better a Bible than a bomb

It was at a donor’s dinner at CBN that we got to meet Terry.  A man from my parent’s generation, he was a family man with a wife and daughter when he went off to fight in the Korean Conflict.  With memories firmly planted in his mind’s eye that was how he was to remember them, for Terry was wounded and took shrapnel in an eye and was blinded.  Suddenly the only world he would or could remember seeing was in 1952.  And he was a fascinating man to talk with, as he had no bitterness for what had happened.  But his view of the world was of some 60 years ago.  Mention cars and he would see Nashes, Kaisers, Frazers, Hudsons, Studebakers, and Packards.  All which don’t exist anymore.  Mention motorcycles it was Harley or Indian, maybe Triumph.  And while trying to define what a 1989 Ford Mustang looked like, he only had the cars of 1952 to relate to.  Women’s fashions were still of the early fifties to him, as were wide lapels for men and wing tip shoes.  Men wore hats, not the ball caps, but real hats, and many a woman would sport one too.  It was if someone shut the door to his sight that year, and all memories after that were based on before losing his sight.  He may not be able to see, but in his mind he still had a treasure trove of 35mm film that had been developed, but now the camera was empty.

Around the same time of Terry’s loss of sight, a man in Germany was trying to smuggle Bibles into East Germany, where he could have been executed for doing so.  His prayer, “God blind the eyes of them that are open,” was answered, and today Brother Andrew has delivered millions of tons of Bibles into countries where they are not allowed.  Two men depending on God for sight, and God’s answer was to allow both to be blinded for his glory.  One a guard at a border gate, the other Terry, who loved him.  But it was the prayer based on scripture to “open the eyes of the blind,” that Jesus answered in both cases.  One for a man blinded in war to see things clearer in the spirit, another to open the eyes of the blind to the gospel via smuggling God’s word.  And as scripture would tell us, “not all who are blind cannot see.” 

When Jesus healed the blind man who was blind from birth, it was a miracle.  Jesus was on the road and encountered him with his disciples, and after telling him to make mud and cover his eyes, he had sight.  He was blind from birth, but as we will see, God also opened his heart to Jesus, as he would at first answer “I do not know if he is good or bad, but I was blind and now I can see.”  Upsetting the Pharisees, who threatened to expel him from the temple.  His parents telling the Pharisees to confront him, he is of age, so they would not be expelled.  But this blind man who now had sight, who is never mentioned by name, argues back, telling them “he must be of God, for he did good.  No other person in history had been healed from blindness,” and of course Jesus did it on the Sabbath, cheesing them off even more.  And so expelled with his new found sight, he sought out Jesus.  And wanted to know God, and when Jesus told him who he was, the once blind man worshipped him.  He could see Jesus, but via the spirit God had also opened the eyes of his heart also.  God gave him a physical manifestation to prove the miracle of him being born again.  For all had known the man who was blinded from birth, who now could see and was worshipping God.

We don’t know what today will bring.  Terry never woke up that morning thinking this is the last sunrise I will ever see.  But his trust in God has made scripture come alive, as John 9 also tells us these words of Jesus, “neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God may be revealed in him.”  And in us too, as we were all blind to Jesus until the spirit opened the eyes of our heart.  No one woke up today and decided to find God or to risk life for smuggling Bibles.  It is the power of the spirit opening our eyes that changes us, and I am excited for heaven when we have perfect bodies again.  When all my heart will be God made instead of plastic, where Terry will see everything again, and the eyes of the blind who denied Christ have been opened.  What a day!  And revealed through a chance meeting over dinner with a blind man named Terry.  A divine intervention from a loving God to a fallen world.

