exceptions to the rule

Here is a quick quiz, just to see how smart you are, or think you are, or should be.  Here goes...You buy a new car on the 15th of May, 2010.  It comes with a 4 year, aka 48 month warranty, or 50,000 miles-whichever comes first.  If you don’t exceed the miles, what date does your car warranty expire?  Tic...tic...tic...times up.  If you said May 15th, 2014, you are out of warranty, by one day.  Your warranty expired on May 14th at midnight, sorry.  And so the language of contracts goes, at least in the automotive world.  But of course there are exceptions to the rule.  First if you bought an extended warranty, you may be out of the woods, but only for covered items, that must be mentioned by name.  After a deductible, they pay the balance.  But what if your warrantee really has expired, who do you turn to to plead your case?  First the dealer, who has a special list of requirements to help out, to provide goodwill in the situation.  If out by time, did you make the appointment while still in warranty?  Did you buy the car from us, service it from us as scheduled?  Loyalty is a big thing to dealers.  Do you know someone at the manufacturer?  Do you play for the Chargers or Padres?  Are you looking to buy another?  Are you related by family to someone that works here?  And the list can be endless...so manufacturers have come up with goodwill, allowing cars out of warranty to be repaired as if under warranty.  Known problems will be handled, persistent people will be helped-sometimes, and sometimes without even asking, we would help a person out.  But those who owned the Mercedes Benz had become familiar with the goodwill situation, and never hesitated to use it.  Or at least ask for it.   Proving that lunch may not always be free, but if you wait awhile it may be discounted.

And it seemed the higher the income level, the more they groveled.  Some would outright beg.  Yes we know you make $3 million per year, and yes the part is $50-maybe we can meet in the middle.  You pay the $50, and we’ll call it even.  And lawyers were the worst, would you trust an attorney who asked you to break the law?  Try that one in court counselor?  And the one time I accepted a man’s offer to trade, he screwed me, or tried to.  Only my firm affirmation that everyone at the dealer, where he liked to hang out, would be told how he lied to me the next morning kept him honest, or at least as honest as he could be.  So there are exceptions to the rule...sometimes.

Working parts takes a talented individual, and one who must read the details and footnotes.  Looking up a part for a car, and it says built after May 1st, 2010, means build dates of May 2nd and newer.  So when confusion ruled, they changed the wording to built on May 2nd and after...no doubt there, right?  Same with VIN codes, and other questions he may ask you...all cars have a VIN for a reason, which tells the build date.  Very important as we now know.  NO exceptions there, square pegs will only fit in round holes with a bigger hammer, don’t force it, do it right the first time.  Suddenly that goofy, tattooed, smelly geek across the parts counter isn’t so stupid after all.  You are.  And they never forget.

There are no exceptions to God, but there are some exceptional people.  You MUST be born again to enter the kingdom of God.  No exceptions.  We are not all God’s children, but only those who accept Him, the Him being Jesus Christ.  So God has made it easy, no dates, scores, or exceptions.  And since it is a gift you cannot earn, be glad God doesn’t mark on the curve.  Suppose it took 100% to get into heaven-no one would ever have made it.  Suppose 90%, or a A.  But what if you only got an 89-and you didn’t?  Yet some people within churches will tell you these falsehoods, aka lies.  And soon we have whole churches espousing them, then whole denominations.  When God has made it simple.  So sorry JW, LDS, and others who deny the deity of Jesus Christ, or believe it is based on how well you do.  It is all about Jesus, the 100% grade you never could get, and He gives it freely.  And His forgiveness goes on forever-you are forgiven for all time, every time, the first time you ask.  But it is always a good thing to confess sins to God, as they will continue to happen, not for salvation, or forgiveness, but to stay mentally clean with God.  Like working out, keep your walk strong, as God says.  Daily.  Miss a day, pick up where you left off...but keep on keeping on. And there are no exceptions to the rules, that wouldn’t be love, and no special cases, or goodwill... You mean free salvation isn’t enough?  So accept Christ today, and follow Him, and you won’t fall into the trap set out before you to trip you up.  Funny how most of the New Testament warns of false teachers, and 2 John is all about it.  Stay with what you know, and when you know Jesus, you have made the right choice.

And take it further, showing His love to others, as He has forgiven you.   A true sign that you belong to Him.  And keeping in mind that God makes no exceptions, plays no favorites, but that you can still be exceptional and a witness for God.  Doing it for Him, making it all about Jesus...the rest comes easy.  Or at  least not as hard.  For tough times will come, but our God is tougher, stronger, mightier, and more loving.  Remember Maxwell Smart, Agent 86, “missed by that much,” but you still missed.  So go with Jesus, and you will never miss.  Oh, you may come close, but you will never miss heaven.  What promise have you come to believe?  Stick to God’s truth-exceptional rewards for those who are less than exceptional.  With no exceptions.  He knows your name, do you know His?  Stop and think, what exception is there to love?  And would you want it?  Choose Jesus, show just how smart you really are.  No deductible, no cards to carry, no books to pass out, or bikes to ride.  Start now...go on forever.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

where are all the Charger shirts today?

