taking the fork in the road when coming to it

It's automatic when us old touring riders get together that the talk eventually turns to roads travelled, and within the time it takes to eat that second burger, the talk turns to favorite places. And instinctively we talk of great roads ridden, the Million Dollar Highway, PCH-Highway 1, Skyline Drive-California or Virginia, take your pick, or the Natchez Trace. It always brings back great memories, and the roads get better as the evening gets older. But I cannot remember in a long time talking of roads we just hated-places to be avoided at all costs. Seems the trained GPS in our mind-pride-will not allow that we ever chose a wrong road, or made a wrong turn. The following are offered to assist-you in your planning and me in my humility. Be warned and plan accordingly.
1-Route 22 in New Jersey. An anachronism of old businesses and of genius planning-as it gets closer to New York City, it goes from three lanes to two-instant traffic jam. And can anyone explain the routes 1-9-35-22-78-Garden State Parkway-Jersey Turnpike interchanges? Or the Flagship?
2-While avoiding New Jersey, stay off the Turnpike. Pot holes, big trucks, and they charge you for the right to drive on it. An X Files road if there ever was one.
3-Interstate 80 in Illinois-a toll booth every eight miles. Only 80 cents per toll you say, last time it took me almost $8 to ride it into Rockford. From the land of pay to play-avoid.
4-I-10 in west Texas. In particular through Junction, number one speed trap in the state. Got caught there doing 76 in a 70 zone. Sheriff and deputy were across freeway and writing another ticket before I could get my helmet back on to leave. Besides it is ugly high desert. And driving it only takes forever, slightly less at night.
5-Any road leading into Dodge City, Kansas. The whole town stinks-like a huge butcher shop. Roads leading out not much better, take example from Lot's wife and don't look back-or upwind. YUK!
6-US 50 or New York Avenue in Washington, DC-horrible ghetto neighborhoods with standard scary characters stationed at every red light, which never work in your favor. Keep bike in gear ready to escape-may be second to any road in Detroit-I've heard and avoided. Not quite as bad with a Democrat president-your tax dollars at work.
7-US 395 out of Burns, Oregon-ugly, flat, hot in summer-ugly, flat, freezing in winter. The highlight is the sterile lake that greets you. No place to stop or fuel for a 100 miles, like you would anyway. There is a reason no one lives in these parts-now you know why.
8-I-40 between Barstow and Needles. No matter which way you take it-avoid it! Hot-I have been in 124 degree heat on it, and Needles is hell on earth as far as I can tell. Barstow at least has Carlos and Toto's, good Mexican food. 140 miles of ugly desert, hot temperatures and broken dreams. This is the road that broke the Joads back-it by-passed old Route 66.
Eight roads to avoid, you have been warned. A gift from me, to you. And like Jesus says, it is not too late to change the road you are on. Sometimes we find ourselves on the wrong road in life, just one bad decision and we have a whole set of nightmares. But as God did for Lot, He got him out. God always leaves a way out, but not one which we can see. He wants us to contact Him, prayerfully, and let Him guide us out. By the way, there are good roads parallel to almost all the bad roads I mentioned, it just takes faith to try one. And that is what God asks us to do, trust Him. Use that little bit of faith and travel where you have never been, to places you didn't know existed, and see things God has promised, but missed by not obeying His leading. If faith is the substance of things not seen, try His guidance. It took the Israelites only 40 years to travel 400 miles, a true testament to disobedience. Are you lost if you still have gas? The road you are on doesn't have to take that long. Or go nowhere. You can stop and ask directions now-it's ok men. And women. But God-who offers freely will offer guidance and a road trip second to none.
Both Skyline Drives parallel freeways. Sorry, can't get you out of Texas any faster-except heading east. Take old route 66 instead of the freeway. You see you can change the road you are on, it is called repentance. A military term meaning changing direction, but more importantly meaning getting back on course. Some roads will look tempting, but end up getting you lost. Like one night in eastern Ohio, in the rain a sheriff found me after I got lost off of I-80 and told me this is the kind of area people get lost in and never return. Maybe that is why God says the path is straight and narrow-just like Red Mountain Pass with curves added for emphasis. Inches wider and it is a 1000' down.
The road you choose will tell a lot more about your final destination than where you think you are headed. Make sure you never travel without your GPS-God's Perfect Son as your map. Anything else may look good on paper, but leads to heartache later. Ride your own ride-with Jesus. A road captain who knows all the best roads, places to eat, and great destinations. A routing service no AAA can match-see you on the road-just not on the eight mentioned above. Ride by faith, not by sight-He knows-oh boy, does He know!
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com

