the weekend is willing, the spirit is weak

After being escorted out of Florida by their State Police, it was back to Jersey, and find work.  Which landed me a job as Traffic Manager for London Records @$150/week, good money in 1974.  Where I would learn about life not taught in any class, and get to use my Spanish learned from Miss Ludi’s Spanish class.  Sort of.  She didn’t teach us to cuss or swear, but I picked that up easily the first week, and learned Castillian Spanish is different than that from Puerto Rico and Cuba, which is different from Spanglish in San Diego.  But I was young, and learned fast.  And suddenly this white boy from an upper middle class town was thrust into International intrigue.

My boss was a big Italian man, Amos Romeo, who drove a 1967 GTO, and always wanted to race against my R90S, just to see how fast I really was.  But my immediate bosses, Mario and Julio were both of Puerto Rican descent and great guys.  Julio was quiet and got things done, Mario outgoing and very helpful, translating for me when I needed it-constantly.  But his English had a heavy accent, and many time he had to write what he was saying so I, we could understand.  But he always had a smile, and provided me with a Columbian secretary named Alba Mary.  Very pretty with heavy red lipstick, her English consisted of “OK Mike,” and a smile.  She did the filing, fortunately the numbers are bilingual, and always had a smile.  Now my job was to route freight, and the gifts, incentives from trucking companies ran from tickets to ball games to your favorite bottle.  Always being reminded of a local guy from Brooklyn with his own truck, who stayed until closing.  He would take all not picked up, and many times Mario would tell me, “send more freight Al’s way, his kid needs braces,” or “he’s having a rough month.”

But within this huge warehouse, many sub-companies existed.  One consisted of two guys, Tony and Carlos, who both talked so fast you never could understand them, and when you said “what,” talked louder, until finally throwing their hand in their air, and commenting on your heritage.  Ironically these two worked in a cage, I think for our protection more than theirs.  The packers consisted mostly of Puerto Ricans, with one Maria, built like a refrigerator, would always pinch me when I walked by.  Her co-worker Benito, loved the Yankees, and most of our conversations were either “Yankees, si” pointing to his ever present Yankee cap, or telling Maria a dirty joke and making her pinch me.  But we all somehow got along....except for the Cubans.

We had to keep the Puerto Ricans and Cubans separate, some places with a floor to ceiling fence.  They hated each other.  The Cubans were refugees, and not Americans, the Puerto Ricans real Americans, and hated because they were.  Go figure.  But the head Cuban was a dignified man, who before his exile had been a high government official, very respected and classy, called Sargento.  Who ran his area like the military.  But his counterpart from Puerto Rico was El Tigre, who looked like an old Tony Montana.  A cigarette with ashes about to drop were always between his lips, and El Tigre enforced the law.  He was often seen during working hours holding court with his men, no one interfered.  I think he tolerated me, I always went to Julio for help with him.  Add in the fork lift driver from Haiti, St. Cyprian La Prince, the Jewish guys in the office who ran London Records, Freddy, the black chauffeur of the owner of the place, known as the “Old Man,” and we were truly a diverse, if not interesting work place.  But somehow we all got along, and I think Alba Mary would agree, “OK, Mike.”

We all might agree, the spirit is willing, but the flesh is for the weekend.  And for 40+ hours a week, I was willing, weekends not included.  I was not saved yet, and my two worlds were converging, work in a West Side Story atmosphere, and home life, party central.  And the two were taking a toll on each other.  Something had to give, and when BH offered me a junior executive job, I took it.  Seems the flesh is weak, the dollar stronger.  And when influenced by ego and pride, along with a title, “hasta luego London Records, hola Polychrome.”  But as Christians we fight the same battles, and I soon found the spirit was willing, at least in church on Sunday mornings, and the flesh week once I left.  Sometimes I felt the words of Jesus asking me like he did Peter, “could you not watch for me one more hour?”  I was physically awake, but spiritually asleep.  And not sleeping very well.  And I found in the diversity that I had left behind more secure than in the new world with Jesus I was in now.  Pressure from the church, well meaning brothers, and others who knew what was best for me.  Soon I found the human sense of independence growing, as the freedom I knew in Christ had turned to rules, regulations, and all the things I didn’t want to have to do with religion.  I would brag “I am a Christian,”  to other Christians, yet never have to explain who I was to my secular friends.  They accepted me pretty much as I was, and didn’t put restrictions on me.  The one place I thought I could find acceptance, the church wasn’t it.  I had confused a walk in Christ with the church.  And the two are not the same at all.  I soon knew how Peter felt, where was that extra hour when I needed it?

