HURRAH! & HOOK ‘EM!

Cowboy Rider, painting by Russell Bly

Stephen Bly 

Copyright©1993,2010

The National Finals Rodeo (NFR) is like the World Series or the Super Bowl. The very best cowboys and cowgirls in the world converge on Las Vegas every December to compete for millions in prize money. Not only do you watch superior rodeo athletes, but also the top bucking stock. Every bareback horse, saddle bronc and bull puts on an entertaining show of their own.

In addition, the event attracts the most knowledgeable rodeo fans. It’s not unusual to hear someone high up in the Thomas & Mack Arena holler, “Hook ‘em, cow!” That’s a shout of encouragement used since the days when rodeos provided after-work recreation at the branding corrals.

“Hook ‘em, cow!” That’s rodeo talk. Every sport’s got its own vocabulary. When a team-mate’s down or just getting steam, you’re liable to hear roars from the crowd or dugout or the coach’s bench. Sure, there’s boos. But also plenty of bravos and cheers.

The Bible exhorts us to spur others on in their trials and troubles: “Encourage one another daily” (Hebrews 3:13).

What do you say to someone who’s going through a mental, physical, or spiritual struggle? You might mention how sorry you are that they have to go through this crisis. “I’ll pray for you,” often means you’ll pray that the problem will go away, that he or she won’t have to face hard stuff.

That’s misguided.

What if you told the rodeo cowboy, “I’m so sorry you have to ride or chase that mean old bull. Maybe he’ll get sick and not show up. Or not buck at all!” But what he wants is the bull’s full participation, to buck its head off, so better to prove his ability to stay on anyway. To be a champion.

Life’s a ride, sometimes a very rough one. You need cheerleaders. You also need to be the one who reassures and heartens others. So those in the chutes can meet each new challenge head-on midst roars of "Hurrah!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ever been to a rodeo? What impressed you most?

When was time you most needed and encouragement and who gave it to you?

~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Stuart Brannon's Final Shot

Now available -- hardback & ebook & paperback
Stuart Brannon's Final Shot, by Stephen Bly
with Janet Chester Bly, Russell Bly, Michael Bly & Aaron Bly

Finishing Dad's novel was a family affair. Can a committee create fiction? We had the passion and four months to find out.
 
It's 1905. Two orphans flee from Oregon's Tillamook Head. One of them is branded a hero. Dare they tell the truth and risk the wrath of a dangerous man? Meanwhile, a retired lawman searches for his missing U.S. Marshal friend while he grapples with the game of golf on behalf of a celebrity tournament.
 
The first 3 original Stuart Brannon Series and Stuart Brannon's Final Shot now available on Amazon Kindle, Nook & Apple iBook. Paperback releases soon. Titles: Hard Winter At Broken Arrow Crossing, False Claims At The Little Stephen Mine and Last Hanging At Paradise Meadow.
 
"Stuart Brannon's Final Shot delivers and reminds us what we'll miss most about the beloved author." Jerry B. Jenkins, NYT Bestselling novelist & biographer

COWBOY HONDAS

                                          By Stephen Bly

    Copyright©1993,2010

Long before Japanese car imports…in fact, decades before they invented automobiles…hondas existed in the U.S.A. To an old-time cowboy, a honda is a knotted or spliced eyelet at the business end of a rope used for making or building a loop.

 

Sometimes a metal honda or ring was used, but many a cattleman figured the metal could gouge out an eye and wouldn’t set tight as well. So, most hondas are tied into the rope itself, whether it’s hemp or nylon, with a piece of slick leather, called a burner, sewn about the upper end of the loop. The rope won’t easily wear through it. A rawhide reata consists of a honda braided into the rope.

The honda is a tiny loop that allows the main part of the rope to thread like string through the eye of a needle. The honda and the burner provide places to check out an old rope to see how much it’s been abused. No matter what the size of the catch, the pressure mounts on the honda.

 Ever feel like a honda? Got the main stress for a program? A group? A problem? A relationship?

St. Paul endured that kind of tension: “Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?” (2 Corinthians 11:28,29).

Everyone who's serious about leadership relates to Paul. That’s part of the calling, the divine duty to bear.

Here’s some simple helps if you’re feeling honda heavy.

1) Get out. Breathe a moment of pure air. Jiggle some joy.

2) Take some time off—get away from the strain, if only an hour or two.

2) Plan a mini-vacation—one you’ve put off for a long time.

3) Save change in a get-away jar—fun money that saves your sanity.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Stuart Brannon's Final Shot

 Stuart Brannon's Final Shot by Stephen Bly
(with Janet, Russell, Michael & Aaron Bly)
now available in hardback. . .ebook. . .paperback.

Finishing Dad's novel was a family affair. Can a committee create fiction? We had the passion and four months to find out.

Two orphans flee Oregon's Tillamook Head. One of them is branded a hero. Dare they tell the truth and risk the wrath of a dangerous man? Meanwhile, a retired lawman searches for his missing U.S. Marshal friend while he grapples with the game of golf on behalf of a celebrity tournament.


www.Amazon.com
www.BarnesandNoble.com
www.BlyBooks.com

LESSONS FROM THE OPEN ROAD

Lessons From The Open Road

Devotionals by K. Dawn Byrd

Sometimes life is hard. Sometimes learning new things is hard. Just when I thought I'd mastered the parking lot where I was learning to ride my little Yamaha Virago starter bike, I pulled out, forgot to hit the brake, did an Evel Knievel, and jumped a short concrete wall, landing in some trees. My poor little bike limped home with a hole in the crankcase the size of a quarter. J-B Weld to the rescue!

I'm stubborn, too stubborn to quit. After I recovered from the sore neck that resulted from my stunt, I climbed back on the old iron horse. Eventually, I graduated from the parking lot and hit the streets. When I'd learned to ride well enough to satisfy hubby, he bought himself a new Harley and I inherited his anniversary edition Harley Davidson Sportster. And, when I graduated with my masters degree, you'd never guess what I wanted. Yep, a new bike. I became the proud owner of a Screamin Eagle V-Rod.