all aboard

There I was, caught in a moment of weakness, and a commercial got through the TV before I could change the channel. And as I endured the 60 seconds of propaganda, the message at the end brought me new life, and gave me the solution to all our energy needs. It stated that CSX railroads could move 1 ton of freight, 500 miles, on one gallon of fuel! And there was the answer to our energy problems-we should all drive trains! Think about it, if we could get that type of mileage on something that big, just imagine what we could get on just the engine, with maybe a caboose in tow. I just have to have a red caboose. Think about it, I might never have to refuel! And then all these great industries would spring up, tracks would have to be laid everywhere, thousands would have jobs created to go to, and the economy, the energy crisis, and the future of the world would be rescued-all just by riding a train! And here was the answer, that I would have missed, if I had not been remote challenged that evening. I wonder, how many other life changing ideas I miss because I don't watch commercials? Maybe driving the train last month up in Perris was just a hint of things to come. Do you think so?

Now before you again condemn me and call me crazy, I remind you I am, or at least can be. And the sane mind will tell me, "Mike, you don't understand." And like you, we have both been told that many times in our lives, and will until we die. As if understanding ever solved anything. When my father died, people would tell me they understand how I feel. "I don't, maybe you can explain it to me," has become my answer. And these well meaning ones go away. Not understanding. You see, Jesus never promises understanding. But He does promise a peace that surpasses it, so I became a wimp about understanding years ago, and just go right for the peace. You can have your so-called understanding, I have the real peace that only comes from Jesus.

And I can back it up with the word. Not preaching, at least to others, maybe myself, but when I am confronted with things I don't know or understand, I go to things I do know-and understand. When I wonder about those who hold signs begging for food and then say God bless you, I turn to God. Who tells us that He has never seen the righteous hungry, or their children begging food. So I trust God, and eat well. When told if you don't work, you don't eat, I tell them the truth. It says won't, not don't. And God meets my needs, the way He wants-but all blessings come from Him. He meets all my needs according to His riches and glory. So why beg those who don't have, go to the rich guy-who wants to provide, makes sense.

But Mike, you don't understand. You're right, I don't. Give it up. Seek and trust God first. Sick, He is the great physician. "Well I prayed and he died anyway." Perfect healing for those who are Christians is physical death, we go to heaven. No pain or tears. "My wife just doesn't understand." And you do? It takes two, maybe you both need to change. Trust God. Having trouble with your faith in a tough situation? Jesus said we will have trials and tribulations. How's that for evidence of Him? That oughta build your faith, but not your understanding. Now that He has proven Himself-again, will you trust Him with the problem? So when the devil comes a knockin', and I see him at the door, I just turn to Jesus, and say, "it's for you." And He handles it! Why do we make life so difficult? Are you beginning to understand? Or just trust?

"But God told me NO!" Did you ever think that is because you were asking for something outside of His will? That maybe He has something better for you? A no to me means that a better yes is coming. For God has promised me that all things work to good to those who trust Him and are called to His purposes. ALL! Good and bad work for me! There may be pain in the night, or on a TV commercial, but joy comes in the morning.

You may be right, trains may not be the answer. Remember the old line when you were a kid, "when they were handing out brains, you thought they said trains-and you missed them?" Just showing the frivolity of trying to understand something. It is easier to trust, the promises are surer, the rewards greater, and if God is for you, who can come against us? God+ us is a majority! And He never loses. But isn't it enough to trust Him just because He is God? He knows the path He has set for you, for a future and a hope. Follow Him and see the path. You may find that the rails aren't always smooth, so He takes you on the road. Just like where Jesus spent time ministering-on the road. Among the people. Who will think you are crazy for following Him. But they don't know Him. They are lost. They don't get it, they just don't understand. It's up to Jesus to change their hearts, not you. So let Jesus do what He needs to do, and follow Him. Lean not on your own understanding. Good advice found in Proverbs 3:5. Godly advice. Which only works if taken.

