the kids in Boy and Girl Land

The following is an enlightenment of an old Christmas tradition.  If you are over 12 and still believe in Santa Claus, I am about to burst your bubble.  So look away-he is make believe, just like the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy.  But some how these three make believe characters show up at my house, and millions like them at their appointed time each year, with the only the Tooth Fairy operating on stand-by.  But yet they have become symbols, very believable symbols for the two greatest Christian holidays ever.  But for me my evening of reckoning came when I was 12 years old, and came home after being out with some friends.  There on the door was a note saying that Santa had left the presents in the closet, could I put them under the tree.  And the writing was my Mother’s, and the song “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” went through my brain, but my Mother would never do that, and combined with why didn’t he just leave them under the tree he passed by to get to the closet, and the fact we had no chimney-it all fell into place.  Not sure about the missing cookies.  Another myth exposed-or at least I thought.  But not wishing to risk being wrong and losing the gifts, I kept quiet, but not among my friends, who had figured out long before me that there was no Santa Claus.  But I kept the tradition alive with my two sons, causing some discord with church folk, who didn’t want me to lie to my sons, but lived like Christmas had no impact on their daily lives-they preached more about Jesus than they lived it-we were just the opposite.  The First Church of the Frigidaire-cold wind and cold hearts.

And soon they figured out that Grandma and Grandpa some 3000 miles away were Santa and Mrs. Claus.  They too rather go with the gifts than be politically correct, in either version.  But they too had figured it out before I told them he wasn’t real, and their network of friends along with them had their own ideas, but kept quiet, who doesn’t like to get gifts?  One of the more creative minds even told them there was no such thing as Santa or the devil-his dad was both.  Giving a whole new meaning to the kids in Boy and Girl Land about being naughty or nice.  See how rumors start, and traditions become truth?  Yet we continue to celebrate Christmas by giving gifts, even in the face of those who call us blasphemers for doing it, “BAH humbug” is all I can say to them.  Don’t expect anything from me this year.

But although we give gifts, we focus on the real reason for Christmas, the birth of Jesus.  We put up a tree, hang lights, sing songs, and think of Christmases past when it snowed on the Eve, now we just get up and go out in shorts-oh So Cal, ya gotta love it.  But since Christmas, like Easter is all about Jesus, we emphasize Him, and give gifts to each other.  Not considering who has been naughty or nice, but remembering we are forgiven, and that it is grace that did it-not some gift list.  I’m still looking for that nice guy, I know many of the naughty ones.  And the greatest gift this time of year or any is still Jesus.  So we celebrate Him every day, giving gifts, showing love, and yes, even eating Easter candy and putting up a tree in December.  Not making them the focal point, but to join in the celebration, and finding a chance to share Jesus in the midst of it.  What is easier, to share Christ’s love with a Bah humbug attitude, or with one of giving and love?  And starting out young by receiving, what better way to learn about the giving than seeing the giver blessed?  Would you rob someone of a blessing just because Santa isn’t real?  Or because Jesus is?  So what is your attitude towards Jesus and Santa?  Which one does your life represent, Jesus the truth or Santa the myth?  Or is it Jesus the myth and Santa the truth?

