if ever I should leave you

We tend to get attached to things very easily, which makes it even harder to let go of them.  Growing up the neighbors always traded for a new car every three years, the ones whose fathers were really doing well ever other year.  Just by what was parked in my friend’s driveway, the other neighbors knew how well off they were, or at least how strong their credit was.  One guy who bought new Chevies every year, always a 4 door hardtop, left the window sticker on, showing off how much he paid, but bragging how he got it for much less.  No attachment there, except to a new car every year.  And being a Chevy man.  Some bought only Fords, some were stuck in a MOPAR rut, for my dad it was always Ramblers, did that make him a Ramblin’ man? And sometimes the trait was passed down from father to son.  But when the gas crisis hit in 1973, suddenly Japanese cars got better mileage became popular, and many family traditions were changing.  And today, especially on the West Coast, you can see the strong Japanese influence of cars and motorcycles.  Where once Cadillac was the brand that proved you were successful, now BMW and Lexus have the honor.  Mercedes Benz will always be the one to shoot at, but back then they were just another foreign car.  Even imported by Studebaker until the early sixties.  How times have changed.  Or is it really us, as while things change, the more they stay the same. 

Many a father debated in the fifties about buying a Hudson, Nash, Studebaker, or Packard.  All good makes at one time, but now orphaned, only Studebaker making it until 1965...and in my lifetime, some of the cars of my youth are gone.  Remember Oldsmobile?  Pontiac, Mercury, Plymouth, and Saturn?  Names that used to adorn our driveways, now gone.  Muscle cars like Road Runners, Barracudas, Meteors, GTO’s, Firebirds, Grand Prix, and 442.  How about the luxury of a 98, Fury III, or Bonneville?  The cars of our fathers now gone, and the cars of our early driving years now orphaned.  Leaving many with the thought of “what will I buy next year now that my favorite brand is gone?”  Could you really bring yourself to buy a Toyota, a Datsun, I mean Nissan, or a Subaru?  But yet today’s kids thrive on 4 door sedans, with ash can mufflers, a more powerful stereo than engine, and again, MPG is more important than MPH.  What lessons did our fathers leave us to deal with these and other crises ahead?  Did they ever sit down and explain “if ever I should leave you, this is what to do?” 

And if they had, would we have listened?  For we do get attached to things of our own very easily, and change is hard, and even harder as we get older.  We all think we are prepared for whatever comes along, we found out in 2012 when I was life flighted and had open heart surgery.  I never thought “if ever I should leave you,” and when in a coma, well, you don’t.  We find ourselves unprepared for the inevitable, death, and even stray from using the word.  He passed away, gone on, isn’t with us any longer, or is in a better place.  But it is death, it is final, and happens to more than cars, motorcycles, TV shows, and other things shaping our lives.  And with a 100% death rate, it is inevitable we will all face it some day.  I decided years ago that I wasn’t afraid to die, still not after coming as close to death as you can without dying, but still not sure of the process.  Why do some die in car accidents, some in their sleep, some suicide, and still others live to be 100, yet others are miscarried.  Why are some scared of death, while others face it bravely, or even welcome it?  For me it comes down to Jesus Christ.  Without him their was an unknown element, a what if, and I hoped if there was a heaven, the rules would bend so I could get in.  Like the song of Blood, Sweat and Tears tells us “ swear they ain’t no heaven, and I pray there ain’t no hell,...only by dying I will tell.”  Not a way to live life.  Or enter death. 

The disciples were faced with death, yet didn’t realize it, nor were they prepared.  Jesus had told them of his fate, yet in the midst of life, they didn’t prepare their hearts.  He was there every day, and as we live every day with little thought for tomorrow, so did they.  Jesus will always be with them, they thought.  He was young, so were they, and life was good and exciting, as a walk with Christ is.  But after his death on the cross, they needed guidance, and Jesus had told them “ if ever I should leave you, I will send a helper.”  The Holy Spirit.  Our comforter, friend, guidance counselor, and advisor.  Who will take us through the tough times, rejoice with us in good times, and prepare us for heaven.  Until Christ returns, and we meet him in heaven.  We shall never face death, as those who are saved will pass from life to after life.  We were dead once in sin, now we are alive in him.  And we shall be with him once and for all.  Never an orphan, or an outsider looking in, we will have attained heaven, just by giving our lives to him.  No rock star, athlete, racer, celebrity, or millionaire ever made, or will make heaven without Jesus.  He is the way....all others get hell, their choice by not saying yes, for saying nothing is saying no to Jesus. 

