they paved paradise...put in a new Walmart....

The American landscape as seen from the seat of a car, to the seat of a motorcycle has changed in my lifetime.  My earliest recollections were driving the 60 miles to my Grandparents home, the majority of it on US 22.  Being the early sixties, it was diners, drive ins, and dives, long before the show became a hit.  With two distinguishable landmarks along the way, Stuckey’s and Howard Johnson’s.  We would occasionally eat at Ho Jo’s, but rarely stop at a Stuckey’s, a tourist trap as my Dad called them.  Who needed souveneirs from where they lived?  But as the new interstate went in, all these familiar landmarks were passed by, and soon became history, only for locals, and my Dad was right, “who needed souveniers from where they lived?  But new landmarks grew, McDonalds were found at every other off ramp, then Burger King, and soon it was fast food to the rescue, where once farmland and cattle covered the hillsides, now strip malls were the new American landscape.  But things were still changing, as soon every other exit had a Walmart, so many you could probably do a Walmart Across America Tour, never leaving the freeway, and never leaving home either.  But in the latest trend, Harley insists its dealers have freeway frontage, so now we see Harley stores along the freeways.  On one Torches ride, two guys wanted to stop at each Harley store along the way, and ended up a day late because of it.  Spending a fortune on t-shirts, maybe we don’t need souveneirs from where we live, but we sure do from where we travel.  With apologies to Joni Mitchell, “they paved paradise, and put in a new Walmart....”

Creating a commonism among all those who stop and shop there.  The only major difference is in the t-shirts they sell, reflecting where they are located.  We have found that in many cases, you can buy t-shirts much cheaper there than at the local Stuckey’s replacement, with money leftover to eat at Mickey D’s, conveniently located inside many of them.  Greeted as you enter and as you leave, with a souveneir to match.  I can only imagine the conversations at the local get together at the trailer park, “nice shirt, which Walmart did you get it at?”  Is it possible that in our quest to get away and escape, we really don’t want to leave home at all?  Or do we?  What do you look for when you travel, could there truly be a Walmart involved in your next vacation?

When they paved paradise, it opened the door to more travel, quicker travel, and longer distance travel.  We got to meet those who would not have otherwise, and establish a relationship with them.  Along with a t-shirt.  On the day of Pentecost, when 3000 were added to the church, instantly it grew in size and scope.  A small group of believers were suddenly faced with new faces, and how to interact with them.  And without the Golden Arches, or the Bar and Shield, no Walmart yet either, God provided a way unique unto him, which he still uses today in the hearts and minds of believers, both old and new.  On that day he gave them the Holy Spirit, who united them with God, but also with each other, giving them a common ground.  Despite cultural and language differences, they could communicate and fellowship with each other.  They could get to know each other, compare likenesses and share differences, and share how Jesus Christ had changed their lives.  Up until then, the gospel was only for Jews, but that day became available to all who would listen and believe.  They prayed, laughed and cried together, with only Jesus in common, but when being driven by the spirit, became one.  A true sense of community of community was developed between them, and their commonality was Jesus.  Strangers were no longer strange, love took over, and not a t-shirt to be purchased in sight.  They were operating as the body of God was designed to, not grieving the spirit, but being led by it.  They were kind and compassionate, and the church grew.  Not by programs, processes, or special events, what could be more special than the spirit revealing Jesus to you?  Kindness and compassion swept over them, and the world and church were changing. 

For just like when the sights along the road changed, so did we as we travel with God.  We remember where the Stuckey’s used to be, and how much farther we had left to go.  We passed by the 28 flavors of Ho Jo’s, and the many diners we used to visit.  Things changed and the new things were changing us.  But sadly as old relationships disappeared or changed, the new ones needed work to survive as well.  The more we travel the road, we recognize the old landmarks, but also discover new ones.  We begin to have a relationship with Harley, if only for a shirt.  With Mickey D’s, if only for the dollar drink.  And with Walmart, if only because it is the saving place.  But do we remember the spirit, the one who called us to salvation?  Or is he just a memory of a trip we took?  In this world we will have tribulation, too much self inflicted, if only we could unite in the spirit?  Put away our petty religious differences?  Overcome denominational diatribe and be spirit led.  What a difference our lives would make.  But first we need to remember that we are sojourners, travelers on tis planet for a short time.  And we need Jesus to get to our final destination, heaven.  We need the spirit to guide us, protect us, comfort and unite us.  For without him, we wander, and wonder what could have been.  In Jesus, we will know....

It all starts with a relationship with Jesus, driven by his spirit, and then lived using his power.  We cannot do it ourselves, lest religion tell us the same old lie that we can, without the spirit to heal our hurts and differences, we will never be at peace with others, or with God.  If no life seems to flow from you, maybe you are not living in the spirit, but on your own understanding.  When we start to bear one another’s burdens, trust God and love as he does, then we will be truly manifesting his spirit within us.  Until then, the numbers on the routes may change, but the trip never will.  Jut another endless ride of the same thing, with nothing to show for it.  The key part of vacation is vacate, to leave behind that which is harmful and to find new ways.  Unless Jesus is that way, we labor in vain.  The 3000 can attest to that, personal yet in numbers.  When we forgive, when we love, when we live in the spirit, the ride changes.  Why be stuck with only 28 flavors?   Why only a postcard when you can be in the picture yourself?  Why do you need a t-shirt to remind you, or think Walmart is the saving place?  Each ride starts with pointing yourself to the road and out of the garage.  For many the garage is Sunday at church, could your day of Pentecost be near?  Could your trip in the spirit be waiting?  Paradise may not have been paved, but a whole new world in Jesus awaits you.  That door Jesus knocks at may not only want you to answer so he can come in, but so you can get out and live.  Never has the call of the open road been so great....

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

losing your bearings

It was our first long trip after my aorta replacement, and the next seven days would seem like heaven.  Our last ride ended with me being life flighted, my bike being rescued by two Harley riding friends trailering it back to California, and coming home in a rented Camry.  So with all good intentions, we headed north, to ride the Gold Rush country, and get out of town.  Bike checked over, all was well, and off we went.  But occasionally a grinding noise was coming from the rear and we couldn’t find it.  Checked all the obvious, no marks, chain OK, so rode on.  Until looking for a place to eat in Paso Robles, where we would spend our last few nights.  Btu when pulling onto the road, the noise got louder, and pulling over found the rear wheel bearing coming apart.  No wobble, but the parts were exposed, and the bearing was shot.  With no Triumph dealer, aka Mickey, within 200 miles.  So calling my insurance carrier, I had coverage for breakdowns, but no one way towing service would take my bike that far, so they agreed to have me rent a truck and would reimburse me.  So far so good....

So finding a Ryder truck agency who would loan me a one way truck, he asked why, and when explaining the situation, told me he was a retired Honda motorcycle certified mechanic, he could fix the bike, no problem, just get me the part.  This was sounding good, so calling Mick, he arranged to have the bearing sent directly to me in Paso from Triumph in Atlanta overnight.  With one small problem, they didn’t have one in stock, in fact they had never sold one, and had on dimensions on it.  So calling Shel, who I met through Mick, the National Service Manager, he called over to the UK, who would get back to him, but didn’t have the specs either.  Fortunately bearings come numbered as to their specs, so removing it from the bike and reading the number should be no problem, they are universal.  But the bearing had been damaged enough that no number could be read...so it looked like a truck ride back with bike in tow.  So the arrangements were made for the next day, and then one final phone call was received.  This old Honda tech had found the bearings, it was a kit with a Honda part number that fit my bike, he would have it the next day, my bike would be ready by 10, total cost with towing, $88!  So we did what any good rider would do when faced with a dilemma, we went to the water park!  And the next day, we were on our way home....

