This ride report is way late, apologies to all involved. Work and home have been keeping me hopping, but I've finally have a free minute, so here we go. The weather forecast for this ride was to be one of the hottest days of the year. Before this forecast I had about 16 riders saying they were coming. After the forecast there were 5 riders with 5 more coming for breakfast. Some folks were ill and others had work, but of the ten that bailed, I'm not sure. 6 months from now I wonder if they will be the one's saying it's to cold to ride? Okay, enough joking around...
The day started pretty mild but got hot as it went. After lunch, it was hot and some of us started to fade. Either way, it was a good ride. There were no crashes and no entanglements with law enforcement. Breakfast was a good time to catch up on work/family/bike issues and who took a spill at the track. We all had fun over sharing stories, pictures, videos and Splenda packets. The ride down to lunch was good but traffic was a constant interruption. I'd say we were in traffic 70% of the time for the whole day of this ride. When we weren't we did have fun riding in a big way. For me though, I wasn't at the "top of my game" riding. Every time I got a good rhythm going, a car pulled out in front of us. A few times we went around them, but most of the time we waited them out. Lunch at the Bistro was very nice, even though Pohlcat couldn't make it. After lunch we missed a turn, but we found a shady spot to check the map until we got back on course. Actually, we missed two turns, the first one was misspelled on the route sheet, the second I drove right by it. Doh! I wanted to thank jlasure for reconning this route and getting us some new roads, an excellent job sir! Thanks also to johnric42, JZ!, kpilot, and rktec for riding along with me that hot Saturday. We did have a good ride. After cooling off at a Wawa and checking out our bikes, we rode home to the A/C, proud of the fact we didn't let a forecast scare us from riding. Next month we go to the mountains!
Scripture Readings for July 2012
This month we talk about how someone might be concerned about entering into a relationship with Christ, due to the fear of being persecuted.The first Scripture for this was Matthew 5:11-12:
11 “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. 12 Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way." In these verses we can see that standing up for your faith will bring God's blessings into our lives and a reward for the life to come.
Our next Scripture builds on what the first one said, II Timothy 3:12
12 Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. So what we heard about in Matthew is now confirmed in II Timothy, living a godly life will bring persecution. When we align ourselves with God, we run counter to our own nature and to the ways of this world. We are answering a higher calling to live righteously.
Our final Scripture is James 1:12 which states:
12 God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. Doing something that folk don't agree with (like motorcycle riding), will have some folk giving you guff over it. They will say, "You shouldn't do it, it's dangerous. I know people that have gotten hurt doing it. The people that do that seem weird, etc." But doing something that not everyone agrees with can bring a great deal of satisfaction, fun, fulfillment, and purpose. You take that risk to get the reward, you won't get one without the other. In the same way, following Christ and having relationship with Him is risky, people might think or say bad things about you. It could cost you friendships or rejection from family members, but it will be worth it. I have found that to be so true in my life, God has been good to me in so many ways. And He will be good for you also, if you trust in Him and relationship with Him.
I will end with a final verse of assurance: John 6:37-38
37 All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. 38 For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.
May God bless you all this summer and I hope to see you soon
