sold to the highest bidder

Almost 100 years ago when William Randolph Hearst was building Hearst Castle, he had a group going out around the world and buying art objects to fill it. Pillaging may be a better word, as many of the places he bought them from were in depression, needed fast cash, and were not nearly as valuable then as they would be someday. One particular painting escaped his collecting, and he wanted it badly, even threatening to fire the entire group if they couldn’t locate it.  Which they finally located after an exhaustive search.  It was stored in one of his warehouses, he owned it and didn’t know it.  So desirable, and lusted after, he didn’t even know it was his.  And today it resides in his collection, that was so priceless at his death, he had to give it all to the state of California upon his death, so his estate could cover the inheritance taxes.  And so today many follow in his footsteps, the lustful ones, hoping that in Uncle Miserable’s attic a valuable artifact is found and they inherit it.  But the sad part about Heart and his collection was the raping and pillaging of Europe’s legacy for his own collection.  Robbing countries of their heritage, things that should have been part of a national archive now are his in a foreign land.  And it still goes on today, to a lesser, or maybe to a greater extent....

Three thoroughly American iconic items are now no longer American owned.  Brands you know, but that have become part of a larger world empire, based in other countries.  30 years ago the Japanese bought up much of Hawaii, that was only a foretaste.  Today The Hotel Del Coronado, the second largest wood building in the US of A, and an icon in itself is owned by the Chinese.  Money talks, how many Chinese yuan did it take to sell out?  And was it all worth it?  Each time I visit the Hotel Del it somehow looks different to me, maybe it is how I look at it.  Born in the USA....owned by the Chinese.

Anheiser-Busch, whose roots in American culture go back into the 1800’s, and who produce Michelob and Budweiser, the most wide spread, best known American beer.  Owned by a European conglomerate, somehow taking the edge of of Brewed In America.  That made in America recipe now part of a portfolio of a conglomerate who could care less about its heritage, but only it profitability.  As far as beer goes Bud is as American as it gets, but now you must go to Europe to talk to the brew master.  It may be an American beer, but now is brewed by a non-American company.  Somehow it doesn’t seem right...

And then there is the Jeep.  You don’t get more American than that, born and bred in the USA during WWII, it is the ultimate iconic four wheel drive vehicle.  From basic to luxury, it is the one others emulate when they design a 4WD, yet after being sold by Willys, as in “what you talkin’ about Willis?” to Kaiser, another American icon, then becoming part of American Motors, then purchased by Chrysler, another American icon, weathering the pillaging by Daimler Benz, who wanted their trucks, it was given away for pennies on the dollar by the worst president in our history to the Italians.  Who change governments like we change cell phones, maybe more.  And today Jeep is part of FCA, FIAT, Chrysler America.  Yes, that FIAT, Fix It Again Tony.  What a let down, what a depressing thought.  Imagine buying a Jeep thinking you are buying American, when all the money goes from dollar to lira, to Italy.  The vehicle that helped us, the US of A win WWII from the Italians, now is owned by them.  What next, Harleys made in India, Triumphs made in Thailand, Hondas made in the US of A?  Yes...but still owned by the parent company based in the country where they were born.   Maybe you can’t get sushi at Mickey D’s yet, but it’s coming....are you ready?  All sold to the highest bidder.

So who you pledge your allegiance to with your hard earned dollar, yes US dollars is important.  And who you pledge allegiance to with your heart and soul is too.  As Christians we have passed from death to life in Jesus, by faith.  The same faith that Abraham had, that Job had, that Paul had, and the same as all who call Jesus Lord.  A faith that makes us a friend with him, and gives us a justification that we are to be declared as acceptable to God, by God.  A relationship based on God, promoted by God, and one you cannot earn or promote.  It is a gift, based on who Jesus is, not who your are.  On what he did, not on what you do.  You are at peace with God, the spirit lives within you, and heaven awaits.  And this peace he gives goes way beyond an emotion or a situation, it begins in the heart and is reflected outwards.  It is spirit driven, and we live a life forgiven.  Under grace.  But yet we fall, sometimes many times daily, and need to renew, to remind us of that justification that Jesus provided for us.  That although we will fall, and sin again, something we all vow to never do at the moment of being born again, God knows better, and we still have the faith he gave us to return to him.  Being born again is just the beginning, not the end.  But we beat ourselves up, some going as far as to think they have lost their salvation, yet my salvation doesn’t depend on what I do or have done, it isn’t all about me.  The essence of my faith is based on Jesus, and what he did, and he will keep me.  For when I confess my sin I am doing it based on trust, and like Abraham who trusted God and was found righteous, so am I, and so are you.  No mater what you drink, what you drive, and where you spend the night.

