riding and life....let's get it right

Even though I was dealing with undeveloped film, I was one of the few who worked in the light.  The others, both day and second shift worked entirely in the dark.  Which during the ling winter months of New Jersey made it possible to wake up, go to work, work all day, go home, and go to bed....in the dark.  Without ever being exposed to the light. Making for some strange relationships, and also some unique observations.  The night shift may have an advantage, as they worked in the dark when it was night, but the day shift lived in a dark, sunless, non-lit world.  My occasional trips into the dark took me awhile to get used to it, while those in it moved around freely, I was the blind man, I was in the dark.  While those in the dark all day had to adjust to the light, even if it was dark out, headlights, street lights, neon lights now strained their retinas, while the rest of us just adjusted to the change.  No big deal to us, but it was to them.  Making the bright lights seem brighter, and welcoming the dark where they could see better again.  Blinded by the light, any light, it took some time to adjust for all, from dark to light, or light to dark.  Imagine living a life where there are no shadows, and suddenly being exposed to bright lights.  Where every car coming at you has his high beams pointed right at you. A much different take on “let there be light.”

When we come to the Lord, we come from darkness into the light.  We begin to see things much differently, and begin to grow in Christ.  We are expected to grow, and we each grow at a different pace.  Those who mature faster are known as superstars, while those that struggle and take longer may be looked at as spiritually weak.  But only in the eyes of man, not of God.  Growth is God’s method not ours, yet we are the yardstick by which it is measured.  Some are told that life will change instantly, you are a new creature in Christ.  True, but maturing takes a while, it is a slow process.  I have known men who gave up on the church because they didn’t grow as expected, still struggled with the old life, and soon gave up on themselves.  Bad doctrine mixed with bad teaching has done too much damage to the church.  The gospel is good news, it is the person of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven, and saved.  Yet religion will claim that may not be enough, you need to do this or that to prove you are saved.  Aren’t you glad God made it easy in Jesus for us?  No man can ever live up totally to another person’s expectations. And might just die trying.

Something innate to man does not like change.  But without change there is no growth, and no growth without change.  We read our Bible, pray daily, go to church, doing all the things we are shown to do, but without the spirit, they are good things, but maybe not God inspired.  Some Christians whole Christian experience is just going to church, and it reflects in their lives.  Some get out and live what they are taught, and see the gospel in action, and a different side to Jesus.  Some bail on church, bail on the Bible, confident because they went forward at Billy Graham they are saved.  And that is all there is to it.  Each a different route, but yet some still in the dark, when exposed to the light they are blinded. But it is not God’s light that blinds them...

Some approach a Christian life like a correspondence course of how to ride a motorcycle.  They know all the parts, but if they never sit on one, they are just that, parts.  No interaction, no riding experience.  Do they really know how to ride just because they got their license?  Do we memorize scripture but miss out living it and finding its true meaning?  Very few of us started on 1000 cc super bikes, it was 50 cc Hondas, then 125 Yamahas, big 350 cc Hondas, then a 750, and finally 1000 ccs. With our relationship growing between throttle and brakes each time, each one of us growing at a different rate.  We tell others to ride their own ride, yet when it comes to Jesus, expect them all to be racers the first day.  No wonder some never ride again to church?  Labeled as immature, not as spiritual, maybe even having their salvation questioned.  All based on performance, based on their maturity.  Forgetting that nature teaches us it takes hundreds of years for the giant Sequoias to mature, while a cucumber may only take months.  Have we become a church of cucumbers?  Of possible pickle candidates?   God is not interested making Christian pickles!  He wants men and women to be strong in him, with deep roots.  That last for years.

