I knew the truth by 21

After barely escaping Florida with my health, sanity, freedom, and motorcycle, I needed work.  My only work history at age 20 was unloading trucks at a Sears store, so my choices were limited.  But answering an ad for London Records, I was hired to be traffic manager, more title than pay, I was in charge of shipping out the records and arranging for the freight forwarders to do it.  Really just a big warehouse, but with a cast of characters from A to Z.  And my high school Spanish was about to be put to the test, as almost all the employees were either from Puerto Rico, or refugees from Cuba.  Who hated each other, a chain link fence from floor to ceiling separated them, they went on break at different times, and I had to deal with all of them.  Individually they were very nice people, who all loved America for the chances it offered, but for different reasons.  The PR’s hated the Cubans because they were refugees, and felt superior because they were true Americans, like the West Side Story song stated “nobody know, Puerto Rico in America.”  And the Cubans were resentful of their attitude, some had been successful and rich before Castro and his Communist agenda forced them out or into slavery.  One such man called Sargento had been a government official, a polished gentlemen now working for minimum wage.  Another El Tigre looked like the criminal he must have been, thin and wiry, no one messed with him, and he solved any problem you had if you went to him.  And then there was my secretary....Alba Mary, Columbian, who spoke no English, and answered everything “OK Mike.”  Very beautiful, lots of men tried to hang around by her desk, I spent more time sending them back to work.  The two men I respected most were Julio and Mario, both Puerto Ricans who somehow managed to get along with everyone, and then there was Tony.  Tony was kept in a fenced in area, think of large cage, he yelled a lot, didn’t like anyone, but didn’t hate anyone either.  He commuted to Jersey from NYC every morning, and spent his entire paycheck on getting drunk and with hookers, Mondays were not his best day.  His assistant Carlos was being groomed like him, and kept in the same cage.  With Amos Romeo, a large Italian man in charge of the operation, who drove a 1966 GTO, and always wanted to race me, just or fun.  It seemed all the things I had learned in Social Studies went right out the door, at age 21 I knew the truth, I was living it everyday.  But I liked the job, really had a love for the people, and the only problem I ever had was from another white guy, my PR friends turned him in to protect me. 

Reader’s Digest used to have an article every month called “My Most Unforgettable Character,” I had a year’s supply.  And on any given day, you would meet another.  One day a little Cuban girl named Marisal had a seizure, the PR’s sure she was demonic had her cornered in the bathroom and were kicking her and screaming at her.  Such was the tension.  Another time a representative offered me $5000 to leave a trailer with a latest release outside after hours.  I was stupid but not that stupid, but I know who did and why he never came back to work, the streets of Newark flooded with this album before it was to be released.  And to all of this, I can only say, “OK Mike...”

Now there is a big difference learning about people from a book, and actually getting to know them personally.  Much of what I had been taught was true, but from those who had never encountered it.  I was fortunate enough to be there, to meet the people and to learn from them.  I had seen how Communism had destroyed lives and families, and also how one prejudiced group was ready to prejudice another to seek power.  I saw basic street survival, as those who accepted the challenge were willing to work for the rewards, while others thought it was owed to them.  Seems the more things change the more they stay the same, and it was this way in Jesus’ day also.  We expect this in the world, from business and politics, but it has no place within the church.  Over the years I have seen church officers lie and cheat for a dollar, lie from the pulpit, one evangelist even threatening to pray the wrath of God on us if we didn’t agree with him.  I have watched well meaning believers doing things they thought were in God’s name,only to be found pawns of religion.  The devil is out to seek and destroy who he can, just having his victims miss out on Jesus is victory enough.  With so many so called prophetic teachings of Jesus’ return, many do drastic things, all falling into the devil’s plan.  Yet with one key component missing, trusting God and being led by spirit led pastors.  Jesus is patient in his return that none should perish, we all should be grateful for.  Some find solace in Bible knowledge, some bragging on their knowledge.  But no learning can compare with Satan’s, he was there,he is mentioned in took, he knows the times and seasons Jesus mentions, and can tell his time is drawing to a close.  So stepping up his evil in a last ditch effort to steal souls.  You don’t have to look around very much to see the signs of warning.

