going down the alley for a #2

When the directions said “go down the alley,” I figured they were really good, or I was being misled as an out of towner.  Truth be told, you do go down the alley, which after a few tries not using the directions found them to be the most accurate.  And there it was, just where I was told they would be “Primanti Bros.” perhaps one of the best sandwiches I would ever eat.  After seeing their unique sandwich on the Food Network, I knew that Pittsburg would be my next stop going east.  But downtown Pittsburgh is a difficult place to navigate, what with 3 rivers separating it, stadiums every where you look, and old narrow roads, one way in that they never go the way you want, and the challenge was on.  I was going to Primanti Bros. for lunch, even if it took until dinner time to get there.

Finding a parking place right across from the entrance was scary, I was the only motorcycle in sight, but looking back in the alley, again the alley, I saw a Triumph Speed Triple, which I later found out to be the cook’s bike, so I knew I was in good company.  Now being a stranger in a strange land, can be scary.  And at a place where the locals meet, I was definitely not a local.  But I was welcomed, even told about how to duck my head when goin downstairs to the head-low ceiling-and soon I was sitting at the counter, watching the TV with local news, while the patron next to me informed me of all the corrupt politics in Pittsburgh, made me feel right at home.  And surrounded by all the Steeler posters and jerseys, I would never admit I was from San Diego.  Something about a 1994 AFC game the Chargers somehow won, and the Steeler fans never forgot.   So So Cal was my answer.  But he wasn’t listening, only commenting.  But it was time to order-yelling across the counter to the cook, the chubby woman seen on TV, and soon a #2, the all time best seller, a cheese steak with a handful of fries, and a handful of Italian coleslaw piled high between hand cut Italian bread was in front of me.  A real sandwich, not for calorie counters, nor health food addicts-obviously this was before my open heart surgery, and soon I was in Primanti heaven.  Funny how so many distinct flavors can come together to taste so good.  Add a diet Coke, and all was well with the world.  Now how do I get out of Pittsburgh?  Where is another alley when I need one?

I could see the 16th Street bridge from where I was in the strip district, but how to get to it-only a few blocks away?  So using another alley-by now I figured them out, or so I thought, I took a left, and went under the bridge, then another left, and onto the bridge-just like the signs said, maybe Pittsburgh wasn’t so bad after all, then across the bridge.  Safe and secure, and proud of my navigational skills, until I got in the wrong lane, and no one cut me slack-and ended up going west, when I needed to go east, and taking the wrong fork in the road.  Only to end up where I needed to be, going east-going against the signs and traffic.  No woder the Steelers are so tough-just getting around the city had made me a tougher individual.  But still not a Steeler fan...and still not a Chargers fan either.

And off into the country I rode, glad to leave the city behind.  The hustle, the bustle, the traffic, signs that say west that point to roads goin east, and full of #2, I was glad to be relaxing on the backroads of Pennsylvania again.  And no alleys in sight.  All that for a sandwich, seen on the Food network, a detour I would make again, taking the alley route the first time, not as exciting but more rewarding.  Following directions...and not getting lost, all without a GPS. 

As a long distance rider, I am never lost as long as I am not out of gas.  And wrong turns are referred to as exploratory, never knowing where they might lead.  Even an alley can turn into something good, as my Primanti bros. #2 proved, but some directions should be obeyed.  For being lost, separated from God is not a road I choose to travel.  Scripture warns us that obedience is better than sacrifice.  Listening to God can and will keep you out of trouble.  But yet we argue, and even try to negotiate with God, when He shows us something.  Maybe that is why we don’t hear from Him so often, as if we could win any argument with the creator of the universe.  So I have found solace, and good places to eat by following God. 

Psalm 37 tells us to delight in the Lord, and He will give us the desires of our heart.  Not our lusts, our ego trip filled desires, but His desires.  He plants them in your heart, then He fulfills them just like He says He will.  Think about Jesus for a minute.  Did you just wake up one morning and decide to find God?  All by yourself?  If you did, it explains the drugs, cults, and failures you had to endure.  But it was and is the Holy Spirit telling you “you need Jesus” and drawing you close to Him.  That knocking on your heart is Him asking to come into your life.  And when you let Him in, love will not demand its own way, God fulfills the desire through salvation.  He gives us the desire for Himself, and then fulfills it through Jesus Christ.  And just like not all roads lead to Primanti Bros., not all roads lead to God.  It is only through Jesus we are saved, He is the way to God-He is God! So why wonder aimlessly when you don’t have to?

