a simple test to be blessed

Many a Friday night was spent when I was young and single getting our motorcycles ready for Saturday morning rides.  Usually we would end up in Bouke’s garage, he had all the tools and extra parts we always seemed to need, and many summer nights turned into summer mornings addressing critical issues such as bench racing.  Someone would start to tell the story of something someone had told him at work that week, and soon we all had to jump in and add our take to it.  The older guys, would always have a more defined position on it, and the really cool ones could always one up the story, and soon as the tales got taller, the opinions more important, it was well after midnight, and within a few hours we would be up and on the road.  With new stories to make, and a bench racing lunch session to relate them.  “Did you see that blue ‘62 Vette?  Wow”  “Can you believe all the traffic, where are they all going?”  “Ole Bill in parts sure was cranky today, what did you say to cheese him off?”  And the lunch banter soon turned to “let’s hit the road,” and we did.  As the day went by, some would drop off, and usually by 4pm it was down to just a couple of us, and home sounded like a good destination.  Saturday night meant dates, to those who didn’t have wives or old ladies, and a much different brotherhood ensued that night than the one you had enjoyed last night and today.  You used manners, ate where they took your order at the table, and went by car.  Your date seemed to understand, but after getting all dressed up didn’t want to ride on a dirty old motorcycle, so you went with it.  Or you didn’t go out with her.

But if you find the right girl, the one who wants to ride, you better.  And some dates tired to understand, but could turn a well meant attitude into disaster.  I met one girl at church, and we shared a chemistry class together.  She had never ridden, and the fact I did made me a bad boy, and excited her.  But on the first date, I dressed up, washed the MG, even shaved, and went to pick her up.  Her mother answered the door, and told me she was still getting ready, and when she appeared what an impact she made.  She was dressed to ride, and I wasn’t!  And she really wanted to ride, “would I go home and get my bike?”  Suddenly the roles were reversed, and I obliged her, she loved it, to me just a ride in traffic, and afterwards we arranged for another date.  So next Saturday night the bike was cleaned and ready, so was I and off we went.  Again her mother told me she was getting ready, and again I was surprised.  She was in a dress, and looked great-just not to ride.  Could I please get my car?  Of course I did, and I saw a pattern being set, I liked her just not the arrangement.  We became friends, just never dated, and many times she would hint about going for a ride, I was always busy.  Or the car was, or the bike was, or.....who really as in charge here?

What we had there was a failure to communicate.  We had met all the criteria of a good date, just could never agree upon what to go out in, or on.  And somehow I had lost control of the situation, putting a pretty face first, changing my priorities.  Something we are all guilty of, a lesson learned but that would need updating.  Proverbs 16:3 tells us “to commit your works to the Lord and your plans will be well established.”  I wish I had committed my dating to the Lord back then, but many a date looking for love ended up in the wrong places.  I was committed to me, and used my relationship with my rides and riding buddies to carry over into dating, and then with God.  Without knowing it, I had boxed God in, I wanted him to be my buddy, my pal, and then add all the Godly things I wanted.  My plans were committed, just not to him.  I had become religious...and the joy others talked of I was missing.  When I finally asked God “what do you want, what are your plans?” that I started to see things differently, and my actions changed along with my attitudes.  And so did my dating...after I sought him first.

We are told to seek him first, then all things will be added unto you, I was into the adding on to me first, God second.  But you cannot serve God like that, you cannot put Jesus on hold until you need him.  Yet I did, and many did, keeping him handy like we did the fire extinguishers in the garage, and hoping I we never needed it.  Knowing it was there in case of fire, and hoping we wouldn’t panic when we did.  Does that describe your relationship with Jesus?  Keeping him handy?  Do the things in your life reflect that, and you wonder why going to church, reading your Bible, and praying seem to go nowhere?  Are you seeking the things of life first, then adding Jesus unto them? 

