riding or waiting?

All roads are not created equal.  And all riders are not created equal either.  Some roads are six lanes wide like I-15 by my house, yet the old road 395, that parallels it is only two.  And what feels fast on the 2 laner is really slow on the freeway, so different roads to different riders will bring out different attitudes in them.  Last weekend all the news was the heat wave going to hit Tuesday, 90 degree weather in April-yes.  Take off the leathers, and let’s ride.  But Saturday was in the high 50’s, so it was jacket over sweatshirt in layers.  And as we rode to our weekend destination for lunch for our fix at Miguel’s, we took the freeway-we were hungry.  And since I hadn’t exercised the tires on my GS1000, I pulled the  cover off and rode it.  Chasing Theresa on her Bonneville at 85mph to Murrieta.  An easy ride for what was once the premier sport bike 36 years ago, the current GSXR 1000’s grandfather, today 82 horsepower is nothing compared to 600’s that make 128, but fast it was, and still can be ridden fast-on the right road.  A great meal, and the back roads home, where it actually felt pretty good at 65mph, which would have been 10 over the legal limit when it was new.  A relaxed ride, and with the promise of 80 degrees on Sunday, church was on Saturday night, and left us with all day Sunday to play, or rest while we rode.  Enjoying the Sabbath by keeping it holy, on two wheels.

It was only to be 80 that day, but felt tropical compared to the day before.  So heading out in only a t-shirt, my kind of riding clothes, we had a Greek lunch, and kept the calories down after the huge chicken burrito for lunch the day before.  Gotta look good in my t-shirts.  But as we got closer to the beach. I put on my sweatshirt, why be uncomfortable if you don’t have to.  Parking in Carlsbad along the beach, it was beautiful.  Clear skies, not a lot of people yet, and the dolphins were  out.  And watching them jump and play made the day seem all worth it.  We had parked by a bench and were enjoying the view when a woman approached us, after staring at Theresa’s Bonneville.  She had grown up around bikes, and was getting her license, and was considering one.  She loved the color, and had many questions.  The Bonne being the star here, while the GS sat patient.  Later another man stopped by and kept walking around and looking at the Bonneville, something we are used to.  I have never met anyone who having owned an old Triumph didn’t have great memories, stories, and a longing for another.  Stories of it wouldn’t run at night, it left me stranded, and things vibrated off, but I miss that bike, I loved it. I wish I had another....And so the legacy of Triumph goes, it seems most of my generation rode one, when the bike would run, and now approaching retirement age, wish they had another.  When they run.  But memories can be a strange riding partner, as next to her Bonneville, sat the GS1000.  A historically significant bike, the first one to run in the 11’s in the quarter, and one of the first Superbikes, in fact a champion with Wes Cooley and other fast shoes on it.  But with no comparison to today’s super bikes, and with no fairing it was the standard of the day-just not today.  Yet it stood ignored, with all memories dedicated to Triumph.  Maybe the way it should be, but at 36 she still runs fast, how many 36 year old Triumphs can say the same.  Different memories from different times, different bikes on different roads.  Choose your weapon and ride.

But like I said, the old GS runs great, and has only 27,000 miles on it.  I have red lined it in fourth, 120mph, so approaching our exit, I gave her one last blast, up to 110, then exited.  Fast for any bike, but too fast,almost for me and mine.  Suddenly I was reminded of how far brakes have advanced in 36 years, last week it was radial Brembo’s on a Speed Triple R, today, grab all you can, step hard on the rear, and downshift-stopping with plenty of distance to spare, just with more excitement.  And when Theresa pulled up next to me and smiled, she had no idea of my e-ticket stop....and so we wait until next weekend, riding and waiting for our next chance to ride, but for Sunday it was all about the riding. 

