The day was cloudy, but clearing with a steady but mild wind blowing with an occasional gust. The weather was cool, but not cold. The previous night had rain that prevented some from attending the ride, since they were more east of us and woke up with the rain still overhead. This was the first chapter ride for the Eastern PA chapter since September 2014, all the rides since had been rained out. There were no Winter rides since it was both wet and below freezing through January, February, and March. We were all so relieved to have nice weather and so happy to be going on a ride. Thanks to jlasure for hosting this and and andyr for reconning this and making arrangements. It was a big time cool ride.
Sixteen bikes came on the ride with a few more that came just for breakfast, but couldn't ride due to obligations, weather, or bike maintenance issues. For those that couldn't ride this month, we hope to see you next month. We had our rider's meeting with a prayer for safety, broke up into a lead and chase group, then we were off! It felt soooo good to be out again, leaning into curves and accelerating into the wind. Traffic was light, but the road occasionally had "issues". We were always on the lookout for gravel and pot holes left behind by Old Man Winter. On our way to lunch we saw a camel and long train pulled by twin locomotives. Thankfully we didn't get stuck at the crossing when that one went through town. Everyone did their best to look out for one another as a group and no one got lost. About 15 minutes before lunch things kind of came unraveled. The group I was leading had a rider go off into the mud on a sharp corner. He wasn't hurt and except for some mud, he only had a small broken piece of plastic that we taped on. The other group had their last 3 members get separated, but they joined us later for lunch.
The food at the Mount Gretna Hideaway was delicious and it was fun to see kpilot and his wife join us for lunch. 4 riders left for home after lunch, so it was down to 12 as we headed south after a gas stop. The roads were interesting and the scenery amazing, such a beautiful part of the state. About halfway into our afternoon route, another rider low sided on a blind, downhill, right handed curve. Thankfully, there were no significant injuries and damage to the bike was small but more serious than we thought. We stopped by a very cool park on the Susquehanna river to discuss accident protocols when we noticed the damaged bike was leaking oil. We altered the route to head straight toward the Lehigh Valley. We topped off fuel and put a quart of oil into this rider's bike. We all shook hands and hugged wishing each other a joyous Easter, then headed off for home. The rider with damage I found out did need another quart of oil to get home, but did arrive safely with out further incident. I was proud to see all the riders unite and watch out for each other during this entire ride. God has blessed us with good people. Thanks all for coming.
Scripture readings for April 2015
The message I spoke at lunch was part of the series, Lessons on Christian Living. This one was entitled "Good Works". The theme verse for the message was Ephesians 2:10 which says, For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. This verse emphasizes how our lives are something beautiful that God has created with intention for us to do good as well. What we need to do is seek Him to discern His will for our lives and walk in it. Some may think that we do good works to earn our way to Heaven, but that is not so. The two verses that precede this passage clear up that misconception quite clearly. Verses 8-9 of Ephesians 2 says: 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. So God offers us the gift of salvation which we accept. We pay this "gift" forward by doing good works both to and for others. Jesus spoke about this in Matthew 5:14-16 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Our good works not only should bless others, but it points them to God, how cool is that?! In James 1:26-27 we see not only about what good works look like but also an admonition by James, don't let your self become polluted by the world. 26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James goes on to speak more on this issue in chapter 2, verses 14-17: 14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. Here we can see that good works demonstrate that we have a living faith in our lives. It is the evidence of our transformation in Christ. Finally, we see good works being a part of Scripture itself from II Timothy 3:16-17 which says: 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. Scripture, breathed by God, has been sent to us to correct us and empower us completely to good works. In doing this we may bless others and bring glory to God. I hope you all enjoy the ever warmer weather of Spring. I hope to see you again soon.
