The

Kick Start Chronicles

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Motorcycling with Jesus!

Volume 6  Number 6,     Summer 2006

Greetings....

“HOT Fun in the Summertime!!”

Hello everybody, it’s good to see you again! Welcome to the summer 06

edition of the Kickstart Chronicles. We do hope you enjoy this (and all) issue(s)!

            I hope you have put in more riding time than I have so far this season. A new job with hours that have taken a bit of adjusting to (I now get home later than customary, 6:00-6:30) a few mechanical problems (more than one breakdown and a couple of electrical quirks) and some health issues have cut into my prized riding time, but on the plus side of that, perhaps I ENJOY EACH RIDE JUST A LITTLE MORE! Even with those constraints and in between quick half hour to hour and a half rides there have been some rides and destinations that merit being high-lighted.

            Among those memorable events that come to mind are:

1. Skyfest,  the annual Danville Va. air show that featured food, vendors, a car and bike show, great demonstrations of vintage aircraft (lovingly maintained) and superb pilot abilities, plane rides, helicopter displays (I really like the 20 and 30mm cannons!!) thrilling stunt and acrobatic flying, a jet powered 40’s era fire truck (a spectacular sight and a world record holder at over 200mph!!) and much more. I believe we enjoyed ourselves!

2. Open house at Honda of Winston-Salem where I scored a great deal on a set of Metzler Sportech M1’s for the CBR and then promptly cut the rear tire only a couple of days later (during some “spirited” riding). I barely limped home, but PRAISE THE LORD it was in one piece!

3. Big Bird’s Harley Shop’s annual open house in Ridgeway Va., with tons of great food, some hard-drivin’ rock-n-roll, raffles and give-aways, a supreme burn-out by a guy with a REALLY solid running Hog and good time spent with old friends.

4. Friday night bluegrass in downtown Floyd Va. at The Floyd Country Store. This is a taste of Americana you should take in. Head up #58 from Stuart Va. (north) and bear off onto #8 up through Woolwine, past Tuggle's Gap till you reach downtown Floyd (and believe me, it’s a GREAT bike route! Maybe not the “Tail of the Dragon” but at least “The Tail of the Lizard”!!) Arrive early so you can spend some time wandering in and out of the unique shops), then catch the bluegrass groups “jamming” on the sidewalk or cough up the 3 bucks to go inside, take a seat and enjoy the music on stage and watch (or join) the dancing that breaks out!

5. Plum Krazy’s (Guilford College Rd & Market St., Greensboro) annual Summer Bash with food, vendors, music and bikes galore.(They’re very biker friendly)And, it’s next door to the Big Dog dealership (I can’t buy but I can look!)

6. Let’s not forget Myrtle Beach Bike Week! I went down mid-week and joined bros Tim Ashburn, Tim Browning, Donnie Martin and Miss Samantha (ended up staying 1 day longer than planned and still was reluctant to come home!). What can I say, it was Bike Week and it was FUN again this year!!(If you filter out the heat, traffic jams and 6 fatalities.)

7. The 1^st annual Triad Biker Day sponsored by the Carolina Faith Riders and held near the Koury Convention Center in Greensboro NC. Their first event included catered food (great BBQ), bike games, prize drawings, vendors, a bike show and music and over 500 in attendance. I wish them continued success. Check out their web site at www.carolinafaithriders.com.

8. And last but certainly not least (more, gimme more) a life-long desire finally was fulfilled and made possible by my very supportive and understanding (precious, patient etc.) wife, Joyce. For my birthday last year she bought my membership into NESBA (Northeast Sport Bike Assoc.) and for our 2nd  anniversary this year, she signed me up for my first ever track day at V.I.R. in Danville VA (and paid for it too!!) Check the track at virclub.com or NESBA at nesba.com. I ask you, is that “True Love” or what?? She didn’t even ask me to take out more life insurance! (That may change however if I should get a GSXR750!!) Riding season is still in full swing but that has to be THE high-light of the year for me! It was all I had hoped for and more. I was hitting 135mph at the start/finish line, and scraping the pegs (and my toes) in the turns, and a couple of them at about 90. This all took place with NO Highway Patrol or blue lights!! (There were ambulances handy though) How much better does it get? I’ll let you know when I go back! (Again and again!!) There is no doubt about this being dangerous (that’s a lot of the lure isn’t it?) but it’s much safer than street riding. The track is carefully maintained and clear of obstructions, quite UNLIKE the street. Add to that the meticulous inspection your bike must pass as well as your personal protection. You MUST possess (or rent) full racing type leathers with all the built in body protectors. A two piece suit must zip together at the waist (and go all the way around you!). You will also need good gloves, boots (both racing approved) and of course a good full-face helmet. You will not be allowed onto the track if you aren’t properly protected and prepared and besides, it would be foolish (or suicidal) to go out there UNPROTECTED!

