"Neil Young is back in town"

To some the black hearse with Canada plates might not mean anything, but to his friends on the Sunset Strip it meant one thing, “Neil Young was back in town.”  It seems everyday we pass people or things that may not mean much to us, but do to someone else.  And although Young Neil, as we used to call him, may not in hiding, he could have been doing it in plain sight.  It is always good to be recognized, but on our own terms, there are times when we love our privacy, but then there are times like....

I was walking one street over in TJ from the contingency day at the 1995 Baja 1000.  I was taking a group of my Mexican friends on tour of the races, when we ran into Ivan Stewart. Knowing Ivan,who had seen me and called out to me, he stopped and visited, allowed pictures with each one, and left.  With Mario, their boss saying, “ you said you knew him, we didn’t know he was your friend.”  Or when we started sponsoring the Flanery family from Wisconsin back in the SODA series.  At the first race at Glen Helen, Brady their crew chief called to me in the crowd ten deep, and got us behind the barrier into their pit.  Being introduced to Jed, their patriarch, he ripped off a piece of the body, signed it, and gave both my son and nephew a piece. 

My new boss in California was going to vacation in Durango where we used to live, and were planning to visit friends.  I had told then to make sure they ate at Francisco’s, best Mexican food in town, and when we met them for dinner, it was an hour wait.  Then I heard “Mike Mohn, is that you?”  It was an old friend Skip, Francis, Jr. and he waved all eight of us through the crowd and gave us a table.  Talk abut impressed, how cool was that?  It seems there are certain times when you love to hear your name, and knowing the right people is a good thing.  And still no Young Neil insight....or the hearse.

Now we all love to get the best seat, best deal, and quite honestly the best of everything.  No one sets out to be mediocre or to fail,  yet not everyone is famous, is successful, and most of us suffer though life, mostly by our own hand, based on bad decisions.  I used to tell my sons “give me a reason to say yes,” but they like me and most of us found out the most important lessons learned are from bad choices, and them from God’s mercy intervening.  In a world of networking, I hate that word, why not say it is who you know, we all know someone who knows someone who is the someone.  Maybe that is where religion gets it or where we get it from religion.  Even today some denominations insist the priest or pastor is the one sent to bring the gospel, to read the Bible, and even to minister.  To those bound in religion, the Bible says no such thing.  When a person comes to Christ he is immediately an ambassador of Jesus, ready to minister, but probably not prepared.  Although given the holy spirit, who is generally denied, but still at work in our lives, guiding us when we don’t know it, praying when don’t know what to pray, and sticking with us.  I used to deal with people who would call me for anything, just to pray, it was when they discovered after repeated reminders you don’t need to call me, just call God, their lives began to change.  They learned to hear the spirit and trust him, taking the things they had learned out to others.  Discipleship it is called, equipping others to equip others, and in their personal lives they grew, and so did their witness.  We will never know everything, and God will allow situations so he can prove his love to us, but when God became the one to call first, lives changed.  But how to talk to God......

Religion offers us rote prayers, for the dead, for meals, for sickness, even for salvation.  Even biker blessings.  Most based on man, rather than reaching out to God himself.  Jesus was sent to reunite us with him, and left his spirit to guide us, making it personal.  Yet like the evangelist who tells of the freedom in Jesus, then lays down the rules, the spirit is neglected.  With some denying him altogether, while others are misinformed about him.  We can talk to him at any time, in any language, without notes, and just talking our own talk.  How anti-religious?  Sounds like Jesus....who came to set us free from such things.  But yet some follow pastors, collect his books, subscribe to money grabbers on TV, and get their gospel, close but not the one of Jesus Christ.  All lies are based on truth....religions vary on the truth.  Some pastors only learning what they were taught, by men who are only teaching what they were taught.  Some knowingly, some not.  But we need to ask ourselves, where is Jesus in all this? 

Do we look for God in our daily lives?  How do  you know he is in yours?  While some look for black hearses, or ways to get the best table, God has given us his spirit, and his fruit to show how he is in our lives.  Simply put, as Galatians 5:22 states, love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, long suffering, meekness, and self control.  No laws against any of these.  Do your friends look to you because you have these fruits in your life, remember they are fruits of the spirit, you cannot grow them on your own.  Despite what you may have been taught...they are evidence of Jesus Christ active in your life. 

