would Mr.Spock drive a Prius?

Leonard Nimoy the actor is no longer with us, but his defining character lives on in reruns, going where he has has gone many times before.  Mr. Spock will forever be the ultimate hybrid, half human and half Vulcan, who when he asked his father Sarek, a Vulcan why he married an Earth girl,  he replied “it seemed the logical thing to do at the time.”  That Earth girl just happened to be Jane Wyatt, who just happened to be Mrs. Jim Anderson on Father Knows Best.  Maybe Sarek did know something about Earth women after all.  If the mother of Bud, Princess, and Kitten could endure the fifties, surely she could raise Spock, is that his first or last name, in the 22nd century.  When we attended a Start Trek convention in 1976, it was billed as Gene Roddenberry speaks, he explained how he took contemporary problems of the 60’s, and brought them into the future.   Rather successfully and thanks to Me TV I can check in aboard the Enterprise every Saturday night.  But in other reruns on nostalgia channels, old Leonard, never Len, Nimoy appears.  On two different Highway Patrols he appears as a bad guy, and also a good guy.  He was on the Outer Limits before he went into space, and would eventually be on Mission Impossible.  But he will always be Mr. Spock, which is never a bad thing.  The most well known hybrid in the universe.  Indeed.

But today another hybrid, a golf cart disguised as a car, an ugly car, is becoming a popular well known hybrid.  They are everywhere, especially in the slow lane on the free way clogging traffic as they travel at 57 mph in their battery mode.  Imported to earth from Japan, they have become trendy, and other manufacturers are building hybrids now.  But what is it, car or golf cart?  But the question is, would Mr. Spock, the ultimate hybrid in the universe, drive one?  Could you see him on the 405 during rush hour in the commuter lane?  Going 55, when the line of traffic behind him grows?  How much of a match would the car’s on board computer be compared to him?  Would he argue with the GPS, or just go his own way?  Would he car pool in one?  Or would he just work from home like he did on Star Trek, the Enterprise being his home?  Maybe making him the first work at home first officer.  Now really, can you really see Mr. Spock driving a Prius?  Even the shuttle craft was an alternative, and a Prius is definitely an alternative mode of transportation? 

Or maybe an electric motorcycle like the Zero?  Close , but with a limited range, probably not.  I can see him riding, but with power.  Maybe a Hayabusa, with Star Fleet emblems.  Fast is no problem for him. Add a turbo charger like on Ray’s B King. And being a hybrid, he is used to being in a static world, so riding a single purpose propelled vehicle, our modern day transporter, would not amaze him.  I only hope Arai can custom build a helmet for him to fit his ears in.  If they choose to follow his instructions.  With all these decisions to make, suddenly space travel seems much easier.  But to answer the question, I can see Mr. Spock looking at a Prius, and finding it like I do, illogical.  And riding a fast motorcycle, which only seems like the logical thing to do.  Imagine the ads he could be in, “I’ll only quit riding when the can pry my hands from the handlebars using my Vulcan death grip.”  And to all you Prius owners, he would add “looks like there is no intelligent life down there.”  To which Bones would confirm in them, “they’re dead Jim.”  So maybe the future is brighter than it looks.  If only Prius owners had the common sense of Mr. Spock.

But like many in the world today, Mr. Spock is a double minded man.  He has to discipline himself to keep the human side from over coming the Vulcan half.  He tries to live his life not ruled by his emotions, like many do today.  In Psalm 73 we find Asaph, King David’s music leader having some doubts when the ungodly prosper and he is suffering.  But God reminds him in a loving way, to not be ruled by your emotions.  Not to look at the situation, but look to him.  To return to the sanctuary, where you find fellowship with him, and other believers.  In the spirit.  But even at warp speed those temples are few and far between, especially when you need one.  So God sent Jesus, and when we are saved, his spirit dwells within us.  Our body becomes the temple in which the holy spirit lives.  So faster than warp speed, we can have Jesus.  All we need, all we want, and when we want him.  He knows our coordinates.  And while transforming our heart, he also transforms our minds, so we find ourself thinking like him, and the mysteries of God are revealed.  We then can make decisions based on facts rather than emotions, because we are not governed by our moods.  And it is never a good idea to make any decision based on emotions.  Well beam me up Scotty, how do I get to this sanctuary?

