letting the good times roll

When growing up, I'd like to think that I was as normal as any other kid. And that included hiding magazines under my bed-really between the mattress and box spring-so that my parents wouldn't find them. Not Playboy-I got that one, and not the car magazines. But the forbidden fruit in my magazine library was anything to do with motorcycles. While other kids were busy hiding various skin mags, I had to hide Cycle, Cycle Guide, Cycle World, and the various smaller trade mags that were popular. And while other teens dreamt of Playmate of the Month, I dreamt of Mach III's, Commandos, and CB750's. And was I ever a sucker for the ads.

Remember the Norton girls, always dressed in a skimpy, yet stylish outfit the same color as the bike? Who could resist fast girls and bikes? Harley showed us the Night Train, and ways out of town-even a mini-bike called the Shortster! Triumph told us we were enthusiasts, and needed their bikes to appreciate handling. You met the niciest people on a Honda-and in your wildest dreams, dreamt of a girl who loved bikes as much as you! Did you ever Solo Suzuki? I remember the ads on WABC radio, with Cousin Brucie, or HOA-Herb Oscar Anderson making motorcycle noises after the theme song. But for most of us, the thrill was in the words "some day," as my parent hated them, and I was still too young to get one and move out. So here I was stuck, noticing girls, who didn't like being noticed, and noticing motorcycles-two forbidden fruits. The fact that one older kid told us that riding was almost as good as sex, and you could do it more often, only made the illusion grander, as no one I knew had done either one. But after looking at the ads, girls would have to wait. Sadly, so did motorcycles.

I rode for about four years before my parents realized I was riding Ricky Schill's bikes. I guess they thought I was the world's oldest four year old, as I came home muddy, dirty, tired, and worn out-but excited every night. Getting my first bike as a senior in high school though finally elevated me to cool status. I had been a jock-now I could find a way to get out and enjoy life-and not have to deal with coaches, practice, rules, and locker room pranks. I had freedom-I was riding!

But the commandment-honor thy mother and thy father that your days shall be long bothered me-ok, only a few minutes after I got saved. Was I really disobeying them, and causing dishonor? Would it shorten my life? I love them, but loved to ride too-so took off riding, realizing that as parents they had a responsibility to love me no matter what. Try that one today! And I beleive God has honored my choice.

I found an out. The Bible tells parents that they are not to provoke their children to wrath! God was cool, He must love motorcycles, and He understood. And it was a good example of how many interpret the Bible. They search scripture, then find one that appelas to them, and then follow it. Just the opposite of what God wants, but that takes repentance. You see, we are supposed to change, not Him. We sinned, not Him. And we turned from Him, not Him from us. The truth is-we need to change to be like Him! Just like scripture says to do!

And reading the word like this, will change your life. You may get bogged down in Leviticus, but there is joy found in Jesus fulfilling all those laws. And a freedom in walking with Him, that comes close with riding, but won't get you into heaven, or forgiven. Sorry, but going into turn 3 too fast and beng scared and seeing God is not a spiritual experience. But giving your heart to God is. And watching as He changes your life, and fulfills desires in you-some you had, others he just told you about is exciting.

Maybe if the guy who wrote the Norton girl ads, did a Bible ad. Talk about sin and murder in Genesis. Talk about harlots in Joshua. Shipbuilding in Genesis. Kings, Chronicles, and Samuels tell some of the bloodiest war stories ever. Murder talked about in the four gospels, betrayal and lust, and finally Revelation-where you get it all! Science fiction has no chance against God's truth!

So to all you rebels out there. Sneak the Bible into your room tonite. Read it. And be bold, leave it out where your wife or parents can see it! Blow their mind by giving your heart to Jesus!

It's about time we took the word out of the bedroom and into the living room! You read what? You ride what? Jesus who? Jesus and motorcycles-it just don't get any better. Don't believe the ads-experience Jesus yourself. And read the book-before it becomes censored! Can't have all that sin in one book you know. The Bible-still the all time best seller. Just don't let your parents catch you!

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

at times like these, the feature you can't see becomes perfectly obvious

There are few things worse than a broken machine. Whether it is a toaster that doesn't, a blender that won't or a cycle that doesn't cycle, machines are absolutely useless unless they work. And I always marvel when someone's bike won't start, how some genius in the crowd says "well it's either fuel or spark." Great, now if you were really smart you would know which one. We all know the procedure. Fuel is easy, on old Brit bikes tickle the carbs, when the gas runs out and soaks your shoe, it must be spark. Still not convinced, pull a fuel line to the tank-same result. After turning on the petcock, of course. And for the cool, slosh the tank with the cap off like Steve McQueen in the Great Escape, just before he jumped. And for you nerdy, open the cap, and light a match. If you get combustion, it could be be spark-or is it fuel, you got both!