What was the last thing you remember seeing before dozing off last night?  What if that was the last thing you saw?  But more importantly, who did you say Jesus was before you fell asleep?  We only know we were asleep after we wake up, not when sleeping.  And we only know we were sinners when the spirit convicts us.  And shows us we need Jesus.  And we can have him today no matter our physical, emotional, or lost spiritual condition.  Let him open your blind eyes to your heart today and see things clearly.  Jesus is the light of the world, and soon darkness is coming.  Without light we will all be blind, with Jesus we will see all we need to see.  Trust him today, it was prophesied that the eyes of the blind will be opened.  Close your eyes and what do you see?  Open them in the spirit and see all God has for you.  Life didn’t end when Terry lost his sight, it began when Jesus Christ came into his life.  Don’t wait, glasses or contacts won’t help, it takes the spirit to open those eyes.  Here’s mud in your eye...we are all born into sin, no need to leave without sight.  Some insight from the scriptures, and a man whose last sights were over 60 years ago.

Better a Bible than a bomb.  I think Terry would agree.  Amen to that.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

expert or enthusiast?

Whenever I meet someone from the New York Metro area I always ask “Mets or Yankees?”  And if you grew up back there, you know of what I speak.  You either love one team and hate the other, and it has always been that way.  Except for a void formed when both the Giants and Dodgers moved west, and for those who worshipped the National League, and locals had no one to turn to.  Moods, attitudes, family decisions, and other important things were based on if the Dodgers or Giants won.  My father took his first and only job in Scotch Plains based on the fact he could get the Dodgers on channel 9.  Dinner may be burned or late, but if your team won, all was forgiven.  But for four seasons this void left many fans with no local New York team, and the Yankees didn’t fill the void.  The Yankees were from the other league, and tradition was the Yankees vs. who in the World Series.  So when the Mets were formed for the 1962 season, baseball was officially back in New York, and all was well with the world again.  Win or lose, baseball was back, and the 40-120 first year Mets soon outdrew the Yankees in attendance.  Yankee fans knew all about the Yankees, true baseball fans knew all about the baseball.  And never confuse the two....

With the proliferation of Harley Davidson and their marketing genius comeback after Reagan helped bail them out via a tariff on imported bikes over 700cc’s, many today know all about the brand they worship.  Even rookies can tell a Pan from a Knuckle from a TwinCam, from the new Milwaukee Eight.  They know all about Harleys, but little else about motorcycling.  I expect an argument here, to prove my point name some other brands exist, that were and are thriving today, who outperform them everywhere else but the sales floor?  The Yankees might have been good for baseball, but they weren’t baseball, just as Harley is good for motorcycling, but they aren’t all motorcycling has to offer.  Triumph is back for 30 years now, and a premium brand.  Indian is back, again and again and again, hopefully for good, check out their new 750cc flat tracker.  Despite corporate managers dumping Buell from Harley almost ten years ago, Buell is making his EBR, again.  I rode one, fast but crude, what would you expect from a V twin based on Harley?  Harley’s decision at the time, it is easier to sell $3000 worth of chrome than to sell a bike that isn’t a Harley.  But motorcycling is alive and well, even if sales are down, with great models available form all makes, a Golden Age if you will.  And if you think that Harley and other type customers cannot be converted, check out any metric dealer’s used bike section, almost totally devoted to Harley Davidson, recent years, low miles, and priced much lower.  Only the few like my departed friend Glen would agree, other bikes are better, but I will only ride a Harley.  I happen to like all motorcycles, I choose to ride Triumphs, but also own a vintage 1978 Suzuki, and have ridden the new Indian Scout, various Yamahas, and all but a recent Ducati.  Like Spud at the Harley store, I have this thing called motorcycles, and I love them all.  Harley and other, BMW and other.  I ride, what’s your excuse?  Now if a Harley rider can convert to a motorcycle, can a Yankee fan convert to baseball?

