British sports cars-and the parts falling off of them

I have a soft spot in my head for British sports cars.  It all started with my friend Joe and his Austin Healey Sprite, not the bug-eye model, but the one that MG would clone.  It was light, seemed fast, and we used to put it on his front porch, sideways, as a joke.  It only took about four of us to move by hand, but after the first few times it lost its effect-and Joe lost his temper.  Just before that was Frank’s big Austin Healey 3000, big and fast. Defining the true British sports car, as the top went down, sorry Porsche and others, and it was good for leaving you where you didn’t want to be left.  Why the Brits, where it rains so much romanticized the roadster I don’t know, but top down motoring to me still defines a sports car, as opposed to a sporty car.  I even see minivans with SPORT on them, how far have we really fallen?  But my first fall into grace with British cars was a 1972 MG Midget, a clone of Joe’s Sprite.  Butterscotch in color, it was light, used all 48 horsepower all the time, and was the car I mastered the parking brake u-turn with.  Just pull up the hand brake, the rear wheels would come around, release, downshift, and accelerate.  Not quite that smooth, but that easy-after a while.  And nothing quite is as romantic as top down motoring on a date in the Sandias, until you want privacy, and the top was a 20 minute, maybe get it right without tearing it affair.  Better than a cold shower to cool you and your date off.  And it was also the car that I learned all about being towed from the side of the road.  Seems their dual carb set-up was modern some 100 years ago, but not in the seventies.  Batteries are only used for starting, an alternator is supposed to keep you going, and when it doesn’t the mountains of New Mexico get mighty cold even with the top up in December.  But foreign car parts houses carried them, but who would put it in?  And charge the battery?  For they used a positive ground, just the opposite of the rest of the world.  Hook up the cables wrong-ZAP!  But somehow I always got to where I was going, just not when I needed to.

And it was tough, taking on a large 1972 Ford Galaxie one night, being hit so hard from the rear I ended up in the opposite lane going the other way, on the other side of the intersection.  But months later it was fixed, battery charged, and again I was driving, just waiting for the next British part to fail.  But when working, ahhh-motoring heaven.  Maybe there is some truth to all sports cars must be British.

But the one British sports car intangible that they all shared, from Midget to B model was they all felt like they were going faster than they really were.  With no traffic around you, and an open road, 30 felt like 50, 50 felt like 75, and 70, if the road was long enough and downhill, 75 felt like warp speed.  The illusion of speed was such you never had to go fast to feel like you were going fast.  Which all quickly came to an end once you encountered traffic, and all 1275 cc of British brake horse power reminded you not to race against kids on Schwinns, skateboards, or a VW Beetle with loud exhaust.  But you were coolest with the top down, sitting so low you could touch the ground sticking your arm out the window, and sticking to the road in the curves.  Just as long as all the parts made of the finest British quality decided not to fall off your car.  But for the 35 years of British sports cars sold in the US of A, they were the real thing.  And a short drive on a windy road made you forget all of its faults.  And also provided you stories of riding in tow trucks, and meeting some of the nicest people who stopped to help, or at least who tried.

But by 1980 it was over.  MG had built and imported its last B model.  It was a fun car, again under powered, saddled with those big black bumpers, and no power.  But when it ran, it provided my first son with his first top down motoring experience.  How many 4 year olds cruise in an MGB with the top down?  Triumph, the car company, not the motorcycle manufacturer was out, its shape of things to come, its wedge shape not catching on. The TR6 also long gone.  Austin Healey had died years before, and even TVR, that strange little car had stopped importing.  Leaving only Jaguar to perpetuate the image of not running in rain or after dark, of hard to diagnose running, of stopping and then restarting for no particular reason, and yes, the romance of open air motoring.  Of moonlight rides top down, with you girl by your side, of hearing the exhaust sing while you stuck in the corners, and knowing what no one else who had never experienced a British sports car new, they were the only true sports car.  Just about anything was more reliable, most were faster, most would ride more comfortable, but not one could give you the right feeling, the feeling only an MG or Healey could give.  And the next generation would never know what it had missed....

