boys will be boys

Everyone in the neighborhood knew Billy and Joey were best friends.  And riding buddies, too, as you never saw one Big Wheel without the other.  Riding before they were toilet trained, they loved to ride, so when the new Big Wheel was bought at their preschool, they couldn’t wait to ride it.  They were taking turns, when Joey went too fast, and hit a rock, losing control, and breaking the new ride.  Billy went to see if he was OK, and seeing his best friend was began to check out the Big Wheel, when the aide came to investigate.  Seeing the new toy broken, she immediately started yelling, over reacting even though she hadn’t seen what had happened, and soon other teachers were involved.  And seeing the blood on Joey’s arm, reported it as required by law.  Which brought licensing out, who immediately put the school on probation, closing it until the investigation was complete, making sure the preschool was in compliance with all ADA, OSHA, and local laws.  Which bummed both Billy and Joey because they liked school, particularly the riding part. 

But Joey’s mother was also called as part of the operating procedure, and she was immediately upset with the aide, claiming abuse, and screaming about it to all who would listen.  Made even worse by the fact she was taking a tennis lesson when she was called.....So the school shut down, the teachers all took an unpaid leave, and the crime scene was investigated.  Now Joey’s dad owned a catering firm, who supplied all the meals to the school, and Billy’s dad worked for him.  When Joey’s dad got the call, he was glad both kids were OK, but bummed the school was closed, he needed that account, and might not make it without it.  Reviewing his business, he needed to make some radical changes, and had to let Billy’s dad go.  Billy’s dad understood, and knew when business picked back up, or the school opened, he would have a job again.  But his wife saw it differently.  She saw it as retribution for Joey crashing, and Billy should have been blamed too.  And it upset her social life too, as they had just re-signed a new lease, and they were barely making it.  She would have to go back to work, and had been enjoying her freedom.  And when confronted with that, and also the fact that they couldn’t afford the new rent, talk was they might have to move back in with her sister.  A fate worse than death to her, as her sister was a one upper, always bragging about how she was better than her sister.  Meanwhile Billy and Joey continued to play and ride their Big Wheels at home, still best friends, and unaware of all the problems their accident had caused. 

A month passed, then two, and the school had not heard from licensing, and still was not open.  Joey’s dad was barely making it, and Billy’s family was faced with moving back with his aunt, his mom’s sister.  As the family packed all they had in the rented van, Billy and Joey took one final ride together.  Not wanting to leave each other, they rode longer than they should have, and Billy arrived home finding his parents packed and ready to go.  “No room for your Big Wheel, son, you’ll have to leave it.”  Breaking Billy’s heart, so fighting the tears, he did the only thing he knew to do, and gave it Joey.  “You’re the best friend I ever had, take good care of it for me.”  As the tears flowed from both boys.  A final wave for the school, still closed as they passed leaving town. 

Never hearing from the preschool after a few months, Joey’s dad decided to pay them a visit.  Still closed, the mail was stacked up, and in the box was a letter from licensing.  It was dated less than two weeks after incident, but looked like it had only been delivered yesterday, as it was on top.  They had cleared the school of any wrong doing, removed the closure status, and given them a clean bill of health.  They could open again, but the damage had been done, and it was too late.  The school remained closed, no one was sure if they ever did retrieve their mail, Billy’s dad eventually did find work in another town, they lived with his sister in law for a few months, and Billy found another preschool.  His mother took more tennis lessons, he never saw Joey again, but he did get another Big Wheel.  But rode solo....All because an aide over reacted when boys were just being boys.  Two best friends, one school, one man’s career, almost one man’s business, and a mother’s tennis lessons all disrupted by poor judgment on one person’s part.  Amazing how one person’s bad judgment, or sin had caused so many others to suffer.