But Jesus promises at just the right time, and we need to be ready.  Doubters will doubt, haters will hate, and those of us who believe are called to step up in God’s name.  We have own the victory over death and sin in Jesus, but the battles on earth still continue, as they do in heaven.  Jesus will never lose, never.  But we can, by our own false beliefs and opinions.  Talk to a Christian who has over come by the blood of Jesus, he knows.  Yet so many trained religious personnel only know what they are taught, and fold at the first sight of blood.  We need to experience Jesus first hand, not via teaching only, not via church attendance only, but by his spirit, personally.  Then back it up by the Bible, inspired by God who was there, and it is the truth. 

Polls and opinions may dictate decisions today, the only time God allowed a vote they hung his kid on a cross.  They wanted more and not what God had provided.  Do we want the things of god or do we want God?  Do we trust Jesus enough to call him Lord and do the things he asks?  Do we rather follow our own arrogant schemes or follow Jesus?  I have found the only constant in life is Jesus Christ.  Will you please join him?  I can still hear him saying to me when I asked him into my life, “OK Mike.”  I lived the truth at 21, but also knew the truth in Jesus Christ at 21.  Who’s your most unforgettable character.....I’ll never forget mine.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

you never forget your first Sting-Ray

Mu first Sting-Ray was a 1965, Flamboyant Lime, with a white seat, and racing slick.  Probably the best $49.95 my Grandma ever spent on me.  No I’m not talking cars, I was 11 at the time, I’m talking bicycles, Schwinn’s to be exact, and the hottest bike any kid could have, the Sting-Ray!  A 20” bike frame, with no fenders, chrome wheels, high handle bars, apes if you prefer, and that wonderful long and narrow seat.  And a real racing slick!  After markets and imitators would call it a banana seat, but it was original to the Sting-Ray, and I had one, how cool was that?  I can remember riding it home all the way home from Bud’s Cycle Center in downtown Scotch Plains, buying local, as both he and Jay’s Cycle Center a few miles the other way competed for our business.  I could hardly wait to get out of the showroom to ride it, my sister got the girl’s version in purple with the white whicker basket, but mine was the real thing!  I probably never pedaled as fast as I couldn’t wait to show all my friends I wasn’t just bragging, now I really had one!  And showing up at school the next morning would have me all the envy of Shackamaxon Elementary, event the sixth graders would have to respect me now.  If only my parents would have let me sleep in the garage that night, or bring it up into my room....

Now I must admit showing it off was cool, but riding it was even better.  With that slick out back, not just a tire with no tread, but a real racing slick, you could do the best skid ever.  No English racer or regular bike could leave a footprint like the Sting-Ray did, and many a rear Schwinn approved slick was replaced.  Even better was when they did a chip and seal on my street, and you could slide sideways forever on the tiny gravel.  Hours of fun that my parents and the neighbors never understood, oh for just one afternoon again to be that kid.  But as a stripped down bike, it left room for customizing, and soon three speeds, white walled tires, and different seat covers appeared, I even put a plush tiger striped seat on mine, ruined after the first washing, and the guy at R&S wouldn’t give me my money back.  But soon junior high arrived, and suddenly small bikes were out, and I sold it to Mr. Gwas, my typing teacher for $10.  But the Sting-Ray had left a mark on me....

So I did the next best thing, I took off the fenders, and replaced the handlebars on my old Typhoon, the one I used to deliver papers on, baskets not needed, and added apes to it, even ditching the chain guard.  A big guy’s Sting-Ray, where you could ride a friend on the handlebars and another on the bar between the seat and fork, sounds dangerous, but we never crashed, but somehow the skids were never quite the same.  Soon these appeared everywhere as we got too old to ride bikes, but I never forgot my first Sting-Ray, and all the fun I had with it.  Maybe an afternoon with a newly chip and sealed road, with time left over to pick the little gravel pieces out of my shins....

