session Horses
“For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future . . . However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:4, 7, NLT)
Ranch horses who have completed specific and carefully supervised training are released to safely support children in our session program. These are known as our “Session Horses.” Within this group, each equine has a unique life story and personality that reflect the redemption of Jesus’ love offered to anyone who seeks it. For the children who come to the Ranch, the session horses literally carry the primary riding load. Many young hearts who experience sessions with these horses discover through their time together—the loving God who created and cares for them both. In many ways, our session horses are the frontline warriors in sharing the Gospel at Crystal Peaks.
During my first view of the starved equine, I thought his skeletal frame looked more like that of a dinosaur than that of a horse. The gelding’s dull black coat appeared to stretch nearly beyond its limits to cover his protruding ribs. Kim and I tenderly placed our hands over the gaunt hide in front … Continue reading “Warrior”
While admiring stone slabs at a local flooring store, Kim looked up just in time to see a woman half run-half hobble toward her. The lady called out in rushed animation, flailing her arms to capture Kim’s attention. In a flourish, the woman introduced herself as “Eileen,” and opened the verbal floodgates. A terrible story … Continue reading “Legacy”
As if locked in a prison cell, the giant colt waited for rescue in a stall with barely enough room to turn around. Filth coated his body and the young horse’s feathered legs stood knee-deep in his own waste. At only three years-old, his musculature was still in vital stages of growth and development. Instead … Continue reading “Benaiah”
“Dear Jesus, please send us the right horse.” This was a portion of our prayer, during a season where many of our four-footed friends stepped across the retirement threshold into a much-earned life of rest. Their faithfulness carried many a child into the loving arms of Jesus. Now, it was time for them to pass the … Continue reading “Bethlehem”