BLONDIE'S BLOG

180 MOVIE

2011-09-25T19:46:00.001-07:00

Find out the question posed to a group of various individuals, at different locations, with a variety of back rounds and ethnicity's, schooling and traditions! What this film reveals is truly amazing....If you have had an abortion; take time to see it and then visit http://www.heartchanger.com/

If you are "pro-choice" have the courage to take a look at information that is presented in a manner which is startling! If you are "pro-life" you must see this movie and pass it on to everyone you know....and everyone you don't know! It's just that important!

Yikes I'm the Michelin Man....

2010-03-06T13:07:00.000-08:00

Well as I was settling into what was occurring and that which I had no power over....We were faced with the diagnosis of Invasive Pulmonary Aspergilliosis. This was a hard pill to swallow, and as I looked into the eyes of Dr. Hirota I knew how serious this news was. My sweet doctor promised that day that he would see this through until the end. He told us not to look all over the web to find out about this fungus, but to go to the CDC site which would cut out all the super scary stuff. I had no access to a computer, nor did I really want to know any more than the fact that I had something in my lungs which wanted to destroy me.... It is a strange place to be in when you have no ability of your own to fight the fight of your life....and really need to fall upon your faith. In truth, it was not long ago at all that 95% of those who contracted this vicious fungus died!

I am incredibly blessed because the word of God has been so planted in me that I could call up Scripture after Scripture to confront each situation as it presented itself....though I couldn't "feel" God....I felt so alone and to be honest I had my weak moments where it was impossible to hold back the tears. But, no matter! I knew that God had a plan and I only needed to trust that He loved me enough to see me through. Did I worry about dying? Yes and NO...Of course, I'm human and my emotions fought against this thing that was happening to me that was unfair; one day I was sitting there not bothering anyone and the next I was fighting for my life. You know, with all the thoughts and conversations that I've had between me and the Lord...I have yet to ask why? I know that I know that I know, that He IS in control. But I was sure that heaven would be my home and was not afraid of death itself. I don't say this lightly because the cost of my sin's being washed away was that of Jesus and what He achieved on the cross and in His shed blood.

And so....all of a sudden I noticed that my eye was becoming swollen and closing. I pointed it out to Mike and the nurses...And no one seemed to be alarmed in any way. Then my chest began to puff up and when I touched it I would sense a crackling sensation. Before long my face puffed up and my chest arms and hands. It was so painful and all of a sudden in the middle of the night, these weird looking people with masks and different uniforms than my regular nurses came and told me they were taking me to ICU and they gathered all of my things in bags and rolled me up to the 7th floor. I was pretty panicked as it was like a scene from some sci-fi movie.

Not long after they got me in the bed, they just left me and didn't tell me anything.....Now, I was already suffering from sleep deprivation and was in so much pain that I began to beg for morphine. When a male nurse finally arrived to "check me in," he didn't seem to know anything about my condition, and that I was supposed to be in isolation. I kind of lost it at this point and raised my voice and told him, how would you feel if you were taken in the middle of the night and no one told you what was going on? He gave me some light reassurance and I made sure that my breathing treatments would continue non-interrupted and that I would be given pain medication whenever I needed it.

I laid there for hours and hours looking out on the floor where it seemed that I was in a fishbowl and everyone else was outside watching at a distance. It was lonely, confusing, frightening and frustrating. I began to hallucinate and would find myself having a full on conversation with someone and then open my eyes to see that no one was there. How embarrassing...as this happened over and over. At this point my catheter had been taken out but they found it would be better to replace it. I had the feeling of having to go potty all the time but didn't know what to do about that...I just waited.

The doctor's determined that I had gotten subcutaneous emphysema because of the early removal of the chest tube. This meant that my blessed surgeon who had painfully removed the tube in the first place would have to re-insert a new drainage tube! Can I say PAIN with a Capitol P? So, it came time and the surgeon arrived and two nursing students attended. One was a female who held my hand as the procedure began. It was terrible! The pain almost too much to bear, and yet I spoke of the sweetness of the Lord the entire time. He hid me in His High Tower!

More to follow....

The Fifth Floor

2010-02-04T04:56:00.000-08:00

Had I realized beforehand the harrowing experiences that I would face starting on the 5th floor at LBM, I would have run away with my tail between my legs. Hey, I'm no super hero!!!! The truth is....I am weak and HE IS STRONG!

