A monthly feature from Suzi Dubick

CMA/Son’s Dixie Riders Birmingham, AL

April

I Didn’t Order That
Sorry, I can’t go; I have too much to do. How many times did I say that before finally figuring out all the things I had to do would still be waiting when we got back? And, that none of them would be more important than spending time with my husband. Fortunately, it was a lesson learned fairly early on. Last weekend Jim had to pick up some parts in Gadsden. He was taking the bike but didn’t invite me because I had been sick and was really backed up with those things to do. So, I invited myself. It was a glorious day of sunshine and temps in the 50’s. After picking up the parts I told Jim, If you want to drive somewhere for lunch, I don’t mind. Without a moments hesitation he asked where we should go. I threw caution to the wind and told him to decide. We drove and talked and laughed; ate one of those burgers you are supposed to eat before you die at the Pikeville Store in the middle of nowhere; then drove and talked and laughed all the way home. It was a most enjoyable 6 hours.

Today, I still had lots to do, but there were friends we had not seen in a very long time that needed tending to. The forecast said 60’s with sunshine and clear skies; definitely time to run away again with the love of my life and put my to do list on hold. Seven hours later, we arrived back home after a day of safe travels. Jim had led our friends on an adventure through some wonderfully scenic backroads, after lunch at the new Charlie B’s in Oneonta. We dawdled over our food, laughing and spending some much needed time nurturing a special friendship. These are the days that satisfy my soul. I am not lazy, but sometimes just running away from dust bunnies that breed faster than fleas and the tyranny of the stuff of life, is not a bad thing.

It was a story from the Bible of Mary and Martha that helped me see the light in this matter. These ladies were sisters of Lazarus (sometime after this particular episode, Jesus would be raising him from the dead). The story tells how Martha welcomed Jesus into her home and that she had a sister named Mary. That sounded to me like Martha was the older sister. I don’t know how many of you are, or have, an older sister. Speaking as one who survived having had one…and finally learning to love her, I can tell you that a lot of the time, they are very bossy. Martha was no different. Evidently, she had big supper plans that Mary was going to be helping her with, no matter what. However, no sooner had Martha welcomed Jesus into the house and gotten Him seated, Mary stopped what she was doing and sat down at His feet; not wanting to miss a word of what He had to say. Martha, on the other hand, had headed back to the kitchen. I suppose she was very busy with her things to do when she suddenly realized she was doing it all alone. The text indicates that she was somewhat indignant when she huffed out of the kitchen, let Jesus know how very busy she was and pointed out the fact that Mary was not helping her. As if that were not enough, she then informed Jesus that He should be the one to tell Mary to get up and get busy. Can you imagine? The Son of Man, God incarnate, is speaking the wisdom of the ages when Martha butts in, insisting that He stop everything and send Mary to the kitchen? The ever-patient Christ addresses his distraught hostess; Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has made the right choice, and it will not be taken away from her.

I love what Bill Johnson had to say about this in his book, Face to Face With God; Mary wasn’t a nonworker. Rather she was beginning to be like her Master, who only did what He saw the Father do. Jesus was talking, so Mary set aside other distractions and sat down to listen. She didn’t get caught up in making the sandwiches that Jesus didn’t order. She was learning that working from His presence is much more effective than working for His presence. In learning to let the less important things go to spend time with my husband, I am also learning to let other things go so I can spend time with my Heavenly Father. This is my heart’s desire; to stop trying to impress Him with doing things He never asked me to do, and spend that time instead, soaking in His presence. If I can accomplish that, when He does give me something to do, I will be locked and loaded with everything needed to get the job done. Somehow, I don’t see dust bunnies helping me with that.

Suzi Dubick, CMA/Son’s Dixie Riders suzidubick@cs.com

To our military men and women; thank you for your service to our country!
The LORD bless you and protect you; the LORD make His face shine on you, and be gracious to you; the LORD look with favor on you and give you peace. (Numbers 6:24-26)

March

A Plan Worth Sticking To

After moving to Alabama from Florida over 25 years ago, Jim has been trying to make his peace with winter. What made it worse was that for most of the time we have been here, he flew for people that went north in the summer and south in the winter. The days he was home in the cold quickly became a thorn in his flesh. Since that time, the Lord has moved Jim to a position that has given him a more realistic perspective. He currently flies for a company that conducts business in the north, no matter what time of year. A couple times of coming home from 10 degrees of blowing snow and suddenly, winter here isn’t so bad. Now, instead of wishing away winter, our home becomes an incubator for vacation planning. Between those days that he works and ventures out on the bike, Jim will turn up the heat, drag out maps, tour books and the KOA directory, and begin making plans for our next big adventure. He makes a calendar of upcoming events and then waits to see how many we will actually be able to attend once he gets a schedule. The time is also used to service our bikes so they will be ready at the first hint of warm weather. It is amazing the peace that comes through a simple plan.

Since we are beings created in the image of our Heavenly Father, it should come as no surprise that God is a planner as well. Long before this world came into existence, He had plans. In fact, many of them have been written down in the Bible through Divine inspiration so that we would not be caught off guard or frightened by future events. In the Old Testament, we find all kinds of verses telling us of things to come. Then in the New Testament, we can read where many of these events have already happened. As you read this, Christians will be busy celebrating the resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Shortly thereafter, our Jewish friends will be preparing for three of their seven Holy Days given by God in Leviticus 23. It starts with Passover, the celebration initiated to remind the children of Israel of their Divine deliverance from slavery in Egypt. However, if you look closer, all the festivals are a foreshadowing of their coming Messiah and events written of in the future.

On the night before Jesus was put on trial for His life, He and His disciples had come to Jerusalem to keep Passover. This ceremony and dinner take an entire evening to go through, but I would like to point out a portion from which Christians have gotten their Communion Service. In Passover, there are three pieces of unleavened bread and four cups of wine that are used, among other symbolic items. The three pieces of bread are put into a special linen bag with three pockets. Then the middle piece is removed, broken, wrapped in linen and hidden until later…a prophetic look at the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. With the three pieces of bread representing the Trinity, it would follow that the middle piece would signify Jesus. In the Bible, leaven, or yeast, is symbolic of sin. Because of the absence of leaven, this bread represents the sinless nature of Christ. There are also holes, stripes and dark markings, a result of the baking process, leaving more symbolism pointing to the Messiah. Zechariah 12:10 …they shall look upon me whom they have pierced… Isaiah 53:5 …he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities…with his stripes we are healed. When the hidden piece of bread is later retrieved by a child, it is passed out to those at the table with the third cup of wine known in Passover as the Cup of Redemption.