heaven-shipping included in price

A popular sign when traveling throughout the northeast is "George Washington slept here." Advertised on many old inns, or houses, this claim seems to give credibility to them in charging more. I just hope it isn't the same straw mattress on ropes George laid his head on! And based on the claims, he sure must have slept a lot. Wonder when he found time to be president? But somehow we are attracted to claims like that, and are willing to pay more for the chance to attain immortality, or at least bragging rights. And it seems George didn't leave a forwarding address, and rarely left a certificate of authenticity, so we just believe the claim-on faith or lust, which ever suits the mood.
Why is it that just putting some geeky celebrity's name on a motorcycle for sale adds value? Yes, some like Steve McQueen, Brando, or James Dean may add desirability, but how many motorcycles could they have possibly ridden? How big was/is their collection? Yet we see names showing up in ads everywhere, Rolls Royce once owned by the Duke of Guacamole. And people will fall for it, then brag to their friends about the high price they paid. Maybe the emperor did have new clothes after all!
Limited quantities sometimes means they were produced in small quantities because no one wanted them then either. But for some reason because it didn't sell then, it sells now, for more money! I knew a man in New Mexico who bought a new Trans Am because he was told the stickers on his car were a limited edition, limited to every Trans Am made that year he later found out! But he peeled them off, now he truly had a limited edition. Wonder if that could be called a custom? Would you pay more for a car owned by Stevie Wonder? If he had driven it? Does that make you uptight? Outta sight.
You see our egos want to give us an advantage in anything, over anybody. Why else did Triumph build a 2300cc Rocket III, the biggest production bike? Why does Harley put out CVO models in limited quantities, a model they should have built in the first place, but now can sell for $10,000 more, because it is in limited quantities? Say maybe build 5000 of each, giving you exclusivity until the next time you go to Biggs, and see four of them, all parked together, then form a club, for guess what, being exclusive!
Pride of ownership, goes right before the fall. It started in the garden. "See Eve, only God can access that tree. Want one, here's the deal...." and we know the rest of the story. Imagine if there was an eBay in the time of Jesus, instead of drawing lots for His clothes, the ad would read "cloak worn by crucified religious zealot. one of a kind, original. bidding begins at ...." Or "donkey ridden by Jesus of Nazareth into Jerusalem, verified by owner, must see..." Would it be stuffed and on display today? How many of you would bid on that? But yet neglect the man who rode in on it or wore it? Have things taken the place of Him, and what He did? What about the cross bar that His hands were nailed to? I'm surprised that hasn't surfaced somewhere!
But like the Ark of the Covenant, that Indiana Jones looked for and found was in a warehouse-they are only found in heaven. That is where God tells us the ark is, and that is where God is! I guess finding the truth in the Bible just isn't as exciting as 120 minutes of special effects. If you do, then you haven't read the Bible!
The point here is we are more interested in the creation, than the creator. Did you know that He also created you to be reading this? Now? That He allows every situation so you can go to Him, to know Him better? That while George slept, Jesus was still awake, praying for us by name-before we were born? But yet for some, the only thing they come away with from the Harvest Crusade is a new shirt, instead of a new heart. I'll show everyone how I'm saved, but God knows different. He truly gives a certificate of authenticity, He writes your name in the Book of Life. No bumper stickers, shirts, or DVD's needed. Just Jesus, say yes to Him and you are in-forever. And unlike the greedy who sell Limited Edition Bibles-I have seen them-His gift is free-no charge! If it wasn't, would it be a gift? Sure better than hoping you were more nice than naughty this last year!
Is there a sign on your heart that states Jesus lives here? It doesn't make you more valuable to Him, because while we were yet sinners He died for us. But it does get you into Heaven-an exclusive club upon death-all invited, but few take the invitation serious enough to RSVP. To God you are a special edition, unique and priceless, that He was willing to die for, so He could purchase you. No bidding, just a simple request-will you accept forgiveness and My son Jesus?
Jesus Christ was a unique creation, a very limited edition-there is only one of Him! Maybe that is why Christians look to the future and not the past. Our collection/collector awaits us in heaven. He performed the restoration, and when we sleep it is because he is with us, no matter where we lay our heads. Maybe there should be a sign on Christians' front doors, Jesus Christ sleeps here! Let me know, the marketing opportunity is priceless! Maybe sell them on eBay!
Heaven-may we all rest there someday! Maybe if we started a campaign-limited seating available, offer expires soon-now does eternal life sound more appealing? He paid the price, what's your opening bid?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com

