the wheel(s) of fortune, or one day to remember in September

September is always our hottest month, and with a hurricane off the coast here, add humidity to the heat and it feels like back east.  But we must ride on, and so I did yesterday. My goal was to sit in the audience of Wheel of Fortune up in the SONY Studios, on the old MGM and Columbia lot in Culver City.  Never sure of traffic I set off early for the 315pm taping, and stopped in to see Mickey first.  I was on my Tiger 955, and when asking what was new was offered a hot rodded Rocket 3.  Not turbo charged, but hot rodded.  At first they were disappointed it only made 189 hp on the dyno, but when the air box was removed it made 219 hp! Equivalent to almost 1000 hp in a car!  Loud and fast, how could I say no?  Did I mention it was fast?  Why was the traffic going so slow I wondered, until I saw I was going over 105 in third....and backed off.  This sucker is fast.  And off to BA Moto I went to see 50 State Nate, who had just gotten back from 111 days on the road, 50 states and over 21,000 miles.

His ride was for Allstate on a 2015 Indian, provided by them, to meet at each state capital and get awareness for motorcycle safety.  He was living our dream.  But sadly during his ride his dad passed away, casting a bittersweet shadow over it.  Having lunch with him and Jamie, seeing Mike, all old but younger riding friends was special.  I missed them, note to self, visit them more.  Our roots go deep in motorcycling, but deeper in friendship.  And then off from Signal Hill to Wheel of Fortune.  Arriving a bit early, I wasn’t sure of the procedure, I was amazed at how organized, yet laid back it was.  And the friendliness of everyone.  And meeting in the parking garage, right across from where the motorcycles were parked, including the Rocket, I began to talk to two of the young men in charge of our group.  They taped 5 shows that day, we were numbers 4 and 5.  But they were both into bikes, one guy from Switzerland had a ZX9 over there, and so we talked.  And I got some neat background about the show, and special info that the non-riders didn’t get.  And was able to share the Lord in attitude and action, using words when needed.  But onto the show....

The set was smaller than I expected, busy yet friendly.  About 45 of us in the audience and we were told the rules-#1 was to have fun.  I like that.  And to clap a lot.  Between the applause signs and flashing lights reminding us, we were told to watch Vanna, when she claps you clap.  Which got your mind off the game and onto clapping a lot...and soon I was clapping without prompting.  I sat by the announcer, who was friendly, we talked old TV shows like the Addams Family between spins, see all my time spent on Me TV wasn’t wasted.  Pat and Vanna were friendly, and I got the idea they were like that off camera, which they were.  Lots of joking, smiles and hugs...you felt very like a part of it.  And when Vanna came out and answered questions, she explained how they didn’t really need her, they controlled the new style monitors from the back.  Pat standing aside, spoke out, “we have the hardware, Vanna is the software....”  what I would have expected.  But the taping was done, took over an hour and 15 minutes, and they got ready for  the next one.  I left, I had seen enough, and passed on the $10 Sears gift card and t shirt if I stayed for the second.  No cameras allowed inside, and you’ll have to wait until December 4 and 5 to see what I saw.  The set decorated for Christmas, while it was only 102 outside.  By the way, the son and mother from St. Louis won over $55,000.  More clapping!  Great time, great people, new friends made, and I think I will go back again.  Did I mention the tickets were free?

And back to Escondido I rode, traffic not too bad for leaving the SONY lot at 509, and I stopped to water a lemon tree and water myself at a rest stop on I-5 north of Oceanside.  The one my friend David used to run the cleaning crew at.  All was well until the Rocket wouldn’t start.  The high compression with the heat took more battery than the factory had to offer.  So I called my roadside provider, and the evening began.  Borrowing a cell from a trucker who spoke no English, they said they would respond in an hour.  While waiting I called Theresa from another cell, from a guy who worked there and knew David.  We hit it off, and when they didn’t arrive in 60 minutes as promised, called them back.  Being told a 10 minute ETA, we waited, bench racing in the dark by now.  After another 50 minutes, and no emergency vehicle, I called again, and was told a 20 minute ETA.  They were only 7 miles from me.  Someone was lying.  By now over 2 hours and 15 minutes had passed, it was hot, muggy, fog rolled in and still no jump.  The 20 minute ETA had passed, big surprise, when we saw an AAA truck pull in, and flagged him down.  He was on a call, had never jumped a cycle before, I had, and he let me use the box.  Less than a minute later I was off...still no sign of the roadside service I had called.  Losers.  And finally home for dinner at 1015.  Exhausted, tired, worn out and somehow still excited about the wheels of fortune of the day.

