Faith is the substance of things not seen, but believed. But what about faith when you do see something, but don't know what it is? Or you believe something with no evidence at all, yet can make a great case for something that's a lie. Too many people today just don't believe the gospel, but with incredible faith choose to believe in UFO's, ET's, reincarnation, and politicians. They exhibit a faith that is strong, but based on lies. Yet they believe it so vehemently that it dictates their lives, and keeps them from Christ, it is a type of the spirit of anti-Christ. Just as God warns.

While watching a TV show about secret government bases like Area 51, I was amazed to hear them talking about Dulce, and the "secret" base there. And watching the pictures, I knew just where the turn off was, I had been by it dozens of times. And suddenly things came to life I didn't know about, and led me to reflect on an incident I had there myself.

I was coming into town, and heard what could best be described as a plane crash, that was my first thought. Driving through town, which is only a few blocks, I came upon a plane, a Beech craft, on a small grassy area, in a neighborhood, nose down. Inside was what at first I thought was a black man, but when I got out to look, it wasn't-he was burned to a crisp! But his clothes were not burned or singed, and no other signs of fire were on the plane. It was just there. And from where it was, it was almost like it had fallen out of the sky, rather than landed. No place it could have landed, and the plane showed no damage, it was almost like it had been placed there. I waited a few minutes, no one had responded, so I went to my next account, Gomez Grocery.

I told Manual Gomez the owner, what I had seen, Manual, a serious guy who I had never seen smile, began to tell me stories of cattle mutilations on his ranch-a lot of them. Describing them in detail. And how there was a secret base his cousin worked on that took him 20 minutes on an elevator to reach-underground. He was not a man to tell tales, very serious, but this you could tell had affected him. And that he believed every word he was saying. But yet the plane crash story didn't phase him. Almost like he knew, and had said or knew too much.

Leaving his store, I went back to see if the police had shown up, and no one had-it was just as I had left it. And no spectators either. It was almost as if people had seen this so often it was no big deal, or they knew to stay away-and did. I am no UFO buff, or alien being believer, but this was strange. I knew what I had seen, but I am not sure what I saw! And watching this show brought it all back to me!

Which brings us back to faith. I know what I saw, I could describe it, and know what it looked like-but I am not sure what I saw. So I looked deeper, into FAA logs and for info on the crash. Nothing. Except two dates mentioning it, 3-30,1982, and 3-30, 1983. With no further info on either date! Yet a plane crash is listed for that date, but not what I saw. Yes it happened, but no further info is provided! Is seeing always believing?

As Christians we are warned of the spirit of anti-Christ, anything in place of Christ in our lives. And I can see how this could lead me astray, as interesting as it was. But I choose to follow Jesus, Him I know, not some unexplained phenomena. I choose to live by faith, knowing that is what it takes to please God. For the things seen are temporal, the things not seen are eternal. So don't let anything get between you and Christ-no matter how interesting or intriguing it seems. No sport, car, church, pastor, alien, politician, or motorcycle should ever come between us. And rather than thinking it is a test from God, trust Him instead. Too many see demons when they should be seeking Jesus.

At the tomb of Jesus that morning a angel explained what had happened. In detail, even leaving the burial clothes and Head cloth folded for all to see. Yet so many believe in the Shroud of Turin, which could never be true because there is no head cloth. You see, it pays to read your Bible, so as to not believe a lie. Just this simple ruse has led more people astray and away from Jesus, believing more in a suspect cloth than on His resurrection.

I know what I saw that March morning, I am not so sure what I saw. God gives us free reign to believe what we want, but provides us evidence that will provide a verdict of His truth. Walk by faith, it is much easier to believe a God we can't see than to believe in what we think we have seen. 30 years later I can still remember that scene, thankfully I will know Jesus into eternity. A lesson on seeing vs. believing-only one leads to heaven. I don't ever want to know where the other one leads. How about you?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

don't be a Bob

Somehow we endure despite all the so called blessings we are surrounded with. Back in the 80's when the cola wars were going hot and heavy, I was a salesman for Coca Cola. When Pepsi started their challenge, we responded "if there wasn't a champion, there wouldn't be a challenger." And as the cola wars heated up, a funny thing happened-both Coke and Pepsi showed sales increases, it seemed the competition was good for both of them, but not the lesser brands.