doctor, mr md, can you tell me, what I really need?

I knew Bill, and Bill knew Donna. So Bill introduced me to Donna. Donna knew Gene and Gene loved motorcycles. I loved motorcycles, so the only thing to do was introduce me to Gene. And she did, and we became great friends, of course. Gene, six years older, had been an early teen age hero to me as the organ player in The Flock, a local band. I can still remember the first time I saw him, ripping through the organ solo on Good Lovin', perhaps the greatest rock and roll song ever written. A 100mph song if there ever was one!And Gene loved BMWs, the bikes, and I had at the time the most radical and expensive BMW ever made, the R90S. The first factory cafe racer, the first factory sport touring bike, and all from a company that was known for stodgy old-slow-motorcycles, the Cadillac, as Harley riders referred to them. He had a 1971 R75/5, blue like my R60/5 and R90/5, both totaled by Florida drivers, with white Windjammer and bags, the hot touring set up at the time.

We rode a lot together, and with his experience, took me all over the northeast. Meeting friends, and riding roads I didn't know could exist, showing me how to escape from the Garden State. On one of our trips back from Danbury, Connecticut, on the Sawmill River Parkway-roads there are called by name, not their number, sounds better than north on the 405, for example, I was letting him ride the S, as I often did. I was ahead and had pulled over for a pit stop, when he went flying by, accelerating, at well over 90mph, with a look on his face somewhere between terror, panic, and ecstasy. One of the throttle cables to the Dell 'Orto carbs had broken and the throttle stuck wide open. Within a few seconds, Gene realized the right thing to do, and pulled in the clutch, and stopped. By the time I caught up to him, he already had disconnected it, and I rode home on one cylinder. Both safe, as Gene had not panicked in a panic situation.

Oh how I wish the news were different this last weekend. A family died in their car when they claimed the throttle stuck open-something that outside of 60 Minutes rigging an Audi just doesn't happen. This family of five accelerated to over 100mph before hitting another car and leaving the road, burning all inside to the point of non-recognition. One passenger in the car even called 911 to alert them, and even with a CHP officer driving, still crashed and died. In a time frame of almost 10 seconds, the driver panicked and killed all on board, including himself. In a panic situation, he did what you don't do-panic! And it cost five people their lives. And will leave more questions than answers as they investigate. I still can't get it out of my head. All he had to do was shift into neutral, why didn't he? Why did he panic?

