it's February, do you know where your motorcycle is?

Here in So Cal we have just survived the coolest and wettest winter in a few years.  Suffering through lows in the 30’s, and highs touching the 70’s, it has been rough for many who ride.  Especially for those that consider 50 degrees the threshold for taking the car.  But with 70-80’s forecasted for the next few weeks, spring is springing like it should, and soon many cold weather sheltered riders will be hitting the roads.  Many for the first time since last fall in other states, but here it may have been just a matter of weeks.  We are ready, the bike should be ready, the road is calling, is it ready?  Let’s see....

Are we really ready?  Theresa makes fun of me for waving at bikes when in a car, it takes me a while to get used to driving after riding so much.  Some rarely if ever see me in a car, a woman I worked with once asked me if I even had one?  So it takes awhile to acclimate, to not drive like I ride, and cannot lane split, park close to the buildings, and share spaces with other riders.  But for the rider just getting out after winter, it takes a few miles, or many a few miles to get his riding head on straight.  Sudden power where before there was none, and cops just waiting to remind you of your speed experience.  So take it slow, ride some back roads, no matter how seasoned, take the time to get used to riding again.  I know how the transition from bike to car is....

Have you hugged your motorcycle lately?  Kept the battery charged all winter, so you don’t get that wretched clicking sound the first nice day?  Has it been covered or at least garaged?  Parked outside destroys a bike’s patina in a few days.  Have you checked the oil, the tires are probably low on air, the only thing I remember from chemistry is low temp, low , pressure, if I had known it applied to motorcycles I may have paid better attention.  Check your ride over, adjust your helmet, adjust the mirrors, push the button....and go!  And you are riding, and soon all winter is forgiven, you are riding again!  But what about the road?

With flooding here due to El Nino’s effect on poorly engineered drainage, many roads have dirt, leaves, and rocks on them, strategically located on corners where they cannot be seen into well into the curve.  Leaves are the worst, I am surprised no one has ever come up with a lubricant that is leaf based, they are so slick.  Same with road paint, one little slip can ruin your day or riding year.  Look around!  Sinkholes have become the new pothole, I once hit a pothole in Philadelphia that knocked my headlight out of the bucket.  They are there and to be avoided, and with gravel from them around, be even more careful.  More than one rider has gone flat tracking style avoiding them.  Around construction zones, look out for dirt, nails, rolls of duct tape, and other hazards.  And most of all, learn how to spot the rude and ignorant SUV monster who just has to catch up on her Facebook at 60 mph while crossing over into your lane.  A lot of new drivers on the road over the winter, just waiting to make their first accident claim, don’t be it!  Ride safe, ride invisible, ride looking for an out, and always looking around, back and front.  It’s February, do you know where your motorcycle is?  Don’t let someone else find it for you first!

Now that you are prepared to enjoy life as it should be again on two wheels, enjoy the ride.  The one of many ahead.  Not paranoid, but safe, in knowing your surroundings.  Do we walk with Christ the same way?  Are we confident in him as to say we trust him, or do we live constantly in fear of what may happen next?  Are our prayers one of restitution after an accident or event we knew to avoid, or are they from time spent in prayer before?  Or are they ones of hope that God agrees with your decision, rather than you agreeing with his?  So many things to check before going out, no one ever told me it would be so hard to be a Christian.  But yet it is all worth it, even in the toughest of days, for it is in our weakness his strength is made perfect.  Like the song Jesus Loves Me, we are weak and he is strong.  And knowledgeable too, and all wrapped up in a heavenly love just for us.  He meets us just where we are, and we don’t have to dress different, attend a special service, or go through anyone else to meet with him.  And if you ride, you know how precious that time behind bars with Jesus can be, no one to interrupt the time spent with him.  Another great but often discounted reason to ride. 

But remembering the most important part of prayer is to listen, he already knows what we need and desire, Jesus once asked “why do you call me Lord, Lord but don’t do the things I say?”  Sound familiar?  He is always speaking, are we listening?  He knows what lies ahead on the road, what careless driver is texting, and where the potholes are.  He also knows the condition of your heart, and of your ride, are you still with me?  This weekend, and many to come, the winter blues will end and the motorcycles will hit the road, are you taking the same approach with Jesus as we are with them?  Have we been in a winter of no fellowship, of waiting for the weather to change things, to be free from the conditions, or have we been spending time with him daily?  Are you just taking Jesus out of winter storage? Is your heart that cold?

