only the names have been changed

The following is a true story, only the names have been changed to protect the guilty.  Two men worked in an office, a Mr. Vincent Dictive, known as Vin, and a Mr. Stuart Pidd, known as Stu.  Stu was the younger of the two, married, no kids, and an eye for beauty, as he called it.  In truth it was lusting for other women.  Vin was married, kids, and was Stu’s boss, and had tried to bring him along despite Stu’s attitude of how he knew it all.  Stu wanted to start at the top, and had, slowly working his way down, but was too prideful to see it.  Vin was patient, and almost protective of him, but one weekend that all changed.

Stu had been eying a new secretary, and had coerced her into going to Lake Tahoe with him for the weekend.  He told his wife it was with the boys, and she believed it, as he had taken other trips previously.  But his big mouth was about to get him into trouble at the office, as he bragged of how and when he was going to sleep with the new secretary, and it upset the others, particularly Vin.  They too were tired of hearing about his sin, but things were to change.  So off Stu and the secretary went, driving from San Francisco to Tahoe, a drive of over 4 hours.  They checked in, had dinner, and had just seen a show, and Stu’s plans were working to success, at least he thought.  When they got back to the room, a message was waiting for him.  Emergency-call this number immediately!  Not his home number, he was relieved, but an unknown one, still a Bay area prefix.  Anxiously he called, and the man who answered identified himself as Ensign Smith of the US Coast Guard.  The Ensign went on to explain that a strange squall had come up, and certain boats on the dock had been tossed about and damaged.  He wanted to verify with Stu if he was the owner, and if he could come and ID it.  Now Stu’s heart sank, for his prize possession was his speed boat, he lived for it!  Almost in tears, he cried out “yes she’s mine,” and hung up, telling the Ensign he would be there in the morning,  and ruining his so-called romantic mood.  After fretting for awhile, he decided to go back that night, driving 5 hours in the dark, leaving the secretary alone, promising to return after he got the boat business taken care of.  But what he was greeted with at the dock was not what he expected...

There had been no squall, and there was no Ensign Smith of the Coast Guard.  It was a man impersonating the Ensign, and at first Stu was mad, them glad, then wondering who would play a joke like this on him-it certainly wasn’t funny, and it had ruined his weekend and his plans.  Exhausted, he decided to go home, the first smart thing he had done in 24 hours, with more stories to tell to his wife.  And hopefully get some sympathy.  But what he would never know was who called him, but they had done him a favor, and maybe saved his marriage.  It was Vin who had planned the call, he was tired of Stu and his arrogance, and wanted to teach him a lesson.  One that might change his life, insure his career, and let him still be a married man.  And Vin had done it...Stu somehow learned from this, no word from the secretary, but it is rumored Stu would have been in for a let down there too.  She was also in it for what she could get, and was using Stu to get out to Tahoe.  And it seems all ended happily ever after.

If you haven’t figured it out by now, Stuart Pidd was Stu Pidd, or Stupid.  Vince Dictive was Vin Dictive, or Vindictive.  A play on words for names, but a lesson to be learned.  Which raises the question, do two wrongs make a right?  Stu was wrong, but so was Vin, but with better results.  Scripture tells us ALL men have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.  Proven here.  But it also states the ALL things work out for those who love the Lord, and here God used all things, those even bad, to save Stu’s marriage, and used Vin’s charade to do it.  God uses everything to bless us, many times without us knowing, or giving our permission.  “Vengeance is mine,” He says, and God’s ultimate vengeance is us looking at our sin, and turning to Jesus.  Facing how bad we were, and allowing God to change us from the inside out.  For Stu it must have been a horrifying ride to the Bay, with good news awaiting him.  For Vin it was using his own means to teach a lesson, but it really ended up saving friend from disaster.  And in both cases, God had His way. 

Now we don’t know what happened afterwards, but we know Stu’s life had changed.  Just as ours changes when we come to Christ.  Sometimes it takes a life changing event for us to respond, sometimes it takes the threat of losing something valuable, sometimes it is just survival.  Funny how his sexual sin was overshadowed by his lust for his boat, and finally returning to his first love, his wife.  For he like us, wandered away from his first love.  And Jesus is there to reunite us with His Father so we can have life.  Sometimes it takes a vindictive man to point the way, but God can change the bad to the good.  Study the story of Joseph sometime, Stu’s story was nothing compared to Joe’s.  So today you can make the choice, you can be stupid, like Stu, mad at life and take things into your own hands like Vin Dictive did, or turn to Jesus and be forgiven.  Even in the midst of sin, God’s grace was ever present.  Just a story of two men?