A man named Stephen, the first martyr of Christ, was in a panic situation almost 2000 years ago. He was about to be stoned for his belief in Jesus, and when confronted with death, looked to the heavens and said "hold no sin against them, they know not what they do." And died with a smile on his face, glowing. Just like we wouldn't have done in the same situation. Stephen trusted God, because he knew God, and the Holy spirit guided his thoughts and decisions. We say we do, but react differently. We panic, and we are very adept at doing it. The world hates us, yet in times of trouble, we panic and head right for world systems to bail us out. Can you think of any other situations where you seek your enemy for relief, instead of God-who is on your side? Yet we do, when the doctor says it's cancer, we seek more tests, then when all hope is exhausted pray. When the paycheck ends and the rent is due, we whine and borrow more, and complain "where is God?" When the marriage relationship hits a snag, some turn to drink, and wonder why it doesn't get better, only worse. Panicking by not doing the right thing, seeking God first. In James He tells us He provides a way out, just ask. In Matthew He tells us seek Him first, then all things will be added on. And in Philippians He tells us through Paul that we can do all things through Christ that gives us strength. Jesus even greeted His disciples "be of good cheer, I am with you." And He never panicked, even to and on the cross. So we don't have to either. It isn't a new concept, He's been there. He even has a word for it-meekness, or power under control. Sounds just like Jesus doesn't it?

Today music has changed, and BMW motorcycles have really changed. The roads I have ridden have stretched to include 48 states, and the people I ride with have stretched too. But the one thing that has remained the same, and not changed is Jesus. Reliable. Trustworthy, dependable. And loving. And He is always available, before and during your panic situation. Not just after.

Remember the old Get Smart, he worked for CONTROL, and the bad guys were KAOS? It's your choice. Don't panic and you won't have to say "Sorry about that, missed by just that much!"

Do not become your enemies friend, avoid them and seek counsel among those who believe, and know the truth. Throw your enemies into panic by doing the right thing first, and seek God. And for those of us who ride full throttle for Jesus, He still has control of our lives-don't panic. Like the song says "good lovin'-it's all I need!" And the prescription is Jesus-true love at any speed!

