the parable of the small block Chevy-the substitute for cubic inches

The unique, by several millions, Chevy small block V-8 has been made in countless applications.  From a base size of 265 cubic inches, to its most popular 350 cubes, it has filled in with 283, 327, and been expanded to 383 and 400.  From 2 bbl. to dual quad to fuel injected, the variations seem endless, to the point it is the V-8 of choice in several Ford based hot rods too. It seems they are everywhere, and in everything, and everyone can identify with them.  Designed by Harry Barr and his engineering team, he took what he believed the perfect formula for an engine and built it, sending it into production with limited testing.  And today that formula speaks for itself, as many larger and more powerful engines have met against it and lost, raced against it and placed second, and competed in the marketplace, and disappeared.  In a muscle car fueled world where there is no substitute for cubic inches, the Chevy small block rewrites the rules.  Hemis may sound romantic, the 409 was so fine, SD 455 Pontiacs were fast, and even Ford’s small block 221-260-289-302-5.0 are almost as famous, but nothing comes close to a fine tuned 327 under the hood.  Put it in a Camaro or Corvette, and let the others fall behind. 

Yet at one time in the calendar of muscle cars, 455, 454, 429,428, 426, and 440 cubic inch motors were available, and many were chosen for their brute power, but lost some in the handling department as the extra weight on the front end made them nose heavy, and steer harsh.  Again the lighter weight small block ruled, proving there was a replacement for displacement.  Engine size may have won arguments, but the small block won races, as power to the ground was more important than power under the hood.  Today we still find them everywhere and it seems in every application.  Easy to work on, an endless supply of parts, both OEM and aftermarket, and a following second to none, the Chevy small block may never be replaced in the lore of speed and racing.

Looking under the hood of my neighbor’s new 2016 Malibu, it has a 1500 cc turbo charged motor, making some 170 horses.  Appliance like, we are forced by fuel economy regulations to go the smaller size, and add turbocharging to get the most from the motor.  Efficient yes, and even hot rodding, or adding performance will not come from adding cubes, but from software programs.  All 95 cubic inches of 4 cylinder straining to perform, based on how a computer tells it to function.  All hidden under a plastic shroud, hidden from public view, as size matters still to many, and when asked “what’s under the hood?” many don’t know, can’t or won’t say, and wouldn’t even if they did.  No more Chevy orange, or Ford blue found, just a motor which could be used to run a pump if needed, let alone a car.  Where are the songs about “my fast 95,” and even putting the pedal to the medal is electric.  I guess it is up to collectors, enthusiasts, and gear heads to kept the old motors alive.  Long live the small block Chevy, for over 60 years she has reigned supreme. 

So power still reigns, but in a different way.  Getting it to the ground is still the final measure, and traction is paramount to winning races.  All the power in the world is useless when the tires spin and the car not moving forward.  Burnouts are fun, and attract a crowd, but being first at the finish line has always attracted a larger and different crowd.  For years we have heard recited the following verse in church, “not by might, not by power, but by my spirit says the Lord of hosts,” and the teachings are numerous.  So many times in the Bible and in real life today, we think that size, horsepower, or might makes right.  Being shot by a .22 may not hurt as much as a .357, but it still hurts.  You may have the votes to write a new law and see it passed, it still must be signed.  You can threaten, posture, intimidate, and even ridicule your opponent, but on game day, it is the spirit that intervenes.  David versus a 12 fingered giant Philistine, when asked replied “he was with me against the lion and the bear, I expect him to be with me now.”  Speaking of the spirit.  When Gideon and his too fat to bend over and drink army were outnumbered, it was God via his spirit who intervened, and provided the victory.  A Sampson blinded by love and blinded by having his eyes gouged out won a victory via God’s spirit.  In each case, they were underpowered, yet God used them to win, to claim the victory.  And in each case they gave him all the glory.  It wasn’t about might, the size of the motor, or the power, but what it put out.  It was via the spirit putting it to the ground that gave victory, and in each case it was different.  Only God’s spirit was the difference.  Being right with God, being in the spirit gave victory then, and still does today.

