maybe you're not talking to the right person

An old friend I used to do business with, George, aka Red, had been in the grocery business a long time.  An independent, he was well known throughout the west, and well respected.  He had passed on his code of hard work and fair trading to his son Ted, who at one time had the single largest grocery store west of the Mississippi.  But they were both very non-descript, meeting them you would never know how rich they were, and they never bragged on it.  Hardly ever.  But one day while making my sales call, I worked for Coca Cola, an overdressed young man was in looking for George.  He was with Dunn and Bradstreet, and wanted to update his file on him.  As George approached in his bib overalls, wiping his hands with his bandana, he asked the young man “can I help you?”  Looking down at Red, he asked for George, not knowing that the many who had walked by said hi to Red, and this old man in bib overalls and sweating was below his dignity.  I had been talking with him as he waited, Red and I exchanged hellos, as always, I could see Red baiting the young man.  When he stuck out his hand and said “I’m George,”  the group around him started to laugh, me included, but Mr. D&B found no humor in it.  If clothes made the man, his did, but not his respect or rudeness.  He couldn’t wait to get out of there, it never occurred to him that maybe he was talking to the right person, a lesson I hoped he learned.

When Ted wanted his own Wendy’s franchise, he called Wendy’s and asked how much.  He was ready to write the check.  All they wanted was a letter of credit stating he could cover the $800,000, no problem.  They wanted to talk to his bank, so Ted called out, “Hey Dad, Wendy’s wants to talk to you about my line of credit.”  And handed the phone to Red, they also owned the bank in this small area.  It pays to know who you are talking to.  And finally another old friend Tim was making a sales call to the Navajo Tribe.  He had gotten nowhere, but was willing to give it another try.  But along the way he stopped to help a girl broken down in the hot New Mexico sun, gave her a ride to town, and as he told her his story, she offered her assistance.  It turned out her father was the tribal president over the entire Navajo Nation!  Who was so grateful that Tim cared for his daughter, he opened up the door for all Tim was selling!  It helps to talk to the right person, something to consider, when in trouble or need of help, maybe you are not talking to the right person.

I tire of hearing how prayer changes things.  Answered prayer changes things, but in all cases it is God that changes things.  Just speaking into the cosmos without someone to listen is just that, talking to the cosmos.  But Jesus changes things, changes us, if we listen to his answer and obey.  Yet so many fall short of God’s blessings because all they do is ask, or pester, or continually berate the God of the universe with their demands.  Rubbing some spiritual lamp hoping that a genie will appear and grant them their desires.  And when he doesn’t, they blame God.  Sound familiar.  So why ask a question if you don’t want an answer?  Like this one, why?

In Acts we find two men walking and a third man joins them.  He seems to know all about them and their situations, then leaves them. Afterwards they talk, how their hearts burned from within in his presence.  How did he know so much, he was a stranger?  Could it possibly been the Lord?  Do you know his voice, he knows yours.  He also has the plans in action for whatever you ask, before you ask.  So why do you think that asking changes things, when it is God who does?  Did you know the last sense to fail us before death is hearing?  Did Jesus say “he who has a mouth let him speak?”  But rather “he who has an ear let him listen.”  A relationship with Jesus Christ changes things, and when you know his voice, and obey, he answers before you ask.  Or listen.  That’s the kind of God I desire, not a genie in a lamp.  Let him be God, he is so good at it.

Praying more and getting less?  Maybe you are not talking to the right person.  The Jews missed Jesus, he wasn’t what they were looking for.  Who are you looking for?  Is it possible that God is speaking to you via his spirit , that the burning in your heart is the holy spirit speaking to you?  Is he drawing you to him, or are you still too proud, as the one who shares Jesus with you is not a pastor?  Doesn’t have a DD behind his name?  Doesn’t have his own radio show or write books?  Are you looking for a personality or the person of Jesus Christ?  There is a difference.  Yet many when confronted with who they are looking for, get embarrassed, and storm off when they find the one they were looking for is and has been right in front of them.  Maybe they are more interested in the FICO score and line of credit, than the one who doesn’t even need cash, but creates his own.  Our paper money says “in God we trust,” do you?  If money talks, maybe the message is right there, trust God!  The answer before you asked.....

