Cadillac-back when size used to matter

The Standard of the World was how we used to identify with Cadillac.  In the fifties and sixties when lower, longer, and wider meant success, Cadillac outdid them all.  A sign that you had arrived, it got you special attention, better valet parking, and an air and status no other luxury car could command.  When my Grandpa would visit and park his 1962 black Coupe Deville in our driveway, neighbors would wonder “who were the rich folks visiting?”  If you drove one, doors opened for you, and we all desired owning one someday.  To brag on our success, to show we had made it.  But in 1973 when gas rose to 50 cents a gallon, the Lazarus cars of Toyota and Datsun the rich used to step over became popular, and Cadillac brought out the Seville, based on the Chevy Nova.  We should have seen the writing on the wall, as downsizing was about to influence our car buying, and affect our success status, as far as automobiles went.  And for guys like my friend Gerald, a doctor, when news of a downsized Cadillac for 1977 hit, panic set in.  True they may be bigger on the inside, get better mileage, when mpg was a status symbol, but they were smaller, and how you arrived told more than the fact you had arrived.  And so his 1976 Coupe Deville, with its 500 cubic inch, not cubic centimeter engine was a last stand for many.  Cadillac was downsizing, following the lead of other GM divisions, and instead of leading was following.  And a new low hit in 1982, when you could get a Cadillac Cimarron, a Chevy J car, the size of a Toyota.  Downsizing was the new rule, and all manufacturers would build smaller cars if they chose to compete.  Ford followed in 1979, with a smaller LTD, which was actually smaller and weighed less than its mid sized Torino.  Cadillac’s tag line of “Best of all, it’s a Cadillac,” had been redefined, dumb downed if you would.  And today we are burdened with Hybrids, the Prius, and Hyundais disguised as luxury cars to remind us.  I wonder what Gerald would be driving today?

When Bill Hays wrote a book about the history of The Boozefighters, the first outlaw motorcycle club, I planned on getting a copy at the Hollister Rally.  We met him and JQ, the club historian at their booth, and we visited.  Then JQ put me in a headlock, he had seen my Christian colors, and asked, “so you’re a Christian, well I have a question for you, can God make a rock so big he cannot pick it up?”  And while gasping for air, and my theological juices flowing, I was about to share Jesus with a real biker, the ones we had been told to witness to.  But the words that came out surprised me, as the spirit provided the words needed, “you don’t ask God stupid things like that.”  And JQ released me, he liked the answer, he could deal with it, and we became friends.  But later I was to consider how so many have fallen into worshipping the creation rather than creator.  While some would focus on the rock, I focused on God.  Today religion has brought God down to our level, rather than us being brought up to God’s level.  From the Tower of Babel, when man thought they had it all and built a tower to heaven to brag to God, to false idols made of stone and gold that fell over in the wind, man must defend and give strength to these false gods.  Religion and denominations have downsized God so they can control him, appearing big on the outside, while God looks upon the heart.  We must be in the word, but how many have the word in them?

Many false doctrines follow us still.  One is if you are prosperous, you must have found favor with God.  Yet it is the poor in spirit who inherit the kingdom.  Some name it and claim it, God being a genie at their disposal, I wonder if their god could pick up the rocks they make?  While others take scripture out of context, and design a lifestyle around it, themselves being the standard.  It seems as long as man exists he will try to find a way to make God equal to himself, yet scripture tells us just he opposite.  For God so loved the world, he sent Jesus to make the way back to him.  He lowered himself in humility to save us.  Salvation is a gift, not a status that can be earned.  You cannot buy your way into heaven, no man has the riches of God, nor is any price mentioned.  God wants the intangible, the unseen, the heart.  And then wants you to display it publicly in his love.  For what does it profit a man if he gains the world and loses his soul? 

It is possible we all will take a final ride in a Cadillac, a hearse.  Death has no social, economical, or religious requirements.  We all qualify, but we can choose where we spend eternity.  And if your life is based on the rock of Jesus Christ you will be saved.  Success is not measured in what we have, but who we know.  Has religion, your belief system downsized Jesus to the point of only a teacher, philosopher, itinerant preacher, or carpenter?  Does your church seek him first, and have all things added on by him, or do you get recognized by your worldly success?  Do you keep your god in a box, are you ashamed of Jesus before your rich friends?  Are the tinted windows on your car really showing the tint on your soul?

