1500 calories never tasted so good

My old boss at Coke, Terry Young, had this whole calorie thing figured out years ago. If you had a TAB with lunch, the calories you saved by drinking a diet soda could be used other places, like extra fries or "just make that cheeseburger a double, please." And since we have this new law which shows the caloric content of all foods eaten at your favorite restaurant, you can make the numbers work for you. And once again, have the government prove that we know better what we want without their help.

One of the first surprises came by now being told that salads have as many calories as burgers. For years those of you who have suffered by eating a salad, and acting like you were someone special while passing judgment on the burger crowd, now are finally exposed. Looking at menus recently, I find burgers and salads about the same in calorie content, with the edge going to burgers in the flavor category. And some salads, the better tasting ones, have more. And I can see it now, burger sales increase, while salad intake decreases, and we all feel much better about what we eat. Maybe the government is really here to help us after all!

A few years back, we stopped at a Steak and Shake-our favorite chain in the Midwest. Once we see them in Oklahoma, we know we are on the edge of junk food civilization, and that White Castle, Primonti's, and sub shops are all within reach of our caloric desires. But this time, we were going to outsmart them, by going to their light menu. Instead of ice cream in the shake, I had the low calorie version. Which by the way was pretty good, until I found out I had saved a whopping 60 calories by going light. And light on calories also meant light on flavor-why do the best things that taste so good have so many calories? There was no way the light shake was worth the 60 calorie sacrifice-I was ready for my next visit. Think I'll splurge and have a Diet Coke with it!

Now that we are armed with all this worthy knowledge, we know what any school kid has known for years-it's about the portions. Eat smaller ones, but eat them more often. Look at the Nutrisystem portions-good food, tastes good, but they are child sized. Still hungry, eat a rice cake. Just don't have a large salad with it. Fill up on water, still the best diet drink, unless you live in So Cal with our pool tasting, non-refresher diet drink, and feel good about yourself. And feel less guilty about the Hershey bar you eat before falling asleep to congratulate yourself on your caloric discipline. And wake up hungry the next morning, and start all over. Let's see, how many calories are there in Trix?

I know people who base their God intake the same way. I went Sunday, so I am free to indulge as I want the rest of the week. And many do, but suffer. For like milkshakes and Big Macs, once you get a taste for God, nothing else satisfies. You want the real thing, and in the biggest portions you can get. And I know guys who are out 3-4 nights a week at church activities. For unlike our food intake, you cannot get enough God in you. Fill yourself on manna today, and you are still hungry for it tomorrow. For knowing Jesus is like finding a new favorite restaurant, and you have to go through the entire menu a few times before you settle on your favorite. Let's see, I'll have some Revelation today, Psalms for dessert, and finish it off with prayer while falling asleep. Wake me up to the gospels, and keep me nourished during the day by Proverbs. Hey, and I'm feeling really hungry today, bring on a portion of Leviticus. Let's live it up!

Feed the inner man, and you will find you are also feeding the outer man. And before they add laws about scriptural intake, get all you can. For we are one of the last vestiges of Bible reading freedom in the world. That big meal called church you pass up, ask people in Egypt, Iran, Sudan, China, India, and other countries-where Bibles and Christians are against the law, how much they would love to share a meal of scripture with you. So enjoy much, and enjoy often. No laws, if any, give you the freedom of choice that God does.

So get out and feed at the church of your choice. Make mine big portions of Jesus mixed with love. Eaten with lots of my friends, with singing and lots of fun. For like most of us, we don't care about the calories, only the experience and the taste. And nowhere but Jesus will you ever be filled!

Maybe that was why Jesus was always feeding large crowds-He liked the food and the people! And His portions were always the right size! SUPERSIZED!

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

---

sorry, but our reactions tell us more than our actions

Richard, the guy who fixes our cars, is an old drag racer, motorcycles that is. Back in the seventies and into the eighties, he raced Kawasaki H-2's, the 750 2 stroke. When breathed on, and nitrous added, he ran into the high 8's, fast by any standards. A fast shoe to be sure. But what is impressive to me, and to him, is he is the only person I ever heard of with a perfect reaction time. Anticipating the green light at the start, the best guys are down to .05 seconds, which at the end of the 1/4 mile can be a bike length or two, that is how critical it is. But Richard has the timing slip showing perfect reaction, 0.00 reaction time, and I am impressed. A great record, but impossible to improve on. And unlike a hole shot in drag racing, when you only have a 1/4 mile to be right on, you gotta be quick-or you lose. And in a two man race, second place is first loser.

