lights 4 Laiken-chapter 2012

Our afternoon started out heading for the Mission Inn in Riverside. An historic hotel, they decorate like no other for Christmas, and seeing it at night was wonderful. Far from the self seeking mall crowds, we sat and ate dinner on the outside mall, and as it got darker, the lights came on. A Festival of Lights they call it, and it was. On this Tuesday night two weeks before Christmas, it was not over run with people yet, but soon would be. Every window, nook, cranny, or whatever was decorated, from 6' nutcrackers to dancing penguins to Santa on a 4th floor chimney. It was neat, and on this 70 degree afternoon, we watched as they unloaded reindeer, and even in the warmth of the day, it would not have been a surprise if it had started to snow. A wonderful time and place, one I was blessed to be part of. And traditional Christmas music filled the air...it's the most wonderful time of the year.

But our real festival of lights was later, as we were going to the annual Lights 4 Laiken party that her mom, Stacy, and dad Jim throw every year. A very special time to remember a very special girl. Every year I marvel as Stacy somehow outdoes herself, and this year was no disappointment. Over 200 people of all ages were there, and as always the street was blocked off. Tables filled with cookies and hot chocolate. Chino city police cars with flashing lights, and even a police truck pulling a sleigh with Santa, loaded with kids. Playing Christmas songs, the way it oughta be. Led by a motor cop-ahh, Christmas in So Cal is so different. We had our picture taken in the picture booth and visited friends we only see once a year. A special time, Christmas time. But as my heart reminds me, it's really Jesustime!

But this year was even more special for me. I will be here to spend it with my family. I almost wasn't. And as I watched Theresa and Stacy visit and talk, I was touched at how they both had much in common. Stacy had endured years with Laiken's sickness, and spent so much time in hospitals. She had endured a private agony that only God could relieve, and my wife had endured the same with me this summer. I thought of Laiken in ICU, alone with the doctors and nurses, and I thought of my 20 days in Cardiac Critical Care. I thought of times with Stacy and crying together with her. Touched by a little girl I hardly knew, but knew wonderfully. Finally God told Laiken, "from now on you can call my house home," and she went to be with him almost five years ago. And I could see the pain and love of Stacy for Laiken, how she misses her, and reflects on the good times. Knowing someday she will see her again. And how much my wife loved me. How I am still here to hug and hold, and to comfort her. And in love annoy...Truly there is no better feeling than being loved...only a mom or a wife can fully know. Somehow they know without words even being exchanged. God has given them that special insight, that only comes from knowing Jesus. I watched blessed. And so we rejoice that we know Jesus, but it is even more special that He knows us-He even knows our name! How cool is that?

And so as I made my way to the table to get my latest Laiken Christmas ornament, her photo graced the table. And as I thought of past L4L, I thought of the first year, and helping those getting hot chocolate by filling their mouths with whipped cream, and soon we had emptied many cans in fun. Not much ever made it into the chocolate. Fun like Laiken had. I thought of the young girl last year who wouldn't sit on Santa's lap, not knowing it was her own dad. And crying and screaming not knowing his voice. And as I looked around, those who were 4 or 5 then, are 10 now. Laiken's classmates are now 18, almost out school, driving and have girlfriends and boyfriends. I could see Laiken among them. I also noted so many younger ones, Abigail's age, who was born in August after Laiken went home. The little sister she had always wanted-I can see here in her shirt saying I am the big sister. And the many who come out of love for Jim and Stacy. Knowing about Laiken, but never getting the chance to meet her. And I felt special, fighting tears as I looked at Laiken's photo. Such a pretty little girl, and I knew her. She was my friend. But the smile, the joy I left with was because Laiken knew me. Ask yourself-now how cool is that?

Merry Christmas to all-and a most joyous Jesustime!

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

In God we trust, all others use bank cards

As kid I was excited at the back of the magazines. This is where the advertisements would be for all the neat things you would want to put on your first car or motorcycle-provided you could wait until the teen years to attain one. These ads would promise a free catalog and a decal-in these pre-sticker days, and all you had to do was send in a quarter, carefully taped over the round quarter sized image on the form, put it in an envelope, put on a 4 cent stamp, and then wait the weeks for your prize to arrive. But what to put your sticker on? Dad's Rambler? One time I ended up putting a Cheerful Charlie Speed Shop sticker on his VW-the only thing cool about any VW as far as I could tell, and which elevated my 12 year old status among my friends, wow, your Dad is cool. Oh, the good old days.

