waiting for the train

At some time in your life you will have to get to work.  Even in the days we face now where many can and do work from home, some time you will have to attend a meeting or a conference, how will you get there?  20 years ago I remember the stories of widening I-15 from SR 78 to I-8, making it the widest stretch of freeway in the nation.  Now if you come form rural America, 4 lane highways may seem big, but here we are talking of 7 or 8 lanes-each way.  And even with the commuter or HOV lanes, traffic still backs up, as we try to put 10 pounds of car in a 5 pound bag known as the freeway.  Along the coast we have the Coaster, a commuter train, cars still fill the freeway, some bus service, the loser cruiser not a viable alternative, and many ride for pleasure and because it makes sense.  Each one of you know who you are.  And each mode of transportation has its advantages.  Case in point...

Some will car pool, sharing rides, and allowing themselves the luxury of the HOV lane.  Except on the 110 going into LA, where the HOV used to be free, but now is a toll road, and when riding it last week, the toll road was empty, but the free lanes were backed up.  With people who used to use the free HOV lane.  Go figure, it was all about moving traffic wasn’t it?  Or was it?  I worked with a man who for years took the Coaster, but he still had to drive his car to the station and leave it parked all day.  Then bought another beater to leave at his work destination, so he could drive from the Coaster to work.  Still can’t figure that one out, he drove two cars and one train to work, and it took longer than if he just drove.  He claimed he slept on the train, his trust in people amazing, leaving two cars unattended for hours and sleeping on a train....But for those of us who ride, it only makes sense, in dollars and cents, and in time well spent too.  We can use the HOV lane for free, except as the 110 as noted.  We can lane split when needed, no need to take up space or time stuck in an Interstate parking lot that was designed to move traffic at 85 mph.  We get better gas mileage, smart cities and businesses now have motorcycle only parking, and what better way to destress after work than a ride home, taking the long way?  So even from a common sense approach, or dollars and cents, or efficient use of time argument, motorcycles win every time.  Maybe we are smarter than the average commuter...

But rain, cold, and other inclement weather effect the equation in places other than So Cal, and we do get rain here-sometimes.  So we show our superior intelligence and choice making abilities and cage it, take the car or truck.  I know few who ride that don’t own a truck for hauling their bike, standard equipment on American V twins and old Brit bikes, so we struggle on the freeway, and with every second stuck, we are reminded there is a better way, and for us it is two wheels.  And it becomes evident to us, that in a perfect world, we would all ride motorcycles.  So maybe common sense isn’t as common as we think, or freedom as free as we think, for once you ride, all the reasons go out the door with you when you throw a leg over your bike.  It’s fun, the fact it just happens to make sense is an added bonus.  Something to ponder as you are waiting for the train....

Riding is a passion with us, and we overlook the dangers in it.  It develops a lifestyle that we are up front about, and trying to balance out the good with the bad is not a part of it.  Years ago the movie, “The Passion” came out, the story of Jesus Christ and his crucifixion.  Through the horrible scenes, we get an insight to what he went through, and we get passionate about him.  But for some it is just an emotion, some part of religion, and some just another movie.  It is when we ask ourselves “who is Jesus?” and we answer the spirit’s calling to follow do we truly see his passion.  Do we truly see our sinful nature, and how the law may be a good way to live, but offers no salvation.  It took God’s agape love for us send his son to die, a moment in time that we cannot imagine, how God must have felt when he saw his son on the cross.  But we can be blessed by the fact that his love for us transcends his love for himself, his selfishness is for us, that none should perish.  That all come to know Christ, that we all are forgiven and spend eternity with him in heaven.  Maybe a good thought to ponder when stuck in traffic...or waiting for the next train.  For God so loved each one of us, he sent his son, even if you were the only sinner that needed to be saved.  That’s how important you are to him, that’s love.  And it is offered freely to everyone today, just as you are, just wherever you are.  The ultimate HOV lane, a lane always open to God via his spirit.  Rain or shine.  A passion we can get to know, but never know fully for it is infinite.  And we can be amazed at how a little of it can be so fulfilling.  Something that makes no sense in a worldly setting, but makes perfect sense to God.  So if it makes sense to him, don’t you think maybe we should give it a try?

