illusions of my childhood

Long before we had a generation with their heads buried in their i-pods or elsewhere, we had to pay attention.  While considering the ad to join my high school alumni association and pay their userous fee to join, I considered the following things from growing up. Illusions if you will, or how the mind of a kid worked at the time.

I never understood how a man named Ford on my paper route drove a Chevy.  I remember the Heidi game, and as a Jets fan felt robbed.  Miss Bevelheimer once gave me a C, because I did B work when I could’ve done A.  Figure that one out.  How I grew up on a street once named Trenton Avenue, it was interrupted by a school, renamed Mohawk Drive but found out their was another street by that name in our zip code, and finally agreed on Algonquin Drive.  Could you spell that please?  Being kept after school and then being threatened with suspension because I wore my baseball uniform to detention.  Getting my first paycheck and having taxes taken out, what’s this all about?  Never understanding why my Dad drove Ramblers.  Breaking up with my girlfriend in eighth grade and then going with her best friend, and both ending up hating me.  Only having six channels on TV, and something was always on.  And having to walk across the room to change the channel.  Going to the library to pick up girls.  77 WABC, and Cousin Brucie, then WNEW-FM, the first station without a format.  Seeing The National Lampoon Radio Dinner, just before it became Saturday Night Live.  Gas going from 23.9 to 35.9 and how was I going to afford it on my $2.55/hour job at Sears.  Cleaning out the floor of my Mom’s Rambler Classic with a whisk broom.  Using Brillo pads on the whitewalls.  Spending hours on the phone with girls, under the guide of studying.....being too cool to ride the bus any longer.  MAD magazine, what, me worry?

My friend Abner putting an old Civil War bayonet in the ceiling with joy when the Mets won the World Series.  Studying rock poetry in 10th grade, really just listening to albums, was Suite Judy Blue Eyes really a poem?  Was Paul Simon a poet?  Somehow no one failed to get an A.  Being home sick and suddenly being well when school let out.  The cafeteria only serving fish on Fridays.  The big kids, almost teenagers, telling us all about sex, WOW.  The first time I heard Sgt. Pepper.  Batman on Thursday nights, same Bat time, same Bat channel.  Walter Cronkite being the most trusted man in America.  Turning 17 and finally getting my driving permit.  My first ticket for not staying to the right on a four lane highway.  You know that didn’t happen in California.  Names from the past in the news, Adam Clayton Powell, John Lindsay, Governor Hughes, Flo Dwyer, and the day JFK was shot, I was in 4th grade in Mrs. Vanderbilt’s class.  Having a friend’s older sister dating Larry Burright from the  1962 Mets, right next door, and sneaking a chance to visit.  Double headers at Shea Stadium.  Steve Hamilton’s folly floater on the Yankees.  My first Schwinn, and then my first Sting Ray!  Adding a tiger striped velour seat which was cool until it got wet.  All summer at the park playing.  Then rushing out after dinner to play more.  Kickball in the streets, and being picked first.  The first time I heard Surf City, and wondering what a woodie was.  Having my skate board confiscated, after working on it for days, when I cut in front of a cop and he hit me.  And getting it after Sunday School along with a lesson from the sergeant when I picked it up.  Frank is bald!  Best friends until junior high, and then again in high school, when your social stats changed.  Riding to Crestwood Cupboard for nickel candy bars.  Sleeping out with friends in Joey’s tent in the summer....Chiller Theater, Famous Monsters of Filmland, and the list goes on.

