is it plugged in?

Saturday nights were awful for the manager on call at Coca Cola. And the later it got into the evening, or earlier into the morning, the more chance of a service call was possible.  Until we came up with a simple sticker, eliminating many calls, and solving a problem.  The sticker simply read, '”IS IT PLUGGED IN?”  And we were surprised at how the call volume dropped, all by one simple reminder.  Years later with all of our hard earned credit, we bought a 1992 Ford Ranger pick-up.  Which ran great for a few days, then whenever you put it in reverse, it would stall.  Reminding me of how many times a day we go backward.  It had been in the shop long enough to qualify for a buyback, when Burke the service manager, told me, “get in, we’re going for a ride.”  Reluctantly we did, and after 20 minutes of backing up in various situations, he told me they had solved the problem.  It seemed that every time the truck was put in reverse, the linkage put a strain on the wiring harness to the ECM, engine control module, and it pulled away slightly, causing the truck to stall.  Out of reverse, no strain, plug connected, and it ran.  Finally someone had thought to check if it was plugged in!  And after rerouting the harness correctly, problem and symptom solved. 

Years later when at Mercedes Benz, we would get cars towed in when the shifter lever would be stuck in park.  The housing was electrical, we referred to it as a joy stick, and when something was spilled into it, like your latte, it would ground out, cause the car to be stuck in park, and it was an easy $700 repair, that the customer was responsible for.  Not a factory defect, although the cup holder was placed above it, and one time when a woman went into meltdown over it, I told her to take it up with Starbucks, it was their latte, their problem and she left smiling.  Never did find out the outcome of that one, all I was sure of was that it was customer error, and not a defect.

In our electronic age, I am amazed we don’t have more problems.  With power grids overloaded, resulting in brown outs, a precursor to a black out, we are run by electronics, which run computers, which have an eerie impact on our daily lives.  I can remember years ago when we had a power outage in Jersey, effecting the entire NY metro area, after it was over the popular opening line was “where were you when the lights went out?”  And the clever answer of Pat was “at the switch.”  The rest of us were too panic stricken to laugh, but someone had to be at the switch, didn’t they?  And it can be scary, as Andrew and Theresa were stuck in Times Square years ago when the power went out, only the grace of God got them back to New Jersey and safety.  I had never thought of Jersey as a safe haven up to that point.  And so we battle against things we cannot see, things we cannot understand, but still are ready to blame someone else for our situations.

2000 years ago, God was way ahead of us on the electric grid, and needless to say the spiritual one too.  The writer of Hebrews warns us that we fight not against man, or each other, but against powers and principalities.  Just like the electric current that we cannot see that provides us with power, there is a battle in the heavenlies between Satan’s angels and those of God’s.  Even a hierarchy with evil prince’s in control over cities, and you wonder why we are slipping into the toilet of society every day.  But yet we tend to blame others, those we can see who are weaker, or in power, but have no authority, causing strife amongst ourselves.  When the real enemy is Satan, on borrowed time, as we Jesus has won the war for us, even declaring from the cross, “it is finished.”  Yet with souls yet to be saved, the daily battles continue, and if not plugged into Jesus, you can be part of the problem, or even a victim, even if saved.  Satan’s lies sound so good, and since all lies are based on truth, he can twist a few words for his advantage, and you can become a victim.  Sometimes without even knowing it.  So beware, we are told to be as “wise as a serpent, but as gentle as a lamb,”  and also to know that the battle belongs to the Lord.  Let Him fight it-His record is perfect! 

In the future it is possible that cyber wars will be fought rather than ground wars.  Just look at my examples, and look at Obamacare’s web site.  One web site shutting down, or at least crippling the federal government, and no one is to blame.  And in everyday life when we see a web site down, it causes problems.  Let your i-pad lose power, you can access nothing-and it all comes to a screeching halt.  A battle of things not seen, but essential for everyday living in our society today.  But there is hope for those turning to Christ.  He will protect us in battle, we all know the famous armor in Ephesians.  But a key component to the armor is that it must be worn.  And another is the back is left unprotected-you are to face your attacker in Christ, He will protect you and win the battle.  He even has our back!  No booting of our relationship, no pause for repairs, or forgotten password.  His system, the Holy Spirit is infallible, and on call 24/7.  Who is your firewall?  Who protects you from spammers?  Who died for you?  The only answer is Jesus.