I worked for a man called Don, who was described once as "the only man who could screw up Coca Cola." And perhaps the worst people handler of all times. No people skills at all. And a manager from Circle K once told me "any mistake you make isn't your fault, it's the jerk you work for," while he was standing next to me. But the salesman at Pepsi who I sold against was a guy named Bob. If you were to run an ad looking for an idiot for your village, Bob would be the best choice. He was a nice enough guy, but drove his customers crazy. And anyone else who came in contact with him-he never shut up. And was incredibly ignorant in so many areas, he was the opposite of the jack of all trades-he was an idiot of all trades. But we ran the same routes on the same days, on Tuesdays we went to Dulce on the Jicarilla Apache Reservation, about 110 miles from Durango. Then through the Gobernador Natural Gas Fields, the second largest in the world at the time-this was wide open space, with little traffic, and during a time where the speed limit was 55mph, we ran at over 100!

I had seen Bob in Dulce, and after my last stop, took off for Gobernador. About 25 miles from town, or anything, I saw his blue pickup on the side of the road, but no Bob. I kept going, and on the horizon I saw Bob walking, as if he would get anywhere in the 90 degree sun, with 20 miles to the next phone. So coming up on him, he turned when he heard the truck, and starting waving, then a smile broke out on his face when he saw it was me. But looking ahead, not making eye contact, I kept going! The last view of him was all the joy leaving his face as I looked in my rear view mirror-not stopping! I'm sorry, I just couldn't resist-but after the next bend, went back to get him. And for the next 45 minutes wished I hadn't as he drove me nuts. For Bob never shut up! And I wonder to this day, did I make the right decision?

We call them "one-uppers," if you have a new car, they have a better one. Your TV is 52 inches, theirs is 60. You have a 1000cc motorcycle, they have a 1500. You go on vacation, they've already been there. And just like Bob, they never shut up. Says all, knows nothin'. And they never listen because they never shut up! They know it all, and like a shirt I saw Sunday says, "You who think you know it all bother those of us who really do!" They not only have an opinion on everything you do, but if only they had been there you would be in better shape. To which Mark Twain once said," if you have the reputation for being a fool, don't open your mouth and prove it!" But they don't listen, and some even give God advice. Proving Mark, and God correct.

But God is forgiving, and loves them anyway. Hey, He loves us, right? But when He made man, He gave us some unique characteristics. Among them was one mouth, which we can control, but two ears, which we can't. And even until death, your hearing is the last to go. Just maybe is He trying to tell us something, if only we would shut up?

Jesus is called wonderful counselor. I like that, and I need Him more and more each day. He is truth, and not an opinion to influence you. He loves you so much He will give you the best advice, and the only advice you should take. So He tells us to be "doers of the word, not just hearers." He expects you to listen. Before you act. And self control, including of the tongue, is a fruit of the spirit. And you didn't make Jesus up, like some claim, but were told abut Him by the Holy Spirit-again a great case for listening! Remember that next time you pray, it is possible you don't receive because you don't listen! You ask, but then never let God answer.

So don't be a Bob. You may be stuck someday and no one will respond to your call for help. But thank God He will. He will provide a way through your situation, but only if you listen to what He says. By faith. And then do it, by obedience. Ask and you shall receive. But obey, and it will be given unto you. Are you listening? We will only know by the fruit you produce. Like I said, if there wasn't a champion, there would be no challenger.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

signs and wanderers

I saw an interesting sign the other day while riding in a neighborhood. It warned of a deaf child living there. Big letters that could even be seen while talking or texting. But yet I was the only one who slowed, almost getting rear ended. Her dirty look said it all. For years, we have had the sign that says "Slow children," and I have always wondered what makes them children slow? But since it is ignored, I soon expect a politically correct sign to take it's place, much in the vein of the deaf child warning. It will say "Special education children," and we will all react different to it. At least at first, for we don't want to hit anyone. We can't have no slow children here. Remember that when driving too fast where kids are next time, they may be slow, but some grow up into slow adults. I won't mention any names here, the list would be too long.

For some it is just the lack of the sense of common. Or the inability to think for themselves. When my neighbor got a new truck, his wife was upset because she had to put the key in the door to open it, but was ok after being shown how. And her son had to learn, like a nephew of mine, how to open windows. "What are these handles for Auntie?" he asked Theresa when he couldn't find the switches. But our neighbors kid had already figured them out, the salesman had explained them, and he showed them off to his friends as a novelty. "Check this out, the windows go down with these handles..." And of course, all the kids had to try.

