starting for home

We all have dreams of endless summers, of long vacations that don’t end, and the dread of having to go back to work.  An escape from normal life is so welcoming, so needed, yet so evasive.  Over the years we have been blessed to take our standard two weeks per year, and due to creative planning turn them into as much as 37 days.  Even when I first came west in 1975, I used my two weeks paid, and sacrificed another two weeks unpaid to make the trip.  There is just something about being on the road that we love.  It has taken us to 48 states, Canada, and Mexico-all on two wheels.  We have seen the back roads, eaten at Mom’s Diner, stayed at places that gave refuge like Bates Motel, and been stuck in cities where no escape seemed available.  We have ridden when it is above 120 degrees, and below zero.  We have been soaked in both rain and sweat, followed snow plows, and even just stayed an extra few days sometimes just because we could.  We have planned every mile for every day, and then changed it all when we wondered where a road led.  We have seemingly wandered without plan across states, not knowing what was ahead, but never fearing, and excited about where we would spend the next night.  We have run out of everything except for money, sometimes making it home with only a few cents in our pocket, the bike on reserve, and praying, hoping, and then thanking God for getting us there.  We start out each new adventure with high hopes, great expectations, and after counting down the days, sometimes for months, we are on the road.  Even for a few days any more is exciting, but two summers ago we had the ride of our lives-literally.

After being life flighted and having open heart surgery, spending a total of 30 days in the hospital, 20 in Cardiac Critical Care, and then 5 days in rehab,we needed a place to stay, and two friends we never met gave us their house in Rio Rancho to have until we could leave.  I say could, because I was on heavy doses of antibiotics for my staph infection, and had to be monitored.  In one short summer, we had gone from counting the days of the trip, to counting the day until we leave, to not knowing when we could leave.  We knew August 6th, was the target date, but with each visit to the doctor we hoped he would release me.  Knowing the best course of action was following it, but for the first time we missed home.  And the not knowing when, we still had if in the back of our minds, would weigh heavy at times.  God was more than meeting all our needs, but we missed home.  Through the miracle of cell phones, Theresa kept in contact with our sons, and many friends via Facebook, but it seems there really is no place like home when you can’t go there.  When a summer dream turns into a summer nightmare, when time seems to stand still, but life marches on.  And you find how really impatient you can be, but know you have to wait.

It had been an interesting year, at  least for vehicles I got to ride.  I had ridden about 8 Press bikes for Triumph, ridden my 1978 Suzuki to the Hanford Vintage Bike Show, and on Mother’s Day was invited into the cab of a locomotive at the Perris Train Museum, then told to sit behind the controls and drive it.  For almost 3 miles I was Casey Jones at speeds up to 20 mph!  We had started out for Wisconsin on the Tiger, I was life flighted 250 miles by helicopter, and then finally escorted by Theresa, while riding in the back of a rented Camry.  After she had at first rented a FIAT!  So the summer of 2012 could be a story of transportation modes, but a rented Camry?  Oh the pain of it all!  I cannot begin to tell you how anxious we were to get home, even counting the hours sometimes, and planning our last meal at Monroe’s, our last deli sandwich at McCallister’s and one last visit to sit on Triumphs at PJ’s, the day to leave was finally arriving.  Through a wonderful friend Delana, she got us a room at the Hilton in Albuquerque, closer to our last doctor’s visit, we were ready.  We had actually fallen in love with the home given us in Rio Rancho, but it wasn’t home.  But what a blessing it was.  But we couldn’t wait to see the doctor, and at 830am on August 6th, they pulled out my last pic line, gave me a clean bill of health, and we were going west on I-40 by 845!  The longest ride ahead of me in the back seat of a car, but we were going home, and the next day, the next night we would sleep in our own bed!  I never realized you could miss home so much, and all the little things that used to bother me seemed to be welcomed.  After what we had been through, bring on some normalcy-we can handle it.