So when trouble strikes, are you plugged into Jesus?  Or are you still looking for the solution to life’s problems.  God made it simple, believe in Jesus with all your heart, and confess Him with your mouth and you are saved.  If only computers worked so easily.  Stay plugged into Jesus via prayer-daily, reading your Bible-daily, and regular fellowship with other believers.  Do not let your guard down, for Satan is a lion wishing to consume you, hoping to make you his latest victim.  Remember who our enemy is, not others but the prince of darkness, but more importantly keep your eyes upon Jesus.  For where your eyes look, you will follow.  Now take one last look at your power cords, and stay plugged into Jesus. 

Remember it was God who said “let there be light.”  Don’t be afraid to let yours shine for Him.  Only if you are plugged into His source.  Are you plugged in?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

the relentless pursuit of perfection

“A car for every purse and purpose,” quipped legendary CEO, President, and Chairman Alfred P. Sloan.  As an initial leader in the auto industry, at least as important as Henry Ford, Sloan led GM for over 4 decades, changing the way the business is done, car are made, and trends are set.  He was the consummate businessman, who also amassed great wealth, lending his name to a philanthropic organization valued at over one billion dollars.  Let’s hear it for free enterprise, where are Communism’s philanthropic gifts?  Enough said about the benefits of Communism, for now.  But he was also famous for another quote, “the business of GM is not making cars, but making money.”  And in the fifties and sixties, when GM had almost 60% of the total US car market, the US wanted to break them up, fortunately didn’t.  Maybe they had learned a lesson from breaking up Standard Oil, making John D. Rockefeller 27 times richer when they broke his company up into 27 smaller companies.  Another example of why government should stay out of business.  Leave it to those who know it.  But among Sloan’s many contributions, one still stands out today, and is practiced by every company producing goods.  I refer to the annual model change.  Longer, lower, wider...and designed just enough to make your old car look old.  Again a Sloan quote, “You can sell a young man’s car to an older man, but you cannot sell an old man’s car to a younger man.”

As long as I can remember, the new car signs posted in dealership windows have drawn me to them.  And growing up in the sixties, there was a lot to be excited about.  Muscle cars-SS, GTO’s, BOSS Mustangs, GTX, and Hemi’s, there was a lot to be excited about.  And new models, where even my mother could tell the difference between a 1965 and a 1966.  Maybe more subtle in some cars, but just enough to make you think this year, instead of last.  And if you wanted to be the first kid on your block with the newest and coolest, you paid full sticker, earning you bragging rights.  But there was an opposite philosophy, wait until year end for left over discounts, and many did, and still do today.  Gambling if the car was still worth it, and not giving into this year’s newest rage.  But the annual model year changes go on, if to a lesser extent.  Not just in cars, as motorcycles come out with new models, new colors, more options, better performance, and of course higher prices.  And Harley has learned like Mercedes Benz did 40 years ago, raising the price every year on new models, makes the old ones worth more at trade-in time.  And so the curse of the annual model change is still with us, and many of us still wait to see what is new this year, even if it is just trim and color.  There is something about a new car or motorcycle that we just cannot resist.

So I think that a gene must exist for us humans to want the newest model.  Take cell phones, marketing types know just when to announce a new model, and when yours is worn out.  Built in obsolescence, another term given to Sloan, and one we are guilty of today.  Again phones, when growing up, you had phones you got from Bell Tel, and they lasted forever.  If they broke, the man came out and you got a new one.  Try that one at Verizon.  If you had a problem, you got an operator, who directed your call, instead of press 1 and hope.  Many problems avoided by direct human contact...what a concept.  And nothing can be more frustrating than calling customer service with questions, and they are reading from the same manual you are.  And they have questions for you!  Built in obsolescence at it s height!  So we just by the new model, getting a trade for our old unit, and the system goes on.  And someone, somewhere out there gets the ne car or bike or whatever, and is glad to get it.  Recycling long before recycling became a mantra.  So from phones, to fashion, to cars and bikes, to religion-yes religion, people change at the slightest whim...all based on pride.

I have talked with men and women who changed churches because they weren’t the music leader.  They changed the church carpets without asking their opinion.  They got a new pastor, who taught from the Bible, making them feel uncomfortable in their sin.  And the list goes on.  Some are looking for self worth, found in self appeasement, and in glorifying themselves.  Some have fallen prey to the name it and claim it lie.  Some even doubt the deity of Jesus, claiming He isn’t God, and just a man.  Changing to fit their life styles, and feeding their own egos.  Pride...and it always goes before the fall, always has and always will.  One thing that a new model year intro has purposely avoided. 

