the point of no return

On our recent 16 day motorcycle ride, we again discovered the meaning of flexibility.  On our sixth night out, the next night’s destination was to be French Lick, Indiana, but the thunderstorm and lightning warnings told us to change our route.  So for all but one of the nights left, we had to change all our reservations, destinations, and reroute ourselves.  Which we have learned from our past route changes can turn out good,which these did also.  By careful planning and route changing, and the grace of God, we were able to stay a day ahead of the storms that were threatening the midwest, and have an enjoyable trip.  All the months of planning suddenly went out the door, as everything had changed, so we rode on anyway.  Settling for only 5200 miles instead.  But in our flexibility we got to see the gospel in action, the good news of how God has everything under control.  And how our choices to follow the spirit or our own selfish ways have a huge impact on our ride and its outcome.

In 5200 miles of riding, we only rode in 70 miles of rain, a miracle if you ride across the US of A.  That day came when we decided to go from Yukon, Oklahoma after visiting with Joe, and ride to Albuquerque and stay an extra day and rest.  Somewhere east of Santa Rosa I tired, and with the dark skies ahead wondered if I had made the right choice, but with no rooms in town, and only 100 miles to go, less than an hour and a half, we had ridden past the point of no return.  So we put on our rain suits, and prepared for the rain.  With high winds, and hail an added bonus...

The wind blew so hard it was hailing sideways from a 90 degree angle, and my left arm reflected it covered with bruises.  We held steady, slowing down trying to find a speed where we could keep up with the wind, and then the rain let loose, the highway flooded, and the entry into Albuquerque was scary.  When the rain and wind suddenly stopped, the roads were dry, and the last five miles calm, as if it never had happened.  I think it was safe to say that 70 miles of storm was the time we trusted God most on the trip, we had with our route changes, but in the midst of the storm, we had to, as there was no place to escape on the open prairie.  But we had found our escape route in Christ.

The point of no return may be as simple as not finding a motel room and having to go on, riding out the storm not knowing when it will subside, or like flying over the ocean, you go so far that it is the same distance if you turn back than if you keep going.  Such was the fate of Judas, when Jesus gave him publicly the chance to turn back form Satan.  Jesus knowing the answer, and the outcome, showed how his love even for the doomed by their decision to reject him still loves us. Just as Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane asked God if it was his will to change it, he allowed Judas the same opportunity, just like he does us.  He never gives up on our hope for salvation, yet when the decision to deny Jesus openly, we see how Satan entered Judas and it was too late for him.  He had taken the idea, turned it into thoughts, weighed the options and still denied Jesus.  While 11 others chose him, one didn’t.  They didn’t come to accept Jesus until after his death, but by his spirit they didn’t deny him either.  That seed of hope in them, they pressed on, past the point of no return.  Somehow knowing Jesus would return and through his spirit they knew they would be resurrected too.  Judas had denied God’s love, the others didn’t try to understand it, just went with it.  They had all seen the same miracles and walked with Jesus, the difference was in the spirit they chose, Judas chose Satan, the others the holy spirit.  The same choice we are given...

Till death do us part, we are given the opportunity to choose Jesus.  His holy spirit is constantly telling us “you need Jesus,” but the world tries to deflect it.  Judas gave in to money which he thought would buy him power, but found it made him a slave to it.  He trusted things instead of Jesus, and money and things will never save you.  How sad and terrible to see the saddest decision in history made, where Judas had passed the point of no return.  While still alive he had made his choice, and sealed his fate.  If you still have breath, you still have time, but not much.  For tomorrow is promised to no man, and just as the sunny skies can change, the storm can come by surprise.  Because we trusted the spirit in our route changes, we were confident in our choices, but still rode through the storm, but not alone, for in the great weather as well as the storm, Jesus stayed with us.  Jesus wants to change your route today, gives you the choice, but once past the point of no return, your fate is sealed.  When is this point of no return?  I’m not sure, so I chose Jesus when he made me the offer.  I do not want to consider how my life would have turned out if I had denied him and lived in darkness.  But his will is that none should perish, is your decision God’s will?  Or will your pride destroy you?  With over a million miles of riding, I have seen all types of weather, yet press on towards my destination.  Is heaven your goal, are you pressing on?  Do you curse the storm and the one who controls the weather, or do you look to him for guidance?  Are your plans so set you leave no room for flexibility?  No one sets out to find Jesus, only by his spirit are we called.  We used to ride to destinations, now we ride directions.  What direction are you heading?  Jesus gives you a choice, evil doesn’t.  Jesus is the way, all others fail.  Judas had heard the teachings and seen the miracles, yet he chose the evil spirit over the holy one.  Without Jesus you may have passed the point of no return, are you willing to bet all your tomorrows on today?  The spirit is willing....are you?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

