motorcycles sell

Back in the sixties there was a commercial playing David Roses’s “The Stripper,” while a man shaved.  “Take it off, take it all off...” a beautiful Scandinavian looking blond cooed, quick, if you remember the commercial, what was the product?  Tick...tick...tick?  My wife used to joke it was take it off with Aqua Velva, but it was really for Noxzema Medicated Comfort Shave-shaving cream!  And it was such a hit, it was alter redone with Joe Namath and Farrah Fawcett.  Perhaps the best, or at least the most brazen use of sex in a TV commercial to date-that was the 60’s!  But sex has always sold, and continues to sell today.  Take even the most mundane product, add a scantilly clad female, you have a hit.  Turning every nerdy teen into Joe and shaving just because of Farrah.  Look at what you buy and why, you may be surprised.  And hopefully it sells the product-it did for Noxzema.  From shaving cream to air filters, to everything in between, sex adds to the ad, and sometimes is the ad.  “Get your product noticed, get them in the stores, we will do the rest” the sponsors are told, and we the people go willingly to buy, all based on the sex in the ads.  Don’t deny it, remember the Norton girls?  Ever seen a Pirelli calendar?   Sex has been the staple in a car dealers and repair shops for decades.  From St. Pauli girls to the Bud girls, they push sex, but the product is beer.  All they want to do is make you feel good about your decision... no matter how foolish the premise it was based on.  Sex was cool, it still sells, but today a new competitor has arisen.  Motorcycles.

Thanks to Hondas ads in the 60’s, Harley’s incredible marketing campaigns, and motorcycles being cool anyway, they have found their way into numerous ads.  Lucky Jeans with their nostalgic Triumph shirts, soft drinks, snacks, and other products are now finding that putting a motorcycle in their ad draws attention-and not just to motorcycle related products.  One year at Coke we offered ATC’s to raffle off Coke products, a huge increase in sales.  No data available for women.  Like the Noxzema commercial girl, we see bikes being ridden in commercials, making a statement about the product.  Having fun, enjoying life, adding some excitement to a boring existence.  Bringing out a little of the bad boy, wanting you to be part of the excitement, without being part of the scene.  And in this golden age of motorcycling, where more people are riding than ever before, cool is spreading its wings, and including all social, financial, and ethnic groups.  Who doesn’t want to be cool, and riding a motorcycle is cool.  And if you don’t, you can still wear the t-shirt, or use the product.  It is all about the image...what image are you portraying?  If you took it all off, what would we see?  What ‘s underneath your leathers?

Now that we all must face the fact we are all suckers for two wheels, a pretty face, and a sexy ad, what will we do?  What do we buy any more that is based on substance, how the product performs?  For generations families have used the same detergents as their mothers did, buy the same brand of cars as Dad, and stick with traditional brands.  But as new marketing sells us new products, are we buying the new product, or its image?  Tough question to answer honestly...

It is all about the image...the take off.

I have a pet peeve, actually many of them, but one in particular.  I detest people using the Christian fish sign I their ads.  And I find it even more foolish for people who only shop or use Christian businesses.  Just because you portray your shop as a Christian shop, does that mean Jesus works there?  Should I just trust you because you advertise it?  Yet many do, and miss out on one of scriptures most important concepts-getting out the gospel.  Many times throughout Bible history, God has caused situations to spread the gospel in hard times.  From being fruitful and multiplying to the Tower of Babel forward to going out into the world and making disciples, we are to get out among the heathens, the Gentiles, and share the love of Christ.  His message leading unto salvation.  Your chance to get out and into the world, and not be part of it.  When I worked for Coke, I got more Pepsi accounts when we would start eating at Pepsi served restaurants.  Soon our presence was felt and they would change.  We had evangelized them just by being there, and won a convert.  We never drank their Pepsi, and they respected us for it.  How many chances do we get to share Jesus by not getting out of Christian circles?  Do we go where the sick and needy are-Jesus did.  He taught in the church, but ministered in the streets.  And even tough old Peter got it, when he was shown in a dream that nothing is unclean, but that in Christ it can be made clean.  Paul ministered to the Gentiles.  So many ride today, or want to, based on the marketing using motorcycles. Sometimes I feel like I have been prostituted, our special brotherhood being abused by others, but like the gospel, the more that hear about it, will try it.  But it is our job to take it out among the heathens.