Soon it would be ten speed English racers, more speed but never the cool.  Shifting gears to aid in pedaling, but never the same rush.  We had grown up, yet we were still kids at heart.  Soon it would be motorcycles, a twist of the throttle giving us the rush our pedaling used to, and more power, which meant more speed, which meant bigger skids.  Which usually meant a panic stop, hopefully not meaning an accident. It seems two wheels have always been in my blood, with a natural progression to my Street Triple R today.  Which in many ways reminds me of my Sting-Ray.  It too is light with no extra frills, built with a purpose to go fast and handle well.  To be seen and admired by those who ride, like when pulling into Fun Bike a few weeks ago for a Kawasaki demo ride, every head turned to look when I rode in.  Like the Sting-Ray of my youth, they knew what I had.  But do we always know just what we have?  Or do we succumb to Madison Avenue and the need for better and bigger?  New and improved!  Feeding our egos and emptying our wallets.  Seems no matter the age, we never grow up or out of wanting things, and there is always a newer, if not better way to go.  Over the years I have owned bikes that I promised to never part with, now I look back and wondered why, seems the emotion was greater than the owning.  The joy of never parting being replaced by the new one I would never sell.  But we also hide away hurts in our hearts, ones we never let go....

Which brings resentment, leading to bitterness, and once that sin is seasoned, it has gone throughout our whole body.  We find ourselves jaundiced and jealous of others, wanting to win the pain game, not caring for others.  Seems we are not alone, and Paul in his letter to Philippians addressed it, causing them to think.  He told them to rejoice, to be gentle,and bring everything to God in prayer.  Why do the easiest and correct actions seem so hard in our lowest times?  But it at these times God is still available, and Jesus is standing by, not on you, to assist.  He knows you are hurting, and often so do your friends and family, so why don’t we turn to him?  Can it be our pride or finding solace in our pain?  Jesus offers relief, and we can fill our minds with thoughts that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, and praiseworthy, so that we can keep his peace in our thoughts.  Only God can transform the heart as well as the mind, in an ongoing process.  We may have won the war over sin in Christ Jesus, but everyday we are told we work out our salvation.  Not to be saved again, but to deal with problems and sin that have come between us and God.  And they will and do....

I was so grateful to my Grandma for the Sting-Ray I could never thank her enough, so I tried to make her happy by things I did, so she would be proud of me.  We can never thank God enough for what he has done in Jesus, but we can have the mind set to make him happy and to show how he has changed our lives.  With my new Sting-Ray it was all abut the bike making me cool, now I want to reflect Jesus in my life and how he has made me cool.  How he is the reason for my joy, and the only thing I will never sell or replace.  When we share in God’s grace we go deeper in him, and our fellowship grows.  Our weaknesses will continue, but as they do his grace is made perfect.  We can encourage others to go deeper in Jesus, and to pray more and rejoice more, not just pray in hard times.  He likes to hear about our good times too!

The times of Sting-Rays and skidding is behind me.  But riding isn’t and knowing Jesus has brought me more joy in doing it.  But it has also taught me meekness, power under control, all that power is useless until it gets to the ground.  You don’t ever have to grow up to grow in Christ, he welcomes the children, who are trusting.  The ones who are skidding out of control, or riding on the handlebars.   Lots of prayers were offered on those rides, a thrill a second.  Sounds like the way I live in Jesus.....seems when rejoicing I have little time for trouble.  Or fears, or turmoil.  So rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice.  In the Lord....on the street, sliding sideways, giggling all the way never wanting the times to stop.  You know, we just may be onto something here...