There is no such thing as isolated sin.  Yet in this we are asked a question, maybe more logical than you would think.  If where sin abounds, does grace abound more, why not sin more and see more grace?  Sadly many think this is the answer, giving rise to a great truth, you must screw up, sin, to see God’s mercy.  But since we are born into sin, we already have it, we don’t need to seek more sin.   We should seek grace first and foremost.  But when Paul addresses this idea, he is dealing with continual sin, a self seeking sin that we think benefits us.  Maybe a panicking in a panic situation, knowing what we are doing is wrong, yet doing it anyway, knowing God’s grace will bail us out.  But forgetting s price is paid for our bad decisions.  Consider King David, one afternoon walking on his roof he sees Bathsheba, not his wife, sunbathing.  She is beautiful, he can’t resist, she doesn’t say no, and soon she has David’s baby.  His friend’s wife, and so he panics, bringing Uriah home from the battle field, to have sex and maybe Uriah will think the child is his, David being excused, not forgiven.  But Uriah refuses to leave his troops, and David sends him to the front to be killed.  Story not yet over, as later David and Bathsheba have Absalom, who after desecrating his father’s concubines-ten of them, rebels and dies in battle in a civil war.  David mourns for Absalom, whom he has loved....all because of one afternoon delight that wasn’t his to have.  Plotting and planning how to fix his sin, when grace was available to make things right.  Jesus stands ready today to forgive you, to make things right, but we must let him.  Cool and under control to the end on the cross, we can have the same cool Jesus has, if we ask.  Instead of sinning to see more grace, we can have more grace without sinning, and without the potential of ruining others.  Today is the time to break that chain.

Where you look, you will follow.  Look to sin, you will follow, endangering your family and others.  But look to Jesus, and you will see blessings to you, your family, and all you come in contact with.  One bad decision can be over ridden by God’s forgiveness, a decision in both cases on your part.  No need to go through the pain David did, or to lose a son like he did in Absalom.  Or even a friend in Uriah.  It may be a chance encounter with a sunbather, or a fast motorcycle, or alcohol and drugs.  Jesus came because we sinned to show us the way back, not to stand by and fill us with grace based on sin, but grace based on love.  God’s investigation of our heart reveals much, and fortunately he delivers us from sin.  So if you must over react, over react to Jesus first.  He never panicked, yet stood firm.  One man by his sin led us all astray, yet another by his love and sacrifice led us back to God.  It may just be  a story of two kids and Big Wheels, the big things usually start small. Repent early, trust God, and avoid the consequences.  For God so loved us, he sent Jesus.  The original Big Wheel, that whoever should ride with him shall have life eternal.  Seek that forgiveness today, David was a great king, and yet suffered greatly.  We all fall short, don’t panic, turn to Jesus.  Don’t wait for sin to bring grace, it is available without sin.  Live in Jesus, and if you do sin, turn to him.  And since that if is more of a when, seek him all the time.  All the laws couldn’t keep the preschool open, it takes grace.  Show some today via love, and watch as doors open, rather than close.  Quick to hear. slow to speak, slow to anger.  Just like what we want shown to us.  Start a revolution today by showing love and grace.  Without waiting for sin to open the door.  Jesus stands at the door...what you do with who is on the other side is your choice.  I choose grace, because grace chose me first.  David chose Bathsheba.  But in both God shows us grace.  Avoid the pain, and avoid sin.  But when you do, seek Christ.  Be forgiven, and forgive others.  Boys will be boys, but Jesus will always be Jesus. 

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

we are all the same, only different

Having just spent a week putting 1100 miles on a 2015 Triumph Daytona R, I was pleased to see Motorcyclist named it Sportbike of the Year.  And suddenly I liked the bike more.  It is really just a race bike for the street, add lights and turn signals.  Quite the opposite of when we used to take the lights off and turned our street bikes into racers.  Add low bars, a header to sound cooler, and we had a race bike.  Café’ed out we called it.  Now you can buy a full on race bike to ride on the streets, how times have changed.  I can even remember riding our bikes to the race, removing parts, racing, then putting them back on and riding home.  One particular afternoon spent chasing a wobbling Bouke down the road on his Z-1 with a knobby on it stands out.  Vans were for the second prize you won from your girlfriend, or your dirt bike, or where you lived when your mother threw you out because you always smelled like racing castor.  We had one bike, and never thought of it in any category, we rode.  But some had reputations, BMW was known as the Cadillac, the ultimate touring bike.  Not know for speed, but reading old road tests the R75/5 was actually faster than a Honda 750.  Triumphs were turned into TT racers, they were light and handled, but usually mostly chopped.  Harleys were so big they went by cubic inches, a Harley 74 being 1200cc, while all others went by cc.  A man’s bike, they were big, heavy, and expensive.  And started with a kick.  Maybe some things never change, but the riders do.  Motocross were big four strokes, two strokes were coming, and we rode Enduros, which became dual sports, which are now called adventure bikes.  So when I saw different categories of bikes of the year, I wondered how far we have fallen.  Can a café racer find peace on a cruiser?  Can cruiser types find fun on a café racer?  Are adventure bike types fun only really begin when the pavement ends?  Can we tour on anything else but a dresser?  Can we chop anything but a Harley?  And what’s with all these bobbers?  Why don’t they like choppers?  Will the real motorcyclist please stand up?  And ride away!

