Dear Friends,

This month’s newsletter leans into one of the most tender themes woven throughout my book, The Perfect Find: the way God leads us—not by force, fear, or pressure, but by intimacy. Psalm 32 reminds us that the Lord longs to guide us with His eye, not with a bridle. It invites us to move from resistance to responsiveness, from self‑driven striving to quiet trust. In the excerpt below, I explore how God patiently shapes our hearts through presence, relationship, and gentle correction, using the imagery of horses, mules, and even a devoted border collie to show what willing obedience looks like when love—not pressure—leads us forward in life.

…I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.

Psalm 32:8–9 (NLT)

David’s imagery of the horse and mule is more than poetic; it exposes the quiet tug‑of‑war inside the human heart. The unbroken horse pictures impulsiveness—strength racing ahead without restraint. The stubborn mule shows the opposite problem—digging in and refusing to move even when the way is clear.

Scripture calls these creatures senseless not for lack of intelligence, but because in their untamed state they cannot be led by trust. They must be controlled externally by force. God uses this contrast to show how easily we fall into the same traps. Some of us run ahead; others resist and stall. Both responses multiply our struggles.

Yet His desire is always to draw us close. He whispers, “Let Me guide you with My eye, not with a bridle.” We were created to be led by intimacy, not pressure—to respond to the sweetness of His voice rather than force.

HORSE TRAINING 101

I once saw this truth beautifully illustrated through a conversation with a remarkable young man named Josh Bigwood, a skilled horse trainer and now a successful pastor who stayed with us for a short time. Before meeting him, everything I knew about breaking a horse came from old western movies. I used to watch cowboys cling to wild, bucking animals until one of them finally surrendered out of sheer exhaustion. Josh explained that true training is nothing like that brutal battle. The ultimate goal is never domination; it is trust. The entire process requires immense patience, establishing a relational connection that remains deeply attuned to the horse’s inner state.

He told me the first step is simply introducing his presence. He spends hours in the stall asking nothing of the animal, allowing the horse to grow familiar with his scent and voice. Only after establishing comfort does he introduce something new. He starts with a halter and a blanket, then moves to a bit and bridle, and finally the saddle.

Over the next few months, he leads the horse outside, walking alongside it with the saddle secured until the animal grows comfortable with the weight. Only after this milestone does he sit in the saddle without riding, allowing the horse to experience his weight in an entirely new way. Eventually, the horse is fully ready to be ridden—shaped not by harsh dominance, but by steady, patient care.

This is how God works within our souls. He doesn’t break us through the friction of force or fear. Instead, He begins with His presence. He draws near until His gentleness becomes familiar, allowing His nearness to bring us perfect peace. Once we are grounded, the Lord slowly introduces new responsibilities.

These assignments grow into spiritual disciplines, which eventually reveal foundational truths and bring necessary corrections. He leads us out of our familiar stalls, guiding us into open spaces where we learn to walk with Him in entirely new ways. When the time is right, He places His weight upon us. He does this not to burden our lives, but to teach us how to carry His eternal purposes with grace.

As I was writing these pages, I was suddenly reminded of a television segment I once saw about a border collie. In that moment, I realized God was giving me a living illustration of willing responsiveness—a simple clip that struck my heart with unforgettable force.

THE POWER OF LOVE AND DEVOTION

I once sat mesmerized in front of the television, watching a border collie execute a series of intricate tasks. While his eyes remained locked on the target before him, his ears stayed perfectly tuned to the voice he loved most. Observing this segment, I was struck by the dog’s intense concentration. He was fully engaged, and every movement was intentional. Because he knew his master’s voice so intimately, the slightest verbal cue prompted an immediate reaction—whether he was commanded to move forward, halt, step backward, or turn around. This seamless compliance required no whips, bridles, or external pressure. He didn’t even need the promise of a treat.

The reward was never the physical object he retrieved, nor was it the public praise he earned. His prize was simply the joy of pleasing the owner he adored. What I witnessed in that video clip went far beyond standard behavior modification; it was the unmistakable fruit of long, faithful companionship. Hours upon hours spent in close proximity had forged an unbreakable alliance between them. The dog’s obedience flowed effortlessly from the one who held his heart—serving as the outward expression of a resilient inward bond.

Suddenly, the truth pierced me: this is exactly how God calls us to live. He never intended for us to be dragged by systemic pressure, restrained by legalistic fear, or jerked into submission by the exhaustion of guilt. Instead, He designed us to be drawn entirely by love.

One of the greatest challenges believers face is not a lack of knowledge or physical strength, but a stubbornly set heart. At any moment, we can brace ourselves against God without realizing it. No amount of willpower can loosen this rigidity; only deliberate time with the Master softens what has grown resistant.

In His presence, our quiet compromises surface. He shows us where we have settled for what is worthless, clears our mental fog, separates truth from deception, and exposes the hidden motives we conceal even from ourselves.

This is the true sword of the Spirit—living, active, and sharp, cutting to the deepest parts of soul and spirit (Hebrews 4:12). It reveals what we cling to and what we must release. When God uncovers these places, He changes our desires and melts our resistance so we genuinely want His way.

Both images lead us to the same conclusion: God is not after mechanical obedience but a heart tuned to His voice. And this is where the excerpt settles—into the quiet reality that spiritual attentiveness is not complicated, exhausting, or reserved for the deeply disciplined. It is simply the posture of a heart that welcomes Him into the ordinary moments of life.

GOD’S GENTLE WAY WITH US

God does not demand forced obedience but a heart attentive to His voice. He knows we have families, work, and daily responsibilities. What He desires is not endless hours but an inward attentiveness—a heart that checks in with Him throughout the day and welcomes Him into ordinary moments (Psalm 143:8).

In the kingdom, quality outweighs quantity. A few honest minutes can redirect an entire day, and a quiet inward plea can steady a drifting soul. God longs to be woven into our conversations, decisions, and routines so that trust becomes natural when larger battles arise. This is the heartbeat of God. He is not asking for exhausting religious activity but for a turned, listening heart. Attentiveness is the catalyst that transforms a life.

As His presence loosens our stiff, defensive places, we find courage to drop our survival strategies and release what we were never meant to carry. At the Master’s feet, the soul finally rests and steps into the spacious, beautiful place He has prepared all along.

Let these words remind you that God is not trying to overpower you or drag you into maturity. He is drawing you—patiently, intentionally, and with unwavering gentleness. Every nudge, every whisper, every moment of conviction invites you into deeper trust.

The Master is not asking you to run harder or try more; He is asking you to turn your ear.

And here is the thought I want to leave with you: the more familiar His voice becomes, the more natural obedience feels.

May this month be marked by a softened heart, a listening spirit, and the quiet confidence that you are being led—carefully, lovingly, and with purpose—into the spacious place He has prepared for you.

In His Loving Name,

Life with Father Ministries

If you’ve never surrendered your life to the Lord, you can pray this simple prayer and receive Eternal Salvation: Dear Jesus, I realize I’m a sinner. You died on the Cross to remove my sin, and I accept that sacrifice as payment for my sin. I turn from my sin and ask you to forgive me and give me eternal life. Thank you, Jesus, I receive that forgiveness and ask you to lead and guide me into a life that is pleasing to you. Amen.