summer vacation, part 3-hall of fame ministers

In Matthew 25 Jesus confronts church people, who claim they ministered to Him. But in effect they only did things to draw attention to themselves. True ministry is of God, about God, and involves God-sometimes you are just there. And just like Jesus did, it always points to God. For an example, these lying evangelists who desire of you to get blessed-grace is about Jesus, and not you-it is what He did and who He is-not you. You cannot earn or persuade God. It wouldn't be grace. And God, true to His word, tells us ALL things work together for the glory of God-not just good or convenient or even just involving Christians. So here we go, some of those involved, who God allowed to bless us-working independently but together with God's perfect plan. Prepare to be amazed.

First-this is all about Jesus, Theresa and I were just characters. For God's glory and our benefit. And all these people didn't act on their own, but under God's guidance, even though they may not know it or admit it. God truly has things under control, and orders our steps.

Our friend Dal Mize, our first pastor, great friend, and like a dad to us. We were staying with him in Durango, and he kept us calm, and focused in the face of danger. He told me many times, "I am here for Theresa, don't worry," and I didn't. How many 76 year olds do you know who will drive 250 miles at night, to take your wife to meet you after Life flight has landed? God knew-and so do we.

Lucia, Theresa's sister, although they had hadn't talked in years, when her sister called, flew to Albuquerque to assist. And her other sisters paid for the plane flight. Lucia sat with her and consoled, prayed, and loved on her throughout the whole ordeal. Going way beyond anything you could have done on her own. I hope she was as blessed as we were-even more.

My sons, Andrew, who was stuck home in bed, and then had shoulder surgery. He sent out prayer requests and updates, and helped Theresa handle all the business at home. And now is closer to God than ever-I can never say how proud I am of him.

Christopher, who got back from a gig in Spain, and flew to see me. He gave me strength and aided his mom. Debbie, one of my nurses, paid us the ultimate compliment, "your son loves you very much." A special thanks to Jessica, who selflessly paid for his flight.

Walt and Pat, who owned the home we stayed at for a month in Rio Rancho. We never met them, and they were so glad to have us stay there-reminding us it was God's house, and to be blessed. We still are. And Pete and Shirley, their neighbors, who were there when needed. A big thanks!

To PJ who owns PJ's Triumph, and who I have known casually for about six years. When he saw me with my heart pillow, asked who was my surgeon. When I told him, he replied, "Peter is my best friend, and neighbor. He told me all about you-said it was the hardest surgery he ever performed." Then told me to hang out whenever I wanted at the shop, and when cleared to ride, he would loan me a bike. And to Aaron and Dylan who showed great friendship, and compassion to us. Just curious, what are the chance of Peter and PJ being best friends, and coming together under these circumstances in a city of 625,000? A cardiologist and a biker? IN God's plan-100%!

To Peter our cardiologist, head of cardiology at Presbyterian. God had the best surgeon, the best nurses and staff, and had everything under control.

Dalana, our friend who works for Hilton, who got us a room under their Friends and Family deal the last two nights before we got home. To Tina in Phoenix, who put us on a prayer list, that was read in Tennessee, who called her friend in Albuquerque who brought meals-Jan. Whose friend Brandy brought us two other meals, and who we got to minister to about her son. Still doubt in miracles?

To all the folks at Monroe's who fussed over us, and other places we ate who made sure we were fed correctly. To my first co-worker in New Mexico from 1975, who walked by me in Santa Fe Harley-and we got to visit-he is the Sales Manager. Coincidence? After over 30 years?

I have always said if you need something done, ask a biker. But before we could, Ned told Ken they would drive to Durango to pick up my bike and trailer it back. Cool, you say. They are in Black Sheep, Harley Davidsons for Christ, and I ride a Triumph! Talk about Good Samaritans! A true example of true ministry, if you see a need fill it. And they did in love. Good thing God isn't brand specific. How do you ever thank someone for something like that? Thanks guys-you rock.

To all Black Sheep who donated money? Tears of thanks.

To Melissa who acted as our "attorney" in our absence. It's time I rethink my views of attorneys. You and your bosses are one of a kind.