I remember decorating my walls with 24x36 prints from Plymouth-full color of their performance cars, Road Runner, Barracuda, etc, with cartoon drawings of the real cartoon road runner on them and the likes. All for that 25 cent handling charge. Why did I ever get rid of them? How about the cut away views of Indy and Formula One race cars I got from Shell, same price. Only a young fool would have thrown them out, no old fools in that department I hope. Hooker Header stickers, Bell Helmet, the wicked woodpecker of Clay Smith Cams, and those Powered by Ford blue decals-all so cool, and all used up, tore off, and thrown away. All for 25 cents plus a stamp-maybe the best 30 cents a kid could spend, better than three Archie comics with Betty and Veronica! Well, each one had its benefits, let's see, how about B and V on in a Road Runner? Wearing a Bell Helmet t-shirt? Help, I fell those teen hormones kicking in!

But the ad I never responded too, never read it either, was the one of urban legend status. It read "last chance to send in your dollar!" then gave a PO box somewhere. The legend goes on to tell that this one act made millions for its author based upon the greed of those who read it and responded. Last chance for what? And a whole dollar? That would come right out of my sticker fund? No way-anyway the legend would be repeated next month, in case you missed it this month. But to me the best deal for my quarter was in Cycle magazine, where for 25 cents I could circle all the ad numbers I wanted and get mucho ads and decals. With only a little fudging of info asked, yes I'm over 21, I own this many and brands of motorcycles, and will be buying a new one within 30 days. Now...get them decals coming! Which explains why so many of my Cycle magazine collection is missing part of that page-oh if I only had something to show for it now.

A quarter used to be a lot of money, and money used to talk. Remember how impressed you were when some guy would pull out a wad of cash? No more, as things, and times have changed. Years ago my friend Ted wanted to buy a Wendy's franchise, so he called them up. When he asked how much, they weren't concerned about how much cash he had in the bank, but were more interested in his credit line. So he referred them to his dad, who was president of the bank they owned. How much credit did he need? When we moved west and wanted to buy a home, we had worked hard to pay off everything, no car payments, all credit card balances zero, and had saved some cash. Which all backfired when we applied, it seems they want you to have outstanding credit, it shows you pay your bills on time, and we were advised to go buy a car or use the credit cards. And you wonder where we went wrong economically? No longer was cash king, your FICA score talked, and soon it wasn't what you had, but what you could borrow that was important. And no one sent in quarters any more for stickers. And Cycle magazine went away, a victim of the times.

God tells us to owe no man nothing. It is not so much the payment He has trouble with, it is the debt that ruins relationships He emphasizes. For whoever you owe money to has power over you, or you have power over them. He tells it is better to give it as a gift and forget about it than to be a lender or borrower. Which I learned when I lent money to my best friend once to buy a house, and soon he missed payment by a few days, and we both knew it. And it created friction, not so much between us, but when his wife's ego was damaged because of it, we soon lost our great relationship. And the two friends went separate ways. And I was out of over $2000! Lesson learned, maybe God does know something about finances.

And so He warns us not to fall prey to those who beg for money on TV and then promise monetary rewards. "Send in a seed faith donation, and God will reward you." If you really wanted the blessing, aka the money they promised, set up such a deal yourself! But just as Jesus warns of these types, so many still fall prey to them. It seems the poor are the worst, and are taken advantage of more often. Why would you trust a man who needs money from you to be rich when you can go to God directly who is? Whose credit line is without limit, who pays in cash, doesn't need a credit card, or debit card, and meets all your needs? He doesn't even have a checking account, based on today's economy, would you lend to Him? Figure in how His son Jesus never even owned property and had no place of His own, would you cash His check?

