the longest day

It was 1030pm, CST, when I rolled into my motel in Oklahoma City. It was Saturday night, and I had left home Friday at 530pm, PST. In the past 27 hours since leaving home in Escondido, I had travelled through three time zones and five states. I had slept at my motel in Kingman, AZ. for seven hours, fully refreshed, had heat as hot as 120 degrees on the Chiarico Summit, and ridden the last 300+ miles in the rain. I had ridden my Sprint ST 1125 miles in the first 24 hours, and over 1325 miles total when I hit the bed in OK City that night. Not a bad first day for a trip, and as I looked at the map of the US, I found myself almost in the middle of it. And looking back over the days ride, realized I had put more states, rain, and time zone in one day than most bikers do in a lifetime. So, how was your day?

This past Saturday we attended a rally in Escondido for Set Free Ministries. They take people from the street, and tell them about Jesus. Then train them up so they can tell others. As I looked at the young men, who recently had been selling and doing drugs, all tattooed up, raising their hands in praise to the Lord, I realized how far they had come, too. A life changed by Christ, something that no social or government program could do, had made freaks into people. People that may not be welcomed in Main St. churches, but who love the Lord more than many who just fill pews and call themselves Christians. As we listened to the music, and testimonies of families reunited, relationships repaired, and lives changed, I knew that the ministry to be among them is where God wants me. I feel so at home among these brothers and sisters. I also feel welcome wherever the church is gathered, but somehow to see how far they have come, thrills my soul. These people I once would have crossed the street to avoid, now they will be my neighbors in heaven. Consider that next time we make a quick judgment based on looks, Jesus loves them as much as He loves you! I know they look back and see how far they have come, and never want to go back.

As I laid out my map that night, I contemplated my next day's ride, an easy 969 miles to Lexington ,Kentucky. Another day of rain through the entire state of Missouri, and then clouds and high humidity the rest of the way. Adding to my total in 51 hours I had traveled over 2300 miles. And would finish the next day with a short run of 700 to my parent's house in New Jersey. Just under 3200 miles by the end of the trip there. Within 70 hours I had seen both coasts, 15 states, and had the ride of my life. I will never forget the biker who ran the Sunoco station in West Virginia where I stopped Monday morning for gas. He told everyone who came in how I had been in California that Friday night, and here this Monday morning. Even impressed me as I listened. And reflected.

I also thought of the road ahead for those who have had their lives changed by Jesus Christ. Before life was just a repeat of yesterday-another time to get high and scam others-a time to blame the world for their condition. But now they faced life knowing that God would guide them through, they had a purpose and reason to live. As families would reunite they would grow in the Lord, and kids who once just wondered the streets, now had parents to come home to. And wanted to. All because Jesus Christ had entered their life. Like the old Bill Gaither song-Because He Lives, we can face tomorrow. Better yet, we can face today. And look forward to it-never alone. And on the offense rather than defense. Because He lives, all fear is gone. And we know He holds the future. And life is worth the living. And I was reminded of all this on a 100+ degree day by a group of ex-addicts, junkies, and criminals, who had come to Christ.

Maybe you have led a good life, but know something is missing. It is really a someone, and He wants to show His love to you. Trust Jesus today, and let Him into your life. Just as I read the maps at night, and see how far I have gone, it also shows me how far I have to go. So ease up, we all aren't as perfect as you-yet! And I never ride alone, no matter how small the group of one is-Jesus is always with me. Whether cross country or across the street, he is ever present. Before you leave the house today-ask Him to guide your steps, and enter your life. Feel a freedom that you never knew existed before. And if you already have given your life to Him, realize the pressures that face you today are already answered by Him before you have prayed about them. He loves you that much. If you believe in Him start acting like you do!

1000 mile days are milestone in a biker's life. I do 600 mile days as a standard any more. But the more I ride, the more I never ride alone. Time well spent with the Lord, riding with me. Through the storms of life or weather, in traffic or between problems, you are never alone.

Thanks to the Set Free Ministries, who God has given this ministry of love and hope. There are many others out there, some known, some not-but God sees them all. That is what Matthew 25 Biker is all about. Ministering. Just like Jesus wants us to do in Matthew 25. Feeding, giving water, visiting in jail and hospitals, and taking in strangers. All in His name. Taking care of the Lazarus He has placed in our lives, so they may know that Jesus loves them too. Meeting the need in Jesus name. WE share with the least, which is the same as doing it for Him. Because He lives, we can face tomorrow. To ride. Or just be wherever He wants you. See you on the coast, just not sure which one. Or even in between, I may the guy riding solo, but not alone. Jesus Christ changes lives-let Him change yours today!

Even a short day riding with Him is better than a long trip without Him! Be set free, no one else can make that claim except for Christ. Free at last!

