Notes From a Cowgirl

I’m not religious, and I never will be.  Manmade traditions don’t satisfy me.  I don’t go to church because I have to.  I don’t hold my tongue on Sundays and let loose the rest of the week. The bible is the bible, and additional, irrelevant rules and regulations are not what God intended for us. Jesus called out the religious teachers of his day—the ones who tithed, but ignored justice, mercy, and faithfulness—the ones who took care of outward appearance, but ignored the unseen inner parts. Jesus said these people will appear as righteous, but are indeed full of hypocrisy and wickedness (Mathew 23:23-28). Nowhere does the bible say only members of a certain religion will enter heaven. Many, many religions say you must adhere to their principles to enter heaven, but  Romans 10:9 says whoever believes in their heart and professes with their mouth that Jesus is Lord will be saved. I choose to go to church because I want to encounter God w...

Inner peace is a gift, especially for planners like me. I plan, and plan, and plan. However, plans oftentimes don’t work out, leaving me hanging, wondering what I would have, should have, or could have done differently. And guess what? Inner peace is impossible on my own. I’m flawed. I’m helpless. I’m bound to fail. Those are only a few reasons why I need Jesus all day, every day. Seeking and following God’s desires for my life is the only way to find inner peace, not because it’s my own, but it’s God’s peace covering me. Joy is a similar blessing. Life can be awful; it’s messy, sad, and difficult. Telling myself to “just be happy” is a losing battle, because positive things come and go with the wind. Joy, on the other hand, is God’s assuring voice saying he loves me, has a perfect plan for my life, will help me, and will sustain me. God reveals to me the joy in life and the joy in living life with him as my right-hand-man. I do almost everything with my right hand. My two...

This picture I took in June makes me think of the song “Down to the River to Pray.” I love that song. It’s mellow and heartfelt and paints a picture. I can close my eyes and feel that song in my soul, especially when  Alison Krauss is singing.  Have you heard Carrie Underwood’s song “Something in the Water”? It’s fairly new and fairly catchy. Her first verse says “I followed that preacher man down to the river and now I’m changed.” I thought the concept for that song was pretty cool until I heard “No Power in the Water” performed by The Purple Hulls. This songs says “There’s no power in the water, to take away our sin the power’s in the blood.” The fact that these songs exist is neat. Some lines contradict each other while both songs, as whole works, agree that Jesus saves. Jesus set the example of water baptism, but salvation comes from Jesus’ blood and resurrection. Which song do you like better? I’d love to hear what you think!