fire is the devil's only friend

For me it started with an email from Ernesto cancelling Tuesday nights Dustin Arms ministry.  The Bernardo fire had shut down the area, and all church activities were cancelled.  But Wednesday afternoon after volunteering at Gabe’s, we give out free clothing, and minister to the homeless, I saw a plume of smoke to the north.  Thinking it as the Bernardo fire, as I passed that area, it was still north of me, and when I passed the Auto Park, I could see the hills above to the west in flames.  And getting home, the view from our driveway looked like it was right there, but was still 3 mile away.  Still close, but not worried, we went to Costco Thursday morning, and people were commenting on the fire, and how it had subsided...and then we came out, and three new black clouds of smoke were filling the area of San Marcos, now called the Coco fire.  Over the years I have gotten to tell by the smoke what is going on, and this was black and thick, fresh new fire, and probably a house.  By now even the clear air was getting dirty, and the live coverage on TV wasn’t good news, the Coco fire was spreading fast.  Evacuations were in order, and panic was setting in.

My initial thought was to check it out, and after heading down to the Auto Park area, I turned onto Country Club Drive, please don’t confuse it with Country Club Lane, where I live off of.  And the streets were lined with people, lookie loos, blocking roads and access for fire fighters.  Just the appearance of any BMW driven yuppie, slowing and weaving at 15mph, taking cell phone pictures makes me a death sentence advocate.  By passing them on my Tiger, truly motorcycles are the only way to get around, I passed a horse farm, with many horses still there, and a few people standing around.  Just a few blocks down, were many Calfire trucks, and both sides of CC Drive were on fire.  I pulled into the ranch area, and found a man who owned the stables, and told me they were told to stay, the area had no brush, and was a firebreak.  I asked if I could help, and hung around.  Three horses in individual stalls were nervous, the smoke was heavy, and we were 150-200 feet from the flames.  I went up to a huge painted horse, who let me pet him, and he cried out loud-he was scared.  Getting horse goober all over me.  An Appaloosa was skiddish, and another brown horse actually put its head on my shoulder.  Then a waiting truck came to get them, then attended to a corral of babies and mothers-about 25 horse in all.

Down the dirt road then came a fire truck, and unlocked a gate trying to access the flames.  About 100 feet from us another truck was providing back up for a grader cutting a fire break among the trees, you could barely see the tractor for the smoke although only 100 feet away.  The owner finally persuaded the fire truck to move to where they could access the fire better, and where water was available, and they did.  I followed safely behind to Surry Lane, where 6 fire trucks were huddled up, and I noticed a woman in an SUV, looking like she was packing to leave, with two teenagers.  I asked if I could help, and she said she was OK, they were passing out water to the firefighters, 5 gallon pails of water on ice...and you could see by the looks on the firefighters faces it was appreciated.  And it was time for me to get out, dodging the yuppies as I left, I felt safer near the flames.

Before heading home I went down past Palomar Hospital, and behind my cardiologist’s building to watch the flames.  Escondido police were on guard, and I watched with a young woman.  We said nothing, no comments necessary, until an older man came up and asked her “how far away is the fire?”  And the first memorable quote of the day followed, as she said “I don’t know, that’s San Marcos, and I’m Escondido.”  Careful not to venture out of Escondido lady, you never know what awaits you.  By this point my lungs were filled with smoke, bad for anyone, but for someone who had open heart surgery, big time bad.  So I left, only after one quick trek to a home that had been vacated, one final look as flames overtook a home, and wondered if this house was next.  And the news continued well into the night.

My second favorite quote of the day, came from a man who had lost everything, his house and cars burned in the fire.  When interviewed, and asked how he felt, where do they come up with questions like that, his answer was “this is not the worst thing to happen to me, the past 5 years under Obama were even worse.”  Great line, great truth, and the young reporter had nothing to say.  This man had lost everything, but still saw his values taking precedence over his valuables.  Bet he had no BMW!  And in between, you could still see the shock, the horror, and the fear on people’s faces.  Where to turn...what will be next.

In conditions of testing, trials, we see where our true character lays.  For yuppies, valuables will always be first, shaping their questionable values.  For others like the woman passing out water, she saw a need and filled it.  Many others did too, and still are and still will be, when the fire is out, the second phase of assault begins.  And this is where people either turn to God, or blame God.  Who know God rescued them, and like one family in Carlsbad, whose house burned down, they found their fireproof safe, and when opened found charred pictures, “a miracle,” they exclaimed, and still have charred remains of their wedding.  Some will rebuild, some will move on, some will take the money and run.  Each  one facing life in a different viewpoint, being changed forever.  But only those turning to Jesus will truly have their lives changed forever, and will escape the fiery death that hell promises.  Fire, the devil’s only friend, from a line we learned from American Pie, scripture showing how wood, hay, and stubble will burn, but only the things of God shall remain.  As Christians we are the most treasured things to God, and although it is hard suffering loss, God works things out in His way. Even after catastrophes, He is there, and in them too.  Like the fourth man in the fire with Daniel, Jesus never leaves.