Before his crucifixion Jesus told his disciples he would leave a helper, the holy spirit to guide them, and they would do even greater things.  These 12, then 11 men who were absent in the garden, absent at the cross, and huddled afraid in the upper room after his death, were powerless in themselves.  Yet when the spirit came upon them, they all did mighty things, from Pentacost to today, the spirit still gives life.  And victory to those who need it when called upon.  It never has been about the size of the army, but the size of the hearts of man, and the spirit dwelling within them.  And that spirit is the same today, as it was yesterday, and will be tomorrow.

Today many are still saved by the spirit, healed by the spirit, teach and speak in the spirit that a loving God has given them via his son Jesus Christ.  The spirit tells us we need a savior, then reveals him as Jesus.  And empowers us to live a life in him.  Yet many are still ego fired by pride, and think size is best.  From mega churches, to mega ministries, to mega money, without the spirit of God within, they are powerless.  Jesus told us “we can do nothing apart from him,” yet we try and fail.  When we don’t have to.  If only we were satisfied with what his spirit has provided, we would  see more of God in our lives, and more blessings to go with him.  God even has a term for it, meekness, power under control.  The size of a big block God, contained in a smaller size package, his people.  And that power is available to all, but only by his spirit will it ever see the light of day.

Which may explain burnouts, they look good for awhile, and attract crowds, but when the flag is dropped, despite the power and might advantage, still fail.  The power found in the small block, the parable of the small block is still alive in us today, it just takes the spirit to unleash it and bless us.  Today 200 hp bikes get around the track at speeds unheard of just a few years ago, but have no better track times than a 100 hp 600cc racer.  Power to the pavement, handling and agility, we need them in life as well as on the track.  God calls it his spirit, and we may be small in stature and number, but when God is for us, who can be against us?  You plus God still makes a majority, and we can do all things through Christ that strengthens us.  By his spirit.  Not by might, not by power.  What will it take to unleash the spirit of Christ in you? 

That 12 fingered giant may be a nasty boss, an unhappy spouse, a bill with no way to pay it, a trip to the doctor with bad results, or simply wondering “how will I ever make it through another day?”  By his spirit we are healed, driven, protected, guided, and given a reason to go on.  This wonderful counselor Christ left us will guide us into all things, when we let him guide.  But being a gentleman, he never pushes his own will upon us.  From the day of creation, the same spirit that hovered over an unformed and void earth is still creating today.  Still bringing life, and changing lives.  Where the spirit is there is liberty, and life.  Abundant.  What drives you?  Better yet, who drives you?  That what is really a who, and the who is the spirit.  More famous and in many more variations than a Chevy 350, but only in one formula-love.  Get all you need from God today via his spirit, walk in it, live in it, and know that no matter who you pull up next to and wants to race, you have the spirit.  And that the race, just like the battles we face belong to the Lord.  A simple formula, but proven.  By people just like us who trusted God to get them through when all else seemed dark.  One small block engine has fueled so many to victory, but never can come close to the spirit of God.  What’s in your heart is more powerful than anything under your hood.  God got it right from the start....by his spirit.  In the beginning, God by his spirit, and he still does today.  The substitute for cubic inches. 

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

the days when BMW meant "British what?"

An article about the 2002, the BMW 2002, the car that put BMW on the map in the US of A and elsewhere, reminded me of when I started to drive, and the allure of European sports cars.  Now the Brits will tell you to be a sports car, the top must go down, and open air motoring is the real test.  But BMW marketed their sporty car as a sports sedan, and without knowing it, created a whole new market in the states.  And of all people, my Dad, the ultimate non-car guy introduced them to me.  He drove Ramblers, four door sedans and wagons, as all good young fathers did back in the sixties.  Economical, well built, and lasted forever, they never won over any young man’s heart for cruising for girls.  They physically were not attractive, had mostly sixes when eights ruled, and had fold down front seats that turned into a bed.  Turning that nice responsible young man in the Rambler into a potential sex fiend when dating their daughter.  But someone showed an article to my Dad of the 1600, the smaller engined 2002, and it had been named one of the ten best in the world by Road & Track.  And that was enough for him, he sold his VW Bug, the Rambler would soldier on for another couple of years, and he owned a BMW. 