I get strange looks when I show my Tiger 955 as my touring bike.  But where is the fairing?  The radio?  The trunk?  Sport biker riders are used to seeing Speed and Street Triples now, and know they are an even match for most sport bike riders.  Indian is back, challenging the cruiser set, who was and is being confused by the Victory, it handles and has brakes.  And BMW with its S1000R has maybe the best if not most advanced sport bike on the planet.  And people tour on them...go figure. 

But in my garage lies my favorite for all rides, my Bonneville.  Not the fastest, not the best handling, the shocks wear out after the first tank of gas, and you ride it in the sitting up position.  No fairing, no low bars, and it only has two cylinders, horizontally mounted, the way God and Ed Turner designed them.  Yet of all the bikes I ride, I am always happy to get back on it.  And I only have to ride a few hundred feet and I find myself smiling.  Go figure, and I can ride it at my 10/10ths, rather than the 7/10ths  I can on the Daytona.  I am actually a better rider than the bike, and I think I can ride pretty good.  And when I tell people that, they look at me funny.  And like I tell Harley guys, “I brought my little bike so I can keep up with you.”  All 865cc’s of fun, and it has taken me on 500 mile days, commuted on it, and taken many weekend trips away from home.  And it never fails to get noticed in any crowd, the old Harley guys love it because they started on one, older married types tell how they once had one, and wished they did again, and the wives tells of how they first dated on one.  A bike that brings back memories, and for many of us still creating them.  Something about cool that if you have to ask, or be told, you won’t get.  Evel jumped them, Steve McQueen raced them, Brando rumbled on one, and Hollywood cool guys from Lee Marvin, to James Dean, to Dirty Harry all rode one.  They didn’t ride one to be cool, they rode one because they were cool.  So when people ask what I ride, I have no problem telling them a Bonneville.  And when being questioned why, I tell them you are what you ride, and I ride a Triumph!

We are all motorcyclists, yet we all ride differently, and different bikes.  Bound together by a brotherhood, that unless you ride you don’t get.  Yet many within the ranks feel superior to others.  A group where they feel $25k and 2500 miles make them a biker.  Another group who without tons of add ons, and a little plush animals you aren’t a tourer.  Some can’t have too much chrome.  Some have to have the quickest bike from the latest road test to be fast.  Some would rather push one brand than ride another.  And I think you get the idea, different but the same, our common bond-motorcycles.  We all have that same disease in common-so get over it!  Let’s ride.  Go back to the roots of when you first started, and got so specialized in your riding style, get back to the basics.  You ride and they don’t.  But yet some would argue...sorry I can’t hear you at 75mph in my Arai.

I have many Catholic friends, who get bashed because they follow Catholic teachings over the Bible.  They know Jesus, let God help them.  If he can save, can’t he teach them too?  I know some who must be in a traditional Lutheran, Presbyterian, Baptist service, or they feel uncomfortable.  They know Jesus, or at least about him, and rely on the priest for all they need to know.  Jesus makes it personal.  Some won’t use instruments, although King David played them, and wrote about them in Psalms.  Some must take notes, and go verse by verse.  Some music too loud, some too old.  Saturday night service?  Blue jeans in church?  You let bikers in too?  And all these comments from within the body.  We don’t need to worry about what the world says, we can find enough battles within the church.  I love it when some aggressive Christian comes up to me and tries to save me.  Not knowing I am saved because of my long hair and motorcycle.  Asking me “have you heard about Jesus?”  And not knowing to do with my answer “yes, for some years now.”  Zealous, but not spirit driven, if only they let God guide them, but yet they are told some falsehood about to go out witnessing, when Jesus tells us to be a witness.  And sadly this is not a new concept, for Jesus when asked “where did you get your wounds?” told them “in the house of my friends.”  Which I get, for I am many times respected more for who and what I am by the unsaved than I am by some church folk.  So let’s get one thing straight-it is all about Jesus.  Being born again gets you to heaven, and without him you don’t.  He is our common denominator, he allows us to worship as we please.  And like those of us who ride, some want all they can get, some are happy cruising, and some are looking for adventure.  But we all ride, and as a church, we all have Jesus!  And if you really want to confuse them, what about those of us who love Jesus and ride?  Where do we fit in?  We are we welcomed?

