the picture of the girl in the wallet

Twice in my career I worked for a national company based in another city, in another state.  In another time zone.  Which led to many interesting conversations and getting to meet some very interesting people from around the US of A.  The one company based in Cleveland, had a system where you left messages overnight, a precursor to emails, and they would call you back the next day.  Which would give a new meaning to the popular saying “it’s 5 o’clock somewhere,” as they would make me their first call in the morning.  I appreciated their efficiency, but not their timing, as 8 o’clock in Cleveland was 5 o’clock here.  AM o’clock that is.  Many times I was greeted with “did I wake you up?” to which I answered “no, I had to get up and answer the phone anyway.”  Some got it, some never did....maybe it’s like the rude telemarketer who calls at dinner, “can I have your number, I’ll call you back?”  and they hang up.  Better than any alarm clock, it only went on for years.  And years.  And years.

And people never look like they do over the phone.  One particular woman, who was so sweet, southern drawl, and could get anything done, surprised many of us a company meeting.  We figured her for sweet and petite, she was sweet and extra large.  Able to clear hallways at a single bound.  But on our side.  I can only imagine her impressions of us, and how we surprised her when we met.  Another sweet girl who helped us used to giggle, and sounded like the proverbial cheerleader.  In person she had warned us “I don’t look like I sound,” and one friend had already fallen in love with her voice.  When he asked her out for dinner, she would not accept, until his persistence won her over.  Surprise she was wider than tall, but then so was he!  They both got a laugh out of that one!  But it wasn’t always the woman’s voice at 5 o’clock that misled us, one guy, Tanzer seemed suave and was cool.  Street smart.  When meeting him he was anything but, but had guaranteed us a good time.  So out to his favorite place for lunch, “you guys like German food don’t you?” and off we went.  Busy at lunch we waited in line, and when we got to the front of the line, the oompah music stopped, and every head turned and stared at us.  It seems he had taken us to what appeared to be a Hitler recruiting luncheon, and I promised him if we ever got out alive I was going to kill him.  But the food was good, the waitress helpful, if not suspicious, she kept leaving us extra pats of butter, and we escaped unharmed.  And we didn’t kill Tanzer....and the joke was on us.

You may have heard the urban legend of the guy who carries the picture that comes with the wallet with him, telling everyone it is his family.  I knew such a guy, who blew it one day, when he forgot to remove the pretty girl picture, and his date thought it was his wife.  Quick thinking got her away and home early enough for another date.  But it seems we have preconceived ideas, we profile or judge what people look like by their voice.  Maybe it is just wishful thinking on our part, or merciful to them, but you never know.  One other time we all met Gina, who was head of customer service, and we had been warned was a knockout.  She was...at arm wrestling, and had to beat everyone at the table before we would or could eat.  And after a week of meeting faces that didn’t match the voice, we all were ready to go home to the safety of our anonymity.  Safe and secure that we all were just as good looking as we appeared to be over the phone.  Even at 5 am for some of us...

From reading the Bible we get a pretty good idea of what Jesus was like.  But what did he look like?  One supposedly learned scholar, his words, tried to make a mental picture of him, based on how God’s hand spans the universe.  Somehow based on the size of the universe, which no one knows but God himself, and working out a formula, he came up with Jesus was 6’3”, black hair, beard, and wore sandals.  Maybe not very original, how many pictures of him have a beard, remember it was plucked out, so may be factual, and he wore sandals, as scripture notes was the show of the day.  John was not worthy to tie them.  But the height, he would have stood out in a society of shorter people at the time.  Much like Shaq would at a jockey’s conference.  But yet many try to describe him, and only those alive at the time saw him.  But we have the promise we will someday to fall back on, so how will we recognize him?  His hands.  We’ll know.

He was probably ordinary looking, as Judas had to point him out in the Garden.  He was a common man, who had an uncommon heritage, and did uncommon things.  We know his words today in red in the Bible, but it is his actions that changed lives.  His love was more important, and more effectively shown in them than his words, for faith or words without action is empty.   So what does Jesus look like?  I don’t know, but take a look around and you have glimpses of him.  He left us to be his witnesses of him, and a witness can only confirm what he knows or has seen.  Because he gave us his spirit, we can be that effective witness when we act in love based upon the spirit.  And lives will be changed through us, but not by us. 