It’s funny how the kids in Boy and Girl Land will celebrate the holiday with more fun than some believers, set on being so truthful they become hateful.  And start or worse yet, perpetuate a tradition of not giving, but taking away the joy.  I have even been criticized by singing Jingle Bells, it isn’t a hymn.  But how many snowy days do I remember dashing through the snow, telling me it Christmas time.  Even if my one horse open sleigh is a 100 horsepower motorcycle with no fairing.  It is still a time to be joyful-it is all about Jesus, and what a better way to share His love and celebrate Him than to give?  So why wait until December?  Why not start a new tradition today, share the love of Jesus with someone.  Don’t argue over doctrine, but agree in love.  Give Him,the greatest gift ever, and watch as the bah, humbug types leave you alone-they can’t stand the joy.  And remember those burning coals Jesus said when poured over someone melt their heart, well there is this story about another jolly figure, fat too, name of Frosty the Snowman.  You mean a snowman can’t talk?  The next thing is you’ll want me to believe that bunnies can’t lay eggs of candy, or worse yet, His tomb wasn’t empty?  Or He isn’t God?  So this Christmas celebrate Jesus by giving the gift of love, and gifts to others.  Tell the story of His birth, and how He gives, setting an example for us to follow.  A story that all the kids in B & G Land need to hear.  And give them a gift to take home with them, and encourage them to share Him with others.  Now any doubts about Santa?  I hope there are no doubts about Jesus, but I do have one question, does anyone know what a “round, yon virgin is?”  Another jolly, fat person for the season.  Merry Christmas, Happy Birthday Jesus.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

all the news fit to print

We tend to underestimate the power of the press these days.  When just over 75 years ago, the newspaper world could make or break you.  Police chiefs in Los Angeles and other major towns were elected by the press, putting men in places where they could control them, and the future of the city.  And I guess it is not much different today, based on reports that the IRS targets conservatives, then lies about it, and many fall for it.  We get only the news that we they want us to get, and as far as reporting, it all has become one huge bi-polar editorial.  Where at one time, the New York Times was the bastion of news integrity, boasting “all the news that’s fit to print,”  today with its shrunken readership, and smaller size paper, and obviously biased stand, it is more like “all the news that fits we print,” referring to size, declining readership, or position on any subject.  Just a few words change their motto to a new found reputation, which may not be new at all.  But we read on, stumbling through editorials, sound bites, photo ops, looking for the truth, and like Agent Mulder told Scully for years, “the truth is out there.”  Just cleverly covered by a lie.

But although a bad report, or movie review can make or break a career, whether it be show biz, sports-which is really entertainment, think about it, or politics-not very entertaining, the power of the press is still evident today.  With editors or publishers manning the city desk barking out orders on the type of content they want.  Today it may be e-mails, or a quick text, but someone is still calling the shots.  And in this world of word searches, and glancing at headlines rather than reading the article for content, we have succumbed to dumbing down, a rewriting of history, or a coerced writing of it, loosely based on truth, or perspective, which many times replaces reality.  Polls, and feelings replace facts and figures, and how and where the interviewer’s questions are asked can mean the difference, and be a heavy persuader.  And if you just remember anything you say will be twisted around and used against you, then you can weigh your words better, at lest making it harder for the lie to be perpetuated.  And the war battles on...

If you have never gone to Hearst Castle, it is a must see, and a good excuse to ride Highway 1.  As if Highway 1 isn’t a good enough reason.  Now a state park, its value was inestimable and since no tax could be levied, it was donated to the state of California. How do you tax priceless? If you go, do a night tour-where docents appear in period costume as if  living there for the night, almost too real, but very cool.  and see the opulence and self effacing ego of one man and his memorial to himself.  A man who raided historical treasures from other countries, building his own museum rather than leaving them for their own.  A man who once was known to demand that a certain antique of art be found and purchased at any cost, only to find after months of searching it was in one of his warehouses.  Such a big man, yet so small.  So rich, yet so poor, and about to play an important part in Christian religion in the 20th century. WHAT!

