Beware the Ides of March

"Beware the Ides of March" - a literary reference from Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar" - refers to the superstition that March 15th is a day which brings bad luck with it. It was the day in 44 B.C. that Julius Caesar was assassinated by Brutus and Cassius. (The Ides were monthly midpoints in the Roman calendar that fell on either the 13th or the 15th, depending on the month.)

I am really not superstitious, but today on the Ministry Van everyone we encountered appeared to be in the foulest of moods. We were sworn at several times and I was even called "the devil" at one point. It is much more likely that it was due to a sudden drop in temperature and the heavy snowfall the night before, that took the place of our lovely spring weather, that caused them to be so disagreeable. But just in case.....perhaps I'll sleep through March 15th next year.

The evil that men do oft live after them;
the good is oft interred with their bones.
-From Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar

A Very Special Day

March 9 is a very special day for me. On March 9, 1972 my nephew - my sister's son - was born. On March 9, 2005 Ed & I started the first day of our ministry to the homeless at Hope Mission. But most amazing of all on March 9 Ed & I celebrated our 36th anniversary! That's pretty amazing for the couple that most people bet wouldn't last six months.

We married very young; I was 18 and he was 20. We had only known each other about a month. We came from very different backgrounds. I already had a child from a previous relationship and we had another baby almost immediately. It wasn't always easy by any means. In fact in the first 10 years of our marriage we could have broken up any number of times. At times it was only sheer stubbornness that kept us together. Neither one of us wanted to be the first one to call it quits.

But 10 years into our marriage something wonderful came into our lives. We found God again. Both of us had Christian backgrounds, but we both had wandered far away. God drew us back. And by His grace we were able to build a relationship with each other that would be virtually impossible to break. Thank you Lord for all of your blessings.

Mark 10:27
And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.

Signs of Spring

I've been seeing signs that spring is just around the corner. No, I haven't seen the geese come back or my first robin yet but I noticed around the end of February that the rabbits are starting to change colour and today I spotted my first motorcyclist of the year. Now that they are going to be on the road again it is time to remind everyone to take a little more care when changing lanes or turning. Motorcycles are definitely harder to see than a car and in the event of a collision the rider has very little protection compared to any other vehicle.

The writer of the following item is unknown but the message is excellent.

THE BIKER*

I saw you hug your purse closer to you in the grocery store line. But you didn't see me put an extra $10.00 in the collection plate last Sunday.

I saw you pull your child closer when we passed each other on the sidewalk. But you didn't see me playing Santa at the local mall.

I saw you change your mind about going into the restaurant. But you didn't see me attending a meeting to raise more money for the hurricane relief.

I saw you roll up your window and shake your head when I rode by. But you didn't see me riding behind you when you flicked your cigarette butt out the car window.

I saw you frown at me when I smiled at your children. But you didn't see me when I took time off from work to run toys to the homeless.

I saw you stare at my long hair. But you didn't see me and my friends cut ten inches off for Locks of Love.

I saw you roll your eyes at our leather jackets and gloves. But you didn't see me and my brothers donate our old ones to those that had none.

I saw you look in fright at my tattoos. But you didn't see me cry as my children were born and have their name written over and in my heart.

I saw you change lanes while rushing off to go somewhere. But you didn't see me going home to be with my family.

I saw you complain about how loud and noisy our bikes can be. But you didn't see me when you were changing the CD and drifted into my lane.

I saw you yelling at your kids in the car. But you didn't see me pat my child's hands knowing he was safe behind me.

I saw you reading the newspaper or map as you drove down the road. But you didn't see me squeeze my wife's leg when she told me to take the next turn.

I saw you race down the road in the rain. But you didn't see me get soaked to the skin so my son could have the car to go on his date.

I saw you run the yellow light just to save a few minutes of time. But you didn't see me trying to turn right.

I saw you cut me off because you needed to be in the lane I was in. But you didn't see me leave the road.

