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BSHDFC E-Mag November 2018 | Page 7 Marty Edwards/ Na onal P. BSHDFC If we ask a small child what prayer is, they're likely to say one of two things: "Talking to God" or "Asking God for stuff." But if we explore further the idea of talking to God, we might ask, "What are we supposed to be talking to God about?" The easy answer is ANYTHING and EVERYTHING, but biblically we find evidence for: 1. ADORATION (recognizing God's nature) 2. CONFESSION (asking God's forgiveness) 3. THANKSGIVING (apprecia ng God's gi s) 4. SUPPLICATION (telling God what we need) I would not only suggest the types of prayer above, but suggest the order as well: Begin with praise ("God, you are such a great and awesome GOD!") followed by confession (Lord, I've not been everything I wanted to be this week. Please forgive me.). Then, thanksgiving ("Father you provide so well for me! Thank- you!) and finally, supplica on or simply, requests…for ourselves and for others. NOTE: If you find yourself suddenly sliding sideways on an oil slicked Los Angeles freeway at rush hour, feel free to skip to #4 and maybe even #2! Some mes A.C.T.S. is a good way to organize our prayer me. Among other benefits, it puts God first and us last – rather than rushing up to the throne of God with our "gimmies!" The pur- pose of this ar cle, however, is to focus on thanksgiving. Every 4 th Thursday during the month of November, Americans recognize and celebrate a day to be thankful; not just for a huge a ernoon meal, but also for all of the privileges and pleasures we enjoy. (Hopefully we remember to take me for those who are less fortunate, or be er yet par cipate in providing for those in need.) The usual men ons of thanks include food, family, jobs, health and shelter. But if I were to pen a biker's list of things to be thankful for it might look a li le different. God, thank you for LIFE! Thank-you for the unique privilege to ride! Thank-you for the peace and relaxa on is affords me. Thank-you for the forests, mountains, lakes and deserts. Thank-you for the smell of nature and a warm wind. Thank-you for the many 2-wheeled friends I have! Thank-you for those ght spots you pulled me through! Thank-you for the mes I did not even see your protec on; for every car, truck, deer and pothole I missed! You have heard this before, but for the sake of thanksgiving hear it again. In the twenty years since BSHDFC started, we have ex- perienced very few serious accidents and only one fatality. God has watched over us and protected us on so many occasions. Let me tell you about just one. The Black Sheep were having a summer rally in Visalia, CA. At some point a group of us decided to leave the hotel and ride to the dealership. It wasn't an organized ride and so there were no road captains and no direc ons given. When we hit the freeway it was every man for himself as we quickly crossed three lanes of freeway. Just as the last bike was coming inline a pickup truck full of plas c containers began to lose its load. Tubs were falling out of the back of the truck and bouncing in every direc on. The riders began to sca er like an NFL offense, scrambling in every direc on. A er about ten seconds of deadly chaos, it was over. Nobody struck a tub and all was well. That's just one of dozens of stories we could tell if we were all si ng around a fire right now. God loves us and protects us – and we need to remember to say thanks. Temecula Valley BSHDFC president Rico Mar nez bumped knuckles with somebody si ng in the back of a police care. Since Rico's new friend was not handcuffed, we have to assume it was ok. Then again, has anyone heard from Rico lately? Happy "Bikers" THanksgiving Reach Out and tOuch SOmeOne