  And yet, many ride without adequate protection. And worse, many face each day with little or NO coverage whatsoever. I’m not talking about leathers or gloves, I’m talking about JESUS! If you take another breath without HIM, you’re out there in the world with NO protection! Get a good lid and leathers for riding, get JESUS for living! Things will still happen to us all from time to time. Good leather saves the skin (if you got them on!) and Jesus saves your soul!! (if you accept HIM as Lord & Savior) DON’T leave home without either!!

  Ride safe, ride hard, ‘cause “everybody dies, but not everybody lives”. This is the Soybean saying “See ya on the road”

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Favorite recently seen bumper sticker:

“Of all the things I have lost, I miss my mind the most”!

And our recently seen favorite church sign:

“Contrary to popular belief, it is NOT hot as hell!”

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Points to Ponder

1. A day without sunshine is… night.

2. 42.7 percent of all statistics are made up on the spot.

3. On the other hand, you have your other fingers.

4. Honk if you love peace and quiet.

5. He who laughs last, thinks slowest.

6. I drive way too fast to worry about cholesterol.

7. Bacteria… the only culture some people have.

8. Plan to be spontaneous tomorrow.

9. If you think nobody cares, try missing a couple of payments.

10. How do you tell when you're out of invisible ink?

11. When everything is coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.

12. Why do psychics have to ask you for your name?

13. Don’t let your mind be so open that your brains fall out.

14. The early bird! may get the worm,

      but the second mouse gets the  cheese.

15. Light travels faster than sound.

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Any other rat-bike fans out there?

The picture above  is my old CB550 (vintage 1976) with fake buffalo skin seat, extended forks and steel pipe highway bars. I, sadly, no longer have this bike, but this very photo is on the ‘net at: http://ratbike.org/pages/743honda.htm.

which is part of a photo gallery on the site

 “RatBike Zone” at ratbike.org.

There are some pretty gnarly looking bikes there, in fact, my old 550 looks positively trick compared to most of them on the site. But, if like me, you do like a good rat bike, check out this web site, and enjoy.

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From the Rock

Dr. Scott Courtney

     As far as I know, the term “Chopper” has lost practically all of its original meaning.  If you watch Cable TV, you’d think that the term applies only to tricked out customs that look like they rode through the local chrome shop while generating a magnetic field that attracted every bolt-on within sight.  Let’s face it, do you really want to see your reflection from 100 different angles whey you walk up to your bike?  If you’re that vain, stay in front of the mirror and off the road.  If you ride one of those things in the sun, then you ought to be considered a rolling road hazard who blinds other drivers with your vanity.  Am I being too harsh?

     In the beginning, the term “chopper” applied to guys that chopped things off their bikes so they would go faster.  I’ve recently been on an anti-chrome crusade myself on the old Vulcan.  As I repair, I toss the chrome covers in the trash can where they belong.  Recently my mufflers vibrated themselves into an apparent attempted suicide when they jumped off the bike at highway speed.  I replaced them with some simple straight pipes from my local muffler shop.  Not only does it sound better, it was far cheaper than any chrome substitution.  Besides, I get to prove the adage that not only do loud pipes save lives, they are also more environmentally friendly since I now have less weight to carry down the road (remember the chopper philosophy) so I now need less fuel.  I figure I’ve chopped off a good 40 lbs. or more from my bike.  Now if I could just chop that off my waistline!

     In Hebrews 12:1, we find a Biblical mandate to “throw off everything that hinders”.  I don’t think the author was building a chopper, but it is good advice.  When it comes to sin that ensnares us, depression that destroys us, or guilt that weighs us down, who needs it?  Jesus died to give us freedom from these things.

