mornings in the garage

About two hours from now, after reading and writing, eating my bowl of cereal and giving the last milk to Tessio, she and I will find ourselves sitting out in the garage, door up, and the sun warming us.  As Tessio sniffs the air to find out what went on last night, I sit and warm myself enjoying last night’s Perry Mason that I recorded.  Zipping through the commercials, for the next 45 minutes some walkers will go by, we acknowledge the beautiful morning, and all is well with the world.  A habit I started eight years ago, what a great place to start the day, surrounded by your two and four wheeled friends, the sun beating down on your back, and your faithful dog right beside you.  The air smells fresh first thing in the morning, and with just enough motorcycle smell to enhance it, life doesn’t seem to get any better.  I have done my writing, read a few devotions, read the Bible during my constitutional, and spent some time in prayer and reflecting with Jesus.  And now, it’s just me and Perry, to see how he wins the battle for the falsely accused, all in the comfort of my own garage.  With a nod to Steve McQueen.....

You see it was Steve who used to wake up every morning at his Santa Paula Airport hangar where he lived, throw open the door, and greet the day.  Friends would stop by and have coffee, some bench race, and some to solve all the problems of the day.  It was his private hideaway, right out in the open, where he was among planes and motorcycles, his old pickup, and for a few minutes could just be Steve, without all the notoriety that went with being the coolest guy on earth.  So it was, and Theresa and I often talked of a similar setting for us, a dream for later, that never came, until one day I realized that everything I had wanted, I already had right here.  My own hangar of sorts to greet the world, a garage full of motorcycles and her Mustang.  Tessio at my feet, and the sun warming us up, all on a quiet cul-de-sac.  I was so busy dreaming of what I wanted that it camoflaged what I already had, and the blessings of God tying it all together.  Life is like that sometimes, we want so badly what we don’t have we don’t appreciate what we do have.  I may not have the notoriety of Steve, nor do I even desire it, privacy is a good thing, but we share something more valuable, a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  Right before he died he met Jesus, and found real life.  At times we think we have it all in our things, but in those sunny mornings I am always reminded that all I ever need, all I ever desired, is found in Jesus.  No better way to start the day......and then go for a ride.

I only wish I had learned this lesson earlier in life, for in it are the blessings and peace found only in Christ.  As Christians we either withdraw from the world, to keep its stain from leaving its mark on us, or enter it, trying to dominate it.  The love of power rather than the power of love, we step over small blessings while seeking larger and more satisfying ones, unaware that we are also stepping over Jesus on the way to do it.  Remember the rich man stepping over Lazarus each morning, how many Lazaruses do we step over every morning?  Are we so ready to find our own way that we neglect God’s way?  Do we seek things instead of the spirit, missing times that God has set aside just for us, and him.  You see there is something about home that there is no other place like it, and when we realize our real home and citizenship is in heaven, that we are only visiting or journey in here for a short while, we can get a heavenly perspective, and enjoy life more where we are.  And for each one of us it is different and personal, with me it’s a 20x20 garage with bikes and a car, and Tessio.  I don’t need a mansion, although one awaits me in heaven, I have found the peace and contentment in what Jesus has provided here.  Some may argue that a dog is man’s best friend, to them I say “you haven’t met Jesus.”  A true friend.....So throw open the garage door of your heart to him, let the sun and the son shine in, and enjoy what you have.   And today what I don’t have...you cannot worship at the altar of both.

This is maybe a good time to ask yourself whose influence am I under?  It is hard to live in the world and not be of it, but Jesus reminds us we have overcome the world in him.  And in some small way I am able to influence my world every morning.  My attitude is peaceful as I get on with my day, I have spent time with God, not some holy religious setting, but two friends just hanging out.  Seems the best times I spend anymore are the quieter ones where we can spend time together, letting others deal with the world, while I can deal with Jesus.  A blessing I cannot find words to describe, if you know you know what I mean.  So start your day with Jesus, enjoy the warmth of the sun on your back, and the son in your life.  Appreciate what  you have, and sit back and watch Perry win cases you thought hopeless.  I don’t need Steve’s riches and fame to find all I need in Christ Jesus, don’t wait so long like he did.  Life is precious and only Jesus will wake you up to that fact.  In about two hours Tessio and I will greet the sun, I have already spent time with God’s son.  He knows your heart, get to know his and let the blessings flow. 

