More observations from the trip

"I had promised to share some of the insights I had while away from the routine, which is what the trip provided.  A church friend of mine once commented to me after returning from a three month trip overseas to care for a family member, "I forgot how distracting the routine can be."  More than once those words have challenged me to resist the narcotic effect of routine.  Trips and times away can be a refreshing reminder that there is more to life than the pattern we have sunk into.

Part of my pattern was strongly challenged on this trip.  When on a motorcycle in the middle of God's beautiful creation, the words of Psalm 19 are so evident, as the sky and all creation speak of God, His Power, Majesty and Love.  But now I am back in somewhat less scenic Delaware.  That doesn't mean that God isn't speaking to me, it just means I need to go where I can hear Him.  And that is where my daily routine needs a challenge!

God speaks to us most powerfully through His Word, the Bible.  Sadly, that part of my routine has been sorely lacking.  Challenged by that reality, I have taken the first half hour at work to praise God at the piano, and read the bible.  It has been a fountain of refreshment in a season that needs it.

The first part of scripture I was drawn to was Psalm 119, the longest chapter in bible.  I have often pledged to read and study this Psalm, but reading often turned into skimming, and I never did a full study of the Psalm.  Today, I finished my first full reading of the Psalm.  It took three days, as I would set it down when the brain started to fuzz out.  

Brain fuzz was very easy in reading this Psalm, because it basically says the same thing for 175 verses, "I cherish your law, your precepts bring me joy, I cherish your commands. (my horrible paraphrase)"  Now, that is something we need to hear.  Joy does come through obedience of God's Word.  His laws are a pathway to life.  But the human side of me started to get frustrated with the Psalmist.  He would say things like,

 

"I will always obey your law, 

    for ever and ever."

and

"This has been my practice:
    I obey your precepts."

and it would frustrate me.  No one, save Christ, has a spotless record when it comes to obeying God's law.  If David is the Psalmist, which there is good reason to believe he is, I know your story buddy boy!  It was not your practice.

Part of my indignation was probably connected with my own failings.  I want to be that kind of man, who joyfully seeks out God's path, God's truth, God's law, and follows and obeys it joyfully.  Far to often I find myself running to the other path, the path of selfish indulgence.

But my frustration was given hope, when after 175 verses of, "I will follow your law, teach me to follow your commands", we are given verse 176, the last verse of the Psalm:

I have strayed like a lost sheep. 
    Seek your servant,
    for I have not forgotten your commands.

Oh words of life!  I resonate with that statement.  Sometimes at the end of a long argument with God about my righteousness and injustice, the look in the mirror moment is necessary. And the only conclusion I can come to is, "I have strayed like a lost sheep." "Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner."  

The aspiration of the prior 175 verses of this Psalm are right, and good, and what we should strive for.  I hope to see that more prevalent in my life.  However, when we fall short, and we will fall short,  don't hesitate to call out to God, "I have strayed.  Lord, please seek your servant!"

I am going to take the next few weeks on a slower trip through the Psalm, with the help of scholarly works.  I look forward to sharing what God shows me, and I encourage any insight you wish to share.

Peace to you all in the name of Jesus

Summary of a great trip!

Just came back from a 11 day motorcycle trip that took me through 4,000 miles of this beautiful country, the parts Jason Aldean calls the fly over states.  I called it the friends and family tour.  It started with ten friends somehow associated with my church, and Alex, my eldest son, riding to Robbinsville, North Carolina.  Our goal was to enjoy the journey, then enjoy all the great motorcycle roads around the Great Smokey Mountain National Park.  We rode Moonshiner's 28, The Dragon, Cherohala Skyway, Foothills Parkway, and many other roads in the area.  We enjoyed God's creation, (Alex and I saw a bear!) and some fine local cuisine.