LOST-temporary football fans of professional football team in America’s Finest City.  Last seen wearing team jerseys, some with numbers.  Last seen in local bars and restaurants, no one knows their whereabouts now.  Sudden disappearance after Sunday’s games loss.  If found, please don’t return them-real fans needed.  Apply to Qualcomm Stadium, part time position.  Bring shirts.

And so it goes, another season of hopes, dreams, folly, and fake enthusiasm for the Chargers is over.  And the endless supply of whining and excuse making has begun.  True fans never whine, they support.  Maybe it is the team, a team plagued by a quarterback, Phillip”who never delivers” Rivers, and his band of hopefuls.  Believing the press, just not translated to victory on the field.  A team that was only in the playoffs because of a blown call in the last game of the season, and whose fan base multiplied because they were in the playoffs.  Where were these fans when they needed to sell out to be televised?  Try that one in Oakland.  Why is it whenever the team’s owners don’t get their way, they threaten to go to LA-why don’t we let them?  Can you see the Chargers in baby blues in LA?  It was too tough for the Raiders in black!  But every year America’s Finest City is help hostage again, with the hope that temporarily enough fans will show up to support them.  Maybe they should look to Green Bay, where the fans own the team-for some real leadership.  And ask yourself, why did Eli Manning tell San Diego he wouldn’t play for them if drafted?  The pressures of the NY press were easy to take against the apathy of San Diego.  And he has only been the MVP twice in two Super Bowls.  Watched on TV by Charger fans.  So why is it that the Chargers never seem to measure up-is it the team, or it it the fans?  Which came first, the chicken or the egg?  The chicken-says so right here in Genesis.  So it starts with the team-or is it chicken fans?  Where are all the Charger shirts we saw everyone wearing last Friday, on this sunny Monday morning?  Put away with the Bolo ties for another 4 years.  Ask yourself, what self respecting fan wears bolos, they are for cowboys-and not just in Dallas.  Perhaps the real price of fan loyalty will be found on Ebay later this month, when Charger memorabilia will be sold for cheap to buy new surf boards and sun tan lotion.  Trendy yuppies-just like San Diego football-no depth at all-but for a few weeks....

Life has shown us a great admiration for those who have great stats.  But great stats don’t win games, outscoring the opponent does.  And although great stats may mean a bonus for next year’s contract, we still play the game to win.  I think.  And while so many in the warm weather will talk of how many yards Rivers threw for, how many yards #24 had, they too will be watching the Super Bowl at home, along with their few remaining fans.  Try that one in New England, in below zero temps.  Try that one in Dallas...fans to the end.  Remember the Alamo?  Sorry, that was San Antonio.  Bear fans, Saint fans, who have something to cheer about, a quarterback and running back cast off from here, who just happened to win a Super Bowl there.  What about the Seahawks and their 12th man fan base?  Too much latte-it certainly isn’t the uniforms.  And it is repeated in towns like Washington, DC, Chicago, Miami, Pittsburg, and San Francisco.  Just not here...

Temporary fans are nothing new, even outside of football.  In the pre-NFL days of Jesus, the week of Passover He was led into town victoriously.  Parties everywhere, t-shirt sales must have been booming.  The King is coming-the King is here.  God heard our prayers, and He has sent us a savior.  But one week later, just before the big game, they turned on Him.  You see they wanted a victory over the Romans, freedom from the physical, not the spiritual.  The disciples were even made up of men who were anarchists, wanting to overthrow the Roman government.  And then there was Jesus.  And soon all the fake fans, the last week fans were gone, turned against Him, cheering for the local government team, in hope that they wouldn’t be remembered with Him.  Even the night before His death, Peter, leader and tough guy, was talked down by a teen age girl.  And the night after His death, 10 of the remaining 11 were to be found hiding out in the upper room, doors locked, afraid for their lives.  All but one, who was later mislabelled as a Doubter, it was Thomas out looking for His Lord, looking for answers.  He wanted proof...he got a bad rap.  No temporary fan he.  What made these men huddle together, and then go out changing the world like no others since? What was it that made John the Beloved from John, the brother of James, the Sons of Thunder, anarchists.  What made the others devote themselves to Jesus, despite threats of death, and finally all being martyred to death.  Sewn in half, crucified upside down, flayed alive, with only John dying of old age-after being boiled alive in oil, and left to die on Patmos.  What was it that made them loyal fans?  Was it the shirts?  The stickers?  Maybe the banners, or a relaxed Friday where they all dressed in home colors?  Or was it something unseen, that the part time fans didn’t see...but that can only be seen in the spirit?