God sent his son to earth to save us, then sent his spirit until Jesus returns.  The same spirit that in the beginning gave the earth shape can shape your life too.  Maybe you are not talking to the right person, or  maybe you really aren’t listening.  God offers his spirit freely and of no charge, talking to you right now, telling you how you need Jesus.  God’s prayer, that all should come to the saving knowledge of knowing Jesus.  Answer his prayer today by coming to Christ.  He is speaking, are you listening?  Jesus Is not what you expect, he is much more.  When you understand who he is, you will understand why he came. 
Still want prayer to change things?  Maybe you’re not talking to the right person.  Don’t limit a limitless God by your prejudices.  God is love, what the world needs today and everyday.  Just ask anyone who has met Jesus, the burning in your heart may not bad pizza, but the holy spirit.  God doesn’t need credit, nor does he get enough credit.  He who answers the prayer before it is asked should get all the credit.  Still think prayer changes things?  Maybe you’re not talking to the right person....

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

after the Victory...

How would you have felt if the day after you bought your new Hudson they ceased production?  What would you think looking at the new Edsel in your garage the day they announced it was discontinued?  What jokes would your friends taunt you with about your new Desoto the day after Chrysler pulled the plug?  Add in Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Mercury, and Plymouth-all great names that are no longer with us, how would you feel the next day when they quit making them?   What if  you had saved for years to buy a BSA, Norton, a Triumph, or Matchless?  Only to find the store closed the next week, the company out of business, and your bike’s value dropping faster than sliding on a rain slick road?  How would you feel.....

One morning at Mickey’s a new customer rode up on his new Victory, three days after the factory ceased production.  We talked, he bought the bike because he liked it, wished he had waited because this week they are going for about half of what they were last week, but he still would have bought one, because he liked the bike.  I liked his answer, and it may be reflective of all those who bought cars and bikes that became orphans afterwards.  He bought it to ride, not to keep for an investment, but as those who bought Hudsons and Nashes, and even Edsels found out, wait long enough and what was a foolish move then, turned into a good investment now, if you wait long enough.  The jury is still out on Victory and Buells, even Buell’s comeback attempt, the EBR, but some are still for sale new in showrooms, at great prices, for great bikes, they just aren’t made anymore.  Interested?

Ever get the feeling that you are showing up a day late and a dollar short?  That despite your training, social standing, good looks, Facebook page, and connections, you still just ain’t making it?  Ever been passed over for a promotion by a person less qualified than yourself?  Did you think “I have the skills, the experience, the gifts, just give me a chance, I’ll show you what I can do.”  Maybe we need to go back to one afternoon with Moses up on the mountain with God.  Receiving the Ten Commandments, his face shone like an angel because he had been in the presence of God.  But as he came down, he had to cover it for fear he may scare the people he had been chosen to lead. Over time the glory faded from him, but he kept the mask on, now because he didn’t want to show the glory had faded.  From hot to cold, he didn’t want the feeling, the experience to end.  Forgetting the whole time that it was not anything he had done, God had caused his face to shine, and then let it dissipate.   It was all about God, not all about Moses, God gave him the opportunity to do a chore he wanted him to do, but Moses took it personally.  We all like to brag and show off our abilities, but when God fades from our life, and the true us shows through, we need to repent, and get back on board with him.  We all like to brag on God, but here he shows that the law will fade, and bring death eventually, usually too soon for us, but the spirit, the same spirit that caused Moses’ face to shine will endure.  From the inside out, for God looks on the heart....we seek his face as we sing in worship, but do we really seek his spirit? 

