Eupora rain taps at my windshield

Once upon a time at the turn of the century, the 19th century, when cars were new and there were no gas stations, gas was sold at general stores.  Long before Walmart decorated the countrysides, these one stop serve all emporiums were a welcome sight.  And with cars a new product line, some started selling cars, if they could beat the local blacksmith to it.  And so it was normal for them to also sell gas, and soon the smell of gas, oil, and exhaust became too much, so the general store was either moved or closed, and Sam Walton was born.  But these buildings that housed car dealerships were far from what we see today.  In small towns they might service farmers from a 100 mile radius, so they were small, often with the service department occupying most of the building.  Still small by many repair shop standards of today, they soon gave way to bigger buildings, leaving the old building empty, with an history along with the fumes of the past for rent.  From general store, to gas station to car dealer, to empty, today they may get torn down, turned into various emporiums such as a tattoo shop, or like the one we lunched at in Eupora, Mississippi a restaurant. 

We had left Pine Bluff, Arkansas under threat of rain, so of course that meant not putting on rain suits.  Some 15 minutes later dodging big rain drops, we were putting them on, hoping the downpour, which turned into a thunderstorm to Birmingham would stop.  Following US 82 across Mississippi, it was dangerously wet, lots of lightning and thunder, and not the place to be riding, so of course we were.  Remember rain falls on the just and the unjust, both in car and on motorcycle. Using hunger as any excuse to get off this rural road, the signs for Eupora loomed ahead, so getting off we looked for food.  A few fast food places, not on this ride, so we rode into downtown, a few miles off the 4 laner.  Many small towns in the south has been bypassed by new 4 laners, Eupora one of them.  When an old brick building caught our attention, Central Service, and we knew where lunch would be.  Now being on a motorcycle helps generate conversation, which was aided by the fact the four men leaving as we parked all rode adventure bikes like our Tiger.  They rode long rides, had just gotten back from Pennsylvania, and during a sun break we shared rides.  And then the rains came....not quite of Noah epic, but to us So Cal folk it sure seemed like it.  But like God did for Noah, he had found a place of refuge, among friends, those who ride, and with great food.  A place any foodie will feel welcome, and not leave hungry.

Central Service Ford had once occupied this building, closing in 1980, and 20 years later Central Service Grill was opened, and thrives today.  Some 2000 live in Eupora, yet the place thrives, and we were greeted as only you are in the south, and as we watched the next downpour, we ate big time BBQ, fries, and drank sweet tea.  Among the Coca Cola memorabilia.  Eating in what used to be the parts department.  But as is the case many times for us in small towns, the owner would stop by to see how we were doing, and it turned out the owner had been a missionary in Central America.  You never know where God is going to show up, and here in the rain, drenched in BBQ sauce, we sat and shared the Lord with a new found friend, more family we didn’t know we had.  Shelter from the storm had never been so welcomed, we made new friends, fellowshipped, ate great BBQ, and survived the storm.  A haven God had prepared for us ahead of time, in a town not on the road to where we were going, and might have missed by 3 miles if not for the rain. 

Nothing is said of the weather the day Jesus fed the 5000, but it must have been a nice day.  A 5000 man picnic, not counting the women and children.  Which probably swelled the crowd to 15,000.  No small catering job, and even Philip the local had been no help.  And as always, it was Andrew bringing someone to Christ, this time a little boy with bread and fish, 5 loaves and 2 fishes.  But as always with Jesus, when not enough for man, it is adequate for God, and all were fed.  In fact 12 baskets were filled picking up the leftovers-one for each disciple.  In true form Jesus had performed a miracle, something spiritual, then left them with something material to remind them.  Which makes me wonder did they praise him for the generous doggie bags, or complain due to the size?  What would you have done, what do you do? 

But while serving the food, I have this mind’s eye vision of Jesus walking among the crowd, greeting people.  The perfect host, checking on his guests.  “Good to see you Sam, getting enough?”  “Mary, heard Bill is sick, I’ll stop by later.”  “Pete, haven’t seen you in awhile,” and the list goes on.  As children probably hung around him, and others marvelled at him.   Some just ate, some fellowshipped, but none left empty as he met all their needs, physical, emotional, and spiritual.  All at no charge to them, a reminder to us of how the Jewish people approach eating as something personal.  A time spent to worship, fellowship, and be with God.  Intimately, being filled with the spirit.  That is how I picture Jesus, no reprimanding those going back for seconds, or for kids wasting food.  He feeds to overflowing, love the only table manner needed, I can see him beaming with joy as they all left full.  Some full of fish and bread, some full of the spirit.  Feeding a hunger only he could sense and feed.  No planning meetings, no budgets, no caterers.  Just Jesus...all we ever need in one convenient serving.

