braggin' or complainin'?

I’m tired, after riding over 1300 miles in the last 7 days, on 6 different motorcycles, I’m tired.  I can use a day of rest.  Now some may say I’m braggin’, and maybe I am, while others may say I’m complainin’, and maybe I am, but it doesn’t change the fact I’m tired, or how I got there.  And if I may, a chance to reflect on my miles and the rides I rode them on.  Six bikes in a year, let alone a lifetime may be a lot for some, and recently we whittled our fleet down to 4, sold 3 bought one.  But when new bikes come in for Triumph’s press fleet, which sends bikes to magazines for road tests, supplies bikes to celebrities and movies, and visiting English home office execs, I get the call.  And I feel honored to answer.  I rode mostly Triumph’s press bikes this week, a 2014 Storm for an exec who is coming over to America to tour on it, picked up Friday afternoon, returned Monday morning with over 500 miles.  Then a 2016 Bonneville T120 Black, taken back yesterday after over another 500 miles, and now a 2016 Speed Triple R, three completely different bikes, and I can have the S3 for a few weeks, to put on 1000-1500 miles.  Which may sound like a lot, but Theresa and I are leaving Easter Sunday for a 5 mile ride through Arizona, that should be another 1500 miles.  Like my friend Frank used to say, “if you need to sit somewhere, sit where you are comfortable.”  And on two wheels I am comfortable.

But after riding three such different bikes, I come to realize why I own the ones I do.  Our old Tiger, 2006 vintage, is resting at Mick’s right now, with over 101,000 miles, an eternity in bike years.  We will take our new/old Tiger 1050, think of a Speed Triple for touring to Arizona, looking forward to the curves in the mountains, and our newest arrival, a new 2015 Tiger 800 sits, in between putting on break in miles for our summer trip.  Hooked on Tigers, they work for me, but I have advised different rides to different friends over the years.  What you ride is personal, and the more time spent with each bike it becomes more personal.  Some better for long rides, some cruisers, some too heavy, some too little, where we begin to sound more like Goldilocks than the 3 bears.  And so I find myself riding with others who are as devoted to their personal bike as I am to mine.  Glen sold out years ago to the Harley lifestyle, that is the only bike for him.  Stu rides Gold Wings, his is known as “The Buick,” and he rides cross country many times on them.  Ray rides a turbo charged B King, with 264 hp on the dyno, at age 72 he is still young at heart.  I test rode a new Indian Scout, and would consider one, but not for how I ride.  And although Theresa misses her Bonneville, one ride on the new Street Twin made her change her mind, I see a new Street Twin in the garage by summer’s end.  So how we ride, and what we ride influences where we ride.  As citizens of the greatest country on earth, and citizens of the best culture, that of motorcycling, it is only when we get out and exercise our belief that we are happy.  When we exercise what we believe, and we believe in riding, that we are fulfilled, and at our happiest.  Blessed is maybe a better word, if you ride you know.  If not, I could explain, but you still might not get it.  So braggin’ or complainin’, you make the choice.  I’m too busy ridin’ to have it make a difference.

Now as citizens of heaven, we Christians are really colonists here on earth.  We are to spread the gospel as we go, where we go.  Remembering, but also having to be reminded that it is all about Jesus, and not us.  But yet many have chosen a path of least resistance, and miss out on the ride.  Some sequester themselves from the world, not wishing to be contaminated by it.  Never going out into the world, their biggest brush with sinners is the unsaved invited to church.  Safe and secure on their home turf, they never grow any deeper, just get spread thinner.  Their religion is based on them, like all of ours are.  Yet others will hang with outlaw bikers, go out with unsaved friends, and be seen in bars.  Not partaking, but taking the light of the Lord to a lost and dying world.  Just like Jesus ate with the tax collectors, hookers, and others.  Do you think when he fed the 5000 it was all church folk?  And he ate with them! 