Companies may change owners, once you are Christ’s he never lets you go.  He sought you and bought you with a price that couldn’t be negotiated.  Who owns you now, because the price of heavenly inheritance could never be paid by us, and rather than be donated to the state or auctioned off, he owns us.  We are his.  But still with a will of our own.  Yet we trip over marketing and global boundaries in our quest to find that which we have lost.  I laugh at those who pay userous prices for the Mexican Coca Cola, “it is a different formula, the old Coke,” and they are wrong.  Carbonation makes the difference, it is flatter than the US version, yet many pay 10 times for the flatter tasting soda.  Fortunately Coke is still based in Atlanta....

So what does your life say about your origin in Christ?  And your final destination?  Are you living a life based on who you are, or who Jesus is?  Are you driving an American icon to church, when all the profits go back to Italia?  We may sell our American heritage, but never give up your heavenly heritage, who you are in Christ.  The earth will pass away, our bodies wear out, and we will need new ones and a place to stay for eternity.  God’s offer is still valid today, confess your sin, renew your faith in who you trust and don’t look back.  For the Jeep with Firestone tires, owned by the Japanese, the Big Gulp in the cup holder, also Japanese owned, the Holiday Inn you stay at, English owned, the Shell gas owned by the Netherlands, and the hand washing you do with Dial soap- now German owned are all companies that sold out to the highest bidder.  Still buying American?  Unlike the release form on the internet, Jesus will never sell you or your name, trade you or put you on a mailing list.  You are his and his alone, he calls you friend.  Made in and Born in are two different things....made in America, born again into heaven. 

Think I’ll go to the movies to relax, no wait, AMC owned by the English, Ben and Jerry’s by who?  The Dutch?  Whose book is your name written in makes all the difference.  Ask yourself, what have you gained in the world that is worth your soul?  Sold to the highest bidder....

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

how will you leave the game?

The year I coached basketball was much different than the season of coaching football.  In football, when they acted up, I just lined them up and let them hit each other, which seemed more fun to them than punishment.  But in basketball, you could only run so many laps or wind sprints, so on occasion I would let them line up and hit each other, on the wrestling mats, which seemed like more fun to them than punishment. It seems that no matter the age, we all have a level of attention span that once we reach it, or for me approach it, we lose interest, and want to change.  Admit it, we are all more normal than we think.  And at an age where clumsy is the most developed skill, these 8th grade boys had it down to a science.  Run over it, bump into it, forget what team you are playing on, or which basket is yours, and then blame someone else, usually the coach. Not to say there was not some truth in the last statement, but they were all about themselves first, cheerleaders second, and the team a distant third.  They wanted to win, so they could show off, and I had one kid, Jason, who liked to show off.

He was bigger than the others, and clumsier, but due to his size was used to getting his way.  You could out think him, but you could not out muscle him.  But one game all his basketball skills came together, and he was playing the game of his life.  He was getting rebounds, blocking shots, making shots, and there was no fighting with his team mates or me...until the end of the game.  Even the fans had seen what a good game he played, and so with the team leading, and Jason playing way over his head, I took him out with less than a minute left.  And he went crazy on me, “I’m doing so well, why are you taking me out?”  And he wouldn’t listen, and missed all the applause from the fans watching.  I had removed him to take a curtain call, to be applauded for and recognized for his game, but he was so selfish he didn’t get it.  Until I did it again a few seconds later for anther team mate, who did get, then Jason finally did too.  He was so wrapped up in himself he missed his chance to be rewarded, possibly for the first and last time as he had played the game of his life. 

