Christian Cowboy Poetry and more

Christian Cowboy Poetry and more
Available thru rangerhymer@hotmail.com

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Beatitude #5 & 6


5:7 “Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.”

“What goes around will come around,”
we often hear folks say
referring to some nasty thing
that soon will come your way
because you did a dirty deed
to someone in your path.
And so you’ll end up suffering
from cru-el Karma’s wrath.
But Jesus said, be merciful
to all those that you meet.
Show them real compassion
and make God’s love complete
by doing something for them
to ease what causes pain.
Then you will see its mercy
that comes around again.

5:8 “Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.”

Those Hallmark moments make us think
the heart is full of love.
But Jesus said the heart is full
of stuff to get rid of
like coveting and arrogance,
adultery, lust and pride
that give our thoughts and words the stench
of something that has died.
This cesspool needs to be cleaned out
and that takes Holy Grace.
When we accept the gift of Christ,
His Spirit can replace
the wickedness, deceit and hate
with empathy and love.
That pure heart opens up our eyes
to blessings from above.
So if you want to see the Lord
the way most people don’t
you have to do the sort of things
most other people won’t.
You have to focus on the things
that God wants you to do.
Then you will see God’s glory
in what’s surrounding you.

Jeff Hildebrandt © July 19, 2012

Monday, July 30, 2012

Beatitude #4

Matthew 5:6...

5:6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.”
And here’s to those who try to live the way the Lord intends.
They hunger after righteousness and strive to make amends
for all the times they’ve fallen short. They look to God above
and know that He’s the fountainhead of mercy and of love.
They daily walk the narrow path with Jesus by their side.
The ones who thirst for righteousness will soon be satisfied.

Jeff Hildebrandt © July 19, 2012

Beatitude # 2 and 3

Here are the next two Beatitudes from Matthew, chapter 5.

5:4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”

Blessed will be the ones who mourn their sinful disposition
because their failures sadden God. Their contrite recognition
is a sign the Holy Spirit is at work within their heart.
Cause no one walks repentance road unless God plays a part.

5:5 “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.”

Those who let God’s Spirit lead and willingly obey
may seem weak to the unsaved world they travel in today.
While others trample on the truth in search of worldly gain
the Godly person’s more concerned with easing worldly pain.
So, those who put their faith in Christ can turn the other cheek
knowing God has set aside the whole earth for His meek.

Jeff Hildebrandt © July 19, 2012

Friday, July 27, 2012

Beatitude #1

I was challenged to create a poetic version of the Beatitudes from the book of Matthew, chapter 5. This poem turned out to be a lot longer than most of what I write, so I've decided to post it in pieces. Sorry, you'll just have to come back again and again or I guess you could wait for the finish then read them all at one time. Now, if you know someone who might appreciate this, please let them know about it. Also, I'd love to know what you think.

Beatitude #1

Did you ever wonder what it was that Jesus cared about?
The attitudes we should embrace and those we should cut out.
Do you ever wonder what your life should look like day to day?
Is it more than Bible reading and taking time to pray?
Well, Jesus taught the curious who gathered on that hill
about the blessings God will give to those who do his will?

5:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

First of all, we need to leave our ego at the door.
If we think we can do it all, what do we need God for?
The poor in spirit are the ones who know they can’t depend
on anything that they can do to be saved in the end.
The poor in spirit realize their sins must be confessed.
The ones who seek forgiveness are the ones who will be blessed.

Monday, July 9, 2012

Remembering Ernest Borgnine

I had the chance to chat with Mr. Borgnine about several of the Western movies he’d made, including The Wild Bunch and what it was like to work with Sam Peckinpah.

“We'd have a long, long, way to go before we find another Sam Peckinpah. He loved actors... loved to work them. I found him to be the one of the nicest, most wonderful directors in the world.” Peckinpah is well known for his demons but not so well known for his doubts. Ernie continued, “ I'll never forget the day when we had just finished a segment of the picture. He said I don't know I'm afraid of what we're going to get into here. And I said Sam, let it all hang out. And that's exactly what he did. A lot of blood. And a lot of shooting. I thought for sure we were going to get terrible, terrible reviews. And of course it became a classic. Sam knew how to shoot a good movie and I'm very proud of the Wild Bunch.”

