Rumblings

What does consolation mean? The comfort received by a person after a loss or disappointment. Encouragement is the act of giving someone support, confidence, or hope.

Research has proven that people are much happier if they are shown appreciation. Many times it does not take more than a kind word or simple appreciation for a job well done. Encouraging others will become a lost art if we are not intentional about showing others we care. Staying too busy is only an easy way to neglect others. As Christians, we must be intentional about our care of and concern of others welfare, their happiness and spiritual growth. We are our brother’s keeper and encouragement goes a long way to boosting the spirits of a discouraged friend when they are walking through a dark trial. Barnabas was recognized by the title “Son of Encouragement” or “Son of Consolation.”

Where Does Consolation Begin? So glad you asked! Consolation begins in the fulfillment of our relationship with Jesus Christ and His acceptance of us into “the glory” of God.” When in the flow, the attitude of encouragement begins in the fact that God has received us and we, in response to God’s grace, respond by allowing the same acceptance flow out of us to others. (Excerpt from Cultivating a Culture of Caring by Rev. Mark Hardin). `

To be clear, consolation and encouragement is not meddling into another’s affairs when they have been hurt or offended. Proverbs 26:17 KJV: He that passeth by, [and] meddles with strife [belonging] not to him, [is like] one that taketh a dog by the ears.

Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. (Philippians 2:3). It is difficult to esteem another better than yourself when pride is present. We must decrease and Christ must increase before real encouragement and consolation can occur.

A special thank you to our chaplains for compiling the names of those with needs and sending to Chaplain Carman Hamby by the 25th of each month.. This will make it so much easier to keep abreast of the needs of those who serve in ASR.

Disasters
Philippines Apostolic Churches affected by Taal Volcano eruption

Missions
Rev. Mike McGhghy and Rev. Julie McGhghy – AIMers to Costa Rica
Rev. Rodante DeGuzman ASR Philipines

Home Missions
Rev. Mike Markham – Turning Point Fellowship – Clanton, AL
Rev. Johnny Carr – Apostolic Church of Tatum – Tatum, TX

Restoration
Prodigals

Healing
Pastor Nick Senior, KY – healing in body, surgery scheduled Feb 1st
Tim Miller – VP of Texas Chapter – heart problems
Carolyn Doyal Hanes – healing in her body
LIndsay Moore – healing, to become whole
Tom Thompson – complete healing
Lydia Diaz – currently being treated with Chemo
Delbert Hayes – currently being treated with Chemo for Leukemia
Martha Hardin – Chaplain Hardin’s mother recovering from gallbladder surgery
Anthony Storey – recovering from motorcycle accident
Kaila Markham Miller – complete healing, recently had two brain surgeries
Rev. Johnny Carr – vertigo and Headaches

Family Members Passed 2019
Jon & Serrena Weber’s daughter
Krysta Markham’s father
Joe Endicott’s mother
Lisa Endicott’s mother
Doug Solomon’s father
Anthony Storey’s father
Marcia Hollingsworth’s husband,
Millard was the former Treasure of Northern KY Chapter.

Thank you for your prayers and support

Diane Beall
ASR National Ladies Chaplain

This article is being posted on behalf of our Canadian Azusa StreetRiders Chapters and especially Bro David McLoed  who has directed the ASR Canadian activities for many years now. They have furnished over 50+ bikes through “Cruzin for Christ” on their own while also supporting Motorcycles for Missionaries. So they double up their their efforts and I feel we should give recognition to Azusa StreetRiders Canada for a Job Well Done.
Bro Robert Thompson,
President Azusa StreetRiders

DAVE McLEOD / PRESIDENT / ATLANTIC CANADA CHAPTER & REGIONAL DIRECTOR FOR CANADA

There are times in this life that I readily admit that jealousy overtakes me.

It usually rears its ugly head when I see the FB posts from our fellow StreetRiders who are relating their “Going Riding / Been Riding” ventures.

Keep in mind that while many of you head for Florida when you get tired of winter. I live so far north and east that our idea of a mid-winter break is a long weekend in Augusta, Maine.