By becoming born again, and when the spirit dwells in us, we can in various ways.  Reading the Bible brings us closer to God.  Praying is always available.  Fellowshipping with other Christians will also change our thinking from natural to spiritual.  When we see things through God’s eyes, the impossible is possible, the confusing is understandable, and you can rise above your emotions.  And make better decisions because God is with you.  And no matter how others succeed, or you struggle, you can be assured of heaven when you die.  But only when you enter into the sanctuary of the holy spirit.  God is not a hybrid, is not double minded, and never needs to be recharged.  His range knows no limits.

So read the Psalms today.  You may find that these songs of faith reflect our own experiences, they are an enactment of what we go through.  Spend some time in Psalm 73, and Psalm 1, blessed is the man who spends time with God.  And Jesus is the way....who by the way would never drive a double minded car, or motorcycle.  But he would love the sinner, but not their sin.  He would love the Prius owner, something I need to remember next time one cuts me off, or drives slow in the fast lane.  They need Jesus, and if double minded in cars, probably are in their life too.  Hybrids are a compromise, car that is, Mr. Spock was an original.  The ultimate hybrid.  It takes faith to trust God, don’t be double minded.  And don’t drive a Prius.  You need a God whose range exceeds yours, whose directions don’t require a GPS, and who can get you where you desire, heaven.  Jesus is the way, and was the way long before hybrids.  And long after the Enterprise.  It only seems the logical thing to do is to follow Jesus.  To make him the Captain Kirk of your Enterprise.  Only in Christ will you boldly go where no man has gone before.  Now I ask you, don’t you really feel foolish in a golf cart on the freeway?  Jesus Christ, the logical thing to do no matter what you drive.  Indeed.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

pay on Saturday, work on Monday

When my older son got his first paycheck, he was appalled they took out taxes.  “There must be a mistake,” he cried, but he learned an important lesson that day.  My first paycheck was over 45 years ago, making $64.00/week, a summer job working for the Union County Park Commission, if you don’t count my paper route or money from cutting yards or shoveling snow.  But my next paycheck came in the form of not a paycheck, but in cash, when I worked for Sears.  On Fridays, the line was long at the cashier, as all the employees were in line to get paid, in cash.  We were handed an envelope without name on it, and a slip inside telling our gross, the taxes taken out, and the net due.  It was neat to handle the $40 or so in cash, enough to spend a little bit of it and put the rest in the bank.  And I was surprised there was never a robbery as all this cash was sitting right there, under little or no security.  And I learned how each person handled his own cash.  Many of them went to lunch and had a few drinks, which was popular at the time.  Some spent too much, taking home very little for their families after lunch and a trip to the motorcycle store.  Or clothing department, or shoes, or whatever.  The first one they saw got their cash, and the rest went home for real expenses like food and rent.   I’m sure a big change in family finances took place when we got paychecks and had to go to the bank, no direct deposit existed yet.  And wives found out how much their husbands really made, and both bars and bike shops surely felt the effect.  And so it was with paychecks, usually distributed on Friday, with a whole weekend to recover from “I wonder where the money went.”

