manure shoveling comes in all forms

When we moved to Durango I made the stupid claim “I’ll shovel horse manure if that’s what it takes to move here,”  and ended up dumping crappers on Trailways buses.  Working out of a petroleum jobber in the small town, had me doing many tasks, most of them fun or OK, bus crappers not included.  But living in Colorado at 6500’ winter lasts longer than summer, and our first winter there we had over 500 inches where we lived at the lake, Theresa wanted to live in a cabin.  Fortunately young and stupid didn’t evolve into old and stupid, and the first winter there was harsh to say the least.  We had to park our Rabbit on the road, no plowed road to our cabin, and attach a broom handle so the plow could see it in the snow drifts over 8 feet tall.  Getting to work was a long tedious ride, 27 miles, but we made it every day, just don’t leave before the plows we learned.  And working with cars, trucks, and buses was mainly an outside job.  Below zero as a high temp some days was tough on the hands and body, once cold you never fully warmed up.  And even in the heated office, we still had no hot water for washing up with, cheap boss the reason.  But somehow we made it, as many of those before us, and can look back now with a “did we really do that” attitude.

But working in a service station, not just a gas station, we dumped buses, fueled buses, pumped propane, and various solvents, fixed tires, and installed snow tires.  Which was a big thing, and studded was the way to go.  Using an old hand stud gun, it would take hours doing just one tire in between customers and going out in the cold.  Diesel would congeal in the cold, and be hard to pump, one night we poured some on the ground and watched it gel, and kicked it around.  Using an old steam heater, which are illegal now, many times we had to push trucks and once a bus into the bay and shoot the fuel lines until they loosened up.  Over 212 degrees coming out of the gun, while standing in 20 degree cold.  All in a service station built in the 1930’s, where we provided full service, no matter the heat or cold.  Carrying on the traditions of former pump jockeys, and braving the cold for $2.25/hour.  Be careful what you ask for, you just may get it.  Manure shoveling comes in all forms.

Today what seems like foolishness, and it was then too, was really bragging on what we did.  We were proud of the fact we worked in the extreme cold, somehow it made us more manly than those confined to an indoor job in a heated building making more than minimum wage.  Not sure if we were bragging or complaining, but I was glad to have the paycheck, and we lived in the cabin in the forest by the lake.  But too often we would put on our church face and no matter how cold, broke, or hungry we were, would tell everyone who asked “we were doing fine.”  Lying through our teeth, and they knew it, and we knew they knew it, but continued the dialog anyway.  Never admitting or being honest enough to admit we were miserable, our pride wouldn’t allow it.  But we were just doing what we had been told in church, maintain a positive attitude, which would allow us to evade the truth.  But appear holy on the outside.  I believe the word is hypocrite, we were one thing on the inside, but another on the outside, but cold in both.  It would take the spirit moving in our lives to warm our hearts and point it out.  And after 30 years of no winter in So Cal, I can say it was more than the weather that made us cold, for today you can still be a hypocrite, cold on the inside, warm on the outside, and deny it to all but your audience. 

If you were called it hypocrite how would you answer?  When confronted with that one night in a Bible study my answer was “I would admit I was, and ask for forgiveness, I don’t want to be that way.  I rather be the same in church and out of church.”  Wrong answer as the table of hypocrites launched on me, they wanted to go on to the next question, avoiding the answer.  But in silence confirming on the outside what was in the inside.  We had all fallen into being a church person, acting holy at church, but being different in public.  We are hypocrites.  And my personal battle, which upsets many, is I am the same in church and outside.  Those in church are are afraid of my boldness in living, and those outside can confront me.  But I do all I can to not be a double minded Christian.  What you get from me is real, so deal with it.  Jesus does, he isn’t finished with me yet.  When scripture warns that bad company corrupts good morals, are we guilty of our double minded way of life?  That is taught and encouraged by the church? 

