Showin Up!

You ever have one of those days when it takes all you have to concentrate? Maybe you are tired, or preoccupied, or...you fill in the blank. Whatever the case, life can be tough to deal with on a good day. I did not play many sports in school when younger, but I tried football for awhile. One of the last times I took the field, was in the 7th grade. I do not have great stories of sacrifice and glory from my days as an athlete, but one day I hold especially dear. Our team went to play for the District Championship. It was an evening game, and we went into the old Cobb Stadium in Dallas, Texas. I still remember what it felt like taking the field!
We were dressed out in our White uniforms with Purple Numbers. We were the Leila P. Cowart Panthers. Wow, that was a long time ago! It's tough to imagine Leila P. Cowart being a powerhouse. More than what we were or did that day, I remember coach Morrison. He was one of my heroes! I remember him telling us before the game, "We have to show up! We have to think on our feet! We have to do what we've learned! Most of all we have to SHOW UP and Beat these guys!"
Show up! We knew exactly what he meant! Not just show up in physical form, but mentally be there and think on our feet! He used to say in his kind mannerism, "PAY ATTENTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" It must have tough for him to get ideas across to us. We were not the sharpest group of guys. Coach Morrison was a great coach and teacher. To be honest, I can't remember who won that game. But I know we were all on our toes, paying attention to what we were doing while we were on the field. And the most amazing thing of all, was I got to go into the game for a couple of downs! What a feeling! To get to step out on the field during such a game!
God wants us to live life the same way our coach wanted us to play on the field. God wants us to be alert! He wants us to show up! To be there for people in times of pain and trouble. God wants us to show up each day! The first person I try to show up for is God! And then of course, my lovely wife! Then, others I meet through the day. God has people in our path all through the week that He wants us to be there with and be there for. Who are you showing up for? What is God placing in your path?
Have a blessed week!

Hy

A Big World!

Isn't it amazing how our viewpoint can change? I grew up in South Dallas, and as a child was called by the name Junior. My father of course, was Herman and I was his son... Jr. I soon began to feel a little like "A Boy Named Sue," to say it as Johnny Cash spoke of. Anyway, living in Dallas was great growing up. There was lots to do, lots of friends, activities, and the like. When I went into High School, I still went by that name, though I was trying to overcome it. Then after finishing High School, I took a trip overseas to Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Holy Land. It was a two week trip with lots of stops, and of course, everyone called me Jr. I began asking folks to call me J. R. instead, and someone noticed that name in Germany, and in broken English asked, "J. R.? Are you from Dallas?"
Well, of course I was, and I showed them my driver's license as proof! At that time, the whole world was tuned into the T V Show "Dallas!" And it was during the season when J. R. was going to be shot! I actually had a person or two ask for my autograph, though I looked nothing like the star of the show... I was just 17! I began to realize though, with the world as your stage, anything can happen!
It was on this trip that I learned what a big place the world really is! We flew from Dallas, to Frankfurt, and seemed like an eternity in the air! Then we rode by bus for a week traveling Europe, and flew to Israel, where we again rode around the world in a bus. It was a great trip, but the thing I learned was simply that my perspective as a boy growing up, was way to small! The world really is a big place!
Do you ever get stuck in your "own little world?" I think we all tend to do that. I know right now, I may not get to know everyone who reads this. But I do have a few followers, that are interested. I pray for everyone who reads this daily. In the wake of recent occurrences in our world, I am reminded that I can still get lost in my own little world. There are many things going on, and I would like to ask you to pray for your world. The world where you live needs prayer, and also the bigger, busy world around! We remember the Ft. Hood Soldiers this week, and I pray for them and their families especially! They were going to a huge world to fight on our behalf, and now have a completely different set of problems to deal with. I pray also for the offender in this situation. I pray that most of all, God will turn it out for their good, as Romans 8:28 says. Let me encourage you to pray for our world!

Blessings,
Hy

Making Headway!

