wintertime dreams, summertime rides

Every time I feel the urge to vacate the traffic in So Cal for less crowded roads, the weather brings me back.  Having lived in areas where winter means snow and cold, living here is a great escape for anyone who rides.  Wintertime this year meant a rainy January, and with new press bikes to ride, they spent much too much time sitting in the garage and being looked at.  Now before you rightfully accuse me of whining, I have lived at 8300’ in Colorado, in New Jersey where winter runs during the school year, and also New Mexico, no snow, but lots of cold.  And the bike never got put up for winter, we dressed warm, took shorter rides, but we rode.  Long before heated riding wear and heated grips and seats.  So when my memory fades while lane splitting, one short blast of rain brings me back to reality, mine that is.  But while not riding, I am found reading about riding, and planning the next trip.  And with the internet, look at the new bikes and anticipate their announcement dates.  While it is 25 degrees and snow at Baxter Cycle in Iowa, here it is 75 and sunny.  A great winter day to ride, before the traffic gets out, so I do.  But enticed by the ads, the wintertime dreams of summertime rides are reeking havoc on my calendar, can it rally only be five months to summer?  And while that means spring is only 45 days away, as the ball players go to spring training, we who ride perform our own spring training, which has been going on all winter.  We are ready to ride...and the new bike ads keep the blood flowing. 

The monthly magazines, now every other month, get us excited, and the extra trips to just look at the early arrivals at the local store.  How many summertime rides were taken just sitting and pretending you are on vacation on your new ride, just waiting to prove the magazines right or wrong in their review.  The brain gets exercised as imaginary roads take place, and you wonder about wandering, and how the new motorcycle will make the difference.  Or worse yet, seeing the release date of April, when it is still January, and you want to ride.  I have logged many miles on bikes in showrooms, safe and secure from the cold and snow, counting the days until the roads are clear and I can ride.  It is the wintertime dreams, these imaginary rides in my mind, that keep me sane until I could, So Cal weather made the wait shorter, the rides sooner, and the wait longer for new bikes.  Winter is tough for riders, spring brings hope, summer is heaven, fall we cherish each day, and winter arrives always too soon.  And lasts too long.  And the cycle, pun intended, continues.

I am always amazed at how quickly we forget how bad the weather was once it clears up.  Sunshine and clear skies, warm temps and a long ride do a lot to erase the winter we endured.  When I had the first Bonneville Bobber two weeks ago, it was so cloudy, the bike looked black.  And then the first day of sunlight hit it, and the tank was a dark red with gold metal flake.  The color hadn’t changed, but when exposed to sunlight, its true color emerged.  And the 500 miles put on between storms, was duplicated in only two days of sunshine and warm when the weather changed.  We look at things differently in bad weather, just as our moods change when it gets better.  But how do we picture heaven?  When times are bad, do we wish for it now, and on nice days ask God to give us just one more day, because we are having such a good time?  Do we think of heaven at all, and when we do, how do we picture it?  Because we ride do we wish summer got here sooner, and winter later?  Or do we accept the day and enjoy it?

We have all uttered the words “well it’s all going to burn anyway,” when all seems bleak.  But we never hear those same words when all is going well, and we are prospering.  Do we customize scripture to meet our situation, or do we adapt to scripture, and allow it to adapt us to the situation?  We can have warm days in winter, but it is still winter on the calendar.  Does our viewpoint of heaven change with the weather?  Our conditions?  Our relationship with God?  When he says the rain falls on the just and the unjust, which are we?  Do we look at our situations and get our eyes off Jesus?  Take your eyes off the road when riding and you end up in a ditch.  Are you in a spiritual ditch about heaven?  Has it been reduced to just a heaven for bad days, or for good ones too? Do you waver in your relationship with Jesus the same way? 

