a ride for Tom

With apologies to Miss Joplin, “freedom is not just another word for nothing left to lose.”  This weekend the shocking news of a man I know, sadly reinforced that.  We stayed a couple of times time with Tom and his wife when passing through St. Louis.  Very gracious hosts, we wanted for nothing, and all seemed well.  They had moved back to Missouri to open a church under the Calvary Chapel name, but it had failed, and not sure how they were doing.  When we last saw them he was a manager for Schucks’, a grocery chain, but was about to lose his job we later found out.  But like many you know, or think you know, when not local, you lose contact as the daily needs in your own life take precedence.  And this one has shaken me to the core.

It seems Tom, according to the courts and the news, entered a store, forced three women, one a customer, to go in the back room, strip down, and perform sex on him.  At gunpoint.  When the customer refused, he shot her in the head, and she later died.  He continued to rape the other two, then walked out, and a two day manhunt started.  They raided his home at 5am the morning before Thanksgiving, and no word from how his wife is doing, or if she even knew of his dark side.  The city is in shock, as are those of us who thought we knew him, and as he awaits trial, I thought of all the freedoms he has lost based on one decision.  He no longer has to be concerned with politics, he cannot vote.  He will never see another sunrise or sunset locked in his cell.  He will never order another meal, smell In and Out, or supersize a meal.  No weekends, no holidays, no birthdays, as they now are just days. And being labeled with a sex crime, he is in danger for his life to other inmates.  All the things he thought important have been removed from him, taxes won’t matter, he cannot pay them, no more clothes shopping, and shower shoes will be the only style for his feet.  His is alone and vulnerable, and he is just beginning to find out how sin is costly, how if effects others, and the price it exacts from you.  I feel for him, I do not condone his actions, but how many real Christians are reaching out to him?  Praying for him as he has become an enemy?  If Jesus truly died for the thief on the cross, didn’t he die for Tom also?  And so I took a ride yesterday and thought about it all.  I have many friends in prison, men and women who got saved while behind bars, and now know the freedom in Christ, Tom thought he knew the freedom before being arrested.  And so I meditated on the Lord....

All sin is forgivable except denying the holy spirit, who is telling you Jesus is God.  Reject Jesus, it is hell for sure.  Only the sin of denying Jesus sends us to hell, all others are forgivable.  And while behind bars, God is rising up many to minister the gospel to the lost and hurting.  They enjoy a freedom in Jesus we cannot fathom the depth of, and I plan to have at least one bike for some to ride with me when they are released, if I am still around.  To see the faces of those I only write to and receive letters from, one final ride in the wind with them.  But I was also able to get Tom’s address, but cannot find the words now to write.  Maybe just a hold, as part of me is so angry I don’t want to condemn him, just his actions, while the other part of me wants to rush in and love him.  Then God reminded me that is his job, he is there not to condemn, but to offer forgiveness.  It is up to him to discipline, to guide, to comfort, and to bring life into those who were dead.  Jesus saves, not the church, not us, only by his spirit will we know of sin and how it affects others, and how to repent and to whom.  How to change in him, not by religion or cultic laws and traditions.  So on my ride for Tom, the spirit ministered to me also, and I found the ride I started out for Tom was really for me.  I had some issues God needed to straighten me out on and strengthen me in.  On my rides I usually think of those who ride but cannot, Tom doesn’t ride, and now never will.  He had freedom, now he has lost everything.  Except Jesus.

Sin will always be sin, but Jesus will always be Jesus.  That morning three women never knew how their lives would be impacted and change, one mother and wife losing her life.  We are not guaranteed tomorrow, but Jesus does promise today is the day of salvation.  For those who are saved and know Jesus, we know of a freedom beyond words, that transcends walls and bars.  Not all prisons are physical, and not all prisoners are bound.  Those in Christ have the blessed hope of one day seeing him in heaven, but for now live daily by faith, holding on tightly to the intangible, the things of the spirit, while some hang onto the tangible, with no hope at all.  Only God gives you the choice.  So to those of you who I write to weekly, thank you for your friendship.  You see God has given me a prisoner ministry, names of men and women I may never see on earth, but will rejoice with in heaven.  You know who you are, and I love you all dearly.  For Jesus makes it personal, and now I add Tom to the list. I know there are brothers in prison who will reach out in love, to them I thank you ahead of time.  Maybe expressed by a guy named Dooley, who is like a prisoner Apostle Paul.  Upon meeting a pastor who was recently arrested and sentenced for child abuse, Dooley came beside him, and told me how he was helping this man prepare for his new mission field.  You see our sin may cut us off from the Lord, but he never leaves us, doesn’t bail on us, and no walls can prevent his spirit from changing lives.  He makes it personal, so I hope Tom returns to him.  He knew freedom on the outside, we’ll see how he does with freedom on the inside.  In his soul that is.  But maybe Janis was right, “nothing ain’t worth nothing if it ain’t free.”  The gospel is free so we can afford it, and simple so we can get it.  Freedom means many things to many different people, only in Jesus Christ will you truly be set free!