But yet so many sign up for what He can do monetarily, not what He has done to give us life. He forgives, try that with your bank. "Sorry MasterCard, I need food this month." Credit may get you out of a hole, but it also will get you into a hole. So give the Master Charge of your life. Give instead of loaning, and become a debtor to no man. Always buy the first round as the crowd only gets larger, and give hilariously, wanting to not being forced to. For 25 cents we got a great deal, but as we get older we want more and more expensive things. Start with Jesus, and He'll provide. After the gift of eternal life, notice I said gift, you can't earn it or buy it, everything else loses it value. You cannot buy your way into heaven, but you can send riches ahead-so give!

A sticker in the late 60's at A&P, a grocery chain now bankrupt, said "Optical illusion, 100 cents = $1." What illusion are you living under today? The things that are seen are temporal, the things not seen are eternal. In God I trust, all others use bank cards. What's in your wallet? It may tell us more of what is in your heart than you want us to know.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

when I'm 64...

In my quest yesterday to find something other than a retired NFL player giving me his input on the recent NFL player tragedies, I found solace in the Biography Channel, chronicling Led Zeppelin. Seems whoever made this documentary loved them very much, and repeated more than once how they were the best band in the world. He never revealed his age or sources, I wonder had he ever heard of the Rolling Stones, who turn 50 this year? The Beach Boys, same age, America's Band? How about so many other groups that shaped the 50's and 60's, and dominate Classic Rock today? How can he not even mention the Beatles, arguably the best and most influential, but never show up on lists as they are not worthy of them-they flat out are the best-#1 on a list of their own. You makes yer choices, and you takes yer chances. But as I watched recent footage of Robert Plant, the question no one has the courage to ask, "what does it take to make Keith Richard look good?" was answered. Like too many of my generation, you could tell the effects of too many parties, too many drugs, and the shrines made to Jack Daniels. He looked horrible, note to Keith-stand next to him at the next photo op-you'll look years younger, and not quite so embalmed.

Interestingly so many other superstars weathered their careers, and looked and sounded like normal businessmen, even in suits and conservative haircuts. You would never guess who they were or what they had done. In their late sixties, or early seventies, they still looked presentable, and could form words into a sentence-what did Robert just say? Sadly his once sexy blond locks now looked like a matted mess-arranged to cover the too many wrinkles-Dazed and Confused, Robert? And how many of us have uttered the famous words, "if I knew I was going to live this long I would have taken better care of myself." State's example 1 and 2.

But on any list, there are some who make it, some who are overlooked, and some who are listed that never should have been. Hey, it's their list, you make your own. So reading through a list last week of best motorcycle racers from the golden age of racing, 50-80's, I found the list to include many I would have. But the order was a bit out of my order, and when Kenny Roberts, Malcolm Smith, and Freddie Spencer were 23, 24, and 25 respectively, I wondered what could this man have been thinking? King Kenny? Who would have put Cal Rayborn all the way down at 14? And I started to question the list and even more the man's criteria, until it dawned on me-they were in alphabetical order! Like wake up Mike and pay attention. No wonder the best were low down on the list-their names didn't lend them the criteria to gain a top spot. No mention was made of the alphabetical priorities, but when I saw it, it all made sense, as far as the listings. Many great names and memories gone, and not all recorded on tape, as they made their name on the track and not the studio, so any still shots or home movies we see of them are not quite album cover ready. But maybe that just helps stir the memories better...

I was in ninth grade at Terrill Jr. High when Neil Collier brought in the first Led Zeppelin album. He worked in AV, past home of today's computer geeks, and had set it up to listen on headphones...and also in the pre-media center library-WOW! No one ever sounded like this-and the louder the better, which finally someone ratted us out to Mr. Addessa, our attitude to the library changed forever. Rock and roll it was! And they don't sound the same remixed or digitally sanitized-you need the crackly speakers, and the wow and flutter of an old turntable-even the album cover was used for sinister purposes back then. Try all that on a CD, too clean and they just don't sound like we remembered them. And so it goes with racers too, as many limp along from race crashes and too many years of riding crouched over-the only thing they all have in common is they would all do it over again given the chance. Somehow old racers look like old racers, maybe the old Dodge van with the BELL Helmet stickers give them away...

