11-19-14

Greetings my friends and UBFM Family!

That is, greetings on this cold, cold Wednesday. I hope the weather has not disabled you from your normal routines. A lot of my cycling friends refuse to get out and ride when the temps get as low as they’ve been this week. However, I try my best to overcome and tolerate it. Granted, I don’t like going out on long road rides, giving the wind the pleasure of cutting through my gear, and returning with my nose looking like a cherry tomato. I try to get creative with my riding. I do a bit more off-roading but some people explore randonneuring (but that really beats the purpose), bike polo (mallets and flasks required), and of course there is cyclocross (if you’re unfamiliar YouTube it). “Embrace the cold! It will summon the inner badass”, as one of my fellow cronies proclaims.

Embracing a cold UBFM ride is a little different. It is a little easier to stay warm with all of the stops. But the connection does not come form the inner badass. It is from something else. There are always obstacles in this mission: physical and spiritual obstacles. It wouldn’t really be the mission it is if there were no obstacles. During this time of year the obstacles are greater. While we struggle to stay warm riding our bike around town, we witness our brothers and sisters on the streets struggling more. Our mission is to meet people where they are at. That means embracing all elements of weather to show people that someone cares about them. If someone is in the hot sun, we go out in the hot sun and bring them a cold water; if someone is out in the rain we go out and get wet while taking them a rain jacket; if there are people who are cold we get cold too while helping them warm up. In a Gospel based ministry I like repeat to myself Matthew 25:35-40, “…for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me. Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?' And the king will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.' Whether you believe it or not, I believe we are all part of that family.

You do not have to be a very religious person to participate in this mission. This is for everybody. This is opportunity for all people to join together and do something good for our brothers and sisters, for our city, and for one another. Next week is an occasion that we celebrate the act of giving. It is a time to lower all biases, check selfishness at the door, and celebrate giving. Last year, on the night before Thanksgiving, I witnessed one of the best rides in UBFM history. I did not expect people to show up for the ride because it was a holiday and a lot of people were most likely out of town. Also, it was 28 degrees outside. At 8:00 PM I took a head count of 30 people, all bundled up with bikes at side, ready to serve. If I have ever seen what God looks like, it was that group of people standing in front of me that night.

Tonight we will meet at our regular scheduled time and place: 7:30 PM at FUMC, 204 N Second St, Memphis, TN 38105. If you would like to help with preparing some burritos, Brent will get started in the kitchen around 6:00 PM. We will roll out around 8:00 and return around 9:30 or 10:00. If you plan on riding with us I look forward to seeing you and serving with you. If you are joining us for the first time all you need to bring is a bike, helmet, backpack, and a giving spirit. Since it is raining I recommend a light rain jacket as well. Try to remember to put some flashing lights on your bikes. You can purchase front and rear flashers at any bike shop or sporting goods store. These lights allow motorists to see us and it also allows our friends on the streets to see us and know we are near.

If you are unable to join us I ask that you pray for our mission. Pray that we are safe but pray that we find people who are in need of our offering. Pray that we make a difference in someone’s life and pray that we make an impact on our city. Thank you for all of the time, donations, and prayers you all give to this mission. It is a blessing to work with you sharing God’s love with God’s people.

Peace