To paraphrase Alfred P., “young men are willing to serve a old God.”  And we are.  For God is not old, He is eternal.  Even in dog years, He is still a kid compared to eternity.  And was there at the beginning....how old was He then?  But His ways have stood the tests of time, and where others fail with a new interpretation of scripture, Jesus Christ remains the same today as He did yesterday, and will be tomorrow.  A good thing to know in a constantly changing world, that contrary to the theory of evolution, is getting older and lesser every day.  A law, not a theory, the second law of thermodynamics, things are in a constant state of atrophy.  Works on cars, motorcycles, and phones, you would be foolish to think people are exempt from it.  But we are getting old, or maybe just older as Ray and I agree, but we aren’t as quick as we used to be.  And as it seems time is going faster, maybe it is really just me going slower.  Face it, we need God more today than ever.  So why do we look elsewhere, when we have a factory warranty, with a living God there to provide?  What is your excuse?  Please, just the short list.

Seek God first, then all other things will be added unto you.  Good advice from Matthew 6, who although a scumbag tax collector, came to Christ, even having Him eat at his table.  Imagine the group there that night.  Imagine what the neighbors had to say about that!  But again good advice, but only if taken.  And if not taken, you will be taken, by someone else’s false advice.  So today God promises you can be a new creation in Christ, which has to be better than my old, scarred body.  I can have confidence that when I call He will answer, and all things will work out for my good.  When Jesus gets the glory, we get the benefits.  “A God for every purse and purpose,” you might say.  The business of Jesus is making new creatures, not making money.”  “The business of business is business,” Sloan understood.  So let the business of salvation, redemption, and God be God’s.  He doesn’t ask for your advice,  but He allows you to give His advice to others.  Something I would be reticent to do, knowing others.  But the same truth that sets you free, will ensure you make it to heaven.  It doesn’t promise a smooth road, but a rough one, where God can be God in every instance...if you let Him.

Shopping for a God today, make Jesus your first stop.  No others can compare, so don’t fall for all the false hype.  You won’t need another one next year, as God’s perfect model was the best from the start.  No longer, lower,wider, or lower payments.  Everything you are looking for in life can be found in Jesus Christ today.  What will it take for you to become a believer today?  Lexus may promise the pursuit of perfection, it is already found in Jesus.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biekr.blogspot.com

when you see a sinking ship, skip the free ticket

I am not sure of the proper terms, but I keep getting an e-mail, asking me if I have seen the shared photo someone has sent.  From someone I don’t know, from a website I don’t belong to.  And when I opened it, curiosity getting the better of me, there are pictures of me, my family, and some trips I have taken, along with photos from others I do not know.  And I didn’t put them on there!  So how did they get there you ask?  I asked the same, and talking with my wife, they are pictures she has put on Facebook.  Except I am not on Facebook, I detest it, if all you have to do is sit and gossip, I can’t wait to hear the excuses now of how Facebook saved their lives, etc, but leave me out, and now I have been SPAMMED!  And I don’t like it.  So looking for a solution, my wife looked on Facebook for a phone number so we can be removed, and they can check out who put me on there, and others who may be being abused.  But curiously, there is no phone number for Facebook, the number one social media for bringing people together, has no way to contact a person one to one via the phone!  That would be too personal, and would require people to man a site based on people.  and all you suckers on Facebook have fallen prey to it, and sadly by non-participation, so have I.  I rest my case about all the warnings of having your privacy invaded, if they can get pictures, they can get words, and anything else somehow.  And yet the Feds deny watching us, and you believe it?  My warning here, anything you say or do is being recorded, and your words can and will be changed to work against you.  A whole new meaning to being misunderstood...push 1 if you feel violated, push 2 if you don’t care.  Hang on if there is someone on the other end of the line who actually cares.

And since we have now exposed the no privacy thing in regards to Facebook, why do you still add photos of yourself, and add stupid things like I will be gone for 2 weeks, and no one will be home, and I can’t wait to get back to my new home entertainment center?  Don’t you think crooks are reading your entries?  Now it is reported that Human Resources is looking at your Facebook entries and using them to hire or not hire you, also your credit scores, and other personal information.  All the things you thought are private, are not, Facebook on you loyal, but when you see a sinking ship, skip the free ticket.  But what if you and your private information is that sinking ship?