My friend Rex back in the late 70's was rewriting the Suzuki tech manuals for them. He spent countless hours telling me how easy electricity was, and with each lesson I got stupider. He could not only repair, but knew the cause. For instance, one day in spring of 1981, we took off for Arches National Park in Utah. This would be the first long trip for my new 1981 KZ750, so I was excited. We rode for a couple hundred miles, and parked to take some pictures. And then my bike wouldn't start. New bike, new battery-no spark. But I had Rex, better than AAA. He had noticed my brake light not going off, and he surmised the rear brake pedal was adjusted wrong allowing the brake light to stay on, thus killing the battery. So we bump started the bike-this being the first year Kawasaki eliminated the kick starter on their street bikes, let it run for 15 minutes, adjusted the brake pedal, and all was well. But the amazing part was he knew that the alternator-that which charges the battery doesn't kick in until 2200rpm, so he set adjusted the idle up to that speed, and we all was fixed. Complaint-cause-correction, just like we were taught as good service advisors. Fixed. And I really miss him today!

It has been said, in cruder terms than I will use, that if it has a skirt or wheels it will give you trouble. To you Puritan types-anything manmade has a potential to fail. And it will. And it goes back to the garden. When Eve disobeyed God, and then brought Adam in the club, it altered the way things were done forever. No longer was the world perfect, but sin entered it, and in every aspect-fuel and spark included. Lights stayed on, or wouldn't light up, and we ran out of fuel-even though the gauge said we had some left. Imagine a sinless world, where Lucas electrics worked-no prince of darkness! Where you never went on reserve-and no little light came on to warn you of impending emptiness! No warning lights to inform us of impending doom if we don't obey, because we had obeyed. All this awaits us in heaven, but for now-we must endure a sin laden world. And one without a kick starter. So there are times we push.

And I look at things in a before kick starter, and after kick starter was removed attitude. BK vs. AK if you will. When we had kick starters, we always had a backup system to go to. Or parked on hill so we could bump start. We aren't that smart anymore. Now when you push the starter button, and nothing happens, and you can't bump start your bike because the fuel injection is electric, you sit and wait. And while some cuss while digging out their cell phone, which is hopefully charged, and within a cell area, others pray, and watch as God prepares a way out for you. And reminds you that anything man made will and can eventually fail. But that the answer is always found in Jesus. And it is your choice of how you handle the situation.

Living with Jesus is like riding with Rex, better than AAA, better than any worldly advice, and better than any religion. You see Rex was trying to diagnose and repair things the factory had failed on, where Jesus repairs things we fail in. Our bodies were perfect before sin came along, now they need maintenance, parts, regular service, and as we get older, more of the same. We need the fuel that only the Holy Spirit can provide to get us through the day, and the spark that only the love of a living God can provide. Gloomy-God will provide the spark. Depressed-he can kick start you back to health! Low on fuel or energy-He gives freely to all who ask. Lonely-He never deserts you. And when all seems lost-He will save you! REMEMBER-He created you, but sin led you away from Him. He knows how all the parts should fit, where they go, how they function, and what it takes to fuel your day, and give you the spark to make it all work! And unlike your missing kick starter, He is always there. The best way out in any situation! But like your battery, if not used often, will run down-not God, but your relationship with Him-and will need recharging-another free service of the gospel! And you are always under warranty in Him, and He is open 24/7. Just a prayer away!

See it really is easy-fuel or spark. But even easier is taking the yoke of Jesus. He says it is easy, won't wear us down, won't leave us stuck, and is available 24/7. No clubs to join, membership fees, or meeting to attend. And he even comes to you-right where you are. He is available NOW-so why don't you give your no start problem to Him, and watch as He changes the situation you are in. Experience tells us that each trip starts with the first step-so take that first step now-let Jesus into your life. Instead of good Lord it's morning, try Good morning Lord! Key on, fuel on, and Jesus in your life. Taking you places you want to go or never knew existed. And He rides, and even waits while you look for your keys. Jesus and motorcycles-it don't get any better, try Him and see!

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com