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There she sat on the dealer’s back row, a queen among drones just looking
for a new home. It was one of those afternoons between classes where all my
homework was caught up, so I went cruising car lots. Not a shopper, with no
money definitely a browser, but when she caught my eye, I knew I was about to be
a buyer, and miss all my afternoon classes. She was a 1950 Buick special 4-door
sedan, blue with a straight 8. She had come to be on the Mazda lot when her new
owners traded her in, they had just inherited her from their grandmother, and a
Buick in the garage didn’t interest them. Very clean, new interior, fresh wide
whites, and an older repaint, she was very classy. So with no money, but a
quick call to the bank, I was $600 in debt, but a Buick richer. In the only car
show I entered her in, we got an honorable mention, and I drove her everywhere
around Albuquerque. 3 on the tree, she started with a push on the gas pedal,
always a great roar from full throttle starting, cruised at 55 no problemo. Her
hood opened from both sides to reveal the Buick “valve in head” straight 8. Her
only flaw was the radio knob was missing...but a head turner none the less.
Big, blue, powerful, and unique at 26 years of age, I sold her because I needed
money, and made a whopping $400, probably more than the dealer, but was one car
I wish I had never sold. And every time I see a 1950 Buick with that one year
only toothy grill that some call ugly, I smile right back. When better cars
were built, Buick built them. Once known as doctor’s cars for their strength
and stamina, a Special she was.
Now for the past two weeks I have been riding a Triumph Trophy SE. Their
big touring bike with bags and trunk, which has become known as the Buick. Like
my older Buick it has a windshield, a large trunk, but like today’s luxury cars
it also has adjustable suspensions, traction control, cruise control, a sound
system, heated seats and grips, and computer controlled engine. A far cry from
my 1950 Buick, but both were huge, both were blue, and both float down the
road. But closer to a new Buick than I care to admit. Maybe just the ride if
Buick had ever chosen to go into the motorcycle business. And priced under
$20,000, ever see what $20,000 will buy in a new car, maybe a deal, but still
expensive. Just like old Buicks, and just like today’s Gold Wings, Ultra
Glides, BMW’s, and other big touring bikes. But what if other luxury car makers
like BMW went into the motorcycle business? BMW started making bikes, then
cars, and over 90 years later do both well. But what if Buick made a bike,
would anyone buy it? But what if Mercedes Benz made one, would anyone buy
it?
In 2002 the Mercedes Benz Car Club of America, MBCA, wrote an article about
MB coming out with a line of motorcycles. Three models, from base, to sport, to
touring, and priced expensively. Reading like the features on most new bike
today, it was revolutionary, and upon reading it, talked to our dealership
owner, who rode, and she called to apply for a motorcycle dealership. We were
all excited, as many of us rode, I could see my new demo bike heading out on
vacations, but it was not to be. It seems this lead story was in the April
Issue, and had fooled more than one person. MBNA had been over run with
requests for information, and dealership inquiries. A simple four page article
with artist renderings had created a huge buzz, and it turned out to be a hoax.
April Fool! But yet we stayed in denial for a few days, even using our contacts
within, who at first were excited too, but would end up being victims along with
us. No Mercedes Benz motorcycles were to be. But we had fun dreaming...and I
wonder when riding the Buick, I mean Trophy if they had how things may have been
different. If the rumor was true, how may would have believed the truth? Or
would we have dismissed the rumor? The Trophy being the second coming of my
1950 Buick, some 55 years later.
Many religious zealots over the past few years have used scare tactics to
sell books, movies, and claim to know the date of the return of Jesus Christ for
his church. From the Aztec calendar proclaiming the end of the world, to Harold
Camping striking out again, not his first false promise, to various cults
claiming he has come, or denying his existence all together, we need to beware
of false lies. Lies that get us excited like the Mercedes Benz motorcycle
story, we need to stay close to God and seek truth. All lies are based on
truth, and some come very close, maybe mirror the truth, but are lies none the
less. Even Jesus doesn’t know the time or date, but like us has warned us we
will know of the season. And today to those who seek, the signs are there. To
others coincidence, but to God loving warning signs to a lost and dying world.
Jesus saves, and soon he will call his church, those who believe home, and he
wants none to perish. But leaves it up to us. Today we see signs of increasing
moral decay, mass murders via abortion, and it seems a new virus each year. We
now have names for blizzards, earthquakes prominent in Oklahoma, and tsunamis in
the news. Families are falling apart, and even the definition is being altered
to fit today. But to those with no hope, Jesus offers hope, there is still time
to change, but soon, and no date is given, the rapture will occur, and the worst
7 years on earth will begin. A time I am glad I will be in heaven...saved by
grace, and not a minute too soon. But what of those who wonder who will the
anti-Christ be? What will it be like without God on earth? To them I warn, who
you are seeking you will find. So seek Jesus, it won’t matter to us we’ll be
safe, bit you don’t want to be left behind. You want to go with Jesus...Look
around, the signs are there, will you be there when he calls?
But yet some are intent on trying to figure the date, even though God
promises no man will know the time or date. And suppose someone did know, we
will be in heaven, who will care you did? Wouldn’t it be better to show love
and mercy than to preach about a date that no one knows about? Wouldn’t it be
easier to share Jesus than get off on doctrines that he warns about? One
separates, one unites. One offers education, the other application. I need a
hug, let God take care of the time and date, just give me Jesus. The only way
out of here, and salvation while we are still here. His offer is still open,
and for those who are still debating remember this, Jesus said “you are either
for me or against me.” Saying nothing is saying no. Yet many will come
counterfeiting his claims...
So maybe it is a good thing Buick doesn’t make motorcycles. They make good
cars, at least they did back in 1950, and today as I ride the Buick, I will be
glad Triumph does. Some things are left best to those who do them best. So it
is with God. Let god run things, let him decide when and where. Your only
question is yes or no to Jesus. Which should be easy, no means hell and
suffering, yes means joy and peace. Sounds so simple, and it is, yet so many
have trouble deciding. We are each special to God, a unique model unlike any
other. No one can duplicate us, nor duplicate the things of God. Jesus is
coming, rumor to some, but the truth from God. If it wasn’t so, Jesus would not
have said it. Trust him, no false claims, no rumors, no false ads. Just truth.
Simple so I can get it, free so I can afford it. Just like my old Buick, all I
need, and everything I don’t. If only I had the knob to turn on the radio, a
simple two knob affair, on/off and volume. Don’t get bogged down in the
details, get lost in his love. Give that old time religion, for it’s good
enough for me. And my 1950 Buick.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com