a prisoner's letters, circa AD 2015

To mimic the words from Carly Simon’s “No Secrets,”  “we have a cast of characters from A to Z....”  And sadly built in prejudices with it.  We are into big names, celebrities, those who when we mention their name makes us feel good, and hopefully install some envy in those we tell.  Mention all time great bands, and among them who has seen Emerson, Lake, and Palmer 5 times like I have?  Partied with the Beach Boys Mike Love?  Been on stage with Alice Cooper for “Welcome to My Nightmare?” Or saw The Eagles when they were a warm up band for Robin Trower?  Who?  See you are impressed with names, and we all still pay big dollars to see them.  But how many warm up bands were actually the big event, you just weren’t ready for it?  We saw Springsteen at the Felt Forum, warm up for Chicago, who we went to see.  Their first public appearance playing “Born to Run,” their opening song, and the place went nuts.  The album to be released a few months later.  We left shortly after Chicago started exhausted from the first band.  So as some would tend to be more careful with their money, who they go to see, some also take a snobby attitude to who they see.  And what they read.  And who they fellowship with...for example.

So many churches today write checks in lieu of physical contact with the poor, homeless, and those in prison.  They do pen pal letters, often off of a sample letter provided for them, preaching Jesus, but never getting to know the addressee.  Never listening, only talking, and they call that ministry.  Talking a language that only other church folk know, and telling each other what a good job they have done taking the gospel to the lost.  But ask them to visit, to sit with one when they have done their time, and the mood changes.  I have seen it...from those who write the letters.  They feel safe behind an address where they will never have to meet one on one, safe the addressees are behind bars, when it is them who are imprisoned by their beliefs, and when they do their true heart is exposed.  Works with pastors too, how many are much different when they don’t have a pulpit to hide behind, and literally preach to the choir?  Who never get outside the four walls of the church, and never encounter those who will never enter one?  If you can associate yourself with the above, Jesus is waiting, and will change your heart and add blessings to your life.  And you get to see the gospel in action.  Theory vs. application.  But you might get your suit wrinkled, hands dirty, and maybe even hear the seven words you can’t say on TV.  You might encounter those who smell bad, but need a hug.  Who are hungry and need a meal.  Who need the love of Jesus, not just the preaching of it.  We need to spend more time where Jesus did, outside the temple and on the street where the action is.  Where the disciples hung out, and where sin exists.  Enough exists freely within the four walls, we need to get out with the gospel and see lives changed, yet we have to change and many don’t want to.  “Don’t mess with me, I am a Christian.  I gave to missions.  I give my old suits to charity.  I’ve done my part...”  Parts, but not the whole part, the part that comes from the heart.  From pastors to church folk, are you willing to go where God sends you without a pulpit to hide behind?  Not just a once a month feel good experience, but into the core of sin and be that light?  Would you become like the Apostle Paul?  Would you?  Where were you when you found Jesus?

But the elite, those with riches look at us differently.  They like the testimonies, at least for awhile.  Then they are off to another round of golf.  Only knowing about God what the pastor teaches them, no more influence outside the four walls.  What would be your reaction if next week a man serving a long sentence was paroled and made your pastor?  No seminary, no church experience, just the spirit guiding him.  Sharing testimonies, stories, and prayers with a dying audience.  Whose words might carry less importance because of who he was, not because of who Jesus is.  Imagine such a man, writing letters to churches, and bringing sin to light, but also forgiveness and the gospel.  Suppose this prisoner was an outlaw, rebel rouser, and had been at one time a big name among the public.  But now was forgotten in jail, and now out.  Sharing his letters he wrote to the congregations....would you be interested?  Would you go to his church?  Take communion with him?  What if you didn’t know what the looked like and found yourself sitting next to him, how would you react?  What true colors would you not want us to see?  Yet this man, this prisoner wrote most of the New Testament, while in jail!  I talk of the Apostle Paul.  The original prison minister.  His words are spoken in your church, but would he be allowed?   Let’s pause so you can formulate your answer....

