Ya Gotta Love a guy like Matt Hiltman

What may not necessarily be evident on the show is how intelligent Matt actually is.  He is a college student, majoring in philosophy with minor in Psychology and he will surprise you with what he knows about most subjects that come up in conversation.  Many times when you meet guys that are pretty cerebral they sometimes make things more difficult instead of keeping things simple.  The ability to keep things simple is something of a lost art.  Matt is one of those rare guys who seem to have the ability to quiet their mind and do the task in front of them without fighting their head. We live in a world where the day we face each morning is usually complicated, confused, and sometimes insane.  Yet the second this world pulls us into the insanity, confusion, and complication we are pretty unfit to do anything to change it.  Which is why I like a guy like Matt - he can face the storm, quiet his mind, and deliver.  There are some dull men out there who are all aggression, all testosterone, and no brains, and while they may be able to get the job done with that makeup, there is usually a lot of collateral damage.  No, as men we need to be able to thoughtfully, skillfully, and cleverly meet the challenge that rises to meet us - not simply whack it over the head and drag it to the cave.  So how do we operate in this complex world and keep it simple enough to resist being overcome with the problems in it?  I think the answer was demonstrated by Matt.  He kept focusing on the next step in front of him.  He “took no thought for tomorrow.”  This is what we all need to do - focus on the next 5 seconds and try to live it well, and repeat…

*Matt Hiltman is currently co-starring with Rope on History's Full Metal Jousting.  Matt secured a convincing victory for the black team in the 4^th preliminary round of the jousting competition.

Encouragement

Encouragement

Webster’s dictionary says to encourage is “to inspire with courage, spirit, or hope; to spur on; to give help or patronage to”- in other words to empower or embolden someone to do that which is set before them.

To inspire with courage, spirit or hope.  I love that.  To fill with real courage not false bravado.  To inspire the spirit not to just leave them with a positive mental image.  To foster hope even in the midst of despairing circumstances.  That is encouragement.  In order to really inspire courage you have to be willing to walk with someone for awhile.  We can’t think the Waterboy was all that encouraged by the guy in the stands yelling “You can doooo it” and neither should we expect our friends who are facing tough circumstances will be spurred on that much  by a passing Facebook post.  It is not that those things aren’t good it is just that they fall short of what a friend really needs. 

During the third episode of Full Metal Jousting, Joe drew a tough opponent in Josh Avery and coming into the practice before his joust he had done okay, but was still a little bit unsure if he would be able to hit hard enough to be successful.  Now as the black team we could have used all of the encouraging words we knew and it might have helped a bit, but what Joe really needed was for his teammates to enter the list* with him and give him our best while we received his best.  You see true encouragement is best given shoulder to shoulder, not face to face.  It is easier to believe a friend next to you in the huddle than it is to believe your coach on the sidelines, unless the coach has been right there with you sweating through two-a-days. 

And that is one of the best things about Jesus - He was in the boat with them when they were freaking out, saying “fear not”.  He didn’t give them that bit of advice from the shoreline.  If we want to be encouraging to someone, and if we follow the Father’s example as we should, we are going to need to enter the list to really be able to inspire courage, spirit and hope.

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Friend Down

It is tough watching a buddy go down!

Many times I have watched my kids or my friends compete when it didn't go the way I, or they, expected. They entered the arena of competition talented, prepared, focused, and willing, yet the outcome didn't go their way. Still no matter how many times it happens, it always hurts my heart to see it. It hurts because it reminds us of something we know to be true but is seldom said - "life doesn't always work out the way we think it should". The lance sometimes knocks your friend out of the saddle, the final shot sometimes rims out, your kid may fly out in the last inning instead of knocking one over, and even with the best doctors, a good friend may still die of cancer. Sobering thoughts - maybe even sad thoughts, but real nonetheless. Life in this world is hard, sometimes really hard, but as a friend of mine says "hard as compared to what - death?" Maybe we need to remember in the midst of the heartache that at least we were in the game.

A few years ago, my son Layton was in a big baseball tournament in Dallas against a tough team from the Metroplex. With our team of nine year olds down two runs, two men on and two men out, Layton stepped to the plate in the last inning. With two strikes on him he hit a hard shot to right center field. While we were rising to our feet to celebrate, we watched the right fielder sprint over and make an amazing catch to end the game (and crush my son). My heart was broken for him but I was also extremely proud. Layton had stepped to the plate and swung. He hadn't shrunk from the heat of the moment. He had risked heartache and failure, and even though he hadn't succeeded he had experienced something many never will - the thrill of life- real life! Afterwards, I told my son what I feel the Father is telling us, which is to be thankful for the chance to be in the game.. (Jack) be thankful you got to enter the list..be thankful for being able to take the shot..be thankful for stepping into the batters box..be thankful for the time I had with my friend. For while these moments really hurt they also are the very spice that really makes life worth living.
 Watch Full Metal Jousting on the History Channel

