The Bible When Used As A Compass Always Points The Way To Truth!

The answer has always been, "To get to the other side!" I suppose that makes a lot of sense to a chicken, but hardly constitutes sufficient reason to follow that rooster on the plank below. You and I have good reason to be wary of the leaders to whom we swear our allegiance. There are some out there who really don't have a clue where they're going, they just want someone to follow them, the more the merrier. Political leaders are some of the worst offenders, second are the so-called religious leaders of the newest craze in faith swings. I heard a joke recently concerning our Holy Bible. It's the version some persons in places of power have chosen to use as their guidline for creating a "following." I'm not going to bore you with the joke, but the punchline referred to it as the newly published "eraseable" Bible! All 66 books in #2 pencil so that anything you don't happen to agree with you can easily remove. The joke was humorous, but on the tongue in cheek side it is exactly what is happening in many of our christian churches right now. Texts that are contrary to today's popular opinions are left out for the sake of not "offending" anybody. Whoosh! It used to be a really simple decision people had to make, very black and white, right or wrong kind of stuff. Not so anymore! Now if you're going to be a part of a church you have to stay politically correct, respect all of the people who are a part of the congregation, and furthermore, by all means, do not step on anyone's right to interpret God's Word. It eventually boils down to people like us having to swallow deviant behaviors and practices if we're to keep on loving our fellow human beings in the context of the denomination we are associated with. For many folks, they grew up in a particular denomination and had no idea how things were changing until they found themselves confronted with issues that they can't truly accept but they're afraid to speak out or step away, either. An old adage comes to mind, "The only thing necessary for 'evil' to triumph over 'good' is for 'good' to do nothing!"
I'm throwing stones now, and you know it as well as I do, and I shouldn't do that.. but......unless......(so, forgive me, Lord, if my intentions are misunderstood). I don't give advice to people, it just isn't a wise thing to do; but if you're in one of those churches out there that has blindly followed it's leadership into the 21st century and begun to accept stuff that would not have been right 50 years ago, or even 25 years ago. If it is something that a Bible believing grandmother would not condone, then we have to be rethinking why we are willing to follow where we're being led. There are always some who are determined to set aside the truth in God's Word, I guess that's why people were so desperately in need of a Savior. If you have at one time seen His light, and walked in His ways, please check out your leaders and where they are headed. You're working from the same book, unless yours, too, is eraseable. Check that plank before you walk it! Not everyone will mislead you. Some very good men and women in power are being guided not by God's truth, but by someone's interpretation of God's truth. You have within you the irrefutable power of discernment, my prayer is that each of us uses it often and to the very best of our abilities. In Christ's Love, Preacher.

Ever Made The Decision To Lead, Only To Find When Looking Back That Nobody Followed You? 

Every Day We Are In The Process Of Leaving Behind Parts Of Ourselves. How Will You Be Remembered? 

Even The Most Winding Of Roads Has A General Direction

Conversations around motorcycle shops are somewhat limited in scope. Down the road a ways from home today I had occasion to pause for an unexpected pit stop. The usual topics of import were covered in the first half hour, that includes the latest jokes, upcoming rides, and rides just completed the last few weeks, not always in this order. It reminds me a bit of the banter that takes place around a sale barn before the bidding gets started, only there the crew are farmers and ranchers. It seems like we all have our "group specific" way of getting "easy" enough to talk serious. The backside of the small talk makes it possible even for people who have never seen each other before today become comfortable enough to share what is really on their minds!
This day, like so many others these past weeks, focused on the folks who are now riding either a celestial highway, or one that supposedly rumbles beneath our feet. Indian Larry was a regular guy, like so many others, and if you had the time to spend he was a wonderful source of inspired lessons waiting to be taught. Most of the lessons were derived from personal experience, of which the best ones are, very personal. Quite often my presence in the midst of really "at ease" bikers gives me an opportunity to witness on behalf of my Savior. Larry would say that there is never a better time to talk about what comes after life than when somebody you know well has just crossed over. Lately we've had quite a few do that(Indian Larry made his last ride in March)from around here. The general concensus today was that "everyone makes mistakes, some are just fatal!" None of us ever knows when we are going to be called, but we can make some very basic preparations for that time. The most important of these is knowing which way you're headed if you're called today. I suppose when I think about it seriously, I'm one of those preacher types that would like to see everyone in heaven. It's a thin line, that one we walk between the banter and the Bible, but it's one that brings with it rewards. Lately it's been getting together over a cup of coffee to really talk one on one about the details of faith. That is one of the ways to go about getting answers to those questions concerning who you think Christ is, and what He can do for your life, one on one! Here is another of my scenarios: Good is when you start thinking about getting those questions answered and maybe try out a church as a "drop in." Better is when you're sure you haven't got all the "right" answers and you strive through listening, studying, and actively seeking to get them. Best is when you find someone you know is a believing christian, sit down together, and let them tell you their story. If they're real they won't come to beat you with a Bible, they'll come because their Savior has called them to do just this. They'll come in humility, loving, caring, and filled with compassion for whatever life's roads have handed you. There's one other thing they'll do. That person will listen, and hear you, because they know that you are beginning to write your story, and it is through this that God's love for all of us will continue to be spread, from generation to generation, throughout the ages. In Christ's Love, Preacher.

