the 5 cent candy solution

Her name was Phyllis, and no one was really sure where she came from.  She had just been appointed the department manager at the local Sears store of the candy department, and things were about to change.  Even though our store had some 200 employees, we all seemed to know each other, yet no one knew her, and so we welcomed Phyllis.  And as a Department Head showed her the respect due her for the position.  But that all was about to change, as the best thing you could say about Phyllis was she was annoying.  Her hair style looked like her prom in 1959, and hadn’t changed in the 15 years since, one of the brighter ones among us admitting “you have to get invited to go to the prom, who would invite Phyllis?” and changing the origin of her hairstyle, I think you get the idea.  Pinch your nose and talk, that was her voice, and she was all about doing things by the Sears training manual.  We weren’t, and the fun was just starting.

Candy came in 20-25 bulk boxes, and was stored in a cooled room we all had a key too, until Phyllis arrived.  Noticing certain types of of candy always coming up short, we all sampled a few pieces when we put away the delivery, mine was orange slices.  But soon she changed the lock and maintained the only key, reeking havoc on the Railway Express and UPS drivers who had to wait for her, which seemed to take hours.  She trusted no one except for Herman, a big guy I worked with who lived on SnR’s, the private label M&M’s, and soon they became adversaries.  She would unlock her door, and go in, he would lock her in, and neglect the beating on the door to let her out.  So a doorbell was installed, but on the inside where no one could hear it except on the sales floor, it was soon removed.  But the room did have a phone, part of the interstore system and PA system, and she would bellow out in her nasal “Herman Reeder let me out!” confusing and amusing many customers, which led to Herman’s boss getting chewed out, then Herman, who only laughed, promising not to ever do it again, until the next time.  Phyllis finally got smart, after many months, and took the lock in with her.  When I left Sears and stopped back, she had left too, and no one knew where.  Or cared.  Except Herman....who had to find a new target to annoy.

I once believed “God said it, I believe it, and that settles it.”  Until I ran into another guy who believed the same way, but differently.  I still am wary of those who trip over scripture, but never get its meaning or application.  Strictly adhering to the words, they never get the flavor of the spirit, of the love of Jesus, and his forgiveness.  They are like Phyllis, taking over a position, wanting to do well, but living only by the rules.  With no sense of what the spirit is wanting to convey.  If you are like me, you find the more rules you have the more rules you have to break, and the more opportunities to need to be forgiven.  And that for every Phyllis there is a Herman ready to help them along.  Ready to point out the fallacies of the laws, and the lack of enforcement, or consistent enforcement.  They live in a legalistic world, more concerned about catching you tripping up, than enjoying the grace of God.  They quote Jesus, but never quote his love, and are absent of any evidence of the holy spirit.  A rule for every event, and soon can remember them all, and die in their own quagmire of sin.  The system was to be the solution, except it never involved Jesus.  Or his love.  They talk of faith, but rely on rules, and miss out on many blessings.  And end up like Phyllis locked in the candy room with no way of escape....except Herman.

Over 50 years ago the CHP did an experiment to deal with the out of control freeway traffic.  It was impossible to pull over all the speeders, so they came up with a high visibility rule, and it still works today.  Rather than pull over each car for exceeding the speed limit, they keep traffic moving, and the ones causing a problem are noticed and ticketed.  Which is why you see so many CHP cars along the road.  Yet the drivers still haven’t figured it out, as when they see a Chippie, they slam on their brakes, causing the car to nosedive, admitting their sin to all, including the officer, and the 200 cars behind them that slam on their brakes too, and cause a traffic jam.  Traffic was moving safely, until their conscience slowed it down.  Now I will not advocate breaking the law, but doesn’t common sense remind you to keep things moving?  Remember that the next time Ms. SUV while on her cell phone is startled and slams on the brakes.  And you narrowly avoid her.

