the first month of ownership

There is nothing quite like riding your new bike off the dealership floor.  The excitement, the attention, the envy of others, and the anticipation are unique.  You don’t want the adoration to end, but you cannot wait to ride either.  And for the first few days, then weeks, and the first month, you get to know each other, and experience many firsts.  That first mile, the first pulling into the garage and all your neighbors coming by.  Taking your wife for her first ride, planning your first weekend ride to show off to all your friends, and the first 100 miles.  But after the many firsts of ownership, the new begins to wear off.  You notice the first scratch, as tiny as it  may be, somehow your ride isn’t perfect, isn’t as new anymore.  The first tank of dealership gas is gone, and you now know how far you can go on a tank and how much it will cost.  All your friends have seen it now, some tired of hearing about how great it is, and then the first payment is due, and reality sets in.  The newness is gone, and the big difference between your old bike and the new one is the payment.  How many lose the excitement of their new bike after the first month, when the only thing that has changed is the owner? How do you approach your new bike for the next ride, is the same excitement and anticipation there?  Do you look as forward to the next ride after everyone has seen it?  Then the crusher comes, in a few months it is last years model, and suddenly your new bike isn’t new anymore.  No matter the criteria, do the miles reflect the fun you had of riding it or off buying it?  Do you find yourself looking at the ads and wanting another new bike?  Did you buy it to ride or to look at?  The truth may surprise you.

This Sunday is Easter Sunday, and across America many who only attend a church service twice a year, Christmas and Easter will be filling the pews.  Once again they will endure the same teaching about our risen savior, fulfilling their familial responsibility to them and God.  But many will answer the altar call, when asked to give their lives to Jesus, many will go forward, and enter into a new era of Christianity.  Some will go forward, or do whatever the preacher instructs, an emotional response.  Some will go to quell the nagging of a spouse, some will go because their friends did, yet some will truly accept Jesus into their hearts.  But on Monday morning, after the resurrection on Sunday, where will their lives be?  After the newness of Christ begins to fade and isn’t new anymore, who will be there for them?  Has the most personal thing you will ever do, repent and be saved, become just an Easter event?  Will it become like your new motorcycle, where after the few new firsts, it isn’t new anymore and you go on to something else?  Where is the church, your friends, your new pastor the next days and weeks?  You have just entered into a whole new world, a whole new language, and have become a stranger in a new land, and also your old one.  Now what?

I asked a pastor a few years back, after they bragged about over 1100 new souls for Christ on Easter, “can you name five?  Three?  One?”  That silence is the answer I got, it seems after the new birth, we need guidance now more than ever, and the job of discipleship begins.   Where are these new believers next month?  If they truly were saved, did you encourage them to come back to church?  And why aren’t your numbers growing?  Did you reach out to them individually?  Didn’t Jesus tell us to go and make disciples, you can only disciple one who is saved?  Are we missing the great calling by bragging on numbers, have we lost the individual new believer?  After telling them it is a personal relationship with God, do we just leave them stranded and alone?  What will you do? 

Because I ride so many press bikes, hundreds in the last ten years, the thrill is gone for riding off on a new bike.  When I bought my new 2017 Bonneville T120 last year, somehow the thrill of riding it from the dealer just wasn’t there.  I had done it so many times before.  Which reminds me of so many Easter services, praying the prayer of salvation over and over, has it lost some of its affect?  Have I become cold to the new ones, just because I have been there so many times?  One month from now, where will they be, and will I be there for them?  After the newness of Jesus Christ wears off, what will happen to them?  And could we have done something?  Ask God, for in our American church society, we are failing miserably to disciple, to come beside the new ones, and to be there for them.  Sure a church may brag on its numbers, but what if you are that one?  We all were new in Christ at one time, saved but not getting all of Jesus we were told about.  Have we become religious or a Christian?

