on assignment

From the very start I never was fond of homework assignments. And as I got older, I only saw them as a way to deter me from my girlfriend, riding, and then my night job. Study hall-wasn't that the social hour of the day? Yet these annoying assignments would carry on into my adult life, and into my career. And still do to this day...it seems there are so many roads and so little time.

When managing a route for Coca Cola, I would be given the next week's assignments of Friday. Leaving me all weekend to grouse about, until I changed my attitude. Why worry until Monday and ruin a good weekend, especially when I could do nothing about them until Monday? So I didn't, and my attitude, and success rate changed-for the better.

I have a friend in the military, not sure who he reports to, but will be called on assignment to various places around the world. Mission accomplished, he goes home,waiting for his next assignment. His quality of performance measured higher than his quantity of performances. A lesson I would take to heart when going into full time ministry. I was used to putting 16 hours into each 10 hour day, now God would give me an assignment, and I would have free time in between. Which didn't always sit well with friends or family, who still worked by the clock, or it seemed around the clock. It wasn't fair I had all this free time. But only in obedience did I find it. But I learned that the quality of the job is what God wanted, and I needed the rest time in between to prepare for the next one. And what a great place to spend in conversation with God than riding.

Where God guides, He provides, and yet so many complain. "If God wants me to go, He better send me the cash," not understanding if He guides, the resources are already in place. Doubt God, why would I believe your words. Your walk is as important as your talk. And as He says, obedience is better than sacrifice, so obey. We can look to Jonah, who didn't, David who did against Goliath, Gideon, who won a battle against 185,000 with only 300 fat, overweight non-soldiers, and Samson, winning a battle, but blinded by his sin. He won, but never lived to enjoy the victory-or to see it. In each case the assignment God gave them, the outcome was known to Him. It meant victory, for them too, if they obeyed. The first rule, obey all rules. Start by obeying God. You may not need all the rules if you do. But sometimes we all must be dragged kicking and screaming into the Kingdom of God. Aren't you glad Jesus fulfilled His assignment, to seek and save a dying world? What if He had become lazy, or listened to His friends? What if he was late, or doubted His Father? Where would we be without salvation? But God....we complain. You don't understand. Maybe it is us that don't get it. After all, did He consult you the day He created the heavens and the earth? Sometimes it may look like it, it's always better to let Him lead. Following in obedience.

You see it takes trusting God, and then obeying. James puts it this way. You have faith, then show me your works. Prove your faith...others are watching, God already knows. And the truth is, God never fails, but we have that potential, when we disobey. Remember, it wouldn't be a miracle if you could do it yourself! It takes Jesus, and the guiding of the Holy Spirit to be successful. So He gives us a very simple, yet challenging assignment every day. LOVE. That's it. And despite our failures, still wants to bless us by giving us opportunities to do just that. Homework, or at work, play or display-LOVE. It is more than an emotion, it is the person of Jesus Christ!

"But I do," we offer in defense. The scripture also tells us these things shall follow them that believe. What is following you? What is your score? Who gets the credit for any of your success? If it is anyone but God, you fail. So go ahead and be a success today, in Christ. Trust Him in the little things, and they may not become big things. And after you trust Him in little things, He will assign you bigger things. Look at assignments as potential blessings, anyone have too many?

Your assignment may not be nine feet tall, with twelve fingers and toes, and may not be a trained killer, like Goliath was. But the same God who gave little David victory promises you the same, if you obey. I've read the book, we win. So start living like it! Have the attitude David had when questioned about his foe. "God was with me against the bear, and against the lion. Why would He not be with me now?" So there is your assignment for today, love the Lord with all your heart, and enjoy the day. Knowing that no matter what you are called to do, God has prepared you.

No more pencils, no more books, no more teacher's dirty looks. Finish your assignments on time. Let the blessings begin!

