When we returned home, much to my pleasant surprise, Chas was ready to begin a weekly blog. So, I created him a blog page and he now has his first post up. While I may disagree with the accolades he bestowed on me, I AM pleased that he is going to be blogging. He is, in my opinion, a talented, gifted man and I believe we will all be blessed by his blog posts. I anxiously anticipate his next post and encourage all of you who have faithfully followed us thus far through your daily visits to continue to bless us with your visits and as always, please comment on the blogs, or go to the guestbook to send us your comments and feedback. We appreciate your supportive and encouraging words and comments. Keep them coming!
Well, we started out this morning in the usual way, NOT...Actually, this was the first Sunday in over thirteen years we were not headed to Logan Road Baptist or hating that we were not (because we were out of town). We got up this morning and got ready and visited a local church, Bethel Baptist in Newton. We were blessed by the warm welcome and the message in the sermon. After a time of fellowship with some of the congregants, we got on the bikes and headed to a local biker apparel shop. To our dissatisfaction, it was closed. So, we headed to a local gas station to fuel up and share a liver/gizzard snack....gotta eat cheap ;). Then, we headed to a local flea market. We hit a couple of vendors and then got back on the bikes to take the back way home. On the way, we decided to head south to Graceville. In Graceville, we found Desiree' at home (yay!!!) and visited with her for two and a half or so hours. It was so great to catch up and rekindle an old friendship....love that biker chiq ;). Then, we got back on the bikes and headed over to visit Sierra's new off-campus digs. She is back in Graceville for the next semester and is going to be living in what we used to affectionately call the 'Pig Palaces' because they were apartments near the Piggly Wiggly when we were in college. After leaving there, we headed out toward Esto and back up to Newton. In all, we traveled about 120 miles and had quite a great day in the Lord. Oh, and by the way, when we neared the state line, I passed Chas and stopped at the line. He pulled up, thinking I might need a potty break and was gonna pick at me about taking off our helmets, as there is no law in Florida requiring you to wear one. I beat him to the punch by pulling my helmet off as he was stopping. He said, "Are you serious?!" Of course I was. He just had to promise to be safe and Mike had to keep his helmet on. Basically, I had caved and offered my man the one thing that I ALWAYS say will NEVER happen! We rode from state line to state line without helmets, but I must admit, I don't plan on making it a habit....just don't tell my Old Socks ;)
When we returned home, much to my pleasant surprise, Chas was ready to begin a weekly blog. So, I created him a blog page and he now has his first post up. While I may disagree with the accolades he bestowed on me, I AM pleased that he is going to be blogging. He is, in my opinion, a talented, gifted man and I believe we will all be blessed by his blog posts. I anxiously anticipate his next post and encourage all of you who have faithfully followed us thus far through your daily visits to continue to bless us with your visits and as always, please comment on the blogs, or go to the guestbook to send us your comments and feedback. We appreciate your supportive and encouraging words and comments. Keep them coming!
0 Comments
If you Google or Bing motorcycle ministry, you will get thousand's of hits. You will find anything from our old website to a ton of F.A.I.T.H. Riders and Heaven's Saint's, CMA and a host of other ministries. Many of these groups are groups we are and have been in direct contact with. Many of them have open membership, requiring one simply to buy their colors. Others require a 'course' to be completed. Some are international and some are extensions of a local church body. Recently, Chas had someone attempt to make an ignorant comparison between the local church and LAHBW. First off, call us who we are. Secondly, have your information straight before you begin to make assumptions. I am proud to say that my hubby quickly set this person straight. For starters, most local churches are inclusive. This means that anyone who professes Jesus is allowed to join most local bodies. Whereas LAHBW is exclusive. For us, we require certain things like a person to share their testimony, express a call to be involved with LAHBW, and hang around time. We are passionate about what we do and Who we do it for. What we do is for the Lord. LAHBW is not a club or an association. We are a ministry and we take our calling seriously. We do not recruit, do not have open enrollment and have accountability. We are in no way the norm. We have been passionate about what we are doing for the past fourteen years. In that fourteen years, it was not popular with family and even a previous church many years ago. We have continued to be true to this calling and will continue to be true to it. We were bikers in a Southern Baptist Church several years ago when being bikers was not the cool thing to do. Now, Southern Baptists' have their own endorsed group, F.A.I.T.H Riders. As times change, people find new ways to reach out, or to be involved in pop culture. We do not consider ourselves a part of pop culture, but a part of a bigger beast, a sub-culture, the biker community. We eagerly and anxiously anticipate all that the Lord has for us as we continue on this road. If you are local and desire to be a part of our future rides, events, and Bible studies, please send us a message via the guestbook that we might be able to communicate dates and times with you that you might be able to make plans to ride with us. Remember, you do not have to be a member, or even a biker to participate. If you are a biker, but church has never been your cup of tea, give us a try. You just might enjoy the fellowship. If you are not a biker, but still want to ride with us, we are always in need of a chase/crash vehicle or two. We look forward to hearing from you!
