"Road Odors"

Riding opens doors to all types of odors. Some pleasant, some noxious. Odors like the aroma of raw fuel from the bike in front of you. This is less prevalent than it used to be, but a good odor to some people, including myself. The last few weeks I have been able to catch the whiff of new mowed hay. Just a few weeks ago, in the spring, it was the fragrance of blossoms. Then there are those ever-pesky skunks and the heat of summer will bring the smells of hot dust and stench of bloated roadkill.
On a bike the aromas are fleeting, only momentary. Most odors only last for a little while and then you ride out of the affected area. This is the freedom of the open air. If one is riding in a cage, it seems that the most noxious odors just invade and then stay awhile. The more pleasant odors, that we can enjoy on a bike, are usually missed by the cage rider.
While my smell is probably my least used sense, it invokes the strongest memories. Particular odors will revive memories long forgotten and with such intensity that they seem as real as the present. These moments always just sneak up on me. I will encounter the odor and immediately I am transported to a distant time and place. Sometimes these are pleasant memories. Memories of good times, friends and family now gone. Other times these are painful memories. Times of conflict, loss and things I want to forget.
Our relationship with God, secured by Christ, has given us great freedom. Most of the time we are traveling in that freedom. Wide open, out in the air and passing through those odors that bring back all of those old memories of past sins. Sins that have been forgiven and taken care of by Christ himself. Other times we are riding around in a cage. When we pass through those nasty odors, they get inside and just hang around, bringing back those memories, which instead of just fleeting, ride with us for awhile.
The most debilitating affliction in our relationship with God is probably the sins that have already been forgiven. We catch a whiff of some odor that brings either a temptation to return to old habits or floods our lives with guilt because of the old habits. Either one can destroy you if you dont ride on through it. If you capture and contain it, sit and smell it for a while, it will draw you in. At that point you will yield to the temptation or be consumed by the guilt. These are relationship destroyers. They will cause us to move away from God and can create divisions in our relationships with each other.
There are a lot of analogies that I could expand on in regards to the cages that we can find ourselves riding in. They can be built by well meaning people. Churches can create them. We can build them ourselves, but lets not get trapped into riding in cages, rather let us enjoy the freedom that has been given. By staying in this freedom, we can avoid the lies that have drawn us away from God in the past.

Im leaving Sane in the morning. On our way to California, Charlie, Jack (my brother-in-law) and myself. I really wanted to leave in the evening, so I could sing Amarillo By Morning all night long. Oh, well. I will be in Sane, once more, on the July 3.


Paul

"Just Penciled In"

Nineteen years ago, a friend of mine gave me an item as a personal gift, something that he had prepared specifically for me as a remembrance. After he had given it to me he noted that I should take notice that my name on the gift was penciled in, Because, we are all just penciled in, anyway.
I have been reminded of this with the death of my Dad. He was a strong man, with a strong will to live. Dad had endured and survived physical stresses that would have destroyed others. Yet in the end his life was very fragile. We are all just penciled in.
This months writing doesn't have that much to do with motorcycles and will probably not be as humorous and entertaining as some months, but this reminder has reached to the very core of this ministry's existence. Since we are all just penciled in anyway, the message we carry is very important. Dad was ready to go. This didn't prepare us for the loss, but he was prepared to make the trip. I never had to pause or be concerned during the last few days that I spent with him as to whether or not he needed to hear the plan of salvation.
My life and relationship with Dad parallels my life and relationship with God. A lot of time was wasted and lost due to my rebellion. A lot of years were spent in conflict. Dad wasn't there when I gave my life to Christ. Nor was he there when I was baptized. But a few weeks ago, I took him up to Calvary Baptist to see Bob Harrington. During the message I was compelled to respond to a question. Jack and Donna had told me that Bob was persistent on calling people forward that responded to some of his questions. I was uncertain as to why I had felt led to respond to this particular question, can't even really remember the nature of the question, just that it touched my life and the events that were effecting me at that time. Bob insisted that the people that had responded to that question come forward. I went forward. I found out later that Dad told my mother that he didn't know what was bothering me but he was comforted to know that I was willing to face my concerns even in public. During the day following Dads death, I spent a lot of time in prayer. During this time with God, it was impressed upon me that this public response was not for me, but a confirmation for Dad. Confirmation was also given to me during Dads last days. In the end, I knew that Dad and God loved me very much. This love is so important, because we are all just penciled in, anyway.
Dad was known for his tendency to reach out and help people in need. He was also known for his tendency to witness to those same people as well as virtually everyone he came in contact with. This was just his nature. He had a great interest in what the Glory Riders are doing and how it had changed my life. While this ministry was not his direct calling, it was his style. It takes the message to the people that Dad was comfortable with. To the point with the message, taking advantage of the immediate opportunity, because we are all just penciled in anyway.
Each one of us has a limited amount of time to do this thing for God. Everyone we come in contact with has a limited amount of time to hear the message and make a decision. Since we are involved in ministry and this is the commitment that we have made, we are remiss if we fail to find out if people have heard the plan of salvation. No need to be pushy or rude, condescending or critical, but a real need to feel a genuine concern and love for everyone we come in contact with. If we are doing this thing for any other reason, or without love, then it has no meaning. We are all just penciled in, anyway.

Sane is a good place to be penciled in. God is good; he has given us a great peace.
Paul

P.S.: I would like to extend a special Thank You to my chapter family. The contribution to the Leukemia Treatment Fund was appreciated. Dad was willing to give up everything to help Molly. The Glory Riders that attended the funeral honored Dad in a marvelous way in serving as road guards and as an escort for the funeral procession. Thank You again.


"Irons in the Fire"

I do all of my writing on a computer. Before computers it was a typewriter. I don't write by hand. The reason for this is that once completed no one can read it, not even myself. My handwritten work is a divine interpretation each and every time someone wants to know what it says.
There are a lot of other tools that I have learned to use in my time. Most of them are heavy, hard steel, involve high temperatures, fire or electric arcs, manly things. Not quite as plastic and as sensitive to their environment as a computer, but tools just the same. Bikers stand out in my memories and experience as tool people. Men who can take a torch and baling wire, weld things back together and go on down the road. If the torch is not available then drill some holes, sew it together with the wire and it's good for a couple of thousand miles at the least.
Bikers normally only have three drill bits, small, medium and large. If you have more than these right now, it is simply because you haven't discarded the rest by loss attrition, yet. If you can't ream a hole out to perfect fit with this combination of bits, you shouldn't own a drill. These are tools and should be used by those who are properly trained. These Are Professionals, boys, So Don't Be Trying This At Home!!! Use only with Adult Supervision!!!!!
One of my favorite tasks is working with steel. I like to weld. This is an activity where if someone is bothering you, just strike an arc and they go away. Forging items from steel can be an enjoyable task. But when you get the iron in the fire, there is a limit to how much you can do at a time. Each piece of iron requires equal priority and attention. The task cannot be accomplished if the hot iron is not worked at the proper time. If there are too many pieces in fire, then some get neglected or even forgotten and the heat and iron have been wasted.
Our motorcycles are one of many tools in this ministry. CMA's organization, support, direction and guidelines are also all tools. We have many tools to help us complete this work that we have been called to do. This is a large umbrella and there are numerous areas that will fall under it. These numerous items are "irons in our fire". While they may vary in appearance and size, they are still simply only one iron in the fire. They are not the fire. They are not the forge, They are all equal in importance and are necessary in order to cover all of the areas where we can "share and show the love of Jesus Christ to motorcyclists".
We as individuals will chose only those pieces of iron that we are called to work. If you chose an iron on your own, and have not been called into working this item, you will not take the heat of the fire with you. When you go to the forge and work with the iron you have given priority, you will see all the iron that is in the fire and recognize all of the work that is being done. If you are deceived (by Satan, because he is the deceiver) into believing that your piece of iron is the only iron in the fire, it is because you are no longer looking at the fire and all the iron that has been placed there to be worked. At this point, one is no longer working on the iron that is being heated from the fires of God, but is beating on some old, cold steel that was picked up along the way.
Our chapter has a lot of irons in the fire. These can be forged and completed into one entire unit that is the priority of CMA, yet individually they remain only a portion of that vision.
While our individual callings will place priority on specific "irons in the fire", the chapter must keep the work balanced and maintain the importance of all the "iron in the fire".
Our culture has became saturated with this instant result, immediate response, the quicker the better, attitude. Business' and workplaces measure response time to all types of activity. This measurement should never be applied to God's work. Only God can and will measure the results of his work. Never be deceived while using the world's measurements for ministry activities.
The iron is hot, now is the time to apply the influence that God has directed. May we mold and shape our world by lifting up Christ.
The wind did blow, but Sane is still here. God is good.
Paul


