A popular sign when traveling throughout the northeast is "George Washington slept here." Advertised on many old inns, or houses, this claim seems to give credibility to them in charging more. I just hope it isn't the same straw mattress on ropes George laid his head on! And based on the claims, he sure must have slept a lot. Wonder when he found time to be president? But somehow we are attracted to claims like that, and are willing to pay more for the chance to attain immortality, or at least bragging rights. And it seems George didn't leave a forwarding address, and rarely left a certificate of authenticity, so we just believe the claim-on faith or lust, which ever suits the mood.
Why is it that just putting some geeky celebrity's name on a motorcycle for sale adds value? Yes, some like Steve McQueen, Brando, or James Dean may add desirability, but how many motorcycles could they have possibly ridden? How big was/is their collection? Yet we see names showing up in ads everywhere, Rolls Royce once owned by the Duke of Guacamole. And people will fall for it, then brag to their friends about the high price they paid. Maybe the emperor did have new clothes after all!
Limited quantities sometimes means they were produced in small quantities because no one wanted them then either. But for some reason because it didn't sell then, it sells now, for more money! I knew a man in New Mexico who bought a new Trans Am because he was told the stickers on his car were a limited edition, limited to every Trans Am made that year he later found out! But he peeled them off, now he truly had a limited edition. Wonder if that could be called a custom? Would you pay more for a car owned by Stevie Wonder? If he had driven it? Does that make you uptight? Outta sight.
You see our egos want to give us an advantage in anything, over anybody. Why else did Triumph build a 2300cc Rocket III, the biggest production bike? Why does Harley put out CVO models in limited quantities, a model they should have built in the first place, but now can sell for $10,000 more, because it is in limited quantities? Say maybe build 5000 of each, giving you exclusivity until the next time you go to Biggs, and see four of them, all parked together, then form a club, for guess what, being exclusive!
Pride of ownership, goes right before the fall. It started in the garden. "See Eve, only God can access that tree. Want one, here's the deal...." and we know the rest of the story. Imagine if there was an eBay in the time of Jesus, instead of drawing lots for His clothes, the ad would read "cloak worn by crucified religious zealot. one of a kind, original. bidding begins at ...." Or "donkey ridden by Jesus of Nazareth into Jerusalem, verified by owner, must see..." Would it be stuffed and on display today? How many of you would bid on that? But yet neglect the man who rode in on it or wore it? Have things taken the place of Him, and what He did? What about the cross bar that His hands were nailed to? I'm surprised that hasn't surfaced somewhere!
But like the Ark of the Covenant, that Indiana Jones looked for and found was in a warehouse-they are only found in heaven. That is where God tells us the ark is, and that is where God is! I guess finding the truth in the Bible just isn't as exciting as 120 minutes of special effects. If you do, then you haven't read the Bible!
The point here is we are more interested in the creation, than the creator. Did you know that He also created you to be reading this? Now? That He allows every situation so you can go to Him, to know Him better? That while George slept, Jesus was still awake, praying for us by name-before we were born? But yet for some, the only thing they come away with from the Harvest Crusade is a new shirt, instead of a new heart. I'll show everyone how I'm saved, but God knows different. He truly gives a certificate of authenticity, He writes your name in the Book of Life. No bumper stickers, shirts, or DVD's needed. Just Jesus, say yes to Him and you are in-forever. And unlike the greedy who sell Limited Edition Bibles-I have seen them-His gift is free-no charge! If it wasn't, would it be a gift? Sure better than hoping you were more nice than naughty this last year!
Is there a sign on your heart that states Jesus lives here? It doesn't make you more valuable to Him, because while we were yet sinners He died for us. But it does get you into Heaven-an exclusive club upon death-all invited, but few take the invitation serious enough to RSVP. To God you are a special edition, unique and priceless, that He was willing to die for, so He could purchase you. No bidding, just a simple request-will you accept forgiveness and My son Jesus?
Jesus Christ was a unique creation, a very limited edition-there is only one of Him! Maybe that is why Christians look to the future and not the past. Our collection/collector awaits us in heaven. He performed the restoration, and when we sleep it is because he is with us, no matter where we lay our heads. Maybe there should be a sign on Christians' front doors, Jesus Christ sleeps here! Let me know, the marketing opportunity is priceless! Maybe sell them on eBay!
Heaven-may we all rest there someday! Maybe if we started a campaign-limited seating available, offer expires soon-now does eternal life sound more appealing? He paid the price, what's your opening bid?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com
Why is it that just putting some geeky celebrity's name on a motorcycle for sale adds value? Yes, some like Steve McQueen, Brando, or James Dean may add desirability, but how many motorcycles could they have possibly ridden? How big was/is their collection? Yet we see names showing up in ads everywhere, Rolls Royce once owned by the Duke of Guacamole. And people will fall for it, then brag to their friends about the high price they paid. Maybe the emperor did have new clothes after all!
Limited quantities sometimes means they were produced in small quantities because no one wanted them then either. But for some reason because it didn't sell then, it sells now, for more money! I knew a man in New Mexico who bought a new Trans Am because he was told the stickers on his car were a limited edition, limited to every Trans Am made that year he later found out! But he peeled them off, now he truly had a limited edition. Wonder if that could be called a custom? Would you pay more for a car owned by Stevie Wonder? If he had driven it? Does that make you uptight? Outta sight.
You see our egos want to give us an advantage in anything, over anybody. Why else did Triumph build a 2300cc Rocket III, the biggest production bike? Why does Harley put out CVO models in limited quantities, a model they should have built in the first place, but now can sell for $10,000 more, because it is in limited quantities? Say maybe build 5000 of each, giving you exclusivity until the next time you go to Biggs, and see four of them, all parked together, then form a club, for guess what, being exclusive!
Pride of ownership, goes right before the fall. It started in the garden. "See Eve, only God can access that tree. Want one, here's the deal...." and we know the rest of the story. Imagine if there was an eBay in the time of Jesus, instead of drawing lots for His clothes, the ad would read "cloak worn by crucified religious zealot. one of a kind, original. bidding begins at ...." Or "donkey ridden by Jesus of Nazareth into Jerusalem, verified by owner, must see..." Would it be stuffed and on display today? How many of you would bid on that? But yet neglect the man who rode in on it or wore it? Have things taken the place of Him, and what He did? What about the cross bar that His hands were nailed to? I'm surprised that hasn't surfaced somewhere!
But like the Ark of the Covenant, that Indiana Jones looked for and found was in a warehouse-they are only found in heaven. That is where God tells us the ark is, and that is where God is! I guess finding the truth in the Bible just isn't as exciting as 120 minutes of special effects. If you do, then you haven't read the Bible!
The point here is we are more interested in the creation, than the creator. Did you know that He also created you to be reading this? Now? That He allows every situation so you can go to Him, to know Him better? That while George slept, Jesus was still awake, praying for us by name-before we were born? But yet for some, the only thing they come away with from the Harvest Crusade is a new shirt, instead of a new heart. I'll show everyone how I'm saved, but God knows different. He truly gives a certificate of authenticity, He writes your name in the Book of Life. No bumper stickers, shirts, or DVD's needed. Just Jesus, say yes to Him and you are in-forever. And unlike the greedy who sell Limited Edition Bibles-I have seen them-His gift is free-no charge! If it wasn't, would it be a gift? Sure better than hoping you were more nice than naughty this last year!
Is there a sign on your heart that states Jesus lives here? It doesn't make you more valuable to Him, because while we were yet sinners He died for us. But it does get you into Heaven-an exclusive club upon death-all invited, but few take the invitation serious enough to RSVP. To God you are a special edition, unique and priceless, that He was willing to die for, so He could purchase you. No bidding, just a simple request-will you accept forgiveness and My son Jesus?
Jesus Christ was a unique creation, a very limited edition-there is only one of Him! Maybe that is why Christians look to the future and not the past. Our collection/collector awaits us in heaven. He performed the restoration, and when we sleep it is because he is with us, no matter where we lay our heads. Maybe there should be a sign on Christians' front doors, Jesus Christ sleeps here! Let me know, the marketing opportunity is priceless! Maybe sell them on eBay!
Heaven-may we all rest there someday! Maybe if we started a campaign-limited seating available, offer expires soon-now does eternal life sound more appealing? He paid the price, what's your opening bid?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com