When Theresa started riding her own bike, she learned that it is a personal thing. Just riding on the back, she didn't get it, but as soon as it was hers, she got intimate with it. She did a few little things to it to make it hers, and soon talked about it as her Bonneville. She could tell without checking if she needed gas, or a front tire was low, or if she needed to have her brakes checked. Although built on the same assembly line as our other Bonneville and Scrambler, she had a relationship with her bike, and that made it special. With so much bad news crossing into our lives, we take many things for granted. Cancer, oh well, just another report. Lost your house, who doesn't someone who has. Out of work, been there, doing that. But when it hits close to home, it gets personal. Last week my friend Lee got diagnosed with liver cancer, now cancer has a name-Lee. Bikerjim needs a liver transplant, it now has a name too-Bikerjim. Breast cancer has become an epidemic, but to me it is personal, we know it as Theresa-my daughter. I won't embarrass further the ones I know who have lost their homes, or incomes, but for me you have made it personal-sometimes too personal.
Yesterday after a lunch with Christopher in City of Commerce, I rode up to Griffith Park to the observatory, a beautiful ride and area, then home. A great day until Wildomar, where for the third time in three years I got stung by a bee-which for me means a trip to ER. I was in anaphylactic shock, and hurt real bad this time. I rode 40 miles between 90-100 mph on my Bonneville, try that someday, even passed two Chippies with radar pointed at me, and didn't get stopped. By the time I got home and Theresa got me to Pomerado, my left eye was swelled shut, my tongue swollen, and the left side of my upper body grotesquely swelled. My whole body itched, and I couldn't hear as my ears were swollen shut. And my body was hurting, like beaten with buckwheats-a mob term for a slow beating, usually with a ball peen hammer. After three hours of medical treatments, I am better, but bee stings have a name to me and it is very personal. Keep praying for me, it seems there are many bees out there with my name on them! I was told maybe it is the bike I ride, as this Bonneville has been hit twice, and this is the third bee sting while riding it! Sorry no cage or windshield for this guy!
God has a name too-Jesus. It it is very personal. He is not the man upstairs, or the big guy, or any other disrespectful term. He created the universe, and loves you so much He sent Jesus to die so you could be reunited with Him. Isn't that enough to honor Him and turn to Him? But yet, we continue to hear His name taken in vain. So I am going to start asking people "who is your God" the next time they say "oh, my God!" Let them know about Jesus. Maybe start a national campaign, who knows. You see it is very personal to me, to you, and should be to them. Jesus is ready and able to not only handle all your problems, but share the joys in your life also. Stop now, take a minute and ask Him to be your God. A tiny step of faith. God are you real? If you are, can I get to know you? Will you forgive me? Believe and receive.
You see the above named also have something in common-Jesus Christ. And although cancer and life may seem to overtake, they all have heaven awaiting. A reason to live, but also a reason to die.
If we can have a relationship with steel and rubber, don't you think it is time to have one with the living God? Whose flesh and blood flowed out for us on the cross? A God who knows when we need tires, but also how to get us through cancer, transplants, and bee stings. Yesterday I again called out to Him, and you are reading this because He answered faithfully. I'm ready to die, but my time wasn't here yet. You don't know when yours is-don't die without knowing Jesus! Tomorrow is promised to no man!
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com
ps-such a pretty face-mine
