It is hard to believe only 100 years ago Alfred P. Sloan was about to
change the world of automobiles forever. Although he never designed or
engineered a car, his contribution to automobile history ranks very high. He
was the architect of putting General Motors together, with the plan of each
division making its own decisions, but being responsible to the holding company,
the mother. A plan that not only saved the company, but has become a model for
industry since. His famous quote, “General Motors is not in the business of
making cars, we are in the business of making money,” was revolutionary, and he
was bold enough to describe free enterprise in one short sentence. Long gone he
philanthropic endeavors outlast him, in such places such as Sloan Kettering
Institute, for medicine. Another automotive pioneer was more hands on in the
engineering and just the opposite of Mr. Sloan’s management policies. Henry
Ford at one time used to pay bills by the pound, he was too busy with other
things, and his statement “it is a poor company that makes only money” reflected
it. His name is on millions of cars still today, while Sloan’s name may be new
to you. But here is one you never heard of, Elihu P. Sternwallow. Mr.
Sternwallow runs a factory. From here on we will refer to him as ES.
ES started with the North American Veeblefetzer Company about 100 years
ago, out of school. He rose up through the ranks to eventually run it, making a
name and reputation for himself. He was the model of American business, dealing
with labor by throwing the unions out, announcing new models, and setting
company guidelines for 50 years. He put the company on the map, and at shows
many were amazed and impressed with new models of the Veeblefetzer, drawing rave
reviews and new orders, a stand out being the new model 305-J, with self
rotating oil cups and horizontal manifolds. An especially new touch was
calibrating the air pressure gauge in litres per cubic meter, for greater
confusion. He was known to invite others to lunch, then reluctantly pay the
bill. A strict disciplanarian he once fired a secretary for becoming ill on the
job. He threw a party for a 50 year long employee, only docking his employees
an hour pay for attending. And in an attempt to curtail injuries at work, fired
the company nurse. A true leader in the industry, old ES is only remembered in
publications from long ago. He even had his own in house publication, VEEBLE
PEOPLE. And one in particular, MAD magazine, who invented him in a parody done
over 50 years ago. You see there is no North American Veeblefetzer Company.
But that didn’t stop many from believing the idiocy of it, and some even tried
to buy stock in it. Creating quite a stir when they found out it was a joke on
American business. And willing to invest in something they had never heard of
and didn’t exist, a veeblefetzer. MAD had gone after the basic instinct of
greed, added foolishness, and won. And today I still find it a tribute to great
satire, and the fickleness of the American reader. To me ES deserves a place
right up there with Sloan, Ford, and others such as Gates, and Jobs. For who
else created something out of nothing, and created such a stir...at no cost!
Try running that one up the flagpole and saluting it!
It takes a lot of faith to be an atheist with all the evidence about
Jesus. From his recording by Josephus to the Bible, it is evident Jesus of
Nazareth was a real person. And from the testimonies he had to be God. He had
to be who he said he was. Yet many believe a lie like the one of old ES,
choosing to believe a fabricated story, changing facts to meet opinions, rather
than changing opinions to meet the facts. And no matter how or what you
believe, he still is who he says he was and is, and is coming back for his
church, us! He was a winner in all he did, because of one simple choice he
made, to trust God his father. Now although he was fully God, he came to earth
as fully man, and only in obedience to what his father told him to do was he
successful. He did nothing on his own, even unto death on the cross. Asking if
there was any other way to let the cup pass. But stayed true to his instruction
to his disciples when they asked him how to pray, “thy will be done.” Yet we
take a different route even though we call ourselves Christians, tell everyone
we have faith, and praise God when things go our way. But what when they don’t,
when God knows better? What can we do?
We can be like Jesus and not question the father’s authority or wisdom. He
took no refuge in unbelief, never questioned what this father told him to do.
Yet we argue, cry, wince, complain, and disobey going our own way, sad after
repeating scripture that tells us “all things work together for good for those
who love the lord and are called by him.” And why do you never hear someone
rising up the ladder of success claim “it’s all gonna burn someday,” but you do
when they are failing? Jesus put himself in the arms of a loving father, our
father and his, and looked to him to sustain him. And when he did his father
brought him safely through, completing the task he was sent to do, to save
sinners. A horrible cost because sin is horrible, and separates us from God.
Only in Jesus do we get through. Only he is the way. Only Jesus.
Today you may not be facing death, disease, or a family break up. You need
help from a loving God, one who can make the scripture of all things, both good
and bad working together for good, our good. Although Jesus was his son, and
not a messenger or servant angel, Jesus teaches us about obedience through his
own example. He knows and knew suffering. Yet many still look for
Veeblefetzers, rather than him. It’s our choice.
Finally a quote from old ES, “he placed a sign that read THINK outside his
office, drawing a lot of clever comments.” Think about Jesus for a moment, turn
to him. The battle between head and heart is only 18 inches, but what the heart
believes the head can verify, or reject. Consider the claims of Jesus, have the
faith of an atheist. Look at the evidence, he is who he said he is. And know
that no matter how serious the problem, when even at wit’s end, Jesus never
fails. God will fully meet your need when you need it, in his own way, for your
benefit. So give him the glory due him, and he will give us the blessings that
aren’t due us. He calls it grace and mercy. Only found through Jesus Christ.
Today a veeblefetzer is used to refer to a facetious name or placeholder. Make
believe, yada yada yada. No veeblefetzers in heaven, only saints. Of course
all you grads of Potrzebie High School know that. There are names, and then
there are names.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com