It was a pleasure getting to know new friends on the trip.  I look forward to riding with you all in the near future.  The real treat for me was experiencing the ride with my son.  He was great!  Yes, he got tired, and bored!  But we had a chance as father and son to share experiences that will stay with us for the rest of our lives.  It is amazing how spending that time together has brought Alex and I together.  There is a new level of trust between us, and a new level of respect for each other.  I wouldn't want to say we have become better friends, because I think it is different than that.  I have a deeper respect for the way God has put my son together, and what he as a young man is living through.  I have sensed his respect for me as his dad deepen.  We had some great conversations on the trip, and have had great times since then.  Thank you Lord for that blessing!  Dads, I hope you all get a chance to get away with your sons for something similar.  It is such a blessing!  Thanks to my wife for taking care of the home-front.  We couldn't have done it without her blessing and effort.

After 5 days of great riding, I bid a teary farewell to my son, who returned home with the group, and pushed on to Nashville, TN.  I was fortunate to spend some quality time with a couple of friends from high school, and their families.  Al, Pete; it is always a pleasure to see you and your growing families!  Thank you for your warm hospitality and friendship!  You refresh my soul every time I see you.  I am excited for the adventures that lie ahead of both your families.

Then the clandestine part of the trip started.  Sunday morning, I woke and rode 1100 miles from Al's house in White House TN, to my folks place in Glenwood, MN.  I hadn't told them I was coming, for a number of reasons!   I honestly didn't know if the bike was going to make it, and I didn't want to get their hopes up only to not show up.   I didn't want them shifting their schedule, as I know they are working frantically to get out of town in two weeks to visit my sister Sarah and new baby Emmit in Taneytown, MD.

I spent the day dodging storms.  I originally wanted to go through St. Louis and catch a Cardinal's game at Busch Stadium.  The radar had other plans!  When I woke at 4:30, the radar showed an intense line of thunderstorms bearing in from the west, so those plans changed.  Instead of St. Louis, I pushed a little east and straight north through Lexington, Indianapolis and eventually as far north as I80 south of Chicago, just to get north of the storm.   I thought I was in the clear!  I was hoping to head into Iowa and make my way up 35 into Minnesota.  But the storm took a northern turn, and I ended up having to take 39 through Rockford.  So though I wanted NOTHING to do with a ride through Wisconsin, I found myself on I90 pushing through Madison!

The benefit to that was it sped up the trip, and I was able to take time out to have a wonderful supper with my in-laws, Dave and Donna.  Nana made up a great plate of Spaghetti and meatsauce, which was just what I needed!

Back on the road, I pulled into Sauk Centre, MN, half an hour from my house, at 11:00 pm.  That is when I called the folks to let them know I was coming.  It took some convincing, but after a "Don't shoot the guy all dressed in black that is going to walk through the door in 30 minutes", mom finally believed me!

What a treat!  It was so refreshing to spend time with my folks.  We told stories, caught up on the extended family, and enjoyed each others company.  I got to go with dad on one of his runs.  He currently takes people from the Glenwood area who need transportation to their medical appointments throughout the state.  It was fun to watch dad love on these people, and know that he does so in the name of Christ.  I am very proud of you, dad!

We also caught up with many aunts and uncles, cousins, AND my old boss and his wife.  (Not saying that you are old, Del.  Just saying it has been 15 years since I worked for you.  He says I still get blamed for things!)

The return trip was long, but oddly refreshing.  I had to dodge storms again, so I ended up heading straight south from Glenwood, down to I90 in Jackson, MN.  From there I made my way to Indianapolis through Albert Lee, MN, Cedar Falls and Davenport IA, and Peoria, Champaign, and Bloomington IL.  Spent the night at a Hampton Inn just west of Indy, which had a hot tub!  and MAN did I need it.  I managed to stay dry, but had to leave very early the next morning to beat another thunderstorm out the door.

I took the southern route home (I70 through Ohio and WV), so I could stop off and meet my new nephew, Emmit!  What an cutie!  Sarah and baby are doing well, though tired.  Allergies aren't helping!  On the way I saw some beautiful country off US 40 that was new to me, and I got to motorcycle through one of my favorite towns, Cumberland, MD.  Very Cool!

I made it home by 8:00, and was very excited to see my family.  As much fun as it is on the road, there is nothing like making it home to your loved ones!

God taught me a lot out there, and I hope to share some of that with you in the days to come.  Above all, a trip like this pulls me back to the on who created such beauty, all for the purpose of displaying himself winsomely to us, so that our ONLY response can be worship. Thanks be to God!