But an unusual side effect of Friday paydays was if you were scheduled to work Saturday, many called in sick or were hung over.  Saturday was always a day, or any day after payday, was always a big day of absenteeism.  With many businesses wondering how to combat the lack of workers the day after pay day.  When working for Motorsport in Albuquerque, they had a unique and successful answer.  They still paid by check, but did it on Saturday, at closing at 530 pm.  No ATM’s like now, and with no banks open, they kept enough cash handy to cash checks for those who wanted it.  For those who like in the days of cash in the envelope were subject to whoever got between them and home that night.  But with one benefit for Motorsport.  Being closed on Sunday, Monday absenteeism was almost non-existent, their employees having had a full day to do whatever and recover by Monday morning.  I always admired the thinking behind it, and was careful to  never cash my check there, as the temptations were strong.  So I always kept an extra $20 handy for the weekend, enough to fill my bike, eat, and go out Saturday night.  And then cash my check Monday.  I had a plan, and like their plan it worked for me.  Call it pay on Saturday, work on Monday, and it worked.  And the only place I ever heard of or saw that did that.  Much different from my direct deposit check of today....and when was the last time you actually went inside a bank to do business?  Let’s hope you never forget your PIN number, or that anyone else gets it.  So each business or generation has a plan, yet it is still up to the individual how he spends his money.  Or lack of it.

We work for money, not for goods or trade out.  I have in the past done some trade out, but find nothing else spends like cash.  And money is not necessarily a bad thing to have, but can become dangerous in the wrong hands.  We hear preached “money is the root of all evil,” and heads bob up and down in agreement.  Maybe the one thing they remember from church.  But they are spreading a lie, because the Bible never said that.  Whoa, wait a minute, I thought, and you thought wrong.  Or heard wrong, or were taught wrong.  Money is NOT the root of all evil, but the love of it is.  1 Timothy 6:10 tells us “for the love of money is the source of all kinds of evil.  Some people eager for money have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”  When making money becomes your goal, to buy you things, you have entered into all kinds of evil.  I have seen and heard the excuses, “I need the money to give to missions.  To tithe with.”  And how much of your check goes there?  One time while unemployed years ago, I asked a group of men one question.  “Do you miss the job or the paycheck?”  Without fail, they all, we all missed the paycheck.  We may love our jobs, but would never do them without compensation.  Money.  A paycheck.  For the love of money.  Because we all have needs, but we all also have desires. 

I find it fascinating that in times of depression or recession, gambling increases.  As do lottery sales.  Many will pay for wants before they pay for their needs.  We may be out of food, but my BMW payments are up to date.   I still get my nails done, hair done, and need the new outfit.  But when the money is gone, the love of money to live the life chosen has brought ruin.  They have pierced themselves with many griefs, all of them all about me.  Some will even be heard complaining “I tithed, I gave to the church.  Why is God doing this to me?”  And in their selfishness never saw God, he knew why they gave, and never blessed their giving.

Jesus tells us it is more blessed to give than receive.  To give with a joyful heart, the Greek telling us to give hilariously.  “Take it all, enjoy it Lord,” being the attitude.  I have seen men who are very rich stand up and give a large sum anonymously.  Yeah, right.  I have seen churches give huge sums to a mission, while the people starve around them.  Proclaiming the amount and to whom they gave it.  Bringing them a shame they haven’t seen yet.  But Jesus is more impressed with why and when, rather than the amount.  Which is why we see the widow with two mites giving her all, and being blessed.  She saw in Jesus how he gave it all,  and being urged by the spirit gave all she had.  With only God noticing her sacrifice.  A form of worship, she gave all she had to a God who had given all he had to her.  Jesus gave us something we could never earn, forgiveness, and salvation.  No one or nothing else could buy our souls, although many have paid a price and received death.

God admonishes us to be givers.  Not only of our money, but of our time.  Our resources.  Of ourselves.  To minister as he did, meeting needs.  And to see how his grace is sufficient.  How he meets all our needs in his riches and glory.  His riches and glory are Jesus Christ, and in him the poor never go hungry, their children are never found begging.   I don’t question his ways, I am glad he is there for me. 

