Our Friend John Lasure Jr. - CSBA President Featured

mark intro

For the past decade, John Lasure Jr. has been the President of the Eastern PA Chapter of the CSBA and for the last several years the President of the National Chapter of the CSBA.  Like many of us his roots with the organization began by simply attending some of the CSBA rides, but his strong foundation in Christianity and the love of motorcycles inspired him to become the man he is today.  His commitment to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ boosted his desire to do more for the organization and before long he was promoted to the roles that he currently maintains.

John is one of the most selfless people you could meet, concerned about others well being and their prosperity more than his own.  He voluntary opens his home to host men’s bible studies, consoles members when they are ill or experiencing some type of misfortune, and shows an unwavering commitment to oversee the success of the Eastern PA Chapter of the CSBA to share the positive experiences that he has received while being a part of the organization.

In total, John has been with the organization for more than 17 years and he has shown his true devotion to the organization and the Lord during that time. His upbeat personality, fantastic communication skills, and networking abilities have allowed the Eastern PA Chapter to expand its reach that has taken the Lord's word to less common venues. He began by spreading the word at weekend bike gatherings and shows at motorcycle dealerships. Then in the spring of 2013 he started the "CSBA Day at the Races" track day events, which grew rapidly and led to additional membership within the CSBA, as well as some sponsorship from local, regional, and national companies. It also attracted the attention of the publishers at Sport Bikes, Inc. Magazine who conducted an interview with him about the CSBA and the CSBA Day @ the Races program. The article titled "Know Your Role: A Club of another Cloth" was featured in the December 2014 issue of the magazine and may be read online through the following link: Click to View Article.

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Faith and Motorcycling Led Me To The CSBA

mark introTo recall how I came to the CSBA, it makes sense to consider how I came to motorcycling. My brother rode motorcycles for years before I did and I decided to start, so it would be something we could do together. It was around March of 2004 and I bought an old Honda 450 Night Hawk from him. I took the MSF Basic Rider course and finished with my motorcycle license. I rode that 450 until August when the inspection ran out and the repairs necessary for inspection cost more than the bike. I then bought a Buell Lightning that same month, crashed it in October and smashed my right foot. Recovery took until February and by April I was riding again. My brother rides big touring bikes with a moderate pace and I like to ride sport bike style with a slightly faster pace. So, since our styles didn't complement so well, I sought out another group.

I either heard about the CSBA online or a friend recommended them to me, I can't remember which it was. I do know I found out that they met at a diner on the first Saturday of the month and during warmer months, they might ride. I looked them up online and applied for membership immediately. True to their word, it was mostly a ride up, eat breakfast, talk about bikes, then ride home kind of group. We did occasionally go for rides, but not every month. This went on for about a year, then the chapter leader just stopped coming out, no explanation, no goodbye. Within a few months another member took up being the chapter leader and we had a good ride up to the Poconos. I didn't get to finish it because something was on my mind and I couldn't focus. I said good bye to the two other riders and headed home. The next month, that chapter leader stopped coming out, again, no explanation, no goodbye.

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There is a time and a season for all things

bob brown introMany years ago, I had a customer who told me about the CSBA, I was intrigued.  The concept of Christ, fast motorcycles and adrenaline seemed like a very odd mix.  I knew as a Christian I did not fit in with the stereotypical version of what a Christian was.  Attendance in the little church on the corner, white picket fence, a wife and 2.2 children. I was and still am an adrenaline junky.  Fast riding, pushing it to the edge applied not just to my style of riding but to how I lived my life and ran a business.  I was fed up with the feminization of the church and was not one of those guys that was going to lay down with the little lamb and be soft spoken.

I check out the bulletin board back then, you could just post and wait for a response, it was very old technology, but it worked.  I posted a query about joining, being very honest about who I was and how I rode, I expected a very nice note refusing my membership.  Instead, I got a call from Brian Philips who was more than glad to have me. 

I chatted on the board for a few months before attending my first rally in Ohio.  Back then Brian was the only one besides me on a sport bike.  Their passion for Christ was real and it felt great to be among Christian believers.  My brother Dave had a church in Columbus, and I had shared with Brian about his success in building a church from scratch and turning it into a very large church.  Dave was to join us that Saturday evening around the camp fire.  In true Brown fashion Dave managed to wreck a borrowed bike on the way to the retreat.  He showed up a little banged up, a little stressed out and a little overwhelmed from the experience of sliding off the road with his first crash, and wrecking a friend’s bike. 

