Forgiving You Was Easy

Forgiving you was easy,
But forgetting seems to take the longest time

I have to admit, this is my weakness. I am usually very quick to forgive, but it takes a long time for me to forget. If I completely forget, what did I learn from the situation? My struggle is that after I forgive, I don't want to put myself in a position to get hurt again. I guess this is where I am supposed to turn the other cheek.

Matthew 6:14
For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you.

Plus, once you forgive, you can't hold a grudge. You truly have to forgive in your heart. Sometimes, you may even have to distance yourself to heal. Everything we go through in life is a lesson. It is important that we learn from these and use that knowledge. Forgive and we will also be forgiven, but learn from the experience. I have learned in life that people will let you down, but God never will. People will disappoint you, but God never will.

The bitter fruit of anger growing from the seeds of jealousy
Oh what a heartache, but I forgive the things you said to me
For I believe forgiving, is the only way that I'll find peace of mind
Forgiving you was easy, but forgetting seems to take the longest time.

Finding peace of mind is... on this cowboys mind.



(Forgiving You Was Easy: Willie Nelson)

Enough Rope

I have heard the saying, money is the root of all evil. This saying is incorrect though. The Bible does not say this, but rather, the LOVE of money is the root to all kinds of evil. Money is a tool, and it's not a sin to have money or to make money. However, if your ambition is fueled by greed, you have a problem. When this happens, another saying comes to mind. "Give them just enough rope and they will hang themselves."

Proverbs 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall

People do prosper from greed, but it is usually short lived. Mainly because with greed comes pride and arrogance. It's just a matter of time till they get just enough rope to hang themselves.

1 Timothy 6:7-10
7For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. 9But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Too often, we don't realize the blessings we have because we are too busy wanting more. I have to say, it is unbelievable how less stressful life is when you live a life of contentment. We can't take it with us when we are gone. Instead of accumulating... give.

I'm thankful for the things I have,
And all the things I don't.
And I've got dreams that will come true,
And I've got some that won't.
Most the time I just walk the line wherever it goes.
'Cuz you can't hang yourself if you ain't got enough rope.

Living a life of contentment and not of greed is... on this cowboys mind.



(Enough Rope: Chris Knight)

Everyday Angel

Go be an everyday angel
The kind without wings
Walking round in this world
Just like you and me
Angel, living out love
The kind of people
We could use a lot more of

He didn't look like an angel. He didn't have wings or a halo, but rather an old straw cowboy hat. He wore cutoff blue jean shorts and tennis shoes and had a long white Santa Claus beard. In fact, it wasn't his looks at all but rather his actions that made me realize he was an angel. As he passed each table in the restaurant, he would hand a small paper rose that he made to each female, young or old. In return, he received a smile from each recipient.

What you do means a whole lot more
Than anything you have to say.

Funny thing is, it was just a simple paper rose made from a piece of napkin, but with each smile you would have thought it were a dozen long stem roses. My daughter still has her paper rose sitting on top of her vanity in her bedroom. I have often thought how I would love to have enough money to help some organization, or buy this for that person etc. But I learned the other day that help doesn't have to come in the form of money. I saw someone bring joy with just a simple paper rose. That day, I saw an angel.

He was an everyday angel
Earning his wings
Trying to save people
Who are just like you and me
Angel, living out love
The kind of people
We could use a lot more of
He was an everyday angel.

An angel in cutoff jeans and a cowboy hat are... on this cowboys mind


(Everyday Angel: Randey Foster)

A Pirate Looks At Forty

Mother, mother ocean
I've heard you call
Wanted to sail upon your waters
Since I was three feet tall
You've seen it all
You've seen it all

I use to have that pirate mentality. I saw something and I went for it. Not pillage and plunder, but more of a drive. I would go against any odds and never give up. I was a fighter, and I stood strong for my beliefs. But times have changed. The closer I get to 40, the harder it all is.

Yes, I am a pirate two hundred years to late
The cannons don't thunder there's nothing to plunder
I'm an over forty victim of fate
Arriving too late, arriving too late

I am thinking it's time for a full life audit. It's time to look at every aspect of my life and make some decisions. I have been reading the Bible book Proverbs lately and have really been enlightened. Over the years I have dealt with anxiety, stress, and depression. Those are occupational hazards of life that I refuse to deal with again.

Mother, mother ocean
After all the years I've found
My occupational hazard being
My occupations just not around
Feel like I've drowned, gonna head uptown
Feel like I've drowned

Treading water is... on this cowboys mind


(Jimmy Buffett: A Pirate Looks At Forty)

I Found Jesus On The Jailhouse floor

Now, he broke the chains that bound me
And now I'm free
Today I'm right where momma
Prayed I'd be
I'm down on my knees
Now I believe
What momma knew for sure
He's King of kings
Lord of lords
I found Jesus on the jailhouse floor.

I like this song, and see the jailhouse floor as a metaphor. A jail is a form of prison, and we all have issues in our lives that can imprison us. Debt, pain, disease and temptation can all bind our lives. And many times we have to hit rock bottom before we find or remember Jesus. Sadly too, we tend to only go to Jesus when we are in need, on the jailhouse floor. Jesus wants to be in our lives always, not just when we need something.

We all have that friend or family member that only calls when they need something. If we only go to Jesus in our times of need, are we any better? Along with your concerns, share your joys with Jesus. Shoot up little "Thank you" prayers when things go your way. Pray humbly when in need and pray joyfully when you have a praise.

It makes no difference what you've done
You've a friend in the One that I adore
The King of kings
Lord of lords
I found Jesus on the jailhouse floor.

Remembering that Jesus is my friend and not just a "get out of jail free card" is... on this cowboys mind.



(George Strait: I Found Jesus On The Jailhouse Floor)