Oh, and my trip. After meeting Theresa at my parents house, we rode over 7500 miles in the next two weeks, through 28 states. And greater rides were to come, and still are!

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

the $64,000 question-are we one nation under God?

When we lived in Durango I used to work for Coke. Part of my route took me onto the Jicarilla Apache Reservation in Dulce, New Mexico. A beautiful area, 60 miles from anywhere and with a very business like tribe running it. The reservation just happened to be partly on the Gobernador natural gas field, at the time the second largest in the US. And two times a year, if you were at least 1/8 Jicarilla you got a bonus check. That means if your great-great grandfather was Jicarilla, and had married a non-Jicarilla, you would qualify. And each one in your immediate family. In dollars and cents it meant that twice a year, each member of your family got a check. And in the early eighties each portion was worth about $8000. For a family of four, that meant $32,000, times two times year or $64,000 a year. When the average income was about $21,000, this was big bucks! And for no more than your heritage!

When this would happen there would be a spending spree there. Even car dealers from Santa Fe would bring pickups and park them along the highway-only requiring a thumbprint and an X to get a new truck. And if the check was not big enough to cover it, you signed a contract. No credit checks, as the Jicarillas had a rule, if you wrote a bad check, they held your bonus until it was taken care. Everybody would take a Jicarilla check-it was like a golden guarantee! And at your next bonus the finance company got paid before you got your next check.

But it also led to poverty, as the money many times went to drugs, and alcohol. And since you didn't have to work, many didn't. There was no incentive, so they became lazy. Even to the point of destroying a beautiful lodge they had built-no one would work it, and when no one came, they vandalized it. Imagine the scene-a lodge on a lake among the evergreens in the mountains-clean air, clean water, and no people. Just graffiti and broken glass-how sad. And this reflected many lives there. But the few who lived and ranched there did well-as the few bad always seem to outweigh the majority of good.

There is coming a time, after the rapture called the great tribulation-times so tough that they have never been seen on earth, and will never be duplicated. And to buy anything you will have to give allegiance to a man-who will claim to be God. And take his mark, the mark of the beast if you want to purchase anything. The technology for this mark, which will be imbedded in your right hand or forehead, is already in place. Chips in your dog, horse, etc, are already common. Some communities already want to place them in children to track them-sounds good, but wait, there's more. Companies in England are making them right now-wonder how they will do in the rain? Hopefully they will be Lucas chips. But seriously, those non-Christians left behind, and not saved after the rapture, will be required to take this mark. If not-they will guillotine your head off. No down to 1/8 allegiance-100% or death. And the signs of this coming are in place. And I believe God has put out warnings to the world of the next major events in world history.

It warns of the spirit of antichrist-anti meaning instead of Christ. And a scary example is socialism-let government, a man based and inspired system take care of me. Whether UI checks, food stamps, or any of the dozens of entitlements, anything that makes you depend on someone other than God. And once you are hooked, you can become a socialized government junkie. They tell you what is best, who to marry, when you need health care, where to live, and work if necessary. And like a sign in the Southern Ute Indians tribal office says, "if you take away a man's desire to work, you take away his desire to live." There is no free lunch, the bill will come due someday.

And like the Jicarillas, there will be nice people who will pay the price for the many who turn against God, and live subsidized. And in a generation or two, you have become a socialized society, and your freedoms are gone. The government owns you.

But to those who choose God, the treasures begin to become of our lives now. We will be taken out and miss the great tribulation. No marks for us, God will already have marked us for heaven. No government of man telling us how to live-we serve a benevolent despot, a king who loves his people and does the best for them, even at his expense. It is called love, and Jesus loves you-so much He died to make the way back to God and heaven available to all. And no matter where you live, how you earn your income, or your ancestry, he is ready to accept you in-now! Repent, turn from the world and turn to Jesus. Ask Him into your life, and earn bonus checks right away. With one condition-they're paid in heavenly dividends, and we will be rewarded when we get to heaven. As for now, He places us in the world to bring this message to others. And meets our needs while we are here. No thumbprint, no X. Just his nail pierced hands, holding onto you until you sit with Him in heaven.

Today is the day of salvation-start your investment now. Dividends, bonuses, and eternal life. Plus a peace that the world would never see. And no chips or marks. His name will be written in your heart, and your name in the book of life.

The warnings are there. Where are you with Jesus? Who you choose to worship and serve will tell your ultimate outcome. Don't have to say "I wished I had listened." It will be too late. Find God-now! Let's pray.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

naughty or nice? God forgives

Next time you go to San Francisco take the boat tour of the bay and visit Alcatraz. For just the price to the island, you get a trip on the bay, and it is neat to see the city from the water. But a different view is afforded from Alcatraz, so take the tour. A bleak island surrounded by civilization-if you consider San Francisco civilized, it is so close as to be local, but so alone it seems a million miles away. The perfect prison, so to speak, and a very historical one. To be invited as a criminal, you had to be the worst of the worst. This was the last stop and held such notorious felons as Robert Stroud, canonized as the Birdman of Alcatraz. Actually he was a sex pervert, who was kept alone, and was known for flinging dung at the guards. Burt Lancaster he wasn't, but then who of us are.

