ashtrays and cupholders

How many of you were like me in school, trying not to fall asleep, but pretending to take notes.  Really drawing some of the best designed cars ever.  Fast cars, customizing Muscle cars, and pretending to be out road testing them instead of trying to stay awake.  But looking back, I cannot remember ever drawing any interiors, the place where we would spend all of our real time when not dreaming.  I have always been in awe of the interior designers, and from my 1949 Ford F-3 to our 2015 ford Mustang, things have definitely changed.  From basic info like speed and how much gas till empty, to now miles per gallon till empty, road speed, and too many engine functions I can’t even understand.  But one part of the interior stands out over the years, the ashtray.  At one time a society of inhalers, the ashtray was the most functional part of the interior.  And grew to lavish proportions in Lincolns and Cadillacs.  Fancy pull out dual ashtrays with dual lighters, even on my 1950 Buick one in the back of the front seat.  How many arms rested on closed ash trays in the back when kids, and had to inhale the second hand smoke.  Ashtrays were the most basic ingredient to interiors, until over the years we became more socially conscious, and quit smoking in cars.  To today, where there are no lighters or ash trays, but you can order a smoker’s package with both.  With the lighter filling the spot where you can plug in your phone charger.  A receptacle like a cup placed in your cup holder.  The new thing that interior designers must deal with...

Back in the eighties when we all decided we needed a Big Gulp to get us home, we bought aftermarket cup holders.  I remember the ones on Mercedes Benz, screwed into the door panel, and when they stripped out, replacing it with a bigger screw, ultimately leaving a ruined door panel with holes in it.  But designers caught on, and today in some SUV’s you can find as many as twelve, when they only hold seven people.  Room for a back up Big Gulp, whose dimensions were a key component in the sizing of the holder.  No word if 7-11 gets a residual on each one...But today you must have too many cupholders, while little attention is paid to driving.  Turn on the DVD screen, hand the kids a drink,and you can talk on your cell phone uninterrupted, until a motorcycle comes into your path, causing you to actually drive and hopefully avoiding me.  To be honest, more safe miles were driven in class than on all the roads we drove of....

In case you haven’t been paying attention, we have become a compulsive society.  A narrow focused one, with us in the center.  Years ago we took basic Christian courses about who was on the throne, us or Jesus, identifying us as carnal Christians when taking over the drivers seat.  As I watch so many believers today doing the same thing, they limit their blessings, while portraying a different Jesus than the Bible.  Jesus himself addressed this, with little response from his disciples.  It took the author of Ephesians to point it out, and I wonder how many of you Bible students caught it.  God refers to the sword of the spirit, seen on so many shirts but not in too many hearts.  There are two words used here, one logos, the entire word of God, all of Jesus who is the word, and rhema, a special application given by the spirit when needed.  The sword of the spirit.  Ever been amazed at how you have just the right words sometimes, or like me having them override your theology?  that is the rhema, the spirit intervening for  us as needed.  When saved we are given this gift of the spirit, but too many times we take control via self, denying the spirit.  The more time we spent reading and not necessarily studying, we find the spirit revealing the mysteries of Christ to us, and taking us deeper than our thoughts could by themselves.  Some study to find themselves approved, some follow the spirit.  I am not against study, but just study for study’s sake.  for when we study to pass the test, we forget what we studied afterwards, it is on to something else.  If only we let the spirit intervene as he wants to....

The spirit of God brings these things to our attention so we can take it, heed it, and obey it.  For where his spirit is there is liberty!  Those of us who used to dream in school and think outside of the box were prime candidates for this rhema, as our minds were not centered on learning, but more on application.  Our minds were overflowing with ideas, and education only brought us what it knew and wanted us to know, the spirit gives us more, and insight to it.  From ashtrays to cupholders engineers were designing to meet a need, while being stylish at the same time.  Which explains such ill placed cupholders as the ones in the 210 E class, right above the electronic shifter, that would quit working when latte added, even by accident.  And not a warranty issue, as poor design is not a malfunction of the part.  Human error which over rides design error.  Or how many other ill placed cup holders or ashtrays were forced upon us?  No more room, they had to be placed somewhere, didn’t they?  If only the spirit had led their designing of them...

