maybe it's time to step out of the ark

 It was only after getting my license and expanding my horizons, that east, west, north, and south became directions rather than locations.  West was where the deer and the antelope play, where discouraging words were few, east was where foreign cars like Volkswagens and MG’s came from.  The south meant the confederacy, and north meant hockey, like they play in Canada.  Up until that point, all directions were based on either going left or right from my house.  Simple.  School was left, high school was right.  Bud’s Cycle Center was left, Jay’s was right.  The Esso station for air was right, the Gulf for gas to cut the yard was left.  The park was left, Joey’s was right, Crestwood Cupboard was left, the Sweet Shoppe was right.  Plainfield left, Westfield right, go left to get to Grandma’s, right took me to New York City.  With some variations....go left, the right to the shore, Phil’s BMW go left then left again, the Honda store was left, buying K81’s you went right.  Life was simple, and if you knew your right from your left, you could get anywhere.  Even moving to Florida was left, then a long right...to Albuquerque add another long right.  I could get anywhere based on going right or left, in a series of turns if needed.  Just like a GPS will tell you today.....and get you lost along the way.  All based on where you are, a starting point.

When someone asks you for directions, the first thing you should ask is “where are you?”  You do don’t you?  If not how can you give directions?  Something to consider, and not a new concept.  Consider Noah for a minute or two.  After the flood and landing on a strange mountain Mount Ararat, the world had changed.  Not only did he have no one local to ask directions from, the whole surface of the planet had changed.  All the familiar landmarks he knew had been underwater, some still would be, and how do I get where I need to be?  Or want to be?  And how will  know when I get there?  You think you got problems...from a valley and a neighborhood he was all alone except for his family on a mountain.  Now what......he had a whole new world before him, much like Adam and Eve did, in which he had go forth and populate it, build cities, establish a government, and only had God to guide him.  He was an old man in a new world, just as Adam had been a new man in a new world, and the possibilities were endless.  Just like when we become a Christian, and become a new creation in Christ.  He might have some familiar landmarks, remembered those that had chastised him, but they were all gone.  What about his family, all the animals, all the provisions that God had provided through the storm, was he on his own now.  Or would he realize that now he needed God more than ever.....the world had changed, how much had he changed with it?

The word discipleship is thrown around loosely in many churches today.  They have no problem with the salvation message, but after being saved, many are thrown to the wolves of the world.  Saved on a Sunday, but back at work on Monday, and the insults begin.  And many falter and regress back to what they once were.  Where is the discipleship, the preparing for the new life, the new relationship with Jesus that is changing the way they think?  Noah had to wrestle with these, and real Christians do on a daily basis.  But the battle is not our own, it belongs to Jesus, and in him we have the victory, we have the tools, and we have the love and compassion.  We are truly a new creature, born again, with access to all the things of heaven, able to do all things in Christ who gives the strength we need.  And if you feel all alone, think of Noah and his view from the ark.  Where do I start, what do I start and when?  And with no one to taunt of harass me about my relationship with God......he must have thought, at least I have my family.  But how quickly things can change, and he should know.

If you feel rejected after being saved, if your friends desert you or make fun of you, you are seeing a side of Christ you need to see, how he suffered at the hands of the Pharisees, how religion was against him, and how aligning with him was dangerous.  How money changes value, as he was sold out for thirty pieces of silver, the price of a slave.  Sold out for nothing, but what a great place to be, alone with Jesus and nothing to interfere.  But yet we feel less in value sometimes, remembering the price paid for Jesus, but not the price he paid for us.  Maybe the most important question you will ever be asked by God is the same one he asked Adam, “where are you?”  God knows where we are, but do we?  And if we don’t know where we are, in sin or newly saved, how will we know which direction to go? Is not a relationship with Jesus more than points on a compass, a set of laws to follow?  Or is it the true freedom, to want to follow him, to want to pray and read your Bible?  Is it found in laws or love?  But we now have access to all we need.....maybe it’s time to step out of the ark. 