Only a 15 minute rider from Pier 37 to the north side of the island where the dock is, on a clear day you can see the city perfectly, if your cell faces that way. And that could be a blessing, or a curse. For while locked up in your cell, you could not only see life, but could hear it. The sounds of the city travelled better at night , and the sounds of cars, people, and parties was evident-and a reminder to the one in the cage that life was going on, while he was incarcerated for his crime. And when taking the tour you are given a headset, so you can walk through the rotting prison at your own pace, and hear and see the sounds as they did. Cold, damp, lonely, and isolated you get to see life as the inmates did-although the condition is horrible, you can still see what it was like in the tiny cells. But the part that is really upsetting is the hole, or the isolation cells, the punishment tank for the disobedient criminals-how's that for a description. In a cell with no toilet-they give you a bucket, no bed or chair, you are forced to sit on a cold, hard concrete floor-naked, with no lights-except for the light coming through the small window, the only light coming in there is from the city at night. And with no glass in the windows, it is generally in the 50 degree range. A temp too cold for some to ride, and for others to wear their winter gear. Think of isolation next time you ride in the cold-are you really that cold?

But this is Club Med compared to what prisons were like 2000 years ago. Chained to walls in unsanitary conditions, the only food you got was from someone who brought it to you. If you didn't know anybody, you would probably starve. And they tended to be in dungeons, so they were dark, smelly, and run by tough characters. The guards were usually pretty tough, as if you escaped, they paid for it with their lives, if they were lucky-if not they took your place in jail. Let's say that the escape rate was negligible, if at all. Maybe that is why when the disciples were praying for Peter to escape, and he showed up at their door, they didn't believe it was him at first. Remember that the next time you pray for a miracle and God answers-and it is not what you expected, but what you desired.

But there are other prisons that we find ourselves in, sometimes self incarcerated. Although we would never admit it. Theresa likes watching the HGTV channel, and we watch the first time buyers. "I must have it," she says, as her husband relents, although they are only $50k above their budget, which is only $50k above what they can afford. And they end up with a house that owns them. That after the facade of new ownership erodes, which coincides with their first payment, find the house owns them. All the dreams that danced in their heads of expensive cabinets, and picnic decks go out the window as their new dream is just to cover all the bills, and have enough left to super size their next big night out. And somewhere down the road, after finally redesigning their home to what they had originally seen it as, they put the home of their dreams up for sale, and begin the process of broken dreams, and broken wallets all over again. Not learning from their first experience. "I just must have a new home," she says, and as her husband relents, thinks of all the free time he earned that he just traded away. "Yes , dear."

Cars and motorcycles are no different. Growing up back east it was not unusual to see brand new Cadillacs in the ghettos, next to houses made of tarpaper and crates. They would finance your car up to 10 years, and if it was still running, or hadn't rusted away, would finance you for the next decade. 20 years, which equals a score, and you still hadn't. The car owned you, the only enjoyment was showing it off to those who didn't have one, and thought you were cool-but secretly glad they didn't have your bills for it. Motorcycles are no different, as I see young servicemen, turning over half their pay to a motorcycle payment. For something they sell at a loss when deployed, and have to store outside, and watch it rust away as the salt air eats it up-just like the payments eat up their income-slowly and painfully. Suddenly how fast it goes is changed to how fast can I get rid of it-sad.

The last group of prisoners are ones who have a concession to style-the trendy ones. They always have the latest style-but hey, so do I-when are jeans and t-shirts out of style? And when has leather been not cool? But you know the ones, never see the same outfit twice, and it must be a brand name-the correct name or her friends will talk. When at Land Rover we used to laugh at them-first buying a $70k, 4 wheel drive car when living in San Diego, and not being able to afford it. Wearing all the right clothes when bringing it in for free service, the only time you saw many of them, and then complaining to their husbands, whose main weakness is poor taste in women. And the cycle continues.

God tells us to be content with what we have-we do not know what tomorrow brings. And when I see the prisons we find ourselves in when we don't obey, I wonder if we ever learn. We get so upset when God tells us no, but forget how he is trying to protect us from what lays ahead. We forget how the economy shifted, and those who paid $1million for a $500k house are losing them. The luxury cars sit for sale, or repoed, and the designer clothes go to Goodwill. Where some of the best bargains are found and being worn by the same people we used to make fun of-now they look trendy and you don't.