He joined the group around the campfire and asked only for something to drink.  We walked to a cooler to grab something when he shared with me the experience.  I told him not to worry, I would take care of the wrecked bike and to just enjoy the evening and relax.

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April 2017 CSBA Newsletter

newsletter Hello all,

Well, it's hard to believe it's been three months since my last newsletter, but it's true. Time flies, when you're having fun, right?!  I was working in my garage this morning and I came across something that I thought I should share. I prayed about and felt that I should go with it, so here we go.

Do you know Who we serve? I mean, yeah, we know it's God but do we really know Him? Getting to know another person takes time and effort. It is the same with God. He comes to us in a variety of ways and not everyone interacts with the Almighty in the same way. What I discovered in my garage was a listing of the names of God and it's not even an exhaustive list. I can sometimes meditate on these to learn and understand (or at least try to) more about God. My last favorite "the Ancient of Days" from Daniel 7:9. It really causes me to ponder, what does that mean, the Ancient of Days? It just scratches the surface of who He is. Below are some more names for you all to ponder, meditate, and consider. Doing this increases my faith and gives me peace and confidence as I try to step out to what God calls me, knowing that the "Lord of All" Acts 10:36 is directing me. Here is the list:
Advocate I John 2:1 Almighty Revelation 1:8 Alpha and Omega Revelation 1:8 Amen Revelation 3:14 The Author and Finisher of our Faith Hebrews 12:2 The Bread of Life John 6:35 The Corner-stone Psalm 118:22 Counselor Isaiah 9:6 Deliverer Romans 11:26 Everlasting Father Isaiah 9:6 The First and the Last Revelation 1:17 Good Shepherd John 10:11 Great High Priest Hebrews 4:14 Holy One Acts 3:14 I AM John 8:58 Immanuel Isaiah 7:14 Jehovah Isaiah 26:4 King of Kings Lord of Lords I Timothy 6:15 Light of the World John 8:12

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January 2017 CSBA Newsletter

Hello all,

I hope this letter find you all starting the New Year with a fresh vigor for accomplishing new goals. I wanted to start off this year with a prayer request. God has been so good to us this past year and many things we hoped to accomplished got done, but some things did not. I think the biggest thing we need is also my prayer request from you for the year. When you approach the Almighty in prayer, would you please pray that He would send "workers" into our ministry. Here is the passage of which I reference: 35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Matthew 9:35-38

Please let me clarify what I mean by a "worker". I wasn't talking about a back slapping glad-hander. Those are the kind of people that when you ask for help at a project at your home they show up, enjoy a donut and coffee that you bought for the workers, gives you free advice on your project, and then pats you on the back, shakes your hand and leaves. I also am not talking about "good time Charlies", that's an old school term for the person that "can't make it" for your house work project, but has time to show up for a house warming party any day, any time. I was talking about a worker. Someone who shows up and asks, "what do you need me to do?" They do as you ask and work as long as they can, but they work because they believe in what you are doing and want to help.

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2016 CSBA Fall Rally Report

A shot of the Shenandoah Valley Thursday October 6th

I woke up and began my ride in the dark. I wanted to get an early start to a full day of riding. I had to recon a Central PA chapter ride out near State College, PA and then head south to the rally. On the way out I checked out a new road told to me by my friend Rusty Bucket, that was nice. Next, I did the whole recon, even stopping for a scenic photo.

Everything is a go for next weeks' ride, so that was a relief. I wanted to take the "scenic route" down to southern VA, but it was a little past noon, so I didn't have the time. In this case I had to slab it all the way down Interstate 81, and VA is a LONG state! Over 200 miles of slab, uggh.   I made decent time, stopping once for lunch, once for gas, and I only hit a slow down in traffic twice. Just as an FYI, 81 mph or higher on a highway is a reckless driving misdemeanor in VA, so watch your speed there. Not that I would go that fast on a public road.   I did see some scenic views of the Shenandoah Valley and it was nice to be welcomed again by friends once I arrived at the hotel. Our first dinner together was a quaint bar/restaurant in Marion, which oddly enough was the best dinner we had that weekend. After that we sat in the lobby at the hotel and made plans for the next day. 623 miles that day.

Friday, October 7th
Rajin Cajun, our North Carolina chapter leader, led the first ride going south beginning a desperate attempt to avoid the rain. That stinkin Hurricane!   We had some dry patches where we were able to get our bikes leaned over and scrub off treads near the edge of the tire. We rode some famous roads, drove through a cool stone arch, saw great scenery, stopped a neat old country store, and enjoyed the day despite getting stuck behind a Wal-mart truck in the rain, not fun.

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