And Theresa’s Bonneville.  Now I love it when someone in a car pulls up next to her at a light, and then sees it’s a girl.  The whole conversation changes.  I marvel at when she is asked “how fast will it go, how may cc’s?” and “what year,” she holds her own.  And when telling of our long rides, and her being a buddy seat sitter in 48 states, it makes me proud.  And blessed, that God has given me the girl of my dreams.  She rides!  And she loves Jesus!  And she loves me, beats whatever is second to me.  But she didn’t always ride her own bike, it has been almost 10 years now she got her license, and her first Bonneville.  I say her first, because on her first ride alone, she got hit.  From behind in a multicar accident.  Bonne totaled, she was fine.  And she got on her latest one, and rode again.  It wasn’t her fault, and urged on by me and our two sons-we all ride, she did again, and does today.  One bad experience wasn’t going to end her riding career.  Or put an end to our riding together, on one bike or two.   It is less than two weeks until Easter, and the CEO’s-Christmas and Easter only will be out on Easter Sunday.  And we welcome you all to church, and hope you are blessed.  But I see a common theme among many, and when talking one on one, find many, me included have had a bad time at church.  So we quit going, and many have quit altogether.  Someone cut them off, was rude, or didn’t treat them as special as they thought they should be treated, and they quit.  Reluctantly gong two times a year, under threat, and hating every minute of it.  But they are confusing the church with God, and have an attitude towards God like they do to the church.  When it is really a person, not God, that put them off.  What if Theresa had quit riding after being hit, it wasn’t her fault, did that make all motorcycles dangerous?  NO!  So she got back on, and rides today.  And so should you if you have given up.  Don’t give up on God, Jesus loves you and welcomes you back.  Maybe try another church, maybe change your attitude to the church.  Stop by and see what you have been missing.

Interested in world events, no better textbook than the Bible to bring you up to date, some prophesies thousands of years old.  Family problems, bored at work, maybe you are out of work, stop by for encouragement.  Sickness, or questions about what life is all about, Jesus is the answer.  Come and see, the invitation is there, but don’t wait for a holiday.  Surprise us and yourself and stop by.  Ask questions, meet the pastor.  Consider yourself invited, now come!  You will find that just as all riders and roads are not created equal, so no two testimonies will be the same.  Make your own. Don’t be like the man who quit riding because he got old, and found  he got old because he quit riding.  Old time saints looking to come back, bring it on.  Your life may not be a cruise up the freeway, you may need time on the back roads.  God is there, to ride at your speed.  36 year old brakes-get out and exercise them.  Get out and bless someone by just getting out.

Be confident in Christ.  Recognize Him.  Just as many remember the Bonneville, it was the Suzuki that made history.  Come along for the ride of your life. Only found in Jesus.  At any speed, on any road, He is with you.  Harleys, He cruises with you, and on a Ninja He rides the curves, knee out and dragging-He rides!  If you do, give Him a chance.  Some are riding, while some are still waiting.  I rather ride, what are you waiting for?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

Mr. Holland's Oops

The monthly meeting of the angels was usually a very unexciting affair.  It was a time when the guardian angels got together and talked about the ones they were responsible to protect.  But today’s was different, as they had asked God himself to attend, as they had some questions about a Mr. Holland who had recently died.  And gone to hell, and they didn’t understand why.  Mr. Holland was a pillar in his community, past president of the leading social club, on the church board, and owned a very prosperous business in his small town. Everyone in town knew him, and adored him.  Whenever the school needed help, they turned to Mr. Holland and his business for help.  The cheerleaders need new uniforms, he would pitch in.  A student needed work, he would hire them after school.  And each year in the Harvest Parade his tractors would pull the farm wagons, provided at no charge for the various floats.  He was always first to reach into his pockets when the Little League field needed repairs, and had been on the church board for years.  He had the gift of organizing, and of making money when others needed it.  He and his wife of many years never had children, the community was their family, and each Sunday they could be found in their regular seat in church, third row center, right side on the aisle.  He basked in all the attention, and they rarely missed, but now Mr. Holland was dead, and no one was there to lead them.  But that wasn’t the question, he had gone to hell, and the angels, in particular his guardian angel didn’t get it.  Why had this man who had led such an exemplary life gone to hell?  Hadn’t his guardian angel protected him?  A job easier than most angels, as Mr. Holland led such a good life.  Why, then God, did he end up in hell?  And the room became quiet when God entered the room.

He had heard their questions, and prepared a short demonstration to answer it for them.  A parable on the big screen, so they would understand Mr. Holland better, and to show why he ended up in hell.  God chose a scenario they would have known Mr. Holland in, on a farm.  The angels saw Mr. Holland among the flames in hell, with no way out.  Screaming in pain, one who shined bright like a son of God called him to a tractor hooked up to flat bed trailer.  “Hop on, and follow me, I will show you where the gate is,” the figure called to him, and without hesitating Mr. Holland jumped behind the wheel.  The brightest angel jumping off, rather being pushed off, Mr. Holland taking over and steering.  Mr. Holland saw the gate ahead, but had to go across a field to get there, quite a distance.  And along the way, he passed by many others who screamed in agony were jumping on the cart.  They too were looking for escape from hell, and figured Mr. Holland would lead them out.  In hell like he had on earth.  But soon the cart became full, then overloaded, and the tractor could hardly pull it through the rich soil.  “Get off, you ‘re keeping me from escaping!” he yelled, but even more jumped on, soon blocking the tractor, and almost bringing it to a halt.   “Get off you fools,” in anger and fear, and when he yelled one more time, and when they didn’t obey him, he reached behind, grabbed the clevis pin holding the trailer to the tractor, and pulled, setting the trailer free, and allowing the tractor to jump forward, running over those ahead of him.  Nothing, no man would hinder his escape.  Soon he was far enough ahead he could barely hear the cries for help, the gate was in sight.  He was racing it to it alone, when suddenly the screen went black...and Mr. Holland was back in hell, where he had started.  And as the angels sat silent, they now understood why Mr. Holland had gone to hell.  Mr. Holland’s Oops was evident to them all, and they saw God’s perfect justice.  No words were needed.

