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Date Posted: 19:14:37 01/27/03 Mon
Author: Cheri
Subject: A new week. Daily inspirations, and horse facts...


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[> Monday's inspiration.. -- Cheri, 19:18:27 01/27/03 Mon



IN GOD'S HANDS

_________________________

1 Corinthians 15:50-57 (NRSV)

What I am saying, brothers and sisters, is this: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Listen, I will tell you a mystery! We will not all die, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For this perishable body must put on imperishability, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When this perishable body puts on imperishability, and this mortal body puts on immortality, then the saying that is written will be fulfilled:

"Death has been swallowed up in victory." "Where, O death, is your victory?

Where, O death, is your sting?"

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

_________________________

"Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?"

- 1 Corinthians 15:55 (NRSV)

_________________________

IN the early years of my ministry as a pastor, I drove for an elderly doctor whose night vision was impaired. Tired and sad, he came out from a medical visit one night and said, "Preacher, I have done all I can do. Now it is in God's hands. They want you to pray with them."

In Vietnam, I knelt with a dying soldier, surrounded by his friends. A medic knelt across from me. "I've done all I can for him, Chaplain," he said. "Now only God can help."

And God did and does help. The pneumonia-ridden man did not rise with new vigor; the wounds inflicted by enemy fire did not heal in a startling moment. Each man, however, left this life unafraid, secure in the hands of God.

In all our endeavors, we can depend on God. With God, we walk our final path; with God, we spend eternity.


Prayer: Thank you, God, for keeping us secure in your hands. Amen


THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
With God, even death is not the final word.

-- Paul K. McAfee (Florida, U.S.A.)

PRAYER FOCUS: Those close to death
_________________________


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[> Monday's horse fact.. -- Cheri, 19:29:53 01/27/03 Mon


**** The Hackney Horse ****


The Hackney Horse is an elegant high stepping breed of carriage horse entirely British bred.

It made its appearance in the 18th century in Yorkshire and Norfolk in the UK and quickly became the ideal carriage horse of the day - only to be replaced by the motor car in the 1920's.

Today, Hackney Horses and Ponies are renowned for their brilliant and extravagant displays of high stepping action in the show ring. Pulling smart four-wheeled show wagons or immaculate in Private Drive or Concourse d'Elegance turnouts, they captivate audiences worldwide with their grace, elegant bearing and lively personality.

What many people do not know is how the Hackney and Hackney Pony evolved from quite humble origins to become through two centuries of selective breeding, one of the most spectacular of British breeds.

Although modern Hackneys may often be regarded as specialised animals, suitable for their showing role, this is far from the truth. In the driving world as well as being recognised as the superlative animal for Concours d'Elegance, Private Driving, Trade and Coaching classes, Hackneys and Hackney cross-breds compete with great success in the taxing disciplines of Carriage Driving Trials.

They also perform successfully in ridden dressage, eventing and show jumping. Breeders are once again looking at these remarkable horses when making plans for the breeding of competition horses and ponies, for the hackney's attributes of quality, courage, activity and great strength, qualify him for serious consideration in the breeding of the modern Sports Horse.


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[> Tuesday's inspiration.. -- Cheri, 23:06:23 01/28/03 Tue


SHARING

_________________________

Luke 6:27-31 (NRSV)

[Jesus said,] "I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you."

_________________________

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.

- Luke 6:38 (NIV)

_________________________

THE children in my class are five-and six-year-old Maoris, an indigenous people here in New Zealand. The children love to fish for kai (food) in the rivers and by the beautiful beaches.

I teach in a Christian school where most of the staff is of European culture. Though we are here to model the Christian way of living, these Maori children have much to teach us, too.

Sharing is part of their culture. From babyhood they are taught to do what is best for the community, even if that means putting aside their personal wishes. They share their kai -- and everything else -- with those who need it. They hold lightly to possessions; if we give a toy to one of them, we soon see it circulating among the others.

These children remind me that some of Jesus' teachings are blurred by our materialism. Jesus said if someone asks for our shirt, we should give our jacket as well. The generosity that our Maori children have learned and live challenges me, and I want to continue to learn from them.


Prayer: Heavenly Father, open our eyes to see your truth, wherever it
is lived. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
How can I share what God has given me?

-- Jean Stobart (Northland, New Zealand)

PRAYER FOCUS: Those working in cross-cultural situations
_________________________


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[> Tuesday's horse fact.. -- Cheri, 23:11:37 01/28/03 Tue



Endurance Riding


An Introduction..


Endurance Riding is one of the newest and perhaps the fastest growing branch of equestrianism. Although organised endurance rides were held in the US as early as the mid- 1800s, the modern sport of endurance riding really began in the in 1955 when the Tevis Cup, a one day 100 mile ride from Squaw Valley, Nevada to Auburn California, was first run. Other rides followed and the first national endurance riding association, the American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) was founded in 1972.

Endurance Riding is a sport for everyone, with rides to suit every ability and age, from 10 mile pleasure ride right up to endurance rides of 100 miles in a day, and longer over several days.

