After last weeks subject on “Sex, nutrition, and electric fence” I had better do a flying lead change.

We all have different ways of dealing with things. Religion and the way we deal and express it is an interesting subject to ponder on.

I was not raised going to church regularly. When I was in grade school we had Bible class after school on Wednesday and I really liked that. I remember writing a paper about the meaning of Christmas in the sixth grade about liking being around animals on Christmas because of Jesus being born in the stable. That always stuck with me. On Christmas Day I really feel good taking care of animals and feel good about giving them a little special treatment.

My spiritual leaders lately have been a strange mix. A former woman bull rider, drug salesman, bull salesman, cowboy from Texas, and a welder turned cowboy preacher, and a singer that almost went to jail for shooting a guy.

Because of this I really don’t think I am qualified to tell you how you should act, but I would like to get you to thinking about some things that are important to spend a little time on.

A former woman bull rider turned preacher had a huge impact on me. The first time my family went to her service it was in Madison, Wisconsin at the Midwest Horse Fair. She was riding a real pretty black gelding and was singing a gospel song. She tried to stand up on him and he ended up bucking her off right on her butt. I could tell it hurt, but she never missed a word of the song, got back on and finished a very inspirational church service.

I really looked forward to Crystal Lyons words and displays of inspiration. We went to many of the same horse fairs and we became friends. If you have the opportunity to listen to her it will be a great experience, and I guarantee it won’t be boring.

Ron McDaniel, became a real good friend of mine. We spent a lot of time together and he has fun, is very good at his job, and is very humorous. Ron lives what he believes. He gave me a Bible that is called The Daily Bible. It has reading for every day of the year laid out for you. It is a great way to get the Bible read and understood.

If you have ever seen or heard Kit Pharo, you would know he is very strong in his opinions. He is not shy in speaking his mind about the cattle business or God. His Sabbath Day Devotions always provoke thought.

Todd McCartney is a fellow I have spent a lot of time with. When you travel with someone, away from family and friends and watch the ethics they use conducting business you learn about their integrity. Todd is a very committed Catholic, and I have said it many times that Todd McCartney is one of the most honest religious people I know.

My wife and I spent the winter last year in Hubbard, Texas. It’s a great little community, and I started attending the “Hubbard Cowboy Church.” The service is held in an old barn with a dirt floor and an outdoor privy. The Pastor, Butch Boatright, is as country as it gets, but really knows how to get the message out to us country folk.

As you may know I like good music. Billy Joe Shaver sings a song called “If you don’t love Jesus, you can go to hell.” I read his book and it talked about his feelings on religion.

I really admire people who live there faith. When I started this deal of writing, I said I would keep it positive. I am going to get just a little negative for a bit.

I have had it with people that use religion, church, the cross, the fish, or religious music on their cell phone, and then lie, cheat and steal like a bad outlaw. I have seen and dealt with this so much in the last five years or so and am sick of it. It makes me sad to see how low some people will stoop. Sorry for the bluntness, but is a bad deal. You will have a hard time getting me to do business until I truly know you if you are trying to impress me with a bunch of God symbols.

Don’t just talk about it, live it.

Pretty much everything I do has something to do with animal care and handling. I heard a cowboy preacher one time talking about man’s dominion over animals. His thoughts upset me a little, because he was saying we could do pretty much what we wanted because of our dominion that God gave us.

Well I got to thinking about that. We do have dominion, there’s no doubt about that. But I wonder if maybe we are not judged by how we handle that power. Not only over animals, but all things in our care.

If you have read the Bible, you may recall Jesus was a colt starter. Here is a question for you to think about, and if you would like to share your thoughts please do.

Would Jesus wear spurs, or use a hot shot? I encourage you to really think it over. I have heard lots of interesting thoughts that have come out of this discussion. I am sure we will learn of many opinions from many different points of view.

If Jesus did wear spurs I would be okay with him having a cross or a fish symbol on them.

~ Curt Pate