So to paraphrase JQ, I have a question for you.  “You say you are a Christian, what makes you different from me?  I believe in Jesus, I go to church.  I tithe and pray.  I’m successful, why do you still pick on me?”  My answer, have you built your house, your life upon the rock of Jesus Christ?  Even demons know who he is and tremble at his name,  they believe in him, but do you believe him?  Can you call him Lord when you don’t do the things he asked?  Do you love and forgive others?  Or is all your relationship religious, all for show but no go?  Do the words from your mouth truly tell us who you know Jesus to be?  Maybe some private time with the spirit is in order.  Are you living up to the standards of the world, of the church, or of God?  Do you believe in God as creator, or do you have more faith in the rock he created? 

Today you can supersize your relationship with God, turning it all over to Jesus.  Be filled to overflowing, having all your needs met in Christ Jesus.  Seek him first, let him add all things unto you.  And lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths.  Longer, lower, wider, may be OK in old cars, don’t let it be the chasm between you and God.  Seek the truth and be set free, even the people could see the emperor had no new clothes.  And the fact your Cadillac is really a Chevy.  Come to think of it, I never saw a Chevy hearse, have you?  Sometimes it’s what’s under your hood, or what’s in  your garage, your wallet?  But what’s in your heart?  Only the size of your faith will downsize your God.  God reached down to bring us up, only in Christ will you truly arrive.  Now that’s success....

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

pre-owned certification, would you pass the test?

Back in the Roger Smith days of General Motors, he of “Call me Roger” fame, when the press asked what he had to compete with foreign imports at a certain price level, he answered “a used Buick.”  It seems for the money GM couldn’t compete, and Roger’s answer told us more than we needed to know, what car buffs thought, and what we already knew, that GM was in trouble.  It had started its downhill slide, read avalanche back in the late seventies, and by the nineties the cars reflected it.  Also giving a new twist on their age old motto “Wouldn’t you really rather have a Buick?”  But what Roger had also said, maybe not knowingly, he had to have some brains to run the largest car manufacturer in the world was, that used cars are a great bargain.  And soon became known as pre-owned in our politically correct jargon infused world.  If you cannot sell them new, sell them used, and roll them units.  And from Mercedes Benz to Toyota to Kia, today all manufacturers, or rather their dealers sell used cars, excuse me pre-owned cars that have been certified, and come with a better warranty than a new car. 

When with Mercedes Benz the techs were put on a revolving schedule so they could certify cars, it was easy money and they would fight for the position.  Essentially the cars were refurbished to like new condition, then resold with an extended factory warranty for 100,000 miles.  And priced way below the original retail price, we all know once you drive off the lot with a new car it starts to depreciate, here was a chance to get a good deal, on a like new car, and with a factory warranty.  And that is exactly how Theresa got her new Mustang, excuse me pre-owned Mustang for her 60th birthday.

With GM announcing last week their average car sold new for $43,988 most of us are in sticker shock.  But we can ease the shock of our monthly payment by buying pre-owned, which we did.  When new a Mustang convertible like hers was over $35,000, way beyond our ability to pay, but not desire.  The car we bought, certified was almost 40% less, we saved on tags, and on tax.  It is factory new except for the miles, and has new tires, brakes, been thoroughly serviced, and detailed....it is new!  And with a 100,000 powertrain warranty, and an additional 12 month, 12,000 mile bumper to bumper, we can drive secure in the fact the factory is there when we need, if we need it.  Comparable used Mustangs, non-certified were $2000 less, and without the warranty or certification, if it breaks, who you gonna call?  The same store that would fix it under warranty....maybe Roger was right after all. And no, we never considered a Buick.

One thing among many I learned from our auction buyers was that the cars at auction were passed over if they thought they couldn’t be certified, or made money on.  The lesser cars, the not primo cars went to used car lots, and sold for less.  Same car maybe, but one was good enough to sell for more, to be reconditioned and sold with a warranty, another wasn’t.  Now I am not saying buy only certified, or don’t buy at a used car lot, but for my money, piece of mind, and follow up, pre-owned certified is the way to go.  And I can use the money saved on motorcycles and trips.  And now in our new Mustang convertible, race red of course, aren’t all cool convertibles red?  Would you buy a Ferrari in any other color?  So why not a Mustang?