And good news yuppies, as my wife reminds me “He died for you too.”  He took you through another fire, maybe a test to bring you closer to Him.  That it is your values that will impact your life, and others, and make an eternal difference, not your valuables.  So “bye, bye Miss American Pie, drive my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry.”  Your life doesn’t have to be.  And it doesn’t take a fire to find Jesus.  That day among the flames, many saw God through the love of other neighbors, the dedication of firefighters, and through those who care to make a difference.  I hope the policewoman finds out someday the distance between her and God is shorter than the distance between Escondido and San Marcos.  They share a common boundary, I ‘m glad my common boundary knows no boundaries, His name is Jesus.  We are told to save for a rainy day, how many were saving for a fiery night?  What are you saving for?  And what has Jesus saved you from and for?  Let’s pray.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

meeting the need without meeting the requirements

“What are your qualifications?” the job interviewer asks.  Really he means what is your education, do you have a degree, in what, and we really want a Masters, or an MBA.  What, to sell hardware?  But that is what it has come down to anymore, raise the bar, the requirements, and eliminate the applications received. Experience, you ask?  “We’ll train you,” meaning we’ll tell you how and what we ant from you.  Perform all the tricks and you’ll get a treat.  So we hear phrases like “top 10 in his class,” or a list of recommendations, best attendance, best attitude, best notebook, best bank account, or best butt kisser.  Moving them to the call back for a second interview pile.  When they have shown nothing more than the ability to meet the requirements, but show nothing at all that they can do the job.  Sorry, I forgot, they’ll train you.

And so it is, and experience doesn’t have the same ring to it that it once had.  They don’t want free thinkers, or those who get ‘er done, they want those who obey and meet quotas-just like they learned in school.  But never got an education, because the same yo-yo doing the interviewing went to the same school as the applicant.  And low expectations receive lower results.  And everyone is happy, except the exceptional, who are what we should be looking for.  To much education, but no learning required.  Application-do what you are told.  Thanks, we’ll get back to you.

I don’t like titles, and only use them if needed, I am not impressed, sorry.  So when asked, I use chaplain.  And it answers a lot of questions they don’t have to ask.  Then eh stumper, “where did you go to school?”  When I mention high school, they mean college, your degrees.  Sorry, just some college, and years of experience.  And the holy spirit.  Which either gives me credibility, or makes me recognizable as a nut.  And in a leather jacket, and long hair, I don’t look the chaplain type, fortunately.  And when a nurse one day accused me of that, another stepped in and told her that when not everyone is impressed by titles, ties, or degrees.  Some want results, and I was able to get them.  When some were asked if they wanted a chaplain, they answered no, but when offered a biker, said yes.  And like the biker who asked me to do his wedding, when I asked why he told me “you’re a biker so I trust you, and you’re a Christian so you’ll know what to do.”  He didn’t say because you’re a Christian I’ll trust you, interesting.  And although I have gone through classes in being a chaplain, the last one I attended half way through it the head chaplain told me I was wasting my time-“you don’t need to be here, you’re a natural.”  And showed me that by not being affiliated with any hospital, not on staff or even by volunteering, I could go more places, see more things, and minister in the name of Jesus because I had no ties to hold me back.  So if asked which hospital, I just say I work within many of them, without the hassle of working for any of them.  Same in my prisoner ministry.  While others do prison ministry, I do prisoners, more personal.  And because I have no religious affiliation, there again I am not a threat to any established program, and can work within the boundaries, those that God allows, and see more results.  And it is the results we are after isn’t it?  Sorry if just Mike doesn’t impress, it still makes my dog wag her tail.  And my motorcycle isn’t impressed when I open the throttle by titles, it just hopes I know how to ride.  So by meeting the needs, rather than the requirements, I get more done, with less hassle, and meet more people, just like the man who influenced me and my decision to go into ministry.

You may know Him, Jesus Christ.  He too was not into titles, and always did what His Father in heaven asked Him to do.  What a concept, asking and receiving from a loving God?  And it has worked for over 2000 years for all who seek Him first, then respond.  Who have come to not care who gets the credit, as long as the job gets done.  Who are more impressed with results, and quality than quantity.  Men and women doing simple, but great things for God, al without the burden of an education.  And today when over 50% coming out of seminary, or cemetary as I call it, not believing in God, you can see where society both inside and outside of the church is going.  But God looks at things differently.  From Abraham, to Moses, to Rahab, to Gideon, to Elijah, to any of the prophets, we see them knowing God, personally, with no diploma to prove it.  But yet food enough to be recorded in the Bible.  Maybe the best degree you’ll ever earn.  How about the 12 disciples, did you know that Judas was the only educated one, in banking?  And who blew it?  A banker.  Wonder what his FICO score was?  Good enough to buy a car maybe, just not to get into heaven.  And so as you go today, ask God hwo you can be more qualified.  How can I see more blessings, and be more of a blessing.  It starts with Jesus, and who He is to you.  And being guided by the spirit.  When god gets the glory, you get the blessings.  And only do what He asks-no more.  You may be qualified, but the Lord has different plans.  Gideon never was a soldier, yet won a war with fat, overweight guys who couldn’t bend over to drink.  Rahab was a whore.  Paul was in jail-three strikes offender.  David played slap and tickle with his best friend’s wife, and murdered him, but God still called him “ a man after His own heart.”  He saw David, not as the world did, and despite his record, still had great things for him to do.  Just like He does for you.

