how ya gonna keep them down on the farm after they've seen Paree?

100 years ago it was referred to as The Great War, the war to end all wars.  Only did it rise to #1 status after The Big One, WWII came along 25 years later.  It was a true test for the United States, a test of our character, of us the people, to see how we would react to tyranny and evil throughout the world.  And even though we entered it late, and it was the first big war we fought on only foreign shores, it changed us forever.  We won, and accepted all the glory that goes with victory, but also the responsibility that goes with it.  Our entire outlook on life and the world had changed in a few short years, and from a man we had changed.  Some big, some small that would be big, but the war had changed all of us. 

100 years ago we were mostly an agrarian nation, with the bulk of people living outside of cities.  Our population was roughly on third of what it is today, electricity, phones, indoor plumbing, and even shoes for kids under 15 were unknown in farming communities.  Although prosperous, we were confined to life in a 20-100 mile radius, big city life was only imagined and dreamt of from pictures, and foreign lands were so foreign, even travel with the 48 states was a big deal.  Imagine only 4-5 days from coast to coast by train, no roads, only dirt mixed with gravel, no motels when you did, and as a farmer you had to be as much mechanical as agricultural.  Your family was born on farms and stayed on farms for generations, and that was your future too.  Now men were coming back from Europe, having seen things they could not even have imagined before, and a popular song of the time sang about them “how ya gonna keep them down on the farm, after they’ve seen Paree?”  They had seen the world outside of theirs, and wanted more from life than what they had.  They came back with visions of bright lights, clubs open all night, cars and trolleys, huge trains that held hundreds, and a land, world so big they couldn’t find words to describe it.  They were changed, their character was changed, and they would never be the same.  Nor would the US of A.  We were victors, we had fought the enemy and won, and now were ready to enjoy all the spoils, along with the responsibility of being a world power.  What we had done defined who we were, we had seen Paree, and no one was gong to keep us down any more. 

Before I came to Christ, my whole Christian experience was Sunday school, forced on me by parents who didn’t even go to church.  No teaching or thoughts of hell, I had never killed anyone, I had run over a guy once, but he had been warned, so in my mind it was alright.  I was no sinner.  I had my own gospel, only Jesus wasn’t part of it.  It was only after the holy spirit opened my eyes to sin that I knew it was bad.  Until then I had no reason to repent, now I did.  But to who, the church?  I had talked to preachers, but they dismissed me as a long haired, bigot.  Only in Jesus did I find acceptance, and it was he who changed my heart.  It was his spirit that made the scriptures come alive, who showed me the bright lights of heaven, and that being a Christian was more than a set of thou shalt not rules imposed on me by religion.  No way were they going to keep me down after I’d seen heaven, never would I want to go back to life as it was.  Now I had a hope and a future.  I was forgiven, born again, and loved.  The happiness I had enjoyed was now turned to joy, and I still cannot put it into words.  All my sins, even murder that some religions told me was unforgivable was forgiven in Christ.  I had a new song to sing, and someone to sing it about. 

Sometime in your life, if it hasn’t already happened, you will be asked in your spirit “who do you say Jesus is?”  It may be in church, a Bible study, or even alone when the voice of God speaks to you.  A voice that has been telling you for years in words and actions “you need Jesus,” and you will have to give an answer.  An accounting to God.  Because he wants to save you, not condemn you, it is the invitation that releases you from the past into the future, and gives you one.  It is where your true character begins, as you begin to see the true character of Jesus Christ.  Where the bright lights are calling, and the darkness of the past no longer entice you.  It is the victory over a battle that you didn’t know was raging inside you, a battle for your very soul, with eternal results.  For just as some men went to fight and didn’t return, some would not return from spiritual battles either, for only with Jesus you can and will.  Life is too big a prize to lose over religion.  We now see Jesus, where once we saw death.  We see life where we once saw despair.  We have hope where we just tried to get by today.  We had a future, where we were only taught about the past.

True character is exposed under fire, the true character of God was shown when he sent Jesus to die in our place on the cross.  Have you seen Paree?  Paris has nothing over heaven.  Have you tasted of the things of the spirit?  What is keeping you down on the farm or in life?  What excuse are you making for not be blessed by the creator of the universe?  Of the only one who can save you?  Will it take a war of epic proportions to get your attention, or can you hear that still small voice today?

