The Imitation Game

I just recently watched the movie the imitation game. It is a wonderful film that delivers on many levels. There was one scene in particular that stood out to me; the scene where Alan Turing confesses to Joan Clarke that he is a homosexual to try and protect her heart from a possible life married to him. Joan Clarke (Keira Knightley) loved the way that her and Alan Turing (Benedict Cumbercatch) minds connected. She had suspected he was homosexual and she loved him anyway and pictured a life that would work for her with him. Sacrificing the sexual nature of the relationship for something different a connection between their intellects.

So I found myself asking, what is love?

In that scene, I saw that I long for someone to love me, for me. To accept me and say, I see you are not perfect. I see you, fully for who you are, and I accept you. In fact I want to make my life intertwined with yours. I want to combine all that I am with all that you are, and I don’t want you to change.

The only problem with this feeling that I have, is that I don’t deserve anyone to love me that way, nor can I love someone that way on my own. On my own, I lie, I choose what is best for me, I am unable to love well, and I think I am right all of the time. Now, how can I expect another person, who is also this imperfect, to do that?

What I want is more than someone building their life on a partnership with me. I want them to make their life about me without me having to fully do that for them because then our relationship wouldn’t fully be about me.

Jesus destroys this ideal of an earthly relationship because He alone looks at us, and says,

“I see your dirt; I see your blood, and lies, and deceit. I see your sin and your lust, you wretch. I see your striving, your love of man’s praise; I see you seeking fulfillment in what this world has to offer. But I…. I love you still. I accept you; I know you cannot be perfect. I know you do not know fully what you do. You are blind; I want to make you see. You are deaf; let me give you hearing. You are lame; walk with me. Let me show you the world as it was created to be, where love and acceptance are given freely, not based on merit but based on an overflow of what I have done already. 

Do you need an example of my love? I died for you on the cross. Do you need a reason to trust me? My promises have always come true. Are you afraid of being left? I will never forsake you, my friend, my brother, my son. You will find no one closer to you than I, for how can anyone know you better than the one who created you, who knows the number of hairs on your head and predestined you for adoption, who works all things for your good. It is my love you long for. Come to me and find rest from searching for acceptance. Here you will taste and see unconditionality. Here you will find freedom from toil and striving and perfectionism. Here you are seen perfect because I have interceded. I do not gaze upon you insouciantly but my heart and body were broken for your sake. I care, more than anyone on this earth ever will, about your welfare.”

It is in Jesus’ words, works, and heart that I can see how love is to be. A lover on this earth cannot provide for me what my soul ultimately longs for, but God being God has, will, and shall. And so I place my heart on Him and allow the freedom of acceptance, the free grace and love shower upon me. I allow it to cleanse me from the desire of fulfillment in another, for I am fulfilled. And in that only will I be able to one day love someone else well; and only from that overflow will someone else be able to love me well.

Do you want to be encompassed in a love that does not cease? Do you long to have another look at you and saying, “I see you; I know you. You are welcome in my arms. In me is your home. Let me give my life up for you!” Gaze upon Christ and accept His love. Turn your longing for another into a longing for the creator, He alone will fulfill it. Allow the hole in your heart for relationship to be sealed by His love. And then walk out this love to others, imitating what we have received from Christ.

Evolution Killed The Track Bike

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I lost all of my photos and files etc a few months ago when my computer crashed. I know, I know, you’re supposed to back up everything, but I didn’t do that. So last night I went photo digging online to find all of the bikes I have ridden and their various forms. Here they are in chronological order:

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The years I rode for Leader
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Decided I wanted to try and do made in the U.S.A. frames:
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SKYLMT
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I’m looking forward to getting a new bike built up over the next month and getting back to riding the bikes I’ve grown to love so much over the past 7 years. What a journey it’s been so far, both in breaking parts and bones, gashing tires and flesh. Ready to keep seeing where the fixed drivetrain limit is.

A huge thank you to all my sponsors over the years: Leader Bikes, Sizemore Bicycle, HPLUSSON, Resist Parts, SKYLMT, HoldFast, Coal Headwear, Zlog, CSK, Ruff Bike Co, and anyone else who’s supported me over the years.

 

SHADOWPLAY

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I went and hit up the 1-5 Colonnade MTB Park last weekend with Bryan, who took these photos. I’ve been having a blast riding the converted disc Sizemore TT bike, unfortunately while riding around my chain broke, but it didn’t keep me from having fun in the pump track. This bike is going to see some changes coming soon that I can’t wait to share, but will have to.

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GEOPOLITAN PARTY PRE-ORDER

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Do you even lounge, bro?  Introducing the brand new Geopolitan Party Jersey and Bibs from Shred Club. Inspired by Neapolitan ice cream and geometry. This kit is ready to shred your local roads or trails, and looks great while lounging. Made by Endo Customs in Los Angeles from high quality Italian fabric. The pre-Order ends August 5th and delivery will be approximately 6-8 weeks later. Order yours here!

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Shred Club is not responsible for anything that happens while you #shredeverything.

IMPERIAL MOTION // REFLECTIVE

Imperial Motion // Reflective from Imperial Motion on Vimeo.

Spencer of Imperial Motion asked me to help out for their new reflective line by riding around at night and having some fun; I couldn’t say “no” to that. The end result is really cool and the product looks great! You can get the Highway Strap Back Hat and the Mercer Denim in Raw Grey on their webstore. See images below and product info below.

Highway Strap Back Hat – 100% Polyester reflective strap back hat with printed Velcro patch at center front, self strap back closure with zipper adjuster, flag woven label at back. Fully reflective material for high visibility at night.

Mercer Denim in Raw Grey – 98% Cotton 2% Spandex 5 pocket denim pant in a slim straight fit. The Mercer Denim features a raw grey denim, signature IM back pocket embroidery, signature back leather patch under waistband, front rivets at stress points, button fly, custom metal detailing, and our signature 3M printed inner cuff that reflects headlights, camera flashes, and other natural and artificial light.

These products are available now and the rest of the fall line will be up early July.

 

Shred Club – Bro Cycling Team v. 2

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Back for round two: black tee with white discharge screen print on front and back. New logo done by Chelsey Scheffe. You can GET YOURS HERE!

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Shred club is a cycling team made up of our favorite people. We are made up of designers, business owners, teachers, models, skateboarders, artists, and cyclists.

All proceeds are going to help support my trip to Brazil this August to partner with Restore Brazil, aiding their work in the city of Rio to share the gospel and help improve living conditions for the cities inhabitants.

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Invert

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Coming soon…

 

GOOD FRIDAY

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Today is Good Friday, and as I prepare to unpack the darkness of what took place on this day all those years ago, I was reminded by yesterday’s crazy weather just how beautiful it is when light breaks through darkness. This Sunday we will celebrate Jesus overcoming the darkness of sin and death with the triumph of His Resurrection!

DCC Turns 3

Happy 3rd Birthday DCC! from Downtown Cornerstone Church on Vimeo.

Downtown Cornerstone Church just recently celebrated our third birthday. We made a video to tell about God’s provision in our lifes, our body, and our hearts.

We also just released an app which you can download here. http://get.theapp.co/7c78

Deception Inception

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Got the opportunity to shot this awesome photo with Tanner Wendell. He used his magic (literal magic) and we had some fun.  If you haven’t seen my previous post about his amazing book project, check it out here. And support the project here.