Hi Folks,
I was going to try and write something profound on this final blog but i am still feeling to tired to be inspired so this is all ya getting.Above everything else i want to say thanks to the Lord for getting me through.The applause of man means little if its without Gods approval and i know all glory belongs to Him and anything that we accomplish outside of what He has called us to do is vanity and stands for nothing in eternity.
I know some who have been following my journey are not believers or maybe just a bit religious but have not experienced God on a deeper level.I dont claim my relationship with the bloke upstairs is super close either and as i said thats one of the reasons for this trip.I dont think we ever will feel we have arrived as long as we are clothed in this body anyway.
In a world where so many have nothing and the others of us who have so much want more and more, there is a way to break out of the greed and selfishness that controls us and only seeks to make us unhappy as we offer our life on the alter to the idol of consumerism.
All i can say is check out what God has to say for yourself .As someone once said' its one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread'.You will find it in the person,Jesus.I dont mean the effeminate hollywood version with His long beautiful hair and rinso clean robes.I mean the man who was as tough as the nails that went into His hands and feet but who was also so gentle and sensitive to the needs of others .
If He was to play football (with the crows of course) He would be at centre half back stopping the enemies attack.Being humble He would be happy to set up the goals and let the forwards receive the glory.
Lets say we had a room full of 100 of the most famous men in history and they gathered to boast of there wonderful achievements each trying to claim the title of the greatest.
There was Socrates,Plato,Marx,Edison,Einstein,Freud,John Howard(only joking),Dickens ,Buddha,Beethoven,Muhammad,Curly Larry and Mo(only joking again),Marco Polo,Genghis Khan to name a few, enjoying the wine which had loosened there tongues to the foolishness of boasting.In the midst of this walks the risen Christ.(Through the wall of course).
Everyone stops talking and immediately realizes the stupidity of there previous conversation.The Lord doesnt need to say anything.His presence fills the room .Talk about charisma ..Even Richard Dawkins who had snuck in the backdoor and was boasting in the atheist delusion that such a person didnt exist,was dumbstruck .God in His mercy had given Him a free will to choose not to believe in Him despite the evidence because He wanted not robots but lovers from the heart.
If anyone can find me a better person in history ,with more powerful and profound words than what this son of a carpenter spoke and who had a bigger impact than all those great men in that room i am all ears. When we see Him in the next life we also will be so amazed we will hardly be able to utter a word but its the words we hear from Him that will count so much.
Hopefully it will be 'well done thou good and faithful servant ' and not 'depart from me, i never knew you'.It really doesnt take much introspection to realize we are sinners.Who hasnt broken most or all of the commandments.Whether we are to proud to admit it or not we need a savior and turn from the things that are so destructive in our lives.We need to ask the Holy Spirit to come into our lives to help us overcome the dark side of our fallen human nature.
Most preachers go on to long and i dont mean to preach but to say simply i am still on the road to find more of the truth .I may have found just a grain of sand of the truth and know in my own weaknesses all i can do is look to the love and mercy of the One who holds the key to life .We can only try and share a few of the crumbs from the bread we have been given.
After a sermon usually comes the collection plate so i will take this time to remind you its not to late to give to the cause i did the ride for.Even if its that 10 dollars i have been chasing.If you want to keep in touch you can contact me at bkscan24@yahoo.com.au.Thanks once again for following my journey and all the support you have given.I am truly so appreciative of that.I dont think i will be doing another one .I might just stick with lawn bowls.
God bless,
Bernie
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Saturday, October 10, 2009
it is finished,thank God
Namaste,
I have finally finished the journey that started 15 weeks ago and i still havnt grasped it yet that i dont have to keep riding and sleep out and i can have a shower every day and not have to eat tuna and crackers and life can hopefully be different .
Arriving in San francisco last night about 10pm i had imagined how i might feel at the completion of the trip thinking i would be so excited and relieved and want to celebrate but reality is so often different and i was just so tired all i wanted to do was have a shower ,go to bed ,phone a few people and go to sleep.
