cars my kids never knew

My friend really is a rocket scientist, yet when I mentioned some cars from my early driving days he knew none of them.  One generation apart, a mere 25 years, and cars I grew up with were unknown entities to him.  He drives a little Honda, a Fit, which although tiny, is still bigger than the first Honda cars, the 600.  Bigger than the first Civic, and bigger than the first Accord.  His car history is much different than mine, and the names I mentioned drew a blank from him.  My first car, I shared it with my mother, was a 1966 Rambler Classic 770, top of the line Classic in 1966.  A 4 door with their famous 232 inline six, it was wheels, and I was glad to have it.  With the famous reclining front seats that made into a bed, it may not have had much sex appeal, but once inside....and with a newly installed under dash 8-track, no more double dates, or rides from my father.  Or hers.  But no one cool drove Ramblers, and soon it was traded in on a Pinto, 1971 version.  No one cool drove them either.  The first year, that green that every other Ford car seemed to be painted, 2000cc’s of muscle, mated to a floor shifted automatic.  Four on the floor were the amount of feet counting my date.  Green vinyl everywhere, from seats to dash to the floor, it could handle 7 high school seniors who cut class to go to the shore uncomfortably, it was made to seat 4.  A trunk nothing fit into, it finally died years later when the intake manifold vibrated off, causing it to stall at a stop light.  But along the way mag wheels and Wide Oval Firestones were added, and shifting the auto manually gave the illusion of speed, even if it was slow.  Ford made millions of them, where are they all today?

But when I mentioned the first car I owned, bought with money saved from summer jobs and my paper route, he knew the name-BMW.  Except he had never heard of the 2002, or its smaller engined brother I had, the 1600.  He had owned a BMW, but never knew of Max Hoffman’s gift to the colonies, the 2002.  The car that made everybody’s best 10 list in the late 60’s, early 70’s.  A two door, four seat sedan, OHC 4 cylinder that handled. It had four on the floor, disc brakes, and handled.  I suckered many a Corvette into corners, only to leave them behind until they blew by me giving me a salute in the straights.  A car today highly collectible, that my father bought in 1969, not because he liked cars, but because it was German, and highly rated.  Remember he owned Ramblers.  And when I got my license, he sold it to me for $1900, what they offered him in trade in 1972 against a new 2002, for $4000.  I still have his cancelled check.  So my rocket science friend never knew of his car’s legacy, of how there was a time when BMW stood for British what?  Or how the yuppies of today were never so cool as to own a real BMW, back when they were just another car from Germany. That sports cars guys drove.   He was going to look them up, I hope he does, our roots are important, knowing where we come from and where we have been can help guide us to where we are going.  Three cars from a generation ago, what will my kids remember?

Gone since 2000 are such nameplates as Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Plymouth, Mercury, and Saturn.  Joining the likes of Hudson, Kaiser, Packard, Studebaker, and even Rambler.  No more Pintos, Vegas, Gremlins.  No more hood pins, racing stripes, Wide Ovals, or mags.  No more setting the timing, replacing plus and points.  No more manual windows, or AM radios.  5% of all cars made have clutches, and most cannot drive when it is only a point and steer automatic.  No more bias ply tires that smoked so easy, but wobbled us down the road.  Drum brakes a memory.  Bench seats, hub caps, and big cubic inch V-8’s-all cars my kids never knew.  But learn about when they visit car shows, and listen to us old guys share our memories.  Try to explain a 4 speed, dual quad, posi-traction 409 to my friend today.  Or any kid.  No more burning rubber, traction controls have killed that.  From basic transportation 110 years ago, back to it again, just more modern.  But even the first cars were more exciting than a horse...a car I never knew.