if you think maintenance is expensive, neglect it and see how high repairs are

In the lesson of the slow draining tub, we see how a slow draining tub can affect your day.  Being on the road for 16 days, we slept in 14 different beds, and showered in as many showers.  But one nice place we stayed had a tub that didn’t drain as fast as the shower tried to fill it.  Something you don’t notice, because tubs are made to drain, and you only notice if you look down and they aren’t.  But as this tub didn’t drain as fast as it should, soon the water went over the top of my feet.  Then to my ankle, stepping back to a higher place in the tub, it continued to fill, until I turned off the water and got out.  Watching it drain slowly I was reminded of how sin is like that, we don’t see what sin we are in, slowly it begins to overtake us, we step back trying to avoid it, but it doesn’t stop until we turn it off and get out of the tub of sin.  We complain about the water rising, but do we address the problem, the drain that is faulty?  How many times have you stood in water rising and not done anything about it?  How many times has sin entered into your life, and as you saw it grow and engulf you fail to pull the plug?  The cause was there all the time, so was the cure.  Sin in our lives is like that too, and we have a plug named Jesus to call on 24/7.

Some sin starts slow like a slow running drain, we’ll get around to dealing with it later, but later gets here sooner than we expect, and soon we need to call the plumber.  Pay the high cost of his service, and hear him say “you know this didn’t have to happen, all you needed to do was add some drain cleaner when it started running slow....”  As we nod our head and agree, until it happens again.  When working for Mercedes Benz the cost of maintenance was high, it could be very expensive.  I would explain that they were thoroughbreds, and thoroughbreds like to eat the good stuff, but the rewards were worth it.  But if you thought maintenance was expensive, neglect it and see how high repairs were.  That could have been prevented, if only we took care of the car. 

New cars are pretty reliable, and we do services instead of tune ups.  Which includes inspections, which can spot a problem before it occurs.  It works on cars and motorcycles, it also does in life.  Little scratchy patches of skin can turn into skin cancer.  A cough may turn into the flu.  A slow drain may turn into overflowing, and a little yeast, a Bible synonym for sin can go through the whole loaf.  No one sets out to be a drug addict or alcoholic, but if you don’t drink or do drugs you never will be.  Same with other sins, and Paul addressed this to the Corinthians.  Blessed abundantly, but living in sin, he told them to stop and turn to God.  Not stop or die, but repent, for the one who has saved you, Jesus Christ has also cleansed you, and will cleanse you again.  STOP!  No programs, processes, procedures, classes to attend or books to buy.  One step, repent, and get on with your life.  Before the water covers you up and you are drowning in sin.

God has given us his spirit to know when things are wrong, yet leaves us with the decision of how to handle the situation.  Say yes to Jesus, no to sin, just saying no is not the answer.  We need to be forgiven and rescued, that takes Jesus.  Yet some will drive another car when one breaks down, or use another shower, but the problems do not fix themselves, as the same patterns continue.  Until you face what you are doing is wrong, you will not see it as sin, and will not deal with it.  What drain in your life is stopped up?  And what are you doing about it? 

