bedside manner and those in between meals

Just got back from my cardiologist, who gave me the thumbs up, “whatever you are doing, keep doing it,” a far cry from six years ago when I needed a miracle and became a miracle.  My infectious disease doctor told me my labs were phenomanol, and still calls me Miracle Mike.  This is the kind of doctor visits I can handle.  But both have a quality of bedside manner that goes far beyond their trained skills, which both will admit is missing in many new doctors today.  The new breed may have the technical qualities, but lack the compassionate caring of a Doc Welby.  Like my cardiologist, Dr. G, loves to travel, not by bike, but is fascinated by my rides.  Even sharing places I would like to ride, and of course places to eat.  He is real about life, and health, inspiring me to take care of myself so I can ride more.  Bedside or roadside, he has my back.  A man after my own heart, no pun intended.

But joking yesterday about road food, he told me “if it tastes good, don’t eat it.”  I do have to watch my diet, as bad eating habits almost killed me once.  But he suggested for me a better way to eat, a better schedule if you will.  On the road it may be a small motel breakfast, avoiding the latex eggs and sausage cooked in Castrol.  Ride 100 miles, then a late breakfast or early lunch, a big meal.  Then a late dinner, because  am starved by then.  That was the old me.  He suggested many smaller meals during the day, skip the big ones, and avoid getting hungry and gorging.  It will help me lose weight and not tax my system so much.  Don’t wait until you are starving to eat, stop and munch as you go, just enough to sustain you.  Today will be my first test or application, and I am excited for it.  For food and riding are so much of my life. Eat to ride and ride to eat.....

But it made me reflect on how a relationship with God can develop bad habits.  Too many only wait until they are in trouble and starving for what God has to offer.  They don’t snack on Jesus during the week, and take in a big meal on Sunday, sleeping it off that afternoon.  Forgetting that even the 5000 that Jesus fed were hungry again the next day and would need food.  Jesus provides our daily bread via his spirit, and he tells us “as you go to make disciples.”  People do love God and show it other than at Sunday go to meeting.  Maybe we are neglecting the in between meals, the times of prayer and fellowship, of thinking of Jesus when riding or singing a song.  We get hungry for the gospel, and will gorge one day and starve the next.  Like binge eating, some are binge Christians, on a steady diet at church, but on a diet of low spirit during the week.  Their moods and witness suffering, along with their relationship with Jesus.  Sometimes the guilt is revealed in a long prayer before the meal, thanking God for everything while the food get cold, or silently chastising those who don’t eat up to their standards.  So Dr. G’s advice on changing my eating habits directly reflects my walk with Christ.  Seems I am hungry all the time for him, and waiting for meal time just don’t cut it.  So I nibble all day, and find he is more of my life than a once a week church service can provide.  Or nightly prayer, or blessing before a meal.  So maybe riding to eat when applied to being a Christian can improve both diets, spiritually and physically.  Sounds like my kind of food....

There are times when you just gotta have a Tootsie Roll, and times when you ride too far without stopping to have one.  Dulls the senses, and cuts into enjoying the ride.  And why do either if you don’t enjoy it?  So as a Christian, are you getting all the nourishment you need, so you can ride all the miles you desire?  Now I don’t condone living on Tootsie Rolls, mix in a Baby Ruth every once in awhile,  but eat healthy and often.  For it is not what goes into a man that is important, but what comes out.  I like to eat and love Jesus, now I can do both more often.  At my doctor’s orders.  Gotta love a man like that, to be encouraged to enjoy life, but do it healthy too.  And while you are enjoying your second or third plate, I will be full and refreshed and out riding.  With many stops along the way, and new face and places to see.  So don’t wait until starved to eat, and don’t wait until spiritually hungry to know Jesus.  Road food somehow always tastes better, and who better to show you than he who spent his life on the road.  While an ad tells us to “stay thirsty my friends,” I rather be full of the spirit.  You only starve after you miss something, I see my diet changing already.  On the road, or in the home, at the table or at the counter, never miss a meal again without Jesus.  Don’t bother leaving a tip on the table, this one was free....I’ll save a stool for you.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

are you in good hands?

