A Saturday Morning Miracle - The Lord Saved My Husband From a Bike Wreck

Saturday, May 5, 2018, wasn't just Cinco de Mayo this year. 
The first Saturday in May is Christian Motorcyclists Association's " Run for the Son" fundraiser. This annual fundraiser just happened to coincide with Cinco de Mayo this year. Rather than ride with our CMA chapter, Bill and I decided we were going to ride by ourselves this year. We didn't have a specific reason. We just wanted to ride and enjoy a day together; couple time on bikes. We had no idea that the day was going to bring a close encounter with disaster for Bill.
Saturday morning was sunny, but a little chilly whenever the sun was shaded by a cloud. 
As Bill and I rode down the highway toward Cuba, MO, each of us began to regret not wearing long sleeves under our riding vests. However, the day was gorgeous when the sun was out. The fields and trees were vibrant shades of green in contrast to the bright blue sky overhead with big, puffy white clouds staggered across it. It was a beautiful day to be riding motorcycles down the highway.
Bill was riding his Roadglide ahead of me.
I slowed my Softail Custom and began to lag behind a little bit as I admired the spring beauty of the rural countryside spread out in the sunshine like a quilt. When I realized I was getting farther behind than I wanted to be, I rolled my bike's throttle and began to catch up to the hubby as we came around a curve and entered a long straight stretch. Toward the end of the straight stretch, I noticed an older, beat up,  brown truck stopped in the northbound lane without a turn signal on, but also saw a graveled road on the right and figured the truck was waiting to turn left. Briefly, I  also noticed a white SUV was stopped behind the beat up truck. My attention returned to the distance between Bill and I  as I slowly closed the distance between our two bikes and my relaxed hubby who was riding with his feet up on his highway bars, cruising along at 55 mph.
The next second is branded on my memory.
The sight that no biker wants to see. The front tires on the beat up truck turned left and the truck began to move forward and left. I couldn't believe that the truck driver was beginning a turn that would place the truck directly in the path of my husband's Roadglide! My actions and what I was seeing seemed to go into slow motion and seconds turned into minutes as I noted several things almost instantaneously. First, I checked my right rearview mirror to see if anyone was behind my bike. There wasn't. Then I grabbed my front brake, downshifted and watched my husband on his bike at the same time. At least it seemed like the same time.
Sallee's Perspective
My eyes took in a sight that shocked me and made me say something. I still don't know what exactly I said. Probably, "Oh My God!, or Oh, Jesus!" I watched Bill's Roadglide come down on its front forks as he squeezed his front brake lever and got his feet off the highway bar pegs and onto his floorboards so he could hit his rear brake. Next, I saw his 800+ pound Roadglide literally squat down as he applied the rear brakes. I was horrified to realize I could see him and his bike framed against the side of the brown pickup truck. I couldn't see anything except brown truck to his right and left. He isn't going to make it! I thought. Oh, Jesus, he isn't going to make it! The truck never gained speed as my husband atop his Roadglide closed distance with it. I could clearly see Bill and his bike closing on the rear of the truck and Bill's squatting Roadglide's exhaust pipes seemingly, skimming the road surface. Bill had moved his bike left until it was on top of the centerline as he continued to apply his brakes, attempting to slow down and miss hitting the side of the creeping, snail-like truck. Incredibly, I saw Bill ride between the back end of the truck and the stopped white SUV that was still sitting in the northbound lane of the road without any visible space showing between my husband's bike, the truck's tailgate and the second stopped vehicle. Relief was short-lived as I realized the I was quickly closing distance with the truck that was STILL moving incredibly slow. However, as I began to slow and move left, the truck FINALLY shot forward and cleared the road ahead of me. As I looked at the pickup truck, I could see that the driver wasn't even looking in my direction.
Bill and I waited to stop until we rode about 5 miles up the road and arrived in Cuba, MO at Dottie's Truckstop.
My hands had stopped trembling by then and Bill said his heart was beginning to beat normally. We attempted to act normal in the aftermath of the extremely close call. However, neither of us wanted to ride all afternoon anymore. Instead, we decided to ride the short distance between Cuba and St. James, eat at the Mexican restaurant there,  and then return home.  We were both still fairly shocked at what had happened and we talked about it with each other at the restaurant. Bill shared the incident with me from his perspective.
Bill's Perspective
When I saw the truck start to turn, I couldn't believe it! Then I couldn't believe how slowly it was turning. I grabbed my front brakes and I'm not sure when I got my feet on the floorboards, but I remember using the rear brake. I seriously didn't think I was going to make it. I clearly saw myself hitting the truck and flying through the air over the truck bed. I could see through the open truck window and see the driver and the woman sitting by him. Neither of them EVER turned their head to look at me. Just when I knew I wasn't going to make it because I was very close to the rear of the truck, I don't remember anything until I was in between the truck bed and the white car. I believe God reached down and slowed my bike. There just isn't any other explanation. I KNEW I wasn't going to be able to stop in time. My bike is so wide and I saw the back of the truck to my right and wondered how I was fitting in between the two. I received a miracle from God. There is no doubt in my mind that the Lord intervened and performed a miracle that let me miss that truck. It took a long time for my heart to slow down. I didn't see the truck speed up. I saw you and your bike behind me and the truck wasn't on the road anymore. I believe the Lord saved me. There isn't any other explanation. He reached out and slowed my bike enough for me to clear the end of that truck.
Both of us agree that the Lord intervened and prevented Bill from having a serious accident. Bill and I have discussed this incident multiple times. Yes, his new tires helped slow him down and the fact that he was going the speed limit, 55 mph. Yes, he reacted quickly and did everything he could to miss the truck. After riding a motorcycle for 50 years, Bill knows exactly how long it takes him to stop his bike. He is positive that there is no physical way that his bike should have missed hitting the rear of that truck. We both were sure he wasn't going to be able to stop because of the extremely slow speed of the truck.  We both are convinced that Jesus intervened and prevented a serious accident on Cinco de Mayo - "Run for the Son" day.
Psalm 91:9-12;14-16
9 If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling,
10 no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;
 12 they will lift you up in their hands so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
14“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life, I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”
Isaiah 52:12
But you will not go out in haste, Nor will you go as fugitives; For the Lord will go before you, And the God of Israel will be your rear guard.
Psalm 9:10
Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.
Psalm 106:1
Praise the LORD. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

