SPRING RIDE -- APRIL 2008

What a wonderful time we had at Lakeview Plantation near Allendale on our spring ride April 4-6, 2008. The weather was a little touch and go, but God is good and we just had some light rain on Saturday with small pockets of downpours. Some brave souls ventured out between showers and all made it back safely. We made a small change to our program and held Cowboy Church on Saturday afternoon. Most were not riding anyway, so this worked out great. This gave everyone an opportunity to ride on Sunday when the weather was much better as many people did. By noon, everyone was packed and on their way.

On Friday night, Margie gave a motivating devotional reminding us to take God with us on vacation. After words, we had a time of fellowship and refreshment. The tack sale was very successful and Ray Peters lead us in great praise music on Saturday evening. Larry Johnson challenged us to think 'inside the box' by using the tools (gifts) that God has given us while always watching for that 'new' tool He lays in our hands.

We caught up on old acquaintances and met new friends that we look forward to meeting again on the trail soon. Great Adventure Fellowship did a great job as the hosts for this ride and Hayward and Dona Simmons did a wonderful job as always of making us feel right at home.

I wish everyone could have been there this weekend, but I understand the weather was of great concern and other commitments and family matters were more important. Our prayers go out to Linda and David especially for their needs this past weekend.

May God bless all that you do where ever your trails take you.

Larry Johnson, President SCEM

The Joy of Fellowship -- Why do we belong?

There are lots of saddle clubs around the state and country. Most of them are independent groups – some small and some very large, but not connected with any other group or organization. There are many equine associations, as well – Pinto Horse, Appaloosa, Quarter Horse, etc.

What sets some groups apart from others is their number of individual components – how they are interconnected with each other or with national chapters.

Equestrian Ministries International was formed to unite the Christian equestrian community and to provide a place for them to minister to others around them. Many local equestrian groups joined this organization shortly after it was formed. South Carolina has the largest number of fellowships in the nation.

People have a tendency to join an organization that is, well, organized. If that organization is on a national or even international level, even better. It tends to add some credibility to its cause.

I hope each all of you are having fun out there on the trail and in your individual events and ministries. If fun turns into work, the ministry suffers. You have to enjoy what you are doing. That doesn’t mean you need to change what you are doing or how you are doing it – just change how you look at it.

We are part of EMI for many reasons. I hope one of those is at the heart of our name – Ministries. Our organization provides us with the opportunity to minister to those around us in the equestrian world. Beyond that, we encourage each other in what we do, build each other up, and display unity and love to others. We instruct one another by bringing together a variety of talents and backgrounds. Because we are an ‘international’ organization, we have a greater variety of resources, abilities, and opportunities.

We ask little of our individual fellowships. One of the ‘joys’ of belonging to a larger organization is that someone else takes care of all the legal and financial ‘stuff’. SCEM basically needs only two things – fellowship dues and the beginning of the year and annual reports and the end. In between those two ends, what each fellowship does is up to them. Looking at your individual calendars shows a wide variety of ministries and events. I will highlight some of those on our SCEM calendar as I learn about them.

An Ode To Chief

My horse has spots, that makes him special
He adds color to our pasture.
He plays and lopes around all day
As if no one is faster.

He has a jolly-ball that's green
He throws it in the air.
He whacks the nearest to him
Then runs to who knows where.

Some say he has an attitude
But it really is a trait.
I think he's just intelligent.
And on us he has to wait.

I have to hide it when others say
'What a pretty horse.'
I can't help it if they too like spots.
It makes his day (and mine of course).

Don't you try to look for him
If a halter is in your hand.
But if a peppermint is near
He will always be your friend.

So ends this tail of my Appaloosa
Chief is just his name
I wouldn’t have any other
Even if the spots were all the same

One Month, but who's counting?

Its been just a little more than a month since I became president of SCEM. A lot has happened and maybe now I can catch my breath as we get into the regular riding season. I will soon update this blog as I get my thoughts together for something worth while to say.

Check back soon.

Happy Trails.

Today, marks the first day this blog-site was officially published on the South Carolina Equestrian Ministries web-site. So, now I guess I need to keep it up.

Exciting news as we are gearing up to show our stuff at the SC Pinto Horse show in Charleston in February. Through all this, we hope to kick off a new fellowship in that area. We are already making progress towards that end. More details as that story unfolds.

We are also looking forward to the SC Horseman's Council clinic on Feb 9 and the EMI clinics Mar 2-3, both in Pelzer, SC. I look forward to meeting Carol and working with the SCHC when-ever and where-ever we can. The EMI meeting will be my second, but obviously only my first as president. I am excited to hear what the other state chapters are doing and hearing from the president of EMI. I will let you know how it goes.

All fellowships keep up the good work and let us know through your individual newsletters how things are going.

Let Jesus take the reins and guide you safety down the trails of life. Acknowledge Him in all your ways and He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:6

Welcome Friends

Just a quick note to say, "Welcome, and thanks." This is going to be an exciting year in Equestrian Ministries and I look forward to serving you. As you may have noticed, I am big on electronic media communications. Information posted here will usually also be published in our newsletter, so, those without access to computers will not be left out.

Types of posts you may find here:
- Trail reviews
- Equestrian industry updates
- Equestrian Ministry International updates
- Devotionals
- Tack Tips

Comments will be 'moderated' meaning they will only be published after I review them. They will be e-mailed to me for timely approval.

My prayer is that we can minister to our fellow horse friends and show them the love of Jesus Christ. Happy Trails and give Jesus the reins.