I was in a meeting with some friends and one of them commented that fantasy was the opposite of gratitude. When we have a fantasy about anything – More Money, A Better Car or Motorcycle, That Woman at the office, Etc. we are in effect saying that reality is not enough and that God’s provision is not sufficient. This kind of thinking always leads to comparison of ourselves and others or our stuff and their stuff and then to resentment towards others, God and ourselves.
Thanksgiving on the other hand is based in reality as we focus on the blessing in our life we are saying I have enough. Cultivating an attitude of thanksgiving and gratitude makes it possible to stop looking at other for what we can get from them or for reasons to resent them for what they have. Instead, it allows us to look at others and ask “what can I give?” It is an attitude that says with David in Psalm 23 “I shall not want” or I shall not be left wanting for any good thing because God is my shepherd and he is really good at being a shepherd so much so that he knows more about what I need than I ever will.
God is a giver… He gave His son while we were his mortal enemies. He gives life, sunshine, rain, good soil and crops. Since we are made in His image we too are designed to be givers. Gratitude makes giving possible as compared to ingratitude which turns our hearts to focus on taking.
This week we celebrate Thanksgiving but one day a year is not enough because without thanksgiving my heart and soul wither in the muck of self seeking and self will and in that diminished state I am little more than a mean spirited greedy old man. When I practice gratitude as a daily discipline my heart grows and I live in peace and joy looking for opportunity to give of myself to others knowing God will always care for me.
I hope this Thanksgiving Day is filled with joy for you and is a start to a life filled with gratitude and thanksgiving.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Monday, November 19, 2007
Simple Joys
This week two things happened that caused me to thing about this BLOG and the way I write. First I got an e-mail from a friend who I worked with about 4 ½ years ago and he commented on the BLOG saying that I think deeply about things. The second was something my wife said at a reading and book signing she had at a local tea room after being published as a contributing author in Chicken Soup for the Tea Lover’s Soul. She was talking about simple pleasures and mentioned that for me riding the motorcycle was one of my simple pleasures.
So with that in mind I will focus on the simple pleasure of having a two days of great weather on the third weekend in November in Denver which is an unexpected gift so for the whole weekend if I have anywhere to go I went on the motorcycle.
Saturday was two rides with my son who has taken to riding like a fish to water. His only negative comment was with the end of the ride we were in the mountains and it got dark and this time of year when the sun goes down it gets cold fast. The cold wind was blowing up his pant leg and was not fun. We decided that on our next ride he would try his snow boots rather than his tennis shoes so he would have an extra layer on his ankle.
Sunday he and I rode for donuts and then to church, after church I met my brother-in-law and one of his friends and we rode to and through the mountains for an hour and a half before stopping for gas and to visit. They both had plans and decided to head home so I rode on alone for another two and a half hours and saw several deer, elk and even a buffalo. The ride topped off with a spectacular sunset. Sure beats watching the Chargers lose.
I have noticed that I am repeating rides on the same roads over and over again. Granted they are beautiful rides and I can only go so far into the mountains before encountering the snow line but it got me thinking about the big trip next summer. The plan is to take a week off and to travel for seven or eight days while avoiding interstates starting and ending in Denver. Beyond that nothing is planned so if you have any favorite spots to see or favorite roads please share them with me as the trip plans are being made. If you have ever wanted to tell me where to go this is you chance laterally.
So no deep insight on how to have a better relationship with God this week, just the joy of simple pleasures, I hope you are experiencing them in your life.
So with that in mind I will focus on the simple pleasure of having a two days of great weather on the third weekend in November in Denver which is an unexpected gift so for the whole weekend if I have anywhere to go I went on the motorcycle.
Saturday was two rides with my son who has taken to riding like a fish to water. His only negative comment was with the end of the ride we were in the mountains and it got dark and this time of year when the sun goes down it gets cold fast. The cold wind was blowing up his pant leg and was not fun. We decided that on our next ride he would try his snow boots rather than his tennis shoes so he would have an extra layer on his ankle.
Sunday he and I rode for donuts and then to church, after church I met my brother-in-law and one of his friends and we rode to and through the mountains for an hour and a half before stopping for gas and to visit. They both had plans and decided to head home so I rode on alone for another two and a half hours and saw several deer, elk and even a buffalo. The ride topped off with a spectacular sunset. Sure beats watching the Chargers lose.
I have noticed that I am repeating rides on the same roads over and over again. Granted they are beautiful rides and I can only go so far into the mountains before encountering the snow line but it got me thinking about the big trip next summer. The plan is to take a week off and to travel for seven or eight days while avoiding interstates starting and ending in Denver. Beyond that nothing is planned so if you have any favorite spots to see or favorite roads please share them with me as the trip plans are being made. If you have ever wanted to tell me where to go this is you chance laterally.
So no deep insight on how to have a better relationship with God this week, just the joy of simple pleasures, I hope you are experiencing them in your life.
Monday, November 5, 2007
Integrity and Motives
First weekend in November and the weather was great in the Denver Area. My wife was at a retreat so my son and did everything on the bike. Saturday was the first playoff game for the Hawks, my nephew’s football team and they won so the season continues for at least one more week. Sunday we rode to church and I gave him the option of coming on a ride scheduled later with my brother-in-law but he wanted to get some video game tips from his cousin. So Phil and I were solo on our bikes as we rode on Sunday afternoon. The only problem with the ride was it got dark too soon (Why couldn’t they have held off on the time change until the weather was too bad to ride?)
This ride had a first for me since my return to riding, so far every ride I have been alone or someone I was riding with was leading the ride. But this time I had an idea where we could go and was leading the ride. On the surface leading a group ride is much like riding alone, you decide where to go, when to stop and how fast to ride. The only obvious addition to check you mirrors to be sure the other rider(s) are with you at each intersection and turn.
After the win Saturday the coaches were debriefing the team on what went well and what to work on for next week. The subject of heart and character came up and they defined character as “doing the right thing even when no one is watching” which is great advice. In the Bible Numbers 32:23b says “you may be sure that your sin will find you out” which is a promise I have never heard anyone “Claim” In short if you don’t do the right thing because you believe no one will see you, you are wrong because in the end everything will be seen on earth or before God.
I noticed on the Ride Sunday that I was not riding the same as I would if I were alone. I was riding a little faster and charging deeper into turns before slowing. And I started to think about integrity. If a lack of integrity is changing my behavior when I am alone, what is it that causes me to change behavior when I am being observed? I realized it was motive that can shape what I do. Motive is tricky thing because it is not obvious to others and we can so easily lie to ourselves. I am not 100% sure what motivated me to behave this way but hear are some possibilities.
1. I wanted Phil to enjoy the ride and he has more experience then me
The problem with this motive is that it is based on comparison, as long as I am comparing or measuring myself with anyone it is a loosing proposition.
