the side of your car you never see

I was told to “be careful,” and I was to find out the hard way why we do things the way we do.  I was a new service advisor for Mercedes Benz, and was told when writing up the car, to walk it, walk around it and note any damage, then have customer sign off on them, lest we get blamed.  A simple yet annoying task, but it only became important when we didn’t do it, leaving us open to suggestion and suspicion of how their precious car got damaged.  Over the years I would see an S class with the right front driver’s door dented and with paint peeling, wheel covers missing-remember them, and other damage, many times unknown to the owner.  Why?  We all get out on the left and never walk our own cars.  I got many questionable and honest appraisals from owners when pointing out damage.  “When did that happen, it must be new?  I don’t remember doing that,” as the rust forming in the bare medal is revealed.  It just didn’t happen yesterday.  With two cases that stick out in my experience, among many others.

A rather air headed woman walked the car with me one day.  Getting to the right front door, it was dinged, paint scraped off, and had been hit many times.  When I pointed this out to here, she admitted she hated the car, it was her husbands and she didn’t like the color, was embarrassed to be seen in it.  So every chance she got, she slammed the door into something, with noticeable paint markings from her garage.  When I asked her what does your husband say?” she looked at me in astonishment.  “Nothing, he never sits on that side, he never sees it.”  Seems after pulling in his garage, he hits the button, shuts the door and goes in the house.  “You mean he never said anything?”  And I wasn’t going to be the one who would tell him....

Another woman in her 560SL was in a hurry, and just signed the papers and left for breakfast with a friend.  I had walked the car, her precious baby, as she put it, and I had been warned she was a pain in the #$%^&*(.  Which became evident when she picked it up, immediately walking to a spot on the car, and pointing out the damage that we had done to her precious baby.  She was going to sue, we would paint her entire car, and then she was confronted with the truth.  I had walked the car in front of her, and she had signed off on it.  Then she got really desperate, claiming I forged her signature, she had been rushed, and it was our fault, as the accusations continued.  But with paper in hand, she finally relented, paying her bill and promising to never come back.  If only we could hold her to it....

And of course my favorite, the one where white paint shows up on bumpers, fenders, and doors.  That we had to have done, even though we painted all barriers orange, and had padding around wall areas when doors were opened.  Funny how when confronted with the truth, some will admit defeat and repent, while others lie after lie to cover their sin.  Of course, this only happens to cars, right?

Fortunately in our sin, God never plots revenge.  When Jesus was crucified and the veil in the temple rent, or torn in two, it began a new era for man and his relationship with God.  No longer was there anything, any sin that couldn’t be dealt with, as now the temple of God’s heart was open to all.  It provided a way for all those who sin, everybody, to come back to God via Jesus Christ, and be forgiven and saved.  A simple task, yet a powerful message on reuniting sinners with the creator via the sinless one, Jesus.  The fine is paid, the cell door open, and all can enter now via Jesus Christ.  The hateful, cruel, mean, and even the empty headed who gathered around Jesus taunting him on the cross, now had a way back.  Hopeless, helpless, and afraid, the door was now open, and the invite made.

In Acts we find a number of priests who were against Jesus now being saved, the same ones who accused him of not being able to save himself, were now being saved.  Jesus had left the door open for them....As he did for the soldiers who had taken his clothes, even to the one who thrust his spear into Jesus’ side.  He promised a bigger reward than the few dollars they got for his clothes, “go tell the centurion there is a closer way to my heart than thrusting a spear into it.”  Man of us weren’t there that day, but are still guilty of the same sins today.  And the way is still open via Jesus and his victory at the cross.

