Are we having fun yet?
I’ve been thinking about Biker Bill lately. I don’t know why, because I really never got a chance to spend time with him. I vaguely remember meeting him a couple of times when he came by the property to visit with my father-in-law. At that time I was not yet a member of CMA (Christian Motorcyclists’ Association), but dad and Bill were. I do remember one thing very clearly about Bill, that he was joyful. When I walked up to greet him and ask dad a question, he shook my hand vigorously and asked, “Are we having fun yet?” This struck me as odd; I hardly knew him and “we” weren’t doing anything. I was just looking to borrow a hand tool of some sort from the shop, I think. Most folks don’t start conversations that way, but he had such a genuine smile and happy disposition that, somehow, I didn’t think it odd coming from him.
Over time, I’ve heard stories about Bill from a number of sources, and they almost always include a description of him saying that famous line, “Are we having fun yet?” Bill seemed to be a guy who others were drawn to because he was fun to be around. And if that’s where the story ended, I guess it would be a great epitaph for anyone to have on his or her tombstone, “He was fun to be around.” But Bill stories rarely end there. Bill, it seems, never missed a chance to talk about the thing that made him so happy, about the person who had changed his life. When you met Bill, if you hung around with him for any period of time, he was going to tell you about Jesus. He wasn’t going to wait years to build a relationship or wait for the “perfect” opportunity. He was going to share Jesus with you within a short time. That’s how he shared joy with people; he shared Jesus.
I have heard stories of him giving out toy bears. I’ve heard of him doing some downright juvenile stunts on his bike, I’ve even heard people tell about how he just sat with them, listening for long periods of time while they got through a “rough spot” in their lives. In each story I’ve heard about him, the teller mentioned how Bill talked to them about Jesus. He didn’t pound them over the head about how they were bad and needed to get right with God. They talked about how Bill just said that Jesus loved them, then and there, as they were, and how much they meant to Him. He left a mark on their heart, because he took time to share his greatest treasure with them, he shared Jesus, openly, plainly, and non-judgmentally. He left them feeling joyful, and uplifted.
Bill died a couple of years ago. A young man driving a van hit him. He wasn’t looking at the road and probably never saw Bill coming when he crossed the centerline on a county road near Bill’s home. When I went out for Bill’s memorial service, I was taken aback, and I dare say that I felt a bit of envy by the scene. There were dozens and dozens of people there, on that county road, on a blistering day, to honor a man who had touched their life in a positive way. There were CMA members; Bill had been their Chaplain. There were members of 3 or 4 other bike clubs; Bill had been their friend. There were office girls and salesmen from the local Harley shop; Bill had made them all smile on more than one occasion. There were members of local law enforcement; Bill had been there to pray with, and over, them on occasion. There were family members, as you might expect. One after another people stepped up to say kind words about this man who had touched their lives. For over an hour they spoke, and no one left. Their words wove a story, a legacy if you will, about Bill’s life. Two threads that kept showing up in this fabric of Bill’s legacy were the way he had made them laugh and smile ("Are we having fun Yet?"), and how he had shared with them about Jesus.
I see Biker Bill shirts and stickers from time to time, and each time, I find myself a little feeling a little jealous. I want to have that kind of effect in the lives of others. I want to be bold in my love of Jesus and my love for others. I have a long way to go, and a lot of lessons to learn, if I want to be that effective in sharing Christ.
Step one, be humble, obedient, and filled with joy…. Yeah, that’s the hard one.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Why are We Here?
(Why do we do what we do?)
It’s a new year and I sometimes find myself sitting around wondering where the previous year picked up speed and passed me on its way to a final hurrah. My dad once told me that time would seem to speed up as my years added up, I thought him foolish at the time, but now as middle-age surrounds me fully in its tightening grip, I find his words both prophetic, wise and encouraging. His words came to me last week as I sat around watching my children and my nephews roaming about the property. He’d say, “Don’t close your eyes too long as you get older son, you’ll miss too much.” I think about my dad a lot these days because he is so far away from me. It’s not the distance that separates us; you see, my dad is in the throws of progressive memory loss due to Alzheimer’s. It started a few years ago with simple repeating of details during discussions and has now gotten to a point where he remembers things from 20 and 30 years ago better than he remembers the previous hour.
(Have you talked to someone about Him recently?)
