During the night I had a vision – and there before me was a man riding a red horse! He was standing among the myrtle trees in a ravine. Behind him were red, brown and white horses.

I asked, “What are these, my Lord?” The angel who was talking with me answered, “I will show you what they are.” Then the man standing among the myrtle trees explained, “They are the ones the Lord has sent to go throughout the earth.” And they reported to the angel of the Lord, who was standing among the myrtle trees, “We have gone throughout the earth and found the whole world at rest and in peace.”

Zechariah 1:8-11

A Gift from God

Bright Zip isn't my horse. He's God's horse. He’s just on loan to me. Likewise, the horse in your barn isn't really yours. God just gave him to you to care for and love. Because our horses belong to God, you and I will have to give an account someday for how we've treated them, which isn't a bad thing.

If you have something really valuable, a fragile family treasure for instance, would you give it to your child when he was three? Of course not. Would you give it to him at age 16, when he has trouble just keeping his room straight? Or at 22 when he finished college and you know he'll be moving around the country, packing and unpacking? Probably not. If it was something you really treasured, you'd wait until your child was settled and able to appreciate and take care of it. By the time you give it to him, you'd be sure that he could take care of it.

The horse is to God like that family treasure is to you. Horses are important to God, so He put within each of us the knowledge of what is right and wrong to do with them, so that we could care for them well. We may not instinctively know how much to feed them or how often they need shoes; we have to learn the specifics. But we do know, for instance, when a trainer tells us he wants to tie the horse's head around to the stirrup for 10 hours, that isn't right. Or when someone wants to hit a horse with a 2 x 4 to "teach" him a lesson, something in your gut says that isn't acceptable. We have to learn to trust our instincts when it comes to how to treat our horses right.

But does that mean we'll never make mistakes? No. God knew that, too. When he made the horse, He not only included traits like beauty and courage; He also included adaptability and forgiveness. As much as God cares for His horses, He cares even more for us. So much, that he gave His Son's life so that we may live.

Back to the family heirloom, if you just wanted it to be safe, you'd put it in a vault. But because you wanted to share something of yourself, you gave it to your child. That's some of why God gave us horses. He wanted us to see how their beauty, courage and, especially forgiveness is a reflection of Himself. So, next time you have a decision to make regarding your horse, remember that God loved you enough to give you the horse, and He loves the horse enough to give you insight into how to treat him. God planned that we fully enjoy our relationship with our horses.

God Bless,

John Lyons

Kriss Costa is a John Lyons Cert. Trainer who had cancer.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. Psalms 23:2 (KJV)

Dear John & Jody,

I wanted to let you know how my health was going. I went to start my second round of chemo last Friday and they sent me home. Appears we beat this puppy! The two big masses all but disappeared and the newest one had shrunk quite a bit. I have one more test in two weeks and if that one isn't active, I'm DONE! PRAISE GOD! His mercy and love are never ending. He truly is an awesome God!

What I loved the most about my "trial" is I never felt alone. God was always there. He really showed me how blessed I was with family and friends.

I thank you again John for sharing your enthusiasm and love of our Lord and His word. You really lit a fire in me to know the Lord and His word in a more personal way. I know the relationship that grew from that is what got me through so many trials and especially the latest one. Like both of you, in my training and daily life I have no hesitation to state my love for our Lord, sharing and extending His love to those around me.

I hope to continue on with my training as my health returns.

Please let the staff know I think of them every day, as I look at the beautiful plant you all sent me while I was in the hospital. Let them know I felt their prayers and well-wishes, they were really appreciated. The plant continues to grow and bloom, just like we do under God's loving care and guidance.

God Bless, with the Love Jesus,
Kriss Costa

The statement…MIRACLE IS HIS NAME AND MIRACLE IS GOD'S GAME.. has really hit home with me today.

On April 3, 2004 my 23-year-old Arabian mare had a colt that I named "MIRACLE". I named him Miracle because of the fact that my mare is 23 and she has never had a baby before and he was born 100% healthy. The only reason I decided to breed my mare is because she is the first horse I have ever owned and I wanted a foal out of her to carry on. Other wise, I wouldn't of even considered it.

So, besides the "miracle" of his birth.. Today, June 15, 2004 has added to my miraculous story. Around 11:30a.m. I received a phone call from the manager of the stable where I board my mare and foal. I couldn't really understand what he was saying I could just hear a lot of noise in the background and people yelling and screaming. So I was really worried. Finally, he came through to tell me that a tornado had been spotted about 10 miles away from the barn and it was heading directly towards the horses. He said he was going to have to let all the horses out of the barn and pasture so they would be able to run as far as they could from it in case it touched down. So, needless to say, my heart stopped beating!! I was so worried. He had to go but told me he would call back and keep me posted. He said he could see the dark cloud coming straight towards them. So, immediately after I hung up the phone I called whoever I could find and told them to start PRAYING!!!

