two if by land

We pulled into the parking lot at the Lodge at Crater Lake after along days ride.  The cooler air felt good, and nowhere, not even Lake Tahoe can compare with the blue of the Lake.  We had just gotten off and were stretching when an SUV driven by a mother and filled with kids pulled up next to us.  Getting out she took one look at us and asked “wanna trade?”  Maybe it was the altitude, maybe the car load of boys, but I like to think it was the motorcycle.  The others were just the catalyst, but she saw the freedom of the ride.  We never exchanged pleasantries, and just nodded, but so much was said in so few words.  Such is the freedom of riding.  And even after a long ride, a good stretch, a Tootsie Roll and a Coke later, we would look forward to getting back on the bike and riding again.  No such remedy awaited her in the car.  Adjust the seat and mirror, turn on the AC, pop in a CD and they would be off.  The only seat adjustments we would make would be leaning in the curves, the cool air refreshing us as it surrounded us at speed, and the triple making beautiful music as we ran it through the gears.  No one riding ever asked anyone in an SUV “wanna trade?”

Talking with a man one afternoon, he was bragging about all the places he had been.  He talked of cities in the US of A, Detroit, St. Louis, Denver, Miami, and other metro areas.  I kept up with him, mentioning roads taken along he way, and he lost interest.  Bummed, then upset.  For he had flown to all these places, many on vacation, but yet could not identify with any of the places I had been.  He had flown from airport to airport, taxied to his motel, but never seen the city.  Another taxi ride at night for dinner, and guided tours of tourist places dotted his itinerary.  He had been there, but hadn’t been anywhere.  He saw nothing more than what he could have seen in a brochure or website.  We had been to the same cities, but much different cities.  He flew over the Arch in St. Louis, I parked my bike under it.  He flew into Detroit, we rode through it.  He never felt the loss of power at a mile high in Denver, we did as we rode into it, and over the mountains to the west.  He never felt the humidity of Miami, except for a brief walk from taxi to club, we later enjoyed the AC in our room after riding in the heat.  He  bought postcards, Theresa took pictures.  Which trip would you rather take? Which one makes you want to go again, anywhere?  Does a sight of an airport make you hunger for a trip, or does just walking past your motorcycle in the garage call out to you to ride?  Anywhere?  Any time?  Why not call in sick and ride for therapy?  Have you ever seen  a motorcycle parked in front of a travel agency?

So when traveling we prefer two if by land.  Cars are optional, we took a trip a few weeks back in the Mustang, and riding in a car is a novelty to us.  But we missed riding, meeting the people, and filling up for half price.  We were in air conditioned comfort, no helmet head, no bugs, and lots of luggage courtesy of the trunk.  And I wished I was on a motorcycle the whole time.  One trip through Texas from California to New Jersey expressed it best.  Stopping for gas outside Amarillo the wind was blowing, raining hard, and it was cold.  I had to lean against my bike to steady it as I filled it, the wind was so bad.  Looking over at the next pump was a Lincoln filled with people, the windows fogged from their breathing.  My only thought was no way would I want to trade.  Even in the rain and wind, it was an easy choice.  I fact it was no choice at all.  And taking off the weather didn’t seem to matter any more....it was all about the ride.  Two if by land....

Even with a passenger, with limited communication, you can feel like you are riding alone.  But even riding single, I am never by myself.  Jesus promised that if he went away, he would send a helper.  A friend to guide us, he tells his disciples in John “I will not leave you as orphans.”  They had to be afraid, he had warned them of his death, and being with him they could face death too.  But he would not abandon them, and he had to die so he would be resurrected.  Only dead things that once had life can be resurrected.  But until he returned for us he promised us the Holy spirit to guide us.  Described as the comforter, counselor, and friend.  A prayer partner so you can never be alone, for wherever two or three are gathered Jesus is among us.  Need an amen, the spirit is there.  Maybe just amen what the spirit tells you-even better.  So I never ride alone.  Never eat alone, and never get lonely.  I may ride by myself but I am never alone.  The spirit of the Lord is with me.  And until we are called home to heaven, the spirit is with us. 

And loves to communicate with us.  While praying one afternoon, I looked back on a trip I had just taken, and found myself in prayer telling Jesus all about it.  Guided by the spirit, he was with me in every turn, and I felt like I had shared precious time with a good friend.  All prayer is not about asking for help, share some of your times with Jesus.  If he had a Facebook page, would you friend him?  Go deeper in you relationship guided by the spirit.  We fellowship with others, do we ever fellowship with Jesus?  Think of the tales he could tell us of his travels, and if he asked us “wanna trade?” I gladly would give my sin over to him again for his presence in my life.  Heaven awaits, but we don’t need to be in heaven to spend time with him.  The spirit is willing, are you?

