the most basic of food groups

Back in high school, it was a big thing if you could eat $5 of McDonald’s food.  Not from a healthy standpoint, it was considered healthy back then, but due to what you could get for your dollar.  On your limited 1972 allowance you could get a burger, fries, and a Coke for less than 50 cents, less than the tax on a Happy Meal of today.  Big Macs for the bravest were 55 cents, add in a shake, no word milk found here, and another 25 cents was added.  And suddenly that $5 bag of food, or bags was a challenge.  Add in a friend working the counter, or a pretty girlfriend who would go in and order for you, the price went down, the value went up, and sometimes eating a dollar’s worth was filling.  But figure in the days of 25 cent gas, 49 cent 45 record singles, and nickel candies, it was the best of times.  But still we had a few or knew of a few who took the challenge, I never did, $5 was a lot of money, over two hours of work at my night job at Sears, and I wasn’t going to waste it all on food, when I could on girls and motorcycles, or the other way around. But the fast food industry gave rise to many inventions and innovations, not the last among them the franchising of McDonalds, the ultimate sale of a milk shake machine salesman.

Ray Kroc saw the business that the McDonald brothers were doing, and eventually bought them out.  And they were the ones who thought they got the deal, a million dollars was big money in the fifties.  But Ray had a franchise idea, and sold it based on having your own business, by being independent, he sold the idea they were in business for themselves, but not in business by themselves, and we can see the idea worked,a s franchising today is the most popular form of entrepreneurialism found in America.  But with the restaurant came the food, and also the packaging, and more new ideas were born out of necessity. 

Paper straws, for those of us old enough to remember them, were considered a big deal 120 years ago, they had no flavor compared to the rice paper you sucked your Coca Cola with at the local pharmacy counter.  Plastic would come later.  White Castle in 1932 formed its own company for their own logo on hats and napkins.  The mid–fifties brought us french fry bags with a logo, sizes big enough to take your family’s meal home in, and the Colonel brought us the bucket in 1957.  Those cardboard trays we use today were made for Chinese food originally, where were you in ‘62 when they were invented?  Did you know the Fun Meal at Burger King preceded the Happy Meal, and was the first packaged meal for kids?  Have it your way...add the spill proof lid from the eighties, short lived polystyrene containers from the nineties, the paper wrap for your latte, and the packaging was almost as important as what it wrapped or held.  All it takes is a problem to be solved, and fertile minds will find a way to solve it.  With only ourselves standing in the way of success, or failure.

But it was Ray Kroc who saw his fast food on a large scale, and others would follow.  But fast food must be fast to make any money, aka profit, and soon heat lamps, premade burgers, and hot apple pies were ready for the asking.  I worked for Coca Cola when self serve fountain drinks were introduced, remember the days of ordering a Coke with no ice?  A hard sell at first to retailers, but sales showed when given a cup and ice, we added more ourselves, and their profits soared.  Gladly that doesn’t work with fries and burgers.  But Ray’s idea of being in business for themselves, but not by themselves was a winner, and not a new idea, one we find in the Bible.  Jesus was big on freedom from religion, the Mosaic laws the priests had to live under were a huge burden, every law gave you a chance to break it and sin.  When we find freedom in the spirit, we no longer wish to do the things we once did, we see the sin in them, and we change, we still can but we don’t want to.  We have the freedom in the spirit of being an individual in Christ, not bound by laws but by his spirit, and of becoming part of the family, his church.  He  makes it personal, and as important as the church is, each one of us has value in his own eyes.  So much that just you and his spirit make church, and wherever two or more are gathered, he is among you.  You are never alone for his spirit never leaves you.  Free to make the decisions you want, but with a loving God who stands with you.  If only denominations could understand it is not about them but Jesus, the franchising of their belief system would explode, think of that crusade, based on growing people in Christ rather than growing churches by attendance? 