You see my ride for Tom was really about Jesus, and meant for me.  And you.  And us.  For only in Christ will we be totally set free.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

 

sitting on the bike in the showroom is not a test ride

Anytown, USA has its place where the fast guys hang out.  For us it was the local McDonalds, and at first no one took notice of BH and me on our cycles.  But showing up with Bouke one night, as soon as they recognized him the lot emptied out.  In this pre-cruising era, when you raced from light to light, and the quickest guy won, Bouke was the quickest, and his bikes well known.  We enjoyed our fifteen minutes of fame there, and gained some newfound respect because of just being with him.  But one afternoon at a Weekend Cowboys picnic, where the attraction was an 1/8 mile drag on gravel, he was bested by a lesser bike with knobby tires, set up for the terrain.  By lowering his rear tire to about five psi he finished a respectable second overall, but not the overall win.  He was our fast guy hero and he didn’t win, we couldn’t face the word lost at that point.  But it seems that no matter how fast you are, on any given day someone can be and may be faster.

Depending on what criteria you use for success, there will always be someone faster, bigger, tougher, stronger, richer, skinnier, or with more connections.  So be careful what you base your strength on, for it may not be enough, for today’s win may be short lived, tomorrow’s loss is just waiting to happen.  Some base their success on who has the most toys, or maybe I have one that you don’t, money not being the object when it comes down to bragging rights.  Some keep their prizes locked up and hidden from view, never seeing the street they were designed for, while others reign because the competition never shows up.  Or I have seen the lot clear when the fast guy does show up.  This can be applied to any aspect in our lives, in business I  learned if I got an account for price, I would also lose it when someone had a lower price.  Seems we base a  lot on price, never considering the value, just what the price is, many times until it is too late, and we neglected the value of our purchase.  Black Friday and now Cyber Monday may have a few disillusioned buyers upset, and like I learned from selling cars, the bigger the discount the more the customer thought they were getting ripped off, but at full price, never complained.  Go figure....maybe I’ll just stick to riding fast bikes....or just riding.

So to every Goliath there may be a David waiting in the wings just to get his chance.  My Rocket 3 shirt brags “Size Matters,” but no matter how fast it is on paper, a Street Triple with one third the size motor will out accelerate it, so beware.  So when Goliath, the six toed, nine foot tall Philistine was chosen to represent Israel, the Jews felt they had no chance.  Based on reputation alone, Goliath was already the winner.  But in a pregame interview David showed confidence, and not being intimidated by his opponent.  “God was with me against the bear, and against the lion, why should he abandon me now?”  And we all know the story of how he defeated his gigantic opponent.  Or rather how God did.  Later in scripture we find the words “not by might, not by power, but by the spirit of the Lord,” yet we still go out in our own strength.  Using Jesus as a backup, or an excuse for losing, when we could be winning.  We will not win every contest, so get over it, but the Lord will be with us, it is up to us how he participates.  David gave him the OK, the authority, and God prevailed.  But in our defeat we can learn of our weaknesses, and also of God’s strength.  For it is by his spirit we overcome, not of ourselves, lest we boast.  No one can save themselves, so why boast on what you have done.  No one can do it alone, so why boast on yourself, when you can boast in Jesus?  Yet many are like the fodder for lions, hearing the roar of the male, and rushing into the ambush of females and eaten alive.  We underestimate the enemy, who is ready to destroy, but will be happy just to mame, to cause us to limp instead of cripple us, or to embarrass us instead of totally destroying us.  When we look for inner strength do we seek the spirit or ourselves?  Your record may show who you trust and why.