While we have wintertime dreams about summertime rides, we need to be encouraged that heaven is coming, and we should enjoy our days here on earth.  They may seem long, but heaven is timeless, and when we have our eyes on Jesus instead of ourselves, we can have an on earth as it is in heaven experience.  We know very little about heaven, scripture tells us “eye has not seen, ear has not heard, nor mind imagined the things of the kingdom.”  Whatever you think or dream it to be, it will be better.  And some of us have some pretty wild imaginations.  But the one ingredient for sure is Jesus will be there, and that he is here right now.  On earth, as he is in heaven.  And we can be with him right now also, we don’t have to wait to die to experience him.  In fact, if you don’t have a relationship with him now, you aren’t saved, you won’t see him in heaven, but still be part of worship.  In hell, as every knee will bow, both under the earth and above, saying that Jesus Christ is Lord.  Do you look forward to heaven and Jesus as you do to spring and riding?  Having a long winter, Jesus is here.  Spring comes early, he is here too.  In fact he never left.  And those summertime rides are closer, as we are one day closer to heaven. 

So while some dream, some wonder, and some imagine what heaven is like, we can know the tour guide, and be assured of how our ride will end.  When I read an article about a bike I have ridden being reviewed, I am so familiar with it because I have spent time with it, and can tell if they even did.  100 miles of freeway doesn’t tell you much about the bike, just Sunday in church doesn’t tell you much abut God.  Are you still in the showroom dreaming of a ride, or on the ride now?  Because the weather is nice, do you wish heaven will wait, or in the dumps and wondering why God hasn’t shown up yet? 

In Ecclesiastes, the preacher telling the story is really the searcher.  And finds all is vanity, a vapor that lasts a short time and is gone.  Like summer for some, or winter for others.  But when you find, when you are assured of heaven in Christ Jesus, you no longer search.  You explore the things of God, and each road brings new adventure.  Each season allows us to see a different aspect of heaven.  When our eyes are on Jesus we see things through his eyes.  And his sightline is always better.  And like he says, yes it all will burn, as it is wood, hay, and stubble.  Even our precious motorcycles will burn.  But heaven will be worth it, for the things not seen or imagined will dim our memory fast of earth.  Wintertime without Jesus doesn’t have to be summertime without him.  He has given us spring, when all becomes new again.  When we get out the bike and have it ready to ride, when the dream becomes reality.  Heaven is real....read the book and then take the ride.  Find out for yourself, and find a short ride will only make you want more.  May all your rides come true...no matter the weather.  In Christ Jesus.  Amen.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com 

third pedal from the right

Years from now when we look back at all the things that have changed, and those that aren’t around anymore, how many of us will mourn the clutch?  You know, that third pedal to the left, the one that when released, the power hits the pavement, the wheels spin, and the rubber burns.  That one.  An anachronism even in today’s world, only 1% of new cars made have one, where Manual Shift used to rule the world, today Otto Matic reigns supreme.  Even shift levers have gone the way of the dinosaurs, as buttons, knobs, now are turned to select drive, all you do is point and steer.  Driving optional.  But maybe a closer look at the manual transmission, and all it has to offer, may have us show it more respect now.  Rather than wait until later....

When Christopher was in Spain a few years ago, and they took a trip to Paris in a rental car, he was the only one who could drive a clutch, so he got to drive.  The others were just passengers, he got the thrill of driving. Interested in making your car theft resistant, if any thief wants it, he will find a way, but a good deterent is a manual transmission.  One look inside, and he sees the shifter, he’ll move on.  Still not sure about the dangers of texting, give your teen a manual shift, hard to shift and text at the same time.  Of course, you could always deny him the i-stupid, but he learned it from you.  Maybe Mom and Dad need a manual trans, too......

How about turning your grandkids onto the Beach Boys?  How will you explain “409?”  “A four speed, dual quad, posi-traction, 409!”  No automatic here, you shifted yourself!  No mpg, those 8 venturis sucked the fuel in, the posi got the power to the ground,  and 409 stood for cubic inches, not cc’s!  No love songs about your Prius, is there?  Is my generation the last one to revere four on the floor, and remember three on the tree?  What did we do with our left leg back then?  We used it to push in the clutch, and release it when we wanted to go.  Many times cursing it in So Cal traffic, but still no better way to drive than to shift your self.  I know Ferrari only makes an automatic, but how much fun was it to dream of shifting through that chrome shift gate of yesteryear for all five speeds?  And with so many different shift patterns, we had to pay attention.  We had to drive...and today much of that joy is lost to the car and its computer making those decisions for you.  For your transmission is listening to when you drive, recording the information of how you drive, and then preselecting shift points.  And what about finding reverse....