Now more than one passenger told me to slow down, not because of the speed I was travelling, but because of the perceived speed.  Plus stopping at a light looking directly into the front tire of a Camaro could be intimidating.  You were low and slow, but felt fast.  The wind in your hair only exacerbating the experience.  Today we have forgotten many things felt like, tasted like, or really were.  We have come to the point as a society that perception is the new reality, if you feel it, it must be true.  Yet our feelings let us down, how many have fallen in love, then out, then in again, vowing that this is the one?  How many have walked with God until a crisis hits, then walked away.  Based on their experience, God didn’t do as He said He would.  So they try something else to meet the emotional fix.  Some find it in drugs or alcohol, some in sex, some in the love of money, and yes some find it in cars and motorcycles.  But the perception of happiness, only lasts until the drugs wear off, until it has ruined your marriage, or you have lost your job.  The perception of joy, the emotion, not the condition, is fleeting.  One day you love the Chargers, they won a game, the next week they are bums again after losing.  Highs and lows of emotion, turning us into emotional retards.  Stuck on the side of life like my old MG’s.  At least it was fun while it lasted.

Solomon tells us in Ecclesiastes many things about a life of things apart from God.  He tells us that rich men never have enough money, and don’t sleep at night worrying about it.  That even though he had a thousand wives and concubines, he was never happy.  Relationships were more than sex.  He built parks, statues, and memorials to himself.  But never did the people love him any more.  He built cities, gave to the poor, but found that without a relationship with God, his life was empty.  Things were just that-things.  Only in Jesus will you ever be satisfied.  Only when He becomes the main thing, will things not rule your life.  The things which are seen are temporal, and often leave you wanting more, like a ride home.  Jesus is that ride.  They strain your emotions, distorting your perceptions, until the truth comes into your life.  And although many times I may have forgiven the Midget for not starting, when it did, all was forgotten, until the next time.  Jesus forgives every time...so you can forgive others and never forget Him.  And sometimes like top down motoring, you cannot put the feelings into words, for they are too deep, it takes the spirit to visit with you.  But unlike things, British and other, only Jesus saves.  Are you saved?  What you worship, will it get you to heaven?  Only Jesus will, and for more than just a short generation.

Jesus offers you hope today.  The joy you cannot find anywhere else is available only from Him.  He has what you need when you need it, and life with Him is great at any speed.  100 will really feel like 100, and you can be sure of the truth, not what your feelings tell you.  Remember John telling us how the heart can be evil and deceptive, why not give yours to Jesus today and end the battle of emotional pain?  Of things missing in your life?  Put the top down, breathe in the air of the spirit, and know the joy of Jesus in your life.  All in a life meant just for you, maybe why a true sports car has only two seats, and the top must go down.  It’s that personal. Just you and Jesus.  Pull a hand brake u-turn today, accept Christ.  Head out for the driving experience of your life.  Follow Him wherever the road leads, knowing He will never go out of style.  Leave the perception of happy to others, you have joy.  Unspeakable, and full of glory.  What you drive and who you drive with will tell us more than many words about your God.  I like mine top down, enjoying the road He takes me down.  I can hear the motor singing, and my God with me always.  For there is nothing more satisfying than a British sports car except for Jesus.  Interesting, how the same people that brought us the Kings James Version of the Bible also built the best sports cars.  I wonder what King Solomon would be driving today?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