Paul writes that love without depth and knowledge is useless.  How many examples have you endured of someone going out witnessing and ending up the day in argument with all?  Not winning the argument, just engaging in it.  Their love turns to anger when they aren’t winning, and soon are hateful and full of resentment.  Further boosting their prideful ego by “at least I won the argument.” NO-you blew it.  We need to know when and what to say, and when to just shut up and listen.  Many a conversation has been ruined by going on too long...”if I accept Christ will you just leave me alone?”  And they call that evangelism?  Did any of you come to the Lord that way?  And you wonder why you are not an effective witness?

Without the wisdom of the holy spirit our words are hollow.  They are like the 5 o’clock wake up call, you had to answer the phone anyway.  And today when your phone announces you, they can either not answer, or put you on hold.  So let me leave you with my idea of what Jesus looks like.

In my minds eye I see Jesus walking the crowd while the 5000 were being fed.  “Hi Bill, good to see you, lots of food today, get seconds.  Mary, how are the kids?  Peter, can you help that lady with her food?  Bob it’s been awhile, how have you been?  Matt-we’re serving your favorite.  Sarah, mind if I sit with the kids so you can eat?”  And always surrounded by throngs of children.  And a smile full of love shown to all. He stood out not only because of who he was, but because of who he was and who was in him.  Funny I never see any pictures of him carrying a Bible, yet when I see those coming at me carrying one, I pretend to be busy.  I know their objective.  Jesus was the example of his God writing his word on our hearts, and how it is there when needed, just as promised. So based on my perception of Jesus in the crowd, if you ask someone “which one is Mike?” and I am not in leather, I hope you look for someone who is helping someone.  Being nice to the ones who don’t look like the pictures in the wallet, or sound like they do over the phone.  Who is cheerful, listening-still need work there, and willing to help, through Jesus Christ.  For in him I can do all things,without him I am a disaster. 

We are told to be a witness, use actions and attitudes, then words if needed.  Our job is to see souls won, and needs met, not to win an argument.  To love those who are the least of them, for in doing so we are doing it unto Christ.  The spirit is a gentleman, something to remember when telling about Jesus.  The world already has too many misperceptions about him, don’t add to them.  Love is an interesting word, it is a verb, to love, a personal noun, God is love, a person, and an adjective-the love of Jesus.  Some good things to remember if a guy named Tanzer takes you to lunch.  You never know when all eyes will be upon you.  Should it make a difference in how you act?

And he never invited anyone to church....he went out to the people.  Hmmmmm.....is your witness as pretty as the family in the wallet?  Would they want you to be in it with them?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

Pop's legacy

My friend Nicky’s grandpa, Pops, came over from Italy after WWII.  An immigrant, he left a wife behind, promising her he would call for her once he got established and could afford to.  He carried her picture in his wallet for the 20 years as she waited patiently for him to call, telling the woman he dated along the way that it was a picture of his sister.  Finally he did call for her, and she arrived in the states, much older, but still trusting in her husband, now of over 20 years.  A story that he would relate in English, she spoka only the Italian, and it would get a good laugh.  I don’t know if she ever found out, but she stayed loyal to him the whole time.   Just the story of how Pops came to the states....

When I last saw him, he was supposed to be retired.  He was a crossing guard at a busy intersection, and had the record of most accidents of any corner.  He was known for just walking out into traffic, and waving his red STOP sign, hoping the cars would stop.  He never got hit, but who knows how many near or real accidents he caused.  Under pressure the finally had to release him, and he wouldn’t let them.  He kept showing up for work, and when they would approach would start swinging his sign at them, cursing them in Italian.  It was a sight to see, and after many attempts, he finally quit showing up.  But he would not relenquish his stop sign, it was his, and the last time I saw him, he was demonstrating to us young guys how he held off the police who were “trying to steal his sign, and put him out of work.  How was he going to feed his family?” he would say with great emotion, as his wife sat calmly.  Quite a character, Nicky was actually second generation in the states, and we loved to hear the stories of Pop. 

