will the last biker out of Yuma please close the gate

I stopped in last weekend to get my local fix on what’s going on in the motorcycle community with my friend Mike, the sales manager of a multiline shop and who has been active for over 30 years in it.  We talked of how many of the shops in the county now have new owners, and the older guys have moved on, the new owners only being concerned about the bottom line, a far cry from when we both started to ride, when the owner and usually his wife were the staff, and maybe a son a mechanic.  He has trouble keeping sales help, they are young and love bikes, but not at a level we used to.  Today lines form at the Apple Store the way they used to when the new models arrived at our local shops.  How we used to offer to help uncrate the bikes, watch as they were set up, and dream and scheme of how to talk our wives or bankers into letting us have one.  The bike, the ride, and who we rode with told a lot about us, sadly I think it still does today.

We happened to be in Yuma last weekend, using our free points to sit at a motel pool and take in the desert sun.  What we didn’t know was that it was the weekend of the Yuma Prison Run, which has been going on since 1962.  We saw some bikes, but not the streets full of them like we used to, going by the fairgrounds the lots were empty, we saw some small groups of three or four, maybe the best evidence was not being woken up by the sound of Harleys revving their motors on both Saturday and Sunday mornings.  I counted less than six bikes at our motel, I have seen more on an average weekend.  While driving home on the I-8 corridor, we passed a few riders, usually older with the long beards associated with the older riders, a few side cars, and no big groups of riders like we are used to.  Even a newspaper article quoted an attendee as noticing the crowds were way down, maybe it is time for the rally to quit.  Are we witnessing the slow death of motorcycling, sales are still way down, even at Harley, can we get them in with free burgers and a live band, but how do we get them out of the parking lot and onto the road?  I have asked too many guys lately “did you buy it to ride or look at?”  Some stumble before they answer, some have to think about it.  Has a lifestyle taken over the life we once knew and lived for?  Is it really now all about fresh leathers and denim?  Has look out for motorcycles taken on a new meaning?  Will the last rider out of Yuma please close the gate....

As in all other walks of life, now we feel the need to be entertained.  And somehow riding a 1000 pound motorcycle, with viewing screens, reverse, a multi function sound system, and heated sets and grips just isn’t the same.  Manufacturers are even reinventing and bringing back retro bikes, the Triumph Bonneville the exception for success, as models from Honda and lately Kawasaki aren’t selling, Harley never left so cannot come back.  But again Mike tells me that after the Kawasaki training, he preferred the new Z-1 clone, it felt like a motorcycle, as opposed to the 200hp Ninja H2 for $20,000.  We asked for them, now they sit.  Could it be we are in a Golden Age of motorcycling, and when we look back wish we had bought them while they were available?  At 63 I hope to ride another 20 years, will anyone want a new 2018 model then?  Or a 1978?  How about an old 1954 model like me?  And as Harley announces new models consisting of new colors and names.....

I deal with many who have been raised in church, whether they chose to or not.  My age group consists of those of us whose parents saw the value in a religious education, but when we could, we abandoned it for other things.  Now many are looking to come back, victims of drugs or other bad choices, and find churches not feeling comfortable letting them in.  They feel out of place, I do many times, and they are looking for a way back to God, but find religion instead.  Proverbs 22:6 tells us to train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart for it.  But what about those of us who did and do?  Too many times I meet older guys wanting to get back into motorcycling, only to find it has changed, but so have they.  They are looking for what and how they used to ride, and cannot find it.  Same with many I deal with, they want that old time religion, but get a new i-pod version instead.  They want a version of Jesus they can relate to, and when they cannot, look elsewhere.  Which probably made them stray in the first place.  How many old saints do you know still in love with Jesus as the day they were saved, decades ago?  How many are looking for a church to attend, a service to make it to, but don’t feel comfortable?  Sure the programs look good, the activities promise a good time, but where do we find the Jesus we need?  Maybe like I was told by a 7000 member church pastor, “maybe it’s our fault...”

