for the nevers in your life

Stop and think for a minute if you never changed your mind.  Think if you still had the same outlook on life at age 5 as when you were born.  Think of the difference between 5 and 10, 10 and 15, and 15 and 20.  Now think about 5 and 20-wow!  From Mommie being your best girl friend, to girls having cooties, to being strangely attracted to them at 13, to looking for a long lasting relationship at 20.  It was us who changed, thankfully, to meet the new desires that each time in our life presented.  A State Farm commercial talks about the nevers in our lives, representing one man never getting married, never leaving the city, never getting a mini van, and finally never having kids.  For the nevers in our lives the ad proclaims, that Sate Farm is there.  So much for the never say nevers in our lives.  And I am reminded of this today when my older son called from London.  It is his 35th birthday....times flies, and it has been a good time.  But to the contrary to those who think time goes faster as you get older, I can tell you it is us who get slower.  Time is a constant, we tend to be not so constant.  And throughout my life, I have been glad to change with the times, but never change my God.  But I have changed my rides.....

I can remember being told when I hit 55 “you’ll be riding a Gold Wing if you still can ride,” and I denied it then, and do now.  Although I did enjoy my last stint on a Trophy, it felt good getting back on the Street Triple.  And the Bonneville.  And the Tigers.  So maybe I am changing a little, just one bike at a time.  But I still enjoy the ride, and although I don’t have the endurance I once had, it is still more than most.  A BMW poster in my garage encourages me to go farther than around the block.  To ride between time zones, coasts, oceans, and borders.  To not be limited by city limits, but to explore.  I ride much different than I did at 20, actually faster as my skills are honed, but my desire to be on the road is just as great.  And at an age where I maybe cannot look ahead another 25 years, I can look back at over 45 of riding, with precious memories I have had, but also with those to come.  Just because you get older doesn’t mean you stop living or riding, it just allows you to do things differently.  Like your outlook towards girls and motorcycles, some get better with time, but never forget to enjoy what and where you are right now.  And where your dreams may take may you tomorrow.

During history people have made pacts or agreements.  When the Pilgrims landed in Massachusetts, they formed the Mayflower Compact, a set of rules to live by in the new world.  Less than 175 years later our forefathers made a new agreement with the Declaration of Independence.  In both cases they felt a divine God was leading them to a better life, and they didn’t want to lose it, or miss any blessing that God had for them.  They made vows to one another, just like we make vows today, and hoped that they would be encouraged by each other to keep them.  History tells us different, as they changed, changing the times with them.  But it is really when Jesus Christ comes into our lives that we change, as all change comes from the inside out, not the other way around.  A Harley is still a 1936 design no matter what color it is painted, or how much chrome added.  They have improved, but the call is still the same.  The call to ride, the call of the open road. 

Ask yourself, where are you in Christ today?  Compared to 5, 10, 15, or even 20 or mores years with him?  Have you changed, have you grown in him?  Is your love for him still as fresh today, or is is more so?  Has he made an impact on your life so that you are known as a Christian when you meet others?  Or have you hung up your leathers because you got old, and done the same with God?  We know people who have gotten old because they have stopped riding, not stopped because they got old.  Works with Christ too.  Religion is only for women and children.  So stay a child of God, let him be your Father, and be his son.  Acknowledge his son in your life, and enjoy every day.  Every way.  If he has truly changed your life, you grow old with him. Ray and I decided we aren’t getting old, just older.  He at 71 rides a turbo charged B King with 264 horsepower as his daily ride.  Riding gives us life and keeps us alive.  But Jesus gives us eternal life, keeps us alive until he calls us home, no matter the age.  And as we have no guarantee for tomorrow, I do for heaven, and I am glad I ride with him. 

Changes in what I ride, changes in how I ride.  Changes in who Jesus is in my life, and how I live for him today.  Compare that to the nevers in your life, and remember one never from a speech given to a graduating college class by Sir Winston Churchill.  In total, “Never, never never, ever give up.”  And then he sat. Maybe the best never to ever remember.  Second only to never forget about Jesus.  Never say no to him when he tugs on your heart, or knocks on the door of it.  Never forget who he is and what he did.  And what he still does in the lives of those who believe.  And still wants to do in those who don’t.  Jesus never changed, or changes.  We do.  So let him change your life today.  Make a pact with him today, he calls it a new covenant, a contract with no ending, you get the title to life right up front, not when the contract payments are finished.  He never stops being God, so don’t ever stop letting him be.

