In my quest yesterday to find something other than a retired NFL player
giving me his input on the recent NFL player tragedies, I found solace in the
Biography Channel, chronicling Led Zeppelin. Seems whoever made this
documentary loved them very much, and repeated more than once how they were the
best band in the world. He never revealed his age or sources, I wonder had he
ever heard of the Rolling Stones, who turn 50 this year? The Beach Boys, same
age, America's Band? How about so many other groups that shaped the 50's and
60's, and dominate Classic Rock today? How can he not even mention the Beatles,
arguably the best and most influential, but never show up on lists as they are
not worthy of them-they flat out are the best-#1 on a list of their own. You
makes yer choices, and you takes yer chances. But as I watched recent footage
of Robert Plant, the question no one has the courage to ask, "what does it take
to make Keith Richard look good?" was answered. Like too many of my generation,
you could tell the effects of too many parties, too many drugs, and the shrines
made to Jack Daniels. He looked horrible, note to Keith-stand next to him at
the next photo op-you'll look years younger, and not quite so embalmed.
Interestingly so many other superstars weathered their careers, and looked
and sounded like normal businessmen, even in suits and conservative haircuts.
You would never guess who they were or what they had done. In their late
sixties, or early seventies, they still looked presentable, and could form words
into a sentence-what did Robert just say? Sadly his once sexy blond locks now
looked like a matted mess-arranged to cover the too many wrinkles-Dazed and
Confused, Robert? And how many of us have uttered the famous words, "if I knew
I was going to live this long I would have taken better care of myself."
State's example 1 and 2.
But on any list, there are some who make it, some who are overlooked, and
some who are listed that never should have been. Hey, it's their list, you make
your own. So reading through a list last week of best motorcycle racers from
the golden age of racing, 50-80's, I found the list to include many I would
have. But the order was a bit out of my order, and when Kenny Roberts, Malcolm
Smith, and Freddie Spencer were 23, 24, and 25 respectively, I wondered what
could this man have been thinking? King Kenny? Who would have put Cal Rayborn
all the way down at 14? And I started to question the list and even more the
man's criteria, until it dawned on me-they were in alphabetical order! Like
wake up Mike and pay attention. No wonder the best were low down on the
list-their names didn't lend them the criteria to gain a top spot. No mention
was made of the alphabetical priorities, but when I saw it, it all made sense,
as far as the listings. Many great names and memories gone, and not all
recorded on tape, as they made their name on the track and not the studio, so
any still shots or home movies we see of them are not quite album cover ready.
But maybe that just helps stir the memories better...
I was in ninth grade at Terrill Jr. High when Neil Collier brought in the
first Led Zeppelin album. He worked in AV, past home of today's computer geeks,
and had set it up to listen on headphones...and also in the pre-media center
library-WOW! No one ever sounded like this-and the louder the better, which
finally someone ratted us out to Mr. Addessa, our attitude to the library
changed forever. Rock and roll it was! And they don't sound the same remixed
or digitally sanitized-you need the crackly speakers, and the wow and flutter of
an old turntable-even the album cover was used for sinister purposes back then.
Try all that on a CD, too clean and they just don't sound like we remembered
them. And so it goes with racers too, as many limp along from race crashes and
too many years of riding crouched over-the only thing they all have in common is
they would all do it over again given the chance. Somehow old racers look like
old racers, maybe the old Dodge van with the BELL Helmet stickers give them
away...
Often times after sharing my testimony, I am asked the same question, would
you do it all over again? And yes I would, even knowing the pain and
disappointments of life. Don't even have to think it over, YES! You see it was
the hard times that brought me closer to Jesus, to know Him better-not just know
about Him. When sick He was and still is my great physician. Without Him how
would we have raised a family on our incomes? How would we have gotten over the
pain of betrayal without Him standing with us, He knows all about betrayal. And
it is the good times we enjoyed because of His mercy and grace, and times spent
enjoying long rides and great meals together. Things that if we had to make a
list couldn't, it would take too long, and no way I could prioritize them.
Knowing Jesus is like that...just like He said, no library could ever hold all
the things He had done, is doing, and will do. Each one of us is part of His
library, a personal volume telling all about us, with one interesting part left
out-our pre-Jesus sin. For just like the faith Hall of Fame in Hebrews, where
all these are mentioned, none of their sin is. And reading about them in the
Old Testament, these were some pretty rough dudes. Murders, whores, thieves,
and the like-the difference being Jesus. And I wouldn't want to risk saying no
to Him!
How would your list read? Sit down and write down all the things important
to you in the order you think of them. Then put then in the right order, and
pray over them. Jesus, family, church, ministry...yours may vary. But without
Jesus first anything else is just a list and not a praise report. Family
next-without taking care of them you are worse than an infidel. You do the
rest. And let me know, share some testimonies.
These are the good old days...classic if you will. Spend some time with
Jesus tonight and add to them. It's ok if some sound better on CD, just don't
neglect the old 45's. Old songs like old racers seem to go on forever...only in
Jesus will we. Limping into the future beats not getting there at all...Will
you still need me, will you still feed me, when I'm 64?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com