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

"WELL, I'LL BE HOG-TIED"

by Stephen Bly

Copyright©1993,2010

A local girls’ high school basketball team put on an excellent show. Quick, aggressive, fearless in diving after loose balls, they drove to the basket, fast break, full court press, and hit three points.  

An amazing exhibition. The other team looked like they wanted to go home after the first quarter. They lost by 35 points. 

An old timer next to me shook his head. “Them little ladies sure did hog-tie that team in green.” 

He got that right. The losing team seemed at times to be bound in ropes.

To hog-tie means to throw an animal and then bind it by tying its two hind feet and a front one together. In rodeo, the rope’s called a ‘piggin’ strang.’ Loop the forefoot and shove the back feet on top, then wrap all three with a couple loops and tie a half-hitch or hooey. This keeps the animal immobile while you do your doctoring or whatever else might need to be done.

You don’t hog-tie a horse. Or people. But you can tie them up socially or mentally or emotionally. Even spiritually.

Sin hog-ties us more than anything else. It incapacitates us, makes us useless to accomplish any good thing. 

The Bible says, “Throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (Hebrews 12:1).

Sometimes we hog-tie ourselves. Wouldn’t that be a weird sight? Does a runner prepare for a big race by tying both feet and a hand together? She’d wallow in the dirt while the other racers lapped her.

What hog-ties you? 

Jesus wants to set you free.

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

Stuart Brannon's Final Shot

AVAILABLE NOW!

Hardback & ebook -- Paperback edition by summer.
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.

It's 1905. Two orphans flee Oregon's Tillamook Head. One of them is branded a hero. Do they tell what really happened & risk a dangerous man's wrath?
Meanwhile, a retired lawman searches for his missing U.S. Marshal friend & grapples with the game of golf on behalf of a charity celebrity tournament.

"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

"(Stephen) Bly throws his readers into the fray from the first page and never lets up. . .I've loved (Stuart) Brannon since his first appearance many books ago, and though I know he eventually had to hit the trail, he will be missed." Award-winning author Kathleen Y'Barbo

AVAILABLE THROUGH. . .

www.Amazon.com

www.BarnesandNoble.com

 http://www.blybooks.com/

10 GIVENS OF CHRISTMAS

Stephen Bly

Copyright(c)1996

Emmanuel: “God with us”

What does that mean?

It signifies that . . .

 1) God is not against you (Romans 8:31 ff).

 2) You are never alone (Matthew 28:20, Hebrews 13:5).

 3) You’d better toe the line (John 14:20, Ephesians 4:30).

 

 4) You have instant, available help (John 15:16).

 5) You are not the one in charge (Philippians 2:13).

 6) You cannot chase him away (John 15).

 7) There is someone more important than you to consider (Luke 22:42).

 8) You are where the action is (Matthew 1:18-25).

 9) He is close during tough times (Acts 7:55).

10) Everything in your life will turn out okay (Revelation 21:4).

What special marvel about the Christmas story do you contemplate this year?

KNOW HOW TO FOLLOW A TONGUE?

On the Trail With. . .

Stephen Bly

Copyright©1993,2008

An old timer up our way left a high school basketball game in a snowstorm, took a wrong turn, and wound up three hours south of home.  I didn’t say too much. I’ve had my share of wrong turns, shortcuts, and getting lost down some scrubby back road. 

When I think about old timers, I’m amazed how the pioneers set out west without roads or decent maps and ended up where they wanted. They just followed the tongue. That is, every night under bright prairie stars, they took a bearing on the North Star. If they were driving cattle up from Texas to Kansas, they’d pull the covered wagon tongue around to head straight to the star. By daylight, they’d follow where the tongue pointed. If they were headed west in a covered wagon, they’d line the tongue perpendicular to the star. The North Star provided the constant to plot their direction.

You’ve got a true north constant too. Like pioneers who struggle across a wilderness, you wrestle with your own trials and troubles and hope to survive. Even though each day’s events and challenges might toss you to and fro. . .even though you might get bad advice. . .even though the landscape of your situation might seem strange or foreign. . .nevertheless, it’s possible to keep on track.

The Bible says to fix your eyes on Jesus, “the author and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2). He’s your best, most experienced guide. He provides crucial signposts along your daily journey.

In the evening and early morning, realign your mind and heart with Jesus. Straighten your will with His. Ask for His wisdom and way. He will keep you from wandering, from getting lost in the storms. You’ll wind up where you need to be.

When’s a time when you avoided disaster by keeping your focus on a biblical North Star?

