are you what you drive?

Have you ever noticed that among  your friends, assuming you have any, you tend to have the same ideas and beliefs?  Take meeting people at an old car meet, Chevy men like Chevies, make fun of Fords, and make up jokes about what MOPAR stands for-Move Over Parts Are Rusting.  Ford makes fun of Chevrolet, Can Hear Every Valve Rattling Over Lousy Engineering Techniques.  Ford guys get it from everyone, Found On Road Dead, Fords Only Run Downhill, and many others.  But Pontiac, RIP gets their’s too, Poor Old Nitwit Thinks It’s A Cadillac.  BMW-Bring Money With You.  Now that FIAT, Fix It Again Tony owns Chrysler, many wounds from 40 years ago will be reopened.  But what of Volvo-Very Odd Looking Vehicular Object, or Porsche, Proof Of Rich Spoiled Children Having Everything, who probably go to USC, University of Spoiled Children.  Dodges Drip Oil, Drip Grease Everywhere.  Subaru, Screwed Up Beyond Any Recognition Usually.  Honda people will argue but many have Had One, Never Did Again.  Acura parents beware, All Children Understand Real Autos, maybe Plymouth went away, RIP, too many had to Please Leave Your Money Out Under The Hood.  My precious MG’s, Mostly Garaged.  Mazda lovers beware, Made At Zoo by Demented Apes.  Owned one once, may be some truth there.  GMC owners know they Got Mechanic Coming, while Audi owners are Another Uninformed Driver Ignorance.  AMC owners have come to say “Ain’t My Car.”  And Saabs are Sad Autos, Always Broken.  Yah, sure, doncha know?  And the list goes on forever...much longer than the cars.

But sooner or later, all truths are exposed, as Volvo brags about one of their cars going over 500,000 miles.  Must have been a mistake.  Ford brags First On Race Day, while Chevrolet used to tell us to see the USA in a Chevrolet, of course they have dealers everywhere.  Was that just an ad for service?  Jeeps are now Chryslers, Chryslers are now FIAT’s, and Plymouth is no more.  You can only remember your Father’s Oldsmobile because production was aborted over 12 years ago.  Same with other orphans such as Saturn, Pontiac, and Mercury.  Once all popular and recognized brand names, no longer around to be made sport of.  Gone but not forgotten.  But in the motorcycle world, both Triumph and Indian have been resurrected, thankfully not like their previously deceased ancestors.  But many still honor the name, and the reputation, memories jaundiced by too many nights spent on the side of the road, daring to ride after dark.  And when all is said and done, or towed home, we stick to brands that we feel familiar with.  And will endure the problems, poor dealers, jokes, and abuse from other brand owners.  Just wait though, their time is coming....just not soon enough.

It is never mentioned what the Apostle Paul drove.  But he must have driven a hard bargain when it came to buying.  Can you imagine some salesman asking Paul, “what will it take to put you into this car today?”  Or “how much can you afford per month?”  He was more of a win on Sunday, and continue to win on Monday type of guy.  Sharing the gospel wherever he went, to whoever would listen.  And many times to those who didn’t want to.  One man was Felix, not the cat, but a Roman governor.  Confronted with a conversation with Paul, and hearing the truth, he found it rather unsettling.  Like taking your car in for service for a noise that only you can hear, and that magically disappears once you cross over into the dealer’s lot.  What seemed to upset old Felix was Paul was telling him about the upcoming judgment, and Felix didn’t like it.  When he was told that all things would be revealed, spoken secrets shouted from housetops, and secret actions revealed, he asked Paul to leave.  But come back again, maybe after he had composed himself, or Paul had changed his tone.  Paul had talked to him about sin, repentance, and self control, three things those caught in sin don’t want to hear, and was asked to leave.  In prison, Felix was hoping Paul would offer him a bribe, after all he was the governor and Paul the prisoner, yet Paul’s words made him feel like the prisoner, and Paul’s telling of Jesus the only escape.  So he told Paul, “go away, come back at a more convenient time.”  Imagine anyone saying that to Paul, now imagine anyone saying that to Jesus.  Doesn’t take much imagination-we have all been there.  But Jesus never gave up on us, and hasn’t on you either.