Well, it won't be long now! Therisa and I are getting ready to launch our www.thbdesigns.com This has been in the works for some time now, but has never been ready for actual shopping traffic. I hope that in the next day or two, we can get it moving and let you see it work! I hope that you will consider sharing the Cross of Jesus Christ with friends and relatives during the holidays! Therisa came up with this manufacturing business in October 2005! We have been so blessed through it. But now, we are getting ready to launch the website to the entire world! We are ready to go wherever God may lead, so please pray for us as we take this huge step of faith.
It is our prayer that through THB Designs and HY-Road Ministries, that we can help change the world! It is our mission to share Christ everywhere we go! We plan to move into other areas soon aslo, as I will be releasing various songs I've written and recorded. I have also written some short stories which will be released as E-Books and soon to be published! God has richly blessed us, but now more than ever we need your prayers!
I hope to build a network online of Compassionate Christians that will pray for us and work with us on special projects. Please do pray for us, for God is bringing amazing people into our network online currently. We want most of all to follow God's leadership! So please pray for us daily!

Blessings,
Hy

Rest For The Weary!

Time is so very important! I can't tell you how much I love to spend time... just being home! With all that is going on, my job and things that come up, it seems like most of my time is spent just driving. Some weeks are like that. I choose to live about an hour from my full time job. I prefer the small town atmosphere, country life, and the beauty of nature that goes with it. So my sweet wife and I chose a restful, quiet little place in the big Metropolis of Glen Rose, Texas. Actually a small community called Rainbow. We do some traveling, and I drive a great deal for my job into the Dallas-Ft. Worth area, but other than that, we are home bodies. It helps us so much to be able to spend time together. I am so blessed to be married to such an amazing, beautiful Angel!

When we look at our life together, we know that God has truly smiled on us. Taking time to understand God's blessing is something that is extremely important! God has so many wonderful blessings set aside for us. But when our world is turned upside down, or when the world doesn't make sense, it is at times difficult to see God's blessings. I want to encourage you to take time and rest. Draw close to God through prayer. Lean on Him. Hold fast to His Word and His power. I am always available to help you talk through tough situations. You can contact me through my email for my ministry at: hy-road@hotmail.com Remember I am praying for you, whoever may read my blog. Those of you who follow the blog, and who touch base with me on face book and twitter, I pray for you each and every day. See you sometime on twitter at: HyRoad Social Media is up and coming!

I have been praying about Hy-Road Ministries. I set this ministry up in 2007, and have been working toward some specific strategies. I am trying my best to learn Social Media venues, and hope to have a presence everywhere possible. I know that an online church as such sounds crazy, but we can build a network of caring people who want to work together on projects to share the love of Jesus Christ with the world. Currently I am working to move forward with some small projects, one of which is Operation Christmas Child. Any money raised through my online donations on this Blog between now and the end of the year will all go toward this ministry. There are also other ministries that we will take part in as time goes by. Most of all, I need to ask for your prayer. God has placed us in an amazing place filled with opportunities. Pray for Hy-Road Ministries, as I look to serve through prayer, counseling, music, writing, and preaching. Thank you for your prayer, and for your friendship!

Blessings,
Hy

Life With A Punching Bag!

I have always put my trust in God... or so I thought. But when I really looked at my life, I saw often my trust was in my church, my job, my friends, my famiily, but hardly ever really in God. This is such a tough thing to really understand! When looking at everything and everyone I surrounded myself with, and put my trust in, my world should have been a safe place. But without fail, I would always be frustrated and hurt because of how I was treated. So, when life sends you pain and hurt, what is left? I found the only thing left for me is God. But what happens when you believe God is sovereign, in total control, and you put your trust finally in Him, and you still are let down?

Another lesson I learned in Seminary, is about a thing called "theodicy." Essentially, this just means that sometimes "bad things still happen to good people." I suppose this is a fancy theological word to say, sometimes life just doesn't make sense, no matter what. It also leads me to add another item to my, "What the heck is wrong with this picture?" list-- that I have prepared to show to God when I get to heaven. My list is growing and growing.