Ending on this note, in each case I knew someone, and passed on the blessings to others.  Today you can be that light of the joy of the Lord to a lost and dying person, as the fruit of the spirit in your life is poured out.  Goodness and kindness, peace and patience we all desire, but it will be the self control, based on our actions and reactions, our decisions, that will reflect Jesus even more.  Jesus put us above all others, unto his own death.  Today while others cry about their rights, Jesus is here to forgive their wrongs.  To show us how to be responsible, loving and forgiving.  To give rather than take. 

Jesus tells us it is better to give than receive, receiving is good, but the joy of giving love to others in Christ is priceless.  Rejoice in the fact Jesus call us friend if we keep his commandment of love.  That we are going to heaven, and can have all the things of heaven right now via his spirit.  Musicians tour, racers travel from race to race, and we go from meal to meal.  There are times when we appreciate our privacy, other times we love hearing our own name.  Jesus loves you calling his name in reverence, and sharing it with others.  By no other name under the heavens or on earth can we be saved.  Jesus made it easy, religion makes it hard.  So true, what comes out of a man is more important than what goes into him.  I know many people who matter, knowing Jesus makes all the difference.  Neil Young may only be in town for a one night stand....you see they didn’t say if he was coming or going.  Don’t you make the same mistake about Jesus. 

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

all you can eat and why sometimes it is too much

The four of us set out on a 1000 mile ride from Farmington to Phoenix and back.  Leaving after work always takes longer, and wanting to get out of town, so we decided to get as far as Gallup, that culinary capitol on the Rez, and eat.  Now being young and hungry, add in very little money and having not developed a pallet for good food yet, we stopped at a Sizzler, and took advantage of the all you can eat shrimp dinners.  Which quickly got out of hand, and soon our table was the center of attention as we kept ordering refills.  After the fifth, or was it sixth, the manager tried to be cool, explained we were taking advantage of it, we were, so he offered one more round, which we agreed on, to go.  A full lunch bag of fried shrimp, which we intended to use as our before bed snack.  We made the mistake of letting Brett stay in the room in Holbrook while the rest of us hit the Circle K for Cokes, and when we returned, looking for the shrimp, they were gone.  It took him 20 minutes, but he had finished the bag himself!  Which made us mad, him sick to his stomach, and we took turns watching him around food the rest of the ride.  But every time I pass a Sizzler I think of him....and the shrimp.

Captain D’s is a fast food fish chain from the south, and right across the street from Long John Silvers.  We always preferred Captain D’s, and on our Coke delivery route, after switching out the tanks, made the Captain our choice for lunch.  Where an all you can eat catfish lunch was offered....and 23 pieces later, we decided to leave.  Now I had never had catfish before, and haven’t since, 23 was my limit that day, and also for life.  I still look for a Captain D’s when riding in the south, but never again an all you can eat gut buster.  Seems the first time your fault, second time mine applies, and I will not let it be applied here.  But I love them hush puppies.....

Now it is not mentioned if when Jesus fed the 5000 if it was a sit down, cafeteria style, or buffet style.  All we know was 5000 plus all the women and children were hungry, and left full.  With a forerunner of Brett, as twelve baskets were left over, to be eaten the next day.  Too many times when reading the Bible, we are looking for an out in how to do things, some hidden or obscure verse that tells us the magic formula, and all we have to do is rub the genie and the wish appears.  I know some who are like that, not any of us of course, but still many study, and are able to make one verse, taken out of context, into a religion.  Taken out of context, you can make a case, rather an excuse for anything, but the truth will still remain the truth.  I wonder how many of the study to find themselves approved crowd, are really searching for an excuse for the sin in their lives, “see David did it, and he was a man after God’s heart.  Adam did it, Noah did it, how about Jonah?” and the excuse gathering expedition grows in number and strength.  But rather God has given us the Bible as a way to live, with one important feature no other how to book includes, salvation and forgiveness of sin.  As I peruse titles in a Christian bookstore, the titles tell me how to pray better, to study better, how to run a children’s ministry better, and all the how to’s of being a Christian.  But without Jesus, without the holy spirit, without God as the center of the book, it may just be another how to book, or religious manual.  It takes the spirit to reveal the mysteries of Jesus Christ, and from the fourth word in Genesis, to the last chapter in Revelation, he is revealed to us,so we can be saved, and get to know him,to have fellowship with him,and to minister in his name.  In every book it is revealing another side of Jesus to us, the only one who can truly solve our problems.  Something to remember when opening our Bibles to read.  Some study, some read, but it takes the spirit to provide the growth.