So get over your prejudices, your insecurities.  Turn them over to Jesus.  Let those who ride decide, but remember not to divide the church.  That little old lady in the old Rambler may be a prayer warrior.  That Presbyterian may be a hospital chaplain.  Some Catholic priest may offer communion to a non-Catholic.  Heaven will not be segregated neighborhoods, so why start trouble here?  Park your Harley by my Triumph, we invite you. Ride with a BMW owner, if they can keep up.  Dare to tour on an adventure bike.  But get back to basics, it is all about the two wheels that bring the excitement.  Just like it is all about Jesus, who brings the excitement.  That biker next to you may just have stopped and helped someone in need, and prayed with them.  That church folk may have just left from consoling a widow.  We are all called, but few are chosen.  We choose Jesus because he chose us first.  That’s love.  Be brave and show some today.  Jesus is cool, loving others in his name is cool.  Riding is cool, riding with Jesus is the coolest. As for me, my rides and my life both reflect who I am in Christ-a Triumph.  Say, did you hear the one about the priest, the Harley rider, and the Baptist?  We may have more in common than we care to admit.  We may need many bikes, we only need one God.  When Jesus is what we have in common.  Cool because we love him, because he loved us first.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

out of the ashes we rise

September 11, 2001 changed America forever, and many individual lives.  We saw politics take a temporary backseat, we saw a unity in being an American, and many step up and be counted.  Their character they had always had was given a moment in time to shine, and many did.  Among them was my friend, fellow patriot, fellow brother in Christ Father Alphonse Mescherino.  Fr. Al as he was known, was manning a small parish on 9-11, and when thrown into action, acted on the vision God gave him.  His vision was to provide a place of healing, a place of peace, a place where all could come, not be divided on religion or politics, and have their souls comforted.  His gift to us was the Flight 93 Memorial Chapel.  A 100 year old building, once a church, in recent years had been used to store wheat and grain, some 7 miles from Somerset, and 3 miles from Shanksville.  In the middle of a corn field.  Starting his dream with no more than the promise God gave him, he would go down to 84 Lumber and buy $50-75 of supplies at a time to renovate the chapel.  When Maggie, the owner’s daughter found out, she took care of all supplies, and labor, completing the project just days before the first anniversary in 2002.  And the vision God had given Fr. Al had become real...and soon I would be part of it.

In 2005 Torches Across America rode into Shanksville, and the urge to return was born.  Hallowed ground if ever there was, we were to return in 2006, the 5th anniversary.  It was to be a big deal, President Bush will be there, the Lt. Governor of Pennsylvania, United Airlines crews, and families of Flight 93 and friends.  When I found out, I contacted Fr. Al, told him of our ride, and offered to help, picking up trash or whatever needed to be done.  His response surprised me, but was later be known as typical of him, “why don’t you come and speak?  We get many bikers here, and they need to be healed too.”  A humility I wish I could emulate, his vision deeper and wider than mine.  And so I did, and introduced a new CMA Chapter to the chapel.  Dave and Linda to this day are part of the vision, even ministering to Fr. Al when he was close to death.  Again the vision touching many.  And showing how God’s grace is multiplied. 

But on this 9-11 in 2006, it rained.  I mean it poured, and the tent that held 250, was filled to overflowing, at least 500 in attendance.  People from all walks of life had come, and after I spoke, at 10:06 am, we did a bell ringing ceremony, and just like Fr. Al’s vision, there were 40 bell ringers, one each for the 40 who gave their lives on Flight 93.  Shades of the Twilight Zone, but remember God is in charge here.  And as we waited that day, emptying the rain off the tents, we made many friends.  We met Chris Taggert, who created the marble benches and statues.  We were later able to introduce her to the Homer family, Leroy was the co-pilot on Flight 93.  We had to wait first for the bus loads of United Airline personnel, then for the President, delayed by the rain.  A rain the locals describe as God shedding tears, it seems to rain each 9-11, as I can testify to.  And just as we were about out of patience,  the North Star Kids broke out in song “proud to be an American, where at least I know I’m free...” and not a dry eye could be found.  A day I will never forget, a moment in time frozen.  Then it was Jason Dahl’s wife’s turn, and she greeted us with “Man plans, God laughs.”  She the widow of Flight 93 pilot Jason.  And the conversations flowed, the songs were sang, memories of friends and families shared, and new friends made.  All based on the vision that Fr. Al had been given by God.  A tribute to a man who once told me “so many Catholics need Jesus,” and who served Communion to all who wanted it, Catholic and others, Jesus being the difference.  A humble man, who with no money, just a vision, had pulled it off.  Or rather God had, as where God guides, he provides.  A lesson for all of us. And a day that was to be one of many that we would visit the chapel, both on 9-11 and other days.  Greeting guests, listening to stories, and sharing the love of Jesus Christ.  But Fr. Al is no longer with us, but the dream lives on...