Still don't believe the signs? When about 10, we are at my Grandparent's house, and Christopher wants to use the phone. Only he can't figure it out-it has a dial instead of buttons. But with a little instruction he mastered it, and a whole generation was saved. And of course progress had taught us it is easier to change phones yearly than keep the one given to us for life that never broke years ago. But the latest one really scares me, and these kids must be really slow. You've seen the dishwasher soap that comes in a capsule, looking like hard candy? It seems many kids are being rushed to the ER after eating it, thinking it is candy. My question is, what kind of stupid kid after putting it in his mouth, cannot immediately tell it is not candy? How much chewing, and then swallowing of this soap must he endure before he realizes it isn't candy? Maybe the radiation from cell phones does effect your brain-or at least your taste buds. Rest assured it will have a warning on it soon-do not eat. I wonder does he have a slow children marker in front of his house? So here is the newest entrepreneurial opportunity-Start a fad-make the first slow adult sign! Sell them in packs of 10! But change the graphics-why is it the slow children are seen running on the sign? Put someone on it who can't dial a phone, or roll down a window. Nostalgia and safety-hope the government isn't listening.

The Apostle Paul in Galatians was writing to some slow Christians. People who had come to Jesus, but immediately fell into religion, or went back to their own ways. They had "Jesus and do this" added to the gospel, or you must follow these rules, or pay this, or whatever. Straying under the influence to other Gods. Instead of being rooted in the gospel via teachings and good fellowship, they chose to listen to false teachers, and then followed them. To which Paul's heart broke, and after issuing a warning tells them they never knew Jesus, and sadly He never knew them. He speaks of a personal relationship, that born again instant where you are saved, and wish to know Jesus better. You truly wish to know God, but go on living like before. Listening to those no smarter than you. "Just go to church, follow a family tradition and you will be fine." Like so many are told today. And sadly the so many are wrong-as Matthew 25 tells us. Here they are bragging to Jesus what they have done for Him-not ever knowing it is what He has done for us! "We cast out demons in your name, prophesied, had book sales, special programs. We even had mission days, or sold out altogether and now we are only a missions church. Just look at our programs, and the list of good men who are our elders. We met all of our financial goals last year, we are great!" And Jesus replied, "be gone from me, I never knew you." For there is no relationship there with Him. For it is not about us and what we can do for Him, but about who He is and what He has done for us. And as I am out and talking to many others who attend these churches, maybe a "deaf Christian" sign should be placed in front of their building. They don't listen to the gospel. Or more accurately-"Slow Christians!" For they just don't get it. They have chosen to follow a religion just as dangerous as eating dishwasher soap. And are stuck with a phone and no way to call out! They can't even open their windows to call for help! Beware these people and do not fall into the same trap they did.

The truth will set you free, and is a person-Jesus Christ. He is the door, He is the one to call in times of need. Let no person, church, religion, or habit stand between you and Him. He only wants the best for you, for there are no slow Christians in heaven-just Christians. We are warned that some seek signs and wonders, yet some ignore the signs and wander. Jesus is ready to accept you right now, as you are. Tear down the signs, and get to know Him personally. Get ready to hear "well done my good and faithful servant."

God travels at the speed of light, maybe we are slow. But we don't have to be. Trust God today, and watch as your whole world brightens. God didn't send a text message, He sent His son. He made it personal. Don't you think it's about time you do too?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

are you a statistic for the minute you were born?

P.T. Barnum is quoted as saying "there is sucker born every minute." Say to fill a city the size of New York with 8 million people, it would take almost 20 years, not counting abortions. So...theoretically every twenty years you could have a new set of suckers completely replacing the suckers before it. A perpetual sucker machine if you will. And they said it couldn't be done!

