Written by Dr. Lew Sterrett
Published at kregel publications
About the book
A champion trainer and true horse whisperer, Dr. Lew Sterrett has used patience and a firm but gentle hand to earn the trust of more than 3,500 horses. In this book, Lew tells the stories of his work with these horses and the lessons each one has taught him. Sometimes heartbreaking and often uplifting, Lew has condensed his lifetime of learning into messages for the Christian life. Today, Lew shares these messages with more than 50,000 people each year through horse training presentations at Miracle Mountain Ranch and nationally through his Sermon on the Mount Ministry.
The author's engaging style and adroit mixture of well-tested anecdotes and thoughtful instruction make this a winning read-and not just for horse lovers.
A champion trainer and true horse whisperer, Dr. Lew Sterrett has used patience and a firm but gentle hand to earn the trust of more than 3,500 horses. Dr. Lew Sterrett (Ph. D) had little idea that his boyhood interest in horses would open doors internationally for speaking and training. During his years in 4-H, he savored many opportunities to train and show horses and earn national recognition. As a student leader at Penn State University he benefited from many mentoring relationships from which he received valuable training, experience and honors. This foundation provided a basis for an extensive horse career with a unique emphasis on training youth and community leaders.
Lew has served as the Executive Director of Miracle Mountain Ranch Missions, Inc. (MMRM) since 1977. MMRM, located in northwestern Pennsylvania, is home for a summer youth camp, and a leadership training center for youth, adult, and family groups. He has also promoted safety in public riding programs, serving as President of the Certified Horse Association for 7 years. A licensed pastor, certified Youth, Marriage and Family Counselor, he earned his PhD from North Tennessee Seminary in 2007.
Find out more about Dr. Lew Sterrett on his website: http://www.sermononthemount.org/
Questions for Dr. Lew Sterrett
HOW DID SERMON ON THE MOUNT (SOTM) GET STARTED? WHAT IS YOUR MISSION WITH THIS ORGANIZATION?
At first it was simply God dealing with my own heart as I saw my own values and character mirrored in the horses I worked. Then I began to accumulate small insights that helped others see a clearer picture of God’s good purpose for their lives. However, as with the collection of small amounts of gold dust, soon the wealth and riches of God's Word became clearly evident to all through SOTM. As the word got out, invitations came from all over the country to come and share it with others. Our mission is simple: to teach and illustrate through the horse/trainer relationship both God’s plan for redemption and abundant living. It is our belief that God has just begun to use this tool and that a global opportunity is yet before us.
YOU SUGGEST AT VARIOUS POINTS IN YOUR BOOK THAT TRAINING HORSES IS ABOUT TEACHING THEM TO TAKE SIMPLE STEPS. WHAT LESSON CAN CHRISTIANS TAKE FROM THIS TRAINING?
'Obedience is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams' (Isaiah 15:23). Man often pursues unhealthy habits and poor decisions with impulse sacrifices. Perhaps people can be bought off for a time, but God values faithfulness over impulsiveness because faithfulness results in confidence. Little steps that are taken consistently bear far better fruit over the long haul than great talent; character prevails over skill. When applied to the home this produces harmony and growth.
YOU'RE A DAD TO TWO ADOPTED SONS, BOTH OF WHOM HAD TRAUMATIC UPBRINGINGS. HOW DID YOU FOSTER GOOD RELATIONSHIPS WITH THEM? WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO DO SO?
My two sons grew up in the foster care system and lived in an average of five different homes every year until the ages of 7 and 9 when we adopted them. Besides the mere instability of their youth, there were innumerable messages of rejection. My wife and I were drawn to them when the oldest attended MMR and then were introduced to the younger via Social Services. God gave us an immediate love for them. Needless to say, our lives changed as we decided to homeschool both for the sake of bonding with them but also to try to equip them with what they never received from the public sector. They needed to learn firsthand about God’s love for them and the healing hand that He extended to them. There were lots of very painful episodes in our journey, yet God has truly gotten a hold of their hearts and we are much encouraged by their growth and stability in Christ. If the truth were told, I think we learned more from them than they did from us.
IF THERE IS ONE MESSAGE YOU WANT READERS TO TAKE AWAY FROM YOUR BOOK, WHAT IS IT?
Every trainer wants a relationship with the horse. Man’s ways are opposite to God’s—we are deceitful and addictively self-absorbed—but God wants a relationship with us. To get there, God often has to corral us and get us to face the futility and deception of our own reasoning. Like the horse, we can’t 'save ourselves.' The story of this book is that not only does God want a relationship with every reader, but He has already sent the trainer, the Lord Jesus Christ, into our arena to speak our language and to elevate us to fellowship with him. It is our privilege to respond to Him in humility (repentance) and trust (faith) in His offer of forgiveness and eternal life to all who believe in Him for salvation.
My Thoughts
I’ve heard a lot in the past about how the techniques to reach out to a horse can be easily applied for young people in need. I think there was even a TV show at one point about a ranch accepting rebellious teenagers and the owner helping them to get over their problems.
This book is quite interesting and gives a new perspective on Christian relationships. Not only the author gives plenty examples about his training experience with horses but he also includes personal stories and real life examples as well. The anecdotes that Dr. Sterrett brings will keep you reading for more especially if you like horses.
I like horses but I discovered a while back that I was allergic to them. But I admire these creatures especially when they run. Last year, I had the opportunity to go to a special activity for homeschoolers with my two older children. The activity was about how to care for a horse. We learned a lot from grooming, feeding, and caring for the animal but also on training the animal to respect you. Reading the book Life Lessons from a Horse Whisperer brought back the memories of what we had learned that afternoon.
READ AN EXCERPT!
This review was possible because I received a copy of Life Lessons From A Horse Whisperer from LitFuse Group.
Life Lessons From A Horse Whisperer is available at any bookstore even on amazon.ca and indigo.ca.
No comments:
Post a Comment