While some witness to each other, preach to the choir, others are out spreading the gospel, and getting good deals.  The best motorcycle mechanic I know isn’t a Christian, but knows I am.  The only church he’ll ever attend.  Like my sign says, “love in such a way that if someone doesn’t know God, but knows you, they can get to know God because they know you.”  Someone told you about Jesus when you weren’t saved, enough said.  The best deals are out there, let Jesus show you.  And what better product than salvation can you offer?

Someone once asked me to go for a ride and it changed my life.  Another man told me about Jesus and it changed my life.  Who knows, there may be a lot of those out there like you and me, just waiting to be asked for a ride, or a ride to church.  And you will never know if you don’t get out and find out.  Sex sells, and today motorcycles sell.  Jesus saves.  You mean you don’t ride, let me tell you about my trip last summer.  And you don’t know Jesus, let me tell you how He changed my life.  While you fix my car, cut my hair, or take my groceries out.  Someone is always listening, always watching.  A whole audience to reach you didn’t know existed.  Now you do.  Remember that next time you need help-you may be the answer to their problem, by using yours.  Only Jesus could do that.  Can you?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

buried treasure, that rose again

My friend Richard, the ultimate Parts Manager, caught flack years ago when he bought an old quanset hut house that had been used by the military in WWII, the Big One.  It in a neighborhood where houses went for high 6 figure prices, he was one block from the beach, it was an eyesore compared to the others.  Kept up, but not fitting in with the upscale neighbors, he caught flack, mostly behind his back, where the aim is better for our unkind markmanship.  But he was and is a nice guy, and lived with it, raising his family, until the market exploded 10 years ago.  Along came an offer, way above what the house was worth, and it wasn’t even for sale.  Seems a neighbor had a friend, who wanted to live by the beach, and couldn’t afford the usurous prices being charged, but being a contractor could buy a fixer upper, Richard’s, and make it into a million dollar home.  Not interested at first, Richard finally succumbed to the offer, thinking what we did, the contractor would remodel his home.  But he didn’t, he just wanted the land, and built another new home, his investment what the other homes were worth, but now valued at two times them.  He never wanted the hut, he wanted the land, and built his own home on it.  And how did Richard feel?  He now is retired, owns tow homes, both paid for with cash, and has money leftover in the bank.  Looking back, he was smarter than all of us, and patient.  And the deal worked out for all involved, the definition of a good deal being where both parties benefit.  And they did-living happily ever after. 

Of course we would have all done the same thing, if only we knew what the future was going to hold.  Even fairy tales tell us of frogs turned into princes, and beasts into beauties.  We love those stories, why wouldn't we believe in them for ourselves?  Maybe we do as so many times we buy a new set of clothes to fit in with the the trendy crowd.  People have even been known to buy Harleys to hang out with us bad guys.  How many wear Charger shirts to give the sense they are part of the team?  Do we see a theme here, how many do one thing, so that we can belong to another?  Call it the rite of initiation, or buying your way in, but too often, unlike Richard’s story do we end up with old clothes, an unused motorcycle, and changing teams?  When what we really were after was being part of something, to belong and be accepted.  Do we have to ask “is it really all about me?”  Why ask when we already know the answer.

Did you ever find something of value in a field as a kid, and wished your Dad owned the field?  But knowing it was someone else’s, you left it, not wishing to steal it and get caught, being known as a crook.  And years later going back, and it was still there, then taking it home.  And no one missed it, just an old piece of junk, in a field with junk.  One man’s junk, another man’s treasure.  That is how earth appears to many today.  Look around, crime, rape, mayor’s sexual abuse, ballplayers doing drugs, lowest opinion of Congress ever, high unemployment, and you wonder, has this entire world become a field of junk?  Why would anyone want it?  It has become exactly like the one given power over it, the devil-disgusting.  So why would Jesus come here to buy back the world?  What was He thinking>

Of us.  Not of the world, but the treasure in it-you and me.  Us.  Some buried, some visible, and some not quite discovered yet.  He bought the world, giving His life, not for the planet, but its contents-us!  He can hang out anywhere He wants, and heaven being His home invites us to come and stay.  But for now, He visits us here, not for the beauty of Yosemite, or the amber waves of grain.  He owns the purple mountains majesty-He is that majesty.  He can vacation anywhere He wants, yet He chooses here.  Why?  Because of us, His treasure.  And like any prospector, He stays until the mine is played out.  Until the last ounce of gold is mined, He will remain.  He loves us that much.  Like the man who bought Richard’s house, he wanted the treasure of it, not the house on it.  How many times have you passed up Jesus, based on the world’s claims, rather than God’s?