The fight for your soul is the original and bloodiest war ever, or that ever will be. Jesus shed his own blood to ensure us victory.  You can now enjoy today because you have a future, or brood about your past.  Maybe the song we learned in Sunday school said it all “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so.”  But how nice to experience that love first hand and from others.  Here’s your chance to do the same....to others. With others.  How are you ever going to share the things of Jesus if you never go there?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

a broken bike that leads to a Triumph

Sometimes it is who you know when buying a new motorcycle.  I had met Tom when breaking down in Salida over a 4th of July weekend, and he mentioned if I ever sold my Z-1, he wanted it.  He owned the Kawasaki store there, and so it was only natural when the new Kawasaki’s came out that fall, I called him.  He remembered, gave me more than I wanted, he really wanted my Z, and over the mountain in December we went, snow and all.  And I kept that 1981 KZ750 until 1984, when the new Honda Nighthawk 750 was introduced, really they came out in 1983, but I bought a leftover 1983 in 1984.  From Gary, who ran Handlebar Cycle in Durango, giving me the option of either an 83 or 84, with only a $100 difference.  But bowing to vanity, I liked the 83 blue one better, we flipped for another $100, and I won, getting the deal I wanted.  But it was knowing Gary, as he never discounted anything, such was being a small town dealer then.  Until two years later, when Brett and I were killing time looking at bikes at the Yamaha shop, they offered me a deal on an FJ1100 leftover, I couldn’t pass up.  They couldn’t sell the bike, no one could get it insured, remember those days of Ninja style bikes being prohibitively expensive to insure, led by GEICO, who almost lost their license to sell insurance over false claims and illegal practices?  So they discounted the bike heavily, gave me what I paid for the Nighthawk,  think of riding a bike for two years for free, and the FJ1100 was mine.  Which was promptly broken in, putting 6000 miles on it the first week on a ride to Pennsylvania from New Mexico.  Was it the bikes, or was it me?  The string not yet ended.

Fast forward to 1996 in California, where at 79,000 miles I decided I wanted a new Triumph.  Where I meet Lance at Route 66, where he gives me high retail for the FJ, and I ride out on a new 1996 Trident.  A chain of new bike events all started when I broke down in Salida years earlier, and Tom came to my aid.  one broken bikes leads to a Triumph.  Today we call it networking, back then without emails, voice mails, and doing business face to face, it was making friendships, and building relationships.  Which it has always been, and still is today, but on different levels.  Who hasn’t lied a bit on their Facebook page?  Knowing you will probably never meet most of them on your friend list.  Or joined a dating service and fibbed a bit about income and physical attributes?  Then when coming face to face surprising or being surprised at who you really meet.  Ever buy a bike that way?  On Craigslist it sounded too good to be true, only to find out it was.  And the farther the distance between the the two parties, the more potential for the tales to grow.  Of course that would never happen to you.....so why look for God in the same way?  

There is a battlefield for your soul going on right now in the heavenlies.  A battle between God and Satan, in which God will never lose.  With us, the people of earth as its battlefield.  We are the soldiers, the battlefield, and the prize all at once.  And it pays to know who you know, you may survive the battle of the day, but eventually lose the war for your soul.  Without Jesus, without his spirit protecting you and guiding you, you are either a casualty or one waiting to happen.  There are truly battles going on for you with you as the prize.  With only one winner, those who choose Christ.  The battles may seem invisible, or they may be right in front of us, like crime waves, fears, wars, and terrorism, that affect our innermost being, turning us neurotic, fearful, and paranoid, reflected in both our individual lives, but affecting families as well.  We all know someone like that, evil chooses no favorites, just those available. 

Simply put, the Bible shows us as a fallen race since Adam, that no matter how rich, powerful, handsome or talented, all come under the power of Satan.  Making us victims, where we can fall prey to our own understanding, leading to further defeat.  But before you despair, know those in Christ will be delivered.  Salvation being a gift, not negotiable like buying a motorcycle.  There is no discounted salvation, no special deals, no leftover sales.  It is a gift, because it cannot be earned.  And it is available to all who call on the name of Jesus.  We can be and are set free in Jesus, but the battles continue.  But you are on the winning team, and even though the battles may be tough, the victory is that much sweeter.  We have overcome death and hell in Jesus Christ. 

