P.R.s Reflections

2009-06-09T06:56:00.000-07:00

This is an excellent article.
I first read it 15 years ago in a section of a book that Bob Mumford wrote.
He called it, "Pulling the King's Carriage"
I've included both authors and titles to give proper credit.

“The Harness of the Lord”
by Bill Britton – Abridged and updated
I SAW THE KING'S CARRIAGE
On a dirt road in the middle of a wide field stood a beautiful carriage, something on the order of a stagecoach but all edged in gold and with beautiful carvings. It was pulled by six large chestnut horses: two in the lead, two in the middle and two in the rear. But they were not moving, they were not pulling the carriage, and I wondered why. Then I saw the driver underneath the carriage on the ground on his back just behind the last two horses' heels working on something between the front wheels on the carriage. I thought, "My, he is in a dangerous place; for if one of those horses kicked or stepped back, they could kill him, or if they decided to go forward, or got frightened somehow, they would pull the carriage right over him." But he didn't seem afraid for he knew that those horses were disciplined and would not move till he told them to move. The horses were not stamping their feet nor acting restless, and though there were bells on their feet, the bells were not tinkling. There were pom-poms on their harness over their heads but the pom-poms were not moving. They were simply standing still and quiet waiting for the voice of the Master.
THERE WERE TWO YOUNG COLTS IN THE FIELD
As I watched the harnessed horses I noticed two young colts coming out of the open field and they approached the carriage and seemed to say to the horses: "Come and play with us, we have many fine games, we will race with you, come catch us." And with that the colts kicked up their heels flicked their tails and raced across the open field. But when they looked back and saw the horses were not following they were puzzled. They knew nothing of the harnesses and could not understand why the horses did not want to play. So they called to them: "Why do you not race with us? Are you tired? Are you too weak? Do you not have strength to run? You are much too solemn, you need more joy in life." But the horses answered not a word nor did they stamp their feet or toss their heads.. But they stood, quiet and still, waiting for the voice of the Master.
Again the colts called to them: "Why do you stand so in the hot sun? Come over here in the shade of this nice tree. See how green the grass is? You must be hungry, come and feed with us, it is so green and so good. You look thirsty, come drink of one of our many streams of cool clear water." But the horses answered them not so much as a glance but stood still waiting for the command to go forward with the King.

COLTS IN THE MASTER'S CORRAL
And then the scene changed and I saw lariat nooses fall around the necks of the two colts and they were led off to the Master's corral for training and discipline. How sad they were as the lovely green fields disappeared and they were put into the confinement of the corral with its brown dirt and high fence. The colts ran from fence to fence seeking freedom but found that they were confined to this place of training. And then the Trainer began to work on them with His whip and His bridle. What a death for those who had been all their lives accustomed to such a freedom! They could not understand the reason for this torture, this terrible discipline. What crime had they done to deserve this? Little did they know of the responsibility that was to be theirs when they had submitted to the discipline, learned to perfectly obey the Master and finished their training. All they knew was that this processing was the most horrible thing they had ever known.
SUBMISSION AND REBELLION
One of the colts rebelled under the training and said, "This is not for me. I like my freedom, my green hills, my flowing streams of fresh water. I will not take any more of this confinement, this terrible training." So he found a way out jumped the fence and ran happily back to the meadows of grass. I was astonished that the Master let him go and went not after him. But He devoted His attention to the remaining colt. This colt, though he had the same opportunity to escape, decided to submit his own will and learn the ways of the Master. The training got harder than ever but he was rapidly learning more and more how to obey the slightest wish of the Master and to respond to even the quietness of His voice. And I saw that had there been no training, no testing, there would have been neither submission nor rebellion from either of the colts. For in the field they did not have the choice to rebel or submit; they were sinless in their innocence. But when brought to the place of testing and training and discipline, then was made manifest the obedience of one and the rebellion of the other. And though it seemed safer not to come to the place of discipline because of the risk of being found rebellious, yet I saw that without this there could be no sharing of His glory, no Sonship.
INTO THE HARNESS
Finally this period of training was over. Was he now rewarded with his freedom and sent back to the fields? Oh no. But a greater confinement than ever now took place as a harness dropped about his shoulders. Now he found there was not even the freedom to run about the small corral for in the harness he could only move where and when his Master spoke. And unless the Master spoke he stood still.

