A few years ago the Federal Government made it mandatory to put a content label on all vehicles sold in the US of A. It would not only tell where the vehicle was manufactured, but where the parts came from. For example, final manufacturing point-Detroit , Michigan. Engine-Detroit, transmission-Canada, and then a percentage of where parts came from- 65% of parts in this vehicle are from the USA. Sounds simple enough. American cars built in the USA, German cars in Germany, and Japanese cars in Japan. And you would be wrong.
What could be more American than a Chevrolet Camaro-built in Canada? Nissans, Toyotas, and Mazdas, fine Japanese products, imported from Tennessee? Indiana? Michigan? For those of you who just can't wait to move up the ladder to your German luxury SUV, how about buying an M Class made in Tuscaloosa? Or a BMW from Spartanburg? South Carolina! Even looking at a lowly Ford the other day, it was made in Detroit, but the engine and transmission were from Germany! Now which one is really an American car? Or German?
Confused? Try this-Honda used to make motorcycles in Ohio, and at one time was the largest manufacturer in the US! More than Harley! Kawasakis are built in Nebraska! Since the 70's! Did you know that Harley uses parts from Japan? Things like batteries, suspensions, and electrical components? But the biggest travesty, unknown to many is that the Triumph Bonneville, perhaps the most iconic motorcycle model in history, since 2006 has been manufactured in Thailand! Yup, Thailand. They have two factories there just to keep up with the demand. "Blasphemy!" you scream, yet without knowing it, you may be riding an English bike, with Japanese parts, built in Thailand, and sold in its primary market, the US of A. Is nothing sacred? Does that make this no longer a Brit bike? Does it lose its heritage? Yes, well no. Maybe! Screw it-I'm going riding!
"I'm a Christian," she says. "I belong to a church, was baptized as a baby, and it is a large denomination. My parents and my grandparents went there, and I was raised in a Godly home." And she would be wrong. No one is born a Christian, filling out a membership card won't get you into heaven, and your genealogy is no guarantee of salvation. Your birth certificate may say California, but that even won't get you into heaven. You must be born again. Not a suggestion based on the above, but a change of heart. Your heart needs to be born again into life! So-what do you do? Join a club? A church? Hang out with other Christians? Read good books and do nice things? All of these are not bad in themselves, but offer no salvation. Only Jesus....
But He makes it easy. 1-Admit you are a sinner. 2-Realize you are separated from God at birth by sin. Ever wonder why you don't have to teach a baby to say "I want?" 3-Repent-turn from sin. Believe Jesus died for you. It takes faith, not understanding. 4-Ask Jesus into your heart. Pray and ask for forgiveness, and for Him to come into your heart. Like Romans says, "believe in your heart, and confess with your mouth."
And your name is written in the Book of Life. Right there next to all the biggies in the Bible. Right there with all who confess Christ!
It takes faith-just a little. About the same as realizing Bonnevilles are made in Thailand. Unbelievable, but it's true. BMW's in South Carolina. Seen the plant, it's true. And broken lives made new through Jesus. I know, because I once was lost, but now I am found. Despite my past, my friends, my riding, and my sin. I'm born again!
Any questions of where you are going? Ask God using the guidelines above. Make it personal, He wants to. And don't worry anymore of where you are from, or where you are going! Heaven awaits! If Triumph can build Bonnevilles in Thailand-anything is possible-Only Believe! Trust God and hang on for the most exciting ride of your life!
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com