Over the years I have attended various churches where the pastor was not only loved, but almost canonized.  They quoted him, went to church to see him, and it was all about him.  At least to those in attendance.  And love and adoration are one thing, but worship of the man is another, and you fall short of God on both counts.  Ever notice after church when a few go up to the pastors up front, one has a line waiting to see him, the others left to talk among themselves?  A friend of mine in such a church tells of how the line to be baptized in the ocean brings out many, but while 4 or 5 men are there to perform the baptism, only one has a line.  He has found that those in that line tend to brag who baptized them, it is more about the who than the why, and sadly to them without knowing it, they have publicly acknowledged it as only a religious ceremony.  And miss out. They want the adulation, when it is supposed to be all about Jesus, and sadly many don’t get it afterwards either.  Too bad you cannot line them up and let them hit each other....

We find in scripture that Jesus never baptized anyone.  He was there when John the Baptist did, but John performed the baptism, so none could brag on who baptized them.  As if being baptized by J the B wouldn’t have been cool enough.  But Jesus stayed in the background, and as John faded, Jesus grew.  Until soon it was all about Jesus, with John finally getting his head removed and served on a platter to the king.  A lesson for those who serve and to those they serve, it must be all about Jesus, or it is about something else-yourself.  And a price for your soul will be paid, better to have Jesus pay for it rather than yourself, for you can never pay the price he paid.  John baptized by water, Jesus by the spirit, which gives life.  Baptism in itself will not save, it is a public recognition of who Jesus Christ is.  And today you may be given the chance for a curtain call, to share Jesus with someone, remember it is not about you.  It may be your testimony, but without Jesus you have nothing.

Your reaction will tell more than your actions, so be alert, keeping your eyes on God.  Pride is a subtle thing sometimes, and we may not start out seeking it, but soon we are chasing after the acknowledgment and honor of others.  Anyone who shares the gospel has to be aware of this, we are just witnesses, not the reason.  Jesus is who we represent, not ourselves, our church, or our pastor.  We represent Jesus, a living, loving, forgiving savior.  John may never sought attention to himself, but he paid the price.  Some are in the way, some are in the way and cause others to stumble.  Some block the way, some have strayed from the way, but only Jesus is the way.  And be warned, they may not remember your words, but they will remember your actions, and reactions.  Jason missed the chance he was seeking because he was only looking at himself. Pride will do that.  No one will brag in heaven about church size, who was their pastor, who they led to the Lord, whether KLOVE was set on their radio, or how many Billy Graham crusades they attended.  Add how many times you read through the Bible, countless note taking, and endless Bible studies, and you will find the only thing you have in common with us in heaven will be we gave our lives to Jesus.  Nothing else to brag about.  If it is important then, it must be now, for Jesus himself promised in his prayer “on earth as it is in heaven.”  Now that is something I want to relate too.  And how much cooler is it when he recognizes me? 

Sadly Jason only related to leaving the game early because he had fouled out so many times.  He never knew you could leave the game in good standing.  Do you?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

never underestimate the value of a sixth grade education

The Clampett household was all abuzz, as Uncle Jed’s nephew Jethro was graduating from the sixth grade.  They were exceptionally proud of him, so his Uncle went out and let him pick out a watch for his graduation present.  After picking out his prize, he could hardly wait to get home and show it off.  “Look Granny,” he excitedly said, “checkout the hands on the little mouse.”  But one look at Mickey, and she replied “you dern fool, one hand is smaller than the other...”  never underestimate the value of a sixth grade education.  Or on who it is wasted.  Or whom?  Today with digital watches replacing hands on a watch, and even more recent i-phones replacing watches, how we tell time has changed.  It used to be “quarter after,” or “half past,” now it is “6:29 or 7:14.”  We’ll leave it up to you to guess if it is PM or AM.  The clues are there....I’ll bet Jethro knows.