Next time you read the Paul’s books, remember they were written a letters, without chapter and verse.  How excited the church must have been to receive them, and had them read and reread over again.  They didn’t have the printed Bible we have today, nor all the commentaries, so they depended on the spirit to reveal Jesus to them, not some author selling a book.  I wonder how many bookstore shelves would be empty if the books were free?  Would they still be written?  Yet the gospel is still available at 2000 year old prices, free.  With an all you can read guarantee-the truth will set you free.

In one book, God has provided all we need for every situation, with him as the teacher, readily available to answer all your questions.  There is no quickie nirvana, no hidden messages, no hidden anything from God.  Long ago he decided to write his word on our hearts, in an easy to use package, our bodies.  Providing the logos, the written word, some over 6000 years old to be written as scripture.  Funny I swore off catfish  long ago, but cannot get enough of Jesus, he always has me wanting more.  And like Brett and the shrimp, if left alone......so pick up your Bible today, and eat a meal, an in between snack, and a dessert.  A bite before bedtime, and don’t worry about what you don’t know.  God will reveal it when you do.  Which leaves me with a decision....Long John’s or Captain D’s?  I guess it depends on what is available, but given the choice, it is California Fish Grill.  No all you can eat, just the right portions.  Which probably tells us more about God feeding the 5000 than we know.  Just the right amount....but you knew that after all.  Fish and chips. Pass the vinegar, let’s eat! 

Guess what I’m having for lunch....and yes, I’ll have fires with that!

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

last bites and last rites

It was Dave Thomas of Wendy’s fame who based his hamburger on one simple principal, “the two best bites of a hamburger should be the first and the last.” The first to make you glad you came and want more, the last to make you come back again.”  A very basic philosophy that worked and works today.  But the world of fast food burgers has changed over the years, and where once it was fast and cheap, fast food must be fast to be profitable, now it is designer burgers from Angus beef to the trendy crowd.  How different from the highest fat content meat sold by Wendy’s, per my friend who used to sell meat to them.  Hot and juicy is nothing more than fat, as opposed to today’s lean and mean burger.  I rarely if ever eat a fast food burger, but after watching a show about the food that made America, and the last part of how McDonald’s influenced America, I stopped and saw Mickey, the one not at Disneyland.  What was I thinking.......

McDonald’s has changed over the years, its main attraction being fast food and consistent quality.  But today it is trying to stay alive and reinventing itself via McCafe’s, and burgers to order.  A place where once we used to hang out, today I found it almost sanitary with no personality.  The menu placed on large TV screens, changing every few seconds, timed just so you could find what you were looking for, then changing.  I finally decided on a #9, two cheeseburgers, fries, and a Soda, total price when paid $5.92.  Delivered to my table.  All carried out by lifeless employees, and the food was no better.  I used to love the fries, not much flavor now.  Two thrown together cheese burgers, more mustard taste than anything, and a Diet Coke.  And I hoped no one saw me here, for how far McDonald’s had fallen.  No happy in the meal here, and the one product that made them famous not even on the menu, the hamburger!  A last bite that I will remember, as I will never return.  Stay tuned for the last bites and last rites at McDonald’s.  McDisaster, supersized.  And no, I don’t want fries with that!

Scripture tells us we are to put on the new self we find in Jesus Christ, to be more like him and less like us.  It is called growth, and handled by none other than the holy spirit himself.  A continual process, taking us from baby food to solid food as Paul calls it.  In an ever changing world the one constant needs to be Jesus, How many remember our first bite of him, the taste of freedom and of being forgiven of our sins.  Basic gospel done very simply.  Not fast food religion, nor stylish designer burgers, it was what he knows we needed, and we ate willingly and a lot.  Fed and nourished by the spirit, we all grew, but at different rates.  With some going from church to church looking for that special need to be fulfilled, while others sat and complained about how and what they were being fed.  Never growing, never eating from the vine of Christ, they hunger and thirst for the things of God, but not God himself.  And so through religion, the denominations try to persuade you that their version is the best, try us and be filled.  But religion is not filling, and leaves you hungry, with denominational hassles being listed as the number one reason people leave churches today.  Yet while churches are disappearing at an alarming rate, new ones pop up, claiming to do it better.  The bigger the better, and the sad thing is too many Christians whole experience with Jesus is based on churches, or looking for the one they feel comfortable in.  A Goldilocks take on the gospel, too much music, too legalistic, too much teaching, but never complaining about to much Jesus, or his love.  Some claim to have it his way, but really only want their way.  Supersized in everything but the spirit.  Looking for that last bite, and looking for a chance to get up and go somewhere else, or not go at all.