The trip home was uneventful, and another night arranged by Delana had us spending the night in Kingman.  The last 350 miles via I-40 and I-15, two roads I thought I would never be glad to see again.  With one final stop to eat fish tacos in Temecula, trying to get my emotions under control...but by the grace of God we arrived.  I had been given a new outlook on life, along with a new aorta, and made medical history.  Not at all what I had planned, but God had it all under control, for I was out of it, and we were 1000 miles from home, so we left it up to Jesus.  That doesn’t mean the emotions didn’t run high, or we didn’t get down, but we never lost hope.  And the scripture a chaplain at Presbyterian Hospital gave Theresa still gives me peace, and I share it with others.  Isaiah 65:24 tells us that even before we pray, God has things under control.  He knew all about my heart, had the helicopter waiting, and landing just so the right cardiologist would operate on me, Dr. Peter Walinsky, whose specialty was aortas.  He had the place for us to stay there, a second home a couple had dedicated to the Lord, and they were blessed to have us use it.  He had the right nurses for me, amazing the amount of Christians he has placed in hospitals, and even the right nurses for the infectious disease treatments, even giving Theresa their home phones to call if she needed help, and giving her extra supplies.  The gifts from Monroe’s, PJ telling me when I got better, he would lend me a bike, he just happened to be Peter’s best friend and knew about my surgery before he knew it was me.  And Delana’s gift, meeting a man in the elevator when leaving who had open heart surgery, and then when dropping off the rental Camry, being told to call Albuquerque, and having the $250 one way drop off fee waived.  God was there all the time.  So when Pastor Ray tells us “God is good all the time,”   I can tell you “all the time God is good.” 

In the back of my mind I wondered if I would ever see Escondido again, but never lost hope for heaven.  I still look forward to heaven, I want to go back is the only way to describe it, but know it will only be on and in God’s time.  We cannot choose the day we die, or how, but we can choose to live for Jesus.  Knowing because he died and was resurrected, so will I.  And that we will meet in heaven again, and forever be filled with joy, no sorrow at all.  If today you are wondering how you will ever make it through the day, set your sights on heaven.  Be assured in Christ that it is real, and he is the only way to go.  Be given the hope we had, when all seemed hopeless, that God knows exactly what is going on, and it all works out for our benefit somehow.  We don’t know what tomorrow brings, we aren’t sure of today, but eternity is for sure, and I want to spend it in heaven with Jesus.  Make the call today, he is waiting, and has room for you.  And plans for your life, for a hope and a future.  Take it from someone who when he landed was described “as the sickest person they had seen who wasn’t dead.”  I have faced death, and am not afraid of it, maybe still unsure about the process, but trusting as never before.  I am only alive here today because of Christ, my wife not a widow, my sons not orphans.  We never thought the day would come when we started for home, today  know we started for home, the real home in heaven, the day we gave our lives to the Lord.  Be it ever so humble as riding in the back seat of a rented Camry, there really is no place like home.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

what kind of biker are you?

Although we all ride, we are a diverse bunch.  From Vespa to Victory, Honda to Harley, and Triumph to Indian, we all love our rides, but go about it differently.  Here is a sample based on nothing scientific, see where you fit in.  Then go for a ride and prove it.

RIDER-You look for any excuse to go for a ride. Whether going for a gallon of milk at midnight for your Oreos, taking the long way home, or a quick trip to San Luis Obispo, you go.  You take good care of your ride, it is in top shape despite its miles.  You have riding preferences, but enjoy all motorcycles because they are motorcycles.  Your bike is always ready to go, and small dings and chips are noted as badges of honor, where and when you got them remembered.  Right now you rather be riding than reading.

CRUISE-NIGHTER-You are all about being seen, and customize your bike accordingly.  You have memorized the Kuryakin catalog, and worn out pages in the Screamin’ Eagle brochures.   Your bike is always shiny, reeks of Armor-All, including tires, and you observe all warm up procedures.  It is low miles, the longest ride was for the last service, and your leathers match the bike.  Some call you a poser, and you are happy to pose while sitting at The Rock Store.  Some ride, you accessorize.