To all those who fed us, Glen and Penny, Cathy and Jim, Nick, Ellen, and so many others-we never ate alone.

I could go on, but like John says, if all the things Jesus did were written, no library could hold them. In our lives, it is time for that new library.

Special thanks to the pastors and staff at Maranatha, and Calvary Chapel Escondido. Way beyond the call-what example you set to the community at large. To the Kollasch family-we can never thank you enough. True ministry and a true witness of Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 13 is the faith hall of fame, this is mine. Take some time to thank God today, and set up your own hall. Worship Jesus like never before. And watch as you become alive in the scriptures-may He find favor in all you do.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

if you weren't mentioned, we still thank you-and more importantly God knows!

summer vacation, part 2-the miracles

We looked forward to August 1st with great excitement, for it was the day that Peter, my cardiologist was to give me my final release. I was feeling great, and must admit I liked hearing how well I looked and was doing, but it was his words that would allow us to come home. So my prayer was simple, that he would have to look at the scars to believe I had had open heart surgery. A big request from a man who only three weeks earlier had to be taught to swallow, and couldn't lift a spoon to feed himself. Who had no regimen for rehab, just keeping me alive was the regimen. Whose wife had stayed by his side every step of the way, and been through more than I had. Who had faced death, but not alone. A lot to ask, but remember who my God is.

It was five weeks after my surgery, and we were greeted by Dr. Mayberry, whose opening line was, "if it wasn't for the picc lines, I never would have known you had surgery!" Prayer answered, another miracle. And Peter echoed the same thoughts. This from a man who said the three words that best described me were "dead, dead, dead." But it got better, as after my examination, I was released to drive, and to resume a normal life. No restrictions, just an improved diet. What usually takes months, had taken days or weeks. God's healing schedule was far superior. Peter is a great surgeon, but I had the greatest physician-Jesus. Amazing. He even commented to me, how God had brought me this far, keep up the good work. And I only needed to be checked every six months! But I still had to wait to ride, because of being on Coumadin, and he was afraid if I fell I would bleed to death. Another month! I can remember when I thought I would never ride again!

But God's healing was still miraculous to me, on many levels. It was only after we got home and people saw I wasn't in a wheelchair, I could walk, and saw my scar that God showed me one evening His love in a special way. I had picked up my cross and followed Him during this whole event, and He told me to continue following Jesus, never losing sight of the cross. Very few had seen what I had endured, and we neglect to see what Jesus endured for us. As Christians, we like to go straight to the empty tomb, but the victory was won at the cross. And we don't want to visit there, because it was horrible what Jesus endured for us. He reminded me NO Easter without Good Friday. And I still had to carry my cross and follow, which I did going way beyond faith, but had done by obedience. I trusted God with no reservations, and still do. He is my savior and the gospel I live, not my own when the situations fit my plans. One man had told me I had walked through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, and was amazed when I told him no, I had been carried through the Valley!

And an aspect of prayer I would like you to consider. WE heard from people all over the world, and from friends we had lost contact with for over 25 years. They all were praying. Amazing. But the neat thing was this had all happened so fast, that even before we could pray, or ask for prayer, God had set everything in motion. He later told me He had people pray for me, so they could be part off my miraculous healing-a chance for Him to show His love and greatness, and them to be blessed. This whole thing was not about us, but about Jesus Christ-never think different.

As you read the New Testament, Jesus healed many people. He dealt with them on a spiritual level, but always gave them something physical to show people the difference. To remind them. I deal with many who have scars that don't show, but never lead them to anyone without the nail scars in His hands. My scar-all 12 inches and 26 staples is there to show how far I have come, or better yet how far Jesus has taken me. The attached image is the day after surgery. I wear my scar with great joy, as it was paid for with a price, and a love that no man can offer. I am a miracle-not an invalid.

Trust God today. Hear His voice and obey. Never put down your cross. Celebrate the Good Friday you may be enduring. Easter is coming, and it is all the more precious when you celebrate with the one who is the reason-Jesus Christ. Let Him show you His hands-then decide.

Tomorrow the people God used to be and bring His miracles. Looks like I will be riding within two weeks!

