my first, last, and only night spent in Yosemite

John and I were Jersey boys who met in Santa Monica while on vacation through friends of friends who knew each other.  So it only made sense that he should ride back with me in my van, after a few stops along the way.  Which included Yosemite National Park, and a night spent there.  We had no intention of spending the night, but like the others who filled the overflow lot, when it turned into a tail gate party, and it got too late to leave, a Park Ranger stopped by to notify us to quiet down and look out for bears.  It took a few visits for the quiet part, and none of us suspected bears.  To me at least, bears were all about Smokey, or the contemporary Smokey Bear, the police handing out speeding tickets.  A far cry from the real Smokey, but following the warnings to throw away all trash and secure our vehicles,  we all went our separate ways to bed.  When sometime in the early hours of the morning, we were all awakened by a horrible screeching, tearing noise of metal on metal.  Soon the parking lot was ablaze with flash lights and lanterns, and the shadow of a bear running off into the woods.  Not sure if the noise or lights scared him away, but most of the side of a van parked down from me was gone, as the bear had smelled food, and tried to get it by reaching in a window, and then pulling back the sheet metal a good 18 inches.  All the warnings became truth in that moment, my first, last, and only night even spent in Yosemite.  I would travel through many times after, even see bears running across in front of me, but that night when all the warnings came true, my respect for bears grew immensely.....

The Bible tells us of a day when all of the true believers in Jesus Christ will be called out of this world, referred to as the rapture.  False prophets try to figure the date, films are made about the apocalypse, and some try to figure out who the anti-Christ is.  All taking a bite of scripture, but all falling short of the truth.  For one thing Jesus doesn’t even know of the time he calls for his bride, us, it will not be the end for Christians but really the beginning, and it won’t matter to us who the anti-Christ is, we will be with the real Christ, Jesus.  But the Bible does talk of the seasons and signs that warn  of his return, and the ultimate Bible scholar Satan knows them.  He sees the signs, the warnings, and like never before, we are able to see them too.  While some scoff at us, making fun that he hasn’t returned yet, we get it from all sides, but we should be getting it from God’s side.  Earthquakes and environmental warnings, wars and violence, pleasure seeking and financial woes, disease and stress, drug problems, people seeking knowledge but not wisdom, and settling for false teaching, and finally the search for who is the anti-Christ, instead of seeking the real Christ.  All things that have occurred since Jesus’ crucifixion, but now increasing in intensity, as we have hurricane and tornado seasons, earthquakes places we have never seen them and in great intensity with tidal waves, anti-Semitism once hidden, now everywhere including our government, people worshipping climate based on weather, mass shootings, street warfare in Chicago, Baltimore, and cities worldwide.  An all about me society based on feelings which will betray us, sensitivity training,a another word for all about me, selfishness.  Debt controlling us, new strains of disease everyday, old diseases once destroyed now returning like leprosy.  Legalizing of drugs, controlling people by sedation, and the opiod crisis, self inflicted wounds.  The internet being worshipped as in controls our lives, a storehouse of information, but lacking wisdom in how to apply it.  False teachers denying Jesus but appearing religious, leading others astray, and many seeking anti-Christ, if only to know who he is.  As a true believer, we will never know, and so what if we do, we will all be in heaven and who will care?  True the warnings are there, with only one person noticing them, Satan.

He knows the times and seasons, and knows his time is growing short, so is increasing his evil like never before.  But where sin abounds grace does even more, and God has everything under control, his control.  A season where he addresses the church, separating the sheep from the goats, the saved from the faker.  A time where many call out in their distress for Jesus to come now, but forgetting he is patient that none should perish.  How many of us pray for his patience, that none should perish, forgetting if he came before we were saved we would be left behind without him?  Do we really love God and our neighbor as ourself? 