The scene changed and I saw the other colt standing on the side of a hill nibbling at some grass. Then across the fields, down the road came the King's carriage drawn by six horses. With amazement he saw that in the lead, on the right side, was his brother colt now made strong and mature on the good corn in the Master's stable. He saw the lovely pom-poms shaking in the wind, noticed the glittering gold bordered harness about his brother, heard the beautiful tinkling of the bells on his feet -- and envy came into his heart. Thus he complained to himself: "Why has my brother been so honored, and I am neglected? They have not put bells on MY feet nor pom-poms on MY head. The Master has not given ME the wonderful responsibility of pulling His carriage, has not put about ME the gold harness. Why have they chosen my brother instead of me?" And by the Spirit the answer came back to me as I watched: "Because one submitted to the will and discipline of the Master and one rebelled, thus has one been chosen and the other set aside."
A FAMINE IN THE LAND
Then I saw a great drought sweep across the countryside and the green grass became dead, dry, brown and brittle. The little streams of water dried up, stopped flowing, and there was only a small muddy puddle here and there. I saw the little colt (I was amazed that it never seemed to grow or mature) as he ran here and there across the fields looking for fresh streams and green pastures finding none. Still he ran, seemingly in circles, always looking for something to feed his famished spirit. But there was a famine in the land and the rich green pastures and flowing streams of yesterday were not to be had. And one day the colt stood on the hillside on weak and wobbly legs wondering where to go next to find food and how to get strength to go. It seemed like there was no use, for good food and flowing streams were a thing of the past and all the efforts to find more only taxed his waning strength. Suddenly he saw the King's carriage coming down the road pulled by six great horses. And he saw his brother, fat and strong, muscles rippling, sleek and beautiful with much grooming. His heart was amazed and perplexed, and he cried out: "My brother where do you find the food to keep you strong and fat in these days of famine? I have run everywhere in my freedom, searching for food, and I find none. Where do you in your awful confinement find food in this time of drought? Tell me, please, for I must know!" And then the answer came back from a voice filled with victory and praise: "In my Master's House there is a secret place in the confining limitations of His stables where He feeds me by His own hand and His granaries never run empty and His well never runs dry." And with this the Lord made me to know that in the day when people are weak and famished in their spirits in the time of spiritual famine that those who have lost their own wills and have come into the secret place of the most High into the utter confinement of His perfect will shall have plenty of the corn of Heaven and a never ending flow of fresh streams of revelation by His Spirit. Thus the vision ended.

INTERPRETATION OF THE VISION
"Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that reads it," (Habakkuk 2:2). "Harness the horses; and get up, ye horseman," (Jeremiah 46:4). I am sure that many of you who can hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church have already seen what God was showing in the vision. But let me make it plain. Being born into the Family of God feeding in the green pastures and drinking of the many streams of the unfolding revelation of His purposes is fine and wonderful. But it is not enough. While we were children, young and undisciplined, limited only by the outer fence of the Law that ran around the limits of the pastures (that kept us from getting into the dark pastures of poison weeds) He was content to watch us develop and grow into young manhood, spiritually speaking. But the time came to those who fed in His pastures and drank at His streams, when they were to be brought into discipline or "child-training" for the purpose of making them mature Sons. Many of the children today cannot understand why some of those who have put on the harness of God cannot get excited by the many religious games and the playful antics of the immature. They wonder why the disciplined ones run not after every new revelation or feed on every opportunity to engage in seemingly "good and profitable" religious activities. They wonder why some will not race with them in their frantic efforts to build great works and great and notable ministries. They cannot understand the simple fact that this Company of saints is waiting for the voice of the Master and they do not hear God in all this outward activity. They will move in their time when the Master speaks. But not before, though many temptations come from the playful colts. And the colts cannot understand why those who seemingly appear to have great abilities and strength are not putting it to good use. "Get the carriage on the road," they say, but the disciplined ones, those in God's harness, know better than to move before they hear the voice of the Master. They will move in their time with purpose and great responsibility.
And the Lord made me to know that there were many whom He had brought into training who had rebelled against the discipline, the chastising of the Father. They could not be trusted with the great responsibility of mature Sonship so He let them go back to their freedom, back to their religious activities and revelations and gifts. They are still His people, still feeding in His pastures, but He has set them aside from the great purposes for this end of the age. So they revel in their freedom feeling that they were the Chosen Ones with the many streams of living water not knowing that they have been set aside as unfit for His great work in this end of the age.
He showed me that though the chastening seems difficult for the time and the discipline hard to endure yet the result with all the glory of Sonship is worth it all and the glory to follow far exceeds the suffering we endure. And though some lose even their lives in this training yet they will share alike in the glory of His

