changes in the garage

It would be unfair to blame Art, although he is partly responsible.  It would be unfair to blame Jim, as he too had a part in it.  Maybe even Theresa, as she had jokingly reminded me of how we always have money for motorcycles, even if we don’t have any money for food.  But the truth is, I made the decision with no influence, and when the deal was too good, jumped at it.  It is the new 2020 Royal Enfield Interceptor 650.  A what?  Royal Enfield, making bikes since 1901, first in Britain, and in India since 1954.  Millions of them, like the VW Beetle, not changing anything, and it showed.  Hundred year old technology with the same manufacturing procedure, not a winning combination, but in 2017  things changed for the better.  New president, new bikes, and a new outlook and marketing, and now I have one in my garage.  All the goodies of the expensive bikes, ABS, Pirelli tires, 4 valve head, 6 speed tranny, steel brake lines, Brembo brakes, great engine management, slipper clutch, great paint, black aluminum rims, and a three year warranty with unlimited miles.  Sounds like me.....and directly imported to the colonies from the factory, where combined with no middleman and Indian labor, they retail for $5999.  For a new bike.  Which reminds me of my Triumph Scrambler and it is very much fun to ride.  Even getting compliments when filling up at 50 mpg.  Even the magazines who used to make fun of them love it.  But like I said, it would be unfair to blame Art, but I’ll let you decide.

My two older Tigers with over 150,000 miles between them needed to be sold.  But no one wants to take a chance on a high mileage bike, even if the mileage is not high for them.  So telling Art, who is my Triumph pusher, he made me a deal I couldn’t refuse, and I rode one home.  And yesterday Jim and his son picked up the Tiger 955, our old touring bike with over 113,000 miles on it.  Lots of memories went down the street as I heard it for the last time......but we weren’t done yet.

Over the years I have accumulated enough jackets, gloves, shirts, hats, boots, and helmets to start a store.  Some only worn a few times, some still like new, and in need of someone who can use them.  Mentioning it to Jim, he said they were starting a used or low priced inventory of these items for those who are low on cash.  He explained how he had sold a high priced Jacket of his to a guy for $20, and he would buy my stuff.  Which I donated instead, maybe there was a young Mike out there in need of some good stuff and just needed a chance.  So with two bikes gone, and a lot of my clothing inventory thinned out, many things have changed in my garage.  But I still have another closet of leathers, and a cabinet I am not sure what is in it, last time I looked it had seven helmets, all but one an Arai.  But it is time to clean out and clean up, and no better way than to honor God by giving to those who are in need, I never expected an Indian bike would be the catalyst.....

As human beings we like things, lots of them.  Which may explain why so many cars are parked in the street instead of their garage.  Overflow, combined with a reticence to sell, rather to keep or hoard, collect, to just to say I have more than you.  Over the years we have adapted our packing for a trip to just what is needed, traveling light and enjoying the ride more.  Now we are adapting that to our lives.  Funny how a change of heart has affected our actions and attitudes.  Things can pile up quickly and get in our way, I cleaned off my workbench last night and filled half a trash can.  Where did I get all this junk?  I wasn’t even sure what some stuff was.  But just as our heart can affect our actions, our actions can affect our heart.  And our relationship with Jesus.

At one time based on pride, peer pressure, pride, bad teaching, pride, and pride, I thought I had to be doing something for God all the time, to be religious.  I even knew men I wanted to emulate, but found no joy in trying to please God by my rules.  Or to impress men I really didn’t care for. I finally decided I just wanted to sit in the back row and listen, and then my life changed.  Without all the clutter, I could hear the spirit directing, and found a joy I had been missing, being the person Jesus wanted me to be.  Maybe the hardest thing I ever did, be myself, and let God bring about the changes.  A process still ongoing, lot of little steps, and learning to avoid the big ones.  At least to me big, to God, just part of the plan.  I will not say I always went willingly, I had to be urged and sometimes kicking and screaming inside followed, but God is faithful even when I wasn’t.  From our relationship to giving me a ministry, to allowing me to ride to my heart’s content.  Which he again proved yesterday when the Tiger left for the last time without.  Almost 114,000 miles in 48 states with Theresa, the bike I was on when life flighted for open heart surgery.  Just hearing that off road pipe stirred some emotion, then I caught myself.  My life is no longer about things, it is all about Jesus, and the heart is the best place to keep those memories, just as Jesus designed it.  He has written his word on it, so he is always with us, his spirit inhabiting but not forcing himself on us.  It was my decision to trade the bikes, I feel a sense of joy and relief, but also the presence of God, knowing it was his way to show he cared, even down to my garage and what was in it.  To share things I had hoarded, to give and see true blessings, while still receiving.  Only in Jesus.....and he knew about it the whole time!  No more Craigslist, phone calls, bargain hunters, or strangers in my garage.  Now if I can only let him duplicate that in other areas of my life.  Key word is let him....

When there are times we feel we don’t have enough, 2 Corinthians reminds us he is adequate in all things.  We get religious, he wants to get personal.  He can do anything, yet includes me.  Last week it was just another ride until I accepted Art’s offer, and the process began for me.  For God it was always in process, and has brought me a fullness I had forgotten, and to me, now I am more excited about giving more clothes and cleaning out things others may need.  Remove the clutter, so I can see and hear Jesus better.  Lots of changes in my garage now, from nine to three bikes, from over 400,000 accumulated miles to under 40,000.  Having less and enjoying it more, which leaves more time to spend with God and give to others.  Maybe an afternoon in your own garage or closet will influence you, but it is up to God to show you.  This is how he worked it out for me.....he’s that personal.  And to those of you who are still bound in religion, where the spirit of the Lord is there is liberty.  Only in Jesus Christ will you experience true fullness of life.  Jesus and motorcycles, it just don’t get any better!  And then all things will be added unto us!

By the way, they call the color Ravishing Red....and did I mention it is way fun to ride!  You see, it really wasn’t Art’s fault after all! 

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot. com

the cars of Me TV

It was while rehabbing at a friend’s house after my open heart surgery I discovered Me TV.  Suddenly all the shows I grew up with and missed, and the ones I never saw because of my parent’s poor viewing choices were available.  And as I was to find out, cars paid a bigger part than I knew, or remembered.  Remember Kookie’s hot rod on 77 Sunset Strip, Stu  in his T-Birds and Jeff in his Ford convertibles.  My Three Sons with Steve initially driving a new Chevy wagon each year, then switching to Pontiacs.  Even the sons drove late model Pontiac LeMans Convertibles.  Beaver’s dad and his 1957 Ford before switching to those awkward Plymouths when they moved to Pine Street.  Lumpy’s 1940 Ford hot rod with dual Smitty’s.  Beaver even own an MGA in a contest like the one parked in front of Ward’s office. 

Do you remember Kolchak’s 1966 yellow Mustang convertible with a six cylinder and stick?  Mannix at first drove a Barris Kustom Toronado, then a series of custom Dodge Darts, finally a Camaro, while Peggy drove a car rare because of lack of sales, a Simca.  Adam 12 and the switch from Plymouths to AMC Matadors.  Who can forget Dan Mathews and his 1955 Buick Special, followed by Dodges, then 1958 Buicks while all the bad guys drove De Sotos or Plymouths.  Panel trucks by Ford, even a 1959 Chevy cop car, ever see one of those?  “2150 bye...10-4.”  Perry Mason knew his luxury, from his 1957 Cadillac to his later slab sided Lincolns, with Ford convertibles in between.  But Paul Drake was the coolest with his 1957 Vette, and then his T-Birds, top always down.  Then of course Mayberry’s Ford patrol cars, even Barney added a cycle with a side car.  And the one I never missed on Saturday night, CHiP’s, Kawasaki to the rescue! 

How many Invaders did David Vincent encounter in his 1966-67 Fords?  Or Mercury’s?  An occasional Ford truck or Econoline van, cool then, cool now.  Add in the Oldsmobile truck Jethro took Granny out in, the old troop car Colonel Burkhalter visited Colonel Klink in, even Ricky and Lucy pulled a trailer with a convertible.  Dragnet’s 1967 Ford Fairlane, McGarret’s full size Mercury’s, the Munster’s coach and Grandpa’s coffin drag racer, Kojak’s Buick’s, “who loves ya baby?”  Rockford’s Firebird, Rocky’s GMC with roll bar, Fred and Barney both had cars on The Flintstones, and the too new for the Korean War Ford school bus.  Mr. Douglas always drove a Lincoln, but who remembers Hank Kimball’s cool Bronco?  Barnaby Jones and his boring Ford sedans, The Monkee’s car, Plymouths on The Brady Bunch, and “one more thing sir,”  Columbo’s Peugeot, hand picked by Columbo himself.  And who says there is nothing good on TV.....