That being said,,,, when the snow swirls or the wind chill drops the temperature to -30 degrees Fahrenheit, it gives me a chance to throw another log in the woodstove in the family room and “Just Imagine.”

Please allow me to set the stage:

Last year, (2019) I attended a “What’s Your Vision” meeting. The leadership in the group was challenged to develop a “Plan of Action” for the coming year.

As the chair of the “Cruzin’ for Christ” Motorcycles for Missions Biker Rally Committee, I was required to give a report on what was accomplished in 2018 and an outline of what we’d like to attain in 2019.

Our “Corporate” donations were down in 2018 but the shortfall was more than made up by having individuals either call or approach me with cheques in hand. I’d hear things like “Our family would like to dedicate a Missions Motorcycle in memory of my late husband” or “My late father” or “I had a pastor who helped me many years ago. I’d like to dedicate a bike in his memory.”

It’s rather humbling to have to admit that “Plan A” got adjusted to “Plan B” and eventually to Plan C.” We got to the point that almost none of “Plan A” made it to “Plan C.”

It was as though Jesus was saying “Don’t worry, I’ve Got This.”

2019 ended with one of our most successful financial sheets ever.

We adjusted the plan,,,,, but not the goal!!!

JUST IMAGINE if we could collectively grasp this vision.

WHO BETTER

WHO BETTER understands the versatility and pure joy of a motorcycle than a patched member of the Azusa StreetRiders?

WHO BETTER understands the vital importance of the “Doctrine” of our “Oneness” message in a world filled with half truths and outright deceptions and lies?

WHO ELSE has a “Oneness” infrastructure in place in North America (our combined population is something over 350 million people) and is dedicated to “Motorcycles for Missions?”

WHO ELSE, as we enter 2020, other than The Azusa StreetRiders, has both the potential degree of commitment and the leadership already in place to accomplish such an outstanding goal?

“BY FAITH”

We, as the Apostolic Motorcycle Ministry, need to step forward and answer the call.

We, as Chapters, need to examine the opportunities that are unique to our geographical areas and put together some ideas and timelines to put Motorcycles on the Global Mission Fields.

We, as individuals, need to answer this call to action.

 Ecclesiastes 4:12 states

“¹² And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”

• We have enough dedicated, knowledgeable Oneness Apostolic Bikers within our Ministry organization.
• Our combined membership has something over 200 “strands”
• Individually, we tend to get distracted but, when joined together and interwoven spiritually then

TOGETHER, we have an outstanding potential to provide a tangible, positive impact on the many and unique mission fields on our globe.

WE’RE THE PEOPLE OF THE PATCH!

“Cruzin’ for Christ” has been blessed to the extent that, in the past 10 years the total number of motorcycles purchased by the “Cruzin’ Rally” as of today, stands at about 54. (All funds haven’t been allocated yet.)

JUST IMAGINE:

If each chapter of the “Azusa StreetRider Motorcycles for Missions Biker Ministry” could receive a renewed vision and connect the dots between our individual chapters & Ministries and the potential of the National Pastors who ride their “Missions” Motorcycles on a daily basis as they work to bring the Oneness, Apostolic Message to a lost village, town, region, country or continent.

JUST IMAGINE if each chapter would commit to raising $1000.00 (US Funds) by 30 September 2020.

Sister Theo tells me that we have at least 40 ASR Chapters in North America.

That means $40,000.00 would be available for distribution.

A motorcycle in Africa costs about $1000.00. In Central America or Southeast Asia it takes about $3500.00 per bike.

Now JUST IMAGINE if one half of the chapters said “We’ll commit to a double portion” That’s another $20,000.00.

And JUST IMAGINE if one half of that one half were to say “We’ll strive to do a triple portion.” That’s another $10,000.00.

That would total $70,000.00.

JUST IMAGINE if 50 of our “Lone Wolf” members,,,,, those Azusa StreetRider members who don’t belong to a chapter,,, but are dedicated “Oneness” bikers were able to commit to raising $300.00, per biker, through pledges, donations, individual rides, etc.

Their partnership would add another $15,000.oo and bring the grand total to $85,000.00.

JUST IMAGINE if our Ministry were to commit to a five year program of purchasing motorcycles.

