The time has come...

[Neddy]

Outrider,

I have just spent hours replying to your most recent posting (as well as Mick's and Kimbo's), sharing stories of a few rides and some of my mate's experiences as he returned to motorcycling. I hit the "Submit" button and it all disappeared into the Ether. I'm afraid I'm exhausted (my index fingers are stiff and sore) and I can never re-create that epistle which is out there somewhere floating around looking for the CMA Web site.

Such is life in the computer world.

Cheers and God bless Old Mate.

Neddy

[Outrider]

Little trick mate...... If it happens again simply use your back button and the original page will come back, also always copy what you have written and that way you can paste it in again, that's another way. Been there and done that many times so don't feel bad. I would love to have read it by the way.

[Neddy]

G'Day Outrider,

Yes Mate I was at Mt Victoria for CMA's National Gathering back in 08. I remember Big Trev's and Nadine's wedding well but I'm afraid I don't recall two blokes with white shields. This is probably explained by my advanced 'Old-Timer's-Disease' which seems to affect my memory about 85% of the time.

I was on a BMW R1100GS which I towed to Mt Victoria behind my Falcon ute. My Bride no longer rides pillion so this was my answer to the problem of getting both the bike and my bride to the venue. Worked well too. We both had a great week end

I courted my wife on a Triumph Tiger 110 back in the early 60s. I think she remembers how I used to ride but while she coped then she now has a hightened sence of her mortality and prefers a steel cage around her and a seat belt holding her in place.

My love of riding bikes has never diminished over the years. I praise the Lord that when I became a Christian back in 58 the only thing I could afford to buy or to run was a bike. I bought an Ariel Red Hunter (500 single) which was about 7 years old. It was both transport and a mobile mechanics course. I learned a lot about mechanical things, got around to Christian gatherings and learned the joys of motorcycling. Not a bad deal for 35 quid hey??

I think that the thing I enjoy most about riding is experiencing God creation sort of "in the raw" (in a car one is cacooned and you miss the change of temperature and the smell of road kill). I find my self saying "thank you" more on the bike as I crest a rise and see another panarama unfold or as I sweep around the curves alongside a creek or river and see marvellous vistas unfolding, than when I'm in the car.

Most riders speak about the "freedom" they experience on a bike and I relate to that.
I am involved in a prison ministry called KAIROS. This is a non denominational work in which a team of Christians train together over six Saturdays and then spend 3 to 5 days in a gaol sharing the Gospel with the inmates. One of the things that has been impressed on me is the preciousness of freedom. Blokes in gaol have none. Every moment of their day is organised for them. At night they are locked up and cannot look up at the stars. KAIROS brings a special freedom to many of these blokes as they meet Jesus and discover freedom from the penalty and power of sin. It is a rewarding ministry.

Old Mate, enjoy your freedom to ride and to immerse yourself in the beauty and vastness of God's creation.

Cheers and God bless

Neddy.

[Outrider]

Neddy,

Ol' war stories here mate and I'm loving it. I rode the Tiger for about 3 years and enjoyed every minute of it. Went everywhere on it. Mind you if mum had ever found out I had it I would not be alive today, Praise God. Anyway, I along with a bout 9 other elect apprentices bought these bikes in Brisbane at a ploice aucton and a mates father trucked them back to Townsville. We got the word they were in town and went straight to get them only to find that they were in a shed..... along with ground sheets and a box of tools.

His dad made us pull those bikes down to every last nut and bolt and them rebuild them under his directions so we knew they were no only roadworthy but almost brand new. I painted mine full black and did as much rechroming as psooible, was pretty chuffed with the final product.

Now I am sure you know that Townsville gets very hot in summer. So one night a bunch of us headed for the local swim centre where Lorry Lowance was a swim teacher in those days. About 9pm we left in our swim gear and mounted up for a ride to our favourite cafe. Well I ask my girlfriend if she was right, heard some answer and gunned the bike down the road.

I became aware that the bike was really getting up and going and wondered why, looked round and no pillion. I rode back to find my lady friend in her bikinis flat on her bottom on the road and spitting flames at me. Seems her bikini was still wet and as I rode off she slid off. Absolutly cried with laughter for about half an hour, man did I cop it for the next couple of weeks.

We did some not so safe things on those bikes but no one got hurt and no one died. Would I do it today? No way I would get locked up or what ever they do to you now. If we got caught we got a kick in the butt and then the local cop would tell our dads and we would cop it again. Helmets were not even invented then I remember, thongs and tshirts and shorts were the dress of the day.

We rode in the rain, the cold, the heat and what ever else the day ar night threw at us. If I remember I clocked up more than a 150k on that bike. I was depressed for a month after I sold it because I was going into the air force and didn't want any one riding it while I was away. The bike would have sat for 2 years before I could get back to it so sold it.

