things that make us purr

I heard a cat's purring described once as whatever is going on right now I don't want it to stop. Every morning as I sit down to write, Mr. Man, Andrew's cat, comes and sits on my lap. As I rub his chin, and his eyes roll back in his head, the motor starts running, the feet start pumping, and he sits here in bliss-until he almost falls off. Purring at full throttle! This will go on for a few minutes, then just as suddenly he will jump off and run. His whatever is happening right now purr is fulfilled, and it is off to other activities such as food, and then going out to check on the night's events. But the purring sometimes is so loud you wonder if anyone can be that satisfied. And he is only a cat. I wonder about myself sometimes, and what makes me purr. Do other people here it? Can I hear them purring? So here are some things that at least get my motor running-purring as the purist would say.

I am blessed to ride bikes for Triumph's press fleet. I picked up my 22nd new bike this year, a Tiger 800 XC. For the 22nd time this year, I will ride a bike with zero miles, and take it back to get another. New bikes. And for me the excitement of riding a new bike out of the shop is still as much fun as the first one was years ago. Spoiled and blessed by God, who knows my passion my motorcycles, and gives me more than I could have ever thought to ask for. You're right-it isn't fair. But God's love is, take it up with Him.

Travelling with my wife makes both of us purr. Riding and touring is fun and in our blood, but it is not complete unless you ride with your best friend. God knows this and has given me Theresa. For 30 days this year, 8800 miles, and 21 states, and over 6000 pictures she has taken, we purred along through high heat, wind, and rain. Together. And even without the ride, just having her as my wife causes me to purr. Again, more than I could ever ask for or imagine God has given. I hope you can make your wife purr, too.

Both my sons cause me to purr, more than they would imagine. For it is not in their accomplishments I purr. Or in their times of joy. It is in the times that I remember they are my sons, and no matter what trouble they may be in-I love them, and I am proud of them. Years ago when Andrew was in trouble, a well meaning but off base man asked me if I wanted to strangle him for the trouble he was in. NO-I wanted to hug him and let him know how much I loved him. Love isn't based on situations, but relationships. Mine is based on Jesus, how could I help but love the sons He has given me. That noise you hear now is a gentle purr when I remember it. And we can all use more hugs from Jesus than rules from religion.

I start to purr when I think of the church God has let us be part of. We have grown so much this year, and in ways I can't imagine. There is nothing that can replace Jesus in your heart-even in tough times this year, I still purr when I think of Him.

My friend Alex, 93 going on eternity makes me purr. He just wants to be with Jesus. And as I visited him his lips were dry, and I swabbed them with water, giving him a little on his tongue, as he can't swallow. The joy on his face was like a loud purr-and I was reminded of the living water Jesus offers. His firm grip on my hand said thanks no words could offer. How I wish to drink that water, to have it in person, just like Alex will soon. Such a simple thing as water to his lips reminded me of that. It was much more to Alex.

Stu makes me purr as we ride together. He also makes Clemenza bark when she hears his Wing pull up. Purring to her. I don't have many friends, so having one who loves the Lord, and rides is a blessing. We all should be so blessed.

My friend Dooley blesses me from jail. Serving job under circumstances I could never survive in, his letters make me purr. Touching the heart of a fellow prisoners speaks highly of Jesus ministering to those imprisoned-without hope. And if this encourages a guard who reads this, come to Jesus. Let's purr together.

A loud purr for all of those who serve God. For our pastors who have given up so much, and get so little back. To those I ride with, my purr is louder than your exhaust! To those I minister with, what a blessing to purr with you. As times get shorter, there is much to do. Incredibly God has called us to be part of it. That should make us purr., I am sure it does Him.

God has blessed me with great parents. As they get older, it is tougher raising them, and I fall back on a statement my father once told me. "You will always be my son, and I will always be your father." How many of us can rest in that? But it is my mother who makes me purr even more.