Sadly in our own gospel today, we make rules for others’ forgiveness, forgetting that God sees all sin as sin.  One religion going as far as naming seven deadly sins, while some seek an out “at least I never killed anyone.”  But God forgives all sin, past, present,and future when we come to him.  Our hearts will change, we will still sin, but now its affection us will be different, as we see sin for what it is.  Only when we see Jesus for who he is.  Sin will always be sin, but Jesus will always have the ability to forgive, if you let him.  Yet some choose to live their lives never walking with Jesus, and never see the damage that is there, and when they do blame others.  Pride, it is never their fault, their ultimate downfall.  Two thieves on the crosses next to Jesus, one confessed his sin and confessed Jesus, the other denied him altogether.  One closer to hell than he would ever get, the other closer to heaven than he would ever get.  We are all damaged goods and need forgiveness.  Take a walk around your life today with Jesus, acknowledge the flaws, ask forgiveness, and get on with life in him.  Too many never see the other side of the veil, they only see the hole where it was rent.  And never go through.  Take that step in Christ today and see what is on the other side.  Life and life abundantly.  Leave the flaws and bodywork behind, be restored in him, and if someone wants to walk your life, show them how Jesus changed it.  A few scars may remain to prove he was there, invite them in to hear the good news.  To many there is a side of their car they never see, don’t be guilty of the same mistake with God.  The door is open, the fee is paid.  A custom body shop awaits your arrival.....he who knew no sin became the remedy for all.  Can the paint on your car say the same?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

no more golf at the country club

After years of arguing, of neighbors posting pro and con signs on their yards, of a certain group of old farts not getting their way, and turning a once beautiful country club area into an eyesore, they are starting the building process.  Finally.  We will soon find out just how much traffic will be added to our overcrowded streets, how they will address the issue, how our home prices will be affected, up or down, and was the fight all worth it.  After attending one meeting of the group opposing it, ECCHO, all I could figure was they had to much time on their hands, and looking around the room, if the protest carried on much longer, most of the people in the room would be dead before a decision was made, living out their last few years depressed, upset, and miserable.  Now I am not for the destruction of our once beautiful neighborhood, but get real, this is SoCal, and the only finite commodity is land.  And what was this neighborhood before it was built on......and the argument continues.....

We used to ride the cart paths at night with our sons, the smell of cut grass filling the air daily, and very little traffic.  But as the Country Club began to implode, do we really need 63 golf courses in San Diego, and are the old farts getting what they deserved, they admitted they were against the new generation with long hair and tattoos.  And membership dwindled below a sustainable level, getting what they wanted, at a price they couldn’t afford to pay.  But living on the edge of town, it was commonplace to see wildlife, to see ducks and cranes, to see large turtles by the pond, and to hear the animals in the night.  Seems they are being displaced too, and we even have seen cranes in our yard, and the ever present singing of the  coyotes at night, bragging on their catch.  In fact there are so many coyotes now, it has become unsafe to walk, as they travel in packs, and are not afraid to go after animals of any size.  We have neighbors who have lost pets to them climbing walls and fences, and coming face to face with humans, and not backing down.  I guess it was their land before golf and golfers, but still their eerie singing in the night sometimes sounds like it is just outside your window.  Sometimes it is, as pets are disappearing all too fast.  The scavenger coyote also becoming the predator......

I wonder when Satan fell from heaven, from grace, how it affected the sounds of heaven?  He was the music, he was all the instruments, he was the prince of the air, and them suddenly he was gone.  Earthbound and down, becoming the ultimate predator, going after anyone and all he can, trying to keep them from Jesus, to keep them out of heaven.  Not necessarily to destroy as we think of it, total obliteration, but many times just making you miss heaven, or as Agent 86 used to say, “missed by that much.”  And so we see him as the ultimate predator, going after the weakest ones, those who brag on themselves and have no time for God.  Who goes around and like the coyotes at night, the cries can be heard of another soul lost, and his victory song getting louder as it gets closer.  Being forced from heaven, he was given over to the earth, to its peoples, and has no descriminatory practices, he hates everyone equally, and everyone is fair game.  But as many are busy looking for the return of Jesus, they neglect to see that Satan knows the Bible better than they ever could, and knows his time is coming soon, so is stepping up his plan.  Getting more aggressive, and splitting people among themselves.  Dems vs. GOP, conservative vs. liberal, destroying marriages, destroying families, and making sin acceptable, all in his final purge on mankind.  Just as God is all love, Satan is all hate.  And even the elect are being deceived, sometimes rushing to their own destruction, willingly, doing what is trendy, following church dogma, and allowing sin a foothold.  Denying Jesus in actions, their words becoming hollow because they don’t walk their talk.  Or maybe not talking their walk.....