2 Corinthians 3:9 tells us “if the ministry that condemns men is glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness?”  Righteousness being fully recognized and accepted, of being approved by God, and basking in his glory, not ours.  This is the new covenant, that we cannot earn our salvation or pleasure from God, but only by his spirit of his only son Jesus Christ will we enter into his kingdom and eternal glory.  We cannot do it ourself, and misusing any gifts God gives us will not insure success.  In Christ we find a value of worth, we find significance and direction.  What seems foolish to men, makes perfect sense to God, and when led by his spirit, the blessings flow, as people see Jesus in us the words come, the actions make sense, and we are blessed.  God is glorified!  We cannot add to it by any works, because it is what he did and who he is, not our acts or standing.  We will be here today and gone for eternity, where is the gone you are going to?

So after the Victory, after the Edsel and Hudson, after the Pontiacs are forgotten and faded memories, will God’s glory still be shining in you?  When you signed up with Jesus what did you expect?  A book tour, a mansion, a TV show to brag about you?  Your sin will find you out and expose your heart for who you are.  What makes you think it cannot happen to you, when it happened to Moses?  He was given the law, Jesus has given us grace.  After attending a Hudson meet a few weeks ago, the ones who own, collect, and love them have become a tight knit family, based on the cars.  Hudson may be out of business, but the cars still remain.  And through fellowship, communication, and perserverence based on love, the club and the cars live today.  If love can keep an orphan car alive, imagine what a living God can do for a lost soul.  The cars still shine after many years, but it takes care and compassion, with commitment.  Jesus has made his commitment to you, will you to him?  How do your old friends talk about you, or wonder where you have been?  Are you a victory in Christ after the shine wears off, or just in it for the ride to see what you can get?  Victory’s today are available for rock bottom prices, bargains for those who just want to ride a good bike.  The victory in Jesus is still available for all who want to be saved, who want heaven when leaving earth, who want a savior who loves them as they are.  There is nothing else you can add to the love God provides, but you can pass it on.  Before you pass on.  For we were all orphans once, and Jesus took us in and made us family.  Like the Edsel, you may be laughed at, but look who’s laughing now.  Seen the price of 1958-60 Edsels lately?  If only I had known when they were cheap...after the Victory we celebrate.  My new friend who bought one too early, just rides it.  Saw him last week, he loves it, has no plans to sell it.  He has a relationship with it and loves it.  Can we say the same about Jesus?  There are Victory’s, and here are victories...the miles add up and the paint may fade...the love of Christ never will.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

you can come in but you can't use the bathroom

We’ve all done it so fess up.  Buying a cheaper ticket that is in the high heavens at the ball park, and then moving down to a better seat to watch the game.  Hoping not to get caught and have to move, but increasing the possibility of embarassment or being removed altogether.  Why spend so much when you can wait a few innings and then down, or up?  But we all do it, which is why at concerts the front row seats cost more, and at fights being ringside demands a bigger price.  We all want to be as close to the action as possible, we just don’t want to pay the price.  Steak habits on a Mickey D’s budget.  But being on the inside or up front gives you that special feeling, a sense of importance, and bragging rights-I was there, you weren’t.  So you pays for your ticket and you takes your chances as they say.....

When sponsoring off road teams, the SODA series was just coming to California.  I had made arrangements to sponsor a new team out of Wisconsin, Jack Flannery and his sons, we had never met and done the whole deal over the phone.  They were champions in the series and well known, racing against a pre-NASCAR Jimmie Johnson, and I was looking forward to meeting them.  So up to Glen Helen we went, with my son Andrew and nephew Danny who both loved the races.  Both about 10, the sights, sounds, and smells were too much for little boys, of all ages.  I had met with their crew chief I knew,who got us in for free, and after the first race, we would meet at the pits and be introduced.  Jack won the first heat with is sons right behind, and a huge crowd was loving it.  And they were twenty deep at the pit after the race.  When I called out to Brady, who waved me in....

