"...who can take a nothing day and suddenly make it all seem worthwhile..."

I thought of my friend Lance the other day when seeing a commercial for The Mary Tyler Moore Show.  He always had a crush on her, she was the prefect woman of the early seventies. To him and many others.  She was the girl who could take a nothing day and suddenly make it all seem worthwhile.  Which made me reconsider all the seemingly nothing things I do all week.  And looking back somehow they all seemed worthwhile.

The new Indian dealer opened and I wanted to ride a Scout.  When he saw I was riding an Explorer with manufacturer plates, and saw I rode for Triumph, I was in, and we set out.  Nice bike, but when he turned to go back, I pulled up next to him and told him “I’m not ready,” and got on the freeway.  He caught up and when we returned he figured I just had to get on it.  New friend made.  The day before I had stopped by to see Jerry at the Harley store, and met a new salesman, who liked my Bonneville.  So many Harleys sold, yet when I pull in on the Bonneville, they all gather around it.  Go figure.  He had a Norton, and was new to Harley...his first love British.  Nice to see young guys riding the classics.  Later in the week a stop at the BMW store and Phil, who used to sell Triumphs, and is always interested to see what press bike I have.  Offered me a ride on the new S1000X, the 160 hp adventure bike.  No time today, maybe next week.  We joked about owning a Prius, only to offend a guy standing there.  Sorry buddy, you bought it.  Maybe a motorcycle can get you back your manhood.  Looked at the Guzzis and Aprilias, cool stuff.  I’m still a sucker for Euro bikes.  And on the way home stopped by to see Mike at the Honda store.  We go back a long ways, and we talked of why certain bikes we thought would sell never did, crazy financing, and did I want to sell for him.  Sorry no, I’m retired.  Caught up on our kids, and I was off.  Thanked the guys in service who checked my tires, then home and put it on the charger, I really need to ride it more. 

An unplanned stop at a multi brand dealer and visiting with Tyson, who is the GM now.  He is going to England for the worldwide intro of the new Bonnevilles, and was invited on a private factory tour.  Lucky sucker.  So when I got home opened the teaser email again about them, and called Mick.  He is doing the US intro meeting next month, and although bikes aren’t on the water yet, he’ll have them soon, which means I’ll have one soon.  The Thruxton R in Silver Ice is driving me nuts.  Bikes are set for late spring intro, I will have put thousands of miles on them by then.  Earlier I had taken the Explorer back and got the Street Triple, and checked it out for my son who will ride it when he comes home next month.   My other son stopped by on his way to work and gave me some New Zealand bike magazines his girlfriend picked up there last week.  Rode the blue Tiger to Bible study, and made note to fuel the white one for our weekend ride tomorrow.  The blue one has gone from interstate tourer to grocery getter, and perfect for riding down to San Diego Tuesday nights to minister.  And stopping to look back, I was amazed at the impact of motorcycles in my life.  I had ridden over 600 miles on 6 different bikes, and never gone more than 85 miles from home.  Add in last weekend’s ride for another 220, and I had ridden over 800 miles, and hadn’t really gone anywhere.  Maybe my nothing days were worthwhile after all....because I ride.  And the people I know.

Fellowshipping is under rated.  Getting together with people of like interests reminded me of that.  At the Bible study yesterday talked with Pastor Glenn about prayer warriors.  Hassled Doug about his new BMW, who loves to ride it.  Talked with Ron about the week, and after the study visited with many of us seniors.  Older saints with lots of miles and years among us, with Jesus in common.  A treasure trove of testimonies shared, and without Jesus we never would have met.  You see Jesus takes a nothing life and suddenly makes it all seem worthwhile.  He adds life to your style, and purpose to you.  I have met more people from all different walks of life, who are my brothers and sisters in Christ.  He is our common denominator, and with him we have all things.  And it makes me reflect on all my motorcycle friends, who know who and what I am, and who I get to minster to.  Guys who would never set foot in a church, but can hear the gospel, and see it live through me.  Which really makes life worthwhile.  And if it can work for bikers, it can work for golfers.  Quilters.  Soccer moms.  SUV drivers.  You see God has appointed us to be his ambassadors in the world, not to keep the message just between the saved inside the four walls of the church.  My scope of friends goes from millionaires, to retired police chiefs, to 1%’er club presidents, to Marine officers, to hookers, prisoners, and retired pastors.  Today I will meet with Karl, just out on parole, and Ben, a retired pastor whose ministry was in the trenches.  These men love the Lord, and both are called to different audiences, like I am.  Without Karl many in prison would have never heard the word, and been given hope.  Ben stood the ground for many years defending the down trodden.  All from different backgrounds, who get excited when we talk about Jesus.  We just can’t keep him inside of us, we need to share him through ministering to others.  No preaching, but loving those who need it when it is needed.  And when is love never needed?