I can say with some assurance that whatever you think heaven to be, it will much better.  For eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor mind imagined the kingdom to come.  They talk down heaven, while boosting up hell, all for selfish desires. then when they don’t get their way, blame God.  But let this be a warning to all, as Jesus told us the poor will always be among us.  We see it daily as the homeless population grows, as food stamps are common, and a quality of life is not what is desired.  But Jesus as usual was talking on a higher level, a spiritual one, he was talking of he poor in spirit.  Of which there are two types, the poor who have denied Jesus and rejected his spirit, and the even sadder ones, who claim victory in Jesus, but deny the spirit given unto them for life.  Still doing it their way, and finding no joy in the spirit, the one they chose over Jesus.  And like coyotes, singing in the night after their hollow victories, causing dissent among true believers, and appearing cult like, which they are.  By their actions you cannot discern them from an atheist, overtaken by sin and an appetite for the things not of God, but wanting to portray themselves as godly.  They didn’t make up this belief, they got it from somewhere.....only knowing what they are taught, but never knowing the one who can save.  Knowledge puffs up,  the spirit comforts.  Gives wisdom, protects and guides.  Yet some just study on into oblivion.....

Be assured that Jesus came to separate the sheep from the goats, he knows who are his.  The world is changing and not for the better, but Jesus is still in the business of changing lives.  By his spirit.  Life and wildlife are changing daily as the building begins, but note what God has said.  Take heed of his spirit, trust in him.  He warns unless he builds the church, we labor in vain.  Money may buy a fine building, some nice choir robes, and the latest technology for the congregation, only love will make the place alive.  God is that love, “by his spirit,”says the Lord.  Not by Bible covers, new carpet in the foyer, not by a famous pastor.  Not by a huge congregation, or by teaching, memorization, or study.  By his spirit.....the coyotes are howling, maybe so close you have gotten used to them.  But do you know the still, small voice of Jesus?  Jesus who?  The Christ.  My friend.  No more golf at the country club.....we should have seen it coming.  How you see Jesus in your future will dictate your decisions today......and your decisions today will impact tomorrow, too.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

prerunning Yarnell Hill

I was the only one who had ever ridden Yarnell Hill in our group of riding friends.  A split lane highway with tight and dangerous curves, it was the only way down to the desert when leaving Prescott.  Having ridden it with Rex a few times, I had his lines to follow, but this ride would be different.  Five of us on my suggestion, would ride form Farmington to San Diego and back over Memorial Day weekend, over 1700 miles in four days, no big deal, unless you hadn’t done it before.  Same as Yarnell Hill....right?

So after too much flat land and lack of curves, we were ready for the hill.  All the talk came down to the view from the top, stopping to gaze down, with an overhead view of the road and its curves, disappearing and then reappearing.  With more excitement than talent, we took off, me leading.  After warning them to ride your own ride.  But the temptation, and curves were too much for Brett, and he passed me going down hill, actually flying by me, oblivious to what lay ahead.  In fact so far ahead, we lost sight of him, which is never a good thing.  I cannot say a bit of panic didn’t step in, but when one of your group disappears, especially on a curvy road they have never ridden, suddenly you imagine the worst.  While praying for the best.  What we found turned out a little bit of both.  Brett had made it to the bottom, and on the last big sweeper before the desert floor, had gone wide, and into the tumbleweeds.  He was alright, his bike a bit dirty and dusty, and he was picking the local flora from his motorcycle. A bit shaken, he admitted he was having too much fun, and had overshot the last corner, the easiest one on the run.  We talked of how lucky he was, and he decided to let me lead again, as I knew the roads.  If only he had followed my lines, as shaky as they can be, he would have avoided the accident.....just another case of how a bad decision makes for a better story.....

