Measure By Measure - The rest of the story by Pastor Jack
“Pardon Me, Judge Gossiper and Mrs. Gossiper.” It was the voice of Truly Duet. “Mrs. Gossiper, May I call you Vera? I am leaving the dance now and I wanted to speak to both of you.
Vera held her breath,
“Uh-oh here it comes.” Vera thought to herself. “She heard me.”
Truly smile and continued. “I have not had a real chance to say thank you. I know you two were primarily responsible for my being offered the position here. The short period of time I have been here, I been privileged to teach the children of your community has surely been a blessing to me. I thank God, my savior, everyday for how my life has changed since I came here. I need to run now and prepare my lessons for next week. Thank you again and God Bless you both.”
With that she turned and walked to her waiting carriage.
Vera fainted.
“Oh, he’ll be back!” The Marshall said. “And when he come it will be the biggest celebration of all time.”
“Like that big one they call the Grand Daddy of ‘em All up in Cheyenne?” Paul replied.
“It will be the Grand Daddy of Them all alright!” Marshall Abram grinned. “And the Grand Entry will be like nothing you have ever seen before. You will see heaven standing open and there before you will be a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh, he has this name written: king of kings and lord of lords.
“Well, that explains that! “Barney exclaimed.
“Explains what?” Paul asked.
“Why he and his hands won it all,” said Barney.
“Why?!” Marshal Abram and Paul asked at the same time.
“It’s clear,” said Barney with a big grin, “He’s the greatest Cowboy of them all.”
“
OLDHAM COUNTY RODEO WINNER IS MYSTERY - The rest of the story by Pastor Jack
MAMAS DON’T LET YOU BABIES GROW UP TO BE…- The rest of the story by Pastor Jack
At that Charlotte turned and started in the direction of the corral. She was followed closely by Sonny’s father.
“Charlotte where are you going?” he called.
“It’s our boy! It’s Sonny,” she answered back as she reached corral gate.
Sonny was opening the gate as his mother got there. He stood, hat in hand waiting. His mother never slowed down. When she reached Sonny, she hesitated a moment and then threw her arms around him. Embarrassed at first, Sonny started to step back and then looking at tears in his mother’s eyes he held her close.
“Mama,” Sonny said, “It’s so good to see you. How are you?”
“Oh Sonny,” she sobbed, “I’m fine, now. Where have you been? Why didn’t you write?”
Just as Sonny began to answer, his father arrived.
“Sonny!” he exclaimed, “Is that you?”
“Yes, it is Dad,” he said extending his hand. It’s good to see you.”
His mother interrupted, “Sonny, please tell us, where have you been and what are you doing here?
“Mama,” he said, “I’m a Cowboy. I know that’s not what you and father wanted for me but here I am.”
“But why and how?” asked Edward.
Sonny looked at his father and said, “The how is easy and in so is the reality. I know you both remember the impact Bill Cody had on me when we met. It awakened something in me I know now has always been in me. Something God put there before I was born. And Father I’m sure you remember Reverend Blessing in more than one of his sermons talk about becoming the man God created and wants us to be.
“Yes,” his father agreed, “But…….”
“Please let me finish and I think you will understand.” Sonny continued. “Do you remember what you said to me when I boarded the train for St. Louis?”
“Not really,” his father replied.
“Well, I do. I heard it play over and over in my head, and heart, Sonny answered. “The last thing that you said to me was go make you two proud of me.”
“But Sonny, we have always been proud of you,” his mother said.
“Thanks mother,” Sonny said, “But that was because I always did what you and Father wanted and expected. But as I rode that train, I realized that if I went to the College you had selected, the best I would ever be was just another druggist, No offense Father. You are the best at way you do. But that’s because that’s where your heart is.”
“Agreed,” replied the father.
Sonny continued, “When the train pulled into the station in St. Louis, it arrived the same time as a train loaded with cattle from Abilene. I collected my bag and walked over to watch the cattle being unloaded. Cowboys unloaded their horses and began the work of sorting and tallying the cattle. One of riders came over to me and introduced himself as the owner of the cattle and of the Triple Cross Ranch in Texas.”
“Texas?” his mother said.
“Yes ma’am,” Sonny smiled as he answered in his best put on drawl.
“And…?” his father asked.
“And before our conversation was over,” Sonny replied, “I asked him if was willing to take a chance on a green hand with a Cowboy’s heart who would work harder than any of his other hands and make him proud he did.”
His mother smiled. “But that was then, and this is now. What happened?”
“Well, Colonel Stark, that’s his name,” he answered, “thought for a moment and then stepped off his horse and said, young man, let’s prayer about it. It turned out the Colonel is an elder in this church and named his ranch after the tree crosses on the hill where our Lord was crucified. After we prayed, he gave a thorough looking over and asked I could leave for Texas in two days.”
