Woman Bikers

What is a Christian woman biker's place in the biker community? As I sat in our booth this weekend at the ABATE swap meet I found myself watching all the people around me. My attention focused on the female bikers and their mates. And the above question came to my mind. Of course female bikers are made up of all kinds of women: old, young, prissy, tom-boy, lady riders, and us back seat riders. As I watched the ladies there I became sadden at the thought of where I fit into this community. You see I am not my husband's property, the only person I belong to is Jesus. So, I feel I do not fit in with many women that walk behind their men with property of so and so tattooed on their back. Then there are the lady riders. I really feel like I might fit in with them but wait I can't ride my own bike (physical limitations). Then there are the proper Christian biker women. I definitely don't have the heir of arrogance to fit into this group. So, here I was saying where do I fit in? Then, I remembered the following scriptures:

Romans 12:2 (ESV) Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Ephesians 2:10 (ESV) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

These tell me that I am not supposed to fit into a box that is created by the world. I am to be what Christ has created me to be not what the biker community wants me to be. I think this is why I don't feel I fit in because I really DON'T. Jesus says it is good not to fit into the world and its ideas. So I guess this biker chick is doing something right. I have been really blessed that I am not alone because I have found a group of women in Heaven Bound Bikers that I feel think the same way. So ladies if your out there feeling out of place know that you are not alone.

*Jessica Hudson

True Biker Church? Steven W. Hudson

At Highway 5 Baptist Church we are a biker friendly Church. Our motto is "Everyone welcome from bikers to bankers" and we sincerely mean it. We are a come as you are group, you can come in your leathers, wearing your colors, work clothes, or dress up as much as you want. All we do ask is that you come covered up also known as modest dress, no butt, boobs, or belly showing and that is for men and women. We have all types of music, we have bible studies, pure preaching of the Word of God, prayer meetings, a Christian biker group "Heaven Bound Bikers, and a multitude of other kinds of fellowship.

The bible teaches and we believe that a church is a called out, local, visible, assembly of believers in Jesus Christ. Everyone is welcome to come praise and worship God with us and participate in most everything we do. However like all groups there are things restricted to recognized members. Just like a motorcycle club, business organization or any other called out assembly there are certain things only recognized members are allowed to participate in. Things such as voting in business meetings, control of financial materials and assets and the two scriptural ordinances commanded in the scriptures.

Yet a few weeks back a couple who are not voting members but have been coming to the Church and riding with the Heaven Bound Bikers were told that we are not a real biker Church, that there is only one true biker church in our area and that it was not us.

I don't understand this statement and would like to know what you think. What makes a Church a true biker Church and where does the scripture say that there is to be a special Church for different segments of the community, race or anything else? We believe all people need Jesus Christ in their lives and all need to be active in a local, visible, assembly of believers.

What are your thoughts on this matter?

 
 

Till the next stop,

Steven W. Hudson

DOWN TIME STEVEN W. HUDSON

 
 

With the exception of a few areas in the U.S., you will probably have a month or two of down time in the winter. Now Arkansas is not so bad and most years riding is possible all year round. However, this year has been the exception, we have had a lot of ice, and snow that I not only dislike riding on, I also consider it extremely foolish.

So what do you do with that down time? I use this time for planning, and yearly/routine maintenance. I like to change the plugs, oil and filter, tighten all the bolts and screws, check the tire wear and replace as necessary. I also use this time to make improvements to the bike or add accessories that require some down time.

Last but not least, we plan our rides for the coming year, in doing this we pick destinations, rallies, and events we want to visit. Then we get the maps and literature on these places, states, and events so we can plan our route and stops along the way.

In this life, we should prepare and plan for the next life. What do you believe there is after this life? Have you prepared and planned for this journey, have you done what is necessary for this journey?

I believe there are only two options for the afterlife. John 3:36 tells us, "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." There is eternal life and eternal death. To receive eternal life we are told in, "John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my (Jesus') word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. John 17:3 And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent."

What do you think? Have you made the proper preparations? What road will you take to eternity death and the Lake of Fire expressway or the scenic Highway to Heaven?

 
 

Till the next stop,

Steven W. Hudson

 
 

P.S.

You are encouraged to post your comments, questions, and thoughts!

For a list of rides and events we have planned see our web site at: www.highway5baptistchurch.com and click on the Heaven Bound Bikers Page or calendar. Everyone is welcome to ride with us!

 
 

Winter Time Blues Jessica

Do you ever just get the winter time blues? Bikers seem to have the blues worse in the winter than any other time. This year in Arkansas we have only been able to go on one ride. That is just not enough. I not only miss the trill of riding but I miss the interaction with other bikers that we get used to during the summer and fall. The winter weather this year has made going on many rides very hard. Rain, Snow, Sleet, and even below freezing temperatures. I am ready for Spring, did I mention that? When I think about the winter blues I think about others out there that have the blues all the time commonly called depression. I am one that battles with depression, so I can understand feeling down and out. I do however have a medication for depression that works better than anything else and that is God's word. When I get depressed and down I pick up God's word and read about our future, our spring in heaven. And it seems that I can get thru a little easier. So if you are out there and have the winter blues remember God says that the morning is coming. Spring is on it's way!