COMING MAY 1st, 2011:  
Throw The Devil Off The Train,  
a historical western romance. . . .


Desperate for a change, Catherine Goodwin heads west to a fiance she hasn't seen in 17 years. 
Full of revenge and craving justice, Race Hillyard heads west while in desperate need of sleep...on the long, noisy train ride. 
Holdups, hijacks, kidnappings and gold mine swindles throw the two together. 
Fiery, opinionated and quick to react, can they stop hating each other long enough to throw the devil off the train?
 

PEACE ON THE STREET WHERE YOU LIVE

Janet Chester Bly

Janet in office

Copyright©2008

Need peace? I sure do. Especially today. Here's what I'm trying to do.

Start at your place. In your home. In your own heart.

Plant peace among your own kith and kin. Then, branch out from there.

How? Here's some hints:

1) Aim for unity, but don’t insist on uniformity. Respect those who don’t think just like you do. Determine to love them anyway.

2) Flee when you can from those who spark continual explosions. However, strive to do the hard work of getting along with difficult people. Sometimes you just have to let them be. Admit you can’t ‘fix’ everyone.

Bly bunkhouse

3) Pray and release. Find a private place where you can scream or cry when you want and no one’s disturbed. Wrestle with your burdens. Figure out a temporary escape route. A healthy retreat. A haven of rest. Even if it’s a closet. . .or bathroom. A perfect Peace Place can be a sanctuary, a wooded area, a corner of the library, or a table at Starbucks. Prove to yourself that peace is possible, even if you snatch it for only a few instants each day.

Stop by a church on a weekday. Claim a secluded beach or bench. Drive, bike, hike … or take the subway … to the most scenic place closest to your dwelling – a park, a lake, a river, a reserve or a garden.

4) Head for your house. Close the curtain. Shut the door. Just for today.

5) Or maybe all you have is privacy. You’re alone all the time. If so, what’s your main need? Take it to God in prayer … until you know from your heart that he is enough, whether or not he provides a friend or mate right away.

6) Practice God’s peace today in every phone call, every irritation, every contact, in any disappointment or sorrow. Build a habit of peace when you’re confronted by a person who you just don’t get. Who needles your most fine-tuned nerve. Who seems to use you.

7) Be calm. Be cool. Be collected.  Be kind and gracious … no matter what is said or done. Just for today.

"Try to stay out of all quarrels ... Look after each other so that not one of you will fail to find God's best blessings. Watch out that no bitterness takes root among you, for as it springs up it causes deep trouble, hurting many in their spiritual lives." (Hebrews 12:14,15 NKJV).

*******

How hard has it been for you to find peace lately?

What's your best solution?

Article: Download for free “31 Days To Win The Fight For Personal Peace” at http://BlyBooks.com/articles.htm

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EAR DOWN

Stephen Bly

Copyright©1993,2007

Just like most humans, my horse, Sundance, didn’t like shots. She got real nervous when she spied that little syringe. Even though she might be tied to a post, she had no intention of standing still and letting me or anyone else stick that needle in her rump. Often a neighbor helped me ‘ear her down’ while I applied the shot.

 

To ear down a horse, you use pressure to pull its ears straight down. If she tries to pull her head up, it hurts, so she stands still to avoid the pain. That’s the time to apply the needle. She’s so focused on what’s happening at one end, she forgets to bother with the other. Some owners clinch a tip of the ear in their teeth—that really gets their attention. Others twitch or twist the tongue, all for the same purpose: keep the horse’s mind occupied while doing the dreaded task for their own good.

Satan does something similar. He likes to get us all het up over one thing, while he slips in by another route and gives us a kick or two. The Bible says his purpose is “to steal and kill and destroy” (John 10:10). But the evil one’s way too smart to show up at the front door and announce that fact. The big, bad wolf of nursery rhyme fame huffs and puffs with direct threats. But not old ugly. He’ll get us stewing about how unfair life is, whose done us wrong, tie us up with financial worries, then attack our health, our marriage, or our friendships. Or vice-versa. Sometimes we get so caught up with a single negative issue that we neglect the very spiritual disciplines that can focus us to do something positive or to think creative and constructive.

 

God can ear us down too, to get our attention, to apply holy serum into our sin-sick lives. . .if we let him. “God disciples us for our good, that we may share in his holiness” (Hebrews 12:10). The trick is to pay attention to your ‘ear down’ moments and learn to recognize the difference between the dastardly diversions of the thief and the loving test of the heavenly father. For a great and positive purpose.

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Watch for a soon to be announced fun contest for winning a copy of my June 1^st release: Cowboy For A Rainy Afternoon.