Nicky’s brother Anthony, or Anth as he was called, had just bought a new Firebird, and parked it blocking Pop’s driveway.  It was Thanksgiving, a big event, and the three generations of family were gathered around the table, and I was invited to eat with them.  The excitement about Anth’s Trans Am was the talk before dinner, and at and after dinner too as it would turn out.  Pop was known for wandering away, and had before dinner, to get a jug of his home made vino.  When we all heard the crash.  He had backed out of his garage, and into Anth’s new car!  And was furious.  In words only an Italian could understand, he was mad at Anth because he had parked where he shouldn’t have, and had caused irrepairable damage, a slightly dented bumper on his old Pontiac.  Meanwhile the new Trans Am was missing the right front fender, hit so hard it was torn off the car.  And as Anthony complained to his grandpa, Pops chewed him out.  “Whatsa matter fo you?”  And all through the dinner, kept complaining about how Anthony had ruined his car, and through two jugs of homemade vino it continued.  Finally when Anth apologized, the matter was settled, and all was well, except for the damage to the cars.  But the story went on for years until Pops died, how Anth had wrecked his car on Thanksgiving.  At least he hadn’t brought out his stop sign.

Someday all of us will assume the title of patriarch, when our fathers and grandfathers pass away.  It will be up to us to carry on any legacy, or to start one.  When the first century church was new, it was under constant pressure, and we can see the church today under pressures.  Not the same or as deadly, but as persecution grows, we need to turn to Christ even more.  The first church grew as it expanded past its borders, many times having to move because of being persecuted, as all the disciples would be martyred.  But a false sense was involved in the growth, one that said that they had to grow the church, so that it would not perish or cease to exist.  A common thread that still exists today, as we have boards, rallies, new membership Sundays, and other ways we try to get people to join the church.  But the same scripture is still the same scripture today after 2000 years, unless God builds the church, they labor in vain.  While 2000 years ago well meaning men felt they had to grow the body of Christ, the church, it was God who provided all the growth.  It was God who called them via his spirit to Jesus, and on that rock, Jesus Christ, he established his church.  And from then until today many men have tried to improve upon that, and we end up with division through religion.  Just the opposite of what Jesus had in mind, but what free willed men wrought.  They forgot then, as we do today, that he who began a good work in uswill be faithful to complete it.  We try self help books, 12 ways to pray better, conferences on what Christian men should do and how to live, we try to better ourselves.  And when we don’t we get bitter and disappointed.  As we should, for it is the job of the one who created us to see us through.  Life is a walk that we cannot do without Jesus guiding it, and in our daily personal striving to keep Christianity alive, we soon fail as a group, as a church.  We begin to blame others, much as Pops blamed Anth for his backing into his new car, not accepting responsibility.  Families walk away from the church, confusing it for God, and where a slight lapse in life was forgivable, it was seen as dangerous to the church.  Meetings are held, prayers are offered, and ultimatums are given, all but forgiveness and restoration, the ones Jesus offered, and we need.  I have heard church boards tell men who have strayed they can “come back into fellowship when they get right with God,” not the Jesus I signed up for.  Why is it Christians only kill off their sick or wounded?

While some believe it is their faith that keeps them going, and grows the church, it is really the spirit of the Lord.  My faith wavers based on the situation, Jesus never changes.  He knows of what we did, and will do, and has a plan outlined.  When we consult him, we become a part of it, and grow in Christ.  But we also are part of it when we fail, and we all will.  We cannot make it alone or cut off from fellowship, no matter what church doctrine tells us.  We are to minister and provide aid to the hurting and sick, and sin is a sickness.  They may be told that they can lose their salvation, not be welcomed at church, and need to start all over again with Jesus.  That it all depends on us, leaving Jesus out of the equation.  And bragging about what a great fellowship they have, and the integrity of their flock.  Personally I am so glad I have Jesus to fall back on, that he will provide the growth, and it is only him who can keep me from hell.  If he can save me from hell, why can’t he change my life here on earth?  Or are we busy trying to complete the work God created in us all by ourselves? 

He will be faithful to complete it, whereupon heaven calls us home.  All we leave is a legacy, nothing else.  Without Jesus and our testimony of him in our lives, what will you be remembered for?  I remember Pops and the stories about him, but forget about his wife’s faithfulness to him all those years.  Forgiving and waiting patiently for her bride to call her to America, her new home.  Times were tough, but she persevered.  And what a reunion it must have been.  God is preparing such a reunion right now for us, when Jesus, the bridegroom calls us his bride, the church home.  He will be faithful to complete the work he started, will you be faithful to let him?  We will stumble and trip up along the way, only Jesus will keep us from falling.  Something to remember when the guy next to you in church fails, we all have one thing in common-sin.  But we can have one more thing in common also, Jesus.  Love will change the sinner to a saint, the effective prayer of a righteous man availith much.  God was there at the beginning, and will be in the end.  Where you end up is up to you.  Let the spirit complete the work he started in you, who else but the creator knows what his creation needs.  Salvation is of the Lord, something no religion, program, process, or procedure can imitate.  Some throw seeds, some water, and some fertilize, but it will always be God who provides the growth.  Or, you can do it yourself and fail.....