But as truly visitors on earth for a short time, we can either become like the natives, or hang onto our heritage of Jesus.  When we withdraw from life, we feel we may be contaminated by the world, and miss out on blessings God has in it.  Just as the rain falls on the just and the unjust, God loves and blesses all, both sinner and saint.  Remember he loved us while we were still sinners, or have you forgotten?  The other side is those who go out and try to change the world for Christ, following their own leads, not spiritually led.  Either way we practice self sacrifice, and find we are seeking the love of power, instead of the power of love.  We need to be flexible, we are not of this world, but here in it, and as in any colonization, we are sent here by God to colonize the planet for Christ.  We need to get out and ride more, get out and live more, and get out and enjoy the blessings God has for us more.  Or get out completely, for when stagnant we are really rotting from within, we might not see it, but others can sense the smell of pride and death in us. 

Where do you spread the gospel?  What or who do you influence?  Jesus again ate with Levi, a tax collector who even cheated on his own taxes.  The religious were appalled, “look at who he eats with?  Has he no sense of values?”  But we find Jesus spreading the influence of love to them, rather than being influenced by them.  How important is getting out and colonizing earth for heaven?  Do the angels rejoice when your attendance card is full at church, or when a new soul is saved by grace?  Jesus was not contaminated by their sin, but we can be you argue.  True, when on your own, but when guided by the spirit, you will be safe and protected.  Some will find it at a quilting party of unbelieving women, some in a social organization, some on the golf course, some with other bikers.  But when we get out and go with Jesus, we spread the gospel of his love, good news for a dying planet.  His spirit lives in us making us holy, so we can venture out into the world and influence it for him.  Are you watching a film on the gospel or do you have a role in it?  Are you  fed from a man behind a pulpit, with a known audience, or are you out trusting God to lead you?  I am not bagging on church,but Jesus taught in the temple, but ministered on the streets, where the action and the lost were.  Our product is Jesus, don’t you do your best business where the customers are? 

So maybe I am braggin’, because God has chosen me to get out and live his gospel, to share Jesus with those I meet.  To minister, or be ministered too.  His mode is motorcycles, and I meet dozens of people each month just being out there riding.  A chance to show Jesus, to make new friends, to minister his love.  Jesus has called us to be ambassadors of him on earth, to plant seeds for others to water, for him to provide the growth and salvation.  When we follow his gospel of love, others see a real side of Christians, rather than those just in church.  But it needs to be his love, his agenda, not ours.  So whether retreating from the world, which the Bible never endorses, or getting out and sinning,  which it never endorses, we are to live in the world just not become part of it.  From his first miracle at a wedding, to his last one on the cross, leading a thief to heaven, he was out and living.  His self giving love showing the way.  Many different ways to show it, I find it best to live it.  Last week was 6 different bikes, but one Jesus.  Like the ride you choose, it is personal.  So I chose Jesus, it don’t get any more personal than that.  And yes, that’s braggin’!

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

a word for the church

What is success?  When I asked a young pastor how his year was, he answered “we met all our financial goals.”  And as I sat stunned, I saw he was more interested in the goals, the physical goals set by his board, which he oversaw, than taking care of the flock God had given him to shepherd.  Not to the rank and file, they expect these things to be taken care of by the church board, the maintaining of the property, the free coffee, the bathrooms clean, and things we take for granted.  Things that need to be done, but can take supreme importance, because they are the things we see and deal with.  And they are important, but like a dedicated priest asked in “True Confessions,” when the politics had taken over, “aren’t we supposed to be in the work of saving souls?”  To which the Cardinal replied “don’t tell me about my duties.”  But someone has too, for we can each get led astray, and forget about the vision that God has given us.

This Easter many will fill the pews in churches on their semi-annual church visit.  Many will come forward when asked if they want to accept Jesus, some will, some will be overcome by emotion, some will get ridiculed at work for doing it and too many will go on with no follow up.  All the preparations, the flowers, the cookies and coffee will be forgotten, and when a new attendance record is set, success will have been reached and many will congratulate each other.  Caught up in the crowd, by the emotions of the moment, too many will go unnoticed, and get lost in the shuffle.  They will leave disenchanted, but will have seen a great program, ladies dressed up, and men in suits.  The church will look good, but next week all is back to normal, except those who went forward.  Who does follow up?  Who calls them to disciple?  Sure we have church members to attend to them at the church service, but where are they tomorrow?  The next day, when the emotions have worn off, and life is back to what is normal, is their life just another invite to church?  Is that evangelism?  Is that ministry?  Does keeping the lights on mean we’re successful?