I guess it is the things closest to my heart that makes me purr. Not so much based on situations, but based on Jesus in my life. He makes me the person I am, and has shown me so much love and mercy, that I don't know how we could ever make it without His grace. So I will go on being thankful for it.

Although the calendar says 16 days until Christmas-15 more for those with money, let this be my Christmas card to you. Remember the babe in a a manger, sent from a loving God. Pure, holy, meek and mild. God's pure light! What a proud papa He must have been that night! All heaven rejoiced-an eternal purr based on love. Just like when we come to Christ ourselves-being Born Again. That should make us purr today. His eternal love. So wherever you are, take the time to wish someone a Merry Christmas. Open you house, your purse, and your heart. Be part of the celebration that God shared that night. Joy to the world! A savior is born! And don't stop after Christmas. Rejoice in Him every day! Soon and very soon we will be going to see the king! Longing to hear the words "well done my good and faithful servant."

Let the purring begin!

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

life in death

You don't have to go very far anymore to have someone tell you how to live your life. From Oprah, to Gandhi, to Sesame Street, to various blogs, to the rude woman in front of you at the grocery store on her cell reading the National Inquirer, everyone has advice on how you should handle your own life. Problem is, so many times this is all based on theory, and incorrectly passed down from someone who previously may have been guessing also. "I hear this works," is often heard from them. Fortunately never tried. We are all guilty of it, and when you find a system that works, how refreshing it can be. But does it work 100% of the time for 100% of the people?

When Stu was on his 3 1/2 month odyssey, we kept in touch. I was able to send him on some awesome roads, and he took the time to explore and expand them even more. I had been there, so I wasn't basing it upon glossy pictures from the chamber of commerce, or someone else's favorite road article. And since we both like the same type of roads, I knew my advice would be sound. And it was, and when he returned we had more fun comparing trip notes. It is always more fun when you share with someone who has been there. Who has seen the scenery, eaten the food, smelled the forests, and ridden the road. But so often we settle for second best-opinions.

"Have you ridden 55 in West Virginia?" "No, but I 've ridden the interstate by it." "Have you taken old 219 or the new by pass?" "I didn't know there was a difference" tells me you took the wrong one. And this is just roads to travel. How about food, places to stay, places to visit? How about which bike shops to stop at? And when in doubt, stick with national chains, familiar names-just to be safe. Web sites like Tripadvisor.com only reflect input from people who have been there. It tells highs-"I loved it," or lows, "the clerk was rude to me." Only from extreme experiences do they offer an opinion. Which makes it sometimes hard to make a decision based on the input. It takes a person who has been there-or better yet lived or lives there. Who is more than a fellow traveler like us to give us correct insight. Opinions may be like Hondas, as the old saying goes, I have been let down by both.

So when it comes to questions of how to live your life, who do you trust? Do you trust truths, or do you seek THE truth? There is a difference. And life can be too short to keep opening doors and finding the tiger instead of the lady. You need someone who was there, is there, and will be there in the future. Who tells the truth-and that man is Jesus.

Who not only can advise on life, but has the ability to bring death to life. No one else can. You see, He was there at the beginning. He was resurrected, leaving behind an empty tomb. And He continues to sit at the right hand of God today-and forever. So ask a native resident of heaven about how to get there. It is only through Jesus you will escape hell.

Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, or mind imagined the things of heaven. No one can be creative enough to define perfection except for one who is. And no one is good enough to make it on their own merits. Did you ever get an 89 on a test-a B+, almost an A but not quite. Be glad God doesn't mark us on what we do. And we could never be so good as to attain the grade it takes to get into heaven, so Jesus took the test for us-and passed-100%! Can your religious beliefs guarantee the same?

So look to the one who is trustworthy. And trust Him. Trust God! Life is temporary, afterlife is eternal. Where you spend it is your choice. Choose Jesus. Let Him guide you to heaven. And bless you along way while still here on earth. Many roads promise you the way, only Jesus is THE way. Many roads, with only one destination. One set of directions.