Last night, I discussed a quote that I had read about policies and procedures meaning more than people and how churches lose focus. Today, I read an article about house churches and how they are becoming more common as people seek to be more like the first century church. There is no leadership or hierarchy in them. They are small, usually consisting of twelve to fifteen people. When the group advances to more than that, they usually divide and multiply. It is really an interesting concept if you think about it. People meeting together to share and grow together in Christ, just like the first century church. Now, I am not saying that we plan to start a house church. What I am saying is that the mere concept is interesting and that much of the legalistic bondage of most churches today is broken and the true focus is on the Lord and fellowship. It makes total sense, wouldn't you agree? Regardless of whether you attend a traditional church with all of the policies and procedures, or a home church, or something in between, it should be what helps you grow and do the work set before you. We are commanded to go make disciples. However, many appear to have the mentality that the church is there, may the people simply come. While this may have been an appropriate mind frame at some point in time, I find absolutely no Biblical backing for this. All through the New Testament, we are told to go, to compel, etc. With that having been said, Chas and I will be going and attempting to compel. Whether or not whatever we do or are a part of becomes a house church is yet to be seen. What is certain is that we intend to be busy about kingdom work as we go into the highways and hedges.
If you would like to read the article in its entirety, please copy and past the address below into your web browser. It is definitely an interesting read. If you read the article, send me a message via the guestbook to share your thoughts and insights. http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2010-07-22-housechurch21_ST_N.htm?csp=usat.me When policies and procedures matter more than people, your church has lost it's focus. I read this quote today and thought, you know, this could not be more true. This is one of the very reasons we have determined that the Lord's desire for us it to be more about His business with His Blood Warriors. By no means are we weekend warriors. I ride to work every day on Haze and while Chas is not permitted to ride the Mistress for work, he often meets me at work and we ride home together. However, we have not had the time nor opportunities we would have liked to have had over the past thirteen years to really go into the highways and hedges to compel people to come to Christ as we would have liked. It is our intent to visit friends at a local church and, if the Lord desires, we will become a part of that or some other fellowship. We fully understand the need for a church home and a church family for the spiritual health of our own family. In seeking to affix ourselves to a fellowship of believers, we intend to keep our focus first and foremost on Him, then on people. It is further our intent to totally shake off the bondage of policies and procedures. There are some things that are essential, like Christ and Him crucified, buried, and resurrected. However, we desire to get away from the policies and procedures that often choke the very life from a body. If I could challenge anyone who reads this, I would challenge you to be more about Christ, His word, and His desire to have others reached for His kingdom. The time of the service, the order of the service, the clothes worn to the service, etc. are irrelevant in the equation. Sadly, those things are on the forefront of too many churches and the 'leaders' who 'have 'been there since...' According to the quote at the beginning of this post, the church where policies and procedures are more than important than people has lost its focus. Now, many of those very institutions' 'leaders' ie deacons, etc. would argue that they are concerned with people and that they must have things a certain way. Yet, they will often have absolutely no Biblical backing for their stance other than some legalistic remarks about what 'church is supposed to be.' Yet, many of said 'leaders' will push to make 'church' what they perceive. It sometimes makes me wish I were a part of the first century church when the apostles were focused on the Lord, His word, fellowship, and people. The best way for us (Chas & me) to be like that is to be involved heavily with LAHBW. Now, I realize that you may not be a member of LAHBW, or HBW, or even a biker, but if you are a believer, I urge you to be as 'first century' as possible in all you do. Don't allow policies and procedures matter more than people. Don't lose your focus!