God is standing by, that part you got right.  But wants to be the Lord of your life, the most important thing.  And when I put him first, the dates changed.  The rides changed, and my friends changed, too.  But really it was me changing, as I started seeing God in a different way, as Lord.  I was cool with the savior part, I just never understood letting him be Lord.  I had worshipped things, I had made other things Gods before me, and I was suffering and didn’t know it.  I was happy, just no joy.  And joy in the Lord is where it is at.  God made a commitment to us by sending Jesus, we need to make a commitment to Jesus to make the relationship work.  Jesus is described as the first and the last, there before creation, and there at the time of the new heavens and earth.  And you can be too, and enjoy it all, saved gets us there, his being Lord makes the ride worthwhile.  Take a simple test, write down the things as they come to mind of what is important.  See where Jesus fits in.  You will be surprised and embarrassed.  Now put him first, and see how the other things fit in....what a difference!  And so I do, and repeat the test as needed, just to make sure my mind is not ruling my heart’s desires.  And it will, but we can return and go on  with Jesus.

And when I finally turned to God my dating, I met the woman of my dreams, and yesterday we celebrated our 38th wedding anniversary. So much more than any list of desires, God knew exactly who I would need, and for her too who she would need.  And she rides, is a great cook, and most important loves the Lord.  And then me, because when Jesus is first, we have his love and we can then love each other.  We still seek him first, we still ride too.  When I finally was ready, God was waiting.  So why make him wait,when you can enjoy the blessings he has for you today?  I still miss the old times spent in the garage bench racing, but the stories of our love and marriage are way more fulfilling.  And the story goes on today.....Everything I need in Jesus can be found when I put him first.  He knows just what I need, and is sufficient.  Remember that next time you fill your tank, not enough you have to stop too soon, too much it runs allover your tank.  Ruining the finish.  Only in Jesus will you have a wonderful finish, and not ruin the finish on your bike.  God knows all about riding, dating, cooking, what to wear, and who to do it with.  We are all committed to something, mine happens to be the who of Jesus Christ.  And look at all the things he has added to me!  God wants to bless you, will you let him?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

failing to succeed

Indian is back-again!  After leaving us in all but name only in the early 1950’s, it has gone through several owners, bankruptcies, and new beginnings.  Today owned by Polaris of snow mobile and Victory fame, it is alive and well, and giving American built V-twin owners another alternative to the bar and shield brand.  I had ridden the earlier come back bikes, and can see why they might fail, underbuilt and overpriced, you can only do so much based on an old name, old design, and old reputation.  My friend Nathan could tell you best about the big dressers, as he rode one over 21,000 miles, visiting all 50 state capitals in an effort to raise motorcycle awareness on driving tests.  Sponsored by Allstate, he rode in 111 days more than most will ride in a decade.  My hero, and a friend who was riding our dream for each of us. 

Talking with Sonny Barger two years ago at Hollister, we talked motorcycles and his new Indian.  He had been looking for a way out of Harley Davidson for years, and had switched to Victory-“loved it” he told me.  But was really enjoying the power and performance of his new Indian Roadmaster.  Again here a guy who rides more than most talk, and when talking of my Triumphs, he was interested, but would never ride one.  He heard they are great bikes, great performance, he still likes to go fast at 77, but they aren’t built in America, the number one and main criteria for his personal ride.  If they were, he’d ride one.  I’ll take that as a compliment, not an endorsement, and these two long distance riders testimonies speak more than their cool ads.  By the way, Nathan has ridden 1000 miles in one day on his Scrambler, which now has over 100,000 miles on it, so he knows.  But one thing both companies have in common, is an illustrious past, then went away, but never died.  Then came back by building a quality product that performs, lives up to its image and thrives today.  I have ridden both the new big Indians, I don’t like big bikes, and the new Scout, I like.  Good power looks cool. But needs rear shocks, where have you heard that one before.  But both companies, Indian and Triumph resurrected a name that had been alive and died, breathing life back into it, and motorcycling is the better for it.  Failing to succeed, in their failure they are now succeeding, a lesson for all, not told by positive mental attitude types, but taught in the Bible for thousands of years.  It is in failing that we succeed in life.  But only in Christ.