So God has given us his spirit, written on out hearts so it is always with us.  To keep us safe.  It is our sin that finds us out, not God, do we have enough faith to trust the spirit and let him guide us?  Or do you live or ride in fear of making a mistake and being caught?  Of being like Phyllis, living by the book with no human interaction?  Legalism is a lonely ride, riding by faith in the spirit isn’t.  The law kills, the spirit gives life.  Yet so many are like a study I was in one night on the holy spirit, that the teacher started out by telling us the rules of the evening.  He didn’t get it....and we helped him not to.  For where the spirit of the Lord is there is liberty, no matter what the situation is.  Or how ridiculous it seems.  We may remember the words of Jesus telling his disciples and shipmates to have faith in the midst of the storm, but they forgot he was with them.  We forget that when Jesus is in our boat, it will not sink, and the storm too will pass.  God said that?  I guess that settles it....but do you believe it?

Today you will encounter situations that no laws or written for.  Remember the law Jesus gave us, love him with all your heart and your neighbor as yourself.  Simple enough, and when you are loved, and forgiven, you can love and forgive also.  No special key needed for access, no amendment to a law you weren’t aware of.  Keep the traffic flowing, the spirit in your life, and the storms will pass.  Jesus never left you, and his boat doesn’t sink.  Quit tripping over words on a page, and start living the love he proclaimed.

Finally my boss at Coca Cola came up with a remedy for the candy stealing. we supplied snack vending machines too.  He installed a  candy machine, and put a 5 cent cost on each bar.  And the thefts stopped, who wouldn’t pass up a deal for a nickel?  For a $1 candy?  Not a rule I have seen since....common sense isn’t really that common.

Or be ready to deal with the Phyllis in your life, revealing your whole life over the loud speaker.  Quick, somebody unlock the door and let the spirit out!  For sin like candy can come in bulk, and we need a way out.  Jesus is the way....funny how the padlock was to keep us out and ended up keeping her in.  Phyllis never got it, do you?

Now, he who has no sin can be the first one in the candy room.....all others pay 5 cents.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

 

McReligion

Reading an article about the roads between Tucson and Tombstone, we decided to take four days this spring and ride them.  We had tried last year, made it as far as Tucson, but high winds made it too dangerous to ride any further, so we will try again this year.  We have been blessed to have ridden so much when an article is printed, we often have been there, and could have given better advice on roads and where to eat ourselves.  But to each his own, and where some eat gourmet food starting with a Mc, and some suffer through pretty food on a large white plate, we somehow find what we like the best.  And have had very few, if any bad meals that I can remember.  Some have not been our first choice, but turned out better than expected, while others just got us through to the next stop.  But of late, it seems the trendy thing to do is to tour wineries, and as anyone with half a cerebrum will tell you, gas and alcohol don’t mix, add in two wheels and you have a recipe for disaster.  Yet so many of the trendy rider types chase wine tasting, or craft beers for their menus.  And to add to it, lately I have seen craft sodas, which outside of home brewed root beer, taste like it was brewed in an old Castrol can, and priced like synthetic.  Trendy...but how many just go for the ride, and are willing to sample the local cuisine?  And never know what they are missing?

In Tucson we ate some really great health food the first night, some reasonably good Mexican another, and found, it wasn’t lost, we just had never been there, a great home made bread place with killer sandwiches. Which we wish we had found the first night rather than the last lunch.  But we ate locally, and found variations on a theme for food, not the same franchised slop at your next freeway exit.  Our variation of a wine tour, with no harmful after effects.  Drinking and riding, like James Dean told us, “the life you save may be my own.”  Living life is trendy enough....

Things have changed, and still are changing since I took my first road trip, and looked for food.  Diners and roadside cafes used to dot the roadside, now you can get gas and a Subway sandwich, and claim to have been there.  And at every franchised stop meet the teenagers of America, they are the ones who populate the jobs there, their first job, and not their last, and the service and attitude reflects it.  So for us, as it was and hopefully will continue to be, it is local, wherever you are is local, family owned places to eat.  Where the portions are big, the food fresh and tasty, and the service is good.  The water glass is always full, and the waitress knows you are drinking diet, not classic.  She may call you Honey or Sweetie, even if your wife is along.  A personal touch, and the tip should reflect it.  Some quick road food memories from an article I just read...where does your reading take you?  Back or ahead?  Does it entice you, influence you, or do you just turn the pages?  But it will always come down to personal taste, a nephew reminding me of how he misses Alberto’s after moving to Texas and eating Tex-Mex.  At least it doesn’t have Mc in front of it.  The berto part should be the tip off here....