So many times we lose our bearings, we misplace God in our dilemmas.  We panic in a panic situation, and we had had enough panic for a lifetime the summer before.  But just as then God had everything in place, before we could even ask, he did this time too.  We forget that in times of trials, it is when the gospel has gone forth and the church of believers has grown.  We get complacent, lazy with God, treating him like a genie in the lamp, just giving him commands and our wants.  But we fail to see how he takes us through, and not around the present danger.  How rare was my heart condition, that I was the only one in history to have what I had, and now the first rear bearings go out on a bike that has never failed, but fortunately God never fails.  You may be broken down, broken up, or just broken period, but God still has everything under control.  Many times without asking, despite our not listening and panicking.  Yet we do, and God still does, we are more normal than we like to think.  We forget who the disciples were before they were called, and even after spending three years night and day with Jesus, still doubted and panicked.  Yet Jesus kept his cool, he never lost his bearing, he kept his eyes on his father, doing everything for him, to the end on the cross.  And then fooling everyone by being resurrected.  He had told them so, but had they heard?  So after panicking, what do you do?  After leaning on your own understanding, what do you do?  When all hope is gone, what do you do?  After all the cussing, thrown tools, name calling and doubt has caused turmoil, when you have lost your bearing with Christ, where do you turn?  Back to Jesus...repent, then shut up and listen to him.  He knew all about the Honda tech renting trucks, the availability of parts, and the Honda part number.  The bearing was the same, it didn’t change, its application did.  Just like on Pentecost, when Peter spoke to the 3000 who were saved, at that point the gospel became for Jew and Gentile too, not just as previously prescribed.  So why can we believe he can find a bearing that doesn’t exist, but cannot solve our problem?  All parts do not work  on all bikes, but God’s spirit is available to be poured out on all who believe.  And so we enjoyed the day at the water park worry free!

Much of auto repair is WIP/WOP, work in process, or waiting on parts.  Sounds like our lives.  We are that work in process, and waiting for what we need, we just don’t know what we need.  We have a God who does, the Jews call him Jehovah Jireh, his grace is sufficient for us, he supplies all our needs, just like he says he will in Christ Jesus.   Down to the last motorcycle part.  I may have lost my bearings, Triumph was out of stock, and the broken one was unreadable, but Jesus never lost his bearing.  He never panics, he never hurries, he never tires.  The perfect person to have with you on he road, or at home.  And that afternoon, at the waterpark.  I knew the right people who still couldn’t help me, when all the time all I had to do was trust Jesus.  Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and all your parts will be available.  Seems he was into motorcycle ministry long before any of us were.  Reminding me once again, the gospel is simple so we can get it, and free so we can afford it.  Even bearing our burdens when we cannot, or they aren’t in stock.  God is bearing his witness to us all the time, with signs and wonders and diverse miracles, along with giving us his spirit.  According to his will. 

And my insurance company insisted on paying for the tow!  A good thing Lucas doesn’t make bearings.  Jesus Christ, don’t leave home without him! 

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

tape stripes and stickers

 The seventies brought a quick end to the Muscle Car era.  Where as big engines used to put out over 400 hp consistently, now being detuned for emissions and the rating system changed to net, anything over 250 hp was now big news.  So to dress up cars to look fast that once were fast, tape stripes and stickers were added.  No more sleeper cars like the 1966 Chevelle a friend had with a 454 with over 500 ho, a blue 4 door that idled lumpy, and was the car to beat, now the cars were sleepy, and suddenly mpg was more important than ho or 1/4 mile times.  What’ll she do meant how many miles per gallon do you get?  The stripes may have attempted to make a statement, but it was only a whisper of what used to be. At least if it wasn’t fast, it could look fast, and as fast as vinyl roofs faded from cars, stickers appeared.  I admit, some were cool, some were funky, some were just there to cover where the two tone paint met and to cover a scar.  Pin striping was now tape striping, and anything that could be done to dress up a mundane power producing replica of what was, was tried and applied.  A dark time for gear heads, thankfully motorcycling was coming alive, with power unheard of ever before, and faster than any former Muscle Car. 

My friend Bouke had a breathed on Z-1, that when we cruised Mickey D’s, all the old time guys left, they didn’t want a challenge, but the new younger guys, were quick to show off their cars, but never to challenge.  One era was dying, another was being born, and it wasn’t what you had under the hood any more, it was like always to us, what’ll she do.  It wasn’t what was in it, but what came out of it.  With weakened motors, it was something all the tape stripes and stickers couldn’t overcome....joining the 4 speed, dual quad, posi traction 409 into history.