I just thought you might appreciate this.

Friday, July 6, 2012

Not for Sale

You can buy a Quarter Horse, buy a truck.
Want a saddle? You’re in luck.
You can buy a horse trough, buy some hay.
You can buy new tack and by the way
if you need feed, there’s some for sale.
You can buy a bridal or hitching rail.
Buy a tractor or a curry comb.
Buy a pre-fab barn for your horse’s home.
But some things just are not for sale.
The evidence is clear
that two things you can only rent
are a cowboy and a beer.

Jeff Hildebrandt © July 5, 2012

Nuf Said?

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Last Cattle Drive

Quite a while back, I read the story of the last cattle drive on a Flint Hills, Kansas range. It made me sad that this little link to the past has been severed.
I don't want to whine that we're loosing our heritage; there are plenty of people around doing that. You know, our heritage is actually the story of people making the best of circumstances that are less than the best. Just my observation from a foxhole on the frontlines of the battle between then and now!


Last Cattle Drive

This is true. I’m sure it is. The story was reported
widely on the internet. So, the facts were not distorted.

They did it how they did it when they did it long ago.
Cowboys in the saddle, 300 head of cattle
trod the Kansas Flint Hills nice and slow.

They did it like they did it when they did it in the past.
But those cowboys in the saddle, knew that for these cattle,
this end of summer round up was the last.

The last trip from the summer range but not to winter ground;
They’re headed for the trailers that are Oklahoma bound.

It costs too much to graze the herd in Kansas now-a-days
so the owners of this Flint Hills ranch had to find new ways
to fatten up their cattle. The answer was quite clear.
Just load ‘em up and truck ‘em to a feed lot south of here.

The image of that cattle drive was really quite iconic
and some who know the history point out just how ironic
that cattle once were driven north to graze the Kansas plain.
Now, literally, they’re driven back to graze from where they came.

Jeff Hildebrandt © June 22, 2012

Monday, July 2, 2012

Independence Day


July the 4th, we celebrate
our beginning as a nation.
We wave the flag and fill the sky
with explosive celebration.
Then, we stand, and praise the land,
it’s mountains, plains and valleys.
We march the streets with heads held high
while people sleep in alleys.
The homeless just won’t go away.
In fact, the problem’s worse.
And, dependence on the government
has become this nation’s curse.

The stars and stripes that I salute
are symbols of salvation.
The stars are those my Father made
and tell of his creation.
The stripes show courage for a cause
that bought my liberty.
They’re lash marks suffered by the Lord
who sacrificed for me.
My independence came the day
God’s victory was won.
When I accepted Jesus Christ,
and said “Thy will be done.”
So I’ll salute Old Glory,
may she proudly wave on high.
But the cross has my allegiance
and will until I die.

Jeff Hildebrandt ©2005

Wounded Warriors


Audie struggled in the saddle thru out his film career
but not too many knew it. He fought on past the fear
and pain that came from battle to become a cowboy star.
And just like Audie Murphy, you start from where you are.
You strive to overcome the fear of how or what or when.
And if you stumble there are those to help you up again.
Because, you see, it’s up to us for whom you sacrificed
to make sure you have all you need, including this advice;
Rehab is a team event. Don’t think you’re on your own.
You have a Great Physician. Ask now and don’t postpone
shifting all your worries, all your heartache and your fears
onto His broad shoulders. He’ll wipe away your tears
and help you to refocus from the “won’t” to “yes, I will.”
So look to Him to help you as you climb that healing hill.
I can’t imagine how you grieve or feel your family’s pain
nor know the depth of anger and frustration that remains
because the person that you were was lost in all that hell.
I only know a new you is inside your fragile shell.
You need to focus on the love, encouragement and hope
and use the strength of others so each day you can cope
with all the insecurities and hard times in your way.
And trust that God is here for you each and every day.
One more thought I’d like to add; a post-script to your story:
Every wounded warrior is made new thru God’s great Glory.

Jeff Hildebrandt © June 20, 2012