such a deal I have for you

Guys and girls who love cars and motorcycles are always on the lookout for the a great deal.  I know guys who carry $10k around with them all the time in case a deal comes along.  But in reality most of us have only memories of deals that could have been, and should have been, and would have been if only we had the folding green to back up our desire.  I have been in both situations, and it was fun to say no to deals when I had some cash, why is it the best deals, the ones I gotta have, if only for bragging rights alone come when I have no money?  But good deals are out there, and if you are patient you can find them, if not you pay.  The old real estate adage “you didn’t pay too much, you bought too soon,” may only apply to collector cars, but not your daily driver.  But some cars sitting on the lot are just crying out your name, and one such one did to me.  And like being in love, you never hear the words of advice spoken to you.

The Chevy Citation made great headlines for a few years, then faded away, more a statement about GM in the eighties based on the product.  In 1981 they came out with an X-11 sport model, HO motor with all of 140 hp, sport suspension, and wide tires and wheels.  Stickers to let the world know what you had.  Bucket seats and console, all the things a basic rental car have today but were the hot set up back then.  Listing at over $9000, they were way beyond my price range, so we drove a Ford Escort, which was a good little car.  But when on my Coca Cola selling route, I kept going out of my way past Morehart Chevrolet, a white X-11 kept calling me name, and I was hooked.  I had to go in, feeling safe because I had no money, which never worked when buying a motorcycle, there are after all certain priorities, I offered a straight across, no money changing hands deal, and they accepted it.  I was the proud owner of a sport car, with a cool sounding exhaust.  And it didn’t cost me anything....

But the sales manager told me when I was leaving, it had been in an accident, he didn’t know how bad, but the car had been repaired.  No way was I going to let a little thing like that queer the deal, and of I drove.  And it was a good car, we drove it on trips, you could even chirp the tires with it if you listened close enough.  But the trim pieces painted black began to peel, so I went to Chevy, and they agreed to repaint them, which made it look new again.  But one trip in parts revealed something to me about the car’s past, and my future.  A parts guy recognized the car, it was once his.  Did I want to see pictures of it?  Before the wreck?  Huh?  The car had been his wife’s car, and had been t-boned, and had serious body damage done to it.  The insurance company totaled it, the body shop repaired it, he bought the car from the insurance company, then sold it at auction.  It was sound, performed to spec, it just had many hidden scars.  Which were about to show.  I kept the pictures, we kept the car, and drove it for years, but somehow the love affair was over.....and one afternoon outside Early, Texas the divorce became final.

Dean and I had been out after his high school graduation hot rodding it, seeing how fast it would go with no Texas Rangers to check on us.  And it started making noises...but we, Christopher and I, he six at the time, so off we went to return to our home 700 miles away.  No smarter guys would have never left town, and so when the car died we had to hitch a ride from a goat farmer.  No words can describe the odor of years of goats, even hanging my head out the window did no good, and the car was towed to the Chevy store there.  Where the engine had spun a bearing, fixable, but outside of my price range, but they would take the car in trade, and we worked out a deal.  And we left the Chevy behind and drove home in a two year old Thunderbird...moving on up, and no it hadn’t been in any accidents.  I asked.....

And it was a great car, and later we would trade it, tastes change.  But the Citation X-11 still holds a dear place in our hearts. 

Like the Chevy, we carry a lot of scars and damage with us that no one sees.  And that we often lie to ourselves about.  From skin tags to irregular heart beats, to sore joints to sores, we put things off till later, until it is too late.  Maintenance is expensive, high deductibles, tests, and other procedures cost time and money we don’t have.  But like cars, if you think maintenance is expensive, wait until you see the repair bill.  And when it comes to our bodies, we cannot trade them in like we can a car or bike, we must deal with it.  Doctors can deal with the physical, but what about the spiritual?  Who deals with that, do we pour out our heart to a pastor on a regular basis?  Or do we turn to God?  But who do we turn to first, who knows us better?  Could the answer be me?