With so much emphasis on education today, it is sad to see how many have never learned anything that they apply.  Last night I was reminded of what Jesus told his disciples, paraphrasing Matthew 25:11, it is not what goes into a man that defiles him, but what comes out.  In computer lingo it is GIGO, garbage in, garbage out, in real life, it is we reap what we sow.  So many are so busy studying to be found approved, they neglect to apply that knowledge, lacking wisdom in the application of God’s word.  So much of Christianity has become in and out Christianity, with more intake than output.  Like the gelded muscle cars of the eighties, they are all show and no go, they look cool, but when the pedal is put to the metal, you get sound but no action.  Where as Jesus told us to be doers and not just hearers, we spend so much time listening, we never respond.  Sadly the only time we do speak is when we ask God, then we don’t listen for his answer.  I am not against Bible reading or study, but without application, without seeing the words of Jesus in action, it becomes just another religious exercise.  Like riding 10 miles on a stationary bike, they talk how far they went, not how far they have come.  Sheltered from the storms of life in a controlled environment.  Maybe Jesus knocks at the door, because a tinkling bell may be all the relationship you have with him, for words without his love, without his words in action, we are just like a tinkling bell.  A door bell that someone rang, then ran away.  Lest anyone answer...

If you are living a façade of Christianity behind Bible covers, bumper stickers, t-shirts, and all the gospel music stations, some day you may be called on it.  You may be asked about your Jesus, and all your knowledge may not be enough if your life doesn’t reflect it.  The world is just looking for a reason to deny Jesus, but maybe really it is just a challenge to find him.  Consider Peter in the garden that night.  All the credentials, but when questioned by a little girl, runs in fear.  Forgetting the times Jesus was questioned, and stood firm.  Is it possible that little girl wanted to know Jesus, her question was simple enough, “were you with him?”  A perfect time to share his love to a frightened little girl, remember the scenario that night.  Would you have stood firm on what you know, or stand by who you know? 

Scripture also tells us the what comes out of our mouth reflects what is on our heart.  That ought to scare more than a few of us.  But it will always be what people see in our actions they remember best, after the words are forgotten.  It is the physical manifestations Jesus left, the blind seeing, the lame walking, the enslaved being set free we remember.  A gift of the physical to reflect the spiritual that has occurred.  Is your walk all tape stripes and stickers, or is it real?  Do your actions reflect what you are taught, or who you know Jesus to be personally?  Maybe the truest answer was given by a blind man, blind since birth.  When asked about Jesus, he replied, “all I know is once I was blind but now I can see.”  Knowledge may give an indication of love, your actions will prove it, either way.  It is a simple as the old saying, “money will buy a fine dog, but only love will make it wag its tail.”  Tongue wagging or tail wagging, Jesus knows the difference.  Do you?  Studying to be approved, here is your final exam for today, go love someone who is unlovable.  Let your only prayer be “thy will be done.”  Then shut up and listen for Jesus to answer.  His stripes are real, not tape.  His stickers in his head proof of our sin.  His resurrection his proof of his promises for us.  Who knows, you may be that little girl wanting to know Jesus, and a handout just won’t do.  In the end it is performance we are looking for, some carry Bibles, some carry his word on their hearts.  “What’ll you do?”  It’s only when you know what he did....that you will know how to answer.  These things shall follow them that believe, who are you leaving in your wake?

Like my friends says, burn rubber, not souls...

love with compasson,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

 

*must be present to win

When we talk of faith, we never talk about the faith we had as kids, or that some still have when they enter a contest, thinking they will win.  How many of us when younger sent in box tops, tore off coupons, or stayed up late hoping the number on our receipt matched the number drawn.  Some just knew they would win, some knew they wouldn’t, but an ounce of faith was what drove us all.  Watch at ball games when your ticket number is called for a free soda at half time, or you may get the bottle cap with the winning number underneath it.  Hoping but not knowing, that chance has little to do with our success or failure.  In life or in contests.

