Brecksville Race's

The pavement was wet as I started warming up on the course watching Mike Gorman crush all of his opponets. Great job Mike! I had talked about doing the same thing with Dan Quinlan(sp) before our race. One person can't do it alone from the beginning in the cat 1-3 race. I think I told Dan I will have to see who shows up and if it would be the right time to attack. I was talking to S. Kadar as we got started and then within 2 seconds from our start I rolled off the front, but not hard. Then before the first turn I looked back and I saw only one rider. I smiled and took off.

Three hills later on the first lap I saw Tris Hopkens(sp). coming and two others way back. I eased off the pedals and Tris got my wheel and we were off. From what I remember (which could be wrong) He took a short pull in the flat section before the down hill and then I charged down the hill as fast as I thought I could. Then before the big climb on the first lap Tris led up the hill. The Hill is now called a bump in the road by my Dad and I am sure Don Cernanic(sp). would say the same. The Hill used to be bigger back in the days Dad's State Road races were 21 laps for a total of 85+ miles. Don was telling me they cut off the top of the Hill. Don told me this in my first year I raced in the cat 1-3 field in 2003.

As Tris led me up the hill I tried hard to help Tris out the rest of the race and it worked. Tris was so much stronger than me for sure. Tris dropped me on the Hill on the 3rd lap and I felt like that all day, just hanging on. Once we had 2:45 sec on the field I knew it would be a great ending for me. The time gaps were closing fast 2:15, 1:45, 1:15, then I looked back and told Tris I see them. We eased up so we could hold there wheels as they would fly by. Paul, Dan, Brian, Nate... hey where is Kirk. Well I saw the field when they were coming too. So that was not good to see also. So there was six of us just tooling around with Kirk Albers(sp) in the field smiling at us.

Then we come to the Hill again, I told myself I have too hang on to these guys. Well...I got dropped. Sometimes things just aren't meant to be. I didn't give up I kept going then I remembered the field should be close. Sure enough I could see them and if I could see them they could see me.
I thought I saw someone coming so I took a better look. Sure enough it was Kirk. I didn't look good enough the first time or I would have saw him 50 feet away. So when I looked the 2nd time he was 10 feet away and going 10 mph faster than me, which is like 100 when a car passes by real fast. I sprinted to blow myself up and it worked I grabbed Kirk's wheel. He pulled me for 30 sec and I said just get me to the downhill and I will pull the rest of the way. Kirk looked like he nodded his head and pulled hard. It was like the pace of Tris and I's first couple of laps, which was great for me cause now I'm not going to get caught by the field. I reasured Kirk that he could do it and that I will pull the hole flat section before the downhill.

After the last knoll before the turn to the flat section before the down hill I came around Kirk and said "here we go". I started out slow and ramped it up slowly and once I saw them I had to choose to fly by them or just be happy with what I did today. The two motorcycles made my decision easy as I passed the one motorcycle across the double yellow line. I knew Charles was on the next motorcycle so I just went behind everyone else. Kirk must have stayed behind me a little bit so he would have made the gap between the riders and the motorcycles. Kirk blew by them with fresh legs thanks to me towing him. But Thanks to Kirk for helping me out cause I would have been ate up by the field. It would have been awesome to see if Kirk could have caught them by hiself cause that would have been awesome to see and I would have had fresh legs up the hill which would have been even better. I am so glad I did get 7th cause Tris deserved 6th place, even if he did have a mechanical.

OCC Ride

Wednesday night with some rain. Pavement was wet and I am not making excuses, but my rear tire was worn to the threads. Yes I hit the pavement at 20 + mph on a training ride with OCC. On a straight road coming to a one lane bridge. I stood up to put some pressure on the pedals and quickly found myself trying to catch the rear wheel as it was side ways. Just about the time I had my foot out on the ground I slammed to the pavement. With my Team GodSpeed kit on of course. I am banged up a little but feel blessed I didn't hit the bridge or a car or another rider. Bike shifts better after a little persuasion. Hope I feel better for Sunday. Why am I going you ask? I have done this race every year since I started racing. Plus I used to go there when I was younger watching Dad race it. I was 6-12 back then. I have bad luck at this race almost all the time. The first year I broke a spoke in the cat 4 race and Zak waited for me up the hill every time, I got 2nd Zak won it, and he earned it big time. The 2nd year cat 1-3 I think I got 11th, the third year 9th, which was great I'll take those placings. Then I was sick in 05 and tried to race for 2 laps, not smart, then last year I broke my chain the first time up the hill. So I hope to better 9th place, but as always I hope to just be safe. It's fun when you get beat up in some races, well this is one of them. It will be really tuff to even finish this race with the field. I always seem to get dropped by the field on the hill so maybe I can hold on this year.

Off to work I go

Well off to work I went, 5:40 am. This time it was in the car. I rode my bike to work 14 working days in a row, that is my record so far. That has saved me 80 bucks in the last 3 weeks. If I get on the bike tonight for the club ride it will make 21 days in a row. With the Brecksville race coming up this Sunday my legs will either be real tired or really fit.

As long as I don't have a mechanical or wreck it will be fun. I will miss not going to church this Sunday but will be with our bible study group sat for some time of fellowship. We will be flying in a small plane over our houses so that will be a first for our family. Hope Caylin does good, I am sure she will.

Mondays I have been with my associate minister going over the book of James. This book is packed with detailed info. James wrote this book to urge his people to make needed changes in their lives and in their corporate relationships.