During this time, cultures had been grown and it was finally determined that I had the Acinetobacter baumannii pneumonia. We were told that it was a rare type of infection brought back by the military returning from Iraq. Oh, so that explains it!!!! Yeah, when I was last in Iraq covering the news for Fox News....Oh, that's right I had never been in the middle east and furthermore hadn't left the US for several years. So, where'd I pick this up? Hmmm, the hospital turned out to be the first and only culprit! You remember that simple outpatient surgery that I had just a few weeks earlier? You know, the one that seemed like everything had just gone better than I ever expected????

But before I tell you about my stay at Long Beach Memorial, my blonde brain has remembered a bit of info that I had forgotten....Believe me, it pains me to remember! But it is part of the journey between my first and second stay at LBM. You see, after I was initially treated for the AB Pneumonia, my care continued as I was released from the hospital and it was arranged for me to receive treatment at a nearby "nice little nursing center." Yeah right! Don't believe the pamphlets or the case manager's who wear high heal shoes with no stockings, a white lab coat and smile at you a lot!

Mike and I were told about Broadway By the Sea, a nursing center near the ocean in Long Beach not too far from LBM. The brochure looked so nice and even as the ambulance driver's towed my gurney through the halls, I thought "oh, this looks like a nice little place." At least it didn't smell like urine. However, I was more than surprised when I had been promised an isolation room with no one else residing in it; and found that I would have a room mate who cried out through the night in her state of dementia for the entire time I was there. The beds looked like cots and they were not even prepared with the oxygen that I would need to get me through the night. At that time I believe I was still on 5-ltrs. And Mike was forced to go home because of the visiting hour rules.

They actually ran out of oxygen, as the night wore on and I saw each of those who were supposed to be caring for me, fumble with the equipment and speaking to one another in their native tongue (Tugalic). Their faces shown how they thought I was some kind of high and mighty queen demanding her way....when in reality I was fighting for my life and they were completely devoid of any understanding. My stay at this house of horror's lasted a few weeks, and the only saving grace was the Physical Therapy folks who helped me to re-build some of the endurance and strength that I had lost since becoming ill. When I was discharged from Broadway By the Sea, I was so glad to go home...but ended up back in LBM ER and being admitted once again.

Anyway, my stay on the fifth floor began with breathing treatments, lots of intravenous medications and a consistent frustration in trying to communicate to those around me when my voice was completely gone. After meeting Doctor Hirota as well as other doctor's in charge of my care, I found that they were stumped as to why my condition wasn't improving. I was on 10-ltrs. of oxygen and found it nearly impossible to sleep. I can truthfully say that I "cat napped" for more than 2 months, which caused its own set of issues.

Over the following days, I was told that a bronchoscopy would need to be done in order for the the doctor's to have a better idea of what was going on. This is something that made me really nervous, knowing that they would be sending a scope down my throat into my lungs to take a look. However, when I arrived for the procedure I found a lady who knew one of my dearest friends at work and it seemed to take much of the shakiness away. The medication to relax me didn't hurt either :) I awoke not remembering anything. But Doctor Hirota still suspected something more that was going on. At that time, he had added a very powerful antibiotic to the many bags that were a part of my "beeping tree."

Voriconazole, along with the other meds that I was being pumped up with began to cause some very strange issues with my site. I became sensitive to light...but more than that, when I looked upon a light or white background I would see black bug like creatures with lots of legs all lined up perfectly crawling up wherever I looked. When I looked upon a dark or black background, I saw white bug like creatures exactly as the others. I also began to see apparitions in the sky during the day, and therefore it made it difficult to even look out the window. I also couldn't see the television and it was impossible for me to read. And so, I spent hour after hour with me....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voriconazole

This is when things got kind of fun....when the nurses and doctor's all began wearing yellow gowns, gloves and masks when they entered my room....even the janitor's, the folks who gave me breathing treatments, and all visitor's. Poor Mike came every day to sit with me and was forced to wear the gown and mask, but most times escaped having to wear the gloves. The issue was that the hospital didn't want anyone carrying anything I coughed up back into the real world.

One night around midnight, the nurses came in an said they were moving me to another room. Mind you, I had been in this room at that time for several weeks and though it wasn't home....the surroundings had become familiar. When they moved me there was a big fight between the nurses that brought me down to the end of the hall by the staircase and those who were there already. I guess they had determined to put "isolation" patients in the rooms nearest to the staircases. There was a sign posted that no one was to enter without first seeing a nurse.