Memorable entertainment, and it is, but is your church falling into the same trap?  Is it all about the programs, musicals, special guests and speakers?  I have attended churches over the years who put on Disneyland quality Christmas productions, and some who would hire big name guests to entertain.  These things are not bad in themselves, but can and do detract from the purpose of God’s house, referred to by Jesus as a house of prayer.  With so many festivals, and concerts, has the church itself become socially prominent with Jesus taking a back seat?  If he can find one inside at all?  Now on a personal level how many of us place a premium on being entertained as opposed to coming to church to gather and just pray?  Praying before the service and a benediction is nice, but how many times has your study group or your church just spent the evening in prayer?  Waiting on God and listening for his spirit?  Maybe it is a subtle thing like a book store, which turns into a coffee house, where it becomes more social than Godly?  How many of your pastor’s books are advertised and then sold after the service, has church become a place to sell wares, raise funds, or to use as a place of entertainment?  Has it become a place like where Jesus threw out the moneychangers in anger as they were polluting his temple?  A den of robbers as he called it.  Now there is nothing wrong with business or church business, but that is not the main point of church.  It is gathering together in God’s name, to worship Jesus, we may not be called to do that publicly, but maybe privately God is telling us to shed the world and put on Jesus, at church and in our daily life, too.  Ask yourself, if the church really believed Bibles were so important, why would they sell them instead of giving them away like the Gideons? 

I once believed the world had invaded the church, but I was wrong.  The church invited it in, liked the things of the world more, and locked the doors behind it, so it would not escape.  Sometimes subtle, sometimes not so subtle.  At a festival at a church I used to attend, they had a big name singer one night.  A great night of entertainment,and afterwards I cornered him.  Asking him if it was a paying gig.  He admitted it was, and when I asked “would you do it for free?” he stopped to think.  And admitted he would have, would we have?  Don’t churches still pay organists and choir directors?  Want to fill the youth group, just mention Phil Wickham.  Maybe if we start in our own lives we can make a difference for Jesus, not just for the church.  Who you pay tithes to is important, you do give to God didn’t you?  Or is it the church?  What about all those special offerings, does God need the cash?  Remember it was the church leadership that rejected Jesus, and then those followers who yelled “crucify him!”  Maybe we need to check our own motives....is it all about me?  Or is Jesus the memorable one?  What do you do in his name to remember him? 

So maybe the old shows were really about cars, with a thin plot connecting them.  Don’t let a thin plot connect you with Jesus.  If he isn’t the main thing, remember he threw up a church who was lukewarm and made him sick.  People make up the church, us, you and I.  Maybe who is the Captain Kirk of your Enterprise is more important than we know or care to choose.  Remember Barney Fife’s first car, a 1952-54 vintage Ford?  Looked good, but eventually was all cosmetic and let him stranded.  Jesus will never let you down or stranded.  Some still leave it to Beaver instead of Jesus.  Charlie’s Angels or God’s angels.  Think about it....gotta go, Perry Mason’s on in five minutes.....see what I mean?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