At the day of Pentecost 3000 came to the Lord as the spirit was unleashed.  3000 individuals found Christ.  Personally.  One on one, and it is the same today.  One on one.  You are never alone with Jesus in your life.  God is still pouring out his spirit, and wants you to have all he has for you.  Until that day when Jesus returns, we are never alone.

So next time someone asks “are you in the Word?” answer like I do, “is the Word in you?”  Jesus is the Word, and he left his spirit to be in us.  Are you guided by words or the Word?  Some read about Jesus, I want to experience all he has.  I want to see more of him in my life, and in yours.  To share testimonies of him in our lives.  And even when not riding, prefer two if by land.  Four wheels move the body, two wheels move the soul.  Riding and living in the spirit-get all God has for you today.  The spirit is willing....wanna trade?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

living in a world of dirty shovels

It took me a few times to understand the movie The Maltese Falcon.  A few years too young to see it on the big screen in a theater, I have the luxury of channel surfing until something comes along I like, and most of my viewings of it have been like that.  Missing the beginning a standard theme, so never getting the full effect.  Some day I hope to, but for now I have seen the middle and end many times.  And each time get deeper involved.  It is essentially about a group of people chasing after the mythical Maltese Falcon, a jewel encrusted bird.  From sea to shining sea, and beyond them, characters like Miss O’Shaughnessy, The Fat Man, and Joel Cairo chasing after it.  When Miss O and then Cairo enlist Sam Spade, played by Bogie, it gets even more interesting, and the hunt intensifies.  Following various leads, they will do anything to find it, including murder, forming an alliance with each other, and eventually selling each other out after implicating Spade.  And when they finally capture a bird, and discover it is a fake, they shrug, and go off after the next lead to find it.  Miss O going to jail for murder.  And when Sam’s secretary asks him what is so important about the bird, he replies “it is the stuff that dreams are made of.”

Centuries ago a young man named Alex set out to conquer the world.  And in doing so, at least what he thought was the world, became bored when he thought there were no more lands to conquer.  And subsequently died, unfulfilled.  Maybe a seasoned writer/philosopher Sam Clemons, aka Mark Twain was right when he wrote 150 years ago “the only thing worse than not getting your heart’s desire is getting your heart’s desire.”  Many are in it for the thrill of the hunt, and today we see it at collector car auctions, where lifelong collections are sold off, and the old owner going on to something else.  People changing careers because they cannot go any higher up in rank.  Athletes, although rarely, quitting at their peak.  And sadly many giving up on God, after they feel he has done all he can for them.  Or met all their desires.  Or even worse when they feel he hasn’t lived up to their expectations.  Very popular.  And then they go searching for another god, or another form of godliness, falling short of salvation only found in Jesus Christ.  It seems there is always someone, or some group willing to take them in, and satisfy their curiosity, while robbing them of their souls.  Such groups come under the guise of religion, some even use the name of Jesus in their name, some deny his deity all together, but claim to be God’s witnesses, and some are just plain deceitful.  Leaving the one who is seeking at a loss.  Only Jesus saves, all the others are false gods, leading to destruction.

Living in New Mexico I dealt with many Indian tribes, where tent revivals were popular.  And the Indians would just add their theology to the list of what they already had.  In institutions we see Monday night Baptists, Tuesday Catholics, Wednesday Church of Christ, Thursday Mormons, and Friday Lutherans, each with a specific spin on God.  Some claim you need good works, some by joining their church, some by obeying the rules they set forth, and some by just baptism.  Forgetting that only Jesus saves, and many fall prey to religion, denominations, and churches, when they really are seeking God.  Who may or may not be found in any of them.  It takes the spirit to lead you to Christ, religion binds you to rules, no freedom there, and rob you of salvation.  Only in Jesus do you find the “person that dreams are made of,” yet many are in it for the hunt, an intellectual or theological affair, or to prove God wrong.  Changing the Bible, adding to it, or even denying it is the Word of God, making it sound good, but leaving out Jesus. 