Two words were given by Hearst to his newspaper chains, about an up and coming evangelist who had been drawing sparse crowds.  A previous editor of an LA paper once accused Billy Graham of being the anti-Christ, that he himself was Jesus, to which Billy replied, “then show me your glory, for Jesus Christ comes in glory.”  And the battle was on, until in 1949, one W. R. Hearst sent out a two word message to the editor-“PUFF GRAHAM.”  In other words, hype Billy and what he does.  Oh the power of one man and his empire, being used by God, for God.  When a small tent had been erected in LA for Billy to preach, the crowds soon went to 3000, then 9000, then over 15,000.  His three week agenda was changed to eight.  And when the reporters came to interview Billy, and he asked why they came, they told  him “you have been kissed by William Randolph Hearst,” and soon it spread nationwide, and all around the world, with Billy and Ruth being treated like royalty, welcomed and respected, and taking the gospel around the world, evangelism as never seen before.  Meeting with Presidents, dignataries, and celebrities, God used Billy to share Jesus with an audience of a size never done before.  Answering a prayer Billy had, and a vision given from another man about him in a way no one could ever foresee.  But that is our God, and we need to remember that.  He does things His way, in ways we cannot see, and uses all things for His glory.  And when He says all, he means ALL!  Not just the good things we see that we think indicate God’s presence, but all the tough times we endure building a testimony.  Something to consider when things don’t go our way today, or when we reflect on our current conditions-God has it under control, and can use all resources to His benefit-even unlikely ones like Hearst.  Who would have placed Hearst in the history books with the likes of Billy Graham-only God.  And although Hearst “puffed Graham,” Billy used the opportunity to “puff Jesus.”  Who are you puffing today? 

Today leave the things of the spirit to God, not looking in the physical for a physical answer.  Don’t limit God by your short sidedness, but trust Him in all things.. For ALL things work together for those who love the Lord, and are called according to His purpose.  Be part of His purpose today, share Jesus with someone, showing love.  And if you need to, use words.  Remembering the power of the press, but also the awesome power of a loving God.  From one man’s prayer that God would raise up a man and bring revival, a loving God made good on His promise.  The power of the press, when used in the hands of a loving God is amazing.  Proving all the news about Jesus is fit to print, even in the lowly NY Times.  If God can use a heathen like Hearst to fulfill a vision, imagine what He can do for you.  PUFF Jesus today.  And find all the treasures hidden in the warehouse of your heart.  That have been there all the time. 

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

happy landings

It was time for new tires on the truck.  Cord was starting to show, and on the front ones you didn’t need to check the air pressure, you could look inside to see if any was there they were so bald and the cord worn away.  So comparing prices via the Internet, one stop was at Discount Tires, but the guy I knew was gone, and a young shark had replaced him.  After listening to his well rehearsed speech to another man, I almost walked out.  He had come dangerously close to telling the truth, just not close enough.  But I was next, so I waited, and he started in on me.  The truck had come with Kumho tires, and I didn’t want to repeat the mistake, but when he told me he could get me a 50% discount because they had worn erratically, I listened.  He gave me a price, and told me that they would only be half of what a set of four would cost, and that Kumho would cover the rest.  Tires at half price, such a deal, but I wanted to think it over.  Which pushed him into the next mode, telling me time was running out, and that he wasn’t sure if he could get me the same deal tomorrow-the red flags were waving.  So I said yes, but couldn’t do it now, but would tomorrow, and he said he would personally guarantee the deal, but I must see only him, no one else could get me such a deal.  And I left...knowing I wasn’t going back.  Something had stopped me and made me realize the deal sounded good, but there was no discount.  Kumho was paying half, a good deal, it sounded, but the store was offering no discount, I paid half, Kumho paid the other half, and he was getting full price for the tires.  And add to the fact I didn’t want Kumho tires again, and suddenly the deal wasn’t as good as he made it sound.  So I went down the street, bought new tires I wanted for even less, and was happy-I had gotten a deal, a real discount, not just a moving target of numbers...and again it is buyer beware, there is no free lunch, or in this case free tires.