The greatness of your words will only have true meaning with an attitude of love behind them.  Caring.  About more than yourself.  To the outside world we talk of love, but don’t love.  We talk about forgiveness, but don’t forgive.  We talk about acceptance, but don’t accept.  And we talk about giving, but only have our hands out.  We have fallen into tradition, and Jesus warns it is wrong and dangerous.  We have become self righteous, saying the right words, and even having the right doctrines.  But God knows the heart, and wants us to repent and change.  By his spirit, not by some pastor’s book, some denominational doctrine, or trend.  When we are honest with ourselves, we are honest with him, and can be ourselves with others, maybe the hardest thing you will ever do.  We need to realize that when we are hypocrites we are not pleasing to God...and annoying to others.  Case in point...

We were taking a detour to the Hollister Rally last year, and came upon a Christian motorcycle booth offering water.  We stopped, and once they found out we were Christians, the attitude changed.  We were talked to differently now, and one woman, who I wanted to punch in the mouth, ended each sentence with “praise the Lord.”  It was church talk, in the middle of nowhere.  She was phony, I wonder how she would have reacted if she knew that organization had dismissed me because I followed God rather than their questionable doctrines?  Do you talk the same way outside of church as you do at church?  I later asked Theresa “I wonder if she says “well praise the Lord” if told her car needs $1000 worth of repairs, or gets a phone call she has cancer?”  God is listening, and seeing what encourages our words.  Did she miss a good chance to shut up?  Do we?

We will all behave hypocritically at times, but when seeking God, being guided by his spirit, and truly loving, we will see blessings.  The next time the sermon is on giving, go up and ask the pastor for some money, tell him you are hungry.  See what his reply is....and be ready to forgive him.  Too many times we have needed and been turned down, how many ads for giving did you get this Christmas?  I love Billy Graham, but the dude is worth millions, does he need to ask me for money after telling me Merry Christmas?  I get a devotion from another, half of which are ads for his new book or a trip to Israel?  And has denied us when in need.  Lord help us, help me, to not become bitter and two faced.  We all need Jesus, remember he is savior, and Lord.  Why do we call him Lord but don’t behave like him?

If your heart is as cold as a Colorado winter, maybe you need to be humbled like we were.  To have to trust God. Because we had no other resources.  It was our choice to move there, it was my choice to take the job dumping crappers in sub-zero weather.  But God honored us, and took care of us, while changing our hearts.  Jesus is the way, not tradition.  Seek him today, and be one with him in the spirit.  As long as we are fulfilling an outward form we are full of tradition.  Recognize it, admit,and repent of it.  Move on.

Funny we prepared for winter every fall, but we aren’t smart enough to prepare for living a Christian life outside of the church.  Take the gospel of Jesus today in love, with compassion, forgiveness, and acceptance.  When they know how much you car, you words will carry more weight.  And remember God has ears too, and is listening.  We wanted to live in Durango and he honored it.....

The cowboys have a saying, “never kick a fresh turd on a warm day.”  I can tell you never do it in the cold either.  It hurts.  That’s not being a hypocrite, that’s experience.  Let not your heart grow cold....and if your snow tires need studs, get them.  Increase your traction on icy roads.  If only we would approach Jesus that way.....funny how the weather doesn’t play favorites, it snows on both the just and the unjust.  Your job is being the witness the world can see so they can tell the difference.  No matter how high the snow drifts, or how small the paycheck.  When the weather turns cold, don’t you.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25bikr.blogspot.com