There have always been fast guys, but it is the fastest guys I am impressed with. the ones who when it counts, deliver. They give it whatever it takes to win, and in drag racing, concentration, and consistency are important. And this is important on the road too. At 60mph you are travelling 83 feet/second. In the time it took to read this, you travelled three+ car lengths. While talking your phone-illegal, doing your eye liner, reading your notes, or trying to research something on your i-pod. And while trying to pilot a 4000 pound vehicle. And when dealing with a reaction time of over two seconds at that speed, you will have travelled six car lengths before you even apply the brakes in an emergency situation. Remember that, as you are endangering others lives while engaging in irresponsible and selfish activities. Those of us on motorcycles have families, too!

So you can see how important our reaction times can be. But just as deadly can be our over reaction times. Slamming on brakes on slick roads, and causing a skid. Turning the wheel suddenly to avoid something when not paying attention, and causing an accident. If only you were on the road, it would be different, but you share it with others. And life is also like that, it is shared with others, too.

I have been told the worse thing to do in a panic situation is to panic. To make the situation worse. And we all seem to very good at it. We over react, it is all about me, and someone has sullied my rights. I am always curious why only guilty parties talk about their rights. They never talk about their responsibilities. That must be the other guys responsibility, but not his right. In a Christian life, we all fall prey to being self righteous about things we do not do, but forget to minister to those who are dying in their sin. The Bible tells us that our sin will find us out, not God. His love covers a multitude of sins. But yet, we get self righteous ones who have all the answers, just not to our questions.

Love is a better choice. And part of love is forgiveness. I have learned that waiting for an apology will increase bitterness, so get over it. Jesus died while we were yet sinners, maybe we should forgive those that have sinned against us, but have failed to repent. And we should do the same. Recently I saw a man who has wronged me, but has never repented. He was miserable and could not talk with me as others did. His bitterness, based on rules in his life, has caused walls to come up between him and the lesser types like me. Like the Pharisees, I saw him as lonely, when a simple apology would have changed his life. And our relationship.

Forgive someone today. Bring your reaction time in love down to a 0.00. Look for ways to show Jesus, and when you are guided by His spirit, others will notice. We are still a long way from perfection, but it is amazing how one little speck in my eye, can cause the whole eye to see distorted.

Life is short. Forgive. Like any other driver, a drag racer puts his miles on a 1/4 mile at a time. But for him that time means something. And time is short. You can't go back, but you can go on.

Jesus' reaction time was perfect. At the right time. Follow His example and increase your times, both good and bad. And to those who have offended me, I forgive you. Will you forgive me? Perhaps when we see each other as He does, we will enjoy life more. He sees us as perfect, and forgiven. What is your reaction to that?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

God shed His grace on Lee

Any old biker will tell you that chains stretch, and need adjustment-then you have to replace them. Same with cables before the advent of Teflon. I broke one once on my Z-1, remember the push/pull system on Jap bikes? When I finally figured it out, I had to push rather than pull, until I got even smarter and just reversed it, until my new one arrived. Amazing what you learn in desperation. And we even stretch before we get on our bikes, knowing we will be sitting for a while, and loosening up. So we should be very familiar with stretching. And in a Spandex world, staying loose is a good thing, for someday we will all be stretched. It's just that some are more Bungee than Spandex and want to bounce back. But true to form, when God says stretch, He means growth-for us. And what He sends our way is always to benefit us. And also to remind us how He controls the future. For our benefit for those who follow Him.

I was asked to speak at Lee's service, and God had given me the words. Then I was asked to speak for two minutes at the cemetery, we only had 30 minutes there. And while the girls had worked out hand signals to stop me at two minutes, God had another plan. When we arrived, the cemetery representative told me I had 15 minutes-to do my two minute show! No hand signs necessary. Isn't there something about man plans, and God laughs? But Lord, this is my friends funeral! Trust works in all situations, remember? But, first I must digress... a little.

When laying in bed and asking God what he wanted me to say, He told me to sing-to sing Amazing Grace to the tune of America, the Beautiful. And also where it says "God shed His grace on thee," to say God shed His grace on Lee. Cool. OK Lord, we got the words-now I have to find someone to sing.

"NO!" was His answer. "You sing!" It's like wait God, this is a funeral, and I have never sung in public. And I don't sing in public. And this is a funeral God, remember? Aren't they supposed to be somber? But God had a different plan-and He wanted to stretch me!

