the day after the dealer closed

To many of us, or really too many of us, rely on a relationship with our local dealer.  He is the one who stays open late so we can pick up that needed part, will even sometimes drop it by on his way home, or take one off a new bike in an emergency.  At least that is the way it used to be, and can be today.  The dealership owner rode, and on any Sunday morning ride would encounter his group of customers, adding to the ride, but sometimes subtracting from it also, he needed a day just to go for a ride like we do.  But yet got hit with so many questions, requests for helping me with my bike, and soon the day was gone, the miles were too few, and Monday came around, his Sunday, and all the non-shop things at home were calling.  It was a shop where we all knew each other by name or reputation, which lent us each a nickname to go with it.  We would joke “what mother would name her kid The, as in The Cruiser?”  We became friends, and would wait anxiously when he returned from the dealer meeting, to see what new bike we lusted after but couldn’t afford.  Did the new 750 really perform like the 1000?  Was there a new sport model, race replica?  Was it just new colors again, or was this the year to trade?  The dealer, our dealer was more than a friend, he was the connection to the outside inner workings of the industry.  Long before the mega dealer, he eked out a living, barely broke even, but had more friends and loyal customers than he could count.  It started with a love of motorcycles, turned into a hobby, then a business, and then a lifelong relationship.  We watched as his family members helped in the business, his wife would work parts, and his son would learn basic mechanical skills.  But as the time passed, he got older, he looked forward to riding like we did, all the people passing through the doors talked of places he had heard of but never rode, and one day, to our surprise, the shop was closed.  The sign said “NEW OWNERS” and we all were in shock.  What happened?  He never said anything about closing?  Was he OK?  But really it was, “where will we go now?  Our friend is gone...”

But soon it was “will the new owners understand like he did?  Will he give me the shop discount?  What will I do in an emergency?”  Suddenly we were no longer friends with the dealer, but customers.  New customers, and the relationship building process would begin again.  Some too old to care, some too young to remember how it was, and a part of the brotherhood, a personal relationship with motorcycles and motorcycling was gone.  An old dog of a ride would have to learn new tricks, hopefully the new owner would too.  Somewhere besides the free hot dogs, banners, and mail outs, we hoped there was a person.  Where we never filled out name and address, now we became part of a data base, and looking at it found some of our friends real first name.  BH was really Bernard, Slim was really Edwin, and Silly Willie was really Durwood.  Durwood?  The times changed, but how would they change us?

In the beginning, riding was like that.  But so was man’s relationship with God.  But something changed along the way, and we fell from grace.  Sin God called it, and it separated us from him.  One day Adam and Eve are walking in the garden with him, the next day hiding behind the bushes.  The dealership with God after sin said “NEW OWNER” and our relationship would never be the same.  The garden was closed, the entrance blocked, the new owner had a much different attitude towards us.  Soon we all went our own ways, some quit on God, some made up new gods, some even denied there ever was a God, and old friends would divide over the decisions.  Where would we turn for help, comfort, love and compassion?  The new owner had none of those qualities.  Life would never be the same under the new owner, and we concentrated so much on us, we never knew how much the old owner loved and needed us.  And then Jesus came along...

For God so loved the world, the scripture tells us, that he gave over his only son, so we could have life everlasting.  So we could be reintroduced to the father, the original owner.  To go back to when he knew us all by name, and we knew him.  To where it was personal, and we were not separated from him.  To start riding again, to have access to a 24/7 hot line to parts, service, and see all the new models.  We had the inside track available to us again, but not all saw Jesus as God.  It was their choice to say no to Jesus, to quit riding, quit living and trust man.  Some even gave themselves over to false gods, and the devil, the new owner made sure they kept away from the truth.  Vicious advertising, false claims, and neglecting, denying of the holy spirit.  Yet Jesus loved us, and the spirit is still calling sinners to repent today.  That is why the devil attacks so vehemently that Jesus is not the son of God, that he is not deity, and that there is no hope in him.  All lies to keep him in business...and us from heaven.  His continuous vicious attack that denies the scripture that says “no one who denies the son has the father.”  Through that he can get at the secret revealed in the Bible about Jesus, and his saving grace.  About power in the spirit, and the love from a loving father.  Causing many to never know the love that God has for his children, no matter how far astray they have fallen.  A glory revealed through Jesus Christ his son, and available to all who turn to him.  The day after the fall things changed, the day Jesus died on the cross, the game changed again, now and forever.