The cable box in our room stands on its side due to space considerations.  And depending how you look at it, the time can be 5:16 or 9:15, 9:01 or 1:06, or 5:51 or 2:21.  Which can be disconcerting waking up and thinking time has past, only to find an hour or two is missing.  Or finding out you wanted to be up at 6 o’clock to watch a show, and the clock says 6:08, or is it 8:09?  We no longer have to ask where Mickey’s big hand is pointing, and today kids couldn’t tell time by a clock that isn’t digital, or anything other than their cell phone.  Watches are stylish, they just happen to be able to tell time.

In 1969 Hal Lindsay wrote “The Late, Great Planet Earth,” about the end times prophesied in the Bible.  A best seller, when I read it I couldn’t put it down, reading it all in one afternoon.  It definitely was instrumental in pointing me to Jesus, although I didn’t understand much of it.  But we are in the last days, and have been ever since the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and just watching the news emphasizes that fact.  But these things are nothing new the skeptics say, and they may be right.  Perhaps it is the intensity, different locations, and how everything is escalating that points to the rapture getting closer.  We are in fact one day closer than we were yesterday.  And the Bible tells us that even Jesus doesn’t know, only his father.  Yet many try to predict it, I even have some friends, they are not enemies, trying to predict it.  So embraced in Bible study, they think there is maybe a hidden verse somewhere in the Bible to tell them.  I avoid them, and last time they confronted me, I asked “does it matter?  Everyone will be in heaven who cares, and it won’t matter to them either.  Do you really think someone will brag in heaven about guessing the date?”  And yet they go on....

The fact is we don’t know, and Jesus doesn’t even know either.  God compares the rapture to a wedding, a Jewish wedding where a man and woman are betrothed.  But the wedding not consummated until the groom’s father feels he can support his wife, until he is ready.  Then with the sound of a trumpet, the party begins, he calls for his wife, and the wedding night follows.  We are the bride, Jesus is the groom, and is making a place for us in heaven.  With a heavenly trumpet sound we will be called home, in he twinkling of an eye, some 1/240,000 of a second.  Faster than a Hayabusa, we will be before Jesus in heaven.  But you must be saved, you must be the bride to go.  Which is more important, the time we are called or the fact we are called?  So we are to live in expectation of his return for us, as if it could happen today, which it may.  But he is also patient so that none should perish, if only he had returned a day or year before you were saved, can you see the importance of his patience?  And why we aren’t old the time?  Too many party like there is no tomorrow, they danced in Noah’s day too.  The party was hearty in Sodom and Gomarrah, now no trace of them remains.  Don’t think you have tomorrow, waiting is a tool of the devil, and waiting and delaying are two different things. We are waiting for his return, you may be delaying the day of your salvation thinking the party isn’t over yet.  Don’t be left behind!

So the signs are there, as many refer to the signs of the times.  Crime is rampant, prisons are on overload.  Schools are a mess since God has been denied access in 1963.  We now have fire, earthquake, hurricane, and other strange weather seasons.  Lies are acceptable, cheating permitted, and no one has respect for the gospel.  Good news.  But the good news is Jesus is coming back soon, and soon is sooner than we expect. And on that day those left behind will be wondering what happened, UFO’s from outer space?  A Russian secret bomb?  But it won’t matter to us, we won’t be here.  And here is your chance to avoid the desolation that is to follow, know Jesus now, be saved.  And it doesn’t take more than a sixth grade education, remember the song from Sunday School, “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so...”  that’s the gospel, the word that saves.  I’ll bet even Jethro can remember that one!

Now about Mickey’s hands, one is for minutes and one for hours.  But how do you explain the third hand, which we call the second hand?  And you’re worried you don’t know the day or date?  Let’s just hope for your sake it isn’t June 31st, or February 30th.  Think about it....you dern fool. 