And so it was in Eupora that day, a storm had beckoned to the Central Service Grill, we were welcomed by those who ride, food filled us, and when more rain came, fellowship fed us again.  The rest of the ride to the Barber Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham was uneventful, at least for us, no more rain, and we had missed a tornado in Tuscaloosa by a few hours, and being among those who ride a perfect way to end the day.  Among those who you don’t have to explain why you ride, and can bench race openly.  Fellowshipping with others.  Just like Jesus feeding the 5000.  A lesson to remember next time Eupora rain taps at your windshield, Jesus has a place all set to welcome you.  At the end of a weary day, or a weary life, rest is found in Jesus.  Great food, good conversation, incredible fellowship.  That day at an old Ford dealership,  only in Jesus.  Ironic, maybe more appropriate than I imagined at first, doesn’t FORD stand for Found On Road Dead?  Weren’t we all once?  Life in Christ, no wonder I like to travel so much.  What’s your story?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

when did it happen to you?

The experts may argue about how far back your earliest memories go, but I can remember being interested in cars as early as age 3.  I didn’t know the names yet, engine sizes, or transmissions, but I could tell the sound of each one as it passed by our house on Westfield Road.  Later I would learn I was identifying a Ford Y-block, or a Chevy small block, or even a Studebaker flat head, but each car or truck interested me.  Just thinking of it I can hear the gear whine of my parent’s 1952 Chevy Deluxe 2 door.  As a gear head was born.  Growing up we knew about the cars our parents drove, mostly by color, and could already tell some were cool, and some were boring.  It must be an intrinsic thing, as no one ever taught us, nor did they have to.  Car pools had us riding in cars from Chryslers to Fords to Chevies to Oldsmobiles.  Car with seating for 6 adults, or 8 kids, before seat belts were required.  With the shotgun seat reserved for when your parents drove, for me a Rambler, no one ever fought for that seat, with most memories coming from riding in the back seat, or huddled between a friend and his mother in the front.  But one day it all was as to change, a special car was to enter the neighborhood, and my life.  The car that I would base all other cars on, and the one that always manages to elude me at car shows.  To most just another car, to me something special.  I wanted it, still do, and have never found just the right one. 

That car is a 1965 Chevy Impala SS, red with a black vinyl roof, black vinyl interior, 327 with a four speed, four on the floor, and white walls.  With those cool spinner hub caps.  I can see it now, sitting in Scotty’s driveway, brand new, his older brother Gary bringing it home, and all us kids wanting a look.  Sitting long and low, shining like no other I had seen, and with bucket seats-like a race car.  And a rear seat speaker, you could hear the Beach Boys or Gary Lewis and the Playboys in the back-not stereo but front and rear speakers.  Cars would never be the same after this...I can still see that chrome shift knob, full console, and smell the new car smell that has long ago left us.  Roll the windows down, light up the rear tires going up the street, tunes from both speakers....when did it happen to you?

Scotty’s other brother later in the year bought a green Impala, with a black vinyl roof, non-SS, with a 283 and auto, with those cool fake mag wheel hubcaps, but it was not as cool as the red SS.  In high school Dave’s mom drove a 1966 SS, white on white , 283 with a Powerglide, similar but not the same.  Even Mrs. Brown our neighbor had a 1967 SS427, blue convertible, talk about cool....but it wasn’t the red SS of my heart, and never could or would be as cool.  Occasionally I look at the ads for one, trying to regain my first auto love, but it has eluded me.  Close, but with ugly wheels.  Wrong color, wrong engine, maybe a little custom, small things that are correctable, but not what  I am looking for.  I feel like Goldilocks must have felt, nice, comfortable, and filling-just not what I want.  And so my dream goes on, the prices go up, and the availability goes down, but the memory burns strong.  Even my nose can detect the smell of fresh vinyl, my ears how good a rear speaker can sound, and how easy it was to burn rubber on old bias-ply tires.  For like the author wrote, “for one brief shining moment there was paradise.”  Mine just happened to be a car....