For some reason, my mother yesterday brought up the topic of when I was in eighth grade, and how we got hit in the rear on my way to school.  I can remember it, we were in my Dad’s 1963 VW, blue, going down Cooper Road, when suddenly we were hit from behind.  It damaged the bumper and left rear fender, both of us were delayed in getting to school, my Dad taught there, and it was exciting talk all day.  And like a good citizen, my Dad turned the accident into his insurance company, and to the person who hit us.  And from there it unraveled....

The person who hit us, claimed I was driving, lying through their teeth, and the insurance company backed them up.  With no attorneys to advise, and no witnesses other than those involved in the accident, my father’s clam was denied.  He even write to their insurance company and was denied, they stood by their insured and the claim was denied.  Which left my Dad paying for the repairs himself, probably under $100, but a lot in 1967 car dollars, and he would trade his beloved VW in for a 1969 BMW 1600 two years later.  But for some reason this story has always stuck with our family, of how a lie perpetuated still didn’t change the truth, nor the outcome.  Back in the days when you trusted your agent, I too was to find out how they were representatives of the company they represented, when I got hit in Florida, and they tried to just let the case go away.  I may be wrong, but insurance is only as good as when it is needed, and in this case and others, despite Ed Reimers and his claim, “you aren’t always in good hands,” no matter which insurance you have.  Seems right and wrong are debatable when money is about to change hands....

With the failure of the world’s largest tax increase behind us, aka the Affordable Care Act, which raised deductibles to a new high, we could afford the premiums, maybe, but be paying on our deductibles forever.  You could afford to get sick, you just couldn’t afford the deductibles.  Add in the fact that if you didn’t have insurance you were taxed, I am personally glad it is gone.  But before the government intervened, before insurance companies denied claims, the truth was still out there.  And no amount of arguing would change it.  When God set up his family, he called us the church, and we are his representatives.  Not a choice I might make, but God does, and before mega churches, deviant denominations, and private insurance, God would provide through his church.  Which falls short today.  When hospitalized, the church of 7000 I attended, a rich yuppie church, sent me flowers.  Asking if I needed anything, and when we told them we were out of funds, we needed money, found out that saying nothing was saying no.  Our request fell on deaf ears, but our eyes were opened.  All the teachings of giving and loving, laced with scripture meant nothing to us in our time of need, but what the spirit showed us did. The blessings were huge, and many were blessed by blessing us through God, too bad our own church denied us.  I guess personal needs come first, until they are someone else’s....

But back in the original church, a prophesy was given about a famine to come.  Being moved by the spirit, and not being bound by economics, the two men running a fellowship in Jerusalem sent food and needed supplies ahead of time to Judea.  Prophecy today is interpreted as predicting the future, its original meaning was to show the light of God in action, to draw attention to Jesus, which it still does.  Not drawing attention to a church or a pastor or his books.  That is false Christianity.  But true Christianity reflects Jesus, where no man or action gets between god getting the glory, while we get his blessings. This church sent the blessings ahead of time, inspired by the spirit rather than a bank account.  Remember it is not money that is the root of all evil, but the love of it.  Lest you boast incorrectly.  But this is recorded in Acts so we can see the true heart of God in action, not inaction.  How the body shares with each other, love in action.  There is no hierarchy, no church board to act or react, or over react, but men being moved by the spirit of God and doing what scripture demands, and God provides, loving and taking care of one another.  Meeting the needs of others, how excited the church in Jerusalem must have been to give, and the Judeans to receive ahead of time.  Love in action, a verse I never heard taught in any church.  If we are the church, we are only in good hands when in God’s hands, in his spirit.  His witness is made real through us, and manifested in how we love one another.  If only the songs we sang reflected our walk in action, how different things might be.  Sadly too many tithe to the church, thinking they are tithing to God, but he knows the difference.  Running a ministry I know, we never solicit money, but will put out needs, and God meets them every time, usually before we ask.  Isaiah 65:24 in action.  Truly I know the difference of being in good hands, so did the first church.  Does yours?  Do you?

