you had to be there

FM music was still not yet mainline music in the early seventies. Until the US Government made it mandatory that all car radios include FM, in 1972. The Top 40 was still AM based, but if you wanted to hear the best music, and music from both sides of the album, FM was the only place to go. And unlike today's FM, it was mostly music, instead of commercials interrupted by an occasional song. And they played the album version of the songs-I can still remember hearing the long version of Light My Fire-WOW! But the standout among FM stations in New York City, was WNEW-FM, the first station to leave its format up to the DJ. With DJ's such as Allison Steele, Scott Muni, and Pete Fornatele, they would play endless music, and keep you mesmerized-almost grateful for the occasional commercial interruption, so you could take a break. And they were in touch with the local scene, and were always up to date on the concerts-before and after. Truly a station for the cool! Never to be duplicated again.

It's Christmas time in 1973, and a weirdo I worked with, Charlie Fanz and I are talking about Emerson, Lake, and Palmer. Charlie is a bit older, has a Hitler mustache, and talks like WC Fields. And always greets me by saying, "Mohn, you're nuts." A strange dude, even by my standards, we shared a love of music, and an appreciation most didn't. We talked back beats, and bass lines, guitar riffs, and other subtlest lost on the AM crowd. And when we talked of ELP, we decide to go to their Christmas concert, on the 17th. With an opening act of the J. Geils Band, this show will rock, and being at the Garden, there would be over 19,000 of us! Not the best acoustically, but the place to go when you couldn't make it to The Capital Theatre in Passaic, or the Convention Center in Asbury Park. Major concert draws all, with only the Fillmore East, recently closed, able to out do them all.

We drove into the city-and took our seats in the mezzanine, stage left. And when J. Geils lit the place up, most would have been satisfied and gone home, but ELP, whom I had seen before, and had come to see, was worth the wait. Keith Emerson on keyboards-and during one song, while playing his baby grand, he and the piano rose, and then started spinning in the air-while he was playing! No concert had ever been like this! And as they played their 90 minute set, they left us hanging. Waiting for the traditional encore. Exhausted from listening, I can only imagine they had to be fatigued.

"MORE! MORE!" we yelled, and it seemed an unusually long time between sets. And in the darkness, you could see many figures moving, which we just assumed to be roadies setting up for the encore. We were not prepared for what came next!

Suddenly the lights came up, and the band broke into a wild version of Pictures at an Exhibition, classical music set to ELP only beat! And the place was on its feet! What a way to end a show-give 'em your best to take home with them. But ELP, still the masters of the show, weren't through. Suddenly the stage went dark, broke into an acoustic version of Silent Night. Just Greg Lake, on an acoustic guitar, in the spotlight, and you could have heard a pin drop. And as the lights came up, you could see the stage filled with a chorus of over 100 singers, in red robes, joining in! And then it started to snow-on stage! And the world's largest gasp, took place, as we were filled with awe, and overwhelmed by the beauty of the song. So we all joined in! 19,000 voices! No other time I sing Silent Night will ever come near to that, and each time I sing it I remember the ELP version. And the snow!

And true to form, when we were driving home, with the radio on, WNEW-FM, was reporting on the events of the concert. And almost tearfully, telling of the Silent Night concert. And we were there! Me and the Charlie, probably one of my weirder friends, but the right guy, because we both saw the big picture that night in the music, and the show. But we also saw the small things, that made it all special.

So many only see Christmas a holiday. With names to usher it in like Black Friday, and Cyber Monday, they forget who it is all about. Take the time, today, right now, and step back and listen to the music of Christmas. Enjoy the story, and the message, and reflect on who Jesus is. And what He did. Listen to the words, and if you don't have a special Christmas memory, ask God to give you one this year. And if you do have one, bask in the glory of it, with a God who loved you so much He sent His only son. Truly, there is no Christmas season without Jesus-the only reason for the season!

Silent night, holy night. All is calm, all is bright. That's the song I remember, and the Garden was the place. An intimate moment shared with 19,000 concert goers, a chorus of 100, and just an acoustic guitar. And-the snow!