Little did I know that the adventure had really just begun! Doctor Hirota informed Mike and I of what he suspected that I had as the pneumonia was actually beginning to go away. He said the word Aspergillus. With gravity, he explained a bit about this fungus and how he suspected that it was in my lungs, but the only way to make that diagnosis would be to have a lung biopsy performed. Can I tell you how excited I was to hear this???? But, at the same time....God gave me such peace...and our God sent doctor was so precious in his genuine care and concern for me as a human being.

As I was wheeled down to the operating wing and lingered in the hall speaking with everyone that I needed to and signing papers, I was introduced to the surgeon and the anesthesiologist as we all discussed how to proceed due to my issue of PVC's (arrhythmia's) and the fact that one lung would need to be shut down to perform the biopsy and they would need to rely on the other. Well, the doctor's thought there was a good chance that they could get in and out really quick and get a specimen of lung tissue without too much of a problem and the anesthesiologist gave me his word that he would keep watch on everything to keep me safe.

When I awoke, I was told that the procedure had been done and that a chest tube had been inserted to drain off the blood and air from the lung that had been collapsed during the procedure. Can I tell you that morphine had finally become a friend.... and though I slept only briefly 24/7, I wasn't in too much pain...although a catheter had been put in place and I was pretty much confined to the bed for several days. The surgeon looked in on me and thought I was ready to have the chest tube removed.....And this is where the fun really began (to be continued)

WHERE ON EARTH HAVE I BEEN?????

2010-01-13T04:00:00.001-08:00

When I initially began this blog, it was my intention to write about relative and challenging issues which many of us have in common, perhaps asking questions that may be somewhat uncomfortable to ask...but need to be put forth, just the same. However, shortly after I began to post....something happened....and I'd like to relay my journey in parts. Why? Normally a bloggers favorite subject is themselves; this is where I differ from my compatriots :) I would much rather discuss anything but me in an open forum and instead answer the challenge which Jesus gave us in Mark 16:15 and be salt amongst the sometimes watered down "gospel" messages brought forth from so many of today's pulpits.

However, let's get caught up with my journey up until this point because it is now an integral part of who I am today....

And so, I found myself preparing for relatively simple out patient procedure to remove my diseased gall bladder. Up until June of 2009, I remained fixed on getting rid of the issue that had caused me so much pain and illness since being hospitalized over Christmas. On June 2oth I checked into the Outpatient Surgery Center at Long Beach Memorial Hospital, a bit nervous since I am an asthmatic and one never knows how being "put under" will affect my breathing. I was also going to endure a DNC at the same time due to some female issues which had been affecting me for many months.

Well, it seemed in no time at all....I was in recovery and being told that the surgeon was able to do the arthroscopic surgery, instead of cutting me open. I was so relieved about this because I knew that my recovery time would be a lot quicker and I could return to my job (which I love almost as much as riding my motorcycle :) and that life would go on as usual.

Several days following the surgery, I began to have some additional breathing problems which I sought help for both in the Acute Care Clinic and the ER on several occasions. I had an appointment scheduled with my primary care physician, and was determined to hold out until I saw him because I trusted his advice. The day of that appointment, I found myself huddled in my office under two sweaters with chill's and a fever. Though it wasn't the smartest thing to have waited...even a few days; what my PCP did was even more stupid.

I saw Doctor Roth on a day when the electric ended up going out in the building because there was a traffic accident nearby that brought down a pole. And so, I was told to go to another location to have an X-Ray done of my lungs to rule out pneumonia. After I received the X-Ray in hand, my husband ran it up to Dr. Roth and was told "oh, she has some bugger's in her lungs; have her take this medication" and they sent me on my merry way.

Later that day, my breathing became worse and we decided to go to a different ER (Los Alamitos Medical Center) where the doc took one look at my X-Ray and said that I had pneumonia. I was given another prescription and sent home. When I didn't get any better over the following days, we returned to our Acute Care Clinic where we saw a doctor who really took the time to think about there being something more going on than just a simple pneumonia. I was shot up with more antibiotic's, steroids, and given more prescriptions and told to return the next day. When I did, the doc said I needed to be in the hospital and was taken by ambulance to LBM where I spent many many hours on a gurney before they decided to put me up on the 5th floor.

