I used to know what that means

The story goes of a man applying for a job at a 7-11.  The manager asks him if he speaks any foreign languages, to which he replies “yes, English.”  Maybe it is just me, but times are changing, have changed, and the language I grew up with is not spoken today.  I am talking of English, or more precisely words used to describe things that we don’t have any more.  For example, let’s take a teenager of today, back to when I was a teen in the sixties, and see if he can speak the language. Or see if you can remember without an interpreter...

You wake up to the smell of bacon, your mom has a skillet going on the range, and has just dropped the toast.  Your glass of Tang awaits you, and you put Oleo on your Wonder toast.  Then it is off to school, one last trip in front of the mirror and an extra dab of Clearasil, and making sure you didn’t use too much Vitalis on your hair.  You go out to where your dad is waiting in the car, he is complaining about how cold it is, and working the choke to keep the car idling.  He just had it tuned last week, new plugs, breaker points, condenser, and had the carburetor adjusted.  He complains about his gas mileage, did he really need the 4 barrel carb, in all the traffic he hardly has a chance to get on it.  While waiting he asks you to roll up your window, and off to school you go.  Later that day when Mom picks you up, you roll down all the windows, because you are still hot from playing during recess, and when arriving home she tells you to roll them all back up, meaning opening each door, turning the window crank, then shutting each door after locking it.  Holding the handle up so it locks, if not it stays unlocked, and you don’t want to hear that speech again.  Next door the older guys are working on a jalopy, he just put duals on it, and is cleaning his Wide Ovals, the finest bias ply tire you can buy.  He got them from the gas station on the corner, where he buys hi test instead of ethyl, his car won’t run on anything else, but he feels the extra 5 cents a gallon is worth it.  And every few tankfuls uses Amoco Supreme, white gas, which is rumored to not leave deposits that must be burnt out on a freeway run at full throttle. 

Saturday means cutting the yard before you get an allowance, and moving the sprinkler to water afterwards.  Then you and your friends can set off for the Sweet Shop, where 12 cents buys you Archie, Sgt. Rock, or Richie Rich.  For a quarter you can read MAD, but don’t get it yet, but the older kids do, and some even read CARtoons, which must be cool, if only you understood it.  And when you return, your parents wonder why you read such junk, when Time, Life, Newsweek, and the daily paper are much better reading.  Sports Illustrated is a luxury, and old news, as the daily paper has the box scores, and tonight’s pitchers.  And on Sunday afternoons, you watch baseball doubleheaders, only going to the bathroom during commercials, no instant replay yet, and you don’t want to miss anything.  And for the next 6 hours you are filled with baseball, and you can review the box scores you kept later.  In the fall it is football, again no replays, so you sit watching, eating pretzels and Cokes, only the different drink 7-Up, it isn’t the Uncola yet, and water is the only thing diet, out of the tap, not bottled.

Mom has gone shopping on Saturday, and brings in the bags of groceries, loaded in her car by a bag boy, in paper bags, double bagged for the heavier items.  Ice cream is put in a special ice cream insulated bag, but still is soft enough you must sample it when you get home.  She has brought home meat wrapped in butcher paper, the price written on it in grease pen by the butcher, and veggies in paper bags, the price written on by the produce man, so the girl at the check out can read the prices, calling them out loud why she rings them up on the cash register.  Cash or check, not cash or charge, certainly not debit or credit.  She writes your mother’s license information in code on the check, and a carry out takes the groceries to her station wagon.  Dropping you off at the record store on the way home, for a new 45, someday you can afford the whole album, for now 59 cents is all you have, and hope you can listen to it on your parent’s console, after it warms up, your old 45 record player sounds so old.  Even the old hi-fi you sneak on is better, but the console sounds great.  And with a color TV, and radio, what is FM, you have a choice all in one piece of furniture.  Your dad bragging of how modern it is, your mother seeing it only as another piece that needs Pledge.