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

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Saturday morning smells

Tucked deep within the recesses of my memories, are the times spent on Saturday mornings, changing the oil, polishing the chrome, and hanging out with other riders. By 9am the garage would be full of riders, and the driveway full of bikes. And the conversations would be rich of Friday night date conquests, new roads you had heard about, or did you see the new Pirelli calendar-the rated X version that they used to put out in very limited numbers, with its artfully displayed semi-nude women? It took a connection to get on-and you had one. The talk would often be of which new bike was faster, and how someday you would own one-just about the time it became the second fastest as the industry was changing. But as rich as the conversation was, the smells from the garage were priceless. The smell of two-stroke oil from the Wildman's Mach III. The smell of the Gunk, as you wiped off all the oil that leaked onto the exhaust or engine, and as friends helped you wipe it down, you learned about other bikes. But the smell you enjoyed the most was one of Castrol Racing R, bean oil. Racing castor oil, the original synthetic. There was something that when it reached your nostrils and burned their insides, was appealing. Something missing today, in our ultra-clean protected world.

Today oil spills are wiped up immediately, and the bag of cat dirt to cover spills is gone. Where as a British bike, or the occasional Harley would mark its spot, now floors are antiseptically clean, and the smells gone. No bean oil, synthetic gives off no odor, no more two-strokes, and we use Simple Green instead of Gunk, as we are environmentally correct-not necessarily by choice. And as we got older, the crowd on Saturday mornings would thin out, as girlfriends and wives became part of our lives. But that special time of friends hanging out together, then going for a ride remains, if only in memories. A time where after the ride we all split off, but would meet up again the next week. A time of respect for the others ride, as you never asked if you could borrow another guy's bike. But if offered a ride, you understood that as soon as you sat on it, you took ownership-it was yours. And you were responsible for anything that happened to it. Which kept many off of other bikes, money talked even in these pre-401k days. We had respect for each other, and what we rode, although we all rode different brands. The Wildman rode a Kawasaki, Bouke his Z-1, Bill his 750 Honda, and I rode a BMW. Four guys, three brands, with one common bond-motorcycles. And after that, nothing else counted for anything. Fellowship among riders, who when alone on Saturday mornings would argue the merits of our own rides, but when out would brag on each others ride, how fast they were, or how great they handled. No one spoke of mpg, and we never had to speak of fun-if you rode you knew.

Fellowship is part of the Christian lifestyle. We love to get together, and with Jesus in common, the talk is of and about Him. But let me ask, would He feel comfortable in your garage Saturday morning? Would you feel comfortable with Him? Yet so many times we don't get it that Jesus would love to hang out with us. To check the oil, make a Slurpee run, and clean the chrome. Yet we don't let Him in-we turn our back on Him. Yet what a better place to share, or be a witness than hanging out, with Jesus. He rides, you ride. You need Him, He's there. And all talk doesn't have to be religious talk-some of my best times with God have been talking about rides or trips I've taken. He loves you as you are, and knows your likes-and dislikes. He won't force Himself on the situation, but has to be invited in. Do you invite Him in, into your secular world? Golfers, is He with you for 18 holes? Moms, is He with you at the mall, or hairdressers? Is He at work with you, commuting, and lane splitting? Is He part of your Saturday morning fellowship time, then the ride, or is He a Sunday morning, gotta spend an hour with Him friend?

Invite Jesus into your life-all parts of it. Watch as shopping, riding, and golfing take on a new meaning. Get out into the world, with Him along, and truly minister. How many of us are offended when preached at, but love to talk of the things of God? How many may come to church with us, or listen to our testimonies, if only we become their friend first? If we listen to them first-they too may have something to say, and that ride, or problem you may have may be within listening distance, but only if they are invited in. Try that one out when someone suggests you go out witnessing, be a witness every day like the Lord asks. When others see you having fun, they naturally want to join in, invite them in. And as Christians we should have more fun than anyone, so enjoy it. Be a witness to God's love for us, and watch as the gospel is spread to those who never would listen or visit. As you grow in the Lord, and make friends you never knew you had. As religion is passed over for a relationship, and the smells of Saturday morning are renewed.