My lunch was good, but still only meat, fries, and coleslaw between two pieces of bread.  Jesus is the bread of life-stay tucked in between Him, and never go hungry.  Another promise, Psalms also tells us He has never seen the righteous begging, or their children going without food.  Hungry, turn to Jesus.  Lost, follow Him.  And watch as your desires turn to Him, for as He gives the desire, He fulfills it.  And someday you will find that Jesus is the desire of your heart...and the scripture has come alive in your life.  Sure beats a burger under a heat lamp.  For both fast food and fast religion leave you hungry for he real thing, you never be filled until Jesus fulfills you.

If only I had listened to the directions I would have been eating instead of learning the back roads of the strip district.  I saw the bridge too, but how to get there.  Jesus is the destination, the spirit the direction.  Follow Him and eat and be full rather than looking for an alternative route.  Some roads take you down an alley...not out of gas, but still lost.  Where you end up is based on the desire of your heart.  I know what my desire is, do you know where you will end up eating?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

the room is full of invisible people

I first met my old friend Leigh when working at Motorsport, selling BMW motorcycles.  Leigh had an R90/6, blue like the one I had for four days before having it totaled by a hit and run driver, but he had the bigger tank-definitely hardcore, and a Windjammer, silver, just one year before you could get factory colors on them.  Serious touring rider for the 70’s.  He was helicopter mechanic for the 1551st in Albuquerque, and we hit it off.  He loved long rides, I had just ridden from Jersey to New Mexico via Florida, so I did too.  And owning an R90S put me in elite company among BMW snobs, of which Leigh wasn’t.  But what really brought us together was a mutual friend, Jesus Christ.  And so on is frequent stops into the shop, we talked Jesus, motorcycles, and Jesus. Now working a 6 day week, with Sundays off, along with Wednesday afternoon to go trials riding with Gerald left me little time of my own, so seeing Leigh would also be him stopping by the house where I rented a room from John.  Who also rode, and had led me to the Lord.  Do we see a pattern? 

Now Leigh was a bigger man, and we adhered to the rule that you don’t ride other’s bikes, unless in an emergency.  And Leigh wanted to ride my S, he really wanted to ride it, but somehow the rule kept him off it, for both our protections.  But one Sunday when it broke down on the west side of Albuquerque, some 30 miles from where we lived in the heights, we called Gerald, who rescued us in his El Camino, and Leigh had his chance to ride my S.  In the back of the El Camino.  Tying it down, we cruised Central all the way home, with Leigh perched on it, feet on the pegs, looking ahead, wind in his face, no helmet, as was the law.  Not sure if you needed one in the back of a truck.  And for the next hour rode my R90S, grinning, his only ride on it ever.  Somehow riding behind a Windjammer would never be the same for him. 

But on another Sunday afternoon Leigh’s life would change.  He stopped by like he always did, John and I were spending the day at home.  Now John had this Great Dane called Tauna, aka Useless Animal, who loved to jump the wall, and go visiting.  And during the Balloon Festival one year was found 10 miles away.  But on that day when Leigh came by, he found the house empty.  Front door open, TV on, and food on our plates.  But no Mike and John.  It was as if the room was filled with invisible people, we weren’t there.  And Leigh panicked-he thought the rapture had occurred and he was left behind.  And fell to his knees calling out to God-which is where we found him.  Tauna had gotten out, and we immediately went after her, leaving TV on and food not eaten, and front door wide open.  We had left in a hurry-and left the appearance we had been raptured!  A lesson for all on how fast it will happen, and how confused those left behind will be.  But Leigh being saved knew he would go, but still was scared at the possibility of no God, and being left behind.

God will not tell us the time and the date.  To those so concerned, deny Christ and you will see.  For God will answer that prayer for you, just in a way you don’t want.  I rather be looking for the return of Jesus, and His guarantee of heaven, especially after seeing the terror in Leigh’s face.  But God does tell us the seasons, and signs.  So let’s look around.  Rumors of wars and wars-look at the news lately in the Middle East.  Persecution of believers-every place Muslims take power, Christians are killed, but the church grows.  Again in the Middle East.  We see millions being called home to Israel.  We are told of children and parents rebelling-of pestilence, notice all the disease and new flu outbreaks?  How about strange weather-the meteorologists cannot keep up with it-is God trying to tell us something like He showed Leigh that day?  Do we see a pattern?