Now all men and women share a common heritage called sin, and no one is exempt from it.  And Jesus offers forgiveness and salvation to all.  Yet we find the Jewish people originally rejected him and many still do today.  But Jesus came to save the lost, including the Gentiles. And when the Jews saw them accepting a savior, they became jealous and many were saved.  It wasn’t fair for their savior to reach out to others, even if they didn’t believe who Jesus was.  It had nothing to do with intelligence, the Jews are among the smartest on the planet, or lack of religion, for they are still very religious to this day.  It came down to a decision of the heart, of who Jesus is, was he who he said he was, or was he not what they were looking for?  Very simply put, the most childish 4 year old is smarter than the most highly educated person if he accepts Christ.  He has all the knowledge and freedom of the universe behind him, with the spirit giving him words when needed.  Some may study to be approved, but you cannot study to be saved, it is only through Jesus Christ and his spirit.  And what the spirit shows you can always be backed up in scripture, not the other way around.  The packaging of fast food was important, but with no product you have nothing to wrap, and without the gospel, you have nothing to offer as salvation. You may have a stylish Bible, bumper stickers and t-shirts to match, even attend church and Bible study, but without the word written on your heart, you are an empty package.  And Jesus is the word...and is always with us.

So you can live your life in Christ under a heat lamp, or you can be fresh and ready in the spirit.  Those burgers and fries look appealing under the heat lamp, but I like mine fresh.  Like my relationship with God.  Not precooked, or even wrapped pretty.  Sometimes I want a Happy Meal, sometimes a bucket won’t do.  Sometimes I need to be supersized, other times I don’t want fries with that.  But in Christ every time I come empty, I leave full.  For like fast food, the most basic of all food groups, the gospel is still the simplest way to know Jesus.  Everything you need, nothing you don’t.  For yourself but never by yourself.  Don’t fall for a fast food messiah, the gospel is still the best meal available, simple and filling and affordable.  Go beyond the packaging and look for the product, and like we did as kids, use two straws at once.  “Mom can I have another?”  Words you never hear after meeting Jesus, and special orders don’t upset him.  You are that special. 

Think of what you do can with all the change left from your spiritual dollar. The gospel, the most basic of all food groups, over 6 billion served!  And counting...

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

47 AW-after Woodstock

If you were a teen in 1969 and visited the Aquarian Arts Festival, aka Woodstock, you know it made an impact on our lives.  The late sixties were turbulent, with war protests, peace marches that were anything but peaceful, and a silent majority awakening over a loud and angry generation.  Woodstock was many things, among them a concert of music, that turned into a drugfest, and left its mark physically, philosophically, and emotionally on history.  I was too young for Woodstock, but in 1973 bought my ticket for Summer Jam-The Dead,The Band, and The Allman Brothers in Watkins Glen.  With an atmosphere that was overwhelming, scary, dangerous, and anything but festive.  Like putting 10 pounds of sand in a five pound bag, something has to give, riding to and through Watkins Glen left us with the impression we rather ride than fight the crowds.  We feared for our bikes, our safety, and our sanity, of course it rained, and hungry and tired we sought a solution to both hunger and shelter.  No food anywhere, it after midnight when we arrived, so we kept going, there just has to be a place of rest somewhere.  And for a few short minutes we found refuge on the front porch of a tourist cabin, in a the thicket of woods.  Trying to destress, we had ridden over 300 miles after work to get there, in the rain, and the traffic was horrible.  Two lane roads that had become parking lots, and even when we stopped to help a fellow BMW rider fix his flat, as we sat and rested before he reinstalled it back on the bike, a car cut through where we were sitting, almost hitting us with no concern but for themselves, and running over his wheel, bending it into a V shape, damaged and useless. Both him and his wheel.   If this was the summer of love revisited, we wanted nothing of it, and decided to push on, sleeping after being chased off the front porch we had found temporary shelter on.

Now I am not a deadhead, or even been to a Grateful Dead concert, but I have seen the Grateful Dead.  While resting on the porch, a helicopter landed, and the band got out, we exchanged hellos as they walked past and we were escorted from the cabin, which was reserved for them.  I came, I saw, and I was conquered.  And swore no event was worth the ride, the rain, or the hassles of going to....until October last.  The year 47AW, after Woodstock brought cars and motorcycles to Pismo Beach, The Race of Gentlemen, and we attended.  Volunteering to work the ticket booth, we soon took it over and helped run it, in a pouring down rain, that seemed would never end.  Arriving early for our 8 am start, the rain kept the course closed and we opened after 11, three hours late. Yet over 12,000 people attended after waiting in the rain, standing and cold, Californians don’t own umbrellas, and then onto a race shortened day, from two days to only a few hours.  The course flooded, the tide washed it away and left a lagoon, and the stands were unusable.  But the weather didn’t dampen the racers, or any attending, we all had fun, and I can say I was there, I have the pictures and the shirts to prove it.  And I cannot wait for next year if they can pull it off, one delay was for the State Parks Commission to check the beach for sand crabs and sea turtles, who were smarter than the state and found safety elsewhere.  Only in California...