2. I wanted to prove my riding abilities and get his approval as a rider and a man
3. I would like to do some waawG rides next year and want Phil to see me as a capable leader
The problem with these motives is they are based in getting the approval of men when need to be looking to the Father for approval and identity.
4. Adventure is a good thing and I have seen these roads before and it is safe and reasonable to push a little harder to test myself as a man and a rider
This is a great motive for what I did and I wish I could say that this was the only reason for my behavior but I suspect it was a blend of all four which is the great thing about adventure. In one day I can have a great ride with a good friend and at the same time my Father who always has good will towards me can speak to my heart in a loving a kind way to grow me into a man who is after His own heart.
Take a bike or leave it home but take the risk of adventure your Father has great things to show you if you will listen.
This ride had a first for me since my return to riding, so far every ride I have been alone or someone I was riding with was leading the ride. But this time I had an idea where we could go and was leading the ride. On the surface leading a group ride is much like riding alone, you decide where to go, when to stop and how fast to ride. The only obvious addition to check you mirrors to be sure the other rider(s) are with you at each intersection and turn.
After the win Saturday the coaches were debriefing the team on what went well and what to work on for next week. The subject of heart and character came up and they defined character as “doing the right thing even when no one is watching” which is great advice. In the Bible Numbers 32:23b says “you may be sure that your sin will find you out” which is a promise I have never heard anyone “Claim” In short if you don’t do the right thing because you believe no one will see you, you are wrong because in the end everything will be seen on earth or before God.
I noticed on the Ride Sunday that I was not riding the same as I would if I were alone. I was riding a little faster and charging deeper into turns before slowing. And I started to think about integrity. If a lack of integrity is changing my behavior when I am alone, what is it that causes me to change behavior when I am being observed? I realized it was motive that can shape what I do. Motive is tricky thing because it is not obvious to others and we can so easily lie to ourselves. I am not 100% sure what motivated me to behave this way but hear are some possibilities.
1. I wanted Phil to enjoy the ride and he has more experience then me
The problem with this motive is that it is based on comparison, as long as I am comparing or measuring myself with anyone it is a loosing proposition.
2. I wanted to prove my riding abilities and get his approval as a rider and a man
3. I would like to do some waawG rides next year and want Phil to see me as a capable leader
The problem with these motives is they are based in getting the approval of men when need to be looking to the Father for approval and identity.
4. Adventure is a good thing and I have seen these roads before and it is safe and reasonable to push a little harder to test myself as a man and a rider
This is a great motive for what I did and I wish I could say that this was the only reason for my behavior but I suspect it was a blend of all four which is the great thing about adventure. In one day I can have a great ride with a good friend and at the same time my Father who always has good will towards me can speak to my heart in a loving a kind way to grow me into a man who is after His own heart.
Take a bike or leave it home but take the risk of adventure your Father has great things to show you if you will listen.
Monday, October 29, 2007
God never changes but Each Sunday is so different
We know for scripture that God doesn’t change Hebrews 13:8 says “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever!” which raises the question why is each Sunday so different?
Last Sunday I needed to clear the snow off the car and play the slip and slide game to drive to church (Obviously no motorcycle ride that day) and I heard good worship and an amazing message, I even quoted the pastor in the last BLOG post.
This Sunday beautiful weather and my son and I went for ride before church to get donuts and rode to church together. I felt like the pastor took the easy route on a message about the myth that all Christians are Republicans, but the worship was awesome. Not that it was musically better but I was truly swept into the presence of God.
So God doesn’t change but one week I am moved by teaching and the next buy music so it must be me that changes. After church I experienced another example of how I can experience things differently. In my religious upbringing I was taught to view church as a gathering of believers in any location, converted bowling allies, warehouses and store fronts were the norm. I learned to be suspicious of churches that were in “church building” with all that “religious hardware” where the gospel was watered down by “liberals”
Sunday I rode south to the Air Force Academy and visited the Cadet Chapel which is a beautiful structure that houses three separate chapels for Protestant, Catholic and Jewish cadets along with an “all faith” meeting areas for common services. My “training” would naturally reject such an building as having nothing to do with God but yesterday I was overwhelmed with the beauty of the place and the knowledge that Our God who is a warrior (Exodus 15:3 The LORD is a warrior, the LORD is His name.) sings over a gathering of young men and women who training to be warriors. God didn’t change but my heart did.
Each week I post something that is a call to adventure and focuses on the motorcycle ride but this week I am calling you an inner adventure (No Motorcycle Required) just the courage to look at things and places in your life with fresh eyes and an open heart, maybe the God who never changes has a whole new way of seeing things in store for you, and what an adventure it is to hear from the Father.
I know that this BLOG can feel like I’m poking you with a stick but my intent is not to be mean or uncaring but to see you released into the greatness you Father intends for you.
I came across a quote that explains it better than I can.
If I accept you as you are, I will make you worse; however, if I treat you as though you are what you are capable of becoming, I help you become that.
--Goethe
Last Sunday I needed to clear the snow off the car and play the slip and slide game to drive to church (Obviously no motorcycle ride that day) and I heard good worship and an amazing message, I even quoted the pastor in the last BLOG post.
This Sunday beautiful weather and my son and I went for ride before church to get donuts and rode to church together. I felt like the pastor took the easy route on a message about the myth that all Christians are Republicans, but the worship was awesome. Not that it was musically better but I was truly swept into the presence of God.
So God doesn’t change but one week I am moved by teaching and the next buy music so it must be me that changes. After church I experienced another example of how I can experience things differently. In my religious upbringing I was taught to view church as a gathering of believers in any location, converted bowling allies, warehouses and store fronts were the norm. I learned to be suspicious of churches that were in “church building” with all that “religious hardware” where the gospel was watered down by “liberals”
Sunday I rode south to the Air Force Academy and visited the Cadet Chapel which is a beautiful structure that houses three separate chapels for Protestant, Catholic and Jewish cadets along with an “all faith” meeting areas for common services. My “training” would naturally reject such an building as having nothing to do with God but yesterday I was overwhelmed with the beauty of the place and the knowledge that Our God who is a warrior (Exodus 15:3 The LORD is a warrior, the LORD is His name.) sings over a gathering of young men and women who training to be warriors. God didn’t change but my heart did.
Each week I post something that is a call to adventure and focuses on the motorcycle ride but this week I am calling you an inner adventure (No Motorcycle Required) just the courage to look at things and places in your life with fresh eyes and an open heart, maybe the God who never changes has a whole new way of seeing things in store for you, and what an adventure it is to hear from the Father.
I know that this BLOG can feel like I’m poking you with a stick but my intent is not to be mean or uncaring but to see you released into the greatness you Father intends for you.
I came across a quote that explains it better than I can.
