go somewhere for a change

“You two are definitely not local yocals.  You like rides that are last longer than a piddly little afternoon.  You like waking up on different coasts.  You like exploring this big, bad slab of a continent, instead of putt-putting around the subdivision revving your pipes, going nowhere.”   Perhaps the single most, definitive advertisement of myself that I have ever read.  Thanks, BMW.  For as long as I can remember, I wanted to travel.  Whether it was riding to Westfield on my Schwinn Typhoon, or to Plainfield, I knew that there was more than where I was had to offer.  Getting my license at 17 only pushed the door open, but when getting my first motorcycle, and heading out on my first cross state trip at 20, I knew that I was hopelessly locked into the call of the open road.  And then at 21 I did the unthinkable to many, I changed my New, from Jersey to Mexico, on my R90S.  Something that none of my friends encouraged me to do, stay in school, get married, stay at Sears, it’s the same everywhere anyway.  And so those who stayed still think it is, but to those of us who ventured away, we know different.  We know how far across Texas really is by riding across it.  We know how wide the Mississippi really is because we have crossed it.  We know the sand in Florida’s gulf coast is finer than the gold coast, and the water softer.  We know that some roads weren’t planned, they just follow the topography, like Skyline Drive in Virginia, and California.  We have run lean at 12,000 feet in Colorado, and been toasted riding across the desert in Arizona.  We know the difference between fresh lobster in New England, and that fresh, flown in in Denver.  We have found that open spaces are wide, but not without life.  That on two wheels we make friends, get better offers, and a better sense of life from behind the handlebars.  That some days are measured in counties, some in time zones, and some without measure.  That premium is cheaper than regular in Kansas, because of the methanol content.  We wake up every morning on a trip, and smell the air, look at the skies, and confirm the guesses made on the Weather Channel.  We wave to other riders, friends, companions, and fellow brothers, wondering how it is where they came from, because we are heading that direction.  And they wonder the same.

We know that BBQ is different is Texas than it is in North Carolina, than it is in Tennessee.  That real steaks taste better over a pit with a foil wrapped potato than microwaved at a Denny’s.  That in New Mexico Christmas means both red and green chili.  And that ice tea is only served one way in the south, sweet.  Yet many are afraid of leaving the safety and security of their own home.  “I’m happy, why should I try something different” I hear, barely audible over their loud pipes.  They brag about the high mileage on their rides, yet when asked where they have been, they say “nowhere,”  all the miles are from commuting.  North means Del Mar, after a week of planning.  Going somewhere, and nowhere at the same time.  I meet men who talk of going all over the US of A on business, never seeing anything more than the airport, and the view from the shuttle to the meeting.  Meals in hotels, never venturing out for local.  Play it safe, stick with chains, I can’t afford to be sick.  And don’t know they are sick already, in an endless malaise of mediocrity.  A rut, which is really a grave, but with the ends still open, providing a way of escape.  Many diseases have no symptoms, and many die from natural causes, unnaturally.  When their life can really be changed supernaturally. 

Doug made a comment the other day at Bible study, that too many have their Bibles stuffed with notes, are real students of the word, yet have never experienced it first hand.  They know more about Jesus than some scholars, from his shoe size to his favorite food, yet wouldn’t know Him if He sat at their table.  And some have even turned on those He sent their way, they know all the laws, just not the law of love.  Safe and secure we know where to find them on any Sunday morning, in the same seat, the same service, amongst the same crowd.  Who all agree on the same thing, that they are right, and others need to follow their example.  Don’t fix something that isn’t broken, and they cannot see the mediocrity of their relationship with Christ.  It ended with their salvation, and it hasn’t gotten any better.  If knowledge can get them a better seat in heaven, they don’t have the wisdom to know it won’t.  They sit and listen to testimonies from others, and wonder why they have none of their own, why are some blessed and we’re not?  Yet don’t hear the call when called.  And yet Jesus calls, and that is maybe why many are called, but few are chosen.  Their choice.  Some find solace in a third world jungle, and when coming home to visit, can’t wait to get back.  And the few, the proud, don’t get it.  They cannot understand why we can be blessed just helping the homeless, yet they wouldn’t get their hands dirty.  They give until it hurts, and have a low threshold of pain.  They don’t get Jesus, but do His teachings.  It enters the head, but cannot find the heart.