Smile when you think of Christmas-and smile everyday as you remember Jesus. "Do this in remembrance of me, " Jesus says of communion. Commune with Him today! Spend time with Him. Enjoy His company, and share Him with someone. Wish someone Merry Christmas! And show them the love of Jesus.

And may all your Christmases be white!

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

---

it's the most wonderful time of the week

Hope you all had a great weekend. As we struggled here in So Cal with weather in the 80-90 degree range, I watched the Pats beat the Bears at Soldier Field in a 26 degree snowstorm. I'm sure with people here complaining of too much heat, and Chicago too much cold, somewhere in the US of A, Goldilocks' weather was just right.

It started off to be a great weekend. Watching American Pickers on Friday night, they went to Bushkill Park, near Easton, where I had been as a kid. As I began to tell Theresa about the Dodgems, the Whip, and the Fun House, they went to all these places. But the most fun was the Fun House, the oldest one in the US. I remember the big slide, and landing on mattresses at the bottom. I remember the swaying bridge, and stairs that moved. But my favorite was still the huge, rotating barrel. And I got excited when I saw it! As it rotates, you try to stand up, and hang onto the walls with no handles-still think I can do it! Just give me the chance! Yes, it's going to be a great weekend.

On Saturday morning, we were going on a toy run to Children's Hospital with Bigg's Hog Group. We went to the local Walmart, and no one was there. Checked another-no bikes. so went by Biggs, where they had left an hour ago. Jerry checked out the web site, and they had changed Walmarts, and although the flyer said San Diego-duh Mike? the address shown said San Marcos. And we missed it. Oh, well, I had a new Scrambler courtesy of Mickey to ride, and it was t-shirt weather, and Bigg's was having their Grand Opening of their new store, I'd just go back later for a free pulled pork lunch. Yes, put the cole slaw on the sandwich-the proper way to eat it.

But leaving the parking lot, I noticed the crossbar was loose on the handlebars, so I went by to see Tom in service. Who found his dusty, metric Allen keys, and catastrophe averted. A Harley guy helping a Triumph guy, could things get any weirder? As I went and parked with Theresa, she had made a new friend, who also had misread the flyer. And then Tom brought a friend over to see the Scrambler. And her Bonneville. Then Spud was there, and pretty soon, we-the Triumphs, were the center of attention. At the Grand Opening of a Harley dealership! Later when I told Spud I felt bad not owning a Harley, since they were always so nice to us, he said "You guys have nice bikes too." Remember when it wasn't what you rode, but that you rode?

Our next appointment was a Rushing Winds Church, a biker church we helped start years ago. I was looking forward to seeing some old faces, and doing some catching up. But with the exception of James and Laurie, they were all new. And no one to share old times with and catch up on. I was the stranger. Even looking at the picture of an early biker church group, the one Biker Tony sent me, failed to enhance any conversations-no one else here had been there! Where are they all now?

Sunday we planned to see Andrew race at Ocotilla, about 100 miles east of here. Going on the Tiger, it was warm already, and no wind-until we started out of Alpine. Then the breezes hit, right where they always do, and then the gusts, so we tried Old Highway 80-no better. So went to Julian, where we hoped to go down Banner Grade, the back way, but a friendly CHP officer told us the wind was bad going down, as always, right after he showed me I was parking in a red zone, would I please move? So we missed Andrew race, but he did too. They were doing a team race, and his partner, Joe, took the first lap, and crashed before Andrew could ride. Bummer. And they were 8th of 60 riders at the time of the crash!

It has been said "man plans, and God laughs." Well,this weekend, "Man whined, and God still loved us." Not a bad weekend, just not what we had planed, or looked forward too. And through it all, God was with us, and I was reminded in His gentle way, he has everything under control. Unlike me. For like Andrew reminded us, we don't know what he may have protected us from. Did my son really say that? But it's true. And I have other tales of times where I got delayed, or stopped, or lost-like the time we went to Boone, only to miss the 600 lightning strikes in Charlotte-I thought the Billy Graham Library was in Boone, so we went there, and no one knew about the library, and my ignorance kept us out away from Charlotte, and probably death.

