taking off the training wheels

Leaving The Classic Car Show in LA on Saturday, I got to thinking how many cars I have had over the years, and although I don’t consider myself a gearhead, it is more about wheels than anything.  I can remember my first bike, a 20” with hard rubber tires, and the big deal when the training wheels came off.  My next bike at age 6, a 24” convertible, you removed the boy bar to  make it a girls’ bike, but I didn’t care, I was in white walled glory with a basket to carry things.  But it wasn’t just bikes, I had a pedal tractor as a kid, and then another, way cool.  Some go carts that were pedal driven, and wagons, that while some were pulled in their wagon, I sat in mine and was pushed from behind, steering.  As I got older the trend continued, my green Schwinn Sting Ray, a real Sting Ray, not some other company’s copy.  10 speeds, and the list goes on.  I have had owned over 25 cars in my lifetime, afraid to count the motorcycles, I tried and lost count, and the theme I always lived by it seems, was that wheels took me places.  I saw things, met people, made memories.  Sometimes traveling alone, like my first cross country trip in my 1973 Chevy Van in 1975, to Torches rides with hundreds.  But I never sat still it seemed, there was always somewhere to go, and a road to take me there.  An itch that has never been scratched, like the one on your back you cannot reach, but keep trying anyway.  43 nights on the road last year just increased my desire to ride, and this year’s trips are already shaping up.  Seems the kid in me never grew up, and has no intention of ever doing it.  Some brag on their second childhood, I‘m still enjoying my first. 

Yet I find two different groups of people when the talk comes to cars, motorcycles, and rides.  Some like to share and encourage, taking the time to get into details, so you can go and enjoy the ride.  While some get indignant, almost jealous, that you ride and they don’t.  You have such and such a car or motorcycle and they don’t.  You can tell when the excuses begin, and the freer they flow, they have become jealous, prideful, and also hateful.  True we may not all have the same opportunities, but we all can make choices, some choose excuses.  I have some friends like that, who almost try to make me feel bad after a trip, because they can’t.  They find ways to not do things, to almost deny God’s blessings to them, and always are left miserable, the same way they entered.  Maybe another reason we ride alone, we plan, we save, and we trust God, who knows our desires, and we fine tune our trips according to him.  How many free nights, free meals, discounts and treasures have been found just by going and doing.  Which brings up a point about Jesus, how much of your relationship with him is doing?  What have you learned by doing, then confirming in the word, as opposed to studying all aspects, and coming up with reasons, aka excuses for not doing things?  While some try to make you jealous, I rather encourage in Christ.  We are not in a competition with each other, the only competition is between God and Satan for our souls. The important thing is we represent Jesus on earth, the same ministry we each have been given.  Yet seldom used, read as in doing.  Paul dealt with this, they were true Christians, but felt the need to compete, to be the best church, best fellowship, even at others expense.  Today I see churches rob members form each other, calling it evangelism or a crusade.  I have seen some men get bummed because after the brag on what they have done, the next guy’s story is better.  Why can’t we just enjoy what God ahs given each one of us and enjoy it?

Years ago when we changed churches, I just wanted to sit in the pew and listen, I was tired of thinking I had to be doing things on my own for Jesus, then I started letting him guide.  And I did more, maybe less, but was blessed more, had a peace not found in competing with other Christians, and grew in Christ.  When God’s plan was enacted, I grew.  I wanted to do more, and with him guiding, I could.  It was like the training wheels coming off, I always knew I could ride, now I was.  I had a direction and a purpose.  I rode and did, grew in Christ, and got deeper in his word.  I was able to reflect my actions in his word because I had done them, been there, and done that.  While some were still studying and seeking, I was out living and doing for Christ.  Suddenly the rides got better, the roads more challenging, and my vistas expanded in Jesus.  I let him do it, I just came along for the ride.  And what a ride it has been...

A sure sign of Christian maturity is finding joy in someone else’s ministry and in their successes.  Not being envious, or wondering “why doesn’t God bless me like that?” I think your answer is obvious.  We need to know that in all things Christ is preached, and our reactions are more important than our actions.  Remember the rich man praying in church, “at least I am not a poor sinner like him,” not knowing just how poor and wretched he really was.  If only we can be happy in what we have, and enjoy the moment.  What a difference that would make.  Maybe it is time to take off the training wheels, and trust God with your ride.  You will fall, but he will pick you up and restore you.  Scripture tells us an unused barn stays clean, but makes no profit.  Bragging on your crabgrass free yard, or the places you have been in Christ?  Maybe there is a reason no one listens to you.  What a difference being a doer of the word makes.  But of course, you must get out and do it.  That first step maybe the hardest....