But sadly many are like Felix, who had many other conversations with Paul, but was never afraid again.  His heart was so hard, it didn’t fear what the gospel told him, and he didn’t do anything about it.  Fear will do that to you, and when confronted with Jesus and when confronted with the truth and do nothing about it, their hearts are  hardened.  And like many old car enthusiasts, tend to congregate together , and make fun of what they don’t understand or don’t agree with.  Good thing we are never like that, right?  I mean, who besides a Ford owner would want to be Found On Road Dead?  When you can be riding with Jesus?  Only Jesus can promise what Dodge can’t, Dead On Delivery, Guarantee Expired.  And how many have found that  you cannot work or buy your way into heaven, it is like BMW-Big Money Wasted.

What you drive tells us a lot about you.  Only God sees your heart and the hidden sin in it.  Someday to be revealed, but to those who choose Jesus now, the slate is clean.  No warranty claims, the ride may have been rough, but we make it.  And with careful regular maintenance in Christ, we will.  Felix wanted to intimidate Paul, he had the title and the power.  Yet as a prisoner of the gospel he had more power and authority than Felix could hope for, even though it was offered.  Extend your warranty to heaven today, only available in Christ.  Today is the day of salvation, Paul knew it, Felix blew it.  That more convenient time you have put off is now...don’t be around to remember the saddest words ever heard, “not now Jesus, maybe later, I’ll get back to you.”  Don’t be  like a Jaguar, Jerks Are Giving Unasked Advice Regularly.  Don’t act like a Jeep, Just Expect Excessive Problems if you do.  The spirit is calling, don’t wait.  Today’s Chrysler could be tomorrow’s FIAT.  Why Fix It Again Tony, when Jesus can fix it today?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

Tom Sawyer revisited or gardening tips from New Jersey

The old Italian man lived alone in Hoboken.  His yard had fallen into disrepair, and the weeds were winning the battle since his son Vinny was doing time.  He wrote to his son weekly, and this time it was as follows:

“Dear Son, The weeds have overtaken the yard, and the ground is too hard to plant.  I am going to hire someone to come and rototill it so I can reseed the back yard.  Miss you, wish you were here to help. Love, Dad”  A week later, a quick, but short reply came from Rahway State Prison from Vinny.  “Dear Dad, Please don’t dig up the yard, that is where the bodies are buried. Love , Vinny”  And the next morning after Vinny’s letter arrived, a knock came at the old man’s door.  It was the FBI with a search warrant, and the crew of 12 were there to excavate the back yard to look for the bodies.  A few days later, the old man again wrote to his son, “Dear Vinny,  The FBI was here and dug up the entire yard.  They found nothing, but now the yard is ready to plant, thanks for all your help.  Love, Dad.”   I cannot tell you if it is true, almost sounds like a Soprano’s episode, but more like a Tom Sawyer story revisited.  Remember Tom was given the chore of painting the fence, which went against his work ethic, he hated to work.  But forced to do it, when his friends came by, made it sound like fun, and so appealing that they wanted to paint too.  And soon the fence was painted, Tom had been relieved from all painting duties, and got credit for a job well done.  At least until his Aunt found out the truth....I wonder if he had an Uncle in Jersey?  Ahh, Jersey, the Garden State.

Some years ago I was a chaplain in a national motorcycle ministry.  I gave it up for a higher position, but missed teaching.  I was approached, “we need someone to teach at a rally, are you interested?”  Of course, sounds like an answer to prayer, but before I could answer, I was given advice.  “Pray about it, you can do it, but keep in mind another Mike Mohn might be out there just waiting for the chance.”  I did, and reluctantly turned down the offer a few days later.  The man who did it, had been praying for that chance, did a great job, and went on to be a chaplain for a few years.  We were all blessed, by my just listening to God.  I was going to be blessed either way, in trusting Him many others were blessed also.  A lesson learned, worth repeating.