Paul tells us in Romans 12 to take a sober accounting of ourselves, to see where we are in Christ.  Not to commend ourselves, or make us be the standard, but where are we in Christ?  Who does our life say Jesus is?  Are we walking in the spirit, or in the shadows lurking about living a façade?  Remember Moses after seeing God wore a mask to protect the people from the glory shining from his face.  But when it faded kept the mask on, he didn’t want them to see it had faded, he went from concern of others to all about me. Something none of us ever encounter.  Right.  As Christians we know all the right things to say in church, the right words and attitudes to portray, but when alone who are we?  Character, the trait of who you are when no one else is watching, who are we?  That is what Paul is addressing here, and we need to make a spiritual checkup regularly if not daily.  We are not to think of ourselves as better than others, but use Jesus as the barometer.  Which puts us all in the same class as sinners, but we are saved.  Does that make God love me more?  I am a favorite now?  Think about the fact that while we were yet sinners Jesus died for us, he loves us all the same.  Of course our standards are different, his are everlasting. 

And we are to be sober when we do this, being honest, removing the mask we wear to cover up.  Why when asked in church do we all lie when asked how we are doing?  Can we all be perfect for just one moment despite the week we just had?  Can’t we have bad days too, or has false teaching taught us we can’t or we are in sin?  If so, I am in sin a lot, and others can confirm it long before I admit it.  So be sober, honest in your appraisal, if you hurt we can tell, and God knows for sure, are you the only one buying your own lie?  Maybe if we exercise the faith each of us has been given, look back and see how far Jesus had brought us we can look forward with more confidence, and not lie to ourselves.  He saved us when we could not save ourselves, so why quit depending on him now?  Wasn’t it when we admitted we were lost and wretched that the spirit began to flow in us? 

If you are afraid of the doctor you may be afraid of this self test too.  For doctors are trained to find problems, to address symptoms before they become a problem.  Do you trust your walk in Christ the same, or are you more interested in what the church thinks of me?  Proverbs tells us to not listen to a neighbors gossip, for it may be about us and we won’t like it.  Do we trust God more than the walls between our neighbors?  Do we lie to him and ourselves, do we trust the counsel of our friends more, who would never say anything to hurt our feelings? 

The parts guy who once owned the Chevy knew the truth.  I had ideas, suspicions, but only guesses.  The truth shown in the pictures didn’t set me free, nor did the blown bearing.  Until I traded the car, don’t trade your relationship with Jesus when a flaw in your life occurs.  He is the great physician, wonderful counselor, he is truth, the way, and is life, your life, you are dead without him.  And you don’t need a wad of bills to impress him, or for help.  Long before Obamacare, the world’s largest tax increase in history took effect, Jesus was changing lives.  Long before the wheel, Jesus was moving over the earth.  His spirit giving it shape and life.  Just like he will do for you.

Oil gets dirty, parts wear out.  So do our bodies, and relationships.  Check yours today before you are life flighted or dismantled for recycling.  Sold for parts.  Remember how you were before Jesus, thank him for how far he has brought you.  And have faith that the good work he has begun he will be faithful to complete it.  Don’t be like the clock on many of my old cars, it may be broken, but at least twice a day it’s correct.  Who inspires your life will tell us who you are.  Check yourself out before someone else does.  It may be hard, but a lot less painful.  Such a deal he has for you.  And it is more than stickers.  And you can keep your old doctor, but you won’t want to. 

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

standing in the showroom watching all the bikes ride by

For a young 22 year it was the hardest week of non-riding of his life, my life.  I had heard the call of the open road, and answered by leaving New Jersey at age 21 on my BMW R90S and settling in Albuquerque.  Where I went to work for Motorsport, selling BMW’s, along with Triumphs and Suzukis.  Now what my dream job of working in the motorcycle industry was different than reality, for instead of being out riding where I wanted to be, I was stuck in a showroom 5 1/2 days a week, with only Sunday and Wednesday afternoon off where Gerald and I would ride our trials bikes.  So many riders came by, telling of places they had been, roads they had travelled, and rides they were planning, and I was going crazy.  I missed the road, at my young age I had ridden more miles and places than most who came by, but that wasn’t enough.  I was hooked, I wanted more, but the reality of life was infringing, and one week in 1976, the 4th of July week when we would celebrate 200 years of the US of A, things were rough.  Albuquerque had managed to secure the race for the 4th, on the mile oval at the State Fairgrounds, and I worked right across the street from the main entrance.  It seemed every one of  thousands of fans who can to see the race rode, and stopped in.  I was within spitting distance of getting in, but still on the outside.  I would attend the race that day, but that hunger and desire to be on the road was driven or ridden to the sense of urgency, almost lustful, I needed to ride, and I needed to ride now.....but here I was, standing in the showroom watching all the bikes go by. 

