| RIDIN' FOR THE BRAND |
The application of this term to the Christian walk is obvious. Living the life of the
Christian is one of the most difficult things a person will ever attempt. Some days we
do good; on others we can only manage to stumble along. The awesome truth is that
we are saved by God’s precious grace not by what we do. It is equally true that if we
have been touched by the hand of God and have experienced His grace upon our
lives, it will be visible to others. There simply is no such thing as a closet Christian. It
doesn’t matter if he’s a cowboy or a dude.
The ‘Ridin’ for the Brand’ section is a selection of Dogie’s short stories. Most of these
stories make a point dealing with Christian ethics. Most are taken from actual events
either experienced or witnessed along the firing line. I encourage you to take a
moment and think on the things of God. These stories are short and easy reading.
My prayer will always be that God in his grace will instill in us all the strength to ride
for His brand, the cross of Jesus. It is a difficult trail and we need all the help we can
get.
*L’Amour, Louis. Riding for the Brand. Bantam Books, New York 1986. 1.
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Louis L’Amour described “Riding for the Brand” in the following manner. “The term
‘riding for the brand’ was an expression of loyalty to a man's employer or the
particular outfit he rode for. It was considered a compliment of the highest order in an
almost feudal society. If a man did not like a ranch or the way they conducted their
affairs he was free to quit, and many did, but if he stayed on he gave loyalty and
expected it.
A man was rarely judged by his past, only by his actions. Many a man who came west
left things behind him he would rather forget, so it was not the custom to ask
questions. Much was forgiven if a man had courage and integrity and if he did his job.
If a man gave less than his best, somebody always had to take up the slack, and he
was not admired.”
‘riding for the brand’ was an expression of loyalty to a man's employer or the
particular outfit he rode for. It was considered a compliment of the highest order in an
almost feudal society. If a man did not like a ranch or the way they conducted their
affairs he was free to quit, and many did, but if he stayed on he gave loyalty and
expected it.
A man was rarely judged by his past, only by his actions. Many a man who came west
left things behind him he would rather forget, so it was not the custom to ask
questions. Much was forgiven if a man had courage and integrity and if he did his job.
If a man gave less than his best, somebody always had to take up the slack, and he
was not admired.”
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| Ridin' for the Brand, is the title of Dogie's book of short stories. Here are more stories from the cowboy action firing line. |
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