Often times after sharing my testimony, I am asked the same question, would you do it all over again? And yes I would, even knowing the pain and disappointments of life. Don't even have to think it over, YES! You see it was the hard times that brought me closer to Jesus, to know Him better-not just know about Him. When sick He was and still is my great physician. Without Him how would we have raised a family on our incomes? How would we have gotten over the pain of betrayal without Him standing with us, He knows all about betrayal. And it is the good times we enjoyed because of His mercy and grace, and times spent enjoying long rides and great meals together. Things that if we had to make a list couldn't, it would take too long, and no way I could prioritize them. Knowing Jesus is like that...just like He said, no library could ever hold all the things He had done, is doing, and will do. Each one of us is part of His library, a personal volume telling all about us, with one interesting part left out-our pre-Jesus sin. For just like the faith Hall of Fame in Hebrews, where all these are mentioned, none of their sin is. And reading about them in the Old Testament, these were some pretty rough dudes. Murders, whores, thieves, and the like-the difference being Jesus. And I wouldn't want to risk saying no to Him!

How would your list read? Sit down and write down all the things important to you in the order you think of them. Then put then in the right order, and pray over them. Jesus, family, church, ministry...yours may vary. But without Jesus first anything else is just a list and not a praise report. Family next-without taking care of them you are worse than an infidel. You do the rest. And let me know, share some testimonies.

These are the good old days...classic if you will. Spend some time with Jesus tonight and add to them. It's ok if some sound better on CD, just don't neglect the old 45's. Old songs like old racers seem to go on forever...only in Jesus will we. Limping into the future beats not getting there at all...Will you still need me, will you still feed me, when I'm 64?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

so what? sew what?

Racers know that to finish first they must first finish. Simple statement, but true. And it is hard to determine who wins championships anymore the way the point system is. You get points for starting position, laps led, and even leading at the half way point. But no victory unless you win-you must finish. You can win the championship, by never winning a race. The word comeback is again becoming a buzz word in sports, the Giants came back from being three games down and facing elimination. The Chargers folded and the Broncos staged a historic come back to beat them. Various athletes will be faced with the question "should I come back for one final year?" All these news breaking items, some of channels devoted only to them, and I ask "so what?"

Blasphemy to many, how dare you? To which I reply, "how dare you?" Which starts many arguments, with each side quoting opinions and using stats to their advantage, which always end in argument, and no one wins an argument. Just the fact you engage in one makes you the loser. It seems our competitive nature wants us to one up each other, no matter the matter. And again I say, "so what?" And as I listen to the news, some stations make the headlines sound great. did you know unemployment dropped to 7.7%? Sounds good, but with not enough new jobs created, it really meant hundreds of thousands gave up looking, and fell off the rolls of the unemployed getting benefits. We have become a nation of headline readers, never mind the text. And I mean all you who live by the text, too. No one cares about the facts, just themselves. An e-mail forwarded to me said "recession is when your neighbor loses his job. Depression is when you lose yours. Recovery is when the president loses his." Great lines, but if you are hungry, jobless, and in fear of losing your home or anything else, again I say "so what?" Why are you turning to someone who has no money, the government, and expecting them to take care of you? Why aren't you looking to God, from whom all blessings flow?

I have had unsaved friends in the past who know I am a Christian and love to argue with me. They don't care about salvation, only belittling me. So I don't. They will try to find some obscure verse and challenge me on it. Then walk away in victory, they think, over stumping me. So what? What have I lost? They are already lost. I 've lost some pride, yet when I tell others not to argue, they brag about how they do. They miss the point. Your witness is either so what, or sew what? What are you sewing when sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ?

Are you in obedience? 2 John tells us to not even wish cultists a God bless you, or let them into your home. Yet I know of those that do, and brag about it, never winning, and often being wounded in the process. So what, you are in sin! What have you sewn? These are trained on how to confuse you, and if irritated just a bit, you fall deeper into sin. Let your life be the witness, not your lack of knowledge and disobedience. They know the Bible well enough to misquote it. Your misquote comes from ignorance or pride. Sew what....

I am tired of all of you so called theologians who send me info on when you think the rapture will occur? Did you neglect God's words in His word, "NO ONE, including JESUS knows the time or date!" And you are a no one. Yet they actively pursue it through signs and wonders, made for those who don't believe, again read the Bible, and calendar dates with moons and other signs. God only tells us we will know the season. I can tell it's summer when it hits 100, or winter when it goes below zero. The weather doesn't care what day Christmas is on, or D Day, or even your birthday. So what? So I ask you, so what if you guess right, not possible or God is a liar, who cares? Who are you going to tell you were right? Only if left behind will anyone care, but that means your name isn't written in the book of Life. Again God tells us not to rejoice because we have power over demons, but to rejoice because our name is in the book of Life. Sew what? It is not like guessing the winning numbers of the Lottery, if you are in heaven, you are in heaven. So what are you doing wasting my time, your time, and others time with foolishness? Are you waving a flag only having those around you notice you, or is your witness showing them Jesus? Why would I want to be like you? What are you showing me about Jesus?

It is easy to be lead astray. Led by churches, non-Biblical teachings or doctrine, or just trying to fit in. If you are popular, so what? Are you led by the spirit. sew what? Sew love, seeds that will bear fruit in season-their season, not yours. Jesus Christ changes hearts, all we do is start arguments. An example I will leave you with...

A few years ago at our Chocolate Christmas party, a man was mixing with others telling them they aren't saved if not baptized. Starting arguments, and engaging one man who thinks he knows it all. When confronted, I told him to leave, he was only causing trouble, which what his intention was. His wife left in tears, for she knew he was wrong, and held some power over her. We prayed with her, following her to the car, she wasn't upset with us, just his proselytizing. He was spreading lies, and not welcome here. And later some told me I didn't show love. To them I ask, how do you tell when a barking dog is going to bite? Sew what-discourse as he was, or sew love as Jesus did, protecting His flock, our guests from this evilness.

God is love, it isn't an emotion. Love is the person of Jesus Christ. So I ask you, what are you soing, or are you sewing His love? Are you waving a flag, or loving a person? Are you exhibiting Jesus or yourself? If you really cared what you were sewing, the fruit will confirm it. So what, you say...I'm going to heaven? So what of the person who shared Jesus with you? Truly it is important what we sew..so what are you sewing? You don't have to miss by much to miss, you just have to miss.

By the way, our Chocolate Christmas party is the 23rd-we are planning on being here! Sorry Mayans...

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

miles to empty

The one thing all of us who ride have in common, no matter of engine size, configuration, brand, or years of riding experience is how many miles can we go on reserve until we run out? In our pre-fuel injected days our gas tanks had a petcock, and when the bike would start to stumble and miss, we would reach down and switch to reserve, and start looking for gas. Some would test the limits, some would find out, and most would just go get gas and not worry. But few would ever find out just how far they could go on reserve. With the advent, or is that invent of fuel injection, no more petcocks, but we now have a low fuel light that blinks. And on the newer bikes I ride, they even have built in a computer that measures mpg, that lets me know miles to empty. Which after that zeroes out will allow me another 20-30 miles before I start to panic. Inquiring minds may want to know, but they have never pushed a 500 pound motorcycle which has run out of gas. Which has the same physical law applied to it of that of children-they both double in weight when they must be carried, or must be pushed. But most go through life never knowing this experience, and that is OK.

My wife one time knew she was close to reserve so switched over to it. Then later ran out of as when she forgot she had, and the tank went dry. Switching from reserve will not get you the same desired effect. Still not sure how that was my fault....But whether it is a flashing light warning us, or a quick move of the left hand at speed, we all push the limits sometimes when riding. Just like the young kid who sees 200 on the speedo face and figures you can go that fast, many young riders, or car owners think we get 100mpg, and never have to fill up, another myth. I may be only able to go a 150 miles on a tank on the Street Triple, but it also only costs $12-15 to fill up. I still can't bring myself to fill up any of my cars, nor will my wallet. But some live by what the owner's manual says, and fill up as soon as reserve hits, and some try to figure out, like me, how far they can really go, based on figuring miles travelled, divided by fuel used, and then figuring how far I could have gone with the fuel left. Not a faultless system. One based on faith, the other on obeying the law, one based on faith, the other based on no fear of running out.