When I teach on Tuesday nights, we have a core group, and some who come when they remember.  My ego can be burst when the attendance is low, or boosted when the room fills, but I have learned that whoever is there God has brought.  And that a smaller group makes it more personal.  And that just because they miss church doesn’t mean they missed God.  When Jesus fed the 5000 he met a physical need, with an underlying spiritual concept, one of God providing your needs through Christ Jesus.  Last night I was reminded, as I have been in the past, and will be again next week, that God has a vision for me, to bring the word in love and attitude, and to love.  Not just those who attend.  And by the faithfulness I show, others are beginning to see the vision God has given them.  Pastor Pat used to remind us that “many hands make light work,” and we all are important to God.  Both corporately, at church, and individually, wherever we are.  Two people were missing last night, and I saw them in the hall when leaving.  When I told them “we missed you guys,”  I got a hug, and a smile from both.  They had started their own private Bible studies, as God had led them too.  And had been so absorbed they lost track of the time.  One night of me was not enough, or maybe too much, they wanted more of the spirit, and it led them to study together. And one man who never had written, or sings,had written a song to Jesus, and sang it for me in the hall.  And I was incredibly blessed!  I was bearing fruit!  Overlooked by his absence, he was anything but absent to God.  He explained “you gave us a desire to want more, and the spirit is providing it.”  Me?  “Yes, you encouraged us to seek God, to follow his spirit, and at first we didn’t understand, but we felt led to study and now I want to write more songs.”  So I ask again, what is success?

For Ananias it was baptizing the new Christian rebel Paul, and although he feared for his life, Paul had been a bad dude persecuting Christians, remember him holding the coats of those who stoned Stephen, Ananias did as God showed him.  In a vision, and we know the rest about Paul.  One simple task God asked Ananias to do changed Paul’s ministry forever.  We underestimate our value in Christ, we celebrate the big holidays, but what about everyday life?  Where the action really is?  The spirit is calling all of us to repent, to turn to Jesus and be saved.  But that is the beginning, not the end.  And we need men and women in the spirit to come along and disciple.  The vision God gave me is simple, to equip others to equip others.  Some by actions, some teaching, some listening, but all just following what the spirit leads me to do.  Sound familiar?  Jesus loves us all, we are all called to a purpose, so be all you can be in Christ, maybe the hardest thing you will ever do, but what should be the simplest. 

Today you may the chosen instrument God has chosen to aid a new Christian, to come along a doubter, to sit with someone sick, or to show love.  Many are called, but few are chosen, not only to heaven, but to minister once saved.  When we see evangelism as more than inviting people to church, when we get out and among the lost and hurting-everyone everywhere, when we follow the spirit’s leading, we are that chosen one, the one who God says “well done my good and faithful servant.  For when you did these things to the least of them, you did it to me.”   Let the spirit lay hold of you today, forgetting the past failures, and seeking God and what he has for you.  Some teach, some will sing songs, some will serve food.  Some will clean the building, and some will just be there.  Success will be in just doing what God asks and let him deal with the rest.  Next week we will be asked where were we on Easter?  My question is “where are you now?”  Salvation is just the beginning, and God has a vision just for you.  Strive to lay hold fully of what Jesus has for you.  Everyday will be new and exciting.  For Ananias it was scary and exciting, and the fruits it bore were incredible.  Do what God asks, everyday, you may hear a message in church, but see it come alive in the hall. 

One Mordecai Ham led a young Billy Graham to the Lord.  And look how he changed the world.  Mordecai and Ananias, two men who just did what they were told.  Now what means success to you?  To God?  Where he guides he will provide, so use your education as an application of what Jesus means to you.  Resurrection power is available to all, the same spirit that was in Jesus is now available to us.  Maybe after church is really where the action is and the ministry begins.  Not ends.  A word for the church, for we are the church.  Amen.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

are you being fed or franchised?