Today we will find out in many ways, some bigger than others, about how much we need Jesus.  We say we love him, but do we have his passion?  Do we care for others as he cares for us, or is it still about me?  A certain blind man when healed exclaimed “I don’t know if he is good or bad, all I know is I was blind and now I can see.”  But in his passion we see how good he truly is.  As if giving sight to to a blind man would be anything but good.  The importance of seeing things in the spirit, of walking with Christ in the spirit, and trusting him in spirit.  God is always with you, just don’t drive in the HOV alone.  The man won’t get it when you say God is always with you.  For the things seen are temporal, but the things not seen are eternal.  No lines in heaven....and with unrestricted access.  In a perfect world we all will ride.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com 

TV firsts you don't remember

Growing up the TV Guide was an indispensible part of our lives.  We could plan ahead for the week, and hope our parents and brothers and sisters would agree.  With only three channels, we were limited, six if you counted the independents, the choices were not big, but still major.  Star Trek or Batman on Thursday?  And if you watched the first part of Batman on Wednesday, did it guarantee you part two the next night?  And how could your parents have such bad taste in TV show?  A cycle that would reproduce itself with future generations, as my parents were the first generation with TV.  If only they knew what they had started way back then.  But with TV, came some interesting firsts, things seemed nerdish or boring today, but back in the 50-60’s were big time.  Here are nine firsts that changed TV, and of course those who lived by it.

1-Lucy Ricardo had the first birth mentioned on TV in 1953, and never mentioned the word pregnant, she was expecting.  As if we couldn’t tell....

2-Later on in the fifties, the first significant death of a character occurred, when Jean Hagen decided to quit.  Divorce was taboo, so they killed her off.  Good thing she wasn’t pregnant.

3-The first toilet shown on TV was on Leave it to Beaver, shown but never mentioned by name, or used.  Didn’t kids go to the bathroom back then? 

4-Sleeping in the same bed first hit in 1947, but didn’t become accepted or repeated until after 1960.  Giving the “your place or mine” a different meaning back in those happy days.

5-1968 brought black and white together, as Capt. James T. Kirk went where no white man had gone before, kissing Lt. Uhura.  Indeed. But illogical, huh Mr. Spock?

6-Times and time were faster in prewar America, as the first TV ad, for Bulova lasted all of 10 seconds, during a Brooklyn Dodger/Philadelphia game. 

7-It took Norman Lear to create the first TV show that had a warning before it, Hot L Baltimore, a show about hookers, addicts, illegal immigrants and a gay couple.  Toady you have to only watch the news to see such things.

8-Mark Harmon on Chicago Hope muttered the first scripted S word on TV.  Chicago, the home of vote early and vote often.  But I wonder, ever listen to the 1968 Democratic convention on TV?  The key word here is scripted.

9-Ginger or Mary Ann?  Or Jeannie?  How about Cher, the first to show her belly button on air.  We all have one, good thing she wasn’t pregnant or had to use the toilet.

So maybe we have changed, or at least our morals and sense of decency have.  Today women get pregnant, indoor plumbing is the norm, salt and pepper couples exist, in any 30 minute show you can see 7-8 minutes of commercials, and the belly button fetish has changed to other physical attributes, more appealing.  But sin will always be sin, and it is even sadder when we have to legislate it and have rules so we know what is right or wrong.  Some 2000 years ago the people of Corinth had come out of legalism, and were coming to Christ, finding grace more desirable.  But yet they continued in sin, which Paul identified to them.  Imagine a public letter read accusing the church of sin, and without mentioning names the assembled crowd knew just who you were speaking of.  Years ago I was chastised for confronting a woman and man sleeping together without benefit of marriage.  They bragged in public about their lifestyle, but the church was hesitant to confront them, even in love.  And when I talked to them publicly, I was the guy who was wrong and had the riot act read to me.  It seems if you don’t talk about sin and confront it, it is OK, but mention it publicly and you are the bad guy.  Interestingly enough the couple were not the ones who attacked me, they knew they were in sin, and later would marry.  When accused of judging them, I answered “no, I am describing them,”  they were living a lifestyle that would not have made it to TV years ago, but now seemed OK.  “See on TV, so it must be true,”  what would the Apostle Paul have said? 

But interesting enough in his confronting them, he showed mercy.  He told them to stop, not to stop or you will lose your salvation, or die.  He just said stop.  They lived under grace, mercy only comes when you screw up, and they got closer to God by being forgiven. 

Today we need to love the  sinner and hate the sin.  We need to love the sinner more than the relationship with them, risking losing it if we confront them in love.  Why does it seem we will permit certain sins by our friends, but chastise those we don’t like?  Aren’t we supposed to pray for our enemies?  Imagine if Jesus didn’t love us before we were saved, you can eliminate the cross and resurrection, for he loved us as sinners, so he died for us.  Shouldn’t that love extend to those caught up in sin?  Saved or not?  Wouldn’t you want to be treated with love or is condemnation more your style?  There is no condemnation in Christ Jesus, we are forgiven, for all including tomorrow sins. 

It amazes me that no one has caught on and used the Bible for a series.  But would it make it to TV?  We have lust, murder, incest, witchcraft, homosexuality, idol worship, robbery, deceit, drunkenness, envy, war, and fits of rage all in one book.  Brother against brother, and friend against friend.  Would make a great series...with a number of first on TV.  But with a happy ending, and a message of hope.  It is called the gospel, what do you think?  Brad Pitt as the Apostle Paul, Madonna as the Virgin Mary, etc.  But who would play Jesus?  Now that would be a tough act to follow.  Come to think of it, the screen is too small for such an epic.  Just give me Jesus without the commercial interruptions.  Bet you never thought of the Bible as X rated?  But then sin does have its price...so does salvation.  I think I’ll stick with salvation.  Now if I can only find the TV Guide to see what’s on tonight...where the heck did I leave the *&^%( remote, you don’t expect to get up top change channels do you?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

stuck in the web of a spider

Take a look around you, these are probably the people who are going to attend your funeral.  How will they remember you?  Will your funeral be a sad event, as you will be missed, or a time of joy, because you persevered to the end and made it to heaven?  Will it be family, friends, club members, or just a private service?  Will there be a service at all?  And if you could, what would your final words be if allowed to speak at your own funeral?  Today many have turned form funerals to celebrations of life, but the theme is still the same, to remember the deceased, and comfort those who remain.  Lest we forget.  So some I attend are good, some are bad, some I wished I had passed on, and some truly are a celebration, but not of the person, but of Jesus Christ.  Sometimes it is the deceased’s wish of how it should be, sometimes the family’s, sometimes too overcome with grief they leave it up to a pastor or priest.  But two funerals I attended were so different, but only one represented the person who died.

If a bunch of bikers, over 100 descended on your church, how would you handle it?  Does your pastor know you ride?  That you minister?  It may affect the service he provides, and at this one it did.  But not to honor my friend who died.  The room was filled with leather and denim, and as the pastor stood up, you could tell he took a dim view on us.  And for the next 60 minutes made it known.  His attitude was “I have all these sinners here, I am going to teach them all about Jesus while I have the chance.”  And he did, or thought he did, as many of us are saved, and out living for Christ.  We deal with bikers, hookers, junkies, and others who would not be welcomed in his church.  And we didn’t feel welcomed.  Just about any of us could have done a better job, not the way my friend lived or wanted to be remembered.  This pastor had us, like a fly stuck in a spider’s web, and we were his, and we would listen as he forced the gospel on us.  With only a few who couldn’t wait to get out.  Alive.  He had told the gospel, maybe as he knew it, he forgot only one thing.  The love of Jesus.  The gospel is good news, the good news that day was when it ended.  And so too many try to take advantage of those who attend, preaching at us just because we look different, but unable to minister as we do, because they don’t have the love of Christ within.  Afterwards too many wondered “what was that all about?”  Personally I wondered, “if the rapture came today, how would he explain the bikes, but the missing bikers?”

But I was honored to be asked to do a friend’s funeral.  A Viet Nam vet, he was buried in The Riverside National Cemetery, and many of his biker friends attended.  At the last moment, I was told I was to speak at the graveside service, not just at the church after.  Before panic set in, I just turned to God, always a good thing to do, and he gave me the words needed.  I shared how Lee loved his God, his family, and his country.  Many ex-Marines, sorry always Marines showed up, and the facility was full to overflowing.  After a few words about Lee, to comfort his family, God gave me a song, Amazing Grace.  But to be sung to the tune of America the Beautiful.  Try it, it works, and I think should be a patriotic song.  But when it came time to sing “God shed his grace on thee,” we sang “God shed his grace on Lee!” and the crowd erupted in joy!  For he had, and in listening to the spirit had comforted many, and shown the love of Jesus better than any 60 minute sermon.  I loved Lee, and wanted to comfort his family, and God did that day.  That morning the spider of death was caught in his own web, as we celebrated a risen Christ, and the fact that Lee and someday we will to be resurrected. 