So, time passed and the phone kept ringing, but I couldn't hear what the barn manager was saying, just a bunch of noise, wind and people yelling. So, I continued to pray and just tried to have as much faith as I possibly could. I didn't want to think about the possibility of me loosing my horses.

Finally, after about 15 minutes he calls and said he saw the tornado coming their way and all of a sudden the cloud just faded away and it missed them…only to be followed by a tremendously huge thunderstorm. So, I was relieved that the tornado passed but was still worried about Miracle being let out with all of the other horses at the barn. Miracle has never been around ANY of the other horses before. They are all geldings except for Riga (my mare). So, I didn't know what they would do.

My barn manager said he was going to go try to catch all the horses and put them back in their paddocks and make sure they were okay. Well, he called me back once again after about 10 minutes and said he was in complete shock of what had just happened. He said that he went into the pasture to get Riga and Miracle and after haltering Riga. Leading her back to the pasture, thinking Miracle was behind them; he turned around to find Miracle off by himself. The whole herd of horses were running straight towards him! Then he said OUT OF NOWHERE; this solid black gelding ran in front of the herd in between Miracle and the horses. He then started kicking, biting and rearing up at all of them, he would not let a single horse near Miracle. The barn manager said it was the most incredible thing he had ever seen. He said," Adrian, that horse held off all of those horses by himself, and he is a small horse."

Finally when the other horses went away, Miracle followed Riga into their paddock. The black gelding was right behind them and still to this minute has not left Miracle and Riga's side. I don't think this horse has a name, yet but I know that whatever his name is…he is definitely considered an "Angel" in my eyes. NOTHING BEATS THE POWER OF PRAYER!! Isn't it amazing how God can speak and work through animals to teach us, showing us how wonderful and powerful He really is. He is our shelter, our comforter and our PROTECTOR! There is no coincidence or luck in that situation. I don't believe in those things, but I do have faith and know that God heard our prayers and MIRACULOUSLY held back the storm and held back a herd of horses!

JESUS said," I assure you, if you have faith and don't doubt you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain, "May God lift you up and throw you into the sea and it will happen. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." Matthew 21:21-22

So, I truly do own a "Miracle" horse. Have faith and believe!

In His" protective grip",

Adrian Haynie
Auburn, Alabama

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16

“God Calls Your Name

“He's waiting for you. God is standing on the porch of heaven, expectantly hoping, searching the horizon for a glimpse of His child. You're the one God is seeking.

“God is the waiting Father, the caring Shepherd in search of his lamb. His legs are scratched, his feet are sore, and his eyes are burning.

He scales the cliffs and traverses the fields. He explores the caves. He cups his hands to his mouth and calls into the canyon.

And the name he calls is yours......

“The message is simple: God gave up his Son in order to rescue all his sons and daughters. To bring his children home. He's listening for your answer.”

Max Lucado

And the Angels Were Silent and Grace For the Moment

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. “ Ephesians 2:8,9

John,

I want to tell you what an instrumental part you played in my walk to the Lord. I've been wandering aimlessly for a long time, but that weekend when you were in Goshen, Indiana changed my life forever! I have found the Lord and have devoted my life to Him. I have changed in many ways… the way I treat my family, my horses, my friends and people I don't even know. My problems are not the same anymore now that I have given them to the Lord. I am challenged everyday and have found my faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the one and only thing that is constant and TRUE. I now treat my body as God's temple and have changed my eating habits and the way I treat my body. I just wanted to thank you for your ministry that weekend. It was so discreet but yet the Lord planned on me being there to hear your message. I originally went to hear the all time greatest man with horses speak about handling horses in a kind way and I found the Lord! How awesome is that?

By the way, I was the one who offered you a place to stay in the executive suite and I brought the young girl you chose to ride the unbroke horse that day.

John, I really wanted you to hear this from me. Your ministry is working and God Bless.

D. M

Goshen, IN

Good for you! I'm grateful for your testimony. Let's give thanks to the Lord for inspiring the growth of a seed He allowed to be set that day. I pray that many others will be inspired by your testimony and your daily walk through life will be filled with the hope, strength and wisdom of our Savior Jesus Christ.

God Bless You!

John Lyons

The Lord says, ‘I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.’ . . . the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in Him.

Psalm 32:8, 10b