I found myself in Moorpark yesterday after the noon hour appointed for lunch.  Putting miles on a press bike, a 2016 Bonneville T120, the restaurant I was looking for was gone, now selling fast food, and  I was past hungry.  So I settled for a Jersey Mike’s, and a sub.  Now being from Jersey, and being named Mike, I know a bit about subs, and although these have become the latest hot franchise, the Mickey D’s of sandwiches, I always come away a bit disappointed.  Growing up on Duke’s, you either got a whole or a half, their way.  You trusted the maker to do his thing, and Duke’s ruled.  No how do you want it, where else do you go where they ask how do you want them to make your food?  Then Hershey’s came along, and the subs were even better, same ingredients, but different.  In Plainfield it was JV’s, and again, the same only different.  Real meat, a thick sandwich, not this thin sliced hide the meat in the veggies we have become used to, a meal in your hands, you ate without it being cut into smaller halves.  Your hands smelled good and tasted good for hours after.  And of course Greasy Tony’s, where they had paper towels instead of sissy napkins, if you have to ask I can explain, but you still might not get it.  A real sandwich, filled with the owner’s special way to make it, not taught at a school for franchisees.  Men and women who loved to cook, and got into business, the food first, and when it was good then came the profits.  And on every trip back to the fatherland, a trip to Hershey’s is a must.  And for a week my hands still smell like the spices...

But in 1976, I saw the future when meeting my friend Bob Allen for a late dinner at his friend’s sub shop in Albuquerque, the owner was excited.  He had just signed a contract with a new chain, Subway, and felt he had a good future.  Subs were not the hot setup in Albuquerque, but this was to change with Subway.  And would change the way America looked at submarine sandwiches.  What Ray Kroc had done for burgers and fries, Subway was about to do for subs.  Where were Duke’s, Hershey’s and Greasy Tony’s when we need them?  Is it possible that something good could ever come out of New Jersey?

We tend to frequent small hole in the wall places, where the owner makes the food, and it is his way.  His recipe.  If I had been patient yesterday, a trip of 5 miles would have brought me to Old School, a great sandwich place where for the money you get fed, not franchised.  Maybe a lesson in patience was in order yesterday, a lesson I hope will not repeat itself. 

A few weeks ago in our Tuesday night study Jeffrey asked what it meant to have a personal relationship with Christ.  He was a Christian man, but wanted more than religion had to offer.  He was tired of the franchised way of worshipping God, and knew there had to be more.  After I did my best to explain, he said he got it, and in the past few weeks has grown in the Lord as the spirit is now upon him.  And he knows it.  What a difference getting personal means, not only in subs, but in knowing Jesus.  Knowing about where the best subs are has value, knowing has vitality.  Life, excitement, new flavors, and a new take on an old meal.  Works with Jesus too, as Jeff and many others have found out.  Franchised religion via denominations will do for awhile, but to grow in Christ you need more than a premade sermon every week.  You eat 7 days a week, you need Jesus everyday too.  Casual contact on Sundays or Christmas and Easter are not enough, it comes from constant contact via the spirit, where the red words spoken by Jesus take on the face of God, not the face of church.  Where you can go directly to the man, instead of a man.  But yet many take the casual approach, and eat at Subways, never knowing what a real meal can taste like.

Maybe my father in law described it best.  A Catholic by culture, he told me once the thing he liked about the Catholic religion was no matter where he was, it was always the same.  No challenges, very little participation, and no growth.  He felt comfortable and when his time was up, he left until next week.  And repeated the same.  Pick any religion, and when the pastor hides behind a pulpit, but encourages you to get out, maybe it is time to get out, and into Jesus.  To see why we celebrate a risen Christ, why he suffered, and why in our suffering we draw closer to him.  To meet him personally, if Jesus showed up at your table for lunch, would you recognize him?  Would you be comfortable with him?

When we see ourselves as God does, we see things differently.  We see Jesus clearer, and scripture comes alive.  No longer do we whine and cry in suffering, we know since he suffered, we will too, and that he will win the battle without our help.  Which one of us was there to help him at the cross?  We find a new freedom in Christ to be who we want, and things become less important.  People do, and we see opportunities to minister that we stepped over before.  The love of Jesus makes it personal, and we want to know him more, not about him, but to know him.  Just like a best friend, we always want to see him, and make the time to do it.  Religion ends up franchised like many a good sub, but there are still better places to eat, where you can meet the cook, watch them prepare the food, and just the aroma when the door opens makes you even hungrier.  Just like the holy spirit does for us...