Never, never, ever, give up on Christ.  He hasn’t on you.  Grow older in him, and when you get old, you are one day closer to heaven.  One mile closer to home.  The final ride....And if you happen to pass me on a Gold Wing, or Bonneville, or even a Harley, wave back.  I’m still living and loving the life God has given me.  Changes in what I may ride, but never in the God who saved me.  Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today, and forever.  The future never looked so good.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

preferred parking

Having worked at many jobs over the years, in all of them I drove to work, as did the rest of the employees. And although growing up in a bedroom community of New York City, where many dads commuted on the train, I worked local and drove. At my first real job other than summer employment, I worked at Sears, at night and weekends, and started right after the day crew got off.  We were supposed to park across the street in a huge lot, but some of us fudged, and would park as close as the entrance would allow.  Which generally cheesed off the loyal ones who followed the rules, especially when it was cold or raining or both.   It seemed that those of us who were into our cars broke the rules, and rather risk a door ding from some errant shopper than theft from some junkie.  There was no preferred parking, even the managers parked across the street, it was only those of us who dared break the rules that had the preferred parking.  Despite the many memos, notes on the bulletin board before email, verbal warnings, and every one knowing our cars, we did it for many years, with no repercussions.  Rebels without a cause, unless you count parking where we wanted to.

Working at Polychrome, the upper management and engineers had assigned parking.  Laid out in front of the building, many regular spots in the lot were actually closer and better.  You had to parallel park in the assigned spots-even 40 years ago an unappreciated skill.  We would take the spots closest to the entrance for our bikes, and it seems the only ones who cared were when a wife would come to switch cars with her husband, and could only identify them by the assigned spot.  And then over the intercom for all to hear “would the only of the black motorcycle please remove it from Mr. Levy’s parking place.”  Why not mention my name, who else rode a black motorcycle , or any bike other than a few of us?   It was an early experience of motorcycle riders getting preferred parking.  Which today is common, as most places have motorcycle only parking, and it is usually up front.  Where we struggle to fit out expensive rides in the slot sized for a Schwinn.  But most of us have consideration for our other riders, if only those who drive could do the same.

But with assigned spaces we learned Walter drove a yellow Firebird.  Bill drove a big Chevy, Kurt an old VW, and Ian a new Honda Civic.  We learned to identify our co-workers by cars, thanks to their parking places.  And many times the car would not have matched the person.  Matching owners with their cars often left us in suspense, and even today approaching a car with some license plate like Foxy or Cutie, or some other name, I find many times an unattractive woman behind the wheel.  Wishful thinking, not the plate that matches the driver.  How many times have you been burned by that?  Or by Harvey the Geek driving a cool GTO?  Or a boss in a gray flannel suit driving an MG?  Too many times the cars don’t meet the owners standards as we know them, how could somebody so cool drive a Hyundai?  Or so mundane ride a motorcycle?  Thanks to preferred parking, we found out.  Maybe a side effect to us, as we were only looking for the best place to park.

Some day psychologists will come up with a name for it, those who will sit waiting for a parking spot at Costco to open up, when the could have parked and been in the store already if they parked two spaces down.  I don’t get it.  Maybe just a variation of my Sears days, looking for the best spot.  No assigned parking there, unless you are handicapped.  No motorcycle parking there either.  So we make our own.  Go figure that one, I just want to get in and out-safely, not held up in traffic by someone blocking the aisles waiting. 

It seems we all have our own place we prefer to park.  Like in church where we sit.  More than once I have arrived early and sat in someone else’s regular seat.  And been told “you’re in my seat, please move.”  Hey man, this is church, I thought.  And many times an esteemed elder has been brought in to intervene.  I don’t move...if you want your seat, get here early like I did.  Grow up.  Show some courtesy.  I even parked in an empty spot once, only to be threatened by an usher to be towed, it was the pastor’s parking spot.  Welcome to church, huh?  By the way, I didn’t move, they finally relented when I told them I would make a scene, you explain why I was towed, a visitor to your church?  We never went back to this friendly church.  Jesus tells us the first shall be last.  Maybe works in parking too.  Or at the grocery store after church.  Such love in the chapel, it is absent at the store.  We all want what we want, now, and many times don’t listen or obey the rules.  We just want.  And we realize we are better than everyone else, that we deserve to be first, and the heck with all others.  But often first doesn’t mean preferred, remember the draft lottery for Viet Nam?  I was 364...the top 30 got drafted.  Sometimes in our hurrying we miss blessings, like when in line for $19 rooms at Circus Circus.  400 people ahead of us, when the lady announced “no more $19 rooms.”  The place emptied out, we were left first in line.  “But we do have $29 suites...” and how sweet it was.  God has blessings for you no matter where you are, he hasn’t forgotten about you.  We find Jesus never hurried, yet he was never late.  Always on time, just ask Lazarus.  And the lesson he taught to his sisters.  They complained he was late....little did they know.  For 40 years in the desert, the Jews, their shoes never wore out, food was delivered on time, and clouds shielded them daily.  No matter where they were in the pack.  And yet we find Judas at the right hand of Jesus at the last supper.  The preferred seat for the one who would betray him.  Calling him friend, a reminder of Jesus sitting at the right hand of God in heaven-the preferred seat.  Jesus knows right where you are, do you?