For me it is a car, for Captain Ahab it was Moby Dick.  We each have a dream, or an obsession we chase through life.  The term bucket list has become trendy, and I never had a bucket list, but a list of desires kept to myself, for no one else will ever dream as well as you do.  For every red SS that is not out there, there are many that others would tell me to settle for, that I must be dreaming, and it will take a miracle to find that car.  We become obsessed with things looking for that certain something that eludes us, but when we find that the something, that it is really a someone, our lives change.  Players have had careers without going to the playoffs, feeling they are not complete.  I know collectors who are looking for that special coin to make the collection complete.  Friends buy and sell motorcycles, looking for the perfect one, usually wishing they hadn’t sold one in the past, for now they miss it.  How many of us can lament of cars of bikes sold that we wish we had kept.  And then that certain someone, Jesus Christ comes into our lives, and all our values change.  Our desires change, along with our priorities, and like John the beloved, author of 5 books in the new testament, we have new life in Christ.  John, who once was described by Jesus as one of the “sons of thunder,” a man who wanted to blow up the current government and install his own way, changed dramatically when the spirit came into his life, and he became known as the apostle of love.  His heart changed, his mind changed, and his attitudes and actions changed.  In 1 John we find him expressing love, and defining love in Jesus, assuring us eternal life, and an example of how Jesus Christ changes lives.  Yet we fail to emphasize how Jesus changed him, and even the fact he changed at all.  We talk about God’s love, yet few ever let God truly have his way with us.  John did, and the example is there to see.  And when you are truly born again, your actions will bear out the fact that you are.  You may be able to fake it in church with others, but your heart will always be missing something.  Other things may come close, but like the elusive red Impala SS of my youth, and dreams, others will offer you a substitute.  A good feeling, a lifestyle, a religion, or an alternative.  But you will never be satisfied until Jesus Christ becomes Lord in your life.

When did it happen to you?  Has it ever happened to you?  Are you denying Jesus, or settling for something as close.  That someone is for real, and wants to come into your life, but must be invited.  He knocks at your heart, the spirit telling you “you need Jesus, you need Jesus,” in ways you didn’t realize.  For some it happens in church, some on the side of the road, some at home, and even some in prison.  But Jesus extends that invite today, to be the one you need, the one you are truly desiring.  The one whose manner of love is found nowhere else, and in nothing else.  Heaven awaits all who believe, but you can have all the joys of Jesus now here on earth.  In ways not imaginable, or dreamt of.  But yet the red Impala SS of their lives escape them...just like Goldilock’s perfect meal.

I may never find my dream car, but I found life in Jesus.  All other desires pale when compared.  Make him the desire of your heart, and find he will give you the desires of your heart.  For 50 years that red SS has eluded me, but for 40 years I have been fulfilled in Jesus.  On earth as it will be in heaven.  I am looking forward to heaven, having found what I have always desired in Christ.  And at the two car shows I will attend this Memorial Day weekend, I shall be on the lookout for a 1965 Chevrolet Impala SS.  Red, black interior, black vinyl top.  There will probably be other 1965 Chevies, but not what I am looking for.  Many things in life will come close, and attempt to satisfy.  Promising what they cannot deliver.  For me my heart is set on one car, and one God.  Seek and you will find.  I am so glad my search for Christ is over....now if I could only find that car.  Maybe just let me sit in it...go for a ride, tunes blasting from the rear speaker.  And for one brief shining moment let me be that 10 year old boy again.  Life will disappoint, Jesus never will.  The right one.  Has he happened to you?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

 

I saw it in the want ads

Before Craigslist, before the Internet, and even before Auto Trader people bought and sold things.  Without the advantage of a photo, or even as many words as you wanted to describe your item, you had to be brief, use abbreviations, and hope your words meant exactly what you wanted to say.  The local paper sold classified ads by the words, or by the inch.  So a clever car ad, might read like this, “1965 American, lo miles, r&h, w/w tires, $1200OBO. xxx-xxx-xxxx.”  8 words at $1/word= $8 for your ad.  Which usually would run for 3 consecutive days, and a bonus on Saturday if it hadn’t sold.  Broken down it says “195 Rambler American, radio and heater, white wall tires, $1200 or best offer.  And the phone number to call.”  This is how we used to sell our old cars, or look for our next cheerful cheapie.  We became adept at the descriptions, and learned to picture our desired car by the words.  We learned that all original meant it needed paint and upholstery work, elderly owned meant many dents and scratches from near misses that weren’t, only driven on Sundays meant 1/4 mile at a time at the drags, on Sunday, and must sell meant please take this beater off my hands.  But in our young minds it was the perfect car, underpriced just so we could afford it, but our fathers already knew from the description stay away.  Either they had bought such a car once, or sold one after buying said car, and ere passing down a lifetime of knowledge down to us.  As we got older we found reading car ads was an acquired skill, and soon could navigate through the ads, but still always the first question after calling, and asking “do you have the car for sale?” was “tell me something about it.”  Hoping the prose of the ad would come to life even more when verbally experienced.  But we also learned by the tone of voice, if male of female, or if “let me get my dad,” what we were up against.  No one wanted to talk to someone else’s dad, and sometimes we just quickly hung up, rather than mumble something into the phone, giving away our age, immaturity, and our financial status.  A mental picture printed in our young minds, by just a few carefully chosen words found in the classified.