Jesus and motorcycles-he gets it. Do you? You're invited over to my garage any Saturday morning, many will respond to that invite, but turn down church. Reach out to them, let the chapel of Saturday morning permeate more than bean oil, more than burning rubber. Bench race about your life, and find out how much Jesus is part of it. You may even find this time of fellowship ministers to you....only to be followed by let's ride!

If you miss the invite, you may miss the ride. And that would be a horrible thing....

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

it takes more than a hat to be a cowboy

It was while living in Durango I came face to face with real cowboys. Hats, boots, horses, and walking bowlegged, these were real cowboys, and just living among them I picked up many traits. Yes, cowboy boots are the most comfortable shoe you can wear, long before Nike Air. I even won a contest and had a real custom cowboy hat made, big feather and all like JR Ewing's. And my wife even had a horse, a palomino named Trigger. But no matter how I loved Roy Rogers, or watched Wild,Wild West did I become a true cowboy. I couldn't ride, or more precisely, the horse knew I couldn't ride. My last attempt was getting on, and it sprinting to the barn with me hanging on-not my choice! And so I never became a cowboy, although I could talk the talk, and walk the walk-just don't ask me to ride the ride.

Friday night we took the kids to Cruising Grand, the last one of the summer. It was Nitro night, and the highlight was dragsters firing off-I love that loud music, and then after dark, watching as they creeped down Grand with flames shooting from the exhaust. Four year old Landon had nothing to say but cool and awesome as he watched with his eyes glued to them. And waved from the crowd. And I remember Wednesday nights at Raceway Park in Englishtown, and all day Sundays watching the races-section E at the starting line. I knew guys who raced, and all the popular racer's names. Fearless Fred Goeske, Jungle Jim Lieberman, Don "The Snake" Prudhomme, and others-heroes to all us horsepower starved youth. And our highlight upon leaving was racing in our minds next to other traffic, practicing our braking techniques when a cop car showed up. I knew the rules, could drive a clutch, even drive fast-just never got in front of any staging lights. But in my dreams-I was fast!

Over the years I have watched the great things churches have done. Feed the hungry, various mission trips, and giving a hand up and out to the needy. But I have also attended churches where they had a "Man of the Year," who I thought would be Jesus, but this was based on a man's accomplishments. And I never bought into it. You see Jesus even confronted the church, and when they bragged on things they did for the church, He rebuked them. And it continues today, so many doing good things for the church, but not necessarily for God. All things Jesus did pointed to God-are our hearts and motives as pure? These are not necessarily bad things, but can be good things. But Jesus looked at their heart, and saw they only wanted to please the church, doing things for the church-not fully realizing they were only helping themselves-we are the church! And despite doing many good things, missed doing great things in the eyes of God. A legalistic approach to ministry that should be spiritually based.

Did you ever wonder why Jesus didn't heal all the sick? Why only certain men in the crowd were healed? Maybe it is because He operated in the spirit-He did what His dad told Him to do. And what we do based on what God tells us to do can have profound ramifications! When we obey-in the spirit! You see even the best cowboy is going to get thrown from his horse, and a drag racer will red light. But if you ask them, they may not be able to put into words why they do what they do, but God does. It takes a heart, and a passion, which comes from dedication. A love for the life and lifestyle, something not seen, not tangible. It comes from the heart. Maybe Mother Theresa said it best, when being interviewed in a fly ridden ghetto hospital, filthy and over run with dysentery. The reporter said "I wouldn't do this for a million dollars!" To which she replied, "neither would I."

Guess which one gained favor with God?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

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who's in your heritage?

