February
2007 CSBA Newsletter
From the Servant’s Desk:
Guest
contributor -Mark Hamm CSBA #776
“What is causing
the quarrels and fights among you? Isn’t it the whole army of evil desires at
war within you?”
James 4:1 Holy Bible, New Living Translation
Ouch.
That hurts just reading it! My father used to say (and still does), “The truth
hurts!” He is right, you know. A strong dose of truth can sometimes smart, or
worse, break our heart. However, in the end, we heal and are wiser. Sometimes I
can be self righteous, I know, that surprises a lot of you, NOT. We can all
sometimes think we are 100% right about the things that are important to us.
When confronted or challenged, we can lash out and have a quarrel or two with
the “confronter.” Yet, the Scripture above states the truth. The root of our
squabbles is the army of evil desires within us. “Lord,” I’m thinking, “a whole
army of evil desires?” Yikes. Sometimes I can spout off in public, private, a
forum, etc., and think I’m right or that my opinion should be respected. Such
foolishness! As if I have any wisdom not given to me by the Lord.
“He gives us more and more strength to stand against such evil desires. As the
Scriptures say, ‘God sets Himself against the proud, but He shows favor to the
humble.’ So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee
from you.” James 4:6-7
“Humble yourself before God.” How do you do that in the 21st
century? Do we do it at all? Who is serving whom? Sometimes I can look at
things, or people as things, and I forget that none of it’s mine, if I serve
the Lord. If I serve Him, I possess nothing. A.W. Tozer
writes a whole chapter about this in his book, The Pursuit of God. I
truly recommend it, but I digress. God owns all that I have and all that I am.
The things that I call “mine” are just things for which I am responsible. I am
a steward of the Lord, looking after His things and His children. I have been
entrusted with gifts, properties, and talents. Some have 5, 3 or 1, but we all
have talents. One day God will return to settle accounts; may we all be found
faithful. When I disregard the responsibilities and look out for myself, I
leave the Lord’s work and begin my own. No wonder the enemy attacks; we are
away from the Lord. If we have not
regarded the Lord as Master, as we should, let us return and humble ourselves
before Him. How you do that is up to
you, but it will be worth it.
“You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are
jealous for what others have, and you can’t posses it, so you fight and quarrel
to take it away from them. And yet the reason you don’t have what you want is
that you don’t ask God for it. And even when you do ask, you don’t get it
because your whole motive is wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.
You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with this world makes you an
enemy of God? I say it again, that if your aim is to enjoy the world, you can’t
be a friend of God.” James 4:2-4
I can sometimes chase after the world and I can want all the new “stuff.” The
newest fast bike, that cool helmet with the funky graphics, and the fresh set
of leathers hanging in the store; they all call out, “buy me,” or, so the world
would have us believe. The “way of the world” can pull us all along. It’s kind
of like being in a stream and we are walking against the current (of the world
and its ways).
Let me end this with a positive testimony of provision. I usually ride until it’s freezing, then I
will put the bike away. I needed a ¾
length jacket, as the regular jacket I had wasn’t cutting it. I didn’t tell a soul, not even my wife. But the Lord knew my need. A few weeks later, a friend calls me; someone
he knows is giving up riding for health reasons. You know what he had after he foraged through
all of this guy’s stuff? That’s right, a ¾ length coat, and it fit
perfectly. Isn’t that just like the
Lord; being good to us without even asking?
CSBA NEWS
It Promises To Be An Interesting May 2007!
Plans
are in place to bring Wim van Rensburg of BreakThrough Ministries to the
If
all goes as planned, Wim should be arriving in RDU, i.e., Raleigh-Durham “
Late
on the 14th, Marvin and Wim will be pulling into Robbinsville to
spend a few days at Deal’s Gap. We’re
hoping to put Wim in front of a church or two in the Robbinsville area and
he’ll also speak to the CSBA membership one evening.
Wim
will be returning to
Wim
and I will eventually make our way to
Sometime
after Memorial Day Wim will be returning to
Some
of you might be asking yourself: “Who is this guy?” Wim is the president, bookkeeper, boss-man,
truck driver, public relations head and chief mechanic for BreakThrough
Ministries of
Others
reading this article might think: “This sounds great! How can I help?”
I’m
so glad you asked. IF….you
feel led, please make your home church aware that Wim will be available to meet
and speak to any church or civic group while he’s here in May.