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

three BMW's in 90 days

Three of the first four motorcycles I ever owned were BMW’s.  My first one a 1972 R60/5, bought new at Malcolm Forbes dealership,where if you paid cash, they paid the tax.  $1600 of paper route money, and the proceeds from selling my Honda 350, and I was riding.  A bigger bike but with no more speed potential than the Honda.  But it said BMW on the tank...and it would be the first bike I put 10,000 miles on, stopping at just over 14,000 after riding it to Florida from Jersey, when a car made a turn from the right lane, and I was in the left.  Both bike and I were fixable, but with insurance money traded it off for the new 900cc BMW’s, at just under $3000 when $1875 would have bought a Z-1.  But I was hooked on BMW, and after healing up enough to ride without the cast on my left wrist, it became my daily driver for four days.  Sitting at a light, a drunk hit me from behind, the last thing I remember laying in the ditch was 10ww10791, his license plate number.  I later that night woke up on a rotisserie in the ER, unable to use my legs, which came back, but the pain and symptoms would last for years.  This time the 400 mile new BMW didn’t make it, anything rear of me on the bike was crushed, including pushing the driveshaft into the engine.  But I was determined, and with my father’s urging, paid cash from the insurance money and $3430 later, I owned the ultimate BMW, the 1974 R90S.  In just a 90 day period, I had totaled two BMW’s, paid cash for two new 900cc bikes, and ended up with the R90S.  Never in my wildest dreams.....but the BMW nightmare would continue.

At 16,607 miles the Wildman was sitting on it, pushed the starter and the engine came apart.  So much for the ultimate motorcycle, but after having it rebuilt by the importer, where someone had tried to steal the motor, I rode it to New Mexico, and sold it to a girl, with 46,000 miles on it in two years.  Confined to lesser bikes for a year, I again succumbed to the sirens singing the praise of BMW, who talked me into a 1977 R100S, which lasted for a year, until you guessed it, both rods came off the crank.  That was it, no more BMW’s for me, between accidents and lousy quality I had had it.  Sadly I missed them for awhile, when they ran they were great bikes, but I had gotten used to getting to where I was going, and BMW didn’t make it for me.  So when people brag about their BMW bikes, I have my story to tell, and I’m sticking by it.  I’ve owned a total of five, the allure is gone, but still I find myself cruising Craigslist for a 1974 R90S, mostly in vain, seems the restorers have taken liberty in how they were, 1974 was a unique year, and they have gotten too expensive.  But for just one more afternoon, on some nice back roads, with my AAA card in hand, I would love to take one for a ride.  Seems we can hide the scars, but still never forget the injuries....

Now I never really bragged about owning BMW’s, like Pearl sang about making amends because all her friends drove Porsches, all my friends rode Hondas or Kawasakis.  Out performed and over spent, I never really intended to one up them, or be one upped either.  I rode motorcycles, and the brand was secondary, riding was first.  But over the years motorcycling became more important than the motorcycle, with all aspects of riding playing a part.  With over one million two wheeled miles behind me, I find motorcycling can be more fun than just owning a motorcycle.  When a man was bragging the other day about owning a new Harley on the 96 month plan, I asked him where he had ridden it, or before he had it.  Ride it?  He was an owner, and even he knew the difference, and if his gas tank needed to be filled more than once a month, well you know the story.  But yet he could park among us and pretend to be one of us, until he opened his mouth.  He never got the freedom we find in riding, the excitement  of riding, or crossing time zones for lunch.  Which reminds me of many church folk who claim to have Jesus, having all the rights of being a Christian, yet never experiencing him.  Is it possible we can be rich in religion but poor in Jesus?