God says he desires that no man be a debtor, and as a society we are learning that. But are we learning the spiritual application? Do we turn to God, and thank Him when the answer is no, knowing that a better yes is coming? Do we wait patiently for His answer, and thank Him when it arrives? Do we recognize His answer? Do we believe Him when He says as the spiritual man grows, so does the outer man? Or are we living in a spiritual prison, where the sins of the world and the flesh have taken us over-and where once fruit of the spirit blossomed, now the weeds of sin have taken over? Today is the day of salvation. The same bad decision that got you in, can be turned around by a good decision to get you out. It is not too late to change the road you are on. No matter what denomination or creed you live by, the answer is the same-repent! Turn it over to God, and go the right direction. Get released from the prison you have willfully entered into, and be set free! God has an escape route from every sin-Jesus, and when calling on Him you will be set free.

But remember there are consequences for sin, and like those in jail, you must pay man's price for the sin against man. Foreclosure, repossession, and unemployment run rampant-consider them next time you must have whatever it is you must have. Remember what ever you worship, owns you. Now for the final question-what or who do you worship? Who owns you? GMAC or GOD? I have found God's way more forgiving, and He accepts no credit-all of you or nothing. No free interest-only a 100% interest in you. All paid in full at the cross. A debt you could never handle-and a release from a prison you could never escape from. So turn to Him today, no matter your circumstances, and watch as when you turn your debt over to Him, He will balance the books, in your favor for a change. But you gotta let Him. Can you? Will you? Some prisons don't have walls or water surrounding them, only a hard heart. That no man can break down. Be like Peter, let God find you a way out! And stay out! Make God the only desire of your heart-and watch as you grow richer than you ever thought possible-in Christ.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

a chosen few, and the few that chose them

It was easy to identify bikers in the early '70's, they were the ones with the black leather jackets, unless you rode an English bike, then you wore a Belstaff jacket. Never heard of one, don't feel bad. They were a concoction of the British-the land of liquid sunshine and sun breaks. To ward of the cold and wet, they took a heavy cotton and dipped it in wax. And when they started to not repel water, you melted a candle on them, and then the musty odor from not repelling rain, combined with the candle wax would repel you, and others. And sometimes the rain. Did I mention they weighed three times as much, and stunk? Not for the faint of smell or stature. Much better, and without the weight and odor, black leather jackets were not yet readily available, Army Navy stores had surplus, and the occasional Harley store might one-they sold motorcycles back then, and hadn't become boutiques yet. You never found leather in a Honda store. They were the nicest people, and didn't ride in the rain or cold, we who wore leather weren't. Don't even ask about the Belstaff group. And if you found one you didn't have much choice, just the Brando style-so we all looked alike. And it got harder to tell all of us non-conformists apart because we all looked the same. The few, the black jacketed, the bikers. Never realizing that someday Harley would have a parts and accessories catalog bigger than the old Sears Christmas catalog. We grow older, just not up, the price and cubic inch of our toys the main difference.

About that same time long hair on men became popular. Looking at my senior picture, taken in the summer of '71, and then the one at my prom the next May, my hair had gone from just covering the ear, to inches below my ear-parted in the middle of course-as per the standard of the day. All seeking to be individuals, and again all looking the same. Even the rednecks, with their standard issue CAT-Diesel Powered hats wore long sideburns, as style erupted from out of their caps, which hid longer hair where crew cuts once lived. Again, the few, the bigoted, the rednecks. And we all could pretty well tell who each other was, our politics, and our morals just by looking at our looks. And when long hair, leather, sideburns, and a CAT hat combined you moved to the other side of the street when one came at you. Peace brother, before you became pieces, brother.

But more than styles, the attitudes were changing. And it was more all about me more than ever before. We just used the mantra about loving our brother, it was good for picking up easy hippie chicks. And before when we went looking for a job, you got interviewed by a guy high on Vitalis, and what can we do for him, now it was our same attitudes, but with sideburns starting to show, and hair just starting to touch the top of the ear. Things were changing, and soon we were asking "what can you do for me?" The answer-benefits. Now no 21 year old cares about retirement, and medical was not even in our vocabulary-we were going to live forever. But it was nice to say to those without them we had them, a point of superiority-even if we had to get sick or retire to use them. But things were changing-still, and still are today.have

The Bible tells us many are called, but few are chosen. And this applies directly to ministry. I know so many who when they get saved want to go to seminary-or think they have to. Or are afraid they will go to Africa-where do the Africans go? And even look at ministry as a career. When it is a calling, and is as close as your family, your first ministry. And is local, how many step over the Lazarus place before you on your way to your ministry?