So when He gave me the words to say, I was blessed. And even excited to sing-that should make you believe in miracles. And sing we did. Loud, so the other mourners could hear our joy, and when we all sang "God shed His grace on Lee"-you could feel the love and joy. And then we all broke into spontaneous applause! Dick had joined in on his harmonica-even asked Theresa what key I would sing in-off key, Dick, if ever I am asked again. And Suzi, aka Ballerini was blessed. What a celebration of life-and Jesus in a man's life! And the funeral director told me this was one of the best services he had ever seen. S-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-d-! A whole bunch-God knew exactly what He was doing.

And at the reception, I was asked to sing it again. And with Glen's help, we all sang again, from the heart! And then people picked up American flags that were used to decorate the room, and I remembered Lee-and Father Al. When years ago Fr. Al was asked to be a bishop, we prayed and he reminded me that the God who had asked Him, would also give him grace to complete it. And on Friday God's grace was amazing, and it allowed me to complete what God wanted for Lee's funeral. But I also thought of Lee, and Ballerini told Theresa later, "Lee would have loved it!" Thanks Lord, and I am so glad I followed your advice.

Today you will be faced with decisions. Jesus is there to be faithful to complete the task He set before you. But you must obey God. For where He guides, He provides. he knew exactly what Suzi and the family needed that day, and provide it, using this off key singer to bring joy to a funeral. And if I can sing before a crowd, imagine what you with talent from God can do?

Go ahead and sing the tune, using Amazing Grace as the words. Lee's funeral turned out to be amazing, and full of grace, all because of Jesus.

For God and for country-He still continues to shine His grace on you today! Just try to get that tune out of your head! But never let Him out of your heart!

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

---

---

---

---

size matters

Size matters. If it doesn't, then why look? Why don't you just pick whatever box looks right and buy it? Because-size does matter. And so does price. Which should equal an equation of value. And since the economic recession, size matters more. Less or no income-that size really matters. But when shopping, have you noticed how cereal prices are the same, but the amount inside has dropped? Same with chips, which used to be 16 oz. bags, are now 11 oz. bags, but the same price. Even Coca Cola now sells a 14 oz. bottle, when they used to sell a half liter for the same price. Pooey on those who advertise more for less, it is really less for the same, because size matters!

Andrew and I had lunch at a Red Robin yesterday. It had been awhile, and I remember big burgers, and lotsa fries. Now-they advertise "bottomless fries," and the five that showed up on my plate was embarrassing. Until the girl brought my replacement plate, and when combined still wasn't as large as they were before. But you were under the impression you were getting more. I think. Same with endless drinks. Charge way more, use more ice, and where I used to drink two large diets, yesterday I had five! Endless, and bottomless-there has to be an end to it all somewhere! Before I hit bottom!

Does size matter to bikers? It does if you have a 103 motor instead of a 96 cubic inch. Don't tell anyone the smaller engine is a better engine, and has more horsepower potential. Size matters-sometimes just to the ego. So go to Red Robin to unwind, and for an ego boost. Years ago a 1000cc bike was the most powerful and the way to go. Now today a 600cc will run with them, the only difference being the quality of the rider. And again size matters, as look at how small all the racers are, big guys like me can't compete-no matter our cubic inches. So to try to keep the races equal, you can't ride a three cylinder against a four cylinder 600, but can against a 750. You can run your 1100cc Ducati twin against a four cylinder 1000. And in the dirt, you can run your four stroke 250 in the 125 class with two strokes, or your 450 with 250 two strokes. Does size matter to these guys? Does winning? Or do you remember when we rode for fun? I think I need a Big Gulp.

Do you know the soft drink industry measures performance on cases sold, based on 8 oz. bottles in the case? They used to fill you up, now a Big Gulp of 44 oz. sometimes isn't enough. It seems as our thirst goes up, so does the size. And Bottomless and Endless just can't fill the need. Maybe it is true, there is truly no substitute for cubic inches.