If I accept you as you are, I will make you worse; however, if I treat you as though you are what you are capable of becoming, I help you become that.
--Goethe
Monday, October 22, 2007
800 miles – 3 States – 4 Dead Presidents – 1 Day
“Some people run towards Vision and other run from Nightmares.”
- Pastor John Leach, Jubilee Fellowship Church - Lone Tree, CO
It was Sunday October 21st 2007 and it was easier than usual to find a seat at the 11:00am service because today was the first snow of the season in the Denver area as the pastor explained why he had given the massage three titles. It was because as he sees it the world is full of two kinds of people, those who run towards vision and those who run from nightmares. So he had a title for each kind of person and the third was the politically correct title. The point on this post is not his message but if I have peeked your interest feel free to listen to it for free at www.jfc.org it was a great message and well worth the time.
Some time back I included a survey on this BLOG and 50% of the respondents answered that they wouldn’t be caught dead on a motorcycle. Additionally, I have received e-mail warnings about the dangers of motorcycle including examples of people they know who were injured or worse due to motorcycle accidents. I have been confused as to why my invitation into adventure, any adventure not just those involving motorcycles would get that type of response. And this quote has made it clearer to me. I have defined adventure and any activity where you place yourself in a situation out of your control where you are intentionally at the risk of the unknown, where you’re well worn bag of tricks and talent isn’t enough and you need to rely on God. In short where you will need to face the “what will happen?” question. If you are the type of person who runs towards Vision “What will happen?” is very exciting but if you are a person who runs from nightmares “What will happen?” is the worse thing you can imagine. I am convinced that Eldridge is correct when he says in Wild at Heart that men bear the image of God in ways that require us to seek an “Adventure to Live” a place in a story that is larger then ourselves.
In my heart I hear the whisper of two voices, on calling me to adventure and the other warning me away from danger. All last week the weather man has predicted that Saturday would be nice but Sunday would be the first snow of the season in the Denver Metro area. Last weekend they were wrong by about 12 hours and my son and I were caught in the rain that wasn’t due until much later in the day. So one voice says take a nice long ride and enjoy the day and the other says don’t go and if you do stay close to home incase the snow comes early. Rain on a bike is inconvenient and uncomfortable but snow and ice can be downright dangerous.
For no particular reason I woke Saturday morning at 4:00am and something in my heart said go for it. So I got dressed, packed the bike and was underway at Zero-Dark-Thirty with no particular plan in mind. Then I remembered saying some time back that I wanted to see Mt. Rushmore which is only 400 miles away so north bound it is. The whole time I was thinking I would go part way and come home leaving such a long trip for the spring or summer of next year, after all an 800 mile round trip was way more than I have ever done on a bike in one day and I’m no 19 year old kid anymore. But at every gas and meal stop I decided to go farther, even playing a game in my head to determine what time it would be when I would get home if I turned around now. The choice was simple, choose the safe route and turn back or press on into the unknown. At each decision point I chose to press on and trust the outcome to my Father who loves me.
Along the way I experienced a beautiful sunrise in Cheyenne, WY, the magnificent desolation of the plains, the rugged beauty of the Black Hills and majesty of the Mt. Rushmore monument. Not to mention the best buffalo burger I have had in Custer, SD.
I could have easily chosen to run from Nightmares and I would have missed a great day. The next time you have the option to take an adventure (two wheeled or not) listen to the voice that is urging you on it is well worth it.
- Pastor John Leach, Jubilee Fellowship Church - Lone Tree, CO
It was Sunday October 21st 2007 and it was easier than usual to find a seat at the 11:00am service because today was the first snow of the season in the Denver area as the pastor explained why he had given the massage three titles. It was because as he sees it the world is full of two kinds of people, those who run towards vision and those who run from nightmares. So he had a title for each kind of person and the third was the politically correct title. The point on this post is not his message but if I have peeked your interest feel free to listen to it for free at www.jfc.org it was a great message and well worth the time.
Some time back I included a survey on this BLOG and 50% of the respondents answered that they wouldn’t be caught dead on a motorcycle. Additionally, I have received e-mail warnings about the dangers of motorcycle including examples of people they know who were injured or worse due to motorcycle accidents. I have been confused as to why my invitation into adventure, any adventure not just those involving motorcycles would get that type of response. And this quote has made it clearer to me. I have defined adventure and any activity where you place yourself in a situation out of your control where you are intentionally at the risk of the unknown, where you’re well worn bag of tricks and talent isn’t enough and you need to rely on God. In short where you will need to face the “what will happen?” question. If you are the type of person who runs towards Vision “What will happen?” is very exciting but if you are a person who runs from nightmares “What will happen?” is the worse thing you can imagine. I am convinced that Eldridge is correct when he says in Wild at Heart that men bear the image of God in ways that require us to seek an “Adventure to Live” a place in a story that is larger then ourselves.
In my heart I hear the whisper of two voices, on calling me to adventure and the other warning me away from danger. All last week the weather man has predicted that Saturday would be nice but Sunday would be the first snow of the season in the Denver Metro area. Last weekend they were wrong by about 12 hours and my son and I were caught in the rain that wasn’t due until much later in the day. So one voice says take a nice long ride and enjoy the day and the other says don’t go and if you do stay close to home incase the snow comes early. Rain on a bike is inconvenient and uncomfortable but snow and ice can be downright dangerous.
For no particular reason I woke Saturday morning at 4:00am and something in my heart said go for it. So I got dressed, packed the bike and was underway at Zero-Dark-Thirty with no particular plan in mind. Then I remembered saying some time back that I wanted to see Mt. Rushmore which is only 400 miles away so north bound it is. The whole time I was thinking I would go part way and come home leaving such a long trip for the spring or summer of next year, after all an 800 mile round trip was way more than I have ever done on a bike in one day and I’m no 19 year old kid anymore. But at every gas and meal stop I decided to go farther, even playing a game in my head to determine what time it would be when I would get home if I turned around now. The choice was simple, choose the safe route and turn back or press on into the unknown. At each decision point I chose to press on and trust the outcome to my Father who loves me.
Along the way I experienced a beautiful sunrise in Cheyenne, WY, the magnificent desolation of the plains, the rugged beauty of the Black Hills and majesty of the Mt. Rushmore monument. Not to mention the best buffalo burger I have had in Custer, SD.
I could have easily chosen to run from Nightmares and I would have missed a great day. The next time you have the option to take an adventure (two wheeled or not) listen to the voice that is urging you on it is well worth it.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Agreement
We have all learned from Sesame Street that “Cooperation makes it Happen” in short we should find a way to agree. Additionally, when disagreements arise we have learned to “Agree to Disagree agreeably” and always hold to the great social commandment… Be Nice!
I am a supporter of nice; I like nice people because they are... Nice. But when Nice is elevated as a virtue above truth, honor, valor than nice is not so nice after all.