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Full Metal Jousting- Getting Picked

What is it about being picked for teams that makes even grown men whimper?  Picture sixteen tough jousters desperately hoping that they are not the last one picked for a team….  As we all stood their waiting to hear who would be the first pick, I was analyzing the situation - wondering who it would be.  When my thoughts were interrupted by the realization that he had picked me! Immediately an entire new set of emotions began to take hold.  It is pretty nerve wracking to be chosen first. Being chosen first includes the responsibility that we feel to make the choice valid.  Some people will remember good first picks but everyone remembers bad first round picks (i.e. Ryan Leaf).  So, I found a small measure of anxiety beginning to come over me as the gravity of being chosen first began to set in.  Then I realized that this wasn’t the first time I was “picked first”.  That’s exactly what God did.  It has been said many times by better men than I that we were chosen by God- picked as it were- to be in Christ Jesus- to be on His team so I won't recover that ground.  However, I wonder if we don't secretly hope Jesus picks us somewhere in the middle of the pack.  I mean we don't want to think God chose us last like “alright I guess I will go ahead and take Rope.”  But, we also aren't comfortable with the thought that we might be chosen first. “Oh, great!” we think, “He picked me first - now I suppose he wants me to excel on His team.”  The thought of being a part of some enterprise bigger than ourselves is cool, but the thought of being an integral part of that enterprise is a bit intimidating.  This is why people love to cheer their teams on from the stands but would be scared to death to have any of the jobs on the sideline or on the field.  Ultimately, it really is true, God chose you first. You are His first pick, His number one draft choice.  Let that sink in for a moment… Before you become too overwhelmed with the thought "why in the world would He pick me - - I don't know what I am doing",  relax with the truth that He who has begun this work in you is able to finish the work and deliver you complete and perfect in Him.

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Check out Full Metal Jousting on the History Channel

Full Metal Jousting- Preview

 As many of you may now already know I recently took part in the reality show Full Metal Jousting.  I am sure this has provoked all kinds of questions.  Like... What is he thinking? Is he wearing makeup in that picture?  Did it hurt?  Did you win? and many others.  Some of the questions I can answer ( yes that is makeup,) others I can't (no I can't tell you if I won it) but I thought it might be fun to give a running commentary here of what the Father showed me while I was on the show.
Full Metal Jousting on the History Channel
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Drew Horner July Post

June and July have been rough for us, but we are finally getting back on track. We have a lot of chances left in July to make up for all the mistakes we have made.  I need to turn more steers to give my partner more chances and to let him see the feet more.  It has been frustrating at times to not win but it happens.  We are only half way through the season so there are a lot more rodeos left.  We have Cheyenne and Salinas this month, along with Nampa Idaho, Ogden Utah and some other big ones that we can make up a lot of ground with. 

            I changed my workout routines a little bit to help me regain focus.  I made it a little more athletically focused.   I do more cardio along with my weight training to keep my energy up and to develop more discipline and focus for my goals.  I am starting to feel stronger on horseback and it really helps me out with my rope speed and control.  I react faster now than I used to and I ride better throughout runs with my legs more now.  Staying in shape keeps you mentally and physically prepared.

            We’ve had a crazy past month or so.  It has been a long journey of ups and downs, but it has been an amazing journey.  Being able to see and meet people everywhere around the country, seeing all sorts of different parts of this land, and being able to compete nearly every day in rodeos has been such a learning experience.  God has definitely challenged me.  I didn’t realize how much I would actually learn out here on the road, not just for roping, but for life.  I mean stuff in life that actually matters.  It’s extremely easy to lose focus out here but God has put people around me to develop me and to help me grow.  The people in the rodeo world are a big help in my life.  I learn more about people every day on the road going to rodeos.  People have let us stay at their places and put up our horses, and even cook us some amazing home cooked meal.  You learn a lot about hospitality and service just based on the fact that these people truly want to help you.  They deliberately seek you out and ask you if you need a place to stay.  The “down home”, southern lifestyle that dwells within rodeo strengthens my morals and views.  I love to see all these different people out here in different parts of the country.

 Roping is fun and competing at rodeos is one of the best things to do.  You’re up against the best in the world nearly every time you make a run. It’s the best feeling ever, but what’s even better is getting to know those individuals for who they really are.  Not just as team ropers or competitors but as friends.  Going to lunch with some of these guys has been a huge opportunity for me because I just want to hang around these guys and learn how they act and win at all these rodeos.  Just doing that brings about so much change in my life.  You learn that these people and there families truly care about what really matters in life.  We are all competitive, but out here, it’s not necessarily an “every man for himself” type attitude.  There are genuine people on the rodeo road that really want to be apart of your life. There are people in this world that really do care about more than just themselves.  That’s something that God has harped on me throughout my entire life, to put others first no matter the circumstance.  It’s really easy to lose track of that mindset while rodeoing.  It can get lonely out here when you don’t really get to interact with a lot of people, and you can start to have a bad attitude about life if you lose focus on the important things.  I have had to refocus on having a servant’s heart, a genuine servant’s heart.  So, I started reading proverbs again.  Reading Proverbs all the way through can bring about so much change in your life. To truly glorify Christ is to live as Christ lived, to act like Christ in every way you can.  One major part of Christ’s life was serving others.  Staying disciplined in your quiet times, like reading Proverbs can get you back on track with your priorities.

