still stuck in traffic, maybe it's the road you're on

If you don’t live in So Cal you don’t understand our freeways.  Whereas interstate highways are found in all 50 states, a misnomer in Hawaii, they are truly limited access highways outside of metro areas.  Most of America and most people’s driving is on secondary roads, and in many rural areas the two laner is still the choice of travel, even if it is the only one available.  But many old two lane highways are now four laners, giving local drivers a new taste of four lane freedom, accelerating speeds and less time to get there, bypassing many old surface streets.  But we out here are used to the freeways, they are our surface streets, even if the are 8-10 lanes wide in places.  Just like some turn right on Main Street, we turn right at exit 29, with many of the old highways and surface streets handling far less traffic, and the accompanying jams. Based on population and distance between destinations, our freeways jam traffic just like the old two laners of the past used to, just in bigger numbers.  But just some observations from recent cross country trips on freeways, to prove a point. 

LA is known for traffic jams, but have you ever driven on Atlanta freeways?  Worse.  Indianapolis, bring a book to read.  Any road in Jersey, another reason to not go there.  OK City, watch the signs and heaven help if you are in the wrong lane, you may end up in Arkansas instead of Tulsa.  Albuquerque jams up early each morning, never did 30 years ago.  San Francisco has no freeways in the city, unless you count Van Ness as one with all its lights and jams.  Want to really get lost, try Pittsburgh, you can see where you want to go, but how do you get there?  From Nashville to New Haven, you can go 10 above the limit, until you hit an urban area, and any time made will be lost.  At least LA has the multi-lanes needed, a recent transplant from Burbank to Springfield, Missouri thought she had gotten off the freeway somewhere, it only had two lanes!  Like the streets by her house.  So no matter what you ride or drive, no matter where you do it, traffic is out to get you.  And if you are stuck in it you are part of the problem!  There has to be a better way...

Simple, go where the others aren’t going.  On our trips we stay off freeways and away from cities.  We have traveled thousands of miles without encountering a traffic jam, three cars at a light being a jam in some towns.  But whereas in West Virginia there were many small towns inaccessible by road, ever been to West Virginia, it has mountains everywhere.  It was by train or don’t get there, in or out.  But thanks to influence peddling and creative finance and Robert C. Byrd, the eternal senator from there, they now have the Robert C. Byrd Freeway System.  Miles and miles of four laners or more, with no traffic on them.  Beautiful perfect roadways, with no traffic.  Unfortunately it will only be a matter of time until they too become jammed, but for now your tax dollars at work in WV pave the way for unobstructed driving and great views.  It is only a matter of time, as when we retrace old roads ridden years ago, we now find them bypassed, expanded to four lanes or more, with the traffic moving as it should, until some bonehead from Cali gets locked into the fast lane on his cell at 48 in a 70 zone.  Anywhere else this is against the law and driving etiquette, here it is the norm.  So please those in So Cal out here, stay home, keep the traffic flowing by not being in it.  For like surface streets, there is a better way, not found on your GPS.  At least not for now, anyway....

But just as the freeways are a nation unto themselves with laws, taxes known as tolls in some places, God has called us unto a nation itself, heaven.  What love he has placed upon us that we should be called the children of God.  But not all are children of God, nor of the land of heaven.  Scripture tells us that while we were yet sinners, Jesus died for us.  He paved the way, built the road, and made the ultimate free way to heaven, in fact the only way to heaven.  But just like you need a license to drive legally, we need a license, the paperwork of our name written in the book of life to enter heaven.  In our sin, we were helpless to do it alone, there was and is nothing we can do to save ourselves.  Maybe put like this, when we were too proud, condescending towards God, hating him and showing indifference to his word, while an enemy of the cross, Jesus died for us.  While still in the traffic jam of sin, God provided a freeway to heaven.  But a change had to take place so we can be called children of God, not just accept the name by religious rhetoric, or traditional lies.  It takes the truth to be set free, it took the cross for our salvation, and Jesus on it.  It took the resurrection to prove it, and our choice to accept it.  There are conditions to being called a child of God, but no conditions to God’s love for us.  We only love him because he loved us first.  A love so great he wants his enemies to be saved and become his children!  No wonder we should rejoice as we behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called sons of God.  And that we can grow in grace in him.