Los Angeles would only take 6+ years to regenerate its population/sucker base. California every 60 years would have completely recycled its population, replacing old suckers like us with new ones-who just can't wait to be lied to, led astray, overtaxed, underpaid, and then re-elected all over again. And we are the good guys! What about the bad guys, who suck us in and rip us off? Thanks to the Internet, they have become a worldwide source now. Ever called on a credit card problem, and had the phone answered by a man in India? Or Viet Nam? Are you licensed to do business in that country? Well then why do you have to call there when you have a problem? We have more Buicks made and sold in China than the US, and Chevy trucks come from Mexico, Nissans from Tennessee, Hondas from Ohio, and Chryslers from Canada. But how many of us know all these facts? Yet we know who what wore to Whitney's funeral, and you need more evidence? Doesn't anyone read books anymore? Texters are already proving they can't spell.

I refer you to Boss Tweed and his group of scoundrels back in the 1870's in New York City. In today's dollars he embezzled over one billion dollars, yet still wasn't in jail-the public loved him. And when he was finally arrested, they couldn't understand why. Until he started protesting the political cartoons being drawn against him. "Stop them!" he said, "you're hurting my public image. Most of my constituents can't read, but they understand pictures!" Remember that thing about repeating history if you don't learn from it-sometimes it just carries on. "As seen on TV!" seems to give credit to anything. "Oprah says..." now there's truth. Quote Jerry Springer, and any other cretin let loose on TV, and stand by as the media is so biased that both sides don't tell the truth, yet refer to themselves as authorities, trusted, and fair and balanced. And this year, 2012, they all are coming out of the closet for the end of the world. It seems more planning is taking place for the end of it than there was in creating it, and definitely more than in maintaining it. 2012-Year of the Sucker.

Yet most try to avoid the truth of the Bible. They rather believe Elvis' tomb is empty rather than Jesus'. They rather believe that just because the Mayan calendar ran out, so will the world. Unfortunately no Mayans are here to comment, they were eliminated centuries ago. Alien beings from other planets, talking to ghosts on TV, and whatever plays for money has become the norm. "We don't need truth, it is too narrow," yet reality shows are the norm from repos to picking. From buying storage lockers to dating. I guess you can have it both ways if you insist upon being wrong all the time!

Even Agent Mulder knew the truth was out there. Do you? Or are you a statistic for the minute you were born? THE truth is the world is not ending, but will go through birth pangs. Not death. But God will have a new, reborn earth for those who follow Him, in truth and spirit. Not by denomination, sorry. His church of believers is called the bride of Christ, and soon, just like in Jewish tradition, He will come calling for His bride, and we will be raptured off this earth. Then the worst 7 years in the history of earth will begin. Something Buddha, Oprah, Joseph Smith, the JW's, or the Democrats will be able to save you from. But look at it like this, you will all be a common people at that time-suckers who refused to believe the truth! Just like the bumper sticker says-COEXIST! Now that's TOLERANCE! Really it is spelled compromise, or believing a lie.

God puts it like this-believing is seeing. It takes faith. It doesn't take a follower of Boss Tweed to see that. So don't be like one of his followers, failing to read and not believe about coming events in the Bible. Don't be a scoffer like those who question why isn't He here yet? Be glad He isn't, or else you would be left behind! Be glad He is as patient as you are impatient. It's your choice-stay or go? Smoking or non-smoking? Saved or lost? Wonder what the polls will say about that!

And only suckers will be left, the rest of us who were foolish enough to trust God will be gone. Like Cheers, a place where everyone knows your name-sucker. Now if that isn't wealth redistribution, I don't know what is! What if what God says is right? Can you afford to be wrong?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

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all aboard

There I was, caught in a moment of weakness, and a commercial got through the TV before I could change the channel. And as I endured the 60 seconds of propaganda, the message at the end brought me new life, and gave me the solution to all our energy needs. It stated that CSX railroads could move 1 ton of freight, 500 miles, on one gallon of fuel! And there was the answer to our energy problems-we should all drive trains! Think about it, if we could get that type of mileage on something that big, just imagine what we could get on just the engine, with maybe a caboose in tow. I just have to have a red caboose. Think about it, I might never have to refuel! And then all these great industries would spring up, tracks would have to be laid everywhere, thousands would have jobs created to go to, and the economy, the energy crisis, and the future of the world would be rescued-all just by riding a train! And here was the answer, that I would have missed, if I had not been remote challenged that evening. I wonder, how many other life changing ideas I miss because I don't watch commercials? Maybe driving the train last month up in Perris was just a hint of things to come. Do you think so?