"Bad Air"

There are days that the ride is most excellent. The bike slices through the air like a hot knife through warm butter. The air hitting your face is like warm soft pillows. The bike glides effortlessly. So effortless that you can steer by your thoughts alone. If riding is truly addictive, then these are the days that define the moment. I have left home in the mornings under totally miserable conditions on the bare hope that by afternoon things will have changed. Changes that could possibly yield just a few minutes of such a ride. This is good air.
It has been over 33 years since the first time I threw my leg across a motorcycle, but just a few months ago I had, to the best of my memory, the worst ride of my life. The night after we were at Lonnie's church in Sarcoxie, the ride home was horrendous. It was wet, a little cool and the wind shoved me all over the roadway. Riding out of the protected area behind a hill, would throw me into a wind that would shove me sideways the full lane width. This was bad air.
There are other days of bad air. Days when the wind seems constant. Constantly changing. In these changing winds the wake from large trucks shakes and shoves the bike from side to side. Yet I still ride through all of this bad air with the hope of finding just a few miles of good air.

Life is like this. Especially a life that has accepted Christ. I was reminded of this most recently with my friend Rowland. Rowland has had some real bad air. Then just four months ago, he thought that the cancer was going to be a thing of the past. The bad air is back, whipping and shoving.
Our life with Christ has such great times. It is these times that makes life worthwhile and when we truly experience these times, we look forward to each day with Christ because things are made so excellent. Last Saturday at the FORR Bike Show, we ran into a gal that I last saw at the Cowskin Rally in the fall. At Cowskin, she looked tired, weak, fragile and beaten down. In December, she gave her life to Christ. I don't recall having seen such a transformation in a person recently. Saturday she looked healthy, vibrant and alive. Her entire life had changed. It was apparent that she was riding in good air.
Rowland knows what good air is like. Right now his ride is in bad air. But he knows want good air is and that the air in Heaven will be most excellent.
But when we are in bad air, we should remember that God knows what bad air is, also. About this time of year, many years ago, he experienced the worst that man could offer, the ultimate bad air. He knows the human condition. He knows what we are going through. He knows because he has experienced it first hand. It amazes me that an all-powerful, almighty God would humble himself to his creation, the sinful man, to provide a sacrifice worthy for our redemption. What love. What grace. All to provide us with good air.
So when the bad air comes, and we just can't figure out why God let's things happen, remember, he knows what it is like to be us and to ride in the bad air.

The jonquils are blooming in Sane, it must be Easter. What love, what grace, what good air.

Paul

"Sane Fashion Tips"

All sorts of people are peddling various wares with their own ideas of warmth, comfort and cool.
The ultimate purchase is to outfit yourself in a manner to avoid those mortal enemies, heat exhaustion and hypothermia.
Now, I have may own methods of "layering up" to handle the cold and cooling down to handle the high heat. My methods are based on a highly developed scientific program and a good portion of prudent economical tightwadness. For example, I prefer to wear turtle neck shirts in the winter months, so I buy long sleeve cotton knit turtle neck shirts. I promptly cut the sleeves off. Then I use the sleeveless turtle neck for an undershirt and wear my cotton long sleeve button down shirts as my outer wear. I done this at first because my arms got too hot when the sleeves were left on. Then one extremely cold day, I seen these two sleeves laying on my shelf. I thought, "maybe I could use those sleeves." So I pulled them on, on top of my outer shirt and then put on my coat. Now since then, many people have seen me do this and look at me as if I were nuts. Well, I may be nuts, but this has turned into a very practical and warm method of layering for me. If it gets warmer during the day, then I can shed these extra sleeves, put them in a saddlebag and stay comfortable under a wide range of conditions. Everyone knows that in this part of the country there is a wide range of conditions. As the saying goes, "If you don't like the weather here, just wait a little while, because it will change pretty quick".
In the extreme heat, I have found the most effective way to avoid heat exhaustion is to help others in this battle. My favorite way is to fill a water bottle, one of those out of the convenience store coolers with the little pull top that you have to squeeze to get any water out of, and wait until your riding companions are close behind, once you are back on the road. As they near, to about a bike length, just point the bottle straight up, give a squeeze and let physics do the rest. I drive out from under the stream of water. It breaks up into nice big droplets and they get a quick shower. Very refreshing.
Heat exhaustion and hypothermia sneak up on you. These things gradually alter our body temperature until our natural defenses that God gave us can no longer regulate our core temperature. If ignored long enough, they can be fatal. Sin is just like this. It try's to sneak back into the lives of the believers, into our culture, into our relationships, into our breakfast. Little by little our state of being is altered and we don't even notice. The best protection is to layer on the garments of God, through studying the word and in daily prayer and devotion. But don't be a tightwad, in this case get the best, because you are going to need it. If you haven't already gone through the Ministry Team Study in preparation for the upcoming season, it is time to get started laying the clothes out. Seasons of Refreshing is an excellent way to wrap yourself in another layer or two. It is Hell that we are fighting, but it's going to get mighty cold and we need all the protection we can get.
When I leave Sane and when I return, I always have the same amount of clothes. The last few days more and more items are in the saddlebag when I get home. The layers are coming off and spring is on it's way.

Paul


"Can't Argue With Gravity"