When you meet someone today, let the value Christ places on them reflect in your attitude.  We may not all be new 2013 rides, and the roads may not always be smooth, or even paved.  Jesus knew exactly what He was getting when He died for us, paying a price that seemed foolish to everyone, except His Father.  Based on His Father’s advice, He obeyed, and we His treasure, get the benefit.  Once again proving, you didn’t pay too much, you just bought too soon.  But in Jesus’ case, just at the right time.  20 years ago Richard’s friends made fun of him.  Look at him now.  Invest in Christ today, and when the others laugh, hang in there.  You are that valuable that He paid the price. 

If only you had known...now you do.  Where you retire is up to you.  How foolish do you look now?  It depends on how luxurious you want to live later.  Avoid earthly foreclosure.  When He gets the glory, we get the blessings.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

  

rides that make evenings enchanted

Our American Bulldog Clemenza loves to go for walks.  Just say “out front,”and she will appear, but say “walk,” and she starts to dance.  And with great energy will pull down the street, and knows what is ahead if we go left or to the right and walk the golf course.  Her nose is busy smelling out what went on since her last visit, and she walks a fast pace, excited.  But as we get to our turn around point, she slows, taking more time to sniff, and when we start back, is noticeably slower.  With the last few steps almost in suspended motion.  She knows the walk will soon be over, and even the invitation to visit Stella, her neighbor next door, only invigorates her for a minute.  And then the steps, which if you didn’t know her, you would think she is crippled.  Slowing to a stop-all because the walk has come to an end.  And even if we try to take credit for any obedience she has to us, it is us who are being trained by her, as she knows the times of day we walk, and reminds us, with no clock to go by.  And she also knows when the walk will be over, slowing down wishing to get every last second of time out of it.  She walks like we ride...with great anticipation.  Until the end of the day.

Living back east, most of our escape routes pointed us west, to the wilds of Pennsylvania, which by 4 o’clock would put the sun right in our face.  Combined with a day’s ride, tired, but still excited, we would push on, fighting fatigue, not wishing the ride to end.  But at some point one of us would be overwhelmed with a sense of common, and we would stop, have something cold to drink, maybe an early dinner, and watch the rush hour traffic as we reclined.  Re-energizing ourselves for a few more hours of daylight riding time, and to our sometimes pre-determined goal.  But on summer nights, the cool air would call, and many an evening ride would follow.  Not really going anywhere, just out for a ride, where the roads that once called for high speed, now tell us it is OK to just cruise.  And outside of the city, you can hear the wind, bullfrogs, crickets, and other sounds not heard in the day.  Less people, more hearing, or as they used to say in the eco friendly 70’s, less sound=more ground.  Sitting by a brook you might pass in the day, you find a certain peace just listening to the water.  Something about the dark makes what you can’t see more audible.  Conversation seem to be more important, and recalling the day’s ride brings about anticipation of the ride tomorrow.  After a timeless conversation, it is back on the bikes, letting your headlight determine the pace, and just like Clemenza, going slower as you know the day will end soon, and even though you don’t want it to, it must, if only to have another begin in the morning.  But it is in the still of the night, without seeing faces that the voices identify the talker, the mood is mellower, and after a day of anticipation, you can reflect.  These enchanted evenings, with no special agenda, are the perfect end to a perfect day.  And only made better when your riding partner is someone you love.  And my blessing is called Theresa.

A motel chain advertises a good night’s sleep and all the rest.  But how often do you fall asleep exhausted, only to wake up way before you need to, and can’t get back to sleep.  For me it seems my body clock is set for 3am, as I seem to wake up then, and find it a great time to spend with God.  No one else is out at that time, and except for Mr. Man moving on the bed, the home is silent.  And just like the sounds of nature are accentuated at night,  I can hear God’s voice better without any background noise.  NO interference, maybe that is what makes night rides so special, where your mind can lead, and your body follow.  And so it is with God in the wee hours, His spirit calls, you follow, and He leads you to a special place.  No hurry, no agenda, just a timeless time of peace.  No phones, TV, or radio, just you and Jesus-a precursor to the things of heaven.