Today the culture screams to get along with each other, just so long as you agree with them.  Just like their free speak belief, just as long as you believe in their words, and not your own.  Deny God, join the club, and be popular.  And maybe even obtaining a form of godliness, but never getting God with it.  And for those who speak against their heresy, they are labeled hate mongers, bigoted, and judgmental.  All by the ones who are guilty of it themselves.  Maybe we need to take Bob Lutz’s advice, automotive legend with GM, Chrysler, and BMW, “don’t be afraid to call a spade a dirty shovel.”  And we live among a world of dirty shovels, trying to rob us of our joy of knowing Jesus, knowing the enemy, and then identifying him are two different things.  Anything that denies Jesus is a dirty shovel.  Same with religion that tells you “only our way.”  Churches are no better, substituting for a relationship with Christ, and too many attend church faithfully, with no faith in Jesus ever placed.  The pastor is the man, not Jesus. 

But calling a spade a dirty shovel will get you into trouble socially.  The truth may set you free, but in a world of false beliefs, and filled with dirty shovels, a clean one stands out.  And any time you take a stand for something, including Jesus, you become a target.  Just like scripture tells you will happen.   From jokes, to being made fun of, to being persecuted, choosing Jesus makes you an enemy of the world.  And of the dirty shovels.  But you can know the truth and be set free, but only in Jesus.  No works added, only Jesus.  No special services, donations, or cultic practices-only Jesus.  And the good news is, if you are a dirty shovel, he can make you a clean one.  Are you still seeking a Maltese Falcon in your life, or are you seeking God?  Do you want forgiveness along with joy and peace, with heaven thrown in, or do you believe this is all there is and you die and that is it.  Don’t give up hope, turn to Jesus, and make it real.  Chanting the names of the Lord will not set you free, it is rumored that up until his death George Harrison hoped he would get to heaven, but wasn’t sure in his beliefs.  Only in Christ are you assured the truth. 

Seek and you will find.  God that is in Christ.  Reality tells us that you will never be rich enough, thin enough, or have all the toys.  Don’t believe that stupid saying “he who dies with the most toys wins.”  He still dies, and cannot take his toys with him.  Believe in someone who can resurrect you upon death, who can guide you through the maze of Falcons that try to deter you, don’t try to gain the world only to lose your soul.  When dirty shovel theology comes at you, know the truth, and Jesus is that truth.  Be set free.  Be born again.  Be assured of heaven upon death.  Know Jesus and know peace.  “Just the facts,” one Joe Friday tells us.  Be the Sam Spade among the dirty shovels, and know the truth and let him set you free.  All others keep looking....only in Jesus will you find” the person that dreams are made of.”

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

reach out and touch someone

Way back in BC days, Before Cellphones, we used to talk on a land line.  To me still the most reliable, as a few years back I came upon a biker in an accident, and he had no cell coverage.  I had to go to 3 farmhouses, some 20 miles, to finally get a land line for an ambulance.  And I was amazed at how easily I got through, because the farmers were on a party line, a shared line, not the pay per minute 976 numbers many use today.  I picked up the phone, dialed, no push buttons here, and soon a person came on the other end, we talked, not texted so I could answer questions quickly, and soon he was on his way to the hospital ER.  Truly technology was a good thing, but it didn’t work where there are no cells for phones.  A device we take for granted, personal they even call them, with no party lines in sight.

When I was a teenager the phone was important.  Still in the dial up era, in 8th grade for good grades my parents got me an extension phone I my room, with push buttons-suddenly it was 1968!  And got rid of the party line, which cost them an extra dollar a month.   But maybe an explanation of what a party line is will help here.  Think of a party line as one number with different extensions.  Each number being an extension, but you can only call that extension when the other lines are open.  If someone else on the party line is on it, you cannot call out, and the caller gets a busy signal. Which makes it hard to get through sometimes, it seems someone is always on the phone.  And even 37 years ago when first married and living at Vallecito Lake, we had a party line. Which we paid for by the mile, 27 miles from town.  Which beat walking down to the phone booth, more evidence of days gone by, and stand in the cold and snow.  Today everyone except for me has a cell phone, with call waiting, texting, and voice mail.  Which makes it possible to talk on the phone without ever talking to a real person.  And we consider that communicatin?  So much for the old ad “reach out and touch someone, reach out and just say hi,” and they call them personal. Impersonal is more like it.  Which may explain why so many don’t get it when you tell them about a personal relationship with God through Jesus.  God is just a text message away...and they can text in church, you know who you are.  And never have to talk or listen to God.  But long before phones, God provided a way to talk to and with us.  Called prayer, it receives and both sends messages from the heart.  Spoken and unspoken.  Better than any text, and you always get through.  And so does God, yet many have put him on mute.  Or don’t want to hear from him, or when they do don’t like his answer.  Bad coverage they claim, yet the system isn’t the problem, they are.

