the shape of things to come

You may have never heard of Herbert George Wells, but if you recognize H. G. Wells, you know him, or of him.  A great science fiction writer, some of his books have been made into movies, using some cinematic freedom in their film translation.  So I will refer to the movie versions here.  The Time Machine, a classic where George goes ahead to the future, and finds it wasted.   But instead of going back in time to change time, he goes home, gets some books, and returns to the future to change the new future.  Using the three basic elements of science fiction, sex-Wena was the girl he left behind in the future, monsters, the Morlocks, and sex.  Always a winning combination.  In War of the Worlds, the original, no the “hi I’m Tom Cruise, ain’t I pretty,” remake, we see how when Martians invade, nothing will stop them.  Atomic bombs, tanks, rockets-nothing.  Although we do see one fight where when attacked with an ax handle, the monster is killed.  Maybe those angry mobs in Frankenstein armed with ax handles were more dangerous and effective than we think.  All this new weapon technology, and an ax handle still is the most effective.  But we do find that germs, good old worldly germs kill the Martians, seems they were to pure for us.  And yes, Gene Barry gets the girl, again the basic premise winning out.  Sex, monsters, sex.  But in an older Wells based movie from 1936, “Things to Come,” based on his book “Shapes of Things to Come,” we see man destroying himself from within, forming a brutal caste system, shades of that worldly success Communism, and finally ending up seeking a utopia from progress through technology, seems it went on for too long, and it wasn’t a good thing.  Watch any news lately about your i-phone tracking you?  Or is it really tricking you?  And old Herbert George warned us all about it almost 100 years ago.

More recently, some 60 years ago, when GM ruled the world, and the future looked bright, they brought us Motoramas, where they would display cars of the future, whetting our appetites for what was to come.  This Parade of Progress as it was known, was a hit everywhere it went.  Showing us a look forward, of things to come, L’Universalle, a mini-van decades before Chrysler invented them, the 1955 Nomad wagon, variations of Corvettes, and space looking vehicles, that we all knew we would be riding in someday.  Shades of the Jetsons, before George joined Spacely Space Sprockets, or Cogswell made his first cog.  The shape of things to come, and we could hardly wait until tomorrow.

But it takes the right shape, as the wrong shape can mean disaster.  And although many try and fail, or try to copy and miss the mark, today history is filled with Edsels, Kaisers, Hudsons, Ramblers, Chevy Citations, and Pintos and Vegas, reminding us the shape may be appealing, but it somehow just doesn’t fit.  Even triumph with its TR7 sports cr, advertised its wedge shape as “the shape of things to come,” and the shape was, Triumph went under like the rest of the British car industry.  Look around, America, a shape of things to come for all “Made in America” products?  Much like the affair of the heart.  When God created man, we were made in His image.  And seeing we were lonely, he created woman out of man.  A perfect partner for us, just as He is the perfect partner for us.  Maybe God was lonely for fellowship when He made us, we were made in His image after all.  But since God is love, and love demands a choice, He made us with a hole in our hearts, a shape that He could only fill.  That only He could satisfy.  And although many have tried to counterfeit, only in Jesus do we find that correct shape.  The shape of things to come, and written for us, to us, and about us over a 6000 year period.  Telling us when we let God put Jesus into that hole, His shape is perfect and will fill the void.  Reuniting us with God, which is what He always wanted.  But sadly some choose drugs, alcohol, women, cars, and the love of money to try to fill the hole.  And their shape won’t fit the need, although sometimes it will give some pleasure.  But leaves us in worse shape than when we began, but God still can fill that hole in your heart, no matter the damage done.  Jesus is the perfect fit for all hearts.  If you have accepted Him, you know.  If not, why not find out the truth today? 

Pick up a Bible, you may be surprised to find what looks like science fiction, instead it is true.  And sex, and shows it downside from sin, but also the beauty God created for a man and a woman in love in  “ Song of Solomon.”  Sex, monsters, and sex.  Seems old Herbert George, or H. G. wasn’t the first to use them as themes.  But only God got it right.  Even a story about an ax handle and an ax head....