It has been said that fools rush in where angels fear to tread.  God has made us better than the angels, and when we walk with Him, and in Him, we fear no evil.  If you follow His course, you will win.  The battles may be tough, but you will win.  And come away marveling at how God won the battle-even despite you!  Jesus met the needs, without the requirements.  He was a carpenter, no training in theology.  Yet He changed the world as no other has or will, He asked God first.  And then obeyed out of trust and love.  An example for all of us without the requirements.  Meeting needs for over 2000 years with a simple formula, not taught in any school, but written on our hearts.  You may have a master’s degree, but I know the master.  You may have the diploma, but I have the holy spirit.  I’ll put His reputation against yours any day.  See a need, and fill it, a simple recipe for ministry.  Do it in love, and watch as Jesus changes lives, even yours.  Even giving you all the answers for the final exam-the answer for that, as it is for all your problems is still Jesus.  No wonder the Pharisees hated Him, and they still do us today.  In Christ you will get results they never can, or will.  What are your qualifications?  Jesus never asked.  Find that out first hand today.  Success guaranteed at the cross.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

are you smart enough to tell a good idea?

One of my favorite business quotes, and a real reason for success in any business came from a retired Harley Davidson exec.  He said they were always fortunate enough to have someone in charge who knew a bad idea when he heard it.  A sure benefit to any business, you wonder what could have happened to the longest running vehicle manufacturer in the US of A if they hadn’t.  Are you smart enough to tell if an idea is bad, or do you just tend to go along with what is told to you?  Are you the consummate yes man, or do you just not care to make waves?  Are you afraid to speak your mind, or do you just mind your own business?  Food for thought, here are some bad decisions, and you wonder did anyone know how bad they would be?  And can you tell now...

First on my list is new Coke.  Fearing that this international icon, Coca Cola may be some day passed by Pepsi, they reformulated Coke, sending its drinkers into a frenzy.  I worked for Coca Cola then-it got bad and vicious, until they brought back the Real Thing, and today we have Classic Coke.  And is beating Pepsi even worse, their official position, “we stumbled into the marketing decision of the century.”  During the 50—60’s, the British ruled the motorcycle world in sales.  No one gave Honda a chance, who would buy anything Japanese?  But when their 250cc bikes held their own against 650 cc legends, it was too late.  And the ill fated, and poorly designed Rocket 3 and BSA vanished, leaving only Triumph left.  Then the Meriden plant went on strike, protesting its closure, causing them to have no machines, for a market that was shrinking for them.  Proving tow wrongs still don’t make a right.  And by 1975 Made In England was history, bad idea going on strike when you are going out of business.  Will the last person out of Meriden please turn  out the light?

Big Blue, IBM, the developer of the PC, thinking no one would ever make a PC t compete with tehm, sold one time rights to a young Bill Gates, never realizing that others would make PC’s also.  Bill saw the software as the key, selling it to many different manufacturers, and the rest is history.  Betting the market would change as it did, the rest is history.  You’ve got mail.  Decca records once had the choice of signing The Beatles, a big risk, or the Tremeloes.  Just ask Capitol Records, four piece bands do sell, they got it right, just ask Sir Paul.  A Hard Day’s Night for Decca on that one.  Did you know that Mars turned down the chance to be the candy on ET?  The decision to pass on M&M’s as the alien candy of choice catapulted Reese’s Pieces to fame, 65% sales increase the first month the movie was out, almost passing the famous melts in your mouth, not in your hand icon. M&M’s call home.  Remember the HMS Titanic, the unsinkable ocean liner?  Why put on so many life boats, it won’t sink anyway?  Today what is the first thing you look for when boarding a ship? After the buffet?  In less than 140 minutes it was all over, under and out.

Did you know Kodak had the rights to the first digital cameras?  After developing it, they sat on it, and when they did come out with their’s, lost $60 on each one sold.  Hoping to make it up on volume, after 58 years on the Fortune 500 list they declared bankruptcy, so much for the wonderful world of color.  Where have all the Blue Light Specials gone?  Probably to Wal-mart, as when K Mart tried to go head to head with them, their stock sunk 63%, while Wal-mart’s rose 82%.  Seems their supply chain couldn’t keep up with demand, an empty shelves sent customers elsewhere, just in time, like the philosophy they failed at.  We used to sing “the name that’s known is Firestone, where the rubber meets the road.”  And it did, until they came up with a poor way to build radials, hoping to rush them to market.  And they came apart, causing untold of misery and accidents.  Trying to blame the consumer over poor maintenance, they recalled 10 million tires.  Also available at K Mart Auto Centers.  In a pre-Rupert Murdoch era, Fox sold the syndication rights of M*A*S*H needing money.  Today ever time BJ and Hawkeye crack a rib or joke, Fox gets nothing.  In 1979 alone, its first year in syndication, each station showing reruns made over $1 million dollars.  And in the early 1980’s Yamaha declared publicly at their dealer meeting that they would outsell Honda that year.  To bad Honda had stores that sold Yamaha too, bad thing to say, as Honda dropped the prices and almost put Yamaha  out of business.  In the end good for consumers, who could buy a brand new, 3 year old 1982 Yamaha in 1985.   You might have met the nicest people on a Honda, don’t forget to thank Yamaha as you ride off.

In the 3rd chapter of Genesis, we see the all time worst idea, one of trusting anyone but God.  And look at the results, even today.  If Eve couldn’t tell the lie, maybe Adam should have been able to.  What did he and God talk about on their walks?  Maybe if he had listened, we wouldn’t be in this mess today.  What was he thinking?  The dude had it made, great weather, great wife, fresh food, lots of time to ride.  Later Esau, the hairy twin of Jacob, sold his birthright for a bowl of stew.  He must have been real hungry, as this was the first display of fast food not being good for you.  Have it your way Esau?  What was Abraham thinking, the father of all the Jews, when he agreed to mate with his wife’s maid to have a child?  At her suggestion?  Wouldn’t God’s promise be enough for him?  After all, God had been honorable up to that point?  Sin has never been the fulfillment of anything except misery.  Bad idea Sarah, bad choice Abe. 

In Acts we read of a man who wants the Holy Spirit, and thinks he can buy it.  Bad idea, but he later comes to repentance.  Only Jesus saves, he was saved, but thought it a good idea to get what he could for what he had.  Too often an excuse we make today for our own sin.  It’s night in the garden, and they come for Jesus.  Peter takes his sword and cuts off Malchus’ ear.  Trying to protect Jesus, imagine trying to protect God?  And from going to the cross for our salvation?  Seemed like a good idea I’m sure, how many ears have you severed for Christ?  Only to have Him make it good by replacing them because of your sin?  And finally today, we have some who think the free gift of salvation isn’t enough, and try to earn their way to heaven?  Or follow cults, who use the name of Jesus in vain, a good idea to discount hell if you might go, just don’t believe, anything to avoid a choice.  Or add some false doctrines, and make it sound holy, holier than thou.  The importance of being in the spirit so you know the truth.  Life is filled with one bad idea after another, be warned.  We are to be a gentle as lambs, but as crafty as a serpent.  If it sounds to good to be true, it probably is.  So you can either learn from history, or repeat it.

But the worst idea of all time is thinking you can make it heaven without Jesus.  God made it simple, and free, so why fight it?  Yet so many do, and when a new idea, or religion comes around, they fall for it.  Stick with the original good idea, Jesus.  God got Him right the first time, no need for a series of reruns.  Or of NEW Jesus.  And any religion or religious person who has ever tried to replace Him has failed.  Today we may collect Edsels, eat M&M’s while watching ET.  We still take ocean voyages, and shop at K Mart.  Just don’t fall for any blue light special, no one will ever push Jesus out of first place, and He has been real no need for syndication.  Why watch reruns when He is new and exciting every day?  In Jesus you always have someone in place who can tell a bad idea.  If it works for Harley, just think what good decisions can do for you?  Now that’s an idea I can live with.  Here’s a good idea-seek Jesus while He still can be found.  Today is the day of salvation.  Be forgiven, then forgive others.  Bad ideas come and go-Jesus is forever.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