When Jesus took the bread that night, He blessed it with the traditional Passover blessing; Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe, Who bringest forth bread from the earth. Then he broke the bread, handed it to His disciples and said, Take, eat; this is my body. Jesus had often referred to himself as the Bread of Life. He was letting His disciples know that the same God, who brings forth bread from the earth, would bring the Bread of Life forth as well. Then He took the Cup of Redemption and before handing it to them, gave another Passover blessing; Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe, Creator of the fruit of the vine. With that, He told them, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. Jesus had already identified himself as the true vine and now He was asking God to bless the fruit of the vine, His church, the Bride of Christ! This celebration of Passover becomes one that can be celebrated by the Jew for the one time passing over of the death angel because of the blood of a lamb and God’s deliverance from their captivity in Egypt. For the Christian, we can celebrate Passover as the one time deliverance from our sin, by the sinless blood of the Lamb of God.

As humans, we make our plans but change them on a whim. I am thankful to serve a God, and risen Savior, who didn’t need to change their plan, because it was fashioned and formed with love and was perfect from the beginning. It is thrilling for me to be on the receiving end of God’s ingenious plan to bring this Gentile into His kingdom! There is so much rich symbolism for Jews as well as Christians within these seven Holy Days. If you are interested in seeing God making plans thousands of years in advance, I would urge you to learn more by going to: www.levitt.com or contacting the ministry of Zola Levitt, P. O. Box 12268, Dallas, TX 75225. You will be amazed and blessed!

(Biblical texts taken from the King James Version)

February

Taking a Closer Look

It is New Year’s Day; kind of nippy outside but with the sun shining in all its glory…what do you do? In the case of almost 50 CMA members, we got on our bikes and rode to Noccalula Falls in Gadsden. It was a wonderful time of fellowship with some folks that we love very much. We laughed; shared victories and losses from the past year, as well as current concerns and prayer needs. The falls were raging, but there was a sweet spirit of peace in our midst. Our small band soaked in the sights and sunlight before moving on to take over a back room at Ryan’s, where we continued setting a joyful, adventurous tone for the upcoming year. Jim and I were just finishing our meal when he got a call…our friends from Ohio were less than an hour away. We said quick good-byes then hot-footed it home to take care of last minute preparations for their three day stay; finishing just as they pulled into the driveway. Our days together were packed with activity and laughter, one of which was spent at Barber’s Motorcycle Museum. Admittedly, it sounded less than thrilling when Jim mentioned this choice of entertainment, but I packed my camera just to document the occasion. Entering the building, I was amazed by the quantity of pristine bikes representing every stripe, ilk and year since the very beginnings of motorcycle history; our bike enthusiast friends were absolutely blown away. Over the next several hours we wandered from floor to floor, the sights jostling loose memories. A wave of nostalgia moved us along in a sea of recollected stories. At some point I began looking more closely at the antique pieces and was surprised to find hidden treasures within their frames. I went back to the beginning, searching for shapes and form, capturing the miniature art with the macro lens of my camera. No one would have ever mistaken me for the person who would be holding up a group of bikers wanting to leave a motorcycle museum, but there I was, leaving unfinished business behind.

What happened to me at the museum is very similar to what happens to us when we meet people. We tend to size up a person by our first impression; allowing many to pass on by because they don’t look or act like us. Few are given the opportunity for closer scrutiny; time for looking more carefully at the beauty that lies within. Love takes the time to do that. Jesus gave His followers a new commandment just before He showed us ultimate love; by paying with His life for our sin. A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.* He went on to say, If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.** Some people have the mistaken idea that God is obliged to make us His children. In reality, He is the creator of all, but only a Father to those who choose to obey His Word. The very first verse I learned as a child was in I John 4:16; God is love. Each of us has been created by the very hands of Love. And, it is God who invites us to honor one another with love. Jesus even told us why we should abide in His love…so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.*** First Corinthians is often referred to as the love chapter of the Bible. It sums up what love is all about, Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

Valentine’s Day is the one time of year where we focus on love. It seems an appropriate time to consider too, that the God who created us has left His distinguishing mark of love within each of our hearts. What would it be like if we sought that out in others? How different would this world be if we actually took the time for a closer look? How much incredible beauty have we missed out on, that is still waiting to be discovered? Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.**** That sounds like a good place to start!

*John 13:34, **John 14:23 ***John 15:11 ****Colossians 3:12-14 (The New International Version of the Bible)
 

Do a beautiful thing; call, write or just say, Thank you! to those who are fighting for our freedom and safety here at home.

January 2008

Lost and Found
Have you ever been lost? Really lost? I was only partially lost once and found out that it can be a pretty traumatic experience that you should avoid at all cost. My little episode happened one day when Jim and I were on our way to a bike shop in Atlanta. We had just started riding together…separately. Much of our day had been spent ambling in that general direction, taking in the beautiful, peaceful countryside. As we neared the city, the roads began to widen, drivers sped up and attitudes turned aggressive and ugly. Jim was having difficulty locating the shop he was looking for which, unbeknownst to him, had moved since his last visit. However, until he finally realized that fact, he had been trying to look, drive and check addresses simultaneously. Of course that wasn’t going over well with the NASCAR wannabe’s trying to head the pack of cars that surrounded us. Jim’s frustration culminated in him joining the lunacy as he sped between two vehicles, through a yellow light and disappeared over a hill into the city. Until that point, I had kept close in spite of his erratic movements, but his last little maneuver left me trapped with no way to follow. There I sat, abandoned in a sea of cars four lanes deep, not a clue as to where I was or where he was headed. Once the light turned, the wave of traffic rolled down the hill to a 3 way intersection and Jim was no where to be found. The lane I was in swept me down a side street where I finally managed to free myself by pulling into an open parking lot. I stopped, turned off the bike and waited. Then I waited and waited and waited some more. The song came to me, Big Girls Don’t Cry; but I did. At least I had the foresight to leave my helmet on so as not to blow the reputation of tough bikers everywhere. I just stood there; feeling very vulnerable; tears tumbling down and soaking my shirt.