Remember slapping the shifter against your thigh, then up and into reverse?  Or down into reverse?  Finding neutral by wiggling the shifter?  How many times did you look foolish not being able to get into reverse, you pulled up on the shifter, or on Chevy’s floor mounted shifter, you pulled up on the tangs by your fingers.  All without taking your eyes off the road!  Ford even pulled off a brilliant way to get your key from the ignition, put the car in reverse.  Zitch borrowed his brothers new Torino one day, and couldn’t get the key out, until I fiddled with it, by accident putting it in reverse, and the key was free.  My wife’s new Mustang doesn’t even need a key in the ignition to start it!  And still they get stolen!

Listening to Wayne Carini of Chasing Classic Cars, he was asked about the future of car collecting.  His answer surprised us.  Within the next generation, no one maybe around who can drive a clutch, either making them worthless, or worth more if you can Google how to drive one.  My father taught me to drive a clutch, as did his father, as did I teach both my sons to drive one.  As I hope they pass on to their kids, my wife can drive a clutch.  Can yours?  So I say, turn off the traction control, rev up the motor, dump the clutch and do a burnout.  Before we all become burnouts!  Burn rubber, not your soul as Peter says in Wheels of Grace magazine.  Four on the floor, three on the tree, just don’t put it in D and hope for the best. 

No more find ‘em and grind ‘em of the old non-synchro days either.  Some clutches are so smooth they beg to be driven.  Yes technology is a good thing, but maybe it has gone on for too long.  No more having to think, today your biggest decision may be “do I supersize my meal?”  Food too is prepackaged, no thinking involved.  And so has religion.  Let the church or denomination tell you what to think, how to raise your kids, how to worship, how to give, and what to sing.  Even what version of the Bible to read.  And you don’t have to ask, just put it in D and go.  Maybe.  But Jesus tells us different, and his confrontation with his disciples after his death is telling.  He appeared to them, and rebuked them for not believing he was resurrected.  His resurrection is to be believed, and to change our lives, yet they were persistent in their unbelief.  It was easier to not believe, even though they were with Jesus in life.  Jesus expected them to believe, but they failed.  Each feeling sorry for themselves, yet Thomas is referred to as the Doubter?  Maybe we have it all wrong, we never know what Thomas was up to that night when Jesus walked through the wall and interrupted their meal.  But from his character, maybe he was out looking for Jesus, while the others were scared and afraid, locked upstairs in a room.  He wanted proof, Jesus had warned of false Christs, anti-Christs, maybe Thomas wanted to make sure in who he believed.  He didn’t want to place his life automatically in his fellow disciples hands, he wanted proof.  He knew Jesus, and when Jesus appeared to him the next week, and repeated his request of touching his body and placing his hands in the wounds, Thomas knew by his voice, who Jesus was.  He never touched the wounds, he just fell to his knees in worship.  No put it in D and go, he wanted all the power he needed, and found it in the resurrected Jesus.  Where do we find our power?  How do we get it to the ground?

Jesus goes on to tell him that blessed are those that have not seen and believed.  Are you that blessed one that Jesus speaks of?  Or are you still waiting for proof?  The faith given you, the testimonies, the scriptures not enough?  Is you refusal to believe so strong you are spinning your tires, in drive?  You cannot find reverse, or your leg is hurting from having to push in the clutch?  Are you participating in this thing called Christianity, or are you just along for the ride?  Do you need to shift gears, do you know how?  Has life taken the decision making process from you, and sat you in front of a windshield, just pointing and steering?  Life is more than that, it is bumps, turns, curves, fast sections and slow sections.  Each section needing a different gear to access, and maybe a different one when you exit?  We enter as sinners, we don’t have to leave that way.  Would you rather be rebuked for unbelief, or rewarded for just a little faith?  Do you hope you are in D, or know you are starting in first? 