Although endurance rides are often hotly contested, at every level of endurance the welfare of the horse is paramount, with the strictest veterinary checks of all horse sports, and awards for best condition often being regarding as important as wining. For many people the unofficial motto of the sport 'To finish is to win' sums up the satisfaction they feel bringing their horse home sound and healthy.


The Endurance Horse

Most people starting out in endurance do so on their current horse, and it is true to say that any healthy horse can compete at the lower levels of endurance. Arabs are often thought of as the ideal endurance horse, but at any endurance ride you will see representatives of many horse and pony breeds competing successfully.

In general a good endurance horse will have a balanced conformation, a relatively light build, a strong back and excellent feet. Most importantly the horse's temperament must suit the rider - 100 miles is a long way if you can't work as a team!


'Classic' Endurance Rides

Tevis Cup (USA)

Quilty (Australia)

Summer Solstice (UK)

Golden Horseshoe (UK)


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[> Wednesday's inspiration.. -- Cheri, 23:57:40 01/29/03 Wed




MOVING ON

_________________________

Lamentations 3:19-27 (NRSV)

The thought of my affliction and my homelessness     is wormwood and gall!
My soul continually thinks of it
     and is bowed down within me.
But this I call to mind,
     and therefore I have hope:
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases,     his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
     great is your faithfulness.
"The LORD is my portion," says my soul,
     "therefore I will hope in him."
The LORD is good to those who wait for him,     to the soul that seeks him.
It is good that one should wait quietly
     for the salvation of the LORD.
It is good for one to bear the yoke in youth.

_________________________

Because of the LORD'S great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

- Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV)

_________________________

SEVERAL years ago I had difficulty adjusting after a long-distance move. For months I grieved. In hindsight, I see it as a time of intimacy with God, for I leaned on God as I never had before. I talked; God listened. God spoke; I listened. God led and counseled me; I followed and obeyed. I cried; God comforted me. God was with me always; and wherever God dwells, there is an abundance of mercy, grace, peace, and love.

When I felt lost and alone, God cradled me in loving hands. When I thought I stood in darkness, God sheltered me. When I thought doors had been closed, God was leading me toward good things. Now, where God has led me is beyond anything I could have imagined. God, who has no limits, has helped me to exceed the limits I had placed on myself.


Prayer: God, help us to seek you and to trust you during the
difficult times of our lives. Remind us of your faithfulness as we pray, "Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation: but deliver us from evil."* Amen.


THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
God will never abandon us.

-- Cindy Hawkins (South Carolina, U.S.A.)

PRAYER FOCUS: Someone adjusting to a new place

*Luke 11:2-4 (KJV).
_________________________


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[> Wednesday's horse fact.. -- Cheri, 00:07:03 01/30/03 Thu


**** The Chincoteague Pony ****


The ponies live on the islands of Chincoteague and Assateague off the coast of Virginia and Maryland. The Ponies are a race of small hardy horses, compact and good natured. The legend is that these ponies swam ashore from a Spanish Vessel which had capsized off the coast, around the century 1600.

Once on the islands they became stunted under the harsh environment. To keep from starving they ate coarse saltmarsh cordgrass, American beachgrass, thorny greenbrier stems, bayberry twigs, seaweed and even poison ivy. Because they drink salt water, they have an appearance of being "fat" or "bloated". The horses bred down to the unique breed we know today as the Chincoteague Pony.

Today there are two groups of these ponies descended down from the only 17 original Arabian Horses in which survived the famous shipwreck. The two groups are "The Maryland Herd" and "The Virginia Herd".

The Virginia Herd consists of approximately 130 head and is owned by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Dept. The ponies graze in the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, located on the Virginia portion of Assateague Island.

The Maryland Herd consists of approximately 40 Head and is owned by the Maryland Park Service.

The famous annual "Pony Round-up" and "Pony Swim" is held each year during the month of July. The Chincoteague Volunteer Fireman herd the ponies off their island at slack tide, through the sea water channel to Virginia. On the last Wednesday of every July, the ponies are gathered for the sale the next day.


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[> Thursday's inspiration.. -- Cheri, 05:38:46 01/31/03 Fri



ADOPTED

_________________________

Ephesians 1:3-10 (NRSV)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

_________________________

[God] destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will.

- Ephesians 1:5 (NRSV)

_________________________

I was invited by a couple in my church to be present as they finalized their adoption of a daughter. After several months, the process would finally be complete, and the beautiful girl they had been caring for would be officially their child. As I listened to the lawyers questioning the new parents, I was struck by one question in particular:

"Do you understand that this child will be entitled to all of the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of any natural children you may have?" The judge had to be sure that this adopted child would be treated in the same way and receive the same benefits as any biological children they might have later.

I was moved because that is exactly what God agreed to when adopting me -- and you. God said that we would be given all that belongs to his Son, Jesus. As adopted children of God, we receive and are promised love and care from our heavenly Father. How wonderful to be God's own through adoption by the work of Christ!