God knows what is ahead, and we need to let Him guide us. I have learned that flexibility is a key to success in travelling, and also with God. Not compromising your values, but bending with Him, instead of breaking down in the world. And blessings usually follow it. We got to put up our tree, without too much stress. How's that for a blessing? And had a nice lunch together on Sunday. Two periods of rest I am thankful for.

God knows the plans He has for you. So let Him guide you. Travel with Jesus, and you will find the best roads-and the best one, the one He planned for you. Detours to take you different places, and not to annoy, but to bless and protect. And to meet new friends, new diners, and see a side of God you would have missed. Yep, it wasn't so bad after all-except for this guy in a mini van, when we were getting the tree, whose inside looked like the stadium after a Raider's game, but who was worried about tying a tree to the roof and scratching it! And blocked us in, he wasn't going to move until that tree was just right, but we escaped the lot, and him. Funny how watching his selfishness, put it all in perspective. More worried about what was showed on the outside, than what was on the inside. Remember rule #4!

Take care of the big things, and God will take care of the little things-and all else in between.

"Hey Mike, what are you doing today?" Don't ask! Nothing planned. Sometimes the best plans are no plans at all!

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

the Jimmy Stewart movies of my life

Special moments, times not planned, and times that could not be choreographed-times that just happen, and we are the better for them. As I sit here I think of all the special moments that God has provided for me, times that just happened, not planned or prayed for, but given in a very special way. Here are just a few.

We were at the start of the Baja 1000 in 1998. The Trophy Trucks were staged, and ready to go off in a few minutes. Don Tebbe, crew chief and co-driver for Simon and Simon, a fellow Christian, sees me and we decide to pray. Along with Andrew, we stand at the starting line, just the three of us and start to pray. Looking up after a minute or so, we find that we are surrounded by 100's of racers and fans, and ESPN is filming us. A special moment that God allowed, and all the glory goes to him. And no, the Simons didn't win the race, but they have won something more important, as both Dave and Paul are both saved.

We are at the crash site of Flight 93 in Shanksville on September, 11, 2005. Standing among a group of a few hundred bikers, we are fogged in and cold this morning. While waiting for the program to begin, a man steps out of the crowd, and starts singing the National Anthem. Spontaneously, the crowd joins in, and I can still feel the chills as we sing. A special moment, as we thank God for our country, and the heroes of flight 93. And then, as we finish the song, the fog lifts-right on cue, and as the field appears, we see the flag, 100 yards away, placed on the impact site! Tears were mandatory that morning, as seeing that the "flag was still there," brought a special meaning to the song that morning. And reminded us all of the great land God has given us, and how he continues to "shed His grace on thee!"

We had not seen my parents in New Jersey for years at Christmas. So we planned on going back, while both boys were still living at home-and surprise them. Flying into Newark in a snowstorm, the limo driver got us through to Scotch Plains using all the back roads, and avoided the highway traffic jams. Showing up on December 23rd, at about 8pm, we knocked at the door-and my dad answered in shock! "Michael!" And he couldn't call for my mother fast enough. A special gift to all of us, as later my mother told me this was the best gift she ever got. We had the 24th to shop, while she cooked, and it gave a new excitement to Christmas, as all her family-including grandkids, were home. A time we will never forget, and were blessed to be part of.

Three special times, that God has allowed us to be part of. My parents never would have expected their Christmas visitors, and that made it more special. Just like Jesus coming into the world, He was unexpected, although prophesied. No pomp and circumstance, just an intimate teenage couple, in the barn, while travelling. Little did the innkeeper know He had a king being born in his stable that night.

Somehow we have this holiday thing backwards. Like Thanksgiving-we should give thanks 364 days a year, and have only one day to be a grump-Grumptaking! And when it comes to Jesus, we should celebrate every day-for every day is worth celebrating when He is part of your life. Today you will have many opportunities to encounter Him. From various sources, and various people-don't miss one chance to thank Him. Make today count!