Maybe we all need to stop and look back at our week, and see where God was in it.  How he made simple things interesting, and gave life purpose.  Maybe spend more time meditating on him, praying and thanking him.  God has given me the desire of my heart, and it is him.  He has also given me a passion for motorcycles, and lets me be out riding and sharing.  A life within a lifestyle, no colors flying, no tracts to pass out, just meeting people on the street like Jesus did.  As I go, like he did.  Today you may think your life is hum drum, is boring.  Let Jesus make it exciting, get out and live for him.  With him.  There is action on the streets just waiting for you to make it happen, and your ministry field doesn’t have to be an ocean away.  People need to not only hear the message, but see it in real life.  If Jesus can take two anarchists, a tax collector, fishermen, and a banker, throw in a Pharisee, and change the world, imagine what he can do with you?  Let Christ into your  life now, and let him take that nothing life and suddenly make it all seem worthwhile.  Jesus and motorcycles, it just don’t get any better.  That’s my story, what’s yours?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com 

communication breakdown

Who can forget the immortal line from Cool Hand Luke, “what we have here is a failure to communicate,” and maybe truer words were never spoken.  Or to be more precise, converse,  thanks to the curse of texting people don’t talk anymore.  We have sound bites on the news, and anyone and everyone may be recording you, which I can guarantee will be turned around and used against you.  And it has even invaded prayer time over the years, both personal and public.  If you sound holier than thou you must have some special connection to God, or if you have a title or are in ministry.  I have known people over the years who follow a person because they got healed when they prayed, thinking there is power in prayer, and in this one man’s prayer in particular.  We even have prayer warriors, and people who line up for prayer after services with the pastor.  Recently I was reminded that when I had open heart surgery “half the people around the world were praying for you” and to them I say thanks.  But in a different way...let me explain.

Some believe the more who are praying, the more God listens, and somehow it jaundices his answers, and the speed of them.  Like one more and he will answer.  Many pray asking, but never stop to wait for God’s answer, and I ask, “so why even ask if you don’t want to hear the answer?”  Many times God does answer, we just don’t like the answer, or it is not what we expected.  More prayer, as if maybe God didn’t understand...But sadly a familiar scenario is like this.  Every night just before going to bed, the phone rings.  It is always the same person, who tells you how he hates his job, has no money, his kids are out of control, and his wife and him are on the outs.  He asks you for help, but when you go to answer, he says “gotta go, can’t talk now.”   Which is a fair representation of their prayer life, which represents their relation with God.  Sound familiar?

Some think prayer is only communication, or even a monologue.  It is a dialogue, with the God of the universe.  Try this next time you are on the phone.  You talk 5 minutes, then it is the other person’s turn.  Then yours again.  Communication, but not conversation.  True conversation is alive, and listens as much as it talks.  Still caught up making excuses, try this one.  Jesus says where ever two or three are gathered in my name, I am among them.  Since the person of the holy spirit is in you upon salvation, you are never alone, and have the perfect prayer partner.  And be real brave, let the spirit start your conversation, who knows better your needs, and then you speak.  Still lost for words, you can always thank him!  Did you ever consider just shutting up and listening the next time you call him Lord?

But prayer took on another dimension for me when I was sick.  I knew God had it all in control, the spirit was giving me peace.  And I was glad so many cared about me, love is a reassuring thing in the midst of turmoil.  But so many would say “I prayed for you,” implying their specific request made the difference in God’s answer.  Theresa had been reminded by a hospital chaplain of Isaiah 65:24, God is already answering before you ask.  So I asked him why was it important that others pray, and I pray for others?  His answer was so simple, and so amazing all a once.  “So that when I did my miracle in you, people could see my hand at work, and would worship me.” 

the answer was the most important part of the request.  And all the time, and every time, it is always about Jesus.  And when he gets the glory, you get the blessings.  You see there is no power in prayer, but there is power in he who hears and answers.  So why not get on a first name basis with him, get his daily updates and praise him even more?  No more communication breakdown, spend time with the Lord, who reminds us “why do you call me Lord if you don’t do what I ask?”  Can you hear him now?

Psalm 1 tells us blessed is the man who delights in the Lord.  Who spends time with him, and thinks on him.  Do we?  Think, who was Jesus thinking of when he was on the cross?  The worst scenario in history?  He was still calling out to his father, for us.  His eyes were not on himself, but on the one who could save.  And did and does.  At your next Bible study or prayer meeting, suggest silence, and listen for the spirit to start the prayer.  Scripture doesn’t say he who has a mouth let him speak, it does say “he who has an ear let him hear.” And did you know you can control your mouth, but not your hearing?  Are we onto something here?  And hearing is the last sense we lose before death, the spirit ministering until heaven, and then in heaven.   Praying more and getting less?  Ask God, then listen.  Two ears, one mouth.  One will.  So I ask you to pray for me, that I may hear more of the spirit, get closer to God, and see more Jesus in my life.  For others to see.  Maybe the St. Francis of Assissi prayer is a good reminder.  Preach the word daily, adding words when needed.  God will direct your paths, but will you follow?  Only if you hear what the spirit is saying...and all you have to say is “Amen.”  The spirit, whenever and wherever two or more are gathered...you are never alone, and you have the perfect prayer partner.  Take a few minutes right now to listen.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com 