TUNER-TINKERER-You rather live in your garage next to your bike than ride it.  Every part has been tightened, torqued, or checked for correctness.  Oil is changed before it gets dirty, you have a full set of gauges to check engine performance, and all the latest gadgetry to increase performance.  You are not content until you find the last few horsepower, and still look for the perfect dyno to get it for you.  You never have been into the engine, but have receipts for the shop who has.  Bike is low miles, and runs better than it looks.  And you have another just so one is always running.

MODIFIER-RACER-Stickers cover many wounds from low siding at speed.  Your only thought is how can I go faster?  Engine size doesn’t matter, your bike is always the fastest, although rarely tested.  No speedo, only tach, oil pressure, and temp gauges, it only is seen and ridden on track days.  You talk about touring, which means track days across the state.  It is more stock than you care to admit, looks faster than it is.  Highlight is from SCTA sticker, but was taken from another bike that you took to Bonneville that was your friend’s.  Do my leathers make my bike look big?

RESTORER-Originality and perfection are your gods.  No bike from an assembly line ever looked this good, or would.  Any repaint is from NOS factory paint, only NOS or new parts used, and even tires have original build dates to match those of the bike.  You have brochures and ads from new, and can be like a CRUISE-NIGHTER on Sunoco 260.  Your bikes are never ridden, and see most miles from the back of an enclosed van.  Low or no miles, and after rebuild your wife parks her new car in the driveway so she won’t ding it.  Not her decision.  The few rides never see redline, as you don’t want to hurt the engine.  Only wears clean and pressed t-shirts of your favorite brand.

HOARDER-Somewhere in your garage is your motorcycles.  Some came in boxes, some actually ran, but you have an obsession to keep finding parts because they are obsolete.  Misunderstood, someday they will thank you . You have at  least 12 cylinder heads, with gasket sets to match, various pistons, shifters, parts books, and old microfiche.  You have never finished a project, but promise to be ready for next year’s Hansen Dam Ride.  Your trash cans are filled, but you never empty them, just getting another as you may need the old parts someday.  You never sell, but often buy-who can pass up a deal like that?

TROPHY-HOUND-Your bike is meticulous, and you spend weeks before a show polishing it.  You were delighted when Armor-All became available in 55 gallon drums, and no waxing rag is used twice.  You only go to invite only shows, your bike is perfect, but never to you.  Carpets are laid down on grass so blades of grass don’t get in treads.  You carry all your trophies with you, and never park next to anything that may embarrass you.  Only specific brand meets draw your interest, and although you ride, you never got a license.  The trailer your bike rides in is nicer than your house.  Wife #3 just left you, you didn’t realize it until to weeks later when she didn’t show up with wax for the trophies at last year’s meet.  On the back of a friend’s motorcycle.

ONE HIT WONDER-Low on funds, you bought a leftover from 3 years ago.. Cheap.  It was low production, maybe a low price come on to get you into the dealer.  It has drum brakes, carburetors, no tach, and a basic black paint job.  You never will see another due to the fact that the only other one was sold on the opposite coast.  You tell everyone it is limited production, just not why.  You keep it perfect, and wear earplugs while riding and parking, so you can’t hear others laughing behind your back.  When you tell them just how unique your ride is, they can’t believe it, but really can’t believe anyone bought one to start with.  Leftover for a reason.  So is motorcycle.

PROFESSOR-This guy communicates with the engineers at the factory, they just never call back.  He starts out trying to reinvent the wheel, and ends up with a flat tire.  He knows every fact abut the bike, down to the date and time it was built.  He knows minute details about his model, and why it is better than yours.  He may not even own a bike, but is ready for the right deal to come along.  He claims he has a motorcycle, claims the old Puch moped with streamers and reflectors is his son’s, who has Harley tattoos.  But has been seen at 25mph hanging on for dear life on quiet Sunday afternoons when the Chargers are on.  Knows all, rides nothing.  Claims the Internet is infallible.  Even the nicest people on Hondas don’t like him.