So trust God to give you life in death. And also life in life. Abundantly, He says. And He gives, not charges for it. Need a Bible, I can get you one for free. Try that one at Barnes and Noble! Jesus-a gift from God to a lost world. Who could never place a value on Him, so He offers Him to us free. And offers us eternity-the best value ever!

Heaven-learn from someone who lives there. Now you were saying...

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

the road you're on

I'm not sure why, but I have always been a light packer. When I moved west from Jersey in 1975, I was on my R90S, and moved to Albuquerque with only a tank bag. Which was still a novelty at the time. Very European. For most still tied their old Boy Scout knapsack on the back, and that was how we toured. Panniers-baggers as we call them today, were a rare sight, but then so were touring riders like myself. Our brotherhood was small, but close, and we would compare notes about food, roads, and places to see and stay when we would meet on the road. Where we were from never seemed to be as important as where we were going. How far or how long was not important-the road was the destination. And the excitement of the unknown was ever present. Which to me only made it more inviting.

Until I had left home, my longest trip had been to Florida on I-95, not exactly the way to see the world. Unless you were a snowbird escaping NY City's lovely winters for the curse of sunshine and warmth. But it was heading west from Gainesville that I started on roads that I had no idea where they would lead, and started a true adventure that today still takes place in my heart. Riding into the sunset, then some more. And I still take the long way home rather than the shortest. I still ride the back roads whenever I can instead of the freeways. I still eat at Mom's, and prefer small towns. I still stop for other bikers along the road, and I still visit shops along the way. I have made more friends over a Coke in 5 minutes just because I took the time to stop-and visit. There is a certain code of the road, not written, and not expressible. But when two riders meet we don't have to explain it. Better than words, it is in the heart. And 40 years ago I never thought I would be still doing it today.

Travel planning has changed. Today with the internet, the Travel Channel, and various touring magazines, so many trips can be planned from the comfort of your home on a cold winter day. With anything from motel reviews, to favorite road articles, to food reviews-a lot of the unknown has become known. Gladly you still have to get out and experience it. You still have to go to Primonti's-the old one in the Strip District, to eat one of their unique sandwiches. You still need to go to eastern Tennessee to ride the Snake. Pictures cannot describe how desolate the Upper Peninsula is in September. Or how crowded the beach in Daytona is in March. You cannot smell the BBQ at the Golden Rule in Birmingham, or talk to the pit crew there from the internet. And you cannot experience the freedom, adventure, and brotherhood of motorcycling if you don't get out of your chair, onto your bike, and onto the road. Weekends may serve to fill a short term need, like a fast food burger when nothing else is around, but to satisfy the real biker in you, you must take to the road. And although I have ridden many places with friends, it is the solo trips I make, with Theresa that are the most memorable. It's that personal.

Being a Christian is like that too. Exciting every day, even on local roads. But the desire of more, to know Jesus even more is the motivating force in my life. Being led by the Holy Spirit into situations I never knew existed, has been a blessing I cannot get enough of. Seeing lives changed, families healed, and fellowshipping with other Christians has given my life a new value-and one worth living. Knowing Jesus is like riding on a new road for the first time, and getting excited the farther you go. Not knowing what is around the next curve. It is better than reading about life, it is life! It is riding the old road into the New River Gorge, rather than the new bridge over it, and seeing all the green after a rain. Riding faster than you should down PA 32 into New Hope, enjoying all the curves and dips as it follows the Delaware. It is approaching Mt. Rushmore, with more of the faces visible after each turn. It is Skyline Drive on a cool morning, and a hot afternoon in the valley below. It is the beginning of a trip, when you still haven't counted the days left, because you have so much in front of you. It is life, and is exciting because Jesus makes it that way. And after 36 years of riding with Him, I still haven't had enough. And I still can't wait to get back on the road with Him. He keeps me young, and after all those miles and years I still can't believe I'm serving Him today. And the more I roads I ride, I find there are many more I need to. The desire only gets stronger.