Sometimes it is not enough to just mark things off, or make a list to ask questions of later. What about in the heat of the moment? What about having to deal with these tough issues? What about when someone dies for no reason, or from something that came on them so quick there was no warning?!! I gave this a rather strange title today. Did you notice? Sometimes life deals out such unfair stuff, that all I can find to do is want to punch something! So I went out and bought a 75 lb. punching bag! This is a heavy duty bag, ready to action. It is a special therapy I came up with, sometimes for myself, sometimes for a friend. I loaned this to a friend about three years ago, and picked it up earlier this week. So here it is, if anyone needs it. It won't completely cure what ails you, but it sure will help you deal with the anger and frustration that builds up when life doesn't make sense.

Of course, prayer, tears, following through with grief counseling, or just reading about grief and trying to understand how to deal with such things can be good. But sometimes there is nothing better than just a chance to haul off and waylay a 75 lb bag of stuffing! In the midst of it all, it doesn't make sense... but God is still here. In times like this I have to remind myself that God also lost someone very special.... But His son rose from the dead! Yes, He did! And I also have to remind myself... so will our dear loved ones! We will get to see them again! This is not the end. We just have to be there for each other in the meantime, however we can. So if anyone is reading this, I have this bag... if you ever need to use it. Contact me and we'll work something out!

Blessings,
Hy

When Life Doesn't Make Sense...

I have always wanted to be a student of life. There's something about life that is so intriguing! Each day brings new challenges and opportunities. And then there are times when it just doesn't make sense. To say it theologically, in a spiritually and holy way, "Sometimes life just SUCKS!!!" Yes, I know! I know! My mother taught me better than that! In fact, I could not say that word while living under her roof! Well, guess what? I had to take a chance. I know that in some cases, having read something like that on a Ministry Blog, the reader might change the channel, or move to another page. If that happens, then I'll miss you, but truth is, sometimes life is just not fair.
Through the Old Testament, especially in the book of Psalms, the writer does not waste any words. In fact, there are times when it seems the person writing the verse, stops and shakes his fist in anger at God! This always bothered me terribly! How can you dare be mad at God? Won't He strike you down if you shake your fist at him? One thing I learned in my cemetery training... Oh, I mean, er uh, Seminary training. Yeah, that's it! Anyway, one thing I learned there, is that God is not intimidated by any thought or action that we can point in His direction!
I have missed a few days of blogging, I guess because I was getting into that mode of being mad at God. My wife and I have some dear friends, who recently lost someone very special. The family is doing their best to hang in there, but this is so much one of those situations previously described! I am not sure how much I should say due to the family's need for privacy, so I am not going to write of any details. However, when someone steps from this life into the next, especially someone young, that is without doubt a time when life does not make sense! And in those situations, what do we do?
For me, as a Christian, that is where you might say, "the rubber meets the road." Or where, I have to "put my money where my mouth is," as the expressions go. As a pastor for 17 plus years, I have spoken of Faith and Trust in God. And sooner or later, that faith always gets tested. In cases like this, that is just what happens. God is not just throwing things in our path simply to test our faith, but when bad things happen to good people, our faith is surely put to the test. It may take me a few days to verbalize all that is going through my mind, so please bear with me. I hope that you will take a moment and consider this question: "Where is your faith?" Is your faith in your family, your friends, or your job? Or is your faith really in God? One of the most important things we can do is to stop and reflect on this question. What is your answer? I'll continue this thought sometime tomorrow. Remember I am reflecting on this too. And I will talk to you soon.

Blessings,
Hy

Late Lunch!

Taking time for yourself is sometimes difficult. Work is busy, and eating at the office, in a cubicle can be relaxing... if you take a moment to just take a moment. How do you survive the challenges and difficulties of your day? How do you escape? Currently, my wife and I own a business, and we are working to start up an online business. In addition, I have been writing an E-book. Oh, I have written several songs also... and did I mention that I also have a full time job? Life is busy to say the least. When I take time for lunch, I often try to escape into my computer. Either I blog... like today, or catch up with friends on face book, or maybe write my wife a note to just remind her how much she loves me. Oh, I mean, how much I love her!
In any event, it is important to take time for yourself. Therisa and I have lots to do, but in the midst of it all we both must remember to take time for each other, and for ourselves. Life is wonderful and exciting and fun... except when we allow the world around us to stress us. When this happens, we have to call a time out! It is important for us, to see the need before we reach a point of no return. When that happens, life gets stressful for everyone! Well, I have more to add, but I'm now out of time. Back to work I go. Hope you are blessed today!