That’s where the encouraging part comes in. I know most folks wouldn’t take a father stricken with Alzheimer’s as encouraging, but I can. You see my father is already saved; he gave his heart to the Lord back in the mid 70’s. I can’t pinpoint the exact day, but I remember the period. I remember when he and mom were on fire for Jesus and the church. I remember seeing the change in their lives. Sure, they changed a lot as their lives went on, there was and still is some bitterness that crept into their lives, but Jesus promised us that once we are His nothing could remove us from His hand. And so I am encouraged, because if I had waited to talk to him about Jesus till the time was right, I would have failed…. it would be too late, because he’s not there anymore.
(Do you have a missed-opportunity regret in your past?)
A friend challenged our chapter last month; he gave us each an index card to put a number on. That number was the number of people we helped lead to salvation through Christ last year. That number is sitting on my shaving mirror and everyday I am faced with reality of the effort I put forth for the kingdom of God last year; and I have to tell you, some mornings it’s all I can do to stand there for the few minutes it takes to brush up for the day. I closed my eyes too much last year, and for that matter, for the past few years. I don’t want that to be my legacy, I don’t want to stand before Christ having to answer the question, “what have you done with the talents I gave you?” by saying the number on that card.
(What would you do with your card?)
So what are we here for? Why do we surround ourselves with reminders of our Christianity? Why are we a part of a church? Our answer must be centered on one thing; to be instruments focused on bringing the good news of salvation through Christ to the world. That’s it; there is no other reason for the existence of the church. As we go through each day that we have left, we have fewer and fewer days left to share the gospel with the lost, so when you look at the percentage of time, my dad was right, time will begin to “go” faster. Why did I waste so much time these past few years? Did you? I heard a definition for insanity once: The act of doing the same thing again and again while expecting something different to occur. If nothing changes, nothing will change. If I don’t make evangelism THE priority that number on my mirror won’t change, and that is not an acceptable outcome.
(Why are we here?)
It’s a new year and I sometimes find myself sitting around wondering where the previous year picked up speed and passed me on its way to a final hurrah. My dad once told me that time would seem to speed up as my years added up, I thought him foolish at the time, but now as middle-age surrounds me fully in its tightening grip, I find his words both prophetic, wise and encouraging. His words came to me last week as I sat around watching my children and my nephews roaming about the property. He’d say, “Don’t close your eyes too long as you get older son, you’ll miss too much.” I think about my dad a lot these days because he is so far away from me. It’s not the distance that separates us; you see, my dad is in the throws of progressive memory loss due to Alzheimer’s. It started a few years ago with simple repeating of details during discussions and has now gotten to a point where he remembers things from 20 and 30 years ago better than he remembers the previous hour.
(Have you talked to someone about Him recently?)
That’s where the encouraging part comes in. I know most folks wouldn’t take a father stricken with Alzheimer’s as encouraging, but I can. You see my father is already saved; he gave his heart to the Lord back in the mid 70’s. I can’t pinpoint the exact day, but I remember the period. I remember when he and mom were on fire for Jesus and the church. I remember seeing the change in their lives. Sure, they changed a lot as their lives went on, there was and still is some bitterness that crept into their lives, but Jesus promised us that once we are His nothing could remove us from His hand. And so I am encouraged, because if I had waited to talk to him about Jesus till the time was right, I would have failed…. it would be too late, because he’s not there anymore.
(Do you have a missed-opportunity regret in your past?)
A friend challenged our chapter last month; he gave us each an index card to put a number on. That number was the number of people we helped lead to salvation through Christ last year. That number is sitting on my shaving mirror and everyday I am faced with reality of the effort I put forth for the kingdom of God last year; and I have to tell you, some mornings it’s all I can do to stand there for the few minutes it takes to brush up for the day. I closed my eyes too much last year, and for that matter, for the past few years. I don’t want that to be my legacy, I don’t want to stand before Christ having to answer the question, “what have you done with the talents I gave you?” by saying the number on that card.
(What would you do with your card?)
So what are we here for? Why do we surround ourselves with reminders of our Christianity? Why are we a part of a church? Our answer must be centered on one thing; to be instruments focused on bringing the good news of salvation through Christ to the world. That’s it; there is no other reason for the existence of the church. As we go through each day that we have left, we have fewer and fewer days left to share the gospel with the lost, so when you look at the percentage of time, my dad was right, time will begin to “go” faster. Why did I waste so much time these past few years? Did you? I heard a definition for insanity once: The act of doing the same thing again and again while expecting something different to occur. If nothing changes, nothing will change. If I don’t make evangelism THE priority that number on my mirror won’t change, and that is not an acceptable outcome.
