is your cell phone set on photo in case of an emergency?

Sometimes we refer to them as Monday morning quarterbacks, with the ability of 20/20 hindsight to either indict them or release them from their decisions.  Sadly many have never played the game, but still feel free to offer the wrong advice whether it is asked for or not.  Opinions, are like Hondas once were, when everyone had one, but like the popularity of Honda, things change with time.  We may not all have a crystal ball, or insight to the future, but 100% of us have the ability to look back, run a post decision review, and see if what we did was right or wrong.  And then still go on making the wrong mistakes.  Such is the way of life for us, making the decision we would have made more important than the situation the decision was made in.  And in discussions, the question comes up “what would you have done differently?”  Sadly the answer soon becomes all about us, just like 99% of our prayers, and only a merciful God gives us the chance to be wrong again, or right.  Maybe football plays and decisions that fail may be a bad example, but what would you do if asked in a pressure situation?  Who calls the plays in your life, and then who takes the responsibility for them?

Harry S. Truman once said “the buck stops here,” even put a sign on his desk announcing it.  You had a problem, Harry would solve it, whether you liked it or not.  But at least you knew where he was coming from.  Listening to Mayor Guiliani talking about 9/11, he made a comment that has stuck with me, and maybe some insight into making better decisions.  First things first.  The medical field calls it first aid, we dial 911. But his remarks about the 9/11 bombings were different than what I had heard.  We now have the ability to look back, and see how things played out.  Back then they didn’t know how long, how many, how much, or when the attack would end.  So they responded quickly, “do something!” and deal with the problem at hand.  Deal with what is immediately in front of you.  Just like we do in panic situations, right?   Not panicking in a panic situation?  Or are you still taking a picture with your phone....is it set on photo in case of an emergency?  Do you know the number to 911?

But it affects our daily lives also in our prayers.  We don’t know the future, how long the situation will exist, or how it will end.  A man and his scripturally educated friends once told me I wasn’t nice, because I diffused a situation harshly before it escalated.  Rather than take their abuse too, I confronted the man, using his son as an example.  “If your son is playing by the freeway, do you stop and tell him it is dangerous?  Show him stats on kids hurt while playing as such, equip him with a helmet and cell phone if an emergency arises, or tell him “STOP, NOW” and get him away from the danger?”  His answer was I would get him away, he’s my son, no matter how rude it sounded...doing the right thing isn’t always politically correct.  The decisions we make today will definitely affect tomorrow, now what have you learned from this?  Bad decisions may make better stories, but they are still bad decisions.  And the only way to get God’s mercy...yet some are still snatched from the fires of hell by their collars...

Paul knew in his heart that he was to share the gospel in Rome.  God just never told him how he was to get there, or the events surrounding it.  For like us, we would take safest route, and miss out the road God had laid out for us.  It is in these tough times of indecision that God offers us his spirit to comfort and assure us he is with us, and if he says it, it is truth.  All the men on the ship were in the same danger, only Paul heard from the spirit via an angel, reassuring him that what God had said would come to pass.  Through the storm, not around it, not knowing when it would end, or how God was going to do it.  The pressure and danger was the same for all, but the comforting of the spirit gave Paul a reassurance that he could share with the others.  A testimony of God’s faithfulness and love, that would later give his words strength and authority, his testimony.  Remember Peter’s walking on the water, but how many times do you hear about how Jesus promised his men that he would meet them on the other side?  Where they ended up immediately when he was in the boat with them, no matter how bad the storm, his word is true.  So there is hope in any situation you face today, and when inspired by the spirit, you see the words on the pages of scripture come alive, give you a testimony, and your relationship in Christ goes deeper.  Not by what you read, but in the midst of the storm seeing it all come alive!

The spirit reveals what Christian faith is all about, not the situations, but the one who controls them.  In the spirit we have secret hidden resources that the world doesn’t, for it is the spirit that reveals the mysteries of Christ, the things to come.  Then we need to trust the Lord for his how.  This is one characteristic of Christianity that should happen all the time, if you had a chance to see your life via instant replay, what would you change?  My answer is easy, “nothing,” for God has all things under his control, and in the tough times when I was weak, he was stronger.  When I doubted, he reassured me, and when in the storm, he promised the other side.  Which is where all believers will be some day, crossing over to the other side, how many caught that meaning when Jesus said he would see them on the other side?  Another precursor to resurrection, remember Peter yelled “Jesus, save me!”  Both his life and his soul.  Hmmmm....

