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Date Posted: 18:21:58 11/25/02 Mon
Author: Cheri
Subject: A New Week. Daily Inspirations, and Horse Facts..


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[> Monday's inspiration.. -- Cheri, 18:33:44 11/25/02 Mon



WITH A LITTLE HELP

_________________________

Matthew 7:7-11 (NRSV)

[Jesus said,] "Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for bread, will give a stone? Or if the child asks for a fish, will give a snake? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!"

_________________________

You do not have, because you do not ask.

- James 4:2 (NRSV)

_________________________

MY six-year-old grandson was working on his bicycle. It was turned upside down in the garage, and tools were scattered everywhere. Seeing his frown of concentration, I offered my help.

"No," he said, "I can do it myself."

I went on my way. After a few minutes, he came into the house and said, "Grandfather, I think I need some help." Together we fixed his bike, and soon he was riding up and down the driveway.

Recently that experience came to mind. For quite some time I had been wrestling with a problem. No matter what I tried, the problem got worse. As I lay awake trying to find a solution to the problem, I saw how the episode with my grandson applied to my situation. Humbled by the memory, I prayed, "God, I think I need some help."

The problem did not go away; it was not immediately resolved. But I was at peace, reassured that I was not working alone. Now, I realized that I had God's assistance, and together we could work out a solution.


Prayer: God, we want to do everything ourselves. Make us aware of
our need for you, and teach us to call on you for help. Amen.


THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
God wants to help us with life's daily problems.

-- William R. Gentry (Tennessee, U.S.A.)

PRAYER FOCUS: Someone who does not ask for help
_________________________


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[> Monday's horse fact.. -- Cheri, 19:25:18 11/25/02 Mon



Health concerns of Mules and Donkeys..


Part 7..


Another difference between horses and mules involves food intake. The average horse, when given free access to grain, will consume it in quantities that will endanger its health. While donkeys and mules are also capable of overeating and foundering, the number of instances will be far fewer when compared with horses, especially in the case of mules.

There appears to be a definite metabolic difference when comparing donkeys and mules with horses. For one thing, there is a difference in protein requirements. Donkeys have been known to founder after eating a single bowl of high-protein (about 27%) dog food. While many commercial horse rations are in the 16% protein range, donkeys and mules seem to do far better on a ration that has 10-12% protein.

Donkeys and mules, pound for pound, also eat less than horses. Generally speaking, when donkeys and mules are working, their grain ration should be about one-third that fed to a horse of similar size doing the same work. Donkeys seem to do best on good pasture with minimal amounts of grain as supplement.

Tomorrows fact .. When it comes to physical soundness, mules


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[> Tuesday's inspiration.. -- Cheri, 18:10:09 11/26/02 Tue



THE DIVINE PRESENCE

_________________________

Psalm 34 (NRSV)

I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the LORD;
let the humble hear and be glad.
O magnify the LORD with me,
and let us exalt his name together.
I sought the LORD, and he answered me,
and delivered me from all my fears.
Look to him, and be radiant;
so your faces shall never be ashamed.

This poor soul cried, and was heard by the LORD, and was saved from every trouble.
The angel of the LORD encamps
around those who fear him, and delivers them. O taste and see that the LORD is good;
happy are those who take refuge in him.
O fear the LORD, you his holy ones,
for those who fear him have no want.
The young lions suffer want and hunger,
but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.

Come, O children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
Which of you desires life,
and covets many days to enjoy good?
Keep your tongue from evil,
and your lips from speaking deceit.
Depart from evil, and do good;
seek peace, and pursue it.

The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry.
The face of the LORD is against evildoers, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears, and rescues them from all their troubles. The LORD is near to the brokenhearted,
and saves the crushed in spirit.

Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD rescues them from them all. He keeps all their bones;
not one of them will be broken.
Evil brings death to the wicked,
and those who hate the righteous will be condemned. The LORD redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.

_________________________

Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.