Tumble Weeds

Steve

TUMBLE WEEDS

Hello, good to see you again, I hope our last postings were enjoyable. In this posting I hope to get up to the present finishing our introductions.

In 1978 I bought a 750 Honda from my brother-in-law, a decent bike in those days and considered a big bike back then, but more importantly it introduced me to the real world of the open road and bikers. I was a lone wolf and soon my desire to go my own way would bring drastic changes in my life and those of many others.

I was still very much active in the drug culture and drinking, looking back I know it was by the grace of God that I didn't die on that bike. But I made it to graduation and traded my part time job at a truck stop for a full time job at the sawmill. However, I felt I was in a dead end situation and decided it was time to hit the road, the problem, no money. So I chose to join the Navy, many thought that was just what I needed to get me away from my current lifestyle of working all day and partying till 1 or 2 in the morning. Little did they know was that joining the Navy only made it easier to get all the drugs and booze I wanted, so I soon found myself in San Diego, CA. for boot camp. Through all this I still felt something was missing but could not quite figure it out, you know the feeling, if you will admit it you once had the same feeling or maybe you are dealing with it now.

I came home on leave after boot camp and saw a girl I had seen at a party before I left, she flagged me down at the local Sonic and we began to talk and I found out that one of her friends and her brother and sister were people I partied with regularly and we began to date. I took my bike and headed to Memphis to report for duty, this was my first real road trip on a bike and I loved being on the open road and on my own. So at Memphis my roommate got me into new drugs and even dealing some, I had not been to Church or picked up a bible since I graduated, in fact I didn't even have a bible at this time. I drove from Memphis to home every weekend to see my new girlfriend and party. Even though it was 2.5 hours one way on the open road I didn't mind because I loved being on the road. I then received orders to a fighter squadron on a aircraft carrier stationed in Japan and five days before I left I married my first wife and sold my bike. I thought I was going to save her from the life she had grown up in, I didn't realize that I couldn't even fix my own life little less hers, she had not even graduated High School. Our relationship was good while I was on sea duty and was not home much but she became pregnant and we transferred to Oceana, VA. And our relationship became very tumultuous. Then came orders back to Japan with an Attack squadron and our relationship became somewhat better but was at its best when I was gone. Then we transferred to China Lake, CA. and our relationship got worse, I came to the startling realization that I was and alcoholic. I quite drinking and thought I could go it on my own, went to AA for a while but that was a waste of time. I still had that old feeling that something was missing, I didn't realize yet, but it was my relationship with my Savior that was missing. Jesus had kept me alive through a lot horrible incidents while I had been in the Military because he never gives up on us and he certainly was not finished with me. He put a man in our lives that he used to bring me home, we bowled on a league with a Post Man who kept after us to go to church with him, finally one week I said OK, we will go one time and if we don't feel comfortable there you won't bug us anymore and he agreed. That Sunday I finally realized what was missing was a close personal relationship with Jesus, if was such an awesome day of worship and praise, I knew this was were I needed to be and would never stray from my Savior again. He cured my desire for drugs and alcohol, I would never be recovering addict again, He did what only Jesus can do. I soon realized that I could not be what Jesus wanted me to be while in the Navy and so after 13 years I got out and we moved to Oklahoma and things were ok for a while but mine and my wife's relationship continued to worsen with the birth of a second child and a move to Arkansas. In Arkansas we joined a little country Church were I taught Sunday School and gave the morning devotional which gave me more joy than I had ever known. Where was my bike during all this I didn't have one!!! My wife didn't like bikes or bikers and forbad me to own one again, of course that did not sit well with me since I loved riding and that is not something you ever forget or get over. I had begun to feel the Lord was calling on me to do something more and one Sunday it hit me like a ton of bricks, He wanted me to be a Preacher of the Word. So in 1997 I surrendered to the call of the ministry and began preaching at Churches all over Arkansas and to make a long story short in 2000 I was asked to become the pastor of Highway 5 Baptist Church in Bryant, AR. That next year my wife left me and I thought my world was going to end, I was devastated, hurt, angry and bitter but I knew Jesus was with me and after trying to reconcile and trying everything to get her to stay in 2003 the divorce was final. My life changed radically but it did not end. Jesus brought me through this too and in time healed me. In 2006 the Lord brought a Godly, wonderful woman into my life whom I married and have been working in the ministry with since.

I had been a dried up tumble weed most of my life being blown here and there by every wind of the world not accomplishing nothing and not rooted anywhere till Jesus planted me by the water of life. Not only did God provide me a perfect mate which I had prayed for but he also brought two more children in my life whom I love, and extended family who have been a great blessing, and a many brothers and sisters in Christ who have been and continue to be such a blessing to me.