Victory in defeat

“I read the news yesterday, oh boy, about an unlucky brand that failed to make the grade,”  the news being the Polaris, maker of snowmobiles, side by sides, Indian and Victory motorcycles has decided to pull the plug on Victory.  After 18 years, and with no warning, they decided yesterday to cease production, leaving dealers and owners stunned, and with only the 10 year guarantee of parts availability.  On the good side you can now pick one up at greatly reduced prices, but for those who bought last week, they took a beating.  When Victory was launched in 1998, it was the other American motorcycle, created to compete with Harley Davidson, and approached it from a performance standpoint.  One ride on any Victory and they out handled, out braked, and were both quicker and faster than any Harley, but without the 95 year old heritage of the Motor Company.  Styling got better over the years, the industrial looking V-twin stayed the same, and they never had quite the romance of a Harley.  Yet they did what others had failed to do, they woke up a sleeping giant, who had to focus on improving their product rather than advertising their image.  But it is image that sells Harleys, not performance, and sales performance is the ultimate criteria for winning, and Victory lost.  Even a good friend of mine who knows Victory’s and Harleys went for the Harley, based on image, and the fact that if he didn’t like the cruiser style, he could get his money back on the Harley.  He admits Harley’s are a piece of *&^%, and only bought it for the lifestyle. 

Sonny Barger and I meet every year at the Hollister Rally and we talk motorcycles.  He hates Harleys, and admitted in his book that “the Hells Angels are stuck with Harleys, and Harley is stuck with them.”  But being the rebel he is, and will only ride American made bikes, he switched to Victory, he likes to go fast and he rides, not owns a motorcycle.  He puts on lots of miles, and likes the performance of the Victory and its reliability.  Told me himself.  But he took one year off with an Indian, found he actually preferred the Victory and traded straight across his 40,000 mile Indian for a new Victory.  Harley not an option.  And is happy again, and when we talk, he knows I ride Triumphs, respects the brand, but it’s not American.  His choice.  And he chooses Victory, we’ll see what happens next....

But when Polaris bought the Indian name and reintroduced a new bike, that is selling well, and even built on the same assembly line, the days of Victory were numbered.  Indian has put a serious dent in Harley sales, forcing the Motor Company into an engineering mode they aren’t used to, and Victory now has no place.  Indian sales eclipsed them, and now Indian is the brand they will hang their hat on.  In the press release, it was stated for financial and profit reasons, and I am reminded about a statement of Alfred P. Sloan, the architect of General Motors, “General Motors is not in the business of making cars, it is in the business of making money.”  While at the same time Henry Ford said “it is a poor company that only makes money.”  So when we remember Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Mercury, Plymouth,and other orphaned American brands, add Victory to the list.  RIP Victory, we hardly knew ya.....Victory in defeat.

The crowd that cried “crucify him” about Jesus had to be pleased when he was hung on the cross.  Maybe we will be done with him, and the real savior we asked for and were promised will appear.  But as open as their eyes were to the cross, they were just as blind to the man hanging on it.  He was and is the promised messiah, blame it on poor marketing, poor PR, or just pure spiritual blindness, but they missed Jesus as savior.  And how they rejoiced, some outwardly, some in secret, for like the Pharisees, they too had questions, doubts, and maybe even wondered, “what if he was who he said he was?”  From the devil and his fallen angels to the last enemy of Christ on earth, they celebrated the victory, they had defeated Jesus.  And as he hung dying on the cross, and after, they must have thought “we won,” but let’s make sure no one steals his body, so Roman centurians guarded the tomb.  But when the tomb was found empty three days later, fear and panic gripped them, what if he had really been resurrected as he said he would?  And suddenly they weren’t so sure of their victory, Jesus had shown them victory in defeat.  You can only resurrect something that was dead once, so he had to die. And today when we die to sin, and come alive in Christ, we are assured of the same victory, we may look defeated, there is a finality to death, but really we will be resurrected, and victorious.  Only in the victory won on the cross will defeat death, and live forever in heaven.  So you need to ask yourself, “will I find victory in defeat?”  Who is this Jesus really who died on thee cross?  Simple faith led you to him, the spirit will guide you into salvation, and it is your choice.