The song God had given me was so special, we were asked to sing it again and many were blessed.  Jesus and patriotism go hand in hand.  The funeral director told me of the thousands of funerals he had ever done, none gave hope like this one.  He was even touched by it-give glory to God and his spirit.  But a month later an email was forwarded to me.  From an elder Marine in his eighties, who had attended to many funerals of his friends, his words.  He had been taught that Marines don’t cry, yet was moved to tears that morning.  His heart broke for joy, hearing the gospel, and seeing it in action.  His life was changed that day, and he was given hope and a new insight to Jesus Christ.  And was sharing his experience with others.  A testimony of the Lord, and how he changed his life, at a funeral.  What better place to be resurrected than a cemetery?

But don’t wait for a funeral to be born again.  The same spirit that touched hearts that day is alive and well and with us now.  The spirit is willing, are you?  I had never sung before a crowd before, and when God put the song on my heart, I immediately looked for someone to lead the song.  God’s answer was “I am going to stretch you today.”  Pride swallowed, love showed, and obedience led to joy.  We never know who is listening, but God always is, and knows what we need, and when we needed it.  Something to remember when planning a loved ones funeral, but better yet to be recognized and honored everyday of our lives.  Let the spirit perform a stretching exercise on your heart today.  When the spider of death and doubt has you stuck in its web, be confident that Jesus saves.  And rescues.  And is the way out. 

Look around again, who will be at your funeral?  And take note-you won’t be.  Either heaven or hell has been your eternal destination.  Only your body remains, to remind those attending of you.  But you still have a say in where you end up, choose Jesus today, and don’t worry. 
So do the attendees.  Maybe that long winded pastor was telling us all about hell and I missed it.  Hell on earth.  It can be hell on earth with religion, don’t confuse Jesus with it.  God shed his grace on Lee and thee....a sweeter sound you will never hear.  Sing with me to a new tune, and honor God and the US of A he sheds his grace on.  Truly grace is amazing.  And so is the one who sends it. From sea to shining sea.  When you pray, not if. 

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

when the music's over

I love all kinds of music, good music, yet I don’t have a favorite group.  Or even type.  I tend to listen to songs that make the mood, or set one, rather than be devoted to a single artist.  I love The Band and their American style of music, and one cut with Eric Clapton, Further On Down the Road, wow. I also like the bluesy side of The Allman Brothers, listen to a live cut of Stormy Monday as Duane pours out his heart on the guitar.  I was at the concert the night Springsteen played Born to Run, before the album came out, no rock and roll experience can compare to that energy.  It wore us out.  Unforgettable by Nat King Cole and daughter Natalie, is there a more perfect song?  Any old Beatles music, pre-Sgt. Pepper, can you remember the first time you heard Sgt. Pepper?  Or side 2 of Abbey Road?  So individual songs will set the mood, but somehow I always come back to the Beach Boys, for the way they make me feel.  Fun music we can sing along to, music about cars, motorcycles, girls in bikinis at the beach, and summer nights with that special someone.  It is about convertibles, falling in love, hanging with friends and bench racing.  Dreams of a Jersey boy, who went to the shore, not the beach, and of dreams that were one day realized. 

I have seen the Beach Boys numerous times, partied with Mike Love once, and was at The Capitol Theater in Passaic when they taped a live album.  Fun times for the dozen or so times I saw them in concert, singing along and wishing the summer of fun that night would never end.  But Brian Wilson’s genius was attended by mental illness, Carl died too soon of brain cancer, and Dennis at age 39 drowned.  To me Dennis was always the Beach Boys, blond hair that he shook when he played the drums, he was the surfer in the family and the inspiration for his brother’s surf songs.  He was the car guy, his 1963 split window Corvette on the album cover of Shut Down, part 2.  He was the California guy the California girls chased after, and he led a fast lane life.  He had Charles Manson as a friend, who turned on him when one of Charlie’s songs was credited to Dennis.  His Sunset Blvd. home became so over run with hippies he had to move out.  And soon the drugs and alcohol of being a rock star caught up with him.  He loved his boat, but lost it due to not keeping up the payments.  His other love of his life was taken when they were forced to sell Brother Records, his other sanctuary.  And before he was asked to leave the band due to drug problems, he took over as the leader on stage.  Singing “You are so beautiful, to me,” which I heard a few times, without instruments.  Sometimes in tears of agony, as his life was falling apart.  And one night drunk on stage, he asked “do you want to see what I’ve done?”  And dragged his pregnant wife out on stage.  So many highs and lows, and finally age 39, it was over.  Diving off a friend’s boat while drinking, he came up and hit his head on the bow, he was found dead later.  In a fetal position, most who drown are found in frightful positions, his seemed peaceful.  And he was gone.  The music over, the harmonies just not the same.