So while we ride to eat, and eat to ride, we get to see how it is done other places, why green chili is the best in New Mexico, and lobster the best in New England.  Why fish tacos are best in San Felipe, and real subs come from Jersey, not Jersey Mike’s.  How BBQ differs from Kansas City to Birmingham to Memphis, and different in each local house too.  With exceptions thrown in like Rey Azteca in Somerset, Pennsylvania, two gourmet cooks from the interior of Mexico.  In Pennsylvania?  But the key here is you are out and trying new places to eat, riding on new roads, and seeing the US of A first hand, rather than from the Food or Travel Channel.  Or from the pages of a book or magazine.   These things may encourage you, but nothing like being there.  So going back to Tucson has us eating great bread for lunch, then on to other new places.  All based on an article I read....

How much does you Bible reading influence your life and style?  Have the scriptures just become words you read over and over, or have you let the spirit guide you in your reading?  Each one of us will be different, I like short devotions that make me consider what the spirit is saying, some must read a chapter a day, while others brag they read through the Bible in a year, every year.  But do we ever ask the spirit “what do you wish to show me today in my reading?”  Or has the Bible become just another Christian exercise?  Do you read more and enjoy it less?  Have you become devoted to a famous author, and miss out on what is going on in other ministries?  Does what you read in the devotion encourage you in Jesus and point you to the spirit for guidance?  Are you new and confused, or old and bored, just looking for more Jesus, and the words on the pages just aren’t making it?  Why is it we can find the best restaurant, but cannot be satisfied in our daily bread when reading?  Have you ever considered what Jesus has for you today?

When riding, eating, touring, and choosing what to read, the external factors play a part.  But it is the spirit that gives guidance and helps us make better choices.  One verse influenced by the spirit can take me all over the Bible and bless me, yet trying to stay on schedule with my small group keeps me up to date and falling behind.  Are there perils to following what or who is popular?  Do we order off the menu or get the daily special Jesus has planned for us?  Do you pray before reading, and meditate after?  Do you carry Jesus with you, considering what you read that day, or is it just another trip to the Biblical gym, a scheduled exercise?  Do you study to be approved by who?

We must be careful to recognize that popularity doesn’t mean it is right for that time.  Authors, churches, trends, and movements are ever present, but should never take the place of being guided by the holy spirit.  Popularity must be checked and watched carefully, and balanced by the spirit.  Only Jesus knows what we need today, what diner is open, what their special is.  How long the lines are and why.  We check travel websites before we go, read articles and ask others, why don’t we ask God in the spiritual things?  Are you in the word or is the word, Jesus Christ in you?  Is your Bible time yesterday’s leftovers, or is it fresh and new every day?  Are you reading a McBible or a Bibleberto?  Ask Jesus today before you read, never mind the study or the assignment, ask and see where he leads you, not some group leader.  And find insight anew when discussed, and the spirit guiding you to a better relationship in Christ.  Trends come and go, so do people.  Only Jesus stays the same, exciting and new. 

And so we will be off to Tucson, unless God shows us different.  And he may, and our choice will be to choose.  Make him your first choice today, and watch as all things will be added unto you. Who knows who you will meet along the road.  The spirit knows.....

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

describing a perfect sunset to a blind man

We all love to listen to music, some have their favorite groups, some a singer, some an album, and even a song.  Some couples have “their song,” but how many actually listen to the music?  To the actual composition, where the instruments, including the voices make the song?  It is the music I listen too, and I drive Theresa crazy sometimes listening to songs, or parts of songs over and over.  To hear a back beat no one else hears, a bass line that really is a melody, and a drummer playing a tune, not just a drum beat.  I was taught at an early age how to listen, and even if it isn’t a good song, musically it can be beautiful.  Or a good song can be lousy musically.  This all may fall into the if you have to ask I couldn’t explain it category, but next time you listen, listen for all the instruments, how each one makes a contribution, and that if without it you wouldn’t have the same music, something would be missing.  The harmony wouldn’t be there, and suddenly you hear other things....that weren’t there before.  But were all along.  We all know what we like, we just don’t what or why, or how it makes a great song, or great music.