- Luke 18:37 (NRSV)

_________________________

IF Jesus were "passing by" downtown, wouldn't we run to see him? But Jesus is in every person we encounter -- the checker at the market, the bank teller, the homeless person, and the telemarketer. Christ speaks in the voices of those we care for, work with, and live among. Sometimes Christ asks for love or understanding. Sometimes Christ weeps. Christ walks in every prison or ghetto, every place of power, every hospice, lonely nursing home, and mental-health facility. Christ lives in those who look and think like us -- but also in those who look very different and think completely opposite to us.

Jesus Christ is also "passing by" us in our moments of need -- when we are in despair and pain, loss and disappointment. Christ is there when we think our faith is gone, when we walk in doubt, and when we live in forgetfulness of eternal things. Still Christ passes near, breathing into our souls and waiting upon us.
Christ is in front of us, next to us, and behind us. We have only to look to recognize him. We have only to listen to hear his whisper. We have only to turn our heads to see his face.


Prayer: Give us eyes to see you, Lord, and ears to hear you speak.
Let us recognize you in each of your children we meet today. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Jesus Christ passes by each of us each day.

-- Marie Collamore (Massachusetts, U.S.A.)

PRAYER FOCUS: To be conscious of God's nearness
_________________________


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[> Tuesday's horse fact.. -- Cheri, 18:20:43 11/26/02 Tue



Health concerns of Mules and Donkeys..


Part 8..


When it comes to physical soundness, -


mules often seem to excel when compared with horses. They have strong, tough, flexible feet and many are never shod at all. Because they have small, upright, boxy feet, they also are very surefooted. Mules also seem to have fewer leg soundness problems than horses.

In an article entitled "Reconsider the Mule," Robert Miller, DVM, of California, a devoted mule fancier, wrote the following concerning a major mule event he had attended:

"And there are races. Mules run sprints ranging from 50 yards to a quarter-mile and races vary in length up to a mile. Although they are not designated race officials, at the finish line five veterinarians inspect the winners. They look at racing mules seven, eight, 10 years of age; many have been racing since they were two. Some are entered in many events each day. One mule runs several sprints and a mile race in a single day, in addition to barrel racing, stake racing, and a variety of regular show classes.

Their legs are clean and sound. Not a splint or windpuff can be seen. There isn't a single big knee, a bucked shin, or an enlarged tendon. None are lame. Why? Why do they stay sound? Seeking answers, the veterinarians, all of whom are equine practitioners exposed daily to the tragedy of lameness in beautiful horses, look at mules, run their hands down the tough little legs and wonder."

One of the answers to the soundness question, it would seem logical to believe, involves hybrid vigor. Perhaps the tough physical and mental qualities of the donkey explain the rest.

Betsy Hutchins adds this thought: "The fact that they are inclined not to panic, to think about what is happening to them, and to take care of themselves physically prevents many accidents that might happen if they were horses."

Tomorrows fact .. Mules, as a rule of thumb, live longer productive lives than horses.


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[> Wednesday's inspiration.. -- Cheri, 15:32:39 11/28/02 Thu



THANK YOU, GOD

_________________________

Luke 17:11-19 (NRSV)

On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, they called out, saying, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" When he saw them, he said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were made clean. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. He prostrated himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus asked, "Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" Then he said to him, "Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well."

_________________________

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever.

- Psalm 106:1 (NRSV)

_________________________

AS I was listening to a preacher speak on the topic of thankfulness, I was reminded of the Bible story of the 10 lepers. In Luke 17 we find Jesus travelling toward Jerusalem when he comes upon a group of 10 men with leprosy. When they recognize Jesus, the lepers ask him to heal them. Jesus instructs them to show themselves to the priests. They obey Jesus. On their way to see the priests, they are cleansed and healed. Yet, only one leper (a Samaritan) comes back to thank Jesus.

How often do we ask God for things -- health, money, a new job, forgiveness, and more? When our prayers are answered we hurriedly thank the Lord; or like the nine lepers who did not return, we say nothing at all.

The leper who returned to thank Jesus is our model for responding to the blessings in our lives. Even in the midst of hard times, if we look we can find ways that God is blessing us. And God offers us the blessing of eternal life each day. As we recognize this and other blessings God bestows on us, we will want to say,

"Thank you, God, for all your goodness and mercy."