     Personally, if you’re into chrome, I respect your addiction.  For me, I will continue to experiment with how little is actually needed to keep my bike a lean, mean cruising machine.  I’m also working on that in my spiritual life by actively seeking to focus on the things of God and not gaudy distractions of this passing world. 

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Reminiscing

…Then there was the time, just recently, that the CBR and I were doing our usual back roads early evening stroll….. As a general rule I prefer “The Roads Less Taken” because they offer less traffic, nice rural scenery and the opportunity to “open it up a little”. On this particular ride, I noticed quite a bit of road-kill which triggered something in the old noggin that caused me to think about all the Bambis out and about as I realized the country roads I had chosen were carrying me through prime deer territory. It was time to crank up the senses and be on the lookout! Only about five minutes after going on high alert, I topped a hill with a left-hand sweeping curve going a notch or two (3?) above the posted limit and sure enough, right in the middle of MY LANE stood Bambi, unmoving. I half expected the doe to jump into my lap, knowing how quick and unpredictable deer can be.

                     DOWNSHIFT!!!                 GRAB THE BRAKES!!

  Thank GOD, she just stood there until I came to a stop, only a few feet away. Then the old girl just went her merry way back into the woods, unfazed (I wasn’t quite so calm!). Gathering myself, I shifted into 1st and also went on, unharmed (although a bit shaken!).

  Moral of the story?? Surely it can’t be: “Slow Down!” But then again, maybe that’s not a bad idea. As fall approaches and deer begin moving more, especially in the evening hours, cut your speed when out in the country and STAY ALERT!! Research has shown that impacts with large animals can be hazardous to your health!!

Ya’ll ride safe out there!

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The Kick Start Chronicles is the newsletter for the “Motorcycling with Jesus” Motorcycle Ministry.  The KSC is  distributed free of charge to any who asks.

To get a free subscription, please send your name and mailing address to Kick Start Chronicles, PO Box 376, Mayodan, NC 27027.

To get the email version, be sure to send us your email address.  Send that to:  kickstartchronicles@yahoo.com

Staff:  Reporter…..Mike Boulding,   Editor…..Michael Leffew,   Big View…..Tim Ashburn,    Contributing..…Dr. Scott Courtney

The Son-o-gram is strictly an amateur publication.  We donate our time and energy because of our love of motorcycling, our fellow man and, mostly, our love of God.  Praise the Lord and then Praise Him Again!!  Phone….336-623-3883(MB)    336-548-3999(ML)    336-427-6264(NVF)

Any thoughts, ideas or opinions expressed in the articles found in this publication are solely those of the writer(s) of said particular articles and

are not necessarily those of New Vision Fellowship and are in no way to be construed as any “official” position of same.

Thank you and God Bless you

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Keeping the Faith

Michael Leffew

Last issue, we examined musical instruments in the worship service and what the Bible says about this. This issue we are going to look at baptism, specifically the issue of whether or not baptism is necessary for salvation.  As you can probably guess, if you have read any of my previous columns, I do not think baptism is necessary for salvation. I do think all believers should be baptized, both as a public statement to others that Jesus is our Savior and as an act of obedience. Baptism is a command of the Lord, and one of the easiest to obey. But, as I said last issue, what I think is not important, what is important is “What does the Bible say?”

Among those who are called Christians there are two schools of thought: salvation by faith and salvation by works. Those who believe in salvation by faith say that salvation is a gift from God, there is nothing we can do to earn it or to deserve it. Those who believe in salvation by works will probably agree with most of what the “by faith” camp says, but they will add some part that must be done by man to receive salvation, hence “by works”.  If being baptized were necessary for salvation, this would be salvation by works, with the “work” being the act of being baptized.  Let’s examine what the Bible says about salvation by faith and by works.

Salvation can NOT be by BOTH works and faith as plainly stated in Romans 11:6.

And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. (Rom 11:6) If the King James Version is hard to follow, here is the same verse in the NIV: And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace. Rom 11:6 (NIV)

It obviously can NOT be by BOTH works and faith, so which is it?

