something's happening here, what it is ain't exactly clear

We are in the early years of rock and roll, Elvis is King, the world still is in mourning over the death of The Big Bopper, Ritchie Valens, and Buddy Holly, the day the music died.  A young promoter out of Philadelphia is scheduling musical acts in Atlantic City, and has scheduled a man with a song and a new dance.  But he comes up ill and cannot be there, so the promoter calls a man he met a few years earlier to fill in, and Edgar Evans show up.  His song and dance ignite the rock world, the dance, The Twist, a dance with no steps, and the promoter a young Dick Clark.  The name Edgar Evans shows up nowhere in musical history today, but we know him as Chubby Checker.  Dick goes onto promote American Bandstand, and many new groups will be given a chance at stardom, and the intro to stardom through him.  Just mention The Twist and everybody starts doing it....

Moving on a few years, the president of a new record label is listening to a band audition out in LA.  They have a new sound, based on guitars and a take on country music, and when they are done playing all the songs they know, the president asks if they have any more.  Nothing has clicked...yet.  The leader announces they have one more song, but it doesn’t have a name.  But they will audition it for what it’s worth.  And music history continues as Buffalo Springfield gets their first break, the song you all know “For What It’s Worth,” not about war, but the riots on Sunset Strip in the sixties.  Spawning Poco, CSN&Y, Loggins and Messina, and others, all Hall of Fame musicians, and one Richie Furay getting saved and being known as Pastor Richie to his flock in Broomfield, Colorado Calvary Chapel.  Something’s happening here....

It is the fifties, and a young preacher is stepping out from his Baptist background.  God is calling him to take the gospel public, and a publisher, anything but Christian puts out a two word release to his chain of newspapers.  “PUFF GRAHAM!”  Industry jargon for promote him, the publisher, William Randolph Hearst, the man, Billy Graham.  Who will lead more crusades and men to Christ than anyone in the twentieth century.  Who will become an advisor to president and celebrities, his message simply the gospel of Jesus Christ and his saving grace.  A message still fresh and new to those who first hear it and respond.....

Two women, cousins, one older, one still a teenager are visiting, both pregnant.  When the younger cousin arrives, when greeted the baby in the womb of the older leaps with joy.  They stay together for three months until the baby is born, and his father breaks tradition, unable to speak, not naming him after himself or anyone else in his family.  He names him John, the name the holy spirit has had him write on the paper.  Suddenly he can speak, praising God, and the village wonders, “who will this man be?”  Will he be famous?  But his path has been set by God on high, and he will not be the star as hoped, but the messenger telling of his cousin’s birth, and preparing the world for his message.  So powerful a message, he will lose his head to the leader of the government, per a request by his step daughter.  We know him as John the Baptist, J the B, and he will baptize with water.  His cousin, Emanuel, better known as Jesus, will come to save the world, and be crucified.  Baptizing believers in the spirit....and his message, the gospel still goes forth today, by his spirit in those who believe and are saved.  But his time had to wait as he lived in the wilderness and in obscurity, until age 30.  The age a man may become a Jewish priest.  And the world has never been the same, nor will it ever be.

A few years back a couple were riding cross country and spending time in Pennsylvania.  Visiting the Ephrata Cloisters, a religious order from the 1700’s, they believed in the return of Jesus, and lived stoic, legalistic lives, sleeping little, and devoting themselves to study and prayer, lest Jesus return and they are found sleeping or unaware.  After the tour guide continually explained this return of Jesus, the rapture, she asked if anyone had any questions.  Meeting in the barn, both the tour and the guide being secular, she was unprepared for the question, “what is this rapture you speak of?”  And not knowing what to say, the man stepped forward, and was able to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with the crowd.  Just answering the question asked, allowing the spirit to do what it does best, minister and save.  No altar call, just sharing Jesus....just another moment in time ordained by God. 

We never know when the spirit of the Lord will call, so be ready.  Not legalistically, but in the spirit.  Knowing God has everything under control.  He orders our steps, but doesn’t order us, leaving the decision to follow or to deny up to us.  From rock star to the rock, he knows all of us by name, and calls us to know him by name.  We too can leap in the spirit as John leapt in the womb, we can share the gospel publicly when called to, and we can live in the spirit when we choose to.  God will provide the opportunity, how we respond is still up to us.  Today will be the day of salvation for many, but the day the music died for others.  You don’t want to leave this earth without knowing Jesus and the blessed hope of heaven.  He is still in the business of changing lives, and blessing his people.  From a barn in Bethlehem to a barn in Ephrata, his message still goes forth bringing life.  Surely something’s happening here, but in Jesus it is exactly clear.  He is worthy, for what it’s worth.  Give him a listen today....

