for I have seen the chrome....

I started out on a friend’s Honda 50, with the kit to make it look like a motorcycle, if you don’t count the various mini bikes that preceded it.  Then it was BH’s hand painted CL77, then my first bike of my own, a brand new 1972 Honda CB350 .  Seemed like everyone rode one back then, but already the dreams of the 750 Four were dancing in our minds, stepping over the 500.  The Kawasaki Mach III was too much bike, real reason was none of us were two stroke guys.  But it seemed that as the numbers in the name grew, so did I desire to own one.  Bigger meant better, and my next bike was a BMW R60/5, 600 cc’c that didn’t perform any better than the Honda it replaced,  but with shaft drive and being called “the Cadillac,” I was hooked.  Only to be hooked again when it was totaled, then again the 1974 R90/6 that replaced it, all mine for the four days before it too was totaled.  Running out of choices, it was either a Z-1, or stick with BMW, their new R90S, the ultimate motorcycle, nicknamed that as for no other reason than it cost $3430, when the Z-1 could be had for $1995.  But the newest of new BMW’s became my newest BMW, who else could brag, or complain they had three BMW’s in a month’s time, all paid for in cash?  I had come  long way from the Honda 50, both in money and cc’s.  You could say that I had seen the chrome, and the chrome had taken me in.  All before my 21st birthday....

It seemed we all had the bike of our desires at one time in the group I rode with.  Bouke on his Yoshimura Z-1, my helmet blew off my head at 105 mph!  In second gear.  BH on his Dunstall Honda 750, and the Wildman on his Mach III.  All go fast guys, the oldest not yet 25, with all the latest the industry had to offer.  Harleys that leaked were behind us, same with Triumphs that pieces vibrated off of.  Most two strokes were dirt bikes except for the Yamaha RD350, and only a stranger with his girl friend on back of his Mach IV to challenge us, and as BH found out, that ring a ding ding was still the king as it blew him off.  Times were measured in quarter miles, rides measured by tickets we got or didn’t, and the ability to talk a strange girl into a ride.  Girls who rode were scarce, biker chicks out of our league, or us out of theirs, and it was hard to find a girlfriend who liked to ride, messed up her hair.  Many a first date on two wheels guaranteed us no second date, but we didn’t care.  Skirts or wheels will eventually break your heart and wallet, we had found all we needed or wanted in our bikes, and could ride all weekend for the price of a date.  We had seen the chrome, and decided blonds may have more fun, just not on our rides.  We were young, fun loving and out for a good time, and nothing else mattered.  Slowly we would all be married off, and some would give up riding.  I was the fortunate one, with a wife who loves to ride.  The chrome had dimmed for some, for me it was just getting shinier.....and the rides just kept getting better.

Scripture tells us we cannot serve God and man.  I tried, had more than one girl tell me I liked my bike better than them.  But the balance of God and things interfered with my walk in Christ.When John ends his letter called 1 John, in which he talks about love and our love for others, based on Jesus’ love for us, he ends the book by saying “keep yourself from idols.”  He didn’t say keep yourself from riding, or money, or nice things, he said idols.  Today he could of said cars, motorcycles, clothes, jobs, or houses, as many have gone into debt to own one of them,with the thing ending up owning them.  Just because your FICO score says you can, doesn’t mean you should, and the joy of having is soon ruined.  Back then they had many idols or gods, Narcissus the god who fell in love with himself, Bacchus the god of wine, woman, and song.  Venus the goddess of love, look out for Hollywood, Apollo the god of physical beauty, and Minerva, the goddess of science.  Many names for the same god of all about me, all things that have the ability to hurt or destroy us.  To get between the real God, to enslave us to our own selfish desires.  Remember it is the love of money not just money that is sinful, and today’s icons and idols come in many shapes, and sizes.  Doesn’t scripture point out the greatest love is dying for a friend, didn’t Jesus call us his friends if we keep his commandments?  What brings you joy, makes you happy, gets you excited?  What are your dreams, what are you saving up for?  Are any of these things as important as Jesus in your life?  Are there any of these things you can take with you when you die?  Are any of these things able to set you free, to rescue you from sin?  To forgive you, to love you as you are and set you free? 