When you fall, your mother puts a Band Aid on your cut, after applying mercurachrome or iodine-ouch!  And hoping the Band Aid won’t stick pulling off the scab when healed.  You are still given St. Joseph’s Aspirin for children when you have a headache, aspirin or Bufferin is only for adults.  Vicks for when you have a stuffed nose, and Pepto Bismal after an afternoon at the drive in.  You get a booth inside.  And the house smells of Ben Gay after your dad works in the yard.  And soon it is time for bed, your new US Keds waiting to help you run faster and jump higher at school tomorrow, a note reminding you your new wind breaker is on the davenport, don’t forget it again, and to call Grandma when you get home, her number dialed is AD2-6541.  If she doesn’t answer, call back.  And if you have a problem, call the operator after dialing “0”.  In case of an emergency.  And other important numbers are on the note pad by the phone, with a pencil.  And as you anticipate watching the Flintstones tonight, the modern stone age family, you wonder how they ever made it without all the modern conveniences you have.  It must have been tough in the old days....

Everlasting memories of being a kid, you wonder what will your kids pass on to their children?  Will they know what an I-Pod is?  What language will they remember and speak?  God deals with everlasting also, a strange word in the Bible.  It has to do with time, but much more.  It is more than eternal, it has a certain mystery about it that goes deeper.  You can go back as far as your memories take you, everlasting goes back further.  You can dream ahead to all that might be, or is prophesied, but everlasting goes further.  Everlasting goes beyond any dimension or anything we can think.  Everlasting can only be used in the context of God and his love.  In the beginning, before the beginning was God.  Was Jesus, and he is everlasting in not only time, but his love for us.  It is called agape, a love only God can have, but we can be given, for it is perfect.  Without reservation or boundary, a mystery in itself, for no man can understand it.  It can be experienced, but cannot be described.  It is more than an emotion, and way beyond feelings.  It is God reaching down to us as we are, and loving us as he is.  It is not confined to situations,  to events, or moods.  It is not for certain people, but for all.  It is everlasting, and this love can only come to us through Jesus Christ.  And since God is everlasting, and his love is also, it is the same for all generations.  And will be into eternity.  We can experience the same everlasting love as David, Paul, Peter, Job, Jonah, and Joseph did.  We are all part of his everlasting, and even though we may not be mentioned in the Hall of Faith in Hebrews, we too can enjoy his everlasting love, mercy, forgiveness, and peace.  His offer has always been the same, it is up to us to say yes to God and no to sin.  We can enter into his everlasting love, he still loves us no matter if we don’t, but can enjoy all the blessings of love without bounds, of grace beyond description, and a future that never ends.  All based on a God’s love that also has no beginning.  No memory can go back far enough to remember, nor mind imagine the things of heaven to come.  He already has precious memories to come that we cannot dream of... are you ready?  Share that love of God today, everlasting is right now, and tomorrow and the day after.  But enjoy today, it is the tomorrow God promised yesterday, and more to come.  It takes the spirit to reveal the mysteries of an everlasting God, who can only be reached through Jesus.  The good old days are still here, what stories will you tell your kids?  What stories will they tell theirs?  Include an everlasting God and the stories never end.  I can almost smell the aroma of hi-test, see the NBC peacock telling us the next show is in living color.  Step into everlasting today...a wonderful future is yours to remember.  Only in Christ Jesus.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

what and when

What you see, is not always what has happened.  When you see it is important too.  But too often in testifying to what we see, we neglect to offer that, and trouble occurs.  Five years ago, I was hit on the Bonneville, and the witnesses said they saw a fast motorcycle passing a car on a curve.  What they hadn’t seen was the car pulling away from the curb, with no signal, and me trying to avoid her when she was trying to make a left turn onto a street she had missed, one she lived on by the way.  And so I was found guilty by the officer, who believed them, but not me.  The same officer who signed off on this accident that happened on March 24 at 330pm at 1234pm, on March 23, almost 15 hours before I was hit.  But using some connections, and persistence, after a year I was to be vindicated.  A victory won, but not without injuries.  First I still walk with a limp, the bike was fixed, only to be hit again, and I learned that not all lawyers are lawyers, but only negotiate for you.  I will only give out the names here if asked.  I don’t need them to come after me, although they dumped me....

