WHAT AN AWESOME TIME!
My friends all know how much I enjoy motorcycling ... since I was 14! I was 14 many years ago, but I enjoy biking JUST as much now as back then. About two years ago I joined the Christian Motorcyclist Association. My involvement in this great organization has infused new energy into my hobby. I have found that even the 'fun stuff' we do can truly glorify God.

This picture is a snap-shot of the Blessing of The Bikes recently held at Rockland Harbor Park - Rockland, Maine. We gathered there to pray for one another and safety in this riding season. If you're a biker, you should consider joining the CMA ... great people and good clean fun!

MI-5

1.  AAA predicts a first ever decrease in travel
for this Fourth of July due to the gas/oil crisis.
Do you find that you are traveling less these
days in an effort to conserve?
**Yes, and I also carefully choose which vehicle 
to travel in (or 'on') when I go. This summer I 
will ride the motorbike as much as possible.

2.  Many of the news shows have been showing
pieces about backyard fireworks, and the dangers
involved, in the past few weeks.  Do you, or have
you ever, staged your own fireworks on the Fourth
of July?  What did you do?
**OH YEA! As a former professional firefighter all 
that stuff intrigues me. The highlight was getting 
the opportunity to 'set off' a show for a community 
in South Florida. I only got 'minor' burns! 

3.  The vote for independence from England
occurred on July 2, 1776. Do you plan to vote in
the November elections? What are your thoughts on
exercising your right to vote?
** I would not pass up the opportunity to vote. 
I occasionally complain about US politics, and 
I have always held the belief that people who 
don't vote have no right to complain. 
Therefore I vote! Logical - isn't it? 

4.  Do you have holiday plans / traditions for
the Fourth of July?  Tell us about them.
**We usually host or attend a cook-out. I LOVE 
grilled food and celebrating patriotism. This 
year, Josey & I will join with fellow members 
of the Christian Motorcyclists Association to 
ride our bikes in the Thomaston parade. 

5.  Are you attending a parade this year on the
Fourth?  If so, what is your favorite part of a
parade?  Your lease favorite part?  Will you be
participating IN the parade? What will be your
role?
**YUP ... the parade in Thomaston, Maine. My 
favorite part is participating. I think most 
everyone there forgets about their troubles for 
a few hours and just enjoys a sense of "community". 
Its always festive. My least favorite part is the 
cramped clutch hand I get from trying to ride a 
fairly heavy bike at a 'snail's pace'. I have never 
served in an 'official' capacity ... only support 
for various churches or organizations.

Thanks Ginny!

OK, I'm sorry! ... I'm a doting grandfather. I have been without internet service for a month, and this is naturally how I am getting back into the 'swing' of it. You gotta admit he IS CUTE.

I always heard there is a special bond between men and their grandsons - now I'm beginning to understand it. I'm already looking forward to the seeing little Ethan again. Josey will be going down in another month or two for a visit. Me, I don't know when I will get to see him again. I'm discovering some drawbacks to the bi-vocational thing, getting 'time off' is one.
So for now, I'll be satisfied with digital pics being sent as often as possible.

"Grampy" ... OH YEH!

Well I have been pretty busy and falling short on blogging. I'm busy because I'm fixing up an old house, and 'moving' into the house on top of everyday work/ministry responsibilities. All this while preparing a trip to Virginia to see my first grandchild. YUP - I will be called "Grampy". They tell me its going to be a boy too!

I'm certainly not looking forward to the drive ... and with gas prices? But what guy wouldn't be excited about his first grandson? Well, maybe it IS an "age-appropriate" kind of excitement - but I CAN'T WAIT!

Signed,
Grandfather - Grand Dad - Grandpa - Gramps - Granpappy ... no, "GRAMPY"

MI-5

Here are the questions answers for the week;

1. Do you have any weird OCD issues?

* WOW ... its a small world. As a former Church Planter in
Virginia, I have met Tally Wilgis. We used to meet in Richmond,
Virginia for monthly meetings. As for OCD issues, I try my best
to continually reprogram. But the bills in my wallet MUST all
face the same direction. Does that count?

2. What major decision/change did you make in your life that
surprised your family and friends & how did things work out?

*OK - this is weird! I left South Florida for a 'life-change' too.
But I moved to North Florida for educational purposes. I had
a great job, a wife, three kids, and a beautiful custom home ...
my family thought I was NUTS! Things worked out great!
My kids grew up and moved out. My wife and I are happy to
be living in Maine.

3. What is something you picked up and who did you pick it
up from?

*Eating biscuits. I learned the beauty of the biscuit from a
co-worker when I was in the fire service. I learned how to
make (and several ways to eat) them, and now I enjoy them at
every opportunity.

4. What is something you discovered by accident but has
enriched your life?

* That would have to be regular reading. I started reading
books in a particular genre a few years ago. I did it in order
get some new perspective on my work. I found that regular
reading prompted all kinds of fresh thinking and creativity.
So now I read at least one book per month.

5. If you could influence a behavioral change in someone else,
what would it be and how would you go about doing it?

*I would change attitudes concerning motorcycling - which
happens to be my hobby. I was alarmed to discover that
some people dislike bikers SO much that they will intensionally
run them off the road. I would do this by taking them for a ride
on a gorgeous summer day up Cadillac Mountain. One ride on
sensory overload like that ... and they would forever appreciate
motorcycling.

Dave

Disaster Relief

What devastation! I got this photo from the website of Mission Aviation Fellowship - a Christian ministry group that flies airplanes to Haiti and other poverty-stricken places.

Words cannot express the struggle and suffering such events bring. I was fortunate (I think) to be in the first search & rescue teams arriving in Miami after Hurricane Andrew back in the early 90s. I was working for Palm Beach County Fire Rescue at the time, and happened to be 'on duty' the night the storm hit. It was a life-changing experience I will never forget.

Now I wish there was a way to help the people of Myanmar. Truth is, the government there is not allowing much aide into the Country. Many people and organizations are on "standby" ready to respond with help. Its a sad situation.

Hey, we've got problems here at home too. Last week many homes and businesses were damaged by flooding in northern Maine. I have notified the Maine Baptist Association Disaster Relief (say THAT 5 times quickly) of our church's willingness to help. We are on "stand-by" there too. I'll keep you posted on that.

Yea ... I'm a Floridian

OK ... I'm 'from away' in New England terms.
I was born and raised on the east coast of
South Florida where the briny breezes are
constant and fishing is good year-round.
That means it's ideal weather for the elderly
who are very sensitive to cold winters elsewhere.
Our town had whole communities of elderly packed
in small apartments like sardines - and stacked
like cord wood.  So as you could imagine, jokes
about senior citizens are plentiful there. My
brother just sent me several ... and I thought
I would share at least one. Here goes ...

An elderly Floridian called 911 on her cell phone
to report that her car has been broken into.
She is hysterical as she explains her situation
to the dispatcher: 'They've stolen  the stereo,
the steering wheel, the brake pedal and even the
accelerator!' she cried.

The dispatcher said, 'Stay calm. An officer is
on the way.'

A few minutes later, the officer radios in.
'Disregard.' He says. 'She got in the back-seat
by mistake.'

OH YEA!