As for my idea about solving the energy crisis, scripture does tell us "He is high and lifted up, and His train fills the temple.." Is it possible that if we just turn to God, and lift Him high, that He knows the answer? If He can save a wretch like me, miles per gallon should be no big deal. I get 40-45 mpg on my motorcycles, no energy crisis here. Maybe it was something I heard years ago...Do ya think so?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

for God so loved the world, he sent the Sears catalog

Sometimes the answer to our problems is right in front of us and we don't know it. For instance, take the billions of dollars lost each year by the post office. Go back a few years and find the exact date when Sears quit mailing out its catalogs, and I think we may have found the fault. Did anyone ever figure in the millions that Sears spent each year, mailing out their 10 pound wish books to America? Two times a year? The postage on the Christmas book alone would keep small states afloat. And all the things we shipped, parcel post, long before brown took over. Perhaps another casualty of the Internet, but maybe we lost more than postage fees when they quit printing the catalog.

The catalog was almost the perfect book. It was stout enough to be its own desk, and could provide countless nights when nothing was on TV, you didn't have a date, or you were lonely and just needed a friend. Or you had some money from your first paycheck, how can I spend it on my first car? In it you found Ted Williams, Teddy Ballgame, fighter pilot, hall of fame, telling you about the joys of fishing. You were able to influence your parents of the safety merits of an English racer, because Ted said so, and no one ever said anything bad about JC Higgins! You were able to learn math, by figuring ounces and pounds-the shipping weight, and then matching it to your shipping zone, also learning all about US geography. You learned how to fill out paperwork, as accuracy counted when filling out the order form. Color, let's see, the wrenches are chrome, right? Tires were black...Size....no room for all of them to list...and the problem solving part of your brain got an exercise too. And we all learned why you wrote in pencil!

But as we got older, and closer to the magic age of obtaining a driver's license, the brand names changed. No more Kenner, Mattel, Marx, Ideal, or Tonka. Craftsman meant something, and even though we weren't sure what all the tools were, we knew men used them, and we were almost there. Power tools, too, no more muscle, we had power! Plug me in! We learned Die Hard batteries were the best for our cars, and that Sears branded radials were made by Michelin, in Mexico. And we became sharp shoppers by using these bits of info to keep our first cars alive. But hidden from parents, but not from our teen eyes, was a section of minibikes. And being included in the Sears catalog gave us a great bargaining position with our parents, sometimes. "Dad, it says here that Ted Williams had a minibike..." But for over 20 years, in the 50's-70's, Sears also sold motorcycles in the catalog. Allstates, and they really did, I have seen them at shows. Just never knew anyone who bought one. But these Italian made, Allstate branded bikes, would be shipped to your door, still in the crate, just like the dealers. And using your Craftsman tools to assemble, you would be the most popular guy on the street, as neighbors would stop by, wanting to know what was in the crate, and then warning you how dangerous they were. Only making it more exciting, but adding another lesson to you ever increasing knowledge-metrics. It seems the bolts on your Dad's Rambler, or Ford, or Chevy were standard-1/4, 5/16, 3/8, etc. These were 6,8,10mm. We won't get into Whitworth here, no one ever fully understood them anyway. Maybe those guys in auto shop were sharper than we thought.

For the Sears catalog was more than a catalog, it was a wish book, a place to dream, and a place to make plans out of. It was America, and America could be found in it. But like most progress, it went on for too long, and now we have the Internet. Lap tops. Devices you can't take into the bathroom and read, you can't sneak under the covers after lights out, and can't use as a table top for writing. No Sears catalog ever crashed, and for years would provide a ready and willing access to the past, and an entrance way to our future. Maybe it is fitting that its demise should be responsible for the post office going broke. A part of America died with it. And us. And still there is nothing like turning the pages of a book, finding something to mark the pages, and referring to it later. How can they call it a bookmark, when it is neither a marker, and there is no book? And just when we need the Sears catalog once more, they are gone. Forever.