But despite the rain, the mud, the over flowing parking lot, and having to wait hours only to be canceled, we only saw one jerk in the crowd, all others were excited and happy to attend, they wanted to see the race, the sights and smells, and be a part of the day.  And we all were, maybe not quite the crowd of Woodstock, not the drugs or free love atmosphere, but a group of people who showed up despite the conditions, and we all had a real good time.  And will be back....

How many of us would stand all day to get a glimpse of Jesus?  How many would meet secretly under threat of persecution or death to have church?  How many complain “it’s too hot, or it’s too cold,”  “someone is in my seat,” or complain about the music?  Yet brag about what great Christians they are, and how they sacrificed a morning for God.  How important is your new dress, showing off a new car, or bragging about what you have done, that you would put it ahead of Jesus and worshipping him?  Yet our church of today is one based on convenience, from starting times to what programs, procedures, processes, and things can be done for me, all in the name of Christ.  How many of us would risk death as some do in North Korea, China, India, and many countries throughout the world to have church?  Would you meet secretly as the apostles many times had to for fear of retribution, just for being a Christian, and claiming Jesus as Lord?  Would you let the spirit guide you and your pastor, who having no Bible is entrusted with one page from Acts, and for over twenty years is the only Bible he has to preach from, and still hasn’t gone as far as using both sides?  Or do you discuss publicly how the King James is the only book, knowing the word, just not having it in you?  Yet fellow Christians around the world are subject to persecution we cannot imagine, yet we complain the loudest. 

47 years after Woodstock have we learned anything about our desires for God?  What makes thousands willing to stand in the mud for days to hear music, or thousands in the rain and wind to watch cars and motorcycles race?  If we can put ourselves out for our desires, why can’t we do the same for God’s desires?  God’s will, his desire is for us to  know Jesus.  They talk of love at Woodstock, love of racing, but do we talk of love for God?  Better yet do we show it?  Do we have the supernatural love, agape that God has for us for others?  God’s love is simple, a commitment of will to cherish and uphold another person.  It is a decision you make to treat another person with concern and care, thoughtfulness and to work for their best interests.  And this love is not difficult if we are aware of how much he loved us.  Sending Jesus, redeeming and forgiving us when we were unlovable.  And once you are aware of God’s love, this supernatural quality called love is easy. 

The Race of Gentlemen lost money this year, but it was more than the money that may keep them away.  California’s laws, rules, fees and taxes are unending, and so demanding it is easier to look elsewhere or quit altogether.  Don’t give up on Jesus the same way, step out of legalism and into the spirit, let his love guide your decisions, putting everyone else above you and your needs.  Share an umbrella in the rain, give up a parking place for someone else, let a person with one item get in front of your basket of goodies.  I learned all about crowds at Watkins Glen and never went back, I saw a different crowd at Pismo for TROG, I hope they come back.  I was part of that crowd, I hope to be again.  Today you will have the chance to share Jesus with someone, as St. Francis of Assisi advised, “preach the word daily, and if needed use words.”  Worked at TROG, if car and bike guys can get it, why can’t we as a church? 