Tuesday I had decided to go riding.  The Street Triple tank was full, it was 85 degrees with a tail wind, and I was more than ready.  Hungry, I set off for Temecula, and ate at Flame Broiler.  Not sure which way to ride, I kept asking God which road I should take.  Three times He told me “ride to Gabriel.”  But that was 70 miles the other way, by freeway, and I would be in San Diego that night to teach.  And it was too late to start back.  But after three times, I did as He asked.  Riding 70 miles in 54 minutes, and surprising Gabe who was overwhelmed at the Pantry.  He was overjoyed to see me, and kept telling me “I guess God does hear my prayers after all.”  And I am glad again that I heard the voice of God, and trusted and obeyed.  Both of us were blessed, I again had listened to God, putting Him and others before me, and was doubly blessed.  Another lesson worth repeating.

God often reminds me “just do what I ask,”  and He’ll handle the rest.  But all too often I think I have to be busy doing God’s work, when really I am stealing a blessing from what God wants me to do.  Or worse yet, missing a blessing by my selfish duty.  Life isn’t all about me.  Jesus tells us to rest, which doesn’t mean be lazy, it means rest.  We get too busy trying to be about God’s work, when we are really just trying to please Him by saying “look what I’m doing Lord.”  As if Jesus didn’t notice anyway.  And a quick way to get your eyes off of Him, and onto you.  We are told that obedience is better than sacrifice, where do we find the time to do it over, when we didn’t have time to do it right in the first place?  Plus how do you know God doesn’t have other things for you to do, that He can help you with?  Or that maybe He just wants to spend the day with you riding?  And you think I have to do such and such?  This week for me it was riding 30 miles in the wrong direction, then having to double back, and go to San Diego twice in one day.  I got my ride in, but freeways and riding-yuk.  But I was blessed, Gabe was blessed, and God again showed me how important it is to listen, obey, and trust Him.  He knows what is best, so why don’t I always trust Him?  Or at least ask, even if I don’t obey?
In the above example, the old man needed help, and knew where to turn.  Tom wanted to ditch work, and knew where to turn.  The old man was blessed, Tom was happy until it was discovered it wasn’t him who painted the fence.  His aunt was cheesed off, so were his friends, and any enjoyment he might have had was short lived.  And the fence will need painting again someday-sooner than he thinks!  Although it may be true many hands make light work, why not put your life in the hands that took the nails on the cross?  That prove they can do the job, and died so you can be blessed, and a blessing.  So you can look to Christ, who has a great plan for your life, if only you ask.  But asking isn’t enough, it is the answer that chooses you to make a decision.  And that is where knowing Him personally comes in.  The more you know someone, the more you can trust them.  Get to know Jesus, trust Him because He is trustworthy.  Life is tough, don’t make it any tougher.  Stupid hurts for a reason, and self inflicted wounds seem to hurt the most.  I wish I could say I trust God all the time, but fortunately He is merciful and forgiving when I don’t.  But I’m getting better, and He is patient to me.  I wonder how patient Tom’s friends were with him?

To some this may just be Tom Sawyer revisited, or gardening tips form New Jersey.  For you I hope you consider Jesus this morning before you go about your day.  Which leaves me only one question unanswered. Did the old man ever thank the FBI for the free work they did?  Gives the saying “Hi I’m from the government and here to help” a whole new meaning.  Jesus is easier, and no warrant needed.  Trust on today.  And Ballerini, how does your garden grow?

love with compassion,

MIke

matthew25biker.com 

and now for the news-"I have told you all things beforehand"

The Signs of the Times and the End of the Age

³ Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked Him privately, ⁴ “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign when all these things will be fulfilled?”

⁵ And Jesus, answering them, began to say: “Take heed that no one deceives you. ⁶ For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and will deceive many. ⁷ But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet. ⁸ For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles.^[a] These are the beginnings of sorrows.

⁹ “But watch out for yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils, and you will be beaten in the synagogues. You will be brought^[b] before rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony to them. ¹⁰ And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations.¹¹ But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate^[c] what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. ¹² Now brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. ¹³ And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.

The Great Tribulation

¹⁴ “So when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’^[d] spoken of by Daniel the prophet,^[e] standing where it ought not” (let the reader understand), “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. ¹⁵ Let him who is on the housetop not go down into the house, nor enter to take anything out of his house. ¹⁶ And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. ¹⁷ But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! ¹⁸ And pray that your flight may not be in winter.¹⁹ For in those days there will be tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the creation which God created until this time, nor ever shall be. ²⁰ And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake, whom He chose, He shortened the days.

²¹ “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘Look, He is there!’ do not believe it. ²² For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. ²³ But take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand.

The Coming of the Son of Man

²⁴ “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; ²⁵ the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. ²⁶ Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. ²⁷ And then He will send His angels, and gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven.

The Parable of the Fig Tree

²⁸ “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. ²⁹ So you also, when you see these things happening, know that it^[f] is near—at the doors! ³⁰ Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.³¹ Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.

No One Knows the Day or Hour

³² “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. ³³ Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.

When The Beatles sang of “I read the news today oh boy, about a lucky man who made the grade,” their thoughts and lyrics were far from today’s news and fulfillment of prophecy.  But as we watch the news unfold, and hear of Christian persecution around the world, we sit and wonder, why is God allowing this to happen?  Why is He waiting?  We even see in scripture where it says “come Lord Jesus,” so why is He waiting?  Is this what patience is really all about?

For me I am glad He didn’t come He didn’t return 40 years ago, as I was still not saved.  Maybe there is something about patience leading to salvation that is valuable to me.  But as we see the prophetic time clock ticking, we realize we may be that final generation, and we may be caught up in the clouds at any time.  And as Satan sees his time growing short, he too doesn’t know the time or hour, he is stepping up his plan, but God is still in control.  As ISIS warns Christians to leave Iraq, or be killed, they leave all possessions behind, and many flee to Israel, again prophetic.  Read the above, sound like the news today? Except it was spoken over 2000 years ago by Jesus himself.  So it is fair if asked “what time is it?” to answer “soon and very soon,” for we don’t know the time, but it could be today.  The scoffers will continue to scoff, again prophesied, given another chance to repent.  But for those of us saved, our commission grows even more important, as every day could be the last.  And we all have family, friends, co-workers, or people we ride with who still aren’t saved.  Sorry, Sir Paul, but it isn’t the lucky man who made the grade, but the repentant sinner who came to Christ.  And the news today still cries out to us.

But Jesus also warns that these things are only the beginning of trouble, it will be real bad without Christians.  So if you blame us for all the world’s ills, without us who will you blame?  Who will you turn to?  Turn now, there is still time, today is truly the day of salvation for many, why not you?  Take heed....kings and kingdoms will all pass away, only Jesus will remain.  And all those whom He calls His own.  You have been warned by God, and told about it in His word and by His ambassadors on earth-Christians.  Be the gospel to someone today, share Jesus.  Use words when needed, but share His love.  He is coming soon, sooner than the heathen would like.  Not new news to us who believe.  Come to Christ today.  And now for the news.....the gospel.  Good news.  Maranatha.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

the Yamaha in the sink

We all like to get a good deal, and when we do like to brag about it.  And it helps to have cash in hand when such deal is available.  But I know this guy, and others like him, that to them this good deal comes in boxes, and can only be driven home on a trailer or in a pick up, rather than driven.  He could look at boxes of parts sitting in a garage and see a car, where all I could see was wasted time when I could be riding.  And eventually some of the projects got close enough to be licensed, so they could be driven, but few ever saw farther than the end of the driveway.  And if they did, had to be pushed back.  Over the years he would have ‘55 Chevies, woodies, old Jeep station wagons, and Model T’s.  They were all bought on price, and a potential he could only see, which usually was the price paid.  Let’s see, “$450 for a 1956 F100, must be assembled, all there.”  And when going to see the truck, in numerous boxes, frame leaning against the garage, at $50 per box he thought it a good deal, and took it home.  Later bragging how he bought an F100 for less than $500-which never did get put together.  But he could honestly say he had one, just like other cars that were collectible.  His inventory and list of cars were all project cars, cars that once it took more than the change in his pocket to complete, got set aside, leaving room for the next deal, and adding to his list of collectible.  He eventually would sell some, sometimes back to whom he bought it from, sometimes a kid who had less money but bigger dreams than him.  I cannot ever remember any one project being driven, even his daily drivers didn’t go much further than church, and his wife would always follow in her car, just in case, so they cold tow him home.  And she actually got quite good at it.....

Now my old friend Brett, RIP, had a similar disease, except he bought new cars and motorcycles, and then took them part to see how they worked.  When he got his new SR500, he was a Yamaha man, later died on his 750 Seca, I went over,and finding his garage empty, thought he wasn’t home.  But finding his door open, I went in, and there he was at the kitchen counter with his new bike...the frame in the corner, the engine in the sink, and he was fascinated by it.  He later put it back together, and we rode many miles, but within the first 100 or so he just had to take it apart.  And then began to fix all the things that the factory had “cheaped out on,” and like my other friend’s cars, Brett’s bike was an ongoing project, never complete in his eyes, but always ridable.  And neither one saw the humor in their actions quite like their friends did.  Both just couldn’t let well enough alone, one from an engineering perspective, the other from a fiscal one.  One was inquizative, the other cheap.  One bought in volume, the car came in boxes, and at a dollar per box thought he was getting a good deal, the other bought new, and tried to improve on his purchase.  Me, I rather go riding.  So I did much of he time, without either one.

But both men were not unlike many of us out there, looking for the best deal.  We want to pay the least for the most, then brag about the deal we got.  Yet when it comes affairs of life, get taken for a ride every time when they could be riding.  Somewhere in our culture the opposite effect has taken place, the more I paid for something, the better it must be.  And that is where they are led astray.  How many ads do you see on TV for recovery centers, costing thousands of dollars per week, only rock stars and celebrities can afford them, yet some will gamble their life savings, and their lives on them.  How many have you known in the past that the only thing lost was their savings and further peace of mind when all was said, but not done?  How many sought the end product, but at the end were still in process, but for another session, and thousands of dollars could be healed.  Or stay on the path, or whatever, until the next problem came along.  Ending up like my friend Vince, who set out to reinvent the wheel, and every time ends up with a flat tire.  They are worse off than when they began, their lives in shambles, or in pieces, stored in boxes that someday they hope to put back together.  They are always just the next fad, or ad away from being cured, yet never quite get there.  A true work in process, just not in progress.  A choice, yet it doesn’t have to be that way.

Talking with a young girl who was a friend of a nephew, she was in social service, and out to change the world.  She dealt with addicts, unwed, single moms, and others on welfare.  Education had brought her to the conclusion that the state was the answer, when really it was the state that had kept many in that state.  She also found that high dollar, high profile centers helped too, and told me of many who could afford the endless semesters they spent there.  But when she asked what I did, and how, I shared Jesus with her.  Jesus of the Bible, Jesus who died for our sins.  Jesus who long before any social programs, before government welfare, and high end treatment centers, was healing the sick, reuniting families, feeding the poor, and giving hope to the hopeless.  She had facts and figures to back her up, I had scripture and testimony...she didn’t get it.  With her biggest problem being the cost, how could my plan, the gospel, be so successful if it was free?  My answer, in the form of a question, “why would you pay for something when it is offered free,” got a confused look.  All she could see was statistics, facts and figures.  I saw people, I saw Jesus.  We parted, both thinking the other was crazy, but I had Jesus.  The best type of crazy-the truth.

In hospital ministry, I hated to hear “well we tried everything else, maybe praying will work.”  After all else fails, try the one thing that works.  Somehow we don’t get it, we see the boxes of parts rather than the finished ride.  We buy in cheap, but never count the cost.  We lean on our own experiences, or bad advice, and then make excuses.  Our engines stay in the sink, trying to make better what the creator has already perfected.  We try to work out our own salvation, when Jesus haws already done it for us.  We struggle, then struggle some more.  Our lives are in parts, or coming apart, when we could be riding.  One cost us nothing, Jesus paid it all, the other we never can afford, and costs us everything.

Today a problem may have you on the shelf among the parts, how do I get it together?  Jesus is there, with the answer.  The way out.  He is the tow rope to get you home, the missing part to make it run, and the instruction manual to see where you went wrong.  He is the creator, the factory rep, with parts available, at prices you can afford.  So call on Him today, tell Him your situation, then sit back and watch this master tech of life take care of it.  No help from you, you may have been the cause all along, and watch as your life comes together. When programs, procedures, and plans fail, He succeeds.  He has a 100% success rate, any and all who call on Him are saved, all He asks for is your broken life, and in return makes it whole.  Who could pass up a deal like that?

Yet many do, and have credit card receipts and cancelled checks to show for it.  With the boxes still on the shelf, not put together.  In process may be the testimony, but the completion is the better one.  Some vote with their wallet, some with their head, and some with the government.  I voted with my heart, gave it to Jesus, and got life.  Abundant life, unlike any ad I ever saw.  While some are still putting it together, I am out living.  I am the motorcycle that goes by your house on the way to somewhere, while you sit going nowhere.  Today you can start the trip of life in Christ.  Call on Him, make it real.  If your parts man knows you better than your pastor, it is time for a change.  Long before we started restoring cars, Jesus was restoring lives.  Success is the completion of a well executed plan.  Jesus has that plan for you.  Are you listening?  Sorry I can’t hear your answer, I’m riding.  You can be too.  I made my choice years ago, what are you bragging about?  The Yamaha in the sink, or the one on the road?

love with compassion,

Mike

mathew25biker.blogspot.com

Rockford's last file

James Garner, aka Jim Rockford, is dead at age 86.  Former racer, actor, and Hollywood legend, he died from apparent natural causes.  Notice I mentioned racer first, as many don’t realize his racing career reached from the film Grand Prix to real racing at Baja.  Fielding many teams over the years, even under contract to AMC.  And given chances to go professional, he stayed with the screens, both big and small.  Married for over 60 years to the same wife, Lois, he is maybe one of the last great ones in his generation.  But I will always remember him as Rockford, and always wonder if he was really acting, or just being himself through Rockford.  Just like I think Brando really was Johnny from the Wild One in real life.  But James Garner, the man is gone, only his movies, and TV series, Maverick and The Rockford Files will live on.  His last file closed for good yesterday,his final decisions on where he would spend eternity made. No more guest appearances, no more “where are they now?” and no more acting.  His career is over.  A great career, I am sure Turner Classic Movies will be showing many of them, The Great Escape, Lover Come Back, and Victor, Victoria among them.  A few days of Garner, and then back to normal scheduling.  Maybe someone will finally resurrect Rockford for TV, so I don’t have to watch him on Netflix on a small screen.  His legend will continue, the man is gone.

After reading his autobiography a few years back, he appeared to not be quite the man Rockford was.  Seems the Jimmy living on 29 Cove Road in Malibu had more morals than the racer/actor.  And I hope, not only hoped, he found Christ before he died.  For his last file in life, is forever, with no reruns.  All the awards, from SAG, to Emmy, to even his Purple Heart won in Korea, mean nothing to God.  They are not bad things, just gain you no entry to heaven.  They are wood, hay, and stubble to God, and the only trophies you find there are of what Jesus did.  For it was Jesus who died for our sins, and is the only way to gain entrance to heaven.