So when looking, look to God first.  Let Him fill the hole in your heart with Jesus.  Be filled with the spirit, and watch as the future unfolds, we get excited for heaven.  While those who choose otherwise get hell.  Their choice, as God sends no one to hell, He sent Jesus to rescue us from it!  And as we watch the news, we see prophecies fulfilled more and more, and the Shape of Things to Come become more real.  With us shouting “Maranatha!” or come Lord Jesus.  God who came in the form, or shape of a man.  And is coming again-soon is sooner than you think.

Remember this-today was tomorrow yesterday.  And no man is promised tomorrow.  That hole in your heart, that void in your life is really a someone, not a something.  It is Jesus-the shape of things that were, that are, and are to come.  Don’t wait for the movie, you can read the book today.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

riding in my grandparents' cars

Come along with me for a short ride, a short ride back to a simpler time, when the make of car that you were riding in was more important than just riding in a car.  Where a short trip was like an odyssey, and a long trip seemed like weeks, if only for an afternoon.  My Grandfather was always a GM man, he loved his Pontiacs, but had a Buick or two in between, then two Cadillacs, finally returning to Pontiac fro his last car, a 1970 LeMans, two door with buckets seats, and he used to shift the auto like a manual.  Go Grandpa.  But the car I remember most, was his 1959 Buick Electra, 4 door hardtop, silver grey with red leather interior.  Classy, and long, with a rear seat center arm rest my sister used to ride on.  Without seat belts!  The car by which all other Buicks were measured.  My Pappy had a 1958 Ford Fairlane 500, again a two door hardtop, black with a white top, with plastic covered seats.  Stylin’ for his time, his final car.  Strangely both my grandmothers didn’t drive until later in life, my Grandmother a succession of Ramblers, her 1969 Rambler Rogue being way sporty, and my Nana and her 1967 Buick Skylark.  Purchased after Pappy died, she learned to drive, and we loved to ride her, as she thought you had to pass everyone.  Many emergency trips to the DDB, the Daisy Dairy Bar were taken, radio blaring through the rear speaker in her two door hardtop with the windows down.  White with a black vinyl top, she as the epitome of style in 1967.  At least her grandsons thought so.  So it is the cars remind me of my grandparents, of the good times, and of looking forward to riding with them.  a time with no seat belts, no child restraints, no children’s seats, and of a Nana who loved to speed.  And a sister perched on an armrest!  What will your kids’ kids remember about you and your driving?

Today we have child safety seats, harnesses, and air bag cut off switches.  Kids are terrified of driving away without wearing a seatbelt, feeling safe and secure while mom talks on her cell phone.  Give me a conversation, unbelted with Nana anytime, safer and more memorable.  We talked with our grandparents, focusing on the stories they told us, learning about the landmarks, and looking forward to that large ice cream cone, or having a hamburger, fires, and a Coke with them.  We were all about the ride, and the car you were in mattered.  And today we remember times, places, food, and rides because of them.  People knew your Grandpa had made it in the Buick, that Nana was a young widow in her Skylark, and their cars were their identification in the public eye.  And when they came to visit, their cars parked in our driveway were a sign to the neighbors that even though my Dad had a Rambler, his father and in laws were still cool.  Makes me wonder, what will my grandkids think of our cars?

Being grandchildless so far, Riley and Landon hang with us, going to Cruisin’ Grand in Theresa’s Mustang, with the top down.  Their mother drives an SUV, guess which car they rather ride in?  It seems with the exception of Uncle Buck, our old 1990 Ford Crown Vic, we have had convertibles, and sporty cars.  T birds, Mustangs, and a Probe-two doors for two kids.  Which also kept us out of the car pool society, let other kids tear up other peoples cars, not mine.  Which makes my mind wander, and wonder what will the memories be of cars when they get their license?  When they go to buy a car?  An SUV?  A Honda Civic sedan?  A car with a more powerful sound system than the car has horsepower?  How will we be remembered, as those who drove cool cars?  And motorcycles?  Have we lost cool and the coolness of riding in cool cars forever?  Where and what will they cruise in 20 years?  A Tesla?  A Prius?  I am wary of kids who brag their parents drive a Prius.  Wouldn’t you really rather have a Buick, from 1959 or 1967?  Generations come and go...but it is how they go that we remember.

It has been said, and wisely so, “I didn’t quit riding because I got old,  I got old because I quit riding.”  Old age being as much a state of mind as it is a state of body.  With fun being a factor in the equation.  And although my grandparents were much older than me, I never thought of them as old, they got out and did things.  They talked with us and to us.  We rode with them, an early reminder of the trip being the destination.  We interacted, and listened, as we were their main audience, and a captive one at that.  And many values and life lessons were taught to us at an early age, that later we would pass on to our kids.  Lessons learned from sitting unbelted in a car with the windows down, and sometimes the radio blaring.  “Go fast Nana,” and she did.  “Drive slow past my friend’s house again Grandpa,” showing off his car.  Identified by what they drove, and wanting to be identified with them.  Impressing our friends.  And sometimes stopping and inviting them along.  And Grandpa always bought, no matter how many cones for each kid.  They were respected, and looked up to, as were the cars they drove.

Reputations can be easily earned, and sometimes misplaced.  Or come from the strangest source.  We find in Antioch the first time believers are called Christians.  They talked about Jesus, lived like Him, showed the fruits of the spirit in their daily lives, so they were referred to as Christians, or “Little Christs.”  By the Gentiles of all people, it was a name they didn’t invent for themselves.  But soon they liked the name, and as the gospel spread, so did the name.  At first it was a name that was used mockingly, sadly today it is also.  But to these so-called, who didn’t worship idols, who lived clean lives, who actually liked being different, they liked the name, and so today we are still called Christians.  And so the gospel spread, many times one on one, like the conversations while driving with my Grandpa, or listening to Nana talk about her late husband, my Pappy.  We learned things first hand,  and found it was OK to ride with them, to be associated with them.  That older people were cool too, just on a different level.  Just like Christians. 

As Christians we are the coolest, just on a different level.  We have eternal life, and if anyone should have fun it is us.  And how we share the gospel will influence those who listen.  The times talking while driving, not on your cell phone, kids not glued to some screen, can be the best times ever.  Memories in the making, and a time of sharing Jesus.  Not just Christian music, but in conversation, answering questions from them, and making them think and consider Christ in their lives.  Building testimonies, and stories to be repeated to the next generation.  And some will remember the car, some the person.  Blessed are those who have both.  And find out how cool it is to know Jesus.  To be called a Christian, even if made fun of.  My friend Peter tells people to “burn rubber, not your soul,”  good advice from someone who knows.  So I ask, is your life an SUV with the windows up, no fun, or a convertible, top down going places?  What ride best describes your life in Christ?  Bored and confused, or alive and exciting?  What Jesus do you prefer?  Life is for the living, so get out and live.  Wear the name Christian with great joy, and live life with the windows down, wind in your hair.  Let your ride reflect your Bible, if it is worn out, it reflects a life that isn’t.  Experience Jesus first hand, looking back the rides with my grandparents were times of fun, stories, and precious memories.  Just like Christians should have.  A new generation is waiting, what you drive and the places you take them will forever influence them.  They were called Christians at Antioch, the world saw something different in them.  What does the world see in you?  What will your kids remember about riding in their grandparents’ car?  Do we dare call you Christian?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

 

put a tiger in your tank... for that extra kick

Growing up in the sixties, I can remember going to get gas with my parents, they always bought $2 worth when the gauge showed half full.  Usually filling the tank, and while being filled, having their windshield washed, oil checked, and tires checked.  All by Willie or his brother, our neighbor.  You knew the man who pumped your gas, and he knew you.  You were a customer, and after giving you your S&H Green Stamps, thanked you,and wished you a good day.  Just like so many other stations across the US of A did everyday.  And with gas prices competitive at 25 cents a gallon, they worked hard for your business.  And so the gas companies came up with promos.  Double stamp Tuesdays, maybe a deal on a lube job on Thursdays, or a special on one of their branded products.  But the most popular way to get you in, was giveaways.  Incentives to come in, anything from furry Tiger tails from Esso, to hang off your fuel door, to a pair of orange horseshoes to stick on your trunk for Gulf No Nox.  Many stations gave away free glasses, big tumblers with Disney or Looney Tunes characters, the station logo on the glass to remind you where to get next week’s glass-got to have the complete set.  I even had a Sunoco “I can be very friendly” t-shirt, paid $2 for that one.  But the ones I remember the best, the most functional ones, were the trucks.  A red 1950’s Texaco tanker with a sort nose GMC cab pulling it.  Getting to us kids at a young age, where else would we turn for fuel after the  many miles spent driving that truck around our den.  And at Christmas, all kinds of cool toys, again a Texaco gas station, perfectly sized for my Matchbox cars a favorite.  They were toys, meant to be played with, and usually played with until they wore out, or passed down to the next in line.  Or until they wouldn’t hold air anymore like my Sinclair Dino the dinosaur inflatable.

Not many of those promo tools/toys are around today, and fetch big bucks when they do, such is the cost of memories.  And always wondered how some made it, and mine never did.  Toys were for playing, glasses for drinking, and Tiger tials and horseshoes for decorating your dad’s car-until he pulled them off, warning you to not do it again, until the next time.  But somehow these items were saved, preserved, and today bring big bucks at auction.  The trucks in particular my favorite.  Hess this year is applying to have its line of toy trucks admitted to the National Toy Hall of Fame.  For 50 years they have been a Christmas staple, selling out quickly to many who remember them as a kid, and collecting them even today.  Sometimes the only visit that year to Hess is to buy one!  And now this popular piece of petroliana is seeking Hall of Fame status.  Disregarding the fact that for many years it was already in the hall of fame of many childhood memories.

Funny how at 25 cents per gallon stations couldn’t afford not to give these items away, and at $4 per gallon they can’t afford to.  Somehow Hess ahs carried on the tradition, with some concerned now over how or if Hess wil continue, they just sold to Marathon Oil.  I hope this is one tradition Marathon keeps.  But as today gas stations are no longer service stations, you pay by credit card at the pumps, you pump yourself, and the only time you talk to someone is when the receipt won’t print, and you are forced to go to the window, the 2” thick glass window, where you are grunted at, and given a receipt, no thank you, no tiger tails, no I can be very friendly. NO personal contact at all, almost like you were doing them a favor.  No wonder they aren’t call service stations any more.

And brand loyalty is only where your credit card takes you.  Shopping for the best prices the key, no other incentives.  Causing us to no longer have a one to one relationship to the man filling our car-we filled our own motorcycles, then and now, and dealing with nameless faces, with names we cannot pronounce behind the bullet proof glass, when forced to.  Times are changing, but maybe it is the people changing the times.  But when change comes, we have trouble adjusting to it.  And the wise seek to investigate it.  Just like the apostles did in Antioch.  Word had reached them that Gentiles, those that the Jews thought were meant to fire the fires of hell, were being saved.  The church was growing, changing, and they need to make sure if its true-and real.  So they sent Barnabas to find out.  And so Barney went, not to control it, but to check it out.  To see if it was real.  And they sent Barney for three reasons-he was a good man, full of the spirit, and full of faith.  Three great characteristics even today, who wouldn’t welcome a man like this.  He was a good man, could be trusted, was kind and friendly.  Not unlike Willie filling my Mother’s Rambler, while washing her windows.  He was cheerful and grateful, a man of manners.  So different from the whatever attitude of today, he would have answered “you’re welcome” when thanked.  Giving you one final reason to return.  Making it personal.

He was in the spirit.  The fruit of the spirit being evident in his life.  Love, joy, peace, patience he had.  He was good and kind, long suffering and had self control.  He was this way because of drawing on the power of the spirit, instead of trying to do it himself.  Like Jesus, he was led by the spirit, and the evidence was there to prove it.  He was the man who gave away the promo goodies, and maybe gave extra stamps to the poor when needed.  Always a smile, and could be trusted.  When he said you were a quart low, you were.  The spirit always knows these things, and Barney was in the spirit.