Let the words of Jesus comfort you today.  For if he had never left, we wouldn’t have the way.  But he did, and awaits our celebration in heaven when we arrive.  But we need to make the choice, the change to Jesus.  Some resist until it is too late, some on their deathbeds, yet some are smart and do it while young.  Why wait for heaven, when you can have the things of heaven now? Didn’t Jesus teach them to pray “thy kingdom come, or earth as it is in heaven?”  What is your excuse?  Family ties, traditions, brand loyalty, or just plain stubbornness?  We don’t know the day of our death, we didn’t know the day of our birth either.  But we can know of the day of our salvation, making life worth the living.  “If ever I should leave you,”was not a subject of conversation in our home, now we are better prepared, but still not ready.  Fortunately Jesus is and is ready to assist by his spirit. While getting your house in order, don’t forget the things of the spirit.  the most important thing, the relationship with God.  Some day we will all be gone, and it is our choice to where, just not when.  Or how.  Life without Pontiac must have made thousands wonder where they would buy their next car?  They could never envision a Ford or a Chevy.  Never a Plymouth...or anything like a Mazda.  Yet when the time came, they made the change.  Some saw it coming and were prepared, some hung on till the end, and had no trade in value.  Some just hang on still, trying to patch together something that is dead and gone.  And not coming back.  Don’t treat your soul like that.  Turn to Jesus today, be assured of heaven, and enjoy life in him to the fullest.  A promise no car could ever give, nor its company.  We have gone from a “4 speed, dual quad, posi-traction 409” in one generation, to “an automatic, fuel injected, automatic 2.0 liter.”  Hybrid.  Which is neither one.  No hybrids in heaven, only those who are saved.  Are you saved, if not let’s pray, “father forgive me a sinner, save me and give me Jesus.”  Mean it with your heart, welcome to the family.  Strangers and orphans no more.  If ever you should leave here, make sure you have Jesus.  This year’s model is last year’s model, and next year’s model too.  Jesus the same forever.  How well are you doing is more than what you drive, it will always be who you know.  And while we change aren’t you glad that Jesus stays the same.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

the road that made Bogie a star

Whitney Portal Road, starting at 3700’ in Lone Pine, winds itself to the top, gaining 4300’ in altitude in 11 miles.  A beautiful ride, the only snow we found was at the top, where the road ends, and various hiking trails begin.  The views of Mt. Whitney are awesome, and standing at 8000’, you still have over 6000’ of mountain towering over you.  It was on this road that Humphrey Bogart, playing killer Roy Earle in High Sierra made a name for himself.  Running from the law, alongside Ida Lupino, he escapes on foot, finally being taken out by a sniper.  Footage of the movie are playing through my head as we go up the mountain, dodging various rocks and boulders littering the road.  But riding through the slush at the end, we get off and walk around, streams running, snow melting, and about 20 cars parked, their occupants taking to the trails.  It is in the high 40’s, and it is evident spring time is here.  Except it is Valentine’s Day, February 14th, and the signs of the severe drought are evident.  Where the road should be closed, we find it open, where snow should be, we find empty road, and where the road should end, a gate to stop you, it is open, just a sign stating “road closed” that none of us at the top obeyed.  A sign that at first we were going to honor, but urged on by a couple in a truck, we followed them to the top.  And boy are we glad we did, as the most beautiful part of the ride was the last two miles to the top.  How sad to have ridden over 900 miles this weekend, and have missed the view.  And the ride.  And to replay Roy Earle’s futile escape in my mind.  Many thoughts about that ride that day, and finally after 9 years, the Tiger can now say it has been ridden in snow.  So, how was your Valentine’s Day?