Riding through draught stricken farm lands, the dust blows and weeds grow where once crops did.  But after a little rain and then sunshine, the ground bursts forth in fruit.  God delivers his promise to the earth, by pouring water and creating streams on dry ground, and also on the dry streams of our hearts.  Only in failure, and realizing we are lost sinners do we gain victory in Christ.  It is not the record, the victories, the homes or cars owned, or even the miles ridden, it takes forgiveness in Jesus.  We can have all the things that the ads tell us are success, but can fail at the entrance to eternal life-unless we acknowledge we are a failure.  I have sat through sales meetings, encouragement classes, been discipled and discipled  others, but without repentance, admitting you are a failure and seeking forgiveness, you never succeed.  When we are told God’s ways are not our ways, maybe he is telling us something.  For where have you ever heard a man based plan that if you fail you succeed, if you lose you win?  That if you are broken you will be lifted up?  Only God has that plan, and gives us the example of his son, Jesus Christ.  He never owned anything, was born in a rented barn stall, never owned a home, was buried in a borrowed tomb, and even his clothes were auctioned off.  Talk about a loser....He was humbled past humiliation, and we face it too, but can avoid it when turning to him.  For he overcame death, no one can beat that, the ratio is 100% of us will die.  But he came back, and we will too if we acknowledge him as Lord.  That he is God, and the way, the truth, and the life.  That is God’s plan, a choice he leaves up to us.  God is totally honest, knows who we are and our problems, and nothing surprises him.  Nothing.  While our minds make excuses and try to smooth things over, he deals in truth.  We pretend to be something we are not, he loves us as we are.  Remarkable proof from the Bible, that to be a success, you must first fail.

Few remember that Harley almost failed 35 years ago, it took a government bailout in the form of tariffs on Japanese bikes to rescue them.  They reinvented themselves via marketing, and today continue to improve their product.  But most based on market perception and image, a theory not set aside for riding, but for life.  We are so concerned as to how people see us, we fail to act as to how God sees us.  What a change it would be, and is when we do.  And his change is available to all, both riders and non.  But first we need to fail, something we all have in common, we are born into sin.  Then we need to repent, and salvation is simple, only found in Jesus Christ.  And by failing in life, we succeed in the afterlife.  Yet some are willing to give up eternity for a few todays....are you?

I know many who are locked up in prison, behind doors where there is no escape from their sentence.  But all are prisoners to themselves in sin, locked up in sin and pride, needing a way out.  Some feeling self sufficient, but not knowing a day is coming when their suffiency can only be found in Christ.  Only God can unlock the doors to their souls and let them live, and be saved.  This is his promise, that you have life, and you have it abundantly.  True success starts by failing, and works from the inside out, from the heart.  Maybe it is simple enough to know that there are two kinds of people, the forgiven and the unforgiving.  Forgiven by Christ, we forgive others, and ourselves.  If we won’t forgive, we cannot be forgiven, for we fail to acknowledge our sin.  It is that simple.

When all the hype is over, when the ads fade, and it is just you behind the bars of handle, when truth is in the wind in your face, you see God differently.  No hype, no perception, no advertising come ons.  It starts by failing, and you already have done that.  The next step is up to you, open your heart and let God in.  Be driven by his spirit, and fueled by his love.  Find out what real performance is all about.  God already has plans to meet your needs, go before him and acknowledge them and him.  Watch as your failures turn to success, as losing turns to victory, as he has changed lives for over 2000 years.  All found in his book, the Bible.  God never fails, now that ought to be a great tag line for any ad!  And you don’t have to be made in America to enjoy!  Jesus too is coming back-again!  Yes, there is life after death, but only in failing, with success only found in Jesus Christ.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

a moment in time

“Live for today, and don’t worry about tomorrow..” an old sixties tune warned us.  The time is now, and make the most of it.  Great advice if you are not planning on being here tomorrow, but since most of us are, we need to take better care of today.  Yet we tend to live for the moment, thinking of our lives as a snapshot in time, as opposed to a movie.  A full length movie of epic proportions, like Gone With the Wind, with an intermission.  But we cannot think ahead, only look forward to what is in it for us today, as we only look behind, and don’t realize how the past can impact our future.  Our even right now, today.  As I look around at many old riders, I see too many who look older than they are, the lifestyle they once lived has caught up to them, and they pay the price.  Maybe not in length of years, but in quality.  Some who lived like hell and look like it, had no inkling of tomorrow, but now are examples of “I wish I had taken better care of myself, I didn’t realize I was going to live this long.”  But as we look at old photos, they turn into movies in our mind, as we remember, but when looking at movies, we wish we could stop the action, and take a closer look.  But the scene plays out too fast, and as we watch over and over trying to catch a glimpse, the action is too fast, only a photo would do.

