your last ride

I am often asked by those who don’t ride, what was/is your favorite ride?”  Depending on my audience, I can let my mind wander through the miles ridden, the meals eaten, and the people met.  Roads come to mind, as do states, was Theresa with me, and what bike I was riding. But when I ask myself the same question, I find I break it down into two categories, was and is.  Was, is tougher, there have been so many, and I find each ride, no matter how bad or how good has some merit to me.  Is, takes me to the roads I travel on a regular basis, which limits me to anything south of Tulare, or about a 280 mile radius.  But I have found myself echoing the same answer, “my last ride and my next ride.”  I have learned to enjoy the ride I am on, whether it is stuck in traffic lane splitting, or wearing off foot pegs in the hills.  I love to ride, and given all the opportunities, I try to enjoy every ride as if it may be my last.  The one that when I hang my helmet up for good, when my wrist will no longer twist any more, the one that I will have to remember for a long time.  We don’t often have a choice of when we will stop riding, so I have learned to enjoy each outing as if it may be my last.  To some that may seem fatalistic, but to me it is realistic.

In June of 2012, before I got sick and had open heart surgery, I had ridden 1000 miles in two days in 100 degree heat.  It could have been, and should have been if not for the miracle God performed in my life.  For the first time on any ride, I was separated from my motorcycle, and waking up after surgery never knew if I would or could ever ride again.  But I was alive, and my memory fresh, well sort of, and at one time had convinced myself if I never ride again, I will deal with it.  But fortunately God had a better plan, and after only 7 weeks after surgery, making medical history, I rode for 25 minutes on my Bonneville.  Perhaps the hardest ride, yet the most satisfying ride I ever took, I was so weak I was afraid I would fall over, and so fragile it may have killed me if I did.  But I was riding again, a new first, and hopefully an old last that I will always remember.  And I learned a very important lesson, we can plan for our first, but we never know when we will take our last.  So today I treat each ride as if it was my last, because I have seen scripture come alive in my life, and we are never promised tomorrow.  But we are promised something better....eternity.

If I live to a ripe old age of 81, I only have another 20 years, leaving me with less miles to look forward to than to look back on.  Picking up Sportrider magazine yesterday, I saw an article about my friend Ray Adams.  Mickey had built him a turbo charged B King, dynos at 264 horsepower, and Ray loves it.  It is his everyday bike, not bad for a man who just turned 71.  He loves to ride, and has passed down the passion through his son Curtis, known as the “fastest man at Willow,” and to his grandson Bradley, who wrote the article.  We are friends who at one time agreed we are not getting old, just older.  My inspiration for not growing up, just going faster.  But I know that he is even closer to that last ride than I am, if we both die of old age.  So I find that how I live not only may not increase my days, but it adds value to them. 

But if I had died in June 2012, it may have also been Theresa’s last ride too.  We are riding partners, and she will not ride with anyone else.  My ego tells her it would be a let down.  But when we ride together it is something we have always done, since our first night we met.  It is part of who we are, and whether on her Bonneville, or buddy seat sitting, someday she will be faced with her last ride.  But she is also blessed that she gave her life to Christ, as I have.  We have no fear of tomorrow, for wherever we spend it, Jesus is with us.  Alone or together, no matter how we ride, we are never alone.  Really never apart is a better description, for Jesus never leaves us, so we are never apart.  And each ride brings us closer to heaven than the one from yesterday.  We have learned of value of having Jesus in our lives, and he brings a richness to the ride I didn’t know I didn’t have before I was saved.  And so I am so thankful for the passion God has given us for riding and for the road. 