Back then the British imported more cars than the Germans, and the common question was “British what?”  Today many still don’t know what BMW stands for, or care, as it is a yuppie sign of I made it, or really “I can afford the payments, barely,” but it stands for Bavarian Motor Works.  And is very German in all aspects. 

More than a few eyebrows were raised by owners of Corvettes, Jaguars, and Fiat Spyders when this little sedan dusted them in the corners.  Able to hold four semi-comfortably, still get 22 mpg, and ride great, it opened up the sports sedan market, competing with Alfa Romeo, Fiat, MGB GT, Opel Manta, and other European sedans in the early seventies.  His car was British Racing Green, Turf in BMW language, and in 1971 sold it to me, so he could buy a new 1972.  So my first car was a BMW, the only one I would ever own. How far we have fallen to the yuppies of today.  $1900 of my hard earned paper route, yard cutting, and allowance money went into that car, which took me everywhere.  A trip to Florida with Brennan, many rides into the Jersey countryside, and many a trip to the Poconos.  Within 3 years I put over 65,000 hi-test miles on it, when finally the engine gave up. But that is another story, the statute of limitations may not have run out.  But run that BMW did, and today’s little Japanese cars with loud exhausts and negative cambered rear wheels are here today because of the BMW 2002.  Mention a 2002 BMW to any uneducated BMW owner, they think it is a 14 year old car, the year 2002.  But when 1977 hit, and the 320i replaced it, many a young and older street racer went scrambling looking for one.  The days of the 2002 were over, but not forgotten.  And I can say I had one.

I believe the world today still needs a car like the 2002, affordable, fast, light, quasi-reliable, something missing 40 years ago, and fun.  Watching a GM commercial of young adults flipping out over 4 door sedans, electronics, and miles per gallon almost make me puke.  Touch screens, i-pod ready, and power windows, power and heated seats, cruise control, voices to tell you your door is open, and cars that start with a button are not for me.  Do any of these people know how to drive or could even drive a stick?  By coincidence, my older son in Spain a few years ago had a BMW as a rental, and because he was the only one who drive a stick, got all the seat time.  And his friends were amazed he could drive one, “wow, where did you learn that?”  In our house, it was driver’s ed. 101, rather than point and steer.  But what if we could have a car that was fun to drive, could cost under $10,000, got good gas mileage, would go fast and be cool all at the same time?  It’s out there, no KIA and Hyundai are not it.  No Honda, Fiesta, Metro, or Dart can make it.  Give up...it is called a motorcycle, and for well under $10 grand, you too can experience the joy of driving, ‘er riding again.  You may not be able to go back, but you can ride ahead.  Is it any coincidence that BMW started out making motorcycles, and sells some great hi-performance ones today?  “British what” you ask?   Let them drive Ramblers.

Being a Christian is fun, or at least it should be.  What good is fun if you don’t enjoy it, and we Christians should have more reasons than anyone to have fun.  Yet I encounter many who worship at the hall of Our Lady of Perpetual Sorrows, who treat Christian life as a set of rules to be obeyed, or are cast out from their church.  I haven’t heard about freedom talked about in regards to Christ from any pulpit in a long time, isn’t freedom from sin an attribute of salvation?  Isn’t the freedom to choose Jesus or to reject who he is our choice?  Can’t get much more freer than that, God instituted freedom in his choice to save us by showing us his love first, so we could choose to be free, or enjoy our being bound.  Bound from which the root word of religion comes from, so if you are religious you are bound by a set of rules, codes of conduct, and ways to worship God.  Many times instituted by men, who seek to control you.  “We know best for you,” and then don’t live the live themselves.  When Pearl sang of freedom as “just another word for nothing left to lose,” she missed it, for freedom isn’t free, Jesus paid a huge price for us to be free, in him.  “Where the spirit of the Lord is there is liberty,”  freedom to be who and all we can be in Christ.  Only our earthly minds, our belief systems, and fear keep us from all God has for us. 

