Trail of Faith Farms

03/12/2025

For Them

"The primary obstacle between those who have wandered or walked away from the LORD and the LORD Himself is spiritual before it is intellectual. Often those who alter their moral or theological commitments voice these changes as stemming from struggling with inadequate answers to lingering questions or a deeper and more enlightened exposition of the Scriptures. While honest questions and searching of the Scriptures may be at play there is always another component at play: the heart. When we talk about our ‘hearts’ we are talking about what we feel, desire, and love. Our hearts are relevant to the issue at hand because we are incapable of thinking thoughts which are uninfluenced by our hearts.
So, when we pray for those who are in some way far from the LORD our prayer is that the eyes of their hearts would be turned by the LORD to the LORD Himself through faith in Christ. Regardless of whether we are praying for the one who is having a momentary lapse in their faith and is wandering or the one who has walked away due to the fact that they were never truly saved we pray the same – “LORD, turn their eyes to you and you alone.”
We also pray that the LORD on high would be merciful to them. The world is a hard place to live especially for those who choose to live in this world far from Christ or without Christ. Even more pressing though is the reality of the possibility of someone spending eternity separated from God. As a result we plead for the mercy of God for our friends. We pray that God would not leave them alone in their distance or isolation from Him. We pray that God in His mercy would either keep them close if they already are His or that He would draw them to Himself if they are not yet His."
-Tyler Shores

Whether in life or in horsemanship, falling away from the Truth given by the Ultimate Trainer can lead to great frustration. Especially if it was someone who you thought responded to such Truth. Be on guard to distinguish the sheep from the goats. Instead of responding in such spiritual opposition in the one and only Handler as well as those who fall away from Christ lead into your life. Respond with mercy and prayer. May you pray that their eyes be redirected back to King Jesus and may their hearts be transformed by the renewing of their mind. It's easy to feel betrayed and manipulated by such folks who leave sound teachings, but remember it has nothing to do with you and everything to do with where their flesh stands. Oftentimes, we all are guilty of being led astray by emotions, self pity, pride, goals of the flesh, 'spiritualism', 'religious' family members, an unsaved spouse, worldly friends, eyes focused on money, and a heart that is fighting against vulnerability and change in Christ. Dear friend, I pray that you stop chasing the wind and allow the Lord to draw you. I pray that you stop chasing after things of the world, people who don't speak the truth to you, and you break free from such false narratives. I pray dear friend, if you have lost your faith in the Ultimate Trainer, you allow Him to break down your walls. Allow Him to renew your mind, body, Spirit and renew the promises He has for you. I pray dear friend that you remember His words never come back void and He has a mighty purpose for you, but you must Trust in Him and believe in Him. Get refocused and get back on track on the right path. For it is better to have never known Him, than to have claimed to have known Him and turn away from him. Even in our faithless hours, the Handler is reaching for us, tugging at our hearts, so we can be lead by knowledge and understanding.
-Jessica Shively
❤️👑🐴

They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us".
1 John 2:19

"Return, faithless people," declares the Lord, "for I am your husband. I will choose you- one from a town and two from a clan-and bring you to Zion. Then I will give you shepards after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding.
Jeremiah 3:14-15

Photo credit to GW
Thank you for capturing some amazing shots at Trail of Faith Farms cattle practice

03/11/2025

Today's scripture

03/10/2025

🐴 pretty much!

03/09/2025

03/07/2025

As we enter Horse Show Season: 🐴

1. Horses don’t get broke at home. Be brave and enter!

2. EVERY disappointment at the show is a learning opportunity...
Be humble, be open to change.

3. Everyone gets nervous. Everyone has bad days. Everyone makes mistakes. Literally: EVERYONE!

4. Don’t watch others in the warmup ring and start changing what you have been doing - if you see something cool or you want to step up your game that’s homework for after the show!

5. When we run out of knowledge, we often punish our horses. Frustration begins where knowledge ends. Seek help instead.

6. Be a competitor! But be a horseman first. There is always someone watching who sees you as a role model or taking notes to steer clear from you if you demonstrate bad horse handling.

7. Supporting your fellow competitors and engaging with people will enrich your show life. Be compassionate. Don't exclude yourself from good company and opportunities to grow.

8. Know the rules of competition! Make sure your attire and tack is legal. Read the rule book, ask questions and be well prepared.

9. Have FUN, don’t sweat the small stuff!

10. It's not all about winning the buckle or the ribbon, while it's encouraging yes! But remember the horse comes first, the sport second
🥰

03/06/2025

If God’s in it, it’ll work.
If He’s not, it’ll be hallow.

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📸Shannon Anderson Photography

03/06/2025

Examine your heart

"Solomon continues a common theme in the book of Proverbs: that "fools" are those who refuse to be corrected with truth. The Hebrew root word luwts suggests someone arrogant or sneering (Proverbs 9:7–8; 13:1).
***Such derisive persons don't want to be corrected and deliberately avoid those with godly wisdom. When they avoid you, the sneering attitude and foolishness is evident. This harmonizes with Solomon's earlier statement noting that "fools," meaning those who reject godly truth (Proverbs 1:7), gush with foolish statements while the wise are trying to give a careful answer (Proverbs 15:2).
In Paul's second letter to Timothy, he commended the preaching of God's Word, as well as reproof and rebuke (2 Timothy 4:2). These last two ideas both refer to correcting others in spiritual error.
Paul also warned Timothy that people would soon abandon truth in favor of lies that matched their preferences (2 Timothy 4:3–4). Some people today who claim the name of Christ refuse to listen to what they need to hear; they only accept what they want to hear. Such persons are mocking God and refuse to learn from the wise. The scoffer refuses to examine his heart and correct the wrong that lurks there. Be on guard for those who are around you. Many will hear, but do not listen or apply what is wisely being offered. Pray that those with selfish motives are removed from your sphere before they become distractions. Pray that the Holy Spirit tugs at their heart to be changed. Nevertheless, the Lord searches the heart and judges the unrepentant (Hebrews 4:13). May the removal of such mockers be remembered as a blessing for your growth in the Kingdom. Allow the pain to be a powerful testimony of transformation. For fools will live in torment while the wise are cheerful. The arrogant and sneering will be crushed in Spirit until the Ultimate Trainer draws them to their senses.
- Jessica Shively
❤️👑🐴

A mocker resents correction; he will not consult the wise. Proverbs 15:12

03/06/2025

To be a student of the horse requires
Humility without self deprecation
Flexibility without loss of discipline
Openness without loss of structure
Study of theory without rigidity
Experimentation without losing principle

And above all
Awareness and curiosity

03/06/2025

I've just reached 3.5K followers! Thank you for continuing support. I could never have made it without each one of you.
Thank you y'all!!!!

🙏🤗🎉