Good Sunday Mornin!

[Shortgrass]

Good Sunday mornin' from the Shortgrass home. Our home is in the "other" Colorado that lies east of the Rocky Mountains. Our area is built a lot more like Kansas than what most people envision when they picture Colorado. From our home, the Rockies are just a distant view on the western horizon. We can see forever across the treeless prairies. Last week I was gathering salt and shutting off windmills in a summer pasture that is several miles from the house. It was a cold, blustery day. From the windmill, I could see the house and trees at the farmstead. Thoughts of a warm fire and cup of hot java sure held an appeal that made me want to go there. Funny, I thought, how much more the home seems to draw today than it did last spring when the grass was turning green and the earth was coming to life. When I was fencing last spring, I could see the house in the distance, but had no real desire to go there. It was a comforting view, but I was happy to be out in the sunshine. The world seemed like a good place.

Isaiah 64:4 tells us that since the beginning of time no man has heard, perceived or seen the things that the Lord has prepared for those that wait for Him. The thought of a heavenly home has always been comforting. In the spring of our lives, we are content to live here and look over there. As the seasons come and go it seems that our heavenly home becomes more attractive to us. For my 93 year old mother, in the winter season of her life, Heaven has a very strong appeal. Living to be 100 is her greatest fear. I understand that, but try to explain it to a 10 year old. My son-in-laws 96 year old grandmother made the journey to our heavenly home just today. I may not be as old as these grand ladies, but I am ready for our Lord to come again. I am not too sure this world is a good place. I really like the line in that song that says "What a day that will be when my Jesus I shall see, when He takes me by the hand and leads me through the Promised Land." Just think about it,—what a day that will be! Have yourselves a good Sunday mornin' and a good rest of the week.

 

[Soapweed]

That was very good, Shortgrass. You and your family have our condolences and prayers in the loss of your son-in-law's grandmother.

We appreciate how your focus is always on God, no matter what you are doing. Your life is a fine testimony.

 

[Mrs.Greg]

That was just what I needed this morning,struggling to start my Christmas stuff. We lost gregs mom three weeks ago,she was so ready to go but boy I miss her,you gave me a smile and a cry and a reminder Thank-you shortgrass,you have no idea how much I look forward to your Sunday morning messages.

Your SIL will miss his granny,a hug to him from Canada.

 

[Turkey Track Bar]

Good Morning to you too, Shortgrass! Thanks so much for your message this morning. I really look forward to your weekly message. So much so, that this is one of the first things I do on Sunday morning.

I hope you have a good week too! We've got a busy one on tap here---but will remember your message as we trod through it.

Cheers---

TTB :wink:

 

[Red Robin]

Thanks shortgrass. I understand you message completely and agree. I also really like that song. See you then.

 

[mtrancher]

Thanks from me too Shortgrass, I guess we all need daily reminders to keep ourselves focused in the right direction. Easy to get carried away with the things of the world and forget about the most important thing, that being where we'll spend eternity. Thanks again.

 

[Big Muddy rancher]

AMEN.

 

[Faster horses]

I too very much look forward to your Sunday morning message.
The depth of your love for God always comes shining through and is
a real inspiration to me, as it is to others.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us.

 

[Nicky]

Thanks Shortgrass! Have a great week.

 

[fedup2]

Shortgrass, I know very little about religion or the bible & read this thread mostly out of curiosity. I don't belong to an organized religion because I always hear people praying for everything but not stopping to be thankful for anything. Guess I have my own way.
Anyway, your thoughts reminded me of this poem. Thought I would share it with you.

The Cowboy's Meditation
(original author unknown)

At midnight, when the cattle are sleeping,
On my saddle I pillow my head,
And up at the heavens lie peeping
From out of my cold grassy bed;--
Often and often I wondered,
At night when lying alone,
If every bright star up yonder
Is a big peopled world like our own.

Are they worlds with their ranges and ranches?
Do they ring with rough rider refrains?
Do the cowboys scrap there with Comanches
And other Red Men of the plains?
Are the hills covered over with cattle
In those mystic worlds far, far away?
Do the ranch-houses ring with the prattle
Of sweet little children at play?

At night, in the bright stars up yonder,
Do the cowboys lie down to their rest?
Do they gaze at this old world and wonder
If rough riders dash over its breast?
Do they list to the wolves in the canyons?
Do they watch the night owl in its flight,
With their horses their only companions
While guarding the herd through the night?