Now classified ads were nothing new, and some of the best are found in old issues of Popular Science and Mechanix Illustrated.  Pages would be filled with opportunities for inventors, to buy WWII surplus Jeeps and tanks, to learn to sharpen saws, learn to be a PI, and more.  You could learn where to buy a motorcycle wholesale, how to get better gas mileage on your Hudson, and get a free sample of nylon seat covers, all for the price of a 3 cent stamp back after the war.  Priceless ads that tell us really what the world was like back then, and when travelling I stop in antique stores and buy a few.  Easy and entertaining reading, and cheaper than the latest editions, with better stories to let your imagination run wild.  But my favorite ad, one that had achieved urban legend status even before I was born was short and sweet, and supposedly made a huge amount of money for whoever placed the ad.  I never saw one, but here is ne version of it.

“LAST CHANCE TO SEND IN YOUR DOLLAR!  DON’T WAIT...TIME IS RUNNING OUT.”  Then it gives a PO box in some big city far away.  And the legend goes on as how thousands of people send this PO box a dollar, never knowing why, but because time is running out.  And the guy who ran the ad sits back and gets rich.  No crime has been committed, not against the law to receive money in the mail, no product or service has been promised, and for some unknown reason people respond.  Not a lottery, today someone actually wins the money invested in a ticket, this is no lottery, the only winner the guy who placed the ad.  With the rest of us wondering is it true, did it work, and should we try it.  Urban legends, based on truth, no lie involved here, just the story of did it really ever happen?  Too good to not believe, what do you think?  Would you invest a dollar to find out?  Have you or are you retired on an income of dollar bills? Hmmmm....

But by far the worst offenders are the ones who request money of you using God as the reason.  “Our ministry will fail if you don’t give.”  “We cannot go to China if you don’t support us,” and so many do, never knowing who is on the other end.  And on the radio at one time, the begging was so successful that radio stations would charge more for evangelists, knowing they would draw more money from the faithful.  Offering prayer cloths, holy water, or other religious icons as a reward.  And they still do today.  I get hit up almost every day with someone wanting money in the name of God. For my ministry, to feed the poor, or so I can afford my jet.  Some even use the tone of time is running out, or we’ll go off the air, only to get a reprieve the next night.  Things not seen in the Bible, but yet warned against.  Jesus sent out his disciples with just what they had in their pockets, no book sales, no special offerings, or hitting on the elect.  He took offense to begging for money for God, yet it is still a popular, yet sinful practice.  If nothing else, use common sense, why ask those who are poor like you, when you can ask God who has all the riches?  And if you truly are sent by God, if he has given you a vision, where he guides, he provides.  All others are scammers, woe to them.  Woe is not a good thing when it comes from the mouth of God.

When God put on my heart years ago to go into ministry, I sought counsel from those in it.  The best advice was never share your vision with the church or they will change it, and try to take it away.  True words.  The other was send out letters of support,  big NO to me, so I prayed and asked God.  I took communion with crackers and OJ and asked God what he wanted me to do.  And as he showed me, he spoke precious words to me.  He will provide manna in my garage, for my mortgage, and in my refrigerator.  Don’t ask for anything, for if you ask it is not a gift, and he likes to give good gifts.  And I haven’t and he has, and all my needs have been met.  Amazing, but not really.Beggingin the church, the world has truly invaded here, and the church has welcomed it.  The love of money, and the illusion of what it will do, I have reality and Jesus.  Who works all things out, I don’t have to, and spend more time ministering in his name than begging for money.  And even when it seems time is running out, he is still faithful.  And today we do more with less than we did when we had more. 