So do not be discouraged if you do not grow or mature as quickly as others.  That you don’t meet up to a denomination’s demands.  Ride your own ride in Christ, knowing that he provides the growth, and that maturity is death, your arrival at the growth process is over.  As kids we wanted to grow up fast.  Ask any kid how old he is, he is never just 8 or 9, it is 8 and 3/4, or nine, going on 10.  They look forward to growing up and its benefits.  Do we let Christ guide our development in him?  Are we spirit led or religiously influenced?  Maybe the question best asked is are we going in the right direction? If not, God’s prescription is repentance, changing your course, and getting on with your life. 

So some work in the dark, some live in the dark, and some grow, still in the dark.  Seek the light of Jesus today, not the blinding light of religion, but the guiding light of the spirit.  Go where his light is directing you, and if you are passed, OK.  And if you pass others, that is OK too.  Just keep your high beams on low to approaching traffic.  Just as there is undeveloped film, there are undeveloped Christians.  Making film is a process.  Becoming a Christian is easy, living as one is harder.  Start the process today, listen to the spirit, let him guide you, and let there be light in your life.  God has called us out of darkness, don’t worry if you aren’t like Christ yet.  Just make sure you are going in the right direction.  Ride your own ride in Christ.  Knowing the parts of a bike and riding one are two different things.  So is knowing all about Jesus, and personally knowing him.  That’s maturity....and it just isn’t for teenagers any more.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

whatever gets you through the night...it's alright

 I choose to be a low tech man in a high tech society.  I don’t understand how radio waves travel. or what differentiates one station from another, so don’t try to explain.  You will only confuse me and frustrate yourself.  For me it is, and always will be a miracle that I turn a knob and sound comes out.  For many years it was falling asleep to Allison Steele, “the Nightbird” on WNEW-FM, being amazed at how she just knew what I needed to hear, and a relationship developed.  When living in Durango and working the late shift at a gas station, it was a local AM station, fading in and out as they powered down for the night, and signed off at midnight.  It was this radio station that many times was my only companion in between two dollar gas purchases, and someone stopping for a pack of cigarettes.  I got used to some of the crazy hosts, who believed in anything from UFO’s, to sightings of Elvis, to debates over which government official was really a foreign spy.  The kind of stuff that kept your eyes focused at the National Enquirer when checking out at the grocery store.  Here they talked, or they talked and we listened, and sometimes argued back, to deaf ears on a one way set.  But my favorite was Lux Radio Theatre, where old stories, mostly murder and suspense where told.  These shows that predated TV played on your imagination, and with the sound effects brought you into the room where the ax murderer lay waiting, or the gunshot just heard left a cold body for you to trip over.  It was these stories that kept me awake, in suspense, with only an occasional customer to interrupt.  Which they always seemed to do at the wrong time.  And in this pre-pre-recordable world, I was left hanging, hoping to put it all together later in the end.

These were things that got me through the night, and like John Lennon sang, “that’s all right.”  Many times while travelling in the west at night, between evangelists begging for your money or they would go off the air, to seeing lights in the sky and wondering, maybe there are UFO’s after all, these programs were a welcome relief.  Also a wake up call to your imagination, keeping the mind active as the miles went on and on.  If you ever travelled between major cities where few stations were picked up, you know what I mean.  And  you just couldn’t wait to find out who dunnit? and be surprised at the result, never guessing right, as they had clues you didn’t, or made you feel even more foolish when you didn’t see the ones they did reveal.  I miss those late night stories, maybe a part of Americana overlooked today on our preprogrammed prepaid satellite radio.  That without we never would hear more of Layla today than when it was first out, and be free of the commercials we used to sing to.  Like I said, low tech, and I plan to stay that way.  Whatever gets you through the night....

Long before wireless, or radio waves, or telegraph or telephone, Jesus gave us his spirit to communicate with him.  Stated simply, low tech again, so I can get it, scripture tells us “God is a spirit and must be worshipped as such.”  What part of as such don’t you get?  Unlike the radio signals sent out at night, his signals to us know no bounds, and unlike texting or a cell phone, his service is never interrupted.  And like the radio shows that are picked up from long away in the night, his are always broadcasting.  It is us, the receiver, that needs adjusting, that needs to tune into the spirit.  Sounds easy...