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

the Goldilocks bike or a tale of three Bonnevilles

This story is not really about the girl made famous in lore, who couldn’t decide whose porridge she liked best, or whose bed slept the best, and left a mess after finding neither to her liking, but of a choice we are offered everyday, and today’s choice is of which Bonneville is the best for me.  Having put thousands of miles on the three new offerings from Triumph, I feel a bit qualified to add my two cents to the equation, and my personal insight.  When Triumph shocked the motorcycle world back in 2001 with its long awaited new Bonneville, of which I have owned five, life was great, the ego was fed, and there was nothing like the feel of a Triumph.  So we were a bit suspicious, almost apprehensive when we heard the announcement that three new Bonnevilles would be replacing them...blasphemy.  But after riding the first Street Twin, the entry bike, both our remaining Bonnevilles were put up for sale and sold.  We were still apprehensive after reading the specs, but after riding the bike, it was a given.  Unlike the ticket I wasn’t given on my first day out, the CHP will attest to its ability to cruise at 85 mph.  And no ticket given, because he couldn’t understand the Georgia distributor plate on a bike in California.  And how a press bike got here from Georgia without being ridden here....But the 500 miles I put on the silver Street Twin for a Rider cover shoot that day convinced me, and after letting Theresa ride it she agreed, “we want one.” 

A choice of silver or red had me riding one of the first Thruxton R’s in the states.  WOW!  Power, handling, and love those Brembos.  And comfortable to ride, and after repeated blasts of 120 mph, still got over 44 mpg.  Not the 55-56 I got on the Street Twin, a completely different ride.  Triumph had done it...and I wanted one, but still the Street Twin tugged at my hearts strings.  I felt like Goldilocks, too much power, better gas mileage.  $8700 or $14,500?  Do I really need to go that fast, but the handling and the power, what to do?  For now, just ride the press bikes and enjoy.  Until the T120 hit, and given a black one, now knew how Goldilocks must have felt.  Just right, but not at first.  For at first the bike seemed boring, too smooth, too smooth a power delivery, not quite the brakes of the R, not the racy look, but the Bonneville look we all know and love.  Great torque, and such a good, refined bike, I wasn’t sure.  If only I hadn’t ridden the other two, the decision would be easy, but I had, what to do?  And yesterday after riding my third T120, and talking with a friend who is a multi-line service manager, non-Triumph, I let him ride both the Thruxton and the T120.  Blown away by the Thruxton, his reply made sense, “this T120 does it for me.  Triumph got it right, this is the bike I want.  It’s fun.”  And you know, he’s right.  For him.  And probably for me, the Goldilocks bike of the bunch, not too much, not too little, just right.  But somehow I know a red Street Twin, or maybe silver, is in our future.   Maybe this Goldilocks chick wasn’t so anal after all.  Too many choices to choose from, all acceptable, but one fit her the best.  Now if only we can get her to clean up after herself, and not invite herself into some one else’s home uninvited. Never before has the slogan let those who ride decide been more apropos to riding a new motorcycle.

Just like we all ride at different levels, we each walk at different levels in Christ.  And I find that a good foundation when first saved makes a difference.  I was raised on 2 Corinthians 4, talking of how we need Jesus everyday, and how just because we are saved doesn’t mean everything will be fine.  That we will have trials and tribulations daily, but that God is adequate in all things.  And no matter the challenge, Jesus is up to it.  I was given good fundamental teaching, that was applied.  An application of education that I would need everyday. With an emphasis on the holy spirit, and how without the spirit to give life, we are still in bondage to religion.  Spend a few moments in that chapter, it may change your walk.  Jesus applied, what a concept.

Having spent most of my walk in a church that emphasizes teaching of the word verse by verse, I may have gotten a college education without the degree just by attending church.  And many of my contemporaries have grown in Christ like this, but fail to get it all, basing it on the education instead of the application.  Countless hours and years of teaching, but never getting out like Jesus said into the world and spreading the gospel.  Truly saved, and studying to be approved, they lack the testimonies of those out living it, and although they may have a scripture handy for each situation, may have never had to apply it to themselves.  They lack a testimony of being there, and miss a side of Jesus that the trials and tribulations let us see.  Knowledge without wisdom, the seat of their pants worn out from sitting long before the sole of their shoes from ministering.  Maybe even lukewarm, which made Jesus sick, remember he threw up over lukewarm Christians. 