God lets us make the decision, an old saying reminds us there are two things you never criticize a man about, his love making and his driving, and not necessarily in that order.  We choose, for love demands a choice.  God chose us, are you still looking for where to put the key, when he is the key to life?  The disciples had the key, they just forgot where to put it.  Jesus reminded them, he reminds us also.  Ride your own ride, but don’t neglect him in doing it.  Meekness, power under control, is demonstrated by the left foot, and the right.  Let out the clutch, floor it!  And hang on for the ride of your life.  I rather do burnouts than be one, God’s posi-traction is his spirit.  And unlike the little old lady from Pasadena, you may have a go at her, but you will never lose her.  Don’t lose to Jesus.  Any bets she drove a stick?  And no, R doesn’t stand for racing gear. 

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blog.spot

one day in the parking lot after church

I had seen Andy in church before.  We both rode, he a KTM, me a Triumph, but both adventure bikes back when we called them dual sports.  We had never really talked much, but today he would share a story with me that changed my attitude towards ministry.  He had returned from a missions trip to Africa, and when the group went up on stage to be recognized, he remained seated.  When I asked him why, this is what he told me.  He really wasn’t part of the trip, even though he went over with them, he had been quietly ostracized from the group.  It seems he had gone off on his own, as follows....

A bus was taking them into a small village along a main highway.  Far enough to be outside suburbia, but large enough the buses would stop. When the bus stopped, he saw a group of men who had motorcycle shirts on, and he stopped to talk with them.  An instant bond was formed, we call it brotherhood among us who ride, and they wanted to show him their motorcycles.  But what he found was not what he expected.  Inside the building, were a dozen or so motorcycles, of which none ran.  It seems some missionaries had left them years before, but with no instructions on how to maintain them.  And when they quit running, were stored inside this shed.  In between the language barrier, he was able to find the missionaries had also left parts, but again no instructions.  And Andy had stumbled into an unexpected missions field, one not on the schedule.  Most of the bikes needed just simple repairs, basic tune ups, brakes, spark plugs, or cables.  And all the parts were there.  So he began to repair them, one by one, using the tool kits from the bikes, while showing the men how to do the repairs.  He found that they had a supply of gas, used for their generators, and when the first one fired up, they all cheered amongst the smoke, until the bike settled into a smooth idle.  And they took turns riding it, screaming with joy!  And for the next week, Andy missed most of the scheduled meetings, and was chastised by the group for not passing out Bibles, teaching, or feeding those who came to the church.  He was visibly absent, and the church was mad at him.  If only they knew....

For as he worked on the bikes, he was able to converse with the men, and got to know them.  Men who would not have gone into the church, they wanted to know “why was this American fixing their rides and not in church?” And he was able to share Jesus with them one on one, to share his testimony, and be the gospel in action rather than just words.  And one by one, the men wanted to know about this Jesus, and be like him.  They wanted to be saved, and Andy led them to the Lord, while changing plugs and adjusting clutches.  Soon the group got bigger, more riders who wanted to see these motorcycles that were being brought back to life, and his evangelism effort through repairs, soon turned to discipleship.  He had taught the first men, they were teaching others.  And sharing the testimony of Jesus Christ brought to them via this motorcyclist.  But when one man asked, “can this man fix the generators that are broken, they have motorcycle engines in them?” the blessings spread through homes.  Lights went on at night, radio and TV stations were reached, and all because this man stopped to visit with some fellow bikers.  The brotherhood having gone beyond church rhetoric, and now back in the states, that same church he had gone over representing had ostracized him.  He didn’t fit in....and for awhile was bummed, until a letter arrived just before church that week.