It has often been asked jokingly,”if they built an airplane would you fly in it?”  Some will just due to brand loyalty, others not considering the cost involved.  So another version is what I want you to think about.  You have a choice of two flights from two different airlines.  Airline #1 has all new planes, beautiful stewardesses, great food, comfy seats, and the planes are the fastest in the air.  They have an on time record second to none, but with one item worth noting, they have a poor landing record.  They are OK from boarding to take-off to the in-flight route, but their landing record is one of only 20% safety-they crash most of the time.  They cannot guarantee you will land safely.  But based upon the price, and the flight, they are enormously popular, most people will take the risk.  Airline #2 has older planes, older stewardesses, but experienced, the seats are old and crowded, the food is barely edible, and their on-time record is questionable.  Their pilots are experienced, but the airline is known for its rough flights.  But they have a perfect landing record, second to none, and always arrive at their destination, just not always on time.  The cost is less, but many avoid them going with the newer planes, better food, and risk the landing based upon the air time versus the landing record.  Which would you choose?  Which way have you chosen to lead your life?

As I look around we are all looking for the best deal, from tires to airlines.  But we rarely consider the true cost, falling for buzz words and relying on photo ops for evidence.  We are willing to take the chance, thinking it will never happen to me, and even if flying the airline #1 and landing safe, are willing to risk it again.  Those frequent flyer miles just can’t be avoided-they are five times anyone else’s-such a deal!  So they fly and fly again, until one day they crash, and the contract they signed when purchasing the tickets voids their life insurance policy.  They are gone, no insurance, but oh the food and the stewardesses.....and so many lead their lives just like that, trusting their lives to chance, and a good sounding deal, but ending up with nothing.

I don’t care for the saying “He who dies with the most toys wins.”  He is still dead, isn’t he?  What good are his toys now?  He trusted valuables over values, and now has paid the price.  And so it is with God.  “I don’t need Jesus, I am doing well, I have two houses, a vacation home, and a great income.  I am not sick, my kids go to fine schools, and I lease a new BMW every year.”  But just like airline #1, he has no concern for where he lands, he has neglected God in his life, and dies with many toys, but hell awaits.  He bought the eye candy, fed his ego, but had no place for God in his life, he was so rich, yet found out too late how he was so poor.  Yet so many tend to follow his example, forgoing riches and an easy life, never considering Jesus.  And I have found in life that the rougher the road, the more I need Him.  And if I am on a rough road, it is usually the right one.  So I have found great comfort in rough roads knowing that Jesus is with me, and even on rough flights.  We tend to forget God when the going is great, and that is when we should consider Him even more, in forms of praise and thanksgiving.  For we never know what lies ahead, and someone is always there to sell a good deal based on easy living or convenient terms, but the payback isn’t as sweet as the deal offers.

Consider Jesus today, and if having a rough day, hang onto Him.  And if having a great day, thank Him.  But remember He is always there, no matter what flight or what road you choose.  Closer than a shadow who never leaves you, He follows you into the dark area no shadow can go-He is that close.  And following Him promises happy landings-His record is 100%!  Think of it as World Airlines or Jesus Airways-which company do you choose to fly with?  We will all land somewhere upon death, you can choose where you land before even leaving the ground by choosing the right flight-I am glad I chose Jesus.  We don’t know when the plane of life might go down-and I want to be on the flight that assures heaven, don’t you?

All tires, and all tire deals are not equal.  Not all gods are either, only one can promise eternal life in heaven.  Jesus Christ.  If He was a plane, would you fly on Him?  Consider His landing record...get your boarding pass to heaven today!  You don’t want to be dangerously close and miss.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

the night before the night before Christmas

Two weeks tonight will be Christmas Eve, and all the last minute shopping will be done, and families will be beginning to gather-hopefully to celebrate Jesus, the reason for Christmas.  And as we get older, it is harder to get presents for some people, so sometimes we have to dig deep, pray, and see what God has for us.  And when you cannot find anything to buy, the bet gift is often giving of yourself, which we did one Christmas.  My family is back in New Jersey, and we talked about going back, but couldn’t afford it.  So we let them think it would be another So Cal palm treed Christmas for us, but secretly had made plans to surprise them by going back and surprising them.  We would fly back, arriving the night before the night before Christmas, and surprise them.  And the saga began...