Doing the same thing but expecting a different result is the definition of insanity.  Sin will drive you crazy, slowly and surely, and can leave scars.  Pull the plug now, do a self inspection, honestly ask God “where am I weak?  How can you help me?”  And turn to him, and away from your sin.  Feel a freedom that surpasses words, or.....you can go on telling yourself “I’ll deal with it when it reaches my ankles, then my knees, then,,,” it’s too late.  If sin is draining you slowly, call the repairman now, Jesus.  Take his advice, turn from sin and to him, and enjoy the shower once again.  Enjoy driving the car again.  Enjoy the freedom of being sin free again.  God created us as unique thoroughbreds who like to eat to good stuff.  Who better to take care of you than the one who created you.  Who leaves you with an owners manual, and a 24 hour number to call when needed. But good advice, Godly advice, only works if taken, and Jesus is good advice, the gospel good news.  And enjoy being clean, after all, that is why you take a shower isn’t it, to get clean?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

simple math

If a triangle has three sides, a square four, a pentangle five, and an octagon eight, how many sides does a circle have?  Think about it, the answer to follow.

I have been stopping at PJ’s Triumph store in Albuquerque for over 12 years.  We have become friends, and five years ago when I had my open heart surgery, it turned out his best friend Peter was my cardiologist.  PJ told me I could hang out there and rehab, and when Peter released me, he would give me a free bike to ride.  I did get released, and was riding again at seven weeks after open heart surgery, but we had gone home, and I wouldn’t see PJ for five years.  On our first trip back to Albuquerque last year I stopped in, but he was on vacation too, but this year, on our five year anniversary, I sought him out.  Things had changed, but so had I/we....

Although PJ still owned the Triumph store, he had sold the Ducati franchise, and part of the deal was he went with it.  The Garcia family, who owns numerous car franchises, had added Ducati and Honda motorcycles, and he was running both stores, with a manager hired to run Triumph at a different location.  With a whole new set of faces.  No Jonesy in sales, no Dylan in parts, or Aaron in service, they had all moved on, and in a place where once I knew everyone, everyone was gone.  But meeting John who runs it, we are now friends.  A new kid is running service, now we are friends.  And I got to spend some time with PJ at the Ducati store.  He told me all the details of his change, and how he had become an employee/owner of two stores.  We talked of Peter who had moved to Denver, and how he missed him, the wives keep in touch, and he meant to call him, but hadn’t and would.  But things had changed, and I doubt if he will, life changes had interfered,and what once was, now wasn’t.  Different, not better or worse, just different.

But while at the Triumph store, I needed a face shield, they were out.  And referred me to Bobby J’s, the long time Yamaha dealer, run by Stan, who I have known for over 40 years.  Where the guy in parts recognized me, it was Dylan, and we caught up with who was doing what.  How acquaintances had now become friends, and friends had moved on.  We were glad to see each other, but no face shield, but he called a friend who did.  Who has his own shop, and worked at Motorsport like I once had.  Albuquerque always has been and I hope always will be a good biker town, we may ride different brands, but our heart is set on motorcycles, and even though distant in years and miles, I was still in the inner circle among friends at dealers.  Revealing the first side of a circle, the inside. 

Jesus referred to his disciples as his inner circle.  He told them things, showed them things, and revealed thing to them no others had access to.  It was more than a physical time, deeper than classroom time, it was a time when he revealed what was to come, rather who, his holy spirit.  Who he would leave with them to guide, protect, instruct, and comfort, as they had plans from him.  Being on the inner circle gave them direct entry to the spirit, while even the Pharisees who read the same Old Testament, fell short on understanding.  For without the spirit to guide, to reveal the mysteries of Christ, they were lacking, and legalistic, failing in love.  Failing to accept the same offer still extended by Jesus today to us, to join his inner circle, to be saved and have his spirit indwelling in us.  Jesus gives us his spirit when we are born again, yet many fail to take advantage of being in the inner circle with him.  They choose a religious way, and stay on the outside, the other side of the circle, and never grow nor get personal with him.  Which side of the circle are you on, do you relate to?