James 1st lesson: Trials and Temptations
2nd lesson: Listening and Doing
3rd lesson: Mercy and Judgement
4th lesson: Faith and Works
5th lesson: Taming The Tongue
6th lesson: Friendship With God
7th lesson: Investing in Your Future
8th lesson: Suffering and Prayer

On http://www.truthpatrol.blogspot.com/ look at the Christians vs Atheists. It takes some time to watch all of it but it is very good. I think maybe 45 mins total.
Also our church website is up and running. Take a look www.orrvillechristian.org

Hope to post something else soon...

I Love My Mom

Mothers day and my mom was in Kansas with her mom. Love Ya Mom. She was out there for Grandpa's surgery. His surgery went very well and he is at home doing good. The day my mom was going to fly back we all got word that her aunt, my great aunt died(aunt Judy). So many great memories of aunt Judy, and I pray for many more with uncle Eldon. We Love them so much they were even with us on our honeymoon. Actually we all went to the same place but didn't think we would see them for the day we were there. It was a fun day with family.

Mom's are wonderful my list can go on about how much my mom went through with me. I think there is a movie about me(Problem Child). Well my Mom has been a very great blessing in my life and I Love Her dearly.

I have learned to have a greater appreciation for mom since Caylin was born. Parenting changes your life! I am so greatful that God has blessed me to become a Father. Becky is such a great Mother to Caylin and we are so blessed.

Pray for our family during this time. We Thank you Lord for the times we shared with Aunt Judy.

2007 Cycling

Well I started racing again. I knew I would eventually. Since the last week in Feb I have in 113 more hours. The total now is 135. 96% of my riding is to work and back home, taking Caylin for a ride to the park and/or the Orrville Club rides/races. 4 percent has been in racing. I have done 4 races this year and so far no crashes.

Memories: My first Orrville Club ride(OCC) I came off of a 21 hour week and I got destroyed. We only rode for an hour and my legs hurt for 3 days after that night. Someone will get a kick out of this next story. I took Caylin to the park and we were there a long time. I had to go to the bathroom bad, real bad. So I said Caylin let's go home. She said "No Daddy, No." I said to myself ok there are only a couple of people here they don't know who I am, I'll just go. So I went, no big deal, gotta go ya gotta go. Riding to work is always great sometimes at 5 am.

Races: My first race was RATL, great to see everyone that was there. I raced real aggressive and finished 9th, very hard race. My second race was Race around the chase. Great to see everyone there as well, thanks to Dave Tingler for the video, and Shawn Adams for the help. 3rd place finish was more than great, I was just hoping to finish with the pack. Ratl was next and during warm up I broke my wipperman chain at the rivet of the connector link, what else is new. Right by my side was the winner of the cat 4 race that same day Josh Halvax, better get used to that name boys. He rides at OCC on wednesday nights. Josh gave me his chain for me to use, that saved me 20 bucks, thank you Josh. I ended up winning 20 bucks for 7th place. The 1st Ohio Cup race was at Wilkesville. I went because I thought there would be 80 guys in our race in support of the OCA, not much there. Also I went for a great meal, yes it's still all about the food. Anyway the race started and 3 rolled off the front and we all looked at each other like a deer looking into headlights. We heard they were 4mins ahead so what did we do? Nothing they wouldn't let anyone else go away from the field but it was ok for the front 3 to be out there as if they earned it. Well they did! That front 3 took 1st 2nd and 4th. Shawn Adams took 3rd with a flat tire, great job Shawn! Shawn helped Nate and I out and as we were getting closer to the front of the race I got dropped and when I caught back on, miles later it seemed, I said to Shawn and Nate let me sit on for awhile I won't contest the sprint. At the end of the race Nate let me have 5th thank you so much Nate. We split 10 bucks since ther was no money for 6th place. I guess that's why I am going back to playing softball, to much money to do cycling.

Soldier Of Christ

"Take your share of suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus." - 2 Timothy 2:3

I am a soldier in the army of my God. The Lord Jesus Christ is my Commanding Officer. The Holy Bible is my code of conduct. Faith, Prayer and the Word are my weapons of warfare. I have been taught by the Holy Spirit, trained by experience, tried by adversity and tested by fire. I am a volunteer in this army and I am enlisted for eternity. I will either retire in this army at the Lord's coming or die in this army; but I will not get out, sell out, be talked out or pushed out. I am faithful, reliable, capable and dependable. If my God needs me, I am there. If He needs me in Sunday school to teach children, work with the youth, help adults, or just sit and learn, I am there. He can use me because I am there!

I am a soldier. I am not a baby. I do not need to be pampered, petted, primed up, pumped up, picked up or pepped up. I am a soldier. No one has to call me, remind me, write me, visit me, entice me or lure me. I am a soldier. I am not a wimp. I am in place, saluting my King, obeying His orders, prasing His name and building His kingdom. No one has to send me flowers, gifts, food, cards, candy or handouts to keep me coming. I do not need to be cuddled, cradled, cared for or catered to. I am committed. I cannot have my feelings hurt bad enough to turn me aside. I cannot lose enough to cause me to quit. When Jesus called me into this army, I had nothing. If I end up with nothing, I will still come out even. I WILL WIN. My God will supply all my needs. I am more than a conqueror. I will always triumph. I can do all things through Christ. Devils cannot stop me. Battles cannot beat me. Money cannot buy me. Governments cannot silence me and hell cannot handle me! I am a soldier. Even death cannot destroy me. For when my commander calls me from this battlefield, He will promote me to a captain. I am a soldier, in the army, and I am marching, claiming victory. I will not give up. I will not turn around. I am a soldier, marching, heaven bound. Here I stand! Will you stand with me?