Yet God is patient, and wishes we all come to salvation.  But the day grows closer, and as the signs point to it, you need to decide now, before it is too late.  Now while you still can, and not go through the horror Leigh did-if only for those few moments he saw how real it will be.  Fallen away, come back today and be ready.  Not sure, turn to Jesus, today can be your day of salvation.  But sadly for many it will only be like Leigh riding my R90S in the back of a truck-not the real thing.  They will cling to anything but Jesus, thinking all is OK, until their ride is over.  Still riding, just not under their own power.  And it will not be pretty.  And it will and is only getting worse until that day when Jesus calls us home-are you ready?  Will your room be filled with invisible people, or a room full of those wondering what happened, or worse yet knowing, but deciding not to go with Jesus?  For Leigh it was just a moment, for us we will be taken up in a moment-in that twinkling of an eye, and it won’t matter who is the anti-Christ, who is in the White House, or what you ride.  Rich or poor without Jesus it means hell, and being left behind. 

Leigh and I agreed on BMW’s, but more importantly on Jesus.  A lot has been said about brand loyalty, who are you loyal to?  If it isn’t Jesus, don’t find out the hard way.  Choose Him today, and be assured of the outcome.  Be part of an empty room, don’t be the one who finds the room full of invisible people.  In the twinkling of an eye...you too will be changed forever.  The evidence is there-where will you be when it happens? Out chasing the dog, or?  Do we see a pattern?  Let’s pray.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

the perception of power

As those of us who ride can attest to, the newfound power in motorcycles is far better than anything we were driving before, which was usually our mother’s grocery getter, or a slightly used and worn out used car, not of desire, but based on the wallet contents or lack thereof.  But with two wheels, we entered into a new world of power, but we needed more.  And to make our rides more individual.  So we bought lower bars, although hi-rise or apes were for the cruiser set.  but no matter what we rode, or how, we needed more sound.  And so we got rid of the factory exhaust, and soon names like Bassani, Alphabet, Jardine, Action Fours, and Yoshimura were the benefactors of our hard earned allowance.  Some would just take off the pipes, or add TT pipes, but in an era where less sound = more ground, where cops hid just waiting to bust us for too much noise, or where the price of cool was within our grasp, we finally had the sound, and loved it.  And sometimes with the power we thought came with it.  Loud meant faster, still does to many today, but one day my friend Brett, a service manager for Yamaha, explained it all to me.  Kerker was doing a mobile dyno testing, showing why their headers were best, and you could run what you brung on it.  And many were surprised with the new found power, only 2 horsepower, the add promised 10%?  Add gas mileage went down, blamed on the throttle hand, and the only think for sure was the wallet felt thinner when riding.

But some were way off, as their bikes had actually lost power, the new tuning made the power come on abruptly, it only felt like more power.  And of course it was the dyno’s fault, it must be true, I read it in Cycle World.  And having seen the truth on dyno’s myself, I can attest to its truth.  Seat of the pants, or twist of the wrist is no match for the dyno-liars and braggers go home.  And such is life.  The perception of power stronger than the presence of more power, even stickers on your ride couldn’t add the promised power.  But it felt better, and we never ratted ourselves out.

But getting that power to the ground is even more important, although burnouts look cool, you are really losing traction, not gaining speed.  But boy are burnouts fun, unless you become one.  Which is why many live an illusion, rather than facing the truth.  A perception that has become reality to many, but when confronted with the truth, warrants a decision.  Long ago I visited a sister in law in the hospital.  She was very sick,a dn as I was the Christian, a frined in time of need, a joke any other time, I went to visit her.  She explained how she was afraid to die, and after listening to my sharing the gospel, I was ready to pray with her.  But God said no, and I ‘m thinking, what is God thinking?  Isn’t this what we are supposed to do, pray for and with the unsaved, and here was a great example and opportunity?  But again, it is why we have two ears to hear, and only one mouth to speak, and God explained it all to me.  Hers was only an emotional repsonse, a quick fix to her problem, not a spiritual date with Jesus.  She would have thought she was saved, and wouldn’t be.  There was no change of heart, no conviction or conversion in her words.  They meant little, and soon she would come to realize that if I did.  She would have the perception of power, until one day on the dyno of life she would find she had no power at all.  So I didn’t, obeying God, but still not sure if I had made the right decision.  Later when she was truly saved, I knew God was right, and I was glad I had listened.  The truth had set her free, not the perception of it.  For salvation is only found in and through Jesus Christ, not forcing our will upon others, or coaxing them into heaven.  For there is true power out there, and only being in tune with the Holy spirit unlocks it.  And sets you free.