Just a race-no much more in the eyes of God. Just a memorial to American heroes-no much more in the eyes of God-and His spirit guided those heroes on the plane-reciting Psalm 23 and bringing 40 strangers together in unity-and helping preserve America so that more history could be written.

And yes, we were just some crazy people in a snowstorm. But we would do it all over. For in all cases, when we gave of ourselves, and honored God, we received more blessings than the blessings we were willing to give.

Call, phone, e-mail, or visit someone today. Tell them you care, and ask what you can do for them. Tell them Jesus loves them, and show it by your kind words and actions. You'll find precious memories just waiting to happen to you-if only you believe!

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

ladies and gentlemen-the church!

When asked why The Beatles made their first movie, "A Hard Day's Night," Paul McCartney explained that two years was tops for a hit group. And they wanted to make a movie before they faded away. Never fully realizing at the time, 1964, that the band he played with, would continue through the sixties, and into the seventies, and become timeless. A band so good that you can hear their songs on elevators, 1001 Strings, or hard rock stations. Music so simple, yet so complex that it is studied today on many levels. A band so good, that whenever asked what is your favorite group, they are rarely mentioned-they had very few peers and were so good they were in a class by themselves. There are great groups-but they were the only Beatles!

And this movie is still one of my favorites. I just love the music, but also the way you feel like you get to know each lad. John Lennon, the front man, and wise guy-when asked "how did you find America?" quipped, "go left at Greenland!" Richie Starkey, aka Ringo, plays drums so simply, he only needs a basic set to feed his ego. And who although often criticized for his abilities, when his drumming was analyzed, could not find anyone who could duplicate it. It was almost as if another set of hands was playing with him. He was that good-and innovative on a simple technical level. George, the quiet one, who went on to fame after the Beatles with his All Things Must Pass Album, and the Travelling Wilburies. But who will always be remembered as Patti's first husband, who married his best friend Eric Clapton after they divorced, and who was the inspiration for Layla. Where do you go when you feel lonely? She left George. And Sir Paul McCartney, billionaire and musician/songwriter extraorinaire, the cute Beatle, whose line in the movie "if you hurt my grand dad, I'll cripple ya!" used to make us laugh as we imitated it as kids.

Four men, who were and always will be the Beatles. But more like us than you think. They needed guidance, and without their producer George Martin, music suffered. When their manager, Brian Epstein died, they couldn't function. They succumbed to drugs, women, almost went broke before they broke up, and had to deal with life on the road, and Yoko Ono.

We sometimes talk of what would have happened if someone famous gets saved. How they would change the world. But we discount God in the equation. It isn't people who change us, it is Jesus. Lennon, in his opening line of his signature song, states "imagine there's no heaven"-too bad he now knows he was wrong, or right-for him there is no heaven. George also died, and despite his Hari Krishna, still was afraid of death until the end. And faced the same eternity as John. And even though they wrote the White Album and some 48 songs while under the spell of the Maharishi, he couldn't save them. Their music lives, but they don't.

And they remind me of people I hang with-the people I go to church with. People who are under stress to make decisions. Who are under stress to perform for others. Who face money problems, career decisions, and how to deal with relationships when people become involved. You see we are all really the same, except for the decisions we make. Some are given talent, like the Beatles, and find fame in it. The Bible tells us some are teachers, exhorters, servers, and writers. But it takes all of us to make the church, and for it to function as a unit. Without Lennon, there is no Lennon/McCartney songwriting team. Without Ringo, no drums And without George, a much better guitarist then John, you would miss John complimenting him at the end of "I'm Happy Just to Dance with You," his first solo effort. An unscripted scene in the movie. You see until the holy spirit comes upon you, you just wander, and cannot be guided correctly. You seek your own understanding, and some find it in drugs, women, or rock and roll. Some hide behind a job, but can all be found in any church, maybe next to you, or maybe you. We all need Jesus, and until we are led by Him, we are truly just a gathering of believers, but when led by Him we become the church as He calls us. A Super group if there ever was one!