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

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our summer vacation-part 1

You might say that Theresa and I were more than ready for vacation this year. We were planning on going up to Lake Superior in Wisconsin, and had planned a great ride. It had been a tough year. In the first six months we had a house fire, a lecherous contractor suing us for non-payment of work he didn't perform, Andrew was in a career ending motorcycle accident and had to have his shoulder screwed together, Christopher was still out of work, and my dad died on Cinco de Mayo. Little did we know of what was ahead-but God did and had prepared the way.

The short answer about our vacation is I tell people I had a helicopter ride from Durango to Albuquerque. The long answer is it was on Flight for Life. Our trip started out by me being stung by a bee-again, but due to meds I was on for a misdiagnosed pinched nerve, no anaphylactic shock and we rode on. But by the end of day two in 100 degree heat, and over 800 miles, I was in horrible pain, so spent the next afternoon in Urgent Care in Durango. The next morning they called saying my kidneys were below 50%, so off to the ER at Mercy Hospital in Durango. Where I was life flighted from. I thought I had only been there 2 hours, it was really two days. They found I had a staph infection throughout my whole body, and my pericardial sac which surrounds the heart filled with pus. And...my aorta had an aneurism on its back side. And things were about to get worse...only God knew and had made all the right arrangements. I have some insight as to what Joseph and Job may have felt.

Dal, who we were staying with, is like a father to us, and he drove Theresa the 250 miles to Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque that night. I had already landed, and no one gave me hope of surviving, one nurse saying "she had never seen anyone so sick and still alive." Dr. Peter Walinsky-the best, was assigned to me, the Chief Surgeon, and wanted to research the case before opening me up. And found there was only one other recorded case of what I had...he later explained this was the toughest operation he had ever performed, and the next thing I knew was waking up 3 1/2 days after surgery. And the great staff at Pres was trying to keep me alive. You see during the operation, things had gotten worse, when Peter touched the aorta, it exploded. It was hard as a rock. Only him not panicking is a panic situation, and the hand of God guiding him kept me alive-you can bleed to death in less than 30 seconds! And when I first met him after the surgery, his opening line was "you should be dead!" And all this time God was reassuring me I wasn't-I knew I was alive-and in His hands. I firmly believe if possible, that if you could see handprints on my heart, they would be of hands with nail pierced holes in them-Jesus held my heart in His hands. It has given me a new perspective of Proverbs 3:5, trust in the Lord with ALL your heart!

All this time I had the peace that surpasses understanding that Jesus promises. And can't recall any of the horrible pain Theresa told me I was in. She was the brave one here, who had to deal with maybe becoming a widow, and making arrangements for cars, housing, and other needs-almost 1000 miles from home. But God had everything under control, and had set things in motion even before we could begin to pray-and the prayers were coming in from around the world-and from least expected places-such is the love of God. But I had a long recovery ahead, with no recovery plan since the nurses had no other case to base me on. What good is rehab if the patient had expired? And without fail, I came in contact with 15-20 doctors and nurses on a one to one basis, and the words were the same-no one expected me to live. From the ultrasound tech, to the surgical nurses-it was a miracle I was alive-I was a miracle! But God knew. And Peter, who when he found out I had a DNR, told me he tore it up, "after all the work I put into you, I'm not giving up on you." And he didn't. Nor did God.

When he saw Theresa after surgery, he threw his hands up, telling her my aorta was destroyed,my pericardial sac was filled with pus, arteries were completely blocked, and my heart had been out of my body for 5 1/2 hours. They could keep me functioning, but couldn't guarantee I would live. Or be without brain damage! He was confident in his work, but after what my body went through, they weren't sure my body could handle it. And all the time Jesus never left me-the peace continued, and so did the miracles. And I continued to sing "bless the Lord all my soul...sing like never before..." And I did.

Tomorrow-the miracles God performed, a miraculous recovery, how not to lose 40 pounds, and the time spent with God. Right now I am getting ready to drive myself for the first time in 60 days!