We never saw it coming, so we were shocked. So wake up America, for we are in jeopardy of losing another icon, one more precious than we will ever know once it is gone. For years, when travelling, older than the Sears catalog, the Gideon's have placed Bibles in motel rooms. How many times have I myself used them, and found relief after a long day. Or found solace to a nagging problem. Or reread the gospels, and was reassured that Jesus rose from the dead, and so will I someday. That God sent Him because He loves us, and we can be saved. All found in one book, provided free of charge, that is made available by men and women around the world, their mission, the great commission given by Jesus-making disciples of men.

But the Bible is illegal in many countries, and is on an endangered list here in the US of A. If God isn't welcome in school, His book isn't either. Some are only let in as "historical books," good enough for history, just not good enough for us. Or maybe too good, for the truth in it upsets those in sin. And as the Book of Mormon, and Hindu sayings, and other so called religious books are also found in these same motel rooms, the Bible can handle the competition. Can we? We lost the Sears catalog, and the identities that went with it, what will happen when we wake up and the Bibles are outlawed? Will we all be outlaws? Will right have become wrong, like the Bible teaches? Or will we just go on to something else, shopping elsewhere for salvation, and missing the only real chance to have it?

When Russia becomes China, becomes Korea, becomes India, becomes the US, where will we turn? We can still turn to God, and Jesus will still be calling for us then. So why wait, if it is too hard to trust Him now, how will you when it becomes illegal? When there are no Sunday services to miss, or Bible studies to make fun of? Where will you turn for help?

The Sears catalog was never a religious book, but we may be able to learn something about God from its passing. If we don't use what He has given us, we stand to lose the blessings. To some it was only a catalog, but to so many others, a way of life. An educational book. A place for dreams, and to dream. A place where minibikes were ok, and America shopped. It was personal. Don't let this happen to your Bible. For it is all the above, and more. It is God's word, and when gone, we all miss the chance to spend time with Him. Ask God into your life today, and let Him write His word on your heart. Spend time with Him, learn about Him, and get close to Jesus. Don't ever think it can't happen to us. It would be a sad day when you had to sneak your Bible under the covers in secret to read it. Learn its value now, before it is too late.

We only want the things we can't get...the gospel is still free and available, for now. And Bibles used to be available in the Sears catalog. The gospel is free-just like the catalogs, that are now gone forever. Don't wait before it is too late. Just ask the post office....The Bible, still the perfect book.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

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vision test

With the invention of the car, a whole new era of pioneering began in America. Up until that time, for many years anything west of the Mississippi was considered to be the west. An untamed territory, where no real civilized person had any right to be, and even less desire to go. But things were about to change in a big way. A westward push would begin, and the western part of our US of A was about to change, and about to change how people live, think, and travel.

Peering across the mighty Mississippi, there would be no road to follow once the ferry deposited them on the other side. Where today we would turn up the ac, the heat could be deadly. And rain could stop them in their tracks for days. Travelling north through Salt Lake City, every spring the lake would raise up over its berm, flooding any progress of a new road. Coming to California across a desert with shifting sands, would hide the yet to come plank highway. No signs, so earlier pioneers would leave landmarks with directions. No AAA yet to guide you. San Francisco was the desirable California destination, no reason to go to a pre-Hollywood LA. And no way to get over the yet uncompleted Ridge Route separating them until 1917. They actually wanted California separated into two states at Tejon Pass. How many crossed the Rockies, only to find a sight such as the Rio Grande Gorge separating them from any further westward movement, 50 miles in either direction. It took faith, a strong will to succeed, and perseverance. It took a humility of being rescued by a horse when stuck, and paying heavily for it. So it wasn't for the faint of heart, or wallet. And weeks that could turn into months once they set out. What it took was a vision, and the desire to follow it, no matter what. To stay the course, and beat the odds. There may be some recognition at the end, or ridicule, but keeping the vision alive was the reason many pressed on. And the reason many of us still do today.

