restoration 101

In real estate they tell you that you didn’t spend too much, you just bought too soon.  Maybe the same can be said about collector cars too.  Although I don’t see many who want to buy a house they remember from high school and restore it.  Or buy an older house just because it reminds them of some childhood memories.  Maybe some of you extra affluent can and do, but for most of us we don’t want what our parents had, we want something better.  Newer.  More modern.  Bigger with a bigger payment.  We need to impress them...maybe they did pay too much after all.  But with collector cars we want what we couldn’t have, but dreamed of owning some day.  And for many that was hot rods, a generation before me, where more power came from a flat head Ford, with dual Smitty’s.  But for me in high school, it was ‘69 SS396’s, Boss Mustangs, 4-4-2’s, and GTO’s.  Muscle cars, and headers, chrome valve covers, and tie down hoods showed you were cool.  But many hot rods were still around, with many a good, old car giving up it original heritage to become one.  And 10-15 years ago they were more expensive to build than to restore to original.  Just the opposite is true today, where originality, and cars not restored, but maintained original are suddenly in, and bringing big bucks.  And in addition to that, you can buy all the parts to build a brand new 1957 Chevy, or a 1965 Mustang.  Title it as a 2014, but it is a 1957/1965.  Or is it?  Confused, don’t be.  But wait, there’s more.  How many Shelby Cobra after market kit cars are there?  Where an original is easily worth 6 figures, for less than the price of a Chevy you can have a real Cobra, says so right on the title.  But is it, or does the title just say it’s so?  So suddenly cars that are original, no restorations done, are now the benchmark for what the car was originally.  Hot rodders back off, restofied Tempests made into GTO’s wait over there.  Real Cobra’s be patient, for you have the real thing.  No matter what the title says, you have the VIN, the history, and buying power to back up your dreams.  But for the rest of us, well.....

When you become a Christian, Jesus tells us you are a new creature in Christ, behold the old has passed away, and you are a new creature.  All new, same VIN, same name, but new insides.  Yet many still glorify their old days, the BC days, looking back fondly on the sin Jesus saved them from.  Others still live the same life, but prefer to give an outward appearance on Sundays, even knowing all the current buzz words to show they are saved.  And then there are others that are radically saved, and you can see that Jesus made a difference in their lives.  They talk different, act different, and their priorities have changed.  But for all of us, we continue to work it out daily.  When I first got saved, I wasn’t sure what had happened, I looked at things differently.  So I told God I would give Him a try, pretty nice of me, huh? I told Him He could have my life, whatever that meant, but I was still going to do drugs and sleep around.  His answer to me still surprises the church types, He said “OK.”  But a change was going on inside, where I didn’t want to do those things any longer, and my heart was changing.  Now I wanted to please God, so no matter how drunk, or wasted, I made it a point to read  a chapter from the Bible before I fell asleep, or passed out.  Not knowing the work Jesus was doing inside of me, and how I couldn’t change myself.  Soon my old friends saw the change, and didn’t feel comfortable doing drugs with a Christian, imagine how I felt?  And God had given me a much better thing-hope.  And I didn’t need them any more.  I have been there, and don’t want to go back.  Yes I had some good times, passing out and losing my license was way too much fun, but while building my testimony missed out on many blessings.  Somehow God loved me just as I was, and was excited to see me using all my potential.  I had been radically changed...and never want to go back.  Some may call me restored, but remember we are all born into sin, and fall short of the glory of God.  I wish to look ahead, but still look back sometimes.  And wonder how I ever made it, but for the grace of God, I would not have.Jesus tells us that today is the day of salvation, maybe for you.  You too can be that new creature in Christ.  At just the right time Jesus died for us, while we were yet sinners.  Not too early, not too late.  Just right.  He never hurried, and was never late.  So I look back now, and see His timing was perfect.  I am like a hot rod, new parts, more power, and a custom design made in the image of God.  My name may still be where the VIN is on the title, but the new owner says Jesus Christ.  A 1954 model made new in 1975, and customized every year since.  New parts, better than the factory, and with a better warranty.  A restoration 101 of life, only in Christ.  And I can stand before God and know I am the original, not one built from NOS parts, or new parts under license.  Only one Mike, and too many that is a blessing. I can hear your AMEN’s!