Yet many are stuck in the traffic jam of lies, stuck on a road while a street just adjacent is empty, both going the same way.  “It’s the same everywhere, we are all his children,” perpetuating a lie, at least they admit there is a God.  But stuck in traffic, can only see what is in front of them, if they can see that far at all.  As cities become more jammed, and as doubters jam the churches and religious groups, the truth will still be the truth.  An exit convenient wherever you are, one marked truth, and paved in love.  An exit passed by many times but somehow afraid to get off and try.  Not marked by religion but by freedom, but it is our choice.  The average speed on LA freeways is 17 mph, slower than a school zone.  God who is light operates at the speed of it.  What manner is keeping you in a jam,when God’s love can set you free? 

With something in the news to remind us.  The southern border is l needed to keep those not citizens out is an example of heaven.  Heaven has walls, and a gate, a strict immigration policy, the only way to get in.  Hell has open borders and anyone can get in.  Jesus is the way, and he stands at the gate to heaven, wishing you entrance.  You will find no way to enter heaven illegally, only through Jesus.  The manner of love he bestows to us, straight and narrow, the quickest way between two points and no detours.  In life we will face many treacherous roads, why not choose one endorsed by God himself, and become family.  That old line given when stopped for speeding, “I know the chief,” fails here.  Knowing the real chief here will get you home to heaven.  New roads are being built every day, God built his years ago, and it is still open and toll free today. 

Still stuck in traffic.....you may have missed the exit, don’t miss Jesus....at least you can’t blame the snow!

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

painted ladies

Doris and I worked at opposite ends of the building at Polychrome.  But it would turn out that our social activities were even farther apart.  She was attractive, and most of our relationship was casual pleasantries, but when I heard she thought I was cute, sucker I am, I asked her out.  To a New Years celebration with her friends.  Where we had nothing in common except her.  She was pretty, but once she opened her mouth it was all over.  How could a person be so different away from work?  And all she wanted to do was dance when she wasn’t talking, so after midnight, she explained her friends were going elsewhere, and she would get a ride home from them.  Allowing me to escape the rest of the date, as she talked and danced into the night.  But I wondered, how could such a pretty painted lady, turn out so different?  I had looked the gift horse in the mouth....only Mrs. Ed would think Mr. Ed handsome.  A lesson learned...

But painted ladies come in four legged versions too.  Ever have a stray break your heart, and adopt it?  Where it ends up only liking your mother who feeds it, and dislikes dogs, and has nothing to do with you.  Taken in by a pretty face again....But if it works for two and four legged, it also works for two and four wheeled vehicles.  I had one of the first Rabbits in the states.  Cool looking car, and peppy.  When it ran, the dealer had it more than I did for the first few months, then I sold it, never running quite right.  Another painted lady came into our garage when we needed a second car for the rain.  A 1968 Mercury Monterey with a letter form Ford stating it had an experimental hi performance engine, and parts ordering instructions.  Never been a four door guy, but taken in by its power, it was fast, I bought it.  Only to find out it never went into high gear, I only had burned rubber and never took it out and ran it.  So my new two thirds of a three speed never really got tested, and eventually sold it, letter and all to a guy who said he could fix it.  Another painted lady, this time in a performance disguise.  But I have been struck by this lady twice on BMW motorcycles, my 1974 R90S that blew up at 16,607 miles.  I never forgot that number.  Somehow I put over 46,000 miles on it in 14 months before selling it.  Seems the ultimate motorcycle had more power than the engineers had planned for, and was shredding bolts holding on the flywheel.  Only admitted after they were all out of warranty, of course.  But another lesson not learned, as a 1977 R100S came into my life, developed a knocking noise, and the dealer replaced the ring and pinion.  That BMW found was not faulty, and refused to pay the claim.  And I almost made it home before the engine blew, both rods came off the crank.  The prettiest of painted ladies, and my last BMW.  First time your fault, second time mine.  No chance for a third one, but today they are both collectible.  Some with low miles, I wonder....I’ll just let this painted lady pass for now.  Four wheels or two, used or new, they are out to get you.

Over the years I have been fortunate to sit under great teaching pastors, but very few who truly pastor.  Only to find they are human too, and one of the painted ladies they face is tithes and offerings.  I found out major donors get priority treatment,and some of their sins are allowed, just keep the checks coming.  Often used as an example of godly living, when outside of church, their true side is shown.  I have never found any place where a painted lady is needed, and really not among Christians.  I watch as duplicite men and women do all the things to impress the body, but inside are lecherous.  Lying, cheating, even in certain situations having the pastor back their sin.  Seen it more than once, and when I called one pastor on it, was told I don’t understand.  Seems he did, but chose the lie anyway.  Jesus warns these wolves in sheep’s clothing will be among us, but never of us.  Going their own way, trying to take others with them.  A social experiment, using religion to achieve a prideful end. We are also told to be wise as serpents, but gentle as lambs, it should be noted Jesus even called Judas friend to the end, knowing his heart.  While the others pondered who among them would betray Jesus, I can hear the bragging.  While Judas was hanging himself.  The holy spirit had not come upon them yet.  But it would change their lives forever when he did. With one note to consider, Jesus never bragged on himself, giving all glory to his father.  Mixing in so well with the crowd, Judas had to kiss him to identify him to the Roman soldiers.  But it works two ways in churches...