Leaving warm and sunny San Diego, we landed in snowy, cold, and crowded Newark Airport.  Snow was piled deep, cars were stuck, and one huge, fat Port Authority cop stands out-threatening to give tickets to those waiting, “lady, I told yas don’t park dere, yas wanna ticket?  I don’t care if it’s Christmas, I’m gonna have yas towed...” as snowballs from kids went whizzing by.  But our limo showed up, really only a Lincoln, not a stretch like Andrew thought, and the old black guy knew his way around.  “Is it OK for me to take a shortcut, or do you wanna spend Christmas in trafffic?”   Go man-and he did, taking us back roads that he knew and getting us to Scotch Plains, a mere 12 miles away, but eons from the Port cop, who was still dodging snowballs when we left.  Not the white Christmas of Bing Crosby’s song, but white none the less.  But we had made it, and at about 8pm that night, in the snow, we arrived to a dark house, my parents go to bed early, and the den is in the back of the house.  After a few rings, my mother answered the door, and stood with her mouth open in shock-no way could she be seeing what or who she did!  And could barely mouth my Father’s name to call him-and after a few seconds let us in.  And my Dad was just as shocked, a Christmas surprise that they never expected, a gift from the heart from some 3000 miles away, delivered in person.

And suddenly they were all excited, as they would have all their family together, all 5 grandsons, and the next day was one of shopping, baking, cooking, and of joy.  We had pulled it off-somehow we had kept the secret, harder than you would have thought, and gave them in my Mother’s words, “the best Christmas present they had ever gotten.” Somehow we had avoided the lines on Black Friday, would have no bills coming in January,except for the tickets, and God’s idea of the best gift was right on, a gift from the heart.  And it was worth the flight, the snow, the Port cop and confusion, the limo ride, and the snow packed streets.  Everything was in place and it again even snowed Christmas Eve, as it should, giving us a white and joyful Christmas, for each of us.  A lesson to remember when shopping for gifts this year, one from the heart will top anything that comes in a box, and will be wrapped in joys of memories for years to come.

The first Christmas was just as joyful, and just as much as surprise.  But like us, on the night before the night before Christmas, a family was on the road.  Joe and Mary, expecting, on the road.  And what a surprise was awaiting them on that first Christmas Eve.  Scripture tells us that “Mary pondered these things in her heart,” being told she would have a son, and named Jesus, and He would save the people from their sins, but she never envisioned the trip, nor the way Jesus would come into the world.  But prophesied He was a Nazarene, born in Bethlehem, it could only happen like God planned it, on the way to Jerusalem, the city God calls the “apple of His eye.”  And on the night before His birth, they too would be surprised, and God would give the best gift the world has ever received, His son, Jesus.  But it must have been a rough trip, Joe travelling with his pregnant wife, and still in awe of her pregnancy.  But being soothed and comforted by the Holy Spirit, not knowing what lied ahead for them.  But arriving in Bethlehem the next day, no room was found for them, and as it is today, kids come when they are ready, not when we are, but fortunately God was, this was no surprise to Him, He had it all planned this way.  And you know the rest of the story, our Lord and Savior born in a barn, laid in a manger, while angels watched above, and shepherds waited on high.  A beautiful night, just like God planned it, and today we still celebrate that night...and the days after to come.  And just like the gift to my parents, God’s gift to us was from the heart, wrapped in swaddling clothes, strips of cloth, no bow or fancy paper.  For it is the gift and not the wrapping that brings joy.  It is the thoughtfulness, acted out in love that is remembered.  And for our family, because of Jesus, and the example God set 2000 years ago, Christmas is special.  But we always will remember that one night of surprise, when the greatest gift was us giving ourselves as the gift.  Just as God gave Himself as the gift for us...and reminds us the true meaning of Christmas.  While Bing sings of White Christmases, “just like the ones I used to know,”  we have one to remember too, a special night where four not so wise people came bearing gifts-the only ones they could afford, themselves.  The only ones that still retain their value today in the form of precious memories.  And of course, Jesus Himself, the ultimate gift, the best Christmas you can ever have.  What’s on your gift list?