Left with a full provision of armor to wear in our daily battles.  God has made provision for us to fight and win these battles, but not on our own, or in our own power.  While still on this planet, we will experience battles everyday, but we can overcome them in Christ.  Sadly there will be casualties, in Christ we are victors.  How many of us have come to know Jesus in the midst of a battle or problem like I met Tom when I was broken down?  Setting a pattern, that still exists today.  As I can get my new Triumphs at dealer cost or less.  A far cry from an old 1975 Z-1 with 75,000 miles.  To me an old bike I wanted to trade, to Tom an old survivor he wanted to keep.

Jesus saves, and at today’s prices that is a miracle.  Always has been, always will be.  Today can be your day of salvation, a day to start a life of victory in he midst of turmoil.  To stand tall, knowing Jesus has  your back, and all your other sides too.  That no fear can possess us, when we are in him.  For he is light, in him is found no darkness.  Jesus has broken the power over Satan in lives and the bondage he holds many under.  Today you can walk in a sinner, and ride out a winner.  Paid in full, a gift from God.  Just tell ‘em Jesus sent you, and the deal is done.

But be warned the struggles will go on, your new ride will need maintenance just like your life does.  But you are now equipped, you know the owner, and can walk right in the front door anytime.  We just don’t know that time, but soon is sooner than we think.  Be ready, be prepared.  Know Jesus.  Who would have ever thought that one breakdown would lead me to riding factory press bikes for free?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

 

  

Johnny wore no bottom rocker

My good friend has been around motorcycling his whole professional career. From building and tuning 200 mph machines at Daytona to building 120 hp Harleys that only go 70, the rider’s choice, the power is there, he was confused when he asked a friend of his, who is in a club, to go riding, and was told he couldn’t.  It was out of his area, and he had certain boundaries he had to stay in, his protected territory.  Isn’t motorcycling about freedom?  Could you imagine telling Johnny in the Wild One, “sorry Johnny, you can only ride here...” or Chino for that matter.  But yet this guy and his club members are restricted by a patch that says what is their territory.  He understands better now why I ride alone.

At one time I was a mover and shaker in an international Christian motorcycle ministry.  At least they had it planned that way for me, but I didn’t ride their brand.  Obey their rules, I rode too fast, too far.  I enjoyed the ride too much, and when asked to assume a national position, and read their handbook, which I was to agree to and sign that I did, I was asked to leave.  After they removed me from their rolls after 34 years.  They wore Jesus patches on their vests, passed out tracts, and told about the freedom in Christ, but I had to sign that the ministry and its rules came first.  Among them I would pay a certain percent of my tithes to them-wrong. You cannot take an offering, they do.  Maybe the love of money is the root of all evil.  But when I was told I couldn’t take communion at a meeting, even in my own home, I rebelled, they were busted, and I was removed.  Doesn’t Jesus teach about communion “do this in remembrance of me?”  They claimed they didn’t want to offend anyone, but to offend Jesus was OK.  Surprising, to them not to me, when I serve communion among our flock made up of many denominations, no on ever complains.  They want to take communion, funny they tried to take my money, and my relationship with God, all in his name.  And I was the rebel....

So where is this freedom we talk about?  That we share about, that we tell people Jesus is all about?  Not reflected in a Bible study I used to attend, when one night the subject was the Holy Spirit.  And how he guides.  After praying “holy spirit come,” and then setting down the rules.  Another place I used to go, I did leave on my own a free man, though.  In all their Bible teaching, studying, and note taking they missed the fact that upon salvation, Jesus places his spirit within you.  We turn our back on him, he never leaves us or forsakes us.  And they were inviting him in?  So much for freedom in the spirit when rules are applied, they were going to teach us how to be holy.  But without the spirit guiding you will never be whole!  Maybe my problem was and is I want all of Jesus can get.  I want all the love and blessings he can give, without any restrictions.  Is it possible that Johnny in the Wild One lived a freedom, understood a freedom better than is taught in some churches?  Or shown in some ministries?  Are you free only because you believe like they do and are accepted? 

