Voice of the Victory Riders

Transcription

1 Voice of the Victory Riders CMA Chapter 1073 December 2012 Jena, LA Chapter officers President David Smith Vice President H.O. Berry Secretary Jean Smith Treasurer Paula Berry Chaplain Norma Sharp Road Captain James Dedman December Calendar Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat December 1 December 3 December 7 December 8 December 10 December 17 Dec. 29 Jan. 1 January 7 & 21 January 14 January 28 Grant Parish Toy Run Chapter Christmas Party Jena Christmas Parade Olla Christmas Parade Chapter Meeting Chapter Bible Study January Events Flame On! Bikes & Burgers Chapter Meeting Bible Study Prayer Requests Christmas ministries for the needy Beautiful Feet Ministries Donnie, Jeanie & Dillon Tim prison ministry Philip Cockerham Tom Cockerham Ashley medical Lance & family Daniel Bill Phyllis injured shoulder, recuperating from surgery, getting therapy Sheila Boyd Jeanie Donnie & Mark Wiggins New CMA officers who will begin serving in January. Victory Riders meet the 2 nd Monday of every month at Rick s Pizza on Oak Street in downtown Jena. Come early, (around 6) to eat and fellowship and we will begin the meeting at 7:00 P.M.

2 A word from the President Looks like for the most part our riding season is rapidly coming to an end, well, sort of. As the weather gets cooler Jean and I have been spending less time on the bike and more in the car. Not that we can t ride in the cold (been there, done that) it s just that with older age comes thinner blood and it makes it harder to get and stay warm. However, that doesn t mean that we have to be any less active in our CMA activities. I was so pleased with the food drive that we had for the Senior Citizens. I know that the food was a blessing to those who received it and that it made a difference in their holiday celebration. It was such a blessing to collect the food knowing that it would help some elderly folks to have a better Thanksgiving. That being said I want to challenge our chapter to do another food drive for the Christmas season. Jean and I have some ideas to make it even more successful so that we can provide food to even more of those in need. Jean and I spent Thanksgiving afternoon at the Salvation Army Shelter serving a meal to the homeless and needy. What a blessing it was. We also spent Saturday morning at the Wal-Mart in Alexandria ringing the bell for the Salvation Army kettle drive, Bill and Norma joined us and manned the kettle at the other door. God is so faithful to use us if we will just let Him. Included in this edition of our newsletter is a list of opportunities to serve over the next few weeks. I want to encourage you to see where God can use you to help those in need. In Matthew 25:34-40 Jesus tells us: Then the King will say to those on his right, Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. Then the righteous will answer him, Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you? The King will reply, Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. Let God use you this Christmas season to help those in need and, as always, Wear Your Colors. It s All About JESUS! David Smith, President PS. Wear your colors proudly.

3 Chaplain s Corner What It Takes to Struggle with Something Hard By Rachel Olsen "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." Romans 8:37 (NIV) Beginning in my twenties, I wrestled each day with chronic pain and fatigue. The first few years of it, doctors had no idea why. to save you. So lean into Him because you need His strength until His deliverance comes. Because despite all this stuff we're struggling with, victory is ours through Christ who loves us. Taken from Proverbs 31 Ministries Devotions It truly is all about JESUS! Norma Sharp, Chaplain Then came the diagnosis: fibromyalgia. I was told this condition was poorly understood, not very treatable, and also not reversible. In fact, they called it "degenerative," meaning it would worsen as I aged. In short, doctors said I had no chance to conquer this pain. The pain worsened for a couple years and I couldn't image what my life would be like five, ten or fifty years down the road. I prayed for deliverance. Looking back I'm astonished that despite my pain, I continued to work a full time job and take courses for a master's degree. I really don't know how I did that except through Christ because it was such a struggle daily. To concentrate on my work or schoolwork took an inordinate amount of effort because I had to focus over top of the ever-present pain in the foreground. Not to mention, a lack of quality sleep. Fibromyalgia was the thorn in my side, quite literally. And I leaned into God for strength. Often through tears. Seven years after my pain began, I was walking by a lake one day praying yet again for deliverance from this. And while I had often sensed God heard my prayers, this time I sensed He also answered. I sensed deliverance. Year-eight saw me pain free from fibromyalgia the incurable, degenerative condition doctors don't totally understand. My condition stopped degenerating that evening by the lake and instead began improving. I don't know what your story is today what you are struggling with or against. But I know this: God knows your situation and He is not indifferent toward it or you. He loves you mightily! And His right arm is not too short Road Captain Report Greetings as we enter the last month of this year. We have a full month ahead of us, with the toy run, the Jena (7th) and Olla(8th) parades, decorating our float and our chapter Christmas party, just to name a few. Most importantly is the real reason for celebrating Christmas which is Jesus Christ. On November 11th we made a church run to Old Bethel Baptist Church in Clarks, where Bill and Norma attend church. Those enjoying singing of old hymns and hearing good preaching were: H.O. and Paula, Dillon, Dennis, David and Jean, Wyatt and Grace, Bill and Norma, Rita and me. David spoke about what CMA really is about and the mission of CMA. After the church service, we rode to Columbia for food at McDonald's with great fellowship. We did have a short sight-seeing tour before arriving at church. On November 19 Bikes and Burgers night was at B.J.'s Pizza in Ball, and enjoyed by Bill and Norma, Dennis, Mike and Pat, David and Jean, Rita and me and we were joined by a guest, Russell Reeder. H.O. and Paula made part of the ride, with bike trouble befalling them in Fishville.

4 The only thing I'm currently working on is a ride to Natchez, but, David and Jean recently visited an interesting museum in Bordelonville; maybe we can make a ride there and have lunch in Bunkie. I'll discuss these possible rides at our chapter meeting. May we always be thankful for each and every day God gives us, and may we do good for others each day. CMA now has a YouTube channel where you can find promo material and other items that we have on video! Check it out at: CMA is now broadcasting a weekly CMA worldwide update! The broadcast is every Wednesday at 10:00 AM, but you can view it anytime by logging onto: SAFETY TIP: Beware when you have a passenger or heavy cargo. Extra weight can effect acceleration, braking and handling of your bike. Be sure your passenger is wearing safety apparel. Merry Christmas to all. It s all about Jesus. James Dedman, Road Captain National website: Run For the Son May 4, 2013 Our State Officers: State Coordinator Jim & Loretta Owens bigo127@bellsouth.net Area Reps Ron & Kathy McMaster mcmasterrp@hughes.net Youth Reps Donnie & Jeanie Stevenson donnieandjeanie@hotmail.com

5 December 11 December 12 December 25 Rudy Bond Tim Kirl Jesus! Upcoming Events December 1 December 3 December 6 December 7 December 8 December 12 December 17 December 25 Dec. 29 Jan. 1 Grant Parish Toy Run Chapter Christmas Party Decorate Float Jena Parade Olla Parade Chapter Meeting Bible Study Christmas Day Flame On! Don t forget Bible Study on the fourth Monday of each month at 6:00 PM at Midway Baptist Church Fellowship Hall. Bring your Bible and a desire to grow in the Word. (Also bring some sandwiches, chips or dessert!) December 12 December 26 Bill & Norma Sharp H.O. & Paula Berry Victory Riders website Victory Riders online calendar Website Calendar PLEASE!!! Bring the list of your CMA activities to the chapter meeting, or call, or text it to me. This includes rides, rallies, hospital visits, witnessing or prayer opportunities. You don t need to include details, just the month and type of event. I must report these on my quarterly report. I try very hard to remember who is present at things I attend, but I also need to report your individual activities. Thanks, Jean (Special thanks to Norma and Rita for ing those to me each month!)

6 This has always been one of my favorite Carols, and in today s world it reminds us that God is still in control. I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day I heard the bells on Christmas Day Their old, familiar carols play, And wild and sweet The words repeat Of peace on earth, good-will to men! And in despair I bowed my head; There is no peace on earth, I said; For hate is strong, And mocks the song Of peace on earth, good-will to men! Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: God is not dead; nor doth he sleep! The Wrong shall fail, The Right prevail, With peace on earth, good-will to men! Written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Jean and David at Wal-Mart, November 24. Let Every Day Be Christmas Christmas is forever, not just for one day, Sharing and giving are not to be put away. Don t hide them away in some box on a shelf. The good you do for others is good you do yourself. Norma and Bill at Wal-Mart in Alexandria. Church run to Old Bethel Baptist Church, November 11.

7 Breakfast at Buhlow Lake before the toy run. Before the birth of Jesus, who received a visit from an angel announcing the miraculous birth? a) Mary b) Joseph c) Both A and B are correct. Pulling out for the Grant Parish Toy Run. Who visited Jesus on the night of his birth? a) Shepherds. b) Wise men. c) Both A and B are correct. How many wise men were there? a. At least two b. Three c. No reference Which prophet foretold the birth of Jesus with these words? - "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." a) Jeremiah b) Isaiah c) Ezekiel Mike and Pat prepare to ride Saturday at the toy run. If you have pictures of events, them to me & I will include them in a future newsletter!