love with compassion,

Mike

powered by christ

Years ago the company I worked for was a major NASCAR contingency sponsor, we were on the expensive front fender. Seizing upon that precedent, I wrote a contingency plan for SCORE, the off road racing series in the desert. I was able to deal with all classes, and levels of racers, but the Trophy Trucks-or factory teams-were my favorite. 750hp NASCAR engines in a chassis with 38" of suspension travel, and you have a wild ride. The Baja 1000 is perhaps the most well known of all these races, racing 1000 miles on dirt roads through Mexico.
I dealt with such well known racers as Ivan "Ironman" Stewart, Jimmie Johnson-he used to call me sir, Robbie Gordon, the Herbsts, Rob Mac Cachran, Jimmie Smith, and the Simons. My favorite were the Simons.
Paul and Dave were both partners with their dad Don, in a construction company. And very fast racers. Robbie Gordon, the king of understatement, once told them "it's my talent against your money." Sorry Robbie, it was their talent against what you thought money had bought them. Racing for the Rough Riders, the Ford factory team, they had set a record in winning the 1000, and were always among the fastest. Great guys to be around, just being in the pits was exciting. Paul was standoffish, but I got to know Dave and his family. In 1996 during the Baja 500, Dave and co-driver Mike Harris ran off the road at over 100mph, totaling the truck. Somehow, through the grace of God both survived, and somehow the race team rebuilt the race truck and they won the Firecracker 250 in Barstow less than three weeks later. Incredible. But it was during that time I got to know Dave, as God put on my heart to write him a letter, that affected his life. The Holy Spirit gave me words, and when Dave asked "did you write me that letter?" and learned I did, said "that letter changed my life, it came at a time when I needed it most." Words of encouragement in Jesus Christ, to a brother in need. The last time I saw Dave, he and his family are walking with Christ, with glorious stories to tell. The story of his buying the land where their church stands today is precious. Dave didn't know at the time I had been praying with his dad for him and Paul. Paul came around later, giving Don his hearts desire, saved sons. If you travel I-15 north by the Temecula check point, look east to the mountain. The cross on top was put there by Don, a tribute to Jesus Christ. I remember him being excited when God gave him that idea, and I remember him and his family and the impact Jesus made in their lives each time I go by.
Don Tebbe, the crew chief was also a Christian, and we would share so much together. We actually held up the 1000 once praying at the starting line with my son Andrew. When we looked up over 200 people had joined us, including ESPN and their film crew. Sometimes just being there, is all God requires, He does the rest. I also got to share with Ed Frisk, an old crew chief of the Simons, who later gave his life to the Lord. He told me "you were right, their is a difference." And Jesus makes it. All because I cared enough to share the love of Christ, and used words when I could. Your witness is always present, someone is always watching.
Jesus tells us that we are a royal priesthood. Now He didn't mean the robes, incense, etc.-but that as Christians we are part of a higher calling, and held to a higher standard. Like the Simons in racing, the lower class racers looked up to them-they had a responsibility in the race community. We as a part of a priesthood have that same responsibility to those we meet. We should show love, so that those hurting will approach and we can minister. We should show compassion, setting an example of Jesus for them. We should be patient, as it leads to salvation, and be reminded that Jesus said "to him who is given much, much is required." What is required-love. What was given-love. Love all you meet, simple.
In Dave's accident it opened up a chance for me to share Jesus. At the start of the 1000, we got to pray for many, and show our concern for all the racers. The cross on I-15 is there for all passers by to be led to Christ, just like the one He hang on at Calvary, don't pass it by without stopping to spend time with Jesus. Look to the cross, and not your problems-they were all crucified there with Him that Good Friday.
Today the only race you may be in is a rat race. But you are still part of the human race, which sometimes seems to be a race just to survive. As Christians we are above all social, political, racial, and denominational boundaries. We serve a risen Christ, with a freedom that no one else can enjoy. But remember that freedom isn't free, it was paid for with a price on the cross. That same love that changed your life is available to all, and Jesus wants you to be that messenger. Take the time to share him at work-when others are stressed, why are you so calm? When finances crumble, why are you still taken care? When health issues invade, why can you still smile and say "how can I pray for you?" It is your priesthood. You are not alone, as Jesus has made us part of a great family of priests. You see a priest was to be an intercessor between God and man. By praying, you are. By listening, you are. By showing compassion, you are. You are the Jesus that He sends in that situation to represent Him. It's called love, and greater love has no man than to lay down his life for another. In other words, put them before you and your needs.
My friend Father Al reminds me of this when I see him in action, or even not in action. The love of the lord is in Him, and guides his steps. Does the Lord guide yours? Let's pray, it's easy. Lord-I need you. Use me today to show others what you have done in my life. Help me be patient, loving and compassionate, giving hope where there is none. By your spirit, Amen.
And you can pray for others silently! But now that they know you are a Christian, will expect it of you. Don't let them down. Follow Jesus, and watch the priesthood grow! Where the spirit of the Lord is there is liberty. the freedom to be yourself.
Just think, someone might want to be like you someday! Make that someone they see Jesus!
love with compassion,
Mike