(Why are we here?)
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Daily Driver
I wrote this piece last year between Christmas and New Year for my chapter's newsletter. I am a member of CMA, the Christian Motorcyclists' Association, and often find myself talking with others about our bikes on the way to talking to them about Jesus. I thought this was appropriate for the time of the year.
Dec. 24, 2009
Daily Driver
I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m a “Daily Rider.” Yep, I drive my bike every day. Heck, I even got rid of my truck a couple of years ago just so I wouldn’t have any excuse to not be a “Daily Rider.” Yep, we’re a ONE-car family and my wife drives it. I really find it quite unbelievable how someone would choose to drive something other than his or her motorcycle. I mean, really, the experience and exhilaration of a 2-wheeled steed, or the daily commute in a mini-van; the choice is a no-brainer. Yes sir, I am a sold out for freedom on two wheels “Daily Rider.”
There was that other day though when I took the van. Well, I was sick, sniffly really. And anyway I have asthma, and colds always settle in my chest, and that could be dangerous, so for health reasons only, I took the van. Yep, being an every day rider is a badge of honor really. There was that day last week when I took the car, (my son’s car actually, I forgot to mention that one earlier), because it was the last day of school before Christmas break. The kids always bring in gifts for their teachers. It would have been unsafe to try to pack all those gifts on the bike, so for safety reasons only, I took the car. Now, don’t get the wrong idea, I ride my bike every day. But not two Tuesdays ago, it was like 30 degrees and foggy out side. My wife was so on my back about taking the van because it was not safe to ride in to work that day. She would not let up; she was relentless. I had all my bad weather gear all laid out and I was ready to go, but to show my wife that I valued her opinion I took the van. But every other day I am out there on my bike, feeling the wind across my face.
Excuses really ruin a person’s credibility don’t they? It’s so important to do what you say and say what you do. Jesus kept it very simple. He said, “I am the way the truth and the light.” He didn’t complicate things or make contingency plans. In Matthew 5, He taught His disciples many things of importance, but one little thing stands out as a standard for our relationships with others. He said, “Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” I am always surprised by the simplicity of Jesus’ teachings, and at the same time their complexity. The simplicity comes from Him; the complexity is our contribution to the recipe.
The guy in our story, (me, and maybe someone else you know), is making a complete muddle of the freedom that we have at our disposal for reaching others with the gospel. What other tool have we been given that is better at opening up conversational opportunities with complete strangers? I can hardly get gas without it turning into a 15-minute stop because an opportunity to talk to a new friend presents itself. That’s why He chose us, and that’s why He put us here; to talk to others about motorcycles, about funny stories, about Him, and about what He did to change our life. What could be simpler? You, The Spirit, a motorcycle, and a complete stranger; it’s God’s recipe for a Divine appointment.
So here it is, another New Year, another clean slate, another 365 opportunities to advance His kingdom by getting on our bike and being open and obedient to meet whoever and do whatever He places in our path. It’s not at all complicated if we follow the directions He gives us. Who knows what might be going on in the life of that guy behind you in line at the burger shop? No one can say what your 30-second investment of time will have in the life of that sixteen-year-old girl at the next gas pump. You could be part of Jesus’ plan to plant a seed of faith or reap a harvest planted long ago by some other faithful servant. It takes one thing from you, consistent obedience. So, TODAY, let’s decide to ride for God. As you put your riding gear on today, imagine that it is the Full Armor of our Lord, protecting us as we go on our way and aiding us in being God’s salt and light to the world.
Peace and Joy,
Sal
Dec. 24, 2009
Daily Driver
I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m a “Daily Rider.” Yep, I drive my bike every day. Heck, I even got rid of my truck a couple of years ago just so I wouldn’t have any excuse to not be a “Daily Rider.” Yep, we’re a ONE-car family and my wife drives it. I really find it quite unbelievable how someone would choose to drive something other than his or her motorcycle. I mean, really, the experience and exhilaration of a 2-wheeled steed, or the daily commute in a mini-van; the choice is a no-brainer. Yes sir, I am a sold out for freedom on two wheels “Daily Rider.”
