yesterday's ride

The projected high here today is a cool 72 degrees, down from the 91 while eating lunch in Redlands yesterday.  Like a Minnesota summer, if you were put of town that weekend you missed it, but we know summer will be here soon.  I hope.  But yesterday’s ride was unique because there was really nothing unique about it, until I thought about.  Having a motor cop wave and smile at a light, he knew too.  Riding the back roads of once rural Riverside county and now a sea of large warehouses, all those Amazon orders must get filled somewhere.  But it was a ride perfect for the Bonneville, nowhere in particular to go and all day to get there.  So I just enjoyed the ride, slower than on weekends, when everyone confined to 48 hours of riding needs to get their fill, and somehow managed to ride 180 miles in five hours.  Including time for a shake, they used to be called milk shakes, at In and Out.  Just sitting there watching the people in a hurry, and looking at the Bonne not in a hurry.  Each person consumed with their own agenda, and I guess I fit right in, although my agenda was no agenda.  I ended up riding roads familiar but at speeds less than familiar and noticed how things are rapidly changing here.  Ever notice how many stop lights there are?  And how a stop sign in the middle of nowhere can interrupt the rhythm of the ride?  How one Prius in the fast lane doing their best to interrupt traffic can upset you?  But somehow none of that mattered....I’ll deal with the yuck in the Prius later.  We all need rides and days like yesterday’s ride, if for other reason than to escape life for awhile and all the self induced drama in it. If I caught you smiling and nodding your head you know what I mean...

I marvel sometimes at the decisions I make.  And wonder about others.  A neighbor is selling his home, and has just spent many thousands sprucing it up.  When I asked him why did he wait until selling to make it his dream home, he said now he had the time and money.  I wonder why fix it up and finally sell it?  Isn’t it like you always wanted finally?  And you are going to sell it?  Talking with our new gardener, he advises me my green grass will be gone in 30 days, it is field grass.  Yet I fuss over it, he cuts its, and I spend money on watering it.  Only so it can die.....maybe I should sell and move on.  Sitting at a light I watch a station selling gas for 3.799 and busy, while across the street it is 20 cents cheaper and only a few cars.  Getting home an email from a friend who sells Harleys hears I don’t ride for Triumph anymore, “do I want to trade?”  For what?  And finally watching the NCAA championship, and one of the leaders of the losing team in tears, where just two nights ago he was praising God for the victory?  Did I miss something here too?  Did God change or is he only worthy of praise when we win?  Then it’s off to bed, awaiting Tessie’s 5 o’clock breakfast call.....

I have heard over the years of men who physically sit a prayer closet, but for me the spirit has given me a motorcycle.  When a friend cancelled yesterday, I was glad to be alone and spend time out in the air with God, not locked in some closet in the dark.  So often we neglect that God has all things under his control, and he has provided for us ahead of time.  But God in his wisdom has given us humanity, take out the human part and it is a pity.  Almost.  Eating a sandwich we can see how man does not live by bread alone, without the bread it is just random ingredients on a plate, but put between two slices of bread, it becomes a meal.  But without the ingredients we have just bread.  The life of a Christian is like that, we cannot live by just bread alone, we need to have the words from God to guide us and assure us.  We need the spirit to accompany us, yet we talk too much and listen too little.  Did God say “he who has a mouth let him speak?”  Yet we refuse to listen for the spirit, sometimes  encouraged by a zealous pastor or church, and miss out on Jesus altogether.  The bread of life Jesus speaks of is the holy spirit, that we will never be alone, without needs met, and with the hope of glory ahead.  Or with us now, as wherever his spirit is he is present, we don’t have to wait for heaven to be fulfilled.  On earth as it is in heaven.  A promise from our daily bread, but only if we partake in it.  Yet some only nibble, while others pass on it altogether, seeking God’s will but denying his spirit-his will. 

