.jpg)
James Garner, aka Jim Rockford, is dead at age 86. Former racer, actor,
and Hollywood legend, he died from apparent natural causes. Notice I mentioned
racer first, as many don’t realize his racing career reached from the film Grand
Prix to real racing at Baja. Fielding many teams over the years, even under
contract to AMC. And given chances to go professional, he stayed with the
screens, both big and small. Married for over 60 years to the same wife, Lois,
he is maybe one of the last great ones in his generation. But I will always
remember him as Rockford, and always wonder if he was really acting, or just
being himself through Rockford. Just like I think Brando really was Johnny from
the Wild One in real life. But James Garner, the man is gone, only his movies,
and TV series, Maverick and The Rockford Files will live on. His last file
closed for good yesterday,his final decisions on where he would spend eternity
made. No more guest appearances, no more “where are they now?” and no more
acting. His career is over. A great career, I am sure Turner Classic Movies
will be showing many of them, The Great Escape, Lover Come Back, and Victor,
Victoria among them. A few days of Garner, and then back to normal scheduling.
Maybe someone will finally resurrect Rockford for TV, so I don’t have to watch
him on Netflix on a small screen. His legend will continue, the man is
gone.
After reading his autobiography a few years back, he appeared to not be
quite the man Rockford was. Seems the Jimmy living on 29 Cove Road in Malibu
had more morals than the racer/actor. And I hope, not only hoped, he found
Christ before he died. For his last file in life, is forever, with no reruns.
All the awards, from SAG, to Emmy, to even his Purple Heart won in Korea, mean
nothing to God. They are not bad things, just gain you no entry to heaven.
They are wood, hay, and stubble to God, and the only trophies you find there are
of what Jesus did. For it was Jesus who died for our sins, and is the only way
to gain entrance to heaven.
Looking back at Rockford, maybe he was a lot like many of us. He was
barely making it, got late calls from the bank. He had brushes with the law,
and many times when innocent was thought to be guilty. He was misunderstood,
and finally vindicated by the end of the show. He fell in and out of love, but
recovered. He had a great relationship with his dad, family values we called
them, and was loyal to his friends, even when Angel would sell him out for a few
cents on the dollar. His door was always open, he rarely denied a friend in
need, and faced death many times, only being shown grace by the script writer
until next week. His life was a weekly series, and many times ours is too.
Work Monday through Friday, sleep in on Saturday, do the chores, church and
riding on Sunday. With little in between that we think is worth remembering,
much less writing about. But to God it means a lot, He keeps notes on us. Good
notes, notes that He will reveal to us on Judgment Day, things that may have
been ignored on earth, but are heavenly to Him. We may not have the abilities
to drive like Jimmy did, to pull off the perfect Rockford reverse turn, but we
all have been given the chance through Jesus to make the turn to God in our
lives. To turn to Jesus, instead of away from God. To be guaranteed the rights
of heaven after our earthly career is over, and find life really a training
ground for heaven. But others sadly give too much credit to what they achieve,
no fear of hell, and live like it. They don’t realize that no one ever came
back from hell, and that no one ever wanted to return from heaven. Their
thoughts are on the right now, on themselves, and think they live good lives.
But when their file is pulled, when the curtain drops on them and their show of
life is cancelled, it is too late. They had the chance....but chose to deny
God, and God honored their request. What will your file say, heaven or heaven
denied? And it is your choice...Don’t listen to the same angel that Jimmy did,
an Angel scamming on you, who only lived for the moment. Too many of us have,
or do, and soon begin to believe the lies we tell, and turn away from God in
shame. How can a loving God ever forgive me, I am a horrible sinner, I have
____________-fill in the blank. But Jesus died for all sins, and repentance
covers all of them. Forgiven now, today, and for yesterdays sins. A whole new
file opened on you, with a place reserved in the book of life with your name on
it. A full pardon from hell, a pardon meaning your sin never happened, just
like Rockford was pardoned from San Quentin. And just like his adversaries
would remind him, our adversary the devil will remind us. Just refer him to
Jesus and the end of the book-we win! For forgiveness is a great thing, show it
to others.
I can see my next trip to Malibu to Paradise Cove Road in a few weeks to
see where Rockford kept his trailer. To where he lived. After the may fans
have made their mark. Maybe ride up the PCH a few more miles than normal, maybe
even eat at the Sandcastle. Many of Rockford’s fans I’m sure are already, we
have been there many times, even eaten there. Much bigger on TV, it is small,
and really a trailer park. In Malibu. And I will think and pray for my friends
and family who don’t know Jesus. I will remember Jim Rockford, and his show. I
will remember his racing, his smile, and that pleasant manner. I will remember
Jim as Rockford more than as Garner for that is who he was to me. I will
remember his many times talking with Angel, hoping in his final days he called
upon God, and the angels escorted him to heaven. After death it is too late,
series ended, contract not renewed. So where are you with Christ? Are you
assured of heaven? What does it say I your heavenly file? Is your name entered
into the book of life? Or are you betting on your earthly achievements to gain
you access? Or your friends, family, or church attendance? Or are you in full
denial, saying nothing, which is really saying “no.” Take the time now to ask
Jesus into your life. Be saved, forgiven, and assured of heaven all in one
instance. Be a Maverick for Jesus, be part of the Great Escape from hell, and
be a Victor in life, even if you are a Victoria. “Lover come back,” God calls
to us from us from heaven. He sent Jesus just for you. Where will His name be
in your final credits? Give Him all the credit now while you still can. Jim
once commented on Lance White that “Lance is perfect, it is his only flaw.”
When God looks at me, a sinner saved by is grace, He sees me the same way. Be
seen by Him today. A sinner saved by faith in Jesus Christ. Flawless to the
end. And in the end, the only way to heaven. You may now return to your normal
schedule. I just hope heaven is your new normal. Just like Rockford had
contacts within the department, it helps to have that one contact in heaven.
When the files are opened on you in heaven......
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com