This is exactly what i did and was happy to leave it at that.The last few days were still hard work and i really had to push it right to the end.Its good to be here at the ywam base and this morning joined a team that made a thousand sandwiches for the homeless and tonight we went out giving them hot chocolate drinks.Many were open and wanted prayer and it
was great to see young people with a heart to get out there and minister Gods love to those who are really struggling.
I would like to make one more final blog before i blog off into the sunset but need 2 or 3 days to reflect on the last few months before i express it so dont turn off yet.I do want to thank everyone who has been a support in some way with finances or prayer or messaging and encouraging me in some way.Its been amazing and humbling and i am very thankful to know there are people who were there when i needed them.
Catch you in back here soon.I need to get some more sleep now.
I have finally finished the journey that started 15 weeks ago and i still havnt grasped it yet that i dont have to keep riding and sleep out and i can have a shower every day and not have to eat tuna and crackers and life can hopefully be different .
Arriving in San francisco last night about 10pm i had imagined how i might feel at the completion of the trip thinking i would be so excited and relieved and want to celebrate but reality is so often different and i was just so tired all i wanted to do was have a shower ,go to bed ,phone a few people and go to sleep.
This is exactly what i did and was happy to leave it at that.The last few days were still hard work and i really had to push it right to the end.Its good to be here at the ywam base and this morning joined a team that made a thousand sandwiches for the homeless and tonight we went out giving them hot chocolate drinks.Many were open and wanted prayer and it
was great to see young people with a heart to get out there and minister Gods love to those who are really struggling.
I would like to make one more final blog before i blog off into the sunset but need 2 or 3 days to reflect on the last few months before i express it so dont turn off yet.I do want to thank everyone who has been a support in some way with finances or prayer or messaging and encouraging me in some way.Its been amazing and humbling and i am very thankful to know there are people who were there when i needed them.
Catch you in back here soon.I need to get some more sleep now.
Monday, October 5, 2009
on the road again and nearing the end
Gday,
Thanks so much everyone for your support to get going again.Its a far cheaper version but with only a few days left i would have done it on a skateboard if i had to .The first day back on the road i got 3 punctures after only having that many for the whole trip.
Just when i thought things might start to get easy the following day i was riding all day into the strongest wind of the journey.I was hardly moving.To make it harder it was the worst road with no shoulder and trucks missing me by inches.They call it blood road for good reason as its claimed many lives including actor James Dean.I passed the spot he died back in the 50s.That night i had to sleep on the side of the road and with my new cheap sleeping bag it was like being wrapped in a table cloth.Brrrrr.
Getting excited now as it will all be over in 3 or 4 days i think and hope.Will let you know within the hour of getting there.Keep praying people will respond to the media reporting on having my stuff stolen as that will make it all worthwhile.This will probably be the last update till i finish so catch ya then.
Bernie
Thanks so much everyone for your support to get going again.Its a far cheaper version but with only a few days left i would have done it on a skateboard if i had to .The first day back on the road i got 3 punctures after only having that many for the whole trip.
Just when i thought things might start to get easy the following day i was riding all day into the strongest wind of the journey.I was hardly moving.To make it harder it was the worst road with no shoulder and trucks missing me by inches.They call it blood road for good reason as its claimed many lives including actor James Dean.I passed the spot he died back in the 50s.That night i had to sleep on the side of the road and with my new cheap sleeping bag it was like being wrapped in a table cloth.Brrrrr.
Getting excited now as it will all be over in 3 or 4 days i think and hope.Will let you know within the hour of getting there.Keep praying people will respond to the media reporting on having my stuff stolen as that will make it all worthwhile.This will probably be the last update till i finish so catch ya then.