In life Mr. Holland had done well, but at a price.  He used to brag he lived by the Ten Commandments, but really only lived by nine, neglecting the first one.  He didn’t place God first, and all his actions led to him getting the glory.  Even the huge funeral he had when he died, was in his will, along with the statue to commemorate him in death and after death.  He had established his own gospel, the gospel of self, and that was Mr. Holland’s Oops.  Although he was a church member, and on the board, he never accepted Jesus into his life, instead rather going it alone, using his wits and talents.  And the angels had seen the same thing the townspeople had seen, it was only God who looked at his heart and saw the evil. It wasn’t the money, the selfishness, or the fame that had sentenced him to hell.  And no, God hadn’t sent him, God sends no one to hell.  It was his refusal of Jesus Christ, to repent and be forgiven, and even to the end, when given one last chance, when the brightest angel Jesus appeared to him, showing him the way, he tossed Him aside, his pride ruling and his ending in hell. He wanted to lead, leading himself right into hell. It was his decision to not place God first, and even the Ten Commandments couldn’t save him.  And it wasn’t the gates that kept him out, but kept him in, as Jesus is the only way to escape the gates of hell.  Only Jesus keeps you out, something no gate can do.  And to the end, he was willing to sacrifice others to get what he wanted.  Truly, this man showed no love to his fellow men, than to lay down his life for another. 

Sadly, Mr. Holland’s Oops is not unusual.  We tend to look at the outer man, God looks at the heart.  And when we ask forgiveness, He grants it.  Sins committed, sins we are committing, and those to come.  All at once, and once for all.  Even the sins we don’t know we commit, and we commit many under the guise of our own gospel.  When it is only the gospel of Jesus Christ that will save us.  What are the angels saying about you?  What will they say, better yet what will God say?  Despite our sins, we can be forgiven, and can all hear the words “well done my good and faithful servant,”  and arrive in heaven.  The choice is ours....many around us think we are who they see, only God knows who we are, and who we are when we are alone.  And He loves us anyway, so why not turn to Him today, let Jesus in and never face the gates of hell again.  The angels understood after the demonstration, what will it take for you?  God is patient that none should perish, and he was ready to forgive and forget Mr. Holland’s Oops, He calls it grace, all he had to do was ask Jesus to forgive him.  So rich, yet so poor.  So smart, yet so foolish.  So giving, yet so selfish.  To the end, when he faced Jesus, he rebelled. 

Today Jesus stands at the gate knocking, let Him into your heart before you cannot escape and it is too late.  The gates of hell shall never prevail against the Son of God, and His followers.  Mr. Holland found that out too late.  Don’t let his oops be yours.  He found out too late that it can be on earth, as it is in heaven, not the other way around.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

here's to you Mr. Colfax, who almost made him smile

Mr. Koch, my 9th grade World History teacher must have been born without the ability to smile, or had it surgically removed when he was very young.  He never smiled, and spoke in a monotone cadence, almost rhythmic, that Lello used to make fun of.  His classes were as exciting as listening to someone read the phone book, even the white pages would have more action and enthusiasm.  But one day I was part of the only time we almost saw him smile.  We had finished our tests, and as an oral extra credit, were asked about a group of names, which included Schuylar Colfax.  Could we identify them?  My hand shot up instantly, as all but Mr. Colfax were strange to me.  “He was a former vice president of the United States under Andrew Johnson.”  And the room got quiet.  Now almost everyone knew my dad, who taught American history, so maybe they thought I had an inside track.  But when Mr. Koch asked “how did you know that?”  I replied “I learned it on Jeopardy.”  And for the split second, I saw the ends of his mouth quiver, as they attempted to form a smile.  But couldn’t.  Maybe even some teeth showed, I can’t tell, it happened so fast, but sure enough while the other kids laughed at my answer, Mr. Koch almost smiled.  Which to him was probably a full on belly laugh-the closest we ever saw him show any emotion other than simulated comatose.  Jeopardy?

Surprisingly enough many learn about facts, figures, and other trivial facts from Jeopardy.  Now this was back when the original was on only at lunch time with Art Fleming, as opposed to the semi-entertaining Alex Trebeck, so I must have watched it during a Christmas or Easter break.  Who says you can’t  learn anything from watching TV?  And I was the hit that day.  But I find as I watch it every night, it comes on here at 7pm, just before all the seniors go to bed, that I can learn from it, and feel like over the years I have been attending the University of Jeopardy.  Night school for us many years ago grads, who thought college was just 13th grade, or spent years there avoiding the draft.  “The best seven years of my  life,” a friend once commented about his college career, still sort of a degree.  But after many years, I can tell you things that interest me, but are useless in real life.  Unless, you want to be on Jeopardy.  Which my Uncle Jim did.  He was my dad’s best friend growing up, and had married my uncle’s sister, so was not technically my uncle-thankfully.  He was big, loud, and was known for being offensive, but had risen to the position of Superintendent of Schools for Bucks County, Pennsylvania.  And he was going to be on Jeopardy. 

So he passed the tryouts, and was scheduled to go on the show.  And when we were told what night it was to be aired, we all watched Uncle Jim.  We were ready for his jokes, his antics, and hopefully his big winnings.  What we got was something, or someone completely different.  He froze in front of the camera.  He stared into it, and maybe answered a few questions, taking on the personality of Mr. Koch, never smiling.  And at first it was sad, we were embarrassed, then embarrassed for him.  Then we started to giggle, then laugh, as it was so funny.  He was making a complete fool of himself on national TV-for all to see!He had put his career and his reputation in jeopardy that night, and no one ever talked about it ever-at least not in his presence.  Partly out of fear, partly out of respect, but mostly because at 6’4” and 300 pounds he was much bigger-he still would pick me up and turn me upside down when he saw me even when into being a teenager.  So silence it was....and to this day Schuylar Colfax, Mr. Koch, Uncle Jim, and Art Fleming hold an interesting relationship to me whenever I watch Jeopardy.  And if “Embarrassing moments” ever becomes a Final Jeopardy topic, I’ll bet it all, a true daily double if Uncle Jim is mentioned.  With a smile on my face of course.

When King Solomon was asked by God what he wanted, he replied “wisdom.”  Good answer.  He already had or would go on to be rich, have a 1000 wives, not sure how wise that was, and built parks, cities, monuments, and great tributes to himself.  But he trusted God, and God was so impressed with his request He honored it.  Imagine how he would have done on Jeopardy?  If only he would remember to answer in the form of a question.  So here are few from the BIBLE CHARACTERS category-all worth $1000, just to see where you are with God.  Using the wisdom of Solomon, here goes.  Answers below.

1-How old was Noah when he started building the ark?

2-How old was Jesus when He was crucified?

3-How many books of the Bible did John write?

4-What two disciples were brothers and known as “The sons of thunder?”

5-Who was Jesus’ father?  Careful, this is tricky.

Today I hope you have the wisdom of Solomon when making decisions.  We all have knowledge, but few have wisdom.  I knew who Colfax was, I just needed the right question to answer it.  Perhaps wisdom can be best described as knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit, but wisdom is knowing not to put it on your fruit salad.  Many know the answers, but we  know the author of the Bible.  We know Him personally, and love Him because He loved us first-sending His son Jesus to die for us.  The correct answer on Jeopardy and in life.  I bet everything on Him, because He has bet everything on us.  Just the mention of His name brings a smile to my face and my heart.  So don’t put your future in jeopardy, turn to Him today and trust Him.  He is the right answer to all your questions.  And you don’t have to answer Him in the form of a question.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com.

ANSWERS-

1-Noah was approximately 600 years old when he started building the ark, and built it for 120 years.  Which made him about 720 yeas old when the rains came.  Middle aged for his time.

2-Jesus was 33 when he was crucified, ministering for 3 years at the age of 30, the year priests began their ministry. 

3-John the beloved apostle wrote five New Testament books, John, 1,2,3 John, and the Book of Revelation, the last one when 95 years old and after being abandoned to die on Patmos, an island with no plant life on it after being boiled in oil and not dying.

4-James and John were called Sons of Thunder by Jesus.  They were anarchists who wanted to overthrow the Roman government.  Judas was also of an anarchist background, but of a different sect.  James was the first to die a martyr’s death, John became the author in question 3.  What a difference Jesus made in their lives and can make in yours.

5-Although Joseph, a righteous man, was Jesus’ earthly father, God in heaven is His Father.  Mary was impregnated by the Holy Spirit, and Jesus is the son of God.  Here we see the Trinity.  Father, Son, and Spirit-it takes all three to be complete. And we too can call God our heavenly father, and Jesus our brother, and friend.  Via the Holy Spirit.  Separate yet one, the mystery of the ages.

one afternoon in the garden at the race track

My friend John loves motorcycles.  But he can be intimidated by the abundance of power an 883 Sportster doesn’t put to the ground.  Going 65 in a 60 zone may push the limits of his law enforcement barrier.  Let’s just say that fast and John are not found listed under the same heading.  He is very talented in other things, just hasn’t mastered the speed power a motorcycle can produce yet.  So when he approached me after hearing through a friend of a friend who races in WERA, that they needed a chaplain, he called me.  Since I had no interest, I suggested he do it, maybe the door God had opened was for him, so he took the position.  And at one of his first races he visited, at California Speedway, Penske’s Track, I attended with his CMA chapter.  Now these guys are mostly not sport bike riders, but cling to the seat when the floorboards scrape on their cruisers. So I was the closest thing to fast they knew-a far cry from anyone on the track.  But I knew Mickey and Curtis, and his dad Ray, all established names around racing, so when we met that morning, it gave John an opening to meet the front runners, instead of hanging with the back markers.  He had access to the big guys in the pit area now, and he was immediately over his head, but you wouldn’t know it by his association with these guys.  But as he hung around and listened, anyone walking by must have the impression he was with them, he was in their pit area, not open to all, elevating his status at the track.  Only when asked questions about racing and the team, he was found to be wanting, guilt not by association, but by his rookie status.  He was walking the walk, now he had to talk the talk.  But that has changed...glad to hear. We are all rookies once...how many times is up to us.

Years ago when I sponsored off road racing, both the Johnsons, not related to each other, Jimmie of future roundy round racing and Rick of moto-x fame were on the Nelson and Nelson Racing Team.  We had made the trip to Las Vegas with them to Sam Boyd Stadium, where a stadium race was going on.  And having the N and N shirt on, and hanging with the crew in the  stands during the race, many thought I was part of the team, which I was, sponsor wise, but not part of the race team.  I mostly tried to not get in the way during the race, or while in the pits.  I was guilty much like John was, by association, and allowed access to the hot pits, and the catered meals for the race teams.  Giving the illusion of knowing what I was doing, just because I knew the people that were doing it.  A pit pass and a team shirt gained me access, and was part of the celebration when Jimmie won his class that night.  I was a winner by association, having never sat in a race truck, or set foot on the course.  And like the saying goes, “been there, done that and have the t-shirt to prove it.”  Guilty by association.

We all know the story of Peter denying Jesus in the garden.  But I would like to take a different spin on it today.  I have always been taught that the aggressors, a little girl among them, were out to corner and convict him with Jesus.  But maybe try this one on for size.  What if the little girl was interested in Jesus, and seeing Peter with Him wanted an introduction?  What if she had heard of Jesus, and wanted to meet Hi, but was afraid?  “You were with Him,” she asked, hoping for an intro to Him, but he denied it.  Taking the course of fear and laying down his cross, rather than picking it up and recognizing a chance to have her meet Jesus.  Just like we do many times when people accuse us, we get defensive instead of seeing he opportunity God has provided.  A simple “why do you ask” may have changed everything that night.  Later when accused of talking like he was from Galilee, he again denied it.  Don’t we as Christians speak out own language, evident to others?  And what if someone wants to join in, when is the last time you were accused of being a Christian, and someone wanted to join your conversation?  Did you welcome them, or turn them away?  Were you too busy to share God’s love, or too busy gossiping?  Finally a group accused him, which became too much for him, and he ran, something we all have done.  Hadn’t he seen Jesus minister to the thousands, from poor to titled public servants?  And he had even been warned by Jesus of what he was to do that night, and how ironic that God provided a rooster to crow, to give a wake up call as roosters are known to do, to alert Peter to his sin and weakness.  A personal message from God that He wanted Peter to share with others.  The same Peter who less than a few weeks later on Pentecost would publicly share Jesus to a crowd of strangers, and with the spirit of God over him led 3000 to the Lord.  Only feet from Jesus when he denied Him, now Jesus resurrected he found the courage and strength to do what Jesus later would tell him to do-feed his sheep.  “Do you love me Peter, feed my sheep,” He told him three times.  Take a look around, where is the cross Jesus gave you to bear?  Are you carrying it, dragging it behind you, or have you left it at home-only used on Sundays?  Is it a decoration around your neck, or has it become a burden to carry?  To wear in public, lest someone should question you?  When someone hears you are a Christian, do you respond in love or in fear?  Jesus still had Peter in training that night, for greater things, and although Peter was much like us, he never looked back.  He didn’t whine over the fact he blew it in the garden, but rather bask in the light of what Jesus had done in life, and share it with others.