Little Ralphie’s best Christmas he would ever have was a Red Ryder rifle, ours was a surprise visit to Scotch Plains.  Keep Christ in Christmas, remembering the best gift for every day is Jesus, and never forget Joe and Mary.  Ponder the things of her son as she did, and let God bring Christmas alive in your heart.  Take care of your family as Joe did, trusting God, not understanding, but travelling in faith.  While a song reminds us of the 12 Days of Christmas, the night before the night before Christmas had a young couple on the road, and the next night their true love gave to them a son.  Better than any partridge in a pear tree...proving it is better to remember one night than 12 days.  And how it is better to give than receive.  And how the giver is blessed...no matter how expensive/inexpensive the gift.  Merry Christmas...and may all your Christmases be white! Jesus-the perfect last minute gift-what are you waiting for?  Only God still delivers on Christmas.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

new in the neighborhood?

I was five when we moved to Algonquin Drive, and onto the edge of the expanding suburbs.  Hetfield Avenue was the main street then to me, and across it lay a whole new world-a world of dump trucks, steam shovels, graders, and bulldozers-what else could a five year old boy ask for?  But on this new street, where it once had been woods, were now houses, and soon to be families with kids, and soon it would turn into its own neighborhood-and I lived on the other side of Hetfield.  Two lanes of blacktop dividing me from this new neighborhood, but somehow uniting us too.  As we watched the moving vans pull up and unload furniture, we would try to get close and check out the big trucks, which smelled of diesel, a strange but fetching smell-they even burst forth with a giant puff of smoke like the bulldozers.  But really we were curious as to who was moving in, and if they had any kids our age.  And most did, and soon we were playing kickball and hide and seek with our new neighbors, getting to know them and making friends.  Testing them out by making them be it first in hide and seek, and soon finding out who was faster and smarter than you.  Who could kick the ball farther and who could defend himself better in a fight.  We never thought of it as anything scientific, we were just making friends, pals, who would last forever, or at least until 7th grade when it would all change, but friends we were....and then they built more houses....Princeton Avenue was the next new neighborhood.  And soon the woods we used to play in, where many of our WWII battles had been fought playing Sgt. Saunders like on Combat! was turned into  a street with houses.  But along the way.....

For we were older now, and bulldozers still fascinated us.  But now we were told to stay away...and we did until the work day ended, then went and sat on the back hoes, and dozers, playing for real, deciding in life what we wanted to be when we grew up-we wanted to drive construction equipment.  And soon we learned about picking up the extra pieces of wood, the nails they dropped, and were building forts on our last vestige of woods, New York Avenue, the last place to play Army, the last place to sled ride, and the last evidence of our past, before suburbia took over.  But when the new Princeton Avenue neighborhood grew, we made more friends, who would marvel at the stories we told, how we used to play on a giant fallen weeping willow where Bill Moore’s home was.  How the path in the woods that was now paved was a source for dodging lions and bears as a kid, and where we had ridden our bikes through the poison ivy.  And they couldn’t believe how where their new home stood, that once was the woods-a haven for young boys and their imaginations...but soon they were to find out, as we invited them sledding on the hills above where New York Avenue was to be, and the last woods would be there play ground too.  The neighborhood was growing...but really our world was shrinking...we were having to much fun to think of it any other way.

And soon the woods where Ricky Ray’s multi-story tree fort, the creek where we played camping out by, the sled runs, and the places we buried our girly pictures would be paved over...and another neighborhood invading, with another group of kids to welcome to our world, who this time didn’t care about our sacred grounds they lived on, and were just a few years too young to play with.  Our last vestige of childhood was gone, and the new kids didn’t care, in fact they wanted nothing to do with us, they were snobs towards us...fortunately Junior High was closing in on us, and soon the old neighborhood would be a  long ago playground, but for now the times they were a changin’, and for us that meant the neighborhood.