We are told that "the people die for lack of a vision." For without a promise and a direction from God, life has no meaning. For like so many early travelers, we get discouraged, and quit the first time things get tough. And blame God, this isn't what we were promised. Yet it is exactly what the Bible tells us. We get impatient waiting for the mud to dry, and frustrated when this new invention called concrete, which goes on liquid and then gets hard, will turn brittle under the weight of traffic, making travel even worse. We get frustrated when not following the directions we are told, or worse yet finding them inaccurate and getting stuck. We are ill prepared for the unknown, and have to trust people, who will inevitably let us down. And many just turn around, and suffer the agony of defeat, taking a lesser road, and live with the fact they should have stuck it out. Finding the safest, correct route is not of their own understanding, but rather found in obedience to God.

Today all of us will encounter a difficulty on the route we choose to follow. Some will quit, some complain and carry on, and some will persevere just because. Why not choose the path that God has chosen for you? Ask Him for a vision, and let Jesus set your course. Ride at His pace, and let Him guide you. It is OK to wait, or rest, for He knows what lies ahead, sometimes a simple thing like a stop sign has kept me from disaster ahead. But it takes a vision. Then trusting God with that vision, and then acting upon it in obedience. It takes a commitment-God is already committed to you, are you committed to Him? And it takes patience, and sometimes perseverance. We may give up on ourselves, but never quit on God!

Yet some will choose to ignore God, to stay a safe route, never leaving the house. And they will get old very fast. The rest of us will age, but still maintain a young attitude. You see we don't quit riding because we get old, we get old because we quit riding. And so it is with God. A true pioneer sees the obstacle and begins to figure a way around it. Those who follow God see the same obstacle, and ask Him to take them through it. The ones who stay home never get the the thrill of a victory with God.

Highway 50 across Nevada is billed as the "Loneliest Road in America." Don't let your life be like that. Follow the vision God has given you. Hills, deserts, storms, and rivers-He will help you navigate them. And be an encouragement to others. Don't let your life be a constant day of freeway exits-get on God's road and stay on it. The loneliest road will always be the one without God! With apologies to the Apostle Paul, "He who began a new road in you, will be faithful to complete it!" Don't be the one who is so blind that he will not see.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

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a man's garage is his castle

I dislike the name Man Cave. Probably coined by some sissy who doesn't even ride. Or whose wife won't let him have his other nerdy friends inside. So she lets them share the garage, the only place she let his friends into, after moving out her SUV. I know men like this, and once was too often. Let's call this man cave what it is, it is a garage. And it is meant for storage of vehicles, and to park your motorcycles when not riding them, or to work on them on rainy days you can't ride. Once again a great idea gone astray. Trying to use things for a purpose other than the one God intended them for.

Growing up I lived in the land of single car garages. Where all would revolve around the family truckster parked inside it. Room for the lawn mower, kid's bikes, and other things used outside. Space was tight, but not as tight as the older, detached garage it replaced. Usually so small that even a car couldn't fit in it and close the doors too, like my neighbors with their '62 Bel Air. But it had class, with its dirt floor, and had a smell only an old building could possess, years of old oil, rain, mold, and once again, things not allowed in the house. Take a deep breath guys-ahhhhh!

Our first house we built in Colorado had a single garage. We kept the MG in it, with plenty of room for a motorcycle, while the daily drivers stayed outside with the mailman through rain, sleet, and snow. Again a single when we moved back to New Mexico, but California here we come...and no more single car garages. Two car minimum for us now, but as I look around we may be the only ones on the block who actually keep any vehicles in it. Due to accumulation of things, the new car that cost over $30 sits outside, while boxes of junk take its place in the garage. Where some have been turned into a bedroom, or a den, or worse-not sure what worse is. But not here, not at my house. Call me old school, or just school, but we keep our seven motorcycles and Theresa's Mustang in the garage-every day! Just like God planned it when he invented garages-a place for men and their cars and bikes. Women optional, but here they are on our turf, with our rules. OK dear?