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

#1 with a Bullitt

One of my favorite scenes in the movie Bullitt-hey the whole movie is one great scene with the cars and Jacqueline Bisset-but my favorite part is the famous chase scene. But the scene within a scene is when the hit men are chasing Steve with their Charger. Suddenly Steve's Mustang is nowhere in sight. We see the two men looking-somewhere between scared and wondering, "where did he go?" when Steve and the Mustang appear in their rear view mirror. And in a single scene, the chaser goes from the hunter to the hunted. In a beautiful scene, with no words spoken, you get the whole idea, and you are left to your imagination to figure how each character felt. A great scene, and not in the original script, but added by McQueen, adding the element of surprise and adding an extra dose of tension to the chase.

How many times in life does this happen to us? Maybe when dating you just had to date that special blond, the one who was unapproachable. But after a few hours found there was nothing more to her than good looks, and the date ended. But she found you nice, and now was after you, you were so nice to her, but now you had no interest in her-the roles were reversed. Have you ever been lost at a fair, you can't find your car. And when you do, your friends are not there, but out looking for you. And they became the hunted! And how about Soylent Green, where you just have to know the secret ingredient-and then find out it is made from people! Ah, the ironies of life sometimes just go to show that the world has a sense of humor-a bizarre one with you as the punch line, but a sense of humor all the same. To quote the National Lampoon Radio Dinner, "whether you can hear it or not, the universe is laughing behind your back..."

I got saved a the end of the Jesus movement in 1975. I had many friends looking for God in sex, drugs, and rock and roll. Looking but never finding. With many ending up at a dead end, and a few dead. It seems what we all thought was God wasn't, it was just the opposite. But for those of us who came to the Lord, we were to find out that Jesus was looking for us the whole time. He sought us while we were still strangers, and sinners. Even in our pre-born again state He loved us. And was patient with us, something our search for love couldn't provide. We were searching for love in all the wrong places-just like the song said. But our prey was God, and through the prayers of many, we became the object of Jesus' affection for us. And He still does today...

Up until death do us part this earth, the Holy Spirit is telling the hearts of the unsaved "YOU NEED JESUS!" For God finds no joy in the death of the wicked, but is patient that all should come to repentance. A thought we need to remember, as if the rapture had occurred in 1974, I would have been lost-left behind. Keep that in mind next time you get impatient with this world, and want to go home to heaven. Set your sights on things on high, but remember why you are still here. And show the love of Jesus and His patience to all you meet.

While we were yet sinners...God sent His son Jesus to die. Now that's love. A chase scene to top all chase scenes. For I wasn't looking for God when I found Him, I am so glad He was looking for me. So keep the chase scene in mind when you are out and about. When you are tired and being chased, remember that God can change that scene in an instant. In a twinkling of an eye, we go from death to life, from hunted to saved. From Charger to Mustang, from hit man to being hit. Life will do that to you sometimes, so make sure you are in the right car. And no co-driver-give Jesus the seat time He needs in your life. You never know what is over the next hill...

Learn the lesson of Steve, who after he overshot a turn, not planned in the script, had Bud Ekins take over and do the rest of the driving. Maybe saving the star's life. So ride with Jesus, and if you come across some bad advice in your search for God, take Bullitt's advice, "you work your side of the street, and I'll work mine..." So make sure you are on God's side of the street. Another lesson in safe driving from the creator of the universe. A complete chase scene done at real speed-what you see is how it really was. And is, with Jesus.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