We last saw him in 2011, had breakfast and caught up with his plans.  He and another priest were buying old churches, and allowing all those in the community to use them.  A place to gather, a place to worship, and a place to spend with God.  Leave religion at the door, this was God’s love pure and simple.  And today Farzi is still carrying out the dream.  And Dave and Linda and CMA are part of it, using a phone call to Fr. Al, to direct me to these friends I had never met 3000 miles away to be part of the vision.  With all glory going to God.

There are many stories about the chapel, and I was present or part of them.  I saw first hand how God worked, and how healing works.  Nothing man could do could ever duplicate what God has done at the Chapel.  We stayed many times at the cottage, another miracle bought with no money adjacent to the Chapel, to be used for friends to stay free.  Where I met Mary White, whose daughter Beth Waino was one of the heroes of Flight 93.  The Lt. Governor of Pennsylvania, after the 2006 service, came up to me, “hey, I‘m a biker too, my husband and I both ride Harleys.”  Where else but the Chapel could God use such diverse people to come together.  But God had saved the best for last for Fr. Al.  After being healed of cancer three times, three miracles, he was found to be legally blind, and had cataract surgery.  He was excited to see an Easter sunrise service for the first time, and found a Methodist one to attend.  I wonder if they knew who he was...But due to the miraculous healings, he opened the Chapel every Sunday afternoon to church groups, to sing and worship God, and then to have a healing service afterwards.  Wishing again to bring glory to God on high, the vision complete. 

My good friend died in 2012, and I miss him.  We would email each other, and many times he would ask me to pray when he needed to make a decision, I was his prayer partner.  And like a loving father, kept our picture on the refrigerator at the cottage.  And I would like to leave you with one memory, good advice and a true description of the man.  He was offered a position of Bishop, and was concerned if he should take it or not.  He wasn’t into pomp and circumstance, but wanted to do God’s will.  We talked and prayed, and he took the position, his reasoning simple, “the same God who offered me the position,will be the same God to see I fulfill it.”  Once again, all about Jesus. 

So on this day when we remember heroes of 9-11, remember this precious man of God, who in helping the victims touched the lives of so many.  Remember the Flight 93 heroes, and pray for all who attend the Chapel tomorrow.  It will be another day of healing, and I wish I could be there.  Maybe arrive unannounced early, and let myself in, like I have many times before, for Fr. Al told me where the key is hidden.  The key to the Chapel, but also the key to healing and peace.  Only found in Jesus Christ, where my friend spends all his days eternally.  Jesus is the key...we only need to let him unlock the hurt in our hearts and let him in.  Fr. Al knew that, I hope you do too.  I miss my friend, but will see him in glory soon, I can only imagine the talks he and Jesus are having.  My two friends, oh how precious that day will be when I can join in.  And like the stories mentioned in John, no library can hold the ones that God performed at the Chapel.  I know, I was there.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

the following is just one of many letters from my friend.

Dear Brother in the Lord:

 

Share as you will.  This is new and in progress.

 

I am sending this in the spirit of Onesimus and that means I am sending you my heart.

 

I am so inspired by your words and your enc0uragement.

 

I am in touch with Brother Tony and Bishop Bayshore, my retired Methodist Bishop friend, who is himself a beloved example of faith. In him I have been sustained through many a dark moment.  His faith is a shining and brilliant example.

 

I am blessed in so many ways.

 

And so you see how you are a blessing to those who come to the Chapel, for inspiration, encouragement!

 

They are like lost sheep in search of a shepherd.  And we are not the shepherds, but, we can direct them to the Good Shepherd.

 

We plant a seed, someone else will cultivate and God will reap the harvest.

 

I have so many things to say, dear Friend, but, you know, by the time I get the words out, things have already passed by at the speed of ight.

 

And so, I will be sending a letter to you, following on this.  I expect to do that soon.  I have been working on it for two solid months, and I just could not berring myself to send it off as it was, hoping and praying that God would give me the light to do it the way He wants.  And here comes your letter, a light to the nations, to the world, to me, and you reveal to me this is the moment, this is the time, this is the fullness of time.

 

Thank you for this revelation

 

We stand on the threshhold.  The Kingdom is at hand, and we are very near, on the threshhold itself.