Christianity is meant for life.  Jesus didn’t talk about religion, he talked about life.  He talked to them at work, in the temple, while serving the 5000.  On the road.  He instructed them of the difficulties they would encounter in life, and how to deal with them.  He talked to them about their children, their bosses, their families, and everyday things that would trouble them.  He didn’t get into theology, didn’t get existential, or about which version of the Bible is the most accurate.  He didn’t make impersonal demands on them, didn’t have them join a church, or discuss the latest trend in Christianity.  He talked with them, about life, because he is life, and wanted them to enjoy the abundant life he spoke of.  He showed us that if he is not the center, then we miss the mark, in love.  The Bible does not speak of memorizing verses, or reading it through in a year.  But it does say that Jesus has written his word on our hearts.  And that in the spirit everything he tells us will reflect on him, and drive us back to him.  If you set your mind on Jesus, you will find Jesus will reflect in your life in terms of peace and harmony, rather than of strife and confusion.  The spirit has given you life, now go and live it, to the fullest. 

One month later, do you see the same faces or new faces from Easter?  Has Jesus really made a difference in your life, have you reached out in love?  A few women were alone at the cross, his disciples, his first church or believers were nowhere to be found.  Where will you be found?  After the newness wears off, how will it affect your ride?  If you were the only sinner, Jesus would have still gone to the cross for you.  Have you picked up yours yet? 

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

passing on El Paso

Our last stop before leaving San Antonio was for a photo op in front of the facade of what is left of the Alamo.  Waiting in a no parking zone in front of it while Theresa went across the street for a t-shirt, she later looked at the receipt where she had been charged over $650 for a $15 shirt.  Truly things are bigger in Texas.  But it was out across the ribbon of concrete to El Paso our night’s destination, with only one interruption in Junction, a ticket for going 76 in a 70 zone.  The number one speed trap in the US of A, call it an expensive souvenir.  But staying 70-75, further up the road a black car was coming up fast on us, and passed us at high speeds.  It was a new S500, a new found friend that we would travel with for the next few hours at between 110-120 mph.  Giving me a new respect for our Triumph Sprint ST, one of the best open road bikes I have ever ridden.  Stopping for gas, we didn’t even bother to acknowledge each other, and soon he left us behind.  Sun and water stops the rule in 100 degree heat when riding.  But our fast pace brought us into El Paso way ahead of schedule.  And when getting gas, it was about 430 pm, when Theresa suggested to ride on, neither one of us felt comfortable, after all it was El Paso, so we cancelled the reservation and made a new one for Tucson.  Which was only 325 miles away, so it made perfect sense after riding almost 580 miles already.  Some might think we were crazy setting off on a 325 mile ride at 430 in the afternoon, especially after riding 600 miles already, but then they might have never been to El Paso.

El Paso is a border town, with all of the pleasantries that one would avoid it for.  A place that if it didn’t exist, someone would invent it, because it was on the border, and crime needs a place to fester and grow.  So we passed on El Paso, a wise choice, and made it into Tucson after dark.  With only one stop, an APS officer thought I was weaving, I was tired and one of my headlights had burned out.  He was just concerned for our safety after riding all those miles, he would never be a hit in Junction.  And we arrived safely in Tucson, after a 900 mile day.  With only a 450 mile short hop to home.  We have always been glad we passed on El Paso, and avoid the area.  Now you know why...

When traveling we get to choose ahead of time where we will spend the night, making reservations.  Planning ahead, it is our choice.  Same with our eternal destination.  Even though it is hard to imagine that cuddly ball of life baby as a sinner, scripture tells us all men are born into sin and fall short of the glory of God.  We are doomed to hell, but God sent his son Jesus to rescue us, but leaves the choice up to us.  Just like we chose to pass on El Paso, I have chosen to pass on hell, and have a reservation in heaven.  Made years ago when the spirit moved on me, and asked me “who is Jesus?”  And “Do I want to spend eternity in heaven.”  I knew I didn’t want hell, but a free pass to heaven, how could I pass that up.  So I asked, “what do I have to do?”  Based on some philosophies and denominations, you have to work for your salvation.  Never knowing if you were good enough to make it.  No way to live.  But when I was offered the free gift, just turn to Jesus, be forgiven, and accept him as Lord and savior, I did.  I didn’t have to go to church, or even do it in a church, Jesus would meet me where I was, as I was.  I got to choose, I wasn’t forced, and still have difficulty in understanding why someone would choose hell over heaven.  While some lie and tell that God sends us to hell, it is the truth that he sent Jesus to rescue us from it.  You can get a free pass to heaven today, and avoid hell.  So what’s your excuse?

