champions and challengers

It seems lately everyone I encounter has a story to tell about speed, in particular going fast. And as the cars go faster, the stories get more unbelievable. It seems poetic license when it comes to facts is standard issue in bench racing, but when it comes time for the flag to drop, the myths are quickly separated from reality. Take for instance the man with the 150mph Sportster, which would make him the fastest ever. Sadly he was broken down while waiting for a friend with his truck to get him, if not he wanted to race to prove it to me. A legend in his own mind, with a 120 mph speedometer, I wanted to ask how he knew he went 150, seems 55 was the order of the day for him. And possibly a new top speed. Por Favor used to brag how his car, a 69 SS396 pegged the speedo at 120. And still had enough room under the gas pedal to put an egg. When questioned why he didn’t pin the throttle, he replied he didn’t need to, 120 was fast enough. If only the engineers at NASCAR or GM had only talked to him, all his speed secrets never fully utilized. I once knew a man who ran his motorcycle a quart low on oil, reduce weight, and friction. OK. Reminds me of the old joke about tires, the reason they weigh so much is because they have 35 pounds of air in them, so by reducing the pressure, he eliminated weight. Or so he bragged...I once asked an engineer why larger displacement engines weren’t lighter, due to the fact the cylinders were larger, hence less metal. Still waiting on an answer for that one. Or the guy who brags how fast his car is, by showing off all the speeding tickets shoved into his glove box. Want proof, well, there you are. And so it goes, that whoever speaks first, will ultimately be the slowest. Cars only get faster, as our memories fill in the lost details with whatever best fits the occasion, and legends are created.

My friend Bouke was fast, and if someone was ever faster, he sold that bike and built another. Street or strip, or on the track, he had backed up his reputation, and was well known. Now in every town across the good old US of A there is a hangout for the gear heads, or those of us who like fast cars and bikes. In Middlesex, it was a McDonalds, with a huge parking lot, where all those who fast cars still couldn’t get them a date hung out. Bouke was the exception, as he was married, and on more than one occasion cleared the lot just by arriving. On one Friday night, even the weirdest guys had dates on Saturday night, the three of us pulled in on our motorcycles. Bouke’s Z-1 was well known, and we had been told no one would test that fact. It was a warm summer night, and the lot was filled, but as we pulled in, cars started to leave. Much to early for curfew, a day early for dates, yet the lot quickly emptied. With only a few others on bikes remaining, we got off and asked what was going on. One nod to Bouke was all it took to figure it out. These fast cars were intimidated by him, and as fast as they were, they were no match for him. And didn’t want to risk embarrassment by being challenged. Seems someone was always bragging about how they could beat him, yet that night all challengers took off in search of safer grounds, or at least a less fast parking lot. Just his pulling in cleared the lot, this guy was truly an intimidator. Yet he just liked going fast, and never challenged anyone else, I guess he never had to. And the $1.50 spent on a Big Mac, fries, and a Coke was our victory dinner that night.

On the other end of bragging, I went to high school with a guy who had a fast Mustang, until Vinnie showed up in his Boss 302. This guy was used to intimidating others by only racing for pinks, and had never found a challenger. Until Vinnie said OK, and then suddenly he had to go. Clearing the lot faster than Bouke did, and missing after school for a number of days, just in case Vinnie came by. And to me the legend was born, “losers have excuses, winners have testimonies.” It is competition that brings out the best, and worst, some just getting their their pussy cat car in trouble by their alligator mouth. And I never got to know how fast Vinnie’s car was, no one would race him. And Bouke had few challenges as time went on. And the legends grow...

Sadly some who call themselves Christians approach God like that. Bragging on Him, but never asking Him into their lives. Living on legend, hearsay, or whatever the pastor says and thinking this is what it is all about. But with Jesus it is personal, and it takes participation. From you. Some claim to know all about Him, and waste little time trying to impress. Some hide from public, afraid of those who walk with Him, in case they should be called to testify. While others live in the shadow of doubt, claiming to believe the Bible, but doubting it can happen to them. Healing, not for them. Go straight to worry. Finances, it is easier to seek better employment than to seek God. And when it comes to marriage, settle on divorce, while telling others how to run their marriage. God must have been wrong, or they wouldn’t be dissolving their marriage. When the problem lies with them, and believing lies rather than truth. So when I hear testimonies about miracles, I want to believe them. But some like Vinnie’s Boss are based on legend, rather than reality. So when the truth does come along, we tend to doubt. Like when I share about my plastic aorta, even nurses doubt it, “no one lives through that.” But when I show them the scar, they believe. Proof that God was there, that Jesus healed me. It seems we want to believe, we just need a little more faith to do it.