It has been said of the sixties and Woodstock if you remember them you probably weren’t there.  Don’t let it be said of your walk with Jesus. Remember the rain falls on both the just and the unjust, 47 years after Woodstock are we be able to tell the difference?  Can you?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

 

ride 'em, don't hide 'em

Last year we were down to six motorcycles with over a total of 400,000 miles on them.  Any or all could be ridden daily and were, with mileages ranging from over 100,000 to just below 30,000.  Cosmetically they all looked good, not representative of the mileage or riding they had endured, and any one would happily take me on a ride cross country.  You see we ride’ em and not hide‘ em like so many do, and when someone tells me they own a motorcycle, we can say we ride one.  Which brings up a contrast, that I cannot say is good or bad, but just is.  As we travel we get to see many great local museums, and also my favorite, The Barber Motorsport Museum outside of Birmingham, Alabama.  Where over 1000 motorcycles are on display, but can be ready to ride in just an hour.  We need museums like this to preserve the history, but I rather be out making history than reading about it.  At the other end of the spectrum was the celebration of Cannonball Baker’s first transcontinental ride across the USA in 1915.  To participate you must ride a bike 1915 or older.  A true testimony to not hiding ‘em, and at The Race of Gentleman in Pismo Beach last month almost a dozen showed up, in the pouring down rain, with a few competing on the beach.  What fool would ride a 100 year old bike cross country or race it on the beach?  Their answer, what kind of fool wouldn’t?  And I agree.

Back in August I had a 2017 Triumph Tiger XCX, and rode it 1200 miles in three days.  No big deal, but one afternoon was spent at Carmel, at the end of the Pebble Beach Tour D’Elegance, where owners drove their collector cars, many one offs or rare, and many worth 7+ figures out on the road for 50 miles.  The bench racing after, the excitement and the attitude was much different than I had seen in any museum, these guys and gals were out enjoying their cars as they were designed for, to be driven.  Stone chips, patina, worn leather, dripping oil, and the smell of old cars permeated the air, so far afield from the pristine air conditioned atmosphere of so many museums, where fingerprints set off an alarm, and patina is limited to the dust on the tires.  The hide ‘em side, which we need for historical, I much prefer the ride ‘em side, and the memories yet to be made. 

And so we ride, and go places, see things, meet people, and get to see America on a wider screen than the one on your phone or laptop.  How many have seen a 1937 Packard Dual Cowl Phaeton, but how many have smelled the old car smell in it, the oil and grease smell under the hood?  Heard the gears whine, or sat on crushed velour, next to a flower in the vase?  Pictures alone cannot capture the mood, there is nothing like being there, nothing like being part of the ride.  And even the pictures we take don’t tell the whole story.  They don’t capture the older ladies sitting in the next booth and their conversation, the old men telling the same stories they have for decades, or the adjusting of the points, adding the oil, or tightening the fan belts.  It is a hands on experience that many are deprived of, and like an old girl friends couch, oh the stories these cars and bikes could tell if they could talk. 

A sign outside when leaving a church parking lot advised “YOU ARE ABOUT TO ENTER YOUR MISSION FIELD.”  These guys got it, that you must go out and live your life in the world bringing the light of the Lord via the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Rather than support a missions program, they were the mission program, and we are all called to it.  Think of how you heard about Jesus, for most of us it was from friends, mine was running on the beach in Venice one night.  Yet too many churches evangelistic arm is having the faithful invite people to church and let the pastor save them.  They never get out and see Jesus in action, never get to live what they were taught.  They are like the museum pieces gathering dust, getting old and wearing out too soon from non-use.  You see people just like cars and motorcycles need to exercised so the gaskets don’t leak.  Tires go flat when not driven on, moisture forms rust when parts don’t move, and soon the bikes and cars wear out faster from non-use.  High mileage is not a bad thing in riding, the testimonies are made when out on the road, how many want to hear about your afternoon in front of the TV?  Or the computer?  Is there a ministry in Starbucks among the caffeine addicted?  Think about it, but while out riding.

Following someone on Facebook is not the same as being there.  Instagram may provide a moment, being there provides the memories.  Like after leaving Carmel, and taking back roads and finally going down SR 25 like I have dozens of times.  And having 7 Bugatti Veyrons with a Bentley mixed in pass me.  How many have ever seen one, maybe on TV, yet I saw these 7 guys out driving their cars for the purpose it was designed for.  Probably over $20 million worth of cars....No picture even if I had the chance to take one would have done that moment justice.  How many moments with God are you missing by not getting out and living?  If a movie was made of your life would you want to watch it?  Or would it only be snapshots?  Is your relationship with Jesus an Instagram moment, or in the library of Jesus where all the books written, yours included could never find a library so big to contain them?  Is the seat of your pants wearing out faster than the soles of your shoes?  The tires on your car?  The brakes on your motorcycle?  You don’t know what you are missing until you quit hiding and start riding.   Or like a cartoon on our refrigerator says “would you rather be riding in Grandpa’s SUV or Grandma’s boring motorcycle?”