no glory in the story of Lori and Cory

Late night for me means after 9pm, and after surfing through Direct TV for the third time and finding nothing on I wanted to watch, we settled on House Hunters, I heard them mention Hollywood, so I got curious.  It seems this couple from Wisconsin wanted a summer home in Hollywood, near the beach in Malibu.  Lorie and Cory...what as story.  I guess on the map it is only a few inches away, not the hour drive in heavy traffic that is reality.  But they had $600,000 to spend-you can buy farms for less back home, and were looking.  The first two places were dumps, I mean people really dumped their trash there when moving on.  Homeless people live better.  The third was in the hills by Malibu, not close enough to the beaches of Hollywood, and looked like a hippie shack from the sixties.  They finally settled on a place listed for $500,000, 800 square foot of 1920’s bad memories.  But it had a great view.  That they finally bought for $636,000-I thought you negotiated down!  Above their original budget, and the bleeding of money began.  Remember Green Acres, this place was worse, and soon the Haney’s were lining up to get all the Wisconsin dollars they could.  And more from loans in California.  Mr. Haney could have retired....by the way didn’t he after the Douglases? 

The house was sold by a broker/architect, and it should have been torn down, but instead was renovated.  And doing this from 2500 miles away is never a good thing.  So of course they continued on their bad decision tour by enlisting a contractor, who did what they asked, but not what could have been done.  And many things had to be redone, or done over, or added, just to function.  Don’t people get their new homes inspected before they buy?  Don’t the inspectors inspect and report?  And when they do , do you listen?  Cory and Lori are learning fast, at the speed of their bank balance.  And finally when deciding to add a second bathroom to this 800 square foot house, think of the size of two two car garages, or four parking places-it is small, so they hired an interior decorator.  “Gee Mr. Douglas, you sure have nice place here...” as the funds dispersal goes into overdrive.  And her opening line was “you should have called me sooner,” as she and the contractor debate-contractors always choose the easy way, just not what you wanted or thought you were getting.  And the “let me help you spend your money” syndrome was full on.

Now according to the show, Lori and Cory traveled to Hollywood at least six times by plane-not cheap.  By today’s estimates at lest $656 per person, plus rental of the convertible, it is LA, and dining out.  What’s in your wallet was emptying fast.  One time bringing her father to see, and the same lies he was told about Hollywood he believed.  His first question from their balcony, “which way is the ocean?  I don’t see it.”  Only 20 miles away, on the other side of the hills.  Who was a wood worker, and built them a custom mantel, which Cory damaged when they tried to install it themselves, trying to save few bucks.  Must make a father proud.  And the $90k renovation ended up costing over $110k, welcome to LA!  And finally one last trip to Hollywood from Madison, driving this time pulling a trailer, bringing furniture and other goods, had to cost at least as much as a flight.  Figure in time away from work, and this wreck of a listing for $500,000 ended up costing over $800,000!  And still no beach in Hollywood!  Or place to park their cars!  But the architect, interior designer, and contractor all lived happily ever after.  While the story of Cory and Lori looked sorry, with no glory.  That’s history!  Do I see a remake of Green Acres?  Let’s call it “Invasion of the Wallet Snatchers,” or “Lost Horizons” based on the song Hotel California, you can check out any time you want, but you can never leave!  Now where is the ocean in Hollywood?  One good earthquake away?

Now you can either be the view or have the view.  When we lived at Vallecito Lake in Colorado we had both.  Here is Cali it is different.  And you pay for what you get, maybe not what you want.  Since the recession n 2008, I have applied to the county for a reevaluation of my property for taxes.  And as my house lost 50% of its value, the taxes went down, just not 50%.  And the last year, they stayed the same.  The reason was “my house showed well from the street.”  So I am paying more for my neighbors to have a better house to look at?  Maybe they should help in the cost.....maybe I was just getting a compliment and the tax was a way of saying thanks.  I have yet to hear “you’re welcome.” 