Job wondered at one point if he was too far away for God for him to hear.  He’s a guy who really needed direction, and love.  Some compassion to ease his pain, not a set of rules to point out his fallacies.  No matter which direction he turned his problem was there, but so was God.  We need to know that, to act on it and in it, no just say we believe it.  We may think we get it, or have it all together until the first crisis, and we need direction.  A simple reminder from Jesus, who in all he did he pointed to his father, giving him all the credit.  Noah was no sailor, and couldn’t claim any of his actions for victory, it was only God in control who saved him, who never abandoned Job,and who is with us right now.  So where are you in Christ Jesus? It may explain your dilemma.  It may be as simple as knowing God instead of knowing all about him.  We have the logos of God, all of his word, but only when the  rhema, the spirit driven part of it, the rod for the exact time and place is given, will we see God at work and the way out.  His direction, not necessarily a direction.  And in all these things God is trying to break through to you via his holy spirit. 

So maybe life is as simple as left and right.  Left behind or right with God.  Knowing him personally or just joining a church.  A whole new world is ours someday in heaven, but until then, when we get to our final destination, we need direction.  We will be tested many times in life, it is when we step out of the safety of the ark, where we really start to trust God’s direction for our lives that we see him more clearly.  When we lose fear and gain respect.  Is your life just a point on the compass, or a place to desire?  Is God’s direction a set of rules or a relationship?  Are the directions  you give to someone for salvation as easy as the gospel?  God asks now “where are you?”  Your answer will reflect where you are in Jesus.  As a kid we all knew directions to get around in our neighborhood, but when it expanded, we asked for help.  No one wants to be lost or admit to being lost, it can be scary or exciting.  Only God and Noah knew exactly what he thought when he first left the ark, his new life was just beginning.  But he saw the rainbow, a sign from heaven that he would that the world would never be flooded again.  What you see when you come to Christ will impact your life.  Abraham was promised all as far as he could see, he saw God instead.  Job hung onto God irregardless of the advice given.  And in case you forgot, where’s Jesus?  Sitting at the right hand of God. 

With only one way so you don’t get lost.  Jesus, and oh the roads he will take you on to get there. So, where are you....

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

AKA Richard

I used to minister to a man called Richard, at least that was how I knew him.  Just released for prison, and new in the Lord, his story of crime was fascinating, if not unique.  He was doing drugs and living in sin, renting a room in house shared with others.  He was afraid of being caught and persecuted for his crimes, fear gripping him, and he stayed off the streets.  He believed he was being watched by the law, and had actually developed paranoia.  So when sneaking out one afternoon to get his mail at the post office, putting the letters in his back pocket, and having no ID, and walking back home, he wasn’t surprised when he was arrested, went to court and served a sentence.  A sentence, but not his, as when he was arrested, he had his room mates mail in his pocket, none for him that day, and the police had a warrant for his roommate’s arrest, not Richard’s.  They thought Richard was his roommate.  But full of guilt and figuring he would be caught anyway, he served the time, and upon release went to court to clear his name.  Explaining to the court who he really was, the judge not really sure what he wanted done.  But since he had served time under his room mate’s name, he had no criminal record.  The judge even explaining to him he served time he didn’t need to.  Get on with your life.  And to this day, according to Richard, no word from the roommate whose mail he retrieved that day......Richard did jail time but has nor record.   

But while in prison, Richard was saved, and God changed his life.  Even starting a cleaning business, and as he used to tell me, “now I’m cleaning places I used to rob.”  Quite a story, and true.  But what led Richard to serve time in his roommate’s name, and being known by that name, was done in fear.  Knowing his crimes, he expected to be caught someday, and did the time.  Just not his.  Fear had placed him in a place where he had no escape, he knew no way out.  Sometimes your fear is bigger than your enemy.  Just ask one shepherd boy named David.....

 I am amazed at how some preachers hide behind a pulpit telling us to be bold in the Lord, to not fear, all in the shelter from behind it.  David had no pulpit, in fact no war time weapons, only a sling and some rocks, which were used to scare off wild animals and protect his sheep.  So when confronted with a nine foot giant, with twelve fingers and toes, whose armor weighed 125 pounds, he knew Goliath might be bigger in size, but no match for God.  “The Lord saves, the battle is his,” he proclaimed, and the man who would be king faced his enemy, but in the Lord.  The threat was huge and very real, but so is God, and when there was no way out, God was the way, and still is today.