I come from a background of Bible teaching, of knowing the word, but discovered something lacking in knowledge.  I was no smarter than the devil, who knows scripture by heart, he was there when it was written.  But yet we try to understand the mind of God as if that will bring us closer.  But really to build pride in us, as “I know something you don’t know.”  Sounding like that obnoxious girl in fourth grade.  But who can say in love “I know someone you don’t know?”  And by our actions and attitudes prove Jesus.  Is God truly your Jehovah Jireh, your provider?  Or are you like the player giving God the glory only in victory?  Do you study scripture or just read the letters of Paul, as letters, as they were written?  Whose commentaries do you use?  Are you fixing up your physical house on earth and neglecting your spiritual one?  Maybe a hybrid Christian, a Prius in the church taking up space and blocking traffic with doctrinal issues, but showing no love? All this and more the spirit and I shared yesterday.....

So yesterday’s ride was more than a motorcycle outing, more than the weather, and more than a huge carne asada burrito. It was about time well spent listening and talking with my God.  Communing in the spirit, and looking at the world through his eyes.  How I long to get to heaven, but I have a new desire to wait, that none shall perish, God’s will for us.  To see things through his eyes, and change me, not change him to satisfy me.  And I will leave you with a thought he planted in my brain.  Try reading Psalm 23 as if Jesus were speaking it.  Talking to his father in a very personal way. Seeking and trusting, even though he knew what lays ahead.  He understood the valley of the shadow of death, he understood fearing no evil.  He understood that God is always with him.  He understood not wanting because God provided for him all his needs.  Listen to his prayers, they are for others.  Except for one, but knowing God’s will for him he obeyed.  His daily bread can be ours via his spirit.  Fresh every morning, flavorful and fulfilling.  The Lord is my shepherd.  Repeat that until you believe it.  It will change how you worship and live.  Maybe yesterday’s ride was far better than I gave it credit for.  Don’t do the same thing with Jesus.

Meanwhile in Minnesota....

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

the motorcycle I hope they never make

Since my separation from riding Triumph’s press fleet, I find there is more to riding than one brand.  I knew this before, but my easy access to new Triumphs definitely gave me an advantage over most when it comes to test rides.  But reading an ad this morning about the “perfect motorcycle for you” I took some offense.  I almost bought a  new Duke 790 a few weeks ago on the inside deal, my daughter in law is a VP at KTM.  Maybe the hardest no ever issued by me in my history of riding.  My friend at Triumph still offers me bikes at his cost, and a Street Triple RS is the latest carrot dangling in front of me.  I have two friends who are GM’s at Kawasaki dealers, a new z900rs at their cost is nice, and way too tempting, so I haven’t visited in a couple of weeks.  And that is just the short list, even the GM at the local Harley/Indian store wants to deal with me, to get me on a real bike, whatever that means.  He will show me invoice on any bike in stock, I don’t think an overweight, overpriced, under powered motorcycle will ever be the perfect one for me, so I just laugh at the others how they over pay, and under ride.  I have even been scanning Craigslist for an old R90S, the Harleys are cheaper.  So I decided to keep the four bikes I have, and after new tires, front brakes, chain and sprockets, and a battery, on my Tiger 1050, I spent less than $800 for it all, and have the bike I really want, with title in hand.  And it was hard to admit, but my riding styles have changed, not ready for a boring Gold Wing yet, but I don’t ride like the nut I used to, but still find few who can keep up with me....and just for fun, when Mr. Loud Pipes Save Lives challenged us, I blew him in the weeds after spotting him 30 yards on an on ramp.  Blowing by him like he was standing still, and soon he was out of sight behind me.  Oh, did I mention Theresa was on the back with me?  Could it be the antidote to speed kills is loud pipes on slow bikes save lives?

But in the back of my mind I hope I will always be the young 20 year old kid who loves to ride.  Where going fast still thrills, and corners still tempt.  Where in the middle of winter just sitting on a new bike in the showroom makes me “cannot wait until spring,”  and every time I pass one when in a car makes me wish I had left the car home.  If you know what I mean there is no explaining, if not God bless you and your Prius.  Just not where we ride.  But riding is something personal, and while the ads portray you on their perfect bike, each bike in my past was the perfect bike for that time and ride.  From my first Honda CB350, to the R90S I left home and rode cross country on, to my FJ1100, and 7000 miles its first week of ownership, and to the almost 30 bikes in between then and my Bonneville T120, each bike was the right bike at the right time.  The perfect ride for my age and attitude, only being honest and humble makes me add my pocketbook.  So when I read about the perfect motorcycle, I find that if it was ever made, it would never fit me, for one size doesn’t fit all, no matter how loud your pipes are.  And the fact you ride will always be more important than what you ride.  But for you young riders, never stop dreaming, and us older guys never stop.  Maybe slow down, but never stop.....