Bernie
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
The unexpected happens
Howdy partners,
Well ya never know whats going to happen in life eh.Nearing the end of my journey with only about 500kms to go i drop into a store to buy some fruit and a few miniutes later return to find bike ,trailer and most of my things gone.That night i sleep on a bench with only the shorts and shirt i have on me .I end up in a place for the homeless two nights later as little money is left.Not exactly what i had in mind when i began this journey.God has a warped sence of humour.
The good news is i know the Lord brings good out of every situation if we trust Him through it.Its not always easy but i know as more people now hear whats happened its far more likely for donations to come through for the charity which makes it all worthwhile.
Meanwhile i hope to be back on the road in the next couple of days as i am sure God will provide for me to be able to go on.One great thing also has been the support given to help me from friends ans strangers. Thank you all so much. I dont feel worthy but i truly love and appreciate you for it.
Pray for the homeless as well.I have got to like some of these guys.They just need a break to get them going again .
Will hopefully keep you updated with the final part of the journey if and when i can find a library as my laptop was also stolen.God bless the thief.I cant judge ,i use to be one myself.We are all sinners of some sort in need of forgiveness.
Bless you all,
Bernie
Well ya never know whats going to happen in life eh.Nearing the end of my journey with only about 500kms to go i drop into a store to buy some fruit and a few miniutes later return to find bike ,trailer and most of my things gone.That night i sleep on a bench with only the shorts and shirt i have on me .I end up in a place for the homeless two nights later as little money is left.Not exactly what i had in mind when i began this journey.God has a warped sence of humour.
The good news is i know the Lord brings good out of every situation if we trust Him through it.Its not always easy but i know as more people now hear whats happened its far more likely for donations to come through for the charity which makes it all worthwhile.
Meanwhile i hope to be back on the road in the next couple of days as i am sure God will provide for me to be able to go on.One great thing also has been the support given to help me from friends ans strangers. Thank you all so much. I dont feel worthy but i truly love and appreciate you for it.
Pray for the homeless as well.I have got to like some of these guys.They just need a break to get them going again .
Will hopefully keep you updated with the final part of the journey if and when i can find a library as my laptop was also stolen.God bless the thief.I cant judge ,i use to be one myself.We are all sinners of some sort in need of forgiveness.
Bless you all,
Bernie
Friday, September 25, 2009
thankfulness
HI fOLKS,
I have left sin city behind and now over thr border into california but still in the desert so not to much to look at.I have found it hard to shake off the cold which has drained a bit of energy.I reckon i have blown my nose about 10,000 times over the last week.I knew you would find that facinating.
For the first time i am struggling a bit with keeping motivated.It may be the scenary ,the cold and that i am close to the finish but still a way off and need to stay focused on a daily basis as its conter productive to look to far ahead.There are still things on a spiritual and financial level i would like to get a breakthrough in but that is out of my control.
I have been thinking about thankfulness lately,The night before last when i was looking for a place to sleep i found my spot and thought great i get to sleep on dirt tonight not stones like the previous night.It then struck me as funny that i would be happy about a bed of dirt but it was relative and even the bed of stones wasnt that bad as i was so tired i slept well.It was like having acupressure while sleeping.
We do take so many things for granted and so many times dont appreciate our blessings.We talk about thw whinging poms but us aussies are the worst when it comes to complaining. A friend recently was cursing ETSA { the company that services our electricity} because of a blackout and it struck me how everyday we take for granted that we have nearly 100 percent access to it while so many have none or its limited.
I dont think there would be to many who give thanks when they have a hot shower or turn the tv on or the stove to cook ,the heater or air conditioner yet if we have to go a few hours without electricity our world comes crumbling down and how are we going to cope.We are becoming boring wimps and complainers and i am including myself here as i can match it with the worst of them especially when its wet and cold.
Somehow we have to remind ourselves we dont deserve the material blessing we have.We are simply fortunate to be born in developed countries where we have been given so much.To those who are christians we have been given the amazing gift of salvation and of knowing a God who loves us and wants to share Himself with us.Grasping that is another thing but we of all people are most blessed.Amazing grace,undeserved favour.