Trade in your old sin for a new life today.  Be the hot rod, muscle car, or motorcycle you dreamt of, but couldn’t afford.  You cannot afford to say no to Jesus any more.  Today is that day of salvation, and God stands ready with a new build sheet and the accessory of grace for you.  Jesus is the only  and the original.  None other like Him before or after.  He is the real thing.  Pass up all other offers, and cash in with Him today.  And if you already have, you didn’t buy too soon, and you could never spend enough.  Aren’t you glad that salvation is a free gift?  Now about that house, seems there is this mansion in heaven promised, I wonder how many garages mine will have?  As for the rest of you....why don’t you just give Jesus a try?  I did, and never looked back.  A vintage 1954, made new again in 1975.  I wonder, does that make me a classic?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

it's all gonna burn

Many great times can be spent around a campfire.  Making s’mores, singing songs, and telling stories.  But when that fire rages out of control, and causes neighborhoods to burn, then fire is a much different story.  Having been close to too many fires while living here in SoCal, and even having one at my home, I know first hand how devastating a small one can be, let alone one that takes everything.  And the consolation given from well meaning others, “well, it’s all gonna burn any way,” is of no consolation.  Where were these people when you were building your home, starting your career, and on the way up.  Was it’s all gonna burn your encouragement then?  Or were you trusting God instead of bad advice to be successful?  Yet many feel that they must console others with quoting scripture out of context.  Maybe the only time these Christians quote the Bible, or at least think they are.  They are like Job’s friends, who mean well, but end up making it worse.  What are friends for, I’ll let you know when I make some.  But yet some stick close, and help you through the situation.  Led by the love of Christ, rather than self gratification, they know Jesus, and well enough to know when to listen, and when to speak.  They praise God in the good times, seek Him in the tough ones, and never lose sight of Him.  They are the ones who may have wood, hay, and stubble in their lives, but when it burns, have the fruit of a faithful relationship with God to show for all their time.  They are the ones who saved for a rainy day, like we were told to do as kids, but when a fiery night comes, are not taken by surprise.  They know who to turn to, and it is always God.  

How many remember that God was bragging on Job, when He was confronted with accusations about Job’s loyalty?  Maybe explaining why bad things can happen to good people, it is just a chance for God to shine, and brag.  Just think, God may want to brag on you, are you ready?  Will you stand the test?  Or do you go yuppie, knowing the price of everything, but don’t know the value of anything?  If you lost it all, would you still have everything in Christ?

Many years ago while still in high school, I met a girl my age. Come to think of it, we probably are both still the same age.  We were both getting our BMW’s serviced at the dealer, and she was with her mother, quite upset.  She was crying, loud enough to get attention, and I just had to know, what’s the matter?  Her mother answered first, “we just bought her a new BMW for graduation, and all she does is complain about it.  I don’t get it.”  And she didn’t.  Then Miss Teary Eyed joined in, “mother how good you get me a red car, you know I wanted blue?”  And she obviously didn’t get it either.  I wonder how she would have felt about my green 1600, bought with money I made delivering papers?  Would she have even shared the same waiting room with me?  Maybe the one time Ralph Kramden’s advice was needed, “POW!  Right in the kisser!”  “To the moon Alice!”  And away we go!

How would Job have handled her?  Maybe a good example was how he responded to his wife, who told him to “curse God and die.”  Not the quote I would like to be remembered for for all time, but stop and look at her condition. She too had lost everything, including her kids, riches, and possessions.  Would you have consoled her by telling her it’s all gonna burn?  But yet Job, showing his true character simply tells her, “you aren’t being yourself.”  In essence, you are acting out of character, not a fool, but acting like one.  He showed her compassion in the depths of their loss.  And although we never hear from her again, she did get to enjoy all the same blessings Job did when God replaced everything Job had lost with twice as much.  Except for his wife. I wonder if she drove a red or blue BMW?