Like motorcycling always comes down to the bike and rider, it always comes down to us and Jesus.  We need to ask ourselves “where is he?”  and maybe “where are we?”  For over 35 years I faithfully filled a pew, but now go when I want, not when I feel like I have to.  Enjoying a newfound freedom.  Just like love, it is a choice, and true love demands a choice.  So small groups are popping up in homes of older saints, looking for what is missing, looking for Jesus instead of numbers, without a budget, just a heart for him.  No prepared service, just what God brings that night.  Some nights sharing, some teaching, some praying, but always new and exciting because the spirit leads us.  Maybe that is what is missing in motorcycling too...we need to get back to our first love.  To that first day you felt the wind in your face and you knew your life would never be the same.   Works for riding too...

Don’t give up on Jesus, he never gives up on you.  Don’t quit riding either.  My biker friends in prison dream of riding again, and fondly look back at the freedom they used to have when riding.  Do we seek Jesus the same way?  Hearts are yearning the song says, but for Jesus or the experience?  Maybe we all need to just go for a ride and seek God, to get away and get back to where we left off.  We’ve changed, so has the market.  Some seek entertainment, some want to go deeper.  I rather be riding my motorcycle and thinking about Jesus than sitting in church thinking about riding.  No one ever complains when the service is over too soon, but what about when the ride ends too soon?  Maybe we are on to something here, and on behalf of Jesus Christ, I say “welcome, welcome back.  We missed you.” If only the church could understand the brotherhood of us who ride, imagine how the world would change.  In the old days when you needed a part on a day off, the owner would come down and open up for you.    Would your pastor?  Would you?  Maybe we have seen the problem and it is us.  Thankfully the answer is still Jesus.  No need to lock the gate, he’ll leave a light on for you...even in Yuma.  Jesus, did you sign up to live or just to look at him in church?  No bike or Bible should ever be gathering dust....

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

it's only a game until the parents get involved

I was a pretty good Little League player back in the days of Mantle and Maris.  We were part of what was called Midget League, a step below Little League, due to social and talent pressures.  My Dad was our coach, we were the Giants, and did pretty good, the only team we couldn’t beat was the Senators, they were stacked as the president of the League coached them.  But what we lacked in raw talent, we made up for in fun, and after surviving two years as one of the younger ones, in my last year eligible I broke out and was a star, at least in my own mind.  Truth was I was pretty good, and was good enough to be voted to the All Star team, who them would play the All Stars from Little League.  A chance to play against the best, on a real field with fences, stands, and to see how good we really were, or weren’t.  But after attending two All Star practices, my Dad broke the bad news to me, I couldn’t go this year.  It had nothing to do with my abilities, but the man who was coaching our All Stars had put his son on the team on the field, he was playing “homer,” letting all his son play no matter how good he was or wasn’t and he stunk.  Other coaches complained after the first practice how his son did everything, while guys who were good just sat.  So the League came down hard, no sons of coaches could play.  So I was booted, and my shot at being an All Star was stolen. With the irony of one father who complained the most about his son not being chosen over me, when he was chosen to take my place, suddenly had plans for that weekend, and was a no show.  All us kids wanted to do was to play ball, and then the parents got involved.  I was to learn along the way that this wasn’t just in sports, but in school, jobs, careers,and sadly in serving in church.  No matter what excuse you make, it was wrong then, it is wrong now, and will always be wrong.  And they tell us it’s just a game....

I have been part of churches over the years where children of pastors rose up through the ranks, based on heritage rather than ability or God’s choosing.  At first I got mad and bitter, then I found myself feeling sorry for them, as they knew when we met one on one why they got the job, and really wanted to do something else.  The pressure that was put on them did more harm than good, and I think often of my Little League experience.  Keep the parents out of it, let us prove ourselves despite our heritage, and let us choose like they did.  Let us build our own relationship with God without their interference, thinly disguised as help.  Maybe a lesson from Leviticus is in order for them, and for all parents.  Church type or not.