It took God 27 verses in Genesis before he made man.  So unique and so different that he gave us dominion over all the earth and all things in it.  Adam named all the animals, trees and shrubs, and he had a free hand in all things with one rule, stay away from that certain tree.  When God made us, he instilled a will in us, unique to all creation, as being made in his image, like him, we were given a choice to love or rebel.  To obey or deny, for perfect love demands a choice.  He instilled perfect values in us, yet Adam was one man alone with God, the perfect one on one relationship.  But God seeing how Adam was alone by himself, created Eve out of man, to share Adam with, taking a part of Adam from his side, not necessarily a rib, but making him just like Adam but uniquely different, just as Adam was like God but uniquely different.  We know their story of sinning, and ever since everything man has created has a certain evil twist to it.  Even at one point erecting a Tower of Babel to the Heavens to prove how great they were, but God struck it down, and confused their language scattering them away.  Their choice might have mentioned God, but it never honored him.  And the likeness of God on earth in his creation endured the flood, and 40 years in the desert, still not trusting while complaining.  But God is patient and Jesus was the way back.  Man cannot legislate love, laws do not make us moral, nor are they moral, it takes a changed heart, a being of being reborn to Adam’s status before his fall, it takes God in the form of a man to walk among us, it took Jesus.  For everything made bears it maker’s mark, all things of man will bear his mark, the things of God will bear God’s mark.  And the physical things will never satisfy the spiritual qualities that only Jesus can fulfill, that can give us perfection and the love we desire.  And need.  The church may try, but is only made up of men also, and without Jesus is a miserable substitute for him.  From religion to motorcycles we need a savior, we need Jesus!

For just as we have retained the capacity to be Godlike, without Christ we do not have the ability.  The way Jesus is talking about.  Although it seems harsh at times, in all our tough times of trials and tribulations, God is at work restoring himself to us.  Revealing his perfection as we put on the new, Jesus Christ, and put off the old man of sin.  We are being refined and purified, and just like it takes tons of pressure to make a diamond fro coal, that same pressure in God’s hands is reforming us.  Until as the silversmith looks over into the pot and sees his reflection, knowing all the dross and impurities are gone, leaving a refined perfect product.  God is refining us so he can see himself in us once again!

So at any moment and at the very moment God is working in the heart of the believer installing in his his own greatness again.  We too can be like the first Adam, but it takes the final Adam, Jesus to do it.  So next time tempted, and you will be, when the loud pipes just make you want to go fast, when you got to go and prove something, remember you are never alone.  For just like Theresa was my passenger that day, Jesus rides with you always, never leaving you nor neglecting you.  He left us his spirit, given to us upon salvation, so wherever two or more are gathered in his name, he truly is with us.  God never left us, that was never his plan, and he misses us and wants us back.  He is the motorcycle I hope they never make, for I never want anything to come between us.  I’m still being refined and still riding, still tempted, and still reading the ads, while still sitting on new bikes, and still visiting showrooms.  But at every visit all I have to do is see what I rode in on, to know what I should ride out on.  That perfect motorcycle for the perfect ride at the perfect time, with no money changing hands and no payments.  Still the temptations line up....so I’ll just go for a ride, and think on Jesus.  A riding partner so unique and different why would I ride any other way?

That something you seek is really a someone, Jesus Christ.  And he leaves it up to you.  Sorry I cannot hear your answer inside my helmet....it still and always will be that personal...so let the good times roll!