That incident was the first to give me an inkling of what it must feel like, not to be a Christian. Of course, I was not hopelessly lost and alone. Somewhere in the back of my mind I knew Jim would look until he found me. What I felt in the meantime was not total abandonment, but more like panic; being unfamiliar with my surroundings and letting my mind wander about what could happen before Jim and I were reunited. I admit that was a total lack of faith on my part because ever since I can remember, Jesus has been my constant companion and He has never left me feeling lost, hopeless or alone. In fact, Jesus speaks very clearly about how much trouble He will go to in order to find those who are lost. In Luke 15, He tells three stories; the first about a lost sheep. If you had a hundred sheep and one of them strayed away and was lost in the wilderness, wouldn’t you leave the ninety-nine others to go and search for the lost one until you found it? The second story was about a lost coin; A woman has ten valuable silver coins and loses one. Won’t she light a lamp and look in every corner of the house and sweep every nook and cranny until she finds it? Both stories end in great rejoicing when the sheep and coin are finally found. The third tells about a man with two sons; When the younger told his father, I want my share of your estate now, instead of waiting until you die! His father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons. A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and took a trip to a distant land, and there wasted all his money on parties and prostitutes. It goes on to say that on top of losing all his wealth, a famine came and the boy was starving, but managed to get a job slopping hogs. You need to understand that to Jews, pigs are unclean animals, so this boy had pretty much hit rock bottom, alone and broke. He thought of his father’s servants, all better off than he was, and decided to go to his father and tell him, Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired man. Knowing his father owed him nothing more, he headed home. Jesus says that his father saw him a long distance off; was filled with loving pity; ran and embraced and kissed him…without giving him a chance to finish his speech. There is more you should know about Jewish culture when this story is taking place. First of all, this boy’s father, having been totally dishonored by his son, would never have been keeping an eye out for him to come back. After such reprehensible behavior, any reconciliation would have to be instigated by the son, with the father under absolutely no obligation to do anything. Lastly, it was totally inappropriate for a man of the father’s age and stature, to run for any reason. Yet this father totally humiliated himself in front of his servants and his other son in order to show love and mercy to a son who deserved his disdain. He also gave him the finest robe he had, put a jeweled ring on his finger and shoes on his feet; then killed a calf and had the servants prepare a feast to celebrate. To his less than thrilled brother, the father said …you and I are very close, and everything I have is yours. But it is right to celebrate. For he is your brother; and he was dead and has come back to life! He was lost and is found!

Jesus was giving us a glimpse into the heart of our Heavenly Father. Even in the midst of His blessings, we have a bent to do as we please, dishonoring God in all kinds of ways, but He never gives up on us. When we finally do come to our senses…He eagerly and lovingly receives us; offering forgiveness, clothing us in His righteousness, bestowing His Holy Spirit into our heart as a sign that we belong to Him and rejoicing with the angels that one who was lost, has been found. Yes, Jim did eventually find me that day in Atlanta and there was a joyous reunion to be sure. However, it must have paled in comparison with the joy in heaven the day my Heavenly Father rejoiced over this found child. If you are still lost and separated from the love of your Heavenly Father by sin, you can be sure, He is watching and waiting for you to take that first step in His direction…He will do the rest. And wouldn’t that be a great way to start the New Year?
 

December 2007

Was It Worth It?

November 07

Monkey Business

Note to self, “Do not leave Jim home alone again.” This is twice now…evidently my first “note to self,” got lost in my pile o’ paper that is common to our computer desk at any given time. What I am referring to is the boy’s penchant for purchasing motorcycles once the tail lights of my truck have faded from view. The signs are always the same and it is really my fault for missing them. It starts with the looking…on the internet, in the stores and magazines. Guess I missed that part because the looking never really seems to stop. Then comes the rationalizing, “I can sell this bike, or if I got rid of…” you can pretty much fill in the blank with whatever it takes to ease a conscience. Then I got the phone call; “I’m in big trouble.” That was a sure sign that he thought he had done something terribly wrong. I suppose if I had spent thousands of dollars without his input, I would think there might be a problem as well. However, Jim already had a plan. Since my return, we are now up one motorcycle and down two. A third is for sale at Bogart’s BMW in case anyone is interested in a nice airhead…that would be his bike…I am not for sale. The only real challenge that ever comes up is when the girls call and I find myself trying to explain why their father has acquired yet another bike. Dianne was the first to observe that perhaps her Dad had a motorcycle monkey on his back. A few days later a stuffed monkey showed up in the mail and the games began.
Dianne’s monkey started out as a covert operative sending home secret emails…all in lower case because he has no opposable digits to hold the shift key for caps. She began getting trip photos with her monkey peeking out from trunk boxes, hiding in helmets, laying spread eagle on top of our tent and hanging onto Jim’s back. Then on our last trip to Tennessee, he got caught…because in his words, “ok, maybe i wanted to get caught.” The latest email contained a photo of the monkey sitting on Jim’s helmet at the front of the bike, his arms resting comfortably on the windshield, “i think i’m going to like sitting up front a lot better than that trunk box.” There were also pictures of him hobnobbing with some guys in front of Richard’s BBQ; going for a trike ride with a CMA couple and sitting in front of the Outlaw Steakhouse with a to-go box because, “when your dad saw how sad i was, he said it always made you happy to eat a steak.” There was also a farewell note to our daughter from her monkey, “i’m sorry, babe, but i really like your dad and i don’t think i will be coming back.” The final picture was of the monkey and Jim in front of the computer, plotting a course for their next trip on MapSource. His head is leaning against Jim’s, with his arm around Jim’s neck. Our friends probably think we have dropped off the deep end, but they have come to love our monkey. And isn’t that what all of us want…to love and be loved? Don’t worry, I am not delusional, this monkey has no feelings, nor is he that illusive missing link of Darwinian evolutionary fable…whether stuffed or real. What has happened is that all this monkey business has inadvertently exposed some forgotten early memories.
We had just moved from Germany to Florida when I started 7th grade in a school that housed grades 7 through 12. Perhaps there are some who can relate to my feelings of inferiority at starting school in my barely pubescent skin wearing Girl Scout Oxfords, socks and a homemade dress alongside girls in make-up, sandals and store-bought clothes. Yes, those shoes were as ugly as they sound and no one wore socks. Our mother finally succumbed to our weeping from humiliation by taking us to find some sandals. Only problem was, my twin and I had inherited some of my Dad’s quad-E-width feet. At that time, there was only one place where you could find such sizes and it had a sign, in large letters across the front of the store, “We can fit ANY human!” Talk about feeling like the new monkey in town. We went to school the next day, still odd, wearing new, outdated sandals with socks…Mom was all about us not getting ringworm. I felt adrift in a sea of confident well-dressed strangers and set about to become invisible.
At some point during those high school years, there was an awakening. I became a blood-bought child of the Most High God, who had been fearfully and wonderfully created in His image; gifted to accomplish a unique mission in this world! I cannot say that there was instant boldness on my part, but like Dianne’s monkey, I did quit hiding. It seemed at the time that God blessed me with the gift of encouragement. I found my parents were wise to recommend the book of Proverbs for practical advice on how to live this life. It showed that in order to use my gift I would need friends, then taught me much about friendship; “A man who has friends must himself be friendly...Make no friendship with an angry man, and with a furious man do not go, lest you learn his ways and set a snare for your soul…Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful…A friend loves at all times.”
As a friend who desires to love at all times, may I just tell you that God has created each of His children with the potential of making this world a better place? It may be to lend a helping hand, give to those in need, provide some wise counsel, or something as simple as a kind word and a smile. What is it that you can do? There is undoubtedly a clue somewhere in your life as to what your gifting is. If you need help in uncovering it, check out the book of Proverbs. I’d lend you my monkey, but as cute as he is, he has only extra-loft poly-fil for brains.