I had started out to see Wheel of Fortune, but the wheels of fortune, God’s divine providence got me a ride on a bike no one else other than the trade mags will ever ride, I met with some good friends, and met with a man who stayed by me the whole time at the rest stop.  Who knew David, and now we are friends.  God’s plans are not like ours, they are better although sometimes we don’t get it at first.  I made a few new friends today, and hope to hear from Patrick at Wheel and ride together.  He is also a pilot, maybe we can meet at Flo’s at the Chino Airport.  Funny I never was in a hurry, and didn’t get impatient, add frustrated for the tow service that never arrived.  And it all turned out good in the end for me.  Been there, done that...maybe I should have stayed for the shirt!

But today is September 11, 9-11.  A day in American history where the wheels of fortune were turned against us.  From the outside many wonder “where was God?” but after being a part of ceremonies for almost 10 years, I can tell you he was there.  Especially Flight 93 in Shanksville, where 40 patriots took down the flight and we will never know what they did prevented.  40 strangers who united in the Holy Spirit and proved scripture that greater love has no man than to lay down his life for another.  I wish I could be at the Chapel in Shanksville today, and of course I miss Fr. Al.  Who is in heaven.  I miss all the bikers who come out each year, and sadly with no services in So Cal, I now am part of the crowd that seems to have forgotten.  Called Patriot’s Day now, it seems forgotten.  But God hasn’t forgotten, and he hasn’t forgotten us.  Yesterday in my prayers he told me to have a good time, and it was a blessed time.  He included some events not planned nor asked for, and made it special his way.  Special because a loving God loves me so much he sent his son Jesus to die for me.  For freedom, to ride, to worship, to visit, and to do it in a free country.  But how much longer depends on him.  Find the freedom in Christ today.  Don’t depend on the wheels of fortune like some do, get an up front seat with God and be involved.  I sat in the audience yesterday while many came together to make a show, today I sit in awe of God again, who somehow makes it all work together for those who love him.  Even me.  On a loud hot rodded motorcycle!   Yesterday was a day I will remember for a long time.   Special days with God are like that, and we never know when we wake up what he has in store.  Our patriotic friends on Flight 93 may be forgotten by most, but to God they are remembered.  And to me also.  Take time to honor them today by thanking God, by honoring Jesus by showing his love.  Only his love can cover a multitude of sins.  And we all have so much to be forgiven.  Which gives us more to thank him for.  A day I won’t forget, mostly because God never forgets me. 

I will look at Wheel of Fortune a different way after being there.  If Jesus hasn’t changed your wheels of fortune, invite him into it now.  We never know when we will breath our last, I am glad I know where I will be after I do.  Maybe it is like Pat said.  We have the hardware, I’ll add Jesus is the software.  Wheel of Fortune, or fortunes on wheels, it is always all about Jesus.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

just leave the tip on the table

My wife jokes after a good dinner, a common occurrence around here, “just leave the tip on the table.”  She could have retired if we paid her what her meals were worth, but sad to say the only tips we gave her were verbal ones.  Tips on what bike to ride, tips on where to ride, and tips on what to do this weekend.  Tips offered jokingly but well intentioned, as I was usually a key component in them.  But she really earned a real tip, for her cooking and baking gather rave reviews.  But things were not always so, our first Thanksgiving had the giblets still in the bag, left inside the turkey.  Learning to cook with a microwave 37 years ago was still a new science.  Her first fried chicken was so tough we kept microwaving it more, it didn’t look done, why follow the directions.  And we almost got a hockey puck for dinner.  Fortunately cooler heads prevailed and out we went to eat.  It’s always good to have a back up plan.  But within a few months she mastered cooking, with baking her specialty.  And today she has her own recipes, with one ingredient in common-CHOCOLATE!  With the exception of her blueberry muffins, we have peanut butter chocolate chips, oatmeal chocolate chips, chocolate chocolate chips, and chocolate bars strategically hidden in the cabinets.  Take any recipe, add “add chocolate,” and it can be found in her kitchen.  And I have for our entire marriage obeyed one of the three great rules, of thou shalt not.  Do not tell the cook how to cook!  And it shows on me!