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

 

 

plays not called in the huddle

Although it is very common today for a quarterback to change the play at the line of scrimmage, when Joe Namath ran the New York Jet offense it wasn’t.  Except for Joe, who would call the play in the huddle, then after seeing the defense, would change it at the line of scrimmage if needed.  Unheard of at the time, back when football players were considered not so bright, and linemen Neanderthals, Joe had a smart and aggressive line that not only protected him, but was willing and able to change as the situation changed.  What was then a novelty, today is SOP for any NFL offense, and has led to many a delay of game penalty, as they try to get too creative, now that the offense changes plays, so does the defense.  The defense has plays?  Notice a defensive huddle, and guys running off and on the field between plays.  They are trying to outwit the offense, and becomes a game within a game.  So much has changed, if only the viewer even thought he knew what was going on....

Baseball for perpetuity has had the third base coach sending signals to the batter, the catcher sending signals to the pitcher, and even defensive shifts per the batter are common.  Much study and prep time goes into each game....which has progressed far away from just throwing, hitting, and catching.  Hockey still looks like to much skating and body checking to me, and basketball has progressed, or degressed to street ball as we used to call it.  Years ago a friend coached a high school woman’s team, who was very good.  It was tough at first boxing out women, if only for certain anatomical reasons, but once the game got going, they played rough and tough, so we would respond.  We were a practice team for them, made up of some friends, and although much older, in our thirties, we kept them at bay, and even won once in a while.  But something happened while we scrimmaged against them, crowds drew, and soon the stands were filling up to see us scrimmage the girl’s varsity.  They cut us old guys no slack, and one close knit game it came down to old age and experience. 

The game tied with only seconds left, and we got the ball out of bounds under our basket.  As David stood out of bounds looking for someone to pass to, I calmly walked up to him, said “here David, I’ll take it out,” he passed it to me, untouched, I did any easy layup, and the girls stood there dumbfounded.  They thought I was going to change positions with David, but it was a  play you can only run once a game, and it worked.  As they complained, the coach stood and smiled, and stored it into his memory for a time in the future when he could use it.  As for the girls, they thought we had cheated, and were caught off guard.  Sometimes the easiest plays are the most effective.

Have you ever prayed and didn’t get an immediate answer?  And wonder what was going on?  Did God hear you, did he understand your request, and why hadn’t he sprung to action on it?  Not an unusual situation, as we find in scripture the apostles acting the same way.  those who would do greater things than Jesus, yet once he was crucified and resurrected, they were on their own.  Or at least would act like it.  Peter had been imprisoned, and they missed him.  Having spent time fervently praying and asking God to have him released, they missed their unofficial leader, and possibly could have been fearing for their own lives.  Remember them hiding out the night Jesus appeared, passing through a wall, you would think that after all the miracles they had seen, they would have more faith.  But patience battles faith, and in my cases, like theirs usually wins.  So we find them talking amongst themselves, praying, asking, and wondering where is God in the situation.  When a knock comes on the door, and they are too self absorbed to answer it.  Funny a little girl recognized his voice, shades of in the Garden, and here tells the others of his escape, and his appearance at the door, yet they rebuff her.  The very prayer God had been called upon to answer, he did, yet they were looking for something else.  The play they had called was changed by God at the line of scrimmage, and it worked.  For all, and as an example to us of trusting God to do things his way and is his own time.  For our benefit. 

It is funny how they reacted, they thought it to be his angel, but not Peter.  As if his angel would abandon him, to show up without him.  But once again the apostles, other than Peter were taken in by a little girl, who recognized Peter’s voice, and ran to find out or to tell others.  Just like our basketball play had caught a team off guard, Peter’s appearance caught his friends off guard.  All were surprised, except the little girl who had seen him, and God.  Nothing takes him by surprise, and while they were praying his plan of action was in action.  Just like the prayers we offer up today, for our situations, God already has them in progress.  And may be knocking on your door with the answer, and you are too busy to answer.  Or don’t like his answer, or wish for something easier, and you wonder “what was God thinking?”  He was thinking of you, and I.