But what if our lives were defined as a photo?  What would that photo tell about us?  About the time and place?  Many first impressions are like that, a photo taken out of context, and a history is built around it.  See me on a Harley and you may think I ride them, if that is the only photo.  But out of sight may be my Honda, Suzuki, or even a car.  You don’t see Bill in the background who owns the bike, and is taking the picture.  See a sunny day in New Jersey and we all may think it is appealing, but one photo of being stuck on the Turnpike a few miles away will give a totally different opinion.  Our minds may be wide angle lens, but the pictures they take and remember are not.  And so it can be when we go on vacation, and fall in love with a new area for the first time.  The weather is great, the people friendly, gas is cheaper, housing too, and let’s move to paradise.  But then the movie unfolds after a few days, the new wears off, and we see the crime, the potholes, the cloudy days, and economy for what it is.  And suddenly there is no place like home, and we are glad this isn’t it.  But the houses look so great in the photos, until you see the neighborhood.  Now you can understand the price much better.  Or why there is no Walmart, and McDonalds is where the elite go to eat.  Real life, real communities, real people.  They call it home, we are just passing through.  And the dream fades into darkness....

One visit to church and you might meet the nicest people.  Friendly, outgoing, persuasive in their love of Christ, but you are only seeing a moment in time of them.  What seems so perfect really has its problems too.  Kids wanting to rebel, the man next you may be out of work.  The BMW you park next to may be about to be repossessed, and the worship leader may have cancer.  But for one shining moment in time, all was perfect.  Only over time will the cracks in the lives show.  I have been told if I ever find the perfect church don’t attend, because then it won’t be.  Good advice, for all of us.  But we tend to place our views of God on the church, which has had a rough history, as have many of us.  We look to a pastor to be all knowing, have the best advice, and always be available to us, and heaven help him when he isn’t.  He may represent God, as we are to, but when he fails the church takes on a bad taste.  Our witness is that important, and it should point to God.  Our lives in tough times reveal our true character, and a moment in time when we fail may paint us as just another loser Christian, when really we aren’t.  Or are we, because we daily need Jesus with us.  Is it not true that his strength is made perfect in our weakness?  Doesn’t God tell us to be still and know he is God?  Weren’t we all sinners who need a savior?  Maybe that person in the photo you look down upon was you, or still is you?  Do you see yourself as we do, as God does? 

Have you ever been to a funeral where the deceased wasn’t a great person?  And wonder as they talk about him “did I wonder into the wrong funeral?”  We knew them when they were alive, who are they talking about?  Do only good people, people with friends die, who have poor memories when it comes to remembering?  If you had one photo to show of your life, what would it be, and what would it say?  Maybe if we looked at each other as God sees us, we may have a different attitude.  He sees us as sinners who have fallen away, and need a way back.  His love so great he sent Jesus to die for the sin we couldn’t pay for.  And when we repent, he looks at us as if we never sinned.  Perfect in his eyes, no matter our past, we are forgiven.  We change, he doesn’t, or his love for us.  A picture maybe we need to post on our Facebook, a sinner saved by grace.  If God was to do your funeral, what would he say?  Would you be the same person he described and knew, or would the audience be surprised?  What legacy does your life tell about Jesus?

Does your photo album reflect Christ in it?  What does it say about him?  When we read the scriptures we see ourselves, and how Christ changes lives.  Has he changed ours, or are we still the photo in darkness, or out of focus?  Does a close up reveal the pains of life, or the joy of Jesus?  If they made your life would Jesus star in it?  Who would be worthy to play you?  What moment in time would you want on the movie posters?