And so man plans and God laughs, just like Jesus wept over Lazarus, because we don’t get it.  The message is true, his son truth, yet we don’t believe.  A friendly, chuckle not at us, but one of “when are you going to get it?”  And since he knows, and has set the path for us, he smiles one of love, not of emotion.  In Jesus the buck stops here, and life displays that.  His love.  No Easter without Good Friday, no resurrection without death, and no forgiveness with no sin.  And he knows how we will screw up again today, yet will get us to the other side.  The question is, whose side are you on?  How good is your vision, all hindsight or foresight?  Why not trust the future to the one who knows it, and trust him today.  Today was once the future, as today was tomorrow yesterday.  Or is your life best described as sacrifice is better than obedience?  Obedience is better than sacrifice, all expressed in God’s answers to our prayers.  The most important part of prayer, listening....for Jesus didn’t say he who has a mouth let him speak, but he who has an ear let him hear. 

Just for history’s sake, Honda never mentioned the word motorcycle in their ads, the stigma of The Wild One still present.  Does your life, your actions mention Jesus, or are you still not over it? 

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

summer night rides

If you only travel in the constantly monitored confines of a car, you won’t get what I am about to share.  But for those who ride, you can relate and reflect.  We dress in layers when riding, some early mornings are cool enough for a jacket, and by 9am, a breakfast stop refreshes us and we take it off.  Later as the day warms up, the sweatshirt comes off, and we enjoy t shirt riding, and experience even the slightest changes in temp due to elevation or going from ocean to inland.  And how refreshing each change can be.  And how at night a similar process occurs, and last night I was reminded of that.  Earlier in the day it had been 100 degrees, and only 8 hours later when getting ready to leave friends by the coast, my helmet was wet from the marine layer that was settling in.  And a coolness, not quite cold invigorated me.  For about 15 minutes I wish I had a sweatshirt, but soon the cool air felt good, and I began to miss it as I headed inland.  By the time I got home 30 minutes later, it was warm, and sitting in the house many would have turned on the AC, we found the porch with a breeze adequate.  But riding at night always gives a different perspective, the buildings that during the day are filled, and now dark and empty.  Others are less visible, and so are we, and a privacy among traffic sets in, and as the temp changes, you exercise all your senses, along with the spirit.  There is something about summer night rides that I can’t quite put into words, and even when riding in the country with less people, there are more critters to look out for, giving the ride a new sense of paying attention.  But starlit skies, add a full moon, and in a car you now know why we call them cages.  Set the cruise, adjust the AC, put in a CD, and locked in privacy you are really locked in a cage.  Ever wonder why a dog puts its head out the window, what does he know you don’t?  Or that we do?

Now no one likes to be uncomfortable, just ask Goldilocks or the thousands like her.  They live a homogenized life, where anything different is not a challenge but a threat, and don’t upset their world if you want them to turn into a bear.  Dress alike, act alike, and drive your SUV alike, looking for that individuality by being just like others.  If your idea of a hot day is rushing from the mall exit to your car and having to wait 30 seconds for the AC to kick in, you probably don’t ride.  If you pay $100 to style your hair that looks just like my helmet head, you don’t get it.  And if you wear faded denim to look cool at $100/pair, I have some worn out Wranglers that I paid $15 for.  And any biker already knows what he could do with all the money you waste on yourself, we’d go for a ride!  But maybe he next example helps you understand us better, a not about riding scenario.  My friend Pastor Doug was telling of his trip to Israel.  Sorta boring, then he showed a map.  Putting it in perspective to other places.  Then he showed some pictures of cities, getting better, but when he showed pictures of himself there, then it became real. Personal.  We could relate to it, we knew Doug and he was in the pictures.  Ask yourself, would you rather look at the pictures, be taking the pictures or be in them?  Maybe you need a summer’s evening ride to help you decide....