That same God in the form of Jesus knocks at the door of your heart, and wants to be let in.  Are you too busy, or are you expecting someone else?  Are your plans different than God’s and is Jesus a part of them?  Maybe you feel out manned, and it is as simple as taking a ball in under the basket when it is asked for, for in asking I received, and scored.  Right in front of our opponent, who was caught by surprise.  Is it possible Jesus has the same answer, and wants to show your enemy his love while blessing you?  What signals are the holy spirit sending you?  Paul tells us we run the race to win, are you even in the race, or has life taken you out of it?  Or do you just not like the signals God is sending? 

When they finally opened the door, they were astonished, and even more astonished when he told of how the chains had fallen off, and an angel had led him to safety.  Peter who was afraid of a teen age girl, but who could trust an angel in the midst of those who were to take his life.  But he didn’t hang around, and left for another place, as Herod was after him.  So mad he put his own troops who were guarding Peter to death.  “Go tell James and the others,” he commanded, and then left.  Leaving the apostles mystified, but also the soldiers mystified too, and put to death for their failure to contain Peter.  If God is for us, who can be against us?  And who has ever fought God and won?  Even at the cross when all seemed hopeless, it was really a victory for us in the making.  So be patient with God, wait on the Lord, he is not slow, but has a plan in action for us as we speak.  And will unfold it for us as we need to know.  But for now, be patient and wait, maybe the hardest of all things to do.

Professional quarterbacks know what to look for as they come to the line.  Us in the same situation would be blinded, we wouldn’t know.  So God gave us the spirit to guide us at the line, in the huddle, and knocking at the door with the answers.  If only we can get up and exercise our faith, no matter how small.  We won’t win every play, but in every play we will learn something from God.  In the huddle, our prayer time, be still and listen.  God has called a play for our lives, for just this occasion.  He knows the defense, and your enemies, so go with what he calls.  Don’t change it....it may be Peter at the door as the answer, or just someone asking for the ball.  Either way when you listen to God you win.  Believing is seeing, or is it the other way around?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

the parable of the small block Chevy-the substitute for cubic inches

The unique, by several millions, Chevy small block V-8 has been made in countless applications.  From a base size of 265 cubic inches, to its most popular 350 cubes, it has filled in with 283, 327, and been expanded to 383 and 400.  From 2 bbl. to dual quad to fuel injected, the variations seem endless, to the point it is the V-8 of choice in several Ford based hot rods too. It seems they are everywhere, and in everything, and everyone can identify with them.  Designed by Harry Barr and his engineering team, he took what he believed the perfect formula for an engine and built it, sending it into production with limited testing.  And today that formula speaks for itself, as many larger and more powerful engines have met against it and lost, raced against it and placed second, and competed in the marketplace, and disappeared.  In a muscle car fueled world where there is no substitute for cubic inches, the Chevy small block rewrites the rules.  Hemis may sound romantic, the 409 was so fine, SD 455 Pontiacs were fast, and even Ford’s small block 221-260-289-302-5.0 are almost as famous, but nothing comes close to a fine tuned 327 under the hood.  Put it in a Camaro or Corvette, and let the others fall behind. 

Yet at one time in the calendar of muscle cars, 455, 454, 429,428, 426, and 440 cubic inch motors were available, and many were chosen for their brute power, but lost some in the handling department as the extra weight on the front end made them nose heavy, and steer harsh.  Again the lighter weight small block ruled, proving there was a replacement for displacement.  Engine size may have won arguments, but the small block won races, as power to the ground was more important than power under the hood.  Today we still find them everywhere and it seems in every application.  Easy to work on, an endless supply of parts, both OEM and aftermarket, and a following second to none, the Chevy small block may never be replaced in the lore of speed and racing.