The days of the local dealer have gone over to the mega dealer.  But the heart of the motorcyclist still remains, the desire to ride and fellowship.  Mega churches may dilute the intimacy, but Jesus never changes.  He knows you by name, whether Silly Willy, Eagle, Nippy, or Crazy.  He knows you and wants you to ride again with him, to know his father, to be guided by his spirit.  The doors are open, a new boss is in town, and the old owner, the devil knows his days are limited.  So before he goes under for good, he will get every soul he can, that is his business.  Don’t go there, start a new relationship today, you may be the the one who changes the the new owner into a friend, who knows all your names.  Who introduces you to his son and family, who will stay open late for you.  Who wants to make it personal,  his profit being found in the relationship, the profit in lives saved.  The whole program of creation was intended to be the Father, taking of the fullness that was in Him, and, through the eternal Spirit, imparting it to the Son. The Son, in turn, takes of the fullness that He has received, and, through the eternal Spirit, imparts it to humans and the whole creation to the end that the fullness may be reflected back in visible manifestation to the Father, and so the whole created world would glorify God. That is God's design for the universe.

If it works for motorcycles, it can work for man in Jesus, too.  He is the answer to where do we go now that the old shop is gone.  He is where we turn the day after the local dealer closed.  He is the reward that keeps us riding.  He wants your business, all of it, and at prices you can afford.  Stop looking, start riding.  The best rides are yet to come.  And then, retirement, and the ride we all long for in heaven. Riding and Jesus, it’s that personal.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

somewhere between Cape May and Lewes, Delaware

I was sitting with a couple riding GSXR 1100’s on the ferry from Cape May to Lewes, Delaware.  It was choppy, cold, and after riding 150 miles in heavy rain, I kept thinking it has to get better.  They had their daughter along and had taken the day off to go riding, and were doing a loop they had done before.  As I watched the white caps, the bikes rising and falling as the boat pitched, I was a bit on edge, they just sat enjoying the ride.  It didn’t seem the weather or the ride was fazing them, if you want to ride in Jersey this is the weather you must do it in, and they wanted to ride.  So did I, but all I could see was the clouds and feel the cold, they saw the ride and the road ahead.

Delaware is flat, and marshy where we landed, the April showers had yet to bring May flowers, the marsh grasses high and waving in the wind.  But ahead was sunshine, and in a few miles, off came the rain suit, and a late lunch at a Sonic in the middle of nowhere called.  The lot was filled with cars going to a game, as the cheerleaders and players were in line getting food.  Not a care in the world, as they laughed, joked, and were having fun.  I wondered if I ever had that much fun in high school, in just a few years they would be facing storms like I had in riding that day.  I wanted to reach out and tell them “this is the best time of your life, enjoy it while you can,” but it was not my part.  And as I ate my burger and fries, a voice told me the same thing, “this is the best time of your life, enjoy it while you can.”  As I packed my rain suit for the ride ahead, I looked at it differently, a road in an area new to me, which suddenly looked exciting and promising.  What did the couple on the GSXR’s know I didn’t?  What did the students teach the old teacher?

So many things in life are new to us, but are normal.  We don’t always readily greet them with open arms, but with closed fists.  We don’t like different, it ruins our plans, makes us take detours, put on rain suits, and seek shelter from the storm.  Yet I was reminded that if you want to ride, rain is part of it.  Every boat ride will not be smooth, and in the midst of your situation, there will always be someone having just too much fun for you to handle.  Thinking it is all aimed at you can be too much.  But it is and was your choice to ride, to go by boat, to stop and eat, the world doesn’t revolve around you, we carry rain suits for when and if it rains, and we deal with the conditions, they don’t deal with us.  Somewhere between Cape May and Lewes, Delaware I was reminded of why I ride, why others ride, and that every ride is different.  And if you want to ride, you deal with.  A thought I was to remember for the next 2500 miles of rain and cold....

I arrived home safe, but worn out and cold.  And would ride again, carry the same rain suit, dread putting it on, be glad I had it when I did, and vow to never ride in rain again.  At least until the next time..