But waiters are hard working people, and underpaid, and under tipped also.  How many old waitresses do you see any more?  The attrition rate is high, as when we go out to eat we expect more than at home.  Chocolate optional.  And with fast food to be ordered at the window, then your number called, waiters are a dying breed.  The next generation will probably listen to their grandparents tell of “when we used to order at the table...”   And leaving a tip will have gone away also, except for a jar at the register for change from your $20.  Change, not scrip.  Always less than a dollar. 

When working for Mercedes Benz their were remnants of a class of people who were used to tipping.  Not to get better service, but because they appreciated it.  And wanted to acknowledge it.  And at Christmas, it was more than cash.  Gift certificates to restaurants, concert tickets, expensive wine, and things that expressed how much they appreciated your service.  I was the man who took care of their car, just as they had a hairdresser, favorite maitre’d, and nanny.  I was their go to guy for their car, and that was a good thing.  But things were changing, and no one tips anymore.  But they sure will complain...We no longer have servants who serve us, but teen agers who grunt, who sometimes show no respect, in their defense many aren’t shown respect either, and in a country that is service oriented, service is lacking.  We should have seen it coming with the advent of penny trays by the register years ago...somehow I never thought of it as a tip tray as some are today.

The other two thou shalt nots are don’t tell your barber how to cut your hair, and don’t tell your mechanic how to fix your motorcycle.  But it is OK to tip them, and I still do.  Mickey gets anything chocolate from Theresa, and my barber always gets a tip.  Because I appreciate their work.  And I want them to know it.  Maybe I should start leaving a tip on the table at home....or more chocolate.

So these often unappreciated servants if you will, have certain characteristics.  Servants don’t get to ask when, where, how, why, or to who, they just serve.  Many in the church get the wrong idea about Jesus, we are told he took the form of a man, even though he was God, to serve.  They expect him to be the genie in the lamp, and never consider how he is setting an example for us of servitude.  Few think of servants when they think of God, but Jesus came to serve.  And salvation was the main course, he came to save a dying world, and reunite us with his father in heaven.  Now don’t you think that deserves a tip or two?  And he expects us to give, some may tithe and give 10% grudgingly, he is more excited about a widow, unknown but to him, that gave her all.  An example set by him, as he gave it all, and all to him we owe.  And while we begrudgingly give 15% to a waiter, God only expects 10%.  But really he wants is us to give, from the heart.  A form of worship, a sacrifice.  We are told to give hilariously, opening our pockets as the spirit beckons.  Not only for good, but for bad service too.  Sadly I see too many Christians who will preach at a waiter, then stiff them on their tip.  Some representative of Jesus huh?  But giving involves more than money, it means of yourself.  Your time, your resources, your physical labor.  And we find that when we give, we receive.  But if you give looking for something you don’t get it.  And too many don’t get it, and get miserable, and quit giving.  And wonder why they aren’t blessed?  Missing blessings, maybe start giving without being asked.  Matthew 25 tells of feeding the hungry, giving water to the thirsty, clothing the naked, and visiting those in jail or who are sick.  Sometimes the best tips have no table to leave them on, so leave them on their heart.

So what does a servant do, he serves.  And we get to serve a mighty God, who saved us by grace.  It is free, a gift, maybe that is why so many rob God.  No appreciation for what Jesus did for them.  But we can pass on what Jesus did for us in love to others.  Go the extra mile, give until it hurts, then give again.  Many times I have given when I could least afford it, and finding out I could not afford to not leave tip.  Or to give.  Or to serve.  So maybe it’s brownies, or a little extra money on the table.  Maybe it is staying late and giving someone a ride.  Maybe sitting with a homeless person and buying a meal, and eating with them.  It is in giving that we receive, and that we see a side of Christ we don’t see if we are stingy.  For giving tells of the heart condition, more than words.  And if you truly let God be your provider, you will always have in abundance.  What you need.  When you need it.

So don’t look for a table to leave the tip on, look for opportunities to give.  Jesus went looking for you and look what he has given us.  So much for so little.  And in giving you may show how God loves to give to a lost man.  Who has always given in church, but never received anything in return.  Give, the second syllable of forgive.  Maybe the best thing that will ever happen to you, being forgiven.  Now that’s a tip that will fit on any table.

And the most priceless tip is Jesus.  And his love.  If you aren’t giving that, you are missing out.  Servants are the hardest working people out there, recognize one today.  Who knows, you may be the Bible God chose for them to read today.  Cold milk with a warm brownie.  An extra cookie, the last piece of meatloaf.  Give it up for Jesus, he gave it up for you.  A tip we cannot afford to pass up.  Just don’t leave it only on the table.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

travel times

Talk to 10 different touring riders and you will get 10 different interpretations of touring.  When to leave, how to pack, route to take, and bike to ride.  Whether to ride in a group or ride alone.  Each one different, each one right, but none wrong.  Each unique, but somehow all alike.  I have friends who must travel in groups, I refer to it as crowd riding, and stop every 50 miles.  To me that is not riding.  and a 200 mile day takes 8 hours, for which they start at 6 in the morning, arrive in mid afternoon, and hang around all day, when you can and should be riding.  Recently I heard of a couple leaving at midnight to avoid LA traffic, rookies and not thinking that the freeways are shut down at night for construction, and they just added confusion to their trip.  And if all goes well, will arrive at their city of destination at rush hour.  Not seeing anything, arriving early, and still too early to check into their motel.  Maybe there is something to effective planning after all.  I have found myself over the years preferring to ride alone, just Theresa and I, be up and out by 9, after any rush hour traffic, ride 100 miles then eat breakfast.  Ride all day in sunlight, and arrive before dark sets in.  And always having an alternate route just in case, with the just in case often times leading to great roads not planned for.  Works for us....

Years ago I led a group of friends from New Mexico to San Diego for lunch, their first long ride over 4 days.  When they tried to duplicate it the next year, they had it down to even 15 minute breaks, time to start, time to stop, time to eat, and time to ride in between.  I declined, don’t we ride to get away from that type of schedule?  Yet too many don’t enjoy the freedom in riding or of it.  At the other end was our first Torches Across America ride, with people we had never ridden with before.  We met each night, planned a route to that night’s destination, and figured gas stops based on the smallest tank.  We figured speeds for freeways differently than for back roads, and would split up as needed for each riders type of riding.  We all got along, had a great time, lost no one, and this is the only group of men I would ever ride with again.  Sadly many are gone, but this group of 5 that swelled to 10 left a great impression on me.  They knew how to ride, made no excuses, and dealt with problems as they occurred.  Although we were all skilled long distance riders, on bikes from 500cc to 1800cc, V-twin to inline 3, we all had one common thread-courtesy.  We discussed where to eat, speed, and left communication open, including flexibility of routes.  We enjoyed the ride and each others company for over 3000 miles, with no hassles.  All rides should be so good....

Time zones can present another problem, as riding east to west you change time.  I have trouble losing the hour, only 60 minutes, but still get messed up.  But I like gaining the extra hour coming back, many times using it to sleep in, or ride longer into the setting sun.  Arriving early sometimes and taking in the local sights, or detours along the way.  But my riding has changed over the years, as I take the attitude to stop when I see something I want to, because I may never get back.  I used to take notes for a return trip, 12 trips coast to coast allowed for that, but as I travel less, and fewer miles, I make every mile count.  Still out by 9, still riding to breakfast, still arriving by dark, just seeing more along the way.  Or less as the roads I ride are as far from freeways as I can get.  A 100 mile distance can turn into a 400 mile day like one day in Florida.  Arriving where we planned, just riding more.  Riding is not meant to be a straight line to your destination, it is about the roads travelled to get there, and we all ride different, some by exit number, some by county road number, some by local road name like River Road, or Golden Trail.  For it is the ride that is life, and life is for the living like my friend Ken tells me.  Every ride is different, and should be.  So I ride while others sleep, and sleep while others are out trying to beat the traffic.  In all cases picking the right roads will say a lot about how you ride, and why.  I rather arrive with a tired wrist from riding all day on back roads than bragging about setting my cruise and making good time with great gas mileage.  You tell me, who had a better ride?  More stories to tell?  who would you rather ride with? Those stuck in LA traffic at midnight?  While I sleep and dream of the next day....