As I rode Haze home tonight, I reflected on the events of the day. I am not currently able to go into details, but just know that the day was stressful and draining. As I sat at my desk preparing for the events that this day held, I flipped my desk calendar. The verse that was on today's page was Proverbs 3:26. It says, "The Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared." I took it as an encouragement in that while the events of this particular day had me distressed, they did not take the Lord by surprise. I shared it with those involved in the upcoming events of today and that I truly felt the Lord would prevail. In a nutshell, He did. As I rode home, the song, He Came, He Saw, He Conquered came on my ipod. Yes, I have a LOT of old school contemporary Christian music on there. Anyway, I reflected on the words of the song and the events of the day. When I got home, I looked up Romans 8:37. Isn't it great how we find such blessed assurance from the Word? The verse says, “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.” Then, I began to wonder, do people really understand or grasp the love that He has for us? I personally think we all take it for granted too often. However, isn't it true that He loves us beyond measure? In that fact alone, we should be compelled to love and seek Him. In loving and seeking Him, we should seek to serve and honor Him, not because we have to or should, but because we have the awesome opportunity to do so. Furthermore, we should love His created beings. Not only those who are like us or conform to what we say they should, but everyone. Sometimes, we get so caught up in what we have done, accomplished or want that we totally leave Him and His will out of our motivation. Yes, we might say that we are doing all that we do in His name and for Him, but are we really or are we doing it for the accolades? You know what I mean, the recognition of being the one to accomplish whatever task it was. It might be the building of a body, building, or simply succeeding at a particular task. Truth is, we should in ALL things acknowledge Him (Proverbs 3:6). Basically, my thought tonight is this: I am more than a conqueror in Him, and so are you, or at least you have the potential to be. The challenge is for us to give Him the honor and glory He is due in these things. In attempting to give Him the honor and glory for my day, I just want to say that I know that without a shadow of a doubt, He is God and I am NOT! Now, my question to you....in what things has He made you more than a conqueror and will you acknowledge Him in it?
I sit tonight tired from the day. It was an exceptionally trying day. It was filled from beginning to end with such an array of events. My heart is still heavy for Hannah Grace's family as they prepare to say good-bye to her earthly body. I arrived at the office at 8:35 this morning to prepare for the 9:00 classes and the 9:15 conference I had. As it always is when you already know your day is quite full, another wrench gets tossed in the cogs. At 9:00, one of my teachers had not shown up. Thankfully, my other scheduled teacher helped me handle the situation until another teacher, who had not been scheduled, could get to the office from the gym and my conference appointment waited patiently on me. I am blessed to have a few good teachers who are always more than willing to go the extra mile and understanding parents. Ok, so, first hurdle down. Then, of course, there is the day-to-day paperwork that has to be done. In the midst of that, I was blessed to have an old friend come by the office for a visit. Doobie, member/soon-to-be former member, that is, came for a visit. He was in Dothan and came by the office and we just sat and talked for a while, remembering times our families have spent together and standing in amazement at how life changes. While Doobie is at the office, another friend sends a text to tell us that her adoption date has been postponed...Praying for you guys, Ryan and Angie! Then, Old Socks gets to the office for our nightly ride home together. Just after he walked in, a friend called to tell us that her dad's brother had been electrocuted and that he had been air-lifted to a hospital in Orlando. Then, we end up talking to my boss for about an hour, then heading home for me to sit down and read a 148 page report before I go in to the office tomorrow.
Finally, we head home..you know, we head out from the office for our fifteen miles of two-wheeled therapy. While I was reading the 'report', Grover calls to bless me with conversation with him for the third day in a row....hope he calls tomorrow, or I'll be in withdrawals ;). Crazy kind of day and crazier post, I suppose, but I gave an account of the day because I want you to understand that while we may not be serving in a church, we have a ton of opportunities to minister. I only gave an account of my day, and not even all of the encounters with students, staff, and parents, that I had today and didn't even touch on ANY of the day Chas had with hospice. Basically, in all of these events, I don't have all of the answers, or fixes to some of the problems. What I do have is the blessed assurance of knowing the One who DOES. I don't have to always understand to trust His hand. He takes care of us in the small and large things. He may not make things turn out the way we want them, but He knows what is best. You know that you have those days when there is just not enough hours nor even understand everything. What we can do and should do is TRUST HIS HAND..... After a somewhat long day at work with a lot on my mind, Chas and Mike met me and we rode the bikes home together. I enjoy the time to ride with them, but also, the solitude I have on the bike to spend with the Lord. I put my ipod on and ride, sing, pray, & listen. Tonight was a lot like many other trips to or from work, but different also. My trip to and from work, all of about fifteen miles one way, is always a good time for me to have my 'me time'. Tonight on the way, some of my old school Christian music came on. I love Newsong and Kenny Marks. The songs tonight were Living Proof, Wholehearted and Turn My World Around were screaming at me. A conversation with Grover yesterday and another call from him today just made the Newsong songs more special tonight. My thoughts turned to the idea of how we often try to live in two worlds at one time, holding on to all the things we call 'mine'. We say one thing, but really live two. How it's not just hard, it's impossible to do. I basically paraphrased the song in the previous lines. There is so much said in just a few lines, but we see it all of the time. My thoughts are basically the idea of why do we say we are 'Christians' and then act like the opposite. The word Christian is a word meant to signify one who is Christ-like. Personally, and this is just me, we should not say we are Christians or ask if someone is a Christian. We should display Christ-like characteristics that make others say we are a Christian. It always seems to me that one who says that they are is a bit too arrogant. We should be more concerned with living a life of love and service. If we do that, others will see Jesus. If we are truly humble and reach to others, the Kingdom will grow. Really, isn't it all about the Kingdom? It should be more about the Kingdom and less about us. If more of us were concerned about others and less about our wants, desires, and what we want, the Kingdom will advance. If we try to make it what we want or think it should be, whatever that might be, we are doing the WRONG things.