Prayer: God, thank you for the wonderful gift of adoption. The price
you paid so that we might be your children is immeasurable. Help us to live today as your children, with all the privileges and responsibilities that accompany that position. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Each of us is fully God's child.

-- John Richardson (Missouri, U.S.A.)

PRAYER FOCUS: Families with adopted children
_________________________


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[> Thursday's horse fact.. -- Cheri, 05:52:57 01/31/03 Fri


**** Mud Fever ****


Mud Fever is a common condition, usually affecting horses lower limbs; especially the back legs, and particularly if they are white. It is characterised by inflammation of the skin, and the appearance of crusty scabs, formed from oozing serum. This is usually caused by the invasion of a bacterium called dermatophilus congolensis, which penetrates the skin following either damage, or softening through exposure to the wet or mud.

The bacterium thrives in wet muddy conditions, and our increasingly mild and wet winters are escalating the prevalence of this troublesome condition. When the same condition occurs on the upper body, it is referred to as Rain Scald.


Prevention


Preventing Mud Fever in the first place, is certainly preferable for your horse, however Mud Fever can at times be extremely difficult to prevent. Some horses will always be more susceptible to Mud Fever than others, and wet muddy fields exacerbate the problem. If your horse is susceptible to mud fever, you should protect its legs from the wet and mud as much as possible, and apply a barrier. You should also check the legs regularly, and at first signs of soreness, weeping or scabs, treat immediately with an effective Mud Fever treatment, to prevent the condition worsening.


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[> Friday's inspiration.. -- Cheri, 05:49:35 02/01/03 Sat



WREN SONG

_________________________

Job 12:7-10 (NRSV)

[Job said,] "But ask the animals, and they will teach you;   the birds of the air, and they will tell you;
ask the plants of the earth, and they will teach you;   and the fish of the sea will declare to you.

Who among all these does not know
that the hand of the LORD has done this? In his hand is the life of every living thing
and the breath of every human being."

_________________________

You are the body of Christ and individually members of it.

- 1 Corinthians 12:27 (NRSV)

_________________________

AS I listen to the chorus of birds outside the kitchen window, I marvel at one song that overpowers the others. Its trills and warbles thrill me as breakfast time becomes a celebration instead of just another daily ritual. I think that surely this must be some beautiful creature to have such a superb gift that raises my spirits. But as I look at the various birds perched on the deck rail, I notice the melody comes from a small brown wren, adorned with only a tiny speck of color around her eyes. She is not at all beautiful to look at, but her ability to transform an ordinary morning into a special day full of hope in song is beautiful to me.

Sometimes we may feel as insignificant as that wren looked among the more colorful birds. We may believe that we have nothing to offer others because our abilities are not as great as someone else's, or our method of work is quieter and doesn't win accolades. But each one of us is special and unique in some way and can offer what no one else can, even if that is just our unique, friendly smile.


Prayer: Lord of all creation, teach us to sing the song that you have
given us and to show forth your love. Amen.


THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
When we sing the unique song God has given us, we have the power to touch lives.

-- Sandra Tilley Kea (North Carolina, U.S.A.)

PRAYER FOCUS: Someone who needs hope
_________________________


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[> Friday's horse fact.. -- Cheri, 05:56:31 02/01/03 Sat



Leg Protection For Horses..


Leg protection for horses comes in many forms, from shipping wraps or boots, to bell boots. This fact will cover a couple of different types available.


Protection While Shipping


If you've ever had to stand on a public bus, you know that when the bus turns a corner, you have to lean and often have to move your feet to give you a better base of support. The same goes for horses when they are being transported in trailers or horseboxes. The chances of them having to scramble to keep their footing is lessened, of course, by a sympathetic driver. But you never know when some other maniac driver is going to do something stupid in front of you, causing you to have to change lanes quickly or brake hard.

Equipping your horse with shipping boots or wraps will protect his legs from being stepped on or kicked, either by the horse in the next stall or by one of his own legs.

Back in the (ahem) old days, when I started out with horses, we wrapped the lower leg in cotton batting and then covered that with either stretchy "exercise wraps" or non-stretchy "standing wraps" extending from just below the knee to just below the fetlock.

Additional protection was provided by special knee boots and bell boots to protect the coronet. This combination (with quilts used instead of the old-fashioned cotton batting) can still be used, but a much easier option is to use specially manufactured shipping boots which are now on the market.

These boots wrap around the lower leg and attach with velcro. In some designs, the front boots extend up at the front to protect the knee and hind boots extend up at the back to protect the hock. Front and back boots extend down over the coronet.


Polo Wraps


Polo wraps are stretchy wraps, made of a thick, plush fleecy fabric. In addition to providing some protection from knocks and dings, they act like warm ups during exercise. They can be also used over quilts to provide protect during shipping. Care should be taken when applying polo wraps to make sure that they are applied evenly, since uneven wrapping may cause a tendon injury.


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