So here we have a wonderful picture of how God designed the church to function, of the words of Jesus in action, and the power of his spirit.  All the essential characteristics are there, gifts of the spirit, the life of Jesus, the proclamation of the word, the teaching of scripture, and the sharing of the body.  This is how the body of Christ, aka the church of today is to manifest itself in the world.  What a testimony to those who were hungry, both Jew and Gentile, how the love of God inspired one church to help another far away.  And how God, Jehovah Jireh provides.  The body didn’t wait for the famine to occur, or form a task force, hold special offerings or sell t-shirts, the people gave as God showed them.  What does your giving show others about your God?  Are you in his hands? 

We buy insurance for what may happen, just like we trust Jesus for what may happen.  But when it does, who is holding your policy?  How big is the deductible, and can your company cover the loss?  Of all insurance companies in the world, only John Hancock can cover all of its insured losses if they occurred at once.  Seems the rest of us are underinsured at best.  But God knew about a famine to come, he knows your future too.  Are you trusting him or man?  Your church or God?  Teaching or application?  All the rules are subject to change except when Jesus is involved.  You only find out how good your coverage is when you need it.  Don’t wait to know God before you do.  His care is affordable, it is loving and compassionate.  Just knowing Jesus makes me sleep better at night, knowing he can take care of me.  If the hands you trust aren’t nail pierced, you need to check out your policy, not just your life insurance.  In the darkness of despair, God’s light shines brightest.  Each one giving as they were able.  With no deductible for tax purposes.  Only in Jesus will all our needs be met.  No fault may be an insurance term, you won’t find it in scripture.  Don’t let it become part of yours.  Just another example of the church in action, brought to you by Jesus Christ himself.  Are you in his hands?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

finding love at the gas station or why did gas used smell so good

While pumping the most expensive gas in the US of A into my Tiger, being careful not to spill it all over my tank, I looked up to see the SUV next to me going into the $50 range.  A quick glance had him looking at me suspiciously, almost jealous of my fuel bill, but not wanting my mode of travel.  Seems the fact he could afford to fill his truckster made him proud, as if using more and getting less MPG was an attribute. Like I was not as good...as I topped off and left under ten dollars, him still pumping away.  But it was the pumping of my own gas that made me think more about the self serve than of the high price, of a time when we could drive in and a pump jockey would check the gas and fill the oil, wash the windshield, ask if we wanted stamps, and drive off under two bucks.  I recall how on our motorcycles they would hand us the pump, a sign of respect, if not jealous admiration, and many times I felt bad for only using 80 cents, and having him return with the change.  How gas used to smell so good, and being a pump jockey was the job of preference for high school gear heads long before self serve, and fast food became the first rite of teenage work.  A job we were proud to do, but a job also where sometimes we were looked down on, as a big Cadillac owner would tell us to “don’t spill any gas, and hurry.”  Reminding us if we missed a bug or two on the windshield, and demanding his five cents of change.  Sometimes we felt looked down on, but truth be told, for some, no matter the career we chose, or it chose us, it was the best time we ever had working.

Late nights with no business we could use the lift to change our own oil, rotate the tires, or for the faster guys, install glass packs or do suspension work.  It was a time where we learned from the fast guys, and even if at the bottom of the pecking order, “keep the crappers clean kid,” and as you rose up through it, you were part of the guys, sometimes getting hand me down parts, with the added bonus of learning about life first hand rather than in sex ed. or health.  Dirty hands and dirty minds didn’t necessarily go together, but to the nerdy, trendy crowd, as they looked down at you, you laughed a them.  It may be a low paying job, you may get your hands dirty, but the world was your customer, and you somehow knew they couldn’t get by without you.  Almost makes me miss that clanging bell signaling their approach....

But the cool guys got to know the tow truck driver, and wished we could go along, just to watch or be seen in the cool truck, going to the rescue of those in distress.  Digging that Caddy driver out of the muck, “hey aren’t you the kid who pumps my gas?” and getting a show of approval and respect from him, if only he would remember that on his next visit.  But those days are gone, I wonder how many kids dream of their first job flipping burgers, if the free meal per shift was worth it, and wonder how it feel to go back.  As we both stand there pumping our own gas....at least there is no self service burgers yet.