 

I want to take that leap with you, the very next step.

 

Hand in hand in faith, with confidence, hope and joy.

 

God bless America, God bless CMA.

 

With love to you all in Him Whom we serve,

 

Fr.  AL

the day before the day when everything changed

We all remember where we were on September 11, 2001, but do you remember where you were the day before the day when everything changed?  New York City was bustling, they were absorbed with “killer mold” in an East Side apartment house, and killer sharks off shore.  Chandra Levy was missing for the 113th day, and Gary Condit of California was beginning to sweat it out, not yet a suspect.  Many were disgusted that day of the news about the Taliban kidnapping two Christian girls for being two Christian girls.  The weather is scheduled to be 81 degrees, the Yankees have a night game at home with the Boston Red Sox, Roger Clemons going for win #20, and Monday Night Football has the Giants playing the Broncos.  The game will eventually be rained out, as .41 inches of rain hit NYC that night.  Michael Jackson is playing Madison Square Garden in his first US concert since 1989, and it is the last day before election day, Peter Vallone, D, is seeking  be mayor tomorrow, and his cry of “9-1-1, September 11th, it may not be an emergency for you, but it is for me.”  A Daily News headline in the business section claims “the sky’s the limit for WTC business.”  And how it is felt the Twin Towers are undervalued.  Stocks rally from early losses, closing at 9605 on the DJIA.  The mood is upbeat.  And the city falls asleep after the rain, many who couldn’t stay up to watch the end of the MNF game in Denver’s final score.  Just another day, in the busiest city in the world, but just 9 hours into the next day, that will all change.  For New York City, the United States, and the rest of the world.  We all went to sleep secure in the safety of our country, but tomorrow will rock our souls forever.  All the action that was going on overseas, but should never have reached our shores, was now going to be here.  And many of us slept safe in the knowledge that we were the greatest country in the world, and always would be.  If we had only known...

But the fact is we didn’t know, so life goes on normally.  I was a Service Advisor for Mercedes Benz in La Jolla, and loving it.  Great job, great pay, no reason to think tomorrow wouldn’t be anything else but the same.  Mondays were busy, but Tuesdays were always busier, and I looked forward to being busy, working with Joe.  I watched most of the football game, it was hot in our non-air conditioned house, and working in La Jolla, about as far as you could get from New York City was always much cooler.  It had been just another day to us, we were still only a one motorcycle family, and we drove a 1995 Thunderbird, and a 1998 Ford Ranger.  We were living the life of middle America, payments on everything, but keeping up.  I rode to work everyday, the freeways busy when I left the house every morning at 710am, my sons were not up yet, Theresa getting ready.  All was well, and nothing was going to change all that.  And then waking up the next morning, I had just gotten out of the shower, and saw the second plane hit the Twin Towers.  And everything was changing...we were under attack, and didn’t quite know it yet.  But going to work, as I arrived the TV was on, and the news was not good.  We were under attack, and all flights were being grounded.  Business even in La Jolla had ground to a halt, as we huddled by the TV watching, after checking in with our loved ones to be sure they were OK.  The day before the day when everything changed was just like any other, with no forewarning of what was to come.  Unannounced, unwarned, and unaware...we all slept well on September 10th, the next night was to be different.  For many nights to come.

No one knows the day or the time when Jesus will call his church home in what we call the rapture.  And many movies over the years, the latest one in the Left Behind series, shows one version of what it will be like when the world is free from all Christians.  In it it seems life goes on after getting things back in order, and it almost gives a calming effect to what will be the most tragic event in the history of the world.  But just imagine truth here, take all Christians, take God, and take all good out of the world, what is left?  Evil, and every man and woman looking out for themselves.  Pure bedlam, as no communications, no food, no ATM’s, and a panic that has never been seen before grips the world.  As described by Jesus, it will be a time when women wish they weren’t with child.  Worldwide panic will immediately set in, and it will be every one for themselves.  And the excuses will fly, the rumors of what happened be filled in with stories of alien abduction, a great, but selective plague, and many other stories given rise to explain what has happened.  But none the truth, for all who believe will be gone, no one left to explain why they were left behind, or so lucky they think as to not be gone.  And even back as far as 1976, TV stations have the tapes trying to explain the event, a friend who owned a TV station at the time confirming it.  Denying Jesus to the end, and if you think it was hard to becoming or being a Christian in today’s world, you ain’t seen nothing yet.  And as portrayed in an older movie, “A thief in the Night,” families will be split, some coming to Christ, they had ignored the warnings, and will face death for converting.  Some will be saved during the worst 7 years in earth’s history, but it will come with a cost.  And to those who denied Christ the first time, the second will be no different for them.  “And if I die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take...” will have a totally new meaning.  So where do you want to be on that day?  We don’t know when that event that will change everything will occur, but we can be ready.  Do you believe, or will you still be here to witness it first hand?  Read the headlines now, accept Christ, and miss out on the headlines.  Miss out on who will be the anti-Christ, and be with Jesus Christ.