God has set you free so you can enjoy the type of life he has for you.  I know guys who claim as long as they can keep up the payments, they can have anything they want, then a crisis hits and the things they valued cannot rescue them.  The debt goes on despite your job or health, your marriage or divorce.  Only Jesus will never desert you, so maybe it is important that John signs off with this warning.  Keep yourself form idols.  They were the downfall of the Jews, the downfall of the Greek philosophers, and the downfall of man today.  Instead we read that we should be satisfied with what we have.  And not covet anything that doesn’t come from God.  But you say, there were no motorcycles then, no payment plans, no BMW’s to covet.  In case you haven’t noticed sin hasn’t changed, but it will change us.  But so will Jesus if given the chance.  So what happened to my pride and prize R90S?  Traded it to a girl, for cash and a TX500 Yamaha.  Never heard of one, most people hadn’t.  It was a humbling experience, but I rather be humbled than humiliated. The shine of the chrome had faded, allowing the light of Jesus to shine even brighter.  I still love to ride and we are down to four motorcycles now.  God knows my passion to ride, and when he is the desire of our hearts, he will give us the desire of our hearts.  But he is above all else.  And the testing will continue, a 790 Duke 20% below dealer cost, and any Triumph I want at dealer cost.  I bet I can even find someone to finance my greed, but not at the price that comes with it.  What do you consider supremely important?  No wonder John closes with this warning, and I will too.  Keep yourself from idols.  For I have seen the chrome...and chosen Jesus instead.  May we all ride so long and so well...remember who holds the lien really owns the bike. 

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

so explain it to me

“Says all, knows nothing” was a popular quote when I was growing up.  People who would assume to know all about a topic because they had read about it, knew someone who knew someone who did, or passed a test in school proving they did.  It seems the only time they opened their mouth was to remind us of how stupid they really were, yet these types went onto high paying jobs in high positions, despite their ignorance.  Over the years I had many managers who couldn’t do my job, but when needed I could fit into theirs and do it just as well.  At least to pass the test.  From nepotism to fellow ballplayers, many times it was who they knew, rather than what they knew that counted, and when asked a specific question, rally never had a great answer, or at least one that answered your question.  For instance...

With my open heart surgery, and the accompanying disease, I am the only one in medical history who had what I had.  Some may come close with some of the problems, but none can compare with me.  Yet upon leaving the hospital, and even before, I was deluged with advice on how to take care of myself.  People who were well wishing sometimes, who knew a friend with the same thing-wrong, had stints they thought was open heart surgery-wrong, or wanted to show how superior they were to me.  As I must have been in sin for it to happen to me,heard that one more than once.  So after listening to their dribble, and putting up with it, when they said “I understand what you are going through,” I started to answer, “really, then explain it to me, I don’t get it.”  Effectively ending the conversation, with a few who warned me not to get so rude.  Seemed fair, as they should know all about rude.  But sometimes it’s just like a friend, who seeing my FJ1100, bragged he had one too.  Mine was like new, his was rattle can black, missing part of the fairing, and the exhaust dented.  He did have one too, just not like mine.  Or was it mine wasn’t like his?  Another very rich man, tried to impress a group of us riders one day with all the places in the US of A he had been.  But when we started naming roads, restaurants, things we had seen along the way, he wanted to change the conversation.  We had both been to many of the same places, but he had flown in, attended a meeting at a hotel, then flown out again.  Same town, different places, and he had really not seen very much.  Unless you consider visiting airports a motorcycle trip...

The news tells us how crime is going down locally, and we should all feel safer.  Yet when my car was stolen, it was 100% in my neighborhood,and at my home.  Attend a smoke free beach, it is until the first one lights up.  Pick a subject, and someone will need to explain it to me...like the time...

I was leaving church,when a man saw my Triumph shirt and wanted to talk.  He had one too, then his wife entered the conversation, telling me how she was in the medical field and how dangerous motorcycles were.  I told her I was in the medical field too, a patient, which she didn’t think was funny, true, being a patient isn’t funny, but I said, “I’m really glad to meet you, as I have a medical question.”  Her eyes lit up.  “I have had three friends die in their sleep the past two months, is it safe for me to go to sleep tonight?” Her answer contained some words you don’t hear at church or the ones George Carlin used to joke about not being heard on the radio.  I just wanted to know and gave her a chance....”says all, knows nothing.”  Now there’s one you don’t have to explain to me.