OK, Tess, I’m almost done.  Seems it works for her too, hope it works for you, too.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

what my new motorcycle won't do

There was a time when we rode for fun, not to impress our friends or members of the opposite sex.  It didn’t matter what you rode, just that you did.  Engine size may sound cool when bench racing, but it was not a subject of discussion when riding.  Simplicity was the rule here, until Honda put the idiot lights in a console, then Kawasaki did the same.  BMW on my R90S had a voltmeter in case you couldn’t tell the starter wouldn’t spin, and a clock to tell you how late you would be to work waiting for a jump.  Which somehow worked when the bike wouldn’t start.  On my 2018 Street Triple R, complete with TFT screen, don’t ask I don’t know, I can change the brightness of the screen, adjust the clocks six different ways, get temperature, gear position, miles to empty, miles travelled, miles per gallon, and other so called important info while riding at break neck speeds.  Oh and also the  engine speed or rpm’s.  All this when my eyes should be on the road ahead, or looking out for the law behind.  It really isn’t much different than many newer models, that can tell you what engine mapping you set, or pair your Bluetooth to the bike.  Adjustable front and rear suspensions, all things that I cannot live without, as I miss them when I ride another bike that doesn’t have them.  Until two weeks ago.....

When I bought a 2020 Royal Enfield Interceptor 650.  A what?  A who?  While you were busy reading about riding, Royal Enfield has been pumping out Brit based bikes in India since 1954.  The same vintage engineering wise, but to the tune of millions of them.  But their new 650 is modern, 4 valve heads, Brembo brakes, steel brake lines, twin shocks with reservoirs, a six speed trans, ABS, a center stand, remember when they were standard, electric start, and Pirelli tires on spoked black aluminum rims.  An oil cooler, and right on the left engine cover it says Royal Enfield, cast into the cover, how cool is that?  It is modern in every way... but there are a few things it won’t do.  It won’t tell you the time, so wear a watch.  You have to pay attention to know what gear you are in.  No engine mapping lights, just a speedo and a tach. No entertainment system, isn’t riding enough?  Want the temp, stick out your finger, can help you find wind direction too.  No voltmeter, no miles to empty, just  light warning your last .93 of a gallon left.  First three tanks of 51, 52, and 59 mpg.  It isn’t the fastest, but faster than a Harley, and won’t win many races, but it does one thing too many bikes won’t or don’t do.  It puts a smile on my face every time I start it up.  It is fun to ride, think of an old BSA or Triumph Tiger without the vibration or oil leaks.  No joy stick for navigating like my ST3, just a simple start button, horn, and high beam switch.  Simple like me....and all for under $6000 retail.  Three year unlimited mile warranty, plus free roadside.  Try that BMW or Harley.  Triumph, two years.  And did I mention the color, Ravishing Red.  Suddenly it’s 1965 and I am a kid again.  And the last thing my new motorcycle won’t do is run over 100 mph, it falls just five miles per hour short of the ton.  And I don’t care, I cannot wipe the smile off my face when riding it.  It even feels like a motorcycle, looks like a motorcycle, and sounds like one too.  I think I’m in love...can riding at the legal speed limit be fun again?  Quick, where’s my helmet....