There are certain people who go into churches to do nothing else but disrupt them.  A list of such people is in San Diego, and the greeters are told to look out for them.  They subtly enter and then draw people away from the gospel.  One such ladies group used to make things for the elderly, until invaded by some Mormon women who liked to knit.  Agreeing to not discuss religion, they once fellowshipped about Jesus, soon they had taken over, and instead of donating the goods, now were selling them.  Painted ladies wear all kinds of paint....

So consider this year as the year God is separating the sheep from the goats.  Evil is showing its ugly head everywhere from aborting babies after birth, to a growing anti-Semitism.  Churches are burning, pastors are being exposed, and we are all being tested by fire.  The spirit of anti-Christ, instead of Jesus, is a painted lady watering down the gospel, and many following the lies.  Worldly ways now becoming the way instead of Jesus.  The Bible being ridiculed, and Christians only acting Christlike in church services.  God is separating the sheep from the goats, and the goats don’t like it.  The painted lady of sin is exposed, and this emperor’s gospel of no new clothes is spreading.  Sound like a Christian, listen to the right songs, attend the right church, buy the pastor’s books.  Talk about Jesus, but never experience him.  Never know the freedom of the spirit, their sin finding them out.  Maybe a self examination of Jesus in our own lives is in order.  Are you brave enough to sit and ask God “where am I in you?” Or are you just hanging around like Judas waiting to die?

Painted ladies ride painted motorcycles, drive painted cars, attend painted churches,and never know the beauty of Jesus Christ.  It is all about the look.  Jesus is looking for sinners to be saved, not pretty religious hypocrites.  He loves them too, but tells us to beware of them.  Giving us the spirit of discernment, so we can tell.  So we can choose, so we can live.  If it works with Jesus, maybe it can work with dates, cars, motorcycles,and even religion.  And wouldn’t you know it, I just got an ad for the new Kawasaki I was looking at.  Heavy discount, great rates.....what a pretty bike....them painted ladies, I wish they would just leave me alone.

Just as he has taught you, “remain in him.”  Just in time.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

but we all ride

Those of us who have a love affair with motorcycles, understand why we ride, but sometimes have trouble putting it into to words.  There was a time when the advertising geniuses could do it for us, from “Kawasaki let the good times roll,” to “You meet the nicest people on a Honda,” to the Triumph “expert vs. enthusiast ad,” we all knew what they were talking about.  The language was familiar to what we knew to be true, and the ads brought the desire to us, which brought us to the stores, and then to the streets.  And at  least in the above examples, the good times really did roll, you met the nicest people-notice Honda never referred to their product as motorcycles, The Wild One still banned in England at the time, and you had to be an expert, mechanic that is , or know one to keep your Brit bike rideable.  We knew the differences, whose bike was fastest, who got the best mpg, who wore out tires the fastest, who got the most tickets, and who got the most girls.  Some who weren’t the nicest, but the good times did roll.  But we knew from experiencing riding how accurate the ads were, even if they stretched the truth a bit.  No one ever accused bench racing of accuracy, but for  hours on rainy days and late nights when you couldn’t look ahead, it was fun to look back.  We had a brotherhood based on riding motorcycles, get four or five of us together and you had the same amount of brands.  We waved at Harleys and they waved back.   I even remember an older biker 1%er on his hardtail coming up to me and telling me how my BMW “was the Cadillac of motorcycles.”  We all knew, we all rode, we just had different brands to express it.  But we all rode!