father, son, and holy spirit-they are still the big 3

I was told many years ago "just because you have rocks in your head don't take it for granite." Good advice, so I didn't, but wish I hadn't. Looking around lately, it seems that so many things we take for granted, we shouldn't have. The Honda 750-4 motorcycle introduced us to a whole new generation of motorcycles, big, fast, and reliable, that within six years drove the Brits out of business. It took Triumph a little longer, but by the '80's, they too were history. Leaving a generation to ask when Triumph was reborn-"Triumph, does Honda make them?" Sad, but in a way Triumph helped make Honda. If they had not taken for granted things never changing they might have beat Honda to market with their Trident. And we'd all still be shifting on the right!
The Big Three were easily recognized as GM, Ford, and Chrysler. Sometimes the big four, when you counted AMC. No one would ever want those lousy, small, slow Japanese cars, until gas prices doubled, and then gas became not available. No marketing expertise, and certainly no styling taste, just lots of mpg when the USA needed it. Today, a generation later, the GM in General Motors stands for Government Motors, as they finally succumbed to not keeping up with the market, and the government-i.e. you and me-now owns them. As does the UAW. Chrysler bought AMC in 1987, and they went bankrupt just before GM did this year. Again we bailed them out, with again the UAW owning 55%, FIAT 20%, and the rest of us standing around remembering the better old days. Should be interesting when the UAW has to bargain against itself. Looking back it seems we did have rocks in our head, just not granite.
Last night we had our not often enough pot luck and ministry evening. Great food, too much of it, and then the good stuff-hearing about all the ministry blessings. How encouraging to hear about so many doing so much with Jesus! But one story stands out, and of course they saved it for last. Tina and Tony had been with Camp Alandale for something like 15 years. A camp that takes in abused kids from the foster care system in Orange County, it gives them a week at camp learning about Jesus, and gives them a hope in life. But an interesting thing happened to them suddenly last April. Given a choice between some changes in the vision God gave them or leaving, they left. A tough choice, but the right choice. You see, years ago when I first wanted to get into ministry I was told by a wise man "don't align yourself with a church or other organization. Follow what God has given you in your vision." And I have seen ministries fold or never reach their potential, because they didn't trust God. The vision God gives you is for you, where He guides He provides. And when Tina and Tony shared that last night it all made sense. Leaving Camp Alandale, they started Julian Oaks, same type program, same miracle camp, same miracle financing-just without the old burdens. A giant step of faith, but worth it. You see, the one way to know if God is truly giving you a dream is your passion for it. Talking with Tina last night I saw a passion for this ministry like I had never seen before. She admitted that they thought Camp Alandale was forever, but God's plans were different. And faced with losing something she had taken for granted, fought back in prayer-letting God know how valuable this calling was and is! Camp Julian Oaks today compliments Camp Alandale-not competition but multiplication of ministries. Van and Tina still run Camp Alandale in Idylwild. More of the same-only better! And watching God guide encouraged me.
Who would have thought 40 years ago that GM would be gone, replaced by a new GM? Or there would be new Triumph motorcycles? Or that during a government sponsored clunker bill to get old cars off the road and stimulate growth for their newly acquired companies, that 8 of every 10 cars sold under it would be foreign-not US? And not the ones they hoped to sell!
And how many today are still clinging to a church, an organization, or a religion that has let them down. That have disobeyed God, and not followed the dream He gave them? Who are miserable and lost, seeking their own way. How many have chosen man's ways, not God's because they were easier, or brought better results short term? Do we remember last September as millions trusted the rumor and innuendo of Wall Street rather than the facts of God in the Bible? And as those same ones follow Wall Street again haven't learned from their experience? Simply God promises a time of horrible inflation, depression, war, famine, pestilence, and other tribulation to those who are left behind-who have not chosen Him on earth. He has told us what is going to happen-and made it easy to choose sides. Whose side do you choose? God-who is always right, but whom it takes faith to believe, or man's-where a quickie dollar beats a slow blessing?
Hebrews 4 warns we have all had the gospel preached to us, but the message was of no value to them because they didn't have faith. Where is your faith today? Where is your walk with God? Do you trust Him? Tony and Tina did, and so do millions of others. And so we will enter into God's rest.
Is your passion for Jesus? I like old cars, fast motorcycles, and other things of this world. I can even control them-sometimes. It is only in times of putting my little faith I have in God that I find rest. God has plans for you-dreams and visions of glory-but you must use what little faith you have. It is all about Him, not you, so use the little faith you have and make the right choice. Choose Jesus! And maybe next time you will be sharing what God is doing in your ministry!
As for the rocks in my head-I almost wish they were granite. Have you seen the price of granite today? But instead I choose to stand on the rock of salvation-Jesus! How do you put a value on what He has done for us? Your decision will tell us all your value system. Invest in Him today-with eternal rewards! Now if only our country would follow the vision God has for us....
love with compassion,
Mike