If you are not moving forward, you are either standing still or going backward.  Enough has been said about back sliders, just know that the lukewarm get spit out of Jesus’ mouth, they made him sick.  And I don’t remember car sick being mentioned!  Only in looking back can we see how much fun we really had in that wagon, or doing burnouts on our Sting Ray.  Those in Christ not only look ahead, but are moving forward with him, the best memories yet to be made.  Or you can look at someone else’s home movies.....and grumble.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthw25biker.blogspot.com

"NEXT"

Growing up baseball was the National past time.  Lately the NFL would like you to think it has the new title, but some how “apple pie, football, hot dogs and NFL,” doesn’t roll off the tongue.  And in this age of victims, the “I can’t because I’m ______________” or “because you’re _________” we need to reach a common ground, one that defies sex, age, financial and social position, one that can be done using simple hand tools and without the help, I mean interference of the government.  It must be easy to do, require no training so anyone in the hood can do it, and not be restricted to a certain season or time.  I have come up with the answer, and it has been here for awhile, really in front of us the whole time, so close we never realized it.  It is, are you ready, waiting in line.”

From going to the bank, to going to the ladies room, to standing in line to fill out a government form, while waiting to be next to use the computer, we all wait in line.  Go to the car wash, a line.  The ATM, a line.  Fast food, a line.  Trying to get to your car after church, a line.  Is it possible that waiting in line is already our national past time and we don’t know it?  Can we turn the sport of waiting in line into a competition?  From teams, see who gets served first, bets placed with bookies in Vegas, seeing who has the better skills at picking the best line.  Add it to the Super Bowl activities, who can get to the head first at half time?  Who can eat his $25 hot dog the fastest and return in line for another?  Who can find his car in the parking lot first?  Which valet attendant is quickest, and which line do I stand in to get him.  Of course that may be the longest line, which just adds to the spirit of competition.  We can get corporate backing, t-shirts and hat, shortest wait and longest wait, and endurance race.  Imagine the action at the welfare office, studying the room to see which line moves the fastest, writing a book on how to effectively wait in line, a guest shot on Oprah, and waiting in the wings for your appearance.  Even grannies and old folks can do it, the handicapped, and those who are dyslexic.  The possibilities are endless, just take a number and stand in line. And hope you aren’t in the bathroom when your number is called.  And you have to start over again, waiting.

Doesn’t scripture proclaim “they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength?”  Can I see a whole series of sermons, I can’t wait till next week.  Get there early for the best seat, again standing in line.  The possibilities are endless, and cost effective.  But many today use the excuse of waiting, when they are really delaying.  “I’ll get saved after I do everything I want in life,” is not waiting, that is delaying.  Putting off praying or ministering to a friend, until it fits your schedule, that’s delaying.  But looking for the opportunity to serve, when God opens the door, that is waiting on him.  See the difference, we are wise to your excuses.  But wait a minute.....

When Jesus fed the 5000, it is never mentioned how.  Were they served cafeteria style, buffet style, “do you want tartar sauce with that?” or were the serving portions brought to the table?  It does say that 12 baskets of bread and fish were picked up after, I assume they waited until the crowd was gone, or at least done.  Till the lines got shorter.  I cannot see the apostles working the crowd, “hurry up, it’s getting dark.”  Also no mention of porta potties or bathrooms.  “Wait honey, the line is long.”  If only I hadn’t delayed getting in line earlier.  Maybe there is a difference between waiting and delaying.  Try substituting delaying for waiting in the above scripture, “those that delay upon the Lord,” don’t renew their strength, maybe we see a truth about us we don’t want to.   God is patient that none should perish, so what’s your delay?   Could delaying be the cause of your weakness?  Maybe just standing in the wrong line, of scoffers and sinners, who will not see God.  And an international past time, denying God, is formed.  Funny how there are no lines for denying him.  So how do you spend your free time, what is you past time?  Is the best you can offer, “wait a minute, I’ll do it when I get a chance?”  Lines forming now, get there early for your best place in it, and no matter what, you will wait.  Or you can accept him now, and find out “why did I wait so long?”  Something to consider while in line on the 405 parking lot we call a freeway, at least waiting in line, or on the freeway, you are never alone.  Maybe waiting in line is the cause for loneliness.  Now, what would be a catchy title?  A Kindle version to read in your i-pod while waiting in line, an audio for when driving.  I don’t see a line forming for this, yet.