Blessings,
Hy

Busyness Does Not Equal Success!

Wow! This week is already kicking me in the backside! I have so much to do! Sometimes I look at my calendar, and think, "Lord! How am I going to get through this?" In times like these, I know it is just by the grace of God! I intended to write this piece early Monday. But here I am at home late, not yet in bed. I should be sleeping, but what's that saying? "We can sleep when we're dead?" Or something like that. So here I am working out a word of encouragement for myself, and hopefully you too!
So in the busyness of this week, let me ask you, "What are you accomplishing?" Are you reaching your goals of success? I am making some headway, but I always find it is best when I have a plan! This week my schedule is busy, and I must follow my plan! I have to do things on purpose! I must make certain things a priority! I must show up and have my head in the game. I need to show my wife that I care. I need to prove to my boss that I care, and am accomplishing goals set before me. I must make time for my children and be ready for the family reunion this next weekend. So much to do, and so little time!
But that is often what life is. So many things to get done, and always still more beckoning. Can you feel the pressure? Likely your life is much the same. This is where we take a step back and remind ourselves, "This is my priority." I get into the most trouble when I try to make everything a priority. That is when the pressure really comes. What is your priority? Write that down on paper, and then move from there! Have a blessed day! Will talk to you again real soon!
Blessings,
Hy

TGIF!!!!!!!!!!

Today is a very special day for Therisa and I! It is the day before our Third, first Anniversary! We celebrate three days in a row for our Wedding Anniversary each year! Sounds silly, but great fun! You see, we intended three years ago, to be married on the beach in Cancun, Mexico on October 19. After finding out how logistically impossible that would have been to be married in a foreign country, we opted to be married the day before. So off to Gorman, Texas where a good friend of mine officiated the wedding. We were actually married on October 18th and immediateley headed to the airport! We flew to Cancun, and enjoyed an amazing Honeymoon! Then after returning home, we rec'd our wedding license in the mail. We found that it had been signed and dated showing that we were married on October 17, 2006! Since this realization, we have just celebrated all three days just to be sure!

We do our best to make every day a celebration! I cannot tell you how important it is to find joy in each day. I am so very blessed to married to such an amazing lady! Therisa blesses me each and every day in ways I cannot understand, and especially ways that I do not deserve. I see Jesus in her action and attitudes. I am truly blessed byond measure through her life and effort. We make it our prayer together each day, that people all over the world will find this same love and fulfillment in their marriage that we have found.


Blessings on you today!

Hy

Thoughtful Reflection

A freind shared this with me some months ago. I am not sure who said it first, but I have been reflecting on it for some time now. Hope it helps you in your Journey also!


"If you keep on doing what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got!"

Take some time and think on this one. It is well worth the time and consideration. You can apply this to any area! This works with home, family, job, finances, health, (or lack of), and on and on. This is an ongoing lesson for me. The scripture talks about "taking thoughts captive." The Apostle Paul, when he said this in the New Testament, means that we control our thoughts, and when we control our thoughts, likewise our emotions and destiny will follow. The world wants to tell us we're not good enough, or not talented enough, or smart enough, or worthy enough. God tells us that through Jesus, we are worthy, intelligent, talented, and by His blood we are set free! Don't let your actions and thoughts limit your destiny any longer!

My prayer is that this Blog will be a meaningful part of your week. I may not have a post each day, but I will try my best to at least have a thought or a quote worth remembering. Presently we are seeking to share ministry with whomever God brings across our path. If you have a specific need or prayer request, feel free to contact me or leave a post below. Thank you for your time and friendship!

I added a new feature to my Blog today. Hy-Road Ministries can now accept donations via paypal. At the bottom of my blog, you can click on the donate button if you feel lead. All offerings will be used to further the Kingdom of Jesus Christ! We have some special projects that we'll be telling you about real soon! Stay tuned! God is moving in the lives of people all around us!

Blessings,
HY

Journey of a Lifetime!