the books on God's shelf

When the Ford Probe came out in 1988,I bought one of the transport when it first arrived.  Five years later it was stolen, and when it came time to settle with the insurance company, I had all the receipts for service, maintenance, and accessories added, with pictures, so I was able to negotiate top book plus when settling the claim.  Sadly the car was found on the other side of town a few days later, but now belonged to the insurance company.  So off we went to replace it, our choices either a Mustang GT, or Camaro Z-28.  After looking at dozens of cars, a theme developed for each car.  The Mustangs were all 5 speed manuals, and mostly owned by men.  They had higher miles, some options, well maintained, and like me, they had complete records.  The Camaros by comparison were mostly automatics, lower miles, not taken care of as well, dirty or low oil, mostly owned by single women, and had no paperwork.  Just one glimpse when lifting the hood and you could tell the difference, with some needing a bath also.  Which made me wonder, if you have a car for sale, can’t you at least wash it?  But it was the books, the records of Mustang owners that showed pride of ownership...the Camaros left no doubt either about lack of pride of ownership.

Now even Santa Claus has a list of all the kids in Boy and Girl Land, and has to check it twice.  Note it is a list and incorporates both good and bad. Who knows what he recorded or even missed.  Not so with God, who reminds us in Malachi 3:16 that he keeps a book of remembrance on us.  A book of good things we have done, and if you have a book, you are also included in the Lamb’s book of Life.  Now this book would mean something to the people at the time, as Persian kings would keep notes of good of their subjects, sort of like my kids used to bring home “caught being good slips” occasionally.  The teacher noted good things, and so did the king.  Many times it a long took time to remember, so the books were needed,  and it took great patience for the good books to be opened, as the kingdom was all about the king after all.  So God prepared his books on his people, to encourage the faithful ones, and keep track of their good deeds.  Today we talk of paying it ahead, and of money, God was looking at the heart, not the pocket book or FICO score. 

Maybe a better way to think of these books was to look at them as a yearbook, or scrapbook that God keeps on us.  Not to remind him, as if he could forget, but to remind us.  How many times after a trip do I look at pictures and not remember the place.  Or forgot and the pictures remind me.  And the precious memories flood my heart.  God’s book is like this, and is all good things, no bad memories included.  Or sins, as Jesus was to encourage his believers to rejoice because your names are written in heaven.  To encourage them as he knew their faithfulness would come under attack, and could result in heartache, trouble, and even death.  And so it continues today.  To encourage us so we can rest in confidence that we are remembered in God’s scrapbook of us.  Which happens to include no sin, for we are forgiven, as if it never existed.   No revisions, no updated context, our sin never exists or existed once we are saved.  Says so right in the Bible, and in the book God keeps on us.  And it is possible that this book on Job was paraded in front of Satan when he accused God of favoring him to gain his allegiance.  I am sure when reviewing it before Satan he had full assurance of who and what and how Job would react.  Is it possible God brags on the book of us?

Now while the book of Malachi gives a detailed account or Israel and her disobedience, anything from defective offerings, wrong teaching and errors, unfaithfulness to wives, and even complaining how it was futile to serve God, God knew the heart of each.  And while we look at the outer man, God saw into the heart, and our character.  And based the books on love, his love reflected in us, as evidenced by Paul.  Where he talks of speaking in tongues, prophesying, knowing all the mysteries of Christ, even giving all to help the poor, that if it was not done in love, but to build up himself, he had nothing.  Rather he rather boast of God and how Jesus changed his life. Reminding us in the love chapter of 1 Corinthians 13, love is patient, love is kind, it does not envy or boast, and is not proud.  Love does not dishonor others, is not self seeking, is not easily angered, keeps no record of wrongs.  Always hopes and loves.  Love never fails.  And since God is love, we see the character of God here, and the things he counts as valuable to put  in our books.  Again repeated in the fruit of the spirit, love, joy, peace, patience, forbearance, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, meekness, and self control.  No laws broken among them.  The things that God remembers about us will amaze us, some of us with only a few pages, others with volumes.  But we will all be in heaven at the reading!  The same God who inspired the scriptures, has a written a book inspired by you, when you are inspired by him!  Your book is on his shelf, is his on yours?  Has he written his word on your heart?  By your fruits others will know.

And so it was easy to make the decision to buy the Mustang.  A 1986 GT convertible with 103,xxx miles on it.  Complete with books and records from new.  And when we traded it later with over 145,xxx miles, we got what we paid for it on trade in, verified by the records.  Before CARFAX, before computers.  We could prove our claims, and God can prove his.  And you can also.  And someday when the books are opened we will be amazed at the things God noted as important, as opposed to the things we thought were.  Get to know Jesus personally, start filling your scrapbook today.  A yearbook starting the day you were saved, right up and into heaven.  Start walking in the spirit today, guided by him, and start a treasure trove of testimonies.  You never know, God may be bragging on you!  Remember that the next time you encounter a trial...someone is watching and taking notes.  Home movies of the heart, that only a loving father could take.  Are your books up to date?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

standing on the runway watching all the planes take off

I have always admired Steve McQueen’s choice of living at the Santa Paula Airport.  What a great idea, renting or owning a hangar big enough to keep all your two and four wheeled toys in, plus access to your plane if needed.  He wrote of waking up each morning, opening the hangar door and letting the sights and sounds of small aircraft fill his morning coffee appointment.   Now I don’t fly, nor drink coffee, but over the years have looked into renting a hangar and moving into it.  Building a small kitchen with a living area, and a loft for the bedroom.  Leaving lots of room for motorcycles and cars, no more waking up and wondering if you shut the garage door, when the hangar door was shut, you were safe and securely in for the night.  Still in the back of my mind, but lack of funds still the major deterrent. 

