Likemined Community

Pappy's Adventures Continue

Roughly 40 years ago, I bought my first street bike from Performance Cycle. It was a brand new 550 Yamaha Maxim with less than 20 miles on it. She was absolutely beautiful... A slick black four-cylinder street fighter that was capable of wheelies from red light to red light on main street with minimal effort. That bike opened up a whole new world for me. I learned to stand on the seat, smoke the rear wheel, shift gears with the front tire in the air, and drag the pegs through hairpin turns. When I would twist that throttle, it seemed my worries and cares melted away into an endless black highway... I still get that feeing today.

Seeing my new bike, my brother John and my friend Mark Bennett both bought Maxim 550 motorcycles from Performance Cycle. Mine was worn out from abuse when I sold it years later, John wrecked his where Laurel Rd runs into Airport Rd winding up in the hospital broken leg that would require pins and a rod, and I have no clue what happened to Mark's silver 550.

Over the years, I made more purchases from our local motorcycle shop, and they were all great motorcycles as well. I would eventually buy a touring Kawasaki Voyager, a Yamaha Road Star cruiser, and TONS of accessories from Keith Darby and crew. I also bought tour bags, rain suits, cold weather gear, riding gloves, all my oil and filters, batteries, t-shirts, pegs, grips, crash bars, and so much more...

Still, that wasn't the main reason I visited the shop on a weekly basis. It was the atmosphere...

The cool thing was that no matter how busy Keith and company were, I could always just stop in for a friendly conversation about the latest in motorcycle technology, motorcycle community happenings, or our most recent ride. Many times, I would walk in, and Keith would hand me something that happened to fit my bike, and he would bless me with it for free. Sharing a cup of coffee, a doughnut, or a pack of crackers, we could solve the problems of society in an hour or less... It was a refuge where the troubles of the world would just fade away. They were like family. Church is more like that motorcycle shop than you can imagine. When I walk through the doors of my church, I feel as if I am in a sanctuary far removed from the grind of day-to-day life. It is a safe-haven where I can commune with God and recognize His glory along with other Christian brothers and sisters. It is a place where I can take my struggles and be inspired while inspiring others in their own struggles.

Simply put, a place for God to commune with his people. It is a family.

While it is true that we can commune with God as we ride down the road, sit on a riverbank with a fishing pole, or even working in our own prayer garden, there is nothing like being in church and praising God with a community of believers. It is an amazing experience.

Just as the folks at Performance Cycle enjoyed fellowship with those who were patrons of their business, God loves for us to visit his place of worship and fellowship with likeminded people. That fellowship is part of His amazing plan to grow us into who He wants us to be, and use us to grow his Kingdom

“For where two or more are gathered in my name, I am there with them.” Matthew 18:20 NIV

Give ‘em Heaven!