John Lennon, poet, musician, philosopher, and keeper of Yoko, once said “life is what happens to your plans,”  no matter what you plan.  Yoko may be the ultimate example of that.  But we start each day anew, having rested and given another chance to serve God.  To show the world the creator we brag about, to show love and compassion to a dying world who needs Jesus.  While John sang of how “instant karma gonna get you,” we know that God has plans for us.  Which include storms, rain, unknown roads, and danger.  How we look at them is our choice.  Some wake up in fear, some in anticipation of a great day.  Some just wake up, some never do.  But God doesn’t abandon us, he whispers in our ear “this is the best time of your life, enjoy it while you can.”  How many times I had looked ahead to the cloudless skies, dry roads, and warm temps, missing out on letting God take me through the storm, showing me his love, and letting him be God.  Because things didn’t go my way, I got down, forgetting it must rain to have a rainbow, a sign from heaven of love from God.  That he takes us through the storm, not around it.  We look for a way out, an escape, a plan B, when his is plan A the whole time.  Scripture tells us the rain falls on the just and the unjust, while the farmer prays for rain for his crops, I pray for sunshine for my ride. Somehow God provides both, if only we can see it his way. 

I have a ride ahead of me today, it is cloudy and cold, drizzling.  But I need to return the bike for a photo shoot, I need to keep my end of the bargain.  Already I am praying for warmth and sunshine, but will make the trip irregardless.  And God will get me through, I know, just not my desire, but his.  So my mental attitude is changing, the ride looks better and better, and I can dress for it.  Why would I complain about taking back a press bike and getting another?  How many envy me for just being able to ride them?  Lord, help me with my attitude....

So when you wake up, it is either “good Lord it’s morning,” or “Good morning Lord.”  Your choice.  An attitude that may set the tone for the day.  The ride.  A new way to look at the storm.  Maybe even thank him for the rain for the crops.  Last weekend on a less than perfect ride to Monterey and back, I rode almost 1000 miles in cold, rain, high winds, and drizzle.  I was upset at the weather, and for going when I knew the forecast.  But riding through Salinas, and seeing the field workers in the cold and rain, gathering up crops, I felt compassion towards them.  That was the life they were given, they had chosen given the facts.  It put food on their table and Levis on the body.  Six or seven days a week, just to get by, and start all over again.  I was humbled by and for them, I was out for a ride.  How different we each faced the day.  My next salad will taste much different.

Today you may be somewhere between Cape May and Lewes, Delaware.  The ride may be choppy, you may be cold.  But like Jesus told his disciples, that he would meet them on the other side, he never told them about the storm, and how they would get there.  If so, they would have taken another route at another time.  Peter would not have walked on the water, and pastors would have one less scripture to quote.  But in the midst of the storm Jesus appeared, got into the boat with them, and suddenly they were on the other side.  Someday we will also cross over to the other side, but only in Christ Jesus will it be heaven.  Then will we look back at how he got us there, the miracles, the love and forgiveness.  So why wait....you see we made it to Lewes with no problems despite the situation.  Despite my worry and concerns, we made it to the other side.  A gentle lesson in the storm about a loving God.  And how if it can happen in New Jersey, it can happen anywhere.  With Jesus on board.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

stereo types

It was a big deal when my Nana bought her first new car, a 1967 Buick Skylark hardtop.  But the real attraction to my cousin and I was the rear seat speaker.  Stereo, or at least an additional speaker to blast out the hits on the Sonomatic radio, which in the mountains of the Poconos could be Staticmatic.  But she had taken us a giant step in car sounds, and I couldn’t understand why my father just didn’t hook one up in his Rambler.  It would be when I got my first car, and replaced the AM with an 8 track that I got my first real stereo with rear speakers, and I would join the millions of stereo types who upgraded their car sound beyond the value paid for their first car.  I took a giant step backwards getting my first Rabbit with only mono FM, but after that the sound was more important than the performance.  I had a motorcycle if I wanted to go fast.  When I bought Garry brown’s 1973 Chevy van, he had two 8 tracks in it, a project to get his electrical engineering degree.  Now I was really a stereo type....

But when John led me to the Lord later that year, I had met the ultimate stereo type.  John was a sales rep for Marantz, had a quadrophonic system with four tower speakers for his apartment, and in his Scirocco had a booster, new word to all of us, with 4 speakers.  My stereo experience had come a long way from Nana’s Buick to Lafayette Radio to my first 8 track.  I was becoming a true stereo type and didn’t even know it!

But when becoming a Christian I became a different stereotype.  I was now a Jesus Freak, Bible Thumper, Church Boy, and others, none of them suggesting any respect.  I found that many of the stereotypes the world had of Christians were church based, the wanting of all our money, all the laws and rules dictating the things we shalt not, and making us lead a religious life of piety.  Of which I found none of those things to be true among true Christians.  We had a new found freedom in the spirit, we had individual personalities, we didn’t all go to the same church or worship the same.  We had Jesus Christ in common, and that was the difference.  Something that no church rhetoric no matter how steeped in denominational tradition could break.  Yes, I knew some church folk who exhibited the stereotype characteristics, but to those in Jesus, who really were Christians we were above it and wanted no part of it.  We came to Christ for freedom, not for a new set of rules.  And one afternoon proved the point, at least to me.

I was invited to a prayer circle and brought my Bible.  Thinking it was Christians, I was wrong, as this new age cult denied Jesus as God, although he was a great teacher, and had their own set of rules.  Mostly do your own thing, and many of the girls were many of the guys own things.  Later when I shared this with a pastor, he explained that not all who use the name of Jesus are Christians.  And in the early church many had left and denied Jesus, some even denying the scriptures predicting him, and falling away from the faith.  Going their own way, making up their own gospel, twisting scripture and taking it out of context to suit their own good.  To substantiate their own sins.  Neglecting the true things of God and choosing to follow false doctrine, and in effect denying Jesus Christ.  Sadly many of these types tried Jesus, but for some reason he didn’t meet their criteria, and they passed on him. To their own destruction.  Denying that God has everything under his control, and wanting it under theirs. 

Today the stereotype of a Christian hasn’t changed much, as Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  We change, he never does, which is a good thing.  No new religion sought to take a giant step back, but when denying Jesus and the power of his word via his spirit, they deny the basic tenets of becoming a Christian.  Maybe John words it best, “they went out from us because they were never part of us.”  And in Matthew 25 Jesus telling the church who has gone its own way “be gone, I never knew you.”  So close yet so far.  So where do you stand....

Do you live a life in Christ, or follow your own set of rules?  Remember if sin wasn’t fun why would you do it?  But know Jesus still loves them, and is patient that none should perish.  He gets it, how many of us don’t?  Won’t?  Or refuse to do it his way?  Beware the scriptures and their teaching if not in the spirit, for it is the spirit that reveals the mysteries of Christ, without the spirit they are just words on a page, open to any interpretation to suit the sin you want to substantiate.  And in the end will be judged by the standards they lived by.  Not a way I choose to meet my maker.

Today we don’t have stereos any more, we have sound systems.  The stereo type of 30 years ago is now an i-pod owner, who can download music and take pictures with his cell phone.  But sin remains sin as it always has.  And the stereotype of Jesus will still be confused with the church.  Don’t you make the same mistake, we are the church and Jesus is the head.  We are to follow not lead.  He is Jesus 1.0, there are no updates or upgrades.  No reverb systems and no boosters other than the holy spirit.  Just how far has the church fallen?  Maybe an example of power in Mercedes Benz sound systems explains it better.

When the 211 chassis came out, the E class, it had a computer controlled sound system.  That would shut off then magically turn itself back on without notice.  The engineers found it put out too much power and over heated, thus turning itself off, and back on when cooled off.  The fix, depower the unit so it won’t overheat.  Does your God perform under all situations?  Does he need to be reprogrammed?  Jesus doesn’t...maybe the ultimate stereo type, the ultimate multi channel surround sound of love.  If music is the sound of love, play on.

Even in Nana’s back seat we could tell the difference then...

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com 

after the thrill is gone

There was a time when my world was all about playing sports.  Only 23 innings, what are you a wuss?  Quitting after 12 quarters of basketball, I thought you were in shape?  What do you mean no more touch football?  We can play under the streetlights, it’s only 930 pm!  And so it was with my sports endeavors, it was all about playing the game, about competing, about having fun hanging out with your friends, and pizza afterwards.  Your group of guys was your team, your family circle, to some their only family, and for the length of playing, it was all that mattered.  It was winning and losing, and starting over again, going 0-for-4, then hitting two home runs next game.  Sinking the winning shot with two seconds to play, or intercepting a pass for the winning touchdown, after throwing one earlier.  It was a competition that we played via a game, and those with more talent got to take it to higher levels, with the rest of us watching from the bench.  As we got older and more organized though a funny thing happened, it wasn’t as much fun anymore.  Too much time spent at practice where before it was afterschool pick up games.  Discipline came into the game, rules and regulations, uniforms, and competition to win was more important than just playing the game.  Suddenly the less talented were cut or neglected, best friends soon went to the bench, then out of your life altogether.  Suddenly the game was not a game anymore, but where winning was everything, and losing meant you were a loser.  And no one wants to be known as a loser.  From playing catch, to Little League, to varsity, then back to playing catch, the simpler things turned out to be the most fun.  Running bases, playing horse, touch football, and just playing were how you started, what attracted you, but somewhere along the line religion came into the game, and suddenly it was no longer fun.  For me, it hit one Saturday morning on a softball field....