My God,His Child

One often forgets to praise God for the salvation that He has granted to them. Once again I am reminded this morning of how praise to God needs to be uttered from our lips as believers in Jesus Christ. To many times people forget to just praise God for saving and keeping them. I hope you will begin sensing that you need to praise God for electing you to salvation if you are in Christ.Here is a devotion this morning from CH Spurgeon. He clearly had the attitude that God elects and chooses whom He will save. It never became an issue for Spurgeon and the other great Calvinists of the past.Spurgeon's devotion for today:

"I will be their God, and they shall be my people."2 Corinthians 6:1.What a sweet title: "My people!" What a cheering revelation: "Their God!" How much of meaning is couched in those two words, "My people!" Here is speciality. The whole world is God's; the heaven, even the heaven of heavens is the Lord's, and He reigneth among the children of men; but of those whom He hath chosen, whom He hath purchased to Himself, He saith what He saith not of others--"My people" In this word there is the idea of proprietorship. In a special manner the "Lord's portion is His people; Jacob is the lot of His inheritance." All the nations upon earth are His; the whole world is in His power; yet are His people, His chosen, more especially His possession; for He has done more for them than others; He has bought them with His blood; He has brought them nigh to Himself; He has set His great heart upon them; He has loved them with an everlasting love, a love which many waters cannot quench, and which the revolutions of time shall never suffice in the least degree to diminish. Dear friends, can you, by faith, see yourselves in that number? Can you look up to heaven and say, "My Lord and my God: mine by that sweet relationship which entitles me to call Thee Father; mine by that hallowed fellowship which I delight to hold with Thee when Thou art pleased to manifest Thyself unto me as Thou dost not unto the world?" Canst thou read the Book of Inspiration, and find there the indentures of thy salvation? Canst thou read thy title writ in precious blood? Canst thou, by humble faith, lay hold of Jesus' garments, and say, "My Christ"? If thou canst, then God saith of thee, and of others like thee, "My people;" for, if God be your God, and Christ your Christ, the Lord has a special, peculiar favour to you; you are the object of His choice, accepted in His beloved Son.

The Three Nails

This is a story of long ago -- of a man who owned a little store.
He said, "I was proud to have my name up over the door."
It was some two thousand years ago, as I recall,
Located in Jerusalem, across the street from Pilate's hall.

I thought I had everything anyone would need,
And folks would come from miles around, regardless of their creed.
The only thing I had I didn't think I could ever sell,
Was in the corner on a self -- three old rusty spike nails.

And then one day a big Roman soldier came through the door.
As he walked up to me it seemed he shook the floor.
I said, "Can I help you Sir?", with a voice I guess seemed frail.
He looked at me with a sneering grin and said,
"I want to buy some big, big nails."

"Three old rusty spikes is all I have." He said to me, "That will do
For the job I have, three's enough -- now how much do I owe you?"
He put the money in my hand and I was glad to make the sale.
Then I wondered and asked him,
" Sir, what can you do with just three nails?"

He said, "Did you ever hear of a man called Jesus the Nazerene?"
"You mean the one who goes about doing good?" He said,
"Yes that's the man."
"Well, today I intend to show the world that I am boss,
For with these three old rusty spikes I am going to nail Jesus
To the cross."

I stood there almost numb -- you'll never know how I felt.
I said, " Please, Sir, don't do that!", as on my knees I knelt.
He just turned and walked away, and I got up and followed him.
I said, "Please, Sir, I'll buy them back", but he just looked at me
And grinned.

But in the distance I could see the howling mob through the tears
That filled my eyes.
"Away with him!" "Crucify him!" I could hear their angry cries.
Over the top of all the noise and groans of agony,
I could hear the sound of the hammer as that big Roman soldier
Nailed Jesus to a tree.

Iowa

Went to Iowa for Easter, Easter you said, yep Easter. I have been so busy and have so much I need to write down.

Anywho... Went to Iowa for Easter to be with family. It was my Grandparents 60th wedding anniversary. My mom had us share with them about all the great times we had. One memory that will be stuck in my head forever was the time we shot off fireworks over top my Grandpa Mari's Lake of the Ozarks.

Well we had a crowd of family and friends watching it was great!

My cousin Ryan, my Brother Chris and I started shooting bottle rockets.... without the bottle.... cause what fun is that! I started sticking them in the ground trying to make them skip across the lake. It looked awesome when they blew up on top of the water or right in the water, super cool.

The Last bottle rocket.... well this last one I did... yep I admit it.

I Did It.

I lit it as it stuck in the ground so perfect ready to skip across the water... then it ...uh oh.. no.. no.. wait.. no, no, no, no ....

As the rocket was still sticking in the ground trying to launch it shook back and forth up and down side to side...

then on a direct route to my Grandpa.

POP!

It singed the hairs right off my Grandpa's leg.

After I mentioned it at the 60th anniversary party Grandpa Mari (Marion) said he still has a scar from it.

Great times, our family shared these memories for hours that night.

My Grandma, we call her Grandma P, shared with us how important it is to have a Christian marriage. We sure have learned so much from them and hope to have so many more memories with them.

It is hard to write this now but my Grandpa needs prayer today. He is in surgery for a triple bypass. Please pray for him, the Doctors and our family.