The race was great, I got to see Kenny Roberts who under new AMA rules rode an inferior bike, Gary Scott another #1 plate would win the race, and a young Jay Springsteen, all 19 years old would win the championship that year.  But the race is what I remember most, and the lessons Kenny taught us that day.  So underpowered he was passed by 5-6 others down the straight, at speeds of over 120 mph, on dirt with no front brakes.  But in the corners, took a higher line than the others, made his own groove and would pass them all.  And for 25 laps we all cheered him on, even if we were rooting for another racer, it was a rush to see him ride.  He didn’t win that day, Gary Scott finished first, he was second, and Springer third, but to many us he won the race on strategy and guts alone.  A lesson of what a superior rider can do on an inferior bike.  More than brute power, another bike a TZ750 was so fast and wicked he claimed “they don’t pay me enough to ride that thing,” he won by riding smarter than the others, and using every skill he had to win.  He didn’t lose that day, he wasn’t beaten, if only a few more laps he might have pulled it off.  But the main event was only 25, and he finished second, but earned a place in my heart and the hearts of all who attended as the racer to beat.

We are told all of lives to work hard, that it never hurt anyone.  I know too many who don’t want to find out, and are lazy, beaten by the competition, which can be themselves.  Losers make excuses, winners get the trophy, and the girl.  But a lesson taught me long ago was to work smart, to use what you are given to the max, and while others worked hard, you worked smart.  Kenny rode smart that day, and his career showed it, do we work smart?  Do we use the gifts God has given us to be blessed and bless others?  How about a young teen named David, who when out matched by a 9 foot tall giant with six fingers on each hand, used what God had given him, he fought smart, and he won.  Throughout the Bible we see many who are outmanned, out numbered, and seemingly outwitted, but God provided the victory.  From Gideon, to Noah, to Jeremiah, to Paul, each had a battle to fight, and without the spirit to guide them stood a good chance of losing.  Where it could have meant their lives.  We forget that when God promises us victory, we will win, but we still need to show up and fight.  And we may get injured, it may seem hopeless, but we will win.  Even to the point of the cross, where Good Friday seemed like the darkest day for the disciples, only to see in his death, then his burial, and then his resurrection the victory was won.  And the gospel went forward. 

“Not by might, not by power, but by my spirit,” says the Lord of hosts, the Lord of armies.  No matter how tough you are, there is always someone tougher.  No matter how rich, someone always richer.  And no matter how smart, always someone smarter.  And no matter how fast, someone faster. It isn’t about size, but or the power it represents, it is all about Jesus.  A lesson we must learn if we are to grow in the spirit, and see all the blessings God has for us.  “If God be for us, who can be against us?” Romans asks, yet many try to outwit God, to take his place, to deny the deity of Jesus, to follow a cult and end up in hell.  The gospel is free, you come as you are, and he makes you into a person.  We used to tell people “Jesus doesn’t make people into freaks, he makes freaks into people.”  So when we are asked to give our bodies as a living sacrifice to God, he knows what we are, he loves us that way, but won’t leave us that way.

Yet some stand in the window watching and wondering, never leaving the building.  The bikers, the chances, the blessings all go by, and they wonder where is God?  Who is plainly seen by those seeking him, and being led by him.  The tense of giving our bodies is a one time event, like being born again.  Yet how many live in fear about losing their salvation, never knowing the peace Jesus provides?  Look around, the same ones go forward every week, when they could be out and making a difference.  When I look at this body of mine with all the scars, worth about $20 for the chemicals in it, I marvel at how God wants me, but was willing to give him a chance.  No matter of hard work could get me into heaven, without Jesus it is impossible, so why do you fight when it is a free gift?  What part of free don’t you understand? 