1 John tells us that if we pray with confidence, God hears us.  According to his will.  Many leave out the last part.  But Jesus made it simple, when his disciples asked him how to pray.  With two key verses, to explain it all.  “Thy will be done.”  Maybe the four hardest words in a prayer.  But when his will is done, we can be assured of his answer.  And we will be blessed by it.  No more 20 minute diatribe explaining the situation to God, as if he isn’t aware of it, just ask “what is your will for me today?”  Listening the most important part of prayer, before and after asking.  And as you get to know his voice, we are reassured that the sheep, us, know the voice of the great shepherd, Jesus.  That is true praying in the spirit, it is all about Jesus, not us.  But don’t stop asking, but start listening more, might save you a lot of talking.  He didn’t say to he who has a voice, let him speak, he did say, to he who has an ear, let him hear.  And then his second answer, “on earth as it is in heaven.”  When in the spirit, Jesus is always with us.  We don’t have to leave earth to be in his presence, to have Jesus, for wherever we are, his spirit that dwells in also is.  Simple prayer, simple answer.  But Jesus goes further....

In the garden of Gethsemane, facing death, he cried not to God his father, “not my will, but yours be done.”  Can we ever pray so boldly?  And later saying “I am glad that you heard me.”  So if we pray in the spirit, we will have the things of the spirit, heavenly things from God in heaven, and we know that what we ask in his will shall be done.  And that those things outside of his will, will not be done.  Think about it, we are given the answers to our prayers before we ask, when we ask in his name.  His will be done.  God plays no favorites, lest you think you must find a priest or pastor to pray for you, but we can join the group of those who have intimacy with him in prayer.  Put simply, you are never alone when you have the spirit of God within you, and always have the perfect prayer partner with you.  Who better to pray with than him?  Some pray to God, we can pray with him.  And in his will, in his time, it will come true!  So explain it to me, why are you asking more and getting less?  Are not the words of Jesus, and his example enough?  What part of the truth don’t you get?

We all pray, but do we all understand the answer?  Yes, we think God is so great, he agrees with me.  No, he must not understand, I’ll try a different approach.  But when he says wait, what do we do?  For how long, for what?  Do I have to pray again if I don’t agree with his answer?  Please, let’s hurry it up Lord....These things shall follow them that believe, and it starts with prayer.  Being in his will by seeking him, and his truth.  Praying in the spirit, and knowing he has already the answer.   Recovering from surgery, Isaiah 65:24 reminds us that before we ask, he is at work.  Isn’t that the kind of God we want and need?  I was in a coma for eight days, unable to pray, and yet God knew and heard me.  By his spirit.  So if you don’t understand, ask the only one who does.  Jesus.  You see I have been there, and if you say you understand, I would love to hear your testimony.  On earth as it is in heaven.  What better answer can you ever have....knowing he hears us even before we ask.  I guess that should just about explain it all...

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

 

will you still love me tomorrow? or after the new wears off

How many times have we been taken in by the ads for a new model or new car and been willing to sell all we have or will have to get it?  Probably more common than you think, as I look back on cars I have purchased when I could get financed, but still couldn’t afford a trip to the grocery store until the next paycheck.  Sometimes it starts with the ad, telling you how you life will change after you buy their car, sometimes it is the neighbor we hate because he has one upped us and suddenly your two year old sedan looks like an old man’s car compared to his new fastback.  Maybe it was the younger single co-worker with no kids and money to spend who dove you over edge, maybe a raise that finally enabled you to break even every month, but went to a new car.  Whatever the reason, we were driven to the new car dealer and drove out with a new car. 

Now this new car could come in many shapes and models.  The sedan you hate may be the car they desire, if only because it has four doors for all the kids.  It isn’t in the shop every week.  Maybe the attraction of shiny new paint is too much, a promise of better miles per gallon, or the new car smell that never lasts long enough.  But for all these reasons and more, we will go onto debt, sacrifice regular meals, wear worn out shoes and jeans just so we can peek into the garage and see the new baby we just had.  And new and beautiful it is, until after everyone has seen it, and admired your choice, and then the first payment comes.  Suddenly all the new is gone, and it is relegated to the same status as the once treasured car it replaced.  After the new wears off, when it needs service, a bath and some tlc, too many sit there and ask “will you still love me tomorrow?” 