Mediocrity is no way to live or die.  The lukewarm, not being aware of the blessings in challenges, who stick to the same, and not knowing how bitter they are becoming.  Husbands and wives getting older, but not together.  Where a big challenge is Caesar instead of ranch dressing.  Whose mantra of fear is “we’ve never done it this way before,” the sign of a dead or dying relationship.  But it can change, Jesus still is calling, and not just to Africa.  Maybe to downtown, maybe to summer camp, maybe in church.  Just to serve, and to be blessed.  The most blessed Christians I know are not local yocal Christians, but who have heard the challenge, had a vision, a dream, and then followed it.  Who weren’t afraid to fail, and being blessed in the midst of the storm.  Not worrying about which fork to use, but picking up the lobster by hand, and dipping it in the butter.  Washing it down with a moon pie for dessert, and a custard later. Not caring that real milk shakes have 60 more calories than frozen yogurt, but going for the best.  Knowing that hole in the wall places are that way because they want to be, the hole conveniently placed where only some know to look.  While others sand in line at Denny’s, ordering of the low cal menu.  Served from a can.

Nowhere is somewhere, but a place no ne wants to be, or intended on going.  But many end up there in their spiritual walk.  Not knowing the blessings from Jesus that are available.  Don’t be among the casualties, get out and live.  The best view is over the handlebars, going away from, and anticipating the day’s ride.  We know that the ride is the destination, and when we arrive too early, go further in faith.  Sleepwalking in faith, thinking this is all there is to live and the Lord.  Find out how wrong they are, and maybe you are.  GET OUT and live!  Go boldly where no one, YOU, has never gone before.  The road may end, you don’t have to.  Hike a new path, ride a new road, take a new trip.  And as you go, you will be spreading the gospel as Jesus commands us.  Be the brave Samaritan who blesses others while unloved.  Dare to wear the same jeans two days in a row, or three.  Try something you have never tried, and find out what life is all about.  It is all about Jesus...you read the book, now live the life.  If they made a movie of your life, who would play you?  Would it be a movie you would want to see, or have your friends see?    Life for you may be about coming attractions, mine will be about what Jesus has done, is doing, and what He is to do.  On Any Sunday...more than a movie or morning in church.  The road is calling, what will your  answer be?  Go somewhere for a change.  You’ll never know where it is going until you get there.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biekr.blogspot.com

 

he's buying, what'll you have?

Gone for me are the days of 700-800 mile rides, my body just can’t take it after the surgery.  So we have been exploring areas around home, making a 100 mile radius of San Diego, and although tracing, and retracing many miles, we have found places we passed over on the way to other places.  We once would ride 200 miles for lunch-each way, now a 200 mile round trip is called a day.  But among those 200 mile round trips is Boulevard, an exit off of I-8 east of San Diego, or where two old roads converge. One road out, one road back, but the reason for the ride is Wisteria Candy Cottage.  Since 1926 in this old house, in a town where the population is double digits, some of the best chocolate anywhere is found.  Hershey’s, Ghiradelli, Godiva, are all big names, but Wisteria is big time chocolate.  And worth an afternoon ride just for that.  Plus a good chance to wear the sides off of your tires, almost no traffic on the road, and if you must, take the freeway and cut the time, and some of the fun in half.  Impress your chocolate loving wife today.....

A shorter ride by freeway, but accessible using only back roads is Old Town Orange.  Smack in the center of Orange County, take a trip back 50 years, where you can walk the sidewalks, park for free, and sit in the park and watch the fountain, or read, or people watch, while sitting in the center of the roundabout.  Where traffic stops when you leave the curb, and antique shops invite you in.  Grab a burger and shake at Wilson’s Pharmacy, as many have for over 100 years, or eat at the Filling Station among the college crowd.  But our favorite is Taco Adobe, great South American food, not Mexican, somehow this gourmet chef makes the best tacos around.  Sit on the sidewalk, bask in the sun, and relax.  We do-note the chicken fajitas are to kill for.  And again a Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory for desert.

Looking for a place to eat healthy and still taste good, Simple Simon’s in Riverside, across from the Mission Inn.  Great baked bread, the sourdough is unreal, big sandwiches, and of course dessert, fresh from the oven.  Sitting in or on the patio, no rushing, except to get in.  A good reason to go to Riverside, just for the food.  You would never guess that from the freeway.  On the other side of healthy, read greasy, old school, and ultra comfort is Flo’s, at the Chino airport.  You don’t have to fly in, although I have, how cool is that, look for lots of bikes on weekends.  It seems nothing cannot be made better without gravy on it, and at your denial, they won’t cover your eggs, potatoes, and meats with gravy.  Nothing fancy, you can’t eat atmosphere, walk it off at the Warbirds Museum, then recover by riding all day.  Right through lunch....More back roads can take you to Redlands, where Saverino’s Italian Market and Deli calls you.  In an old industrial area, untouched by yuppie hands, they serve great Italian food, big portions in a friendly atmosphere.  Great sauce.  And save room for desert, tiramisu is always a great desert.  Lots of locals, always a good bet, and if the fire department eats there, you know it is good.  Don’t count your calories, each bite will put you way over.  Ever see a skinny Italian chef?  Was Sophia Loren skinny?  Eat and enjoy, then ride again, up to Oak Glen.

In the fall when it is apple season, the air at 3500” is filled with good reasons to escape for anything apple.  Our favorite, the mini apple donuts, not telling which place, start in the east, ride west, turn left down a dirt road...oops.  Sit back and enjoy the live blue grass music, and forget you are only a 70 minute ride home if you avoid the freeways.  Again,wear some side walls of your tires, even Harleys lean on their side stand.  Now that I’ve made you hungry....

If you notice we have somehow carefully avoided fast food, and chain restaurants.  There are some good ones out there, but we want some original food, some home cooked flavor, and some atmosphere, even if it is at an airport.  Fast food is only profitable if it is fast, you get it fast, you eat it fast, others are waiting, I have even seen signs warning you that you have a 30 minute time limit in McDonald’s, and then leave fast.  Never enjoying the time spent out, or away.  Great food doesn’t have to be a McSomething.  Fast may work at drag races, but fast is not for my food.  Do you know where the most dangerous place is on a Sunday after church?  Try the lines at any grocery store.  Rude, disagreeable, impatient, all the things you weren’t in church, and tell others you aren’t, you become after church.  Works good in restaurants too, I have seen good old brother so and so try to push his way to the front of many a line,  “I’m hungry!”  What do you think the rest of us are here for, entertainment?  I hope you aren’t the floor show.  Good time to exercise the first shall be last, you can first at the end.  So we see many lessons learned at church, don’t ever make it out the door.  But are known by those who don’t go to church, who don’t like God, or better yet, don’t like God’s children-us.  An interviewer called Stickerman visits campuses, with Jesus stickers all over his rubber suit, asking people questions about God.  The answers may surprise you, or maybe not.  Seems most don’t hate God, they aren’t even upset with Him.  But most have had a bad time in church, and he finds that most don’t like Christians because of the way they treat others.  A lot of perception here, but in a time where perception has become truth to many, how are you perceived?  Are you courteous?  Do you tip that hard working single mom waitress?  Is your car covered in Jesus stickers as you cut me off on the freeway?  Do you brag about what a great Christian you are, but fail to brag about what a great God saved you?  Is your walk with Jesus like a fast food experience, get in, get out, and repeat next week, if a better offer doesn’t come along?  Do you order the daily special, and hope it tastes good, if it fits your life?  If Tripadvisor.com had your church listed, would you recommend it?  Do you approach God like you do your eating, same old fast food, with nothing but fillers, when the real thing is just blocks away?  Where are you with Jesus, and is He invited to eat with you?

If you had to give Him a description of you so He could meet you for lunch, would He recognize you?  Or would He have to ask, is your opinion of yourself much different from what we see?  Maybe ask those that serve you.  The waitress, your mechanic, the parts guy, the pastor who offers advice you won’t take.  What part of Jesus don’t they understand because of you?  So many of these chances are local, are you like Jesus not recognized in your own town?  And if you are, what would the reviewer say about you?  Would you want to eat with you?  Careful, I may be the guy in the next pew.