With the two boys stuck to my side.  He introduced me to Jack and his sons, and Jack immediately tore off a  piece of his fender that was damaged in the race, signed a piece for both, and handed to them.  They could barely say thanks!  After they had a tour while Jack and I talked, they walked through the crowd with their trophies, you cannot imagine how cool they felt, I know how their dad did.  They had got to go behind the scenes, past the barrier, were welcomed and left with a prize that hung on their walls for years.  Knowing someone on the inside got them in, and while others wished they could get a closer look, they went behind the scenes.  They probably remember more about that than the race!

All churches have a set of rules for taking communion.  I once approached a pastor afterwards asking him “why do you tell everyone to be a part of God’s family, to accept Jesus, but then tell them unless they do they cannot take communion at your church?  Judas took it with Jesus, and wasn’t saved?  It’s like you tell them you can come in but you cannot use the bathroom.  Go elsewhere.”  He argued that he used it as an evangelistic tool, I argued it was the spirit’s job to save.   Stuck in his ways, we parted, and it still is a ritual instead of a special time at his church.  Maybe some insight as to another of his writings may help.

When Jesus was on the cross, the earth shook, it got dark, and the veil in the temple, which was said to be three feet thick, was torn from top to bottom.  Previously only the priests could gain entrance, now all men, both Jew and Gentile could through the grace of God, by which we are saved, lest no man should boast.  The Holy of Holies that was behind the curtain and represented the law gave way to grace, and the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.  Back then it was thousands of rules to obey, much like religion tells us today, but God says different.  He invites all to enter through Jesus Christ, the only way, and you don’t have to nor can you work to gain entrance.  Like knowing the Flannery’s got me in, knowing Jesus gets you in.  With all the benefits, you can take communion alone or at a service, it is personal, and even use the bathroom if needed.  No restraints on grace except those that legalism puts on us.  Which the legalistic will argue, missing out on the entire grace that the spirit offers.  They are the ones behind the barrier of laws, trying to figure out how to get the better seat by working on it, even if it takes sneaking in.  Neglecting that Jesus told them “if you live by the law, if you break one law you have broken them all.”  And you are passing on grace......still have to go?

Bottom line we are saved by grace, all are welcome, and Jesus welcomes you today.  The spirit gives life, the flesh counts for nothing, John 6:63.  What are you counting on?  It should be a who.  There are lots of free seats still available in heaven, no ticket office can offer them.  Enter into fellowship with Jesus today, sit at the table and eat, and afterwards, grab a magazine, or even a Bible, and head for the head.  Jesus wants you to enter and you can use the bathroom, even the kitchen.  Remember, Judas had the seat of choice at the table that night, and Jesus still called him friend, knowing what he would do.  You don’t have to hold it any longer, come on in!  That day Jack gave a bit of himself to those two boys.  Jesus gives us all, only he saves.  And at today’s prices, that’s a miracle!

Or you could still be just a face in the crowd trying to figure out how to get in......how long can you hold it?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

proper break in procedures

“I am new dual sport bike rider and recently picked up a 2012 800XC ABS. I have a 160 miles on the bike and was told by the sales person at the dealership to not ride at one speed for too long during the initial break in period of 500 miles. Does this mean no 1-2 hour highway trips? Anything else I should consider during the first 500 miles? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks”

On one hot boring afternoon, when Brett and I had nothing to do, we stopped in and visited the local Yamaha shop.  An hour later, after a test ride and a deal I couldn’t refuse, I had a brand new 1985 Yamaha FJ1100!  I had no intention of buying a new bike, but the deal was so good I couldn’t say no, and with Labor Day weekend approaching the  next week, the perfect time for break in miles was provided.  I had the bike, the time, and when a ride is needed I can always find the money, so off to Pennsylvania I went, only 1800 miles away, and took a week off from work.  With stops in Pagosa Springs the first night, getting an early start on tomorrow, then Garden City, Kansas, a small town in the middle of Illinois that has come and gone, and finally Roanoke, Virginia, I had 2000 miles before the first weekend of ownership.  Spending a few days with my grandparents, I was able to get my first oil change at the local dealer, who didn’t understand my first service at 2200 miles, and how I had ridden that far to get it.  But after a quick check, a short visit, and some back east riding, and a rest, I was on the road again.  Taking a different route back, by the time I arrived home in New Mexico, I had 6600 miles on my bike and it was only a week old!  I had observed none of the factory break in procedures, and the bike was finally sold 11 years later with over 76,000 miles on it, running so well and looking so good I got full retail at trade in time.  I hope I get such a deal when I get traded in...