Long ago under Mosaic law, if you wanted to sue someone, and lost, you would suffer the same penalty they would have if found guilty.  Cut down on a lot of foolish lawsuits, and something to think about today.  In a world focusing on social media, how much truth is out there could be sorted easily if the same Mosaic law was enforced.  But it isn’t, and in the name of freedom, which doesn’t mean doing what you want, the world spins out of control, with new members joining daily, some not sure of the ride ahead, others joining not caring, and some just wanting to spam others.  And I can tell how far we have fallen when my spell checker doesn’t recognize Facebook, but highlights Sportster as being spelled incorrectly.  Has the Sporty finally arrived, or after 56 years has the world failed to notice?  So here are a few ideas, a few things to think about, call them the new truths.   Only they are thousands of years old...hang in there Sportster!

First, you cannot have patience right now.  I have tried, and in my impatience, missed it.  Patience requires waiting, which is not to be confused with delaying, and waiting on God is the solution.  That you can do right now, patience comes later.  Timing is critical for waiting, and scripture tells us that Jesus came at just the right time, while we were still sinners.  And God is patient that none should perish.  So please Lord, give me patience right now towards Facebook, please?  Please don’t delay...I’ll wait.  I just hope I recognize patience when it gets here.  The best story I have heard is about the farmer, who plants the seed, but has to wait for it to germinate and grow, and can do nothing but it.  And again God takes us back to the Garden.

Second, you cannot brag about how humble you are.  Been there too, and if the words don’t convey it, your actions might, and if they don’t, your attitude does.  Huh, me?  Yeah you.  Ever look at a group picture you were in, who is the first one you look for?  What name are you looking for on the list?  And if you are so humble, why do you tell people your best quality is your humility?  And I can’t really help it if I am better than you anyway.  And sadly once you acknowledge your humility, you have lost it.  And it really upsets those of us who are...living the illusion. 

Third you have to screw up to find mercy.  Think about it, if you never sinned, you never need mercy, you would abide in grace.  But since we all have sinned, Jesus not only rescues us from our sin, but also ourselves.  See  #2.  Although He was God, He made Himself a little lower than the angels to serve man, and to die for us.  Think about that next time you brag how you want to be like Jesus, then complain when things get rough.  See God is listening, He heard you loud and clear and answered.  OOPS!  And when you complain, you need God’s mercy.  And puts us in a good class of people, Joseph, Jonah, Job, and that’s just the J’s.  If we never sin, we don’t need a redeemer, but since we do, we need Jesus.  And His love is so great for us, if you, never me, were the only one who ever sinned, He would have died for you.  For god so loved me, He gave His only son.  That’s humility, just not yours.

So be glad we are not under Mosaic law anymore, but we can still learn from it.  But thankfully we have grace, a better teacher.  That you can have right now, no matter how humble you tell me you are, and the mercy God extends is worth bragging about.  Even on Facebook.  So if you care to quote someone, quote Jesus.  Who by the way doesn’t need Facebook, He meets you face to face.  A scary thought in a society that hides behind a monitor.  He sees you as you are.  How you see yourself tells us a lot about God in your life.  And the only book I care to face is the book of life.  That is something worth bragging about, just remember the patience of God that it took to get you there, and the mercy showed in it.  Humble thyself in the face of the Lord, and He will left you up.   Before Facebook and after, Jesus Christ is still the same.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

time capsules

A recent auction of over 500 vehicles from a Chevy dealer who went out of business, sold some very low mileage cars and trucks, some never titled, with only MSO’s, at some very high prices.  Ray Lambrecht had been a Nebraska Chevy dealer since the 40’s, and had hoarded many new and used vehicles over a 60 year period.  They were a time capsule of sorts, but not well preserved, as some had just been parked in fields, some had a building collapsed on, and others just got old.  But they sold for ridiculous prices, far exceeding a fully restored value, just because of their uniqueness.  Imagine seeing a 1955 Chevy as it was new, with only a few miles on it, seats still wrapped in plastic, but covered in dust.  Original air still in the tires, giving a new twist on the meaning of factory air.  No one was sure why he had collected the cars he did, but thousands turned out for the auction, going home with what they thought to be good deals, even though they paid more than a market value.  But today original, unrestored vehicles are bringing more, as too many are turned into hot rods, which can actually be cheaper than doing it back to original, making restored to original cars very pricey indeed.  But then there were Ray’s cars...