When Brain Wilson, decided to make the best album ever, we were still a world of 45rpm songs, but with Pet Sounds he changed all that.  From “Wouldn’t it be Nice” to “God Only Knows,” to “Caroline No,” only the vocals are the Beach Boys, almost all the instruments are studio musicians, and the best there was.  The Wrecking Crew.  Musically it is incredible, which I am getting a new insight to after reading his latest book, and where even Capitol Records at the time shelved it, not commercial enough, it was the impetus for Lennon and McCartney to write Sgt. Pepper.  Sir Paul states he still cries at the incredible music on Pet Sounds, and God Only Knows is his favorite song-ever.  Take a listen, in mono if possible, it was recorded that way, and hear what no other musician has written or played since then.  The songs will grow on you, the music you will never forget.

When asked “why do you have so many bikes?” I reply that each bike is for a different mood.  The same road takes on a new perspective with each different bike, the senses being filled, or reinvigorated with each mile.  Scraping floorboards doesn’t mean you are as fast as a Ninja not scraping pegs, you ride each different.  And like good music, the road becomes a tune you sing while riding.  You harmonize with the temperature, the wind, the smells of orange blossoms, and how far you lean into each corner.  Yesterday at 131 going up the freeway felt as safe or safer than 25 in some turns I know, for riding like music is personal, and the the better the rider, the more sensory input you receive, and the more you enjoy the ride...all aspects of it.  But that ride, like Brian Wilson’s music can be like trying to describe a perfect sunset to a blind man, he has no idea of colors, or of the size and scope. We rely on all our senses, and when one is vacant or weakened, we create a void.  But it doesn’t have to be that way.  Physically or emotionally.

Or spiritually either.  God has given us his spirit, to take us places where our senses fail.  We were once that blind man who couldn’t see the perfect sunset, in Christ our eyes are opened, but we still cannot describe it.  Given sight and insight we see things deeper, more beautiful than those who only see colors.  In the spirit we not only see the words on a page, but see the man who the book is written about, and we meet the same spirit that inspired them.  Yet many concentrate on only the words, and like a song miss the great music.  When in the spirit, you can be singing any song and see Jesus.  You can find God on any road while riding, and in the people you meet.  You have no limits to what God has for you, only your desires limited by religion keep you from seeing all the spirit has to offer curtail you from the blessings God has for you.  In the spirit you see things that earthly words cannot describe, and you go from the blind man to the man who can see, but his audience is now blind to what he is seeing, and his words mean nothing but nonsense.  Sometimes heritical to established teaching.  But in the spirit we see all things as God sees them, with no limits.  All the emotions and the physical take on a new dimension in the spirit, and it just doesn’t happen while praying, or in church.  It is between you and God, and when you turn it all over to him, you see things that were right in front of you before and missed.  You go beyond God only knowing to being included in the testimony.  You go beyond the teaching, the study, the classes or the service, you are with God one to one.  Just you and Jesus, guided by his spirit.  Time stands still, and a new depth of perception is found that is beyond description.  Suddenly those who can only see are blind, and no words can describe the greatness of God to them, the scriptures becoming only words on the page to trip over.  To be discussed. Only in the spirit will you encounter the love God has for you, the depth of forgiveness, and the wonders of his mercy.  And begin to live in his grace, with no rules or limits other than to love him first, and to love others as you love yourself.  The deeper in Jesus, the more love, the more insight, the more blessings.  That no words can describe.  For perfection cannot be described in words, but by the person of Jesus Christ.  And without his spirit, it all lacks that something personal.