I recently was reminded of another way that agreement can be deadly. I was telling my Brother-in-Law about a near accident on a ride when a car pulled out from a parking space and I had to swerve into the median to avoid the collision. He made a comment that something seems to happen to me on every ride. I agreed, recalling in my mind the near encounters with deers, cars, and others. I didn’t give it much thought until my next ride when I realized I was not having any fun at all. It was a nice day and a beautiful ride but my heart was caught up in fear of what might be over the next hill or around the next corner. It is a good idea to ride in a heightened state of alertness which is why those near encounters remained just that “Near” Encounters and not accidents. No one can control everything which is the point of having an adventure in the first place, but no one should put themselves in undue risk by riding a bike while on mental autopilot. The point is when I agreed with my brother-in-law the enemy whispered that I lacked the riding skill to return home without injury or worse. My brother-in-law meant no harm; he has good will in his heart towards me and loves me. His message to my heart was not that I was less than or that I didn’t measure up as a man. The enemy took that innocent comment and attached it to old wounds.
Often in life we encounter wounds to our hearts often at the hands of our fathers. In my case I didn’t meet my father until I was 19 and the message my heart heard was that I wasn’t worth his time and attention. I didn’t measure up and that I wasn’t a man. The real harm came when I agreed with those thoughts and accusations. Throughout me life that has played out in far too many ways from posing as a man to blatant acting out that has injured me and others. In the past few years I have worked to uncover those lies and break those agreements and the result has been liberating. This experience has illustrated that it is still far too easy to slip into agreement with the accusations of the enemy rather than agree with what my Father in Heaven has said about my heart.
The good news is that once I identified what was causing my fear I could surrender it to God and break the agreement with the enemy and enjoy the ride. This week a helmet I bought for my son arrived and we took a ride on Saturday. Just as we reached the mountains a cold front and rain hit so we had to turn for home. We rode on slick roads in pouring rain as the temperature fell from the 58 to the 42 in just a few minutes. While I was aware that I had my son’s safety in my hands I was not afraid because unlike the agreements I had made in the past, my Father has spoken to me heart to tell me I am Man Enough to be that boys father and I choose to agree with Him.
Exposing yourself to adventure is not always comfortable of even fun but it is a great place to hear from the Father.
I hope you agree.
I am a supporter of nice; I like nice people because they are... Nice. But when Nice is elevated as a virtue above truth, honor, valor than nice is not so nice after all.
I recently was reminded of another way that agreement can be deadly. I was telling my Brother-in-Law about a near accident on a ride when a car pulled out from a parking space and I had to swerve into the median to avoid the collision. He made a comment that something seems to happen to me on every ride. I agreed, recalling in my mind the near encounters with deers, cars, and others. I didn’t give it much thought until my next ride when I realized I was not having any fun at all. It was a nice day and a beautiful ride but my heart was caught up in fear of what might be over the next hill or around the next corner. It is a good idea to ride in a heightened state of alertness which is why those near encounters remained just that “Near” Encounters and not accidents. No one can control everything which is the point of having an adventure in the first place, but no one should put themselves in undue risk by riding a bike while on mental autopilot. The point is when I agreed with my brother-in-law the enemy whispered that I lacked the riding skill to return home without injury or worse. My brother-in-law meant no harm; he has good will in his heart towards me and loves me. His message to my heart was not that I was less than or that I didn’t measure up as a man. The enemy took that innocent comment and attached it to old wounds.
Often in life we encounter wounds to our hearts often at the hands of our fathers. In my case I didn’t meet my father until I was 19 and the message my heart heard was that I wasn’t worth his time and attention. I didn’t measure up and that I wasn’t a man. The real harm came when I agreed with those thoughts and accusations. Throughout me life that has played out in far too many ways from posing as a man to blatant acting out that has injured me and others. In the past few years I have worked to uncover those lies and break those agreements and the result has been liberating. This experience has illustrated that it is still far too easy to slip into agreement with the accusations of the enemy rather than agree with what my Father in Heaven has said about my heart.
The good news is that once I identified what was causing my fear I could surrender it to God and break the agreement with the enemy and enjoy the ride. This week a helmet I bought for my son arrived and we took a ride on Saturday. Just as we reached the mountains a cold front and rain hit so we had to turn for home. We rode on slick roads in pouring rain as the temperature fell from the 58 to the 42 in just a few minutes. While I was aware that I had my son’s safety in my hands I was not afraid because unlike the agreements I had made in the past, my Father has spoken to me heart to tell me I am Man Enough to be that boys father and I choose to agree with Him.
Exposing yourself to adventure is not always comfortable of even fun but it is a great place to hear from the Father.
I hope you agree.
Monday, October 1, 2007
Last ride in September
Saturday Sept. 29th the weather was threatening in the Denver Area with High winds and heavy clouds in most areas. I had plans for a ride the next day and was concerned that I might have to cancel due to weather. The next morning I woke to cloudless skies from horizon to horizon and no wind. After a good time at church and an early lunch I was on the road. I made the short trip to the mountains and a stop to top of the gas tank before doing the peak to peak highway which is a north south run on a one lane in each direction road from just east of Golden to Estes Park with as the name implies some impressing altitude changes and breathtaking views.
The first thing I noticed since last week was the amazing change in the Aspens as they change to fall colors. We saw spectacular colors last week but the change in one week was amazing. The second thing I noticed was snow on the high peaks which is an amazing sight. We moved to Denver from So. Cal. In December of last year and by then the mountains were mostly white. So to see the green of the pine and the vivid yellow of the aspen offset by a clear blue sky and the pristine white of the snow was almost too beautiful, how could anyone look at such a sight and not be convinced that God had done this.
With each ride I am challenged by my hope for adventure and the surprise and discomfort that can and often do accompany it and this ride was not acceptation. Be careful what you ask for, you might just get it. As I mentioned I saw snow in the high country and was on a road with large elevation changes. While I did not encounter any snow I did experience very large temperature changes and stopped often to add or remove layers of clothes and while it is easy to put on a jacket I don’t have a solution for getting long johns on under my jeans on the side of the road so my legs were very cold. Your suggestions are welcomed on this topic.
The second challenge came in the higher elevations where the winter snow and the chemical and mechanical snow removal solutions have left a degraded road surface so it was common to enter a curve to find a disturbing lack of grip. Suffice it to say that a sliding front tire on a motorcycle is a moment you don’t soon forget but nothing that was too dangerous or reason to abandon the trip. After all I have close to 50,000 miles of saddle time. Then it happened, a reminder that man does not live from his bag of talents and skills. I crested a peak in the middle of a curve and had crossed to the windward side on the mountain. All at once the combination of centrifugal force, poor road surface and a gust of wind worked together to take me off the road into god knows what. Well as you can guess by the fact that I am writing this and you have not received the “John is in the hospital prayer request e-mail chain” all ended well and the deflection of my intended course did not exceed the limits of the road.