So many talk about the freedom in Christ you can have from religion, then live religious lives.  The same church, same seat even for years.  A ministry trip is helping the youth pack for a trip, while you stay at home.  You see, some are content with the knowledge of Jesus, of studying to find themselves approved, but never knowing the man behind the scriptures.  They never experience him, but based on knowledge think that is all there is.  And then catastrophe strikes, and quoting scriptures doesn’t work, for it is only a one way relationship, they never knew the man.  They may have walked where he did in Israel, but never walked with him anywhere.  The freedom found in getting personal has escaped them, sadly by choice, for we are all confronted by the spirit, and some live in a cocoon like existence, isolated from the one who gives them life, and it more abundantly.  A simple recommendation of a summer eves ride creating havoc, their tombstones reading “we never lived that way before,” and being dead but still inhabiting a living body.  Just like my cardiologist told me, he can keep me functioning, but he cannot keep me alive.

So maybe it is time to start removing the insulating layers and go for a ride with Jesus.  Feel the wind of the spirit in your face, look up at the stars he created and put in place.  Listen to his voice rather than the radio, and instead of learning about him, experience Jesus first hand.  And when the road gets rough, you know who to hang onto, and just not a scriptural quote.  For without the spirit they are just words, for even Satan quotes or misquotes scripture, and you may be no better.  Saved but not living, just functioning.  You need the spirit to give you life....to be in the picture, to live a life in Christ, not just in church.  Not just about him.

There is nothing like fresh air, maybe your hound or purse rat knows more than you do.  Ask him what  2 minus two equals and he’ll say nothing.  Without thinking, can you?  Maybe a ride tonight out of the city, not far but looking up at the stars is in order.  Turn off the AC, silence the radio, and turn off the phone.  Roll down the windows, and take in the fresh air.  And see Jesus without all the artificial enhancements.  Or stumbling blocks.  You can either walk where Jesus did or walk with him.  Or really be daring and take a ride on a motorcycle.  Come home with a badge of honor of helmet head, your cheeks flushed from the wind, and feeling invigorated.  Your senses heightened.  Or spend an hour getting ready for church...personally I rather be riding my motorcycle spending time with God then sitting in church thinking about riding.  Some enchanted evening, you may meet a stranger...and find you know all about him, and what a joy it is to finally meet him.  Face to face.  Personally.  Can you say that about your walk with Christ?  I can....maybe there is more to Jesus than just religion...take a ride and find out.  And feel the romance in the air....or you can listen to what the radio decides to play....

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

getting lost on vacation or is that Cousin Eddie in your driveway?

After 26 days on the road, we now have been back 21 days, and I still have not recovered.  My mind is still out there riding, still enjoying the US of A, and wishing I was somewhere else other than home.  There is life after So Cal, not everyone has become a slave to nice weather and traffic jams.  And so I look at homes for sale in areas that we visited, and dream of cashing out and moving.  But the trouble with vacations, other than them ending too soon, is that we see them through different eyes, and confuse reality with vacation.  We forget about crime being a universal act, taxes do cross state lines, and that there is a reason property is cheaper in Iowa and Kansas.  Why a fill up on my Tiger costs $5 less than here, and how the republic of California has such a grip on my soul.  We ultimately become a slave to the weather, and because we ride year round, and like the beach, this is where we all home.  A place others come to visit on their vacations...and I am slowly coming back to reality, against my will, and not really my idea.

When we lived in Durango I saw too many people visit on vacation and fall in love with the area.  I knew some who went home and cashed out, deciding to move there, and start a small business, only to fail when summer ends, and until ski season the town is dead.  And even during ski season, Purgatory is 30 miles north.  I  knew men who lost their life savings and then retreated with what was left of their pride back home.  Worse off for the experience, and I never want to be like that.  Maybe the most valuable lesson I have learned from being on the road.  But as I look at the houses for sale in Albuquerque, and think of the great roads in Iowa, my viewpoint is from one of no cares, no schedules, and no worries.  And no cold weather, snow, blowing winds, or anything else keeping me from riding in the middle of January.  So home I stay, safe and secure where God wants me.  His test for me was “I gave you everything you wanted didn’t I?”  And like a good attorney, he knows the answer before he asks the question.