Today we all have a chance to be that first impression of Jesus that people see.  We can be the truth because he lives in us.  Not a perfect life, but some scars that show, that show how Jesus took you through.  The best reading is about the toughest trials.  Too many Christian films do not reflect the lives we live.  We aren’t perfect, we still live in a fallen world, and one photo can mislead.  So can one action....something to remember.  When traveling or in church.  In line at the store after.  When choosing a bike to sit on.  Or even if we ride at all.  We are photos of the kingdom of heaven, God’s photo album that he cares to share with a lost and dying planet.  To reveal himself through, and to act as missionaries of his gospel.   One moment in time may change your eternity, or someone else’s.  At my age I have more years to look back on than to look ahead for.  If it was about time, it is about time I do something about it.  But I know who holds my future, and my eternal address.  A place where no photos would do it justice, a place I long for daily.  A place where we see Jesus face to face.  Where we are among friends, and for eternity, that one shining moment will always be paradise.  There is no place like home when we know it is heaven.  So live for today, with concern for tomorrow. Today was tomorrow yesterday.  We will spend the rest of our lives in the future, we only need to get there.  Where a perfect church will be, and people like me are welcome and accepted.  Saved by grace, for eternity is a moment in time that lasts forever.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

4 days on a 6 figure motorcycle

I was explaining to my older son how we used to have to do regular maintenance on our bikes when I was his age.  Tune ups including valve adjustment, plugs, points, condensors all being replaced.  New chains every 6000 miles also, if they didn’t break first, taking engine cases with them.  Cables that wore out and had to be lubed, and tires that would only go 6000 miles.  It seemed the manufacturers had the planned obsolescence dialed in on us, as the average rider did 6000 miles per year, thus assuring at least one trip to the bike store per year.  Or more in my case.  On our $600/month income, so much went to bikes, it seems maybe some things don’t change over the years, but motorcycles have.  Today with electronic ignitions, ride by wire, and belts and o-ring chains, we can spend more time riding than repairing.  Tires can go 12-14,000 miles, tune ups 15-20,000 on some bikes, and Teflon lined cables don’t need to be lubed ever.  So where does all our hard earned money go?

Mine still goes to motorcycles, more precisely motorcycling.  Where before weeknights were spent getting ready for Saturday rides, now just a quick check of the oil through a sight glass, fill up with gas and off you ride.  And as bikes have become more reliable, the miles can now pile up faster.  Of course the days of new Honda 750’s for $1595 are gone, Gold Wings, Harleys, and Ducatis all have models over $30k, and $20,000 out the door is not unusual for a new ride.  Maybe the old days were worth remembering, but this weekend with $1.89 gas, and getting out of the city, I found riding with an old friend fun again.  No not Theresa, she isn’t old, but the bike I was on was, for me.  In this time of six figure cars, five figure bikes, and cheap gas, I chose to spend 4 days on a 6 figure motorcycle, my 2006 Tiger with 101,250 miles on it.  While its younger brother sat home under the garage under a cover.  For over 10 years and 48 states we have ridden together, and it was about time to go for a ride.  Which we did flawlessly...averaging over 43 mpg, and never going over 100.  Smooth as an old ride can be, there is something about riding with an old friend, where you know the sounds, the noises, know when gas is needed without looking at the gauge, and being respected by younger lesser mileage bikes.  Just under 1000 miles in 4 days, it starts, runs, handles, and gets me where I need to go.  What else could I ask for?  Oh, and it got me back this time.