There was that other day though when I took the van. Well, I was sick, sniffly really. And anyway I have asthma, and colds always settle in my chest, and that could be dangerous, so for health reasons only, I took the van. Yep, being an every day rider is a badge of honor really. There was that day last week when I took the car, (my son’s car actually, I forgot to mention that one earlier), because it was the last day of school before Christmas break. The kids always bring in gifts for their teachers. It would have been unsafe to try to pack all those gifts on the bike, so for safety reasons only, I took the car. Now, don’t get the wrong idea, I ride my bike every day. But not two Tuesdays ago, it was like 30 degrees and foggy out side. My wife was so on my back about taking the van because it was not safe to ride in to work that day. She would not let up; she was relentless. I had all my bad weather gear all laid out and I was ready to go, but to show my wife that I valued her opinion I took the van. But every other day I am out there on my bike, feeling the wind across my face.
Excuses really ruin a person’s credibility don’t they? It’s so important to do what you say and say what you do. Jesus kept it very simple. He said, “I am the way the truth and the light.” He didn’t complicate things or make contingency plans. In Matthew 5, He taught His disciples many things of importance, but one little thing stands out as a standard for our relationships with others. He said, “Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” I am always surprised by the simplicity of Jesus’ teachings, and at the same time their complexity. The simplicity comes from Him; the complexity is our contribution to the recipe.
The guy in our story, (me, and maybe someone else you know), is making a complete muddle of the freedom that we have at our disposal for reaching others with the gospel. What other tool have we been given that is better at opening up conversational opportunities with complete strangers? I can hardly get gas without it turning into a 15-minute stop because an opportunity to talk to a new friend presents itself. That’s why He chose us, and that’s why He put us here; to talk to others about motorcycles, about funny stories, about Him, and about what He did to change our life. What could be simpler? You, The Spirit, a motorcycle, and a complete stranger; it’s God’s recipe for a Divine appointment.
So here it is, another New Year, another clean slate, another 365 opportunities to advance His kingdom by getting on our bike and being open and obedient to meet whoever and do whatever He places in our path. It’s not at all complicated if we follow the directions He gives us. Who knows what might be going on in the life of that guy behind you in line at the burger shop? No one can say what your 30-second investment of time will have in the life of that sixteen-year-old girl at the next gas pump. You could be part of Jesus’ plan to plant a seed of faith or reap a harvest planted long ago by some other faithful servant. It takes one thing from you, consistent obedience. So, TODAY, let’s decide to ride for God. As you put your riding gear on today, imagine that it is the Full Armor of our Lord, protecting us as we go on our way and aiding us in being God’s salt and light to the world.
Peace and Joy,
Sal
Friday, December 24, 2010
The Nail
For a large majority of the population, Christmas is a time of joy. I'm not saying that everyone is giddy about all the things that Christmas brings, but most of us find at least one or two things that we like about the holiday. My favorite things about Christmas are the extended time off (I'm a teacher, so I get a few days to just relax and enjoy this time of year) and cooking all the things we have adopted as parts of our family's Christmas traditions. I love getting up and doing the stuff I want to do especially when I can involve one of the kids. Some folks love the giving (and getting) of gifts. Others look forward to the traditions of Christmas themselves, the things we only do at this time of year. There is one tradition that I look forward to, if you can call it that, that our family started a few years ago; the placing of the nail on the tree.
Christ came to Earth in the form of a baby on Christmas day, most folks know this even if they don't place their faith in Him as their Savior and Lord. I know that He didn't actually come to Earth on "Christmas," that Christmas is a created holiday, but He he did come to us on "a" day some 2000 years ago, and I choose to celebrate Christmas as that day. Christmas is much bigger than that though, it's the tip of the proverbial ice berg when it comes to the Christian faith. If all Christ had done was come to Earth on that day then He made a mistake, and Our God makes no mistakes. Everything He does is purposeful. The bigger thing that we need to understand is that, even as a baby, it was Jesus' plan that day to redeem us from our sinful state some thirty years later.
To this end, we place an eight inch hand cut nail on the Christmas tree first, before anything else goes on it. The nail is unseen, placed way back in the branches against the trunk. If one of the family didn't show it to you, you'd never know it was there. The nail is also the last thing to come off of the tree when we take the adornments down from it. When we put it on and take it off we remind ourselves that Jesus came on Christmas so that He could die on Easter, so that our redemption could be completed in his living and His dying.