But when visiting the Santa Paula Airport for the first time, we checked out the hangars, rode around the airport, had breakfast at the café adjacent to the runway.  It was fun watching the planes take off and land, and I could see Steve and his wife sitting having coffee in my minds eye, sitting among the old motorcycles.  Never a bad way to start a day, sure beats any commute down the I-15 corridor any time.  But after we ate, we went and stood just off the runway, and watched as all the private planes took off and landed.  No barriers, no police, and no signs telling us not to, we just stood a safe distance, and after a landing, would stand on the runway until the plane went out of sight.  More fun than looking for an out of state license plate from your parent’s back seat, I was amazed at how they waved and weren’t freaked out by us being there.  And others were doing what we did, something about the sights and sounds when standing on the runway made it entertaining.  Like I said, I don’t fly, but I don’t surf either, nor race 1/4 mile drags, but still I like to watch from a good viewpoint, to feel the action, smell the exhaust, and hear the engines roar.   And so I have found it almost restful standing on the runway watching all the planes take off.  And have done it a few other times at other airports.  Small, private ones that is.

With security a top priority at major airports today, you would think access would be rather limited.  But some 20 years ago when selling to major airline accounts at the airport at Lindbergh Field, a plane had landed on its nose, and when asked if I wanted to see it, jumped in a truck with one guy.  When I expressed concern for security, he laughed, and we went through a huge hole in a chain link fence, driving onto the runway.  Seems it had been there for a while, right in plain view, pun intended, and everyone knew about it and used it.  Any civilian could just drive through and onto the runways at Lindbergh, we did, it was used by all the locals there as a short cut, and I never felt safe there any more.  What a difference from small airports to big ones, but was there? 

Whether farm, suburbs, or city, we all get used to the neighborhood we live in, and build a trust around with our neighbors.  Some we get to know, some just a wave, some by sound of a car or motorcycle, some by the absence of sound, I like that one.  But large or small, we get to know on a limited basis our neighbors, and something about them.  Works at church too, some we see every week, some Wednesday nights too, and some only Christmas and Easter.  Some it seems live at the church, who think we must too because that is the only place we see each other, while others see each other more off campus.  And unlike Santa Paula Airport and others like it with no barriers, we put up barriers, or facades so people can see how we want to be seen, many times not as we are.  If your hangar door opened every morning for all to see, what would you hide from them?  Or would you?  It seems we are more concerned about our neighbor’s impression of us than God’s.  Something we all are guilty of.  But how God sees us should be how we see others, through his eyes in love.  And maybe a few barriers would come down, and maybe a few would be erected where they should have been.  But God sees us as we are, and miracle of miracles, loves us just as we are.  Says so in Romans, “while we were yet sinners, God sent Jesus to die for us.”  Just like the question of what came first, the chicken or the egg, go to the Bible to find out it was the chicken, God created all the animals first.  And sent Jesus first, to be the first among his loved ones, his own son.  So we aren’t waiting to find God, he is patiently waiting for us to find him.  And he isn’t hiding, but making himself evident everyday to all who seek him.  It takes more faith to be an atheist, because the evidence is there.  Just like one morning watching the planes take off from the runway convinces you of them, time spent with Jesus proves there is more to him than going to church.  It got personal on the runway, and even more personal looking at the pilots, and driving around looking inside the hangars.  What do you want people to see when you throw open the doors to your hangar?  Your garage?  Your life?  Is it all a façade of Jesus stickers, Bible covers, and programs?  Or is it deeper, where you got out of the four walls and saw Jesus in action?  Where instead of hearing a testimony from others, you were making them  yourself?  Do you have the courage to not only open the doors to your heart to God, but to go out and follow his will? 

Which is why I stress application of scripture rather than education of it.  We are told to be doers of the word, to get out and live among others sharing the gospel.  Trusting the spirit to guide and provide as needed, and he does.  If the seat of your pants is wearing out faster than the soles of your shoes, get out and live.  See life as God intended it, and experience all he has for you.  Stand on his runway and meet him outside of church, where the real action is.  Maybe even see a side of you that you didn’t know existed, along with blessings you have been missing.  The spirit is calling, are you listening?  What is your answer?  Many are called, few are chosen, and God has called us.  He will give us the words when needed as promised, he will protect us from ourselves as we go.  And when standing on the runway, we see more action.  And in the action see more of God.  And he is reflected through us.  Just like best sunrises are shared, when Jesus comes into your heart you just have to tell someone.  At the airport, on the runway, or in the café, others are watching and listening to your words.  Do they reflect God or his theories?  Do they show the love of Christ or love of self?  Do we dare live without fear of how God sees us, knowing he loves and forgives us so we can do that for others?  Your hangar door doesn’t have to be open for God to see in.