God set Aaron’s family aside to be priests, born into the family, you automatically qualified, and your fate was chosen.  No other family was chosen for such a responsibility.  But they could only serve if they met certain requirements, birthright had its privileges, but there is a difference between being a priest and serving as a priest.  Membership is by birth, service by qualification.  Which works within the church, the body of believers, not just the corporate church we attend on Sundays.  I have had to kindly tell some not to return when they feel they are gifted in our ministry.  Or if because of a good resume, feel they should be allowed to run the show.  God demanded that these priests be holy, and today holy doesn’t mean wholly as God intended it.  Wholly means fully forgiven, truly repentant, and being spirit led.  The whole of Jesus Christ in your life, not just a religious experience or a diploma from a seminary.  How can you teach someone to hit a fastball if you cannot hit it yourself, or never have?  Yet we allow such men and women to run our ministries who have never had the full experience of salvation, of repentance, or of the spirit.  First you must be set free!  And that takes Jesus, all of him, all the time. When walking down the hall after my open heart surgery, the nurse kept prodding me to go faster.  I was doing all I could, and then finally turned to her.  “What was the date of your open heart surgery?  I know mine, and I am trying...” And she got the point, gave me a regimen and I surpassed it.  She was going based on training and on how far I should be on a certain day after surgery, later the head nurse told me the couldn’t give me a regimen, “we were just trying to keep you alive.” 

So the ministry God has given me has me fully prepared to minister, but not without him.  We may share certain histories, but we don’t all share Jesus.  Without the spirit to guide, we fall short.  So when I deal with those with bad health, I can relate truthfully.  Same with losing my job, being broke, being rejected.  I had a son in jail.  So I know, and so they listen, because my words carry some weight.  Not so much because I too have been there,  but because Jesus was there with me.  It is real.  Some teach from a book, I teach from experience.  Often Jesus in real life is much different than the one taught in church from just an education.  We need to experience Jesus.  We all qualify by being a sinner, but yet we each have a different relationship with him.  Little League was only a game, life isn’t.  Only in Christ will you find the freedom I speak of, and only in Jesus will you have all you need to succeed.  He has given us his spirit, how different all things become when we are led by his spirit as opposed to our own desires.  Or an overbearing parent, teacher, or pastor....

You don’t have to know it all, just what you need for that situation.  Which will only be found in the spirit.  Who comforts, instructs, teaches, and heals.  Some act holy, some are wholly prepared in Christ.  What a difference he makes.  And you will find one situation at a time, you truly can do all things in Christ who gives you the strength.  If only Little League coaches knew that, but what a lesson I learned by not being able to play.  You see , some father and son relationships are worth emulating, some aren’t.  Only God lets us choose.  Now you know the difference. If it works in baseball, imagine how it can work in soccer. Play ball!

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

a water cooled guy in an air cooled world

In case you haven’t noticed, not even Harley Davidson and BMW are making truly air cooled motorcycles anymore.  BMW by adding liquid cooling to their heads of the boxer motor now has been dubbed the “shower head,” all in the interest of meeting emission laws, and creating more power, more efficiently.  Heat is power, but when not applied is wasted.  Harley has also adapted similar head cooling to some of its bikes, hiding it as best as they can.  It was something they knew was coming, and could have been applied years ago via an oil cooler, which seems to be standard equipment on just about any bike today, but “didn’t want to spoil the lines,” at the expense of a cooler running motor.  You think all that money spent on leather and chrome was wasted?  Triumph has come under some criticism for making its Bonneville line liquid cooled, but with cooling fins on the engine, an oil cooler cleverly hidden, and a thin radiator, they have pulled it off.  Seems style and function can achieve an equitable settlement when they work together.  But for now HD and BMW skirt the issue, no pun intended, sending desperately needed cooling water to the head where it is the hottest.