So after getting the package they were supposed to be working on from them one Saturday, I needed an attorney more than ever.  Through connections and persistence, I had the report corrected, but was too late to help my insurance, who found me at fault, per the initial report and raised my rates.  But somehow her insurance company paid for my bike to be repaired, although she claimed innocence, and the story was about to get more interesting.  I called Shapiro and Leventhal that Saturday afternoon, leaving a message, and within a half hour Stan Leventhal called me back.  And taken the whole story, taken the case, and assured me I was in the right.  Something this other motorcycle attorney had failed to do.  And meeting in their offices the next week, Steve Shapiro, he who started RIP’s BAD Ride against diabetes, was on the phone while I sat there, moving ahead.  And within a week, the case was settled for my accident that happened that October when I was hit again, on the Bonneville, from the rear, no mistake this time.  And for only 15%, not the usual 33 1/3!  And Stan helped me settle the first case the police had botched, telling me to write it out, and he would correct it like he does his son’s homework.  For free!  I can highly recommend Shapiro and Leventhal-Steve rides, and we see each other at biker events.  These guys are great!  But I wasn’t done yet, I still had to settle the first accident myself.

I must admit to being frustrated at times, knowing the truth yet it being denied can take a toll, and riding home again from a hospital visitation, but a different route, I was sitting at a light and told God “I can’t do this any more, do something!”  I had won the maximum using Steve and Stan, but this first case seemed to drag on.  I heard that voice of his telling me “my grace is sufficient,”  and a peace came over me.  So much it made me smile, and I sitting at my desk at home, I began to thank him, the burden had been lifted, I did what I should have done earlier, but now was now.  Again the what and when would be important.  As I looked down to my left, on top of the pile of papers from the first accident was a letter from almost two months ago from her insurance company.  They wanted to settle with me, even though they claimed it was my fault.  All I had to do was send all the bills, which they added 20% to, and they sent me a check-God’s grace was sufficient, and this letter was sitting there all the time.  And within a week I had a check, and after negotiating like Stan told me with the doctors and hospital, only paid 50 cents on each dollar charged!  I won, and also ended up with better insurance for less money-despite what the other company had told me.  God’s grace was sufficient, I could not have done this myself.  It took God, and his justice to win.  His what and when being right on time, as he always is.  Can I hear and amen! 

I can think of many scriptures regarding this, from what the devil meant for evil, God meant for good.  All things work together for those who love the Lord.  Take my yoke, for it is easy.  And of course, his grace is always sufficient. But most importantly, other than how he has everything under control, he taught me not to rush to judgment.  We so often do, without checking sources, stories, and witnesses who know what they saw, but not when, which can change the whole story.  How many times will we admit to being wrong, causing damage, when we need to apologize and make it right?  Do we ask forgiveness to others, and so we accept it from others?  Are we only persistent when it is for our benefit, or will we stand up for another wrongly accused?  Do we care enough about the truth to seek it with all our hearts?  Do we turn to Jesus first, or only after we have failed ourselves?  God was just waiting for me to drop it all in his lap, the letter was already on my desk.  And he also helped to heal my heart towards the woman who hit me.  Grace worked for her too, I wanted to kill her for hitting me.  I learned to forgive the officer who wrote a horrible report, and after being investigated properly, I was found innocent.  I had persevered, God had the situation under control the whole time, and once I let Jesus be the wonderful counselor he is, I won.  Lastly being taught again, the battle belongs to the Lord.

No matter what you are battling today, God is on your side.  Even if you are guilty, he will provide, and protect.  He forgives, the court and judge may not, but he protects you.  Better to fear He that can keep you from eternal hell than those who can do earthly harm.  Turn it over to God, and watch the truth surface.  His judgments are true, He knows the when and what, He knows where and how, and above all things he is the who.  Where do you turn?  When?  But to who is still the most important.  And once I turned it allover to my real wonderful counselor, he took care of the details, and Stan and Steve came into my life.  All at the right time!

We may lose battles, but we will win the war.  This world is filled with false witnesses, those who will persecute you, and speak evil of you.  But God knows, and even tells us to pray for our enemies.  That ought to keep you busy for a few weeks, it does me.  But seek Jesus first, watch as all things work to good, and you draw closer to him.  He loves you, and stays with you.  And will represent you, unlike some law firm I won’t name.  What you may see is not always what happened, but Jesus sees all, and knows all.  He is the truth...can’t argue with that.  And will defend you better than Perry Mason, who only lost one case.  Jesus never lost one of his own, become one of his today.  The world is out to get you, so is Jesus.  He wants to save, the other destroy.  That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.  Call your next witness...