While Boston is buried in snow, we have just the opposite extreme here in So Cal.  Weather in the 70’s and 80’s, no rain or snow, and the countryside reflects it.  Where Lake Isabella once was, trucks are driving around.  It is barely visible in the 30 mile ride around it.  The wild flowers are all in bloom, the rain we had last month hastening spring time, and even trees are budding.  The air feels warm, and even though the calendar says February, the weather says May.  And as many motorcycles are out riding, we also pass many snow birds coming from Mammoth down 395, maybe they should have booked a week in Boston instead if they wanted snow.  But we are thankful now for the great weather, but being warned for what is going to be a dry summer.

When we came upon the Road Closed sign, the road began a steep ascent up the mountain.  Stopping to obey the sign, we never would have the incredible view, and views if we turned back.  But braving the narrow paved road, various boulders and rocks all over parts, and snow in the shaded areas, the ride was definitely worth the risk.  a ride not many would have taken, as who rides to Lone Pine in winter, or up the side of Mt. Whitney the highest peak in the lower 48 states in February.  But the road called, we followed, and we are better for the ride.  The next day we passed the same couple, who advised us of a road outside of Independence, Onion Valley Road, which dead ends at 9600’!  But a few miles from the top, we turned around, as common sense tells us never ride where you may be alone in the hills, especially when bear sighting signs are everywhere.  And no one knows you re riding there.  And so we have another ride for this spring, and another reason to visit the area.  And a chance to ride up over Kennedy Meadows, and a 6200’ pass.  Springtime,when a young man’s heart turns to spring, and motorcycle rides.  How appropriate that the newsletter form Dave in Pennsylvania mentions spring is soon arriving.  Only 3000 miles and two seasons apart....with the road that made Bogie a star my film lesson for the weekend.

But a must stop in Lone Pine is the film museum.  Where westerns have been made since 1920, and even Tremors was filmed in the valley, the large worms were on display.  As was Roy Earle’s 1937 Plymouth, and suddenly my movie world of black and white had color.  But just up the road, the Manzanar Interment Camp sits, a testimony to another time in US history, where 11,000 Japanese were kept prisoners during WWII.  Spend the day visiting both sights, and come away with a new feeling for America, from movies to real life, sometimes the film version cannot touch the truth for realism.  Guilty by ancestry, at a time when it was easy to tell the bad guys from the good guys, by the colors of their hats. 

But we kept thinking of the Road Closed sign, and how close we had come, and what we would have missed if we turned back at that point.  The blessings were ahead, and often in life we miss blessings that ware there, but we are afraid to go further in faith to receive them.  It is along the road, on the road that great things occur, that blessings and miracles multiply, and we see the hand of God.  Just ask one Saul of Tarsus, and his meeting with Jesus.  And how it changed his life, and has impacted ours.  How Philip met the eunuch, and he came to Christ, and was baptized.  On the road.  The good Samaritan was on the road when he came upon a wounded man, he could have passed by, but didn’t.  How many good Samaritan hospitals have you passed by while riding?  Moses was on a 40 year road trip, food and footwear provided free of charge, and look how it has affected history.  Even the disciples argued over who would be the best while on the road.  And of course, the most famous road trip of all time, a young Joe and Mary travelling to Jerusalem when Jesus was born.  Yes, the road plays an important part in life,we are all on one, and the word road is mentioned 85 times in the New King James.  The road you are on is important, as are the decisions you make while travelling it.  And where you end up makes all the difference.

Many say no to Jesus along the way, even though the signs point to him.  Many look for short cuts, detours when trouble strikes, while others just stay home, “it’s dangerous out there.”  Really, did you know more people die from the flu each year than while riding motorcycles?  Maybe you should be riding, it is safer!   And more exciting, but really you should turn to Jesus.  It is not too late to change the road you are on.  The season of salvation is upon us, today could be it.  No one expected snow in Boston to this magnitude, or sunshine and clear roads up Mt. Whitney.  Better to trust he who controls the weather than he who tries to predict it. 