One reason men have lost their garage rights is due to pressure from their wives. Do this, do that, or else may not be said, but can be implied. And men wimp out, and not just in garage matters either. I can name two women just off the top of my head who are strong Christian women, but suffer from weak Christian husbands. They have assumed, or had to assume the role as spiritual head of the house, and the home has suffered. They do not have a strong husband to go to, like God has ordained, and they must make decisions themselves. When I see either one of them, all I can see is a waste of potential, due to a weak husband. Who is not there spiritually for them when they need them. And so they always can dream of what if my husband was stronger than me? Sadly other women want to assume the superior position, also robbing joy from the home. But God made it simple...the husband is head of the house, just like Christ is head of the church. And he needs to protect his wife, just like God protects us. To keep her pure, and be the strong one, for when he is, she can become the woman of his dreams, while he becomes the man she needs. A simple Godlike formula that works. So men, let's step it up and take better care of our wives!

Treat them as a gift from God, and they will become one. Encourage them in the things of God, and watch as not only they grow, but so do you. Don't pretend to be superior, you will soon find out you are not, for it is in humility that love will grow, and that humility must come from Jesus. Who gave His life so that we may live. Love doesn't demand its own way-do you? Does yours? Maybe you deserve having your garage taken from you!

Get right with God today by getting right with your wife. Wives, honor your husbands, and set a Godly example in the home. And husbands, take notice. Grow in the grace and love of Jesus Christ together, and like us, you can always find room for another motorcycle in the garage. Maybe for her! For let me tell you , Jesus, Theresa, and motorcycles-it don't get any better! Let God reign and rule in your hearts, and soon He will in your home, and even your garage.

Maybe the sign on my house says it best-"I ride, therefore I am not here!" At our house, I really need to change that to "we". For if God is the desire of your heart, He will give you the desires of yours. My wife rides, does yours? See the blue Bonneville-that's hers! Right next to mine-in the garage. Just like it oughta be.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

if the house needs paint, take her to the beauty parlor for an estimate

I was told the intro story here from the pulpit, by a Pentecostal evangelist, years ago. Who also threatened you with the wrath of God if you didn't listen to him. It is his story, but true. He begins...

Have you ever noticed in certain churches where the pastor is dressed to the 10's? He has on the latest styled suit, his hair is perfect, and has been sprayed many times to make sure it doesn't move. White shoes, white belt, and the lapels to go with it, he is stylin'. Perfect creases in his pants, double kit of course, a monogrammed shirt with cuff links, no buttons here, and he may have more invested in this one outfit than most in the pews own. He "owes" it to God's people to look good, so that his message is received better, and few leave not commenting on how good he looks. Even fewer remember the message he brought. Just what was the message is still open for discussion.

Then there is his wife. She has her long, long hair in a bun. Which hasn't been cut or trimmed in years, for religious purposes. She wears flats, black, so as to appear a lesser stature than her perfectly coiffed husband. Sometimes she is taller, can't have that. And never walks next to him, but a few steps behind. Her dress may have come from a second hand store, or is ready for one. If bought new, it probably wasn't in style then either. The style was popular once, just not among anyone with style. Its length stylishly meets the middle of her shin, no sign of knee ever to be seen, here or at home, it has no neckline, a doily collar, long sleeves with a tissue rolled up in one of them, and is usually a shade of light blue, or some other pastel. Her glasses mimic the 50's, except no retro here, making her look the same age, although she is 15-20 years younger. NO makeup, as that would upset those in the pews, she has a natural look of despair about her, a sort of pre-casket white, she would look natural if embalmed, and is usually addressed as Sister, never Mrs. She is humble, provides a good home, and secretly wants to go clothes shopping, some jeans or shorts would be so comfortable, but she could never let her husband know. It is all about him, not her, and her humility outshines his opulence. Besides, there is no more room in the clothing budget after he shops each month. It takes her 10 minutes to dress, while he is in the bathroom for an hour. Good thing they have daughters, or she would never get a chance at the bathroom.