That day Kenny put on as show, even though the rules were against him.  He could have made excuses, but chose not too.  Real racers race to the end, which is scriptural, as we all race the race to the end to win.  On that last lap, an engine could seize, a crash could occur, or a leader could run out of gas.  Ask Robby Gordon about that, with 5 laps to go at Indy he ran out of fuel...the spirit never runs dry.  And God gives you what you need, when you need it.  Better than any factory ride or sponsorship, he is in it for the long haul.  Are you?

Our 200th anniversary of freedom in the US of A  was celebrated by all.  We have much to thank God for, as he shed his grace on thee, and me.  The chance to watch or to compete, to attend or be absent.  True love, true freedom demands a choice, it cannot be legislated.  Too many window shop, Jesus asks you to participate.  To get out and attend the race.  To get into life and get dirty, smell the racing castor and compete.  To enjoy the victory he has won for us and share it with others.  That day Kenny Roberts made me a believer in him, and a lifelong fan.  Just a year before I had made a commitment to Jesus, and became an eternal fan.  He made me a believer, and when the white flag goes out for my last lap, I know where I will finish when the checkered flag is waved.  Maybe not first, but I will finish, and in heaven.  And no longer standing in the showroom watching all the bikes ride by, I will be on one.  Riding and being blessed.  Out in the world, not of it.  Funny how we are made of the dirt of the earth, and all races start there.  And on one 4th of July, we let freedom ring.  Attend the race, fill the stands, and stand up and cheer in the spirit.  It is called worship, and we who know Jesus have plenty to celebrate.  Let’s the ride begin....

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

just how important are sports cars?

Based upon what I see as I lane split every day, this world has become one great big SUV parking lot.  Give me something big, sit me up high, and let me think I’m a cowboy-at least in my mind, and suddenly I am driving a truck and I think I’m cool.  And I must be because everyone else is.....But at our core, we are a four door nation, a country of sedans, a nation of what is easier for me, so that I stand out from the crowd while mixing in at the same time.  And history helps us to believe that, as sedans of the four door variety are always the best sellers.  But never confuse popular with the best, or trendy with what is cool.  Today new car buyers are more interested in electronics, ISB ports, hybrids, and other ideas.  But there are still a few of us who consider performance to be horsepower, 0-60 times, and putting the top down.  And sporty cars, notice the Y, are still important today, maybe more so.

After WWII, the Big One, small English sports cars came back with GI’s from overseas.  MG’s, Jaguars, and soon Aston Martins, Austin Healeys, and others, with horsepower to match their handling.  And a new breed of driver was born, one who could compete at a different level than the hot rodders, and of course American car companies took note.  And in 1953 we got the Corvette, all 300 of them, low sleek, it handled compared to Aunt Matilda’s Plymouth Savoy, redefined cool, and the top could go down.  Suddenly romance in cars went from the back seat to the front, as what women in the fifties could resist a red convertible, even if they only came in white?  And today manufacturers still sell sporty cars, two seaters driven into insurance rate heaven by high prices, and sports cars are a dying breed, if only in sales numbers.  But as one conversation between a Prius owner and a Corvette owner goes, Pruis owner: “my car gets 50 miles per gallon, what does yours get?”  Corvette owner: “Girls.”  And I rest my case.

Looking at a picture from Hemmings Daily the picture of he day is from Los Angeles, 1956, how many cars can you identify?  And not one two door, no sports cars, or anything sporty is seen in the freeway shot.  I thought Smog Angeles was the sports car capital of the world, in a town where nobody walks, but the revolution was just beginning, and soon Smell A would change the nations driving habits forever.  Sadly it still does today as hybrids do the roads, and no one knows for sure why.  But just how important are sports cars?  From a social standpoint they help give their owners an identity.  Sports cars are collected, sedans are used.  Sports cars take us to back roads, to curvy mountain roads, and places outside the city, sedans take us to work, are used for carpools.  Sports cars are the ones that draw us into the showrooms, but most will walk past the red convertible, wishing they had the guts to buy one, but afraid of not fitting in, what if I actually had fun, what would my friends say?  So they line up for SUV’s, a generation that once would have a fit if their parents owned a station wagon, now line up to buy them.  And last week GM bragged that the average new car sold by the Corporation was $43,988!  For the same money you can get a Mustang GT convertible!  And not have to carry mindless kids in carpools trashing your interior....whoever thought a sports car would be practical too?  But sports cars or sporty cars, have their place, as a reward for a successful career, a sign of arriving, a sign of never growing up, or as sign of just liking to have fun.  We need sports cars to remind us that cars can and should be fun, and life should follow the same course.  And given a chance to express our individuality, we can do it.  And yes, a red Mustang convertible, 2015 vintage sits in my garage.  No sedans, SUV’s, minivans, or practical cars.  And like Harley ads tell us, “if I have to explain your wouldn’t understand.” 