Now anyone who follows off road racing knows the racers pre run the course before the race.  Too many times we don’t have the sense of the racers, nor the skills, and think we can do it alone.  If it works in racing, it should have worked on Yarnell Hill, a lesson I have learned riding in rural areas, where old pick up trucks doing 15 mph can suddenly appear, as can hay bailers, and other farm equipment.  If I cannot see around the corner, I slow, and at times have been accused of using common sense.  Prerunning may not be as much fun as racing, but it also may keep you out of a ditch.  Finishing the race, or ride is always the priority, everyone knows that to finish first, first you must finish. 

Jesus shared with his disciples to stay alert, and to watch because you do not know when the master will return.  But when do you start watching for the return?  If you know your boss will be gone for two weeks, do you wait until the last minute, and then prepare for his return?  As time passes we lose sight of his return, and get way laid, we just cannot wait for it, and when it doesn’t happen as we are told, some lose interest.  Or like Brett, when they see the promise, cannot wait, and try to make time, to enjoy the promised thrill.  Jesus warns we are to alert so we cannot be led astray, for we do not know of the time or date of the return of Jesus, just as we don’t know what lies ahead in the curves.  But yet many are falling asleep, turning to wine, and now pot, because both are legal, and after all, didn’t Jesus drink wine?  And the excuses flow.....until the bottom of the hill, and a wide curve, normally ridden at speed becomes an accident scene.  One that could have been prevented.  I have heard from pulpits that we can live as we please, but with no warning of the consequences.  You’re forgiven, you’re going to heaven, if I die I’m saved.  But what if  you don’t die?  What if you are tragically burned?  Paralyzed?  What about the burden to your family and others?  All because I’m going to heaven.....and it will feel like hell to get there.

Ride like hell and you’ll get there.  Same with living.  Jesus told his disciples to watch, to be ready.  For we don’t know what lies ahead, but fortunately God knows.  From his viewpoint on the top of the mountain, he sees all the traffic on the road.  He sees the gravel, the oncoming traffic, and he sees the speed trap.  How differently we ride when we know what lies ahead, forgiveness is a great thing, not having to be forgiven even better.  Jesus likens this example to a man going on a journey, for us a ride.  He has given us responsibilities to do, coulda, shoulda, and woulda are poor excuses for sin.  In every life we will face a Yarnell Hill, with different results.  Think of life as prerunning for a life in heaven, we win the race here over sin, we have a podium finish, lose here, you don’t want to know.  But have been warned.  Something to consider when praying for Jesus to come back now.  Five minutes before you were saved would have meant hell and damnation.  Brett might have made in down the hill first, but it cost him.  Don’t make the same mistake.

And just to let you know, coming back and going up Yarnell Hill, he followed the rest of the pack.  He wasn’t going to be fooled again.  We all made it, and over a Coke, decided to ride down and back again.  Jesus tells us to watch, one bad crash can leave that as the only alternative to life.  Prerun life in Jesus, see you at the bottom, or top.  He’ll be waiting.....and like we know when in a curve, keep leaning, and in life, keep leaning on Jesus.  Don’t wait until you overshoot a brake marker to see God.....

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

my two cents worth....

I was so impressed years ago with the story of how on Wednesday night services, Peninsula Bible Church allowed the congregation to take money from the offering if needed.  What a novel and God inspired idea, and it was my dream to do it.  But being the rebel I am, wanted to give God the glory for it, not be a copy cat, but spirit inspired, and not draw attention to myself.   Which I just did, but that’s the story here.  Years went by, and I was invited to give the Sunday morning message at a Triker Rally in Laughlin.  After accepting, I began to put the plan in action, telling God I needed his help!  At first not so I would be embarrassed if it didn’t work, but so my faith could be boosted and I could see him in action.  A lot to ask all at once....but God was up to the task.