When we accept Jesus we get this freedom, the burden of sin forgiven, and joy and grace are abundant.  Yet many will not cash in, still feeling not worthy.  And we aren’t but Jesus is and took our place.  Yet many choose to live like sheep, sheep without a shepherd.  Who are so dumb we wonder away through the hole in the fence, but cannot find our way back through the same hole.  We need the spirit to guide us, not more rules and programs to  amuse us.  We need to come face to face with truth, and trust it.  Jesus is truth....do you trust?  Or are you like the GM commercial, enamored by what life has to offer that the sizzle sells you the steak, and leaves you hungry after?  Or sushi?  It takes commitment, and faith to step out and be different in Christ.  So many want or be like someone else, how many seek to live as Jesus did?  No not wearing a robe and sandals, but living a life of freedom, knowing that when we fail we re forgiven and go on, but also being guided by the spirit and reaping incredible blessings?  Jesus forgave us, do you forgive yourself? 

I almost got run down by a BMW driver the other day, with Jesus stickers all over her car.  Has our witness, our freedom fallen so far as to have a sticker announce we are one?  So others can look out for us?  Who still cannot drive, but can afford the payments?  For he who is set free is truly free, free from worry, sin, aggression, fear, and you can add to your own list.  Do you think you are free because someone tells you so, or are you truly free in Jesus Christ?  Do you brag about the freedom you earned or paid for, or do you answer as Paul did, “I was born free?”  Born again free that is.  The word free is found 59 times in the Bible, KJV, but never think it has no value.  It is priceless, and cannot be bought.  Yet Jesus paid a price for your freedom, don’t you think maybe you should go out and enjoy the life he gave you?

Progress is a good thing, but sometimes it goes on too long.  Go back to the beginning, to Jesus 101.  Let him set you free.  Enjoy the curves of life rather than avoiding them.  Learn to drive or ride, rather than just hang on as a passenger.  Find a use for that left leg in your car, learning to master a clutch.  Don’t be stuck when all the tools are there, but you don’t know how to use them.  Trust God and enjoy life.  Walk with Jesus, and have fun.  Fun for me is seeing lives changed by him, seeing people set free from drugs, bad relationships, cancer, and yes religion.  Jeremiah warns of not harkening the liberty God gives us, some choose to worship and live under statutes of liberty, Jesus offers us the stature of his love as liberty.  You choose....are you as much a fanatic about your God as you are your car?

BMW changed the way we drive in 1969, Jesus changed the way we live 2000 years ago.  Fun and freedom are yours, the liberty to be yourself.  Something to consider the next time you call him Lord.  And don’t do the things he says.  Are we having fun yet?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

 

where have all the partsmen gone?

Part of my duty when selling motorcycles for Motorsport, was working the parts counter when it got busy.  Long before the internet, and parts fiche were still a new item, a customer would come in, tell you what he thought he needed, and you would interpret, and try to find it.  From mothers trying to source parts for their sons, “I don’t know what year, it’s blue, says Honda on it.  It’s the thingee that makes it run...” and the race was on.  Finally through shear determination, and luck with patience, we would figure out she needed a valve cover gasket, for a Suzuki TS 185, the Honda sticker was from the dealer who once sold it used.  Exasperating, the worse version was trying to do this over the phone.  And once you figured it out, you went to physically check for it on the shelf.  In the old days of parts cards, at best they weren’t up to date.  But you learned about parts, patience, and tried to remember when you sent your wife or girlfriend for that certain thingee.

But selling BMW, Triumph, and Suzuki, it was interesting at each manufacturer’s approach.  Triumph color coded their part’s book each year, and with only a few models, repetition made it easier, along with the fact they broke more often and needed more parts.  Their books a little more than a pamphlet today, with had drawn pictures, and foreign words to us colonists.  BMW’s book was thick, like a little phone book, great pictures, and both books had numerous notes hand written inside and on the cover.  Some useful, some a phone number when no scratch paper was available, and many a page tattered and oil stained.  Our particular copy even had some pages torn out, but folded over and reinserted, misplaced but never lost.  But Suzuki had this parts fiche, where you could see the parts page blown up on a screen, and show it to the customer.  Later we would learn to get a VIN number to research parts easier, and make mental notes when going back to the parts section to physically find them.  It was learn as you go, every customer an open book test with new variations on a question, and that was just for factory parts.  There was always accessory catalogs, usually with “COUNTER COPY” written on them in Magic Marker, or “DO NOT REMOVE” which usually could be found in the reception area, away from the counter.  But somehow when all the confusion came together, you found the right thingee, and it was in stock, on the shelf where it was marked, all was well with the world...at least until the next customer. 