Scripture tells us to take care of widows and  orphans.  That is true ministry.  Yet so many single moms, widowed or not, are trying to raise families today.  God ordained families of a mother and a father, a man and his wife, both having responsibilities, but each sharing a burden, equal yet different.  Moms staying home and raising kids, taking care of the home, running it, while the father goes to work, and earns a salary to support his family.  It used to be that way, sadly so many today don’t know homes like that.  With the divorce rate at 50%, and the fatherless birth rate well over that, these are destroying society.  Sitting down with a family at dinner are things that kids today never knew.  That only exist in our memories, and won’t be found in theirs.  Kids orphaned maybe not at birth, but in society, raising themselves after school, fixing dinner themselves, missing Father’s Day because they never knew their father.  Many die today orphans of society, yet God has not abandoned them.  Today we can know our heavenly father through Jesus.  Fatherless homes and lives do not need to be Godless homes and lives, Jesus changes all that.  He cared for the widows and orphans, reuniting us with his father.  You see we were once all orphaned from heaven, separated by sin.  Cast out of the Garden, with only laws to guide us.  Jesus changed all that, adding love, fulfilling the laws in one action.  For 2000 years bringing sinful orphans back into the family of God, bringing into his family.  Brothers and sisters of different parents, but with only one God, one Father, and one spirit.  We are told to come to Christ as little children, to a God we didn’t know.  And Jesus is the way, the way back, the maker of families, the reuniter of lost souls.  The connection to a living God, who sought us out, when we weren’t looking for him.

Many today are looking for something to build a family, to heal wounds, to just get through another day.  Programs, processes, and promotions don’t make it.  Just another band aid on an open wound.  They are looking for something, when really it is the someone of Jesus Christ.  A real person, not a policy.  Not a set of rules, but true love.  Forgiveness, grace, mercy, and joy.  Who cannot use a little,or a lot more of those?  So while we go to old car shows to remember, we need to maybe take a kid along.  Be a father figure, and guide them.  Evangelizing takes place outside the church, and lost souls are found at drag strips, car shows, and cruise ins.  Share a night with a lost kid, or adult, make a friend, and let them see the love of Jesus in your life.  Introduce them to a man they never knew, but whose name they use in vain.  Make them feel wanted, part of a family, and soon sharing Jesus verbally is simple.  They hear your words, because your audio matches your visual.  They will see Jesus in your life, what better example of love can you show?

What will your kids share with their friends about cars?  Motorcycles?  Jesus?  Today is right now everyday, and we have a chance to change tomorrow.  Don’t let your family, friends, or relatives become orphans till death do they part.  Jesus saves, racers, bikers, inmates, guards, mothers and father, kids, and all who still have breath.  Even a rocket scientist who never saw a Rambler, never heard of a 2002.  But he knows Jesus, and where he is going.  The gospel, so simple even a rocket scientist can get it.  And guys in cars, and on bikes.  Simple so we can get it, free so we can afford it.  Don’t let the years pass without knowing Jesus.  There were millions of Pintos made, where are they today?  There was only one Jesus....where he is in your life makes all the difference.  Don’t let him be somebody your kids never knew.  God sent Jesus, where are you with him today?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

 

looking out for #1

Bachman, Turner Overdrive, or BTO, had a hit in the seventies called “Looking Out for Number 1.”  The same guys that brought you the iconic “You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet.”  How my English teachers would blush.  But in life we have been taught to look out for ourselves.  To take care of number 1, or as Angel Martin says “numero uno.”  In sports we all our team to win, to be #1.  We race to wear #1, to qualify at the pole position, and to win.  Second place is first loser, no one looks out for #2, although Rodney Dangerfield once remarked “look out for #1, and don’t step in #2.”  Even a preschooler understands that.  So from an early age we are taught to look out for ourselves, we are the most important person in our lives.  It is all about us.  For a reminder, consider the Kardashians next time you look at a picture with you in it, the first one you look for is you.  Looking out for #1.  Who are you looking for in the mirror?  #1-you.  Our lives revolve around us whether we admit it or not.  The exception being when accused, then we blame someone else, again looking out for #1. 

Three Dog Night had another hit “One.”  In it they sang how “one is the loneliest number that you’ll ever do...” and how “two can be as sad as one...”  Loneliness affecting your #1 status after a breakup, not your choice.  But in life we find that in a world that tells us how much it cares, listen to any old love song, that it is still about us.  And us is the best gospel we will ever know.  We know us better than others, showing sometimes only what we want others to see, hoping they don’t see what we don’t want them to see. Looking out for #1.  In marriage we find the two becoming one, yet many divorces occur when each partner is looking out for #1.  We give advice to others, and we live the lifestyle ourselves looking out for #1.  So get over it, denying it is only admission of how you are looking out for yourself, old numero uno. Yet at the end of many days we do find that one is a lonely number, for no one else will ever care about you as much.  Except maybe your dog, and he knows you.  Go figure.  But when our focus is on ourselves, we do not see others, we miss blessings, and in our striving to be #1 we  step over others.  The rich man stepping over Lazarus, while not stepping in #2.  We are told to be careful who we step on while going to the top, they may be the same ones we trip over on our way down.  And as fast as you rise, the same speed you may fall.  It’s called gravity, a law not a theory.  Number one with a bullet, one hit wonders, one game from the championship, one day from death.  We all want to be #1, and so we look out for #1.  Never knowing the price we may be paying.

