Apples vs. Green Oranges? And Horses.

Not my choice, folks. Seems my new Little Red travel computer morphed first into a silver (OK, they like to call it platinum) then into a green (color, not Eco-freindly) version. They gave me a 10% discount for their mis-steak, I can probably find a skin for it, and meanwhile, I hope it does better that the Green Hornet or Green Lantern movies of this past summer.

Waiting for little goblins an such to appear at our door. An hour away from sunset, so I think I have some time.

Just finished watching "Secretariat" for the second time (c'mon - I was up at 5:30 this morning and cooking bacon and sausage by 7 am AFTER setup for a Halloween breakfast. Afternoon respite.) Love that movie on so many levels. I love that it starts out with one of the Lord's rebukes to Job - Job 39:19, to wit (from the NIV translation)

19 “Do you give the horse its strength
or clothe its neck with a flowing mane?
20 Do you make it leap like a locust,
striking terror with its proud snorting?
21 It paws fiercely, rejoicing in its strength,
and charges into the fray.
22 It laughs at fear, afraid of nothing;
it does not shy away from the sword.
23 The quiver rattles against its side,
along with the flashing spear and lance.
24 In frenzied excitement it eats up the ground;
it cannot stand still when the trumpet sounds.
25 At the blast of the trumpet it snorts, ‘Aha!’
It catches the scent of battle from afar,
the shout of commanders and the battle cry.

That one catches my mind for a few reasons. First, I have known and ridden horses that seem to have no fear (except maybe for the occasional horse-eating plastic grocery bag that blows across their path).

Second - you have to understand the history of horses to get this passage. We are not talking about a nice gentle horse which one takes out for a ride for a couple of hours of a weekend. We are talking about large, stout, draft-sized horses who were trained for battle and could go on as long as the rider could stay on. Trained to respond to battle cries. Willing to keep going until its heart gave out.

Third - Disagree with me if you want, but I believe God gave animals souls. I've ridden horses and asked them for just a bit more and they gave it to me. I've had horses I considered retired old friends recognize me after not seeing me for a couple of years. I've met young horses who seemed to instinctively know I could be trusted. And don't even get me started on dogs.

Finally - regarding the first question God asks of Job in this passage: “Do you give the horse its strength or clothe its neck with a flowing mane?" Well of course man didn't do that. However, in Genesis 1 we are told that man was given dominion over the animals. Personally, I think that's the only reason I can ride a horse in the first place.

I watched a couple of scenes in that movie with interest. The jockey was getting ready for Secretariat to bolt out of the gate, and in preparation, grabbed a handful of mane and held on. Done that many times myself. Because when a horse hears the shouts of the commander, one had better know how to ride well and know who has more control - horse or rider.

Hmm... sounds like a life lesson. Somehow, I doubt I'm the horse when God calls a command. Just the rider who's trying to hang on. Some would say when the command is called, both Christ and Satan hear it and respond.

Guess it's important who you're hanging on to.