So it will all burn, Jesus says so.  Yet we cling to that we cannot keep, yet deny that which we cannot lose.  Job knew God, not just about Him.  He lived a godly life, and when the storms came sought refuge the only place he knew-the Lord.  Today you may be facing a rainy day, a fiery night, or trouble with your red car.  The color change won’t fix anything about your attitude, only turning to Jesus will.  Let go of your valuables, and learn of the values of Christ.  Things that cannot be lost, so valuable they cannot be replaced.  Things so expensive they cannot be purchased, even on time.  They are love, joy, peace, and patience.  In the midst of the storm, Jesus is there providing them.  Yet many just want to curse God and die, and for them it’s all gonna burn.  And sadly so will they, not a choice I care to make.

Share a s’more with someone you love tonight.  Tell of all the great things God has done for you.  Do like John did in Revelation, and bear testimony of the things you have seen.  And be prepared for joy unspeakable, and encourage others who may need a lift.  It’s all gonna burn may be true, just make sure it isn’t your s’more.  For as Job found out, there s’more to God and His riches than we can ever imagine.  BMW’s come and go-only Jesus will remain.  How sweet it is!

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

available by prescription only

I have an idea for t shirt that should sell very well.  Taken seriously, it is a warning, taken as a joke it is a sad statement, but taken without a prescription is deadly.  “MEDICATED FOR YOUR PROTECTION!” reads my newest shirt, and in the general state of world affairs, too many are medicated.  Self medicated.  Government medicated.  Medicated by the lure of no tomorrows.  Medicated just to get me through today.  It starts in school, when Billy pulls Patty’s hair, and he is ruled with ADD or STP when really he is just a KID.  But being out of control, not under someone’s control, he is medicated.  Changing his personality, his play habits, and having someone else control him.  He is dumbed down, able to be better controlled, by a teacher, school system, or government that knows best for us.  Later as he becomes unproductive, he is a long term ward of the state, they still know what is best for him until the day he dies.  All the time a victim of nothing more than being a kid, but rather of a state that wants to control him.  And at first it sounds good to his parents, but soon they become depressed because he is not normal, and soon they have anxiety attacks and more drugs prescribed.  And soon you have a whole family medicated, but not for their protection, or even ours.  But some faceless, faithless state that wants us all to be the same, to be under their control.  Confused?  Don’t let them know, there is a pill for that too.  And if you are lucky, your insurance provider will cover it, with only a co-pay.  To the end, the government knows best.  Just ask them, just don’t identify yourself.

From saltpeter for soldiers and inmates, to Retalin, for our last generation of playful kids, many new prescription drugs are available today.  Many tested on us without our knowledge, and definitely not our consent.  But many illegal drugs are used with our consent, just not the governments.  And some that are legal, alcohol for instance, take a toll on daily lives, families, careers, and ruin lives at all ages and social levels.  I have never met anyone who had a horrible life and alcohol made it better?  Or when trying to become more successful, found drugs or alcohol the secret ingredient to success.  Early in my business career, I learned not to drink, but to encourage my opponent.  Any advantage I could get I needed, and many fell willingly into the trap.  And never got out.  The best advice I was given was, “if you never start, you will never be an alcoholic.”  Works for drugs, sex before marriage, and other types of sin also.  Decisions we make, unaware of the consequences, thinking it will never happen to us.  All the time, we are medicated, insolated from reality, and although reality can be rough, at least it is real.  And real I can deal with...