The second song, Living Poof, constantly reminds me to be living proof of the love He gave. This is much of the idea from above also. If we are living proof of the love He gave, we will be Christians in action, not just word. Finally, the song by Kenny Marks, Turn My World Around. Basically, in the song, he is saying he is going to turn his world around step-by-step, minute-by-minute, town-by-town. We should have that goal and be 'on a mission that's calling (us), carry His love to the lonely, wrap (our) arms around this lost and dying world.' I said all of the above to say this: we should strive to be more like Jesus and to toss the name 'Christian' around less. We should be living proof daily to be able to turn our world around by living a life wholehearted. I urge you to look the songs up and listen to them. Read the lyrics if you can, then, most of all put those very lyrics into action in your life. I was reminded tonight on my bike ride home of this very thing and that regardless of the heartache or struggles and trials we go through, we have a loving savior and an awesome opportunity to share of His love. I challenge you to wholeheartedly be the living proof that will turn our world around. Go ahead, make Daddy proud. Finally, in the words of Babbie Mason, 'we can make a world of difference with the love of Christ.' Well, today was as emotional as expected. We started the day out as usual, Sunday School, Worship Service, etc. Between the services, it was good to be able to fellowship with those who were saddened by our leaving. However, we aren't leaving the area and we will always be there for them. Basically, we are a phone call or email away.
Just as the music service was going on, I received an email from caringbridge. I didn't want to open it, because I knew what it was likely to say. I opened it anyway. I was right. Hanna Grace's battle was over. She was now resting in Jesus' arms. My heart broke. I sent my phone to Chas so he would be aware. Before we even began the service, we had a time of prayer for the Harrison family. After the service, we had the opportunity to go to the office and spend time with a lady in the congregation and to pray with her. We gave her a NIV new testament and then went to eat with the rest of the congregation. We were blessed to have several there for love and support. We appreciate all of those who have made our lives richer for knowing them. We left the church and came home, it was a bitter-sweet, but we are sure our Lord is and will be with us. While at home this afternoon, we received a phone call from that kid, Grover, who took a swan dive off our truck many years ago. Grove had been reading the blog and read about himself. He just wanted to call and tell us he loves/appreciates us, and that he needed the reminder of he has been through and how thankful for the years he has that he might not have had. He could have easily died that day in the road, but the Lord had a purpose for him. I agree with him. The Lord does have a purpose for him. He also stated that he was encouraged by the story of Hugh & Rhonda's strength and resolve. I said all of that to say that I am thankful for our time with Grover over the years, just as I am for Hugh and Rhonda, and Reece, now. We have been so very blessed with so many great people in our lives. I hope to have opportunities to share more of those blessings as the days go by. This evening, we got David up and his eye was swollen shut (he had been stung around the eye several times yesterday). So, I carried him to the ER and had it checked out because his buddies at rescue who had been keeping a watch on it told him he needed to go ahead and get it checked out. After a while in the ER and a couple of shots, we met Chas and Mike at Ryan and Angie's for a cookout. Good food, good friends, what more could one ask for? Of course, a Savior Who loves us so....GOT THAT!!! We are excited to turn the page on this chapter of our lives and eagerly look to the future and all it holds. |
AuthorMy name is Sonja. I am known as Road Rash, for obvious reasons. I have been a member of His Blood Warriors since 1996 I served as Secretary of LAHBW since the charter began in February 2002. In October, I became International Secretary and currently serve in that position. Archives
June 2012
Categories |