I was reminded Monday when looking for bags for my new Tiger XRx of how things had changed.  A generation newer than me, he knew how to use the search buttons, but couldn’t navigate very well.  With my help, not asked for, but later appreciated, we found what I needed, and ordered them.  But it reminded me of how important the parts guys are, how their knowledge and experience cannot be discounted, and even with computers to help us seek and scan, nothing teaches the one thing that cannot be taught-experience.  I thought of parts men I knew, who were up on the latest, who knew what parts you needed to finish the job, and their status, either on the shelf or back ordered.  Guys with name like Bud, Speedy, Tiny, or Gears, who with Pall Mall stained fingers guided gracefully through the torn pages of old books, and knew exactly where everything was.  How a thingee was different from a widget, from a whatchacallit.  He knew his parts, his bikes, and his customers, and kept more in his head than most keep in files.  He was underpaid, usually the negotiator when calling around to find one, and knew how far and how long the part would really take to arrive.  The really good ones wore glasses, usually found on top of their head, only brought into reading position when needed.  They are the guys who when someone says “they forget more than you will ever know” come to mind.  There are still some good ones, but mostly they are gone.  No one wants to take the time to learn any more, business will not allow it, and today it can be frustrating dealing with the new guy.  But remembering how we are all new once helps, but still tries our patience.  Particularly when it comes to them standing between us and riding.

“Are you in the word?” I hear from pastors and Bible study leaders.  And many are, memorizing, reciting, and knowing just what page John 3:16 is on in their Bible.  Today we have more Bible students than ever before, who know the word, and can be called upon to recite it, chapter and verse.  But unlike the parts guys of my past, cannot apply it when needed.  For I am amazed that in all their learning and studying, they overlook the scripture that tells us “God will write his word on or hearts.”  Or that when we are questioned, that the holy spirit will give us the words we need.  But you need to get out and live outside the four walls of study to use them, and many don’t.  Or won’t.  Confusing knowledge for wisdom, they can recite the Bible, just don’t know God who wrote it.  They may be saved, and serve at church, but come up empty when it comes to witnessing and ministering.  Education they proclaim, and many churches have schools of theology, along with schools for children to learn.  But until you have the application of the education, it is just facts and figures learned.  Information not used, but learned.  They lack the guidance of the spirit in their lives, and fall back on themselves, rather than Jesus when tested.  They study to find themselves approved, but fail when tested, for without the spirit who reveals the mysteries of Christ, their words are hollow, lack meaning and substance. They are impersonal, but yet sound impressive to one another.  Maybe the answer to them when asked “are you in the word?” is, “Is the word in you?”  Jesus is the word, and when he comes into your life he gives you the spirit, his spirit, yet many avoid it.  They try to serve a God who is a spirit by using physical properties, and it cannot be done.  Some day we all need Jesus, the questions will come up that we cannot answer, and we will need the spirit of God to guide us. 

Finding the scripture is one thing, like locating the right part, but knowing its application, and finding it on the shelf are different things.  So when I wonder where have all the partsmen gone? I also wonder where is the holy spirit in our lives?  Have we become so knowledgable that we don’t know anything, or do we know so many things, we don’t know God?  Only in Jesus will you find the right parts when you need them.  And Jesus not only quoted Old Testament scripture, he taught in parables, and in concepts, showing application as needed.  Using principals rather than words sometimes to show the application needed, but always in love.  Many times the answer in the form of a question, making us think and seek him more, to go deeper than the words on the page.  A story that bears repeating, of a pastor with a flock, underground, for Jesus is not spoken of without penalty of death.  Who have no Bibles, but who has one page, from the book of Acts, and has been teaching from it for 20 years, and still hasn’t used both sides!  For it is the spirit that quickens our heart, how does your knowledge of the word compare with it being written on his heart?   Is he in the word, or is the word in him?

