“Keep The Rubber Side Down”

I am certain you will understand!

I am thinking of attending the Myrtle Beach Bike Week in May of 2008. I have never been to this rally. If you have been there I would love some feed back about your experience at this event.

Yamaha FJR1300A

Honda ST1300

Cigars: enjoyment, ReLaxing, ponder, conTEntment

by Randall Friesen

This is a time in our western civilization when we are becoming more fragmented and disconnected as people.
Oh, we say we are more connected than ever before with our cell phones and txt-ing and emails and blogs and on and on it goes.
But the truth is we are still separating ourselves from others at an alarming rate of speed.
It might be that a new job opportunity moves us away from home. Or we work longer hours and hours that take away our opportunity to be with people we care about. Maybe we feel like people are busy with their own lives so we don’t fit in with them any longer.
Whatever the reasons, we are simply coming to the place where there are less and less significant people in our lives on a daily basis.
Doctors are saying that this is one of the reasons we are increasingly living with low level stress in our lives. That leads to physical ailments, emotional problems and relational breakdowns.
It also leads to spiritual deadness.
Paul reminds us in Colossians 2:19 that we are joined together in Christ’s body “…supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.”
The ligaments and sinews and some translations include “Joints,” are the connecting points of the body of Christ. They are the places where two parts of the body meet together, where they “Relate.”
Since we as followers of Christ are part of Christ’s body, we are growing in Christ as we connect and relate to others in his Body. If we separate ourselves from others, then how can we grow in Christ?
Indeed, if we are cut off from his body we will die.
So these days I’m thinking about whom I am connected to. Who do I have relationship with, who do I invite into my life and share life experiences with?
I need friends in my life who will walk with me and challenge me and grow with me because that is what causes me to grow.
Who are the people in your life who have access to your heart? Maybe spending some time cultivating relationships is the best and most spiritual thing we can do for a while?
Build something eternal and gracious and life giving in your relationships. Start by calling somebody up and go out for coffee, and welcome them into your life.
Then pay for the coffee.

I just received word that I am now an official member of the Motorcycle Bloggers International.

One of the first things a cyclist must learn is balance. Without the mastery of this fundamental, one’s riding career is short lived. Webster defines balances as…”Stability produced by even distribution on both sides of a vertical axis“. Perhaps this explains why we love to ride! For the brief period of time we are on the bike, the world is stable, in sync, balanced. A feat hard to duplicate in real life, where so much we encounter is in turmoil, uncertainty, and brokenness.
One thing is for certain, a few miles down the road with the wind in your face, balance is restored to the world; at least for a while!

One of the first things a cyclist must learn is balance. Without the mastery of this fundamental, one’s riding career is short lived. Webster defines balances as…”Stability produced by even distribution on both sides of a vertical axis“. Perhaps this explains why we love to ride! For the brief period of time we are on the bike, the world is stable, in sync, balanced. A feat hard to duplicate in real life, where so much we encounter is in turmoil, uncertainty, and brokenness.
One thing is for certain, a few miles down the road with the wind in your face, balance is restored to the world; at least for a while!

International Motorcycle Show: January 25-27, Cleveland, Ohio

Easyriders V-Twin Bike Show: February 15-17, Columbus, Ohio at Veterans Memorial

Daytona Bike Week: February 29- March 9

Myrtle Beach Bike Week : May 9-18, 2008

1. Detroit Mi.
2. St Louis Mo.
3. Flint Mi.
4. Oakland Ca.
5. Camden N.J.
6. Birmingham Ala.
7. N. Charleston S.C.
8. Memphis Tenn.
9. Richmond CA.
10. Cleveland Oh.

After a few household chores such as raking leaves, and a jaunt to the grocery store, I decided it was time for a quick ride. It was mid afternoon when I put on my winter garb and headed off. At ride time, the outside temperature had reached it’s climax, 43 degrees, and would soon be heading the other direction. As I travelled west on the old “National Road“, traffic was sparse, and the road seemed quick. The sun would periodically appear from behind the large gray clouds, as if to let me know she was still around! Soon I was heading north on Rt. 235, and the wind picked up slightly, but not enough to cause any concern. The freshly harvested fields were alive with large black crows gorging themselves with the grain left behind by the combines, certain to be joined by the deer, as the sun begins to set. Flocks of Canada geese flew over head on their way to Miami, or some other warm destination, Lucky Geese! As I approached Rt. 41, I headed east on my way back to Springfield. This road has a couple of small villages which are guarded by ever present, and aggressive ,”Barney Fife” types, so I needed to pay attention to my speed. Soon I was pulling into my garage, glad I had been out, and ready for some coffee!