Cowboy Style Evangelism

One of my family's favorite topics to read/write/talk about is cowboys. (You don't say!) The code of the cowboy is similiar to the same biblical principles that we teach our children. I tried finding Roy Roger's cowboy code, but couldn't, but I did find Gene Autry's:

A cowboy must never take unfair advantage of an enemy.
He must never go back on his word, or (betray) a trust confided in him.
He must always tell the truth.
He must always be gentle with children, the elderly and animals.
He must not possess racially or religiously intolerant ideas.
He must help people in distress.
He must be a good worker.
He must keep himself clean in thought, speech, action and personal habits.
He must respect women, parents, and his nation's laws.
The Cowboy is a patriot.

Two weeks ago, our church down in Corpus Christi had John Wayne as their special speaker for the day. You didn't know he was an evangelist?! Actually, most people know that John Wayne the actor died in 1979. John Wayne the evangelist is actually Gene Howard, impersonator. My parents enjoyed the services...and my mother is no John Wayne fan. Many folks came to know the Lord as the result of these services.

These are some pictures taken of Gene Howard at a Ron Paul fundraiser. Mr. Howard lives in Texas, but travels much of the time. He has been known to do commercials on tv and radio since he also sounds like John Wayne. One of his ads for used cars went like this, "Okay pilgrims...let's line 'em up and move 'em out!" Wish I could've seen it.

Even though there are many John Wayne movies that are too worldly to watch, and his lifestyle wasn't godly, the cowboy image he portrayed is a wonderful draw for many folks. We went to a cowboy church while we were in Texas, and the pastor said that many cowboys are turned off by the formality of churches, but will come to the informal cowboy churches. What a ministry. If you'd like to attend a cowboy church, just google it to find one in your area. (We have several within a few hours' drive of here.) There are thousands nationally.

There are two other cowboy ministries I'd like to tell you about. My favorite is the Cowboy Camp ministry of Bible Truths to Live By. Lee Homoki has a wonderful ministry to families.

Lee Homoki is the son of the late Nevada Steve Homoki (pictured on right in the 60s), who was an evangelist who came to our camp every year. Lee's camps are located in PA, SD, MO, and MI. I would sure like to go to his annual Family Cowboy Bible Conference this August.

One last ministry that I have never been able to hear in person, but they look like they have a great ministry. This ministry is probably the closest thing you will get to Roy Rogers.

Look at those beautiful palominos! Unfortunately, the music on their website has a strong beat, but other than that, the music sounds like Roy Rogers and the Sons of the Pioneers.

I am busy this week escorting Maggie around to her different drs appts. She has been given some exercises that are going to cause her pain for the first 2 weeks. That's nothing new for her. Each new doctor gives her more opportunities to share her faith and give out tracts. This morning her doctor remarked that she never seems angry about being in such chronic pain. So Maggie shared with her what the Lord is doing in her life in spite of the pain, and then gave her a gospel tract. Someday when Maggie has her hands back, I'll let her share with you her story. This past week I read a good book by Gene Edward Veith, Jr. called "God at Work." It was so compelling I read it in two sittings. Now I want to go back and read it again to absorb his many profound points. Let me give you the rundown on the back of the book:

When you understand it properly, the doctrine of vocation--"doing everything for God's glory"--is not a platitude or an outdated notion. The principle that we vaguely apply to our lives and our work is actually the key to Christian ethics, to influencing our culture for Christ, and to infusing our ordinary, everyday lives with the presence of God. For when we realize that the "mundane" activities that consume most of our time are "God's hiding places," our perspective changes.

Culture expert Gene Veith unpacks the biblical, Reformation teaching about the doctrine of vocation, emphasizing not what we should specifically do with our time or what careers we are called to, but what God does in and through our callings--even within the home. In each task He has given us--in our workplaces and families, our churches and society--God Himself is at work. Veith guides you to discover God's purpose and calling in those seemingly ordinary areas by providing you with a spiritual framework for thinking about such issues and for acting upon them with a changed perspective.

Wow!

Normally I offer to give my books away after I've read them, but I really want to keep this book around for a long while. I'd also like my children to read it. But if you can't afford one, let me know and I will get you a copy. I got mine at the thrift shop, so I will keep looking for more copies.

I hope and pray the Lord is working in your life. Many blessings ~ Kathie