For just like those who buy into a lifestyle and will forego a better product, we too choose how to live.  And I want all the performance I can get from my ride and my life, so I chose Jesus.  For the gospel is simple so I can get it, and free so I can afford it.  Unlike a bonehead friend who told me the only reason I don’t ride Harley’s is because I can’t afford one.  And he may be right, for all the miles I do, I cannot afford to sacrifice my ride for only a lifestyle. Is Jesus truly your Lord or is he just part of your Christian lifestyle?  When Harley dumped Buell in 2009, the marketing VP announced it was “easier to sell $3000 of chrome on a low performing bike than to sell high performance.”  They obviously know their market, I hope Polaris does too.  For I like the Indians, ridden them, and expect to see Victory’s among then just rebadged.  So maybe Victory in defeat will turn out to be a good thing, time will tell.

But never forget the victory Jesus won.  He defeated sin, against all odds.  And rose again.  And promises us the same if we trust him and believe.  Indian is doing well because it has the heritage, and finally a product to back it up.  But nothing compares with the heritage of Jesus Christ, and his product of love.  But like the ad says “if I tried to explain you wouldn’t understand.”  Thank God we have been given his spirit....for God so loved the world he gave his only begotten son, and promised us life.  Life to ride, and to live in the here after.  Indian has been resurrected, so has Jesus.  Celebrate his victory in defeat today.  I think that calls for a ride.....no matter what you ride, Jesus loves you this I know, for the Bible tells me so.  The ultimate victory.  And the only man who could make the grade.  Oh boy.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

how to make an ice pick from a perfectly good screwdrvier

I was greeted one morning by Ivan Stewart from underneath a truck he was building.  “Hey Mike, hand me a wrench,” he called to me.  “What size?”  “I don’t care, I’m gonna use it for a hammer,” came the reply.  And although we laugh, how many of us use tools for other than their designed purpose?   How many long screwdrivers have been used to stir paint, as pry bars, or back scratchers?  Why do we joke of a hammer being a fine tuning device, yet I know metalmen with diverse hammers who use them just for that purpose.  How many of us have rounded off the heads of perfectly squared bolts using vice grips when we didn’t have the right wrench?  Ask any Japanese bike owner form the sixties or seventies about the pain inflicted from using the impact hammer, and when not hitting it and whacking your hand finally take your bike to the shop?  How many Phillips head screws did you round the cross point to a fine circle using the wrong sized tip?  Recently I found out why, the Japanese use a JIS size tip, and like Goldilocks invasion looking for perfection, American sizes are either too small or too large, ruining the screw.  How many among you knew that or even on a JIS screwdriver?  Maybe there is the right tool for the right job, even for guys like me.  It is called a mechanic.

Did you ever jack up a car only to have the floor pan buckle, not knowing there are jacking points on the body?  And blame the stupid jack?  If you own man cars or motorcycles, how reassuring is it to know that when it won’t crank or start, that when checking the electrolyte, you know now for sure it is the battery?  And how many knew the end of the British motorcycle industry was at hand when they converted from Whitworth bolts to standard?  Relegating your whole set of Snap Ons to the dust bin as you went to Honda?  And found the factory supplied tool kit with the assemble as needed screwdrivers better?  It seems that whenever a problem occurs, and the right tool is not available, good old American ingenuity will find a better way, or at least a way.

Riding through Boulder Canyon one afternoon, we came upon an old BSA leaning against the canyon wall.  We stopped and the owner’s smile grew, we were on a BMW who was known for its tool kits, along with tire irons and patch kit and pump, even a rag to wipe your hands after.  But one look at the vice grips welded to the shift shaft told me BMW didn’t make enough tools to fix his ride.  Nor did I care to watch him butcher some of the Fatherland’s best tools.  Which always made me wonder, if they made the best bike in the world, why did it come with the best tool kit?  And why today when bikes are infinitely better, do some not come with any tool kit?  But from using bailing wire as a master link, I was amazed at how well it held, to using the same wire for a throttle cable, I wonder, why do the companies spend all the time and money developing these tools along with special ones, when alternatives are available?  Maybe the old saying “you can loosen/tighten a screw with a quarter, but you cannot make a phone call with a screwdriver.”  If you are under 30 you may be too young to understand....but somehow it all makes sense. Until you break down along the side of the road.