Verse of the Week - Galatians 2:1

How are you doing on your memorization challenge? 

Personally, I don't know how much I have memorized, but I know more about Paul and his ministry than I did before I started this challenge.

As I sat reading this week's verse, I asked myself what I could gain from this one sentence. 

1. Fourteen years is a long time to be preaching and teaching the gospel. 
2. Paul also gained supporters like Barnabus and Titus who were willing to travel with him.
3. Traveling in biblical times was quite a journey. 
4. I wonder how many folks are traveling in primitive conditions to spread the Good News of Jesus today, or to resolve an issue with leaders in the church. 

My next course of action was to read the bible commentaries about this verse.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible helped me to gain a better understanding of the verse in the context of Paul's ministry.

Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem,... 

• That is, either after it pleased God to call him by his grace, and reveal his Son in him
• or after he had been at Jerusalem to see Peter, with whom he stayed fifteen days, and then went into Syria and Cilicia; 
• It was seventeen years after his conversion that he took this journey to Jerusalem he here speaks of 
• He seems to refer to the time when he and Barnabas went from the church at Antioch to the apostles and elders about the question, whether circumcision was necessary to salvation
• Acts 15:1 which entirely agrees with the account the apostle here gives of this journey, and which he went not alone

with Barnabas: and took Titus with me also

• Barnabas is mentioned in Luke's account (in Acts) as going with him at this time, but Titus is not.
• The apostle might judge it proper and prudent to take Titus with him, who was converted by him(Paul), was a minister of the Gospel, and continued uncircumcised.
• Paul might choose to have Titus along with him, partly that he might be confirmed in the faith the apostle had taught him; and partly that he might be a living testimony of the agreement between the apostle's principles and practice.
• By having Titus and Barnabas with him, he might have a competent number of witnesses to testify to the doctrines he preached, the miracles he wrought, and the success that attended him among the Gentiles; and to relate, upon their return, what passed between him and the elders at Jerusalem; for by the mouth of two or three witnesses everything is established.