Satisfied? Probably not. We still like to think we are getting a deal. Ten cents each or two for a quarter? I have been with guys who have bought the quarter deal. So I read the signs for dollar deals at the fast food restaurants. And shop wisely-I want to get the most for my money. And I want to get the most from my God. I don't want deals, free refills, or a bigger God. I want the most, or the most blessings I can get. I want all of God I can-and believe me, I need Him. Zechariah 4 tells us not by might, not by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of Hosts. Our God is mighty, and reflects it via His love for us. But mighty means exercising it in battle. And you can lose, if you don't trust God. Power means adding numbers to your might, and who doesn't want or need more power. Talk to the guys buying dyno time for $100/hour. Just to get a few more horsepower. When all they need to cruise at 70mph is 15! But it is God's spirit, that can guide, and power us in all situations. But it also does things that power and might don't. The Spirit gives peace and comfort. Joy, love, patience, goodness, kindness, meekness, and self control. Power and might don't. They just bring more against you, so you need more power and might.

Size matters, but not the size of your God, although ours measures the universe by the size of His hand, but by the the size of His love. And that love is Jesus. Free refills-in fact the fountain is bottomless, and endless. No deceptive advertising-He is love, and died for you while still sinning. He doesn't run specials, doesn't change the product to meet conditions, and doesn't need more cc's or horsepower. His grace is sufficient-never too little, never too much, never too soon, and never too late. Sufficient. Perfect. I like that. That is a choice I can make without reading the labels.

You see size matters. When the store can sell you a 2 liter for 79 cents, and you buy a 20 oz. for $1.50, profit is what matters more. Profit today on making the right investment-Jesus Christ. Guaranteed-the most bang for the buck, and a peace to enjoy it all.

Yes, go ahead, super size my meal. My dinner guest is picking up the tab. When it was time, He paid the price. That I couldn't. Now that's a deal. He bought the first round, and the crowd has never gotten smaller.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogpsot.com

what if the apostles had a career counselor?

"What do you want to be when you grow up?" we are often asked when we are younger. And depending on the age, and audience, we want to be anything from a fireman to a doctor or lawyer. It pleases our family to hear we will become a doctor-free medical they joke, but don't realize you have to get sick to benefit from it. For like mercy, you have to screw up to get it. Or becoming a lawyer, and we all see our children as Perry Mason, but don't realize all the hours put into one case just for the short time before the judge. Sounds more like life.

And as we get older, we change direction. Based on skills, or desires, we can change daily. I wanted to work in the motorcycle industry until I did, and all the guys riding through on nice days while I had to work helped me change my mind. I know many who made the military a career, but had no idea they would have to go into battle. I had a friend in college who would base his major on what girls were in his classes, as far as I know he never graduated. But he did get an education!

Perhaps the key words here are "growing up." Some people are born old, with such a sense of responsibility they never enjoy life. I used to feel sorry for them, but now I am thankful for them, so I don't have to be. Doctors have a short life expectancy. And the lawyers I know are usually on the verge of burn out. For it is true, the more money I ever made, more than my education should have merited, the more it exacted from me-physically, emotionally, and spiritually. But for all the above desires of men, and women, the common bond is desire-ambition. We wanted to be something. To achieve a goal. We wanted to show the world. When we really should be showing God. And I have met some who are always on that path, but never getting there. And others who have made it in their field, and never have time to enjoy it. My friend Ted in New Mexico was part of a very rich family, but yet had no privacy. When we went out, people would always have a deal for him, and he had no privacy. And maybe very few friends, because they all had a angle to work him for. I met a man at the Long Beach Motorcycle Show back when it was in Anaheim. He was sitting at a kiosk, and we talked for awhile. Motorcycles, and other things. I was starting to leave and he asked, "did I want a signed poster?" "Of who," I asked. "Me," he laughed. His name was Eddie Lawson, World Champ. But until that time, he was just a guy who shared bikes and other common denominators. I never did get a poster, I prefer to remember him as I had met him.

Ambition-don't let it come between you and God. I watch as businessman choose a career over their families. If they put business over family, how can they be trusted with real things of value-or values? And as men choose work over spouses, although to be fair, there are other reasons men work late-they don't want to come home, gifts are a poor substitute when they could be giving themselves. But true to their hearts, I have also watched men deny the offer of a promotion to stay with his family. Where his kids are worth more than the things he could buy them if he had a larger income. Of being there for his wife, rather than sending her candy, he was there to share it with her.

Don't let ambition get between you and God. True success is measured through His eyes, not yours. Ask yourself, what is the motive for your career? Has God given you a gift, or are you consumed with making it in the world? Are you measuring success on monetary gain-someone will always make more. On career goals-the goals will change. Or are you wanting to please God, and make Him the success in your life? Tough questions, but I have always found it best to be where God wants me to be. It is lonely out there without Him, and no amount of time away from Him will be satisfied with fame or fortune. Live within your means, and within the desires that He has given you. If a doctor, doctor for the Lord. A lawyer, serve in truth. A waitress, serve as unto the Lord. But as a parent or spouse, commit your works to the Lord, and your plans will be well established.