Father Al tells me of a man who came to the Flight 93 Chapel. Seems he had a heart for this ministry, and since Father Al was looking for help, and a man to eventually turn it over to, he spoke with him. The man explained his desire to serve there, and how his heart was in it. All the things Father Al wanted to hear. But when he found out there was no pay, and what about benefits, discovered his calling might be somewhere else a little more mainstream, and seemingly secure. He was looking for a job, God was offering Him a ministry. You see the few that Jesus speaks of are called. We have been given a vision, and follow it. A desire so personal that to others they cannot understand it, and we seem careless, when really we are carefree-casting our cares on Him. Our salaries are measured in heavenly terms, and our earthly needs met by a loving God. Benefits-all that the kingdom has to offer. Like a Christian man once told the woman in the seat next to him on the plane, when asked what he did, he replied "I work for the world's richest Jew." She didn't get it, and after he explained thought he was crazy. Ever wonder why God has no line of credit? Doesn't need it. But this man was just crazy enough to follow a God that he can't touch, see, or hear-except in the spirit. One of the few, the chosen few who answer the call.

Today we have the few, the proud, the Marines. My friend Guy in the Hells Angels is a Filthy Few. And God is still calling those to come to Him. Many are called, but few choose Him. Whether in leather jacket and colors, or tie and jacket-he overlooks your style and desires to give you one just like His. A style that never goes out of style, and has always been in style. It is called love and forgiveness-two things he built into every person on earth, and that only He can fulfill. And without His peace, you don't have it. Despite the income, houses, job, and benefits-you ain't got it without Jesus! A peace not looked for as hippies, because drugs, sex, and rock and roll can't compete with God. But some let them compete for their soul, with disastrous results. When all they had to do was turn to God, and accept His peace. Many are called, but few choose Him.

So God has given us a choice also, love being not demanded by Him, just freely given. And I thank Him that I chose Him when called. For many are called gods by the world, and other religions. But I chose the few-Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The only few that make a difference. A few like no others. With eternal promises offered like no other.

And we come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and we even ride motorcycles-in black leather jackets, with long hair under our expensive Arais. But we have made the choice to follow Jesus-and don't want to turn back. But how do you tell us apart? The fruit-for the few that have chosen Jesus bear fruit in the spirit, fruit of the spirit. His spirit! Where before we were confused, doubting, and insecure in our beliefs, and it was all about us, now we show in our lives love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, long suffering, meekness, and self control. And the cool thing is there is no law against being like that! And you can keep your long hair, and your leathers! or your crew cut. And even your colors if you want. It is your choice! And finally be the individual you want to be, but never dreamed you could be. But it is sad to think there are those that turn away.

Jesus is calling you now. He chose you, and wants to bless you like you never dreamed. Will you let Him? A few of us have. The few, the chosen, the blessed-Christians. Being different never felt so good!

love with compassion, wearing my leathers, in ministry,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