My stay there was the beginning of what would turn out to be many days hospitalized; non of which were uneventful! At this point I might add that I had no voice left from all the coughing and so my communication was mostly through whispering or writing notes.

Before I end this first addition of my journey, I would like to introduce you to Dr. David Hirota. He's my infectious disease doctor. He is my blessing sent by God, who up until now has worked very hard (and prayed I might add) to keep me alive. Though I was under the care of what has become a great team of doctor's, David is who we believe to be Gods man in all of this.... And this is only the tip of the ice-berg in what has evolved into "Judy's Journey." You can see pic's on my FB page under Judy Massey Notchick if you'd like and I will soon add another installation of my journey continued....

The SHOE Has Been THROWN!

2009-06-05T10:04:00.000-07:00

In the lands of the Middle East, a sign of utter disrespect is sometimes demonstrated by someone throwing a shoe at another person. This act of disdain is rarely seen in public, however many of you may remember this shameful act being done to President George W. Bush. I have many thoughts about that particular event, but I withhold in order to address the shoe that President Barrack Hussein Obama threw at the United States government, people and military in front of multitudes of cheering Muslim’s in Egypt and beyond.

He said that he came with the goodwill of the people of the United States and greeted his Muslim audience with peace on behalf of the Muslim’s in the US. He now refers to Terrorist’s as “violent extremists.” He spoke of Islam being tolerant…..I’m not so sure the family of the British gentleman who was beheaded this week by his Islamic captures would agree that Muslim’s demonstrate tolerance….I’m not so sure that this man was treated with the dignity that Obama spoke of Islam sharing with the US.

“The holy Quran tells… (us) Be conscious of God and speak always the truth…” Tells whom Mr. Obama? Not Christians…Not Jews.....since the Quran is not our Holy Book. In fact this same “holy book” tells Muslim’s to covert or kill the Jews and Christians. But perhaps this small statement made by the President of the United States who unabashedly denied any ties to Islam during his canadacy…but now chooses words which publicly will forever tie him to the teachings of Islam. Obama even said Quran with an accent….I’m sure that warmed the hearts of his audience. And yet…this man pronounced this statement, “I am a Christian.”

This lightning bolt was let loose in such a way that if you blinked you missed it….One could barely hear it…But I didn’t miss it Mr. Obama….If you are a Christian then I am a Muslim! Would Christ give his backing to babies being ripped from their mother’s wombs still alive and left in a corner to die? Would Christ designate the month of June for countless perverts to celebrate their indecent acts? Would Christ lie? Would Christ steal money from those who earned it just to give it to those who won’t work? There are so many more questions, but you should get the gist of this.

Does he really believe the words that he said? Such as, “Throughout history Islam has demonstrated in words and deeds the possibilities of religious tolerance and racial equality” Obviously by the cheers of the audience they seemed to believe this heinous lie! And how about, “I also know that Islam has always been a part of America’s story.” What????? This country was founded by those who fled from religious tyranny and whom adhered to Judeo Christian beliefs. Not Islam Dummy!

And he goes on to state with pride that recently a Muslim Congressman took his oath on a Quran that had been in the library of Thomas Jefferson. How dare a government figure do such a thing! The Holy Bible has and always will be the symbol of honor, truth and godly service. It gets much worse…

In yet another egregious attempt to kiss the behind’s of Arab’s, our own president when mentioning what a crisis that 9/11 was to all Americans, used the second part of his statements to unravel the integrity and honor of every military member – past, present and future! The decisions that we made after 9/11 were conscious, wrought with prayer, counsel and wisdom. Though some of the Intel that was received may not have been on target, in a time of crisis the protector’s of freedom are bound to move in order to serve the best interest of the country and her future. How dare this man who never served a moment in the United States military make a statement about “torture,” as he did? But, his objective failed miserably, because the “extremist’s” as he describes terrorist’s have one more reason to have confidence that their agenda will prevail. It reminded me of someone on the other side of the bathroom door taking care of his business and Obama removing the door in front of the world.

Obama then commit’s to standing against the negative stereotypes of Islamic people….and yet he says he is a Christian…and he has done nothing less then disdain the follower’s of Christ ever since his candidacy and now his presidency began. While I know what Romans chapter 13 instructs, I have to confess that I have never ever had a more difficult time in accepting the fact that even Obama demands my respect. If prayer for his soul and tears of sorrow can be counted, then I respected Mr. Obama’s office in the early morning hours today as I lay awake praying for the salvation of his soul.