"Though Paul conversed with the other apostles, yet he did not receive any addition to his knowledge, or authority, from them." Matthew Henry's Bible Commentary

Verse of the Week - Galatians 1:11-13

Paul's Testimony is Amazing to Me
Here he is owning that he had a personal and intimate revelation from Jesus. He is facing a crowd and admitting how intensely he was persecuting the church.
From Spiritual Revelation to Testimony
As I read these words, I think of the many testimonies I have heard from people who have had an intensely spiritual revelation from Jesus that completely altered their lives. Sex, drugs, and addictive behavior are left behind in the dark shadows of a painful lifestyle. Their path in life changes after they decide to become followers of Jesus Christ. In the past, theses people would awake to a new day with dread and fear in their hearts. Now they wake up with the light of the Son shining from within and complete confidence that this new day will be fine no matter what happens. Honestly, only a divine intervention can explain the testimony of Paul and the countless brothers and sisters who have had similar revelations.
I Stand in Awe of the Lord
God shows us his power by transforming people who no one else would want, into his strongest servants! Saul was responsible for the deaths of many people. He imprisoned men and women because they followed Jesus and his teachings. Saul's conversion was completely unexpected. I am sure there were people familiar with Saul who saw his transformation and were at a loss to explain what had happened to him. Can you imagine being Saul's mother, father, or synagogue teacher?

"It is hard to explain what happened to me. I was blinded by this light on the way to Damascus and the Lord talked to me. He called me to follow Him even though I was killing his people. Then, I had to find my way to Damascus and find a man who could teach me about Jesus and heal my blindness. I know it sounds unbelievable, but I knew it was the Lord. I know I am giving up a lot, but I am following my call."

All of us can imagine the conversations Saul would have had with family members can't we?
Persecutor Turned Teacher
Early church members didn't trust Saul. Most thought Saul was just finding a new way to seek out Christians to persecute and kill. However, that thought was proven wrong as the newly named Paul began his ministry and taught about the life of Jesus Christ.
As I sit here reading Paul's words, I gain a sense of how miraculous his conversion truly was.
How does a Roman citizen/zealous Pharisee who is bent on seeking and destroying heretical Jews change like this? At the heart of this question is my personal belief that Saul must have loved the Lord. Yes, he channeled his belief into killing people, but I think he must have had a love of God, too. This is sheer speculation on my part, but it is based upon my own life experiences with Jesus. However, what matters more than my speculation, is that after his Damascus road experience, Paul spent the rest of his life as an obedient servant to Jesus Christ and he shared the teachings of Jesus with others every single day that he was alive.

2017 Diamonds Out of Dust Women's Conference

Conference Theme Song - Diamonds by Hawk Nelson

It's the hard books that count. Raking is easy, but all you get is leaves; digging is hard, but you might find diamonds.” 

― John Piper, God's Passion for His Glory: Living the Vision of Jonathan Edwards

What a great time of praise and joy!
My spiritual tank is overflowing after spending time with my sisters in faith at the conference in Carthage, Missouri. All of us felt strengthened and encouraged from listening to the conference speakers, from discussing scriptures and from sharing our faith experiences with each other.

Are you raking, or are you digging when you read the bible?
Reading the bible is key to developing from a diamond in the rough to a sparkling, faceted diamond mounted in a ring of faith. Read your bible sisters. Ask the Lord to give you wisdom, knowledge, and discernment as you read and meditate upon the Word of God. Yes, it is a hard book, but stop raking and start digging!

Diamonds Out of Dust - Five Statement Pledge of Faith

1. He is who He says He is
2. He does what He says He does
3. I am what He says I am
4. I can do all things through Christ
5. God's word is alive and active in me

Directions for the Five Statement Pledge of Faith

Put this on your mirror girls and read it aloud. Look yourself in the eye as you speak these truths aloud. Do this daily until you believe it with all your heart, with all your strength, and with all your mind. 

Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'   Matthew 22:37

Scriptures From Friday Night Session

Acts 14:22
 22 strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.

Mark 16:15-17
15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;

SalleeB: I added Luke 10:19, it is a cross reference for Mark 16:18 and provides and emphasis on the authority and power we have been given to overcome the enemy through Jesus Christ. 

Luke 10:19
I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.

Acts 18:9-10
One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. 10 For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.” 

Psalm of the Week - 119:44 - October 23, 2016

Alley Springs, Eminence MO

Author Sallee Bonham on bottom left of picture. 

Picture taken by Jamie Roberts 2016 

Bill and I went on a fall ride a week ago. 

We knew it would probably be our last outing before the weather turned. It was chilly as we rode our bikes to the meet up in Houston, MO. Eleven of us arrived at the gas station that is located at the crossroads of Hwy. 63S and Hwy. 17 in Houston. We topped off our gas tanks and then the group rode the smaller highways through Summersville and on to Alley Springs. 

Fall in the Ozarks

As we road down one of  the smaller roads that was bordered by trees, the wind kept brown leaves swirling around  in the air like leaf airplanes circling an airfield. The leaves would tip left and right while floating downward like a graceful airplane landing on the runway. Yes, fall has arrived in the Ozarks and ride season is at an end for those of us who can't, or don't ride in cold weather all bundled up like a mummy. 

Lunch and Fellowship

Lunch was a happy affair and Jesus was a topic of our conversation. Being with a group of fellow believers who always want to obey the Word of God and share the Good News of Jesus Christ is uplifting. It is a spiritual refueling so to speak. The Holy Spirit in each of us was smiling as we enjoyed the day that the Lord had made and were glad in it.

Road Trip! A Workshop and a Women's Conference.

Workshop day! 
I like learning new skills that I can apply to my job. Meeting and greeting fellow paraprofessionals and talking shop with others who have similar on-the-job challenges is fun and inspires more creative thinking. At least, I think so.

Similarly, going to a one day women's conference helps me to learn a new approach, or point of view to my faith.

Meeting and greeting other women of faith is fun and inspires me. Listening to a variety of women speak on a topic helps my faith to deepen and grow as I listen to the differing attitudes and outlooks on faith.

A Workshop and a Women's Conference
This week I am going to a workshop for work AND going to a half-day fall women's conference at a local church. I am excited and happy to be going to both - it's a win-win for me! lol...lol

The Workshop
The workshop is for experienced paraprofessionals with four or more years of experience. I went to the beginning paraprofessional workshop last year because I had not worked in the special education department in years and I knew that many things had changed, especially the terminology. Last year's workshop was helpful and informative. This year's workshop should also be fun, helpful, and informative. In fact, I have found myself looking forward to this date.

The Conference
The women's conference topic is "Ordinary, but Faithful." I am looking forward to attending and sharing what I learn with you. Ordinary, but faithful is a fairly broad topic. I wonder which biblical women we will be taking a closer look at?

The woman at the well was an ordinary Samaritan woman who just went to get water one morning. Maybe it is Mary and Martha because they were ordinary women and sisters who served Jesus when he was in town staying at their house. Hmmm...who else? In the old testament there are quite a few women who were living an ordinary and normal life. I will just have to wait and see.

I am looking forward to my road trips!
Yes, I get to go to the workshop on Friday and the conference is on the following Saturday morning. I am also looking forward to seeing if the Lord has a divine appointment or two in store for me. Hope you are well and enjoying today.
Bye for now!
SalleeB

The 2016 Sturgis Kentucky Bike Rally

Our 700 mile round trip was rain-free, which was an answered prayer.

We arrived at the Union County Fairgrounds, home of the Sturgis Kentucky Bike Rally, at 3:00 P.M. on July 13. July 13 is the Early Bird day to arrive at the rally and if you want a shady camping spot, this is the day to get there. The day was still sunny and fairly clear when we arrived.

Storm clouds over the Sturgis Kentucky Bike Rally at the Union County Fairgrounds on July 13, 2016. 