Looking back at Rockford, maybe he was a lot like many of us.  He was barely making it, got late calls from the bank.  He had brushes with the law, and many times when innocent was thought to be guilty.  He was misunderstood, and finally vindicated by the end of the show.  He fell in and out of love, but recovered.  He had a great relationship with his dad, family values we called them, and was loyal to his friends, even when Angel would sell him out for a few cents on the dollar.  His door was always open, he rarely denied a friend in need, and faced death many times, only being shown grace by the script writer until next week.  His life was a weekly series, and many times ours is too.  Work Monday through Friday, sleep in on Saturday, do the chores, church and riding on Sunday.  With little in between that we think is worth remembering, much less writing about.  But to God it means a lot, He keeps notes on us.  Good notes, notes that He will reveal to us on Judgment Day, things that may have been ignored on earth, but are heavenly to Him.  We may not have the abilities to drive like Jimmy did, to pull off the perfect Rockford reverse turn, but we all have been given the chance through Jesus to make the turn to God in our lives.  To turn to Jesus, instead of away from God.  To be guaranteed the rights of heaven after our earthly career is over, and find life really a training ground for heaven.  But others sadly give too much credit to what they achieve, no fear of hell, and live like it.  They don’t realize that no one ever came back from hell, and that no one ever wanted to return from heaven.  Their thoughts are on the right now, on themselves, and think they live good lives.  But when their file is pulled, when the curtain drops on them and their show of life is cancelled, it is too late.  They had the chance....but chose to deny God, and God honored their request.  What will your file say, heaven or heaven denied?  And it is your choice...Don’t listen to the same angel that Jimmy did, an Angel scamming on you, who only lived for the moment.  Too many of us have, or do, and soon begin to believe the lies we tell, and turn away from God in shame.  How can a loving God ever forgive me, I am a horrible sinner, I have ____________-fill in the blank.  But Jesus died for all sins, and repentance covers all of them.  Forgiven now, today, and for yesterdays sins.  A whole new file opened on you, with a place reserved in the book of life with your name on it.  A full pardon from hell, a pardon meaning your sin never happened, just like Rockford was pardoned from San Quentin.  And just like his adversaries would remind him, our adversary the devil will remind us.  Just refer him to Jesus and the end of the book-we win!  For forgiveness is a great thing, show it to others.

I can see my next trip to Malibu to Paradise Cove Road in a few weeks to see where Rockford kept his trailer.  To where he lived.  After the may fans have made their mark.  Maybe ride up the PCH a few more miles than normal, maybe even eat at the Sandcastle.  Many of Rockford’s fans I’m sure are already, we have been there many times, even eaten there.  Much bigger on TV, it is small, and really a trailer park.  In Malibu.  And I will think and pray for my friends and family who don’t know Jesus.  I will remember Jim Rockford, and his show.  I will remember his racing, his smile, and that pleasant manner.  I will remember Jim as Rockford more than as Garner for that is who he was to me.  I will remember his many times talking with Angel, hoping in his final days he called upon God, and the angels escorted him to heaven.  After death it is too late, series ended, contract not renewed.  So where are you with Christ?  Are you assured of heaven?  What does it say I your heavenly file?  Is your name entered into the book of life?  Or are you betting on your earthly achievements to gain you access?  Or your friends, family, or church attendance?  Or are you in full denial, saying nothing, which is really saying “no.”  Take the time now to ask Jesus into your life.  Be saved, forgiven, and assured of heaven all in one instance.  Be a Maverick for Jesus, be part of the Great Escape from hell, and be a Victor in life, even if you are a Victoria.  “Lover come back,” God calls to us from us from heaven.  He sent Jesus just for you.  Where will His name be in your final credits?  Give Him all the credit now while you still can.  Jim once commented on Lance White that “Lance is perfect, it is his only flaw.”  When God looks at me, a sinner saved by is grace, He sees me the same way.  Be seen by Him today. A sinner saved by faith in Jesus Christ.  Flawless to the end.  And in the end, the only way to heaven.  You may now return to your normal schedule.  I just hope heaven is your new normal.  Just like Rockford had contacts within the department, it helps to have that one contact in heaven.  When the files are opened on you in heaven......

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

an encouragement to all my infidel friends

I still don’t know the man’s name, although we had shared pleasantries at church for years.  But this Wednesday night our paths would cross, in way I didn’t expect.  After the service, he came up and wanted to talk.  He was unemployed, like many of us were, not because we wanted to be, in 2008.  Seeking advice, and some consoling from his other church friends, he went in hope of help, but left discouraged, and confused.  They had told him he was an infidel, worse actually, because by not having a job, he wasn’t taking care of his family, and scripture tells us, if you don’t work, you don’t eat, and when you don’t take care of your family, you are worse than an infidel.  And he was deeply shaken by it.  Oh, Lord, what do I say?  HELP!