If you wear a Jesus shirt, carry a Bible, or have a bumper sticker on your car telling the world you are a Christian, they will expect you to be one.  So be careful what you advertise, and the bait you use.  And be ready to give an answer, using words if needed.  We are called to be a witness, our life should reflect who Jesus is.  Sometimes I’m a before picture, needing forgiveness, and sometimes an after, showing evidence of where He has changed my life.  But mostly I am in process, and will be for the rest of my time on earth.  And I have no problem being associated with Jesus while here.  He tells us if “we are not ashamed of Him here, He will not be ashamed of us before His Father in heaven.”  Good enough for me.  So let today be a wake up call for you.  You may be in the pits at the track, or in the pits of life, either way Jesus is there with you.  Ready to give you words when needed.  Just like sitting in church won’t make you a pew, and riding a motorcycle won’t make you a racer, just hanging with Christians won’t make you one.  The world demands evidence, can you prove what you say?  Do you live what you say?  Do you personally know the one you talk about?  Or will it take the denial in front of a little girl to teach you?  Take the attitude that even the harshest critic needs Jesus, and is looking, although they may not know it.  You have read the book, heard the stories, isn’t it about time you met the man? 

Every accusation brings you closer to Jesus.  Next time take someone with you.  Remember your first time at the track?  Guilty by association-we call it salvation.  Be found guilty today, pick up your cross and follow Jesus.  If you never engage in battle, you never will know how good it feels to win.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

driving the message home

“You are what you drive,” was a common theme when I started driving over 40 years ago.  And I must have started as a nerd, for the first two cars I drove were my parents 1966 Rambler Classic, replaced by a 1971 Pinto.  Now nobody who knows cars, or was a gear head drove Ramblers, but my dad did, and he used to taunt me, “it’s not a car, it’s a Rambler.”  But then he was driving a BMW 2002 at the time.  But it was replaced with the Pinto, which I shared with my mother, which ultimately fell apart, at one point the carburetor vibrated loose from the intake manifold, and it quit running.  Giving Found On Road Dead a whole new meaning to me.  From there I bought my Dad’s BMW 1600, which self destructed, another story in itself, and then bought one of the first Rabbits in the states.  Which surged all the time, never ran right, and spent as much time in the shop as it did on the road.  This was to become my first experience with loaner cars, the neighbors must have thought I was stealing them, as a new car appeared weekly, or was it weakly?  But it too was sold, and my van replaced it-selling it to move to New Mexico.  Where my next car was, you guessed it, another Rabbit.  It must have been the thought of an endless stream of loaners that drew me to it, but another yellow Rabbit, followed me home.  A Basic Rabbit, no options, and I mean basic, cardboard door panels, no radial tires, rubber floor mats, no radio, and the tinniest sounding car you could ever imagine.  And it too was to become tiresome, on Christmas Eve I filled it with gas, and the gas was bad, I never made it out of the parking lot.  The station paid for the repairs, but my first thought, but not my last was “oh no, here I go again,” so much for the first time my fault, second time yours” philosophy.  But the best was yet to come...or go.

Bob Allen was a friend who had gotten saved in Chicago, from a tough background.  He worked for Hosanna, and was going to visit friends back in Chicago for the first time in years, and the first since he was saved.  But he needed a car, and the Rabbit sat most of the time, I rode motorcycles most of the time.  Stunned when he asked, I was referred to Acts 2:42, where the church met and prayed, and needs were met.  Here was a need, and I could help, so off to Chicago Bob and the Rabbit went.  And never thought much about it, he would be gone for two weeks, and I was busy at work, and never really missed the Rabbit.  But being wakened early one morning by a phone call from Chicago was to change that.  It was Bob, he had been in an accident with the Rabbit.  And my first reaction amazed both of us, “are you OK?”  Before it would have been all about the car.  It seems he had gone to see some old friends, and after sharing the Lord with them, they turned on him.  When he tried to escape in the Rabbit, he turned down a one way street, the wrong way, and had an accident.  He was OK, but the Rabbit was totaled.  But somehow I wasn’t upset...maybe the shock, maybe glad that Bob was OK, but I had a peace.