Trust Jesus today. There are many places He wishes to take you-some that aren't on any map. Many you have never heard of, and many that without Him you will never know. For being on the road with Jesus brings a satisfaction that nothing else can. For you cannot fully experience Jesus from a church pew. You need to get out to experience a joy of life, a calmness of spirit, and love for life found nowhere else. With a friend that sticks closer than no other. Jesus loved being on the road, that was where His friends were. People like you and me. Not the stuffy church types with their rules and regulations. They argued with Him, and tried to trap Him. So He ministered out on the road. Where lie was going on. He is all about freedom, isn't it time you gave up religion and experienced some?

Let God take you on some new roads, and some new adventures today. Places not known to those who don't trust. Places not known to those with rules. A freedom that only comes from the Spirit. I didn't realize 40 years ago that the roads would never end. Or that Jesus could bless so much. Some things you just need to find out for yourself. A life with Jesus is a life that is more than words. Where you ride today depends on who you ride with. If your God doesn't ride, it's time you met Jesus.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

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The Christmas Tradition

It was traditional that the Lennon wives were great cooks. Somehow through the combination of great taste in women, divine intervention, and a loving mother-in-law, they all turned out to be terrific cooks. The men would brag it was great taste in women. And now it was time for the newest Lennon wife to host her first Christmas meal for the family. The passing of the torch if you will. There would be four generations present, and almost 30 people to feed. And the thought of it positively scared the newest Mrs. Lennon. But as was also traditional, the mother-in-law (MIL) would teach her and help her with the meal. With a great deal of relief, but still some trepidation, MIL agreed to arrive a few days earlier to tutor and assist.

First was to make sure she had the right pots and pans, and lacking them, MIL took her out to buy them, MIL told her they were a late wedding gift, or an early Christmas present, they both smiled about it. Then on to the market to buy all the food. There would be buttery mashed potatoes, candied yams, oyster filling, a special cranberry relish, sweet corn, green bean casseroles, and potato biscuits. But the highlight of the meal was always Granny's pot roast. A tradition passed down to her daughter, Grandma, to her daughter, MIL, and now to the newest Mrs. Lennon. A special recipe for a special meal. Four generations of Lennon wives to impress, not to mention the men who were anxiously waiting. Maybe it wasn't fair to be tested on Christmas, but the rewards would be worth it. Let the cooking begin!

So after prepping all the veggies, and making the rolls, it was time to cook the meat. Carefully seasoning it, MIL grabbed the sharpest knife and cut an inch off both ends. When Mrs. L asked why, MIL explained that was the way she was taught. And into the oven it went. The house smelled intoxicating that day, stretching the hours until it was done, and when the meal was over, no one was hungry. Seconds and thirds had assured Mrs. L that there would be no leftovers, and all praised her for her continuing the tradition. Her husband could not have been prouder. MIL and her exchanged a special smile.

As the men sat and watched an old Christmas movie, the four generations of women gathered around Granny in the kitchen. Praising her for her famous pot roast recipe, she smiled. It was then that MIL asked Grandma why she cut the ends off the meat. "Because that was how I was taught." Who then turned to Granny and asked her why. Finally, the generational cooking secret was to be revealed. A secret that no one but Granny knew, and until the latest Mrs. L inquired, no one had asked. With the type of smile that only years of keeping a secret can bring, she chuckled. And soon was laughing.

That was the way her mother had taught her! Fearing that the secret would end there, and finding out a fifth generation Lennon wife was involved, they asked her to continue. "The roaster my mother had was small. So to get the meat to fit in it, she had to cut part of it off to make it fit." I always thought it was part of the recipe myself, until she commented on my larger cooker one day that now she wouldn't have to trim the meat to fit. But being tradition, we still do!" The secret was out, that being that there was no secret. The pot was too small! Or the meat too big. A secret that will have to wait until the next Mrs. Lennon asked, and the legacy passed on. But for now, these four women would have the last laugh, and the tradition of Lennon women being great cooks would be honored. All due to the size of the pot. And the secret was still safe!

