Study Desk

You best realize that I am asking for everything when you ride for me, not just your weekends or a little of your wages. I require everything. Anything less than that and you'll never make it.

"A salty cowboy is one who isn't afraid to go after rank cattle. But if he loses his salt and becomes lazy and only thinks about himself, then he is no longer good for the ranch.

The younger cowboy told his dad, 'Give me my share of the ranch now. I don't want to wait around for you to die.' The rancher did as the son asked and gave him what his half was worth.

"So the boy headed for home, and while he was still a long way off, his dad spotted him walking up the road. His dad was nothing but relieved and happy at the sight of his boy coming back. He bolted out of the house and ran toward his son. The dad wrapped him in his arms and kissed him on his cheek.

"But the dad hollered to the cowboys who were working near the barn, 'Hey! Someone grab my best coat out of the house and put it on my son. Get a ring for his finger and boots for his feet.

Butcher the grain-fed steer and get ready for a party.

We are going to celebrate the return of my son to the ranch. He was once dead to us, but now he has returned to life! He was lost, but now he has been found!' Everyone started getting ready for the celebration to begin.

'I've worked for you all my life. I've done everything you've ever asked of me. Not one single time have you ever even given me a goat to BBQ with my friends.

But this day is a cause for celebration. Your brother was dead in his sins, and now he has come back to life! He was lost, but he has been found.'"

"After all of this, the rancher still fired the bean counter, but he admired the way he collected the debts and set himself up for the future.

"No cowboy can ride for two outfits, for he will favor one over the other. He will be loyal to one and learn to hate the other. You cannot ride for God if you are a slave to money."

"Let me give you an example. The Code says you can divorce a woman for adultery and marry another. But I'm telling you that anyone that marries a divorced person has already committed adultery in the eyes of God."

Lazarus prayed for just a small scrap from the rich guy's table, but all he could settle for were dogs to lick his rotting flesh.

"But Abraham said, 'Son, remember that while you were living, you had everything and Lazarus had nothing. You never lifted a finger for him, so why should he dip his finger in the water for you. He will now be comforted, and you will feel his pain.

tell my brothers what waits for them if they are selfish as I was. I don't want them to end up in this torment with me.'

"The rich man said, 'That's not enough Abraham! If someone from here could go back and tell them, then they would turn from their selfishness and ride for God!'

One day Jesus spoke to his twelve cowboys, "Folks will always be inclined to sin, but it is sure going to turn out bad for someone who talks another person into it.

It'd be better for that person if an anvil was tied around their neck and they were thrown into the sea. You don't want to be the person who tries to lure the Boss's kids away from him.

Does the ranch owner praise the cowboy for doing his job? Of course not.

In the same way, when you ride for me you should say, 'We're just happy to ride for you and do what you tell us to do.'"