For just like meeting Eddie, it is more important that I have committed my life to God, than to just getting a signed poster. I met Eddie, but don't know him. Only about him. Don't be able to say the same about Jesus.

I may never grow up-not my ambition. But I do desire to grow in Jesus. What do you do for a living? Me-I'm a Christian. Great benefits-let me tell you about the retirement program! And Joe and Mary's kid, just a carpenter?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

the Steve McQueen of bicycles

Mine was colored green-Flamboyant Green they called it. A bright, lime green, unlike any color ever seen a bike before. And it had no fenders, 20" wheels, and a seat termed a banana seat-long, white and way cool. But the rear tire, a slick-like on drag racing cars told you this bike was serious fun. It was called the Sting Ray, and it was made by Schwinn. Back in the sixties when adding chrome, or headlights, baskets, racks, or streamers was cool, this bike was stripped down to nothing. The first bicycle Bobber if you will, and it reeked of cool. Even the name Sting Ray said cool-for any red blooded American boy knew about the Corvette Sting Ray-and even though your dad would never own one, you could have your own Sting Ray!

But they weren't cheap, at $49.95 they were $10 more than the basic Typhoon, a lot of money in the time of nickel candy, 12 cent comics and 25 cent Mad magazines. But I had one, and so did my sister-hers was purple with a white basket, with the not so cool name of Fair Lady, but still a Sting Ray. I think. And thanks to my Grandma, I was probably the coolest guy to ever ride one out of Scotch Plains Cycle Center. And when my parents finally relented and let me ride it home-all 4 miles across Scotch Plains via Fanwood, I hurried, but went real slow past the group of kids my age-for I had a Sting Ray! And they didn't! When my friends would ask "could they have a ride," I had the power of no. But soon Scottie, Bruce, and Barry would have a short ride, and tell everyone how cool it was-making you even cooler, at least until they had their own. And we all did, but many weren't Sting Rays, but look-a-likes, but my Flamboyant Green Sting Ray was the coolest.

And we would do some customizing, mine even had a tiger striped, velour seat, that molted the first time I got it wet. And like Harley does today, Schwinn took the basic bike, and added 2, 3, and 5 speed shifters-even had a Fastback model with a huge shifter right on the crossbar. Springer front ends, Schwinn had them, too. And as they got heavy, expensive, and a custom styling exercise, they never quite captured the coolness of the original. And in the back of my mind, I wonder did Willie G. get his initial styling impressions from the Sting Ray? Was he really a closet Sting Ray kid at heart? But for me, it started me on the path of lighter, simpler machines. If it don't need it, don't add it. A Bobber mentality, but built for action. Maybe that is why I ride a Street Triple, and am nuts over the new Speed Triple. Built for action, and able to compensate for my lack of ability via superb brakes and handling. With an attitude of let's see what I can do. And just sitting one one made you cool. And it all started 46 years ago with my Sting Ray.

And maybe that is why I am so taken by the gospel. It is simple, but built for performance. It is all about Jesus, with nothing added. No fenders to add weight, a cool seat for sitting on and spending time with Him, and a slick-for doing your skids and putting more power to the ground when you need it. No rules-you have freedom! So God made the gospel simple so we could all get it. Just Jesus, keeping the main thing the only thing. No Jesus and performing for salvation. No gotta be baptized and join our church to be saved. No hoping you would make it, but blessed assurance, based on faith. Simply put, believe in your heart that Jesus is God, and rent, and be saved. Confess with your mouth, you just can't keep Him inside. For like my first Sting Ray ride, you have to show Him off-in love of course. And like riding my new bike home, no break in miles needed, no waiting to be accepted. You are in the moment you accept Him. And if your church, pastor, denomination, or cult has a problem with that, refer them to Ephesians 2:8-10. For salvation, like my Sting Ray, is a gift. I could never earn that bike, but I sure could accept it as a gift. And both that Sting Ray, and Jesus live in my heart today. But only Jesus saves.

Bikes will come and go out of your life. Don't let Jesus go the same way. Trends may come and go, but He is the same-the perfect model from the beginning. All you need, and nothing you don't. Perfection, and like my Sting Ray, love with a slick. Just for getting the love to the road you know.

