Dealing With A Problem

Well, the good news is that I am not having any mechanical problems with my KLX 250 but the bad news is that the kids' Yamaha 80 has a problem. I am not learned enough in the ways of mechanical parts on a "dirt bike" to diagnose the problem. I knew there was a problem because the symptom was a crummy acceleration and stalling out the bike. However, the only thing that I could confidently check was the gears, gas, and switch.

What did I do? I sought out someone with better knowledge than myself. This guy checked a few things related to the gas line and the throttle before he pulled out the spark plug. This plug was dirty and wet from the gasoline. We cleaned up the plug and put it back into the dirt bike. It started up and was running a lot more smoothly. However, it was decided to replace the plug because it is old and will have future problems. So, I am know looking to go out shopping for a new spark plug. I am anxious to get it and put the plug back into the bike. I am ready to see this dirt bike moving along the way it was designed to ride for the kids.

This is a lot like a Christian's walk with the Lord. When a sinful behavior or attitude is present in our life, it slows down spiritual fruit that occurs in our life. As Galatians 5:13 reiterates ... "For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another."

Our sin nature (falleness) is what seeks to manifest itself in our life. If we don't consciously seek to trust and obey Jesus Christ at every point in our day, we give the flesh an opportunity. {this is like putting a defective spark plug back into a dirt bike that will eventually cause problems again}

Instead, the Christian should seek to be empowered from a new source. Galatians 5:16 says: "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh."

In the motorcycle spark plug analogy, this would be equivalent to putting in the new spark plug. However, this sells short the view of the Holy Spirit. It would be more like putting in a powerful spark plug that will transform every part of the bike that needs help to be effective. Can you imagine a spark plug that corrects exhaust problems? Filter problems? Engine problems?

Certainly, this type of spark plug doesn't exist in my analogy. However, The Spirit is alive and well to transform the hearts and minds of Christ's disciples. He will work in a believer's life when we are led by The Spirit. How does that happen? Seeking, Trusting and Following Jesus Christ in our life. (that is the short answer)

Sharing The Ride

Well I knew it would be a matter of time but I wasn't expecting to be doing things this quickly with my kids. I began to suggest that the kids could start saving up for a dirt bike on their own. I had looked online at several bikes and figured that this would take them a year to really earn enough money to buy a dirt bike.

Don't underestimate the power of finding a good deal on Craig's List. When I was looking to get an idea of a price range, I saw a Yamaha PW 80 for sale. (the picture is an example not the actual bike) It was priced pretty inexpensive and it was in the Lincoln area. Being the curious guy that I was, I went out to take a look at this motorbike. After checking it out, I began to ask questions to see if the seller would be willing to compromise. Indeed he was. As a matter of fact, he was willing to take $200 off the price. Well I told him that I needed to discuss it with my wife but I would get back with him.

Now, I know what you are thinking!!! What about getting the kids to save the money. Well, there is a little unknown detail of this story that is worth mentioning. When I did the memorial service for my wife's great aunt, she had asked for me to receive an honorarium for doing it. (I would have done it for free) But now, I had all but $100 for the money sitting in an envelope in my dresser. I had planned on using that money for some other things related to my motorcycle. But, I reasoned that this was one way to use the money that most everybody could enjoy it. So, I told the kids that their Great Great Aunt had provided the means for them to have a dirt bike so that they could enjoy it. I also mentioned that they would have to save up $100 to pay back the money we used from the entertainment budget.

This gets me to the point about our spiritual lives. We must not seek our joy alone but we should find joy in seeing others beneft. Think of this well known passage in the book of Philippians. 1:21-25 "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. but if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith."

Paul understands that he is there for the Philippian Church's progress and joy in Christ. There is no direct benefit for Paul, in the sense that he is continuing on in life under Roman imprisonment. However, this will help the Philippains through their ministry to him, with him, and from him. It is because of their increasing joy in Christ, that Paul can actually rejoice. Finding fellow Christians increasing joy in Christ, as a source of your joy is a true testimony to thinking about heavenly things.

Were my kids excited when they got the dirt bike? Yes

Did they have fun learning to ride it? Yes

However, my desire is to not only share the joy of riding a motorcycle but to share the joy of walking with Jesus Christ!

The Kids Are Excited!

After I got my Kawasaki KLX 250 (& my license), the first thing that my kids wanted to do was to take a ride on it. The first picture is my son Joshua. He went with me to the dealership as I was checking out the various motorcycles and he was very excited about a few different ones. His first choice was an 1100 CC Honda cruiser with a red flame on the tank, which I have to admit was pretty cool. However, I quickly pointed out that this was probably out of my price range for the time being. Plus, it would be a lot harder to explain to his mom that I wanted to save gas mileage when the bike wouldn't get that great of mpg! When I showed him some other possible bikes that I was considering, I thought that he might think the semi-racing style Suzuki bike was the coolest looking choice. However, he surprised me that he liked the Kawasaki bike even more. As we were doing all the paperwork on the day that we financed the bike, I let Joshua pick out a helmet that would fit him.

Not to be outdone, my daughter went with me on one of my look & see trips to the local dealership. She was pretty excited about the thought that I might get a motorcycle. Considering that my daughter likes what most 8 year old girls like (barbie dolls, Hello Kitty & stuffed animals), she was just as fired up as my oldest son Josh.

