Born to be Wild

Written by cycleguy on June 4th, 2013

I am on vacation this week.  (See here)   I have asked some friends to guest post for me.  Floyd has become a special friend over the past two years or so that we have been following each other.  He blogs here.   His unique storytelling ability should not be missed.  Here’s Floyd.

I didn’t even realize it, but the song was more than just a catchy tune, it was an anthem. It represented freedom, excitement, and all the things a seven year old boy held dear in his unspoken dreams and aspirations. I heard the song again and contemplated the history I shared with the old tune. Right about that time, Bill shared a video here with the background song being the anthem of my youth.

Like most kids, I longed to live the dream I’d built around the perspective learned in that song. “Get your motor running…” When my time came I did indeed get my motor running, “Head out on the highway – lookin’ for adventure and whatever comes our way.”

Every time I took to the highway, or any street really, it was all about the adventure; the kind that comes from risking an undervalued life with an immortal attitude. The hard driving music and the lyrics that pumped adrenaline through my veins addicted me to the freedom the song was selling. Somehow I knew that I, like the writer of that song, was Born To Be Wild.

Fear and dread filled my mind, throat, and belly, while falling toward the water from forbidden heights. That same taste of poison bit at my tongue as I slid down the pavement, fighting to control thousands of pounds of muscle car. Butterflies produced the drug within as I graduated to the fight game while living out the anthem of reckless and wild.

Being reckless is just one aspect of human tendencies, and we all  fall under the category of “fallen.” We’re deceived by the enemy to believe we’re a little different, a little smarter, maybe stronger, a lot luckier. It is the lie of foolishness. We’re not born to be wild – animals are wild – we were Born To Be Wise. We’re called to protect others and ourselves – not throw our lives into a lottery jar of chance.

The scars from surgeries as well as the wisdom gained the hard way due to living that lie of “Born To Be Wild” remind me that we were born with the meekness to tackle fear as it manifests itself in different ways across our lives. Healthy reverence for the One who causes or allows all things, including our free will, is the beginning of wisdom and courage. Chasing after fear for some type of fulfillment is “chasing the wind.”

In the end it doesn’t bring about gratification – it brings about regret… with a good dose of pain for measure…

Did anyone else buy into a distorted world view sold by our society as a kid? 

Here is the video Floyd made reference to at the beginning.

 

Posted in Christian living, Guest post, Just Wondering, Miscellaneous | 45 Responses »

Patience

Written by cycleguy on June 3rd, 2013

I am on vacation this week.  See here.  My guest today is my “little sis.”  Well, actually I don’t have a sister…not a blood one anyway.  But if I was to have one, this young lady would be more than welcome to join my family.  Zee is a native of Ukraine and blogs here. I look forward to the day we will meet-here or in the air.  Here’s Zee.

A dear friend of mine once told me, “Never pray for patience.”

I looked up at him in surprise. “Why not?”

“Because it can only be learned by getting through trials.”

This conversation took place over seven years ago but since then I have learned the words of my friend were indeed wise.

Patience is one of the toughest virtues of all. And I am not simply talking about putting up with something, but waiting upon the right time to act. Waiting for an answer. Waiting for a sign of some sort. Waiting for something to happen.

Sometimes I wonder if hearing a “No” in response to a prayer is better than “Maybe.” Maybe can imply that a “Yes” is coming. At the same time, it might still bring a “No.” This uncertainty kills me. Yet, God is teaching me that all things come in their time. (Thankfully, He is a patient teacher who doesn’t get bothered with my constant nagging and asking “Are we there yet?” like the Donkey from Shrek.)

I can’t get a dialogue out of my head I have recently read in a book “Afloat” by Erin Healy.

“At least now you know you’re doing what you must do.”

“Is it enough?”

“Is it enough? That’s a question of a man who thinks waiting is the weaker activity. But patience requires the strength of Hercules.”

We are so used to acting. We want to do something, change things, move forward. It is what is expected from us by the society.