I don't want this to be a downer, on the contrary, this nail represents the greatest news I could ever hope to share with you. I have a Savior named Jesus who: left His throne in Heaven, came to Earth as a baby on Christmas day, live a perfect and sinless life (something I could never do), He told us about the way to Heaven through belief in Him, took my sins and the sins of EVERYONE upon Himself, suffered unimaginable pain and grief, died a death meant for me, then....... rose three days later from the dead, He defeated Satan, redeemed my soul (and yours), ascended back to Heaven, and sits waiting at the right hand of God until the day He will come to claim those who believe in Him as Lord and Savior. That is the Good news that the Nail represents to me. I am His, and nothing will separate me form Him now or ever.
Christ came to Earth in the form of a baby on Christmas day, most folks know this even if they don't place their faith in Him as their Savior and Lord. I know that He didn't actually come to Earth on "Christmas," that Christmas is a created holiday, but He he did come to us on "a" day some 2000 years ago, and I choose to celebrate Christmas as that day. Christmas is much bigger than that though, it's the tip of the proverbial ice berg when it comes to the Christian faith. If all Christ had done was come to Earth on that day then He made a mistake, and Our God makes no mistakes. Everything He does is purposeful. The bigger thing that we need to understand is that, even as a baby, it was Jesus' plan that day to redeem us from our sinful state some thirty years later.
I don't want this to be a downer, on the contrary, this nail represents the greatest news I could ever hope to share with you. I have a Savior named Jesus who: left His throne in Heaven, came to Earth as a baby on Christmas day, live a perfect and sinless life (something I could never do), He told us about the way to Heaven through belief in Him, took my sins and the sins of EVERYONE upon Himself, suffered unimaginable pain and grief, died a death meant for me, then....... rose three days later from the dead, He defeated Satan, redeemed my soul (and yours), ascended back to Heaven, and sits waiting at the right hand of God until the day He will come to claim those who believe in Him as Lord and Savior. That is the Good news that the Nail represents to me. I am His, and nothing will separate me form Him now or ever.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Why?
What started this whole thing?
On November 3rd 2006, I was reading Psalm 3 while I sat in my old pickup eating lunch. I remember the day because I had decided 2 days earlier that I could no longer stay in the office where I work and eat lunch, so great was my distaste for my current working conditions. I had just started the month by being newly demoted from a position in sales to a position as an office team member. I was infuriated by my employer for a lot of things, most of which, in retrospect, she was not responsible for, but at the time she was the target of my anger. I remember it was Psalm 3 because I had decided that I would do anything to avoid going back into the office earlier than absolutely necessary, and reading a Psalm a day would delay that distasteful act for a couple of minutes at least. And so it was that I mechanically picked up the copy of the Bible that I kept in the console two days previous and bean reading God’s word for the first time in a long while. I “read” the first two bits with all the enthusiasm I could muster, which wasn’t much. And I started the same way on day three, when I got to the word BUT.
3But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
That one sentence started everything that has occurred since.
I started writing, journaling really.
I wrote letters to my Sunday school class.
I wrote letters to my pastors.
I wrote 2 or 3 bible studies.
I wrote comments to be shared during a choir presentation.
I wrote articles I shared, and some I didn’t.
I started looking at life differently; as something worth living.
About 10 months ago, I realized that an idea I had for a story, which I had shared with a few friends hoping one of them would take the idea and run with it, was really meant for me to write. I shared this revelation with my wife and a couple of close friends, but so far, I have avoided it and the advise they gave me concerning it. To tell you the truth, I’m actually kind of afraid to do it; the storyline that I outlined is just way too similar to my own life. I’m afraid of how much it may hurt to go through the process of writhing the story (if that makes sense). My wife, who I claim now is the most Un-Nagging woman to whom any man could ever hope to be matched, made a sideways suggestion a few weeks ago, that if I was going to avoid writing the book, I could at least write a blog. I laughed and suggested it could be called, “Running away from God.” One thing leads to another….
So this forum will be a mix of stuff: some that I wrote several months/years ago, and some that I have taken pen to recently. I don’t figure that any of it will really change the world, but if any of it gets through to you I’d appreciate you letting me know.
Joy… and Peace,
Sal
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)