Just hear the names of Roberts, Rossi, Nixon, Aldana, and Rainey and you think of motorcycle road racing and its champions. Think McGrath, Johnson, Stewart, and De Coster and you think moto-X champs. Unser, Foyt, and Mears and you know they have all won multiple times at Indy. Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio, and Mantle-who else but the NY Yankees. How about Harrison, Harding, and Wilson? Stumped on who they played for-try US Presidents! And how about names like Jan, Brandy, Joy, Theresa, and Penny? Tick...tick...tick...times up. If you guessed those who brought us meals when I was sick this summer, you guessed right. And in my estimation, although serving in obscurity, they are the best of best on any list. Servants who serve, without recognition, but are at the top of their game in the eyes of God. Where do you fit on that list?

While watching yesterday's speech by Benjamin Netanyahu at the over rated United Nations, he spoke of men like King David, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and others. At first I thought he was quoting from the Bible, but it turned out he was talking about Israeli history. He could have easily added the names of Begin, Dayan, and Ben-Gurion and have woken up the ears of the uninitiated, but yet he chose to go back over 3500 years, to those who were responsible for Israel's earliest history. To the beginning. It just happens that these men were written of in the Bible, thus placing them not only a prominent place in history, but in scripture as well. Try to imagine Jacob without Esau, Isaac with Abraham, and Abraham without Sarah, and history turns sour. But figure into that history, Ishmael, and Hagar, his mom. Then mention Abraham, his dad. And you get a better insider's look into the middle east.

When God promised Abraham and Sarah a child, who God told Abraham he would be the father of countless people to come, they had no faith. They were old, and she had never conceived. yet leave it to God to pick those who could not do it on their own. But at Sarah's insistence, Abraham had a child with Hagar, her hand maiden, and then some 13-15 years later, Sarah bore Isaac. Just as God promised. But yet the damage was done. Same dad, yet Ishmael was not the promised one, and had to give up his inheritance. Fast forward some 3500 years and we have the Middle East Crisis, where two brothers who could not get along, has perpetuated to this day. And a reinforcement of God's promises. Yes, the Jews still exist as a people today, even though there nation has been taken from them several times. A good lesson to remember for those who threaten them with extinction-don't mess with His people. And respect His promises, they always come true.

Do you realize that when you accept Christ that you are part of Abraham's legacy? For God tells us that the Gentiles were grafted in when they turn to Jesus, thus even adding many more to Abraham's legacy. But when you deny Jesus you add to a different legacy-those who don't choose God, and are damned for eternity. So choose a legacy that brings life, instead of death and strife. Choose a life with Jesus. For there are names, and then there are names...

Quick-consider the list of friends you associate with. If it doesn't include Jesus, may I suggest you add Him to your list and life today. And don't wait for Yom Kippur like the Jews, who on that day hope their name is written in the Book of Life. Accept Jesus today-for there is no better day to start your own legacy-based on the eternal, loving one. Today is the day-make Jesus the most important part of it. And if Abraham with his sin of disobedience can be listed in the Book of Hebrew's Hall of Faith, imagine what you and I could do! With God's help of course. And a little faith...see. it goes a long way.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

when skills disqualify you

After a career in sales, I finally got sick of it. The lies, innuendoes, false promises that so many gave finally got to me. So I quit-trusting God to give me a new career. With one of the things I was unable to shake was the countless sales training seminars I attended. Which later I found out, that the buyers also attended seminars on how to combat us. An evil game, that I promised I would never play again. And I vowed to never use my honed sales techniques in any other job-and I haven't, although I was tempted. I wanted to trust God, not just say I was.

The best negotiating skills I ever learned were after I quit, and attended classes on how to get hired. I really became a skilled negotiator, and could present myself as the right candidate for any job. No matter how qualified I was, or wasn't. The fine tuning I got put anyone at a disadvantage, including me, as I now had to choose from positions offered, instead of just attaining the position. If you would like me to say I always chose right, you won't hear that. But God still respected my poor choices, which always led to better ones-when I listened to Him.