I get upset when Thomas is referred to as Doubting Thomas. Nowhere in scripture is he referred to as that, and he wasn’t a doubter. He wanted proof, and all the others had seen Jesus. While hiding in an upper room, wondering what would happen to them. Yet he desired the same, and told them so. Unless I touch those wounds, yet when Jesus confronted him, he never touched the wounds, he knew his voice. “My Lord and my God,” and now he believed. Just hearing His voice was enough.

God gave Thomas a testimony like many of ours, we doubt what God can do. If I can only see Him, then I’ll believe. Yet we are told that believing is seeing, just the opposite. Today you will be required to trust God based on who He is, and may not see or feel Him. That is faith, trusting God when there is no evidence of Him. But His spirit will guide you, and when obedient, you will be blessed. And a testimony made to be shared, to encourage others. You may not be called upon to part the waters, or even walk on them. Maybe just buy a Coke for a thirsty man. Listen to a stranger. Hold a place in line for someone. Something simple we can do. But the challenge will be there, are you up to it? Better yet, is God up to it? Due to Bouke’s reputation, many never saw how fast he really was, or could be. We never saw how fast Vinnie’s Boss was against some loud mouth. And I have never seen a 150 mph Sportster. Legends, but never seen by me.

Jesus is real. Invite Him into your daily routine today. The challenges are there. Ask to see Him, touch Him, and be with Him. Exercise the little faith you have, the same amount given to all, and watch as legends become reality. And reality becomes a daily occurrence in your life. And when it encourages others, watch as the devil flees when you show love to the unlovely. You see, the reputation of Jesus Christ is waiting for you to spread the story of Him, the gospel. The legend lives on, only to be supported by evidence. Share some today, and not a glove box full of tickets. For losers will always have excuses, for the rest of us we have Jesus. He has the scars to prove it. What’s your testimony?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

in remembrance

As a people, we are obsessed with celebrity. We willingly will pay more than an item is worth due to a name connected to it. Take a mundane four door sedan, and have a star’s cook use it for fetching groceries, and automatically it has attained a status to be worth more. Maybe not to us, we are too smart for that, but someone will always be willing to pay the price. Hang a Harley Bar and Shield on anything and the value goes up. Mention Steve McQueen and the value goes up. Mediocre ball players who no one remembers, now sell their autographs to fans who stand I line and get to pay for it. The value of a name, or truly a memory is not to be taken lightly. And an audience is always there and waiting to be fed. Through Triumph I have put break-in miles on Christina Aguilera’s Bonneville. Did the sound for Angelina Jolie’s ride in SALT. I have sat on the MI3 bike, and on the white Rocket Flo rides in Progressive commercial. All now more valuable because a name is attached to it-just not mine. Yet we all drop names, to impress others, and even ourselves. And it is nothing new.

“George Washington slept here” is found on many old buildings back east. Poor George must have been tired from all the personal appearances just to sleep. No wonder it took so long to win the Revolution. But jut as many trendy signs stating “on this date 100 years ago, nothing happened here” is more accurate. But my favorite is from a kid if he knew Lincoln’s Gettysburg address? His answer, “I never knew he lived there, how could he have an address there?” Four score and seven was not his home address. As a real estate agent once acknowledged, when inflating the price of the property, “there are names, and then there are names.” For instance, remember General Grant? Won the War Between the States for us. One night while staying at the Cedar Grove Mansion, in Vicksburg, we ended up sleeping in his bed. No not with him, or even his ghost. They advertise this bed is the one he slept in. I was just glad for a place to sleep, and clean sheets. No comment from the General.

So there are names, and there are names. But the one we most remember is our own. Our own gospel, if you will. And to find it written in the Book of Life, now that’s important. Something you cannot buy, and more valuable than having power over demons Luke says. Written in there by the same hand of God that shows the nail holes from where He was nailed to the cross. The same hand offering you salvation, with an open palm to prove it is Him. the same hand that gently knocks on the door to our hearts, asking if He may come in. An invitation no one else can offer, with no gift shop for prayer cloths, holy water, or t-shirts as souvenirs. Do this in remembrance of me,” He talks of communion, but how many commune with Him daily? An offer n t-shirt or sticker could fully advertise, and at a cost so high no ne could afford it-so Jesus made it a free gift. Many years ago William Randolph Hearst was a multi-millionaire. He built San Simeon and filled it with treasures from around the world. Some so valuable that upon his death, no value could be put on them that his estate could afford. So they donated the estate to the sate of California, and escaped the tax. Now it becomes the state’s estate, and their obligation-no longer the Hearst family’s. That is how valuable we are to Christ. Wecouldn’t afford the tax levied on sin, so He took it. Paid it, and today it is His responsibility. Paid in full, it shows our name in the Book of Life. Now we are His, and it is is responsibility to take care of us. He calls it love, we call it salvation. And He did it in remembrance of us...

