Full Restoration Monthly Devotional

Dale’s Wheels Through Dale’s Wheels Through Time Time is home to is home to the world’s premier the world’s premier collection of rare collection of rare motorcycles, motorcycles, memorabilia, and a memorabilia, and a distinct array of unique distinct array of unique “one-off” American “one-off” American automobiles. Located automobiles. Located in Maggie Valley, in Maggie Valley, North Carolina the museum houses a collection of over North Carolina the museum houses a collection of over 300 rare machines. Dale’s Wheels Through Time was 300 rare machines. Dale’s Wheels Through Time was originally founded by a guy named Dale Walksler who originally founded by a guy named Dale Walksler who was a master when it came to American motorcycles. was a master when it came to American motorcycles. Sadly, Dale passed away last year from cancer, and the Sadly, Dale passed away last year from cancer, and the museum has since been run by his son Matt. museum has since been run by his son Matt.

Every year since 2003, Dale’s Wheels Through Time has Every year since 2003, Dale’s Wheels Through Time has raffled off some type of professionally restored classic raffled off some type of professionally restored classic American motorcycle. Over the years, they have given American motorcycle. Over the years, they have given away an assortment of bikes including a ’36 Knucklehead, away an assortment of bikes including a ’36 Knucklehead, a ’32 Flathead Bobber, ‘46 Knucklehead, and last year a a ’32 Flathead Bobber, ‘46 Knucklehead, and last year a beautiful ’48 Panhead went to a gentleman from Ohio. beautiful ’48 Panhead went to a gentleman from Ohio. Each of these motorcycles were fully restored to like new, Each of these motorcycles were fully restored to like new, immaculate condition from the ground up. immaculate condition from the ground up.

If you have ever taken on any full restoration vehicle If you have ever taken on any full restoration vehicle project, you understand what an expensive and project, you understand what an expensive and painstaking process this can be. painstaking process this can be.

While I have neither the patience nor the desire to While I have neither the patience nor the desire to attempt such an overwhelming task, I know many people attempt such an overwhelming task, I know many people who have. I have watched family members and friends who have. I have watched family members and friends throw things, kick parts across the shop floor, and use the throw things, kick parts across the shop floor, and use the most colorful language imaginable in the name of “Full most colorful language imaginable in the name of “Full Restoration.” Restoration.” Dale loved old Dale loved old motorcycles and every motorcycles and every time I spoke with time I spoke with him, he was excited him, he was excited to show off his bikes to show off his bikes tell where they had tell where they had come from. He talked come from. He talked of the smallest details, of the smallest details, reverence for the original reverence for the original builders, and the love he had for the art of motorcycling. builders, and the love he had for the art of motorcycling. When Dale Walksler looked upon an old rusted-up pile When Dale Walksler looked upon an old rusted-up pile of two wheeled junk, he saw only the beauty underneath of two wheeled junk, he saw only the beauty underneath the grease and grit. the grease and grit.

God views us the same way! God views us the same way!

No matter what our current situation may be, God sees No matter what our current situation may be, God sees us as His most beautiful creations. us as His most beautiful creations.

We may have come from abusive relationships, the loss We may have come from abusive relationships, the loss of loved ones, or addiction. Our lives may be covered in of loved ones, or addiction. Our lives may be covered in the grit and grime of bad life choices that have resulted the grit and grime of bad life choices that have resulted in the belief that we are nothing but worthless junk. in the belief that we are nothing but worthless junk. People may even view us as such, but not God. People may even view us as such, but not God.

Just as the folks at Dale’s Wheels Through Time take Just as the folks at Dale’s Wheels Through Time take old junk motorcycles and restore them to like new old junk motorcycles and restore them to like new condition to give away, God can “fully restore” us as condition to give away, God can “fully restore” us as well. If we put our trust in Jesus, He will take our old well. If we put our trust in Jesus, He will take our old dirty, nasty, sin ridden lives and give us a new outlook dirty, nasty, sin ridden lives and give us a new outlook and direction. and direction. You see, when we deserved it least, God sent His son You see, when we deserved it least, God sent His son Jesus to die for us to pay the price for our salvation. Jesus to die for us to pay the price for our salvation. Why? Just because he loves us! Why? Just because he loves us!

Today, at the famous HD factory, it roughly takes a mere Today, at the famous HD factory, it roughly takes a mere 100 minutes for workers to assemble 1400 parts into a new 100 minutes for workers to assemble 1400 parts into a new Harley Davidson motorcycle on a 46-station assembly Harley Davidson motorcycle on a 46-station assembly line. Pretty quick huh? A full frame up restoration of an line. Pretty quick huh? A full frame up restoration of an older bike however, averages three months to a year older bike however, averages three months to a year for completion according to the folks at Dale’s Wheels for completion according to the folks at Dale’s Wheels Through Time depending on availability of parts. Through Time depending on availability of parts. So, why would someone take on the task of making a So, why would someone take on the task of making a rusted up old motorcycle look new again? rusted up old motorcycle look new again?

The answer is simple… Love!The answer is simple… Love!

To take something apart, then meticulously sand, paint, To take something apart, then meticulously sand, paint, polish, rebuild, and reassemble, requires a sacrifice of polish, rebuild, and reassemble, requires a sacrifice of time and finances that most people are just not willing to time and finances that most people are just not willing to give. It is truly a labor of love. give. It is truly a labor of love.

To be allowed a new start… To be allowed a new start… Regardless of our history… Regardless of our history… What an amazing gift! What an amazing gift!

And the God of all grace, who called you to his And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. strong, firm and steadfast.

1 Peter 5:10 1 Peter 5:10

Give ‘em Heaven! Give ‘em Heaven!

Ride on and stay safe, Ride on and stay safe, Dennis Reynolds Dennis Reynolds

Mideast Regional Elder Mideast Regional Elder

Bikers for Christ M/M Bikers for Christ M/M