Sadly these rides are not possible in a car, maybe that is why God made motorcycles.  No cruise, tilt, radio, AC, or isolated cabin.  Just you and nature-the wind in your face, and the things that God has created for you and for you to enjoy.  A look up reveals the stars in their glory, and a stop by water can be breathtaking as you watch the moonlight glisten off of it.  Light in darkness, sounds in silence, and my 3am wake up is happening at 40 mph.  And you ask why we ride?  God has created you for times like this, just you and Him.  Special time after a day spent just trying to get through it, a time when life gets between you and God, and now He has you back again-His desire.  And when it is our desire to be with Him, the rides are that much more special, but you can also spend time with God while not riding.  Just being with Jesus can’t be beat, but somehow when on two wheels, He makes it better.  No proof I can point to, take a ride tonight and see.

Some enchanted evening, you may meet a stranger...don’t go another night without meeting Jesus.  No need to be a stranger, He welcomes you.  He loves to ride, and even if you don’t, He is happy across the table, sitting at the beach, walking the dog, or even at church.  He goes where you go, the question is will you go where He goes?  Maybe those 3am talks are just what you need...or maybe that after daylight ride.  Only those who can see the invisible will hear Him too.  Walking with your Master, maybe Clemenza isn’t so dumb after all.  Maybe it isn’t the walk, but the time spent with us that makes it for her.  “Walk?”  Maybe Jesus is asking you the same thing.  And don’t hurry back, you don’t want the walk to end and miss a happy ending!  Let’s ride!

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

sign the petition for Barn Fresh Day today!

Thanks to channels like the History Channel, Discovery, and others like it, we are privy to a part of history we otherwise would have missed, and not known we have missed it.  But it has also given rise to collectible prices, on items that previously no one wanted, because no one cared about.  Add E-bay, creative, yet false advertising, and the prices go up.  It seems if you paid more it must be worth more, or if it’s rare, based on claims, it must be worth more because of its rarity.  Based on that all Ramblers should be priced higher than any Chevy or Ford, fortunately we are spared that gouging yet.  But with these shows, an audience grows around them, and the people become bigger than the show, like American Pickers.  Nice guys, cool job, but I wonder how many affordable items today are priced and sold as collectibles, based on something they may or may not have said.  Rare means rare-like in a steak-raw.  Not one of 50,000, of which only 30,000 remain today.  And the reason they are rare is even more important.  3 on the tree, business sedans, with a 6 cylinder and no air-would you buy one?  Yet I see them with signs on them-rare, limited production.  It is like the basic Escort I bought with no air, radio, and not one option.  As basic as you can get-a price leader-it was rare.  Wish I had known all this when I sold it.  I also had a basic Rabbit in 1976, VW’s name for it.  Rubber everywhere, cardboard door panels, no insulation, and the skinniest tires ever put on a car.  Built to a price, dealers loaded them up-except mine, I opted for a radio.  And radials.  Both bought as basic transportation in bad weather when I couldn’t ride.  Rare-as I never saw another basic Rabbit, and like the ad said for the Escort-*1 available a this price.  I bought a classic and didn’t know it!  What was I thinking...I could be retired now....

But the word that I hear over used too much, is that OK to say, is “Barn fresh.”  As if the careful storage the owner gave it, piling old parts on it, piling trash around it, and leaving it in a building falling down was of premium concern.  In my experience, most stuff left in barns was there because that is where they died.  Worn out, over used, used up, not worth scrap, they were hauled away with other recyclables-before we recycled, and left to rust away in the bad winters, or rust when April showers invaded their safe and secure lodging.  Out of sight, out of mind, until the owner dies, and they find the car in the barn-and suddenly a barn find is found, the value goes up, and we have a new buzz word to use when bragging why we paid to much.  If I had a barn, I would have left the Escort in it, and waited 20 years-and would have been retired-better than my 401/201/all gone K.  But barn finds they are, adding perceived value, while ignoring why they were left there in the first place.  Giving the mundane their 15 minutes of fame, and the finder or owner a financial boost.  While waiting just around the corner, the Ministry of Trendy Words is anxiously anticipating dropping another slang on the eagerly waiting and deceived.  Barn fresh and farm fresh-not to be confused.

Which makes me wonder, do Christians watch these shows?  Do they know the language?  If not, why are they missing out on the greatest opportunity of all time, and not promoting Jesus as the World’s Greatest Barn find?  Farm fresh-it doesn’t get much fresher than being born in one, not left to die in one.  Imagine a sermon, today we are talking about the greatest barn find ever, and He is truly barn fresh.  Jesus Christ, and think of the ads-might even see one on Pickers...on the History Channel.  He is historical isn’t He, after all the years are AD, after Him.  Imagine Him before Pilate-“but sir He’s barn fresh!  Think of how rare He is!”  And they would be speaking the truth.  Little icons could be made for the dashboards of cars, songs written about Him, books written about Him-hey, a whole new religion based on His being barn fresh could spring up-think of the opportunities!  Wonder how that would have effected the price of His clothes the Roman soldiers drew lots for?  Imagine the price of the barn today!  Maybe Christians are missing out on this barn fresh idea.  Just a thought...