Now before you again condemn me and call me crazy, I remind you I am, or at least can be. And the sane mind will tell me, "Mike, you don't understand." And like you, we have both been told that many times in our lives, and will until we die. As if understanding ever solved anything. When my father died, people would tell me they understand how I feel. "I don't, maybe you can explain it to me," has become my answer. And these well meaning ones go away. Not understanding. You see, Jesus never promises understanding. But He does promise a peace that surpasses it, so I became a wimp about understanding years ago, and just go right for the peace. You can have your so-called understanding, I have the real peace that only comes from Jesus.

And I can back it up with the word. Not preaching, at least to others, maybe myself, but when I am confronted with things I don't know or understand, I go to things I do know-and understand. When I wonder about those who hold signs begging for food and then say God bless you, I turn to God. Who tells us that He has never seen the righteous hungry, or their children begging food. So I trust God, and eat well. When told if you don't work, you don't eat, I tell them the truth. It says won't, not don't. And God meets my needs, the way He wants-but all blessings come from Him. He meets all my needs according to His riches and glory. So why beg those who don't have, go to the rich guy-who wants to provide, makes sense.

But Mike, you don't understand. You're right, I don't. Give it up. Seek and trust God first. Sick, He is the great physician. "Well I prayed and he died anyway." Perfect healing for those who are Christians is physical death, we go to heaven. No pain or tears. "My wife just doesn't understand." And you do? It takes two, maybe you both need to change. Trust God. Having trouble with your faith in a tough situation? Jesus said we will have trials and tribulations. How's that for evidence of Him? That oughta build your faith, but not your understanding. Now that He has proven Himself-again, will you trust Him with the problem? So when the devil comes a knockin', and I see him at the door, I just turn to Jesus, and say, "it's for you." And He handles it! Why do we make life so difficult? Are you beginning to understand? Or just trust?

"But God told me NO!" Did you ever think that is because you were asking for something outside of His will? That maybe He has something better for you? A no to me means that a better yes is coming. For God has promised me that all things work to good to those who trust Him and are called to His purposes. ALL! Good and bad work for me! There may be pain in the night, or on a TV commercial, but joy comes in the morning.

You may be right, trains may not be the answer. Remember the old line when you were a kid, "when they were handing out brains, you thought they said trains-and you missed them?" Just showing the frivolity of trying to understand something. It is easier to trust, the promises are surer, the rewards greater, and if God is for you, who can come against us? God+ us is a majority! And He never loses. But isn't it enough to trust Him just because He is God? He knows the path He has set for you, for a future and a hope. Follow Him and see the path. You may find that the rails aren't always smooth, so He takes you on the road. Just like where Jesus spent time ministering-on the road. Among the people. Who will think you are crazy for following Him. But they don't know Him. They are lost. They don't get it, they just don't understand. It's up to Jesus to change their hearts, not you. So let Jesus do what He needs to do, and follow Him. Lean not on your own understanding. Good advice found in Proverbs 3:5. Godly advice. Which only works if taken.

As for my idea about solving the energy crisis, scripture does tell us "He is high and lifted up, and His train fills the temple.." Is it possible that if we just turn to God, and lift Him high, that He knows the answer? If He can save a wretch like me, miles per gallon should be no big deal. I get 40-45 mpg on my motorcycles, no energy crisis here. Maybe it was something I heard years ago...Do ya think so?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

for God so loved the world, he sent the Sears catalog

Sometimes the answer to our problems is right in front of us and we don't know it. For instance, take the billions of dollars lost each year by the post office. Go back a few years and find the exact date when Sears quit mailing out its catalogs, and I think we may have found the fault. Did anyone ever figure in the millions that Sears spent each year, mailing out their 10 pound wish books to America? Two times a year? The postage on the Christmas book alone would keep small states afloat. And all the things we shipped, parcel post, long before brown took over. Perhaps another casualty of the Internet, but maybe we lost more than postage fees when they quit printing the catalog.

The catalog was almost the perfect book. It was stout enough to be its own desk, and could provide countless nights when nothing was on TV, you didn't have a date, or you were lonely and just needed a friend. Or you had some money from your first paycheck, how can I spend it on my first car? In it you found Ted Williams, Teddy Ballgame, fighter pilot, hall of fame, telling you about the joys of fishing. You were able to influence your parents of the safety merits of an English racer, because Ted said so, and no one ever said anything bad about JC Higgins! You were able to learn math, by figuring ounces and pounds-the shipping weight, and then matching it to your shipping zone, also learning all about US geography. You learned how to fill out paperwork, as accuracy counted when filling out the order form. Color, let's see, the wrenches are chrome, right? Tires were black...Size....no room for all of them to list...and the problem solving part of your brain got an exercise too. And we all learned why you wrote in pencil!