After my open heart surgery, they were amazed I was still alive, I should be dead, but could offer no warranty.  I was released as is, no warranty expressed or implied.  But I had, and still have a guarantee from God that when I die on earth, I will be instantly in heaven.  I may be the worst used body, an amazingly bad sinner, but since I came to Jesus, I am saved, and am heaven bound when I leave earth.  Which we all will do some day.  Some of us were not good enough for church certification, some carry about a membership card to show their allegiance.  The day I accepted Jesus I bypassed all that religion had to offer, and got a factory warranty, a new make over from the inside out by the creator himself.  I was born again, with the word written on my heart, so it is with me always.  No number to call, no card to present, I have the spirit with me always, good or bad times.  And I can call him Jesus, for he knows my name, and I know his.  He is Lord, he is God incarnate, he is the prince of peace, and wonderful counselor, the great healer and physician.  I just call him Jesus, because he wants it that way, he wants it to be that personal.  And he chose me from the pit, and daily for over 40 years now is working miracles in me and through me. His love and grace never go out of style, and he accepts me as I am.  He includes me in decisions, but still gives me the insight to make the right decision, and forgives me, doesn’t give up on me when I don’t.  If you can find a better guarantee, take it, but you will never get the deal you will other than from Jesus.  Others may offer goods, position, peace of mind, and wealth, only Jesus saves.  By no other name can we be saved.  And he calls me friend....

Jesus took me on trade when I had nothing to offer him but brokenness and strife, and like the song, he made something beautiful out of my life.  You may be the used car in the back row no one wants, Jesus wants you.  You may have  high miles, been rode hard and put away wet.  You qualify under his terms of forgiveness.  You may have it all, have lived a good life, maybe even be a pew filler once a week, but don’t know God, you qualify.  No one will ever outbid Jesus for your soul, and today many things try.  And will. Today you can get the deal of your life for all eternity, to be saved, to go to heaven when you die.  But the choice is up to you, perfect love demands a choice, it doesn’t force itself upon you.  And he knows what it takes to put you into heaven today....such a deal he has for you.  What say you?

Cars, motorcycles, houses, and other things will wear out, even go out of style.  Salvation doesn’t, and with no end.  A covenant with no end date, instead of a contract with a specified date.  Every day is a new day on the calendar of forever, at 100,000.1 the Mustang warranty ends.  Time to buy another....make one purchase today of Christ, and be set forever.  And enjoy the cars and bikes of life, a red convertible may change your attitude, only Jesus will change your life. Top down, wind in your face.....now about your next motorcycle.....

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25bker.blogspot.com

George's other speed

My mother used to tell me slow and steady wins the race.  Which may perfectly describe one of my techs at Land Rover, George.  George was cool, rode a BMW everyday, always showed up for work, and was very thorough and methodical.  What he wasn’t was fast, as other techs would book 15-20 hours of time per day, George was in the 6-8 range, consistently.  Never to be confused with being aggressive, he always got his work done on time, George time.  And when questioned one day by an impatient customer, “can’t you work any faster?” politely replied “if you don’t like this speed, you really won’t like my other one.” Never have fewer words said so much about the man...

While doing time at the DMV yesterday, I had made an appointment and was in and out within 30 minutes.  The non-appointment line was backed out the door, and over 200 feet long when I arrived, longer when I left.  Why would you wait in line, when you can make an appointment and be done?  But as I looked at this huddled mass of Obamaphone users, it occurred to me they had nothing else to do.  Women with 4-5 kids hanging on them and crying, groups of men who should be at work, and it occurred to me this was their day.  And when surveying the DMV window count vs. clerk’s filling them, 29 windows and as many as 8 open, I realized I had found George’s other speed, it was the DMV!  And just like the gelded Prius owner going 45 in the fast lane, they too had nothing else to do or anywhere to be.  They were George’s other speed, and it doesn’t end there.  Ever need to visit the ER?  Waiting times are in the hours range, yet some hospitals are advertising waiting times on billboards.  Which makes me wonder how many emergencies, the E in ER are really emergencies?  Or are they the same ones waiting in line at the DMV, or waiting for a free Obamaphone, or other free handout?  If you are going nowhere, does it matter how long it takes to get there?  And I could see George in the non-appointment line, thinking I took off work all day, so if it takes all day that is all right.  And from a man who never would own or drive a Prius.  Every man has his limits.

We all know the story of how Jesus fed the 5000 with loaves and fishes.  But do we?  Have we ever considered the dynamics of what it was like that day?  The 5000 was men, women weren’t counted, as were children neglected, so maybe the crowd was closer to 15,000 or more.  A lot of mouths to feed, and a lot of food to distribute.  At 10 people per minute, it would take 150 hours, or over 6 days, no time is given in scripture.  But with 12 disciples, it could be reduced to less than 12 hours, not including clean up.  Which must have looked like Woodstock after the concert.  But think of this, the first fed were home and in bed asleep while the last ones were being fed.  Some had lunch, some dinner, some any early breakfast, but all got attended to, just like the DMV.  Some had lunch there, then had dinner at home before getting to bed.  Some may  have even had time to work the swing shift at the cannery.  Ever wonder how many man hours it took McDonald’s to feed its first billion?  Years of nothing but eating!