But is it?  Is it really a tale of three men, remember Jesus who saves?  If you don’t, you will be Stu Pidd the rest of your life.  And always looking to be Vin Dictive.  Leave it to Jesus, He knows best.  Oh the secretary’s name.  Sindy.  Bet you didn’t see that one coming.  Never thought she was Mercy or Grace.  Things only found in Jesus.  Whose name never changes.  To protect the guilty.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com 

2bbl, 4 bbl, six pack, or dual quads

Ever wonder what happens when you press down on the accelerator?  What is it that makes your gas gauge sink lower as your speed increases?  What you are doing is introducing air, which mixes with fuel, and then under compression explodes with an electric charge and horsepower is made.  More air, more gas.  Simple.  Now you know the basics of how an internal combustion engine operates.  But what makes my gas gauge dive so fast?  It all has to do with how much throttle, or gas you give the engine via your right foot.  And in the old style carburetors, fuel was metered via venturis, or barrells, or bbl. for short.  Your basic engines in economy cars, we used to call them compacts, could use a 1 bbl., which meant low power, but less fuel usage also.  Two bbl. carbs were the standard, and the bigger engines needed 4 bbl. to operate and make power.  But with more bbls., it meant using more fuel, at least in theory.  But set up in pairs, most of the time the engine was running on the primaries, and only under full throttle, pedal to the metal, did the secondaries kick in, making that wonderful whooshing sound of power we used to hear.  All four bbls. at once, burning gas at an alarming rate, but also kicking up the fun factor.  But when four bbls. wouldn’t do, how about three deuces, or 6 bbls.?  Chrysler called them a Six Pack.  Three two bbl. carbs set up in sequence, under control of your throttle foot, and the harder you pressed, the more power you got  via more bbls.!  But the ultimate was running dual quads, made famous by the Beach Boys song “409.”  A 4 speed, dual quad, posi-traction 409 is what was the hot set up, and those two big 4 bbls. sitting on top of that 409 meant power, and also using a lot  more of Sunoco 260, dyed blue to distinguish it from other fuels, racing gas you could buy at the pump.  And it was expensive, running 35-40 cents a gallon, almost twice as much as your 25 cent regular your Mom’s econo car used.  But every time you put the pedal to the metal, and were greeted by the sound of the dual quads kicking in, and the power that came with it, it was all worth it.  And if you brought along a friend, who would chip in for gas, you cut your fuel bills in half.  Making your muscle car a true economy car, how else could you cut your fuel bills in half and still have all the fun?

And so we had 2 bbls, 4 bbls, six packs, and dual quads-all competing for our gas money, and providing a E ticket experience the more bbls. you had to feed.  All controlled by your right foot!  How easy was all that!  And I still miss the sound of those secondaries kicking in, and being pushed back into my seat as the car gathered speed quickly, who had time to watch the fuel gauge-keeping both eyes on the road was hard enough, let alone both hands on the wheel, why trying to see all your friends and their jealous looks as you blasted by. And until you nailed it, just running on the primaries just like anyone else’s car,  but there when your ego or the situation provided itself.  But carburetors were finicky, and need adjustment, and the more bbls., the more there was to adjust.  Separate linkage for each 2 bbls., do the math on a six pack or dual quad.  But all good things must pass, and today with fuel injection, again powered by your right foot, a computer tells when and how much fuel to use-no more sound of secondaries kicking in, you just get to point and steer.  Limited participation, but with more power, and using less fuel.  But without the sound of the secondaries kicking in-no sound to meet your new found power.  Letting a computer decide for you...and they call that progress?

Many live a life in Christ like a fuel injected car.  Not knowing how or why, just knowing it does, and never finding it boundaries, and worse not even caring to know. “ I have all I need, don’t bother me with more Jesus, you guys just confuse me, I’m religious enough.”  Then there are the ones who buy a high powered six pack or dual quad, but can’t afford to buy the fuel, so never get to use all the power it provides.  They too never fully use all the power Jesus has provided for them, and their secondaries get old, linkage binds, and when needed, the full effect isn’t there.  And of course blame God, where was He when I needed Him?  Not realizing He is and was there all the time.  Just waiting for you to unleash all His power, meekness He calls it, power under control.  And it is available to all who call on the name of the Lord.  Passing power when needed, pulling power when stuck, and the joy of knowing it is there-never needing to fear if it fails.  That’s Jesus-but you must give it all your life, or full throttle to enjoy it all.  Don’t worry about the cost, He’s paid it, and providing all the power you need in every situation.  But what about those who seem to be spinning their spiritual wheels, who never quite get it right?  Too much power, and you will spin your wheels-going nowhere, and creating a burn out-or worse yet becoming one.  It takes that steady foot on the gas to know when and how much-it takes the Holy Spirit guiding us to put all the power needed to the ground when it is needed.  All in your control...