Many today use His name in vain, without reverence to the only one who can save. They don’t know His name, but He knows theirs. And the Holy spirit is talking to them daily about Him. Just like He did to you, or is now. What will you do in remembrance of Him? He offers you a place in His book, will you accept it? No name dropping will get you in. No card signing, book signing, or convention gains you access. Knowing scripture will not help. It takes knowing the one who died for you, on the cross. More than a celebrity, more than a superstar. He is bigger than any studio, and carries more wallop than any ad campaign. And someday we will al stand before Him. It is called Judgment Day. And who you say He is, and the fact you know Him will be the most important, the only thing that gets you to heaven. Accept Jesus today. Do that in remembrance of Him. Been there, done that. No t-shirt needed. For my name is written in the Book. Only one way to know. Ask Him into your heart today. Like I said, there are names, and then there are names.

when the road ends, the ride doesn't have to

Many a long time love affair with riding began when we were too young to ride on the streets yet, legally, so we rode dirt bikes. And as we approached legal age, we converted them to street legal by adding lights. For the fortunate few who had money or cool parents, they had Enduros. A 90/10 mix of dirt/street, they had lights that ran off a magneto, and a horn and brake lights, just enough to be legal. And as where the knobby tires helped in the dirt, we shook going down the road with them, our 90/10 dirt to street ratio being reversed as we rode mostly on the street now. And as we got older, the bike makers came up with Dual sport bikes, which we used to call Enduros. Now with batteries-soon to be 12 volt, lights, horn, headlights, and some bigger ones even an electric starter, we were still riding a 90/10 ratio of street to dirt, but the Dual sports were 80/20 street/dirt. Progress was catching up to the way we rode. Then in 1980 BMW came out with the GS model, dirt/street in German. Take a touring bike, add long travel, soft suspension, and off we went. And soon other European makers followed, with my first Tiger from Triumph in 2006. Our primary touring bike since then, it has seen over 80,000 miles in 48 states in its 80/20 street ratio. Smooth and fast, and comfortable, those of us who ride them know what we have-the comfort of a Gold Wing without the extra 350 pounds, and the power of a sport bike with handling to match. Now termed Adventure bikes, they are still my preferred way to tour, so when Mickey called saying he had a 2013 Tiger Explorer XC, which coincided with Easter break, I was off. Actually he had two, and for 16 days I rode over 2500 miles on them, over 1500 with Theresa aboard, 1300 miles in the last four days. But with our destination of Exeter and the hills of Central California, we decided to ride the Carrizo Plain, which has dirt trails. Should be fun..

On a bike that can go from 0-100 in 7.1 seconds, we cruised 80-100 many times. Hard to keep under 90. How far we have come from the dirt, as we had traction control, ABS, cruise control, shaft drive, and ride by wire throttle. All at over 45mpg, so we were off. And day 3 had us on the Carrizo Plain, which usually is covered in color from spring flowers, but was still too early this year. As we rode on Soda Lake Road, the pavement ended, and for almost 40 miles we rode in the dirt-two up. Forgetting how after rain the dirt forms washboards, and ruts, but the Tiger was up to it-more than me. We stayed 45-70mph most of the time, and no wash boards could induce tank slapping. Amazing, and when we hit 166 to get to Santa Maria, we encountered the first Adventure on it. The only gas station in New Cuyama had closed, the sign said next services 54 miles-my miles to empty said 36. OOPS, but setting the cruise at 61mph, gas mileage rose, another function of the trip computer, and the only adventure came when we ran out of gas 100 feet from the station, going 21 miles after the miles to empty light went to zero. 16 days, 2500 miles, 50 on dirt, and that was the only adventure, that lasted 100 feet-a trip to remember.

So much for those who think the bike is too heavy for the dirt roads we were on-maybe if they got out and rode one rather than quoting a road test editor who rides 10/10ths they would better kow of what they talked. As for me and my wife...we ride,because when the road ends, the ride doesn’t have to.