Until the insurance adjuster called, and I had never dealt with a situation like this before.  Hey I was only 22 years old, and only saved a year.  Suspicious of the adjuster, as we all are, I was told they would find a comparable Rabbit in the paper for sale, for comparison purposes to find a price.  Which scared me, used cars are always cheaper, aren’t they, after all they are used?  I knew what the Basic Rabbit had cost, and I knew what I owed on it, and was waiting to find out how bad a beating I was going to take.  My friends were all praying for me, and told me it would turn out OK, just the words you want to hear, but don’t want to hear at the same time.  So when the phone rang, and it was the insurance adjuster, I was apprehensive, but still hoping. Good news.   It turned out the only Rabbit for sale was loaded with all the options.  Deluxe interior, stereo, radials, air conditioning, stripes, and the list went on.  She told me the price, and not paying attention didn’t hear it at first.  Then she told me about my deductible, and gave me a total payout for the Rabbit.  “Repeat that again,” I asked, and she did.  I was being paid more for my totaled Rabbit, after the deductible than I had paid for it new!  The difference between Basic and loaded made me enough money to pay off the loan, and pay cash for a 1973 El Camino!  What had started out as a disaster, God turned into a blessing!

I had obeyed what God put on my heart about loaning Bob the Rabbit, against others telling me no, and God had taken care of me in the midst of adversity.  I felt like Joseph in the well one minute, then handing out food to my brothers the next.  God truly had, and has a plan for me, and in adversity, He was there taking care of me.  A huge surprise to me, and Bob, was no surprise to Him.  Driving the message home, literally, of how Jesus cares for His flock, and in adversity in our weakest moments, His strength is made perfect.  A simple thing like loaning a car to a friend, had turned disastrous to the unsaved.  But in God’s economy would prove a blessing.  Far beyond the money, I learned to listen to the Spirit, and trustingly obey.  I had everything to lose, and could have, but for the grace of God. 

So still today maybe you still are what you drive.  Or in my case, what you ride.  And I ride Triumphs, and triumph in my relationship with a loving God.  Who knew that afternoon in Chicago that Bob would total my Rabbit, and that 2000 miles away in Albuquerque only one would be for sale to compare it with.  So take heart, God is in control, Acts 2:42 is true, and don’t miss any opportunity to be blessed by being a blessing.  A third Rabbit would enter my life a few years after, another deal where they messed up on the contract, and I paid some $400 under dealer cost for the car.  Cal Worthington may have had his dog Spot, I’ll take Jesus any time.  Acts 2:42, driving the message home about a loving God.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

 

Acts 2:42

⁴² ¶ And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship and in breaking of bread and in prayers

 

brown skies why you make me blue

I must admit that I don’t know anyone who wants dirty air, but it is hard to find someone excited about having their vehicle smogged.  Yesterday I just got in under the wire with the Ranger, it passing magnificently, after a check engine light had been on-tighten the gas cap stupid. But when it first failed, it was because it still showed up in the truck’s memory, it hadn’t been driven enough cycles yet to be erased, so 34 miles, freeways and city later, it passed.  We can all breathe easier knowing that, I know I will.  And the readings show the air coming out of the exhaust are cleaner than the air going in-maybe we should all breathe more exhaust.  Please, don’t.  But watching the tech do the test, it was interesting, it had been years since I saw an OBD II test, the test for 1996-newer vehicles.  And as we talked, we talked of cars that failed, and why.  Certain brands were prone to early failure, Mitsubishi he said he had seen fail from as early as in the 80,000 mile mark, while some Toyota and Hondas passed at over 300,000 miles.  He talked of being a Chevy man, but had seen them fail more than he would like them to, but wouldn’t mention Ford, so I figured Ford passed better, something no self respecting Chevy guy would admit to.  And diesels now get smogged, but it is on a visual, something I understood, but can’t explain.  But today the air is cleaner, and I passed the test.  Until 2016...

The first time I was in Los Angeles was in 1975.  This Jersey boy thought he knew what bad air was, but was unprepared for what I was to see.  It was brown, and it was breathable, and it stunk.  And my eyes burned, forcing me to the beach, where at least the ocean breezes kept them cleaner.  Today’s LA air is much cleaner, tighter emissions for cars controlled by computers have done its job, and we forget how bad it was.  My only reminder going north on the 15 to Corona, and seeing the brown haze floating along the San Gabriels, reminding me of what once was everywhere, but now is more controlled.  So while watching a Starsky and Hutch yesterday, you could see the LA air as brown, it really was dirtier then, something we had all gotten used to, but accepted in lieu of warm weather.  40 years later, I breathe easier because of the cleaner air, and my smog test yesterday is proof.  Let’s all take a deep breath and exhale saying thanks!

