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We had a great evening at the Sonic Bike Nite in Semmes last night. There were about 30-35 bikes and the place was packed. The weather was a little cooler than the past few months and riding the bike was enjoyable. Sure beats a hot blast of air hitting you in the face like we have seen in the past.
Next event is tomorrow night (Saturday) in Citronelle at the Double Delite. Go to the events calendar on this site for the latest information.
Ride Safe.
BACA Tiny has sent out a message that Wolfman, the Alabama President of Bikers Against Child Abuse (BACA), is in the hospital with heart problems. Please add him to your prayer list. I will update everyone as soon as new information is available.
Have you ever had one of those days when a piece of news was both sad and happy. I know it doesn’t seem like that can happen, but it happened today for me. One of my fellow co-workers passed away this morning from complication with brain cancer. He fought a strong battle for almost a year and a half. But today, he crossed over.
In an article from our union’s daily news report, Eric Cooper our Director of Communications, included a brief note from my friends wife. It is this note than brings about both sad and happy emotions. Sad to know he is gone, but happy to know where he is. Eric, include his thoughts along with a portion of Julie’s journal.
Even in the most difficult of moments, Rosh and his family put their hope and trust in God, finding comfort in prayer. On one particularly difficult day, July 4, 2010, Julie wrote about one of the tender moments shared by their family.
“The other evening at bedtime my son came and got me and said that Dad was needing me, that he was trying to find something in the bible. He was in Hannah’s room, lying on her bed with her as I entered the room.
He could not say to me what it was he was trying to find, only that it was Gods instructions. I guessed the Ten Commandments, but that was not it. I thought of the beatitudes, but that was not it either. He grabbed the bible and was frantically trying to find it.
I finally guessed the Lord’s Prayer? He said, “YES!!” We then turned to the chapter of Matthew and I slowly read him the Lord’s Prayer. He tried to repeat after me, but the words were not coming out correctly at all. He asked that I read it again more slowly, and he tried again but still he had trouble.
He said that he was so afraid that he would not remember it and how important it was to him. I stressed to him that it was not important to God if he remembered it or not. God knows that you know it in your heart and that was all that mattered.
He then wanted me to look in the next ch
apter of Mark and read its version of the Lord’s Prayer. I could not find it in that chapter but I did find it in Luke and I read him that version as well. About that time, our daughter took her dry erase board and wrote out the Lord’s Prayer so that he could always see it.
It was a very sad moment but sweet and tender at the same time. I remember Rosh telling me that he always said the Lord’s Prayer each and every time he had his radiation treatments last year.”
Many of us have watched Rosh’s journey during the past 17 months.
Through the many stories and pictures the Jenkins family has graciously shared, we have all come to know, love and respect Rosh.
During his final days, we were all reminded to stop for a moment; we were all reminded to take a look at our own lives and reassess what is most important.
We were reminded that despite our own difficulties and challenges, at the end of the day, we have so much to be thankful for.
And now, in Rosh’s passing, we are all reminded how everything can change in the blink of an eye. We will miss you, Rosh. Thank you for sharing your journey and your friendship.
Thank you Eric.
Rosh…Rest in Peace my friend.
It is hard to believe that Hill Riders is now over two years old. A lot has happened during that period of time, and to be honest, most of it good. However, as with any endeavor, things do change.
When we started Hill Riders, we had the blessings of Pastor Terry Ellis and Russ Holmes our Minister of Education. These two leaders took my far fetched idea of starting a motorcycle ministry at Spring Hill and said, run with it. They gave me support and encouragement to help start this ministry. For the past two years they have allowed us to hold our Bible Studies at the Activities Center where we average 12-14 members for each meeting.
My vision for this ministry was to be a support group for the other Christian motorcycle ministries in the area. Our motto: “If you need us, we’ll be there”. While we don’t wear a patch on our back that says Hill Riders (although we do have T-Shirts) you can find us at all kinds of motorcycle functions. From rallies, poker runs, benefits, charities, fellowship rides, touring, sightseeing, toy-runs and even funerals…you name it and, most likely, a member of our group will be there. And even without a patch, most know we are members of Spring Hill Baptist Church.
Several months ago, our pastor, Terry Ellis resigned from our church. Recently, Russ Holmes accepted a call from The Church at Rock Creek in Little Rock, Arkansas. The two men who shared my vision and supported our group from the beginning are no longer a part of our church leadership. Our church has formed a pulpit search committee and is actively seeking a new pastor. Soon, the church will start the process of replacing Russ as well. For the time being, our former pastor of 20 plus years, Dr. Drew Gunnells, has come out of retirement to be our interim pastor.
So what does this mean for Hill Riders? Until new leadership is installed, we will continue our mission just like we have over the past two years. When the new pastor is selected and, if he has a new direction we need to follow, we will follow his lead. As I said before, we are a service ministry and our goal and purpose is to serve. However, I am hoping he comes into town on a new Ultra Classic wearing a Sturgis T-Shirt. But I don’t believe that was part of the prerequisite set forth by the search committee.
In closing, let me once again thank Terry Ellis and Russ Holmes for their support in the creation and support of Hill Riders. For every dollar we’ve help raise for a benefit, for every toy that was given in a toy-run for a needy child, for every pray that has been prayed in the hall of a hospital around a wounded biker, for every hug that has been given to a family member at a funeral and for every fallen soldier that has come home under the banner of the motorcycle Patriot Guard, these two men of God will have all this credited to their heavenly account because they cared enough to give Hill Riders a chance.
Thank you Terry and Russ for believing in us, and may God Bless you and your families.
Everyone, this afternoon I got a text message from SOTC Danny that Bobby Edwards of the Hog Wild group in Monroeville went down on his bike. He requested our immediate prayers.