However,  a pop-up thunderstorm appeared an hour after we arrived. 
Thankfully, Bill and I had our instant tent up and most of our gear inside the tent when strong gusts of cool air announced the storm's arrival. The gusty wind and rain was fairly brief, maybe twenty minutes long. The already saturated ground formed water puddles after a minute or two of rainfall. 

Large pickup trucks pulling enormous RVs kept arriving after the rain stopped.
Bill and I watched one driver in a four-wheel drive truck spin all four truck tires in an effort to move his RV, but it didn't help. All evening we watched this same scenario play out over and over. A tractor, or a tow truck, would appear and carefully pull the stuck rigs out of  the mud so they could continue to look for a drier, less muddy, parking spot.

Wednesday - See the enormous RV pulling a motorcycle trailer on top of  the hill? A smart choice!

Being a Christian biker at an adult only bike rally can be tough. 
Bill and I wear T-shirts that have a large Christian Motorcyclists Association patch on the back and a small one on the front. This way, passersby are aware of who we are when they see us on our way to the hospitality tent, or vendor area.

We are not supporting the rally by attending, we are practicing lifestyle evangelism in the midst of a biker rally. 
Jesus called us to this ministry because of our past lives, the before Jesus lives. Both of us lived the biker-party hard lifestyle before we made our decision to live our lives for Jesus Christ and follow the teachings of the Bible. Our past lives have uniquely equipped us for motorcycle ministry to bikers. We know what it feels like to live like this.

Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen                                                                                                              Hebrews 13:21 AKJV

The Hospitality Tent
The goal is to be of service and witness to rally goers while providing coffee, free water, and free Gatorade. Bill and I work at the hospitality tent, help bless bikes, pray for people, and try to show a little bit of Jesus' love to those around us.

Additionally, free travel-size toiletries,toothbrushes, bug spray, sunblock, and other helpful articles are usually available. A variety of faith-based, biker pamphlets and New Testament bibles formatted for bikers assist with the witnessing.

On one of the tables, prayer request forms and a prayer box are provided for people who don't want to talk about prayer needs, but still want prayer. The prayer request form includes spaces for contact information, too. However, most prayer requests are anonymous, but Jesus knows who filled it out.

9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. 10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good to all men, especially to them who are of the household of faith.                                                Galatians 6:9-10 AKJV

Thursday
Thursday morning, we walked to the hospitality tent and assisted with making coffee, filling the water cooler, and making Gatorade.  We were able to witness to several people throughout the day. Bill gave away two New Testament bibles, Hope For The Highway, and helped bless motorcycles.

We also witnessed to a young man who sought us out while we were eating supper. In fact, he pulled his bike up in front of the hospitality tent, parked it, and approached us. He talked to us for almost half an hour and then he asked to have his motorcycle blessed.

After a long hot day, we went to our tent about 6:30 PM. Our usual evening routine is to talk to our camping neighbors for a short while before retiring to our tent for the night before the evening parade of motorcycles begins to move through the camping area.

Bill at the end of a long, hot day. 

The parking lot by adjacent to the vendor area.

Friday morning we worked at the re-entry gate, or the CMA gate, from 8:00 AM to noon. 
At the end of our gate shift, Bill and I rode our bikes to the vendor area. We walked through the vendors looking at all of the biker themed equipment, motorcycle clothing, and food.

During the walk through the rows of vendor booths and tents, we talked to the vendors that were not busy with customers, told them we hoped they sold everything, and witnessed as much as possible.

Happily, I spotted a small seat that we both thought would attach to the rear fender of my bike, between the solo seat and the luggage rack during our walk through!

The First Baptist Church of Sturgis and F.A.I.T.H. Riders had a small tent set up in the vendor area and they were giving away faith-based pamphlets and cold bottles of water. Bill and I talked with our brothers-in-faith and happily accepted bottles of cold water to help combat the humid heat.

Afterward, we went back to the hospitality tent and sat in the wind of the large fan that kept the air moving in the shaded area under the tent canopy until 4:00.