Simply put, a circle has two sides, an inside and an outside.  It has no sharp defined edges like other polygons, but has a unique shape like a relationship with God.  Eve to the point of calling us friends, and wanting us to join his inner circle.  Not to brag, but because he loves us, and wants all the best for us.  Today it is time to choose sides, which side are you on?

My relationships with the guys from PJ’s went deeper than I thought, it was good to see them, and they were glad to see me.  Our lives had crossed, and had crossed again, and might again.  Knowing the owner had allowed me behind the counter, into the service department where no customers were allowed, and I got to see behind the scenes, the inner workings.  It was personal.  Can you say the same thing about you and Jesus?  Are you in that inner circle, led by the spirit, where you are welcome behind the desk?  Does a pulpit separate you from a relationship with God, thinking the pastor must be different?  Were things really that different 2000 years ago, has sin changed?  Has Jesus changed?  Has his message?  Have you?  Will you?  Today you can have all the insight Peter and John had.  You can come face to face with Jesus and bring friends to him like Andrew did.  You can be looked down upon socially like Levi was, but set free in Christ.  Or you can be like Judas, who although part of the inner circle, never knew Jesus.  The spirit was willing, Judas wasn’t.  And paid the price, a price Jesus offered to pay for him.  Which side of the circle of Jesus Christ are you on?  Or do you think you are a big wheel, only to find out squares don’t roll?

I like being on the inner circle.  To be friends with the owner, to know the parts man, and get a deal.  But no deal will ever match the one God offers via Jesus.  PJ’s had changed, the store was still there.  PJ had changed, he was now an employee, and an owner.  A rare combination.  But he gave me a glimpse at the inner workings of both stores, I got to go behind the desk and see things from his side.  Which side are you on?  Whose side are you on?   I know whose side I am on, and the view from the inside is great.  You can never have too many friends, and Jesus calls us his friends, if we keep his commandment of love.  He calls me friend, what do you call him?  Simple math, and you can keep your shoes on to count. 

Just one morning in Albuquerque I will remember for a time to come.  So support your local dealer, even if he is 850 miles away. If only Judas had ridden, maybe he would have gotten the message.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

PJ and his wife

learning to drive in California

Welcome to the Land of California, where no body walks, and it is a popular belief that driving is a God given right, God being the state of California.  But with that supposed right comes some different driving characteristics that newcomers need to be aware of.  In regards to traffic lights, yellow means speed up and go through, red means 3-5 more cars will proceed before it is safe to venture out on your green light.  Entering the freeway means speeding up to 45-50, then when almost on the highway, signaling, then cut across all lanes until you are in the fast lane, maintaining your speed, no matter what how fast traffic is going.  Causing braking, brakes to screech, and time for them to be reminded they are no longer the most important person on the road, you are.  The turn signal also is not a warning, but a sure sign that the offender is about to turn into your lane, within the next 10 miles if a senior, or at any moment they choose. so beware.  Another state given right....

No one travels the speed limit, and once past the exit/entranced offenders, travel 15-20 mph above the posted limit.  Until something exciting occurs, like a man changing a tire, a CHP officer pulling someone over, or another freeway approaching, then be ready to drop your speed to a crawl, then stop, then crawl again, resuming your previous speed once you have conducted a thorough look at the event.  Which can occur at any moment.  So, you’ve been warned.  Be ready to brake suddenly as you approach a car slowing down in your lane, as their cell phone conversation is more important than highway safety.  Also know that such phone can be used to take a picture or video before calling 911 in case of an emergency.  Such is road courtesy out here, so welcome and drive safe.  You may not be able to pray in school, you still can in cars.

Parking is almost as dangerous if not more so than driving, we have the Costco phenomenon here, where rather than walk another 30 feet into the store, people will cruise around for a half hour looking for the closest space.  And when they find someone packing their groceries, stop in the middle, causing a traffic jam of cars behind them, which those of us catty enough to walk will find it dangerous to avoid a sudden urge to pass the offender.  Be warned when you see a Retired Navy sticker that a jam is about to occur.  Or any woman under the influence of minivan is a sure warning sign.  Just park and walk around the perimeter, shop and return to your car while the offender is still waiting.  Usually on their cell phone....So driving in California is different, as we just were reminded after 5200 miles of out of state riding.  With the most overlooked characteristic on our roads one of courtesy, no one ever read the manual part where it states “driving is a privilege, not a right.”  Must not have been on the test....