One time when down and out, without food, a church gave us $20.  We had donated an answering machine to them, it was for sale, but we did as God had shown us to do.  We filled the shopping cart with food, and still had money left over....only God can do that.  A lesson I never forgot.  You may draw a nice paycheck, but it is God who will always meet your needs.  You work, it is your paycheck, and also how you spend it is up to you.  But remember the love of money, and more importantly remember what it cannot pay for.  It will never bring you closer to God, but can get between you and him.  It may bring happiness, but few times bring joy.  Direct deposit may get money in your account, but only Jesus can directly deposit you in heaven at death.  And ask yourself, what do you profit if you gain the world and its riches, but lose your soul?  And remember, how much did Henry Ford leave when he died?  All.  The same amount the widow left, and that we will leave.  Invest in your eternity today, in Jesus.  Pay it ahead like he did.  And never have to worry about a payday again.  We all live paycheck to paycheck, it is our retirement in heaven that only Christ can guarantee.  The love of money or the love of Christ?  What’s in your wallet?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

riding into the sunset

Living back east, most of our rides were heading west.  Which in the afternoons meant riding into the sun.  It always seemed that at 4 pm we would hit the wall, that exhaustion after a long day and many miles would hit us, and we would stop.  Sometimes a Tootsie Roll and a soda would be enough, sometimes a rest stop and lying your head on the table.  It always seemed the seemed the last 200 miles, or 3 hours was the longest, yet we were traveling at the same speed we had all day.  But we would make it somehow, and after arriving at our motel, after a brief rest felt ready to go again.  But secretly were glad to be in for the night.  It seemed our riding into the sunset at first was tortuous, every bone in the body hurt, the eyes burned from the sun in them, but we kept riding into it.  We would ride into the sunset but never quite catch it over the horizon.  It was always just there in front of us, and we only crossed paths with it when the sun went down.  And the dusk with its limited light was harder to ride in than the darkness that covered it. And it always seemed the sun got bigger as it got lower, and close enough to touch, just unreachable.  All the excitement of the day’s ride in the last 200 miles.

But only if heading west.  From Cali we only seem to go east, or north, and going east can be brutal in the mornings.  You are fresh, but the brightness of the sun also is.  It can take the same 200 miles depending upon time of departure to get the sun from your eyes.  Maybe that explains why we ride for breakfast, maybe 100 miles, then stop and eat.  We have a good start behind us, and after eating, the sun is higher, we are refreshed, and the rest of the day looks bright-no pun intended.  Stephen Stills once sang “don’t look at my shadow it’s behind me...” and although we seem to be riding towards the sun, we never can reach it.  An outstretched arm seems to almost touch it, but yet it is elusive.  And so it is as it has for cowboys and their ladies everywhere, we all ride into the sunset, we just never reach it.  And we have the night to dream about tomorrow and the next day’s ride, another sunrise awaits and a new day calling.

Psalm 90 talks of God from everlasting to everlasting.  From vanishing point to vanishing point, from elusive sunset to sunset.  He goes back before the beginning and goes past of the future.  He is beyond time and space, before the sun coming up, and after it goes down.  While we were asleep last night, he was wide awake preparing the next day for us, planning our ride before we even hit the road.  He lives beyond the sunset, yet many try to catch him, only to find him elusive.  Yet it is not God who is avoiding us, it is us avoiding him.  We set our own ride, and look for him in it.  We sometimes give him a choice of rides to bless us, and sometimes he hands the trip planner back marked “none of the above.”  Road closed, danger ahead.  Yet we try to get him to go our way, when we need to go his way.  He is the great I am, and his beginning goes back farther than a vanishing point, and goes on farther than the horizon’s vanishing point.  Yet many claim it is God’s fault when they cannot find him, that all roads lead to him, just not the one they are on right now.  They ride endlessly into the sun, but never consider God’s son Jesus.  They don’t ask for direction, and grumble when they find they are lost.  They may pray “God where are you?” but never stop to consider where they are.  And what is the first thing you ask someone who needs directions?  Where are you?  For without knowing where you are, you cannot get the directions to go where you want.  And little or a lot, lost is lost.  We know we are heading east in the morning, the sun tells us so, and we know west is ahead as we head into the sunset.  But what if you are in between, or heading north or south, with no sun to guide you?  Can you follow your shadow sideways, looking for the light to guide you?  How many of us in our trip planning include God, and when we do, ask him rather than tell him? 