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

bitten by the Bug

I will admit it right up front, I have never been a fan of the VW Bug, aka the Beetle.  Ever since I could remember, they seemed to find a way to get in front of me and cruise 10 under the speed limit on the freeway, refuse to pull over on curvy roads, and somehow the owners always thought they were smarter than the rest of us.  Long before economy and MPG became the reason we bought cars, VW launched an ad campaign by DDB, which today still makes me laugh, but not want to buy one.  My experiences have been few, my Dad had a 1963, with the back seat taken out so he could carry his gold clubs, and my first lesson in gasoline economics came at the Sunoco station one Saturday morning, he was filling up with 190 at 23.9 cents/gallon, and the Corvette was getting 260 at 32.9 cents/gallon.  He told me “I don’t know how he could afford to put fuel in it.”  Yet it carried us to school on cold mornings, still can’t figure out the heater, kept him out of car pools-no room for more than two, and couldn’t be blamed for the coming fuel crisis.  And my last driving experience was with my future wife, when we drove from California to Albuquerque in her 1976 Super Beetle.  Which when added to the car family, I had a 1967 Cadillac, was quickly traded for a 1978 Rabbit.  Still VW, but with a heater, stereo, and able to leap small hills in a single bound. But the image of the Bug still lingers on, and may have sold so well initially because of DDB’s great ad campaign.  Which I still love today, its only weakness it never sold me a VW. 

Simple ads, with few words, that caught your attention,made you chuckle, and made you think, “maybe I should check one out.”  And once in the showroom, you were hooked.  As millions were, soon VW Bugs were everywhere.  Last being sold in the US of A into the late Seventies, and in Mexico still in the Nineties, some being used as company executive cars.  Maybe an ad just waiting to happen in itself.  Still alive in various forms in desert racing today, they have gone far beyond iconic, beyond legendary, and still are part of society today.  With Type 2, the vans, going for over $110,000 at auction.  Let me see, a 1958 Corvette or a VW Van for $110k?  I’ll take the van....and I still don’t get it.  But some do, and do, and still get in front of me on the freeway.  Maybe the more things do change the more they stay the same.  If only my body and eyesight had.

But I still like simple things, which is why like my Bonneville, nothing you don’t need, everything you do.  And when I need twice the horses, I ride the Street Triple, which has everything I want, nothing I don’t, and goes fast.  Which is why I get confused with new bikes with electronic settings-too many buttons to push at 100 mph.  And car radios, excuse me sound systems, give me an on/off volume and 5 stations and I am happy.  My old 8 track had two rear speakers, Theresa’s Mustang has six, and still no songs I want to listen to.  So give me simple, because it gives me time to concentrate on other more important things, like where to eat.  Go into any restaurant, and ask for a burger-you get 75 choices, just a plain burger with onion and ketchup not listed.  That’s special, and may cost more.  Or even unorderable, since it is not listed on her i-Pad screen, and may take a half hour because she has to find a person to talk to, who translates into Spanish for the cook, who grins and nods yes, and sends you a #1 with all the fixings.  Which makes me think, maybe that old VW was ahead of its time, and gave you all you wanted, not what you think you needed. Maybe that is why after 60 years I still wear a t-shirt and jeans, simple, never out of style, comfortable, and my Wranglers at Walmart are only $15.  But then I think of Rachel, who is the denim expert at Lucky Brand.....wonder what she drives?