When I brought the motorcycle home, the kids were jumping up and down about having the two-wheeled green monster in our family. (not so sure that my wife was as excited about it) I got a chance to take the kids on a ride down the block a few times after I got my license. They both were equally excited about riding around on it. My daughter even wanted to get out the motorcyle when her cousins came to visit so that she could show them her "riding ability with dad". Jonathan was watching Josh and Jenna riding on the motorcycle with dad (when I took these pictures) & getting very envious. So, I sat in the driveway with the bike in neutral & Jonathan in my lap. I revved up the motor a little bit and he felt like he got in on the experience.

As fun as it has been to see the kids get excited about the motorcycle, it is much more satisfying for me to see the kids get excited about spiritual things. My goal as a parent is to see the fire of my kid's heart get fanned into big flames for the Lord Jesus Christ. I think about the end picture of what my kids will look like as adults & I don't picture them as being a professional motorcycle racer but a strong Christian in an increasingly hostile culture. When I think about my kids getting excited for spiritual things, I think about Colossians 2:6-7:

"Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude."

I would challenge all of us, who are Christian parents (grandparents) to develop a home that gets excited when the deeper truths are discussed about God. Make it your goal to foster an environment in your home where the Bible isn't simply used in a discussion about how to be a moral person. Instead, create something that your kids will be able to reflect upon later in life as an intimate discussion about Jesus Christ. Can you marvel alongside with your kids about the awesomeness of God? Can you take a passage of Scripture and discuss with your children what difference it brings to life in a harsh, sinful world? Get the kids excited about Jesus Christ!!!

Getting Protective Gear

As we are heading out of Summer into Fall, I am fully aware that it will be getting cold. Since I bought my motorcycle for commuting to work, I knew a good quality jacket would be important. Therefore, I first started by checking with some friends for advice; then I went to the internet; and finally I went to the motorcycle shops. The above jacket was my choice because it will allow me to get longer wear out of it.

Why do I like this jacket? It is waterproof. It has a zip out liner. It has body armor in it. It has vents in the front and back. It is a jacket that offers protection from the cold and protection from the road. The material is made from a "hypertex" textile. In addition, it provides plenty of room to wear another layer underneath the jacket if needed. When I put it on this morning (50% chance of rain), I felt less bothered by the wind then I have with anything else.

This reminds me of the verse in 1 Peter 1:13 that the men in our Bible study looked at a few weeks ago. It says: "Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ."

The goal (command) in this verse is to fix your hope completely on Jesus Christ's second coming. The means to do such a thing requires two things: preparing your minds for action & keeping sober in spirit.

In riding my motorcycle, the goal is to make it from point A to point B safely. In order to accomplish this, I must keep my mind keenly aware of the potential dangers and I must keep my body protected from the elements. If I become distracted by a jacket that is blowing up like a parachute, then I will probably become less aware of a car pulling from a side street. This could potentially keep me from making it safely to point B.

As a Christian, I need to be constantly ready for what happens in this life by preparing my mind with the Word of God. Otherwise a trial in life will get my attention and I will stop focusing on my hope of salvation. Too many Christians have a life that is constantly distracted because they don't spend the time in God's Word and prayer.

New To Motorcycling

I am cutting my teeth on the enjoyment of riding a motorcycle. Many people may look at me and think that this is a midlife crisis or something (having just turned 40). The reality that made me consider this new mode of transportation was the price of Gas. It pretty much made sense to me to begin looking at affording another mode of transportation. As a pastor, there are often unplanned trips up to the church building or to stop and visit someone that was beginning to create a crunch in the wallet. If I was going over budget on gas $200 a month, then maybe a solution would be to ride a motorcycle.

I purchased a 2007 Kawasaki KLX 250S in June. It is a dual purpose bike (some call it an enduro bike) that seemed to fit my budget better than other bikes. Since this is a new venture, I had to get a motorcycle license. I had to get it the old fashioned way, by going down to the DMV to take the test. The written part of the test wasn't too bad but the driving part was a big surprise. The course was much smaller than I anticipated. I truly think that if I was riding another bike (Cruiser, Street), I wouldn't have been able to navigate the cones. Fortunately, the Kawasaki was the perfect bike for driving at a slow rate while manuvering around the cones.

I have been riding for over 500 miles now around Lincoln. I have two quick observations. I would have to say that my driving around Lincoln is very enjoyable. I didn't know what it would be like to drive without music, but I don't miss it. This is a great bike for scooting around in town. The other observation that I have is that I have seen a ton of people talking on their cell phones (even when making turns). I don't get it? With all the blue tooth technology, why not spend a few more dollars to get your hand off the phone and your head tilted in an upright position? You definitely need to be a defensive rider when you are on a motorcycle. Which takes me to the last point of this opening post ...

There is a certain level of reality that an accident can occur. I think being in a car, you typically don't think about getting in an accident or the likelihood that a potential accident could be around the corner. On the motorcycle, your level of awareness goes up quite a bit. However, you won't get out of the driveway or come back home if you are afraid. In fact, fear could be rather crippling in how you drive (if it affects how slow you enter a busy street). There needs to be a level of boldness in your riding (while being defensive) so that you get to where you need to go. In fact, fear will take all the joy out of it.
This is exactly what it is like for a Christian man, I think of 1 Corinthians 16:13
"Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong"
A Christian must be defensive against sin by fighting it through God's help (Word of God, Prayer, and the Holy Spirit. What allows a beliver to enjoy life on this earth? He can enjoy life by standing firm in his trust of the Lord Jesus Christ, no matter what the circumstances may be.