riding the other brand

I get these invitations to go to Bible studies, where it states to join with men who are “like minded.”  I still don’t get that one, does it leave any room for individuality?  Does it mean we all drive Chevies, and make Hondas park out back?  Or like in some churches I have been a guest at, does it mean “don’t park your motorcycle here.”  Which to me means I am not welcome.  But then again I wrestle with the fact that some of the smartest people I know agree with me.  So I am faced with prejudice every where I go, even when I’m alone.  But in all groups, there is a group that rises above, who isn’t in it for the life style.  Like when I walk into Biggs Harley Davidson.  The old guys know me, and what I ride.  Spud tells me we have the same disease, motorcycles.  And I look at the shiny new bikes, and I even have an invite to ride any one I want, they know I am not a customer.  But they want me to know why they ride what they do...because we both ride.  But sadly some look at my Street Triple with disdain, and call it a rice burner.  It is made in England, dummy, too bad we both don’t speak English.  And I used to be offended, until one day a friend who rides Harleys, and loves to ride explained to me that those guys could never ride a bike with power and handling capabilities.  And they really were jealous, because I can and do.  And yet it seems like the seasoned riders, those who remember the 60’s are the ones who come up and start the conversation, telling how they once had a Triumph back then.  While the others listen as if they are talking blasphemy.  Against the Bar and Shield.  And it just isn’t lifestyle bikers, either.  Ride a non-BMW, other in their tight knit society, and you feel like the only reason your jokes are funny is because your fly is open.  But I have owned five of them, and can admire the new GS1200.  And Phil at the local BMW-Guzzi store always likes when I stop by, telling me how nice the new Tigers are, and how they should do well.  He rides, he knows.  Unlike the manager at another BMW cult shop who asked me to park that “piece of @#$%^^!” elsewhere, not in front of his store.  How did he know I wasn’t there to trade?  Stupid is just another word for prejudice, another word for feeling insecure.  And when they meet, they are like minded.

Now I still have this childlike idea that because we ride, we like motorcycles.  Yet everyday I am reminded of how I am wrong.  I fell like a babe in the woods, right, but wrong.  Instead of motorcycles making us common, we wear our specific brand t-shirts, to let the others know what we ride, when we are off our bikes.  When I first started riding, if it wasn’t a Honda, you felt second rate.  Names like Suzuki, Kawasaki, and Yamaha were funny sounding, yet I met some of nicest people on them.  Sorry Honda.  We rode, and BH’s CB750, The Wild Man’s H1 Kawi, and my R90S were all different, but we rode, and rode together.  Our commoness was motorcycles, and so was the road we were on.  And we stuck together, and even when Bouke on his custom Z-1 rode with us, we still felt the commoness of riding, which today still is the heart of the brotherhood.  Even talking with Sonny Barger, who knows motorcycles, he rides a Victory, is impressed by Triumph, and hates Harleys.  But we ride, and that is our common denominator.  So maybe there is something to this commonality we call motorcycling.

In the first century church, the first church, the one Jesus first left us, we see a spirit of commonality among believers.  They came from many backgrounds, and soon many Gentiles and Samaritans would be joining their ranks.  It was a spirit of heart and mind, the heart being the very spirit that drove them, and the mind being how it was exercised.  They were in the spirit, enabling them to be like minded.  And when a rich man sold a property, and gave the money to the church, it was to help the needs that arose.  Not to bring him glory.  and not communism, but commonism, they all knew what they had rally belonged to God, and felt the need to meet other’s needs with it.  A far cry from Communism of today, which always fails.  Jesus taught individual responsibility, and choice, not the state and dictated morals and provisions.  It comes from God, not he government.  And so we see the freedom to do with what we have exhibited here, some under the spirit, some still under their own self.  Acts 5 tells of Ananias and Sapphira, who were part of the church.  Seeing what went on, they pledged the proceeds from a land sale to the church, but then decided to keep some for themselves.  And both ended up being confronted with the truth, and dropping dead.  It was their money to keep or give away, but being in one accord, not a Honda or the spirit, they lied to God, and people, trying to make a name for themselves.  But God sees, just like we see those who ride, and those that buy a motorcycle.  Posers are nothing new, in the biker world or church.

And even today some minister in their name, instead of the Holy Spirit, looking to gain acceptance and praise for themselves.  The spirit of Ananias and Sapphira still at work, and others see it.  And don’t wish to have them around.  Today I still encounter them, carrying Bibles, shouting on corners, and passing out tracts.  “Look what we are doing for God,” they say.  “Why aren’t you more like us?” as they quote scripture and wave their Bibles.  Yet Jesus in the end, reminds them “to be gone, I never knew you.”  They were only interested in photo ops, getting their name in the paper, being recognized in church, and being held in high esteem.  And we all go through it, but I find I get more done just sitting in the back, and letting God call the shots.  When He gets the glory, I get the blessings.  So to you Ananias types, don’t waste your time waving your Bible, or quoting scripture, show me the love Jesus did, and does.  Feed me when I’m hungry, sorry my shirt isn’t clean.  When I’m thirsty give me drink, I might spill a bit, my manners aren’t the best.  Visit me in jail, you might see a better class of people, and when sick, cards and flowers are nice, save them for my funeral.  Your face is what I rather see-so visit.  And when you don’t me, because my leathers aren’t clean, my bike isn’t new, and my jeans stained, introduce yourself.  Just like Jesus, for we were all strangers once, and He welcomed us.  And He was one strange dude, loving those who hated Him, and dying for them on the cross. 