Many think it is nice I write to prisoners, they call it a prison ministry, I correct them.  I have a prisoner ministry with men and women I may never meet this side of heaven.  Who need Jesus, who love Jesus, and whose letters they write influence and encourage me.  Who are true ministers of the gospel, not just sayers.  They just live in a gated community.   Who love Jesus but have sinned, and God allowed them to be incarcerated.  So others may hear the word.  Just like Paul.  How many lives they touch directly or indirectly we will never know, but God does.  True ministry comes from the heart of God via the spirit through men to those who are in need.  True ministry is seeing a need and filling it.  Not directed from the pulpit, but by the spirit.  Gaining access outside the physical church, and watching the church grow outside its four walls.  Now how do you feel knowing your message last Sunday came from prison?  From a prisoner?  Who was a rebel among rebels, happy to share with another living in a gated community, just not with bars to keep prisoners in, but prisoners out.  Whose letters would you rather read?

Paul was locked up 24/7 for years, but knew a freedom few know in the spirit.  If in jail, he shared Jesus.  If in the church he shared Jesus.  With fellow Pharisees, he shared Jesus.  And through his letters from jail to a dying world, to a young church, to young churches needing guidance, he shared Jesus.  And he didn’t care who knew!  How many Tweets do you delete?  All Paul’s brought glory to God.  Face to face, rather than Facebook.  Can you imagine how big his friend list would be?  Then consider the Facebook page of Jesus, the Bible.  There long before the internet, and more impressive.  Would you pay more money to hear Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, or the Apostle Paul?  Note-you can hear from him for free weekly if you are in a God based fellowship.  Jobs is gone, still time to invite Gates. 

Springsteen lit up the Felt Forum that night, we were ready for such energy.  We were ready for Chicago, mellow tunes and a brass section.  We weren’t ready for Born to Run.  We got 10 minutes of rock and roll, maybe the best rock song ever.  And for the first time in public, before the album. 

Guards and prisoners were treated to life from an old man in chains, not what they were expecting.  They found life within a gated community, and found freedom they never knew existed.  They heard Paul first hand, we can hear his tales today in the Bible.  I was there that night with George and Paula, where are you with Jesus now?  Locked in a cage and need escape from sin?  Looking for love in all the wrong places?  There are names and there are names, none bigger than Jesus Christ.  With his gospel brought to a lost and dying world with people like us, faces in a crowd.  Who cannot contain his love for others, and choose to live him daily.  Not all gated communities have passwords, not all behind bars are prisoners.  Be set free in Christ today, get out and live for him.  This letter that will go into many prisons this week, will be read twice by guards looking for gang messages.  And hearing the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Jut because the person who it is addressed to is in jail.  Unwittingly chained to a guard like Paul was.  God knows where we are, do we?  We truly have a cast of characters from A to Z, reminding me of Jesus, the first and last.  The Alpha and the Omega.  Not all prisons have bars....know Jesus, be forgiven, and know freedom in the spirit.  Life is the warm up band for heaven...one you don’t want to miss.  God has “No Secrets. “

If the seat of your pants is wearing out faster than the soles of your shoes, you need Jesus.  You need application  instead of theory.  You need to get out and live the gospel.  Read all about it from a prisoner’s letter to the church.  He who has an ear let him hear.  “Welcome back my friends to the show that never ends..” 

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

don't ask the man who never owned one

Dodge
Drips Oil & Drops Grease Everywhere
Damn Old Dirty Gas Eater
Dead Old Dog Going East
Dead On Day Guarantee Expires
Dead On Delivery, Go Easy
Dead On Delivery, Guarantee Expired
Dead Or Dying Garbage Emitter
Dear Old Dads Garage Experiment
Daily Overhauls Do Get Expensive

I have never owned a Chrysler product from any time in their glorious history.  Starting with the 1950 Dodge a neighbor owned, it looked like a taxi with no redeeming qualities, to Joey’s dad who had a 1960 Polara, too futuristic, maybe Nippy’s 71 Dart with a V-8, but 3 on the tree, to any K car or FIAT Chrysler.  Maybe it was the old Chrysler crank, the sound their starters made, you know one if you hear it.  Sloppy production mated to great engineering couldn’t pull it off for me.  Buying AMC left me still uninterested, and now that they are owned by FIAT, I’ll push my Ford first before I own anything they make. 