And God has made it easy.  One way to him, only through Jesus Christ.  Which some call narrow minded.  Don’t all roads lead to God?  Don’t all phone calls get through?  There are no party lines to God, no call waiting.  And he makes it easy with Jesus. One way.  Only one number to remember.  One person to call.  And he is so caring and loving, he gets every call exactly as you place it.  And answers to, if only we didn’t put him on hold.  Many ways to God is a lie, and only can cause confusion.  What if God was on a party line?  And you poured your heart out to some stranger, or strange God who led you astray?  Which is why God has only one way, so we don’t get led astray.  What part of easy don’t you get?  Yet many don’t want the personal communication, and suffer for it.  Jesus is the way, the life.  The only way to God.  If only your cell phone had one number and it was his.  Yet many prefer to try other methods and wonder why they never get an answer.  Someone else intercepted the call, and the answer they get back will not be from God.  It might sound good, but only God’s people know his true voice.  How many calls can you identify without looking to see who it is because you cannot identify the voice?  Is this like your prayer life?

So God sent Jesus.  One way, one call, and his line is always open for you.  If it has been awhile, call him right now, he would love to hear from you.  And he also wants us to hear from him.  He calls it communication, a dialogue not a monologue.  Where both participate.   The Bible calls it prayer, and we need it daily, and Psalm 1 tells us to be filled with joy if we meditate, hang out, or communicate with him daily.  And so we have come a long way from party lines.  But has your prayer life?  Are you even basing your salvation on a party line and not a direct line?  Jesus still reaches out and touches lives, let him touch you today, be that someone who he touches.  Just say hi, he would love to hear from you.  Do we want to hear from him?

Long before telecommunications of any level were, Jesus was.  And God established communication early in history with Adam.  One on one.  And that type of communication with God is still available today.  His number is Jesus, just call out and he will answer.  And as you get to know his voice, and get to know him, pretty soon you talk of many things more personal.  And you find that true prayer, true communication with God involves listening too.  And hearing his voice will sound so good, in times of distress and even the good times.  Jesus was the original app, and no device needed.  Remember that next time someone tells you there are many ways to God.  Give him the number that gets them through.  And call him often yourself.  He loves to hear from you.  I hope you love to her from him,too.

Now I regards to pay phones....

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

see the USA on your BSA, or why I rather ride

Talking with Jeff, the owner of the Black Lightning Motorcycle Café, a must stop if you ever feel the desire for lousy weather and end up in Eureka, he mentioned he had 6 motorcycles, but only one ran. The others were works in process.  Long ago a friend after seeing my FJ1100 told me he had one too, only a year newer.  I was excited as I knew no one else who had one, but his bike turned out to be a salvage job, rattle can painted, and almost embarrassing to be seen with.  A work in process, I was reminded why we have salvage titles, and insurance companies total bikes.  Yet on another ride through Boulder Canyon when we first were married, we came upon a young guy on an old BSA.  Not sure where he was from, or where he was going, that day it was nowhere.  His bike wouldn’t run, but as he told me, “if I can borrow your tools, I can fix it.”  I was on a new R100S BMW at the time, and BMW’s were known for their fantastic tool kits.  I was about to agree, when seeing a pair of vice grips welded onto the shifter made me change my mind.  Plus I rather spend time with Theresa who was with me, than with this work in process on the side of the road.  See the USA on your BSA, but before setting out, make sure it is running.  I mumbled something, but my excuse was “ not even BMW makes tools that can fix that.”  He smiled and agreed. 

It was called Summer Jam, a summer festival in Watkins Glen, New York, the summer of 1973.  The Dead, The Band, and The Allman Brothers, in a mini-Woodstock setting.  BH and I rode for hours after work, and got close, about 100 miles was the closest we would get that night, due to traffic.  But at one Y intersection, sat a BMW with the rear tire off.  It was flat, and he had no flat repair kit.  I did, I was on an R60/5 at the time, so we stopped to help.  Cars whizzed by at 10mph as we sat in the dirt changing it, I got it done in a few minutes, not my first flat rodeo, and he laid it by his bike taking a break before putting it back on.  And then a car came by, too close, almost hitting us, but running over the wheel, bending it into a V shape...he waved us on, he knew his ride was over.  Another work in process.  So it seems, no matter the intention, so many of those who ride, ride a motorcycle that is a work in process.  Me, I rather ride than wrench.  And God gave me poor wrenching skills to enforce it.  A fact I am grateful for many miles over.