When we are saved, Jesus gives us his spirit upon salvation, part of the grace package of forgiveness, heaven, and his love.  We are automatically connected to him, and all the wisdom of heaven, directly.  No priest, minister, nor church needed to connect, you can initiate a conversation right now, or continue one also.  But consider your phone conversations for a moment, and compare to your prayer life.  Do you talk for a few minutes, then the other person on the line?  Taking turns.  No, so don’t talk to God the same way.  It is a dialogue also, not a monologue where only one talks, it takes two.  And you may find a great benefit in listening, for Jesus told us “he who has an ear let him hear,” not he who has a voice let him speak.  The best part of a conversation with him is knowing he listens, so you should also.

All without a subscription, texting, a cell phone, or computer.  And it is 100% free from hacking, no one but the saved have this direct connection with his spirit.  He hears us before we are saved, we only hear after.  But that still small voice, is calling no matter what, will you pick up and listen?  How many times when praying have you had your thoughts directed by him and not known it?  Jesus is the person of the whatever gets you through the night, or day.  While some consider theories or look to see if Elvis left the building, we know Jesus may have left Earth, but he was resurrected, and we will be also.  All in his spirit, which is calling to you today.  Maybe right now.  So let these words encourage you in Jesus, and begin a better walk with him today.  We sing “grant it Jesus if you please,” and he pleases.  He is in the pleasing business, we call them blessings.  And you have too many of them, right?

So keep your heart dialed to Jesus.  He has already revealed the end to us in Revelation, the beginning in Genesis, and the in between via his word.  Which the spirit will cause to come alive in your life.  No more how to books about being a better Christian, talk directly to the author, and the man character.  Remember, in the beginning, the earth was void, without form, and the spirit hovered over the water.  The spirit then gave it life....and shape and form, and a desire to fellowship with the creator.  Tune into the spirit today, no tape delays, no “to be replayed at another time,”  he is live 24/7.  The Doobies once sang “Jesus is just alright, oh yeah,”  only by his spirit will you know.  Whatever gets you through the night, if it’s Jesus, it’s alright.  And with no Yoko after effects.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

 

the difference between then and now

Mention a BMW 2002 today and the yuppie elite think of the year 2002, just an old car, but the 2002 BMW, the model, not the year, was the car that put BMW on the map in America.  Without the help of the factory either, but with Max Hoffman bringing them in and selling them.  A part of their history not found or remembered today by the newest generation.  If you never heard of Studebaker, then you probably don’t know they used to import Mercedes Benz.  Think you know all about GM?  In the early seventies Chevrolet sold over 3 million cars in one year, alone!  Today total GM US sales don’t reach that.  Honda sold only motorcycles if you didn’t include the 600 cc car they tried to sell here, and Cadillac far outsold all other luxury makes.  Period.  Hard to imagine how much things change in one generation.

I saw The Eagles in 1973 as a warm up band for Robin Trower?  Who?  And today tribute bands still make big bucks treading on their name and legacy.  Long before Joe Walsh joined, he was with James Gang, and Timothy B. Schmidt was with Poco.  Richie Furay played with Buffalo Springfield, started Poco, got saved and is now a Calvary Chapel pastor.  Maybe the Grateful Dead were right, “what a long strange trip it has been...”

How we used to ride has changed too, in my lifetime.  From the old guys riding Triumphs, Nortons, BSA, Matchless,and even Harleys, today only HD and Triumph exist.  Indian left over 60 years ago and has returned.  Honda used to sell the most motorcycles, now the dealer meetings are a downer because of lack of product.  BMW built touring bikes, now builds the best sport bike and adventure bike.  For over 20 years of my driving life I was confined to 55 mph, said so right there on the tickets.  Now try to stay up with the posted limits as high as 75.  Walking into a McDonalds for an 89 cent soft drink, the sign said they will now come to your table and take your order.  Selling lattes, and wraps with smoothies.  Even three types of Big Macs.  At one time in high school if you could eat $5 of their food it was a big deal.  I wonder, what if I just want a burger, fries, and a Coke? 