Canyon Jumpers

Canyon Jumpers Romans 5:1, 10-11John Mulpas is our Minister at OCC. http://www.johnmulpas.com/ I still kept the listening guide because I felt it was important to share with you.
Canyon Jumpers
How Can I Bridge the Gap Between Me and God?
Option #1 I can __________(indulge) myself.
Option #2 I can __________(compare) myself.
Yes I have indulged myself to many times, haven't we all?
Yes I have compared myself to others or what I used to be able to do.
Isaiah 64:6 We are all like one who is unclean, all our so-called righteous acts are like a filthy rags in your sight. We all wither like a leaf; our sins carry us away like the wind.
Matthew 5 : 13-16
Salt and Light
5:13 “You are the salt 13 of the earth. But if salt loses its flavor, 14 how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled on by people. 5:14 You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill cannot be hidden. 5:15 People 15 do not light a lamp and put it under a basket 16 but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before people, so that they can see your good deeds and give honor to your Father in heaven.
The Condemnation of the Unrighteous
1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of people 39 who suppress the truth by their 40 unrighteousness, 41 1:19 because what can be known about God is plain to them, 42 because God has made it plain to them. 1:20 For since the creation of the world his invisible attributes – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, because they are understood through what has been made. So people 43 are without excuse. 1:21 For although they knew God, they did not glorify him as God or give him thanks, but they became futile in their thoughts and their senseless hearts 44 were darkened. 1:22 Although they claimed 45 to be wise, they became fools 1:23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for an image resembling mortal human beings 46 or birds or four-footed animals 47 or reptiles.1:24 Therefore God gave them over 48 in the desires of their hearts to impurity, to dishonor 49 their bodies among themselves. 50 1:25 They 51 exchanged the truth of God for a lie 52 and worshiped and served the creation 53 rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.1:26 For this reason God gave them over to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged the natural sexual relations for unnatural ones, 54 1:27 and likewise the men also abandoned natural relations with women 55 and were inflamed in their passions 56 for one another. Men 57 committed shameless acts with men and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.1:28 And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God, 58 God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what should not be done. 59 1:29 They are filled 60 with every kind of unrighteousness, wickedness, covetousness, malice. They are rife with 61 envy, murder, strife, deceit, hostility. They are gossips, 1:30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, contrivers of all sorts of evil, disobedient to parents, 1:31 senseless, covenant-breakers, 62 heartless, ruthless. 1:32 Although they fully know 63 God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, 64 they not only do them but also approve of those who practice them. 65 Romans 1:18-32
The Condemnation of the Moralist
2:1 1 Therefore 2 you are without excuse, 3 whoever you are, 4 when you judge someone else. 5 For on whatever grounds 6 you judge another, you condemn yourself, because you who judge practice the same things. 2:2 Now we know that God’s judgment is in accordance with truth 7 against those who practice such things. 2:3 And do you think, 8 whoever you are, when you judge 9 those who practice such things and yet do them yourself, 10 that you will escape God’s judgment? 2:4 Or do you have contempt for the wealth of his kindness, forbearance, and patience, and yet do not know 11 that God’s kindness leads you to repentance? 2:5 But because of your stubbornness 12 and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath for yourselves in the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment is revealed! 13 2:6 He 14 will reward 15 each one according to his works: 16 2:7 eternal life to those who by perseverance in good works seek glory and honor and immortality, 2:8 but 17 wrath and anger to those who live in selfish ambition 18 and do not obey the truth but follow 19 unrighteousness. 2:9 There will be 20 affliction and distress on everyone 21 who does evil, on the Jew first and also the Greek, 22 2:10 but 23 glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, for the Jew first and also the Greek. 2:11 For there is no partiality with God. 2:12 For all who have sinned apart from the law 24 will also perish apart from the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. 2:13 For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous before God, but those who do the law will be declared righteous. 25 2:14 For whenever the Gentiles, 26 who do not have the law, do by nature 27 the things required by the law, 28 these who do not have the law are a law to themselves. 2:15 They 29 show that the work of the law is written 30 in their hearts, as their conscience bears witness and their conflicting thoughts accuse or else defend 31 them, 32 2:16 on the day when God will judge 33 the secrets of human hearts, 34 according to my gospel 35 through Christ Jesus. Romans2:1-16