Fast food, quickie nirvana, and instant gratification, we don’t have time for Jesus.  Five minutes, then off with cell phone in ear, to next appointment.  Never taking the time to ask “where is Jesus is their life?”  Maybe something we should stop and ask ourselves right now.  Is he the fast food God of today with no thought for tomorrow, is he even on your menu?  When is the last time you and he spent some time together, that precious first bite, and hesitated on taking the last bite because you didn’t want it to end?  Some take that last bite, and cannot wait for the time with him again, while others are being given last rites, their relationship with him dead, or on life support.  Running out of churches, philosophies, and clubs to attend, they at last come face to face with Jesus and must make a decision.  Looking for a Jesus who will not be found in religion or in religious people, remember it was the Pharisees who tried to trap him.  He comes to set us free.

So just as the burger wars are out for your dollar, Satan is out for  your soul.  He is happy to be that last bite you take into eternity, but Jesus’ offer still stands.   Come to him and hunger and thirst no more, be assured that when you take that last bite, where you will spend eternity.  We may compromise on our eating, don’t on your relationship with God.  The last rites of McDonald’s may be already be being administered, the signs are there, what about you?  Are you ready to take that last bite, are you ready if today is the day of last rites?  Go beyond church, go beyond religion and denominations, go with Jesus.  And be sure.  And for those of you still looking for that first bite, you are welcome where and as you are.  Skip the drive up and go right to the front of the line.  Society changes and wants to change us with it, ever notice how Kentucky Fried Chicken is now just KFC?  Or Sugar Frosted Flakes now just frosted?  Jesus never changes, but we do and can in him.  As for me, I’m ready to take that last bite, but for now, I can smell the In and Out burgers.  In Jesus and out of hell, who you eat with and where you eat makes all the difference. 

Even the disciples didn’t know the last supper would be their last one with Jesus.....

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

exuberant flaws in factual reporting

For a few months now, there has been an ad on Craigslist for a 1998 Triumph Thunderbird Sport, red, like the yellow one I had.  The price in these months has dropped over a thousand dollars, and no takers.  Now it was sportier than the basic Thunderbird at the time, with three into two pipes, exiting on the right looking like the Vetter designed Triumph X-75 Hurricane, but without the bodywork.  Not even quick for its time, with one interesting quirk, its tachometer.  For the two years and the 24,000 miles I owned mine, it had more tachs than oil changes.  It seems when an older supplier’s version failed, Triumph put them out for bid, sourcing them from an Italian company who just copied the old one, flaws and all, reducing the price.  Its handling was above average, but other than the styling was a dud on performance.  Yet the ad states it is faster than the new Thruxton, which has over 20 more horses and runs a 1.5 second faster quarter mile.  Which anyone who rides knows is not true, nor is it collectible just because a small number were built.  But I love his claim it has the same basic engine as the Speed Triple...they are both 885 cc triples on the outside, but not on the inside where it counts.....and so it sits.

An ad from Hemmings today caught my attention, a 1988 Chevy Cavalier Z24 for sale.  With the fast motor of 125 hp, less than our Kia Soul.  Yet the seller claims it is faster, will blow the doors off of most cars today with a 0-60 time of 8.5 knock the wind out of you seconds, in an era when under 8 is the norm, for anyone.  With an exhaust burble that sounds more V-8 than V-6.  We can tell the difference.  But it is the last line that might have me, with its beautiful blue crushed velour interior.  AKA that statically plastic that left lint on everything.  Now anyone who reads Hemmings is generally a gear head and will know the truths, yet this exuberant flaw in actual reporting will provide more laughs than interest.  Any bets it will be the beautiful crushed blue velvet interior that gets them?  Wonder if he needs a Thunderbird Sport to replace his fast car......

