Friday, May 13, 2011

ooh baby it's a wild world, it's hard to get by with just a smile...



Freedom of choice. We all scream about it when we don't get our way. "It's our right!" we scream, "it's my right!" And sometimes believe just because we are Americans, and have that freedom, that it is universal. Sorry, another myth exposed. For only in God are you truly free, and only in Christ do you have the freedom to choose, and find real freedom. But your choice will not necessarily set you free.
Yusef Islam sold over 25 million records in the late sixties and into the seventies. A super star of his time. He not only sang, but played guitar and was a great songwriter. But somewhere along the way, he got involved in Islamic beliefs, and became a Moslem in the late seventies. At that point he put down his guitar, and refused to ever sing again, believing that by not using the gifts that God has given him he was glorifying Allah. And for 30 years never sang, and never played guitar. Trying to please a false God, who among his 99 characteristics does not include love. But does include harsh rules, and no promise of heaven when you die. You live your whole life hoping, but never knowing. And you never experience peace. Something, peace, still such a chanting point of liberals who tell us "to do your own thing," except when it comes to Jesus. But after 30 years, he picked up his guitar and now sings again. His voice, as beautiful as ever, but 30 years of joy robbed from him by a false God who inflicts personal pain and suffering to his believers. Where is the freedom in that? 25 million albums, and you still don't remember him?
Sorry, I forgot to tell you his real name. Cat Stevens. Now does it ring a bell? Songs that were so beautiful, and continued to be played and sung for 30 years, despite his self inflicted wounds of denial. With no rewards for his action-it didn't get him closer to God one inch. And watching a documentary on him, which I turned off after a short while, Moslem clerics, and so called experts mostly agreed what he did what not found in the Koran, and only some fringe sects would demand it. Personally, they were glad to hear his music again. And I am too.
Religion, the base word of it, means binding. Like to tie you up and restrict you. Sound familiar? And I don't listen to anyone, any group, or any so-called experts debate Christianity either. Jesus was against religion, for He was the true author of freedom. He promised to set you free, if you followed Him and walked by the spirit. Truth, He calls it. But today too many churches, denominations, or cults demand your allegiance, and invade the freedom of the Holy Spirit. Joining their membership,putting fiscal demands on their congregation, and demanding works to prove their devotion to God. All things not found in the Bible, but taught from pulpits. And sadly followed by people who never get the full benefit of knowing Jesus Christ.
You don't have to be a cult member to deny Jesus, just not follow Him. And those that debate Him only lose, because once you engage in an argument, you both lost. For it is not knowledge, family genealogy, denominational doctrines, or self denial that sets you free-each one of those will have its own kind of binding influence-religion is the name we call it. And will only rob you of joy, and get between you and God. A true God demands a choice, but does not force Himself on you. A loving God is there for you, and sacrificed His son so you can be reunited with Him. For even in our most altruistic moments, we will always fall short. Sadly, so many religions only tell you to listen, only in Christ do you have someone who will listen to you. He is the Way!
In Cat's beautiful song, Father and Son, listen to it on YouTube, and listen to the words. A pre-Harry Chapin, and gentler Cat's Cradle. Sometime in your life, God will make Himself known to you, and you must give an answer to who Jesus Christ is. His song states, "it hard, but it's harder to ignore it." Don't ignore the calling on your heart today to accept Jesus. Don't let God become the same old story and turn away.
For there is a way, His name is Jesus. Don't throw away your life for nothing like Yusef Islam did. Enjoy all the freedom God desires for you, more than you can imagine or ask for yourself. For there is a way-and those who choose Jesus will never regret. Don't be the son who turns away, but be the one who turns to the Son.
And pray for Yusef and those others like him looking for love in all the wrong places. Freedom to choose also allows a wrong decision. Don't throw away your life over trying to please a false God. Choose God and live. True freedom, only found in Jesus.
Yusef, I hope you get the message. It's a wild world, and hard to get by with just a smile.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com