So many memories of growing up, and looking back fondly at the good and the bad times.  How many of us share our testimonies about Jesus the same way?  Is or was he a defining moment in your life?  I can remember being told about Jesus and threatening to put the guy who shared with me in the hospital, he knew I was serious.  But a seed was planted,and the holy spirit did the rest.  My first Christmas as a real Christian, better than all I learned in Sunday School.  And finally putting the Santa ruse to rest.  Same with Easter and the bunny.  Going back to Jersey and my druggie friends not trusting me now because I was a Christian, boy did they get it all backwards.  Leading Richard to the Lord in his car in front of my parent’s house.  Church on Christmas Eve, and the Catholic priest saying “Happy Birthday Jesus, isn’t this a wonderful day!”  Reading my Bible no matter how partied out I was, wore most of Genesis off turning the pages.  Being told I could pray for my needs, and when I did God magically answering them.  Better than I could ask for.  Growing in grace and being given a spirit of discernment, and knocking Brother Ivie on on his butt, he pushed me wanting to give me the holy spirit, I pushed back.  I was already touched by Jesus.  Larry Peoples, hit man, killing 28 for profit and 8 for revenge coming into my life to mentor.  What the heck was a mentor?  Seeing his life changed, and God growing in him.  Real spiritual warfare, not just getting my own way, another thing best left up to God.  Pastor Hyde and his daughters, who trusted me with them despite my past.  Being a youth leader while still a youth myself!  Playing in a church softball league, the toughest competitors I ever faced.  And learning to lose graciously, just not from them.

And finally here writing devotion number 1989, not the year, the number.  Being wonderfully married for 41 years, having a ministry and pastoring those living on the edge, and in prison.  Looking forward to heaven and Jesus, but for now making more testimonies, for I don’t have to wait for heaven for him to be in my life.  His spirit dwells with in.  And wondering if my grandson will have the same great memories I have.  Jesus Christ has made the difference in my life, if he has in yours show it by loving someone who is unlovable.  Pray for your enemies.  Forgive and forget, but always trust the spirit of the Lord.  And if you see Miss Bevelheimer, tell her how Jesus changed the life of a guy who was doing A work, and only got a C for doing B work.  I passed, I made it to heaven.  Now if you could only spell Algonquin without asking....I think I just might go for a ride in the back of my truck and live dangerously to celebrate!

Tune in tomorrow, same Bat time, same Bat channel...

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

never far from home and a burger

Thanks to the McDonald Bros, and the Interstate Highway System, it is possible to never be far from a hamburger.  On my recent quick trip over the Interstates in 16 states, it is verifiably true the hamburger and its variations is still America’s go to food.  Even though Subway with its Halal blessed meats are found under very rock, and KFC won’t mention Fried Chicken in its name anymore, there are other choices, but it all comes down to the burger.  And how and what you get with it.  So let’s get with it....

In New Mexico it Blake’s Lot a Burger, eat the green chili cheeseburger for maximum effect.  Crossing into Texas and Oklahoma look for a Braum’s, and the $5.89 1/4 pound cheeseburger deal, which includes a real milk shake.  With crinkle cut fries.  Steak and Shake is more about the shake anymore, with $4 double meat meal deals.  Culver’s makes a fine butter burger, but it is the custard to stop for, and the concrete of the day.  I made the mistake of eating at a Burger King in Nowhere, Arkansas, next time I will have it my way and eat elsewhere.  I still pass on McDonald’s as they still are trying to reinvent themselves, even the fries are different, no more frying in lard.  Stop for a sack of White Castle burgers, steamed, or pass on one of the many “World’s Best hamburger” stores along the way.  Carls’ Jr. become Hardees, or is it the other way around, Sonic is a local thing for Texans, with one store in Arkansas having a motorcycle only stall, but still no place to hang the tray on my Tiger.  Five Guys I can pass on, too much grease, and a friend used to sell meat to Wendy’s, there is a reason it is juicy, lots of fat.  In So Cal and now branching out is In-and-Out, Bakers’ in San Berdoo, and White Diamond in Jersey, not to be confused with White Castle.  The Gino Giant and Carroll’s Club Burger are long gone, and any place offering food can fry you up a burger.  So no matter how you order it, it is still a burger, between two pieces of bread....which leads to the choice of fries....

Sonic and other local chains offer tater tots, and some with toppings.  Crinkle cut fries are a nice change from fries, and even fries, notice not French Fries any more, are of many different types, styles, sizes, and flavors.  With each adding different take to the meal.  Add a Coke, or a milkshake, a real one, and nothing is quite as American.  No matter how and where you travel, you are never far form home when you can grab a burger....