But what we didn’t know at the time, was we were changing too, only doing it as a group of friends.  Hide and seek was played less, no more kickball, and suddenly we were sledding at Echo Lake, riding our bikes to Westfield, and girls were a new word, a welcome word in our vocabulary.  Our neighborhood was changing, as were the neighbors, and we weren’t sure what to think, even the old tree forts seemed childish, and soon we were too old, or sophisticated at age 12 to be a kid anymore, we had grown up, we had changed.  We were teenagers!

It has been said, wisely I might add, that each of us is at a different level spiritually.  Which can get us into trouble, or keep us out.  I tend to gravitate to stronger Christians, learning from their example, and trying to be more mature in Christ.  But many times I fail, and wonder, if that was the only time someone saw me, and had been told I was a Christian, would I measure up?  Which scares me, for so often I am not...only when others aren’t looking of course.  But how do you handle it when busted?  Do you rebel, taking your ball and going home?  Do you make excuses, making your situation even worse?  Or do you admit it, repent, and go on?  Hint-#3 is the best choice.  Forgiveness is wonderful friend, and it seems as young kids we were more forgiving.  You might have a fight, but ten minutes later be chosen to play kickball, or to go sledding.  We forgave easier, we just forgot, and today many of us need to remember the lesson.  We need to remember that Jesus forgives us-all our sins, and those to come.  We are clean and white as the snow we used to sled on, and perfect in His eyes.  How different in our world, where we say “we forgive, but I won’t forget.”  Aren’t you glad God has a much better plan?  And so reading about the TBN founder Paul Crouch and his death, many critics came out and bad mouthed him.  True he wasn’t perfect, and not one of my favorite people, and TBN had become a kingdom of its own, so much criticism is true and warranted.  But not found in heaven, for Paul like others before him, and those to come are found forgiven by God when we ask Jesus into our hearts.  We will still sin, but thankfully no man will be my judge, and only God can grant me a pardon through Jesus.  Paul’s neighborhood changed when he got saved, as ours did, and now has changed forever, where no sins are remembered, or are past things on earth.  It is all new, and unimaginable-anything you think heaven is, it will only be better.  And I my case, maybe more woods, bikes to ride, sleds to ride, and stories to tell around a fire with other kids in the neighborhood.  But this will be a new neighborhood, fashioned by God, and all eyes will be on Him, and not us.  If only we could learn that lesson now, if we could see each other as God does, either forgiven or not forgiven.  Another choice we make, and the difference between those in heaven and hell.  Some may judge you today based on your past, or on your present.  Only God will guarantee your future, and see you as His Son has made you, clean and perfect.  And so for all those who enter heaven, in our new neighborhood, we will all have one thing in common-Jesus.  The same Jesus who saved us on earth, and we claim our Lord.  The same one who tells us “on earth as it in heaven,”  reminding us of forgiven sins.

What sins do you wish forgiven?  What do you want your new neighbors to not know about you?  Practice now by forgiving, and forgetting,  Be that heaven on earth, and set an example, a Godly one.  New neighborhoods are being created daily, and old things are passing away.  Welcome to the family of God, where all things are made new, all sin is forgiven, and we can have heaven on earth.  Where the only thing we will have I common is we have no sin, it is forgiven, and it will be all about Jesus.  One large heavenly neighborhood, with Jesus as the welcome wagon.  And even the worst of sinners can be forgiven, if they only ask.  Hetfield Avenue was the street to cross into many a new neighborhood, one day crossing over into heaven brings new joys-unspeakable joys, and forever joys.  Practice for it here while on earth, the old neighborhoods will soon be gone.  You can never go home again, but once you get to heaven, you will be home.  Hope to see you there...what was once old will be made new again.  Friends that will last forever.  You are never too old for heaven.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com