This does raise the question of trusting God not only when you get the desired outcome but also when things go badly. In this case only my ego was bruised and my body was left without a mark. None the less the instinct of my flesh was a combination of anger at God and embarrassment that someone might have seen the less than perfect line through the corner. Then I had to remind myself that I am not all powerful and the best solution is always to turn towards God.
I want on this ride to enjoy the views and feed my soul, God alone knew that my ego needed some of His unique attention on the last day of September 2007 and a windy curve on the mountains between Golden and Estes Park was as good a place as any. Nothing is wasted in the hands of God.
I return with a little more humility (I Hope) and a greater appreciation of my Father in Heaven and His boundless love for me.
Please embark on an adventure because you never know what lesson God has just around the next corner. As the famous quote says “I took the road less traveled and that made all the difference.”
The first thing I noticed since last week was the amazing change in the Aspens as they change to fall colors. We saw spectacular colors last week but the change in one week was amazing. The second thing I noticed was snow on the high peaks which is an amazing sight. We moved to Denver from So. Cal. In December of last year and by then the mountains were mostly white. So to see the green of the pine and the vivid yellow of the aspen offset by a clear blue sky and the pristine white of the snow was almost too beautiful, how could anyone look at such a sight and not be convinced that God had done this.
With each ride I am challenged by my hope for adventure and the surprise and discomfort that can and often do accompany it and this ride was not acceptation. Be careful what you ask for, you might just get it. As I mentioned I saw snow in the high country and was on a road with large elevation changes. While I did not encounter any snow I did experience very large temperature changes and stopped often to add or remove layers of clothes and while it is easy to put on a jacket I don’t have a solution for getting long johns on under my jeans on the side of the road so my legs were very cold. Your suggestions are welcomed on this topic.
The second challenge came in the higher elevations where the winter snow and the chemical and mechanical snow removal solutions have left a degraded road surface so it was common to enter a curve to find a disturbing lack of grip. Suffice it to say that a sliding front tire on a motorcycle is a moment you don’t soon forget but nothing that was too dangerous or reason to abandon the trip. After all I have close to 50,000 miles of saddle time. Then it happened, a reminder that man does not live from his bag of talents and skills. I crested a peak in the middle of a curve and had crossed to the windward side on the mountain. All at once the combination of centrifugal force, poor road surface and a gust of wind worked together to take me off the road into god knows what. Well as you can guess by the fact that I am writing this and you have not received the “John is in the hospital prayer request e-mail chain” all ended well and the deflection of my intended course did not exceed the limits of the road.
This does raise the question of trusting God not only when you get the desired outcome but also when things go badly. In this case only my ego was bruised and my body was left without a mark. None the less the instinct of my flesh was a combination of anger at God and embarrassment that someone might have seen the less than perfect line through the corner. Then I had to remind myself that I am not all powerful and the best solution is always to turn towards God.
I want on this ride to enjoy the views and feed my soul, God alone knew that my ego needed some of His unique attention on the last day of September 2007 and a windy curve on the mountains between Golden and Estes Park was as good a place as any. Nothing is wasted in the hands of God.
I return with a little more humility (I Hope) and a greater appreciation of my Father in Heaven and His boundless love for me.
Please embark on an adventure because you never know what lesson God has just around the next corner. As the famous quote says “I took the road less traveled and that made all the difference.”
Friday, September 28, 2007
Which way are you headed?
In my years I have witnessed two interesting exceptions to the normal American protocol about personal space. The first is pregnant women; People think nothing about touching a pregnant woman’s “belly” while an uninvited touch of that type is never acceptable for her non-pregnant counterpart. The second has to do (you guessed it) with motorcycles. If you are in a car Gas Stations are like elevators you are aware of other people but you rarely if ever speak to them. It is different on a motorcycle, for some reason people in cars who do not speak to each other are overcome with curiosity and will freely speak to motorcycle riders. Conversation starters include: “I used to ride a…” or “Great weather for a ride” or “Looks like you’re going to get wet” but invariably the short conversation comes around to “Which way are you headed?” Last Sunday the answer to that question was simple, north towards Fairplay but as considered the trip we took something about that question got me thinking about life and my relationship with God.
In my life I am privileged to have fought alongside men to win the battle against addiction and to live free. In the simplest terms any addiction is the result of trying to fill our God hunger with something of this earth that we can control. The Problem with God is that He won’t be controlled and we hate feeling out of control. The irony is that the end result of all addictions is a life out of control. When the consequence of addiction becomes great enough we will seek help and admit our powerlessness. Then comes the heard work of learning a new way to live.
We find ourselves between God, who loves us and is seeking to rescue us and the “dragon” of our addiction, instinctively, (remember these are the same instants that got us in trouble in the first place) we take up a defensive posture never letting the dragon out of our sight. It is a crafty foe and we mustn’t let it get an advantage. Like a basketball player with knees bent and hands out we block the dragon’s path to the goal of ensnaring us again. All the time our back is to God as we face the dragon. If we are truly powerless over the dragon who are we to prevent the dragon from doing anything. Instead we must do the most counterintuitive thing in the world and turn our back on the dragon and look at God instead. Every nerve is on high alert as we are sure that leaving the dragon unattended will be our doom but all the time God seems undisturbed by the situation or our plight. Doesn’t He even care? Why hasn’t He done something?
We in our panic don’t realize we are at the very crossroads of faith. Will we place our faith in ourselves and turn to face the dragon? Or will we keep our eyes on God even if His behavior is not what we expected?
Most of you don’t have anything that would be considered an addiction but the same question applies. When situations come into your life do you naturally find yourself facing God or is your faith placed squarely on your bag of talent and “special” skills?
Which way are you headed?
In my life I am privileged to have fought alongside men to win the battle against addiction and to live free. In the simplest terms any addiction is the result of trying to fill our God hunger with something of this earth that we can control. The Problem with God is that He won’t be controlled and we hate feeling out of control. The irony is that the end result of all addictions is a life out of control. When the consequence of addiction becomes great enough we will seek help and admit our powerlessness. Then comes the heard work of learning a new way to live.
We find ourselves between God, who loves us and is seeking to rescue us and the “dragon” of our addiction, instinctively, (remember these are the same instants that got us in trouble in the first place) we take up a defensive posture never letting the dragon out of our sight. It is a crafty foe and we mustn’t let it get an advantage. Like a basketball player with knees bent and hands out we block the dragon’s path to the goal of ensnaring us again. All the time our back is to God as we face the dragon. If we are truly powerless over the dragon who are we to prevent the dragon from doing anything. Instead we must do the most counterintuitive thing in the world and turn our back on the dragon and look at God instead. Every nerve is on high alert as we are sure that leaving the dragon unattended will be our doom but all the time God seems undisturbed by the situation or our plight. Doesn’t He even care? Why hasn’t He done something?