A walk with God is just that, not a run, not a sprint.  A marathon, daily, so sit back and enjoy the meal.  Enjoy the great service God has given via His son.  Be the exception, be the reason people want to visit your church.  Be the same guy after church you are in it, and if you are the same as the guy rushing, it is not too late to change.  Jesus is in the business of it, great references too.  And He knows the best places to eat, where the portions fill you up, and each meal is a worship service of its own.  From fast food to mega meals, He has seen it all.  So ask yourself, what of Jesus do people see in you?  That empty chair at your table just might be a chance to share some love with a hurting person.  Buy them a a meal, offer them dessert.  If you eat at the best places you don’t have to have it your way, you don’t have to eat off the dollar menu, and you can end up likin’ it  when you eat with Jesus.  Sometimes all without leaving your own home...Stick close to home, set the example there, then eat at your Judea and outer lands.  Great food in Samaria, and other places to, spreading the gospel as you go, just like Jesus tells us.  So many choices, make mine Jesus.  he buying, what’ll you have?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com 

the motorcycle endorsement

I just renewed my drivers license, this time by mail, proving that for at least the last 5 years I have been ticket free.  Will wonders never cease.  Which got me to thinking, I have been licensed in 5 states over a 43 year period-wow!  I have taken written and driving tests and passed.  I must know how to drive, or so it would appear.  And then I enter the real world, and get cut off by soccer moms in SUV’s under the influence of cell phones, upset because she can’t hear over the precious cargo of kids she is hauling, who almost made her avoid her exit, but still she was able to cut across 4 lanes of traffic to get off.  Barely missing me as I get that dirty look like I don’t belong.  And she passed the same tests I did, but only one of us knows how to drive, and is courteous.  And I wish it was her instead of me!  But maybe she and others like her are only partially to blame, because somebody passed her, gave her the stamp of approval and granted her a license to drive.  Sadly she never sees the potential trail of destruction ahead of her or behind her, self absorbed it is our responsibility to look out for her.  But right here on my license, as I have for over 42 years is an M! motorcycle endorsement-I can ride legally.  On anything from a moped to a fire breathing Harley, I am street legal, and have the skills to prove it.  Including the skills to dodge and elude her and her 4000 pound lethal weapon that always seems to be pointed at us.  Just because we both have the paper that says we can.

An old proverb tells us “you never criticize two things about a man, his love making and his driving, and not necessarily in that order.”  Make fun of a guy’s date, no big deal.  But make fun of his driving look out.  He’ll be madder than an SUV driver on a cell phone who missed her exit.  You’re gonna pay, and the fines aren’t light.  Yet skills and licensing don’t go hand in hand, one not necessarily dependent on the other.  And just because you can navigate in a parking lot under a DMV inspector for 10 minutes, doesn’t mean you have any skill.  You have rights, how about some responsibilities?  How about those skills?  How about courtesy?  How about the others on the road?  How about....?

About 10 years ago I went to a funeral of a motor officer who had been killed in the line of duty, you guessed it, hit by a car.  It was a large ceremony, this man was popular, and well liked.  From the talk about him, he was the kind of guy who would give you the benefit of the doubt when he pulled you over, it was about safety, not revenue enhancement.  And after friends told their stories, the pastor stepped up, and astonished a few of us.  From the description of this man, I would have guessed heaven, but after the pastor spoke I left wondering.  It was something he said that made me wonder, and ought to make you wonder too.  He said “Terry is in heaven today, I know because he finished his membership classes after joining our church.  He had just received his certificate of membership...” and my heart sank.  Was this man’s eternal destination based on a certificate?  Do you get to heaven just by joining a church and attending a few classes?  Just like getting your driver’s license?  Is driver’s ed. harder than heaven?  And here was a pastor, a called man of God telling others a lie about salvation.  Where was Jesus?  Where was repentance?  Where was the forgiveness of sin?  Where was the truth, that only Jesus sets you free?  And I left wondering about Terry, had he been duped into thinking he was going to heaven because he had passed a test?  And had a license/certificate?  Did it have to be renewed like a license, did he have to show it to prove he was a Christian?  Or was he speeding through life without regard for others and their destiny, like a mother under the influence of cell phone?  Talking, but never getting it.  Hearing, but not listening.  Endless babble, with no concern for anyone but themselves?  Was his name written in the book of life?  Did he know Jesus?  Do you?