Lori and Cory built a home, without a full considering of the cost.  What they wanted and what they got, and what they paid were two different things.  First a house by the beach in Hollywood, didn’t the realtor advise them?  Or were they so set on Hollywood?  They set a budget, but exceed it by almost 60%, is that wise?  For a part time summer home?  LA gets hot in the summer, why not in the winter?  Even the Mamas and the Papas told us “I’d be safe in warm if I was in LA..” were they just California Dreamin’?  I am reminded of a scripture or two, given to me early in my Christian walk.  Proverbs 16:3, “commit your works to the Lord, and your plans will be well established.”  Works in other areas too.  Luke 14:8 asks us who would build a hose without first considering the cost?  To see if they have enough to finish it?  And finally another of many scriptures about planning, “don’t say you will go somewhere and do something, for today has enough problems of its own.”  Yet we fail to plan, and and when we do never plan of failing.  Do we trust God enough to say “thy will be done,” or do we rush off because we have a credit line, cash on hand, and a desire, often a lust for a car, house, motorcycle, or whatever?  Do we count the cost?  Or do we just call on God to sweep up after we fail?  Guilty on all....can I hear an amen?

When Jesus went to the cross, He knew the cost.  In the garden, He even begged His Father if there is any other way...but He knew there wasn’t.  He knew He was the way, and so He went to the cross voluntarily.  He knew His Father’s plans for Him, and what they meant for us.  Do we?  Have we ever considered the price Jesus paid?  Or do we think He had an endless credit limit from heaven?  Some of us live like we think we do, but when the bill comes we are short.  Sin has eroded our riches, they have turned to dust.  And the grocery store isn’t interested in your FICO score, only can you pay the bill now!  When we came to Christ did we consider the cost, what it would cost us?  Or are we standing in line, hoping for a rich uncle to bail us out?  When really we have a loving Father who is there, to see we don’t get into a situation to be bailed out of, and is there when we need Him.  If only Lori and Cory had asked God first, but $800,000 later they have their $500,000 home in Hollywood, not by the beach.

To them it was the destination, but the ride should have been a warning.  We can have both in Christ, but we need to follow, not lead from behind.  Trust the Lord, ask Him his plans for you, and go about them.  If they are His plans, yours should be well established.  You won’t need an architect, decorator, or contractor, or a banker, or a therapist either.  You will have a wonderful counselor who knows the future, and gives you the desires of your heart.  For unlike real estate where you didn’t pay too much, you just bought too soon, with Jesus the price is paid, at the right time.  Your place in heaven guaranteed.  Consider the cost today before you act.  Ask God for guidance, then take it.  Just over that hill may lie the ocean of your dreams....just not visible from where you are.  But through God’s eyes we can see everything.  Take the decorator’s advice when starting a project, call God first.  Know the cost.  But of course you knew all this anyway....must make your Father proud.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

why we pray-it is more than a failure to communicate

Every night at the same time the phone rings, and it is the same person.  They go on to tell you what a lousy day they had, how they don’t like their job, and all the things they need.  They ask for help, guidance, and maybe even direction, but just as you begin to answer, they have ben doing all the talking, they have to go.  They are tired, their favorite show is coming on, and they hang up, after telling you they will call later.  And then tomorrow comes and the same process takes place.  Night after night, you can tell by the time who it is, and never do get to answer.  Or even talk.  Sound familiar?  This is what most people’s prayer life is like,  we beg, cry, and ask God for advice, but just when He is going to give us the answer, we hang up.  We leave, never having a dialogue, only a monologue, which really is not a conversation at all.  But yet God is patient, and is there time after time, just waiting to answer, or to talk to you, but we don’t listen.  If a person did this to you, you would get upset with them, fortunately God doesn’t get upset with us.  But still wants to get a word in edgewise every once in a while. The bottom line is we don’t listen..even in real life, to real people.  yet God ahs created us with some divine characteristics.  One is we have twice as many ears as we do mouths.  Maybe so we can listen twice as much.  But yet the mouth overrules.  Second, hearing is the last thing to go.  I have prayed over people in comas, only to have them respond, one girl in particular Dick and I visited.  She was in a coma, yet when we joked with her, while I held her hand, you could see the heart monitor skip as the spirit in her laughed.  And she woke up then, laughing and wanting water for her parched throat.  And there are others.  Thirdly, you can control your mouth, but not your hearing.  Try not to listen-it doesn’t work, but you can shut up.  A manifestation of self control, your choice to speak or not.  But the hearing goes on.  Fourth-it is a conversation, not a monologue.  Imagine a phone call where you speak for 3 minutes, then it is the other person’s turn for 3 minutes.  Try that one on your spouse...yes dear is not the proper response.   Can you hear me now?