And so it easy to get lost on vacation, to lose yourself in dreams of better roads, nicer people, cheaper property, and of good times.  But like John B. sang, “paradise was nice, but then you can’t stay there forever...”  So we already are planning, really dreaming about our next ride, plans in place, and we know that God will honor them with a big yes, a bigger no because something better is planned by him for us, or wait, don’t be so anxious or think you know it all.  Wait, the hardest part, and our patience tested right after we pray expecting an answer immediately.  And I can’t wait to be on the road again!

Many get lost on vacation, and never come back.  Their minds staying somewhere they travelled, and not returning with the body.  Life so harsh that anything is better, and chose an escape route that seems to look good, but ends in disaster.  And I know some who can claim that, despite knowing what they were doing was wrong and is wrong.  Retiring and selling all and moving away, only to find all they had was where they were.  A few years back a friend got mad at me, he decided to move and make more money. He already had a house we all would love to have, he wanted more, and we split ways when I asked him “did you pray about it?”  We all knew he hadn’t, and years later after slipping back into sin, he admitted to me the problem wasn’t me, it was him, and he was paying the price.  Sadly when he died last week, his wife told me there would be no service, as they had never connected with anyone in the ten years they lived there.  He even gave up on God, thankfully Jesus never gave up on him. 

Death awaits all of us, and it is inevitable.  Yet so many Christians who claim to be excited about heaven are afraid of dying.  Maybe it is like one man told when asked if he was afraid to die, “I’m not sure, I never died before.”  Truer words than most would admit.  Maybe it is the process, cancer, long illnesses, and trials.  I attended a friend’s funeral a while ago, who died after a long bout with cancer.  His celebration of life bothered me, as it was all about the greatness of him, not one word about the illness that took him home or how God took him through it.  A chance to give credit to God who took him through it and inspire others, yet I left empty, sadly not a celebration of life but of him.  Not what I would have wanted, and it bothered others too.  If the Bible tells us that Jesus is the life, what in our life celebrates him?  Looking back about the only thing missing was DVD copies for sale of the service and t shirts to remember him by.  His final testimony in life, all about him.  I hope to choose another path if I die before the rapture, but if I do, share the testimonies of what Jesus did in my life.  Make it a true celebration of life, make it all about him.  For even when I was in a coma and near death, I knew it was all about him and not me.  We can be saved, but still not be effective if not in the spirit.  And yes heaven will be better than anything we think, no matter how we live after we are saved, but we are to be a witness, an ambassador here on earth.  To encourage others via the spirit to desire Jesus and repent, to reunite with God in heaven.  On earth as it is heaven Jesus taught the disciples to pray, yet we think in heaven as it is on earth.  And like my vacation minded mood today, I long to be elsewhere, but know God has plans for me right now, right here.  And if all my joy is wrapped up in touring riding, maybe I need to seek his face more.  True freedom is knowing God where we are right now, not dealing with today because we are looking at tomorrow. 

Don’t wait until you die to celebrate life.  Don’t wait until your life is scripted, and elevated to an hour of exaggerations, celebrate Jesus now and have life.  Let your testimony today be one of a living God, and know true celebration of life is knowing Jesus.  Read your Bible, it says so right there, he is the life.  And see the spirit at work in your life as you live life sharing him.  Your life is not your own, nor are your vacations, for everything is God’s, and all within it.  Maybe the best way to want to be remembered is three words, “he loved God.”  Let your actions manifest themselves in Jesus, know of whom you belong, and start your vacation today from the world.  Only in Christ will you find the rest you need, and the roads you need to rest on.  Some get lost on vacation, I happened to get saved on one.  Maybe giving me a unique insight to Jesus and vacations.  On earth as it is in heaven, does your life reflect that?  Or do you relate to Cousin Eddie in your driveway?  If so, maybe you need some time alone with Jesus.  A true celebration of life begins the day of your salvation, not the day you die.  Celebrate now, no bumper sticker or t shirt will ever convey the message of Jesus Christ better.  If your testimony is all about you, what message does it send to others about Jesus?  