I rode bush bikes while in the force and when I got out rode road bikes again. Yamaha XJ550 was a favourite for several years. Now I ride a Yamaha 1100 cruiser and I reckon it might see me out of my riding days. I have it set up the way I want it and will just enjoy the ride for years to come.

I ride alone mostly now as I said, I love the solitude and the closeness to the land, the scenery, the wind and road noise. I have a couple of favourite places I like to sit on the bike and just enjoy the vista before me. I like the mountains in spring and the open paddocks in winter. It really doesn't matter where or why I just like to ride. Now and then it is good to have company and riding with the Chaplain from B4C is a real treat. I am a member of B4C hence the reference to the white shield we wear.

As I said I love the ol' war stories of riders who have reached our vintage, the young fellas have to get there yet.

[mick]

turning 40 this year but reading these posts I feel o so young keep up the good work fella's

[Outrider]

Hey guys, just for interests sake, if you are up this way around Warwick then I suggest you drop in at the caravan park at Leslie Dam for one giant surprise.

In particular if you are needing some restoration ministry. More after I have been there.

[Outrider]

Evening Guys,

Well I'm sure I don't have to ask you guys if you want to join with me in praise for our Lord.
Earlier this week I had a visit to the surgeon who did a little cutting action on me.
I was there to check I was healing well and then off to work, well it didn't work out quite like that.
It seems that I had a brush with the Big "C", had it for around 10 years so they said.
Another 3 months and it would have been too late, delayed reaction saw me on my butt in the carpark 20 minutes later
A simple 45 minute proceedure turned into about 4+hours, and all the while I was sleeping.
The good thing is I am all clear, no need for further checks other than my yearly ones, pathology proven.
Yeah I have to keep watch but I know who did the healing and I praise him daily.
Now it's a new day and I'm ready for a new ride.

[mick]

Yes that is certianly good news, and as we should give praise in all things we share your praise in this

[Elaress]

Yes that is certianly good news, and as we should give praise in all things we share your praise in this

As Mick said, that is good news. I saw my father lose his life to cancer just 3 weeks after he was diagnosed. He believed that God was calling him home and that his work on this earth was finished. God must have a lot more planned for you Outrider.

[mick]

Amen Elaress, my father used to say that as Christians it is far better to be at home with the Lord than to be here on earth with all the sadness that goes with a sinfull world, but if our time or work is not done then we must stay and complete his work that he has set for each of us

[Outrider]

That could be very scary Elaress indeed but it will be interesting just the same.
Mick, great to talk to you yesterday, pretty good choice mate, looking after your family.

Today I have spent all day listening to some recordings from a seminar held here last month.
I didn't go because of a mix up on website info but at least I have the recordings now.

So what is it all about? Healing, and I have never heard it that way in all my years.
Actually very exciting stuff and I want to hear a lot more. My mate in Brisbane has been healed of cancer as well.
All in all it's been a pretty exciting few weeks just past. The future has some surprises in store for many of us I think.

For me it's all about seeing changed lives and carrying out what ever is asked of me by the Lord.
To have the support of great mates and encouragement from them as well is a privilage and in some ways an honour.

[Neddy]

G'Day Outrider,

Its been a month or so since I checked the Web and I signed in to see what's been happening with you and I note that you have had a brush with cancer. It is one insidious enemy isn't it, developing in one's body without any indication that it is there and very often only making its presence known when it is so well established that nothing can be done to arrest its growth.

I lost my eldest sister to cancer in 1999 at the tender age of 57.

I got quite a shock last August when my doctor noted my PSA level had jumped from 2.0 to 4.2 over the previous 12 months. Fortunately I have been having an annual test for prostate cancer for three or four years. The doc told me 4.2 was in the range where I ought to have further tests so I did. A biopsy revealed a significant cancer presence but it had been discovered early enough to be treated. Because it was still contained within the prostate I had the choice of any one of a number of treatments.

The first urologist I saw gave me a book outlining all the treatment methods with the pros and cons of each. The one that had the least adverse side effects was unfortunately the most expensive. I chose that treatment anyway and I am delighted with the results.

I had the procedure on 15 Mar this year. It was non invasive and only required 24 hours in hospital. I had a PSA check in mid May and it was down to 1.3 (normal for my age). The Urologist said, "Perfect. See you in 12 months time!"

For that I praise God. I see it as God's healing. I see it as miraculous. I believe that God has given the gift of healing to medical practicioners; the gift of discovery to medical scientists and researchers.

Four or five years ago at one of CMA's National Gathering one of our older members who had survived prostate cancer (pc) asked for leave to speak to the gathering about (pc) and he spoke at great length and with a fair bit of passion. I didn't take too much notice because I assumed that ps only happened to other people.

