Welcome to my new blog! Thanks for logging in and checking it out! The Lord has been teaching me so much lately, and for weeks now I have been feeling a motivation to share these lessons with others as I feel they are applicable not only for myself but that others can benefit from them as well. The internet is so widely used nowadays, and the Lord has blessed me with access to it through my netbook. He has given me a love of writing and a passion for the hearts of others. Why not use these resources for His glory to reach His people?
I encourage you to comment with your own thoughts on the topics I post here. Feel free to share both positive and negative feedback about my blog. I welcome all comments. I’m a lover of music and find much inspiration through it; therefore, through my writing, I will be recommending some of my top picks in music. If you have any favorites that have especially ministered to you, I welcome you to post them in as a comment. They may just be the inspiration for my next blog post! Feel free to share my blog or any of the thoughts that I post here with others.
McKeever’s First Ride
Silly Bandz! Remember those? If you’re a kid or are around kids, you undoubtedly know exactly what I’m talking about. Those funny-shaped rubber bands are a fad that has faded or at least is fading, but when it was still in fashion, I was one of the Silly Bandz queens. I had quite a collection. Any color shirt I decided to wear that day, I had a Silly Bandz bracelet to match.
Although they are no longer the “in” thing anymore, those of you that know me well know that almost every day you’ll see me still wearing three Silly Bandz- a blue acoustic guitar, a green hand, and a red heart. I don’t wear them for a fashion statement; I wear them for a faith statement. For me, they are a reminder of one of my mottos for living life. The guitar: “Keep a joyful song in your soul,” the hand: “Bear the serving hands of the Lord,” and the heart: “Guard your heart and keep it pure- for it is the wellspring of life.” (Proverbs 4:23) Recently I was offered an opportunity to “bear the serving hands of the Lord.”
For three and a half years I have been taking riding lessons from Ed Dabney Gentle Horsemanship, and several months ago on the farm, I met a woman by the name of Deenie McKeever. At the time, however, I only knew her as Miss Deenie. Back in January, I believe it was, Mr. Dabney approached both me and another student at the farm and informed us of McKeever’s First Ride. He invited us to volunteer as we both have a solid foundation of horsemanship skills.
I had never heard of McKeever’s First Ride before. Mr. Dabney gave me a brief description of the event, and I looked it up online. Miss Deenie McKeever began the event in honor of her father who was a pioneer in the field of prosthetics. In short, the event is designed to introduce amputees to the healing power of working with horses- the emotional healing it provides and the physical benefits of healthy exercise and being outdoors. Others are welcome to come as well to volunteer at the event, although its motive is rooted in introducing amputees to another world that they may not have realized they can participate in with their handicap. The horse world will be presented for all of them in whatever level of participation they feel comfortable with- from simple grooming the horses to even riding them at a walk. The horses will be the Dabneys’ own, and I can testify that they are very well trained, spook-proof, and extremely patient, as they are used for beginner rider lessons. They put up with so much even from me. J
I’m so looking forward to the opportunity to share the love of God with these people. I know it will be a beautiful and fulfilling day in each of our lives. The event is free to attend, although it is supported by donations. The event will be next Saturday, April 21st and will be held at the Gwinnett County Fairgrounds. There will be a performance by the Rusty Spurs drill team and live music by special guest country singer Templeton Thompson. For more information about McKeever’s First Ride, check out the official website at www.mckeever’sfirstride.com. Be sure to watch the YouTube video link posted there of last year’s event. It moved me deeply. You may also be interested in checking out the country song Girls & Horses by Templeton Thompson. I’m not familiar with all of her songs, but I can certainly recommend this one. A great song if you love horses! Please keep the day in your prayers as we prepare to serve the community and share Christ’s heart with this group of people. And if you don’t have anything going on next Saturday, you’re welcome to come join us to volunteer and support this event!
Hands holding heart picture credit: Copyright (c) <a href='http://www.123rf.com'>123RF Stock Photos</a>
~We’ve all heard of the phrase “pulling on her/ his heartstrings,” but heart-chords? I was struggling to decide what to name my blog. I wanted it to be a name that was both creative and meaningful. As I pondered, my gaze fell upon my acoustic guitar where it stands in my bedroom, and the Lord reminded me that our hearts- our lives- are instruments. They are constantly in song, but what melody our heart plays is each of our own decisions. They can play a melody for praise or for entertainment. A musician selects his songs according to his audience. So do we. Whether our audience is the world or the Lord, our song will be different. This blog is designed to first, increase my awareness in finding God and His guidance in my every day and second, to share the music lessons He teaches me in tuning my heart to learn the chords of praise He longs to play on my heart-instrument. Music is a powerful tool. Use it for His glory. “He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord.” Psalm 40:3 ~Y
I'm so happy you've joined the blogosphere! Be assured that I will be a faithful reader!
ReplyDeleteLove, Aunt Deborah