Although we all claim to be Christians, and love Jesus, we are a diverse bunch.  From Lutheran to Baptist, Presbyterian to Catholic, and Calvary Chapel to Fundamentalist, we all love Jesus, just go about it differently.  Again nothing scientific, see where you do or don’t fit in.  Then go to church and prove it.

RIDER-You love God and all his people.  You love to fellowship, and never miss a service or chance to serve.  You invite visiting missionaries to stay with you, read your Bible, attend prayer meetings, and rather talk about God than anything else.  You have a passion for Christ, and your life is full of testimonies. In failure you seek Christ, in victory praise him.  Right now you rather be out serving, and cannot understand why everyone else isn’t.

CRUISE-NIGHTER-We all know just where you sit in church, and have your own section.  First time visitors beware.  You are the first to tell the pastor afterwards how great his message was, and each week ask for prayer for the same thing. Your car has all the latest bumper stickers, never miss a special speaker, and never anything but a new shiny, Bible cover.  Your kids are named after Bible characters, you have memorized the Bible, but just not sure who Jesus is.  You think everyone wants to be like you, and still cannot understand why everyone avoids you.  They must be jealous, yeah, that’s it.

TUNER-TINKERER-You tend to church hop, being out every night of the week, while your family suffers.  But you wouldn’t know it, you are busy reading the latest self help book.  You are legalistic to point of heresy, and if it ain’t King James it just may be.  Your church is the only true church, and you are looking for that perfect church.  You have been to Billy Graham, and various Harvest Crusades, taking copious notes on what Billy said wrong, but never getting to meet him and correct him.  Free advice given to all, just never taken.  Do as I say not as I do. Says all, knows nothing.

MODIFIER-RACER-Always looking out for himself, church hops everywhere.  No foundation of beliefs, thinks Buddha has good ideas, too.  Self help books line his shelf, has been to Israel many times looking for God.  Talks a good game, but is known to wander from the truth.  Looking for love in all the wrong places, just doesn’t know it.  Believes in performance based salvation, using him as the benchmark.  When a better God comes along, he is ready.

RESTORER-He will only read the Old Testament in Hebrew and the New in Greek.  He doesn’t want to miss out on anything that may have been mistranslated.  Originality counts, has been known to carry a Greek dictionary with him.  Always willing to argue over fine points of scripture, he is proud to tell everyone Jesus wasn’t born on December 25th, and is never invited back to Bible studies, he claims the rest are hypocrites, and his way is the only way.  Has figured out physical description of Jesus from other texts, now working on whether Mary was a blond or brunette.  Has no conception of salvation, for he has never sinned.  But is a self pronounced authority on what is best for you. No scars that show, but many deep inside.

HOARDER-You know these guys, they take notes and stuff them in their Bible.  They still have announcements from 10 years ago, but can’t find them.  Shelves at home are filled with old palm branches, Baptismal records, and photos of the church, from ground breaking to the latest remodel.  He has trouble referring to his notes, the pages of his Bible keep getting in the way, so he doesn’t read either.  Old tube radio in den set to religious station from Oklahoma he can only get on clear nights, insists of only hearing the real gospel.  Believes God may be dead, and Elvis alive, if only he can find the notes he took about it.  Still waiting to go on that elusive first retreat.  God is in here somewhere....

TROPHY-HOUND-How many people do you know who have met the Pope?  Danced at a Jewish festival in Jerusalem?  Knocked on Billy Graham’s door in North Carolina, and can tell you all about it?  His testimony is of meeting big name people, and his walls are lined with pictures of him with them.  Saved by association, you don’t have to ask.  He was once shown a picture of his 14 year old son and thought it was a young Max Lucado.  He can be known to know it all, or at least those who do, but suffers in the reality department.  Guilty by association, just not with Jesus.  Always buys the first round as the crowd only gets bigger...and more opportunities for a photo op.  Claims wife was a direct descendent of Aimee Semple McPherson, whoever she was.