Many a long time Christian has fallen prey to certain religious ways, or to religion itself. Based on denominational beliefs, they may not believe in healings, the rapture, miracles, and some even deny the deity of Jesus Christ. And of late it seems a great many follow the study to find yourself approved theory. Following teachings rather than God. Basing it more on study, and trying to please God and influence friends, than on finding themselves approved by God. Many times it stems from pride, and when they ask “are you in the word,” so as to brag how much more than you they are, I now answer “is the word in you?” Which surprises many, sadly. They read the word, but neglect to know the man Jesus Christ, who since the beginning is the word, was the word, and will be the word. So is the word in you? Or are you just living based on research and other’s opinions? Readily identified by having all the car radio buttons set to KWVE, or carrying extra study books to church, they thrive on the experience, but don’t ever get to know Jesus. They start as enduros, 90/10 approach to God, their 90, His 10, then proceed to be a dual purpose Christian, maybe 80/20 them to God. But it is only when they become the Adventure bike, and let God lead, then follow, that they get to know Him. They get to know Him first hand, trust more, see more miracles, and live a full life in Jesus. But it takes getting out on the road to do it, not reading about it. Their relationship can go much further than just reading and studying, God wants us to participate, to be in the game. On the road, with Him. And they find that Jesus doesn’t get off when the road gets dirty, or bumpy, but rides along-He never leaves us. And just like you need shocks for the bumps, we need Him for the bumps in life. And He is also there on smooth roads, and in the curves. Making a way for us, all we have to do is follow?

Feel adventurous? Trust Jesus today. See where the road He leads you on goes. It may be rough, or even through the Valley of the Shadow of Death-but He is with you. Use all the tools available to you in Him, take your church Jesus onto the street, for others to see. His words can light the path for you, and be a light to your feet-just the other side of the handlebars. Go further and farther, and when the pavement ends, don’t back off. Many a great ride has ended because the road got rough, when around the next bend it was smooth again. Enduro comes from endurance-our lives are not a sprint, but a marathon. Dual purpose means all conditions, not specializing in one. But Adventure-that is where the gospel comes alive, where we see all of Jesus. For like Him, we travel dirt roads. But the roads in heaven are made of gold. Smooth pavement. It takes getting through life to get there and enjoy them. Studying to find yourself approved? By whom? Jesus loves you as you are, help the rest of us love you too. I hear that was one of His commandments for us. So do that in remembrance of Him, every time you ride. Or meet someone who knows all about it but never has. Know the author of life, as well as the book. Life is an adventure, and doesn’t end when the road does... it just takes on a more special meaning with Jesus.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

pilate and pilates

In a world that is all about us, we tend to without much reservation, or forethought put ourselves first. I have heard many arguments, used many myself, but still am amazed when I hear a new one. And just as Satan is busy using religion to keep man just far away from God to do him any good, today and for years many have sought the oneness of body and mind through exercise, yoga, and various other forms. They neglect that we are a trifold being, body, mind, and spirit, and we can see physical change, which heightens the ego, and emotional change, which changes attitudes. Both come from without, but only spiritual comes from within. Only the spiritual requires help from God, or total reliance on Him, while the others are truly exercises based on us. And without God’s intervention, you will keep on searching for the perfect diet, exercise, or latest fad-all at the expense of your wallet. Nothing new under the sun, just a new label on the same on promises, limited to how much you want, can, and will spend to achieve your goal. A forever search, which only when God is included will yield results.

Pilates is nothing new, but since the courts have deemed the term Pilates as generic, it shows up everywhere. And it is confusing, and can show results. Joseph Pilates started it almost 100 years ago so you can have control over your own body. Contrology he called it, and if you did it his way, the muscles will not give in to gravity, and you will be the center. Certain parts of your body that is. Forgive me for over simplifying it. Anyone caught up in it knows it can be much more. But again you are the center of your world, and today many different theories and philosophies are borne from it. Bottom line is-we all get older, without wanting to get old. Which is really the goal, many more years which equals old age. And so I have friends who teach it, worship it, and devote their lives to it. Personally while looking back at my life, I wish to see I spent time having fun-constructive time, and not year spent in the gym, leaving me without money, and really not much to sow when I am done. Only in getting older will this mean anything. Pick an infomercial, get out your credit card, and become trendy. Just don’t follow the trend.

Some 1900 years before Joe Pilates was a man named Pontius Pilate, no relation. He too was faced with decisions about the body, and was concerned for his own political future when a young Nazarene named Jesus was brought before him. Finding no crime done by Him, and finding no other way out of this political battle , he turned Jesus over to the people, their will be done. He had saved himself and hopefully his political career, but was not considering the claims of Jesus. He just went along with the crowd. He did proclaim Him innocent, and was confronted with the truth as few had been-face to face with God! And so he and the crowd turned away from the only one who could deliver their souls from hell. And today the name of Pontius Pilate is well known as the man who found Jesus innocent, yet sentenced Him to death. Only God could create a scenario like that. Once again seeking what was best for the outer man, hoping to satisfy the emotional aspects, but without regards to the inner man. Both Joe and Pontius not realizing they got it all backwards.