Now just as there are many ways to honor your burger craving, many will tell you how to live your life as a Christian.  Some have the ability to turn Jesus on and off, or as an old boss told me once, “it only makes sense not to bring God to work.”  Sadly many agree.  Although we have earthly bosses, we are reminded that we are servants of the Lord Jesus Christ. We forget or neglect that we are always under God’s watchful eye, we become more concerned with the fact the boss may be watching.  But if he is, what do our actions and attitudes tell him and others  about Jesus?  Eye service is one way we don’t honor God, only working when someone is watching, reflecting how they really feel about God.  If you cheat men, don’t you think God notices?  If you really are a Christian remember it is not only a human eye that is watching, and your true character may be shown to all.  Including those not watching...just waiting for you to fall, and you willingly do.

Another side is men pleasing, kissing up to those in authority, to make yourself look good.  When you care more about what men think than God thinks, you are double minded, and unstable in all your ways.  All, God’s word not mine.  When you start to compromise, where do you stop?  Yet as Christians many believe these things are honorable, that they achieve a purpose.  If only I am a good worker, the boss will show me favor, but what about God?  Christians are supposed to be above this, and are let down when they find it doesn’t accomplish a thing.  And sometimes are secretly mocked behind their backs.  Paul puts it simply, “obey your earthly masters with a singleness of heart, doing the will of God.”  Maybe the problem most Christians face is turning Jesus off at work, and forgetting to turn him on when they leave.  Just as the burger is America’s go to food, Jesus is our go to God, religion and denominations may contaminate that, but Jesus will always be Jesus.  If only the next meal you eat you could eat with such assurance. 

But just like the choice of your burger and fries, of what flavor milkshake or what brand of burger, God allows us to make the choice.  You can have him with everything, or just choose what works for your appetite at the time.  Fast food has brought us a standardization of burgers, don’t let your relationship with Jesus get stale.  Church and work are two places God should always show in your life, yet many leave him when entering and forget to take him with him when leaving.  Church or work.  If you struggle with taking Jesus to work, it will show in all your life’s choices.  Be all that you can be in him, go about your day knowing he never left you, he is still watching and watching out for you.  Even if you cannot see him, he sees you.  An easy choice, as when you please him, it will reflect in your attitudes, your work, and your testimony.  I know exactly what to expect when I order at Braum’s, or Blake’s or Whataburger.  I may not know the kid behind the counter, but I know the burger.  And he may not know Jesus.  Don’t mess up the chance to serve God while being served.  For like a burger, he is never far away from you.  Don’t leave God at the door....the sign may say KFC, but any idiot knows it is still fried chicken.  Don’t you think those same idiots can see through you too?

How does your appetite for God compare to your appetite for a burger now?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

Fanwood-it could happen to you

Nestled in the center of Scotch Plains, where I grew up, is a small, one square mile town of Fanwood.  Once known for its abundance of millionaires per square mile, it was a town of 300 year old homes, a 150 year old train station, and a busy, but small downtown.  A place where as a kid we went to shop.  In one square block was the hardware store where we bought the nails for our forts, the pharmacy owned by Terry’s dad, with a fleet of VW’s, how we wanted  one to pull up in our driveway, Hand Lumber where my dad bought all his building supplies to finish the upstairs, and an ESSO station where BH bought his first bike, a used CL 77 for $50.  The steeple from the Presbyterian church is still there, where Bruce’s dad preached, and the dentist office where Nicky’s girl friend worked, and where he tested the NOX waiting to pick her up.  A vibrant downtown always bustling with people, from getting gas at Henry’s father’s gas station and getting the latest gossip, to the post office where many of my friends from high school went to work after graduation.  But always the focal point of the downtown was The Corner Store on the corner of South Ave. and Martine Avenue.  The place where many of us tried our skills at stealing, under the watchful eye of Dave, puffing away on his huge Corona, the owner.  Where girlie magazines were left out in the open for us, and the smoky counter in the aback was always occupied with greasers.  Later it moved onto Martine and was renamed The Corner Store in the Middle of the Block, but had lost a lot of its charm along with its longer name.  Dave was gone, the air was cleaner, and so were the magazines and greasers.  That was the Fanwood I remembered, and expected as I came over the viaduct a few weeks ago....

