the times we had when Coke was it!

A suspiciously wrong clue on Jeopardy last night got my mind remembering back to 1985 and the New Coke.  They  claimed it was because Coke wanted a flavor more like a diet drink, but that isn’t the truth.  I was there.  At the time Coca Cola ruled the fountain business, but a sweeter Pepsi was making inroads with a younger market, so to maintain or grow market share, they came out with a sweeter tasting Coke.  And it bombed, but when brought back as Classic, Pepsi could never recover and still hasn’t today.  And the name of Coca Cola lived on, untarnished.  A gamble that no one ever thought would happen did, and the most devoted Cokaholics were saved.  But missed out on a point taken, and one that would develop the world’s most recognizable trademark into a marketing move.  It seems you could do many things with a soft drink, but the name Coca Cola was hallowed, but never ever blaspheme that name.  If you can remember when diet Coke first came out, small d in diet, it was so that nothing would share equal time with Coke, but over the years greed, market share, and responsibility to share holders has led the name Coca Cola to many other flavors, to today a large D in Diet Coke graces their can. Even the small c in cherry Coke should be a hint of the power of the name.   And over the weekend, if you watched any March Madness, you saw some Coke madness too, as they deluged us with ads for Orange Vanilla Coca Cola.  Which I have tried, I like the flavor, but it ain’t the old 7x Coke formula.  And somewhere in Atlanta, the ghost of Coca Cola’s Robert Woodruff, the man who made Coke a household name must be rolling over in his grave.   It is safe to say Coke is not the same to the Millenials, I was part of Coca Cola when Coke was it!  And oh the times we had......

How important is Coke?  It was their ads in the thirties that gave us the traditional Santa Claus we have today.  During WWII they built Coke plants around the world so no US serviceman would be far from an ice cold Coke.  The first thing many wanted when they did return-you got it!  Who could hold back the tears, “thanks Mean Joe.”  And what other soft drink taught the world to sing?  Just watch any kid with his dad at a 7-11, he’ll ask what kind of Coke do you want?”  And at one time that meant what soda, today it means a whole lot less....

If you believe scripture, and as a Christian you should, as it is the inspired and breathed word of God, then you know that there is no other name under heaven or earth by which you can be saved.  Not diet Jesus, cherry Jesus, or any other Jesus, just Jesus.  Yet two main stream cults flying under the banner of religion deny his deity.  They are not Christians.  The LDS discount his deity by claiming he is a created being like Satan, going off course with the fourth word of the Bible, in the beginning God, plural, created the heavens and the earth. The JW’s are a bit bolder, claiming Jesus is not deity, and proud of it.  Even denying heaven, changing scripture to suit their evil end.  Beware of both groups, 2 John tells us to not even say “God bless you,” as their God is not the God of the Bible, lest you buy into their lies.  Their marketing ways are strong, but where sin abides, grace will always abide even more.  And then there are the seven sons of Skeva in Acts 19, who thought just saying the name would make demons flee, only to be beat up and sent away naked when they tried.  There is power in the name, but only by his spirit.  In his name, or in his will, the key here.  God made his only son Jesus begotten, unique, there is none other like him.  And we can know him personally, he calls us friend if we keep his commandment of love.  I’ll drink to that....you choose which Coke to toast him with!  I’ll take the real thing.

I can remember on hot days grabbing a fresh bottle of Coke before it was capped off the line, a cold bottled 34 degrees, that would burn the back of your throat as it went down.  But still left you thirsty afterwards.  Looking for cold water.  Religion without the spirit, expressed by water in scripture, is like that.  Without the spirit of God upon us we will never be fully refreshed, thirst quenched for a moment, but still thirsty for the water of the spirit, the living water only Jesus can supply.  It is the spirit that gives life, just like he did when the earth was void and he gave substance to it.  And just like he wants to give to your life.

Today the name Coca Cola is more marketing tool than the real thing.  At one time revered such that no other name would be used with it or to describe it.  Too bad religion has gone the same way with Jesus, selling holy water, demanding money to stay on the air, and TV evangelists raking in money from those who can afford it least.  But God knows and sees, and their time is coming.....is yours?  Or can you say you know the real thing Jesus Christ?  Or are you still settling for some other cola that challenges?  Remember the Pepsi challenge, remember there could be no challenge if there was no champion.  Many things vie for your attention and your soul, make sure you choose the real thing, Jesus Christ.  Refreshing souls for thousands of years.  There was a time when Coke was it, today you can make Jesus the it, the who in your life. 

With no apologies to  you Alex, I hope you find the real thing.  One wrong answer can change your whole day.  The answer “Jesus Christ.”  The right answer is “who is the son of God?”  Large G.  Coke added life, Jesus is life.  Oh the times we had, and the times to be had in heaven....