Are you stuck in traffic waiting for a better parking space?  Have you parked in a designated spot, illegally?  Are you more concerned about showing off your car?  Would you risk being towed just to do it?  God has no favorites, he has no priorities except for his son.  He gets the best place, as he deserves it.  Where he is in your life will show in your decisions.  You already have an assigned place in eternity, does that mean you need one down here? 

And then there is valet parking, thankfully never for motorcycles.  I like that, but really I rather park myself.  Let me make the decision where I park.  Just like I did with Jesus.  My choice, not someone else’s.  Not a set of rules or religion, but a choice, the only way to know God.  Are you still fighting over a parking space when you can be assured heaven?  Cruising for a better deal?  Or maybe stuck in an assigned space called religion, and you want out.  But don’t want to give up your space.  Turn to Jesus, let him guide you.  And when trust and concern for others stem from knowing him, you give  up better spots.  And suddenly better ones open up for you.   God does that, he loves to bless.  And in the example shows us to bless others.  That space you are fighting for might just be in the path of an errant cart.  God knows.  Or the one who had an assigned seat in church may need it.  Give it to them, how humbling.  Show them what God has taught you, a lesson with an example.  Pay the toll for the next car in back of you.  Let someone else in front of you with a smaller order.  Let them have the preferred parking, for it is not always what you think.  If you could ask Judas, he would know.  And if you want Jesus’ spot, be ready to go to the cross.  Hmm.....maybe that spot in the corner is better.  So let Jesus lead, you follow.  Show concern, compassion, and grace.  The first will not always be first, remember that when parking at the stadium.  Maybe the last spot is the best way to get out first.  Walking to your car, and leaving, while all others wait in line to exit.  Preferred parking awaits all of us in heaven.  Lazarus had a much different perspective on waiting then did Martha and Mary.  Jesus is patient that none should be lost.  He is always on time.....what’s your excuse?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

the prodigal motorcycle-a lesson from Suzuki

Can it really be 30 years ago that Suzuki changed the world of motorcycling by coming out with its GSX-R750?  In an age when we had to custom build our bikes to look like a race bike, putting on low bars, rear sets, and exhaust systems, the GXSR came ready to ride or race.  Built to a single purpose, and it still continues today.  But taking a step back, I worked selling Suzukis when they were the last Jap bike to build a four stroke.  No more racing castor smell, 4 strokes were in, and the 1977 GS 750 was the last to arrive.  A great bike, I had a blue one, and it spawned the GS1000 in my garage.  Suzuki was winning races, setting sales records, and leading the way.  But the chief project engineer had a different approach, and calling his staff together challenged them.  He had them disassemble a 750 motor, and paint all the parts blue they had no problems with.  The ones that had broken in the field they painted red.  And with very few parts being red, they felt satisfied about their work.  Their boss didn’t.  He accused them of building the bikes too well, they didn’t break, and as a engineer found that wasteful.   They had lost the challenge and their drive for better things.  They had lost the vision that had created the original GS 750, and he gave them three rules to challenge them.   One, don’t copy.  Two, go for new technology.  Three, avoid conventional wisdom.  The third being the hardest to overcome, as they had set the standard, and now were the industry standard.  They needed a vision, and they were given one, a new challenge where they might fail, but we see the 1986 GSX-R750 as the result.  It took a man of vision, and a vision to go where they might fail.  Truly the only ones who fail are the ones who never try.  Who have no vision, and have no spirit driving them.  They never know the true measure of success and the joy it brings because they never try.  So they never fail.  And churches are full of folk like that.