if I ran the world-with apologies to the cowardly lion

If I ran the world...
...football would only be played on Sunday afternoon, on a grass field.
...all quarterbacks would call their own plays-from the field, and audible most of the time like Joe Namath.
...no two point plays, and goal posts would be on the goal line, like their name implies.
...no instant replay-pay off the refs like they used too, and probably still do in Chicago!
...baseball would have no designated hitter-make the pitcher hit, and use strategy to win.
...only doubleheaders on Sunday.
...to save a game you must give up no runs. Make it a real stat. and you pay the team if you blow one.
...you get paid per win-when you lose you owe the fans. May change their entire approach to the game.
...you are only hurt if the bleeding can't be stopped or a bone shows. otherwise we expect you to be there, on time.
...no artificial turf-this is baseball, and not an indoor game. if a horse can't eat it, you don't play on it.
... no player would make more than a teacher. and in the off season spend time volunteering in schools.
...Tim Mc Carver would be banned from doing play by play.
...someone would leave the door open and Chris Berman would go all the way-and stay there.
...no slow cars in the fast lane, if caught they would be impounded.
...dui or drunk driving meant removal of hands, at the elbow. you don't want to know if there is a second offense.
...only motorcycles allowed in fast lane. commuter lanes would be motorcycle only.
...only vacation if you can drive there. and never ride anything you can't put gas in.
...all motorcycles would have horns louder than car stereos.
...all cars would only have radios with two knobs, on/off/volume and station selector.
...no cell phones in cars. if used when driving, same penalty as dui.
...no ugly rims, and none above 19"-get over it. Cragar SS would be standard on all vehicles.
...no helmet laws, but we should get a discount if we wear one and are involved in an accident.
...every 3 years, give one free year of vehicle registration.
...all riders would be instructed in using their front brake-might just save their life.
...mandatory 3 week vacations for bikers in summer-must be used to ride or possible loss of job .
...political campaigns would be restricted to elections only.
...vote early and vote often precincts would be eliminated.
...daylight savings time would be the norm.
...anything motorcycle related would be tax deductible.
...mini van owners would pay a tax for taking up space-and drivers would have to have special license to drive one. they would actually have to learn to drive. think of the lives saved.
...divorce would not be an option. "I do" means just that, and you better.
...living with someone without being unwed should be triple taxed, sin costs.
...all inmates should be given a Bible, and someone to help them understand it-may just thin out the repeaters.
...the gospels would be a required course in the schools-every year until graduation. atheists would get summer school.
...politicians have to have the same health care as they vote for.
...no dogs under 20 pounds-call them little rats, that what they are. must be registered as a non-dog. laws against incessant barking means death.
...we would work weekends, and have week days off to ride.
...chocolate would be the official food, and part of all daily nutrition.
...Krimpets would a food group, as would ice cream, tootsie rolls, and pretzels.
...church would start on time, and only last one hour for those of us with a short attention span.
...pastors would make more than CEO's, and get double-time for Sundays.
...in cases of dispute, pray, pray, pray, and then pray some more.
...maintenance engineers would be called janitors, administrative assistants would be secretaries, sanitation engineers would be called garbage men, and if you had a problem with that take it to personnel-not human resources.
...God would get 90%, and we would be able to live on the other 10%, and still have money left over.
...everything that has breath would be encouraged to praise the Lord.
And I would be very lonely, as having to enforce these laws would leave me alone-I forgot to mention the death penalty for anyone disagreeing. After all, these are my rules. As King, first rule would be to obey all rules. Second rule, would be obey the first. A despot, not quite benevolent. And as I hope you laugh and see yourself in some of the rules above, aren't you glad God has a better way. But yet we put ourselves under the law, when God wants to give us grace. A true freedom in the spirit. He gives us choice, for love would not be loved if it were required or legislated. So next time you get complaining about anything, thank God for the freedom to do that. It could be worse-I could be in charge. And God offers forgiveness. Where I just may have had a bad day, God doesn't have any. Aren't you glad he is never in a bad mood? It is important to remember what love is-not a set of rules, but a relationship. Corinthians 13 reminds us love is kind, patient, does not demand its own way, rejoices in the right and not in the wrong, and endures. It hopes and believes all things. And it never fails. And since God is love, aren't you glad he is God, and you're not? It leaves you weekends to ride, and to sleep in on your days off. God is at work all the time. With no overtime, unless you consider eternity overtime.
Maybe the system He set up is better than you think it is. If not, consider me as your ruler. All of a sudden the gospel looks pretty good. So choose Jesus, and pray for me. See things are not nearly as bad as you think they could be.
And join me as I celebrate with some of Theresa's brownies. Or some Krimpets. We truly have a lot to be thankful for. Amen.
Rest well, with my permission of course. And God's blessings. With Sundays off. To ride.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com