Are you miserly in your relationship with Jesus, going the economy route?  Never knowing His full potential for your life? Or are you all about the power, shredding tires as you apply full power all the time, never allowing His meekness to guide you?  Or worse yet, are you set on cruise, just going along at the speed limit, more concerned about obeying the law than experiencing grace?  Today you get to choose how much of God’s power you have in your life.  You can exhibit self control and meekness-both fruit of the spirit by your choices.  Or are you just feeding your ego.  You can go full throttle to being attention to you, or go full throttle for Jesus, there is a difference.  He is that second sets of bbls. needed and available, and that sweet sound is Him in your time of need.  Sometimes you just need to open them up, to be a witness for Jesus, showing His power in love.  But in all cases, He is there-just waiting to show His power in love.  Will you let Him?

2,or 4 bbls, a six pack or a dual quad?  How much power does you God offer?  You’ll never know until you take Him to the limit.  Sit down, buckle up, and hang on... you are in for the ride of your life!

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

 

legendary love

The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down...about a man who so loved a woman that he paid far more for her than was required by law.  In this village, the law passed down from generation to generation was when a man desired a wife, he would pay her father 2 fat pigs, and upon approval, the man could then take the lady to be his wife.  And so it was, and so it has always been, until one day a man came to town, a stranger, and settled down.  No one knew much about him, except he was a man of honor, and looking for a wife.  So as the word spread, all the pretty young girls made themselves available for him, and in a village known for its beautiful women, the choices were unlike any other ever known.  But the man was looking for more than outer beauty, and all the women who met failed to meet his heart’s requirement.  Disillusioned, but not giving up, he was finally invited to dinner by the last pretty woman, and while at dinner, her sister sat quietly.  This sister was unlike all the other women in the village, as she was not pretty, but rather drab and unattractive.  But as the meal went on, and she became involved in the conversation, it was obvious that this man had no interest in the beautiful sister, but was becoming fond of the homely one.  And so the romance had begun.

After a few more meals, it became obvious that she was the one, and so he approached her father to ask for her in marriage.  Unaware of the 2 fat pig requirement for marriage, he left vowing to return when he could obtain the 2 fat pigs required.  But being a businessman, and not a farmer, he knew nothing about pigs, and had to rely on the village folk for advice and for the pigs.  Two fat pigs for her?  They were aghast.  After a period of time, he finally arrived at her door, a period of time long enough that he hadn’t seen his love, and she began to wonder if he was ever coming back.  And her father wondered too, because this strange man was the only hope his daughter ever had of marriage.  So when the man arrived that afternoon, and knocked on the door, and inquired again about the 2 pig law, the father thought maybe since he is a stranger, and my daughter not as beautiful as the others in the village, 1 pig will be OK.  But to his surprise, when the man nodded OK in agreement with the 2 pigs, the father was shocked to see him unloading 5 pigs from the cart.  “But only 2 are required,” he explained again.  But the man insisted on the 5, and such a gift for a woman had never been seen in the village before.  Maybe for a beautiful woman, some would argue, but not a homely one, and after being questioned, he insisted, and the girl was awarded to him.  He only hoped 5 pigs were enough, he would get more if needed.  Thankfully his gift as accepted, the father still shaking his head in disbelief, the village in an uproar over what had happened. 

A short marriage followed, with all the village folk talking about the man who gave 5 pigs for this homely woman, and wondering if the man was crazy.  And he probably was, when only 2 were required.  But soon after being married, they moved away, selling off their goods, and moving to a far away city.  And a period of years went by, with the entire village from her father and sisters, to the other men and women ever wondering what had happened to this couple.  And you know how rumors persist, and some wondered if something bad had happened to her.  Sweet yes, beautiful no, but not deserving of foul play.  And the legend grew....