Dave Thomas made a fortune selling burgers with his red headed daughter Wendy on the sign.  His philosophy was simple, a better burger, his way.  And based on his philosophy, the best two bites of the burger are the first, ahh, you gotta have another, and the last, I can’t wait until I come back.  How do you meet Jesus, and how does he leave you?  Are you excited to see him and spend time with him, and cannot wait for more, or is it just time for church again?  Are you just eating because it is lunch time?  The hunger for more of Jesus cannot be self fulfilled, only by his spirit will we ever be satisfied.  And it is offered to every believer, free of charge.  And you cannot get it by trying, struggling, or stressing.  It comes from knowing Jesus personally.  Face to face, sandwich to sandwich. 

By the way, Jersey Mike’s was started by a guy named Pete.  Jersey Pete’s?  So here is to all who go it alone, seeking more from their meal.  To Duke’s, Hershey’s, and Greasy Tony’s.  The ladies at JV’s, who each took a good sandwich and made it better.  Tired of franchised religion, Jesus is the way.  Always has been, always will be.  For love or money, you will get what you want from religion, but will never be satisfied.  The best meals are ones with the recipe made from the heart, not our way, but their way.  The way to the cross is the person who we will find there, Jesus Christ.  If he can feed 5000, imagine what he can do for you.  First the prophets, now it is about profits.  And you don’t have to go to Jersey!

Are you being fed or franchised?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

the white car by the side of the road

“You are cruising down the highway at an indicated 75mph.  On the side of the road ahead is a white car, and as you pass, the man leaning against it nods to you.  The car is low, and you take note.  Less than 45 seconds later your car shakes as the same white car rushes past you, shaking you as it passes.  Within another 10 seconds, it is gone, and you wonder, what just happened, what kind of car was that?  What was that, it was so quick?  Gentlemen, that is speed.”  With apologies to Ken W. Purdy, the dean of all automotive writers, there is fast, and then there is fast.  George Carlin one remarked “anyone slower than you is an idiot, anyone faster than you is a maniac.”  While talking with a new rider the other day, he was impressed, but also wary of those who do wheelies and stoppies, claiming they were a safety nuisance, until I remarked, “no, you’re just jealous,” and he agreed, he wishes he could ride so well.  So do I.  But as in speed, wheelies, stoppies, or driving/riding in general, there is always someone faster, someone better.  And for awhile our egos will burst, torn or shattered, but we will get over it.  Maybe if we realize the person getting the best of us we can relate to a quote made by an Olympic competitor about Bob Beamon, who set the new long jump record of over 29’, almost 4’ longer than the old record, “the rest of us are all children.”

I was riding with friends on a Triumph Storm, dragging pegs and wearing off the feelers Saturday morning, when a group of Ducatis, and BMW S1000R’s passed me in a tight curve.  I was fast, they were faster, and my first thought was “they’re nuts,” and they were, but soon it turned to admiration, I wish I could ride that well.  Or have no fear, or at least the confidence to do it.  But we each have our limits, and my goal of returning home safe after each ride is a strong influence on my riding.  Some may think other wise, to them I am that white car on the side of the road, to me, I don’t ride any faster than I enjoy. For if riding isn’t fun, I rather do something else.  Wouldn’t you?

A group of us were talking one day, when a woman came up and accused us of judging her.  Now no one likes to be judged, and Christians are real good at it.  But we weren’t, and so I asked her “why is it only someone caught in sin accuses someone of judgment?  And didn’t you just judge me by your accusation?”  After a few sentences of futile rebuttal, she agreed, and we told her we were not judging anyone.   To some what appears to be criticism is really just describing them.  But yet we all seem to compare ourselves to someone or something, to ease the pain or realize how far we have to grow.  Paul, the apostle one, had to deal with this, as we do, and his take is recorded in scripture.  His facts vs. our opinions, maybe we need to take note of his writings, and follow them, after all they were inspired and endorsed by God. 