Scripture tells us the Jews seek signs, the Gentiles seek wisdom.  You don’t have to wait in line, or wait at all to know Jesus.  But you can delay.  Many have and it has been disastrous for them, if only they hadn’t delayed, before it was too late.  The word delay is mentioned 14 times in the NKJV, referring to “hurry up,” now means now, or even 5 minutes ago.  What happened?  Wait is mentioned 94 times, in reference to being patient.  To me it says, “if he hadn’t waited until I was saved, it was hell for me.”  God doesn’t delay, he is waiting for you.  Today is that day of salvation for many, but also death and hell for those who delayed.  You can come to Jesus just as you are, using all the criteria for waiting.  Just don’t delay.  Don’t get in the wrong line, or even fall for the wrong line.  Like the line for the bathroom, when you gotta go, you gotta go.  While just waiting for the magic word, “NEXT!”

Meanwhile at the DMV....

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

the clap

Like many in America, middle aged and middle located, we watch Wheel of Fortune after dinner.  It’s fun to guess, to play, and to criticize the players when they don’t get what is obvious to all America.  How often have you been told, or told a friend, “you should go on the show,” only to make excuses like I do.  But one afternoon, I did go up for the taping, after registering online, and riding up to lovely Culver City, and assuming the position.  I had presupposed what it would be like, after all Pat and Vanna are America’s sweethearts, and you are on the SONY lot, the old MGM lot, maybe the most famous studio in its day.  But what I found was a very personable, but well oiled machine.  I guess after 30+ years you get it right.

You actually meet in a parking garage, then are escorted as a group, about 50 of us, to the sound stage.  Stopping to use the bathroom, I wondered, how many famous stars stood where I did and relieved themselves?  But then into the studio, with only a large Wheel of Fortune sign, and into a waiting area, where a museum is set up, a very small museum, with cases along the hallway.  And then marched into the studio and seated in the bleachers.  Now I was trying to be cool, but a certain charisma is there as you enter, and you see the wheel for the first time, the board and Vanna’s runway, which was even cleaned using a lint roller, and we were seated.  I was near the front, and sat up in the upper left hand area, next to a small office where Jim, the announcer worked out of.  He was very friendly as he changed into his tux, and between takes we visited, small talk, his voice much different than his announcer voice.  Everyone was very friendly, but very businesslike, and we were cautioned to not talk during the show, and to applaud a lot.  Not only did signs remind us to, but various people were scattered among us clapping and encouraging us.  It has been recorded that Vanna claps over 700 times per show, do the math, in a 15 minute show, the rest are commercials, you are busy, a clap a second, or more.  Then the red light goes on, and action!

The stage is very small, and what you cannot see is next to the board, it is a smaller board telling you the letters used, so no excuse for calling one again.  Between each puzzle the place is cleaned, the wheel changed, make up applied to the guests, and Vanna came over once, for questions.  Dressed in a strapless gown, she was fidgeting to keep it up, and when asked about he clothes, stated “she didn’t choose them or get to keep them, and hated strapless gowns, they kept falling of her.”  All very low key, no celebrity status, and Pat was seen talking and  joking with crew members between takes.  You felt at home, relaxed, saving all your energy for the clapping.   It lasted about an hour and a half, I left after the first taping, you could stay for two, a mother and son winning over $61,000.  But two things left an impression on me, the clapping, if you think it is easy, try keeping up with it while watching the show, and how they were the same on camera as off.  At the end, both Pat and Vanna coming over and cutting up for us.  No sign of “I’m famous and you’re not,”  they even fussed over an 89 year old Grandma whose family had brought her in her wheelchair, her dream was to see the show.  They fussed over her, a special touch, one I’m sure was not an isolated event.  And then back into Culver City traffic, down the 405 lane splitting.  From a controlled situation to an uncontrolled situation.  With two hands on the bars and no means of clapping.

It is a popular theme in many churches today to record the service, for play back, or to stream it live.  Confined to a time frame, some go 60, some 90 minutes, with time to beg for money or to sell their merchandise.  I have sat in services that should have ended in 20 minutes, but went on to fill a time slot, and on two occurrences, one where the paramedics showed up to assist a woman who fainted, the pastor never stopped, nor acknowledged it.  The show must go on, and both times I left empty.  I was part of a scripted, choreographed church event, the only difference was no commercial breaks.  Sure the ushers were friendly, with a break to receive the offerings, think infomercial, and the last church I attended,you could tell when the late arrivals would arrive, how many songs were sung, then we mixed, then  the offering, then an hour of preaching, one final song and a rush to the door.  With clapping, sometimes limited, in between.  For the music of course.  Or with it.  I came to feel many times as I was part of the studio audience, shuffled out before the next service, and that church had become very impersonal.  So I asked one day, “why can Billy Graham speak for 15 minutes, and people rush for the altar, yet our pastor speaks for an hour and people rush for the door?”  Let’s just say you don’t ask questions like that in church.  But isn’t a gathering of saints supposed to be spontaneous, spirit led, and exciting, encouraging, and alive?  I felt more welcomed at Wheel than I do at church many times, is your walk with Christ as choreographed?  Should it be?  Do you want it to be?