My M1 status on my license is valuable to me.  It allows me legally to ride anywhere on anything I want.  It makes me legal, I have met the qualifications to ride legally.  It says nothing about my skills, ability, or relationship with my rides.  Just met the requirements and passed the test.  But I ride confident every day because my name is written in the book of life-I’m saved.  I do not have a membership card for any church, I know Jesus.  I didn’t attend classes, I asked forgiveness, and was forgiven.  I repented, and became born again, a new man in Christ.  And hopefully my life reflects that, for if ever challenged, I have only the witness of knowing Him, no papers to show it.  I have no denominational backing, or religious training.  I attended no schools, I wasn’t offered a discounted salvation.  I realized Jesus paid the full price, believed by faith, and trust Him everyday to get me through, and am confident when I die, I am going to heaven.  Why couldn’t the pastor have shared the same message that day?  Why couldn’t Terry have heard it?  I only hope he did, and that his relationship with God went far beyond religion, and was more personal. 

On my license it says I am an organ donor.  Not because I ride, as some sick, prejudiced, anti motorcyclists joke, but because I care about others and their lives.  Give them a chance to live using what I have no need of anymore.  For when Jesus tells us to love the Lord your God with all your might, heart, and strength, I do, but struggle sometimes with the love your neighbor in the minivan as yourself part.  But I still pray for those who cut me off, even though they drive like hell, I don’t wish them to go there.  But only in Jesus will they be assured heaven, no other endorsement will get you there but the one of Jesus.  Do you have that endorsement?  if you are wondering, you might not.  Be assured of heaven today, giving it all over to Jesus, and let Him change your life.  And maybe your driving style.  Sadly too many will neglect Jesus, and drive through life an accident waiting to happen, but it doesn’t have to be that way.  Like we tell people, learn to ride, and ride your on ride.  Make it personal, and live that way too.  Personal with Jesus.  No religious lines, no party lines, just a line in the book of life with your name.  I have been a motorcyclist for 47 years, a Christian for only 39, yet prefer to be known as a Christian motorcyclist.  Jesus first is who makes me who I am, and what I am.  Whose endorsement do you have?  Passed or passed over?  Let’s ride.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

cease without praying

Years ago an independent Mercedes Benz repair shop gave away free floor mats with each scheduled service.  At first they would appear to be free, why give away floor mats worth $120 for a $50 service, and they all thought he was crazy.  Crazy like a fox, for the mats only cost him $20, he put his own retail price on them, and like many other items at his shop, they weren’t factory Mercedes Benz items, but they sure looked like it, and many saw the bargain and not the originality.  And would tell others, which got him more business, and as an ex-service advisor/manager I can tell you, every time you let me under the hood of your car, there is a chance for upsells, the techs are trained to look for items that need replacing or repairing.  So many times the $50 service was late turned into a many hundreds of dollar repair.  No fool this man.  Sadly we have all fallen prey to suggestions like this.  And his floor mats turned out to be reasonably priced advertising, as there are two ways to make money at retail, increase your customer count, or increase the dollars per visit.  He had them there, so why not increase the dollars, you will need to get brakes from someone, why not while you’re here?  The car’s here, the mechanic’s here, and the parts are here.  Why be inconvenienced again when you can get it over with now?  And those floor mats turned out to be the best form of advertising ever used, or abused.

Now way back when 35 years ago, MB floor mats were held in place with a clip, that never worked right.  Floor mats would move forward, come unclipped, and get lodged under the gas pedal.  On after market floor mats, it could be even worse.  And due to the thinness of the non factory mats, they would ball up, getting stuck under the gas pedal, and cause the pedal to not go all the way to the floor, but all the way to where the mat limited it.  Causing customers to think their car was losing power, and spending diagnosis money, ending with an expensive tune up, fuel injection cleaning, and others unneccesary items when it was just the lousy, free floor mats that caused the problem.  I was a hero many times when someone brought me a car like this, and I fixed it while they waited, and had gained their trust and they became long term customers of mine.  They trusted me, I told the truth, fixed a problem, and they told their friends.  You tell me, which form of doing business was better?   Who would you rather trust?  At what price would you sell out, floor mats?