No matter where we are in Christ, newbie or seasoned citizen, we set out own boundaries and sets of standards.  Paul tells us that “to gain Christ is everything,” and it is, but not to add him to our list of collectibles.  When Jesus truly comes into our lives, we start to lay aside the things of the world, but some things we still caress as much as we embrace him.  Moses had his staff to lean on, and only after God removed it did he have someone rather than something to lean on.  We need to see everything as garbage, as things not worthy of worship when we come to Christ.  God wants us to surrender all things in our lives to him, and let him be truly Lord of our lives.  When he said he considered everything loss compared to Jesus Christ it was a process of a relationship building that brought him to that point.  His life was changed, and he was saved on the road to Damascus, it was when he turned over more of his life to God that the growth took place.  When the things in your life become unimportant, or you want to rid yourself of them, then you truly to enjoy what Paul describes as “the surpassing worth of Jesus Christ.”  When you truly let him be Lord, and shed the skin of a double minded man.  And find true freedom in the spirit that he has given us.

When Paul started to shed those things, he began to see the endless love that God had for him, and wanted nothing to stand between him and God.  We call it sin, and it can be subtle, but still sin.  When he considered his possessions dirty rags compared to what Christ had for him, when his values were based on Jesus rather than things, he saw the greatness of God first hand, not through the dark mirror we do. Jesus told us we cannot serve two masters, it will end in ruin, at best frustration.  You cannot hold on to both, it is either one or the other, and saying yes to both is saying no to Jesus.  Do you call him Lord but yet not follow him?  And when we do finally surrender all, we find no adequate words to describe it.  How do you describe an infinite God using finite words?

Maybe that explains your confusion, your ineffective witness, your unhappiness.  Some things or someone?  Tough choices, only one will save your soul, the other leads it to destruction.  Records are meant to be broken, there will always be someone faster, quicker, or have more money.  Only in Christ will you exercise your true potential, and have everything you want or need.  For he who dies with the most toys still dies.  This life is just a warm up for eternity, a bracket race, where when you eliminate all but Jesus, you win the race.  You rise above the bar set, and you are set free.  Salvation is a one time process, life goes on forever.  And until heaven calls, we will continue to deteriorate.  But we can grow in Christ, in his love, by his spirit.  Why is it only people on the way down claim “it’s all gonna burn anyway,” when we can choose Jesus over things, and he will guide us?  What seems like down will really lift us up, and he will give us the desires of our heart.  And when he is that desire, we can experience what Paul did, the promises of knowing it is all about Jesus.  And things will take a proper place in our lives.  Your life will tell us where Jesus in in it long before you can perjure yourself using words.

Every day like every ride will be different, so go and enjoy today.  Give the day to Jesus, and let him plan, not us.  And when trouble comes knocking at the door, and you see it is the devil, just turn to Jesus and say “it’s for you.”  For truly we can do all things in Christ who gives us strength, and a double minded man is unstable in all his ways.  No matter how fast he can ride.  For there is always a white car parked somewhere just waiting for you.  For there is horsepower, and then there is power.....’'

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

have you ever been experienced? an open invitation

The sign on the building says “Church and Christian Education,” a rather large, rich imposing church set in an industrial area.  A church with many programs, stressing being in the word via daily devotions in the Bible.  And like any other church, wants to set itself apart from others, by its motto or creed.  For just down the street sits another huge building, advertising they are a church of the gospel.  And still within shouting distance, another boasts of a huge cross on the property.  Beautiful campuses, well manicured, modern, and inviting.  All wanting to welcome you and have you join their fellowship, and bring you closer to God.  All very admirable in their mission statements, but so many based on education.  A buzzword of today, as many espouse the more education, the better chance for success.  In the world we find low end managers, who we used to refer to as clerks, now need a Master’s Degree to qualify.  We place a high, or higher value on the education of the person, hoping in the process to have learned something.  But finding that like, most of us only studied to pass the test, to get the degree.  And then it is forgotten, while turning to the current lesson at hand.  Did we really learn anything at all?

Ironically one of the best college professors I had I can’t remember his name, but I remember his class.  On the first day of class, in a small auditorium, on stage he sat with a table, a wooden chair, and an old metal trash can.  After getting our attention, he stood up and introduced himself, a former executive from IBM, and then held up the text book.  “This is what they want us to use,” and promptly dropped it in the waste basket.  “But in this class you will not learn theory, in each study we will go through a problem that we encountered in real life, and see how we either succeeded or failed.  You will learn to experience the problem,and have to think for yourself.  There will be no wrong answers, but some will work while others will be based on theory.  You will experience rather than learn about business first hand.” And we did, but almost instantly the students of grade versus the students of learning were separated.  Rather than study from a book, we studied from experience, and were made to think and apply our education.  Which made us explore potential most of us didn’t know we had.  Yet some didn’t get it, they needed to be taught, and had a very low threshold of learning. 