When the pavement ends, the road continues, as does the ride.  Don’t abandon Jesus just because the road is smooth, and straight.  He is with you for the entire ride, and when the going gets rough, the heavenly suspension he guides us with keeps going.  I never understood why crooks in the movies head for the high ground where there is no means of escape.  Guess it makes a good ending, but in life the high ground we seek is heaven, our true escape.  But we still have roads to ride here, and places to see.  Don’t see them alone, when you can ride with Jesus.  85 times the road is mentioned in scripture, and everyday in my life.  The road you are on is your choice, the course you take yours also.  Jesus is the life, and the way to heaven.  Even the highest mountains are the footstools to God, at 8000’ we are still on the bottom rung.  But climbing everyday in faith, riding with Jesus, and looking forward to heaven even more.  We came within two miles of missing a great blessing, how close do you come every day and choose to turn around?  Did I mention the mountain lion that ran across the road in front of us?  The road you are on does make a difference.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

nothing says "I love you" like shiny chrome

You all know one, maybe you are one.  You spend thousands of dollars on your motorcycle, only to be afraid to ride it in any weather less than perfect.  Hours spent shining the chrome,  putting Armorall on the tires, making sure the windshield is clean and clear.  Keeping it covered, never letting the light of day see it to fade the paint, and keeping it securely locked, and hiding the key, should someone break in and try to steal your baby.  We all get like that to a certain extent, but the true beauty I find in my own rides is the places they have taken me.  And the bruises along the way, and how I got them.  On the Tiger, the bike may be described as above, but is no trailer queen, having gone 92,000 miles in 48 states.  It has seen two flash floods, heat above 124, in other words it has been ridden and taken care of...it has many memories, and I hope to make more.  But one set of scratches on the left saddle bag have a story, funny now, a bummer when it happened.  Proving that in all kinds of weather, we travel along singing a song, side by side-with God.

I was coming back from New Jersey seeing my Dad for his birthday.  I came across the North Dakota and Montana.  I had been rained on this Memorial Day weekend for almost 200 miles from Fargo, wind so high the sides of my tires were scuffed, like from racing.  But the weather broke, the sun came out, and soon it was dry, no wind, but dropped to 39 degrees.  The rain was warmer.  But after spending a night in Billings, the last stretch down I-15 and home seemed a breeze.  Only 1100 miles, no big deal.  But the cold made it one, so I spent the night, just ahead of the storm just south of Salt Lake City.  With the Wassatch Mountains behind me, I figured smooth sailing, then the storm broke.  So bad I had to pull off, no cars on the road, and a rest stop was my haven.  A picnic area with tables under canopies was my target, and soon the Tiger and I were out of the storm, which only grew in intensity.  I spent a good 30 minutes using two hand dryers just trying to keep warm, and then the rain stopped, and I wanted to get home-fast.   Easing my way off the concrete, I got stuck in mud, actually buried the rear tire so bad I couldn’t put down the side stand.  But still couldn’t get off the bike, or it would fall over.  And I was hidden from sight behind the wall!  I had been the only vehicle in the parking lot, now I was alone and stuck.  Praying, I heard a car pulling in, and started to yell “HELP!”  Two old men, like past 70 came to rescue me, both were sickly, sympathetic, but could offer no assistance.  Plus I was in the mud, and they couldn’t really reach me, without getting stuck themselves.  “I’ll get my wife,” the one guy said, and went off in her direction.  Great, a senior citizen get together, the conversation for their next AARP meeting, “this fool biker was stuck in the mud,” and then the slide show of me being stuck, with warnings about bad weather and motorcycles.  All I wanted was out. 

But his wife was not what I expected.  She was a big woman, not fat, but strong like moose, and with one push, I was free!  In fact I the rush was so strong I slid sideways, and flat tracked the rest of the way out.  Glancing the wall I was hidden behind with the left bag, putting some surface scratches on it.  I couldn’t stop, just yelled thanks from inside my Arai, honked, hit the pavement and kept going.  Scars on my saddle bag, maybe to the guy who is so anal he never rides, but to me a beauty mark, a time to remember the ride, the storm, getting stuck, being frustrated, and having God send someone I least expected to rescue me.  Not what I would have ordered, but what I needed.  And looking back, she was dressed in white, and my first fear was getting her full of mud and roosting her-but not a drop got on her!  Her husband must have been proud, and he has bragging rights to her at the next AARP meeting. And gets my prize for Citizen of the Year.  Never met her, don’t know her name, only known to God.  Where some say “nothing says I love you like chrome,” I rather have the miles and memories.  And to that woman and her husband-a great big hug!  And my love.