So if I was to run an ad, it would say “turn to God today.  Time is running out, give him your heart, gain eternal life.”  No Bingo, begging, envelopes, book sales, special offerings, or guest speakers.  I would tell about Jesus rather than try to sell in his name.  No holy water, prayer cloths, or palm branches-just Jesus.  Who paid the price no one else could afford.  And even if it was just for you, it was paid.  In advance, the ticket to heaven is at the call window, will you answer the call?  Will you give it all to Jesus, and lose all your sin?  Or continue to engage in sin, losing it all?  Found in the scriptures are many ads for  him, all true, how will you respond?  Give your life to a church, an organization, or an evangelist begging, or ask God where to give?  And how to receive?  God never fails on his promises of taking care of us, his sheep.  Why pay for something priceless when you can have salvation for free?  God made the gospel simple so we can understand it, free so we can afford it.  So why do we fall prey to those who seek our money, and our souls, when if we pray and seek God, we can know for sure.

Jesus is no urban legend, and neither are those begging in his name.  Only they use it in vain, to profit themselves, not you.  Jesus asks simply “what does it profit a man if he gains the world and loses his soul?”  God has no problem with the rich, but he does with the proud.  And those who prey on his people.  Learn it from the want ads, don’t use your imagination of what or who God is, get to know Jesus personally.  And as you know him better, you trust him more.  And the ads, requests, and begging are seen for what they really are.  Jesus never asked for a collection, giving is supposed to be from the heart.  Not from the wallet.  Give hilariously, as God shows you, and be blessed.  His grace surrounding you.  Some have too much to give, and find they are poorer than the widow with two mites.  She gave it all, because Jesus gave it all.  No one asked, and all her needs were met.  In Christ Jesus.  The money takers will always be there, but so will Jesus.  Listen to what the spirit says, let him take care of you, and trust.  Confirm what the spirit tells you in the Bible, and never say “I saw it in the want ads.”  Don’t wait...time is running out.”  And it won’t cost you a cent.  Or dollar.  And of course we all remember Soupy Sales famous “send me the green papers in your dad’s wallets,” joke.  Do you? Do we?  How many did, but will never admit it.  Hmmm.....

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

 

what would Dan Mathews do?

I love the show “Highway Patrol,” starring Broderick Crawford as Dan Mathews, as head of the Highway Patrol.  Each week for three years, 1955-58, he solved crimes in 30 minutes that today would take months or years.  Using basic police techniques, accompanied by his trademark “10-4” he and his trusty group of patrolman kept the nation safe until next week.  A true cult following has been established, and even a “10-4 Day,” each October 4th, 10-4, is held on Hollywood Blvd. to celebrate police cars from TV and film.  With the highlight being meeting Larry Wilcox, aka Jon Baker from CHiP’s!  Riding an old Kawasaki police bike, sadly Mr. Mathews is long gone.  But his shows continue, and I wonder sometimes, where is Dan Mathews when we need him?  How would the world be different if we all lived in a 10-4 world?  Would we call him Dan, never heard by that name, Mr. Mathews, or 2150?  Maybe we miss him more than we know.

But two crimes I know of that have never been solved, at least to my knowledge, could have used Dan’s attention.  The first was when I was in high school.  We hung out at a Gulf station where my friend was the night manager.  Some wild times happened after the owner went home, what car crazy high school kid wouldn’t love a free lift to work on?  Air tools?  Free gas, “I’ll get you on payday,”  aka my next allowance.  But the owner was a tough old dude, who never busted anyone, but made life hard for us.  We were always on guard for him, as we really weren’t supposed to be there.  But after one particular chewing out, my friend decided to get even.  To embarrass him, and make him look bad.  So he took the cash register, leaving all the cash and coins sitting on the counter, perfectly neat.  Knowing that his boss’s ego would never let him report a stolen cash register, but not the cash.  And to my knowledge nothing was ever said, just a new cash register showed up later that day.  Maybe the perfect crime, only because it was never recorded.  And one never seen on Highway Patrol.  But somehow I know that if it had been reported, within 30 minutes Dan Mathews would have it solved.