Trikers are a different lot, mostly older who cannot ride two wheels anymore, with a streak of poverty among them.  A close bunch, their own club in fact, and about 30 stayed for the sermon, in the hall rented right next the kitchen in the casino.  I felt like Jesus sitting among Matthew’s tax collector friends, with all the Pharisees looking.  So after my teaching about Nicodemus, titled Nick at Night, I passed the helmet around, explaining what God had put on my heart.  Putting in a twenty just to hedge my bet, we passed the helmet, and true some did take, gas was over $4/gallon, and the purpose was to help those who needed, but I must admit I felt a bit anxious.  I didn’t doubt God, but I was doubting me.  What was I thinking?  I then presented the helmet of cash to the President of the Trikers Club, who was almost in tears.  Seems the collection plate always went to the speaker to help with expenses, not the other way around, and I went out and blessed the individual trikers.  I was feeling pretty good, God had not disappointed me, or let me embarrass myself, and I had an extra bounce in my step, as one man explained he learned more about the gospel today than years in church.  “Keep the head swell down Mike, you need to fit a helmet over it to get home” I told myself.  God had answered my prayer more than I asked, and I felt funny, as I always do when told about doing a good job.  This was Jesus’ gig, I was just the messenger.  Not the banker either.  With one final good bye to be made.....

I wanted to say good bye to the club officers, all women, for inviting me, who I found talking excitedly, and when I approached, the tears began to flow.  Oh no, still no remedy known to man when a woman cries, but these tears were different, you could see the joy on their faces.  After being embraced, the President explained they had wanted to start a benevolent fund for their needy members, but never had the extra cash.  The $140 dollars in the helmet would pay off a final expense, and leave them enough to start the fund.  As my tears began to well up....the dream of many years had been fulfilled, and so had theirs.  We all had never met each other, yet the holy spirit used us to achieve a noble and proper end, helping the poor.  A lesson I have never forgotten, and one I hope testifies to the greatness of God.

Now some may say this is all about me, and they might have some credence, but I have the peace of God knowing why I did it.  You see when God gives the desires of your heart, and this was one of mine, he then fulfills the desire of your heart.  It is either all about Jesus  or destined to fail.  There was no way I had ever dealt with trikers before, and this would be the only time I was involved with them.  But given the time and the place, and guided by the spirit, I saw a loving God bless all who were a part of it.  Nothing I could ever do on my own, I am not foolish enough to try that, but I can do all things in Christ who gives me the strength.  $140 may not seem like much to most bikers, but that day it was like the poor woman who gave her two cents, it was all she had, and she gave it to God.  Trusting him, and honoring him.  I felt like the richest man on earth, only surpassed by the Triker Club.  And their benevolent fund.

We don’t know what God has in mind, if we did we would argue.  That morning I had a dream, a vision fulfilled.  So did the Trikers.  A secular club, who never expected the gift from God they got that morning.  Next time the helmet is passed, put in what God instructs, not for your sake, but for those in need.  For by doing these things unto the lesser, we are really doing them unto Jesus Christ.  His words, not mine.  And being able to see what Jesus meant when he explained “give the things unto Caesar the things of Caesar, but give unto God the things of God.”  He doesn’t want or need your money, he needs your acts of love through obedience.  And when he gets the glory, you get the blessings....that’s my two cents worth.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

just how much power is enough?

We are getting a glimpse of the good old days in the horsepower wars.  Ford vs. Chevy. vs. Dodge.  With Plymouth, Mercury, and Pontiac, and others missing.  But these three more than satisfy even the most hard core horsepower junkie, at least on paper.  But who drives on paper?  The answer may surprise you.  If you are rich enough to afford the payments on a $70,000+ plus car, you can have a Mustang Shelby GT500, a Camaro ZL1, or a Dodge Hellcat.  With only the Camaro offering in with only 650 horsepower, the others over 700!  Maybe the good old days are here again, but if the car is able, are we?  Are the roads?  Is your insurance company?  Who is man enough to handle all the power to the ground?