But remember they were part of Daimler Chrysler for awhile, and as a service advisor and service manager for Mercedes Benz in that era I know better than to buy one.  We use to joke “engineered like no other car in the world,” they were the guinea pigs for the electronic revolution of today.  Only MB could make a car stereo so powerful it would overheat and shut itself off, the fix to download better software to depower the unit.  And we knew we would cringe when we started to see Chrysler parts in MB boxes.  So there is something about Chrysler I just don’t care for.  Yes, Hemi’s are great, but too expensive and other motors were just as fast.  The futuristic styling of the 1957’s, “suddenly in 1960!” looks good to me today while watching Highway Patrol, but square steering wheels, dash top rear view mirrors, and styling that left me with questions no one can answer.  Among them, what is a fratzog?*  Only a true Dodge enthusiast would know the answer.  So I stay away, interested, but only like the poster for the two headed cow, I won’t pay the price of admission.

The Range Rover explosion, no pun intended still amazes me.  Why can a vehicle that is so great off road in some of the most remote areas of the world fail in the wilds of La Jolla?  The factory recommended replacing all hoses and belts at 60,000 miles, $1300 job, and those who refused were soon towed in and had them replaced.  Front differentials blowing up, and my favorite, on the 2008 they had oil pans that leaked, just replace the pan gasket.  But you had to remove the engine to do it, which meant taking apart the entire front end of the vehicle.  A job that took over 40 hours on your new car!  Also the seats were a hot theft item, thieves would just cut the wires to them, which was part of the main loom, so you had to replace the entire one piece loom in the car.  75 hours later your car had been entirely disassembled, including windshields front and rear, and somehow put back together.  Still a new car then?  Things I saw first hand as a service advisor during the period.  So I stay away from them too.  Too expensive to buy, even more expensive to fix.  I can tell more horror stories.....but I won’t.  Pray for those who own one.  And in all cases, if someone who never owned one tells you what a great car they are, don’t take the word of a man who never owned one.  Works with Chryslers too.  MOPAR-Move Over Parts Are Rusting.  How many Fords and Chevies did Lee Iococca sell from his Chrysler ad “if you can buy a better car buy it.” referring to the K cars.  So bad even a Sinatra edition never sold.  Yet they saved the company.  I don’t get it.

Yet we seek advice on anything from cars to bikes to where to eat.  When Gary says the food is great, he means cheap.  Same with motels.  If Mickey says “easy to fix” it is because he is a genius.  If you ask me about cross country rides, I can tell you, 12 trips and 48 states later.  I never owned a Harley, but know friends who do, stick with 2015 and newer and you’ll be better off.  My first intro to them when I started to ride, and a friend’s father worked for them.  “Buy a Honda,” was his advice circa 1969.  When an interested buyer called Packard to get information, he was told to “ask the man who owns one.”  Great advice then, still now, and in more than cars.  Yet so many are experts from one ride, one article, or one trip to the service department.   I used to tell people all I see is broken cars, no one comes to me and says “what a great car, check it over and see.  I’ll even pay.”  I may not be an authority, but I know what I experienced.  Many arguments and bad times can be avoided if you qualify the authority first.  There are no stupid questions, but you can get stupid answers from stupid people.

When I went to work at Land Rover, they found out I was a Christian, and one man, an atheist approached me at lunch, an authority on that God is not real.  He was proud of being an atheist until I told him by definition he didn’t exist.  That made him think.  And I offered to answer questions he had, I told him he was a man of faith, as it takes more faith to deny Jesus than to recognize him as God.  He questioned the Bible, but could find no place where God could be contradicted.  He admitted there was sin, Jesus was historical, just not God, and why do those who don’t believe the Bible believe anything else?  I was told of all the bad times Christians had, and how it was better to not be one, than be a hypocrite.  “The church is full of them,” he raved one day, I admitted we had a lot, but still had room for a few more. He tried making fun of me, but had no answer for those who did believe, other than we are misled.  But he did ask questions, the best ones with no audience, as the spirit was calling him, and he was refusing.  You see it wasn’t my answers, good or bad, not my faith or testimony that was changing him, it was the holy spirit.  We don’t save anyone, Jesus does.  Only Jesus. 