Just ask some brothers, 7 of them, whose family was Skeva.  They had heard all about the miraculous healings of Jesus, of casting out of demons, and decided to try it themselves.  Maybe make a few dollars at it, start a radio or TV show.  And so they sought out a man who they knew was demon possessed, and confronted them.  “In the name of Jesus, come out,” and the demons did.  But not with what they expected, for the demon attacked them, and sent them away naked, running, and crying.  But not before confronting them with these words, “we know of Jesus, and we have heard of the apostle Paul.  But who are you?”  Who are you?  Well, we heard we could, thought we could, but found we can’t.  An example today to many, but a lesson still falling on deaf ears.  The promise of power still intrigues men and women today, but without God, you are on your own.  Believing false claims, left only with a sticker telling the world about your new found power, but when the first challenge comes, you are found powerless. 

When asked if “are you in the word?” I challenge back with “is the word is you?”  Jesus being the word, are you just a reader, a studier, as too many are, or have you truly surrendered to Jesus Christ?  Is He Lord, or just a genie in the lamp when you desire something?  So I ask You, “is the word in you?”  Is Jesus in your life, has He given you new life?  Or has your exhaust just gotten louder when compared to those who aren’t saved?  Is church all you got out of religion, or have you settled for nothing less than a personal relationship?  Do you really trust in that name, or is it something said in vain, just not with damn attached to it?  Or have you discovered the real Jesus, and His meekness, His power under control that guides you everyday, and doesn’t demand His own way, but shows you how He is the way?  And leads you to truth?

Many advertise good things, some even Godly things.  Ask for proof.  The Skeva boys got proof without asking, and changed their lives.  We are called to Jesus, not to run from Him.  He relieves fear, He doesn’t cause it.  And yes we are promised power, of a spiritual nature, that reveals all truth, and shows us how easily we can be deceived.  Are you saved, I mean really saved?  Or have you joined a church, a fellowship, read your Bible, hang with other Christians, or have family who are saved, thinking that will get you in?   The salvation dyno will reveal the truth, better to seek it now than find out how wrong you were later.  Loud pipes may save lives, only Jesus Christ saves lives.  If only the Skevas had listened, are you?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blog.com

 

you mean your wife doesn't ride?

When Theresa started riding certain vows were made, and not honored.  First was she was never going to ride on the freeway, and only go 55.  Then it was maybe some freeway, but never above 55.  Do we see a pattern here?  Then it was I will only do the speed limit, OK.  And then as of now, she rides down the freeways at 80-85mph, which we will both deny if asked by any law officer.  Then it was no lane splitting, until chasing Dick one day through traffic, and now she does it all the time.  There was a time when riding together when we came to the curves, I would speed ahead, and wait for her at the end of the road.  And as time went by, the wait got shorter, as she got faster, and the rides became more fun for both of us.  All the things she once feared, she now respects.  But due to experience, and encouragement at home, “quit acting like a girl and ride” she rides better than most men I know.  Her most famous moment was when riding to Hollister one year, when Pastor Fred asked her if she wanted him to trailer her bike for her.  “No, I ride,” she told him, and did, and does and has again.  Her other moment came when leading 37 motorcycles down to the Billy Graham Crusade at Qualcomm Stadium, at 80mph.  And didn’t lose one, although many Harley riders claim they saw God once they got above 55!  But for me it is when riding behind her, and watching as a car passes her, rare, or when she passes a car, and the heads turn once they notice it is a girl riding.  And so as we start our 36th year of riding together, 27 on back, our whole relationship has been built around riding...and of course Jesus.  Jesus, Theresa, and motorcycling...it just don’t get any better.