Be yourself in Christ, the easiest and the hardest thing you will ever do.  But only in Him will you be able to be yourself.  To be like minded in His spirit, not by your clothes, income, brand of bike, or denomination.  A commoness that only comes from within via the spirit of a living God.  And for those of us who do, true freedom that others only talk about.  The freedom to ride with those who can’t keep up with us, but wait for them at the end.  To show them new roads, engage in new conversation, and introduce them to Jesus.  All without stepping into a church building, but taking the church, you and me to them.  When we agree with Jesus we have everything, when we don’t we lose what we think we have.  People are not as stupid as you think, but still we get fooled.  Aren’t you glad you serve a loving God, who is never fooled?  And loves you when you are a fool?  One in the spirit, one heart and one mind.  It only works when Jesus is the heart of it-all others are living on borrowed time.  When Jesus gets the glory, we get the blessings.  Don’t settle for anything less.  Lest you be carried out like Ananias and Sapphira.  Years later Three Dog Night reminded us “one is the loneliest number,” unless that one is Jesus.  The first church is still alive, are you in it?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

 

indoor plumbing, what a concept

U.S. STATISTICS IN THE YEAR 1905.
The average life expectancy in the U.S. was 47 years.
Only 14% of the homes in the U.S. had a bathtub.
Only 8% of the homes had a telephone.
A three-minute call from Denver to New York City cost 11 Dollars.
There were only 8,000 cars in the U.S., and only 144 miles of paved roads.
The maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph.
Alabama, Mississippi, Iowa, and Tennessee were each more heavily populated than California.
With a mere 1.4 million people, California was only the 21st most populous state in the Union.
The average wage in the U.S. was 22 cents per hour.
The average U.S. worker made between $200 and $400 per year.
A competent accountant could expect to earn $2000 per year; A dentist $2,500 per year; a veterinarian between $1,500 and $4,000 per year; and a mechanical engineer about $5,000 per year.
More than 95% of all births in the U.S. took place at home.
90% of all U.S. doctors had no college education.
Sugar cost four cents a pound; Eggs were fourteen cents a dozen; Coffee was fifteen cents a pound.
Most women only washed their hair once a month, and used borax or egg shampoo.
Canada passed a law that prohibited poor people from entering into their country for any reason.
Five leading causes of death in the U.S. were: (1). Pneumonia and influenza; (2). Tuberculosis; (3). Diarrhea; (4). Heart disease; (5). Stroke.
The American flag had 45 stars.
The population of Las Vegas, Nevada, was only 30!!!
Crossword puzzles, canned beer, and ice tea hadn't been invented yet.
There was no Mother's Day or Father's Day.
Two out of every 10 U.S. adults couldn't read or write.
Only 6% of all Americans had graduated from high school.
There were about 230 reported murders in the entire U.S.
The majority believed in God and they sincerely tried to follow the scriptures.
TRY TO IMAGINE WHAT IT MAY BE LIKE IN ANOTHER 100 YEARS.

My Grandpa would be celebrating his 108th birthday today, if he was still alive.  But leaving us in 1991, he today resides in heaven.  Looking back at his time here on earth, the changes he went through must have been mind bending, amazing compared to anything we see today.  And today we are seeing technology exploding via electronics, computers, and who knows what else that Apple and its ilk are about to release.  But for my Grandpa, many things changed in his lifetime, making his parents maybe look back to simpler times, as many of us do today.  So take walk back with me...

In 1905 cars were a novelty for the rich.  There was no Model T yet, General Motors and Chrysler didn’t exist, and Detroit was not Motown yet.  The Harley and Davidson boys were still struggling, Soichiro Honda was just an infant.  The horsepower race meant a faster horse, and Studebaker was the leading carriage maker.  Very few had phones, and even fewer had indoor plumbing, the lucky having a chamber pot, to empty first thing in the morning.  Consider that one next time your toilet backs up.  Electric lighting was only for big cities, kerosene, or coal oil was still the king in rural areas.  No Safeways or Vons to shop in, many still grew their own veggies, or bought from wagons selling their fruits and vegetables from them.  A farmer would deliver eggs and butter to you, and the meat man would come buy selling fresh meat, maybe not government inspected yet.  Kids got sick, and many died from diseases and conditions unheard of today.  The day started when the sun came up, and ended when the sun went down.  No Life, Sports Illustrated, or People to read, and any newspaper was read by candle or kerosene lamps.  Teenagers didn’t talk on the phone yet, they were a luxury, and texting meant reading your Mc Guffy Reader, the standard for all education.  No radio until he was almost 25, movies still had no sound, TV unheard of yet. 