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

it ran fine until I fixed it

We were going to hook up for dinner with a friend when in Durango last month.  Until a last minute phone call, and the plans changed.  His truck wouldn’t start, and if it did wouldn’t idle, and he was still at the dealer.  So we rode over, we had time, and he was right.  He had had an oil change, and a fuel filter change on his diesel, and the shop owner had his scanner on it reading for codes.  He was convinced it was a bad injector, until I asked “was it running OK before the filter change?”  At first the tech resisted, he had never seen a new fuel filter bad right out of the box, but when we insisted, he put in another new filter, and the truck ran fine. All his schooling hadn’t taught him what  my experience had, go back to where you started, and retrace your steps.  Hopefully he would keep this experience handy if ever needed again.

Years ago my FJ1100 had trouble starting when hot, would occasionally run rough, and the shop I had trusted it with told me it needed a head job.  At 70,000 miles, it was worn out.  But that didn’t satisfy me, so I called an old friend of mine, who was a tuner for Cal Rayborn, one of the stars in “On Any Sunday.”  After a few questions, he called me a few names, and told me what to do, on the phone.  I had installed a K&N air filter, and a Supertrapp exhaust.  Wanting more sound, ask any Harley rider, if its loud it must be fast, and added two discs.  “Clean your air filter, and take out the two discs, it is running too lean,” came the advice from a man with a Castrol sticker on his wooden leg, and it started right up, and ran fine.  So good that when I traded it with 80,000 miles on it I got full retail against the new bike.  You cannot teach experience, you must live it.  Once again, go back to where it ran before you fixed it....

Another friend who is a lifestyle Harley rider, had put a lot of commuting mile son his bike.  A combination of mismatched parts, it was loud, but not fast and worn out, an ex-rental bike.  His mechanic was an old Harley mechanic, who rebuilt his engine, and a few other things for over $7000...and my friend bragged how fast it was, so much power it would spin the tire when the throttle was opened up full.  When I finally agreed to ride this killer beast, it was faster, but his interpretation of wheel slippage under power was a clutch that was slipping, giving the illusion.  Of course because I have such a dim view on Harleys, I couldn’t be right, after all what did I know...I rode sport bikes!   And his tech had been working on Harleys for 20 years.  But when he asked the tech, he found out he had not replaced the clutch plates, he only did what he was told to do by my friend, and they were worn.  After replacing them, the bike ran much better, but felt down on power because it didn’t slip.  His ego would never let him admit I was right, or worse yet he was wrong.  And I am sure the tech advised new clutch plates, but when you know it all, this is the price you pay.  Maybe giving credence to the old Harley joke, “95% of all Harleys sold are still on the road, the other 5% made it home.”  Another example of it ran fine until I fixed it....

The Bible tells of a time when all of  man’s heart will be revealed, that can be a scary thought.  But thanks to forgiveness through Jesus Christ, mine will be found clean.  Forgiven, and spirit driven, yet I still can make the worst mistakes right up there with anyone.  We can appear so cool on the outside, yet be falling apart or rotting on the inside.  I have also known people over the past who live by the creed “God says it, I believe it, that settles it.”  And I avoid them.  Leaving the interpretation of scripture up to themselves, they are so shallow as to drown in their own stupidity.  And soon false doctrines arise, and they become unteachable.  Hard hearted, bitter, and missing out on the blessings of God.  No matter if it is right or wrong, how they were taught is the only truth, and they suffer for it.  When questioned can quote scripture, generally out of text, and can legitimize any sin based on what they misinterpret.  For their own good.  They are like the man who knew it all after one ride, and never rode again, it scared him, so all motorcycles are unsafe and scary.  Ever had a bad time in church?  Know anyone who has?  And that was the reason for rejecting Jesus?  Don’t confuse church and God, Jesus saves, the church, well its record is less than holy.  And we are the church!  That should be proof enough. 

So knowing Christ is more than teaching, or a religious experience.  It is personal, and you must do it alone.  Another man I know ministers, but never alone.  Without a group he fails, trying to do it on his own.  Within a group he can hide better, yet tells many about his personal relationship with Christ.  We do need the church, but without the spirit to guide, we are on our own, fulfilling scripture that reminds us “everyman does what is right in his own eyes, only God looks at the heart.”  The soul of man, our souls.  Influenced by the spirit, when you fall where do you turn?