So what does the Bible tell us about drinking?  We are told in Proverbs 20 wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and leads to fights.  Sound familiar?  But rather we are told Ephesians 5 do not be drunk with wine, it is dissipation, but be drunk with the spirit.  Filled, one way a sin, another a blessing.  And Jesus tells us that no one who has tasted of the new wine He offers, wants to go back to the old wine of before.  But what is this new wine He offers?  Is it over the counter, must you 21, or is it a new drug only available by prescription?  Now before you start quoting the Bible, I didn’t realize you read it,  to defend the fact Jesus turned water into wine, His first miracle, know this, it was new wine, not old, fermented wine.  And a symbol of the Holy Spirit, the new wine Jesus promises believers.  It represented joy, the joy of Jesus, and of that wedding day to come when we are united with Him in heaven.  And it is offered to all who desire it, in fact we are given the holy spirit when we are saved.  But few choose to fully explore His full potential, no ads on TV for it, no discounts on holidays, and no age limits, know that it is given in love.  So that we can live a fuller, more productive life in Christ, until that day of His return.  And it was that same spirit that led us to Christ.  And still comforts us today...many times without our even knowing it, acknowledging it, or thanking Him.  And there is no law against it, in fact it fulfills the law, just like Jesus did, and sets us free.  Now what are you drinking?  Make mine Jesus, straight up, neat.  The way life should be, able to enjoy every blessing coming our way.

But many times it is the blessings that avoid us, or we avoid them.  Where to turn then?  Turn to friends like Job did, and you end up defending them, and still turning to God.  Be like Jonah and run, and end up on a three day all expense paid cruise to where God wanted him in the first place.  But below deck.  Maybe my old friend Larry, he of 28 kills for pay, 7 for revenge, as he talked to young girls one night said it best.  “You can be knocked over the head and taken away to be done with whatever that person wants to do with you.  You never know when you cross over the limit.  And taking the first drink is crossing over that limit.”  Is that what you want for your daughter?  Born again after years in prison, God saved him and changed his life.  Still listening?  Or maybe the words of Nahum sound familiar, “when drunk you will find refuge from your neighbor,” but how do you tell if he is friend or foe?  You will try to hide your sin, but it will still be evident.  And evidence, not what I want to show the world of my life in Christ.

So to all who find it trendy to drink wine, you are falling under another spirit’s control.  And causing a food shortage soon, as the grapes now grow where corn, beans, broccolli once grew, and cattle once grazed.  How much did the bottle of Two Buck Chuck really cost?  But my advice to my sons is what I want to leave you with.  I asked them “how would you feel if you needed me and I couldn’t come because I had been drinking?”  Suddenly it is more personal than ever.  Learn from Larry, listen to my advice, but always go to Jesus.  And next time you are hugging the porcelian shrine of too much to drink, ask where the god found in the bottle is to help you?  My God is alive and well, and there with me, and you when you need Him.  Clean and sober in ways we cannot imagine, but need.  No prescription needed, first thing in the morning and last one at night.  And in the in between times, He is there too.  And tells us He will drink no wine before His time, His return.  He is the fresh wine, the new life, and the vine He wants us to be part of.  He is life without the possibility of parole.  He is what we need, and who we need.  Make the choice now of who’s control you wish to be under, Jesus or the state?  Suddenly that funny shirt isn’t so funny.  Live life in Christ today to its fullest, let nothing get between you and God.  His spirit is not only free, but sets you free.  Wake up free and clear headed every morning, or be like God warns in Jeremiah 25, “drink, be drunk, and vomit.”  Sounds like an easy choice to me.  Especially when He warns that a sword is coming for those who are drunk.  Jesus Christ, maybe He makes more sense than you realize.  Clean and sober has never been so much fun.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