As much as the Beach Boys were about fun music, they were about harmonies.  Beautiful harmonies, which take just the right voices to create the sound, and now Dennis was gone.  Brian had previously left the band, and so were his falsettos.  All the fun they once sang about died with Dennis, no more burnouts, he had become one.  No more catching a wave, the wave had caught him.  No more beach fun and bikinis, ironically he died in 2 feet of water by the ocean he loved so much.  But for me it will always be the harmonies, and thankfully I found my perfect harmony in Jesus Christ years ago.  Two part harmonies need just that, and without God in your life, no matter how good the voice, or how great the song, there will be no harmony.  We will never be in tune when we are out of tune with God.  And Dennis joined the long list of musical talent that left us too soon due to a lifestyle opposed to God.  How ironically his voice is heard on “God Only Knows” if only Dennis had known God.

But rock stars, sports stars, and celebrities opposing God is nothing new.  And although many live a life we wish to emulate, death comes to them, and hell follows.  King Herod in the times of the first church was such a star, a man flattered by crowds, and worshipped.  When he spoke the people cried out he had the voice of a god, his tragic warped perception of himself that he was a god.  Vain and twisted, he acted the part, and the people worshipped him as such.  Sound familiar today?  How many would try to keep up with the Kardashians, but don’t or won’t see the ruinous lives they lead?  And how any who get close to them inherit the curse?  But as anyone who claims to be God, or to be worshipped, God has patience with, until they finally die by their own wicked ways.  Herod was stricken with a disease, and died within 3 days.  One day on top, three days later six feet under.  No one escapes death but for those who turn to Christ, and recognize his deity.  God is patient, but warns no one is promised tomorrow.  Herod thought he could do it himself, that he was a self made man, and above God, but soon God placed him under his feet.  Maybe as an example for us to follow, or not follow.  We cannot live apart from Jesus, we need to be in harmony with the spirit, to be guided, for we don’t know what tomorrow brings.  And that was the tragedy of Dennis, blessed with talents and abilities, yet no peace with Christ.  His songs live on, as does his memory, but he is gone.

By the world’s standards he had it all, and lost it.  39 years came and went very quickly, not very much when compared to the endless eternity of heaven.  We can be a star one day and a bum the next, God will allow things to come into your life so you will see how you need a savior, and you cannot save yourself.  No matter how good our voice is without being in harmony with the spirit we will never be in tune.  No perfect pitch, that will be in heaven, as for now we struggle to stay in tune with God.  Sadly many try to do it themselves.  And it is sad to think we can act or react in love and harmony without Christ.  Jesus is the song we sing, the tune that will take us to heaven.  If only those who died without him, rich or poor, famous or unknown would have listened.  But the real question is, are you?  Do you hear what the spirit is saying, or are you trying to make it on your own?  Why work for salvation and maybe never earn enough when you can have it for free, as a gift? 

The Wilson brothers, The Beach Boys, and the fans of Dennis found out what their song said, that God only knows how he feels about us.  And we are left to survey the tragedy.  To play the songs, maybe take a last beach ride, or catch a wave.  One last walk in the sand....but we can know God, and how he feels about us.  And our lives can reflect it for others to see.  The death of Herod is recorded in the same Bible as Jesus’ death.  Both claimed to be kings, only one was.  Only one was the way, yet both are given as examples of how to live.  You choose, for true love demands a choice.  When the music’s over, what song will you be singing?  God only knows, do you know him?  I wish Dennis had...how I miss those harmonies...