Memorable People And Enjoyable Philosophies On Wheels! 

Surrounded And Secluded Sometimes Even The Sunshine Becomes Elusive 

Visiting The Past And Finding A Vision

There's an old farm north and west of here that I have been meaning to visit for quite some time. It's close enough that I've had the luxury of waiting until the "right" time. Tonight it was time! The gravel secondary road that runs in the general direction of the farm has a huge sign at it's entrance, "ROAD CLOSED." The access on both sides is such that car and truck traffic is not possible without taking the sign down. Motorcycles, on the other hand, were designed to easily maneuver around such obstacles. The gravel took me a mile or so west and then I found the dirt two-track road that led back north. Having explored the area a few months ago I knew I had to get there when it was dry, as in no recent rains. It was perfect. I putted through the undergrowth and the overgrown road offered no difficulties. Sometimes there are fallen fence posts and tree limbs in the tall grass that can cause one to suddenly tump over. That along with the occasional rubbish from an abandoned farm(its amazing how far a bedspring can get from the main house once it is no longer lived in)can make it necessary to dismount and "walk" the path of approach before riding it. This evening the only impediment to my progress was swirling about my head in the air. Tucked deep behind the trees the paintless gray hulk of a home lurked in repose. Glassless eyes watched my approach and a door leaning on one hinge greeted me at the porch, beckoning me enter. I learned a long time ago to be cautious when on one of these forays into the deserted unknown. I'm not the "take a buddy along" type of person. I guess I just don't really want to take the responsibility for someone else getting injured, like falling into an abandoned well or steping 'through' a floor and winding up one level down. Even though the site is completely grown over and hasn't had a vehicle around in years one can make out the "lay" of the land according to where the remaining portions of buildings are standing. Everything was logical, the house, barn, garages, utility sheds and the outhouse. Then I saw the sun very low in the sky, streaming through the thickness of winrow secluding the north and west sides of the farmstead. It was beautiful! I lost the light for the house as I clicked off a roll of shots through the unkempt trees looking out toward the remains of the barn. It's a lonely place, except for the skeeters, they're always more than happy to keep anything with blood company. My time was lost, or so I thought. There will be another day to shoot the place. Next time I'll leave earlier and stay not quite so long. There's something about the area where the children once played, old posts still support one swing, and another remains but only in part. Almost eerie, and I could imagine the sound long ago of some mother calling from the house this time of day, "you come on in now it's gettin' too dark to play." It would have, too! Back when this place was new, alive, and painted a billiant white, there was no electricity or running water. I heard the feint whisper from a distance, "it's getting too dark to play anymore, today." The 1340 rumbled to life at the briefest of touches on the starter switch and the radio blared out music from 2005 that only my ears could hear. Headlight blazing a way back through the treelined path down the overgrown, ancient dirt tracks, I breathed easier when the wheels were back on gravel. That was a first, gravel has never made me feel better on the ultra brute of a classic HD. Soon I was once again roaring down the two lane blacktop, chiding myself for foolishly running out where no person would ever find me if anything went wrong, and giving thanks to God that nothing had!
In Christ's Love, Preacher.