Only to find progress, or its perverted definition on display.  All the old buildings were torn down, and the entire city block was being converted into four story apartment houses, expensive rich yuppie housing, with a Colonial façade.  Even the condemned ground where Dean Oil used to be, apartments.  No more Scotchwood Pharmacy, no ESSO station, and no Corner Store, from either location.  The latest inhabitants had voted and wanted a non-descript downtown, and they got it.  With all the glass face businesses alike except for signage.  Even the train station has been updated, and not one landmark to give directions from or to.   History had been put to rest, and now was beginning anew, I wonder how many of the kids growing up will return years later and get sentimental about the non-descript downtown?  The place where we bought nails and lumber, or bought nickel candy bars?  Will the historical train station be remembered with the new façade, and how many will have memories of their dads rushing across the street from the new high rises to grab the train to the City?  And who will pass on the local gossip now that Henry’s dad no longer pumps gas there anymore?  I wonder about Fanwood, and could it happen to me?

Among the many things that makes the gospel unique is that God inspired it.  And no other books are necessary, it has it all, wholly from a Holy God.  Written from a shepherd’s perspective of one who loves and cars for his flock, it has remained true to God for thousands of years.  Like Jesus, who is the Word, they are the same yesterday, today, and forever.  You never have to wonder if what you are doing is right or wrong today and may be different tomorrow, God never changes.  He wants us to change to be like him.  Yet men have taken the gospel into their own hands, and changed it for their own selfish means.  Pastors pass on sin, on the holy spirit, and have taken on socially good causes, neglecting the eternal ones.  Even scripture is twisted and studied, looking for the one word to OK their sin.  Like Fanwood, a new façade is being placed on the Bible, and turning Jesus into something he isn’t.  Or was never meant to be.  A recent program highlighted these items, and it is sad to see how subtle the devil is and how immature too many Christians are.  These pastors got it somewhere and passed it on, and so many trust the man in the pulpit rather than the man on the cross.  Read the following twelve things and see what I mean.  For like Fanwood, it could happen to you....

1)  Keep them busy with non essentials.  2)  Tempt them to overspend and go into debt.  3)  Make them work long hours to maintain empty life styles.

4)  Discourage them from spending family time together, for when their homes disintegrate there is no refuge from work. 5)  Over stimulate their minds with television and computers, so they can’t hear God speaking to them.  6)  Fill their coffee tables and nightstands with newspapers and magazines so they have no time to read the Bible.

7)  Flood their mailboxes with sweepstakes promotions and get rich quick schemes to keep them chasing material things.  8)  Put glamour models on TV  and on magazine covers to keep them focused on outward appearances.  That way they will be dissatisfied with themselves and dissatisfied with their mates.  9)  Make sure couples are too exhausted for physical intimacy so they will be tempted to look elsewhere.

10)  Make Santa and the easter bunny bigger than Jesus to divert them from remembering the real meaning of the holiday.  11)  Involve them in good causes so they won’t have time for eternal ones.

12)  Make them self  satisfied. Keep them busy working in their own strength so they’ll never know the joy of God’s power working through them.

Either your life is all about Jesus or all about yourself.  In a year and time of testing to see who we say Jesus is, can you afford to be popular and trendy, or stand fast with God?  I am sure the planners of the revitalized Fanwood had good intentions, but maybe look back before we look ahead.  Fanwood-it could happen to you.  Fortunately God knows the plans he has for you, do you?  Interested, just ask him.  He is guiding your steps even now, is the Bible or Oprah more of an influence on your daily walk?  Just as Fanwood could happen to you, so can Jesus.  Your choice, a façade or the real thing.  A today with no tomorrow or a today with a bright future?  It was once asked of Jesus, “can anything good come out of Nazareth?”  It’s your town...can anything good come out of you? 

I’ll keep my memories, and my Jesus.  My memory may fade, he never will.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com