Religion can be like car buying, mindless and influenced by what others think.  Church should be a place of worship and to fellowship, yet cliques form easily, and soon the minivan moms have formed their own little clique.  Looking down on those of us who don’t or won’t own one.  Religion drains us, takes the freedom of the spirit away, can turn us into mindless drones.  Denominations can put God in a box, reducing him to the size of man, and instead of us changing to be like God, they change God to fit their lifestyle.  Finding scripture to substantiate any decision or sin they choose, ignoring the spirit

and its guidance.  They cannot grasp the depth or size of God, and may know John 3:16, but never get familiar with Jesus.  They never get to know the depth of God’s riches, being satisfied with what the church or society deems OK, never trusting God and seeing the fullness of his riches.  Based on their own experiences, they read, study, pray, and follow....but never escape the sedan world of religion.

The sad part of never trusting God is never getting to see him in action, the blessings are missed.  When overseas missions call, they put money in the plate, yet cross over when someone is hurting before them.  When asked “how many Lazaruses did you step over today?” what is your answer?  Did you even see them?  At least the rich man saw Lazarus...can you see the need from inside your SUV?  Do you play it safe not sorry when it comes to ministry, let someone else take care of them, let the jobless go to work, let the homeless find a place.  They give advice, but are incapable of taking it, never seeing the fullness of Christ, or enjoying walking in his spirit.   A sporty Lord is not within their grasp, tell us what to do, don’t make us make a decision.  Yet perfect love demands one....some go to church, others go to heaven.  And you can have both!  But you need Jesus first.

There is a reason that spirit driven churches are few and far between, they think they have to cater to the masses.  Jesus is different, he caters to the individual, no matter what you drive.  And when he explains you can understand.  We can be who he has created us to be, free and enjoying all of his creations.  How many look forward to a heaven like earth, instead of a new earth and a new heaven?  How many are brave enough to follow Jesus rather than the men’s group?  The pastor?  The denomination?  These things are not bad in their own right, but if Jesus isn’t first, you are missing out.  Maybe you need a ride in a sports car with the top down to see God in a new way.  But are you stuck in a 4 door religion, that frowns on anyone different?

We need sports car people in our churches, ones who enjoy life, who live for Jesus,and are spirit driven.  I have a rule in life, I can tell the condition of your walk with Christ based on the interior of your car.  Is it messy, windows dirty, wrappers everywhere?  Does it show the nut behind the wheel is loose or respected?  Would you trust the advice of a person about cars after seeing the inside of theirs?  Yet we do based on other criteria, like church attendance, Bible studies, and the visible, yet God says he looks on the heart, the inside.  How does the interior of your car look? 

So we do need sports cars, we need performance of more than MPG, for God will provide what we need.  Nobody sets out to be mediocre, or average.  We want the best, all we can get.  Meekness, power to the ground, handling in all situations, and fun.  What does the Corvette owner know the Prius owner doesn’t?  Freedom of expression,  to be who you want to be.  But only in Christ will you ever find that.  Those who drive cars that fit them and not the crowd get it, do you?

Don’t even ask me about those of us who ride....we get this thing called freedom.  Freedom in the spirit, promised and delivered by God, no matter what you drive, where you attend or don’t.  It is individual, and isn’t that what we are seeking?  To be ourselves.....don’t be like the woman who brought in her Kia for service and wanted a rental car.  Her advisor answered “mam, you own a rental car.”  Just how important is what you drive?  How important is you relationship with God?  Put your top down, look to the heavens, and see God’s creation without anything blocking your view.  The stars at night are big and bright...do I sense a trade in coming?  