But the truth is, He is still alive, and His barn fresh beginning only tells part of the story.  We celebrate His birth on Christmas Day, maybe we should call it  Barn Fresh Day!  No more nativities, but barn fresh displays.  Even heathens get excited over barn fresh.  We can give each other gifts, sing Barn Fresh songs, send Barn Fresh cards, and ditch the whole Santa thing for a couple of farm hands, in jeans and flannel shirts.  No more Rudolph, a red neck will hang him on the wall as a trophy.  Keep the ACLU and its minions from going against Christ.  Maybe it is the venue, and it needs up dating.  After all, it is 2000 years old...so Barn Fresh it is!

But that doesn’t help with Easter, Good Friday, or all in between.  Fortunately Jesus is much more than a barn find, or an empty tomb.  He is the person of God, a very real and living person.  Even has a home in heaven.  And unlike programming issues on TV, His book, the Bible is available 24/7.  With no ads!  No commercials-you can sit and read all you want.  But the most important thing is you can communicate with Him, He is not for sale, or auction.  He is not negotiable, and still the original barn fresh find.  Born in a barn, because there was no room at the inn.  Consider the following ad text-

“One man found, barn fresh.  Able to perform miracles, heal the sick, raise from the dead.  Rare, one of a kind, completely original.  All numbers match, certification going back 2000 years.  Previously sold for 30 pieces of silver, this barn fresh opportunity for eternal life can now be had as a gift.  Lifetime opportunity, time limited.  Call XXX-XXX-XXXX.  References upon request.”

Barn Fresh Day is nearly here, the ads will be starting soon.  Don’t miss out on the opportunity of a lifetime.  Jesus Christ-the best buy you’ll ever make-and at prices you can afford.  An investment that makes any 401K look pale by comparison. Barn Fresh and ready to add value to your life today.  And about that empty tomb...included at no extra charge.  What are you waiting for?  * He’s the only one available at this price!

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com 

why does this road look familiar?

Once again for the very first time, we are encountering déjà vu all over again.  Talking with a man recently who just retired from teaching, he told of how he taught for almost 30 years.  When I commented that he taught the same thing, for 30 years, it seemed to take all the pride out of his statement, or his accomplishment.  He had taught for 30 years, but the same thing, 30 times.  Still an accomplishment, but still not conquering new ground, unless you consider how students have changed in the past 30 years-now that’s new ground, and tells more than teaching 30 years.  But still in real life, it is truly once again for the very first time.

I have a friend who recently went over 100,000 miles on his Harley, a great feat on one bike no matter what you ride.  But when I asked about places he had been, he got a confused look on his face.  Where have I been?  To work and back.  He commuted on his bike, an admirable trait, but he had never gone anywhere.  And whereas he rode as many miles per year as I do, I had seen 48 states, and had memories of it.  I had seen America, he had seen I-15.  The same traffic, only broken up by different traffic jams.  I bet if his bike could speak, it would know the way back to the barn just like a horse does.  He may have even worn a path from work to home with it, just put your front wheel in the groove and let it wail-to work and back.  Still a lot of miles, just been nowhere.  How many times must he have asked “why does this road look familiar?”  And the answer is...

It has been said that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing, but expecting a different result.  In these examples, they may not have been insane, but do you ever tire of the same thing?  Were they stuck in a rut, a grave with both ends open, or were they in a comfort zone, knowing the text, just repeating it.  Like a Hollywood actor, who gets sick of playing the Fonz, and wants to do Shakespeare.  They have been stereotyped, not to the bad, but stuck in a comfort zone, never knowing what lies outside of it.  Achieving mediocrity is nothing we set out to do, and believe me, mediocrity has sounded good to me at times, but I want something to show for my time, for my miles.  I want to get out of a perceived comfort zone, and into living comfortably.  I don’t want to ever wonder where that road goes, I want to wander and find out.  I want to eat lobster in Maine, Philly cheese steaks in Philadelphia, and BBQ in Texas,Kansas City, and North Carolina to be able to tell the difference.  I want the full effect for my money, not the Readers Digest condensed version.  When I point my front wheel east, I want the Atlantic to be the only reason I stop, and the Pacific in the west.  I want to expand my comfort zone, with some excitement, and some challenges-not too big, just enough to make the day a pleasant memory.  I don’t wish to go down the same road over and over again and wonder why does this road look familiar?