If you never get out and ride, you will never get dirty.  If you stay inside the four walls of church, you may be safe and secure, but never see sides of God that those who get out see.  It is in our adversities that we see God, where we call upon Jesus, and in many cases only he can get you through.  He never promises to take you around the problem, but will get you through.  Not all roads are race track smooth, and we need the heavenly suspension of Jesus to help us absorb the bumps and heal the bruises we encounter in life.  Some with scars left, that can be embarrassing to some, and covered by make up.  But that still remain.  Some scars are so deep, that they cannot be seen, only Jesus knows they are there, and he heals them too.  Which brings us a mystery, why will we be perfect in heaven, I really need a new body, and he will still have scars where the nails pierced his hands and feet?  Theologians discuss it, denominations categorize it, but why?  Love.  It is that simple.  Love is the answer.  We will be forever reminded of his love for us on the cross, of how it took his life to reunite us with God in heaven.  How without Jesus we would not be there, and how horrible his crucifixion on the cross was.  But we won’t see the horror, we will see only his love, his true identity, and his agape, his love for us that only can come from God, not from man.  So we wear many scars today too, to remind us of bad times, but to further remind us of how Jesus was there, is there, and keeps us going.  In the storm, in the sun, or even while riding, he keeps us going.  And sometimes like his signature nail pierced hands, he leaves us with a scar to remind us he was there.  Because we so readily forget.  And my open heart surgery scar is so beautiful, because it reminds me only Jesus kept me alive.  He touched my heart, physically and spiritually...and cares all the way down to a rest stop in a storm.  We are never out of his line of sight, his love shining in us better than any chrome ever will.

Our wounds will heal, and may leave a scar.  But Jesus never leaves us, never forgets about us, and never turns his back on us.  Even when going down the wrong path, making the wrong turn, or wrong decision, he is there beside us.  And knows the way out....sometimes using the least expected ways so we are reminded.  So the scratches remain, and if you ask, I’ll tell you.  To a potential buyer, a reason to look elsewhere, but to those who ride a reminder of life on the road.  A life with Jesus, taking us places, showing us sides of his love we would not have otherwise seen, and blessing us in the midst of the storm.  For many of us we have found him in the midst of the storm.  But he is there on sunny days too.  Maybe reflected in the chrome you are polishing.  May your ride reflect Jesus more than yourself, hours spent polishing and shining can be ruined in a few short minutes of rain.  Dirt may cause a multitude of sins, only the love of Jesus Christ will cover a multitude of sins.  Chrome won’t help you if you don’t know how to ride.  Like a worn out Bible shows a life that isn’t, some scars are worth the sharing.  Get out and ride, get out and live.  The rain falls on both the just and unjust, just like it falls on the shiny and dull.  But the scars will tell us more about your ride.  What do your scars tell others?  My saddle bags tell the story of a miracle...what’s your story?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

"good old Mr. Wilson"

George and Martha Wilson were good neighbors.  Retired, they kept their home immaculate.  George was active in civic affairs, and was a community leader.  Martha supported her husband in his miserly ways, and with their dog Fremont, had a home that was a showplace among the neighborhood. They lived in the perfect town of the late fifties, early sixties, reflecting the suburbs of the time.  The kind of neighbor you wish you had today.  But right next door lived the Mitchell’s, Henry and Alice.  He an engineer for Trask Engineering, she a housewife.  All symbolic of the times that we can remember.  And they had a son, Dennis, who as long as the TV series ran, adapted from a long running cartoon, would be Mr. Wilson’s chief nemesis.  Dennis often called him “my best friend,” and he called him “good old Mr. Wilson.”  And although the two were mostly at odds, Mr. Wilson was many times object of Dennis’ fun, he showed a certain admiration and affection for the boy.  Dennis the Menace and good old Mr. Wilson would last as a TV series for 146 episodes, with Mr. Wilson passing away after 101.  But the legacy of D the M, and G O M. W continue today.