The TV show Mac Gyver has brought out the creativity in man, and shown when under pressure and without tools or resources, how his brain can function as a tool and make one for the purpose at hand. I know very few professional techs, or even home botch it yourself mechanics who don’t have a few home made tools.  I have a set of fondue stickers that are good for removing items I drop in between engine fins.  An adjustable magnet to retrieve them when they are again visible.  I have had many perfectly good ice picks made over the years from sharpening the points on screwdrivers.  What home shop is complete without a set of drill bits that can drill square holes?  Did you know you can stop a leaking radiator by dumping pepper into it?  How many butter knives have served as flat blade screwdrivers for home repairs?  Turkey baster for adding oil?  Or heating up a cylinder head to remove a stuck bolt after wearing the head of it off in your wife’s oven?   It seems there is no end to problem solving, when it stands between you and a ride.  Thinking outside the box, being creative, just like the BSA owner, all you need is faith.

Now faith is an interesting concept.  We all have been given the same amount of faith, yet some seem to have more than others.  Some can see the need and meet it, while others are mired in prayer waiting to hear from God for the answer.  But it occurs to me where faith is in short supply, so is life, limited faith equals limited lives.  Some Christians see the glass as half full, some half empty, while an engineer sees it as a poor design.  But how many will go fill the glass when empty and drink from it when full?  Rather they contemplate rather than act, and their faith is revealed.  Delaying rather than waiting, those who have faith move on.  And such was the case in Nazareth in Jesus’s day.  To many there he was just Joe’s kid the carpenter.  He might have built them furniture. lent them tools, or even gone on an emergency run.  How could this carpenter know so much about the scriptures?  And from times when he didn’t perform like the genie in the lamp for them, and he was run out of town, to a later return with such wisdom, many questioned “how can any good come from Nazareth?”  They only saw their own failures, they never saw Jesus.  And so no record of miracles are found coming from Nazareth.  They tried using Jesus for the wrong purpose, and without faith ended up with broken tools. Yet some tools are clean and never used, like faith....

When we try to explain the spiritual in physical terms we will fail every time.  The spiritual tools of faith and hope and love come only form Jesus, and must be used accordingly.  Not for personal gain, or to harm, but to fix and heal.  To aid in solving a problem, yet many spiritual tool kits have the tools but are still new and shiny, never used because of lack of faith.  Under legalism they let the family starve rather than fed them with tithe money.  They break commandments by being used by religion, giving to the church, as opposed to God.  And not knowing the difference.  Ye  it is using our little faith that builds trust, and we see things through God’s eyes and the results are much different.  Each one of us has been given a special tool upon salvation, the holy spirit.  And it is only when we are led by the spirit does the tool become useful. And his call to us is that we can be enriched beyond our wildest dreams, seeing his full grace in action by trusting him, by exercising the gift of faith.  Which is in your tool box if you take time to look.

So maybe a hammer can adjust, a screwdriver mix, or a quarter serve as a screwdriver.  A butter knife can both spread butter or turn a screw.  But only Jesus saves, and only by his grace.  No tool can substitute for his purpose, God’s purpose which is to see us reunited with him and forgiven.  The cross was the tool he chose that day, and today he asks you to pick up yours and follow him.  The work is done, faith is installed, now go use it.  By the way, the type of carpentry Jesus was known for was yolk building, a fine art.  Where it had to be a custom fit, so the lead ox could lead and the other follow.  Take the yoke of Christ today, let him lead, and see the special tool of faith revealed in you.  Let the trust he has in you be revealed, and if asked for a hammer, know which one.  There are power tools, and some tools have great power.  And now you know why some gravy tastes like Castrol.....and why they make both metric and standard Crescent wrenches...