If you ride a reasonable amount or at least outside of the city limits, and your arrogance has not deceived you, you are riding for a fall. Now before you come to the wrong conclusion, I have not laid the bike down recently. In fact I can count on one hand the number of times in 33 years that I have splashed a bike. Knock on wood, or anything else close at hand. I have never had the big mule, the current ride, in a less than dignified position.
It was about a year ago that I took a slide on some black ice. Of all the falls that I have taken, this was probably the most peaceful. Nothing was hurt. The only damage was a little scuff to the bottom side of an engine guard and some damaged pride. Which would not have been nearly as dented, the pride that is, if as soon as the guys at the coffee shop found out, one of them had not called Chet. The real humiliating thing was that at the time Chet was in Las Vegas. But what I remember best was that at the moment the event happened I knew that there was no arguing with gravity. The bike and I had exceeded the limits of the forces that hold us in place and we were going to kiss the pavement. Everything went the best that it possibly could have. I managed to get away from the bike and even hit the kill switch as we were separating from each other. The big bonus was that the car that was following me so closely did not run over me on that dark morning.
The very act of cornering a bike defies all of the normal perceptions we have about gravity. Leaning the bike in itself does not make it corner or proceed around the curve. What in reality is happening, is that as we lean the bike, the back wheel, the one under power, is actually walking out from under the rider. As the back wheel walks sideways, the direction of the travel of the bike is constantly changing. It is very much like a satellite in orbit. An object in orbit is constantly falling towards the earth. But due to the length of the radius of the orbital path, it just keeps missing. Once that radius shortens and orbital path degenerates then that baby falls to the ground. Riding a curve is like that. As long as you are leaning and that back tire is walking out from under you and you keep your speed up, you will be ok. Downshift or grab a brake and gravity takes over.
Our witnessing efforts are kind of like this. One of the constant and persistent problems that I have encountered and I know others have, is the person that you are witnessing to, draws you into a discussion. An argument in reality. Your witnessing plan is all mapped out. Maybe you are using the "4 Spiritual Laws" tract or something else. The conversation has been initiated, you are in the curve, full lean, correct throttle, then it happens. Someone makes an accusation about something they saw a professing Christian doing, or a question about Islam, or a statement about some obtuse doctrinal issue. It is my belief that in most cases, these are the efforts of the deceiver in an attempt to cause us to grab the brake or downshift. Now you can't just ignore people, but you have to find a way to keep from arguing with gravity. If you try to argue with gravity, even if it is in defense, you are going to splash.
So how do we recover. Sometimes we can pull back up with a short answer and get back to the subject. A lot of times if you are talking to a small group, I have noticed the one that had the strong gravitational pull will just walk away. Sometimes we just have to go into a controlled slide, hit the kill switch, set the bike back up and start over. Ministry team training and other study programs will help prepare you for this event. This is Satan's subtle way of trying to get us to argue with gravity.

Defy the laws of gravity. Lean, accelerate, and stay on the curve.

From Sane City Limits where if the chromes not shiny, it's because we rode everyday.

Paul

"Where the Deer and the Antelope play..."

Obstacles in the middle of the road are always unnerving. But an obstacle that can relocate on it's own, to reposition itself to remain in front of your motorcycle once you have shifted to a new lane position is a whole new level. Dogs, cats, coons, possums, armadillos, and turkey buzzards all present wonderful opportunities to have a wreck like you have never seen before. This is a little off of the subject, but have you ever noticed how many of those critters have a double letter in their name?

Oh, but the fall of the year. The whitetail deer in their natural life cycle. Running here and there, from one side of the road to the other. I don't know what the life experiences of the person who wrote "Home On The Range" was, but I do know where the deer play. In the middle of the road! I have of late, thought about mounting a deer head on my front fender. This may serve as a deterrent to other deer. I know that these little gangs of deer must have a spotter. One deer who is watching to let the others know when to cross the road. This way they know to cross just far enough ahead of any oncoming traffic to cause knee jerk reactions, heart failure and possible catastrophic oversteering and braking. With a deer head mounted on the front fender that spotter might think twice about sending others out in front of me.

I have a pair of those ultrasonic whistles. They are down by the mounts for the front running boards. Tried to place them in an unobtrusive location, but I am never certain they are working. I don't know if they work at all. They are kind of like the elephant charm I have in my pocket. I haven't seen any raging elephants headed my way and I haven't ran over any deer or dogs as of yet.

The road from home to Neosho passes right through deer central for Newton County. Wildlife reserves and wildlife refuges, restricted to and from hunters. During hunting season, deer move en masse to these restricted areas, crossing roads without spotters or looking both ways. I think I'll buy another pair of those ultrasonic whistles. Mount them on my helmet, about 45o off of each ear. They will probably look like warp drives on a Romulan War Bird. Cool, two benefits in one alteration.

There are plenty of hazards in our spiritual roads. Satan is a spotter that runs these things out in front of us, hoping to see a wreck that will destroy our souls. Over-reactions can indicate that we are trying to control the ride, instead of letting God have the front saddle. These things can destroy lives, churches and CMA chapters if we don't seek God first and respond with a human knee jerk reaction. It is the human tendency to try and fix things first on our own and to call on God last, after all else fails. Let's strive to make our call on God first and then respond to his direction. Satan would love to make us oversteer and head in another direction, forgetting our priorities and where the road was leading.

From the center of the road in Sane City Limits, don't let the critters get you down.
Paul


"Brothers Gone Home"

"Who's that I see, standing on the other side? It's a friend I knew from somewhere along my ride.
The ride was good, and the visits ever better, but to soon they rode off to sit with our Father.
And while I miss them along the ride, I will see then soon on the other side.

Is that Delbert I see, standing on the other side? Few will match the miles he went on his earthly ride. A loyal brother, reaching out to the big and small. Riding to tell others of Jesus' love for all.
And while I miss him along the ride, I will see him soon on the other side.

Is that Terry I see, standing on the other side? Faithful, loyal and in love did his life abide.
Now for eternity to be with God, waiting for friends to arrive from abroad.
And while I miss him along the ride, I will see him soon on the other side.

Is that Mike I see, standing on the other side? Boots and saddles, brothers and sisters, let's ride!
Joke of the day, and Skins for Your Skin, never met a stranger, tell others for their souls to win.
And while I miss Mike along the ride, I will see him soon on the other side.

Who's that I see, on the other side? Brothers called home, for the eternal ride, and I will see them soon on the other side."

I think it was Linda who told Mike that when I died, I would be buried sitting on my motorcycle. Mike said that was a cool idea, but it would be a shame to put a good machine in the ground. He promised that if I went first, and would be cremated, he would take my ashes, place them in the oil reservoir of an old Harley that burned a little oil and blow me out down the road. I thought that was a good idea, but would rather someone mixed the ashes in some paint, painted me on a tank and then I could ride forever. And if he wanted, I would do the same for him. That was Mike, extreme and loving it, always, as his mother noted, flamboyant. As we go through life, there are kindred spirits that we meet. Mike and I made that connection. We could sit down together, both talking at the same time. Others might of thought that it was a rude conversation, but would have been unable to determine the rude one. We functioned fine in this way and would both walk away when we were done with a full understanding of what the other had said. While we had traveled different paths to get to the same point, we found that there were many common threads that ran through the tapestry of our lives.

Mike won't even be through with the first verse of his praise to God before we join him. It will be just a moment in his eternity and all of the kindred spirits in Christ will be joined in praise to our Father. I seen Mike's heart on numerous occasions, I was amazed. I would that my love for God will grow as large as Mike's in the short time I have left. Praise God for the time he gave us.

From the porch of the Trading Company, Ride light, Mike, you are where the shiny side is always up. We will catch up soon.

Michael "Biker Mike" Grieshaber
October 11, 1951-October 20, 2000

Your brother, Paul

"Through Other Eyes"