And then along comes Jesus.  You just know that the ultimate #1, God’s first and only son would have a different viewpoint.  When we think of #1 we think of success, victory, and glory.  We think of the 99 who made it, glad to be part of it, but Jesus thinks of the lost sheep, the one in 99 who is still suffering.  He goes back, as miners do in a cave in, never satisfied until the last man is out.  The Captain never leaves his ship until the last passenger is off.  And so Jesus is patient with us that none should perish.  The one who is forgotten, he remembers.  He could brag on the 99 he saved, 99 out of 100 is a pretty good score, yet he rather brag and be remembered for the one he goes back for, the one lost or left behind.  A true champion reviews his last game, and sees the weaknesses, where the victory escaped, and Jesus advises us to do the same thing, to consider the one left behind.  He is like the marksman, who is known by his aim and not his arrows.  His target is your heart, the arrows are love.  Others may shoot at you, only he has the aim and love to be a true marksman.  Many brag about their quiver, Jesus testifies of his aim.  To him each one of us is a #1, and he will not rest until all his #1’s are safe in his quiver.

Yet many in their striving to be #1 neglect the only one who can save.  They worship anything or anyone but the one who can save.  By looking out for #1 they deny Jesus, and never gain the victory they are really seeking.  Andy Warhol once advised how everyone will have their 15 minutes of fame.  900 seconds if that makes it seem longer.  But after you only have the memories, and the moment is gone.  You are left looking for you in the picture, still lost, fame gone.  But Jesus is still seeking you, no matter where you are in the photo, you are #1 to him.  And when he is looking out for #1, it makes a lasting difference.  Today before you brag on your accomplishments, write another resume of things left to do.  Of people you offended, of those who you treated like #2. 
Turn to Christ, and look to #1, and become that #1 he wants you to be.  Looking out for others, rejoicing with the 99, but still looking for that lost one.  We were all that lost one once, and Jesus sought us, and when we found him we found life.  Forgiveness.  Acceptance by God.  All the things that escaped us when we were looking out for ourselves, when we were #1.  Putting Jesus first, who has the bragging rights to us, yet will go back after the lost one.  Looking out for #1 in love, what he does best.

If you are still looking for that one, Jesus is looking for you.  Today can be the day you are united in Christ with the other 99, and praise him for what he has done for you.  And you can start praying and ministering to the one you once were.  Ask any teacher, their reward is seeing the student teach them by the lessons they were taught.  As the great teacher, rabboni, Jesus invites you to be a #1 with him, and seek out other #1’s.  Looking out for #1 is what it is all about, and when Jesus is the one we can look for others.  We can love others as we love ourselves, because he loved us first.  We can understand why greater love has no man than to lay down his life for another, because we know the greatest love.  He came to die while we were yet sinners.  You and me.  When we were the lost one in 99.  We all want to be #1, Jesus sees us as that one, and who we can become in him.  Come to Jesus, believe me you ain’t seen nothing yet!

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

how do you guys drive those things?

I had some business to do last night downtown, so decided to take the Ranger.  Usually I ride, but I hadn’t ridden in the truck in a month, so I figured I’d drive.  How do you guys drive those things?  First the freeways were busy, can’t lane split in a truck.  I figured it cost me another 10-15 minutes on a 35 mile ride.  You do the math, I had been cruising at 70 straight up. What should have been an easy 30 minute ride turned into 45.  With the added stress on others, I was in no hurry, but just looking in other cars, at others, between cell phones, girls putting on make-up, and some rushing to get home by changing lanes, cutting off others, I’ll think twice before taking the truck again.  Then since I was alone, no HOV, or commuter lane for me.  As bikes and others zipped by, I sat trapped.  In a cage, hence the name we call cars....But first before setting off I needed gas, twice as much to fill what even my largest tank, the Tiger holds 6.3 gallons, costs, and the truck gets 18. With the AC off.  So the cost in money, and time was adding up.  Then where to park, looking for a space, I finally parked at Horton Plaza, which with validation has a 3 hour free parking.  If you take the time to validate, considering you can find the machine, well hidden in public view, but not labeled.  Paid parking after is a revenue enhancer.  There were any bikes parked on the street that night, some space even right in front of where I was going.  FREE space for motorcycles.  Plus I had to walk 3 blocks back and forth from my destination to get the truck.  More time wasted, minimal wear on my Nikes.  But when all was said and done, it had taken me twice as long, cost twice as much to achieve the same thing.  So tell me, how do you guys drive those things?

Now just imagine you had twice the time and twice the money to travel.  You can if you ride a motorcycle.  Even at higher speeds, 80+, I get over 40 mpg, I know so does your Prius.  Ask your kid which is cooler.  On a bike you have the wind in your face, in a car, turn up the blower.  Now I did listen to Poco while driving, but nothing sounds better than a tuned exhaust, twist the throttle and make your own music.  It was cooler last night, so I might have had on a jacket, not in the car.  No bumper stickers on a motorcycle either, one more “My Honor student” sticker I many go postal.  Who cares...and after one look at who’s driving, and how, I rather wish they had taken a driving lesson or two-to learn to drive.  Maybe the honor doesn’t translate to road manners.  Or skills.  Or choice of cars.  And now with the draught official, Governor Brown said so last week, no one washes their cars.  How do you guys see out of dirty windshields?  Maybe the writing on the rear window at least gives some clean spot a chance.  We are proud of our bikes, know all about them, have a special license to ride one, and dress accordingly.  I don’t remember taking my driving in any of 5 states where cell phone skills were a bonus.  Or adding eye shadow at 65 was bonus points.  Or riding on my tail was drafting.  So maybe you guys who drive are really super heroes, those of us who ride just mere mortals.  Who enjoy the freedom of riding, the cost benefits, parking benefits, and being cool.  No one ever accused anyone of being cool in a Prius.  James Dean in a Prius?  Steve McQueen?  And these guys were also car guys....so how do you guys drive those things?  Have you no moral fibre, no cool bone in your body?  Is it really more fun filling up for $75, then wasting gas sitting in traffic?  And they called Brando “the Wild One?”

Would Jesus ride or drive?  Depends, on how cool you think he was, and is.  Many Christian bike clubs exist, serving in many capacities.  Where are all the Christian Car Ministries?  Now before you burn me in effegy, I know you are out there.  But where is the unity, the brotherhood found among bikers?  When have Ford and Chevy guys ever gotten along?  At least Harley and others do, come on BMW riders.  And car owners.  Where is the love except for your car?  Your commute?  How many Toy Drives do you do?  How many only communicate via sign language, where we visit when we stop with each other.  You see we have a freedom when we ride, we don’t hide behind locked doors, and 4000 pounds of steel and stereo.  We have a spirit of freedom second only to Jesus, and when the two are combined, cool things happen. 

A phone directory comes out each year of Christian businesses.  Personally, I want the best repairman for my car, or dryer when it breaks.  Why settle for second best, just because of a Jesus sticker in his ad?  On his bumper?  Why are some preaching to the choir, when we can be visiting and sharing with the lost while they fix my stuff.  We miss these incredible chances to witness hiding behind a sticker, or locked in a cage on a freeway.  I have spent many good times waiting in shops, just visiting and meeting others waiting, does the great commission of “as you go share the gospel,” mean we should only share with each other?  Didn’t someone share Christ with you before you were saved, or were you different?  So you pass on the same lack of concern to others.  We live in the world, get over it.  You just aren’t supposed to be of it.  Does sitting in church make you a pew, although you may put one off?  Does only doing business with other Christians make you an evangelist?  Where are the Lazaruses God places in your path everyday, run over while locked behind a windshield?  Or do you stop and visit?  How can we tell if you are a Christian, by your bumper sticker?  Jut not your driving.  A simple ministry just might be letting another car cut in front of you.  Stopping to let a pedestrian cross the street.  Pay the toll for the car behind you....goodness and kindness, both fruit of the spirit.  Just like the joy and peace it brings.  Would Jesus talk on a cell phone while cutting you off? 

In a perfect world we would all ride motorcycles.  In a perfect world we would all be saved.  That world is coming soon, it is called heaven, payable at death.  We leave earth, and receive our final reward.  We are finally with Jesus.  Both those who ride, and those who drive.  Like MLK once preached, “free at last, my God I am free at last.”  But in the meantime, we are here to be ambassadors, evangelists, teachers, counselors, and representatives of Jesus.  To not isolate ourselves from the world, but to be salt and light in it.  Not with our high beams on blinding traffic, but merging into it, using skills and courtesy via the holy spirit.  The same you want others to show you, the same Jesus shows you.  On earth, as it will be in heaven....