So whether in riding or listening, God has more for you.  A heightening of all your senses, including a spiritual one that goes beyond description.  Brian created a masterpiece with Pet Sounds, a commercial disappointment, but today an album that is historic and important.  Where music has come together to make songs, that make an album, that must be played over and over.  To hear the melodies, all the instruments, and all the music he heard when composing it.  Each bit of music like the perfect road you want to ride again and again, on different bikes.  Tidbits of joy found that were there all the time if you only take the time to listen.  If only we approached Jesus that way, for he is the music of heaven, far more than all the songs written about him.  If music is the language of love, play on.  If it is the language of riding, ride on.  Only in the spirit will you hear what the composer included and why.  From high to low, each note is there for a reason.  We are those notes, and when played in the harmony of the spirit, the music is incredible.  Let God open the eyes to your blindness today via the holy spirit, you will never know what you are missing until you do.  And have a greater insight to what the blind man saw when given his sight.  Sunrises and sunsets, and all the rides in between, let the spirit set the tone, the mood. And enjoy the ride of your life.  Riding and living in the spirit, anything else is just a song.  Listen to the music....only the spirit can describe properly the sunset you have been missing.  For you too are a masterpiece God is waiting to write.  Brian wrote “I Know There’s an Answer,”  I know the answer.  Personally.  Do you?  Jesus, now wouldn’t that be nice?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

garage faith

When Dirty Harry told his boss, “a man’s got to know his limits,” he wasn’t talking about his garage.  Yet I know many who leave their cars out, and their motorcycles, because they are so disorganized.  Why would you let you new car or precious ride out and keep junk and trash cans in the garage?  Shouldn’t it be the other way around?  Every morning when my neighbor’s garage door goes up, I see more junk he has to move to get his bike out, and ride past his new car.  Lousy priorities, and not using his garage as designed.  Maybe having his priorities in disarray, or a lack of faith, or a test to see how fast GM paint fades in the hot afternoon sun, but with a little faith, it can be done.  I know, I do it every day, and have for years...

At the time we only had eight motorcycles, and Theresa’s car in the two car garage.  Room for her car is a must, so getting creative requires thinking outside the box, or inside the box in this case.  Now all our bikes run, and are not found in boxes in kit form, so they take up space, but strategically arranging them as they will be used takes some thought, thinking as the world calls it.  And in my half of the garage, things were packed tight.  And were about to get tighter when Sharon and Hiram came to visit, and left his Gold Wing and trailer with us.  Which had to be parked inside, remember the old request of “room and board for a man and his mount?”  It still applies today...and I got them all in, and my son was able to get Hiram out when he returned.  Some would look at the bike and figure no way, the trailer even a bigger no way, and why would any self respecting biker drag a motorhome behind them?  But I saw the way, and they all fit, and Theresa’s Mustang held its ground and stayed also.  Today we are down to only three bikes, with a new Mustang convertible, and the garage looks bare, dreams of a Street Twin dancing in my head, and sometimes it seems full when I have to move around them to get something...maybe full is in he eye of the beholder. But as we know from experience, there is always room for one more motorcycle.  Trailers optional.

We are told we walk by faith, yet many of ride by faith.  Faith leads us to Jesus, the way to God his father.  And scripture tells us of a man who was paralyzed who wanted to meet Jesus, but the room was full, the entrance blocked, and no fire marshal in sight to clear a way.  So they hoisted him up to the roof, no easy task, for just like a baby doubles in weight when you lift him, adults do too.  But up the stairs they carried him, only to find no entrance way again.  Yet these men did the unorthodox, and made a hole in the roof and lowered him down.  These men didn’t sit and whine, they didn’t form a committee to study the situation, nor appoint a head and form a budget, they used faith and determination, and got him in.  They risked disapproval by the home owner, please don’t try this at my house, and even interrupted the meeting and Jesus.  And Jesus didn’t rebuke them, he never does when faith draws you closer to him, and when guided by the spirit.  He made a way through the roof when the doors were blocked.  How many of us would have given up, or dared to be creative, even risking the wrath of the home owner?  They risked the costly, knowing someone would have to pay for the roof, someone would have to repair it, yet they only saw it as a barrier between them and a relationship with God.  How far would you go to bring a person to Christ?  Are your obstacles physical, emotional, or spiritual in depth?  Do you have the faith to do what the spirit asks?  If Jesus says it will be done, his will will be done, at his cost.  And even though we have no record of the home owners response, we see a man healed, and a lesson in faith. And in prayer....where action was substituted for words.