I have purchased two homes in the past that cost less than a new F150.  The Beetle used to be the best selling import,Budweiser was an American company, the Titans were the Oilers from Houston, the Raiders were from Oakland, then LA, and the Ravens were the Cleveland Browns.  The Cardinals from St. Louis, the Rams from LA.  MAD magazine was a quarter-CHEAP, now is $5.99.  Cycle World rivaled Cycle, then bought them, and rivaled Motorcyclist.  Now they are owned by the same corporate group and only print every other month.  Bitter competitors Road & Track and Car and Driver now share a corporate company also.  FIAT owns Chrysler, people prefer SUV’s over convertibles, and my 300 hp Mustang gets 27 mpg on the highway, with better 1/4 mile times than any Muscle Car including the Hemi.  Just when you think you have seen it all....

So I think I may just hang around a little longer, just to see what happens next.  Fortunately the one constant in life is Jesus Christ.  Churches may change their doctrines, many choose social issues over the gospel, and allow sin to boost numbers and income, yet Jesus never changes.  No surprises here, except that it surprises many he doesn’t change.  They look for a God who will meet their lifestyle, who will make them feel good in their misery, and not upset them.  Maybe even a genie in the lamp to grant every wish for them.  They want commitment from him, but are unwilling to commit to him.  But stop and take a look at where you are in Jesus today, and where you were before.  Hell, now heaven. That ought to be enough.  But yet when some signed up and thought life would be perfect, then got cancer, or lost a job, or divorced, they blamed God.  Never fessing up to the fact of the mistakes they made, and how the spirit was right there to guide them.  We forget about Adam’s fall from grace, yet God gave him a family and a heritage.  And how he would know pain throughout his life.  We forget the change in the earth after the flood, and Noah not knowing the difference, drank wine that once was pure, but now was laden with alcohol, it too had changed, fermenting being a death process itself.  King David, a war hero against Goliath, turned against a friend after playing slap and tickle with his wife.  But still found grace in God’s eyes, and seeing his pain and recovery in Psalms.  How Paul was Saul and persecuting Christians, until Jesus came into his life.  And of course Jesus, who gave up his place in heaven, and became less than the angels to come and save us.  His death on the cross changing man and mankind forever.  The only question left is where is Jesus in your life?  Is he just a figure on the dashboard of your car? Is he a cross you hang around your neck?  A Christmas and Easter church service?  Or is he the most important person in your life, knowing that without him you would have no life?  Do you call Lord and Savior, or just savior?  Is there any difference between before Jesus and now? 

Music, cars, motorcycles, friends, and even churches change.  Jesus never does.  Nor does the spirit that called you to him.  He is as fresh today as when you first met him, and as exciting as when you first believed.  His love knows no highs or lows, he is love.  Styles change, laws change, and even The Beatles split up.  But these three things remain, faith, hope, and love.  The greatest is love, the person of Jesus Christ.  We need to change, he will do it for us.  When we let him. 

From 78 rpm records, to 45’s, long playing albums, to 4 track then 8, to cassette and CD, the delivery has changed, the music hasn’t.  Our listening tastes have.  Are you listening to what the spirit is saying to you?  Are you using the ear he has given you to hear with? The difference between then and now is Jesus.  Has he made a difference in your life?  His price of admission to heaven has defeated inflation, free.  He made the gospel simple so we could understand it, and free so we can afford it.  There are tribute bands, but only one who earned the right to all our worship.  He was the real thing long before Coca Cola. And will be long after...and he who dies with the most toys doesn’t win, he still dies. Now, where will you be then?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com