eternal purposes. So faint not saints of God for it is the Lord that brings you into confinement and not your enemy. It is for your good and for His glory so endure all things with praises and thanksgiving that He has counted you worthy to share His glory! Fear not the whip in His hand for it is not to punish you but to correct and train you that you might come into submission to His will and be found in His likeness in that hour. Rejoice in thy trials - in all your tribulations and glory in His cross and in the confining limitations of His harness for He has chosen you and He has taken upon Himself the responsibility of keeping you strong and well fed. So lean upon Him and trust not in your own ability and your own understanding. So shall you be fed and
His hand shall be upon you and His glory will overshadow you and shall flow through you as it goes forth to cover the earth. Glory to God! Bless the Lord! He's wonderful! Let Him be Lord of your life, friends, and complain not at that which He brings to pass in your life.
PLENTY IN THE TIME OF FAMINE
For in the hour when famine sweeps the land He shall feed by His own hand those who are submitted to His perfect will and who dwell in the secret place of the Most High. When terror stalks the land those in His harness shall not be afraid for they shall feel His bit and bridle and know the guidance of His Spirit. When others are weak and frail and fearful there shall be those who shall be strong in the power of His might and shall lack for no good thing. In the hour when the traditions of the religious systems have proven false and their streams have dried up, then His Chosen Ones shall speak forth with the true Word of the Lord. So rejoice, Sons of God, that you have been chosen by His grace for this great work in this last hour.
The fence which kept the colts in their own meadows and their own pastures mean nothing to the team in the harness for the gates open to them and they go forth pulling the King's carriage into many strange and wonderful places. They do not stop to eat the poison weeds of sin for they feed only in the Master's stable. These fields they trample under their feet as they go forth on the King's business. And so to those who are brought into absolute subjection to His will there is no Law. For they move in the Grace of God led only by His Spirit where “all things are permissible but not all things are beneficial” (I Cor.6:12). This is a dangerous realm for the undisciplined and many have perished in sin as they leaped over the fence without His harness and His bridle. Some have thought of themselves as being completely harnessed and submissive to Him only to find that in some avenue of their life there dwelled rebellion and self-will. Let us wait before Him until He puts His noose around us and draws us to His place of training. And let us learn of the dealings of God and the moving of His Spirit until at last we feel His harness drop about us and hear His voice guiding us. Then there is safety from the traps and pitfalls of sin and then shall we abide in His House forever!

2009-05-29T06:19:00.000-07:00

You reach a familiar place, again, only it's not the kind of place you want to be at. It's a "boundary place". In other words one of those places you seem to arrive at repeatedly never to go past. How do you navigate past the auto-failure that you are accustoming to?

Three things: You look back, you look up, and you look ahead. Dr. Robert Clinton makes a science of this in a book called "The Making of a Leader" but let me capsulize it right here for you.

By looking back you see what has led you to this place. It didn't just happen. Situations arose and responses came from you that have brought you here. It is a combination of life putting weight on your potential and on your weaknesses. At this point you can go either way. According to scripture, He has "made a way of escape."(1 Cor. 10:13)

It is at this point you need to "look up". That right, we look to God and say, "what are you trying to do in me here?" Asking God what it is in you that HE wants to be released. It may be time to take a step of faith toward an action you didn't think you could do before. It may be as simple as waiting longer for God to do something before you just solve the puzzle on your own... like you have before... (sorry) At this point God gives us a "God action" to do or not to do. This will lead us into a different future.

When we pass the test, there is a whole different horizon that shows up out there. Sometimes we aren't even prepared for the possibilities of this new horizon. This may be much of the reason why we haven't begun to move toward it before. It may require greater self-discipline, time management, or faith than you have been willing to put forth before. It is a joining of the mission of Christ and a leaving behind of ours. He charts the future but we must follow Him to get past the natural of ourselves and into the super He has in store! Push past your shell casing and bloom!