David was delivered from his fear and his enemy in the face of battle with no sword or spear.  No war time weapons were needed, only God.  And only one shot to the head was needed.  Leaving his six shooter sling with five stones left.  In Romans 8 we see a list of who can separate us from the love of the Lord.  No persecution, distress, death, demons or any created beings, can separate us from the love of the Lord that is in Jesus Christ.  David alone faced the taunting of Goliath, while others ran in fear, he face the enemy in faith.  Whatever Goliaths you face today, God has a plan for you to overcome the fear and be victorious.  But you need to let him fight the battle, for it is his, not yours. 

Scripture also tells us that fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.  Not the same type of fear that man can hold over us, but one of respect for who he is.  For at the name of Jesus, even demons flee and quake in fear, they are aware of the outcome, and we should live like we do to.  Jesus won the battle on the cross, was resurrected and defeated death, and in him so do we.  So many times I just throw up my hands and tell him “it’s your problem, deal with it,” and when I really do let him, his peace returns, and the battle is his to win.  No other name under the heavens or under the earth has more power and reverence.  And someday you will be in eternal reverence, those in heaven who trusted Jesus and believed, those in hell who denied him, and now face him in agony.  They fought their own battle and lost, not trusting in the Lord.  For every knew shall bow, and every tongue confess, that Jesus Christ is Lord.  In the heavens and under the earth.  Every knee....

And be sure that God will not know who you really are.  He knows all the AKA,s the nicknames, and who you are.  Richard may have done time under another name, but his real name is written in the book of life in heaven.  No one gets there by accident, and no one suffers in hell when innocent.  All have fallen short of the glory of God, and all are born into sin.  Only Jesus saves.  So when the threat of punishment, or fear of the unknown is everywhere, remember so is Jesus.  He won the big one, and although we have many battles to face yet, they are still all his to fight.  The good shepherd protecting his sheep, just like David the young shepherd knew.  “I shall fear no evil, for he is with me.”  Even the shadow of death has no power over us.  David volunteered to fight Goliath, Jesus volunteered to die for our sins.  One day when Richard was picking up the mail his life changed, but not forever, that came when Jesus Christ became his Lord.  Man is tallest when on his knees.  Size matters, so just how big is your God?  At least a bit bigger than your problem.  Trust him.  David did, God knows who are his.  No matter whose name is on the mail.

Just be glad occupant has no warrants out for him....we could all be in a lot of trouble!

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

Me and Gatsby

As a returning freshman at UNM, I decided to take a course of F. Scott Fitzgerald, author of The Great Gatsby, Tender is the Night, and dozens of short stories.  I had read Gatsby a few years before, and was intrigued by the romance of the time period, and was a bit familiar with the rich on Long Island as I had a friend whose address was just Twin Gables, no street needed.  Old money, as they say.  But as Dickens was to remind us, “it was the best of times and it was the worst of times,” I got more than I had bargained for.  I wanted to understand Gatsby, to relate to my experiences in his neighborhood, to associate with the rich and for one brief shining moment, be Gatsby.  With a different ending, I would get my Daisy and live happily ever after.  Sadly in too many ways my grade reflected my disappointment, but also my first real experience with being told what to think, the all knowing professor would handle that for me.  A lesson learned, if only by being disillusioned.

In Back to School when Rodney Dangerfield was asked “why did the call Gatsby the Great Gatsby,” we all laughed at his answer, “because he was great.”  Simple but true, but not the existential insightful answer the teacher was looking for.  And suddenly Gatsby wasn’t so great.  I learned how every name had a hidden meaning, the importance of sentence structure, how Dexter Green was more than a name, but described the greedy man, Dexter being devious, green representing money.  But the real eye opener was how a man who had never been to Long Island, never driven or visited the places Gatsby wrote about, knew more than someone who had been there.  A few of us who knew the area were quickly told to hold our tongue about our experiences, this was about F. Scott, not us, and like Quick Draw McGraw used to tell Bobba Louie, “I’ll do the thinnin’ around here, and don’t you forget it!”  Which was reinforced by the harsh notes in red pencil on my exam, I had used all the things I had been  taught in class, organized them in my writing, and felt pretty good afterwards.  In a class where he had encouraged us to put ourselves in the title character’s place, to get inside his head, when I did, I found I was being graded not on my interpretation, but what I was supposed to have written.  Seems the class was more about the faux greatness of the teacher, and making him great, than exercising our own minds to greatness.  My first encounter with a real liberal, and their take on free speech, you can have your opinion only if it agrees with mine.  And since I do the grading.......I think you get it.  I had come to learn about my favorite author, what I got was a different education.  Gatsby may have been great, but in this class only the teacher was.  Simply put, if he wanted to hear your opinion, he would give it to you.  And they call that learning...

