We went to the chapter ride today, meeting at Rudy’s BBQ, or actually because Rudy’s is so busy, we meet at Carrabba’s right next door.  They don’t open early, so we had lots of room in their parking lot to form up.  Anyway, Debbie got back from her most recent trip to California last evening late, and she wasn’t feeling 100%, so we wimped out and took the car.  Seems like this is getting to be a habit.  Oh well. Max came on his new ride (to him at least), a Kawasaki Sport Bike.  Very pretty. We had a good group, about 11 bikes and one car when we headed out a back way about 11:45 am up to our first stop the CEFCO gas station at 1431 in Lago Vista.  Everyone got something to drink, and I stopped in to the local Cafe & Coffee Shop for a caramel coffee slushy. Yum! Then it was out 1431 west, then south on 281 in Marble Falls, and then back East on 71 to our lunch destination the Down Under Deli as advertised in Biker Living. Food was great, Debbie and I had a Pizza, others had more gourmet stuff that was all fresh grilled or baked.  Even the pizza had a hand thrown crust. Nothing to complain about, and the prices were very reasonable.  We spent less than $20, for the two of us and we had leftovers for dinner.  The restaurant was decorated with a number of interesting, let me call them sculptures with various themes.  There were a couple of motorcyclish things outside, and a robot inside, and a sort of puppet thing up on the stage.  I think you might need to look at the pictures to understand what I am talking about.  Anyway, after lunch, and hanging around a bit to talk to the owner, we headed back to the city, another great day.  Enjoy the pics, click for bigger ones as usual.

I went down to Brackenridge hospital to visit a downed Harley guy. He is doing ok, but has a long recovery ahead of him. I pray the Lord will heal him quickly, and bless him spiritually as well.

Since I was downtown, I decided to stop in at the Capital and shoot some photos of our beautiful Capital Building.  Enjoy;

Oh, yes, that last picture of me is illuminated by a bright red light that is at the exit gate warning anyone in a car that they need to stop until the gate opens.

Just a few pictures of the wedding today, joining Jaded and Bandido Stonecold.

It was a wonderful wedding out at Cindy’s Hog Wild, I hope you didn’t miss it!

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We had our New Life Riders chapter meeting this evening.  As usual, we had a large group, and lots of stuff to talk about. I presented my chaplains devotional, which you can read below if you like.  We had visitors Charles and Linda, and the always faithful Claude.  This new year is certainly starting out with a bang, and lots of activities.  This weekend is Seasons of refreshing and then on Sunday the TMRA General Membership Meeting.  After some good food, and the meeting, we all headed outside for some tire kicking, although I don’t think I actually saw any tires get kicked.  Overall, a good time was had by all.

You know, we always hear that God can perform miracles, and we have all heard about the miracles that God has done in other peoples lives. So why is it that in my life, God chooses not to fulfill the miracle I ask for, even when I ask over and over again. After all, the bible says in James 4:2, “you do not have because you do not ask God”. That seems clear enough, if I want something, and I believe it is consistent with what God wants for me, then if I ask, God should provide. So what is the deal, and why doesn’t God do what I want?

Well, there actually is an answer to that question, and as is often the case, the answer comes far away in the Bible, in the next verse, James 4:3, which says “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures”. Ouch! That hurts! What do you mean I am asking for the wrong reasons, I don’t ask for money. All I want is healing, so I won’t chase after my own desires, and instead, will always consider God’s will before my own. I want it, and I want it now!

I know you are always hearing me harp on about how, only the things God does through us are of value to the kingdom, so what is wrong with praying for healing of my will. Well, I think I know the answer to my age old problem. This is the works that james talks about in James 2:18 “Show me your faith without works, and I will show you my faith by my works”. God wants me to voluntarily give up my will to Him, using my own power of choice. To which I say; I can’t do it, because I am too weak! And to this God replies; I made you the way you are, and I gave you free will, so that you could choose to do my will, or choose to do your own will. When you accepted me as your savior, I created in you a new heart and I gave you the Holy Spirit to live inside of you, so now you do have the power to make the right choice. So it is my choice. God, help me to make the right one.