It was from the original group of riders he had met that first day on the street.  With pictures of them riding, sharing Jesus, and taking the gospel to others who had been unreachable, but now could be by bike.  This group of men, and now their families were sharing Jesus as they went, and telling of the man who started a revival by fixing their motorcycles.  You see, they had the tools, the parts, and the desire.  It wasn’t until Andy stopped to visit with them, and go to know them, and meeting their needs was able to share the love of Jesus with them.  How many chances do we miss while bench racing to reflect on Jesus in our lives?  To share our testimony?  How many Lazaruses have you stepped over today?  The church had a plan, Andy had the spirit.  And the pictures were a testimony of how Jesus Christ changed their lives.  And the many signatures on the letter proof of how simple ministry is, seeing a need and filling it.  And how the church strays when not in the spirit.  They had gone to do a good work, as Andy had.  But in his kindness, in his addressing a problem, he was the gospel in action.  It was the word of his testimony, and the blood of the lamb, under the holy spirit that gave his words life.  To many just a chance encounter, but from seeing men in motorcycle shirts, had repaired bikes, generators, and lives through Jesus Christ. 

Not all ministering goes on within the confines of the church.  Nor does all teaching.  Sometimes the best testimonies are found when we bring the gospel outside the four walls, and live it.  Share it by meeting a need, and earning the right to share Jesus.  That day, the gospel, the good news started with fixing bikes, and ended up repairing lives.  A group of men, the least of these, who would never have darkened a church building, now were taking the gospel to those along the road and roadside.  He had taught them to teach others to teach others.  And gave them back the ride of their lives. 

I look back at how the church folk were impressed with how many Bibles, how many teachings, and the attendance.  How many were saved, but not one word of who was left to follow up and disciple.  Who would fix their lives when they broke down?  Yet wanted nothing to do with the work the Lord had done through Andy.  No wonder the world looks at us differently, and avoids our invitations to church.  What good is a Bible if you don’t read it?  Or have someone to share it with?  Where is the incentive to share Jesus with others?  Maybe it is a simple as fixing a man’s ride, so he can ride more and share with others.  In Colorado we heated with wood, and had a saying.  He who cuts his own wood warms himself twice.  That’s the gospel, simple and effective.  So easy a biker can get it, with the only common language that of riding.  A story told after church in the parking lot, that needs to be repeated.  If only the church could understand the brotherhood of us bikers, like I always say, “if you need something done, call a biker.”  Wouldn’t it be nice if they said that about you and your church?  We are to be known as Christians by our love......aren’t we?

A rumor of hope, what do you leave church with?  Better yet, what do you bring to others?  An angel told them to “go tell Peter and the others” about the empty grave and missing body.  Peter had denied Christ a few days earlier, but God had plans for him.  It isn’t too late for you......to share God’s love.  Jesus is available to individuals not only to churches or groups.  Andy saw it in Africa, and I heard him repeat it in the parking lot.  A little faith will bring you to heaven, a larger faith will bring heaven to you. I think that calls for a ride....

love with compassion,
Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

EXTRA! EXTRA! RIDE ALL ABOUT IT!

A man I have known for years loves motorcycles.  He is a wealth of knowledge about them via all the articles he reads about them.  He can tell you why an R1 handles better than a GSXR 1000.  Why Ninjas seem to run hot, and the best kind of oil for your adventure bike.  He can recite why an Arai fits different than a Shoei, why Dunlops turn in faster than Michelins, and why Harley Davidson sells more bikes than anyone else over 750cc.  He knows by color what year bike is going by, what magazine got the best 1/4 mile times, and best 60-80.  He knows the way to The Dragon, and can even sit in on a bench racing session and listen.  What he cannot do, is comment, because has never participated.  He rides, but to work.  His longest ride is 200 miles of freeway.  He has been over 100, but petrified afterwards, has ridden with guys who go fast, but has never gone fast. He knows of curvy roads and scraping pegs from those of us who do it.  His bulk of his motorcycling experience has come from the pages of Cycle World or Rider, or viewed on the 3x5 screen of an i-pod.  And yet, he considers himself a biker....