While I have to say that some part of his speech found a home of agreement in my heart, at the same time they were words…..Talk is cheap!

In closing….President Obama has put out the welcome mat to all terrorist’s letting them know the light is on for them and welcome home! But some of us will be waiting and not sleeping believing in our Constitutional and God given rights – unafraid…at the ready…

Are There Any Mr. Smith's Left in Washington?

2009-06-03T18:27:00.000-07:00

Most folks remember the classic 1939 era movie with Jimmy Stewart. But for those who don’t….it is a heart warming and patriotic story about a naïve young man from rural America whose hero is a good friend of his father’s and a very respected senior senator. Anyway, Jefferson Smith was put into the place of a junior senator through the manipulations and plans of several very powerful and dishonest men in their plan to use him as a wooden headed puppet who would fill the seat but not give them any trouble when it came to their wicked plans to personally profit at the expense of others.

And so, Senator Smith arrived in Washington DC wide eyed and completely oblivious to reality. His mind filled with the dreams of proposing a bill that would grant boys from all over the United States, despite their nationality…a chance to go to a camp which would strengthen their bodies, minds and convictions in preparation for the next part of their lives. Much to his sorrow, Smith came to find out that the man he thought was an honest servant of the people…was actually a fraud. Through a course of painful and shameful events and evil accusations made against him to cover up the deeds of these powerful men….Senator Smith found himself the laughing stock of DC with only one chance to try and save not only his name, but the respect of his office…He took the floor of the Senate and performed an over 20 hour filibuster which miraculously led the senior senator to completely confessing his guilt and clear Smith’s name.

If you haven’t yet seen this movie, you have to catch it sometime because it is one of those movies which get your heart to beating in believing in the goodness of man even in the midst of the multitudes who are darkened and depraved legislating evil. Fast forward to 2009 when it seems that everyone in government has lost their minds; where the Republic of the United States of America is no more and we are left with taxation without representation. Especially if you are residing in California – the first bankrupt state in the union, the most radically diverse, and most progressive on the part of humanities wicked intentions that can possibly be.

We watch the news and understand that the majority of networks are now owned by the puppet in the white house and those who are pulling his strings. Those who lie without a blink, who firmly believe that the slaughter of unborn babies is not only okay but the right of every woman, those who have pronounced June at a month to celebrate perversion and evil, those who bow low before our worlds leaders apologizing for being American, and who do it all with a glazed over smile and a little screen in front of them filled with words written by the puppet master’s themselves.

My heart cries out to God in prayer for this nation that there would come a flood of repentance and that as the word promises – God will hear our prayer, forgive our sin and heal our land! Does the character of Mr. Smith even exist anymore or is it a fairy tale to believe that there are still those who are honorable, honest, self sacrificing, compassionate and wise leaders who have the guts to revolt against this new kind of tyranny which threatens the very life of this nation?
As a writer, I know that even my time to enjoy the Constitutional Right of FREE SPEECH is on the brink of annihilation and soon only those media outlets who perform for the puppet and his master’s, will exist and all others will be silenced. Just like North Korea….where men, women and children are being slaughtered. How? The NK Army lines them up and shoots them with their high powered rifles. Why? Simply because they are Christians, and one day right here in America the puppet master’s will begin to line us up…Who? Those who speak out against Big Brother, those who have deeply held religious beliefs which adhere to the teachings of the bible, those who stand up and use their constitutionally given rights, those who speak out against evil, immorality and wickedness, those who speak out on behalf of those who have no voice; the unborn, the disabled and the elderly.

Does this sound like some futuristic fantasy? Don’t believe me….do the research and check out what happened to over 6 Million Jews and others in Nazi Germany and Europe. Why it started out with newspapers including disparaging cartoons and caricatures of Jews and no one rising up to stop it….and step by step it evolved into Hitler (And, no Hitler was not a “Christian”) and his puppets beginning to designate who the Jews were by forcing them to wear golden stars, then taking over the businesses that were Jewish owned. Finally, families were dragged out of their homes and either shot to death like criminals or forced to board trains to take them to concentration camps where if they were lucky they were forced into the gas chambers and if not they were worked like wretches, tortured and tormented. Families ripped apart and many completely obliterated. And this horror continued on into Poland, Russia, France and other countries until the great sleeping giant awoke from her deceptive slumber and heard the cries of England and other European countries that were being devastated by this evil.