One day I asked God why in our witness that he didn’t want people to be like us.  Me.  I can hear him giggle, “because you never saved anyone, and I want them to be like me.”  Good advice, also never ask an atheist about being a Christian.  Be happy with your lack of faith that is enough for Jesus.  Why fall prey to opinions that only leave you disappointed, when you can have truth in Christ?  Aren’t opinions like Hondas, doesn’t everyone have one?  And so from cars to motorcycles, from trips to service to trips across the US of A, pray first.  God will direct you, which is maybe why I never owned a Chrysler.  I don’t think he has anything against them, but he knows me, and how I like to travel. Maybe kept from Harleys for the same reason.  Go figure.  But I do know I have a wonderful counselor who guides me in his love, and when I take his advice, found in the word, when I live by his spirit, when I am in the spirit I can make better decisions, and know God will work all things out for my good.  You cannot teach experience, so why not go with the creator who knows all, and offers it all to you via his spirit.  Why turn to opinions when you can have the truth and be set free?

So don’t ask the man who doesn’t own one for advice.  Or ask the man who doesn’t know Jesus about him.  Makes sense to me.  And going to heaven makes real sense.  In this world of deception only one thing can be counted on, Jesus, so why settle for second best.  Or a used up God.  Get to know him personally, and never doubt.  Get to know God personally, where you can call him by his first name Jesus.  He is the Christ, he is the way.  Or get to know your service department on a first name basis.  Or your shrink.  Your mechanic.  Your guru.  And always be searching for better.  Doctors practice medicine, we learned at Mercedes Benz often times we could fix the car but not the customer.  So don’t be like my friend Vince, who sets out to reinvent the wheel and ends up with a flat tire.  Seek truth, justice, and the American way.  It was no coincidence that Superman landed in America.  Jesus is truth and justice, long before the American way.  He came to earth with powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal men.  So why do you have trouble believing him, but not Superman?  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  It starts with a little faith, we all have it.  Ask a man who knows him.  Become one too.  No appointment necessary.

*A Fratzog is the logo for Dodge from 1962-1976. and no one knows what Fratzog means. 

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

back when we all drove Chevies

There was a time in America a generation ago when General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler ruled the automotive world.  Detroit was Motown, and foreign cars were for weird college professors, people from the land of fruits and nuts and it seemed everyone else drove a Chevy.  General Motors, far different from the Government Motors of today had almost 60% of the market, and used to complain that they were losing 1 of every 2 car sales.  Bragging really.  Ford was second, Chrysler third, and AMC a distant fourth.  But GM ruled the world of cars, and Chevy was GM’s flagship brand.  Selling almost 30% of all new cars, they couldn’t do anything wrong.  See the USA in your Chevrolet, and many did.  Product was the key, and from Corvair, to Chevy II, Chevelle, and to Caprice, and then Camaro, there was a Chevy for everyone.  Famous cars, famous engines, 283, 327, 396, and 454-all known as Chevy engines.  The small block the best selling engine of all time, of course it helped being in a Chevrolet.  But then the seventies hit, and gas got expensive, and cheapo Japanese cars hit the shores, and suddenly mpg was more important than cubic inches.  And when big cars quit selling, GM had to adjust.  And the once brilliant plan of Alfred P. Sloan, of individuality reporting to a central office went askew.  GM needed to save money suddenly, and did the unthinkable, they would share engines from various divisions with each other.  But neglected to tell the buying public.