It's possible that there are talented people within the church just waiting for the chance to audition for God, to use the talent He has given them. Take your audition on the road. Share love wherever you are. It is up to the leadership to see it, guided by the Holy Spirit, and encourage it. To bind us together in the unity of love that only God can, and watch as a group of strangers become a group of believers-a family. We may not be a John, Paul, George, or Ringo like group-but we can be a group like Miles, Josh, Mark, and Richard. Guided by the spirit, an example to others. Whose signature song is Jesus, and don't imagine, but know there is a heaven, and long for it. Who can pick up a Bible and make it come to life just like the lads with their instruments. But without Jesus, they are just notes on a page-it is Jesus who makes us a church, and makes us a song unto Him.

I love this movie, and the music, but the last scene is my favorite. And I still look for ways to use it conversation, when I can. The lads have just completed a TV show and are being ushered off stage by their manager Norm. He is rushing them to their next appointment, when he confronts John. In a scene that almost looks too real to be scripted, he turns to John, and says "Lennon!" "WHAT?" "I have only one thing to say to you-you're a swine!" And the look on John's face, and the immediate laughter on Paul's let me think it was spontaneous, it's that good.

Spontaneity in the spirit. And the only way to get it is to let Him lead your life. If only John had a real Jesus instead of his imagination, he'd be in heaven now. Don't you make the same mistake. All you need is love-and that love is Jesus! Jesus mania!

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogpsot.com

it's pronounced J, as in Juan

As much as I don't like rules, I am glad that there are certain laws in the universe. Numbers is/are one of them. Add two evens, you always get an even. Same with two odds. But one of each will always get you an odd. Same with multiplication. Two evens=an even. Two odds=odd. But one of each equals an even. Strange, isn't multiplication just repeated addition? Next you're gonna tell me 2+2doesn't equal 4!

And just how much is infinity? Just when you think you've arrived, somebody comes along and adds one to it, and off you go. And how about infinitely small? 1/2 is more than 1/8, and the higher the denominator, the bottom number, the lower the number. And it used to be we had cars with engines measured in cubic inches, of which there is no substitute. Until we went metric, and the Chevy 327 became a 5.3 litre, the 350 a 5.6 and Ford's 351 a 5.7. Somehow a 5.0 Mustang sounds Ok, but I still prefer the 302. 6.6 or a 400? Thanks to Harley, the last motorcycle holdout, for staying with cubic inches. 96, 103, or a 110, that's still a lot of cc's! And who can remember when the "74" was the big engine? Now you can get it in a Sporty. And why is my 900 Scrambler only really 865cc's? When the Z-1 was 900 was really a 903? Who's really in charge here? Times change, but numbers don't. I think. Test-pick a number between 1 and 10-now remember it for later.

And just when you think you've got the numbers down, try spelling. Why isn't phonics spelled like it sounds? Why do we have i before e, but not after c? Why is a c pronounced like an s in cylinder, and like a k in cat? The answer-a man called Noah Webster, who took it upon himself to set up a system-his, to spell words uniformly. Before his 1828 dictionary, words were spelled like they sounded-sometimes, just like they tried to instill in some schools in the nineties, and gave us a generation who can't spell. And while watching a newscast on why the US is falling behind in education, they inadvertently showed E-bonics on the board. I thought we spoke English here, or is it American, since we are in America? Confused, or is it konfused? I guess it depends on when and where you went to school. And if you can remember high school as the best seven years of your life.

But somehow the truth is still the truth. And not to be confused with a truth. A truth is I like to ride motorcycles. The truth is Jesus is the only way to God. And cults like Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses, and others change a few words and alter the text of the Bible. Jesus isn't a way-He is the way! He isn't a God, He is God! And you MUST be born again to inherit the kingdom of God-it is not a suggestion. Just like a 900 cc piston won't fit in a 250cc hole, the truth is still and always will be the truth.