Dr. Doug's tonsil removal and ice cream parlor

I don't like filling out forms, so when at the doctor recently, and confronted with the question on the form-MEDICAL HISTORY-I filled it in, reluctantly. Two knee operations, pneumonia, a hernia, that required reopening due to healing from the outside in, no one should have to know what silver nitrate is at age 7, leg perthes, rheumatoid arthritis, mumps, and German measles. All by the time I was 17. I figured the part that said details to be a joke, given the two small lines to answer. Medical history enough without the details for any three kids. And then in my senior year in high school, I had my tonsils removed.
Things were done differently a generation or two ago. They would take all the kids for tonsil removal on the same day, and do a wholesale cutting/removal. And most were removed from kids 6-8 years old. So here I was, in a room waiting with about ten third graders, when in comes the doctor. "Hi-I'm Dr. Doug!" and suddenly I knew how the patient on the Three Stooges felt when he saw Curly coming. With a saw. Nyuk, nyuk! And from his glance at me he was probably thinking "you're a little big for the third grade aren't you kid?" Aw, wise guy, eh? And I figured if things got rough, I was bigger and could always defend myself, but what about these little kids? As he explained the procedure in 6-8 year old terms, all you do is snip, the only part they understood was the ice cream to eat after part, what does minimal discomfort mean? So we had them out, as a group, and went home. Minimally discomforted.
Now I was feeling good, and like Bill Cosby's joke about tonsils and ice cream, I was ready for some strawberry. I was also thinking what a great doctor as I had no pain, so bring on the ice cream. And then it hit me. As the first bite of strawberry hit my throat, it was like a giant, strawberry flavored post nasal drip, and I went to clear my throat. And the pain was way beyond minimal discomfort. I wanted to kill Dr. Doug, and maybe me and the others could jump him in the hospital-if we ever got better. Show him some minimal discomfort. And every time I went to swallow, I was reminded of the pain. So bad, I couldn't swallow, which made eating difficult. But my mother, who may have had far more medical experience, read my history, suggested chewing Aspergum-a chiclet laced with pain killer. And it worked. And it worked so well I went right past the ice cream to a steak dinner. Again, her medical experience in conjunction with feeding me, allowed me to eat a steak dinner. Without chewing. She put it in a blender and I had powdered London Broil. Think of it as powdered/pulverized cow, and you get the picture. And as long as I stayed on the Aspergum, I could eat-ice cream included.
Dr. Doug had also said I would be weak for a couple days. And not to drive. Minimal discomfort. Which I did, and he was right. The first turn I came to while driving my parents Pinto, it was that green color that Ford used to paint every other car, ugly but hid the dirt well, with the all vinyl interior-seats, floor, dash, door panels, etc. to match, I almost didn't make. I had done it many times before with one hand on the wheel, and one on the selector of the 8-track-now it took both hands! And effort. I had to listen to songs until the end, even if I didn't want to, and he was right-I was weak! Now it took two people just to drive, a Pinto, just so I could have tunes! Two tonsils had eroded my accumulated driving skills of five months! I was damaged goods-ruined at 17! By tonsils, and Dr. Doug! What about those poor 6-8 year olds who weren't in as good shape as me? Did they even have a chance with a skateboard or bike? Rehab for tonsils? Would they ever recover to get a license?
But somehow by the end of the week I had recovered. A miracle. And we hadn't killed Dr. Doug. Two miracles. And were eating semi-regularly-note, all the grease on Big Macs acts as a great lubricant after a tonsillectomy. If more needed, add fries.
When Theresa and I travel, sometimes we are on the road for over three weeks. And we miss church. And church misses us. A minimal discomfort, that can turn into a major one. And we find getting back to a schedule of going is hard. We start to make excuses-"we'll go next week, but aren't we on the road again?" We get into a habit of atrophied spirituality. And like the weakened condition from tonsils, we are open to attacks and infection from the world. Yes, we are still in the Word, but without good teaching and fellowship, those skills can whither. And like I was told I would be weak after a simple tonsil operation, missing church weakens you. And soon your attitude changes, and you are open to attacks from everywhere. And it doesn't take much for some of us to deteriorate quickly. So we often attend church while on the road. Like the sign says "seven days without God makes one weak," it is true. I miss, and need to be around God's people. And as your relationship with Jesus grows, you want to be with Him and his people more.
And it always makes your pastor glad, sometimes suspiciously, to see you at Wednesday night services, and at Bible studies, and men's fellowships. But it also makes him wonder. "Are you ok Mike? Are you well, we see a lot of you here lately. Sickness?" And I just smile back and say "nah, had my tonsils out years ago, nothing can stop me now." Just like to hear the word. And like James 5 says, we consider blessed those who have persevered. Tonsils and other minimal discomforts of life. And major ones, too. As Paul calls them, momentary light afflictions. Wonder if he ever had his tonsils out?
How blessed are you today? Have you persevered or are you now in the midst of a trial? At home or on the road you are never alone. So check into your local church today, group surgery on an individual basis for your life every Sunday. And you can eat ice cream after. And the pain is gone-Jesus heals your maladies. He is the Aspergum for your soul.
Church-the checkups are free, the medical covered by God, and the food at the pot lucks is great. And there is nothing like being fed from the Word. No appointment necessary. And no waiting room or recovery period. Now there's a health care plan I can vote for. Support Jesus today-He supported you, paid in full. At prices you could never afford. His pain, your gain.
to your good health, love with compassion,
Mike

truth-what a novel idea

In F. Scott Fitzgerald's first novel, This Side of Paradise, we are introduced to a young man named Amory Blaine. He is a young man, seeking to find himself, and enduring the trials, tribulations, and wounds that come from such encounters. Largely autobiographical, he ends up losing the love of his life, Rosalind, because he is so self absorbed, and poor, and although he has a wonderful intimate writing relationship with Thayer Darcy, a man of the cloth, as they used to say, he ends up bitter and alone after the Monsignor dies. He has heard the truth, just decided no to let it set him free. Selfishness eventually leads to self destruction. His final quote as the book ends pretty much says it all, "I know myself, that is all." And looking back on over 50 years of failures, mistakes, errors, and preplanned stupidity, I can echo those same sentiments. Except I can say "I know Jesus, that is all."

We are told seek and you shall find, and I find it depends on what you are seeking that you find. My friend Richard is the best parts manager/counter man for Mercedes Benz I have ever known. He made a decision early in his career that he would be the best, and studied, read, apprenticed, and then put it all into action, learning from his mistakes, and shunning the harsh criticism. Today he is the go to guy for other dealers, as his investment of time and education, along with desire and dedication made him the best. He knows Mercedes Benz, that is it. And in his professional life, that is what he needs.

But too often an alternative path is taken. A path that leads to destruction, and unfortunately the people on this path too often live through the turmoil, with those caught in the crossfire taking the bullet for them. Unacknowledged, and unloved.