**Second: Some of us have been trying to
get Wim over her for the Deal’s Gap Rally for a number of years now. Outreach missionaries in the
**Third: Flying someone back and forth from
Again,
IF…you
feel led, please consider making a donation to help defray the travel
costs. Make your check payable to:
“Christian Sport Bike Assoc.” and mail to: Marvin Gurganus,
2007
CSBA Rally Information
Deals Gap, NC -
From Rosi Crawford:
The Deal's Gap Rally theme: is "Renew" 2007
Based on the Romans 12:2 do not be conformed to
this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove
what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
”Awesome roads, awesome fellowship! Presentations, bible study,
cookouts, outreach opportunities and more. BUT …..WE NEED YOU!!!!!
A few presenters, and ride leaders have volunteered... but
not close to being enough!!!
If
you feel led to present or lead a bible study on a topic related to our theme,
share your testimony, give out water at the overlook, lead a ride, lead a group
event, OR all of the above.. pray about and please
contact TRIADNC Chapter ASAP!!!!
We will be reserving a block of rooms again at the
Microtel in
If you have any
ideas/suggestions... please get with us so they can be
added to the agenda....
This is the CSBA's largest
rally... it can be everything everyone wants... ... but it's going to take
EVERYONE to step up and make it happen! “ Contact
Rosi Crawford (CSBATriadNC@triad.rr.com)
PA
SUMMER Fun Ride!
*
* Meets in
* Spends Friday-Sunday morning in
* Coach Stop Inn (800-829-4130)
* "Fun weekend of riding with Christians"
Contact
Bob Brown (bob@EmpireGP.com)
And/or
Jon Treese (jtreese@shentel.net)
Rocky Mountain
Rally - June 29 –
Contact
Bob Owens (rowens3298@comcast.net)
"The
Inaugural Benefit Ride for: Breakthrough-Ministries/ Changing Tomorrow
Children's Foundation
Contact
Bill Allen (ba_rider@hotmail.com)
Seneca Rocks, WV Prayer Retreat –
HC 59, Box 3 SENECA ROCKS,
Tel:
304-567-2351 OR
800-772-8342 (They even have a WiFi “hot
spot”!)
Contact
Bill Allen (ba_rider@hotmail.com)
PA FALL Fun Ride!
*
* Meets in
* Spends Friday-Sunday morning in
* Coach Stop Inn (800-829-4130)
* "Fun weekend of riding with Christians"
Contact
Bob Brown (bob@EmpireGP.com)
And/or
Jon Treese (jtreese@shentel.net)
Yesterday we had another BIG clothes and food handout
at the Center. In the picture Nicole is helping some of the kids to each get a
few new outfits. After this we had around 50 ladies moving through, each
getting clothes for themselves and their kids.
Every family in the village also received
at least 2x5KG bags of rice. At some times it was complete chaos even with the
Chief of the village trying his utmost best to keep control of his people, but
in the end there were a lot of happy people with big smiles on their faces!
I would like to thank Qwaqwa Cash & Carry for the donation of rice. Also, many thanks to Leslie
and his team at Spar Market for their continued support. Your help is
greatly appreciated.
Also to all the people donating clothes
and furniture, your help makes this possible! Thank you!
Nicole Ritchie
As mentioned above Nicole is visiting
with us for a longer term. She is from
Bongani Mphofu
We have an opportunity for someone to study as a
pastor through us. Bongani is an orphan who basically
grew up before us, then worked for Hylien at the
Coffee Shop, and now returned to study as a pastor. God also provided that he
is bringing a lot of skill to the ministry and will be responsible for taking
care of the centre. He will also work with our kids, start the soccer club
again and be responsible for our outreach to the local school.
We thank everybody who have prayed with us for that special person to head up the
outreach ministry into Qwaqwa, and praise God for
sending someone that fits perfectly.
Andrew
and Jodanne Talmage
are a dynamic couple from
Just
this afternoon a few of the older kids came to me asking: “Where is Androoo?” Where upon I
replied that he went home to
Jodanne was an absolute workaholic, constantly busy:
planning, thinking, organizing, preparing and creating the school that now is!
The house has now really taken on the characteristics of a school. Jodanne also did a lot of hard grafting when it came to
laying a foundation of discipline and order, giving weight to the daily program
and setting a trend of learning that is still being upheld!