Anyone who rides looks at the skies before we start out.  We listen to the wind, and dress accordingly.  We trust the things we see, but not the one we don’t see.  We trust the creation, but not the creator.  We ride into the sun, but not with the son. We lean on our own understanding, not the one who was there at the day of creation.  And so many ride into the sunset, seeing his creation, but never seeing him.  No matter how fast, or how slow, we cannot touch the horizon, it somehow always seems just out of reach.  But you can touch the son, who is reaching out to you, who wants to save you, and have a relationship with you.  Who wants to be part of your ride, and take you into the sunset.  Who knows the way you need to go, and has gone ahead of you planning the ride.  But it is only when his spirit guides us do we know the way.  Many look for signs, only to find detours ahead.  Some plan on going it alone, yet it is only in Christ that we find fulfillment.  Only in him do we get to know the creator, and find him more attractive than the creation.  God is the God of creation, he formed the hills where we ride, the plains that seem endless, and the horizon we chase after.  And after the sun sets, he is still active.  He also created the night from the day, and it is only in Jesus will we be separated from the darkness.  To ride in the light.  So why ride in the dark when you can see life in Christ? 

He who created you can also create a way back to him, and he did in Jesus Christ.  For God does not want you to ride alone in darkness, but to see him in all the things he created for us.  He wants us to join him in everlasting, yet he gives us the choice.  Many only ride into the sunset, in Jesus we come out on the other side. 

So in the in between times remember that he loves you.  Wake up in a good morning Lord attitude, rather than a good Lord it’s morning.  In everyday past and those to come, the sun will set at sometime.  And when it does make sure you are resting in the arms who never sleep.  Who are just as alive in the bright sun, as he is in the night.  And when day breaks and there are clouds, remember he is just on the other side of them.  Protecting you, and giving you cover.  How special are the first rays of sun after a rain, we see the freshness that God has provided.  A special smell, a clean.  We ride assured that he is with us, and when 4 o’clock hits, and we rest, we find rest in him.  The sun may set, but God’s love for us never will.  From the rising of the sun, to its setting, he has given us his son to guide and protect.  And when we live by his spirit, when we see things through his eyes, we see all the in between colors of the rainbow, not just what man sees, but we see the everlasting God.  Infinitely large, and infinitely small, he is in all things.  And when he is in you, when you are in him, his spirit will reveal the beauty that others only dream of.  Some ride into the sunset, those of us who know Jesus ride with the son.  In the son.  And we anxiously await what is on the other side of the sunset.  The days may end, but God goes on.  A ride I decided to take years ago, and found a road that takes me farther than the horizon.  A road that leads to my home in heaven....where after the sun sets, the son sits.  The best way to end a ride, a good way to start one, and an even better place to spend one.  With Jesus.  Don’t wait until 4 pm to seek shelter...ride with him now.  So many roads, so little time.  Aren’t you glad an everlasting God is eternal?  Where are you riding tomorrow?  I’ll be riding beyond the sunset....