Sound familiar? I have been in churches like this. One bringing attention to himself by being stylish, and one bringing attention to herself by NOT being stylish. I like Greg Laurie's comment on this, he of Harvest Crusade. "If the house needs painting, paint it!" Yet so many go to extremes to prove themselves holy. Like a friend told me once about watching a man with a collar in public, "good thing he wore that collar, I never would have known he was a Christian." Sad statement. Maybe an old customer named Carl said it best. He would come in once a week to have his oil checked, and would always greet us with "just dropped my wife off at the beauty parlor for an estimate." Never met his wife, but if she had a beauty budget like Carl's car budget, that may have been one whopper of an estimate.

This weekend is Memorial Day, and for many towns this means car shows. A chance for car owners to get out after a long winter, and show off their prized possessions. Some will be lovingly used, and driven to the show. But too many anymore, are trailered. And won't even drive on the dew wet grass! They have over restored their cars, with powder coated frames, towels over the upholstery so it won't fade, 21 coats of paint, then clear coats, and even pushing the car-not wanting to damage the engine by running it. The owner thinks his beautiful restoration is to be worshipped, but no car ever left any assembly line like this. It is like the pastoral example above, overdone. And no one except the owner or others who have over indulged, care for it. No one associates with it. For most others, like me, like the original ones. The ones where the paint has a certain patina. Wear marks on the pedals, and is driven regularly. It is enjoyed, and used as designed. And has been places, seen things, and been met by people. It has memories to share, and people want to listen. Bite marks on the seat cover where Jr. teethed on a family trip. Maybe a magazine between the spare and hold down, so it won't rattle. Even the decals in the window tell a story about where it has been, causing others to open up and share similar trips. And get this, maybe even a map or two in the glove box, not folded correctly, of course. Fondly invading a past, that the over restored car may have come from, but has no memory of. Been there, may have done that, just no memory of it. It has life, not sure what the other has. But not interested either.

It has been said that a well worn Bible is a good sign of a life that isn't. I like that. So here is the dare. Step out from whatever religious foothold you are snared in and trust Jesus. Just go out and be the person He wants you to be. Listen to some older saints share how it used to be. Get excited when you start making memories of your own. Get your hands dirty, too. Don't be afraid of the person next to you, just because he is different. Start clapping with the music, maybe even sing! We all notice you haven't been. True, this person's paint may be faded, but his is heart pure. His smile is contagious, and goes on after the song stops. You may want to be a great blessing to him, but he may be an even bigger blessing to you! Talk with him and find out! It is called freedom, and it only comes from the spirit.

Man looks at the outer appearance, but God looks at the heart. A pretty package more than once has made me buy a product I didn't like, or pay too much for. Don't fall into that trap. If more money has been spent on the outside than the inside, take time to re-evaluate your life. And if you care to honk and wave at those pushing their collector car onto a trailer why you drive by in yours, wear a smile. One that comes from the heart. You're having fun, all he saw was the grass on the tires, and hours of clean-up when he gets home. Just use extra napkins when you stop for a sundae, and talk about how much fun you had at the show. And if your wife needs an estimate at the beauty parlor, invest in it. Maintenance is still cheaper than repairs. May just improve the heart too. And from where you stand, she just might look prettier than the day you met her. Again, more precious memories.

Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, but true beauty comes from the heart of God. From within. In church as well as car shows, we always can associate more with those with a little wear on the paint, and some dirt on the tires. Which are not an option, but only found from having been there. They come from life. So go out and live, make some memories today. If Jesus could write in it, it should be good enough to walk in! And leave the hairspray at home.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

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who do you pity more, the fool or the one who follows him?

I was stopping up at Mickey's to pick up my latest press bike to put on break-in miles, when I saw a A Storm I had ridden recently with a huge dent in the tank. Chris when on to explain that it was used in a GEICO commercial, along with some other bikes I had ridden, and had come back damaged, and Flo, the GEICO girl had signed the tank. Whoopee. But then I saw the commercial, and was glad I have never chosen GEICO. A row of bikes is knocked over by a nerdy competitor, with some biker quote about how we love our bikes more than our women. And a biker growls when he sees the row of bikes down. And I agree with him-lousy commercial.