ONE HIT WONDER-He got saved his first time to church and never went back.  It just can’t get any better, and stays away from fellowship so it won’t.  He doesn’t share with his kids, it’s up them to figure it out like he did.  Is very critical of the church, and blames them for his problems.  He is bitter to his wife for she goes to church, and he makes jokes about her to her face.  He even has a Jesus sticker on his car to prove he is saved.  Believed to be the main reason people don’t like going to church.  Swears, drinks, and has had an affair, another one hit wonder.  Usually found in groups of one.

PROFESSOR-As a hobby, proof reads Bibles then contacts printer with errors.  Few phone calls returned.  Knows Jesus’ name in 12 languages, yet can’t find a church that is deserving of him.  God is all intellect, and he cannot fathom why God made such imperfect people he must live with.  Refuses to go to church, they all lie anyway, will not tithe, although he memorized Micah, and wrote a paper on it for the Watchtower Society.  Thinks Jesus is taking God’s name vain, spends time looking for the lost Ark of the Covenant.  Belief system based on heretical writings, various opinions, and Hollywood scripts.  Tries to be good, and cannot stand those that aren’t.  Sunday mornings spent listening to various TV evangelists, then calling in and correcting them.  Believes in UFO’s, the three wise men may have been form Mars.  No proof of heaven because he hasn’t seen it, I hope he believes in hell, that is where he is headed.  Saved by brains, not by faith.  And can prove anything he believes, if your mind is liberal enough. 

So there you have it, funny yet true.  Scary yet true, somewhere in there we all live.  Take the time today to spend with Jesus.  Read his word, fellowship with other believers, go to church, and communicate with Jesus.  Just like Acts 2:42 says. Be the church, one we want to be part of and go to.  Not all who wander are lost, but all who wonder need Jesus.  Take a ride to church today, meet others,and share testimonies.  No right answers, only Jesus.  E pluribus unim, from one comes many, make sure the only one is Jesus.  Now you were saying....

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

the times they are a changin'

There was a time when 327, 454, 429, 302, 289, 440, 426, and 383 meant engine sizes to us. Now due to metrics, we get 5.4, 5.7, 5.0, 4.6, 6.2, and 6.6.  Not quite the same romance as “she’s real fine my 409,” but we now live in the age of metrics.  Motorcycles have traditionally been measured in cc’s, with Harley the lone holdout, with 60, 74, 80(which is really an 81,) 96, 103,and 110 cubic inch engines.  Somehow a 750 Triumph doesn’t sound right called 45 cubes, or a Soft Tail called a 1660.  We associate certain constants with certain products, so there.  In soft drinks we now have half litres and 2 litres, close enough to a pint and half gallon, but not to the bottler.  That silly 1.8 ounces more litre than a quart adds up.  Same with metric wrenches of 6-8-10-12 sizes.  They just won’t fit on standard size bolts, no matter how hard you force them with a hammer.  Hammers aren’t metric, yet.  And we used to run 100 yard dashes, now they are 100 meter, football still played on 120 yard fields, you figure it out.  They really are.  So it helps to  know of what you talk, when you talk, as not is always as it seems.  Fortunately time has not taken that route yet, except on Star Trek or in Sheldon’s apartment.  60 seconds still equal a minute, 60 minutes still equal an hour, and 60 minutes make an hour.  24 hours make a day, 12 months make a year, but some months have 30 or 31 days.  Confused, then why does February only have 28, and every 7 years 29?  If born on February 29, how old are you really?  So as perfect as time is, it still isn’t when counting it.  With one watch, you always know what time it is, with two you guess.  And even a broken clock is right twice a day.  Unless it is on military time....We are still overcoming the effects of daylight savings time, except for Arizona, which doesn’t observe it, and certain counties in Indiana.  And where did that hour of sleep we lost go?  What about the one we gained? 