And when one Oldsmobile customer found a Pontiac engine in his 98, he sued GM.  A class action suit followed, for no longer was there Chevy power, Pontiac excitement, Buick smoothness, or even Chevy’s small block.  They were all now GM motors, and would all be shared.  Customers fumed, many sued and won, “I bought a Pontiac not a Chevy motor!”  Their identity had been shattered, lost in the corporate shuffle, and GM began to lose market share.  Cars began to look alike, and new platforms were shared among divisions.  A Chevy Citation was also a Pontiac Phoenix, Olds Omega, Buick Skylark, and the worst, the Cadillac Cimarron.  Bad designs, all the 6 cylinder spark plugs could not be reached without removing the engine. And they all shared the engines, none specific to the brand.  They had lost their vision, and Roger Smith, CEO, when asked what GM had to compete with a Toyota, replied “a 2 year old Buick.”  Gone were Chevy men, no longer cars like your father’s Oldsmobile, and Pontiac is gone, no more building excitement.  Cadillac is a poor excuse for luxury, and Buicks are popular with the over 60 crowd.  Which is shrinking fast.  Where once brand distinction was used for bragging and identification, now you bought GM.  Whose total sales today don’t equal that of Chevy in its best years.  There was a time when it seemed everyone drove Chevies, no one asks “what’s under the hood?” anymore.  Cars, like engines have become generic.  Sadly some religion has too.

After Nehemiah had rebuilt Jerusalem, God gave them specific rules to live by.  Most important was not to trade or intermingle, or even marry with outsiders.  Keep the purity they had been given through grace.  But yet one priest allowed his grandson to intermarry with an Ammonite, a sworn enemy, and Nehemiah got mad.  Priests should of all people known better.  This led to an invitation to the temple itself, and the emptying of the storeroom where the oils and incenses were stored for holy ceremonies.  Two laws of Moses were broken, the defrauding of the Levites storage, but more importantly an Ammonite was living in the temple.  So Nehemiah evacuated everything out of the room, thoroughly cleaned it and purified it, and sprayed it again with incense.  The grain was restored and the incense, all in one quick and prompt action.  Harsh to some, some thought he over reacted, today people would claim he was crazy, yet he acted as Jesus would later throwing the moneychangers out of the temple.  He acted against evil and the actions of it,  while today we have lost our public indignation against such things.  We are told Christians should be so nice and calm, never standing up for what is right, but just a bunch of people who want to ruin your good time with more rules and religion.  Nothing could be farther from the truth.  For evil invades quietly, takes over, and soon consumes,while so called good men do nothing.  Look around, history proves me right.  But where are the good men?

We need to take swift action against evil.  First to act in the spirit first to recognize it, then to end it.  Sometimes the actions are painful, both financially and emotionally, it is tough to take a stand.  For once you do you are a target for ridicule.  But the payment for sin will always be death, and some deaths take a long time.  Today many follow politicians, or politically correct ideas.  The world is being split by them, and people are angry, scared, and fed up.  Jesus said he would separate the sheep from the goats, but the world is separating us all.  Only in the spirit will we find true unity, true fellowship, and truth.  We will recognize evil and be able to deal with it.  Just saying no is not enough, you need to say yes to something, better yet someone.  Jesus Christ.  It can be R rated movies, just a little drink.  Maybe just flirting with a neighbor, or cheating on your expense account.  Maybe “we’re getting married anyway” and living together.  Did you know that 83% of couples who lived together before marriage end in divorce?  It is time to take a stand for good now, before it is too late.  All evil doesn’t look evil, some is fun.  Again the wages of sin is death.  Stop dying and start living.

