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Date Posted: 17:15:30 02/11/03 Tue
Author: Cheri
Subject: A New Week. Daily Inspirations, and Horse Facts...


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[> Monday's inspiration.. -- Cheri, 17:22:17 02/11/03 Tue



STRONG HANDS

_________________________

Romans 8:14-17 (NRSV)

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, "Abba! Father!" it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ -- if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

_________________________

All who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption.

-- Romans 8:14-15 (NRSV)

_________________________

I stood alone in my living room, still grieving because of my mother's death months before. My dad had died 10 years earlier. Even though I had a wonderful husband and children, I now felt like an orphan.

I had been grappling with my belief in God for some time. I believed in a god of some kind, but was God a personal God? And what about this Jesus? Was the Bible true? I spent hours reading books on theology and asking questions. I was determined to examine the evidence, then conclude whether Christianity was real. I needed to know. I wanted to believe.

But as I stood there that day, a new thought came to me. I could find all the evidence I needed to prove that Jesus was real. But it would just be "head knowledge." What I wanted was faith. I realized that I couldn't get there on my own; I needed to ask Jesus to help me. I prayed a simple prayer: "Jesus, I can't do this on my own. Please come into my heart and show me the way."

God sent me a feeling totally forgotten since childhood. I had the sensation of being tucked into bed by my parents. I could almost feel the blanket and the strong hands around me. It was then that I truly understood that I still have a Parent.


Prayer: Loving God, thank you for your wonderful gift of salvation and
your constant presence in out lives. Amen.


THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Faith is a matter not of what's in our head but who's in our heart.

--Anne Oliver (California, U.S.A.)

PRAYER FOCUS: Orphans
_________________________


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[> Monday's horse fact.. -- Cheri, 17:47:35 02/11/03 Tue


Reproductive Problems in the Draft Horse..


Part 1..


Draft mares usually make excellent mothers, providing a large amount of milk and rarely rejecting a foal. Because of these traits, draft mares make good nurse mares; some mares can even support and feed two foals. Also, the tendency for multiple ovulations makes draft mares good candidates for embryo transfer. However, draft horses have some reproductive traits--lower fertility rates, twinning, retained placentas, and other foaling difficulties--that lead to problems. In addition, one common draft breed possesses a gene for a devastating birth defect.

Tomorrows fact .. Epitheliogenesis imperfecta (EI)..


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[> Tuesday's inspiration.. -- Cheri, 18:44:54 02/11/03 Tue




IN THE VALLEY

_________________________

Psalm 23 (NRSV)

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.     He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters;
     he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths
     for his name's sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley,     I fear no evil;
for you are with me;
     your rod and your staff --
     they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
     in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
     my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me     all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD     my whole life long.

_________________________

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.

-- Psalm 23:4 (NIV)

_________________________

IT was the afternoon of April 11, 1993. I had attended Easter worship, eaten lunch, and was ready for a nap when the call came from the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility. "Inmates have control of L-block," the quivering voice said, "and they have taken hostages."

The next eleven days were filled with much darkness. Ten men lost their lives as the bloody uprising wore on. As a primary hostage negotiator, day after day I talked with the inmate hostage-takers. On two occasions a partner and I met with the inmates face to face to secure the release of hostages. Surrounded by death and violence, I found the words of the psalmist to be true.
As I walked through the valley of darkness, calm replaced fear. I could sense the gentle Shepherd leading me each step of the way.

The promise of scripture proved true. "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5). Dark valleys come in many shapes and sizes, but I have learned that in each one, God is faithful.


Prayer: Be with us, Lord, that when we walk through the valley of the
shadow of death, we may trust you and trust the plans you have for us. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
God can always be trusted.

-- W. Dirk Prise (Hawaii, U.S.A.)

PRAYER FOCUS: Those who work in prisons
_________________________


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[> Tuesday's horse fact.. -- Cheri, 18:55:59 02/11/03 Tue



Reproductive Problems in the Draft Horse..


Part 2..


Epitheliogenesis imperfecta (EI)..
is a congenital defect seen in newborn Belgian foals. These foals have a defect in the gene responsible for forming the attachment of the skin to the underlying tissue. They are born with patches of skin missing from their extremities and body. Sometimes, an entire limb will be skinless. Other abnormalities include teeth that are present at birth, ulcers of the mouth, and ulcers of the coronary band. Foals will have difficulty nursing due to the oral ulceration, and the hooves will eventually slough off.

Although the severity of the disease can vary at birth, the disease is progressive, and there is no treatment. Affected foals should be euthanized as soon as a diagnosis is made.

This defect is an inherited disease. Currently, it is classified as an autosomal recessive, which means that for a foal to be born with EI, the sire and dam must both be carriers of the disease . In the Belgian breed, there is a certain line of breeding that has been identified as having individuals which are carriers. Research is underway to develop a test to identify carriers of this defect.