Years ago when working for Coca Cola, they sponsored a contest where each pull tab may have a prize under it.  From 10 cents to $100, many small winners were awarded with a free can of Coke, while others hoped the odds would be with them to win the big one.  Which was fixed, sort to speak, as in one occasion I was given the winning can, segregated when canned and given to the seller to see that it does some good.  We chose a store that had never been real good for us, hoping it would boost business, and I placed it, so that at lunch time when the high schoolers invaded, it would be bought and a winner announced.  So much for chance, or even faith, as it was a predetermined, planned event, but still left up to the person to pull a tab and win.  Which one shall we say lucky Coke drinker did, and a winner announced.  And you thought all contests were legit....

But yet many spend money they don’t have to gamble, even if it is as simple as buying a lottery ticket.  I was never much good at gambling, so didn’t do it much, but found it was important to read the small print.  “*Must be present to win,” is on many drawings at car shows and bikers events anymore.  They want you to stay until the end, hoping to still spend money to support the vendors,and keep the crowd active.  Too many times I did and was disappointed, not really, I never expected to win, but in two cases, it was worthwhile.  Calvary Chapel of the Canyons used to hold a biker event each ear, read Harley, and I took my Triumphs two years.  And each year I won a trophy for Best European.  Truth be told the field was small, but I still hung around, and when I won bragged to my Harley riding friends “you’re riding with a Trophy winner....” which after 10-15 minutes of reminders, got under their skin.  So I can vow that it is a good thing to hang around to the end, and that if you win, you must be present.

Some fatalists look at death as the end, but really it is a continuation, with a new address for us.  Trust in Jesus, you get heaven, deny him it is hell.  All are given the same chance, no special conditions, only be saved.  Yet despite salvation being a free gift from God you cannot earn, many denominations and religions tell you how you must earn your way, with the person never knowing if they did enough to make it.  Until death.  Some times we even read the Bible like that, read the last chapter, and declare “I’m done,” but yet scripture never shows us that there is an end, and even John brags on a library that cannot hold all the books about the things Jesus did.  Or is still doing in lives today.  We find that like the book of Acts, commonly called The Acts of the Apostles, it is really the acts of Jesus Christ, manifest in the lives of believers via his spirit.  God never died, his spirit continues on long after the cross, and we are the ones God has chosen to write the next chapters.  We may not be mentioned by name, only four apostles are named in Acts, but Jesus is still alive and well.  The gospel continues today, with one simple promise, to gain heaven, Jesus must be present to win.  We will last forever, and we get to choose our final destination, but without Jesus, without his presence, we lose.  Not a trick, not a plant, but simple gospel truth.  No Vegas odds, no lines to wager, no lottery to hope you win, and no small class like my Triumphs where I stood a better chance to win.  You have been given the winning ticket with Jesus’ name on it, what you do with it is up to you.  And he must be present to win!

So it takes faith to believe, just like as kids we had faith in our winning ticket.  But when we lost, we always had another contest to win, or another can of Coke to open.  The contest of life is different, when the gun sounds and the life on earth is over, the final determination has been made, based on your choice.  God is still patient that none should perish, but still leaves the choice up to you.  You may never have won at anything in life, but you can in Jesus.  Where you can celebrate with other winners who chose like you, or spend eternity in agony knowing how close you came, but never had the faith to trust or believe.  Dirty Harry put it this way, “well punk, do you feel lucky?”  God puts it this way, “I love you so much I sent my son to die.”  In Christ you already hold the winning ticket....

Of all the trophies I ever won, the only two I kept are the ones I won for Best European Bike.  All the other awards really mean nothing, so I threw them all away.  But these two remind me of a choice I made when I decided to not go with the crowd and bought a Triumph. If you are what you ride, I may be one.  But really they remind me of how great it feels to win, to choose Jesus when all others just go with the trend.  Still concerned about heaven?  Jesus must be present to win....which helps me enjoy life even more knowing where I will spend eternity, but also that he is with me today.  You are not the last chapter of the Bible, but part of the promise of Jesus.  Acts to be enacted by you, via his spirit.  My name may not be mentioned in scripture, but it is in the book of life.  Where I will be present because I won here on earth.  Hope to see you there....

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com