Sin is tough, Jesus is tougher.  If you don’t think so, I have some 9” nails here for your hands and feet.  Hang on a cross for 6 hours, after 40 lashes.  But his love is tender also, knowing when to love and when to stand up to evil.  Nehemiah knew God, and his laws.  Today we have but one from God, love him with all your heart, and your neighbor as yourself.  We don’t all drive Chevies anymore, learn from a once powerful GM what happens when you lose your vision.  When you become too big and cannot be told anything.  The public voted, and GM lost.  Jesus offers us the chance to choose also.  No other God does.  Don’t put a Buick engine in your Chevy God, put the right engine, the one who died for the chance, put Jesus under your hood.  And when someone asks “what’s under the hood?” show them love.  For what is in your heart will come from your mouth.  If your Pontiac mouth got your Olds in trouble, change to Jesus now.  When he is in your heart, love will spring forth in your life.  Want excitement, try Jesus.  Nehemiah knew and acted on it without any meetings, programs, procedures, or policies.  Only God.  He got results.  Still wondering what’s under your hood?  Ironicly, the disciples were all in one Accord.  Should have seen that one coming.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

Ford has a better idea!

If you weren’t around in 1964, the rest of you born after have no ideas what the Mustang did to the automotive world.  While Chevy sold a hot rodded version of the Corvair, and Dodge fed us ugly Darts, and Plymouth Valiants, Ford had a better idea.  Using an existing platform, the Falcon, they came up with the Mustang, the car baby boomers were looking for but didn’t realize it.  It took brilliant marketing by Lido Iaccoca to help sell it, and with options galore could be found in 6 cylinder with three on the floor, or up to 271 horsepower with the 289 and 4 on the floor. Styled like nothing else on the road, it truly launched the Pony Car revolution, even though the Plymouth Barracuda preceded it by two weeks.  But if imitation was then, it still is now the most sincere form of flattery, for out of the Mustang mold we would get within a few years the Camaro, Firebird, Challenger, and a redesigned Barracuda, called the “Cuda.”  All based on the Pony Car concept of the Mustang.  Even Toyota would copy them with their first Celica based on both sedan and fastback versions.  Mustang sales may have dwindled, but today Ford celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the Mustang, no one else even comes close.  The Celica died in 1997, Chrysler pulled the plug on both cars in 1974, only to reintroduce the Challenger a few years ago, the Camaro quit over a decade ago, along with the Firebird, only revving the Camaro in 2010, Firebird along with Pontiac is gone , RIP.  But Mustang survived despite the competition, and thrives today, the 2015 one I desire to own.  It is fast, beautiful, and still looks like no other car on the road.  No confusing the Mustang for anything else, it is what it is!

Mercury in 1967 brought us the Cougar, which eventually morphed into a larger two door sedan.  Then to a nameplate on badge engineered Mustang, an Australian two seater, and then finally on a Mazda 626 based chassis, then went away quietly.  But Mercury had a hit in 1971 with the Capri, advertised as “The Sexy European” imported by Lincoln Mercury.  A smaller version of the Mustang, it had a Pinto motor, but was sexy looking, and classy for the $2400 asking price.  They were a hot seller, then the Capri II, faced with the dreaded “II”went upsized, was still a good car, but too pricey.  I almost bought one from a guy I worked with, it was nice car, but had too many wheels for me at the time.  I still liked the less rounded contours of the original like Gary Bobko had, in brown with brown interior that looked like leather.  With that cool map reading light that extend from the dash.  And with the 2000cc motor would run pretty good, up to its 100 mph top speed.  Sadly they are gone, I haven’t seen one at any car show for years, maybe just the car we need today.  Stylish, quick, classy, good fuel economy, and priced so the younger set could afford one.   The others tried by imitation, it was Ford that had the better idea.  One look at the 2015 Mustang and you’ll agree.  A Mustang has always been, and hopefully always will be a Mustang.

God has a better idea too.  He is called Jesus, and many are called to him today.  Sadly few answer, some finding a temporary satisfaction in a counterfeit.  A knockoff religion based on the truth, but then carefully molded so that the author of it comes under no condemnation.  Using himself as the baseline, either you meet his standards, or fall short.  We refer to them as cults, and some even sound good, using God’s name in them.  But beware, as 2John warns, do not even wish them “God bless you,” or invite them in.  They will change you long before you change them.  Eroding your faith, and leaving you with a lie, and miserable.  Yet confused Christians call me mean when I confront these groups with the truth, and warn others to stay away.  “But how will they be saved if we don’t witness?” they cry.  How about the same Holy spirit that saved you?  You were lost like they are, and Jesus saved you.  The spirit telling you “you need Jesus,” until you finally answered the call.  God warns us about such people, and the destruction they bring on themselves and others.  Jesus warns us to be “wise as a serpent, but gentle as a lamb.”  Being in the spirit will help you recognize and let you know what to do.  By standing firm in Jesus you are telling the truth, not their perverted truth, even Jesus took offense and asked when seemingly being harsh, “have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?” 