But as we got older, and closer to the magic age of obtaining a driver's license, the brand names changed. No more Kenner, Mattel, Marx, Ideal, or Tonka. Craftsman meant something, and even though we weren't sure what all the tools were, we knew men used them, and we were almost there. Power tools, too, no more muscle, we had power! Plug me in! We learned Die Hard batteries were the best for our cars, and that Sears branded radials were made by Michelin, in Mexico. And we became sharp shoppers by using these bits of info to keep our first cars alive. But hidden from parents, but not from our teen eyes, was a section of minibikes. And being included in the Sears catalog gave us a great bargaining position with our parents, sometimes. "Dad, it says here that Ted Williams had a minibike..." But for over 20 years, in the 50's-70's, Sears also sold motorcycles in the catalog. Allstates, and they really did, I have seen them at shows. Just never knew anyone who bought one. But these Italian made, Allstate branded bikes, would be shipped to your door, still in the crate, just like the dealers. And using your Craftsman tools to assemble, you would be the most popular guy on the street, as neighbors would stop by, wanting to know what was in the crate, and then warning you how dangerous they were. Only making it more exciting, but adding another lesson to you ever increasing knowledge-metrics. It seems the bolts on your Dad's Rambler, or Ford, or Chevy were standard-1/4, 5/16, 3/8, etc. These were 6,8,10mm. We won't get into Whitworth here, no one ever fully understood them anyway. Maybe those guys in auto shop were sharper than we thought.

For the Sears catalog was more than a catalog, it was a wish book, a place to dream, and a place to make plans out of. It was America, and America could be found in it. But like most progress, it went on for too long, and now we have the Internet. Lap tops. Devices you can't take into the bathroom and read, you can't sneak under the covers after lights out, and can't use as a table top for writing. No Sears catalog ever crashed, and for years would provide a ready and willing access to the past, and an entrance way to our future. Maybe it is fitting that its demise should be responsible for the post office going broke. A part of America died with it. And us. And still there is nothing like turning the pages of a book, finding something to mark the pages, and referring to it later. How can they call it a bookmark, when it is neither a marker, and there is no book? And just when we need the Sears catalog once more, they are gone. Forever.

We never saw it coming, so we were shocked. So wake up America, for we are in jeopardy of losing another icon, one more precious than we will ever know once it is gone. For years, when travelling, older than the Sears catalog, the Gideon's have placed Bibles in motel rooms. How many times have I myself used them, and found relief after a long day. Or found solace to a nagging problem. Or reread the gospels, and was reassured that Jesus rose from the dead, and so will I someday. That God sent Him because He loves us, and we can be saved. All found in one book, provided free of charge, that is made available by men and women around the world, their mission, the great commission given by Jesus-making disciples of men.

But the Bible is illegal in many countries, and is on an endangered list here in the US of A. If God isn't welcome in school, His book isn't either. Some are only let in as "historical books," good enough for history, just not good enough for us. Or maybe too good, for the truth in it upsets those in sin. And as the Book of Mormon, and Hindu sayings, and other so called religious books are also found in these same motel rooms, the Bible can handle the competition. Can we? We lost the Sears catalog, and the identities that went with it, what will happen when we wake up and the Bibles are outlawed? Will we all be outlaws? Will right have become wrong, like the Bible teaches? Or will we just go on to something else, shopping elsewhere for salvation, and missing the only real chance to have it?

When Russia becomes China, becomes Korea, becomes India, becomes the US, where will we turn? We can still turn to God, and Jesus will still be calling for us then. So why wait, if it is too hard to trust Him now, how will you when it becomes illegal? When there are no Sunday services to miss, or Bible studies to make fun of? Where will you turn for help?