We say time flies when we are having fun, but how fast much faster does it go?  Why does waiting in line seem so slow, and weekends seem so fast?  Why does the last 2 minutes of a football game last for a half hour?  Why does the NBA measure the last 20 seconds in tenths?  Remember the first Z-1R breaking the 12 second barrier at 11.996 seconds?  That .004 was important to bragging rights.  And what of two riders, one at 60 and one at 63 mph, at the end of an hour they are three miles apart.  So maybe time isn’t quite as easy as we think.  Even a young Michael Jagger sang that “time is on my side,” and Chicago wanted to know “does anybody know what time it is, does anybody really care?”  Maybe the Chambers Brothers were the closest with “Time has Come Today.”  For no matter where you are, it is today.  At least until tomorrow, which never gets here. Then today was yesterday. Did your troubles really seem so far away?  Maybe a time out is in order,  but time still goes on.  So I have another thought, maybe another way to confuse time.  I used to think as I got older, time went faster.   I was close, it was really me getting slower.  See above constants for time.  But how about a new way to measure time, but years lived.  For example, your percentage of time lived can be expressed in ratios, based on years lived.  1 year=100%.  At age 2, your age is only 50% of your time lived.  At 10, 10%, so the smaller the percentage, the older you are.  At 20 you are a 5%er.  A age 50 a 2%er.  And if you live to be 100, a true 1%er.  Sadly not many bikers make it that far.  So maybe time doesn’t fly, but the percentages of your life decrease as time goes by.  And suddenly the smaller the percentage, the better the bragging rights.  How about retiring and getting Social Security at 65, really only 1.5%?  And today I am a 1.6 %er, while my wife is a 1.7%er.  I’m older, she is a bigger percent.  Take that old age, maybe Bowie was right, “time can’t change me, but I can change time.” 

God tells us “in the beginning...” but when was the beginning?  Did it start at year 0, and go forward?  No calendars found to explain it.  And when did God begin?  How can he have always been?  But remember infinity goes back as well as forward.  And we can have infinitely big or small.   Now although the word time is mentioned 619 times in the King James, yet God operates outside of time.  We do to, he just gave us time to measure our time on earth.  How long is eternity really?  Keep adding one more day and hour....forever.  That equals eternity.  But only to our finite minds, for God is infinite, and his scale for measuring is much different.  Peter tells us that “one day as a thousand, and a thousand as one” to the Lord.  No mention of Daylight Savings.  Only Jesus saves.  But for over 1700 times God mentions time, so it must be pretty important.  Enough to count, even if we don’t know how he does.  We are told the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, night mentioned 307 times, and was there at the beginning, the day and the night making the first day.  Being careful to note that the evening then the morning make the first day, just as Jews celebrate the beginning of the day at sundown.  He warns about two men in bed at night, and only one is taken.  And how we stumble at night when no light is in us.  So night, time, and day are important to God, even though he is infinite.  And we see Jesus, one night, really early morning, but still dark, walking on the water?  What was he doing at 4am there?  And why?  Never heard that taught from a pulpit.  And finally heaven being a place of light, no darkness at all.  With God shining and providing us light, so bright he outshines the stars.  Forever.  A time that we shall live in, forever.  Dates and times will not matter, and we will live in an eternal today.  Just like God, with God.  And since even today God is always on time, we should be too.  Jesus never hurried, yet was never late.  Maybe because he didn’t wear a watch.  Or really because he was God.  And we know how timing can be everything, so don’t be late in choosing God.  If Jesus called us home today are you ready?  would you go even if you weren’t?  Are saved, and on cruise, or are you saved and telling others?  Out of the darkness we shine too, so don’t hide your light under a basket.  For just like God’s light shines brighter than the sun, so can ours.  And brightest to a sick and dying world.  Is God your strength in time of trouble? 