Now no beverages are mentioned, but imagine one bottle per person today, truckloads of bottled water, over 625 cases.  And the recycling mess afterwards.  Yet Bible teachers and students who know more than me brag about the 12 baskets picked up afterwards.  Like that was a lot.   A miracle.  My thought is “only 12?”  This must have been one hungry group, to leave only 12 baskets from feeding 15,000 people.  The trash alone would have filled more.  And with no running water, or toilets, maybe the miracle was even more miraculous.  But maybe there is a story within the story, one of hunger.  Of food and for the word.

Think of the fellowship after Jesus taught, they didn’t want to leave.  Yes town was miles away, but they stayed, wanting to be fed more from him.  So waiting to eat was no big deal, as they prayed, ministered, and loved on each other.  A church service unlike any other, imagine having a t-shirt saying you were there?  Maybe we need to ask ourselves, do we hunger after Jesus as much as we hunger after food?  Maybe these folks did, maybe they didn’t want to leave his presence, and the food was only because it was needed, not desired.  How long would you sit in church?  You get hungry again after eating, and need three meals per day.  And you expect your spiritual appetite to be full after an hour on Sunday?  Is your stomach bigger than your heart?  Or do you have a hunger and thirst for God that only he can fill?  Are you on a fast food diet of religion or are you in the spirit? Or are you just waiting like those in line because you have nothing better to do with your day, because life has no meaning?  Could you be that Prius in the fast lane and not know it?  Are you George’s other speed? 

Jesus told the woman at the well she would thirst again, he offered her a drink of the spirit so that she would never thirst for religion again.  The holy spirit is often referred to as living water in scripture, from being baptized in it to walking in it, Jesus walked on it, in the spirit.  Today you will have a hunger and thirst that physically must be fed.  Over and over again.  Do you desire the things of God as much?  It is possible those Jesus fed spiritually didn’t want to leave, the hunger was great, and fulfilling.  And they wanted more, to be filled to overflowing.  Just like he promised.  The food was just a physical reminder of spiritual miracles he performed that day.  Something to consider in our daily walk, or next trip to the DMV.  Which leaves one question unanswered, leave it up to your own imagination.  15,000 fed and no porta-potties in sight.  Good thing that wasn’t in California, Jesus never would have gotten the license to meet.  And like it says in John, no pun intended, no library could hold all the stories of him.  There are miracles within miracles everyday.  Only in the spirit will you see the smallest ones, a story to consider about George’s other speed.  For man does not live by bread alone, but from all the things that proceed from the mouth of God.  And no appointment needed, and no lines either.  And at the DMV that would truly be a miracle!

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

notes on riding a new motorcycle

 One of the greatest thrills is riding out of the dealership on the new motorcycle of your dreams.  All the waiting, saving, negotiating, talking your wife into making room for another bike in the garage, and riding past your friends’ houses after you get it will suddenly be well worth it.  All the fine points you read about won’t be heard when the salesman delivers the bike to you, all you want to do is ride.  And ride you will, there is that favorite road you just can’t wait to get to, that first long ride, and first weekend overnighter just awaiting your presence.  But new usually means new, and some time spent getting used to your new ride, and it getting used to you.  After dozens of new bikes, and all the press bikes I ride each year, some of the thrill is gone, but each first ride on each new bike presents some introductions.  How fast will it accelerate, will it stop, and how will it handle?  Your old bike will be the standard your new one is measured by, and seat and handlebar positions that sit well in the showroom may be uncomfortable at 80.  Is the windshield too high, do the pegs vibrate, the mirrors, and how many miles will I get per tank?  How far can I go on reserve?  If the miles to empty light says zero, is that really zero?  Or do I have a few miles left....And for the first 30 days it will be all new, until all your friends have seen it, and the first payment is due.  But for 30 days, the wedding continues....

From my first new bike, bought from paper routes and cutting yards, it was the hit of my senior year.  A 1972 CB350 Honda, bought from Ralph’s Honda, an unauthorized Honda dealer in South Orange, NJ.  I knew nothing about breaking it in, an immediately rode at 80 mph...traded after 5 months and 6000 miles for my first of 5 BMW’s, another 1972, this a R60/5.  I would own 5 BMW’s in my time, and never again, my choice.  I remember riding my new 1977 GS750 Suzuki over to see Debbi the afternoon I bought it, and spinning out on some wet pavement, doing a 360, then a 180, coming face to face with an Albuquerque PD car, who laughed at my rookie mistake.  My 1981 KZ750 bought from my friend Tom in Salida, brought home and sat all winter, over 500 inches of snow will cut down your riding time.  And digging a path the first warm day of spring. 