Now while these civil wars exist within baseball and motorcycle, and cars, Ford vs. Chevy, with MOPAR an honorable mention, they should never exist within the church.  Paul warns of this in Romans, about those who may even appear to be Christians, quote scripture, and their pastor, but have an agenda to create a schism within the body.  We see them in groups with churches, who think their doctrine is best, for everyone.  They argue over ideas and will misquote scripture to prove their point.  Even using the words of Jesus against the church, telling that their belief is the only one, all others are blasphemy.  Not quoting, but misquoting Jesus, for things he never said.  Their way is the mark of a true believer, the rest of us aren’t Christians in their view.  They say if you have their mark of belief, if you believe like they do, then you are saved.  Cults, and certain denominations are like this, they do not serve Christ, but their own selfish needs, boosting themselves up using flattering words, presenting an image, and an air of superiority if you believe like they do.  They take one aspect of Christianity and build a religion around it, they may talk and act spiritual, but inside are ravenous wolves, and need to be avoided. 

Now unlike supporting your favorite team, or motorcycle, we tend to be competitive in what we believe.  Yet Paul tells us do not take them on from the pulpit or one on one.  Avoid them, and if anyone who has tried to change their evil destructive ways knows, they will change you long before you change them.  It is the spirit’s job to change, not us, we are simply messengers of the gospel, good news about Jesus Christ.  We are to avoid them, God will deal with them and preserve the peace within the body, all other ways invite dissension, and split churches.  Sadly it goes on to many ways today, just mention building or upgrading your church, and watch as the sides divide against each other.  If you cannot choose carpet and get along, what makes you think you can change another’s heart?  We need to know that the same God who saved us, who preserves the peace he gave us, will also crush Satan under your feet.  These groups will split off and seek another place to spread their poison, without warfare or dissension.  Jesus changes lives, sometimes despite us.  A message we need to consider if we are to grow in him and our church also.

How would you describe your church?  One of prophecy, teaching, spiritual gifts, one that emphasizes the word above all else, or one of love?  One that is spirit driven?  How do you describe yourself in your church?  Do you follow doctrine or Jesus?  Do you see these groups of dissension within your body, are you part of one?  Have you based your life on Jesus or religion?  Would you rather argue your point than minister to those who need love?  Is God at work in your life? Do you know all about Jesus, but never met him?  Are you a Yankee fan who doesn’t like baseball, maybe a Harley owner who doesn’t ride?  Too many garages have them in the corner under a cover, owned never ridden, is your light shining for Christ?  What you ride or who you cheer for is important, but will not get you into heaven.  Only Jesus will.  Some things are worth arguing about, salvation is not one of them.  It is God’s business left best to him.  And yes Harley owners and Yankee fans get saved, just like Honda and Triumph owners do.  By Jesus, for there is no other name under heaven or earth that can save.  What is on your heart is what will come out of your mouth, sure you want to say what you are about to say? 

Seek Jesus first, then all other things will be added unto us.  Motorcycle and sports teams.  As true Christians we should stand out in the dark world of today, by our love, not by winning an argument.  Not by being superior, but by humbling ourselves and being like Jesus.  Serving not demanding to be served.  Today many ride Harleys who would never ride anything else, it is good for motorcycling.  Many are Yankee fans, it is good for baseball.  As Christians we need to unit in the spirit instead of denominations or teachings or pastors or religion.  Only in the spirit will we truly be free, to ride or choose who we want to cheer for.  God lets the decision up to us.....we are all slaves to something, we only become a bond slave to Christ by choice. 

The Mets filled a void in 1962, National League baseball was back in the Big Apple.  Harley is back and causing many others to think motorcycle.  When you hear the name of Jesus what do you think?  Church, doctrines, religion, maybe unity?  Only in the spirit will we be united as one, one in Christ.  By his spirit, not ours.  He changes lives, we interfere.  Are you a fan of Jesus or do you know him?  Are his colors on your heart?  An old Triumph ad attacked Honda, are you an expert or an enthusiast?  The expert knew his bike, the enthusiast rode.  The expert knew the part numbers, the history, the enthusiast rode.  Are you religious or enthusiastic?  Which means God inspired?  Next time someone asks is are you in the word, respond is the word in you? If they have to ask....maybe you need some enthusiasm in your life.  Let the spirit free again and enjoy the game.  Enjoy the ride.  Enjoy being a Christian.  What good is fun if you don’t enjoy it?  Avoid quarrels within the church, all you have to do is argue and you have already lost.  Paul knew this, for the spirit guided him.  Jesus never argued.....can we say the same?  Enthusiast or expert, are you in the word or is it it you?  If it is not all about Jesus it is religion....take it up with him.  I did and it made all the difference.  And I have love, joy, and peace to prove it.  Against which there is no law, so no argument.  Jesus loves me this I know, do you?  Quit bragging about what a great Christian you are and show me.  And watch as God changes lives, maybe even you!