"The time has come, the walrus said, To talk of many things. Of shoes and ships and sealing wax, of cabbages and kings, and why the sea is boiling hot and whether pigs have wings." My favorite lines from Lewis Carroll's "Alice in Wonderland". To Alice, everything was different. Some who read about Alice, find the Wonderland a maze of confusion and absurdity, nonsense that is simply a waste of time. Others find an ordered, mathematical world. Tilted and skewed, but one that still lends itself to an understanding.
To the everyday, garden variety Christian, the world of the Biker is a Wonderland. Some find it confusing and of no value, wondering why anyone would want to venture there to witness. Others find it intriguing and viewing those who do go there, see something glamorous and exciting.
In reality, it is neither. At several different times following our visits to the area churches, people have come up to me and asked if they needed a motorcycle to join CMA. While this is a question that has come about on several times in the past, my answer is always the same. No you aren't required to have a motorcycle. Normally I just leave the conversation at that. While it is helpful in having a familiarity with other cultures so as to not be offensive, that familiarity should be real and not just head knowledge. While ministry is for everyone who professes Christ, motorcycle ministry is not for everyone.. Often times people look at a certain area and see that Wonderland and for a moment it appears to have some type of order. That order will soon turn to chaos once they see the reality of what exist. Even those of us who came out of these extreme lifestyles and have gotten comfortable in more acceptable company, can get distracted. Our distraction can be either like that of a moth drawn to the flame or one of self-righteous condemnation. The solution is the same for both. We must look at all things through Jesus' eyes. When we look through our eyes we see people in need of judgment or an old lust that still seduces.
Looking through Jesus' eyes allows us to see those who need him in all types of ways. Spiritually, emotionally, physically and mentally. Those who need him for comfort. Those who need him for peace. Those who need him for strength. Those who need him for love.
The people who we begin to see in need of rehabilitation and then repentance, Jesus sees in need of saving grace and love. It easy to let Satan deceive us into thinking that we know what is best and that these people are really bad and hey! Somebody needs to call the cops!!!! Maybe not to that extreme, but to an extent that our witness can be hurt. We forget that God is the one that is doing the saving and not us. Instead of presenting the message in love, letting the Holy Spirit work and accepting their answer to something that is outside of our power, we take offense when they don't do what is obviously the best for them.
We have had a very busy season. We have seen our chapter members in all areas where we had access. Some were exposed to new things. Events and activities that they had never experienced before. But I seen everyone approach each experience in an open, honest way and seeds were planted all along the way. I would just like to express how respect I have and how honored I am to be a part of such a fine chapter family.

Here's to you, from those in Sane.
Paul


"Old Friends, New Friends"

Shep, old friend, by the time that this is in print it will have been 33 years since we first met. You probably don't remember our first meeting, but I do. Not that it was some wild event, but because of the friendship that was born. It was the first day of school in late August, 1967. My parents had moved to Newtonia the previous May after the school year had completed in Maysville, Arkansas. Mom didn't cotton to my sister and I "running the streets", so I had not met anyone my age. You and Bill Lemaster grabbed me as soon as I got on the bus wanting to know what grade I was in. As soon as you found out that we were in the same grade, you never parted company.
Years went by and I always knew who my friends were. I was a bit of loner, so my few friends were fairly distinct. After my college days, I remember pausing and looking back. The names that stood out were Rick Clymer, Bill Lemaster, Richard Taylor, James Francis O'Leary Ross, Kathy "Mac" McInturff, Randy Turner and you, Terry "Shep" Shepherd. These were the names of legends. Not for the famous or the infamous, but because they were my friends who befriended me and defended me when I was defenseless and despicable. At our ten year class reunion, Linda and I could not attend the banquet, but the kind words that you used in my defense got back to me. Your words directed the opinions of others away from the rumors and even softened the facts about the things that I had done. Because you knew me, I was defended against those who did not.

Shep, old friend, I just wanted to let you know that things are good. I still have and protect those old friends Although we don't see each other often, when we do the time is well spent. I have also found a lot of new friends. It took me a long time to learn the things that I believe you always knew. Even though my old friends though that I was smart, it turns out that I wasn't very bright. It took me years to find Christ and even longer to open up to others. I have come a long way and a good portion of me is due to the influence of my old friends. I would like to introduce you to my new friends. Friends, who like you, love God and have accepted that wonderful gift that was given for each of us. This introduction will have to wait. You have already went to see our Dad and spend eternity with him. I just wanted to let you know that some day soon I will meet you there. And I have some new friends I want to share with you.

From the porch of the Trading Company, in the center of Sane, hello and goodbye. I will see you again.

In memory of my friend, Terry Allen "Shep" Shepherd, April 4, 1956- August 8, 2000.
To all my friends, old and new, I always remember the first time we met.

Paul

"God, is watching over me"

This month I am going to veer off course of my regular writing. Normally I start with something anecdotal maybe a little funny, but at least interesting, I always hope. I really don't want to waste any space in this writing. It has been a great week. Spent a little time at Iron Mountain with the international rally, less than I had planned, but got to be there for a portion of it at least. For those of you who missed it, the June 29 chapter meeting was fantastic, wow. Had opportunities to talk to a lot of people this past week. Some lifted me up and others we pointed toward Christ, blessed by all of them. The Glory Riders have a lot going on right now, but we must never forget our first job is always evangelism. For that we must always be prepared. I have encouraged you in the past to participate in the ministry team training. If you have not done so, you should. The most important thing in our lives is simple enough to fit on the back of a business card. My cards have that plan of salvation on the back. God made this thing so short, direct and so easy. We want to make it big, grand and hard. The human thing is to make ourselves available to do the big and hard, but all we need to do is to fully understand the short and easy. Two things: first, if you haven't ever taken the ministry team training, do so. The sooner the better. If you have a chance to attend the Bill Glass orientation, do so. Continue a review of this presentation of the gospel every chance you get. The second thing you need to do is have your personnel testimony down solid. A lot of times when we play off of the cuff, we look back and think, I wish I had said that just a bit different. In both items, the presentation of the gospel and our testimony, it is easy to get off track and on to issues that aren't relevant, making things bigger and harder than need be. God has made this simple, but we need to do just a couple of small things to be ready. These are not big and glamorous, so don't let their simple nature stop you from completing them. We will be printing personal testimonies each month in the newsletter.

I was raised by very faithful parents. Throughout the years that I lived at home, my folks always had me and my sister in church. In the early 70''s, my life changed. I left home for college. I had always had questions and had never really accepted Christ. My acceptance had been a tentative decision that said "If there is a God, I had probably better do this thing". So off to college I go with all my questions and this very vague thing in my head, because it definitely wasn't in my heart.
At home, my life had been sheltered. I was not exposed to a lot of the things that others were doing. When I got away from the restraints that protected me from this exposure, I also had opportunities to make decisions. Decisions about alcohol, drugs, pornography and other extreme behavior. This is when years of bad decisions began. I knew right from wrong, but as long as my parents didn't find out, I was a player. You see, I had no faith, no relationship with our Heavenly Father. Like all sin, my actions began with the concept of "I want". I got involved in things that I had never dreamed of doing. But, God was watching over me.
I left college, got married, started a family. Having not completed my education, which had been a full, free ride but was now just a memory, things were a struggle. In 1980, I was given another chance to return to college and try again. Everything was paid for once more. God was still watching over me.
I blew it. I ended up divorced, broke and forfeited the educational opportunity once again.
But things get worse. Now I am not only just doing things based on bad decisions and affecting others, I have totally rejected God. I became an agnostic. An agnostic is a real fence sitter. Webster's Dictionary says that an agnostic has made no real commitment to either the existence or nonexistence of a higher power. But my definition is that an agnostic is just a guy that doesn't have the guts to say that he is an atheist. You know that the Bible says, "It is fool who says in his heart that there is no God." I can tell you that this is correct and I was that fool. But, God was still watching over me.
God used some wonderful people, one of them being Linda, to bring me home. I fully accepted Christ in 1989 without reservation. No conditions this time. I still had questions and plenty of bad habits that I had cultivated for years. I have spent years trying to rebound from the cost of the sins that I made under my own control.
God gave me plenty of chances to succeed in every way imaginable. I had rejected and insulted him time and time again with my ignorance. I don't like to tell all about the sins that I committed, I don't want to glorify anything that I done during those years away from God. But I do want to tell that God redeemed me from extreme sinful behavior and a mean, hateful attitude. These thing were destroying me and everyone around me.
Things aren't perfect. That's my fault. My actions influenced so many other people and some are following the example I started. Why God kept watching over me, I will never understand.
I do want to thank and praise God for his love and for bringing me out of a life of sin. I also want to thank him for releasing me from those bad habits that I had taken into my life. Whatever opportunities that God gives me now, I want to use in his service, not for my own gain.

