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This has been an interesting week when it comes to those who pass from this life.

First, there was "Buzz", a local radio host. Now, I didn’t know Buzz personally, but I did listen to his show most days. In a weird sense, he became familiar to me. When I heard of his death, I was actually surprised at my reaction. It was emotional for me. Perhaps it was because he and I were the same age. It was weird to go to the Team 1200 website and see "In Memory of …" and the dates "1967 – 2008". Weird.

Then, a few days ago, I recieved a phone call from one of our founding members. Her mom was taken off life support and the family was told it was just a matter of time. As of this writing, she is still holding on, but it really is just a matter of time before she passes.

This morning, a good friend lost his grandmother. His family, all of whom are close to me, are in that place of both mourning her loss and celebrating her freedom from this world.

I think of the members of my own family who have passed on. Specifically, my daughter and my mom. I’m reminded of what the Bible says about death. It is true: we don’t grieve as those who have no hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13). While death is never easy, and we truly do miss loved ones who pass from this life, I feel the words of Paul when he sings, "Death, where is your victory? Where is your sting?" (1 Cor. 15:54-56)

There is a hope that we rest on when in times like this. There is more to life than what we see. And that "more" is something beyond our imagination. Heaven is real. And when we are in relationship with Christ, we are able to celebrate in the midst of our tears, knowing that our loved ones are enjoying life in a way that we simply cannot fathom at this time.

So, today is a good friend’s birthday. We’ve shared some funny moments over the years, but what happened a few months ago is right up at the top of the list.

I had to do a funeral for someone who was close to one of the CCBC members. Chantal attended the funeral as well, and so after the service, she offered to give me a lift to the grave site. We followed the main car, and headed out along a fairly busy road in Orleans. Three blocks from the funeral home, we pulled up to a stop light. Sitting on the light was a bird doing something strange, or so claims Chantal. She pointed at it, and since I didn’t see it, she waved and pointed her hand. Then she claimed the bird flew away.

Meanwhile, the funeral director, driving the lead car, pulled over just past the intersection. We pulled in behind him, as did all the cars in the funeral procession, blocking not only this busy road in Orleans, but the intersection as well.

The director got out of his car and came back to our car. He assumed there was something wrong and we were trying to get him to pull over.

The funniest part was when Chantal tried to explain to him that she was simply pointing at a bird. He didn’t quite see it the same way that she did.

So, Chantal, on your birthday, never forget the day you stopped an entire funeral procession simply because of an imaginary bird on a stop light!

At a recent fundraiser, the organizers decided to release balloons into the air. Each balloon was meant to represent an orphan who was helped through the fundraiser. Things didn’t go as planned …

Hilarious Balloon Launch Failure – Watch more free videos

Well, I think I’ve started something! Another Bikers’ Church member has begun blogging, so check out Lo-boy’s blog.

I have to admit, it’s a great way to really learn more about some of the amazing people who make up CCBC.

By the way, I have a few things to blog about, so they may come in bundles today!

On Wednesday we decided to just jump in the car and head south. We figured it was time for a little R&R and if we didn’t just do it, it wouldn’t happen. We’ve ended up in New York City. Very cool place!

I’ll post more about it when I get home, but I really love the energy I felt walking down 5th Avenue. The Apple store … well, it was an experience that any true Mac-geek needs to experience at least once. We were shocked at the number of people in the store. And the line up for iPhones was still huge (had to be at least 50 people lined up outside!!!)

Anyway, we are staying at an old hotel (been in existence since 1852) tonight, right smack in the middle of Manhatten. I am looking forward to that experience. AND … there’s a Starbucks right in the hotel! Can’t beat that!

Well, another Bikers’ Church member has started her own blog (c’mon guys, why is it just the women?!?)

Like Carrie, Chantal has some great insights into life … and I think many of you will enjoy her edgy humour.

Check out her blog

Okay … this is funny:

(AP)

A pastor brought out a dirt bike
during a church service to demonstrate the concept of unity. Now he’s
demonstrating the concept of healing.

Jeff Harlow, the senior
pastor at Crossroads Community Church, broke his wrist when he lost
control of the motorcycle at the start of Sunday’s second service,
driving off a 5-foot platform and into the vacant first row of seats.
He underwent surgery on the wrist Monday.

"Jeff has already laughed a lot, so he’s OK. I think his pride was bruised," said his wife, Becky.

Becky Harlow said her husband had recently attended a motorcycle race in Buchanan, Mich.

"He
had this idea that he would bring this bike out onstage and show people
how the rider would become one with the bike," she told the Kokomo
Tribune. "He was going to just sit on it and drive it out. He was just
walking the dirt bike out onstage and somehow it got away from him. It
was not intended."

No one else was hurt.

Jeff Harlow had performed the demonstration at earlier services Saturday night and Sunday morning without incident.

Okay … in case you wanted to see the video of Heather skydiving … here you go:

So … can a peson have a "Bible Fetish"? Is there such a thing?

A few years ago, I gave away all the Bibles I was no longer using. I had an entire box full – around 15 – that I donated to a church library. It left me with four that I was still using. In the past three years, I’ve seen that grow again to a nice dozen. I just bought another one today.

Do I need therapy?

So … yesterday Heather went Skydiving. It was a present for our anniversary. No, I didn’t jump with her. No, it wasn’t because I was scared to do it. It was a matter of cost. I made the CHOICE to let her jump rather than me. (It’s amazing how many people don’t get that … but that’s a rant for another day!)

Anyway, she went up to 10,000 feet and then jumped out (with an instructor tethered to her).
You’ll have to either squint or click on the image to enlarge it in order to see her in this first shot. However, this is after the parachute has already been deployed. Leading up to this picture, she free-fell one mile in 45 seconds! How’s that for a rush?

This second shot is a little closer to the ground. It was amazing how quick she was moving before the chute opened, and then how slow she descended once it did.

She said that it was so loud before the chute opened, but then it became totally quiet. When Heath was a much younger (I better not emphasize the "much", her daddy arranged for her to go in a hand glider. She used to tell me how silent the world was from a hand glider. She said it was just like that yesterday. It was incredibly peaceful.

Her landing was pretty tame. They came in on a "but landing" and smile and laughing was a clear indication of just how much fun she had. It was cool to see.

It was also cool to see many of our home group there to cheer her on and to welcome her back to Earth.
It took her a few minutes to get her legs to stop wobbling, and then we headed around the corner for supper. It was about 40 minutes before her hands stopped shaking from the adrenaline rush.

Was it worth it? It was worth it to me to see how much she enjoyed it. And, I’m sure if you ask her, she’ll tell you that it was a great experience and one that everyone should try at least once!

Anyway, one more thing to mark off the list of "Things to Do."