But I have learned over the years that this is normal. You see Triumph wasn't told we are going to damage your bike, and you think an autograph will bail you out? At least it wasn't that stupid lizard! But I have seen bikes come back in bad shape from magazines. More than once. And also from other media outlets who just had to have one for whatever purpose. Triumphs are cool-but if you can't ride, stay off one!

I was there when a producer for an MTV ad brought back a Speed Triple, with only .4 of a mile on it. It was to be driven slowly in the background, but Mr. MTV Stud tried to show off, and dumped it. He had positioned it so you could only see the left side, and when we saw the other side, it had been laid down. Not at 5mph, by an experienced rider like they claimed, they bike was totaled. And no amount of lame excuses could unbury this yuck's lies. I believe Triumph sent them a bill-which they should have. But months later this same bike, mildly customized by Mickey, was on the cover of the Robb Report. I hope I haven't told any tales out of school. From MTV loser/liar to cover bike, another reason to not watch MTV.

I had gotten a call from Mick, he needed a quick 1000 miles on a new Daytona. A week I had for 1000 miles, but in just over 24 hours I brought it back with over 1000 miles. So off it went to R magazine, who had to have one, and this newly styled, updated bike was promptly dumped. I had ridden over 1000 miles safer in less time than it took them to dump it! And they wanted another! Learn to ride guys, after all it is a sport bike. To their credit they did mention the fact they had crashed it in the comparison article, and said nice things about it, but the damage was done. But it was fixed, and put back in the fleet, and lives on today, its owner not knowing its glorious past. I guess that is why we call them accidents, not on purposes.

I had just come back to swap bikes, and took a new Street Triple to lunch. The speedos will record the highest speed the bike has been ridden, and we would compare how fast we had gone. I had hit 131, and felt fast, until I saw the 148 on the Street Triple. You will never know how slow 131 mph can feel. No need to mention the magazine, these guys know how to ride. And are respected by others. The others should take notice.

But in an always unfair world, Honda a few years back sent a bill to a magazine for totaling one of their test fleet. When the magazine refused to pay, hey no one else bills them for crashing, Honda promptly withdrew all their ads, and still won't advertise with them. Almost crippling the magazine at the time, while sending a notice-learn to ride or buy the bike. And I hear that other manufacturers are following suit. I agree.

Don't approach life like a borrowed motorcycle. Treat it with some respect. There is always a price to pay, and you cannot always afford the price. That is why God sent Jesus in the form of a man to pay for our sins-no other method would do. We couldn't obey the laws He had set, and couldn't follow the schedule. So He sent love, something that is above laws, and above any regulations. Someone who could pay the price once and for always. Better than a new bike, and better than an entrance pass to ride however you want. He takes us as we are, something not all denominations will do, and then changes us, with our permission and for our benefit. And it doesn't end at death, for those who are born again will live forever. We will never see death, for true death is separation from God. Forever. Remember that. This life is really a press fleet of events, giving us every opportunity to come to Christ. What do you say?

Riding new bikes is fun, but there is a reason I own the ones I do. Same with Jesus. It's that personal. Find out today, and give Him your life. Fallen away, He never left you, you left Him. Time to start riding and living again with Jesus. Don't wait for an accident to find out how bad GEICO really is on claims, or how they didn't tell up front the damage they had intended to do to borrowed motorcycles. Would you really trust someone who would trash someone else's new ride just to make a buck? Trust in God, and never ride alone again. No discounts, no small print, and no lies. Only truth. Flo's autograph on the tank won't fix you bike, or your life. Only Jesus will. An assurance that no insurance can provide.

love with compassion,

Mike

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the attitude of the ride

My first boss when we moved to So Cal, was Gary. He was raised in Garden Grove, which he referred to as Garbage Grove, with no affection. Part of his territory was from San Diego and into Orange County, taking him back there. A day that every two weeks he hated to do. It turned an 8 hour day into a 12 hour day, and combined with being stuck in traffic on the San Diego Freeway, wore out his clutch leg. Which would always heal just in time for the next trip. Sadly his whole opinion of Orange County was based on this freeway and these trips.