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

 

always refer to the owner's manual

One of my techs at Land Rover was Bruce, a good guy, helpful, outgoing, would tackle any job given to him.  He wasn’t fast, as Land Rovers were difficult to work on.  By design, they had English heritage with German innards and had just been bought by an Indian company.  And on any given day you could work on 3-4 cars, each one that had been owned by a different company that had owned Land Rover.  Bruce had been given a car imported via Mexico, a diesel not sold in the US of A, and was doing a service on it.  Without checking to see how much oil it held, he assumed it was like all the other V-8’s, but never looked to see how much in the shop manuals.  Keeping an eye on it, he got distracted, thought he was done, and went to start the car.  Which never did, but made some strange noises, ever for the model.  And immediately the others in the shop knew what had happened, and so did Bruce.  It turned out he had put 26 quarts of oil in the engine, and when he went to start it the engine went into hydraulic lock.  Gas can be compressed, solids will break, but liquids will not compress, hence their efficient use in hydraulics.  When the engine tried to start, the oil forced the internals to fail, as the oil would not give way.  And Bruce worked on his last car for us, at his expense.  Not sure of the final outcome or price, but it was in the $8-9000 range.  I’m only glad I didn’t have to be the one to call the customer.  “Your oil change will take a bit longer, as we have to rebuild your engine.  But the good thing is it is under warranty...”

I had seen techs make mistakes like this before, but had caught it in time, never starting the engine.  Bruce learned an important lesson that day, I’ll bet he always checks the dipstick now, one simple look at it could have prevented the mishap, and saved his job.  But so would have paying attention, so always check the dipstick just to make sure.  In a world of too much is just enough, too much proved expensive.  Engines can operate for awhile while low, when the light comes on it is not to warn, but to tell you get out your VISA, it is rebuild time.  Watching the oil pressure gauge may help, but there is no substitute for doing it right, and then checking the dipstick.  And then their is Mercedes Benz, whose engines have no dipsticks, but sensors that warn you...never is there a better time to “trust your car to the man who wears the star” as the old Texaco ads used to say.  A few seconds of checking, after referring to the owner’s manual can save you money and heartache.  And money.

But to many reading the owner’s manual is like praying.  The only time they do it is after exhausting all other alternatives.  After trying to figure it out with our limited understanding, we then decide to pray.  Or consult the manual to see what that red light on the dash means.  Or where to find the dipstick and how to read it.  A friend in high school once drove her dad’s car 15 miles with the red oil light on, coasting the last few blocks thinking she was out of gas.  Perfectly fitting the statement “she was a little low on the dipstick.”  Her “I didn’t know Daddy” cost Daddy a lot, and her her driving privleges.  In this case it was “her father’s Oldsmobile...”

There is time when prayer is first aid, “God I need your help...”  and times when you need advice, or understanding.  The saddest thing I hear in hospitals is “the doctors have done all they can, I guess it’s time to pray.”  Same with reading the Bible, and spending time with God.  We never have a few moments to read before, but can always find the time after the crisis.  If only we had spent time in God’s Word before, we may have avoided an issue, or known how to react the way God would have.  And old Parable song maybe says it best, “take the time to read, Jesus took the time to bleed... for our souls.”  “But I don’t get it when I read.  It is so complicated.”  Maybe it is, or can be, but we forget that the spirit reveals the mysteries of Christ, so read it after praying.  “God help me understand.”  And don’t try to read it all, ask him and then follow his leading.  The more time you spend in the Word, the more you get to know God, and your relationship grows.  And many times you can avoid problems because you knew what to do, and when.  All by his spirit, and then backing it up in the Bible.  Studying to find yourself approved.  Yet many are taught to study like we did in school, where we soon forgot after the test.  We didn’t study to learn, but to be approved at test time.  A few years back I met a man who was trying to get closer to God.  He was in his third year of reading the entire Bible through in a year, and was studying John for the umpteenth time.  When I asked him about the spirit guiding his time, and if the time was precious to him, his blank look told all.  And then a smile covered his face, “now I get it, the spirit.”  He had been trying it on his own, or as someone told him, and had never considered the Holy Spirit.  But once he did, his life changed.

Next time you are asked “are you in the word?” reply as I do, “is the word in you?”  Are you led by the holy spirit or by another, your own?  The spirit guides, gives comfort, protects, sets us free,and always points us to Jesus.  In a gentlemanly manner.  God isn’t rude, but kind and gentle.  Just what we need in a time of trouble.  Sadly many yell, but no words can ever express what we are telling ourselves.  Jesus forgives, but do we forgive ourselves? 