We need to turn back to Christ, who never left us, and will accept us as we are.  He just doesn’t want to us to remain that way, he has better things for us.  But when we fall back only on scripture, or teaching, or the correct verse for each situation, without the spirit guiding it is really all about us.  From clutches to filters to Supertrapps, good advice only works when taken.  So if you are of the God said and that settles it club, know this.  When Jesus healed people, sometimes he spit in their eyes, sometimes rubbed dirt in them.  Sometimes all it took was a touch of his robe, sometimes not even being present he healed.  Sometimes he appeared to show up late, ask Martha and Mary, and weeping himself when they missed the teaching of resurrection he had planned for them with Lazarus.  And sometimes we die, the ultimate healing, and in Christ we are made new again in heaven.  Even the disciples were questioned by the angel at the empty tomb, “why are you sad, the one you are looking for isn’t here.  He is risen.”  Just reading the Bible may teach you, experiencing Jesus first hand in the spirit, reveals the mysteries of scripture.

Loud pipes don’t save lives, the stats have proved that.  Wearing a helmet is safer in a crash, again proven.  But at least in Jesus we get the choice to choose, not a law that is forced and enforced against us.  I love the sound of a good exhaust note, but loud is annoying.  And I wear a helmet.  And I choose Jesus, knowing he loved me first.  And knowing heaven awaits when I die.  But for now, I seek the experience of knowing Jesus more than knowing about him.  A simple question I ask my flock,”why do you study for a test?”  “To pass,” and then you forget.  The test is over.  But the experience of Jesus Christ you never forget.  If the experience works for motorcycles and trucks, you need to share it.  Your testimony.  Scripture tells us we are saved by the word of our testimony and the blood of the lamb.  Jesus did his part, are you doing yours?  100% of those saved make it home.  May your ride be as successful.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

the guests of Gatsby

It was one of those rare summer mornings when you could use beautiful and New Jersey in the same sentence and be telling the truth.  Our usual riding group of four had made plans to meet, but by 9am Geno had called, his mumbling indicating his last set got over at 2am, and he didn’t get in until 330, so he would pass.  Bouke, who we thought may live in is garage, was absent, his “old lady” as he referred to her, had pressed him into an honor and obey moment, and he would pass.  So it was just BH and me, and a full day to ride, but where?  After some not so careful consideration, we called up David, his old college friend who lived on Long Island, whose mother said he had gone into the city to see a Yankee game.  But determined to go see him, in this pre-cell phone interruption era, we had him paged, as DR. David *&^%$, and over the public address system they paged him.  He later admitted he knew immediately who was calling him, and he answered the page.  We all agreed to meet later at his aunt’s house, his parent’s house was having some renovations done, so we set out for Long Island.  A mere 70 miles from us, 3 hours later we were in the area, but still looking for his aunt’s house. 

Now I need to mention David’s family was rich, the old money rich, The Great Gatsby era rich.  And when we had asked for his aunt’s address, were just told “Twin Gables, Long Island.”  “Everybody in the area knows where it is,” so off we went.  Now somewhere between here and there lies the reality of the New York Metro area, all 12 million inhabitants, with narrow old roads, and stop lights by the dozen.  The ride was anything but fun, and we had planned to get there early not taking this into account.  So when it got dark, and unfamiliar landmarks started looking familiar after the third time passing them, we called him, directions were given, and it was right where he said it was....

Now when F. Scott Fitzgerald told us “the rich are different from you and I” we were about to enter the world of the different.  What looked like an old southern mansion, the size of a hotel, was where his aunt lived.  It had gates, a huge circular driveway leading up to the front porch, and servants greeting you.  Who normally would park your car in the old stables, but on our bikes they just showed us the way.  His aunt, who loved David, he was her favorite, showed us around, out back where the yacht and speedboat where anchored at the dock on the bay, and around the grounds that were perfectly manicured.  A place you normally would feel uncomfortable in, but she made us feel right at home.  In my mind’s eye Gatsby never lived this well, and for this weekend we were to be the guests of Gatsby.  It was late, after 10pm, and she called for the cook to meet us in the kitchen, really a cafeteria, and we were told to ask for whatever we wanted, shock had us eating sandwiches, and the cook went back to bed.  She then showed us to our rooms, the bathrooms, the ones in the guest area of the house had a dorm style bathroom, complete with monogrammed towels, and shower shoes and robes.  Pajamas if we needed them.  We were overwhelmed, but this was everyday life for David.  And a good night’s sleep was enjoyed by all...