When I talk of the mist rising over the valley when on Skyline Drive, he may have read an article about it.  When told about a ride in 30 degree weather following the snow plow, he has seen pictures.  He has never ridden a 1000 mile day except in his imagination, never fell asleep and woke up the next day in another time zone, miles away.  When road food is mentioned, his is all local, BBQ being from So Cal, which in no way can compete with Memphis, KC, or Birmingham.  He knows the shortest distance between two points, but not the best way to get there.  His bike may his name on the title, but his seat time is a far distant second place to what he has read about riding.  He may know more than me about riding, but I ride.  His testimony is from others, mine is from me.  He has yet to discover the freedom, the individuality in riding.  He thinks he has, but it is only an educational exercise.  Safe and secure lest any driver cut him off, the temp drop, or the rain ruin his day.  He reads rather than rides, and although he has leathers and a motorcycle, he still hasn’t got what it takes.  That something is available, but somehow out of bounds for him.  When I reflect on roads, he reflects on articles.  While I accumulate miles, he accumulates knowledge.  You cannot teach experience, at least he has a working knowledge of riding.  Or so he thinks...

When we read about Peter denying the Lord three times in the garden, and find him leaving, writhing in pain and sorrow, he literally fell to the ground in agony, his heart pounding and drenched in tears, we fix our gaze on him.  Think about it, a little teen age girl confronted big, old Peter and sent him running, denying Jesus.  Sadly just like we do.  You see Peter took a defensive position about the little girl, he felt she was endangering him.  But maybe we miss the point here, sure the guards were about to arrest Jesus, it was a scary night.  But assume for the minute, this little girl was scared.  She didn’t know what was going on, but kept hearing the name Jesus.  And how he helped those in need.  And when she approached Peter, she was seeking help, “you were with him, can you help me?”  “You sound like him, do you really know this man from Galilee?”  Maybe the holy spirit had drawn her to Peter, and she wanted to meet Jesus, to be saved.  The conditions and the situation didn’t matter, she wanted to meet Jesus.  So Peter fled, denying him, and turning his back on her.  Just like we do when we fell threatened, when people ask us about Jesus.  We get scared, but miss the opportunity to share the gospel. 

There is an undependability in the flesh, just like there is in only reading about riding but never doing it.  You can be safe and secure behind a magazine, but do you feel the same way behind the handlebars?  How many pastors hide behind a pulpit, safe and secure, telling us how to witness, yet have never been called to do it one on one to a hard core biker?  A hooker?  They may know the scripture, they can quote it, but can they live it?  How many times do the priests in your life confront you, pinning you down by their superior knowledge of the scriptures, only to fail miserably and visibly in practice?  At least Peter ran away and wept, the priests so hard of heart stayed behind.  I wonder if they had any concern for the little girl?  Was their hatred of Jesus so strong they missed the message of the book they quoted?  Peter repented, and his one endearing quality was after all his mistakes, he kept going on.  After repenting.  He didn’t look back, he moved forward.  Without the priests, or the little girl knowing he was experiencing what would be recorded in the New Testament that night. 

Nothing is ever known about the little girl, she is nameless like so many Jesus encountered.  Like the woman who gave two mites, she might have been able to provide shelter for Peter if he wasn’t afraid.  When someone asks you about Jesus how do you react?  Are you a Peter?  Is your testimony just words on a page?  Do you quote scripture or live it?  Do you read about it or ride about it?  At  least Peter had left the security of his own environment, he had followed Jesus.  He only didn’t realize, that he was the same Jesus who was with him in the boat.  So next time you hear a teaching on picking on Peter, at least he was there. He hadn’t stayed at home where it was safe.  He was out with Jesus, not just in a study or teaching.  Pray for those who only live for Jesus inside the four walls of a church.  Who never encounter little girls who have questions about salvation.  Who know it all but don’t know Jesus.  On our own we are destined to fail, Peter proves that.  But when the spirit guides us, we can feel secure that Jesus is with us.  By the way, where were the other disciples that night?  Hiding?  At least Peter was out there with Jesus.  Hide behind the Bible, and never know the thrill of victory.  Get out and live the Bible, and come close to defeat, knowing the victory we have in Jesus.  Peter walked in faith, he ran in fear.  Read about life or ride about it.  A picture may be worth a thousand words, but 1000 words will never replace 1000 miles.  Where would you have been that night?  How would you have answered?  Some read, some ride.  Some run from, so run to.  Some ask, some answer.  Some fear, some stand firm.  Iron butt or iron heart?  Some time you will be confronted.....and how will you respond?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com