Do you find your leathers are old and cracked like old wineskins, or is it what you are putting in them changed from last fall?  Jesus tells us to not put new wine into old wineskins, they will crack.  Religion may be the old wineskin you are getting back into after being away, but  he wants to make it personal.  Lose a few pounds of sin, and be the new creature he wants you to be.  Suddenly the jacket fits, the bike sounds better, the roads cleaner, and the ride improves.  Or are you stuck, repeating the same old tired exercise of religion?  Attending services, paying your tithe, taking notes, and listening to KWVE?  Not bad things, but without the spirit guiding you in them, they are just things.  Like a motorcycle without a rider, it goes nowhere.  How many of us are in with Jesus for the ride?  Wherever it takes us?  Can we call him Lord when it comes to riding too?  One quick decision to change can result in changing your ride forever.  Do you really want all the things of God in your life?

Many service departments will be filled with bikes that won’t run right after all winter of not being ridden.  Don’t be like them with your life, don’t wait for your annual road trip to church on Easter.  Get right with God today, start riding in the spirit and see all the things of God, not just from behind a windshield.  If Kawasaki can let the good times roll, can you even imagine what Jesus can do for you?  It’s February, and I know where my motorcycles are, and where I am with Jesus.  Do you? 

love with compassion,

Mike

mattehw25biker.blogspot.com

we were all new once...or twice

As I cruise the new bikes on the floor at local dealers, I look at all ranges, not just what I ride.  But I find myself lately more interested in the people looking at the bikes, and really cast a careful eye to those attempting to throw a leg over one.  It doesn’t matter the age, or even the gender any more, with so many women riding, but you can tell who rides or has ridden and who hasn’t.  Watch a young guy, just got his license on Ninja, and you can see an accident in the making.  Riding home one day through Santa Paula a young guy on a new Ninja with paper tags was accelerating fast, Theresa and I looked at each other and agreed he was in trouble.  Maybe the tank top should have given him away too, but after a few light changes, a car stopped quickly, he was still on the gas, and hit her.  Biker and bike down....and it didn’t have to happen.  Do we call that an accident or an on purpose or a glimpse of things to come?  I see very few sitting on the new bikes carefully adjusting the mirrors, or looking to get acquainted with the hand controls.  With so many taking the MSF course, which I recommend to new riders, they may have passed, gotten a license, but now need a ride.  Thinking they can ride, they go out and buy what payment they can afford, and ride off like our friend in Santa Paula did, and are  left with a crashed bike with payments.  And it didn’t have to happen.

We were all new riders once, and with so many coming back after years away are new twice.  When I hear someone my age but not my experience telling how fast their old Honda 750 was, they think they are ready for something bigger.  Their ego will not allow them to get a 500, which will be faster, lighter, better handling and have better brakes, I used to ride a 750!  Which may explain so many used Harleys in metric shops, with low miles.  Just because they could afford the payment doesn’t mean you can ride, and they trade for something smaller and less expensive.  More ridable.  And cheaper to fix when it falls over.  But we all set off with dreams of being Kenny Roberts in our mind, of hanging out at The Rock Store, or riding to Sturgis.  We dream big, but live small, as Kenny is fast, real unusual bikes show up at The Rock Store, and Sturgis is 1800 miles away.  And you only have 1800 miles on your bike, and less than 3000 on you.  So I emphasize to all, ride your own ride, you will enjoy it more, and so will we.  Nothing ruins a rider’s day than seeing another rider down than them being down themselves.  The stories start of how many are killed, we all ride too fast, we are crazy, 1%ers, criminals, and organ donors. And nothing could be farther from the truth, or is it closer than we admit?