            The Bible says it is by faith, and not works and says it pretty plainly:

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. Eph 2:8-9  Seriously, could it get any plainer than that?

But what does “by grace” and “through faith” mean? “By grace” means that salvation is completely unmerited and there is nothing, absolutely nothing we can do to earn it. It is a gift of God, as the verse says. “Through faith” means we receive this free, unmerited gift of God by believing in (having faith in, trusting in) Jesus Christ.  The scriptures that say the we are saved, that we have everlasting life, by believing in Jesus are abundant in the Bible. Here are SOME of them:

1. Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. Gal 2:16

Notice that this one not only says it is by faith, but it also says, as did the earlier verse, Ephesians 2:8-9, that it is NOT by works.

2. That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:15

3.  He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. John 3:36

4.  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. John 5:24

5.  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. John 6:47

Notice, also that these verses say that he that “believeth”- “hath” eternal life. (Modern English would be he that “believes” -“has” eternal life.) They do NOT say the he that believeth almost hath eternal life, nor do they say “he that believeth and does something in addition to that belief” hath eternal life. No, they say “he that believeth”-“hath”.

As far as I can see, this pretty much closes the subject.  As stated at the beginning of this article, I do not think baptism is necessary for salvation. I think this position has been presented here in a way that can not be argued with scripturally.  I would not be complete in my presentation, however, if I did not address Acts 2:38. This is the MAIN verse used by those who say baptism is necessary for salvation. Acts 2:38 says: Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

This is their proof that baptism is necessary for salvation. They say that this verse says baptism is necessary for the remission of sins, and therefore for salvation.  Hebrews 9:22 says that “…without (the) shedding of blood, there is no remission.”  So, is there a contradiction here? No, there is no contradiction when the verse is looked at in the correct context.

The following is a direct quote from the concordance section of the blue letter Bible web site (www.blueletterbible.com) concerning the translation of the word “eis” which is translated “for” in “for the remission of sins”:

eis {ice}  a primary preposition

1) into, unto, to, towards, for, among

"For" (as used in Acts 2:38 "for the forgiveness...") could have two meanings. If you saw a poster saying "Jesse James wanted for robbery", "for" could mean Jesse is wanted so he can commit a robbery, or is wanted because he has committed a robbery. The later sense is the correct one. So too in this passage, the word "for" signifies an action in the past. Otherwise, it would violate the entire tenor of the NT teaching on salvation by grace and not by works.

The same Greek work “eis” is used in Matt 3:11 and is translated “unto” in the KJV.

“I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance…” (John the Baptist speaking). People didn’t repent because John baptized them, John baptized them after they repented. This is why he told Jesus that he (John) should be baptized by Jesus, not the other way around. He knew Jesus had no need for repentance or baptism. 

Strong’s Greek dictionary of the New Testament defines the word “eis” this way:

            1519 eis (ice) a prim. prep. to or into (indicating the point reached or entered)…

and states that this word is used in the KJV 1744 times and translated as follows: “ into” 573 times, “to” 281, “unto” 207, “for” 140, “in” 138, “on” 58,“toward” 29, “against” 26, “misc” 322. These various translations of the word could easily change the meaning of that verse (Acts 2:38).

            In addition, pay attention to the last sentence of the quoted paragraph above, “it would violate the entire tenor of the NT teaching….”  If one verse seems to violate every other verse in the NT about a particular subject, which verse is probably being wrongly interpreted?

Well, there you have it. I hope this is clear enough. God’s plan is wonderful, but it is really pretty simple: 

1. We are all sinners and the wages of sin is death.   2. The gift of God is eternal life.  3.This gift (of salvation) is available to anyone, but is only available through faith in Jesus.

As I said, I believe that all believers should be baptized, I, myself was baptized, but the act of baptism does not save, only faith in Jesus does that.

Vaya con Dios,

Michael Leffew

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Police Band Radio

The following conversations were taken off actual police car recordings around the country:  

"Relax, the handcuffs are tight because they're new. They'll stretch out after you wear them for a while."  

"If you run, you'll only go to jail tired."  

"Warning? You want a warning? O.K., I'm warning you not to do that again or I'll give you another ticket."  

"Yeah, we have a quota. Two more tickets and my wife gets a toaster oven."  