In my mind’s eye many times I have been Gatsby standing on his dock looking across to Daisy’s house, wondering what is going on, how is she doing, and how can I rescue her for myself.  Not so much for Daisy, but for that perfect world that is just out of my reach, that all my skills and money cannot change.  Something that goes way beyond me, more of a prayer than a daydream.  Ever talk to God like that?  I do, telling him my desires, my dreams, my plans.  How I have all of life figured out for the moment, then the phone rings, and the scene changes.  Funny how one phone call can change so much, and why it seems good news is few and far between, but bad news always seems to find me.  But unlike Gatsby, I have found the view from the end of my dock in Jesus, where when I wonder, I can wander with him, and let him lead.  Only in Christ, not in religion, does Jesus let you decide, for true love demands a decision, and cannot be legislated or forced upon you.  For years I thought I was in a spirit led fellowship, only to be found embargoed by legalism, no room for what the spirit has to show you.  In all cases go back to the word, good advice, but interpreted as remember what we taught you.  Our way is superior to others.  Leaving me with a feeling like the one I had in college.  But when I actually listened to the spirit, when I found out that it is the spirit who called me to Jesus, that it is the spirit that reveals the mysteries of the gospel, not some pastor or teacher, when God truly became all knowing and everywhere in my life, I began to go places the educated or churched didn’t know existed, or feared to tread.  I began to really trust God, and live in his will, not mine.  God really cared about me and my thoughts, and would guide me, not force me into a relationship with him.  In Christ Jesus I had everything, including this thing called potential, which surpassed any talent I may have had.  It was personal, and God would listen, unlike many teachers and pastors today.  Gatsby may have been great, but Jesus has a greatness you can only fully experience in the spirit. 

So why do we study for the test?  To pass it, and then quickly forget the lesson, heading onto the next assignment.  Life is not studying for a grade, and fortunately God doesn’t grade on the curve.  Imagine if our grades got us into heaven, and it took a 90 to pass, and you got only an 89?  Imagine if God was like that professor, imagine living life never measuring up to what your church sets the bar at?  Do you really rejoice that salvation is a free gift from God, so none can brag, here or in heaven?  Have you embraced the holy spirit, or do you like Gatsby wonder, seeking things to fulfill a longing, when only Jesus can?  Do you live by your own code or the one of the spirit? 

Seems I did learn more than my grade reflected.  You may have knowledge, power and the authority to use it, but without Jesus it all means nothing.  But what I got out of that class, I wouldn’t discover until later.  A man I had sold a motorcycle to, Rafael, was in the same class.  A businessman, he too wanted to learn more about Gatsby.  He too a dreamer.  But when I found out a few weeks after school was out, he was in the hospital, I went to visit him.  Showing love and compassion, which cannot be taught. He was blown away I remembered him and the class, and of course the motorcycle.  But walking out after giving him a fruit basket, God reminded me of how all things work together for those who love him.  Who call him Lord, I had been led by the spirit, and was too young in the Lord to know it.  On that day God’s ways of love had become my way, I cannot explain the rush of Jesus in my life.  If only Gatsby had known Jesus...

Talk with God today, use your own words, he is fluent in them.  Have a conversation, a dialogue not a monologue with him.  No rules or boundaries, talk to him like you would a friend, you can be yourself in him, for no condemnation is found in Jesus, listen and learn, be encouraged, and discover his greatness goes way beyond what he can do for you, but what he has done already.  And it seems I had the last laugh on my Gatsby know it all professor.  When I signed up for classes, I unknowingly chose a pass/fail grade instead of a letter grade.  I passed, and after all, isn’t that why we study for the test? 

Me and Gatsby, both of us have been there, only one escaped alive.   And as for my Daisy....42 years later I still rejoice.  Seems God really does know what he is doing after all.....Gatsby’s love was doomed, yours doesn’t have to be.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

tag lines revisited

Over the years, many products have been remembered by their tag lines.  Like when George on Seinfeld told how you can’t get him off your mind after a few dates, “Costanza.”  But here are a few light hearted ones that affected me over the years.  Enjoy.