During a church visit, we had to endure this couple being praised by the pastor for teaching classes on what is your gift for ministry. After 30 seconds I wanted to stand up and shout "shut up," for it was the same old pablum I had learned in sales. Where was God, how about the Holy Spirit? And my one question, "could Jesus have done a better job choosing apostles if He had taken their advice?"

It seems He didn't choose the most qualified, but rather He knew men's hearts, and His father's will. He chose fisherman, anarchists, tax collectors, and others to represent what is the most valuable and important message ever to be told-the gospel. And then sent them out with limited training, which they didn't understand, and not even an expense account. They had to trust Him. Working purely commission, they had to trust Jesus, and today we see how right God was. And is. And will be. Qualified doesn't mean called-in fact to God it will disqualify many. Look to Jesus....

While attending UNM I was part of a Friday night fellowship, which this one night John Duffy and I went to together. That night they were studying the gifts of the spirit, and how each person has one. Except John and I, we were at a loss. Which tried others patience. So much for fruit. While the others were all proud of their new gifts, we were perplexed. We had all the qualifications, and also none of the qualifications. And the leader was upset when we left after midnight, without a gift assigned. I was driving John home, when we came upon a horrible accident on University on campus. Police, ambulances, and fire trucks surrounded the scene, and we stopped, not saying a word, but I could tell by John's expression he was already praying. We parked, and walked right through the barricades, past EMT's, and police, and were drawn to a man being loaded into an ambulance. His stomach was distended, and he appeared in shock. But somehow, while being loaded, they stopped, and John and I laid hands on him and prayed. Then they loaded him and took off, sirens and lights flashing. We walked back to the car in silence, but God put on our hearts how He sent us there to pray. And this man would be OK, God had us pray for him. For the man's benefit, but also ours, but mostly God's. To show His love to all of us. Something I cannot put into words, but you just know when you know God. And this was a scenario God has repeated many times in my life, and still does. Our only qualifications were faith and obedience. We trusted God, and then obeyed Him. All without still knowing what our spiritual gift was. I still don't some 30+ years later.

Man plans, and God laughs. And then we repent. Sometimes. Obedience is better than sacrifice, and trusting God is better than any skills. We are saved by grace, and God's strength is made perfect in our weakness. My open heart surgery situation is all about Jesus. No skills, nothing learned, or even absolute faith would carry us through-we had to trust. For it was the only choice available. For who is a better counselor than the mighty counselor? Or who can save better than the savior, Jesus Christ? So why go to anyone else other than the creator for help?

Someday, somehow ,when most needed your skills and knowledge will fail you. God never will. Do you believe that? Do you really trust Him? Today you will have many chances to find out-in the spirit, self control being part of it, you will know. The choice is yours. Don't believe the lies of the the world...when you can have all the riches of heaven in Jesus Christ...

A day came where I was that man being loaded into the ambulance, mine was called life flight. If not for God... my wife would be a widow, my sons fatherless. He saved my life to show them grace. And mine to enjoy life with them, and to tell others. He still has a plan for me, and for you. Trust Him now, for some day you may be on a gurney, and no doctor can save you. Trust the only one who can and wants to... Jesus. For His one skill we can never perfect is love, we can only reflect his. Next time you feel skillful or qualified, I have these 9 inch nails and a cross...Jesus Christ-now that's a qualification I can live with.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

saturday morning friends

Maybe Stymie said it best, while rubbing a lamp and making a wish. "I wish there were only two days in the year, Christmas and Saturday!" And I agree, as both were, and still are precious times to me while growing up, and now while recovering after surgery. So let's join Mr. Peabody and his boy Sherman at the Way Back machine, and travel back. I see it is set on the early sixties, on a Saturday morning...