I may not understand everything in the Bible, but when I need it God calls to mind what I have read.  Confirming what his spirit has told me.  Giving me comfort in the midst of the trouble.  So refer to God’s owner’s manual daily.  Techs get weekly updates, and are in school a few times a year.  To stay informed.  Shouldn’t you?  I mean, it’s only your life....so always refer to his owner’s manual.  And avoid finding out how much stupid hurts.  God is forgiving, and you only get mercy after you screw up.  His grace is sufficient.  By his spirit, backed up by his word.  Take the time to read, Jesus took the time to bleed.  Dipstick.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

friends in low places

It was a big deal when McDonald’s came to Scotch Plains in the late sixties.  We all had seen the ads, and were enticed by the 15 cent price, but had never really seen one.  We had Snuffy Jr’s, which was pretty good, but ate up a quarter of a dollar for one.  Still for less than a buck you could get a burger, fries, and a Coke, if you happened to have that much money.  But when Mickey D’s opened, conveniently placed on the wrong side of Route 22, the busiest road in the US of A, it took an extra half mile to walk there, walking past Snuffy’s, and many succumbed.  But when old enough to drive, it all changed.  And the importance of friends in low places became important. 

The attraction of McDonald’s brought jobs to many of my friends, Rogo among them.  He was a nice guy, a bit crazy, and always was looking to help.  And he devised a way, probably copied it, to give away free food to us.  We would go in when it was busy, he would notice us, and we would go to his line and order a Coke.  Then hang out, and a few minutes later he would summon us, giving us a big bag full of fries and Big Macs, saying “sorry to keep you waiting, the big order took a bit longer.”  And we would walk out and feed the group waiting in the car.  Thanks Dave.  Another way that worked was having an attractive girl friend who one of the counter guys had a crush on.  But was too nerdy to even talk to.  I would wait in the car, she would go in, flirt with him, and again a bag full of food for the price of a Coke.  No date for him, the closest he would ever get was flirting with her.  I wonder how they counted my meals in the billions served on the sign?

My first night working at Sears in the warehouse, I got a call from the loading dock to bring down a TV.  Being the new guy, my number was up, as it was many times that night.  The guy working the dock was named Hazel, and after loading the TV in the man’s car, he drove off, and Hazel stuck a $20 bill in my hand.  I had never been tipped before, and later when I showed it to another guy, I found out Hazel had sold the TV out the back door at a five finger discount to a friend.  The $300 TV was probably sold for $75, and I was part of the deal.  Which ticked me off, I wasn’t a thief.  Not counting free food of course.  But as I was to learn, many things go out for less than the asking price.  If paid for at all.  One hot Saturday afternoon window air conditioners were selling due the hot weather.  When a customer asked if they were truly portable, the salesman answered “yes.  They are light enough to carry,” which was his mistake.  “When the customer doubted him and asked “if I can carry it out of the store, can I get it for free?”  the eager young salesman said “of course,” never thinking the old man would or could.  But picking one up, he headed for the door, the salesman giving chase, and security stopping him in the lot.  A huge argument followed, and after a few minutes the customer got the air conditioner for free, and the salesman got chewed out. I wonder how many free items this man had accumulated over years?  So maybe there is no free lunch, but free Big Macs and free air conditioners, eaten in front of your free TV, if you know the right person in the low places. 