We approach Christ like that. Some have boundless faith, and push it daily. We rush into the oblivion knowing that God will take care of us, while some after many years still have a limited faith in Him. Why, or how can they believe a God that can supernaturally save them, but not heal them? Is there a cutoff date on miracles that somehow we have missed, or is it a lack of faith, only believing what we have seen, or can see to live? With all the miracles, feasts, and events Jesus talks about, I'm sure He would mention the cutoff date for miracles ending. Yet He continues to save people still today, despite those that don't believe. How far you go with Jesus depends on how much faith, and then how much obedience you have to do the things He tells you. Some panic when they run out of energy, money, or the knowledge of what to do. Some go on anyway, hoping to avoid the inevitable, while true believers walk, or in our case, ride with God. Psalms tells us we shall walk and not be weary, run and not faint-when we run the race as He outlines it. God knows when we are on empty, and has made provisions for that also. 2Corinthians 12 tells us that when we are weakest, his strength is made perfect. Out of gas, He has plenty. Out of money, he has resources. Hungry, thirsty, alone? He will see you are provided for, but His way, not leaning on what we think or have experienced. And not listening to those who are nay sayers, and don't trust, let alone believe.

Perhaps the best opposite of obedience is stupid, not listening to what Jesus tells us to do. The signs are there, just like the reserve light or petcock. How we handle the situation depends on who we say Jesus is. Just a prophet, He warns of impending doom. Just a teacher, He teaches us how to live. But for those of us who call Him Lord, He is much more. He is the reserve that never runs out despite what the gauge says. And He is the all night station open and available just when we need it, even if we coast in on empty. What do you do when you start to stumble? Switch to reserve or panic? Or look for the next available station?

Today you will be faced with numerous situations to believe, doubt, panic, or look to God and obey. God calls it self control, the choices are ours, and self control is part of the fruit of the spirit. Fail to make the right decision, you suffer. Choose to follow God, you are blessed, but either way He never leaves you. He might even be that hand that pushes you the extra mile when empty, or keeps you going when the light says you're out. How many miles to empty? Your walk will be your testimony. Will your words back up what you do?

Even if your bike takes high test, it will accept regular if nothing else is available. Why find out when you can have a high octane God fueling you all the time? So don't panic when the reserve light flashes, or you have to switch the petcock. God has provided ways for both to keep us going. But also a reminder of what to do when running low on fuel. Cast your cares on Him, and watch as you go further, get better miles per gallon, and as your faith grows so do the miracles. How far you go with Jesus depends on how full your tank is. His never runs out, why would you ride with anyone else?

Do you trust your gauge or Jesus? Your life will be gauged on how much you trust Him. Even the best ride ends in tragedy when you run out. Whether two blocks or two miles, life is too short to push when you could be riding.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

the team you are on will determine how and where you finish

When I tell people that years ago I used to be jock, they give me the "yeah, right" look. But it is true, I used to play football, basketball, baseball, and even set a record throwing the javelin in 9th grade, until I learned it was more fun spending time with a cheerleader than listening to her cheer for you, and then my ultimate downfall-motorcycles. But through my sophomore year I could be found after school at the gym almost everyday.

Basketball was big where I grew up, and right down to our eighth grade team, the high school coaches would attend the games to see how his future teams were coming along. I was asked to play in 7th grade, I was tall, and we would practice with the freshman, who would humiliate me, but I learned skills, and even started some games when in 8th grade, a year early. But it was our 8th grade team that the community was excited about, as we had the skills and the desire to win, and we did. Far surpassing both freshman teams in town, we even beat them in scrimmages. But the first two games of that season were learning experiences for me. I was the starting center, I got to jump to start the game, and we won the game handily, mostly without me. During the second quarter the scorekeeper put down someone else's fouls under my number, and with the risk of me fouling out, I sat-in case I was needed if the game got too close. It didn't and I was robbed. Even complaining to the ref got me nowhere, being reminded the rules are the rules kid. He later gained even further notoriety when he told Vince, one of our guards, "hey kid, did you bring your hatchet today?" Vince was an all out player, and got too aggressive sometimes, but we learned to not like this guy. He had authority, power, and absolute control over us-even when he was wrong, and could remedy the situation. But didn't. But for me my ego took a beating, although we had won, they had done it without me.