I am fortunate that I have a few other conditions (like high cholesterol) that need regular blood checks to make sure I'm 'doing the right thing'. The good doctor slipped in an annual PSA check. Good onya doc!

I've only had one short ride (150 km) lately. In cold wet conditions I don't take the bike out for trips into town (spend more time getting gear on and off than you do riding) but a couple of weekends ago I wanted to see a mate in Gresford -a small town 50 ks from Singleton - and the sun was peeping through the scattered clouds, so I pulled the gear on and rode across to see the mate. It was still early when I left so I took the long way home and found a road I hadn't travelled before. I rode south-east through Vacey and Patterson to Maitland where I indulged in a bit of 'retail therapy' and then I rode home up the New England H'way.

Gee! The old bike is great therapy! I felt 10 years younger, envirogated and a few other positive feelings when I got home....as well as having a darned good time on the road!

Cheers and God bless Old Mate.

Neddy

[Kimbo]

Hi Neddy, it was great to see you at Muswellbrook a few weeks ago. I for one am extremely glad that the Lord has more work for you here, you have been a huge inspiration to me over the years and some things that you have said in passing have influenced my life more than you will ever know. You are not only a good man at heart but also a brilliant preacher.
This world needs more Neddy's !! We love you and need you, so stick around old mate !

A few years ago I was sitting in the exercise yard at the Tamworth Jail supposedly praying for a Kairos team member as he spoke. I was feeling depressed with what goes on in prison and the life of the men we were speaking to, plus a few personal problems when I noticed a man approach me. I looked up and saw Ken Foley standing next to me. I asked what he was doing there as he was supposed to be inside supporting the speaker. He simply said that he felt he "needed to be up here with some-one". He asked how I was and I just said " not too good ". What he said to me was something I will never forget, he didn't ask why I wasn't too good or anything, he just said,

" Take it to the cross brother. Take it and drop it at the foot of the cross and ask Jesus to deal with it, you can't deal with it but Jesus can. So just drop it at the Cross brother " The he simply walked away.
Simple but very profound words.

So even though I haven't spent a great deal of time with yourself and Ken I can assure you both that the Lord has used you to change my life and I'm grateful for that.

kimbo

[highway]

Well gentlemen I am back under my old site name. Complicated reasons for using "Outrider" but some dificulties have been solved, Praise God, and I am back as Highway.

Sorry for taking so long but time waits for no man as they say. SOme really great things have ben happening up here and I am really excited to be part of it. We are seeing people healed with simple prayer and one was an instant healing of my daughter by one of our B4C members, she was so stunned it was almost funny.

Many are beginning to see that some things being taught these days are really not right and many times this is being confrmed from other good teachers. SO much I have believed for years has been shown to me to be simply wrong and as if to proove it the Holy Spirit is allowing me to see quality results. One in particular is a mate of mine who had been written off by the doctors and given 2 weeks to live.

He is totally healed and has gained 14+ kilos in weight and is back to what he was about 6 years ago. He is active and working for God, his age is in the 70s by the way. All so exciting and I reckon it will sweep this country in the next year or so, I cannot wait. Never give up guys, we have a ways to go yet. Look forward to hearing how you are doing.

[Neddy]

G'Day Highway/Outrider,

Great to hear that things are going well for you and that you are on the receiving end of God's blessings.

Life is full and hectic for me - and that's a blessing also. As I look at my Diary for September I realise that things are not going to ease off:
Preaching at Scone next Sunday evening(12th); Son and Grandaughter visiting the week following that, then CMA visit to Taree Baptist weekend of 18-19th; KAIROS Wed 22; Kids' Mission at Singleton Anglican Church 27 Sep to 01 Oct and on top of that I have to fit in Army Chaplaincy and my weekly Golf; then after morning tea........

In October I'm taking a sabbatical and I'm making the pilgrimage to the hallowed grounds of Phillip Island for the Moto GP. Got a site booked on the Trackside Camping Ground and the tent is all prepped and waiting to strap on to the 1100GS. I love the ride to and from the Island. I pick a route that includes a good portion of dirt roads and that is a bit different to previous visits.

I've just finished building a device to load bikes onto the back of my ute. Riding up a ramp onto a ute is "hairy" at the best while getting the bike off again (backwards) is too frightening to contemplate. With my loading machine I only have to pop the front wheel into a cradle at ground level, lock the wheel in and then the cradle is winched up a ramp, which in turn is drawn into a receiving frame. When the bike reaches the point of balance on the back of the ute the receiving frame drops down and the bike is pulled to the front of the ute tray.
I've utilised an electric winch from a boat trailer and the whole process is smooth and without drama.
My Bride doesn't ride pillion any more, so if we going to visit a biker mate and I want to take the Bride and the bike I now have an easy solution.

Good to hear from you again Highway/Outrider.

Cheers and God bless.

Neddy