The Byrds sang “Turn turn, turn,”where time is mentioned 21 times.  A time for everything in God’s world, including time for us.  But do we make time for him?  He asks so little, yet gives so much, why do we hold back?  Can you pray for maybe 5 more minutes today?  How about getting to church on time, and seeing the whole service?  For your benefit.  Trust Jesus, never rush, yet never be late.   The closer we get to God, we see the times and how they really are a changin’.  Could Bob Dylan have been right about that 50 years ago?  Maybe, but always trust God first.  If he talks of time so many times, maybe it is time to consider him in your lifetime.  An old poster used to remind us “today is the first day of the rest of your life.”  Make that day with God, and celebrate it daily.  Day and night.  According to my theory, as the years add up, the percentage goes down.  Sadly surveys tell us that as we get older, the chances of being saved go down too.  Maybe a correlation, maybe a warning.  I got saved at 4.7%.  How about you?  And the neatest thing is salvation is 100%.  Only Jesus can deliver that.  Isn’t it time you gave him a chance?  Whether in millimeters or inches, If you miss him, you still miss everything. Today is the day of salvation, but also the day of damnation for those who die without Christ.  Today is the first day of eternity in Christ....times may change, Jesus never does.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com 

"just how did a girl like you get to be a girl like you?

When I was younger, I grew very fast.  The word was I would be 6’2”, but after a spurt or two, stopped at 6 feet.  But it allowed me to play freshman basketball in 7th grade, and to start in 8th.  I was tall for my age, so could get away with looking older, so I hung out with older guys.  Which sounded cool, but could get you in trouble.  Because it led to older girls, the kind you dated, but never took on dates.  The ones you never took home for dinner, or even told where you lived.  And so I led a double life my senior year, with a real girlfriend, and many a one night experience.  Many times we would meet at a local bar, where I could be served, and had never been carded.  While my girlfriend would put up with me, the real problems changed when Jersey changed the drinking law to 18 from 21, and I got carded.  And told in a few places not to return, they were cheesed off I had lied to them, and now that they were being watched by ABC, they didn’t want me around, I still could get the in trouble for past behavior.  And some of the lesser women looked down on my youth,while some just didn’t care.  But suddenly these older, more experienced women became less attractive, and it wasn’t the thrill of meeting them on the sly.  I started meeting more respectable girls, while maintaining my girlfriend, while losing most of all my respectability.  I had lived a teenage life with loose women, and saw them deteriorate quickly as they hit their late twenties.  Nice to talk with, but no morals, just the kind you want for an evening, but not a lifetime.  To sneak around with, but not be seen with.  To brag about later to your friends, but not introduce them to, or their friends.  And I always wondered, just how did a girl like you, become a girl like you?  What happened in their life that made them hard, but easy?  Who shied away from serious relationships?  Who rather live in the dark with fear of exposure, but not caring when they were?  Who started out with nothing, and ended up with less. 

And I was no better, as I was one of the ones taking advantage of them.  There were things you couldn’t talk about, because you had fabricated such stories to make yourself attractive.  I had the lines, the car, the motorcycle.  At one point even the job and title, and a good income.  But as the parties got more expensive, and the relationships faster and cheaper, it took a toll on me.  I wanted out, I just didn’t know it.  And certain girls were told to stay away from me, but that only spurred them on more.  You wonder the true value of friends when they are all as dishonest as you, and if there is any truth to what they day, as their life is built on lies as yours was.  And as many started to grow up, some burnt out.  Some just quit coming around, some got serious girls, and got married.  But something inside them was still searching, still looking.  And not being found in careers, cars, or money.  That just brought you to a new level of debauchery, and many tried to keep up with the Jones’s, while some became the Jones.  Suddenly being older was not as much fun, sin wasn’t the same thrill, and after being caught you paid a price.  But for some reason, you kept on the same....hoping but not knowing what lies ahead.