I flipped a coin with Gary at Handlebar Cycle for a deal and won, my 1983 Honda 650 Nighthawk the prize.  Traded for a leftover 1985 FJ1100, which I immediately rode form New Mexico to Pennsylvania the first week.  6000 miles the first ten days of ownership....about right.  A bike I kept the longest, trading for a 1996 Triumph Trident, the memory of it being erased after only 1.5 miles, you remember things like that.  Which started a string of Triumphs, every two years for awhile, when the warranty ended.  I tried one day to remember all the bikes I have ever owned, another list of all I ever rode is much longer, maybe the exclusions from the list say more about me than those on it.  No Harleys, Moto Guzzis, Ducatis, or Indians, but it is still early and I have lots of miles to go, and a short time to get there.  With our latest, a 2015 Triumph Tiger XRX our new touring bike, 8600 miles including 7300 in 26 days.  Not bad for a 6 month old bike, and not having ridden anything of my own for over 4 months this year.  Like Mickey chides me why should I buy another when he loans them to me for free.  So the list will go on, we are down to four, with new Bonnevilles to ride soon.  So maybe the thrill of riding a new bike out of the dealer isn’t new to me, over 15 times this year, but the excitement is still there.  But somehow that 18 year old in high school on his first Honda still lives within me, and always will. 

Remember the thrill of first being saved?  And how the Bible started to come alive, you wanted to pray, and you made new friends?  For some that was the best day, for me and many others just the beginning. Relationships whether on two wheels or between people take time, and commitment.  Some have committed to a church, a pastor, or a denomination, but have yet to receive the fullness of Christ via his spirit.  They’re in and bound for heaven, and never change, you hear things like “well that’s John,”  and they never become the new creature in Christ salvation has made them.  Some may be engrossed in Bible studies, even ministry, but leave out Jesus.  They talk of God, but never mention his name.  They may even bounce from church to church looking for what is missing, but escaping the who of Jesus.  And miss out on the blessings God has to offer.  Finding fault with the other guys choice of brand of church, and missing fellowship with others.  And we are not immune from it ourselves.  And a lesson from Fr. Al taught me that, whose letter and prayers I cherished.  A devout Catholic, he was often in trouble for serving communion to non-Catholics, he was all about Jesus.  One telling me how he ministered to them, because many Catholics need Jesus, and have settled for the church.  Substitute any denomination you choose....

For like the Harley only, or BMW only, or Honda is the only ride guys they miss out.  Those of us who love God and have escaped that get beaten up over our choices, yet no denominational boundaries are mentioned in heaven.  It is all about Jesus, and all about riding, two minorities that need each others support.  If your riding never improved, who do you blame?  If you never get over milk fed to you via the church, what is your explanation for not growing?  Is the day of your salvation the best day, or is every day in Jesus the best?  When I first started riding it was in a group of a Harley, Kawasaki, Honda, Suzuki, and a BMW.  Our common denominator was we rode.  Is your common denominator Jesus?  Would you be accepting of a different denominational visitor in your church?  Would they tolerate you?  How can you be one in the spirit as we are told to be if we cannot even fellowship together?

Each visit to a new church is like a new motorcycle, it should be exciting.  You get to hear a different perspective on the word as taught.  New songs, more prayers, more hugs, or even less religion.  But the same Jesus...if everyday is not fresh and new in Jesus, step out and ask him why.  You may not like his answer, it is us who need to change, not him.  It is us who still need to die to him, to pick up our crosses and follow.  He did his job, can we say the same?  All new relationships start our fresh, as do new bikes.  But it is the miles that take us places that allow us to become old friends, to know how the bike will perform.  Works with God too...ask him today for a refreshing of your relationship.  Same Jesus, new attitude.  Trust him like you never did before, allowing only four words from your lips in prayer, “thy will be done.” All other gods will be measured by who Jesus is in your life.  Trade in that old time religion for a new breath of the spirit.  Motorcycles will continue to come and go from my life, Jesus never has and never will.  If only we put the energy and time into him we do our rides imagine the difference it would make in our lives.  Today is the day of salvation, the first ride with Jesus.  You’ve got along way to go and a short time to get there....and a thrilling ride ahead.  By the way, that new Indian Scout rides nice...if only I had room in the garage.  So many bikes, aren’t you glad God made it easy with only one way, Jesus?

And like the words on the mirror state, “things in mirror are closer than you think.”   A seat for every person, it is up to you where it will take you.  A life in Christ, you don’t forget a thing like that.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com