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

GM, Gone to Mexico seeks asylum for its cars

Growing up there was nothing more American than the Big Three auto makers, General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler.  American as in US of A American.  But how many know how much of our automotive fixes come from Mexico?  With the impending Border shutdown, many manufacturers of cars made in Mexico are wondering how this will affect them.  For instance over 31 models from brands such as GM, Audi, Ford, RAM, VW, Toyota, Kia, FIAT, Honda, Hyundai, Infinity, Jeep, Mazda, and Nissan are all made south of our border.  From sedans to SUV’s to pickup trucks, we have been importing cars from all over the world built in Mexico.  The MSM may tell us we have no emergency, tell that to the out of work factory workers in Detroit and other  cities in the US, and maybe the problem is deeper and much wider than we know.  Fortunately our Mustang is built in Michigan, our Ranger in Kansas City, but my Triumph Bonneville is built in Thailand, and Harleys are being built in India.  With so many politicians wanting asylum for illegal aliens, can the automakers be far behind?  Imagine a Mexican consulate for GMC pickups, Toyota Tacomas, and some Jeep models, at least they have the paperwork to get in, but will we let them stay?  Imagine a recall on foreign made cars and trucks, “sorry your visa ended...”  Right after your warranty.  At one time when Daimler Benz raped Chrysler, we all feared the day when a star and laurel would replace the Pentagram, but did we ever foresee the American flag would be replaced by an Hecho en Mexico one? 

When God created the heavens and the earth, on the third day he receded the waters and land appeared, forming continents.  Now whether the water receded or the land rose up, God made places where man would later live, and divided it into areas that would become countries one day.  The rising land representing a rebirth, and allowing life as it had never been before.  And a place where man can produce fruit, for not much can be harvested from the ocean.  A place to live and to grow things to grow on, and in, like the rebirth we are given when saved by Jesus Christ.  Yet all is not perfect, as Adam sinned on dry land, and today man dwells on dry land, still in sin, until saved.  And like the seas, separating the just from the unjust.

But there are two types of wicked, the just and the unjust.  The unjust reminds us of our lives before we heard the gospel, ignorant to sin and ignorant of a savior.  But once we have heard the gospel, in a private place God has designed into each life, then we cross over, and we have become wicked, we know the truth and have made a decision on which way to turn.  Once we have become a Christian and fall under the will of God, if we still live like hell, if we disregard the mercy and grace he offers, we are the wicked and unjust.  We have chosen to live our lives by our own rules, and placed God on an island with our sin separating us from him.  We may be saved, but have no fruit bearing within.....fruit that proves the existence of Jesus Christ in our lives.  They have no peace and are restless, like the waves, succumbing to a rip tide and not even knowing it until it is too late.  They fight the tide of God’s love, and we all know to escape a rip tide you ride it out, you cannot do it on your own.  Only in Christ will you find the asylum you need.  God gathered the water in one place so land would appear, he sent Jesus to gather us to himself, so we can live in him and bear fruit.  Yet some rather try to walk on water than walk with Jesus on dry land....as if that isn’t a miracle enough!

All human life is precious to God, no matter where it lives or calls home.  But remember the Tower of Babel when man bragged on himself and his greatness.  And God separated them and they formed nations each with their own language and customs.  Today many cry out for unity, but fail to see that only unity in the spirit is true unity.  And so when it comes to cars, they all may have four wheels, and except in England and Japan drive on the right side, but each manufacturer builds his own personality into his product.  A Chevy means something different than a Ferrari, a RAM is much different than a  FIAT.  Each brand having its own logo and marketing, no matter where they are built.  Did you know Mercedes Benz, BMW, Toyota, Honda, Kia, Nissan, and other foreign cars are made in the states today?  But the country of origin will always mean something, just as it does with God.  We are citizens of heaven, returning to where we started out before Adam blew it, being welcomed by a God with a border, you see not everyone gets into heaven.  There are gates and a criteria.  Maybe a lesson from God would be affective in healing our land.  Who would have thought that a rising land would mean such an incredible rebirth?  And that all we have to do is give it all over to Jesus?  With just a note, the gates of hell are not to keep people out, but to keep people in.  Even hell has borders too...

But we have the key in Jesus, so before rushing out to buy an new car before they are not available, trust him first, then all things will be added unto you.  Never has crossing over the border from death to life in Jesus been so easy.....

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

 

the times we had when Coke was it!