Prayer: O Lord, thank you for the many blessings you have bestowed
upon us. Help us to be ever mindful that all we have comes from you. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Recognizing God's blessings calls forth our gratitude.

-- Paul F. Petru (Ohio, U.S.A.)

PRAYER FOCUS: To see our blessings
_________________________


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[> Wednesday's horse fact.. -- Cheri, 15:40:49 11/28/02 Thu



Health concerns of Mules and Donkeys..


Part 9..


Mules, as a rule of thumb, live longer productive lives than horses. In farming days, when an animal's value depended in part on how long it could work, it was often estimated that mules averaged 18 years of work compared to 15 for the horse.


A pamphlet published some decades ago titled, "Jacks, Jennets and Mules," which was designed to tout the stellar qualities of these long-eared animals, gave this report: "One of our members employs 160 mules in harness. He buys 3-year-olds and never sells one. When they become unfit for work, they are humanely destroyed. His records are exact. Of 89 mules in 1921, 28 were still at work aged 24 years in 1942. The average age of death of the 61 that had passed away (or had been put down) was 20 years."

Today, when mules are no longer asked to carry that type of workload and perhaps are recipients of superior nutritional and medical care, it is not uncommon to find useful lifespans of 30 years.


Tomorrows fact .. Surefooted To The End


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[> In place of today's inspiration & horse fact...Happy Thankgiving! See in reply. -- Cheri, 16:02:39 11/28/02 Thu













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[> Friday's inspiration.. -- Cheri, 17:26:58 11/30/02 Sat



EMERGING FROM THE FOG

_________________________


Hebrews 11:1-3 (NRSV)


Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.

_________________________

I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, "Do not fear, I will help you."

- Isaiah 41:13 (NRSV)

_________________________

WE were driving home from a convention when we encountered a very dense fog. I could barely see, yet it was dangerous to pull over because I could not see the roadside. My husband and I prayed hard, and I kept driving for what seemed miles. My fingernails were cutting into my hands from gripping the steering wheel so hard. Finally, we made it through the fog safely and saw the beginning of a beautiful morning.

Last year our son died. As a result I felt as if I were in a similar dense fog with zero visibility. I went about my daily activities with little thought about the task at hand. I smiled, but the smile had no joy behind it. I went through many stages of grief but still felt empty. Yet I could not pull over and wait for the pain to pass.

Now after almost two years, I feel as if I am emerging from the fog. My pain is still here, but it is not as severe as it was. I am beginning to see beautiful mornings again, and I am thankful for my dear husband, my family and friends. Most of all, I know that God has held my hand every moment-and still does.


Prayer: When fear and uncertainty enter our lives, O God, help us to
trust that you hold our hand. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
When fog surrounds us, God is there with us.

-- Jeanette Boals (Florida, U.S.A.)

PRAYER FOCUS: Parents whose child has died
_________________________


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[> Friday's horse fact.. -- Cheri, 17:37:34 11/30/02 Sat




Health concerns of Mules and Donkeys..


Part 10..


Surefooted To The End..


Then, there is the matter of surefootedness. I can personally attest that there is no more surefooted riding or pack animal than the mule.
Betsy Hutchins explains it this way:

"The surefootedness of the mule is partly physical and partly psychological. The mule has a narrower body than a horse of the same height and weight. He gets this from the ass side of his family. His legs are strong and his feet are small and neat. This narrow structure and small hoof configuration enable him to place his feet carefully and neatly. His other advantage is psychological. Mules have a tendency to assess situations and act according to their views--most of which have to do with self-preservation."

Her comments recall to mind an incident when we were packing into the Beartooth Mountains of Montana. My lead pack mule at the time was a horse mule who was aptly named Rowdy. He had carried a very heavy load on the ride into the mountains and had settled into a workmanlike pace that was all business.

Because much of what he carried involved food and beverages that had been consumed, his load on the way down was much lighter. Without a heavy workload to occupy him, Rowdy became bored.

We were working our way down a mountain slope on a trail that was very safe. On the right was a very narrow ridge some three or four feet high and to the left was a gently sloping mountainside. However, on the other side of the narrow ridge was a river gorge. Jump over that ridge and you would be on a long death plunge.

I was riding along half asleep with Rowdy on a slacker-than-usual lead line when my wife let out a startled yell. I swung around in the saddle and there was Rowdy casually walking along the top of that ledge as though he were taking a Sunday stroll in the park. I quickly gave a hard jerk on the lead line and down he popped, with the guilty air of a child who had gotten caught with his hand in the cookie jar. He had been strolling in surefooted fashion, gazing down at the river, along a ledge that I never would have asked any horse or mule to negotiate. In fact, I would have declined to walk it on foot.

Tomorrows fact .. Health Concerns


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[> Saturday's inspiration.. -- Cheri, 17:42:33 11/30/02 Sat




SHARING BLESSINGS

_________________________

Acts 20:32-35 (NRSV)

And now I commend you to God and to the message of his grace, a message that is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all who are sanctified. I coveted no one's silver or gold or clothing. You know for yourselves that I worked with my own hands to support myself and my companions. In all this I have given you an example that by such work we must support the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, for he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"

_________________________

In all this I have given you an example that by such work we must support the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, for he himself said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive."

- Acts 20:35 (NRSV)

_________________________

I received a call this morning from a senior citizen in the church where I belong and serve as outreach chairperson. He wanted to come over and give me some money to help those in need. As I opened the door, I saw his familiar smiling face -- the same one from which I have seen the love of Jesus radiate so many times. With tears in his eyes, he handed me a pair of gently worn tennis shoes and a 50-dollar bill.

I have known his family for years. He and his wife live on a small monthly income. I tried to persuade him to keep his money, but he insisted on my taking it. "You know someone who needs it, I am sure," he said.

I was humbled by his unselfishness. My heart was warmed once more by this man who offered $50 and a nice pair of used sneakers to a nameless, faceless person in need. The most heartwarming thing of all was that he trusted me to choose the recipients of his kindness, with no questions asked.


Prayer: Father in heaven, help us give openly, warmly, and
sacrificially to those in need, even when we don't know who they are. Amen.


THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
How can I share God's blessings with those in need?

-- Marion H. Duncan (North Carolina, U.S.A.)

PRAYER FOCUS: Senior citizens in my church
_________________________


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[> Saturday's horse fact.. -- Cheri, 17:48:58 11/30/02 Sat



Health concerns of Mules and Donkeys..


Part 11..


Health Concerns..


When it comes to health concerns, mules are more like horses than are donkeys. Donkeys have more special health concerns.

One of these concerns involves lungworms. The equine lungworm (Dictyocaulus arnfield) is a major parasite of donkeys and a minor parasite of horses. Donkeys generally show no clinical signs of infection, but do pass larvae in their feces. The donkey is the natural host for the mature worm. Horses are considered abnormal hosts.

Many donkeys are infected early in life while grazing.
Ingested larvae move through the intestinal wall and are carried to the lung, where they develop into adult worms up to four inches in length. The process takes two to four months, after which time eggs are laid. The eggs are carried to the throat by normal mucus production, then are swallowed and passed in the feces. Once deposited on the ground, they quickly hatch into larvae which, when ingested, begin the whole infective process again.

Surveys have shown that up to 70% of all donkeys are infected. One study at Texas A&M University found that 86% of the donkeys tested had lungworms.

Infected donkeys might not show outward signs of lungworm presence, but considerable damage can be done to lungs. Diagnosis of lungworm infection in donkeys can be done by fecal exam. However, special techniques usually are required. Horses pastured with donkeys are more at risk of being infected with lungworms than those pastured separately.

The good news is that lungworms can be treated effectively with certain dewormers (the one mentioned most frequently is ivermectin). It is advisable to treat donkeys every six to eight months with ivermectin, advises Frederick Harper, DVM, of the University of Tennessee. He also advises that, "If you get a donkey, have your veterinarian treat it with ivermectrin before placing it on your farm with horses."


Tomorrows fact .. In addition to lungworms


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