Looking under the hood of my neighbor’s new 2016 Malibu, it has a 1500 cc turbo charged motor, making some 170 horses.  Appliance like, we are forced by fuel economy regulations to go the smaller size, and add turbocharging to get the most from the motor.  Efficient yes, and even hot rodding, or adding performance will not come from adding cubes, but from software programs.  All 95 cubic inches of 4 cylinder straining to perform, based on how a computer tells it to function.  All hidden under a plastic shroud, hidden from public view, as size matters still to many, and when asked “what’s under the hood?” many don’t know, can’t or won’t say, and wouldn’t even if they did.  No more Chevy orange, or Ford blue found, just a motor which could be used to run a pump if needed, let alone a car.  Where are the songs about “my fast 95,” and even putting the pedal to the medal is electric.  I guess it is up to collectors, enthusiasts, and gear heads to kept the old motors alive.  Long live the small block Chevy, for over 60 years she has reigned supreme. 

So power still reigns, but in a different way.  Getting it to the ground is still the final measure, and traction is paramount to winning races.  All the power in the world is useless when the tires spin and the car not moving forward.  Burnouts are fun, and attract a crowd, but being first at the finish line has always attracted a larger and different crowd.  For years we have heard recited the following verse in church, “not by might, not by power, but by my spirit says the Lord of hosts,” and the teachings are numerous.  So many times in the Bible and in real life today, we think that size, horsepower, or might makes right.  Being shot by a .22 may not hurt as much as a .357, but it still hurts.  You may have the votes to write a new law and see it passed, it still must be signed.  You can threaten, posture, intimidate, and even ridicule your opponent, but on game day, it is the spirit that intervenes.  David versus a 12 fingered giant Philistine, when asked replied “he was with me against the lion and the bear, I expect him to be with me now.”  Speaking of the spirit.  When Gideon and his too fat to bend over and drink army were outnumbered, it was God via his spirit who intervened, and provided the victory.  A Sampson blinded by love and blinded by having his eyes gouged out won a victory via God’s spirit.  In each case, they were underpowered, yet God used them to win, to claim the victory.  And in each case they gave him all the glory.  It wasn’t about might, the size of the motor, or the power, but what it put out.  It was via the spirit putting it to the ground that gave victory, and in each case it was different.  Only God’s spirit was the difference.  Being right with God, being in the spirit gave victory then, and still does today.

Before his crucifixion Jesus told his disciples he would leave a helper, the holy spirit to guide them, and they would do even greater things.  These 12, then 11 men who were absent in the garden, absent at the cross, and huddled afraid in the upper room after his death, were powerless in themselves.  Yet when the spirit came upon them, they all did mighty things, from Pentacost to today, the spirit still gives life.  And victory to those who need it when called upon.  It never has been about the size of the army, but the size of the hearts of man, and the spirit dwelling within them.  And that spirit is the same today, as it was yesterday, and will be tomorrow.

Today many are still saved by the spirit, healed by the spirit, teach and speak in the spirit that a loving God has given them via his son Jesus Christ.  The spirit tells us we need a savior, then reveals him as Jesus.  And empowers us to live a life in him.  Yet many are still ego fired by pride, and think size is best.  From mega churches, to mega ministries, to mega money, without the spirit of God within, they are powerless.  Jesus told us “we can do nothing apart from him,” yet we try and fail.  When we don’t have to.  If only we were satisfied with what his spirit has provided, we would  see more of God in our lives, and more blessings to go with him.  God even has a term for it, meekness, power under control.  The size of a big block God, contained in a smaller size package, his people.  And that power is available to all, but only by his spirit will it ever see the light of day.

Which may explain burnouts, they look good for awhile, and attract crowds, but when the flag is dropped, despite the power and might advantage, still fail.  The power found in the small block, the parable of the small block is still alive in us today, it just takes the spirit to unleash it and bless us.  Today 200 hp bikes get around the track at speeds unheard of just a few years ago, but have no better track times than a 100 hp 600cc racer.  Power to the pavement, handling and agility, we need them in life as well as on the track.  God calls it his spirit, and we may be small in stature and number, but when God is for us, who can be against us?  You plus God still makes a majority, and we can do all things through Christ that strengthens us.  By his spirit.  Not by might, not by power.  What will it take to unleash the spirit of Christ in you? 