Airports and churches are just buildings until people become involved.   You are just another voice in the crowd until Jesus becomes involved in your life.  To go boldly where others fear to tread, never knowing Jesus outside of the church and its teachings.  We all can’t live at the airport, but we can live for Christ.  As we go the scripture tells us, preach the word.  Not only in church, but on the way to and from church.  Takeoffs and landings are common at any airport, but different when standing on the runway when they happen.  See Jesus differently when you get out and live him.  Maybe that idea of living at the airport isn’t so foolish at all....or of living for Christ either.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

 

"didn't you used to be big?" a return to the studio

In the hard hitting, haunting movie “Sunset Boulevard,” Gloria Swanson plays Norma Desmond, a legendary actress from the silent era, many years after.  When someone recognizes her, and asks “hey aren’t you Norma Desmond?  You used to be big...” she responds “I am big, it’s the pictures that got small..”  Norma lives in isolation, still the queen in her silent movie celluloid built mansion, and even though 30 years have passed her by, she is still young and beautiful, seeing herself as she is on screen.  Maybe the pictures have gotten smaller.  But she has been away for years, and no one recognizes her any more.  Until a touching scene where she returns to the studio, dropping in on the making of a movie.  All the old timers remember her, and for one fleeting moment he past becomes reality, but again fades too quickly.  Celluloid heroes never die as long as there are Late, Late Shows on TV, and viewers to watch them. 

I had a friend in high school named Gary, a year ahead of me.  He was part of our high school’s track machine, when we went to meets it wasn’t if we would win, it was what records we would break.  And Gary set many of them, local, state, and nationwide.  He was handsome, looked the part of an athlete, always had a crew cut, and we lost touch for a few years.  When the rest of us experimented with drugs, Gary was high on running.  He had a full scholarship to an Ivy League school, and did well, he still showed up in the sports section of the Star Ledger.  But when we met again, I didn’t recognize him.  His hair was long, looked disheveled, and he was buying alcohol.  We were at a liquor store, and he had changed for the worst.  He came back to house, my last night before leaving New Jersey, and we talked of music, our common love, and the past 4 years.  He had done well in school, and on the track.  He had some tough times, but in running and competition found solace.  Until his real driving force, his father, died. Without his father’s encouragement, he was lost.  Turned to drugs and alcohol, lost his place on the track team, his scholarship, and had to drop out.  Back to Scotch Plains, he has few friends, they were all runners, and his picture had gotten smaller.  He used to be Gary, he was big....and no one cared about what records he used to set.  I left him heartbroken and lost all contact with him.

After coming to the Lord, some psycho babbler taught us that our life is based on our relationship with our father.  He was speaking in earthly terms, and I thought of Gary.  His dad was everything to him, and he was lost when that relationship ended.  But I saw it in heavenly terms, my relationship with God.  And how my relationship with God, when I put him first, gave me a much different and insightful view of the world. When we see things through God’s eyes, we see things as he does, and our attitude changes.  And so does our life.

When God created us it was for fellowship, and we immediately screwed that up.  Adam’s relationship was so different after sin, and we sunk to a low when God flooded the earth, but saved Noah.  One last chance for us to get it right, but again we blew it.  “We are big, it’s God that got small,” and so we got the law, which only pointed out our sin.  The sacrifices weren’t really, and soon our hearts were exposed for all the evil in them.  We needed a way back, so God provided a person, Jesus Christ.  The way.  The only way back to our heavenly father.  Sent in love, to die for our sins, so we could be forgiven.  A father who loves us like no other, who never leaves us, never turns on us, and is patient for us to come back to him.  A God who many have forgotten about, thankfully he has never forgotten about us.  Maybe proving but on a spiritual level how all life is based on the relationship with our fathers.  Which shows up in the world today as so many ask “who’s your daddy?” never knowing their earthly dads who turned form them, but God has paved the way to him through Christ.  You see God still is big, it is our sin that got bigger, and interrupted our relationship.  Fortunately his love covers all sin, except denying him, leaving the choice up to us.  Where are you in your relationship with God?  Where is Jesus in your life?  Or are you drifting due to the loss of him, looking for the way back.  Living on past memories of greatness, hiding in drugs or alcohol wishing to return to the time before time passed you by.  Looking for the way back to the garden, which God has sealed off from us, he wants us to return to a person not a place.  To have new memories, and old forgiven ones. 

Most of our prayers start with us at the beginning.  Today try something new, meditate on God, and let his spirit lead the prayer.  Maybe you be the part that says “Amen,” and see how it changes your relationship with him.  Get your eyes on him and off yourself and your situation, and find peace and mercy in Jesus, governed by the spirit and not your emotions.  The heart can be deceitful we are warned by John, but the spirit brings life.  So let him.  Consider all he has done and his mighty deeds, and meditate on him instead of yourself.  You will find God is big, it is us that have gotten small, except our egos blinded us from the truth.  And we find not a return to the Garden of Eden, but to a place in heaven prepared just for us.  God has given us the way through Jesus, the next step is up to us.