I remember when the Suzuki GT 750 came out with water cooling.  The Water Buffalo as it was called was a great bike, but a two stroke water cooled motor was not what the world was looking for.  Later when it was added to dirt bikes, the naysayers of how rocks will take out the radiator, and the extra weight will effect handling, were found wanting as now bikes could run cooler, achieve a more consistent, higher power, and run longer.  Air cooling is on the way out, and water cooling which at one time seemed way out, is now in.  And almost foolproof, my 2006 Tiger with 109,500 miles a testimony to liquid cooled motors, and also to what is now primitive computer control.  But a simple thermostat still opens and closes allowing coolant to flow to where it is needed, simple physical laws applied with styling and you have a winner.  Or at least a worthy competitor....

So while the engineers struggle to make a cooler engine, the stylists struggle to make a cooler motorcycle.  And you thought it was all about leather and chrome.  For what you see is not necessarily what you get.  How many have bought into a pretty face, only to wish they had listened before they bought.  Some seats may look great, but offer little comfort, or can turn into a torture chamber in 20 miles.  All that chrome still needs polishing, and so while some polish, others ride.  And air cooled motors need more frequent maintenance, which means if you ride a lot, more time in the shop, more money for it, and less to spend on the ride itself.  Seems it is a no win situation, when it is all based on the outside appearance.  Except for the man behind the cash register.....

Within Christianity, many a PR move has been made to boost church attendance.  From free tacos, to free donuts, to big sanctuaries with all the latest hi-tech goodies, they seem to be competing with each other, rather than the real enemy, Satan.  Numbers are a big key to success, attendance and giving, taking in rather than giving out, the norm rather than the exception.  It seems too many are running on hot air, and can use a little, or really a lot of liquid cooling.  Through out scripture water is used in reference to the holy spirit, often times the last, if at all consulted.  It comes down to the perception the world is given, and many times we fall short.  We go to be entertained, taught, and socialize, just like we do to a show or movie.  Imagine a review on Jesus, “he packs them in again, must be the free admission, it sure isn’t an entertaining show.”  And yet how many services have you been to and been entertained, but left empty.  Maybe your life overheated by all the hot air flowing, when liquid cooling is really what is needed.  “But we’ve never done it that way before,” the last gasp of many a dying church utters, refusing to change, to obey the spirit, but rather being led by religion, denominations, or religious men who do it their way.  Not all churches are this way, but too many are on the edge, some without knowing it.  Where is the cooling effect of the holy spirit when we need it? 

It is there, and has been and will be.  Just as we are saved individually, the spirit is given individually.  To all who call upon the name of Jesus and are saved.  Somehow the personal relationship that is talked about is never applied, and rather than stick out and stick up for Jesus, it is easier to blend in, to not be offensive, and to change God’s message to a social message, losing its content along the way.  But not offending anyone.  But God looks at the heart, and sees us as we really are, not the façade of Christianity, or the fashion statement of acting like one.  He sees us as we are, and offers us his spirit to comfort, guide, instruct, and share with others, the gospel of Jesus Christ.  We are his church, and if we try to build up ourselves, or do it ourselves, we fail, and so will the church corporately.  It is made up of individuals, lest we forget.  Again that personal relationship...

Like a pretty cover on your Bible, it is what is inside that makes the difference.  Until you concede style for substance, all the crosses around your neck, bumper stickers on your SUV, or scriptures on t-shirts will not matter.  When it comes down to being cool, it is Jesus who is really cool, and his liquid cooling by his spirit the only way.  Just how effective is liquid cooling?  Some years back we were invited to a private school’s junior high graduation, where we each got a student and drove around a parking lot, while friends and family cheered us on.  It wasn’t hot, but one by one, the Harleys dropped out, overheating.  One chrome laden bike smoking as oil ran all over its chrome.  Another puddled oil underneath it, telling me “it has happened before, it’ll be OK.”  While I was on a Speed Triple, liquid cooled, and kept riding around.  And around.  Maybe there is something to this liquid cooling after all....as I have also had my FJ1100, air cooled, overheat in Phoenix traffic.  So how cool do you look, and how cool are you really?  Being a Christian is the coolest, knowing Jesus never gets any cooler, the water he gives will make us thirst no more.  A woman caught in sin at the well could get it when Jesus offered it to her, any bets on what kind of bike she rides? 

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com