If stuck in a car, drive your bumper sticker today.  Show Christ as you drive.  As you live.  Don’t brag about what a great Christian you are, show us.  We want to see it.  And we forgive you, just as Jesus forgives us.  Just don’t put us in a position so we have to.

A sign outside many small towns says “drive like hell through our town you’ll get there.” Live like hell you’ll get there too.  We ride to live, not to die.  Jesus died so we can live.  Only Christian bikers will know the true freedom in Christ.  Now tell me, how do you guys drive those things?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com 

the world needs ditch diggers, too

When we were kids, up into the jr. high school years, attending Saturday afternoon football games for our high school got our adrenaline pumping.  We would afterwards head to a park, and then play some football ourselves, generally tackle with  no equipment, in cooler temps with waning  sunlight.  We would dream of being the heroes we saw that afternoon, knowing that someday when we got our chances to play on the big field, in the big game, we would give our all and the fans would cheer.  We even had our Thanksgiving Day all planned out, football in the morning, hopefully at home our senior year, winning in the last moments, each one of us would intercept, or recover the fumble and score with seconds left, and then onto a fan celebration, and then home for family to heap adoration on us.  Big dreams, for a bunch of kids who really just wanted to play, with no idea of all the practice it would take just to make the team, and that the opposing teams were having the same dreams as ours.  something, someone had to give....and it wasn’t going to be us!

How many times after Wednesday nights at Raceway Park at Englishtown, NJ did we burn rubber, or try to in our parent’s Pinto, Rambler, Vega, VW, or other family sedan as our adrenaline was pumping from the hours of watching burnouts and drag racing.  Revving the engine pretending we were Jungle Jim Lieberman, Fearless Fred Goeske, Dyno Don Nicholson, and others, we would soon be brought back to reality by the track workers telling us no racing, and the ever present law enforcement just visible enough to warn us a ticket was waiting for us with our name on it.  And at every stop light on the way home, the car in the next lane was our next opponent.  Young girl, nun, or friend, they were our opponent, they just didn’t know it, and many a race was won by me smoking them off the line, only they didn’t know they were even racing.  Very few of us could afford at the time the extra $10 it took to race that night, as many passes as you could, the real racing was so close, yet so far.  Run what you brung, our best chance was knowing someone who did, and would let us hang out. 

Some of us would put racing stickers on our parent’s cars, I even had an Honest Charley sticker on my Dad’s VW.  Hooker Headers, Moon Eyes, Cragar, and Bell Helmet stickers were found on many of our parent’s cars, after much begging, and reassuring them it was nothing dirty.  We just wanted to fit in, and the stickers helped.  After much begging and whining, and convincing my parents that mag wheels and wide tires would not ruin their Pinto, their second car, Ansen Sprints with Wide Oval Firestones were mounted, meaty A70x13-today just slightly narrower than the tires on my Bonneville, but in 1972 they were a big deal.  Raised white letters!  Hooker Header sticker-let’s race!  On the days they would let me borrow the car....

As kids we had big dreams, even in our young adult years we still dreamt big.  No one set off to become mediocre, or worse yet to fail.  But in every test, every interview, every sales call, there would be winners and losers.  It would never happen to us, then real life set in.  And to many of us a life of mediocrity, of just getting by was a fading dream, one we would be happy to realize.  Which would carry us onto middle age, some to retirement, and then to the grave.  The old dreams becoming tainted, then forgotten.   A life of mostly stickers on a car, rather than attaining that car.  No cheers from the field, we were spectators, fighting for a seat on the 50 yard line, or Row E at Raceway Park.  Some became bitter, some never left high school, and some found solace in drugs, alcohol, careers, and other women. Never knowing success as they had dreamed it, never realizing that when someone wins, someone has to lose.  And the competition is tougher on the street, on the track, and on the field than it is in our dreams.

Two scriptures need to be pointed out here.  One, Jeremiah 29 tells us that “God has plans for us, for a hope and a future.”  When we seek him with all our heart.  Then listen.  OOPS!  We don’t tell, we ask, much different than our dreams.  And God rewards at many levels, for he knows the heart.  And doing his will, you will find joy and peace, a contentment not found in any dreams, but only in Jesus.  No matter where you are stuck, or where you are succeeding, Jesus has plans for you.  As Judge Smales in Caddy Shack reminds us “the world needs ditch diggers too Danny,” not all who dream own the company, or get burdened down with the responsibility of running it.  Too many company owners have a company that owns them.

The other scripture is “everything is going to burn.” Anyway.  Never heard from the lips of a riding young star, but often heard as an excuse from the lips of someone on the way down and out.  True it will all burn someday, but God still has a plan for you.  For that hope, but we fail to ask. To call on him with all our hearts.  We do not make the commitment to him, to let God see us through the tough times so we can praise him in the good ones.  We want gain with no pain, Jesus showed us his pain was our gain.  We want it all right now, to start at the top and work our way down.  Only in Christ will we see true success, a goal attained, and lives changed.  God never promises us success, all he wants is faithfulness.  To trust him....a dream for some, life for those who do.

Let Jesus into your life today.  Be guided by his spirit, recognizing his voice, and then following him.  Picking up your cross, he tells us, for we all have a cross to bear.  And it is at the cross that victory was won, that death was defeated, and that the race was over.  Life began that day at the cross, some saw only a man dying, but those who know Jesus it means new life.  Eternal life.  And a plan for our life while still here on earth.  We are invited to the banquet in heaven, not as a spectator, not even as guests, but as members of the family.  We rule and reign with Christ....no worldly success can give us what Jesus offers.  No bumper sticker, Bible cover, T shirt, or listening to KWVE can give us what Jesus has for us.  They can add to it, but without Jesus there will never be a victory.  No longer a dream, but reality.

As kids we dreamed big dreams, life brought us down to real life.  Jesus is that real life, he is life.  Turn to him and find victory in defeat, life in death, and a hope and a future, on earth as it is in heaven.  Young men still dream dreams, and older men still tell stories.  Let yours be of Jesus in your life as you get older.  Inspire the younger to seek him, and let them find their dreams in the reality of him.  Jesus saves, and you can be saved today.  Victory awaits those that believe and follow.  For every guy wanting to race, there is one who needs Jesus.  Be that one who leads him to salvation, let your life on and off the field reflect him in all you do.  “Well done my good and faithful servant,” await those who do in heaven.  An eternal victory.  For all others a victory that may be short lived, the next opponent ready to knock you off.  Be that winner in Jesus....the lights are staging right now, who will win the race for your soul? 

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

 

lunch hour in Corydon

After a morning of chasing roads along the Ohio River, it was lunch time, or close enough to eat.  We had come into Corydon, whose signs proudly proclaimed it was once the “First Capital of Indiana,” and proceeded to follow the road into town.  The old town square had been turned into a memorial, with statues and plaques proclaiming Corydon’s past role in history.  But it was hunger not history that was driving us at the moment, so looking for lunch was next.  A rustic old building on the corner filled with people in business attire motivated us to keep walking around the block, and we were almost back to going there for lunch when a sign “LUNCH SPECIAL” caught our attention on a rather non-descript building. Looking inside, it looked clean, but empty, not quite lunch time yet, and the $5 for BBQ tenderloin, home made cole slaw and potato salad, fresh corn, and a soda was too inviting.  Finding a table, the owner’s wife greeted us, and soon we were filling ourselves with last nights special.  Worth twice the price, filling and delicious.  We got talking, as you will with the owners in such a place, and found he rode Harleys, and was a stop over for many biker runs.  He had recently fed almost 100 bikers a few weekends before, at his expense, on their run to Washington, DC.  As we talked rides, a man and his son ambled in, fresh from the smell of hay. Hungry and sweaty, in between bites of his tenderloin, he explained he had a small farm down the road, and it was haying time.  His wife and other family members were still hard at work, he was taking a much needed break.  But he was more interested in our rides, as wanted to hear more about his farm.  So we shared stories, with the owner sitting with us in between other customers coming in for lunch, and learned a lot about the area.  And hard work.  He told us how he always wanted to get a bike and see America, and I thought here we were seeing, and talking with America.  But running a farm was a 24/7 chore, and he had a small bike that he rode when he could, but when we left he had one request.  We would be passing by his farm, the haying operation going on right by the road.  Would we stop and talk to his wife about selling the farm, buying a bike, and the two taking off and seeing America?  There was a sincerity to his request, but you somehow knew that farming was his life, his family, and his place in the community.  You never say no to a request like that, and we nodded we would.  With no intention of getting into a domestic argument.  Walking out after paying, and leaving filled for our $10, we noted the name on the window, “JOY LUNCH.”  Not Joy’s but Joy.  And what a joy it had been, a far cry from the business suits and ties just around the corner.  Or from the Cracker Barrel by the freeway, which was where we had been heading.  We had a joyful lunch, made a man’s day brighter by talking, really listening to him, and met a couple whose lot in life was feeding people who were hungry, and maybe making a few bucks along the way for their trouble.  Not quite an hour spent, but time has no meaning on special appointments like this, and even though it has been almost 8 summers, I still remember it like it was yesterday.  Probably the best $5 meal I ever had, and the river roads were still calling.  A space and place in time, that no one asked for, but that God provided.

We call them divine appointments, because God brings them into our lives.  Some would call them lucky, but knowing a loving God, we know he has them for us.  The right time, right place, right people,and the right food.  Nothing real fancy, just folk.   The kind of America we once saw in Jimmy Stewart movies, and still look for today.  But it is God who makes it special, knowing he has all the details worked out, scenarios we couldn’t choreograph, they must come from heaven.  The Bible is filled with such events, for there are no chance meetings with God.  And so it is with coming to know Jesus.  We are told today is the day of salvation, for many, maybe for you, and God calls us to seek him.  Like Joy Lunch, we were hungry, and God provided a place just for us.  Our souls long after God, and he provides Jesus as the way to satisfy, nothing else will.  At just the right time Romans tells us God sent him while we were yet sinners.  Before we were born, looking, or knew we need a savior, Jesus was ready.  And the time for us will be now.  Some in church, some at crusades, some in homes, and some out riding.  But the blessings don’t stop there, they only begin, and one lunch hour in Corydon God reminded us of that.  Planned for us from the beginning, he brought a couple of bikers, a couple who owned the diner, and a farming family together in a place appropriately called Joy.  For lunch.  To be fed, and be blessed. 

Checking out Tripadvisor today to see if Joy Lunch was still there, it is gone.   An Italian restaurant with great reviews is there.  A much younger couple being shown as the owners.  A place that exists only in our memories, and in our trip photos.  A meal that stands out among one of my favorites, being fed body, soul, and spirit.  A place God set up for us because he loves us.  Just to show he cares.  If God cares enough to bring bikers, cooks, and farmers together, imagine what he can do for you?  He has many a place called Joy for you today, most unexpected, but a love gift from him.  Via his son Jesus.  To some a Twilight Zone episode, but to those who seek him, we know a divine appointment.  A time he set up for us, before we could even ask. With like the old James Taylor song says “with 10 miles behind us, and 10,000 more to go.”  His blessings never stop, we never stop being hungry, and his daily bread for our lives has already been prepared for tomorrow.  And for today.

I hope that farmer and his wife get to see America by motorcycle.  We thought of stopping, even slowed down, his farm was right where he said it was, but we would have been interrupting, disturbing a family hard at work. So we honked and waved, they waved back,  not knowing who we were, but we knew them.  I think of them often when riding through the country, and think how God fed us that day.  Reminding myself how thankful I truly am for Jesus, and for farmers.  Meeting one for lunch, we became instant friends, and for a short time shared food, even if it was across the room.  But friends can do that, and Jesus calls us friends.  Spend some time with him today, he has a divine appointment with you, and to be shared with others.  To some just another lunch hour in Corydon, for us a special blessing.  Just like it said in the window.  “LUNCH SPECIAL.”  “JOY LUNCH.”  And it was.  The signs will always be there, if only we take the time to stop and read. 

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

 

bumper to bumper coverage

As a rookie salesman calling on new car dealers, I wondered why some men in the shop were always busy, while some were always found to be standing around.  One Cadillac dealer in particular had a drum set in one back bay, and Ron was often heard playing there.  Live band in a service department?  But as I was to find out, American car service departments were much different than say Mercedes Benz, BMW, or Land Rover.  Ford, GM and Chrysler techs were specialized, some line-tune ups, noises, etc, some heavy line-engines and transmissions, some AC only, some brakes only-where the easy big bucks were, and some front end and alignment.  True all could do some of the other’s specialty, but it also explained why some made big bucks, they were busy, and some played the drums.  But when I went to work for Mercedes Benz, all were busy, all the time.  As a tech you were expected to work from bumper to bumper.  Including interiors, replacing windshields, and in some cases minor body work.  You were either a tech or you weren’t.  And hiring A line techs from American car companies, they often had trouble adapting.  The good ones caught on, were successful and made lots of money, the truly specialized went back.  They were willing to specialize and have time to play the drums, instead of fixing cars and making a good living.  A tech for Mercedes Benz or Land Rover could in one day do a major service, PDI new cars, replace an AC condensor by disassembling the entire interior, and later replace a windshield.  In between trying to find a squeak no one else could hear, or doing a simple oil change.  No time to play the drums in these shops, you were hired to work, and expected to do your job. 

I get to attend many car shows, and I like the ones with many types of cars, rather than the single brand event.  An all Ford, or all Pontiac show may be family for those who own them, but I like to see all cars.  All years, muscle and luxury, even old Ramblers, Hudson’s, and Kaisers.  Each has its own personality, being able to see them together at a show, just like you once saw them on the road.  Bumper to bumper types and brands of cars....where the theme is cars, not a particular one.  Sponsor a muscle car only show, and you hurt those who own a non-SS454, or a Mustang with a 6 cylinder instead of a Boss 302.  More rules, less classes, and often less class.  Same with motorcycles, which translates into the ones who ride them.  I have seen Honda techs who refused to change a tire on a Yamaha-not trained enough I heard one tell a customer once, yet when we get together, we find the tire doesn’t care what brand of bike, it just knows when it is flat.  Harley owners of the past were told in the owners manual to only use Harley Davidson oil.  And more than once did we chase down an HD store to get Harley oil, when nothing else would do.  At least today’s bike techs are bumper to bumper-they need to know about everything on a bike, no pretty boys here.  Yet some still specialize on one brand, giving them more time to practice the drums.

Reading on a web site yesterday about a church my friend attends, I looked under “who we are,” then to “staff.”  There was a Senior Pastor, Missions Pastor, Assistant and Associate Pastors, Youth Pastors, Music Pastor, Lay Pastors, and then even more sub-groups.  I wondered, could a Missions Pastor answer my question about a non-Missions question?  Was I too old to speak with the Youth Pastor?  Could I associate with an assistant?  What if the Senior was a junior, or I was older, would he still be a senior?  Foolish questions maybe, but so few are truly trained, or experienced in Jesus.  Their specialized skill alienates them, could the music pastor point me to Jesus without music?  What about a Youth Music Lead Worship Associate’s assistant?  What if the Missions Pastor was older, from Mexico, could he be a Senior or a Senor Pastor?  Pharisees all by design...and along comes Jesus.  While some went to school to study, he ministered in the spirit.  While some studied ministry, he was ministry.  While others assisted, he associated, no matter the age, social standing or sex.  His love knew no boundaries, no limits, he came to save, not to specialize.  He was just as happy with kids as he was with adults, and was often seen with hookers, junkies, bikers, and others who aren’t fit for church.  The Membership Pastor’s job.  He went to them, out of the church, out of the building.  He healed the sick, not the worthy, fed the hungry, not the needy.  He visited those  who were in jail, setting them free in the spirit, even if condemned to die.  He ministered to those in need....a far cry from some churches today.  And those engaged in them missing out on many blessings.  When led by the spirit, each service was different, no special healing services, no book sales for missionaries, or youth group fund raisers.  Jesus supplied all their needs in his riches and his glory.  Try to find that in any church today and call me, I want to join!

Maybe ministry can be best described as teamwork was to me when working for Roger Penske.  “If it needs to be done, do it.”  How simple. Backing up the great commission of Jesus, “as you go, make disciples.”  Some saved through healing, some by teaching, some by counseling, and some even in church.  Some in alleys, jail, biker bars, and even one on one with a neighbor.  The common thread, the only way to be saved being Jesus.  The Holy Spirit calling that person, and God assigning someone to lead them.  To pray with them.  To love them.  To be blessed.  No matter what they drive or ride.  Jesus meets needs, do we?

Consider that the next time you think evangelism is inviting someone to church.  The spirit is willing at any moment, are you?  Will you take time to pray right now, or blow them off by telling them you’ll pray for them...later.  Fixing what is broken is what techs do, and what Christians need do to.  We fix people, with Jesus as the prescription.  Paul was the best example, becoming all things to all men.  Rich and smart he served best wherever he was.  An example of Jesus, now what is your title?  What is your job description?  Mine says Christian...there will time to play the drums later.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com