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

the 5 cent candy solution

Her name was Phyllis, and no one was really sure where she came from.  She had just been appointed the department manager at the local Sears store of the candy department, and things were about to change.  Even though our store had some 200 employees, we all seemed to know each other, yet no one knew her, and so we welcomed Phyllis.  And as a Department Head showed her the respect due her for the position.  But that all was about to change, as the best thing you could say about Phyllis was she was annoying.  Her hair style looked like her prom in 1959, and hadn’t changed in the 15 years since, one of the brighter ones among us admitting “you have to get invited to go to the prom, who would invite Phyllis?” and changing the origin of her hairstyle, I think you get the idea.  Pinch your nose and talk, that was her voice, and she was all about doing things by the Sears training manual.  We weren’t, and the fun was just starting.

Candy came in 20-25 bulk boxes, and was stored in a cooled room we all had a key too, until Phyllis arrived.  Noticing certain types of of candy always coming up short, we all sampled a few pieces when we put away the delivery, mine was orange slices.  But soon she changed the lock and maintained the only key, reeking havoc on the Railway Express and UPS drivers who had to wait for her, which seemed to take hours.  She trusted no one except for Herman, a big guy I worked with who lived on SnR’s, the private label M&M’s, and soon they became adversaries.  She would unlock her door, and go in, he would lock her in, and neglect the beating on the door to let her out.  So a doorbell was installed, but on the inside where no one could hear it except on the sales floor, it was soon removed.  But the room did have a phone, part of the interstore system and PA system, and she would bellow out in her nasal “Herman Reeder let me out!” confusing and amusing many customers, which led to Herman’s boss getting chewed out, then Herman, who only laughed, promising not to ever do it again, until the next time.  Phyllis finally got smart, after many months, and took the lock in with her.  When I left Sears and stopped back, she had left too, and no one knew where.  Or cared.  Except Herman....who had to find a new target to annoy.

I once believed “God said it, I believe it, and that settles it.”  Until I ran into another guy who believed the same way, but differently.  I still am wary of those who trip over scripture, but never get its meaning or application.  Strictly adhering to the words, they never get the flavor of the spirit, of the love of Jesus, and his forgiveness.  They are like Phyllis, taking over a position, wanting to do well, but living only by the rules.  With no sense of what the spirit is wanting to convey.  If you are like me, you find the more rules you have the more rules you have to break, and the more opportunities to need to be forgiven.  And that for every Phyllis there is a Herman ready to help them along.  Ready to point out the fallacies of the laws, and the lack of enforcement, or consistent enforcement.  They live in a legalistic world, more concerned about catching you tripping up, than enjoying the grace of God.  They quote Jesus, but never quote his love, and are absent of any evidence of the holy spirit.  A rule for every event, and soon can remember them all, and die in their own quagmire of sin.  The system was to be the solution, except it never involved Jesus.  Or his love.  They talk of faith, but rely on rules, and miss out on many blessings.  And end up like Phyllis locked in the candy room with no way of escape....except Herman.

Over 50 years ago the CHP did an experiment to deal with the out of control freeway traffic.  It was impossible to pull over all the speeders, so they came up with a high visibility rule, and it still works today.  Rather than pull over each car for exceeding the speed limit, they keep traffic moving, and the ones causing a problem are noticed and ticketed.  Which is why you see so many CHP cars along the road.  Yet the drivers still haven’t figured it out, as when they see a Chippie, they slam on their brakes, causing the car to nosedive, admitting their sin to all, including the officer, and the 200 cars behind them that slam on their brakes too, and cause a traffic jam.  Traffic was moving safely, until their conscience slowed it down.  Now I will not advocate breaking the law, but doesn’t common sense remind you to keep things moving?  Remember that the next time Ms. SUV while on her cell phone is startled and slams on the brakes.  And you narrowly avoid her.