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

no one asked for your help-and Mikey likes that

My parents used to make fun of an old coffee commercial where the over bearing, well meaning mother helped her newly wed daughter.  Not allowing the daughter any chances to help herself, the younger girl blurted out “Mother please, I’d rather do it myself!”  And of course the hurt mother went into a tailspin, and the daughter felt bad, but after consuming massive amounts of caffeine everything was well again.  Feelings healed, coffee had saved the day.  And we see the mother letting her daughter serve her coffee....now isn’t that special?  And we would laugh, and the tagline of “Mother please, I’d rather do it myself” was applied to many situations in gest.  But we are often guilty of acting like the interfering mother at times, when it is easier for us to do it rather than wait for someone else.  Let someone else deal with their newness, forgetting we were all new at everything once, or twice.  And if our pride would let us know just how the daughter felt, wishing we could just tell off the well meaning, but interfering other person.  Of course we would never over react....

Now I have trouble remembering the coffee brand, but not the commercial.  Great commercials with great tag lines are like that.  I honestly get so tired of hearing “Mikey likes it,”  ha ha very funny.  For the millionth time.  Or how dangerous motorcycles are and your telling me about someone being killed or maimed on one.  How would you feel if I treated your cancer with so little compassion?  Another pet peeve that begins to darken my mailbox this time of year is the letter from someone who just has to tell me how great their kids and life are.  No problems, and the letter goes on for pages, with a  Happy Holiday at the end, which I rarely get to, especially if I know the person.  Truth is real and exciting enough without your fictional portrayal of your life.  But one morning after church I scored one for our side, and victory, no matter how small is still a win.

Leaving church with our motorcycle jackets on, a man came up and said he rode also, and has a Triumph too.  Could he ride with me sometime?  Before I could answer, he is wife walked up, and he introduced her, and my question changed her whole attitude.  “Do you ride too?” I asked.  And the tirade began of how she was in the medical field, and all the carnage she saw.  And how she would never ride, and of that somehow we were lesser because we did.  Wrong answer, so I countered her, although it was and is unfair to do battle with an unarmed person.  “Really, I’m also in the medical field,” and her face brightened, “I’m, a patient.”  And as her demeanor changed, obviously humor was not part of her make up, I continued, “but I am glad to meet you, because I have a medical question,” still reeling her in.  “In the past two months I have had four friends die in their sleep, is it OK for me to go to sleep tonight?”  I’m not sure of the answer as she grabbed her motorcycle riding husband and split on us, my first thought being what lousy taste in women he has, and the second, I was so glad I didn’t have to go home with her.  Maybe all she needed was another latte....but my point was made.  And Mikey liked it!

There are many gray areas in the Bible, where we must make a decision as to what or what not to do.  But in all cases we are to show love.  After my open heart surgery I was greeted by a well meaning brother, again at church, who wanted me to meet his new friend, who went on to tell me how I needed to get out and witness more, and do more things for God.  I then told him I had just spent 54 days in Albuquerque, 30 in the hospital and 20 in Cardiac Critical Care, and should be dead, but God saved my life and I made medical history.  He walked away, hey I thought it was a good testimony, and giving glory to God.  He meant well, as did the wife with the medical career, they only lacked one thing that was evident, they were more zealous than concerned for others.  And we all get like that, but need to be led by the spirit, rather than trying to impress or win an argument.  If only we took the time to listen, our response may be much different, and I will admit sometimes I just want to be left alone.  Back when my hair was shoulder length and had a full beard, looked like the wolfman, a well meaning man came up to me and asked me “have you heard about Jesus?”  He was trying to witness to me, and when I answered “yes, for many years now,” was stunned.  He had no idea I was saved, his church clothes warned me from across the lot.  If he had just said “hello” and talked with me it would have been a better conversation, yet he was doing what he was told to do.  His heart and his mind wasn’t in it, and soon people like that lose heart.  Maybe just try being yourself, a full time job with overtime for me, and be nice to others.  Visit with them, listening.  I tire of hearing “long after they forget your words they will remember your actions,”  it is like “Brother please, I’d rather let Jesus do it,” than do it myself.  And today you will be on both sides of the conversation....