Having an original condition 1978 GS 1000e, I can appreciate having a stock vehicle after all these years.  So many were raced, then abandoned, while some just replaced the handlebars and headers like we used to do.  Just trying to find an original exhaust system can cost as much as a complete bike.  But my time capsule of a motorcycle, reminds us of how it was 35 years ago, the truth to remind us when our memories get jaded or faded.  And suddenly we weren’t as fast as we thought we were,  the truth winning out over any urban legend we may be a part of.  Now I am sure that Ray’s auction vehicles will continue to sell and resell at a profit, based on what they are, and will never be driven.  After all these years of non-use, many can’t be, and as good as 31 original miles sound, it just doesn’t have the same ring as 3 miles.  There is low, and then there is low.  So my low mileage Suzuki, with 27,000 miles, somehow isn’t as low mileage as when I bought it with only 20.368 on it.  But I ride it, and enjoy it, which is what it was designed for anyway.  And how many investments can you drive and enjoy?

Now if you wanted to leave a time capsule of yourself, so others could look back at how you really were, what would you include?  Or not include?  How would you stack the deck in your favor so others would think highly of you?  How close to the truth would you stay, or would you rather risk becoming an urban legend?  How would your story and goods impact future generations?  How important is accuracy to you, or are you more interested in becoming a legend?  Reading some biographies of famous people, you find out they were not what you think they were, and I have some less than flattering impressions of some old heroes.  No matter if you read the press release, or the book, it may be hard to tell which is truth, and which you want to be truth.  And as a famous Telosian once remarked to Captain Pike, “you have your illusion, we have our reality.”  And so it goes with old cars and motorcycles, and old people and memories...the truth is out there somewhere just waiting to set you free.

I am amused when history reinforces the Bible, as if God had something to hide.  And He is vindicated by a recent find.  His Word is a time capsule of history, both good and bad of mankind, with only Himself and His love for us the constant.  Time after time though when the stories seem too unimaginable, some scholar declares them to be untrue, but then recants when some other historian and his account verifies them.  When it really is the other way around.  And why some people still believe Josephus over Jesus.  But when using the Bible as your only reference, and using first mentioned as a reference tool, we find Jesus in the first verse in Genesis, and the last verse in Revelation, truly the alpha and the omega.  And in between we see many Christophenies, or references to Jesus, including over 300 prophecies He fulfilled.  And when checking the dates they were written, predate the fulfillment by thousands of years.  So why not just trust the Bible, and get it over with?  Why is it easier to believe a lie than to trust God?

Just like low mileage, original cars, who must be verified, God likes to be tested.  And the more you ask about Him, to Him, the more He reveals Himself to you.  And soon a relationship is formed with Him.  All because of Jesus, who came to form the bridge back that sin had collapsed.  The more I polish my old GS 1000, the more imperfections I find, and while some may just glance and think it is perfect, I see flaws.  That would be overlooked, except I have a relationship with the bike, having spent time with her and riding her.  And so it is with Jesus, the more time you spend with Him, the more flaws appear in your life, but He is there with a polishing cloth, called grace to remove them, as if they were never there.  Because now they are gone forever.  Some touch up here and there, some replacement of worn out parts, and soon I am better than the day I left the factory, remembering all were born into sin, and less than perfect.  But now God sees me that way, and as I get closer to heaven, know I will be someday, and I don’t worry about a ding or scratch here or there.  God takes care of them, and like a worn out Bible reflects a life of one that isn’t, the blemishes are reminders of when I needed Him the most, and He was there.  Scars to prove He was there, just like the nail prints in His hands and feet.  He leaves us as earthen vessels, time capsules for others to see and learn from, we call them testimonies.  A story best left written by Him, far more accurate and loving than we could ever be.

What does your testimony tell about Jesus?  Are you still an original, or just a parts car?  Low mileage, never having done anything, or high mileage showing wear, with memories to show for it?  To your kids and the next generation your life in Christ is a time capsule for them to see.  To review, and to learn from.  To compare to Christ, and to show how when you needed Him, He was there.  And also when you strayed, He was there, too.  Low mileage like a short term relationship doesn’t have to add value, it can detract.  The only true value is how God sees us, and how He allows others to see us.   But the real question is how do you see Jesus?  Who do you say He is?  He comes with full documentation, provable in any court, including the one of your heart.  Like Ray’s cars, some were bought for love, and will sell for money.  Jesus bought you for love, and you are not for sale at any price.  How valuable does that make you?  How valuable should that make Him?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

 

the last man standing

Remember dodge ball, that seemingly innocent game we played in elementary school?  Where a group of kids were placed in a circle and the others surrounded them rolling balls towards them trying hit them and take them out?  I wonder if they still play that today in our politically correct schools?  But do you remember WAR, where in Jr. High we split into two teams, with volleyballs placed in the middle, and then when the whistle blew we ran to them and picked them up, throwing them to hit the other team?  And at a time where a teenaged hand could palm it, they could be thrown with great velocity, trying to inflict pain on whoever you hit.  But if they caught it, then you would go out, until like the lucky checker making it all the way across the board, you could come back in when your team mates caught one they threw-the checker that had been jumped now came back as a king.  And as the teams got smaller through elimination, it came down to the last man standing, and being pummeled by multiple balls, and the remaining team winning, and then we started all over again.  And this game was a staple in Jersey schools, where on rainy days, what else was there in Jersey, your gym class stayed in and this is what you did.  Ridding yourself of all aggression, leaving with bruises, red marks, and floor burns-wishing gym period had lasted longer.  Why didn’t we have this much fun in science-maybe let us smash a few atoms? 