So God has given us his spirit, written on out hearts so it is always with us.  To keep us safe.  It is our sin that finds us out, not God, do we have enough faith to trust the spirit and let him guide us?  Or do you live or ride in fear of making a mistake and being caught?  Of being like Phyllis, living by the book with no human interaction?  Legalism is a lonely ride, riding by faith in the spirit isn’t.  The law kills, the spirit gives life.  Yet so many are like a study I was in one night on the holy spirit, that the teacher started out by telling us the rules of the evening.  He didn’t get it....and we helped him not to.  For where the spirit of the Lord is there is liberty, no matter what the situation is.  Or how ridiculous it seems.  We may remember the words of Jesus telling his disciples and shipmates to have faith in the midst of the storm, but they forgot he was with them.  We forget that when Jesus is in our boat, it will not sink, and the storm too will pass.  God said that?  I guess that settles it....but do you believe it?

Today you will encounter situations that no laws or written for.  Remember the law Jesus gave us, love him with all your heart and your neighbor as yourself.  Simple enough, and when you are loved, and forgiven, you can love and forgive also.  No special key needed for access, no amendment to a law you weren’t aware of.  Keep the traffic flowing, the spirit in your life, and the storms will pass.  Jesus never left you, and his boat doesn’t sink.  Quit tripping over words on a page, and start living the love he proclaimed.

Finally my boss at Coca Cola came up with a remedy for the candy stealing. we supplied snack vending machines too.  He installed a  candy machine, and put a 5 cent cost on each bar.  And the thefts stopped, who wouldn’t pass up a deal for a nickel?  For a $1 candy?  Not a rule I have seen since....common sense isn’t really that common.

Or be ready to deal with the Phyllis in your life, revealing your whole life over the loud speaker.  Quick, somebody unlock the door and let the spirit out!  For sin like candy can come in bulk, and we need a way out.  Jesus is the way....funny how the padlock was to keep us out and ended up keeping her in.  Phyllis never got it, do you?

Now, he who has no sin can be the first one in the candy room.....all others pay 5 cents.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

 

McReligion

Reading an article about the roads between Tucson and Tombstone, we decided to take four days this spring and ride them.  We had tried last year, made it as far as Tucson, but high winds made it too dangerous to ride any further, so we will try again this year.  We have been blessed to have ridden so much when an article is printed, we often have been there, and could have given better advice on roads and where to eat ourselves.  But to each his own, and where some eat gourmet food starting with a Mc, and some suffer through pretty food on a large white plate, we somehow find what we like the best.  And have had very few, if any bad meals that I can remember.  Some have not been our first choice, but turned out better than expected, while others just got us through to the next stop.  But of late, it seems the trendy thing to do is to tour wineries, and as anyone with half a cerebrum will tell you, gas and alcohol don’t mix, add in two wheels and you have a recipe for disaster.  Yet so many of the trendy rider types chase wine tasting, or craft beers for their menus.  And to add to it, lately I have seen craft sodas, which outside of home brewed root beer, taste like it was brewed in an old Castrol can, and priced like synthetic.  Trendy...but how many just go for the ride, and are willing to sample the local cuisine?  And never know what they are missing?

In Tucson we ate some really great health food the first night, some reasonably good Mexican another, and found, it wasn’t lost, we just had never been there, a great home made bread place with killer sandwiches. Which we wish we had found the first night rather than the last lunch.  But we ate locally, and found variations on a theme for food, not the same franchised slop at your next freeway exit.  Our variation of a wine tour, with no harmful after effects.  Drinking and riding, like James Dean told us, “the life you save may be my own.”  Living life is trendy enough....