A few months back a friend and I talked after a Bible study, and he asked for prayer.  He had heart problems, was very sick, but had no insurance, so was prepared to die.  I told him “you don’t need prayer, you need to get to the ER!”  The church folk had already prayed for him, no one had the sense to call the doctor.  All they saw was he had no insurance.  So I sent him to the ER, and he got in, they signed him up on Medical, and after a few visits is fine.  He should have died, his pacemaker stopped, and he had some other problems, but God had the way, through the ER.  He had the answer before the others even prayed, but they only saw no insurance.  And waited, rather delayed looking for a miracle, when the door to the ER was the one.  Why did they believe about a man being dropped through the roof, but couldn’t see the way through the front door?  And we call ourselves men of faith? 

Yet Jesus is quoted as “seeing their faith,” when they cut the hole in the roof, and lowered the man.  How hard was it for me to tell him “go to the ER?”  It didn’t take a committee, no oil or annointing, no fasting, it took the spirit to give the answer, which was there the whole time.  It took faith, it took action, and God did his part.  Scripture tells us of this story, I fit more bikes in my garage than it should hold, and my friend is alive and healthy, all with a little faith in Christ.  Which when the spirit intervenes, brings us closer to him.  My friend now tells the story of when he asked me to pray, I told him go the ER.  I was the answer that day, so I ask, why pray if you don’t want an answer?  If you don’t listen for one?  God makes a way where they seems to be no way, or when we think it is too tough, or when we miss the obvious.  James tells us to put feet to our faith, I put motorcycles in a garage, my friend walked in the front door of the ER, and a man was lowered through a hole in the roof.  In each case we had a problem, and Jesus was the answer.  We saw the solution, not the situation, we looked to Jesus for the solution. 

Dare to do the costly, lay it all on the line, trust God.  And be an incredible witness of bringing people to the Lord, and building your faith.  Or you could form a committee....while I am out riding.  That is faith, garage faith, which works with garages, roofs, and ER’s.  He who has an ear let him hear, and enjoy the ride.  The tougher the task, the bigger the Jesus.  A man’s got to know his limits, unless that man is Jesus.  Go on, let him make your day...

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

trying to put toothpaste back in the tube

After little prayer, but a lot of listening to what the spirit had to say, we had a great Christmas holiday.  In the past we have had many great ones, but something special this year took place, and it wasn’t until talking with a friend about his traditions at Christmas, I realized our new tradition was no tradition at all.  My sons are both older with careers, and making families, and starting their own traditions, and it is with great joy I watch.  No hurt feelings, no boredom of when are we going to do what Grandpa used to do when no one wants to do it, and it turned into a special time for all.  I was reminded of some who must spend a set amount on another person, and while they see a limit, I am glad I can spend what I want, when I want.  Not hemmed in by only $50, or whatever.  And I can give to whom I want, and they can give the same way.  For the first time in decades we missed the traditional Christmas service, and seeing those we only saw once a year there.  I know the Christmas story, and the one who it is named after, we avoided the rush, the stress, and the retelling this year, rather living the love he showed to others.  And showing it to others.  And letting them share it with us.  A tradition we share every day. 

We didn’t spend big, but thoughtful, and it seems we were all on the same wavelength this year.  Only one novelty gift, a dog treat shooter was given, no word from the dog, but the owner likes it.  Maybe the best $5 spent this year.  We had fun shopping, found Black Friday deals up until the 24th, bought most online at reduced rates, and found little or no stress in the season.  We ate Italian on Christmas Day, Mexican on Christmas Eve, and only did one traditional thing, make it two, the whole week.  Monkey bread on Christmas morning is a must, and we opened one present on Christmas Eve, my son’s girlfriend couldn’t wait for what they got me, and the gift we each shared was the same book.  Which set the tone for fun.....Lots of laughter, music, listening to old records, sleeping in, and making breakfast, old movies shared, old Christmas memories shared, and new ones made.  We started a new tradition, we honored Jesus without rules, loved others in his name, had fun in his name, and stayed away from anything that smelled like tradition.  It was time for a change, maybe overdue, and we had the best time, I hope you did too.  We kept the Christ child, and the Christ adult in the day’s events, just like we do everyday, and found freedom in living for him, with him, and without all the seasonal nonsense.  We had fun....and what good is fun if you don’t enjoy it? 