But someone passed them, they learned these habits somewhere, so who is to blame?  The yuk who passed them, the parent who finally gave in and handed them the keys, or the rest of us?  Note it is us, for no one assumes personal responsibility.  That would be, too personal.  Such is the life of a driver in California, but also the lives of many Christians.  We all live by a different code of the way we interpret scripture, and while some behave like Christians, others continually study looking for loopholes for their sin.  Studying to become approved, but not by God, but by man, for God is far away, my friends at church are more important, they are the ones to impress.  Which brings to mind how dangerous a church parking lot is after service, where the loving faithful turn into aggressive stunt drivers on their way to lunch.  Someone taught them this, they didn’t make it up, I have found most church folk are followers, rather than leaders, finding safety and acceptance in the pack, where it is easier to say you trust God than to live a life where you do.  And like the one who signs off on the new driver, too many pastors sign off on sinful actions to not make waves among their flock.  Making it hard to navigate as a believer, when the Bible shows one way, the pulpit another, yet we go off on our own.  Searching for the perfect place like the Costco driver, and the hell with anyone who crosses them.  Yet we are all given the same amount of faith, the same spirit at salvation, yet too many still search for a way, neglecting that Jesus is the way.  Writing their own gospel according to their actions, all under the guise of Christianity.  Where Jesus comes first, after us.  After all, wasn’t the gospel supposed to be good news to us?  For us?  With this us first, the other us whenever.

Jesus addressed this in the parables, trying to show us through everyday occurrences how important it is for him to be Lord.  For like driving, we may be cruising one moment,and stopped the next.  We don’t know what is around the next curve, or when a tire will fall off an old truck.  When a radar gun will be thrust into our face and our sin of speed exposed.   We are to be courteous drivers, but are we courteous Christians?  How many teachings have you heard on the fruit of the spirit, but how many highlighting goodness and kindness?  And what better way to show his love than being kind?  Being good, being courteous, putting others first, as he did with us.  OH, that Jesus....yeah, that one.

Drive like hell, you’ll get there, an old saying goes, live like hell you may go there to.  For what is on the heart is portrayed in our words and actions, conveyed by our attitudes.  How many curse the horn that blew at them, neglecting to recognize why, and that you were it?   How we approach things shows the Jesus in us, ever wonder why on ramps are so long?  To give you time to speed up and merge with speeding traffic, not slow it down.  Yet too many live at one speed, theirs, forgetting Jesus never hurried, nor was he ever late.  Is it possible you have passed Jesus by, and not known it?  Or are clogging up the way to him for others by your own lifestyle?  If only driving were as easy as Jesus shows it is to follow him, he has given us his spirit to guide, to comfort, and to instruct us.  Oh, that spirit...

So before driving off today, seek the spirit first.  He knows where you need to go, how to get you there, and where to park at Costco.  Or church.  How to be courteous, good and kind, and show the kind of love to others you want shown to you.  Don’t be like the one on the freeway with their turn signal on for miles, never wavering, until you go to pass, and then they cut you off.  Later telling the officer, “but I had my turn signal on...” What signal does your life show about Jesus?  The Declaration of Independence tells us all men are created equal, only our driving habits separate us.  Jesus makes the difference, for while some pursue the right to happiness, the spirit fills us with joy.  Remember that the next time you point out to the woman on the phone how she is number one. Hang up and drive, and remember not all are as fortunate as us to live here.  But we all can live in Christ...

By the way, gas is over $3.00/gallon here, I was paying $1.72 in Oklahoma last week.  Maybe the old Three Dog Night song about never been to heaven, but been to  Oklahoma is true.  But being in the spirit will always be the only way to travel.  Now about that plastic Jesus on the dashboard of your car...and please Lord, let’s hope it never rains!