Suzi Dubick, CMA/Son’s Dixie Riders suzidubick@cs.com 
(Scripture reference taken from The New King James Bible)
 

October 2007

You Don’t Want to Go There

    It was the month of July that finally brought an end to our long dry spell of no bike trips. We started out with a trek to the BMW National Rally, our first night on the road being spent in beautiful North Carolina. From there, it was steady progress toward Fond du lac, Wisconsin; land of cheese, brats, the Green Bay Packers and a proliferation of dairy farms dotting pristine countryside. Their refreshing spring-like weather was a welcome relief that we dared not mention to friends back home who were sweltering in three-digit temperatures. It was a most perfect trip in every regard…except for the one little faith-building episode in Illinois.

    We had spent the better part of this particular day, bumping along through mile after mile of cornfields. I say bumping because there is something that happens up north that those of us in the not-so-frozen south, do not have to contend with. Jim expressed what happens to the roads as “frost-heave” (that second word being one I had hoped never to hear again after our trip to Florida). It seemed that this phenomenon had pretty much affected every road we had traveled for most of the day. Fortunately, the weather made up for the undulating ride; having been absolutely beautiful until late afternoon when storm clouds began to gather. It seemed the cornfields would never end as the sky began turning a deeper and deeper bluish-purple. I was beginning to feel a bit smothered as the darkness began to overtake us and was praying that the Lord would see us safely to a place of refuge where there appeared to be none. The cornfields suddenly parted like the Red Sea, but instead of a clear path, we found ourselves in a logjam of 5:00 traffic trying to make its way to the interstate. I am not the panicky type, but I did feel an incredible wave of relief once we merged in with the I-90 traffic heading toward Chicago. It was only a moment or two later before we spotted the Country Inn and Suites sign at the very next exit. As we pulled in and parked, lightening began arcing across the sky, thunder shook the ground and torrential sheets of rain gushed from the heavens. Later that evening, from the comfort of our room, we watched with thankful hearts the reports of damaging lightening strikes, golf-ball-sized hail and unprecedented flooding.

    That slightly traumatic episode flashed through my mind recently as I read the book, 23 Minutes in Hell. Mr. Wiese described a vivid experience that triggered many emotions. I thought of all the difficult and scary times when I have relied heavily on my personal relationship with Jesus Christ to see me through. Times when there was no one else that could understand how I felt or cared what happened to me; no one that could help me except for God. That is the hopelessness that makes hell what it is; being separated from the One who lovingly created you, knows you and cares about details so small as the very number of hairs on your head (no matter how few they may be). The book also mentioned a quote from Grant Jeffrey that made me consider another aspect of hell. It spoke of a place, much like the worst prison you could ever imagine. Now think of that place without guards or any kind of order; just the strongest, meanest, most sadistic people having free reign to torture and abuse you as they please. That illustration put my head knowledge into a scenario I could more easily envision. Knowing that hell is the prison God created to corral Satan and his demons, it would follow that without the protective hand of God, they will rule and reign in that place…and knowing they will be confined there for eternity will most likely leave them in an even more foul mood. The Bible is clear about who else will be there and why, “How much worse punishment, do you think one will deserve who has trampled on the Son of God, regarded as profane the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified and insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know the One who has said, ‘Vengeance belongs to Me, I will repay,’ and again, ‘The Lord will judge His people.’ It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God!” Hebrews10:28-31

    Those who have rejected Jesus Christ will also join Satan and his demons. God does not take lightly the rejection of the work His Son did on the cross; dying in our place so that we could be set free from the death penalty of sin. God created the Garden of Eden for His children and hell for those who declared war against Him. After the final judgment of each man and his deeds, Eden will be restored with no memory of hell…except to those who will be tortured there for eternity with no do-overs.

    There was a recent poll taken about people and their expectations of hell. Less than one half of one percent of the folks polled expects to go to hell; 64% believe they are going to Heaven: and 54% think their good works will get them there. Many of these people have not read the Truth contained in the Bible where it says repeatedly that ALL have sinned and that no one comes to the Father except through Jesus Christ. It also says that it will never be our works that get us into heaven, rather our acceptance of Jesus Christ and His work on the cross, which paid for our sins. There is absolutely nothing you can do to pay your way into Heaven or work yourself out of hell.

    It should terrify and grieve every Christian to know that people will die and go to this God forsaken place. That knowledge is what has spread the Gospel Message throughout the world since Jesus died and now more than ever, it needs to be heard. Many are deceived and will spend an eternity in hell as a result. I am encouraging myself as I encourage each of you; to continue spreading the Truth of God’s Word! God forbid that anyone would have to spend an eternity being abused by Satan and his demons instead of enjoying the love and fellowship of Jesus Christ!