And it was found in prayer.  Seeking God, going beyond church doctrine and pleasing them.  Keeping up an appearance of happiness, while bummed inside.  It was when I started to trust the spirit, that my life changed.  I had the knowledge, knew the songs, carried a Bible.  But in my submission to Jesus, I found that extra hour Jesus spoke of, to do what he asked, and only what he asked.  I had been impressed by so-called strong Christians who were always doing things in the church, but found in my weakness, like Paul did, God’s strength was made perfect.  And soon the joy of the Lord became my strength.  My understanding limited at best, I learned to trust.  No negotiations, trust Jesus not for something, just worship him for who he is.  He is God incarnate, savior, and when he became Lord of my life, the I knew of the freedom he promised.  In the spirit, not of man, should I boast.  It was OK to be scared, but to find strength in Christ.  To be honest, and not a facade.  When a friend and I talked about death, we agreed it was scary, although we knew heaven waited.  We had never done death before....but Jesus has.  And in him, we will too be resurrected.  With no ethnic barriers, no fences between denominations, no arguing over King James vs. NIV.  It will be all about Jesus.  So what are you waiting for? 

When you are sure in your weakness, you will get strength from God.  If you are having problems today, go to Jesus, just as you are.  He knows, your friends probably do too, the church may ignore it.  Only Jesus loves you as you are, and doesn’t want you to stay that way.  He promises life abundantly, overflowing in joy.  The spirit is willing, deny the weekend flesh, even of church, and trust God.  To which even Alba Mary would agree, “Jesus, OK Mike.”  In any language, at any job, on any weekend, he is Lord.  Jesus is Lord.  Jesus Christo es el senor.  There, see how easy it is.  Bet you didn’t know the language of love was bi-lingual too.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

"he lived at Monticello and..."

The TV show Jeopardy has been around for years, and been a daily staple of education for America.  Things trivial and also formally taught, it is amazing all the facts and figures that are out there.  Once only available from Jeopardy via the encyclopedia, who reads those things anyway, we now have the internet to how our trivial fixation fulfilled.  But Jeopardy is as much a game of knowledge as it is of skill, speed must accompany the correct answer.  Too slow, you lose, too fast, you lose also.  But one time in Mr. Koch’s history class, my Jeopardy recall made me a hero in our knowledge bowl.  Always trying to outfox us ninth graders, his final question of the contest was “who was Schuyler Colfax?”  And I knew!  And I had learned it on Jeopardy!  It seems no one else on the panel that day did either, but I remembered Art Fleming revealing the answer, “he was Andrew Johnson’s vice president.”  A fact I never forgot.  And for that moment in time I was the genius, until I revealed my source.  Quit while you are ahead.

But too often contestants ring in too soon, not reading the whole answer.  For example, “ he lived at Monticello and...” someone rings in.  “Thomas Jefferson.”  Wrong.  The next guy reads the whole question, “he lived at Monticello and was Jefferson’s favorite horse.”  And gives the right answer, wins the game.  Patience in Jeopardy too can be a virtue.  And no, I have no idea who the horse was.  I was the guy who rang in too early.  Or the horse Schuyler Colfax rode either.  And the horse you rode in on....

I ask pastors “what is the most important quality of a pastor?”  The answers range from “knowing the word,” to “being a good speaker,” and all in between.  Not one has ever given the right answer, “a good listener.”  A fact I learned from Jeopardy.  Yet so many point me directly to a scripture before hearing the question, and then have to back track.  A position that should have wisdom, sometimes only falls short by having knowledge.  How can you answer a question if you don’t listen and hear the entire question?  Yet in this world of sound bites, we have become just that.  Call it selective hearing, I call it lousy ministering.  You decide.

But we are given situations every day to listen and respond, and when we respond outside of the holy spirit, we fall short.  I know of a group who gives out apples to the poor, who cannot eat them because of no teeth.  Or those who give out microwave meals to the homeless.  Duh?  And while the church says “well done,” it wasn’t.  Did they ever think of the homeless, or just of themselves?  We feel good doing the various walks to cure this and that, toy runs to give toys to the poor, but how about daily living?  Do we listen to what the spirit is saying, or just what we want to hear?  Do we hear Jesus’ complete words, or cut him off mid-sentence?  He would have listened, do you?

