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I went to church today...


I went to church today
Last year, Suzanne and I spoke of attending going
Instead, I attended alone
Missing Suzanne, regretting it never happened
Knowing we will never attend together.

After over a year of planning
I went in search of another church
With no idea what to expect at a
Biker church
My GPS couldn’t find.

Arriving late,
I parked in the field and walked through the doors
The student who invited us last year
The first person I saw.  
Taking in the other sights
A pool table,
Plywood dividing walls,
And leather jackets, each with a patch.
I followed the sound of voices
Into the sanctuary ~
A big room filled with
Mismatched chairs.
A wooden platform up front
With a black and white painting of Jesus
wearing a crown of thorns as the backdrop.

A sea of blue jeans surrounded me
as song and harmony filled the room
accompanied today by an acoustic guitar.
Sharing the stage, a keyboard, drum set and electric guitar,
evidence of a church that rocks.
No fancy thrones for the pastor here.
Instead, he sat upon a vinyl Harley stool.

The preacher took the stage
hair in a braid down to his waist,
tattoo sleeve peeking out from under his short sleeve shirt,
wearing the uniform of the day, jeans.
He began talking about Revelations
tearing up with the thought of people perishing for eternity.
In the distance, the roar of a Harley,
He interrupted his sermon,
“Call of the wild, man!”
Back to his message without missing a beat.
Getting Jesus bumps as he shared the grace and peace Jesus brings.

Silver helmets were passed around
Collecting money to do service -
Most recently, remodeling a paraplegic’s house,
Whatever is needed to be of service to the community.

Addicts, shoplifters, people in chaos
joined in worship.
All in search of something.
Tears falling freely from many,
some called to the alter,
others lifted their hands heavenward
while the rest stayed seated.
All joined together
looking for peace
as prayer was lifted up.

The end of the service brought a loud
WWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
Our search of peace and grace continued.
As I walked out the door,
I knew I would be back.

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