Surely this “evolution” from cartoon to death camps took many years to cultivate and achieve. Not even…..Check it out and see how easily it can happen….

And so I end this solemn piece with the question; Are There Any Mr. Smith’s Left in Washington who will stand? I pray God that there are…

ABORTIONIST MURDERED

2009-05-31T17:52:00.000-07:00

I am purposely not mentioning the abortionist’s name in this article as the only and just way to confront the atrocity both of his murder; and in the light of the many many murders that he chose to be a part of. You see, his name…his life was unjustly snuffed out by some lunatic who may have been deceived into thinking that what he did was right. However, cold blooded murder, whether it’s done in an abortion clinic in a sterile setting or a church…is still heinous.

When I heard about the shooting, my first thought was….how bizarre that a murderer attended church! The notion of such a thing is oxymoronic. A man attending a church supposedly in line with Luther’s teachings; not even! The reformation took place because the Spirit of Almighty God manifested the truth of the bible to a man who had searched desperately for the truth and found it. The root of all Luther stood for and eventually died for was that the word of God was the first, middle and last authority on the subject of faith, and living out that life of faith....

Luther taught that there was a huge difference between just being baptized into the faith and that of living our faith out daily in submission to God, not as outward works but inward obedience. Shouldn’t there be a difference between those in the church who supposedly adhere themselves to the teachings of the bible and those outside of the faith? I say yes!!! Yes!!!! YES!!!!

Should murderers be named amongst the saints? Well, I suspect that this “abortionist” playing usher in the church this morning thought himself a good person; but in light of what standard? Evidently he had his very own standard of morality which found itself separated by miles and miles from Christ’s teachings. And yet, he thought of himself as a good person? Perhaps true from his personal perverted standards; but what of Gods standards?

What was the Law of Moses? You remember don’t you? ….Thou Shalt Not MURDER, Thou Shalt not LIE, Thou Shalt not commit ADULTERY, Thou Shalt not COVET…..and on and on…. Well, now I’m getting very black and white introducing the bible into this discussion, aren’t I? When the abortionist stands before the judgment seat of Christ, and is asked have you ever committed murder, do you think he will be able to stand in the light of Gods perfection and lie?

He may have lied to his family, and his co-workers, and even his fellow employee’s who took part in the genocide along with him. He may have been able to lie to the face of the women who found herself inconvenienced by a pregnancy, just to tell her that it’s not a baby but a FETUS, which defined means: an unborn vertebrate at a stage when all the structural features of the adult are recognizable, especially an unborn human offspring after eight weeks of development

Does the Law of God demand an answer both for the cold blooded murder of the church usher this morning as well as for the cold blooded murder of countless unborn babies? If God is fair, then the answer is a resounding yes! Just because society has evolved into a multitude who have no moral’s, no conscience, and who spurn the use of self control at the expense of bringing forth a life just to rip it from her womb because it might be inconvenient or financially imprudent; Murder remains Murder! The church usher and the one who murdered him are equally guilty in the court of Gods law, are they not?

Appearances Can Be Deceiving

2009-05-21T12:59:00.000-07:00

I learned a very valuable lesson this morning as I sat and discussed several issues which recently culminated with me and my family having some hurt feelings. My friend and co-worker spoke to me with clarity, grace and patience and brought up some very important points which up until that moment, I was missing.

So here’s the situation…..

We are keenly aware that appearances can cause much controversy and even invite judgment, unduly. Occasionally, it is jewelry or even clothing but it may not even be something that we are wearing, but perhaps it’s a decoration, a sticker with symbols, or even a pattern on something we own which includes something that in the eye of the beholder doesn’t represent something that a Christian should have.

There are symbol’s associated with cultures….From the middle east there come clothing which can even be offensive to the most humble amongst us, such as veils and beads and things of that sort. But closer to our own neighborhoods, say the biker world….there are things associated with us that it just so happens that the average Christian who isn’t involved in biking….doesn’t understand and they may even be suspect of.