Many lost fans of Jesus out there today.  Part timers, going with the trend, whatever makes them feel good.  Yuppie theology, gotta look good.  But without a change of heart, without the touch of the Holy Spirit, you are just hiding out, maybe not in an upper room, maybe in plain sight, just with others like you so you aren’t noticed.  Maybe even in a Chargers shirt-hoping for next season.  But how many are really looking for Jesus like Thomas was?  Who were not found hiding, who want proof before they make a commitment?  And who, when they do, are fans for life?  If Jesus ran an ad for the missing followers, the fans, how would you respond?  Would you even respond?  How many will pick up their cross and follow Jesus, knowing that every game will not be a victory, but that you will win in the Super Bowl of life?  Just one game-but it takes a lifetime of seasons to get there.  Some will put up stats, gaining praise from fellow members, but missing God.  Some will struggle and barely get in, but will still get in.  Fans to the end.  So where are all the Charger shirts today?  Better yet, where is your witness of Jesus?  Win on Sunday, sell on Monday.  True fans never leave.  See ad above. 

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

blame it on the radio

Ray and I have decided we are not getting old, but we are getting older.  We both love to ride, and at 70 Ray still rides 100 consistently, and has been 175 real mph on his Hayabusa.  Not speedo speed, but engine speed, a faster and better man than I.  But he also rides a Gold Wing, listening to the radio, for which we harass him, as we should.  What speed junkie listens to the radio while riding?  Of course who else rides a Wing as fast as he does, or corners it so well?  I guess we can forgive him.  But we tend to agree, those of us who really ride, not for the lifestyle of it, that radios are not for bikes, they belong at home or in cars.  Ever hear the sound of a Triumph triple at speed, music the ears.  Same with a Harley throttle opened up.  We used to tell what was coming by the sound the engine made, now dressers brag about the power of the sound system rather than the power the motor makes.  How far we have fallen...

Years back when I was bound by an occasional group ride, I now do group rides of one which are more fun and entertaining, we had a road captain who was more road apple when it came to riding.  When leading he would jump from 60 to 80, then drop to 50, all with an open road, and no reason to slow down.  No consistency other than his inconsistent speed, and he drove many crazy, and the crowd dropped.  But being curious as to why he didn’t know how to ride, I rode close to him on one ride, and you could hear his distorted loud music over his open pipes.  And as the song got faster, he sped up, as it slowed, so did he.  Try following him to Free Bird some time, this guy was riding to the music!  And now we know just how fast some classic songs really are, at least through his riding skills, reinforcing that no one needs a radio on a motorcycle.  Picture this one if you can, “sorry officer, I was just listening to the radio, and I sped up at the fast point in the song”...tell that one to the judge.  But he did, and I don’t know if he does anymore, my throttle hand is connected to a motor, not a sound system.  Do we see a problem here?

Turn off the radio!  Pay attention to your riding!  It may save your life, or a fellow rider’s, or keep you from eventually riding alone.  But yet today, so many are into the sound systems, and even Harley on their water cooled Ultra, aka the Shower Head, brags about a 6.5 inch screen for the sound system-more screen than suspension travel!  How far have we really come?  And where are we going?  We now have Bluetooth in helmets, surround speakers on Gold Wings, and cruise control-I will admit I have fallen prey to this one, and CD players and the list goes on.  On the recent 2014 Triumph Explorer I rode, it has cruise, adjustable suspension, traction control, programmable ABS, and a computer that tells me average mpg, speed, fuel left till empty, time riding, and all this on a motorcycle designed to be ridden off road!  Have we become slaves to progress, or slaves to a little box controlling our lives?  Strangely enough, riding my Bonneville yesterday, which has none of these things, I missed it.  No ambient temperature gauge, no clock-I was left to my own decisions-with no one else to blame if I went too fast, or got there l late.  I even had to switch my petcock over manually when I went on reserve-at 80 mph!  I could even tell how fast I was going by the speedo.  I knew it was cold because I needed a jacket and gloves.  My wrist controlled the power, and the exhaust note sang the song, and I could concentrate-meditate on the Lord.  No device ever made can replace that!  And I did it all without missing a beat...have we finally discovered the problem and it is us?

I am not against safety devices, but today in new cars that will parallel park themselves, tell you when they need servicing, brake for you, and adjust your speed for the conditions-automatically, we have improved everything but the driver.  And unless talking on a cell phone with car load of kids is a skill, we have lost many of them.  And when I see drivers like this, I used to blame them, but someone drove with them while they took their test and passed them-blame them!  And some parent let their kid out and texts while driving, just like they learned from Mom.  Turn signals don’t look for a place to turn, they warn you I am turning in front of you-look out.  And don’t get me started about parking lot druids who will block traffic, waiting for a space to empty, rather than walk another 20 feet.  Texting about the space they found.  At least in Sagg Harbor, NY they had real bodies who alerted you to open parking spaces, but then again the rich are different.  So where is all this leading? 