When people ask “what do you do?”  I have to stop and think.  I am retired on a disability, but write 5 devotions a week that are read on 6 continents.  I minister to men and women behind bars, and pastor a small group downtown.  I am an advocate for helping those who need it, and at different levels.  I also ride new motorcycles for Triumph’s press fleet, over 200 in the past ten years.  So I am active despite my physical handicap, I may be weakened, but not weak in Christ. I have broken in so many new bikes I can tell when they break in, I can tell the difference on each bike, and each one is different.  It has been awhile since I bought a new bike, but the last one had only 630 miles on it before heading out on a 7300 mile ride, so I know about the real world of break in experience.  But I also know the real world of being a Christian in a fallen world and how tough it can be. 

I have seen and see how weak I am and how it is a strength in God’s eyes, how he uses me because I need to follow him and not lead.  How when his spirit is alive in me, things get done that I couldn’t do on my own.  Or mess up if I had the strength.  His power is made perfect in my weakness, and Paul has been an inspiration to me in that way.  Consider Paul for a moment, and see how our weakness allows God’s will to live through us.  He was not attractive, although learned.  He would never show up in People magazine, nor be honored on TMZ or even at the UN.  He had no press agent, no gaggle of reporters following him around and misquoting him, and many times he admitted to feeling frustrated and restless, as great disappointment attacked him. He was so open to the leading of the spirit that he was subject to all the pain Jesus felt, and yet was encouraged to go on.  He may have been ready to give up on himself, but he never gave up on Jesus.  And a great testimony of Jesus Christ working in his life was going out, people were saved, healed, converted, and ministered to because of his faithfulness.  His ministry was a success, and he never failed to give God all the credit, his eternal prayer “thanks be to God who gives us the triumph through Jesus Christ.”  Despite personal anguish, he had the confidence in Jesus, that things would turn out good.  God’s good, not our own, but for us, if we can only hang on.  He was broken in the Lord, but never broke.  Out of weakness came the personal manifestation of Jesus Christ, his break in procedure providing him a personal relationship that today many marvel at, and one which we can have too.

For when he wrote in 2 Corinthians about persecuted, and beaten down, losing hope and despairing, he also told us how in doing so he was carrying around the spirit of Jesus in him.  In this world we will have tribulation, put that one in your prayer box, but we will rise above it, in Christ.  Those of us who have seen heartache and despair, who have been broke and broken, lonely and alone, can testify to the greatness of God reaching out to us, and we get to see a deeper side of God than those who live life safe.  My FJ may have only been a week old, but had seen more miles than the average rider saw in a year.   And would see many more miles, it wasn’t babied, it was meant to be ridden, far and fast, so it was only doing what it was designed to do.  Where are you in Jesus?  Are you out doing what he has designed and called you to?  Do you stop and falter when God calls and you encounter danger, or do you lean on him, knowing that if he called you to a mission, he will provide?  He who guides provides, and the end results are blessings.  Not all who are called ride 6000 miles in a week, or go to Africa on a mission.  God puts those in need in front of us every day, as he did with the rich man and Lazarus.  Who have you stepped over today, thinking you are rich, only to find that Lazarus was far richer in Christ?  This past week we saw a national evangelist turn away victims from his church who needed shelter, telling them to have faith.  Would you have?  Would Paul have abandoned them? Or as Jesus does, invite them in, and wash their feet.  Give them rest.  Meet their needs.  This supposedly rich man stepped over thousands of Lazaruses, finally opening his doors to pressure.  His reputation tarnished, as he was exposed for the false gospel he preaches, there is no love of Jesus in him, just a way to better yourself.  Ask yourself, who was the weak one in this situation? 