We in our panic don’t realize we are at the very crossroads of faith. Will we place our faith in ourselves and turn to face the dragon? Or will we keep our eyes on God even if His behavior is not what we expected?
Most of you don’t have anything that would be considered an addiction but the same question applies. When situations come into your life do you naturally find yourself facing God or is your faith placed squarely on your bag of talent and “special” skills?
Which way are you headed?
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Planning the trips for next year
I have been getting some questions that focused on the motorcycle and the trip plans So let me address them now.
First the Bike: I bought a 1983 Yamaha XVZ12TK Venture (This is the bike they put head-to-head with the Honda Goldwing) I found it a better fit for my height and because it is not as well known as the Goldwing it was a much better deal.
As far as the trip goes nothing is planned other than late spring to early fall 2008 window. And unlike the 1978 trip I would like to do ZERO miles on the Interstate Highway System. I am thinking fewer miles and great places like Yellowstone Park, Mount Rushmore and The Grand Canyon please post your comments with suggestions for great locations.
In reality I am planning two types of trip. First is the 30th anniversary of my 1978 trip where the point is to ride to great places and hopefully do it with some friends. That trip will probably go for about a week and have a very loose agenda other than to enjoy the freedom of the open road and share a few stories of the adventures in our lives and how they shaped us as men.
The second type of trip is shorter (two to three days) taking men who enjoy riding on an adventure to get closer the heart of God. This trip was inspired by my brother-in-law Phil Floyd. Phil has a passion and calling in the area of helping men become men. His ministry Caleb’s Heart puts on events for men called WaawG (Weekend Almost Alone with God) where men are stretched beyond comfort and entertainment (Key elements in most men’s retreats) and put alone in the woods to encounter God. I can speak from personal experience being a committed Non-Camper that it was a life changing experience. My hope is to take a few guys on a motorcycle adventure that would cause a similar change where we come back with miles on our bikes and hearts that are more alive because of time with God and other men trying to live lives that honor him.
The details and logistics would depend on the number of riders willing to take the trip. At this point the only criteria are that you must be a man who loves Jesus and riding enough to take in 200 to 400 miles a day. It is possible to rent motorcycles but if you haven’t been riding for a while this trip may not be your cup of tea. The next big decision is to camp or motel at night and if we camp do we go to KOA type places or get farther off the beaten path. Most street bikes are not at home on washed out rutted dirt roads so the KOA approach probably makes more sense but leaves the group in very close proximity to other campers and RVs and if we have a group of ten or more we may encounter the “Hide the women and children” / “We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone” mentality. I did find a website for motorcycle friendly camp sites and would call ahead with the number of bikes to make reservations.
Please post a comment if you are interested in one or both of these trips
I found this quote and it described why I must do this and I hope you will come along for the ride and if not find an adventure that excites your heart.
You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face...
You must do the thing which you think you cannot do.
--Eleanor Roosevelt
First the Bike: I bought a 1983 Yamaha XVZ12TK Venture (This is the bike they put head-to-head with the Honda Goldwing) I found it a better fit for my height and because it is not as well known as the Goldwing it was a much better deal.
As far as the trip goes nothing is planned other than late spring to early fall 2008 window. And unlike the 1978 trip I would like to do ZERO miles on the Interstate Highway System. I am thinking fewer miles and great places like Yellowstone Park, Mount Rushmore and The Grand Canyon please post your comments with suggestions for great locations.
In reality I am planning two types of trip. First is the 30th anniversary of my 1978 trip where the point is to ride to great places and hopefully do it with some friends. That trip will probably go for about a week and have a very loose agenda other than to enjoy the freedom of the open road and share a few stories of the adventures in our lives and how they shaped us as men.
The second type of trip is shorter (two to three days) taking men who enjoy riding on an adventure to get closer the heart of God. This trip was inspired by my brother-in-law Phil Floyd. Phil has a passion and calling in the area of helping men become men. His ministry Caleb’s Heart puts on events for men called WaawG (Weekend Almost Alone with God) where men are stretched beyond comfort and entertainment (Key elements in most men’s retreats) and put alone in the woods to encounter God. I can speak from personal experience being a committed Non-Camper that it was a life changing experience. My hope is to take a few guys on a motorcycle adventure that would cause a similar change where we come back with miles on our bikes and hearts that are more alive because of time with God and other men trying to live lives that honor him.
The details and logistics would depend on the number of riders willing to take the trip. At this point the only criteria are that you must be a man who loves Jesus and riding enough to take in 200 to 400 miles a day. It is possible to rent motorcycles but if you haven’t been riding for a while this trip may not be your cup of tea. The next big decision is to camp or motel at night and if we camp do we go to KOA type places or get farther off the beaten path. Most street bikes are not at home on washed out rutted dirt roads so the KOA approach probably makes more sense but leaves the group in very close proximity to other campers and RVs and if we have a group of ten or more we may encounter the “Hide the women and children” / “We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone” mentality. I did find a website for motorcycle friendly camp sites and would call ahead with the number of bikes to make reservations.
Please post a comment if you are interested in one or both of these trips
I found this quote and it described why I must do this and I hope you will come along for the ride and if not find an adventure that excites your heart.
You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face...
You must do the thing which you think you cannot do.
--Eleanor Roosevelt
Monday, September 24, 2007
300 miles, Two Bikes, Storm Clouds and no Camera…
Yesterday (Sunday 9/23) my brother-in law and I got on our bikes and had a great day riding in beautiful Colorado. My prior riding experience has mostly been in California and while route 1 along the Pacific coast is spectacular I have to say Colorado in a bike riding paradise. We loosely planned the trip around family with a 1:00pm departure and a general route south from Denver to the Garden of the Gods then west towards the mountains, north to Fairplay and east towards home at or around dark.
The first big decision came the morning for the ride… The weatherman was not on our side as a cold front and thunderstorm had rolled into the area the night before and we were faced with a Go or No Go moment. The combination of not riding for 26 years and the fact that winter will come all too soon mixed with the sense of adventure that requires risk above the assurance of comfort made the decision an easy one… We Ride!