We also have this false impression that God is waiting to hear from us about problems, so He can act.  When I was sick and life flighted, it happened so quick I couldn’t pray.  I had gone into a coma.  Yet god had everything under control, and had the situation well in hand.   Isaiah 65:24 tells us that even before we pray, He has begun to answer.  So why do we have prayer chains?  Why do we desire to have so many praying for us?  Is there one critical voice to be heard by God and then He acts, or when we come up short does He fail to answer.  If only one other one prayed, we were only a few prayers short of an answer.  But again God has everything under control.  And when I had literally millions praying for me, I asked God why so many?  And His answer was simple, and made sense.  So that those who did pray could see the glory He was working.  It was for His benefit for glory, and for us to be blessed and witness the miracle.  And like I told Lucia who came out to help, God had you there for your benefit too, to see His glory and boost your faith.  To testify like John did of the things He had witnessed.  No one can ever deny you of what you have seen, although they may not believe it themselves.  She saw it firsthand, and to all who prayed, may God’s blessings be upon you.  For the more you pray for, the more answers you will get, and the more of God’s glory you will see.  We call them blessings, and God hands them out freely....but you must listen for the answer.  Sometimes it is yes, and we think how smart God is, He agreed with us.  Sometimes it is no, and we wonder, did God hear us?  Did He understand, because we obviously told Him what we needed.  gain we don’t listen.  In my life every time I was told NO, it was because a better yes was coming.  But what when He says wait?  For what?  How long?  That’s when we have to trust Him, for we don’t know what is going on in the heavenlies.  Job is a good example of that, and look how he ended up being blessed.  Are you that patient?  I wish I was.

And yet sometimes we wrestle with God like Jacob did.  We get tired and let go, give up, hang up, or rephrase our request.  But god hangs onto us, His really wrestling with us to get our attention.  So He can bless us.  So although it appeared Jacob was wrestling with God, God was really wrestling with Jacob.  A new way to envision how He will never leave you nor forsake you.  How He stands closer than a brother.  And how He never gives up, never gives in.  It is us who  need to change, not Jesus. 

But the final component is obeying, doing what God says.  And experience has taught me the harder the answer, the bigger the blessing.  And that if God says it, it is done.  Finished, like Jesus said.  And we should obey out of trust, rather than obedience.  When God says jump into the pool, He is there to catch us.  He is that honorable, are we with Him? So if you aren’t hearing from God, maybe what we have here is a failure to communicate.  God has never stopped talking, His word doesn’t tell us He who has a mouth let him speak, but it does say “He who has an ear, let him hear.”  And God’s answers are always right and for our benefit.  Maybe we ask incorrectly.  Paper or plastic?  When He has a better way altogether.  Red or green chili?  Maybe the answer is Christmas-both red and green.  Or none at all.  Don’t give Him a choice, don’t limit God.

Tonight when you lay down to sleep, and after asking the Lord you soul to keep, lay still and listen.  He is speaking in your language, a still, small voice.  “Be still, and know that I am God,” He says, not “be still and no that I am god, we say.”  What a difference correct punctuation makes.  So add some exclamation marks to your prayer life by listening.  And may he words of your mouth be pleasing to God.  You will only know when you hear His voice.  And only His sheep will and obey.  And that is why we pray, and maybe some insight to a closer relationship with God.  Jesus did all His Father told Him to do, He heard His dad’s voice.  Can I hear an ABBA Father to that?  So drift off tonight in prayer, listening and wake up amazed.  Good morning Lord, instead of good Lord it’s morning.  Listen to what the spirit has to say and be blessed.  And you can tell Him you heard it here.  Sure beats being the jawbone of an ass-another story for another time.  And never stop praying for me, and I will honor God by doing the same.  Amen?  Amen.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

where have all the red convertibles gone?

I am considering the fact that I will buy one more car before I die, and with limited funds, have set my goal at $20,000.  Not a lot of money in today’s market, but only if you are buying new.  For about $20k you can get anything from cheapo Toyota, Ford Focus, various Nissans, and other sedans we recognize as rental cars.  Good cars, but not the one you want to impress anyone with.  Or be buried in.  But yet that is what the market has to offer-unless you get creative and look at pre-owned, the trendy word for used.  For $20 you can find lots of cool cars, with low miles and in great shape, if you are patient and have the time to be patient.  I have both, sometimes.  But for example how about a Corvette, maybe 10-15 years old with low miles for under $20?  Mustang convertibles for less than $10k?  Like Chevies, used Camaros a little bit more?  Top up or top down, anything with cool to it has to be better than a new rental car.  For instance, did you ever beg your dad to buy the blue sedan?  No-and that wasn’t what was in the showroom-it was red, and usually had its top down.  At Chevy it would be a Corvette, red with lipstick interior, any questions on what color that was?  Ford would have you salivating over a Mustang, Pontiac in a Firebird, and Dodge in a Challenger.  All with the top down, just begging you to take a ride and see if you couldn’t live without it.  And today many of these cars can be bought for the same price as a new rental car, used of course.  And will start to appreciate, they have hit the bottom of the depreciation cycle, that your new rental car has just begun.  Some at auctions, some in Autotrader, and some parked by the side of the road.  Mileage may vary, but buy the best one with the lowest miles, and maybe pay a little more, and drive it, just like it was intended for.  But sadly most go the safest course, and miss out on all the fun.  Maybe that explains all the grey, black, and white cars.  And people.  Remember Marina blue Chevelles?  Roman red Galaxies?  Ever put your buns on the black and white hounds tooth seats of an Rally Orange Camaro?  Gripped the wheel behind a hood full of horsepower-damn the MPG.  And any girl who would rather ride with the guy in a Prius probably isn’t worth taking home to mother.  Growing up it was blonds in convertibles, having fun, no particular place to go.  The beach, mountains, or just a cruise.  Nobody with any cool went to the mall, these cars cried out for outdoors in the fun sun....and they still can and do today.  What does your heart cry out for?

While a service advisor for KIA, a lady brought hers in and wanted a rental car.  Our service manager told her “you own a rental car.”  No such mistaken identity in a shiny red sports car.  See who gets the best treatment, and the loaner car.  While others brag about miles per gallon, you brag about smiles per gallon.  And you never get asked to car pool, let someone else’s kids mess up their car, but yet ask the kids whose car they rather ride in?  Hmmm, maybe there still is hope for this generation.  And just like those who own a house at the beach, or a built in pool, they get more friends than they could ever dream of.  So come on America, let’s go out and have fun, top down, pedal to the metal, and smoke them BFG’s.  And never have your son or daughter afraid to pick them up at school.  Grandpa-you’re the coolest and your grandkids will know it, and tell their friends.  Cruisin’ Grand-would you ever date a guy in a Prius?  Leave the golf carts at home-this is all about real America iron, real horsepower, and real value.  This is what every kid dreamt of in school, and begged his dad to buy.  And for the price of a new compact, you too can join the fun.  And what is fun if you don’t enjoy it?

Now I have only owned three 4-door cars in my life, and each one was replaced with something cool, with more power.  The Escort, traded for a Citation X-11, big power and handling for 1981.  Bought used.  The Mazda 626, sold and replaced with a 1980 MGB.  Overdrive, Theresa used to put our son in his car seat and cruise.  And finally Uncle Buck, my 1990 Crown Vic, bought for winter use, and sold to a kid, who loved it.  And never replaced, we already have a Mustang convertible in the garage.  So see, there is forgiveness for wrong decisions, and one bad choice can be corrected by one good choice. 