That 12 fingered giant may be a nasty boss, an unhappy spouse, a bill with no way to pay it, a trip to the doctor with bad results, or simply wondering “how will I ever make it through another day?”  By his spirit we are healed, driven, protected, guided, and given a reason to go on.  This wonderful counselor Christ left us will guide us into all things, when we let him guide.  But being a gentleman, he never pushes his own will upon us.  From the day of creation, the same spirit that hovered over an unformed and void earth is still creating today.  Still bringing life, and changing lives.  Where the spirit is there is liberty, and life.  Abundant.  What drives you?  Better yet, who drives you?  That what is really a who, and the who is the spirit.  More famous and in many more variations than a Chevy 350, but only in one formula-love.  Get all you need from God today via his spirit, walk in it, live in it, and know that no matter who you pull up next to and wants to race, you have the spirit.  And that the race, just like the battles we face belong to the Lord.  A simple formula, but proven.  By people just like us who trusted God to get them through when all else seemed dark.  One small block engine has fueled so many to victory, but never can come close to the spirit of God.  What’s in your heart is more powerful than anything under your hood.  God got it right from the start....by his spirit.  In the beginning, God by his spirit, and he still does today.  The substitute for cubic inches. 

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

the days when BMW meant "British what?"

An article about the 2002, the BMW 2002, the car that put BMW on the map in the US of A and elsewhere, reminded me of when I started to drive, and the allure of European sports cars.  Now the Brits will tell you to be a sports car, the top must go down, and open air motoring is the real test.  But BMW marketed their sporty car as a sports sedan, and without knowing it, created a whole new market in the states.  And of all people, my Dad, the ultimate non-car guy introduced them to me.  He drove Ramblers, four door sedans and wagons, as all good young fathers did back in the sixties.  Economical, well built, and lasted forever, they never won over any young man’s heart for cruising for girls.  They physically were not attractive, had mostly sixes when eights ruled, and had fold down front seats that turned into a bed.  Turning that nice responsible young man in the Rambler into a potential sex fiend when dating their daughter.  But someone showed an article to my Dad of the 1600, the smaller engined 2002, and it had been named one of the ten best in the world by Road & Track.  And that was enough for him, he sold his VW Bug, the Rambler would soldier on for another couple of years, and he owned a BMW. 

Back then the British imported more cars than the Germans, and the common question was “British what?”  Today many still don’t know what BMW stands for, or care, as it is a yuppie sign of I made it, or really “I can afford the payments, barely,” but it stands for Bavarian Motor Works.  And is very German in all aspects. 

More than a few eyebrows were raised by owners of Corvettes, Jaguars, and Fiat Spyders when this little sedan dusted them in the corners.  Able to hold four semi-comfortably, still get 22 mpg, and ride great, it opened up the sports sedan market, competing with Alfa Romeo, Fiat, MGB GT, Opel Manta, and other European sedans in the early seventies.  His car was British Racing Green, Turf in BMW language, and in 1971 sold it to me, so he could buy a new 1972.  So my first car was a BMW, the only one I would ever own. How far we have fallen to the yuppies of today.  $1900 of my hard earned paper route, yard cutting, and allowance money went into that car, which took me everywhere.  A trip to Florida with Brennan, many rides into the Jersey countryside, and many a trip to the Poconos.  Within 3 years I put over 65,000 hi-test miles on it, when finally the engine gave up. But that is another story, the statute of limitations may not have run out.  But run that BMW did, and today’s little Japanese cars with loud exhausts and negative cambered rear wheels are here today because of the BMW 2002.  Mention a 2002 BMW to any uneducated BMW owner, they think it is a 14 year old car, the year 2002.  But when 1977 hit, and the 320i replaced it, many a young and older street racer went scrambling looking for one.  The days of the 2002 were over, but not forgotten.  And I can say I had one.

I believe the world today still needs a car like the 2002, affordable, fast, light, quasi-reliable, something missing 40 years ago, and fun.  Watching a GM commercial of young adults flipping out over 4 door sedans, electronics, and miles per gallon almost make me puke.  Touch screens, i-pod ready, and power windows, power and heated seats, cruise control, voices to tell you your door is open, and cars that start with a button are not for me.  Do any of these people know how to drive or could even drive a stick?  By coincidence, my older son in Spain a few years ago had a BMW as a rental, and because he was the only one who drive a stick, got all the seat time.  And his friends were amazed he could drive one, “wow, where did you learn that?”  In our house, it was driver’s ed. 101, rather than point and steer.  But what if we could have a car that was fun to drive, could cost under $10,000, got good gas mileage, would go fast and be cool all at the same time?  It’s out there, no KIA and Hyundai are not it.  No Honda, Fiesta, Metro, or Dart can make it.  Give up...it is called a motorcycle, and for well under $10 grand, you too can experience the joy of driving, ‘er riding again.  You may not be able to go back, but you can ride ahead.  Is it any coincidence that BMW started out making motorcycles, and sells some great hi-performance ones today?  “British what” you ask?   Let them drive Ramblers.

