A COWGIRLS HEART FOR GOD
“Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.” Being in the spotlight with your faith shining, can sometimes be hard, yet the benefits strongly outweigh the risks. God gives us journeys and testimonies so we can encourage, inspire and support others. It was with this in mind that I decided to interview cowgirls with a deep love for the Lord and a solid faith that could inspire others not only in barrel racing...........but also in life. These cowgirls will be the first to tell you that ....“Faith is deliberate confidence in the character of God whose ways you may not understand at the time", yet after reading their testimonies you will see a trust, love and faith that is more valuable than gold.
LYNN McKENZIE
Lynn McKenzie
The name "Lynn McKenzie" has been prominent in barrel racing since September of 1977 when she and her great horse Magnolia Missile swept the Texas Barrel Racing Association Futurity, winning every go round. In 1978, in her rookie season in the WPRA, she won the title of World Champion Barrel Racer. In 1979 and 1980, she was the Reserve World Champion Barrel Racer, winning the average at the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) both years. Winning the 1979 NFR, she placed in EVERY go round, WINNING an unprecedented 6 of 10 rounds. She again won the World Champion title in 1981. An injury to Missile at the 1981 NFR kept her out of competition until Memorial Day in 1982, yet she still qualified in the top 5 for the NFR. 1983 saw a reduced amount of competition and in the fall, she quit competing in order to be home with her two daughters, who naturally become Lynn’s priority.
I asked Lynn to share a testimony with Cowgirl Chaplain and what she wrote was perfec, I hope you enjoy it.
LYNN’S TESTIMONY
Back in the day when I was competiting on Magnolia Missile, one year I was positive that I was going to win “The Daddy of ‘Em All” - Cheyenne. This feeling - I guess I will call it that for lack of a better term - came to me before we even left for the summer. I was so confident that Missile and I were going to win Cheyenne that I invited Peggy Ballantine, whom I had bought Missile from, to fly up there so she could see him win that awesome, one-of-a-kind rodeo.
I could tell from this verse that I stood between two opinions - the opinion of my enemy and the opinion of Jesus. Y’all cannot imagine the battle that was taking place in my mind. There’s an old Christian song that asks, “Whose report do you believe?” It goes onto say, “I believe the report of the Lord!”
That’s where I was. I had to choose that morning which report I was going to believe. I’m pretty sure that the entire event, from feeling like I was going to win Cheyenne to losing my confidence right at the last moment, was a set-up. It was something that would either serve me well or perhaps not so well, depending on my choice.
The one thing I knew was that even more than I wanted to win Cheyenne, I wanted to please my Heavenly Father. I didn’t want to draw back. I kept thinking about a horse that is capable of winning the race but won’t go down the alley. I didn’t want to to be the one that sucked back because I was allowing my own reasoning to get in the way. I needed to approach that day with all the confidence I had all those months. So I chose.
Don’t shrink back.
Get your big girl pants pulled up.
Buckle up folks - I’m going to show you all just how much fun it is to ride Magnolia Missile around the barrels.
And show them we did! Wow, what an exciting win at such a prestigious rodeo.
You know, God had to tell Joshua to be “brave and courageous” five times before he was ready to lead the children of Israel into the Promised Land.
You might have a barrier that you need to cross over. Maybe it’s a mental battle like mine. Maybe yours is spiritual or physical. Maybe the only thing you lack is confidence. Perhaps it’s an issue of resources, such as finances or skill. Whatever it is, I’m telling you that you have promises in the Bible to stand on! Jesus has made a way for it to work out. You just cannot let fear of lack of confidence, hijack your mind! Get your mind centered up on the Word of God. What does He have to say about it? Go with God!
I like the response the 3 Hebrew boys gave to King Nebuchadnezzar when he was going to throw them into the fiery furnace:
”If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.” - Daniel 3:17-18
I like verse 18: “but even if He doesn’t deliver us, we are not going to bow down.”
Tana Poppino's faith.
TANA...
Tana Poppino, proud wife of Marty Poppino.
Proud mother of Brodie Poppino (20)
3x National Finals Rodeo qualifier
2006-7, 10
2007 Calgary Champion, in 2010 won
Ft. Worth Stock Show, Greeley Stampede,
Guymon Pioneer Days, NILE (Billings, MT)
Tana's Testimony
How did you come to find God?
I was first saved at 8 years old, and then totally gave my life (& horses) over to God in 1994.
What has been a life changing experience in God?
Two weeks after I gave myself and my horses to God,
I was walking to the barn and heard a loud voice.