spending the day with friends


I get rude comments from certain people when I tell Harley jokes. But never when I tell Triumph jokes, or even Honda jokes. And they don't hurt my feelings when I hear them about my own bike, if it's funny, it's funny! And I have been accused of being jealous of Harley owners, and only being able to afford riding Triumphs. For their knowledge, I am down to four of them. No, not so I always have one that runs. And if you really cared, why not buy we one? I have been accused of not living the lifestyle-hey buddy, I ride mine. when you have ridden 50,000 miles a year for the past four years, tell me about your trailer queen and where it's been. 20 grand and 20 miles still don't make you a biker. OK you win, your FICA score is higher. Get out and ride!
You see I have the same addiction that my friend Spud at Biggs HD has, we both love motorcycles. And I have a standing invite anytime I want, to ride any bike they have on the floor! And I haven't because I feel bad for not going in to buy one. I am not afraid to ride one, another myth exposed, and for some strange reason, these Harley people like us. Maybe they are the ones you should vilify! When we walk in, we are joked about as "Oh no, the Triumph people are here-shut the doors-keep them away from our real bikes." And we all laugh! And when I take Stu on his Wing, he gets it too! Although we all know Gold Wing riders deserve it. For we all love to ride. Hey-we are even the token Triumph owners in Black Sheep-Harley Davidsons for Christ! Don't tell Marty! And are blessed to minister with them, and we love to. You see true love covers a multitude of sins. Even brand prejudice. And yesterday, on an incredible day of blessings from God, He brought a Harley into my life-no I haven't spent any money I don't have, my Triumph signs are still intact, although I can still fit two more bikes in the garage. I rode Pastor Z.'s 2010 Dyna Street Bob. He made me get my helmet, and told me, "this runs like a Harley is supposed to." Not sure what that was to mean, but I got on it, and got on it! And he was right. With just a pipe and air cleaner, and the right download, this thing ran-fast. Not just for a Harley-but for a motorcycle. It had apes-which aren't me, and at 90mph on a side street, they made me feel uncomfortable. And when I got back, nothing had fallen off, it stopped when I put on the brakes, although I had to use the kill button to turn it off-couldn't find the key, dumb rookie. Must have been the Triumph racing jacket I was wearing. So take note, I think sooner than later, Spud may have a new demo rider.
So, before you think I've lost it, or have finally gone over to the other side, I haven't. Your Harley pride of the bar and shield are safe from my throttle twisting hands. You will continue to hear my bad jokes, and I will still tolerate yours.
So there. I even noticed the sun came up in the east again today, so your world is safe! And to prove it, on the traveling Viet Nam wall, Harley riders loved my Bonneville. And we talked riding, and how fast it is, and those who saw me ride Fred's bike were a bit enamored-how fast was it really one guy asked? His friend answered for me before I could-too fast for you! And we all laughed. When one Harley rider asked to borrow an adjustable wrench, I asked standard or metric? For a second he paused, and then laughed with us when he got it. the wrenches adjustable stupid! If I have hurt any wrenchophiles, I apologize. If you know me, in these hands no tools are safe with me. And I felt safe leaving my keys in my bike. No one from that group was going to steal my fast Bonneville! Or was it they didn't want oil to leak on their pretty leathers? Or couldn't find the key?
While doing hospital visitations last night, we took Gavin with us. On March 18th, they told his wife he had 5% chance of living, and would be a vegetable if he did. As we went to visit Conrad, another brain accident victim, with Gavin, the nurses were ecstatic over his healing! Miracle! Tears, hugs, and encouragement to them-from Gavin. And when he went in to see Conrad, reached out his hand with Theresa and prayed. And in the middle of this group, told via hand motions how much he loved his wife, Lynsay. Her tears said it all.
But while waiting for the elevator, we encountered two women in the waiting area. Talking to them, we got to pray for her husband Richard, and when I went in to pray for him, Gavin wanted to go with me. And put his hand out when we did, just like he gripped one lady's arm in the hallway when we prayed there! Voluntarily-because he wanted to!
You never know when God is going to bless you. In hallways, rooms, or even on the street. Step out of your church world today, and step into God's world. Meet some other people that Jesus died for. Ride a Harley-no egos were damaged during the test ride. Offer to pray when you encounter someone hurting in your path. Be patient and let God heal, He just invites me along for the ride. So I go. And take the ride of your life in Jesus.
Oh by the way, Gavin rides a Triumph. Just couldn't let that pass. I guess you really are what you ride!
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com