A similar game, but not using balls, was called GORILLA!  In our neighborhood you could usually gather 10-12 guys easily, and one would stand in the middle, he was “it”, and the rest ran at him, while he would try to tackle one.  And as they were tackled, they joined in on the tackling, until one last kid standing would run across and be gang tackled by all-think of it as an 11 to 1 disadvantage both in the beginning and the end.  Bloody noses, bruised, and tired, it was fun, and one ever wanted to be the first one to quit.  Some would play king of the hill, fun but not enough hitting, Red Rover, I think the girls played this, but for us it was GORILLA!  And for us on rainy gym class days WAR.  Right to the end where only one man standing was left, and then to the showers and off to class, or repeated until the period ended.  And we all tried to be the last man standing, even though the punishment could be harsh.  To the victor belongs his bruises...what games do you remember?

Every time you take a stand for something you become a target of those who don’t agree with you.  And so it was with the 12 Apostles of Jesus.  But a strange thing happened, that whenever Christians got persecuted, Christianity spread, and the more persecuted, the faster and more reaching it was.  But yet all 12 apostles were to die a horrible death, and all not as martyrs.  Judas took his own life, hanging on a tree, then falling to earth, his guts bursting out.  But for the others, not as simple.  Peter, the tough guy who once was intimidated by a teenage girl who accused him of being with Jesus, was crucified upside down, claiming he was not fit to be killed like his savior.  James was put to death a day before Passover.  Andrew who was known for bringing people to Jesus, was put to death, by crucifixion.  Bartholomew and Phillip’s deaths are unknown.  Matthew lived many years and penned a gospel, becoming a missionary and dying in Ethiopia.  Thomas, anything but a doubter, started churches in India that still exist today, and was killed by a lance, and his death is both celebrated in India and Persia.  James Alpheus was stoned and beaten with clubs until his brains gushed out.  No word on Simon the Canaanite, and it is said that Jude was martyred in Persia.  Finally John the Beloved was boiled in oil, and when this human french fry didn’t die was exiled to Patmos, where he wrote the book of Revelation.  All these men died for the stand they took on Jesus Christ, and even Paul, an apostle was beheaded, but like the others after taking the gospel to everywhere they went.

Do you have what it takes to be a Christian?  Jesus told us to take up our cross and follow Him, and for those that do, heaven awaits.  But that doesn’t mean an easy life.  Do not believe the lie that all will be perfect, someday it will, but expect to lose friends, be the butt of jokes, and be singled out like the last kid in war or GORILLA!  This is no dodge ball game where threats are rolled out at you, they are slings and arrows meant to hurt and kill, just like they did to Jesus.  Consider the risk, and even more consider the risk if you don’t choose Jesus.  Are you willing to become a target for Jesus, to take a stand for Him, to risk being the last man standing?  If you are, consider the eternal rewards, and as many today are martyred worldwide for the faith, one killed every six seconds, think about your witness for Jesus Christ?  Are you showing enough love to invite aggression from the enemy?  Are your actions and attitudes done in love so that others will want that special thing you can only have in Jesus?  Or do they wonder about your words because they don’t match your actions?  Is there enough evidence to convict you of being a Christian? 

The first shall be last, and the last shall be first, we are told in scripture.  But those who are stuck in-between, going either way and never taking a stand, are repulsive to God, He vomits them out of His mouth.  Is all your life in Christ have to show is puke?  Take a stand for Christ today.  Show love, compassion, and forgiveness.  Just like He did.  Share, don’t preach or force the gospel on anyone, but share in love, be the witness the apostles were, and be willing to share His love even unto death.  Which you will never experience, as heaven awaits.  Are you willing to live enough for Christ on earth so you can live with Him in heaven?  Or are we like Peter, who was afraid of a teenage girl’s accusations?  Hs anyone accused you of being a Christian lately?  We are at war, but we have won, yet battles remain to be fought for the souls of others.  That one last man standing who hasn’t heard the gospel yet.  Will you be the one?  Or are you the one not having heard the gospel yet?