    “Tell them: ‘As I live’—the declaration of the Lord God—‘I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked person should turn from his way and live.” Ezekiel 33:11

    “For You, Lord, are kind and ready to forgive, abundant in faithful love to all who call on You. Lord, hear my prayer; listen to my plea for mercy. I call on You in the day of my distress, for You will answer me.” Psalm 86:5-7

    “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may be repaid for what he has done in the body, whether good or bad. Knowing then, the fear of the Lord, we persuade people.” II Corinthians 5:10-11
 

Suzi Dubick, Christian Motorcyclists Association, suzidubick@cs.com

September 2007

Truth, It’s a Liberating Thing

Finally! We have had an entire month of biking adventures, enough to keep you entertained throughout the winter. It started with our annual trek to the national BMW rally in Wisconsin; then a three day trip to North Carolina; a day long ride with Jim, with me on my own bike; then the purchase of a scooter. This month I was going to start at the beginning, however, the ride on my own bike was quite exciting and I felt there was something more pressing that I should be sharing. It has to do with my sage advice from last month, regarding people buying bikes that fit their skill level. And, although my bike ordinarily fits my skill level, it had been a number of months since I had been on it. For most of our ride, I was taking it easy trying to reestablish my rhythm. We drove to Oneonta to meet the Blount County Chapter of CMA folks at Charlie B’s and had a great time with about 30 folks. From there, we drove to Huntsville to “just look” at some scooters. There was a feeling of déjà vu as we signed the title papers…but that is another story. On our way home we took the scenic route from Guntersville; that was when it happened.

We were starting up the mountain on a four-lane road, closing in quickly on a dump truck lumbering along in our left lane and a van about 2 car lengths behind it in the right lane. Jim hesitated momentarily, then made a smooth move between the vehicles and disappeared. Knowing the truck would be running out of steam, and not wanting to get stuck behind two slow moving vehicles all the way up the mountain; I went forth and did likewise. Only thing is, I suddenly found myself in a tight little S-turn; scrambling to thread my way between a dump truck getting closer on one side and a curb on the other. Yes, it was stupid. Yes, I had no business passing on the right. Yes, I knew better. Yes, I should have stayed back knowing I wasn’t operating at peak performance. Yes, I could have gotten myself killed. And, yes, you can have a bike suited to your skill level and still do dumb things with it. That is pretty much all I have to say about that little episode, but the same holds true in our lives.

We can be highly intelligent; we can have a college degree, a great job, wonderful family, beautiful home, terrific children and all the trappings of the perfect American dream, and still miss the most important thing we can find in this life. If I had not had parents who taught me better, I would be right there…well, some may argue the highly intelligent part. But my point is, we can have everything we think we need and still make a huge mistake, losing the most important thing there is…our eternal soul. It would not have mattered that I was riding one of the most precision built bikes available and had the benefit of the MSF to my advantage; had I hit the curb, the city of Guntersville still would have been hosing what was left of me off of a dump truck, a van and the road. The only good part would be that I would have been in the presence of the LORD…and how embarrassing that would have been? The fact that I am still here, is proof that He is not finished with me, because I still don’t know how I missed that curb.

The elderly patriarch, John, had a simple message for those who had not personally known his beloved Savior, “This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.” Don’t you just love old people? They have a way of caring more about giving people the unvarnished truth in all its glory than how folks feel about hearing it. In the first chapter of John’s brief, last 3 books, he has given you all you need to know. He has encapsulated the Truth that will set you free and give you a life filled with hope until you die. Isn’t that wonderful? I’m just glad he wasn’t at the top of the mountain last weekend to tell me the truth.

Suzi Dubick, CMA/Son’s Dixie Riders suzidubick@cs.com
(Scripture reference taken from The New King James Version)

August 2007

July 2007 -

Render Unto Caesar

Please, please, please...if there is ever a month in which it is more than appropriate to say, “Thank you!” to the members of our military, this is it!  I hope that has been happening all along.  If not, let’s make July the month we go out of our way to acknowledge those who are fighting to keep our country a place where we can continue to speak our minds without losing our heads!

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”  Those words, penned 231 years ago this month, are intertwined in our Declaration of Independence from England.  That proclamation started the birth pangs of a Christian nation.  It ends with these words, “And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.”  It troubles me greatly these days to see how certain people are trying to remove every vestige of our Christian heritage from the face of this land.  They seem to have forgotten, or were never taught, that some of the first casualties of our war for independence came on church grounds…the result of a certain parson who did not shrink from the words of Jesus when He said, “Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s and unto God, that which is God’s.”  Our founding fathers all had a sense that this nation had been preordained by God for eternal purposes and they fought for it as His treasure.

Our first president, George Washington, dedicated this nation to God in a small church in New York City.  You may have seen pictures of that church…it was the only thing left standing nearby after the twin towers fell on September 11^th.  In 1831 a French statesman, Alexis de Tocqueville, entered the United States, seeking out the reason for her greatness.  What he wrote back to the French Parliament should be a reminder and encouragement to American Christians in their fight to save our godly heritage; “I went at your bidding and passed through their thoroughfares of trade; I ascended their mountains and went down to their valleys; I visited their manufactories, their commercial markets and emporiums of trade; I entered their judicial courts and legislative halls; but I sought everywhere in vain until I entered the Church.  It was there as I listened to the soul elevating principles of the Gospel of Christ, as they fell from Sabbath to Sabbath upon the masses of the people, that I learned why America was great and free and why France was a slave.  America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.”

With the passing of each generation, our morals, values and traditions seem to be suffering exponentially.  Who will stand in the gap?  Who will hold high, by living example, the morals and values that not only made this country great, but caused it to flourish?  Who will be around to keep all references to the God that made us great, from being expunged from America?  We cannot remove God without suffering the consequences and our situation without Him is hopeless.  Man is not, nor will he ever become, a better person when left to his own devices. 

My only hope as we attend the parades, fireworks and BBQ’s during this season, is that we will take time to pray; seeking God’s wisdom as to what He would have us do.  In this nation, we have no Caesar…because We the People are Caesar.  I think we would do well to remember that.  If we will just give God what He deserves, Caesar’s job will be a piece of cake.