But before you set out to see the USA on your BSA, or Honda, Triumph, Harley, or Kawasuzimaha, it is always a good idea to have your bike running properly, in good tune, and god tread on your tires.  As I watched my neighbor, a multi-bike rider leave yesterday on one of his bikes with cord showing on his rear tire, his other ride in pieces, I make note how I have left on long trips with some tread remaining, but replace the tires anyway.  Cheaper and safer, along with peace of mind.  But sometimes a spur of the moment ride happens and you can’t.  And you hope you will be OK, and make it back on the tread left.  If only by the grace of God, and it has happened.  We took off on a Labor Day weekend, again on the R100S, riding through Colorado.  Back when cycle shops were closed on Sundays and Mondays, Saturday found my tire needing more tread, Sunday was getting dangerous, and we were still 700 miles from home.  Monday was a holiday, with no chance any bike store being opened, but we came upon a Western Auto in Bromfield, where he didn’t have a tire, but his friend had a Suzuki shop.  Would a Suzuki tire fit on a BMW?  And he called his friend, who came down, opened up, sold me a tire, and using my toolkit, I had it on in minutes, and we were on the road safely again.  Some might call it luck, we knew it was God.  We trusted, even with little faith, but our God is mightier than that.  He provided, and still provides.

Many times Jesus greeted his disciples by telling them to “be of good cheer,” and in the Garden, who told them “do not let your hearts be troubled, trust in God and also trust in me.”  It had to be scary for them, seeing the soldiers coming for Jesus, and maybe for them too, but they found comfort and peace by trusting him.  Sometimes our thoughts of what can happen will scare us, make us make bad decisions, and worry us to death.  Maybe they had considered dying with him, a scary thought, but even scarier was living on without him.  They could not bear to live or die without him.  Such trust is often forgotten when looking at these men, but they gave up everything to follow him, and from faith, to obedience, to trust, they learned they couldn’t live without him, and couldn’t face death without him either.  They were works in process, but in that process had built a relationship of trust, of dependence, and of love with Jesus.  But still the words Jesus spoke reminded them, as he does us, to trust in him.  When the tires  are flat, the bike won’t start, or we start off on a ride when we shouldn’t, he goes with us.  But three little words he spoke should encourage us, and guide us in our decisions.  “Do not let...” it is our decision to follow him, also our choice to worry and not trust.  A matter of the heart.

And having had open heart surgery, I know about “let not my heart being troubled,” as I trust more than ever before.  You don’t have to go through what I did to trust, you can start now with easy things.  Trials and tests will come, but Jesus has overcome, and so have we.  If we trust.  My tire was worn out that day, but God had prepared a new one.  Read Isaiah 65:24, God is answering before we ask.  Do you trust him that much?  Do you trust Jesus?  Funny how we trust him for salvation, but begin to worry when things don’t go our way.  But to some that find the gospel a secret, God reveals himself through Jesus, all the resources and power of a living God are available through Christ Jesus.  Not a secret, because now you know.  To some a new revelation, to those who are saved a reminder.

Jesus Christ is the cure for troubled hearts.  Also troubled rides, troubles along the ride, and in every situation.  He is the toolkit of life, and I never go riding without him.  Only God knows what is ahead, and we cannot ride without him.  And will not.  Such is trust, we like him along.  And for the blessings also of his presence.  Face it life is scary, and on a bike they are all out to get you.  We must carry insurance, I choose to carry Jesus with me also.  I prefer to be of good cheer rather than worry.  So “do not let your heart be troubled,” you can choose Jesus too.  Three little words from Jesus that can change your life, and you ride. 