One day a young couple came into town to visit.  They looked familiar, and when asked where they were from, answered the big city, but yet they looked familiar.  Particularly the woman, as pretty as any of the village women, maybe prettier with a quality that went beyond her physical appearance, and finally one asked her who she was.  Blushingly she told them her father’s name, and they recognized it, but didn’t remember him having a daughter with such beauty and grace.  Only the daughter still at home, and the homely one who married and moved away.  The one the stranger had given 5 pigs for.  But as the people gathered to find out more about her, one woman who had been staring at her exclaimed, “I know who you are.”  But was wrong.  Finally the man silenced the crowd and introduced his bride-she was the homely sister, the 5 pig woman!  But what had happened to her, she was even more beautiful than any other in the village?  When the man chose her for his bride, he saw an inner beauty, and as he loved her more, she became beautiful on the outside.  Her beauty that came from within now surrounded her everywhere, as the man who had paid 5 pigs no more was known as a fool, but had known what he was buying, and no price was too much for the beauty of his wife.  He was ready to offer 10 pigs if necessary, he loved her that much, and she was that beautiful to him.  Then and now.  a lesson for the village about true beauty, and how it comes from within, and is more than skin deep.  A beauty that this homely woman had once only had inside became evident for all to see when the right groom came along and paid the price for her.  And soon she was known as the most beautiful woman ever to grace the village, and 5 pigs became the new price for a wife.  A new standard of love had been set...all because a man saw a woman for what she could be, and loved her.  And watched as she became the most beautiful woman had ever known because of his love.

At one time we were all that woman, ugly and not desired.  But Jesus looked beyond our outward beauty, and paid the highest price for us-His life.  And when we came to Him, we became that beautiful bride in Christ.  And someday when reunited with Him in heaven, the honeymoon will go on forever.  He paid a price none other had ever paid for us, and His offer is still there for those who will accept it.  The world offers beauty, but the Lord offers beauty, rest, peace, and a beauty that starts inside and shows outside.  He sees us as we can be in Him, and loves us just as we are.  Don’t let this man become a stranger in your village of life.  Let Him in today, and become the beauty He desires in you.  Better than any 2 pig, or even 5 pig offering, He paid the highest price, without being asked, that’s how much He loves us.  Even to the big lake they call Gitchagoomi...

A beauty that will touch ever aspect of your life, and give you a new standard of love.  36 years ago I ventured into California, and was willing to pay that price for my bride.  I offered her 1 motorcycle, but would offer 10, or no matter how many it would take.  And today she is even more beautiful to me than ever, the second best deal I ever made, after Jesus.  And today she even has her own motorcycle to ride...and is beautiful in so many ways I feel sorry for anyone else.  Perhaps the best compliment is my sons want to marry someone like her...Jesus gave more than was required, but He knew what He was getting.  Accept His offer today, and find that everything you ever wanted or needed is right there in Him.  The perfect solution to life.  Let’s begin.

Dearly beloved, we are gathered here together...In Jesus.  To all you 2 pig people, welcome.  You’re beautiful.  Legendary love available only at the cross.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

filling in the blanks, 45 years later

Mr. Dyer was my 7th grade English teacher in his first, last, and only year at Terrill Jr. High.  Just out of college, he must have interviewed well, because he never fit the mold, or met the standards we were used to.  We had English for two periods back then, and he was the last two of my day, right after gym and lunch.  Almost like taking the afternoon off for some of us.  On Mondays, his 6th period was always interesting, as he told of all the exploits of his long time girl friend Barbara and himself.  Sort of like Animal House comes to Scotch Plains.  And then he would attempt to fulfill the curriculum he was given the rest of the week.  Now other than a great story teller, he remained rather restrained from interaction with us, and most of the time we did vocabulary, which consisted of a hand written sheet he mimeographed, with a list of words at the top, and then 20-25 sentences to fill in the blank using those words.  Not so much learning what they meant, but being able to use them in the proper context in sentences. And he could spend time balancing his check book, or telling us about his new Mustang, or sleeping due from a wild weekend.   And to this day I cannot define many words, but can use them correctly to convey a thought because of Mr. Dyer.  He would allow us to do this in groups, open book, a dictionary, and one particular group of girls always used this time to gossip.  Some would meet one on one with another, trading answers, as no one ever failed in his class.  Just showing up and doing the work was a C.  Finish the work, a B, and getting most right was an A.  Hey we tried, even if he didn’t.  Very few received less than an A from Mr. Dyer’s budding vocabulary students.  And you could tell from the sentences he created what was going on in his life and in the world, for example-fill in the blank, “Viet Nam is a country on the ______ of Asia.” “The V8 in my new Mustang has more _________ than the six cylinder.” Or “what color is the phone Commisioner Gordon uses to call the  _______?”  Coached along by the length of the space corresponding to the length of the word, if you guessed continent you were an A student.  Horsepower, still an A.  Batcave,  same bat time, same Mr. Dyer’s class.  But we also learned that circulation meant how many newspapers the Daily Planet sold each day, how blood went throughout the body, and when a man lost his steady went back into circulation.  Broke was what happened to a glass when it hit the floor, or his finances after making his car payment.  Where else would you learn so many applications of the same word.  But some would be comical, leading to extended explanations, going into the next period, or the next day, which was fine with Mr. Dyer, as another class didn’t need to be scheduled.  For example-“After many years together, John proposed _______ to Barbara.”  The correct answer was matrimony, but when Lello wrote in suicide, we all laughed and finished the day learning about break ups and lost loves.  Didn’t learn what suicide really meant until later in life.  Such was my intro to Jr. High English, and much of it has stuck with me longer than Mr. Dyer stuck with us.