Ron

2009-04-09T07:39:00.000-07:00

No one knows...
not even the angels...
Be on your guard...
tell the one at the door to keep watch...
the owners coming back...
Don't be asleep
Watch

later at Gethsemane...
Sit here while I pray...
My soul is overwhelmed...
I feel like dying...
God take this struggle from me
unless you don't want to...
Watch
Pray
I've said it many times,
But even I am weary to do it

He was betrayed
They did arrest Him
God let it get worse
...so it could get better

My God My God why have you forsaken me

...early in the morning 3 days later

Why go to the tomb of a dead man
What can you find from someone who let Himself die
Who would even roll away the stone
this is dumb
but...
the STONE IS GONE
and SO IS THE FEAR
my heart is disarmed
The message is clear

Come and see Go and tell

R. Ross
(based on Mark 13-16)

2009-02-13T17:51:00.000-08:00

How do you recharge your batteries?
Everyone has to do it. Maybe some of you don't ever need a day off or any sleep, but I do.
And when I do, our favorite place to go is the Door. It's one of the best places near Green Bay to get in touch with great food, classy small business owners, and beautiful scenery. The thumb of Wisconsin protrudes out into Lake Michigan from the Bay of Green Bay. The buildings and parks tell the stories of the people who survived this climate over 100 years ago and give me encouragement that I can survive it today. Spring will come, the cherry blossoms will come out and what has seemed to grind away a a standstill will leap a season ahead... and I'll be there. Thanks for the charge Door County.

2009-01-30T20:01:00.000-08:00

As I look out my back window onto my deck buried in snow, I think about how tuff those of us who live up north become. We cover up our bodies with layers of clothes and rush from the homes we live in to the building we work in to our freezing cold automobiles, and back to our barricaded homes. Part of the result is a state of isolation. Now I'm thinking about what I can preach about Sunday that will heat things up. I could talk about romantic love, but valentines day is still a few weeks away. We could act out the Super-bowl in our worship space, but that might be sac-religious. Then I remembered that where ever two or three are gathered in HIS name, He's there. SO... let's come together for worship and see if we can warm things up... maybe we can melt some snow. AND in a few months I'll have you over and we'll sit on the deck in our t-shirts and have a brat-wurst.

2008-10-31T20:21:00.000-07:00

Me and Mark "Z" from Houston
When do you stop changing as an individual
When you're kids are little, if you're away for a week they change
When you're older (like high school or college) it takes a few years to look different.
Then it takes a decade or so...
What happens they is you sort of go over some hill where you're life is no longer getting more interesting...
rather you're getting older
slower
... more set in your ways...
NEVER
I'm not taking that road.
Back up the car... No turn it around, and step on the gas the other way
that's why I'm going back to seminary.
Sharpen the saw baby, we're going wood cutting

2008-10-07T20:29:00.000-07:00

I was thinking the other day, "how can I upgrade my image?" you know still turn a head now and then without wearing a fruit basket on my head. Then my wife came home with this new hat. That's right, when you shave your head it's hat time already!

So that's it! Then I thought no, that's not it, we should change the image of our church! I mean move from an image about us to an image that supports why we're hear! Then I thought of it! Yes!

A Tug Boat! Perfect.

A Tug Boat moves or guides other vessels to the right places.
A Church exists to lead and guide people to the right places.

A Tug Boat has a bunch of padding on the front in case you run into stuff!
The CHurch has Jesus Christ as our Jehovah Nissi who goes before us and takes hits for us!

So you see why from now on we will meet in a Tug Boat!

It's going to be great! For one thing, all you have to do to go on a missions trip is "All Aboard!"

2008-09-15T21:11:00.000-07:00

Every feel like someone threw an extra leg in the triathlon Like you biked, you swam, you ran and now it's not the finish line... but rather another whole leg that you are running and don't know how to define it?

It's nice knowing the coach, but sometimes when you do, you expect him to go easy on you. I guess he loves you too much to let you get soft, just because you're related

2008-08-16T18:45:00.000-07:00

Over 20 churches coming together to "bring application" to our faith. How could we feed, care for, love on, meet practical needs of over 2000 people. It wasn't that hard as we laid aside our differences and focused on our sameness. We loved Jesus, so he could give us love for those he loves.

Let's not wait a year to carry the torch to the next mountain that needs to be taken in Green Bay. What is it? What can we do about things like 600 homeless kids, or so many people in need?