At our tent, we talked to the neighbors while we prepared to ride into town for supper. Unfortunately, another pop-up thunderstorm appeared and kept us tent bound until 7:00 PM. We decided to stay at the tent because it was so late. Supper was chocolate chunk granola bars that I had brought with us.

Tent bound during the Friday evening thunderstorm. Yes, the sun continued to shine during the downpour.   

Friday - The down pour stopped, but it continued to sprinkle rain intermittently all evening. 

Sometime in the early morning, blaring, emergency vehicle sirens woke me up as they drew closer.
Looking out the back tent window through the trees, I saw the flashing lights of an ambulance and police car as they passed by on  the highway. Listening, the sirens seemed to remain in the same spot and I decided they had to be at the front entrance of the rally. Sleepily, I prayed briefly for the safety of the emergency responders and whoever was injured before I went back to sleep.

Saturday, we were free until noon.
After we woke up and dressed, we rode out of the rally to take a shower at the First Baptist Church of Sturgis. The church had arranged for a disaster relief shower trailer to be on their parking lot.  Plus, the church ladies were serving coffee and breakfast in the community auditorium.

I had not realized how much the rally had been wearing on me until I sat down to eat breakfast with Bill at the church.  It was a welcome relief from the adult rally.

 At 11:00 AM,  we returned to our tent at the rally. Our neighbors were friendly and we talked with them quite a bit before we left for our gate shift. 

As we began our shift, one of our Christian Motorcyclists Association members told us that a man had died early in the morning. 
Instantly. I thought back to the sirens that had disturbed my sleep that morning. This was why the emergency vehicles had come to the rally. 

We were told that the man had lost control of his motorcycle, hit two other motorcycles, and ended up with the motorcycles on top of him. Sadness crept into my heart, but we all are responsible for the choices we make. It was too late to change what had happened. However, I could pray for the dead man's family and friends.

What a long, hot afternoon!
Several bikes came up to the re-entry gate without a rally pass. We directed them back to the highway and the main entrance. By now, we recognized many of the bikes and riders that were going into town and coming back from town. We waved them through the gate and I called, "Thank-you" to the ones that held up their left arm so we could see the rally band around their wrist.

At 4:00 PM, we left the gate and returned to camp.
We talked to the neighbors beside our tent. On our left, the neighbor was a guy who was camping by himself. Bill was able to witness to him for about 20 minutes because he was curious about why we were there. Our other neighbors on the right were a group of three couples. However, we mainly talked with one couple about bikes and life in general. Hopefully, we planted a seed or two just by being ourselves.

About 5:30, we rode our bikes through the CMA gate ourselves to eat supper at the Roadside Diner, a local diner that had good online reviews.

Upon our return at 6:30 PM
The evening parade of bikes through the camping area had started early. A half dozen spectators had set up chairs in front of our tent, but they apologized and moved so that we could park our bikes. Bill parked his RoadGlide, but I stayed on my Softail Custom waiting for him to move the motorcycle trailer and attach it to the trailer hitch on my bike. After the trailer was attached, Bill was ready to cover up his bike and I was ready to retreat to our tent for the night.

While Bill finished putting the cover on his bike, I  was in the tent praying for Jesus to let the walls of Satan's stronghold fall like the walls of Jericho.

Spiritually, this prayer was a flicker of light amid the darkness around me.
However, I knew our home church prayer warriors were adding their prayers to mine. Happily, the crowd around our tent seemed to disappear in a remarkably short amount of time. Answered prayer? I believe so.

By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.                                                                                                          Hebrews 11:20 NKJV

We zipped our front tent windows halfway up to help block the outside noise, before we started repacking our bags in preparation for leaving in the morning.

After talking for about an hour, we went to bed. As I lay there listening to roaring motorcycle engines and blaring country, rap, and rock music intermingled into a chaotic noise without harmony,  I prayed for the safety of everyone at the rally and repeated my prayer to let the walls of Satan's stronghold to fall like the walls of Jericho.

Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; 3 With praying also for us, that God would open to us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: 4 That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.                                                                                                                                        Colossians 4:2-4 AKJV

Sunday in Kentucky
Bill and I woke at 5:30 AM to silence. We hadn't heard stillness in three days and we savored the early morning quietness.

I got up about thirty minutes later to dress and finish packing my clothing bag. As Bill started his morning routine, I unzipped the tent and emerged into a calm and cool Kentucky morning. Silently, I thanked Jesus for the cool morning. Working together, Bill and I had everything packed in about an hour.

The morning was no longer silent as other early risers finished packing and began leaving the rally.
Bill and I held hands, bowed our heads, and prayed aloud for our safe travel before we started up our bikes.  My bike and Bill's bike rumbled as we rode up the hill to the CMA gate at about 7:00 AM to begin our ride home.

The Rally Was Over 

Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, with integrity and godly sincerity. We have done so, relying not on worldly wisdom but on God's grace.                                                                                                                                             2 Corinthians 1:12 NIV

A Rocky Mountain Wedding in Colorado

The bride's bouquet of newly picked mountain wild flowers being held by my oldest granddaughter. 

The wedding vows taking place on Crystal Mountain in  Larrimer County, Colorado. Sun, cool temps, and scenic beauty blessed the small, intimate wedding for my daughter Cassie and her fiancee Curt.

Bill and I at Crystal Mountain, CO

June 22 my husband and I were in the Rocky Mountains just west of Greeley, Colorado on Crystal Mountain. 
Why? My oldest daughter married her sweetheart and my handsome husband performed the wedding ceremony. What a blessed day!

Cassie and Curt wanted a simple, rustic wedding with immediate family members present to celebrate the wedding with them. 

Bill and I drove the 800 plus miles from central Missouri to Greeley, Colorado in about 14 hours. My sister met us at a local gas station that is about six minutes from her home in Greeley and led us to the house.

Shortly after we arrived, my youngest daughter arrived with her family after a sixteen hour trip with a toddler, a baby, and a second grader. 

The wedding took place the day after everyone arrived in Greeley. 

Riding for the Son - May 8, 2016

Group Photo of Redeemed Riders.  ‪#‎rftsmo‬

Rather than writing this weekend, the hubby and I began our summer of "Riding for the Son"  by going on the annual Run for the Son ride that is held on the first Saturday in May. What a beautiful day to be riding a motorcycle!

Unfortunately, my bike is in the shop waiting for a part. Instead, I drove my Nissan Versa as a support vehicle with a cooler full of iced down water bottles in it.

Happily, a friend took the great picture below of  Bill and the other riders leaving the Mobil station in Hermann, MO. My car is in the picture too.

The yellow arrows are pointing at Bill and myself leaving Hermann, MO  ‪#‎rftsmo‬

Christian Motorcyclists Association members around the world participate in the Run for the Son ride. The video below will explain more about the 2016 Run for the Son.

                                     

Here are some pictures of the ride we participated in.  ‪#‎rftsmo‬ 

Our late lunch stop, about 2:00 P.M., was at Oscar's Classic Diner in Jefferson City, MO.

Driving in the Fog

The weatherman said that conditions were favorable for the formation of black ice and a heavy fog was blanketing our area.

I drove significantly slower than usual. The visibility varied from a hundred feet to half a mile. Occasionally, twin pinpoints of light would appear from the fog and a vehicle traveling east would emerge from the misty blanket of moisture. Carefully, through the enshrouding fog, I scanned the pavement ahead for frosted or shiny areas that would indicate ice. 

As I drove through the fog, my thoughts turned to Jesus. 
When life wraps around us and we can't see more than a few feet in front of us, slow down and know that Jesus is there. He is going to keep us from running into obstacles and sliding off the road. Trust Him. Have faith.

Proverbs 2:8 NIV 
for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.

Psalm 66:9 NIV  

he has preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping.

Psalm 121:2-3

My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.He will not let your foot slip-- he who watches over you will not slumber;

Time of My Life Tour at Greentree Christian Church, Rolla, MO

Alright! Tickets for the Time of My Life Tour featuring The Afters and Chris August at Greentree Christian Church are...
Posted by Greentree Christian Church on Thursday, February 11, 2016

Guilty of Speeding to Church?