Fortunately God has designs for our lives, expressed via the rhema he provides.  It is this rhema that makes Jesus personal, that erodes the education and religion most think is Christianity.  It is when Jesus’ spirit is alive in us we can do things that can only be expressed as supernatural in origin, from a loving God just for us at that moment. Sometimes so personal they go beyond words, and without the spirit’s guidance would appear foolish.  Yet it is the fool who denies there is a God.....When God designed us he had a perfect plan in mind for us, unique to each one of us.  Tap into his rhema today and discover it.  Some dream while others create.  But without the spirit to guide, we end up with broken ashtrays and too many cup holders.  Or designs like our doodles that never leave the page, and are resumed the next time the class meets.  Rhema can be the weapon we need, or it can be the cause of our peace.  The sword described is not a big sword like on the trendy Christian t-shirts, but a scapple, a specialized tool, for an exact purpose.  Used to do a specific job.  Tune into him today, and watch as your relationship in Christ grows. 

We have a whole generation of kids who never have seen an ashtray, I wonder, when they do, will their Big Gulp fit?  I’ll bet they would notice ashes in their cup....only in the spirit will they ever know the difference.  And now you do too...I hope you weren’t doodling while reading this...if you were I understand.

And why you should never see a cupholder on a motorcycle!

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

illusions of my childhood

Long before we had a generation with their heads buried in their i-pods or elsewhere, we had to pay attention.  While considering the ad to join my high school alumni association and pay their userous fee to join, I considered the following things from growing up. Illusions if you will, or how the mind of a kid worked at the time.

I never understood how a man named Ford on my paper route drove a Chevy.  I remember the Heidi game, and as a Jets fan felt robbed.  Miss Bevelheimer once gave me a C, because I did B work when I could’ve done A.  Figure that one out.  How I grew up on a street once named Trenton Avenue, it was interrupted by a school, renamed Mohawk Drive but found out their was another street by that name in our zip code, and finally agreed on Algonquin Drive.  Could you spell that please?  Being kept after school and then being threatened with suspension because I wore my baseball uniform to detention.  Getting my first paycheck and having taxes taken out, what’s this all about?  Never understanding why my Dad drove Ramblers.  Breaking up with my girlfriend in eighth grade and then going with her best friend, and both ending up hating me.  Only having six channels on TV, and something was always on.  And having to walk across the room to change the channel.  Going to the library to pick up girls.  77 WABC, and Cousin Brucie, then WNEW-FM, the first station without a format.  Seeing The National Lampoon Radio Dinner, just before it became Saturday Night Live.  Gas going from 23.9 to 35.9 and how was I going to afford it on my $2.55/hour job at Sears.  Cleaning out the floor of my Mom’s Rambler Classic with a whisk broom.  Using Brillo pads on the whitewalls.  Spending hours on the phone with girls, under the guide of studying.....being too cool to ride the bus any longer.  MAD magazine, what, me worry?

My friend Abner putting an old Civil War bayonet in the ceiling with joy when the Mets won the World Series.  Studying rock poetry in 10th grade, really just listening to albums, was Suite Judy Blue Eyes really a poem?  Was Paul Simon a poet?  Somehow no one failed to get an A.  Being home sick and suddenly being well when school let out.  The cafeteria only serving fish on Fridays.  The big kids, almost teenagers, telling us all about sex, WOW.  The first time I heard Sgt. Pepper.  Batman on Thursday nights, same Bat time, same Bat channel.  Walter Cronkite being the most trusted man in America.  Turning 17 and finally getting my driving permit.  My first ticket for not staying to the right on a four lane highway.  You know that didn’t happen in California.  Names from the past in the news, Adam Clayton Powell, John Lindsay, Governor Hughes, Flo Dwyer, and the day JFK was shot, I was in 4th grade in Mrs. Vanderbilt’s class.  Having a friend’s older sister dating Larry Burright from the  1962 Mets, right next door, and sneaking a chance to visit.  Double headers at Shea Stadium.  Steve Hamilton’s folly floater on the Yankees.  My first Schwinn, and then my first Sting Ray!  Adding a tiger striped velour seat which was cool until it got wet.  All summer at the park playing.  Then rushing out after dinner to play more.  Kickball in the streets, and being picked first.  The first time I heard Surf City, and wondering what a woodie was.  Having my skate board confiscated, after working on it for days, when I cut in front of a cop and he hit me.  And getting it after Sunday School along with a lesson from the sergeant when I picked it up.  Frank is bald!  Best friends until junior high, and then again in high school, when your social stats changed.  Riding to Crestwood Cupboard for nickel candy bars.  Sleeping out with friends in Joey’s tent in the summer....Chiller Theater, Famous Monsters of Filmland, and the list goes on.