Yet many today are absorbed in who will be the anti-Christ, and to them who they seek, they will find.  Something to consider today, for it will happen on a day just like many others.  People going to work, kids going off to school, and ball games and weather forecasts dominating headlines.  Some will get rich in the stock market that day, but will be broke the next, when money has no value.  The rich and the poor who denied Christ will all be broke, but you can still be broken today and avoid all this.  Only in looking back do we see what was the night before, we will not be able to see the next day.  Deal with Jesus today, if ever a statement of his, “do not worry about tomorrow, for today has enough worries of its own,” is true, believe it.  And quit trying to figure out the day, Jesus doesn’t even know, what makes you think God will tell you?  And if you did know, who are you going to brag to?  We will be in heaven, and no one will really care about the date, or if you were right or wrong.  It will be all about Jesus, and if you are all about him today, tomorrow will be greeting you in grace and peace.  Just like he will once you are saved, “on earth as it is in heaven.”  Not the other way around.

Enjoy today, and rest well tonight, it may be your last.  But if it isn’t, use the time you have to share Jesus.  To tell of his saving grace.  And of the future, and what it holds.  We all went to sleep on 9-10-2001 not knowing what the next day would bring.  We can only look back in shock and awe.  Know Jesus and look ahead to that day of his return.  There will be panic in the streets, but not on the streets of heaven.  A celebration like no other will be going on, hope to see you there. 

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

the NFL-it's not your Father's footlball league anymore

Do you remember when Sunday meant NFL football?  Now with Monday, Thursday, and an occasional Saturday, we see that it really is entertainment, as the E in ESPN, Entertainment stands for.  And football, best described as 5 seconds of action, followed by 40 seconds of rest, is on trial again.  And in yesterday’s news, too much of it shows the kingdom of the NFL has no morals-at all.  And may be ignorant in affairs of the legal system.  Ray Rice was in the news again, for the same thing-spousal abuse.  Seems a new film from TMZ, how did they mange to get it and not the investigators at the NFL is another story, but Ray was let go by the Ravens, and banned from the NFL indefinitely-all without a trial.  Was he not already convicted and sentenced of that crime?  In US Jurisprudence, it is called double indemnity, you cannot be tried twice for the same crime, and Ray was tried once, suspended, fined, and he was trying to get on with his wife and life.  A two game suspension handed down by NFL Commissioner Goodell had drawn some heat from the press, and he even admitted Ray’s sentence should be harsher, but it wasn’t, and get over it.  Now....in a chance to vindicate himself, he has become Chairman Goodell, and administered a crushing blow to the Rice family.  And just to show how tough he really is.  And some are taking him to task, and I hope they do.  Coach Harbaugh told the press they were there to help Ray, as was many of his team mates, yet some moral geldings went for his blood on Twitter.  But this was just the main headline yesterday, as Pro sports have some real problems...Commissioner-you are on trial now.