If cars could talk, I know guys who claim they can, the new ones and the old ones would have interesting conversations.  The new would be excited about a new owner, about being new and desirable, while the older cars would look back and remember when they once were new.  And warn the new cars of things to come, to enjoy today, for some day you will be just another used car to be traded.  That as important as you were the day you drove off the showroom floor, the in between years will have taken their toll, and now a final bath and shine will try to cover up al the use and abuse.  As you now are a commodity to be sold to the highest bidder.  All the things that were going to be fixed tomorrow will be passed on to the next owner, who hopefully sees you as you were once seen when new.  How many used cars I have purchased, overlooked by buyers because the point is faded, and just needs a day of cleaning and tuning, and bought and enjoyed.  When I needed a rain car this year, a 2000 Xterra came into my life, passed over because of age and miles, but super clean and mostly all working, it serves the exact purpose I bought it for.  New tires give it a tougher look, and if you look at the side that didn’t face the sun you will be impressed by the paint, the other side faded by the sun.  So I park it with the good side facing me,and grin as this survivor fills a need.  If it could talk, I think it would be happy with its new home, a certain patina accompanying it, a car I can take to Walmart and not cringe.  It was new once....and now is new again to me.  Just an old car that needs paint....I took the time to look and see beyond the patina....

As I read the ads from Hemmings, I always wonder why the perfect car for sale will the list a few inexpensive items that need to be fixed.  Or why the guy in Florida whose car is his prize never fixed the AC?  Or how did the dents get in this flawless auto?  And why while the rest of the car is presentable, does under the hood look horrible?  I know I get in trouble asking too many questions, but sometimes you just gotta know before you buy.  Or make a commitment.  So it is when people come to Jesus.  They are told the stories of how he forgives their sin, will make them new again, but hide the things inside they don’t want him to know about.  Not knowing that with age they will take them down, but still rely on a friend, Bible study, prayer chain, pastor, or author to tell them everything is OK,when they all know it’s not.  Shiny new Christians ready to take on the world, and the world eats them alive.  The hidden sin their peers cannot see gnawing away at them, until they go onto their next religious experience, and forgetting about Jesus.  Where once they were all about Jesus, now only the external matter, the appearance of godliness, while the needed spiritual repairs go neglected.  Being a new creature in Christ has become old, still saved but joyless, as the spirit is denied.  Minor things have become big things, big things have become deadly.  They exist but not live on life support, supported by anything but Jesus, and wonder why the elite Christians look down on them.  Not knowing those looking down are just as miserable.

But these are just the kind of people Jesus died for.  The imperfect, the downtrodden, the messed up, on drugs or alcohol, divorced and abandoned, and lonely and lost.  At trade in time he doesn’t see our past, but our future, and in him it is bright.  In him. Repeat that until you believe it.  You never have to wonder if Jesus will still love you tomorrow, while still in the womb he knew you.  A person to him then, a person to him now.  He not only loves you as you are, he wants to you to see you as he sees you, and to take advantage of his promises.  Both in times of joy, and in times of trials.  Just because you need some repairs in your life, he will not trade you or forsake you.  No back row of used up lives on his lot, all are made new again.  But we need to believe Jesus, trust in his spirit, or we are calling God a liar.  Harsh words, but do we know better than God?  He will love us tomorrow, will we still love him?  Is not God more dependable than people, than our old cars?  We can see the oil leak under the car, but do we dare look and trust to see where it is coming from?  God is asking us to trust him to look, not based on religion and what he can do for us, but on who he is and what Jesus has already done. Why do we trust the man behind the pulpit but not God whom he represents? 

There are a lot of qualified mechanics out there that can solve symptoms, only God sees the cause and heals it.  Do we trust God or man?  Can God lie?  Does God lie?  If we trust him to be saved, can we not trust him with every day troubles?  In each case, let him be God, let him love you, and don’t worry about the patina.  My open heart scar only testifies to the greatness of him, each scar we have is to remind us of that.  The old body won’t matter in heaven, or in hell either.  Perform the regular maintenance as he suggests and enjoy life.  Or you too could be the one being traded as religion lets you down.  All of the Bible is inspired by God, the truth he calls Jesus.  No other name by which we can be saved.  By refusing you call God a liar.  And liars have no place in the kingdom of God.  Only Jesus gives you the opportunity to be forgiven.  Would you really want to give your life to anyone else?  Something to remember before you commit to the payment schedule.  Walk in faith that turns to trust, and never have to worry.  New models come and go, God got it right the first time with Jesus.  You can too.

love with compassion,

Mike

mattehw25biker.blogspot.com