Self preservation is man’s number one instinct. And after being in a survival mode after surgery, I get a better view of it than most. But without Jesus, you will not be healed-ever. You may have a great physique, or a great title, even have a philosophy of exercise named after you, but you won’t get heaven. Only Jesus can promise and deliver that. And yet He took the number instinct that His father built into His creation-man, and gave it up. He was strongest from within, knowing that the body is temporary, but the spirit will last forever. Or as put in Corinthians, the things seen are temporal, the things not seen are eternal. Simple advice, an incredible example, yet so many seek just the opposite. For a price. Just imagine if all the time spent doing Pilates or some other physical exercise was spent in study, prayer, or time with God? Imagine what that would do to the outer man? The same outer man that is dying each day? The same outer man that Jesus gave up of Himself on the cross? He knew all about control before contrology became Joe Pilates’ religion. Give control over to God, and let Him take control. But how do we do that? Have you ever seen an infomercial for that? How many Hollywood beauties proclaim Jesus as their reason for success? So how, we ask.

The fruit of the spirit is self control. No law against that. And it is manifest in the choices we make. Choose the physical, we worship the physical. Choose the mind, we worship the mind. But choose Jesus, and we worship God,a dn eh only way to heaven. Knowing as our bodies get older and wear out, no one, including Joe Pilates has a way to eternal life. NO Ponce De Leon and his fountain of youth. Bodies and minds both wear out and die. Been there, doing that as we speak. Or reading this right now. Physical law even tells us that, via the Second Law of Thermodynamics. Law-not philosophy. So where do you spend you r time and money?

Consider Jesus and His example. Salvation is free, and forever. Anything else is temporal, and costs money. Interesting how the physical requires something physical, but the spiritual only requires something spiritual. That anyone can afford, but not afford to pass up. So here is a simple exercise, free of charge, but with guaranteed results. Get on your knees-and pray. Ask Jesus into your life. Find that as the inner man grows, so dies the outer man. All healing starts from within, so start today. Both Pilate and Pilates had it right-but both also had it wrong. Jesus is who He said He is. The way,the truth, and the life. Power under control-only He can deliver that-but it is your choice. Which man do you choose to follow? Exercise that decision today with Jesus. Exercise contrology of your wallet, and your soul. Results that everyone will see. Today, before the latest fad hits the TV screen, and your wallet.

Following the crowd? Consider following a crowd of one today, and find out what is so good about Good Friday.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

the season-turn, turn, turn

Yogi Berra is often quoted as saying “when you come to the fork in the road, take it.” And many of us have taken it, but it has not always been the right fork. We have a saying among those who ride “you are never lost as long as you still have gas.” And I can attest to that one too, as I have been many places where I didn’t know where I was, or where I was going, but the fact I still had gas kept me going. Until another fork in the road. So it is with going for a ride, sometimes the best ones are only one fork in the road ahead. But I have also taken the wrong fork, where gas was not available, and even though I knew the road led to nowhere, kept going. Such is the spirit of adventure. Or foolishness. You decide. So over the years I have decided not to venture further from gas than I can’t get back to. And it works, generally like any other rule, except I have been known to break it and pay the consequences. What makes the best handling, most comfortable the most miserable? Try pushing 500 pounds when out of gas. When just few miles back I was enjoying the curves, now they all seem to be uphill, and against me. For Harley guys, add 400 pounds, and suddenly you understand why a lighter bike can be more comfortable. Not the best reason to buy, but one afternoon spent pushing when you should be riding can help you decide. Subtract the fun factor of riding, add the embarrassment of pushing in front of others, particularly those who don’t ride, “I thought they got great gas mileage,” and all those cheeseburger calories you just ate come in handy, unless they to bite you first. So the lesson for today is, it is better to be on the road, than along side of it.