You cannot teach experience, and Jesus must be experienced to fully know him.  Only by his spirit are we saved, not by might or by his power.  By his spirit we have been called, and can be guided.  He is a spirit and must be worshipped as much.  As you go, and are spreading the gospel, you find it is not what you know, but who you know that makes the difference.  Knowing scripture concerning Jesus may help you get to heaven, but he is the only way to heaven.  And his word is written on your hearts already, and can be shared by nothing less than your testimony.  You may be able to quote him, I get excited when you live him.  When I see him in your actions and attitudes.  You may forget more scripture than I’ll ever know, but give me his spirit any time, in any situation.  Application of an education, evidenced in our daily walk.

So next time you wonder why I don’t always carry a Bible, you failed to see how God has written it on my heart.  Simply put, “the things seen are temporal, the things not seen are eternal.”  Look it up in Corinthians, it’s there.  May we all become partsmen for the gospel of Jesus Christ, ready when needed, and having the word written on our hearts.  As it has been said better than I can, “preach the word daily, if if necessary use words.”  Let your life be the counter copy of the Bible, found where needed, and whether in print or on a fische, share it with others.  That special order part called the holy spirit has been in stock the whole time, you just thought he was back ordered.  Take the time to read, Jesus took the time to bleed.  You might be that one needing the thingee of salvation, and words and knowledge will never get you there.  It is that personal, let the spirit show you today.  You may find it in the book, but only when you find it in your heart will you be saved.  And the mysteries revealed. 

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

it always feels faster from the passenger seat

“You really like riding on the back of motorcycles?  Doesn’t it scare you?  Wouldn’t you rather ride it yourself?”  Yes, no, yes.  Yes, I like to ride, period, and from time to time if I need a ride, the back seat of a bike is fine.  No, worrying about soccer moms doing the i-phone lap dance while heading towards you, I rather just sit back and relax.  And yes, I will only ride with someone who knows how to, or in an emergency, and knows I am not impressed by their speed or showing off.  So I relax and am not scared.  But yes, I still rather ride, but if I have a passenger, years ago I learned that courtesy will get you a second date, and not scare off all her friends while you were being a hot dog.  AKA a jerk.  You may think you are going slow, but to her it feels fast, just like in a car it always feels faster from the passenger seat.  Don’t let her first ride be one of hanging on for dear life, while mounted on a skinny seat, that the manufacturer thought to put a vinyl cover on so it wouldn’t rust.  Show some respect....you might get some seat time someday.  Or marry her, and want her to come along.  And enjoy overnighters, rather than the 2 hour ride she allows.  Alone.

A biker friend of mine and his wife ride together, they have for like 30 years.  She unwillingly obliged him on his skinny seat, until one day he bought a custom seat, and suddenly she can walk after a ride, wants to go with him, and last year did a two week vacation.  All by changing the position where she sits.  And now he has to tell everyone they need a custom seat, because of how it changed his marriage and his rides.  Of course many of us knew this for years, but he is a great cheerleader for it now.  Better late than never.  Happy wife, happy life.  And nothing beats having your wife want to ride with you, unless she wants her own ride herself.  So when searching for a new travel bike, a consideration is the passenger.  Some must be surrounded by 1000 pounds of Honda to enjoy, some have to have the same weight of a V-twin.  We ride ADV bikes, smoother than a Gold Wing, sport bike handling, great gas mileage, comfortable, and when two of us park next to each other, we weigh as much as the above.  And we both ride in comfort, those custom buttons on the seat turn into knives after 100 miles, and though padded soft, compress under any weight in a few miles.  Add a few inches only of wheel travel, you are riding on an old mattress, where it dips in the middle from your weight.  No wonder you didn’t sleep well last night....or felt like it after 100 miles.

To each his own, but when taking a passenger, consider them too.  Your skills may impress others on the track, but to the cop who stops you for going to fast, even though others passed you, somehow missing the eight others texting he passed to catch you, ride safely, and with concern for others.  And while it always seems faster from the passenger seat, it is always slower from the back seat of a police cruiser.