Does your pastor greet you or address you when leaving?  Or is he just a hired gun on Sunday?  Tough questions that demand tough answers, and honesty again is the best policy.  There is a shift again to smaller home fellowship groups, not based on the church, but based on Jesus.  Where there is interaction, stimulation, and the presence of the spirit.  Each one different, not a rehearsed rehashing of “the pastor said,”  but an honest time with Jesus.  The only place it is caught  on tape is heaven, a sign of how the early church met and grew.  Reading the scriptures, the introduction states who the letter is from, no surprises or guessing needed.  No teacher or authority other than Jesus quoted.  You get the truth, not a truth laced with opinion.  Personal, to the point, and intimate.  And although written to a church in particular, it seems as if it is only written to me.  How important these letters were, I can see the church at Philippi excited to get a letter form Paul, “read it again, and again, that part about...” and no further explanation was needed.  The spirit was alive, and so was the church.  Note we are the church, so the members were alive, not just filing a pew.  When Jesus is the focus of church, and of our lives, we live in freedom, life begins with Jesus no matter what church we attend, does yours?  Do you leave hungry, rushing to the door, or want more?  Is it a social event, or a time to fellowship?  How hungry are  you for the word, to hear from Jesus rather than hear about him?  Or are you just clapping on cue, if at all?

Billy Graham will be laid to rest this weekend, after being only the fourth non-president to be honored in the Capitol rotunda.  He touched many lives with just a simple message, “God loves you.”  You see, the gospel is simple so we can get it, free so we can afford it.  Not wrapped up in ceremony, but personal.  Pastors and preachers are just messengers, it is the spirit that delivers to the heart.  After thousands of tapings, I’m sure Pat and Vanna know the routine. I hope church never becomes a routine for us, that gathering is special, and we look forward to it, because Jesus is there.  And goes home with us after the service.  Church services should be an addition to your walk with Christ, not the only time you encounter him.  He is more than a recorded service, and you have to ask yourself, “if someone was sick when he taught, would he stop and assist?” Maybe the real question is “would you?”

And you can clap anytime you want...ya spins the wheel and ya takes yer chances.  Just not at church.

By the way, the show I was at was taped on September 12, and shown on December 9.  And of course I missed it.....

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

on the second day of your ride

We always start our trips out with great anticipation, we cannot wait to get on the road, and when the day finally arrives, and the last second checks and rechecks have been done, when we finally throw the leg over the bike and ride off, our attitudes change. We have finally escaped, and for the first 100 miles or so, review in my mind all the things I needed to do and all the things I needed to pack.  It will take a few hundred miles to unwind, as no one will take care of your home as you do, and as the miles pass, so do the concerns of home.  The first meal, and the first night out call to us, and after checking in, after the first meal away from home, it begins to hit, we are on vacation!  And a whole new mindset takes over.....

Starting off the next day, the second day of the ride, you begin to look at things differently.  Home is behind you, hundreds of miles away, and any concerns have been left behind with it.  No phone call, no mail, no emails, and the pressures of life have begun to fade away, as now you can concentrate on the main thing, your ride.  When we park sometimes I marvel while looking at our bike, this is all we have for the next coming days.  Everything we need, and if we don’t we can pick it up along the way, there are Walmarts everywhere.  Our needs have changed, we get by with what we have, and find out we can do just fine without the excess.  But day two starts us off waking up in an unfamiliar bed, eating at an unfamiliar diner, fueling up where the gas is cheaper if heading east, and the ride is on.  No checking emails, no phone, in my case to receive voice mails, it is just us and the road.  Our attitude has changed, the traffic is lighter, people seem to smile more, and the anticipation of lunch will dwell with us for the next few hours.  Road food always seems to taste better, the diners cleaner, the waitresses nicer and prettier.  People use manners, they talk more when they see us on our bike, and conversations begin where once others would just wish you would pay your bill and leave.  A trip to the head, and soon you are on the road again, with thoughts of the night’s lodging and special evening meal waiting.  What will the motel be like, will they have ME TV?  Can I watch my bike from the room?   Many motels now have bike bays set up with free soap and water to wash your bike. Seems all your needs are being addressed, food for the belly, a place to rest your head, and a stable for your ride.  You haven’t done anything really different the second day, but with the attitude adjustment, the whole world seems brighter, maybe it’s the extra hour of sleep, maybe the quiet wake up, or maybe just the anticipation of new places and faces, but day two out to me will always be the day the ride changes.  But really it is me.