there is nothing like first hand evidence

I spent some time the other day with an old friend.  We had met in sixth grade, and I lost touch with him over the years.  But last Sunday, resting from our Saturday ride, I encountered him once again.  You may know him also, or at least the name, as he is very famous.  Even showed up in a few movies over the years, before we met.  But I remember him mostly from articles about him,his name Sherlock Holmes.  And  his room mate, Dr. John Watson.  It was as an avid reader, I first discovered Holmes, and fell in love with his stories, as told by Watson.  Watson and he met after Watson was stationed in Afghanistan, and was wounded, living on a pension.  A mutual friend introduced them, both needed to share rent, and the rest is history, or fiction, starting at 221B Baker Street, London.  Both were completely different men, and Holmes once confided in Watson that Watson was his only friend.  “Counting you, I have one.”   Both highly educated, it was Holmes who was the ardent student of the two, and would review the facts with Watson, often quizzing him, amazed at what Watson didn’t see or hear.  Watson, for instance, knew they lived on the second floor, Holmes knew there were 13 steps, and the fourth from the top creaked, but only going down.   He could tell a man’s trade by his hands, and even if left handed by his watch, lefties wear them on the right, just the opposite.  He could tell by a man’s dress if he was poor or rich, and even if working.  So many details that Watson overlooked, or didn’t look for, Holmes saw.  And over 100 years before forensics played a part in solving crimes, he was CSI.  He knew chemistry, in fact in the opening story, we find he invents a chemical to detect how old blood is, dried blood that is.  Want to know how tall a man is?  They usually right on walls above their eye level, useful in seeking a description.  And when at a scene, the letters RACHE were written on the wall, while the police look for a Rachel, he knows rache is German for revenge, and narrows down the perpetrator.  All to his amusement while watching the men of Scotland Yard chase their tails.  And so I spent s few hours rereading about Mr. Holmes, and his adventures.  What continued to get my attention was how Sir Arthur Conan Doyle put all the facts out there, nothing hidden, unlike TV shows where in the last 5 minutes a clue is exposed, and they go to commercial, with Sir ACD, you get to help solve the crime, getting into the mind of Holmes, but more often into the mind of Watson.  For it is the details that mysteries are solved, and few were more adept at details than Holmes.  “Elementary, my dear Watson,” he would remind the good doctor, and Watson would again find humor in his flat mate’s power of observation.  Watson saw it all, but only Holmes knew what he was looking for.

Ever heard the term “the devil is in the details?” I never understood it, if you can explain it to me.  I see God in the details, with each detail raising a question, and each answer proving there is a creator.  For instance, hold your hand in front of your face, and wiggle your fingers.  How did you do that?  From the concept, to the idea in the brain, to the request to wiggle, to the action, how did that happen?  How did that happen to a hand that can grip a throttle, shake with another, make fist, or be nailed to a cross?  So many details have had to happen, just to wave it, coincidence?  Or preplanned?  While many would seek out the physical reasons, I would like to concentrate on the spiritual ones.  The why we do things, as opposed to what makes them happen.  Holmes saw the physical, and even the metaphysical, but not the spiritual.  While man looks at the outer man for evidence, God reveals the heart.  And it is not always good.

It is trendy to be told to trust our heart, to go with our feelings, but have your feelings ever let you down?  Have you ever made a decision when in a bad mood or angry?  Or fallen in love with a pretty face, that soon turned on you?  Experience tells us no to look a gift horse in the mouth, or buy a car at night, yet many do and regret it later.  Looks good, feels good, the price is right, so do it.  Without counting the cost.  Theresa tells me of a couple we know who has always lived way beyond their means.  Gotta have a huge house, or new cars, bigger each year.  Their religion tells them they are a good witness if prosperous, really they are just more in debt.  But now with all the kids gone, and given a $500,000 line of credit/mortgage, do you need to spend it all?  Do you really need 3700 square feet for two people?  Is that prosperity as God sees it?  Is your FICO score more important than your relationship with God?  Do we go to Him, do we even give Him any credit?

The detail here being do we seek God first, and like Jesus told us, let Him add all other things unto us.  Like Holmes, we are given the details, but do we see them?  Do we even look, or do we even want to?  Yet we can always find the evidence after we foolishly act, why didn’t we see it before?  Some are like Holmes, and study the situation.  I have a friend who studies the Bible for answers to all his questions.  Exhaustingly he knows the Bible, but still makes bad decisions.  They are based on facts, that without the spirit mean nothing.  He can quote scripture, and has become legalistic, a rule for every situation. But without the spirit, that reveals all mysteries of Christ, they are words, still Holy  words, still God’s word, but lose their full impact.  It is the spirit that gives direction, and without it we miss the details.  And Jesus is that detail that brings us together, only told to us by the spirit.  Tonight when you do your devotional, ask God first to guide you by His spirit.  Ask Him to reveal Himself more fully to you, to make the scriptures come alive.  Before, then thank Him after.  Maybe one verse, or one word will be all He intends for you, don’t restrict Him in how much He wants to show you.  Look at things through His eyes, the spirit, and see the evidence of Him everywhere.  And soon that evidence will be evident in your life. 