Godliness with contentment is great gain, there I quoted 1Timothy 6:6.  But how many of us are really content in Christ?  We say we trust God, but do are actions follow our words?  Or betray them.  As I used to watch the rows of BMW’s and Mercedes Benz line the first row at church, I wondered how many had fallen into the trap of riches.  Over dressed women, adorned in diamonds and gold, the secret competition between other women not so secret.  The men bragging always on what they had accomplished, but very little of Jesus included. With one instance of a man donating a huge sum of money publicly, but wishing to do it anonymously.  We are still part of a society that brags on us and the things we have accumulated, but give little credit to God.  Yet Jesus tells us to be content, that Godliness is better, how many would take the risk?  We even hear money is the root of all evil, when the love of money, not money is.  Being rich is not a sin, but without Godliness, we all suffer, no matter our FICO score or what we ride.  Many wander from the faith and end up miserable because of this, some to the point of making Jesus sick, throwing up the lukewarm.  But Jesus provides the antidote, being rich towards God.  My Nana used to say once she had money, she would give more to the church, but God asks for more than money.  Many tithe bitterly never getting the blessing, some think of giving only in terms of money, never donating time or opening their home to guests.  Based on money alone, we are all poor givers, so God gives us other ways.  Ways we cannot brag about ourselves and are often unseen.  But God sees them....and that is what really counts.  It is what comes out of a man that counts more than what goes into him.  Being rich towards God reflects the heart towards his creation, man, and is manifest in the fruit of the spirit in our lives.  And we won’t want to love anonymously, but to give Jesus all the credit, as it says, “in all things give him the preeminence.”  All things, both BMW and other.

I find the more I rejoice in what he has given me the less I covet.  I ride in Christ rather than just belong to a church.  I can embrace all aspects of being a Christian based on what Jesus did and who he is, and not depending on me.  Looking back it sounded cool to say I rode a BMW, it was all about me.  But today telling others all about Jesus and how he changed my life has given my life importance.  Models change every year, he never does.  The old air cooled BMW’s went out of style, God’s love never does.  Inflation changes the value of our money, there is no price you can pay to have God love you more.  Some wander from the faith due to riches, some never embrace it.  The man who dies with the most toys doesn’t win, he still dies.  I could brag I had three BMW’s in 90 days, but that doesn’t tell the whole story.  Embrace all God has given you today, for the things seen are temporal, the things not seen are eternal.  And if I have to explain, you probably wouldn’t understand....or ride a motorcycle.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

the night the light came on in Del Mar

I was in between jobs when I was introduced to a man who was starting a business and needed people like me.  What I needed was a paycheck, what he got was  more than he bargained for.  His business plan was to set up an Angie’s List type of referral business, this was before Angie’s List and when the Internet was brand new.  He had a group of people who were part of his team as he called them, and I was hired on, under the condition that when his funding came through, which was said to be in process, I would get my back pay.  It all sounded good, or maybe too good, so I joined his team, and attended three meetings of them, even having one at my house.  But all didn’t seem to be what it seemed to be, but being the new kid, I played along.  Even becoming a key player in many areas, which would eventually include his funding.  The first meeting was at a lady’s house for breakfast and updates, which all sounded optimistic, and a lot of excitement filled the room.  I mostly sat and listened, never a bad thing, and all were very cordial to me, until one guy asked me “how much you in for?”  My reply stunned him, as I said I was hired, waiting for the funding, everyone else there was an investor.  Suddenly I was the odd man out, as it soon filled the room I had invested no money.  Anyone with common sense would have left, I needed a job, or rather a paycheck, which now I became suspicious of. 

The second meeting all were agreeable to me, seems my ideas were insightful, and I was gaining a reputation for getting things done.  Again the light should have gone on, as the so called sales manager already had his new Mercedes picked out, others were planning vacations on the new found profits, and a lot of talk of when and how much filled the room.  I may only be an employee, but was gaining respect, which opened up the door to the final meeting.  The night that the light came on in Del Mar....

It seems this group of investors was part of a wealth gaining club, which had not been explained to me.  For a fee, a large fee, they were shown how to plan their dream, and see it through to completion.  At the Del Mar Hilton the final night was about to take place, and this world renowned money and business expert was to speak.  But not being a member, I could not attend the dinner or the business meeting afterwards, but would I like to meet this celebrated man in his room before?  The top five men in the wealth club would be there, as would the officers in this new business, and of course this financial guru, who would meet with all of us privately.  It was like going to meet the Wizard, and no one had seen behind his curtain yet. 