Then I got saved, and suddenly I found out the truth, I had been one of the problems.  And I had become a bigger problem with Jesus in my life.  Old friends who were close didn’t return calls, or call at all.  No drugs, no girls, and no parties, they lost interest in me.  And I still hung on, knowing I had changed, but not knowing how.  Something inside didn’t want to get high any more, but I still tried to fit in.  A break had to be made, or I was in big trouble.  I was later to learn two things I didn’t want to admit to.  One was a double minded man is unstable in all his ways.  I was maybe triple minded, as the new man in me wanted nothing to do with the old Mike.  But the old man hung on, and still creeps up every once in a while after 40 years.  But the hard one was being told bad company corrupts good morals.  And that I had been bad company.  I led women astray, others who I thought were friends, and even my bosses.  I was out of control, and no one could reach me.  And looking back when I share many look at me and wonder, “just how did a boy like you turn out to be a boy like you?”  The answer is simple-Jesus.  I was a complete wreck, and nobody cared.  Party hard and die young so you can make a better looking corpse.  But ugly or handsome, you still died.  He who dies with the most toys still is dead.  And someone else gets to enjoy the toys.  And in this enlightened age, many were seeking through drugs, Mahareeshi, TM, or religion.  In all cases they were looking to save themselves, when they couldn’t.  All the things the world promised it couldn’t deliver, and for many the search goes on.

Some still get stoned, while others trip over the stone got planted, Jesus, to save us.  How many go to church faithfully, tithe, go to Bible studies, and minister, but still keep score?  They try to attain enough points for salvation, rejecting the gift that is free, feeling there is no way they could ever be good enough.  And they are right, we can never be good enough, yet pride causes them to stumble.  Paul addressed this in Romans, where the Jews felt they had to work for salvation, pride, they didn’t want to admit they needed a savior.  Sound familiar?  Yet the Gentiles, those who they believed were made to keep the fires of hell hot, were being offered this free gift from God, and accepting it.  Pushing them farther from God.  They live like I used to, not sure about tomorrow, so take advantage of someone today.  Hoping I may be just good enough to make it.  One night stands of religion, having the ticket, but never seeing the show.  Never coming to the point in there life of asking “who is Jesus?”  “And where does he fit in?”  Many become religious, but never saved, yet the more blessed are saved and never become religious.  God sees the inside, while we are more concerned about the inside, just what shows.  Jesus tells us he who calls upon him shall never be cast out.  All that is left is to turn to Jesus, to respond to him and be saved.  So when asked “how did a guy like you become a guy like you?” the answer is Jesus.  Only Jesus.  No religion, no church, no philosophy, or belief system could save me.  Only Jesus. 

When I was young I grew fast physically, God shows me how to grow spiritually.  At his pace, where others are not impressed, and cannot use me.  Or me them.  Where I can minister to both young and old, and have them love me in return.  I no longer look for what I can get out of a relationship, but what I can give.  Jesus gave it all for me and to me, so I only wish to pass it on.  I need no card to show I am saved, nor membership.  It is strictly between me and God, and my name is written in the Book Of Life.  Still chasing religion, scripture tells us not to rejoice in the power we have over demons, but only that we are recorded in the Book of Life.  Where once I carried a book of numbers, of one night stands, of party places, now I live assured of heaven, my place is reserved. I’m in God’s book. Nothing changed me except for Jesus, from the inside out.  Maybe you are the bad company I was, Jesus is still calling.  Maybe you are stumbling around, trying to be good or moral, but failing miserably.  Jesus is waiting, offers forgiveness, and salvation.  Just how do you make it to heaven?  Jesus is the only way.  Simple so I can get it, free so I can afford it. The wages of is is death, where will your next payday be?  Whose book are you in?

love with compassion,

Mike

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