And so while some read about it, and some are out living it, another group find solace in religion.  A rote walk with Christ, choreographed, non-threatening, and traditional.  That old time religion that was good enough for mom and dad, but was it?  Is it?  We’ll tell you what to think, how to pray, and you won’t need to read the Bible.  Sit in your pew, be well thought of on the outside, but silently rotting on the inside.  All three groups saved, but only one enjoying the full fruit of the spirit.  Of which meekness is one of.

All bikes are equal at idle, it is only when the throttle is twisted and power applied that it goes anywhere.  Meekness is that power applied in a Christian walk. Having all the promises of Christ available, but walking in the spirit, the fruits are of God, not us, and when applied via the spirit we grow, we testify, we see lives changed, and Jesus lifted up.  By the spirit.  And that choice is available to all who are saved.  Yet some live like Goldilocks, unhappy and seeking something better.  I wonder, what would she have done if a third bed, a third bowl was not available, leave?  Don’t some leave the church for the same reason, seeking but not finding?  Yet some desire the power of a Thruxton, with better brakes, but never go fast enough to need them.  To appreciate them, they live a moped walk and are miserable.   They read about better bikes, but never will know, for fear cancels out any growth.  Sound familiar, how much of Jesus do you really want?  With all the choices available, which one does the spirit guide you to?  Are you even spirit driven and not know it?  Has religion boxed you in, and only the spirit is the way out?

Where the spirit of the Lord is there is liberty.  We choose, and I want all I can get from Jesus.  To see people saved, healed, lives changed, but by his spirit.  I desire a deeper walk, to mature in him, to be an effective witness, but cannot do it without the spirit.  I want all the power, all the handling, and all the brakes I need when I need them.  If Jesus were a motorcycle, what would you be riding?  Or would you ride at all?  Seek Jesus today and be fed by is spirit.  Come alive, and when a pastor teaches on getting out of your comfort zone, tell him you are comfortable in the spirit, and don’t want to leave it.  Finding all you need in him.  Go past the ads, past the testimonies and get to know Jesus for real.  And grow in grace as you never believed possible.

As for now, I have a new T120 in the garage that needs miles....Lord give me wisdom!

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

 

renewing my lack of faith in the GPS

Now somewhere up in the Central Valley lies a town by the name of Dinuba.  Well off the celebrated Hiway 99, and hidden among the orange groves, corn fields, and almond and pecan trees, it intrigued us enough last spring to visit it, and found it to be a growing, vital community in the valley.  All the offerings of So Cal without all the traffic...sign me up.  So breakfast it was to be Sunday morning, as we found a place well thought of on Tripadvisor called “Three finger Jack’s”.  We noted the address, found our way, and had an enjoyable ride for the next 45 minutes, getting hungrier by the moment.  Once in town, Theresa used her i-mistake to have the GPS direct us, and it did...until it took us into a neighborhood and told us we had arrived at our destination.  If we were looking for a neighborhood and not breakfast, which turned out to be at the golf course a half mile away, on the other side of the street.  Renewing my lack of faith in the GPS, and delaying our meal.  Now in normal times, we would have looked for an alternate, but being car bound, she typed in the address, and we were almost there, and within minutes were parking at the clubhouse/restaurant.  Not quite what we had expected, it was much better, and we parked the Mustang among all the pickup trucks in the lot.  We were getting closer...

The buildings done in a 1930’s craftman’s style were beautiful, inside and out, with the smell of green grass.  We were greeted, sat, and looked out over a fairway.  Food was excellent, try the special, 1970 prices, and all this eaten at a golf course, and neither of us play golf.  And we almost missed it due to new technology giving us direction.  From a place to a place I am sure the programmer had never seen, let alone heard of.  Trusting a 3x5 screen...give me a map any day.  And a pay phone, or be daring, ask a local!  But we found it, and no one was injured. 

Sadly like the internet, too many of us trust whatever it says.  Like an email I got this morning, please respond immediately, I have a certified check for you from a deposed government official.  Wonder if that guy knows better directions?   Did it take a GPS to find me, and will they cash it in Dinuba?  So many have fallen for this, and even if you turn them over to the police, they just move on and try the scam again.  It seems there is always someone willing to gamble with a fortune to be made, or a breakfast to be eaten.  Maybe blame it on being in a car, and not riding.  Blame it on being rural, we were.  Or on the Republicans, but I prefer travel by motorcycle, folding maps, and face to face when I need information.  So please, if I ask you a question, or for directions, don’t whip out your i-something....or we’ll both be lost.