I met Fred through Milton, who both were reps for Datsun back in the sixties. Fred also grew up in Orange County, and one day while riding with him he took us back through the places he used to ride. Before they were all turned into 6 house an acre developments. And we went on many old, back roads, which when compared with Gary's ride, was much different. The memories were great, at times we felt like we had been there. Somehow only 30 miles separated where the two grew up, but they were more than 30 miles in different opinions and outlooks.

I have a friend who goes to church as a social duty. In between raising kids, having a career, and maintaining a family, he somehow finds 90 minutes each week for God. The church doesn't matter, just so long as it is easily accessible, non-threatening, expects nothing of him, and he doesn't have to sing. Sadly he gets out of it every bit that he puts into it. And his life shows. Just don't tell him. He's in denial. No names mentioned here, you all know of someone like this, or are that someone.

I also have many friends who love to attend church. We love to worship, and the music is sung to Jesus, not just the songs the choir director likes. You can even hear the drums, and all instruments, not just the woman leading with guitar. It is alive, because they are alive in Christ. And add great teaching, and you find a church that is growing in God's love. Not about numbers, about Jesus. Not about cancelling services, but about Jesus. We are there because we want to be. Where Wednesday night is as important as Sunday morning, because when you walk with Christ, you need that midweek fix. You need to be filled, and you want to be filled. Although it is only three days, you are hungry for more Jesus, and to spend more time with your friends in fellowship. And just like the two Orange County expatriates, the value of the experience is based on the attitude. We get to go, we don't have to!

My early views of California were one of it's a freeway. Which are really just big surface streets to us. And travelling this weekend, I spent a night in Tulare, in Central California's valley. A place where you only get off for gas and food, then back on, and never get to see the town. Or even realize it has one. But this Saturday morning was different. I was going to the rally at Hanford for old bikes. So I rode my old bike, the 1978 Suzuki. Which on Saturday morning, at 8am, decided not to start-it would need a battery. Calling roadside, they sent out someone to jump start me. Then called back to say they were on the way, not the hour wait they told me. Which Kevin the motel manager handled for me. While watching my helmet and jacket. While loaning me tools I didn't ask for-he offered when he heard me ask a construction man if he had a socket set. Which he gave me before the other man showed up-with more tools. When the tow truck driver showed up, the battery tested bad. He told me the Wal-Mart was not far, and he said he would take me over when I asked. After he called in, in case he got another call. Where I got the battery, where a young guy actually knew how to fill it, and did, and using more borrowed tools, installed it, and made the show, some 25 miles away, by 930-am! All this only a few blocks off the highway, but a few blocks that changed my attitude towards Tulare forever.

And helped me with my walk with God. When it first wouldn't start, I got mad. For about 5 seconds. Then knowing God, He reminded me how this would all work out for my good. And it did. From my roadside club, to the motel manager, to the tow truck operator, to the guy at Wal-Mart servicing the new battery, God had them all in place-just when I needed them. A reminder, that He is so much more than just for Sunday mornings-He does Saturday mornings, too. And wants to do every day, every hour, and every minute of your life. Would you let Him?

My bike could have died anywhere, God allowed it to happen where He had already set up a pit crew, a team of people, to help this stranger. A team of Good Samaritans, to minister to one of God's broken children. So take the time to find a good church. Then get involved. Grow in Christ, and watch as your attitude changes. You may be stuck in traffic and not know it, let Jesus guide your ride. Just like so many towns along the freeway, they are made up of communities, which are made of neighborhoods, which are made up of neighbors-who are you and me! Who will show hospitality to strangers when needed, just like Jesus did, and does. And is ready when you need Him-just ask! Trust God today. Enjoy life more. For life is more than a freeway through life, it is knowing Jesus Christ. Where there is always room at His inn, help is just a prayer, or phone call away, and He meets your every need-long before you know what you need. An important lesson relearned in Tulare, just two blocks off the freeway. A team of Samaritans who don't ride, who showed up and helped someone who does. Not even knowing they were sent by God as angels of mercy that morning. What a great parable that would make.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

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