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

travel nationally, eat locally

You never ask the girl behind the desk “where is a good place to eat?”  You may be directed to the coffee shop, so we ask, “if you could go anywhere to eat, where would it be?”  And as their eyes light up, the menu changes for the better.  You may be a stranger in a strange town, with the lights from a chain beckoning you to feel at home, but you aren’t or you would be at home.  So why eat the same things on the road as at home?  Which brings us to local restaurants we have eaten at, wishing they were chains or at least in So Cal.  Nothing good ever comes to San Diego, seems they all stop at the county line.  While many have already stopped at the state line.  But here are a few that will make us ride out of way for a meal.

If in Bartlesville, Eggbert’s is the breakfast place.  Not fancy, looks like an old Coco’s, but the cinnamon roll pancake is to die for, not so sure it isn’t illegal.  Image a full size pancake, not the kid size at IHOP, with swirls of cinnamon and topped with icing.  Makes my teeth hurt thinking about it.  But for the best bacon, eggs, and hash browns it is the Durango Diner in Durango, make sure to sit at the counter and watch Gary do his thing with the spatula.  He has for almost 40 years now...

While looking for dinner in Gettysburg, the places on the circle were full except for one, so going against logic we ate there, and had the meal of trip.  The Pub and Restaurant was just filling up and the timing was right.  Incredible food, I had some Cajun dish based on Jumbalaya with pasta, so huge I didn’t think I would finish.  Great waitress, and fair price.  Worth a trip back, battlefields optional.  If you are asked “red or green?” it must be New Mexico, in Albuquerque it means Monroe’s.  But better yet in Santa Fe it is Los Amigos, in an old house off the main road.  Finished off with a sopapilla as big as the plate and hot, the perfect antidote for the green chile cheese burger.  Still not sure, “say Christmas,” a mixture of red and green.  But what about lunch on the road?

We try to frequent the local chains, and eat the specialty.  If there is a Culver’s in sight, Theresa will find it.  Great burgers with crinkle cut fries, but it is the concrete you save room for.  Also Braum’s makes a great burger combo for $5.89 with a shake, read milk shake.  They are a dairy store after all.  But when eating is the theme of the day or trip, you cannot beat Das Essenhaus in Middlebury, Indiana.  On the way to somewhere, it is family style, Amish food at its best, and served cafeteria style.  Roast beef, chicken, pork roast, real mashies and dressing, fresh veggies, and over 20 feet of a second trip back.   The $12.99 all you can eat lunch of the year, take your time, choose well, and eat lots.  Then take a wagon ride to work it off.....so when given the chance, travel nationally, but eat locally.  You will never be homesick again.  Ride to eat and eat to ride takes on a whole new attitude....of course you knew that already.

Theses temples to great eating should never be confused with the temples that Jesus lives in, our bodies.  When we are saved his spirit takes up residence within us, and many alternative temples can compete for his attention.  Some temples come in the form of cars and motorcycles, some on a large screen, some fitting the body we live in, and others yet in the form of drugs or alcohol.  Not all forms of idolatry are in the form of other gods, but can take the place of God in our hearts and life.  While some choose to live a life of luxury without considering the things of the spirit, some live a life of legalism, afraid to eat or drink anything, less a dietary law or custom is eaten where forbidden.  When anything controls us and  our pocket book, our mind, our attitude or actions, it it’s the primary guiding force in our lives.  Some live in homes that own them, the mortgage bigger than their ego, and becomes a prison.  Some have to have the fastest car or motorcycle, as one man explained to me last week, every year he gets a new bike.  Taking a huge hit on each old one sold.  Fashion and music go in and out of style, do you really need tennis, running, walking, workout, and casual shoes that we used to just call sneakers?  We all give in to something, can we say the same about Jesus?  Pause as the crowd just got smaller and quieter....

God wants you to have nice things, just not put them above or before him.  Yet some live poor but not humbly, thinking it pleases God.  Why would I want to be poor and destitute when God offers me the best?  Some still brag on what they have done, while others brag on what they haven’t done.  Do any of us brag on what Jesus has done?  On what his spirit is doing within us?  You see some choose to act locally, in church like Christians, but are a different person outside the building.  Jesus operates 24/7, we are to act the same outside as we do inside, which tells us a lot about what is inside us, and who is calling the shots.  Maybe a look at your check book is more than you want see and admit.  Idolatry is more than a product, more than an action, it is an attitude.  Does your attitude reflect Jesus?  Know that things are not bad in themselves, but when they lure you into more involvement of them they become idols.  You have a new god, a new master, and new love and you may not realize it.  One that leads you into sin and destruction rather than saving you from it.  Tough calls sometimes, but remember Jesus has given you his spirit so you know.  Do nothing form selfishness, but think of others and how it affects them too.  The first being your witness of Christ.  You know the urge, we have all been there.  But do we trust the spirit more?