Many live as Christians in traditions, bound by religion, and stuck in a rut, doing the same thing over and over, hoping for a different result.  The field of psychology calls it insanity, and maybe that explains the craziness of Christmas, and why too many are as nutty as the fruitcake they get or give each year.  Stuck in traditions, they never get to experience the things God has to offer, and think this is all there is.   They are like the ones trying to herd cats, and ending up without one cat, with the cats looking at them like they are crazy.  It is like trying to put toothpaste back in the tube, once it is out it won’t go back.  It is like trying to make a bad time into a good one, to be more religious, putting more seasoning in the greeting, and hoping the New Year gets here soon so they can go back to work, and count the days until the next holiday.  Tradition, routines, out of their own control, and miserable, they again prepare for the next one, once again for the very first time.  When God has so much more to offer, if only they, us, would listen to what the spirit says.

Yet many stayed up late on Christmas Eve trying to herd the last cat, or replace the last bit of toothpaste into the tube, and miss the blessings of the holiday, or of everyday.  In the beginning, God rested after 6 days, not from being tired, but to enjoy and celebrate what he had created, setting the tone for us.  And we should do the same, as his most treasured creation, we should rest in him, in his spirit, and enjoy the things he created for us.  He knows what we like, what we need, and wants us to have the joy of Jesus all the time, into eternity.  He doesn’t limit his giving like some do to a set amount, but gives freely, are we listening?  We were reminded at Dustin Arms how much a $10 t shirt meant over a $50 dress one.  How the time spent couldn’t match the gifts given, and the fellowship is what we remember, not the gift, but the giver.  Do we know God like that?  Do we treasure our fellowship with him, the time spent, or are we only good until the next church service?  Do we mutter when putting money in the Salvation Army pot?  Do we go into debt each year buying things for people we don’t like, and who don’t like us?  And getting the same from them?  Maybe we all are a little insane...

So this year, no tradition except Jesus, led by his spirit.  Many people have left us this year, but also many new ones have come into our lives.  Each with a story to tell, and traditions to honor.  But as we all get closer to God, we see the only tradition we need is love, so spend time with Jesus this year, starting today.  Listen to what the spirit says, and begin enjoying your walk with him.  Upset your church by trusting God and breaking out of religious control, running into old friends last night, we were both sharing how we go to church because we want to, not because we have to.  And we should walk with Jesus the same way.  I never tire of the Christmas story, or of Christmas time, but it is time to forego the past, and look to the future, where we will spend it, and realize we can have it on earth as it is in heaven.  Still mired in tradition, caught a few cats but the rest avoid you, and still trying to replace the toothpaste?  Get a new tube, turn on the can opener and the cats will come, and open your heart to the holy spirit.  That abundant life Jesus promises may be right in front of you, only you are too traditional to notice.  Jesus gives us a new covenant, based on who he is, not what we did, and based on what he did, not on who we are.  If it were all about money, God would have made us all millionaires, but he made it all about his son, the person it is named after.  No other person changed history, changed lives, and loves like him.  Today start applying what you know to who you know, and when you know Jesus, it will be love.  While others looked with disdain to the Christmas service, while some churches debated to have Sunday service since Christmas fell on a Sunday this year, while some churches shut down for the season, we celebrated, and continue to.  The more rules, the more chances to sin, the more traditions, the more chances for stress.  If Christmas Day, the day of Christ only happens once a year in your life, trust him today.  And begin receiving all the gifts he has for you, for he loves us.  And don’t bother asking, he knows, and like he told me, “if you ask for it, it isn’t a gift, and I like to give good gifts.”  The spirit is moving, from contemporary services to worship music, from church attire to service times.  Man plans, God laughs.  Which is an out loud smile.  Laugh today, enjoy the joy of the Lord, trust him and be blessed.  Or you could spend time in the return line at Costco....returning the same gift you did last year, and the year before.  Living in the spirit, suddenly it all makes sense.  And why cats cannot be herded, and why they don’t use toothpaste....

love with compassion,

Mike

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