Doris and I worked at opposite ends of the building at Polychrome. But it
would turn out that our social activities were even farther apart. She was
attractive, and most of our relationship was casual pleasantries, but when I
heard she thought I was cute, sucker I am, I asked her out. To a New Years
celebration with her friends. Where we had nothing in common except her. She
was pretty, but once she opened her mouth it was all over. How could a person
be so different away from work? And all she wanted to do was dance when she
wasn’t talking, so after midnight, she explained her friends were going
elsewhere, and she would get a ride home from them. Allowing me to escape the
rest of the date, as she talked and danced into the night. But I wondered, how
could such a pretty painted lady, turn out so different? I had looked the gift
horse in the mouth....only Mrs. Ed would think Mr. Ed handsome. A lesson
learned...
But painted ladies come in four legged versions too. Ever have a stray
break your heart, and adopt it? Where it ends up only liking your mother who
feeds it, and dislikes dogs, and has nothing to do with you. Taken in by a
pretty face again....But if it works for two and four legged, it also works for
two and four wheeled vehicles. I had one of the first Rabbits in the states.
Cool looking car, and peppy. When it ran, the dealer had it more than I did for
the first few months, then I sold it, never running quite right. Another
painted lady came into our garage when we needed a second car for the rain. A
1968 Mercury Monterey with a letter form Ford stating it had an experimental hi
performance engine, and parts ordering instructions. Never been a four door
guy, but taken in by its power, it was fast, I bought it. Only to find out it
never went into high gear, I only had burned rubber and never took it out and
ran it. So my new two thirds of a three speed never really got tested, and
eventually sold it, letter and all to a guy who said he could fix it. Another
painted lady, this time in a performance disguise. But I have been struck by
this lady twice on BMW motorcycles, my 1974 R90S that blew up at 16,607 miles.
I never forgot that number. Somehow I put over 46,000 miles on it in 14 months
before selling it. Seems the ultimate motorcycle had more power than the
engineers had planned for, and was shredding bolts holding on the flywheel.
Only admitted after they were all out of warranty, of course. But another
lesson not learned, as a 1977 R100S came into my life, developed a knocking
noise, and the dealer replaced the ring and pinion. That BMW found was not
faulty, and refused to pay the claim. And I almost made it home before the
engine blew, both rods came off the crank. The prettiest of painted ladies, and
my last BMW. First time your fault, second time mine. No chance for a third
one, but today they are both collectible. Some with low miles, I wonder....I’ll
just let this painted lady pass for now. Four wheels or two, used or new, they
are out to get you.
Over the years I have been fortunate to sit under great teaching pastors,
but very few who truly pastor. Only to find they are human too, and one of the
painted ladies they face is tithes and offerings. I found out major donors get
priority treatment,and some of their sins are allowed, just keep the checks
coming. Often used as an example of godly living, when outside of church, their
true side is shown. I have never found any place where a painted lady is
needed, and really not among Christians. I watch as duplicite men and women do
all the things to impress the body, but inside are lecherous. Lying, cheating,
even in certain situations having the pastor back their sin. Seen it more than
once, and when I called one pastor on it, was told I don’t understand. Seems he
did, but chose the lie anyway. Jesus warns these wolves in sheep’s clothing
will be among us, but never of us. Going their own way, trying to take others
with them. A social experiment, using religion to achieve a prideful end. We
are also told to be wise as serpents, but gentle as lambs, it should be noted
Jesus even called Judas friend to the end, knowing his heart. While the others
pondered who among them would betray Jesus, I can hear the bragging. While
Judas was hanging himself. The holy spirit had not come upon them yet. But it
would change their lives forever when he did. With one note to consider, Jesus
never bragged on himself, giving all glory to his father. Mixing in so well
with the crowd, Judas had to kiss him to identify him to the Roman soldiers.
But it works two ways in churches...
There are certain people who go into churches to do nothing else but
disrupt them. A list of such people is in San Diego, and the greeters are told
to look out for them. They subtly enter and then draw people away from the
gospel. One such ladies group used to make things for the elderly, until
invaded by some Mormon women who liked to knit. Agreeing to not discuss
religion, they once fellowshipped about Jesus, soon they had taken over, and
instead of donating the goods, now were selling them. Painted ladies wear all
kinds of paint....
So consider this year as the year God is separating the sheep from the
goats. Evil is showing its ugly head everywhere from aborting babies after
birth, to a growing anti-Semitism. Churches are burning, pastors are being
exposed, and we are all being tested by fire. The spirit of anti-Christ,
instead of Jesus, is a painted lady watering down the gospel, and many following
the lies. Worldly ways now becoming the way instead of Jesus. The Bible being
ridiculed, and Christians only acting Christlike in church services. God is
separating the sheep from the goats, and the goats don’t like it. The painted
lady of sin is exposed, and this emperor’s gospel of no new clothes is
spreading. Sound like a Christian, listen to the right songs, attend the right
church, buy the pastor’s books. Talk about Jesus, but never experience him.
Never know the freedom of the spirit, their sin finding them out. Maybe a self
examination of Jesus in our own lives is in order. Are you brave enough to sit
and ask God “where am I in you?” Or are you just hanging around like Judas
waiting to die?
Painted ladies ride painted motorcycles, drive painted cars, attend painted
churches,and never know the beauty of Jesus Christ. It is all about the look.
Jesus is looking for sinners to be saved, not pretty religious hypocrites. He
loves them too, but tells us to beware of them. Giving us the spirit of
discernment, so we can tell. So we can choose, so we can live. If it works
with Jesus, maybe it can work with dates, cars, motorcycles,and even religion.
And wouldn’t you know it, I just got an ad for the new Kawasaki I was looking
at. Heavy discount, great rates.....what a pretty bike....them painted ladies,
I wish they would just leave me alone.
Just as he has taught you, “remain in him.” Just in time.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com