Traditions have their place in society. And among families during the holidays. But should not be the guiding inspiration when it comes to God. So often we keep God in a box, or pot, and when He doesn't fit, cut off parts that we don't understand, or think we need.
We neglect faith, trusting our jobs to provide. We remove love, when someone wrongs us. We don't fellowship, for all the others in church are hypocrites anyway. We follow the teachings of a denomination, rather than seek God. Hey, it worked for my ancestors, why change now? And they would be wrong-it's time to let God out of the box!

Trust God! Let Him guide your life. Blessings abound for those who do. He provides despite your income or job situation. He forgives us, showing us how we should forgive others. He shows us truth, and exposes incorrect traditional teachings for what they are. And He gives us Jesus-so that we can be reunited with Him. And not just for Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving. He shows us love every day.

Maybe today is the time to bury the tradition, and let Jesus out of the box. Embrace Him in every part of your life-don't keep Him a secret. Let Him be Lord, and with the love of the Holy Spirit start a new tradition-one that should be passed on. TRUST GOD!

For four generations Granny kept the secret. Jesus is no secret. Once you know Him you just have to share Him. So start a new tradition, or continue the one of Jesus in your family today. And the tradition of thanking Him for the meal-remember feeding the 5000? Thirty can seem like 5000 when preparing. Include Him in your recipe. Always enough, and always some left over. For later.

But for now, trust God. And enjoy the meal He prepares before you. Pass it on to the next generation. Some traditions just can't be kept in a box. Something about Jesus and a tomb, I seem to remember, that couldn't hold Him. If a tomb can't hold Him, no box will either!

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

Willie, Eddie, Jesus, and motorcycles

Are any of you out there just average? Did you make up your mind when younger and setting goals to just achieve mediocrity? Do you fall back on the excuse "well at least I am better off than most." And freefall from there, as others pass you by, due to your average effort. Have you ever had or been a middle manager in some business, and wondered what it was you were supposed to do? No responsibilities, no authority, but lots of blame comes your way. Did you ever stop to think that maybe it wasn't the situation that was average, but maybe was effort was below average?

We have become a society of doing just enough to get by. I have won awards from companies for being the best, when the field I competed in was so bad. Did I win or did they lose? Have you ever bragged about being runner up, in a two man race? Finished in the top three, of three? And felt like a winner? Aim low enough, you will eventually hit your mark. Maybe you are more average than you think.

It is not uncommon for people I know to come up and tell me of the neat things they are doing for God. Badges, pins, trophies, or some other recognition. Like they have accomplished something by getting the award, when really they are so average. Pins to the first 500 entrants. "I went into the ghetto and fed homeless." Good. "I did my two weeks in Hawaii with the youth group." Good. "I visited nursing homes just like the pastor said." Good. Then after my one effort went back to my old lifestyle. Average again. Or fill in any of the above with what you did when asked. And you will be average. Name...here! Or maybe below. You did your job, but what did you do leave behind that others will remember and be blessed by? Did you go beyond the required and let God lead you to greater things? That only He would see? What made it special? Was it God? Or who saw you. And what did you get out of it? God's trophies don't fit any shelves I ever saw. Would you go back, alone?

Two examples-to aid in your decision. There is a national prison/motorcycle ministry that goes into prisons with the bikes. After the celebrity speaker finishes, they break up one on one for ministry. Ask Bro. Willie-he does this every chance he gets when it is within a 600 mile radius of where he lives. Not once a year when it just happens to be in his area. He loves God, and the prisoners he meets. He has a special love for them. His commitment is above average. But when I meet many others who attend, there reward is going for a trophy after five visits. Some even attend just for the trophy. Same trophy, but a different reward. We need more Willies. If it were for trophies, he would have to store his bikes outside because of all of them he has received. Both attend, both give, both receive. Willie ministers from the heart, in the spirit. Others from a script. Those who Willie ministers to will remember him, he is a constant, and leaves more than he takes. He takes the time, and will make the time. No middle management gospel here. Is yours?