So get out and live.  Enjoy all the blessings God has for you, see as much of his creation as you can.    Take the long way home, drive through a neighborhood you never have before, pick a road and see where it goes.  Fill the tank with gas and the spirit, and get to know Jesus in a way that is beyond words.  Worn pedal pads, worn paint on the tanks where your knees hit, worn out grips, and high miles are a badge of honor.  They got that way by being used, the same as testimonies, memories, blessings, and miracles are seen when out living for Christ.  These things shall follow them that believe we are told in scripture, are you receiving more post cards than you are sending?  How long has it been since you left the city behind, and smelled the orange blossoms in bloom, ridden through corn fields higher than you can see, or rode a road hoping you had enough gas to get back?  Ride with Jesus, don’t hide ‘em and enjoy the blessings he has for you. 

Lastly as the miles and rides are accumulated, you get familiar with your ride.  You know the sounds, the smells, and a relationship is formed.  Maybe that is why Jesus spent his life on the road, for relationships are what he is all about.  How familiar are you with is voice, or do you have to study each time to see if it really him?  Is his word written on your heart or your i-pad?  Why is it he advises us to get out and spread the word, and why are you sitting doing nothing?  Are you living or giving to missions?

What would your motorcycle say about you if it could talk?  Are you listening?  Can you hear him now?  The spirit is willing, are you?  Old cars like old people don’t get worn out from use, but from sitting.  The best ride you ever take could be the next one, hiding or riding?  I’m still riding....and you?  You don’t quit riding because you got old, you get old when you quit riding. 

love with compasson,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

can a 1991 Saturn be a classic?

In 1991 we were still burdened by a 55 mph national speed limit.  Performance was coming back, via both Mustang and Camaro’s, a Corvette boasted 300 hp, and GM was all abuzz about the launching of their new division, Saturn.  An American built car to take on the imports, we’ve heard that one before, it was a whole new division,  a whole new car with plastic body panels, you were even invited to hit one with a hammer in the showroom.  Sold with a 30 day return policy no questions asked, they sold well, in fact being the most cars sold per dealer that year.  GM was thrilled, the customers were happy, they even had a Saturn owners day at the Spring Hill, Tennessee plant for over 44,000.  The third year they were profitable, and the future looked good, for Saturn but not GM.  And when the advertising hoopla died down, so did the sales.  And in typical GM logic, they changed course for the car, and in 2009 they went away.  But today according to AACA judging rules, they are a classic, along with other such forgotten cars as the first Hyundais, Daihatsu, another GM import from South Korea, Sterling, and Eagle, VW Corrado, Suzuki Samarai, and the brands of Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Plymouth, Saab, and  Mercury.  All cars that today are 25 years old and can be considered classics.  But when confronted with possible ownership of any of these 1991 classics, how many of us would jump at the chance to own one?  1991, that was only 25 years ago, I was only....have I gotten that old too?   They look so old and unattractive, did I really want to own one back then?  Do I now?

So don’t be surprised at the next car show you attend, somebody, usually a weirdo, will show up in a Saturn, and people will gather around it, and tell stories of the one they used to have, and share fond memories.  Maybe classic can be defined by age, but classic might be better described at the feelings and emotions they stir up.  Somewhere out there among the Mustangs, Camaros, and other sporty cars lies a population that was raised on minivans, 4 door sedans, and SUV’s, and that is where all their memories lie.  They may have dreamed of a Corvette life, but reality was they may have owned a Saturn.  What were you driving in 1991?