I saw you waiting impatiently for my friends to pass. But you didn't see me. I wasn't there.

I saw you go home to your family. But, you didn't see me. Because, I died that day you cut me off.

I was just a biker. A person with friends and a family. But you didn't see me.

EVEN IF YOU DON'T LIKE US, RESPECT OUR RIGHTS TO RIDE WHAT WE CHOOSE AND TAKE A FEW EXTRA SECONDS TO BE SURE WE'RE NOT IN 'YOUR' WAY – LIVE TO RIDE . . . . RIDE TO LIVE

Spring Make-Over

To all of my loyal readers out there, yes, you are in the right place. Spring fever has me in it's grip and I decided to go with a whole new look for my blog. New colours, a new layout and some new features. I added a couple of pictures as well as a news reel for the information junkies in my audience. Simply click on any of the featured newspapers and keep informed of current events. So please continue reading and please leave me a comment. I love hearing from you and getting feed-back on what I am writing.

The Ten Commandments

An Israeli Professor of Cognitive Psychology at Hebrew University of Jerusalem claims that Moses was using psychedelic drugs when he encountered the "burning bush" and on Mount Sinai when he received the "Ten Commandments" from God. Benny Shanon does not say where he gets the evidence for such a claim. He does not substantiate his remarks in anyway. It is strange to think that such a well thought out list of rules for human behavior - rules that almost nobody can argue about - could have been compiled by someone strung out on drugs. It has been my experience that druggies are not that clear thinking. We are warned in the Bible about the danger of listening to false teachers. In my opinion, Benny Shanon fits neatly into that category. He would do well to check out #9 again.

2 Peter 2:1
But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

2 Timothy 4:3-4
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/afp/080304/oddities/israel_religion_offbeat

Flying motorcycle

This may be the way to beat commuting traffic jams. I'd love to try it!He doesn't say how high it flies. Wonder if you would need a pilot's license?

Not Too Smart

The following stories were sent to me by friends who are always on the look-out for interesting items. Sometimes you just have to shake your head and wonder what some people are thinking.

Looking for a truck driver that will not let a little obstacle stand in his way?According to the person who sent this, the driver has only been in Canada a few months. He had missed his turn by Brandon Manitoba and figured he could go over the hill and continue on the road. Apparently he didn't know there were rail tracks on top of the grade..... The truck owner figures he had to hit the angle at over 55 miles an hour in order to make the top.

(I wonder just who gave him his driver's license? And do they still have a job?)

The next story goes in the "dumb criminal" class. Weren't the bikes parked outside of the bar a clue to just who might be inside?

Biker Surprise for Sydney Robbers

Two armed robbers who targeted a Sydney bar that was hosting a bikers' meeting must have 'failed robber school', said the club's chairman. The men stormed the bar brandishing machetes and wearing balaclavas - unaware that 50 bikers were holding a meeting in an adjoining room. Alerted to the robbery, some of the bikers chased the men as they fled. One was caught after trying to escape through a back door. He was later treated in hospital for minor injuries. The other man ran off but was arrested by police in a street nearby. Southern Cross Cruiser Club chairman 'Jester' told local media that the robbers had 'picked the wrong night'. The would-be bandits had entered the bar and ordered patrons to lie on the floor while they emptied the till. But someone managed to run into an adjoining room where the bikers were holding their monthly meeting. 'We were out there minding our own business and then these guys came to the bar here in the pokey (slot machine) area,' Jester told the Sydney Morning Herald. 'One of the guys took off... straight through a glass window, he didn't even bother pushing the button, he just ran straight through it.' Jester said the police were delighted when they arrived on the scene. 'They were really impressed that we caught these guys, because normally they get here and it's all over and done. But we caught the guys, still with their weapons, still in his balaclava and everything else.
'It's a comedy of errors, I can't believe these guys were stupid enough to come into a club with 50 bikers having a bike meeting - just crazy.'

Source:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7268653.stm