So as a tribute to bad things that turnout good, and as a test and game, fill in the following blanks.  Open book, use your Bible, and no grades.  Pass/fail, pass accept Jesus, fail you deny Him.  Let the games begin.  We’ll start easy...

1-For God so loved the _____, he gave His only begotten son.

2-In the _________, God created the heavens and the earth.

3-and Jonah spent three ____ in the belly of the fish.

4-for all are born into ___ and fall short of the glory of God.

5-we walk by _____ not by sight

Easy huh?  Carry on.

6-he who began a good work in you, will be ________ to complete it

7-for all have ______ and fall short of the glory of God

8-I am the way, the _____, and the life

9-for man does not live by _____ alone

10-and God saw that it was ____

still 100%, Mr. Dyer would be proud of you.

11-and the number of the ____ was 666

12-God is _______ that none should perish

13-this is my son, in whom I am well _______

14-and you shall call His name _____, for He will save the people from their sins

15-I can do __ things through Christ who strengthens me

Almost done, closer to heaven.  Do you see today’s theme?

16-stand fast in the _____

17-I wish you were ___ or ___, but because you are ______, I will spit you out of my mouth

18-and I will give you ____

19-I go to _______ a place before you

20-the _____ of Lord Jesus Christ be with you!

You passed!  Now who are we talking about?  Do you want to make it personal, accept Him now.  And let Him fill in the blanks of your life.  Let the multiple choice tests of life come down to a true/false question, Is Jesus God?  If you answer yes, the final fill in is  you have answered _______ Simon Peter.  And your answer is?

love with compasiion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

is it plugged in?

Saturday nights were awful for the manager on call at Coca Cola. And the later it got into the evening, or earlier into the morning, the more chance of a service call was possible.  Until we came up with a simple sticker, eliminating many calls, and solving a problem.  The sticker simply read, '”IS IT PLUGGED IN?”  And we were surprised at how the call volume dropped, all by one simple reminder.  Years later with all of our hard earned credit, we bought a 1992 Ford Ranger pick-up.  Which ran great for a few days, then whenever you put it in reverse, it would stall.  Reminding me of how many times a day we go backward.  It had been in the shop long enough to qualify for a buyback, when Burke the service manager, told me, “get in, we’re going for a ride.”  Reluctantly we did, and after 20 minutes of backing up in various situations, he told me they had solved the problem.  It seemed that every time the truck was put in reverse, the linkage put a strain on the wiring harness to the ECM, engine control module, and it pulled away slightly, causing the truck to stall.  Out of reverse, no strain, plug connected, and it ran.  Finally someone had thought to check if it was plugged in!  And after rerouting the harness correctly, problem and symptom solved. 

Years later when at Mercedes Benz, we would get cars towed in when the shifter lever would be stuck in park.  The housing was electrical, we referred to it as a joy stick, and when something was spilled into it, like your latte, it would ground out, cause the car to be stuck in park, and it was an easy $700 repair, that the customer was responsible for.  Not a factory defect, although the cup holder was placed above it, and one time when a woman went into meltdown over it, I told her to take it up with Starbucks, it was their latte, their problem and she left smiling.  Never did find out the outcome of that one, all I was sure of was that it was customer error, and not a defect.

In our electronic age, I am amazed we don’t have more problems.  With power grids overloaded, resulting in brown outs, a precursor to a black out, we are run by electronics, which run computers, which have an eerie impact on our daily lives.  I can remember years ago when we had a power outage in Jersey, effecting the entire NY metro area, after it was over the popular opening line was “where were you when the lights went out?”  And the clever answer of Pat was “at the switch.”  The rest of us were too panic stricken to laugh, but someone had to be at the switch, didn’t they?  And it can be scary, as Andrew and Theresa were stuck in Times Square years ago when the power went out, only the grace of God got them back to New Jersey and safety.  I had never thought of Jersey as a safe haven up to that point.  And so we battle against things we cannot see, things we cannot understand, but still are ready to blame someone else for our situations.