And as a man of faith, he didn’t question what God showed him, he acted on it.  Men of faith hear and then act because they believe.  It wasn’t and isn’t about us, or how we feel, it is about Jesus.  When we trust God and recognize He will do something, we act on it.  Faith that can move mountains, or fill gas tanks.  A type of faith mentioned in Hebrews, Faith Hall of Fame, but you can have the same faith without being famous.  Barnabas got things done, acting in faith as the spirit moved him.  What moves us?  Are we even movable?

Recently when I saw a Texaco toy station, the memories of good times came rushing back.  I was the kid asking “fill’er up?” or the driver of the tanker dropping fuel.  I was the guy saving my Green Stamps in hope of a prize.  I was a good man,  had faith, but until I was Born Again didn’t have the spirit.  Many nice guys out there have faith, but without the spirit to guide them, it is useless.  We need to be a servant like Barnabas, to go when and where ordered to, and to accept change, when God does it.  To collect the collectibles of love and peace, showing them by being kind and friendly.  We need to be the man asking the lost if we can “fill ‘er up?” with some love from Jesus.  We need to share our collection with others, and not hoard it.  for love is like a toy, unless played with and enjoyed, it is only an emotion, like a toy still in its box.  Only valuable until it opened, but never enjoyed for what it truly was designed for.  Show love and courtesy before it needed.  Set a the pattern of joy to be returned, and watch as the spirit moves you, and faith becomes an action, not a belief.  The fruit of the spirit is best enjoyed when in evidence, just like our old toys were.  Trust Jesus today, he’s still full service, and the blessings are plentiful.  To be shared and not collected for later, share some today.  If only I had the $250 dollars for that Texaco station....

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

period of adjustment-but wait there's more!

Page 2: "This manual is not intended to help you understand the operation and maintenance of your motor vehicle. Rather, it is meant to provide you with invaluable information that would, under normal driving conditions, take most car owners months to discover for themselves. Information that has been painstakingly gleaned from many hours of vehicle operation." 

"Refill the fuel tank before the gauge registers E (Empty)."

It is trendy today that when you buy a new car, that a salesperson, usually a specially designated one, goes over all the features of your new vehicle at delivery.  After the hassle of the F and I guy trying to sell you insurance for your undercoating, and more useless trim for your fenders, you are ready to go drive.  But wait, there’s more, you spend another half hour not paying attention to how all the buttons and gadgets work, just so you can work the radio, or adjust the air conditioning, or turn on the lights, or.....Many cars don’t come with owners manuals any more, they are online, but you can access them while driving, from your i-phone, while driving a car designed for safety, pioneered by Mercedes Benz, also the leader in electronic devices.  CRASH!  I just used to tell the new owners to find a teenager, they know how it all works, dump the phone, and drive.  And I can see how older drivers are intimidated by new cars, on one 2003 S Class there were 39 buttons on the dashboard, but still no on/off button for the radio.  It adjusted by speed.  So many would just hang on to their older cars, and feel safe and secure living in the past, the future had become today, and arrived too soon.  And even on new motorcycles, like the Tiger Explorer I recently toured on, it has cruise control, programmable ABS, traction control, and a multi function computer, along with an electronic throttle.  Twist and go has become twist and shout-AAHHHHH!!

Talking with a man on the street, Tim he was homeless, he had just gotten out of prison after 34 years.  Not sure of his crime, but the world of today was much different than when he went in.  He and some others like him were having trouble being homeless, as they didn’t fit in with the homeless.  He told us he had never paid rent, written a check, or filled out paperwork, and felt disadvantaged.  He had more than paid for his debt to society, now society, the outside world, turned on him.  He said his friends and he weren’t bitter, but needed assistance.  But no one was there to help, and they were frustrated. When asked if there was one thing we could do to help, he said “we need some adjustment classes, so we can get work, get places to live, and get assistance.”  When we returned, “would you go if they were available,” his answer was a resounding “yes!”  No hesitation, YES!  Just like the new car, they needed to be oriented with society, and many can’t, don’t, or won’t, and go back to jail.  In some places it is so bad, there are homeless camps of ex-cons in front of parole offices.  Where are the well meaning politicians now?  These ex-cons like many others, have become NIMBY’s, Not In My Back Yard.  Out of sight, out of mind, just not sure who is out of their mind.  Is anyone listening?