So I continue to upset the church and their religion with love.  I share communion with those not part of any denomination.  We pray together, study together, and grow together.  In the spirit.  We have a freedom that is threatening to those under the law, of which Jesus came to abolish.  He established grace, where salvation is free, we are forgiven without ceremony, and we are given only one law, “Love God with all your heart and  love your neighbor as yourself.”  The church, denominations, club rules, and even families will change lives, only Jesus changes the heart.  So that when we change from the inside, it is reflected on the outside.  The inside that only God sees, the outside we try to cover up and make presentable, so we are accepted.  Again Jesus set the example, he accepts us as we are, he just doesn’t want to leave us that way.  Next time you sing about wanting to be like Jesus remember that. 

So what is this freedom Jesus talks of?  Maybe best described in action.  I was approached at a biker rally one night by a young girl interested in what my church believed.  She had seen my Christian shirt, and immediately thought church instead of Jesus.  I explained freedom as “I can do anything I want, to whoever I want, whenever I want.  I can ask her out, even though I am married.  I can drink and get drunk.  I can do drugs.  But I choose not to, because I have the freedom in the spirit to also say no.  I can be everything in Christ he has for me, far beyond any of my wildest dreams, which can be pretty wild.”  Just when I thought I had scared her off, she replied, “that’s what I want.  Is there more to Jesus than church and religion?  If asked what would Jesus do, do you have to ask?  If you are in the spirit you know, for he gives you wisdom, and the freedom to choose.  He gives you reasons to say yes, and loves you when you say no.  I’m still looking for a club, ministry, or a church like that.  But I have found all I desire in Jesus Christ.

Now I am not anti-club or anti-church, but when they take away my freedom, I always fall back on Jesus.  On his spirit.  Where there is found liberty.  Do you seek the spirit while he is near?  Or is he a once a week, an hour a service relationship?  I once was told by a boss “it only makes sense not to bring God to work.”  I was gone a while later.  Losing a high paying job, but opening up a door to ride and travel way beyond my wildest dreams.  The freedom to say yes to Jesus, and face the consequences, for all things work together for those who love God and are called to his purpose.  His purpose is Jesus Christ.  Who’s yours?

And so I claim to have this condition called motorcycling, I love all aspects of it.  But I enjoy the freedom to ride what I want, when I want, where I want, with whoever I want.  The same condition exists in my walk with Christ.  I can be who I am in him, a full time job if you know me, and he still loves me as I am.  I now know that you cannot just teach about Jesus, he must be experienced.  And when you do the best times are without words.  They are that personal.  Making Jesus maybe the worst law breaker of all times, at least to the Pharisees and religion.  With only love being the cure.   Wanting more Jesus, trust the spirit.  He led you to Christ, he hasn’t abandoned you.  Repent and go on, your spirit in his loving arms, and you will know.  No boundaries, no rules, no brand specific claims.  No denominational conflicts, all the power you need when you need it.  Of course Jesus says it best in Luke,

“The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me,
Because He has anointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,[fn]
To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty those who are oppressed;

that’s the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Or Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is,there is liberty.  Freedom and liberty, mentioned 28 times in the Bible. 

Yet with a warning, While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage.

Maybe we need to ask the same question that girl asked me that night, “is there more to Jesus than church and religion?”  There is in the spirit.  And he is calling you now to that freedom.  That liberty, that time off from the rules that bind.  To show you love, give you wisdom, and bless you abundantly.  Johnny and Chino had a glimpse of this freedom, only without Jesus.  Overcome by rules, religion, and what to ride?  How to worship?  Be a true rebel today in Christ, in the spirit.  And enjoy the ride more.  I am.  Club or no club, which church, or church at all?  Jesus and riding a motorcycle, two freedoms you don’t want to miss.  In that order.  And did anyone notice, Johnny wore no bottom rocker?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

 

"we didn't need dialogue, we had faces."