The second game against Edison I had the flu, but played the entire game anyway. We lost by two points, one of only two losses that year, and with me we had lost, but without me we had won. Seems I was better sitting on the bench if needed, then playing when I was needed. Tough lessons for a hormone enhanced 14 year old to absorb. In the it is all about me world, my world was crushed. But only for a while, as I would set rebounding records in both the next two years, and start many freshman games a year early. I one time scored the 100th point against Maxson, the first time in history our school had. I was mobbed by the crowd-but that never made up for the losses both of playing and of losing. We finished the season 18-2, good in any league, and I was elected co-captain. But it is funny how I remember the first two games the most, one winning without me, and the other losing with me. And being faced with the finality of the rules-somehow they over rode right and wrong. And they still do today. Thankfully we are under grace.

There was a sadness to the finality of that season, even though the coaches and us looked forward to next year. But this one was over, and baseball awaited. Boring compared to basketball, no cheerleaders either. And I was reminded this year of the finality of things, things that you and I have no control over. And how our decisions and actions today will impact them. Seeing my California cardiologist yesterday, he reminded me how bad I had been, calling me a disaster. When really I am a miracle. God's miracle. I'm alive despite what happened, breaking all the rules, and experiencing grace like no other. I should be dead, but I'm not, and grow weary of hearing "it wasn't your time," as though they had some inside track to knowing. I learned first hand how God has everything under control, and no matter how someone dies, it is only when He says so that we do. A certain love and grace in it that only He can provide through His son Jesus Christ. A just and fair decision of when and where, and being there to comfort those left behind. As I also experienced this year with the death of my Dad. So I have seen both sides of death, having been close myself, and closer with my Dad. Great memories of both, even my open heart surgery, as God used me to perform a miracle, and has me around to testify of it. Some other time my Dad's testimony, but God is fair till the end.

There was a sadness when the season ended, it was over. We could look back, and even look ahead, but we were confronted with no more season-it was over. An absolute that would be repeated many times in life. And we don't like to face absolutes, for even in winning, the glory is over. The world will not allow us to savor the victory, but takes us ahead to next year. Only in Christ do we get to look ahead with assuredness of the victory. No next season, or onto another sport-we gain heaven for eternity. When in my coma I was visited by Jesus, He sat next to me and the peace was incredible-no words could describe it. When I asked if I was dead, He told me "no, you are very much alive," and if life in His presence is so wonderful, I really can't wait for heaven. I want to go back to that place with Him, to be in His presence where only He matters, but it will only be on God's timing. Impatience will have to be endured, but how I live now looking forward as to what lies ahead.

Where is your hope today? The Chargers? Sorry football fans, their season is over. Like the old Brooklyn Dodger chant, "wait until next year." But what if Jesus tarries one more year, one more decade? Are you willing to be patient with Him? Can you still live for tomorrow today?

No matter if you are center court or in isolation in CCC, someone is always watching. And even if the crowd seems small, and rooting for the other team, there is always one person there cheering you on to ultimate victory-Jesus Christ. Fair and honest, He keeps no record of your fouls, or accusations against you. He forgives, and the game continues. And when we are greeted with the finality of life, His open arms await us. In His perfect time, no early foul outs or overtime. The end here is the beginning of life in eternity. A never ending season of grace. So enjoy our pre-season of grace now, it prepares us for the eternal game with God. And in the final analysis, winning is everything...no next season or second chance for non-believers or losers. Consider that today as you play this game of life, and live it for God. He adds to His team daily-ask yourself whose team you are on. Today could be the first day of that new season in Christ.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

the safest place to hide

I love to watch old movies, and although certain stereotypes emerge in each generation, some remain consistent. Good guys are always handsome, and attract beautiful women. They are suave and sophisticated, and have a certain charisma about them. Even the reformed bad guys like Simon Templar and Michael Lanyard, aka the Saint and the Falcon respectively, show some class. And when it comes to solving crime, they always outwit the police. In contrast the bad guys always look like they haven't shaved, wear dark clothes with the hat pulled down over their face-to deter the witnesses from recognizing them, never thinking "it's the guy who needs a shave, in the dark suit with the hat pulled down low" that describes them perfectly. Ah, Hollyweird, defining good and evil to a movie goers world even then. And they should know the difference!