a triumph by any standard

While up at Mickey's last week having new tires put on the Tiger for our annual trip, Harry-guitarist with the Darryl Mansfield Band and I got to talking about the Steve McQueen Special Edition Bonneville press bike up front. We had seen pictures of it in magazines, which didn't impress. But in person, the list of "custom" items looked way cool. It is a faded khaki, with Triumph stenciled on the tank, a single grey seat with luggage rack, and lots of blacked out chrome. Made to resemble the bike that was jumped in The Great Escape, this was #48 of 100. Which Steve didn't jump, Bud Ekins did. And we got to talking about Bonnevilles, the new ones in their 12th season, and still being made almost like the first ones in 2001. One noticeable change is fuel injection, but Triumph put the injectors in carb cases-way cool. And trying to find a used one is about impossible. The sales manager at NCY tells me when they hear of one being traded, it is usually resold before it is taken in trade. A rare bike that doesn't pretend to be anything but what it is-a Bonneville. A bike that ridden 100 yards puts a smile on your face. A bike that is fun to ride. Not the fastest, or best handling, just fun. Not a touring bike, but don't tell my friends at BA-Moto that-nine of them rode 1000 miles in a day last year! Many have over 60,000 on their daily rides. Take that Gold Wing rider! And Mickey built a motor last year that set a record at Bonneville-which is what the model in named after. Where it initially set records in the fifties. A bike that helped inspire the original Sportster-all the way to the Sporty shifting on the right, ala the Brit bikes at the time. It is an honest bike, which is way cool, guaranteed to draw crowds wherever you go, and is a hit among even the Harley crowd. It seems everyone had one growing up. It leaked oil, had lousy electrics, and your feet stunk of hi-test from tickling the cars-before you kick started it. But they all remember one thing-they loved that bike and wished thy had one again. And now many do, due to Triumph and the new Bonneville. The perfect tribute to cool, and the perfect model for Steve.

It's a tough market out there for men's souls also. So many want so much from God, and think they can earn extra blessings from Him. But it is the mature Christian who knows God's grace is sufficient, and that you cannot earn favor with Him, who is truly blessed. When we become like the Bonneville, not pretentious, and just ourselves, then we grow in God. It is when we are happy to sit in the back and let God get the credit that we grow. It is when we are comfortable in the spirit letting God lead, that we are more affective, and watch the blessings increase. It is when the fruit of the spirit becomes evident in our lives, and God draws people to us-not our colors, vests, t-shirts, or bumper stickers. It is when we realize how cool Jesus really is, and let it be all about Him that we mature. It is when we cut the world out of our ministries, and let Jesus be Lord, that we grow in grace. No programs in the Bible. When we depend on Jesus, and not our own understanding we see God grow, and our pride shrink. We can be ourselves in Christ, an individuality that many ministries deny us. A freedom only found in Jesus, and no back patch. Long before there were colors, the Holy spirit was at work-and still is today. Struggling in ministry-give it to God.

I am reminded how after a Billy Graham Crusade at the Rose Bowl one night, a woman with her grandchildren came up to us in the dark. Would we pray for her son who was a biker? We had no colors, it was the spirit who guided-and still does. God doesn't need our help, and when I try to assist I usually mess things up. Keep your only agenda Jesus!

A time is coming when Jesus will be as cool as riding a motorcycle. How about right now? Right now Hollywood and other celebrities are riding Bonnevilles. I put the break in miles on Christine Aguilera's Bonne. Dale, Jr. has a red Thruxton. House rides a Bonneville to work in real life. Ryan Reynolds rides a Bonneville bobber Mickey built for them. And as a new generation discovers how cool Triumphs are, it is refreshing to see cool endure.

NOW-if we can only wake up church, and spread the gospel as much as the motorcycle community is growing, imagine the impact. Imagine if we were as concerned for their souls as we are for what they ride. Imagine if we really showed we cared, and took the brotherhood found in motorcycling to the world via Jesus. Imagine if we let the spirit guide us, and is wasn't about us. If you are, you know the blessings. If not, I invite you to let Jesus be Lord in your life today. Follow Him, and never hear the words, "why do you call me Lord, but do not obey?" Who knows, you may even minister to bikers, or ride a motorcycle yourself. We can't all be pastors or teachers, but we can all love. We can all pray, and we can all ask God to show us how to minister in His name.

God is not looking for any special editions, or numbered series of peoples. He is looking for people like you and me to serve. To trust and obey. The harvest is great, the workers are few. Salvation doesn't make you a worker, for many are called, but few chosen. The unemployment rate among those who minister is 0%. Don't let the stories lead you astray, get to know Jesus personally today. His true beauty is seen the closer you get to Him. You've read the book-get to know the man. A Triumph by any standard.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

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in living color

The subject of progress is an ongoing saga. What is new today in our ever changing world, will be obsolete tomorrow. With only two things for sure-it will be faster, and cost less. OK, three things. We will wish we had waited for the newer version. I can remember the first cell phones, at over $1200 each, big and unreliable. Now they give them away with your plan, and they can take pictures, access the internet, and text. But can still drop calls when you least expect it. So much for progress, but don't despair, within the next few weeks a newer version will be out, that the ads will remind you that you cannot live without. And the march of progress goes on...and on...and on...

My grandparents were the first ones I knew to have a color TV. Remember the NBC peacock? I remember trying to figure out the colors of the cars on My Three Sons-Pontiacs and hot rods, the Fords on Hazel, and the real colors of the Ponderosa on Bonanza. Little Joe's painted pony is still my favorite! And even in color, it was still black and white! But now they were colors, not just shades of gray. And the colors were bright, vivid, and seemed to not match anything in any house I had ever been in. No one I knew had bright green walls, with blue carpet, and gold trim. In brighter colors than I ever saw. But they showed up great in color, and since it was all about the color, you got, well...color! And so after all the pinks, mauves, and blues of the fifties-you had bright colors for the sixties. And I wholeheartedly approved-still due. And although Joe Friday only wore gray, it even looked better in color. A whole new world awaited us-color! Just the facts, mam.

But we had to endure black and white to get there, and today as we had Super HD, and 3D, and other visual enhanced sets, it still is about the colors-no one watches black and white shows on HD! There is no such thing! No one wants to return to the past, even though our memories of it can be fond, we look to the future for things to get better-and again, more progress.

When Father Al went in for new glasses, they told him he had cataracts, and had one eye done first. He could see things again, and colors were the most vivid and exciting. But it took awhile for the second eye, he needed the first to heal, and then his vision was complete. And like he exclaimed to me-"he once was blind, but now he could see!" And life became exciting again for him, as if it were ever not exciting-he could see! But what if he didn't get the second operation? What would his sight have been like? Would he only look out of the good eye? What would the combination of good eye and bad eye have shown to him? Fortunately after the first operation God wasn't done with him yet.

Jesus tells us of meeting a man who was blind, and was seeking healing. Jesus spat in some dirt, and rubbed it on his eyes-giving him sight, or at least what he thought was sight. The man commented that people looked like trees, or their outline, and didn't realize he wasn't fully healed. If he had left then, his blessing would not have been complete. But again Jesus touched his eyes, and they became clear-fully healed! Jesus had healed him in a two step process-giving him his sight, but teaching him grace and patience along with it. But what if the man had taken off thinking he was healed? Do people really look like trees to anyone except the Sierra Club?

We so often do the same thing. God isn't done, and wants to bless us more, but we are in a hurry. Life is interfering with our plans, and if God wants part of our life, He must make an appointment, or fit in where He can. We miss blessings, and when we encounter others who have patience wonder why them, and not us? What is so special they get blessed all the time? Perhaps we should consider the Old Testament advice found in Psalms, "they that WAIT upon the Lord, shall renew their strength, they shall mount up wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint, teach me Lord to wait..." And there is the answer-waiting upon God. Babies take a full 36 weeks to be born, we all know about premies who come early. How many have left with the score tied in the 7th inning, only to miss the excitement in the ninth? And how many hurry to get somewhere, only to sit and do what? WAIT! Remember that when God tells you how He orders your steps! You may be done, but He isn't!

Try it God's way today. You may be having a Good Friday type of day, no hope at all, but remember there is no Easter without Good Friday. God knows what is ahead, and what is a detour for you, may be the right road God has for you. Be patient, as the bumper sticker says, God isn't done with me yet. It takes both eyes, along with a willing spirit to see all the grace of God. For God has great things for us, just like the blind man, and just like He did for Father Al. Don't leave the game early and miss the ending!

Patience leads to salvation. There may be pain in the night, but joy comes in the morning. Get some rest, the harvest is great, the workers are few. Keep both eyes on God, and see things as He does. All the colors of the rainbow await you if you focus on Jesus. Trust God-now that's progress that anyone and everyone can benefit from.