Ride your own ride, but never ride alone.  Trust me, I know.  Because I know Jesus.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

the statute of liberty

There she stands in all her majesty, the Statue of Liberty, telling all the world to send your downtrodden, and she will welcome them.  And welcome them we did and do, for except for some who were already here, and had to emigrate from somewhere east of here after the flood of Noah, we are all immigrants.  And maybe that is what makes this great US of A so great, we have so many cultures that have been molded into one, that of an American citizen.  But to be one, as you gain something you also give up something.  You bring your heritage, but mold it into being an American, and even Rough Rider, then President Teddy Roosevelt, who spoke softly and carried a big stick, denounced hyphenated Americans.  No Afro-Americans, who were brought here as slaves by other blacks-Muslim traders, no Indian Americans, no Italian Americans, no German Americans, or even English Americans.  We are Americans, and despite our differences, we are still Americans first.  E Pluribus Unum, from many one.  Yet today as the Gay colors are promoted at the White House, as many bemoan the Confederate flag, and bring dishonor to Robert E. Lee, whose wife’s family owned Arlington National Cemetery and donated it, to Indians in Cleveland, Redskins in Washington, Yankees in New York, and Devils in New Jersey, we are all Americans.  But whose very existence is being destroyed from within.  Unconquerable as a military might, except for weak presidents, we are rotting from within, and like no other great nation in history, will not be conquered, but fall from within from sin.  When God shed his grace on thee, it made us the richest and strongest and at one time the most moral nation in history, and also the longest.  But today as our morals crumble, as sin becomes legal, and freedom of religion has become freedom from religion, our very nation is threatened.  No nation, no might, no power can undo to us what our lack of morals is and is doing.  The huddled masses once welcomed legally now over run our nation, mocking those who become citizens legally, bringing their heritage, and expecting us to change to it.  My first question is, if your country is so great, your heritage so valuable, why do you flee it and come here illegally?  Is yours an heritage of breaking laws?  Is that what you bring to us?  To your future generations?  And the results are there for all to see.  And make no doubt about it, this is not a political statement, nor a racist one, but one based on morals.  Biblical values, and the Word of God.

Studied theologists will tell you that America nowhere is mentioned in the Bible.  And in particular in the last days we are in, America will not exist.  Where and how we will be is never mentioned.  But the greatest nation in the history of the earth will have vanished...because of moral ruin.  We will never be conquered, but will fall prey to sin.  When the statute of liberty is sin, and sin rules, and Godly folks do nothing, we are done.  Finished.  And sadly no one will be left after the final Armageddon to read of us.  For a new heaven and a new earth will be created by God, the original creator of heaven and earth, and all past will be gone.  It won’t matter if there even was a US of A.  Behold, all things will be made new.  Including us, if you have believed in Jesus Christ.  For the rest, you get your wish.  Ruled by morals, God will honor your request.  All the laws you once made to have freedom will end up taking it away.  Scripture tells us “where the spirit of the Lord is there is liberty,” and denying Christ means denying liberty.  No freedom in any other spirit than the Lord’s.  So beware, when God tells it is “not by might, not by power, but by my spirit,” he knows of what he talks.  Are you listening? 

A Persian woman new to America once wanted to know my ancestry.  She wasn’t satisfied with American, she wanted to know where my family was from.  And she didn’t like my answer.  I told her if she insists, it is where I am going, and my name is written in the Book of Life, declaring my citizenship in heaven, making me a Heaven-American.  Emphasis on heaven, for we are told we are sojourners, travelers here but for a short time, passing through.  Long life here pales in contrast to eternity, but the decisions we make here have eternal consequences. 

There is no freedom in the law, it only exposes our weakness and our sins.  You cannot have a statute of liberty.  It comes from within, only from Jesus Christ and cannot be taken from you.  And men have tried, to the point of his death on the cross, and for three days, the original 3 day weekend, they partied.  But when his grave was found empty, and he had risen, and was seen by over 500, the truth was there to see.  Some denied it, and even deny him today, but the truth is still the truth, even if you fail to recognize it.  And so we live in the US of A, E Pluribus Unum, from many one.  And we still have time to turn to Christ, God is that patient.  But we need to turn to the eternal E Unum Pluribus, from one many.  And that one is Jesus Christ.  From one many will be saved.  A great nation based in heaven, but recruited here on earth.  Are you listening?  Or are you still bound by sin, claiming your actions are legal under the law?  But still sin to God.  And the wages of sin will always be death.  There is no statute of liberty, only Jesus will take in the homeless, the poor, the downtrodden.  No statue can bring hope, no icon bring liberty.  Only in Jesus will you really be set free.  As the Black folks a generation used to sing, an old Black negro spiritual, “my God, my God, free at last, free at  last.”  Not based on where you are from, but where you are going.  Based on the freedom only found in Jesus.  And you can be set free today.