June 2007 -

A Leg to Stand On

Perhaps it was the warm weather causing everything to bloom at once; then the freeze and the 2^nd spring that followed with dry weather, which brought my allergies back with a vengeance.  Whatever the cause, I have attended 2 campouts as the resident motor-maid bobble-head.  Dopey from Benadryl, I would don a helmet to move from tent to bath house, trying not to breathe in the green, dusty air.  However, I have called a halt to this madness, waiting to ride again when I can walk outside without expelling all manner of bodily fluids from my head.  In the meantime, I do thank God, for a 2 week reprieve in Florida.  It not only enabled me to breathe fresh air, but to spend time with a group of folks that have put my whining to shame and moved me to count my blessings. 

Ken, our double amputee friend mentioned in an earlier column, had organized the 1^st Annual Celebrity/Amputee Golf Tournament.  He asked Jim to come play and wanted me to cover the event for a post tournament publication.  What I witnessed, over those days with 48 amputees, was that while there may have been some limbs missing, their sense of humor, drive for perfection and competitive hearts have remained intact.  The man who won overall lowest score shot 69 on Friday and 73 on Sunday…not too shabby for a guy missing an arm and leg.  “Normies,” the word used by amputees for those who are not, were caught off guard by cracks from their fellow players; “Are you pulling my leg?” “Guess I stuck my foot in my mouth on that one.” and “That will cost you an arm and a leg.”  The writing on one man’s hat said, “Amputee Golfer, Some Assembly Required…” and there was; with some of the most high tech prosthetics you can imagine.  There was also an 18 year old boy present, Gregory Lang.  I had talked to Gregory on the phone before my trip to Florida, but was not prepared for the radiant smile which seldom left his face.  When most 4 year old children are busy at play, Gregory was learning how to maneuver on a prosthetic leg after cancer surgery.  He would later be diagnosed with a rare hereditary disorder that would claim the life of his father with a brain tumor and strike his sister with Leukemia…currently in remission.  During the past few years, Gregory’s cancer has mutated and spread; doctor’s recently gave him 3 to 6 months to live.  Bad news is nothing new for this family, so you will see little change as they continue to take one day at a time, while still planning for the future.  Gregory and his girlfriend left the tournament on Friday, looking forward to their prom on Saturday.  His graduation is coming up and the party afterward has already been arranged.  Ann Lang, Gregory’s Mom, started a scholarship program in his honor.  Submissions are made by essays, all of which Gregory has read personally.  He is looking forward to presenting the first check, to the student he chooses, for their character in overcoming overwhelming odds in their life.  I cannot begin to tell you how privileged Jim and I felt to be in the presence of so many people with such tenacity for life.    

Taking a lesson from the disciples in John 9 and 10, I gave up long ago trying to figure out tragedies in the world.  This particular passage finds them jumping to conclusions about a blind man.  They asked Jesus, “who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”  To their chagrin, Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned…this came about so that God’s works might be displayed in him.”  As the story unfolds, you will find Jesus healing the man, a deed that leads into the synagogue and exposing the hypocrisy of some of the Pharisees, with Jesus ultimately confessing His own deity.  It ends with derision amongst the Jews who heard Him.  Some were blind to His revelation and trying to stone Him; while others listened and believed when He told them He was the Son of God.  It should be noted here that the blind man was willing to be used by Jesus.  I can’t help but wonder if I would have stood still for Jesus to spread His spit laden dirt over my eyes and then wait until I got to the pool of Siloam before wiping it away.  What it boils down to, is are we willing to take the blindness in our lives, whatever form it comes in, and allow it to be offered up “…so that God’s works might be displayed.” 

I don’t know what the future holds for Gregory Lang, but what I saw in this courageous young man, was a willingness to stand still before the LORD, allowing Him to do whatever it takes “…so that God’s works might be displayed.”  And, he is standing with a smile that can only be described as heaven sent.  Oh, that all of God’s children could have a trust like that in their Heavenly Father.

May 2007 -

Driving With Miss Naggy

     When Jim and I first started riding together, we knew nothing of the extras that were available to make our motorcycling rides more pleasurable.  While sitting on the backseat, if I wanted to tell him anything, I would open my face shield, poke and gesture to him to open his, and then scream into the wind.  Needless to say, this was more an emergency procedure, not intended for casual conversing.  Then I learned to drive and before our naiveté wore off, we headed for Montana, on separate bikes, with one set of maps, our little tent and sleeping bags, some clothes and little else.  I tried not to get caught at any stoplights without him and he kept an eye on me in his rear view mirror.  Since those early days our eyes have been opened to many exciting innovations as well as the fact that you can ride together in nothing less than luxury if you so choose.  We so chose.  Our first big bike came with many things, but not an intercom system.  Jim seemed perfectly content to endure my occasional screaming.  When Jim started adding up the expense to update and repair our first big bike, a year end model came up for sale that took care of that decision…and, amongst other things, it came with an intercom and GPS.  I was finally able to quit pointing, poking, gesturing and screaming in order to carry on the occasional civilized conversation.  Our friend, Bob Steber, had told us many times about his GPS, affectionately dubbed, Miss Naggy.  We never really understood why, until she came to live in our helmets.  Once you turn her on, she never shuts up.  “Drive 3.2 miles, turn left.  Drive 300 yards, turn left.  Off course, recalculating.”  Fact is, the only time you can get a break from Miss Noitall Naggy, is if you get on I-65 in Birmingham and punch up Chicago as your destination.  Fortunately, Jim doesn’t tolerate her grating voice and incessant demands any better than I do and we found the switch to turn her off.  And, we have found that Miss Noitall doesn’t really know it all.  Sometimes she cannot distinguish between paved and gravel roads; other times she shows no line at all for the road we are obviously driving on.  Our friend, Claude Merrifield, was good at driving Miss Naggy crazy.  Her screen would show the little arrow marking our current location, wandering around an empty field of yellow and all she had to say was, “Lost satellite reception; off course, recalculating.”  We took a great deal of comfort knowing Claude had driven these backroads for years and that even if he did get lost, he had his own internal compass that worked just fine. 

