About us:
This group got it's start because a few members of the church were wanting to get more active and fit. Doug Edler and his wife, Bernadette, teamed up with Laurie Pugh and came up with the idea of starting a bicycling group for anyone in the church that wanted to participate. They got several others to join in and began meeting on Saturday mornings at 8:30. They decided to have each member take turns providing breakfast for the group and having a short devotional before heading outside to pedal around Caledonia for about 45 minutes! They even had some t-shirts made up to let the community know who they were. They were the group that got the Annual Harvest of Blessings 5K Run/Walk started too, and both are still active to this day. The 5K Run/Walk even uses their proceeds to purchase new bicycles and helmets for people in the community that are in need, as well as a few "extras" for the Rolling Redeemed, in case anyone wants to join them!
Our group still meets every Saturday morning, weather permitting. We take time off during the cold months of the year, because... well, who really wants to ride bikes in the cold? As of 2017, we've included a small group of walkers to our club! We have people of all ages and fitness levels and everyone is welcome to join us. If you are unable to ride or walk, you are still welcome to join us for breakfast and a devotional, because it's really more about the fellowship than it is fitness, that's just the added bonus!
Lessons We Can Learn From Riding a Bike
1. Balance is everything. You can't ride a bike more than a few inches without mastering balance. Without balance you fall, and that hurts. We also need spiritual balance in our lives. We must make time to do all the things that are necessary for good soul maintenance: Bible reading, prayer, fellowship, and worship.
Matthew 6:33-34, "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."
1 Peter 5:7, "Casting all your anxieties on him, because He cares for you."
2. There will be hills - build those muscles. Obstacles are scattered throughout our life. Obstacles are like the hills we struggled to climb, sometimes you have to get off the bike and push, other times we bear down and give more effort. Conquering obstacles builds our spiritual muscles!
James 1:2-4, "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
3. Bring some Band-Aids. Accidents are going to happen. Don't dread or fear them. Prepare for them! Bring some spiritual Band-Aids! Pray over your life and ask God to direct your paths. Surround yourself with supportive people of faith. Ask the Holy Spirit to heal you of any wounds you get along the way.
Hebrews 12:1, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us."
Philippians 3:13-14, "Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
4. Helmets are dorky, but they can save your life. Put on the helmet of salvation, protect your mind! Renew your mind with God's word daily!
5. Saying, "Whee!" as you sail down a hill makes the heart happy.
Psalm 34:1-3, "I will praise the Lord no matter what happens. I will constantly speak of his glories and grace. I will boast of all His kindness to me. Let all who are discouraged take heart. Let us praise the Lord together and exalt His name."
1 Thessalonians 5:18, "In everything give thanks: for this the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
Relish the happy moments. Take time to appreciate the blessings. Go ahead. Say, "Whee!"
David Braxton
September 8, 2018
Photo Slideshow link below: