let it snow-just somewhere else

Theresa wanted to live in a cabin in the woods, and her impression of Colorado winters was about to change our first married winter there.  She was from So Cal, where people freeze when the temp hits below 50, so in no way was she ready for the 500 inches of snow we had that winter.  Or the days that it would get up to minus 10.  But somehow we got up every morning, and drove to town to work.  Only a 27 mile drive, going all the way down to 6500” elevation in Durango.  For we lived at 8300” at Vallecito Lake, in a real log cabin, in a national forest.  And despite heavy snow, one time we had 96 inches in 96 hours, nobody missed work-you dealt with it.  And only one day did we miss, when we got out before the plows, if you think you are tough, try driving a plow in zero visibility blizzards, with no guardrails in the mountains.  No do overs when you fall hundreds of feet down off a cliff, so you learn to drive.  But that one day we did beat the plows, we did make it almost ten miles from home, and were within a half mile of being on the down side when our Rabbit couldn’t push the snow anymore-we only had 18” at the time, higher than the front bumper,  and it was still coming down, so we had to back down the road for almost 5 miles-head out the window, and my beard froze and broke off.  Consider that next time you get cold, or complain about the weather.  But other than that, we never failed to get out, but sometimes it would take longer than others.

When it gets below zero, cars are slow to start, oil turns to molasses, and once started, take forever to warm up.  But don’t worry, spring is coming in 4 months.  But the Rabbit never failed to start, and was the hero in our group of cabins one morning when it hit –42f.  Slowly it turned, and then we jump started others, who helped others.  What neighbors did, and if one went to town, would check with the others for supplies needed.  But the snow could get deep, remember the snow plow guys, and so you put a broom handle standing up against the car, high enough to be seen, so it didn’t get hit, or buried.  And more than once, followed the plow into town, when we could keep up with them.  But like any neighborhood, there were 72 of us on 22 miles of shoreline, there is always one who stands out, proving every village as an idiot.  Ours was Butch, who owned the lodge next door, and the tractor with a plow attachment.  We were only renters, and he reminded us every chance he got, including one subzero morning when he plowed us in after clearing his drive.  When he demanded $50 to dig us out, I said “hold on, I’ll be right back.”  And as I approached him, he smiled thinking he was going to be $50 richer, but the joke was on him.  I wasn’t alone, I had Mr. Ruger with me, all .357 magnum of him.  And after reminding him I had one bullet for each cylinder of his tractor, he decided to dig me out, and in the future even cleared a spot for me.  Without even a shot being fired!  He had faith, I had works.  You decide.

How deep is a lot of snow?  Deep enough that houses are built with doors on the second floor leading outside.  So deep I stood in snow and washed second story windows.  The dogs steeped down onto the roof and slept by the chimney.  So as I watch the blizzard warnings on TV, I am reminded of big snow, where we slowed down, but never stopped.  Even growing up in Jersey, where snow is gray, I didn’t find out its true color until Colorado, we rarely missed school.  My dad was a teacher, and would get called early, a phone chain set up to call others, and rarely did he get the call.  And if he did, I still delivered the Star Ledger every morning, rain, sleet, or snow.  Maybe teachers and paperboys were tougher than we gave them credit.  But life went on....Now in Colorado, you can get snow in the mountains any time of year.  One 4th of July had me going over Red Mountain Pass on my Z-1 in a t-shirt, and 3 days later following the plow over Wolf Creek Pass, in the snow!  So I have had my fill, and if it going to snow, let it snow somewhere else.  A lesson learned all because Theresa wanted to live in a cabin in the woods, now we live in So Cal, a much better choice for those of us who ride.  And, by the way, only one winter did we store the bike, when we couldn’t get it the 100 feet from the cabin to the street.  But one long day of digging out in 3 feet of snow cured that.  So as I prepare for a high of 85 degrees today, I can say to all of you stuck in the snow-been there, done that, got the shovel to prove it.  While you shovel, we go to the beach. 

Now winter is mentioned 16 times in the Bible.  Cold and snow are no stranger to God, we need them to ski and for snowmobiling, and for the water we fill our pools with in summer.  Each season has its purpose, winter for snow, summer for riding, spring for baseball,and fall for football.  Just like God intended.  So He created the seasons for a reason, even tilted the earth 23 degrees on its axis so we would have them.  But in reference to Jesus, He tells us of a season of His return.  Not the date, or the time, but a season.  So those who are watching will know and be ready.  And the  warnings are there...just watch the news.  As the south gets pounded with snow, and we get pounded with heat and draught, His warnings of unusual weather in that season are there for all to see.  We now have tornado and hurricane seasons-just a media hype or has the increase alarmed you too?  How many tsunamis do you remember growing up?  So He warns us to be alert, to be looking.  Matthew warns us to pray your flight isn’t in winter, long before the Wright Brothers.  Acts tells us of frozen harbors that make Phoenix unreachable in winter-Arizona?  Jeremiah tells of the king sitting before a fire in winter, safe from the cold.  So don’t forget God has created both summer and winter for us, which should come as no surprise.  Except to the media, who over react to the weather, rather than turning to God.  When in cold and warm, it is best to rest in Him. 

So look to Jesus today, that season is upon us.  But He also talks of a day of salvation, He calls it today.  If saved, you have had your day, rejoice in it.  If not, today may be your day.  Step out of your comfort zone, and into the arms of a loving God.  Follow Him in faith, just like we used to follow the plow.  And remember, the only day we never made it was getting out before Him, and trying to make it on our own.  May be a lesson there for all of us.  That day it only cost me a beard, what will not following God cost you?

The rain falls on the just and the unjust.  So does the snow.  A  lesson learned all because Theresa wanted to live in a cabin in the woods.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.

 

walking with a limp

It took a series of serious motorcycle accidents 40 years ago next month to finally figure out why I walked with a limp.  The specialists prodded, tested, drew blood, and x-rayed their hearts out on me, but never could figure it out.  Most blamed it on my having rheumatoid arthritis at age 6, which is the story I always accepted.  Until Gerald introduced me to chiropractic, and had the audacity to measure the length of each of my legs, and found one was 16mm shorter than the other.  And recommended a heel lift for awhile, and suddenly I walked straight-literally.  And when I took off the lift hidden in my left shoe-hint, guess which leg is shorter?, I felt like I was walking with one foot up on the curb and the other off.  But lifestyles prohibited me from wearing it all the time, and today I still limp, and after my heart surgery, I occasionally lean to the left, fortunately having nothing to do with my outlook on life.  But like many others, I limp through life, somehow making it to where I am going.

When riding I have miscalculated how many miles of gas I had left, and have had to alter my speed just to get to the next station.  I rode across Oklahoma once at 40mph, in 6th gear, belly on the tank, making it on fumes, thankful for the grace of God that got me there, while trying to ignore the cars yelling at me, or nearly hitting me as they passed.  I coasted down the hill into Los Gatos on my Thunderbird Sport, barely making it to the Texaco station before a red light forced me to stop and push the last 100 feet.  And somehow put 4.5 gallons into a 4.2 gallon tank.  Did the pump lie or was I emptier than I thought?  And did I ever learn?  Today we have computers in cars telling us miles till empty, so I know how far I can go before I start to push, and they too have let me down, another story, but I have learned that arriving even if I have to push the last few feet is better than not arriving at all.  That limping home is far better than standing on equal footing along side the road.

So through the wonder of computers, cars now have a mode built into them, a limp home mode.  If the computer notes something potentially dangerous about the cars drivetrain or engine, it takes away the throttle, sloes you to about 30 mph, and allows you to limp home, preventing you from doing any damage to your car.  Which the first time it happens to you can be freaky, as I used to get many calls, “my car lost its power, it won’t go fast...” and soon it was towed in and the problem fixed.  But it kept many off the side of the road, fulfilling its purpose.  You got home, just not when and how fast you wanted to.  But despite flashing lights, fuel gauges, miles to empty messages, and petcocks, we still run out of gas.  No one yet has come up with a way to smarten up the mind of man, no matter how many warnings we put in front of us.  And if the truth be told, the E on the gauge stand for empty, NOW!

There is an old adage that religion is for women and children.  I have had people tell me that they will turn to God after they are finished doing the things they want to do.  But as I found out, you have no control over when you die, only God does.  I had no plans to go into a coma, and have open heart surgery, so I am glad I trusted Jesus years ago when I heard His voice.  But many wish to hang on, thinking with them it will be different, they can overcome it at the last minute, and I wonder, why when they have trusted and worshipped themselves all their lives, would they turn to God at the last moment?  Why wait, why limp home, or better yet, not make it at all?  Many are told that the only way to heaven is through Jesus-true, but He is also the way of life, and you can improve your days on earth by trusting Him now.  That is a choice you can make.  I did, and many have, and enjoy a life in Jesus.  But some are saved, yet carry on like they aren’t, no evidence of a changed life, and limp through life spiritually.  Their walk has a limp it doesn’t have to have, their choice.  But we find out that like Jacob, who wrestled with an angel, that God gave him a limp, so that every step he took he would remember that day, and turn to God.  No extra time at the gym, no workouts, and no heel lift prevented him from limping, so he chose to lean on God.  He knew why he limped, but he also knew who to lean on.

You may not notice your limp, but others do, and God certainly does.  Many will make excuses, and barely make it into heaven, limping through life on their own understanding, but still making it.  Others with a same limp will turn to God and lean on Him, acknowledging Him as Lord, and not just Savior.  He will be the crutch they need, and will add life to their lifestyle.  They will never have to park in a handicap zone, for although afflicted, they carry about Jesus in their body, and He gives them the strength to make it through the day.  They may limp home to heaven, but they do not live their lives in a limp home mode.  The needle may hover just above E, but they never run out.  And their lives always show enough fuel to get them where they are going.  For some it may take years of testing, specialists who fail, or maybe an accident to get you to do something about it.  Why not just listen to God, realize you are a sinner, and you cannot limp home without Him?  That you don’t have to suffer foolishly when the answer is there all the time in Jesus.  Or would you rather go through life in a limp home mode, limited in all you do no matter how much throttle you give your life?  Ever figure why some who are handicapped have more energy and live a better life than those who aren’t?  Maybe Jesus does make a difference.  Consider Him now before you push your 900 pound cruiser which is out of gas, although it shows some miles left till empty.  The bike knew more than the gauge, and more than the warning.  You have been warned, will you ride home or limp home?  Suddenly the smallest hill becomes a large mountain when pushing up it, so why push it at all? 

We will all walk with a limp some day, some when walking, some in the life we choose.  No need to limp home if you don’t have to.  Live life now the way God planned it, and lean on Him.  Its OK, He can handle the extra load, can you?  I know what it is like running out of gas with the station in sight, don’t make the same mistake about Jesus.  The capacity of the tank makes no difference if it is empty.  A lesson better learned now, than on the side of the road.  Still walking with that limp?  Time to see what that Check Jesus Light is flashing for.  Pushing with a limp is even harder. 

love with compasson,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

after the thrill is gone

It has been said of many racers, they know that it is time to quit racing when they don’t enjoy it anymore.  Translation meaning when they quit winning or lose their sponsorship.  But many today don’t know when to quit, and sadly their last race turns out to be their last race.  But it is the wise ones who know when to quit and move on with life.  When an overwhelming sense of common engulfs them, and they retire while they can still walk, form sentences, or sign autographs.  Many have also quit early when they see the toll that racing takes on their body and their families.  For the winners, it takes a 24/7 commitment, and even sleeping they dream of corners they could have taken faster, and how to not make the same mistakes again in the next race.  They live to get every last mph out of their rides, pushing the limits until the limits push back, and either a wall or an infield calls to them and they answer.  Winning is an obsession with them, and when the spark goes out, they know it is time to hang it up.  When they just don’t enjoy it anymore.  But what do you do after the thrill is gone?

Many will show up in broadcast booths, or doing product endorsements.  Some return to their hometown, heroes and start a racing business, some building, some advising, or some just living on their name.  The races are over, but the lime light and checkered flag of fame still feeds their ego, and they cannot let go.  But some just fade away into obscurity, “hey wasn’t that so and so, wasn’t he fast, a racer?” And some will remember, while others never forget.  Wondering is the glass half full or half empty, when really it is just a poorly engineered glass. 

But the sad ones are those who don’t quit when they should, the ego is bigger, or there is still money to be made, and they race until they die.  Leaving a legacy they never get to enjoy, and a family left to pick up the pieces afterwards.  The Byrds once sang Turn, Turn, Turn, quoting Ecclesiastes as there is a time for everything, life, death, and the time we spend most of our time in, right now.  There is a season, and a time appointed to everything.  A time to start, and a time to finish, and as all racers know, to finish first, you must first finish.  Words to live by no matter the race, human or other.  Paul talks of finishing the race, of life, which is not a sprint, but one of endurance.  Not a series where points are gathered towards a championship, but a race that a life that is raced to win.  No one sets out to finish second or third, but makes preparation for fuel stops, tire changes, and pit crews prepared for everything.  They just drive, and hope the team is ready when needed.  Too many of us live our lives like that.  We start out strong in Christ, and then a tragedy comes along, and we fall back on our teaching instead of Jesus.  We turn to friends for advice, instead of the wonderful counselor He is.  We look to see where we failed, hoping to blame someone else, but when it falls on us, we turn away.  We leave grace behind, and try to earn back our reputation, our position, or our pride by doing good, doing things to make God happy, as if we could ever make God love us more than He already does.  We build bigger motors, train harder, and do all the things the world tells us to do, but we neglect God, the one who saved us and the one who continues to guide us even when we fail or go astray.  We might even do a post tragedy review, and then lean on our own understanding.  Withdrawing from God, when we should be drawing closer to Him.  And at some point the fire goes out, and we are worse off than before we were saved.  Miserable, seeking and not finding, yet knowing God is still there, He has left us, and not turning to Him.  Everyone else can see it, why can’t we?

Worse yet are the ones who loved God early, but when the thrill is gone, when they are not the center of attention, when they are forced to take a back seat to God, turn away.  They loved the attention, and others loved them, looked to them, but now they are miserable, “God doesn’t work,” for if He did, why am I so miserable?  Why am I not the center of attention?  Why didn’t I get my way, I prayed?  To them God is only a podium finish, a way to get things they want, a genie in a lamp who they call on when they want something.  God is their co-pilot, they never gave Him the control, and when the thrill is gone, turn inward instead of to Jesus.  Some of the saddest people I meet are friends who once walked with God, but when He couldn’t keep up with them, they abandoned Him.  And leaving us with the impression that something is wrong with us, what is our problem, why are we still trusting God, didn’t you lose your job, didn’t you get divorced, didn’t you get caught and arrested?  If you fall into the latter category, you are in good company, for we all fall short of God’s glory, but because of His grace and mercy, we are able to carry on.  The thrill went deeper than emotions, we loved Him because He loved us first, and we learn to follow the spirit, instead of having the spirit follow us.  We have learned to draft Jesus, and that the race is over when He says, not when the flag drops.  We race to the end, an endurance race, and some days we finish first, some days last, and some we DNF.  But we know we ultimately win the final race, and a podium finish awaits us in heaven.  For heaven is filled with losers who realized it, and gave it all to Jesus.  The finish being more important than the position, the prize being won, all we did was run in it. 

Where are you on the track of life today?  Are you still in the race, or have you been black flagged for rule infractions?  Have you lost interest, or become a victim of too many crashes?  Is the thrill of knowing Jesus a thing of the past, or is it fresh everyday?  Do you still hang onto Jesus after all these years, knowing what is ahead, and sharing what was behind?   Have you threatened to quit, yet He held onto you so you wouldn’t give up?  And I your poium finishes, do you share them with Him?  On the cross, Jesus was the original podium finish-He finished first, and declared so from the cross.  One thief placed second, and still made it to heaven.  He drafted Jesus to the end, He knew the place to finish to was more   important than his place to finish in.  Yet the other thief DNFed, when it came time to make a crucial decision, he hit the wall.  No more races, no more excuses.  His final race ended in tragedy, and yet we remember him today. 

Look to the cross to see where you will finish, and also to where you should live today.  Winners never quit, and quitters never win.  It worked at the cross, and still works today.  Hang in there, eternity is coming.  it is a sure thing-to those who believe and endure.  Ask either thief, both will tell you the truth.  But only one believed.  For him the thrill never ended, for the other it never begun.  God knows the time and the season, He knows so you won’t have to.  Just stay the course, see you at the finish line.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

it was 50 years ago today

It was 50 years ago today I was a young immature 4th grader in Mrs. Vanderbilt’s class.  Riding the bus to school every day, it was exciting listening to the older guys, the 6th graders talk, but today was different-all the talk was about one thing-The Beatles had been on Ed Sullivan last night.  And I had seen them too, and suddenly I could be part of the conversation, other than just listening, or being made fun of.  And how after that we had Beatle songs, Beatle wigs, magazines, and finally a movie-A Hard Day’s Night, and all was right with the world.  Musically. Last night I watched the Grammy’s presentation of the 50th Anniversary of their debut on Ed Sullivan, and many memories came back.  I never realized the effect their music had on me.  Here are a few examples, see how yours compare.

My first Beatle album was Meet the Beatles, a pre-Capitol, pre-I wanna Hold Your Hand release.  Wore out until the next album came along.  I can remember the first time I heard Sgt. Pepper, an afternoon in Guy’s basement with my new girlfriend, and my first time making out-talk about sensory overload.  And then the end-WOW!  Talk about a Day I the Life!  And then listening to it all over again, and again.  Not a bad cut on the album, with She’s Leaving Home haunting me, and then looking back years later, when I left home, after becoming a Christian.  “Something inside that was always denied for so many years...”  My parents never got it, why I left home.  Too bad they never heard the song. 

Swerdlick and I did a take off on Lady Madonna, called Vasco De Gama for our history class, sing it, the words fit.  Who said history had to be boring.  Or how Bruce used to sing “take a fast right turn,” which was really Paperback Writer.”  Or the first time hearing the White Album, and being blown away-who else could put out a double album, with no graphics, except for an embossing of The Beatles, except the Beatles?  And going to Bamburgers with Abner, getting out of school early to buy their last album, Abbey Road, for $2.99, and again not a bad song on it.  And how side 2 is one song, or is it?  Years later when I heard an interview with Paul, he said how they knew it would be their last album, so wanted it to be their best.  Incredible.  Or listening one night with John, who taught me how to listen to music, and listening to some very expensive studio cuts he had bought.  Pre mixed songs, and they were incredible, you could hear them all before they were mixed so beautifully.  But Ringo’s drumming stood out, and again I remember another interview where they talked of Ringo, and how he did things no one else could do, making it look so simple.  And last night mentioning how he kept them together with his rhythm, and it being so loud on Ed Sullivan, that they could only hear his cymbals, but he kept them together.  And as I sat last night, seeing Paul and Ringo, I had forgotten what a great show they put on, how in their 70’s, these guys still rocked.  The only bummer as Yoko sitting next to them, the anti-Christ that helped tear them apart.  And how George hated her being there, commenting “that no one else’s wife goes to work with their husband.”  The same John Paul had to teach guitar chords to, he learned banjo ones first and adapted them to the guitar.

And how his death forever ruled out any hope of a reunion.  Do you remember All Things Must Pass?  A great album by George, who sadly died too soon of cancer, on his death bed afraid of death, his Hari Krishna not able to save him.  How ironic his signature album title would be his epitaph.  In Christ, we know all things don’t pass.  And again the Beatles lyrics even ministered to me one night, the words of She Loves You, “pride can hurt you too, apologize to her,” and I confronted some ex-girlfriends, in the Lord. 

The Beatles, music that we all sang along to, just watching the audience reminding me of that.  We know all the words.  Songs arranged to heavy metal, heard in elevators, or by 101 Strings.  And it all came back last night, how 50 years was really such a short time ago, and of the day I first heard of the Beatles.  And not having 50 years to look ahead to, but having an eternity to be excited about.

Now as good as The Beatles were, and they were the best, they in no way compare to the music awaiting us in heaven.  For when sin entered the world through Adam, it also contaminated the music, and no form of remixing can duplicate the perfect pitch that awaits us in heaven.  God calls our music today a “joyful noise,” and to Him it is, just that, because he knows true perfect pitch.  He knows harmony, as the lion will one day sit with the lamb, and the world will be as one in Him.  We will sing songs, songs of God, and to God, in perfect harmony, and 50 years will seem like last night, for it will be in eternity.  And new songs will continue forever, with the old song leader, Satan, confined in hell forever.  No questionable lyrics, no playing it backward and hearing his messages-it will be all about Jesus.  Just like in the beginning, and so into eternity we go with that promise.  And it is by the grace of God you have His promise that He will honor.

Out of the heart spring mighty words, and the Beatles blessed a generation with their music.  God will bless eternity with His songs, will you be there to sing along?  The Beatles only recorded for less than 10 years, and look at the impact, can you imagine the impact Jesus will have for eternity?  And if we can get so turned on by joyful noises, and harmonies pleasing to the ear, can you imagine the joy when we all sing in heaven in perfect harmony? 

And so 50 years has come and gone, just like that.  Don’t let the same thing happen to you and Jesus.  The songs you sing 50 years from now will tell a lot about who He is and was in your life.  We can remember where we were when we heard Sgt. Pepper, or Abbey Road.  When we sang  “I wanna hold your hand,” and know what A Hard Day’s Night is like.  But when we cry out for Help!, let it not be for anybody, but only to Jesus.  For like the lads sang, “you know I need someone...help.”  Don’t look back to when “those days are gone,” and you felt so insecure, look back to when Jesus entered your life.  For long before there was a Fab Four, there was an eternal three, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.  And when the music stops, they will remain. 

45’s, albums, 8 tracks, cassettes, and DVD’s, all record the songs of our youth.  I can hardly wait to see how they are remembered in heaven.  Something in the way Jesus moves....and all I have to do is think of Him.  Who will still feed me, who will still need me, when I’m 64?  Where will the screaming fans be then?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogpsot.com