     As I was listening to that droning, androgynous voice telling us what to do, it occurred to me that Miss Naggy serves a similar purpose to that of the Holy Spirit; although He is far more reliable and pleasant to be around.  In fact, if you will pay close attention to His promptings, He will keep you from going places you shouldn’t be going, or to places you said you would never go again, or from losing your way altogether.  Before His crucifixion, Jesus had told the disciples that His Father would be sending the Holy Spirit, to teach them all things and to remind them of everything He had told them.  After He was crucified and rose from the dead, Jesus saw his disciples one last time before being carried up into heaven.  He told them to wait in Jerusalem until they had been “empowered from on high.”  In Acts, it goes on to describe that day, “When the day of Pentecost had arrived, they were all together in one place.  Suddenly a sound like that of a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were staying.  And tongues, like flames of fire that were divided, appeared to them and rested on each one of them.  Then they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different languages, as the Spirit gave them ability for speech.”  At that time in Jerusalem there were devout Jews from “every nation under heaven,” and each of them heard the disciples proclaiming the “magnificent acts of God” in their own language.  On that day, through the power of the Holy Spirit, about 3,000 people repented of their sins, accepted Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and were baptized!

     As Christians, the Bible tells us to “be filled with the Spirit.”  While there is a mystery about the triune God we serve; knowing He is fully Father, fully Son and fully Holy Spirit, we can be sure that our God wants a relationship with us.  If He didn’t, He never would have made a way to come into His holy presence through the shed blood of His Son.  Nor would He have given us the Holy Spirit to live in our hearts, comforting and directing us, pleading to God for us when we are so distraught we don’t have the words to say.  The Holy Spirit is described as One who speaks, teaches, strives with sinners, counsels, comforts and that He can be resisted and grieved.  For those of you curious as to what that mysterious “unpardonable sin” is, let me enlighten you.  Jesus, in speaking of himself said, “Anyone who is not with Me is against Me, and anyone who does not gather with Me scatters.  Because of this, I tell you, people will be forgiven every sin and blasphemy, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.  Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him.  But whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the one to come.”  The Holy Spirit is the one who draws us to a relationship with Jesus Christ.  If you have ever felt that urge within that you are headed the wrong direction and that there is a better way to live your life; that is the Holy Spirit speaking to your heart.  To continuously reject Him is to blaspheme Him, and ultimately, that will lead to an eternity in hell.  I don’t know about you, but the Holy Spirit that lives within me, is my greatest comfort in this world.  It is a difficult relationship to describe, but as well as I know that Jesus Christ has made me a new creation, I am just as certain that the Holy Spirit maintains my relationship with the LORD and directs my way through the trials of this life.  You don’t have to force yourself to lead a godly life if you will allow the fruit of the Spirit to rule and reign.  The Bible describes that fruit as, “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control.”  Do you really need any more than that?

April 2007 -

Live Like You’re Grateful!

     How long has it been since you stopped a military man or woman in uniform and thanked them for their service to our country?  The first few times I did this it felt uncomfortable.  However, each warm appreciative response became my reward for making the effort.  We can even honor those who paid the ultimate price, by embracing their families with a grateful heart for their sacrifice.  This month I wanted to take the opportunity to say a public Thank you! to our military men and women, past and present, who serve this great nation of ours.  It would appear that the mainstream media is too busy griping about the war to acknowledge their exemplary efforts.  Many of the stories they choose to cover, would make you think that our military’s sacrifice has only allowed the rest of us to become more idiotic, depraved and ungrateful.  May I just say, this is not what I notice during conversations with diligent, law abiding citizens.  The majority of people, who are hard at work living responsible lives, are extremely grateful that our military has had the tenacity to fight this unprovoked war in the countries where it originated.  When I see the coverage grousing about how things are going, it makes me want to ask these whiners when was the last time they had to carry guns, or look over their shoulders worrying about car bombs or suicide bombers blowing up the Starbucks where they hang out.  Quite frankly, I remain totally indebted to our troops for allowing me the privilege of continuing to go where I want, do what I want and saying what I please without getting shot, beheaded or blown up.  While I understand that one day this may not be the case, I am thankful that, so far, we have not seen reports of thousands more of our citizens dying in terrorist attacks within these United States.  I am also grateful for a President who has the courage to stand strong in the face of those who are clueless about the totality of what is going on in this global war; trying to second guess him on the hard decisions that need to be made.  It is amazing to me that he has never stopped making time to be with our wounded soldiers, as well as the families of our fallen military; meeting face to face to let them know that their loved ones have not died in vain.

     In case there is anyone left who does not know by now; the founder of Islam, Muhammad, started plundering, persuading and beheading people in the early 600’s.  Radical Islam continues today with their jihad of Aslam taslam, which literally means, Submit, have peace.  As long as the people in their path of death and destruction continue to be persuaded to submit, these radicals will continue their quest to rule the world.  They have also vowed that the world will be won through the wombs of their women.  It shouldn’t take long, with our nation aborting every fourth pregnancy and their religion allowing 4 wives at a time.  I’m still amazed that some people think we only need to make nice and they will go away.  That will never happen!  Radical Islam is at war and will not stop until they take over the world…no matter the cost.     

     I recently read a book where the author compared becoming a Christian with becoming a soldier….in the sense that in both cases, you are given what you need to get the job done.  There are many such similarities in ideological and spiritual warfare.  When you sign up for the military you are no longer a free agent, able to do as you please.  When you become a Christian, the Bible says you are no longer your own…that you become one with the body of Christ.  First Corinthians 6:17, 19-20 describes it clearly, But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him…Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?  For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.  Just as the military has body armor and weaponry, God provides protection for our spiritual battles.  He gives us the belt of Truth…to help cinch up any hypocrisy that would constrict our movements.  Our heart and soul are covered with the breastplate of righteousness.  Our feet are solidly anchored with the gospel of peace so we can stand firm, and a shield of faith protects against the temptations of the devil that come as flaming arrows.  A helmet is given to guard the assurance of your salvation, shielding you from any doubt or discouragement.  The only weapon you will ever need in God’s service is the sword of the Spirit; His Holy Word.  Ephesians 6:11-18 describes this armament and tells us to, Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.  Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand…praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit…

     For all the years my father was in the military, he requested a tour of duty in Germany, his former homeland.  But each new assignment put us somewhere else…once, to a scary place on the opposite side of the globe.  Yet my father never questioned the authority placed over him or their reasoning.  He did his job to the best of his ability wherever they sent him.  Gratefully, he was never ridiculed, maligned or killed, unlike our troops today.  Jesus expects the same unwavering loyalty of His disciples for their assignments; letting them know the stakes will be high ...he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me….Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth.  I did not come to bring peace but a sword…a man’s enemies will be those of his own household…He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.*  The gospel ultimately brings peace with God, even if the road getting there is filled with conflict within families where not all choose to follow Christ.  For those who do, Jesus gave instruction and comfort …be content with such things as you have.  For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’  So we may boldly say: ‘The LORD is my helper; I will not fear.  What can man do to me?’**  And what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?***

     What can man do to me?  Jihad says, submit, have peace.  Jesus says…whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.  But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven. *  The only way you will ever have peace, is when you submit your heart and will to Jesus Christ; allow His perfection to cleanse your sin filled life; His Word to make you wise; then walk with Him in that holy peace that passes understanding.