Maybe my friend Frank said it best.  From the US of A, the Union of South Africa, he and his family came here legally years ago.  Leaving a country divided by color and laws, and became an American citizen.  And was proud to tell everyone at a party we had.  His statement still sticks with me.  “Mike, I’m really an African American.  I have papers to prove it.  Those others, they really aren’t.”  By the way, Frank is redheaded and freckled.  And loves the Lord.  Now I ask you, are you free?  What is your freedom based on?

Today is the day of salvation.  Where you go after death is your choice.  Live like hell, you’ll go there.  But live for Christ, heaven awaits.  Time is running out...and no classes involved.  No government dictates, just a recognition of the deity of Jesus Christ.  Pilate saw no sin in him, but gave in to politics.  Heaven awaits those that believe.  What do you believe?  What are you waiting for?  My license may say I am an organ donor, but in truth I gave my heart to Jesus years ago.  Be an organ donor today, give your heart to Jesus.  From one many will be saved.  Be that one of many today. 

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

weekend with Bernie

After my first executive position with a secretary, who was Columbian and spoke no English except for “OK, Mike,” at my next job I had a real secretary.  Who spoke English, and I shared her with two others, than three.  Her name was Bernice, known as Bernie, and she was older than me, but not quite old enough to be my mother.  And at first I had trouble asking her to do things for me, because of her being older, but when reminded that I had no trouble asking my Mother things, interpreted as demanding, I got better at it.  And it was her job, and she was pretty good at it.  Particularly when having to juggle demands from four men, where maturity had skipped a generation.  My two bosses were both married, but womanizers, I tripped over one in safe light conditions with another woman, not his wife, and the other one said things in front of Bernie that made me embarrassed for her.  But she held her own, and as any good secretary does, a bit of mothering was involved.  She was very attractive, and would flirt enough with them just so they knew who was really in charge, while maintaining a certain dignity in the office.  She was tough enough that even the dirtiest jokes wouldn’t faze her, but ladylike enough that they would always apologize afterwards.  A mutual respect kept us all working together, and I was amazed at how anything ever got done, seems it was always play time, and work breaks followed coffee sessions that had lasted for hours.  If this was how big business was conducted, I wondered how anything ever got done.  I only hoped that my mother and father conducted themselves better at work and when out, for I would be embarrassed if my mother was talked to this way, and if my father talked to another woman this way.  Fortunately they never gave me a reason to worry.

Did I mention that Bernie was married?  And that she was coming up on her 20th wedding anniversary?  During the many coffee breaks we all shared together, we learned all about her husband Bob.  She loved him dearly, always bragged about him, and let the other two know that she was a one woman man, and he was it.  Monday mornings were filled with what “Bob and I” did  last weekend, and the other girls when gathering were always jealous of her and Bob, and their love for each other.  So when her 20th approached, they were making big plans, and she tantalized the girls with them, while chastising the other men for not showing love and respect for their wives.  Although we never met Bob, we all were in silent admiration of him, and Bernie.  And as the perfect weekend in the Catskills unfolded, she gave hints of her weekend to come.  It seemed every moment was choreographed, from arriving, to dinner, to Saturday’s activities, to Saturday night, when they would celebrate 20 years.  Jokes were made to her about consummating the marriage that night, but Bernie just shrugged them off, telling them they were jealous, while I just listened.  Saturday night was their night, and the weekend with Bernie was about to begin.

Now being the jokesters my two bosses were, they had to do something, but with the anniversary couple 200 miles away that presented a problem.  And their childlike minds were active for days, until when sitting in a meeting, Walter’s pager went off.  Remember Dr. Beeper on Caddyshack, just like that.  And the idea was born.  Walter would place his beeper in Bernie’s bag when she left, a bag she went everywhere with, and tell the service no calls for the weekend.  With only him being allowed to call.  And the plan was Saturday night at 1130, when per the schedule they would be back in their cottage, full of wine and romance, he would call.  Cruel but funny, depending on which side you were on.  And Walter giggled all day Friday waiting for Saturday night.  And at 1130 he called the beeper, and laughed himself to sleep.  And couldn’t wait until Monday morning to see Bernie’s face, and see how mad she was.  We all got to work before her, and she came in beaming after her perfect weekend.  She bragged about how everything was perfect, and when asked how Saturday night was, smiled and sighed, making me blush.  And as much as Walter tried to ply any words about the beeper going off, she never said a word.  Which drove him crazy, and after all day of wondering what wet wrong, confronted her with what he had done. 