Tomorrows fact .. Getting a foal on the ground.


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[> Wednesday's inspiration.. -- Cheri, 05:00:23 02/13/03 Thu



"GOD, BLESS ALEX"

_________________________

Romans 8:24-30 (NRSV)

For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family. And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified.

_________________________

The Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words.

-- Romans 8:26 (NRSV)

_________________________

RECENTLY our church encouraged adults who wanted a richer prayer life to choose the name of a child or young person for whom they would pray regularly. I chose the name of a young person I hardly knew.

As the weeks and months passed, I felt that my prayers for this young man were ineffective because I didn't know enough about his life. I decided to send him an e-mail message, telling him that I hoped this correspondence would lead to deeper prayers than just "God, bless Alex." But at that point, it came to me that "God, bless Alex," is really a very good prayer.

God knows Alex far better than I or anyone else ever will. Without really thinking, I had been supposing that the effectiveness of my prayers depended on what I knew of the needs and desires of my young friend rather than on what God knows.

What a wonderful difference this insight has made for me! I now pray with faith in God's inexhaustible resources rather than in my own limited wisdom.

Prayer:   Thank you, God, for hearing us when we pray. We trust your
wisdom always to make our prayers complete. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Just pray. God knows the details.

-- Grace Davis (Iowa, U.S.A.)

PRAYER FOCUS: Young people who have no one praying for them by name
_________________________


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[> Wednesday's horse fact.. -- Cheri, 06:07:19 02/13/03 Thu



Reproductive Problems in the Draft Horse..


Part 3..


Getting a foal on the ground in the first place can be a challenge in the draft breeds. One reason is that, overall, both stallions and mares tend to have lower fertility rates than their light horse counterparts. Since draft stallions mature slower, many two-year-olds have poor semen quality and, therefore, low conception rates. Also, the testicles of a draft stallion are small in relation to their body size compared to light horses. Typically, the draft stallion tends to have a low sperm concentration, high semen volume, and a large amount of gel in the ejaculate. Because of these factors, the semen often must be centrifuged to maintain proper concentration and sperm quantity for optimum reproductive efficiency in artificial insemination. These factors make successfully transporting cooled and frozen semen from heavy horses more difficult and time consuming.

Tomorrows fact .. Twinning is most common..


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[> Thursday's inspiration.. -- Cheri, 16:00:48 02/13/03 Thu



CALLED AND FORGIVEN

_________________________

John 21:1-17 (NRSV)

After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he showed himself in this way. Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples.

Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We will go with you." They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, "Children, you have no fish, have you?" They answered him, "No." He said to them, "Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish.

That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the sea. But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards off.

When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish that you have just caught." So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred fifty-three of them; and though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, "Who are you?" because they knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish.

This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.
When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my lambs." A second time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Tend my sheep." He said to him the third time, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" And he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep."

_________________________

Jesus said [to Peter], "Feed my sheep."

-- John 21:17 (NIV)

_________________________

FOLLOW me," Jesus said to Peter and Andrew, "and I will make you fish for people" (Matthew 4:19, NRSV). Immediately they left their nets and followed him. Peter became one of the inner circle of Jesus' friends, where he was able to witness the power of God manifested in Jesus. When Jesus asked the disciples, "What about you? . . . Who do you say I am?"

(Luke 9:20, NIV), it was Peter who answered, "The Christ of God." Yet we know that Peter denied even knowing Jesus after Jesus was arrested. Peter, though he was penitent, may have wondered if Jesus would forgive him. Would Jesus still want him as a follower?

Today's scripture passage shows us that Jesus did not give up on Peter. He repeatedly told Peter, "Feed my sheep." Jesus comforted Peter and reminded Peter of the task he had been called to in the first place -- to seek and to care for God's people.

In the same way, God mercifully restores us when we fail in being faithful to our calling. God calls us to repentance, empowering us to act out our call and to nurture God's people.


Prayer: Thank you, dear God, for forgiving us when we let you down.
Use us in your kingdom so that we may find our true lives, even as we help you bring life to others. Amen.


THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
God sees beyond our failings.

-- Dorothy Sampath Kumar (Karnataka, India)

PRAYER FOCUS: Those who feel they have failed God
_________________________


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[> Thursday's horse fact.. -- Cheri, 16:07:43 02/13/03 Thu


Reproductive Problems in the Draft Horse..


Part 4..


Twinning is most common in Thoroughbreds and draft horses. Twins result when a mare ovulates and conceives on two follicles during a heat cycle. Up to 25% of draft mares will double ovulate or ovulate two follicles. Drafts have even been known to ovulate with three follicles and conceive triplets. Due to their large uteruses, they are more likely to carry twins to late gestation or even foaling. This makes it very important to have draft mares sonogrammed by a veterinarian 14-15 days after ovulation to detect unwanted twins. As with light mares, one embryo may be crushed during this early phase of pregnancy, allowing the other to mature. Unfortunately, the higher tendency for the development of multiple follicles does make predicting ovulation more difficult in draft mares. This becomes a factor when breeding a mare with cooled, transported semen.