Good guys always drove coupes or convertibles, top down in winter even. It seems good knows no temperature boundary, whereas the bad guys drove 4 to 6 huddled in a sedan, black, with windows down just enough to shoot their gat, or their gun. And leaned far harder into corners than the good guys, to whom speed always looked elegant. The rich always lived in huge mansions with servants, and the good guys would enter through the front door, a butler announcing them. and we never really knew how they made their riches, and many had names of Colonel or General, but whose army may not be disclosed. Bad guys always had secret back doors, above the gambling parlor they owned, and the thugs they employed always came and left via it. And they didn't talk much, but grunted a lot. No front door for these guys. It was always night time for them, and the good guys always had daytime, and only in the creative mind, and susceptible mind of the audience did it work. Somehow. Bad guys ate at roadhouses, good guys ate at clubs. Low light versus bright lights. The last five minutes of the film would introduce some previously unknown fact leading the good to victory, and a long stretch in Sing Sing for the bad guys. Finally good guys had sequels, bad guys got to watch them on movie night.

And in this clandestine world of secret doorways and passages, seductive women of the night, and black sedans, their was always secret hiding places, that only the good guy could find, even though the audience had figured them out long ago. And a common theme was to hide money, guns, bonds, jewelry, or other hot items or valuable in a hollowed out Bible. Good guys never hid things in the Bible, and I don't get why it took them so long to find it. Ask yourself, why did the crook have a Bible, other than to hide things? Oops, hope I haven't given away the plot...yet.

I have heard stories of new cleaning women hiding the new clients Bible to see if they missed it. Or how long it took to ask if they knew where it was. I have been told that a worn out Bible is a sign of a life that isn't, and I must agree with that. I even love to visit non-believers who have a large Bible on the coffee table, sometimes still in plastic so it won't get old. For decoration, nobody really reads them anyway. And at 20 pounds, it isn't truly portable. But just look at the pictures inside, or at least on the cover-full color. Inviting-but still unused. We're so religious.

Movie goers, do you like crime? The Bible is full of pillaging. Sex, from Genesis to Revelation it's there. Really hard core, read the Song of Solomon, blushingly. Marriage, divorce, war, crime, famine, illegitimate kids, and family disputes-it's all there. So why don't you read it more? It has something there to associate with for anyone and everyone? Nine foot tall giants with twelve fingers, long before the Sci-fi craze in the fifties. So why is it a place to hide things in instead of to be found in? What is your excuse?

Among all the sin and crime, one person stands out in every chapter, Jesus Christ. Prior to His birth in the New Testament, He is revealed via Christophenies, or the appearance of Christ in other characters. From Joseph to King David, He is everywhere. Everywhere except where He truly wants to be-in your heart. And just like you have to open the book to read it, He must be invited in, He won't barge into your life-sounds like a good guy to me. He will always rescue you, and is always revealed in white. C'mon Hollyweird, what other ideas did you scam from the Bible? Happy ending-read Revelation 22, we win! Serials, read Job, it goes on and on. Inquiring minds should want to know. Only here will they find the truth, truths no creativity could be duplicated by a screen writer. Producer-who better than the creator of the universe. Director-who better than God Himself to provide good direction. Script-read His words and see if they don't make a difference. And so it goes-it is all there-except for the reading.

So leave it to the bad guys, aka sinners to know where to hide a treasure, but to God to reveal it to them. Maybe the treasure you seek is already in your home, on your coffee table, just waiting to be unwrapped and read. Black cover, good guys still read it. White cover, leaves more finger prints. If you're caught, or if you're not, Jesus will always know. The original writer of why crime doesn't pay, but also the original writer of forgiveness. Good or evil-god promises redemption for all who seek Him. Made plain to everyone. In the beginning...to the end.

Which leaves one last question, why are police cars black and white? And you thought you had this life thing all figured out.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com