But the more you ride, the more opportunities you have to do shoulder time. Down time. Wishing you were still riding, or anywhere else time. In 1973 BH and I decided to go to Summer Jam-in Watkins Glen featuring The Dead, The Band, and The Allman Brothers. Ticketron tickets in hand, we set off for the 350 mile ride, totally unprepared, but willing and eager. Remember another saying about old age and treachery will outmaneuver youth and brains, here is exhibit a. We were cruising along, and as we got closer to the Glen, the single lane roads became more crowded. And wouldn’t you know it, a fork in the road. With a huge tree in the median, with a BMW parked under it, with a flat tire. Now this guy had planned better than us, but not packed better, as his bike was seriously overloaded. And to make matters worse, his rear tire was flat. And all his tire patching equipment and tire tools were under the seat, under the overpacked bags. Being part of the brotherhood we are, we stopped to help. I was on my BMW R60/5, which also had a tool kit, but when we offered to help, he started to unpack his ride. Mine was accessible, but his being harder to get to, he started the tear down. After a half hour, the bike was unpacked, and he had the tire off, which I offered to patch for him. Being 90 degrees with 100% humidity, no 7-11 in sight, we all shared the burden. While those in cars crept by at 5mph. Consider us free entertainment. But after I fixed the flat, and had put the tire back together, he decided to have a smoke before putting the wheel back on. So moving back from the road, so not to get hit by a car cutting across the Y, we sat under the tree, and he was thanking us when a car cut across, barely missing his bike, but not his tire. He had left the tire out in the open, and this yuk drove over it, and kept going-bending his rim into a V, or really more of a U. This idiot in the car, when he came upon a fork in the road, had taken it. Right over this man’s tire! I’ll bet Yogi wasn’t ready for that one.

After consoling him for a while, we left him there. For the weekend, as the bike was unridable, the tire and wheel destroyed, and so was his weekend. Leaving him with his wheel bent into a U shape, giving a whole new meaning to the term “U turns.”

I hear many Christians talking about making a U turn for Christ, there is even a camp by that name. But since that night outside of Watkins Glen, I look at U turns a bit differently. A true U turn means making a full 180 degree turn, and going the other way. A good idea, but like this fork in the road, what if one appears? How do you make a U turn at a Y intersection? So I have found that although U turns sound OK, it is better to follow God when you come to the fork in the road. Right or left may be the choice, but in any event, turn from where you were going, and turn to Jesus. And follow Him. He will give good direction, but we still need to follow them. But what happens if we come upon a fork, and we fail to ask? Or worse yet, fail to listen? He never leaves us, and is there to get us back on track, or on the road. And when we sin, or fall away, he is still there with us. Unlike some who have foolishly advised others, “when you get it together, then you are welcome here in church.” Or “we can’t have people like you here, what if Jesus came?” You mean He isn’t? God’s grace is not dependent on us, but on Him. We cannot earn it, and it can be hard to explain, it is best experienced. And that is where we come in-in obedience. Follow Jesus out of the dark. Out of the dead end. He will take us on the right path, the right road. When we come to a fork, He knows which way to go. He not only knows the way back, HE is the way back. But will we follow?

Standing on the corner in downtown San Diego the other night, it had been a long day. Longer for others, and after ministering at the Dustin Arms, we were walking back to the truck. Doug was tired, and while waiting for the green light, I asked him, “do you know how to avoid that rundown feeling?” Turning he smiled, and I answered, “look both ways before steeping off the curve.” As a car whizzed past. So before you step off he curb, or come to the fork in your life, before you head away form a gas station with your reserve light on, consider Jesus. He will never leave you, but you will find that following Him is safer and more fun. And getting where you are going is much better than having your wheel run over. Maybe the one thing that makes you wish the tire was only flat, not bent. Make the turn to Jesus today. 45-90-120-180 degrees, follow Him and avoid the consequences. U turn if needed, but follow Him, not some cool sounding phrase.

By the way, we never made it to Summer Jam, too much traffic. So we took another road, and had the best weekend riding I ever had. One fork in the road was a DISASTER, the other led out of town, and onto great roads. You never know what lies ahead, aren’t you glad Jesus does. Just make the right turn today.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

to those who said "I'll never leave you"

Back then when we were referred to as the next generation by our parents who were of the greatest generation, I know they wondered what would ever become of this world. A generation of hippies, yuppies, revolutionaries, and long hairs with no respect for authority, we most certainly presented a problem to the establishment, as they referred to themselves. We were free thinking, although sometimes under an artificial illusion, and I had a friend who used to brag “I will try anything once, twice if it feels good.” And many did, and so it is said that if you remember the sixties, you probably weren’t there. But as many of us do remember the sixties, the one drug we started on, and continue to consume today in mass quantities is motorcycles. And to a generation that brought us out of WWII, the Big One, and saw the start of many motorcycle clubs-both AMA and Outlaw, the generation that won freedom, and expressed freedom via two wheels, had strayed from it. As they went from Schwinns to Cushmans to Hondas to Harleys, they finally ditched it all for the four wheel conveyance we call cars. Maybe a Deuce coupe when dating, then something more realistic as a sedan when the kids arrived. Then the station wagon so they could show their individuality and be like everyone else, and then finally on to the quiet, tomblike existence of big luxury car, as the income allowed. And evolution of wheels, a coming of age of sorts. For no responsible adult would be caught in a hot rod, only in their dreams would they do that. But we might find a young person speeding along in Dad’s Mercedes Benz.