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

bored of education

I was talking with a group of people yesterday after Bible study.  A woman had been having a rough time, and asked for prayer, so we prayed for her.  Kind words in the prayers, touching and compassionate, but after I talked with her.  Her problem was very evident, and anyone who knew her had probably heard the same old story from her too many times.  She wanted prayer, she wanted compassion and love, she just wasn’t interested in God’s answer because it would have her admit she was wrong and would have to change.  After a few seconds it was obvious her problems were self inflicted, and would continue.  And when I asked her a question she told me she had heard it all, and after telling me “I know what you are going to say,” was surprised with what I said, almost as surprised as I was she gave me a chance to say it.  I have been in situations like this before, and when faced with a situation, they start spewing forth scripture, and what they had been told in Sunday School or church of how to react.  Impersonal, and many times wrong, not the scripture but its application, we are taught about a scripture for each event, but not its application.  Say this about rock and roll, say this about a fallen brother, say this when confronted, and say this when caught.  Right out of the manual God has given us, but just words without the spirit, who reveals the mysteries of Christ to us.  And this girl was a victim of such teaching, the one thing she had never been told, obvious by her pride, was the most important part of prayer, listening to God for the answer.  Then acting on it.  Is it any coincidence God gave us two ears but only one mouth?  And you can control your mouth but not your hearing?  Didn’t Jesus say to he who has an ear let him hear?  Yet she just regurgitated a rote answer, sadly like some of the rote prayers that were offered.  She talked about Jesus, but I wondered, where was he?

A Christian woman we have known for years finally died of a disabling disease.  Her religion based on faith and naming and claiming, had left her body failing and causing her great discomfort for years.  Her husband also suffered as he had to attend to her, aging him in the process.  But it didn’t have to be that way, as there were drugs available to ease her pain, and give her a better quality of life.  Yet she didn’t believe in them, drugs were not for the faithful, I guess most of us sin taking them, God would provide a miracle, and so she suffered needlessly.  Making her husband suffer too.  She got upset with me when I asked “if I had never heard of aspirin and you gave me one for my headache, and it went away, wouldn’t I consider that a miracle?”  Her attitude was causing her to suffer.  Her education from a pulpit had condemned her to not trusting the spirit, and believing books written by a certain man, who obviously hadn’t faced what she had, or he would have called the pharmacy. 

Now I am on several heart drugs after my aorta replacement, and I am glad for them.  But drugs are not the answer, just as no drugs are not the answer either.  Jesus is the answer, and following what the spirit shows us is the way to go.  God gives us a choice in everything from what we ride to where and how we believe, and I had a choice in taking the drugs or not.  Or putting myself in physical danger again, and subjecting my wife and family to needless suffering.  The application of my education to know Jesus proved more important than knowing about him, or knowing how to answer each event.  We are told the spirit will give us wisdom and words when we need them, yet rattle off at the mouth sometimes incoherently.  My best answer for when you don’t know is to admit it, and say “I don’t know,”  and turn to Jesus, and then listen.  Not for what you want to hear, or for what you want others to hear, but what the spirit is saying.  Maybe a little bit more of Jesus and the holy spirit and a lot less religion just might change our lives and others.  I am bored with education, how about an application of Jesus in your life?  I am more concerned with the love of John 3:16 than your memorization of it. 

So my answer to that woman yesterday surprised her.  I referred her to Job, and after being rebuffed, “I know what you are going to say,” surprised her.  Job’s wife is given a black eye in churches today because of one statement, “why don’t you curse God and die?”  But we forget or aren’t taught she had gone through what Job was, a loss of family, riches, lifestyle, and she watched as her husband was suffering.  But they end there, as they don’t tell his response.  “You are acting like a foolish woman,” he tells her, not you are a fool.  You are acting out of character, for you know God, and now you are acting on emotions.  You see this woman has a relationship with Christ, but religion got in the way.  She didn’t need the same answer, she needed the truth, and the truth was she was acting like a foolish woman.  All her many years of education meant nothing if not applied when needed.  And she got it, telling me “I never thought that is what you were going to say.”  I went in love, the others did too, I listened to the spirit. On my own I am not much, but in Christ I amaze myself, and give him the glory. 

We will all be tested, remember God was bragging on Job.  And Job’s relationship was deeper than anyone could know, just read his responses to his friends.  Sound familiar?  They could have come from us.  And too many times do.  Want more from your relationship with God?  Want to see Jesus?  Or are you bored with education and don’t know it?  Start listening to what the spirit says, then trust.  Sincerity counts, but you can be sincerely wrong.  But Jesus forgives, and we can carry on.  But we have a hard time forgiving ourselves.  But when we do the doors to heaven open wider, and we see Christ not only crucified, but resurrected.  We are new creatures in him, so why do we hold onto old things and old religions?

Miracles abound everywhere, you are one.  Share what Jesus has done in your life with others.  Revelation tells us by the word of our testimony and the blood of the lamb we are saved. Jesus did his part, are you doing yours?  We will all say things we don’t mean, or that will be misinterpreted.  Some are fools, some act like fools.  Job knew the difference.  By the spirit.  Now do you?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com