Psycho babble or not, God has placed in us a desire to fellowship with him.  Something that can only be satisfied through someone.  The person of Jesus Christ.  The hardest battle may be only 18 inches in length, between the head and the heart.  When you know the truth and are set free, you see the truths in many things God has made for us, and you will see things how he wants us to, for our benefit.  Without him you will never see the beauty he created.  When the light comes into the room you see the true colors, shapes, and designs in his eyes.  And beauty becomes beautiful all over again.

Stop, listen, then look.  Listen for God and hear the spirit’s guiding.  Stop what you are doing, and look to Jesus.  He is everywhere, for he created all things.  Want to know the past, listen to his words.  How to deal with right now, so we have a bright tomorrow.  Not just a review on the Late Show.  Remember what God has done by reading your Bible, look back on how he saved you, and reflect on the blessings.  Short on blessings, let him give you more.  He will not deny you ever, so don’t deny him.  Begin with God, get over yourself, and follow a new course, one laid out for you that leads to Jesus, that leads to our father in heaven, that lead us to him there.  Celluloid heroes never died, they are only seen in reruns.  Step outside of yourself and see things anew, God still is big, it is the pictures that got small.  “I AM big,” says the Lord.  And when you are with the great I Am, you will be too.  Take a clue from a psycho babbler, who was so close, but so far.  Look to Jesus, and not to your own ways.  Film at 11.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

would you buy a cute motorcycle?

No one I have ever met bought a motorcycle because it was cute.  Sportsters, cute?  Bonnevilles cute?  Ever seen a cute bobber? Chopper? How about acute flat tracker?  Can you see any racer worth his leathers racing a cute bike?  How cute is flat black?  Yet an ad campaign caught my attention this morning, which ads are supposed to do, from Ducati and their Scrambler.  They are introducing “Bart and Betty,” cartoon figures to sell motorcycles.  Yes it got my attention, but how many real riders will go in to a Ducati salesroom to ride one based on Bart?  Do we need more Betty’s out there riding in shorts and tank tops?  Which cute bike will she want to ride, and while the salesman is trying to sell a Panigale, will he be distracted or amused by Betty when she gets her flip flop caught on the shifter.  Which she thought was a foot rest...And Bart, the skater, will he be upset because he has to wear a helmet and pads to ride?  How will you be able to see his missing teeth from inside his Bell?  Where will he put all the stickers?  And I can see the service problems, “dude I don’t check the oil, I just add gas and ride....” while upset the flashing low oil light is on.  At least he carries his board as a spare.  Will all the scuffs and scars on his bike, the broken mirrors be a badge of honor like his broken board, will Betty try to cover up scratches with nail polish?  How will she ever explain grease and oil to her girl friends?  Tune in to find out, coming to a Ducati showroom near you.....would you buy a cute motorcycle?

Truth is the woman’s market is growing.  And I welcome woman riders, as long as they know how to ride.  I have ridden with some over the years, and many are better riders than their men counterparts.  They read the manual, will check the chain via a courteous male, keep it clean, and want to ride.  And not necessarily at the back of the pack...They ride because it is fun, and they like the wind in their face like we do, but when it becomes trendy, we all suffer.  I abandoned group rides long ago based on woman who cannot ride, and the excuses men made for them.  You only ride as fast as the slowest rider, and when they cannot ride, they should stay home, not cause trouble within the ranks.  The women I have ridden with would not have put up with it either, it messes up their ride too.  So I find I ride most with my wife on her Bonneville.  A group of two.

Who rode to Hollister after being invited to trailer her bike with others from a bike club.  She rides.  She lane splits, despite being taught by Dick, and is good at it.  We have very few rules when we ride, when the curves come we meet at the end, and my waiting times are decreasing.  She has a thin chicken strip on her tires, her lean exceeds her side stand.   And she has ridden in below 50 degree weather, how many of you have never seen the Arctic cold of 45 degrees?  She wears leathers, chaps, and also has fabric jackets.  Her main complaint, not enough women’s styles, not all wear black or pink.  Or black and blue.  And I find it amusing when another biker comes up to pass her, and finds out her pony tail is attached to a woman.  We even downplayed the time she led a group of 45 bikes to a Billy Graham Crusade, riding at 80 mph for 30 miles, no one got lost or wrecked.  And we all rode the whole way....

And so I honor my wife for being a rider, and she too would find humor in “Betty and Bart.”  But the real humor would be when we find out that Betty is a better rider than Bart.  Now he’s not so cute, and men are afraid of her.  We call it respect, posers call it fear.  Yet today many are taken in by appearance rather than performance.  How we look is often not related to how we perform, just because your bike is dirty doesn’t mean a lot of miles.  Or that it is clean like mine they haven’t?  We have enough time sorting out the posers, now we have cute Ducatis?  Pink Harleys?  Don’t go there, I know a girl, and yes she can ride.  Girls on café racers...yup.  Girls who tour, ever seen Edel on her Gold Wing?  Riding comes from the heart, not from the color of the bike.  Or brand.  Or leathers.  We love to ride, we welcome new riders, but posers can stay home doing their wife’s honey do list, let her ride.  And a note to Ducati, how many potential men riders will you lose to being cute?  “Nice bike Bart...” followed by friends laughing.  Muffled only by their Shoei’s....