Consider Moses for a moment...who led millions of people, thousands of miles of 40 years.  And he somehow did it without a GPS, he didn’t get lost, never missed an exit for food and gas.  Talk about a group ride, this poor guy did it all without any technology other than God.  How uncool was he?  So uncool the people complained about the food.  They didn’t like the 10 Commandments, and finally when Moses got so upset he smote a rock, God told him “ no entry for you to the promised land.”  Talk about a road trip, but consider your trip with God today.  Who is leading who?  How many just reset their GPS when they get lost?  When they could trust God to get them where they are going-safely?  How many listen to so much Christian radio they know all the teachers, and the teachings, yet don’t know the God that inspires them?  How many set their life on cruise, and then when trouble strikes blame God?  Or worse yet, turn Him off completely when there is nothing about Him on today that they are interested in?  Maybe it is a good thing Moses had no radio, I can see them arguing over to listen to, “oh no not more Classic Abraham again?”  Speeding up and slowing down to the music.  But there is a choice we have-we can tune into Jesus, and find direction, purpose, and a way back to God unavailable anywhere else.  A way of love, and forgiveness, personified by of all people Peter.  Who made many bad choices, even being intimidated by a teenaged girl, good thing  she never texted her friends about him, but always kept going, not looking back, but looking to Christ.  He understood that he who sins more is forgiven more, and followed Jesus to places he never would have travelled on his own. 

Are you listening to the music or the Lord?  Are you hard to follow, because you are following your own song?  Has progress impeded your spiritual growth?  Blame it on the radio...and turn it off.  Turn to Jesus instead, the original Classic Rock.  He is the Rock, and listen to the music He brings into your life.  He can be heard at 100 mph, or while sitting at a light.  You can hear His voice clearly why talking with your kids, rather than fighting to talk over their DVD.  You can learn to walk with Him, in Him, rather than hear a replay later.  You can make the same trip Moses did, except enter the promised land when you die.  All by listening to Jesus...worth a try maybe?  We are all getting older, but don’t need to get old.  We can be kids forever in Christ. A choice I like.  Never getting old, still going places, still pushing the envelope, and enjoying life.  Behind handlebars instead of in front of a screen.  Where your eyes go, you will follow, and what is on your heart will come out of your mouth.  Sadly what is on your radio may speak louder and say more, trust Jesus today.  Ultimate technology, ultimate life.  Ultimate God.  Anything else may just be a recording.  Blame it on the radio.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

built to a price

There is much talk today among those of us who ride about the new 2014 Yamaha YZ-09.  A bike that seems to be modeled after Triumph’s Street Triple, three cylinder, hooligan looks, but in a 900cc vs. a 675 cc engine, it has drawn initial praise from the press, and discounting some styling quirks, it should do well.  Especially when it is priced at only $7990, a full $1400 less than buying the Striple.  But if you buy for price, you may come up short, for it has been purposely built to a price, and when one magazine compared it to the Striple, they favored it.  But when doing a bike swap at Mick’s, I talked with two guys who ride, one writes for another motorcycle publication, and the other at age 70 still has very few who can keep up with him.  He had just done 300 miles on it the day before with his grandson, who writes for another publication, and is recognized as among the fastest riders out there.  So listening I was amazed at their take on the FZ.  Both liked the power, 900cc in 450 pounds should be sufficient, but unlike the first road test done, by a magazine notorious for pushing the envelope of truth for ad dollars, these two experienced riders/writers were honest about it.  The bike is built to a price, and even with upgraded radial brakes, and ride by wire, with three modes, the fuel injection is off, making it hard to ride.  And the suspension is poor, making them both want to get off and ride something else.  Now true this is an entry level priced bike, but why torture the new rider when a better suspension is available, albeit for more money?  And in a class where the customer base will be more interested in his monthly payment, for an extra $20/month, he can have his riding time satisfied.  Which forces him to either park the bike, trade the bike, losing his shirt-if it is low to purchase, there will be no trade in value, or upgrade the suspension.  And by doing so pushes it into Striple territory, but with the aggravation he wouldn’t have had if he had bought after a road test, and not based on price or an article based on attracting ad dollars.  Too many have fallen for a pretty face, or pretty words, only to be disappointed in real life.  It happens to all brands, look at all the newer Harleys traded in at Jap stores, when the new rubs off, the payments continue until something is done about it.

Curiously the letters to the editor on this first road test rave about the bike, but had never ridden one themselves.  The power of the press, and the written word.  But also the power of real life setting in when buying something built to a price.  Now no one wants to spend too much, but we don’t mind spending a little more to get what we want, or is advertised.So again it is a buyer beware market, just as life is.  Taking into account that no manufacturer wants to purposely build a bad product, but somewhere an upper manager signs off, it goes to marketing, and it will get ridden and reviewed.  Knowing what he has signed off on, leaving it up to the press intro and gourmet food and too much wine to influence the writers/riders.  The market place can be a tough place to find the truth out.  Ya pays yer money, and ya takes yer chances. 