When Jesus gave the great commission, to preach the gospel, we think of only evangelism.  But He really was keying in on discipleship.  We give the great commission precedence over what really is God’s purpose for all, to be conformed to Christ Jesus, to be transformed to His likeness-Romans 8:29.  Salvation is just the first step, and many stop there.  We are so concerned with salvation-yes it is the most important, that we forget about those after they are saved, much like the cons hitting the streets.  OK, they’re saved, now what?  As Christians we talk different, our language is different, and we sing songs, pray, and have different views than from when we were lost.  But without discipleship after salvation, many go back.  Some don’t grow at all, or some get bad doctrine, and if not for God seeing their salvation, we would never know it.  Lost and saved, all at the same time.  We forget that each one has a purpose from God, and is valuable, yet we don’t encourage new believers classes, or if we do, after few weeks give them a certificate and tell them they are matured.  The truth is we will always be going through a maturing process until death.  The word mature means death.  Only when we die physically and ascend to heaven will we be perfect.  When Jesus said “greater things you will do than I,” He meant that as the church, we all have a part to play, and when empowered by the holy spirit, we can do all the things He could and did.   Using the spiritual given to us via the spirit, we can see the lame walk, miracles occur, raise up helpers, those who welcome, and those who teach.  No one is more important than the other, but without discipling, how will they know?  How do we know?  How do we know how much we are missing?  Read the great commission again, as you go, making disciples.  Hmmm?

Older Christians, take in those who are younger or weaker, disciple them as Jesus took you in and discipled you.  Younger ones, less mature, find one who you can follow, who follows Jesus, and have him teach you.  In fellowship, worship, teaching, and discussing the word, you will find growth you never knew was available.  How many times I hear “I didn’t know that was in the Bible,”  from older saints.  So we all need to be involved, I know I do, and am.  A new life in Christ is much more than a new car, and we too comes with an owners manual.  The Bible.  And the more you read it, the more you know, the closer you get to God.  And the more you see Jesus for who He is, a friend, counselor, healer, master, and savior.  And you get to know yourself in His terms, and see sin differently.  You change to become more like Jesus because you want to, not have to.  And unlike those who are new to the street, you have a family who welcomes you, and wants to love you.  But without discipleship, it is hard.

The vision God has given me is to equip others to equip others, to equip others with the gospel.  Pass these devotions on, share them with others.  Use them to be encouraged in Christ, and get into the Bible more.  Jesus chose 12, who spread throughout the world, adding many every day.  And each one had the ability, just as we do , to do the same.  The same Jesus of 2000 years ago is still at work, He never left or denied you, and has given you gifts to use for the kingdom.  Along with the blessings that come with them.  If you truly wish to be transformed to the likeness of Jesus, pray and ask God to direct you to someone, and then let Him.  Be ready and involved for your new life in Christ, and get every blessing available.  Get involved.  Hang on for the ride of your life.  No need to just hang on, or hang out like Tim, the ex con, he too was looking, and hopefully we can help him.  Too many Tims like him out there, seeking, and not finding.  Being given a new gift, freedom, but still in bondage to the old life.  You who believe have a new life in Christ.  Start your period of adjustment today, get closer to God.  The family welcomes you and we need you.  Tim needs you, and Jesus needs you.  You are that special He gave His life for you, now can you give your life over to Him?

We are the church, welcome.  We are the first family of Jesus.  And it only gets better.  But wait, there’s more to Jesus....be conformed to Jesus today.  Do I hear a resounding YES!

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com