A few years ago a group went from Calvary Chapel Escondido to deliver talking Bibles in Africa. Largely illiterate, this was the first exposure to the gospel for many in Africa. And many lives were changed. On a free afternoon, while others were resting, or sight seeing, Eddie came across some men with broken motorcycles. Nothing major, loose chains, tighten bolts, and tune ups. Change some tires. So being a fellow biker, he spent the day showing them how to use the tools, and fix their own bikes. Now they could ride! And knew how to fix them after Eddie left. He had taken them the gospel, but left them a special gift-the time he gave them. They could ride again! A prayer answered, by a man who took the time to fix their bikes. And he was to be remembered as the man who told me about Jesus, and fixed my motorcycle. The gospel gave them life, and Eddie showed them how to enjoy it. And share it with others. And every time they ride, they remember him, and the Jesus who sent him. Because he gave more than was required. Just like Willie, it comes from the heart. What is the legacy you leave?

Where do your ministry efforts show up? Do you spend the time it takes, or do you just wear the colors? See I am in... Or have the bumper sticker? Or attend the church? What part of Jesus and His love for others is missing in your life? Maybe if you have to tell the world you are a Christian, you need to reconsider. It is the things not seen that are eternal. Do you represent a club, a church, a ministry, or Jesus? Ask God, if you are too timid to ask yourself. Then obey Him. Ask Him for a new heart. To have a love for the lost, and the church. To minister in love one on one. Preach the word daily, when necessary use words. Or motorcycles. Letting the light of God shine through all the cracks in your life. Make a difference.

Maybe Timothy Leary, yeah that one, put it best. "Beware the lollipop of mediocrity, one lick and you will suck forever." Beware the trophy flavored one. It can be deadly. We have all been given the heart of Jesus when we are saved. What we do with it is up to us. Of all the things I have heard to describe Jesus, average is not one of them. His love cannot be termed mediocre. How about yours?

Remove the lollipop, and show God's love to others. Go beyond what is required, and do what is needed. If God has to ask what have you been doing, maybe you haven't been. It is not what the world sees that counts, it is what God sees. For He so loved, He sent His only sons, and daughters to share His gospel. Nothing average about Jesus....so don't you be!

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

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Dean Wormer's advice on life

One of my selling points years ago when I was selling fasteners, was to remind body shops of how a $10,000 job would be held up waiting for a 50 cent bolt. I have seen shops pay $25 postage just to get a 50 cent bolt. There is always time to over react, when being prepared would have saved money and stress. So we always inventoried popular bolts and nuts to avoid this. Put the money in product rather than shipping. The job is not finished until it gets paid for, and can't be picked up and paid for if it isn't complete. It is not uncommon for larger shops to have $100's of thousands of work in process, with parts bills outstanding that don't get paid until they do. A cycle that when you are at any part of the food chain, you are in jeopardy of delayed payment just because of the next level of the food chain getting held up. Fortunately great profit margins are built into each level, but still most businesses live in an almost day to day, or job to job condition. Just like in real life, we are not prepared for the unexpected, and then immediately go to over react. Sadly, when we are warned, and still don't react, we still over react. And the crowd never gets smaller. Nor the over reaction!

Normalcy bias is a psychology term meaning that just because it has never happened before, or to you, it won't happen. Some great examples in history are Hitler, when the Jews still could leave and didn't, then those who had stayed due to wealth, position or power were shipped off to horror factories like Auschwitz and killed. Some 6 million in Germany alone! Or Katrina in 2005, when warned the levees would break, some stayed on dangerous ground because the levees were 100 years old, and had never broken before. Sure they'll hold again. We all know the results, and New Orleans residents still are reeling from them today. Just because you never saw it, understand it, or believe it doesn't make it not true! Maybe this is why we ignore so many warnings, then go to over react, along with others afterward. If we still are able to! Sail on the Titanic-it's unsinkable. Down to the too few life boats, and those who refused to fill them. Stupid hurts. And can be deadly.