New Christians need to beware of the snare that awaits them.  Jesus is all new, their life is changing, and some well meaning old saint tells them “you need to go out and witness.”  They think they are ready, and go out and get pounded by someone who knows the Bible better, may have been institutionalized and trained, and they feel hurt and wondering where is God?  They don’t understand what happened, and are disillusioned.  They have been given bad advice based on bad doctrine, for we are to be witnesses, not go out and witness.  There is no magic switch I ever found to turn Jesus on and off for evangelical actions, but many act like there is.  And have a lousy walk, for someone is always watching for our real witness.  We were all babes in Christ once, or hopefully will be, maybe we can learn from Isaiah in a conversation he had with God.  When he heard God asking for volunteers to go out, Isaiah said “here I am, send me,”  and God sent him out with the following good advice, as if anything but good advice comes from him.  “Be ever hearing, but never understanding, be ever seeing but not perceiving.”  Good advice for all riders too.  God never tells us he who has a mouth let him speak, he says “shut up and listen, so you know.”  Emphasis mine.  They have a zealousness but not a spiritual leading, and instead of being as wise as serpents and gentle as lambs, the wolves eat them alive. 

Some volunteer trying to impress others, “I’ll go Lord, I’m brave,” and the congregation knows different.  Some pass the buck, “sounds good Lord, but Joe is better equipped.  Maybe if he went along.”  Or my favorite, or heard way too often “send me Lord, tell me where and I’ll go.  Just send me the funds, or show me how to raise them...” Jesus told his disciples just to take what was in their pockets long before VISA.  Where God guides, he provides.  Still waiting to be called?

But when God’s word is go, we need to go.  Scripture tells us “as we go to share the gospel,” the trip being our destination.  God will place Lazaruses before you, how many have you stepped over today on your way to church?  Bible study?  To spend time with God?  But denied his spirit along the way?  Gotta be in the word, but is the word in you?  Is that your witness?  Or are you witless?  As in riding we need application of our education.  Knowing the word is good, having Jesus, who is the word in you is better.  The only way to be an effective witness.  Today many new riders are recognized by their shiny leathers and new equipment.  Some are just posers, the real bikers can tell, the world will figure them out.  Works with us Christians too.  Just carrying a Bible, taking notes for all to see, having a KWVE sticker on your SUV, or reading Christian books or watching Christian movies doesn’t make you one.  In fact I try to avoid such types, seems I always arrive after they have cheesed someone off, and the crowd thinks that is what Christianity is all about.  So when God calls, make sure it is his voice, and not the children’s ministry overwhelmed again.  God has a place for each of us, and for even right now. 

Do like Isaiah was told, listen.  You will learn, and don’t try to understand.  One night trying to explain a spiritual concept to my son, God reminded me “don’t try to explain something to him after three weeks what took you 33 years.”  Keep your eyes open, and watch as when the spirit leads you, you grow closer to God, and he gives you understanding when you need it.  Don’t be like the well trained church goer,who when seeing me after my open heart surgery, told me “I understand what you are going through.”  “Really, I am the only one in medical history to have what I had, and I don’t get it.  Maybe you can explain it to me...”  But God knows, do you?  As the inner man grows, it will show in the outer man.  Ride your own ride with Jesus, and don’t make me keep up.  Or clean up afterwards.  If he can save you, he can guide you.  A world class racer asked me once to hand him a wrench as he was under a truck.  “What size?”  “I don’t care,”came the reply, “I want to use it as a hammer.”  Still confused, remember a Crescent wrench is metric only, until you flip it over to SAE.  And you think you are ready to ride?

We were all new once....now do you understand? 

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

what would you do with your 15 minutes of fame?

Troy, Illinois is one of my favorite places to visit.  Great people, great patriotism, and where my friend Jacob and his family live.  A simple introduction is order here, on my first Torches Across America ride, we met in Troy, and were greeted in a special way.  The absolute highlight of our ride, of which there were many, about 200 motorcycles greeted us outside of town, then escorted to the city park, where the entrance was lined with Cub Scouts holding American flags, and a hook and ladder at full extension with a huge flag.  Overwhelmed with emotion, when I parked I looked back and a little boy, Jacob was in a wheel chair.  As I talked with him, his Dad explained he has leg perthes, which I once had.  How rare is that?  And we visited, and later I felt a tug at my shirt, it was Jacob.  I was his hero, could he have my autograph?  And the seed was set for a friendship between two families, spanning three generations.   I even wrote about him in Wheels of Grace Magazine, touching his Dad, he loved the story, and it really became special when he discovered it was about Jacob.

