sleepers

There was a time when the badge on the front fender told the world what a fast car you had.   Numbers like 454, 426, 302, 406, 327, 396, and 428 along with others told the guy in the lane next to you at the traffic light, “don’t mess with me.”  Sometimes if the other guy hadn’t noticed the badge, a quick rev of the engine assured him you were bad, as in good.  Add in racing stripes, hood pins, mag wheels, Crager SS my favorite, and Wide Oval tires, and you at least looked the part, and might even sound the part.  But maybe about to be taken apart by a sleeper, a plain Jane car with big motor, without all the frills.  One car in our area was a 1966 Chevy Biscayne, two door white, with a 427, that except for its uneven idle, looked innocent enough.  But how many Dodges and GTO’s only ever saw his tail lights until the next red light.  Either looking over with respect or looking away in embarrassment.  Such was the sixties, but sleeper cars have always been, and still are to a certain degree.

Another favorite was a 1967 Chevelle four door hardtop, painted blue with skinny whitewall tires.  Looked like your Mom’s grocery getter, but under the hood was a hot motor in more ways than one.  Borrowed from a race team while everyone else was at the finals, it was a full race drag 327 from a Super Stock car.  Even the exhaust had a slight burble to it, and if you didn’t notice the uneven idle, where it sounded like it was about to die, you were fair bait.  I had a ride in it once, and was hooked.  Both on sleepers and fast cars.  And have never owned a car with racing stripes!  But I did have a motorcycle with one....

Mickey had built a Rocket 3 with a Carpenter head, 2300 cc of motor with 150 hp to start, redlining at 6500.  A torque monster with over 100 lb./ft at idle, more than a Harley at max.  But with head, it dynoed at 220 hp, torque was 189 and redline jumped to 9000 rpm!  It sounded like a NASCAR wide open, but at idle gave no pretense as to what was going on.  Until Mr. Loud Pipes Save Lives pulled up next to me at a light.  Looking at my flat black ride, with a faded white stripe, he gunned his motor, he wanted to race.  Smiling inside my Arai, I revved it up, backed off, let the exhaust pop, then did it again.  I had no intention to race, and suddenly neither did he.  The light turned green and he putt putted off, eyes straight ahead, just in case I blew by him, so I couldn’t see his defeated ego.  Over time I have ridden many fast bikes, and driven many fast cars, but my 15 seconds of glory will always be that morning in Orange County, on a borrowed press bike. 

A lesson to learn is that whenever you take a stand for what you believe in you become a target, like telling people you are a Christian.  They may call you on it, and every heathen knows just how we should act.  Timid, weak, short hair, and a Bible under our arm.  But they never take into account the sleeper Christians, the quiet ones, who sit in the back row, unnoticed, but always ready for action.  While others brag on what they have done for God, they quietly let Jesus show through their actions and attitudes on a daily basis.  Giving God all the credit for the good things, while admitting to still being a work in process about the bad things.  Never revving their motor, but showing love.  Just like Paul tells about in 1 Corinthian 13, the love chapter.  Like a Pharisee who made sure he had an audience when paying his tithe, they bask in the light of themselves, talking of Jesus, but really they are all about themselves.  And when the tough times come, find all the verse memorization, Bible study notes, conference weekends, and church attendance don’t matter without love.  They are exposing who their God really is by their actions, they fail to receive the love Jesus has offered, and fail when tried.  Given a chance to brag on Jesus, they choose themselves, and fail.  Like the Harley rider, fast until tested, then shown to be what they really are.  But God still loves them, and even welcomes them back into the fold.  Been there, done that, I can honestly say it is better to be humbled than humiliated, and in all things show love first. 

When we truly bask in God’s love, agape, the type talked about here, a will of the spirit to uphold and cherish others, then we can begin to fully love God.  We can begin to see Jesus as who he is and why he had to come, and the fruit of the spirit, the love, joy, peace, and patience will shine from us.  Only then can we love ourselves because God loved us first, and begin to love others as ourselves.  When we trust the spirit to show us and guide us how to deal with others, then we grow in his love, which is easy to do once you come to Jesus.  When you realize how much he loves you just as you are, you can love others.  Being forgiven your guilt is taken away, you can begin to be the person God created you to be, this supernatural love from God through you becomes a part of you.  But still Paul warns, that even if  you feed the poor, give all you have to keep them, and boast of anything but Jesus in your hardship, you are like a tinkling bell that no one can hear.  Your loud bark a whimper, your fast car a façade until a really fast one is encountered.  Without God in the equation,without operating in his love, and your love for him, you stumble and fall before the light even changes.  Sometimes exposed for what you really are, not what you claim to be. Better a sleeper believer than a loud bell.  Basking in the solitude of the spirit, you are ready for anything because you have everything in Jesus.

The fast guys are out there, in both religion and on the track.  They may post good numbers on a dyno, or in their church appearance.  But a day of testing is coming, and who you believe in and trust will be displayed.  Burn outs may look cool on shifting sand, but are no way to live for Christ.  He is the firm foundation, the rock that withstood the storm.  Burnouts may sound cool, don’t be one.  Wheel spin means no traction, you are already falling behind.  But look and sound cool....until tested. 