Yet sometimes we are called to “Be still and know that [God] is God.” (Psalm 46:10)

I live in a city populated by five million people. It is not as big as Moscow, Russia or New York, but it is big nonetheless. The hustle and bustle go on 24/7. Well, on Sunday mornings, as I walk to Church, the city is quiet because the majority is recovering after Friday night and Saturday. But still – cars are whizzing by on a highway in front of my apartment building, I can hear the elevator working in the middle of the night as people get back home from work or elsewhere. Trolleybusses are always full as well as all the other means of public transportation. It’s a constant GO GO GO. It is what is expected.

So when I read “Be still”… I look up and ask God, “But… there is so much to do!”

Yet it is in quietness I can hear Him and learn from Him. It is in stillness that I can glimpse His power instead of my weakness. It is counterintuitive, but, incredibly, it works.

Attention, all! See the marvels of God! He plants flowers and trees all over the earth, bans war from pole to pole, breaks all the weapons across his knee.

“Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God, above politics, above everything.”

Jacob-wrestling God fights for us, God-of-Angel-Armies protects us.

Psalm 46:8-11, MSG

Feel free to share your thoughts with Zee and the other readers.

As an aside: today (June 3rd) is my daughter Tami’s birthday.  Happy Birthday oldest daughter.  :)

 

Posted in Christian living, Guest post, Scripture look | 23 Responses »

STOP!!

Written by cycleguy on June 2nd, 2013

I am away on vacation this week. (See here) I called on some friends to help.  Each day a different blogger will share their thoughts with you.  Today’s guest is Jason who blogs here.  We have followed each other for close to four years.  He is also very passionate about Human Trafficking.  His site is here.    Here’s Jason:

Please, for the love of our Father in heaven, STOP TAKING JEREMIAH 29:11 OUT OF CONTEXT.

Stop printing it on T-shirts.

Stop putting it on coffee mugs.

And PLEASE stop quoting it to those of us whose lives are little more than a pile of rubble heaped on top of us.

Why?  Because that verse is not for us today.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.  (Jeremiah 29:11 ESV)

The “you” in the verse is not an individual “you.”  It’s a collective “you” as in the nation of Israel.  That verse is part of a passage where God is talking to the nation of Israel and is telling them that after 70 years of exile in Babylon He will restore them.  (See verse 10 if you don’t believe me.)

The promise was then…and now…ONLY for the nation of Israel.

Not for the teenager struggling to figure out what to do after high school.

Not for the woman whose husband just ran off with a flight attendant from Sweden named Inga.

Not for the guy who lost his job and can’t find a way to support his family.

It’s for none of them.

And every single time we quote that verse to someone completely out of the context in which GOD HIMSELF spoke the words, we’re not only doing a disservice to those we’re speaking to but we’re also being false teachers of the Word of God.

The church, especially in America, has become little more than a place to tickle the ears of those who attend Sunday mornings and then disappear until the following Sunday.  The idea of “joy” equates only to “happiness” and thus we try to put a Pollyanna spin on verses and situations to try and provide the “joy juice” that will make someone feel better in hard times.

I know that we want to comfort one another in times of hardship.  I’m someone who wants nothing more than for God to put me in a place to help someone in need.  But if I’m to be the hands and feet of Christ to those people, I can’t then choose not to be the mouth of Jesus as well.  We’re called to be Christ…the whole Christ…to those we minister to on this planet.  We’re to reflect him (as best we can, of course, being imperfect beings who need Him.)

We can’t reflect Him if we’re intentionally distorting Him.

Now, can we say the same God who promised Israel he would redeem them is still a God who loves to redeem those who are his people?  Sure.

Can we say that the same God who loved the nation of Israel then is the same God who loves us today?  Indeed.

Can we point to that verse as a time that God made a promise and then kept it showing that He does not have His word return void?  You know it.

But that’s not the same as telling your son/daughter/mother/father/husband/wife/neighbor/yoga instructor that God has a plan to prosper them.

And it’s time that we stepped up and stopped distorting the Word.

Feel free to share your comments with Jason and others. 