In 2006, I was spokesman for Torches, and again Troy did not disappoint.  And I had a special treat planned.  Sharing about our ride, and the heroes of 911, first responders, and veterans, I told them of a local hero they might not know about, Jacob.  We had prayed for him, and the little boy in the wheel chair had greeted me holding a poster welcoming me as we entered the park.  He was walking, playing as any normal 7 year old would, and he was about to go up on stage with me.  The crowd roared when I told of his miraculous recovery, and suddenly all the attention was on him.  A true hero who had won a battle against a potentially crippling disease, and after the press from newspapers to TV wanted to interview him.  God had given me the idea, and Jacob and his family were basking in his 15 minutes of fame.  A night he will always remember when a group of bikers came to town, and a little boy got to tell his story.

But not all could get to him, and one local St. Louis TV station interviewed me, which I don’t mind, but I had wanted this to be Jacob’s night.  At first the questions seemed harmless enough, then she dropped the bomb, “how do you feel about Bush’s involvement in Iraq?”  As I tried to explain we were not a political group, but honoring America and its heroes, she got hostile.  And aggressive, I was trying to remain cool.  Just a few feet away Jacob was having the night of his life, no way was this woman going to ruin it.  As she pressed harder, she asked, “aren’t you afraid to go to sleep tonight because of the world situation?  Aren’t you afraid to die?”  And the door had been opened...

I explained I was a Christian, and not afraid to die, as I knew my final destination was heaven.  I trusted God to take me there, and she can too.  At which she made a face, and the interview was over.  Which left me smiling, as behind her, her cameraman was giving me the right on gesture, the one Kirk Gibson gave after hitting his home run in the World Series.  Go man it told me...I like what you are saying.  And the night was a success, and I would continue to hear from Jacob and his family.  On a trip to Disneyland, he spent an afternoon with us and his grandparents, we have become family.  I have a box with all the items he has sent me over the years, from birthday and Christmas cards to graduation dates of him and his little brother Adam.  A special hat he made me sits on my shelf in my office.  A door was opened that night in 2005, and extended again in 2006.  And God let me share Jacob and his testimony, for which I will be forever blessed.  And as for Jacob, he was excited as he joined the Cub Scouts, and would get to line the entrance next year holding a flag.  And when he was introduced at his first meeting, he became known as “that Jacob,” a hero.  His 15 minutes of fame extending....

I believe that when God gets the glory, we get the blessings.  But grace goes way beyond that, it takes a disease and uses it to bless us, so we can share his story about how he healed us.  It allows us to speak before a secular crowd and share Jesus, for Jesus and patriotism go hand in hand.  It allows grown men to cry when they hear taps played, and remember lost ones.  It allows us to seek refuge in our pain from the only one who can heal and comfort.  It allows us to be ourselves, and not be forced to worship as the state demands.  It allows us to succeed, or to fail, as our decisions allow.  It gives us a freedom that only can be found in the hearts of men, fully provided by Jesus Christ.  And it is fully expressed in the song “America, America, God shed his grace on thee...”  and when he crowns his good with brotherhood, it is found from sea to shining sea.  In the hearts of those who believe.  A lesson Torches taught me as we rode from sea to sea, but was sown first hand in the heartland, in a city park next to a cornfield.  By a little boy and his family....

I had the pleasure of meeting Jacob’s Grandpa before he died, a cool man.  And have met with his father, and I can see where Jacob gets his values.  Which I hope he will pass on.  If he doubts ever, I hope to refer him back to that hot September evening, in the park, where we met.  And a year later when he was the star, the hero.  And how he can pass it on to others.  Love is like that, you cannot keep it inside.  When you meet Jesus something magical happens, hearts and lives are changed.  And the blessings flow.  Sadly the TV reporter that night missed that message, but keep praying for her.  When others bragged on how they met Jacob that night, she went away she thought empty handed.  But I had shared the gospel with her, simple and in love.  Maybe just a seed planted, God will provide the harvest.  Like he did for Jacob, and others.  Troy, Illinois, just an exit off the freeway, across the river from St. Louis, but a reminder that where the spirit of the Lord is there is liberty.  God Bless America, America bless God.  May his grace continue to be shed on thee.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