Sometimes, when a bright star is twinkling
Like a diamond set in the sky,
I find myself lying and thinking,
It may be God's heaven is nigh.
I wonder if there I shall meet her,
My mother whom God took away;
If in the star-heavens I'll greet her
At the round-up that's on the Last Day.

In the east the great daylight is breaking,
And into my saddle I spring;
The cattle from sleep are awakening,
The heaven-thoughts from me take wing;
The eyes of my broncho are flashing,
Impatient he pulls at the reins,
And off round the herd I go dashing,
A reckless cowboy of the plains.

 

[fedup2]

As the season is coming, this seems a good thread to add another.

A Cowboy's Christmas Prayer
S. Omar Barker

I ain't much good at prayin',
and You may not know me, Lord --
For I ain't much seen in churches,
where they preach Thy Holy Word.
But you may have observed me
out here on the lonely plains,
A-lookin' after cattle,
feelin' thankful when it rains.

Admirin' Thy great handiwork.
the miracle of the grass,
Aware of Thy kind Spirit,
in the way it comes to pass
That hired men on horseback
and the livestock that we tend
Can look up at the stars at night,
and know we've got a Friend.

So here's ol' Christmas comin' on,
remindin' us again
Of Him whose coming brought good will
into the hearts of men.
A cowboy ain't a preacher, Lord,
but if You'll hear my prayer,
I'll ask as good as we have got
for all men everywhere.

Don't let no hearts be bitter, Lord.
Don't let no child be cold.
Make easy the beds for them that's sick
and them that's weak and old.
Let kindness bless the trail we ride,
no matter what we're after,
And sorter keep us on Your side,
in tears as well as laughter.

I've seen ol' cows a-starvin' -
and it ain't no happy sight;
Please don't leave no one hungry, Lord,
on Thy Good Christmas Night --
No man, no child, no woman,
and no critter on four feet
I'll do my doggone best
to help you find 'em chuck to eat.

I'm just a sinful cowpoke, Lord --
ain't got no business prayin'
But still I hope you'll ketch a word
or two, of what I'm sayin':
We speak of Merry Christmas, Lord--
I reckon You'll agree --

There ain't no Merry Christmas
for nobody that ain't free!
So one thing more I ask You,
Lord: just help us what You can
To save some seeds of freedom
for the future Sons of Man!

 

[Shortgrass]

Thanks for the poems, fedup2. I have seen the last one before, but that is the first I read the first one. Both nice poems. Sure appreciate you reading the post though. I agree 100% that we all need to be more grateful and less demanding. The more I learn about the Lord, the more I realize how little I do know about Him. Again thank for your participation.

 

[Gulchrider]

Now there's some beautiful poetry. Hope your Sunday was a good 'un, and pass my sympathies along too, would ya?
~G~

 

[Tap]

Fedup2's poems that he posted reminded me of one that I think fits in good with this conversation. I have posted it once in the past, but it is my very favorite poem, and I want to share it again. I hope someone reads it over me when I go to my final resting spot.

Ruby Mountains by Jack Walther

I am part of this range of waving grass.
Part of the evening breeze, the gentle rains that pass.
I am the horse or range cow that moves out there so free.
Deep down within, they seem a part of me.

I am the snows on the mountain that cause the streams to flow,
Spreading out on the valley, urging the grass to grow.
The meadow in the valley, the leaves and branches of a tree,
They are more than a thing of beauty. They are part of me.

I am the buttercups blooming in the springtime,
The call of the blue grouse on the hill,
The peace and quiet of a summer night
When all the world is still.

I am the sparkling stars on a winter night,
Or a crisp cold morning sun.
I am the gurgling protesting stream,
Beneath the winter ice shall run.

The coyote that howls in the evening or the hoot owl in the wood,
I sense them stir within my soul. Deep down it feels so good.
With this all a part of me, I can never be alone.
I am the richest man on earth, for all this I own.

When this body that you see is stilled,
Stand not by my grave and cry.
When a part of all these things,
I will be renewed and shall never die.

But come out in the fresh spring grass,
See the songbird up in the tree,
Just relax, spend some time.
It is there I shall forever be.

 

[Shorthornguy]

May the Peace of Our Lord be with you this fine Sunday. Thank You for the message.

By the way, I saw a birth announcement in the local paper. Congradulations Grandpa.

 

[Shortgrass]

You were right shorthornguy I am a PROUD new grandpa with the same daughter and son-in-law that parted with grandma this week. My wife is up there until Thursday. I am happy she could go, and happy to have her come home too. There is good reason I'm not a bachelor!