Maybe it is explained best as a friend who drives over the road trucks did.  While on a ride with him, he passed by a diner and we went back.  He told us he always wanted to stop there, and when I asked him “is the food good?”  truckers are supposed to know all the best places to eat, he shook his head no.  Didn’t matter. The lot was big enough to park his semi in.  So maybe the truckers don’t know the best places to eat after all...but you can have the best in Christ when trusting and traveling with him.  Jesus spent his entire ministry on the road, he surely knew the best places to eat.  Consider this, he fed the 5000, left them with enough for the next day to remember what he did, and how, what about all the other daily meals with the apostles?  He remembered them at the in between meals too, can we say we remember him in the in between meals?  By his hand we must be fed, give us Lord your daily bread. 

Now on the subject of Pop Tarts....

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

just answer the question!

As a father who raised two adventurous boys, and lived through their teen years to tell about it, I learned a secret, which really isn’t a secret if someone told me, and now I’m telling you.  So simple you may have overlooked it, and even applicable today in non-child raising applications.  Ready?  One word answers.  That’s it.  “Can I go?” “No.”  Not, “you cannot go because we don’t have the money,” or “no you cannot go because you’re grounded,”  just no.  A simple one word answer.  Which today may save a lot of stress between relationships, if applied properly.  For example, have you ever noticed how people avoid one word answers to yes or no questions?  See, instead of saying yes, or no, you began to cite an example.  Did you just do that?  Yes or no....not well could you repeat the question, or that I didn’t understand the answer.  You just proved a point...either way.

But the converse to the rule is when asking a question for a detailed answer.  “Is that a new bike, where did you buy it?”  Answer, “yes.”  Why do we get confused when it comes time to answer?  Are we trying to hide something, or are we just not comfortable, since we hear lies so many times anymore?  Yes or no answer.  With possibility of choosing either or or.  My kids still found ways to argue even with one word answers, “but why?” is not a yes or no.  Simple solution, if you engage in an argument, you already lost. They got you, and in terms of beliefs, wrong doctrine, sin, or false doctrine will wear you down long before you can change them.  Many Christmas parties ago a man and his family came and he started in some doctrinal issues.  He picked on a weaker one, they somehow know, and frustrated him and his belief.  When I was asked to comment, I confronted him, telling him all he wanted to do was start and argument, and he was not welcome any more.  Harsh words, but no argument.  Funny, how his wife the told him “see I told you not to do that, it always causes trouble.”  And gone he was...

In 2 John we read a short letter warning a church about false teachers, and how they invade and cause problems within the body.  He advises “don’t even say God bless you,” or let them into your house.  If you say God bless you, you acknowledge their god, who isn’t the only true God of the Bible.  And they are coached in how to twist scripture for their own use.  So no engagement, no argument.  Get it?  That’s a yes or no answer.  For example...

Some ladies used to make things for the elderly in nursing homes, a true ministry, and gave them away.  Meeting each week, they fellowshipped, made the items, and were blessed.  Until one time some Mormon women arrived, wanting to participate.  The pastor thought it a chance to evangelize them, but they all agreed to not share or talk about doctrines.  Seems the evil had arrived and taken over.  Soon the group was mostly Mormon women, who had infiltrated the Christian setting, and the women started to leave.  The Mormons had been successful, the pastor wrong, and the free items then were sold to the needy instead of given freely.  Net result, no more ministry, and when tried again, the church reminded them of how it failed last time.  The church failed, scripture didn’t, and evil won out.  Seems old John knew of what he was talking about. 

So God made it easy to become a Christian.  Do you acknowledge Jesus as deity?  Do you believe he died for your sins?  Will you repent and acknowledge him as your savior?  And when true to the spirit, you are saved.  Notice all questions require a yes or no answer.  No diatribe or theological discourse.  God tells you “let your yes be yes and no be no.”  He mad the gospel simple so we can get, free so we can afford it.  Not multiple choice.

So are you sure you are going to heaven?  No time to philosophize now.  Either you are saved or you aren’t, no maybes in heaven, those  who didn’t decide did so by not saying yes.  Only God gives us the right to say no, and to say yes.  Based on love and forgiveness in Jesus Christ.  Maybe an interview on TBN years ago explains it best.  A man radically saved from cancer was being interviewed.  He was being pressed to tell if TBN influenced his miracle, what scripture, what teacher, what show saved him?  His answer was simple, “all I know is Jesus.”  By his answer he admitted he knew it all.  For no man or teacher can do what Jesus does, heal and save.  Finally after many attempts at getting another answer, they moved on.  Was this show selling Jesus or themselves?  Only in the spirit  do you know, the answer is them first, then Jesus.  But those who truly know Jesus and not entangled in religion get it.  Do you?

Or you can be like I did once.  Below the test page was a line that said “do not write below this line?”  So I asked why?  And I am still waiting for an answer.  Still don’t know Jesus?  Here’s your chance.  You have just heard the gospel, do you see him as God?  A simple yes or no will do....

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com