Terrence Aloysious Young once asked me why you go to college?  His answer after stumbling through the “to get a better job, to make more money, or to not grow up for another seven years,” amazed me.  You go to find out how to solve the problem.  Some do, some don’t, some never will.  Just like Jesus, some get Him, some don’t, some never will.  But He still remains available to us 24/7, never leaves, and the spirit is constantly telling us “you need Jesus.”  You see, some read the book, some saw the movie, Watson knew the man.  Just like Jesus, some read the book and know all about Him.  Some are in church, Bible studies, and ministry, but miss Him.  I rather know the man, who reveals all mysteries, and who is the mystery to come.  And He knows me, on a first name basis.  And I have evidence in my life of Him.  Some have degrees after their name, to what degree is He important in your life?  Your walk?  And do we have to be Holmes to see it, or would Watson notice it?

Jesus is in the details, He is everywhere.  God’s creation screams of it, and when we don’t, even the rocks will cry out and confirm it.  Holmes’ criminal equal, Professor Moriarity wrestled with Holmes until he died.  And Holmes survived, only to return in a miraculous way.  After a period of years, Sir ACD brought him back due to public demand.  Be that public of one today, He died and rose again even if you were the only sinner on earth.  He loves you, a detail we need to remember.  Today we can speak freely, act freely, and love freely, based on the freedom won on the cross.  Evidence that He lives, and that demands a verdict.  Elementary, my dear Watson, just look at the facts.  Read the book, and talk to the man who wrote it, and see why Holmes tells us “the world is full of obvious things which nobody by any chance ever observes.”  “Eliminate all other facts and the one that remains must be the truth.”  Holmes might have become quite a theologian, except he lived for “brainwork, what else was there?”  We know the truth, and are set free.  Reunite with an old friend today, and let Him set you free.  Share Jesus today, for as Holmes says, “ nothing clears up a case so much as stating it to another person.”  Witnessed by Sherlock Holmes, are you listening Watson?  “There is nothing like first hand evidence.”

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

the liquidation of Castle Greyskull

We have always had pets, usually a dog and cat or two.  We had Hannah our huge Irish Setter through three houses and two states, a bit high strung and a good protector.  We got her from a sheriff’s deputy in Durango who couldn’t keep her, and she was still a pup.  But even then, she was aggressive, when feeding her, sometimes she would grab your hand, and hold it in her mouth.  Her food-you were just the feeder.  She would play with our other dogs, and often get carried away, more than once I had to choke her until she went limp to get her to let go of another dog.  She was an outdoor dog, and when we lived at Vallecito Lake, loved to go ice fishing with Sam, our elderly neighbor, coming back reeking of fish.  He would throw her the small ones instead of throwing them back.  So when we moved into suburbia, she was restricted to a fenced in back yard, and couldn’t run free any more.  And one of her last territorial aggressions was when she was tied to our apple tree out front so we could work in the back yard.  We heard a blood curdling scream, followed by barking, and went to investigate.  She had met the mail lady, who went out of her way to cross Hannah’s path.  And got bit for it.  And after complaining that Hanna bit her, I felt sympathy, but stood by Hanna, telling her “if you aren’t smart enough to avoid a barking dog tied to a tree, that is what you get.”  No one messed with Hannah.  The one ingredient missing from the Postal  creed, no rain, no snow wills top them from their appointed duty.  Best to let sleeping dogs lie, barking ones too.