Saturday morning TV was our friend growing up. Not only would we watch with excitement, but then go out and replay in our own way the things we had just watched. It would start with Crusader Rabbit, and his comrade Ragland T. Tiger, the T. stood for Larry, he once explained, his father couldn't spell. Many early mornings were spent with them in Galahad Glen. Then it was on to Sky King-out of the clear blue of the western sky. And the first images of Arizona for this Jersey boy. The next ranch was the Broken Wheel, where Joey Newton was raised by Big Jim Newton, after being adopted. But the show was called Fury, after Joey's black stallion, and with his pal Packy always in trouble, Fury was the equine version of Lassie. They don't make horses like that any more. Next was Roy Rogers on Trigger, with Dale Evans on Buttercup, and Pat Brady in his old Jeep, Nellybelle. With all these horses I was never a horse fan, but loved Nellybelle. In between was Andy's Gang, with Andy Devine,who you guessed it, made it as a cowboy. We watched every week as Froggy plunked his magic twanger, and Midnight the Cat chased Little Squeaky the mouse. All good clean fun, and these were all our friends. We talked of them, played like them, and no one slept in on a Saturday morning. So it is with great joy I started watching Roy Rogers again-and I feel young again.

You always knew Roy would make things right, whether it was the gold mine being robbed, or the widow needing food. The bad guys could easily be identified by their looks, and the good guys by the white hats. Their horses always seemed to be cleaner, too. The difference between good and evil to us when we were young, although I was never told that cleanliness is akin to Godliness. But seeing Roy in action again on Trigger, and Bullet chasing him, I can remember the old shows, and also the times, when horse and Jeeps were sharing the trails. When 35 cents bought the blue plate special at Dale's cafe, and the rich guys from the east were always taught a lesson about courtesy and values by the end of the show. City folk always took longer, but were the most generous afterwards. And I always wondered how the city folk ever ended up owning a ranch in the west to start with. But as a kid, these and other things on TV shaped our values, and our dreams.

Well, we're back in the future, thanks Mr. Peabody for the trip, and Saturday morning is different. Violence on a level, that only sells toys to unsuspecting. No message, no Roy and Dale, and no Froggy the Gremlin. And as I channel surf, I cannot find anything to watch. Some Three Stooges sometimes, maybe an old movie, and Roy, but the rest is embarrassing to me, and I wonder, how can parents let their kids watch this junk? Wasn't it Barney Fife who said "the first rule is to obey all rules?" If my parents say it is ok, is it really?

Times have changed, and so have values-thankfully Jesus hasn't. Sin will always be sin to God, and big or small, sin will always be sin. He hates it, and when it gets between us, we change. Do not be deceived, bad company corrupts good morals, we are told. And I still have my morals challenged, but God is still God, never leaving me. He gets me through the tough, and I rejoice with Him after. He shows me how self control is based on the choices I make, and still loves me when I make a bad one. He is good over evil, charity to the poor, and the sheriff rescuing us from the bad guys. He is Sky King, in his plane, the Songbird, rescuing Penny and Clipper from danger. He is Joey on Fury, saving the young kid who wondered off. He is Andy's Gang, singing and spending time with kids. And He is Roy and Dale, making it a better place to live. You see, He works through those who love Him, and the good guys will always win, even if it is the last minute of the show. For God isn't late, but wants us all to come to repentance, and some of us are or were pretty bad hombres.

I still agree with Stymie on his wishes, but I am glad to know that Jesus is with me everyday. That everyday can be Saturday morning, it is up to you to make the right choice. This morning it was going way back-with Jesus we can look way ahead. A hope and a future. Think of how you looked forward to Saturday morning as a kid, and come to Him like one, as He asks. Save Him a seat on the sofa next to you, for there will never be a better time than now, with Jesus.

It's Saturday morning, do you know where your kids are? Aren't you glad Jesus does? Gotta go-the bad guys are coming back on-go gettum Roy!