And so the ads go on, and it is not just for attracting new riders.  The church is always on a new member campaign.  Some try to rob from other churches, never a good thing.  Some go out with buses, passing out free food once a month, and wonder why they don’t grow.  Some members invite their friends...now there’s a brave soul.  But few neglect to know that it is God who builds the church, Jesus is the solid rock it is based on, and God will provide the growth.  They may add numbers and fill pews, but do we see souls saved?  Free meals will get a turnout, but where is Jesus?  Maybe a look into scripture will guide us....Jesus fed the 5000 twice, probably more because the count didn’t include women and children.  Per the customs of the day.  No books were sold, no membership offered, no fancy handouts.  People were hungry, and he had the disciples feed them.  But his being there made it different.  He ate with the masses, something the Pharisees and other religious would not do, while under the law.  I can see Jesus walking the crowd, making sure everyone got enough, seconds if need be.  Maybe a doggie bag or two, you see he fed the hungry with food, while showing love.  And upset a few while doing it.  No limits on portions, eat until you are full.  Where can I find a church like that?

When doing it in love, there are no boundaries.  Love demands a choice, and how many have been turned away from churches because we might have ridden to a service?  We had long hair?  We brought our Bibles with us?  We wore jeans...and the list goes on.  Jesus welcomes us as we are, and he would welcome Bart and Betty, and be gracious to them.  A lesson maybe I need to remember.  How many of us when we were kids hung out or were thrown out of bike shops?  Ever send your mother for parts?  She didn’t know the model, just it was blue and said Honda.  But she got the right part through persistence.  And may have seen a side of motorcycling she didn’t know existed beyond our scrapes and bruises, and torn clothes.  Maybe we need to extend a hand to others when they ask about our bikes, and answer questions.  Not necessarily a recruiting drive, but your next riding buddy may be just waiting for a chance to ride, but doesn’t know anything about it.  Or may be your spouse.  Strange as it may seem, some women ride and their husbands don’t.  Works with Jesus too, which is why I don’t preach.  But mingle, and get to know people.  Preach at me and I’m outta here.  But I will share Jesus by his love and interest in you, and tell the truth.  And I don’t invite many to church, we are the church, so why not get out like Jesus tells us to and be light and salt?  A friend wonders why no one he invites ever takes him up on his offer, after he has preached at them.  Think about your witness, would you want to be like you or among of church folk like you?

So remember that when riding too.  Especially if you have your Christian colors on.  Is you riding a testimony of who you believe?  Or of your church, or club?  Nothing impresses more than a group of bikes taking up the fast lane at 50 mph, causing traffic to back up.  Freedom in riding, why would I want to hear about your freedom in the spirit, when you show no evidence?  I have rules at work and church, not with my rides.  And not with my God.  He shows love so I can respond in love.  Riding more and enjoying it less?  Going to church more and enjoying it less?  Try freedom in the spirit, ride your own ride, and be who you can be in Christ.  Not some religion.  Not all who ride are riders, not all who attend church are saved.  Be different, be yourself.  Now about that cute motorcycle, how pretty is it chasing it through the curves?  Bikes aren’t cute, but some who ride are.  Maybe your wife is just waiting for an invitation....let her choose the color. 

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

"step right up and meet the Mets..."

Last night was a night worth celebrating for New York Met fans, and being one since 1962, their first year, I am rejoicing.  The Mets are going to the World Series!  And all is well.  And I know, because it hasn’t always been so cheering for the Mets.  Growing up in the New York Metro area you were either a Mets or Yankee fan.  When the Dodgers and Giants left in 1957, a void filled the city for National League baseball, and many barely endured the drought.  You didn’t switch your allegiance to the Yankees, because they didn’t represent baseball to the people as the Dodgers and Giants had.  And when the Mets were formed for 1962, they could hardly wait.  Baseball was back, brought to them by George Weiss, an ex-Yankee exec, and Donald Grant, another ex-Yankee.  They even modeled the new uniforms after the old, Dodger blue letters with Giant gold outline, even Yankee pinstripes on home uniforms.  The NY on the caps the old Giant gold logo, but on a blue Dodger cap.  Let’s play ball!

And they did, losing 120 games their first year, and not much better the second.  But it didn’t matter, the National League was back in New York, and with players like Felix “Wrong Way” Mantilla, Pumpsie Green, Marvelous Marv, Elio Chacon, Hot Rod Kanehl, and Choo Choo Coleman, we loved them all.  Roger Craig lost 20 games.  We still cheered for him.  Even Ralph Kiner, ex home run hitter for the Pirates before he hurt his back and retired, did play by play, and had a show after the game, Kiner’s Corner, where he used Kinerisms long before Yogi did.  And one eventful interview with Choo Choo after a game.  When asked his wife’s name, he replied, “Mrs. Coleman.”  Not helping much, when Kiner asked “what does she like?” he answered, “she likes me.”  End of interview.  And we loved it.  And all brought together by one Charles Dillon Stengel, aka Casey.  Who had managed the Yankees to 13 pennants, and 10 World Series wins.  And you could watch on channel 9, the old Dodger network.  Proving to some that there is a God, and he loves National League baseball!