So when some well meaning person goes with us to minister for the first time, they ask what should I do?  My answer may seem harsh, but direct, “shut up and listen.”  How do you know how to answer if you haven’t?  And one night, when this well meaning, but “I came to preach the word” girl came with us, she found out why.  An old lady, who could barely walk, was coming up the stairs, I met her and helped her.  I asked her name, told her mine, and was listening, when Ms. Preacher interrupted, “do you know Jesus?  You’re a sinner, he can save you.”  And this frail old homeless woman proved my point.  While the girl started to quote scripture, this woman countered her with it.  Totally putting her in her place, lovingly, but reminding her, “I may be homeless, but I know Jesus.  And you are doing a lousy job of evangelizing.”  You see,she had to go to the bathroom, that was her need for the moment.  Seems even Christians can’t hold it forever....I was meeting a need, ministering to her, treating her with respect, the girl was never invited back.  Her church training had let her down.  I wonder how she would do on Jeopardy?

Maybe a quick reminder of Mary annointing the feet of Jesus is in order here.  Good enough to be in the Bible, good enough to make us stop and listen.  And repeat.  There are times to meet physical needs, time for meeting spiritual needs.  Mary had insight as to his death, and was annointing him with oil, a celebration of what was to come.  She didn’t know if she would have the chance later, so did it now.  Spending a year’s wages on the feet of our Lord.  While Martha complained.  Mary listened to the spirit and responded, Martha only saw a meal and the effort to prepare it.  Both saw Jesus, and had a chance to worship him, only one responded giving him the glory.  One answered the cry of her heart, the other rang in too soon.  And when Martha interfered, Jesus told her “leave her alone.  She has done a beautiful thing to me.” 

That night on the stairs, I was celebrating Jesus by showing this woman love, meeting her need, walking her up the stairs.  I heard what the spirit said. Think a minute, how long can you hold it?  How long had she been holding it?  How long had Mary been looking for a chance to worship Jesus, and when she saw the opportunity, took it.  Regardless of cost, or what her sister would say.  Do we celebrate Jesus by completing his words, “whoever gives to the least of them, does it unto me.”  How would Jesus have greeted the woman on the stairs, how would you?  Do you ring in too soon with knowledge, and miss the whole statement?  Are you missing a chance to relate to Jesus and worship him?  Jesus told us “he who has an ear let him hear,” he didn’t say “he who has a mouth let him speak.”  Funny how you can control your mouth, but not your ears.  Mary’s worship of Jesus is recorded and retaught every day.  Do we take the message of Jesus in love and worship to others, or are we to busy cooking to forget who we are serving?  Two women, only one had the sensitivity of heart.  How would you have greeted the woman on the steps, what if she was you?  How would you like to be treated?

The things we do are timely, and feasible.  Some needs greater, some lesser, but needs none the less. Listen to what the spirit says, and then obey.  Trust what Jesus wants you to do, and never mess an opportunity to worship him in your actions.  Mary saw the poor would always be around, she seized the chance to worship Jesus.  We see it the opposite, we see Jesus in church, and fail to see poor all around.  Don’t ring in too soon, you may have the right answer, but the wrong question.  The man who thinks he knows all the answers hasn’t heard all the questions.  And by the way, Jefferson’s horse was named Caractus....who one time threw him and broke TJ’s arm...but that’s another story.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

  

007's balancing act-you didn't think we were watching

Although American Graffiti is about the last night of friends before summer ends, for me it is all about the cars.  So keeping an eye on them, during one street scene a 1972ish Chevy sedan is seen cruising, obviously the editor isn’t a car guy.  Where was he in ‘62?  Same with Diamonds are Forever, where James accompanied by Jill St. John goes into a one way alley, and goes up on two wheels leaning to one side, and comes out leaning on the opposite side.  Maybe we are supposed to be concentrating on Miss St. John, I was, but noticed it after about the 20th time I saw it.  And films have no claim to exclusivity in mistakes, how many have seen a villian in a new Lincoln sedan, and an older Chevy goes over the cliff, and a thirties car is on fire at the bottom?  Happens all the time, but just not to criminals either.  Adam 12 in the later years drove an AMC Matador, but scenes showing the dash and speedo are definitely late sixties Plymouth.  And in how many chase scenes does it sound like they are shifting that Torque Flite endlessly?  How many gears does that old three speed have in it?  Remember Starsky and Hutch, supposedly Starsky hated the car and ran into things on purpose, I can remember some scenes the front end toed out, yet when leaving on the next scene all is well.  But my favorite was they were chasing a bad guy in a 1963 white Chevy, that turned into a green 1964 Chevy just before going over the cliff.  Lots of cliffs out there.  And then later the same green 1964 is seen being driven by the crooks.  Maybe not filmed in continutity....but we noticed it anyway.