I saw Gene Roddenberry speak at UNM in 1976, long before the Star Trek mania had set in. He made a revealing comment on the success of his show. He took normal events that people could associate with, and put them in an outer space setting. And the rest is history. Great writers do this, and one of my favorite Twilight Zones is called the Monsters are Due on Main Street. In it a quiet neighborhood, where everyone knows everyone's business, or so they think, see a bright light. A flying saucer they think, so they go about investigating it. As the one neighbor in charge starts to go door to door, their imagination turns to fear, their fear to mistrust and their mistrust to hate. When they notice a house empty, they start rumors about the guy-even to the point of he is the alien-he is different after all. A noise is heard in the bushes and they throw rocks at it, hurting a teen ager who was listening, afraid of the mob. Finally complete paranoia takes over as they attack each other, while the aliens stand on the hill congratulating themselves on their quest. Much easier than they thought, they had overestimated the humans. Start a rumor and let them self destruct. No shots fired, it isn't necessary. They will attack each other. And so we do. On Main Street and others, but sadly within churches and our Christian family.

I have seen first hand building programs split a church, over differences in carpet color, or how many classrooms our egos really need. Have the pastor speak the truth, and interrupt your sin laden life, and many a person has turned on him. "How could he be so wrong, he was so smart when he agreed with me last week? they ask. Many so called brothers act no different outside the church than they do before they became a Christian, but who is that other guy they are on Sunday? And when the world sees them acting like them, they wonder why they need to change-that guy is no better than me, and he says he is going to heaven, why change? In fact he is worse, a hypocrite, I don't want to be like him. And so they don't. And don't go to heaven. And you thought it took words to witness-your witness is on display 24/7.

You see from Amory Blaine to the Monsters on Main Street, God has made us a people who need relationships, but are not really good at them. We don't like the way she looks in the morning, we divorce her. The service department cheeses you off, you go somewhere else. The pastor talks about sin, and you don't like it, or the color of the carpet, so you leave. But not without letting everyone else know how inferior that business or church was. Or better yet, how superior you are for noting it, just in the nick of time. And we enter into relationships with God like this, bringing Him to our level, instead of rising to His. God must be smart, He agrees with me. To quote Dirty Harry, "yeah..."

God has built two desires into everyone-the desire to be forgiven, and the desire to be loved. And only in Jesus Christ do you find these. Amory Blaine couldn't grasp this, as he tried to change all his friends to his way, to make him the center of their universe, only to end up lonely and broken. Captain Kirk knew this, as much as he loved his crew, it was the Enterprise that he worshipped, and would die to protect. But the monsters on Main Street were more like us than we will admit. "I don't understand it, they're stupid. They disagree, I'll get revenge. They're different, something must be wrong with them." The problem being you, with your "I's" on yourself.

And that is why the gospel truly is good news. It gets our eyes off us, and onto God. We have instant access to the solutions to our problems. If only Amory had called out to God, and listened to Thayer Darcy, he might not have been so miserable-I can tell you Fitzgerald would not have sold so many books! We relate to Amory fallen better than him successful. We are like him, we are him! But thankfully there are many representatives of God on earth, Christians he calls us, and we are to assist, and point you to God. As teachers, helpers, and servants-we represent God, and we don't have all the answers-we have the answer-Jesus! He forgives us, so that we can come to Him. And He forgives us, because He loved us first, while we were yet sinners He died for us.

Today you may have monsters on your Main Street. Scott will be telling Kirk "Captain I'm giving her all I've got!" And it ain't enough! Or you may be sitting-bummed out and disappointed in life at the end of a pier-wondering if it is all worth it. But God, two great words, is there. He is bigger than any words that seem like monsters used against you. Jesus knows, He endured them and said if you represent Him you will suffer, too. He is bigger than any situation you are in. He's given all He's got, His life, and when they thought they had killed him on the cross, He came back. And we too that believe will be resurrected with Him someday. And when you seem like it just isn't worth it anymore, He is there to remind you how much He loves you. And leaves you with a choice-will you let me love you? He chose us-will we choose Him?

The answer is easy, but the process can be complex. People are generally involved, and we can screw up anything. But Jesus heals the broken hearted if we let Him. Right now is a perfect time to let Him. So come in off the dock, and know Him, admittedly we do not know ourselves. He knows our situations, nothing is uncommon to Him, He has been through it all-so let Him show you the way out. Take down your deflector shields and let Him in! As for the monsters, two words can make them go away-I'm sorry. These self created problems can go away with repentance-the answer to all sin. Turn from sin today, and look into the eyes of Christ. And find that something you are looking for, is really someone.

"Beam me up Scotty, no signs of intelligent life here." And leave the monsters where they belong-behind.

love with compassion,

Mike

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