And I have approached my life in Christ the same way.  I want all the blessings God has to offer, and He wants to give them.  Many times it is only us who doesn’t let Him bless us, and deny His grace.  For instance, how many times did you reject Jesus until you accepted Him and the blessings began?  How many times have you said no, or worse, delayed, missing a divine appointment, and never knowing it.  While travelling with Bruce in Canada, he once remarked “how come you find all the cool places and I don’t?”  Get out of your comfort zone, and get comfortable in Christ.  Dare to be stretched, dare to go where you have never gone before.  I have been to Long Beach in California, Washington, and New York, each night spent there different.  But it took the spirit giving me the desire, and then obeying it to find out.  The blessings that lie outside of your door only start there-but only if you open the door, and walk out and find out.  It takes trust, and trusting Jesus will open more doors to adventure and blessings-but you must get out of your comfort zone-and into His-the Holy Spirit.  Déjà vu may occur over and over, but in a different setting, on different roads, and with different people.  But you will never know until you go...what excuse are you making to rob yourself of blessings?  To know Jesus better...Eternal life started the day you accepted Him, He says “on earth as it is in heaven.”  Ask yourself, what about me would want anyone to be a Christian?  Do you have testimonies or excuses?  Where have your miles taken you?

Where you have been is a great testimony, but where you are going is a better one.  And who you do it with is even more important.Start with Jesus today.  The one road in life I wish to be familiar with.  And one that leads to so many blessings, and places I never knew existed.  You will only find your true comfort zone in Christ-get out of yours today and live.  The only road that doesn’t look familiar is one you never rode before.  And all great journeys begin with the first step.  So where have you been?  Better yet where are you going?  Once again for the very first time-it is all about Jesus.  Tough choices to make.. for I love Interstate BBQ in Memphis, Arthur Bryant’s in KC, and The Golden Rule in Birmingham.  But I would never know until I went there.  Set your heart to the travel channel with Jesus...and enjoy the new roads that someday will become familiar to you.  When riding becomes boring, maybe it is time to go for a ride.  Why does this road not look familiar?  I’m glad you asked...

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

1800 hours-a tribute to my wife and her motorcycle

Theresa and I recently passed a milestone in our lives, really our garage.  Maybe not a big deal, but still a deal to us.  Her 2002 Bonneville has now become the longest owned motorcycle we have ever owned.  It has now surpassed the FJ100 by one year, and 1000 miles.  A feat that seems to go unnoticed in our garage with the stream of press bikes that go in and out, but a milestone that is worth noting.  With over 75,000 miles, it represents over 1800 hours of seat time, a long time spent with any person, but a lot with one motorcycle.  And as 75,000 is a lot of miles, it is the roads, the rides, and the company ridden with that make the miles even more amazing.  And in a time when so many bikes are bought, not ridden, and then sold without memory, bought for love, and then sold for money, there are hours of memories here to look back on, while planning our next ride.  But it has taken commitment, much like a marriage does, starting with shopping for the right one, and then saying I do, when you sign on the  line.  You take an oath to love and obey-not necessarily the speed limits, to honor and hold-the curves, and to maintain her as needed.  Without a commitment, soon she gets old, and the new look so much better-thanks to the ads.  But after 1800 hours, the view over the handlebars still looks good, and the promise of the next ride still calls with excitement.  Fortunately so does my marriage, sadly many don’t have the bragging rights we do.  They have forsaken the commitment, fallen for a pretty face, rather than the time spent with the one you made the commitment to.  I am reminded of a pastor once who said, “next time you look at that pretty young thing, imagine her cooking for you, cleaning for you, picking up after you, and tending you when sick.  Hang on to what you have, it never looked so good.”