A few years back a woman and some other ladies made things for the elderly.  Handcrafted, they met on Wednesdays, and had a great time of fellowship, and sharing Jesus.  Two Mormon women came and were welcomed, and to make them not feel uncomfortable, the leader decided they would not talk about Jesus.  And the group shrunk, only growing in Mormon women, who then decided to sell the goods they once gave away.  Do not give the devil a foothold, if only their pastor had stood firm on the word and shown them love via the truth.  Jesus is the truth, where were the wise serpents that day?

And so it goes, and so it will, others will try to imitate Jesus, but fall short.  They deny who he is, the only sin that will not be forgiven, and try to add works, studies, family times, and finding fault with the scriptures.  No one has ever fought God and won, they are destined to lose too.  As the devil and his angels already have.  We have Jesus, we have the future, and we win!  No other name by which you may be saved.  Call on him today.

The Mustang is a survivor.  Great ideas last longer, as others only imitate and fade away.  Don’t be confused by false claims, or rarity.  If it was rare when new, maybe it wasn’t popular then either.  Only Jesus can claim to be the same yesterday, today, and forever.  The oldest nameplate on the planet.  The one all others try to copy, but fall short of.  Some day a “sexy European” will rise up as the anti-Christ, and the worst 7 years in earth history will begin.  But Jesus will return and rule forever.  Don’t go through that time, get saved today.  God is a God of his word, he will return, and is patient that none should perish.  For all new believers be glad he is, and didn’t return any sooner.  That’s love.  Found no where else in history, available from Jesus.  Read the owner’s manual he provides, and get to know him better.  There is only one original Pony Car, it is called Mustang, and there is only one true God.  His name is Jesus, get to know him today.  Speed, comfort, and luxury...and at a price you can afford! 

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

money may not buy happiness, but it can buy a motorcycle and that is the same thing

Money can’t buy friends, but you can get a better class of enemy.” Spike Milligan

Malcolm S. Forbes has been dead for awhile, 25 years, but at least in New Jersey he made a permanent impact on motorcycling.  Getting into the sport later in life, he bought a dealership so he could get bikes wholesale, and teaming with Hank Slegers was the partner in Slegers-Forbes, at one time the largest, and the first motorcycle superstore that dot the freeway exits today.  Notice he didn’t need top billing.  He sold all the major Japanese brands, plus BMW, Bultaco, OSSA, and other European brands.  Using his political influence he had an inspection station on the premises, and offered to pay your sales tax if you paid cash.  A far cry from the added on freight and set up we see today adding thousands to new bikes.  His 50,000 square foot building on Route 10 in Whippany was many times a destination no matter the weather, as he would also store your bike for free if you bought it there.  Few rode in Jersey winters.  I bought my first BMW from him, his sales force hand picked and knowledgeable, they all rode, and wore green blazers, true professionals even then.  But Malcolm rode and rode far and wide, taking many friends along at his expense.