We may not all get to ride as many miles, but each mile has its own blessings.  And dangers, I need Jesus with me every mile, every day.  My body is weak, but when my spirit is willing, I have all I need.  Adequate is what scripture tells us, not too much, not too little, just enough.  Remember he sent out his disciples with only the money in their pockets, and look at the things they accomplished.  I could have sat home, put on the break in miles and then got a service and then taken the trip, but the time would have passed.  So I rode, as I was supposed to, and was a great blessing to my grandparents.  A special three days we kept secret for years, it was our time together, not to be shared.  But meant to be shared with Jesus, who watched out for me in the heavy rains.  Confirmed by a Pennsylvania State Trooper, who when I stopped to remove my rain suit, told us how across the state, they had their eye on me.  “Hard to hide in a bright yellow rain suit,” they told me.  God had them over me, who is over  you?

Proper break in requires care and feeding.  When the spirit feeds us, we have life, and never hunger.  Every 200 miles I need gas, and then and oil change when I arrived.  But it was God who brought me through safely, and has again and again.  Paul had that confidence in Christ, do you?  One short ride could turn into a long one if you don’t.  Or if you do.....the roads are endless.  Jesus Christ, the proper break in procedure for life. 

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

 

ps-I am getting my 2012 triumph tiger XC abs in a few days driving 1,000 miles to pickup the bike. Not riding it, it will get tied down to the bed of the truck.

Plan on bringing it to a shop to have them do a hard break in. The bike will go on a dyno machine and will run 2-3 heat cycles. Once gently for 10-15 minutes, then cool down for 2-3 hours, then medium speed, then full out the last time followed by an oil change immediately.

I guess the idea is to let the motor break in and the rings to seat. By warming up and cooling down and heat cycling you give the bike a chance. Plus I don't have to worry about getting a speeding ticket.
Or I could take it to Chuckwallarace track this weekend and run it on the track for $165. Not sure what I want to do? The cheapest price I got was $80 for a dyno break in at my local shop and $150 (discounted) from cyclemall, who have a very nice dyno room with natural air.

 

Or you could just go and ride it, which will break it in just fine. No need to overthink this. 

 

southern comfort, circa 1974

I love touring through the south, the people, their easy going nature, the BBQ and sweet tea, and the slower pace of life.   But my first trip to the south, really to Florida, was where I saw my first hint of racism, a big deal after growing up 12 miles from Newark where we had seen the riots in 1967.  But it wasn’t a black and white situation, it was some good old boys Savannah cops that showed it.  BH and I were on our way to Ft. Lauderdale, and I-95 was not completed, you took US or 301 for most of it.  But when entering into Georgia, you took I-16 to intersect with with a completed part of 95, and with no signs, and being in a strange area in the dark, we got lost.  Stopping at a diner, the old railroad car style that were once popular, we talked with two local police about directions, which they readily gave.  So simple we couldn’t get lost, and we didn’t, but we didn’t find I-95 either.  In these post Easy Rider days, long hair and motorcycles were still a bit taboo to many law enforcement officers, and with our New Jersey plates, and our two wheeled ride, they directed us into a ghetto area, a very bad ghetto area.  It reminded me of one night getting lost in Philly, except this was on purpose.  And we ended up down a dead end, rocks thrown, taunted and yelled at, and somehow we managed to escape and find our way.  We had been a source of entertainment and prejudice that night, and 30 years later when going to Savannah, which I love, I still kept my eyes open, and made it a point to know just where I was going.  A far cry today from the south of back then, today we are accepted, and welcomed, 40 years ago it was a different story.  Like the header for Easy Rider, two men had set out to find America and they couldn’t find it anywhere.  At least not what we were looking for.