While it is so easy to look back on old rides, sometimes we have problems looking forward to what lays ahead.  Yesterday’s miracles are nice, but often we don’t look forward to the new ones with the same attitude.  11 years with any motorcycle is a lot, but when measured in memories rather than years or miles we can look at the time spent differently.  And we anticipate more miles, more memories, and more time riding-no matter how long it takes.  And we look forward to all the miracles to come...if only we looked at our marriages the same way.  I am glad I do, which to many is a miracle, and I can’t say there were times it wasn’t.  But it has taken the commitment of both of us, just like it has taken the commitment with her Bonneville.  Maintenance, which often seemed expensive, but is still cheaper than repairs.  New tires, chains and sprockets, and oil changes have kept it running great.  She still shines and we take great satisfaction when someone cannot believe her age-the bike’s, not Theresa’s.  Although she looks younger to me every day-love will do that.  But even the time and money spent has been an investment, rather than a cost, and we have the rewards to show for it.  If only we took the care in our marriages that we take on our bikes-to some I see it is a miracle either one is still around and running.

So to those who feel marriage is not important, I find Jesus showing it is the most important relationship after our relationship with Him.  Goes all the way back to Adam, and Eve.  So it only makes sense that Jesus’ first miracle was at a wedding, and His last one will complete the marriage.  He turned the water into wine as His first miracle, wine signifying joy, and how it is available as soon as we make the commitment to Him.  The best was saved for last, it got better rather than worse as the feast went on.  But marriage takes that commitment, and just like a Jewish bride, we don’t know the time of His return, the time our groom comes for His bride-us, the church.  So we must honor the commitment we made with Him, keeping it well maintained, fresh, and alive.  We must do things that we must even when we don’t want to, and look forward to the coming service-the final miracle for those who believe here on earth-the one that takes us to heaven, to be with Jesus forever.  And what seems like a big deal now will all make sense, and will pale in comparison to what awaits us.  A life in Christ-and filled with miracles.  Some as small as pushing the starter button and the bike starts-some as big as keeping you safe in the stormy weather.  Some so mundane as our daily grind, that without His daily bread would even seem more miraculous.  But it is the time and energy, the commitment we bring to the relationship that adds life to it.  The closer to Jesus, the more miracles we see.  It is written, these things shall follow them that believe.  Maybe what is following you tells more about who or what you believe than you care to share.  It is like the worn out Bible-it shows of a life that isn’t.  And just one look at the Bonneville shows more miles than the patina shows. 

An old ad once claimed “pay me now, or pay me later.”  Maybe with an old engine, but not in life.  There is no later, just too late.  So honor your commitment to your ride today, and it will honor you.  1800 hours in 11 years-not bad.  Honor the commitment to your spouse even more, and watch as she honors you.  Treat her like lady, she will be one.  Give yourself to her, just like Jesus gave Himself for His church.  But put and keep Jesus first.  Many bikes are shiny, and don’t show the miles, mainly because they haven’t been anywhere-and aren’t going anywhere.  Keeping Jesus first will take you places you never dreamed of, a miracle in itself.  He will add life to the miles, and miles to your life.  1800 miles of memories, just don’t forget the 6 hours it took Jesus on the cross.  Another miracle-just for you.  Maybe go out and take a 6 hour ride-doing it in remembrance of Him.  A communion of riding, just you and Jesus.  Looking back on what He has done, and eagerly anticipating heaven.  Only In Him will you be able to remember the past, but the future too.  Another milestone just waiting to happen.  So much Jesus-it’s gonna take a lot of time.  1800 hours just the beginning.  The next milestone eagerly awaits.  Who you ride with makes all the difference.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

the less than perfect motorcycle

After riding for 45+ years, I have sat on more than one motorcycle seat.  Some welcome your tushy, with an ahhh, but after 20 minutes, you start to curse it.  Some have buttons on them for style, which after a while are like sitting on a nail-pointy side up.  And some are hard, like my Corbin, but are comfortable after all day.  But the common theme is, why can’t a company who can build a bike that goes 150 mph, build a seat that you can sit on comfortably?  And while the motor is arguably the heart of the motorcycle, I think there is a relationship between heart and seat that grandmothers know about, but bike builders don’t.  I have watched so many grandmas pat their grandchildren on the bottom, declaring “bless your little heart,” telling maybe there is more of a relationship between your heart and where you sit than we give credit to. My old friend Brett used to comment that on my Z-1 the only reason they covered the seat was so it wouldn’t rust.  If only the manufacturers knew this.  Pass this along if you know one, no matter how fast, if I can’t sit on it for very long, that ain’t cool!