 The people around me are the ones that I can have a direct influence on. The people I surround myself with can help dictate my priorities and goals.  Surrounding yourself with winners will help you win, in the same way surrounding yourself with solid Christians will help you become a better Christian.  Iron sharpens iron, so as one man sharpens another.  That’s HUGE!!! I like to evaluate where I stand in my relationship with Christ more than anything.  Keeping honest with God, even though He knows everything anyway, keeps me on a straight path of integrity.  Serving God and worshiping God is a lifestyle, and one way I am trying to keep that constant lifestyle of worship is by having a genuine servant’s heart.  The best way to lead is to serve.

I’m not saying at all that people will 100% dictate who you are.  When you read this, you must understand that you are God’s creation and no one can take that away from you.  You are more than just a team roper, cowboy, college student, business man, or barn manager, you are a person, a genuine 100%, flesh and bones person.  Everyone has a heart and everyone has a passion.  Finding that passion that is placed in your heart relies on a relationship with God.  Life is not what you do or who you hang out with, life is how you live it and how you treat those people you hang out with.  It all starts with belief.  You must first believe you can accomplish something, and then you can achieve that thing.  For me, a relationship with Christ helps my belief in what I can achieve here on earth.  I promise you, read Proverbs all the way through and you will see change in your life. Whether you’re a Christian or not, Proverbs is a book of wisdom, and you can’t help but learn from it.  Its only 31 chapters long, and each chapter is maybe a page and a half.  Its easy! I promise.

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Sarah Ingle July Post

The margin between success and failure is often determined by one's decision not to quit.

The latest news on the rodeo road I competed at the Texas High School State Finals two weeks ago. I competed in the events Team roping, breakaway roping and goat tying. In the breakaway roping I was 2.4 in the first round and placed 5^th and received a buckle. The second round was pretty disheartening I was 2.7 plus 10 I broke the barrier. I would have been 2^nd high call coming back to the short round. Breaking that barrier really messed with me; I got some pep talks and got pumped up for my goat run. The goat tying I was a little long in the first round. But second round I had to be fast to be able to make it back to the short round.  I ended up making a fast run of 7 seconds. I placed second in that round. This carried me to the short round 13^th call back. I wasn’t scared at all. I had no fear on my mind. The short round in goat tying was going to be tough. But I wasn’t worried I had ‘GOING FAST ON MY MIND” my goal was to win in the round and just do the best I could do on the draw of goat I had. I drew goat number lucky 21!!! Anyone could make to nationals in goat tying because from the 15^th person to number 1 coming back was only a second apart from each other. My horse was really pumped and I always know he’s going to do good if he warms up bad. He acted so silly warming up and I literally had to walk him the alley and get ready as fast and calm as I could to get ready for my name to be called. The short round run I tied another 7 second run and also won 2^nd in this round I got beat out of first by a tenth. But oh well I did what I had to do and I did it. I was pretty excited about my last two goat tying runs. It was so much fun. As I ran back up to the arena to hear how I was sitting in the average. People tallied me up as 5^th which is one out to making it to nationals… but as soon as they said that the announcer called out the national qualifiers for goat tying Top 4 in the state of Texas. My name was the first to be called! I was so overwhelmed and shocked because I didn’t think it would be possible because the top four goat tiers in the short round had good runs. But I had two really fast times and my points carried me into the finals helped me out a lot. I was so excited and I just prayed thanking my Lord for even giving me the opportunity to do what I love. Winning is fun but not near as fun as winning with the Lord because none of this would be happening if it wasn’t for him.  So next week I will be at Shawnee Oklahoma competing at the ifyr and headed from there to Gillette Wyoming for the national high school finals!

Give God the Glory!

Don’t give up and always keep your faith through good and bad.

Never quit on God, don’t quit on yourself, don’t give, and don’t ever give up. Jesus didn’t quit, he went all the way to the cross and now lives in us. So don’t ever quit on your LORD. Don't quit! Someone once said, "If Columbus had turned back no one would have blamed him; but no one would have remembered him either." The margin between success and failure is often determined by one's decision not to quit. Success and failure are relative terms. What might be termed a failure by the world's standards may be a glowing success in God's eyes. Don't quit praying, don't quit serving, and don't quit loving. He hasn't quit loving you…and He won't! Come to Him at anytime, he is always willing. 2^nd Peter 3:9 The Lord is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

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