I get weary of listening to pastors telling their flock to get out of their comfort zone.   My friend tells me those types live in a box, never seeing all that God has to offer.  Yet they are in a comfort zone, a don’t bother me situation, and never get out of the four walls of the building.  They think that is church, and they talk among their clique, their small group, and never venture out of it.  They agree with the pastor, do all the right things the church says, and really are miserable deep down inside.  They aren’t comfortable by Biblical standards, and appear satisfied.  They are the little engine that could, but are never tested.  They boast in what God has done for them, just look.  They have good jobs, kids aren’t in jail, and they have a good standing at church.  But they are like a meal of oatmeal, they are filled up, and never hungry.  But never satisfied either.  They seek after themselves, not after God.  They fail to see what a failure they are.  They have met the world’s standards, the church’s standards, just not God’s.

So I take exception to being told to get out of my comfort zone.  The holy spirit is the comforter, and when I’m following the spirit, in the spirit, I am comfortable.  It’s taken me years to get there, and I don’t want to leave.  I want my life in Christ to be challenged, and I welcome a vision from God.  While some are told to go attempt something for God where they could fail, I rather attempt what the spirit has shown me.  And with that vision know that God will provide, I don’t have to.  If he says it, it is done.  God won’t fail, and so I won’t when I follow his vision for me.  Yet so many go the route of raising money, losing the vision and losing the comfort of being in the spirit.  They fail to trust God, and leave Jesus behind as they go out on their own.  Paul simply tells us in 2 Corinthians 12, God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness.  The more weakness in me, the stronger God is in the situation.  And the three things the Suzuki engineers were challenged with can apply to Christians.  To strengthen our walk, to allow us to be in the spirit, to be in God’s comfort zone.  So don’t copy others, or share your vision so others copy you.  If God shows you, do it.  No programs, processes, or procedures needed.  No budgets.  Jesus is enough.  Two, God’s way may be a new technology to you.  Trusting his spirit takes you places you have never been, and without God you will fail.  His technology may be old, but is new to you.  Nothing is new under the sun.  So trust the original creator to get ‘er done.  And lean not on your own understanding.  Finally avoid conventional wisdom.  Trust God, and follow the spirit’s leading.  How many have quit saying “we’ve never done it this way before?”  Jesus chose 12 men with no talents or abilities to start his church.  You may be over qualified, yet God will find a purpose and place for you.  If God never challenges you, you are a failure already, as you have denied his spirit that is calling you. 

My 1978 GS 1000 has half the horsepower, and weighs 150 pounds more than today’s super bikes.  It took the vision of one man in charge to inspire his staff to new heights.  Who inspires you?  Or are you satisfied with your religion?  Is church boring, are you in a comfort zone that is really uncomfortable?  Or do you hear the spirit calling you out, to walk with him, and see blessings that you never knew existed?  It takes men of vision to walk with Christ, to trust he who you cannot see or touch, but who you know is real.  I am so glad my God is not happy with my situation, and wants me to change.  To be blessed, and a blessing at the same time.  Get out of the box and into the spirit.  Riding my GS will now have a new meaning every time I ride it.  I will remember that where the spirit of the Lord is there is liberty.  And that I once rode in faith, now in trust.  The words you are reading now, a vision God gave me, far from anything I was qualified for.  And I would fail if not for Jesus in my life.

Be all you can be in Jesus Christ.  Be yourself, maybe the single most difficult thing you will ever do.  But trust God, get into his comfort zone and see God as you never have seen him before.  The fastest motorcycle that sits in the box will never show all the potential it has until it uncrated and the throttle twisted.   Get out of the box, and into the spirit.  A lesson from an engineer in Japan.  Who realized great was never good enough and challenged his team to greater things.  Think of it as the prodigal motorcycle, prodigal meaning wasteful.  Like the son who stayed home and missed all the blessings of his father.  He was the true prodigal.  Religion teaches different.  Bound by religion, or riding in the spirit?  If you never try, you have already failed.  If you never screw up you will never need mercy. It all starts with being in the spirit.  You may be riding a prodigal life and not knowing it.  Avoid conventional wisdom and seek wisdom from above.  Like the fastest motorcycle, you need to take it out of the box and try it out.  Take Jesus out of the box.  And join him.  Think I’ll go for a ride. 