Another thing missing from today’s ultra modern bikes is a place to hang your helmet.  NO matter how long you ride, you will stop, and only nerds carry their helmets everywhere to show they ride.  If you can’t tell by the leather jacket, bugs on my shirt, and my helmet head I ride, you aren’t worth impressing.  And some of us don’t wish to carry our $900 Arai everywhere, and would like a place to hang it on the bike.  On the Thruxton I rode last week, it had no provisions, I finally had to tie it to the rear foot peg stanchion, leaning it against the muffler.  Hope I didn’t hurt the muffler.  But outside of baggers claiming they can hold a full face helmet, places to hang your helmet are few and far between.  Is anybody listening?

No matter how much or where you ride, you need to stop, and maybe lube your chain, or change a tire, or even just turn it around.  Remember center stands?  You are over 35 if you do, they suddenly disappeared when weight became the object, saving 4 pounds, and removing them made one less thing to drag in corners.  Old /5 BMW’s used to balance perfectly on them, both wheels off the ground, and how easy to check the air in the tires when you can spin the wheel.  They also make it easy to spin your bike around  on, when you want to ride off-much like I used to use the hand brake for u-turns in my old MG.  Sadly they also made the self retracting side stand, allowing you to come back and find your prized ride on its side.  Swing it around, sit on the comfy seat, helmet on-ride off.  The perfect motorcycle.  But sadly today we are face with great technology, performance far beyond what we have dreamed of, yet we are left with a less than perfect motorcycle, missing the three things above.  When I look at my old 1978 GS1000, which has a comfy seat, helmet hooks, a center stand, and can go 120 before I shift into 5th, I wonder, how far have we really come?  Why could they do this 35 years ago, but can’t now?  Or is it maybe a don’t, since you can buy center stands, even for the Thruxton, and most bikes do have places to hang helmets, if you are creative enough.  Thank God for Corbin and other custom seat makers-bless their little hearts.

Maybe if we took the attitude of Nehemiah, instead of complaining to each other, we may make an impact.  Too much complaining among each other, and to those who cannot make a difference.  Why go to others, when you need money who are just as broke as you?  Especially when you can go right to God, who has the means to provide, He doesn’t have a committee to report to, or a budget to keep.  He understands comfort, a place to hang cares, and the need of ease like a center stand for your  life.  So after seeing the problem he as faced with, Nehemiah mourned.  We complain.  To each other.  Pity parties, no one ever comes to mine.  But he turned God.  His problem was only a country to rebuild.  But his prayer shows us a simple way to go to God with our problems.  First he faced the facts, no matter how unpleasant.  We tend to lie a little when asked “how are you?”  like God can’t see.  Your friends aren’t so blind either.  After recognizing his condition, he turned from his sin, acknowledging it, knowing God would forgive him.  Get all of the junk out of the way.  That’s confidence, try that one with a tight service manager who tells you they all do that when you complain.  He then reminded God of His promises, that He would rebuild Israel, just like  Jesus promises to meet all our needs according to HIS riches and glory.  A factory warranty for life.  How soon we forget after being turned down for a loan, I must have that new motorcycle!  Even if it is uncomfortable, it is fast, so I won’t have to sit so long on the seat.  Of course, we would never rationalize anything like that.  But we argue and whine, just in case God was busy and didn’t hear.  Maybe we are too busy and didn’t listen.  He then gave Him a specific request.  Know this-if God gives you the desire, He will fulfill it.  Maybe you need a new ride, but God knows you don’t need the payments.  And if you are patient, will provide, the right bike for you, comfy seat, a place to hang your helmet, and a center stand.  If God can design a create us, don’t you think He just might be able to design and create a motorcycle just for you?  35 years ago my old Suzuki hit on all 4, something God has been doing since the beginning.  Maybe there is a certain relationship between heart and bottom that only a grandmother can express, maybe have her write to Honda and tell them.  But for things that demand attention, call on God.  Jesus rides, and for 2000 years I haven’t heard Him complain.  Maybe the perfect seat is that close, and we just have missed it.  Three little things that make the less than perfect motorcycle the perfect ride.  Now if we can only work on the rider...leave that one to God.  He created us, who better to improve upon us.  Just think, Adam was perfect in the beginning before sin.  I wonder if his motorcycle had any problems?  When sin entered the world it didn’t stop with him.  It continues on today.  Maybe Nehemiah’s prayers are worth listening to.  If I remember, his results were just like God promised.  And all I ask for is the three things for my new bikes, found on my old one.  Evolution of the species-is it? Or do you see how creationism is true.  Maybe we are faster, but are we better?  In the beginning starts right now with Jesus...

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com