Now some people study hard before they buy a new and untried motorcycle.  Some read all the reports, get the approval of their friends, and then take the plunge.  This may be OK when it comes to bikes, but I see a failure rate when it comes to Jesus.  While I am low on the scale of Bible knowledge, I am high on the relationship with him.  We talk, and when I listen, and then read my Bible, it all seems to make more sense.  I see it from his perspective, not a denominational one, or an evangelical theme, but as the truth of who Jesus is.  I had a poor opinion of Royal Enfields until I rode one.  And I will admit I never read about them either.  But now after reading a dozen or so reports of my new model, I get it.  Yes many opinions of the bike, some too fast, some not enough braking, but all agree it is a good bike and some even have purchased one.  Like with Jesus we all are given opinions from those who don’t know him, or only know about him, but have not made it personal.  I now read my Bible more because I know the author and the main character, Jesus.  It is familiar because of the places I read about are similar to the places he has taken me.  I have seen promises preached on come true, and seen opinions proved false because I trust him.  But as you get to know Jesus, you find there are things he  won’t do, and for that I am thankful.  He won’t force himself on you, won’t make you pray, read your Bible, go to church, be nice to others, be a giver, or live a Christian life.  He offers you the choice to enjoy the fruit of his spirit, and we can say no or yes.  But I find the more I know him, I want to read my Bible more, I pray more as a conversation with him, I am nicer to others, I give more, love more, forgive more,and enjoy life more.  On his terms, which consists of one thing, love.  You cannot study your way to heaven, just as you cannot read a road test and think you are a rider.  Until you participate by faith, and then trust, you miss out on the ride of your life.  And the life of your ride.  So you see there are things in life that cannot be done until you participate.  If it works with riding, what is your excuse for not trusting Jesus? 

Like Paul, I found all my experience, background, culture, and friends and connections in motorcycling meant nothing until I took the ride.  Paul had it all, but answered the call of the spirit, defying public and church opinion.  And because of that he was able to see sides of Jesus they never imagined.  Oh they may have read about him, or heard about him, but until they took the first ride Paul did, until he felt the wind of the spirit in his face, it was all theory.  Now he knows it is all fact.  The question is, do you?

Royal Enfield like Jesus Christ has risen from the dead.  I’m on board, will you join me?  Jesus Christ, he just may change the way you like at life, and live it.  The last thing my new motorcycle won’t do is save me.  Only Jesus, and you know, the Bible was right the whole time....after all....

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

 

I hope you're getting the point of this exercise

In every house there is always one room, maybe even just one closet where when you cannot find a place for it, it goes there.  For years it has been the closet in my office, stuff just stacked upon each other, where of course the things I placed there because I use them are on the bottom.  But encouraged to clean up and clean out such closets, and also curtail the attack on my garage, another depository, I attacked the garage first.  In particular two boxes, one marked electrical, the other tools.  Two names I can do without based on past performances.  In the electrical box I threw away 50 feet of coaxial cable left from a cable conversion, almost the same amount of various phone cords, some cassette boxes with no cassettes, a mug from a company I worked for over 30 years ago, power cords with identifying marks, a booklet on setting up my phone, from two phones ago, some cassette tapes without markings, an old torn American flag, and a CD player removed from an F150 from 2001.  But the other box had some real valuables in it.   A box of broken bar end mirrors, a trailer brake kit for a 1992 Ranger, a roll of kite string, a rusty trowel, an ax head and wedge for splitting wood, what I think was an old Cub Scout project sail boat minus sail, a ratchet that didn’t due to rust, a wire brush wrapped in kite string, two seat straps from Bonnevilles I once owned, a foot peg and mount which don’t match each other, three grab rails from bikes over 20 years old, some old tank badges for a Triumph Scrambler, an old empty now can of Coke, still sealed, two old baseball gloves, and some other things just taking up space.  Almost all went into the trash, and I am not even sure why I held onto the few things I did.  But such is life...and now I have more room for new things to gather and never use.  Do we see a pattern here.....

Out with the old and in with the new is not a new concept, and one based on a life in Christ.  We become a new creature in Christ when saved, and become a place for the holy spirit to dwell in us.  But it doesn’t always work like that, as I hear some say “I’ll give this to God, but never that which gave me pleasure.”  We all have our own excuses, mine was a popular one, twisting scripture to fit my sin rather than letting it go and getting on with Jesus.  Drugs was easy, drinking was hard, and to sipping saints leading double lives today hiding it, making the excuse “Jesus drank wine.”  Where and when, show me please.  But also other damaging traits are hung onto, keeping us from the fullness of God, by our own choice.  Bad habits like the things kept in my boxes, taking up space and when dealt with and disposed of open that part of my life to Jesus even more.  We all have them....some even hidden in plain view.