We don’t like troubles, and rather seek comfort from them.  That night we were scared, lost, and couldn’t trust anyone.  Unsaved, I just thought it was bad luck, now I know different.  Walking with Christ has taught me how to react when trouble comes, and walking with him has taught me to trust.  While some find comfort in drinking, I find my comfort in Jesus.  Still a life full of troubles, but also the comfort that goes with them.  Hopefully my reactions show more of Jesus than my actions that may have got me in trouble, but seeking comfort from him, not from a bottle, ill, or other drug.  You can mask the symptom, that doesn’t solve the problem.

2 Corinthians tells us God will comfort us from all our troubles.  Think of he daily stresses we endure, some self inflicted, some not, and the cures we seek.  Some worry, then get bummed out, then depressed, then give up altogether, blaming God for not answering.  He always does, they just don’t like the answer, so continue to pray, really directing God, or at least trying to get him to do it their way.  Small problems become big, big ones become bigger, and the biggest turn catastrophic.  Over the years I have made it a habit to listen when people publicly pray and can tell where they are in Christ.  How they pray, how they react, and where Jesus is in their lives.  They miss the comfort God promises, the strength found in a personal relationship, and you can tell how deep they are or aren’t.  Also about their teaching and find they are no better off than those who are lost and ask in vain.  “Rescue us, deliver us, make it go away,” they cry out, only to find God doesn’t take us around, but through, leading like the good shepherd he is.  Also finding if they let him lead they may not be in the trouble they are now.  And when God doesn’t instantly change their situation, they get mad, angry, depressed, blame god verbally, and abandon him altogether.  That is not Christianity in action, that is selfishness, vanity, and sin. 

We were foolish to try and find our way in the dark, true we were given bad advice, but if we had studied a map before we would have avoided the trouble.  Says a lot about the lives of many, bad choices turning into bad situations, a life without God.  God is not a wonder drug that makes all the pain go away, but loves us and takes us through the trouble, comforting us, strengthening us, and drawing us closer to him.  Showing compassion.  Telling us that when we are weak, he is strong, and made perfect in our weakness.  He is able in all situations, we aren’t.  The Apostle Paul should know, we should too.  When we trust God in our troubles, we have a testimony to share with others, and can help them get through it.  Our testimony of Jesus in action can encourage and guide those in need, giving them comfort to trust God, instead of bailing on life altogether.  The world doesn’t have Jesus, we do, so why act like they do?  Or are you just playing church until trouble strikes?  Are you following bad doctrine, teaching, and denying Jesus altogether?  God is able to comfort us in all troubles, ALL!  A bottle of Southern Comfort may help you forget, it doesn’t solve anything.  The comfort we seek and need can only come via the holy spirit, and gives peace and joy.  With no after effect of a hangover the next day, where the problem still exists.  We found no southern comfort that night, I do now in Jesus.  Quit searching scripture for an excuse for your sin, get real with Jesus.  Turn to him, repent and listen, then follow.  His directions can be trusted.  We are all not so easy riders in life, we can find comfort in Christ.  So we can comfort others.  Try Jesus today, then pass him on, not up.  Seek good teaching, ask questions, pray and listen for God’s response, then do it.  Though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we fear no evil.  Just a shadow can cause fear.  We can rise above it in the light of Christ.

You can either learn from life’s lessons and hope to make it, or learn from Jesus and be victorious.  Knowing Jesus will not absolve you of trouble, but will allow you to find comfort in it.  Listen to your own prayers, where is Jesus in them?  Then listen, the most important part of prayer, for why ask if you do not want an answer?  Your prayers will tell a lot about who you trust, and who Jesus is in your life.  All things, not just the good, work together for those who love the Lord and are called to his purpose.  His purpose, knowing Jesus.  The spirit is calling, the flesh may answer.  Only Jesus saves....southern comfort like northern and eastern and western comes from the spirit, not from a bottle.  Circa 1974 or today, Jesus is still the answer.  Just remember, I don’t have an accent, y’all do.  Now what is your question? 

love with compassion,

Mike

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