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Output Via Input
Training
horses, training people and training people to train horses is a very
interesting life occupation. I have many opportunities to observe the
learning process of both people and horses. When people bring their horses to
me for help, I find that one of the most common ways that they have gotten
into trouble with their horses is this: They are introducing a cue to get a
response from the horse, the horse is responding to the cue, but not doing
what they thought they ask for. The horse usually gets the blame. Ninety
nine percent of the time, the rider is not giving the right cue to get the
response they are looking for. Horses will always respond to cues, and almost
one hundred percent of the time, they are doing EXACTLY what the rider cued
them to do. The question then becomes, "Is the input correct to get the
output that I want?"
Horse training is simply introducing cues and rewarding or
correcting the response in a consistent and repetitive manner. The horse that
is understanding the process gets quieter and better and advances in his
training. The one who is not understanding gets ratty, scared and nervous and
goes backwards in the training process. He learns responses like bracing,
tossing his head, jigging, and even balking and rearing. I have had horses
that were really messed up change drastically in the matter of a three day
clinic or in the space of three or four rides here at the ranch. Why?
Because the input was changed - the cue was understood - and the horse
responded with the positive and correct response. He can never respond
properly if the cue is not given where he can understand it. He can only
learn by what he is shown. They don't train themselves correctly any more
than children do. They will become trained and learn correctly or
incorrectly, depending upon the input. Output is by way of input. Output is a
direct result of input.
It is the same way in our lives. We are where we are today
because of the input and choices we made yesterday. Where we will be tomorrow
will be a result of the input and choices we make today. Choices made on a
consistent basis make up our lives. A very wise unknown artist said it like
this:
Our destiny begins with a simple thought process. Some of
us are like the horses that were not started correctly as a young horse and
need to be redone. Some are like the horse that received correct and
consistent training from the beginning, but didn't always choose to follow
it. Most horses and people are a combination of those two. Jesus Christ
gives us all the same instructions no matter where we started from. He
instructs us to think differently from the world and line our thoughts up with
His word. When we accept Him as our Lord and Savior, we move our citizenship
into the Kingdom of God and out of the world system. We now have the
opportunity to change our thinking process by introducing our minds to new
input. When the new input is followed consistently and continually, we begin
to make choices and responses that will bless our lives. When we don't renew
and re-do, we can still be a Christian that is following the ways of the old
world system listening to an unrenewed mind.
A horse is transformed by training. It is such fun to
watch a horse go from being useless to becoming useful through the training
process. We are also given instructions to become transformed.
Romans 12 1-2 I beg you brothers in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies
as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of
worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be
transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and
approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Where the rubber meets the road, this passage is giving me a choice. Keep
thinking the way I did and become conformed to the world or change my input
and become transformed by way of renewing my mind. Input equals output until
I am one or the other - conformed or transformed. Conformation is following
negative input - transformation is following positive input.
We are like the horse - we are being trained - the question
is by whom? Our destiny is shaped by the input that we are following. Satan
is the god of this world (2 Corinthians. 4:4) and Jesus Christ is the Lord of
the Kingdom of God. To be conformed is to follow your flesh. To be
transformed is to follow His spirit. When we make a choice to read the word
of God and follow it, we always overcome the world system. You are of
God, little children, and have overcome them, because greater is He that is in
you than he that is in the world. For whatsoever is born of God overcomes the
world. (1 John 4:4 and 5:4a)
We all have eternal life. Accepting Christ is making a
choice to spend it in the non-smoking section. That is only the start.
Choosing to renew and redo input is a NOW thing that will shape not only your
destiny on this earth - but your rewards in the Kingdom to come.
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