Are you anything like me? Young? Good looking? Intelligent? Oh, sorry... how does that song go? "You like dreamin..." Yeah, I do like dreamin! Isn't that what we are supposed to do? All around we are told to have dreams, make plans, and move toward your dreams! What about the American Dream? Well, lately the American Dream is just shy of a Nightmare! And today we have so many tools and ways to communicate, there is really no longer any excuse for not fulfilling our dreams. But of course to do that, we must know how to manipulate the tools at our disposal.
For several years now, I have been the confused recipient of thousands of online email offers! Each day I might receive 2-300 offers via email. These quickly fill up my spam filter, and then gush over into my regular email list. Honestly, I spend 15-30 minutes per day just scrolling and hitting the delete button. If you're anything like me, your life is similiar! How much time do you spend on the computer? How many offers a day do you delete? I believe the delete button is the most utilized spot on my laptop! If only a delete button, or tv remote could operate more than just their single utility! But then I'd be fast-forwarding or rewinding something all of the time. At least then I would gain better comprehension.

All this being said, I want to invite you to visit my Blog. If you are reading this, obviously you are already here. I hope that you will comment, and try to return in the days ahead. I will try to keep these entries short and to the point. (My sweet wife is skeptical about this possibility.) I did state I will "try." But I also promise the information here is going to be helpful to you. I pray it will be encouraging, insightful, and inspirational! I am beginning to shape my dreams of success. Therisa and I are moving toward a hi-tech intense learning of all the tools on the Internet, so that we can share and encourage others.

Part of my invitation to reading this blog, is also an invitation to joining us on "The Journey Of A Lifetime!" We have so much to learn, and having started this past weekend, we have gained a great deal of ground. Please stay tuned for further developments! Let me know you are there by "following" or by emailing me. I want to pray for you and encourage you. Blessings on you and yours! Hold on to your dreams. If you are not yet living them, take a moment and reshape them. Join Therisa and I on our Journey! Look forward to seeing you there!

Blessings,

HY

Relevant?

Over the weekend, I met a gentleman at an Internet Business Seminar. We were talking, and my first impression I knew was important. I gave him my business card, which has a picture of our product on it, and he hesitated while looking at it. He was genuinely trying to understand, and asked, "What's the relevance?"

Man was I in shock! He was holding my family's life in his hand, a product we have been spreading all over the United States since October 2005! He was just being honest, when he asked this question! I must admit, this was the most profound moment of my life experience in the past 20 years!

My wife and I are the owners of THB Designs, and we manufacture Barbed Wire, Beaded Crosses. (You can find us at http://www.thbdesigns.com/) I tried not to show my surprise. I caught my breath and I told him, it is a religious symbol: The Cross of Christ. And it is a home decor and/or gift item. "Oh, yes of course." He kindly replied. I asked him about his business then, and realized he has a great wealth of experience online in sales. From then until now, I have not been able to get that conversation out of my mind. He is the first person I met at this seminar. He is also the one that had the greatest effect on me!

Now I am saddled with many questions of relevance! It is time for me to rethink everything I have done in the past years. It is time for me to re-create my life and business. It is time to stop accepting Mediocre as normal. It is time to begin effecting great change! The next time I see David, he will not have to ask this question of me. And now I will be spending every waking moment sharing Jesus with the world! Therisa and I will grow our business and ministry by volumes in order to answer this question! Here we come world! Our journey has just begun! Come join us as we seek to change the world!

Blessings,
Hy

Wow! 10-11-09

This weekend my wife and I attended an amazing, life changing event! We were invited to San Antonio, where we met some incredible business people! We own a wholesale business, and live in Rainbow, Texas! (For those unaware and sadly uninformed of this Huge Metropolis, we are just East of the Golf Course outside of Glen Rose, Texas.) So, we headed off to San Antonio for a couple of days to refresh and relax while networking with some Internet Savy People.

Holy Cow are we ever speachless!!!! But never before have we been so excited and on fire about life and business! We are so very thankful to have had this chance to meet the Barefoot Executive, and her entourage of talented internet entrepeneurs! I've been in some exciting places before in my life, but not anything like this! I hope you will keep up with my future posts! This is going to be an incredible journey! Please come join us!
Hy