But my favorite is a car story, told before.  Bill Mitchell, head of GM styling in the 1960’s, who brought us the split window Sting Ray, the Riviera, and others, was an avid fisherman.  His prize catch, a Mako Shark hung over his desk.  And you can see the influence in the C3 Corvettes, from 1968-82, and also the show car, appropriately named the Mako Shark.  But one assignment given to his design team was to paint the car identical to the real shark.  After numerous tries, and under threat of termination, the crew was out of paint mixes, and one guy jokingly suggested, “why don’t we paint the fish to match the car?”  Jokingly he had come up with the only solution, but it would take a bit of trickery.  But working overnight, they pulled it off, and showing up late the next morning found Mitchell thrilled.  His team had pulled it off, they had matched the car perfectly to the fish, or so he thought.  They were the best design team in the business.  He was so proud of them.  Really they had matched the fish to the car... and legend has it he never found out.  Another urban legend, and a crime, if one had really been committed would have been discovered and solved on Highway Patrol.  But was there really a crime?  Or had they just given their boss what he demanded? 

Known but only to God, many think they have gotten away with their crimes.  We find both crimes of commission, and crimes of omission in the Bible.  From the first murder, and death, Cain killing his brother as long as he was Able, to Moses and the Egyptian, to David and Uriah.  David, maybe the most famous and well known of all Biblical kings, not only committed murder, but adultery.  It seems when we sin, or believe we may get caught, we add more sin to cover our tracks.  Making them easier to follow ultimately.  But after a affair with Bathsheba, he has Uriah her husband sent to the front, to have him killed in battle, cleverly disguised as such, to cover his sin with Uriah’s wife.  Two sins worthy of death under Mosaic law, but we find David described as “a man after God’s own heart.”  David sinned big time, as we do, only his sins were reported for all time in scripture.  But he loved God and asked forgiveness.  And while some choose to emphasize David’s sin, God chooses to forgive it.  To focus on forgiveness, redemption,and salvation rather than death.  He sends Jesus to make the way back to him, for the forgiveness of our sins.  And although we sin everyday, and will again tomorrow, we are forgiven.  When we turn to Christ, and have a heart after God.  Like David did.  God forgives all sins, the record is wiped clean, and we are entered into the book of life.  Forever.  Yet the one sin, the only one standing between us an salvation, denying the urging of the Holy Spirit to be saved through Jesus Christ, is the one we have the most trouble with.  If we can get past that one, and trust Jesus with our eternal rest, why can’t we trust him with our other sins?  Why can’t we forgive others?  Why can’t we forgive ourselves?  Maybe the hardest thing to do.  But we find as we forgive ourselves, we forgive others more easily, and the fruit of the spirit dwells in us.  So why get hung up on sin, when we can be forgiven?  isn’t grace better than damnation?  Scripture tells us obedience is better than sacrifice....do we really have a heart after God like David?

The only sin that separates us from Jesus is denying his deity.  Recognizing him as a teacher, profit, healer, or revolutionary are OK, but none lead to salvation.  Only recognizing Jesus, repenting, and letting God change your heart will save you.  Not joining a church or Bible study, not chanting or passing out papers door to door.  No new scripture or word from God will save you.  Only Jesus.  There are no perfect crimes, but there is forgiveness from sin.  Perfection found in Jesus, where there is no deception, and all is laid bare.  No secret sin, all sins, whether of omission,”I didn’t know it was a sin,” and sins of commission, are forgiven at the cross.  Forgiveness found at the cross, Jesus taking our place, serving our sentence.  Presenting us to a loving God, the one whose heart David was after, as clean and pure.  All crimes solved and forgiven.  Sentences pardoned. 

In a perfect world we will not need police.  Or soldiers.  We will be at peace with God, where the lion will sit with the lamb, and sinners saved by grace among them.  No crimes or sin to talk about as they will not exist, only grace and the presence of a loving God await us.  But for the lost, a final judgment,where all the sins will be noted.  True justice will be served, and we all will face eternity.  Some seek to pull off the perfect crime, I prefer seeking perfection in Christ.  Long after we are gone, Christ will still be here.  Where we serve our sentence, guilty or saved is up to us.  We can choose Jesus and be found innocent, or face eternal damnation.  The wages of sin will always be death...except for those in Christ.

Dan Mathews solved crime, Jesus came to forgive crime.  Both spent their lives chasing criminals, only Jesus sought to forgive.  Your sin will find you out, your Dan Mathews is out looking to catch and convict you.  Only Jesus saves.  What would Dan Mathews do?  Better yet, what will you do?  There is no statute of limitations on sin.  “2150-bye.”

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com