 

Posted in Christian living, Guest post, Opinion, Scripture look | 20 Responses »

OFF

Written by cycleguy on May 30th, 2013

As in…

Outahere

Arrivederci

Sayonara (I’m multi-lingual)

Take me Away

I am OFF

As in…VACATION!

Starting Saturday morning, the above words will describe my next 8 days.  I’m not really sure how much of a vacation it will be with a 6 year old grandson, but I will be gone!  I’m guessing I will have to come back to get a rest.  :)

Anyway, Jo & I will be leaving Indiana and driving to Ohio, where we will meet up with our oldest, Tami, and spend the whole week entertaining a rambunctious grandson.  I know…I know…such a job but someone has to do it!  In the process, we will get to watch him twice in all his T-ball action.  But trust me when I say that this kid knows how to put some life into things, even T-ball.  Last year he slid into second base, and then in another game he slid head first into home plate.  In case you don’t know, there are no plays made at home.  He just wanted to get dirty.  :D   It was a pretty good head first slide if I do say so myself.

Like all bloggers, I had to figure out what to do about my blog. Do I just let it sit dormant?  Do I let someone hijack it for a week?  Do I go back through the archives and march out old posts?  I even thought about scheduling a post to come up every day saying, “Hi!  I’m on vacation this week but didn’t want you to forget me!!”   I chose none of those routes.

Instead I chose to ask some friends to write a post.  I gave them no guidelines except to keep it as close to or under 500 words.   I’ve put together an assortment of bloggers. Some have been faithful readers for a couple of years; some are newer “friends.”  The posts will begin Sunday evening at 8:00 and each night at 8:00 a new one will post.  Comments will be left open so you and the author can spar interact with each other.  This is the first time I have done this type of thing, so I am anxious excited to see how it goes.  I do hope you will still take an active part in the conversation.

Thanks so much to all of you for being part of Cycleguy’s Spin.  You are like family.  I value your online friendship-your give and take-in the ongoing cycle of spin.  And if you don’t mind, say a prayer for us while we travel.  And say a prayer that I don’t lose much hair after having a six-year old ball of fire around for a week.  I can’t afford to lose much more.  One good thing: I am taking my bike.  I can already feel those 3-4 hour rides.  ;) Thanks.  See you on the 9th with a brand new post from yours truly.

 

Posted in Christian living, Guest post, Miscellaneous | 22 Responses »

Ease

Written by cycleguy on May 29th, 2013

It’s happened to you…I know it has.

You read something and it hits you so hard you feel like you were cold-cocked by a hammer fist in a UFC fight.

Or…

Chuck Norris just stared at you.  :)

I read this and it just bowled me over in its power and intensity AND TRUTH:

Most Americans are still drawing some water from the Christian well.  But a growing number are inventing their own versions of what Christianity means, abandoning the nuances of traditional theology in favor of religions that stroke their egos and indulge or even celebrate their worst impulses.  Ross Douthat quoted in Unfinished by Richard Stearns

Did you hear that big whack upside the head?  Better yet, did you feel it?  I wrote a big WOW!! in the margin.  I don’t know who Ross Douthat is or what he believes, but Holy Gibbs slap!  I have never been to Walt Disney world, but I have talked to folks who have.  For all intents and purposes, what Ross is saying is people want to live with a religion that gives them the “Walt Disney World” feeling.

“Give me warm goose-bumps, the warm fuzzies all over.”

“Make me smile all the time.”

“Make me feel good about myself.  All the time.  Don’t ever tell me I’m going to fight a battle with the enemy of my soul.”  Then again, why should he/she?  That would ruin their life of ease for them.  After all, “God wants you healthy and wealthy… for me”  (Think of Golum’s voice as you read that).

“Don’t talk about sin being real or a problem.  Just give me the good stuff. ”

“Give me a high.”