Things have changed, and still are changing since I took my first road trip, and looked for food.  Diners and roadside cafes used to dot the roadside, now you can get gas and a Subway sandwich, and claim to have been there.  And at every franchised stop meet the teenagers of America, they are the ones who populate the jobs there, their first job, and not their last, and the service and attitude reflects it.  So for us, as it was and hopefully will continue to be, it is local, wherever you are is local, family owned places to eat.  Where the portions are big, the food fresh and tasty, and the service is good.  The water glass is always full, and the waitress knows you are drinking diet, not classic.  She may call you Honey or Sweetie, even if your wife is along.  A personal touch, and the tip should reflect it.  Some quick road food memories from an article I just read...where does your reading take you?  Back or ahead?  Does it entice you, influence you, or do you just turn the pages?  But it will always come down to personal taste, a nephew reminding me of how he misses Alberto’s after moving to Texas and eating Tex-Mex.  At least it doesn’t have Mc in front of it.  The berto part should be the tip off here....

So while we ride to eat, and eat to ride, we get to see how it is done other places, why green chili is the best in New Mexico, and lobster the best in New England.  Why fish tacos are best in San Felipe, and real subs come from Jersey, not Jersey Mike’s.  How BBQ differs from Kansas City to Birmingham to Memphis, and different in each local house too.  With exceptions thrown in like Rey Azteca in Somerset, Pennsylvania, two gourmet cooks from the interior of Mexico.  In Pennsylvania?  But the key here is you are out and trying new places to eat, riding on new roads, and seeing the US of A first hand, rather than from the Food or Travel Channel.  Or from the pages of a book or magazine.   These things may encourage you, but nothing like being there.  So going back to Tucson has us eating great bread for lunch, then on to other new places.  All based on an article I read....

How much does you Bible reading influence your life and style?  Have the scriptures just become words you read over and over, or have you let the spirit guide you in your reading?  Each one of us will be different, I like short devotions that make me consider what the spirit is saying, some must read a chapter a day, while others brag they read through the Bible in a year, every year.  But do we ever ask the spirit “what do you wish to show me today in my reading?”  Or has the Bible become just another Christian exercise?  Do you read more and enjoy it less?  Have you become devoted to a famous author, and miss out on what is going on in other ministries?  Does what you read in the devotion encourage you in Jesus and point you to the spirit for guidance?  Are you new and confused, or old and bored, just looking for more Jesus, and the words on the pages just aren’t making it?  Why is it we can find the best restaurant, but cannot be satisfied in our daily bread when reading?  Have you ever considered what Jesus has for you today?

When riding, eating, touring, and choosing what to read, the external factors play a part.  But it is the spirit that gives guidance and helps us make better choices.  One verse influenced by the spirit can take me all over the Bible and bless me, yet trying to stay on schedule with my small group keeps me up to date and falling behind.  Are there perils to following what or who is popular?  Do we order off the menu or get the daily special Jesus has planned for us?  Do you pray before reading, and meditate after?  Do you carry Jesus with you, considering what you read that day, or is it just another trip to the Biblical gym, a scheduled exercise?  Do you study to be approved by who?

We must be careful to recognize that popularity doesn’t mean it is right for that time.  Authors, churches, trends, and movements are ever present, but should never take the place of being guided by the holy spirit.  Popularity must be checked and watched carefully, and balanced by the spirit.  Only Jesus knows what we need today, what diner is open, what their special is.  How long the lines are and why.  We check travel websites before we go, read articles and ask others, why don’t we ask God in the spiritual things?  Are you in the word or is the word, Jesus Christ in you?  Is your Bible time yesterday’s leftovers, or is it fresh and new every day?  Are you reading a McBible or a Bibleberto?  Ask Jesus today before you read, never mind the study or the assignment, ask and see where he leads you, not some group leader.  And find insight anew when discussed, and the spirit guiding you to a better relationship in Christ.  Trends come and go, so do people.  Only Jesus stays the same, exciting and new. 

And so we will be off to Tucson, unless God shows us different.  And he may, and our choice will be to choose.  Make him your first choice today, and watch as all things will be added unto you. Who knows who you will meet along the road.  The spirit knows.....

love with compassion,

Mike

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