At any new job we take, we want to show our boss just how good a choice he made, and how good a job we will do.  Over trying to a point until he reels us in and back to reality.  Paul went through the same thing when called by God to minister.  He wanted to tell the whole world about the Jesus he had found, but encountered trouble, heartache, and humiliation instead.  He may be employed by the world’s richest Jew, but he was to learn humility by being humiliated, to see a side of the king he didn’t know.  After campaigning too much, the other Jews set a trap to kill him, manning all the gates, laying in wait for him, but instead he had to leave town in a basket over the wall.  The ultimate humiliation, escaping and hiding from his enemies.  In the dark, a failure in his own mind, cast off and rejected, humiliated and distressed, how alone he must have felt.  But never abandoned by Jesus.  But yet later in 2 Corinthians 11 he relates this as his greatest triumph, how it drew him closer to Christ, how he learned dependency and reliance on him, and not on his skills.  He would later write all I gained to be counted as loss as compared to the greatness of Jesus Christ.  All the things he felt were necessary God showed him were useless, if not the spirit it was all loss, but in the spirit, he and we can truly do all things in Christ who gives us strength.  Too many Christians brag about all the Christian books they read, the studies they do, claiming to know Jesus, but really just knowing about him.  Perpetual study but never meeting face to face the one who can save and bless.  With knowledge brings pride, until a need to escape over the wall in the basket occurs.  Some then run from it in shame, while others run to him in repentance.  While some are intent to study to find themselves approved, the world’s smartest man tells us “study is wearisome to the flesh,” Ecclesiastes 12:12.  We may be so educated that we don’t see the basket God has planned and waiting for us.  But like for Paul, it may be the defining event in our ministry. 

God isn’t interested in our abilities, only our availability.  Look at the apostles resumes, but in Christ they changed the world.  If we take our eyes off of ourselves, and see us how Jesus does, we can then become the servant he calls us to be.  To wash windows, to be chastised for missing a few bugs, for spilling a few drops of gas.  To not be ashamed of flipping burgers, to feel good about asking if you want it supersized.  Or your oil checked.  To remember that Jesus told us he was meek and lowly, you may be the new pump jockey that is the only Jesus someone sees today.  Your attitude may be what the proud see.  If your prayer is like the rich man who thanked God in his prayer he was not  like the poor man, maybe the basket is ready and waiting.  You may not see it, but God does.  Having been both humbled and humiliated, I can tell you I rather be humbled.  Humiliation can be humiliating, but it will bring the peace of Jesus to you. You may be big in the eyes of the world, but small in the eyes of the Lord.  Paul learned a valuable lesson that night, when he gave over his pride in humiliation.  All who truly serve the Lord will be a basket case some day, and to that I say “go ahead and fill’er up, and I’ll take the stamps.”  Full service from a full service God, all without asking.  And he won’t spill any gas on your tank.  Jockeying the pumps of life, best left to Jesus.  Your paycheck awaits....maybe self service isn’t all it’s cracked up to be after all.

love with compassion,

Mike

mattehw25biker.blogspot.com

the day after the circus left town

There is much talk among many different groups about the next generation, from Lincoln owners who are one step from the grave to churches with a dwindling attendance, all are wondering how to get the young people involved.  Even in motorcycling it seems that too many great bikes are wasted on us older guys, Harley has done numerous studies trying out find out how to get the younger generation to buy its product, and no product is exempt from it.  It seems that with each generation their values and desires change, mechanics are now techs, janitors are environmental controllers, and no one goes to personnel, but to HR.  Based on human resources, we all may be at a standstill and don’t know it, just treading water as the background changes and we don’t move.  We were part of a focus group once about a new Chrysler car to compete with the Japanese, al cars had their badges removed, and you couldn’t tell one brand from the other.  How sad.  A Toyota was a Nissan was a Mazda.  Look at today’s cookie cutter SUV’s, a market even Ferrari will be entering next year, and they all look alike, a box to carry the goods, people. Tradition in our buying may be a good thing, but it has gone on too long.  Just because is not a good reason anymore.  If it ever was.