It was my turn last night to teach at Dustin Arms, and I taught the gospel simply.  Using what God had given me, the fact you must be born again to be saved, and that Jesus said “I am the way.”  No misinterpretation there, and afterwards the questions showed they were thinking, and had listened.  With one comment leaving me thinking.  He thanked me for not quoting so many scriptures, he cannot keep up and gets confused, the two or three I quoted made him think, and he left with questions answered, and I hope saved.  Now I like to tell people that God made the gospel simple so that people like me could understand it, and he did.  The thief on the cross got it, without notes, classes, footnotes, or a study guide, and somehow the Apostle Paul finally did after having all the above, plus an education.  In both cases, and in all cases, it takes a personal one on one with Jesus, and it still does today.  We sinned, we need a savior, Jesus is the one. Repent and be saved.  Simple.  Yet why does it take some pastors over an hour to say what Billy Graham can in 5 minutes?  Has the church become like the Internet, more info than we can ever use, but with no wisdom behind it?  Can today’s church find John 3:16 without Googling it first?  And yet some still try to impress us with all their knowledge, yet cannot afford a hug or a smile.  I like St. Francis of Assissi’s advice, “teach the word daily, if necessary use words.”  Maybe the gosple like the old VW ads, simple, to the point, and we still remember them 50 years later.  Maybe we need to remember that Jesus writes his word on our hearts, and it is our minds that need to be renewed daily.  But enough preaching, what brought you to Christ?  The correct answer is the Holy Spirit, anything else is just a tag line, it s still all about Jesus. 

So while some have been bitten by the Bug,  many are still looking for the simple gospel of Jesus Christ.  The one that was good enough for a thief, and a Pharisee, and might be just what you need.  Simple, to the point, and to Jesus.  I just might have to rethink the VW Beetle once again, maybe the idea was way ahead of its time.  But the time for Jesus is now....economy of philosophy and religion, just the right doses of love.  Traction when needed, good mileage, and if you break down, easy to push.  Which makes me think, what kind of mileage are getting out of your god?  Maybe it’s time you tried Jesus.  A God for the people. 

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

it's just love

The attitude of summertime is wearing down as kids are going back to school.  A time when the girl you met who stayed with your best friend is leaving for home, and many a summer romance is coming to an end.  Some may continue into the school year, but each new September is a new proving ground for summer loves, and the dreams and promises that went with them. For each September, that chubby girl who sat next to you and was so annoying, lost 20 pounds, or shifted it up, and now she won’t talk to you.  If only you had known.  That skinny girl who wore too much Clearasil suddenly has a fresh complexion, and the geeky girl with the braces had them removed, and the nerdy for eyes is wearing contacts.  Summer has made a huge change in many of the girls when I was growing up, and from 8th grade through high school, every summer meant new love.  And perhaps some of the best two month romances I ever had.  Very few continued into the school year, and when they did were short lived.  For all the above mentioned reasons.  For there is nothing more romantic than falling in love, and watching her feel the same way about you as you do about her.  But while your roaming eye is checking out the new talent, so is hers, and the “I’ll never leave you for another one,” fades into just another memory in the fall.  Oh, but those hot summer nights... and to be young again.  After a quick moment, no thanks.

I have been married to the girl of my dreams, Theresa, for over 36 years.  If I had to make a list of everything I wanted in a woman, she is it, and even more things God knew and I didn’t.  She rides, cooks, and loves Jesus, who could as for more?  Yet I see many, too many in their late forties, divorcing.  And it is never their fault.  I could never imagine dating again, of doing the whole dating scene, but yet I see and talk to many, and am shocked when I meet their new spouse.  Maybe their summer lasted a few years, but the September exchange sure looks different than I remember it to be.  Why not invest all that time and energy into the one you vowed to never leave nor forsake, and look ahead together, rather than back alone?  Take your wife on a date, send her some chocolate, as reminded by a bumper sticker I saw today, “I rather fall into chocolate than fall in love.’  From her size, she fell many times and never really left the M&M’s behind.  But there is a certain romance about my wife of many years, and till death do us part had a special meaning when I almost did a few years ago.  Love and respect still go along way, and have never gone out of style.

At the last wedding I did, I introduced the groom’s parents, and had them stand and applaud them for over 30 years of marriage.  Sadly her mother, was there with her boyfriend, husband #2 gave away the bride, and husband #1 paid the bill.  And so I gave them advice, good advice, “you may not always be in love, but honor your commitment.”  And I can tell you personally that if love is only an emotion, that commitment will be short lived.  And what kind of example are you leaving for any children?  And so during the ceremony, I shared about Adam and Eve, the first marriage, and the first family.  And how excited Adam must have been when he woke up and saw Eve.  Ho would he not love her, she was made form him, and a part of him, and apart from him she would never be whole.  And so I had them close their eyes, just before the vows, and open them after.  Just to get the effect of what Adam and Eve saw, and their faces were aglow-and I pray that that  glow lasts until death do they part.  But it takes commitment, and a vulnerability, a trust that you can not have with another for the two to become one.  And a reason I see so many struggling in their relationship with Jesus. 