By the time he was a teenager, The Great War, WWI was going on, Ford was selling Model T’s at a record rate, and people were flocking to cities, the Industrial Age was upon us, and luxury was close behind.  But it would be not until he was in his twenties, that homes would have refrigerators, the ice man soon becoming a thing of the past.  At age 21, in 1926, he hitchhiked across America with a friend, before roads, before Route 66, and before Holiday Inn.  Begging meals from housewives, sleeping in jails, and telling of riding on running boards of touring cars, he made it from Pennsylvania to Tijuana, no border to cross, and managed to locate the only hotel there.  His America was one of working together, of sharing with others, and of a bright future.  He endured the Great Depression, telling me how he made $15 one month, enough to pay the light bill, but they got by.  He signed up for Social Security in 1937, the promise of a government pension when he retired at age 65, at the time the average age expectancy was only 57.  Even then, the government was betting against you living too long.  He endured rationing during WWII, and prospered in the 50’s like many did, as his grandson was born in them.  He worked until 65, retiring on Social Security, and a small pension, not what he had expected, because the owner of the savings in loan, had embezzled much of it.  He had beat the odds of Social Security, and would live to collect it for 21 years.  He would die in a nursing home, my Grandma too, having bought insurance because they didn’t want to die in the poor house, as many of their neighbors and friends had.  He died owning a 1970 Pontiac Lemans, he had seen much of the country, only 46 states when he was born, and had owned two Cadillacs, used, the sign that he had made it.  He had owned his own home, and from humble beginning went to humble ends.  But the things he never saw intrigue me even more.

To him an apple was something you ate to keep the doctor away.  He had a color TV, but only the major networks for selections, no cable yet.  No Hulu, or Netflix.  You waited until next week to see the next week’s show, no VCR to tape it while at work.  A big thing was a phone in his basement, so you didn’t have to go up or down to answer it.  He saw the doctors before copays, and he still called his neighbors Mr. or Mrs.  When it got hot, you sat on the porch and talked with others on theirs, and a big 6 ounce bottle of Coke refreshed you.  People visited, people talked, and people helped each other.  When a neighbor became sick, the church brought them meals.  If a job was lost, the church helped with bills and saw they had clothes and food.  Afternoons were spent at the library, reading, and talking in hushed tones.  They took walks after dinner, not to exercise, but to socialize, and to fill the pre-TV, radio, cable era.  People went to church, and church was a source of family, social interaction,and worship.  And on Sunday mornings the town streets were empty and quiet, you knew where all your neighbors were.  It was more than a building, it was a hub of activity, a place to meet, and a source of refreshment for the soul.  Today...

A few years back my friend Fr. Al had a vision to help bring back the churches to inner cities in Western Pennsylvania.  So many had fallen on hard times, and with changing times no one went anymore.  With only an older generation holding fast to those values.  His plan was to buy old churches, one in Johnstown was for sale for $65,000, and covered an entire city block.  The windows were stained glass, and valued at $100,000 alone, but no one had use for them either.  His plan with Farzi, another visionary, was to have all denominations us it on different days, and nights.  Open it for social activities, and make it place to worship, and to congregate.  Sadly he died before he could see his dream, but Farzi is living it today.  A religious man, a Catholic bishop, he has opened the building to all faiths, to worship regardless of their denomination.  He welcomes them, just like Jesus did, and many have a place to meet now.  Much like the early church did, caring for each other, worshipping, and seeing their needs met.  All because of one man’s vision, and one savior who provided it.

With so many separating over race, color, and creed, and arguing over religion, can we learn from Jesus, and unite in the spirit?  Church is us, but we still need a place to meet.  So some meet in homes, some during lunch, some ride, and some rent buildings.  But us, the church is growing, and God is still meeting our needs.  Just like He did for my Grandpa, and his Grandpa before him.  And for his grandson, and now great grandsons.  With Jesus meeting the needs, no matter the social or financial status, He provides.  If church is a bad word for you, I encourage  you to join with others today, and seek Christ.  Attend a home bible study, meet and pray at lunch, and feed some hungry, visit widows and orphans.  Jesus is just the same today as He was for my Grandpa, and heaven is still promised to those that believe.  Hang up, quit texting, turn off the TV, and tune into Jesus.  He plays 24/7, can be picked up anywhere, and meets all the needs.  Who needs an i-pod when you can have a J-pod, the holy spirit?  Get to know God more, and watch as He fills your time.  And next time you just have to go in the middle of the night, thank Him for indoor plumbing.  And think of your grandparents, and how they made it.  Hopefully you can too despite all the technological help you have working against you.  Jesus saved before televangelists, and streaming videos.  It worked for Grandpa, and it still works today.  I wonder what he would think, when I see him I’ll have to ask.  You see he knew Jesus, do you?  Is your future heavenly or technologically enhanced?  Only one makes it personal....in the beginning God.  And in the end God, the in between is up to you.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