That day the ticket in Junction served as a reminder that the law causes death, there is no salvation in it.  The Ten Commandments may be a good way to live, but there is no salvation in them, for the law kills, but the spirit gives life.  Even by saying you have never sinned you condemn yourself as a liar, for all have been born into it.  Just watch a baby cry and carry on when it doesn’t get its way, no one has to teach them that.  But God in his mercy provided Jesus to rescue us.

So this Easter Sunday, while some will be in church for their semi-annual visit, we will be on the road.  I rather be riding and thinking of Jesus, than in church thinking about riding.  Jesus will be on the road conducting personal services for all who welcome him, no matter where you happen to be.  Even in El Paso.   Hell Paso.  You get to choose where and if  and how you worship God, wherever you are remember Jesus died for you on Good Friday, and was resurrected just as he said he would on Easter.  Anyone who can do that, has my attention.  And my devotion.  My life.  Things may be bigger in Texas, but heaven knows no bounds.  Like God it is endless.  Some might think only a fool would head out again with his wife on back after riding 600 miles already that day.  The same fool who chose Jesus and life.  We faced the challenge of El Paso and passed it by passing on it.  You can today pass on hell, advancing to go freely.  Freely we go to heaven, but freely we to can go to hell.  The most important choice you will ever make.  Which made passing on El Paso all the easier.  God knows what lies ahead and prepares a place for us.  Night by night until we make it home.  Jesus is the only way to get there, the road you choose to ride on is still up to you.  Now you know why we passed on hell, too.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

not as advertised

Arriving at the dealership, I talked with the GM about the bike that was in his ad.  On the way to it, he bragged how his service department performed a 70 point inspection, changed the oil, and corrected safety issues, new tires if past a certain wear point and was sure I would love the bike.  From across the room, the black bike shone, a sure 40 footer.  But as I got closer, yes it was shiny, yes it was black, but someone doing the inspection missed a few things.  Both forks had oil running out of the seals, puddling on the floor, not sure how long this recent trade in had been sitting.  When I turned on the key, the battery was dead, the front tire showed excessive wear, and the “excellent condition” recent trade in was far from it.  When I began to mention those things, I was told “that’s why it is priced accordingly,” and “we can fix them all at my cost if interested.”  At this point he had lost all credibility, but offered to show me his new bikes, and offer me a great deal he didn’t offer anyone else.  I grabbed my wallet, covered my mouth, and headed out.  The only truth about his ad was the bike was black and it was shiny.  Even the dent in the tank facing the wall was shiny, wax residue still in it.  His parting words echoing in my ears, “don’t wait to make up your mind, someone will grab this great deal.”  Sadly, you know, he may be right.

When P. T. Barnum told us a sucker was born every minute, nothing attracts a sucker like what appears to be a great deal on what he really wants, or thinks he wants.  An ad in Hemming’s this morning was for a 1964 Chrysler New Yorker for sale.  Excellent condition, original paint, no rust, always been inside since new.  Second owner, original.  Now if you are going to make claims like that, and back it up with photos, your words better be true.  Yet from the first photo, you can see rust below left front door.  Yes the paint looked shiny, at least from 20 feet, and the body straight.  The seat covers looked good, and then the detail pictures.  You had me until then, almost.  The left front inner door panel showed corrosion and the chrome wore off the plastic.  Turn signal stalk pitted, too.  The trunk was filthy, the spare had mud on it, under the hood was filthy, with cob webs and dust everywhere, with a final photo of a smiling widow pointing at her husband’s treasure.  The way she looked was like the car, no wonder she claimed it was excellent.  Hide the mirrors, keep telling her how beautiful she is, or was, and the only thing firm about the ad was the price, $9000 firm.  And 36 people are watching the ad, maybe interested in buying it.  I wonder if she knows the motorcycle dealer....