My girlfriends best friend in high school wasn't me, her name was Donna, who drove 20 miles home one night with the low oil light on. The car finally died in front of her home, the engine seized, and when in between rantings from her dad of what happened, she said a light was on, but she was just obeying him. She had been told not to stop for any reason after dark. We all choose the most inconvenient times to obey our parents. All the engine knew was that it was now useless, a casualty that didn't have to occur. Perhaps the best advise coming out of Animal House was from Dean Wormer to Flounder, "Son, fat, drunk, and stupid is no way to go through life." Emphasize stupid.

Scoffers they are called. Proudly proclaiming to know more than God. Telling any who will listen, "where is the promise of His coming?" And then making fun of Christians who believe the Bible. Same as in Noah's time, and they were probably the first ones to beat on the ark after the door closed, and the rains came. Ignorance is not a new thing, a liberal thing, a political thing, or a non-believer thing. It is steeped in lack of trust in God, and based on pure pride-I know best. And just because in the US of A you have the right to be wrong doesn't excuse it. Jesus warns in Matthew 24 about the times to come, and they are here now. Strange weather, famine, rumors of wars, pestilence, food shortages, economic upheaval, families falling apart,and the dismantling of values. Riots in the street. Hate filled terrorists. Watch any news report, and without these items mentioned, you only have the commercials left. Not much better. Yet, normalcy bias runs rampant. And as I watched greed personified on Black Friday, I am saddened by how low we have fallen as a society. Just to save a few bucks, we have prostituted our values, and our character with it. "I saved $100 on a TV!" While the woman with her kids in the shadows is starving.

It is time to turn to God now. Trust Jesus. No one understands the things of God-He's God! Seek Him now while it is still easy. DON'T be like Steve Jobs. Brilliant inventor, and a man who almost single handedly changed the way we live, do business, listen to music, and communicate. A billionaire! But he didn't know Jesus. Yet, his story is the same as the poorest man on skid row. How much did Steve leave when he died? EVERYTHING! Just like you will, just like I will, when we die. It is where we spend time after death that separates us. I choose Jesus-and heaven. Sadly Steve didn't.

The warnings are there. The problems are here and growing. But so is the answer-Jesus Christ. Ignorance will not rescue you, only God will. If you could only talk to a person on the Titanic, a Jew from Germany, or a person from Katrina, you would find they have a different take on the warnings now. Even Donna would never drive again with a warning light on. All these disasters could have been avoided. So why are you waiting? If you think it is hard to trust God now, with all you have, it will only be harder when you have nothing, and are under persecution. Today is the day of salvation. Tomorrow is promised to no man. Leaving it all behind is better than being left behind. The choice is yours-as for me and my family, we choose Jesus! I hope you do too.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

I'm sorry, I thought you rode

My friend used to tell me that there are only two colors for motorcycles-and that both are black. We'd laugh, but in his Harley Davidson world, he may have been right. Seems Harley thinks in black, as in profits, and also for the basic color of their motorcycles, read the small print, you want color, you pay extra. So maybe that is why we see so many black Harleys, they rather spend the money on the chrome! And per Harley, after the dumping of Buell, they rather sell you $3000 of chrome-an average upsell on a new bike, than sell you a sport bike. It seems they know their customers, or do their customers know them?

With the popularity of Sons of Anarchy, the fictitious 1%er soap opera, I see guys on all kinds of bikes wearing their clothes. bad dudes-nude the small d. From guys who are the lifestyle, to trendy guys and girls who would never ride, might mess up their hair, or even get bugs on their shirts, motorcycling has become a popular fashion. It has always been popular for Harley riders to get shirts from dealers when travelling, and I have been doing it with Triumph for years. Johnson Motors a few years back even brought out a line of retro shirts, but @$50 a shirt, you never saw many on the street. And even though Christopher tells me the material is high quality, the one I bought sits among the other lesser shirts in my closet. The price we pay to be stylish.