Over the years I have attended many churches, some new, some established.  The new churches all having one thing in common, which the old ones did when they started.  They saw a better way to do something, and set out to change it.  Not necessarily breaking the rules, but maybe bending then to fit their own criteria.  Religion built to a price if you will, when it is not all about Jesus, there will be compromises, and a penalty paid.  Talking with Fr. Al, now in heaven, he once told me about his Catholic friends who told him he wasn’t Catholic enough.  He could speak 5 languages fluently, do any mass in Latin, knew all the catichisms, and before he died was a bishop.  Not Catholic enough?  He smiled.   Then he told me about his Born Again friends, who told him he didn’t spend enough time in the New Testament, where Jesus is.  “But I love the Psalms,” he explained, and Jesus is found in every book of the Bible, the 4th word in Genesis, In the beginning GOD,speaks of Him.  All this about a man who was always in trouble with the Catholic church for giving communion to non-Catholics-we all have Jesus, and at his death was working to buy up old churches in decaying towns so the people could have a place to worship, each denomination their own service!  And had opened the chapel on Sunday afternoons for worship teams to play from all churches, with a healing service after!  Maybe his friends were right-they just got it all wrong.  Jesus didn’t set the standard, He is the standard, it is only in religion we find Him compromised, or brought down in value to a price.  Like the sign says, Walmart is not the only saving place.  But who wants a discounted God when you can have the whole God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit for less? 

Beware of clever slogans, clever sermons, and flowery praise.  More than once I have been seduced by a pretty face, or a promise of a fast ride.  Don’t buy for price, or for a payment.  You’ll ultimately give something else up.  I have yet to ride the FZ-09 myself, so I reserve judgment, but having ridden and owned Striples, I am riding the standard instead of riding a compromise built to a price.  I like to think the same way about my God, the standard, as opposed to a compromise.  We can all worship at different houses of worship, aka churches, but we need to keep focused on the one true God, and His son, Jesus.  A few adjustments to any bike can make it better, don’t go the same route with Jesus.  Why compromise when you don’t have to.  Take the Fr. Al approach, it is all about Jesus.  Get to know Jesus, don’t believe the ads.  Road test Him yourself, then make the choice.  And you will find there is nothing like the real thing.  Works for motorcycles, it should work with God too.  You will get what you pay for, not always what you expect.  Sometimes it is better.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

when the end is really the middle, and the end is really the beginning

I think most would admit that NFL football players are really tough.  And that on any Sunday they dominate TV all across the US of A.  But there was one night in 1968, where a little Swiss girl by the name of Heidi beat the NFL.  And I was there, in my parents den, watching it on TV, Channel 4 out of NYC.  Any football fan knows of what I talk, the Jets had just kicked a field goal, putting them ahead of the Raiders with just over a minute left.  As a Jet fan, and a big Joe Willie Namath fan, all was well with the world, and then the NBC peacock came on, what the #$%^ was going on?  And then this movie about some little girl in the mountains of Switzerland began-were they nuts?  What happened to our game?  And what had happened we wouldn’t find out until the next morning when reading the sports page of the Star Ledger, which I used to deliver.  Raiders win 43-32!  What?  And what had seemed like the end for us, was really just the middle for the Raiders and the Jets.  The Raiders scored a touchdown after the kickoff in only three plays, and then the Jets fumbled the next kickoff, and Preston Ridlehuber-his real name, picked it up for the Raiders and they scored again.  Not only had we missed the end of a great game-if you were a Raider fan, but the Jets lost, and NBC made the goof of the year, if not in the history of the NFL.  And soon directives were given, and no game was ever to be interrupted until it was over.  But on that night in 1968, November 17th was to go down in infamy, and forever known as the Heidi Bowl,  and NBC lost it for us.  And every time Heidi comes on, we remember, and quickly change channels, we won’t get fooled again.  Long before there was a Raider Nation, there was Heidi.  And does anyone know what ever became of Preston Ridlehuber?

It is amazing how one flip of a switch turned the middle into the end.  The game wasn’t over, just the coverage.  How many times have you walked out of a game after the 7th inning stretch, your team losing, only to listen on the way home they won in the 9th on a home run.  Mention Game 6 to any Met fan, we know.  I almost turned it off that night, so disappointed in their season ending that night-to the Red Sox of all teams.  But being a Met fan since they were the Mets, I had to watch.  And just as the ball went through Buckner’s legs, and Ray Knight crossed home plate, I jumped out of my chair, at the same time Christopher and Theresa came in the front door, surprising both of them.  The Mets win!  I had come within seconds of missing one of the greatest endings in sports history.  I had seen the end, if I had turned it off, while the game still being played, I would have left in the middle.  Another great example of patience, timing, and a lesson that what you choose to be the ending, may really be the middle. And like Yogi says, “it ain’t over until it’s over.”  Maybe he knew something we don’t, if only NBC did that night.