Today can be the day of salvation Jesus offers, or the tomorrow that you weren’t promised yesterday.  No one escapes hell, the gates keep them in, only Jesus can keep you out.  And no one wants to escape heaven!  Like the warnings of the bears, they were all foolishness until one surprised us all.  And then it was too late.  Don’t get caught up in the false warnings or Hollywood rhetoric, don’t put off Jesus today you may not have tomorrow.  Remember scripture tells us Jesus will call us out like a thief in the night.   Maybe the old movie from the seventies by the same name can be found and watched.  It’s on Youtube.  Many false prophets will come and have, only Jesus is the truth.  Where you wake up is more important than where you fall asleep, proven one night in Yosemite.  You can have that assurance right now by calling out to Jesus, and being saved.  You don’t have to be left behind, you can look forward to what lies ahead.  If you thought being a Christian the first time around was tough, you don’t want to be here for the second time without him.  When you lay me down to sleep, are you sure where you will wake up?  Have you prayed for the Lord your soul to keep?  If a five year old can get it, what’s your problem?

The evidence is there and demands a verdict from you.  Two Jersey boys fell asleep that night, only one knew Jesus.  But in his patience.....God so loved me.  Us.  I’ll never know what it is like here after the rapture, and I don’t care, will you?  Where you watch it from will make all the difference.  Of course it could never happen to you...could it?  Like the bears, the warnings are there...

love with compassion,

Mike

mattehw25biker.blogspot.com

tips on adjusting the valves on a two stroke motor and other helpful hints

Years ago when Jimi Hendrix asked “have you ever been experienced?” I’m still not sure what he was talking about.  I have had experiences, but maybe not what he was talking about or offering.  But a few experiences I have had while inexperienced may help.  100 years ago when I was a Boy Scout, a career Tenderfoot, I was told to find a left handed smoke shifter.  As were the other newbies, only to come back empty handed.  After straight faced Scoutmasters, store clerks, and other scouts couldn’t help, it was finally revealed there was no such thing, and the joke was on you, to be passed on to the next group of newbies.  If asked about a left handed smoke shifter experience, I can answer “I have.”  Have I ever seen one, “no.”

Guys new to the bench racing group, long before they are recognized as a hang along, are asked about their muffler bearings, or their exhaust nebulizer.  Like the smoke shifter crowd, the laughs are plenty because there are no such things, but such is the rite of passage into the group.  But as we age, we hopefully gain knowledge along with our experience.  Which may not always be the case.  For example...in another life I once sold American Motors Cars and Jeeps, long before the SUV sickness took over.  My friend Mike was one of the more creative salesman, and one time a man waiting for his car in service, encountered Mike in the showroom.  Looking under a Jeep, he asked “what is that blue thing?”  And Mike went on to explain it was a Bertel Overdrive, unique to Jeeps.  And then asked the man if he was having his serviced, as it was critical it was serviced properly and only by Jeep mechanics.  Not knowing, he asked his advisor, who wasn’t sure, who asked the service manager, who didn’t know, who asked the parts man who had never heard of one, and then called Jeep in Toledo at their home office.  And they didn’t know, but they knew that blue thing was the Quadra Trac and all Jeeps had one.  Had these guys ever been experienced?  Now they can say “I have.”

As a new Christian I believed every word from the pulpit.  I had a strong hunger to learn scripture, to know all about God, and to know Jesus.  I was being fed and digesting it all when the church I attended changed pastors.  Now being a new pastor has to be tough, and he needed to make a strong initial impression, and I can remember his first Sunday vividly.  After the applause and a warm welcome, he said “please turn your Bibles to Hezekiah 3:16, that will be our study today.”  The noise of pages turning was almost deafening, as the full sanctuary looked for Hezekiah, and soon it began to quiet down.  And puzzled looks filled the room.  No one could find the book of Hezekiah because there is no book in the Bible called Hezekiah.  It was a test to see where we were at with God, but some took it personal, how dare this new guy insult us?  To me it was a lesson on truth and checking out what came from the pulpit.  Just because it is said doesn’t make it true.  Learning curves run from left handed smoke shifters to Bertel overdrives, and can include helpful steps on two stroke valve adjustment, but when it comes to the things of God, it is always best to go to the source, the Word, just as 1 John 4 advises, to test the spirit.  Just because it sounds good doesn’t mean it is, and too many are led astray by scripture twisted to suit a purpose or to excuse their sin.  So in the words of Jesus, “be wary lest you stray.”