A suspiciously wrong clue on Jeopardy last night got my mind remembering back to 1985 and the New Coke.  They  claimed it was because Coke wanted a flavor more like a diet drink, but that isn’t the truth.  I was there.  At the time Coca Cola ruled the fountain business, but a sweeter Pepsi was making inroads with a younger market, so to maintain or grow market share, they came out with a sweeter tasting Coke.  And it bombed, but when brought back as Classic, Pepsi could never recover and still hasn’t today.  And the name of Coca Cola lived on, untarnished.  A gamble that no one ever thought would happen did, and the most devoted Cokaholics were saved.  But missed out on a point taken, and one that would develop the world’s most recognizable trademark into a marketing move.  It seems you could do many things with a soft drink, but the name Coca Cola was hallowed, but never ever blaspheme that name.  If you can remember when diet Coke first came out, small d in diet, it was so that nothing would share equal time with Coke, but over the years greed, market share, and responsibility to share holders has led the name Coca Cola to many other flavors, to today a large D in Diet Coke graces their can. Even the small c in cherry Coke should be a hint of the power of the name.   And over the weekend, if you watched any March Madness, you saw some Coke madness too, as they deluged us with ads for Orange Vanilla Coca Cola.  Which I have tried, I like the flavor, but it ain’t the old 7x Coke formula.  And somewhere in Atlanta, the ghost of Coca Cola’s Robert Woodruff, the man who made Coke a household name must be rolling over in his grave.   It is safe to say Coke is not the same to the Millenials, I was part of Coca Cola when Coke was it!  And oh the times we had......

How important is Coke?  It was their ads in the thirties that gave us the traditional Santa Claus we have today.  During WWII they built Coke plants around the world so no US serviceman would be far from an ice cold Coke.  The first thing many wanted when they did return-you got it!  Who could hold back the tears, “thanks Mean Joe.”  And what other soft drink taught the world to sing?  Just watch any kid with his dad at a 7-11, he’ll ask what kind of Coke do you want?”  And at one time that meant what soda, today it means a whole lot less....

If you believe scripture, and as a Christian you should, as it is the inspired and breathed word of God, then you know that there is no other name under heaven or earth by which you can be saved.  Not diet Jesus, cherry Jesus, or any other Jesus, just Jesus.  Yet two main stream cults flying under the banner of religion deny his deity.  They are not Christians.  The LDS discount his deity by claiming he is a created being like Satan, going off course with the fourth word of the Bible, in the beginning God, plural, created the heavens and the earth. The JW’s are a bit bolder, claiming Jesus is not deity, and proud of it.  Even denying heaven, changing scripture to suit their evil end.  Beware of both groups, 2 John tells us to not even say “God bless you,” as their God is not the God of the Bible, lest you buy into their lies.  Their marketing ways are strong, but where sin abides, grace will always abide even more.  And then there are the seven sons of Skeva in Acts 19, who thought just saying the name would make demons flee, only to be beat up and sent away naked when they tried.  There is power in the name, but only by his spirit.  In his name, or in his will, the key here.  God made his only son Jesus begotten, unique, there is none other like him.  And we can know him personally, he calls us friend if we keep his commandment of love.  I’ll drink to that....you choose which Coke to toast him with!  I’ll take the real thing.

I can remember on hot days grabbing a fresh bottle of Coke before it was capped off the line, a cold bottled 34 degrees, that would burn the back of your throat as it went down.  But still left you thirsty afterwards.  Looking for cold water.  Religion without the spirit, expressed by water in scripture, is like that.  Without the spirit of God upon us we will never be fully refreshed, thirst quenched for a moment, but still thirsty for the water of the spirit, the living water only Jesus can supply.  It is the spirit that gives life, just like he did when the earth was void and he gave substance to it.  And just like he wants to give to your life.

Today the name Coca Cola is more marketing tool than the real thing.  At one time revered such that no other name would be used with it or to describe it.  Too bad religion has gone the same way with Jesus, selling holy water, demanding money to stay on the air, and TV evangelists raking in money from those who can afford it least.  But God knows and sees, and their time is coming.....is yours?  Or can you say you know the real thing Jesus Christ?  Or are you still settling for some other cola that challenges?  Remember the Pepsi challenge, remember there could be no challenge if there was no champion.  Many things vie for your attention and your soul, make sure you choose the real thing, Jesus Christ.  Refreshing souls for thousands of years.  There was a time when Coke was it, today you can make Jesus the it, the who in your life. 

With no apologies to  you Alex, I hope you find the real thing.  One wrong answer can change your whole day.  The answer “Jesus Christ.”  The right answer is “who is the son of God?”  Large G.  Coke added life, Jesus is life.  Oh the times we had, and the times to be had in heaven....

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com