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

north of South Dakota

With apologies to Stephen Austin’s immortal lyrics, “it rained all day the night I left, the weather it was dry...” I had two more states in the contiguous US of A to travel through to have seen all of the lower 48.  So planning my trip to go through both North Dakota and Montana was my main consideration on the way back from seeing my dad on his birthday in Jersey.  When riding cross country you must be prepared for all sorts of weather from blistering hot to freezing cold, and this early June gave me a chance to see both.  But like any presummer spring day, expect rain, and I had been fortunate.  I had been in rain, but only showers, but hitting Minnesota it got hot and muggy, the clouds just looking for any excuse to soak a biker.  Out here we would ignore them, but when riding in the Midwest they spell rain, so I took the freeway all I could, plus I was due back at a wedding that weekend.  Which left me only four days to get from Minnesota to Escondido via Montana, not the most direct route.  I would end up doing it in three, the weather being the catalyst to get home as you will see.

I spent an uneventful night in Fargo, hot and muggy, eating a steak dinner.  What else in farm country?  I went to bed full, planning on an early departure, and slept good, until the thunder woke me up about 2am, and kept me up.  And if it wasn’t the thunder, it was the wind and rain.  All conditions my Tiger had been in before, but that I wished to avoid all I could.  But the weather and my route choice dictated different...Showering I was in the breakfast lobby at 6am, which already was full of farmers who were travelling, maybe mid morning for some of them as they get up early.  But the talk was of spending another day as the weather was bad all across the state, with wind warnings for the next 200 miles west.  So my choice was simple-rain suit and ride slower as the weather dictates, or stay there for the day again.  And I prayed as I started putting on my rainsuit.

Now north of South Dakota is pretty flat, farmland and grazing land.  Wide open spaces of endless prairies.  You’ll have to take the tourism promise of it, what I saw was much different.   Fortunately I had filled up the night before as is my common practice, and off I went.  Now rain is bad, wind is worse, but the combination is insane on a motorcycle.  And for the next 200 miles I faced insanity.  Straight as the wind would allow, I rode at my usual 80+, passing huge trucks who only made it worse, and leaning to the left all the way, as the wind was blowing hard from south. It was so bad that when I stopped for gas, the left side of my front tire was scuffed like it had been on a track day.  But the sun was out, it hadn’t been too cold, but that was on its way.  Filling up and taking off my rain suit, a local women was intrigued when she saw my California plates, and wondered why anyone would ride from there to here.  “Just out for a ride,” my usual response, and she told me of some great roads to ride in the area, the middle of the state.  “Just turn north at Mandan, and enjoy the ride...” and on any other day I would have, but I had a schedule, never a good thing on a long ride.  But passing through the area, I could see how the topography changed, and with a river to follow, the first curves other than an exit ramp called, but I rode on west.  North by Northwest, still north of South Dakota.

Now Montana is known for the mountains in its western half, and I had even planned a detour through Glacier National Park and the Going to the Son Road, but again time was not on my side. Sunny, no wind or rain, and with the open speed limits, ran 90-100 making good time to Bozeman despite taking old US 10 and riding through the fields and hills, just north of where Custer made his last stand. And with all the weather behind me, I again had a great steak dinner, and was up early the next day.  No clouds in sight, but it was cold, 39 degrees.  But obviously not to a local couple, who rode in and sat next to me at breakfast in t-shirts.  Maybe I am spoiled by So Cal weather, but I was cold and drinking tea, an only on the road beverage when I am cold.  And then south, cold and windy, with more rain south of Salt Lake, but I made it home a day early, taking just three days.  Dry ground and 70 degree temps never looked so good. 

God had brought me safely home, through the storms, the wind and rain, and the cold.  Just like when Nehemiah completed the walls despite enemy influence in record time, it was all because of the grace of God.  Even my well traveled rider friends must admit it was a gift from God.  And of course I had spent much time with him, what better place than behind the bars of a motorcycle.  He reminded me how he takes us through the storm and not around it.  On days where semis were pulling over, God made a way.  When it got cold, God still made the way.  And gave me warm shelter at night, with a good night’s sleep.  And plenty of rest.  Despite all odds, and absence of common sense, mine, God delivered.  Making it through the wind and rain, I thought I had it made when it stopped.  But the devil never rests, and fortunately Jesus never sleeps or slumbers.  When it got cold, he was still with me.  It is always amazing to me that in the midst of storms we seek him most, and he never disappoints.  Yet on nice days, we forget, or neglect to spend time with him.  Isn’t he the God of good weather as well as bad?  But we must battle against the weather and keep going, seeking him in all situations, and then praise becomes a common result.  The world will throw everything it has at us, God is greater.  It is in the storm we see the greatest blessings, and his love made real.  To man it was insane riding, but with God it all makes sense.  Jesus never leaves us despite the weather or the storm.  I know he held me upright in the wind, gave me shelter, and got me there safe.  But not without much praying and spending time with him.  He is shelter from the storms of life, or the weather just north of South Dakota.  We will never cease to have battles against the world, the flesh, and the devil until we arrive home in heaven, and only Jesus will get us there.  Wet, tired, and cold...but we will arrive. 