Did you know the NFL does not pay taxes?  It is a trade organization, and although representing billions of dollars, it itself takes in over $250 million per year, it pays no taxes.  So maybe it is time to give back unto Caesar, and here’s the rest of the news.  The NFL Players Association is meeting to decide if their drug policy is too tough.  Cannot have too many suspended for drug abuse, it effects the team, and they will revise sentencing.  If only you were just a junkie Ray, they would have pity on you.  But the main story, which is even more troubling than that or Ray’s double jeopardy lynching, was the fact Penn State was removed from any infraction violations from their earlier pedophile sentencing.  They had their sentence cut in half, Mom’s remember this when Penn State comes recruiting.  From University officials, to legendary Joe Paterno, to various coaches who turned away in the face of pedophilia, they got away with it.  Seems it cost Penn State about $400 million per year, big money to not be on TV or in Bowls-so let’s forget the child rape charges, let’s play ball!  And not one person is upset.  Maybe not an NFL issue, but remember them praising Michael Sam for being the first openly gay drafted, now cut by the Rams, and on the Dallas practice squad.  Next time Jerry Jones asks “how ‘bout those Cowboys?” it has a whole new meaning.  And all done for the good of the game.  So to recap, we have the NFL Commissioner trying to vindicate himself professionally by trying Ray Rice twice because his punishment wasn’t enough, too many drugs in the league are causing too many big names to be suspended, and pedophilia is OK’ed by the NCAA, where 99% of all NFL players come from.  And in all this, Michael Sam realizes he just wasn’t good enough to make the team, no cries of foul, no homophobic rumors.  He may be more of a man than the commisioner.  He will get better, as Coach Fisher noted, and play somewhere in the NFL.  Mothers, don’t let you sons grow up to be Cowboys.  So just where does the NFL spend all its hard earned money?  Are you ready for some football?  Or does the N in NFL stand for “nothing?”  Social media will come to their rescue....what Ray needs is a good lawyer, and to be forgiven.  To be ministered to, rather than open up old wounds.  Roger Goodell, you are not a man of character.  You should resign.  For the good of the league, just like you said about Ray.  And drugs, and all the other sins of the league.  I only hope the press treats you as nicely as they did yesterday’s news.  By the way, in other news, the Chargers snatched defeat from the jaws of victory Monday night.  The more things change, the more they stay the same.  The excuses already flying.  And no I don’t have a Facebook or Twitter account to be reached on.  I don’t  hide there.

Now I am not condoning Ray’s actions, only the fact he was found guilty, accepted his fate, and I hope was trying to rehabilitate his marriage.  Moving on.  Let the healing begin, but yesterday that healing was interrupted.  But maybe the real question, the real investigations should be the NFL.  The police had the elevator tape the same day, why did it only appear yesterday, and then on a gossip TV show?  What’s up Rog?  Sin will always be sin, and I am reminded of another public lynching in scripture.  It seems a woman was caught in adultery, and threatened with stoning.  I could be wrong, but doesn’t adultery take two?  Where was the man, and why wasn’t he threatened with stoning?  Yet we see Jesus intervening, not condoning, but not condemning either.  And today his famous writing in the dirt that caused the crowd to disperse is debated among church historians.  But the Bible never tells us what the wrote.  But it does tell us he came to forgive sinners.  And such an audience he had that day.  Sin is between us and God, not between man and man, although we can sin against each other.  And Jesus was merciful to the accusers, as the accuser would suffer the same punishment as the guilty if they were found innocent.  Maybe that is why they disbursed so quickly.  Let’s get stoned meant something different 2000 years ago.  And Jesus gave them a way out, and offers us that same deal today.  “Your sins are forgiven, go and sin no more.”  Showing that no matter the sin, no matter how great, that forgiveness is greater.  Where there is sin, grace abounds even more.  You still pay a price for your actions, but you are forgiven by Jesus, you still have to pay for your crimes here on earth.  Remember that chance meeting next time you are accused, or accuse.  Drop you stones, learn to forgive.  Jesus hated the sin, but loved the sinner.  He died to reinstate us, to make us into productive people.  So we can worship God, and trust him rather than our emotions.  To trust God for forgiveness, rather than face the death sentence sin had levied on us.  For we have all fallen short of the glory of God, even the NFL players.  And Roger Goodell also.  Time to fess up, ask Jesus to forgive.  The true lesson that day wasn’t what to do with the sin, but what to do with the sinner.  Sin cost Paterno his legacy, Jerry Sandusky is in jail for life, and Ray is banned from the NFL.  Yet the judge and jury, the NFL go on today business as usual.  Penn State begins recruiting again today.  I’m just glad Sandusky isn’t out trolling for kids anymore.

Forgiveness separates us from sin.  It reunites us with God.  It changes our hearts, our ways, and our attitudes.  It cleanses us when we are forgiven, and cleanses us when we forgive others.  Says so right there in the Lord’s Prayer.  As we forgive those who trespass against us.  The Rices are trying to overcome their past sins.  So are we, we don’t need the press or our friends flaunting our sins in front of us, or to the world.  Satan is the accuser, Jesus forgives.  Show your true colors by forgiving, and if the accuser knocks on your door, when you answer to run to Jesus.  “It’s for you Lord.”  You cannot do it yourself, it takes a loving God.  Football is big business, but it should never become bigger than the gospel.  Nor should you.  Jesus forgives, are you forgiven?  Are you forgiving?  On earth as it is in heaven.  No instant replay in heaven.  Now that’s forgiveness.  Put down the stones Mr. Goodell, and let the healing begin.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com