For a few months now, there has been an ad on Craigslist for a 1998 Triumph
Thunderbird Sport, red, like the yellow one I had. The price in these months
has dropped over a thousand dollars, and no takers. Now it was sportier than
the basic Thunderbird at the time, with three into two pipes, exiting on the
right looking like the Vetter designed Triumph X-75 Hurricane, but without the
bodywork. Not even quick for its time, with one interesting quirk, its
tachometer. For the two years and the 24,000 miles I owned mine, it had more
tachs than oil changes. It seems when an older supplier’s version failed,
Triumph put them out for bid, sourcing them from an Italian company who just
copied the old one, flaws and all, reducing the price. Its handling was above
average, but other than the styling was a dud on performance. Yet the ad states
it is faster than the new Thruxton, which has over 20 more horses and runs a 1.5
second faster quarter mile. Which anyone who rides knows is not true, nor is it
collectible just because a small number were built. But I love his claim it has
the same basic engine as the Speed Triple...they are both 885 cc triples on the
outside, but not on the inside where it counts.....and so it sits.
An ad from Hemmings today caught my attention, a 1988 Chevy Cavalier Z24
for sale. With the fast motor of 125 hp, less than our Kia Soul. Yet the
seller claims it is faster, will blow the doors off of most cars today with a
0-60 time of 8.5 knock the wind out of you seconds, in an era when under 8 is
the norm, for anyone. With an exhaust burble that sounds more V-8 than V-6. We
can tell the difference. But it is the last line that might have me, with its
beautiful blue crushed velour interior. AKA that statically plastic that left
lint on everything. Now anyone who reads Hemmings is generally a gear head and
will know the truths, yet this exuberant flaw in actual reporting will provide
more laughs than interest. Any bets it will be the beautiful crushed
blue velvet interior that gets them? Wonder if he needs a Thunderbird Sport to
replace his fast car......
Some years back on TBN, the Christian version of National Enquirer TV, they
made a claim about a drilling rig that had gone farther than ever before, and
fumes of brimstone and sulfur came out. With voices audibly heard, that were in
agony. Immediately they claimed this proved hell existed, and it became a
headline story in print and on the air. With zealous Christians of all faiths
claiming it was true. But when it turned out to be a hoax, ran and hid. Seems
the old Reagan quote of “trust then verify,” was overlooked, and in their
religious fervor believed a lie, and not content with just that, passed it on.
Losing all the credibility that they possessed. And yet that same crowd will
still either deny it, or blame the devil, when he is not the liar here, they
are, and will not confess their sin. Sound familiar....yet Jesus tells us we
must confess our sin to be saved. Which means we must realize the things we do
are wrong, sinful, and repent and turn from them. Yet it is easier to blame
someone else and brag on ourselves. We the ones too smart to be deceived, to
fall for the hoax. Yet many believe things not scriptural, and their claims are
like the fast T Bird that no one wants, or the Z24 that knocks the wind out of
you fast. Maybe we need to ask, what is worse, believing a lie or passing it
on? You mean you have to ask?
WWJD bracelets were popular a few years back, more clever marketing from
commercial religion. But when I would confront a wearer and ask them if they
were a Christian, I also asked “then why if you know Jesus do you have to ask
“what would Jesus do?”” Shouldn’t you know? It seems we may be educated, how
many can quote a scripture for any occasion, but don’t know the application, or
that it is rote rather than from the heart. Spend time with anyone who has been
in a step by step program and they have the trained response. Like our dog when
she hears the food bowl being filled. But where is the evidence of Jesus, where
is the holy spirit? Have we been reduced to a memory course on the Bible or
have Jesus’ words lost their power?
When he tells us he writes his word on our hearts, and the spirit will give
us words too deep when we need them, he has proven it over and over again to
us. We forget that only in America do we have access to multiple Bibles, unlike
India, China, and NoKo where having one can mean death. So before the
Guttenberg press changed bookmaking, Jesus made it easy and convenient, by his
spirit, the same one that saved us, he wrote his word, the logos, all the Bible
on our hearts, which can be accessed by the rhema, the specific word for a
specific situation, by his spirit. So what would Jesus do? Rather what has
Jesus done is a better testimony. do you share yours, or do you even have one?
If saved, just share how he saved you, and he will provide the words. For by
the word of your testimony and the blood of the lamb you are saved.
An ad from a church we once attended tells for only $28 you can learn how
to see more miracles from a best selling author. To me it is a miracle, but not
from God, that any church would sell something you can get for free, but welcome
to religion 101. I opt out, as you should, ask Jesus into your heart and begin
to see miracles. They are everywhere, and you don’t have to look, God’s work is
on display. Maybe not on TBN or your local house of religion, but everyday to
Christians, and to non-believers also. We don’t have a private channel to see
them, he has written them across the sky for all to see. And being one, can
prove it, I have the scar and the files to show it! Yet for any it is easier to
believe a lie than the truth. Which to me is miraculous, and sad. Does not 1
John 4 tell us to test the spirit to see if it is from God? By admitting who
Jesus is and his deity? Or have you fallen for some fake ads, or childrens
programs, or special speakers to be your guide? Only Jesus saves...the rest is
a lie.
I wonder if an ad worded like this would work in the church today. “For
sale: salvation given free from the man of God, who is God. He drives no car,
owns no property, only has a following of about a dozen, doesn’t beg for money,
encourages you to be yourself and loves you as you are, he just doesn’t want you
to stay that way. He never forces himself or his values on you, has no rules
for Bible reading or church attendance, but encourages you to do both. For your
own benefit. His gospel is free so we can afford it, and simple so we can get
it. He is the truth, let all other men be liars. If interested, come as you
are, wherever you are and ask him into your heart today. No operators standing
by, he is and will stand with you and by you.” How many of us fell for that
offer and gave our lives to him? Or just attend church, sometimes feeling
better?
Jesus simply backed up his claims by being resurrected on the third day as
he promised. And we who trust in him will also. Resurrection being and making
the difference. No man can teach you miracles, start by trusting God and being
one. Meeting and sharing with other miracles, and sharing what God has done for
you. Or you can end up with the blue crushed velvet coffin many sit in on
Sundays. Fast will always be a relative word, don’t bet your salvation on it.
Only Jesus saves, and at today’s prices, the miracle still is available. What
would Jesus do? And you still have to ask....you know they almost had me with
the blue velour....but I’m saving my money for the 150 mph Sportster.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com
ps-If you buy the Triumph, I have a set of original pipes taken off of
mine. Guaranteed to make you faster.....and you will get a better job....and
girls flock to you, and......