The next morning we were greeted by a buffet on the back patio, and watched as neighbors boats sailed by.  Another friend Stephen had arrived, and he and David’s aunt gave us a tour of the mansion.  She loved David’s friends, and we never felt like guests, soon calling her Auntie, which she preferred.  A highlight of the tour was when Stephen found a book about famous paintings, and pointed out they were hanging in her home.  Truly the rich are different, or is it us that are different?  What had started as a morning short of two riding pals, had turned into an adventure into a world few get to see, and has stuck with me for over 42 years.  And in my mind’s eye I can see the light at the end of Gatsby’s dock, warning others, just like we saw the night we arrived.  The final word’s to this classic “so we beat on, boats against the current, born back ceaselessly into the past,”  echoing in my mind. 

As a Christian we are born ceaselessly into the future.  An eternal right now called heaven awaits us.  But we still have to get through today, and most of our lives are not lived in a Gatsbyesque stature.  We are already into our next paycheck by the time it arrives, and a dream of ours when raising a family was going grocery shopping and filling the cart and knowing the check would clear.  A much different world than the one that David’s aunt lived in.  But one great thing about heaven is that it awaits our arrival, God has prepared a place for us, and no matter what you think it to be, it will be better.  For eye has not seen, ear has not heard, nor mind imagined the things of the kingdom that await us.  And many dream of that day, I do, but today awaits us first.  Where the trials and temptations of life can be overwhelming.  And when a day like our weekend ride to Long Island happens, we can be overwhelmed before we are thankful.  Yes there are places that exist like this, they are real.  But so is heaven, so we need to keep our eyes set on things on high, and follow the spirit daily.  The blessings are there, are we listening?

From the day I have been saved until now, I hear great theological minds debate how to know the will of God for your life.  They get existential, deep beyond any understanding a human can comprehend, and also far away from God.  For God made the gospel simple so I can get it, and free so we can afford it.  Not a philosophy to entertain, but a relationship with Jesus Christ, who is the way back to his father, our father in heaven for eternity.  And we can live “On earth as it is in heaven,” in the spirit.  So what is the will of God and how do you know what it is?  Simple...The will of God is a relationship with Jesus, that simple.  And the spirit is calling to you to be saved.  It is not some kind of list that we are to follow, or a daily regimen where we step out of line and the will ends there.  The Bible never says that, although some of the pulpit population may tell you otherwise.  It is not religious, it is freedom in Christ, in the spirit.  An attitude of expectancy, and that we should just go and live our lives, knowing that everything we do is in God’s will.  Our sin may find us out, but God has already forgiven us and welcomed us back.  So unless the holy spirit indicates otherwise in your life, you are living in the will of God.   So go and have a great day, and enjoy yourself.   Enjoy the ride that God has set forth that day...you never know where it may lead.

So don’t be ruled by events, situations you have no control over.  Be flexible in the spirit, God knows what lies ahead, we don’t.  So we over prepare, aka worry, and miss the joy of the ride for today.  God’s blessings are new every morning, his bread fresh daily, and his love deeper than the oceans.  And every time you think you have him figured out, he shows you even more of his grace and love.  So what is God’s will for your life?  The person of Jesus Christ.  Get to know him and find your life has purpose.  Value.  And is exciting.  We visited David’s aunt as guests and left as friends.  An open invitation to return, but we never did.  That weekend was a time and a place outside of time, a place you could return to, but it would never be the same as the first time. 

Gatsby had come a long way, and had come so close to the love of his life, to the one thing he desired but couldn’t have.  Don’t make the same mistake, the spirit is willing, the flesh is weak.  Some can only relate to what lies behind, I prefer to relate to what lies ahead, to who lies ahead.  Living life in his will....a reality that no other author can ever capture.  Live it, live him today.....

love with compassion,

Mike

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