Friday, November 13, 2015

living the life or is it the lifestyle?












I read the news today, oh boy.  Harley Davidson stock is at a two year low.  And sales of its new bikes are down significantly, both in the US of A and around the world.  No reason to panic, they are still making money hand over fist, there are few starving Harley dealers out there, the profit per bike is an industry high, and the marketing is still the tops, maybe anywhere in any product line.  So why the long faces at the Motor Company?  Well its leader and president is retiring, he was the marketing guru.  And while they still teach the company’s marketing in college classes, its customer base is dwindling.  I rode the new Indian Scout, and if Sonny Barger rides an Indian, he has a strong dislike for Harleys, per his book, and conversations I have had with him, Harley may need to worry.  Or maybe not over react, and just build some quality into its product.  They have gotten much better, but for value, so many other bikes from other manufacturers offer more.  And are almost as cool, perform better, and cost a lot less.  Are you listening Harley?  Where are the Sportsters that are sporty?  Where are the old values, where a 5 year old used Harley sold for the same as a new one?  Why do they weigh so much, and why are they so expensive to repair and maintain? 
I must admit if I was looking for a v-twin cruiser, HD sets the pace, but Indian is gaining, it may be a tough choice.  Feed the Motor Company and the lifestyle, or keep the cash and take a trip.  Which is cooler?  The view from either bike from behind the handlebars will be the same.  Same with parallel twins, it’s either Triumph or a copy, and the new Bonnevilles looks great.  I can see a Thruxton R in my garage soon from the press fleet.  No one else can copy that cool either.  When it comes down to all around sport bike racing bikes for the street, the Japanese still rule, except if you ride a BMW S1000R, which would be my choice.  So each bike manufacturer has its niche, its style of bike, but they must all have two things in common, value-what you get for your money, and affordability, will your wife let you spend the $15k on a used car or a new bike?  Motorcycles will win on cool, never on practicality.  Except if you argue with me, or some of my friends who ride. So maybe we need to ask, are we living the life, or is it the lifestyle we are more interested in?  With many Harley dealers taking on Indian or Polaris, maybe they know something.  And locally a new Indian dealer just moved in next to the Harley store.  Different owners, and you must pass the Indian store to get to Harley.  How important is location?  Cool?  Value?  Is is life or lifestyle?  Maybe the architect of General Motors, back when they ruled the world said it best, “you can sell a young man’s car to an older man, but a young man will not buy an old man’s car.”  And being older, I still want performance, handling, and value in my ride.  And at prices I can afford, and on one I can feel safe riding past the city limits. 
How do you describe Christianity if someone asks?  Religion?  Lifestyle?  Philosophy?  Is it a way of life, or a pathway to God?  Or is it none of the above, and needs to be recreated, to be resurrected, as church attendance in many denominations is down, and so is overall church attendance.  Has the value of church gone down?  How will it effect you?  Maybe basics should be the starting point, as Christians were once made fun of, the term meaning little Christ, and was derogatory.  Sounds like today.  Anyone who goes to church outside of Jehovah Witnesses and Mormons will claim to be Christians.  So does going to church make you a Christian?  NO!  Nor does it make you a pew.  Religious way of life?  Religion means bound, more rules and regulations to break, and be reminded of?  Is it a philosophy?  No, Jesus Christ is not debatable, his words and actions are true, he was who he said he was.  And is.  Yet many try to develop a lifestyle and philosophy around his teachings, and you end up at religion.  So while the world is trying to decide, Jesus stays the same, and will always.  We change.  The marketing changes, getting my weekly bulletin from church, they emphasize so many ministries, opportunities to help, and to get involved.  Could be a Harley ad for rides or poker runs.  These are not bad things in themselves, the government has tried and failed, industry has tried and as long as money flows will be successful to a point.  So what is Christianity, and why is it important?  Is it really clever marketing to get your money?  To control you?  To get you off your golf game on Sunday or keep you from a ride with your friends? What is a Christian?
Simply put, a Christian is one who believes Jesus Christ is the son of God.  He is deity, he is real, and came to die so we can get to heaven and be reunited with God the father.  And Christianity is the relationship we have with him.  Religion can come close, but without asking one key question, you may miss it.  Where is Jesus in it?  If he isn’t the main thing, you miss, you are not a Christian.  And he states if you are not for me, you are against me.  But is merciful, that he wants to save you, and still loves you as you are.  He gives you the choice, life or death?  Lifestyle or him?  Love or a substitute.  And while church attendance may be wavering, Jesus is alive and well, the spirit calling your name.  Jesus is love, and must be experienced rather than debated.  He doesn’t keep up with trends, his trend of love never changes.  While some try new approaches to God, his is still the only way, and simple and free.  I get it and can afford it.  But is he an old man’s God you are trying to sell to a younger generation?  Does marketing work with Jesus?
Churches seem to think so, and have over burdened us with programs, process, and ways to entertain.  But when we fall back on scripture, written by men but inspired by God, we see that unless God builds the church, we labor in vain.  Working harder, praying harder, attending more church and Bible studies and feeling no better?  Give it over to God, who offers rest.  Let the spirit guide you, not a spirit guide. Trust Jesus, and watch as his ways, different from ours, become our ways.  He will accept us as we are, and won’t leave us that way.  Without Jesus you cannot be a Christian, and there is no Christianity.  And the world is filled with the spirit of anti-Christ, instead of Christ ideas that will always lead to destruction.  I want all I need and can get from God, and it is only found in Jesus.
Check him out yourself.  Don’t take my word for it.  It is individual, personal, and like nothing else on earth.  Or in heaven.  And it starts with you answering the spirit’s call.  You make the choice.  Trends may come and go.  New models dazzle the eye, and pocketbook.  Last years best seller is today’s $1 bargain.  The Bible is still the best seller, despite being banned in countries around the world.  Jesus offers life, can you beat that?  And offers it for free?  Tune ups and maintenance included?  And will accept your trade, no matter how bad a shape you are in. 
And in my case, and in many others, I can be riding my motorcycle thinking about God.  I don’t have to attend special meetings to know him, but can if I want to.  No marketing from any church or religion, no philosophy can provide what Jesus does.  He is the only one.  So why settle for a lesser God, when you can have the only true God?  So are you living a life in Christ, or just a Christian lifestyle?  Do you know him personally?  Do you call him Lord?  Is he more than a Sunday diversion, or are you really saved?  Harley’s marketing is good, but cannot cover up for a lack of value or performance.  And others will step in that will.  Only Jesus can provide all you need.  Others try, and are clever, but will always fail.  Jesus never does.  Today he offers you life.  And your answer is....
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com