Years ago a General Motors executive noted “you can sell an old man a young man’s car, but you can’t sell a young man an old man’s car.” And he was right. As we got older, we went right up the GM ladder of hierarchy, until we arrived in the Cadillac. Boy, how times have changed.

At a recent car show, with many old cars and hot rods, the average age of the car owners was well past retirement. Driving the cars of their youth, or the ones of their youthful dreams, hardly an old Cadillac or Buick was found among them, these were cars of youth, of freedom, and of weekend rides with the top down, your arm around your best girl, and with both eyes looking out for the law, who was always ready to swoop down out of nowhere and ruin your afternoon. You were having fun, as these older couples were, while back home in their garages you may find sitting a shiny new four door sedan. Detailed to the max by someone else. Just the opposite of their hot rods, who they would never trust anyone else to touch. And many with their wives along with them enjoying the gift of youth that old cars promises, and wondering why their own children drive four doors, when there is only two of you, who needs the extra doors? Which makes me think of a Tom Murray quote, “there are two kinds of girls, the ones you date on Saturday night, and the ones you invite home to dinner on Sunday.” Today it is interpreted as “good girls go to heaven, bad girls go everywhere else.”

So referring back to doing something twice if it feels good, many seek solace in the past via their cars. The time when you first dated your wife, and first tried to kiss her. When you knew she was the one, and finally got up the courage to ask her. Maybe in the front seat of that same hot rod, that you were forced to sell when you had kids and a job, and had to be more responsible. But you always look back to the good times with fondness, knowing someday you would have one again. To some the fountain of youth, to others a supply of endless memories, yet to others dreams finally realized while still old enough to sit up and take their meals. But that something wonderful about old cars, that bring out the best memories, and make even the tough times seem worth remembering. And if anyone should ask “where have the good old days gone?” they smile and remind you right now. These are the good old days. They never left, we did.

In motorcycling a resurgence is going on, as many who used to ride, then got married and responsible, are coming back to riding. Remembering their last bike, and finding out the one they remembered was in better shape, and was far less expensive than the one on Craigslist. Some will go into the dealer, where a kid who isn’t old enough to remember those good old days, won’t know what an Interceptor was, or anything with CB attached to it. And when he steers them to the current generation’s model, the price points them out the door. Some have bought houses for less! But to those that will listen, and whose dream is still alive, the world of motorcycles today is in a Golden Era. Honda makes entry level bikes, which outperform those from our youth, for half of what the newest and fastest go for. And as 500cc used to be big, now it is small, but performs better than your old 750. The bait is set, and we are hooked! And riding again, and the smile that we thought was gone and forgotten, now is hidden behind the newest full face. And a whole new group of new bikers is emerging, and proof that there is a fountain of youth-it has two wheels! And unlike the date of Saturday nights long ago, this one you can take home for Sunday dinner, and for a ride after.

Many Christians are like that. Life has interfered with plans, and church along with God was cut out of the equation. The one God they swore to never leave, they have left, and have looked for a way back. But some remember the religion end of their past, and shy away from church. Some when asked, will offer the excuse they don’t need the fellowship, but won’t miss the next car club or bike rally because of it. Fortunately God has an open door program, and welcomes you back. Waiting to meet you where you are, and carry on from there. Introduce you to new worship music, new fellowship, and getting back to the Bible, the same one you would tell everyone that you would never leave. And find all the things that you were missing all these years in that old friend of yours, Jesus Christ. And when you finally decide to welcome Him back, you find you are not alone. A whole generation that was so busy doing their own thing, now wants to do God’s thing, the one thing missing from their lives. The right thing. And soon Sunday morning rides are first to church, then out to lunch with others who ride and love Jesus, and they think-these are the good old days. And it will amaze and amuse some who they find in church. Those Saturday night dates have come to Jesus. And so have the ones from Sunday dinners at home. But the best ones are the best friend you married years ago, who has been along for the ride the whole time...the ones who have never left.