But maybe the car that took the most lickings and still kept ticking was Jim Rockford’s Firebird.  Gold with white walls, 853 OKG, which started out as a 1974, and ended up a 1979, seems Garner didn’t like the new 1980’s front ends, I didn’t either.  But in one scene, in an early show, he has raised white tires on a Formula, later the same car is different, now an Esprit, with the signature white walls.  How many times was that car wrecked or chased beyond repair, only to show up a few scenes later the same day in one piece?  Yeah, I know there were multiple cars, but this was real life TV, wasn’t it?  And we have come to identify cars by their film or TV roles, some being more famous than the actors.  Ask Pontiac how many Trans Ams they sold after Smokey and the Bandit?  The black not available until after the movie came out.  No telling how many cars were wrecked in it.  But from red Fords being chased by John and Ponch and rolling over as a blue Torino, from interiors not matching the brands interior, to multi-geared transmissions, to Miss St. John leaning one way then the next, keep a watchful eye out.  Someone is always looking....

As Christians we are always on display, seems everyone knows how we should behave, except the watcher who exhibits his life differently.  But Jesus advises us to watch, for the master will return and we don’t know when.  Be alert, don’t go to sleep, don’t wander off.  Don’t quit living like a Christian, for temptations and trials will prevail if we do.  Just a little slumber, and a seed is planted, and soon we develop other habits.  Thinking, well the master hasn’t come yet, I’m OK.  But just because you don’t see him doesn’t mean he doesn’t see you!  But while we are watching for his physical return, we miss the fact that his spirit never left us, and that we can be deceived easily.  We are leaning one way today, the other way tomorrow.  Hoping no one realizes how we have changed...but we know, even if we don’t admit it.  I have encountered too many Christians over the years, who have fallen away.  Name an excuse, jobs, family, drugs, illness-they have seen it all.  But Jesus.  They were busy living a church life based on who saw the way they lived, but outside of church became another.  Double minded, and soon one mind took over the other.  Slowly but surely.  And soon the white car life they lived turned to green, and no one noticed, for they had dropped out of sight.  Gone over the cliff, and still believe in God, they just don’t act like.  If he hasn’t come back yet, he isn’t coming.  Yet Jesus only tells them “watch!”

It is tough being a Christian if it is all about the external, but when spirit driven, we change from the inside out.  Funny how sin changes us the same way, and in both cases we only concern ourselves with the external.  When we start looking and listening to others, we fall short of hearing God’s voice.  It is still and small, doesn’t scream and is familiar.  And unlike cars in the movies, he never changes.  Once a Firebird, always a Firebird.  He is also aware of all the cars in the scene, and the actors too.  Us, who sometimes worship things more than the creator, or the men and women he created. 

So don’t let anything derail you from Jesus.  If we are as spiritually alert as we are for spotting car bloopers, maybe we would see a different side of Jesus.  We would be looking forward to his return, anxiously waiting to go to heaven.  But for now we have to settle for his promise of on earth as it is in heaven.  For the spirit to guide and encourage us, to forgive others as he forgave us, and show his love as he loved us.  That ought to keep us busy enough.  Funny it took me several times to notice the red Mustang change directions when 007 drove it, don’t take as long with Jesus.  He is right in front of us right now.  Our actions will reflect what is on our heart, and what we really believe.  The most effective witness is our actions.  That is why we walk in faith, and work out our salvation every day.  For like cars in film, things are every changing.  Aren’t you glad Jesus isn’t?  Some live life waiting for Jesus to return, his spirit never left.  Don’t live like 007’s balancing act....stay straight and true...10-4 good buddy.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

 

  

render unto Honda the things of Honda

In June of 1972 I bought my first new motorcycle, a 1972 Honda CB350.  I didn’t know it at the time, but I had bought a bootleg motorcycle, as Ralph’s Honda in South Orange, New Jersey was not an authorized Honda dealer.  At the time, Japanese bike sales were growing exponentially, and could be bought new in anything from hardware stores to old store fronts.  These dealers had no investment in parts or service, and dealt only in cash, and you paid up front, sometimes waiting weeks for your new ride.  And Ralph’s Cycle was one, except he sold accessories and parts, just could not perform warranty work.  He was better than most, but still unauthorized by the factory.  But like most of us at the time, we had connections at the dealer, but Honda’s were reliable, and at 18 who knew what a warranty even was.  If it broke, you fixed it.  And the price of $825 saved me almost $100 over VIP Honda, who was authorized.  A lot of folding green from cutting yards, a paper route, and evening job at Sears.  So Ralph’s it was, and filling out and sending in the warranty card when I got home, I was registered, time to go riding.  But not necessarily under the warranty...