When i was in Africa i was constantly surprized how happy people were though not having much and not even sure of there next meal.Then arriving back to australia and the land of the long faces.My prayer is that i will learn to appreciate the mny blessings i have been given and to stop focusing on what i dont have.Even when things get a bit tough its a chance to grow and trust the One who cares for us.
Anyway i am getting sidetracked here but i guess sleeping on rocks can teach ya something.Must get back on the road.Appreciate ya prayers to keep going and with a positive attitude and dont forget the 10 dollar challenge.
Hope the Saints win the grand final but i think Geelong will, but i will be in the desert and not see a kick.It could be worse and the Crows playing and then i would be sad about not being able to watch the match.
Bless you all,
Bernie
I have left sin city behind and now over thr border into california but still in the desert so not to much to look at.I have found it hard to shake off the cold which has drained a bit of energy.I reckon i have blown my nose about 10,000 times over the last week.I knew you would find that facinating.
For the first time i am struggling a bit with keeping motivated.It may be the scenary ,the cold and that i am close to the finish but still a way off and need to stay focused on a daily basis as its conter productive to look to far ahead.There are still things on a spiritual and financial level i would like to get a breakthrough in but that is out of my control.
I have been thinking about thankfulness lately,The night before last when i was looking for a place to sleep i found my spot and thought great i get to sleep on dirt tonight not stones like the previous night.It then struck me as funny that i would be happy about a bed of dirt but it was relative and even the bed of stones wasnt that bad as i was so tired i slept well.It was like having acupressure while sleeping.
We do take so many things for granted and so many times dont appreciate our blessings.We talk about thw whinging poms but us aussies are the worst when it comes to complaining. A friend recently was cursing ETSA { the company that services our electricity} because of a blackout and it struck me how everyday we take for granted that we have nearly 100 percent access to it while so many have none or its limited.
I dont think there would be to many who give thanks when they have a hot shower or turn the tv on or the stove to cook ,the heater or air conditioner yet if we have to go a few hours without electricity our world comes crumbling down and how are we going to cope.We are becoming boring wimps and complainers and i am including myself here as i can match it with the worst of them especially when its wet and cold.
Somehow we have to remind ourselves we dont deserve the material blessing we have.We are simply fortunate to be born in developed countries where we have been given so much.To those who are christians we have been given the amazing gift of salvation and of knowing a God who loves us and wants to share Himself with us.Grasping that is another thing but we of all people are most blessed.Amazing grace,undeserved favour.
When i was in Africa i was constantly surprized how happy people were though not having much and not even sure of there next meal.Then arriving back to australia and the land of the long faces.My prayer is that i will learn to appreciate the mny blessings i have been given and to stop focusing on what i dont have.Even when things get a bit tough its a chance to grow and trust the One who cares for us.
Anyway i am getting sidetracked here but i guess sleeping on rocks can teach ya something.Must get back on the road.Appreciate ya prayers to keep going and with a positive attitude and dont forget the 10 dollar challenge.
Hope the Saints win the grand final but i think Geelong will, but i will be in the desert and not see a kick.It could be worse and the Crows playing and then i would be sad about not being able to watch the match.
Bless you all,
Bernie
Sunday, September 20, 2009
viva Las Vegas
Greeting from Las Vegas,
If that sounds exciting ,dont believe it.Jesus went into the desert and was tempted.People come here to be tempted.If your not into gambling LV is a big yawn.If you succumb to it you can experiance a new dawn,of poverty and despair.Yep the place where many have come to get rich but leave with only sorrow.The good thing is there is YWAM and churches trying to help people put there lives back together and God is alive and well in the sin capital of the world.
The last 2 days of riding to get here were fairly intense as it was 100 degrees both days and i had a rotten cold and was coughing heaps and having to blow my nose every 30 seconds.I finally got some over the counter medication but it got worse.I eventually reread the label and realized i was taking tablets for blocked nose not runny[mere male] .Slowly getting better but fortunately i have two days here before starting the final leg of my trip.