Wherever your testimony takes you, never forget the one who never left you. And is waiting to welcome you back. Finding the God of young man gets better with age, and as the relationship grows, find yourself young again. Life is exciting, and Jesus is real. More real than ever before. And when welcomed back into the family of God, will be heard to say “it’s like I never left.” Never leave again today, these are the good old days, with only better ones to come. With Jesus, of course. That old time religion, it was good enough for me. Still is.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

who is the Captain Kurt of your enterprise?

Touring the River Rouge Plant, at one time the largest manufacturing complex in the world, we were amazed at how raw ore came in via barges at one end, and F-150 pickups rolled out the door at the other. We often are amazed at who designed the product, but do we ever stop to think about who designed the plant or the manufacturing procedures. Henry Ford can be credited with making mass production work for the Model T, he actually based it on a butchering operation where the steer was moved between work stations on carts. But it took the invention of interchangeable parts, that Cadillac won a Quality Award for to make it all work. Something to consider next time the car won’t start-it goes way beyond final assembly.

My first job being paid for brains rather than brawn was as a production planner for Polychrome Corp. in 1974. We were currently purchasing two ton rolls of film, then converting them to size. From 4000’ rolls to 35mm film, 8x10, 10x12, and larger, we did it all. Working in safelight conditions, which also had to be super clean, as the film was undeveloped. A little crease, or ragged edge could scuttle the whole batch to the recycling bin, even a greasy fingerprint was dangerous. Also very expensive as film was coated with silver. Amazing to me that it could be done at all, particularly all in the dark. In the winter it was possible to come to work in the dark, work all day in the dark, and go home in the dark, without ever seeing day light. The only light was from a special flashlight with a dark red lens so as not to effect the film. But we were also in the midst of making our own coating facility-manufacturing our own film. Adding onto the existing factory, and changing the old to accommodate the new processes, while production continued. And Kurt Hausmann was the man in charge of the project. His intimate understanding of what came next, when to schedule the masons, then the carpenters, and how to work with valuable metals such as silver, add in inspectors, and the unions, and he was always busy. We used to joke he was part Mr. Spock, Scotty, and Captain Kirk-he knew all about how the ship ran, and without him there, construction came to a halt. He somehow dealt with deadlines, and when it all came together, and the first batch was test coated, it was all Kurt. Many had done the actually building, and the final coating process, but without Kurt’s vision, being taken to the engineers and draftsmen, then to production, it never would have been possible. It was his vision that others help create. He was the father of the project, the rest of us were just children.

Kurt lived in an ordered world, and when a problem came up, had to have a back up plan. He had to account for late deliveries, men out the day after too much party, and the next crew waiting when things got held up, or rescheduled. He had no room or little margin for error. Sin is like that, and when Kurt had a problem, maybe not caused by him, many suffered. There was no isolated problem, it affected all in the project. There also is no such thing as isolated sin. “Just some dirty pictures,” as his wife rebels. “Just a joint, not hard drugs,” as he loses his job. For the consequences of sin touch many, and damage all it touches. Families divorce, and kids pay the price. When one parent is missing, they will find someone to listen, usually not the one we would choose. And while if caught in time it can be remedied, when a major problem surfaces, life can come to a halt-and we all suffer. For generations.

God knew this, so sent His son Jesus. He not only created us, but has a vision for our lives, which is only revealed through Him. So many suffer needlessly without turning to Him, when He has the answers we need, when we need them. He knows what lies ahead, and has things arranged, from people to helicopters, there when we need them before we even have a chance to pray. He is prepared for what lies ahead, are we? We can be by turning to Jesus. We have three options in a crisis-bail out and fail, fight through it, or repent and follow Jesus. Relying on our own experiences will not make it-it takes direction from the creator, the one of vision.

Just as Kurt was the visionary of Polychrome, we need to let Jesus lead our lives. No one man could do it, Kurt couldn’t. He could give direction, but would it be followed? A similar situation we are in today, God offers direction, will we take it? Who is the Captain Kurt of your enterprise? Are you willing to follow God and go where no man has gone before? Boldly?

Without vision the people perish. So will film, to be cut into little pieces, soon so small it is useless to all. Before you suffer the same fate, turn to Jesus. Let Him resize you, remold you, regenerate you, and make you productive. A simple choice of following Him will change your life. And the lives of others. Ever hear of Mordecai Ham? Ask Billy Graham about him, he led Billy to Christ. How many lives has Billy touched for Christ? Sin is not the only thing isolated, mercy and grace abound where it used to. Enjoy life in Jesus, and when it all comes together, sit back and thank Him. Remember the vision it took to produce you, and to make you what you are. We are all like undeveloped film until we come into the light of Jesus. Out of darkness, into the light. Begin your tour with Him today.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com