Tis the Season…for Toy Runs

The following is from Chris at Mobile Leather Locker…

St. Mary’s Children’s Home Annual Toy Run

Sunday, December 12th, leaving the Blues Tavern at noon for fun and fellowship with the 44 kids at St. Mary’s. Here is a listing of some of the current requests and needs:

Gift Cards: Game Stop, Target, Old Navy, Aeropostle, Walmart, Haircut/Salon Toiletries (no aerosol cans please), Perfume/Cologne, Flatirons for the girls, Hoodies, Team Fleece throws/pillows, clock radios w/CD Players, Desk top Fans, Scrapbook Albums, Watches, Costume Jewelry, Hair Products for African-Americans, non violent Wii games(the groups share), MP4 players, Team Posters (football, basketball etc.) for room decorations, Bath & Body,  Sporting Equipment, Tax deductable cash/check donations, Washable Drink Containers just to name a few. Boys sizes from large to 2xl, Junior sizes for the girls. Time to think like a teenager again!

Of the 44 children in residence, we have 22 girls and 22 boys. Approximately 14 children between the ages of 12-14 and 30 children between 15-18. Teenage years are tough enough on kids whom have homes, imagine through no fault of your own that you now live in a home where you are dependent on the kindness of strangers rather than your own family.

This Toy Run was originally started by Jim at Jim’s Cycle many moons ago and the tradition lives on through the kind support of the Entire Biker Community. Please join us in this Family Friendly Event which will LEAVE The Blues Tavern (10 year supporter of this cause, Thx Randy), at noon.

Please arrive early if you need your gift wrapped. Please mark boy/girl and age on the package. Dink Cross will lead us again (ole softy, how many years have you been involved?) to the home on Moffet Rd. for a great time of fun, fellowship and caring that makes this soooooooo special.

Donations may be dropped off ahead of time at Mobile Leather Locker, 3361 Cottage Hill Rd., 251/473-7911, Boondocks Bar & Grill 251/776-7004 or at the Blues Tavern 251/476-7621.

All modes of transportation are welcome and this is a RAIN or SHINE event. These kids count on us and remember- They didn’t ask to be there.

If you have any questions or concerns please call Chris Conover at 251/473-7911.

Thank you for your support.

Tattoo or Not to Tattoo That is the Question

I have been having a discussion with some friends on whether it is acceptable for a Christian to have a tattoo or not.  After looking at this tattoo, what do you think?  Would it be wrong to have this tattoo?

Sure gives you something to think about.

Tattoo by Hoss at:  http://www.tattoosbyhoss.com/

Sonic Bike Nite at Semmes

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.

Prayers Need for BACA Wolfman

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.

The Loss of a Friend

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 chapter 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.

The Future of Hill Riders

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.

Biker Down – Prayers Needed

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…

Gov. Riley Calls for Day of Prayer

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.

Extreme Roadrash

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.

Brittany Morrow Extreme Roadrash

New Site

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