I knew the truth by 21

After barely escaping Florida with my health, sanity, freedom, and motorcycle, I needed work.  My only work history at age 20 was unloading trucks at a Sears store, so my choices were limited.  But answering an ad for London Records, I was hired to be traffic manager, more title than pay, I was in charge of shipping out the records and arranging for the freight forwarders to do it.  Really just a big warehouse, but with a cast of characters from A to Z.  And my high school Spanish was about to be put to the test, as almost all the employees were either from Puerto Rico, or refugees from Cuba.  Who hated each other, a chain link fence from floor to ceiling separated them, they went on break at different times, and I had to deal with all of them.  Individually they were very nice people, who all loved America for the chances it offered, but for different reasons.  The PR’s hated the Cubans because they were refugees, and felt superior because they were true Americans, like the West Side Story song stated “nobody know, Puerto Rico in America.”  And the Cubans were resentful of their attitude, some had been successful and rich before Castro and his Communist agenda forced them out or into slavery.  One such man called Sargento had been a government official, a polished gentlemen now working for minimum wage.  Another El Tigre looked like the criminal he must have been, thin and wiry, no one messed with him, and he solved any problem you had if you went to him.  And then there was my secretary....Alba Mary, Columbian, who spoke no English, and answered everything “OK Mike.”  Very beautiful, lots of men tried to hang around by her desk, I spent more time sending them back to work.  The two men I respected most were Julio and Mario, both Puerto Ricans who somehow managed to get along with everyone, and then there was Tony.  Tony was kept in a fenced in area, think of large cage, he yelled a lot, didn’t like anyone, but didn’t hate anyone either.  He commuted to Jersey from NYC every morning, and spent his entire paycheck on getting drunk and with hookers, Mondays were not his best day.  His assistant Carlos was being groomed like him, and kept in the same cage.  With Amos Romeo, a large Italian man in charge of the operation, who drove a 1966 GTO, and always wanted to race me, just or fun.  It seemed all the things I had learned in Social Studies went right out the door, at age 21 I knew the truth, I was living it everyday.  But I liked the job, really had a love for the people, and the only problem I ever had was from another white guy, my PR friends turned him in to protect me. 

Reader’s Digest used to have an article every month called “My Most Unforgettable Character,” I had a year’s supply.  And on any given day, you would meet another.  One day a little Cuban girl named Marisal had a seizure, the PR’s sure she was demonic had her cornered in the bathroom and were kicking her and screaming at her.  Such was the tension.  Another time a representative offered me $5000 to leave a trailer with a latest release outside after hours.  I was stupid but not that stupid, but I know who did and why he never came back to work, the streets of Newark flooded with this album before it was to be released.  And to all of this, I can only say, “OK Mike...”

Now there is a big difference learning about people from a book, and actually getting to know them personally.  Much of what I had been taught was true, but from those who had never encountered it.  I was fortunate enough to be there, to meet the people and to learn from them.  I had seen how Communism had destroyed lives and families, and also how one prejudiced group was ready to prejudice another to seek power.  I saw basic street survival, as those who accepted the challenge were willing to work for the rewards, while others thought it was owed to them.  Seems the more things change the more they stay the same, and it was this way in Jesus’ day also.  We expect this in the world, from business and politics, but it has no place within the church.  Over the years I have seen church officers lie and cheat for a dollar, lie from the pulpit, one evangelist even threatening to pray the wrath of God on us if we didn’t agree with him.  I have watched well meaning believers doing things they thought were in God’s name,only to be found pawns of religion.  The devil is out to seek and destroy who he can, just having his victims miss out on Jesus is victory enough.  With so many so called prophetic teachings of Jesus’ return, many do drastic things, all falling into the devil’s plan.  Yet with one key component missing, trusting God and being led by spirit led pastors.  Jesus is patient in his return that none should perish, we all should be grateful for.  Some find solace in Bible knowledge, some bragging on their knowledge.  But no learning can compare with Satan’s, he was there,he is mentioned in took, he knows the times and seasons Jesus mentions, and can tell his time is drawing to a close.  So stepping up his evil in a last ditch effort to steal souls.  You don’t have to look around very much to see the signs of warning.

But Jesus promises at just the right time, and we need to be ready.  Doubters will doubt, haters will hate, and those of us who believe are called to step up in God’s name.  We have own the victory over death and sin in Jesus, but the battles on earth still continue, as they do in heaven.  Jesus will never lose, never.  But we can, by our own false beliefs and opinions.  Talk to a Christian who has over come by the blood of Jesus, he knows.  Yet so many trained religious personnel only know what they are taught, and fold at the first sight of blood.  We need to experience Jesus first hand, not via teaching only, not via church attendance only, but by his spirit, personally.  Then back it up by the Bible, inspired by God who was there, and it is the truth. 

Polls and opinions may dictate decisions today, the only time God allowed a vote they hung his kid on a cross.  They wanted more and not what God had provided.  Do we want the things of god or do we want God?  Do we trust Jesus enough to call him Lord and do the things he asks?  Do we rather follow our own arrogant schemes or follow Jesus?  I have found the only constant in life is Jesus Christ.  Will you please join him?  I can still hear him saying to me when I asked him into my life, “OK Mike.”  I lived the truth at 21, but also knew the truth in Jesus Christ at 21.  Who’s your most unforgettable character.....I’ll never forget mine.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com