Armed with layers of clothing and a willingness to get wet we topped off our tanks and hit the road starting south on Interstate 25. Our trip had three relatively short stints on the Interstate Highway system, now I am very thankful for the elaborate highway system in the US but I’m a firm believer that it should be left to 18 wheel trucks and cars. It is the perfect method of traveling long distances is the shortest possible time with a gas station and fast food restaurant at almost every exit, what could be more convenient and completely contrary to adventure. I don’t ride to get somewhere (I have a car for that) I ride to feed my soul. Riding is not about the destination it is about the ride, it is about the heart. A few miles later we were into the good stuff, the back roads without guardrails, median dividers or clearly marked exits, where wildlife can run across the road at any time. Remember the point is not to be a danger seeking adrenalin junkie, but it is to get out of you comfort zone and risk living a life that you can’t “manage” that is what it means to live an adventure. Before long we were riding through the Garden of the Gods which is easily one of the most beautiful places I have ever ridden and that is when it hit me… I didn’t bring a camera. I guess I have to do the ride again. Then through Manitou Springs which is a cute little “tourist trap” filled with great shops, no parking and the obligatory pedestrians who walk out in front of on coming motorists expecting them to stop, we stopped often and no one was injured in the process.
We then had a coffee stop in Woodland Park and added a layer of clothes as we encountered more altitude and cloud cover but no rain so far. It was a great “curvy” road that was more fun than the view. We then found a “somewhat” maintained county road to Cripple Creek where I discovered that the Yamaha Venture is much more a “sport” bike it touring clothing than the Goldwing that I almost bought, I think the Official term is Wahoo. It was on this road that we had our first of three close encounters of the Deer kind. Too close means the abrupt and painful end to an otherwise great day, thankfully our buffer zone was measured in feet so no harm no foul. Another county road to Guffey which is a ghost town in the making from what I could see before joining the road north to Fairplay. This is where our good luck with the weather ended and the “getting wet” part of the ride began, fortunately I was distracted by a nearly empty gas tanks and the unsettling absence of any towns or gas stations, I did say I wanted an adventure rather than comfort so trusting God we pushed on through South Park, what a spectacular view that served as a great distraction from the flashing red light on my dash reminding me that I was running on fumes. It was on this road that Phil came up along side and pointed to his gas tank, so much for the idea of siphoning some from him if I ran dry, at least we were both distracted from the rain drops. After what seemed an eternity of the flashing red light, in reality just twenty miles or so the tiny town of Hartsel appeared as we crested a hill, it is a one gas station town but that is all we needed. Topping off and having a good laugh about wanting an adventure the skies stopped sprinkling and started to rain. Being the only gas for miles we encountered lots of motorists who expressed concern for us a wished us well, undaunted we pressed on and after a few miles of rain the skies cleared and we were in dry weather again. When we reached Fairplay and the turn east to get home we encountered a lot of end of weekend heading back to town traffic so the pace was slowed but the views were spectacular including a drop into a valley with and unobstructed view of a rainbow end to end. Again I wish I had a camera with me so I could share the ride. Before long as the light of day waned we dropped into the city and our last stint on the Interstate to get to the warmth of home and the comfort of our own beds. I am blessed to have a loving wife and a comfortable home to return to at the end of a ride and I am so thankful to have the opportunity to leave them on occasion so my heart can be fed by adventure for without it the comfort and safety of my predictable life can and will kill that part of me that must have the risk of adventure to be fully alive.
Riding my not be your thing and that is OK, A friend responded to my riding with an e-mail that said he didn’t ride because it was too dangerous and that he knew too many people who were hurt riding. I understand a respect anyone who makes that decision, but please for the sake of your heart find some type of adventure. The discomfort and occasional surprise will feed your soul, I know it did mine.
The first big decision came the morning for the ride… The weatherman was not on our side as a cold front and thunderstorm had rolled into the area the night before and we were faced with a Go or No Go moment. The combination of not riding for 26 years and the fact that winter will come all too soon mixed with the sense of adventure that requires risk above the assurance of comfort made the decision an easy one… We Ride!
Armed with layers of clothing and a willingness to get wet we topped off our tanks and hit the road starting south on Interstate 25. Our trip had three relatively short stints on the Interstate Highway system, now I am very thankful for the elaborate highway system in the US but I’m a firm believer that it should be left to 18 wheel trucks and cars. It is the perfect method of traveling long distances is the shortest possible time with a gas station and fast food restaurant at almost every exit, what could be more convenient and completely contrary to adventure. I don’t ride to get somewhere (I have a car for that) I ride to feed my soul. Riding is not about the destination it is about the ride, it is about the heart. A few miles later we were into the good stuff, the back roads without guardrails, median dividers or clearly marked exits, where wildlife can run across the road at any time. Remember the point is not to be a danger seeking adrenalin junkie, but it is to get out of you comfort zone and risk living a life that you can’t “manage” that is what it means to live an adventure. Before long we were riding through the Garden of the Gods which is easily one of the most beautiful places I have ever ridden and that is when it hit me… I didn’t bring a camera. I guess I have to do the ride again. Then through Manitou Springs which is a cute little “tourist trap” filled with great shops, no parking and the obligatory pedestrians who walk out in front of on coming motorists expecting them to stop, we stopped often and no one was injured in the process.
We then had a coffee stop in Woodland Park and added a layer of clothes as we encountered more altitude and cloud cover but no rain so far. It was a great “curvy” road that was more fun than the view. We then found a “somewhat” maintained county road to Cripple Creek where I discovered that the Yamaha Venture is much more a “sport” bike it touring clothing than the Goldwing that I almost bought, I think the Official term is Wahoo. It was on this road that we had our first of three close encounters of the Deer kind. Too close means the abrupt and painful end to an otherwise great day, thankfully our buffer zone was measured in feet so no harm no foul. Another county road to Guffey which is a ghost town in the making from what I could see before joining the road north to Fairplay. This is where our good luck with the weather ended and the “getting wet” part of the ride began, fortunately I was distracted by a nearly empty gas tanks and the unsettling absence of any towns or gas stations, I did say I wanted an adventure rather than comfort so trusting God we pushed on through South Park, what a spectacular view that served as a great distraction from the flashing red light on my dash reminding me that I was running on fumes. It was on this road that Phil came up along side and pointed to his gas tank, so much for the idea of siphoning some from him if I ran dry, at least we were both distracted from the rain drops. After what seemed an eternity of the flashing red light, in reality just twenty miles or so the tiny town of Hartsel appeared as we crested a hill, it is a one gas station town but that is all we needed. Topping off and having a good laugh about wanting an adventure the skies stopped sprinkling and started to rain. Being the only gas for miles we encountered lots of motorists who expressed concern for us a wished us well, undaunted we pressed on and after a few miles of rain the skies cleared and we were in dry weather again. When we reached Fairplay and the turn east to get home we encountered a lot of end of weekend heading back to town traffic so the pace was slowed but the views were spectacular including a drop into a valley with and unobstructed view of a rainbow end to end. Again I wish I had a camera with me so I could share the ride. Before long as the light of day waned we dropped into the city and our last stint on the Interstate to get to the warmth of home and the comfort of our own beds. I am blessed to have a loving wife and a comfortable home to return to at the end of a ride and I am so thankful to have the opportunity to leave them on occasion so my heart can be fed by adventure for without it the comfort and safety of my predictable life can and will kill that part of me that must have the risk of adventure to be fully alive.