In 1991 I was using a 1987 Escort as a work vehicle.  A base model with no options, it did its job well.  We also had a 1989 Ford Probe, the first year in black.  Great car, and somehow both managed to be stolen, the Escort found and repaired and finally traded on a 1992 Ford Ranger, the Probe recovered after insurance paid off.  Trust me, after a car is stolen and recovered, get rid of it.  For riding it was my 1985 Yamaha FJ1100, still fast for its time, and the Harley revolution was still young, too many around who remembered the AMF days of the seventies.  Escorts, at one time among the most popularly sold models, when is the last time you saw one?  Would a kid born in the nineties even know what one was?  Same with the Probe, Ford even built a Mazda 626 on the same chassis in Flat Rock, Michigan, seen any of those lately?  Try to find one on Craigslist, they aren’t out there, where did they all go?  Are they all hidden in barns for the next generation’s barn find?  Have they all rusted away, been recycled, or forgotten?  Is it possible that your 1991 Saturn, or Escort, or Probe, or Sterling will be collectible, and rare because none are left?  It seems everyone owned or knew someone who did own a 1955-57 Chevy, will we ever own up to that about a car from 1991?

For just as their were popular cars, there were unpopular cars.  Cars built to a price, some built to a quality.  Some built as disposable, some built to last-or at least the ads said so.  But whose job was it to say which car was good and the other bad?  Sales, popularity, price, service, dealer availability, or monthly payments?  Take your pick, all are right, none are wrong.  The choice is left up to us.  And we still have numerous car companies to choose from today, even with the loss of others.  How could two vehicles, built the same year, be so different?  Are people the same, different by design or different by market?  Consider Moses, a murderer and fugitive, who lived 40 years in the desert.  But God chose him to be his messenger, and today his name is known throughout history.  Why, because God chose him, for God is sovereign, and chooses as he sees fit, something we have trouble with.  We tend to want to control things, and trusting a God to take care of all things can be overwhelming.  Particularly when you consider he also chose Pharaoh at the same time, and look how different the two men were.  Pharaoh was no better a man than Moses, yet God set him on a throne to rule Egypt.  When Moses resisted him, he allowed Pharaoh to do what all men do by nature, resist God.  He could have stopped Pharaoh at any time, but chose not to.  Instead he chose to show his own greatness and mercy through Moses in the situation, who is more like us than we care to believe.  Both men were sinners, far from perfect, only one chose to follow God,while the other claimed to be a god.  But God knew it all the time, yet used both men for his glory, and to bless us.

Today he gives us the chance to choose Jesus or to reject him.  Not pressured, or forced, for true love demands a choice.  Maybe that is why 44,000 Saturn owners attended the party, it was their choice to buy one, no one forced them, and that gave them entry to the brand and the party.  Jesus is the way back to God, and a choice we all will make someday, some saying yes and some still waiting to make up their mind.  Some outright saying no, but God still being patient with them.  But in all cases God knows the beginning from the end and the middle too.  He is sovereign and answers to no one but himself.  And if he did answer to someone else, it would have to be someone like him, for he is true and honorable to himself.  God wants us to consider his greatness, going to the point of becoming a man on earth and dying on the cross.  In both good and bad people we see his mercy and grace, for all things work out for those who love the Lord and are called according to his purpose, to his will.  And his will is simple, to know Jesus and be saved.  What do your actions and attitudes say about God?  A place of forgiveness, or a place of patience, as you still rebel against him?  Moses and Pharaoh, both met with God, only one knew him.  Both men’s actions recorded in the Bible, whose story do you want to emulate?  Is your life one of all about me, or one all about Jesus?  Only one type enters heaven...

So why can’t a 1991 Saturn be a classic?  By definition it is and will be recognized by that authority, even though many of us will chuckle.  But the ones who remember it will tell a different story.  Whose authority do you recognize, that of God or of man?  Two men, both men, both sinners, both recorded in the Bible.  Both immortal, but only one in heaven.  A sovereign God gave them both a choice, and they made it.  What is your choice about God?  Spirit influenced or man influenced?  What drives your decisions?  Who do you say Jesus is?  For every Corvette dreamer there were hundreds of Escort owners.  Maybe what you drive says something about you, but how you represent God says even more.  All classics at one time were used cars, for sale cheap.  Jesus paid the price no matter your trade in value.  Be a classic in God’s world, and come to Christ.  So when someone sees you they can say “I remember him, he used to be a bad dude.  Wonder what happened?”  And a chance to share how Jesus changed your life.  For every used person there is a new spirit waiting for them, don’t wait until you are a classic to know him.  By any definition, heaven is always better than hell.  No matter what you drove.  And no, second prize isn’t two Saturns...

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com