A proud testament to whoever designed, engineered, built, and maintained it.  Like it was designed, to be ridden.  A plan that God outlines in Isaiah, for our lives.  When God comes into our lives, he forgives us, then he begins to change and reconstruct our lives.  We find value where we once were found useless.  High miles don’t matter, but the rigors of a rough life with no maintenance show through on many, but yet God changes us from the inside out.  Pretty faces don’t count as much as a pretty heart.  He begins to straighten our rides, level the hills that once caused us to stumble and fall.  The valleys we once dwelt in are now filled in, and like any road engineer knows, once leveled out these same roads provide safer travel.  Our hearts start to change, as we don’t live like we used to, and people see a difference in how and where we ride.  The mountains of pride that once kept us from Jesus now are eliminated, and when they do creep up, he is there to get us over and continue on.  When we hit lows, he is there to lift us out and we can go on, not having to look back.  Forgiveness is a wonderful thing, especially after we have forgiven ourselves, too.  We find being humbled is better than being humiliated, and the things we once did we do no longer.  We are a new creature in Christ.  But later in Isaiah 40, we find how the grass withers, flowers fall, and time passes.  That no matter how our past was, it is today that matters, that no matter how many miles we have on our ride, today’s miles are the ones that count.

But the word of God, Jesus Christ endures forever.  While some change rides for new ones, or quit altogether, Jesus is always there.  And spending time on my 6 figure motorcycle reminded me of the importance of how Jesus never leaves me.  Not every ride ends as we planned, but when Jesus is along we know we will make it, and not on our own.  We need him every mile of the way, and along at the stops in between too.  Friends, family, and even motorcycles will fail us, God never does.  A promise to remember, no matter the road you are on.  Maybe today you need a tune up, to spend time with the spirit, to find out what went wrong, but really how to get back.  Jesus is the answer.  Maybe the tires are worn, about to blow, he can give you new treads and a road to ride them on.  Maybe you feel like a high mileage bike, worn out and tired, and less of a person compared to a new ride, don’t forget the testimonies God has given you, the miles it has taken, and the rides he went with you on.  And how important they were.  If you never leave the garage, you will never break down far from home.  If you never leave the church grounds, you never see God in action in lives, real action, not learned but lived.  Maybe that is why my old Tiger stood out this weekend, and was a perfect ride to remember all Jesus has done in my life, and all he continues to do.  To some it may seem foolish, ride a bike with over 100,000 miles on it for a thousand more, in only 4 days, but to God it makes perfect sense.  A time of renewal and refreshing, of appreciating the old, and looking ahead to the new.  A woman customer at Mercedes Benz, who could afford any car she liked, once told me she liked her older car, she felt comfortable in it.  They had gone many miles and places together, she was familiar with it, and trusted it.  How many can say that of our older motorcycles?  Of our walk with God?

We can never do it on our own, it takes the spirit to guide and provide.  And when we ride with him, no matter the road, he gets us through.  Even old roads get potholes, and they get filled in or repaved.  Motors get rebuilt, bikes traded.  Trade your sin and discontent today for life and joy.  Forgiveness found no other place.  One look in the mirror ought to be enough to see where God has brought, and how far.  Old bikes, old roads, and old friends are readily discounted or traded for new, don’t make the same mistake with Christ.  You may be that 6 figure ride just wanting to get out and ridden....wanna ride?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogpsot.com

the next sound you hear...

Before the sun rises, even on summer mornings we seek it.  Standing in shadows, we vacate them quickly seeking its warmth.  Something about its warmth and light relaxes us as the day takes form.   But only a few hours later when the temp has risen, we seek the shade again to keep us cool.  It seems that no matter how comfortable we are right now, circumstances as simple as the day marching on change our desires to be comfortable.  When it is 90 outside, 70 feels cold, yet on 50 degree days 70 feels hot.  Maybe we are more like Goldilocks than we care to admit, it seems we are never satisfied, and whatever our situation we are found in look for something better.  General Motors once had it figured out, start with a Chevy, move up to Pontiac as you could afford it, Buick called as you got the corner office, Olds after being a VP, then the Cadillac, showing the world that you had made it. If you were still young enough to enjoy it. How many watched our neighbors move up like that, today they change addresses rather than cars.  For those of us who ride it was all about the size of your engine.  Honda 50’s were the entry for most of us into riding, then big 250’s for the street.  Triumph had a 650, Norton had a 750, and soon Honda matched its size, but surpassed its power.  The Z-1 of 903cc’s made us think it would never stop, only Harley advertised in cubic inches, its 74 a man’s bike, back before electric kick starters opened the door for lesser men.  It seems as far as our dreams, accompanied by our credit ratings and ego would allow we would go.  And today I am faced with decisions about new motorcycles, and selling my old ones to move on.