I have lost count of how many different bikes I have ridden this year, I demoed a 2016 Indian Scout on Saturday.  Nice bike for a cruiser, but no suspension.  Which can be fixed.  My recent bike is a Triumph Explorer which I swap out today.  I will probably ride back on my Street Triple, unless Mick has something else he needs miles on.  And my old Tiger 955 has the bags loaded with food for Dustin Arms, where I will teach tonight, and deliver needed food for the hungry.  Each bike different, each riding style different, but all fun.  And maybe that is why I ride.  I like the freedom, love the road.  No place I’d rather be on earth than on the road splitting time zones.  But riding is fun, and why have fun if you don’t enjoy it?  Same with God.  why serve a god who cannot deliver?  Who cannot promise eternal life? Who tries to run your life and control you through religious doctrines?  Why serve anyone but Jesus Christ, where you can have full freedom in the spirit, where you can make the choices, who delivered on all his promises including resurrection?  Why live for today when you can live for eternity?  So why do you not enjoy every ride like it could be your last? 

Eternity awaits all, and all will die.  If reading this you still have a choice on where you will spend it.  Heaven with Jesus, or hell without him.  Still in denial, think about “if I die before I ride,” where will I end up?  We will all take one final ride, and it will be in a hearse.  Rich or poor, rider or not, saved or lost, a hearse will be your last ride.  A choice no one will have to make for you.  So today, consider Jesus Christ.  Ask him to come into your life.  Trust him.  Start reading your Bible, get involved in a church.  Meet others and share how he changed your life.  Choices you can still make.  And rest assured that when that last ride comes, you know your destination.  We are not promised tomorrow, I never planned to have open heart surgery.  I once doubted if I would ever ride again.  But I never doubted heaven, because I know in whom I believe.  So enjoy the ride you are on, cherish the old ones, look forward to new ones.  Knowing that a loving God has everything under control.  We will all take a last ride, enjoy yours today because it just might be.  In Christ.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

 

BC/AD-welcome to Munchkinland

My kids seem to think I grew up in a black and white world because of the TV shows I watch.  But my real world was as colorful as it is today, just my TV memories are in black and white.  Just a few short years before I was born there was no TV, so I didn’t know any better, and I still may not.  But color TV became popular in the early sixties, and only the rich or fortunate had a color TV, to watch black and white shows on for only a few shows were in color.  NBC was the leader, and first time I saw the NBC peacock in living color, it changed my TV experience.  Suddenly the colors of cars was not a guesswork experience, shades of pinks, blues, greens, and yellows filled the backgrounds.  I can still remember watching Hazel, and all the colors, including Mrs. B driving a red Mustang convertible, a 1965.  It took  a few years until my family could afford one, my main source was at my Grandparent’s house on weekends we visited, and any show in color was worth watching.  But one night, when watching an old classic, my TV world changed.

The Wizard of Oz was a yearly treat, and much anticipated.  In this world of no VCR’s, DVR’s, and predating SONY’s Beta, you waited faithfully for your show to come on, TV Guide in one hand, and hoping your parents wanted to watch what you wanted.  But TWoO was for everyone, and one night at my Grandparent’s it all changed for me.  Dorothy and Toto were stuck in the house when the tornado hit Kansas, while all others were in the storm cellar.  The house took off as usual in black and white, and landed in black and white.  But when she opened the door in Munchkinland, it was in color.  A real yellow brick road, swirled around a red one, that no one paid attention to.  Wonder where it went?  The Munchkins were in all the colors of the rainbow, now that she had traveled somewhere over it.  The horse of a different color was, I learned Emerald City was green, and way too much for one 11 year old to take in.  It changed my view of Oz forever, and of TV watching.  It had gone from black and white, BC, Before Color, to somewhere over the airwaves rainbow to AD, After Dorothy.  And my world and hers would never be the same.  Truly Toto and I were not in Kansas any more, we were in living color!

For anyone born after color TV became the norm, they cannot understand the impact of color on TV.  Even browns and greens, and various shades of gray had color now.  Dorothy’s landing in Munchkinland, changed all that.  But so did killing the bad witch.  Even the ruby slippers were now in color.  Black and gray don’t sparkle.  And had a special value.  Too bad many go through life thinking there is no God, or that he doesn’t love them.  They are stuck in a black in white world, BC, with no color too it.  Oh they live in color, but it takes the spirit to make the colors come alive. For when you see things through God’s eyes you see things in a different way.  Colors become alive, details matter, and there are dozens of the color blue.  Blue skies, blue water, blue motorcycles!  So many shades that now you have Caspian Blue, Sky blue, Wisteria, and so many others.  Mrs. B’s Mustang is Roman Red, which is different than Mercedes Benz Mars Red.  Seeing things through his eyes brings color into your life.  We refer to our old days as BC, Before Christ, and after now we have color and purpose to enjoy life through.  All the colors of the rainbow, not just the 7 the eye sees, we have a heavenly perspective.  And we don’t have to travel over the rainbow to get there. 