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

the most basic of food groups

Back in high school, it was a big thing if you could eat $5 of McDonald’s food.  Not from a healthy standpoint, it was considered healthy back then, but due to what you could get for your dollar.  On your limited 1972 allowance you could get a burger, fries, and a Coke for less than 50 cents, less than the tax on a Happy Meal of today.  Big Macs for the bravest were 55 cents, add in a shake, no word milk found here, and another 25 cents was added.  And suddenly that $5 bag of food, or bags was a challenge.  Add in a friend working the counter, or a pretty girlfriend who would go in and order for you, the price went down, the value went up, and sometimes eating a dollar’s worth was filling.  But figure in the days of 25 cent gas, 49 cent 45 record singles, and nickel candies, it was the best of times.  But still we had a few or knew of a few who took the challenge, I never did, $5 was a lot of money, over two hours of work at my night job at Sears, and I wasn’t going to waste it all on food, when I could on girls and motorcycles, or the other way around. But the fast food industry gave rise to many inventions and innovations, not the last among them the franchising of McDonalds, the ultimate sale of a milk shake machine salesman.

Ray Kroc saw the business that the McDonald brothers were doing, and eventually bought them out.  And they were the ones who thought they got the deal, a million dollars was big money in the fifties.  But Ray had a franchise idea, and sold it based on having your own business, by being independent, he sold the idea they were in business for themselves, but not in business by themselves, and we can see the idea worked,a s franchising today is the most popular form of entrepreneurialism found in America.  But with the restaurant came the food, and also the packaging, and more new ideas were born out of necessity. 

Paper straws, for those of us old enough to remember them, were considered a big deal 120 years ago, they had no flavor compared to the rice paper you sucked your Coca Cola with at the local pharmacy counter.  Plastic would come later.  White Castle in 1932 formed its own company for their own logo on hats and napkins.  The mid–fifties brought us french fry bags with a logo, sizes big enough to take your family’s meal home in, and the Colonel brought us the bucket in 1957.  Those cardboard trays we use today were made for Chinese food originally, where were you in ‘62 when they were invented?  Did you know the Fun Meal at Burger King preceded the Happy Meal, and was the first packaged meal for kids?  Have it your way...add the spill proof lid from the eighties, short lived polystyrene containers from the nineties, the paper wrap for your latte, and the packaging was almost as important as what it wrapped or held.  All it takes is a problem to be solved, and fertile minds will find a way to solve it.  With only ourselves standing in the way of success, or failure.

But it was Ray Kroc who saw his fast food on a large scale, and others would follow.  But fast food must be fast to make any money, aka profit, and soon heat lamps, premade burgers, and hot apple pies were ready for the asking.  I worked for Coca Cola when self serve fountain drinks were introduced, remember the days of ordering a Coke with no ice?  A hard sell at first to retailers, but sales showed when given a cup and ice, we added more ourselves, and their profits soared.  Gladly that doesn’t work with fries and burgers.  But Ray’s idea of being in business for themselves, but not by themselves was a winner, and not a new idea, one we find in the Bible.  Jesus was big on freedom from religion, the Mosaic laws the priests had to live under were a huge burden, every law gave you a chance to break it and sin.  When we find freedom in the spirit, we no longer wish to do the things we once did, we see the sin in them, and we change, we still can but we don’t want to.  We have the freedom in the spirit of being an individual in Christ, not bound by laws but by his spirit, and of becoming part of the family, his church.  He  makes it personal, and as important as the church is, each one of us has value in his own eyes.  So much that just you and his spirit make church, and wherever two or more are gathered, he is among you.  You are never alone for his spirit never leaves you.  Free to make the decisions you want, but with a loving God who stands with you.  If only denominations could understand it is not about them but Jesus, the franchising of their belief system would explode, think of that crusade, based on growing people in Christ rather than growing churches by attendance? 