Blame it on Triumph, I loved my Bonneville, still do, and figured it was a keeper, for 11 years has been.  Then I put 1800 miles on the two first Street Twins in the states, and fell in love, but not quite out of love with my old rides.  So I put them up for sale, something in me wants them to go, the other part says I hope they don’t, but no new without the passing of the old. We should all have such problems....

And even a guy who wanted my bike if ever for sale, turned me down.  Seems I just sold another new bike for Triumph, “if Mike is so impressed he will sell his old rides, I want one too.”  But for sale they are, and as the sun fills the garage with their memories, soon they may be gone.  Shadows of past rides, but with excitement of new ones.  And for the new owners, excitement of new rides on old bikes, or is it just more rides on different bikes?  Too much thinking going on here-I’m going riding....the next sound you hear is me twisting the throttle.

So I find myself in the situation of Proverbs 3:5 writer, trying to figure it all out, on my own, but only turning to God when I run out of experience and ideas.  After 40 years with him you think I would know better...so today with you as my witness here goes, “God it is your problem.  More than what to ride, I turn it over if I ride at all.  Your word says in all ways, and I will try to trust you in them.  You never let me down before...excite my spirit with what you have planned.” The big decisions are never easy, but bring the most blessings.  And the best testimonies.   God I want to hear your voice, I need your help.

Consider Abraham, the father of our faith.  A rich man, maybe the richest in the land and he gets a visit from God.  Telling him to choose between two directions, one rich and fruitful, the other Sodom and Gomorrah.  We know what he chose, but never really got insight as to why.  Maybe the spirit was so real to him, he knew what to do, and trusted God.  Willing to give it all up, based the promise of redemption and resurrection, all foreign terms back then.  No Mosaic law to confuse him, just a wife to baffle him.  But he chose God over all, and although the battles were tough, saw more of God as one man than many churches do today.  He trusted God, and was found righteous, not sinless, just righteous.

Only Jesus can remove sins from us, we trust him to save us, but then live on making the other choices ourselves.  And sometimes bring him in on the big decisions.  But God wants us to trust him in the little ones, so we can trust him in the big ones.  Because like moving up in size on our rides, it is looking back we remember how he brought us along, and still does, and how yesterday has a profound influence on today.  So maybe moving out of the shadows and into the sun can give us some hope.  Moving from darkness into light, or walking with God instead of just talking about it.  Until Jesus entered my life I thought I had it all figured out, after all I was 21...don’t we know it all at that age, and then Jesus found me, and showed me how dependent on him I needed to be.  Situations will come and go, he stays.  And has.  From job to job, address to address, bike to bike,and car to car.  Times I felt like Goldilocks, and was searching, only to find in Christ I had found everything I needed already.  Dark days I seek him more, sunny days I enjoy the day he has provided more, but never forget him.  Yes I may slip, but his mercy catches me.  I have learned, and still learning dependence on him, and although situations don’t always go my way, he sticks with me.  Love it is called, no words for it, as infinity cannot be defined using finite words.  Only in Christ, in the spirit will you ever know.  Still wondering or wandering, Jesus is right there, and knows where you are.  The question is do we?  Can we trust like Abraham did and trust God with a Sodom and Gomorrah ride, or do we want to bask in the sunshine of life.  Cream sang “I’ve been waiting so long...to be where I’m going, in the Sunshine of Your Love.”  The day of waiting is over, make the choice today.   What do you do when you get lonely?  Jesus is waiting by your side. 

So I guess I’ll just ride them until they sell.  The only constant in my life is Jesus Christ.  I am satisfied with that.  Where even the shadows of his love are filled with light, no darkness at all.  So today the best advice I can give is just trust God, and enjoy life.  Knowing he cares for me. So guess what I am doing later.....I feel a Bonneville moment coming on.  In the sunshine of his love.

love with compassion,

Mike

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