The
ultimate driving force behind all that they have done and accomplished here was
the absolute love that they have and showed the children. Guys, we miss you and
loved having you here!!!
Slowly the effort put in
by many visitors is starting to pay off and there is light at the end of the
tunnel. Again we were blessed with Jodanne having the
knowledge to put us another BIG step forward. The only negative is that our
kids are so far ahead of the other kids in the surrounding areas that the
schools "stole" them and they were taken in a year earlier than when
they should have been, so we lost nearly half of our kids this month!! Which is sad. But we are excited too, our intent is to
benefit them, and this is exactly the benefit we would want for them. Praise
God!!.
With Bongani,
we are now also able to start sharing the Gospel to them in Sotho on a daily
basis, through someone that is born-again himself.
God bless,
Wim and Hylien van Rensburg
PLEASE Keep BreakThrough Ministry and
Changing Tomorrow Children’s Foundation in your daily prayers!
Visit the
BreakThrough Ministry website to learn more about Wim’s
vision for the kids of QwaQwa at http://www.breakthrough-ministries.com/
and/or http://www.changingtomorrow.org
If you
can, talk to your pastor or the director of missions for your home church. Give them the BreakThrough web link, ask them
to consider helping or better yet, plan a mission trip to
$25.00
a month would make
a huge difference in the lives of kids who pretty much have nothing.
If you feel led, you can make a donation at: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr
Or,
send your check made out to: "Changing Tomorrow
Children’s Foundation" to:
Brian Phillips
Remember,
every dollar received goes to Wim’s kids. There
are no salaries or administrative costs.
Volunteers STILL Needed
I’m going
to try this again, because I know we have talented people out there.
- Event volunteers.
- Newsletter articles. Got something on your mind? Want to review a product? Just back from a great Bible study
weekend and you’ve learned a new perspective on a Book of the Bible? Type your submissions in MS Word
please…and hit “spell check and grammar” before sending it in.
- CSBA Administrative Person. It was bound to happen. So many details, too few people at the
wheel. I’m looking for someone with
some spare time to keep track of the routine paper and email
correspondence. I’m missing some of
the simple tasks and it’s starting to show. Member services should be better than
the private sector…by a large margin.
We’re not quite there yet, but one helpful person would make all the
difference.
If you feel led to volunteer for any of the above, email me at: brianp@christiansportbike.com
Thanks
FROM THE
CSBA EMAIL BAG
Received
Subject:
Help Needed!
Date: Wed, 14 Feb 2007 15:24:56 -0500
From: "Cook, Jay" <Jay.Cook@Merial.com>
To: <holyknees@email.com> aka Tim Moore
Tim,
I got a rude awakening this morning when my wife informed me that Sirius
Satellite Radio had removed 67 Revolution, the only
Christian Rock station on Sirius, and the station that caused us to get Sirius
in the first place, it was an awesome station! It's pretty sad when we
have 2 Howard Stern channels, but can't keep 1 Christian Rock station, and is a
statement about the way this country is going.
I know you have lots of contacts, so you can really help me spread the word
quickly! Do you think they might consider putting a link on the Christian
Sport Bike Association website?
http://www.PetitionOnline.com/67revo/petition.html
Thanks for your help,
Jay Cook
jay.cook@merial.com
Received
Dear Brian,
My name is Rev. Kwame de-GRAFT Agyei
and I am writing from
I have been
sending you mails and I am sure you remember me. Some two years ago you sent me
some New Testaments for distribution to New Converts.
My church,
"THE
Our challenge is
that we will require some means of mobility for the team members. I have been
praying about the issue and seem convinced in my mind that you can be of great
assistance to my church in this direction.
I realize that
you belong to a Christian sport bike group. Perhaps there are some old bikes
(bicycles and motor bikes) that you could collect from your members and send
them to us in
I would want you
to do my church that favor and God will surely reward you.
Please, let me
hear from you.
For the avoidance
of doubts, my e-mail address is degie@ucomgh.com
God richly bless
you.
Yours in Christ,
Rev. K. de-GRAFT Agyei
Received
Dearly Beloved,
Greetings
to you all in Jesus’ name, Amen. There
is no way I can fully describe the impact that you have made on the lives of
our people, Churches, communities and our Nation Nigeria through the Ongoing
Bibles Project and other Christian Materials, which have been prayerfully and
carefully distributed to the needy.
Last month, we received shipment of 402 Bibles from
Robert Cassidy and Broadus Family, Below are photos of Bible Distributions in
public schools.
I want you to please pray
for me “Pastor Godstime” and our missionaries;
we are going to other villages for missions, reaching the people with the word
of God. We need prayers because of the threat and many obstacles in the
villages.
Pray that…
1) God gives us wisdom,
Knowledge and a sense of direction in the village mission.
2) Boldness and utterance
will be given to us so that the gospel might be made known to the people in the
villages.
3) The Lord will open more
doors for church planting in the villages.
4) The Lord may continue
to protect us as we are always on the road.
5) Churches and
individuals may be touched to give to the “Spread The
Word” mission, and for us to get more Bibles for the poor and to support the
needy.
6) God’s perfect will in
sending us to the villages be accomplished.
I want you to pray for our
nation
We encourage you to send
Used/New Bibles and donations for our mission, many people are in torment and
they have never heard the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ before, and
many have no Bible.
I am sure that this
ministry will be extremely helpful in spreading the gospel to the dying in need
in
God bless you
Spread
The Word Ministries Inc.
Attn:
Pastor Evbota Godstime.
P.O
CSBA
Board Members
|
Brian Phillips Servant |
Bill Allen Vice Pres. |
Tim Moore |
Marvin Gurganus Treasurer |
|
Kevin Arnold |
|
Art Graham |
Ron Anderson Web Master |
|
Jon Treese |
Art Lohman |
Martin Gerald Chaplain |
|
Money
I
mentioned money in one of the newsletter articles and it dawned on me that I
seldom elaborate on the issue of CSBA money.
Here’s a thumbnail sketch of what happens with your dues.
- $2.00
(10%) of every $20.00 member dues payment is sent to BreakThrough Ministry
in
- CSBA
“gear”, i.e., T-Shirts, stickers, patches and banners - not much of an
annual expense as there’s a relatively small demand for T-Shirts and
stickers.
- Bibles
and the shipping costs - this expense is usually taken care of by the CSBA
annual Run For The Word.
- There
are miscellaneous expenses incurred, i.e., postage, and infrequent
expenses incurred to organize and run a rally.
- Annual
donation to CSB Racing - the board had approved of a donation in both 2005
and 2006 for water bottles to be distributed at race events. We also purchased a pop-up tent in 2006
for CSB Racing to be used at events (we own the tent).
Our
expenses as a large organization are low. There are no salaries, rent, equipment or
monthly bills of any kind, except for the monthly bank fee of the CSBA checking
account. No CSBA funds are used for
board members to attend events. Our
website is managed by an individual who donates his time and expertise.
The
bottom line: Your board of directors is
a tight fisted group. We do our best to
use your dues money to further the work of spreading The Good News of Jesus
Christ.
CSBA
T-SHIRTS
New one
color / one style CSBA T-Shirts are in stock.
Sizes range from Medium to XX Large and remain at a cost of $18.00
including shipping. Check out the new
style at: http://www.christiansportbike.com/store/index.htm.
You can
order your shirt using
“THE
CHRISTIAN SPORT BIKE ASSOC.”
And mail
to:
Marvin Gurganus
Be sure to
indicate that your payment is for a CSBA T-shirt. Thanks
NEED A
CSBA STICKER?
We have
new stickers in stock! Current color
choices are white, blue, red, and black (transparent background).
And the cost?
If you feel moved, you can make a donation to the Bible Fund, or Wim’s kids, at BreakThrough Ministry (http://www.christiansportbike.com/donate.cgi). The stickers are a gesture of thanks to the
membership for helping the CSBA to be a Christian association that makes a difference for Jesus Christ, both
here, and around the world.
Email your
name, address, member number, and sticker color (white – blue – black – red) to
brianp@christiansportbike.com.
OTHER
STUFF
**Don’t
forget your CSBA February 2007 Calendar Download Courtesy of Bill Allen and the
Central VA Chapter
You can
download your free calendar here: http://cenvachristiansportbike.homestead.com/BA_rider.html
If you have a picture from a past CSBA Ride or Rally
you'd like featured on our calendar...send it to BA_rider2@hotmail.com
Take
care & God bless,
Brian Phillips brianp@christiansportbike.com
CSBA
Servant
Roberta Peart RAPfencing@netzero.net
Editor