So whether you drive a 1964 1/2 Mustang-no such thing as all were titled as 1965's, or your 74 Pan Head motor is different from a 1200 Sportster, don't be misled. The truth is still the truth. Jesus Christ is God! Deny His deity, and you deny Him! God made it simple, so even guys like me could get it. I'm also glad He gave us eternity-an eternal right now. No past, no future-just now-forever. Try making an equation for that. Now+one still equals right now! Forever! So much for that old time/space continuum.

So go with the truth. Liars may figure, and figures lie, and do you want two, to go, or to go, too-the choice is yours. If you want two, is different than wanting to go to, and different than wanting to go, too. I will go to heaven, I hope you two, go too!

See you there. Now that we have this grammar and math thing down, here's the final. How many people does it take to change a light bulb? Answer-doesn't matter unless the bulb really wants to change!

Oh, and that number you picked-that wasn't it! Don't make the same mistake with God!

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

what friends are for

We were woken up this morning to the sound of helicopters flying overhead. Just a few blocks away, a man had been making explosives, bombs, and robbing banks. When trying to send a robot in to search for other bombs, it couldn't maneuver due to clutter, so the bomb squad will be setting fire to the house tomorrow, under the guidance of the fire department. And many precautions are being taken, as no one knows for sure what is in the house. And it seems weird, almost scary, that someone a few streets away, that I may have seen in the store or passed in traffic, can be so evil. But I find that although I know who my neighbors are, I really don't know them, or them me.

I was reminded last night, and have been for a few years now, how difficult and misunderstood you are when taking a stand for Christ. Obeying the spirit can be hazardous to old relationships, careers, and even families. But staying close to God in these attacks, is still the best place to be. And He has to change the hearts of those attacking, and yours, too, or you will always be at odds with them. Three choices-your way, their way, or the correct answer-God's way! I still choose God's way.

When Jesus formed His gang, He chose 12 itinerant, Jewish citizens. Twelve men who outside of Him, really had not much in common. But in Him, they had all things in common. Andy, Pete, and two guys named Jim, Jack, Matt, Phil,Tommy, Bart, Thad, Simon, and a guy from Carriot, Judas. Fisherman, anarchists, tax collectors, and a businessman-sounds like my biker friends, these men followed by faith a man who they knew little about, but who was to change the world. And despite giving up their careers, friends, and sometimes family to follow, devoted themselves to Jesus, and even after His death carried on the work He had given them to do. And all, except Judas, were martyred, being boiled in oil, flayed-skinned alive, beheaded, crucified, or stoned. Judas, who ratted out Jesus, took his own life, hanging himself from a tree, that the branch broke on and spilled out his guts. But the eleven who were loyal to Jesus had a name that only He could call them. He called them friends. He even called Judas His friend until the end, but Judas refused.

Don't refuse Jesus' friendship today. It will cost something, maybe only a change of your lifestyle, but maybe your job or old friends. But what He removes, He also replaces, and it is not a fair trade. You get much more returned than you ever gave up. And carry it with you into eternity, and for eternity.

Today the friends may be questioning your ways. They don't get it why you changed, or are changing. Your family may not get it, and want to disown you, or just call you a nut. Just as God changes your life, He can change theirs, too. It takes just a little faith, and He will do it. A little trust, and He can show you. And just a little obedience, and you can being the trip of a lifetime.

Don't expect understanding, or even support. Those can only be found in Jesus. His gang of 12 entered in faith, and their actions continue to change the world. But it is only in the spirit,and following Jesus that this can be done. His will, not yours. His will, not your friends. Take the first step today, and watch as joy replaces confusion, and purpose replaces that empty feeling. God knows, and He knows you. It took only 12 men, will you join with them? Can He call you friend?

You never know who your neighbor is. Our neighborhood is a good example of that. What goes on inside doesn't always show on the outside. Let the light of God shine out from you today, in whatever neighborhood you happen to be in. Preach the word daily, and if needed use words.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

---

---

breakfast-it's not just for pizza anymore

Now that our sons are/were out of the house, Theresa still makes the same size portions for dinner, but we have lunch for the next day in the form of leftovers. Even if it something we would usually lick the bowl clean on, she still puts aside a portion for me for the next day, and it is something I look forward to for lunch. And it reminds me of when we were kids, and all the starving kids in China who would have wanted what was left on your plate. "Eat it, kids are starving in China," and you wonder if the answer to world hunger was as close as the plate your dog was about to clean when you were done eating. But as kids, I don't remember many leftovers, and I don't remember leaving the table still hungry either.