Remember to pray for wisdom, protection and blessings for our leaders and troops.

March 2007 -

KuWHOta?

     When winter comes, you can find Jim inside, blockaded against the cold and sitting in front of the computer.  While I am grateful that motorcycle websites are the only place his internet travels take him, it baffles me how he continues to trade out motorcycles.  One moment he is talking about what a perfect bike he has found, then winter comes, he sits in front of the computer and suddenly the perfect bike he bought last year, has become nothing more than a bartering item for the next perfect bike.  How does that happen?  Perfection one year, multitudinous flaws the next?  It’s a mystery.  At any rate, Jim’s Bumble Bee had been sold and the money was in the bank, poised for his next purchase.  Little did he know his search was about to take an unexpected turn.

     A few weeks ago, while in the home of friends, we were discussing the recent death of her mother and the estate sale they were preparing for.  I’m not even sure the guy expected a reply when he jokingly said, You don’t happen to need a tractor, do you?  Jim and I responded simultaneously, “No.” Yes!”  He looked at us in a quizzical way before bursting into laughter; curious as to what he had just stirred up.  From my vantage point, Jim has remained under the misguided notion that his small riding mower is sufficient to take care of our 4 acres of grass.  He seems to overlook all those long days when he would come into the house for a rest, appearing to be on the verge of heat stroke.  I urged our friend to go on.  He described a 3-cylinder diesel Kubota with a 60-inch mower deck.  I was pleased that Jim at least agreed to step outside and look at it.  However, once we got to the tractor, I was sure Jim would say, no...and if he hadn’t, I was ready to.  It was big and orange; encrusted with dirt and diesel exhaust.  The front grill was dented and rusting, one tail light had been smashed, another light was totally missing and it was marked with many other scars from having worked hard for a looong time.  I saw nothing but humiliation from his peers once they laid eyes on it.  How Jim saw past the filth, dents and rust is beyond me.  But he did.  The next week he was handing over his motorcycle money and loading the rather sad looking orange beast onto a borrowed trailer to haul it home.  Although it had lived the bulk of its life outdoors, Jim brought the tractor into his shop and proceeded to detail it out with as much care and attention as he would have given any one of our bikes.  It is a different tractor today, cleaned, polished and revived by the hands of its new owner.  Sometimes I just stand back and marvel at Jim’s discernment and vision.

     In the same way the Kubota factory makes tractors to do a particular job in this world, our Heavenly Father has created each of us for a specific purpose as well.  The Bible says we are fearfully and wonderfully made and that the LORD has numbered our days and even the hairs on our head!  So…am I the only one who took my lovingly made self out into the world to conquer it on my own?  And am I the only one who ever came to the end of their self-centeredness, caked up with the muck of this world; battered from poor choices; and having had pieces of their heart and character torn loose and missing?  Did Satan just lie to me when he whispered to my spirit that I was too far gone for God to take me back; after all, I was damaged goods.  The Bible warns us, Be sober!  Be on the alert!  Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.* While he has no power to literally kill anyone, if you don’t pay attention, he can push you toward a place of despair where you may try doing it to yourself.  The sad fact is, I knew all of that.  So why did I choose to ignore it and ultimately find myself in a place of despair?  I was guilty of what I once heard a pastor refer to as “sloppy agape.”  Agape is the word coined specifically to describe that perfect, unconditional love which God has for His children.  The pastor’s point was that God’s love is not cheap; it hinges on the sacrifice of His only Son, Jesus Christ.  Recognizing Jesus, and his death that paid the price for your sins and mine, is what allows God to love us without condition.  When we accept the gift of Christ’s sacrifice, God chooses to see His Son’s perfection when he looks at you…not the sin encrusted person you really are.  Looking back, I shudder to think how I must have grieved His heart!  The only conceivable explanation is that the Jesus I learned about in Sunday School, finally moved from my head to my heart.  Otherwise, how could I have ever walked away from such extravagant love?  The more amazing part is that He was waiting for me to come back!  The reunion wasn’t one of condemnation, but a loving embrace full of undeserved forgiveness and restoration.  Did I deserve such riches?  Absolutely not!  Am I grateful?  Yes and amen! 

     It has been almost 30 years since this battered child came to really know her LORD and Savior, and there has never been the first moment of regret.  Like that beat up tractor, I have been restored and made useful with a heart full of indescribable peace and joy!  It has become my pleasure to serve the Christ I call LORD!

February 2007 -

And A Child Shall Lead Them

For those of you who are squeamish about matters concerning the circle of life, you may want to skip this first paragraph. Others who have been around small boys will understand. Yesterday, as I was walking with our three youngest grandchildren (ages 5, 7 and 9), they spotted and then began to run toward a dead squirrel. Not one to shy away from difficult circumstances, I called out, don’t eat it! They abruptly stopped, voicing a unified, Eeeewww, Gramma Suzi! If there is anything I have learned, it is that you have to first get a child’s attention before they will listen. Having accomplished that, I followed up with telling them not to touch it…yes…that was probably necessary as they were already probing it with sticks. The four of us stood over the lifeless corpse, carefully examining the tragic remains. James, the youngest and only boy, pointed out that it looked fine except for its bloody eyeball that was hanging out, a condition which was duly noted by the other two. The three of them discussed their concerned about what would happen next so I suggested a proper Christian burial. Two thought it was a splendid idea; the third was opposed…until I enlightened her about scavenging animals. We headed back to the house for a shovel. On the way back Rebekah, the eldest, gathered a bouquet of red Firecracker plant and a large red Hibiscus. Anna grabbed a couple of rubber bands and fashioned a cross at the burial site from two large sticks; James did the manly job of digging a hole. Once the interment was complete, we gathered around the freshly turned earth and Anna began in a