Just as Harley is selling a warmed over version of a 1936 engineering exercise, others have jumped on the so-called retro theme.  Triumph continues the Bonneville from where it left off, and it is their best seller, still a Bonne.  Honda tried to sell a new CB1100, and still has 2014 models, new ones at dealers for sale.  Kawasaki is selling a new Z-1 styled ZR900, which looks a lot like the old one, and is what they would look like as they evolved, getting great reviews, and talking to those who rode them, tell me it is a great bike and fun to ride.  Maybe that is the one thing missing from too many products today, trying to be something they aren’t, where the product cannot match the advertisement, and once the word gets around, it is doomed.  How long can we continue to market an old product in a new package?  The only place I see it some changes are within organized religion, where they are trying to market Christ, via crusades, festivals, special church events, and kid’s programs, using all the human resources except that of the holy spirit.  Will a new generation buy into the same old gospel message?  Like that old time religion that was good enough for Mama and Poppa, is it good enough for you?  Yet we see how the holy spirit grows us still as he did the first church.

When a raging Paul sought to destroy Christianity on his own, the spirit blinded him and he was told to meet a man named Judas, who would take him to Ananias, who was praying for him.  Just think of the two names the spirit used, Judas who betrayed Jesus, and Ananias who was the first priest to openly mock Christianity.  What a first test for Paul.  But with no human relations involved, via the spirit he was taught, attended to, and fed and watered in the name of Jesus.  Maybe the first ministry outside of the apostles in action.  They both had to be a bit reticent to encounter a man who was dragging Christians from their homes and throwing them in prison, but based on what the spirit revealed to them, they obeyed.  How different his new life in Christ began, maybe a little more dramatic than ours, but really the same way, drawn by the spirit, confronted by the spirit, acknowledging the spirit, and trusting the spirit.The same spirit Jesus said he would leave for those who believe and who still is alive today and well.  If only disorganized religious denominations would see that.  Talk about revival.....

There was a time when I attended so-called Christian crusades or rallies.  I stopped because they turned out to be mostly Christian get togethers, with very few unsaved at them.  And if the numbers they brag about are true, why aren’t the attendance numbers in local churches growing?  I know many get saved at these, but where is the follow up, where are the Judases and Anaiases of the church to minister to a new believer when they are most vulnerable?  Or are we too busy getting our picture taken with a famous person than spending time with the new nobodies?  We all were new once, who came beside you?  Who are you leaning on now?  Is your Christian experience just a photo op?  Where is Jesus in the picture?  Did not Jesus tell us to go and make disciples, to educate and minister to the newly saved, or are we too proud and only brag on the number of salvations?  Are they really saved, and if so they really need help now.  Which Judas are you?  Which Ananias are you?  One photo op may be worth a thousand words....

Alfred P. Sloan the architect of General Motors once explained “you can sell and old man a young man’s car, but you cannot sell a young man and old man’s car.”  Marketing at its purest.  We need to ask, are we marketing Jesus, or true ambassadors of him?  If the thousands that go forward on Easter are really saved and welcomed, why aren’t the churches overflowing the next week?   A quick examination of where we are is needed.  Where is the holy spirit in your life?  Do you need a Judas or do you need to be one?  Mine was Larry Peoples, who killed 27 for profit and 8 for revenge, and Jesus saved him and sent him to me.  Young and stupid, I needed the spirit’s help and he didn’t disappoint.  I was just following what God put on my heart.....so what about the new generation, the new Christians to come?  Maybe it all can be found in the hardest prayer you will ever ask, remembering all things begin in prayer.  THY WILL BE DONE.  The shut up and listen, and become part of a winning team.  Where the spirit of the Lord is, and watch as we all grow in grace.  The vacant lot was sure empty and lonely after the circus left town, don’t miss what the spirit is saying to those who are new to Christ.  Be the mentor, the discipler, maybe invite them to church.  But they have already met the holy spirit, now it is time to get to know him.  Any takers?

Some have the t-shirt and photos, I rather have the spirit.  What you do the day after knowing Jesus may make all the difference.  Ask me, I know...you probably do too.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com