I know a couple, in particular, who were taught witnessing is browbeating a person about Jesus. That is all they talk about, and in one case I know of, after a weekend stuck with them, their guests finally gave in, the attitude of “if I say yes, will you leave me alone?”  And they go on thinking they saved someone, when really all they did was run them off.  So I become suspicious of those standing on street corners holding signs and shouting about Jesus.  Personally they scare me, I cross the street to avoid them, and combined with a bad theology run others off.  Armed with the theology of winning an argument, most wouldn’t know what to do if someone really wanted to know about Jesus, and get eaten with a fork and spoon by someone who has been trained, but not saved, and who argues better.  Maybe if they cared about others enough to love them, to share Jesus first in actions and attitudes, then back it up with words, the results maybe different.  And their lives too.  I had a goofy pastor once, who would get all excited in preaching, and then proclaim “I know good preaching when I hear it, and that was it.”  While we looked for the door.   We heard something much different.  But last night we had a new man with us, who was raised in church, go to Dustin Arms with us.  A flop house, but a nice one, he commented after how one man brought his laundry with him and smelled bad.  He didn’t think he would come back with us, what was this man’s problem, why didn’t he wash first?  What makes him think he would be invited back?  And when I responded “that is the people we are looking for, the least of them, that Jesus compare himself too,”  he got quiet.  I don’t think he will return, get in your Prius and ride to church, telling the person in church next to you what great Christian you are because you go to a Bible study.  But never go out and see life as Christ did, and does.  Why would I want to be like him?

If it works in church, it may work in riding too.  I know many who want to ride, then hear loud bikes, see stoppies and wheelies, or have almost hit someone while they lane split.  Kindness is a fruit of the spirit, you heard it here, I hope not for the first time.  So I ask those who browbeat, shout, pass out tracts that litter the ground, and only want to win an argument, “what is it about you that would want to make me become a Christian?”  Another way to become unpopular...but something we need to ask ourselves, what does our life show about Jesus?  He came to save and rescue, are you throwing an anvil of love to a sinking soul?  Or embracing them as they are, just like Jesus did for you?  Do you only seem to know it all because your audience doesn’t?  And I wonder, did our first time visitor last night ever consider helping this man with his clothes?  See if he had toiletries?  Had the sweet smell of salvation left him, if it had ever been there to start with? 

Would Jesus be comfortable with your riding, or would he look for another ride?  Something to consider when taking a buddy seat sitter along.  And also in witnessing.  How do you introduce Jesus to others?  That one first impression may cement in the minds forever what a jerk you are, or see the side of love many only hear about, but don’t see.  Jesus is along for the ride, and when we call him Lord, he is in control, we sit on back or in the passenger seat.  Just a thought that might change your mind about kindness and sharing Christ while riding.  Sin knows no boundaries, for all have sinned and fallen short.  Today you can offer the seat of salvation to a tired butt, who just needs a rest along with a ride.  Changing the attitude of those you ask to church, asking someone to church is not witnessing, or even evangelism.  That first date could turn into a life long spouse, or become your worst advertisement for riding.  You may be the only book on riding they ever read bout riding....and the only illustration.  Just something to think about, rather than telling me what you know, show me you care.  Then I might want to hear about your God.  Or even ride to church with you.  Now about helmet head....

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

 

 

your dreams were your ticket out

Within 90 days in 1975 I had gone from pot smoking, womanizing heathen, to being born again, to losing my job and being glad about it, and heading west to New Mexico to live with a man who led me to the Lord.  A place I had never been, “they speak Spanish there I think,” I was told, and my life was changing at the speed of grace.  I was young enough to not have much to look back on, but some 40+ years later I have much and many thanks for God’s plan for me. My dream was of So Cal, where you can ride all the time, the weather is always great, and oh the women.  I would finally make it some 12 years later, still riding all the time, despite the weather, and with a great wife and family with me.  How God’s plans changed me for my benefit was amazing.  Many times when the times are tougher than we are, we look back and say I wish I had done something different, taken the big paying job, married the boss’s daughter, or won the lottery.  We look back to times when we thought we had it made, before we had to grow up and be responsible, like living at home with only a room to show for it.  But when God comes into your life, you start to see things differently, and your friends start to see you differently too.  You desire to move on and up, and the naysayers go to work for their fathers, never leaving the town they grew up in.  Safe and secure, the two weeks away more than enough of a change of venue or reality, and it is back to the same old same old, with the future looking just like the past.  So why look ahead, when you can look back and see your future.  But God had something different for me, and he has for all who choose to follow him.