Politically or spiritually correct, which do you want to be?  Either way you are taking a stand...are you wiling to be the last man standing for Christ?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

Psalm 23 revisited

I’m not sure why, but there is a competitive spirit in each of us that wants to win, no matter the contest.  And I am not sure that in winning I am not really losing, or vice-versa.  We were sitting and talking about things we wish we hadn’t said, and been embarrassed about.  I sat and laughed mostly to myself, thinking I have done enough stupid things to fill a column, which can be related to daily.  But I sat quiet, and at the right time proceeded to talk.  I was in high school working for Sears in the warehouse.  We would help out in customer service when it got busy, and one afternoon we were swamped.  It was more accurately called customer pick-up, for this is where the customers would pick up their larger purchases not found on the shelves.  So when deciding which story to tell, the ping pong table, the water heater on the conveyer belt, or the Tard, I started to tell about that busy Saturday afternoon.  Usually 5-6 people would be there waiting, today it was 20+ and backed out the door.  We would take their receipt, call it in and wait for the merchandise to arrive, have them sign the log book as having received it and they would go with whatever they bought.  Sounds simple...but that day in the heat of battle one man just stood there waiting his turn, and I was his luck of the draw.  As I wrote it out in the book,  I said “here buddy, sign this,” and he replied  “I can’t.”  “C’mon man, we’re busy, just sign here,” and again he said “I can’t.”  Losing patience, an innate trait among Jerseyans, I asked “ whattsa matter, you blind?”  To which he replied “yes.”  I had neglected the white cane and dark glasses in my hurrying, and felt horrible.  So I did the honorable thing, and walked out the side door, leaving him standing alone to deal with someone else.  Coming back some 15 minutes later he was gone, and so was the crowd, and we all had a good laugh.  And so did those I was telling the story to that day.  When someone made the comment, well at least he didn’t see your face, and laughed, until someone said “but I bet he’ll know your voice.”  Something I had never considered before...I think I’ll call it Psalm 23 revisited.

Psalms tells us in various places that the sheep-us, know the shepherd’s voice-Jesus.  In real life, all sheep are herded together into one pen, and each shepherd then calls out and only his sheep respond.  And so it is, or can be, or should be with us and our relationship with Jesus.  He speaks to us in a voice we can hear with more than our ears, and calms us, reassures us, and  comforts us as needed.  Then we as sheep, who often go astray, can follow Him and be restored and forgiven.  But also like sheep, who are so stupid they make cows look smart, sheep have no defense, aren’t smart enough to get in out of the rain, are dirty, and always straying away and getting lost.  Without a shepherd they are prey to all aggressors, and in danger of dying.  I guess Jesus pegged us pretty good with that one.  But He also pegged it pretty good when He is described as our mighty fortress in times of trouble, mighty King, Lord of Lords, and as we read in Revelation can and will destroy Satan just by speaking the words,  no great Hollywood type battle, His words are that strong, just as He is.  And as the great shepherd, just like any good shepherd, He goes ahead of the herd, clearing a path, finding water and nourishment, and giving them safe passage.  He is the great shepherd as He does all these things for us, too, and even knows our name, and our voice.  And much unlike me at Sears that day, is patient, kind, considerate, good, meek, and exhibits self control.  All fruit of the spirit, characteristics of God, that as Christians we can have as gifts when we obey Jesus.  Even works in New Jersey I hear, and if it can work there, imagine what it can do in the real world.   Or even yours!

As a forever wandering sheep, I am glad I don’t have to ever wonder about my great shepherd, Jesus.  There even when I can’t see Him, and always willing to help and talk with me.  In the age where we still want to do our own thing, sheep are still miserable, but we don’t have to be.  Make your thing Jesus, and quit wandering away from the things of God.  Hear His voice and follow and obey, knowing that when He directs your path, you will make your destination, and when you encounter trouble along the way, as we will, He is the mighty God, awesome in power, to guide and protect.  So, ask yourself this, if God is for us, who or what can be against us?  And remember whoever or whatever is, is also against Jesus, and He never loses.  So why would you choose to follow any other?  If you have, or do, you may not want to share about the stupid thing you did, that’s pride, but use it as part of your testimony, for all of us like sheep have gone astray.  And it takes the great shepherd to get us back.  His name is Jesus...and He knows your voice.  Isn’t it about time you get to know His?