I cant believe its so close to the end now with about 900 kms left .Depending on how difficult the mountains are i should be in San francisco early october.While i know i will be happy to complete the journey and take time to reflect on what i learnt from it i also know there can be a bit of a let down as you think ok what now, but i am sure that will open up in time.
I do want to make one last appeal for raising funds for The Home of the Open Heart.I know i mentioned it before but i will again and that is the idea of a ten dollar challenge.If everyone who reads this donates 10 dollars and askes at least one friend to donate 10 and so on is it possible it could keep rolling on.If we just got 10,000 out of six billion to donate that equals 100,000.Pipe dream maybe but ya dont know till you give it a go.For those whose email address i have i will send you then idea so all you have to do is forward it on.
Sounds simple but it would be great to be able to raise a substantial amount to help Paul and Penny Wilcox continue to grow the work that they have worked so hard at for many years now.I figure it can be a bit like the world vision 40 hour famine thing where you pay the person after they have completed whatever task they agrred to do.Now that the trip is almost over they can give knowing i didnt quit or die half way.
I will certainly keep on trying to raise funds for at least the next two or three months as i think there is alot more out there that needs to be given.If 30 million people can come to Las Vegas every year to stupidly spend [WASTE] 20 billion then how small is 100,000 dollars to a worthwile cause.
Think of the millions of dollars Australians will spend in a few weeks time in one day on a horse race.Imagine how many people could be helped if somehow we could receive just one percent of what will be wasted that day.Nothing is impossible with God ,lets just pray and do what we can and see what happens.
Thanks for putting up with me this far,i will soon be out of the way but hang in for a bit longer.
The next few days look pretty tough with the heat and mountains and long stretches with no towns to get food or water but at least i know that in about two weeks its all over, YAHOO .You may not hear from me for a week or so as i doubt if there is going to be much internet available .
The YWAM base here is great with good people and its been good just to relax.Even got to go to the local swimming pool today.The cool change came in and it only got to 98 degrees.
Bless ya folks,
Bernie
If that sounds exciting ,dont believe it.Jesus went into the desert and was tempted.People come here to be tempted.If your not into gambling LV is a big yawn.If you succumb to it you can experiance a new dawn,of poverty and despair.Yep the place where many have come to get rich but leave with only sorrow.The good thing is there is YWAM and churches trying to help people put there lives back together and God is alive and well in the sin capital of the world.
The last 2 days of riding to get here were fairly intense as it was 100 degrees both days and i had a rotten cold and was coughing heaps and having to blow my nose every 30 seconds.I finally got some over the counter medication but it got worse.I eventually reread the label and realized i was taking tablets for blocked nose not runny[mere male] .Slowly getting better but fortunately i have two days here before starting the final leg of my trip.
I cant believe its so close to the end now with about 900 kms left .Depending on how difficult the mountains are i should be in San francisco early october.While i know i will be happy to complete the journey and take time to reflect on what i learnt from it i also know there can be a bit of a let down as you think ok what now, but i am sure that will open up in time.
I do want to make one last appeal for raising funds for The Home of the Open Heart.I know i mentioned it before but i will again and that is the idea of a ten dollar challenge.If everyone who reads this donates 10 dollars and askes at least one friend to donate 10 and so on is it possible it could keep rolling on.If we just got 10,000 out of six billion to donate that equals 100,000.Pipe dream maybe but ya dont know till you give it a go.For those whose email address i have i will send you then idea so all you have to do is forward it on.
Sounds simple but it would be great to be able to raise a substantial amount to help Paul and Penny Wilcox continue to grow the work that they have worked so hard at for many years now.I figure it can be a bit like the world vision 40 hour famine thing where you pay the person after they have completed whatever task they agrred to do.Now that the trip is almost over they can give knowing i didnt quit or die half way.