And so I asked him if he was saved, “yes, and so was his family.”  They were strong in church, both attendance and involvement, and in this time of uneasiness, they had all drawn closer to the Lord.  They prayed together, shared together, and he was encouraging his wife, who was having an even worse time with it.  My answer was simple, “you aren’t an infidel, you are taking care of your family, meeting the needs spiritually, and allowing God to work in all your lives. Your friends are giving you bad advice and misquoting scripture, for it says if you WON”T work, and you will.  You are taking good care of your family, God is with you.   Too bad your friends have an attitude like Pharisees.  They can only hope they don’t lose their jobs, and can only wish they are as blessed as you.”  Great advice, even from me, but they are God’s words.  With so many still un or underemployed, there would be a lot more infidels based on their criteria.  Thankfully God knows better, and we know.  The smile and bounce in his step as we parted assured me that the words came from the spirit and weren’t my own.  I’m just not that smart.

It is down to just me and Gabe at the Pantry, where we give out donated clothes to the homeless, downtrodden, and the needy.  In an alley off 15th between Market and Island, we have set up a shop, where they can shop for clothes, for free.  We are able to counsel, pray, encourage, and see God meeting needs the three days a week we are open.  And with many looking for work, we can be overwhelmed by requests for jobs.  But God has shown His grace to and through us.  One man showed me resume, and I helped him interview, gave him confidence, and he got the job.  After we prayed.  Yesterday two other men blessed us with the news they just got jobs.  One a wild looking younger guy, was picking out some nice clothes, he was hired as a cashier.  He was excited, and wanted to look nice so he could do his best.  God was meeting a need through us and those who donated the clothes.  The other man’s story blessed us even more, as sometimes we wonder “are we making a difference?  Does anyone really care?”  But his excitement and enthusiasm was contagious.  He had just gotten work, and wanted to thank us.  He told us it was because he had gotten some nice clothes from us, that he didn’t feel ashamed when he interviewed.  Being dressed nice improved his attitude, gave him confidence, and it showed as he got the job.  Can I hear an AMEN!  A simple thing like clean clothes, fresh socks, and vote of confidence from God had made all the difference.  And again God showed me why He has given me Matthew 25 as a scripture to minister.  When Jesus asks the church “where were you when I was naked, hungry, lonely, thirsty, and without hope, where were you?”  they didn’t have an answer.  And Matthew 25 has given us the incentive, vision, and strength to carry on.  And not only to be blessed, but to bless others.  To love, care, and show compassion, for but for the grace of God may go I.  And so you could never compensate me for the time I put in voluntarily, you could never meet the blessings we see from Jesus.  Matthew 25 –it works.

Just before my friend Lee died a few years ago, I asked him if he was afraid to die.  We were alone, and we needed to talk.  He told me “no, not at all.”  But he was worried who would take care of Suzi, his wife when he was gone.  When I asked him “who was taking care of her now?” a huge smile lit up that Lee face of his.  He knew...the same God that was taking him through this situation, and had taken care of them for years would not abandon her after his death.  If that smile could talk, it would make a great sermon, but words would only lessen the impact.  For Jesus is that personal, and should be.  He takes us through the tough times, and when we walk through that valley of the shadow of death, He is with us. Never leaving our side, really having gone ahead and blazed a trail, making sure it was safe.  For life can be like that-aren’t you glad Jesus isn’t?

So to all my fellow infidels, who may be out of work, out money, out of food, or naked or in jail.  Jesus hasn’t forgotten you, in fact you are at the top of His list.  He is waiting for you to call on Him so He can provide.  And in the times you don’t realize He is, He was.  Don’t be led astray by some Pharisee who really is wretched on the inside.  Money may buy a fine dog, but only love will make it wag its tail.  And that love is Jesus.  So don’t be concerned that you aren’t doing enough, just do what He asks.  Be part of the blessing, and be blessed.  It works in church, and in an alley in the Hood.  It works in prison cells, and even while riding.  It is individual and for families.  It is infinite, yet personal.  Some call it religion, we know better.  We call it Jesus.  An encouragement to all my infidel friends.  We should all be so blessed.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com