In 1950 Hollywood stunned the world and itself too when it released the movie Sunset Boulevard.  An almost biographical look at itself, it took a cruel, but honest look at what had become of the stars of the early silent screen, in particular one Norma Desmond, played by Gloria Swanson.  She is or was a star at one time, and is still locked in her glory days.  Time and the movies have passed her by, but she still lives as she did then, when some 20-25 years have passed.  She has been planning to make another movie, to show the new generation how it should be done, and is sadly misled when her old studio calls her and only is interested in her car.  She thinks they are calling....but perhaps the most telling line is when a reporter sees her, and says “hey, you’re Norma Desmond aren’t you?  You used to be big?”  And her reply is priceless, “I am big, it’s the pictures that got small.”  An incredible line from a star who never uttered one line in any of her films, for she was a star in the silent era.  Maybe saving her best and only line for last.  She was big in pictures, she just failed to see the big picture.

“Hey I know you, you used to go to church here,” I have been told.  Something about changing churches or taking a rest from religion inspires these words to those who haven’t.  Sometimes I want to say, “ God is big, it is religion that has made him small,” but know the lines will only fall short of having the effect I desire, as religion has made them small.  God moved on, and although he never changes, they didn’t either.  Jesus loves them as they are, he just didn’t want to leave them that way.  He saw the potential, they never saw him.  A story told in both the New and Old Testaments about Moses, who when he saw God on the mountain and received the Ten Commandments, he put a veil over his face.  It shone with the presence of God, and at first he didn’t want to scare the people.  But as time went on, and the glory faded, he still wore the mask, to hide it fading glow.  God hadn’t changed, he had.  Maybe he once wore it proudly, “I’ve been with God and you haven’t,” now he only had a faded memory, and like Norma, “hewas big, it’s the message that got small.”  For in the commandments God gave him were six rules on how to have relationships with man, and only four with God.  No salvation found in them, it was only later when Paul related the same story in Corinthians does he remind us that Jesus wrote his word on our hearts, not on tablets of stone.  Reminding us how hard hearted we are, and how only Jesus can soften that heart of stone.  He went on to say how Moses kept his mask on because he didn’t want to lose what he had, that personal moment with God.  Has your relationship with God been based on one moment, one event?  Or is it still in progress, growing every day?  Has Jesus gotten smaller, while you have gotten larger?  Is you religion larger than Jesus?  Can you even tell the difference?

Moses gave us the evidence, Paul made it more personal.  We all put up facades, sadly to other Christians, we don’t want to appear weak.  When a very young Christian, I had a headache and a pastor rebuked it out of me.  Only I still had it, he was sure it was gone, I was sure it wasn’t, but lied to please him.  Do we lie to others thinking it will make us look better, increase the drama of our testimony?  Has our relationship faded so much we never take off our mask?  Do we even know we still wear it?

Even though it is our testimony, without Jesus it is meaningless.  Joining a church, going forward at Billy Graham, or praying in an emotional moment may not be true salvation.  Only when Jesus softens our hearts, when we admit we are sinners and repent, when we acknowledge him as God, Lord and savior, are we born again.  Consider where you are in Jesus right now, is he still as big as the first time you met him?  Or has religion gotten bigger?  Do you care more about what people think or what God does?  Is your life just one big evangelical veil production, or do you know Jesus personally?  He is ready to forgive you and welcome you, or forgive you again and welcome you back.  Are you more concerned about your friends finding out how you have been living a lie, maybe not rejoicing when you repent or of the angels who do when a soul is saved?  Norma never got it, Moses had a clue, do you?

In the end Norma has lost all touch with reality.  And as the police come for her, she makes her final exit down the staircase jammed with reporters.  She is big again, she pauses to make an impromptu speech, one she has been rehearsing for years on the comeback, her comeback, and her last line is “All right, Mr. DeMille, I’m ready for my close up.”  Are we ready for ours?  While we see only the outer man, God sees both, and looks on the heart.  Norma waited years for her comeback, yours can happen today.  Are you ready for your close up?  Ready to discard the mask between you and God?  God is light, the camera the spirit, all we need is some action.  You see, “Jesus still is big, it is religion that has become small.”  Has life become as Norma said, “we didn’t need dialogue, we had faces.”  God gave Moses words, Jesus is the word.  And Moses answered...

By the way, Sunset Boulevard was nominated for 11 Academy Awards and won three.  Jesus nominates you for one, salvation.  The envelope please....

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com