But until 1969 they never had a winning season, still outdrew the Yankees, but that year it was to change.  They had been known as “the Amazin’s Mets,” or just the Amazin’s, but now they were “the Miracle Mets,” overcoming a 100 to 1 long shot to be in the World Series.  We all remember the night Gary Gentry pitched them into first place in August.  How Jamie Qualls broke up Tom Seaver’s no-hitter in the 8th, again a Cub.  How they swept the Braves in the first League Championship Series, and beat the Orioles is 5 games!  Thanks to our high school being under construction, I was home that afternoon to watch with Just and Abner, and when Davey Johnson, who would later manage the 1986 Mets to a World Series Championship, flied out to Cleon Jones in left, we went nuts.  Abner thrust a bayonet into the ceiling, and cheers could be heard everywhere throughout the nighborhood.  The Mets were World Champs!  And it was only fitting that Gil Hodges, another old Dodger managed them!  Schools were closed the next day, but we went to celebrate with our friends.  School was out, the Mets were in, and all was well with the world.  TV’s had been brought to school that day to watch, and now they had won.  Never again would New York baseball ever be the same, nor their fans, years of drought were finally rewarded, Yankee fans even cheered, maybe not knowing why, and all the world was a Mets fan.  For the Mets and their fans it all changed in 1969.  The same year we put a man on the moon.  One giant step for he told us, but that October all the world was a Met fan.  And watching them beat the Chicago Cubs last night brought it all back. 

I had quit watching baseball for a few years, but my ears perked up when I heard the Mets were in the playoffs.  New names, kids to me, but that old “Let’s go Mets” cheer still sang in my heart.  How many years we cheered with no victory, and now they were going to the World Series for the fifth time.  And visions of Seaver, Koosman, and Jones danced in my head.  Ed “never throw a slider to the Glider” Charles.  Jerry Grote, Donn Clendenon.  Tommie Agee’s and Ron Swoboda’s incredible catches.  Today was yesterday all over again!  All was forgiven, the Mets had won.

I had never not been a Met fan, but I quit following them for a few years.  My ears only perking up when I heard the name mentioned.  Not a non-believer, not a backslider, just too busy with other things I guess.  It happens with people and God too.  Sometimes the excitement, the church experience, and a miracle wear off over time.  Some call it backsliding, but you can also put other things in front of God in priority.  You don’t lose your salvation, you just don’t enjoy it first hand.  But God hasn’t forgotten you.  Paul had to address the Corinthian church over this, losing their first love.  They attended church, tithed, and did all the things the church required.  But they also went back into serious sin, as if all sin isn’t serious.  They committed sin such as sleeping with their father’s new wife, and many things hidden but unto God.  They had come to Jesus, they were saved, and would even teach about him.  But something had happened, they lost their first love, and other things, a spirit of anti-Christ, in place of Christ, took over.  And Paul’s letter and directive probably amazed them, and still does today.  He told them “STOP!”  Not you’ll lose your salvation, but stop and repent and turn back to Christ.  A message many will not apply today.  It seems Christians love to kill the wounded, and isolate the sick and dying.  Jesus told us to visit the sick, to not forget those in jail, and to love the unlovely.  And each time we do it, we are doing it unto him.  We all will sin again today and tomorrow, but Jesus Christ remains the same.  Testimonies come out of tough times, and Jesus never left us, never forsakes us, and never turns from us.  We do!  And when we come to terms that are actions are sin, then we can truly repent, and go on from there.  He had made the atonement for our sins, and all are blotted out.  Even the new ones yet to come. 

The hardest person we will ever forgive is ourself, the one we think we know best.  But if God can forgive us, do we know better than God?  Did Jesus die in vain for only some of our sins?  Are we rewriting a new scripture out of pride?  So next time you think “God could never forgive what I’ve done,” if he has he did, and if you haven’t asked he will.  Welcome back my friends to the show that never ends.....eternal life in heaven.  Forever to celebrate.

The Mets celebrated last night, but still have a World Series to play.  Only a short time to celebrate.  And whoever wins the World Series will start all over next year.  Once forgiven, we are always forgiven in and by Jesus Christ. We may not win every game, but we are in the playoffs every day.  And when the names are called, we are Series winners, on a bigger field than any stadium.  So don’t be like an old Giant or Dodger fan, don’t wait until a new ball club comes to be your savior.  Don’t put off the celebration or the relationship with Jesus one more inning.  Or game.  We win!  We just have to play the game.  We have Jesus to save, the spirit to manage, and God to root for us.  And so I am rooting for the Mets again, and no one seems to have missed me.  God misses you, and is still waiting patiently for your return.  Good seats still available, and you can watch live.  You can be in the action.  Return now to your first love, and don’t look back.  The best is yet to come.  Let’s go Mets!  I’ll be watching.  Will you?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com