Hello my name is Jeff, and I'm a bicycle addict.

For those of you who didn't know I have another blog entitle Velo Junkie. Theres a link to it on this website. Yes I'm a bicycle geek. I'm working on my first bicycle restoration. It's going to be a Rat Rod, which is basically a souped up bike with a retro look to it. You can watch it develop on my other website. I don't think theres a single person that can say they didn't have a bike as a child, or at least dream of having one. I can remember being a young little boy and my Mom buying me my very first pedal powered machine on two wheels. "Your gonna need training wheels she said", but I insisted that this would not be necessary, because I was a natural. Sure enough as I hopped on the bike, and my Mom gave me a push, off I went, the coolest kid in town, or at least I thought so. Times have changed since then, I'm now riding a bigger and faster bike with more speed and equipment. Theres nothing more relaxing then pedaling down a country road, shifting through those 24 gears, with nothing on your mind but the road that graciously welcomes you with open arms. The wind whispering to you as you gently embrace each turn, wondering what adventures await you with each push of the pedals. Waving to other cyclist you pass as you enjoy the beautiful landscapes God has created, each one different from the next. At times like that theres no place I would rather be then right there in that moment. So the next time your feeling bored, get out that bike and pedal away life's little problems, and come to experience the true enjoyment of something as simple as a bicycle ride.

Let Him deal with the Idiots

I once heard about a man who was cruising down the road in his decked out Jesus mobile. You know the type. WWJD, Life's short pray hard, My boss is a Jewish carpenter. All those bumper stickers plastered to the rear window, topped off with a couple of Bible verses. I guess he wants the world to know how much he loves the Lord. At any rate, after being cut off by another driver he becomes enraged and starts flipping the bird, followed by an onslaught of derogative commentary. A police officer who witnessed the entire event decides to pull over the enraged driver. You may or may not be wondering why he decided to stop the enraged driver instead of the guy who cut him off. It's actually quite simple. He thought the car was stolen. Having noticed all the Jesus memorabilia he figured there was no way a man of God could be behind the wheel. It had to be a criminal who has just committed grand theft auto. I suppose for a second the man forgot who he was and what he had plastered to the rear window of his testimony on wheels. I tend to be just as forgetful at times. It's easy to lash out and get angry at others for the ignorant idiotic things they do. But if you think about it, after acting like that who's the real idiot here. It's at times like this you need to stop and walk to the back of you car and do a little familiar reading, and think. What Would Jesus Do, he certainly wouldn't issue an on the spot licence to fly the bird. Yes life is short you should pray hard, just don't forget to pray for self control. And sure your boss may be a Jewish carpenter, but I'm sure he'd never tell you to blow your testimony. So the next time your faced with anger, just give it to God and let Him deal with the Idiots.

Phony Disclaimer: Jeff is not calling you an Idiot.

The Marionette & the Warden

Well it's been 151 days. 151 days since I was released from prison with my cell mate the Marionette. That's sort of a medafore for the way I look at my addiction. For 13 years it kept me locked up, chained, and shackled. It kept daily tabs on me, making sure I didn't step outta line or decide to make a break for it. Making sure I was going to stay faithful to it, and not sell it out. It made sure I was always at a certain place at a certain time, with it's eyes moving to and fro, lurking in the distance as if to strike with the first sign of disobedience. It was like being kept in a maximum security prison on the most hellish place on the face of this earth. I say these things with anger, an anger pointed directly at this addiction, this false imprisonment this puppet master of sorts. At times it made me feel like a stringed little boy, the marionette laughing aloud as he pulls my strings and makes me do exactly as he wants. Lifting my hand to my mouth do drink this cup of poison, followed by a shot of self disgust and hatred. Leaving the proof that he controls me. But theres only one person the Warden and the Marionette couldn't control and his name is Jesus. Thanks to this man I now have my freedom. The freedom to enjoy life without having to look over my shoulder to see if the Warden is still on the hunt, or put on a happy face for the Marionette as he pulls my strings. Thanks to Jesus I no longer have to answer to the Warden or be controlled by the strings of the Puppet Master. He graciously served my sentence and cut those strings of bondage. For this I'm thankful. I'm thankful for 151 day of sobriety today. Thank-You Jesus.