And God makes it easy to love him.  Just be aware of how much he loved you first.  How Jesus has redeemed you and you are forgiven.  The spirit that once stirred you to come to Jesus still is alive in  you today.  God’s love is supernatural, so it must come from him, but can be displayed in and through us.  When the spirit awakens us, and the smoke clears, where will you be found? 

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

of course the warranty will cover it...

Buyer beware, we have all seen the warnings, but something inside of us tells us it will never happen to me.  Years ago after a flood in Las Vegas, many cars were flood damaged, totaled by the insurance companies, and sold at auctions with salvage titles.  They had been cleaned up after and prior to the sale, but many tell tale marks were evident, if you knew where to look.  Pull up the trunk mat, pull back a door panel, and look for water marks or where mud had been.  In many cars you could see where the water line was when this was done.  Yet too many looking for the right deal, usually the greedy ones or those who could least afford it were the purchasers.  With those of us at the service department the bearer of bad news.  Some sold so quickly the DMV didn’t have the salvage listed in their data base, but the manufacturer did.  One such man came in with complaints about a new S600 he had just purchased via the internet.  A brand new car for almost half of the $150,000 it listed for new, he had some electrical issues, was told it had a new car warranty, just take it to the Mercedes Benz dealer and they will fix it for free.  Which we would have been happy to do...except...

It was a flood car, showed right on the VMI, the manufacturer records.  SALVAGE-NO FACTORY WARRANTY.  And he went into melt down.  He was going to sue Mercedes Benz, he had been robbed and we all were going to pay.  As he had the car towed out of the service department.  He couldn’t even buy an extended aftermarket warranty, they had it listed as a salvage car also.  And is often the case, all the king’s horse and all the king’s men, along with all the king’s money couldn’t put the car right again.  So beware, if it sounds too good it just might be.  But on the other hand...

We would occasionally get a car towed in that wouldn’t start, maybe a crash or flood.  When told it had no warranty, the owner said he knew, what would it take to fix it?  Not wanting anything to do with it, we finally put a $2000 estimate fee, that may not include needed repairs, and many jumped at it.  We made money, we were able to fix most cars, and the owner knew what he had purchased and was happy with the repairs, which were also not covered by warranty.  I guess it takes both types, but is it worth the hassle?  Such a deal sometimes isn’t, or it can be, but why take the risk?  I can see the cars from Hurricane Michael being lined up and sold on eBay right now.  And the greedy buyers just waiting....

At one point after so many disgruntled and taken owners, we agreed that we not only fix cars, but we had to fix the owners too.  In an age of where it is always someone else’s fault, it takes tact and integrity to tell them the truth and have them believe it.  Seems that when it is for our own good, we rebel, but when it is for another’s we excel, or at least accelerate.  Once I needed advice on a matter, and sought out the elders of the church as scripture tells us to do.  Seven men, seven opinions, some competing with each other.  Confused and a bit deluded, I asked God what to do, and found the answer was I was at fault, and needed to change, not the one I sought advice against.  After I decided to call off the law suit, God asked me “where else can you get free advice that works?”  A lesson I learned early in my Christian life, and trust via the spirit today.  Seems we forget the spirit reveals the mysteries of Jesus to us, without his guidance Bible reading loses much effect, and is open to our own biased interpretation.  Like the flood car, we are at the manufacturer’s mercy, only in Christ will we find the mercy we need.  In an era where everyone screams about their rights, we can turn to Jesus who gave up his rights so we can be saved.  It is when we face the responsibilities and deal with them we see the truth we seek and can deal with it.  The truth, not an opinion.  Yet many seek out advice, shopping their problem until they get an answer they like, then blaming the opinion giver when it fails.  We fail to acknowledge God when we do take his advice, as if it is expected he will just stop running the universe and bail us out.  He gave us stupid for a reason, and a reason for it to hurt.  If only we had sought his advice before.....we might not have to ask for forgiveness later.  Last night someone asked if they could do anything for me, and I told them “don’t ever do anything to me that I have to forgive you for.”  I hope they got it.

When seeking God or being involved in a deal, personal or business, I seek God first.  I have operated that a good deal benefits both parties, and find God gives me more than I can expect when I trust him.  He sees under the carpets and where the damage may be, or can occur.  When he created us and we fell into sin, he knew he could, but didn’t have to enter a recall for our souls, but he did.  Jesus Christ today is the largest and longest ongoing recall in history, and we are all part of it.  We once had a title marked salvage, now we have our name in the book of life.  Which doesn’t exempt us from problems, but gives us an advocate when we do fail.  Trouble with faith lately, scripture tells us in this life we will have tribulations.  Having problems, you are on strong scriptural ground.  Either we stand on Jesus the rock, or find out all else is shifting sand.  Or from a flood.