While looking at bikes last week, I met a couple looking to buy a bike both could ride on.  Based solely on ads and specs, they sat on each bike, and were going to make a decision, until I recommended, and the salesman insisted they take a demo ride.  The 100 hp claimed was only 60 on the dyno, and even less as the way they rode.  With one key ingredient overlooked, the seat his wife sat on.  In the showroom for five seconds it was OK, while trying to hang on, the thin seat became a razor’s edge.  Or like Brett used to say about my old Z-1 Seat, the only reason they covered it was so it wouldn’t rust.  Don’t trust God only on spec, get to know him.  Go beyond the words, let the word be in you and a part of you.  Where the spirit of the Lord is there is liberty, a cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps strength.  David knew this, so did Jesus.  And so can we, but only in the spirit.  Knowledge puffs up, and there is always someone bigger or stronger.  But there is only one God, and he is bigger than any of your problems.  How we handle adversity tells a lot of the size of our God, my God beat cancer, heart disease, brokenness and loneliness.  Jesus defeated death!  He is the replacement for displacement, the way and the truth.  I can do all thing IN CHRIST who gives me strength.  On my own, the track conditions change, some new guy is always out there to test you.  Put your trust in the one who can save you from death, who has the ultimate bragging rights of you.  For you.  One missed shift can mean the race, one rule change can cause a DNF.  We are in this life to win the championship of heaven, we will not win every race.  Only in Christ will we never be losers.....

So next time you are challenged, you pick the course.  The fast guy wanted to race, I said on one condition, I choose the course.  His ego never recovered, I said “let’s race to Phoenix...”  In life like on the track, we ride a quarter mile at a time.....it may seem like we have a long way to go and a short time to get there.  But getting there is what it is all about.  Never over estimate the size of your opponent by under estimating the size of your God!

love with compassion,

Mike

matthw25biker.blogspot.com

my first Nissan

I very rarely drive a car, the four motorcycles more than take care of most of my transportation needs.  But faced with carrying our grandson, at 17 months too young for a moto ride and too large when equipped with car seat for the backseat of the Mustang, I went in search of a used, but safe vehicle to haul him and our 120 pound American Bulldog Tessio.  With little money but high hopes, a limit of $2500 was set, I knew it would be older with high miles, but I have been there before with my vehicles, so onto Craigslist I went.  Reading between the lies and innuendoes, Christopher and I spent Saturday looking at cars.  Really trucks, as an older Explorer was our first choice, and the first SUV to enter our garage.  But after looking at two, clean and all things work took on a new meaning.  The first one was clean, if you happened to raise goats in it, and all things work meant except the AC, and the guy got mad at me because I should have asked.  But the tires were good.  The second was clean, owned by a detailer, but again no AC, he claimed to hear the compressor, but it never came on.  So home we went and back to Craig.  Expanding my scope, I found a 2000 Nissan Xterra, and called on it.  Now I don’t like Nissans never have, with the possible exception of the original 240Z, from their Major Motion ads in the eighties, to dropping the name Datsun, I thought they were junk.  And here I found myself looking at one to buy. 

My first view of it was it was big and black, breaking my rule of only one black car in my life time, shiny, but paint needed help, lots of it.  But it was very clean, as was the Carfax, and the daily driver of a buyer of used cars for dealerships in the area.  After driving it, for 184,000 miles it didn’t rattle, was super clean, new battery, and the tires would get me by.  It had room for the dog, room for the car seat and all the kid goodies they bring with them, and he wanted $2400.  In my range, would he take $1900?  He would, and did, and we drove off in my first Nissan.  An SUV, a truck converted to civilian use by Nissan, and  tough.  Replacing two body clips on the interior, a new air filter, and $1.78 for a second key, it has been our backup car for the last month.  A history of one mile trips its regimen, and I am not too embarrassed to own it.  It goes to Costco, maybe the most dangerous place to drive on earth, drips oil on the driveway, but the level is OK, and was cheap to insure.  Even a CD player that sounds OK to these old motorcycle ears.  It is old enough to vote and be drafted, old enough for college, and parts are still available.  Seems these suckers get sick, but never succomb.  No rust, some wear on the driver’s seat, cold AC, but no the cruise doesn’t work.  You’re probably asking “what did you expect for $1900?” My quick answer, “more than I expected.”  And with no car payments....