So what do you do when you meet someone new after asking about your motorcycle?  And when you ask if they ride, and say yes, but get a different answer when you ask if the wife rides, what do you say?  I tell them talk to my wife.  She is a lady, and women riding is very ladylike.  She tells them it is great for the marriage, and encourages it.  Good for kids too.  No DVD players yet on bikes, and you can go more places and have more fun together.  And over the years she has come to know much about her motorcycle other than it is blue, and has 790cc.  She can identify Harleys, Indians, Triumphs, and others.  She is no stranger to motorcycle shops, and can even embarrass or impress salesman by her answers about riding.  And so we ride, sometimes alone, sometimes one bike and sometimes two together.  But either way, we ride.  And for over 36 years we ride because we want to, because it is fun, and because we have met more people and gone more places because of it. Good for the marriage.  And she has ridden on the back with me for 46 states, how many have you been in?  How many have you driven in?  Flying and then renting a car isn’t the same thing, and eating at the airport doesn’t count as a meal there.  You need to get out and meet the people, see the sights, smell the fresh air, and ride the roads.  See America and the world from the seat of a motorcycle, not the seat in your living room.  Seeing America from a plane window just isn’t the same.  I rather be one of those small dots down there...we are both going places, only we are going places.  Suddenly 500 mph seems so slow.

Too many live their life in fear, and never get outside of the church.  They feel safe with their own type, their own music, and never having to be a Christian outside of the four walls.  A comfort zone, which really makes them uncomfortable.  They see Jesus from 30,000 feet up, missing Him on the road, and outside the church, where He ministered.  Jesus taught in the temple, but He ministered on the street.  He was at home on the highway, and felt very welcome among biker types, as well as church people.  And also hookers, bankers, salesman, insurance and used cars salesman, and politicians.  You see Jesus enjoyed spending time where the people were.  He went to them, remember the scripture “God sent His son?”  And when He admonishes you to go out and tell everyone about Jesus, He means not just at second service.  He means as you go, as you ride, or as you fly.  In a group, or riding alone, He expects you and wants you to share Him with others.  He wants you to quit making excuses, and start living, abundantly like He promises.  And if on two wheels, you have made a good choice.  But be careful, for not all will welcome you.  In your quest for spiritual freedom, you become a target for those who are afraid, who don’t listen to the spirit, and will even go as far as to become a thorn in your side.  Imagine that, your own brothers and sisters in Christ, a hindrance.

Yet that is exactly what Paul is talking about, someone within the church causing him trouble, being a thorn in the side.  Sent by Satan, but from within, sometimes unknowingly.  Spreading discourse, judging the pastor, or being a nuisance ot the body, anything to bring discord.  And God used it to keep Paul humble, and relying on Him.  Untrue, look around, then see Matthew 25.  Those people Jesus told “be gone, I never knew you” were those within the church, who thought that by doing great things and getting the credit, they were pleasing God.  Know anyone like that?  Are you like that?  Thorns in the side are as bad as thorns in your tires-both require God to help.  So even when alone, or riding alone, Jesus is always with you.  Even outside the church, He doesn’t stop at the door, or when throwing a leg over a motorcycle. 

So quit acting like a girl and live today for Jesus.  Sorry girls, too many men act like you, which is why so many homes are upside down.  Men, let God be God, then you love your wife as Jesus loved the church-us.  And whether riding or attending, enjoy life.  Enjoy the ride.  And if anybody asks, I rather be riding my motorcycle thinking about Jesus, than sitting in church thinking about riding.  Get out and enjoy life.  Around that next curve may be the best thing that ever happened to you.  Oh, and if you ask, she’ll answer “yes, I ride, don’t you?”  The same as knowing Jesus, you do know Him, don’t you?  And believe me, we can tell...quit acting like a girl and live!

With apologies to all those women who ride, you get it.  Don’t you wish everyone did?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

gaining immortality

What do Edgar Allen Poe, Henry David Thoreau, Franz Kafka, and Emily Dickinson have in common?  OK, they are all authors of some fame.  But don’t give up there, why are they famous, and what made them famous?  It is something that is unique to all people, death.  For all of these authors, including F. Scott Fitzgerald and many others never achieved fame while still living, it was only upon death their works became read and became widespread.  Fame eluded them in life, but caught up with them in death.  Maybe not so much financially as Elvis and Michael Jackson, whose estates continue to rake in multi millions after their deaths, but they achieved fame by their works, which only came to light in death, or rather after.  Proving to some there is an afterlife, at least in fame.  And sadly many believe Elvis is alive but God is dead.