And just a note of advice for you warranty owners.  Buy a car with a 48 month, 50,000 mile warranty.  At 50,000.1 it’s out.  Over the mileage.  But what date does it expire?  Here is where to pay attention.  Bought on June 1, 2018, it expires at midnight, May 31, 2022.   48 months, not 48 plus one day.  Of course you all knew that....remember the lesson learned from when the twentieth century ended and the new millenium began?  Bought on the internet, you can always right click and have it fixed.  My car may be out of warranty, my God still honors my sin, and forgives it.  Loves the sinner, hates the sin.  Only by his spirit will you know.  Don’t let the burdens of opinions weight you down, Jesus Christ is a fact, not an opinion.  And that is the truth.

 

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

 

something's happening here, what it is ain't exactly clear

We are in the early years of rock and roll, Elvis is King, the world still is in mourning over the death of The Big Bopper, Ritchie Valens, and Buddy Holly, the day the music died.  A young promoter out of Philadelphia is scheduling musical acts in Atlantic City, and has scheduled a man with a song and a new dance.  But he comes up ill and cannot be there, so the promoter calls a man he met a few years earlier to fill in, and Edgar Evans show up.  His song and dance ignite the rock world, the dance, The Twist, a dance with no steps, and the promoter a young Dick Clark.  The name Edgar Evans shows up nowhere in musical history today, but we know him as Chubby Checker.  Dick goes onto promote American Bandstand, and many new groups will be given a chance at stardom, and the intro to stardom through him.  Just mention The Twist and everybody starts doing it....

Moving on a few years, the president of a new record label is listening to a band audition out in LA.  They have a new sound, based on guitars and a take on country music, and when they are done playing all the songs they know, the president asks if they have any more.  Nothing has clicked...yet.  The leader announces they have one more song, but it doesn’t have a name.  But they will audition it for what it’s worth.  And music history continues as Buffalo Springfield gets their first break, the song you all know “For What It’s Worth,” not about war, but the riots on Sunset Strip in the sixties.  Spawning Poco, CSN&Y, Loggins and Messina, and others, all Hall of Fame musicians, and one Richie Furay getting saved and being known as Pastor Richie to his flock in Broomfield, Colorado Calvary Chapel.  Something’s happening here....

It is the fifties, and a young preacher is stepping out from his Baptist background.  God is calling him to take the gospel public, and a publisher, anything but Christian puts out a two word release to his chain of newspapers.  “PUFF GRAHAM!”  Industry jargon for promote him, the publisher, William Randolph Hearst, the man, Billy Graham.  Who will lead more crusades and men to Christ than anyone in the twentieth century.  Who will become an advisor to president and celebrities, his message simply the gospel of Jesus Christ and his saving grace.  A message still fresh and new to those who first hear it and respond.....

Two women, cousins, one older, one still a teenager are visiting, both pregnant.  When the younger cousin arrives, when greeted the baby in the womb of the older leaps with joy.  They stay together for three months until the baby is born, and his father breaks tradition, unable to speak, not naming him after himself or anyone else in his family.  He names him John, the name the holy spirit has had him write on the paper.  Suddenly he can speak, praising God, and the village wonders, “who will this man be?”  Will he be famous?  But his path has been set by God on high, and he will not be the star as hoped, but the messenger telling of his cousin’s birth, and preparing the world for his message.  So powerful a message, he will lose his head to the leader of the government, per a request by his step daughter.  We know him as John the Baptist, J the B, and he will baptize with water.  His cousin, Emanuel, better known as Jesus, will come to save the world, and be crucified.  Baptizing believers in the spirit....and his message, the gospel still goes forth today, by his spirit in those who believe and are saved.  But his time had to wait as he lived in the wilderness and in obscurity, until age 30.  The age a man may become a Jewish priest.  And the world has never been the same, nor will it ever be.

A few years back a couple were riding cross country and spending time in Pennsylvania.  Visiting the Ephrata Cloisters, a religious order from the 1700’s, they believed in the return of Jesus, and lived stoic, legalistic lives, sleeping little, and devoting themselves to study and prayer, lest Jesus return and they are found sleeping or unaware.  After the tour guide continually explained this return of Jesus, the rapture, she asked if anyone had any questions.  Meeting in the barn, both the tour and the guide being secular, she was unprepared for the question, “what is this rapture you speak of?”  And not knowing what to say, the man stepped forward, and was able to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with the crowd.  Just answering the question asked, allowing the spirit to do what it does best, minister and save.  No altar call, just sharing Jesus....just another moment in time ordained by God. 

We never know when the spirit of the Lord will call, so be ready.  Not legalistically, but in the spirit.  Knowing God has everything under control.  He orders our steps, but doesn’t order us, leaving the decision to follow or to deny up to us.  From rock star to the rock, he knows all of us by name, and calls us to know him by name.  We too can leap in the spirit as John leapt in the womb, we can share the gospel publicly when called to, and we can live in the spirit when we choose to.  God will provide the opportunity, how we respond is still up to us.  Today will be the day of salvation for many, but the day the music died for others.  You don’t want to leave this earth without knowing Jesus and the blessed hope of heaven.  He is still in the business of changing lives, and blessing his people.  From a barn in Bethlehem to a barn in Ephrata, his message still goes forth bringing life.  Surely something’s happening here, but in Jesus it is exactly clear.  He is worthy, for what it’s worth.  Give him a listen today....

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com