As a kid I remember watching a movie called the Incredible Journey, about a Siamese cat named Tao, and two dogs, who got separated from their owners on vacation.  The end as far as the family thought, but the middle for the pets, as they found their way home, hence the name.  Again, giving up had created a premature end, when really the story wasn’t over.  Just in the middle.  Which is really where we spend most of our time, in the midst of life.  As we get older we have midlife crisis, we become middle aged, and look back when we can be looking ahead.  Even Jesus tells us He is the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end, but we spend all of our lives in the middle.  We don’t remember the beginning, although my friend Chet claims he can remember being in his mother’s womb, no photo evidence to prove it either way, and we won’t remember the end.  So we spend most of our life, and all we will remember in the middle, being impatient and ending many events and memories while they are still in progress, in the middle.  But for those who trust Jesus, the end is really a new beginning, and we enter into heaven, where all traces of the past are gone-an eternal right now in heaven with Jesus.  No looking back, no looking ahead, an eternal middle.   And not a bad way to look at right now either.  You see Yogi’s brag about it not being over until it’s over, may work in sports, but it doesn’t play in eternity.  We will all spend eternity somewhere, the only end will be when we die here on earth, but we can choose where we spend all time to come, the eternal middle.  Those who are Born Again, and give their lives to Jesus will never die-heaven awaits.  But for those who don’t , they will wish they had, as hell is a bad place, weeping, loneliness, eternal darkness, unbearable pain, and a separation from God-forever.  Just like they wanted, just not knowing that is what they would get.  If only they had another chance at the middle again, how different would the outcome be for them.

And so in life, as I sports, we play the game until time runs out, or the innings are gone.  Today is the middle for you, for us.  Any plans for tomorrow and where we will spend it should be made now, for no man is promised tomorrow.  Only God controls the end, and the beginning, we only have input on the middle.  For the Jets, we all missed the ending.  For Preston Ridlehuber, no one saw his 15 seconds of fame.  If game 6 had ended only an out earlier, the Mets would not have gone on to win the 1986 World Series.  And if you don’t give your life to Jesus today, you will miss out on heaven.  Forever.  For in life, the end may only be the middle, but the end for Christians is only the beginning. No play challenging, no instant replay, no reversals.  One end will be the end, the other a beginning.  You make the call.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

for your protection-suddenly it is personal

I have this dream, really a nightmare, where lightning will hit a major computer center, and the decimal point will move two places, and all who are rich will become poor, and those poor become rich.  And it will take years to fix, if at all it can be.  And during that time all accounts will be frozen, so we will all be equally poor, except for what we spent or withdrew before they found out.  Sound far fetched, not really, as I have had my identity stolen two times-who am I really?  One time having my meager savings account cleaned out, the other being foreclosed on when a man who I shared names and banks with didn’t meet his mortgage demands, and they started to foreclose on me-true story.  Fortunately they caught it, but in doing so gave me all the private info about the other guy!  But not the first time our paths had crossed, as he was a sheepherder and made cash deposits at night, wrapping cash in paper with is name on it-good old small town banks.  And sometimes it got into my account, make me a thousandaire, but always catching it before I spent it.  But what if...I had spent it? 

Last month I became part of the 40 million shoppers who shopped at Target and my bank notified me that they were sending me a new card because my information had been compromised.  How many other times it had, or is everyday, we’ll never know.  So new cards in hand, Theresa followed the instructions to activate them, and off to get gas I went.  To me activated meant activated, and they were-just no PIN yet.  As the bank would later tell me, that letter takes a few more days.  Their version of the checks in the mail.  So here I was potentially without access to my own money, based on not having the four digit code to access my own account.  I wasn’t the only one in line at the credit union, and even one of their machines was down, we were not happy campers, or riders, or Target shoppers.  Our accounts had in fact been frozen, we had no access to them-or did we?

That night when I couldn’t get gas, and the message said “see attendant,” I did.  A young man, who simply told me use it as a credit card, you will not have to enter a PIN.  I didn’t know that, but obviously may do, as well as those who would steal, and now you do too.  So what good is a PIN number if you don’t need it?  How safe are you really?  And how long has this version of my nightmare been available to anyone, and what is the banking system doing about it?  How safe and secure is your money in banks?  And what good is having money if you can’t access it?  I know some who look good on paper, but try to spend that at the grocery store, or to get gas.  My antennae were up, but now they are on.  The system knew, and knows, so how safe are you?  How protected are you? 

