Fit to be Tied

05/08/2026

Ride Ready.

​That's what we tell our grandchildren when they climb into the saddle (or when we set them in it, in Caroline's case).

​We tell them to "ride ready" because even the most well-trained horse in the most predictable situation still weighs 1,200 pounds... and they’re still sitting five feet off the ground. We want them to know that things can change in an instant. And when it does, their preparedness has to be stronger than their natural instincts.

​The same goes for life. We’re called to live ready because even the most stable situations can turn in a heartbeat. Believe me, I've lived through my fair share of those moments.

​Jesus tells us in Matthew 24 to "keep watch" because we do not know on what day the Lord will come. He gives us one parable after another about the cost of being caught unprepared. Just like our training keeps us from panicking when things go western in the saddle, our faith should keep us from panicking when life goes pear-shaped.

As much as we want to panic, we must learn to sit back and trust the only One who is truly worthy of it. We have to learn to lean on the everlasting arms.

​My children like to adapt a quote from The Incredibles and tell each other: "What are you talking about? You are a child of God! Pull yourself together!" It's exactly right, too. If we choose our spiritual preparedness over our frantic instincts and lean on the Father, we’ll be living ready for whatever is heading our way—even if that "whatever" is the Day of the Lord. And oh, what a wonderful day that will be!

​By the way... After months of telling our littles to "ride ready" without ever explaining the mechanics of it, we finally asked 4-year-old Caroline what she thought it meant.

​Her response?

"It means hang on!"

​Hang on, believers. I know a Man who will never let you down if you just hang on to Him.

04/25/2026

We're on! The weather looks like it's gonna hold off until this afternoon.

Festivities will begin on schedule at 10 and I'll be taking the round pen at 11.

If you're in the area, come on out to Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Flintville, TN and hear how if you want to be used for something, you first have to be tied to something.

God's going to be doing great things today and you aren't gonna want to miss it!

04/24/2026

Don't forget: Fit to be Tied - Pleasant Hill Baptist Church is tomorrow!

The forecast is calling for some morning rain, but we aren't letting a little water stop us. I’m thankful for a host church that gives us the flexibility to wait out the clouds so we can still share the Gospel. And I'm not afraid to get a little mud on my boots!

The church is hosting a full kids day, other events starting at 10:00, and hotdogs at noon, so there’s plenty going on all day.

The start time for FTBT is posted for 11:00, but with weather delays, we may kick off closer to 1:00. Check the FTBT page for updates.

But either way, come on out!

Bring shoes for damp ground, a lawn chair, and an expectation to encounter Christ.

We’ll see y’all at the round pen.

04/19/2026

04/15/2026

"I had ZERO intention of attending church this morning."

That's how Diana Smith started her Facebook post. And I know we've all had those Sundays before. But one thing we've learned with Fit to be Tied is that our plans are rarely taken into consideration when God wants to lead us to something new.

"So...what happened was, I went outside to enjoy my coffee, I could hear church music very clearly. Walked to the corner and listened a bit, then closer, then closer and closer."

Diana wasn't looking for a sermon on Sunday, but the sermon found her anyway and she drew in. We've all been grinning ear to ear reading this because that's the kind of curiosity that leads people to God. And that's all we've ever wanted to do.

Our prayer is that same curiosity comes to everyone who hears what God is doing through us at Fit to be Tied.

"Yup, I was the crazy lady in her moo moo and flip flops standing in the road listening to a very powerful message with a few tears running down yesterday's make up."

Video and quote courtesy of Diana Smith and used with her permission.

04/12/2026

Y'all, the event today at Puryear Christian Life Church was just a blessing to be a part of. We are so thankful that God has chosen us to bring this message to so many people and touch so many lives.

I pray that everyone left today feeling convicted to take a step forward and put a little slack in their rope.

04/12/2026

Today's the day! We're set up here across from Puryear Christian Life Church on this absolutely gorgeous day. We've got Rosie here, along with Smoothie and Salty and we're ready to bring God's word.

We use horses to illustrate how God expects us to act when He needs us to act. And how to be still when He needs us to be still. Teaching us these lessons is a life long process that all starts when we finally give in to His touch and become Fit to be Tied.

God bless, we'll see y'all at the round pen.

Fit to be Tied - Puryear Christian Life Church

01/20/2026

“Before getting on a c**t’s back, I need to get in his head.”
~ Jim Stockdale

Control over a c**t’s actions is gained by earning his trust in his thinking. If he learns to trust me on the ground, most young horses can carry that trust to their back. Until his mind is settled, his body never will be.
It’s much the same with our relationship with God.

The transformation of our thinking may be His greatest gift to us. We are not trapped in toxic patterns or old ways of seeing the world. He gives us the ability to change our minds so we can experience real freedom. Scripture calls it the renewing of the mind.

Behavior follows belief. Every time.

When a young horse carries a rider toward the horizon, he’s tasting true freedom. Not the unbridled freedom of the wilderness, but the disciplined freedom of discovery and provision. While he serves my purpose, I serve his needs and give him access to things he could never reach on his own.

Everyone has a master.

True freedom lies in trusting the right one.

01/12/2026

Not all dreams start with a finished bridge to the other side of where you’re trying to go. Most don’t.

Most start with a gap.

Sometimes the bridge you need to cross that gap shows up looking a whole lot more like a shovel and a chainsaw than it looks like progress.

The work comes before the access. The building comes before the crossing.

Bridges give access. They take you from where you are to where you couldn’t reach on your own. They make what once felt unattainable suddenly possible—but only after someone is willing to do the hard, unglamorous work of building them.

That’s what we’re doing on the J Bar S. We’re cutting trails and building bridges with the hope and expectation that the Lord will use this ground someday to create ministry opportunities right here at home.

Stay tuned for progress reports.

01/07/2026

Welcoming a new year while bidding farewell to the old is best done with family and friends on horseback.

Over the past few months, the Lord has opened a new chapter for our family and for Fit To Be Tied. God has given us new ground to steward, and we’re grateful to finally introduce it to you.

We’ve recently moved the ministry to this new piece of ground in Tennessee that we’re calling J—S Ranch (J Bar S)—a place that will become home to Fit to be Tied, Latin American Ministry, and everything God continues to build through it.

Here at the J Bar S, we've been busy building new trails and riding the old ones. We are not only creating new paths but also fostering new trail riders. Between Christmas and New Year’s Day, the weather was perfect for riding. Both of our daughters, Kristen and Brittney, love to ride, and their children share the same passion.

Many of you may be familiar with Patty, the mare I use in the first half of the Fit To Be Tied round pen presentation. She has a special bond with our youngest granddaughter, Caroline. Patty is usually a no-nonsense mare, but she has a soft spot for Caroline. For some reason, Patty loves her and enjoys receiving kisses on the nose and gentle pats from her.

As 2026 begins beautifully here in Tennessee, we wish you all the best for a year filled with blessings. We look forward to seeing you on the trail ahead!

Happy New Year

Jim & Pam Stockdale