"No sir we don't have quotas anymore, now we're allowed to write as many tickets as we want."

"Just how big were those two beers, fellah?"

"I'm glad to hear the Chief of Police is a good personal friend of yours. At least you know someone who can post your bail."

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Luck Can Take You Only So Far

       As far as I know, luck is a poor substitute for planning.  I had been out visiting patients on my trusty steed when I noticed some threads showing through the rear tire.  Surely God wouldn’t leave his servant stranded during his rounds?  Feeling a little fear by my last stop, I decided to bite the bullet and made it to a local shop to purchase a tire.  Being decidedly cheap and impatient, I figured I could mount it myself at home.  Off roaring into the sunset I went with my new tire strapped to the passenger seat with some hay bale twine, confident I had squeezed the last possible few inches of life out of the old one.

       Leaning into a curve at 60 m.p.h. is not the best time for a tire to blow out, as if there is a good time.  I suppose when you pull up in the yard it would be ideal for it to pop off the rim on its on, but I was still two miles from home on a crowded four lane.  The explosion most certainly caught my attention, as if the sensation of riding on ice with an instant flat wasn’t enough.  It’s amazing how fast you can say a genuine prayer when pure terror is your motivation.  Somehow between my rapid heart beat and faint pulse, I managed to keep the bike up and moved to the side of the road.  The driver behind me pulled over with an ashen look on his face to offer me a ride.  We both thought we were watching my last moments on earth.  This angel offered me a ride home where I uneventfully got my trailer and retrieved my hobbled horse and shoehorned the new tire on in time for the ride to work the next day. 

      The moral of the story is that luck can only take you so far.  I knew I was riding on a dangerous tire, but I pressed on out of frugality and stupidity.  Perhaps you’ve been lucky thus far in life.  Maybe you’ve cheated death yourself a few times.  The Good News of the Gospel is that you don’t have to rely on luck.  God’s plan is certain and His grace is sufficient.  I was spared that day because of God’s hand, of that I am certain.  Wouldn’t it pay to be certain in every aspect of your life?  If you’ve been riding on luck, realize that luck, like an old tire, will wear out.  God’s love, on the other hand, has a better than lifetime guarantee. 

From the Rock,   Scott Courtney

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Track Scratch Fever

A Limp limerick

By Soybean

If you ride upon the track

You may learn the skills you lack.

To ride hard out on the street,

A track day just can’t be beat!

As you fly through the curves

It tests your courage, tests your nerves.

You will scrape your toes, scrape your pegs,

Careful now, don’t break your legs!

If you feel your back tire slide

Don’t go down or rip your hide!

Do not let yourself be scared.

Try it! You have now been dared.

You may reach 135,

Man, now that’s really alive.

I know it’s not for everyone,

But for me- it’s just GREAT FUN!!

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Billy Bob's Hang Glider

        Billy Bob decided to save up and get a hang glider. He took it to the highest mountain, and after struggling to the top, he got ready to try it out. He took off running, and when he reached the edge, into the air he went!

        Not far away, Maw and Paw were sittin' on the porch talkin' bout the good ole days -- when Maw spotted the biggest bird she'd ever seen!  "Look at the size of that bird, Paw!" she exclaimed.

        Paw raised up and said, "Git my gun, Maw."

        Maw ran into the house and brought out his pump shotgun. Paw took careful aim. BANG . . . BANG . . . BANG . . .     

   But the monster bird continued to soar silently over the tree tops.

   "I think ya missed him, Paw," she said.

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 A few pictures from last April’s “Sixth Annual Biker Sunday at New Vision Fellowship”. This event is held each year the first Sunday after Easter. Make plans now to attend next years show.

Bill Horn with the “Chariots of Light” took “Best in Show” with this very clean custom.

There was everything from Touring Harleys....

To Metric Customs....

There was even an off-road class which was open to 4 wheelers.

And a couple of pictures from "Hot fun in the Summertime"

Myrtle Beach Bike Week, Bikes everywhere!

Jet Powered Fire Engine. This truck can put out fires at over 400 MPH!

Thanks for looking at the Kick Start Chronicles, we sincerely hope you enjoyed it.

Ride Safe, Ride Often

but Ride!