When it comes to helmet laws we insist “let those who ride decide.”  Then argue over what brand of bike we ride.  Paper or plastic, or bring your own now that they are 10 cents each in California?  Do you want fries with that?  No it’s a salad.  Chargers fan?  No I like football.   And of course we all know our own church is the best.  Can we have a little more concern for each other?  Jesus showed compassion to the woman at the well, the thief on the cross, and to Martha and Mary when they chided him for being late and their brother Lazarus died.  But he showed love in every instance, be led by the spirit rather than our own selfish emotions.  When we are told to love our brother as our self, do we love him enough to love us too?  To listen, then answer.  To not argue over trivial things just to get our way or prove a point?  Do we remember it was Jesus who changed us, not an argument we gave into?  Have you become more like a church or denomination or more like Jesus?  God asked me once why he doesn’t allow us to change people to be like us.  I had never thought about it, but his answer was spot on, so they become more like me and not you.  Believe it or not I have many flaws and scars, some of which don’t show.  The scars on Jesus show his love, and when it comes to salvation, especially via the cross, I am glad that I didn’t do it myself.  I couldn’t and wouldn’t and probably wouldn’t for you.  But Jesus did and will......and wants a chance to prove it to you.  Via his love.  Now that is a witness anyone can get along with, love. 

So it is OK to ask Jesus for help, but good advice only works when taken.  Whether in church, at a bike dealer, or riding, we all need Jesus.  Even those crusty saints who know it all.  Especially those.  Go spread the gospel today by listening and loving on someone.  Use words if needed.  You may be the gospel in action they need.  Jesus saves souls, and fortunately us from each other.  And Mikey likes that....

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

Cadillac-back when size used to matter

The Standard of the World was how we used to identify with Cadillac.  In the fifties and sixties when lower, longer, and wider meant success, Cadillac outdid them all.  A sign that you had arrived, it got you special attention, better valet parking, and an air and status no other luxury car could command.  When my Grandpa would visit and park his 1962 black Coupe Deville in our driveway, neighbors would wonder “who were the rich folks visiting?”  If you drove one, doors opened for you, and we all desired owning one someday.  To brag on our success, to show we had made it.  But in 1973 when gas rose to 50 cents a gallon, the Lazarus cars of Toyota and Datsun the rich used to step over became popular, and Cadillac brought out the Seville, based on the Chevy Nova.  We should have seen the writing on the wall, as downsizing was about to influence our car buying, and affect our success status, as far as automobiles went.  And for guys like my friend Gerald, a doctor, when news of a downsized Cadillac for 1977 hit, panic set in.  True they may be bigger on the inside, get better mileage, when mpg was a status symbol, but they were smaller, and how you arrived told more than the fact you had arrived.  And so his 1976 Coupe Deville, with its 500 cubic inch, not cubic centimeter engine was a last stand for many.  Cadillac was downsizing, following the lead of other GM divisions, and instead of leading was following.  And a new low hit in 1982, when you could get a Cadillac Cimarron, a Chevy J car, the size of a Toyota.  Downsizing was the new rule, and all manufacturers would build smaller cars if they chose to compete.  Ford followed in 1979, with a smaller LTD, which was actually smaller and weighed less than its mid sized Torino.  Cadillac’s tag line of “Best of all, it’s a Cadillac,” had been redefined, dumb downed if you would.  And today we are burdened with Hybrids, the Prius, and Hyundais disguised as luxury cars to remind us.  I wonder what Gerald would be driving today?