Ross is so right.  Egos (theirs and ours) are stroked.  Our wants are indulged by a God who is “bound” to do so.  Our whims are fulfilled because, after all, I can “do and then pray for forgiveness.”  Our modern day version of Christianity is so far removed from the cost-of- discipleship-faith Jesus was talking and warning us about.   I confess I don’t know much of that myself. While I am in no way a teacher of the health/wealth (un)gospel, I must admit that I have no clue what it is like to live under constant fear of persecution or arrest.

Time to come down off my soapbox now.  I just couldn’t help myself after the 2×4 to the head.  I would like to know your thoughts though.  Feel free to share them. 

 

Posted in Church, Doctrine, Opinion | 26 Responses »

Fight!

Written by cycleguy on May 28th, 2013

I want to admit something to you all in this post.

NOT ALWAYS DO I FEEL LIKE A WINNER, NOR DO I ALWAYS WIN!

I tend to be a very “up” person, very little gets me down.  When it does I don’t tend to stay down very long.  I think the longest I can remember being “down” is a day or two.  It’s just my makeup, my pers0anlity.

THAT IS GOOD.

THAT CAN ALSO BE BAD.

It lends itself to a “charge hell with a squirt gun” mentality.  It can also lend itself to hiding how I really feel.

CAN. ANYONE. ELSE. RELATE? 

It hit me vividly when I read these words by Winston Churchill:

I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears, and sweat…You ask, what is our aim?  I can answer in one word: It is victory, victory at all cost, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long and hard the road may be; for without victory, there is no survival.

He was not done, because almost two months later he said:

We shall not flag or fail.  We shall go on to the end…We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields, and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender. (emphasis mine)

Two weeks later, at the end of the speech dubbed “Their Finest Hour” he said,

Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duties, and so bear ourselves, that if the British Empire and its Commonwealth last for a thousand years, men will still say, ‘This was their finest hour.’

The English turned and stood against Hitler’s war machine. Bloodied and bruised.  Knocked down but not out.  The British rose out of the ashes to continue fighting against evil incarnate.  The people refused to give in.  Led by a bulldog named Churchill, they fought the bigger dog and helped subdue him and free themselves and others from his choke hold.

Our Leader has given that same type of speech.  Our enemy blusters and blows.  We get bloodied and bruised.  We may get knocked down, but never out.  Our Leader, our King, our Commander-in-Chief, has already won the battle, therefore we need not fear the outcome.  Just fight.  Fight on the beaches, the landing grounds, the fields, the streets, the hills…but never, never surrender.

Just a little encouragement for your day.   Now…go out and have a good won.  Win one for the gipper (sorry couldn’t resist).  :)

This post was inspired by the May 28th entry of The Uncommon Life Daily Challenges by Tony Dungy.

 

Posted in Christian living, Church, Just a Quote, Leadership, Pick me Up | 21 Responses »

Identified

Written by cycleguy on May 27th, 2013

I used the following story to conclude my sermon Sunday and to lead right into our observance of the Lord’s Supper:

Else Keinmann was a survivor of the concentration camps from the Nazi regime. But she survived in a most unique way.  Else was arrested  because her father was wealthy.  The Nazis thought that if they arrested her they might receive a large ransom. Else was put in with a group of prostitutes who hated her presence among them because she came from a wealthy family.  They shoved her, kicked her, and rejected her completely.  But Else fought back and defended herself.  A German soldier took her out for interrogation.  He kicked her, spit on her, beat her, and knocked out most of her teeth. She returned to her prison group bruised and broken, and also filled with fear because she knew she could no longer defend herself against the hostile prostitutes.  She said, “I was scared for my life.  I could no longer protect myself from these woman.  But when they saw what I looked like, those who had tortured me before brought me water and took off my clothes to wash my wounds. They said, ‘Never again will we do anything to you, for now on you are one of us.’  They made it possible for me to endure the time we spent in the camp.  They gave me strength to look out the window and see the beauty of the world outside and not the horror of the world within.” 

That story reminded me of several Scriptures:

“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.  And being found in human form…”  Phil.2:5-8a

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”  John 1:14

He became one of us, and in that becoming, He not only became our way to God, but also showed us God.  God revealed Himself through His Son.  We can now know the Father intimately because He did.   He identified with us.  “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.”  Heb.4:15

HE. IDENTIFIED. WITH. US!!