I will certainly keep on trying to raise funds for at least the next two or three months as i think there is alot more out there that needs to be given.If 30 million people can come to Las Vegas every year to stupidly spend [WASTE] 20 billion then how small is 100,000 dollars to a worthwile cause.
Think of the millions of dollars Australians will spend in a few weeks time in one day on a horse race.Imagine how many people could be helped if somehow we could receive just one percent of what will be wasted that day.Nothing is impossible with God ,lets just pray and do what we can and see what happens.
Thanks for putting up with me this far,i will soon be out of the way but hang in for a bit longer.
The next few days look pretty tough with the heat and mountains and long stretches with no towns to get food or water but at least i know that in about two weeks its all over, YAHOO .You may not hear from me for a week or so as i doubt if there is going to be much internet available .
The YWAM base here is great with good people and its been good just to relax.Even got to go to the local swimming pool today.The cool change came in and it only got to 98 degrees.
Bless ya folks,
Bernie
Thursday, September 17, 2009
every day is different
Hi ,
The last few days have been ones of contrast.Three nights back was the coldest night i have experianced as i slept in the open and woke up with a cold that i still have.The following day was rather boring with not much scenary to excite and overcast and cold conditions,a bit of a downer really.One good thing was i got given a free night to sleep in a guys campervan that had the most confortable couch i ever slept on.I f this keeps up i will become soft.Not that i am complaining Lord
Yesterday was amazing as i travelled through the zion national park with the most incedible mountains.I am not one to take heaps of photos but was stopping every 1oo yards to do so.It was all down hill which was great. Made me think how fantastic the new 7 wonders of the world must be if they are better than this.
I now have a 2 or 3 day trip to reach Las vegas with the temperature in the mid 90s.That will be an interesting place to stay a couple of days before starting the final leg to San francisco.Keep praying for money to come in for Home of the Open Heart as i know God can really bless them over this final part of the journey.
Cant believe its getting close to the end.I think from vegas to frisco will take about 2 weeks and then it will finally be over.I am glad i pushed it along with alot of night riding to shorten the time as another couple of months of this would drive me mad.
There are still more mountains to cross yet so its far from over but i have come this far by His grace and your support i am sure this last part will be fine.
See you next from the city thats built on a lie that says money is the answer and there is a way to get rich easily,just be stupid enough to bet another dollar.A fool and his money are easily parted.These people need to know there is a better answer to finding happiness and a purpose for there lives.
cya,
blackjack bernie
The last few days have been ones of contrast.Three nights back was the coldest night i have experianced as i slept in the open and woke up with a cold that i still have.The following day was rather boring with not much scenary to excite and overcast and cold conditions,a bit of a downer really.One good thing was i got given a free night to sleep in a guys campervan that had the most confortable couch i ever slept on.I f this keeps up i will become soft.Not that i am complaining Lord
Yesterday was amazing as i travelled through the zion national park with the most incedible mountains.I am not one to take heaps of photos but was stopping every 1oo yards to do so.It was all down hill which was great. Made me think how fantastic the new 7 wonders of the world must be if they are better than this.
I now have a 2 or 3 day trip to reach Las vegas with the temperature in the mid 90s.That will be an interesting place to stay a couple of days before starting the final leg to San francisco.Keep praying for money to come in for Home of the Open Heart as i know God can really bless them over this final part of the journey.
Cant believe its getting close to the end.I think from vegas to frisco will take about 2 weeks and then it will finally be over.I am glad i pushed it along with alot of night riding to shorten the time as another couple of months of this would drive me mad.
There are still more mountains to cross yet so its far from over but i have come this far by His grace and your support i am sure this last part will be fine.
See you next from the city thats built on a lie that says money is the answer and there is a way to get rich easily,just be stupid enough to bet another dollar.A fool and his money are easily parted.These people need to know there is a better answer to finding happiness and a purpose for there lives.
cya,
blackjack bernie
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