Let’s take skull’s….After becoming a Christian, God cleaned house in both my husband and my life….No one had to tell us, but instead the Holy Spirit spoke to us individually and as a couple to start getting rid of some of the things from our previous lives. That included wizard pictures and sculptures, books on the occult, drug paraphernalia, worldly music which for us used to be used along with drugs and alcohol to bring us to a place that was now very dangerous to us as new believers. We even used our old albums for skeet shooting and pulled hundreds of feet of cassette tapes. Even my husbands coveted collection of Easy Rider’s, Iron Horse and Porn was destroyed and disposed of.

Okay, so for years we looked just like every other Christian….We tried our best to sound like them too, even with my husband’s uncanny ability to sound just like Larry the Cable Guy! But, somewhere in there we began to loose ourselves and who God had made us to be. Our uniqueness was hidden for fear of judgment and condemnation from other Christians.

Most people think this only happens between Christians and unbelievers…But the fact is that we are all wicked and depraved humans, who stumble daily even in our efforts to portray a good example of “Christians.” We eye one another sometimes with a rigid understanding on what is acceptable and what is not.

Enter the biker lifestyle re-emerging into our lives. On the outward, wearing bandanas is a part of every day life for us….not a Halloween costume. Leather and jeans to protect us goes right along with earrings and gauges/piercings which all happen to be part of the persona of bikers….not inherently sinful. Decorations such as dream catchers and the skulls of bulls are customarily used to adorn bikes, clothing and jewelry…and even the mirror of our cages (cars).

Do we have skulls around because we are Satan worshippers? No way! It is just a part of the biker look. We have a good grip on satanic symbol’s and in no way take part in using such things in any way that is contrary to what God would have. How about dream catchers? If we had them hanging on the wall by our bed or the bed/crib of our children…then yeah we’d be participating in a pagan practice. But if we simply like the design as it relates to the biker lifestyle and God has given us a peace in using it, then isn’t this deciding factor of whether or not to use it? Some would say that earrings and gauges and even other piercings are “of the devil.”

The bible is clear in that we are not to wear the golden earring designating our ownership as a slave, as many wore in ancient times. And the bible is also clear about being tattooed with those marks which are in relation to funeral rights. May of us wore these items and displayed our ink way before we were saved, and many of us are unashamed to do so after coming to Christ and becoming committed Christians. Our acceptance in the biker world, especially amongst those who we minister too….weighs heavy upon appearances as well as protocol and our genuine behavior and interaction with others and though we are clearly different from unbelievers within the biker world, we are accepted and shown great favor because we are truly authentic.

And so, though I understand with great gravity that we need to be sensitive to our brethren and not purposely offend them by our behavior, and appearance as is fitting as Christians…..I also know that it might help them to know that we understand their feelings, but to explain our position which may very well be something that they have no idea about. What it comes down to is that many of us have brethren who are involved in customs and activities which we have no understanding of….and as biker’s may of them may not have any understanding to “our world.”

The issue which remains important is that when we have become aware that something about our biker lifestyle has offended our brother, we have been given the opportunity to explain our use of whatever has offended him and though we will be sensitive to not purposely flaunt whatever it is in front of him, giving him an explanation might help to give him a broader understanding about the subject. We ought always to choose to be motivated by love and not reactionary. Sometimes our worlds can become so small that we always feel like we’re being picked on….Come on, if we’re Christians we are all targets of the devil…We are better to keep things in perspective…and that, a loving compassionate grace filled perspective!

Paul says in Galatians chapter 1- I was not appointed by any group of people or any human authority, but by Jesus Christ himself and by God the Father, who raised Jesus from the dead

Get Back Whips Considered Deadly Weapon

2009-05-20T20:03:00.000-07:00

For some time now, law enforcement in San Bernardino, Riverside and other CA Counties have been citing biker’s for having a deadly weapon in their possession. A gun? No…. A Knife? No… Then what? And not only have biker’s been stopped, but arrests have been made and the bikes impounded.

Most of us have clicked on a “get back” made with braided leather, normally in our club/ministry color’s…. They’re cool looking and as we ride, the whip raises like a wing in the wind. They’re just popular additions to our bikes persona and if we are honest most of us are 50/50 on the first and second reason for putting them on our handlebars. Number one is definitely the look…but number two happens to be what we know about how this innocent looking item can be used to take some “Silly Billy’s” attention off of wiping us out while we can make a quick escape.