Tomorrows fact .. The large foals desired..


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[> Friday's inspiration.. -- Cheri, 20:50:41 02/14/03 Fri



THE PROMISE OF COMFORT

_________________________

Matthew 5:1-12 (NRSV)

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:
          "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
          "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
          "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
          "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
          "Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
          "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
          "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
          "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
          "Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

_________________________

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

-- Matthew 5:5 (NRSV)

_________________________

MY son suffered from a rare degenerative neurological disease from birth. He was never able to walk, talk, or play like other children. However, Corbin was as happy as any child I know, even though he spent many hours in a wheelchair. He smiled most of the time, even though he was in pain. Everyone remembers his smile! Corbin left this life eight months ago to enter a perfect life in heaven. I treasure the six years of memories I have of him. Whenever I try to make sense of my son's life, I am reminded that many of Jesus' teachings don't make sense when viewed from a human point of view.

Jesus' teachings contradicted many of our human understandings. The strong will not always finish first, and the rich will not always be powerful. Jesus promised mercy to anyone who believes in him. He promised that those who mourn the loss of their children would be comforted. I believe this promise; I picture my son walking, talking, and playing in a place of pure happiness, in the very presence of God.


Prayer: Thank you, God, for speaking softly through smiles of love.
Help us always to feel your presence in others and receive the comfort you offer through their love. Amen.


THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
God offers comfort to all who mourn.

-- David L. Bullins (North Carolina, U.S.A.)

PRAYER FOCUS: Parents of terminally ill children

_________________________


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[> Friday's horse fact.. -- Cheri, 21:03:45 02/14/03 Fri



Reproductive Problems in the Draft Horse..


Part 5 ..


The large foals desired by draft horse breeders may create additional reproductive dilemmas such as dystocia (difficult birth), difficulty rebreeding, and retained placentas. Although draft mares do not have a higher incidence of dystocia than the light mares, when they do have problems during foaling, the foal's large size complicates delivery further. For example, even if the foal is in the proper position, given the size of the foal, many mares need assistance to deliver due to inadequate uterine muscle tone and contractions.


The stress of delivering large foals makes rebreeding difficult. Because draft mares have poor uterine muscle tone, the uterus of a draft mare after foaling is slow to contract, retaining a large amount of fetal fluids. This fact, coupled with the large amount of semen volume introduced into the uterus from a natural breeding, makes it difficult to get these mares back in foal. It is beneficial to sonogram draft mares during heat to detect fluid accumulation and aid in its removal. Artificial insemination is a useful technique to decrease the volume of seminal fluid used during breeding.

Tomorrows fact .. Finally, retained placentas are..


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[> Saturday's inspiration.. -- Cheri, 18:26:31 02/15/03 Sat



TURNING TALENTS INTO GIFTS

_________________________

Romans 12:6-8 (NRSV)

We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness.

_________________________

We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.

-- Romans 12:6 (NIV)

_________________________

DO you remember the parable about the talents? A rich man goes on a trip, leaving his servants with various amounts of "talents" -- a unit of money used in ancient times. Two of the servants use their talents in a way that multiplies them and allows them to gain more talents. The third servant buries his talent. When the master returns, the third servant has nothing to show but the talent he had originally been given.

We can relate this story to our own lives. Our "talents" -- what our Master has entrusted to us -- are our abilities, our resources, our time. We can use these to build up the Body of Christ. Or we can be like the servant who buries the talent, helping no one.
What has God entrusted to you? Could you use your talent of teaching to explain the word of God to children? Could your athletic interests provide a forum to reach team members and draw them to Christ? Could your business skills help a church that is struggling financially? Every skill we have, when given to God, can become a spiritual gift that helps others.


Prayer: Lord, open our eyes to new ways we can use our resources to
lift up the Body of Christ. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
The resources God gives us are not ours to keep.

-- Lynette Norris Wilkinson (Texas, U.S.A.)

PRAYER FOCUS: To use my talents faithfully
_________________________


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[> Saturday's horse fact.. -- Cheri, 18:36:05 02/15/03 Sat



Reproductive Problems in the Draft Horse..



Part 6, and end of series..



Finally, retained placentas are seen more commonly in draft mares than in light mares. A placenta that is still attached after two hours should be considered retained. Aggressive veterinary treatment is warranted for this condition to prevent uterine infection (metritis), systemic infection (septicemia), and laminitis. "Foal founder" in any type of mare is a very serious condition, but it is compounded in the draft mare due to her size.

Reproductive problems common in draft mares, coupled with the fact that newborn draft foals are less hardy and take longer to stand and nurse, make it very important that all births are attended. It is strongly recommended that a reliable foal monitoring system be used.


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