Wednesday, March 27, 2019

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