But unlike Dorothy’s experience with the Wizard, God opens the door for us to see all.  He hides nothing from us, and when in Christ, we have all the riches and glory available to us.  In color.  Living color.  Where there was fear, he now prepares a meal in the presence of our enemies.  And we have no fear.  He has set a yellow brick road before us to follow, because not all roads lead to him, only the one named Jesus.  But like life, it too has twists and turns, and Jesus knows them all, because he is the great shepherd.  Sheep even get lost on well worn trails, he guides us with his rod and staff.  His staff to keep us from falling, and his rod to ward off the danger.  Both loving tools in the hands of the great shepherd.  But like the trip to Oz, we have tests and trials along the way.  Temptations.  And we meet others who need the wizard, who need Jesus along the way.  Dorothy’s testimony of the wizard encouraged others to come along to see, what does your witness tell others?  Do they want to follow Jesus because of you?  Or despite you?  Even the Tin Man needed oil in his can, the Holy Spirit to give him a heart.  You may be rusty and not realize it.  You may have fears like the Cowardly Lion, or just want brains to be like the Scarecrow.  While some seek wizards, we find all we need in Jesus Christ.  And when flying monkeys come into our life, we turn to Jesus, and he protects us.  Our view of life is real and colorful, not just shades of gray.  Or black.  Or death.  Color is found in the life of Christ!

But like Dorothy was reminded, she had the way back all the time, her ruby slippers.  The way back to God is available to all, it takes the spirit to know it, and he constantly tells us”we need Jesus,”  even Jesus knocks on the door to your heart.  Munchkinland may be somewhere over the rainbow, Jesus Christ is here and now.  And tomorrow and forever....a message found in The Wizard of Oz, only through the eyes of the spirit.  You too can go from Before Color to after Dorothy and be born again.  Don’t let it take a tornado to do it.  Find safety and peace in Christ today.  Go to bed knowing that if I die before I wake, that God will see you face to face in heaven.  You don’t have to doubt any more.  Nor live life wondering what all the colors mean.  When he reveals his spirit to you, you find life.  Living color, in a living God. Who sent his son to die for you.  Are you sure of your final destiny?  Even Toto knew he wasn’t in Kansas anymore.  Do you?

God wants to welcome you to that place somewhere over the rainbow, that is as close as your heart.  God is a spirit, and must be worshipped as such.  See the invisible today, turn to Jesus and wherever his Yellow Brick Road goes follow.  Maybe also find out where the red one leads also.  and encounter new friends and experiences along the way. That brings color to your life.  Or fall back into pre-Munchkinland life with no color.  Dorothy was seeking and found the wizard.  We seek and find Jesus.  Your choice will land you somewhere, make sure a house doesn’t land on you.  The colors were there all along, it just took a color TV to reveal them.  Reach out for Jesus today, and find out he was, and is there all along.  Before color was God, and after Dorothy is God.  Color made the difference.  When that color is painted in the likeness of Jesus, the curtain is drawn away, your eyes opened, and your soul saved.  And to paraphrase Dorothy, “I hope you are there, and you are there, and you are there....”

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

taken in by a pretty face

Buying a used, I mean pre-owned car used to be a gamble, but now with reporting agencies like CARFAX, you can get a warm and fuzzy feeling that your new used car is reasonably safe and worth the money.  You know its history, and feel better driving off the lot with it firm in hand.  But one fallacy of such reports are they are just that, reports.  They are telling you what someone has told them, and when was the last time you ever admitted all the faults your car you had for sale or trade in?  But dealers have a much better source, that can give you a better piece of mind for your purchase.  At Mercedes Benz we called it a VMI, Vehicle Master Inquiry, and it was a history of the car, including build sheet info, and all warranty work ever performed.  You had true factory info, for anything done under warranty had been reported, believe me no dealer was going to do any work for free.  It showed build date, all options, and any work done from the time it was received at the port.  It was surprising how many things were damaged and repaired before your used car was shipped to the dealer and put up for sale.  And how many things may have been repaired because your car sat so long before it had its first buyer, repairing lot rot.  All here for the service department to access, not the customer.  And it was a game changer more than once when a customer had been taken in by a pretty face thinking he got a great deal.

When cars are damaged during floods, tornados, or other storms, it is noted and the warranty can be voided.  I can remember some sharp buyer coming in with a new E320, bought in Vegas for cheap, new he thought, and needing some warranty work.  When checking the VMI we found it had been in a flood, and had no warranty.  When the customer threatened to sue, I opened up the trunk and showed him the water line, where the flood had crested.  Which helped explain his complaint of the AC smelling moldy, and some electrical problems.  Taken in by a pretty face, and greed getting the best of him, he had bought a car from a flood, with no warranty, and that we would only try to repair with a $2000 up front deposit.  And we were the bad guys....

Another man came in bragging about the great deal he got on a V-12 S Class.  Bought online, he had checked the CARFAX, no accidents reported, so he bought it sight unseen, and had it trucked to him.  Expecting to drive it and show it off, its first ride was to the dealer on another flat bed because it wouldn’t start.  Again the VMI showed no warranty, even though it had very few miles and was the current year.  It had been a buy back, had no warranty, and its history showed electrical problems.  Mercedes Benz had invested thousands in warranty repairs, the car still wouldn’t run as designed, so they had to buy it back.  And this poor guy had just bought a $100k lemon, less than a year old with no warranty.  He should have kept his Toyota.  Oh what a feeling!  So floods, buy backs, rodent damage, stupidity, and other non-warranted items brought many a new owner nothing but distress.  And heartache.  Only the factory knows the real story, only the one who created the product knows its true history.  We are still in a buyer beware market, and if he deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.  And not necessarily on CARFAX.

When shopping for God, we all make useless stops along the way.  Some get caught up in cults, who take them in when religion won’t.  Some seek drugs as a release, only to find ruin and despair.  Some try to buy their way into heaven, working hard doing good and seeking recognition.  Some just go to church, while others have a positive mental attitude.  Some save the whales why aborting babies.  Some fall for a feel good theology, based on taking scripture out of context.  Some just believe the lie because of convenience.  But we all seek God, he has put a hole in our hearts that only he can see, and only he can fill, so we seek, many times not knowing it is God we are seeking.  Our seeking is for us to be better, not to worship, but to be worshipped.  And many today in and outside of the church go on book tours telling their way, watching the unsuspecting fall prey to their stories.  They are like the used car, no one really checks into their past, they just hear what they want to hear, and leave filled up, but soon are hungry again.  They want tangible proof, if they can see it, touch it, or feel it, they buy into it.  And then along comes Jesus, and when the truth that can set them free confronts them, they deny his truth.  Free salvation....sounds too good.  Forgiveness, you don’t know what I have done.  Besides we all know someone who was taken in by some evangelist, not me.  And so they seek, and do not find the only one who can set them free.  Whose VMI is truth.  Who was perfect, and proves it.  He who was without sin that became sin for us seems too good to be true.  So they buy into religion, or some other lie, and on the day of judgment find they have no warranty.  “But I joined the church.  I went to Israel.  I served on the church board.  I rebuked devils, fed the poor, and even had a Jesus sticker on my car.”  And yet we find Jesus talking to those in Matthew 25 telling them to “be gone, for I never knew you.”   “But God” they will argue.  In vain.  They are like the great deal someone thought they got, taken in by a pretty face of promises, never knowing what was under the hood.  Never checking out the truth only found in scripture.  They were deceived, and lost all the time.  Of course this cold never happen to you....And no CARFAX of their lives can stand up to the scrutiny of a loving God.  Who sent his son so we can be reunited with him.  And our names written in the book of life...with all sin not recorded, as if it never existed.  Forgiven, and only through Jesus is this available. 

Is your name recorded in the book of life?  It can only be found there when written by the hand of God.  “I think so, I once went forward at a Billy Graham Crusade,” if any doubt, turn to Jesus today.  Confess your sins, you can only repent when you finally see them as sin, and turn to Christ.  God will change you from the inside out, not just put a Tijuana tune up on you.  Your countenance will change because the holy spirit lives in you, and even your harshest critics will see a difference. You get a life time warranty with Jesus, but no papers, as he writes it on your heart so you always have him with you to be reminded.  No club, cult, fraternity, social club, or church can offer you that.  Only Jesus.  And while there, check out his VMI.  It is pages long, and found in chapter and verse.  We call it the Bible, and it tells all about him from the beginning into eternity.  With much more to learn as your relationship with him grows.  John even wrote that if all the stories about him were written, no library could hold them.  And you can be part of that library!  Starting right now! 

So like buying a used car, do not be taken in by a pretty face or false tales when seeking God either.  Go for the truth, Jesus.  As fresh and new as he was in the beginning, and is today, and will be forever.  Let his love cover all your sin, let him forgive you, so you can forgive yourself and others.  And when you stand before God some day as we all will, your VMI will be clean.  Perfect.  And your entry into heaven will be worth the wait.  But only in Jesus....the only true God, the creator of you, who knows what you need when you need it.  With factory parts, and no appointment needed.  Now what will it take to put you together with this man?  Only about 2000 years old, some scars....Jesus Christ, a lot more than just a pretty face.  And an empty grave to prove it.  Inquire at the master today.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com 

Dependence Day

Independence Day has been popularly known as The 4th of July, the date it always falls on.  By definition that is correct, but how many Independence Day sales do you see?  To me I see mostly the 4th, and it is probably entered into our lexicon as such.  What are your plans for the 4th?  But July 4th was the day the 13 colonies, not yet the US of A signed the Declaration of Independence, maybe it should be Declaration Day.  A day when men of vision and courage declared their independence from Britain, the land that later would bring us Norton’s BSA’s, and Triumphs.  Also MG’s, Jaguars, and Land Rovers.  But it was not the motor trade they wanted to be set free from, that was some 150 years to come, but tyranny under a King some 3 time zones away, who had never set ground on this new land, yet imposed power over them.  And in doing so they declared that all men were created equal, acknowledging their was a creator.  And that they would be free to pursue happiness without laws to hinder them.  They were true rebels in a strange land, traitors to the Crown, and stood to lose everything they had worked for.  John Hancock even signing so large the king could see his signature without his bifocals.  They were brave, driven, and had a sense of purpose few have had, or ever would have.  They had vision.  They risked all, but had all to gain.  And we stand today in awe of them, and thankful.

But to most it is only the 4th, a 3 day weekend, or an extra day off.  Maybe that is why I like the Hollister Independence Day Rally, which coincides with the 4th, but is based on freedom rather than the date.  And truly only those who ride, who get it enjoy true freedom.  The wind in our faces, no doors and windshields to hide behind, and no climate controlled environment.  Get cold, put on a jacket.  Get warm again, take it off.  But we have the freedom to choose, and only in freedom do you have that freedom to choose.  Two wheels or four.  Right or wrong, you either reap the rewards, or pay the penalty.  And although there may be outside influences, we still get to choose in the US of A today. 

But we find another independence day when we come to Christ.  We are set free from our sin, we find liberty in his love, in the spirit.  But Jesus Christ also demands a decision, and his love is not forced on anyone.  We can choose him and choose life, or deny him and choose death.  True love demands a choice, and those who have chosen Christ know that. But when we come to him, we also run into the dichotomy of dependence.  Free to choose and set free, but free to choose and also be dependent on him.  And without the spirit’s guiding it can be confusing.  A few years back at a biker rally a young girl came up and saw my Christian shirt.  She wanted to know where I went to church and what they believed.  She was looking, but not prepared for my answer.  She had gotten church rhetoric, I offered her a choice.  I told her what I believed, or rather who I believed in.  I told her “I can drink, do drugs, chase women, and cheat on my wife if I like.  But I choose not to, because I found freedom in Jesus Christ, who guides me by his love via his spirit.  Religion has rules, I have Jesus, and there is a difference.”  Her answer was “I want to go to a church like that.”  Freedom of choice, to follow or to lead, and I choose to follow.  Because Jesus is the great shepherd, and I need to be led.  I easily can go astray, without Jesus it is a given, but in Christ when spirit led, I am guided, and able to make a better choices.  And forgiven when I fail.

Psalm 23, the official Psalm of funerals everywhere, should be read and lived long before death.  Because it truly offers life in Christ.  “I shall not want...” says David, and we want a lot.  But in it we are offered two choices, follow Jesus and don’t want, follow myself and want.  And the evidence is obvious, if in want you are not following Jesus.  Follow your career and want, not following Christ.  If education is our answer, we are disillusioned and lost.  If we worship our rides, we are wondering rather than wandering, hopelessly seeking direction.  If another person is our shepherd, we lose direction and get disappointed.  Drugs and alcohol, wasted.  Lust for what we don’t have, we are chasing our tails, like a little kitten, who finally falls over exhausted.  Like chasing your shadow, you can come close, but it will always avoid you. 

But to follow Christ we must be dependent on him, we need to have a Dependence Day in him, when we realize we are like sheep, the dumbest animals on earth, and we cannot make it alone.  We need a savior, and also a master to guide us, to provide for us.  To never leave us or forsake us.  To never take a 3 day weekend when we need him.  We need to be humble in Christ before we become humiliated in the world, we must admit we need a shepherd to lead us, or we will go astray.  And when I admit that Jesus is my savior, I find the truth in David’s words, “I shall not want.”

Babies cry because they want, they just don’t know what.  Or is it us who cannot understand the whining and crying?  Before the world sticks a bottle in your mouth to shut you up, come to Jesus.  You will find like I do I really don’t know what I need, yet everyone will give me advice.  I don’t need opinions, I need truth, and Jesus is truth.  A shepherd’s job is to protect his flock, who is shepherding you?

So celebrate your independence in Christ by becoming dependent on him.  Celebrate Dependence by realizing you are a sheep that has gone astray, and all your talents, good looks, money and connections will not make it for you.  You need the Great Shepherd, who you can know by name.  For like sheep we have all gone astray...and it is our choice.  Find freedom in Christ, not more rules like in religion.  Be who you are molded in him, not molded or bound by legalistic rhetoric.  When you become dependent on Jesus, and are free from want, you experience a true independence no contract or agreement can offer.  The signers of the D of I offered us this freedom 200+ years ago, Jesus offered true freedom, and independence through dependence 2000 years ago.  Let me choose, and I choose to be free from want.  All I want is Jesus.  Now that’s freedom.  And you believe....you know you could still be riding on the wrong side of the road.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

well, isn't that special...

Come to think of it, we all like to think we are special.  And marketers know how easily swayed we are by that simple buzz word.  As long ago as being a kid, reading MAD magazine, they suckered me a few extra times per year with specials.  Nothing new, just some old articles repackaged, they even admitted to it in their satirical way.  But today those specials are worth more to collectors.  Which brings up the next buzz word, collectible.  When my sons were growing up, comics were the rage, and special editions, that word again would be coupled with collectible, and they bought them.  Some never read, put in plastic slip cases, and many an argument ensued over why they paid more for them.  Limited editions,“they only printed 5 million...” and today they are still worth the same, mostly, the companies collecting big on our lust to buy them.  Harley Davidson, that marketing genius who builds motorcycles on the side, made every 2003 a “100th Anniversary Edition,” only coming in two colors.  And with over 200,000 of them,people paid big prices to say they had one.  Same product as last year....and the next.  The Motor Company again did it in 2013, but with all colors, you just paid more for the badge.  The Mustang turns 50 this year, more special editions, and 50 years form now you will look smart for paying extra and buying one.  I’ll be over 100 by then, isn’t that special?

Limited Editions are also a tag used to draw us in.  Limit the production to a certain number, and make it sound important.  “1 of 10,000,000” and someone will step up and pay for it.  And like in collector cars, limited production, usually read no initial demand, sparks higher prices at auction.  Pace Car Editions adorned with lettering will bring more money, usually with a few miles because few wanted to drive around looking like a fool.  “Hey honey, look at the fool in that cool car.  Too bad it has all the writing on it..” giggling.  Add a dash badge or two, number the product, 1 of... and someone will pay more.  And then there are the Special Edition celebrity models.  Add Shelby to a loser car, add stripes, his signature on the dash and you have a best seller.  Just about any famous race team will add money to the asking price, NIckey, Yenko, or Tacsa, yet Chrysler bombed a few years ago with a Sinatra Edition.  Soon to be collectible, few in numbers, see above.  Signed copies of books, baseball cards, programs, and comics all advertise increased value.  At least until you try to sell one in my case.  Original is another over used ad word, things are only original once.  How many car ads have you seen with “100% original except for paint, interior, motor, and top.”  At least they may have used original replacement parts. And so we live in a buyer beware world, our reach exceeding our grasp, repeating the mantra “you didn’t pay too much, you just bought too soon,” when we confront our wives with our latest investment.  At least until the next special deal comes along...and we are reminded “well isn’t that special...”  It must be true, I saw it on TV.

I think we have all been a victim, or proposed victim of this strategy.  Nothing new, as Jesus dealt with this type 2000 years ago.  The moneychangers he called them, and he chased them out, not for selling the goods, but for using his name and his Father’s name as the selling point.  Buying and selling is not a new concept, nor is trading on the name of God.  In his autobiography, Wolfman Jack told how the religious programs would be charged more for air time, but take in many more dollars than any one else.  Promising miracles via water, towels, special edition Bibles, all as a free gift for your donation, we see begging within the church alive and well today.  But we never see Jesus begging, nor asking for money.  He even told his disciples to only take with them what they have, he would supply.  A scriptural concept carefully overlooked by TV evangelists today.  How many planes does Kenneth Copeland need to visit the poor in?  And I can attest to the strength and integrity of God, when I decided to get into ministry, the established ones told me I would need a donor base.  When praying God showed me different, “if you ask for it it is not a gift.  And I like to give good gifts.”  And he has, does, and will continue too.  For a relationship is based on trust, and trusting God will never let you down.  Let all men be liars, and God will always be God.  Which has put me at odds with professional fund raisers within the church.  I have been told I will never make it, never have a suitable income, or be successful.  Isn’t that special?  So why would I ask men who have limited supplies when I can ask God who will supply all things I need in Christ Jesus?  And no, there is no ministry discount....

For salvation comes with a price.  A price we could never pay, so God sent Jesus.  His unique, begotten, special son.  None other like him, 1 of 1.  No specials on salvation, it is offered to all.  No discounts, Jesus paid full price.  And in him you will become special, collectible.  No tag lines, no holy water, no prayer cloth if you order now.  You get the original, the only one.  And forever.  Yet many fall for the spirit of anti-Christ, the instead of Christ offer, wanting it all here, but neglecting having it all later in heaven.  There is no substitute for Jesus, he is the only way.  Something, someone to consider if you haven’t met him yet.  You see he backs up his claims with an empty grave, he is resurrected just like he said he would.  All other gods or religious figures fill theirs.  But how many are willing to buy an empty grave? 

So I stay away from Christian advertised business.  I avoid that little fish in the corner of the ad.  I want the best when I need something fixed, not just a “trust me because I am a Christian” come on.  Plus it gets me out in the world, where the lost are, where the action is.  Where Jesus told us to go.....You may be the only Bible your washer repairman ever reads while he fixes your wash cycle.  Isn’t that special?  Without God it isn’t, with him all things are possible.  Putting God’s name on it doesn’t make it special, only Jesus in your heart is.  Make the switch today, trust him with your life, and find real value.  And know that if you were the only sinner he still would have died for you!  Now that’s special, and only Jesus is that special.  And still at prices you can afford.

love with compassion,

Mike

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