40 years after

It was a cool, clear and chilly November morning when I threw a leg over Gene’s bike, as a buddy seat sitter, and left home for good.  My R90S was sitting at our friend’s BMW shop in Connecticut, and from there it was to Washington, DC to spend a few days with a friend, then off south to Florida, where you guessed it, time spent with another friend.  Then to New Orleans, good time spent with Ronnie, and finally home to my new home in Albuquerque.  I would hear from Geno, in fact he came out the next summer with his cousin on his new Gold Wing, the first year one.  And a few phone calls and letters after that.  Then we lost touch, I wonder how my old riding buddy is?  Retired by now, he was a professional musician, a very good one.

Paul in DC was also a musician, rock and roll.  Incredibly talented, too good for local bands.  Again a few letters, the last one was in 1976 when his sister was in Playboy.  The last time I saw her.  No contact with him, somewhere some band is blessed to have him drumming.  Leaving my old girl friend Paula in Florida, we kept in touch, in fact late she was going to move out, we talked marriage, then Theresa came into my life, and I told Paula don’t come.  Wonder what might have been.....but glad it turned out like it did.   Some years after through mutual friends I heard Ronnie was a doctor, hard to think of him as one, but I bet he is very good.  Somehow I still see him at practice after school talking when we should be practicing throwing the shot put, or putting the shot actually.  40 years ago, and it has passed by quickly.  And it has been years since I have been back to Jersey, or seen anyone from there.  But recently I have a look into its today, and much has changed, or was it me? 

My mother and my sister and her family still live on the same street, and during the blizzard they had last week, I looked up info on it.  Found a web site that has daily neighborhood news, and after 40 years, not only the names have changed.  Maybe some last names from school, but no one I knew.  I might not have been the only one to move out and move on.  I certainly wouldn’t recognize the faces, while some have gotten gray, others may be bald, or even dead.  Meeting up with an old girl friend and her family 5 years ago reminds me how we do change, but how we still stay the same somehow.  Common memories cause us to see ourselves as we were then, despite the changing hairline, or income level.  And when we do meet, so much to say in so little time, and so much catching up to do.  Just like there was always some aunt you saw very little of, and always told you “my but you’ve grown.”  And my first thought was “grown what?”  Maybe I had changed, she was just as I remembered her.  But going back 40 years, if you go back to where you grew up, where your values were instilled, where you first dated and fell in love, how have you changed?  Would anyone notice?  Would anyone even care?  40 years is along time to go back on, especially when you don’t have 40 years to look ahead to.

The past can haunt you, maybe be the best place you ever went, or be a place you never left.  When sharing testimonies we need to remember that.  I grow wearisome of hearing about how bad someone was, seemingly taking precedence over how Jesus has changed them.  Any testimony that starts “I was the worst of sinners...” I rather read from Paul.  Who shared mostly how Jesus Christ had changed his life.  For as much as our testimonies are about us, they are really about how Jesus has changed our lives, they are all about him.  Before I met him, my salvation process, and the day I was saved, and then how he changed my life, and is still changing it.  You see our testimonies don’t stop after salvation, they continue.  One verse in John should remind us, “if all the books written about Jesus were gathered, no library could hold them.”  For he is alive, changing lives still, and will eternally.  Our book is just one of many in the library of God, who keeps notes on us.  Who wants us to share them with others to give his son the glory. 

When reading the New Testament, it truly is all about Jesus, but told by certain authors inspired by the holy spirit to share with us.  To encourage us, to point us to Jesus, for edification, instruction, and encouragement.  Paul’s contemporaries were shocked by his conversion, how many of your old friends would never recognize you today?  Physically or spiritually?  What would your life tell them about Jesus Christ?  I have come a long way from that November morning, would I even recognize me?  40 years after leaving Scotch Plains, I have trouble with the street names, schools and businesses.  Changes occurring everyday, but when seen only briefly seem to change more.  How would you answer an old friend who asks “what have you been up to the last 40 years?”  Remember, he already has his pictures of his grandchildren out on his i-phone to show you, what do you have to show?  How important has Jesus been to you?  Is his picture in your phone?  Does your life and language give him away?  Or are you still seeking for that certain something that those who know Jesus have found?