Some day I hope to see North Dakota, to ride north of Mandan to see the pretty country I was told about.  On a sunny day, maybe in the middle of summer with Theresa taking pictures.  Some tell me I am crazy for some of the places I ride, and that I ride at all.  Those same ones also think I am crazy for being a Christian.  Jesus and motorcycles makes good company.  Never leave him behind, he never leaves you.  Seems Peter and the lads were caught in a storm one night, and there he was walking on the waves.  So it makes perfect sense to find him riding in the storm across North Dakota.  Or Montana, or south of Salt Lake.  Where he performed another miracle on the road, but that is another story.  No better place than to find Jesus than riding, he spent his ministry on the road.  And so he calls us too.

We don’t know what tomorrow brings, but we do know what he took us through today.  Start the morning as you end it, praising him, and find he never left you.  Even when you don’t have enough sense to come in out of the rain.  And you don’t have to travel north of South Dakota to find out.  One afternoon in LA traffic will have you yearning to go home, back to the Garden as quick as you can.  But he is patient with us, so be patient with him.  He who controls the weather will get us safely through the storm.  Better rides lay ahead of us, only when we follow the Lord.  And just like Oh, Susanna, “don’t you cry for me.”  But praise him.  There are songs for that too.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

outrunning the bear

Two men were going to go for a hike in the woods, it was an area known for wildlife, among them bears.  And both men being city folk, and not familiar with the terrain, and wildlife, sought out a ranger before entering.  After the usual precautions, they were ready to go.  Excited, they had their packs and water, and as they left the ranger had one more bit of advice, in the form of a question.  “What do you do if you see a bear?”  One answered “run,” and the other agreed.  “Do you think you both can outrun a bear?”  asked the ranger.  But the smarter, seemingly wiser of the two responded, “I don’t have to outrun the bear, just my friend.”  Survival of the fastest, not necessarily the fittest. And not quite the response the ranger was looking for, but true. 

How many times when speeding down the road have we seen a cop on the side of the road, slow down quickly, and feel relieved when you see he has pulled over someone else.  Glad for you, but not always sad for them.  Very rarely do we think that could have been me, and race on.  How many times have you been the one, and wish someone would stop and provide support?  In both cases, trying to outrun the bear, but needing only one to get caught to save the other.  One night, actually early morning, BH and I were riding in rural Pennsylvania, much faster than common sense would dictate.  When suddenly a highway patrol car appears out of nowhere in our rear view mirrors.  And that sinking feeling overwhelmed us.  Busted!  He was nice, very professional, and advised us of our high speed antics.  Looking at our licenses, he was about to write us a ticket, when a biker on a chopper appeared coming towards us.  Helmetless in the bright moonlight, helmet laws were strictly enforced back then, as he passed, the officer had to make a quick decision.  Handing us back our licenses, he said “wait here, I’ll be right back.”  And a soon as he was out of sight chasing the chopper, we took off the other way.  We hadn’t needed to outrun the bear, just the chopper.  Secretly we would have liked to see his face when he returned and we were gone.

It seems the child hood game of hide and seek is played at different levels as we get older.  We are told we can run, but we can’t hide, yet the truth catches up to us when least expected.  I once worked with a man who was a highly respected football coach.  Until one day when he was called into the superintendent’s office, and fired.  He had falsified his resume, and never had done the things he said, including attending college.  So they fired him, some 10 years after he was hired.  He lived knowing someday he would get caught, but as each day passed, he forgot about it a little more.  The bear of truth had caught up with him, and he was the only one to blame.  Truth had found him out, but really it was his sin that had surfaced.  He had become a legend at that high school, infamous instead of famous.  The truth had seen him fired, not set free.  In each of the examples, advice was given, but changed to use for someone’s selfish advantage.  Funny thing about good advice, it only works when taken.  Bad advice catches up to you.