How has your understanding of God been enhanced by this truth?   Does it make a difference how you see God? 

 

Posted in Christian living, Doctrine, God, Jesus, Scripture look | 26 Responses »

Remember

Written by cycleguy on May 23rd, 2013

Legacy_2

 

Somehow, we as Americans, have things a tad bit twisted.

We idolize sport “crybabies” who make more money in one year than many of us will make in a lifetime.

We idolize people who live lifestyles contrary to the Bible, but who “come out” of their closet.  Suddenly they are the greatest thing since sliced bread.

We hang on every word some celebrity sings or says.  We clamor for the paparazzi to give us “More! More!’

But while we do that, we often forget the real heroes.  The ones who make all the freedoms possible which so many want to stomp into the ground.  We forget or dismiss those who fought to give us the right to speak up and say whatever we want to say.

It is nothing new to any of you: this is Memorial Day weekend.

Some will be making their way to the Indianapolis 500.

Some will also be making the trek to their local cemetery to visit graves…

to visit the Vietnam Memorial…

the USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor…

and countless other places to remember and honor loved ones, many of whom died in service to our country. 

This is a weekend to remember “with liberty and justice for all.”   It is a weekend to remember “My country, ’tis of thee, Sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing.”   But most important of all, it is the weekend to honor those brave men and women who served this great nation.

BUT. I. AM. NOT. AN. “I. LOVE. MY. COUNTRY”. WORSHIPER. 

While I am extremely grateful I live in the USA,  I don’t have blinders on.  I am aware there is a serious flaw that is gumming up the works.  It is called SIN.  Fleetwood Mac would put it another way: “You can go your own way.”  And we are a people who have, by and large, chosen to do just that.

But the answer and cure for sin is the other memorial we will celebrate this week.  Our church observes the Lord’s Supper each week.  Some can say it becomes a ritual…and in some cases, they can be right.   But if I Corinthians 11: 27-29 is taken seriously, that won’t happen.  It is a time to remember the ultimate sacrifice, the ultimate price being paid for our freedom.

This Sunday, as you can probably guess, I will be preaching on Legacy and using our need to remember our veterans and remembering our Savior as my main thoughts.  Both will develop these thoughts:

  • We should never forget the sacrifice of life.
  • We should never forget the price of freedom.
  • We should never forget the need for peace.

I appreciate your prayers.  But I encourage you to take some time this weekend to honor a vet and honor the Savior.  You can’t go wrong with either one.

AND HAVE A GREAT AND SAFE MEMORIAL HOLIDAY WITH YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS.  

How do you intend on celebrating this weekend? Will you be honoring a vet this weekend?

 

Posted in Christian living, Doctrine, Family, Friendship, Just Wondering, Miscellaneous | 18 Responses »

Directions

Written by cycleguy on May 22nd, 2013

No…this is not a post about how men don’t ask for directions.  In fact, if you knew me, I would blow that whole idea all to smithereens.  I hate driving around aimlessly, especially when I can stop and ask directions.  :)

Here’s the deal:  When we hired our youth pastor, Ryan, our goal was to have a youth worship on Sunday morning in order to alleviate a crowding issue.   But as Ryan and I looked and talked about it, we realized that the cost of the youth building was going to be more than double what was set aside initially.  PLUS, the leadership has been talking about going to two worship services in the Fall.  That alone would alleviate the crowded auditorium and parking lot.  Ryan would also offer the youth worship on Sunday night.  So we recommended a picnic shelter be built and the Building Team liked that idea.  It had already been on the burner…they just moved it to the front.  So in a week or so construction is to begin on a new 30×50 picnic shelter which will be able to be used  by all.