I was taught early in my Christian walk that I had to be vulnerable to Jesus.  I didn’t get it, but soon found out like falling in love each summer, with no commitment from either of us, that a September love was soon on the horizon.  And that Jesus had made himself vulnerable to me, for me, and with me.  He gave himself wholly, and wanted me to also.  And when I did, the blessings increased, I spent more time with  him, meditating on him, and soon I was in love with Jesus.  More than an emotion, it was so deep I still cannot explain it, for if I could, words would only diminish it.  For when I realized God is love, then I too could be in love.  And then God gave me Theresa.  And as long as I keep him first, I can love her more.  Summer or winter, in good times or bad...he never changes.  And my love for my wife grows because Jesus first loved us.  Paul McCartney wrote that “the world was full of silly love songs,”  and too many relationships are just like that.  I wanted more, I wanted more than something that I’ve heard love called, I wanted to know it was really love, and in Jesus I have found everything.  And he has been my heart’s desire, giving me a wife to share his love with.  Nohting sill about that.

So if you are falling in love, or thinking about it, take the advice from an old Strawbs song, Just Love.  “ It’s just love, don’t try to comprehend it, if you money you’ve best spend it, you may never love again.”  Give your spouse all of the love you can, it is money well spent, but really invested.  And walk with Jesus the same way...and you will never want to walk with any other.  I can never know what Adam felt that morning and Eve was there, but I know what it is like for me.  Jesus, Theresa, and motorcycles-let the blessings continue.  Unforgettable...in every way.  Walking my baby back home.  Love you honey...falling into chocolate.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

there are no bad motorcycles

There are no bad motorcycles.  Just read any motorcycle magazine, and you will see, they like them all.  And will even nitpick to find anything they don’t like.  Somewhere in their road test is the truth, and having experienced the truth, find it can be quite opinionated.  Years ago Honda was given some bad reviews, but true, by an almost 100 year old publication.  They were so incensed, they pulled all their advertising, almost sinking the title, such is their power.  Now Big Red gets nice reviews, and I find their parent company showing much middle of the road opinions many times, dumbed down road tests if you will.  Stopping at the local multi-line dealer while Theresa and a friend were enjoying open air motoring in her Mustang convertible, I stopped by, and as greeted by not one, but three EBR motorcycles.  Eric Buell is back, and these are as far from what Harley used to put in the back corner as they can be.  They look great, and I had been wanting to see one, so when offered a ride, I couldn’t hesitate.  And a 2014 EBR SX1190, an early production bike, #008, was mine to ride.  At first the V-twin rumbled and shook, but after a ride here is my opinion.  It is fast, but not as fast as I thought.  And for $17,000, not very refined.  But for a first effort, I was impressed.  I ran it from 0-110, did some quick stops, a few wheelies, the front end came up rather quickly, and ran it through the canyon and curves.  And when I took it back, Mike, the Sales Manager wanted my input.  He respects what and how I ride, and I had the chance not offered to just anyone.  He used to sell Triumphs, and the Speed Triple is still his favorite.  My only complaint were the clutch was too heavy, and the instrument panel read out of gears went into a blank when the clutch was pulled in, leaving me guessing, and one time confusing the traction control number right next to it for third gear, fortunately it was 4th, or 5th.  But other than that, an enjoyable ride, until I got back on my current press bike, a 2015 Triumph Daytona R.  And the difference was evident, even to me.  But wanting to know more about the EBR, I retreated to my office and a Cycle World, where they had test ridden one, and compared it to a Ducati, now Duc-Audi, since its new ownership.  And I was surprised, and wondered if I had ridden the same bike.  It said it had 185hp, 20 more than anything I had ever ridden, yet weighing the same as the Daytona, and giving up 60 horsepower, wasn’t as fast.  The brakes were not as good, and although it handled well, I couldn’t see the $3500 difference, give me the Daytona, and the $3500, and I’ll see you in a month of riding.  But yet this article was favorable to it, we all like Eric Buell, and found it very comparable to the Ducati.  We have yet to hear from Ducati in their advertising rebuttal.  Different bikes for different riders, but where was that 60 horsepower, and where was $3500 extra in value?  Maybe I just don’t ride enough anymore, 3000 miles in the last 3 weeks, but 60 horsepower, it is the difference between a Bonneville and a Daytona, and no one would ever confuse the two....confuse?  Remember there are no bad motorcycles, and I rather ride a slow motorcycle faster than a fast one slower.  But I rather still ride no matter what.