Sadly much of 1/4 mile testing is done on the dyno rather than the track, so you techies get a car developed by CAD, produced by CAN, and tested on the computer.   But no one I know drives there, so real life track testing tells the real story.  Some brag on horsepower, some on sales, some on price, but the real winner is who can navigate the course in the fastest time.  And arrive at the finish.  A fast guy can make a slow car quicker, but also a slow guy can emasculate a quicker car.  While some quote specs, and some race for championships, true competitors go for the win every time.  One race, one mile, one quarter mile at a time.  It comes down to the person behind the wheel at any given moment to either be the true performance champion, or just another poser.  And like in life, it also tells about the size of the person behind the wheel, the one making the decisions and impacting the outcome.  Key decisions that can spell victory, or cause defeat.  Not all competition goes on only on the track...

How many of us when we pray really expect the answer we get from Jesus?  Do we give him an either or request, spell it out for him, or just tell him the problem and wait for an answer?  When asked about taxes, Jesus who owned no property, asked for a coin and had to borrow one.  Reaching into a fish he withdrew the coin from its mouth and asked “whose face is on it?”  When they replied “Caesar’s,” he simply said “give unto Caesar the things of Caesar, and to God what is God’s.”  Maybe the truest example of separation of church and state, as when we come to Christ we belong to him.  We were bought and paid for with a price, we have given our lives to God and we are his.  Now given that you say you believe that, how do we handle the problems of life?  Do we realize how limited human authority is in scope and duration, or do we immediately look at God the same way, limited as a man?  Do you know that God has ordained government on earth?  That he is the only true independent, not choosing political sides?  That even though we may not care for the politics, that God has let the ones in charge be in charge?  If only for a short time...remember Israel had poor kings also, Nero was Emperor when Peter wrote “submit yourself to the government for the Lord’s sake.”  He who lit Christians on fire for street lights, and used them for entertainment in the arena unto death.  Fortunately he only had limited power over the hearts and souls of men.  He could not dictate to their spirit. Even today as Christians around the world are persecuted, the world cannot legislate who we worship, who governs our conscience, and it cannot make us love.  The one thing Jesus told us there was no law against, love, now is coming under fire.  True we must and do give the things of man unto man, but do we make the same effort with God?  The spirit that controls your decisions is found in those decisions.  That ought to scare a few of us....have we really given over of ourselves to Jesus?  Do we acknowledge his spirit in our lives?  Do we prove scripture by the things of God following us who believe, or are we just another poser, religious person?  Is the pew you sit in really the smell of death? 

Do we truly give over the things of the spirit to God, or do we limit him as we have as little faith in him as we do man?  Jesus is telling us the ultimate issues belong to God, not to people, for we are limited in our scope.  But he is everlasting, all knowing, always present, and operates outside of time, in love, so that all things work together for those who are called his own.  It takes more than a Jesus sticker to tell the world you are a Christian, do your actions portray Jesus only adding words when necessary?

Just like horsepower reminds us of the good old days, Jesus reminds us of the good old days when he walked on earth, and of the good todays when his spirit is here to walk with us.  Don’t be like so many owners of these muscle cars who buy them and store them for  investment, remember they were created to drive and thrill, to provide excitement and give a thrill.  Life not thrilling enough, maybe you need to invest in Jesus, and live life as he intended it.  Not by putting him on a shelf, not by a Sunday only appearance, and not by only studying the word.  For horsepower, like the gospel only works when it is alive and being used.  It was only after Jesus’ crucifixion and his spirit dwelt within them his power was revealed through him.  Don’t keep your love on the shelf, get out and live a fruitful exciting Christian life.  If only a quarter mile at a time.....the written word is powerful on paper, but it only reveals its true strength when applied to life. Just how much power is enough?  Jesus is adequate in all things.  Who you are given over to will show at podium time.....why wait until the end to enjoy the victory?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com