2000 years ago, God was way ahead of us on the electric grid, and needless to say the spiritual one too.  The writer of Hebrews warns us that we fight not against man, or each other, but against powers and principalities.  Just like the electric current that we cannot see that provides us with power, there is a battle in the heavenlies between Satan’s angels and those of God’s.  Even a hierarchy with evil prince’s in control over cities, and you wonder why we are slipping into the toilet of society every day.  But yet we tend to blame others, those we can see who are weaker, or in power, but have no authority, causing strife amongst ourselves.  When the real enemy is Satan, on borrowed time, as we Jesus has won the war for us, even declaring from the cross, “it is finished.”  Yet with souls yet to be saved, the daily battles continue, and if not plugged into Jesus, you can be part of the problem, or even a victim, even if saved.  Satan’s lies sound so good, and since all lies are based on truth, he can twist a few words for his advantage, and you can become a victim.  Sometimes without even knowing it.  So beware, we are told to be as “wise as a serpent, but as gentle as a lamb,”  and also to know that the battle belongs to the Lord.  Let Him fight it-His record is perfect! 

In the future it is possible that cyber wars will be fought rather than ground wars.  Just look at my examples, and look at Obamacare’s web site.  One web site shutting down, or at least crippling the federal government, and no one is to blame.  And in everyday life when we see a web site down, it causes problems.  Let your i-pad lose power, you can access nothing-and it all comes to a screeching halt.  A battle of things not seen, but essential for everyday living in our society today.  But there is hope for those turning to Christ.  He will protect us in battle, we all know the famous armor in Ephesians.  But a key component to the armor is that it must be worn.  And another is the back is left unprotected-you are to face your attacker in Christ, He will protect you and win the battle.  He even has our back!  No booting of our relationship, no pause for repairs, or forgotten password.  His system, the Holy Spirit is infallible, and on call 24/7.  Who is your firewall?  Who protects you from spammers?  Who died for you?  The only answer is Jesus.

So when trouble strikes, are you plugged into Jesus?  Or are you still looking for the solution to life’s problems.  God made it simple, believe in Jesus with all your heart, and confess Him with your mouth and you are saved.  If only computers worked so easily.  Stay plugged into Jesus via prayer-daily, reading your Bible-daily, and regular fellowship with other believers.  Do not let your guard down, for Satan is a lion wishing to consume you, hoping to make you his latest victim.  Remember who our enemy is, not others but the prince of darkness, but more importantly keep your eyes upon Jesus.  For where your eyes look, you will follow.  Now take one last look at your power cords, and stay plugged into Jesus. 

Remember it was God who said “let there be light.”  Don’t be afraid to let yours shine for Him.  Only if you are plugged into His source.  Are you plugged in?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

the relentless pursuit of perfection

“A car for every purse and purpose,” quipped legendary CEO, President, and Chairman Alfred P. Sloan.  As an initial leader in the auto industry, at least as important as Henry Ford, Sloan led GM for over 4 decades, changing the way the business is done, car are made, and trends are set.  He was the consummate businessman, who also amassed great wealth, lending his name to a philanthropic organization valued at over one billion dollars.  Let’s hear it for free enterprise, where are Communism’s philanthropic gifts?  Enough said about the benefits of Communism, for now.  But he was also famous for another quote, “the business of GM is not making cars, but making money.”  And in the fifties and sixties, when GM had almost 60% of the total US car market, the US wanted to break them up, fortunately didn’t.  Maybe they had learned a lesson from breaking up Standard Oil, making John D. Rockefeller 27 times richer when they broke his company up into 27 smaller companies.  Another example of why government should stay out of business.  Leave it to those who know it.  But among Sloan’s many contributions, one still stands out today, and is practiced by every company producing goods.  I refer to the annual model change.  Longer, lower, wider...and designed just enough to make your old car look old.  Again a Sloan quote, “You can sell a young man’s car to an older man, but you cannot sell an old man’s car to a younger man.”

As long as I can remember, the new car signs posted in dealership windows have drawn me to them.  And growing up in the sixties, there was a lot to be excited about.  Muscle cars-SS, GTO’s, BOSS Mustangs, GTX, and Hemi’s, there was a lot to be excited about.  And new models, where even my mother could tell the difference between a 1965 and a 1966.  Maybe more subtle in some cars, but just enough to make you think this year, instead of last.  And if you wanted to be the first kid on your block with the newest and coolest, you paid full sticker, earning you bragging rights.  But there was an opposite philosophy, wait until year end for left over discounts, and many did, and still do today.  Gambling if the car was still worth it, and not giving into this year’s newest rage.  But the annual model year changes go on, if to a lesser extent.  Not just in cars, as motorcycles come out with new models, new colors, more options, better performance, and of course higher prices.  And Harley has learned like Mercedes Benz did 40 years ago, raising the price every year on new models, makes the old ones worth more at trade-in time.  And so the curse of the annual model change is still with us, and many of us still wait to see what is new this year, even if it is just trim and color.  There is something about a new car or motorcycle that we just cannot resist.