Right there on my social security card it says “NOT FOR IDENTIFICATION PURPOSES.” yet how many time shave you been asked to use it for identification?  A once great idea, at least from the government, a pension at 65, sounds good today huh?  But at the time, the average life span was only 57!  They were betting you wouldn’t live to collect it!  But we showed them, now we are living too long...or did they show us?  Maybe it was and is better to invest your own money, hoping that you don’t lose access to it, but what if you do?  Will the government help?  Can they?  Do they want to.  The latest scam to get at us is Affordable Healthcare.  Again a misnomer, watch the attached  Youtube and see-sadly proving humor to be the purest form of truth.  But who do we turn to, where do we go for help?  Your answer may surprise even you...

I get hit up on a regular basis for money, donations, for other ministries.  How many have watched TV evangelists beg for cash,”we’ll go off the air if you don’t give,”  right after telling you to have faith in God.  Then turning to those, or turning on those, who can least afford it.  Jesus warns us about these types, and gives us a simple solution.  It is according to HIS riches, and glory, not ours or our friends, or a list of givers.  Our source for everything is God, and you can access that account any time.  A private account set up for you, through His son Jesus-which also happens to be the PIN He provides to everyone.  In Jesus Name.  But what when He says no?  Maybe you are confusing Him with an ATM, my sons often do me.  But God doesn’t and isn’t a genie in the lamp.  He is a loving and responsible God who knows what is best for you.  He knows that the LOVE of money is the root of all evil, not just money by itself.  I think back to the first week of the Jersey Lottery in the early ‘70’s, and a woman I knew won $4000.  A million to us then, and it was a week long party, until the cash was gone, and she was as broke as before-with only the memories of her stupid spending to haunt her.  A lesson I keep in mind when God tells me no-it is for my own protection.  Not to blow on myself, maybe that honor your Father commandment, combined with Jesus’ words of “on earth as it is in heaven” mean something after all.  So we do have riches available when we need them, just not to use foolishly.  Funny how they are always there when I need them, I am learning to be thankful when they are not, too.  For instance, I have no more room in my garage for any more motorcycles.  His love even has a practical application too.

But you must have an account to know your banker, just as you must to know God.  Sign up with Jesus today, get your name recorded in the book of life, and earn dividends that can only be spent in heaven.  Have access 24/7 to the living God who wants to spend time with you, so He sent Jesus to show us how, and to be that way.  Along with salvation, as if there needed to be anything else, you get the wonderful counselor, the Prince of Peace, the great physician, and the best provider you can.  And access to all His riches and glory.  When has your bank ever done anything close to that for you?  I remember a toaster years ago....And you get to keep your real identity in Christ, such a deal!  So what are you waiting for?  Start living today, and into forever.  And none of it is done on credit, but on His account.  Better than having a rich uncle, you have the richest Father in the world!  And you thought He was just an ATM...shame on you.

Jesus Christ, He is there for your protection and a lot more.  Join Him today and enjoy all the benefits that being a child of God has to offer.  And don’t forget about His retirement program, no minimum age requirement.  Now that is real security, social and eternal.  Remember the famous words “attention K Mart shoppers?”  Add Target shoppers to that.  Now they have yours.  What will it take for you to get God’s attention?  Debit or credit-He will always be there when you need Him.  Next in line please...

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.

 

*http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZbFrAAV3-o&feature=youtu.be

the exes

Coming of age in 1970, the day you got your license meant the attraction of horsepower.  V-8’s with up to 500 hp, bucket seats, and where a 442 Olds meant four barrel, four on the floor, and dual exhausts.  But soon would come to mean four cylinders, forget it, and too slow.  Six cylinder engines were for economy cars, and no one drove anything Japanese, they were cheap, tinny, and small.  Foreign meant VW, MG, or Volvo.  Gas was cheap, $2 would keep you cruising for the weekend, and GM ruled the world.  And all was well.  Then in 1973 due to our backing our ally Israel, OPEC, owned by the Arabs, declared war on us at the gas pumps.  Gas went from 25 cents a gallon-doubling!  The cold war had become a gas war.And we were losing.  And immediately big cars, big V-8’s and horsepower were nasty words.  Miles per gallon, or MPG substituted for horsepower, and by 1980, coming of age was a way different prospect than in 1970.  A second gas crisis had gas at $1/gallon, and many swore to quit driving once it got so expensive, among them the same ones who would quit smoking when cigarettes hit $1/pack, and coffee hit $1/pound.  So much for promises not kept with gas at $4/gallon, cigarettes over $6, and a latte over $5!  So V-8’s were out, one time selling in over 75% of new cars, and a 6 cylinder meant the big engine.  Four cylinders were the rule, and GM would answer the call for smaller, more efficient cars with the X cars.  No V-8 even available, and 110 horses was all you got, along with sluggish performance, but better gas mileage.  These cars were to be our automotive saviors, the magazines loved them, and so did buyers-for a while.  And then...