Riding my not be your thing and that is OK, A friend responded to my riding with an e-mail that said he didn’t ride because it was too dangerous and that he knew too many people who were hurt riding. I understand a respect anyone who makes that decision, but please for the sake of your heart find some type of adventure. The discomfort and occasional surprise will feed your soul, I know it did mine.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Grand Adventure and you are invited
Greetings all,
As some of you may know in the summer of 1978 I embarked on a four month motorcycle trip from California to Pennsylvania to Florida and back to California. During that trip I placed the front wheel on my bike on the beach of the Pacific, Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. It was a great adventure including beautiful scenery, great times and the only three day in my life that I spent with me father. As with many things we can become separated from simple pleasures like motorcycles by the demands of life or in my case an extended trip to the Indian Ocean with the Navy. When I returned being a husband, dad and bill payer made riding something that had to be sacrificed along with another piece of my heart that needs adventure. Over the past few years I have come to value my heart and the adventure that it needs to survive, so I few weeks ago after 26 years of being a non rider I participated in a training class and got my motor cycle license. Next year is the 30th anniversary of that trip and I intend to repeat it. I will most likely not cover the same route given that my starting point is now Denver, CO not Hermosa Beach, CA. But an extended trip is going to happen and that is where you come in…
First and most importantly I urge you to consider your heart, not your “risk factors” or “Cholesterol Count” but the part of you that needs adventure. If you have no idea what I am talking about read Wild at Heart by John Eldridge. As men we are created in God’s image – to reflect specific aspects of his character and nature just a women reflect different and equally important aspects of God. Men and Woman are different and in those differences we as men have hearts that need an Adventure to Live, a Battle to Fight and a Beauty to Rescue.
I would love it you were all able to join me on this trip but I know that is not possible. What I do want to invite you into is an adventure, any adventure just become an active participant is a story larger than what in comfortable. Adventure by its very nature is unpredictable and dangerous and that is the point, not that we seek injury but accept that the life we were intended to live is too large for us to manage. It is OK to get messy; it is good for the soul to live so large that if God doesn’t come through you can’t simply fall back on your well worn skills a talents. I know it is frightening, for years I convinced myself that to ride was “too dangerous” while it is true that riding involves higher risk than driving a car it was that fear and the corresponding need to manage everything and never need to take a leap of faith that was truly killing my heart.
I would like a few things from each of you:
Prayer. Not for a safe trip but that I would be courageous and do the right thing.
Ideas for the trip. Last time I spent most of my miles on the interstate, this time I would like to hit the back roads. Experiencing a thunder storm in the Blue Ridge Mountains in more important than covering 600 miles a day.
Join me on the trip. If riding is your thing (or this has inspired you) please consider coming on the trip. The dates and itinerary are not set see item 2 and I would welcome the company.
Send Money. No I am not kidding, just as with missionaries some go and other send. For some of you the thought of this type of trip is outrageous for others it sounds great but more than you can afford. Any gifts will be used to offset the expenses of the trip for those who can not afford it but would like to come. At the end of the trip the remaining money will be donated to a ministry that is dedicated to rising up men and is in the process of getting a 503.C religious non profit status. Because it is not possible to know what percentage of the money will go to the ministry or if they will have the non profit status established in time any donations should not be considered tax deductible.
Find you own adventure. Like the old Milk advertising campaign “It Does a Body Good” Adventure Does a Heart Good. So just do it and when you do please write me to let me know how it was.
Thanks for reading my rants I look forward to hearing from you all. Feel free to forward this to anyone you thing might be interested.
Blessing to you and your Families,
As some of you may know in the summer of 1978 I embarked on a four month motorcycle trip from California to Pennsylvania to Florida and back to California. During that trip I placed the front wheel on my bike on the beach of the Pacific, Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. It was a great adventure including beautiful scenery, great times and the only three day in my life that I spent with me father. As with many things we can become separated from simple pleasures like motorcycles by the demands of life or in my case an extended trip to the Indian Ocean with the Navy. When I returned being a husband, dad and bill payer made riding something that had to be sacrificed along with another piece of my heart that needs adventure. Over the past few years I have come to value my heart and the adventure that it needs to survive, so I few weeks ago after 26 years of being a non rider I participated in a training class and got my motor cycle license. Next year is the 30th anniversary of that trip and I intend to repeat it. I will most likely not cover the same route given that my starting point is now Denver, CO not Hermosa Beach, CA. But an extended trip is going to happen and that is where you come in…
First and most importantly I urge you to consider your heart, not your “risk factors” or “Cholesterol Count” but the part of you that needs adventure. If you have no idea what I am talking about read Wild at Heart by John Eldridge. As men we are created in God’s image – to reflect specific aspects of his character and nature just a women reflect different and equally important aspects of God. Men and Woman are different and in those differences we as men have hearts that need an Adventure to Live, a Battle to Fight and a Beauty to Rescue.
I would love it you were all able to join me on this trip but I know that is not possible. What I do want to invite you into is an adventure, any adventure just become an active participant is a story larger than what in comfortable. Adventure by its very nature is unpredictable and dangerous and that is the point, not that we seek injury but accept that the life we were intended to live is too large for us to manage. It is OK to get messy; it is good for the soul to live so large that if God doesn’t come through you can’t simply fall back on your well worn skills a talents. I know it is frightening, for years I convinced myself that to ride was “too dangerous” while it is true that riding involves higher risk than driving a car it was that fear and the corresponding need to manage everything and never need to take a leap of faith that was truly killing my heart.
I would like a few things from each of you:
Prayer. Not for a safe trip but that I would be courageous and do the right thing.
Ideas for the trip. Last time I spent most of my miles on the interstate, this time I would like to hit the back roads. Experiencing a thunder storm in the Blue Ridge Mountains in more important than covering 600 miles a day.
Join me on the trip. If riding is your thing (or this has inspired you) please consider coming on the trip. The dates and itinerary are not set see item 2 and I would welcome the company.
Send Money. No I am not kidding, just as with missionaries some go and other send. For some of you the thought of this type of trip is outrageous for others it sounds great but more than you can afford. Any gifts will be used to offset the expenses of the trip for those who can not afford it but would like to come. At the end of the trip the remaining money will be donated to a ministry that is dedicated to rising up men and is in the process of getting a 503.C religious non profit status. Because it is not possible to know what percentage of the money will go to the ministry or if they will have the non profit status established in time any donations should not be considered tax deductible.
Find you own adventure. Like the old Milk advertising campaign “It Does a Body Good” Adventure Does a Heart Good. So just do it and when you do please write me to let me know how it was.
Thanks for reading my rants I look forward to hearing from you all. Feel free to forward this to anyone you thing might be interested.
Blessing to you and your Families,
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