Abram had it made, a secure job and career, a wife who loved him, but had no children.  He saw no future, only his past, until one day God spoke to him, and he listened.  God promised him riches and fame, not for his own, but to give God praise, and he gave Abram the choice of where to go.  His choice is legendary, and he grew and became very rich.  A richness based on knowing and trusting God, but one that still allowed him to be as wrong as he wanted when he didn’t follow him.  Sound familiar?  That’s mercy.  But God rewarded him with everything, and today from him on down we trace the Jewish people, God truly made him father of many.  Where would Israel be today if he had decided to stay home and ignored God?

Sarah was barren, no children before the pill was popular for birth control.  For 90 years they tried unsuccessfully, a lot of fun and practice, just no kids.  Life was no picnic, as at one point Sarah even lied about Abraham being her brother to save his life.  Following God is never easy, but always rewarding, as she finally did conceive, and through her Israel was born.  Two old people, who chose to look ahead, instead of looking back, their dream was their ticket out.  So often we look back when in despair, but Jesus promises us that each day we are closer to eternity and heaven.  And that we are not promised tomorrow, so make the best of today. 

Paul talks of momentary light afflictions, we call them disasters.  It seems some days the light at the end of the tunnel is a train bearing down on us, and we are tied to the tracks.  Sin will tie us down, only Jesus will set us free.   He promises not to take us around, but through the turmoil.  We may get cuts and scrapes, but we win, and grow closer to him.  A lesson we neglect when talking of Abraham and Sarah, for in each tough time, God showed himself and his love.  In his time, all things were made right, and in ours they will be too.  His timing, for just as night will come, sun light will greet us the next day.  And even though clouds may cover, he will shine through them.  We are not stuck where we are, for when the Bible tells us “it will come to pass,” it does.  We will follow where our eyes focus, so focus on Jesus, and follow.  Out of trust, for his plans for us are good, plans of welfare,and a future.  We will spend most of our times in the future, so get today right with God, so you have a bright one.

But in looking back, has God changed you?  Where are you with Jesus today?  Still seeking and suffering?  Or have you found the one in who life belongs?  When he offered the ticket of salvation out of life, did you take it, or get left behind at the station?  Looking back I sometimes cannot believe all God has done for me and my life, so it gives me a good cause to look ahead.  When he says no, it is because a better yes is coming.  And when he says yes, I know it is from him, and I am blessed.  But many times I just need to trust, for I know his voice, and like the good shepherd, the sheep know him.  Lost sheep, or black sheep, he will go back for you if you are lost.  Seek him and ask Jesus for dreams of a future today.  But first ask him to guide you through today.  Each ride begins with leaving home, the first turn, without it you are stuck.  To live in the future we need to get there, so listen today, deal with today, for God has plans in it for you too. 

I didn’t know I was going to hell until some one shared Jesus with me.  I was 21 and knew it all, had a job and a career, and a girlfriend or two.  A fast motorcycle, friends to ride with, it all looked good.  But I had never been more than a few miles from home to live.  Until Jesus entered my life, and showed me the way.  Stuck in a rut, Jesus is the ticket to way out.  Depressed and lonely-he knows.  But he continues to love us where we are, as we are.  He just doesn’t plan on leaving us like that.  Only when you trust and follow God will he show you the dreams that will be your ticket out.  For some it is next door, some the next time zone.  For Abraham it was leaving his hometown of Ur, and only one.  God made him father of many, when he looked to the rock from which he was cut, the rock of God. 

The wise man builds his house upon the rock, and Christ is the rock.  You are never too old to follow God, nor too young.  Nor too smart or too stupid.  Make the right choice today, and see your life change forever.  Abraham did, setting an example for us to follow.  As did the 12 disciples, their dreams were their ticket out.  And Jesus is the ticket to heaven, boarding now.  Don’t be like the old saying, “when they were handing out brains, you thought they said trains and you missed them.”  So “People get ready, there’s train a coming, you don’t need no ticket, you just get on board.”  When your life is examined, don’t look back and say “I wish I had,” let it show the grace of God you were given.  “Young men will dream dreams, old men will have visions,” maybe the skeptics are right, Jesus is way out.  If only they knew he was the way out.  Far out man....

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com