In one such episode, one of Dennis’ friends brags how his team is the best.  His father Mr. Brady and Mr. Wilson are often at odds, both father and son brag they are the best.  And when Dennis’s baseball team needs a coach, George is forced into volunteering.  Down 6-0 in the last inning, and facing humiliation, George finds his sophisticated signals aren’t working, but realizes how much each kid hates something.  So going to bat, he tells them “imagine the ball that thing you hate,” and they win 7-6 after hitting home runs.  They took out there anger on the ball, to which Brady declares it unfair coaching, and illegal signs.  But it is too late..the game is over, and Dennis and Mr. Wilson have won the game.  And the parents go wild-they won too!  And a bond is formed. 

Over the years I have coached many of my son’s sports teams.  But one year not coaching I was asked to fill in for a coach who went on vacation.  He was like Brady as is son got to pitch, bat first, and the other kids came after.  The parents in the stands talked among ourselves, and his son had trouble reaching home plate, but still he would pitch, his dad was the coach.  Their record was horrible, and the kid’s morale bad.  They wanted to win, isn’t that why we play?  So entering the playoffs, I took over for the vacationing coach, and like good old Mr. Wilson, I showed them how to win and have fun.  Putting players at positions they could play, like moving the shortstop who couldn’t throw to first base to second, and soon the other moves proved to work also.  We stole bases, we bunted, we swung at pitches, learned when to not swing, and won every game in the playoffs.  We were the Bad News Bears of the league, even the parents who had been humiliated all year were winning and cheering, and getting involved.  Then the coach returned from vacation, not even a thank you to me, and the parents were telling me to still coach.  I insisted it wasn’t my team, although the new winning team was, and they got beat bad when his son pitched, the shortstop couldn’t reach first base, and he secretly let others know I had tried to ruin his team.  He meant himself.  All I did was what he didn’t, we had fun and won.  And at one particular time the whole team looked to me sitting in the stands for help, when the vacationing coach made another self serving decision for his son.  It was hard to do, but lesson learned.  Sadly this wanna be yuppie was part of the league, and they supported him.  Among the parents and other players, he got no respect.  But a lesson was learned early among these 10 year old boys...we still need men like good old Mr. Wilson today.  For the Dennis’s and his friends still like to play to win and have fun.  Just leave it to an adult to interfere and ruin it all.

I believe that we should all enjoy having fun.  After all, what good is fun if we don’t enjoy it?  And Christians should have more fun than anyone.  We have Jesus!  Yet so many I know are bogged down with life, with rules, regulations, and religion keeping them from all God has to offer.  Not the way God planned it, but the way Jesus can change it in your life.  The Pharisees were very proud, and had no problem showing off how they were superior to the rest of us.  They lived under the law, and were rigorously bound by, the root word for religion means bound, like tied up and held.  No freedom in their lives, for  if the public wasn’t watching, their fellow Pharisees were.  Ready to pounce and remind them of their faults.  Sounds like church to some, it is not the way God wanted it, so he sent Jesus.  God knew that love demands a decision, a choice to accept him or not, and when the law couldn’t do it, he sent Jesus to be the way.  Very simple, and he shows us ways just like good old Mr. Wilson showed the team, except he does it with love.  He wants us to win, but shows us the victory in him is the only true victory that matters.  His ways may seem foreign to those who are taught and live like the Mr. Brady’s of the world, but in each defeat we see Jesus, and our character is strengthened.  We see winning in a different way, where it is not the only thing, but how you play the game.  We still play to win, but honorably, and it makes the taste of victory that much more pleasant.  Today God is raising up Mr. Wilson’s within his church.  They volunteer time and resources, teach kids about life and point them to Jesus.  Guiding them by the spirit, showing how grace wins out over legalism, and how life can be lived to the fullest in Christ and still have fun.  They are taught to forgive, and be giving, to respect, to be compassionate, using Jesus as the example.  But only when led by the spirit, because if not we get more rules, which means more rules to break, which means more trouble to get into.  Good old Mr. Wilson knew that, and for very expensive coin in his collection that Dennis put in the Coke machine, for every prized flower trampled by sneakers, for each window broken by a foul ball, Mr. Wilson forgave Dennis, sometimes begrudgingly, but with a fondness for him.  Jesus has a fondness for us, and wants us to live life to the fullest.  He knows that windows will interfere with our ball playing, coins will get lost, and new clothes will get dirty.  That’s life.  But he forgives, and like Peter, who failed so many times, we can carry on like he did, never looking back, but looking ahead, forgiven and blessed by Jesus.  In life we won’t win every game, but yet we play to win.  But when the season of life is over, we have the victory in Jesus in heaven. It is the relationship between God and man that Jesus bridged to bring us back, it was the relationship between Dennis and Mr. Wilson, one of love and respect that we admire and remember today.