Now all men and women share a common heritage called sin, and no one is exempt from it.  And Jesus offers forgiveness and salvation to all.  Yet we find the Jewish people originally rejected him and many still do today.  But Jesus came to save the lost, including the Gentiles. And when the Jews saw them accepting a savior, they became jealous and many were saved.  It wasn’t fair for their savior to reach out to others, even if they didn’t believe who Jesus was.  It had nothing to do with intelligence, the Jews are among the smartest on the planet, or lack of religion, for they are still very religious to this day.  It came down to a decision of the heart, of who Jesus is, was he who he said he was, or was he not what they were looking for?  Very simply put, the most childish 4 year old is smarter than the most highly educated person if he accepts Christ.  He has all the knowledge and freedom of the universe behind him, with the spirit giving him words when needed.  Some may study to be approved, but you cannot study to be saved, it is only through Jesus Christ and his spirit.  And what the spirit shows you can always be backed up in scripture, not the other way around.  The packaging of fast food was important, but with no product you have nothing to wrap, and without the gospel, you have nothing to offer as salvation. You may have a stylish Bible, bumper stickers and t-shirts to match, even attend church and Bible study, but without the word written on your heart, you are an empty package.  And Jesus is the word...and is always with us.

So you can live your life in Christ under a heat lamp, or you can be fresh and ready in the spirit.  Those burgers and fries look appealing under the heat lamp, but I like mine fresh.  Like my relationship with God.  Not precooked, or even wrapped pretty.  Sometimes I want a Happy Meal, sometimes a bucket won’t do.  Sometimes I need to be supersized, other times I don’t want fries with that.  But in Christ every time I come empty, I leave full.  For like fast food, the most basic of all food groups, the gospel is still the simplest way to know Jesus.  Everything you need, nothing you don’t.  For yourself but never by yourself.  Don’t fall for a fast food messiah, the gospel is still the best meal available, simple and filling and affordable.  Go beyond the packaging and look for the product, and like we did as kids, use two straws at once.  “Mom can I have another?”  Words you never hear after meeting Jesus, and special orders don’t upset him.  You are that special. 

Think of what you do can with all the change left from your spiritual dollar. The gospel, the most basic of all food groups, over 6 billion served!  And counting...

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

47 AW-after Woodstock

If you were a teen in 1969 and visited the Aquarian Arts Festival, aka Woodstock, you know it made an impact on our lives.  The late sixties were turbulent, with war protests, peace marches that were anything but peaceful, and a silent majority awakening over a loud and angry generation.  Woodstock was many things, among them a concert of music, that turned into a drugfest, and left its mark physically, philosophically, and emotionally on history.  I was too young for Woodstock, but in 1973 bought my ticket for Summer Jam-The Dead,The Band, and The Allman Brothers in Watkins Glen.  With an atmosphere that was overwhelming, scary, dangerous, and anything but festive.  Like putting 10 pounds of sand in a five pound bag, something has to give, riding to and through Watkins Glen left us with the impression we rather ride than fight the crowds.  We feared for our bikes, our safety, and our sanity, of course it rained, and hungry and tired we sought a solution to both hunger and shelter.  No food anywhere, it after midnight when we arrived, so we kept going, there just has to be a place of rest somewhere.  And for a few short minutes we found refuge on the front porch of a tourist cabin, in a the thicket of woods.  Trying to destress, we had ridden over 300 miles after work to get there, in the rain, and the traffic was horrible.  Two lane roads that had become parking lots, and even when we stopped to help a fellow BMW rider fix his flat, as we sat and rested before he reinstalled it back on the bike, a car cut through where we were sitting, almost hitting us with no concern but for themselves, and running over his wheel, bending it into a V shape, damaged and useless. Both him and his wheel.   If this was the summer of love revisited, we wanted nothing of it, and decided to push on, sleeping after being chased off the front porch we had found temporary shelter on.

