Issue link: https://cp.revolio.com/i/1521627
Why We Train National Chaplains: Tom & Dee Sanchez About every other year since I started riding, I've taken some sort of motorcycle riding class – either Motorcycle Safety Foundation, American Motorcycle Association, Ride Like a Pro, or something offered by our State Police. It doesn't matter. I've tried to do something every so often to help improve my skills and work on the basics. The first class was the MSF Basic course when I wanted to get my license. About two years later I retook that same course – interestingly with the same instructor who's become a good friend. The second time was because I had been off the bike for 8-9 months because a pickup truck didn't see me and pulled out in front of me. After my broken bones were healed and I'd recovered from the surgeries and was ready to ride again, I thought it best to retake that class. It was helpful, especially in overcoming the anxiety that lingered after the accident. Two years later, I took the Advance course to get more familiar with the handling of my Road Glide. Since that time I've kept up the tradition, working on the basics of turning, slow speed maneuvering, braking and obstruction avoidance. etc. I wanted to improve. When I was a helicopter pilot in the Navy, we did similar practices, working on the basics every so often to further our skills as well as help us perform the more complex tasks needed for our more difficult missions. In the same way, we as Christians and Chaplains need to continue training. We must hone our skills with sharing the Gospel, praying, mentoring, serving, and caring for others. We don't (or shouldn't) read the Bible once and think we've mastered it all. We read, reread, and study the Word over and over. We attend church services and small group Bible studies to discuss what we're reading to better understand God, His Word, and His plan. We need to spend time talking with other Christians to keep our biblical understanding orthodox and not develop our own interpretations that tickle our ears and don't align with what the Word actually says. As the Word says, Proverbs 27:17 says, "As Iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend." How about you? What are you doing to stay sharp? Are you training? Are you studying? Are you working with other men and women of God to improve your understanding and skills as a Christian? Are you reading books similar to the ones we recommend in the Mentoring process to help you grow? Just as the military pilot must train to be combat ready, the Christian must train to be prepared for the spiritual war we're in. "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens." (Eph. 6:12) Embrace training. Work to be better, not just as a Christ-follower, but as a Chaplain and missionary to the motorcycle community. We Are Black Sheep: HDFC Veronica Thiele (Arkansas BSHDFC) with husband, Evan. I won't go into the fact that it was the 25th anniversary, because that alone deserves its own recognition. I want to be clear for those that don't know, there's something so uniquely powerful about attending The Gathering (BSHDFC). It's not the similar attire (color of clothing or cuts), nor our love of Harley Davidson, nor the location that made it so impactful. Many of those in attendance I didn't even know, and like myself, many came from far away just to attend the event. There's this unspoken connection between us Black Sheep. So much so that I was invited to stay with two different couples (completely new to me) for my upcoming travels. This unspoken connection made us family! The Lord loves family! It was His original creation for us to commune with one another and with Him... not just fellowshipping and breaking of bread, but also to reside with one another, sharing in love and deep connection with one another. We might not know one another's real names, what we do for work, or really much about each another, but we do know this: We each have a deep desire to reach the unreached, to share unashamedly, the love of Christ through our service to those we encounter, on and off the road. Going to The Gathering reminds us who we are and what we've been called to do! For some of us it means being a missionary within our own playground/blacktop, and for others it's perhaps even larger. It has become a way of life! We span three continents, four countries and hundreds upon hundreds of Black Sheep riders are now serving millions of HOG riders. We might have tattoos, wild names, we might even look a bit rough...but we love the Lord fiercely! Beyond the rough exterior is a passion for seeing the Lord reconciled with His people. It often displays itself when shining a boot, sharing a meal, or tears shed for those we serve. We are the ones that will come pray for you any time of day or night We are the ones who will stand by your side, just like our Heavenly Father! It is an honor to wear the Black Sheep patch, to be called and compelled, to go with intention, to pioneer the open road. We ARE Black Sheep: Harley-Davidsons for Christ! 100%Wool