The fact is we are all getting older, maybe not old, but the Second Law of Thermodynamics states all things are in a constant state of atrophy.  Some are more constant than others, and some further advanced.  Jesus talks of pruning the branches, to stay within the vine, and how we need to be pruned.  Jesus is the vine, and we are his branches, and if we aren’t pruned, we can get sick and die.  Sadly many are and don’t know it, even looking at them you couldn’t tell, but from their prayer requests, you are told a different story.  Like the vine, just because it is green, doesn’t mean suckers or weeds have not woven in between them, from a distance you cannot tell, but up close the difference is obvious.  Sometimes by actions, praising God in church, then cussing out the car in front of you for not using his signal.  Yet telling how great Jesus is in their lives.  They are like the ad for the Chrysler, based on their own standards, which are based on opinion and being sentimental.  In their church setting they are holy, acting as prescribed, but outside in daily life they portray a much different side.  Yet when told they need pruning, violently object, accusing their describer as being judgmental.  To them I say “I’m not judging you, I’m describing you.”  They see a totally different self than the ad they portray.  But we all need pruning to grow, just as a car or motorcycle needs to be maintained. 

No one likes to be disciplined, or singled out, but in the end we are told it brings righteousness.  Paul may have watered, and Aninias planted the seeds, but it will always be God who provides the growth.  The spirit nourishes, weeds, waters, and prunes our lives, so we can live a life more abundantly.  Done in love so we can be a blessing to others and represent the kingdom of God.  Yet some like the woman in the ad, or the motorcycle dealer are out to sell a product, and their viewpoints may be jaundiced.  I have heard some stranger tales about Jesus in my time, being used to evangelize, and confronting them afterwards being told “I’ll do whatever it takes to see a person saved.”  Personally,  I am glad my Jesus doesn’t lie, and doesn’t have to.  I am also glad he saves and I don’t.  My gospel can be strained at times, and I don’t want to lead anyone astray.  Or have them think they are saved when they are not.  I even questioned a pastor one day, about his telling his audience “you must be saved to take communion.”  He agreed it wasn’t scriptural, but was using it as a tool to evangelize.  Twisting scripture to satisfy an desire?  Yet he is known as a great Bible teacher.  And wouldn’t buy a used car from him either.  Jesus is the truth.  We don’t need to lie to help him, we only get in the way. 

Maybe a self examination of the gospel you represent is in order.  Where do you stand with Jesus?  Are you religious, meeting man’s criteria, or in the vine with Jesus?  We get haircuts and trim our beards, don’t our spiritual being need care too?  Or is it all about perception, and what the words mean, or you think they mean?  Personally I am a one owner, 1954 that needs body work.  There are scars, the mileage is high, and I need some work.  My aorta is not a factory part.  I haven’t always been garaged, the wear shows, and from 20, make that 30 feet I don’t show so bad.  But up close where it counts....seems the vines need some care.  Only Jesus comes as advertised.  So remain in his vine, let him prune and nurture you.  The truth will set you free...until it is exposed in pictures.  Something to consider before your next selfie....the truth will still set you free.  It may condemn you.  Jesus loves you as you are, he just doesn’t want you to stay that way.  Or like an old customer of mine used to say, “just dropped my wife off at the beauty parlor for an estimate....”

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

a tale of two shops

My automotive career started as the assistant service manager at La Plata Motors in Durango, Colorado.  I started knowing very little about the automotive business, and left knowing even less, but did learn about people.  In domestic shops, GM, Ford, Chrysler-they were an American company back then, the different tasks were designated by type of work, you had a tune up specialist, a front end man, brake man, interior man, and a heating/AC man.  Your car may come in with a rattle, see one man, service the transmission to the next, brakes to another, and finally having the front end aligned by another.  Which meant some were always busy, while others stood around.  With a pecking order of the best jobs, read quickest, cleanest, and the ones the mechanic could make the most money on.  The pecking order ruled what you worked on, and time at job, and time at dealership weighed heavily in what you worked on. 

This was 1978, and the oldest mechanic was a guy named Ernie, who had joined the shop just after WWII.  He only wanted the gravy jobs, such as setting cars for the altitude, cars came from the factory to sea level specs, and in this non-computer age, you changed jets, and settings on carburetors.  It paid well, all new cars had to be adjusted, as well as Texans passing through, and Ernie was a master at it.  It paid two hours flat rate time, it took him about 20 minutes, and he thrived on them.  When he was done, he would stand at his toolbox, which meant get me another car, and one morning, we were slow, and he just stood there.  When I explained all I had was a 1965 Mustang 6 cylinder that needed a clutch, he didn’t move a muscle.  So I pulled it in his bay, and went away not looking at him.  He was cheesed off at me, and about 45 minutes later I saw him standing at his toolbox, where I had left him.  When I asked him “you going to work on this?”  he replied, “it’s done, get it out of my stall.”  He had taught me a lesson, he could do the jobs, and very well, he just didn’t want to.  With only a bumper jack, he had done a job that should take a few hours in 45 minutes.  I had gotten the message.