GM had hit us with four versions of the X car, with only Cadillac being exempt, as they were still recognized as “the Standard of the World,” and what a luxury car should be.  But that too was soon to change.  But for now we had Chevy Citation, Buick Skylark, Olds Omega, and Pontiac Phoenix to occupy our dreams for new cars.  My friend John, who always bought the newest bought the Buick, with V-6 and all the options.  It was two toned, brown and tan-earth colors were in then, and soon found the paint peeling off the inner door panels.  To save money, GM had painted the panels, before they were molded in whatever color, now they were painted, and repaired by a body shop, in a paint booth.  And that was just the beginning.  Great gas mileage promised in the ads, never arrived, brakes were marginal, and sometimes not there, steering boxes came loose, and torque steer became a new word in auto speak.  We now had front wheel drive, which when combined with a transverse mounted engine-sideways, now made the car pull to the right, or left upon acceleration.  Lifting the front end slightly-memories of a huge V-8 trying to lift the wheels off the ground, only this time it just tried to redirect them.  And they soon were to be the most recalled cars in automotive history.  Name it-it needed fixing, reliability was questionable, and on the V-6, the sixth spark plug was unreachable-you had to remove the engine to access it!  How many left with only a 5 cylinder tune up!  And soon he and others who had purchased them, sold them, and moved on.  And today you can find many cars from the 1960-70’s as collectible, but no one wants an X car.  In fact, try to find any of the Exes for sale, anywhere-they aren’t there.  As if they were all swallowed up, or bought up by GM so they would be forgotten.  And having had an ‘81 X-11 Citation, the muscle version, it was OK until the engine blew up in Texas, leaving us stranded, until we were able to have a Chevy dealer take it in trade, a mercy killing, against a used 1984 Thunderbird, a nice car.  And so the legend of the exes lives on, only in bad memories, and of how they were going to change the automotive world for good.  But maybe just a precursor of GM in the future, as Cadillac finally got a small car, fell from grace as the standard, Olds is gone, Pontiac followed, and GM went bankrupt, being given to the unions in trade for Democratic votes, the new GM standing for Government Motors.  In jest, of course.  But not really...

Perhaps a recall on people today should be in order.  Based on lifestyles, lack of morals, and a decaying society, how many of us would be exempt?  How many old line religions would welcome us back in?  How many have decayed to the point of moral bankruptcy, only to be bailed out by changing morals or allowing sin to come in, just to keep the coffers filled?  And yet we find Jesus, calling out to those of us who needed to be recalled to God.  He is the only way back, and we can come as we are-He calls out to us, long before we ever called out to Him.  And today a worldwide recall is going on for sinners, or those who have fallen away, and the offer is still good today.  God is shutting down apostate churches, removing pastors who don’t represent Him, and opening new churches to feed those who seek Him.  And where this worldwide crusade is going on, persecution follows.  The growth of the Christian church in Egypt, Syria, Sudan, and other Muslim worlds is growing, but under heavy persecution.  Add to that India, North Korea, China, and other places where even a Bible can get you arrested or killed, it is dangerous to be a Christian.  Yet the church is growing, both in quantity and quality, as never before, just like Jesus promised.  Those who are being saved recognize Him as the standard of the world, and despite government intervention the church grows.  We are now acknowledging we are the church, we make it up, and Jesus is the head of it.  Just like the Bible says!  And many exes, who have fallen away, are being welcomed back, and being part of it again.  Many new converts each day, but very few new workers.  Where do they go for a spiritual tune up?  Where is the horsepower to drive them?  Has the cost to serve become to high?

Jesus tells us the harvest is plentiful-get involved!  But He also warns the workers are few, which means more work for those workers, but also more blessings.  So ask God where you can be involved?  Nothing fancy, just meet a need in Jesus’ name, like in Matthew 25.  Feed and clothe the poor in His love, visit the sick, and those in jail.  Take in strangers, we were all strangers to Him once.  And watch as the church grows, and you do too.  As Jesus becomes the standard of your world, you don’t worry about gas prices, food prices, or work.  God provides as you follow Him, and you find He provided despite your not following Him.  Where else would you find that kind of love?  The government?

We used to say God doesn’t make people into freaks, He makes freaks into people.  Still true today.  Check with Him about your recall, your coming back to Him.  Ask Jesus into your life, or back into it today.  One bad decision might have separated you from Him, let one good decision change all that today.  Trust Jesus!

Oh, and the warranty has no ending.  And despite the lack of care and maintenance, we still make it.  We are forgiven.  Never got a card of condolence from GM.  Coming of age now means coming to Jesus.  It was once said that “what is good for GM is good for the country.”  Now we know it isn’t.  But always what is good in Christ will be good for us. 

love with compassion,
Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com