About 1 hour and 20 minutes later he texted me back and reported that Bobby did not make it and had passed away. Bobby, who was in his 60′s, was riding and unable to navigate a curve in the road. His son was with him and also went down and suffered some broken ribs.
We have seen this all to often and it never gets easier when a fellow biker goes down. Please add Bobby and his family to your prayer list.
We were very fortunate to have CMA member Don Herrin escape serious when he recently totaled his bike while leading a Patriot Guard ride. Don also left the road in a curve and his bike flipped end over end. Don escaped with some minor cuts, scrapes and bruises. Please add him to your prayer list while he mends from this accident.
Watch the road, watch the cagers and don’t make your angels work overtime.
Ride Safe…
OFFICE OF GOVERNOR BOB RILEY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JUNE 23, 2010
Governor Riley Declares Sunday a Day of Prayer Over Gulf Oil Disaster
MONTGOMERY – Governor Bob Riley has declared Sunday, June 27 as a Day of Prayer and he is encouraging Alabamians to pray for the well-being of people who have been impacted by the BP oil disaster.
“Citizens of Alabama are urged to pray for the well-being of our fellow citizens and our state, to pray for all those in other states who are hurt by this disaster, to pray for those who are working to respond to this crisis, and to pray that a solution that stops the oil leak is completed soon,” the Governor’s proclamation declaring Sunday a Day of Prayer states.
“Throughout our history, Alabamians have humbly turned to God to ask for His blessings and to hold us steady during times of struggle. This is certainly one of those times,” said Governor Riley.
The text of the Governor’s proclamation is below:
WHEREAS, Alabama is suffering from an unprecedented disaster caused by the explosion and sinking of the BP Deepwater Horizon and its aftermath, a disaster that threatens the livelihoods of our fellow citizens, the environmental beauty of our coast, and our quality of life; and
WHEREAS, throughout our history, Alabamians have turned in prayer to God to humbly ask for His blessings and to hold us steady during times of difficulty; and
WHEREAS, citizens of Alabama are urged to pray for the well-being of our fellow citizens and our State, to pray for all those in other states who are hurt by this disaster, to pray for those who are working to respond to this crisis, and to pray that a solution that stops the oil leak is completed soon:
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Bob Riley, Governor of Alabama, do hereby declare Sunday, June 27, 2010, as a Day of Prayer in Alabama and encourage individuals to pray on their own or with others, according to their own faith, in an expression of faith and hope.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that citizens of Alabama are also encouraged to give personal thanks to God for the blessings we have received and for God’s continued guidance during these difficult times.
Gene Weir, a local motorcycle safety instructor and member of the local CMA chapter in Mobile sent us the following information on what roadrash will do if the proper riding gear is not used. Remember that whatever your activity your should wear proper attire. This is true especially when riding a motorcycle. Motorcycle riding gear does not include tank tops, shorts, and open toed shoes.
Well, we finally made the switch to a private server. Now you will be able to get the last in motorcycle activities by typing in a shorter address. This new server also allows us more flexibility in providing new and better content to our viewers.
We know that most of our audience are not members of Spring Hill Baptist Church, and that’s ok. Our main goal in starting this motorcycle ministry was to be supporters of other groups in the area. Ours is not a primary function, but a secondary one and everyone is welcome to attend, view, ride or whatever God has called you to do.
Check back with us over the weeks as we gear up for a fun-filled summer of motorcycles and God’s word. Also check our calendar for the lastest in rides in the South Alabama area.
Our new address is hillriders.org
Well, it is that time of year again and I am packing up the motorhome and headed over to Baldwin County for the Angel Ride. I know it is a little early, but Janice and I will be working the campground again this year and we need to get an early start.
Angel Ride
For those of you who are not familiar with this organization, over the past years they have truly made a difference for those who have children that are ill and need support and financial help. The volunteers who put on this ride are truly special. They are the ones who have gone over and above what most would do. The believe in the children, their families and their community.
If you have a chance to come out…this years entertainment on Saturday night will be Charlie Daniels and Confederate Railroad. There will also be entertainment on Friday evening with the Ride on Saturday. Just head out to Oak Hollow farms and we will see you there.
I would like to thank everyone who attended the Hill Riders/CMA Bible Study on Tuesday night. I can honestly say that I look forward to these meetings every month. One reason is because everyone in the group finds the opportunity to be the teacher. It is always interesting to listen to another’s view point and to hear how the scripture speaks to them. The “Priesthood of the Believer” is alive and well in our classes.
Victory Motorcycle
While we have a diverse group, we all agree on one thing. We are committed to sharing our love of Jesus to everyone, but especially to the motorcyclist. We all travel down different roads. We have all been given special talents to share with others. But, we need to make sure we are traveling down the road that God has prepared for us.
I am very blessed to have the support of my church, Spring Hill Baptist, that provides us with a great place to meet and study God’s word. While a motorcycle ministry in the Heart of Spring Hill may be a stretch for your imagination, Pastor Terry Ellis, and Russ Holmes, Minister of Education, have been supporters of this project from the beginning and for that I will be eternally grateful.
If you would like to experience something different in your study of the Bible, I challenge you to join us. We meet at 6:00 p.m. on the 3rd Tuesday of every month in the Activities Building and everyone is welcome.
You don’t need to ride a bike, you only need a desire to learn more about what God has in store for you…now…and in the future. As one preacher said, “One Word from God can change your life forever”.
As a final note, the CMA will be having their monthly Fellowship Ride on Saturday 10/24/09 to Burt’s Seafood in Chatom. We will meet at 2:30 p.m. at the Winn Dixie on McCrary and Hwy 98 in Semmes. Bikes, Cars and Trucks are welcome.
Ride Safe