In Colossians Paul writes for us to take advantage of each situation.  To make the most of each opportunity.  In my travels many times I passed on roads thinking I would return some day, only to look back and wish I had.  Same with some habits.  As I live and pray each day, do I ask God to maximize the spiritual blessings coming my way?  Do I let the spirit lead or am I in charge here?  Do we care more about us than people seeing Christ in us?  There may be more to the old statement “you may only be the only Bible some read,” than we care to admit.  I have habit of following after some Christian was drinking or cussing or acting rude towards women and then being asked, “well he’s a Christian and does all those things I do, so I must be one too.  I don’t need your Jesus or religion.”  And they have a point.  But God in his wisdom sees the heart of us, and sadly I must admit I may have led some astray by my sinful actions while posing as a Christian, allowing them to think it’s OK.  Everyday is a real world adventure in living the gospel and of being a servant and witness of Jesus Christ, ambassadors he calls us.  Maybe those things in my garage gave me some insight as to my life, what things of my past do I hang onto, that cause me to stumble and fall?  If I was accused of being a Christian is there enough evidence to convict me?  Do I seek God or my own selfish gains?  And I hear the mutterings among you beginning...

“You’re judging us.”  No I’m describing you.  And why is it that only those caught in sin don’t want to be judged?  I love it when I can share Jesus, when I am known as a man of God.  Maybe today is the day to cleanout your soul and give it to Jesus.  All of it, all the sin.  And it may hurt for awhile, major surgery does.  For me it cost me many old albums when I accused my son of listening to poor music, so I let him remove from me what he thought was bad.  Are we willing to give up things to influence our kids in Christ?

One last thought on sipping saints.  How would you feel in your son or daughter called and needed you and you had been drinking?  “I don’t drink enough to get a buzz,” not knowing you have a buzz until  you have one, like sleeping, you don’t know you were asleep until you wake up.  Is sin more important than your kids?  I choose my kids....and Jesus.  So rather than being gloomy over giving something up, be excited about what Jesus has to fill it.  If love, joy, peace, and patience are your desire, only he can provide them.  Become that new creature in Christ God wants us to be, the old things are past, put on the new of Jesus Christ.  Or be prepared to suffer the consequences like old King who was told by God to destroy all his enemies, and left one standing.  Guess which one came back to kill him....

A small sin like a small stone in your shoe can be very painful.  Now back to the closet....and the closet of the heart.  We all need cleansing, don’t forget the spiritual, the most important.  For the things seen are temporal, the things not seen eternal.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

fast will be fast until someone goes faster

I was reading an old Cycle Guide from 1986 the other night that now resides in our library aka bathroom.  Great reading material, and in this particular issue the headline was “World’s Fastest and Quickest Motorcycle,”   an article that I had read and reread many times.  For me it was hoping the outcome would be different, as the FJ1100 I had only went 147 mph and 10.5 in the quarter, beat by Suzuki’s GSXR1000 and the Ninja 1000.  It was all about speed in those days, who got there first and was the fastest, and those numbers would be bragging rights for some time to come.  No matter each bike came specially prepared from its importer, or that Jay Gleason, the fastest man in the quarter at the time rode them, the numbers were there in plain sight for all to read, and coming in third in a five bike race was no moral victory for me.  Chances are I would never and never have to prove the magazine wrong, but I had friends who used the article for bragging rights, even if they never went over 70.  Somehow none of us really never challenged the next guy to a race, but would depend on those words in print to do all the bragging needed.  Five bikes, one article, with one winner.  But looking back and past my ego, there were no losers, fast will always be fast until someone goes faster. And although most readers wouldn’t and couldn’t perform at those levels, in our minds it gave us bragging rights, as if we were that fast.  Oh to be young and foolish again today......