Today at any rally, it is all Harley, with more Indians showing up.  Cruising the HD store yesterday, I stopped and noticed, they all look the same.  But then so do the owners, black bikes and black leathers.  When Triumph returned 20 years ago, the young crowd thought “Honda what?” The old HD riders knew and would visit, they all had one once.  Today the young are the old, and if they ride at all, are more owner than rider.  Staying within a HOG Group lest they have to learn about motorcycles, and test their riding ability.  The bikes haven’t changed, riding hasn’t changed, but the riders and the ads have.  I grin when on trips when I see a group of mixed brands riding together, they get it.  And one afternoon with my friend Chuck, Harley or nothing, surprised even me. Claiming how smooth and fast his new Heritage was, we swapped bikes, and he rode my RS sport bike.  Scared the @#$%^&* out of him, and he admitted, he had never ridden anything so fast or smooth.   But would he own one.....probably not, what would his friends say?  I answered “does it matter, they’ll have to catch you to tell you.”  Be we all ride, and I’m glad we all do.  Yet some still only own.

On any day in a bike shop, you meet owners, but it seems less and less are riders.  The evidence is found on Craigslist, look at all the low mileage ride for sale,  some discounted heavily.   Pick a year, or decade, they are there.  Some even throwing in the helmet and jacket.  You decide. But it seems they were really never of us, and when it came time to actually ride, to cross zip codes, or time zones, to ride where they never had before, the for sale sign went up.  When the first service was due, they got parked, and when the bike wouldn’t start from a dead battery from non use, it was sold.  When you talk with them their motorcycle experience is jaded, jaundiced with not riding.  They were not ever really of us, but go out and diminish what they never understood.  Seems many Christians are the same.....

We live in the days of anti-Christ, anti meaning instead of.  To much there to get our attention and our worship.  Cults such as LDS and JW claim to have a truth, but stray from the truth of Jesus Christ.  They deny his deity, deny his word, and even deny their members from intermingling with others.  Good works are preached as opposed to the work of the spirit, and it is not only in cults.  From gays in pulpits to abortion and civil rights, they suppress God and his rights, seeking a lesser gospel that excuses their sin.  Social issues rather than spiritual ones, based on the group rather than the individuals in it.  Cutting themselves off from the true Christianity found in the New Testament, and creating their own gospel.  They deny the gospel because it points out their failure, missing the salvation message.  In truth they were never part of us, 1 John says, for if they were, they would have remained in the truth.  They are the ones who give Christianity a bad name, but it is good to remember, if bad publicity could destroy a movement, Jesus and the truth would have been gone long ago.  But the truth still sets us free!  If only churches in their campaigns to get donors, I mean members, I mean saved souls could get it.  Unless God builds the church, we labor in vain.  We are the church.  Lest we forget.  It was Jesus who saved us, the spirit that builds us.  There have been influential men in my life, but never any like Jesus. 

So while some look for who is the anti-Christ, they live a life worshipping him, instead of the living Christ.  He is here now, alive and well, his spirit testifying in believers lives.  But yet many fall away, and are not invited back.  Imagine a Craigslist ad like this.  “One owner lost soul, once believed and got lead astray. Stored for many years, all the parts there.  Needs a new owner.  Best offer.”  Know anyone other than Jesus who would respond?  Who could save?  Who would do so without reservation?  Yet the chances are there, as one such experience of mine shows.  I got a call from a lady who had a sister who was in trouble.  She was saved, but lost and lonely.  Could I hook her up?  Being over 100 miles from her, I called a pastor I knew in her town, who had a lesser pastor who minsters to these types.  Later when she called me, she said “I was hungry and hurting. I needed someone to talk to, to visit with me, he advised just read the word.”  And was gone, no hugs, no let’s get you some food.  Never asking if she even had a Bible.  But undeterred, she hung on to Jesus, despite bad ministry.  Ask yourself, was he of us or out from us?  Where was the love of Matthew 25, doing unto the least of them?  God help us to not be like that.

So seek the spirit today, maybe while riding.  Wave at Harleys and Hondas, BMW’s too, and hope they wave back.  We sued to have a brotherhood that I hoped the church would copy, but it too has gone its own denominational or brand way.  We all own bikes, but we don’t all ride.  But the first step is taken, ownership.  All saved have Jesus, but don’t go beyond that, and have him as Lord.  Let Jesus do what no religion can, if one afternoon of windy roads can free your soul, imagine the time spent with what the time spent with Jesus can do.  Like a powerful ride, you will never know what it is all about until you twist the throttle.  And never know power under control until you meet Jesus.  Advice from one who rides and knows both.  Opinions are like Hondas, everybody has one.  Which may explain so many on Craigslist.  The truth will still set you free.  And you can let the good times roll, after you meet the nicest person. 

So Christian, are you an enthusiast?  Or expert?  Read the ad, know God.  We may not all ride, but we can all know Jesus. 

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com