Just another day in the day of a life....stupid hurts, Jesus heals.  Now the only question, what was that blind man going to do with his color TV?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

blokes, chaps, and mates

The one thing I love about the English is that they are so English.  And although we have a direct heritage to them, we the US of A, who they refer to as the colonies, many words have gotten lost in translation over the years, of course our fault.  All this from the country who drives on the right side of the road, or the wrong side of the road in most countries.  But their terms for automobiles can leave many wondering what they are speaking of.  Have you ever ridden in a saloon?  Most popular body style sold in the world, we call them sedans.  My wife loves her drop head Mustang, a convertible to you colonists.  When we buy our petrol, we should take a look under the bonnet, our hood, and check the spare tyre, kept in the boot, our trunk.  But my favorite term for a car is the shooting brake, which we call our SUV, which has evolved from the station wagon.  How many soccer moms, football those in the UK call it, would lineup to own the latest shooting brake?  And the list goes on.

Mechanics use spanners to take things apart, Snap-on calls them wrenches.  Cars are made in works, not factories, and spares are the parts we replace when they wear out or break.  Talked to your spares counter man lately?

Now suppose while waiting you run into some bloke, a man, who is waiting for his mate to pick him up.  His mate is not his wife, but his friend, although a wife can be a friend and should be.  A decent chap if he is a mate to both-friend that is.  And so it goes that while learning to speak English, we must deal with the English language.  The Queen’s English if you will.  Oh, and by the way, if one of your mates talks about dropping a few pounds, he is losing money, or a few quid, the English equivalent of our dollar.  But the exchange rate will kill you if you think all pounds and dollars are equal.    And ministering is also different, as their government has Ministers of Defense, the Interior, and other government functions, here ministers minster the gospel.  A huge difference, a mistake you don’t wish to make in either country.  Why don’t you blokes take a break, lean against a wing, your car’s fender, hoist a pint, and let’s talk cars.  Jolly good...don’t you think?

And so it is easy to see how the same words can get you into trouble, but maybe not out of trouble.  I am reminded of a conversation with a young Navajo girl on the reservation in Shiprock.  She was of the new generation, and spoke new Navajo, much different from the old Navajo, that the US used for codes in WWII as it was not a written language, and couldn’t be translated.  And she explained that one word in the current language could mean nice, but in the old could men you have a face like a horse.  OK if you are another horse.  Careful here mates, or you chaps could get in a world of hurt.  So imagine the situation God faced on the day of Pentecost.  Different men from different backgrounds speaking different languages.   Imagine Peter addressing the crowd, with his thick Galilean accent, the same one that gave him away to the little girl in the Garden of Gethsemane, and God had a task on His hands.  But being God, He was able to solve it and make it work for all-he had them hear Peter’s words, each in their own language, so they understood.  They would have known the difference between a saloon and a bar, or a bonnet or a hood, and those in shooting brakes would have been able to ride in the commuter lane.  They understood because God wanted them to, He holds no secrets to those that seek Him.  And the biggest secret He has ever revealed is Jesus, so we can return to fellowship with Him.  He doesn’t want to be separated from us, He wants to be close and part of our lives-the most important part.  And He leaves it up to us, as real love demands a choice, not a demand or a law to enforce it.  Love conquers all-and is a noun, God, a verb, He loved us first, an adjective, his loving kindness, and the list goes on.  So you might say we are mates, friends of Jesus.  But sadly some blokes aren’t, yet on the Day of Pentecost, 3000 blokes came to be mates in Jesus.  And it continues today...

God speaks to us in many ways, His word, pray, via the Holy Spirit, and through other blokes, if we are listening and looking.  Seeking and finding, just like promised, to all in abundance.  So after praying today, listen to God, and for His words.  They will be in a language that makes sense to you, and He will provide an understanding when needed.  You just have to trust and obey.  Don’t get it, refer to the owner’s manual, the Bible, and ask Him again-and keep listening!

He knows your number plate, your name.  And He wants to bless you, with spares in abundance, and works never ceasing.  Petrol for the soul, and air in your tyre.  So climb in your coupe, drop head, saloon, or shooting brake, and seek Him today.  He is a dynamo, an alternator of power, and never ceases.  Be like the 3000 who came not speaking the language, but left united as one in the spirit.  They came as blokes, but left as mates and chaps.  Friends.  May we all do the same.  No matter which side of the car the wheel is on.  Don’t keep His love hidden in your boot. And you thought a shooting brake was just a time to reload.  Bloody colonists.  Now can anyone please explain Whitworth bolts to me?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com