Some years back on TBN, the Christian version of National Enquirer TV, they made a claim about a drilling rig that had gone farther than ever before, and fumes of brimstone and sulfur came out.  With voices audibly heard, that were in agony.  Immediately they claimed this proved hell existed, and it became a headline story in print and on the air.  With zealous Christians of all faiths claiming it was true.  But when it turned out to be a hoax, ran and hid.  Seems the old Reagan quote of “trust then verify,” was overlooked, and in their religious fervor believed a lie, and not content with just that, passed it on.  Losing all the credibility that they possessed.  And yet that same crowd will still either deny it, or blame the devil, when he is not the liar here, they are, and will not confess their sin.  Sound familiar....yet Jesus tells us we must confess our sin to be saved.  Which means we must realize the things we do are wrong, sinful, and repent and turn from them.  Yet it is easier to blame someone else and brag on ourselves.  We the ones too smart to be deceived, to fall for the hoax.  Yet many believe things not scriptural, and their claims are like the fast T Bird that no one wants, or the Z24 that knocks the wind out of you fast.  Maybe we need to ask, what is worse, believing a lie or passing it on?  You mean you have to ask?

WWJD bracelets were popular a few years back, more clever marketing from commercial religion.  But when I would confront a wearer and ask them if they were a Christian, I also asked “then why if you know Jesus do you have to ask “what would Jesus do?””  Shouldn’t you know?  It seems we may be educated, how many can quote a scripture for any occasion, but don’t know the application, or that it is rote rather than from the heart.  Spend time with anyone who has been in a step by step program and they have the trained response.  Like our dog when she hears the food bowl being filled.  But where is the evidence of Jesus, where is the holy spirit?  Have we been reduced to a memory course on the Bible or have Jesus’ words lost their power?

When he tells us he writes his word on our hearts, and the spirit will give us words too deep when we need them, he has proven it over and over again to us.  We forget that only in America do we have access to multiple Bibles, unlike India, China, and NoKo where having one can mean death.  So before the Guttenberg press changed bookmaking, Jesus made it easy and convenient, by his spirit, the same one that saved us, he wrote his word, the logos, all the Bible on our hearts, which can be accessed by the rhema, the specific word for a specific situation, by his spirit.  So what would Jesus do?  Rather what has Jesus done is a better testimony.  do you share yours, or do you even have one?  If saved, just share how he saved you, and he will provide the words.  For by the word of your testimony and the blood of the lamb you are saved. 

An ad from a church we once attended tells for only $28 you can learn how to see more miracles from a best selling author.  To me it is a miracle, but not from God, that any church would sell something you can get for free, but welcome to religion 101.  I opt out, as you should, ask Jesus into your heart and begin to see miracles.  They are everywhere, and you don’t have to look, God’s work is on display.  Maybe not on TBN or your local house of religion, but everyday to Christians, and to non-believers also.  We don’t have a private channel to see them, he has written them across the sky for all to see.  And being one, can prove it, I have the scar and the files to show it!  Yet for any it is easier to believe a lie than the truth.  Which to me is miraculous, and sad.  Does not 1 John 4 tell us to test the spirit to see if it is from God?  By admitting who Jesus is and his deity?  Or have you fallen for some fake ads, or childrens programs, or special speakers to be your guide?  Only Jesus saves...the rest is a lie.

I wonder if an ad worded like this would work in the church today.  “For sale: salvation given free from the man of God, who is God.  He drives no car, owns no property, only has a following of about a dozen, doesn’t beg for money, encourages you to be yourself and loves you as you are, he just doesn’t want you to stay that way.  He never forces himself or his values on you, has no rules for Bible reading or church attendance, but encourages you to do both.  For your own benefit.  His gospel is free so we can afford it, and simple so we can get it.  He is the truth, let all other men be liars.  If interested, come as you are, wherever you are and ask him into your heart today.  No operators standing by, he is and will stand with you and by you.”  How many of us fell for that offer and gave our lives to him?  Or just attend church, sometimes feeling better? 

Jesus simply backed up his claims by being resurrected on the third day as he promised.  And we who trust in him will also.  Resurrection being and making the difference.  No man can teach you miracles, start by trusting God and being one.  Meeting and sharing with other miracles, and sharing what God has done for you.  Or you can end up with the blue crushed velvet coffin many sit in on Sundays.  Fast will always be a relative word, don’t bet your salvation on it.  Only Jesus saves, and at today’s prices, the miracle still is available.  What would Jesus do?  And you still have to ask....you know they almost had me with the blue velour....but I’m saving my money for the 150 mph Sportster.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

ps-If you buy the Triumph, I have a set of original pipes taken off of mine.  Guaranteed to make you faster.....and you will get a better job....and girls flock to you, and......