My friend John once bought 40 acres of land near Durango for the
princely sum of $100 an acre, and promptly named his ranch The Ponderosa. This
$4000 investment, a lot back in the late 70’s, would soon sell for almost twice
that, making him some instant money, and making him look like he knew what he
was doing, but the truth was, he was just lucky. He was given a chance to buy
something below value, and sell it for value. he thought he was shrewd, others
thought lucky, when really it was God and His grace shining on John and his real
estate venture. But not all investments pan out so well, and recently the old
Packard Plant in Detroit went to auction. At a minimum bid for this once state
of the art manufacturing complex, the bids were to start at $1 million for the
43 parcels, cheap land, even in an area known for cheap land. But the only
buyer backed out, and now it goes to auction again, for the minimum bid of $500
per parcel, again cheap, or $21,500 for this piece of automotive history. The
bidding is about to begin, if it doesn’t sell, then it becomes the property of
Detroit, and if they don’t want it, the it passes to Wayne County. A property
rich in history, with promise for the future from a visionary investor, it now
sits, no one wanting it. Next time you go looking for America, learn from this
lesson in Detroit. The only place where land is worthless. Not even for
historical importance. How far have we fallen from grace? Isn’t Toyota or
Nissan even interested? Wonder if John knows about this?
Just to put this in perspective, the very plant that once made
the premier luxury car of its time, can be had for less than the price of a new
Ford. Or Chevy. Or Chrysler. Keep your Toyota. All names that once made
Detroit great, and made the American made automobile the most desired and best
in the world. But with that comes the cost of demolition, and what to do with
this large chunk of Detroit. Tens of millions would be needed for just the
environmental cleanup of the asbestos and all the oil spilled into the ground
for the 50 years the plant was functioning. A bill that must be included, and
perhaps that is why no one wants it. Not that Packard did anything illegal, but
under today’s laws and what we know about asbestos the world has changed. And
the plant grounds haven’t. But I have a suggestion, Disney. They have the
money and resources for an automotive based theme park. Think of it as Disney
City, we already have D lands and worlds. Make it a tourist spot, and watch as
Detroit and the area explode economically. Why not? The king of amusement
parks and the one time king of luxury cars-two number ones, making another #1.
But who would come to Detroit in the winter? Maybe the same ones who attended
the Super Bowl in Minnesota, and will in NYC this winter. With today’s
technology, make it indoors, sliding roofs, just like a giant convertible or
disappearing roof like the Skyliner, and pack it with hotels named after
models. Caribbean, Clipper, and even a 400, the number that used to represent
the 400 richest in the US of A. Build an Assembly land, and watch a car built,
driving a car through like the Pirates of the Caribbean, the Caribbean even an
old Packard model. Country Bear Jamboree would be fun for the kids, as the
bears work on cars, and kids get to learn auto history. Hands on, modeling with
clay, or drawing their own car. And what could be better than a haunted house
than a haunted factory? Again all auto based-the ghosts of Packard, Hudson,
Studebaker, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, and Plymouth reminding us of what it used to be
like. Why hasn’t someone thought of this? Is Disney missing the chance of a
lifetime? What would make a person pass up such a deal? It’s a small world
after all?
Such is the story of Abram, in the years before he was Abraham.
When God told him his family would outnumber the stars, he was also given a
choice of where to start it. But he offered Lot the first choice, and he chose
the Sodom and Gomorrah area, prime land, the land we would have chosen as an
investment. And Abram got left with what was left, the other side of the
tracks. And we all know someone who lived or lives on the other side of the
tracks, and wants to move over and out of it. But God honored Abram as he
promised, and Lot’s choice turned deadly. Even today Sodom and Gomorrah refer
to sin and destruction, and their true whereabouts is unknown. But as for
Abram’s descendants, well more Jewish people live in NYC than in Jerusalem. But
it is all changing...
God is calling His people back to Jerusalem, and Israel, once
the land no one wanted, is a verdant area, exporting fruit and vegetables. It
has a mighty military, and somehow its people have never ceased to exist even
without a land to call their own, until 1948. And once again the land no one
wanted is being fought over, with Palestinians laying false claim to it, and
terrorists attacking to take it. But soon Jesus will deal with all that, but
for now, keep an eye on Israel. A small country the size of New Jersey, that is
the most valuable and important land in the world. And now with oil being
found, perhaps the largest strike ever, the time is right, as we watch God
taking care of His people, still. Now if God can take a desert and make it
fertile, giving it a value and desire for others to fight over it for, imagine
what can be made of an old car factory?
Jesus tells us that He uses the foolish things of the world, the
things cast off, for our benefit. Some days you may feel like the Packard
plant, you once were valuable, now not wanted. Sin has overtaken a once
beautiful life, and now it is in ruins. But just as Jesus was resurrected, so
can your life. True you get the promise of heaven, but can get the benefits
right now. That old building your body lives in can be rebuilt, and given life
again. All for the price of following Jesus. He has plans for you, and He
knows them. Interested? Ask Him, and then let Him show you, but be ready...it
probably will not be what you think. It will be better, and the road exciting.
A small investment in faith can lead to profits like John’s, or Walt. D.’s, but
you have to make the next step. Jesus made the first. Your life is up for
auction...do you know anyone who will bid for it, based on what you know about
yourself? Jesus knew the value and paid the price. Maybe inside that body is a
new land, flowing with milk and honey, where now only Cheeseballs and stale
chips live. Will you take the next step?
Abram did, and today is known as a man of faith, despite all his
shortcomings, doubts, and sins. That is how God sees Him. But it is how he saw
God that gave him the faith to obey. How do you see God? Like investors see
Detroit? How the world once saw Israel? Or as Walt once saw some orange groves
in Orange County? Check on real estate near Disneyland or Disneyworld today,
isn’t your life more valuable?
Just an old car plant that no one wants. It will take vision
and faith to turn it into something. Out of the ruins we rise, with Jesus.
Abram got stuck with swamp land, and God made it right. Let Him make it right
for you. An e-ticket ride awaits those who believe. To some an old factory,
but to the right one riches beyond imagination. Disney and Packard? Will it
work? What will it take to call people back to Detroit? Ask the man who owns
one.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com