But wait that's not all Jesus brought a bike back into my life and my wife loves it, loves riding and has a heart for bikers. Now I feel complete, I know I am where is should have been so many years ago. I pastor full time at Highway 5 Baptist with my wife by my side and we have founded a motorcycle ministry which takes us all over the country witnessing to our fellow bikers as we go.

Do you have that emptiness and lack of direction in your life that I have spoken of here?

Do you feel like your life is to messed up to get in a right relationship with Jesus?

Do you feel like He could never use you to do His work?

Let me assure you that He wants you right where you are, the way you are and that He can make you into what He wants you to be if you will let Him. I want to hear from you, what do you think?

 
 

Keep the wind in your face!

See you at the next stop.

Jessica Called by God

Thursday, February 04, 2010

8:02 PM

What does it mean to be called by God? Well, for me it meant to be shut up in my bedroom with drugs pumping thru my sick, weak, and out of control body. That is when God called me to follow him. I look at it now and wonder why God chose then? Why not after I got cleaned up and well? I know the answer is that I would have not been able to get clean and healed with out God and his guidance. Now some might think this was my moment of salvation, but I say no. I really believe that I was saved from eternal separation from God at 13 years old, but this was my call to service. I think I tell this testimony more than my salvation experience because I was so deep in the pit of sin and Jesus pulled me out. All I had to do was say "Yes"! What do you think it means to be called by God?

Introduction

STEVEN

 
 

Riding with Jesus is a weekly article or articles written by Steven and Jessica about riding bikes, bikers, rides, events, gear and most importantly Jesus. We hope that these articles will be fun to read, informative and most of all life changing.

These articles will not necessarily be about the writers but this seems like as good a time as any to get acquainted. My name is Steven I began riding in about 1971 on a Toro 80, similar to a Suzuki JR80. I had been liberated, freedom was mine as I sped around the couple of acres that was my world. I was hooked, the wind in my face, the mud in my mouth, the bloody elbows and knees, the wide open space, and freedom to go my own way, and of course that first muffler burn. I was a born biker.

Everyone is looking for something in life, not knowing just what that is, we are lost. We all want to be "free" but it seems like nothing ever really gives us true freedom. The next year I graduated to a Hodaka 100 dual purpose and my world greatly expanded along with my riding skill and I found some unsanctioned cross country racing similar to the hare scrambles of today. This brought a different and greater kind of freedom yet there was still that sense of not being free.

My mind was always on the open road and I devoured every motorcycle article I could find. Then I found it, that something that I knew would make everything right, Jesus Christ! I was raised in church but for the most part it was far from awe inspiring yet that Sunday this voice shouting in my head said that if I did not accept Jesus as my Savior there might not be another chance! Before I knew it I was down front telling that preacher that I needed Jesus Christ and I believed on Him as my Savior. That was were real freedom was found, but I didn't realize it at the time.

I tested and received my motorcycle endorsement on that Hodaka, with the chrome tank fenders and red frame, on the Court House square in Grant County, Arkansas on October 1975, now I was a real biker! Lol! With that came a Benelli 250 Street Trail and there was no looking back. My understanding of and love of bikes grew by leaps and bounds while my relationship with Jesus didn't go anywhere, oh I was a born again believer, but I was a still birth, no one helped me get passed the new believer stage. I am not blaming anyone I made my choices, I was a babe and didn't know how to take care of myself. You guessed it I began to dabble in drugs and slid further from Jesus every day. Freedom isn't a place it's a person that person is Jesus Christ, this I found out way on down the road.

 
 

See you at the next stop!

 
 

JESSICA

 
 

My name is Jessica I have been riding bikes for 2 years. I really feel that I was born to be a biker. My path of life did not go as I had planned and I always was searching for the next big thrill. During my teen years that adrenaline came in Basketball. I was really good and I wanted to be the best. After my college years I really felt that marriage was the next big adventure. So I got married. You know it did not matter to me that I knew he was the wrong man I just wanted to change this bad boy into a husband and father. Well as children started coming into my life the adventure of marriage took a back seat and motherhood was my life. In all this I never gave much thought to God and my relationship with him. In 2003 I had a face off with God over my drug abuse and my messed up life. He told me that my life's adventure was going to be with him and it was going to be hard. Shortly afterward I found myself sitting alone, a divorced, single mom with 2 children that I barely knew and no real idea of the direction my life would take. Then God brought Steven Hudson into my life and eventually a Suzuki Volusia 800. The first ride I took I knew that I had found a love that I just can't describe. Because of my injuries to my body I am unable to drive my own bike, but that makes me no less of a biker. I love working on our bike and seeing other bikes and I love traveling on the bike. Before I met Steve I had never been to but one state park and had not traveled much out of the state of Arkansas. In two years we have visited so many great places and spent so many special times together and with other biker friends. I love bikers and bikes and now with Steve I feel that I am enjoying both and serving God at the same time. Which is what I have always wanted to do.