Over the years I have been fooled myself, and seen others fooled by claims that sound true.  Pastors taking a denominational stand going against scripture, church leaders claiming to be God or the only voice that God speaks to, or even the messiah himself.  We are warned that even Satan can disguise himself as an angel of light, and can mislead the elect, Christians.  We are to be as wise as serpents, yet as gentle as lambs, to test the spirit, to trust God, because all men are liars, some unwittingly, some to deceive.  Something to consider when you open your wallet or purse to give.  God’s view on giving is different, as the Corinthians knew....

Be a cheerful giver, we live under grace, not the tithing law, and if you only give your tithe but complain about it, there is no blessing.  We are to give as the spirit shows us, and it is written the rich never had too much, nor the poor too little.  True giving shows where our heart is with Jesus, the widow who gave her two mites, all she had, an example of Jesus giving all he had.  Remember he owned no property, and didn’t even have a place to lie his head, yet he had all he needed from his Father.  Can we say the same, do we give hilariously, as scripture instructs, or do we hang onto it to increase our FICO score?  To impress our friends or to boost our portfolio?  Or do we give freely of hat we have, our time and money?  Our skills and talents?  Read Acts 2:42, maybe show it to your pastor.  God supplies all your needs through his riches and glory, not the church.  But he can use the church, but only if the church is willing.  Ask any non-Christian about the church and they will tell you the church is only after their money.  That I have experienced.  Don’t confuse the church with Jesus!

So be a giver, led by the spirit, and when asked if you know it is more blessed to give than receive, can you answer “I have been experienced.”  Do you grudgingly pay your tithe, God doesn’t need it.  Do you do without to pay it?  Read 2 Corinthians 8, you may be surprised.  I have never heard that chapter taught from a pulpit.  Don’t depend on the church for the things of God that are available to you in Christ.  Scripture tells us we will never see the faithful without bread, or their children being hungry.  But it does say “if you won’t work, you won’t eat,” won’t not don’t.  Check it out, don’t trust me....

Oh and the tips on adjusting the valves on a two stroke motor, there aren’t any.  The engine is much different than a four stroke.  Money is not the root of all evil, only the love of it.  Don’t fall for the apple Eve ate, it doesn’t say that.  It might have been a grape.  From the vine, which Jesus tells us to be part of.  To live in him, he is the vine dresser.  And God helps more than those who cannot help themselves.  Pick up your Bible and read it for yourself.  Experience Jesus for yourself.  And if asked “have you ever been experienced?” you can answer “I know Jesus personally.”  I only hope Jimi did.

Now turn your Bibles to page....and no peeking at the guy next to you.  He just might be on another page....as I search the Web to find examples, only to find I must turnoff my ad blocker or subscribe.  Beware.....you cannot teach experience, but you can have great ones.  I hope your Christian experience includes Jesus, it’s hell without him.  Not an experience I would want to have....

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

     

nine days with a new bike, no money, and no place to go

For me it started on a hot August afternoon when we lived in New Mexico.  It was too hot to ride, so Brett and I decided to cruise by the local Yamaha store, a place we never went because we both rode Hondas, but where we had heard they had a left over 1985 FJ1100 for sale.  We went just to look, but they were discounting it $1000, big bucks 35 years ago, and would give me what I had paid for my CB650 Nighthawk when it was new.  So back home to get Theresa’s blessing on it, and with no money but good credit, an hour later I was the owner of a new bike, another “just going to look afternoon....”