In my life without Christ I have very little to talk about.  As the central figure in my life, he is the rides, the family, the good and bad times, the moves, the job changes, and the open heart surgery.  It seems the longer I know him, the bigger the library becomes, and with more to share, it definitely takes the spirit to guide me.  Only in Christ can I look back, can enjoy the right now, and look forward to tomorrow.  All at once....so take some time with him today and share those memories.  One afternoon telling Jesus about a ride I took was precious to both of us.  Has t been along time without him?  Do some catching up today, he loves to hear from you, and misses you.  Your pictures on his fridge, some new, some old, some from 40 years ago.  You are on his Facebook page, Twitter, and Instagram.  Long before technology, he was and is.  And his story is just as contemporary as it was 2000 years ago, or 20 minutes.  A story that needs to be told, through us, and our testimonies. 

No need to say my life would shock many who used to know me, it does me too.  But without Jesus I would have very little to tell.  But because of him, my library grows everyday, with no room left on the shelf, but  somehow room in my heart.  Share Jesus today with some old friends, make some new ones, and watch the gospel go forth.  Be more than a picture in a yearbook, or a memory of things that were, be someone in Christ.  Looking back I can still remember how excited I was, how I had no idea of what laid ahead, but knew I had Jesus.  How far back can you look with him?  More importantly, are you looking ahead with him?  40 years after, the thrill has never left.  I can only imagine how excited Paul, Peter, John, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, and others were writing their stories about Jesus.  And we get to read them whenever we want.  Start sharing yours today, if he can change Paul, imagine what he can do for you?  Mike Mohn, a Christian?  Let me tell you about how he changed my life....and my how I’ve grown.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

40 years after

future outlaws

Look at any new car today, and right there on the window sticker it tells of how many and how effective the air bags and side air bags are.  Today a vital point to many safety burdened young parents.  Ten years ago when a customer asked me if their new Mercedes Benz was a safer car with the bags, they pioneered them, I told her “the safest car is the one that doesn’t get into an accident.”  Which only confused her young yuppie mind, as that message didn’t appear on the sticker, or any ads.  But go back a few years to 1956, when Ford in their new models is introducing safety advances such as padded dashes, dished steering wheels, and seat belts.  Without much fanfare, as they are afraid the other manufacturers will use the news to tell everyone that Ford does not build a safe car. Sales are very slow, but by 1966 the NHTSA makes it a law they are in new cars, but not required used by the occupants.  Can’t force people to be careful.  Just watch CHiP’s from 15 years later, not even Baricza wears a seat belt, because it isn’t the law, yet.  And I think of kids sleeping on rear package trays when we were growing up, or my sister riding on the rear center arm rest in my Grandpa’s 1959 Buick Electra, she and many of my generation are still around to collect social security. 

Of course today these habits would be frowned upon, and mostly are illegal.  Riding in the front seat of a car without seat belts?  How can you?  Except if you are an infant who is too small and can be killed by exploding bags, they ride in the back.  Do I see a whole generation who feel inferior because they had to ride in the back of the car?  How do they explain that to their peer group who rode in pickups?  We didn’t know it at the time, but in the future we would be outlaws for our car habits, pulled over and ticketed.  We were “doing nothing wrong officer, honest,” would be our plea of riding in past comfort, but today paranoid when someone doesn’t buckle up.  True, they have made the cars safer, just not improved the quality of the nut behind the wheel’s driving skills. 

Remember riding in the back of pickups?  Today just taking our American Bulldog to the vet and her riding in the back raises safety issues, and legal ones too.  Maybe the dumbest ride I ever did was from Albuquerque to Los Angeles without a helmet, seriously affecting my hearing.  But it was legal then, today will earn you a trip to court.  If you are caught, back in 2007 on the final Torches ride, we met in San Marcos.  One guy had ridden in from Alabama sans helmet, didn’t know California had one and had ridden for his first few days without one, not getting stopped.  Maybe Ultra Glides are invisible....but he was and we all are future outlaws as more laws change or are enacted for our protection.  But let me ask you, with so many drunk driving an even texting laws on the books, why do half of all highway fatalities list them as the cause?  Maybe improve the driver.....but that is too much to ask. 