When in Cleveland for business, we would stay at this Holiday Inn. Ironically, it had this huge atrium, to let the sun in-which rarely visits Cleveland, so you always had this cheerful, gray sky watching over you. And as far as food goes, it was maybe a 2 out of 10, only because how badly can you screw up French fries-which seemed to come with everything. But where there cuisine lacked flavor, I will give them a higher score for creativity, or maybe more accurately efficient use of food on hand. After enduring the same sausage links-either raw or jerky style for breakfast, you didn't get to choose, one night they had a sign in the lobby that tonite was pizza night. And since we were all tired of prepared food, we thought a break was coming. Even the girl at the desk said it was pretty good, but after eating it found she probably was paid to lie, and had never eaten it. Remember my comment on French fries? Well, they may have been the only thing not on it. The best way I can describe it, was a pizza omelets. Sans eggs. What hadn't been eaten , or thrown away from previous breakfasts, was on the pizza. Now I like sausage on my pizza, but links? Long strips of still not fully cooked bacon? Something that may have been hash browns-at least it was brown, and on a thin, cardboard hard crust. Sorta like the precursor to carbon fibre, without the carbon, not sure about the fiber-could have been the entire pizza that gave us the get up and go feeling! Anyway, I/we had never eaten anything like this before-it was leftovers pizza! Not to be confused with leftover pizza, which I like. This was made from food saved after we had eaten breakfast-and maybe not that day, and may have been from someone else's plate. When one wise guy thought he recognized his teeth marks in a link, we didn't doubt him. And we all vowed to never eat pizza in Cleveland again. Cleveland, home of the Cuyahoga River that caught fire, the Indians, who hadn't for years, the Browns who left to become Ravens, and now this-breakfast leftovers pizza. But what would you expect from a town on a lake called Erie/Eerie? And no mention was ever made of the poor kids in China starving. At least in Mexico, they would have made it into a burrito-here you couldn't even roll the crust!

People can be leftovers too. And not just in Cleveland. So many times, we feel the need to minister, but are afraid of one on one contact. So we give money, when really the tug of our heart is to sit with them. I have been in fast food restaurants, where a homeless guy was to be ejected, and told the manager, "it's OK, he's with me." I have sat and listened to those who no one listens too, and found that except for the grace of God, there go I. But many are destitute, due to bad decisions, and are unwilling to make a good decision for Christ. And yet, He stands ready to help in any and very situation. Like Job, we cannot see the events in heaven, and can't tell if we are being tested, or bragged about by God. We only think of our present situation, and not from God's perspective, but ours. We become like a dog, eating everything insight,whether it tastes good or not, or even if it isn't edible. We shun good advise, and end up like the pizza in Cleveland-inedible, and filled with trash from earlier in the day. Jesus promises us that if we turn to Him, He will guide our paths. Doesn't always promise it won't be tough-like the pizza crust, but that He will get us through-like He did the pizza meal. But we must trust Him, because He is trustworthy. He has never failed, and won't. Be it hunger, finances, rent, cars, jobs, pizza, or relationships-He stands ready to guide you, and the line is never too long that He doesn't get to you. His time for you isn't leftover, and there are no lines-He always has time for you.

Render unto Christ the things of Christ-your life! And let Him guide and provide. Take some one on one time, and participate, not only donate. And look out for daily specials, and if the sausage is link, the bacon is limp, and the crust is hard-remember life can be like that too. And Jesus has a special meal provided just for you. Trust Him-one on one. He fed the 5000, many times, but served them individually. And has a daily special with your name on it-just for you! Nothing leftover, and unlike breakfast in Cleveland, His blessings are new every morning. What are you hungry for? Your next meal is just one prayer away!

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com