I am blessed to sit among a generation of the smartest Bible teachers and students in history.  With more Bibles, study tapes, notebooks, and how to books, the church is overwhelmed with education.  But yet recently one church needed some volunteers to feed the poor, and out of 7000 who attend, 16 inquired.  Where is the application of their education?  Have we all become mind numbed robots to education?  Like progress, it was a good thing, maybe it has just gone on too long.  For me, God put it plainly.  “If the seat of your pants is wearing out faster than the soles of your shoes, you have a problem.”  Maybe we need to check our wardrobe.  For the ones I see out in the battle field, the ones who get it, who experience Christ first hand, are low on education.  They may not know the Roman Road, the Four Spiritual Laws, or name the parables of Jesus.  But they have the heart of Jesus, and it shows in their life.  And others see it.  They care, they love, because the spirit drives them, not religion, not even church.  A problem Paul addressed 2000 years ago.

Paul refers to the men who promote the outer man, in a religious setting as dogs.  Dogs were the worst then, and both Gentiles and Jews referred to low lifes as dogs.  And here he found them in the church.   Concentrating on the external, what they knew or did publicly, how they earned their reputation.  But at a cost to salvation and spiritual growth.  They taught Jesus and the law, circumcision, and knowledge as requirements  to be saved, or to grow in Christ.  Sound familiar.  They pushed their views on people, usually picking on the weakest, and spreading their false religion.  Serving God’s people trash like the dogs ate, and expecting them to be loyal to a teaching.  A philosophy.  But never wanting to make it personal.  A desire to advertise their holiness by good works, recognition, and knowledge.  Sincere in their endeavors, they were sincerely wrong, as they missed the mark of Jesus, that we change from the inside and it is Jesus who changes us.  It is the experience of knowing Jesus Christ, not knowing about him that changes us.   When is the last time you were invited to experience Jesus first hand? 

Application of education will upset the traditional church.  Safe and secure behind a pulpit, the pastor has a safe audience.  Try the teaching out on the streets like Jesus did.  True some knew him as Rabbi, but when it was personal, when they knew him it became Lord.  And that same Jesus wants to make it personal today, to go beyond education and have you apply the love he gave you to others.  And you have a huge audience waiting to be loved, not educated.  When Jimi Hendrix sang “have you ever been experienced?”  how many can refer to Jesus as saying “I have!” 

My friend who happens to be a pastor, taught yesterday about sharing Jesus in a crisis situation.  While many quote scriptures and try to influence the afflicted, why not try love?  Compassion?  Listening?  People only care about how much you know when they know how much you care.    Maybe it is as simple as meeting a need, which is what ministry is.  When I met two businessmen yesterday, and they inquired as to my ministry, I told them it was simple.  Sometimes the need is spiritual, sometimes physical, sometimes emotional.  Just like Jesus told the church in Matthew 25.  And they offered to help, and donated free delivery of a mattress.  They wanted to be involved, to experience the love of Jesus, in a simple non-religious way.  All from a guy who who has 3 semesters of the same teachings from college.  You see it is not what you know, but who, and I know Jesus.

Have you ever been experienced?  Do you want to be?  Or are you content to hide behind your degree, your studies, your DD after your name?  Or do you wish to see all the blessings of Christ?  You may be a dog and not know it, just fitting in, or willing to share scraps from others relationship.  Make it personal, and Jesus offers to do it.  The things that are seen are temporal, the things not seen are eternal. If you were a building, what would your sign say?  The genuine experience starts in the heart, then changes the life. Faith begins in the spirit and grows from there.  Studying to find yourself approved, or for people to see the gospel alive in you?  Some are content to listen to a song on the radio, I want to sing it.  Application of your education, the first lesson Jesus taught was love.  What can we learn from you?

love with compassion,

Mike

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