So many memories of growing up, and looking back fondly at the good and the bad times.  How many of us share our testimonies about Jesus the same way?  Is or was he a defining moment in your life?  I can remember being told about Jesus and threatening to put the guy who shared with me in the hospital, he knew I was serious.  But a seed was planted,and the holy spirit did the rest.  My first Christmas as a real Christian, better than all I learned in Sunday School.  And finally putting the Santa ruse to rest.  Same with Easter and the bunny.  Going back to Jersey and my druggie friends not trusting me now because I was a Christian, boy did they get it all backwards.  Leading Richard to the Lord in his car in front of my parent’s house.  Church on Christmas Eve, and the Catholic priest saying “Happy Birthday Jesus, isn’t this a wonderful day!”  Reading my Bible no matter how partied out I was, wore most of Genesis off turning the pages.  Being told I could pray for my needs, and when I did God magically answering them.  Better than I could ask for.  Growing in grace and being given a spirit of discernment, and knocking Brother Ivie on on his butt, he pushed me wanting to give me the holy spirit, I pushed back.  I was already touched by Jesus.  Larry Peoples, hit man, killing 28 for profit and 8 for revenge coming into my life to mentor.  What the heck was a mentor?  Seeing his life changed, and God growing in him.  Real spiritual warfare, not just getting my own way, another thing best left up to God.  Pastor Hyde and his daughters, who trusted me with them despite my past.  Being a youth leader while still a youth myself!  Playing in a church softball league, the toughest competitors I ever faced.  And learning to lose graciously, just not from them.

And finally here writing devotion number 1989, not the year, the number.  Being wonderfully married for 41 years, having a ministry and pastoring those living on the edge, and in prison.  Looking forward to heaven and Jesus, but for now making more testimonies, for I don’t have to wait for heaven for him to be in my life.  His spirit dwells with in.  And wondering if my grandson will have the same great memories I have.  Jesus Christ has made the difference in my life, if he has in yours show it by loving someone who is unlovable.  Pray for your enemies.  Forgive and forget, but always trust the spirit of the Lord.  And if you see Miss Bevelheimer, tell her how Jesus changed the life of a guy who was doing A work, and only got a C for doing B work.  I passed, I made it to heaven.  Now if you could only spell Algonquin without asking....I think I just might go for a ride in the back of my truck and live dangerously to celebrate!

Tune in tomorrow, same Bat time, same Bat channel...

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

never far from home and a burger

Thanks to the McDonald Bros, and the Interstate Highway System, it is possible to never be far from a hamburger.  On my recent quick trip over the Interstates in 16 states, it is verifiably true the hamburger and its variations is still America’s go to food.  Even though Subway with its Halal blessed meats are found under very rock, and KFC won’t mention Fried Chicken in its name anymore, there are other choices, but it all comes down to the burger.  And how and what you get with it.  So let’s get with it....