I was newly married, and played in a very competitive church league.  We were doing good, with two of us the stars, at least to us.  After having a great game, hitting a couple of home runs and the team winning, something was missing.  It wasn’t fun anymore, I had lost all desire to even show up, and later that week quit.  Which surprised many as the game was all about me, no secret there.  But with my new wife, now it was all about her, about us, and being with her.  In one quick “I do” my sports priorities had changed, my life priorities had changed, and Pastor Hyde was right, my desire would be for my wife, to other things.  I was changing, changed actually, and enjoying it.  Go figure, can a woman make that much difference in a life?  Can one person change you that much?  What would my old friends think, and did I even care?

Scripture warns us of the dangers of loving the things of the world.  I had fallen and didn’t even know it, for sports for me had been my world.  God talks of sports, even competition, but for me it was consuming my life.  God wants us to enjoy the things of the world, just not distort them so they control us.  And sports had, fortunately the grace of God caught me in time.  God is like that, and today I enjoy the game, rather than it consuming me.  Yet some must forego all sports, and in their decision take on another all consuming habit, telling themselves “see I am free form that thing that controlled me,” only to submit to another.  It is when the flesh seeks to fulfill that which God promises, to distort it to such a level that it controls us, that it becomes sin and we are sinful.  Followed up by the lust of the eyes, again taking the things of God to a limit we know is beyond what he approves of, and we are still in danger.  Paul addressed these things to the Corinthians, who had it all, but screwed it all up.  He very simply told them to “stop!”  Not stop or you’ll die, as religion adds to it, but simply stop.  Recognize your sin, repent of it, and go on.  God has forgiven you, Jesus wants to bless you, and the spirit will guide you.  Simple, yet overlooked.  Hence we have 5 step, 12 step, 13 chapters to success, with the person graduating the course, but never overcoming the problem.  We cannot make the changes on our own, they must come form God, for without it, we have achieved nothing.  He changes lives, we don’t. 

But be wary lest ye fall, we are warned.  For sometimes just as we become a better hitter, a better passer, or able to sink a 20 footer, we take pride in our accomplishments.  Again the focus is on us.  We set goals, we compare ourselves to others, we brag as to that we have accomplished, only to fall deeper into sin.  We can accomplish nothing in or of ourselves.  We can own a bigger home, have a stable of motorcycles, take the best trips.  We can achieve success in business, in a career, dream big and have it all, but without Jesus, they are just things.  Sometimes we even thank God for all the success we have, but really we are in terrible danger.  The things of life have taken precedence, they have gotten between us and God and anything that does is sin.  For me it was sports, what is it for you?  Beware, motorcycles can break your heart too. 

So what to do?  Seek the Lord, and anything that appears to consume you except for a desire for more Jesus can be a warning.  Playing 23 innings of softball isn’t bad, but at the expense of family, well....making a great living is good, but when it takes away from family.....Nice cars and houses may fill a need, but are they fulfilling the need for more Jesus in your life?  What does God know that we don’t when he says to enjoy what we have, to enjoy today, to seek him first?  When the things are enjoyed more than the creator, we need to stop.  Maybe 9 innings is enough, do I really need a 3,000 square foot house for two of us?  I can only ride one bike at a time.....you make the call.  After the thrill is gone, who do you turn to?

So maybe a few words from 1 John will help us, do not seek to amass things,  do not love luxury and ease, and do not strive to outdo others.  Remember how much fun playing catch was, running bases, playing horse.  Just going for a ride, just spending time with your spouse.  Go back to when things didn’t own you, and you could say no and walk away.  Go back to the first time in Jesus, and remember all the promises you made and broke.  Seek his forgiveness, and carry on.  Seeking him first, then he will add all things.  When he is the most important thing, we enjoy all the others.  Run the race to win, but remember to finish first you must first finish.  Some are in for the ride, some are in for what they ride.  I now remember the who it is all about.  And the thrill is back, Jesus never left me, I left him.  Religion may seem like a set of thou shalt nots to many, to me Jesus means I can do all things in him who gives me strength.  And the desire to do them.  If life isn’t thrilling enough, try Jesus.  And hang on for the life of your run!  The rest of you, enjoy your labor in vain.  Or is it vein?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.om