I was interrupted some time ago by a woman who told me I was being judgmental, “no I’m not, I’m describing you.”  I then asked her “why do only people caught in sin accuse us of judgment, and aren’t you doing that yourself, judging me?”  The name she called me was unprintable here, but we talked later, she knows me better.  I was just describing her and her situation, homeless, lost and hurting.  Not how she wanted to be.  Wanting to help, and she knew it.  And she became a regular at our Bible study.  Her reaction is normal, admit it, none of us like to be judged, maybe because we all share the same sins.  And yours are easier to see then mine, so I’ll blame you.  First. And as a moral people, we tend to think we are above pointing a finger at others, and get defensive when it is pointed at us.  But we truly all share common sin, and as Paul writes, when you condemn an other person, you are also condemning yourself.  Huh?  But you don’t know what he did, what he said?  But God does....and we all are sinners falling short of the glory of God.  Some are saved by the blood of Jesus, while others claim their own system of salvation, but we all enter this world the same way, as sinners.  Our choice is to choose how we leave the earth.  And so we try to elude the fact we are sinners, will continue sinning, and even deny the salvation of Jesus.  Our actions and attitudes telling God we know better, as we know ourselves, don’t we?  Or do we?

I an born blind to the truth, even to myself.  We tend to hide the areas we don’t like, or hide them from others, hoping they see a façade of us instead of the real us.  A Facebook equation, brag and lie, post someone else’s photo,and hope you never meet.  And that the other person is not doing the same!  So we are blind, sometimes by choice as to our real selves, and what we accuse others of is because we recognize it so well, and won’t admit it is us we learned it from. 

So why others lie and cheat, we bend the truth a little.  Others betray, we are protecting our rights.  Some steal, we borrow.  Some are prejudiced, we have convictions, and some sentences.  Some murder and kill, we exploit and ruin.  Many times in God’s name.  Some rape, while others have a bad date.  But again we all have the commonness that Jesus died for, we are sinners who need a savior.  And he is the one!

So when I describe you, am I painting a self portrait?  Am I really that bad?  Drop your stones, as those who thought they had not sinned were instructed to do, and ask forgiveness.  Then forgive others, and lastly, the hardest part, forgive yourself.  For if you don’t, how can you love others like the Bible says if you do not love yourself?  Forgiveness opens the door to love, and being loved.  A map of more than coordinates, a real picture of who and where we are, and also where we are going.  With alternative routes, but only one leading to Christ.  So next time someone accuses you and you tell them “you are making such a big thing out of nothing,” remember how we condemn others when we accuse them.  Final judge and jury...off with their heads.  Aren’t you glad God is God and we aren’t?  And Jesus came to save and love?  And forgives?  And somehow despite our best arguments, loves us just as we are?  So get the whole picture, not just a i-something view of life.  And of Jesus.  Go deeper than religion, ask the spirit to guide you closer to him, and hang on for the ride of your life.  For man programmed a GPS, only the spirit can program your life, for he knows the plans for you, plans for success.  And for not getting lost.  But when you do, he is right there with you...he not only knows the way, he is the way.

And Sunday morning it was two non-golfers eating a great breakfast at a golf course overlooking a fairway.  Finally finding the spot despite help from above-a satellite that is.  And being in a car.  Despite all the odds against us, we still found the place.  Don’t let religion be as hard as finding a place to eat.  Jesus is as far away as right now, for he is always with us.  Even when lost, he knows just where we are.  And when we accuse others....well he knows the truth about us.   “But you don’t understand,” you argue.  And you do?  Just be glad Jesus does.  That’s grace.  And why we should say it before every meal.  Or action.  My lack of faith in GPS being renewed by my faith in him.  Truly we all are guilty of the same things.

And thats a three fingered fact...Jack.   If only they knew we rode....

love with compassion,

Mike

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