1946 Ford Ad, “there’s a Ford in your future.”  President Ford, 1974.

McDonald’s “you deserve a break today.”  Have it your way, eat somewhere else. 

“Kawasaki let the good times roll.”  Until you meet the nicest person on a Honda.

“You meet the nicest people on a Honda.”  Until you get rolled by a Kawasaki.

“Stay thirsty my friends.”  You’ve been warned, don’t drink the water in Mexico.

“Can you hear me now?”  Yes, please shut up and don’t talk on your cell in public.

Lexus “the relentless pursuit of perfection.”  Someday we’ll get all the bugs out, but for now....

“It’s finger lickin’ good.”  Never knew a chicken had fingers until now.

Disneyland’s “the happiest place on earth.”  Until you get the bill next month.

“When you care enough to send the very best.”  But are too lazy to write a letter.

“A diamond is forever.”  So are the payments.

“What’s in your wallet?”  Google already knows. 

“Every kiss begins with Kay.”  But Virginia is for lovers. 

“Melts in your mouth, not in your hand.”  Also in your pants pocket.

“Our fish slept in the sea last night.”  So did Luca Brasi...

“The breakfast of champions.”  Bruce, I mean Caitlyn...I mean....

“Just do it.”  For your spoiled kids.  Open your wallet for another overpriced pair, while you shop the bargain rack. 

“All the news that’s fit to print.”  Propaganda found inside.  Fake news.

“Double your pleasure, double your fun..”  Won’t go there.

“My dog’s better than your dog.”  Ever clean up after a 125 pound American Bulldog? 

“The ultimate driving machine.”  Now if the owners could drive....

“We try harder..”  But still don’t cut it.

“Look Ma, no cavities.”   I’ll leave the tooth under the pillow for the tooth fairy. 

“Bond, James  Bond.”  Another flick without Connery.  To identify the latest new one. 

“Try it, you’ll like it.”  No, I don’t like Spam!

“Where the rubber meets the road.”  Leaving a mark for the tow truck to find you. 

“Quality is job one.”  But which one?  low or high?

“Wouldn’t you really rather have a Buick?”  Asked by tow truck driver towing your FIAT to the shop.

“See the USA in your Chevrolet...”  No way, I’m riding!

“Dodge, domestic not domesticated.”  Owned by FIAT, Drips Oil, Drips Grease Everywhere.”

Cadillac, “Standard of the world.”  Lincoln, what a luxury car should be. 

Volvo, “drive safely.”  Just not in the fast lane at 55!

UPS, misspelled “OOPS.”

And just so you thought all the good lines were taken, the church jumps in.  A sampling of messages on their signs.

“Do you know what hell is?  Come hear our preacher.”

“Tweet others as you want to be tweeted.”

“Now is a good time to visit, our pastor is on vacation.”

“Does it matter which church you stay home from?”

“Moses was a basket case.”

“Jesus is coming.  Look busy.”

“What happens in Vegas is forgiven here.”

“Prayer, the only call the government cannot hear.”

“Forgive your enemies, it messes with their head.”

“Walmart is not the only saving place.”

“Don’t criticize your wife’s judgment, look who she married.”

“God prefers kind atheists to mean Christians.”

“Don’t let worries kill you, let the church help.” 

“Little Hope Baptist Church.”

“Welcome visitors, thou shalt not park here.”

“Don’t judge someone because they sin differently than you.” 

Or like Pastor Rick used to say, “man is tallest on his knees. 

But nothing will ever compare with the ad campaign God had with Jesus.  “Come as you are, your sins are forgiven, go and sin no more.”  The gospel, simple so we can get it, free so we can afford it.  If only we read our Bible as much as we remember the ads.....so, wise men still seek him.  Christmas begins with Christ.  Welcome semi-annual worshippers.  Merry Christmas to you-hope that doesn’t offend you.  Keeping Christ in Christmas will only add the joy  you may be missing.  And he only wants your presence, not your presents.  Santa needs to check his list twice, are you ready to settle for that kind of a god? 

So..have a happy Christ centered holiday.  Everyday.

Love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com