In New Mexico it Blake’s Lot a Burger, eat the green chili cheeseburger for maximum effect.  Crossing into Texas and Oklahoma look for a Braum’s, and the $5.89 1/4 pound cheeseburger deal, which includes a real milk shake.  With crinkle cut fries.  Steak and Shake is more about the shake anymore, with $4 double meat meal deals.  Culver’s makes a fine butter burger, but it is the custard to stop for, and the concrete of the day.  I made the mistake of eating at a Burger King in Nowhere, Arkansas, next time I will have it my way and eat elsewhere.  I still pass on McDonald’s as they still are trying to reinvent themselves, even the fries are different, no more frying in lard.  Stop for a sack of White Castle burgers, steamed, or pass on one of the many “World’s Best hamburger” stores along the way.  Carls’ Jr. become Hardees, or is it the other way around, Sonic is a local thing for Texans, with one store in Arkansas having a motorcycle only stall, but still no place to hang the tray on my Tiger.  Five Guys I can pass on, too much grease, and a friend used to sell meat to Wendy’s, there is a reason it is juicy, lots of fat.  In So Cal and now branching out is In-and-Out, Bakers’ in San Berdoo, and White Diamond in Jersey, not to be confused with White Castle.  The Gino Giant and Carroll’s Club Burger are long gone, and any place offering food can fry you up a burger.  So no matter how you order it, it is still a burger, between two pieces of bread....which leads to the choice of fries....

Sonic and other local chains offer tater tots, and some with toppings.  Crinkle cut fries are a nice change from fries, and even fries, notice not French Fries any more, are of many different types, styles, sizes, and flavors.  With each adding different take to the meal.  Add a Coke, or a milkshake, a real one, and nothing is quite as American.  No matter how and where you travel, you are never far form home when you can grab a burger....

Now just as there are many ways to honor your burger craving, many will tell you how to live your life as a Christian.  Some have the ability to turn Jesus on and off, or as an old boss told me once, “it only makes sense not to bring God to work.”  Sadly many agree.  Although we have earthly bosses, we are reminded that we are servants of the Lord Jesus Christ. We forget or neglect that we are always under God’s watchful eye, we become more concerned with the fact the boss may be watching.  But if he is, what do our actions and attitudes tell him and others  about Jesus?  Eye service is one way we don’t honor God, only working when someone is watching, reflecting how they really feel about God.  If you cheat men, don’t you think God notices?  If you really are a Christian remember it is not only a human eye that is watching, and your true character may be shown to all.  Including those not watching...just waiting for you to fall, and you willingly do.

Another side is men pleasing, kissing up to those in authority, to make yourself look good.  When you care more about what men think than God thinks, you are double minded, and unstable in all your ways.  All, God’s word not mine.  When you start to compromise, where do you stop?  Yet as Christians many believe these things are honorable, that they achieve a purpose.  If only I am a good worker, the boss will show me favor, but what about God?  Christians are supposed to be above this, and are let down when they find it doesn’t accomplish a thing.  And sometimes are secretly mocked behind their backs.  Paul puts it simply, “obey your earthly masters with a singleness of heart, doing the will of God.”  Maybe the problem most Christians face is turning Jesus off at work, and forgetting to turn him on when they leave.  Just as the burger is America’s go to food, Jesus is our go to God, religion and denominations may contaminate that, but Jesus will always be Jesus.  If only the next meal you eat you could eat with such assurance. 

But just like the choice of your burger and fries, of what flavor milkshake or what brand of burger, God allows us to make the choice.  You can have him with everything, or just choose what works for your appetite at the time.  Fast food has brought us a standardization of burgers, don’t let your relationship with Jesus get stale.  Church and work are two places God should always show in your life, yet many leave him when entering and forget to take him with him when leaving.  Church or work.  If you struggle with taking Jesus to work, it will show in all your life’s choices.  Be all that you can be in him, go about your day knowing he never left you, he is still watching and watching out for you.  Even if you cannot see him, he sees you.  An easy choice, as when you please him, it will reflect in your attitudes, your work, and your testimony.  I know exactly what to expect when I order at Braum’s, or Blake’s or Whataburger.  I may not know the kid behind the counter, but I know the burger.  And he may not know Jesus.  Don’t mess up the chance to serve God while being served.  For like a burger, he is never far away from you.  Don’t leave God at the door....the sign may say KFC, but any idiot knows it is still fried chicken.  Don’t you think those same idiots can see through you too?

How does your appetite for God compare to your appetite for a burger now?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com