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

recall notices

Just to prove that motorcycles are human too, I received a recall for my 2017 Triumph Bonneville T120 yesterday.  Seems some careless planning, or was it design, or was it assembly, has caused some potential problems, where two harnesses can rub together, causing a potential for one to fail, and along with it the headlight and turn signals.  Maybe even cause the engine to stall.  Now the first two symptoms may forever have eluded me, I very rarely ride at night, and still use hand signals, I don’t want to be the old fart cruising down the road with his signals flashing.  Plus I was taught to never use your turn signals when the turn is evident.  But the last symptom, the engine turning off, that one I may notice.  The last warning, “increasing the risk of a crash” gets me, so I will call Mickey, and we will talk about all the foolish things Triumph is doing while he fixes my bike, and with a grin will tell me it was alright to start with.  Now no one I know wants to have an accident or even plans to have one, they are accidental, not planned right?  But just to make sure......

Meanwhile on the internet, I get an email from Carfax telling me I have an open recall for my 2000 Nissan Xterra, something about another connection that may fail.  Corrosion, mostly in the Northeastern states, big surprise.  But at 185,000 miles and 20 years, do I want to take it in, lose a day and tie up a tech for an inspection?  That’s all you get here.  Or do I live in constant fear that one day the warning will come true...Now two things bother me about this one, one I never told Carfax I owned the vehicle, and two how did they know?  Seems the record of this car goes way beyond anything I would have cared to know, but somehow Carfax does.  If they can have all the information about a 20 year old Nissan, imagine what they might have on you....

In 1975 when I sold my custom van, registered at my Grandparent’s home in Pennsylvania, Jersey yanked my ticket, it seems the plates stay with the vehicle.  And one day they got a visit from the State Police, it had been used in a bank robbery, did they know where I was.  After explaining I didn’t own the vehicle or live there anymore, they passed on me as a suspect.  The new owner never registered it, and my Grandpa, true to his character, didn’t exactly know where I was.  He knew I was living in Albuquerque, but wasn’t sure where, or what part of the house I may be in, so quietly and accurately answered, “I don’t know,” because he didn’t.  If only all honesty were so blunt....

Scripture proclaims that we all will face judgment before the seat of God someday.  That every knee shall bow, under the earth and above.  Every, a sort of all, includes everything, excludes nothing.  But yet many toy with God as if he were a judge to be influenced, or doesn’t know all the facts.  We are told he looks at the heart, that it is deceitful, and starting in Genesis that every imagination of the heart was evil continuously.  Every again.  And it bummed him out.  So he sent the flood, and we all know the outcome.  We had been given another chance, he had sent the recall notice and only those in the ark were saved.  All the others didn’t respond to him, and made fun of Noah and family. Seems in every generation God shows us his love and also the consequences for our sin, yet we neglect the notice.  And make excuses like I do for my Xterra.  It has been 20 years, it won’t break...and just like God’s promise of the return of Jesus, it just hasn’t happened yet.  He is patient so that none should perish.  The warning signs are everywhere, just read the headline, anti-Semitism rising, right being wrong and wrong being right, families disintegrating, and evil rearing its evil head everywhere.  Yet some deny it, blind to how much God loves them, and is patient.  “Where is the promise of his return?”  they mock.

I used to pray for Jesus to return soon, now I know that his patience leads to salvation, and if he had come one day before I was saved, it was hell for sure.  Might just change the way we worship or love others.  To some he has already issued recall notices, and taken them home.  To others, he is patient, and yet to too many, he already knows they will never repent, and they leave earth bound for hell.  We are all given the same recall notice via Jesus, what are you doing with yours?  Do you think you can tempt God?  My recalls state “the condition may exist,” are you willing to live your life based on your eternal outcome that your condition may exist?  Or may not?  All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.....

Now if Carfax can track me down with a 20 year old vehicle, don’t you think Jesus can find you where you are right now?  Cain tried hiding from God, and was going to kill his brother as long as he was Abel.  Jonah tried going against the tide, and ended up on shore.  And it wasn’t raining when Noah built the ark.  So what makes you think you can avoid any recall by God almighty?

My letter ends with “we apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you.  However we have taken this action in your best interest.....”  For God so loved the world he sent Jesus in your best interest.  The letter goes on “we appreciate your attention and cooperation in this important matter.”  That none shall perish.  Yet have everlasting life.  Long before Triumph made motorcycles God was busy with recalling us to himself.  And made it easy.  Your name never leaves his file, he is patient with you, and wants his will done in your life.  His will, that you know Jesus and are saved.  A recall notice that for some is overdue, and for some today will be their day of salvation. 

Maybe I just might make an appointment with the Xterra.  It isn’t important how they know, just that they do.  If only we would use the same logic with God.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

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