Riding When It’s HOT!

If you ever want to know what a hot dog or hamburger patty feels like, get on a Harley on a June day in Texas and have to stop at a red light. Yep, you slowly cook. The air conditioning on a Harley only works when it is moving.

Still, it is better to ride and cook than not to ride at all.

Lord,
Please send our dry, hot Texas land
some much needed rain
And Lord
When you do send the rain
please let me ride
and let the cool, precious drops
renew my soul
As it brings life and growth
to this land that I love
Amen.

Wednesday and My Wife

It was after prayer meeting last Wednesday that I asked my wife if she wanted to go on a sunset ride. It had been a hot day, but we picked just the right time to go. A cool breeze hit us as I set my feet on the highway pegs and leaned back.

God’s artwork was wonderful. The time together wonderful. The ride itself, wonderful. Even in the midst of the pits and trial of this evil age, there are good things to cling too and enjoy.

Lord Jesus,
Thank you for a mate
who has loved me for 30+ years
Thank you for a mate
who has learned to love
the joy of riding.
Thank you for the beauty of this land
and for giving us the ability
to see it and enjoy it.
Amen

Tuesday Afternoon

Came to work earlier today in order to get some riding time this afternoon. What a joyful and insight ride it has been. I came back midway just to refresh and regroup to go again.

Yes, to the thoughts on Martial arts and the Way I so hope for.
Yes to my love for this country and the beauty that it offers.
Yes to the joy of the Harley, the power and control.

Lord,
Thank you for Tuesday afternoons.
Amen

Grieving for the Unfaithful

To me, one of the most painful experiences a minister can go through, is seeing one of those whom he/she helped spiritually birth not thrive in their faith. Watching someone you love turn their back on God is a hard one.

This is especially hard when there is nothing you can do. You pray. You plead. You present the guidance God give you to help them and they ignore it as if you were some kind of crazy person.

This age of delusion is going to be tough.

Lord,
Watch over my friends
and family in the faith.
I know you are grieving for them
as much as I
when the faith they profess
becomes lukewarm

Awaken their faith, oh Lord
remind them of your love
remind them of their need
remind them of the family of faith
who is missing their spiritual gifts
and the presence they carry
in their heart.
Amen

Out of the Depths

Wow, it has been a while since I have posted here. Again this is not my desire but seemingly my current pattern. Again, we will work to correct this.

Today I preached on out of the depths. I think I have been driving around in the depths for quite a few months. This has only been made worse by the behavior of “friends” and the foolishness of a few who ousted a very good preacher/pastor (he was and is one of the most dedicated individuals to his focus at that time I have had the privilege to know).

Still, I know there is a road, one that leads to the top of a hill, where you can see the places you’ve been and look out to where you want to go. You have a friend who has mapped the road so you can ride without fear and live not in the lust of our culture but in the love of our creator.

I really enjoyed yesterday (even though I didn’t ride) meeting with two of my daughters. God has a great way of lifting our souls.

God is great
God is good
and I love him
and love him I should
Amen

Going the Route in Reverse

Over the last few weeks, as I deal with the possibility (probability) that the great delusion is beginning, I have gone on a prayer ride on Highway 4 between Santo and Palo Pinto. Most days I would ride down 281 toward Stephenville and then cut across to Santo and ride up Highway 4.

Highway 4 is one of the little gifts of Palo Pinto county has given to motorcycle riders. It has enough technical twists and turns to be challenging, but it is also beautiful Texas country. It is easy to pray. God has given us so much. We have gotten ourselves deep into trouble.

Then, yesterday, I rode the route in reverse. The change in perspective and approach in the strategy of the drive reminded me to look to where we have come in helping us decide where we must go on this road yet untraveled. Untraveled by us, but a route that exists because of the existence of our Lord. Yes, the remnant can stand even during the delusion that is upon us.

Lord Jesus,
We are seeing the signs
as we ride
We are preparing for the season
of suffering
even as we ride.
Provide for us your mercy.
Awaken in us your strength.
Amen.

If you have to explain it….

Today is the second day that I took a day trip in what I call the Palo-Pinto Circle (South 281-cutover west to Santo-up 4-east 180-back to Mineral Wells). It is a trip of beauty, of God’s artwork, curving roads, wildlife,a and fresh country air. It is a prayer ride. It is a time to meditate on Isaiah 6 for Sunday and Romans 12 for tomorrow night. It is time to pray for forgiveness of my failures and allow God to guide in things that must be faced.

This is a time of worship (of tryst) and it can easily be shared. I am so hoping God shows me how to bring others who ride together to enjoy such times.

When I come back from the ride, I get so much done. It does give me energy. When a community of faith develops within a group of riders, they will need to become involved in the missionary purpose. Orthopraxis must be a key element of any emergent development. God guide us as we seek.

New Events as Emergence is Understood

My life is changing. I have been set adrift once again by knowing too much. Persistent pollyannaism should be classified as a disabling disorder as far as I am concerned.

But again, I entered this world in faith. It has been faith that has carried me. I do not need a denomination nor a convention. I need those who would join me in my desire to cope and grow.

What is nice about being the pastor of a real Baptist church is that you can have your conviction and still be loved by your people when those convictions go against those of the convention.

Lord,

Thank you for the ride of life,
and especially for letting me ride it now
with prayer from the seat of a Harley

I really want to say good-bye to bureaucratic Baptist life
I see it not offering much to me or to you
However, the vessel does not tell its maker what it should be
I am just thankful to call you Lord.

Amen

Posted in faith

What Should NOT be neglected

It has been a while since I have blogged on this site. Good indication of my spiritual status there for a while. Things have really been hard.

As a pastor you carry much of the baggage your other members have to carry (and no, Dr. Friedman, there is no reason for you to turn over in your grave-I am not saying get into their triangles, but empathy their struggle). Oh the bike helps dump the stuff. The wind as you ride, cleanses the emotion clogged pores of your soul. The vibration of the machine that carries you gives confindence in its power and heritage.

This experience, recorded, written down and shared should not be neglected. Puppy is growing fast.

New Puppy

There is a new life living with us. We have a new puppy. Oh he is so lovable and yes he comes with the mess, the chewing, and the needing of parameters.

He will teach me much.

Lord,
Thank you for the animals
the pleasure they give
the teaching they provide
and for being the work of art
you made.
Amen