HOWEVER…

We need to know where the property line is so we don’t build the shelter too close to the line.  That could pose problems on down the road.  So I contacted the realtor and here is an excerpt of what he sent:

“…Beginning at the Northwest corner of said section, thence South 1 degree 12 minutes 35 seconds East 1592.80 feet; thence East 50.00 feet to a point on the East right-of-way line of State Road #43 and to the true point of beginning…” 

Blah blah blah.  You get the point.  How in the name of all that is good and true am I supposed to find the property line with those kinds of directions?  Does it mean I am supposed to raise my temperature 1 degree and walk 12 minutes and 35 seconds East or go until I walk 1592.80 feet?  You get my drift…don’t you?  Please tell me you do.  I don’t think I can take any more feeling inept than I already do.  :)

Those directions do me absolutely NO good.

Sort of like the Scriptures, i.e. the Truth.  Truth matters.  Beliefs matter.  It matters whether Jesus was God’s Son, and what He taught us about truth matters a great deal.   BUT WHAT GOOD IS IT IF WE KNOW THE TRUTH BUT FAIL TO COMMUNICATE IT WITH OUR WORDS AND OUR ACTIONS?  For that matter, why would anyone even be interested in what we have to say if they 1) can’t understand it; and 2) can’t hear what we are saying because our lives get in the way?  Another thing: “Truth ignored is no better foundation for our lives than no truth at all.”  (Richard Stearns in Unfinished-p.16) 

Simply put: we will act out what we believe.  It sure helps to know where we are going though.  How about you?  Do you know the directions clearly? Any thoughts?

 

Posted in Christian living, Church, Just Wondering, Miscellaneous | 29 Responses »

Inconveniences

Written by cycleguy on May 21st, 2013

Scenario #1: I woke up Tuesday morning earlier than normal so I just decided to get up, do my normal morning routine, then head to the office.  It had rained stormed part of the night, but that was okay.  Well, not quite, because when I got to the office I noticed it was pitch black, except for the Emergency lights inside.  A tree had taken down a power line. Anyway, I found my way around, grabbed my computer and a couple of books and headed back home.  Minor inconvenience.

Scenario #2: I was able to go for a bike ride Tuesday since the sun came out and with the help of the breeze, dried the pavement.  Did I say breeze?  I should have said, “Strong winds” (15-18 mph with gusts to 23).   The kind that make a cyclist feel like he is working extra hard and going nowhere.  But at least I was able to ride.  Minor inconvenience.

Scenario #3: A couple months ago I received a call on a Sunday morning at 1:00 from the alarm company.  The church building’s alarm was going off. They had already dispatched the police.  Really?  1:00 on a Sunday morning?  Do you know what I have to do in about 3 hours?  Get up!  As far as we can tell the strong winds rattled an inadequately locked door which set off the alarm.  Minor inconvenience.

Scenario #4:  (Go back to scenario #1 for a moment).  I turned on my computer and always check my email first.  There was one waiting for me from Floyd, asking me to pray for a fellow blogger (TC).  I had no clue why since I had gone TVless on Monday night.  It wasn’t until I checked the news that I heard about the twister that devastated Oklahoma.   TC and her family live near OKC.  I shot off an email to Craig Groeschel, pastor of Lifechurch, who also lives near OKC.   Floyd heard from TC; I heard from Craig.

Now you see why I called the first three scenarios “Minor inconveniences?“   What seemed such a big deal when it happened (except I will take a bike ride in windy weather and not complain), suddenly loses it sting-its oomph-when put on the scales of real life experiences.   As I write this the death toll stands at 24.  That is, of course, 24 too many.  But it also puts things into perspective.  What is a minor inconvenience of getting up for an alarm?  Least I was able to get up out of my own bed.  What is a minor inconvenience of no power for about 4-5 hours when hundreds will be without power, even a house, for days and possibly months?  What is a minor inconvenience of riding in tiring winds? Least I was able to get on my bike and ride without having to look at total devastation.

So much of what we I go through are minor inconveniences compared to the bigger picture.   I don’t know about you, but I need to pause stop and take a look at the bigger picture.   What does your picture look like? Oh, and pray for the folks in OKC. 

 

Posted in Christian living, Family, Friendship, Just Wondering, Miscellaneous | 20 Responses »

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