At the time, the 1970’s, the Garden State Parkway didn’t allow motorcycles, which was a drag as it was the main artery to the shore.  But with Malcolm’s help it was soon to be motorcycle friendly.  But before it was, he rode on it, and one Sunday with about 40 of us got on, got escorted off without tickets, such was his presence, and then immediately got back on after the State Trooper left.  So you could say I rode with Malcolm, sort of.  But his scope of friends and where they rode was known worldwide, taking a group of bikers into Russia for the first time.  When no American tourists were allowed.  Via his Capitalist Tool motto.  Trips all over the world, supplying as many as 80 bikes for those who rode to ride, and keeping bikes on his yacht and ranches.  He loved to ride, and often with us mere mortals, he loved bikers, and often rode with Elizabeth Taylor as his buddy seat sitter.  Can you picture her in leathers and a helmet?  Standard equipment for Malcolm, also in full black leathers.  He made an impact on motorcycling that many don’t know about today, and proved money may not buy happiness, but it can buy a motorcycle and that is the same thing.  He was happy when riding, on his bike he was one of us.  Off it a voice for all of motorcycling, one that he used his celebrity status and money to make better for all of us who ride.   We need more Malcolms, today many celebrities ride, but few put their money where their butt sits to promote motorcycling.

It is too bad you cannot see inside our full face helmets while we ride, for they cover and protect a huge smile.  Just a few miles of riding, taking the long way home, can cure a bad day, a missed opportunity.  You never see a motorcycle parked outside a psychiatrist’s office, and while some seek therapy, the rest of us ride.  If only a momentary escape, or a month long tour, riding will clear the head, and improve attitude like nothing else.  Except Jesus.  Just being a Christian and being assured heaven ought to be enough to make us smile continually, yet many Christians are gloomy.  All the time.  They have not realized that happy and joy are two separate things, and confuse the two.  Our lives should celebrate Jesus in them, yet many hide their light under a basket like scripture tells, and are gloomy enough I wonder “why would I want to be like them?”  Know one?  Are one? 

Happiness is based on the present situations, and if they are pleasing to us.  That same new bike that brings happiness can also bring sadness when it runs out of gas.  Or breaks down.  Or cannot be ridden.  Happiness is for the moment, but joy runs deeper. It is forever.  Joy is not the absence of suffering, but the presence of God in all situations.  Joy appreciates the past, the right now, and the what is to come, because we have Christ in our lives, and it ought to show.  And when our hearts are right with God, we show it naturally.  It cannot be turned on and off like some do based on situations, it comes form knowing Jesus and trusting him.  I am happy because I am going to heaven, I am joyful because Jesus saved me.  Yet some try to cover it up, or blind us with their high beams for Jesus, bringing condemnation and fear, rather than the love and forgiveness that saved them.  Without Jesus we can have happy times, but they will fade, like my time on the Parkway.  With Jesus it is joyful all the time, and the road is open whenever I want to ride it.  Joy is not based on situations, but on the cross, and the one who died on it.  His pain was our gain.  Those who are aware of what Jesus has done live in joy, and although we may not always be happy, we have his joy within us via the holy spirit. 

Malcolm’s position in life gave him access to many famous people.  Statesman, politicians, actors, and celebrities.  He was a good will ambassador to all of them for motorcycling, his passion.  We are to be ambassadors for Christ here on earth, do we show our passion for him in our lives, does it come from the head or the heart?  The situation or the relationship?  We will all face disappointment, how we handle it shows Jesus, and many times how I handle it shows parts of my life that still need work.  Not quite there yet, and so I see mercy.  Forgiveness.  Even in bad times of bad decisions Jesus still loves us.  So be aware of God’s love and acceptance for us.  Show it in attitude and action, using words only when necessary.  Money may not buy happiness, but it can buy a motorcycle and that may be the same thing, but only Jesus can give you joy, and you cannot buy it.  It is a gift, so accept it.  And pass it on to others, even those who don’t ride.  Stop preaching, start forgiving.  Stop worrying and ride.  You meet the nicest people on Hondas and other brands.  You never know who is under that Arai or set of leathers, we are all family once we throw a leg over the seat.  Only God knows the heart, we judge based on appearance.  Malcolm put his money where his heart was.  Where he was happiest.  I am happiest in Christ, knowing I will live forever in heaven.  Which brings me joy.  Happy or joyful or both?  Only in Jesus will you know the difference.  I feel a ride coming up.....joy and happiness in Christ.  Jesus and motorcycles, it don’t get much better than this.

By the way, Malcolm’s headstone reads “while alive, he lived.”  Amen to that.

love with compassion, and passion,

Mike

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