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

no small change

George King and I became friends when we both worked at Sears in high school.  He was from another town, his dad a Watchung detective, and very straight, read nerdy.  In an age of long hair and free love, if you could afford it, George had morals, short hair, and was at odds with much of his peer group.  But that was all to change when his parents divorced, and the father he worshipped left.  He grew a beard, became unkempt, not George at all, and money didn’t seem to matter any more.  Once a week he would empty all the change from his pockets, and throw it on the warehouse floor for us to grab, $3-4, sometimes more, half a nights pay 45 years ago.  We gave him the nick name Small Change, affectionately, as we needed the money, he needed the love.  But that too was about to change, as we found about he had been dating a girl who used to work there, and they were expecting.  Suddenly all the small change had become a big deal as a big change was entering his life.  External situations were now forcing him to make decisions he never thought he would have to make, and vowed not to be the type of father to his child that deserted him like his own did.  Big changes were in store for Small Change, now over 40 years later his son is twice as old as we were back then.  With a lot of big changes along the way....

All change had become a big change for Small Change, not all for the best.  But the Bible reveals over and over the big changes in those who encounter God via his spirit.  From Moses, to Noah, to Samson, how about Rahab the Harlot, and Jonah?  There was no small change in Job’s life, nor in Peter, 10 other apostles, or Paul.  There were big changes when they allowed the spirit to guide them, which didn’t mean all tough times would vanish, but that by being guided by the spirit, God would see then through.  From Adam and Eve’s decisions creating big change, to Jesus on the cross creating a bigger change, there are no small changes available to those in Christ.  But if we never knew or know the person, how do we know they have changed?  Only Jesus creates change from the inside reflected on the outside.  The changes are revealed as we are to be known as Christians by our love, bearing the fruit of the spirit.  Something we cannot do for ourselves, it is the spirit that provides the growth.  Don’t be misled by personalities, the true fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, meekness, and long suffering, reflected in us by the spirit dwelling within us.  The same spirit that changed the heart of Nicodemus changed Mary Magdalene, and Matthew.  The same spirit that called you is available to all, which is revealed by our actions and attitudes.  There is no small change when Jesus comes into a life.  Your choice is to be inspired by external events or internal ones?  Which one you choose will make a difference in your eternal.  It is true that Jesus loves us as we are, but just as true he doesn’t want to leave us that way.

If Jesus has made no change in your life, stop and ask God why.  You may find you are the one hindering growth, you are the one quenching the spirit.  But God is waiting and willing to change you, are you willing to let him?  Small Change never expected his life to change as it did, but he hung tough.  All the small change he had thrown away had now become big change as his needs changed.  Jesus meets our needs, both small and large.  If we let him.  Are you letting the external or the internal affect your eternal?  What are the things you value most in life?  You may find they are what is keeping you from walking in the spirit as God desires.  For he knows the plans he has for you, all good, but not without your will.  He will never violate your will, if you want the things of God, they are available.  If you deny him, he will honor your decision too.  Only God loves and respects your choices so much.  Settling for small change, are you ready for a big change?  Can you handle more blessings, more love, more Jesus?  Or are you like the coins George once threw away, no meaning, no value. 

Once again consider the changes in Paul, from blasphemer and persecutor to evangelist supreme.  Peter one night denying Christ to a little girl, a few weeks later addressing a crowd of 3000 with the gospel.  Abraham trusting God to find a substitute for his son on the altar, Jesus being the substitute for us on the cross.  Some trust in horses, some riches, some careers.  But God is blatant that it is “not by might, not by power, not by works lest we should boast,” but by the work of Jesus on the cross, who left us his spirit to guide us until heaven.  The death of Jesus changed the world, his resurrection affecting big change, for as he was resurrected, so shall we be.  See, not even death can hold us back!  So why not let Jesus into your life for a change? 

Remember those mentioned in scripture were no different than you and I.  They were faced with a decision, and chose God over the things of earth.  There is no small change for those in Jesus, get ready for greatness.  I’ll take the blessings, you can have the change.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com