There would be other bikes, then girls, then motorcycles to fight for my attention. But next to Jesus, they always come in second. And second place is not first loser when Jesus is first in your life. Seek Him first, and let Him add all things to your life. Just make mine Flamboyant Green, but please-no tiger seat!

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

---

---

I'd rather be old school than an old fool

This is for all those who remember Saturday mornings as a kid. For all you guys who loved the smell of your new US Keds-United States Keds that is. Or their competition, PF Flyers. White high tops were my preference. Remember the smell of the denim and rubber, and how you would save the box just to smell it sometimes? It helped them stay new, at least in your mind. And then you would get on your Schwinn or Rollfast and ride-we never cruised, the neighborhood, riding past the fresh cut yards, even being able to tell the difference between the grass cut by the old push mowers and the new power mowers-all built, like your bikes, in the US of A. And sometimes , your dad would send you for gas for the mower, twenty five cents worth, that was pumped from American wells, and the tetra ethyl smell that came from it seemed heavenly. Invented by an American engineer at General Motors, the largest corporation in the world. American. And after that, the dads in the neighborhood would wash their cars, and the new car smell from the Morrokide-particularly strong on new Chevies and Pontiacs, would cause you to pause and inhale deeply. Somehow Fords and Chryslers with their nylon interiors never had quite the same aroma. Even on a station wagon. There again-made in the USA.

Once a month you went for a haircut-not a styling. And the aroma of the Bay Rum, or the talc was purely American. And no girls. This was for boys, 'er men only. And the aroma would only last until mixed with the sweat of running and playing with friends.

Playing catch with your friends, your glove, American cowhide, would produce its own pleasant aroma. Remember how you held it in front of your face, just to catch a whiff? I still have my Mickey Mantle Fastback model, the first one. Paid $7.99 plus got a book of How to Play Baseball with it, by the Mick. A big deal in 1967. And when mixed with the smell of fresh grass on your jeans-denim made in the US, you played America's past time with your friends. And your mom would have hamburgers for lunch, fried in a skillet-for it took too much time to light the charcoal briquettes-they were for steaks and barbeques in the evenings anyway, again, made in Michigan. On grills made in the states. You were an American, watching TV shows on your American made TV, eating domestic beef, and wearing cotton and denim clothes-all made in the US of A. We wore sneakers-never did the call them tennis shoes, and we were proud to be Americans. We were to find out though, as our 20/20 hindsight was to show us, we were the last great generation who consumed American items. We were producers, but about to become importers. Where price was more important than quality, and where it was produced didn't matter-no matter how many families were effected by the loss of their father's income. No on was offered a job in a Chinese factory, an Indian sweatshop, or a Japanese assembly line. But with no warning, we were the last generation of our kind-true Americans consuming American made products, powered by American gas, and enjoying all the great aromas that came with them.

But something stinks out there. It just doesn't smell right, and it certainly isn't pleasing. An odor, instead of an aroma. A generation that gave up all the pleasant aromas that prosperity bring, and gave them up willingly. Without a battle. Until it was too late.

Today a final generation waits for the rapture, when Jesus comes to rescue His church from the earth. And the warning signs are there, and even the movies cry out about the end of the world, but don't get it right. Something stinks,and it's us. We have given up everything we own, including our values, for valuables. We are being warned, and even given a way out. But we won't heed the message. While we wear designer tennis shoes, listen to i-pods, and complain about high taxes, we do not turn to God. The same God who shed His grace on America, but whose citizens have turned away from Him, and in many times against Him. It used to be all about Him, now it is all about us. And we cannot save ourselves from the stench we have created. We need the pleasant aroma that only Jesus Christ can bring into a life. Precious memories await us if we seek Jesus. If we turn from our wicked ways, God promises to heal our land. Maybe not take us back to a time of Schwinns and Keds, but a time of fellowship and devotion to God. If life stinks, it doesn't have too. Seek Jesus, and follow Him. Lay down on fresh grass, and take in the aroma. Open a box of Keds, and smell the canvas. Go to an old car show and stand next to a Chevy from the sixties, and inhale. But first, take a deep breath of Jesus. And hold it inside. Let it out and repeat. And experience aromas from life you never knew existed. Be part of a generation who may be the last one on earth-and can't wait to get to heaven. But you can also enjoy it now. Like the song says, the greatest treasure is for those who choose Him now.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

---

---