“So, you never got to the college?” his father asked.
No sir. But my education began that day.” Sonny replied. The Colonel took my “Cowboy” schooling in his own hands. And I’ll be forever beholding to him for it, my spiritual growth.”
“And now?” his mother asked.
“Let me add, I made this drive as the new Foreman of the Triple Cross ranch and a Cowboy who rides for Jesus. The man God created me to be.”
Edward Meeks reach his hand and looked his son straight in the eye. “Congratulations, he said. “We couldn’t be prouder.”
His mother put her arms around his neck and whispered “Amen.”
Measure By Measure - The rest of the story by Dorinda Blease
"Pardon me." it was the voice of Truly Duett
Startled, the Judge and Vera turn and found themselves face to face with Truly Duett.
"Judge Gossiper, Mrs. Gosspier I seem to have caused quite a problem here in Chickenfeather." began Truly "I can assure you that was not my intent. I do wish however, that you Mrs. Gossiper had come to me to discuss what you thought I was doing inappropriately. The incident that you spoke of, was not what it appeared to be at all. Late one night, I was startled to find a snake in my room at the boarding house. I am really not accustomed to having such creatures in my abode, and this was an awful one. He was coliled in the middle of the room with rattles on his tail warning me to stay away. His head appeared flat and nasty with long fangs that just begged for me to get too close. I was doing my best to act as any modern woman would and handle the situation myself. So, what your friends saw as dancing was merely an attenpt to rid myself of this awful creature without alarming anyone else."
With that explanation, Vera Gossiper hung her head in shame. After this encounter, Vera vowed never to listen to gossip again...and she lived up to that vow. After several months, she and Truly developed a long and lasting friendship.
Bad Company - The rest of the story by Glenda Meador
Elias Stephens stepped through the door and stood there with his hat pushed back on his head. One hand held a folded paper and the other a card. Then he stepped closer and said, “Well, Son, this is a bit of a mess. Are you ready to go? I’d have been here sooner, but I took some of the ranch hands and swung south last week when those cows went missing in hopes of heading them off before they could reach the border.”
Tate’s jaw dropped and he stuttered, “But…but…I’m in here for being with those rustlers when the posse caught up with them. Sheriff Herod won’t let me go on your say so.”
“That’s true,” Elias replied. “I’d already tried sending word to Judge Bean that nobody was pressing charges against you for stealing cows that are as much yours as mine. Those rustlers did such sloppy rebranding, I’m not surprised you didn’t know they were ours. But the Judge is a hard man when it comes to rustlers. When in doubt, he’d hang you for the law.”
Tate swallowed hard and tried to steady his voice, “Then am I going out to hang?”
Elias draped his arm across Tate’s shoulder and spoke softly. “Son, let’s sit down before one of us falls down. My words couldn’t free you.” Elias moved to the cot and sat. “You know, Tate, that little gal you were seeing before you left is still single and still sweet on you. She’s been praying everyday since they brought you in for some evidence to clear you. Today, she was helping sort mail at the post office in the general store and found what she’d been praying for.” Unfolding the paper, Elias handed it to Tate. “This paper is a wanted poster describing the three rustlers, but it alone wouldn’t free you.” Elias held up the card in his hand. “You mailed this fancy postcard two weeks ago saying you were on your way home. The Ft. Worth postmark testifies that you were no where near the ranch when those cattle were rustled. My words couldn’t free you, but your own words have. Let’s go home.“
Cowboy Takes Stage From Fear To Joy - The rest of the story by Pastor Jack
As Jeremiah boarded the stage, the journey to Joy had only begun. And the journey didn’t end when the stage finally made its stop.
With a heart full of hope, a feeling of peace and filled with knowledge of God’s grace, Jeremiah became a man after God’s own heart. His bible became his constant companion. His witness began leading others to follow a Christ filled life. Within two years, Pastor Jeremiah Nevers was
traveling the state of Texas spreading the Good News of God’s Grace and Love.
Smithy Lets Bible Do The Talking - The rest of the story by Pastor Jack
As Tom started ready slowing and calmly a hush fell over the meeting house.“Treat men exactly as you would have them treat you” he began. As he reached verse 35, “No, you are to love your enemies and do good and lend without hope of return,” a murmur started
through room.
The longer Tom read, the taller he seemed to stand. As he read verse 36, “You must be merciful, as your father is heaven is merciful,” it seemed Bart Sparkman’s stature began to diminish. As Tom concluded with verse 45, “A good man produces goo things from the good stored up on
his heart, and a bad man produces evil things from his own stores of evil.” As he closed his bible he looked at the crowd and concluded the scripture, “A man’s words will always express what has been treasured in his heart.”
As the gathering exploded in applause, Tom shook Bart’s hand he quietly sat down.
Incidentally, the election wasn’t even close.