Warranty policies were vague at the time, and many dealers may not get reimbursed from the factory for warranty work.  Maybe parts at cost, but no labor, which some did because you bought from them, you were loyal.  And just because you sent in the card, didn’t mean the factory would recognize the sale, if from an authorized dealer, you were buying into potential problems.  No consumer laws or advocates like today, you paid yer money and takes yer chances.  And although many stores may have an authorized sign to sell helmets or accessories, it didn’t mean the bike you bought with all your hard earned money made them an authorized dealer.  Without the investment required from the factory, the authorized dealer was their supplier.  There were some good mechanics, but with out the up to date training and knowledge of the new bikes.  If your bike said Honda on the tank, you still had to render the things of Honda unto Honda, the Triumph or Harley store may fix their brands under warranty, they were authorized for their brand, you needed to take it where your brand was authorized.  Many independents grew into dealerships, many bootleg dealers as they were known, went out of business.  The market was growing, the industry with it, all we cared about and wanted to do was ride.....

When the disciples questioned Jesus about paying their taxes, he who had no money, nor carried any, reached into the sea and pulled out a fish.  No mere feat, ask any fisherman.  But when he pulled out the coin, a meaner feat, and told his audience, “render the things of Caesar unto Caesar, and the things of God unto God,” he was referring to the face of Caesar stamped on the coin.  The coin was authorized for trade and paying taxes, but only Jesus was and is authorized to save.  Over the years many bootleg religions have thrived, and many do today.  They promise wealth, money, a good life, maybe even a planet upon death for you to be God, but none can but Jesus.  The root word for religion means bound, and religion binds us up to rules and legalism, just like the Pharisees.  You may attend the church, belong to the denomination, even have a membership card, but unless you have your name written in the book of life, unless you are authorized by Jesus to enter heaven, you aren’t.  You have bought into a bootleg religion, and from Mormonism, to Jehovah Witnesses, to Scientology, to the Universal Church, they all deny Jesus.  Oh some may take his name in vain in the name of their religion, but deny his deity.  Some will say he is a way, but not the way.  They will claim he was a great teacher or a prophet, but not God.  Some will accept him as God, but still tell you that you must work out your salvation, and may be at risk of losing it if you don’t obey their doctrines.  You may save a little in relationship, but you are not saved.  Only Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.  Only he is authorized to forgive your sins, and salvation is a free gift from him.  Beware the counterfeiters, if they deny the deity of Jesus Christ, and of the trinity, of which he is part, they deny the spirit also, and denying the spirit is the only unforgivable sin.  For the spirit is directing us to Jesus when we are lost, and within us after we are saved.  No other can promise you this, only Jesus. 

And who better to correct and repair your life than the one who created it?  Pick up your Bible today, and before reading, ask God to “show me the truth.  Show me how to be saved.”  And watch as when his spirit guides you, the words on the page come alive.  That as others trip over them, you ride freely in the spirit.  When the spirit awakens you, it may mean losing friends or leaving your church, but true freedom is only found in the spirit.  How many of us were saved at unauthorized churches, not recognized by the mainstream, where it was all about Jesus and not religion?  Who just because they weren’t ordained by man, the preacher was ordained by God himself?  When Jesus pulled the coin from the mouth of the fish, were the disciples getting his true meaning?  Are we?

Human authority, like a warranty, is limited in scope and duration.  One mile or one day after the warranty runs out, you are out and you are responsible.  The laws may have rule and reign over our lives, but not to our souls.  And when we are saved, it is forever.  The New Covenant of Jesus, a contract with no ending dates is eternal.  As is he and as we are in him.  The ultimate issues of life belong to him, we come to him in faith, some walk in it, some by obedience.  But when we walk in trust, in the spirit, when we truly know we are forgiven and heaven bound, we too can have heaven on earth and all its blessings.  Would you buy a new car or motorcycle without a warranty?  Then why are you buying into a religion that can not offer you one?  Bootleggers, from Hondas to booze, they are a poor substitute for the real thing.  The only thing in life that the law has no control over is your spirit, your will.  Give it to Jesus, and watch the blessings grow and multiply.  Jesus is the ultimate power over death, and in life too.  Parts and labor included.  Only authorized people will enter.  Only Jesus saves, and at today’s prices, that still is a miracle. 

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com