2008-08-10T21:16:00.000-07:00

2008-07-23T21:04:00.000-07:00

This was a little camp ground in Three forks MT.
The head waters of the Missouri River... There's a sign that says if you got on an inner-tube, it would take you 3 monthes to float to the mouth of the Mississippi, River in NEW ORLEANS.
This makes me think about what it must have been like for Lewis and Clark to use poles to push their barges up the Mississippi, then up the Missouri to this point! The point where I slept on the same ground they splet on when they thought that mighty Missouri River would take them to the Pacific Ocean. Ever have an experience like that? You think what you're doing will take you to a certain place, but you end up in something far smaller than you thought? What then? Well Lewis and Clark got Sacajawea (an indian squaw) to show them the way throuh the mountains. It must have taken a ton of will power to keep going... not to mention the amount of time it took. And I freak out when the internet connection is slow.
anyway... some of the things that God is wanting to do in us take time. They will be worth it.
...and we know that in due season we will reap a harvest IF YOU FAINT NOT... 9 "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9

2008-07-05T21:30:00.000-07:00

It's amazing how much junk you can fit in this car! We are on the road in Bismark ND with Deb, myself, and two of our boys. maybe after 25 years of being married we should be past taking vacation in a subaru and camping at a KOA... but we've made choices that have favoured other people. Right now I can think of dozzens of people whose lives are better off because of the time and focus we've shared with others, rather than always focusing on ourselves. This simplicity is the essence of true satisfaction. Not that Idon't wish to function at a higher level at times... I guess it wouldn't be any more eternal than what we are doing now!

2008-06-10T14:16:00.000-07:00

26 years with this woman It doesn't seem possible, and it doesn't seem like any man should be allowed that much blessing First of all she doesn't even seem 26 year old... I still see the woman that I fell for nearly 30 years ago, chased for several years of college and am married to today basically because I wouldn't give up I would say not giving up is one of my best qualities... and THIS is the earthy crown on my head. Someday, I'll have a spiritual crown... untill then a beautiful, golden, created by God for me crown, my delight... Debbie.

Thanks for 26 years Deb

2008-05-27T09:22:00.000-07:00

When many hands worktogether, the world can see the light.

2008-05-22T20:43:00.000-07:00

How do you make friends in a country that your country has made every effort to keep poor. You offer them what they want more than anything else they can think of... food! that's right... even though the sign on the gate of the Fire Department says "No Pase" I was invited in immediately as I displayed a plate of food, namely Flan from the Flan Queen of the Universe Isabelle. (Flan is a wonderful blended concaction of cane sugar, egg whites, and carmel)

Spiritually, people have been supressed from having anything more than the minimal.

Just like with food rations, (that I'm told you can hardly stay alive on) people have been suppresed spiritually. Imagine Cubans finding out that there is actually unlimited amounts of God, unlimited amounts of grace, mercy, Joy, forgiveness, ects.

Just like with the firemen, you become welcome, when you bring food, and the knowledge of how to get more!

2008-04-15T21:57:00.000-07:00

Headed to Cuba on May 12-19
speaking / teaching at a pastors conference.

Praying, "My God will supply all your needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus" as many decide to help me go on this mission and deliver $800 for the conference.

2008-03-17T11:18:00.001-07:00

Click here to get your own player.

2008-03-12T20:36:00.000-07:00

You have to pick the right bait...
Until you have the right bait, you're just throwing line!

"Follow me and I will make you Fishers of men"

2008-02-18T15:43:00.000-08:00

2008-02-18T15:29:00.000-08:00

The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity.
Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:
I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:9-13

2008-01-20T17:09:00.000-08:00

A few years ago this pastor would have been ignoring a chance to connect with the whole world, as I prepared for something "spiritual"... a Sunday night service.

I'm glad that the day of paying attention to what is going on in the world is no longer thought of as unspiritual.

What Did Jesus say? In Matthew 10 and 15 Jesus says to go to the lost sheep of Israel. We need to know where they are and go to them.

"in the world... but not of it"

2008-01-15T09:40:00.000-08:00

If you drive to work on a regular basis, you mostlikely select a normal route. It is the route thats best. You pick it from your experience from the past.

The problem with this, is that you never find out that a new highway has been built that may save you 15 minutes in getting to work... or better yet that you can take an exit from the highway you use and get to go by a new StarBucks that has sprung up three blocks from your work.
Ron Ross

but inspired by teaching I got from Earl Creps
church planter from Berkley, California USA

2007-12-25T21:03:00.000-08:00

The Ross House for Chrsitmas Eve '07

2007-12-22T21:36:00.000-08:00

The Lights of the new year are in sight!

We live in the future and in the past,
the present is a fleeing moment.

Sometimes I regret to live as such,
realizing this focus will not allow me to touch.

Our minds must bring our bodies into the full moment that is now
In order to benefit those around us
bringing help, Joy, or just awareness,
that they are precious...

enough to shelter a moment of present
as a gift to the loved ones around our table
in this blessed yuletide week.

2007-12-22T21:17:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas!