Voice of the Victory Riders February 2013 CMA Chapter 1073 Chapter officers Jena, LA President David Smith 318-992-5580 jenacma@gmail.com Vice President Bill Sharp 318-237-4914 wildbill_1946@yahoo.com Secretary Jean Smith 318-992-5580 jsmith1161@gmail.com Treasurer Paula Berry 318-992-4921 haywoodberry@hotmail.com Chaplain H.O. Berry 318-992-4921 haywoodberry@hotmail.com Road Captain James Dedman 318-201-1963 shortyandrita@suddenlink.net By Rita Dedman Victory Riders website Victory Riders online calendar February is designated as heart month. Just a few reminders: Women do not always have the typical signs of an impending heart attack such as chest pain; instead, pain or discomfort may occur in shoulders, neck or jaw. For both males and females nausea, "breaking out in a cold sweat", shortness of breath, just an uneasy feeling or extreme fatigue may all be signs to be aware of. Having an annual check-up, healthy eating and exercise are important. Never hesitate to go to an E.R. or notify your physician; better safe than sorry if you have any suspicions something is wrong with your heart.
A word from the President What a wet and cold few weeks. January was not too friendly for us bikers because of it. However, after chatting with a few bikers from up north (one told me that he rode his bike to work the other day and the chill factor was 12 below) I am thankful that we do get a few good days among the cold and wet ones. Such was the case last Saturday (2/2/13) when 10 of us rode to Pineville to have breakfast at the Fly-in at the Buhlow Lake Airport. I am sure that James will tell you more about that ride but I want to focus on one particular incident. Rudy was out at his bike when another biker came by and asked him if he had a bike blessing sticker. Rudy called me over and asked if I had one and I told him that I did so the biker asked if we could bless his bike. I told him that it was a 2012 sticker because we hadn t got any 2013 stickers in yet. He shared with me that he usually went to the Spirit Riders bike blessing but didn t get to make it last year and that he didn t feel as safe without his bike being blessed so he was fine with the 2012 sticker until he could get a 2013 at the next bike blessing. We started to bless the bike and I asked if I could get the rest of the chapter members over to bless it. As we were waiting to get the rest of the members there to bless the bike several people walked by and one stopped and asked what we were doing. We were able to share with him how we bless the bikes and ask that God pour out His protection on the bike and the biker. What if we hadn t been there? What if we hadn t had a sticker? What if we hadn t been ready? What if we weren t wearing our colors? What if we hadn t been open to God s leadership? We would have missed an opportunity. It won t be long until better weather will be here and we will have many good days to ride. Along with those rides will be opportunities (ie. every time you stop for gas, to get a drink, to stretch your legs, to check the bike, to look at a map, someone is going to see you), will you be ready? The time to prepare is now! We need to be studying God s word and seeking His leadership. Our bikes need to be ready which means that we have the tools in it (we gave you a bag last year filled with witnessing tools, now is the time to check it and restock for the new riding season) and know how to use them. God is going to do a mighty work in our chapter this year and we have to be ready for it. It s All About JESUS! David Smith, President PS. Wear your colors proudly. Motorcycle truisms: If you wait, all that happens is that you get older. Two-lane blacktop isn't a highway - it's an attitude. You can forget what you do for a living when your knees are in the breeze. Prayer Requests Philip Cockerham Tom Cockerham Bill Phyllis injured shoulder Donnie & Mark Wiggins Jeanie Sheila Boyd Esther Bacle Julius Gunner cancer Betty Edwards cancer
Chaplain s Corner 2 Corinthians 4:1-5. 1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; 2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. 3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. We see in these verses that before we were saved, we were lost and in the world. When we received Christ we obtained mercy and Grace and we are to share it at all times. We put the things of this world behind us and share the Word of Christ in truth; not only in word but in living them in our everyday life. Satan has blinded people to God s Word and we are to shed the light of God s Word. What we do is not to draw attention to ourselves, but point them to Christ. The way we live our lives reflects our service and shows that we love our Lord and that we are faithful to Him. This world has a lot to offer to the lost and it is against God and His will for them. He came to save and not condemn. When you reject Him, you condemn yourself. So let s let our Light shine to the world and share God s Word every chance we get. It s all about Jesus, H.O. Berry, Chaplain H.O. and Paula at Officer Training in Pineville. Run for the Son May 4, 2013 Victory Riders meet the 2nd 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. 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 food!)
Road Captain Report Hello everyone, this year is not slowing down. On January 7th, Bikes and Burgers was held at Maw & Paws Restaurant and delicious food and great fellowship was enjoyed by David and Jean, H.O. and Paula, Jeanie, Dillon, Mike and Pat and Rita and me. Sadly, David did not get to take his PLATE home with him. We were happy to have Clayton and Vickie Davis with us at our chapter meeting on the 14th. They shared news from National and from around the state and encouraged us about Run for the Son. On January 19th we rode to Renegade Harley - Davidson in Alexandria for the benefit for Bones and Ms. Betty. We were able to interact with other CMA members as well as with many other bikers from other organizations. We enjoyed the good lunch there and had a great time. Those attending from our chapter were Mike, Rudy, David and Jean, Bill and Norma and Rita and me. Afterwards we rode to Dairy Queen in Ball for ice cream and we talked for hours. I shared my ice cream with Rita this time. Rita and I were only able to attend "Secret Church" one night during the series at Midway Baptist Church, but we enjoyed it and we learned so much. This was done in place of Bikes and Burgers for that week. I had to work, but other officers attended the Officer Training held in Pineville on the 26th. Those attending were David and Jean, H.O. and Paula, Donnie and Jeanie, Bill and Norma and Dillon. David, Bill and Norma were the only ones who rode; the others went in cars due to the cold weather and illnesses. Remember our ride to the Veterans Hospital Nursing Home on February 16th to give valentines, bags of candy and visit with the veterans. I have extended an invitation to the members of the Jonesville chapter to join us for this. We will fill the bags following our chapter meeting on the 11th. Ride safely and remember It s All About Jesus! James Dedman Thanks to Rita for the following: I thought since it is February these quotes about love may be appropriate for the newsletter. + As selfishness and complaint pervert and cloud the mind, so love with its joy clears and sharpens the vision. --Helen Keller + Keep love in your heart. A life without it is like a sunless garden when the flowers are dead. --Oscar Wilde + A new commandment I give unto you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. John 13: 34 35
PLEASE!!! Bring the list of your CMA activities to the chapter meeting, or call, e-mail 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 Our State Officers: State Coordinator: Jim & Loretta Owens bigo127@bellsouth.net Area Reps: Clayton & Vicki Davis vpdavis@bellsouth.net February 16 Valentine Visit at VA Nursing Home, Pineville March 3 CMA Day of Prayer April 5-6 Seasons of Refreshing, Camp Bethany TBA - Victory Riders Bike Blessing April 27 BBQ Challenge Ride to benefit Fallen Riders Foundation May 4 Run for the Son June 18 22 National Rally East July 16 20 National Rally West Valentine s Day As I was researching Valentine s Day I found numerous stories about the history of this holiday, each with its own twist. What we can be sure of is that February has long been celebrated as a month of romance, and that Valentine's Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition and in the US is celebrated on February 14 by giving cards and/or gifts to loved ones. New Mexico here we come!
Bones & Betty Benefit January 19 It has been said that if you ride a motorcycle in Louisiana, you know Bones & Betty. That is probably a true statement about 99% of the time! I don t know that I ve ever met a biker in this state who was not acquainted with them, if not personally, at least through reputation. And an outstanding reputation it is. They have done so much for so many that it was time that they be on the receiving end of something good. Everyone knows that Ms. Betty has had some health problems recently and a benefit was held to help out with their medical expenses. It has been reported that over $14,000 was raised that day, but I think that more importantly to Bones & Ms. Betty, they were able to see how very much they mean to everyone in motorcycling! Presidents Day is celebrated on the third Monday in February. It was originally established in recognition of President George Washington, and the federal government still officially calls it Washington s Birthday. Traditionally celebrated on February 22 Washington s actual day of birth the holiday became popularly known as Presidents Day after it was moved as part of the Uniform Monday Holiday Act in 1971. Presidents Day is now popularly viewed as a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents past and present. The group shares a laugh before lunch.
First I must apologize to Phyllis and Mike. Last month I left out this section of the newsletter, so they missed out on their Birthday greeting. So a special Happy Birthday to Phyllis Kirl who celebrated her birthday on January 7 and Mike Boyd who turned a year older on January 21! And for our February birthdays: February 5 Norma Sharp February 6 Sarah Stump February 7 James Dedman Also, here are some famous folks with February birthdays: Lon Chaney Jr. actor son of Lon Chaney who was famous for playing Quasimodo in The Hunchback of Notre Dame; Lon Chaney, Jr. also played mostly in horror movies. John Travolta Woody from Wild Hogs, Pulp Fiction and Saturday Night Live, need I say more? Tina Louise Ginger from Gilligan s Island. If she ever did anything else, I don t know what it was!