But things are different in foreign shops, where techs now are bumper to bumper.  The same domestic car that might have the fingerprints of many techs on it, would only have one in a foreign store.  Which meant they had to work on all problems, from AC to radios to fixing rattles and rebuilding transmissions and motors.  Each man might have a specialty, but each man had to be able to work on every area of the car.  We did have one AC guy who could replace a leaking evaporator, which meant taking out the entire dash, it paid over 20 hours, he could do two a day.  But he too would have to repair whatever was in his bay.  So each man might have a specialty, but they were responsible to be a bumper to bumper technician, a far cry from the days of Ernie.  Two shops who did the same thing, repair vehicles, but each one doing it differently.  Leave it to the Germans to design a shop that was not only more efficient, but where the techs were well rounded.  Where the specialty was any tech could do any job. 

Scripture tells us that each Christian has been given a special gift of ministry by God.  That doesn’t mean that is the only skill set they should have or use, yet I know many churches where the pastor’s specialty is teaching, or healing, prophecy, or organizing others to do the other things he is not called to.  I once went into a new church with a question, and when the receptionist asked me what the nature of it was, then called for the appropriate pastor.  Notone who was available, but the one she felt best qualified.  Seems bumper to bumper pastors were not the norm at that church, and fortunately the pastor she recommended was not busy, and I saw him.  But later when visiting another church, I was just given to the next pastor on the list.  They rotated dealing with whoever came in unless they asked for a certain person.  One man gave me insight as per his specialty, the other and I sat for two hours and I was ministered too.  Has your personal ministry become so specialized you have become useless to actually minister to anyone else?  Think about that one for a minute....

On any given day, Jesus would heal the sick, teach, organize as he did when the 5000 were fed, cast out demons, visit people and pray for them, and encouraging those in their faith, while performing miracles.  Jesus came to die for us, imagine if he just went to the cross only, we would be saved, but have no examples of how to minister.  No miracles would be recorded, no blind given sight, no lame walking, nobody forgiven.  He had one job to do, but many ways to accomplish it.  Have we become so specialized in our walk we are missing out on blessings and seeing a side of Jesus in our prejudices?  How is his life affecting your life?  The spirit works different ways in each person as per the gift given, but we need to remember Jesus showed them all, and in love.  Pastors learn this, as they never know what the next problem will be, but without the spirit guiding them in love, the answers are not personal, and may be what is taught out of a manual, not of God.  We need to be fully equipped as the gospels tell us, for all seasons, and all reasons.  Ministering occurs on many levels, and does not have to be a specialized process.  We have all been given Jesus’ spirit to guide, and I have seen little old ladies minister to big bad bikers, and bikers minister to little kids.  We can do all things in Christ when it is his spirit, and his strength.  For all gifts are from the same spirit!

One time visiting a new church, I asked which one was the pastor.  “Oh, just look for someone helping someone, that’s probably him.”  Would that probably be you?  Which one are you?  Gifted and specialized, or gifted and ministering in love?  With age brings experience, not necessarily wisdom.  That only comes from God.  Maybe if we lived and ministered like I learned in the shop, we not only fix cars, we fix people too.  Bedside manner, Jesus calls it love.  An action word, but also a noun.  God is love, but he is always actively loving.  Which shop do you go to get fixed?  Or your fix?  If you haven’t experienced the fullness of Jesus Christ, remember Jesus tells us he will show us an even better way.  Love.  Do what you love and love what you are doing.  The word for that love is Jesus, expressed by your actions.  It takes the spirit....who ministers bumper to bumper, yet still specializes.  We are all important to God, trust him and find out just how much by showing love.  A specialty we all need to work on.  Love is the  only specialty we need.  Which we all can do.  Now about that rattle you are hearing...

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com