Edgar Allen Poe was a tragic figure, selling The Raven for $9, previously writing anonymously after failing in both college and a military career.  Adopted, he moved around his whole life, a tragic figure, an alcoholic, his life spiraling downhill after the death of his wife.  But today that $9 poem is very famous, and for which he is remembered for.  The cause of his death at age 40 is even not sure, anything from suicide to rabies to heart disease.  Once upon a midnight dreary....

Although widely read and studied today, Henry David Thoreau wrote in obscurity until after his, he stopped writing upon death of course.  With a particular style he wrote of nature, and about nature from an anarchist of asceticism, and his On Walden Pond is still a required reading in many literary courses.  His stanzas provided insight and drew brilliant mind pictures, while one of his books, self published, only 300 of the 1000 copies sold.  His final claim to become one with the earth, living in a cabin owned by Ralph Waldo Emerson, inspired so much of his writings.  It wasn’t until the 1920’s  he caught on, long after death, and lives on today through the International Thoreau Society.

Although she died over 130 years ago, Emily Dickinson’s poetry is well remembered.  Even a stamp with her on it was issued in 1971, recognizing her writings after life and death.  Thought to be strange, she was a recluse even in her hometown in Massachusetts, she requested her writings be burned after her death, and only her sister Livonia through her disobedience had them published in 1890.  Franz Kafka is perhaps the least recognized before death.  Only taking a course on his writings in college was I made aware of him.  Although educated in the law, he found little time to write, so devoted himself to it, and died early at age 41 from starvation, brought on by not being able to eat due to tuberculosis.  But his writings including The Metamorphosis, and In the Penal Colony are widely read, studied, and admired today.  His unique style of writing can be morbid to some, but brilliantly insightful, and he wasn’t even published until after his death by his friend Max Brod.  A museum in Prague is named after him, and even his style of writing, Kafkaesque is used to describe bizarre ideas and concepts.

But another man, not a writer, has become a source of the most popularly read books in history.  Relatively unknown, and only locally recognized in life, it is His death and resurrection that we celebrate today.  Of course I  am talking about Jesus Christ, a man with only a small following, even though heard by many.  It is only in His life after death that we remember Him, a feat which makes Him unique above all who claim fame and fortune.  If He hadn’t died, He may only have been remembered as a great teacher, but not the Son of God.  His ability to influence people has led many to eternal life, and even today continues to have a profound impact on all who meet Him.  He is very much alive, just like He said, and although we have assembled works of others, no man written about has changed the world so much.  No other writings can claim to have the promises and the proof of God and those promises are still real today.  Men and women are still changed when reading about Him and meeting Him personally.  And it all came true because of the cross, and His empty tomb after.  It is only in His death that we see His full glory, that gaining immortality comes through Him and no other.

Look around and those you see will probably be the ones at your funeral.  They will remember you after death until they pass, the memories gone long after anything you did here does.  So do something to be remembered for in life-remember Jesus now while you still can.  You may never have a collection of stories written by or about you, you may never be a best seller.  You may live a life in complete obscurity, maybe lonely and forgotten.  But God sees and knows, and promises and knows all about you.  So meet Him at the cross, the place of death that brings life, and make a difference today.  Bear witness of Him and what He has done in your life, letting the gospel continue on through you.  For like John tells us, if all the books written about Jesus were written, no library could hold them.  So get involved, and become part of the Dewey Decimal System under Jesus.  Today we forget who F. Scott Fitzgerald is, but we still admire the Great Gatsby, his most famous work.  Your works may not be recognized here on earth, few of Jesus’ were until after His death.  What you live is what you will leave behind.  Make your mark today, life is short, eternity is forever.  And only found at the cross.  We all face death, that doesn’t mean you have to die.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