Now I am not a deadhead, or even been to a Grateful Dead concert, but I have seen the Grateful Dead.  While resting on the porch, a helicopter landed, and the band got out, we exchanged hellos as they walked past and we were escorted from the cabin, which was reserved for them.  I came, I saw, and I was conquered.  And swore no event was worth the ride, the rain, or the hassles of going to....until October last.  The year 47AW, after Woodstock brought cars and motorcycles to Pismo Beach, The Race of Gentlemen, and we attended.  Volunteering to work the ticket booth, we soon took it over and helped run it, in a pouring down rain, that seemed would never end.  Arriving early for our 8 am start, the rain kept the course closed and we opened after 11, three hours late. Yet over 12,000 people attended after waiting in the rain, standing and cold, Californians don’t own umbrellas, and then onto a race shortened day, from two days to only a few hours.  The course flooded, the tide washed it away and left a lagoon, and the stands were unusable.  But the weather didn’t dampen the racers, or any attending, we all had fun, and I can say I was there, I have the pictures and the shirts to prove it.  And I cannot wait for next year if they can pull it off, one delay was for the State Parks Commission to check the beach for sand crabs and sea turtles, who were smarter than the state and found safety elsewhere.  Only in California...

But despite the rain, the mud, the over flowing parking lot, and having to wait hours only to be canceled, we only saw one jerk in the crowd, all others were excited and happy to attend, they wanted to see the race, the sights and smells, and be a part of the day.  And we all were, maybe not quite the crowd of Woodstock, not the drugs or free love atmosphere, but a group of people who showed up despite the conditions, and we all had a real good time.  And will be back....

How many of us would stand all day to get a glimpse of Jesus?  How many would meet secretly under threat of persecution or death to have church?  How many complain “it’s too hot, or it’s too cold,”  “someone is in my seat,” or complain about the music?  Yet brag about what great Christians they are, and how they sacrificed a morning for God.  How important is your new dress, showing off a new car, or bragging about what you have done, that you would put it ahead of Jesus and worshipping him?  Yet our church of today is one based on convenience, from starting times to what programs, procedures, processes, and things can be done for me, all in the name of Christ.  How many of us would risk death as some do in North Korea, China, India, and many countries throughout the world to have church?  Would you meet secretly as the apostles many times had to for fear of retribution, just for being a Christian, and claiming Jesus as Lord?  Would you let the spirit guide you and your pastor, who having no Bible is entrusted with one page from Acts, and for over twenty years is the only Bible he has to preach from, and still hasn’t gone as far as using both sides?  Or do you discuss publicly how the King James is the only book, knowing the word, just not having it in you?  Yet fellow Christians around the world are subject to persecution we cannot imagine, yet we complain the loudest. 

47 years after Woodstock have we learned anything about our desires for God?  What makes thousands willing to stand in the mud for days to hear music, or thousands in the rain and wind to watch cars and motorcycles race?  If we can put ourselves out for our desires, why can’t we do the same for God’s desires?  God’s will, his desire is for us to  know Jesus.  They talk of love at Woodstock, love of racing, but do we talk of love for God?  Better yet do we show it?  Do we have the supernatural love, agape that God has for us for others?  God’s love is simple, a commitment of will to cherish and uphold another person.  It is a decision you make to treat another person with concern and care, thoughtfulness and to work for their best interests.  And this love is not difficult if we are aware of how much he loved us.  Sending Jesus, redeeming and forgiving us when we were unlovable.  And once you are aware of God’s love, this supernatural quality called love is easy. 

The Race of Gentlemen lost money this year, but it was more than the money that may keep them away.  California’s laws, rules, fees and taxes are unending, and so demanding it is easier to look elsewhere or quit altogether.  Don’t give up on Jesus the same way, step out of legalism and into the spirit, let his love guide your decisions, putting everyone else above you and your needs.  Share an umbrella in the rain, give up a parking place for someone else, let a person with one item get in front of your basket of goodies.  I learned all about crowds at Watkins Glen and never went back, I saw a different crowd at Pismo for TROG, I hope they come back.  I was part of that crowd, I hope to be again.  Today you will have the chance to share Jesus with someone, as St. Francis of Assisi advised, “preach the word daily, and if needed use words.”  Worked at TROG, if car and bike guys can get it, why can’t we as a church? 

It has been said of the sixties and Woodstock if you remember them you probably weren’t there.  Don’t let it be said of your walk with Jesus. Remember the rain falls on both the just and the unjust, 47 years after Woodstock are we be able to tell the difference?  Can you?

love with compassion,

Mike

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