I know I’m preaching to the choir when I relate the dangers we face every time we’re out on the roads, but for the sake of folks who don’t ride but may end up reading this….bare with me. You see, though most of us have loud pipes to call attention to us….we are many times unintentionally targeted because we’re smaller than the average vehicle out on the road, folks just don’t look for us, and far too many are putting on their lipstick, eating a big mac or talking on their cell. Though California passed a law banning the operation of cell phones, other than hands free…..people just don’t get it… when Susie’s talking to Mom on the way home from work with the crying baby in the back seat, she won’t see us….she won’t hear us….until it’s too late.

Okay that’s one side of the danger zone….but there’s the other which is something that gets many of our blood to boil. These are the folks out there that see us….hear us…..and want to purposely show their bravado by intentionally swerving into our lane, even trying to hit us when we are (*legally white lining). We have no doubt been shown how to use the whip if we are faced with this dangerous scenario with no way out. The whip is made with a quick release (originally used for horses that are trailered for a quick release in case of an emergency). When we pull on the whip it disengages and slides through our right hand allowing the metal clip to be on the end that can then be swung around toward the vehicle (especially a window), thus you can figure out what will happen to glass when the metal clip is swung toward it! No matter the ingenuity or lack of…..in doing something like this……Rider’s generally understand that the whip might work better than their boot kicking the side of the vehicle.

Anyway, it stinks that there are really people out on the roads who target us purposely….nevertheless they do. Am I advocating vandalism? Not at all….don’t shoot me, I’m just the messenger. And so…..LA County has now joined the frenzy and so if you are pulled over with a “get back” you may find yourself in jail, your bike impounded, and spending lots of time and money getting yourself out of a jam that in my mind is just another ploy to profile bikers. We would never use a “get back” as a weapon. It is only a tool to protect ourselves against reckless drivers, but its main purpose is to show
Club/ministry colors. So, our members won’t be riding with “get backs” anymore, at least until the plastic clip ones are available in purple and black.

*White Lining or Splitting Lanes is LEGAL in the state of California! Why is it allowed and under what circumstances? First, most of us run bikes with no radiator and so we totally depend upon moving so the air cools our engines. We are permitted to do this maneuver when vehicle traffic is stopped or traveling 35 mph or under. The top speed we can travel at between lanes is 40 mph, but we should use extreme caution and be in a position to quickly maneuver our bike to make a safe stop if necessary.

Faithful Are The Wounds Of A Friend - TEST

2009-05-19T10:56:00.000-07:00

Introduction

How many times do we find ourselves in a position where we must share difficult truths with the people we love? If you are walking the walk with Jesus daily, chances are you are kept on your toes often. We receive our marching orders from the Lord and His Holy Spirit accompanies us just to see that the errand is carried out in a worthy manner. It might be our best friend, spouse, or brother. She may be a sister in our congregation or even a person in leadership within the church. However, it doesn’t always have to be someone other than our self! Sometimes we also have to cause ourselves to face difficult truths.

God has given us a grace filled pathway in order to be able to confront issues in our lives as well as assisting those around us. But, just as the surgeon must use extreme caution when performing such delicate work, we must take care as well. Lives are so sensitive and even vulnerable. The walls of Jericho came down much easier than some of the emotional walls, which surround our lives. But we must depend on the same source that Joshua did. Jehovah.

The following is a work of love and grace, which I offer to you, the Body of Christ. It’ll probably make you uneasy and maybe even angry with some of the topics that I cover. And that’s OK! I believe that the Word of God when used as “prescribed” can be used as medicine and a mirror for its reader. We look into the Word of truth and sometimes become frightened at what we see. The trick is not to run away…but to give God a chance to speak to us. Let us remember that our Father does nothing without the motivation of His love for us. And we might do well to do the same.

The truth is, we often go off “half cocked.” When a gun is half cocked it could have the capacity to be dangerous enough to fire. Often, our “bullet” is out of the chamber before we have realized what we have done. The bullet has already torn the flesh and is winding its way through the inside of its victim. My desire is to wash your wounds. To pour the oil and the wine upon your scars, just as the Holy Spirit continues to do within me. I haven’t reached perfection yet; but come on neither have you. So, join me on a conquest to tear down the walls - which divide us, so that we can truly experience the Power of God!

Finally, you can pick up another pretty little book that will tickle your fancy…but wouldn’t you rather spend your time of devotion in the face of God instead of sniffing around the hallway outside? If you’re satisfied with “social religion” or “empty rituals”, then you really want to put this book down! If not, jump on board! This is an “E ticket” ride! The Eternity Express!