Option#3 I can ________(Save) myself. Yep I can do it myself I don't need anyones help.
=> Religion is spelled (D)-(O) DO.
Conduct Toward Those Outside the Church
3:1 Remind them to be subject to rulers and 1 authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work. 3:2 They must not slander 2 anyone, but be peaceable, gentle, showing complete courtesy to all people. 3:3 For we too were once foolish, disobedient, misled, enslaved to various passions and desires, spending our lives in evil and envy, hateful and hating one another. 3:4 3 But “when the kindness of God our Savior and his love for mankind appeared, 3:5 he saved us not by works of righteousness that we have done but on the basis of his mercy, through the washing of the new birth and the renewing of the Holy Spirit, 3:6 whom he poured out on us in full measure 4 through Jesus Christ our Savior. 3:7 And so, 5 since we have been justified by his grace, we become heirs with the confident expectation of eternal life.” 6 Titus 3:1-7
The Illustration of Justification
4:1 What then shall we say that Abraham, our ancestor according to the flesh, 1 has discovered regarding this matter? 2 4:2 For if Abraham was declared righteous 3 by the works of the law, he has something to boast about – but not before God. 4:3 For what does the scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited 4 to him as righteousness.” 5 4:4 Now to the one who works, his pay is not credited due to grace but due to obligation. 6 4:5 But to the one who does not work, but believes in the one who declares the ungodly righteous, 7 his faith is credited as righteousness.4:6 So even David himself speaks regarding the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:4:7 “Blessed 8 are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered;4:8 blessed is the one 9 against whom the Lord will never count 10 sin.” 114:9 Is this blessedness 12 then for 13 the circumcision 14 or also for 15 the uncircumcision? For we say, “faith was credited to Abraham as righteousness.” 16 4:10 How then was it credited to him? Was he circumcised at the time, or not? No, he was not circumcised but uncircumcised! 4:11 And he received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised, 17 so that he would become 18 the father of all those who believe but have never been circumcised, 19 that they too could have righteousness credited to them. 4:12 And he is also the father of the circumcised, 20 who are not only circumcised, but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham possessed when he was still uncircumcised. 214:13 For the promise 22 to Abraham or to his descendants that he would inherit the world was not fulfilled through the law, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. 4:14 For if they become heirs by the law, faith is empty and the promise is nullified. 23 4:15 For the law brings wrath, because where there is no law there is no transgression 24 either. 4:16 For this reason it is by faith so that it may be by grace, 25 with the result that the promise may be certain to all the descendants – not only to those who are under the law, but also to those who have the faith of Abraham, 26 who is the father of us all 4:17 (as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”). 27 He is our father 28 in the presence of God whom he believed – the God who 29 makes the dead alive and summons the things that do not yet exist as though they already do. 30 4:18 Against hope Abraham 31 believed 32 in hope with the result that he became the father of many nations 33 according to the pronouncement, 34 “so will your descendants be.” 35 4:19 Without being weak in faith, he considered 36 his own body as dead 37 (because he was about one hundred years old) and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. 4:20 He 38 did not waver in unbelief about the promise of God but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God. 4:21 He was 39 fully convinced that what God 40 promised he was also able to do. 4:22 So indeed it was credited to Abraham 41 as righteousness.4:23 But the statement it was credited to him 42 was not written only for Abraham’s 43 sake, 4:24 but also for our sake, to whom it will be credited, those who believe in the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 4:25 He 44 was given over 45 because of our transgressions and was raised for the sake of 46 our justification. 47 Romans 4:1-25
The Believer’s Freedom from Sin’s Domination
6:1 What shall we say then? Are we to remain in sin so that grace may increase? 6:2 Absolutely not! How can we who died to sin still live in it? 6:3 Or do you not know that as many as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 6:4 Therefore we have been buried with him through baptism into death, in order that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too may live a new life. 16:5 For if we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, we will certainly also be united in the likeness of his resurrection. 2 6:6 We know that 3 our old man was crucified with him so that the body of sin would no longer dominate us, 4 so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. 6:7 (For someone who has died has been freed from sin.) 56:8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 6:9 We know 6 that since Christ has been raised from the dead, he is never going to die 7 again; death no longer has mastery over him. 6:10 For the death he died, he died to sin once for all, but the life he lives, he lives to God. 6:11 So you too consider yourselves 8 dead to sin, but 9 alive to God in Christ Jesus.6:12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its desires, 6:13 and do not present your members to sin as instruments 10 to be used for unrighteousness, 11 but present yourselves to God as those who are alive from the dead and your members to God as instruments 12 to be used for righteousness. 6:14 For sin will have no mastery over you, because you are not under law but under grace.The Believer’s Enslavement to God’s Righteousness6:15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Absolutely not! 6:16 Do you not know that if you present yourselves 13 as obedient slaves, 14 you are slaves of the one you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or obedience resulting in righteousness? 15 6:17 But thanks be to God that though you were slaves to sin, you obeyed 16 from the heart that pattern 17 of teaching you were entrusted to, 6:18 and having been freed from sin, you became enslaved to righteousness. 6:19 (I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh.) 18 For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification. 6:20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free with regard to righteousness.6:21 So what benefit 19 did you then reap 20 from those things that you are now ashamed of? For the end of those things is death. 6:22 But now, freed 21 from sin and enslaved to God, you have your benefit 22 leading to sanctification, and the end is eternal life. 6:23 For the payoff 23 of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:1-23
=> Christianity is spelled D-O-N-E (DONE).
The Expectation of Justification
5:1 1 Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have 2 peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 5:2 through whom we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice 3 in the hope of God’s glory. 5:3 Not 4 only this, but we also rejoice in sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 5:4 and endurance, character, and character, hope. 5:5 And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God 5 has been poured out 6 in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.5:6 For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 5:7 (For rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person perhaps someone might possibly dare to die.) 7 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 5:9 Much more then, because we have now been declared righteous 8 by his blood, 9 we will be saved through him from God’s wrath. 10 5:10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, how much more, since we have been reconciled, will we be saved by his life? 5:11 Not 11 only this, but we also rejoice 12 in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received this reconciliation. Romans 5:1-11
Option#4______________(Surrender) myself.
I have experienced all of the above Options. I have indulged, compared, saved and surrenderd myself.

Sorry for all the much needed info. I felt like all of it needed to be shared.

Love the Lord God with all your Soul, Mind, and Body.

Top 10 Reasons People Leave a Church

Found this very interesting www.truthpatrol.blogspot.com

For a bigger picture of the chart click here.
Why they FleeThe latest findings from the LifeWay Research area of LifeWay Christian Resources give the top 10 reasons adults switch churches.This study builds on LifeWay Research’s 2006 study of the formerly churched, which explored the reasons adults stop going to church.

The current findings explain why people change churches and how these situations differ from those in which the individual does not resume church attendance at all.
Church switchers are defined as Protestant Americans who have attended more than one church regularly as an adult."There are two types of people who slip out through the back door of the church," said Scott McConnell, associate director of LifeWay Research. "One group is probably leaving church permanently, and the other group is going to find a new church."To understand why adults choose to change churches, 415 "non-mover" church switchers – who changed churches for reasons other than changes to their residential location – were surveyed in December 2006.

The study results indicate that overall, those who change churches for reasons other than moving are more likely fleeing their previous church rather than being drawn to another. Fifty-eight percent of study participants said the greatest impact on their decision to switch churches was "my need/desire to leave my previous church." The other 42 percent left because of the desire to join their current church.For full article click here.

Orrville Christian Church

This Past Sunday in Church really made me cry. Tears of joy, which is a great thing men. In our class before 2nd service we were told to go into the Sanctuary quietly and Pray. It was hard not knowing what service was going to be like. No Church bulletins or talking or laughing, just come in, sit down and pray.

Ok change is hard! When you do something for so long you get used to it or it becomes repetitive at least with me it has.

My Heart was not in it that day.

You want to give God your best every day! Think of the movie Facing the Giants. In that movie the coach is yelling incouragement to his football player "I want your Best, Give me Your Best, Your Absolute Best, Don't Give Up, Keep Going, Your Best, Your Very Best,....."

You need to watch that movie even if the actors weren't to great. But I own the Movie and it gets me everytime.

So anyway just like in Church I was feeling bad that I don't give God my very Best and I always fall short of my Goals or I sin so much.

Now we are half way through our service and I feel it has been very hard to give God my attention at Church. I felt like I couldn't stay focused on anything. You can clearly tell I was not thinking about God it was all for me. Me, me, me, me....

Then communion time comes... Our Minister John says something like " get out a piece of paper and write down your sins and lay them at the foot of the cross for Jesus." We had a big cross in church that day and it is never there. It was in the way of the big screen and It was hard to read while we were singing all day.

So as I am writing my sins on the paper he said we will take communion up here at the 2 tables instead of it being handed to us at our seat. Another change that we had. Again thinking of me, me, me, me, me...

I get up out of the pew and start to walk down the aisle, not first of course. Then waiting in line I am starting to ask God to forgive my sorry behind, feeling not worthy at all. Then I hear... A Loud Thump Thump Thump..... Thump Thump Thump.

Three men are at the cross nailing our sins on the cross. We had several people in Church that day maybe over 300 hundred so there was a lot of hammering.

After I took communion I stood at our pew I closed my eyes and asked God to really forgive me I told Him sorry for being such a pain. I told Him this time, and I hope to mean it the same next time. It hurt me to realize how bad I really can be. If you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior you can nail your sins to the cross and be forgiven. That's what life is about. You need Jesus in your life. You cannot live without Him. I can't breathe without Him and He is the reason why I live today.

If you have seen Passion of the Christ, you may have seen the part where Jesus gets nailed to the cross. Or you turned your head and listened to the Hammer Thumping the Nails through His Hands and feet.

I thought about that in Church when we nailed our sins to the cross.

I pray that I become more Christ like and that I change to be more like Him. I also Pray that others will come to know Him as well.

Sunday one of my friends decided to get baptized in the name of the Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit. Amen.

Thank you Lord for such a great day!

Noahs Ark # 2

In the year 2006, the Lord came unto Noah, who was now living in the United States, and said, once again, the earth has become wicked and over-populated, and I see the end of all flesh before me. Build another Ark and save 2 of every living thing along with a few good humans.

He gave Noah the blueprints, saying, You have 6 months to build the Ark before I start the unending rain for 40 days and 40 nights.

Six months later, the Lord looked down and saw Noah weeping in his yard -but no Ark.

Noah! He roared, Im about to start the rain! Where is the Ark?

Forgive me, Lord, begged Noah, but things have changed.

I needed a building permit.

Ive been arguing with the inspector about the need for a sprinkler system.

My neighbors claim that Ive violated the neighborhood zoning laws by building the Ark in my yard and exceeding the height limitations.

We had to go to the Development Appeal Board for a decision.

Then the Department of Transportation demanded a bond be posted for the future costs of moving power lines and other overhead obstructions, to clear the passage for the Ark is move to the sea. I told them that the sea would be coming to us, but they would hear nothing of it.

Getting the wood was another problem.

Theres a ban on cutting local trees in order to save the spotted owl. I tried to convince the environmentalists that I needed the wood to save the owls - but no go! When I started gathering the animals, an animal rights group sued me. They insisted that I was confining wild animals against their will. They argued the accommodation was too restrictive, and it was cruel and inhumane to put so many animals in a confined space.

Then the EPA ruled that I couldnt build the Ark until theyd conducted an environmental impact study on your proposed flood.

Im still trying to resolve a complaint with the Human Rights Commission on how many minorities Im supposed to hire for my building crew. Immigration and Naturalization is checking the green-card status of most of the people who want to work.

The trades unions say I cant use my sons. They insist I have to hire only Union workers with Ark-building experience.

To make matters worse, the IRS seized all my assets, claiming Im trying to leave the country illegally with endangered species.

So, forgive me, Lord, but it would take at least 10 years for me to finish this Ark.

Suddenly the skies cleared, the sun began to shine, and a rainbow stretched across the sky.

Noah looked up in wonder and asked, You mean youre not going to destroy the world?

No, said the Lord.

The government beat me to it.

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT DEATH

Death is certain but the Bible speaks about untimely death! Make a personal reflection about this. Very interesting, read until the end.

It is written in the Bible (Galatians 6:7): "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."

Here are some men and women who mocked God:

JOHN LENNON: Some years before, during his interview with an American Magazine, he said: "Christianity will end, it will disappear. I do not have to argue about that. I am certain. Jesus was ok, but his subjects were too simple, today we are more famous than Him" (1966). Lennon, after saying that the Beatles were more famous than Jesus Christ, was shot six times.

TANCREDO NEVES (President of Brazil): During the Presidential campaign, he said if he got 500,000 votes from his party, not even God would remove him from Presidency. Sure he got the votes, but he got sick a day before being made President, then he died.

CAZUZA (Bi-sexual Brazilian composer, singer and poet): During a show in Canecïo ( Rio de Janeiro ), whilst smoking his cigarette, he puffed out some smoke into the air and said: "God, that's for you." He died at the age of 32 of AIDS in a horrible manner.

THE MAN WHO BUILT THE TITANIC: After the construction of the Titanic, a reporter asked him how safe the Titanic would be. With an ironic tone he said: "Not even God can sink it" The result: I think you all know what happened to the Titanic.

MARILYN MONROE: She was visited by Billy Graham during a presentation of a show. He said the Spirit of God had sent him to preach to her. After hearing what the Preacher had to say, she said: "I don't need your Jesus". A week later, she was found dead in her apartment.

BON SCOTT: The ex-vocalist of the AC/DC. On one of his 1979 songs he sang: "Don't stop me, I'm going down all the way, down the highway to hell". On the 19th of February 1980, Bon Scott was found dead, he had been choked by his own vomit.

CAMPINAS/SP IN 2005: In Campinas, Brazil a group of friends, drunk, went to pick up a friend. The mother accompanied her to the car and was so worried about the drunkenness of her friends and she said to the daughter - holding her hand, who was already seated in the car: "MY DAUGHTER, GO WITH GOD AND MAY HE PROTECT YOU."

She responded: "ONLY IF HE(GOD) TRAVELS IN THE TRUNK, CAUSE INSIDE HERE IT'S ALREADY FULL". Hours later, news came by that they had been involved in a fatal accident, everyone had died, the car could not be recognized what type of car it had been, but surprisingly, the trunk was intact. The police said there was no way the trunk could have remained intact. To their surprise, inside the trunk was a crate of eggs, none were broken.

Christine Hewitt: A Jamaican Journalist and entertainer, said the Bible (Word of God) was the worst book ever written, in June 2006 she was found burnt beyond recognition in her motor vehicle. Many more important people have forgotten that there is no other name that was given so much authority as the name of Jesus. Many have died, but only Jesus died and rose again, and he is still alive.

JESUS Predicts His Death!!!

Jesus turned and said to Peter, " Get behind me Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men." Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done. I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom." (Matthew 16:23-28).

AWANA

Well sorry it took me so long to tell everyone that I had a great time at AWANA! I was the speaker for there AWANA Grand Prix. They did a pine wood derby race and it was my first experience. It was so awesome to see how much time they put into the cars to get them ready. The kids thought about racing these cars for 4 months prior to this event. Sort of like racing in a National Racing Calendar event. So the kids were excited!

I did my best to get the kids interested in racing there cars and telling them how important it is to have Jesus in there life. Also giving God the glory for the great things he has done in our lives.
This was my first experience of being a guest speaker so I know I will do better in April when the next one comes.

I had a wonderful time at North Alliance Church on Sunday as well. They made me feel very welcome and I felt like I was at my Church. I really enjoyed talking to the kids in Sunday School
class and felt that the Lord helped me to share everything I needed to share with them. Bunch of great kids and Families at that Church. I hope to take my wife and Daughter up there someday. Thanks to Dave for introducing the muffins to me. After Church service we all had Fellowship time eating Muffins and drinking coffee. I enjoyed this the most and I encourage other Churches to have a fellowship time together before during or after Church. Our Church has this as well. I guess I enjoyed it so much because I was eating those great muffins and had more time to fellowship.

Thanks to Cheryl and Dave Young for getting me started, I was more nervous than any bike race I have done since I was 12. Thanks to AWANA and Larry for a great time and giving me the chance to speak. Also Thanks to the North Alliance Church and the Pastors and Pastors Wives for a great two days.

P.S. It was great to go out on the roads Saturday with Dave and show me how hard it is to ride up in Norwalk. The wind that day was at least 30 mph! Now wonder why he is so strong.

Is Global Warming True?

That is the question that many people are having these days, especially if one is in the Democrat Party in the state of Iowa. In all fairness, I should say that not all Democrats would hold to the theory of Global Warming. It is not uncommon to hear from the mouths of many church members around here "This Global Warming is something, really something." I had a man come up to me this past Sunday and those were his words. He really felt that if it wasn't for Global Warming we would be looking at minus 20 to 30 degree weather right now in Clinton, IA. And this is a man almost 90 years old believing this stuff! I beg to differ, it is a sign of the End Times. We are in the last days and the weather points to that fact. One just does not read of Global Warming in the Bible. Friends, the weather patterns are different everywhere right now and I don't care what part of the U.S.A a person lives in.

In my humble opinion, things are going to get worse and worse until Jesus comes again and that includes the weather. America in it entirety will never, never get any better. (Read Matt. 24). Come on now, why should the weather forecast and other things like that take our eyes off the good news of the gospel, the cross of Christ and the things of God in general? It shouldn't and nothing should! Don't be deceived into believing something that is not scriptural.

It appears that many Americans really have stooped to the point of worshiping aspects of creation over the creator of the universe; the God that made everything including the weather patterns. (Read Rom. 1:24,25). Do you think for a moment that the weather patterns are controlling themselves or that God is in control of them? I opt for the second choice. I think some people better stop and think what it means to say that God is sovereign. When sovereignty is spoken of in the Bible it means that God is in complete control of things in heaven and on earth and that clearly proves that He created the weather and is control of it. So much for the theory of Global Warming, that idea in thrown out the window with the baby's bathwater.

Jesus Christ is coming back a second time and the Bible says it will be like a thief in the night. He is coming when a person least expects it. Are you ready? Are your bags packed, life right? Begin placing your faith, trust in Him today and not the weather or anything of this world. Jesus Christ clearly died for the sins of the world, place your faith in Him today for the forgiveness of your sins if you have never done so. Begin living a life of victory in Him! Praise God for His Grace that Saves!

posted by Pastor R C

Thanks Ryan Hope to get out to Iowa this april.

It won't be long now

The weather is changing and it is getting warmer. I hope to be on the bike this week. Last year at this time I had 122 hrs. This year I have 22 hrs Total. I hope I can boost that number up soon. For the month of Jan I rode 18 hrs, feb 4hrs and 19 mins. I think it is great spending more time with the family right now. I am a procrastinator and weather permitting I still have time to get ready by the end of May.

On a sad note Caylin, Becky and I all went outside to play in the snow. That was so much Fun! Sad part is we are not moving up north any time soon. It was so much fun to see her hitting me with snowballs and sledding down the hill by herself.

Wednesday Orrville club rides are coming soon as well as races in april and Church softball in May. I haven't played softball in a long time. At least six years. Caylin will have a great time seeing Daddy hit the ball. Then she will tell me to run, don't forget to slide.

Speaking of sliding, I tried to go to work today. Sheet of ice so I went back into the driveway after almost falling twice.

Continued...

Bike is still downstairs! I have not rode inside yet. I know I said I would but I have been busy shoveling snow the past two days! we were reported to have anywhere from 12 to 15 inches of snow. It is so awesome! My upper body is getting a great work out.

I did ride in 12 degree weather on sat for 1hr and 34 min. I had a great time and hope to do that again Feb 24th unless the roads are clear than I could ride more.

The Lord has blessed our family so much. We are healthy and we have a house that is warm at night. Food on the table and water to drink. Thank you Lord!

The Bike is downstairs

Last night I put my Trek downstairs. Hey it's a start! Tonight I hope to get on the bike and ride it. I may even leave it downstairs for good, thanks to Tim Jackson.

My sponsored A&F bike was broke and I sent it back to Tim. He sent me another awesome Masi bike. I don't know who was more excited Caylin or me? With the bike came the important bubble wrap to protect the bike. I wonder where you buy that stuff? Caylin had a blast last night and so did we watching her or listening to her. I took a couple of pics cause she was having so much fun, it was a Kodak moment.

I met Tim Jackson at the A&F team training camp last year and he gave us those awesome bikes and his sincere opinions! The Masi bike handle perfectly last year, even at my Top speed ever. At the National Road Race Championships I hit over 68 mph. Yes I was the first one down the Mountain by far. The bike felt like I was going only 50 mph, I couldn't believe it! Tim is a great Man and I wish him and his family the best. I will put up a new post when I ride the new Masi Bike, but I don't think I will try to go as fast unless I don't realize it again which is a possibility.

GodSpeed

Shewwww...

Wow I am going to be busy till Easter! I may not get to race till the weekend after Easter. I think that is what I did the very first year I started racing. My first race was a cat 3/4 race at malabar farms. Tym Tyler put that race on. We had like 70 racers in our group and only 7 in the cat 1/2 field. Things sure have changed since then...Not! By the way that day it was snowing, I think it was March 31st or something like that. Any way I plan on getting on the bike again after taking off for 2 months, well I only have in 42 hours in the last 2 months. I have 3 hrs in the last 3 weeks all on one day that I mentioned on the other post.

So it's been 5 months since I was going to start losing weight. I have been doing good with my my family goal. I have been going to Church a lot more and almost every Sunday. Caylin Loves going to Church! Becky and I also do. I have read at least one book almost two books since then. Also I have had Bible study with families from the Church. We have a great time, but there is always food. Big problem for me, but that's ok. I just told one of my friends from Church I want to play softball again. He said our minister is thinking about it too. So I will have a very full year even without cycling.

God has become the priority in my life again and I am so much happier! I will have more time to ride when the weather gets nice, so then I can take Caylin with me. I still think there is a chance for me to be ready by the end of May but we will see. I have not rode my bike inside yet, but I plan on it real soon. I can't wait to race this year, it will be a miracle even if I finish!

Just got my awesome uniforms from Team GodSpeed! They are sweet!!! Yellow has and will always be my color! Thanks to Team GodSpeed, they are busy, busy, busy. They have a lot of things planned for 2007. I pray that God gives us the energy we need to get all the work done.

Almost forgot I saw on A&F's website Timmy won his first race! Great job Timmy! Also Harper and Hekman won as well! I can't wait to see them race this year!