It was powerful
like thunder and I fell to my
knees and started crying. I heard, "Who do you
think gave you your dream?" Now that you have
given it back to Me, I will bring it to pass." ---
All my life, I have dreamed and worked for, running
at the NFR and being World Champion. He has made the first part a reality, and He is bringing the other to
manifestation. I continue to work hard, trust Him,
and take
care of the horses He has given me and give Him the glory.
Although that was in 1996, I trust in God's timing.
Nothing
worthwhile happens in a flash, it takes hard work, stepping out of your comfort zone, much faith, and lots of prayer.
How do you stay connected to God on the road?
I have to work hard on this, because road schedules are
never consistent, it's hard to find quiet time. When I'm by myself in the truck, I listen to teaching tapes, and pray in the spirit a lot. Ted & Linda Weisse of Rockin W Ministries host the Cowboy Bistro at several of the big rodeos where they not only
feed our physical bodies but our spiritual bodies as well.
Which ministries do you support.
- Rockin W Rodeo Ministries,
-Cowboy Junction Church in Vinita,
-Crystal Lyons Ministry
-Water for Life
(James Robison),
-Angelsong Ministries,
- LifeStock Cowboy Church.
Finish this sentence, "God has helped me to ....."
God has helped me to step out and be the person He created me to be - a Christian
rodeo cowgirl. .
What do the words Faith and Hope mean to you?
Hope is the thermometer, faith is the furnace.
You must set goals, but you must believe in them enough to act.
When things aren't going as they should,
BELIEVE and keep acting
as though it is real. Sometimes you have to make believe especially
when your faith is low, believe God's word. He CANNOT lie. Believe and receive. .
What advice would you want to tell barrel racers?
Discover your God-given talents, give your dream to God, work hard,
trust Him and never, never, never giver up!
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Thank you Tana, we appreciate your time and inspiring testimony that has been shared with love.
Jo Fishers faith.
JO.......
Name Jo Fisher
Married to Eddy
3 children – Daniel, Shea and Taemi
Achievements:
1983 Aust Pro Rodeo Rookie
1985 Aust Pro Rodeo Barrel Racing Champ
8 times Pro
National Finals Qualifier
2010 NBHA Hi Point Rider
2010 NBHA 1st Division Open Champion
2010 NBHA 1st Division
Finals Average Champion
How you came to find God
I didn't really know anything about God when I was growing up. My parents sent my sister an me to Sunday school but I don't ever remember really knowing God. When I left home
and hit the road rodeoing, God was the furtherest thing from my mind.
It was not a single event that drew me to God, I just started to realize how empty life can be and pondered there had to be more.
So I bought a bible and started reading
about a God who loved me and cared for every little thing about me. That is when I realized there is difference between knowing God and knowing about God.
Life changing experience in God.
We were blessed with a little disabled girl that we lost mid 2010.
And I say blessed, not because she was disabled but because of how beautiful a person we were given. I watched a little girl live her life in this World so totally unselfish that it would embarrass me to see how shallow most people operate their lives from
day to day.
God has been my strength throughout these years.
How do you keep up her connection with God on the road.
God is with me all the time.
Whether at home or on the road. He is part of my life so the connection is always there. I just have to make sure I dont get 'too busy' to spend time with Him.
Do you have certain ministries that u help or support.
Of course we believe in all the Rodeo Ministries because Rodeo is our passion and what we do. I also know how much better life is with God in it, so we try to help out whatever of these we can.
We have many friends in Australia and USA that are in the ministry, Brian Bernays (Aust), Crystal Lyons (USA), All Round Cowboy Church (USA), Richard Ashley
(USA/Mexico), Chris Meyers (Aust), Sue Bartlett (Aust), Rodeo Cowboy Ministries (Aust/USA).
Finish this sentence....
"God has helped me to
....." be the person I am today."
What do the words Faith and Hope mean to you.
Everything. Faith and Hope in God – I could not imagine living, without having the trust (which faith is a part of) that God has my life in his hands.
What's one piece of advice you would want to tell barrel racers.
This is something I read often and really like:
Be the first to smile. Be the first to forgive. Be the first to congratulate. Be the first to take action.…be the last to complain, the last to frown and the last to give up.
I think if we all strive to keep each part of this little quote, we will all enjoy barrel racing a lot more
J
Sue Bartlett
Glad to hear Tana and Jo's stories have inspired you Leila. Keep believing, one step of faith at a time.
LEILA FROM MT.
THESE 2 WOMAN HAVE INSPIRED ME IN THIS SHORT TYM I READ THERE TESTIMONIES...YOU ARE TRULY BLESSED BY GOD TO LIVE YOUR DREAM...& I TOO WILL CONT. TO BELIEVE.T.Y