barn finds

I love the stories, sometimes urban legends of the Corvette found in the barn.  Or the Harley found in the old shed.  But the stories behind them are more interesting, and can make the vehicle more valuable.  Scenario one-Elmer Treestump saves all his money from his paper route and from pop bottles, and when he turns 18 goes out and buys a brand new 1967 Camaro.  Two weeks later he gets his letter saying “greetings” from his uncle, and is off to Viet Nam.  He parks the car in his real uncle’s barn, carefully covered, and lovingly stored awaiting his return.  But like too many did in those days, he doesn’t return, KIA.  And the car sits for 30 years in his uncle’s barn, after the uncle dies and the aunt doesn’t remember it.  Her grandsons are playing in the old barn they were told to stay out of, and find this shiny new, old car sitting, just like it was when its owner went to war.  She thinks nothing of it, just an old car, and it sits for another 10 years, until a great grandson inherits the barn and its contents, and finds he owns a Camaro.  And doing some research finds out the story, cleans it up, gives it a tune up, fresh gas, and new tires and a battery, and it runs.  And soon this low mileage, less than 100 mile Camaro hits the auction block, hoping to bring big money.  Which it does, because the story is more valuable than the car.  Who doesn’t respect a vet, and one who gave all for his country?  The stories of the uncle, aunt, grandkids, and great grandkids all add value to the car now, and it sells for way more than it is worth.  Especially being a six cylinder, 3 speed, with no options-even dog dish wheel covers.  But it is low miles, even still has factory air in the tires, with a history, and its new owner takes it home, proud of his buy...and hoping to add to the legacy.  Undrivable because of low mile sand conditon.  A true barn find, but there are others that don’t end up as well, at least for the car.  But they make great stories.

In 1957 Tulsa, Oklahoma buried a 1957 Plymouth in a time capsule, to be opened 50 years later.  2008 comes, and the city, amongst big promotion, opens the capsule, only to find the car in two feet of mud, no one weather proofed the capsule.  It is rusty, filthy, and to the naked eye a piece of junk.  But has no miles and historical value.  But locating the relatives of the lucky winner, tickets were sold to raise money, they are located and found...but the car is a disaster.  It is more rust than bucket, but he has been offered $10,000 for it as is, as an historical piece.  But has chosen to keep it, trying to clean it up and preserve it.  He will spend more than it can ever be worth just cleaning it up, and now is stuck with a prize, maybe a booby prize.  Tulsa offered to buy it, but he refused, and they wanted to make it part of a museum piece, they put a new Prowler in the newest time capsule to be opened in 2048.  The new owner, in his 80’s refused comment as to wanting to buy a lottery ticket for it.  Again, the story being more interesting, and valuable than the car.  Cleaner in this case, too.

Now to Christians, Jesus is the original barn find.  Born in a barn, He came to save us from ours sins, and many have turned to Him.  Sadly many have turned from Him, and end up like the barn finds.  For whatever reason, life interfered, and they turned away from Jesus, living in sin when they can be living in glory.  But in both cases living under grace, fortunately grace doesn’t depend on us.  But yet they struggle through life miserable when they don’t have to be.  Feeling like the church has deserted them, and not welcomed until they get their act together, sadly there is some truth in that.  But many labor under their own pride, “God will never forgive me again, I’ve sinned too much.”  Or “I’m in prison, I’m divorced, I’m gay, too rich. too poor,” and you know the drill.  You may have even recited it, or may be now.  But please know, that no matter where you try to hide from God, He knows where you are.  And wants you back, as you are.  He will deal with the transformation of your heart and mind, if you let Him.  You may be the barn find He is looking for to show His love and forgiveness through.  And even old, rusted, and worn out, He still loves you, and you still have a value and a purpose.  Or maybe you walked away and got rich, forgetting where your riches come from.  He loves you too, and welcomes you back.  Low miles, high miles, or odometer broken, no matter your condition you are valuable to Christ.  And the story you have to tell, your testimony will encourage many-why are you putting God off?  A better deal than forgiveness?  You may be stuck in a time capsule of your past and you need to shed it.  Let Jesus shine light into your darkness, and give you life again.  And for the rest of us, what a joy to see a life turned around.

Sadly many churches and Christians kill their wounded.  Denying them the spiritual healthcare they need to be revived, remember that at your next revival.  You can only revive something that has been alive...and so I offer you an invitation this morning.  Jesus wants you back, what is it going to take to obey what the spirit is telling you?  When will you have had enough pain and suffering, that you will turn to Jesus?  Or will we find you years later, buried beneath all your sin and dirt, when you didn’t have to be.  What legacy are you leaving for your family, just an old body wrapped in rags, or an old body wrapped in grace?  “Yes, I remember him, biggest louse I knew, then he got right with Christ.  You would never know he was the same person.”  Jesus Christ is still changing lives.  So whether in a prison cell, or a prison of your own making, turn back to Christ.  We need you, we want you, and we love you.  Tell us about the time spent away from Christ, your testimony, and how He welcomed you back.  Start living today...there is no reason to be a casualty any more.

People can make incredible barn finds, too.  God knows just where you are, and your condition when parked.  He welcomes you back.  Let Him throw a new battery in you and charge your spirit, new tires to get you rolling, and a tune up to get you energized.  Let Him clean you up, and when someone asks, “wasn’t that the guy they found in an old barn?” you can tell them of a God who offers second chances to those who screwed up their first.  One was born in a barn to save others, some are born again by that same man to encourage others.  The door is open, the offer is made.  Maybe you are the next barn find we can brag about, what say you?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com