Paul

"Sane City Limits"

For several years, 15 or so, I have made comments to friends and others that I would like for the Highway Department to set marker boards on the sides of the road in each direction from my house. These are the little signs, smaller than a city limit sign, but with the same green reflective 3-M sheeting, that mark a known location that is not quite a town, such as Boulder City.
This sign would read, "Sane". Thus Sane City Limits. Since I have not been very successful with convincing the Highway Department in making this installation, the other alternative was to have signs made and placed at each end of our property in the fenceline. But, regardless of where the signs are at, Sane City Limits will always be wherever I am.
The only know entity in "Sane" other than me is the "Sane Mule and Motorcycle Trading Company". These were just daydreams but they became visions. Let me philosophy for a bit. If you have a dream and add passion and commitment it can become a vision. Specifics applied to a vision will make it a reality. This works whether you are considering a future business plan or God's work. God's will is defined and outlined in his word. Now we can set around and dream about what we might do, could do, should do. We dream about what we would have done if we had been in someone else's situation. We dream about what we could do if the finances were right. We dream about what could have been done if we had just made time to attend that last prison ministry event. We can dream and dream and dream, but without adding commitment and passion the dream will never become a vision. Once we can develop a clear vision of where we fit into the completion of God's will, then we can define specific tasks that we can do to make it so.
So here we are. Sane Mule and Motorcycle Trading Company became more than a dream to me. I would take the earliest possible retirement from MoDOT and set up a little shop. Do minor repairs, change a few tires, service bikes, build a custom or two. One day about a year and a half ago, I sit down and actually wrote out my plans on paper. Since that time the plans have evolved into something slightly different, but the vision is still there and still fueled with passion and commitment.
Specifics can change without altering the vision. This year we identified several ministry areas that chapter members can become involved in. These are specifics. Some of these may change by this time next year, but the vision can remain the same.
No longer am I thinking of a shop, but a roadhouse/cafe. A meeting place for people and abundant ministry opportunities. Kind of a biker's Cracker Barrel. Have a few items of apparel, leathers, accessories, with biscuits and gravy anytime or a bowl of black beans and rice. Obviously, there would be rides mapped out from Sane to all other points of destination on the most scenic of routes that never touch a main road.
Well, just hello and good-bye from the front porch of the "Sane Mule and Motorcycle Trading Company". Until next time, keep the rubber down, shiny side up and ride light.

Paul


"Dream a Little Dream"

I have always been a dreamer. Linda told me a short while back, that when we were first married, she became very worried. She could see what a dreamer I was and after a time was concerned that I would not be able to direct my energy to something that would sustain us. We did get past that point, but I am still a dreamer and have a dream that I hold on to. Some people already know about it and if you have been in our home, I often refer to it as the Sane City Limits. When someone comes to visit, they are in "Sane". Scott Ogle overheard Jeff Smith and I talking about the "Sane Mule & Motorcycle Trading Company" and started trying to find out how to get there. The bikes and leathers sounded good to him, but the menu with biscuits and gravy available at all hours and every kind of pie imaginable really caught his attention. Who besides me would want to serve black beans and rice with Cajun sausage in the same room that we are doing customizing in? Scott was ready to ride, he just didn't know which way. Both Sane City Limits and the Trading Company are just figments of my imagination, dreams that are slowly turning into visions. They may stay like Garrison Keillor's "Lake Wobegon" and just be something I write about, but who knows? It's great fun when you can live in a dreamland and other people want to visit. Someday, Sane City Limits will come to reality, this is my retirement project.

Sometimes I think that we simply get distracted from doing what God intended. Our personal dreams can cloud the vision that we should have for what God has willed. Like Scott, we are ready to ride, we just don't know which way to go. When I was a kid, I remember certain preachers preaching against all sorts of things that we don't give much thought to these days. There were preachers, at least in this part of the country, that preached strongly against television. While I am not one to hold to the concept that all technology is evil, I think that the real point might have been missed. The last few years has led me to believe that while something in itself may not be evil, we may lose the battle simply by the distraction it provides and the time it consumes. If I tie up my time with anything other than doing what God has in store for me, the result is the same as if I had nothing at all. At this point you may be thinking, yea, he has hit on something here. But hold on. This could apply to even more noble things. Every church and yes, even CMA, has pew potatoes. Attending functions where you are sitting with the choir, is pretty safe. We can't stay at the spiritual table and eat all the time, work needs to be done. The real deal is to move outside that comfort zone to those areas where we are not surrounded by brothers and sisters in Christ. Places where we will get asked the hard questions and can be a part of others lives and make an impact. Dreams can be a distraction, but a vision for God's will and a desire to find a place to be put to use can be a life changing decision. Once a dream evolves into a vision, then the specifics can be developed that moves the vision to reality. Our chapter is providing the specifics for each of us to turn visions into realities in God's kingdom.

This endeavor has been brought to you from Sane City Limits and sponsored by the "Sane Mule and Motorcycle Trading Company", where, if you're there, you're in Sane.

Paul



"Old Thoughts, New Meanings"

"I'm just a wandering on the face of this earth, teaching so many people who would try to be free. And while I'm traveling I in so many words, languages, barriers broken, now we've found the key. And if you want the wind of change to blow, well I do, and you're the only other person to know, don't tell me.........."

Some who read the words above may recognize this portion of lyrics from an old song, others probably have never encountered them before. There are lots of things in everyone's past. Some things we need to leave behind, others we will carry with us forever. These are not evil or even problem pets. The words above had a very different meaning almost 30 years ago when I first heard them and even 10 years ago after I had received Christ. Read closely, they are a very fitting description, in my opinion, of what we are doing in CMA and what everyone who claims Christ should be doing. Old thoughts, but have taken on new meaning since my involvement with CMA and our chapter.
Since the day I met Dave Boyes at Meadow's Cycle and we spent the two hours talking, while I was having a tire changed and waiting out the thunderstorm, my entire perception of my faith has changed. My entire philosophy has been altered. And you all didn't even think I knew how to spell philosophy, much less have one. Not only have I changed my outlook, I am seeing others expand their horizons and use their talents to a greater extent than ever before. I want to use all that I have available for this thing that we are directed to do. It appears that our chapter is inciting others to witness, internally and externally. We are certainly blessed.

The words? They are from "I'm Just A Singer In A Rock and Roll Band", by the Moody Blues. Old thoughts, but have new meaning. Just a little trip down my memory lane from the front porch of the Sane Mule and Motorcycle Trading Company, where the chrome is always shiny and the dogs have all been petted.

Paul



"Biker Movie Titles"

There is an abundance of movies titles that have been used by others, that in my opinion, are actually titles for movies about bikers but somebody just got sidetracked. Anyway, I thought that I would compile, at least, a partial list along with the correct description of what the movie should of been about had the title not been used by someone else.
"North by Northwest" , a story about a Missouri biker seeking directions to Sturgis.
"Sleepless in Seattle", was actually a re-name of our camping experience at the Changing of the Colors Rally last fall. The only place where we could have camped that would have been noisier would have been in the center of Highway 71. But hey, we picked our own camping spots. Original title was Sleepless at Iron Mountain.
"The Outlaw Josey Wales", what kind of a name is Josey Wales? Obviously this is an alias, a story probably about a HA.
"Rainman", several people I know has a story to tell that could fall under this title.
"Pale Rider", a super-hero die-hard rider who encounters fog on a cold winter morning, only to emerge iced over.
"Men In Black", clearly about a biker in full leather with plenty of bug juice. Since this movie was about a giant alien bug anyway, only minor adjustments would need to be made. Would have been set in the Ozarks where the bugs have been so thick during the pre-dawn hours the last few weeks, that once they enter the headlight beam it is like watching tracers coming in. Driving during dusk has been the equivalent of being part of a firefight in a John Wayne war movie. This title is definitely my favorite.

Much like I have taken the above titles and applied them to suit my own needs for this bit-o-fun, we often want to take God's script and adjust it to provide a rational explanation for our actions instead of seeking out his will and doing it. There are a lot of items on our calendar, CMA events and secular events. If someone is seeking something to do in ministry, they don't need to search far and don't need travel far to make themselves available to people who need Christ. As a chapter we have made some commitments. As Christians, we also made a commitment and by becoming a part of CMA, we placed that commitment out for the public to view. I'm really encouraged, because every event I go to this year, I have seen other members of our chapter there. People are finding all sorts of areas to plug into and become a part of. Areas where witnessing opportunities will make themselves available. Even with all of this available, we still need to seek out God's will for where we need to be. Although all types of activities are available, let us continue to seek direction for where we need to be. Sometimes this may not place us where we would first choose to be, but it will certainly put us where we need to be.

Paul


"The Great & the small"

I am never more aware, nor are my senses more acute than when I am riding. The sky is never bigger, the horizon never more distant, nothing is ever as vivid or grander in God's creation than when I am saddled up and on the ride. A couple of weeks ago, Tiny and I were coming back from Seasons of Refreshing at Eldon on a Saturday evening. We hit light rain at Lebanon that quickly developed into massive thunderstorms. The lighting was penetrating the heavy rain from thousands of feet above. It was grand, better than the best ride I ever had on four wheels and I felt extremely small. A few nights past, Chet & Glenda and Linda & I were riding back from Grove. We were on #10 Highway at the edge of the lake. The sky was clear, stars were bright, and the lights were reflecting off of the surface of the lake. A falling star passed directly overhead, going across the sky away from us on our left side. It was one of those stars that last forever and turned into a bright green ball. It was grand, better than any visual effects that man can make and I felt extremely small.
God's creation is great and I am always in awe, but when I'm riding my senses are always on the alert for hazards, the yard dog that appears from hiding in the ditch, deer crossing the road in the dark, foreign objects laying in the lane ahead. The night of the thunderstorms provided plenty of hazard, 122 miles of wet pavement and wheel ruts on the interstate filled with 2 inches of water that provided extreme conditions at highway speed. I felt extremely small. The night of the falling star began with an evening ride from Anderson to Grove, straight into a blinding setting sun. At times visibility was limited to less than 100' and the ride demanded total concentration. I felt extremely small.
If ever there was a song for the biker, I think this current contemporary Christian song might be the one. The chorus goes like this, "The mountains sing your glory hallelujah, the canyons echo sweet amazing grace, my spirit sails, the mighty gales are bellowing your name, and I have nothing to say, No, I have nothing to say."
The ride that our chapter is on is very much like the rides I have described above. We are experiencing grand blessings, financial gifts, increased attendance, invitations to be a part of secular events and lots of activities on the schedule. Chapter members can easily find an area of ministry to plug into. Things, they are a happenin'. As great as our blessings are at the moment, the hazards exist also. Tiny pointed out to me a few weeks back, that Satan was going to start to resist us in this war. I know that he is right. We can always expect to be opposed when we are out and about. We can expect no more or less than that from people who do not know Christ. What we should prepare ourselves for is an attack from within. An attack from within, if we are not riding with our senses alert for the hazards will not only disrupt the ministry, but can unravel all that has been accomplished to this point. This is a God thing and we should always be mindful of that. Losing sight of that and thinking that it is dependent upon any one or two of us will make us vulnerable for attack. The enemy knows our weak spots and will try to work his way in through those areas. While at Seasons of Refreshing, I was reminded of one of my own. In years past, I would have times of identity crisis and find myself doing things just to fit in. Although I had always been somewhat of a loner and was my own person, this would happen from time to time. I began looking around at all the wonderful Christian people at Seasons, then began questioning as to what I was even doing in the same building with them. I am sharing this with you, because I know that the enemy is already at work. He is seeking out ways to start breaking us down from within. Attacks from the outside would only make us draw closer together, but attacks from within can drive us apart. Be on the alert, the ride is getting hazardous.
Paul


"Being Conservative and Prudent"

Last fall at the Colors Rally, Sid Knight ask me, "How do you come up with the stuff that you write?". My answer to her was, "I'm just windy". Well, this story goes like this: There was a man that wanted a motorcycle. Being very conservative and prudent, he viewed this as a luxury and decided that he would complete this desire by methodically saving a given amount on a regular basis until he had accumulated enough to make the purchase. Then he would have a motorcycle completely paid for. (Unlike most of us, in a lot of ways, I don't view the bike as a luxury, but as a necessity and am willing to approach the purchase like I would any other vehicle, but on with our story.) As time went on and the money grew and grew, he looked at bikes and studied more and more. The amount needed for the purchase of the bike was getting closer and closer. Then he decided that the bike also need some accessories, this meant more money. So being very conservative and prudent, and not wanting to ride anything less than the fully accessorized dream that he had in mind, he continued with the saving plan. Time went on and the money grew and grew, he realized that there would be sales tax and license and insurance cost associated with the purchase. Being very conservative and prudent, and not wanting to be neglectful in any way, he continued with the saving plan.
Now considerable time has passed and the manufacturer discontinued that particular model. So he had to decide on a different model at a slightly higher price. Being very conservative and prudent, and not wanting anyone to think that he had indulged in extravagance, he continued with the saving plan.
Eventually, he made his goal. The motorcycle was bought and he was so proud. Being very conservative and prudent, and aware of the considerable investment that he had just made, not wanting to place anything at risk the motorcycle was placed in the garage away from the elements, the danger of traffic, exposure to the sun and who knows what else. When it became convenient in conversation, he would interject, "Yea, man I've got a motorcycle, it's my pride and joy". However, people very seldom seen it.
I can walk into motorcycle shops almost anywhere and find bikes that belonged to this guy. After a period of time he got tired of walking around the bike to get to his tool cabinet and finally sold it. Unfortunately, there is something more important than motorcycles that this story describes. Many times we want to be a witness, but we want to build to that point. Some by what they consider to be their own spiritual growth, a savings plan that they feel they need before witnessing, others by planting seeds, a savings plan they feel that others need before witnessing. Now don't get me wrong, both of these items are necessary and good, but there comes a time that we have to invest ourselves or reach out and take the harvest. Being conservative and prudent, we don't want to make an error in our witness. We don't want to distance someone who is in need of Christ by being too forward. We don't feel our personal testimony is dramatic enough for anyone to take notice.
We worry too much!
As you read through this newsletter, you will find that there are several areas of ministry that we as a group are already involved in. The encouragement to each of us, is that there are areas where we can all plug into and take that witness that we have out for a spin. Let's get a little road grim on it this year.
Paul



"Being Conservative and Prudent"

Last fall at the Colors Rally, Sid Knight ask me, "How do you come up with the stuff that you write?". My answer to her was, "I'm just windy". Well, this story goes like this: There was a man that wanted a motorcycle. Being very conservative and prudent, he viewed this as a luxury and decided that he would complete this desire by methodically saving a given amount on a regular basis until he had accumulated enough to make the purchase. Then he would have a motorcycle completely paid for. (Unlike most of us, in a lot of ways, I don't view the bike as a luxury, but as a necessity and am willing to approach the purchase like I would any other vehicle, but on with our story.) As time went on and the money grew and grew, he looked at bikes and studied more and more. The amount needed for the purchase of the bike was getting closer and closer. Then he decided that the bike also need some accessories, this meant more money. So being very conservative and prudent, and not wanting to ride anything less than the fully accessorized dream that he had in mind, he continued with the saving plan. Time went on and the money grew and grew, he realized that there would be sales tax and license and insurance cost associated with the purchase. Being very conservative and prudent, and not wanting to be neglectful in any way, he continued with the saving plan.
Now considerable time has passed and the manufacturer discontinued that particular model. So he had to decide on a different model at a slightly higher price. Being very conservative and prudent, and not wanting anyone to think that he had indulged in extravagance, he continued with the saving plan.
Eventually, he made his goal. The motorcycle was bought and he was so proud. Being very conservative and prudent, and aware of the considerable investment that he had just made, not wanting to place anything at risk the motorcycle was placed in the garage away from the elements, the danger of traffic, exposure to the sun and who knows what else. When it became convenient in conversation, he would interject, "Yea, man I've got a motorcycle, it's my pride and joy". However, people very seldom seen it.
I can walk into motorcycle shops almost anywhere and find bikes that belonged to this guy. After a period of time he got tired of walking around the bike to get to his tool cabinet and finally sold it. Unfortunately, there is something more important than motorcycles that this story describes. Many times we want to be a witness, but we want to build to that point. Some by what they consider to be their own spiritual growth, a savings plan that they feel they need before witnessing, others by planting seeds, a savings plan they feel that others need before witnessing. Now don't get me wrong, both of these items are necessary and good, but there comes a time that we have to invest ourselves or reach out and take the harvest. Being conservative and prudent, we don't want to make an error in our witness. We don't want to distance someone who is in need of Christ by being too forward. We don't feel our personal testimony is dramatic enough for anyone to take notice.
We worry too much!
As you read through this newsletter, you will find that there are several areas of ministry that we as a group are already involved in. The encouragement to each of us, is that there are areas where we can all plug into and take that witness that we have out for a spin. Let's get a little road grim on it this year.
Paul



"A Question of Balance"

Mother said, "Don't be riding those motorcycles. You have got to know that anything that will move that fast and can't stand up on it's own, has got to be dangerous."

Oh, but what a ride when you get that iron horse balanced! The better the balance gets, the greater it becomes. The wind, the speed, the wide open freedom. Reminds me of the days when I was a kid and still putting baseball cards in the spokes to give that old bicycle some sound. The more I rode the better control over the balance I had. Thus, the braver I became. Then a boy has always got to show off for his mom. Look mom, no feet! Look mom, no hands!! Look mom, no skin!!!
When you are just trying to balance, serious things can happen. Bad things. There is a little more to the ride than just the balance. Real mastery of the ride happens when you become a part of the bike and the bike an extension of yourself. When the ride becomes a way of life and not just an event wedged in on the weekend or between all the other activities, more time is spent developing the mastery of the ride. When a rider rises above that level of just keeping the bike balanced, he will have the control to ride through times of problem. Times when things get off balance, hazards appear in the road, loose gravel or stiff blast of wind when meeting a line of speeding trucks.

Attempting to just balance God in your life is like riding that bike. You can get a certain level of ride, but end up with no skin. God wants more from us than to just be balanced in our lives. A few minutes shoved somewhere in between work, baseball practice, school, shopping, eating, running, sleeping, and even church. Sometimes activities can become so active, that the real time one needs to spend with God to maintain that relationship can become just another spinning plate in the balancing act. God wants to be the whole of our lives, and the other details can fall into place around his presence. Just like mastery of the ride, real Lordship happens when our entire life is turned over to God and that becomes our way of living.

Don't just settle for the balanced ride, although it is fun, and don't just settle for balanced life. Both are incomplete and short term. In the moment. It's great to have that wonderful feeling one gets after attending an exceptional worship service. But, life with Christ is not just that one aspect, feelings. A life totally consumed with God will carry on past those feelings and into the times when life gets off balance.
Paul



"A Question of Balance"

Mother said, "Don't be riding those motorcycles. You have got to know that anything that will move that fast and can't stand up on it's own, has got to be dangerous."

Oh, but what a ride when you get that iron horse balanced! The better the balance gets, the greater it becomes. The wind, the speed, the wide open freedom. Reminds me of the days when I was a kid and still putting baseball cards in the spokes to give that old bicycle some sound. The more I rode the better control over the balance I had. Thus, the braver I became. Then a boy has always got to show off for his mom. Look mom, no feet! Look mom, no hands!! Look mom, no skin!!!
When you are just trying to balance, serious things can happen. Bad things. There is a little more to the ride than just the balance. Real mastery of the ride happens when you become a part of the bike and the bike an extension of yourself. When the ride becomes a way of life and not just an event wedged in on the weekend or between all the other activities, more time is spent developing the mastery of the ride. When a rider rises above that level of just keeping the bike balanced, he will have the control to ride through times of problem. Times when things get off balance, hazards appear in the road, loose gravel or stiff blast of wind when meeting a line of speeding trucks.

Attempting to just balance God in your life is like riding that bike. You can get a certain level of ride, but end up with no skin. God wants more from us than to just be balanced in our lives. A few minutes shoved somewhere in between work, baseball practice, school, shopping, eating, running, sleeping, and even church. Sometimes activities can become so active, that the real time one needs to spend with God to maintain that relationship can become just another spinning plate in the balancing act. God wants to be the whole of our lives, and the other details can fall into place around his presence. Just like mastery of the ride, real Lordship happens when our entire life is turned over to God and that becomes our way of living.

Don't just settle for the balanced ride, although it is fun, and don't just settle for balanced life. Both are incomplete and short term. In the moment. It's great to have that wonderful feeling one gets after attending an exceptional worship service. But, life with Christ is not just that one aspect, feelings. A life totally consumed with God will carry on past those feelings and into the times when life gets off balance.
Paul


"North by Northwest"

Everybody has their own natural abilities. No one is exactly the same. I, like everyone else and like each of you, have certain areas in which I am stronger and more adept in than other areas. There are also those areas in which I am totally worthless.
I have the ability, and there are others like myself, to go someplace either as the driver or passenger one time and then if I ever want to return there, and this can be years later, I can always go right back to the same location. No problem. I don't use any specific techniques or special skills to identify things or remember certain landmarks, routes or directions. Things just work in such a manner that I have always been able to return to a location near or far with just the information that my brain accumulated from the original trip.
Compass directions are built into my nature, also. North, east, west and south are as natural to me as up and down.
Beyond my understanding is how others can get so confused about compass directions or never find their way back to a place they have been before. Now, we have found a weak area. Impatience with others in areas where God has been so gracious as to give me strength. What an attitude from a person who has such a good sense of direction, but doesn't know left from right. That's right, I don't know left from right. If someone gives me direction by left or right, I have to pause. Let's see, right is on my north side, if I am facing west. There I figured that one out!

Just like each of us need direction, whether riding or in our spiritual lives, Christian brothers and sisters need God's direction as a group. Sometimes others help set the direction for us. CMA by definition is a motorcycle ministry and not a motorcycle club. That statement sets direction. As a chapter direction has been set by dedication to the monthly work at Soul's Harbor and more recently by the ministry to the youth on the Carthage Square. Every time we meet, at these ministry events or at chapter meeting we find time for fellowship. This is a good balance in our direction. We find others to minister to and find time to minister to each other.

The entire reason I have started this discussion is because that on September 1, the time begins for getting prepared for the next season by renewing Ministry Team commitments. If you have not gone through the Ministry Team training, it gives one a wonderful sense of direction. It is like a personal little revival. I want my comments here to be a source of encouragement for each of us to find that direction, as a chapter and as an individual Christians. If you have been a Ministry Team member in the past, renew that commitment. If this is something you have not been a part of in the past, it is a wonderful experience, gives good direction and I hope you will take advantage of that which is available.

Paul



"Every Square Inch Has Meaning"

Between two white lines lies a 288" surface divided by a yellow centerline. A rider gets to choose where they want to travel, but like life, each choice has it's consequences. Riding left of the yellow centerline can be fine for awhile, but stay there too long and one is sure to meet calamity. When the yellow centerline consist of two solid yellow stripes, I look at it with a desire to use that little 12" lane between those two solid yellow stripes. It's perfectly good pavement and no one else is using it. On occasion I try it out. But this too holds it's own hazards and when the conditions are really safe, this lane usually disappears. So the law says, "Keep Right".
In the remaining 132", there is still lots of room for choice. Conditions dictate where in the right lane we choose to be. Every square inch of pavement has meaning.
This essay is not about the mechanics of riding, or proper riding styles, but if a person looks at those things, you can discover that a rider can keep right, but still be different Such is riding, such is life, and such is our spiritual life. Every square inch has meaning.
Not every Christian has a desire or calling to be a part of CMA, The Gideons, or some other ministry association. But every Christian does have a directive, from Christ to evangelize. Spread the word, tell others. Even on this ride there is lots of room for choice, every square inch has meaning.
CMA provides a lot of avenues, it provides opportunity to meet and be with other motorcyclist who are brothers and sisters in Christ. Non-secular rallies, campouts and other functions where Christ is focus are always available if one wants to attend. But the main focus is the ministry and the doors that are opened by the very presence of these motorcycles. This was made clear a couple of weeks ago when we visited the Carthage square. Not only was we able to socialize that evening at dinner with other members of the chapter, after the meal we went and made direct contact with several of the area youth. We had some who came to the meal who did not go the square. We had some who went to the square, who stated that they had difficulty in walking up and talking to strangers. But, like those who joined us at the meal contributed to the fellowship, those who went to the square and hung in there contributed a great deal more than they realize. Thus, not only was the evening a social event, but was also a direct effort at ministry. Every square inch has meaning.
If you missed this evening of fellowship and ministry, we are going to have a lot more of these. I am not going to tell you this is easy. This may very well be the hardest thing you ever do, but I think that like all those that were there a couple of weeks ago, you will find it to be a great blessing. Every minute had meaning.

Paul


"Somewhere Over the Rainbow or at Least to the Horizon"
Just a quarter mile south of Sweetwater Junction lies the edge of a forest, a treeline that lies east to west with no discernible end. The road disappears into the trees and since the road takes a sweeping curve to the left, the depth of the forest is unknown.
So every day I ride into this tunnel of trees because this is my road to home. The tunnel is really quite short, probably about a quarter of a mile in length, but the end is not in sight until one makes the curve. The south end of this passage opens into a different part of the world. The land before the trees is flat prairie grassland. Hayfields with trees along the fence rows, a half a mile or more from the road, to the left and the right. Riding along the road between these hayfields the horizon is hidden somewhere behind the treeline that rises up at the back of the fields. Here you are small and close to the ground with the only expanse being the sky above. But, once you pass through this tree lined tunnel, the world is much bigger. As I ride through the shadows of this leaf covered arch, I can see out the end of the tunnel to the tops of the rolling hills and tree lined ridges in the distance. The horizon is visible, just barely, but visible. A hazy line far, far away. Where the trees and the tunnel opens back up into the world, the road is now running along the top of a ridge. A vantage point higher than all the other ridge tops lined up in ever more hazy rows to the east until you can barely see that last, ever so slightly visible horizon.
As I follow the road down and away into the valley, the horizon once again disappears and I am closed in by tree covered hills on each side of the grassy bottom.
I love this portion of God's creation. Every person has their personal favorites. Mine has been where ever I'm at. Kind of like the old saying, "Home is where I hang my hat". I've been fortunate enough to see a few different areas of the country, certainly not as much as some people, but a little bit and I hope to get to see more. Never seen a place that I couldn't find something I liked. If you look around, God left a few wonders everywhere. I may take a few jabs at Oklahoma and Kansas, but deep down and if I can be honest I know of unique and beautiful places in those states.
Witnessing is a lot like that horizon, the opportunity is always there, we just have to keep it in sight and ride to it. Most of the time life, work, family and social activities can become those trees that hide that horizon from view. Just have to find that vantage point where our position and the horizon are the two highest points and everything else takes a lower place.
As of this month, our chapter's dinner run will not just be a social event. After the dinner, we will select a location, this month the Carthage square, and go visit and tell others about Christ. Each month we will select a new and different location in a different town. Following the August chapter meeting, there will be a ride to Noel, Missouri, to help with the witness activities that are taking place on the streets of Noel and especially outside of Shadow Lake, a local nightclub that has a teen night on Thursday. Youth from the ages of 13 to 20 gather there every Thursday at a location sponsored by the devil. So join us for these events.
Paul

"Don't Fence Me In & Other Songs of Containment"
Often the real joys of life are based on ideas that we develop as children. My joy of motorcycling started during my pre-teen years. My Dad brought home a motorcycle that he had bought for five dollars. The motor was froze, but otherwise it looked in pretty good shape. He poured the head full of Marvel Mystery Oil; a couple of days later we were able to turn the motor over. With a little loving care and in a couple of more days we got that baby to run. My love began.
But the joy I get from riding on a motorcycle, with the air flowing by and that river of pavement passing in clear view underneath my feet, that wonderful sense of freedom, may be related to another joy that I had as a child.
Like most kids, the swimming hole was one of my favorite places. My swimming holes were always in the gravel bottom streams of the Ozarks. I never swam in a pool until I was in college. As a kid, I would look at a pool and see that water contained on four sides as the equivalent of being fenced in. I always imagined that if I were to swim in a pool and I swam to the edge, where would I swim from there? A seemingly endless flowing stream was freedom. A wonderful highway of water. Endless and ever new.
Contaminated water in a pool must of certainly been sudden death, and posed a threat that would have been my greatest concern. Using all the science and mathematics that a nine year old could muster, the concentration of contaminated water in a pool could be determined in terms that scientist still use today, PPM. Scientist refer to this as parts per million but just like nine year old boys they are really interested in parts per mouthful. It goes something like this: you figure how many ounces that good swig off of a grape Nehi amounts to, this gives you the mouthful. To determine the volume of the pool, a person just has to determine how many gallon jugs of A&W Root Beer it would take to fill the pool. The only other data required is the volume of the average bladder. A nine year old boy would usually associate this with, well... who knows? But anyway, the computations go like this; swig divide by bladder capacity divide by gallons of root beer equals parts per mouthful.
Arriving at the conclusion that contamination equals a poison environment, whether it was in a pool or in an enclosed vehicle, one must assume that not only freedom but good health could be a result of stream swimming as well as motorcycle riding.
Whether you are standing in an immense river or sitting astride a bike, when you look around at God's wonderful creation, you can certainly get a feel for how small we are in relation to this wonderful place where he has placed us. It is a great feeling when you get this perception to know that even as small as we are and as human as we are that we have a Heavenly Father that loves us dearly. So the next time you pop over that hill and see that wonderful horizon, with that bank of clouds that look like mountains in the distance, and get that feeling of how tiny and insignificant that we really are, just lift praise to God for allowing you to have that wonderful experience of freedom and peace as you ride that endless river of highway.

Paul