And if anyone asks, I still want the 1965 Chevy Super Sport in Marina Blue, just like the one on Bewitched! And like the one Little Joe drove up the streets of Virginia City. If you missed that last one, too bad. A special 10 minute Chevrolet commercial on Bonanza for their 1965 car line. A little patience to this 11 year old's eyes gave me a clear vision 47 years ago! So give God a chance-for the things which are seen are temporal, the things not seen eternal. How will you know the difference if you never look?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

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testing...1-2-3

One of the first phrases we learned in Mrs. Weinberg's 7th grade Spanish class was "porque tenemos tantas pruebas?" Why do we have so many tests? And looking back, I don't remember the answer, which may have been one of the test questions. But life is full of tests. We test for jobs, in schools, for our licenses, and our love for our spouse is tested daily. We take the Pepsi challenge, really a test of our taste buds, and we test our patience with our lap tops. It seems Mickey D's is always testing some new McSomething on us, and if you are a parent, your kids will test everything you have, and some things you don't. See what I mean? That wasn't a test question.

And if we happen to pass the test before us, more advanced tests await us. Seems there is always someone who is willing to embarrass us, or at least prove to be superior to us. Another test. It's called pride. Just like the wise guy who told us "you're only as good as your last game." How many people have been robbed of the joy of victory by that lousy comment. " Back, back, back, back"-that's just where I wish he would go!

I have found the opposite of testing is trusting. I trust my motorcycle will start when I push the starter button. No one I know has ever tested the system by leaving the key on all night. Or maybe that is how Lucas tests their electrical components. We don't test our riding skills by riding way too fast for a situation-if you do you already know the results of that test. We don't test the accuracy of the cashier by mocking her when giving change, and we don't test the doctor by making him prove his diagnosis. We trust them, and when our trust is broken, take steps to see it doesn't happen again. Thus the phrase "first time your fault, second time mine " was born. No one ever asks about the third time. Tests are everywhere, and can be unexpected, and when we need them the least.

So the question is with God, is He testing you, or are you trusting Him? I get irritated anymore by those who are ready to place the blame for something they don't like on God, or even Satan. They look at every hardship or problem as a test, as if God if making them pass an exam before He will bless them. And they are wrong, and under the curse of a lie from Satan. Do you really want a simple answer to this? Can you handle the truth? Here goes-these situations are allowed by God because He loves you, and wants to show you His love in them. So for those who don't get it, it will be a test. But to those who walk with God, it is a chance to trust Him. To look to Jesus in the situation, and let Him handle it. Testing of the spirits is different, which is for another discussion. This is all about your relationship with Christ. Do you trust Him?

You see tests are all about us, and what we need to do. Trust is all about Jesus, and what He has done. It is His showing us the promises He made long ago, and then showing His love and truth by taking care of the situation. God doesn't need to be tested-base on being God should be enough. And if He can save our souls, cannot He deal with our finances? Our jobs? Our motorcycles? Even our relationship with Him is based on trust! And the more the trust, the more the blessings. The more the blessings, the closer to God you get. Didn't we all pray that at one time? And how better to know when a false teacher comes, than by knowing God, and His word. As I channel surfed the other night and listened to this preacher tell his audience if you only send him money, God will provide you a new car every year-for the rest of your life! Noticed he didn't say he would, he lied about God! So be as wise a this serpent, but gentle as a lamb-Jesus.

One final test-required of all who ever have been on earth. A simple question, and it is open book, with the question and the answer provided. The wonderful counselor even provides the answer. The question is the same one that Jesus asked His disciples-who do you say Jesus is? The correct answer is the messiah, the Christ, son of the living God-God Himself. Any other answer is wrong, and failing means hell. Even if you don't believe in it-so beware of Jehovah's Witnesses, they are neither of God, and are not a witness of Him. Jesus Christ is alive and well. They fail the test.

So why do we have so many tests? In English this time-an opportunity for God to show us His love in every situation we face. To allow us to trust Him, so He can bless us. So we can enjoy a deeper relationship with Him-forever. Did you ever think the reason you have so many tests is because you just don't trust Him?

love with compassion,

Mike

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