Consider this man’s resume, and see if you would be interested in him.  He was known as one of the most important, and learned religious men of his time.  He was a Pharisee, a member of he Sanhedrin, spoke many languages, and had other skills.  He was a gifted orator, well versed in many subjects, and was a Jewish Roman citizen.  Able to dialogue with Roman official, while others feared them.  A tenacious debater, there was no question where he stood on any subject, and was legalistic to the letter of the law.  He was later to become one of the most celebrated authors in world history, and an historic figure himself. His name was Saul of Tarsus, and loyal to the Jewish law to a fault.  And an enemy of the cross, at least at first.  Just reading about him now, he seems like someone you would like to listen to, or follow his principals.  But yet we see him at the stoning of Stephen, holding coats, while others stoned him to death.  He was out spoken about the gospel, and would alter become a champion of it.  Yet this man, like many religious types today, needed to meet the real savior, and Jesus changed his life.  On the road to Damascus, he was confronted with Jesus, “Saul, why are you persecuting me?”  Was he acting in ignorance or faith?  He knew what he had heard about this Jesus, maybe even read about him.  He knew Isaiah 53, but failed to see Jesus as the prophetic one.  It was until his meeting face to face, that it became real, that it became personal.  No more opinions, or gossip, he came face to face with Jesus, and that made all the difference.  One encounter with the truth, and all that he knew and read became real.  Jesus revealed the mysteries of the gospel to Saul, meaning little, and now he became Paul.  And I thought of him after reading the article.  If I hadn’t ridden the bike, I never would have known the differences from the road test.  A good lesson for all, make it personal with Jesus.  Some opinions are just that, but when it comes to truth, go right to the truth-Jesus.  Make it real, make it personal.  Don’t listen to someone else who had a bad time n church, or thinks he knows the Bible without reading it.  See for yourself, then decide.  Is Jesus who he says he is, or is he just a great man?  Is he God, the only way to heaven, or are you depending on your good efforts to make it.  In your spec sheet is your power listed, only to come up 60 horsepower short in everyday life?  Do the shiny ads appeal to you, or are you destined to spend too much, not get enough, and come so close to salvation yet miss it altogether? 

Does Jesus pull his advertising just because of bad reviews?  If he did, the church would be out of business long ago, but Jesus is alive, and the NY Times is close to bankruptcy.  But he still offers you that personal test ride to see for yourself, are you willing to take it?  Or go on believing lies and opinions?  Is your walk with him based on what someone else says, an ad, or do you know him personally?  If Paul, the highest Pharisee knew it all, but couldn’t get it without meeting him, how do think you will?  Do you think you stand a chance?  Have you put your money down and walked away bewildered, or are you still looking?  Jesus is still knocking, calling to you in love.  Are you listening?

Do you believe everything you read, or buy based on the power of the dyno?  Or are you interested in real life results?  Jesus is real, find out for yourself.  It takes no special connection, even the poorest gets in, it is the rich who stumble.  Unlike no bad motorcycles, there are bad gods, and too many fall prey to their false promises, then give up.  It took Paul being blinded on the road, what is it going to take for you?  Unlike hand grenades, close don’t count with Jesus, there is no maybe, Paul found that out.  Read the book, get to know the man, and follow him today.  The truth is out there, and found in the best selling book ever, no advertising needed.  Read about Paul and others who were so close in knowledge, yet blinded by religion.  Meet Jesus and be set free...we all have a testimony to share, what will yours be?  Dare to approach Jesus with the same passion you ride with....wheelies optional.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com