Now if you were there, you can remember it was all about the Japanese bikes, no one I knew rode Harleys, never confused with a performance bike, no Ducati’s either.  But conspicuous by its absence was Honda.  Still searching for the ultimate UJM, they were going to the V-4 like the Sabre and away from the racing image.  Their bikes were just as competitive but lacked the racing look we all clamored for, the fairings with low bars, resets, and fancy paint jobs.  For some the look was just as important or more important than the speed, it was all about the image or illusion of speed.  And with cops on every corner, the insurance companies wanting to ban Ninja style bikes, led by GEICO and State Farm, two companies now trying to get our insurance money, that I will never buy, we would prefer to be known by the articles rather than the tickets or our own speed contests.  The guy behind the bars on the street was not the same guy behind the magazine article many times....

We read in scripture that a double minded man is unstable in all his ways.  Feet planted firmly in the middle, able to go either way as the crowd or argument demands.  It is one thing when it comes to riding and brand loyalty, another when it comes to the things of God.  When Jesus told us to deny our family and pick up our cross and follow him, he wasn’t telling us to hate them, but to let go of the past, and to follow him as an individual.  Not follow church or religious teachings, but to hear what the spirit was saying and obey.  I have tried to be religious at church and then myself at work, it won’t work, one or the other will win, and soon we get a reputation for being a hypocrite, a liar and a fool.  So Jesus asks us to make the ultimate decision, to be born again, and live life for him, and not religion.  At one time motorcycles were our religion, how many changing brands as newer and faster came out each year.  Some stood by brand loyalty no matter what, but we were as finicky as any one else.  An area where pride can be subtle or speak in harsh and loud terms.  Is my brand better than yours?  Is my church better than yours?  Bigger and better?  Based on what?  Man or God?  Stop and consider Jesus for a minute and our position with him, it might just scare you.  Does religion rule in your life or Jesus himself?  Why do you attend where you do?  Is that pretty girl your gospel, the false teachings that tickle your ears and make you feel good?  Do you have a position in the church and like the attention?  Whatever it is, if anything comes between you and Jesus it is sinful.  You may stumble and never fall, but stumbling in life is as dangerous as at 120 mph, no room for error.

I have some great Catholic friends who love Jesus, yet used to attend a church that found them inferior.  Don’t like your Lutheran church, many synods to choose from.  Don’t want the truth, listen to Joel Osteen or some of the TBN crowd.  But if you want all you can get out of life and eternity too, Jesus is the only way.  What I have trouble with is no one I know wants to buy an inferior motorcycle, it is a personal thing, so why settle for anything less than Jesus in life?  Religion gives us no choice, Jesus allows us to choose.  So choose him, the correct answer.

Now you are not inferior because you attend a wrong church, but not getting all the blessings God has.  If you only know Jesus through Sunday services or your pastor, or a friend, you miss out on Jesus.  Many will come in his name, only the truth will set you free.  Jesus wants to participate in your life, still think that cross too heavy?  Remember he says his burden is light and easy, and to lean on him.  We are not alone....yet we can choose to be.  So who and where you worship is important and has eternal ramifications.  Some only support the brand of Jesus, do you truly call him Lord?  Do you do the things he asks? 

Some know about Jesus, while I prefer to know him personally.  Like those that hide behind the article and never ride as fast, too many hide behind religion for safety, while making themselves vulnerable to all the lies of Satan.  Some ride, some own.  Some are religious, some are saved.  Double minded, no place to be in Christ.  We do not know when the final competition will happen, but we need to be prepared for the finish of it, no do overs in hell.  You red light you lose.  You may meet religious requirements, do you meet God’s?  Fortunately we all are born into sin so we all qualify.  Drag races are lost in the blink of an eye, don’t bet your life on anything else but Jesus.  Fast will always be fast until someone goes faster, but Jesus will always be Jesus.  Only in him will you truly enjoy the ride, knowing where it will end.  Oh to not be old and foolish today....

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com