My hands gripped the steering wheel as I cast a brief glance at the dashboard clock, 3:45 P.M. and I was still several miles from home and my church. My mind flashed back to the Sunday morning that I had felt an internal nudge from the Holy Spirit to answer the call for help with the Thursday, after school program, Bible Buddies. That nudge to do service work is familiar, but I knew time was a factor in my reaching the church to help with the program. My job is about nineteen miles from the church.

Every morning and afternoon for nine years, I drove the nineteen miles of twisting, turning county road that lay between home and work. The drive took about twenty-five minutes IF slow drivers, loose cattle, deer, turkey and weather did not create an obstacle. Obstacles could stretch the time it took to drive the nineteen miles into forty minutes. 

Today, I left the employee parking lot at exactly 3:31 P.M. and had encountered zero obstacles. Anxious to arrive on time at 4:00 P.M., I knew that I had covered half of the distance already. A quick, internal prayer, "Thank-you, Lord for keeping obstacles out of my path." was in my thoughts when a brief look at the speedometer made my right foot instantly lift off the gas pedal. The speedometer needle descended to the speed limit, 55 mph.

A quirky thought appeared in my mind," I wonder how many Christians are guilty of breaking the speed limit to arrive at church on time?" Instantly, my heart and spirit soared with laughter. 

The dashboard clock read 3:55 P.M. as I parked beside the church building, five minutes

early.

Destination: 2014 Kentucky Bike Rally, Sturgis, KY

Head Out on the Highway
On July 16, Bill and I packed up our camping gear, loaded up the motorcycles, and rode to the Union County Fairgrounds in Sturgis, Kentucky. The Kentucky Bike Rally attendees include bikers from Wisconsin, Ohio, South Carolina, Georgia, Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri.  The Kentucky Christian Motorcyclists Association's (CMA) State Coordinator and his wife, James and Linda Collins, work with the event sponsor closely. CMA members work at the gates of the event, set up a hospitality tent within the rally, and provide prayer.

God is amazing.
James shared with us that he did not have enough workers to cover the gates this year. Then, he received the email from Bill and I telling him we had bought our armbands and would be arriving on Wednesday, July 16. Another, unexpected, CMA couple arrived and worked two gate shifts. Problem solved. Pray and give God room to work. He will provide.

8 A.M. at the Cemetery Gate

Salvation and Prayer
Three salvations occurred during the rally! Love it when the Lord works in the hearts of his children and leads them  back to Him. We, Bill and I, were able to provide prayer, a listening ear, and information about motorcycle ministry to several folks. Throughout the rally we kept hearing CMA members say, "Man, hearts are receptive to hear the Word this weekend." Made me smile to hear this because I knew our church family prayer warriors were providing prayer coverage. Other church family prayer warriors were too. Prayer is Powerful!

Foreground: Our tent
Background: our neighbors

The Spiritual Battle
Those of us serving the Lord at the rally were praying continually for the participants and ourselves. We needed our Lord to shield us, his servants, from the flaming darts of  The Enemy. It saddens me to see God's children following the prince of this world. The Enemy takes such delight in leading them downward on a gently sloping path that will eventually end in a pit of misery, emotional bankruptcy, and loss of hope. Been there.

The Pit Bottom
I know what lies at the bottom of the pit. Emotional pain and a spiritual vacuum inside your body where Jesus is supposed to be. A hole in your soul. Nothing you feed your spirit with will kill the pain anymore. Not drugs, not alcohol, not shopping, not food, not your partner, not gambling, not...not...not. I know. I was there.

My Past is My Strength
The Lord called me into rally ministry because of my past; the Before Jesus Sallee. My past is now my greatest strength in working for the Lord.  My outreach tool is my past. How I escaped the pit with Jesus Christ. How the Lord heals me, helps me, and makes me whole. All of this enables me to help my sisters climb out of their own pits. Today, my greatest joy is in serving Jesus Christ.

Bill and Sallee - Kentucky Bound

#Godisamazing  #ministry  #powerofprayer