love knows no expense

I once learned that it wasn’t how much money you made, but how much you took home.  A quick life lesson after getting my first paycheck, let’s see 40 hours x $1.60/hour=$64.00.  And man I was rich, but how come my check only said $58.00?  Was I robbed?  No taxes kicked in-no one had warned me.  And so I recalculated and found I was only making $1.45/hour, and suddenly I didn’t want to work so hard, or I felt underpaid.  Who wasn’t or isn’t?  But then I learned it was what you did with the money you earned, and while Brennan bought clothes, and partied hearty, I saved mine, and soon had enough with money from my paper route to buy the Honda 350.  And suddenly all the hard work was worth it.  But soon it led to the BMW R60/5, which got hit and totaled, then a 1974 R90/6, which lasted for four days, until a drunk driver hit me, leaving me to die along the side of the road, but God’s grace was at work even then, although I wasn’t saved, and soon was able to walk again, but no more R90/6.  Totaled again.  All before I was 21.  But then there was this R90S, the flagship of BMW, only a few available, and super expensive.  Honda 750’s were still around $1500, a Z-1 would set you back around $1900, while the S was $3430!  I could buy two for one if I passed on the S.  But I learned that love knows no expense, and the S it was.  Much criticism came my way, I paid too much, it isn’t worth it, or I could have had two bikes for what I paid-you were robbed.  And then I was told I was a rich snob, yeah right, and many words were thrown  my way, interpreted as jealousy.  I had one, they didn’t, so there must be something wrong with me.  So cut me down, just down race me. 

But what seemed like a lot of 1974 cash, paid off, when I put over 16,000 miles on it in 4 months.  And it was the bike that I rode to New Mexico after I was saved, leaving the friendly confines of New Jersey.  Makes you wonder just how bad the old Jersey was.  But at 40,000 miles, the bike had come between God and me, and I sold it-too much pride.  And was humbled, selling it to a girl, and taking a 1974 TX 500 Yamaha in trade.  A bike so bad I almost swore off Yamahas forever-or at least until the FJ1100 came around.  But the same bike I had bought, or overbought as my critics reminded me, I had bought for love, and enjoyed for love.  It was worth it, and the critics would never get it.  I worshipped that bike, until Jesus came into my life.  But He still gave me the passion to ride, just a lesser bike.  And the critics again criticized my choice.  But to God it was a form of worship, I gave up something of myself to gain so much more.

Mary, sister of Martha knew all about criticism, but also about worship.  Right in front of God and everyone, she poured a years worth of pricey ointment on the feet of Jesus, worshipping Him as He had raised her brother Lazarus from the dead.  And she did it publicly, not caring about the expense, doing it in a room where women were not generally welcome, and letting her hair down in public-another social no-no, all in worship of her Lord Jesus Christ.  A gift that no one but her and Jesus knew the real value of, a public confession of who Jesus is, and true worship-the sacrificing of herself and something valuable, drawing her even closer to God.    Expressions of love, gratitude, and worship and praise-love knows no expense.  And later Jesus would prove that even more on the cross, dying for a world that lived in sin and hated Him. A form of worship we overlook, His worshipping His Father while on the cross, to draw us back to Him.  And suddenly the critics grow silent, as those who are saved now get the benefit of His sacrifice.  And Mary’s afternoon of priceless ointment now becomes priceless in terms of worship.

That same love that showed no expense can be given to others today.  Scripture tells us that “as we go,” a perfect tense meaning as we go, that we are to make disciples of men.  Telling how Jesus gave of Himself, and sharing how when we give of ourselves how our lives change.  Mary’s did that afternoon, mine did with the R90S.  I enjoyed it, but when I let it go, and gained Christ, then its value went up.  And many more bikes were to follow as I followed Jesus.  Worship is more than music, it is more than praying.  It is letting Jesus Christ show in your life, it is giving up valuables and gaining values.  It is as you go bearing witness of Him.  For Mary it was perfume, for me a motorcycle.  What will it be for you?  Love knows no expense, God gave His son.  The admission price to heaven is paid.  But you need to leave something to gain it-what will you give up so you can pick up your cross and follow Him?  For like my first paycheck, it isn’t what you earn, it is what you take home.  Heaven is home.  And it is what you do with what you God has given you that brings that value.  By the way, the current book value of a 1974 R90S is over $10,000.  Even at today’s prices a bargain for what God has given me.  Mary got I, I got it, will you?  It is still not how much you earned, but what you take home.

love with compassion,

Mike

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