Now LA is not exempt from being the only bad air city, they occur in places you would not expect.  How about the desert, Albuquerque?  Clean air all year, until it gets cold, and we start to heat our houses with wood, and soon a brown film begins to settle over the Rio Grande, and settles there until a big wind blows it away.  Wood pollution, nothing knew, it s recorded it journals about San Diego in the 1840’s, about brown air at night from fires, don’t tell the EPA, or we won’t be able to have our beach fires, cook outs, or be warmed by a real fire in our fireplaces....One of the most polluted places in the US of A is also one of the most beautiful-Yosemite.  Ever been in the Yosemite Basin in the summer, packed with cars, the air is so polluted it becomes dangerous.  And with all the trees to clean the air, they still can’t keep up-until winter comes and the cold winds blow it all away, along with tourists.  And just when you felt safe down on the farm, know the same cows that give us moo juice, also put off methane gas in highly toxic proportions, that wonderful smell is also dangerous.  How much more  natural can you get than a cow? 

So it seems no matter what you drive, where you drive it, what you eat, where you eat it, and where you summer or winter, air pollution is out to get you.  Unless you are a new car, and you put out better air than you take in.  And even newer motorcycles have catalytic converters, and are computer controlled, but fortunately don’t need smog tested in California.  But through technology we have cleaner air, faster cars and cycles, and can get to more places to pollute them faster than ever before.  A vicious circle if you think about it, and why many people flee to the country when they get the chance.  Back to the Garden, as I like to think of it.  But there is another form of pollution out there that is very rarely mentioned, and most don’t even realize it-noise pollution.  Background noise, white noise or whatever you wish to call it, is there.  And it is more noticeable when by its absence, for it is always present.  It comes from the electric wires, vehicle idling, factories, and even buildings-think of all the conversations going in an office with people talking, phones ringing, and printers printing-it is all pretty loud, but we are used to it.  And only on secluded starry nights do we hear nothing, a wonderful sound after all day submerged in noise, and wonder what is missing?  But with sound comes verbal pollution, in the form of swearing, gossip, and harmful things said to others about others.  Remember your mother telling you “if you have nothing good to say, don’t say anything,” that was noise pollution.  Gossip about friends at work, noise pollution.  Tell stories about others-noise pollution.  It seems every time we open our mouth, what comes out is damaging to someone.  Yet the Bible tells us to “let the words of my mouth, and the meditations of my heart, be pleasing to you my God,” and then further tells us, “what is on the heart comes out of the mouth.”  Now there are some dirty words spoken, you can only imagine the dirty heart saying them.  And even thinking them is sinful, so what can we do?  Who do we turn to for clean air?

Turn to Jesus, and be forgiven.  If you think on Him, you will say nice things.  If He is on your heart, your mouth will reflect it, and goodness and kindness will be spoken.  Not like the brother who wants to pray for the jerk over there, pray for the man who needs love, see him as God sees him.  And as we see God, we will respond.  If you think God is just a test to find fault with you, your words and attitude will reflect it.  But if you see yourself as He sees you, you will be forgiving and loving, the reason Jesus tells us to love God first, then our neighbor as ourselves, for no man loves his neighbor and hates himself.  And God loves us, first, so we should show love to others in Him.  Which is why He caused us to smile, you can’t get mad with a smile on your face, and why His hands were open on the cross-can’t shake hands with clenched fists.  So try to limit the noise pollution today and show others love.

And watch as two things may happen.  One it will get quieter, as so much we say is wrong, and in the quiet we can hear God better.  And also as we listen to God, we repeat what He has told us, who doesn’t want to share Jesus once you have met Him?  So we can tell a lot about your heart, by the words from your mouth.  Clean air can start right now, it shouldn’t take smog test to prove it.  A wise saying says temper your words with salt, as you may have to eat them.  And since we are the salt of the earth, giving it the flavor of God’s love, we need to give just the right amount, too much, and it’s uneatable, too little and no flavor, but just the right amount, and it is beautiful and tastes great.

With the tongue we both praise God and curse man whom was created in God’s image.  Put an end to pollution today, praise God more, and watch as the air around you clears up.  The attitudes of others change to you, and you can smile in the adversity of situations.  It is called joy, and it is unspeakable.....wonder if that just happens to be a coincidence?

in quiet love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot