while riding along in my parent's car

Many a mile was spent in the back seat of my parent’s car going to visit relatives.  The trips were relatively short, mostly to Grandma’s, and they were a total of 60 miles one way.  Travelling old Route 22, at one time the only route between New York City and the Midwest states of Ohio and Indiana, it was stoplight after stoplight going west.  A curious road, for as you got closer to New York City, and the traffic increased, it went from three lanes to two, causing traffic jams, bigger than the ones already inspired by too many cars and not enough road.  But going west to Pennsylvania, our destination, it was wide open after 20 miles, opening up to a bucolic countryside, just the opposite of the urban sprawl that dominated the New York Metro area.  It was the days of 360 degree air, all windows opened, no stops for ice cream or a potty break, and no fuel stops required.  For the next 60 minutes, like the voice on The Outer Limit warned, my Dad had control of our set, and our viewing.  So from the back seat of their Ramblers, we got bored, and my sister and I fought like any bored siblings, many times crossing over the imaginary line, “he’s on my side,” until my mother started playing word games with us, which quickly expired.  Even at 10 and 7, your vocabulary is strained.  So she devised looking for out of state plates, who would see more.  Then the farthest one from New Jersey.  Then different color cars to match the associated plates, then onto trucks as we got bored.  Then onto landmarks, first one to see a giant man holding a muffler, first HoJo’s, first red barn, and then largest barn, different colored VW’s, referred to as Herbies, and the list went on.  A far cry from kids with their faces buried in a cell phone, or adults too, it provided conversation, attentiveness, and the time passed rather quickly.  But this idea of course was not original....

Back in the 1930’s, the Depression Era, a man came up with a company that made Bingo cards to do what we did verbally.  Sold by the thousands, and today, even with the advent of social media, the company still sells upwards of half a million a year.  And of course they now have an app, but can be found for purchase in Cracker Barrel restaurants.  Marketed under the name of Auto Bingo, they actually include four different games, and different colored cards.  Interstate orange, safety blue, and autos, green and pink.  It seems hands on is still the best way to play, and kids today with cool parents can play along with them.  Now from blue Ramblers to white VW’s to green Chevies, you can search the roads for a car and its color, keeping you alert and from complaining.  You can look for an Exxon, Shell, or Texaco to get your bingo card filled, prizes up to the parents, but still the thrill of victory.  Nothing beats winning.  And anyone can play.  From riding in the back seat, to riding shotgun, to the nut behind the wheel, all can play!  Maybe the most fun you can have as a kid from the back seat.  Pre teen that is.  But even then you can play, consider it the original safe sex. All from the safety of your back seat.  And if you must, you can always use the app.  But what fun would that be, remember the fun of filling your Bingo card?  Then dumping all the pieces?  Today you just hit delete...

And so life can be like the ride to Grandma’s or wherever.  Boring without point other than the spoiling you get when you get there.  But the trip you endure is what you remember most.  And the games played, whether you won or lost.  Job faced a similar situation, when first tested by God.  Not a travel game per se, but asking “why was I born?”  And finding in his misery, reasons he wished he hadn’t.  He cannot change the day, and cursed it, but doesn’t curse God.  It seems the situation is ruling over him, and it will get worse.  Like the awful sibling that hits your card causing your to spill it when you were about to win, he finds no joy in the trip of life.  He sees no value in his life, and wishes it to end.  To go home.  To have it stricken from history, as if he never existed.  He hadn’t planned on unexplained trouble, so he curses the day he was born, because that was where it all started.  All the winnings, the good times, and the blessings are forgotten, even if momentarily in his misery.  But life is not a game to be played, yet we are competitive people, and we hate losing.  Or worse, getting beaten.  And worse yet, no being under control.  All things Job faced, and we do, even if it is a silly game of finding the first red Ford, or the first motorcycle.  We want to win....

Last night the Packers were about lose, when a defensive penalty gave them one last play from 61 yards away.  Without the penalty, they would have lost, game over, but on a Hail Mary pass, they won.  No time on the clock, you cannot end the game on a defensive penalty, time had run out.  But the game went on, under the rules, the Lions losing.  All because of a penalty when the game would have been over otherwise.  We will face trials like Job did, and like the games we watch.  Jesus promised us there will be tribulation, if your faith wavers, and you have trials, they can be a great faith builder.  It is in tough times that we draw closer to him.  But it takes Jesus in your life to win.  Life is more than a game to pass time, to win one day and lose the next.  It is played like a marathon, to win.  And at the end, the finish is what counts.  Not what we accomplished or didn’t.  Not how many Bingo cards we filled, or blue Chevies seen, or Hondas passed.  It is who we say Jesus is, and when we let the spirit guide us, we will win.  God doesn’t promise to take us around our problems, he does promise to take us through them.  At one point Job even asked God to take him home, but he didn’t give up on him.  For even when life looked absolutely hopeless, he knew God well enough that God had everything under control.  And he still does today.  He calls it love, we forget that sometimes. 

It is in the tough times we build the best testimonies.  Seeing the elusive green Plymouth sticking out from behind the drive in just may give you the victory.  Being given a final chance after the whistle blows can bring victory.  All planned by God, for your benefit.  But what about the ones you beat?  Well, it taught me to look for cars behind buildings, and in parking lots, not just what was in front of me.  It taught me to seek Jesus, and forego religion, playing life by God’s rules rather than man’s.  The Lions will never forget the penalty, and realize the game isn’t over until it’s over, eve after the final whistle has blown and time has run out. We all play the game of life to win, whether on a 100 yard field or from the back seat of a sedan.  And only in God will we win the final prize, heaven. 

God is always at work in our suffering.  He never fails.  Right now he is at work taking you through your trouble.  Are you listening?  He may be pointing out things you may have overlooked.  Or have forgotten.  Look to him, not the situation.  Where your eyes go, your body will follow.  So look to Jesus, and hang on for the ride of your life.  You will not always ride in the back seat, some day  you may find yourself behind the wheel or handlebars.  And the perspective of the ride will change, but don’t give up on the destination.  When we arrive it will all be worth it.  Home is where Job asked God to take him, and God answered, but with a different route than Job had planned.  Life it seems will interfere with our plans.  Job had along ride ahead, so do we.  The one who guides you will make all the difference. 

“Hey look, a green and white AMC behind the A&W...I win!”  And the next game begins....

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

back when the doctor gave gifts

Good old Mr. Wilson left after his physical with the family doctor.  He was miserable as he was fine, except he was told to go on a diet.  Even 60 years ago that was the standard advice given after a physical.  But upon leaving the office with Mrs. Wilson, Dennis goes back and reminds the doctor he forgot to give good old Mr. Wilson his toy.  And the doctor responds by reaching into the toy box and letting Dennis pick one out for him.  Such was the practice, no pun intended of going to see the doctor when I was a kid.  A much different scenario from today’s office building complex, with waiting rooms the size of a small auditorium.  Growing up it was common for the doctor to have his office in a wing of his home, his wife was a nurse and receptionist, and both knew us all by first name.  Consultations were like family discussions, as they listened to your complaints and comments, and a follow up phone call was not unusual-at no charge.  They actually cared about you, and the toy was often an incentive to lure us young kids in, with the reward of some small toy as the reward for getting a shot, or having your tonsils looked at, or being assured the latest case of zits was just normal for your growing up. 

Our dentist, Dr. Grill, became friends with my parents, as in the small town they lived in, they were both in some common social clubs.  They would see each other at the gas station, or their wives while shopping.  And even though they were friends, it was always Dr. Grill, and my parents addressed as Mr. and Mrs. Mohn.  A bit formal for today, but more courteous.  Personally I didn’t care for the dentist, or any other person who stuck their hands in my mouth.  But waiting for me after the hands in mouth episode was the treasure chest.  Always stocked with cheesy toys, like plastic soldiers, a doll for the girls, or some cheap 50 cent toy your mother would never buy for you, because one-you really never wanted one, and two-they broke or got lost immediately upon getting home, if they lasted that long.  But the draw of a free toy was too much to resist, and great time was spent making the decision.  Even then our negotiating skills were being honed for future adult car buying.  Toy soldiers, or a Yogi Bear squeeze toy?  How about a Barrel of Monkeys, many an afternoon spent playing with them in boredom.  Or a fake diamond ring to impress your friends?  But the one I longed for was the toy hypodermic needle, that gave way when pretending to give someone a shot.  “It’s my turn Doc, bend over and get ready...” but as always some one had always beat me to it.  And so when Dennis went back for Mr. Wilson’s toy, it was only natural, and another thing for today’s kids to question their parent’s about.  “You mean the doctor really gave you a toy for going to see him?”

Yes they did, and it was considered bedside manner.  A time when doctors didn’t see 8 patients an hour in an industrial looking, impersonal office.  When a lollypop was offered to help fight back the tears, and a hug provided free of charge.  A time when house calls were done, and you had the doctor’s home phone number, only using it when really needed, respecting his free time with his family.  You saw them in public and were polite, and Dr. Santoro, our family doctor, my parents gave him the ultimate honor by naming one of their cats Edgar after him, was even the team physician in high school, and did our sports physicals.  Who always greeted you by name, and told you to say hello to your parents for him, making you feel special after turning your head and coughing.  So yes medicine, and those who practice it has changed, but sadly common courtesy also has.  With an interesting duplicit situation today, show up early and wait, show up late and be billed for a missed appointment.  No longer greeted by “Hi Mike,” but now “insurance card and picture ID please,”  the please optional, not mandatory or expected. 

So the days when doctors gave gifts is long gone.  And maybe one last trip to the treasure chest is in order.  Maybe a way of them showing care and compassion, rather than just hearing “next,” and being identified by your patient number.  When Johnny Rivers sang Secret Agent Man years ago, he sung of “they’re giving you a number, and taking away your name...” I sure don’t feel like a secret agent.  But a few years back, I received a letter from a lady in prison, on death row.  She has come to the Lord, and sent me a loving letter, so touching I carry it with me in my Bible. 

to remind me of how Jesus Christ changes lives.  She wrote of reading one of my stories, as she calls them, and starting to cry.  Putting it down, reading more, and crying some more.  And how it was one thing to read the story, but another to be written about.  And for the first time in along time, she felt like a person, instead of just a number.  Today I must admit to her, that I never wrote about her.  This is the first time, and I do it out of love, and by the holy spirit.  You see, it was the spirit that opened her heart, and revealed himself through my story that day.  It was Jesus making himself personal to her, for she will always be a name and never a number.  That story was her trip to the treasure box for her, and God gave her a special toy that day.  And me too, for when God is involved, we both benefit.  And occasional letters are so encouraging to me, they always seem to come at the right time.  As do all the letters I get from inmates who I write too.  They are not forgotten by me, and never by Jesus either, who knows them by name, and has forgiven them.  Who wants them to share their testimony with others in jail, as his spokesman.  Prison walls may make them a prisoner, but no walls can keep his spirit from changing lives.  Even on death row, Jesus is saving and changing lives. A lesson precious to me. 

And so I must admit I was never going to admit to my lady in prison this story, but today I hope to encourage her with it.  I remember her.  To remind her how much Jesus loves her, and how much I appreciate her.  How she and others who go by number are still known to me and God by name.  Who have been forgiven, just not by the state.  But who upon death will be set free forever, along with the Apostles Paul, Peter, John, and all the others who claim Jesus.  Who died terrible deaths, who endured prison, beatings, and public ridicule for him.  The day is coming when the treasure chest in heaven will be opened to us all, and the prizes will be beyond description.  And we will never look back.  We will be face to face with a loving personal God who loves us, and cares for us.  And does even now, in spiritual ways we cannot define.  Only Jesus can take away your number, because he remembers your name.  And to all who read this, he knows yours too.

The days of the doctor giving gifts is long gone, God still gives gifts, blessings.  And he loves to give them, so let him.  Reach into his treasure box of love today, get to know him, and see him in a new way.  One who loves you, is compassionate, considerate, and a gentleman.  Who sent his son to die for you, so you can live in him.  Go back like Dennis did, and remind God of the present he gave you, and give it to others.  Doctors still practice medicine, Jesus got love right the first time.  No tricks, no games, and when you run into him out on the street, he knows your name.  And is always glad to see you. And please, pray for those behind jail, and remember that God hasn’t given up on them, or you either.  One letter from a lady in prison who has been set free in Jesus is a keeper for me.  It’s that personal. I hope Jesus is for you too.  No appointments necessary, and the treasure box is just waiting for you.   Where he knows your name.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker. blogpsot.com

why do we never get an answer?

The wisdom of the scriptures is simplified when James tells us “you do not have, because you do not ask.”  He also goes on to tell us we “ask with wrong motives.”  Two simple truths, that we sometimes overlook in our situations.  Last week a woman was referred to me, a missionary in a foreign land.  She was home visiting, and had a son who had drug and alcohol problems.  It had cost him his job, his marriage, and he was living with another brother, causing division between his wife and him.  This woman was due to go back to the field, but wanted to stay with her son here and help him, to get him into a program.  I asked about his father, she said he also was a drunk, they were divorced, and he was living in another state, and had no contact with the family.  She also said his step father was also a drunk, do we see a problem here, a pattern, and was also bad news.  Her heart was breaking for her son, as any mother’s would, and she was torn between the mission field and her family.  I was firm, but told her she needed to make a decision, and that her family came first.  It seems she had been shopping her situation, and had gotten multiple replies.  I advised her to quit shopping her problem, and to go with what God told her to do.  She wanted to stay, and I found out today she went back.  With her husband, and if my accounting was correct, this is #3.  Which she didn’t tell me about.  Which still may not have affected my answer.  But no matter what, her son’s problem remains, she is miserable and in another country away from him, and even though he is in his thirties, she is still his mom.  Not sure which man he calls father, dysfunction seems the rule here.  I feel bad for all concerned, but somehow I feel misled, if she didn’t tell me about husband #3, if there is one, what else didn’t she tell me?  Ask anyone, I ask a lot of questions, and I meant well with my advice, but without all the answers, I cannot provide the best one.

Sadly this is not an isolated event.  The main thing not going to God, when Jesus is referred to as the wonderful counselor.  She had not asked the right person, and in shopping her problem, only made it worse.  Her motives may have been pure, but with so many layers of problems, not having all the information, or truth, no one can make an affective answer, let alone the right one.  So why do we by-pass God, and go right to man? God knows all things, is all loving, and the wonderful counselor?  And is free, why settle for anyone else?  Yet we do in many situations, thinking we might burden him, he is busy, but really we are afraid we may not like his answer.  It may cause us more initial grief until we see the solution.  God sees it different, you cannot have Easter without Good Friday.  She was facing a Good Friday situation, as we all do, and didn’t win the victory at her cross, which Jesus tells us to lay down and pick up his, and follow.  And so she goes on....trying to minister to others, when she needs to be ministered to first.

The Moody Blues once sang “why do we never get an answer, when we’re knocking at the door, a thousand million questions, about hate and death and war...” but the truth is we do get answers.  We just don’t like them, and many times the answer requires more questions, more answers until we can make a good decision.  When working with Land Rover it was not unusual for a customer to come in with a complaint of “it does it all the time.” My first question was always “is it doing it right now?”  And the usual answer was “NO,” which led me to more questions, “is it when it is cold, warm, high or low speeds, when do you notice it most?” And without fail we always found the problem, because we asked the right questions to diagnose it properly.  We solved the problem, not cured the symptom.  God asks us questions too, but we evade the answer.  He already knows the answers, he just wants us to remind ourselves, to face him honestly, so we can receive his loving answer.  I cannot tell you if this woman made the right decision, I can only tell you her son isn’t.  And Lee Iacocca once wrote “you don’t put two #2’s together to make a #1.”  Seems a nursery rhyme reminds us how all the King’s men, and his horses, couldn’t put a certain Mr. Dumpty back together again either.  It takes the wisdom from God, the ministering of the holy spirit to guide.  And when not guided by him, we are miserable all the time.  The noise of sin and dismay never go away.  And as her son can attest to, drugs and alcohol don’t make it any better, just worse.  The pain may lessen for a while, it doesn’t cure the cause.

Only God can tell you the cause, and the solution.  We need to ask honestly, then listen.  This family wasn’t doing either, and so is being led astray.  Her motives seem pure, love for her son, but the problem of divorce and remarriage seem to haunt her.  She needs help too, and without the wisdom of the Lord, no one else will ever help her.  Love her yes, forgive her son yes, but without God all else is futile.  A wise man in scripture once asked “how can you remove the splinter from another’s eye when you cannot see the plank in your own?”  And so you see there is no isolated sin, it affects everyone.  And only Jesus is the answer.

Today you can call out to God, and he will answer.  Are you listening?  Or do you ask with wrong intentions, because you have been told already, and don’t like the answer?  Hate and death and war go on in every life, every day.  Why not choose, life, and life abundantly, and peace beyond understanding with Jesus?  No matter the question, he is the answer.  And so now you have the answer, Jesus.  Are you listening?  He who has an ear, let him hear, not he who has a mouth let him speak.  God has spoken, and provided the right answer.  Your choice to take it or not.  And unlike the isolated noise from cars, God’s answers are truly there all the time.  He never rests, he never slumbers, so you can.  A good night’s sleep and all the rest.  Now your question is.....

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

 

"we got the rope, we got the tree...."

Baseball, football, and baseball are games.  But they are very serious games, and after watching three blown calls, and maybe more that weren’t so obvious on Sunday night, when the Broncos beat the Patriots, maybe it isn’t a game, but life and death.  Read as big money.  Three calls come to mind, and it just wasn’t me, or just Patriot fans that saw them.  The first was when the scoreboard, the referee, and the chain gang each had a different down.  With the chain gang even writing down the downs, and being wrong.  Important stuff you would think.  The other was a suspicious offensive pass interference call against Gronk, that replay showed didn’t happen, and then again a pass interference in the end zone.  Add in catches that aren’t, or are they, where did the runner really go down, and what is roughing the passer and the game has changed.  Remember how instant replay was to change the game, and make it better, I’m not so sure.  Nothing like 70,000 fans seeing it again and again on the Jumbotron, to make the official’s job almost impossible.  It is up to them to keep law and order on the field, to flag penalties, and remember what down it is.  Also to know when a tackle is eligible, and when to start the clock, or not after a penalty.  And it seems more and more they don’t, aren’t, and won’t be.  It seems the more rules they invoke, the harder it is to remember them all, and no one is sure, even the officials in New York who watch every play dispute among themselves....”we got the rope, we got the tree, all we need’s the referee!”

But maybe that old high school cheer is misplaced.  We need the ones who make the rules, not the ones chosen to enforce them.  As in all aspects of life, there are those who make the rules, those who enforce them, and all of us to obey them.  Politicians write laws, then exempt themselves from it, Obamacare for instance.  Police enforce the laws, arresting the offender, then the courts pass sentence on them, which most times is plea bargained out.  Maybe the Bible is right, that right has become wrong, and wrong has become right, as a good attorney, and a liberal judge just might get you off.  Nothing more annoying than hearing of the multiple offender, arrested for the 20th time, and released.  Add in illegals, profiling, and cell phones recording crimes, we still don’t get the true story.  What you saw, when you saw it, and your vantage point are important.  If the news hasn’t figured it out, instant replay has.  Yes we had Deflategate, the rumors of the Patriots interrupting the opposing teams radio, and seconds suspiciously run off the clock in San Diego when the Chareless happen to be ahead.  I once fouled out of a game when I hadn’t due to a score keepers error.  When the referee was shown the error, his reply, “it’s in the book, can’t do anything about it.”  Where was instant replay when I needed it? 

As on the field, in life too there is always someone ready to accuse you.  All they need is the proof, or enough of a reputation of the accused to accuse the one they thought was caught doing something wrong.  We got the referee, where’s the rope and the tree?  And there is nothing worse than being wrongly accused, or misunderstood.  It is in times like this we need to remember we serve a loving God who sees all, knows all, and is in control of all.  All, includes everything, excludes nothing.  The Supreme Court says so, it is law.  But yet we squirm, and try to weasel our way out of things.  But we are given the example of one man, Job, who didn’t. 

Job knew God was in charge without reading the book written about him.  He knew he wasn’t like the Good Fairy granting all his wishes.  He wasn’t chasing down sinners and inflicting punishment on them.  He was and is a loving God, who has everything under control.  All our situations.  He knows what down it is, who interfered, and who held.  Yet when taught the story of Job is taught as a great battle ground between God and Satan, with Job in between, but it isn’t.  Imagine if the defense was told what the next play was to be, it would change the way the game is played.  Imagine a quarterback asking permission to go long, or run a sweep.  Can you imagine the Nazis asking Patton permission to bomb our troops?  Can’t repeat that answer.  But that is Job’s situation, not a war, but a test.  God has everything under control!  Then and now! 

So how come I have problems?  Cancer?  My marriage is failing?  I lost my job?  Some foolishly think Satan is attacking them, but he is really trying to get God.  We look at the scenario, but miss God in it. Jesus came to reunite us, and in the tests we turn to him, and are saved.  Blessed.  It is the tough times that make the best testimonies, which is why Job’s stands out.  Remember Satan’s words to God, “if you strike his hand, he will curse your face.”  Always the liar.  Who do you turn to in tough times?  When the call goes against you?  When right is wrong,and wrong is right?  Your friends?  The courts?  Someone in charge?  Why not turn to Jesus, who was put here to save us.  To rescue us.  We still have to play the game of life, but we know the final score.  He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can handle.  And that test, you may be being bragged upon by God, “consider my servant...” and you are it.  God will bless us, we just need to turn to him, and let him. To thank him for what he has given us.  And someone is always watching. 

We all know that Job’s tests were harsh, but we forget the last few verses, where he was restored twice what he lost.  We have heaven before us, and the spirit with us to guide.  No one wants open heart surgery, but it brought me closer to God in many ways.  Spiritual ways that defy words.  Heavenly ways, a reassurance of what lies ahead.  No one likes the tests, and some you cannot study for.  But God is always with us.  And so the battle between Satan and God looms over us.  And Satan cannot do anything to us God will not allow!  He always gets the call right!  No instant replay needed.  And his only rule is love, easy for all to remember. 

And so we can do all things in Christ who strengthens us.  And forgives us, and helps us to carry on.  We will not complete every pass, get every first down, make every tackle.  But we win the game of life, we are saved.  Where the records will not count, only our relationship will.  Make the right call today, Jesus.  And don’t worry about replays, bad calls, or forgetting what down it is.  Live your life to win, because we do.  More rules only make more rules to break.  We are forgiven and given only one.  Love God with all your heart, then go love others.  Loved and forgiven.  What a way to go through life.  We won the championship, let’s live like champions.  Job did.  Jesus assures it.  And no matter the score, we win even if it is with time running out.  Don’t miss the final bell, final whistle.  Be saved before the buzzer.  Game over, we win.  Film at 11.  No rope, no tree needed, when God is our referee.  And that is all we need to remember.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

fans don't boo nobodies

Having at one time played the game, and now being too old to do anything but watch from the stands, I have seen the agony of defeat, and the thrill of victory.  I have seen great disappointment when I failed, and great joy when I succeeded.  But again, today like many of us, and all of us at ne time or another, we were just spectators, and able to comment from the stands when we would have made a different decision, which would have led to victory.   We would have made the catch, called the right play, not run out of gas on the last lap, and sunk the free throw.  We would not have struck out, or fouled out, nor got called for a penalty.  For we are all  blessed with 20/20 hindsight, the ability to look back and say “I would have done it different.”  Maybe the #1 thing I have learned from the Chargers, to not do it the way they do.  To not have defeat snatched from the jaws of victory.  To learn from their experience of how not to do it. 

But yet each competitor sets out to win.  An old team mate Chris Richey used to dream of getting the rebound and sinking the shot with two seconds left, winning the game.  How many dream of being rich, and already spending it?  Of going that much faster than the other guy, or having got gas when you could have, instead of running out and wishing you had?  So we all have the gift of looking back, of seeing what failed, and bragging how it would have never happened to us.  A Reggie Jackson quote here seems appropriate, “fans don’t boo nobodies.”  For every boo Reggie earned, it was because of hitting a home run before.  He had succeeded once, they expected it every time.  And so did he.  But as much as we watch from the stands, there are times we need to make a stand, to stand up in the face of adversity, to not back down from a bully, or to stand in there when we really want to run and hide.  Daniel faced this, and it is written there were four ways, or four stands he took.  And the results.  Sometimes with a crowd, or sometimes alone as Paul faced Nero.  He was alone, like Daniel, no one standing up for him, but he was never alone because God was with him, and never abandoned him.  Right or wrong, God never abandons you.  It is us who leave the game early, and miss how God changes the score from one of defeat, to one of victory.

The first stand is to stand down.  To do nothing, when you know to do something, to act like a secret agent Christian, no one ever knowing you are one.  Agreeing with the crowd for fear of embarrassment, or ridicule.  Being the nobody that nobody boos, but never making it to the victory party afterwards.  Never seeing how we can do all things in Christ when he is the strength, our pride not allowing us to fail.  So we act in silence, both in words and deeds, and attitude, too many church folk are like that.   Filling a pew, and not realizing the stench they cause, to the cause of Christ.  Suffering in silence, we never know, only God does.  They claim to be waiting on God, really they are delaying any contact with him.  No trust in God....

The other stand we take is to stand aside, doing nothing.  Or worse yet always arguing over some part of scripture, never knowing Jesus.  All talk, no action.  They know the word, just not the author.  We are saved, so we need to act like it, others outside the body do, so why don’t we?  Too many don’t wish to get involved, to go where they have never gone, and miss seeing a side of Jesus they don’t know about.  They avoid others different than themselves, and give when it doesn’t hurt, but when someone else sees only.  Let someone else do it, or worse yet, watching as no one comes to another Christian’s defense.  They are always calling for prayer, never offering it.  They never see victory, and never face defeat, they are like the mugwump, who sits on the fence, his mug on one side, his wump on the other, going with the crowd.  And wondering why God never blesses them.  I listen to the pastor, done all the right church things, why doesn’t God hear me?  He does, and because you are lukewarm, never taking a stand for anything, never listening, he spits you out.  Better for that one to have lost, realized they were a failure, repented, and be consoled by Jesus.  “But God.....” Testimonies of excuses made, and looking the other way, just not to Jesus.

There will be times we need to stand against evil, to take a stand.  To defend someone who is innocent, or not abandon one in need.  To go against the crowd, to stand out, maybe in a majority of one with God.  To say not to that next drink or drug, or to tell the truth, no matter the circumstances.  To be open about God, to share Jesus by our actions, using words when needed.  To walk the walk of your talk, hopefully in the Lord, rather than someone guessing  you are a Christian.  A sad moment occurred when I called on a brother in law’s business, and the secretary and I got to talking Jesus.  I mentioned my brother in law was a Christian, and it surprised her.  She never would have guessed it.  He never showed it, nor would admit to it.  A place where we spend most of our waking hours, he never took a stand.  Or maybe he did, just not for God.  And so evil creeps in, do not give the devil a foot hold, do not be afraid to call a spade a dirty shovel if it is.  Stand for Jesus, he stands with you.  Remember if you deny him here on earth, he will deny you in heaven at judgment time.  Jesus who?

Finally we need to stand up for Christ, and for his people.  We are one of them, and we cannot do it alone, we need good Samaritans to help us, and God sends them.  He sends people like us, to come along side of those in trouble, to stand up to the bullies of the world.  To declare Jesus by love, maybe to someone unlovable, probably the hardest message you will be called to send today.  To be in Christ walking in the spirit, so you know when to hold them, or when to fold them.  When to argue, when to speak.  Better yet, when to listen to the spirit so you will be guided correctly.  Today you will be called upon to share Jesus, and someone less bold may need your help.  They may be the one bullied because they openly share Jesus, and get picked on for it.  You may be the one God calls to be the Samaritan for them.  Or to wake up the secret silent one.  Today may be the day we see Christ in action in their lives, maybe ours, for the first time.  We may face the boos for taking the stand, but plant a seed for another who is listening, and wanting to know.  But without love the boldness is just us, a clanging bell, or a loud pipe annoying others. 

Standing down, who are you really standing for?  Standing aside, who is really your Lord?  Standing against, where does your power come from?  Standing up, are you getting all you can from God?  There are times we will be all of them, it comes down to who we say Jesus is.  Are we afraid of hearing the boos for standing for him, or hearing the boos for denying him?  Daniel was never alone against the lion or in the fire.  Before man who knew when to be bold, to tell the truth.  He was guided by the same spirit Paul was before Nero, the same spirit Jesus had before Pilate.  And the same spirit that wants to guide you now.  God will provide the words, knows the situation, and is with you.  We cannot do it alone, when we do we fail.  Yes we will strike out, miss a free throw, or drop the pass.  Maybe even run out of gas on the last lap, but God is still with us.  We are never alone, nor face life alone.  And the boos we hear, or Reggie heard, are nothing compared to those Jesus endured for us.  So be prepared in season and out, walk in the spirit.  Someone is watching, God always is.  Your message of hope may be based on how you handle failure, rather than victory.  Knowing it all will never supplant showing the love of Christ, application rather than education.  Offer hope to those standing down, courage to those standing aside.  Support those who stand against, and always stand up for Jesus.  He did for you, what better example of love do you need?

No coulda, shoulda, or woulda in heaven.  And we can have it on earth as it is in heaven.  Jesus said so, what’s your excuse?  We are safe in the Lord’s hands, no matter what.  One day closer to heaven each day, could you maybe find a few minutes to love someone in Jesus name today?  Fans don’t boo nobodies, they look to them when needed.  The victory has been won, the game still needs to be played.  Are you in it to win it?  Nothing will ever sound as good as hearing God welcome you to heaven.  Tell someone today, they are waiting.  Just like you were.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

 

"throw in the chrome rims and you have a deal"

While looking at the new Bonnevilles on the Internet, I sat and began to count all of the motorcycles I have ever owned.  Somewhere in the thirties, add in all the other bikes I have ever ridden, and it is well over 100.  But for each of the ones I have owned, there was a decision to be made, do I buy it or not?  Some were based purely on an “I want one” attitude, while others were when I needed to replace an older one, and in some cases one that had been wrecked or totaled.  So many roads, so many bikes, and so many decisions to make...I’m glad I ride.  I need one.

But when it comes to cars, the feeling or reason to purchase was different.  Too many times based on logic, fuel economy, or where to take the family when they ride along were major factors in the purchasing process.  Checking ads, reading reviews, asking friends, only those who are gearheads, and finally going to the dealer.  And trying to find a salesman who knows more than I did, good luck, and then the negotiations.  And the process can take most  of a day, when I could or should be riding.  And being on their turf, you can see how an away game is harder to play than one at home, they have the home field advantage, and have no problem pushing you into the vehicle of their choice, when it should be yours.  I win most of the time, have lost on others, but still play the game.  Which is why Theresa will not go with me to buy a car, it is brutal.  When she wanted a new Mustang convertible, circa 2001, we found the one, candy apple red, and began to negotiate.  I would call them back, and did after checking prices.  They accepted my offer, and Andrew, Paul, Theresa, and I went to pick it up.  But after arriving the price had changed...over $1000 for the chrome rimes that were on the car when I priced it.  Seems the salesman had failed to include them, so we walked.  No rims at the price agreed, no sale.  The young sales manager was tough, and couldn’t believe with all his charm I was passing up the deal, but when we were about to get into our other car, Andrew and his friend started giggling, “here he comes..” and after the standard of “you’re getting it below cost, and it might cost me my job,” he agreed to sell me the car, chrome rims included, at the price agreed upon.  With one understanding, in F& I, if anyone tries to sell me something, I walk.  No undercoating, stripes, fresh air cleaners.  Nada, nothing, zippo.  And she didn’t and we bought, and we all lived happily ever after.  With no word from the dealership, they still are in business, must not have been too bad a deal for  them.  So I operate on the definition of a good deal, where both parties benefit. 

Right now if you aren’t saved, there is a battle in the heavens going on for your soul.  Until you are saved and belong to Jesus, the devil owns you and doesn’t want to give you up.  So he will try to entice you with things of the world, like new cars.  Or worse motorcycles.  A great job.  All the things your FICO score can provide you.  Even eternal life, just not in heaven.  The things of the flesh, how much did you spend on clothes last year?  Cosmetics?  Riding gear?  Only to look good temporarily, at least on the outside.  And he promises himself, counterfeiting the claims of Jesus, until you die. Slicker than a used car salesman, he will tempt you until you give in either way.  Doing battle with the holy spirit, who is telling you how much you need Jesus.  You need a savior from your sin, not another payment you cannot afford.  He promises the things unseen, while our wandering eye wants all that is seen.  And both Satan and Jesus will chase you offering you things in exchange for your soul, only the truth is found in Christ.  His deal is real, no hidden charges, or “oh I forgot to tell you,” and he isn’t pushy.  He wants you to make the decision, for true love demands one.  But don’t delay, for no man is promised tomorrow, but yet he is patient that none should perish.  He is life, anything else is a poor substitute, and brings death.  So in choosing a god, it is different than choosing a new car.  Or bike.  When it comes time to buy, choose Jesus.  His claims are true, his burden light, and he is the way to his father in heaven.  He died for you, while Satan wants you to die to him.  Don’t be misled by any false claims of his, he is a liar, and will continue to lie and confuse you as much as he can.  Only in truth, in Christ will you know the truth and be set free.  Buy now and pay later?  The price may be too high to pay when it is time to pay, and you cannot save yourself.  All loan agreements have a due date...only the deal you make with Jesus is forever.  And you don’t have to renew it every year, and your FICO score, and all the things that matter her on earth don’t to God.  Whether the CEO, or just the janitor, both need the same Jesus.  All are sinners, no matter their income. Or lack of one.

And if you stop and think about it, buying a car is harder than coming to Christ.  His deal is the real deal.  No closeout sales, and no upcharge for hidden accessories, like chrome rims.  No buyers remorse either, unlike once you sign for the car, it is yours, you have all the freedom you need in Christ.  But why would you want to change after having it all? 

Which is why I haven’t bought a new car in over 12 years.  Or changed gods in over 40.  Jesus gave me the best deal, I took it,and never looked back.  If only I wasn’t so fickle when it comes to motorcycles.  I have had many rides in my life, only Jesus gave me the ride of my life.  And into heaven when he calls....but yet the temptation still exists.  And it will, so don’t buy into a pretty face, look for the nail pierced hands.  Look into his eyes, and see truth.  Don’t fall for religion, don’t settle for less.  For anything less than Jesus.  When it comes to your soul, demand the best.  And only one can supply it, Jesus Christ.  Few figure in the price of insurance when buying a new car, it comes included with salvation.  We all want the best deal, Jesus comes with a gift.  Salvation is a gift.  Even only cars and bikes came the same way.  But I have Jesus, and I still ride.  Two good choices, only one will get me home to heaven.  Make the right choice today, and never look back.  Jesus Christ, the same as last year, the same as tomorrow.  He never goes out of style.  Chrome rims included.  By the way, the Mustang still calls our garage home.  With 6 motorcycles....HELP!

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com