I don’t remember the exact date, or even the place where I figured I would give Jesus a chance.  But I do remember the changes in me, suddenly I had questions, real questions about God, it went deeper than just reading the Bible, more than praying with others.  Waking up the next day, I felt refreshed, more alive, and somehow freer of what I left behind.  If asked what was going on, or what I was thinking, my answer would honestly be “I’m not sure, I don’t know, something is changing inside of me.”  And I wanted to talk about Jesus, with anyone.  That second day of being saved I was different, I knew it, and somehow my rides would change.  I began to look at things through his eyes, and things that used to be important, things I worried about, and things that used to dominate me, didn’t any more.  It was the worries of life, the concerns that had been left behind, and suddenly the ride, the relationship with Jesus was the main thing, in fact for awhile the only thing.  I left behind when heading back to Jersey the only Christian I knew, and had no one to lead me, but I never felt abandoned.  I felt fresh, looking forward to the next day, even to today, and where it would lead.  Where before I had led a structured life, I now felt free, and changes in plans, itineraries, and destinations thrilled me rather than scared me.  The day I was saved I had never thought “today is the day I meet Jesus and get saved,” but waking up the next day, it was waking up with Jesus and I was saved.  It seemed as if life was greeting me, and I was welcoming it.  My mornings changed from “good Lord, it’s morning,” to “good morning  Lord!”  I knew nothing, but felt like I knew everything.  Time took a vacation, plans changed, the road now welcomed me instead of scaring me, and I couldn’t wait to travel.  What a difference the second day of my trip with Jesus took, and still takes today. 

In our daily struggles, we fail to address Jesus as we need to.  Oh we think we do, but the mindset of just getting through the day prevails.  Get up, shower, breakfast, do a devotion and pray.  Work, come home, dinner, read 15 minutes of Bible as prescribed, and falling asleep, exhausted, knowing I had kept all my obligations to God.  Hoping I could sleep an extra hour, I need the rest.  But my life now in Christ is like the second day of a trip, before I was saved, the scripture “father forgive them they know not what they do,” I applied to sinners needing Jesus.  Now God has shown me it applies to the saved also, for we get religious, we do rote prayers, read the Bible to keep up with a study, and have become religious.  We have Jesus, and even access to the spirit, yet we neglect him.  We know him, but we don’t know what we are doing with him.  It is when we meditate on Jesus throughout the day, when we stop worrying about having to be a witness, when we read the Bible because we want to, when a few words jump out at us and we put it down and pray, when the spirit is guiding us, that  we truly get to live in freedom in the spirit.  So Father, please forgive me, us, because many times we don’t know what we are doing, just what we are trained or required to do.  Forgive us,so we can forgive others, and get on with life, abundantly as you call it.  Help us to drop the religious requirements forced upon us, help us to do your thing, not a religious thing.  And I hope like you find, like I do, you begin to enjoy the ride.  Priorities are changed, and what was once required you do because you want to.  The road Jesus has placed you on becomes exciting, and you sleep better, pray more and better, your Bible time is not based on how much time and verses, but on spending time with Jesus, as the words jump off the page.  That second day with Jesus when you wake up to the freedom in and of the spirit, changes everything.  And I look to Christ and know that in him I have all I need.  And now I desire the ride, where before it was just another day.

But you cannot get to the second day if you haven’t gotten past the first, you must be saved.  You must come to Jesus.  It may not be magical, but you will know, and I encourage you to seek him.  Talk with him, listen to what the spirit is telling you.  Read your Bible, like we ride, one mile at a time, don’t try to keep up with others, ride your own ride in Christ.  The first day is always a bit scary, but the second day, when the cares of life change, he is with you still, and always.  Father forgive us, for sometimes all we know is what our church, denomination, or study group teaches us.  We don’t know what we do or what to do.  Help us be led by your spirit, to put the past behind, to find the freedom in you the Bible speaks of.  Let the only commandment be to love you and then others.  Excitingly anticipate the second day in Jesus, maybe the most important day of you new life, and it gets even better, because on third day, Jesus rose and defeated death.  The road only gets better.....when Jesus is on it.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com