Now there are many roads to heaven, but only one way to get there-Jesus Christ.  God gives us the perfect destination, the way to get there, and we choose the roads to travel.  Some stay within boundaries of churches or denominations, safe and secure that will make it, but have no testimonies.  Some just live life, figuring what ever God is going to do he will, a fatalist approach.  So why do they pray?  I like to plan my rides with God involved, and leave room for options.  Over the years many rides have gotten better because we were flexible and changed plans.  Some took us places we had never heard of, meals we hadn’t eaten, and met people we would have missed otherwise.  Leaving Willie’s home outside of Nashville, we took 2 hours of back roads to get 35 miles from him.  Great riding.  When getting gas, a man saw our bike, asked where we were going, and told us about some great detours in Georgia.  And also about a great place for BBQ in Birmingham.   When we found the place closed due to fire, the local Triumph store turned us on to The Golden Rule, my favorite BBQ place in the US of A, and we have BBQed it across it.  God had all this planned, freeway exits would have left us without meeting people, seeing things, and missing a great meal. Bring on the Brunswick stew!  Yet so many live inside the box with God, never seeing all he has.  I may be selfish, but I want all God ahs to offer, and for you too!  And God loves to give and bless-so let him!  Include him on all your rides, from planning to arriving, and see as things take on a different flavor.  Some offer schedules, God has testimonies planned for you to share. 

Paul tells us how God offers us truth in 2 Corinthians.  Truth to set us free to guide us, and to allow us to be flexible in the spirit.  To change course without getting upset, and to find blessings where we thought no blessings could be.  The truth of Jesus is exciting and alive, and when we just don’t study it, but get out and live it, we see sides of God many only read about, dream about, or dream of, but thought they could never experience.  While some bear fruit, others read all about it.  It is like Doug sharing about Israel, that was nice.  Even showed a map.  Then showed pictures, and the relationship grew, and when I saw him in the pictures, it was real.  Not read about, but done.  His story to share.  So as yourself, you may be going to heaven, that’s great, but are you getting all you can from the ride?  Is your life full of chain restaurants, freeway exits, and LA in the dark? Didn’t Jesus take us from darkness into light?

When you come into the truth of Jesus Christ life becomes exciting.  And the closer you ride with him the more exciting.  The more memories, the more testimonies.  I like it when I see a show on TV and I can say “I’ve been there.”  It makes me want to ride more.  Same with testimonies, when I hear them and can relate, I want to hear more. I want to be in them,  I don’t want to hear only, I want to be in the pictures.  We still have many travel times ahead of us, many roads to return to, many we haven’t ridden yet.  Same with God, so much of him to explore and to get to know better.  Now is the best time, so plan on him right now.  Knowing God means knowing truth, and truth sets us free.  Ditch the GPS, tune into the spirit, and ride like you never have before.  Been there, done that, have the t-shirt only makes me want more.  The road of Jesus is calling, will you answer the call?  We will get to heaven only in Jesus, we can ride with him now and enjoy the ride.  Destination heaven-how you get there is up to you.  Your best rides and testimonies are yet to come.  Get out and make them.  We are not all the same except in Christ where we can be the individual we want to be.  Unique yet the same in Christ.  Where sport bikes ride with cruisers, and displacement doesn’t matter.  In the spirit, the best way to live and ride.  Let God’s truth set you free today.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

squeeze the sponge and the water runs out

I hope you all had a great Labor Day Weekend, I did.  But how many know what Labor Day is?  Or was created for?  To make a long story short, although it is a very good long story, it was created to honor those that work in American factories.  Based upon most factories before the Civil War being in the north, the south suffered from heavy taxes on items shipped into their ports, they manufactured very little.  The grousing continued for over 20 years after and when Grover Cleveland sent troops to break up a riot near Chicago in the Pullman Plant, they made high end rail cars, under pressure of reelection he promised the workers a day of their own to have off, this long before 3 day weekends were formed to accommodate us.  And so Labor Day was born to honor workers, and today 130 years later we celebrate the day off, but not the labor.  Along with many other holidays, it is a three day weekend to party, but not to remember.  Which is what holidays were set up for, to remember an event or person.  Now the event is about the person of us....and we take great labors to see we enjoy it. 

Travelling across America we see the remnants of the American worker.  Detroit once the Motor City is now in ruin.  So are many factory towns in the south where towels and sheets were once made.  No more shoes come out of New England, and no furniture from the midwest.  Next time you see a train and notice it all containers, they are filled with goods from China, where once box cars moved American made goods, now we are an importer and consume non-USA goods.  Shipped in containers made in Korea.  In many cases we have no choice, even Walmart who at one time bragged on its American made inventory, now it is hard to find anything made here in their stores.  And we complain about the lower quality, but not the lower price.  We have learned the hard way that if you squeeze the sponge the water will run out, and we have learned to live with a dry sponge.  That water was the life blood of America, the worker, who today is dwindling in numbers.  No more great factories, or factory towns that once dotted the landscape, now we have mega warehouses filled with foreign goods.  We wanted less expensive and we got it, at a price, one we found out was too high to pay. And to many of us we remember with pride when Made In America meant something.  When Japanese goods were tinny, and products from overseas cheesy.  When shoes were made and designed by Americans for Americans, and the rest of the world wanted them.  That label meant a lot to them too.  Shirts and pants hand sewn in the Carolinas or Pennsylvania.  Cars were built in Detroit, and ruled the world.  We could afford the best, because we would not settle for anything less, but soon we began to settle for less.  The price became the bottom line, and when the bottom line got so low we could trip over it, we fell and fell hard.  Looking up for a hand up, instead we got a hand out.  But still in our pockets.  All the water had been squeezed from the sponge, and we were left with no source to renew it.  For water brings life, and we were dry.  Remember that as you get in your Mexican made Chevy, wearing Rebooks made in South Korea, wearing a shirt made in Viet Nam, and listen to a radio made in India.  Wine no longer comes from France in a bottle, but in a box from New Jersey, expensive burgers from Japan, and Mexican food has replaced the hamburger as fast food’s favorite.  We once had a Miss America Pageant, it too is gone, and so no wonder I miss America.  Give me an American made product, made by real Americans, with instructions in English.  Yet the American worker has been reduced to immigrant status, like the man applying for a job at a 7-11.  When asked if he speaks any foreign languages replies “English.”  We all want more for less, what we get is a lot less for a lot more.

Works with God too.  We want all we can get from God, and God loves to bless.  So he sent Jesus to make the way back to him, unique in all religions worldwide.  In Christianity God reaches down, we don’t have to work our way back hopelessly.  And it is by his spirit we are called.  Often referred to as water in the Bible, the spirit brings life and joy.  Peace and patience.  Yet many churches will emphasize Jesus, yet let you on your own to figure it out.  “Read your Bible, go out and do something for God,” and when you fail on your own you get discouraged.  You look elsewhere, and find a cheaper imitation of the gospel.  One that has been imported from hell, and doesn’t have room for the spirit in its philosophy.  You have replaced God in the equation, and the goods you put out do not reflect God, but your own ways.  Without the spirit guiding you, something else does.  Read the New Testament, Jesus tells us he will leave a helper until he returns, the Holy Spirit.  That even he didn’t do what he wanted, but only what his father in heaven wanted.  We are saved by his spirit that called us, and guided by it when we are saved.  The Holy Spirit is a person, a real person.  Yet after we accept Jesus, who we were led to by the spirit, we neglect that very same spirit.  And import other beliefs, ideas, and religions not made in heaven.  Some look good, even feel good.  But soon the patina of evil shows and we wished we had spent wiser.  But yet the same spirit we denied welcomes us back and forgives.  Points again to Jesus, who gives advice direct form our heavenly father.  Where the spirit of the Lord is there is liberty.  To be all you can be, really to be all you can be in Christ.  We need to go back to what made us great, and it was Jesus who took us from sin to grace.  From lost to found.  The spirit is the water that the sponge is lacking today, and we need to dip into it and become useful again.  Our lives need to be about Jesus, not us.  We need to celebrate what he has done, not what we have attempted to do.  We cannot save ourselves.  We need Jesus.  We need the refreshing water of the spirit to make us new again.  To give us life.  Instead we are offered days off, only to return to the same old drudgery the next day.  

We need to back to when our song sang out “our country tis of thee,”  not because of me.  Only in the spirit will we know the way.  Will we know the way Jesus.  And will we be reunited with a loving father who sent his only son.  Who labored long for us.  Today celebrate what Jesus has done, who never takes a day off.  We need to from work, but never should from Jesus.  Seek the spirit and the follow it to joy and peace.  Know comfort among the pain and suffering.  Be reunited to goods made in heaven, by the God who created them.  Celebrate the labor of love he sent called Jesus, and know that no amount of hard work can replace the free gift he offers.  Dip your sponge into the fountain of life, and find all you ever wanted and needed at a price you can afford.  The gospel is free and simple so we can afford it.  It is by the spirit that we can read the Bible and know the mysteries of Christ.  Otherwise it is like the instructions of my garage door opener made in Malaysia, with pictures but no words of instruction.  You guess....life is not to be guessed about.  You can know the truth and be set free....there are no uses for a dry sponge.  No matter where it was made.  But a wet one is welcome everywhere a mess is made.  Where clean up is needed. Jesus makes all things good again.  By his spirit.  Dip your life into him today.  Be fully immersed in and by his spirit.  His labor of love is more than for a day.  Why settle for a day when you can have eternity?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

doing something once twice

At this stage in life I don’t always remember my first, and I have trouble remembering my last.  Some things that used to be so important just aren’t anymore, at least to me, so if I feign interest don’t take it personal, because it isn’t intended to be.  Sometimes I just don’t care, and sometimes I just don’t care to remember.  Watching the endless stream of commercials on TV promising you that only they can find your prefect match for you, I am glad that after 37 years of marriage and counting that I don’t have to date.  Or want to.  How sad to be over 50 and dating again, going through all the dating and getting to know you rituals.  I can’t remember my first date, or my last, but I do remember many in between.  Funny how you don’t remember the mundane ones, but the good ones stand out, and the worst ones haunt you.  And for some reason, my first junior high school dance still haunts me, it was like a first date, so although many facts have faded, the scene still sticks in my mind.  Or somewhere.....

It was 8th grade, the first year you were allowed to look at girls and not be afraid to get cooties.  Skirts and sweaters were popular, and some girls were beginning to fill them out in all the right places.  And one caught my eye...so we agreed to meet at the afterschool dance.  Not a date, but a see you there....OK a date.  But true to form, it was all boys on one side, the girls on the other, with only the coolest and most mature out dancing.  Alone.  The rest of us huddled in fear of having to dance.  While I could play sports before a crowd, the thought of being one on one with a girl freaked me out.  I was later to find out I was not the only one.   So secretly making up my own approach lines, and remembering how words come out either slurred or stuttered when facing the enemy, I finally got up the courage to go over and ask her to dance.  Actually I was really pushed and taunted, although I did hold out for half the dance.  By then my cowardice was so evident, concealed by pride, but still scared.  So between songs I walked over to the other side, perhaps the longest walk in my teen years, muttering my cool opening line to myself.  Getting more nervous as I got closer, she knew I was coming, as her friends were all huddling around her and giggling-watching my approach.  My confidence was waning, when suddenly a new thought crept into my mind, and sheer horror set in.  What if she said yes?  What if I had to dance with her?  I had never danced before!  And passing the point of no return, my advance was noted and evident.  So when in earshot, within a couple of feet, I mumbled something sophisticated and mature like “wanna dance?”  And before I finished she said “yes,” the music started and the misery set in.  A high and a  low all at once.  No one told me the teen years would be so tough!  But we danced, I must have looked like hopping barefoot on hot coals, the music ended, and went into a slow song.  And I dance again...embracing a girl other than my aunt or mother.  And she embraced back!  Maybe this dance thing wasn’t as bad as I made it out to be, and after the song ended, we sat and talked.  My dancing was over, I was wet with sweat, barely putting words together to form a sentence, but I had done it.  Right in front of my friends, her friends, God and everybody.  I had danced, with a girl and survived!  She would later admit she was just as scared...And just that memory will always aid in keeping my marriage strong.  I never want to go through that again! 

Sharing Christ can be like that first dance.  You are all practiced up, got it all together, then the words don’t come out right.  The conversation becomes all about you, because your approach although about Jesus is all about you.  Face it, it is.  And all the coaching and motivation that comes from your pastor or friends won’t help.  It needs to come naturally, to be spirit led and spirit based.  The holy spirit.  I have watched skilled speakers get up in front of believing crowds and blow it, so afraid they will say something wrong.  Worrying if not perfect they will be laughed at.  And hoping their presentation is so good no one will ask questions.  Just the opposite of being in the spirit.  I know a couple who practices their presentations, and uses tracts.  I don’t.  And they get on my case about me not knowing or being prepared to witness.  I try to be a witness, it is God’s job to fill me, mine to let him.  His to guide, mine to obey.  Yet I have been persecuted on more than one occasion for not knowing the four spiritual laws.  Law vs. the spirit, isn’t there a conflict?  And they get mad.  The Romans Road?   In Rome isn’t it?  And yet because I try to follow the spirit vs. a rote set of presentations, I need help.  Now I don’t deny the needing help, but when I do the spirit is willing.  No matter how weak the flesh.  In fact the weaker I am, the stronger the spirit.  Scriptural even. 

So I find getting to know a person, learning to earn the right to share Jesus is far better.  If I truly walk in Christ, my attitudes and actions will portray him better.  I am not looking for an argument as some do, and walk away with an I showed them attitude.  I genuinely am concerned for their salvation, so I go in love. Remembering the whole time my first dance.  And go anyway.

And so I find comfort in doing something once twice.  Getting married.  Once twice, my first and only.  And coming to Jesus once twice.  My first and only.  I am getting better at knowing what to say, even better at what not to say.  Listening before giving an answer, even asking questions so I can answer better.  But when I let God lead, I find his words come out, and amazing me.  And they are effective, more than any plan I may have hatched.  But still I am least prepared to ask them to turn to Jesus.  For it is between them and God only.  Not an emotional outburst or going forward after a bad time.  It is strictly spiritual, and only God will know so the person does too.  Don’t ever rush to judgment or to prayer-let God lead.  And what if they say yes?  Again let the spirit lead.  And be ready to listen again.  God will lead.  And then do what most don’t, listen some more and follow up.  For a new convert is most susceptible.  Get them a Bible, pray with them, and follow up.  Disciple them, for it is all new to them, and may be all new to you too.  No amount of rehearsal will ever substitute for the holy spirit’s guiding. 

God will bring them along as he does us.  Daily.  And we each grow at different rates.  So be led by the spirit, and avoid anxious moments.  Let God be God, he has more experience than you, and his job is salvation.  You just get to be the messenger and see lives changed.  You get to be blessed passing on the gift of Jesus to others.  And it works best outside of church, where there are no pressures to perform.  So come to Jesus once twice.  For a first and last time.  Let him fill in the blanks.  Get off walking in the spirit today, and maybe for the first time today if saved.  How will you know you are in the spirit?  Experience tells me I know when I am not.  And others will tell you too.  But you’ll know, it is that personal.  Being a witness for Christ should never be like my first dance experience.  The spirit led you to him, now let him do it for others.  And when he lets you be a part of it, it is better than that first slow dance.  My first 8th grade girl friend was just waiting to be asked.  You’ll know when to ask no matter how long the walk across the gym floor.  You will remember your first and last love, make sure you don’t forget about Jesus in between either.  We will spend most of our lives in the in between times, between dances.   A lesson on life and sophistication from one who should know, but is still learning. The destination should always be more important than the delivery.  It’s all about Jesus anyway, right?

love with compassion,

Mike

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