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

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mission statements-the statement of your mission

Somewhere back in the 80's, someone came up with the idea of mission statements. In these a business would put its core values on paper, usually then framed and mounted so its patrons could see them. They would state for instance, "to be the best service department, to always fix your vehicle right the first time." And created a whole new set of rules-as I learned at Mercedes Benz, we couldn't always fix the cars, so we had to fix the customers. And in an age where the consumer started to rule, we weren't smart enough to recognize the Honda sign meant Honda, or the Chevy sign meant Chevy-we had to make the experience feel good. And even after the third or fourth try, the free details or loaner cars kept them coming back, feeling good about the person they dealt with, but not having the problem remedied. Somehow the old mantra taught by parents of "if you drop it pick it up, open it, close it, and turn it on, then turn it off" didn't apply. Unless you felt good about it. Then it was OK....

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the US of A, the French sent us the Statue of Liberty. In pieces, to be assembled, by US hands. Which took over three years, and cost as much to assemble as it did to build...not sure if that is a gift, or not. With the hallowed words on it, "give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free..." thus establishing our immigration policy via their gift. Which today many use to become legal US citizens, but that many take advantage of, and then aided by a powerless government, enter illegally. Usurping the meaning of the words "we the people..." Where a nation was once conceived in liberty, where all men were thought to be created equal, it has taken too many laws, too many dollars and too much heartache, when all we need to do is go back to the Declaration of Independence, and the Constitution. But a feel good mission statement from the French has opened up the door for what was never meant to be. Maybe we need to revisit our own Mission Statement, or send a gift to the French...with an invoice!

I get many e-mails from different ministries and churches. And if I don't know them, I check out their web site to find out about them. One that I read recently caught my attention, as it went into great detail outlining what they believed, and dealt with social as well as spiritual issues. And after reading it, I felt like because I didn't agree with all of them, that I would not be welcome. They took a pious approach, an I'm better than you, and you need to match up to us approach, just the opposite of many old line religions, who are inviting anyone in to boost their declining numbers, and inviting their sin inside, instead of just the sinner. After reading this church's 18+ beliefs, I was reminded of the law... and how it kills. And how the spirit gives life. I had a postcard once that stated, "don't brag about what a great lover you are, show me!" And I think about how Jesus took all the 600+ laws of Moses, and condensed them into two-love God with all your heart, and love your neighbor as yourself.

And an article by Ray Stedman put it into words I relate to-When religion becomes complex, it is falling away from Christ. Ask yourself, are you bound up within denominational rules, church regulations, and social mores that just add to more religion and less Jesus? Are you trendy and contemporary? Can you explain the gospel, in its simplicity, to a 5 year old? Are you seeking God, and listening to His spirit rather than following trends? Do you have more books about God lining your shelf, from studies, and know all about God-but do you not know Him personally? Can you in 25 words or less, tell us about your life in Jesus?

May I suggest John3:16, you know "for God so loved the world..." for your essay. For when you have the spirit of God, you will bear Godly fruit, and we won't need to know your opinion on each subject, we will know by your fruit that you walk with Jesus. Love, joy, peace. patience, goodness, kindness, meekness, longsuffering, and self control. Do these words describe your walk with Christ, or do you need a church's belief's to outline your walk? Does your life match up to the Mission Statement of John3:16? I know Christians who are Pro-Choice, who drink and smoke, who are divorced, and live in sin-trying to live under laws, only to fail. They have given their lives to Jesus-just never surrendered their lives-He is their savior, just not Lord. And they miss the blessings of God.

Which is where self control comes in-think of it as choice. The choices we make show others the Jesus in us. I choose to not live in sin, just as I choose to accept God's grace and His spirit. Remember God looks for unity in the spirit, not unity within a church or set of laws-it is all about Jesus! We change to be like Him-not the other way around.

So review your relationship with Jesus today, keep it fresh. Spend time at the cross, and don't forget to still pick up your cross to follow Him. You had to put something down to pick it up, make sure you are not still carrying the extra baggage. Make your life a statement with a mission...not just a feel good experience. For love in not an emotion, but a person-Jesus Christ.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

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