The Sears catalog was never a religious book, but we may be able to learn something about God from its passing. If we don't use what He has given us, we stand to lose the blessings. To some it was only a catalog, but to so many others, a way of life. An educational book. A place for dreams, and to dream. A place where minibikes were ok, and America shopped. It was personal. Don't let this happen to your Bible. For it is all the above, and more. It is God's word, and when gone, we all miss the chance to spend time with Him. Ask God into your life today, and let Him write His word on your heart. Spend time with Him, learn about Him, and get close to Jesus. Don't ever think it can't happen to us. It would be a sad day when you had to sneak your Bible under the covers in secret to read it. Learn its value now, before it is too late.

We only want the things we can't get...the gospel is still free and available, for now. And Bibles used to be available in the Sears catalog. The gospel is free-just like the catalogs, that are now gone forever. Don't wait before it is too late. Just ask the post office....The Bible, still the perfect book.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

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vision test

With the invention of the car, a whole new era of pioneering began in America. Up until that time, for many years anything west of the Mississippi was considered to be the west. An untamed territory, where no real civilized person had any right to be, and even less desire to go. But things were about to change in a big way. A westward push would begin, and the western part of our US of A was about to change, and about to change how people live, think, and travel.

Peering across the mighty Mississippi, there would be no road to follow once the ferry deposited them on the other side. Where today we would turn up the ac, the heat could be deadly. And rain could stop them in their tracks for days. Travelling north through Salt Lake City, every spring the lake would raise up over its berm, flooding any progress of a new road. Coming to California across a desert with shifting sands, would hide the yet to come plank highway. No signs, so earlier pioneers would leave landmarks with directions. No AAA yet to guide you. San Francisco was the desirable California destination, no reason to go to a pre-Hollywood LA. And no way to get over the yet uncompleted Ridge Route separating them until 1917. They actually wanted California separated into two states at Tejon Pass. How many crossed the Rockies, only to find a sight such as the Rio Grande Gorge separating them from any further westward movement, 50 miles in either direction. It took faith, a strong will to succeed, and perseverance. It took a humility of being rescued by a horse when stuck, and paying heavily for it. So it wasn't for the faint of heart, or wallet. And weeks that could turn into months once they set out. What it took was a vision, and the desire to follow it, no matter what. To stay the course, and beat the odds. There may be some recognition at the end, or ridicule, but keeping the vision alive was the reason many pressed on. And the reason many of us still do today.

We are told that "the people die for lack of a vision." For without a promise and a direction from God, life has no meaning. For like so many early travelers, we get discouraged, and quit the first time things get tough. And blame God, this isn't what we were promised. Yet it is exactly what the Bible tells us. We get impatient waiting for the mud to dry, and frustrated when this new invention called concrete, which goes on liquid and then gets hard, will turn brittle under the weight of traffic, making travel even worse. We get frustrated when not following the directions we are told, or worse yet finding them inaccurate and getting stuck. We are ill prepared for the unknown, and have to trust people, who will inevitably let us down. And many just turn around, and suffer the agony of defeat, taking a lesser road, and live with the fact they should have stuck it out. Finding the safest, correct route is not of their own understanding, but rather found in obedience to God.

Today all of us will encounter a difficulty on the route we choose to follow. Some will quit, some complain and carry on, and some will persevere just because. Why not choose the path that God has chosen for you? Ask Him for a vision, and let Jesus set your course. Ride at His pace, and let Him guide you. It is OK to wait, or rest, for He knows what lies ahead, sometimes a simple thing like a stop sign has kept me from disaster ahead. But it takes a vision. Then trusting God with that vision, and then acting upon it in obedience. It takes a commitment-God is already committed to you, are you committed to Him? And it takes patience, and sometimes perseverance. We may give up on ourselves, but never quit on God!

Yet some will choose to ignore God, to stay a safe route, never leaving the house. And they will get old very fast. The rest of us will age, but still maintain a young attitude. You see we don't quit riding because we get old, we get old because we quit riding. And so it is with God. A true pioneer sees the obstacle and begins to figure a way around it. Those who follow God see the same obstacle, and ask Him to take them through it. The ones who stay home never get the the thrill of a victory with God.

Highway 50 across Nevada is billed as the "Loneliest Road in America." Don't let your life be like that. Follow the vision God has given you. Hills, deserts, storms, and rivers-He will help you navigate them. And be an encouragement to others. Don't let your life be a constant day of freeway exits-get on God's road and stay on it. The loneliest road will always be the one without God! With apologies to the Apostle Paul, "He who began a new road in you, will be faithful to complete it!" Don't be the one who is so blind that he will not see.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

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