We see Nehemiah in a situation where men are out to get him, and is given advice that sounds good, but isn’t of God.  A man claiming to be a prophet tells him to find sanctuary in the temple.  Sounds good if the enemy is closing, but Nehemiah thought about it and refused.  A true prophet of God would not cause you to sin, and it was forbidden anyone but priests to enter the temple.  A place of sanctuary had been provided, just outside the temple.  He asked “should a man like me run and hide using illegal practices?”  He didn’t as he recognized in his heart, his spirit that it was not of God.  What would you have done?  Fear makes us do things we normally wouldn’t do, yet when Jesus arrives on the scene, so many times his opening line is “be of good cheer.”  But God, it’s the cops, my career, my finances?  My friend who runs slower.  And suddenly we forget God’s love in the face of survival. 

We need to be in the spirit as many people will try to screw you up.  Give bad advice, sounds good, but is not of God.  Knowing Jesus provides us with all the help we need.  If we turn to him in every situation.  Yet others try to screw you down, miring you in laws, regulations, and rules, that they themselves don’t often follow.  Screwed up or screwed down?  When we don’t have to be.  The truth in the law is that it points out our sins, or failures.  Jesus forgives them.  And calls us to follow him.  With only one law-love.  Maybe the hardest one to follow on your own.  So he left his spirit to guide us, to protect us, and counsel us.  That same spirit that informed Nehemiah of the truth is available to us.  But be careful, the counterfeiter also has advice that sounds good, but leads to destruction.  The bears are out there, the traps are set...so be wary lest you fall into one away from God.

Screwed up?  Turn to Jesus, he forgives, and will set you free to follow him.  Your choice.  Screwed down?  Turn to him also, find freedom in the spirit, and from legalism.  From the ties that bind of religion.  Know when to run, know when to hide.  And where.  When we walk with Christ we walk at a different level.  We walk to the beat for a different drummer, as Henry David Thoreau espoused in Walden Pond.  Only in the spirit do we hear God’s voice personally, and know it is him.  Counterfeits reveal themselves, and we can walk not in fear, but in confidence that God is with us.  And if God is for us, who can be against us?  Nothing will free us from fear and from the bear other than Jesus.  Who came to save, our souls and also walk with us daily.  We need Jesus, we need God.  Nehemiah knew God, and his voice.  He knew where to run to, and where not to go.  Do not be deceived.

The best way to know someone is by spending time with them.  Works with God too.  Pray, read his word, and meditate on it.  Hang out with believers, and when the bear comes, know what to do.  Turn to Jesus, who has a way out that many times we have never thought of.  Fear does that, it confuses.  Jesus has overcome, have you?

Your sin will find you out, but the truth will set you free.  We belong to God and do not have to fall for the pressures of the world.  Be of good cheer, for Jesus has overcome the world.  Outrunning the bear takes on a whole new meaning when walking, and not running.  With Jesus.  Let’s pray.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

the lights are out in Trollhattan

There is only one car company left in Sweden today, Volvo, kept alive over the years by the endless queue of drivers with no driving talent, and who shouldn’t be allowed to drive on public roads. Volvo has been their choice of cars since the fifties, based on their safety engineering, which today is standard on all cars, even though Volvo helped pioneer it decades ago.  The Volvo plant helping to keep the lights burning in Gothenburg.  Cars for people who know nothing about cars and driving, and intend to stay that way.  Just the opposite of SAAB, the other Swedish auto manufacturer until GM pulled the plug on them in 2010.  SAAB, known for its winning rally cars, and unusual engineering.  Again safety, but built for sport, at least when compared to Volvo.  Did you know many safety devices are racing based?  How many driver types entered a SAAB for the first time, and couldn’t find the key, where it has been placed for safety reasons on the floor behind the shifter.  Accident studies showed injuries from key when hitting the dash.  But they were quirky cars, and I had two friends that owned them.  John bought a new 1976 that the headlights went out on the first night.  Driving home in the dark in Albuquerque was a rally unto itself.  They mysteriously came on the next morning, and never failed again.  It was also this car when parked in Gallup, that he found what he thought was a drunk Indian on the hood.  After no response to get off, John pushed him, and he rolled off dead.  Leaving blood all over the hood, and soon the car was sold.  Terry had a 1980 red one, that many a road trip was taken in.  Never maintained, it never failed, and I can remember one cold winter in Colorado where it was the only car to start at –20.  Maybe it felt at home in the cold. 