Dennis never saw any wrongs in Mr. Wilson, and Mr. Wilson had to forgive Dennis many times.  Sound familiar?  If not, you need to get to know Jesus, to be forgiven, to learn to have fun and enjoy life.  To become all you can be, and maybe even become a Mr. Wilson to others.  Jesus had twelve disciples who made many others, the same goes on today.  Someone, a Dennis is always watching.  And they may not hear all your words, but will remember your actions.  And your reactions.  For a baseball team we won a few games and had fun, too bad it had to end like it did.  Life doesn’t...seek Jesus today and be at the victory celebration.  You will be amazed at all the Dennis the Menaces there, but we will all be looking for Jesus, the Mr. Wilson who changed our lives.  “Oh, great Scott...!”  But what a great God.

love with compassion,

Mike

‘'matthew25biker.blogspot.com

 

 

do you want fries with that?

While sitting at a light with my visor up, the aroma of fast food overwhelmed me, so I made a detour for an early lunch.  Since my surgery I have not eaten but a few burgers, and my cardiologist said it was OK once in awhile, so today was to be that while.  The sign in the window said “BURGER MEAL SPECIAL  $4.99” and I was hooked.  I was greeted with “can I take your order?” and I replied “I’ll have the burger special, please.”  Simple enough, the picture showed a burger with onions and tomatoes, can’t get more American than that, the way I like them.  The dining room was empty, lunch hour wasn’t here yet, and I envisioned a juicy burger without much noise and confusion.  “What do you want on your burger?  Chili, guacamole, lettuce, ketchup, mayo, or Chipotle mayo?”  No, just like in the picture.  Wait, put some Ortega chilis on that, I’ll pay the extra.  And mayo.  “Do you want cheese on it?  We have American, jack, cheddar, Swiss, or bleu cheese.”  No cheese, loaded with sodium, just a burger today.  “What kind of fries you want?  It comes with thin ones, but you can have steak fries, crinkle cut, curly, or tater tots.”  Hmmmm...tater tots, I’ll pay the extra.  “Do you want them Cajun, with chili, cheese, or plain?”  Plain was good, and was included, for another 50 cents.  “What do you want to drink?  We have 6 types of Coke, plus diet, and for $1.50 you can buy our free refill cup, the proceeds go to children’s cancer.”   Obviously brought on by the burger special.  So I bought the cup, although I had no place to put it on the bike, and had no intentions of returning.  I was only 100 miles from home at the time.  “Let’s see, burger special with Ortegas and mayo, tater tots, donation glass.  Will there be anything else?  Will that be for here or to go?”  Here.  “That will be $9.75, cash or card.”  As she counted out my change, and gave me my number, my $4.99 special had doubled in price, the dining room was filling up, I had a cup I will never use again, and was still hungry.  And my wallet lighter.  And I had lost some of my appetite.

But when she called my number, and the food arrived, it looked and smelled good, and the first aroma was telling me I was doing the right thing.  Look at all those tater tots, just need some ketchup now, some extra napkins.  So back to the counter I go, and wait, they are busy now.  But soon I am back in front of the food, and waiting to take my first bite of a real hamburger in months.  But it is so tall, I have trouble getting my big mouth around it, and force some in.  The flavor was delicious.  Another quick bite, I am in hamburger heaven, for only $9.75 and a refillable cup, but something is missing.  All I wanted was a burger with onions and tomato, some fries, and a Coke.  They had forgotten the onions.  No self respecting burger has no onions?  But I would suffer through it without, my dream burger less than a dream. The tater tots OK, but I really wanted fries, and I ended up paying twice as much and not getting what I really wanted, or came in for.  I was taken in by a pretty smell, an attractive price, and soon overwhelmed by decisions to make.  All I wanted was a burger and fries, with a Coke to wash it down.  Hours later the Ortegas would still haunt me, the tater tots recycle again and again, and my wallet was lighter for the aggravation.  Whatever happened to the days of the simple “do you want fries with that?”  And the days of fast food being fast?  Would I ever again get the break I deserve today, would I ever have it my way, and would I ever look back lusting for something hot and juicy?  Too many choices, too many decisions, and I still didn’t end up with what I ordered, or what I went in for, or what I really wanted.  The sign on the door when leaving only made me smile, “COME BACK SOON, IT WAS A PLEASURE TO SERVE YOU.”  I’ll bet it was, and at prices I cannot afford.