That’s $425,000.00.

That’s about 350 Motorcycles being used 6 and 7 days per week by a trained, dedicated National Pastors who reach, on average, about 100 people per week. Some of these Pastors lead two or three different churches. Thus, a motorcycle is a true blessing.

IT’S OUR MANTLE,,,,, LET’S RIDE WITH IT

KICKSTANDS UP, FELLOW MEMBERS!

“IN JESUS NAME”

Let’s start with a very familiar story in Scripture…

Mark 4:35-40, “And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?”

When someone else is going through the storm, its very easy for us to look on with passive judgement and use the person’s trial as an example of what “not to do”. But, when it is me (or you), then we are challenged with doubt, fear, anxieties, hopelessness, and all sorts of negative emotions. When the wind is easy breeze and smooth sailing with sleepy little waves, we tend to think we have great faith that can move mountains. But, when the winds of life begin to toss us like a little bobber, it is easy to question who and what we are.

The transition from powerful faith to tremendous doubt can happen in just a few seconds when confronted with a bad report. The emotional rollercoaster of life can be thrilling and at the same time exhausting! Let me assure you…its natural!

We see in the above Passage three things that we can draw from and apply to our situations going on right now. First, Jesus said “Let us pass over unto the other side”. It was a directive. More than ever before, we need to hear the voice of the Lord clearly for our own lives. Not just a word for someone else, but we need to know that the Lord has given me a directive. For if Jesus said it,, I believe it, and it is so! It’s a foundation to build on. Its a rock that anchors us when the winds of life start blowing. When God gives a direction to follow, then nothing can detour us or steal the vision from us. Direction is important to having faith when all else seems lost. His directive or command to go is the only thing we can hold on to at times.

Secondly, the storm! All the waves crashing in around us! The one thing we counted on to get us to where we were told to go is now full of the water it was suppose to protect us from. Church trouble. Church family lets us down. The list is endless of what can come against us, but the hardest thing is when the ship of Zion doesn’t seem to have enough sufficiency to keep us from the storm. We feel let down and eventually we find Jesus in the back of the boat (seemingly hid away) and asleep on a pillow. We then ask the question, “Lord, do you care?” The trial seems to be larger than life and instead of the Lord being at the bow of the boat barking out commands, we feel that our compass is spinning out of control, we can’t see the shore because of the tempest all around us, and the Lord is off sleeping somewhere. The trial is always real to the one going through it! No matter if its cancer or a hangnail, to that individual, its real.

Thirdly, Jesus asks the questions “why are you fearful” and “why is it that you have no faith”? I’ve felt the sting of those questions before! For someone that truly believes that God is able to do all things, but when I’m in that vulnerable moment in life when all hell has broke loose, the last thing I want to hear is the probing questions about my fears and lack of faith. Although it hurts, there are times we must hear those words. Faith is challenged when fear enters. The weights of fear either discourage us from exercising in faith, or it will exercise our faith to make it stronger (using a weight lifting analogy). If you are training to become a world Jiu-Jitsu Champion and you are still practicing with a green belt sparing partner, then your “faith” is not being challenged. But, when we step into a ring with the heavy weight champion one must have overcome fear with faith or learn how to dance…and fast! So, don’t shun the questions about fear and faith…embrace them and learn from them.

There are those within our ASR family that have been told that God wants to take them to places where they will do exploits in the Kingdom! Then…about the time they obey…BAM!…the tempest begins to blow and they are reeling from the repeated blows of wind and waves. Their boat seems like it is about to sink from all that they are trying to carry…and then, when they have hit their knees and finally found an audience with Jesus, He needles you with questions about fear and faith. You feel confused from it all…but, I feel led in the Holy Ghost to help you understand that when you get to the destination, there will be demoniacs there who need to be freed and this trial is preparing you to confront them. Don’t curse the directive, nor the trial, and nor the question about your faith. Just know the trial has made you stronger and that your purpose will be embraced. You are being prepared to face devils, and have the faith to know that if God could take me through the storm, He can certainly cause the enemy to flee before you.

May the Lord of Hosts be in your boat through every storm that life brings your way!

International Chaplain
Mark A Hardin