But one little known statistic about the SAAB automobile, is that their owners were the best educated.  Not an inexpensive car, high end professionals, along with the Aspen Police bought them.  Using that formula, maybe that explains all the idiots in Hyundais, Kias, and SUV’s.  Parts falling off, while they leave you in a cloud of smoke, parts falling off.  But still have the talent to cut you off while using the cell phone or applying make-up.  Or maybe just trying to preserve the balance with Volvo, no one ever drove a Volvo fast, SAABs were built for speed.  With the possible exception of a trip around Sears Point in my sister in law’s Volvo wagon, that my nephew kept shouting “Uncle Mike, the wheels are coming off, this car never has been this fast.”  They shook, but never fell off.  Can’t say if I felt safe though.  And so it is the best educated people, not necessarily the best drivers now have to seek alternative rides, for the lights are out in Trollhattan forever. 

Many cars are out there fighting for your hard earned dollar, or kroner.  Many attractive prices to go with the hype built up behind the ride.  While the Millenials seem to be more interested in gadgets than speed.  Such are the pitches of the ads, boasting about Wi Fi, great gas mileage, how many USB ports, and the size of the computer screen.  They think this sells cars, and to some it does, but some of us still want performance.  We want handling, acceleration, and braking.  Good gas mileage is expected, and we don’t want to pay too much.  Just like the God we seek.  We want a god who can provide it all.  Love, joy, and peace.  A God who listens to us and responds.  One who forgives, one who came down to so that we can be reunited with him.  We want all the blessings we can get, not just shallow promises.  Yet some settle for an intellectual experience, knowledge is the best, know your Bible and know God.  Some want happiness, leave me alone, and I’ll be fine.  They seek a feel good God, who loves them as they are, and won’t change them for the better.  They see themselves as the example.  Some try to find God through good works, through giving, and attendance at all church functions.  But they end up finding a hollow relationship, and the lights are out just like in Trollhattan.  All the education, attendance, and religiousness cannot come close to knowing Jesus.  No salvation without Christ.  No peace, because there is no God, Jesus is the only way.  They seek safe gods, Volvo like gods who ignore their sin, and feel safe within religion.  They want performance, a selfish one, where God is like the genie in the lamp granting their wishes, and getting mad when he doesn’t.  They have become Godlike in their own eyes, deceiving themselves. 

They are like a missionary to China who was offered a job with big money to join a company.  He refused, the dollars got bigger, he finally told them the money wasn’t the problem, the job was too small.  How big is your calling and relationship with God?  Those who call upon the Lord as their God, know this.  We don’t try to limit our God, we try to become more like him, rather than making him more like us.  While some just live carelessly, claiming God is looking out for them despite their lifestyle.  With no concern for others, they don’t see the residue they leave behind.  They may have never been in an accident, but may have caused many.  They never look behind, but they never look ahead either.

The youngest 4 year old who knows Jesus is much smarter than the highly educated who denies him.  Knowing Jesus opens us up to all we ever want to know, and gains us access to the God of the universe.  But it starts in the heart, then transfixes the mind.  Not the other way around.  Many who try to prove the absence of God end up proving he is who he says he is.  God is not on trial, we are.  And on judgment day who would you rather have defend you, Jesus who took your sins, or yourself still a sinner.  Even in front of God, it is a fool who has himself for a patient.  And so just as it doesn’t take driving skill to own a car, it takes no skill to know God.  It is a choice we make, and I am glad I chose Jesus.  His performance is unmatched, styling is timeless, talk about power, and handling....so what will it take to put you with Jesus today?

The lights are still out in Trollhattan, and without Jesus the light is out in your life also.  The smartest people in history are the ones who chose Jesus Christ.  Don’t fall prey to promises of safety, when you can have eternal security in Jesus.  Education, just like money will not get you to heaven.  And just because the Bible warns the rich doesn’t mean the poor have a free pass.  Jesus is the only way, so simple I can get it, free so I can afford it.  Even the disciples were in one Accord long before Honda.  It is like trying to find where to put the ignition key in a SAAB, it is there all the time, right in front of you.  Just a place you didn’t expect.  Try Jesus today, read the owner’s manual that comes with him, and check into a service, his church.  Knowing Jesus is the smart thing to do, no matter what you drive or ride.  One test ride and you are sold forever.  Just ask a 4 year old.  Now, doesn’t that make you feel safer already?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com