But "bad guy" biker/moto clothes seem to be in. Triumph has a Steve McQueen collection, some cool stuff. Also a James Dean jacket, and a Black Rebels Motorcycle Club jacket just like Brando wore in The Wild One. So all of us can look as bad as Brando, or as cool as Steve, or as rebellious as Dean without even mussing our hair, or throwing a leg over a motorcycle. Posers we call them, and although they look the part, don't be confused by them. For like their motorcycles, $20,000 and 20 miles don't make you a biker. And we have a bad enough problem with image let alone you posers adding to it. And I find it is usually the wanna-bes that promote the image. My test is simple-no helmet head, no rider. No rider, no biker. No biker-buy your clothes at the GAP. Before you run into a real biker who has had enough of your facade. And may introduce you to the darker side of the lifestyle.

For 400 years the Jews had no prophets, and felt God had deserted them. Then along came John, a voice in the wilderness. Preaching good news, and advising the Jews to be baptized for the repentance of their sins. Now I'm sure there were many false prophets then as now, but John even looked the part. Camel hair robes, a leather belt, and he ate bugs. Sounds like a hippie! But with the absence of a prophet and his message for 400 years, he looked just like Elijah. A great prophet. And people were seeking a prophet. And soon people were flocking to him, in the wilderness, not in the temple or synagogues. And he kept his message simple-" a greater one than me is coming, who I am not fit to tie his sandal." For John was telling of Jesus, the true saviour. The real thing. A messenger in the wilderness, a calling for Jesus.

The real thing. Not trendy. Not stylish. Not a poser. If he had a motorcycle he would have had helmet hair. He wouldn't be found on Oprah, Dr. Phil, or other shows who profess to share their truth, because He is the truth. Whether He wore black leather, or a white shirt with his favorite dealer on it, He still draws people to Himself. He would feel as comfortable riding a black Harley as riding my blue Tiger. He would be happy riding a chopper, and equally at home on a mx'er. For Jesus loved people as they were, not the package they came in. He changed lives from the inside out, not the other way. He has a passion for us, and it goes far beyond leather and colors. He is so cool He doesn't need any of them. He rides. Do you? Or did you just find the shirt?

Remember that as you go out today. Don't be fooled by the shiny leather, or even the distressed leather. Posers are everywhere. And sadly within the confines of religion. So seek Jesus, and Him only. Don't buy into religion. You don't need a set of underwear to get into heaven. You only need Jesus. No denomination can deliver it without Him. No membership or club will deliver it. For if $20k and 20 miles don't make a biker, then sitting in a pew at church doesn't make you a Christian. The only pew you sit in is your own! Seek THE truth, and accept no others.

A funny thing happened with John in the wilderness. Attendance at the temples went down. Enough law, how about some grace? Some truth? It forced people to get out of religion-which Jesus was against, and sent them looking for the truth. Which was found with a simple message about Jesus. Who John pointed everyone to.

Maybe that is why as bikers we enjoy the freedom more than those who don't ride. But the freedom in Jesus even surpasses that. If you see us out, and wonder who we are, we are the ones with helmet head. The dirty leathers, and old boots. No pretty hair or double knit here. We ride. Maybe not on a black bike, although I have two, or even a Harley. We will be identified by the light shining out from us, the love of Christ. A style, that not even the GAP can copy. That no t-shirt can express. Jesus Christ-the real thing, cooler than McQueen, more of a rebel than Dean, and more of a leader than Brando. And yes, even cooler than riding a Harley. He is the life in your style. He is life. He is love. No chrome needed.

A style that goes with any color, on any bike, on any road. Maybe a ride into the wilderness to get away from religion just may be a good weekend ride. Spend some time with Jesus alone. Jesus and motorcycles-too cool for most, but available to all who seek. Wonder what shirt I should wear?

love with compassion,

Mike

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