A lesson seldom taught about Peter is that he never looked back.  He made many mistakes, but kept going forward.  He was all about the power of the holy spirit, and even after denying Jesus, some 7 weeks later at Pentacost changed the world.  Powered by the holy spirit.  Walk on water, he fell in, got up, and was immediately on shore with Jesus.  He knew firsthand the importance of being forgiven, and not looking back.  Maybe Lot’s wife was an influence.  Yet I encounter many today who have slipped up, and cannot forgive themselves, sometimes aided by others who will not forgive them either.  No matter your situation, and no matter who you have to blame, turning to Jesus is the best first step.  He is the way out, and is willing to forgive you.  And sometimes forgiving another is your first step out of your problem.  And sometimes it takes breaking out of the accepted practices, and being bold, and trusting God.  It takes meekness, power under control.  Knowing when to nail the throttle WFO, or to feather it.  To burn rubber, but not your soul.  When to show off and when not to....and to remember that someone is always watching.  It takes boldness, and when you give God the glory, you get the blessing.  And God knows a thing about cars and cool too...

Moses and Aaron both had Rods.  Cruised them for 40 years.  Pontiacs and Geos-God tells us to pursue our enemies with a Tempest, and terrify them with a Storm.  David in Psalm 23 tells us thy Rod comforts us.  No mention of a four cylinder here, he was turbo charged.  And God didn’t drive no rental car, for in the garden He drove Adam and Eve out in a Fury.  For all you MOPAR fans.  Bet it was white, with white vinyl, no leather yet.  And even Jesus may have rented a Honda, for He tells us He speaks not of His own Accord.  So you see Jesus was cooler, and is cooler than you may think.  And forgiveness is cooler yet. 

But one secret remains that many have not known for years.  WWJD meant to the world “what would Jesus do?”  But really it stood for “what would Jesus drive?”  And as today still have a plastic Jesus on their dash, He still resides in the heart.  And I would like to think when he returns, it will not be in a four door sedan.  Or Hybrid, no hybrids in heaven, either you are saved or .... But He will return with a mighty Ram’s horn blast.  And never forget how cool was King David, his Triumph was heard through out the land.  So maybe you are what you drive, and the deals are out there.  But never forget the best free deal, with an endless warranty, and no payments will always be the gift of salvation.  What will it take to put you with Jesus today?  Still wondering what would Jesus drive, He is in any car you are.  But personally, I hear that He has been looking at this red Corvette, low miles, V-8, and super clean...only driven to church on Sundays.   So, you still wonder where have all the red convertibles gone? 

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com 

the great escape

When I used to date before I got married, over 36 years ago, I only had two rules.  One-never date a friend’s sister, which I broke with Joe’s sister Cathy, a long term relationship, and two-never date anyone you work with, which I broke in a short term relationship with Doris.  I met her at a company party, we both worked in the same facility, just at opposite ends in departments that would never cross.  She was the kind of pretty that women hated, and men were afraid of, yet we talked, and after a few minutes I asked her out, and I got her number.  Calling her after the three day cool off rule, we went to dinner, and I found out I was on the date from hell.  From the time I picked her up, to the time the meal ended, she never shut up.  One long, unabbreviated sentence, with a magic touch of combining various unrelated subjects.  I’m sure I must have tired to say something, but it fell on deaf ears.  And it went on, and on, and on, and soon I had had it.  No pretty face or great body was worth the pain, so after hurriedly eating my steak, I got up and excused myself.  “I’ll be right back, wait here.”  I think she heard me.  And off to the men’s room I went.  Looking for an escape route.  Without thinking I paid the bill, where she couldn’t see me, and then off to the men’s room.  I really had to go, in more ways than one.  What was I going to do, I had no way out, and then I saw the window, the open window in the men’s room, and I had found the way out.  Without hesitation, I barely made it through the window, ran to my car, and soon was heading home, she still in full sentence.  I had accomplished the great escape.  I was Steve McQueen in the tunnel, and I was him later jumping the fence on my Triumph.  I had escaped....silence never sounded so good.  And Monday morning at work no one asked how our date was, and I never heard from her.  As if it had never happened....and I never went back to see.

When I tell people Theresa and I never dated they look at me amazed.  With over 800 miles between us it would have been difficult.  But on our first night out, I took her to the Louisiann, a steakhouse in Albuquerque, where I knew the owner, who always fussed over my dates.   We had talked all day, and I had told her about the night of the living dead sentence, and we both laughed.  It may have sounded like an urban legend, but it was true.  But when I had to go after the meal, I said, “wait here, I’ll be right back.”  But she told me “no way are you leaving me here alone in a strange town.  You can hold it until  we get home.”  Was Doris’ sentence still going on?  would it never come to an end?  So I held it, I had to, and although only a few miles away, I also proved the theory that the traffic lights can conspire to keep you from your appointed destination by all turning red on you.  And yes seconds can magically turn to minutes, and minutes to hours in such cases.  It took forever, and a few more minutes, and I barely made it.  But I did somehow, and 36 years later we still joke about it.  And I keep coming back today.

Jesus had told His disciples to “wait, I’ll be right back,” but they didn’t get it.  And when He was crucified forgot what He had said.  The empty tomb only scared them more, and we find them hiding and scared in the upper room that night, all except Thomas, who was probably still out looking for Him.  What had happened to His promise?  It seemed they were in great danger, as the body was missing, and they were suspects.  When in comes Jesus, right through the locked doors and windows, without opening them.  Right through the wall.  The three days He was gone must have seemed like an eternity, but His message was one of eternity.  He had returned as He said He would, and empowered them to take His life saving message to a dying world.  And He appears to over 500 people in the next 40 days.  A message of salvation, backed up in scripture, a message that someday He will be calling for His church, and coming to take us home with Him.  And unlike before where He told them the time frame, this time He doesn’t even know when, but He spells out the times and the season in the Bible.  We are told to be ready, for He will return like a thief in the night.  If we had been ready, the thief would not have robbed us, and Satan still comes to rob and destroy.  We are told the parable of the Ten Virgins, to keep our lamps full and our wicks trimmed, for any day now could be the day.  And soon is always sooner than we think.  And for those who are left behind, there is no window to climb through, as Jesus was and is the escape route.  He saves us from the date from hell, the date with hell, and when we are saved never will know hell, but go to heaven.  But we must wait patiently, even more patient than my ride home after dinner with Theresa.  Someday we will go, but until that day we must hold fast to Jesus, knowing that relief from this world awaits us.  And so we wait anxiously, taking the same message of salvation that saved us to a dying world.  A world looking for hope, but not listening, as it has turned life into one long, run on sentence that until you meet Jesus makes no sense.  Keeping in mind that Jesus told us “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”  If only Theresa had that much faith in me that night.

And so we await the return of Jesus, called the rapture.  Every day we are one day closer than we were before.  And after 36 years of marriage, we are closer than ever.  But she still reminds me when I have to go, that she rode her own bike, and can find her own way home.  Thankfully God has given us His love and we have never left or forsaken each other.  Just a trip to the men’s room changed my life, you never know when God will change yours.  Doris gave me a sentence of death, Jesus a sentence of life.  You choose,  now you’ll have to excuse me, I’ll be right back.  Gotta go....time for breakfast with my wife.  After 36 years some things are still worth waiting for.  “Do you want to take two bikes or one?”  But first I need to make a pit stop, to water a lemon tree.  And after all these years we have a bathroom with no windows, so I know she feels safe.  I’ll be right back.  Soon and very soon, so will Jesus.  Check please.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com