Now I wear a helmet, by choice, and I think I should get an insurance discount because I do.  But it is my choice, and it should not be a law telling me I have too.  How many turned into outlaws when the 55 mph law went into effect?  Just the day before 70 was safe and legal, then speed kills.  56 gets a ticket, you can lose your license, and you are hurting the ecology because you are driving a gas guzzler.  Hey if they really cared they would have made it mandatory to ride a motorcycle, we already got great mileage.  And we’re having fun, trying to avoid safety mom’s texting in their SUV, getting 12 mpg.  In our helmets as prescribed by law.  Shhhh, don’t mention Honda has an air bag option on its Gold Wing....so to you my past, present, and future outlaws, I find I couldn’t be represented by a better class of people. 

So what good is the past to reflect on in this current safety fueled era?  Look to the Bible, and Paul telling us the things that happened to Israel were for our edification.  To learn from their mistakes, even if they didn’t know they were making them.  Isaiah can be looked at as a separate Bible, split into two parts like ours with a New and Old Testament.  66 books, 66 chapters.  39 referring to Old Testament, chapter 40 foretelling of John’s ministry of foretelling of Christ.  The voice carrying into the wilderness.  Warning future outlaws of a way to be saved.  And the last chapter is our Revelation, telling of a new heaven and new earth to come.  With of course Chapter 53 telling of a suffering servant, a messiah, that perfectly describes Jesus, long before he entered into the world in a manger.  And he writes of a chosen people, chosen by God.  Not because they are better, or different, but chosen for the savior, the channel for Jesus Christ to come through them.  And today his church, those who believe, have been chosen by him to share the gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ.  Former outlaws, hookers, bikers, soccer moms, and other sinners who have been forgiven and accepted it in Jesus.  We didn’t know it until he came into our lives via the spirit, but we were all sinners destined to die.  Keeping the laws couldn’t save, but they looked good in public, just ask any Pharisee.  It takes a changing from within to change the outer actions, and only through Jesus will we be changed.  So why read the history of the Old Testament?  Maybe to see how God dealt with sin back then, and does now.  How we are all sinners, we need a savior, and it is only through grace we are saved.  No seat belt will save you from an accident, but may save you if you are in one.  Keeping the commandments won’t save you, but can help you live better.  Especially the one about loving your God with all your might.  Helpfully added with all your heart and mind, if you aren’t very mighty like most of us. 

So I wear my helmet, wear my seatbelt, and would like to ride in the back of a pick up but won’t.  They won’t prevent an accident, but can help if I am in one. Laws won’t save, grace does.  Only found in Jesus.  We were all outlaws once, and will be until the day we die.  So get over it, be forgiven and get on with your life.  Knowing you are saved and going to heaven.  A feeling no safety equipment or law can provide.  Sinners by birth, saved by grace. 

Reading the prophets helps us see the future, by seeing the past.  Still the safest vehicle is one that isn’t involved in a crash.  And the one who is saved by grace is saved.  God never changes, but our laws do.  Don’t get caught being good on your way to hell, seek Jesus today and be saved.  Paul did, and what a difference that made.  All of us will take our final ride in the same vehicle, a hearse, where the soul goes is up to you.  Jesus saves, so be safe and be saved.  If the only thing you know about your future is Jesus is in it and heaven is the final destination, you have made the right choice.  Go live knowing when you die where you will be.  The rest feel safe and secure knowing if you crash, the airbags will protect you.  Many airbags will save you in a crash, but never warn you of hell.  Just think of how secure you are in your final destination knowing you never ride in the back of pickups.  You sanitize after shopping.  You wear a helmet.  Text while driving.  Or just live like hell.  Maybe the old bumper sticker was right, “drive like hell, you’ll get there.”  So please ride safe, if not for your sake for mine.  “The life you save may be my own.”  As said by James Dean in a PSA just before his death.  In a car crash....

love with compassion,

Mike

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