So I think that a gene must exist for us humans to want the newest model.  Take cell phones, marketing types know just when to announce a new model, and when yours is worn out.  Built in obsolescence, another term given to Sloan, and one we are guilty of today.  Again phones, when growing up, you had phones you got from Bell Tel, and they lasted forever.  If they broke, the man came out and you got a new one.  Try that one at Verizon.  If you had a problem, you got an operator, who directed your call, instead of press 1 and hope.  Many problems avoided by direct human contact...what a concept.  And nothing can be more frustrating than calling customer service with questions, and they are reading from the same manual you are.  And they have questions for you!  Built in obsolescence at it s height!  So we just by the new model, getting a trade for our old unit, and the system goes on.  And someone, somewhere out there gets the ne car or bike or whatever, and is glad to get it.  Recycling long before recycling became a mantra.  So from phones, to fashion, to cars and bikes, to religion-yes religion, people change at the slightest whim...all based on pride.

I have talked with men and women who changed churches because they weren’t the music leader.  They changed the church carpets without asking their opinion.  They got a new pastor, who taught from the Bible, making them feel uncomfortable in their sin.  And the list goes on.  Some are looking for self worth, found in self appeasement, and in glorifying themselves.  Some have fallen prey to the name it and claim it lie.  Some even doubt the deity of Jesus, claiming He isn’t God, and just a man.  Changing to fit their life styles, and feeding their own egos.  Pride...and it always goes before the fall, always has and always will.  One thing that a new model year intro has purposely avoided. 

To paraphrase Alfred P., “young men are willing to serve a old God.”  And we are.  For God is not old, He is eternal.  Even in dog years, He is still a kid compared to eternity.  And was there at the beginning....how old was He then?  But His ways have stood the tests of time, and where others fail with a new interpretation of scripture, Jesus Christ remains the same today as He did yesterday, and will be tomorrow.  A good thing to know in a constantly changing world, that contrary to the theory of evolution, is getting older and lesser every day.  A law, not a theory, the second law of thermodynamics, things are in a constant state of atrophy.  Works on cars, motorcycles, and phones, you would be foolish to think people are exempt from it.  But we are getting old, or maybe just older as Ray and I agree, but we aren’t as quick as we used to be.  And as it seems time is going faster, maybe it is really just me going slower.  Face it, we need God more today than ever.  So why do we look elsewhere, when we have a factory warranty, with a living God there to provide?  What is your excuse?  Please, just the short list.

Seek God first, then all other things will be added unto you.  Good advice from Matthew 6, who although a scumbag tax collector, came to Christ, even having Him eat at his table.  Imagine the group there that night.  Imagine what the neighbors had to say about that!  But again good advice, but only if taken.  And if not taken, you will be taken, by someone else’s false advice.  So today God promises you can be a new creation in Christ, which has to be better than my old, scarred body.  I can have confidence that when I call He will answer, and all things will work out for my good.  When Jesus gets the glory, we get the benefits.  “A God for every purse and purpose,” you might say.  The business of Jesus is making new creatures, not making money.”  “The business of business is business,” Sloan understood.  So let the business of salvation, redemption, and God be God’s.  He doesn’t ask for your advice,  but He allows you to give His advice to others.  Something I would be reticent to do, knowing others.  But the same truth that sets you free, will ensure you make it to heaven.  It doesn’t promise a smooth road, but a rough one, where God can be God in every instance...if you let Him.

Shopping for a God today, make Jesus your first stop.  No others can compare, so don’t fall for all the false hype.  You won’t need another one next year, as God’s perfect model was the best from the start.  No longer, lower,wider, or lower payments.  Everything you are looking for in life can be found in Jesus Christ today.  What will it take for you to become a believer today?  Lexus may promise the pursuit of perfection, it is already found in Jesus.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biekr.blogspot.com