My mother used to tell me “you get more with honey than with vinegar,” and she was right.  There are many sweet talkers out there, just waiting to take advantage of you, changing a few words to make up their own truth, but not the truth.  Take note, there is a difference-for all lies are based on truth.  And all lies stem from Satan, the father of lies, who didn’t argue with Eve in the garden, just changed the words around.  And just like offering her free floor mats, once the car was on the lift, he could do whatever he wanted, and she would follow.  And we know the results.  Sadly we live in a time of sound bytes, and where the Internet is regarded as the bastion of truth.  We have so many turning to it for advice, and when I got a call from a customer who told me “the internet said it could be this,”  I told him “then right click it and fix it.”  Worse yet were those who wanted to talk to a tech over the phone and diagnose it for free.  Sorry, not here.  Bring in the car, we will diagnose it, give you the options, you decide.  No free floor mats.  But yet there are those who rather fix it cheaply than correctly, who always have time to do it a second time right, but never a first.  And as any tech will tell you, there is no money to be made in comebacks.  Works with cars, also works in life.  With life problems.

Jesus was constantly praying.  He didn’t have to be on His knees, bowing to heaven, eyes closed, or in the temple.  He had His mind fixed on His Father, and His thoughts became the thoughts of Jesus.  He told us to pray without ceasing, but today many are ceasing without praying.  Just doing whatever, and paying the consequence.  it sounds good, my friends all do it, the chat room advises it, and even worse, bad, non-scriptural advice coming from the pulpit.  And as I look around at our nation, I find the scripture telling us to humble ourselves and pray, to be restored as a nation falling on deaf ears.  If we are called by God, if you are saved you are called, we are to humble ourselves and pray, and God hears from heaven.  But then what, we cease our prayer, we don’t wait for God’s answer.  We cease to listen, and we cease without praying.  And we wonder why we are duped so easily, why we make bad decisions, and why when some tell us the truth, we rebel, we call them negative, and try to discredit them.  And that is from within, not the from the world, the slyness of the deceiver at work.  So beware, so be in the spirit, and stick close to Jesus.  For if we don’t pray without ceasing, we cease without praying.  And today like all other civilizations before us, we are rotting from within, the enemy taking over without firing a shot.  A huge selfie of self destruction, and no one to blame but ourselves.  All because we believe a lie that sounds better than the truth, that is offering us something for free, but comes with a price we cannot afford.

In your praying today, I assume you do, ask God for wisdom.  Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you, ask Jesus to save you.  Then trust Him, listen to his answer, and obey.  We talk often of how frustrating it is to give good advice, advice that works, Godly advice, only to see it not taken, and the person worse off than when they asked.  Godly advice only works if taken!  Aspirin don’t make you well in the bottle.  And you cannot fix a flat without first removing the nail.  So why do you think you can change God’s laws for yourself?  Yet some do, and like Samson and Jonah get the blessings, but don’t enjoy them.  Samson was blind when he conquered the Philistines, God was going to use him no matter what, he never saw the victory.  Jonah was bitter, and never got to celebrate the greatest crusade ever.  Both men ceased without praying.  And yet they are names known to all Christians.  How important can there example of God’s advice be to us?  Are you listening?  Jesus never said he who has a mouth, let him speak, but did warn us to him who has an ear let him hear.  Are your prayers finished without listening?  Are you the final word?  Or do you let God speak?

Scully assured Mulder “the truth is out there.”  But she also warned him “so are lies.”  Stay close to God, and know the difference.  In the spirit.  Praying without ceasing, God in your thoughts.  Your meditations.  Your heart, and your conversations.  You don’t have to quote scripture as you talk, I know so little, but God gives it to me when I need it.  Perhaps the best compliment I ever received was being told I speak like the Bible.  I hope he meant in love.  So be as gentle as a lamb, but as wise as a serpent.  Get to know Jesus and recognize the truth, and also know the lies when you hear them.  If the floor mats are free, there is a reason behind it.  Grab your wallet.  Remember we cease without praying, so never cease to pray.  Can I hear an AMEN to that?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com