I have never met anyone who woke up one morning and decided to find God.  Our sin nature takes us away from God and the things of God.  If not for the holy spirit telling us “we need Jesus” we would never seek him.  But God in his mercy wants to reunite with his creation, and sent Jesus in the form of a man to replace the first Adam who rebelled and fell from grace.  Perfect as Adam was before the fall, Jesus is the only way back to God, no other name under heaven or below the earth will do it.  But what do you expect form your God, and many new believers get disillusioned.  Many are looking for the Genie in the lamp, to grant them all their wishes, to be like winning the lottery, and becoming rich.  Some are looking just to make it through the day, don’t even think about tomorrow, just a meal and a place to rest my head is heaven to them.  Some seek Nirvana, or the ultimate peace through procedures, while some study their way to salvation.  It seems we are all seeking something, but it takes someone to satisfy.  It takes God, who sent Jesus in the form of man, to save man.  But saved from what?

When Adam and Eve fell, mankind was cursed, sin had entered its gene pool, and would never be the same.  It had no chance, it had been perfect now was mired in a sin nature it couldn’t shed.  Like the ads for a used truck, many try to entice, but when faced with the truth fall short.  Good way to live, a peaceful belief, but no salvation.  Some promise heaven and don’t believe in hell, some don’t believe in either, but control you telling you, you don’t want to go to a place that doesn’t exist.  Seems for every flavor of religion, there is a person who will try it at least once.  And then along comes Jesus...

Jesus came into the world to save.  God sends no one to hell, it is our choice, and Jesus is the right choice, the only choice for salvation.  He was not a philosopher, more than a great teacher and prophet.  He was not religious, he went against the religious trends of the day, and still does today.  Religion binds, the spirit gives freedom.  Not a set of laws, or even a way of life, he is life, offering forgiveness, and the promise of heaven.  His words are true, his love pure, and everlasting.  Before the beginning he was, and after the end he still will be.  And is ever present right now.  The Great I am, for what ever your needs, he is.  You need look no further, for in Jesus Christ you have found everything.  Yet many deny him, looking in vain...

Take a moment and forego religion, try Jesus.  True love demands a choice, and only God lets you make it.  You cannot legislate morals or love, the must come from the one who is love, for love is not a verb, but a noun, the person of Jesus.  He invites you to meet him today, will not force you to do anything, but encourages you to grow in grace, found in no other.  After all the ads promising but not delivering as advertised, wouldn’t a little truth be nice?

And so I chose Jesus, and when I did I knew immediately I did the right thing.  I knew I was accepted, forgiven, and had a lot of growth and change ahead of me.  But he is patient, not like we are, but has everything under control.  With many unexpected answers....like the Xterra.  Me and a Nissan?  to my ego and pocketbook a big never, but to him just the right car.  I just knew because I know him, and I know his spirit.  How he provides what you need, when you need it.  Somehow I even like driving the thing, me in an SUV?  And pulling up to the house still wonder who is there, not quite used to seeing it parked in the drive yet.  But it hauls groceries, plays Nat King Cole and Chicago on CD, blows cold air, and is tougher than a Costco parking lot.  It is sufficient, word we fail to use many times, especially with Jesus.  But it is written he is sufficient in all things, not too much, not too little.  Not too early, not too late.  What you need when you need him.  Now if he can save your soul, don’t you think he can guide you through life too?  That Nissan just sat waiting for me, but so did Jesus.  Still looking, I have found.  My first and only God, probably not my last car.  But when I need one, I know who to call.  And better yet, who will answer.  With much more than I ever expected.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

tie downs or the right t-shirt for the occasion

My whole life I have hated wearing ties.  Well maybe not all of it, in school on game days we wore ties and sport coats, but that went away with graduation.  I have always felt more comfortable in jeans and a t-shirt, but many times in my career found myself wearing a tie.  In sales we were taught to dress one step above your audience, what is one step above a grease covered mechanic?  Or an overpriced celebrity wife in her expensive running suit?  But it seemed as I rose up the ladder to financial success, the mode of dress was to reflect it.  Even at company functions, dress up.  Seriously, who looks more out of place in a suit and tie than a young mechanic, with grease still under his fingernails?  Constantly loosening his collar...so I state my case.  With possible exceptions to dress codes, at Mercedes Benz we were allowed to go tie less in the summer, which I extended well into the winter months, of which I was daily reminded, but the discipline was worth the comfort.  At Land Rover we all wore the trademark polo shirts in various colors, not a tie to be found.  But in my first California job selling, I made the mistake of winning some awards, and was expected to wear a suit, first mistake, and a tie, I’m outta here.  Or at least I tried....