Caesar was Hannah’s dog mate when we moved to Farmington.  He was a 120 pound Alaskan Malamute who had once been a sled dog, and had the size and shoulders to prove it.  I brought him home when we moved to New Mexico and a freeze plug blew out in the 1949 F-3 Ford.  My friend Dave fixed it, he was a mechanic, and Caesar was tied up at his shop, too big for any apartment.  And it was love at first sight, and he leaned against me while riding in the cab for 50 miles.  He was mellow, his blue eyes always smiling, and rarely growled, it was serious if he did.  He was content to find shade from the heat, and Hannah ruled the yard.  They even had to be fed separately because she would eat his food.  We felt confident that no one would enter our back yard with those two present, and even when I would be out back, Caesar would circle me and protect me, guarding me from even our friends, but yet gentle to my two sons.  But Caesar had a secret weapon, one that disabled his opponent.  Painlessly, yet effectively.  We first saw him in action one afternoon when we let him in the house.  He never came in, but today was different. Christopher was playing with Castle Greyskull of He-Man fame, and got up to hug Caesar.  After a hug, Caesar ambled over to Castle Greyskull, sniffed, then lifted his leg and liquidated the Castle!  Then ran out through the back door, I mean through the door-it was closed, never to come inside again.  Christopher was heartbroken, “he peed on Castle Greyskull!” he cried for days, and after a thorough cleaning, it was back to normal, but the stench of battle still remained, just not urine.  But Caesar’s legacy had just begun, as I was to find out.

I was home sick one day, when a knock came on the door.  The man wanted to read the gas meter, could I put the dogs in the garage for him.  I got Hannah in OK, and left Caesar sleeping under his bush.  Soon another knock came at the door, “could you please put that other dog inside, too?”  I explained Caesar never bit anyone, and might not even come out from under his bush.  Again the man pleaded, asking me, “please can you put him in, last time I was here here wet on me!”  Caesar and his silent weapon, the same one used to liquidate Castel Greyskull was also effective on meter readers too.  And his legend lives on, even today, some 27 years later. 

It has been said that the devil seeks to destroy us, prowling around like a roaring lion.  Yet many times the battle is like Caesar, we just get wet on, and infuriated.  No real damage done, but our pride and ego are damaged, and soon we don’t look at things as we should.  We have given the devil a foothold, and he will take advantage of any leverage he can get.  We need to remind ourselves that as children of God, nothing can happen to us that God doesn’t know about or allow.  Sometimes the bad times are tests, sometimes God wants to brag on us, and allows a Job like situation to occur.  But in all things, the battle we face is not flesh and blood, but of a spiritual nature.  And we must recognize that.  It is easy to turn on friends and loved ones, allowing Satan that foothold, but it can be easily won victory over by forgiveness.  Jesus sets the example, forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.  Too much time is spent being hurt seeking revenge, when we could be using it to love instead.  By the way, the only command Jesus gave us, to love Him and our neighbor as ourselves.  And our neighbors are anyone one we met, Lazarus’s laid before us by God to bless, or be blessed by.  How we handle them is up to us, but too often we take the Caesar approach, while a bite from Hannah would not have been as painful.  We are told to be gentle as lambs, but wise as serpents, often we are gentle as serpents, and as wise as sheep.  Sheep who are the dumbest animals around, they make cows look smart.  Maybe God had something there when He made the comparison.  But do we get it?

Forgiveness starts with you.  Forgive yourself as Jesus has forgiven you, then pass it on to others.  Repent, and try to go a new direction, only possible with God’s help.  Our old sin nature is ever ready to attack, just waiting for he perfect moment.  But we are more than overcomers, scripture tells us. So be forgiven, forgive others, and go on with your life.  Don’t look back, set your sights on things on high.  For where you eyes go, the body will follow.  Works while riding too.

We still laugh about the day Caesar liquidated Castle Greyskull, and about the wet meter reader.  But those two dogs weren’t the tough ones.  It was Maestas, our 8 pound cat, who ruled over both dogs.  And ruled the neighborhood.  She wasn’t afraid to take on someone 15 times her size, she knew her power.  We have that same power in Christ, so don’t be intimidated by the devil.  Resist him and he will flee.  Go and love someone and make his aim even more useless.  A lesson learned at Castle Greyskull, and its liquidation.  From Caesar, the liquidator! A sleeping dog best left lying.

love with compassion,

Mike

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