Issue link: https://cp.revolio.com/i/1382582
R.E.D. Sheep Retired & Extremely Dangerous R.E.D. was a 2010 American action comedy film loosely inspired by Homage Comics. The star-studded cast included some of our favorites: Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich, Richard Dreyfuss and more! RED follows Frank Moses (Bruce Willis), a former black-ops CIA agent who reunites with his old team (all now advanced in years) to capture a dangerous assassin. Tommy Haddon (Black Sheep, So. California and now Texas) was the first to make the connection between the movie and Black Sheep. Just because someone is retired doesn't mean that they are "out of the game." In fact, the retired status creates a whole new dimension of resources and abilities. When the Black Sheep were first organizing in 1999, someone asked the question, "What do we do when one of our members is no longer able to ride? We can't just 'toss them aside after years of service!'" And so, in their first edition of the bylaws, it read: "A member [of BSHDFC] may receive a 'retired status' when they are no longer able to ride due to age, poor health or injuries. Retired members will not pay dues, will not vote or hold office, but may keep and wear their cut to any event." Since 1999 Black Sheep has "lost" hundreds of members and thousands of man hours to a well-deserved retirement. But what if one still identifies with the mission statement and appreciates the effort? Can they continue to contribute? Herein lies both an opportunity and a challenge for those who have retired. You were once passionate about being a part of Black Sheep: Harley-Davidsons for Christ. You were "compelled" to join! You served faithfully, you shared your faith and you built relationships that will last forever. As time passed you discovered that you were unable to ride as far as you once did without "paying for it" the next morning. Your eye sight wasn't what it used to be. Your arms and legs got numb when you rode. And so you retired. But while you may no longer be able to ride a motorcycle, you still have years of knowledge, decades of walking with Christ and experience and many skills to offer. You may be retired but you could be R.E.D. You may still have much to offer in this business of reaching bikers for Christ. Denny and Donna Coggins (Temecula Valley BSHDFC) were among the first five families to form BSHDFC. Denny helped write the bylaws and literally built (by himself) the first office in Murrieta. Today, Denny rides the streets of God in Heaven, but Donna, now in her eighties, still drives her car with a magnetic sign on each door announcing, "Black Sheep: Harley-Davidsons for Christ." She attends HOG and BSHDFC meetings. She greets the people, hugs their necks and is a general source of encouragement and cheer. She is still a dangerous member of the Lord's army! Donna is not the only one. We have many retired members around the country and we want you to know, "We still need you!" Retired members, even without a motorcycle can... • Answer phones, make calls • Write notes of encouragement • Take goody boxes to dealerships • Occupy a booth at an event • Visit bikers in the hospital • Encourage our members • Attend HOG meetings • Attend BSHDFC Meetings • Share your faith story • Write articles for the eMag • Organize a weekly prayer team You may be retired, but if you so desire, you can still be "100% Wool" for the rest of your life. You once had a burden for bikers. Do you still? The devil knows you've gotten older but he doesn't know what a threat you still are! He doesn't know what you are capable of when you are filled with the Holy Spirit, immersed in the Word of God and praying on your knees daily! He doesn't know that YOUR STORY of how you came to Christ or how God "saved your bacon" one day on the way back from Sturgis may reach someone's heart for Christ. Hunter Thompson wrote, " "Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!" Pray about it. God might be calling you to re-enlist as a RED sheep. And hey...no dues! Ï