We all want to make it to the top, some even want to start there.  But we all have had low end jobs, which has provided us with learning experiences not covered in the employee handbook.  The old adage “you can’t teach experience” probably meaning more than we know.  But we all have that first day on the new job, where we know nothing, are subject to being picked on, and unless your father was the boss, you have to earn any respect you get.  But being the boss’s kid can also have its disadvantages.  Co-workers show you fake respect, others down right dislike you, while the rest just tolerate you, knowing when summer ends you will be back off to school, while they will be making the money for your dad to send you there.  And with each new job new challenges face you.  The disciples faced this, being asked to leave their careers, some fishermen, one tax collector, two anarchists, and one banker.  They were asked to drop what they were doing and start on a new venture, to follow this itinerant preacher, who no one had ever heard of.  And to be his disciples....would you have given up your day job to follow him?  Yet they did, and their qualifications from past jobs had little to do with their new careers.  They would be part of a three year course, and then suddenly left on their own to go out and succeed him.  All without warning, although looking back they realized he had warned them, they just didn’t get it at the time.  Sound familiar.  But these 12 ended up in the food industry, feeding 5000+ twice, the janitorial industry cleaning up afterward, in the distribution industry passing out the leftovers, and the hospitality industry seeing the all were fed and welcomed.  Not qualified from their resumes, they met the needs of others, following the example of their leader, Jesus.  They received no pay, were sent out with only what was in their pockets, and told he would provide.  All from a man who never owned property, a business, a place to sleep, or had a bank account.  Far different from religion today, years ago when looking for a position, the churches wanted degrees, education, experience, and offered benefits and a salary.  In only 2000 short years how the ministry has changed.

And I find I learned more from being out in the world than from being separated from it.  Just as Jesus told us, to be in the world, not of it.  And the church was its own world that I wanted to be out of.  I wanted to minister, to be where the action is, and found having friends in low places was superior to having friends with titles.  Friends who knew the business of the gospel and lived it.  Who had nothing but what was on them, and found that all you need is Jesus.  And when you are led by his spirit, where he guides he provides.  And allows others to be blessed along with you.  It was the friends in low places who actually got things done, without programs, processes, and procedures.  Who had to rely on God for all their needs.  Who took to heart Peter’s advice to “lean on Jesus, casting your cares on him, because he cares for you.”  Knowing that the problem may be solved today, but will reoccur tomorrow, and needing to lean on him again.  And again.  So if it is true you cannot teach experience, where do you get it?

By walking with God.  By being out doing it, by being there.  Education may be OK, but application is where it is at.  Too many wear out the seat of their pants in school, while others wear out the soles of their shoes.  Application of the gospel is where Jesus was at.  And still is.  It may get you an A knowing the 12 tribes, but when a hug is needed rather than words where will your education leave you?  We are told to be wise as serpents, but gentle as lambs.  How many lambs have been led to slaughter with knowing all about Jesus, but never knowing him personally?  Reconsider your walk with him today, are you a Bible anyone would want to read? 

You see when I became a manager, it was the things I experienced, that I looked back on.  Books gave me theory, life gave me experience.  I learned there are no free lunches, and watched carefully as my workers would try to challenge me.  I knew nobody tipped big for nothing, it all came with a price.  And to watch my words, as someone will take me up on them.  I found the friends I had in low places were where the action was, who lived for Christ with no compensation.  Whose hearts were tested daily, and whose examples I still look to.  And so I prefer to be a child of the king, and if anyone asks about what I do, I answer “I work for the world’s richest Jew.”  No corner office, no secretary.  No salary but you cannot beat the benefits.  If you are stuck in school, don’t let your life become like summer vacation, no class.  Get out and be among the people.  There are always needs to be met, Jesus told us “the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.”  To some that means more work, but to me it means more blessings.  More Jesus.  Who had many friends in low places, and a direct line to the boss in heaven.

It doesn’t take skills to work for God, just obedience.  But more than anything it takes love.  And listening to his spirit.  If you know it all but show nothing, here is a job offer for you.  Get out and be among the world.  Be the one who shares Jesus by their actions, using words only when needed.  Be the gospel of Jesus Christ and become someone, rather than a something.  One man directed 12 others, who went out and changed the world.  Now, would you like to super size yours?

love with compassion,

Mike

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