This business plan was based on business categories from a free paper, that sold services and and goods, a pre-Craigslist.  Based on the figures, based on the types of business, there were almost three million potential customers, and as the guru studied the plan for the first time, he thought it brilliant, praised the group, and gave them, us, his blessing.  Any questions.....as they all had none, seems they had heard how great they were, and it was on to the roast beef dinner and be recognized at the ceremonies to follow.  But sitting doing the math, I asked a few questions.  One-how many businesses does it take to make this work?  Answer-a potential three million, then I asked “how many people live in San Diego?”  The guru turning to the sales manager asked, who replied 1.5 million.  It would take more businesses than there were people in Sand Diego to make it work!  The light had gone on in Del Mar, the guru exposed, seems he was a self celebrated expert, who sold his books for a premium price at these events, and had fallen into the trap I had unknowingly set.  Exposed he started to leave, silently, but instead the group turned on me, I was the bad guy for exposing the truth and ruining all their dreams. No new Mercedes, no luxurious vacations, and now no recognition at the dinner.  The light had been turned on, but instead of the rats scattering, they turned on me.  I left and never heard from any of them again.  Rather than being set free by the truth, they chose to believe the lie, not wanting to let go of their greedy dream, or face reality.  As l walked out past the dining room with all the shiny dinnerware, I wondered how many had given over their dreams for a lie, and how this group of men would go on.  But I really wondered what would become of this false prophet of wealth.....and where his next victims would encounter him.

It has been over twenty yeas since that night, and I still can see the look on the false prophets face.  Men duped by their own greed, unwilling to admit their sin and repent.  They had been shown the truth, yet followed the lie anyway.  Somehow the words of Stephen as he was stoned filled my ears.  “Do not hold this against them Lord, they know not what they do.”  A wonderful insight even in his final moments, clinging to Jesus, the way, the truth, and the life.  How different the faith of him was than the faith of those who opposed him.  He saw the truth, and knew the truth, and still prayed for his enemies.  How many of us would react the same way?  I wish I could say I would, but I hope I never am confronted as such, seems what we believe in and the depth of it can have deadly results.  Yet we find that someday we all will stand before God and be accountable for our actions.  That ought to scare a few of us, but knowing Jesus can lead us to the truth, he took our place.  When called, we will be found not guilty of our sins, but still accountable for our actions after our salvation.  Like the parable of the seeds, what do we do with our life after we meet Jesus?  Do we hide him away, or throw him to the wind?  Some seed on rocky ground never grew, some was overtaken by weeds, and some got the nourishment and grew into a strong flower.  Our lives, our fruit will either bear out the spirit of God, or the spirit of our own deception.  Be careful how you choose, for even Satan can appear as an angel of light.  And without testing, we may never know him.  That night was a test for me and the others, they made their decision and I made mine.  In the face of adversity, I stood by the truth and was set free.  The others chose and were still in bondage.  Sin will do that to you.  But only in Christ will you be set free.

Stephen knew that, and many other examples are given in scripture.  We all know of such people or may even be one.  Only by being tested will our true spirit be revealed, and it will only be our decision on how, or who to choose.  Only in Jesus can we find trust, he broke all the shackles on us, even the invisible ones that weigh us down.  “Seek ye first the kingdom of God” he says, “then all other things will be added unto you.”  God greeted Stephen with open arms, his momentary pain replaced by joy and heaven, while the crowd looked for their next victim.  Going after the weak ones in faith, those who choose not to believe.  Even the demons believe in Jesus and quake at his name, but have no chance of redemption.  But we do....

So when the light goes on, where will you be?  Our God Reigns, not resigns, and Jesus wants to forgive us all today, to welcome us into his kingdom.  Where we find real wealth and our wildest dreams will pale by what he has for us.  “For eye has not seen, nor ear heard, no mind imagined the kingdom of God.”  Whatever you think it to be, it will be better.  One night the light went on in Del Mar, and some chose run to it instead of from it.  Like the man in Ecclesiastes 7, the rich man will never have enough and loses sleep worrying about it.  Making wealth to leave to others and never enjoying it.  The crowd that stoned Stephen showed no mercy, but now you know the truth and have been set free.  No more excuses.....for we know what we do.  So does God.....and we can still look to heaven and see the face of God calling to us.  See you at the celebration!

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com