I was well known for my lack of wearing a tie, and I had made it plain at the awards banquet I would be tie less.   No tie downs for me, I was going to celebrate, and every time I saw the National Sales Manager he reminded me of the dress code, which I ignored.  It went from telling, to requesting, to asking, to begging, to finally, just a few minutes for me?  And him carrying around an extra tie in his brief case for me, just in case.  In my persistence I was wearing him down, and he held his breath when I walked into the room that night.  Would I be tie less, or tied down?  He had neglected the power and influence of my wife, and when I showed up in a tie, he took all the credit for my tie all night.  Even giving me a nickname in the company “Mike who won’t wear a tie,” I had succumbed to a dress code.  Today I have one collared shirt, no ties, and one pair of non-blue jeans.  Just in case I win an award again.....with a supply of t-shirts for all occasions.  I mean,who wears a car shirt to a motorcycle event?  Or a Harley shirt to a Honda show?  But my shirts are a story of where I have been, what I have ridden, and what I have eaten.  Some stains from some meals are permanently embossed, no that wasn’t lunch, that was dinner, in Santa Fe.  We all should be as comfortable, and dressing in layers as all good bikers do, now my sweatshirt, no hoodies please, is expanding with my t-shirts.  And no tie down after effects...

There was a time when Christian t-shirts were in my wardrobe, until it was pointed out to me “do you need to wear a shirt to tell the world you are a Christian?”  I tell a pastor friend his Jesus shirt is sure to get him a seat alone on the bus, but he doesn’t get it.  And now not wearing Christian colors any more, can blend in better with those who need to hear the gospel, and don’t have an agenda of being preached at, or an argument won showing how superior they are.   It seems when I wore a Christian shirt it was to impress my Christian friends, who thought it was cool, I’m over that, just as you may think it’s cool to wear a Triumph or Harley shirt.  I just like certain shirts, with a few Indian and Honda shirts now being worn daily.  And I ask myself, could you see Jesus in a t-shirt, and if he did, what would it say?  Your answer may surprise you.....

The night Jesus was arrested in the Garden, Judas had to greet him with a kiss as preplanned to identify him.  No outstanding characteristics, no special dress code, he fit in with the crowd, and was a part of it.  He could have dressed upscale like the Pharisees, or drawn attention to himself, but he didn’t.  But somehow in all things he always gave his Father in heaven the credit.  An example I have been trying to emulate for years, with limited success.  After being in the spotlight on occasions, God showed me how I got more done and was more effective if I just sat in the back and let him be God.  Seems he doesn’t need a PR man or team, he does need servants.  Ambassadors who he can shine his light through.  So when it became less about me, or the shirts, I fit in better.  How many bikers would listen to a three piece suit witnessing to them?  A joke I pulled on Oceanside Mayor Jim Woods on two Torches Across America starts.  His first time in a suit, I reminded him, “Jim, when this crowd sees a man in a suit addressing them, it reminds them of the man in court prosecuting them.”  Jim got it, for the next year, he showed up, announcing “look Mike, no suit!” bragging on his Hawaiian shirt.  Jim got it, and my vote, if I lived in his town. 

Tie downs can show up when least expected, when we care more about us than the person we are meeting, it shows.  Best put as “when they know how much you care, it won’t matter how much you know.”   Or what you wear, only how you love.  Jesus stood out in a crowd by who he was, love doesn’t demand its own way, we do.  So common that Judas had to point him out, but the love of Christ won out in the end.  Naked on the cross.....so heed the warning in scripture about putting the well dressed man in a better seat.  Or giving him the preeminence.  You may be putting your pride before Jesus, and you wouldn’t want to miss out.  We look at the outer man, God looks at the inner man.  No tie downs, only a rejoicing of knowing the right t-shirt for the occasion.  And being able to pick Jesus out of a crowd.  How would he find you?  What message are you sending? 

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com