No church or religion was ever started with the idea it would not correct all the problems of the current church.  Lutherans would do it better than Catholics, Methodists better still, Baptists still raising the bar, and cults like Mormons and Jehovah Witnesses removing Jesus Christ altogether, and doing it there way.  And so we find so many today seeking and not finding, yet taken in by clever lines, fancy ads, and promises of meeting your needs.  We can be taught how to go out witnessing, how to read the Bible in a year, how to go on missions trips, and even support an orphan.  We can support food banks, clothing drives, and be entertained by guest speakers.  Guest musicians.  We can give to special offerings, and even be told we are special, hoping it makes us feel special.  Isn’t that special?  But in between the procedures, programs, and processes, where is Jesus?  What could be more special than him?  What could be more special than being assured of heaven, and being forgiven and loved?  Yet many churches fall short, a watered down gospel, and between 40 day plans, and studies of books other than the Bible, we fall short.  God has designed man with a vacancy in his soul that only Jesus can fill.  The other things are good, but on their own can be gotten off the Internet, or at a discussion group.  Like fast food, it has become complicated, confusing, and even after 40 years I sometimes wonder what’s going on?  All I want is a simple gospel, so I can understand it.  I want it free, so I can afford it.  Let God provide the extras like he said he would, after seeking him first, he will add all things to us.  Yet amongst the family here I am amazed at how many have gone looking for Jesus, and end up with a plate full of goodies, but not him.  A Supersized service, a cup with nothing in it to refill.  Religion is what got the Pharisees in trouble, and why they hated Jesus, he wasn’t religious.  He was love and freedom, not rules and regulations.  He had no specials, he was special.  Yet many eat at the table of legalism, when they can be dining at the table of grace.  How many churches can place a sign on the exit saying “COME BACK SOON, IT WAS A PLEASURE TO SERVE YOU!”  And how many times do you feel like you were served?  Or just filled up your hour of responsibility to the church?   Do you want more from life and your God than just a fast food gospel? 

Then turn to Jesus.  His gospel is simple, only two laws.  Love God first, then your fellow man.  And he helps us along, because someone is always waiting to upset the peace he gives.  And then he forgives, and we go on with the day.  No pledge cards, membership drives, or special seating.  He is up front, and so we can be too.  Honest, with simple choices, we get to make.  Heaven or hell?  Blessed or cursed?  With open arms with nail pierced hands to help us when we fall.  So what do you want from God?  From your church?  Better yet, what do you need?  These things will only be found in Jesus.  All else is like the special, you end up with something else, and wonder why.  If salvation is not mentioned on the menu, you are being cheated.  No love, move on.  No forgiveness, forgive and move along.  But don’t blame Jesus, those people need his love just like we do.  Don’t become bitter just because a church is failing.  Turn to God, let Jesus guide you.  Have it his way, and you will find he is the way.  You don’t deserve a break today, but he offers grace anyway.  Even brings it to your table, but we are invited to eat at his.  Here or to go?  Both, just as long as Jesus is along.

Fast food needs to be fast to make a profit, religion shouldn’t.  That is why Jesus never hurried, and was never late.  He could feed the 5000 for cheap with doggie bags to go.  He could heal blindness, lameness, and sin without Obamacare.  Don’t confuse Jesus and the church.  We are the church, you and I who believe.  He is the way, Jesus the Christ.  Our salvation.  Our daily bread.  We need him.  Supersized, just the way we like it.  Don’t be taken in by a sign promising a special.  Jesus is special all the time, he never ends.  Had enough religion?  Welcome to Jesus.  One choice, one decision should be enough.  Now, how can I serve you today?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com