But with a three day weekend called Labor Day coming up, and taking vacation the following week, it would give me nine days to go somewhere, and with my grandparents only 2500 miles away, I could ride there in three days, visit for three days, and three days back.  Ending up riding over 6000 miles in nine days, a very proper way to break in a new bike.  Now I don’t remember much of the ride there except it rained a lot, eastern Kansas was hillier than I thought, and a night spent in Mt. Pleasant, Illinois in an old motor court where the AC put out more noise than cool, and spending the evening with the other travelers outside where it was cooler, with the tiki torches warding off most, but not all the bugs.  And I cannot remember the ride back, except for the last day riding almost 700 miles from OK City to home.  In the rain.  All in the 55 mph world we were prisoners in at the time.....

I had called my Grandma and told her my plans, and we were to surprise my Grandpa, just in case I didn’t come and disappoint him.  But surprise him I did, it was like he knew it was me when I rode by him sitting on the porch steps, as if he already knew without being told.  But for those three days, again I don’t remember a lot of the details, it seems the best times go beyond words and description, but it was a special time, a secret time that we never told anyone else in my family about.  A good time of eating, catching up with things you forget when calling on the phone, and the last night, dressing for dinner, and going out for a fancy meal, something none of us did very often, but the perfect way to end the visit.  What had started out as nine days with a new bike, no money, and no place to go, ended up being one of the best last minute rides I would ever take.  And a memory I treasure to this day, something special about it not being something special, and like the Harley shirt says, :if I have to explain, you wouldn’t understand...”

Reading through the gospels we find Jesus spent much of his time on the road.  We learn, memorize, study, and try to remember all the things he did mentioned in them, but we have no mention of the in between times, the times just hanging with his disciples, over meals, while walking, or getting ready for bed.  We have no mention of the times around a campfire, of the personal one on one times spent, times they took for granted, thinking he would always be with them, not knowing what laid ahead, and a lot of times it was just another day with Jesus.  Even to the point of not knowing the last supper would be their last supper with him, he had always been there, with little thought for tomorrow.  I ask people lately about their Christian experience, and find so much is wrapped around the church, study, services, and doing the right things, but never is mentioned any intimate one on one time with Jesus.  If he is mentioned at all.  It seems because it is religion we have to be religious, but Jesus wasn’t religious, he was against the things of religion that came between us and God, and seeks personal time with us.  Maybe consider your Christian experience and how much Jesus is involved in it, it may surprise you.  And disappoint.  For me it was one afternoon, home alone and quiet, and I shared a ride I had taken with Jesus, he loved to hear of my ride, to be included among those I would tell about it.  He was one of the guys, a friend, but still God with no religious overtones included, two friends talking.  I wonder how many times the disciples looking back told stories of the conversations they had, the things they did with him, the relationship they had with him outside of scripture.  I wonder if we do the same.....

In the heat of the moment we never see the history that is being made, actions that seem normal but will be remembered fondly later on.  But it is the precious times we spend with Jesus, the times that go beyond words, the ones we cannot share with others because they wouldn’t get it that make it all personal.  The proof written on our hearts of the reality of him and is promises, testimonies to be shared only if and when the right time arrives, but times without words, spiritual times with our Lord and Savior. 

Born again or bored again, too many Christians never experience all that Jesus has to offer.  Consider your Christian experience today, is it all about Jesus or all about religion?  The relationship with God doesn’t end when leaving church, in the spirit it is only beginning.  You may know all the right scriptures, but how well do you know the man who said them?  Who wrote them?  Who reveals them to you?  If you are afraid to let Jesus make it personal, you are normal, acting naturally, so go beyond the supernatural, and trust him.  Let the joy of him flow through you.  Let all the no’s of life turn into one big know, that of knowing him personally.  He never left you nor forsakes you, so no appointment needed.  When minutes turn to hours, and hours turn to minutes, you find the time is not as important as the one who created it. 

The look on my Grandpa’s face made the whole trip worthwhile, the joy my visit brought him, a trip that I thought was all about me, was really all about Jesus, giving of myself, and seeing my Grandparents blessed.  The fact God used a motorcycle to do it......well we all need more rides like that.  It all started out just looking, and look what it turned into.  Jesus and motorcycles, it just don’t get any better.  And like the old James Taylor song reminds me, “with ten miles behind me and ten thousand more to go...”

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.bkogspot.com