It seemed the pager had gone off at 1130, just like planned, and did for almost 20 minutes.  They didn’t know what it was, and had called security, who finally found the pager after going through her luggage.  Bob was mad, Bernie madder, but they decided to play possum, and not say a word.  The joke would be ineffective if they got upset, so when the pager was found, and the security men asked her what she wanted to do with it, she requested a hammer, and the two beat it into pieces.  Placed it in a bag, and she gave it to Walter when he couldn’t hold out any longer.  The joke may have started out to be on her, but he had underestimated Bob, and got back  his pager in pieces.  Which he paid for, no questions asked, and sulked for days.  Not for the price of the pager, about $100, but that she and Bob had gotten the best of him.  The weekend with Bernie didn’t turn out like he planned, and all joking in the office was to cease for some time to come.  Walter had won a battle, Bernie won the war.  And for weeks would have her friends call Walter on his beeper at unopportune times, she had the final word.  Many times over.  Case closed.

When we talk of spiritual maturity, I often think of Walter and his immature prank he played on Bernie.  But more of how he ended up being the victim.  It has been said that paybacks are a &^*%^, so I find that I try to do unto others as I would have done to me.  And I don’t carry a beeper, or cell phone.  It seems when joking gets out of hand, someone gets hurt.  And our walk with Christ can be like that.  Satan cannot prevent us from becoming a Christian, but he can make our growth process painful.  By trying to divert our attention to anything or anyone but Jesus, when we don’t grow in Christ, we don’t mature in our walk.  We become disappointed, doubtful of God’s claims, and soon fall into bad company.  Stop fellowshipping with others, quit praying, reading the Bible, and caring for others.  We stumble, sometimes fall, and it takes a beeper going off in our lives to remind us of our salvation.  Paul refers to this as a “thorn in the flesh,” as a messenger sent from God to remind him to continually seek Jesus, and how we need him daily.  In all aspects of our life.  Yet this thorn is always from someone close to us, a fellow Christian who is struggling, has a wrong doctrine, or is jealous.  A friend, an evangelist once told me if it wasn’t for other Christians he would have no enemies, and many times that has proven true in my own walk.  But when I see how God has placed them there, how it turned me to him, I see how all things work out for me, just as scripture promises, because I love the Lord, and he has given me purpose.  Walter had provided a wake up call as a joke, God sends them to wake us up.  To get us back to him, to repent and go on. To mature in Christ, and to be an example to others.  We all laughed at the prospect of Bernie’s weekend, but secretly we were bothered by it afterwards.  A lesson to remember when plotting a joke.  And how when paybacks come, the joke wasn’t that funny.  You see we truly reap what we sow, so sow seeds of love, joy, compassion, all based on the love of Jesus Christ.  Let your attitudes and words reflect him in your life.  And when the weekends come, rest assured in his grace.  Safe in your salvation which can never be taken away from you.  Yes we will be tormented, doubt, sin and sin again, but we are forgiven.  And once our name is written in the book of life, it is there forever.  We may turn away, but Jesus sticks with us. 

So stay in the Word, stay in fellowship, and keep praying.  But listen to what the spirit has to say, and be guided by it.  And when the thorns torment your flesh, turn to Jesus.  It is us who stray, not him.  Sometimes it is a small thorn, but to me sometimes I feel like I fell into a sticker bush, but God ‘s grace is sufficient.   Just what I need, when I need it.  Someone rather than something.  It is in the tough times we grow, we mature in Christ.  Paul knew that, and rejoiced.  I know it, but have trouble rejoicing.  I’m still a work in process, immature, but saved.  The one who can give life, who gave you life is there to protect you.  And to heal the wounds from the thorns.  No one else can or ever will. 

Jesus Christ must be more than a Bible study.  More than a Sunday tradition, and more than a lifestyle.  When he is the center of your life you grow in grace.  It takes a commitment, one he has made to you.  As the saying goes “no pain, no gain.”  But we know that it was “his pain, for our gain.”  And if he suffered, we will too, but will be risen with him.  The world may put beepers in our lives to annoy, only God will turn them to times of glory.  And when he is glorified, we get the blessings.  So turn off all electrical devices for a minute, and concentrate on God.  Let him grow you in grace, be diligent about your relationship with him, and when the devil calls, turn to Jesus and say “it’s for you.” 

The parable of the weekend at Bernie’s.  The ad asked what’s in your wallet, it didn’t ask what is in your purse.  Jesus wants to know what is in your heart.  That beeping just may be the spirit calling you back to him.  And your answer is....

love with compassion,

Mike

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