When Bill Hays wrote a book about the history of The Boozefighters, the first outlaw motorcycle club, I planned on getting a copy at the Hollister Rally.  We met him and JQ, the club historian at their booth, and we visited.  Then JQ put me in a headlock, he had seen my Christian colors, and asked, “so you’re a Christian, well I have a question for you, can God make a rock so big he cannot pick it up?”  And while gasping for air, and my theological juices flowing, I was about to share Jesus with a real biker, the ones we had been told to witness to.  But the words that came out surprised me, as the spirit provided the words needed, “you don’t ask God stupid things like that.”  And JQ released me, he liked the answer, he could deal with it, and we became friends.  But later I was to consider how so many have fallen into worshipping the creation rather than creator.  While some would focus on the rock, I focused on God.  Today religion has brought God down to our level, rather than us being brought up to God’s level.  From the Tower of Babel, when man thought they had it all and built a tower to heaven to brag to God, to false idols made of stone and gold that fell over in the wind, man must defend and give strength to these false gods.  Religion and denominations have downsized God so they can control him, appearing big on the outside, while God looks upon the heart.  We must be in the word, but how many have the word in them?

Many false doctrines follow us still.  One is if you are prosperous, you must have found favor with God.  Yet it is the poor in spirit who inherit the kingdom.  Some name it and claim it, God being a genie at their disposal, I wonder if their god could pick up the rocks they make?  While others take scripture out of context, and design a lifestyle around it, themselves being the standard.  It seems as long as man exists he will try to find a way to make God equal to himself, yet scripture tells us just he opposite.  For God so loved the world, he sent Jesus to make the way back to him.  He lowered himself in humility to save us.  Salvation is a gift, not a status that can be earned.  You cannot buy your way into heaven, no man has the riches of God, nor is any price mentioned.  God wants the intangible, the unseen, the heart.  And then wants you to display it publicly in his love.  For what does it profit a man if he gains the world and loses his soul? 

It is possible we all will take a final ride in a Cadillac, a hearse.  Death has no social, economical, or religious requirements.  We all qualify, but we can choose where we spend eternity.  And if your life is based on the rock of Jesus Christ you will be saved.  Success is not measured in what we have, but who we know.  Has religion, your belief system downsized Jesus to the point of only a teacher, philosopher, itinerant preacher, or carpenter?  Does your church seek him first, and have all things added on by him, or do you get recognized by your worldly success?  Do you keep your god in a box, are you ashamed of Jesus before your rich friends?  Are the tinted windows on your car really showing the tint on your soul?

So to paraphrase JQ, I have a question for you.  “You say you are a Christian, what makes you different from me?  I believe in Jesus, I go to church.  I tithe and pray.  I’m successful, why do you still pick on me?”  My answer, have you built your house, your life upon the rock of Jesus Christ?  Even demons know who he is and tremble at his name,  they believe in him, but do you believe him?  Can you call him Lord when you don’t do the things he asked?  Do you love and forgive others?  Or is all your relationship religious, all for show but no go?  Do the words from your mouth truly tell us who you know Jesus to be?  Maybe some private time with the spirit is in order.  Are you living up to the standards of the world, of the church, or of God?  Do you believe in God as creator, or do you have more faith in the rock he created? 

Today you can supersize your relationship with God, turning it all over to Jesus.  Be filled to overflowing, having all your needs met in Christ Jesus.  Seek him first, let him add all things unto you.  And lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths.  Longer, lower, wider, may be OK in old cars, don’t let it be the chasm between you and God.  Seek the truth and be set free, even the people could see the emperor had no new clothes.  And the fact your Cadillac is really a Chevy.  Come to think of it, I never saw a Chevy hearse, have you?  Sometimes it’s what’s under your hood, or what’s in  your garage, your wallet?  But what’s in your heart?  Only the size of your faith will downsize your God.  God reached down to bring us up, only in Christ will you truly arrive.  Now that’s success....

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com