Being a Christian is fun, or at least it should be.  What good is fun if you don’t enjoy it, and we Christians should have more reasons than anyone to have fun.  Yet I encounter many who worship at the hall of Our Lady of Perpetual Sorrows, who treat Christian life as a set of rules to be obeyed, or are cast out from their church.  I haven’t heard about freedom talked about in regards to Christ from any pulpit in a long time, isn’t freedom from sin an attribute of salvation?  Isn’t the freedom to choose Jesus or to reject who he is our choice?  Can’t get much more freer than that, God instituted freedom in his choice to save us by showing us his love first, so we could choose to be free, or enjoy our being bound.  Bound from which the root word of religion comes from, so if you are religious you are bound by a set of rules, codes of conduct, and ways to worship God.  Many times instituted by men, who seek to control you.  “We know best for you,” and then don’t live the live themselves.  When Pearl sang of freedom as “just another word for nothing left to lose,” she missed it, for freedom isn’t free, Jesus paid a huge price for us to be free, in him.  “Where the spirit of the Lord is there is liberty,”  freedom to be who and all we can be in Christ.  Only our earthly minds, our belief systems, and fear keep us from all God has for us. 

When we accept Jesus we get this freedom, the burden of sin forgiven, and joy and grace are abundant.  Yet many will not cash in, still feeling not worthy.  And we aren’t but Jesus is and took our place.  Yet many choose to live like sheep, sheep without a shepherd.  Who are so dumb we wonder away through the hole in the fence, but cannot find our way back through the same hole.  We need the spirit to guide us, not more rules and programs to  amuse us.  We need to come face to face with truth, and trust it.  Jesus is truth....do you trust?  Or are you like the GM commercial, enamored by what life has to offer that the sizzle sells you the steak, and leaves you hungry after?  Or sushi?  It takes commitment, and faith to step out and be different in Christ.  So many want or be like someone else, how many seek to live as Jesus did?  No not wearing a robe and sandals, but living a life of freedom, knowing that when we fail we re forgiven and go on, but also being guided by the spirit and reaping incredible blessings?  Jesus forgave us, do you forgive yourself? 

I almost got run down by a BMW driver the other day, with Jesus stickers all over her car.  Has our witness, our freedom fallen so far as to have a sticker announce we are one?  So others can look out for us?  Who still cannot drive, but can afford the payments?  For he who is set free is truly free, free from worry, sin, aggression, fear, and you can add to your own list.  Do you think you are free because someone tells you so, or are you truly free in Jesus Christ?  Do you brag about the freedom you earned or paid for, or do you answer as Paul did, “I was born free?”  Born again free that is.  The word free is found 59 times in the Bible, KJV, but never think it has no value.  It is priceless, and cannot be bought.  Yet Jesus paid a price for your freedom, don’t you think maybe you should go out and enjoy the life he gave you?

Progress is a good thing, but sometimes it goes on too long.  Go back to the beginning, to Jesus 101.  Let him set you free.  Enjoy the curves of life rather than avoiding them.  Learn to drive or ride, rather than just hang on as a passenger.  Find a use for that left leg in your car, learning to master a clutch.  Don’t be stuck when all the tools are there, but you don’t know how to use them.  Trust God and enjoy life.  Walk with Jesus, and have fun.  Fun for me is seeing lives changed by him, seeing people set free from drugs, bad relationships, cancer, and yes religion.  Jeremiah warns of not harkening the liberty God gives us, some choose to worship and live under statutes of liberty, Jesus offers us the stature of his love as liberty.  You choose....are you as much a fanatic about your God as you are your car?

BMW changed the way we drive in 1969, Jesus changed the way we live 2000 years ago.  Fun and freedom are yours, the liberty to be yourself.  Something to consider the next time you call him Lord.  And don’t do the things he says.  Are we having fun yet?

love with compassion,

Mike

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