typically shy, so this was the most I had ever heard her talk. She explained the role of the rodeo clown. His job was dangerous and entailed distracting and protecting the man thrown from the bull. She explained what she would be doing when her time was up.
I watched my fellow student rope and tie a goat in record time and stand confidently on the rodeo floor. Her attire and everything about her shone with what was a newfound success for me. I immediately thought, 'I need rodeo reading materials in my classroom.'
After that experience and my class report to my fellow graduate students, I looked at my peers and bookcase differently. A lightbulb had gone off. We serve a God who created the earth but also people in all their creative glory. We have much to learn and celebrate.Think of someone in your life who deserves a second glance. Then, think of ways you can meet them where they are."
"There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male or female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." Galatians 3:28 NIV
Let's pray-
Father, we are challenged to explore new ways of thinking, even while attending school. All the stories unfold about learning styles, interest and lifestyles.
The author today was struck with the notion that while her class lacked diversity, she would be adventurous, and found that at a rodeo. She met her one student's mentors called "rodeo moms," and shook hands with a rodeo clown and got close and personal with the animals.
She was encouraged to sit back and enjoy the show while it was explained to her. She became a student that day. As she watched her student rope and tie a goat in record time and stand confidently on the rodeo floor, she saw that she needed to have materials on rodeos in her classroom.
After her report to her fellow graduate students, she looked at her peers and bookcase differently. A lightbulb had gone off. We serve a God who created the earth but also people in all their creative glory. We have much to learn and celebrate!
It's in Jesus' name that we pray. Amen
#91 Testimony- Father God
It was not possible for the Father to look upon Jesus until He covered His own body with His blood and died. Only then could the Father turn and gaze again upon His only begotten Son. Christ's sacrifice accomplished His life for our life--that is what the Father demanded.
God looked not on our sin, but on His Son's blood. That was enough; His son had offered His life in His blood for all mankind. The Father had respect for the pure offering, and our redemption was made complete.
We do not offer our own works; we offer only Jesus' blood. When God sees the blood of His son, which we offer as our covering, pardon, and plea, He does not see our sin at all; He can see only the covering, the precious blood of Jesus. "It is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul" (Lev. 17:11).
Some additional Scriptures to look up: John 3:16; Eph. 2:4-5; Rom. 3:22-24
1491-1495 One-line Scriptures for those of you who want to learn some more verses this week- or to review them from when they were first posted-
1491- Ps. 7:17 I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and I will
sing praise to the name of the LORD most high."
1492- Ps. 30:1a "I will extol thee, O LORD; for thou hast lifted me up."
1493- Ecc. 7:13a "Consider the work of God."
1494- Ps. 94:10b "He that teacheth man knowledge, shall not he know?"
1495- Jer. 49:11b "I will preserve them alive; and let thy widows trust in me."
#91 Hymn- Crown Him with Many Crowns
The information about this song, is taken from the book by Robert J. Morgan, THEN SINGS MY SOUL (pg. 125)
"The original form of this hymn was written by Matthew Bridges and consisted of six eight-line stanzas. He thought of his hymn as a sermon in song, based on Revelation 19:12 '. . . and on His head were many crowns."
In 1874, Godfrey Thring, a staunch Anglican clergyman feared that some of Bridges' verses smacked too much of Catholic doctrine. . . Over the years these twelve stanzas have become intermingled in the hymnbooks, with editors mixing and matching the verses."
Some encouraging words-
Jesus wants us to give our anxiety to Him, as He cares deeply for us. He wants us to give it to Him. In the honesty of that exchange between our heart and His, something precious is won. Our relationship with God deepens and new trust flourishes that will help us receive His peace more easily the next time challenges come. He has us, and that matters most of all!
God’s plans are higher than ours. We can trust Him in confidence without knowing the outcome. When we seek and acknowledge Him, He guides us on His straight path. What wonderful, incredible love He has for us. When we hold our hands together in prayer, let's envision the Lord’s nail-scarred hands cupped around ours as a reminder those scars were for us.
Church Notes:
THe world wants us to believe that we need more! What we need is contentment in Christ's provision, right now, not yesterday or tomorrow! God created us for a purpose to accomplish something for Him. He looks at our hearts and longs to bring us to Christ, and to perfect His image in us. We're to live for Him! We don't need to know the future, as He does, and will make us aware when it is needed.
The North Country Christian Fellowship Center Churches,
located in the St. Lawrence county of NY,
broadcast their Sunday services at 10 or 10:15
You can view past services too.
Sermon listing:https://www.
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