when you see a sinking ship, skip the free ticket

I am not sure of the proper terms, but I keep getting an e-mail, asking me if I have seen the shared photo someone has sent.  From someone I don’t know, from a website I don’t belong to.  And when I opened it, curiosity getting the better of me, there are pictures of me, my family, and some trips I have taken, along with photos from others I do not know.  And I didn’t put them on there!  So how did they get there you ask?  I asked the same, and talking with my wife, they are pictures she has put on Facebook.  Except I am not on Facebook, I detest it, if all you have to do is sit and gossip, I can’t wait to hear the excuses now of how Facebook saved their lives, etc, but leave me out, and now I have been SPAMMED!  And I don’t like it.  So looking for a solution, my wife looked on Facebook for a phone number so we can be removed, and they can check out who put me on there, and others who may be being abused.  But curiously, there is no phone number for Facebook, the number one social media for bringing people together, has no way to contact a person one to one via the phone!  That would be too personal, and would require people to man a site based on people.  and all you suckers on Facebook have fallen prey to it, and sadly by non-participation, so have I.  I rest my case about all the warnings of having your privacy invaded, if they can get pictures, they can get words, and anything else somehow.  And yet the Feds deny watching us, and you believe it?  My warning here, anything you say or do is being recorded, and your words can and will be changed to work against you.  A whole new meaning to being misunderstood...push 1 if you feel violated, push 2 if you don’t care.  Hang on if there is someone on the other end of the line who actually cares.

And since we have now exposed the no privacy thing in regards to Facebook, why do you still add photos of yourself, and add stupid things like I will be gone for 2 weeks, and no one will be home, and I can’t wait to get back to my new home entertainment center?  Don’t you think crooks are reading your entries?  Now it is reported that Human Resources is looking at your Facebook entries and using them to hire or not hire you, also your credit scores, and other personal information.  All the things you thought are private, are not, Facebook on you loyal, but when you see a sinking ship, skip the free ticket.  But what if you and your private information is that sinking ship?

Long ago under Mosaic law, if you wanted to sue someone, and lost, you would suffer the same penalty they would have if found guilty.  Cut down on a lot of foolish lawsuits, and something to think about today.  In a world focusing on social media, how much truth is out there could be sorted easily if the same Mosaic law was enforced.  But it isn’t, and in the name of freedom, which doesn’t mean doing what you want, the world spins out of control, with new members joining daily, some not sure of the ride ahead, others joining not caring, and some just wanting to spam others.  And I can tell how far we have fallen when my spell checker doesn’t recognize Facebook, but highlights Sportster as being spelled incorrectly.  Has the Sporty finally arrived, or after 56 years has the world failed to notice?  So here are a few ideas, a few things to think about, call them the new truths.   Only they are thousands of years old...hang in there Sportster!

First, you cannot have patience right now.  I have tried, and in my impatience, missed it.  Patience requires waiting, which is not to be confused with delaying, and waiting on God is the solution.  That you can do right now, patience comes later.  Timing is critical for waiting, and scripture tells us that Jesus came at just the right time, while we were still sinners.  And God is patient that none should perish.  So please Lord, give me patience right now towards Facebook, please?  Please don’t delay...I’ll wait.  I just hope I recognize patience when it gets here.  The best story I have heard is about the farmer, who plants the seed, but has to wait for it to germinate and grow, and can do nothing but it.  And again God takes us back to the Garden.

Second, you cannot brag about how humble you are.  Been there too, and if the words don’t convey it, your actions might, and if they don’t, your attitude does.  Huh, me?  Yeah you.  Ever look at a group picture you were in, who is the first one you look for?  What name are you looking for on the list?  And if you are so humble, why do you tell people your best quality is your humility?  And I can’t really help it if I am better than you anyway.  And sadly once you acknowledge your humility, you have lost it.  And it really upsets those of us who are...living the illusion. 

Third you have to screw up to find mercy.  Think about it, if you never sinned, you never need mercy, you would abide in grace.  But since we all have sinned, Jesus not only rescues us from our sin, but also ourselves.  See  #2.  Although He was God, He made Himself a little lower than the angels to serve man, and to die for us.  Think about that next time you brag how you want to be like Jesus, then complain when things get rough.  See God is listening, He heard you loud and clear and answered.  OOPS!  And when you complain, you need God’s mercy.  And puts us in a good class of people, Joseph, Jonah, Job, and that’s just the J’s.  If we never sin, we don’t need a redeemer, but since we do, we need Jesus.  And His love is so great for us, if you, never me, were the only one who ever sinned, He would have died for you.  For god so loved me, He gave His only son.  That’s humility, just not yours.

So be glad we are not under Mosaic law anymore, but we can still learn from it.  But thankfully we have grace, a better teacher.  That you can have right now, no matter how humble you tell me you are, and the mercy God extends is worth bragging about.  Even on Facebook.  So if you care to quote someone, quote Jesus.  Who by the way doesn’t need Facebook, He meets you face to face.  A scary thought in a society that hides behind a monitor.  He sees you as you are.  How you see yourself tells us a lot about God in your life.  And the only book I care to face is the book of life.  That is something worth bragging about, just remember the patience of God that it took to get you there, and the mercy showed in it.  Humble thyself in the face of the Lord, and He will left you up.   Before Facebook and after, Jesus Christ is still the same.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com